Classic Poem

AN EPILOGUE

SPOKEN AFTER ACTING THE ORPHAN AND THE GENTLE SHEPHERD, IN JANUARY 1729.

PATIE speaks.

Life 's but a farce at best, and we to-day
Have shewn you how the different stations play.
Each palace is a stage, each cot the same;
And lords and shepherds differ but in name:
In every sphere like passions rule the soul,
And love, and rage, and grief, and joy, the whole.
In these they tally.—Yet our fables show
There 's oft vast odds betwixt high life and low;
For artful guile, ambition, hate, and pride,
Give less disturbance to the inferior side.
Monimia falls—while Peggy on the plain
Enjoys her wishes with her faithful swain.
 Thus we can moralize:—the end 's design'd,
To firm our look, and brighten up the mind;
To please our beauteous audience, and improve
Our art of speech, with all the force to move.
We 'll sing the rest.—Come knight, and partner fair,
Let 's close our entertainment with an air.

PATIE sings.

(To the tune of “Bessy Bell.”)

Thus, let us study day and night,
  To fit us for our station,
That, when we 're men, we parts may play,
  Are useful to our nation.

CHORUS .

For now 's the time, when we are young,
  To fix our views on merit,
Water its buds, and make the tongue
  And action suit the spirit.

PEGGY sings.

This all the fair and wise approve,
  We know it by your smiling;
And while we gain respect and love,
  Our studies are not toiling.

CHORUS .

Such application gives delight,
  And in the end proves gainful;
'T is but the dull and lifeless wight
  Thinks labour hard and painful.

SIR WILLIAM sings.

Then never let us think our time
  And care, when thus employ'd,
Are thrown away; but deem 't a crime
  When youth 's by sloth destroy'd.

CHORUS .

'Tis only active souls can rise
  To fame, and all that 's splendid;
And favourites of these conquering eyes,
  'Gainst whom no heart 's defended.