KING ARTHUR, OR THE BRITISH WORTHY: EPILOGUE by JOHN DRYDEN

I've had to-day a Dozen @3Billet-Doux@1
From @3Fops@1, and @3Wits@1, and @3Cits@1, and @3Bowstreet Beaux:@1
Some from @3Whitehal@1, but from the @3Temple@1 more:
A @3Covent-Garden@1 Porter brought me four.
I have not yet read all: But, without feigning,
We @3Maids@1 can make shrewd Ghesses at your Meaning.
What if, to shew your Styles, I read 'em here?
Me thinks I hear one cry, @3Oh Lord, forbear:
No, Madam, no; by Heav'n, that's too severe.@1
Well then, be safe --
But swear henceforwards to renounce all Writing,
And take this Solemn Oath of my inditing, --
@3As you love Ease and hate Campaigns and Fighting.@1
Yet, Faith, 'tis just to make some few Examples:
What if I shew'd you one or two for Samples?
@3Pulls one out.@1] Heres, one desires my Ladyship to meet
At the kind Couch above in @3Bridges-Street@1.
Oh Sharping Knave! That wou'd have you know what,
For a Poor Sneaking Treat of @3Chocolat@1.
@3Pulls out another.@1] Now, in the Name of Luck, I'll break this open,
20
Because I Dreamt last Night I had a Token;
The Superscription is exceeding pretty,
@3To the Desire of all the Town and City.@1
Now, @3Gallants@1, you must know, this precious @3Fop@1
Is Foreman of a Haberdashers-Shop:
One who devoutly cheats, demure in Carriage,
And courts me to the Holy Bands of Marriage;
But, with a @3Civil Inuendo@1 too,
My Overplus of Love shall be for you.
@3Reads.@1] @3Madam, I swear your Looks are so Divine,
When I set up, your Face shall be my Sign;
Tho Times are hard -- to show how I Adore you,
Here's my whole Heart, and half a Guinea for you.
But, have a Care of@1 Beaux; @3They're false, my Honey;
And, which is worse, have not one Rag of Money.@1
See how Maliciously the Rogue would wrong ye!
But I know better Things of some among ye.
My wisest way will be to keep the Stage,
And trust to the Good Nature of the Age:
And he that likes the Musick and the Play
Shall be my Favourite Gallant to-day.

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