Our Muse describes no lover's passion,
No wretched father, no unthrifty son!
No craving, subtle whore or shameless bawd,
Nor stubborn clown or daring parasite,
No lying servant or bold sycophant.
We are not wanton or satirical.
These have their time and places fit, but we
Sad hours and serious studies to reprieve,
Have taught severe Philosophy to smile,
The Senses' rash contentions we compose,
And give displeas'd ambitious Tongue her due:
Here's all; judicious friends, accept what is not ill.
Who are not such, let them do what they will.
DRAMATIS PERSONAE.
LINGUA, Comoedus. Tragoedus. AUDITUS, Comoedus. Tragoedus. MENDACIO, Lingua's page. TACTUS, | Odor. OLFACTUS, | Tobacco. VISUS, | Lumen, | Coelum, | Terra, | Heraldry, | Colour. GUSTUS; Bacchus, Ceres, Beer. APPETITUS, a parasite. PHANTASTES. HEURESIS, Phantastes's page. CRAPULA, Gustus's follower. COMMUNIS SENSUS. MEMORIA. ANAMNESTES, Memoria's page. SOMNUS. Personae quarum mentio tantum fit. | Psyche, | Acrasia, | Veritas, | Oblivio.
The scene is Microcosmus[167] in a grove. The time from morning till night.
LINGUA.
ACTUS PRIMUS, SCAENA PRIMA.
LINGUA apparelled in a crimson satin gown, a dressing of white roses, a little skene[168] tied in a purple scarf, a pair of white buskins[169] drawn with white ribbon, silk garters, gloves, &c. AUDITUS in a garland of bays intermingled with red and white roses upon a false hair, a cloth of silver mantle upon a pair of satin bases, wrought sleeves, buskins, gloves, &c.
LINGUA, AUDITUS.
LIN. Nay, good Auditus, do but hear me speak.
AUD. Lingua, thou strik'st too much upon one string,
Thy tedious plain-song[170] grates my tender ears.