University of Virginia Library

EPILOGUE. Spoken by Miss Decamp.

Well!—now two weighty points at length are carried—
My sister tam'd, poor soul! and I, well married:—
A task more difficult awaits us still—
We want—but do we merit?—your good-will.
What say you, criticks? I your care bespeak
For our young honey moon, in her first week.
Her principle is bland attraction's laws—
Her primum mobile is your applause.
May no moon-gazing critic here apply
To fault-exaggerating glass his eye,
And multiply one wrinkle into twenty!
All moons have spots—and ours, no doubt, has plenty.
What a strange contrast!—While, in merry strife,
We here have taught the men to rule a wife,
At no great distance is a diff'rent school—
Which teaches wives their husbands how to rule:
And I must say, though in our bard's despite,
The other author is the most polite.
But since the men were so indulgent there—
They to that author turn'd a fav'ring ear—
We hope our sex will follow their example,
And here, of candour shew as full a sample.
Ladies, forgive our author's saucy pen;
And don't in kindness be outdone by men.
All must approve the name he gave his play;—
Against a honey moon who aught can say?
Some here the sweet ordeal must have pass'd;
And others hope their turn will come at last.
So all for honey moons must have affection,
From expectation; or, from recollection.
May then each bright spectatress of to-night,
Prove, to our infant moon, a satellite!
Smile on her, ladies, for her sex's sake
(Poets, you know, the moon a female make):
No charm can save our Cynthia from eclipse,
Like the soft witchcraft of a lady's lips.—
I might indulge in further illustrations;
But here I'll end my lunar observations.