University of Virginia Library

Epilogue to Money the Mistress,

A Play by Mr. Southerne.

Well! you have seen my future Spouse and me,
The Mirrors of heroic constancy;
And one Pair more, in Life at least as common,
A pretty Fellow, and—a very Woman:
Great was my loss of him, I needs must grant;
But pardon Her, my slipp'ry Confidante:
A Female Confidante! 'tis all a Bite;
For how can Truth and Rivalship unite?
Few, few, sincere in spite of Int'rest prove;
And sure the dearest Interest is Love.
Come, 'tis a Fact beyond my power to smother;
Why do we dress? and tiff? and keep a pother?
No doubt, in pure affection to each other.
But then, to pawn my Jewels as her own!
The fair seducer saw how bright they shone,
And knew Mankind too well to trust her eyes alone.
Well! I forgive the Creature from my heart;
For, Ladies, dear Hypocrisy apart,
While we are flesh and blood; what-e'er it cost,
Some Jewels must be got, and others lost.
One scandal it concerns me to remove;
Young Mourvill is expos'd for faithless Love.
A Frenchman false! a sly insinuation
(As some may urge) that falshood is the fashion.
Pray let us understand the Poet better,
And judge his honest meaning by the letter:
To brand a foreign vice was his endeavour;
He leaves our English Sparks as true as ever.