 | Elfrid : or, the Fair Inconstant |  |
THE PREFACE.
I should not have troubled the Reader with a Preface, to a Work of this Nature, but in Defence of my little Judgment, which I wou'd not attempt to justifie in many Points; but it stands now accus'd of having led me to prefer the Actors of the Old House, when (say my Accusers) the Universal Voice of the Town has voted for the New One.
That Novelty is taking, be the Puppet-Shew a Witness; but, that it has led the Town to decide the Difference between the two Houses, in Favour of the New, is what I can by no means consent to. The Judicious Nobleman, who, by vertue of the Office he so deservedly holds, presides over Both the Houses, has given a very publick Proof, that no Partiality of Inclination shall have Power to make him prefer either: And, since they are left entirely to their Merit, I appeal to all the Knowing, and unprejudic'd Part of Mankind, whether Her Majesty's Company of Tragædians, in Drury-Lane, have not at least an equal Claim to Encouragement, with Her Majesty's Company of Comedians, in the Hay-market.
If Modesty, Sincerity, and Industrious Application,
are Motives sufficient to engage an Author in the
Interest of a Company, I have Reason on my side, in the
One Thing more I must add, and that is, When the Actors in Drury-Lane had labour'd long under such unsurmountable Difficulties, that my Lord Chamberlain himself, who had most Reason to prolong his Resentment, compassionated their Sufferings, and generously restor'd them to the Liberty he had Power to restrain, even then the Town dealt most hardly with 'em; and while their Misfortune, and Oppression, depriv'd 'em of the very Habits they were us'd to act in, made that their Crime, which was indeed their Misery.
However, the Clouds which eclips'd their Industry, are now blown over, and they begin to find the Encouragement due to their Merit; I shall therefore add no more on their Account, but proceed to say a Word or two upon my own.
I take this publick Opportunity to return my Thanks to
that generous Part of the Town, who remember'd, 'twas a
Third Night, and made so favourable an Appearance in
my Interest; and I can't omit doing Justice to the ingenious
Author of the Tender Husband, who endeavour'd as
much as possible to persuade the Manager of the New
House to put off that Play, and the Interest which was
made for it, to another Night. Mr. Steel is a Gentleman,
for whom I profess so entire an Esteem, that I cou'd not
have been uneasie, if any Thing, which was design'd to do
The Tragædy succeeded as well, as I cou'd have expected, especially when I consider 'tis an Entertainment out of Tast. I have not met with Friends enough to particularize the Errors, I have committed; therefore can only say, in general, that I endeavour'd to preserve the Unities to a greater Nicety, than, perhaps, an English Audience may think necessary. The Action is one, and entire; the Scene confin'd to the House, and Garden; and the time no more than the Play requires in its Representation.
If Regularity is a Fault, 'tis at least a very pardonable one: and tho' the Example of all the ancient Writers, and the Authority of their Commentators, may form a Plea sufficient to Justifie my Imitation; yet, I must confess, not Aristotle himself cou'd more prevail upon my little share of Reason, than the Opinion of a modern Prodigy, a Native of the Country, famous for great Writers, I need not tell the World that I mean Torquato Tasso, a Man of so acknowledg'd a Capacity, that 'twould be a Presumption in me to attempt his Character. I shall only add, that, as a Proof of the Veneration I profess to his Memory, I have attempted a Translation of his Godfrey of Bulloign, and shall very suddenly publish a Specimen and Proposal for Printing it by Subscription.
| Elfrid : or, the Fair Inconstant | |