[40] This play, in the third edition from which it is here printed, received some additions and improvements. The first performance of it was at court; and on its appearance on the stage at the Duke's Theatre it met with great applause, and was acted thirteen nights successively. Echard, in the preface to his translation of Terence, gives it this general character, that it "is one of the pleasantest stories that ever appeared upon our stage, and has as much variety of plots and intrigues, without anything being precipitated, improper or unnatural, as to the main action." In the year 1767, Mr Hull made some alterations in it, with which it was acted at Covent Garden Theatre about nine nights, under the title of "The Perplexities." To the second edition were prefixed complimentary verses by James Long, J. Evelyn, A. Cowley Jasper Nedham, M.D., Lod. Carlile, Chr. Wase, William Joyner, and one copy signed Melpomene. In Sir Wm. Davenant's Works, p. 339, is a prologue written by him, addressed to the Lord Chancellor, on the acting of this play at the Inner Temple. [41] Till now the measure was spoiled by the omission of the word _all_. The four editions read the line as it now stands. The play has been hitherto very carelessly printed, and a few of the errors are pointed out in the notes.--_Collier._ [But it must be added that even Mr Collier left the text and (more particularly) the punctuation in so corrupt a state, that many passages were unintelligible.] [42] [Former edits., _and_.] [43] Prior has adopted this image-- "So when the Parthian turn'd his steed, And from the hostile camp withdrew, He backward sent the fatal reed, Secure of conquest as he flew." --Poems, i. 40, edit. 1778. [44] This speech is very much altered from the first and second editions, where it stands that Don Henrique has already married Porcia "By proxy To one in Flanders." --_Collier._ [45] This word was omitted by Reed and Dodsley.--_Collier._ [46] The author has not been very strict in the observance of his metre in any part of the play, and in this respect the changes he made in the third edition were sometimes injurious. Thus in the two earlier copies this line, which would have read very well if _in_ had been substituted for _during_, is given as follows-- "And what was done in this parenthesis." It was a point gained, however, to get rid of the figure.--_Collier._ [47] [I'll pledge you. See Nares, edit. 1859, p. 216.] [48] [Literally a bottle. See Halliwell in _v._] [49] [Cupboard beds, similar to those still used throughout Holland among the humbler classes.] [50] [Former edits., _and_.] [51] [Former edits., _on_.] [52] This is hardly intelligible, as it stands here and in the third edition. In the two earlier copies, Porcia says to Flora on entering--