Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PROLOGUE TO THE ORPHAN, by MATTHEW PRIOR


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PROLOGUE TO THE ORPHAN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: What! Would my humble comrades have me say
Last Line: But leave our orphan squalling at your door.
Subject(s): Dancing & Dancers; France; Friendship; Orphans; Plays & Playwrights; Foundlings


WHAT! would my humble comrades have me say,
Gentle spectators, pray excuse the play;
Such work by hireling actors should be done,
Whom you may clap or hiss for half a crown.
Our generous scenes for friendship we repeat;
And, if we don't delight, at least we treat.
Ours is the damage, if we chance to blunder;
We may be asked 'whose patent we act under?'
How shall we gain you, a la mode de France?
We hired this room; but none of us can dance;
In cutting capers we shall never please;
Our learning does not lie below our knees.
Shall we procure you symphony and sound,
Then you must each subscribe two hundred pound.
There we should fail too, as to point of voice;
Mistake us not; we're no Italian boys;
True Britons born from Westminster we come;
And only speak the style of ancient Rome.
We would deserve, not poorly beg, applause;
And stand or fall by Friend's and Busby's laws.
For the distressed, your pity we implore:
If once refused, we'll trouble you no more,
But leave our Orphan squalling at your door.





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