King Charles the First An Historical Tragedy |
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EPILOGUE. Written by a FRIEND, Spoken by Mrs. GIFFARD.
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 | King Charles the First |  |
EPILOGUE. Written by a FRIEND, Spoken by Mrs. GIFFARD.
At
length, our Bard has told his dismal Story;
He thinks—without Offence to Whig or Tory!
He writes not from a Spirit of Contention;
And only on third Nights expects—his Pension.
He thinks—without Offence to Whig or Tory!
He writes not from a Spirit of Contention;
And only on third Nights expects—his Pension.
Ladies, when civil Dudgeon first grew high,
And the good Folks fell out—they knew not why—
A stubborn Race—no Doubt on't—were those Roundheads—
Rebels at once to Female Power, and Crown'd-heads!—
But now—blest Change!—our Heroes give their Votes
For Government of Kings, and Petticoats!—
Had we then liv'd:—What Crouds of Voluntiers!
Down with the Rump! and high for Cavaliers!
And the good Folks fell out—they knew not why—
A stubborn Race—no Doubt on't—were those Roundheads—
Rebels at once to Female Power, and Crown'd-heads!—
But now—blest Change!—our Heroes give their Votes
For Government of Kings, and Petticoats!—
Had we then liv'd:—What Crouds of Voluntiers!
Down with the Rump! and high for Cavaliers!
In those prim Times—our Grandmothers of Yore—
Preferr'd a Pray'r-book to a Matadore.—
At Court each Turtle only lov'd her Mate,
And no Intrigues went on but those—of State!—
Preferr'd a Pray'r-book to a Matadore.—
At Court each Turtle only lov'd her Mate,
And no Intrigues went on but those—of State!—
What odious Salique Law ('twas none of Nature!)
Excludes us Women from the Legislature?
Cou'd we assemble once in Convocation;
How purely wou'd we settle all the Nation!
Lovers and Op'ras shou'd employ our Cares,
Cards, Masquerades, and—such-like State-Affairs!—
Debates, like a Male-Senate, we cou'd handle;
And move, as well as they, to—snuff a Candle!
Our Ay's and No's, with one shrill Voice declare;
And none be Mutes; but all, all Speakers there!
Now, on our Stage, while Charles once more is try'd!
Excludes us Women from the Legislature?
Cou'd we assemble once in Convocation;
How purely wou'd we settle all the Nation!
Lovers and Op'ras shou'd employ our Cares,
Cards, Masquerades, and—such-like State-Affairs!—
And move, as well as they, to—snuff a Candle!
Our Ay's and No's, with one shrill Voice declare;
And none be Mutes; but all, all Speakers there!
He hopes none here can prove a Regicide!—
A milder Sentence to receive, his Trust is,
Tremendous Pit, in your high Court of Justice!
If bravely you'd support the good old Cause,
Atone your Father's Crimes by your Applause!
Lay not a barb'rous Tax on your Good-nature,
Nor raise in Spleen, the Funds of Wit, by Satire!
FINIS.
| King Charles the First | |