Five nevv playes, viz. The English moor, or the mock-marriage. The love-sick court, or the ambitious politique: Covent Garden weeded. The nevv academy, or the nevv exchange. The queen and concubine. / By Richard Brome.

EPILOGUE.

Now let me be a modost undertaker For us the players, the play and the play-maker: If we have faild in speech or Action, we Must crave a pardon; If the Commedy Either in mirth, or matter be not right, As 'twas intended unto your delight, The Poet in hope of favour doth submit Ʋnto your censure both himself and it, Wishing that as y'are judges in the cause You judge but by the antient Comick Lawes. Not by their course who in this latter age Have sown such pleasing errors on the stage, Which he no more will chuse to imitate Then they to fly from truth, and run the State. But whether I avail, you have seen the play, And all that in defence the Poet can say Is, that he cannot mend it by a jest I'th Epilogue exceeding all the rest; To send you off upon a champing bit, More then the scenes afforded of his wit: Nor studies he the Art to have it said He sculks behind the hangings as affraid Of a hard censure, or pretend to brag Here's all your money again brought in i'th bag If you applaud not, when before the word 'Twas parcel'd out upon the shearing-board. Such are fine helps; but are not practised yet By our plain Poet who cannot forget His wonted modesty, and humble way For him and us, and his yet doubtful play, Which, if receiv'd or but allow'd by you, We and the play are yours, the Poet too.