 | Earl Goodwin |  |
EXORDIUM.
FOR the few incidents (except imaginary ones) which compose the whole of this piece, the Reader must advert to the year 1042 of English history, at which period Edward the Confessor was crowned. This king was blindly zealous, and, if we judge from externals, the dupe of designing men. The fiery ordeal was enforced in his reign, and queen Emma, his mother, made the first example.—I cannot find any other woman recorded for this miraculous proof of virtue; and allow the event to be as unlikely, vague, and indefinite, as if I had passed the burning ploughshares myself. But as our good men were as easily convinced in that age as they are in this, I thought myself privileged in representing the incident to the immortal glory of Emma. In brief, there are many strokes of designed irony in the piece. Goodwin is seriously what I wish every man to be: but the whole is meant to influence the judgement, shield it from credulity, and teach the mind to act more from reason than superstitious romance.
And now, Ladies, here is a play without Love. I have neglected the god, and repented of it. In my next production I will give you a heroine, who, while she yields to love, is exalted by honour.
| Earl Goodwin | |