University of Virginia Library

The Prologue.

Gentlemen, I come to yee like one that lackes and would borrow, but was loath to aske least hee should be denied: I would aske, but J would aske to obtaine: O would J knewe that manner of asking: to beg were base, and to cooche low and to carry an humble shew of entreatie, were too Dog-like that fawnes on his maister to get a bone from his Trencher: out Curre J cannot abide it, to put on the shape and habit of this new worlds new found beggars mistermed Souldiers, as thus: sweet Gentlemen, let a poore Scholler implore and exerate, that you would make him rich in the possession of a mite of your fauours, to keep him a true man in wit, and to pay for his lodging among the Muses: so God him helpe he is driuen to a most low estate, tis not vnknowne what seruice of words he hath been at, he lost his lims in a late conflict of stoute, a braue repulse and a hot assault it was, he doth protest, as euer he saw since hee knewe what the report of a volley of iestes were, he shall therefore desire you: A plague vpon it, each Beadle disdained, would whip him from your companie. Well Gentlemen, I cannot tell howe to get your fauours better then by desert: then the worse lucke, or the worse wit or some what, for I shall not now deserue it. Welcome then, J commit my selfe to my fortune, & your coments, contented to dye, if your seuere iudgements shall iudge me to be stung to death with the Adders hisse.