 | Neglected Virtue : or, the Vnhappy Conquerour |  |
PROLOGUE.
Writ and Spoke by Mr. Horden.
As
idle Beggars, when they'd Pity move,
With borrow'd Bastard at their Backs do rove,
T'incite good Christians Charity and Love,
So I, that I might have a fair Pretence
To feed (what some Fools call Extravagance)
Have begg'd this spurious Play from Hands unknown.
I have engag'd, the honest Rakes o'th'Town,
That they will all espouse it as their own.
But e're 'tis tried, let me its Cudgels choose:
I first except all Writers for the other House,
All good Authors, and—no, I'll trust the Beaux:
For it's so free from VVit they've no Pretension
To damn one Line for want of Apprehension.
Besides, each Beau's a Friend; for if it miss,
He'll not disturb his solemn Face to hiss.
And good or bad, the Ladies sure will spare
The generous Poet, for the labouring Player.
And now your Smiles a double Kindness hold,
The Poet shares the Praises, I the Gold.
Guineas, they say, in low condition be,
Pray Heav'n they're low enough to fall to me.
Yet you who've kept 'em by you, don't repent ye,
My Guinea Box takes all at Nine and twenty.
| Neglected Virtue : or, the Vnhappy Conquerour | |