University of Virginia Library

EPILOGUE. By Mr B---. Spoken by Mr Jo. Haines.

Too long the Poets brought before the Bar,
Have with their bold Accuser wag'd the War;
They now plead Guilty: And confess the Stage
Has been immoral, and debauch'd the Age.
Nay, They will mend—But wish that in their station,
All Men were pleas'd to forward Reformation.
First, let no Politicians with vain Fears,
About succeeding Kings create new Jars;
Let Lawyers now no more perplex the Laws,
Nor with malicious Quibbles split a Cause;
Let Magistrates consider 'tis but fitting,
That as they take down Bills, they'd put down cheating.
Let our young Heroes, who would be Commanders,
Brag less o're Coffee, and fight more in Flanders.
Let Cheapside Doctors in a frantick Fit,
No more make impious War with sacred Wit;
Let City Wives (but that's too hard a task)
Mimick no more Town-Ladies in a Mask,
Nor from their Prentices the favour ask;
Let no old cast-off Miss assume the Saint,
Let Cowards cease to Huff, and Beaux to Paint;
Let at yond corner House the Wits and Bards,
Gain by Religion, what they lose at Cards;
Let snarling, peevish Criticks cease to bite,
Or in a false sublime dull Plays do write;
Let Galleries no more for Judges sit,
But leave to the bright Boxes, and the Pit,
Their lawful Empire o're immortal Wit,
When all this heavy Task is well perform'd,
We dare ingage the Stage shall be reform'd.