University of Virginia Library

Epilogue, spoken by a young Lady.

Like cloister'd Nuns with virtuous zeal inspir'd,
From publick noise, and vicious ease retir'd,
Here we have all that's by the good admir'd.
While thus the loosest of our time is spent,
'Tis advantageous, sweet, and innocent.
And when our thoughts to serious things are bent,
One in rich works with lively colours tells
Lucretia's Rape, or mourning Philomels:
Each chast beholder sighs and drops a tear,
To burn the well-wrought Silk they scarce forbear,
So sad and moving does the work appear:
Oh that the Ravisher were here! one cries,
Thus would I rend the bloudy Tyrant's eyes;
Then for his crime some harmless Flower dyes,
Whose falling head, as if indeed 'twere pain'd,
Sheds dewie tears upon the murth'rers hand.
Some Hero's praise in sacred Verse kept long,
Another sings to th'Lute—
While ev'ry string seems turn'd into a tongue,
And sends soft ecchoes to the joyfull Song.
Anothers diff'rent mind more pleasure takes,
In various forms to mould the painted Wax;
Such shape, such beauty in each piece is shown,
Nature sits pale, or blushing on her own,
To see her pride by curious Art out-done.
While buzzing Infamy, with venom'd wing,
Haunts clam'rous pleasures that in Cities ring,
Thus we enjoy the sweets without the sting.
When riper age with flatt'ring care's oppress'd,
Toil'd with false joys, 'twill sadly be confess'd,
Of all our lives these happy hours were best.