The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 6 of 9]

THE EPILOGUE.

'Tis ten to one this play can never please
All that are here: some come to take their ease,[918]
And sleep an act or two; but those, we fear,[919]
We have frighted with our trumpets; so, 'tis clear,[920]
They'll say 'tis naught: others, to hear the city[921] 5
Abused extremely, and to cry 'That's witty!'
Which we have not done neither; that, I fear,
All the expected good we're like to hear[922]
For this play at this time, is only in[923]
The merciful construction of good women;[923] 10
For such a one we show'd 'em: if they smile,
And say 'twill do, I know, within a while
All the best men are ours; for 'tis ill hap,
If they hold when their ladies bid 'em clap.

FOOTNOTES:

[918] ease] case F₂.

[919] sleep] sleep out F₃ F₄.

[920] We have] W' have Ff. We've Rowe (ed. 2).

[921] 'tis] F₁. it's F₂ F₃ F₄.

[922] we're] w'are Ff. we are Capell.

[923] is only in The] we shall not owe men, But Collier conj.

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