Dean Swift; a drama in four scenes

Front matter

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Foreword

In the 18th century, during the troubled reign of Queen Anne, an obscure Irish clergyman arrived in London. But when it became known that he was the author of "The Battle of the Books" both Whigs and Tories fought for the aid of his powerful pen.

Now, Jonothan Swift was a Whig — but a Churchman first. So he threw in his fortunes with the Tories and became, within six months, a Tory Chief without a portfolio. According to Johnson, "Swift was the Dictator of the politics of the English nation."

For reward, the Premier offered him money, which Swift refused with scorn; with flattery, which also failed ; with power ; which Swift accepted, taking the helm of State into his own hands. In the eloquent language of The London Times, "Swift was the Government; Swift was the Queen, the Lords and the Commons." And had Anne listened less to backstair influence, Swift had died a spiritual Peer.

Two splendid women loved Swift and he loved both. But to discover how he rewarded each has remained a mystery — the despair of historians, becoming for the past two hundred years a never-failing source for debate — as lively a topic for the world as though the three actors in the splendid drama walked the streets of today.

This play is based upon that mystery — the identity of the woman that Swift really loved; the author solving it by its results — the wrecking of Swift's happiness and that of the two women who so devotedly loved him.

PERSONS IN THE PLAY

Jonothan Swift (Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral Dublin)

Charles Ford (Dublin gentleman)

Richard Hayes (English dragoon)

Lord Oxford (Treasurer of the Tory ministry)

Viscompte Bolinbroke (Tory Secretary of State)

Erasmus Lewis (Under Secretary of State)

Dr. Delany (Dublin patriot)

Lord Lovelace (English fop)

Harcourt (English Politician)

Stella Johnson (Swift's ward)

Esther Van Homrigh (Swift's London friend and < pupil)

Duchess of Marlbro (Swift's political enemy)

Mistress Van Homrigh (Esther's mother)

Molly Van Homrigh (Esther's sister)

Mistress Dingley (Swift's house-keeper)

Ladies Tattleton and Nettleton (Of the English Court)

Misstresses Walsh and Grannan (Her twin girls) and Mistress Delany (Of Dublin)

Patrick (Swift's peasant-servant)

Jeems (Footman in the Von Homrigh home)

Preceptor and Choristers (Of St. Patrick's Cathedral)

Duchess' mute servant, lords and ladies, footmen, (All of London)

Lord Mayor, citizens (All of Dublin)

ACTI.

Sitting-room in the Deanery of St. Patrick's

Cathedral, Dublin. Sunny Morning

in April, 1716

Sitting-room of the Deanery. Twenty-five Years

Later