TO

HERBERT TRYST, ESQ

OF THE

CITY OF HEREFORD.

I

SIR,

HAVE been told, 'tis a cuftom to aik permiffion for fuch kind of addreffes; but there is fomething fo very mean in this civility, to ask your pardon for neglecting it, were to deferve your indig

nation.

If merit ought to be preferred to what the world calls greatnefs; if a sense of past favours fhould be confidered, before future views, you, Sir, have the jufteft title to this Dedication from me, K 3

were

were the play a performance more worthy your acceptance.

Had other authors the knowledge and experience of your virtues that I have, I should find many rivals, when I beg leave to fubfcribe myself,

SIR,

Your devoted,

Humble fervant,

RICHARD SAVAGE.

ADVERTISEMENT.

THE importunity of the Publisher be

ing very preffing, I omit the Preface, which I intended; where in Ipropofed, by way of Effay, A DISCOURSE ON TRAGEDY: the fubject being too copious to treat of, in this short time, I defer it, either to pub lish it single, or to join it with fome other work.

But my gratitude prompts me to declare the obligations I have to my beft and dearest friend, Mr. Aaron Hill, for his many judicious corrections in this Tragedy. On that worthy gentleman, whose mind is enriched with every noble science, and in whose breaft all the virtues of humanity are comprised, it will be my pride, to offer my fentiments in a more diftinguishing manner hereafter.

I think it my duty alfo, to return thanks to the town, for their favourable reception of this play; and for the applause their indulgence beftow'd on the performance of the young actors: particularly, for my own fuccefs, in a double capacity, as acfor and author, I fhall ever publicly confefs. their generofity, as it will ever prove my fecret fatisfaction.

Notwithstanding the disadvantage this play may have received in the reprefentation, I cannot omit acknowledging a debt of gratitude to Mr. Theophilus Cibber, who was very careful in the management of the rehearsals, and endeavoured to inftruct every one concerned in the play; a mechanism, which my inexperience, as an actor, made me incapable cf.

Though an author knows the meaning of his fcenes, he may be unacquainted with a theatrical method of fetting them in the most advantageous appearance. Example enforces precept: and therefore,

Mr.