names of some of the D. P. are changed-thus we have Ursaces for Posthumus-Shatillion (a Frenchman) for Jachimo, and Eugenia for Imogen-Pisanio is still the friend of Ursaces, but he is turned into a Lord, and made the father of Clarina, the Princess' confidant-Bellarius is as before-but the part of Guiderius is given to Arviragus, and the other young prince is called Palladour-Cloten's part is much as in the original, except as to the dialogue. Act 1st begins with the parting of Ursaces and Eugenia-only some few lines are from Shakspeare —after Ursaces has made his exit, D'Urfey adds about 5 pages the 2d scene lies in France-Ursaces enters, and the Wager between him and Shatillion takes place this is mostly from Shakspeare. Act 2d-in the 1st scene there are only some few lines from Shakspeare-the 2d scene is between Shatillion and Eugenia-about half of it is from Shakspeare the Queen gives Pisanio the supposed poison-Eugenia is discovered in bed, and Shatillion gets out of the chest-this scene is not materially altered-Cloten enters with the musicians-and Eugenia speaks some few lines from Shakspeare about the loss of her bracelet. Act 3d-Shatillion produces the bracelet, and Ursaces is convinced of his wife's infidelity-this scene is chiefly from Shakspeare-Bellarius &c. enter from the cave this scene is in part from ShakspearePisanio enters with Eugenia in man's clothes-he believes her false to Ursaces, but spares her life-he gives her the phial which he had received from the Queen-this scene is almost all of it D'Urfey's. Act 4th-the Queen is enraged at Eugenia's escape and orders Cloten's friend, Jachimo, to punish Clarina for concealing it-Eugenia enters at the cave— about a third of this scene is from Shakspeare— scene 3d-Pisanio enters--and then Cloten-in Ursaces' clothes-Jachimo drags in Clarina-Pisanio fights with Jachimo-Clarina runs off-Pisanio kills Jachimo, but is wounded by Jachimo, and has his eyes put out by Cloten-then follows the next scene at the cave-chiefly from Shakspeare-Eugenia is left on the stage as dead--she recovers soon after the entrance of Lucius-the scene is said to shut upon Cloten's dead body-but it had never been brought in-Arviragus expressly says he had left it "in yonder " thicket"-D'Urfey closes the act with a new scene between Bellarius, Arviragus, and Palladour. Act 5th begins with a soliloquy by Ursaces-the battle ensues, and Ursaces saves Cymbeline's lifeShatillion enters disguised as a Briton-he is killed by Ursaces, and acknowledges Eugenia's innocence -Ursaces and Eugenia are reconciled-Cymbeline discovers his sons-most of this act is D'Urfey's. This is a vile alteration of Cymbeline-but still enough of the original is retained to prevent the play from being a very bad one-part of the soliloquy, with which the last act begins, is so egregiously unsuitable to the time of Cymbeline, that it deserves to be quoted-Ursaces says, that if every woman that forfeits honour should be deprived of life— "The full fed city-dame would sin in fear; 66 In the 3d act Ursaces gives his servant a letter, and says 66 Fly, Sirrah, with this to the packet-boat." In justice to D'Urfey it must be added that some of his additions are not despicable-in the Epilogue D'Urfey calls his play a Comedy, and says it was written 9 years ago--for a cast of this play see L. I. F. Jan. 7 1720-and C. G. March 20 1738. Malone tells us that in the 4to edition of Much ado about Nothing, Kempe and Cowley are said to enter instead of Dogberry and Verges-the 2d act of this play begins thus-" Enter behind Cymbeline, Queen, 66 a Purse, Pisanio, Doctor and Guards, a Viol, Mrs. "Holten, Sue.”—Mrs. Holten was perhaps Mrs. Holden, one of the 8 original actresses of the Duke's Company, of whom Downes relates the ludicrous story. Downes, as was before observed, does not give so good an account of the theatrical transactions of the King's Company as could be wished he gives us indeed the cast of 15 of the principal old stock plays, which were acted at the T. R. between 1663 and 1682, but as he does not arrange them under any particular year, it was impossible to insert them in their proper places. 1. Humorous Lieutenant-see 1663. 2. Rule a Wife and have a Wife-see 1663-this has always been considered as an excellent Comedy -there are very few plays indeed, in which two distinct plots are so happily united. 3. Fox-see T. R. Jan. 14 1665. 4. Silent Woman-see T. R. June 1 1664. 5. Alchemist-see T. R. Aug. 3 1664. 6. Maid's Tragedy-for the cast see T. R. Dec. 7. 1666-this T. is one of Beaumont and Fletcher's best plays—it was at this time very popular, but the plot is unfortunately so indecent, that no alteration could make it palatable to a modern audience-Aspatia, who gives the title to the play, is the daughter of Calianax-she was betrothed to Amintor, but had been deserted by him—at the opening of the play, Amintor by the King's command had just married Evadne— on the wedding night, she tells him that he must not touch her, as she is the King's mistress; and that she only married him for her own convenience—he is much offended at being treated in this manner, but is too loyal to resent it-Melantius, the brother of Evadne, and the particular friend of Amintor, is not so scrupulous--he first brings his sister to a just sense of her conduct, and then instigates her to kill the King-in the last scene, Aspatia, in the disguise of a man, and pretending to be her own brother, with difficulty provokes Amintor to fight-she purposely suffers herself to be killed-Amintor is sincerely penitent for the injuries he has done to herEvadne and Amintor kill themselves-In the cha racter of Amintor, Fletcher has carried loyalty to its utmost extent-in the 2d act he vows vengeance against Evadne's paramour-but when he finds him to be the King, he says 66 Oh, thou hast nam'd a word that wipes away "All thoughts revengeful! in that sacred name, "The King, there lies a terror: what frail man "Dares lift his hand against it? let the gods Speak to him when they please: till then, let us "Suffer and wait." In the 3d act, the King taunts him in the grossest manner Amintor replies "As you are mere man, 66 66 My rising passions: as you are my King, Melantius threatens to kill the Kingobserves -Amintor "A curse will follow that take heed, "There's not the least limb growing to a King "But carries thunder in it." In the 5th act, after Evadne has killed the Kinghe says "Thou hast touch'd a life, "The very name of which had pow'r to chain |
