PROLOGUE
By the AUTHOR
[Enter SERJEANT-AT-LAW, and ATTORNEY following, and giving a paper.]
SERJEANT
What's here!—a vile cramp hand! I cannot see
Without my spectacles.
ATTORNEY
He means his fee.
Nay, Mr. Serjeant, good sir, try again. [Gives money.]
SERJEANT
The scrawl improves! [more] O come, 'tis pretty plain.
Hey! how's this? Dibble!—sure it cannot be!
A poet's brief! a poet and a fee!
ATTORNEY
Yes, sir! though you without reward, I know,
Would gladly plead the Muse's cause.
SERJEANT
So!—so!
ATTORNEY
And if the fee offends, your wrath should fall
On me.
SERJEANT
Dear Dibble, no offence at all.
ATTORNEY
Some sons of Phoebus in the courts we meet,