James Miller [1737], The universal passion. A comedy. As it is Acted at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane, By His Majesty's Servants (Printed for J. Watts at the Printing-Office in Wild-Court [etc.], London) [word count] [S34700].
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Introductory matter
TO Frederick Frankland, Esq;
SIR,
As the Share You
honour me with in
your Friendship is
what I highly value
my self upon, and as I have it
-- --
no way in my Power to make
any Return either for That, or
the many other Obligations you
have conferred on me, except the
Incense of a Grateful Heart, it
is with the highest Pleasure I
take this Opportunity of offering
that Tribute.
And yet at the same time I
am afraid lest I should give you
some Uneasiness, Sir, by this
publick manner of doing it; as
knowing your Favours to be so
absolutely disinterested, that 'tis
with Reluctance you suffer even
the bare Acknowledgment of
them.
-- --
The strict Regard I have had
to Decency and good Manners
throughout the following Piece
is the principal Merit I pretend
to in it, and I am satisfy'd, Sir,
that it is the most powerful Plea
I can possibly urge for your Acceptance
of it.
The extraordinary kind Reception
which this Performance
has met with from the Town
is a strong proof that People
may be very well diverted
with Exhibitions of this
kind, without the least Violence
being offered to Virtue,
Truth or Humanity, and
-- --
that the World is at present
happily inclin'd to support what
is produced with that Intention.
I am, with the greatest Respect,
SIR,
Your most obliged,
and most obedient
humble Servant.
-- --
PROLOGUE Spoken by Mr. CIBBER.
In those far Climes where Phœbus' absent Ray
A full Half-Year denies the Joys of Day,
All, thro' the dreary Land, sad Silence keep,
And, wrap'd in Darkness, only live to sleep:
But when gay Titan, with requickning Light,
Undraws the sable Curtains of the Night,
With Songs of Joy they hail him on the Road,
And bless the Influence of the Genial God.
Britannia thus, with Folly's Gloom o'ercast,
Has slumb'ring lain near half a Cent'ry past,
But now what Joy! to find the Night is o'er!
To see the Lamp of Science shine once more;
To see the Reign of Farce and Dulness end,
And Albion's noble Fair to Shakespear's Sense attend.
'Twas this gave Birth to our Attempt to-night,
Fond to bring more of his rich Scenes to light:
But conscious how unequal to the Task,
Our Bard scarce dares your Clemency to ask:
What Muse so sweet that can like Shakespear's sing!
What Pinions soar like Shakespear's Eagle Wing!
Howe'er, this Merit he at least can claim,
That sacred Decency's his constant Aim;
There's nought but what an Anchoret might hear,
No Sentence that can wound the chastest Ear:
Satire's keen Shafts he freely deals, 'tis true,
And boldly gives the Fool and Knave their Due,
Secure that none of those can glance on you.
To You, ye Fair, for Refuge now he flies,
And as you smile or frown, he lives or dies:
You are the ablest Judges of this Play,
Since Love's almighty Pow'r's his Theme to-day:
To your Protection Shakespear's Offspring take,
And save the Orphan for the Father's Sake.
-- --
Dramatis Personæ.
MEN.
Gratiano, Duke of Genoa, | Mr. Millward. |
Bellario, a young Venetian Lord, | Mr. Mills. |
Protheus [Proteus], a Nobleman of Genoa, | Mr. Quin. |
Joculo, a Court Jester, | Mr. Cibber. |
Byron, Bastard-Brother to the Duke, | Mr. Berry. |
Gremio, his Favourite, | Mr. Winstone. |
Lucentius, Tutor to Bellario, | Mr. Shephard. |
Porco, Constable of the Watch, | Mr. Harper. |
Asino, Constable of the Watch, | Mr. Mechlin. |
WOMEN.
Lucilia, Daughter to the Duke, | Mrs. Butler. |
Liberia, Neice to the Duke, | Mrs. Clive. |
Delia, Attendant on Lucilia, | Mrs. Pritchard. |
Priests, Messengers, Watchmen, Attendants, &c.
[Watchman 1], [Watchman 2], [Watchman 3], [Messenger]
SCENE GENOA.
-- 1 --
THE UNIVERSAL PASSION.
James Miller [1737], The universal passion. A comedy. As it is Acted at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane, By His Majesty's Servants (Printed for J. Watts at the Printing-Office in Wild-Court [etc.], London) [word count] [S34700].
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