Jane Sh.o.r.e.

by Nicholas Rowe.

REMARKS

It has been observed, that Rowe seldom moves either pity or terror, but often elevates the sentiments; he seldom pierces the breast, but always delights the ear, and often improves the understanding. This excellent tragedy is always acted with great applause, and will, in one instance at least, prove the author's power to excite a powerful effect: consisting chiefly of domestic scenes and private distress, the play before us is an affecting appeal to pity, especially in the parting of Alicia and Hastings, the interview between Jane Sh.o.r.e and Alicia, and in the catastrophe. In the plot, Rowe has nearly followed the history of this misguided and unhappy fair one, and has produced an impressive moral lesson.

DRAMATIS PERSONae.

As originally acted in 1713. Covent Garden, 1814.

_Lord Hastings_ Mr. Booth. Mr. C. Kemble.

_Duke of Gloster_ Mr. Cibber. Mr. Egerton.

_Belmour_ Mr. Mills. Mr. Claremont.

_Sir Richard Ratcliffe_ Mr. Bowman. Mr. Treby.

_Sir William Catesby_ Mr. Husband. Mr. Creswell.

_Sh.o.r.e_ Mr. Wilks. Mr. Barrymore.

_Jane Sh.o.r.e_ Mrs. Oldfield. Miss O'Neil.

_Alicia_ Mrs. Porter. Mrs. Fawcett.

_Lords of the Council, &c._

JANE Sh.o.r.e.

ACT THE FIRST.

SCENE I. THE TOWER.

_Enter the Duke of Gloster_, _Sir Richard Ratcliffe_, _and Catesby._

_Glos._ Thus far success attends upon our councils, And each event has answer'd to my wish; The queen and all her upstart race are quell'd; Dorset is banish'd, and her brother Rivers, Ere this, lies shorter by the head at Pomfret.

The n.o.bles have, with joint concurrence, nam'd me Protector of the realm: my brother's children, Young Edward and the little York, are lodg'd Here, safe within the Tower. How say you, sirs, Does not this business wear a lucky face?

The sceptre and the golden wreath of royalty Seem hung within my reach.

_Sir R._ Then take 'em to you, And wear them long and worthily: you are The last remaining male of princely York, (For Edward's boys, the state esteems not of 'em,) And therefore on your sov'reignty and rule The commonweal does her dependence make, And leans upon your highness' able hand.

_Cates._ And yet to-morrow does the council meet To fix a day for Edward's coronation.

Who can expound this riddle?

_Glos._ That can I.

Those lords are each one my approv'd good friends, Of special trust and nearness to my bosom; And, howsoever busy they may seem, And diligent to bustle in the state, Their zeal goes on no further than we lead, And at our bidding stays.

_Cates._ Yet there is one, And he amongst the foremost in his power, Of whom I wish your highness were a.s.sur'd.

For me, perhaps it is my nature's fault, I own I doubt of his inclining much.

_Glos._ I guess the man at whom your words would point: Hastings--

_Cates._ The same.

_Glos._ He bears me great good will.

_Cates._ 'Tis true, to you, as to the lord protector, And Gloster's duke, he bows with lowly service: But were he bid to cry, G.o.d save king Richard, Then tell me in what terms he would reply.

Believe me, I have prov'd the man, and found him: I know he bears a most religious reverence To his dead master Edward's royal memory, And whither that may lead him, is most plain.

Yet more--One of that stubborn sort he is, Who, if they once grow fond of an opinion, They call it honour, honesty, and faith, And sooner part with life than let it go.

_Glos._ And yet this tough, impracticable, heart, Is govern'd by a dainty-finger'd girl; Such flaws are found in the most worthy natures; A laughing, toying, wheedling, whimpering, she, Shall make him amble on a gossip's message, And take the distaff with a hand as patient As e'er did Hercules.

_Sir R._ The fair Alicia, Of n.o.ble birth and exquisite of feature, Has held him long a va.s.sal to her beauty.

_Cates._ I fear, he fails in his allegiance there; Or my intelligence is false, or else The dame has been too lavish of her feast, And fed him till he loathes.

_Glos._ No more, he comes.

_Enter Lord Hastings._

_Lord H._ Health, and the happiness of many days, Attend upon your grace.

_Glos._ My good lord chamberlain, We're much beholden to your gentle friendship.

_Lord H._ My lord, I come an humble suitor to you.

_Glos._ In right good time. Speak out year pleasure freely.

_Lord H._ I am to move your highness in behalf Of Sh.o.r.e's unhappy wile.

_Glos._ Say you, of Sh.o.r.e?

_Lord H._ Once a bright star, that held her place on high: The first and fairest of our English dames, While royal Edward held the sov'reign rule.

Now, sunk in grief and pining with despair, Her waning form no longer shall incite Envy in woman, or desire in man.

She never sees the sun, but through her tears, And wakes to sigh the live-long night away.

_Glos._ Marry! the times are badly chang'd with her, From Edward's days to these. Then all was jollity, Feasting and mirth, light wantonness and laughter, Piping and playing, minstrelsy and masking; 'Till life fled from us like an idle dream, A show of mummery without a meaning.

My brother, rest and pardon to his soul, Is gone to his account; for this his minion, The revel-rout is done--But you were speaking Concerning her--I have been told, that you Are frequent in your visitation to her.

_Lord H._ No further, my good lord, than friendly pity And tender-hearted charity allow.

_Glos._ Go to: I did not mean to chide you for it.