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EPILOGUE.

CUSTOM, with all our modern laws combin'd,
Has given such power despotic to mankind,
That we have only so much virtue now,
As they are pleas'd in favour to allow.
Thus, like mechanic work, we're us'd with scorn,
And wound up only for a present turn.
Some are for having our whole sex enslaved,
Affirming we've no souls, and can't be saved;
But, were the women all of my opinion,

We'd soon shake off this false usurped dominion;
We'd make the tyrants own, that we could prove
As fit for other business as for love.
Lord! what prerogative might we obtain,
Could we from yielding a few months refrain?
How fondly would our dangling lovers dote !
What homage would be paid to petticoat!
"Twould be a jest to see that change of fate;
How might we all of politics debate;
Promise and swear what we ne'er meant to do,
And, what's still harder, keep our secrets too.
"Ay, marry! keep a secret," says a beau,
And sneers at some ill-natur'd wit below;
But faith, if we should tell but half we know,
There's many a spruce young fellow in this place
Would never more presume to show his face.
Women are not so weak, whate'er men prate!
How many tip-top beaux have had the fate
T'enjoy from mamma's secrets their estate!
Who, if her early folly had made known,
Had rid behind the coach that's now their own.
But here the wond'rous secret you discover:
A lady ventures for a friend- -a lover.
Prodigious! For my part, I frankly own,
I'd spoil the wonder, and the woman shown.

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HAMLET:

A TRAGEDY,

In Five Acts,

BY WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE.

PRINTED FROM THE ACTING COPY, WITH REMARKS, BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL,

To which are added,

DESCRIPTION OF THE COSTUME,-CAST OF THE CHARACTERS, ENTRANCES AND EXITS, RELATIVE POSITIONS OF THE PERFORMERS ON THE STAGE, AND THE WHOLE OF THE STAGE BUSINESS.

As now performed at the

THEATRES ROYAL, LONDON.

EMBELLISHED WITH A WOOD ENGRAVING, By Mr. WHITE, from a Drawing by Mr. R. CRUIKSHANK.

LONDON:

JOHN CUMBERLAND, 19, LUDGATE HILL.

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