The Grecian Daughter Part 1

The Grecian Daughter.

by Arthur Murphy.

REMARKS.

This tragedy has been so rapturously applauded on the stage, and so severely criticised in the closet, that it is a task of peculiar difficulty to speak either of its beauties or its defects, with any degree of certainty. To conciliate both the auditor and the reader, both the favourable and the unfavourable critic, the "Grecian Daughter"

demands a set of Remarks for each side of the question--and the good-natured side shall have precedence.

This play had, on its first appearance, the most brilliant success, and still holds a place in the list of dramas performed during every season.

There is a splendour of decoration, a glow of martial action, events of such deep interest, and, above all, a moral of such excellent tendency, which concludes the performance, that its attraction can readily be accounted for, without the slightest imputation upon the judgment of the public.

Perhaps, of all the events recorded in history, that filial piety, on which the fable of this play is founded, may be cla.s.sed among the most affecting--yet it was one the most hazardous for a dramatist to adopt; for nothing less than complete skill could have given to this singular occurrence effectual force, joined to becoming delicacy. In this arduous effort Mr. Murphy has evinced the most exact judgment, and the nicest execution.

If this tragedy has not the smooth flowing verse of Otway, Thomson, or Rowe, it possesses, in energy and fire, charms more theatrical; nor does the heroic so wholly engross every scene, but that it yields, at times, to melting pathos.

Another praise due to this production is, that wonderful events take place by the most natural agency. Incidents arise progressively from each other, till the last great incident of all, fills every mind with enthusiasm in the cause of virtue and justice--in the joy of an empire made free by the overthrow of its tyrant.

It is hardly possible to read this tragedy of the "Grecian Daughter,"

without laughing as well as crying. Some pa.s.sages excite tears, whilst certain high-sounding sentences, with meaning insignificant, are irresistibly risible.

The popular story, from which the fable of this tragedy is produced, and the surprising event in the last scene--where a woman performs that which a whole army has in vain attempted--together with the powerful acting of Mrs. Barry in the part of Euphrasia, rendered this play greatly attractive when it was first performed; and as those causes of attraction still remain, or rather, an improvement is introduced by Mrs.

Siddons's appearance in the Grecian Daughter, the play is still of use to the theatre.

The men's characters have been all sacrificed by the author to the valour of the woman--he has made his female do the deed of a man, and his best man perform the act of a child.

Though Evander ranks as the first male character in this play, no actor likes to appear in the part. He would rather be inferior, and less infirm.

As Mr. Murphy had much theatrical experience as well as taste, it is astonis.h.i.+ng that the personage most talked of, most praised, and by far the most perfect character in the whole drama, should never make his appearance!

Timoleon is a great warrior and a good man; and it seems wonderful how the audience, on the first night of the play, would quit the theatre without seeing him. Yet it was but modesty and respect in the author, not to bring so magnanimous a hero on the scene, to speak bad poetry.

The great tragic dramatist, Otway, wrote miserable comedies: Let it be no disgrace to Murphy that he has written an indifferent tragedy. By the merit of his comic scenes, his tragic ones are perhaps judged, and in the comparison lose half their value.

DRAMATIS PERSONae.

DIONYSIUS _Mr. Cory._ EVANDER _Mr. Kemble._ PHILOTAS _Mr. C. Kemble._ MELANTHON _Mr. Hull._ PHOCION _Mr. Brunton._ ARCAS _Mr. Davenport._ GREEK HERALD _Mr. Creswell._ CALIPPUS _Mr. Klanert._ GREEK SOLDIER _Mr. Field._ OFFICER

EUPHRASIA _Mrs. Siddons._ ERIXENE _Mrs. Humphries._

_SCENE,--Syracuse._

THE GRECIAN DAUGHTER.

ACT THE FIRST.

SCENE I.

_Enter MELANTHON and PHILOTAS._

_Mel._ Yet, yet a moment; hear, Philotas, hear me.

_Phil._ No more; it must not be.

_Mel._ Obdurate man; Thus wilt thou spurn me, when a king distress'd, A good, a virtuous, venerable king, The father of his people, from a throne Which long with ev'ry virtue he adorn'd, Torn by a ruffian, by a tyrant's hand, Groans in captivity? In his own palace Lives a sequester'd prisoner? Oh! Philotas, If thou hast not renounc'd humanity; Let me behold my sovereign; once again Admit me to his presence; let me see My royal master.

_Phil._ Urge thy suit no further; Thy words are fruitless; Dionysius' orders Forbid access; he is our sov'reign now; 'Tis his to give the law, mine to obey.

_Mel._ Thou canst not mean it: his to give the law!

Detested spoiler!--his! a vile usurper!

Have we forgot the elder Dionysius, Surnam'd the Tyrant? To Sicilia's throne The monster waded through whole seas of blood.

Sore groan'd the land beneath his iron rod, Till rous'd at length Evander came from Greece, Like Freedom's Genius came, and sent the tyrant, Stript of the crown, and to his humble rank Once more reduc'd, to roam, for vile subsistence, A wandering sophist through the realms of Greece.

_Phil._ Whate'er his right, to him in Syracuse All bend the knee; his the supreme dominion, And death and torment wait his sovereign nod.

_Mel._ But soon that pow'r shall cease: behold his walls Now close encircled by the Grecian bands; Timoleon leads them on; indignant Corinth Sends her avenger forth, array'd in terror, To hurl ambition from a throne usurp'd, And bid all Sicily resume her rights.

_Phil._ Thou wert a statesman once, Melanthon; now, Grown dim with age, thy eye pervades no more The deep-laid schemes which Dionysius plans.

Know then, a fleet from Carthage even now Stems the rough billow; and, ere yonder sun, That now declining seeks the western wave, Shall to the shades of night resign the world, Thou'lt see the Punic sails in yonder bay, Whose waters wash the walls of Syracuse.

_Mel._ Art thou a stranger to Timoleon's name?

Intent to plan, and circ.u.mspect to see All possible events, he rushes on Resistless in his course! Your boasted master Scarce stands at bay; each hour the strong blockade Hems him in closer, and ere long thou'lt view Oppression's iron rod to fragments s.h.i.+ver'd!

The good Evander then----

_Phil._ Alas, Evander Will ne'er behold the golden time you look for!

_Mel._ How! not behold it! Say, Philotas, speak; Has the fell tyrant,--have his felon murderers----

_Phil._ As yet, my friend, Evander lives.

_Mel._ And yet Thy dark half-hinted purpose--lead me to him; If thou hast murder'd him----

_Phil._ By Heav'n, he lives.

_Mel._ Then bless me with one tender interview.

Thrice has the sun gone down, since last, these eyes Have seen the good old king; say, why is this?

Wherefore debarr'd his presence? Thee, Philotas, The troops obey, that guard the royal pris'ner; Each avenue to thee is open; thou Canst grant admittance; let me, let me see him.