PROLOGUE.
By a GENTLEMAN.
Spoken by Mrs. OLDFIELD.
| Such dreadful Laws of late 'gainst Wit are made, It dares not in the City show its Head. No Place is safe; each Cuckold turns Informer, If we make merry—it must be in a Corner. And here's To-night, what doubly makes it sweet, A private Table, and a Lady's Treat: At her Reflections none can be uneasy, When the kind Creature does her best to please ye. Humbly she sues, and 'tis not for your Glory T'insult a Lady—when she falls before ye. But since no human Wit can stand the Test, With Gorman! and the Champion of the West! She'll fill the Lists, and then you cannot slight her, (With Honour safe) for she's a fair Inviter. Expects no Favour, but at Honour's Call, Defies the boldest Briton of you all; Whate'er's her Fate, she's sure to gain the Field, For Women always conquer, when they yield. |
Dramatis Personæ.
| M E N | ||
| Count Bassino, a Savoyard, married to Placentia, and in Love with Aurelia, | } | Mr. Mills. |
| Armando, Bassino's Friend, | Mr. Simpson. | |
| Alonzo, a Venetian Gentleman, betrothed to Aurelia, | } | Mr. Thomas. |
| Pizalto, a Noble Venetian, | Mr. Norris. | |
| Ludovico, a Frenchman, | Mr. Fairbank. | |
| W O M E N. | ||
| Placentia, Bassino's Wife, | Mrs. Kent. | |
| Aurelia, a young Venetian Lady, betrothed to Alonzo, but in Love with Bassino, | } | Mrs. Oldfield. |
| Forella, her Woman, | Mrs. Baker. | |
| Lady Pizalta, Pizalto's Wife, | Mrs. Moore. | |
| Lucy, her Woman, | Mrs. Lucas. | |
| Maskers, Dancers, Singers, and Attendants. | ||
| SCENE, Venice, in Carnival-Time. | ||