The Works of Abraham Cowley/Volume 1/Prologue to the Guardian: before the Prince
PROLOGUE TO THE GUARDIAN:
BEFORE THE PRINCE.
Who says the times do learning disallow?
'T is false; 'twas never honour'd so as now.
When you appear, great Prince! our night is done;
You are our morning-star, and shall be' our sun.
But our scene 's London now; and by the rout
We perish, if the Round-heads be about:
For now no ornament the head must wear,
No bays, no mitre, not so much as hair.
How can a play pass safely, when ye know
Cheapside-cross falls for making but a show?
Our only hope is this, that it may be
A play may pass too, made extempore.
Though other arts poor and neglected grow,
They 'll admit Poesy, which was always so.
But we contemn the fury of these days,
And scorn no less their censure than their praise:
Our Muse, blest Prince! does only' on you rely;
Would gladly live, but not refuse to die.
Accept our hasty zeal! a thing that's play'd
Ere 't is a play, and acted ere 'tis made.
Our ignorance, but. our duty too, we show;
I would all ignorant people would do so!
At other times expect our wit or art;
This comedy is acted by the heart.
'T is false; 'twas never honour'd so as now.
When you appear, great Prince! our night is done;
You are our morning-star, and shall be' our sun.
But our scene 's London now; and by the rout
We perish, if the Round-heads be about:
For now no ornament the head must wear,
No bays, no mitre, not so much as hair.
How can a play pass safely, when ye know
Cheapside-cross falls for making but a show?
Our only hope is this, that it may be
A play may pass too, made extempore.
Though other arts poor and neglected grow,
They 'll admit Poesy, which was always so.
But we contemn the fury of these days,
And scorn no less their censure than their praise:
Our Muse, blest Prince! does only' on you rely;
Would gladly live, but not refuse to die.
Accept our hasty zeal! a thing that's play'd
Ere 't is a play, and acted ere 'tis made.
Our ignorance, but. our duty too, we show;
I would all ignorant people would do so!
At other times expect our wit or art;
This comedy is acted by the heart.