Prologue

You lately read in each news-paper, At morn, at noon, by evening-taper, Of Cheltenham-water, wooden-house, Now left to prowling rat or mouse; With smart bon-mots, and anecdotes Of Prince and Peasant, Crowns and Cotes; And how, surprised, the rustics ran To see the King was but a man; Wond'ring that blue-coat and bob-wig Were worn by one they thought so big, Great Gog or Magog's coat of mail To cover him would surely fail: How stars and garters clowns did scare, And make them at a distance stare; With Mayors, most loyally addressing, To beg of Majesty the blessing Of one short visit to their city, Which they, no doubt, had trimm'd up pretty: With female bell-man, squeaking out "God save the King!" while rustics shout; And gracious GEORGE, by chance being nigh her, Most courteous adds, "God bless the cryer!" These, and a thousand such-like matters, By news-papers now worn to tatters, May prove a theme for some Stage-Writer, Some Laureat-Bard, or Song-Enditer. Tho' choice the subject, yet, thro' fear We might debase it, were it here Attempted to be dramatized, It being so far oversized For our weak talents; we, instead, Evoke the Spirits of the Dead! And crave you to accept a Story Of our Fourth EDWARD, England's glory! And a blunt Tanner; long since writ By Thomas Heywood, a Stage-Wit: Antique the phrase, and coarse the manners, Yet such as suited Kings and Tanners Who lived three hundred years ago, When few could to a goose say Bo! And needy Kings would beg or borrow What their poor subjects' toil and sorrow Had scraped together: happier now! We under no such bondage bow; Nor King demands, nor subjects grieve, Beneath our vines content we live! And read with wonder of those times, The simple theme of this night's Mimes. If it afford some harmless mirth, Nor shew of humour quite a dearth; Kindly o'erlook whate'er's amiss, Nor pay our labours with a hiss: And should it please you to commend, We shall atchieve our wish'd-for end; For every thought, deed, and endeavour, Is bent to gain that Prize, your Favour!