REGULATED FROM THE PROMPT-BOOK,
By Permission of the Manager.

"The Lines distinguished by inverted Commas, are omitted in the Representation;"
And those printed in Italics have been altered from the Original.

Printed for the Proprietors, under the Direction of
JOHN BELL, British Library, STRAND,
Bookseller to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales,

MDCCXCII.

B42

v.5

THE

то

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE,

WILLIAM,

LORD MARQUIS OF HARTINGTON.
(Afterwards Duke of Devonshire.)

MY LORD,

EVERY body is now so full of business, that things of this kind, which are generally taken for the entertainment of leisure hours only, look like impertinence and interruption. I am sure it is a reason why I ought to beg your Lordship's pardon, for troubling you with this tragedy; not but that poetry has always been, and will still be, the entertainment of all wise men, that have any delicacy in their knowledge: yet, at so critical a juncture as this is, I must confess I think your Lordship ought to give entirely into those public affairs, which, at this time, seem to demand d you. It is that happy turn which your Lordship has to business; that right understanding of your country's interest, and that constant zeal to pursue it; that just thinking; that strong and persuasive elocution, that firm and generous resolution, which, upon all occasions, you have shewn in parliament; and, to add that which is the crowning good quality, your Lordship's continual adherence, and unshaken