George Granville [1701], The Jew of Venice. A Comedy. As it is Acted at the Theatre in Little-Lincolns-Inn-Fields, By His Majesty's Servants (Printed for Ber. Lintott [etc.], London) [word count] [S37300].
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Introductory matter
ADVERTISEMENT TO THE READER.
The Foundation of the following Comedy being liable
to some Objections, it may be wonder'd that any one
should make Choice of it to bestow so much Labour upon:
But the judicious Reader will observe so many Manly and Moral
Graces in the Characters and Sentiments, that he may excuse the
Story, for the Sake of the Ornamental Parts. Undertakings of
this kind are justify'd by the Examples of those Great Men
who have employ'd their Endeavours the same Way: The only
Dramatique Attempt of Mar. Waller was of this Nature, in his
Alterations of the Maid's Tragedy: To the Earl of Rockester we
owe, Valentinian: To the Duke of Buckingham, The Chance s
Sir William Davenant and Mr. Dryden united, in restoring the
Tempest: Troilus and Cressida, Timon, and King Lear, were the
Works of three succeeding Laureats: Besides many others,
too many to mention. The Reader may please moreover to
take Notire, (that nothing may be imputed to Shakespear which
may seem unworthy of him) that such Lines as appear to be
markt, are Lines added, to make good the Connexion where
there was a necessity to leave out; in which all imaginable
-- --
Care has been taken to imitate the same fashion of Period, and
turn of Stile and Thought with the Original. What other
Alterations have been requisite as to the change of Words, or
single Lines, the Conduct of Incidents, and Method of Action
throughout the whole Piece, to bring it into the Form and
Compass of a Play, would be superfluous to examin, every
Reader being able to satisfy himself, if he thinks fit, by comparing.
-- --
PROLOGUE.
The Ghosts of Shakespear and Dryden arise Crown'd with Lawrel.
Written by Bevill Higgons, Esq;
Dry.
This radiant Circle, reverend Shakespear, view;
An Audience only to thy Buskin due.
Shakes.
A Scene so noble, antient Greece ne'er saw,
Nor Pompey's Dome, when Rome the World gave Law.
I feel at once both Wonder and Delight,
By Beauty warm'd, transcendently so bright,
Well, Dryden, might'st thou sing; well may these Hero's fight.
Dryd.
With all the outward Lustre, which you find,
They want the nobler Beauties of the Mind.
Their sickly Judgments, what is just, refuse,
And French Grimace, Buffoons, and Mimicks choose;
Our Scenes desert, some wretched Farce to see;
They know not Nature, for they tast not Thee.
Shakes.
Whose stupid Souls thy Passion cannot move,
Are deaf indeed to Nature and to Love.
When thy Ægyptian weeps, what Eyes are dry!
Or who can live to see thy Roman dye.
Dryd.
Thro' Perspectives revers'd they Nature view,
Which give the Passions Images, not true.
Strephon for Strephon sighs; and Sapho dies,
Shot to the Soul by brighter Sapho's Eyes:
No Wonder then their wand'ring Passions roam,
And feel not Nature, whom th'have overcome.
For shame let genal Love prevail agen,
You Beaux Love Ladies, and you Ladies Men.
Shakes.
These Crimes unknown, in our less polisht Age,
New seem above Correction of the Stage;
Less Heinous Faults, our Justice does pursue;
To day we punish a Stock-jobbing Jew.
A piece of, Justice, terrible and strange;
Which, if pursu'd, would make a thin Exchange.
-- --
The Law's Defect, the juster Muse supplies,
Tis only we, can make you Good or Wise,
Whom Heav'n spares, the Poet will Chastise.
These Scenes in their rough Native Dress were mine;
But now improv'd with nobler Lustre shine;
The first rude Sketches Shakespear's Pencil drew,
But all the shining Master stroaks are new.
This Play, ye Criticks, shall your Fury stand,
Adorn'd and rescu'd by a faultless Hand.
Dryd.
I long endeavour'd to support thy Stage,
With the faint Copies of thy Nobler Rage,
But toyl'd in vain for an Ungenerous Age.
They starv'd me living; nay, deny'd me Fame,
And scaree now dead, do Justice to my Name.
Wou'd you repent? Be to my Ashes kind,
Indulge the Pledges I have left behind.
Dramatis Personæ.
MEN.
| Bassanio. | Gentleman of Venice, and Friend. | Mr. Betterton. |
| Antonio. | Gentleman of Venice, and Friend. | Mr. Verbruggen. |
| Gratiano. | Companion to Bassanio and Antonio. | Mr. Booth. |
| Lorenzo. | In Love with Jessica. | Mr. Baily. |
| Shylock. | The Jew. | Mr. Dogget. |
| Duke of Venice. | Mr. Harris. |
WOMEN.
| Portia. | A Rich Heiress. | Mrs. Bracegirdle. |
| Nerissa. | Her Friend. | Mrs. Bowman. |
| Jessica. | Daughter to the Jew. | Mrs. Porter. |
Officers belonging to the Court of Justice, Servants and Attendants, Men and Women.
[Servant], [Jupiter], [Prometheus], [Peleus], [Thetis], [Chorus], [Officer]
SCENE Venice.
-- 1 --
The Jew of Venice.
George Granville [1701], The Jew of Venice. A Comedy. As it is Acted at the Theatre in Little-Lincolns-Inn-Fields, By His Majesty's Servants (Printed for Ber. Lintott [etc.], London) [word count] [S37300].
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