Title page
CYMBELINE, A TRAGEDY, by SHAKESPEARE, AS PERFORMED AT THE THEATRE-ROYAL, DRURY-LANE.
Regulated from the PROMPT-BOOK, With PERMISSION of the MANAGERS, By Mr. HOPKINS, Prompter.
An INTRODUCTION, and NOTES Critical and Illustrative, ARE ADDED BY THE AUTHORS of the DRAMATIC CENSOR.
LONDON:
Printed for JOHN BELL, near Exeter-Exchange, in the Strand; and C. ETHERINGTON, at York.
MDCCLXXIII.
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INTRODUCTION.
CYMBELINE.
We cannot think Shakespeare at all in luck, when he chose
the subject of this play; it is far too diffuse, and very disjointed
in the fable; however, though incumbered with
monstrous breaches of dramatic unity, yet, upon the
whole, in its present state, it is very pleasing and pathetic;
the part of Imogen is embellished with some of
the softest and most delicate poetical tints; she is one
of Shakespeare's best female characters, and, with some
passages in Posthumus, Iachimo, Pisanio, Bellarius,
and the young princes, may apologize amply for several
languid, make-shift scenes, which occasionally creep in—
As to the alteration, we refer to Mr. Garrick's own advertisement.
“The admirers of Shakespeare must not
take it ill, that there are some scenes, and consequently
many fine passages, omitted in this edition of Cymbeline.
It was impossible to retain more of the play, and bring it
within the compass of a night's entertainment. The
chief alterations are in the division of the acts, in the
shortening many parts of the original, and transposing
some scenes. As the play has met with so favourable a
reception from the publick, it is hoped that the alterations
have not been made with great impropriety.”
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DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.
Drury-Lane.
Covent-Garden.
Cymbeline,
Mr. Hurst.
Mr. Morris.
Cloten,
Mr. Dodd.
Mr. Lewes.
Posthumus [Posthumus Leonatus],
Mr. Reddish.
Mr. Bensley.
Arviragus,
Mr. Brereton.
Mr. R. Smith.
Guiderius,
Mr. Cautherly.
Mr. Wroughton.
Bellarius [Belarius],
Mr. J. Aickin.
Mr. Clarke.
Philario,
Mr. Wright.
Mr. Bates.
Iachimo,
Mr. Palmer.
Mr. Smith.
Caius Lucius,
Mr. Bransby.
Mr. Gardner.
Pisanio,
Mr. Packer.
Mr. Hull.
Frenchman,
Mr. Fawcet.
Mr. Davis.
Cornelius,
Mr. Wrighten.
Mr. Redman.
1 Gentleman,
Mr. Ackman.
2 Gentleman,
Mr. Wheeler.
Queen,
Mrs. Hopkins.
Mrs. Vincent.
Imogen,
Miss Younge.
Mrs. Bulkley.
Helen,
Mrs. Smith.
Miss Pearce.
Lords, Ladies, Roman Senators, Tribunes, Captains, Soldiers,
Messengers, and other Attendants.
