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An EPILOGUE Spoken by Mrs. P. in the Character of Hypolita, in She Wou'd or She Wou'd Not.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  


268

An EPILOGUE Spoken by Mrs. P. in the Character of Hypolita, in She Wou'd or She Wou'd Not.

There's something surely in this dress inspires,
And with unusual glee and courage fires;
For thus accout'red—rat me—Who's afraid
Of blust'ring Blood or Buck, or ev'n Cockade?
For a cool Thrust if any are inclin'd,
Let 'em approach—in Me their Man they'll find:
Their Man I say—More Title I can show
To Man—than many a puny, trifling Beau.
Were it a rule—a rule by all agreed,
That none shou'd pass for Men, but Men indeed,
How, mighty Sirs, would your large numbers dwindle,
And Swords be chang'd to Distaff and to Spindle?
At public Places with my Opera Glass,
I cou'd shine out a Buck of the First Class:
“A fine Piece that, my Lord—a damn'd fine Face;
“She's quite the Thing—Bon Soir—A Girl's the Case:
“A Bagnio and a Supper:—She's my own:—
“She has me in her Eye—Tres humb.—I'm gone.”
[Sings, Love and Wine give ye Gods, or take back, &c.]
Suppose, in time of War, a Female band,
Shou'd, for the honor of their native land,
In Regimental Uniforms appear,
(Come, come, good Sirs, you need not laugh and sneer)

269

A British Amazonian Band, if led
By Major General P***** at their head,
Not Prussia's King, the Hero of the age,
With Us, brave as he is, wou'd dare engage.
And at Reviews, there we shou'd doubly shine;
When drest and powder'd we shou'd look divine:
How graceful to the fife shou'd we advance!
Keep time—and Step by Step—half march—half dance: [Hums a minuet Tune, and takes 'em off in their marching.]

We'd charge, prime, cock, discharge, recharge—then shoulder;
And like Militia Men look bold—nay bolder:
Now to the Right—Now to the Left—and then—
We're quicker in our Motions far—than Men.
If, my good Female Friends, with me you'll join,
And a Petition to this purpose sign;
The Parliament now sits;—in Y*** fair City,
We could of Heroines—tho' brave yet pretty,
A Regiment raise:—Perhaps, as a reward,
The King may chuse Us for his Body Guard;
And if he shou'd—(may Heav'n's best love attend him!)
We'd proudly lay our Lives down to defend him.