We doubt that scene which does their wonder raise, Examines, fathoms, all the depths of wit; The ready finger lays on every blot ; Knows what should justly please, and what should not. 15 20 You judge by her what draught of her is true, Where outlines false, and colours seem too faint, Where bunglers daub, and where true poets paint. 25 By every Muse, by each domestic grace, 30 Not in the suffragating tribes to stand, If his ambition may those hopes pursue, * Printed sterve in the "Miscellany Poems," 1684. ↑ The date and occasion of this Prologue are not known. It was printed in the "Miscellany Poems," 1684, immediately after the preceding Prologue, and it may be conjectured that it was also delivered at Oxford in 1681. "Grossly," in the gross, ir, the general. Oxford to him a dearer name shall be, Than his own mother-university. Thebes did his green unknowing youth engage, 35 EPILOGUE TO "THE UNHAPPY FAVOURITE, 1682. WE act by fits and starts, like drowning men, ** 5 IO 15 This Epilogue, which has not been assigned by any previous editor to the play for which it was written, was composed by Dryden for Banks's play of "The Unhappy Favourite," produced at the King's Theatre in the early part of 1682. The King and Queen attended an early representation of this play and on the occasion of their visit a new Prologue written by Dryden was produced, which has been printed as a Political Prologue at p. 136, where see the note. This Epilogue was published in the "Miscellany Poems" of 1684, with the title, "An Epilogue for the King's House;" and it was published with Banks's play in 1685. The text as printed in 1685 is here followed it has several small variations from the text of the "Miscellany Poems," 1684. + The word dop was changed by Broughton into pop, which has been generally followed. Pap appears in Scott's, R. Bell's, and Aldine editions. Dop is clearly the right word. To dop is to make a low bow or curtsey. "The Venetian dop this" (Ben Jonson, "Cynthia's Revels," iv. 2). The word "dopping," for bowing, occurs in one of Barrow's Sermons, 27 (quoted by Latham in his new edition of Johnson's Dictionary). "Lottery cavaliers" are poor loyal officers, to whom the right of keeping lotteries was granted by patent in Charles II.'s reign. §"The three last ungiving parliaments" were those of 1679 and 1680, and the parliament held at Oxford, March 1681, and immediately dissolved: these had all refused supplies. || Compare in "Absalom and Achitophel," line 636: "Comets rise From earthy vapours, ere they shine in skies." The "third day" was the benefit-day for the author of a play. ** In the "Miscellany Poems," 1684, this line is printed, "Their pamphleteers each day their venom spit." 20 To the Upper Confess the truth, which of you has not laid 25 30 35 PROLOGUE AND EPILOGUE TO "THE LOYAL BROTHER,, OR THE PERSIAN PRINCE." + 1682. PROLOGUE. POETS, like lawful monarchs, ruled the stage, Till critics, like damned Whigs, debauched our age. Our theatres, and Whigs reform our State; Both pretend love, and both (plague rot 'em !) hate. The fawning Whig petitions to the King; 5 "The Hatfield Maid" was a printed story of an apparition professed to be seen on four Occasions in January 1632 by Elizabeth Freeman of Hatfield, which was circulated by the Monmouth party. The story was attested by Mr. Joseph Jordan, a Hertfordshire magistrate, and Dr. Lee, rector of Hatfield. The marginal invocation "To the Upper Gallery" is printed with the Epilogue in the edition of the play, quarto, 1685: in the "Miscellany Poems,” 1684, it is "Looking above." + "Democritus" and "Heraclitus Ridens" were the names of two newspapers; the former a Whig paper, the latter edited by Roger L'Estrange and supported by the Court. "The Loyal Brother," Southern's first play, and a very great success, appeared at the King's House in 1682, and Dryden wrote the Prologue and Epilogue. The story of Dryden's raising the price of the Prologue on this occasion has been told in the General Introduction, p. 388. This was a political play, directed against the Whigs: the Duke of York was "the loyal brother,' and the conspirator in the play was Shaftesbury. Southern was only twenty-three when Le produced this play. These will no taxes give, and those no pence; As watchful shepherds that fright beasts of prey. IÙ 15 20 25 A lewd old gentleman of seventy years; Whose age in vain our mercy would implore, 30 For few take pity on an old-cast whore. The Devil, who brought him to the shame, takes part; Sits cheek by jowl in black to cheer his heart, Like thief and parson in a Tyburn-cart. 35 The mitred moppet from his chair they draw: In each succeeding health they damn his friends: 40 45 50 The 17th of November, the anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's accession. Dryden proceeds to describe the annual pope-burning procession of that night. Sir Edmund Berry or Edmond Bury Godfrey. He had, what was unusual at that time, two Christian names; Bury and Berry were two different modes of spelling the same name. The word poppet was substituted for moppet by Broughton, and has since remained in all editions. Moppet is here restored from the original broad sheet, of which there is a copy in the British Museum A virgin poet was served up to-day, Who till this hour ne'er cackled for a play. Begs leave to make the best of his own natural toy. The King's House would instruct me by the name: A commonwealth sounds like a common whore. Let husband or gallant be what they will, One part of woman is true Tory still. If any factious spirit should rebel, Our sex with ease can every rising quell. Then, as you hope we should your failings hide, They save dull culprits who have murdered sense. 5 10 15 20 25 For there 'tis safe, in its own element. Here, where their madness can have no pretence, 30 Small difference in your vices I can see : Of this damned grievance every Whig complains; *This coarse Epilogue was spoken by a lady, Mrs. (Miss Sarah Cook. 35 40 + Leaden farthings issued by tradesmen and taken among those who knew them, on the credit of the issuers. The parliament which had been dissolved in 1678, after an existence of eighteen years from the Restoration, had got the name of the Pension Parliament. § The French Huguenots who took refuge in England from persecution. |