John Carrington [1739], The modern receipt: or, A Cure for Love. A comedy. Altered from Shakespeare. With Original Poems, Letters &c. (Printed for the Author, London) [word count] [S35300].
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Introductory matter
TO Mr. D. Bellamy jun.
Dear SIR,
My Inability of returning the
many Favours, I have receiv'd
from you, is the chief Inducement
of my laying the following
Sheets under your Protection.
It may appear somewhat strange, that
I should endeavour to acquit myself
of my former Obligations to you, by
desiring you to add one more to the
Number. But as the greatest Happiness
of a generous Soul, is to enjoy an Opportunity
of obliging; I doubt not, but
with your usual good Nature, you will
readily excuse my taking this Method
of expressing my Gratitude, and receive
-- --
under your Care an Infant Muse, which
owes to you, if not her Birth, at least
her nicest Instruction, and most happy
Improvements.
If my Success has been equal to my
Wish, and Endeavours, and you think
the following Pieces (in some measure) not
unworthy the Patronage, they seek from
you, I shall look upon it as no inconsiderable
Addition to the Happiness I some
Times enjoy, in being permitted to
subscribe myself,
Your most obedient,
and obliged,
humble Servant,
J. C.
-- --
PREFACE.
I am at a Loss what Excuse to make,
both to myself, and the World, for exposing
the following Sheets to the Perusal
of an impartial Reader: All I
can offer is, that they are the Product
of a few leisure Hours, designed only
for my private Amusement, and never intended to
be made Publick in any Shape whatever; but the
Complaisance of some Gentlemen, whom I am willing
to flatter myself so far, as to call my Friends,
has, in a Manner, enticed me into an Opinion of
them, and betray'd me into an Error, of which
few perhaps, of my Readers, will find themselves
inclinable to acquit me. I own the Task, I have
undertaken, is full of Dangers, and must appear
bold, and sanguine; since, from the Nature of Alterations,
every one will readily expect to find my
great Original in a Dress more agreeable, and
becoming, than any he has hitherto appeared in:
That this was the Ground of my Undertaking, no
one, I think, will dispute; how far I have succeeded
in it, is not for me to determine; I have at least the
Satisfaction of knowing, I did my endeavour to be
at once just to my Author, and Reader; and, in order
to my better succeeding, made Choice of a Play,
the most proper for my Design, as being chiefly different
from the reigning Taste, and least conspicuous
for modern Beauties.
It has been a very common Remark of the Alterers,
and Imitators of Shakespeare, that they have
grossly neglected his Beauties, and too frequently copied,
or reserved his Deformities. I have endeavoured
-- --
to avoid this Imputation as much as possible;
and if, at least, I have omitted any of his most
shining Passages, I will ingenuously confess it to be
owing to my Want of Judgment in distinguishing
them. I have taken the Liberty to make some Alterations
in the Plot, and Catastrophe, as well as
in great Part of the Language; the Character of
Hillario is entirely new, as is that of Marcellus, in
a great Measure.
I have nothing more to add with Regard to the
following Pieces, but to beg the Reader to peruse
them with as much Candour, and good Nature, as
possible: To the judicious Critick I submit them with
Pleasure; he will not refuse me a fair Trial; and,
if I then fall, it will be without Reluctance, or
Concern. As for those Gentlemen, whom (I will
not say Envy) but an ill-manner'd, unmanly Malice,
provokes to pointless Satire, I hope they will pardon
me, if I think them not worth offering an Excuse
to; but wrapping myself in the happy Content of
the divine Horace, express my Respect for them in
his beautiful Lines.
Men' moveat cimex Pantilius: aut crucier quod
Vellicat absentem Demetrius: aut quod ineptus
Fannius, Hermogenis lædat conviva Tigelli?
Plotius, & Varius, Mæcenas, Virgiliusque,
Valgius, & probet hæc Octavius optimus.
I cannot be guilty of so much Injustice as to conclude,
without observing, that I owe some of the best Scenes
in the Play, with Part of the Letters, &c. to a
Gentleman, whose Friendship I look upon as one of
the greatest Blessings of my Life; as also, a few of
the poetical Pieces, viz. the Epigram on Bromia;
on Death; Song to Amanda; Burlesque on Miss
S&wblank;n, &c. to another, to whom I am no less obliged,
and for whom I shall always, with Pleasure, acknowledge
the greatest Esteem, and Respect.
