University of Virginia Library

EPILOGUE, Spoke by Mrs. Verbruggen in Mens Cloaths.

Kknowing that Knaves and Fools are grown so plenty,
That Wise or Just are scarce found—for Rhime sake, I'll allow'em one in twenty,
That few the Merits of a Cause can weigh,
And those who judge aright,
By hate or favour Praise or Damn a Play,
That much depends upon a Poets fame,
Ours a New Author and without a Name.
It came into my Charitable mind,
To try, if thus accouter'd, I could find
The way to make you, right or wrong, be kind.
A white curl'd Wig, with all the dressing Arts,
Must needs engage the Ladies tender Hearts;
And for the Men
Petticoats seem the properest bait no doubt;
Yet you must own you like us best without;
But if that Jest's too weak to catch your Grace,
With a cock'd Hat and a stern blustring Face,
I'll try to Bully you into good Nature,
And bid defiance to your Coward Satyr;
That meanly wou'd a Womans strength oppose,
Wou'd I'ad put on your Courage with your Cloaths.
I fear these Breeches, Sword, and Manly shew
Ev'ry way promise more than I can do:
I find my Female Heart begins to fail,
And now cou'd condescend (if 'twou'd prevail)
To beg your Votes but what can that avail.
After these brags 'twould make you but despise me,
For your own Interest than let me advise ye.
Doom not our Author's first Essay to fall,
For fear her Eyes revenge it on you all.
For heark ye, among Friends—'tis whisper'd here
Our Poetess is Virtuous, Young, and Fair;
But that first Epithet I must leave out,
'Twill please but very few of you, I doubt.
Then let it pass; Yet sure not nam'd in vain,
For Virtue must that shining Circle gain;
Her other Charms may captivate the rest,
Each fancying her what form wou'd please him best.
But stay, I fear this airy bribe won't move,
You are not made for dull Platonick Love.
Well, we may hope in time she'll more disclose,
That's if you like what here at first she shows.
Applaud her then, for Curiosity,
She only sculks to be from Censure free;
Admire her strength of Judgment, praise her Wit,
And croud each Night the Boxes and the Pit:
Pufft up with her success, she'll soon appear,
And lay aside her Modesty and Fear,
Which Women oft have parted with for you,
But to dear Vanity they're always true.