All the commanding powers that awe mankind Are in a trembling poet's audience joined, Where such bright galaxies of beauty sit, And at their feet assembled men of wit: Our author, therefore, owns his deep despair To entertain the learned or the fair; Yet hopes that both will so much be his friends, To pardon what he does, for what he intends; He aims to make the coming action move On the dread laws of friendship and of love; Sure then he'll find but very few severe, Since there's of both so many objects here. He offers no gross vices to your sight, Those too much horror raise for just delight; And to detain the attentive knowing ear, Pleasure must still have something that's severe.[42] If then you find our author treads the stage With just regard to a reforming age; He hopes, he humbly hopes, you'll think there's due Mercy to him, for justice done to you. DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. OLD BOOKWIT. YOUNG BOOKWIT, the "Lying Lover." LOVEMORE, in love with PENELOPE. FREDERICK, Friend to LOVEMORE. LATINE, Friend to YOUNG BOOKWIT. STORM, a Highwayman. CHARCOAL, an Alchemist and Coiner. SIMON, Servant to PENELOPE. PENELOPE. VICTORIA, Friend to PENELOPE. BETTY, VICTORIA'S Woman. LETTICE, PENELOPE'S Woman. Constables, Watch, Turnkey, Cookmaid, and several Gaol-birds. SCENE--LONDON. _THE LYING LOVER: OR, THE LADIES' FRIENDSHIP._ ACT THE FIRST. SCENE I.--_St. James's Park._ _Enter_ YOUNG BOOKWIT _and_ LATINE. _Latine._ But have you utterly left Oxford? _Y. Book._ For ever, sir, for ever; my father has given me leave to come to town, and I don't question but will let my return be in my own choice. But Jack, you know we were talking in Maudlen Walks last week of the necessity, in intrigues, of a faithful, yet a prating servant. We agreed, therefore, to cast lots who should be the other's footman for the present expedition. Fortune, that's always blind, gave me the superiority. _Lat._ She shall be called no more so, for that one action. And I am, sir, in a literal sense, your very humble servant. _Y. Book._ Begin, then, the duty of a useful valet, and flatter me egregiously. Has the fellow fitted me? How is my manner? my mien? Do I move freely? Have I kicked off the trammels of a gown? or does not the tail on't seem still tucked under my arm, where my hat is, with a pert jerk forward, and little hitch in my gait like a scholastic beau? This wig, I fear, looks like a cap. _Lat._ No, faith, it looks like a cap and gown too; though at the same time you look as if you ne'er had worn either.