TO MY FRIENDS.

― _______ ―

IN putting these attempts at dramatic composition into a legible form, I must remind my friends, that they were all composed before any of those by Mr. Maturin and Mr. Shiel, which have been so successful at our two great theatres in the hands of Miss O'Neill and Mr. Kean; I might otherwise be suspected of plagiarism, as I observed in them some points of resemblance to mine, especially in one written for Miss O'Neill.

I have left the title of Tragedy to "Ina," because it was first printed with it; but being deeply impressed with the mighty promise implied in that word, and feeling that whatever designation we see affixed to such productions of human intellect as Macbeth, and Othello,

― viii ―

ought to be sacred to such works alone, I have forborne giving that title to any other of my poems. Indeed, had I known, as I now do, the tremendous difficulty of dramatic composition, I should never have attempted it; but children are scarcely more ignorant of the art of government, when they play at kings and queens, than I was of all the requisites for writing tragedy when I began, nearly eleven years since, to dramatise a part of the little novel of "Gonzalve du Cordoue." As the difficulties of the undertaking gradually unfolded, so the fascination of the pursuit obtained a firmer hold on me; and I appeal to all who have blindly ventured like myself, whether that fascination is not irresistible.

I had at that period other inducements too, which, in the eyes of those friends who are acquainted with them, may form a still better excuse for my temerity.

I am at length convinced that tragedy is not the field for female powers. Its province is to portray those violent and terrible passions, which must be treated with a boldness beyond the courage, and a force above the strength of woman; and which, some of them at least,

― ix ―

demand a coarseness from which she naturally shrinks. Tenderness, whose every variety she might, perhaps, succeed in expressing, is a feeling in which the Tragic Muse must sparingly indulge. I would, therefore, as soon recommend the profession of arms to my countrywomen, because there has been one Maid of Saragossa, as tragedy to my sister scribblers, because there exists one Joanna Baillie.

After what I have said, I ought, perhaps, to throw my manuscripts into the fire; but, I confess, the destruction of what has cost me so much pains, and afforded me so much amusement at a less happy period of my life, would give me pain: and although I am sensible these poems are not worthy to meet the public eye, I should be ungrateful, if, after the indulgence they have already experienced, I supposed them unfit for that of friendship.

For you then, my friends, I print a few copies of my plays, translations, and other trifling compositions, that if ever you should be disposed to look at them again, the second perusal may at least be less troublesome than the first.

The Hoo,
April 10, 1821.

― [x] ―

About this text
Courtesy of University of California, Davis. General Library. Digital Intitiatives Program.; http://digital.lib.ucdavis.edu/projects/bwrp
http://content.cdlib.org/view?docId=kt2d5nb7m2&brand=oac4
Title: Dramas, Translations, and Occasional Poems. Volume I
By: Dacre, Barbarina, Lady, 1767-1854, creator, British Women Romantic Poets Project, University of California, Davis, Library.
Date: 2002 (issued)
Contributing Institution: University of California, Davis. General Library. Digital Intitiatives Program.; http://digital.lib.ucdavis.edu/projects/bwrp
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