Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/506

494 to which, likewise, the author of this drama may have been indebted."

"The numerous corruptions that are found in the original edition in 1609, which have been carefully preserved and augmented in all the subsequent impressions, probably arose from its having been frequently exhibited on the stage. In the four quarto editions it is called the much admired play of ; and it is mentioned by many ancient writers as a very popular performance."—.

"There are three French translations of this story, viz. 'La chronique d'Appolin, Roy de Thyr;' 4to. Geneva, bl. l. no date; and 'Plaisante et agréable Histoire d'Appolonius Prince de Thyr en Affrique, et Roi d'Antioche; traduit par Gilles Corozet,' 8vo. Paris, 1530; and (in the seventh volume of the Histoires Tragiques, &c. 12mo. 1604, par François Belle-forest, &c.) 'Accidens diuers aduenus à Appollonie Roi des Tyriens: ses malheurs sur mer, ses pertes de femme et fille, et la fin heureuse de tous ensemble.

"The popularity of this tale of Apollonius, may be inferred from the very numerous MSS. in which it appears.

"Both editions of Twine's translation are now