Chapter XII: Prologue

'Tis much desired, you judges of the town Would pass a vote to put all prologues down; For who can show me, since they first were writ, They e'er converted one hard-hearted wit? Yet the world's mended well; in former days Good prologues were as scarce as now good plays. For the reforming poets of our age, In this first charge, spend their poetic rage: Expect no more when once the prologue's done; The wit is ended ere the play's begun. You now have habits, dances, scenes, and rhymes; High language often; ay, and sense, sometimes. As for a clear contrivance, doubt it not; They blow out candles to give light to th' plot. And for surprise, two bloody-minded men Fight till they die, then rise and dance again. Such deep intrigues you're welcome to this day: But blame yourselves, not him who writ the play; Though his plot's dull, as can be well desired, Wit stiff as any you have e'er admired: He's bound to please, not to write well; and knows, There is a mode in plays as well as clothes; Therefore, kind judges--

_Second Prologue enters_.

2.--Hold; would you admit For judges all you see within the pit?

1. Whom would he then except, or on what score?

2. All, who (like him) have writ ill plays before; For they, like thieves condemned, are hangmen made, To execute the members of their trade. All that are writing now he would disown, But then he must except--even all the town; All cholerick, losing gamesters, who, in spite, Will damn to day, because they lost last night; All servants, whom their mistress' scorn upbraids; All maudlin lovers, and all slighted maids; All, who are out of humour, or severe; All, that want wit, or hope to find it here.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

DON GONSALVO DE PERALTA, _a young gentleman newly arrived from the Indies, in love with_ JULIA. DON RODORIGO DE SYLVA, _in love with the same lady_. DON MANUEL DE TORRES, _brother to_ JULIA.

JULIA, _elder sister to_ DON MANUEL, _promised to_ RODORIGO. HONORIA, _younger sister to_ DON MANUEL, _disguised in the habit of a man, and going by the name of_ HIPPOLITO, _in love with_ GONSALVO. ANGELINA, _sister to_ DON RODORIGO, _in man's habit, likewise in love with_ GONSALVO, _and going by the name of_ AMIDEO.

_Servants, Robbers, Seamen, and Masquers_.

SCENE--_Alicant_.

THE RIVAL LADIES.