The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher in Ten Volumes - Volume I. by John Fletcher;Francis Beaumont
page 14 of 92 (15%)
page 14 of 92 (15%)
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And as here's nothing but what is genuine and Theirs, so you will finde
here are no _Omissions_; you have not onely All I could get, but All that you must ever expect. For (besides those which were formerly printed) there is not any Piece written by these _Authours_, either Joyntly or Severally, but what are now publish'd to the World in this _Volume_. One only Play I must except (for I meane to deale openly) 'tis a _COMEDY_ called the _Wilde-goose Chase_, which hath beene long lost, and I feare irrecoverable; for a _Person of Quality_ borrowed it from the _Actours_ many yeares since, and (by the negligence of a Servant) it was never return'd; therefore now I put up this _Si quis_, that whosoever hereafter happily meetes with it, shall be thankfully satisfied if he please to send it home. Some _Playes_ (you know) written by these _Authors_ were heretofore Printed: I thought not convenient to mixe them with this _Volume_, which of it selfe is entirely New. And indeed it would have rendred the Booke so Voluminous, that _Ladies_ and _Gentlewomen_ would have found it scarce manageable, who in Workes of this nature must first be remembred. Besides, I considered those former Pieces had been so long printed and re-printed, that many Gentlemen were already furnished; and I would have none say, they pay twice for the same Booke. One thing I must answer before it bee objected; 'tis this: When these _Comedies_ and _Tragedies_ were presented on the Stage, the _Actours_ omitted some _Scenes_ and Passages (with the _Authour's_ consent) as occasion led them; and when private friends desir'd a Copy, they then (and justly too) transcribed what they _Acted_. But now you have both All that was _Acted_, and all that was not; even the perfect full Originalls without the least mutilation; So that were the _Authours_ living, (and sure they can never dye) they themselves would challenge neither more nor |
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