Leo. May they be ever loving, ever young, And ever worthy of those lines they sprung; May their fair issues walk with time along.
Lieu. And hang a Coward now; and there's my song. [Exeunt.
* * * * *
Prologue.
Would some man would instruct me what to say
For this same Prologue, usual to a Play,
Is tied to such an old form of Petition;
Men must say nothing now beyond commission:
The Cloaks we wear, the Leggs we make, the place
We stand in, must be one; and one the face.
Nor alter'd nor exceeded; if it be,
A general hisse hangs on our levitie:
We have a Play, a new Play to play now,
And thus low in our Playes behalf we bow;
We bow to beg your suffrage, and kind ear;
If it were naught, or that it might appear,
A thing buoy'd up by prayer, Gentlemen,
Believe my faith, you should not see me then.
Let them speak then have power to stop a storm:
I never lov'd to feel a House so warm:
But for the Play if you dare credit me,
I think it well: All new things you shall see,
And these disposed to all the mirth that may;
And short enough we hope: and such a Play
You were wont to like: sit nobly then, and see:
If it miscarry, pray look not for me.
* * * * *
Epilogue,
Spoke by the Lieutenant.
I am not cur'd yet throughly; for believe
I feel another passion that may grieve,
All over me I feel it too: and now
It takes me cold, cold, cold, I know not how:
As you are good men help me, a Carowse
May make me love you all, all here i'th' house,
And all that come to see me doatingly;
Now lend your hands; and for your courtesie,
The next imployment I am sent upon,
I'le swear you are Physicians, the War's none.
THE HUMOUROUS LIEUTENANT.
(A) The First Folio.
(B) The Second Folio.
(C) The Manuscript dated Novemb. 27. 1625.