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LOVE FOR LOVE
LOVE FOR LOVE WILLIAM CONGREVE Nudus agris nudus nummis paternis
Insanire parat certa ratione modoque.
- HOR.
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
CHARLES EARL OF DORSET AND MIDDLESEX
LORD CHAMBERLAIN OF HIS MAJESTY'S HOUSEHOLD
AND KNIGHT OF THE MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER ETC.
My Lord--A young poet is liable to the same vanity and indiscretion
with a young lover; and the great man who smiles upon one and the
fine woman who looks kindly upon t'other are both of 'em in danger
of having the favour published with the first opportunity.
But there may be a different motive which will a little distinguish
the offenders. For though one should have a vanity in ruining
another's reputation yet the other may only have an ambition to
advance his own. And I beg leave my lord that I may plead the
latter both as the cause and excuse of this dedication.
Whoever is king is also the father of his country; and as nobody can
dispute your lordship's monarchy in poetry so all that are
concerned ought to acknowledge your universal patronage. And it is
only presuming on the privilege of a loyal subject that I have
ventured to make this my address of thanks to your lordship which
at the same time includes a prayer for your protection.
I am not ignorant of the common form of poetical dedications which
are generally made up of panegyrics where the authors endeavour to
distinguish their patrons by the shining characters they give them
above other men. But that my lord is not my business at this
time nor is your lordship NOW to be distinguished. I am contented
with the honour I do myself in this epistle without the vanity of
attempting to add to or explain your Lordships character.
I confess it is not without some struggling that I behave myself in
this case as I ought: for it is very hard to be pleased with a
subject and yet forbear it. But I choose rather to follow Pliny's
precept than his example when in his panegyric to the Emperor
Trajan he says:-
Nec minus considerabo quid aures ejus pati possint quam quid
virtutibus debeatur.
I hope I may be excused the pedantry of a quotation when it is so
justly applied. Here are some lines in the print (and which your
lordship read before this play was acted) that were omitted on the
stage; and particularly one whole scene in the third act which not
only helps the design forward with less precipitation but also
heightens the ridiculous character of Foresight which indeed seems
to be maimed without it. But I found myself in great danger of a
long play and was glad to help it where I could. Though
notwithstanding my care and the kind reception it had from the town
I could heartily wish it yet shorter: but the number of different
characters represented in it would have been too much crowded in
less room.
This reflection on prolixity (a fault for which scarce any one
beauty will atone) warns me not to be tedious now and detain your
lordship any longer with the trifles of my lord your lordship's
most obedient and most humble servant
WILLIAM CONGREVE.
PROLOGUE. Spoken at the opening of the new house by Mr Betterton.
The husbandman in vain renews his toil
To cultivate each year a hungry soil;
And fondly hopes for rich and generous fruit
When what should feed the tree devours the root;
Th' unladen boughs he sees bode certain dearth
Unless transplanted to more kindly earth.
So the poor husbands of the stage who found
Their labours lost upon ungrateful ground
This last and only remedy have proved
And hope new fruit from ancient stocks removed.
Well may they hope when you so kindly aid
Well plant a soil which you so rich have made.
As Nature gave the world to man's first age
So from your bounty we receive this stage;
The freedom man was born to you've restored
And to our world such plenty you afford
It seems like Eden fruitful of its own accord.
But since in Paradise frail flesh gave way
And when but two were made both went astray;
Forbear your wonder and the fault forgive
If in our larger family we grieve
One falling Adam and one tempted Eve.
We who remain would gratefully repay
What our endeavours can and bring this day
The first-fruit offering of a virgin play.
We hope there's something that may please each taste
And though of homely fare we make the feast
Yet you will find variety at least.
There's humour which for cheerful friends we got
And for the thinking party there's a plot.
We've something too to gratify ill-nature
(If there be any here) and that is satire.
Though satire scarce dares grin 'tis grown so mild
Or only shows its teeth as if it smiled.
As asses thistles poets mumble wit
And dare not bite for fear of being bit:
They hold their pens as swords are held by fools
And are afraid to use their own edge-tools.
Since the Plain-Dealer's scenes of manly rage
Not one has dared to lash this crying age.
This time the poet owns the bold essay
Yet hopes there's no ill-manners in his play;
And he declares by me he has designed
Affront to none but frankly speaks his mind.
And should th' ensuing scenes not chance to hit
He offers but this one excuse 'twas writ
Before your late encouragement of wit.
EPILOGUE. Spoken at the opening of the new house by Mrs
Bracegirdle.
Sure Providence at first designed this place
To be the player's refuge in distress;
For still in every storm they all run hither
As to a shed that shields 'em from the weather.
But thinking of this change which last befel us
It's like what I have heard our poets tell us:
For when behind our scenes their suits are pleading
To help their love sometimes they show their reading;
And wanting ready cash to pay for hearts
They top their learning on us and their parts.
Once of philosophers they told us stories
Whom as I think they called--Py--Pythagories
I'm sure 'tis some such Latin name they give 'em
And we who know no better must believe 'em.
Now to these men say they such souls were given
That after death ne'er went to hell nor heaven
But lived I know not how in beasts; and then
When many years were past in men again.
Methinks we players resemble such a soul
That does from bodies we from houses stroll.
Thus Aristotle's soul of old that was
May now be damned to animate an ass
Or in this very house for ought we know
Is doing painful penance in some beau;
And thus our audience which did once resort
To shining theatres to see our sport
Now find us tossed into a tennis-court.
These walls but t'other day were filled with noise
Of roaring gamesters and your dam'me boys;
Then bounding balls and rackets they encompast
And now they're filled with jests and flights and bombast!
I vow I don't much like this transmigration
Strolling from place to place by circulation;
Grant heaven we don't return to our first station!
I know not what these think but for my part
I can't reflect without an aching heart
How we should end in our original a cart.
But we can't fear since you're so good to save us
That you have only set us up to leave us.
Thus from the past we hope for future grace
I beg it -
And some here know I have a begging face.
Then pray continue this your kind behaviour
For a clear stage won't do without your favour.
DRAMATIS PERSONAE.
MEN.
SIR SAMPSON LEGEND father to Valentine and Ben--Mr Underhill.
VALENTINE fallen under his father's displeasure by his expensive
way of living in love with Angelica--Mr Betterton.
SCANDAL his friend a free speaker--Mr Smith.
TATTLE a half-witted beau vain of his amours yet valuing himself
for secrecy--Mr Bowman.
BEN Sir Sampson's younger son half home-bred and half sea-bred
designed to marry Miss Prue--Mr Dogget.
FORESIGHT an illiterate old fellow peevish and positive
superstitious and pretending to understand astrology palmistry
physiognomy omens dreams etc; uncle to Angelica--Mr Sanford.
JEREMY servant to Valentine--Mr Bowen.
TRAPLAND a scrivener--Mr Triffusis.
BUCKRAM a lawyer--Mr Freeman.
WOMEN.
ANGELICA niece to Foresight of a considerable fortune in her own
hands--Mrs Bracegirdle.
MRS FORESIGHT second wife to Foresight--Mrs Bowman.
MRS FRAIL sister to Mrs Foresight a woman of the town--Mrs Barry.
MISS PRUE daughter to Foresight by a former wife a silly awkward
country girl--Mrs Ayliff.
NURSE to MISS--Mrs Leigh.
JENNY--Mrs Lawson.
A STEWARD OFFICERS SAILORS AND SEVERAL SERVANTS.
The Scene in London.
LOVE FOR LOVE--ACT I.--SCENE I.
VALENTINE in his chamber reading. JEREMY waiting.
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