I want room.-So I believe I shall battle the rest out at Barton some day next week.-I don't value you all. EPILOGUE O. G. ΤΟ SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER; OR, THE MISTAKES OF A NIGHT." Spoken by Mrs. Bulkley, in the Character of Miss Hardcastle.* Well, having stooped to conquer with success, *This comedy was first acted at Covent Garden Theatre, on the 15th of March 1773. In a letter to Mr. Craddock, written immediately after the representation of the piece, Goldsmith says:-"I thank you sincerely for your epilogue, which, however, could not be used, but with your permission shall be printed. The story in short is this; Murphy sent me rather the outline of an epilogue than an epilogue, which was to be sung by Miss Catley, and which she approved. Mrs. Bulkley hearing this, insisted on throwing up her part unless, according to the custom of the theatre, she were permitted to speak the epilogue. In this embarrassment I thought of making a Quarrelling Epilogue between Catley and her, debating who should speak the epilogue, but then Miss Catley refused after I had taken the trouble of drawing it out. I was then at a loss indeed; an epilogue was to be made, and for none but Mrs. Bulkley. I made one, and Colman thought it too bad to be spoken; I was obliged, therefore, to try a fourth time, and I made a very mawkish thing, as you'll shortly see. Such is the history of my stage adventures, and which I have at last done with. I cannot help saying that I am very sick of the stage; and though I believe I shall get three tolerable benefits, yet I shall on the whole be a loser, even in a pecuniary light; my ease and comfort I certainly lost while it was in agitation."-See Life, ch. xxii.] Our life is all a play, compos'd to please, The fourth act shows her wedded to the 'squire, And quits her Nancy Dawson, for Che Faro: Swims round the room, the Heinel of Cheapside: Till, having lost in age the power to kill, She sits all night at cards, and ogles at spadille. } Intended to be spoken by Mrs. Bulkley and Miss Catley.* Enters MRS. BULKLEY, who curtsies very low as beginning to speak. Then enters MISS CATLEY, who stands full before her, and curtsies to the Audience. MRS. BULKLEY. HOLD, Ma'am, your pardon. What's your business here? The Epilogue. MISS CATLEY. MRS. BULKLEY. The Epilogue? MISS CATLEY. Yes, the Epilogue, my dear. MRS. BULKLEY. Sure you mistake, Ma'am. The Epilogue, I bring it. MISS CATLEY. Excuse me, Ma'am, the author bid me sing it. * [This is the "Quarrelling Epilogue" to which allusion is made by Goldsmith in the preceding note. A copy, in his own handwriting, given to the late Dr. Farr, who was a fellow student at Edinburgh, remains in the family of that gentleman.] RECITATIVE. Ye beaux and belles that form this splendid ring, MRS. BULKLEY. Why, sure the girl's beside herself! an Epilogue of singing, A hopeful end indeed to such a blest beginning. Besides, a sinner in a comic set Excuse me, Ma'am, I know the etiquette. MISS CATLEY. What if we leave it to the house? MRS. BULKLEY. The House!-Agreed. MISS CATLEY. Agreed. MRS. BULKLEY. And she whose party's largest shall proceed. I've al. the critics and the wits for me. MISS CATLEY. I'm for a different set.-Old men, whose trade is RECITATIVE. Who mump their passion, and who, grimly smiling, Still thus address the fair with voice beguiling. AIR.-Cotillon. Turn my fairest, turn, if ever Yes, I shall die, hu, hu, hu, hu. Yes, I must die, ho, ho, ho, ho. MRS. BULKLEY. Da Capo. Let all the old pay homage to your merit; Of French frisseurs and nosegays justly vain; To dress, and look like awkward Frenchmen here, Their hands are only lent to the Heinelle. Ay, take MISS CATLEY. your travellers-travellers indeed! Give me my bonny Scot, that travels from the Tweed. Where are the chiels?-Ah! ah, I well discern The smiling looks of each bewitching bairn. AIR.-A bonny young Lad is my Jockey. I sing to amuse you by night and by day, With Sandy, and Sawney, and Jockey, |