University of Virginia Library


82

EPILOGUE TO A PLAY Acted at HADDINGTOUN.

[Our Play you've seen, and have approv'd our Wit]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our Play you've seen, and have approv'd our Wit,
And I come here to thank the gen'rous Pit.
We've top'd our Parts, and you applaud our Rage;
And Cato shines even on our youthful Stage.
But now I must beg Leave to tell a Story,
And lay the Case, just as it was, before ye;
Only because the Scene was acted heav'ly,
Allow me to be dull, and tell it gravely.

83

In Eastern Climes, a lofty Mountain stands,
Which all the Southern Scotish Coast commands.
The highest Heap of Beach I ever saw,
Our Country Swains call it North-Berwick Law.
Hard by this Law there stands an antique Town,
Fam'd for its noble Patron's learned Gown,
For honest Sauls, for Plenty and for Peace,
But more exceedingly for Solemn Geese.
These Geese, amphibious now, we understand,
Some breed by Sea, and others breed by Land.
The Land-Geese are the queerest e'er were seen,
The other Day they muster'd on the Green:
The Gander, who appears a jolly Bird,
First wav'd his Wings, and having dropt a T---d;
He thus began—Sirs, 'tis a pleasant Day,
What would you think, if we should act a Play?
The Flock consented, and they stole our Farce,
But durst not 'ttemp our Play, so they may kiss our A---
Ladies and Gallants, under due Correction,
I've told my Tale, you'll pardon the Reflection.