University of Virginia Library

EPILOGUE For Mr. Elrington, to be Spoke in Mourning, The last Time the Dutchess of Bolton comes to the Play House before she leaves Ireland.

If Love or Anger, by the Poet wrote,
Can take possession of the Player's Thought,
That their sham Grief, can touch the Passions so,
To make your Eyes with tender Pity flow;
How much, when real Grief does move the Heart,
Can every Player, truely act his Part.
A Melancholy Theme, is coming on,
A doleful Scene, and yet the Play is done.
Bolton, the great supporter of our Stage,
Born to do Good, and to adorn the Age.
Must England bless, with her bright shining Rays,
And totally Eclipse, our happy Days;
Then like Antipodes, we shall appear,
When their Sun rises, oh, 'tis setting here.
These mournful Weeds, true Sorrow, doth Express
'Tis loss of Bolton, loss of Happiness.
The Orthodox, and holy Fathers say,
With laying Hands, the Spirit they convey,
Oh! could your Grace as easily transfer,
To some good Angel, all your Character,
How happy would this Stage, this Nation be,
And truly blest that happy fairest She:
Ladies, exert your selves, and try what you,
With all your native generous Charms can do:
Be good, be great, and to your Players kind,
And may you each enjoy a Bolton's Mind,
This drooping Theatre, with Zeal support,
And in her Absence, make this Stage your Court:
With heavy Looks, observe her cross the Main,
And wish and pray, and hope, for her again.