Der Dramatiker John Dryden

Der
Dramatiker John
Dryden

John Dryden (* August 1631. in Aldwincle; † Mai 1700. in London) war ein einflussreicher englischer Dichter, Literaturkritiker und Dramatiker.

...

- The Wild Gallant (1663)
- Astraea Redux (1660)
- The Rival Ladies (?)
- The Indian Emperor (1667)
- Annus Mirabilis (1667)
- An Essay of Dramatick Poesie (1668)
- Tyrannick Love (1669)
- Marriage A-la-Mode (1672)
- The Conquest of Granada (1670)
- Amboyna, or the Cruelties of the Dutch to the English Merchants (1673)
- All for Love (1678)
- Oedipus (1679)
- Absalom and Achitophel (1681)
- The Medal (1682)
- Religio Laici (1682)
- The Hind and the Panther (1687)
- Amphitryon (1690)
- Don Sebastian (1690)
- King Arthur (1691)
- Amboyna
- The Works of Virgil (1697)
- Fables, Ancient and Modern (1700)
- The Pilgrim

Kontakt

THE WILD GALLANT

THE

Wild Gallant:
A
C O M E D Y.

As was Acted at the

THEATER ROYAL,
BY HIS
MAJESTIES
SERVANTS.

WRITTEN,
By JOHN DRYDEN, E/q

In the SAVOY.

Printed by Tho. Newcomb, for H. Herringman, at the
Blew-Anchor, in the Lower-Walk of the
New-Exchange. 1669.

Preface.

IT would be a great Impudence in me to say much of a Comedy, which has had but indifferent success in the action. I made the Town my Judges; and the greater part condemn'd it. After which I do not think it my Concernment to defend it, with the ordinary Zeal of a Poet for his decry'd Poem. Though Corneille is more resolute in his Preface before his Retharite, which was condemn'd more Universally than this: for he avowes boldly, That in spight of Censure his Play was well, and regularly written; which is more than I dare say for mine. Yet it was receiv'd at Court; and was more than once the Divertisement of His Majesty, by His own Command. But I have more modesty than to ascribe that to my Merit, which was His particular Act of Grace. It was the first attempt I made in Dramatique Poetry; and, I find since, a very bold one, to begin with Comedy; which is the most difficult part of it. the Plot was not Originally my own: but so alter'd, by me (whether for the better or worse, I know not) that, whoever the Author was, he could not have calleng'd a Scene of it. I doubt not but you will see in it, the uncorrectness of a young Writer: which is yet but a small excure for him, who is so little amended since. The best Apology I can make for it, and the trues, in onely this; That you have since that time received with Applause, as bad, and as uncorrect Playes from other Men.

PROLOGUE to the WILD GALLANT,
as It was first Acted.

Is it not strange, to hear a Poet say,
He comes to ask you, how you like the Play?
You have not seen it yet ! alas 'tis true,
But now your Love and Hatred judge, not You.
And cruel Factions (Brib'd by Interest) come,
Not wo weigh Merit, but to give their Doome :
Our Poet therefore, jealous of th' Event ,
And (though much boldness takes) not confident.
Has Sent me, whither you, fair Ladies, too
Sometimes upon as small occasions goe,
And from this Scheme, drawn for the hour and day,
Bid me inquire the fortune of his Play.

The Curtain drawn discovers two Astrologers ;
The Prologue is presented to them.

1. Astrologus reads. A Figure of the heavenly Bodies in their several Apartments, Feb. the 5th. half an hour after three after Noon, from whence you are to judge the success of a new Play called the WILD GALLANT.

2. Astrologus. Who must judge of it, we, or these Gentlemen? We'll not meddle with it, so tell your Poet. Here are in this House the ablest Mathematicians in Europe for his purpose.
They will resolve the question e'r they part.

1. Astrologus:
Yet let us judge it by the rules of Art.
First Jupiter, the Ascendants Lord digrac'd,
In the twelfth House, and near grim Saturn plac'd,
Denete short life unto the Play: ----

2. Astrologus:
------------------------------------ Jove yet,
In his Apartment Sagitary, set
Under his own Roof, cannot take much wrong.

1. Astrologus:
Why then the Lif's not very short, nor long;

2. Astrologus:
The luck not very good, nor very ill.

Prologus:
That is to say, 'tis as 'tis taken still.

1. Astrologus:
But, Brother, Ptolomy the Learned says,
Tis the fifth house from whence we judge of Plays.
Venus the Lady of the House I find
Is Peregrine, your Play is ill design'd,
it should have been but one continued Song,
Or at the least a Dance of 3 hours long.

2. Astrologus:
But yet the greatest Mischief does remain

john dryden an introduction john dryden