University of Virginia Library

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EPILOGUE. Spoken by Mrs. OLDFIELD. Written by N. Rowe, Esq;

Well,—'twas a narrow 'Scape my Lover made;
That Cup and Message—I was sore afraid—
Was that a Present for a new made Widow,
All in her dismal Dumps, like doleful DIDO!
When one peep'd in—and hop'd for something good,
There was—oh! Gad! a nasty Heart and Blood.
If the old Man had shew'd himself a Father,
His Bowl shou'd have inclos'd a Cordial rather,
Something to chear me up amidst my Trance,
L' Eau de Barbadè—or comfortable Nants!
He thought he paid it off with being smart,
And to be witty, cry'd, he'd send the Heart.
I cou'd have told his Gravity, moreover,
Were I our Sex's Secrets to discover,
'Tis what we never look for in a Lover.
Let but the Bridegroom prudently provide
All other Matters fitting for a Bride,

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So he make good the Jewels and the Jointure,
To miss the Heart, does seldom disappoint her.
Faith, for the Fashion Hearts of late are made in,
They are the vilest Bawbles we can trade in.
Where are the tough brave Britons to be found,
With Hearts of Oak, so much of Old renown'd?
How many worthy Gentlemen of late
Swore to be true to Mother-Church and State;
When their false Hearts were secretly maintaining
Yon trim King Pepin, at Avignon reigning?
Shame on the canting Crew of Soul-Insurers,
That Tyburn-Tribe of Speech-making Non-jurors;
Who in new-frangled Terms, old Truth's explaining,
Teach honest English-men, damn'd Double Meaning.