The Persian Princess : Or, The Royal Villain | ||
PROLOGUE.
To One and All our Author sends to Day,Who with their Presence honour this his Play,
And says,—but first, he bad me humbly Bow,
As would-be Members at Elections do,
Thank for one Vote, and for another sue.
Too well he knows your Expectations join,
To look for Sterling in each labour'd Line;
But he pretends to no such Payment now,
Whatever he another Year may do;
And who can tell,
To what a Pitch he may his Genius raise,
Wing'd by your Favour, and acquitting Praise?
Tho' he can boast of nothing here to please,
Unless your Smiles stamp Worth upon the Piece;
Nor think to stand the Test, but with a Pit
Resolv'd to lay aside all carping Wit:
Thus he declares, and hopes his Suit to win;
For when pack'd Juries give their Verdict in,
The Bribe, not Cause, absolves the trembling Sinner:
So, let your Pity spare our young Beginner.
'Tis his first Fault, and let him plead his Age
T'arrest his Doom, and mitigate your Rage;
Besides our Author, being prostrate here,
And crying Quarter, should no Danger fear:
He quits Desert, and on no Treaty stands,
But throws himself and Scenes into your Hands;
And if you give them Welcome, he will say,
Your Mercy, not his Merit sav'd the Play.
The Persian Princess : Or, The Royal Villain | ||