COUNT OF NARBONNE
THEODORE—SHE HASTENED TO THE CAVE AND VANISHED FROM MY SIGHT
ACT I SCENE I
PAINTED BY COOK PUBLISH'D BY LONGMAN & CO. ENGRAV'D BY ENGLEHEART
1807
THE
COUNT OF NARBONNE;
A TRAGEDY,
IN FIVE ACTS;
By ROBERT JEPHSON, Esq.
AS PERFORMED AT THE
THEATRE ROYAL, COVENT GARDEN.
PRINTED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE MANAGERS
FROM THE PROMPT BOOK.
WITH REMARKS
BY Mrs. INCHBALD.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, AND ORME,
PATERNOSTER ROW.
WILLIAM SAVAGE, PRINTER
LONDON.
REMARKS.
This tragedy was brought upon the stage in 1780; it was extremelyadmired, and exceedingly attractive.
Neither "The Winter's Tale", nor "Henry VIII" by Shakspeare, were atthat time performed at either of the theatres; and the town had noimmediate comparison to draw between the conjugal incidents in "TheCount of Narbonne," and those which occur in these two very superiordramas.
The Cardinal Wolsey of Shakspeare, is, by Jephson, changed into a holyand virtuous priest; but his importance is, perhaps, somewhat diminishedby a discovery, which was intended to heighten the interest of hischaracter; but which is introduced in too sudden, and romantic a manner,to produce the desired consequence upon a well-judging auditor.
One of the greatest faults, by which a dramatist can disappoint andfret his auditor, is also to be met with in this play.—Infinitediscourse is exchanged, numberless plans formed, and variety ofpassions agitated, concerning a person, who is never brought upon thestage—Such is the personal nonentity of Isabel, in this tragedy, andyet the fable could not proceed without her.—Alphonso, so much talkedof, yet never seen, is an allowable absentee, having departed[pg 4] to anotherworld; and yet, whether such invisible personages be described asalive, or dead, that play is the most interesting, which makes mentionof no one character, but those which are introduced to the sight of theaudience.
The lover of romances, whose happy memory, unclouded by more weightyrecollections, has retained a wonderful story, by the late Lord Orford,called, "The Castle of Otranto," will here, it is said, find a resemblanceof plot and incidents, the acknowledged effect of close imitation.
Lord Orford, (