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EPILOGUE.
GAllants you have so long been absent hence,
That you have almost cool'd your dilligence,
For while we study or revive a Play,
You like good Husbands in the Country stay,
There frugally wear out your Summer Suite,
And in Frize Jerkin after Beagles Toot,
Or in Mon•…•…tero Caps at field-fares shoot,
Nay some are so obdurate in their Sin,
That they swear never to come up again.
But all their charge of Cloathes and treat Retrench,
To Gloves and Stockings for some Country Wench.
Even they who in the Summer had mishaps,
Send up to Town for Physick for their Claps.
The Ladyes too are as resolv'd as they,
And having debts unknown to them, they stay,
And with the gain of Cheese and Poultry pay.
Even in their Visits, they from Banquets fall,
To entertain with Nuts and bottle Ale.
And in discourse with secresy report
Stale-News that past a Twelve-month since at Court.
Those of them who are most refin'd, and gay,
Now learn the Songs of the last Summers Pl•…•…y:
While the young Daughter does in private Mour•…•…,
Her Loves in Town, and hopes not to return.
These Country grievances too great appear;
But cruell Ladies, we have greater here;
You come not sharp as you were wont to Playes;
But only on the first and second Days:
This made our Poet, in his visits look
What new strange courses, for your time you took.
And to his great regret he found too soon,
Basset and Umbre, spent the afternoon:
So that we cannot hope to see you here
Before the little Net work Purse be clear.
Suppose you should have luck;—
Yet sitting up so late as I am told,
You'l loose in Beauty, what you win in Gold:
And what each Lady of another says,
Will make you new Lampoons, and us new Plays.