Douglas (play)

Portrait of Henry Erskine Johnston (1777–1830?), Scottish actor, in the title role of Douglas

Douglas is a blank verse tragedy by John Home. It was first performed in 1756 in Edinburgh.

The play was a big success in both Scotland and England for decades, attracting many notable actors of the period, such as Edmund Kean, who made his debut in it.[1] Peg Woffington played Lady Randolph, a part which found a later exponent in Sarah Siddons.

The opening lines of the second act are probably the best known:

My name is Norval; on the Grampian Hills
My father feeds his flocks; a frugal swain,
Whose constant cares were to increase his store.
And keep his only son, myself, at home.

— (Douglas, II, i)
  1. ^ "Edmund Kean". Arthur Lloyd.co.uk. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2012.