Page:Osorio; a tragedy, as originally written in 1797 (IA cu31924105501831).pdf/19

 After its successful appearance, Southey wrote to Grosvenor Bedford (Jan. 27, 1813):—"I never doubted that Coleridge's play would meet with a triumphant reception. Be it known and remembered hereafter, that this self-same play, having had no other alterations made in it now than Coleridge was willing to have made in it then, was rejected in 1797 by Sheridan and Kemble. Had these sapient caterers for the public brought it forward at that time, it is by no means improbable that the author might have produced a play as good every season; with my knowledge of Coleridge's habits I verily believe he would."

The tragedy, which had been remodelled with a view to stage effect, was performed for the first time, under the title of Remorse, at Drury Lane Theatre on Saturday, Jan. 23, 1813. The Prologue was written by Charles Lamb, and the Epilogue by the author himself. The success was immediate and decisive, and the play had a run of twenty nights. The cast of the characters was as follows:—