SOURCE: Centlivre, Susanna. “Prologue to The Wonder! A Woman Keeps a Secret.” In The Dramatic Works of the Celebrated Mrs. Centlivre, Vol. 3, 1872. Reprint. New York: AMS Press, 1968.

In the following poem, a prologue to the 1714 edition of The Wonder, Centlivre appeals to the ladies of the audience to support the work of a female playwright, urging them to regard the play as a common cause.

Our Author fears the Criticks of the Stage, Who, like Barbarians, spare nor Sex, nor Age; She trembles at those Censors in the Pit, Who think good Nature shews a Want of Wit: Such Malice, O! what Muse can undergo it? To save themselves, they always damn the Poet. Our Author flies from such a partial Jury, As wary Lovers from the Nymphs of Drury: To the few candid Judges for a Smile, She humbly sues to recompense her Toil. To the bright...