University of Virginia Library

The Prologue.

Another Tragedy? What will become
Of the soft Muse? Shee'l shortly have no roome
On this transform'd stage. Ladies shall not blush,
Nor smile under their fannes: nor he in plush,
That from the Poets labours in the pit
Informes himselfe for th'exercise of wit
At Tavernes, gather notes. Stay, I should be
A Prologue, not a Satyre. You shall see
A piece from a rich subject drawne; but how
The workmanship will please, and you allow
Th'imperfect colours and the weake designe,
Let your owne judgements tell you, and not mine.
The Author warrants us the story's cleare;
Vnlesse to fit the Stage he doth transferre
Some actions that were ones to other men:
The places sometimes chang'd too for the Scene.
Which is translated as the musick playes
Betwixt the acts: wherein he likewise prayes
You will conceive his battailes done, and then
The methode shall appeare, in which his pen
Hath smoothly drest the argument. 'Tis free
As ever Play was from scurrility.
Nor need you Ladies feare the horrid sight:
And the more horrid noise of target fight
By the blue-coated Stage-keepers: our spheares
Have better musick to delight your eares,
And not a straine that's old, though some would taske
His borrowing from a former play. We aske
Your patience but two houres, by which time hee
Shall either dye or live to Poesie.