George Lillo [1738], Marina: a play of three acts. As it is Acted at the Theatre Royal in Convent-Garden. Taken from Pericles Prince of Tyre. By Mr. Lillo (Printed for John Gray [etc.], London) [word count] [S32100].
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Introductory matter
TO THE Right Honourable the Countess of Hertford.
Madam,
Permit me to hope that you will
pardon the honest ambition
which has encourag'd me to
seek a proper Patroness for Marina
in your Ladyship; whose real character
gives countenance to the imaginary
one, and whose constant practice
is a living example of that steady virtue,
and exalted piety, which the Author
of the old Play from whence this
is taken, has happily described in his
Princess of Tyre.
Conscious of no mean views, and
secur'd by the universal acknowledgment
-- iv --
of your merit from the imputation
of flattery, I approach your Ladyship,
though a stranger, and without
any previous application, with the less
diffidence: If this Play should appear
on perusal to be designed to promote
something better than meer amusement,
that will effectually recommend
it to the favour of the Countess of
Hertford.
To place merit in the gifts of fortune,
and happiness in what an hour may,
and a few years certainly will bring to
an end, is the folly and misery of too
many who are reputed wise and great.
To be truly so is with your Ladyship
to regard the finest understanding, the
most fruitful invention, the happiest
elocution, talents far superior to wealth
and dignity, but as they subserve the
interest of truth and virtue, and render
the possessors of them, in the midst
of affluence, moderate even in the use
of lawful pleasures, humble in the
-- v --
most exalted stations, and capable of
living above the world, even in the
possession of all it can bestow. I am
afraid and unwilling to offend. But
as universal benevolence is the perfection
of virtue, your Ladyship must
suffer your own to be spoken of, however
painful it may be to you, that
others may not want a pattern for their
encouragement or reprehension, as
they shall improve or neglect it. A
truly great mind discovers it self by
nothing more than by a benign and
well plac'd condescension; of which
your Ladyship's known esteem for the
late excellent Mrs. Rowe, is a noble
instance, and an undoubted proof,
amongst many others which you daily
give, of the goodness of your heart
and understanding, and cannot be
mentioned but to your honour.
I can affirm, and I hope I shall be
thought sincere, that what I have said
doth not proceed from custom as a
-- vi --
Dedicator, but from a mind fully
convinc'd of its truth in every circumstance,
and a heart touch'd with a
character so very amiable.
That you may long live an ornament
and a support of those excellent
principles which you profess and practice,
and that your influence and
example may do all the good that you
your self can wish, is the earnest desire
of,
Your Ladyship's
Most obedient
Humble Servant,
Geo. Lillo:
-- 7 --
PROLOGUE.
Hard is the task, in this discerning age,
To find new subjects that will bear the stage;
And bold our bards, their low harsh strains to bring
Where Avon's Swan has long been heard to sing:
Blest Parent of our Scene! whose matchless wit,
Tho' yearly reap'd, is our best harvest yet.
Well may that genius every heart command,
Who drew all nature with her own strong hand;
As various, as harmonious, fair and great,
With the same vigour and immortal heat,
As through each element and form she shines:
We view Heav'ns hand-maid in her Shakespear's lines.
Though some mean scenes, injurious to his fame,
Have long usurp'd the honour of his Name;
To glean and clear from chaff his least remains,
Is just to him, and richly worth our pains.
We dare not charge the whole unequal play
Of Pericles on him; yet let us say,
As gold though mix'd with baser matter shines,
So do his bright inimitable lines
Throughout those rude wild scenes distinguish'd stand,
And show he touch'd them with no sparing hand.
With humour mix'd in your fore-fathers way,
We've to a single tale reduc'd our play.
Charming Marina's wrongs begin the scene;
Pericles finding her with his lost Queen,
Concludes the pleasing task. Shou'd as the soul,
The fire of Shakespear animate the whole,
Shou'd heights which none but he cou'd reach, appear,
To little errors do not prove severe.
If, when in pain for the event, surprize
And sympathetick joy shou'd fill your eyes;
Do not repine that so you crown an art,
Which gives such sweet emotions to the heart:
Whose pleasures, so exalted in their kind,
Do, as they charm the sense, improve the mind.
-- 8 --
Dramatis Personæ.
MEN.
Pericles, King of Tyre. | Mr. Stephens. |
Lysimachus, Governor of Ephesus. | Mr. Hallam. |
Escanes, Chief Attendant on Pericles. | Mr. Shelton. |
Leonine, A young Lord of Tharsus. | Mr. Stevens. |
Valdes, Captain of a Crew of Pirates. | Mr. Bowman. |
Bolt [Boult], A Pander. | Mr. Penkethman. |
WOMEN.
Thaisa, Queen of Tyre. | Mrs. Marshall. |
Philoten, Queen of Tharsus. | Mrs. Hamilton. |
Marina, Daughter to Pericles and Thaisa. | Mrs. Vincent. |
Mother Coupler, A Bawd. | Mr. W. Hallam. |
Gentlemen, Two Priestesses, Ladies, Officers, Guards, Pirates, and Attendants.
[Pirate 1], [Pirate 2], [Pirate 3], [Officer 1], [Priest 1], [Priest 2], [Gentleman]
-- 9 --
MARINA.
George Lillo [1738], Marina: a play of three acts. As it is Acted at the Theatre Royal in Convent-Garden. Taken from Pericles Prince of Tyre. By Mr. Lillo (Printed for John Gray [etc.], London) [word count] [S32100].
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