Title page
THE Merry Wives of Windsor. A COMEDY, 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.
If, as we are told, Queen Elizabeth relished the former
parts of Falstaff so much, as to express a wish of seeing
him produced in love, it was a great compliment to the Author,
and such a one as not a tythe of female spectators, from
that time to this, would pay the Knight. Rhodomontades, lies,
and jollity, have but an awkward relish with the softer sex:
however, he is, beyond doubt, a rich, well-drawn, ably-finished
portrait, and maintaining him with so much, though
not equal, vigour, through three pieces, shows most evidently
a rich and powerful genius. By royal command we learn this
comedy was written, and with remarkable expedition. We
may place it then under two disadvantages; first, being a subject
not suggested by the author, but as we may say imposed;
secondly, the hurry with which it was composed; in this light,
we should rather dwell upon its beauties, than its faults. The
characters are numerous, and well contrasted; the business
tolerably good, and some of Falstaff's scenes admirably written.
There are several passages which trifle very much with
patience, but a lesson of use flows from the whole; vain
concupiscence and groundless jealousy are ridiculed in a commendable manner.
