Scaramouch a philosopher, Harlequin a school-boy, bravo, merchant, and magician a comedy after the Italian manner : acted at the Theatre-Royal / written by Mr. Edward Ravenscroft.

Prologue.

VEry unfortunate this Play has bin; A slippery trick was play'd as by Scapin. Whilst here our Actors made along delay, When some were idle, others ran away, The City House comes out with half our Play. We fear, that having heard of this so long, Your expectation now will do it wrong. The Poet does a dang'rous trial make, And all the common Roads of Plays forsake. Vpon the Actors it depends too much, And who can hope ever to see two such As the Fam'd Harlequin & Scaramouch. This well he knew.— Yet rather chose in new attempts to fail, Than in the old indifferently prevail. Great Wits refrain this writing, 'cause 'tis low, They oftner write to please themselves than you. Like but the Play, let others have the name, Let both French and Italians share the fame, But if't be bad, let them too bear the blame.