University of Virginia Library

Epilogue spoken by Mrs. Mountfort at the Theater Royal in Drury Lane, 1705.

As a young Lawyer many Years will drudg,
In hopes at last to be a lazy Judg;
And as a Statesman shows a busy Face,
To sneak, or rail himself into a Place:
So a young Actress strives your Hearts t'ingage,
That some kind Man may take her off the Stage.
Were it my Lot, I'm thinking where to choose,
And who wou'd best become the Marriage-Noose:
Criticks abhor it, Beaus the least are fit,
Who more want Manhood, tho they much want Wit.
A Country Squire would do, some Loving Hound,
That's Bailiff to his Wife, and tills her Ground;
Bet then an active Lass finds small Delight
In one who drinks all Day, and snores all Night.
A Colonel I could like, that loves the War,
One that is absent from me half the Year;
Returns with Plunder laden, and full Pay,
But in two Months he'll game it all away.
In short, I think, tho that's a standing Jest,
A foolish, plodding Cheapside Husband's best;
For City-Wives are grown most Courtly High,
And Mourning wear when Foreign Princes die;
Tho lately they have found it to their Cost,
Many have mourn'd their Husbands Credit lost.
But e'er my self to such a Pitch I rate,
Let my good Acting first deserve that Fate:
A Phœnix once you had, That each allows, [Sighing.

Think from Her Ashes I, I only rose;
Like her no Pains I'll spare, like her to last,
And please in various Ways your various Tast;
Believe me, promising, tho Young and Wild,
And for the Mother's Worth support the Child.