PROLOGUES

AND

EPILOGUES.

PROLOGUE

TO THE

RIVAL LADIES.

'TIS much defir'd, you judges of the town Would pass a vote to put all prologues down; For who can fhow me, fince they firft were writ, They e'er converted one hard-hearted wit? Yet the world's mended well; in former days 5 Good prologues were as fcarce as now good plays.

For the reforming poets of our age,

In this first charge, fpend their poetic rage: Expect no more when once the prologue's done; The wit is ended ere the play's begun.

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You now have habits, dances, fcenes, and

rhimes;

High language often; ay, and fenfe, fometimes. As for a clear contrivance, doubt it not;

They blow out candles to give light to th' plot. And for furprife, two bloody-minded men 15 Fight till they die, then rife and dance again.

Such deep intrigues you're welcome to this day: But blame yourselves, not him who writ the play;

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Though his plot's dull, as can be well defired,
Wit ftiff as any you have e'er admired:
He's bound to please, not to write well; and
knows,

There is a mode in plays as well as clothes;
Therefore, kind judges

A SECOND PROLOGUE ENTERS.

2. Hold; would you admit

For judges all you fee within the pit?

1. Whom would he then except, or on what

score?

2. All, who (like him) have writ ill plays be

fore;

For they, like thieves condemn'd, are hangmen

made,

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To execute the members of their trade.
All that are writing now he would disown;
But then he muft except-even all the town;
All cholerick, lofing gamefters, who, in fpite,
Will damn to day, because they loft laft
night;

All fervants, whom their miftrefs' fcorn up

braids ;

All maudlin lovers, and all flighted maids;
All, who are out of humour, or fevere;
All, that want wit, or hope to find it here.

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