 | King Henry the VII. Or The Popish Impostor |  |
EPILOGUE, Spoken by Mrs. WOFFINGTON.
By
Hal deliver'd from my marriage Vows,
Catherine again is free to chuse a Spouse.
The Man, who offers fairest, shall succeed,
If British born, or of old Huntley's Breed.
Of Rome-nursed Husbands I have had enough,
O Ladies, they are all such dastard Stuff,
That I my self, equip'd in Cap and Jerkin,
Am every whit as good a Prince as Perkin.
'Tis true the Boy was loving, soft and tender,
But in the Main an arrant poor Pretender.
Catherine again is free to chuse a Spouse.
The Man, who offers fairest, shall succeed,
If British born, or of old Huntley's Breed.
Of Rome-nursed Husbands I have had enough,
O Ladies, they are all such dastard Stuff,
That I my self, equip'd in Cap and Jerkin,
Am every whit as good a Prince as Perkin.
'Tis true the Boy was loving, soft and tender,
But in the Main an arrant poor Pretender.
Jesting a-part,—now Ladies, what do you say?
What is your Judgment of this hasty Play?
For your Decision here the Author stands;
Let the poor Rogue have Mercy at your Hands.
In sooth we're much beholden to his Art;
For in a female Form he hath placed a manly Heart;
And if in her bright Character you find
Superior Spirit and a Roman Mind,
Know, from the Life her Principles he drew,
And hopes the Piece shall live which copies you.
What is your Judgment of this hasty Play?
For your Decision here the Author stands;
Let the poor Rogue have Mercy at your Hands.
In sooth we're much beholden to his Art;
For in a female Form he hath placed a manly Heart;
And if in her bright Character you find
Superior Spirit and a Roman Mind,
Know, from the Life her Principles he drew,
And hopes the Piece shall live which copies you.
| King Henry the VII. Or The Popish Impostor | |