Epilogue to Phaedra

LADIES, to Night your Pity I implore
For One, who never troubled You before :
An Oxford-Man, extreamly read in Greek,
Who from Euripides makes Phaedra speak ;
And comes to Town, to let Us Moderns know.
How Women lov'd two thousand Years ago.

If that be all, said I, e'en burn your Play :
I' gad ! We know all that, as well as They :
Show Us the youthful, handsome Charioteer,
Firm in his Seat, and running his Career
Our Souls would kindle with as gen'rous Flames,
As e'er inspir'd the antient Grecian Dames :
Ev'ry Ismena would resign her Breast ;
And ev'ry dear Hippolytus be blest.

But, as it is, Six flouncing Flanders Mares
Are e'en as good, as any Two of Theirs ;
And if Hippolytus can but contrive
To buy the gilded Chariot; John can drive.

Now of the Bustle You have seen to Day,
And Phaedra's Morals in this Scholar's Play,
Something at least in Justice should be said :
But this Hippolytus so fills One's Head
Well ! Phædra liv'd as chastly as She cou'd.
For she was Father Jove's own Flesh and Blood.
Her aukward Love indeed was odly fated :
She and her Poly were too near related :
And yet that Scruple had been laid aside,
If honest Theseus had but fairly dy'd :
But when He came, what needed He to know.
But that all Matters stood in Statu quo ?
There was no harm. You see; or grant there were:
She might want Conduct; but He wanted Care.
'Twas in a Husband little less than rude.

Upon his Wife's Retirement to intrude
He should have sent a Night or two before.
That He would come exact: at such an Hour :
Then He had turn'd all Tragedy to Jest;
Found ev'ry Thing contribute to his Rest ;
The Picquet-Friend dismiss'd, the Coast all clear,
And Spouse alone impatient for her Dear.

But if these gay Reflections come too late.
To keep the guilty Phædra from her Fate;
If your more serious Judgment must condemn
The dire Effects of her unhappy Flame:
Yet, Ye chaste Matrons, and Ye tender Fair,
Let Love and Innocence engage your Care:
My spotless Flames to your Protection take;
And spare poor Phædra, for Ismena's sake.