Sir _Fran._ Because I came here to breakfast with my Lady there, before I went down to the house, expecting to find my family set round a civil table with her, upon some plumb-cake, hot rolls, and a cup of strong beer; instead of which, I find these good women staying their stomachs with a box and dice, and that man there, with a strange perriwig, making a good hearty meal upon my wife and daughter.---- _Cætera desunt._ [Illustration] THE =Provok'd Husband=; OR, A =Journey= to =London=. A COMEDY. Written by Sir =John Vanbrugh=, and Mr. =Cibber=. ----_Vivit Tanquam Vicina Mariti_. Juv. Sat. VI. [Illustration] TO THE QUEEN. _May it please your Majesty_, The _English_ =Theatre= throws itself with this Play, at Your MAJESTY's Feet, for Favour and Support. As their Public Diversions are a strong Indication of the Genius of a People; the following Scenes are an Attempt to Establish such as are fit to entertain the Minds of a sensible Nation; and to wipe off that Aspersion of Barbarity, which the _Virtuosi_ among our Neighbours have sometimes thrown upon our Taste. The _Provok'd Husband_, is, at least, an Instance, that any _English_ Comedy may, to an unusual number of Days, bring many Thousands of His Majesty's good Subjects together, to their Emolument and Delight, with Innocence. And however little Share of that Merit my unequal Pen may pretend to, yet I hope the just Admirers of Sir _John Vanbrugh_ will allow I have, at worst, been a careful Guardian of his Orphan Muse, by leading it into Your Majesty's Royal Protection. The Design of this Play being chiefly to expose, and reform the licentious Irregularities that, too often, break in upon the Peace and Happiness of the Married State; Where could so hazardous and unpopular an undertaking be secure, but in the Protection of a =Princess=, whose exemplary Conjugal Virtues have given such illustrious Proof of what sublime Felicity that holy State is capable? And though a Crown is no certain Title to Content; yet to the Honour of that Institution be it said, the Royal Harmony of Hearts that now inchants us from the Throne, is a Reproach to the frequent Disquiet of those many insensible Subjects about it, who (from his Majesty's paternal Care of his People) have more Leisure to be happy: And 'tis our =Queen's= peculiar Glory, that we often see Her as eminently rais'd above her Circle, in private Happiness, as in Dignity.