-- --
A List of the Subscribers.
A
Mr. Samuel Abson, of St. John's College, Cambridge.
Mr. James Ashley, Ludgate-Hill.
Mr. William Allen, Mitcham, Surrey.
Mr. William Anderson, Aldermanbury.
Mr. William Adkins.
B.
Thomas Plummer Byde, Esq; of Pembroke-Hall, Cambridge.
William Bryan, Esq; Bury St. Edmonds.
Mr. Dan. Bellamy, of St. John's Col. Oxf. 2 Books.
Mr. Daniel Bellamy, of Trin. Col. Cambridge, 6 Books.
Mrs. Martha Bellamy, Kingston, Surrey.
Miss Lois Bellamy.
Mr. John Banks of Sidney. Sussex Col. Cambridge.
Mr. William Bedford, of Sid. Sus. Col. Cambridge.
Mr. Samuel Birch, of Sid. Sus. Col. Cambridge.
Mr. John Berridge, A. M. of Clare-hall, Cambridge.
Mr. P. Bringloe, A. B. of Gonvil, and Caius Col. Cambridge.
Mr. &wblank; Brook, of Trin. Col. Cambridge.
Mr. Charles Bird of Trin. Col. Cambridge.
Mr. William Brockett, of Pemb. Hall, Cambridge.
Mr. Richard Baldwin, Bookseller, in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 6 Books.
Mr. Robert Baldwin.
Mr. John Bottrel, Doctors-Commons, 6 Books.
Mr. John Batty.
Miss Martha Blackbourn.
Mr. William Blackbourn.
Mr. John Blackbourn.
Mr. &wblank; Beaumont, of Oxf.
Mr. Thomas Butler.
Mr. Ephraim Bell.
Mr. Thomas Brayley, Surgeon, Mitcham, Surrey.
Mr. Gilbert Beasly, Westham, Essex.
Mr. Richard Boult.
Mr. Osb. Barwell.
Mrs. Rebecca Banks.
Mr. &wblank; Ball, Bury St. Edmonds.
C.
John Carrington, Esq; Alderman of the Town of Cambridge.
Captain James Carrington.
Mr. Joseph Carrington.
Mr. George Carrington.
Mr. Samuel Chitty, Thames-Street, 2 Books.
Mr. Henry Chitty, New-Ormond-Street.
Mr. William Cave, Fellow of St. John's Col. Oxf. 2 Books.
-- --
Mr. Thomas Carlyon, of Pemb. Hall, Cambridge.
Mr. William Cantrell, of St. John's Col. Camb.
Mr. Burk Cuppage, of Trin. Col. Cambridge.
Mr. John Cayley, of Jesus Col. Cambridge.
Mr. Thomas Calvert, of Christ's Col. Cambridge.
Mr. William Car, of St. John's Col. Cambridge.
Mr. Henry Close, of Sid. Sus. Col. Cambridge.
Mr. Thomas Collis, A. B. of St. John's Col. Oxford.
Mr. John Casberd, of St. John's Col. Oxf.
Mr. Richard Church, Organist of New Col. Oxf.
Mr. John Crank.
Mr. &wblank; Comber, Richmond, Surrey.
Mr. William Chambers.
Mr. &wblank; Colt.
Mr. John Crow.
D.
William Duncombe, Esq;
Andrew Ducarrel, Esq;
James Ducarrel, Esq;
Adrian Ducarrel, Esq;
Mr. Charles Dickinson, of St. John's Col. Cambridge.
Mr. James Dance, Commoner, of St. John's College, Oxford.
Mr. Isaac Davies, of C. C. C. Camb.
Mr. John Julien Debarry.
Mr. John Draper, Upper Tooting, Surrey.
Mr. Joseph Dyer.
Mr. Joseph Drake of Oxf.
Mr. Silas Duncombe, Doctors-Commons.
Mr. John Dewilde, Old-Baily.
Mr. Isaac Del-Valle.
Mr. Edward Dymock, 6 Books.
E.
Mr. John Ellis, of Jesus Col. Cambridge.
Mrs. Ann Eglington.
F.
Mr. George Foss, of Sid. Sus. Col. Cambridge.
Mr. James Fortrye, Fellow Commoner of Pemb. Hall. Cambridge.
