THE

FAIR MAID

OF THE

I N N N.

A

TRAGI-COMEDY.

2

32

PROLOGUE,

Lays have their Fates, not as in their true Sense
They're understood, but as the Influence

Of idle Custom madly works upon
The Drofs of many-tongu'd Opinion.
A worthy Story, bowfoever writ,

For Language, modeft Mirth, Gonceit or Wit,
Meets oftentimes with the Sweet Commendation
Of bang't, 'tis fcurvy; when for Approbation
A figg fhall be clapt at, and every Rhime
Prais'd and applauded by a clamorous Chime.
Let Ignorance and Laughter dwell together,
They are beneath the Mufes Pity. Hitber
Come nobler Judgments, and to thofe the Strain
Of our Invention is not bent in vain;
The Fair Maid of the Inn to you commends
Her Hopes and Welcomes, and withal intends
In th' Entertains_to_which she doth invite ye,
All things to please, and fome things to delight ye.

VOL. IX.

Υ

DRA

D

UKE of Florence.

ME N.

Cefario, a young Gentleman of a fiery Nature, Son to

Albertus.

Albertus, Father to Cefario, Admiral of Florence.
Baptifta, a brave Sea Commander, ancient Friend to Alber
tus, and Father to Mentivole and Biancha.
Mentivole, Son to Baptifta, Lover of Clariffa.
Profpero, a noble Friend to Baptifta.

Two Magiftrates of Florence.

Hoft, the fuppofed Father to Biancha!
Forobofco, a cheating Mountebank.

Clown, the Mountebank's Man, and Setter.
Three Gentlemen.

Secretary to the Duke.

Four Fools and Knaves, who pretend Love to
Biancha, the Fair Maid of the Inn.

WOMEN.

Mariana, Wife to Albertus, a virtuous Lady.

Clariffa, Mariana's Daughter, in Love with Mentivole. Juliana, Neice to the Duke of Genoa, Baptifta's fecond Wife. Biancha, the fair Maid of the Inn, beloved of Cefario, and Daughter to Baptifta and Juliana.

Hoftefs, the fuppofed Mother of Biancha.

SCENE FLORENCE.

THE

THE

FAIR MAID of the INN.

I

ACT L

SCENE I.

Enter Cefario, and Clariffa.

CESARI O.

INterpret not, Clariffa, my true zeal

In giving you counfel, to tranfcend the Bounds.
That should confine a Brother; (1) 'tis your
Honour,

And Peace of Mind (which Honour loft, will
leave you)

I labour to preferve; and though you yet are
Pure and untainted, and refolve to be fo,
Having a Father's Eye, and Mother's Care
In all your Ways to keep you fair and upright,
In which refpects my beft Advices muft

Appear fuperfluous; yet fince Love, dear Sifter,
Will fometimes tender things unneceffary,

(1)

'tis your Honour,

And Peace of Mind (which Honour laft, will leave you)

I labour to preferve; -] Thus all the Editions calling Peace of Mind an Honour, and the laft that leave us. I need not infift upon the Stiffness of fuch a Sentiment, fince the Moment the true Reading occurs by the Change of a fingle Letter it is felf-evident: Honour being loft, Peace of Mind would leave her.

Y 2

Mifcon