ERR, AT A.

Page 100, Line the laft in Note 19, for curl'd read cur'd 117, add to Note 27, Mr. Seward

254, Line 9, for juvenem read junenem

302, Line the laft in Note 43, for Beryl read Baixili

ENGLISH
OXFORD

LIBRARY

i

S'Ince 'tis become the Title of our Play,
A Woman (1) once in a Coronation may
With pardon, fpeak the Prologue, give as free
A welcome to the Theatre, as be

That with a little Beard, a long black Cloak,
With a ftarch'd Face and fupple Leg hath Spoke
Before the Plays the Twelve-month, let me then
Prefent a Welcome to thefe Gentlemen ;
If you be kind, and noble, you will not
Think the worfe of me for my Petticoat-
But to the Play; the Poet bad me tell
His Fears first in the Title, left it fwell
Some thoughts with expectation of a strain,
That but once could be seen in a King's Reign.
This Coronation be hopes you may
See often, while the Genius of his Play
Doth Prophefy, the Conduits may run Wine,
When the Day's Triumph's ended, and Divine
Brisk Nectar (2) fwell his Temples to a Rage,
With fomething of more price t'inveft the Stage.
There refts but to prepare you, that although
It be a Coronation, there doth flow

No Undermirth, fuch as doth lard the Scene
For coarfe delight; the Language here is clean,
And confident, our Poet bad me fay,
He'll bate you but the Folly of a Play:
For which, although dull Souls his Pen defpife,
(3) Who think it yet too early to be wife.
The nobler will thank his Mufe, at least
Excufe him, 'caufe his Thought aim'd at the best,
But we conclude not, it does reft in you

(1) -once in a Corporation day] The Text from the Quarto of 1640. Mr. Theobald. (2) -fwell his Temple to a Rage.] The Want of a fingle Letter has made strange work here. The oldeft Copy exhibits the Text.

(3) Who thinks it yet too early-] As we had a Letter too little above, fo Mr. Seward agreed with me, there is one too much here, otherwife the Reflexion must fall upon the Poet, which was defign'd for the Mob.

To cenfure Poet, Play, and Prologue too.
But what have I omitted? is there not
A blush upon my Cheeks that I forgot
The Ladies, and a female Prologue too?
Your Pardon, noble Gentlewomen, you
Were firft within my Thoughts; I know you fit
As free, and high Commiffioners of Wit,
Have clear and active Souls; nay, though the Men
Were loft, in your Eyes they'll be found again;"
You are the bright Intelligences move,

And make a harmony this fphere of Love:

Be you propitious then, our Poet Jays,

(4) One Wreath from you, is worth their Grove of Bays.

(4) Our Wreath from you,] Mr. Seward again conjectur'd with me, that one, not our, muft be the Word, and fo I have alter'd the Text.

DRAMATIS PERSONE.

P

Hilocles,
Lyfander,

}

Courtiers.

Caffander, Lord Protector.

Lyfimachus, his Son, a worthy Gentleman.

Antigonus, a Gentleman in waiting.

Arcadius, fuppos'd Nephew to Macarius; but, in reality, Demetrius, Son to the dead King.

Macarius, Uncle to Arcadius.

Seleucus, Son to Eubulus, but in reality Leonatus, the right King of Epirus.

Sophia, Queen of Epirus.

Charilla, a Lady to the Queen.

Polidora, Daughter to Nettorius, courted by Arcadius, and his noble

and conftant Miftrefs.

Neftorius.

Eubulus, fuppos'd Father to Seleucus.

A Bishop, and Trustee of the dead King's Will.

Polianus, Captain of the Castle.

Gentlemen and Gentlewomen.

Servants and Attendants.

SCENE, EPIRU S.

f

THI