Poems and translations amorous, lusory, morall, divine [collected and translated] by Edvvard Sherburne ...

The Prologue.

THe seven Wisemen, (that Name Times past apply'd To them, nor hath Posterity deny'd) Themselves this Day unto your view present. Why dost thou blush Gown'd Roman? discontent That such grave Men should on the Stage be brought! Is't shame to us! 'twas none to Athens thought: Whose Councell-Chamber was their Theater. True; here for Busines sev'rall Places are Assign'd, the Cirque for Meetings, Courts to take Enrollments, Forums in which Pleas to make: But in old Athens, and all Greece, was known No other Place for Busines, but this* 1.1 One, Which later Luxury in Rome did raise. The Aedile heretofore did build for Playes A Scaffold-stage, No work of Carved stone; So Galbus and Murena did, 'tis known: But after, when great Men not sparing Cost, Thought it the highest Glory they could boast, To build for Playes a Scene more eminent, The Theater grew to this vast Extent;

Which Pompey, Balbus, Caesar, did inlarge; Vying, which should exceed for State and Charge. But to what End all this? We came not here To tell you who first built the Theater Or Forum, or who rais'd this Gallery; But as the Prologue to a Comedy, In which act Heaven-lov'd Sages; who in Verse Their own Judicious Sentences reherse, Known to the Learned, and perhaps to you: But if your Mem'ries shall not well renue Things spoke so long since; the Comedian shall, Who better than I knows them, tell you all.

Notes

• * 1.1

  viz. the Theater.