Mr. Richard Fowler, of Pemb. Hall, Cambridge.
Mr. George Farran, of Trin. Col. Cambridge.
Mr. Francis Fisher, of Exeter College, Oxford.
Mr. Richard Farmer, Newgate-Market.
Mr. John Fuller, Westham, Essex.
Me. Josias Farrer, Doctors-Commons.
G.
Mr. Mark Gratton, of Pemb. Hall, Cambridge.
Mr. Dunham Gaines, of Pemb. Hall, Cambridge.
Mr. John Gay, of Pemb. Hall, Cambridge.
Mr. George Gostling, Proctor, in Doctors Commons.
Mrs. Martha Gamble.
Mr. John Grover, junior, Whitehall.
Mrs. Grove, Bury St. Edmonds.
-- --
H.
Mr. Hugh Hughes, of Trin. Col. Cambridge.
Mr. Robert Hunter, of Sid. Sus. Col, Cambridge.
Mr. Richard Haines.
Mr. John Hawkins.
Mr. Henry Horne.
Mrs. Mary Hall.
Mr. Joseph Heyward.
Mrs. Susannah Holland.
Mr. William Humphreys.
Mr. William Hulls.
Mr. Barthol. Hemsworth.
Mr. George Heyter.
Mr. Tho. Higgins, of Camb.
I.
Mr. Edward Jeffreys, A. B. of Trin. Col. Cambridge.
M. John Jembelin, of Trin. Hall, Cambridge.
Mr. Richard Jenour, of St. Peter's Col. Cambridge.
Mr. Matthew Jenour, Giltspur-Street.
Mr. Francis Jambelin.
Mr. John Jennings, Westham, Essex.
Mr. &wblank; Ince, 6 Books.
Mr. John Impey, Holbourn.
K.
Mr. Thomas Knight.
L.
Mr. William Lloyd, of Trin. Col. Cambridge.
Mr. Thomas Langstaff, of Trin. Col. Cambridge.
Mr. Thomas Langley.
Mr. James Lampriere.
M.
John Murden, Esq;
Miss Elizabeth Midwinter.
Mr. Edward Moises, of Trin. Col. Cambridge.
Mr. Pilkington Morgan, of Trin. Col. Cambridge.
Mr. Milner, Esq; Fellow Commoner, of Trin. Hall, Cambridge.
Mr. John Martin.
Mr. Oglander Myngs.
Mr. Samuel Mills.
Mr. Robert Morse, Mitcham, 6 Books.
Mr. James Morse, Mitcham, Surrey.
Mr. Henry Monnier.
Mr. William Merryfield.
N.
Mr. John Nursaw, A. B. of Trin. Col. Cambridge.
Mr. Groves Niblet, of Mitcham, Surrey.
O.
Mr. Marcellus Osborne, Fellow-Commoner, of St. John's Col. Cambridge.
P.
Mr. John Pemberton, of Trin. Col. Cambridge.
Mr. John Peel, of Pembroke Hall, Cambridge.
Mr. John Phelp, of St. John's College, Oxford.
Mrs. Mary Price, 6 Books.
Mr. Charles Price, Clement's-Inn.
Mr. Crommelin Pigou.
Mr. Peter Pigou.
Mr. Frederick Pigou.
Mr. John Pindleburg.
Mr. William Paunsfoot.
R.
William Roberts, Esq;
-- --
Thomas Rolls, Esq; 2 Books.
Richard Rawlinson, L. L. D.
Peter Richardson, Esq; of Pemb. Hall, Cambridge.
Mr. &wblank; Radley, of Trin. Col. Cambridge.
Mr. William Robinson, of Pemb. Hall, Cambridge.
S.
Mr. Joseph Sabine, of Trin. Col. Cambridge.
Mr. Sawyer Smith, of St. John's Col. Cambridge.
Mr. William Strahan, of Trin. Hall, Cambridge.
Mr. John Smith, of Pemb. Hall, Cambridge.
Mr. John Saunders, A. B. and Fellow of St. John's Col. Oxford.
Mr. Rich. Stayes, M. B. and Organist, of Mag. Col. Oxf.
Mr. &wblank; Simpson, 6 Books.
Mr. Paul Stevens, 6 Books.
Mr. Richard Sclater.
Mrs. Ann Smith.
Mr. Benjamin Seele.
Mr. Robert Saseby.
