Also 6 epiloge. [a. F. epilogue, ad. L. epilogus, a. Gr. ἐπίλογος the peroration of a speech, f. ἐπί in addition + λόγος speech.]
† 1. Rhet. The concluding part or peroration of a speech. Obs.
1644. Bulwer, Chiron., 48. Commended the use and signification of this gesture; but in Epilogue onely.
† b. A summary. Obs.
1646. F. Hawkins, Youth’s Behav. (1663). 24. If any one come on a suddain whil’st thou talk’st … it is seemly to make a little Epilogue, and brief collection of what thou deliverest.
2. The concluding part of a literary work; an appendix.
1564. Brief Exam., ****** iiij. Now at length are you come to the Epiloge (as it were) or full conclusion of your worke.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., III. xxxiii. 202. A Preface in the beginning, and an Epilogue in the end.
1704. in Phil. Trans., XXV. 1610. To this Book he subjoyns an Epilogue, containing some general Corollaries.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), I. 191. The epilogue or conclusion of the Dialogue has been criticised as inconsistent with the general scheme.
transf. 1657. G. Starkey, Helmont’s Vind., 230. For an epilogue of his Feaver, contracts a Chronick disease.
1882–3. Schaff, Encycl. Relig. Knowl., 560. The fifth œcumenical council … is generally considered as a mere epilogue to the Council of Chalcedon.
3. A speech or short poem addressed to the spectators by one of the actors after the conclusion of the play.
1590. Shaks., Mids. N., V. i. 362. No Epilogue, I pray you; for your play needs no excuse.
1616. Beaum. & Fl., Cust. Country, Epil. Why there should be an epilogue to a play, I know no cause.
1719. Young, Busiris, Epil. The race of critics, dull, judicious rogues, To mournful plays deny brisk Epilogues.
1756. J. Warton, Ess. Pope (1782), II. viii. 50. His epilogue to the Tartuffe.
Mod. The Epilogue to the Westminster Play appears in the Times of to-day.
transf. and fig. 1645. Quarles, Sol. Recant., X. xiii. Folly brings in the Prologue with his tongue, Whose Epilogue is Rage and open wrong.
c. 1788. Burke, W. Hastings, Wks. XIV. 204. You have heard as much of the drama as I could go through … Mr. Larkins’s letter will be the epilogue to it.
4. attrib.
1654. Gayton, Pleas. Notes, IV. viii. 220. The Hostesse … ran after the Epilogue-speaker.
