A TRAGEDY, by SHAKESPEARE. 76 AS PERFORMED AT THE THEATRE-ROYAL, DRURY-LANE Regulated from the PROMPT-BOOK, With PERMISSION of the MANAGERS By Mr. HOPKINS, Prompter. An INTRODUCTION, and NOTES ARE ADDED BY THE AUTHORS of the DRAMATIC CENSOR, B LONDON: Printed for JOHN BELL, near Exeter-Exchange, in the Strandà MDCCLXXIII. INTRODUCTION. KING John most certainly deferves to live on the flage, but they must be a very good set of performers who can fuftain it; feveral fcenes are highly interefting, others extremely prolix and flat: where the Author appears himself, be is thoroughly fo; where he fumbers it is near found fleep -the main incidents are well chofen, and the leading characters well written; but prolixity feems to have been? Shakespeare's fudy, in many scenes and speeches of this play. Our concluding note explains our idea of this Hifiorical Drama further. To admirers of the Author ve may Jeem fevere, but we flatter ourselves deliberate perufal will prove us right; in which cafe, we allow it is much cafur to find faults, than avoid, or mend them! KING JOHN. A C T. I. SCENE, The Court of England. [A Flourish. King John, difcovered upon a Throne, Queen Elinor, King JOHN.. OW, fay, Chatillion, what would France with Now, us Chat. Thus, after greeting, fpeaks the King of In my behaviour, to the Majefty, The borrow'd Majefty of England here. Eli. A ftrange beginning; borrow'd Majefty! K. John. Silence, good mother; hear the embaffy.. Chat. Philip of France, in right and true behalf Of thy deceased brother Geffrey's fon, Arthur Plantagenet, lays lawful claimTo this fair ifland, and the territories: * The character of King John, except in two fcenes and a few Speeches, lies heavy on the actor; who therefore requires great judgement, with deep and ftrong expreffion, to affift the author; dignity of person and deportment are alfo neceffary. . |