_The_ DIVELL _is an_ Aſſe. _That is, to day, The name of what you are met for, a new Play. Yet, Grandee’s, would you were not come to grace Our matter, with allowing vs no place. Though you preſume_ SATAN _a ſubtill thing, 5 And may haue heard hee’s worne in a thumbe-ring; Doe not on theſe preſumptions, force vs act, In compaſſe of a cheeſe-trencher. This tract Will ne’er admit our_ vice, _becauſe of yours. Anone, who, worſe then you, the fault endures 10 That your ſelues make? when you will thruſt and ſpurne, And knocke vs o’ the elbowes, and bid, turne; As if, when wee had ſpoke, wee muſt be gone, Or, till wee ſpeake, muſt all runne in, to one, Like the young adders, at the old ones mouth? 15 Would wee could ſtand due_ North; _or had no_ South, _If that offend: or were_ Muſcouy _glaſſe, That you might looke our_ Scenes _through as they paſſe. We know not how to affect you. If you’ll come To ſee new Playes, pray you affoord vs roome, 20 And ſhew this, but the ſame face you haue done Your deare delight, the_ Diuell _of_ Edmunton. _Or, if, for want of roome it muſt miſ-carry, ’Twill be but Iuſtice, that your cenſure tarry, Till you giue ſome. And when ſixe times you ha’ ſeen’t, 25 If this_ Play _doe not like, the Diuell is in’t._ [93] Dramatis Personæ 1716, f. G places the women’s names after those of the men. [94] 1, 2 Devil 1692, f. [95] 4 Fabian Fitzdottrel G [96] 5 Mrs. Frances Fitzdottrel G || His wife] om. G [97] 9 Eustace Manly G [98] 10 Engine 1716, f. [99] 12 Thomas Gilthead G [100] 15 His wife] om. G [101] 18 Gentleman-usher to lady Tailbush G [102] 21 Serjeants, officers, servants, underkeepers, &c. G [103] 22 The] om. 1716, W [104] The Prologue.] follows the title-page 1716, W [105] 5 _subtle_ 1692 f. [106] 10 than 1692, f. passim in this sense. Anon 1692, f. [107] 12 o’] on G§ [108] 14 till] ’till 1716 [109] 25 ha’] have G§ THE DIVELL IS AN ASSE. [95] ACT. I. SCENE. I. DIVELL. PVG. INIQVITY. Hoh, hoh, hoh, hoh, hoh, hoh, hoh, hoh, &c. To earth? and, why to earth, thou foooliſh Spirit? What wold’ſt thou do on earth? PVG. For that, great Chiefe! As time ſhal work. I do but ask my mon’th. Which euery petty _pui’nee Diuell_ has; 5 Within that terme, the Court of _Hell_ will heare Some thing, may gaine a longer grant, perhaps.