THE WONDER. SECRESY and the sex are proverbially disunited. In the cause of gallantry however, their silence has been seldom disputed. Upon the single exertion of that prudent quality MRS. CENTLIVRE has built the present play. Whether the ladies take the implication in the title kindly or not, their value for the ingenious Author may demonstrate. The WONDER is clearly the most entertaining play built upon the domestic Caution and irrational Jealousy, which so long marked the Spanish Character. The character of Don FELIX is in the highest degree natural and pleasing-His quick succession of doubts and tenderness-His angry departure, merely to return more enslaved-His ready sensibility and impatience of affront-are not peculiarly national and local; they are the feelings of most men in situations any way similar. The lower Characters of the Play are natural, and constructed with much knowledge of Stage Effect.— The Theatre has, perhaps, few pieces which so completely can be considered as the freeholds of Dramatic fame. PROLOGUE. OUR Author fears the critics of the stage, Who think good-nature shews a want of wit. She humbly sues to recompense her toil; In plays, like vessels floating on the sea, Rightly our Author does her judgment shew, Your approbation, Fair Ones! cann't but move Dramatis Perfona. COVENT GARDEN. Men. Don LOPEZ, a grandee of Portugal, Mr. Booth. Don FELIX, bis son, in love with Vio-}Mr. Lewis. lante, THE WONDER. ACT I. SCENE 1. A Street. Enter DON LOPEZ meeting FREDERICK. My lord, Don Lopez. Frederick. Lop. How d'ye, Frederick? Fred. At your lordship's service. I am glad to see you look so well, my lord. I hope Antonio's out of danger? Lop. Quite contrary; his fever increases they tell me; and the surgeons are of opinion his wound is mortal. Fred. Your son, Don Felix, is safe I hope. Lop. I hope so too; but they offer large rewards to apprehend him. Fred. When heard your lordship from him? Lop. Not since he went: I forbad him writing till the public news gave him an account of Antonio's health. Letters might be intercepted, and the place of his abode discovered. "Fred. Your caution was good, my lord. Tho' I |