Mr. Paul Savignac, Mitcham, Surrey.
Mr. James Smith.
Mr. Richard Simpson.
Mr. John Stoor.
T.
The Honourable Edward Townshend, Esq; Fellow Commoner of Trin. Col. Cambridge.
Mr. George Tilson, A. B. of Trin. Col. Cambridge.
Mr. William Topham, of Sid. Sus. Col. Cambridge.
Mr. William Turner, of St. John's Col. Cambridge.
Mr. Thomas Troutbeck of Sid. Sus. Col. Camb.
Mr. Chris. Taylor, 6 Books.
Mr. John Tomlin.
Mr. Jacob Taylor.
Mrs. Mary Tibs.
Mr. Robert Theobald, Mourden, Surrey.
Mr. George Thicknesse.
U.
Mr. Thomas Ubank.
W.
Mr. John Wibbersley, of St. John's Col. Camb.
Mr. Thomas Wingfield, of St. John's Col. Cambridge.
Mr. Job Wallis, of Pemb. Hall, Cambridge.
Thomas Welham, Gent.
John Warral, Gent.
Mr. John Walker, 6 Books.
Mr. Robert Washbourne, St. John's Col. Oxford.
Mr. Thomas Weales, of St. John's Col. Oxford.
Mrs. Sarah Whiten.
Miss Frances Wightwick.
Mr. Walter Williams.
Miss Jemima Werden.
Miss Mary Walker.
Mr. John Willis.
Mr. Thomas Watson.
Mr. Arthur Walter.
Mr. Willoughby Warren.
Mr. Henry Wood.
Miss Elizabeth Wood, Bury St. Edmonds.
Y.
Mr. Samuel Yeomans.
-- --
TO THE Lovers of both Sexes.
Gentlemen, and Ladies,
I beg Leave to throw the following Work
under your Protection: The particular Regard,
I have ever maintained for you, together
with the Consideration, how much
it would be your Interest to support, and countenance, a
Piece, so manifestly calculated for your private Use and
Advantage, would not permit me to think of leaving your
joint Patronage uncourted.
As I have always had the Good of Mankind in general,
and of your Sect in particular, next my Heart, I
thought I could not employ too much Time, and Study,
to supply you with a Thing so universally necessary, as
A Cure for Love.
'Tis true, Gentlemen, and Ladies, the World looks
upon you as the most happy, as well as most considerable
Part of its Community: But—Fronti nulla Fides,—I beg
the Ladies Pardon—I mean the World may be mistaken;
and every one, who has been a Lover, knows how dearly
-- --
he would sometimes be glad to purchase, what I have
here laid before you.
Having exceedingly travell'd in the high Road of Love,
especially the theoretick Part of it, I find, as well from
the Consent of Authors, both antient, and modern, as
from speculative Consideration, this to be, if not the only
one, the most effectual Remedy for that epidemical Disease:
'Tis true, Ill-nature, bad Teeth, and the Small-Pox,
may go a great Way; but, after the Pains, and Expence,
I have been at in examining, and inquiring into
the Nature of the Thing, I think I may venture to pronounce
no Man really, actually, and absolutely cur'd,
restor'd, and plac'd in statu quo, till he has been—
married, at least—three Months;—the same may be
plicable to the Ladies.
Thus much for the Subject of your Patronage. But I
cannot err so grosly against the Nature of Epistles Dedicatory,
as to confine all my Flattery to myself, and my
Works; nor be guilty of so much Injustice, as to conclude
without taking notice of those many Virtues, you actually
(do, or ought to) possess. Not to mention certain requisite
Qualifications, such as a good Skin, a sweet Breath,
Skill in Dancing, &c. give me leave to observe, that Patience,
Complaisance, compleat Knowledge of the most
fashionable Expletives, Grace in Swearing, Absence of
Thought, Fondness for Solitude, and Soliloquy, an inexhaustible
Fund of eloquent Nonsense; with ten thousand
other Perfections, which it is impossible for me to enumerate,
or express, are, I may say, your distinguishing
and inherent Properties; and almost as inseparable from a
thorough Lover, as the Image, and Idea of his darling
Flame.
