 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
139
AN EPILOGUE,
SPOKEN BY Mrs. GREEN, on her Benefit Night, at the Theatre in Bath, 1755.
(Enter as meeting with obstruction)
Pshaw, let me go,—not speak on this occasion!
How dare you curb a woman's inclination?
Tho' men controul, must we be mute and still?
No.—Talk we can,—and while we can we will:
These prudent folks wou'd stop my Epilogue,
For serious verse (they tell me's) not in vogue:
Custom, 'tis true, decrees these after rhimes
To please the gallants of these wicked times;
But must we sooth the rovers in their way?—
Good lack! we know what's what as well as they.
How dare you curb a woman's inclination?
Tho' men controul, must we be mute and still?
No.—Talk we can,—and while we can we will:
These prudent folks wou'd stop my Epilogue,
For serious verse (they tell me's) not in vogue:
Custom, 'tis true, decrees these after rhimes
To please the gallants of these wicked times;
140
Good lack! we know what's what as well as they.
Wit, like true satire's, always best bestow'd,
Where naughty folks make naughty things the mode;
Where my Lord proves the nuptial tie a bubble,
And Mistress Betty—saves my Lady—trouble;
Where married men continue rakish lives,
And love to kiss all women,—but their wives:
Oh, monstrous renegades!—'tis cruel faith!—
Thank heav'n, such things are never done at Bath!
Where naughty folks make naughty things the mode;
Where my Lord proves the nuptial tie a bubble,
And Mistress Betty—saves my Lady—trouble;
Where married men continue rakish lives,
And love to kiss all women,—but their wives:
Oh, monstrous renegades!—'tis cruel faith!—
Thank heav'n, such things are never done at Bath!
Then here let mirth to milder sense submit,
And gratitude supply the place of wit;
Thanks to each gen'rous friend, whose presence here,
Bids merit rise and genius persevere;
Thanks to the fair, in matchless beauty bright,
Who deign'd to grace our comic scenes to night:
Your gen'ral kindness bids this heart rejoice,
And crowns my daily care, and nightly choice:
The gen'rous bosom gives desert it due;
And only that can hope reward from You.
And gratitude supply the place of wit;
Thanks to each gen'rous friend, whose presence here,
Bids merit rise and genius persevere;
141
Who deign'd to grace our comic scenes to night:
Your gen'ral kindness bids this heart rejoice,
And crowns my daily care, and nightly choice:
The gen'rous bosom gives desert it due;
And only that can hope reward from You.
| Poems on Several Occasions | |