LADY. What you do for Abigal, I know is meant as a compliment to me. This is a new instance of your love.

ABIGAL. Mr. Vellum, you are a well-spoken man: pray do you 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:
And so we bid good-night to both your ho-nours.

VOL. I. 16

THE EPILOGUE.

SPOKEN BY MRS. OLDFIELD.

TO-NIGHT the poet's advocate I stand,
And he deserves the favour at my hand,
Who, in my equipage their cause debating,
Has plac'd two lovers, and a third in waiting;
If both the first should from their duty swerve,
There's one behind the wainscote in reserve.
In his next play, if I would take this trouble,
He promis'd me to make the number double :
In troth 'twas spoke like an obliging creature,
For though 'tis simple, yet it shews good-nature.

My help thus ask'd, I could not chuse but grant it,
And really I thought the play would want it,
Void as it is of all the usual arts

hearts:

To warm your fancies, and to steal your
No court-intrigue, nor city cuckoldom,
No song, no dance, no music-but a drum—
No smutty thought in doubtful phrase express'd;
And, gentlemen, if so, pray where's the jest?
When we would raise your mirth, you hardly know
Whether, in strictness, you should laugh or no,
But turn upon the ladies in the pit,

And if they redden, you are sure 'tis wit,

Protect him then, ye fair ones; for the fair
Of all conditions are his equal care.
He draws a widow, who of blameless carriage,
True to her jointure, hates a second marriage;
And, to improve a virtuous wife's delights,
Out of one man contrives two wedding nights;
Nay, to oblige the sex in every state,

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.