Ben Jonson — A Tale of Tub Prologue

No State-affairs, nor any politick Club, Pretend we in our Tale, here, of a Tub: But acts of Clowns and Constables, to day Stuff out the Scenes of our ridiculous Play. A Coopers wit, or some such busie Spark, Illumining the high Constable, and his Clerk. And all the Neighbour-hood, from old Records, Of antick Proverbs, drawn from Whitson-Lords. And their Authorities, at Wakes and Ales, With Country precedents, and old Wives Tales; We bring you now, to shew what different things The Cotes of Clowns, are from the Courts of Kings.