John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
3058 John Dennis 1657-1734 John Bartlett
| NUMBER: | 3058 |
| AUTHOR: | John Dennis (1657–1734) |
| QUOTATION: | They will not let my play run; and yet they steal my thunder. 1 |
| Note 1. Our author, for the advantage of this play (“Appius and Virginia”), had invented a new species of thunder, which was approved of by the actors, and is the very sort that at present is used in the theatre. The tragedy however was coldly received, notwithstanding such assistance, and was acted but a short time. Some nights after, Mr. Dennis, being in the pit at the representation of “Macbeth,” heard his own thunder made use of; upon which he rose in a violent passion, and exclaimed, with an oath, that it was his thunder. “See,” said he, “how the rascals use me! They will not let my play run, and yet they steal my thunder!”—Biographia Britannica, vol. v. p. 103. [back] |