WELL, having stoop'd to conquer with success, <br />And gain'd a husband without aid from dress, <br />Still, as a Bar-maid, I could wish it too, <br />As I have conquer'd him, to conquer you: <br />And let me say, for all your resolution, <br />That pretty Bar-maids have done execution. <br />Our life is all a play, compos'd to please, <br />'We have our exits and our entrances.' <br />The First Act shows the simple country maid, <br />Harmless and young, of ev'ry thing afraid; <br />Blushes when hir'd, and, with unmeaning action, <br />'I hopes as how to give you satisfaction.' <br />Her Second Act displays a livelier scene -- <br />Th' unblushing Bar-maid of a country inn, <br />Who whisks about the house, at market caters, <br />Talks loud, coquets the guests, and scolds the waiters. <br />Next the scene shifts to town, and there she soars, <br />The chop-house toast of ogling connoisseurs. <br />On 'Squires and Cits she there displays her arts, <br />And on the gridiron broils her lovers' hearts: <br />And as she smiles, her triumphs to complete, <br />Even Common-Councilmen forget to eat. <br />The Fourth Act shows her wedded to the 'Squire, <br />And Madam now begins to hold it higher; <br />Pretends to taste, at Operas cries 'caro', <br />And quits her 'Nancy Dawson', for 'Che faro', <br />Doats upon dancing, and in all her pride, <br />Swims round the room, the Heinel of Cheapside; <br />Ogles and leers with artificial skill, <br />'Till having lost in age the power to kill, <br />She sits all night at cards, and ogles at spadille. <br />Such, through our lives, the eventful history -- <br />The Fifth and Last Act still remains for me. <br />The Bar-maid now for your protection prays. <br />Turns Female Barrister, and pleads for Bayes.<br /><br />Oliver Goldsmith<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/epilogue-to-she-stoops-to-conquer/
