Centlivre [née Freeman; other married name Carroll], Susanna (bap. 1669?, d. 1723)

The Busie Body: A Comedy

London

Printed for Bernard Lintott

May 12, 1709

"But then I was encourag'd by Reflecting, that Lelius and Scipio, the two greatest Men in their Time, among the Romans, both for Political and Military Virtues, in the height of their important Affairs, thought the Perusal and Improving of Terence's Comedies the noblest way of Unbinding their Minds."

I was indeed at first deterr'd from my Design, by a Thought that it might be accounted unpardonable Rudeness to obtrude a Trifle of this Nature to a Person, whose sublime Wisdom moderates that Council, which at this Critical Juncture, over-rules the Fate of all Europe. But then I was encourag'd by Reflecting, that Lelius and Scipio, the two greatest Men in their Time, among the Romans, both for Political and Military Virtues, in the height of their important Affairs, thought the Perusal and Improving of Terence's Comedies the noblest way of Unbinding their Minds. I own I were guilty of the highest Vanity, should I presume to put my Composures in Parallel with those of that Celebrated Dramatist. But then again, I hope that Your Lordship's native Goodness and Generosity, in Condescension to the Taste of the Best and Fairest part of the Town, who have been pleas'd to be diverted by the following Scenes, will excuse and overlook such Faults as your nicer Judgment might discern.
(Dedication)

Uncategorized::Unbinding

LION

First performed May 12, 1709. 38 entries in the ESTC (1709, 1714, 1725, 1727, 1732, 1736, 1737, 1740, 1741, 1746, 1747, 1749, 1753, 1754, 1755, 1757, 1759, 1765, 1766, 1768, 1770, 1771, 1774, 1776, 1777, 1779, 1782, 1787, 1790, 1791).

Text from The Busie Body: A Comedy. As it is Acted at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane, By Her Majesty's Servants. Written by Mrs. Susanna Centlivre. (London: Printed for Bernard Lintott, 1709).

08/22/2013