University of Virginia Library

EPILOGUE, Spoken by her that acts Elisa's part.

I'm in the closing of my part constrain'd
To leave my Native Soil, for Foreign Land;
I fly not for Religion, and the Laws,
But for Sweet Love, the common good old Cause.
I shall the Pity of all Parties move,
For ev'ry Faction is a Friend to Love.
The Oliverian Saints with Love made Leagues,
Religion was the Masque of their Intrigues.
The pious Beauties of that Age were wise,
They bid their Sins, and shew'd their charming Eyes.
Our Vizards, just Antipodes to those,
Conceal their Beauties, and their Faults expose.
In putting off false Money, she's an Ass
Who hides the Silver, and shews all the Brass.
Though no one Woman long to you is dear,
To the Fair Sex all Parties are sincere.
Therefore our Author chiefly doubts to day,
His Hero's Part, the Pillar of his Play.
He leaves a Beauty, all the World would prize,
To preserve Faith, too many now despise.
Knavery's so lov'd, rather than not be Knaves,
Some cheat themselves, plot to be wretched Slaves.
We Women do not find one Lover true,
You are as false to us, as we to you.
When young, untouch'd, a Woman comes in Print,
Into the World, like Money from the Mint.
She's sought by all, but soon she's made a Scoff,
A false Knave clips her, and then puts her off.
The Knaves and doting Women in the Play,
Are natural parts, you meet 'em every day.
But by some men our Hero will be damn'd,
Good reason, for by Heroes Knaves are shamm'd.
The French, ay and some English I'm afraid,
Have cause to wish Heroes had ne're been made.