Prologue for Delia's Play, The Royal Mischief

LADIES, to You with pleasure we submit.
This early offspring of a Virgin- Wit.
From your good nature nought our Authress fears,
Sure you'll indulge, if not the Muse, her Years,
Freely the praise she may deserve bestow,
Pardon, not censure, what you can't allow ;
Smile on the work, be to her merits kind,
And to her faults, whate'er they are, be blind.

Let Critics follow Rules, she boldly writes
What Nature dictates, and what Love indites.
By no dull forms her Queen and Ladies move.
But court their Heroes, and agnize their love.
Poor Maid ! she'd have (what e'en no Wife would crave)
A Husband love his Spouse beyond the grave :
And from a second-marriage to deter.
Shews you what horrid things Stepmothers are.
Howe'er, to Constancy the Prize she gives.
And tho' the Sister dies the Brother lives.
Blest with success, at last, he mounts a throne,
Enjoys at once his Mistress and a Crown.
Learn, Ladies, then from Lindaraxa's fate.
What great rewards on virtuous Lovers wait.
Learn too, if Heav'n and Fate should adverse prove,
(For Fate and Heav'n don't always smile on love)
Learn with Zelinda to be still the same.
Nor quit your First for any Second flame,
Whatever fate, or death, or life, be given,
Dare to be true, submit the rest to Heaven.