University of Virginia Library

PROLOGUE Spoke by Mr. Giffard. Written by Mr. Shadwell.

From distant Climes, each scribling Author brings,
A Race of Heroes, and a Race of Kings;
And in soft Numbers humbly does implore,
To Act his Murders, on this boarded Floor;
His Rebels, Virgins, Heroes, all must Dye,
To grace some Conqueror in his Tragedy.
Be he a Roman, Greek, or Persian Born,
Thus Forreign Stories, do our Stage Adorn.
Our Author tries, by Different Ways to please,
And shews you Kings, That never cross'd the Seas.
He brings to View, five hundred Years ago,
Heroes nurs'd up in Slaughter, Blood and Woe:
Kings, that Govern'd with an Arbitrary Sway,
And slavish Subjects, born but to Obey.
When Brehon Laws cou'd reach the Subjects Life,
And none but great Ones, dare support the Strife.
Then Nature show'd 'em in their strongest Passions,
When each King Govern'd by his Inclinations.
When Church and Clergy, were the Monarchs Tools;
And who oppos'd their King were reckon'd Fools:
Learn then from those unhappy Days of Yore,
To scorn and hate an Arbitrary Power.
To Praise and Love those Laws that make you Free,
And are the Great Bullworks of your Liberty
Adore the Prince who rules by milder Sway,
And like good Subjects, Lawfully Obey:
All Tragedies this Moral shou'd Observe,
The best of Kings does surely best Deserve.