 | Titus and Berenice |  |
Epilogue. Spoken by Mrs. Mary Lee, when she was out of Humour.
How
little do you guess what I'm to say?
I'm not to ask you how like Farce or Play;
For you must know, I've other bus'ness now:
It is to tell ye, Sparks, how we like you.
How happy were we when in humble guise,
You came with honest Hearts and harmless Eyes:
Sate without Noise and Tumult in the Pit:
Oh what a pretious Jewel then was Wit!
Tho now 'tis grown so common, let me dye,
Gentlemen scorn to keep it company.
Indulgent Nature has too bounteous been,
Your too much Plenty is become your Sin.
Time was ye were as meek as now y'are proud,
Did not in curst Cabals of Criticks croud,
Nor thought it witty to be very loud;
But came to see the Follies you would shun:
Tho now so fondly Antick here y'are grown.
Y'invert the Stages purpose, and its Rules:
Make us Spectators, whilst you play the Fools.
Equally witty as some valiant are;
The sad defects of both are expos'd here.
For here you'll Censure, who disdain to write,
As some make Quarrels here, that scorn to fight.
I'm not to ask you how like Farce or Play;
For you must know, I've other bus'ness now:
It is to tell ye, Sparks, how we like you.
How happy were we when in humble guise,
You came with honest Hearts and harmless Eyes:
Sate without Noise and Tumult in the Pit:
Oh what a pretious Jewel then was Wit!
Tho now 'tis grown so common, let me dye,
Gentlemen scorn to keep it company.
Indulgent Nature has too bounteous been,
Your too much Plenty is become your Sin.
Time was ye were as meek as now y'are proud,
Did not in curst Cabals of Criticks croud,
Nor thought it witty to be very loud;
But came to see the Follies you would shun:
Tho now so fondly Antick here y'are grown.
Y'invert the Stages purpose, and its Rules:
Make us Spectators, whilst you play the Fools.
Equally witty as some valiant are;
The sad defects of both are expos'd here.
For here you'll Censure, who disdain to write,
As some make Quarrels here, that scorn to fight.
The rugged Souldier that from War returns,
And still wi'th' heat of former Action burns.
Let him but hither come to see a Play,
Proceeds an Errant Courtier in a day
Shall steal from th' Pit, and fly up to the Box,
There hold impertinent chat with Tawdry Maux:
Till e're aware the Blust'rer falls in love;
And Hero grows as harmless as a Dove.
And still wi'th' heat of former Action burns.
Let him but hither come to see a Play,
Proceeds an Errant Courtier in a day
There hold impertinent chat with Tawdry Maux:
Till e're aware the Blust'rer falls in love;
And Hero grows as harmless as a Dove.
With us the kind remembrance yet remains,
When we were entertain'd behind our Scenes.
Though now alas we must your absence mourn,
Whilst nought but Quality will serve your turn.
Damn'd Quality! that uses poaching Arts,
And (as 'tis said) comes mask'd to prey on hearts.
The proper use of Vizors once was made,
When only worn by such as own'd the Trade:
Though now all mingle with 'em so together,
That you can hardly know the one from t'other.
But 'tis no matter, on, pursue your Game,
Till wearied you return at last and tame;
Know then 'twill be our turn to be severe,
For when y'ave left your Stings behind you there:
You lazy Drones, ye shan't have harbour here.
When we were entertain'd behind our Scenes.
Though now alas we must your absence mourn,
Whilst nought but Quality will serve your turn.
Damn'd Quality! that uses poaching Arts,
And (as 'tis said) comes mask'd to prey on hearts.
The proper use of Vizors once was made,
When only worn by such as own'd the Trade:
Though now all mingle with 'em so together,
That you can hardly know the one from t'other.
But 'tis no matter, on, pursue your Game,
Till wearied you return at last and tame;
Know then 'twill be our turn to be severe,
For when y'ave left your Stings behind you there:
You lazy Drones, ye shan't have harbour here.
FINIS.
| Titus and Berenice | |