They are things-but yet the stage might stand as well, 'Tis you have left to judge, not he to write. PROLOGUE. (For the Court.) WORK not smelling of the lamp, to-night, To scholars, that can judge, and fair report infinite humour, Morley, afterwards Bishop of Winchester, Hodgson, and others, rarely equalled in aftertimes, occasionally assisted. The Phoenix was situated somewhere near the playhouse of that name, in Drury-lane. 6 And keep your acme,] i. e. I presume, your mature age; but the expression is a strange one. The conclusion of this prologue cannot be praised for its modesty; but the audiences heard a language not much unlike it from others. Ben alludes to his long absence from the Stage, (nine years,) during which he fears not to affirm that, whatever change (for the worse) may have taken place Wherein although our title, sir, be News, But shew you common follies, and so known, That though they are not truths, the innocent Muse, Hath made so like, as phant'sy could them state, Or poetry, without scandal, imitate." in them, he has suffered no deterioration. He is not much out in the present case; but the wolves were imperceptibly advancing upon Maris. 7 This address to the Court is not without merit. It is terse and neat, and will probably remind the reader of the style and construction of some of Milton's sonnets. PENNYBOY, the son, the heir and suitor. MADRIGAL, poetaster and jeerer. PICKLOCK, man o' law, and emissary Westminster. NATHANIEL, first clerk of the office. THOMAS, Barber, second clerk of the office. BROKER, Secretary, and gentleman-usher to PECUNIA. LICKFINGER, master-cook, and parcel-poet. FASHIONER, the tailor of the times. LEATHERLEG, shoemaker. Linener. Haberdasher. Spurrier. Customers, male and female. BLOCK and LOLLARD, two dogs. BUZ, AMBLER, grooms; Fiddlers, Singing-boy, Attendants, &c. INTERMEAN or CHORUS. Gossips MIRTH, TATTLE, EXPECTATION, and CENSURE. PECUNIA, infanta of the mines. MORTGAGE, her nurse. STATUTE, first woman. BAND, second woman. WAX, (ROSE,) chambermaid. SCENE, London. SCENE I. The Lodgings of PENNYBOY, jun. Enter PENNYBOY, jun. and LEATHERLEG with a new pair of boots. P. jun. [LEATH. pulls on his boots.] RAMERCY, Leatherleg: get me the spurrier, And thou hast fitted me. Leath. I'll do it presently. [Exit. P. jun. [walks up and down in his gown, waist-coat, and trowses, expecting his tailor.] Look to me, wit, and look to my wit, land, 1 In his trowses.] Trowses are the close drawers over which the hose or slops (the loose breeches) were drawn. I know not why Whalley constantly alters the word to trowsers. 2 Perspicils.] Optic glasses. We find the word in Albumazar, A. i. S. 3. "Sir, 'tis a perspicil, the best under heaven." WHAL. This certainly (like many other quotations which might be pointed out) does not prove what it was brought to prove; but the word is nevertheless rightly explained. To see me at best advantage, and augment one, two, Three, four, five, six. Enough, enough, dear watch, My pupillage and vassalage together.- Worse than the same thou prosecut'st and prick'st Thus to retard my longings, on the day I do write man, to beat thee! One and twenty An I were not heartily angry with him now, T' above two thousand a year, yet hope his custom ! Enter FASHIONER. Are you come, sir? Fash. God give your worship joy! |