The PROLOGUE.
Where
the Bee can suck no Honey, she leaves her sting behind; and where the
Bear cannot find Origanum to heal his grief, he blasteth all other leaves
with his breath. We fear it is like to fare so with us; that seeing you cannot
draw from our labours sweet content, you leave behind you a sower mis-like,
and with open reproach blame our good meaning, because you cannot reap the wonted mirth.
Our intent was at this time to move inward delight, not outward lightness; and to breed (if
it might be) soft smiling, not loud laughing: knowing it (to the wise) to be a great pleasure,
to hear Counsel mixed with Wit, as to the foolish to have sport mingled with rudeness. They
were banished the Theater of Athens, and from Rome hissed, that brought Parasites on the Stage
with apish actions, or Fools with uncivil habits, or Courtezans with immodest words. We have
endeavoured to be as far from unseemly speeches, to make your ears glow, as we hope you will be
free from unkind reports, or mistaking the Authors intention (who never aimed at any one particular
in this Play,) to make our cheeks blush. And thus I leave it, and thee to thine own
censure, to like, or dislike. Vale
