University of Virginia Library

PROLOGUE.

Plays would no more without a Prologue pass,
Than City Dinner wou'd without a Grace;
Like theirs too some have been so long and dull,
Before you taste, your Stomachs have been full.
Our Author's, to engage you for his treat,
Like hungry Chaplains, shall be short and sweet.
The Wits, he knows, are easy in their fare,
They make the Stage their pleasure, not their care.
The Criticks only like Informers sit,
To witness if we pass unlawful Wit.
Besides, the Poets have this hardship in't,
Each tries the Metal by his private Mint.
They talk of Rules, and those that break 'em scorn,
Yet none more forward when it serves their turn.
Good Sense and Nature ev'ry where should reign,
Where these are wanting they but talk in vain.
The precepts of their Art with heat they praise,
But draw the vile examples from their Plays.
Hard fate! if we must all their paths pursue,
Or win their favour by offending you:
To you bright Circle he commends his Cause,
They must to him, who to the world give Laws.
If Foreign Theatres, with mighty cost,
Of wondrous Scenes and Decorations boast;
Of opening Heav'ns, and Visions in the air,
They ne're cou'd shew so many wonders there.
Nor by the help of Magick or Machine,
Produce such Beauties, or so fair a Scene.
Tho awful terrour in your eyes appears,
He less your Cruelty than Justice fears.
Yet by your sentence since he lives or dies,
He'll fall with Pleasure, or with Glory rise.