TAMERLANE THE GREAT . A TRAGEDY . As it is Acted by their Maiesties Servants AT THE Theatre Royal

By C. SAUNDERS , Gent.

LONDON . Printed for Richard Bentley and M. Magnes in Russel Street near Covent-Garden , 1681.

THIS Play , as it was Writ only for my divertisement at Vacant Hours , or Recreation after severer Studies , was never design'd to see the light , at least not betray the weakness of its Author so publickly on the Stage , or more universally in Print , had not the Communication of it to one or two Friends spread the rumour of it so far about the Town and Vniversity , that running like Wild-Fire through every place , it kindled a general expectation in all that either knew me in my self , or by my Friends to see it in Publick .

Nevertheless , their perswasions and inducements cou'd not make me Presume , to trust so far to my own small abilities , or to rely so much on my own weak Iudgment , as to send it forth into the World , until it had past the Censures of some ( I may say ) the greatest part of the Witty and Iudicious Men of the Town ; untill it had receiv'd some Rules for Correction from Mr. Dryden himself , who also was pleas'd to Grace it with an Epilogue , to which it ows no small part of its success .

After this , I thought I might safely enough commit it to its Fortune , and having had the Approbation of the Greater , I presume it was Protected from falling under the Censure of the Lesser , and half Witted Iudges .

But no sooner can a young Writer appear in the World , but he is look'd upon by those squint-ey'd Pretenders , to wit , no less than some Notorious Malefactor , or Branded Outlaw , whom all may Prosecute , Attaint , Iudge , Condemn , or what they please , cum Privilegio .

For passing by some , whose more nice Iudgment , or rather prying appetite , can find faults where few others wou'd suspect them , some whose sharper Wit is Satyrically employ'd in turning the best thoughts into Ridicule , to Ruine a Writer , as it were betwixt Iest and Earnest ; There are others who wanting the sense to discern , what is , and where a true Fault lies , nay , sometimes to distinguish it from a Beauty , will yet in spight of Stupidity have their share too in Damning the Reputation of an Author ; and the means they took , was to give out , that this was only an Old-Play Transcrib'd .

But I hope I may easily unload my self of that Calumny , when I shall testifie that I never heard of any Play on the same Subject , untill my own was Acted , neither have I since seen it , though it hath been to●d me , there is a Cock-Pit Play , going under the name of the Scythian Shepherd , or Tamberlain the Great , which how good it is , any one may Iudge by its obscurity , being a thing , not a Bookseller in London , or scarce the Players themselves , who Acted it formerly , cou'd call to Remembrance , so far , that I believe that whoever was the Author , he might e'en keep it to himself secure from invasion , or Plagiary ; But let these who have Read it Convince themselves of their Errors , that this is no second Edition , but an entirely new Play.

Moreover , utterly to overthrow this Objection , I must acquaint you that I drew the design of this Play , from a late Novell , call'd Tamerlane and Asteria , which I 'm sure bears not half the Age of the Tragedy before mention'd , and I am confident the Characters are quite different .

The last and worst aspertion is cast upon me , is , that I was help'd by others in the performance . But if I have not Friends that can clear me of this also , I hope the Congruity of the Style throughout the whole Play will testifie the simplicity of the Author .

This I think may satisfie my more equal Iudges , that this Trifle is mine own , or if you will , honestly begotten between me , and my Muse , which I hope is yet so Chast , and her Reputation so sound , as not to have her Issue Branded with Plurality of Fathers .

Thus we see what kind of Criticks we have now-a-dayes , that can lye by the whole sale , and Damn a Play in a Breath , that we may the more easily bear with them who pique at word by word , and thought by thought , in a more modest retail manner .

I shall not now strive to defend this Trifle in any particular Circumstances , but leave it to those of a more impartial Iudgment ; hoping first they may not find as many faults , as they expect , next that they wou'd be so kind as to wink at those which do occur , attributing them to the Youth of the Author , and consequently his want of experience , and Iudgment .