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PROLOGUE.

Written by ROBERT MERRY, Esq.

Or all profeffions which have claim to pity,
The worst is his, who lives by being witty;
For with light purse, spare diet, and small glee,
'Tis very hard to make a Comedy.

Rich men, and Lords, may write extremly fine,
Give Claret and Champaigne in ev'ry line ;
But our poor Author, of a different fort,
Fears he can only offer humble Port.

Yet, as his guests have fometimes shown him favour,
He hopes, tho' it be new, you'll like the flavour.
Oh! think an inftant on a writer's pains,
Who, for your entertainment, racks his brains;
Whole months alone, in chamber full of smoke,
He fits with fighs to meditate the joke;
And far remov'd from mirthful recreation,
Labours to find a comic fituation.

"I is furely fomewhat difficult to feize

The moment when, the manner how to please;
For fnarling Critics, wond'rous wife and able,
Pronounce it trick to hide beneath a table;
Or if a buck-basket we now should show,
They'd fay," the fad buffoonery was low."
To make you laugh they deem a heinous crime,
Condemn all stage-effect, as Pantomime;
And ftill demand, what never was difplay'd,
A perfect piece, or light without a fhade.

In spite of this, our agonizing Bard,

Seeks from your hands, his nobleft, beft reward;

And dares, regardless of illib'ral ftrife,
Expose the fopperies of modern life.

But if (that you fome novelty may see)
He should outstep fair nature's modefty,
Reflect how often the Dramatic mines
Have ranfack'd been, of ev'ry gem that shines
Nor let on him your hafty cenfures fall,
Who would be, if he cou'd, original.

NOTORIETY:

COMEDY.

ACT I

SCENE, An Apartment at Sir ANDREW'sTwo Doors open in Flat-Bells ring.

Enter JAMES from Door, and another Servant.

R

JAMES.

UN-fly-fcamper-Don't you hear the company are breaking up?-Call Lord Jargon's carriage.

Lady ACID appears at Door, curtfying as if taking leave of fomebody.

Lady A. Good night, my Lord-Delightful man! I am determined he shall be in poffeffion

B

of

In fpite of this, our agonizing Bard,
Seeks from your hands, his noblest, best reward;
And dares, regardless of illib'ral strife,
Expose the fopperies of modern life.

But if (that you fome novelty may see)
He should outstep fair nature's modefty,
Reflect how often the Dramatic mines
Have ranfack'd been, of ev'ry gem that shines
Nor let on him your hafty cenfures fall,
Who would be, if he cou'd, original.

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