As a rash girl, who will all hazards run, And be enjoyed, though sure to be undone, Soon as her curiosity is over, Would give the world she could her toy recover, So fares it with our poet; and I'm sent To tell you he already does repent: Would you were all as forward to keep Lent. Now the deed's done, the giddy thing has leisure To think o' th' sting, that's in the tail of pleasure. Methinks I hear him in consideration: What will the world say? Where's my reputation? Now that's at stake. No, fool, 'tis out o' fashion. If loss of that should follow want of wit, How many undone men were in the pit! Why that's some comfort to an author's fears, If he's an ass, he will be tryed by's peers. But hold, I am exceeding my commission: My business here was humbly to petition; But we're so used to rail on these occasions, I could not help one trial of your patience: For 'tis our way, you know, for fear o' th' worst, To be beforehand still, and cry Fool first. How say you, sparks? How do you stand affected? I swear, young Bays within is so dejected, 'Twould grieve your hearts to see him; shall I call him? But then you cruel critics would so maul him! Yet may be you'll encourage a beginner; But how? Just as the devil does a sinner. Women and wits are used e'en much at one, You gain your end, and damn 'em when you've done. THE DOUBLE-DEALER A COMEDY _Interdum tamen et vocem Comoedia tollit_.--HOR. _Ar. Po._ _Huic equidem consilio palmam do_: _hic me magnifice_ _effero_, _qui vim tantam in me et potestatem habeam_ _tantae astutiae_, _vera dicendo ut eos ambos fallam_. SYR. in TERENT. _Heaut_. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE CHARLES MONTAGUE, ONE OF THE LORDS OF THE TREASURY. Sir,--I heartily wish this play were as perfect as I intended it, that it might be more worthy your acceptance, and that my dedication of it to you might be more becoming that honour and esteem which I, with everybody who is so fortunate as to know you, have for you. It had your countenance when yet unknown; and now it is made public, it wants your protection.