Virginius. I've seen this face! Tut! tut! I know it
As well as I do my own, yet can't bethink me
Whose face it is!

Virginia. You mean Achilles' face!

Act 1. Scene 2.

VIRGINIUS:

A TRAGEDY,

En Five Acts,

BY JAMES SHERIDAN KNOWLES, ESQ.

Author of William Tell, Caius Gracchus, &c.

PRINTED FROM THE ACTING COPY, WITH REMARKS,
BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL, BY D-G.

To which are added,

A DESCRIPTION OF THE COSTUME,-CAST OF THE CHARACTERS, ENTRANCES AND EXITS,-RELATIVE POSITIONS OF THE PERFORMERS ON THE STAGE, AND THE WHOLE OF THE STAGE BUSINESS.

As now performed at the

THEATRES ROYAL, LONDON.

EMBELLISHED WITH A FINE ENGRAVING,

By Mr. WHITE, from a Drawing taken in the Theatre, by
MR. R. CRUIKSHANK.

LONDON:

JOHN CUMBERLAND, 6, BRECKNOCK PLACE,

CAMDEN TOWN.

DEDICATION.

TO WILLIAM MACREADY, Esq.

MY DEAR SIR,

What can I do less than dedicate this Tragedy to you? This is a question which you cannot answer; but I can-I cannot do less; and if I could do more, I ought, and would.

I was a perfect stranger to you. You read my play, and at once committed yourself respecting its merits. This, perhaps, is not saying much for your head-but it says a great deal for your heart; and that is the consideration which, above all others, makes me feel happy, and proud, in subscribing myself,

Your grateful Friend and Servant,

JAMES SHERIDAN KNOWLES.

London, May 20,

1820.

Anne. Pardon, good father! good my mother, pardon!

Page. Now, mistress! how chance you went not with Master Slender?

Mrs. Page. Why went you not with master Doctor, maid?

Fent. You do amaze her: Hear the truth of it.
You would have married her,

Where there was no proportion held in love.
The truth is, she and I long since contracted,
Are now so sure, that nothing can dissolve us.
Ford. Stand not amaz'd: here is no remedy :-
In love, the heavens themselves do guide the state ;-
Money buys lands, and wives are sold by fate.

·-

Fal. I am glad, though you have ta'en a special stand to strike at me, that your arrow hath glanc'd.

Page. Well, what remedy? Fenton, heaven give thee joy!

What cannot be eschew'd, must be embrac'd.

Eva. I will dance, and eat plums, at your wedding. Fal. When night-dogs run, all sorts of deer are chas'd.

Mrs. Page. Well I will muse no further :-Master
Fenton,

Heaven give you many, many blithsome days!--
Good husband, let us every one go home,

And laugh this sport o'er by a country fire;

Sir John and all.

Page. Aye, to-night we meet to celebrate our daughter's birth-day.

Ford. Let it be so :-Sir John,

To Master Brook you yet shall hold your word;
For he, to night, shall sleep with Mistress Ford.

CHORUS.-JUNO and CERES.

Away, away, make holiday,

Your rye-straw hats put on,

Each take his lass, and beat the grass,

Let toil and care begone.

THE END.

T. DOLBY, Printer, 17, Catherine Street, Strand, London.