It remains to say a word concerning Terence, and I am extremely surprised to find what Mr. Cibber told me prove a truth:[111] that what I valued myself so much upon--the translation of him[112]--should be imputed to me as a reproach. Mr. Cibber's zeal for the work, his care and application in instructing the actors and altering the disposition of the scenes, when I was, through sickness, unable to cultivate such things myself, has been a very obliging favour and friendship to me. For this reason I was very hardly persuaded[113] to throw away Terence's celebrated funeral, and take only the bare authority of the young man's character; and how I have worked it into an Englishman, and made use of the same circumstances of discovering a daughter when we least hoped for one, is humbly submitted to the learned reader. PROLOGUE. _By_ MR. WELSTED.[114] _Spoken by_ MR. WILKS. To win your hearts and to secure your praise, The comic writers strive by various ways; By subtle stratagems they act their game, And leave untried no avenue to fame. One writes the spouse a beating from his wife, And says each stroke was copied from the life. Some fix all wit and humour in grimace, And make a livelihood of Pinkey's[115] face. Here, one gay show and costly habits tries, Confiding to the judgment of your eyes; Another smuts his scene (a cunning shaver), Sure of the rakes' and of the wenches' favour. Oft have these arts prevailed, and one may guess, If practised o'er again, would find success. But the bold sage--the poet of to-night-- By new and desperate rules resolved to write; Fain would he give more just applauses rise, And please by wit that scorns the aids of vice; The praise he seeks from worthier motives springs, Such praise as praise to those that give it brings. Your aid most humbly sought, then, Britons lend, And liberal mirth like liberal men defend. No more let ribaldry, with licence writ, Usurp the name of eloquence or wit; No more let lawless farce uncensured go, The lewd dull gleanings of a Smithfield show.[116] 'Tis yours with breeding to refine the age, To chasten wit, and moralise the stage. Ye modest, wise and good, ye fair, ye brave, To-night the champion of your virtues save; Redeem from long contempt the comic name, And judge politely for your country's fame. _DRAMATIS PERSONÆ._ Sir JOHN BEVIL. Mr. SEALAND. BEVIL, JUN., in love with INDIANA. MYRTLE, in love with LUCINDA. CIMBERTON, a Coxcomb. HUMPHRY, an old Servant to Sir JOHN. TOM, Servant to BEVIL, JUN. DANIEL, a Country Boy, Servant to INDIANA. MRS. SEALAND, second Wife to SEALAND. ISABELLA, Sister to SEALAND. INDIANA, SEALAND'S Daughter, by his first Wife. LUCINDA, SEALAND'S Daughter, by his second Wife. PHILLIS, Maid to LUCINDA. SCENE.--LONDON. _THE CONSCIOUS LOVERS._ ACT THE FIRST. SCENE I.--SIR JOHN BEVIL'S _House._