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The works of Thomas Middleton, Volume 2 (of 5) cover

The works of Thomas Middleton, Volume 2 (of 5)

Chapter 43: EPILOGUE.[439]
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About This Book

A collected set of stage plays presents a series of short to full-length dramatic pieces that scrutinize urban life through sharp satire and comic invention. Plots pivot on schemes, disguises, mistaken assumptions, and calculated deceptions to expose avarice, desire, hypocrisy, and social pretence, while scenes alternate brisk dialogue, bawdy humor, and pointed moral ambiguity. The volume moves between farcical contrivances and more sober moments, using theatrical artifice and lively stage business to examine relationships, power imbalances, and the transactional nature of social bonds in a bustling metropolitan setting.

[Gerardine, Dryfat, and Club discover
themselves.
That Indian mines and Tagus’ glistering ore
To this bequest were unto me but poor.
Gli. What? Gerardine, Dryfat, and Club!
Dry. The very[438] same.
Club. You are welcome to our club-law.
Ger. Cease admiration here: what doubt remains
I’ll satisfy at full. Now join with me
For approbation of our Family.

EPILOGUE.[439]

Gentles, whose favour[s] have o’erspread this place,
And shed the real influence of grace
On harmless mirth, we thank you; for our hope
Attracts such vigour and unmeasur’d scope
From the reflecting splendour of your eyes,
That, grace presum’d, fear in oblivion dies.
Your judgment, as it is the touch[440] and trier
Of good from bad, so from your hearts comes fire,
That gives both ardour to the wit refin’d,
And sweetness [to] th’ incense of each willing mind.
O may that fire ne’er die! nor let your favours
Depart from us: give countenance to their labours
Propos’d a sacrifice, which may no less
Their strong desires than our true zeals express.
[Exeunt omnes.