EPILOGUE, To the CAPRICIOUS LADY, altered from the SCORNFUL LADY of BEAUMONT and FLETCHER, And acted at the…

In Fletcher's days it was the favourite plan Of Woman to dethrone the tyrant Man: Our modern Fashions vary—yet their aim, Howe'er pursu'd appears the very same. The Starch-Ruff'd Maidens of Queen Bess's reign Were doom'd a Starch demeanour to maintain; Quill'd up like Porcupines, they shot their darts, Slaughter'd whole rows of Knights, and wounded Hearts: Their Virtue nought could shake, no siege could alter: A rock, impregnable as Gibraltar! In vain were sighs, and tears, and idle flattery, Their red-hot balls laid low each hostile battery, While they, bright stars, above all weak comparison, Shone forth the Female Eliotts of the Garrison.

The modern maiden finds things alter'd quite, A hundred Danglers, not one faithful Knight! Nor coy, nor cruel, all her charms display'd, Coldly she's seen, and trusting she's betray'd: Unfeeling coxcombs scorn the damsels pow'r, And pass in Rotten-Row the vacant hour. The Fair, her power thus lost in single life, Reserves her policy till made a Wife. The humble married dames of Fletcher's day Thought wives must love and honour and obey; Bound in the nuptial ring, that hoop of Gold, Enchain'd their passions, and their will controll'd. Too oft the modern Miss, scarce made a bride, Breaks out at once all insolence and pride: Mounted in Phaeton she courts the eye, And eats, and games, and paints, and dresses high: Who shall say nay? Content to drink and play, His Lordship cries—"My Lady, take your way! I've fixt your box at the opera—but am vext That Polly Brilliant could not get the next."

Such was the rigid line of ancient rule, And such the freedom of the Modern School: Chuse which, ye Fair; or else, to copy loth, Compose a new Pasticcio out of both; Or smit with nobler pride, on Nature look, And read the brightest pages of her book! Would you a spotless maid, chaste wife be known, Show the young Virtues ripening or full blown, Mark how they prop, and dignify the Throne! Rival Their goodness with a loyal strife, And grace with Royal Virtues private Life.