[EPILOGUE.
Spoken by Rosalind.]
It is not the fashion to see the lady the
epilogue; but it is no more unhandsome than
to see the lord the prologue. If it be true that
good wine needs no bush, 'tis true that a good
play needs no epilogue; yet to good wine they 5
do use good bushes, and good plays prove the
better by the help of good epilogues. What a
case am I in then, that am neither a good epi-
logue, nor cannot insinuate with you in the be-
half of a good play! I am not furnished like a 10
beggar, therefore to beg will not become me: my
way is, to conjure you; and I'll begin with the
women. I charge you, women! for the love
you bear to men, to like as much of this play as
please you: and I charge you, men! for the 15
love you bear to women,—as I perceive by your
simpering none of you hate them,—that between
you and the women, the play may please. If I
were a woman I would kiss as many of you as
had beards that pleased me, complexions that 20
liked me, and breaths that I defied not; and,
I am sure, as many as have good beards, or
good faces, or sweet breaths, will, for my kind
offer, when I make curtsy, bid me farewell.
FINIS
Epilogue—
1 the lady; cf. n.
2 unhandsome: improper, unseemly
4 wine . . . bush; cf. n.
9 insinuate: i.e., wheedle myself into your favor
12 conjure: call solemnly upon
18 If . . . woman; cf. n
21 defied: distrusted
