EPILOGUE ΤΟ "SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER; OR THE MISTAKES OF A NIGHT," Her second act displays a livelier scene The unblushing bar-maid of a country inn, Who whisks about the house, at market caters, Talks loud, coquets the guests, and scolds the waiters. Next the scene shifts to town, and there she soars, The chop-house toast of ogling connoisseurs. The fourth act shows her wedded to the 'squire, Till, having lost in age the power to kill, She sits all night at cards, and ogles at spadille. The fifth and last act still remains for me. The bar-maid now for your protection prays, Intended to be spoken by Mrs. Bulkley and Miss Catley. Enters Mrs. BULKLEY, who curtsies very low as beginning to speak. Then enters Miss CATLEY, who stands full before her, and curtsies to the Audience. Mrs. BULKLEY. HOLD, Ma'am, your pardon. What's your business here? Miss CATLEY. The Epilogue. Mrs. BULKLley. The Epilogue? Miss CATLEY. Yes, the Epilogue, my dear. Mrs. BULKLEY.. Sure you mistake, Ma'am. The Epilogue, I bring it. Miss CATLEY. Excuse me, Ma'am. The Author bid me sing it. RECITATIVE. Ye beaux and belles, that form this splendid ring, Mrs. BULKLEY. Why, sure the girl's beside herself! an Epilogue of singing, Besides, a sinner in a comic set Excuse me, Ma'am, I know the etiquette. Mrs. BULKLEY. And she whose party is largest shall proceed. I've all the critics and the wits for me. They, I am sure, will answer my commands;, I'm for a different set. Miss CATLEY. Old men, whose trade is Still to gallant and dangle with the ladies. RECITATIVE. Who mump their passion, aud who, grimly smiling, Turn my fairest, turn, if ever Yes I shall die, hu, hu, hu, hu. Yes, I must die, ho, ho, ho, ho. Mrs. BULKLEY. Let all the old pay homage to your merit; Give me the young, the gay, the men of spirit. Of French frisseurs and nosegays justly vain; Da Capo. To dress, and look like awkward Frenchmen here, Their hands are only lent to the Heinelle. Miss CATLEY. Ay, take your travellers — travellers indeed! Give me my bonny Scot, that travels from the Tweed The smiling looks of each bewitching bairn. AIR. - A bonny young Lad is my Jockey. I sing to amuse you by night and by day, With Sandy, and Sawney, and Jockey, With Sawney, and Jarvie, and Jockey. Ye gamesters, who, so eager in pursuit, Make but of all your fortune one va toute: Ye jockey tribe, whose stock of words are few, "I hold the odds. - Done, done, with you, with you." Ye barristers, so fluent with grimace, "My Lord, Your Lordship misconceives the case." Miss CATLEY. AIR. - Ballinamony. Ye brave Irish lads, hark away to the crack, Assist me, I pray, in this woful attack; For sure I don't wrong you, you seldom are slack, Still to amuse us inventive, And death is your only preventive: Your hands and your voices for me. Well, Madam, what if, after all this sparring, And that our friendship may remain unbroken, Agreed. Mrs. BULKLEY. Agreed. Miss CATLEY. Mrs. BULKley. And now with late repentance, Un-epilogued the Poet waits his sentence. To thrive by flattery, though he starves by wit. SONG. 66 AH ME! WHEN SHALL I MARRY ME?" [Exeunt Intended to have been sung in the Comedy of "She Stoops to Conquer." AH me! when shall I marry me? Lovers are plenty; but fail to relieve me. He, fond youth, that could carry me, Offers to love, but means to deceive me. But I will rally, and combat the ruiner: Not a look, nor a smile shall my passion discover. EPILOGUE, SPOKEN BY MR. LEE LEWES, IN THE CHARACTER OF HARLEQUIN AT HIS BENEFIT. HOLD! Prompter, hold! a word before your nonsense: I'd speak a word or two, to ease my conscience. My pride forbids it ever should be said, [Takes off his mask. My heels eclips'd the honours of my head; |