 | Love and Liberty |  |
THE PROLOGUE. To be Spoken by Mrs. --- in Man's Cloaths.
As some young Sinner, whom an early FaultHas to the awful Seat of Justice brought,
With down-cast Eyes, and trembling Feet appears,
While the dread Presence of the Judge he fears,
Yet pleads his Youth, and unexperienc'd Years.
Our guilty Author, whose Misgivings read
His hast'ning Doom, has nothing else to plead;
He owns his Fault, yet hopes you will excuse
The feeble Efforts of a Virgin Muse:
She's rude, 'tis true, unpractis'd in her Art,
But modest, and with Blushes wooes the Heart;
She can no Charms, but Modesty impart.
But if, because unknown, she must despair,
Yet one poor Virgin for another spare,
And with your Smiles crown my officious Pray'r.
So your Petitioner may grateful prove:
Kindness, return for Kindness, Love for Love.
But—let th'ill natur'd Critick have a Care,
If he but frown—to fight he must prepare,
And two Nights hence resolve to meet me here.
| Love and Liberty | |