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Show Second P R O L O G U E IHad forgot one half I do protefl, And now am fent again to fpeak the rejt. He bows to every great and noble Wit, "> But to the little Hectors of the Pit r 0ur Poet's Iturdy, and will not fubmit. He'U be before-hand with 'em, and not ftay To fee each peevifJj Crittck flab his Play: Each Puny Cenfor, who his skill to boaft, Js cheaply'witty on the Poets coft. ., No Criticks Verdict, fhould, of right, fl and good, They are excepted all as Men of blood : And the fame Law (bould fbield them from their fury, Which has excluded Butchers from a Jury. Tou'd all be IVits But Writing's tedious, and that way may fail; The moft compendious method is to rail: Which you Jo like, you think your felves ill us d, When infmart Prologues you are not abus'd. A civil Prologue is approved by no Man; Tou hate it as you do a Civil Woman: Tour Taney's pall'd, and liberally you pay To have it quicken'd, e'er you fee a Play. Juft as old Sinners worn from their de light) Give money to be whip'd to appetite. But what a Pox keep I fo much ado To fave our Poet ? he is one of you; A Brother's Judgment, and as I hear fay, A Cur fed Critick as e'er damn'd a Play. Good Salvage Gentlemen your own kindfpare^ He is, like you, a very Wolf or Bear; Tet think not he'll your antient rights invade, Or flop the courfe of your free damning trade : For he, {he vows) at no Friend's Play can fit, But he muft needs find fault to ffjew his Wit: Then, for his fake, ne'er flint your own delight) Throw boldly, for he fet s to all that write; With fuch he ventures on an even lay, Tor they bring ready money into Play. Thofe who write not, and yet all Writers nick, Are Bankrupt Gamefters, for they damn on tick. Dramatis Perfona. Quc Afteria, WOMEN. ^Ueen of Sicily Mrs Marfbal. Candiope, Princefs of the Blood Mrs Quin. the Queens Confident MvsK/iep. Florimel, A Maid of Honour Mrs Ellen Guyn. Flavia, another Maid of Honour Mrs FrancesDavenport Olinda, 9 Mrs Rutter. and >Sifters. Sahina, 3 Mrs Eliz. Davenport. Melifja, Mother to Olinda and Sabina Mrs Cory. MEN. Lyftmantes, firft Prince ofthe Blood Mr Barf. Philocles, the Queens Favourite Major Mohun. Celadon, a Courtier Mr Hart. Guards. Pages of Honour. Soldiers. The Scene SICILT. SE-T55 SECRET=LOVE: • O R, T H E Maiden-Queen. A C T I. SCENE I The Scene h Walks, near the Court. Enter Celadon, Afteria, meeting each other : he in riding habit; they embrace. Celadon. IPX Ear Afteria! 1 Afteria. M y dear Brother! welcome; a thoufand welcomes: -"--, Methinks this year you have been abfent has been fo tedious! I hope: as you have made a pleafant Voyage, fo you have brought your good humour back again to Court. Cel. I never yet knew any Company I could not be merry in, except it were an old Woman's. Aft. Or at a Funeral. Cel. Nay, for that you fhall excufe me ; for I was never merrier than I was at a Creditor's of mine, whofe Book perifhed with him. But w;hat new Bcautfe-have you at Court? H o w do Metiffa's twro fair Daughters ? Aft. When you tell me which of'em you are in love with, I'll anfwer you. Gel. Which of 'em, naughty Sifter, what a Queftion's there ? With bor 'em*, with each and lingular of 'em. Aft. Blefs m e! you are not ferious! Cef. You look as if it were a wonder to fee a Man in love : are they not hand-fome? Aft. I, but bodi together Cel. I, and both afunder ; why, I hope there are but two of 'em; the tall Singing and Dancing one, and the little Innocent one? Aft. But you cannot marry both ? Cel. No, nor either of'em I truft in Heaven ; but I can keep them Company, I can fing and dance with 'em, and treat 'em ; and that, I take k, is fomewhat better than mufty marrying them: Marriage is poor Folks Pleafure,that cannot go to the coft of Variety : but I am out of danger of that with thefe twro, for I love 'ern fo equally,I can never make choice between 'em: Had I but one Miftrefs, I m go to her to be merry, and fhe.j perhaps, be out of humour; there were a Vifit loft: But here, if one of 'em frown upon me, the other will be the more obliging, on purpofe to recommend her own Gaiety ; befides a thoufand things that I could name. Aft. And none of 'em to any purpofe. Cel. Weil, if you will not be cruel to a poor Lover , you might oblige me by-carrying m e to their Lodgings. Aft. You know I am always bufie about the Queen. Cel. But once or twice only, till I am a little ftuffi'd in m £ acqiiaihtahc other Ladies, and have learn'd to pray for my felf: I promife you I'll make ah. the haft I canto end your trouble, by being in love feme whe re elfe. Aft. You would think it hard to be deny'd now. Cel. And reafon good: many a Man hangs himfelf for the lofs C H o w do you think then I fhould bear die lots of two's especially where I think Beauty is but thin town. Aft. There's one Florimel thc Queen's Wa and a vaft Fortune. |