THE BOOKSELLER TO THE READER.
Philip
Massanger, the Original Author of this Play,
as Mr. Langbain gives us the Account, was born at
Salisbury, Anno Dom. 1584. He was a Gentleman of
University Education in Alban-Hall, Oxon. He was
extreamly belov'd by all the Poets of that Age, which is
sufficiently evident by several of the most eminent joining
with him in their several Labours. He has publish'd 14
Plays entirely of his own Writing, (which, I have been inform'd,
were revis'd by Mr. Rowe before his Death, and
design'd by him for the Press) besides several others that he
had a great Hand in. But this Play was reckon'd in his
Life-Time to be the best of his Works. What Additions
have been made since his Death, (if any one will give
themselves the Trouble to read the Original) will, I hope,
find they have done no Injury to his Memory. I only
wonder such an excellent Play has escap'd being alter'd
by some of our modern Poets. I don't doubt but the Reading
and the Representation will be equally agreeable. I
shall not say any Thing of the Gentleman's Abilities that
took the Trouble to alter it; but this I am sure, he would
not have taken the Pains, if the Goodness of the Play had
not spoke for its self.
