ABDELAZER; or, The Moor’s Revenge.
PROLOGUE.
_Gallants, you have so long been absent hence,
That you have almost cool’d your Diligence;
For while we study or revive a Play,
You, like good Husbands, in the Country stay,
There frugally wear out your Summer Suit,
And in Prize Jerkin after Beagles toot;
Or, in Montero-Caps, at Feldfares shoot.
Nay, some are so obdurate in their Sin,
That they swear never to come up again,
But all their Charge of Clothes and Treat retrench,
To Gloves and Stockings for some Country Wench:
Even they, who in the Summer had Mishaps,
Send up to Town for Physick for their Claps.
The Ladies too are as resolved as they,
And having Debts unknown to them, they stay,
And with the Gain of Cheese and Poultry pay.
Even in their Visits, they from Banquets fall,
To entertain with Nuts and Bottle-Ale;
And in Discourse with Secresy report
State-News, that past a Twelve-month since at Court.
Those of them who are most refind, and gay,
Now learn the Songs of the last Summer’s Play:
While the young Daughter does in private mourn,
Her Lovers in Town, and hopes not to return.
These Country Grievances too great appear:
But cruel Ladies, we have greater here;
You come not sharp, as you are wont, to Plays;
But only on the first and second Days:
This made our Poet, in her Visits, look
What new strange Courses, for your time you took,
And to her great Regret she found too soon,
Damn’d Beasts and Ombre spent the Afternoon;
So that we cannot hope to see you here
Before the little Net-work Purse be clear.
Suppose you should have Luck—
Yet sitting up so late, as I am told,
You’ll lose in Beauty what you win in Gold:
And what each Lady of another says,
Will make you new Lampoons, and us new Plays.
DRAMATIS PERSONAE.
MEN.
Ferdinand, a young King of Spain, in love with Florella. Mr. Harris. Philip, his Brother. Mr. Smith. Akdelazer, the Moor. Mr. Betterton. Mendozo, Prince Cardinal, in love with the Queen. Mr. Medburn. Alonzo, a young Nobleman of Spain, contracted to Leonora. Mr. Crasbie. Roderigo, a Creature to the Moor, Mr. Norris. Antonio, | Sebastian, Two Officers of Phillip’s. | Mr. John Lee. Osmin, | Mr. Percivall. Zarrack, Moors and Officers to Abdelazer. | Mr. Richards. Ordonio, a Courtier. A Swain, and Shepherds. Courtiers, Officers, Guards, Soldiers, Moors, Pages, and Attendants.
WOMEN.
Isabella, Queen of Spain, Mother to Ferdinand and Philip, in love with Abdelazer. Mrs. Lee. Leonora, her Daughter, Sister to Ferdinand and Philip. Mrs. Barrey. Florella, Wife to Abdelazer, and Sister to Mrs. Betterton. Alonzo. Elvira, Woman to the Queen. Mrs. Osborne. A Nymph, and Shepherdesses. Other Women Attendants.