Page:Winter's Tale (1918) Yale.djvu/144

132 made, the most notable being that of the great actor David Garrick (1717–1779), which was played at Drury Lane theatre in 1756. The play in Garrick's adaptation begins with what was Shakespeare's fourth act. The events of sixteen years earlier are rehearsed for the benefit of the audience in a conversation between Camillo and a gentleman. Then the repentant Leontes comes to Bohemia, takes part with Polixenes and Perdita in the conversation at the shepherd's feast, and assumes the part which Shakespeare gave Camillo of comforting the lovers. Florizel and Perdita do not take ship; and the closing statue scene is in Bohemia. Garrick's version was popular for more than a generation. The prosaic ingenuity with which he dovetailed together parts of Shakespeare's great work is well illustrated in the following passage:

Perd. One of these is true,

I think affliction may subdue the cheek,

But not take in the mind.

Leon. Yea, say you so?

There shall not at your father's house, these sev'n years,

Be born another such.

Flor. O reverend. Sir!

As you would wish a child of your own youth

To meet his happiness in love, speak for me;

Remember since you ow'd no more to time

Than I do now; and with thought of like affections,

Step forth my advocate.

Leon. You touch me deep,

Deep, to the quick, sweet prince; alas! alas!

I lost a daughter, that 'twixt heaven and earth

Might thus have stood begetting wonder, as

Yon lovely maiden does—of that no more;—

I'll to the king your father,—this our compact,

Your honour not o'erthrown by your desires,

I am friend to them and you.

[Exit Leontes and Cleomenes.