Phillis. But fuppose 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 fooner begun.

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

[They run out together hand in hand.]

PROLOGUE,

SPOKEN

THE

First Day of the KING'S HOUSE Acting after the FIRE.

S

O fhipwreck'd paffengers efcape to land,

So look they, when on the bare beach

ftand

they

Dropping and cold, and their first fear scarce o'er,
Expecting famine on a defart 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 feen fo fadly true:
You are chang'd too, and your pretence to fee
Is but a nobler name for charity.

Your own provifions furnish out our feasts,

While you the founders make yourselves the guests. Of all mankind befide fate had fome care,

But 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 afpire,
Since fate contrives magnificence by fire.
Our great metropolis does far furpass
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 fhed:
Your prefence here, for which we humbly fue,
Will grace old theatres, and build up new.

Opening of the NEW HOUSE, March 26, 1674.

A

Plain built house, after fo long a stay, Will fend you half unfatisfy'd away; When, fall'n from your expected pomp, you A bare convenience only is defign'd.

find