 | The Vow Breaker. Or, The Faire Maide of Clifton |  |
The Prologue to Censurers.
Truth saies the Author, this Time will be boldTo tell a Story, truer ne're was told.
Wherein he boldly vouches all is true
That this Time's spoke by vs, or heard by you.
If Chronicle, that ever yet gain'd favour
May please true Iudgments: his true endeavour
From serious houres his gaind it: for vs
He hopes our labours will be prosperous.
And yet me thinkes I here some Criticke say
That they are much abus'd in this our Play.
Their Magistracy laught at! as if now
What Ninty yeeres since dy'd, a fresh did grow:
To those wee answer, that ere they were borne,
The story that we glaunse at, then was worne
And held authentick: and the men wee name
Grounded in Honours Prowesse, Vertues Fame.
Bring not the Author then, in your mislikes,
If on the Ages vice, quaintly he strikes
And hits your guilt! most plainely it appeares
He like a Taylor that hath lost his sheares
Amongst his shreds, he knockes upon the board,
And by the sound themselues they doe affoord.
If in his scenes, he any vice have hit
To you farre better knowne then to his wit,
Tak't to your selves alone: for him, his Penn
Strikes at the vices, and not mindes the men.
| The Vow Breaker. Or, The Faire Maide of Clifton | |