[_He is led out with the English; the Dutch
remain._

_Van. Her._ Ay, ay, we'll venture both ourselves and children for such
another pull.

_1 Dutch._ Let him prophecy when his head's off.

_2 Dutch._ There's ne'er a Nostradamus of them all shall fright us
from our gain.

_Fisc._ Now for a smooth apology, and then a fawning letter to the
king of England; and our work's done.

_Har._ 'Tis done as I would wish it:
Now, brethren, at my proper cost and charges,
Three days you are my guests; in which good time
We will divide their greatest wealth by lots,
While wantonly we raffle for the rest:
Then, in full rummers, and with joyful hearts,
We'll drink confusion to all English starts. [_Exeunt._

Footnote:
1. During the French invasion of 1672, the Dutch were obliged to adopt
the desperate defence of cutting their dykes, and inundating the
country.

EPILOGUE

A poet once the Spartans led to fight,
And made them conquer in the muse's right;
So would our poet lead you on this day,
Showing your tortured fathers in his play.
To one well-born the affront is worse, and more,
When he's abused, and baffled by a boor:
With an ill grace the Dutch their mischiefs do,
They've both ill-nature and ill-manners too.
Well may they boast themselves an ancient nation,
For they were bred ere manners were in fashion;
And their new commonwealth has set them free,
Only from honour and civility.
Venetians do not more uncouthly ride[1],
Than did their lubber state mankind bestride;
Their sway became them with as ill a mien,
As their own paunches swell above their chin:
Yet is their empire no true growth, but humour,
And only two kings' touch can cure the tumour[2].
As Cato did his Afric fruits display,
So we before your eyes their Indies lay:
All loyal English will, like him, conclude,
Let Caesar live, and Carthage be subdued[3]!

Footnotes:
1. The situation of Venice renders it impossible to bring horses into
the town; accordingly, the Venetians are proverbially bad riders.

2. The poet alludes to the king's evil, and to the joint war of France
and England against Holland.

3. Allusions to Cato,--who presented to the Roman Senate the rich figs
of Africa, and reminded them it was but three days sail to the
country which produced such excellent fruit,--were fashionable
during the D