* LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST.) I have not hitherto difcovered any novel on which this comedy appears to have been founded; and yet the ftory of it has most of the features of an ancient romance. STEEVENS. I fufpect that there is an error in the title of this play, which, I believe, should be-" Love's Labours loft." M. MASON. Love's Labour's loft I conjecture to have been written in 1594. See An Attempt to afcertain the order of Shakspeare's plays, Vol. I. MALONE. PERSONS represented.* Ferdinand, King of Navarre. Biron Longaville, Dumain, Boyet, }2 Lords, attending on the King. Mercade, } Lords, attending on the Princess of France. Don Adriano de Armado, a fantastical Spaniard. Sir Nathaniel, a Curate. Holofernes, a Schoolmaster. Dull, a Constable. Costard, a Clown. Moth, Page to Armado. A Forester. Princess of France. Rofaline, Maria, Katharine, Ladies, attending on the Princess. Jaquenetta, a country Wench. Officers, and others, attendants on the King and SCENE, Navarre. • This enumeration of the perfons was made by Mr. Rowe. JOHNSON. Navarre. A Park, with a Palace in it. Enter the King, BIRON, LONGAVILLE, and DUMAIN. KING. Let fame, that all hunt after in their lives, Your oaths are past, and now subscribe your names; Subscribe to your deep oath, and keep it too. 2 - your deep oath,) The old copies have-eaths. Corrected by Mr. Steevens. MALONE. |