Poets are bubbles, by the town drawn in,
Suffered at first some trifling stakes to win:
But what unequal hazards do they run!
Each time they write they venture all they’ve won:
The Squire that’s buttered still, is sure to be undone.
This author, heretofore, has found your favour,
But pleads no merit from his past behaviour.
To build on that might prove a vain presumption,
Should grants to poets made admit resumption,
And in Parnassus he must lose his seat,
If that be found a forfeited estate.
He owns, with toil he wrought the following scenes,
But if they’re naught ne’er spare him for his pains:
Damn him the more; have no commiseration
For dulness on mature deliberation.
He swears he’ll not resent one hissed-off scene,
Nor, like those peevish wits, his play maintain,
Who, to assert their sense, your taste arraign.
Some plot we think he has, and some new thought;
Some humour too, no farce—but that’s a fault.
Satire, he thinks, you ought not to expect;
For so reformed a town who dares correct?
To please, this time, has been his sole pretence,
He’ll not instruct, lest it should give offence.
Should he by chance a knave or fool expose,
That hurts none here, sure here are none of those.
In short, our play shall (with your leave to show it)
Give you one instance of a passive poet,
Who to your judgments yields all resignation:
So save or damn, after your own discretion.
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.
MEN. | |
Fainall, in love with Mrs.Marwood, | Mr. Betterton. |
Mirabell, in love with Mrs.Millamant, | Mr. Verbruggen. |
Witwoud, follower of Mrs.Millamant, | Mr. Bowen. |
Petulant, follower of Mrs.Millamant, | Mr. Bowman. |
Sir Wilfull Witwoud, halfbrother to Witwoud, and nephew to Lady Wishfort, | Mr. Underhill. |
Waitwell, servant toMirabell, | Mr. Bright. |
WOMEN. | |
Lady Wishfort, enemy toMirabell, for having falsely pretended love to her, | Mrs. Leigh. |
Mrs. Millamant, a fine lady,niece to Lady Wishfort, and loves Mirabell, | Mrs. Bracegirdle. |
Mrs. Marwood, friend to Mr.Fainall, and likes Mirabell, | Mrs. Barry. |
Mrs. Fainall, daughter to LadyWishfort, and wife to Fainall, formerly friend to Mirabell, | Mrs. Bowman. |
Foible, woman to LadyWishfort, | Mrs. Willis. |
Mincing, woman to Mrs.Millamant, | Mrs. Prince. |
Dancers, Footmen, Attendants.
Scene: London.
The time equal to that of the presentation.
ACT I.—SCENE I.
A Chocolate-house.
Mirabell and Fainall rising from cards. Betty waiting.