The Orphan; Or, The Unhappy Marriage. A Tragedy, in Five ActsOtway, Thomas
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The Orphan; Or, The Unhappy Marriage. A Tragedy, in Five Acts
Otway, Thomas
English drama -- Restoration, 1660-1700; Tragedies (Drama)
Produced by Delphine Lettau and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Canada Team at http://www.pgdpcanada.net
THE ORPHAN;
OR,
The Unhappy Marriage.
A TRAGEDY,
IN FIVE ACTS.
BY THOMAS OTWAY.
CORRECTLY GIVEN,
AS PERFORMED AT THE THEATRES ROYAL.
With Remarks.
London:
Printed by D. S. Maurice, Fenchurch-street;
SOLD BY
T. HUGHES, 35, LUDGATE STREET, AND J. BYSH,
52, PATERNOSTER ROW; & J. CUMMING, DUBLIN.
REMARKS.
To the great merit of Miss O'Neil, in Monimia,
we are indebted for the revival of this tragedy,
which was originally played at the Duke's Theatre,
in 1680; and long kept possession of the stage.
The language of this play is poetical and tender,
and the incidents affecting; but, amidst many
beauties, there is great inconsistency*.
Dr. Johnson observes,—"This is one of the
few pieces that has pleased for almost a century,
through all the vicissitudes of dramatic fashion.
Of this play, nothing new can easily be said. It
is a domestic tragedy, drawn from middle life:—its
whole power is upon the affections; for it is
not written with much comprehension of thought,
or elegance of expression. But, if the heart is
interested, many other beauties may be wanting;
yet not be missed."
* Many readers will, probably, exclaim with the critic,
when he first saw it,—"Oh! what an infinite deal of mischief
would a farthing rush-light have prevented!"
DRAMATIS PERSON .
Drury-Lane, 1780. Covent Garden, 1815.
CastalioMr. ReddishMr. C. Kemble.
AcastoMr. PackerMr. Egerton.
PolydoreMr. BreretonMr. Conway.
ChaplainMr. UsherMr. Chapman.
ErnestoMr. WrightenMr. Jefferies.
PageMaster PulleyMiss Prescott.
ChamontMr. SmithMr. Young.
SerinaMiss PlattMiss Boyce.
FlorellaMrs. JohnstonMrs. Seymour.
Monimia Miss YoungeMiss O'Neil.
SCENE—Bohemia.
THE ORPHAN.
ACT THE FIRST.
SCENE I. A GARDEN.
Enter Castalio, Polydore, and Page.
Cas. Polydore, our sport
Has been to-day much better for the danger:
When on the brink the foaming boar I met,
And in his side thought to have lodg'd my spear,
The desperate savage rush'd within my force,
And bore me headlong with him down the rock.
Pol. But then——
Cas. Ay, then, my brother, my friend, Polydore,
Like Perseus mounted on his winged steed,
Came on, and down the dang'rous precipice leap'd
To save Castilio.—'Twas a godlike act!
Pol. But when I came, I found you conqueror.
Oh! my heart danc'd, to see your danger past!
The heat and fury of the chase was cold,
And I had nothing in my mind but joy.
Cas. So, Polydore, methinks, we might in war
Rush on together; thou shouldst be my guard,
And I be thine. What is't could hurt us then?
Now half the youth of Europe are in arms,
How fulsome must it be to stay behind,
And die of rank diseases here at home!
Pol. No, let me purchase in my youth renown,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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