_To please you with this Play, we fear will be_ _(So does the Author too) a mystery_ _Somewhat above our Art; For all mens eyes,_ _Ears, faiths, and judgements, are not of one size._ _For to say truth, and not to flatter ye,_ _This is nor_ Comedy, _nor_ Tragedy,__ _Nor_ History, _nor any thing that may_ _(Yet in a week) be made a perfect Play:_ _Yet those that love to laugh, and those that think_ _Twelve pence goes farther this way than in drink,_ _Or Damsels, if they mark the matter through,_ _May stumble on a foolish toy, or two_ _Will make 'em shew their teeth: pray, for my sake_ _(That likely am your first man) do not take_ _A distaste before you feel it: for ye may_ _When this is hist to ashes, have a Play._ _And here, to out-hiss this; be patient then,_ _(My honour done) y'are welcom Gentlemen._ Epilogue. _If you mislike (as you shall ever be_ _Your own free Judges) this Play utterly,_ _For your own Nobleness yet do not hiss,_ _But as you go by, say it was amiss;_ _And we will mend: Chide us, but let it be_ _Never in cold blood: O' my honesty_ _(If I have any) this I'le say for all,_ _Our meaning was to please you still, and shall._ THE PROPHETESS. A TRAGICAL HISTORY. * * * * * Persons Represented in the Play. Charinus, _Emperour of_ Rome. Cosroe, _King of_ Persia. Diocles, _of a private Souldier elected Co-Emperour_. Maximinian, _Nephew to_ Diocles, _and Emperour by his donation_. Volutius Aper, _Murtherer of_ Numerianus, _the late Emperour_. Niger, _a noble Souldier, Servant to the Emperour_. Camurius, _a Captain, and Creature of_ Aper'_s_. Persian _Lords_. _Senators._ _Souldiers._ _Guard._ _Suitors._ _Ambassadors._ _Lictors._ _Flamen._ _Attendants._ _Shepherd._ _Countrymen._ Geta, _a Jester, Servant to_ Diocles, _a merry Knave_. _WOMEN._ Aurelia, _Sister to_ Charinus. Cassana, _Sister to_ Cosroe, _a Captive, waiting on_ Aurelia. Delphia, _a Prophetess_. Drusilla, _Niece to_ Delphia, _in love with_ Diocles. * * * * * _The Scene_ Rome. * * * * * The principal Actors were, _John Lowin._ _Robert Benfield._ _John Shanke._ _Richard Sharpe._ _Joseph Taylor._ _Nicholas Toolie._ _George Birch._ _Thomas Holcombe._ _Actus Primus. Scena Prima._ _Enter_ Charinus, Aurelia, Niger. _Cha._ You buz into my head strange likelihoods, And fill me full of doubts; but what proofs, _Niger_, What certainties, that my most noble Brother Came to his end by murther? Tell me that, Assure me by some circumstance.