FAREWELL EPILOGUE, Spoken at WYNNSTAY, after the Representation of CYMBELINE, and THE SPANISH BARBER. January…

Since the new post-horse tax, I dare engage That some folks here have travell'd in the Stage: Jamm'd in at midnight, in cold winter weather, The crouded passengers are glew'd together. O'er many a rut, and ill-pav'd causeway jumbling, They pass their Journey, justling, jolting, grumbling. Sometimes a pleasing prospect strikes the eye, Sometimes they chuckle when a good inn's nigh; 'Till many a squabble, some endearments past, They part well-pleas'd, and with regret at last.

So in our Stage, in which this Christmas Tide As inside passengers you've deign'd to ride, You thought yourselves perhaps not well convey'd, The cattle broken-winded, roads ill made; Yet fond of travel, some kind looks you bend Tow'rds fellow trav'llers at your journey's end.

May each, whom pleasure call'd awhile to roam, Find double pleasure when arriv'd at home! May each kind husband meet a wife more kind, And each fond wife a fonder husband find!

Meanwhile, Oh, think not Us beneath your care, Nor drive your humble drivers to despair! Shall Posthumus, his Imogen restor'd, Be doom'd to wail his destiny deplor'd? Shall Jachimo, who oft your cares beguil'd, Be left to cry—because you never smil'd? No—you will grant a smile—nor only kind To honest Coachmen, cheer ev'n those behind: For who can well deny, if they but ask it, To pity the poor devils in the Basket?

Rosina all resistless pleads her cause, And with her Siren-song extorts applause; But give poor Doctor Bartholo a plaister, And with Allegros cheer your Musick Master! To mirth let Argus, Tall Boy, stir your bloods, Nor leave the Spanish Barber in the Suds! And if youv'e past your time with some delight, Bid Basil go to bed, and bid Good Night!