University of Virginia Library

Prologue delivered by an Amazon with a Battle-Axe in her hand.

The best of English Poets for the Stage
(Such was the envie, nicenesse, and the rage
Of pettish weakelings, and detracting fooles,
That could prayse no man; and, i'th' muddie pooles
Of their owne vices, were o'rwhelm'd) was faine
An armed Prologue to produce, on paine
Of being tongue-strucke. There ore, marvell not
The present author (having not forgot
How in's first Play, he met with too much spite)
Sho'd send an armed Amazon, t' invite
(If it be possible) all minds to affect
What of himselfe, he could not well expect
From his detractors: Or, to let those know,
He cares not each of them prove still a foe.
Yet, this his second (as that first) he made
To please you, not for Money; to invade
Your wills for your owne profit. For, if his minde
He had sought by it to content, you'd finde
Another method in't; and not a word
Of any mirth or love, wo'd he afford
To make you laugh or languish. All, rich stuffe
(Though not so pleasing) he'd expose, to cuffe
(And generally too) the monster vice;
Which he performes but gently, in this piece.
Yet, it's beleev'd 't will please the most and best,
In all the passages; and for the rest.
Let 'em (if they will needs) in pudles swim:
For, he sleights them more, then they can wrong him.