The facsimile opposite shows the cast which performed Johnson's adaptation of 'As You Like It' in 1723, and suggests the nature of the alterations made by Johnson. (See Appendix B for further details.) The title-page mentions neither Shakespeare's name nor that which he gave the comedy. It runs as follows: 'Love in a Forest. A Comedy. As it is Acted at the Theatre Royal in Drury-Lane, By His Majesty's Servants . . . By Mr. Johnson . . . 1723.'
The Prologue, spoken by Wilks, closes with the following lines:
'Now,—As you like it, judge the following Play,
And when you view this Work retriev'd to Day;
Forgive our modern Author's Honest Zeal,
He hath attempted boldly, if not well:
Believe, he only does with Pain, and Care,
Presume to weed the beautiful Parterre.
His whole Ambition does, at most, aspire
To tune the sacred Bard's immortal Lyre;
The Sceme from Time and Error to restore,
And give the Stage, from Shakespear one Play more.'
