ABSTRACT
The texts presented in this volume derive from the last authorized lifetime editions of each play. This decision has been taken based upon the rationale that Rowe would have been able to intervene with and amend the official printed version of his plays up until this point. In both cases, the copy-text for each play is the second edition as published by Bernard Lintot:
The tragedy of Jane Shore. Written in imitation of Shakespear’s style. By N. Rowe, Esq (London: Bernard Lintott, 1714). ESTC T55535.
The tragedy of the Lady Jane Gray. As it is acted at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane. By N. Rowe (London: Bernard Lintot, 1717). ESTC N22654.
Other key editions consulted in the preparation of this volume include:The tragedy of Jane Shore. Written in imitation of Shakespear’s style. By N. ROWE, Esq (London: Bernard Lintott, 1714). ESTC T55544.
Poems on Several Occasions, By. N. Rowe, Esq (London: Edmund Curll, 1714). ESTC T42644.
The Tragedy of Jane Shore. Written in Imitation of Shakespear’s Style. By N. Rowe, Esq ([The Hague]: T. Johnson, 1714). ESTC T14949.
The tragedy of the Lady Jane Gray. As it is acted at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane. By N. ROWE Esq (London: Bernard Lintott, 1715). ESTC T51546.
Original spelling, punctuation and capitalization have been retained in order to produce a text that mirrors Lintot’s editions as closely as possible. Substantial textual variants between Lintot’s first and second editions of Jane Shore and Jane Gray are collated in the textual apparatus at the close of this volume, with very few significant authorial changes evident. Obvious errors made by the printer 26have been silently corrected, with these largely consisting of letters transposed or turned letters. A list of these silent corrections is included with the Historical collation at the end of this volume.