The poetical and dramatic works of Sir Charles Sedley Collected and Edited from the Old Editions: With a preface on the text, explanatory and textual notes, an appendix containing works of doubtful authenticity, and a bibliography: By V. de Sola Pinto |
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| LVI. | LVI PROLOGUE [TO EPSOM WELLS] |
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 | The poetical and dramatic works of Sir Charles Sedley |  |
LVI
PROLOGUE [TO EPSOM WELLS]
Poets and thieves can scarce be rooted out,
Scape ne're so hardly, they'll have th'other bout;
Burnt in the hand the Thieves fall to't agen,
And Poets hist, cry they did so to Ben—
Like Boys, who have at School too oft been stript,
They have no feeling in the part that's whipt.
They're for your pity, not your anger, fit,
They're e'en such fools, they wou'd be thought t'have wit.
Elsewhere you all can flatter, why not here;
You'll say you pay, and so can be severe:
Judge for yourselves then Gallants as you pay,
And lead not each of you his Bench astray:
Let easie Citts be pleased with all they hear,
Go home and to their neighbours praise our Ware.
They with good stomachs come, and fain wou'd eat
You nothing like, and make them loath their meat;
Though some men are with Wine, Wit, Beauty cloy'd;
The Creatures are by others still enjoy'd.
'Tis not fair play, that one for his Half Crown
Shou'd judge, and rail, and damn for half the Town.
But do your worst; if once the Pit grows thin,
Your dear lov'd Masks, will hardly venture in.
Then w'are reveng'd on you, who needs must come
Hither, to shun your own dull selves at home:
49
Either your Heads or Bellies full of wit:
Our Poet hopes to please; but not too well;
Nor wou'd he have the angry Criticks swell.
A moderate Fate best fits his humble mind,
Be neither they too sharp, nor you too kind.
| The poetical and dramatic works of Sir Charles Sedley | |