PREFACE.
In Compliance to the Bookseller's importunity,
we are oblig'd to tell the Town something
by way of Preface, tho' the Author
being at a great distance from the HOUSE at
the time of Representation, can say less of it than
the most indifferent Person that was there. All
agree, that Almyna was admirably Acted, and
advantagiously Dress'd: The first was owing to
Mr. Betterton's unwearied care, (who is desired to
accept the Author's acknowledgments for so faithfully
discharging the Trust that was repos'd in
him;) the second to Mr. Swiny (who, with the
like regard, may be assur'd of the Author's Respects,
for venturing upon the good Opinion of
the Play, to make so great an Expence) tho' they
may be both justly condemn'd for playing it, at
so ill-fated a Time, viz. The immediate Week
before Christmas between Devotion and Camilla (the
Eunuch having then never Sung but once) it
met with as good Audiences as could be expected.
Mr.
Wilks (the Ornament and Support of the declining
Stage) had a long Indisposition that follow'd
soon after. Then Mrs.
Bracegirdle's quitting the
House, three days before it was to have been
Play'd again, with the Alterations annex'd,
has hitherto hinder'd us to see what better Fortune
it might have; had tho' Mrs.
Barry scarce
ever play'd better, nor Mrs.
Bracegirdle (in
Tragedy) so well, nor with such variation of
Voice. She so far Acted her self into the kind
Wishes of the Town, that in Compliment to
their better Opinion, the Author has thought fit
to make her happy in her Lover. In the next Representation,
the Ceremony in the first Act is
design'd to be omitted, upon the dislike of that
incomparable LADY, to whom this
Play is
Inscrib'd, who is Mistriss of a Genius not to be
deriv'd from a less glorious Original, than the immortal
Earl of
Rochester.
The Fable is taken from the Life of that great
Monarch, Caliph Valid Almanzor, who Conquer'd
Spain, with something of a Hint from
the Arabian Nights Entertainments. The Character
of Almyna was drawn (tho' faintly) from
that excellent Pen of Mr.
Dennis, who, in his
Essay
upon Opera's, has given us a View of what
Heroick Vertue ought to attempt: That it was
printed no earlier, was upon the expectation of
Mrs.
Bracegirdle's return to the Stage. But the
Season being far advanced, 'tis hoped, that the
publishing of it, may be a Means to prepare
the Town against next Winter, for a new and
kind Reception of it.
Farewel.
