Chapter XXVIII: Epilogue

Now expectation hath, at full receiv'd,
What we late promised; if in aught we've pleas'd,
'Tis all we sought t'accomplish; and much more
Than our weak merit dares to attribute
Unto itself, till you vouchsafe to deign,
In your kind censure, so to gratify
Our trivial labours.----
If it hath pleased the judicial ear,
We have our author's wish; and, void of fear,
Dare ignorant men to show their worst of hate,
It not detracts, but adds unto that state
Where desert flourisheth.
We'll rest applauded in their derogation,
Though with a hiss they crown that confirmation.
For this our author saith, if't prove distasteful,
He only grieves you spent two hours so wasteful;
But if it like,[403] and you affect his pen,
You may command it, when you please, again.

[403] _If it like_ is a very common old expression for _if it please;_
but Mr Reed allowed it to be altered to the vulgarism of _if it's
liked_.

THE HEIR.

_EDITION._

_The Heire. A Comedie. As it was acted by the Company of the
Revels. 1620. Written by T.M. London, Printed by Augustine
Mathewes, for Thomas Iones, and are to be sold at his shop in S.
Dunstans Church-yard in Fleetstreet._ 1633. 4º.[404]

[404] There are two title-pages to this comedy in the year 1633, but
they are both the same edition. The one has the words _the second
impression_ upon it; the other is without them; but in all other
respects they are precisely similar. Whether the performance did not
sell well in the first instance, and the stationer resorted to this
expedient to get rid of copies remaining on hand, must be matter of
conjecture only.--_Collier._