Oxberry's dramatic biography and histrionic anecdotes [ed. by C.E. Oxberry]., Volume 2

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1825

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Page 15 - O, it offends me to the soul to hear a robustious periwig-pated fellow tear a passion to tatters, to very rags, to split the ears of the groundlings, who for the most part are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb-shows and noise: I would have such a fellow whipped for o'erdoing Termagant; it out-herods Herod: pray you, avoid it.
Page 51 - Round her she made an atmosphere of life, The very air seem'd lighter from her eyes, They were so soft and beautiful, and rife With all we can imagine of the skies, And pure as Psyche ere she grew a wifeToo pure even for the purest human ties; Her overpowering presence made you feel It would not be idolatry to kneel.
Page 30 - The best actors in the world, either for tragedy, comedy, history, pastoral, pastoral-comical, historicalpastoral, tragical-historical, tragical-comical-historicalpastoral, scene individable, or poem unlimited : Seneca cannot be too heavy, nor Plautus too light.
Page 238 - A new-moon, something decayed. A pint of the finest Spanish wash, being all that is left of two hogsheads sent over last winter. A coach very finely gilt, and little used, with a pair of dragons, to be sold cheap. A setting sun, a pennyworth.
Page 64 - I love plain dealing, and am never more fond of it than when it tells me of them." " Then, madam," says Mr. Fairbeard, " you and the Plain Dealer seem designed by heaven for each other.
Page 237 - This is to give notice that a magnificent palace, with great variety of gardens, statues, and waterworks, may be bought cheap in Drury-lane, where there are likewise several castles to be disposed of, very delightfully situated; as also groves, woods, forests, fountains, and country seats, with very pleasant prospects on all sides of them; being the moveables of Christopher...
Page 65 - The piece was of two acts ; the story, a servant-girl whose master had fallen in love with her ; and being offered a settlement by him, is warned by Thomas the Butler, who loves her, and tells her to beware of her master ; for if she once loses her virtue, she will have no pretensions to chastity. She takes his advice, and slights her master, who, overcome by her honest principles, and the strength of his passion, offers to marry her; she begs Thomas may be by, to hear the reply she gives to such...
Page 14 - Of sun and moon, and that the affrighted globe Should yawn at alteration.
Page 259 - The man that lays his hand upon a woman, Save in the way of kindness, is a wretch Whom 'twere gross flattery to name a coward.
Page 108 - you have only to make use of my name, which I fully authorize you to do, and you may rely upon being well received. Say that I have seen you on the stage, and declared my satisfaction at your performance.

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