University of Virginia Library

PROLOGUE.

When the hot Sun with scorching Beams does shine,
With Ice we calm the raging heat of Wine.
Our Author in like Circumstance is cast;
He cools his Fancy to oblige your Taste:
He underwrites to please, and frames his Wit,
Exactly to the Level of the Pit.
Knowing what Stuff will pass, 'tis his Intention,
Never to Soare above your Apprehension.
Therefore he writes to you, the Mod'rate Wits,
True Country 'Squires, conceited Fops & Cits,
Pimps, Pandars, Parasites, Prigs, Beaux & Bullies,
And Whores, with all their Equipage of Cullies.
I think I sce one there, just so attended;
Since the Vacation, Lord, how things are mended!
I told her Fortune then, which I remember
Was, she shou'd get new Rigging in December;
Now I Jo. Haynes protest upon my Honour,
She's there, with all my Prophesie upon her.
In me a strange Prophetic Spirit reigns,
Which I impute to an Excess of Brains,
That does my Business upon each Occasion,
For none I hope will think 'tis Inspiration.
A Poet came to me the other day,
To learn the Destiny of his new Play;
Vrg'd by good Nature, I in pitty shew'd him
How to prevent a Shame the Devil ow'd him;
But he wou'd on to meet the Critics Shot;
So Volunteering Poet went to Pot.
Our Author brings you here his Virgin Muse;
A Virgin you shou'd gently, gently use:
And if she's Auker'd, now, at the beginning,
Consider this is her first time of sinning:
Like your kept Misses, more experienc't grown,
She hopes to give Content to all the Town.
Ladies, I'm sure you will be pleas'd to day,
For he has two constant Women in his Play:
And if he's not deceiv'd, a pretty Tale,
But yet he has this Refuge, if that fail,
When Poet's Plots in Plays are damn'd for Spight,
They Critics turn, and damn the rest that write:
So the State Plotter on the like Pretence,
Missing his Aim, becomes an Evidence.