Epilogue

Epilogue (Gr. epi, 'upon' or 'after,' and logos, 'a speech') means, in oratory, the summing up or conclusion of a discourse; but in connection with the drama it denotes the short speech in prose or verse which was frequently, in former times, subjoined to plays, especially to comedies, as contrasted with the Prologue at the beginning. The epilogue was always merry and familiar in its tone, and was intended to establish a kindly understanding between the actor and the audience, as well as to conciliate the latter for the faults of the play, if there were any, and to send them away in good humour. One of the neatest and prettiest epilogues ever written, and one which completely realises what an epilogue should be, is that spoken by Rosalind at the conclusion of Shakespeare's As You Like It.