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A Prologue written by the late Dr Warton, on the old Winchester Theater, wch was over the shambes.

Who'er our Stage examines must excuse The wondrous shifts of the dramatic muse, Then Kindly listen, while the Prologue rambles From Wit to Beef, from Shakespeare to the Shambles! Divided only by one flight of Stairs The Monarch swaggers, and the Butcher swears! Quick the transition when the curtain drops! From meek Momimia's moans to mutton chops! While for Lothario's loss Lavinia cries Old Women scold, and Dealers damn your Eyes? Here Juliet listens to the gentle lark, There in harsh chorus hungry will dogs bark. Cleavers & Scymatrs give blow for blow, And heroes bleed above, and sheep below! While tragic thunders shake the pit & box Rebellows to the roar the Staggering ox. Cow Horns & Trumpets mix their martial bones Kidnies & Kings, mouthing & Marrow bones. Suet & Sighs, bland verse & blood abound And form a Tragicomedy around. Will weeping lovers, dying calves complain, Confusion reigns - Chaos is come again! Hither your Steelyards, Butchers, bring, to weigh The Pound of Flesh, Anthonio's bond must pay?