Here you will find the Poem To his Friends of Christ-Church upon the mislike of the Marriage of the Arts acted at Woodstock of poet Henry King
But is it true, the Court mislik't the Play, That Christ-Church and the Arts have lost the day; That Ignoramus should so far excell, Their Hobby-horse from ours hath born the Bell? Troth you are justly serv'd, that would present Ought unto them, but shallow merriment; Or to your Marriage-table did admit Guests that are stronger far in smell then wit. Had some quaint Bawdry larded ev'ry Scene, Some fawning Sycophant, or courted queane; Had there appear'd some sharp cross-garter'd man Whom their loud laugh might nick-name Puritan, Cas'd up in factious breeches and small ruffe, That hates the surplis, and defies the cuffe: Then sure they would have given applause to crown That which their ignorance did now cry down. Let me advise, when next you do bestow Your pains on men that do but little know, You do no Chorus nor a Comment lack, Which may expound and construe ev'ry Act: That it be short and slight; for if 't be good Tis long, and neither lik't nor understood. Know tis Court fashion still to discommend All that which they want brain to comprehend.
