Love in a wood, or, St. James's Park a comedy
Wycherley, William, 1640-1716.
Page [unnumbered]
Epilogue
NOW my Brisk Brothers of the Pit, you'l say,
I'm come to speak a good word for the Play;
But (Gallants) let me perish, if I do,
For I have Wit, and judgment, just like you;
Wit never partial, judgment free and bold,
For fear or friendship never bought or sold,
Nor by good Nature, e're to be Cajol'd.
Good Nature in a Critick were a crime,
Like mercy in a Judge, and renders him
Guilty of all those faults, he do's forgive:
Besides, if Thief from Gallows you reprieve,
He'll cut your Throat; so Poet sav'd from shame,
In damn'd Lampoon, will murder your good name.
Yet in true spight to him, and to his Play,
(Good faith) you shou'd not rayl at 'em to day;
But to be more his Foe, seem most his Friend,
And so maliciously, the Play commend,
That he may be betray'd to Writing on,
And Poet let him be, to be undone.
FINIS.
Page [unnumbered]