The works of Sr William Davenant ... Consisting of Those which were formerly Printed, and Those which he design'd for the Press: Now published Out of the Authors Originall Copies |
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EPILOGUE.
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 | The works of Sr William Davenant |  |
EPILOGUE.
[Our Poet in his fury hath profest]
Our Poet in his fury hath profest,Yet gravely, with his Hand upon his Breast,
That he will never wish to see us thrive,
If by an humble Epilogue we strive
To court from you that priviledge to day
Which you so long have had to damme a Play;
'Las, Gentlemen, he knows, to cry Plays down
Is half the business Termers have in Town;
And still the reputation of their Wit grows strong;
As they can first condemn, though right or wrong.
Your Wives and Countrey-friends may Power exact
To find a fault or two in every Act:
But you, by his consent, most kindly shall
Enjoy the priviledge to rail at all:
A happy freedom, which you love no less
Then Money, Health, good Wine, or Mistresses;
And he, he hopes (when Age declines his Wit
From this our Stage, to sit and rule the Pit)
Shall cruelly assume a Charter firme.
As yours, to kill a Poet ev'ry Term.
And though he never had the confidence,
To tax your judgment in his own defence,
Yet the next night, when you your Money share,
He'l shrewdly guess what your opinions are.
| The works of Sr William Davenant | |