Where the Bee can suck no Honey, she leaves her sting behind; and where the Bear cannot find Origanum to heal his grief, he blasteth all other leaves with his breath. We fear it is like to fare so with us; that seeing you cannot draw from our labours sweet content, you leave behind you a sower mis-like, and with open reproach blame our good meaning, because you cannot reap the wonted mirth. Our intent was at this time to move inward delight, not outward lightness; and to breed (if it might be) soft smiling, not loud laughing: knowing it (to the wise) to be a great pleasure, to hear Counsel mixed with Wit, as to the foolish to have sport mingled with rudeness. They were banished the Theater of Athens, and from Rome hissed, that brought Parasites on t[h]e Stage with apish actions, or Fools with uncivil habits, or Courtezans with immodest words. We have endeavoured to be as far from unseemly speeches, to make your ears glow, as we hope you will be free from unkind reports, or mistaking the Authors intention (who never aimed at any one particular in this Play,) to make our cheeks blush. And thus I leave it, and thee to thine own censure, to like, or dislike. Vale.
The Actors Names.
- The Prologue.
- Then a Citizen.
- The Citizens wife, and Ralph her man, sitting below amidst the Spectators.
- A rich Merchant.
- Jasper his Apprentice.
- Master Humphrey, a friend to the Merchant.
- Luce, the Merchants Daughter.
- Mistress Merry-thought, Jaspers Mother.
- Michael, a second Son of Mistriss Merry-thought.
- Old M. Merry-thought.
- A Squire.
- A Dwarfe.
- A Tapster.
- A Boy that Danceth and Singeth.
- An Host.
- A Barber.
- Two Knights.
- A Captain.
- A Sergeant.
- Soldiers.
Enter Prologue.
From all that's near the Court, from all that's great
Within the compass of the City-walls
We now have brought our Scene.
Enter Citizen.
Cit. Hold your peace good-man boy.
Pro. What do you mean Sir?