Chapter XVII: Prologue: FOR

THE WOMEN, WHEN THEY ACTED AT THE OLD THEATRE, LINCOLN'S-INN-FIELDS.

_Female performers were first introduced after the Restoration.
They became speedily acceptable to the court and the public.
The dramatic poets were in so many ways indebted to them, that
occasional exertions, dedicated to their benefit, as I presume the
following to have been, were but a suitable return for various
favours received. Our author's intimacy with the beautiful
Mrs Reeves particularly called forth his talents in behalf of
these damsels, distressed as they must have been by the unlucky
burning of the theatre in Drury-Lane. The Prologue occurs in the
Miscellanies; but is, I know not why, omitted by Derrick in his
edition of Dryden's poems._

Were none of you, gallants, e'er driven so hard,
As when the poor kind soul was under guard,
And could not do't at home, in some by-street
To take a lodging, and in private meet?
Such is our case; we can't appoint our house,
The lovers' old and wonted rendezvous,
But hither to this trusty nook remove;
The worse the lodging is, the more the love.
For much good pastime, many a dear sweet hug,
Is stolen in garrets, on the humble rug.
Here's good accommodation in the pit;
The grave demurely in the midst may sit,
And so the hot Burgundian[333] on the side,
Ply vizard mask, and o'er the benches stride:
Here are convenient upper boxes too, }
For those that make the most triumphant show;}
All that keep coaches, must not sit below. }
There, gallants, you betwixt the acts retire,
And, at dull plays, have something to admire:
We, who look up, can your addresses mark,
And see the creatures coupled in the ark:
So we expect the lovers, braves, and wits;
The gaudy house with scenes[334] will serve for cits.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 333: That is, the consumer of Burgundy, or drunken bully of the day.]

[Footnote 334: Dorset-Garden theatre, where the Duke's company acted various shewy pieces, directed by D'Avenant.]