University of Virginia Library

THE PROLOGUE TO THE KING, At the Cockpit at White-Hall.

Sir, by the humble Writer I am sent
To move you in a Suit by President,
That you will please, like Charles the 5th, to lay
Aside (this Night) the Business of the Day,
And look upon slight Images, far short
Of those presented in that Emp'rour's Court;
For, Art does not our Powr so far inlarge,
That we can make two wooden armies charge,
Or a carv'd Sparrow fly: but we do bring
A Nightingale, sweet Philomel to sing:
And from old Verulam ('mong Time's Decayes
Shrunk to a name) th'Inhabitants we raise,
Who if in their new life they may invite
The best of Cæsars to the least Delight,
To th Authour 'twill be such a Joy, as none
Conceive, but only those You smile upon,