 | Tryphon |  |
THE PROLOGUE Spoke By Mr Nokes and Mr Angell.
A.Hold , hold.
N.
Why, Sir?
A.
What is't you mean to say?
N.
I mean to speak the Prologue to the Play.
A.
Therefore to stop you I esteem it fit.
N.
The Poet then will not be thought a Wit.
A.
A wit Forsooth!
N.
Yes, Sir, a wit.
A.
What's that?
N.
A wit is in one word—I know not what.
A.
Of that kind Title give your Poet Joy.
A wit is then in French, A je ne scay quoi.
A modish Name.
N.
Yet, Sir, that Name to gain,
How many of our Writers crack their brain?
A.
That 's a mistake, for who'd that Name contract,
Must, e're he Court it, first his brain have crackt.
To be a Wit (believe me, Sir, 'tis true)
Is the worst State a Man can Fall into.
The Wits first vow, is, that they none will spare,
But jeer at every Creature that they dare;
And the No-Wits, these Wits so dis esteem,
That they give Money oft to hiss at them;
'Tis the Wits Nature, or at best their Fate,
Others to scorn, and one another hate.
They would be Sultans if they had their will,
For each of them would all his Brothers kill.
N.
Hold, Sir, the Wits you too severely school.
A.
I say, to be a Wit's to be a Fool;
For who but such a Creature would not grudge,
T'have any one for half a Crown his Judge;
Nay, toil, that he such a wise Act may do,
Then lets the Players get the half Crown too.
N.
Why was this Play then by the Author writ?
A.
In fear, 'tis said, of being call'd a Wit.
Ere three hours hence he will have reach'd his end.
N.
Take heed, if at this rate we gable more
Our Poet will attain his end before.
A.
For fear of that 'tis best we should be gone.
N.
What without Prologue?
A.
I'm resolv'd to have none.
For some on Wit that needless Tax did lay,
Which Poets now are grown too poor to pay.
But yet as mettled School-boyes set to cuff,
Will not confess that they have done enough,
Though deadly weary, till spectators do
At once both part and call them good Boys too;
But then these Cuffers monstrous joyful are:
Just thus it would with all our Poets fare,
Would you decree (what I for them implore)
Poets with Prologues nere should meddle more.
'Tis the best thing you for your selves could do,
For Prologues first tire Poets and then you;
If you'l not do't, while in your power it lies,
They'l do it of themselves, if they be wise:
Our Poets tyr'd, and has with Prologues done,
But those which yet are fresh, let them cuff on.
| Tryphon | |