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PLAYS

Cleopatra > 1593

S. R. 1593, Oct. 19. 'A booke intituled The Tragedye of Cleopatra.' Symond Waterson (Arber, ii. 638). 1594. Delia and Rosamond augmented. Cleopatra. By Samuel Daniel. James Roberts and Edward Allde for Simon Waterson. [Two editions. Verse Epistle to Lady Pembroke.] 1595. James Roberts and Edward Allde for Simon Waterson.

1598. Peter Short for Simon Waterson.

Also in Colls. 1599-1635. Edition by M. Lederer (1911, Materialien, xxxi). The play is in the classical manner, with choruses. The Epistle speaks of the play as motived by Lady Pembroke's 'well grac'd Antony'; the Apology to Philotas shows that it was not acted. In 1607 it is described as 'newly altered', and is in fact largely rewritten, perhaps under the stimulus of the production of Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. The 1607 text is repeated in 1611, and the Epistle to Lady Pembroke is rewritten. But the text of 1623 is the earlier version again. ''Philotas. 1604''

S. R. 1604, Nov. 29 (Pasfield). 'A Booke called the tragedie of Philotus wrytten by Samuel Daniell.' Waterson and Edward Blunt (Arber, iii. 277).

1605. [Part of Coll. 1605. Verse Epistle to Prince Henry, signed 'Sam. Dan.'; Apology.]

1607. The Tragedie of Philotas. By Sam. Daniel. ''Melch. Bradwood for Edward Blount.'' [Shortened version of Epistle to Henry.]

Also in Colls. 1607-35.

The play is in the classical manner, with choruses. From the Apology, motived by 'the wrong application and misconceiving' of it, I extract:

'Above eight yeares since [1596], meeting with my deare friend D. Lateware, (whose memory I reverence) in his Lords Chamber and mine, I told him the purpose I had for Philotas: who sayd that himselfe had written the same argument, and caused it to be presented in St. John's Colledge in Oxford; where as I after heard, it was worthily and with great applause performed And living in the Country, about foure yeares since, and neere halfe a yeare before the late Tragedy of ours (whereunto this is now most ignorantly resembled) unfortunately fell out heere in England [Sept., 1600], I began the same, and wrote three Acts thereof,—as many to whom I then shewed it can witnesse,—purposing to have had it presented in Bath by certaine Gentlemens sonnes, as a private recreation for the Christmas, before the Shrovetide of that unhappy disorder [Feb. 1601]. But by reason of some occasion then falling out, and being called upon by my Printer for a new impression of my workes, with some additions to the Civill Warres, I intermitted this other subject. Which now lying by mee, and driven by necessity to make use of my pen, and the Stage to bee the mouth of my lines, which before were never heard to speake but in silence, I thought the representing so true a History, in the ancient forme of