University of Virginia Library

THE EPILOGUE.

Our Author's pleas'd, that English Judges sit
Upon a home-spun PLAY, and English writ,
And could with less Expence i'th' Modern Way,
Have fitted out a slight New-fashion'd PLAY
To Leak, and Bulge, and Founder in the Bay;
But chose a Vessel that would bear the shock
Of Censure; Yes, old Built, but Heart of Oak;
Besides, 'twas an ESSAY worth all his Cost
If your old Relish of Stage Wit were lost.
And if he finds stead of th'Old Draft and True
Y' are fond of your Sophisticated New,
Can, (like his Brethren) Balderdash and Brew;
Cou'd jumble ye Ingredients, cheaper got
Than Methods, Morals, Character and Plot,
Which he pretends to sell ye in this Lott;
We vouch our Ware for good, and if debarr'd
From a fair Market, stand upon our Guard:
And if our Scout-boat Prologue fails to take ye,
We have our Epilogue Chase-guns to rake ye;
We know upon what Bottom we engage,
Nor blush to set our Monsters of the Stage
By more Enormous Follies of this Age.
Coach suited to Complexion! a whole Shop
Disfurnish'd to rigg out one first Rate Fopp:
Nymphs shorn t' equip a brainless Beau with Hair,
And brawny Booby lugg'd in Lady-Chair.
Thus rather than we'll see our Stage run down
By Nonsense, we'll let fly at the whole Town.
You've seen the Joy and Terrour of your Life,
Our wanton Wife, and Devil of a Wife;
If that won't mortify and make ye sorry,
We have a Devil of a Husband for ye,
Doom'd by just Fate to die of raving Fits,
To fright Ill-natur'd Husbands to their Wits:
If you'll make this for Challenge a Pretence,
We'll answer ye like Masters of Defence.
Blustering and Bluff, with Bear-Garden Behaviour,
Let's have a clear Stage, and from you no Favour.