University of Virginia Library

EPILOGUE, TO THE Fatal Marriage: Or, The Innocent Adultery. Spoken by Mrs. Verbruggen.

Now tell me, when you saw the Lady dye,
Were you not puzled for a Reason why?
A Buxom Dam'zel, and of Play-house race,
Not to out-live th'injoyment of a Brace!
Were that the only Marriage-curse in Store,
How many would compound to suffer more,
And yet live on, with comfort to threescore?
But on our Exits there is no relying:
We Women are so Whimsical in Dying.
Some pine away for loss of ogling Fellows:
Nay some have dy'd for Love, as Stories tell us.
Some, say our Histories, though long ago,
For having undergone a Rape, or so,
Plung'd the fell Dagger, without more ado.
But time has laugh'd those follies out of fashion:
And sure they'l never gain the approbation
Of Ladies, who consult their Reputation.
For if a Rape must be esteem'd a Curse,
Grim Death, and Publication make it worse.
Should the opinion of the World be try'd,
They'l scarce give Judgment on the Plaintiff's side.
For all must own, 'tis most egregious Nonsense,
To dye for being pleas'd, with a safe Conscience.
Nay, look not on your Fans, nor turn away,
For tell me, Ladies, why do you Marry, pray?
But to enjoy your Wishes, as you may.