It is hardly possible to read this tragedy of the "Grecian Daughter," without laughing as well as crying. Some passages excite tears, whilst certain high-sounding sentences, with meaning insignificant, are irresistibly risible.
The popular story, from which the fable of this tragedy is produced, and the surprising event in the last scene--where a woman performs that which a whole army has in vain attempted--together with the powerful acting of Mrs. Barry in the part of Euphrasia, rendered this play greatly attractive when it was first performed; and as those causes of attraction still remain, or rather, an improvement is introduced by Mrs. Siddons's appearance in the Grecian Daughter, the play is still of use to the theatre.
The men's characters have been all sacrificed by the author to the valour of the woman--he has made his female do the deed of a man, and his best man perform the act of a child.
Though Evander ranks as the first male character in this play, no actor likes to appear in the part. He would rather be inferior, and less infirm.
As Mr. Murphy had much theatrical experience as well as taste, it is astonishing that the personage most talked of, most praised, and by far the most perfect character in the whole drama, should never make his appearance!
Timoleon is a great warrior and a good man; and it seems wonderful how the audience, on the first night of the play, would quit the theatre without seeing him. Yet it was but modesty and respect in the author, not to bring so magnanimous a hero on the scene, to speak bad poetry.
The great tragic dramatist, Otway, wrote miserable comedies: Let it be no disgrace to Murphy that he has written an indifferent tragedy. By the merit of his comic scenes, his tragic ones are perhaps judged, and in the comparison lose half their value.
DIONYSIUS _Mr. Cory._ EVANDER _Mr. Kemble._ PHILOTAS _Mr. C. Kemble._ MELANTHON _Mr. Hull._ PHOCION _Mr. Brunton._ ARCAS _Mr. Davenport._ GREEK HERALD _Mr. Creswell._ CALIPPUS _Mr. Klanert._ GREEK SOLDIER _Mr. Field._ OFFICER
EUPHRASIA _Mrs. Siddons._ ERIXENE _Mrs. Humphries._
_Mel._ Yet, yet a moment; hear, Philotas, hear me.
_Mel._ Obdurate man; Thus wilt thou spurn me, when a king distress'd, A good, a virtuous, venerable king, The father of his people, from a throne Which long with ev'ry virtue he adorn'd, Torn by a ruffian, by a tyrant's hand, Groans in captivity? In his own palace Lives a sequester'd prisoner? Oh! Philotas, If thou hast not renounc'd humanity; Let me behold my sovereign; once again Admit me to his presence; let me see My royal master.