( 9 )
Would you have it for the Prologue, or the Epilogue?
Johns. Faith, Sir, it's so good, let it e'en serve for both.
Bayes. No, no; that won't do. Besides, I have made another.
Johns. What other, Sir?
Bayes. Why, Sir, my other is Thunder and Lightning.
Johns. That's greater: I'd rather stick to that.
Bayes. Do you think so? I'l tell you then; though there have been many wittie Prologues written of late, yet I think you'l say this is a non pareillo: I'm sure no body has hit upon it yet. For here, Sir, I make my Prologue to be Dialogue: and as, in my first, you see I strive to oblige the Auditors by civility, by good nature, and all that; so, in this, by the other way, in Terrorem, I chuse for the persons Thunder and Lightning. Do you apprehend the conceipt?
Johns. Phoo, pox! then you have it cock-sure. They'l be hang'd, before they'l dare affront an Author, that has 'em at that lock.
Bayes. I have made, too, one of the most delicate, daintie Simile's in the whole world, I glad, if I knew but how to applie it.
Smi. Let's hear it, I pray you.
Bayes. 'Tis an alusion to love.
Snuff up, and smell it gath'ring in the Skie:
Boar beckons Sow to trot in Chesnunt Groves,
And there consummate their unfinish'd Loves.
Pensive in mud they wallow all alone,
And snort, and gruntle to each others moan.
How do you like it now, ha?
Johns. Faith, 'tis extraordinary fine: and very applicable to Thunder and Lightning, methinks, because it speaks of a Storm.
Bayes. I gad, and so it does, now I think on't. Mr. Johnson, I thank you; and I'l put it in profecto. Come out, Thunder and Lightning.
Enter
