Chapter XVI: Prologue: Spoken

THE FIRST DAY OF THE KING'S HOUSE ACTING AFTER THE FIRE.

_In January_, 1671-2, _the play-house in Drury-Lane_, _occupied by
the King's company_, _took fire_, _and was entirely destroyed_, _with
fifty or sixty adjoining houses_, _which were either involved in
the conflagration_, _or blown up to stop its progress_. _During the
rebuilding of this theatre, the King's servants acted in the old
house in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields. The following Prologue announces
the distressed situation of the company on their retreat to this
temporary asylum. The sixth couplet alludes to the recent desertion
of the Lincoln's-Inn theatre, by the rival company, called the
Duke's, who were now acting at one in Dorset Gardens, splendidly
fitted up under the direction of Sir William D'Avenant._

So shipwrecked passengers escaped to land,
So look they, when on the bare beach they stand,
Dropping and cold, and their first fear scarce o'er,
Expecting famine on a desart shore.
From that hard climate we must wait for bread,
Whence even the natives, forced by hunger, fled.
Our stage does human chance present to view,
But ne'er before was seen so sadly true:
You are changed too, and your pretence to see
Is but a nobler name for charity.
Your own provisions furnish out our feasts,
While you, the founders, make yourselves the guests.
Of all mankind beside, fate had some care, }
But for poor Wit no portion did prepare, }
'Tis left a rent-charge to the brave and fair.}
You cherished it, and now its fall you mourn,
Which blind unmannered zealots make their scorn,
Who think that fire a judgment on the stage,
Which spared not temples[332] in its furious rage.
But as our new-built city rises higher, }
So from old theatres may new aspire, }
Since fate contrives magnificence by fire.}
Our great metropolis does far surpass
Whate'er is now, and equals all that was:
Our wit as far does foreign wit excel,
And, like a king, should in a palace dwell.
But we with golden hopes are vainly fed,
Talk high, and entertain you in a shed:
Your presence here, for which we humbly sue,
Will grace old theatres, and build up new.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 332: St Paul's, and other churches, were consumed in the great fire, then a recent event.]