 | The Amorous Old-vvoman : Or, 'Tis VVell if it Take |  |
73
EPILOGUE.
As in Religion much less time is spentI'th' practice, than debate, and argument:
So fares it now with Wit, for that is grown
The troublesom dispute of half the Town;
All have it in their Mouths, tho' few or none
Produce a Piece of true Wit all their Own;
Some steal, some buy, and others borrow it,
And when all's done, 'twill hardly pass for Wit,
Unless they form a faction, and engage
(As Bessus did) the Brothers of the Stage,
To give it under hand and seal, that they
Approve the Plot and Language of the Play;
How then shou'd our unknown have any hopes
His Play shou'd pass, who wanted all these props?
He neither had advice, nor Critick Friend
To shew him where he fail'd, or how to mend;
Nor did he use the Poets common Art,
To repeat Scenes at th'Coffee-house by heart;
Nor half a year before the Play came forth,
By lending it anticipate its worth;
And by that jugling trust oblige each VVit
To justifie his Compliment i'th' Pit.
No, this came quite a stranger to your view,
And he that writ it means to be so too,
Till your applause have made him free o'th' Trade,
And then perhaps he'll quit his Masquerade.
| The Amorous Old-vvoman : Or, 'Tis VVell if it Take | |