Analysis of Prologue For The Women, When They Acted at the Old Theatre, Lincoln's-Inn-Fields

John Dryden 1631 (Aldwincle) – 1631 (London)



Were none of you, gallants, e'er driven so hard,
As when the poor kind soul was under guard,
And could not do 't at home, in some by-street
To take a lodging, and in private meet?
Such is our case; we can't appoint our house,
The lovers' old and wonted rendezvous,
But hither to this trusty nook remove;
The worse the lodging is, the more the love.
For much good pastime, many a dear sweet hug,
Is stolen in garrets, on the humble rug.
Here's good accommodation in the pit;
The grave demurely in the midst may sit,
And so the hot Burgundian on the side,
Ply vizard mask, and o'er the benches stride:
Here are convenient upper boxes too,
For those that make the most triumphant show;
All, that keep coaches, must not sit below.
There, gallants, you betwixt the acts retire,
And, at dull plays, have something to admire:
We, who look up, can your addresses mark,
And see the creatures coupled in the ark:
So we expect the lovers, braves, and wits;
The gaudy house with scenes will serve for cits.


Scheme AABBCDEFGGHHIIDJJKKLLMC
Poetic Form
Metre 01111101011 1101111101 01111110111 1101000101 111011101101 01010110 1101110101 0101010101 1111100111 11001010101 110010001 0101000111 01010100101 1110100101 1101010101 1111010101 1111011101 111010101 0111110101 1111111101 0101010001 1101010101 0101111111
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 1,002
Words 186
Sentences 6
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 23
Lines Amount 23
Letters per line (avg) 33
Words per line (avg) 8
Letters per stanza (avg) 763
Words per stanza (avg) 184
Font size:
 

Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

57 sec read
145

John Dryden

John Dryden was an English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who was made Poet Laureate in 1668. more…

All John Dryden poems | John Dryden Books

5 fans

Discuss this John Dryden poem analysis with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add this poem analysis to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Prologue For The Women, When They Acted at the Old Theatre, Lincoln's-Inn-Fields" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem-analysis/22686/prologue-for-the-women%2C-when-they-acted-at-the-old-theatre%2C-lincoln%27s-inn-fields>.

    Become a member!

    Join our community of poets and poetry lovers to share your work and offer feedback and encouragement to writers all over the world!

    April 2024

    Poetry Contest

    Join our monthly contest for an opportunity to win cash prizes and attain global acclaim for your talent.
    2
    days
    15
    hours
    17
    minutes

    Special Program

    Earn Rewards!

    Unlock exciting rewards such as a free mug and free contest pass by commenting on fellow members' poems today!

    Browse Poetry.com

    Quiz

    Are you a poetry master?

    »
    Sestina is made up of how many lines?
    A 36
    B 6
    C 28
    D 39