Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MARRIAGE-A-LA-MODE: PROLOGUE, by JOHN DRYDEN


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MARRIAGE-A-LA-MODE: PROLOGUE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Lord, how reformed and quiet we are grown
Last Line: T' oblige the town, the city, and the court.
Subject(s): Marriage; Plays & Playwrights ; War; Weddings; Husbands; Wives; Dramatists


LORD, how reform'd and quiet are we grown,
Since all our Braves and all our Wits are gone:
Fop-corner now is free from Civil War,
White-Wig and Vizard-Mask no longer jar.
France, and the Fleet have swept the Town so clear,
That we can Act in peace, and you can hear.
Those that durst fight are gone to get renown;
And those that durst not, blush to stand in Town.
'Twas a sad sight, before they march'd from home,
To see our Warriours, in Red Wastecoats, come,
With hair tuck'd up, into our Tireing-room.
But 'twas more sad to hear their last Adieu
The Women sob'd, and swore they would be true;
And so they were, as long as e're they cou'd;
But powerful Guinnee cannot be withstood,
And they were made of Playhouse flesh and bloud.
Fate did their Friends for double Use ordain;
In Wars abroad, they grinning Honour gain,
And Mistresses, for all that stay, maintain.
Now they are gone, 'tis dead Vacation here,
For neither Friends nor Enemies appear.
Poor pensive Punk now peeps ere Plays begin,
Sees the bare Bench, and dares not venture in;
But manages her last Half-crown with care,
And trudges to the Mall, on foot, for Air.
Our City Friends so far will hardly roam,
They can take up with Pleasures nearer home;
And see gay Shows with gaudy Scenes elsewhere:
For we presume they seldom come to hear.
But they have now ta'n up a glorious Trade,
And cutting Moorcraft struts in Masquerade.
There's all our hope, for we shall show to day
A Masquing Ball, to recommend our Play;
Nay, to endear 'em more, and let 'em see
We scorn to come behind in Courtesie,
We'll follow the new Mode which they begin,
And treat 'em with a Room, and Couch within:
For that's one way, how e're the Play fall short,
T' oblige the Town, the City, and the Court.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net