University of Virginia Library

Prologue.

What if we serve you now a Trick? and do
Like him who posted Bills that he would show
So many active feats, and those so high,
That Court and City came to see him fly?
But he, good man, carefull to empty still
The Money-Boxes, as the House did fill,
Of all his Tricks, had time to shew but one:
He lin'd his Purse, and, Presto! he was gone!—
Many were then as fond, as you are now,
Of seeing stranger things than Art can show.
We may perform as much as he did doe;
We have your Money, and a Back-Door too.
Go, and be couzen'd thus, rather than stay
And wait to be worse couzen'd with our Play.
For you shall bear such course complaints of Love,
Such silly sighing, as no more will move
Your Passion then Dutch Madrigals can doe,
When Skippers, with wit Beards, at Wapping wooe.
Hope little from our Poets wither'd witt;
From Infant-Players, scarce grown Puppets yet.
Hope from our Women less, whose bashfull fear,
Wondred to see me dare to enter here:
Each took her leave, and wisht my danger past;
And though I come back safe, and undisgrac'd,
Yet when they spye the WITS here then I doubt
No Amazon can make 'em venture out.
Though I advis'd 'em not to fear you much;
For I presume not half of you are such.
But many Trav'lers here as Judges come;
From Paris, Florence, Venice, and from Rome:
Who will describe, when any Scene we draw,
By each of ours, all that they ever Saw.
Those praising, for extensive breadth and height,
And inward distance to deceive the sight.
When greater Objects, moving in broad Space,
You rank with lesser, in this narrow Place,
Then we like Chess-men, on a Chess-board are,
And seem to play like Pawns the Rhodian Warr.
Oh Money! Money! if the WITTS would dress,
With Ornaments, the present face of Peace;
And to our Poet half that Treasure spare,
Which Faction gets from Fools to nourish Warr;
Then his contracted Scenes should wider be,
And move by greater Engines, till you see
(Whilst you Securely sit) fierce Armies meet,
And raging Seas disperse a fighting Fleet.
Thus much he bad me say; and I confess
I think he would, if rich, mean nothing less;
But, leaving you your selves to entertain,
Like an old Rat retire to Parmazan.