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Show EPILOGUE: Spoken by Mrs. HOOK. f~\ V R Poet opend with a loud Warlike blaft, "} ^^ But now weak Woman is his fafeft caft, C To bring him off -with Quarter at the laft; \ Not that he's vain to think, that I can fay, ^ Or he can write fine things to help the Play. The various Scenes have drain d his Strength and Art - And I, you know, had a hard ftruggling Part ; But then he brought me off with Life and Limb ; Ah! Wou'd that I cou'd do as much for him Stay, let me think jour Favours to excite, I (till muft AH; the Part I Play'd to Night. For whatfoe'er may be your fly pretence, Tou like thofe beft, that make the beft defence : But this is needlefs 'Tis in vain to crave it] If you have damnd the Play, no Power canfave it. Not all the Wits of Athens, and of R o m e ; Not Shakefpear, Johnfon, cou'd revoke its Doom : Nay, what is more if once your Anger roufes, Not all the courted Beauties of both Houjes. He wou'd have eitded here but I thought meet, "I' To tell him there was left one fafe Retreat, \ ^ Protection jacred, at the Ladies Feet. J j To that he anfwer d in fubmiffive Strain, *»« He pay'd all Homage to this Female Reign, : $* And therefore turnd his Satyr 'gainft the Men. J t From your great Queen, this Sovereign right ye draw, To keep the Wits, as She the World in Awe: To her bright Scepter, your bright Eyes they bow; Such awftu Splendour Jits on every Brow, £» All Sdandal on the Sex were Treafon now. J The Play can tell with what Poetick care, -» i He laboured to redrefs the injur'd Fair, J> And if you wo 'n't protect, the Men will damn him there. \ Then fave the Mufe, that pes to ye for Aid; -ji Perhaps my poor Requeft may fome' perfuade, \ '^ Becaufe it is the firft I ever made0 Jj |
