 | The citye match |  |
THE EPILOGVE AT WHITE-HALL.
The Author was deceiv'd, for should the Parts,And Play which you have seen, plead Rules & Arts,
Such as strict Criticks write by, who refuse
T'allow the Buskin to the Comick Muse,
Whose Region is the People, every straine
Of Royalty being Tragick, though none slaine:
He'd now, Great Sir, hold all his Rules untrue,
And thinks his best Rule is the Queen and You.
He should have searcht the Stories of each Age,
And brought five Acts of Princes on the Stage.
He should have taken measure, and rais'd sport,
From persons bright, and glorious as your Court;
And should have made his Argument to be
Fully as high, and great as They that see.
Here, he confesseth, you did nothing meet
But what was first a Comœdy ith' street:
Cheapside brought into verse, no passage strange
To any here that hath been at th'Exchange.
Yet he hopes none doth valew it so low
As to compare it with my Lord Maiors show.
Tis so unlike, that some, he feares, did sit,
Who missing Pageants did or'esee the wit.
Since then his Scenes no pomp or Highnesse boast,
And low things graced show Princes Princes most,
Your Royall smiles will raise't, and make him say,
He onely wrote, your liking made the Play.
| The citye match | |