Note 96 — SHAKSPEARE PAPERS.—No. I.
Reading edition
I consider this epilogue to be in blank-verse,—
"First my fear, then my courtesy, then my speech," &c.
but some slight alterations should be made: the transposition of a couple of words will make the passage here quoted metrical.
"One word more I beseech you. If you be not Too much cloyed with fat meat, our humble author The story will continue with Sir John in't, And make you merry with fair Kate of France. Where (For any thing I know) Falstaff shall die of A sweat, unless already he be killed with Your hard opinions; Oldcastle died a martyr, And this is not the man. My tongue is weary, when my legs are too, I'll bid you good-night; and kneel down before you, But indeed to pray for the queen."