Burlesque upon Burlesque Or, the Scoffer Scoft. Being some of Lucians Dialogues Newly put into English fustian. For the Consolation of those who had rather Laugh and be Merry, then be Merry and Wise [by Charles Cotton] |
 |
Prologue.
|
 | Burlesque upon Burlesque |  |
Prologue.
Gentles
behold a Rural Muse
In home-spun Robes, and clowted shoos,
Presents you old, but new translated News.
In home-spun Robes, and clowted shoos,
Presents you old, but new translated News.
We in the Country do not scorn
Our Walls with Ballads to adorn
Of patient Grizell, and the Lord of Lorne.
Our Walls with Ballads to adorn
Of patient Grizell, and the Lord of Lorne.
Old Tales, old Songs, and an old Jest,
Our stomachs easili'st disgest;
And of all Plays Hieronimo's the best.
Our stomachs easili'st disgest;
And of all Plays Hieronimo's the best.
We bring you hear a Fustian peece,
Writ by a merry Wagg of Greece,
Which yet the learned say's not much amiss.
Writ by a merry Wagg of Greece,
Which yet the learned say's not much amiss.
And if 'gainst stile Except you shall,
Wee must acquaint you once for all,
'Tis but Burlesque in the Original.
Wee must acquaint you once for all,
'Tis but Burlesque in the Original.
The Subject is without offence,
Doe but some smutty words dispence,
Wee'l make amends with Ryme, if not with Sence.
Doe but some smutty words dispence,
Wee'l make amends with Ryme, if not with Sence.
Besides you must not take a Picque,
If he sometimes speak plain, and gleek,
Without that Licence he could be no Greek.
If he sometimes speak plain, and gleek,
Without that Licence he could be no Greek.
But we our selves so hate prophaners,
And all corrupters of good manners,
Hee's qualified for all entertainers,
And all corrupters of good manners,
Hee's qualified for all entertainers,
And is so well reform'd from riot,
His Book is made so wholsome diet,
Virgins and Boys can run no danger by it.
His Book is made so wholsome diet,
Virgins and Boys can run no danger by it.
But why a Prologue, you will say,
To what nor is nor's like a Play?
That I expect you in my dish should lay.
To what nor is nor's like a Play?
That I expect you in my dish should lay.
Why though this Antick new-vaump't Wit,
With no such vain design was writ,
That it should either Gallery, Box, or Pit:
With no such vain design was writ,
That it should either Gallery, Box, or Pit:
Yet my renowned Author sayes,
These Scenes with those may pass for Playes
Were writ i'th' Dutchess of --- --- dayes.
These Scenes with those may pass for Playes
Were writ i'th' Dutchess of --- --- dayes.
But she is gone (I speak it quaking,
The sleeping Lioness for waking)
To write in a new world of her own making.
The sleeping Lioness for waking)
To write in a new world of her own making.
And now that she has shot the Pit,
You even must contented sit,
And take such homely fare as you can get.
You even must contented sit,
And take such homely fare as you can get.
For this, the Rymer says that penn'd it,
For a fine piece 'twas nere intended,
Since in a Month 'twas both begun, and ended.
For a fine piece 'twas nere intended,
Since in a Month 'twas both begun, and ended.
Some favour he expects therefore,
And does your mercies (Sirs) implore,
On one that never troubled you before.
And does your mercies (Sirs) implore,
On one that never troubled you before.
But yet he bid me e're I went hence
To tell you, that what ere's your Sentence,
It shall not cost him half an hours repentance.
To tell you, that what ere's your Sentence,
It shall not cost him half an hours repentance.
| Burlesque upon Burlesque | |