Title page KING RICHARD II. A TRAGEDY, by SHAKESPEARE. 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. MDCCLXXIV.

INTRODUCTION.

KING RICHARD II. Of the many historical subjects our Author laid hold of, few allowed more scope for interesting stage matter than the subject of this play; but by neglecting the queen so much some pathetic scenes are lost; as it stands there are great beauties and many superfluities. The characters are faithfully and ably delineated; yet, Richard, Bolingbroke, and York excepted, possess rather too little importance; however it is very alterable for representation, and would be a valuable addition to the stage. It is matter of wonder that Mr. Garrick, who would have supported Richard admirably, never reformed this tragedy.

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. King Richard [King Richard the Second]. John of Gaunt. Duke of York [Edmund of Langley]. Bolingbroke [Henry Bolingbroke]. Duke of Aumerle. Duke of Norfolk [Thomas Mowbray]. Duke of Surrey. Earl of Northumberland: Henry Percy, his Son. Earl Berkley [Earl Berkeley]. Earl of Salisbury. Lord Ross. Lord Willoughby. Lord Fitzwater. Lord Marshal. Bishop of Carlisle. Abbot of Westminster. Bushy, Creature of Richard. Green, Creature of Richard. Bagot, Creature of Richard. Sir Stephen Scroop. Sir Pierce of Exton. Captain of a Band of Welshmen. Two Heralds [Herald 1], [Herald 2]. A Gardener. Richard's Keeper. A Groom. Serv. of York. Serv. of Exton. Serv. of the Gardener. Isabel [Queen Isabel], Richard's Queen. Dutchess of Gloster [Dutchess of Gloucester]. Dutchess of York [Dutchess of York]. Lady attending the Queen. Lords, and other Attendants: Officers, Soldiers, &c. [Servant], [Captain], [Lady 1], [Gardener], [Servant 1], [Groom], [Keeper] SCENE, dispersed; in England and Wales.

Main text

Next section