University of Virginia Library

PROLOGUE. Written by the Honourable Charles Boyle, Esq;

Our Bard resolv'd to quit this wicked Town,
And all Poetick Offices lay down:
But the weak Brother was drawn in again,
And a cast Mistress tempted him to Sin.
Thus many a cautious Gallant in this Throng,
May wed, when old, whom they debauch'd when young.
Thus the repenting fair Ones vow in vain
From Cards, from Love, from Scandal to refrain,
For Easter over, they relapse again.
To write well's hard: But I appeal to y' all,
Is't not much harder not to write at all?
Some Men must write, for Writing's their Disease,
And every Poet's sure one Man to please.
Some medling Coxcombs, rather than sit still,
And perfectly do nothing, must do ill.
Some are with busie Dulness so o're-run,
They seem design'd by Heav'n to teaze the Town.
Yet when these Fools have spawn'd some sickly Play,
We have so many greater Fools than they,
They'll pack a crowded Audience the third Day.
This Poet has no sly inveigling Arts,
He'll try to gain, but he'll not steal your Hearts.
His Muse is rustick, and perhaps too plain,
The Men of squeamish Tastes to entertain:
Who none but Dutchesses will daign to toast,
And Favours only from front Boxes boast.
That's all Grimace: When Appetites are good,
Be the Dress course, the Air and Manners rude,
You can take up with wholsom Flesh, and Blood.
But he despairs of pleasing all the Nation,
'Tis so debauch'd with Whims of Reformation.
H'has done his best: Here is no wanton Scene
To give the wicked, Joy, the godly, Spleen.
Not one poor bawdy Jest shall dare appear,
For now the batter'd, Veteran Strumpets here
Pretend at least to bring a modest Ear.
Here is some Love, 'tis true, some Noise, some War,
Enough to please the Belles, the Beaux to scare.
Some bustling Patriots too, some Rabble-rout,
And Senators of the weak side thrown out.
But in all this, here's nothing can offend,
Nothing to lose one ancient midnight Friend:
He hopes then, when his Cause comes on, they'll all attend.
Let Critick Foes remember 'tis past Lent,
And all good Christians Curses then were spent.