University of Virginia Library

PROLOGUE.

This day let me engage you: for this day
Good things I bring you here upon the stage.
Indeed, in my opinion, 'tis most equitable,
To good men to bring good, to bad men evil.
That all may have their due; the bad, things bad;
The good, things good.—Bad men are what they are,
Because they hate the good—The good, because
They hate the evil, must themselves be good.
And therefore you are good; since you have always
Hated the bad; and by your laws and legions
Have driven them hence successfully like Romans—
Now, as good men, bestow your best attention
On these our good comedians, who to-day,
With the like justice bring good things to you.
Ears, eyes, imaginations, understandings,
Amply shall here be feasted, amply fill'd.
But with an empty stomach, or dry mouth,
Whoe'er shall have come hither, all the time
Shall be kept broad awake, though not with laughing.
To those who have din'd, we shall give laugh enough—
Those who have not, will still be out of humour,
And still find faults.—You then, who now are hungry,
If you have sense, give place, and get you gone—
You with full bellies, stay; sit down, and give
Attention—I shall not discover to you
The plot, nor yet the name of this our comedy,
That will be fully done by Pseudolus—
In this I'm quite convinc'd I've said enough,
Cast off your cares; this day's a day of leisure;
Where wit and joking, laughter, wine and jollity,
Are proper: where the graces, and decorum
Are mix'd with chearfulness, and true delight.
Who seeks aught else; I think he seeks for evil.
'Tis the best way for such a man to stretch
His loins, rise up and so walk off—For Plautus
Is bringing a long Play upon the stage.