the way of the world(如此世道)-第1节
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The Way of the World
The Way of the World
William Congreve
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The Way of the World
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE RALPH； EARL OF
MOUNTAGUE； ETC。
My Lord；Whether the world will arraign me of vanity or not； that I
have presumed to dedicate this comedy to your lordship； I am yet in doubt；
though； it may be； it is some degree of vanity even to doubt of it。 One who
has at any time had the honour of your lordship's conversation； cannot be
supposed to think very meanly of that which he would prefer to your
perusal。 Yet it were to incur the imputation of too much sufficiency to
pretend to such a merit as might abide the test of your lordship's censure。
Whatever value may be wanting to this play while yet it is mine； will
be sufficiently made up to it when it is once become your lordship's； and it
is my security； that I cannot have overrated it more by my dedication than
your lordship will dignify it by your patronage。
That it succeeded on the stage was almost beyond my expectation； for
but little of it was prepared for that general taste which seems now to be
predominant in the palates of our audience。
Those characters which are meant to be ridiculed in most of our
comedies are of fools so gross； that in my humble opinion they should
rather disturb than divert the well…natured and reflecting part of an
audience； they are rather objects of charity than contempt； and instead of
moving our mirth； they ought very often to excite our compassion。
This reflection moved me to design some characters which should
appear ridiculous not so much through a natural folly （which is
incorrigible； and therefore not proper for the stage） as through an affected
wit： a wit which； at the same time that it is affected； is also false。 As there
is some difficulty in the formation of a character of this nature； so there is
some hazard which attends the progress of its success upon the stage： for
many come to a play so overcharged with criticism； that they very often let
fly their censure； when through their rashness they have mistaken their
aim。 This I had occasion lately to observe： for this play had been acted two
or three days before some of these hasty judges could find the leisure to
distinguish betwixt the character of a Witwoud and a Truewit。
I must beg your lordship's pardon for this digression from the true
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The Way of the World
course of this epistle； but that it may not seem altogether impertinent； I
beg that I may plead the occasion of it； in part of that excuse of which I
stand in need； for recommending this comedy to your protection。 It is only
by the countenance of your lordship； and the FEW so qualified； that such
who write with care and pains can hope to be distinguished： for the
prostituted name of poet promiscuously levels all that bear it。
Terence； the most correct writer in the world； had a Scipio and a Lelius；
if not to assist him； at least to support him in his reputation。 And
notwithstanding his extraordinary merit； it may be their countenance was
not more than necessary。
The purity of his style； the delicacy of his turns； and the justness of his
characters； were all of them beauties which the greater part of his audience
were incapable of tasting。 Some of the coarsest strokes of Plautus； so
severely censured by Horace； were more likely to affect the multitude；
such； who come with expectation to laugh at the last act of a play； and are
better entertained with two or three unseasonable jests than with the artful
solution of the fable。
As Terence excelled in his performances； so had he great advantages to
encourage his undertakings； for he built most on the foundations of
Menander： his plots were generally modelled； and his characters ready
drawn to his hand。 He copied Menander； and Menander had no less light
in the formation of his characters from the observations of Theophrastus；
of whom he was a disciple； and Theophrastus； it is known； was not only
the disciple； but the immediate successor of Aristotle； the first and greatest
judge of poetry。 These were great models to design by； and the further
advantage which Terence possessed towards giving his plays the due
ornaments of purity of style； and justness of manners； was not less
considerable from the freedom of conversation which was permitted him
with Lelius and Scipio； two of the greatest and most polite men of his age。
And； indeed； the privilege of such a conversation is the only certain means
of attaining to the perfection of dialogue。
If it has happened in any part of this comedy that I have gained a turn
of style or expression more correct； or at least more corrigible； than in
those which I have formerly written； I must； with equal pride and gratitude；
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ascribe it to the honour of your lordship's admitting me into your
conversation； and that of a society where everybody else was so well
worthy of you； in your retirement last summer from the town： for it was
immediately after； that this comedy was written。 If I have failed in my
performance； it is only to be regretted； where there were so many not
inferior either to a Scipio or a Lelius； that there should be one wanting
equal in capacity to a Terence。
If I am not mistaken； poetry is almost the only art which has not yet
laid claim to your lordship's patronage。 Architecture and painting； to the
great honour of our country； have flourished under your influence and
protection。 In the meantime； poetry； the eldest sister of all arts； and parent
of most； seems to have resigned her birthright； by having neglected to pay
her duty to your lordship； and by permitting others of a later extraction to
prepossess that place in your esteem； to which none can pretend a better
title。 Poetry； in its nature； is sacred to the good and great： the relation
between them is reciprocal； and they are ever propitious to it。 It is the
privilege of poetry to address them； and it is their prerogative alone to give
it protection。
This received maxim is a general apology for all writers who
consecrate their labours to great men： but I could wish； at this time； that
this address were exempted from the common pretence of all dedications；
and that as I can distinguish your lordship even among the most deserving；
so this offering might become remarkable by some particular instance of
respect； which should assure your lordship that I am； with all due sense of
your extreme worthiness and humanity； my lord； your lordship's most
obedient and most obliged humble servant； WILL。 CONGREVE。
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PROLOGUESpoken by Mr。
Betterton。
Of those few fools； who with ill stars are curst； Sure scribbling fools；
called poets； fare the worst： For they're a sort of fools which fortune
makes； And； after she has made 'em fools； forsakes。 With Nature's oafs 'tis
quite a diff'rent case； For Fortune favours all her idiot race。 In her own
nest the cuckoo eggs we find； O'er which she broods to hatch the
changeling kind： No portion for her own she has to spare； So much she
dotes on her adopted care。
Poets are bubbles； by the town drawn in； Suffered at first some trifling
stakes to win： But what unequal hazards do they run！ Each time they write
they venture all they've won： The Squire that's buttered still； is sure to be
undone。 This author； heretofore； has found your favour； But pleads no
merit from his past behaviour。 To build on that
