Now, in good manners, nothing should be said

Against this play, because the poet's dead[61].

The prologue told us of a moral here:

Would I could find it! but the devil knows where.

If in my part it lies, I fear he means

To warn us of the sparks behind our scenes.

For, if you'll take it on Dalinda's word,

'Tis a hard chapter to refuse a lord.

The poet might pretend this moral too,—

That when a wit and fool together woo,

The damsel (not to break an antient rule)

Should leave the wit, and take the wealthy fool.

{This he might mean: but there's a truth behind,

{And, since it touches none of all our kind

{But masks and misses, 'faith, I'll speak my mind.

What if he taught our sex more cautious carriage,

And not to be too coming before marriage;

For fear of my misfortune in the play,

A kid brought home upon the wedding day?

I fear there are few Sancho's in the pit,

So good as to forgive, and to forget;

That will, like him, restore us into favour,

And take us after on our good behaviour.

Few, when they find the money-bag is rent,

Will take it for good payment on content.

But in the telling, there the difference is,

Sometimes they find it more than they could wish.

Therefore be warned, you misses and you masks,

Look to your hits, nor give the first that asks.

Tears, sighs, and oaths, no truth of passion prove;

True settlement, alone, declares true love.

For him that weds a puss, who kept her first,

I say but little, but I doubt the worst.

{The wife, that was a cat, may mind her house,

{And prove an honest, and a careful spouse;

{But 'faith I would not trust her with a mouse.