University of Virginia Library

The Introduction.

Enter the Tyer-man.

In good faith Gentlemen, I thinke we shall be forced to giue
you right Iohn Drums entertainment, for hee that composde
the Booke, we should present, hath done vs very vehement
wrong, he hath snatched it from vs, vpon the very instance
of entrance, and with violence keepes the boyes from
comming on the Stage. So God helpe me, if we wrong your
delights, tis infinitly against our endeuours, vnles we should
make a tumult in the Tyring-house.

Exit Tyer-man.
Enter one of the Children.
You much mistake his Action Tyer-man,
His violence proceeds not from a minde
That grudgeth pleasure to this generous presence,
But doth protest all due respect and loue
Vnto this choise selected influence.
He vowes, if he could draw the musick frō the Spheares
To entertaine this presence with delight,
Or could distill the quintessence of heauen
In rare composed Sceanes, and sprinkle them
Among your eares, his industry should sweat
To sweeten your delights: but he was loth,
Wanting a Prologue, & our selues not perfect,
To rush vpon your eyes without respect:
Yet if youle pardon his defects and ours,
Heele giue vs passage, & your pleasing sceanes,
And vowes not to torment your listning eares
With mouldy fopperies of stale Poetry,
Vnpossible drie mustie Fictions:
And for our parts to gratifie your fauour,
Weele studie till our cheekes looke wan with care,
That you our pleasures, we your loues may share.