Epilogue, Miss Wallis

Through five long Acts—a pretty decent swing— I've been a giddy, tender, harmless thing; Light as a feather, in the morn of May, Borne by the perfum'd breath of blue-eyed day. Nor have I yet thrown by my studied part, GEORGINA, still I am, in garb, and heart— GEORGINA humbly stands again before ye, Of gratitude so full!—she half adores ye. It puzzles me to guess, when Conway's wife, On what sweet plan to form my married life: My heart beats high to think how I shall flash, Pre-eminent, and bold, like Lady Dash. Reflection ne'er to me shall be a damper, My curricle I'll drive—on horseback scamper— Keep Pharo Banks—take the long odds at races, And know the knowing ones, in all their paces; Lounge at Newmarket in the betting-rooms, And prate to Lady Harriet—and my grooms. But whilst I thus blaze on, in Folly's road, And profligate, forsake my blest abode— Where is my husband's peace?—his honour—where? Who shall his lonely hours console, and share? O! the black prospect scares my trembling art, And from the headlong precipice I start. Dear wedded happiness! my soul is thine, My pride shall be, in thy mild paths to shine— My CONWAY's temperate joys I'll make my own, And his felicity my life shall crown; With him through Pleasure's paths I'll sometimes roam, But still my first enjoyment, shall be HOME. The Household Gods ten thousand graces wear. Nor stoop to borrow tinsel'd, foreign glare— Yet never shall your Household Deities frown, Though you should steal an hour, to see—THE TOWN!