University of Virginia Library

PROLOGUE To the Injur'd Lovers, spoken by Mr. Mountfort.

Jo Haynes's Fate is now become my Share,
For I'm a Poet, Married, and a Player:
The greatest of these Curses is the First;
As for the latter Two, I know the worst;
But how you mean to deal with me to Day,
Or how you'l Massacre my harmless Play,
I must confess distracts me every Way:
For I've not only Criticks in the Pit.
But even in the upper Gallery they sit,
Knaves that will run down Mr. Mountforts's Wit;
I'm the unlucky'st Dogg that ever Writ.
Some Care then must be taken, that may save
This Dear, my First Begotten, from the Grave:
Some Friends Advise, like Brother Ben declare,
By Gods 'tis Good, deny't the Slave that dare.
Were I but sure 'twould Take, I'd do my best;
But to be kick'd, you know, would spoil the Jest.
However I must still my Play maintain,
Damn it who will, Damn me, I'll write again;
Clap down each Thought, nay, more than I can think,
Ruin my Family in Pen and Ink.
And tho' my Heart should burst to see your Spite,
True Talboy to the last I'll Cry and Write,
That's Certain.
Or since I am beset so by my Foes,
I beg your Favours, Friends, Brother Beaux;
Join with the Ladies, to whose Power I bow,
Where I see Gentleness on every Brow;
To whose acuter Judgments I submit,
O! Save me from the Surlies of the Pit:
Those Nauseous Wretches which have not the tast
Of Wit or Gallantry, if nicely drest.
I never writ till Love first touch'd my Brain,
And surely Love will now Loves Cause Maintain,
Besides my Natural Love to write again.
Yet as you Please, Ruin or Pity bear,
Sir Courtly fears no Enemy so Fair:
Execute as you please your Tyrant-Will,
His Character's, Your humble Servant still.