Five nevv playes, viz. The English moor, or the mock-marriage. The love-sick court, or the ambitious politique: Covent Garden weeded. The nevv academy, or the nevv exchange. The queen and concubine. / By Richard Brome.

Upon AGLAƲRA printed in Folio.

Br this large Margent did the Poet mean To have a Comment writ upon his Scene? Or is it that the Ladies, who ne're look On any but a Poeme or Play-book, May, in each page, have space to scribble down When such a Lord, or Fashion comes to Town. As Swaines in Almanacks account do keep, When their Cow calv'd, and when they bought their sheep? Ink is the life of Paper: 'tis meet then, That this which scap'd the Press should feel the Pen. A Room with one side furnish'd, or a face Painted half-way, is but a faire disgrace. This great voluminous Pamphlet may be said To be like one that hath more haire then head; More excrement then body. Trees, which sprout With broadest leaves, have still the smallest fruit. When I saw so much white, I did begin To think Aglaura either did lie in, Or else took Pennance. Never did I see (unlesse in Bills dasht In the Chancerie). So little in so much; as if the feet Of Poetry, like Law, were sold by th'sheet. If this new fashion should but last one yeare, Poets, as Clerks, would make our paper dear. Doth not the Artist erre, and blast his fame

That sets out pictures lesser then the frame? Was ever Chamberlaine so mad, to dare To lodge a childe in the great Bed at Ware? Aglaura wo••ld please better, did she lie I'th' narrow bounds of an Epitomie. Pieces that are weav'd of the finest twist, (As Silk and Plush) have still more stuffe then list. She, that in Persian habit made great brags, Degenerates in this excesse of rags; Who, by her Giant-bulk this only gaines, Perchance in Libraries to hang in chaines. Tis not in Book, as Cloth; we never say Make London-measure, when we buy a Play: But rather have them pair'd: Those leaves be faire To the judicious, which more spotted are. Give me the sociable Pocket-books. These empty Folio's only please the Cooks.

R. B.