 | The False One |  |
143
The Prologue.
New Titles, warrant not a Play for new,The subject being old: and 'tis as true,
Fresh, and neate matter may with ease be fram'd
Out of their Stories, that have oft been nam'd
With glory on the Stage: what borrows he
From him that wrote olde Priams Tragedy.
That writes his love to Hecuba? Sure, to tell
Of Cæsars amorous heates, and how he fell
In the Capitoll, can never be the same.
To the Judicious: Nor will such blame
Those that penn'd this, for Barrennesse when they finde
Young Cleopatra here, and her great mind
Express'd to the height, with us a Maid, and free,
And how he rated her Virginity.
We treat not of what boldnesse she did dye,
Nor of her fatall Love to Anthony.
What wee present and offer to your view,
(Upon their Faiths) the Stage yet never knew.
Let Reason then, first to your wills give Lawes,
And after judge of them, and of their Cause.
| The False One | |