THE

KING’S FRIEND

A Play,

IN FIVE ACTS.

AS PERFORMED, FOR THE FIRST TIME, AT THE THEATRE ROYAL, SADLER’S WELLS, ON THE 21ST OF MAY, 1845.

BY ROBERT SULIVAN, ESQ.

LONDON: SAUNDERS AND OTTLEY, CONDUIT STREET.

1845.

LONDON: ALFRED ROBINS, PRINTER, 7, SOUTHAMPTON STREET, STRAND.

To S. PHELPS, ESQ.

MY DEAR SIR,

I dedicate this Play to you; not under the idea that it has merit to make a dedication of any value, but because your ready acceptance of it, your many important hints for adapting it to the Stage, and the truly kind manner in which you recommended it to Mrs. Warner--your greatly gifted managerial partner--render it, such as it is, peculiarly your own. To your joint unremitting care, and liberal disregard of expenditure, in its production, as well as to your respective performance of two most inadequate parts, your audience and the press have already paid a tribute which leaves me no comment to offer. I can only say, that to them and to you, and to every performer concerned, I feel a debt which I am proud to acknowledge, and not likely to forget.

With the certain assurance that many a better writer will have to address you in the same spirit, believe me, my dear Sir,

Very faithfully your’s,

ROBERT SULIVAN.

_York Terrace, Regent’s Park._

MAY 27TH, 1845.

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

_Henry IV_ MR. PHELPS. _Marquis de Rosny_ MR. H. MARSTON. _Le Seigneur de Fresne_ MR. G. BENNETT. _Victor_ MR. S. BUCKINGHAM. _Du Front_ MR. MORTON. _La Plume_ MR. H. MELLON. _Maignan_ MR. SCHARFE. _A Page_ MISS STEPHENS. _A Lackey_ _Vauteur_ } { MR. KNIGHT. _Bravache_ } Bravos { MR. GRAHAM. _Poignard_ } { MR. C. FENTON.

_Attendants of de Fresne, Soldiers, Servants, Bravos._

_Katherine de Villequier_ MISS COOPER. _Madame Chateaupers_ MRS. WARNER.

_Scene_--FRANCE. In the Town of Mante.

ACT I.