University of Virginia Library

THE PROLOGUE. Spoken by Mr Powell; As it was Written by Mr. John Haynes.

Prepar'd to dam' my Play, methinks you sit
As if you'd all took Physick in the Pit.
'Tis hard you won't allow in any Case
To a Young Player either Wit or Grace.
You use us like lewd Women of the Town,
(With Punk and Poet you deal much at one)
First You enjoy us, then you kick us down.
“But there's a mighty diff'rence in our Cases;
“You dam' new Plays, but cry up all new Faces.
“And us, poor Devils, you cheaply do mis-use;
“A clipp'd Half-Crown you think pays our abuse.
“But with your Miss 'tis quite another thing,
“The Bag of Honey's sweet; but'ware the Sting.
“In Wit too, nought but currant Gold will pass,
“In Love, a Heart of steel, a Face of brass.
Yet have I known, for love of such a Jilt,
A doughty Hero physick first, then Tilt.
Since then—
I hope to find no Favour in your Eyes,
Who all new Plays before they're heard despise.
From you to the Fair Sex I now appeal,
To whom you dare not but be proud to kneel.
Bright Ladies then, whose Rays throughout the Pit,
Do influence all around with Love and Wit,
“Oh tune their Judgments e'er my Fate be known,
“'Tis in your Power to make my Case their own:
For with their Foibles did not you dispence,
Which of 'em to your Smiles cou'd plead pretence,
For Dress and Fortune make your Man of Sence.
Since then 'tis Fancy gives gay Nonsence Charms,
Which the Fair Sex of Judgment oft disarms;
Let Fancy too, that rules the Wise, the Brave,
That makes a Captive free, a Prince a slave,
The Lawyer honest, th'Honest Man a Knave;
That gives Content to Cuckolds, Wealth to th'Poor,
To Courtiers Friendship, true Love to a Whore;
That makes your Vizard Mask appear a Queen,
Who hides her Face on purpose to be seen,
And Apes of Quality, fond Misses think
The Spark's in Love that prais'd 'em in his drink;
Fancying their Beauty 'tis that so prevails,
When we all know the Charm lies in their T---ls.
Let Fancy then, that leads the World astray,
Triumph o'er Wit to night, and save my Play,
And then I'll laugh at Wits on my Third Day.