Produced by Delphine Lettau and the Online Distributed Proofreading Canada Team at http://www.pgdpcanada.net [Illustration] PERCY. A TRAGEDY, IN FIVE ACTS. BY MRS. HANNAH MORE. CORRECTLY GIVEN, AS PERFORMED AT THE THEATRES ROYAL. [Illustration] London: PRINTED BY AND FOR D. S. MAURICE, _Fenchurch Street;_ SOLD BY T. HUGHES, 35, LUDGATE STREET; J. BYSH, 52, PATERNOSTER ROW; J. CUMMING, DUBLIN; J. SUTHERLAND, EDINBURGH; &c. &c. REMARKS. This tragedy, in which Mrs. Hannah More is supposed to have been assisted by Garrick, was produced at Covent Garden Theatre, in 1778, with success; and revived, in 1818, at the same Theatre. The feuds of the rival houses of Percy and of Douglas have furnished materials for this melancholy tale, in which Mrs. More[1] has embodied many judicious sentiments and excellent passages, producing a forcible lesson to parental tyranny. The victim of her husband's unreasonable jealousy, _Elwina's_ virtuous conflict is pathetic and interesting; while _Percy's_ sufferings, and the vain regret of Earl _Raby_, excite and increase our sympathy. [1] Of this estimable lady, a contemporary writer says, "This lady has for many years flourished in the literary world, which she has richly adorned by a variety of labours, all possessing strong marks of excellence. In the cause of religion and society, her labours are original and indefatigable; and the industrious poor have been at once enlightened by her instructions, and supported by her bounty." As a dramatic writer, Mrs. More is known by her "Search after Happiness," pastoral drama; "The Inflexible Captive,"--"Percy," and "Fatal Falsehood," tragedies; and by her "Sacred Dramas." DRAMATIS PERSONAE. Percy, Earl of Northumberland Mr. Lewis. Earl Douglas Mr. Wroughton. Earl Raby, Elwina's Father Mr. Aickin. Edric, Friend to Douglas Mr. Whitefield. Harcourt, Friend to Percy Mr. Robson. Sir Hubert, a Knight Mr. Hull. Elwina Mrs. Barry. Birtha Mrs. Jackson. Knights, Guards, Attendants, &c. SCENE,--Raby Castle, in Durham. PERCY. ACT THE FIRST. SCENE I. A GOTHIC HALL. _Enter Edric and Birtha._ _Bir._ What may this mean? Earl Douglas has enjoin'd thee To meet him here in private? _Edr._ Yes, my sister, And this injunction I have oft receiv'd; But when he comes, big with some painful secret, He starts, looks wild, then drops ambiguous hints, Frowns, hesitates, turns pale, and says 'twas nothing; Then feigns to smile, and by his anxious care To prove himself at ease, betrays his pain.