Hannibal: a drama

Preface

The kind reception given by the critics to the two volumes of poetry by my deceased sister — Poems, and Memoir of Louisa Shore ; and Poems by A. and L. (of which one piece only was contributed by the former) — has encouraged me to bring out a third volume. This contains only the drama of Hannibal, a work begun and accomplished as a sketch at twenty years old. In the course of the next three years it was retouched and filled up, but did not until about sixteen years after the first inception receive its final form, being then published, in March 1861. It underwent many careful corrections, but was in the main the same work as was projected and put into shape in her girlhood. In this elaborate composition she was wholly unassisted, save by her own historical studies, carried on chiefly from the original authorities.

The fervent hero worship exhibited in the characterisation of Hannibal was first imbibed from Arnold's History of the Second Punic War. The work, though published anonymously, received high praise from literary students, and was honoured with conspicuous and very eulogistic articles in the HANNIBAL VI Press of the day. I will give a brief extract from a long and very flattering notice in the Athenæum, by a well-known writer of that period : — 'The writer is unmistakably a poet. . . . We have read it with a quickening interest ; it has qualities that compel attention. We begin, and find that it puts on a businesslike aspect. We soon come upon a line that rings out with a good sturdy stroke. By and by the lines begin to lilt and flash. . . . This book is one to be singled out for an emphatic word of com mendation.' I will add nothing more, save that the portrait which forms the frontispiece of this book is engraved from a photograph taken in the year, and almost the month, in which Hantiibal appeared.

It is hoped that the face thus presented, and the accompanying verses, may afford some idea of the sweet personality which is now but a vision of the past. ARABELLA SHORE. January l$th, 1S98. DRAMATIS PERSONÆ Hannibal. Hasdrubal, his Brother. Maharbal . \ . [Carthaginian Generals commanding under IT I Hannibal. Hanno . . J Zeba . . . A Numidian Chief in Hannibal's army. Carthalo . A Carthaginian commanding under Hasdrubal. Himilco . . Ayt Officer in Hasdrubal's army. Abelux . . A Spanish Chief in Hasdrubal's army. Gala, Gulussa. Numidian Soldiers of Hasdrubal. Gisco . . ~\ Bostar . . .- Carthaginian Senators. Bomilcar . . J Nero . . -t T - Roman Consuls. Livius . .) Scipio . . Afterwards Consul. Lælius . . Second in command to Scipio. Catius . . Second in command to Nero. Portius . . Prætor.

Fabius . .) _, \-Roman Senators. Fulvius . .J Veturius, Licinius, Metellus, Roman Officers in the army of Livius. Octavius . . Commanding under Scipio. HANNIBAL Mutines . . A Libyphœnician, formerly an Officer under Hannibal, who has deserted to Rome. Silanus . . A Greek Historian, attached to the fortunes of Hannibal. Philemon . A Citizen of Metapontum. Masanissa .") „ I- Kings of rival Numidian peoples. Micipsa, Juba, Mastanabal, Numidian Chiefs subject to Syphax. The two Suffetes of Carthage, a Magician, Officers, Soldiers, Greek and Roman Citizens, etc. Sophonisba . Daughter of Hasdrubal-Gisco, a Carthaginian General serving in Spain, and Niece of Gisco. Ada . . . Daughter c/Gisco. Zeinab . ."1 „ \ Noble Carthaginian Alaidens. Kora . .) & Ianthe . . A young Aletapontine Widow of rank. Stratonice . Alother-in-law of Ianthe. ZlLLA . . An Ethiopian Slave-girl attending on Ada. HANNIBAL