_Where the Bee can suck no Honey, she leaves her sting behind;_ _and where the Bear cannot find_ Origanum _to heal his grief, he blasteth all other leaves with his breath. We fear it is like to fare so with us; that seeing you cannot draw from our_ _labours sweet content, you leave behind you a sower mis-like, and with open reproach blame our good meaning, because you cannot reap the wonted mirth. Our intent was at this time to move inward delight, not outward lightness; and to breed (if it might be) soft smiling, not loud laughing: knowing it (to the wise) to be a great pleasure, to hear Counsel mixed with Wit, as to the foolish to have sport mingled with rudeness. They were banished the Theater of_ Athens, _and from_ Rome _hissed, that brought Parasites on t[h]e Stage with apish actions, or Fools with uncivil habits, or Courtezans_ _with immodest words. We have endeavoured to be as far from unseemly speeches, to make your ears glow, as we hope you will be free from unkind reports, or mistaking the Authors intention (who never aimed at any one particular in this Play,) to make our cheeks blush. And thus I leave it, and thee to thine own censure, to like, or dislike._ Vale. * * * * * _The Actors Names._ The Prologue. Then a Citizen. The Citizens wife, and _Ralph_ her man, sitting below amidst the Spectators. A rich Merchant. _Jasper_ his Apprentice. Master _Humphrey_, a friend to the Merchant. _Luce_, the Merchants Daughter. Mistress _Merry-thought_, _Jaspers_ Mother. _Michael_, a second Son of Mistriss _Merry-thought_. Old M. _Merry-thought_. A Squire. A Dwarfe. A Tapster. A Boy that Danceth and Singeth. An Host. A Barber. Two Knights. A Captain. A Sergeant. Soldiers. _Enter_ Prologue. From all that's near the Court, from all that's great Within the compass of the City-walls We now have brought our Scene. _Enter_ Citizen. _Cit._ Hold your peace good-man boy. _Pro._ What do you mean Sir? _Cit._ That you have no good meaning: These seven years there hath been Plays at this House, I have observed it, you have still girds at Citizens; and now you call your Play _The_ _London Merchant_. Down with your Title, Boy, down with your Title. _Pro._ Are you a member of the noble City? _Cit._ I am. _Pro._ And a Free-man? _Cit._ Yea, and a Grocer. _Pro._ So Grocer, then by your swe[e]t favour, we intend no abuse to the City.