Phillis. But suppose he should stay
Amyntas. At worst if he delay,

'Tis a work must be done,
We'll borrow but a day,
And the better, the sooner begun.

Cho. of both. At worst if be delay, &c.

(They run out togetber band in band.)

First Day of the King's House Acting

after the FIRE.

O shipwreck'd passengers escape 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 e'en the natives, forc'd by hunger, fled,
Our stage does human chance present to view,
But ne'er before was seen so fadly true:
You are chang’d 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,
Burt for

poor Wit no portion did prepare, 'Tis left a rent-charge to the brave and fair. You cherish'd it, and now its fall

you mourn, Which blind unmanner'd zealots make their scorn,

}

Who think that fire a judgment on the stage,
Which spar'd not temples 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 prefence here, for which we humbly sue,
Will

grace old theatres, and build up new.

Opening of the New House, March 26, 1674.

A

Plain built house, after so long a stay,
Will send

you

half unsatisfy'd away ; When, fall’n from your expected pomp, you find A bare convenience only is design'd.