Chapter I: Front Matter

[Transcriber's Note: Some typographical errors have been corrected, while others were left in their original form. Details are given at the end of the file.]

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_AMADIS_
of
_GAUL_.

an
OPERA.

As it is perform'd at the
King's Theatre

in the
_Hay-Market_.

_LONDON:_
Printed for _Jacob Tonson_, at _Shakespear's-Head_
over-against _Catherine-Street_
in the _Strand_. 1715.

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To the Right Honourable
_RICHARD_,
Earl of
_Burlington_ and _Corck_,
Baron _Clifford_ of _Landesbrough_, & c.

_My LORD_,

My Duty and Gratitude oblige me to give this Publick Testimony, of that Generous Concern Your Lordship has always shown for the promoting of Theatrical Musick, but this Opera more immediately claims Your Protection, as it is compos'd in Your own Family.

The particular Encouragement you have given to the liberal Arts, not only shows the Delicacy of Your Taste, but will be a Means to Establish them in this Climate, and _Italy_ will no longer boast of being the Seat of Politeness, whilst the Sons of Art flourish under Your Patronage.

Your Lordship indeed has distinguished Your self this way, and every Science has raised it self under Your Auspicious Bounty. So true a Notion of Merit, and so nice a Discernment of what is Curious, is but rarely found among Persons of an advanced Age; but You my Lord, by an uncommon Felicity of Genius, do even in the Bloom of Youth make Your Entrance in the World with the most refin'd Taste and mature Judgment.

But I fear the Pleasure I take in Recounting Your Excellent Qualities will make me commit an Involuntary Errour, and that I shall be thought Troublesome, when I only designed to show with how much Respect I am,

_My LORD,_
_Your Lordship's most Humble,
_most Obliged, and most
_Faithful Servant,_

John James Heidegger.

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Personaggi.

Dramatis Personæ

Amadigi di Gaula Eroe, amante di Oriana.

_Amadis_ of _Gaul_, a famous Heroe, in love with _Oriana_.

Sig. Cav. _Nicolino Grimaldi_.

Dardano, Prencipe di Tracia.

_Dardanus_, Prince of _Thracia_.

Sig. _Diana Vico_.

Oriana, Figlia del' Rè dell' Isole fortunate.

Sig. _Anastasia Robinson_.

_Oriana_, Daughter of the King of the Fortunate Islands.

Mrs. _Anastasia Robinson_.

Melissa, Maga Amante Di Amadigi.

Sig. _Elisabetta Pilotta Schiavonetti,
di S.A.R. la Principessa di Galles_.

_Melissa_, an Enchantress, in love with _Amadis_.

Sig. _Elizabetta Pilotta Schiavonetti_,
Servant to her Royal Highness the Princess of _Wales_.

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Amadigi di Gaula.

_Amadis_ of _Gaul_.

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ATTO I. SCENA I.