LADY. What you do for Abigal, I know is meant as a compliment to me. This is a new instance of your love. you ABIGAL. Mr. Vellum, you are a well-spoken man: pray do thank my master and my lady. SIR GEORGE. Vellum, I hope you are not displeased with the gift I make you. VELLUM. The gift is twofold. I receive from you A virtuous partner, and a portion too · For which, in humble wise, I thank the donors: VOL. I. 16 THE EPILOGUE. SPOKEN BY MRS. OLDFIELD, TO-NIGHT the poet's advocate I stand, My help thus ask'd, I could not chuse but grant t, And really I thought the play would want it, Void as it is of all the usual arts To warm your fancies, and to steal your hearts : No song, no dance, no music-but a drum- When we would raise your mirth, you hardly know And if they redden, you are sure 'tis wit. Protect him then, ye fair, ones; for the fair He draws a widow, who of blameless carriage, A nymph of five and forty finds her mate. Too long has marriage, in this tasteless age, With ill-bred raillery supply'd the stage, No little scribbler is of wit so bare, But has his fling at the poor wedded pair. Our author deals not in conceits so stale . For should th' examples of his play prevail, No man need blush, though true to marriage-vows, Nor be a jest, though he should love his spouse. Thus has he done you British consorts right, Whose husbands, should they pry like mine to-night, Would never find you in your conduct slipping, Though they turn'd conjurers to take you tripping. CATO, A Tragedy. AS IT IS ACTED AT THE THEATRE ROYAL, IN DRURY LANE, BY HIS MAJESTY'S SERVANTS. Ecce spectaculum dignum, ad quod respiciat, intentus operi suo, Deus! Ecce par Dec dignum, vir fortis cum malâ fortunâ compositus! Non video, inquam, quid habea, in terris Jupiter pulchrius, si convertere animum velit, quàm ut spectet Catonem, jam partibus nor semel fractis, nihilominùs inter ruinas publicas erectum. SEN. DE DIVIN. PROV. |