The Preface.
I Might here (as it is very very Customary) beg leave to tell the
World the many inconveniences this hasty Peice has been expos'd to;
as the Season of the being so near Christmas &c. and charge all it's failings
upon them; but I am sufficiently satisfyed with it's reception :
and what other casualties have obstructed it's wellcome, have been
exceedingly made up by Mr. Montfort, Quem semper honoratum, &c. 'Twou'd
be Tautology to mention his extraordinary favours, which are already
sufficiently known, and need not my suffrage: but he that will scan
thoroughly the Series of his goodness to me, will find an unbyass'd
kindness, and generous pitty in every step. Nor shou'd I be backward
in acknowledging (I dare not call it the impartiall) favours of the
pardoning Audience. What can express a solid judgment, and sincere good
nature, more then to wink at faults, and applaud the least glimmering
of Wit. I have only one thing now to desire, which is, that upon reading
this, they who have seen the more publick representation, will not
wonder to find the Plot more thick, and severall Scenes which were
entirely omitted in the Action, to modell it into the ordinary bulk of a
Play. And here's a fresh occasion for my gratitude to Mr. Montfort, who
in the fith Act has not only corrected the tediousness by cuttng out a
whole Scene, but to make the Plot more clear, has put in one of his
own, which heightens his own Character, and was very pleasing to
the Audience. But in mentioning the brevity of the Play, I shall slip
into prolixity in the preface, and therefore leave the former to
entertain you.
