PROLOGUE To TWO TO ONE, a COMEDY, written by G. COLMAN, Jun. Spoken by Mr. PALMER. June, 1785

To-night, as Heralds tell, a Virgin Muse, An untrain'd youth, a new advent'rer sues; Green in his one-and-twenty, scarce of age, Takes his first Flight, half-fledg'd, upon the Stage. Within this little Round, the Parent Bird Hath warbled oft; oft patiently you heard; And as he strove to raise his eager throat, Your kind Applause made Musick of his note. But now, with beating Heart, and anxious Eye, He sees his vent'rous Youngling strive to fly; Like Daedalus, a Father's fears he brings, A Father's hopes, and fain would plume his Wings.

How vain, alas, his Hopes! his Fears how vain! 'Tis You must hear, and hearing judge the strain. Your equal Justice sinks or lifts his name, Your Frown's a Sentence, your Applause is Fame. If Humour warms his scenes with genial fire, They'll e'en redeem the errors of his Sire; Nor shall his lead—dead! to the bottom drop, By youth's enliv'ning cork buoy'd up at top. If characters are mark'd with ease and truth, Pleas'd with his Spirit you'll forgive his Youth. Should Sire and Son be both with Dulness curst, " And Dunce the second follow Dunce the first," The shallow stripling's vain attempt you'll mock, And damn him for a Chip of the Old Block.