Page:The Rehearsal - Villiers (1672).djvu/13

 Would you have it for the Prologue, or the Epilogue?

Johns. Faith, Sir, it's so good, let it e'en serve for both.

Bayes. No, no; that won't do. Besides, I have made another.

Johns. What other, Sir?

Bayes. Why, Sir, my other is Thunder and Lightning.

Johns. That's greater: I'd rather stick to that.

Bayes. Do you think so? I'l tell you then; though there have been many wittie Prologues written of late, yet I think you'l say this is a non pareillo: I'm sure no body has hit upon it yet. For here, Sir, I make my Prologue to be Dialogue: and as, in my first, you see I strive to oblige the Auditors by civility, by good nature, and all that; so, in this, by the other way, in Terrorem, I chuse for the persons Thunder and Lightning. Do you apprehend the conceipt?

Johns. Phoo, pox! then you have it cock-sure. They'l be hang'd, before they'l dare affront an Author, that has 'em at that lock.

Bayes. I have made, too, one of the most delicate, daintie Simile's in the whole world, I glad, if I knew but how to applie it.

Smi. Let's hear it, I pray you.

Bayes. 'Tis an alusion to love.

How do you like it now, ha?

Johns. Faith, 'tis extraordinary fine: and very applicable to Thunder and Lightning, methinks, because it speaks of a Storm.

Bayes. I gad, and so it does, now I think on't. Mr. Johnson, I thank you; and I'l put it in profecto. Come out, Thunder and Lightning.