_Since 'tis th' Intent and Business of the Stage, To copy out the Follies of the Age; To hold to every Man a faithful Glass, And shew him of what Species he's an Ass: I hope the next that teaches in the School, Will shew our Author he's a scribbling Fool. And that the Satire may be sure to bite, } Kind Heav'n! inspire some venom'd Priest to write, } And grant some ugly Lady may indite. } For I wou'd have him lash'd, by Heavens! I wou'd, Till his Presumption swam away in Blood. Three Plays at once proclaim a Face of Brass, } No matter what they are; That's not the Case-- } To write three Plays, e'en that's to be an Ass. } But what I least forgive, he knows it too, For to his Cost he lately has known you-- Experience shews, to many a Writer's Smart, You hold a Court where Mercy ne'er had part; So much of the old Serpent's Sting you have, You love to Damn, as Heaven delights to Save. In foreign Parts, let a bold Volunteer, } For Public Good, upon the Stage appear, } He meets ten thousand Smiles to dissipate his Fear. } All tickle on th' adventuring young Beginner, And only scourge th' incorrigible Sinner; They touch indeed his Faults, but with a Hand So gentle, that his Merit still may stand; Kindly they buoy the Follies of his Pen, That he may shun 'em when he writes again. But 'tis not so in this good-natur'd Town, } All's one, an Ox, a Poet, or a Crown; } Old ~England~'s Play was always knocking down._ } Dramatis Personæ. MEN. _Constant_, Mr. _Verbruggen_. _Heartfree_, Mr. _Hudson_. Sir _John Brute_, Mr. _Betterton_. _Treble_, a Singing-Master, Mr. _Bowman_. _Rasor_, Valet de Chambre to Sir _John Brute_, Mr. _Bowen_. Justice of the Peace, Mr. _Bright_. Lord _Rake_, } Companions to Col. _Bully_, } Sir _John Brute_. Constable _and_ Watch. WOMEN. Lady _Brute_, Mrs. _Barry_. _Belinda_, her Niece, Mrs. _Bracegirdle_. Lady _Fancyfull_, Mrs. _Bowman_. _Madamoiselle_, Mrs. _Willis_. _Cornet_ and _Pipe_, Servants to Lady _Fancyfull_. [Illustration] THE PROVOK'D WIFE. [Illustration] +ACT+ I. +SCENE+ I. +SCENE+, _Sir ~John Brute~'s House_. _Enter Sir ~John~, solus._