FINIS.
EPILOGVE.
First, my Feare: then, my Curtsie: last, my Speech. My Feare, is your
Displeasure: My Curtsie, my Dutie: And my speech, to Begge your
Pardons. If you looke for a good speech now, you vndoe me: For what I
haue to say, is of mine owne making: and what (indeed) I should say,
will (I doubt) prooue mine owne marring. But to the Purpose, and so to
the Venture. Be it knowne to you (as it is very well) I was lately
heere in the end of a displeasing Play, to pray your Patience for it,
and to promise you a Better: I did meane (indeede) to pay you with this
which if (like an ill Venture) it come vnluckily home, I breake; and
you, my gentle Creditors lose. Heere I promist you I would be, and
heere I commit my Bodie to your Mercies: Bate me some, and I will pay
you some, and (as most Debtors do) promise you infinitely.
If my Tongue cannot entreate you to acquit me: will you command me to
vse my Legges? And yet that were but light payment, to Dance out of
your debt: But a good Conscience, will make any possible satisfaction,
and so will I. All the Gentlewomen heere haue forgiuen me, if the
Gentlemen will not, then the Gentlemen do not agree with the
Gentlewomen, which was neuer seene before, in such an Assembly.
One word more, I beseech you: if you be not too much cloid with Fat
Meate, our humble Author will continue the Story (with Sir Iohn in it)
and make you merry, with faire Katherine of France: where (for any
thing I know) Falstaffe shall dye of a sweat, vnlesse already he be
kill'd with your hard Opinions: For Old-Castle dyed a Martyr, and this
is not the man. My Tongue is wearie, when my Legs are too, I will bid
you good night; and so kneele downe before you: But (indeed) to pray
for the Queene.