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Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 10 of 10 cover

Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 10 of 10

Chapter 26: The PROLOGUE at the reviving of this Play.
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About This Book

A curated volume presents a set of early modern dramatic works by two collaborators, offering tragedies, comedies, a masque, and linked moral entertainments. The plays stage conflicts over honor, sexual reputation, jealousy, and political power, often mixing serious moral dilemmas with satirical or farcical elements. Scenes alternate between forceful rhetorical passages and lively repartee, with stage directions and lyrical interludes punctuating the action. An editorial preface and appendix situate the texts and provide scholarly notes and variants. The collection showcases theatrical variety: intimate domestic disputes, courtly spectacle, and allegorical moralizations that probe human vanity, desire, and social reputation.


The PROLOGUE at the reviving of this Play.

It's grown in fashion of late in these days,
To come and beg a suff[eranc]e to our Plays
'Faith Gentlemen, our Poet ever writ
Language so good, mixt with such sprightly wit,
He made the Theatre so Sovereign
With his rare Scænes, he scorn'd this crouching vein:
We stabb'd him with keen daggers when we pray'd
Him write a Preface to a Play well made.
He could not write these toyes, 'tw[a]s easier far,
To bring a Felon to appear at th' Barr
So much he hated baseness; which this day,
His Scænes will best convince you of in's Play.