University of Virginia Library

The Prologue.

If there be any who their studies frame
To giue good men contentment, displease none;
In their faire rancke our Poet files his name:
If any further hold opinion,
That harsh vnciuill tearmes to procure shame
To any man, be here vngently sowne;
Let him thinke so a Gods name: but with all
He lets them know, what euer words do passe,
Do not on such as free inuectiues fall;
But forc'd replies of him first wronged was:
To vtter the mans name not neede I shall:
One, shrewdly tossed, leaudly glossed has
Many Greeke comedies: and by that meane
In that tongue good, in Latine marred cleane.
Twas he who but ere-while presented you
Menanders Phasos. to name it is inough:
But in the Treasure, there you saw him shew
rare workemanship, exceeding his rich stuffe.
One man another for found gold did sue:
(Our Orators are but a glimmering snuffe
To this bright Poets shining Oratory.)
Now in that case iudiciously he wrought
The partie at the barre, then defensorie,
To plead first, for the gold inquestion brought;
Before the plaintiffe vrgd his iniurie;
or reason shewd why he by action sought
Recouerie of that gold: or how the same
into the tombe of his dead father came.
I wish him henceforth, he himselfe not flatter;
Or thinke (his plates being passd) he stands secure
This will be vnsafe refuge for the matter
I haue against him: which (I him assure)
Is kept in store: and (cease he not to scatter
His tales abroad our scandall to procure;
As he begins; and leaue to vrge vs on)
Yet husht shall be produc'd to publique view.
This Eunuch now a foote for action
Being by the Ædiles bought, he hard did sue,
To be at sight of the relation.
The Ouerseers come, the Actors drew
To the rehearsall. I beseech you now,
But heare, what he hath challenged and how,
My man baules out in roare, a pilferer
No Poet hath now tenderd you a play:
And yet in all the same, no one word neither
Of's owne, for's money tenderd. Why, I pray?
Why out of Næuius, Plautus (chuse you whether)
All is purloind that you shall heare to day.
And going on, the enuious point he plies;
That this is stale stuffe in each author named:
That either of them in their Comedies
The souldier and flatterers part haue framed:
And that both thence are hither brought he cries.
Which, if't be such a fault as must be blamed;
Our Author sayes disknowing led him on:
No purpos'd filching practise thought vpon.
That this is so, may by you straight be tride:
Menanders Flatterer hath a Parasite,
Which Colax called is; there is beside
A braggart Souldier: that he did indite
Those personages thence is not denide,
To fill his Eunuch: but that he did wyte

The Eunuch was neuer before produced in Latine.

That this had euer beene the argument
Of Latine play before he vtterly
Denyes. If this now be so insolent,
To assume the persons vsed formerly
By other Poets; why is suffrance lent
To frame a seruant running hastely?
To fashion harlots wonton? matrons chaste?
Souldiers to vant? parasites cramming fast?
Why of false children are drabbes brought to bed?
Why the old Master cheated by his slaue?
Why are not loue, hate, iealousie yet dead?
There is no sentence (to conclude) we haue,
Which hath not formerly beene vttered.
It is but reason therefore, if we craue
Notice be tane; and our course pardoned:
If what in precedent the ancients gaue,
New Poets modestly haue followed.
Pray lend your fauor, and attentiue eare;
That you our Eunuches newes may fully heare.