University of Virginia Library

THE EPILOGUE.

Diego comes stealing in, and is follow'd by Henrique, who stays at the Door, and Listens.
Die.
Come Gentlemen!
Let the Dons, and Monsieurs say what they will;
For our parts, we are for Old England still.
Here's a fine Play indeed, to lay the Scene
In three Houses of the same Town, O mean!
Why we have several Plays, where I defie
Th' Devil to tell where the Scene does lie:
Sometimes in Greece, and then they make a step
To Transilvania, thence at one Leap
To Greece again: this shows a ranging Brain,
Which scorns to be confin'd t' a Town in Spain.
Then for the Plot;
The possible Adventures of Five Hours;
A copious Design, why' in some of ours
Many of th'Adventures are impossible,
Or if to be atchiev'd, no Man can tell
Wit hin what time; this shows a rare Invention,
When the Design's above your Comprehension:
Whil'st here y'are treated with a Romance Tale,
And a Plot cover'd with a Spanish Veil.
As for the Style;
It is as easie as a Proclamation,
As if the Play were Pen'd for th'whole Nation.
None of those thundring Lines, which use to crack
Our Breaths, and set your Wits upon the Rack.
Who can admire this Piece, or think it good;
There's not one Line, but may be understood.
The Raillerie;
As innocent, as if't had past the Test
Of a full Synod: not one Baudy Jeast;
Nor any of those Words of Double Sense,
Which makes th'Ladies, to show their Innocence;
Look so demure; whil'st by a simp'ring Smile,
The Gallant shows he understands the Style.
But here you have a Piece so subtly Writ,
Men must have Wit themselves to find the Wit:
Faith that's too much; therefore by my consent,
We'l Damn the Play.

Pointing to the Pit.
Henr.
Think'st thou, Impertinent,
That these, who know the Pangs of bringing forth
A Living Scene, should e'r destroy this Birth.
You ne'r can want such Writers, who aspire
To please the Judges of that Upper Tire.
The Knowing are his Peers, and for the rest
Of the Illiterate Croud (though finely drest)
The Author hopes, he never gave them cause
To think, he'd waste his Time for their Applause.
You then (most equal Judges) freely give
Your Votes, whether this Play should Die, or Live.