PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

As you like it was certainly borrowed, if we believe Dr. Grey and Mr. Upton, from the Coke's Tale of Gamelyn; which by the way was not printed till a century afterward: when in truth the old bard, who was no hunter of MSS. contented himself solely with Lodge's Rosalynd, or Euphues' Golden Legacye, 4to. 1590. Farmer.

Shakspeare has followed Lodge's novel more exactly than is his general custom when he is indebted to such worthless originals; and has sketched some of his principal characters, and borrowed a few expressions from it. His imitations, &c. however, are in general too insignificant to merit transcription.

It should be observed, that the characters of Jaques, the Clown, and Audrey, are entirely of the poet's own formation.

Although I have never met with any edition of this comedy before the year 1623, it is evident, that such a publication was at least designed. At the beginning of the second volume of the entries at Stationers' Hall, are placed two leaves of irregular prohibitions, notes, &c. Among these are the following:

“Aug. 4.
“As You Like It, a book. . . . to be staid.”
“Henry the Fift, a book. . . . to be staid.”
“The Comedy of Much Ado, a book. to be staid.”
The dates scattered over these plays are from 1596 to 1615. Steevens.

This comedy, I believe, was written in 1599. See An Attempt to ascertain the Order of Shakspeare's Plays. Malone.

PERSONS REPRESENTED. Duke, living in Exile. Frederick, Brother to the Duke, and Usurper of his Dominions. Amiens, Lord attending upon the Duke in his Banishment. Jaques, Lord attending upon the Duke in his Banishment. Le Beau, a Courtier attending upon Frederick. Charles, his Wrestler. Oliver, Son of Sir Rowland de Bois. Jaques [Jaques de Bois], Son of Sir Rowland de Bois. Orlando, Son of Sir Rowland de Bois. Adam, Servant to Oliver. Dennis, Servant to Oliver. Touchstone, a Clown. Sir Oliver Mar-Text [Sir Oliver Martext], a Vicar. Corin, Shepherd. Sylvius [Silvius], Shepherd. William, a Country Fellow, in love with Audrey. A Person representing Hymen. Rosalind, Daughter to the banished Duke. Celia, Daughter to Frederick. Phebe, a Shepherdess. Audrey, a Country Wench. Lords belonging to the two Dukes; Pages, Foresters, and other Attendants. [Lord 1], [Lord 2], [Page 1], [Page 2] The SCENE lies, first, near Oliver's House; afterwards, partly in the Usurper's Court, and partly in the Forest of Arden. ^note

AS YOU LIKE IT.

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