Charles Lamb - Complete Works of Charles and Mary Lamb

The Complete Works of

CHARLES AND MARY LAMB

(1775-1834) and (17641847)

Contents

Delphi Classics 2017

Version 1

The Complete Works of

CHARLES AND MARY LAMB

By Delphi Classics, 2017

Complete Works of Charles and Mary Lamb

First published in the United Kingdom in 2017 by Delphi Classics.

Delphi Classics, 2017.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form other than that in which it is published.

ISBN: 978 1 78656 072 8

Delphi Classics

is an imprint of

Delphi Publishing Ltd

Hastings, East Sussex

United Kingdom

Contact: sales@delphiclassics.com

www.delphiclassics.com

Parts Edition Now Available!

Love reading the works of Charles and Mary Lamb ?

Did you know you can now purchase the Delphi Classics Parts Edition of this author and enjoy all the novels, plays, non-fiction books and other works as individual eBooks? Now, you can select and read individual novels etc. and know precisely where you are in an eBook. You will also be able to manage space better on your eReading devices.

The Parts Edition is only available direct from the Delphi Classics website.

For more information about this exciting new format and to try free Parts Edition downloads , please visit this link .

Inner Temple, one of the four Inns of Court in London, 1800 the birthplace of Charles and Mary Lamb

Inner Temple today

Crown Office Row, Inner Temple Mary and Charles were born in No. 2 Crown Office Row, which was destroyed during the Second World War.

A POETIC DRAMA

John Woodvil was not published until 1802, even though Charles Lamb had begun to compose the play in 1798. It is not one of his better known works and it did little to enhance his literary reputation at the time. Lamb determined to include other fragments of work at the end of the drama, which included a poem by his sister, Mary. The play was not successful and was not staged or produced anywhere. It was poorly received by critics and was excoriated by some publications, such as The Annual Review and History of Literature, which accused Lamb of being unable to align his language to his characters with any consistency. The publication also attacked his poetry, declaring it to be representative of a whining style...from which all the graces of language are contemptuously banished.

The play is set shortly after the Restoration in 1660 and centres on the eponymous John Woodvil. The young mans father, Sir Walter Woodvil, is a Parliamentarian, who has fled his home and is in hiding from the Kings forces. He is too heavily implicated in the Parliamentarians cause to be able to secure a pardon, being a wanted man by the Royalists. John has chosen to befriend and support the Cavaliers and has allowed his fathers house to go to ruin. Sir Walters ward, Margaret, is being harassed by Cavalier soldiers and despite John previously courting the young woman, he makes no attempt to defend her and shows no regard for her wellbeing. In a moment of thoughtlessness, John makes a mistake that has devastating consequences for his family.

Title page from 1802

Charles Lamb as a young man, c. 1804

SIR WALTER WOODVIL.

JOHN. }
SIMON. } his sons.

LOVEL. }
GRAY. } Pretended friends of John.

SANDFORD. Sir Walters old steward.
MARGARET. Orphan ward of Sir Walter.
FOUR GENTLEMEN. Johns riotous companions.
SERVANTS.

SCENE for the most part at Sir Walters mansion in DEVONSHIRE; at other times in the forest of SHERWOOD.

TIME soon after the RESTORATION.

* * * * *

SCENE. A Servants Apartment in Woodvil Hall.

Servants drinking Time, the morning.

* * * * *

A Song by DANIEL

When the King enjoys his own again.

PETER
A delicate song. Where didst learn it, fellow?

DANIEL Even there, where thou learnest thy oaths and thy politics at our masters table. Where else should a serving-man pick up his poor accomplishments?

MARTIN Well spoken, Daniel. O rare Daniel! his oaths and his politics! excellent!

FRANCIS
And where didst pick up thy knavery, Daniel?

PETER
That came to him by inheritance. His family have supplied the shire of
Devon, time out of mind, with good thieves and bad serving-men. All of
his race have come into the world without their conscience.

MARTIN
Good thieves, and bad serving-men! Better and better. I marvel what
Daniel hath got to say in reply.

DANIEL I marvel more when thou wilt say any thing to the purpose, thou shallow serving-man, whose swiftest conceit carries thee no higher than to apprehend with difficulty the stale jests of us thy compeers. When wast ever known to club thy own particular jest among us?

MARTIN
Most unkind Daniel, to speak such biting things of me!

FRANCIS See if he hath not brought tears into the poor fellows eyes with the saltness of his rebuke.

DANIEL No offence, brother Martin I meant none. Tis true, Heaven gives gifts, and with-holds them. It has been pleased to bestow upon me a nimble invention to the manufacture of a jest; and upon thee, Martin, an indifferent bad capacity to understand my meaning.

MARTIN
Is that all? I am content. Heres my hand.

FRANCIS Well, I like a little innocent mirth myself, but never could endure bawdry.

DANIEL Quot homines tot sententiae.

MARTIN
And what is that?

DANIEL
Tis Greek, and argues difference of opinion.

MARTIN
I hope there is none between us.