In short, Gentlemen and Ladies, under the Patronage,
and Protection of so numerous, and respected a Part of
-- --
the polite World, I expect to live till Time shall be no
more; and that Ages, buried far within its distant Womb,
shall be no Strangers to the Fame of him, who (by the
Way) places it all in being permitted to subscribe himself
with all Reverence, Respect, and Submission,
Gentlemen, and Ladies,
Your most obedient,
Most devoted,
Most oblig'd,
Humble Servant,
And Admirer;
(Not to say)
Affectionate Brother, &c.
-- --
PROLOGUE.
Our Author fears, in this malignant Age,
To risque his first Attempt upon the Stage;
He says, Ill-nature's there too much in Fashion;
And the poor Man cou'd never bear Damnation:
I bad him lay these idle Fears aside;
Told him Success was like a blushing Bride,
That yields to Force alone her blooming Charms,
And must be courted to her Lover's Arms;
I try'd what Arguments I could to win him;
But all in vain; I think the Devil's in him:
He say's, he'll first a safer Method prove,
And by Degrees, to greater Hazards move:
A bashful Fool, I wonder what he writ for!
These modest Poets, Lord, what are they fit for!
Give me the Bards, and such there are I think,
Whose dauntless Souls will at no Dangers shrink;
Whom Hisses scare not, Cat-calls threat in vain;
Who write and fail, and fail and write again:
Who can a falling Tragedy survive,
And try next Week how Comedy will thrive;
Who risque their Character to raise a Name,
And thro' Damnation boldly strike at Fame.
Besides,—says I,—you are not sure of failing;
Try;—if you're damn'd—why—please yourself with railing:
Perhaps you may a softer Treatment find;
The Town will to itself, at least, be kind:
The Piece to some small Merit may pretend,
And, what they like, they'll certainly defend.
To live, he with a scornful Smile reply'd,
Where oft so many braver Men have dy'd;
I must indeed be Fortune's darling Minion.
And,—now I think on't—I'm of his Opinion;
For, after all, on Stages, I'm afraid
Few can be sav'd, where damning is the Trade.
-- --
See what you Criticks of the Pit can do.
This Loss, if such it be, we owe to you:
Then say, ye dread Monopolists of Wit,
Who Lords supream in Playhouse Causes sit;
Who flock in Raptures on an Author's Day,
To feast your Spleen upon his mangled Play;
And, good, or bad, most bravely scorn to spare it;
Which of you all is ready to repair it?
No;—let pedantick Fools in Writing drudge,
It is enough a Man of Parts can judge.
Why there now; you to make our Hardships greater,
Damn what we have,—and never give us better.
Our prudent Author, to elude your Spite,
Wisely retires, and glories in his Flight;
He thinks all Dangers o'er in shunning you;
But—there are Criticks in the Closet too:
To these, he says, he'll boldly trust his Play;
They would not damn him for the World—not they:
Kind Souls!—I'll warrant they no Malice know:—
Well—after all I wish he finds it so.
To these however we must now address us,
Then do not rashly in our Bloom oppress us;
'Tis the first Sally,—wou'd you but befriend it,
Perhaps uext Year the Gentleman may mend it:
To you he humbly doth his Cause submit,
Resolv'd to stand or fall as you think fit;
He sues for Favour;—(Criticks must be flatter'd)
And begs you—if you can—to be good-natur'd.
-- --
Dramatis Personæ.
MEN.
Frederick, Lawful Duke of Liege, but deposed and
banished by his Brother Ferdinand.
Marcellus, A sullen, morose Lord; a great Woman. Hater, but at length in Love with Julia.
Antonio, A Nobleman attending on the Duke.
Leonati, A Nobleman of Liege.
Vincentio, His Brother, in Love with Camilla.
Hillario, A merry Courtier, attending on the Princesses.
Fidelio, Servant to Vincentio.
A Shepherd.
WOMEN.
Camilla, Daughter to Duke Frederick, in Love with Vincentio.
Julia, Daughter to Duke Ferdinand, in Love with Marcellus.
Lords, Gentlemen, Attendants, Messenger, &c.
[Servant], [Lord 1], [Lord], [Gentleman]
SCENE, during the first Act, in Liege in Germany; all the rest of the Play in the Forest of Arden.
-- 1 --
THE MODERN RECEIPT: OR, A CURE for LOVE.
John Carrington [1739], The modern receipt: or, A Cure for Love. A comedy. Altered from Shakespeare. With Original Poems, Letters &c. (Printed for the Author, London) [word count] [S35300].
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