ON THE CHRIST-CHURCH PLAY.
Reading edition
The failure of success in the representation of this play has been detailed in the Life of the Bishop: indeed it seems to have subjected the Oxonians to much ridicule, which the elegant bishop King[74] joined with Corbet in retorting. One of the numerous banters on this occasion is recorded by Wood, and deserves to be preserved:
“At Christ-Church ‘Marriage,’ done before the king, Lest that those mates should want an offering, The king himself did offer—What? I pray. He offer’d twice or thrice to go away.”
ON CHRIST-CHURCH PLAY AT WOODSTOCK.
If wee, at Woodstock, have not pleased those, Whose clamorous judgments lye in urging noes, And, for the want of whifflers, have destroy’d Th’ applause, which wee with vizards hadd enjoy’d, Wee are not sorry; for such witts as these Libell our windowes oft’ner then our playes; Or, if their patience be moov’d, whose lipps Deserve the knowledge of the proctorships, Or judge by houses, as their howses goe, Not caring if their cause be good or noe; Nor by desert or fortune can be drawne To credit us, for feare they loose their pawne; Wee are not greatly sorry; but if any, Free from the yoake of the ingaged many, That dare speake truth even when their head stands by, Or when the seniors spoone is in the pye; Nor to commend the worthy will forbeare, Though he of Cambridge, or of Christ-church were, And not of his owne colledge; and will shame To wrong the person, for his howse, or name; If any such be greiv’d, then downe proud spirit; If not, know, number never conquer’d merit.