 | The History and Fall of Caius Marius |  |
EPILOGUE
Spoke by Mrs. Barry, who acted Lavinia.
A mischief
on't! though I'm agen alive,
May I believe this Play of ours shall thrive?
This Drumming, Trumpetting, and Fighting Play?
Why, what a Devil will the People say?
The Nation that's without, and hears the Din,
Will swear w' are raising Volunteers agen.
For know, our Poet, when this Play was made,
Had nought but Drums and Trumpets in his head.
H' had banish'd Poetry and all her Charms,
And needs the Fool would be a Man at Arms.
No Prentice e're grown weary of Indentures
Had such a longing mind to seek Adventures.
Nay, sure at last th'Infection generall grew;
For t'other day I was a Captain too:
Neither for Flanders nor for France to roam,
But, just as you were all, to stay at home.
And now for you who here come wrapt in Cloaks,
Only for love of Underhill and Nurse Nokes;
Our Poet says, one day to a Play ye come,
Which serves ye half a year for Wit at home.
But which amongst you is there to be found,
Will take his third day's Pawn for Fifty pound?
Or, now is he Cashier'd, will fairly venture
To give him ready Money for's Debenture?
Therefore when he receiv'd that Fatall Doom,
This Play came forth, in hopes his Friends would come
To help a poor Disbanded Souldier home.
| The History and Fall of Caius Marius | |