An Epilogue in Character of Lady Townly, in the Provok'd Husband

At lady—let me recollect—whose night is't!
No matter—at a circle the politest;
Taste summons all the satire she is able,
And canvasses my conduct to the table.

"A wife reclaim'd, and by an husband's rigour!
"A wife with all her appetites in vigour!
"Lard!—she must make a lamentable figure.

"Where was her pride! Of ev'ry spark divested!
"To mend, because a prudish husband press'd it!
"What—to prefer his dull domestic quiet,
"To the dear scenes of hurricane and riot!
"Parties disclaim'd—the happy rout rejected!
"Because at ten she's by her spouse expected!
"Oh hideous!—how immensely out of nature!
"Don't ye, my dears, despise the servile creature?

Prudence, altho' the company be good,
Is often heard, and sometimes understood,
Suppose—to justify my reformation,
She'd give the circle this concise oration.

"Ye giddy groupe of fashionable wives,
"That in continued riot waste your lives;
"Did ye but see the demons that ascend;
"The cares convulsive that on cards attend;
"The midnight spectres that surround your chairs,
"(Rage reddens here—there avarice despairs)
"You'd rush for shelter where contentment lies,
"To the domestic blessings you despise.

"Or if you've no regard to moral duty,
"('Tis trite, but true) quadrille will murder beauty."

Taste is abash'd (the culprit,) I'm acquitted,
They praise the character they lately pity'd;
They promise to reform—relinquish play,
So break the tables up at—break of day.