University of Virginia Library

The Epilogue spoken by Jupiter, who descended out of the Heaven, and addressed himself to Calisto and Nyphe.

The Stars for your Reception now prepare,
And the ambitious Heav'ns expect you there;
But I will spoil their hopes, and break my vow,
For I've consider'd there are Stars enow:
And this inferiour World can scarce dispence
With the entire loss of so much Excellence.
With each of you I can oblige a Throne,
I'll keep you then to grace some Fav'rite Crown,
On that design you here shall still remain,
Turning to the Company.
And I'll dissolve into a Nymph again.
Which will no less this fair Assembly please;
For Nymphs, in Courts, have sway like Deities.
You Wits who think you Gallantry display,
To laugh at ev'ry thing a God can say,
Will in good manners to a Nymph submit,
And own whatever Beauty speaks for Wit.
Perhaps the power of Beauty to express,
We choose our Language careless as our Dress.
None should come hither to attend, but gaze;
Here Beauties charms not Wits you ought to praise.
And 'tis your safest course, judge you of Show,
Fine Cloaths, and Faces, Tunes, and Dances too;
For those are things which you may chance to know
There is no doubt but you have ears and eyes,
Your understanding most in question lies.
But what do I here trifling thus with these?
There are the Powers to whom we sacrifice,
To the King and Queen.
In whose great at Presence I may well allow
To lay aside my useless Godhead now.
You, Sir, such blessings to the World dispence,
We scarce perceive the use of Providence.
And since Your Rule such joy to all procures,
All should contribute what they can to Yours.
Wit by Your Smiles a Lustre do's maintain,
And Beauty keeps a long and happy Reign.
Your Right in them is therefore so entire,
They, above all, Your Pleasure should conspire.