University of Virginia Library

A PROLOGUE; Written by Mr. Wycherly at the Authors request: Design'd to be Spoke.

Ladies, and Gallants, you we hope to find
To her, who brings you now together, kind;
That you will to your pleasing her consent,
Not out of your own Nicety prevent,
But to spight her, your own divertisement;
And will not your Displeasure to her show,
Who your scorn Ventures, but to pleasure you,
Nay, her own pleasure does for yours forego;
And like the Pregnant of her Sex, to gain,
But for your pleasure, more Disgrace and Pain;
Who, but because she'd do you, a good Turn,
Unask'd, unsu'd to, may become your scorn;
But you, the Men of Honour, or of Wit,
To set yours to a Woman can't think fit:
And Ladies; as necessitous of Fame,
Ne'er raise your Credit by another's shame,
Censuring others, to 'scape others blame;
And Gallants; as y'are Men of Honour, you,
Will ne'er speak ill, of her you do not know;
The more she strives, to give you Pleasure too;
Which is most often, (as we Women find,)
The sole cause, you prove to us but less kind;
As well-bred Beaux's with Noise too, ne'er think fit
To silence on the Stage, as in the Pit,
Another's Sense, to hide your want of Wit;
But Beaux's and Wits, I pray be silent now,
And hear without Noise, nay with Patience too,
Our Female Wit, if you'd have her hear you;
Especially, since your own talking does
Your Pleasure interupt, your Sense Expose,
Whilst Silence good Sense, and good Breeding shows;
And each Man's manners, Honour, Wit appear,
More, as he's less a Woman's Censurer,
Then Censures, which wou'd spoil your sport forbear;
Think not the Ladies Wit, or Honour less,
Because she seeks those who have less to please;
Let not her Aim, to please the Publick now,
Design'd her Credit, but your Scandal grow,
Make not her proffer'd favour, her Disgrace,
Nay, though it shou'd not please, th'Intention praise,
'Tis merit only, to desire to please;
Then be not, as Poor Women often find,
Less kind to her, because she's more inclin'd,
At venture of her Fame, to please Mankind.