University of Virginia Library

PROLOGUE.

The Curtain is drawn up, and there appears a Nymph leaning on an Urne, representing the River Thames, attended by two Nymphs, representing Peace and Plenty: Near Her are the four Parts of the World, seeming to make Offerings to Her: On the opening of the Scene, lamenting Voices are heard on both sides of the Theatre, at which, the Nymph of the River seems affrighted.
Voices
within.
Fly, Fly, Help, Oh! Help, or we dye.

Tha.
What mournful cryes are these on ev'ry side!
The Winds waft nothing to this Island o're,
But the complainings of some Neighb'ring Shore,
And all the Ecchoes are in groans employ'd.
The fair

London, anciently so called.

Augusta too, I weeping see,
Though none so fair, so rich, so great as She;
Alas! my Fears encrease:
You gentle Nymphs of Plenty and of Peace,
Shall now go seek some other Shore.
And you that with your Presents wait,
Shall bring your gifts no more.

Plen.
I to no other Dwelling will betake,

Pea.
Thy beautious Streams I never will forsake,

Euro.
And we our Presents still will make.

Om.
We our Presents still will make.

Plen.
Thy Stores with all my Plenty shall be fill'd.

Pea.
My Halcion on thy Banks her Nest shall build.

Euro.
Thou shalt in all my noblest Arts be skill'd.

Asi
My Jewels shall adorn no Brow but Thine.

Amer.
Thy Lovers in my Gold shall shine,

Afri.
Thou for thy Slaves, shalt have those
Scorched Sons of mine.

Pea., Ple.
Thy beautious streams we never will forsake.

Euro., Asi., Afr., Amer.
And we our Presents still will make.

Om.
We our Presents still will make.

Pea.
What should so much Beauty fear,
Round this Isle the Heavens appear
Like your own Streams, all undisturb'd and clear:

Tha.
These beautious Nymphs unfrightned too,
Not minding what on other Shores they do,
Their innocent delights pursue.

Pea.
See, They (void of grief or fear)
Come to entertain you here.

An Entry of Shepherds and Nymphs, Dancing round the Thames, &c. as they stood in their Figure.
[Here the Princesses and the other Ladies danced several Sarabrands with Castanets. A Minouet was also danced by his Grace the Duke of Monmouth; which ended, Thames proceeds.
Tha.
Oh! now my Spirits I recover,
I've wak'd the Genius of this Isle, my Warlike Lover.

Enter the Genius of England.
Gen.
What cryes are these disturb my pleasing Rest?

Tha.
'Tis I, (my Love) 'tis I, thy Aid request.

Gen.
Is it my Nymph, what dost thou fear?

Tha.
Does not my Love, sad cryes around him hear?

Gen.
Wilt thou thy fear at every shreek proclaim?

Tha.
Am I alone to blame?
Do you not see Augusta, Rich and Fair,
(Though to her Lap, I all my Treasure bear)
Will for no comfort stay her Tears?
[The following Stanza is properly part of the Genius's Speech, being a pertinent Reply to Thames; but being set extreme pleasantly, and for a treble voice, it was sung by Thames.
Augusta is inclin'd to fears.
Be she full, or be she waining,
Still Augusta is complaining:
Give her all you can to ease Her,
You shall never, never please Her.

Chor.
Augusta is enclin'd to fears &c.

Gen.
These fears do not belong to Her nor You;
Europe onely should lament,
The Nymphs of his fair Continent.
Some Gyants now pursue.
But this sweet Isle no Monster can invade.

Tha.
Oh send those poor distressed Nymphs some aid.

Eur.
From the mild power of this happy place.
Who is inclin'd,
To make the World as peaceful as his mind,
They have already gain'd the grace:
Two Heroes of his own Celestial Race
Are sent; the one to Triumph o're the Seas,
And all the watery Divinities.
The other, Monsters of the Land to quell,
And make the Nymphs in safety dwell.

Gen.
The first, in War has all Perfections gain'd,
That can by humane Nature be attain'd:
The second promises, to be
All that in the first we see.

Eur.
Mars to the first does all his Glory lend:
The second Beauty, Youth, and Love attend.

Gen.
Both in high perfections shine:
Valor, Glory, Race Divine:
Wait awhile, and you shall see
Both return with Victory.

Pea.
Hark, hark! the Triumph's near,
And see! they both already Crown'd appear.
Enter one Crown'd with a Naval Crown, attended by Sea-gods and Tritons.
Rejoice you watry Deities:
The mighty Monsters of the Seas,
This valiant Prince has slain.
The God of this fair Isle shall now
Command (as all his Right allow)
The Empire of the Main.
Enter one Crown'd with a Mural Crown, attended by Warriors.
Ye Gods and Nymphs of Plains and Groves,
Of Springs and Streams, enjoy your Loves;
This youthful Heroe has subdu'd
The Satyrs now of ev'ry Wood:
Has kill'd or ta'n 'em all for Slaves,
And chac'd the Giants from their Caves.

Chor. of all.
Let us both their praises sing,
Whilst we both in Triumph bring;
Let us all contend to grace 'em
With our loud and joyfull'st thanks,
Whilst upon the flow'ry Banks
Of this beautious Nymph we place 'em.

Two Entries are Danc'd: One of Sea-gods, and the other of Warriors.
Gen.
Now welcome Heroes to my blest abode,
And to my Nymph belov'd by ev'ry God.

Tha.
Welcom to my Love and me,
Now we all shall haypy be.

Cho.
Now we all shall happy be.

A Temple of Fame appears.
Plen.
Now you whose Valor gives the World repose,
See what Fame on you bestows.
Her shining Temple shall preserve your Names,
And thence her Trumpet your Renown proclaims.

Gen.
To our Divinity now let us go,
And at his Feet your Crowns and Trophies throw.

Eur.
I will my thanks in Offerings proclaim.

Asi.
I'll lend you Spice.

Amer.
I Gold.

Afr.
And I the same.

Tha.
I'll be your Guide.
My Streams beneath his Palace hourly slide.
There it is not far before you,
Pleasure, Arts, Religion, Glory,
Warm'd by his propitious Smile,
Flourish there, and bless this Isle.

Gen.
But stay! what wonder does my spirit seize?
[Turning to the King & Queen.
See! here are both the great Divinities.

Tha.
The God and Goddess too of this bless'd Isle!
Chaste Beauty in Her Aspect shines,
And Love in His does smile.

Gen.
Quickly (Heroes) as 'tis meet,
Throw your Trophies at their Feet.
Fall down, and adore 'em;
Whilst with speed we hither call,
The Gods of Neighb'ring Groves, and all
Their Nymphs to dance before 'em.

An Entry of Rural Gods and Nymphs.
When the Prologue is done, and all gone off the Stage, Enter two, who sing this following Song:

Now for the Play, the Prologue is done,
The Dancing is o're, and the Singers are gone.
The Ladies so Fine, and so Fair, it surpasses,
Are dress'd, and have all tak'n leave of their Glasses.
Where are the Slaves should make ready the Stage?
Here, here are the Slaves should make ready the Stage.

An Entry of Carpenters.