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BY EXPRESS COMMAND AND UNDER THE ESPECIAL PATRONAGE

OF THE

COMMISSIONER OF THE DOCKYARD

WILL BE

Performed for the first time on the 12th May 18—

THE ROMANTIC AND TRAGICAL DRAMA

OF

“THE KING AND THE USURPER”

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ

CAVENDISH,King of Little Britain, a Crusader, a Hero and a Lover.,Cavendish Boyle.OSMAN,An Ex-Slave, a Rebel, and a Usurper,Charles Boyle.THEODORE,The Brother-in-Arms and Confidant of the King,Mary Boyle.SELIMConfidant of Osman,Mary Boyle.HIGH PRIEST,Charles Boyle.IRENE,A Converted Slave, betrothed to the King,Mary Boyle.ZAYDAH,Her Countrywoman and ConfidanteCharles Boyle.

Locality.—The Capital of Little Britain.

Period.—Any time during the Crusades and in the very Dark Ages.

The name of Little Britain was given out of compliment to the tender years of its monarch, and had no special geographical significance. The curtain drew up on a scene in the palace, where Zaydah announces to her mistress that Osman, the would-be usurper of the throne, desires an audience in the absence of the King, he being deeply smitten with the charms of his lovely fellow-countrywoman. The idea is revolting to the mind of the beautiful Irene. She will not listen for one moment to one word from the lips of this monster of ingratitude, who, not content with endeavouring to supplant his master on the throne, would now attempt to do so in the affections of his beloved. But the rebel is not to be so easily dismissed, and with what a burst of virtuous indignation is he received by the Prima Donna, in whose lofty breast love for one man and hatred for another are now waging war! The words forbidding Osman to lift her hand to his lips—lest it should not be “worth her King’s acceptance” when soiled by his barbarous touch—were given in manner worthy of Mrs Siddons, and fairly brought down the house; while the swift transitions of dress and character would have done honour to Mr Irving’s Lyons Mail, had that eminent actor lived at the time. You had scarcely lost sight of the turban, trousers, and scimitar of the rebel, when your eyes were riveted by the charming confidante, Zaydah, like her lovely mistress, a convert to the Christian faith—for the play it may be seen had a decidedly religious as well as moral tendency.