Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from Four Comedies of Terence: Translated, and the Stage Management and Mode of Acting Them Set Down, as They Were Acted at Westminster School
After that the Poet perceived that his writing was noticed by unjust men, and that enemies were dragging into jeopardy the Comedy which we are about to act; he himself will be an open testimony concerning himself ye shall be the judges, whether it be proper that that deed be accounted a praise or a crime. There is a Comedy of Diphilus by name Synapothescontes: Plau tus hath made that a Comedy by name Synapothescontes Plautus hath made that a Comedy by name Commorientes. In the Greek Comedy there is a young man, who drags away a harlot from a pimp, in the first part of the fable. Plautus has left that place whole (and untouched). This Poet has taken that place to himself into the Adelphi: he has brought it out expressed word for word. We are about to act that as a new fable: distinguish ye, whether ye may estimate, that a theft has been made, or thata place, which has been passed over with negligence, has been taken up again. For as to that which those malici ous men say, that men noble (in birth and station) as sisted him, and assiduously wrote along with him, he esteems that his greatest praise, since he pleases those, who are agreeable to you all, and to the people; whose atten tion (and assistance) in war, in peace, and in trade, every one at his own time hath possessed, Without pride (being Henceforward ye must not expect the argument of the fable. The old men who first shall come (in the Comedy) these will open a part (of the fable) to you. In the acting they will shew a (remaining) part. Cause ye, that your complaisance may increase the industry of the Poet (and his efforts) to writing.
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