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PERCY.

A TRAGEDY,
IN FIVE ACTS.

BY MRS. HANNAH MORE.

CORRECTLY GIVEN,
AS PERFORMED AT THE THEATRES ROYAL.

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London:
PRINTED BY AND FOR D. S. MAURICE,

_Fenchurch Street;_

SOLD BY
T. HUGHES, 35, LUDGATE STREET; J. BYSH, 52, PATERNOSTER ROW;
J. CUMMING, DUBLIN; J. SUTHERLAND, EDINBURGH; &c. &c.




REMARKS.


This tragedy, in which Mrs. Hannah More is supposed to have been
assisted by Garrick, was produced at Covent Garden Theatre, in 1778,
with success; and revived, in 1818, at the same Theatre.

The feuds of the rival houses of Percy and of Douglas have furnished
materials for this melancholy tale, in which Mrs. More[1] has embodied
many judicious sentiments and excellent passages, producing a forcible
lesson to parental tyranny. The victim of her husband's unreasonable
jealousy, _Elwina's_ virtuous conflict is pathetic and interesting;
while _Percy's_ sufferings, and the vain regret of Earl _Raby_, excite
and increase our sympathy.

  [1] Of this estimable lady, a contemporary writer says, "This lady has
  for many years flourished in the literary world, which she has richly
  adorned by a variety of labours, all possessing strong marks of
  excellence. In the cause of religion and society, her labours are
  original and indefatigable; and the industrious poor have been at
  once enlightened by her instructions, and supported by her bounty."

  As a dramatic writer, Mrs. More is known by her "Search after
  Happiness," pastoral drama; "The Inflexible Captive,"--"Percy,"
  and "Fatal Falsehood," tragedies; and by her "Sacred Dramas."




DRAMATIS PERSONAE.

 Percy, Earl of Northumberland       Mr. Lewis.
 Earl Douglas                        Mr. Wroughton.
 Earl Raby, Elwina's Father          Mr. Aickin.
 Edric, Friend to Douglas            Mr. Whitefield.
 Harcourt, Friend to Percy           Mr. Robson.
 Sir Hubert, a Knight                Mr. Hull.

 Elwina                              Mrs. Barry.
 Birtha                              Mrs. Jackson.

 Knights, Guards, Attendants, &c.

 SCENE,--Raby Castle, in Durham.




PERCY.




ACT THE FIRST.


SCENE I. A GOTHIC HALL.

_Enter Edric and Birtha._

_Bir._ What may this mean? Earl Douglas has enjoin'd thee
To meet him here in private?

_Edr._ Yes, my sister,
And this injunction I have oft receiv'd;
But when he comes, big with some painful secret,
He starts, looks wild, then drops ambiguous hints,
Frowns, hesitates, turns pale, and says 'twas nothing;
Then feigns to smile, and by his anxious care
To prove himself at ease, betrays his pain.

_Bir._ Since my short sojourn here, I've mark'd this earl,
And though the ties of blood unite us closely,
I shudder at his haughtiness of temper,
Which not his gentle wife, the bright Elwina,
Can charm to rest. Ill are their spirits pair'd;
His is the seat of frenzy, her's of softness,
His love is transport, her's is trembling duty;
Rage in his soul is as the whirlwind fierce,
While her's ne'er felt the power of that rude passion.

_Edr._ Perhaps the mighty soul of Douglas mourns,
Because inglorious love detains him here,
While our bold knights, beneath the Christian standard,
Press to the