Nahum Tate [1682], The ingratitude of a Common-Wealth: Or, the fall of Caius Martius Coriolanus. As it is acted at the Theatre-Royal. By N. Tate (Printed by T. M. for Joseph Hindmarsh [etc.], London) [word count] [S30600].
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Introductory matter
TO The Right Honourable CHARL'S Lord Herbert, Eldest Son to the Marquess of Worcester, &c.
My Lord,
Your Lordship's favour for Learning in General, has
encourag'd me to begg your Patronage of the following
Sheets, which contain a remarkable piece of Roman
History, though form'd into Play. I have yet another
Plea for Pardon, since I impose not on your Lordship's Protection
a work meerly of my own Compiling; having in this Adventure
Launcht out in Shakespear's Bottom. Much of what is offered
here, is Fruit that grew in the Richness of his Soil; and what
ever the Superstructure prove, it was my good fortune to build
upon a Rock. Upon a close view of this Story, there appear'd
in some Passages, no small Resemblance with the busie Faction of
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our own time. And I confess, I chose rather to set the Parallel
nearer to Sight, than to throw it off at further Distance. Yet
there are none that can apply any Part (as Satyr) on themselves,
whose Designs and Practises are not of the same Cast. What
offence of any good Subject in Stygmatizing on the Stage, those
Troublers of the State, that out of private Interest or Mallice,
Seduce the Multitude to Ingratitude, against Persons that are not
only plac't in Rightful Power above them; but also the Heroes
and Defenders of their Country.
Where is the harm of letting the People see what Miseries
Common-Wealths have been involv'd in, by a blind Compliance
with their popular Misleaders: nor may it be altogether amiss, to
give these Projecters themselves, examples how wretched their dependence
is on the uncertain Crowd. Faction is a Monster that often
makes the slaughter 'twas designed for; and as often turns its
fury on those that hatcht it. The Moral therefore of these Scenes
being to Recommend Submission and Adherence to Establisht Lawful
Power, which in a word, is Loyalty; They have so far a natural
Claim to your Lordship's Acceptance: This Virtue seeming Inheritance
in Your Lordship, and deriv'd from your Ancestours with
Your Blood. We cannot cast an Eye on the sufferings of His late
Majesty, but we find in broad Letters, the Allegiance and Services
of Your Lordship's most honourable Grand-Father, who stopt at
no Expence of Blood or Fortunes on His behalf; nor was Providence
wanting to Crown his Singular worth with a Signal
Glory.
When Civil Discord thro' the Realm had Reign'd,
And English Swords with English Blood were Stain'd,
When out of Zeal Religion was expell'd,
And Men for Conscience 'gainst their Prince Rebell'd,
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The Best of Princes—When the Pow'r Divine,
(On Purposes too deep for Reason's Line)
Gave Rebell-Arms Success, and seem'd to bring
Distress at once upon our Saint and King.
Not Jesse's Son seem'd better form'd to Reign,
Nor were his Worthies of a Nobler Strein!
But what Relief can bravest Valour lend,
When Heroes, not with Foes, but Fate Contend?
The Age's Crimes for no less Curse did Call,
And 'tis Decreed the Royal Cause must Fall!
Of Conquest thus by Destiny Bereft,
Our blasted War has yet one Garland Left.
Alone the Foes united Strength to Fight,
And Strike the last Fam'd Blow for Royal Right.
This Honour to the Noble Worcester Fell,
Who, alwayes Brave, Himself did now Excel,
His Friends, his Troops, his† note House, his Cittadel!
Here, tho' reduc'd to last Extreams He Lies,
His cheerful Cannon still the Foe Defies;
The more Distres't, the more his Virtue Shines,
His Courage Rising as his Strength Declines:
Oft from Unequal Force he Guards his Walls,
Oft in fierce Sallyes on the Leaguer Falls.
Thus while Expir'd the other Members Lye,
Worc'ster Stirs Last the Heart of Loyalty.
Pardon my Lord this Start, for the Subject is scarce to be
bought on without Transport. Nor has the same Fidelity to the
Crown been wanting to compleat the Character of the present Marquess
of Worcester; whose Eminent Virtues have rendred him
in Ornament both of our Court and Age. What Expectations then
he World conceives of Your Lordship is easily imagin'd, and what
Instances of Noblest Qualifications Your Lordship has already given,
he World needs no Information: Besides the Goodness of Your
-- --
Lordship's Temper, and the Justice of your Principles; your Acquaintance
with Books, and Judgment in Affairs, so far transcend Your
Years, as would secure me from Flattery, though I should Launch into
a Panegyrick. But I come to beg Protection, not to give Praise;
My greatest Ambition being to Subscribe my Self,
Your Lordships
most Obedient
humble Servant,
N. Tate.
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PROLOGUE
Written by Sir George Raynsford.
Our Author do's with modesty submit,
To all the Loyal Criticks of the Pit;
Not to the Wit-dissenters of the Age,
Who in a Civil War do still Engage,
The antient fundamental Laws o'th' Stage:
Such who have common Places got, by stealth,
From the Sedition of Wits Common-Wealth.
From Kings presented, They may well detract,
Who will not suffer Kings Themselves to Act.
Yet he presumes we may be safe to Day,
Since Shakespear gave Foundation to the Play:
'Tis Alter'd—and his sacred Ghost appeas'd;
I wish you All as easily were Pleas'd:
He only ventures to make Gold from Oar,
And turn to Money, what lay dead before.
But now I spy Tyrannick Judges here;
What pitty 'tis so Fair, and so Severe!
Fine Lady Criticks—on whose fragrant Breath,
Depends the Plays long Life, or sudden Death.
From them the Poet must receive his Doom,
Just as Affairs succeed with them at Home:
We hope the Paraquit and Squirrel's well,
Else we are Damn'd to th'very Pit of Hell.
Sir John is kind—and nothing goes Amiss,
Else we shall have a scurvy Night of this!
If we shou'd here present a Husband cross,
And the Revenge neglected by his Spouse,
'Twere Death in us—nay some of 'em wou'd Rage,
Because he's not made Cuckold on the Stage:
But who shall be that happy Undertaker,
Since each wou'd strive to be that Cuckold-maker?
-- --
THE PERSONS.
Caius Martius Coriolanus,
Cominius, Consul.
Menenius, A blunt old Souldier, and Friend to Coriolanus.
Brutus, Tribune of the People, Factious, and Enemy to Coriolanus.
Sicinius, Tribune of the People, Factious, and Enemy to Coriolanus.
Tullus Aufidius, General of the Volsces.
Nigridius, A Villain; discarded by Caius Martius, and receiv'd by Aufidius.
Volumnia, Mother to Caius Martius.
Virgilia, His Wife.
Young Martius [Marcius], His Child.
Valeria, An affected, talkative, fantastical Lady.
Citizens, Senators, Souldiers, Messengers, Servants.
[Citizen 1], [Citizen 2], [Decius], [Servant], [Senator], [Soldier 1], [Soldier 2], [Soldiers], [Roman 1], [Roman 2], [Roman 3], [Senator 1], [Citizen 3], [Citizen 4], [Citizen 5], [Citizen 6], [Aedile], [Servant 1], [Servant 2], [Servant 3], [Officer], [Lord 1], [Lord 2],
SCENE, The Citties of Rome and Corioles.
-- 1 --
The Ingratitude OF A Common-Wealth.
Nahum Tate [1682], The ingratitude of a Common-Wealth: Or, the fall of Caius Martius Coriolanus. As it is acted at the Theatre-Royal. By N. Tate (Printed by T. M. for Joseph Hindmarsh [etc.], London) [word count] [S30600].
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