University of Virginia Library

The EPILOGUE spoken by Paulina, and Landlord.

Land.
Now Gentlemen, a word.

Paul.
How now, you Lout,
What are you speaking?

Land.
Now th'ast put me out,
I know not what it was.

Paul.
Oh, I can tell!
The Epilogue; yet it becomes you well,
You Gentlemen! and why I pray to them,
What do the Ladies merit no esteem?
Good Sirs! I know not whether 'tis your due,
But Poets still direct themselves to you:
turning to the Audience.
Don't the Foppes know in this and every age,
'Tis beauty rules the World, much more the Stage,
When you ha' done your best, the scribling Clowns
Lye at the mercy of the Ladies frowns:
And not a Critick of you all but knows,
No reparties are half so sharp as those.

Land.
Why prethee, 'twas the women wits I meant,
'Tis not the men I'm sure that pay my Rent;
For they are grown so Hect'ring now adayes
They kick my Customers, and down their Playes,
That I am ruin'd by your Critick Blades;
What d'ee think I keep Fidlers, Men, and Maids
For nothing? and besides that dreadful charge,
I'm building a new house that's brave and large;
If you'r so curious as y'ave been before,
I must e'en lay the Key under the Door.

Paul.
Prethee ha' done?

Land.
No Sir, I've more to say;
Then if the Liquor I ha breach't to day
Be good, commend it, but if it be dull,
I'faith e'en dawm, and ramm your belly full.

Paul.
Away rude Fool! fair English Diett then,
Senate of Ladies, lower House of Men,
I humbly pray decree before you go
If Marriage like mine be right or no,
At least resolve in pity of my pain,
To sit to morrow on the same again.