[4498] to] QF1. in F2 F3 F4.
[4499] heard] heare F1.
EPILOGUE.
Spoken by a Dancer.[4500]
First my fear; then my courtesy; last my speech. My[4501]
fear is, your displeasure; my courtesy, my duty; and my
speech, to beg your pardons. If you look for a good speech
now, you undo me: for what I have to say is of mine own
making; and what indeed I should say will, I doubt, prove[4502]5
mine own marring. But to the purpose, and so to the
venture. Be it known to you, as it is very well, I was
lately here in the end of a displeasing play, to pray your
patience for it and to promise you a better. I meant[4503]
indeed to pay you with this; which, if like an ill venture10
it come unluckily home, I break, and you, my gentle
creditors, lose. Here I promised you I would be and
here I commit my body to your mercies: bate me some
and I will pay you some and, as most debtors do, promise
you infinitely.[4504]15
If my tongue cannot entreat you to acquit me, will you
command me to use my legs? and yet that were but light
payment, to dance out of your debt. But a good conscience
will make any possible satisfaction, and so would I. All[4505]
the gentlewomen here have forgiven me: if the gentlemen[4506]20
will not, then the gentlemen do not agree with the gentlewomen,
which was never seen before in such an assembly.[4507]
One word more, I beseech you. If you be not too
much cloyed with fat meat, our humble author will continue
the story, with Sir John in it, and make you merry25
with fair Katharine of France: where, for anything I know,
Falstaff shall die of a sweat, unless already a' be killed[4508]
with your hard opinions; for Oldcastle died a martyr, and[4509]
this is not the man. My tongue is weary; when my legs
are too, I will bid you good night: and so kneel down[4510]30
before you; but, indeed, to pray for the queen.[4510]
FOOTNOTES:
[4500] Epilogue. Spoken by a Dancer.] Pope. Epilogue. QFf.