THE FAITHFUL FRIENDS. THIS Tragi-comedy was entered in the Stationers' Books the 29th of June, 1660, together with A Right Woman and The History of Mador, the latter attributed to Beaumont, and the former, as well as the present play, to both our authors. They were, however, never printed; and it is to be feared the two latter are entirely lost. The Faithful Friends is now first published from an original manuscript, purchased by the proprietor of the present edition from Mr John Smith of Furnival's Inn, into whose possession it came from Mr Theobald, nephew to the editor of Shakspeare. The manuscript is in folio, and written in a tolerably legible hand, excepting where the text is altered, or where passages are expunged, being omitted in the representation, as the MS. is evidently a prompter's copy. In the facsimile annexed, the lines marked No. I. are in the hand-writing of the original MS., those marked No. III. are in another more modern, in which the beginning, and the two concluding speeches, are supplied. No. II. is a facsimile of part of the last scene of the fourth act, which is added on a detached paper, in an ancient hand, probably by the author of that scene.2 If we judge by the versification, we must conclude, that Fletcher had a very inconsiderable share in the composition of this drama. The metre bears a nearer resemblance to that of Beaumont. From the frequent and very gross historical blunders and anachronisms, however, which occur, particularly in the latter 'As the regulation of a prompter's copy of that age is curious, the passages completely expunged (though still legible) have been printed in italics, and those which are only crossed through, or have a marginal line drawn along them, have been marked with inverted commas. See the notes subjoined to that scene. part,3 and from the very small merit of some of the scenes, I should be inclined to attribute the greater portion of the play to an infe rior assistant, as we know that the booksellers were ever ready to father the whole of a play upon the author of the greatest repute, though he, perhaps, contributed only a small portion. The general merit of this tragi-comedy is by no means very striking, and it must be ranked in the lowest class of the dramatic productions collected in these volumes. The plot has some share of interest, but it is greatly injured by the violation of probability in the strange conduct of the king, who appears to the reader a most hypocritical villain, though the authors seem to have intended him to act on virtuous principles, and to employ bad means for good purposes. Indeed none of the characters are delineated with great precision. That of Philadelpha bears considerable family likeness to many virtuous females in the comedies of our authors, but it will not stand a comparison with such characters as Aspatia and Juliana. Lelia is in the same predicament, being but a faint shadow of Euphrasia. The two friends, Marcus Tullius and Armanus, as well as Marius, have no very strongly marked features; they are virtuous young men, such as occur in many of the dramas of the time. The most striking portions of the play are the parting scene of Tullius and Philadelpha; the conferences between Rufinus and the king, which are managed with considerable art; and the scene in which Armanus feigns to tempt the vir tue of his friend's wife. The meeting of that character with Tullius, Marius, and Lelia, in the forest, will remind the reader of some parts of Philaster. The scenes of humour are not of the highest excellency, but there is a considerable degree of drollery in the mock-heroic character of Sir Pergamus. 3 Such as the mention of Philip of Spain and the Duke of Lerma, of Macchiavelli, Poppaa, Philip of Macedon, and Cæsar, of both the Indies,' and of perspective glasses; and in the scene added to the fourth act, we have mention made of cannon, of John of Gaunt, and of Guildhall. - DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. . Titus Martius, king of Rome. Marcellanus, a senator, father to Philadelpha. Marius, friend to Tullius, and lover of Lelia. Learchus, Captains, and enemies to Tullius. Marcellus, a Roman captain. Sabinus, general of the Sabines. Arminius, a Sabine captain. Sir Pergamus, a humorous knight, in love with Flavia. Bellario, an old soldier. Snipsnap, a tailor. Calveskin, a shoemaker. Pedester. Senators, Lictors, Flamens, Constable, Officers, Tapster, Sutler, Heralds, Postmaster, Messengers, Petitioners, and Attendants. Philadelpha, wife to Marcus Tullius. Lelia, disguised as Janus, her page; sister to Tullius. Flavia, servant to Philadelpha. Ladies and Attendants. SCENE-,Rome, and the Country of the Sabines. THE FAITHFUL FRIENDS. ACT I. SCENE I. Rome. Before the Capitol, Enter MARIUS, RUFINUS, and LEONTIUS. Ruf. You have made a large relation, but more rare, Of your experienced travels; and I fear Leont. You're full fraught Mar. Sir, you flatter now, And do outprize my willing industry: Yet, without boast, I have been no drone, my lords, To suck up others' labours; nor, as many Of our nobles do, purchased new fashions With the loss of lands; nor spent my five years travels |