THE

HISTORY

O F

KING LEAR,

A

TRAGEDY:

As it is now acted at the king's Theatres.

PROLOGUE.

INCE by mistakes your beft delights are made, (For e'en your wives can pleafe in masquerade) 'Twere worth our while t'ave drawn you in this day By a new name to our old honest play; But he that did this evening's treat prepare Bluntly refolv'd before-hand to declare Your entertainment should be most old fare. Yet hopes fince in rich Shakespear's foil it grew, "Twill relifh yet with those whofe taftes are true, And his ambition is to please a few.

If then this heap of flow'rs fhall chance to wear
Fresh beauty in the order they now bear,

Even this is Shakespear's praise; each rustick knows
Mong plenteous flow'rs a garland to compofe,
Which trung by his coarse hand may fairer show,
But 'twas a power Divine first made 'em grow.
Why Should thefe scenes lie hid, in which we find,
What may at once divert and teach the mind;
Morals were always proper for the stage,
But are ev'n necessary in this age;
Poets mut take the churches teaching trade,
Since priefts their province of intrigue invade;
But we the worst in this exchange have got,
In vain our poets preach, while churchmen plot.

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