Prologue

The Sister Muses, whom these realms obey, Who o'er the Drama hold divided sway, Sometimes, by evil counsellors, 'tis said Like earth-born potentates have been misled: In those gay days of wickedness and wit, When Villiers criticiz'd what Dryden writ, The Tragick Queen, to please a tasteless crow'd, Had learn'd to bellow, rant, and roar so loud, That frighten'd Nature, her best friend before, The blust'ring beldam's company forswore. Her comic Sister, who had wit 'tis true, With all her merits, had her failings too; And would sometimes in mirthful moments use A style too flippant for a well-bred Muse. Then female modesty abash'd began To seek the friendly refuge of the fan, Awhile behind that slight entrenchment stood, 'Till driv'n from thence, she left the stage for good. In our more pious, and far chaster times! These sure no longer are the Muse's crimes! But some complain that, former faults to shun, The reformation to extremes has run. The frantick hero's wild delirium past, Now insipidity succeeds bombast; So slow Melpomene's cold numbers creep, Here dullness seems her drowsy court to keep, And we, are scarce awake, whilst you are fast asleep. Thalia, once so ill behav'd and rude, Reform'd; is now become an arrant prude, Retailing nightly to the yawning pit, The purest morals, undefil'd by wit! Our Author offers in these motley scenes, A slight remonstrance to the Drama's queens, Nor let the goddesses be over nice; Free spoken subjects give the best advice. Although not quite a novice in his trade, His cause to night requires no common aid. To this, a friendly, just, and pow'rful court, I come Ambassador to beg support. Can he undaunted, brave the critick's rage? In civil broils, with brother bards engage? Hold forth their errors to the publick eye, Nay more, e'en News-papers themselves defy? Say, must his single arm encounter all? By numbers vanquish'd, e'en the brave may fall; And though no leader should success distrust, Whose troops are willing, and whose cause is just; To bid such hosts of angry foes defiance, His chief dependance must be, YOUR ALLIANCE.