Page [unnumbered]
Epilogue.
Spoken by Mrs. Barrey, who acted the Woman-Captain.
WHo dares deny the Poet his applause
When I am Champion, and assert his cause?
Let him be Bully, ne'r so stout and tall,
'Sdeath I'll not fear the briskest of ye all:
No, though ye Rant and Roar, and sometimes Fight,
I've that which never fails to do me right.
Your would-be Wits love what is slight and bright
In Tinsel-wit, just like their own delight,
And Plays like Birth-day Suits, made for a Night,
These are o'rejoy'd to have a jest at hand
That costs but little Wit to understand.
Good sence, like solid Meat to sickly Men,
As soon as swallowed, is thrown up agen;
And for strong Meats, but few of ye are fit,
Who to meet Wit, should come with equal Wit,
And faith of late, that's but thin sown i'th' Pit.
He found by▪s last, you would not like what's good,
Though it was praised by all that understood.
Remembring how you used that last he writ,
He made this Low, so to your Level sit;
Plenty of Noise, and scarcity of Wit—
The Devil's in you all, if this don't hit:
Yet after all, if any one there be
So careless of his Life to anger me,
In daring to dispraise the Play, or Action,
There take my Glove, for I ll have Satisfaction.