procal regard, as well to their own intereft, as the good of the people; may make a certain kind of a-------you understand me-------upon which, there does arife feveral difputes, turmoils, heart-burnings, and all that----In fine, you'll apprehend it better when you see it. [Exit to call the Players. Smi. I find the author will be very much obliged to the players, if they can make any fenfe out of this.

Enter Bayes.

Bayes. Now, gentlemen, I would fain afk your opinion of one thing. I have made a prologue and an epilogue, which may both serve for either; (that is, the prologue for the epilogue, or the epilogue for the prologue) [do you mark ?] nay, they may both ferve too, l'gad for any other play as well as this.

Smi. Very well. That's indeed artificial.

Bayes. And I would fain ask your judgments, now, which of them would do beft for the prologue? for, you must know, there is in nature but two ways of making very good prologues. The civility, by infinuation, good language, in a manner, fteal your plaudit

kings

onhobl

and all that---a--

from

from the courtesy of the auditors: the other, by making use of some certain personal things, which may keep a hank upon fuch cenfuring perfons, as cannot otherways, I'gad, in nature, be hindred from being too free with their tongues. To which end, my first prologue is,* that I come out in a long black veil, and a great huge hangman behind me, with a furr'd cap, and his sword drawn; and there tell 'em plainly, that if, out of good nature, they will not like my play, I'gad, I'll e'en kneel down, and he fhall cut my head off. Whereupon they all fall a clapping---a--

Smi. Ay, but fuppose they don't.

Bayes. Suppofe! Sir, you may suppose what you please, I have nothing to do with your fuppofe, Sir; nor am not at all mortified at it: not at all, Sir; I'gad, not one jot, Sir. Suppose, quotha !----ha, ha, ha. [Walks away.

:

Johnf. Phoo! pr'ythee, Bayes, don't mind what he fays he is a fellow newly come out of the country, he knows nothing of what's the relifh here of the town.

Bayes. If I writ, Sir, to please the country, I

* To which end, my first prologue is, &c.]" Vide the "two prologues to the Maiden Queen.

should have follow'd the old plain way: but I write for some perfons of quality, and peculiar friends of mine, that understand what flame and power in writing is; and they do me right, Sir, to approve of what I do.

Johnf. Ay, ay, they will clap, I warrant you; never fear it.

Bayes. I'm fure the defign's good; that cannot be deny'd. And then, for language, I’gad, I defy 'em all, in nature, to mend it. * Befides, Sir, I have printed above a hundred sheets of paper, to infinuate the plot into the boxes; and withal, have appointed two or three dozen of my friends to be ready in the pit, who I'm fure will clap, and fo the reft you know muft follow; and then, pray, Sir, what becomes of your fuppofe? ha, ha, ha.

Johnf. Nay, if the bufinefs be fo well laid, it cannot mifs.

Bayes. I think fo, Sir; and therefore would

*Befides, I have printed above a bundred sheets of paper, to infinuate the plot into the boxes.] There were printed papers given the audience before the acting of the Indian Emperor, telling them that it was the fequel of the Indian Queen, part of which play was written by Mr. Bayes.

chufe

chuse this to be the prologue. For, if I could engage 'em to clap, before they fee the play, you know it would be fo much the better, because they were engaged; for let a man write never fo well, there are, now a-days, a fort of perfons they call criticks, that I'gad*, have no more wit in them than fo many hobby-horses; but they'll laugh at you, Sir, and find fault, and cenfure things, that, I'gad, I'm sure they are not able to do themselves. A fort of envious perfons, that emulate the glories of perfons of parts, and think to build their fame, by calumniation of perfons, that, I'gad, to my knowledge, of all perfons in the world are, in nature, the perfons that do as much dẹspise all that as---a---In fine, I'll fay no more of 'em.

* I'gad, I vow to gad.] And all that, is the constant ftile of Failer in the Wild Gallant; for which take this fpecimen.

"Failer. Really, madam, I look upon you as a perfon " of fuch worth, and all that, that, I vow to gad I honour

you of all perfons in the world; and, tho' I am a perfon "that am inconfiderable, in the world, and all that, ma"dam, yet, for a perfon of your worth and excellency, "I would, &c.

Johnf. Nay, you have faid enough of 'em, in all confcience; I'm sure more than they'll e'er be able to answer.

Bayes. Why, I'll tell you, Sir, fincerely, and bona fide; were it not for the sake of some ingenious perfons, and choice female fpirits, that have a value for me, I would see 'em all hang'd, l'gad, fee 'em all hang'd before I would e'er fet pen to paper, but let them live in ignorance like ingrates.

Johnf. Ay, marry! that were a way to be reveng'd of 'em indeed; and, if I were in your place now, I would do fo.

Bayes. No, Sir; there are certain ties upon me, that I cannot be difengaged from; otherways I would. But pray, Sir, how do you like my hangman ?

Smi. By my troth, Sir, I fhould like him very well.

Bayes. But how do you like it, Sir? (for I fee you can judge) would you have it for a prologue, or an epilogue.

* Bayes. No, Sir, there are certain ties upon me, that I cannot be difengag'd from.] Mr. Dryden had contracted with the king's company of actors in the year 1668, for a whole Share, to write them four plays a-year.

Johns.