Chapter III: Prologue: Spoken by MRS. BRACEGIRDLE

HOW this vile world is changed! In former days
Prologues were serious speeches before plays,
Grave, solemn things, as graces are to feasts,
Where poets begged a blessing from their guests.
But now no more like suppliants we come;
A play makes war, and prologue is the drum.
Armed with keen satire and with pointed wit,
We threaten you who do for judges sit,
To save our plays, or else we’ll damn your pit.
But for your comfort, it falls out to-day,
We’ve a young author and his first-born play;
So, standing only on his good behaviour,
He’s very civil, and entreats your favour.
Not but the man has malice, would he show it,
But on my conscience he’s a bashful poet;
You think that strange—no matter, he’ll outgrow it.
Well, I’m his advocate: by me he prays you
(I don’t know whether I shall speak to please you),
He prays—O bless me! what shall I do now?
Hang me if I know what he prays, or how!
And ’twas the prettiest prologue as he wrote it!
Well, the deuce take me, if I han’t forgot it.
O Lord, for heav’n’s sake excuse the play,
Because, you know, if it be damned to-day,
I shall be hanged for wanting what to say.
For my sake then—but I’m in such confusion,
I cannot stay to hear your resolution.

[_Runs off_.]

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

MEN. HEARTWELL, a surly old bachelor, pretending to _Mr. Betterton._ slight women, secretly in love with Silvia BELLMOUR, in love with Belinda _Mr. Powell_ VAINLOVE, capricious in his love; in love with _Mr. Williams_ Araminta SHARPER _Mr. Verbruggen_ SIR JOSEPH WITTOL _Mr. Bowen_ CAPTAIN BLUFFE _Mr. Haines._ FONDLEWIFE, a banker _Mr. Dogget_ SETTER, a pimp _Mr. Underhill_ SERVANT to Fondlewife. WOMEN. ARAMINTA, in love with Vainlove _Mrs. Bracegirdle_ BELINDA, her cousin, an affected lady, in love _Mrs. Mountfort_ with Bellmour LÆTITIA, wife to Fondlewife _Mrs. Barry_ SYLVIA, Vainlove’s forsaken mistress _Mrs. Bowman_ LUCY, her maid _Mrs. Leigh_ BETTY. BOY and FOOTMEN.

SCENE: London.