| |
| ’TIS 1 much desir’d, you Judges of the Town | |
| Would pass a vote to put all Prologues down; | |
| For who can show me, since they first were writ, | |
| They e’r converted one hard-harted Wit? | |
| Yet the World’s mended well; in former Days | 5 |
| Good Prologues were as scarce as now good Plays. | |
| For the reforming Poets of our Age | |
| In this first Charge spend their poetique rage. | |
| Expect no more when once the Prologue’s done; | |
| The wit is ended ere the Play’s begun. | 10 |
| You now have Habits, Dances, Scenes, and Rhymes, | |
| High Language often, ay, and Sense sometimes. | |
| As for a clear Contrivance, doubt it not; | |
| They blow out Candles to give Light to th’ Plot. | |
| And for Surprize, two Bloody-minded Men | 15 |
| Fight till they dye, then rise and dance again. | |
| Such deep Intrigues you’re welcome to this Day: | |
| But blame your Selves, not him who writ the Play. | |
| Though his Plot’s dull as can be well desir’d, | |
| Wit stiff as any you have e’r admir’d, | 20 |
| He’s bound to please, not to write well, and knows | |
| There is a mode in Playes as well as Cloaths; | |
Therefore, kind Judges—
A Second Prologue enters. 2. Hold! would you admit | |
| For Judges all you see within the Pit? | |
| 1. Whom would he then except, or on what Score? | 25 |
| 2. All who (like him) have writ ill Plays before; | |
| For they, like Thieves condemn’d, are hangmen made | |
| To execute the Members of their Trade. | |
| All that are writing now he would disown, | |
| But then he must except—ev’n all the Town; | 30 |
| All Chol’rique losing Gamesters, who in spight | |
| Will damn to Day, because they lost last Night; | |
| All Servants, whom their Mistress’ Scorn upbraids, | |
| All Maudlin Lovers, and all slighted Maids, | |
| All who are out of Humour or severe, | 35 |
| All that want Wit, or hope to find it here. | |
