THE PROLOGUE TO PASTOR FIDO.
Spoken by Mr. Edward Lambert.
PReface and Prologue, are such modish Toys,
Books ar'nt without this, nor without that Plays.
Welcome, Gallants! and Ladies of the May,
You[?] shall be courted modishly to day,
Because[?] without you, there had been no Play.
As to our Play's Original; we'l first
Do right to fam'd Guarini's sacred Dust,
It's learn'd Author. Nor let it be decry'd,
'Cause All's Italian, Nothing's Frenchifi'd.
For, Plays (you know) like Cloaths submit to Mode,
And that [...]s but dull, that keeps the common Road.
We care n [...]t for that—for here, Sirs! nought you'l have,
But what is Noble, Sage, Wise, Solid, Grave.
Stern CATO a Spectator might be here,
And modest V [...]rgins may Vnmaskt appear.
You've Come [...] in it's most ancient dress,
As when of old▪ Carted through Villages.
Here's then no place, for th' Sparks and th' Blades o'th' Times,
(Vallueing themselves upon their Garb, their Crimes)
Who scoff at us poor Bumkins: whose defence
Is our Simplicity, our Innocence.
To please such Fopps (for mortally we hate 'um)
Wee'l ne're attempt.—
In short, you've here, the Passions rudely drest
To act their parts, if F [...]ar balks not the rest.
Here's coy Love, flattring Hope, cold Desperation,
Enliv'ning Joys, fawning Dissimulation,
Pleasing Revenge, easy Credulity,
Fondness, Moroseness, Rage, and Cruelty
Charm'd into Pity.—Here [...]re Love's Fatigues
It's Toyls: and Lover's Wi [...] Councels, Intrigues.
And if All this won't take, stop here—for not
(As I'me a Sinner) one word of the Plot.
For, since 'tis at your choice, to clap or hiss,
Expect the rest: if well, we do in This
Your patience crave; pardon in what's amiss.
The End.
THE EPILOGUE TO PASTOR FIDO.
Spoken by Sir W [...]lter Ernle Barronet.
GAllants! the Stage is cl [...]r'd, and I am come,
To hear the Actor's [...]nd or fatal doom.
Poor Wretches! The amus'd with anxious fears
And fled; jealous they've fo [...]feited their Ears▪
Tho' to be try'd by YOU more than their Peers.
Yet why shou'd They a pa [...]ial Tryal fear,
Where YOU, fair Ladi [...]s! influence the Bar?
Where full of Pity, as of [...]ate, YOU sit,
There needs no IGNO [...]AMVS to acquit.
Do like your selves! Ste [...]m the moroser guise!
Cramp snarling Criticks! and controul the wise!
These All strike Sail to YOU—and are All blest
Who in such Harbour, can securely rest.
You'l say the Play's u [...]modish because old,
Alas! you'l all be so—good Tales are oft ill told.
This seems to be our [...]ase. Put (Ladies!) then
Most of you know, s [...]ch Striplings are not Men
And tho' your kindness call't or Farce or Play.
In Truth 'tis neither but a rude Essay.
Faith! then be kind!—I do protest you'd need
Accept this first time, the good will for th' deed.
This Boon I only beg[?]; grant This and then
We hope to temp [...] you hither once ag'en
Mean time, win parting thanks Clown-like we treat ye
And in our Hone-bred Phrase can only say t'ye
After an ill Mea (Friends!) much good may't do t'ye.
The End.