PROLOGUE

WIT

IT in a Prologue, Poets juftly may
Stile a new Impofition on a Play.

When Shakespear, Beaumont, Fletcher rul'd the Stage,
There Scarce were ten good Pallats in the Age,

More curious Cooks than Guests; for Men would eat
Moft heartily of any kind of Meat;

And then what ftrange variety! each Play,

A Feaft for Epicures, and that each day.
But mark bow odly it is come about,
And how unluckily it now falls out:
The Pallats are grown higher, number increas'd,
And there wants that which should make
the Feaft
And yet you're fo unconscionable, Tou'd have
For footh of late, that which they never gave,
Banquets before, and after.-

up

Now Pox on him that firft good Prologue writ,
He left a kind of Rent-charge upon Wit;
Which if fucceeding Poets fail to

pay,

They forfeit all their worth, and that's their Play:
Tou've Ladies bumours, and you're grown to that,
You will not like the Man 'lefs that his Boots and Hat
Be right, no Play, unless the Prologue be,

And Epilogue writ to curiofity.

Well, Gentiles, 'tis the Grievance of the place,
And pray confider't, for here's just the cafe;

The richness of the Ground is gone and spent,
Mens Brains grow barren, and you raise the Rent.

Dramatis Perfonæ.

Rince,

in love with Sabrina.

Orfabrin, Brother to the Prince, yet unknown. Samorat, belov'd of Sabrina.

Philatell, Brothers to Sabrina..

}

Torcular,
Naffurat, 1
Pellegrin, f

Cavaliers, Friends to Samorat.

Tamoren, King of the Thieves, difguifed in Devils babit. Peridor, ambitious of Reginella, disguised in Devils habit. Stramodor, a Cartier, Servant to the Prince.

Ardellan, Formerly Servants to Orfabrin's Father.

Piramont,

Phontrell, Servant to Philatell.

Sabrina, beloved by Samorat.
Reginella, in love with Orfabrin

Phemilia, Sabrina's Maid,
Captain and Soldiers, as
Two Fudges.

Two Lawyers, ar sargolo d
Two Serjeants.
Goaler.

Conftable.wind, and
Taylords of wap. 9.
Two Drawers felt
Fidlers.

Clowns and Wenches.

Thieves difrifed in Devils babits, Irving under ground by

the Woods.

Guard.

Attendants.

SCENE FRANCELIA

THE

THE

茶茶茶茶

GOBLINS.

ACT I. SCENE I.
Enter as to a Duel; Samorat, Philatell, Torcular.
Samorat. B May not this barth business
UT my Lords,

Yet be left undone!

Muft you hate me because I love your Sifter;
And can you hate at no lefs rate than Death?
Phil. No, at no less:

Thou art the blafter of our Fortunes,
The envious Cloud that darkneft all our Day.
While fhe thus prodigally, and fondly
Throws away her love on thee;

She has not wherewithal to pay a debt
Unto the Prince.

Sam. Is this all?

Tor. Faith, what if in short we do not think You worthy of her?

Sam. I fwear that shall not make a Quarrel.

I think fo too;

I've urg'd it often to my felf:

Against my self have fworn't as oft to her,

Pray let this fatisfie..

Phil. Sure, Toreular, he thinks we come to talk,

And Brother, fince his Friend has fail'd him,

Look you, Sir;

Do you retire.

[Drams.

Tor. Excufe me, Philatell,

I have an equal intereft in this,

And Fortune fhall decide it..

Phil. It will not need, he's come.
Enter Orfabrin.

Orfa. Mercury protect me! what are these?
The Brothers of the High-way!
Phil. A Stranger by his Habit.-

Tor. And by his looks a Gentleman.
Sir,- -will you make one?

We want a fourth..

Orfa. I fhall be robb'd with a trick now!
Sam. My Lords excuse me;

This is not Civil.

In what concerns my felf,
None but my felf muft fuffer.

Orfa. A Duel, by this light,

Now has his modefty,

And t'other's forwardness warm'd me--[Goes toward them.
Gentlemen, I wear a Sword,
And commonly in readiness.
If you want one, fpeak Sir.-
I do not fear much fuffering,
Sam. You're noble, Sir,

I know not how t'invite you to it;
Yet there is Juftice on my fide,

And fince you please to be a witness

To our actions, 'tis fit you know our Story.
Orfa. No Story, Sir, I beseech you,
The cause is good enough as 'tis,
It may be spoil'd i'th' telling.

Phil. Come, we trifle then.

Sam. It is impoffible to preferve, I fee,
My Honour and Refpect to her.
And fince you know this too my Lord,
It is not handfome in you thus to press me.
But come

[To Samorat.

[Torcular beckens to Orsabrin. Orfa.