The Works, In Verse and Prose, of Leonard Welsted ... Now First Collected. With Historical Notes, And Biographical Memoirs of the Author, by John Nichols |
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EPILOGUE,
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 | The Works, In Verse and Prose, of Leonard Welsted |  |
EPILOGUE,
by Sir R. STEELE.
What could our young Dramatic Monarch mean,
Now to revive this chaste old-fashion'd scene?
Did he project to make in this free nation
A capital offence of Fornication?
Thrice whimsical! who such wise plans espouses;
I'm sure it ne'er would pass through both the houses.
'Tis what our Men scarce e'er think worth repenting,
And Women only Prudence not consenting.
But eyes speak loud what's not pronounc'd by lips,
Whilst wide proclaiming hoop scarce covers hips.
Now to revive this chaste old-fashion'd scene?
Did he project to make in this free nation
A capital offence of Fornication?
Thrice whimsical! who such wise plans espouses;
I'm sure it ne'er would pass through both the houses.
'Tis what our Men scarce e'er think worth repenting,
And Women only Prudence not consenting.
But eyes speak loud what's not pronounc'd by lips,
Whilst wide proclaiming hoop scarce covers hips.
This is the taste our sad experience shews;
This is the taste of Belles as well as Beaux:
Else say, in Britain why it should be heard
That Etherege to Shakespear is preferr'd;
Whilst Dorimant to crowded audience wenches,
Our Angelo repeat to empty benches:
Our Nymph deluded has but coolly sped,
While to unwilling Bridegroom's arms she's led;
Loveit unpity'd mourns, unpity'd wooes;
Still Dorimant triumphant guilt pursues;
You've lost the sense of giving Virgins aid;
Tis Comedy with you, an injur'd Maid:
The perjur'd Dorimant the Beaux admire;
Gay perjur'd Dorimant the Belles desire:
With fellow-feeling, and with conscious gust,
Each sex applauds inexorable lust.
This is the taste of Belles as well as Beaux:
Else say, in Britain why it should be heard
That Etherege to Shakespear is preferr'd;
Whilst Dorimant to crowded audience wenches,
Our Angelo repeat to empty benches:
Our Nymph deluded has but coolly sped,
While to unwilling Bridegroom's arms she's led;
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Still Dorimant triumphant guilt pursues;
You've lost the sense of giving Virgins aid;
Tis Comedy with you, an injur'd Maid:
The perjur'd Dorimant the Beaux admire;
Gay perjur'd Dorimant the Belles desire:
With fellow-feeling, and with conscious gust,
Each sex applauds inexorable lust.
For shame, for shame, ye men of sense, begin,
And scorn the base captivity of sin;
Sometimes at least to understanding yield,
Nor always leave to appetite the field;
Love, glory, friendship, languishing must stand,
While sense and appetite have sole command;
Give man sometimes some force in the dispute;
Be sometimes rational, though oftener brute.
And scorn the base captivity of sin;
Sometimes at least to understanding yield,
Nor always leave to appetite the field;
Love, glory, friendship, languishing must stand,
While sense and appetite have sole command;
Give man sometimes some force in the dispute;
Be sometimes rational, though oftener brute.
Believe it, Sirs, if fit for us to say,
Or if our Epilogue may suit our Play;
'Tis time, 'tis time, ye should be more severe;
And what less guilty nations suffer, fear;
Be men, or hope not Heaven will long secure ye
From quicker pestilence than that round Drury.
Or if our Epilogue may suit our Play;
'Tis time, 'tis time, ye should be more severe;
And what less guilty nations suffer, fear;
Be men, or hope not Heaven will long secure ye
From quicker pestilence than that round Drury.
| The Works, In Verse and Prose, of Leonard Welsted | |