THE PROLOGVE AND EPILOGVE TO A COMEDIE, PRESENTED, At the Entertainment of the Prince His Highnesse, by the Schollers of Trinity Colledge in March last, 1641.
By FRANCIS COLE.
LONDON: Printed for Iames Calvin, 1642.
THE PROLOGUE.
WHo sayes the Times do Learning disallow?
'Tis false: 'Twas never honoured more then now.
When you appear (great Prince) the Night is done,
You are our Morning Starre; shall be our Sunne.
But our Scean's London now, and by the Rout
We perish, if the Round-heads be about.
For now no Ornament, the head must wear
No Bayes, no Myter, scarce so much as hair▪
How can a Play passe safely? when we know
Cheap-side Crosse fals, for making but a show.
Our only hope is this, that (it may be)
A Play may passe, 'twas made ex tempore.
Though other Arts poor and neglected grow,
They'l admit Poesie, which was ever so.
But we contemn the fury of these dayes,
And scorn as much their Censure, as their praise.
Our Muse (blest Sir) doth now on you rely,
'Twould gladly live; but not refuse to die.
[Page]Accept our hearty zeal, a thing thats plaid
Ear't was a play, and acted ere t'was made:
Our Ignorance, but our duty too we show,
I would all ignorant people would do so.
At other times expect our wit or Art,
The Comedy is acted by the heart. [figure]
THE EPILOGVE.
THe Play great Sir, is done, it needs must fear,
Though you brought all your mercies here▪
It may offend your Highnesse, we have now
Three hours done Treason here for ought we know;
But powr your Grace, can above Nature give,
I, can give power to make Abortives live.
In which if our bold wishes should be crost,
'Tis but the life of one poor week that's lost:
Though it should fall beneath your potent scorn,
Scarce can it dye more quickly then t'was born▪
The Eccho.
NOw Eccho on what's Religion grounded?
Round-head.
Whose its Professor most considerable?
Rable.
[Page]How do these prove themselves to be the godly?
Odly.
But they in life are known to be the Holy,
O lye.
Who are these Preachers Men, or Women-Common?
Common.
Come they from any Vniversitie?
Citie.
Do they not Learning from their Doctrine sever?
Ever.
Yet they pretend that they do edifie,
O fie.
What do you call it then? to fructifie:
I.
What Church have they, and what Pulpits?
Pits.
But now in Chambers the Conventickle,
Tickle.
The godly Sisters shrewdly are belyed,
Bellied.
The godly number then will soon transcend,
End.
As for the Temples they with zeal embrace them,
Race them.
VVhat do they make of Bishops Hierarchy?
Archie.
Are Crosses, Images Ornament, their scandall.
All.
Nor will they leave us any Ceremonies?
Monies.
Must even Religion down for satisfaction?
Faction.
[Page]How stand they affected to the government Civill?
Evill.
But to the King, they say they are most Loyall,
Lye all.
Then God keep King and State, from these same men.
AMEN.
FINIS