Epilogue to "The Wild Gallant", as First Acted (1663)

The Wild Gallant has quite play'd out his game;
He 's married now, and that will make him tame;
Or, if you think marriage will not reclaim him,
The critics swear they 'll damn him, but they 'll tame him.
Yet, tho' our poet's threaten'd most by these,
They are the only people he can please.
For he, to humor them, has shown to-day
That which they only like, a wretched play.
But, tho' his play be ill, here have been shown
The greatest wits and beauties of the town;
And his occasion having brought you here,
You are too grateful to become severe.
There is not any person here so mean
But he may freely judge each act and scene;
But if you bid him choose his judges then,
He boldly names true English gentlemen;
For he ne'er thought a handsome garb or dress
So great a crime to make their judgment less;
And with these gallants he these ladies joins.
To judge that language their converse refines,
But if their censures should condemn his play,
Far from disputing, he does only pray
He may Leander's destiny obtain:
Now spare him, drown him when he comes again.