[188] Depict.
[189] Old eds. “nere.”
[190] “Sip a kiss”—a translation of the Latin expression “oscula libare.”
[191] Old eds. “your.”
EPILOGUS.
And. Gentlemen, though I remain an armed Epilogue,[192] I stand not as a peremptory challenger of desert, either for him that composed the Comedy, or for us that acted it; but a most submissive suppliant for both. What imperfection you have seen in us, leave with us, and we’ll amend it; what hath pleased you, take with you, and cherish it. You shall not be more ready to embrace anything commendable, than we will endeavour to amend all things reprovable. What we are, is by your favour. What we shall be, rests all in your applausive encouragements.
[Exeunt.
[192] It was probably in derision of Marston’s “armed Epilogue” that Ben Jonson heralded The Poetaster with an armed Prologue. In Troilus and Cressida we have an armed Prologue:—
“And hither am I come,
A Prologue armed—but not in confidence
Of author’s pen.”