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prologue |
Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Wikipedia, Hutchinson | 0.03 sec. |
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prologue (often US), prolog 1. a. the prefatory lines introducing a play or speech b. the actor speaking these lines 2. in early opera a. an introductory scene in which a narrator summarizes the main action of the work b. a brief independent play preceding the opera, esp one in honour of a patron |
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To say the truth, I believe many a hearty curse hath been devoted on the head of that author who first instituted the method of prefixing to his play that portion of matter which is called the prologue; and which at first was part of the piece itself, but of latter years hath had usually so little connexion with the drama before which it stands, that the prologue to one play might as well serve for any other. The amiable applause which had greeted the beginning of his prologue was still echoing in his bosom, and he was completely absorbed in that species of ecstatic contemplation with which an author beholds his ideas fall, one by one, from the mouth of the actor into the vast silence of the audience. Pelisson, his head leaning on his hand, was engaged in drawing out the plan of the prologue to the "Facheux," a comedy in three acts, which was to be put on the stage by Poquelin de Moliere, as D'Artagnan called him, or Coquelin de Voliere, as Porthos styled him. |
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