The Devil Is an Ass

Text

Editor’s Note

The text here adopted is that of the original edition of 1631. No changes of reading have been made; spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and italics are reproduced. The original pagination is inserted in brackets; the book-holder’s marginal notes are inserted where 1716 and Whalley placed them. In a few instances modern type has been substituted for archaic characters. The spacing of the contracted words has been normalized.

1641 =	Pamphlet folio of 1641.
1692 =	The Third Folio, 1692.
1716 =	Edition of 1716 (17).
W =	Whalley’s edition, 1756.
G =	Gifford’s edition, 1816.
SD. =	Stage directions at the beginning of a scene.
SN. =	Side note, or book-holder’s note.
om. =	omitted.
ret. =	retained.
f. =	and all later editions.
G§ =	a regular change. After a single citation only exceptions are noted. See Introduction, page xvi.

Mere changes of spelling have not been noted in the variants. All changes of form and all suggestive changes of punctuation have been recorded.

THE DIUELL

IS
AN ASSE:

---

A COMEDIE

ACTED IN THE
YEARE, 1616.

BY HIS MAIESTIES
Servants.

---

The Author BEN: IONSON.

---

HOR. de ART. POET.
Ficta voluptatis Cauſâ, ſint proxima veris.

[DEVICE OF A GRIFFIN’S HEAD ERASED]

---

THE PERSONS
OF THE PLAY.

Satan.	The great diuell.[93]
Pvg.	The leſſe diuell.
Iniqvity.	The Vice.
Fitz-dottrell.	A Squire of Norfolk.
Miſtreſſe Frances.	His wife. 5
Meere-craft.	The Proiector.
Everill.	His champion.
Wittipol.	A young Gallant.
Manly.	His friend.
Ingine.	A Broaker. 10
Traines.	The Proiectors man.
Gvilt-head.	A Gold-ſmith.
Plvtarchvs.	His ſonne.
Sir Povle Either-side.	A Lawyer, and Iuſtice.
Lady Either-side.	His wife. 15
Lady Taile-bvsh.	The Lady Proiectreſſe.
Pit-fall.	Her woman.
Ambler.	Her Gentlemanvſher.
Sledge.	A Smith, the conſtable.
Shackles.	Keeper of Newgate. 20

SERIEANTS.

The Scene, London.

[93] Dramatis Personæ 1716, f. G places the women’s names after those of the men.

[94] 1, 2 Devil 1692, f.

[95] 4 Fabian Fitzdottrel G

[96] 5 Mrs. Frances Fitzdottrel G || His wife] om. G

[97] 9 Eustace Manly G

[98] 10 Engine 1716, f.

[99] 12 Thomas Gilthead G

[100] 15 His wife] om. G

[101] 18 Gentleman-usher to lady Tailbush G

[102] 21 Serjeants, officers, servants, underkeepers, &c. G

[103] 22 The] om. 1716, W

---

[94]

The Prologue.

The Divell is an Aſſe. That is, to day,
The name of what you are met for, a new Play.
Yet, Grandee’s, would you were not come to grace
Our matter, with allowing vs no place.
Though you preſume Satan a ſubtill thing, 5
And may haue heard hee’s worne in a thumbe-ring;
Doe not on theſe preſumptions, force vs act,
In compaſſe of a cheeſe-trencher. This tract
Will ne’er admit our vice, becauſe of yours.
Anone, who, worſe then you, the fault endures 10
That your ſelues make? when you will thruſt and ſpurne,
And knocke vs o’ the elbowes, and bid, turne;
As if, when wee had ſpoke, wee muſt be gone,
Or, till wee ſpeake, muſt all runne in, to one,
Like the young adders, at the old ones mouth? 15
Would wee could ſtand due North; or had no South,
If that offend: or were Muſcouy glaſſe,
That you might looke our Scenes through as they paſſe.
We know not how to affect you. If you’ll come
To ſee new Playes, pray you affoord vs roome, 20
And ſhew this, but the ſame face you haue done
Your deare delight, the Diuell of Edmunton.
Or, if, for want of roome it muſt miſ-carry,
’Twill be but Iuſtice, that your cenſure tarry,
Till you giue ſome. And when ſixe times you ha’ ſeen’t, 25
If this Play doe not like, the Diuell is in’t.

[104] The Prologue.] follows the title-page 1716, W

[105] 5 subtle 1692 f.

[106] 10 than 1692, f. passim in this sense. Anon 1692, f.

[107] 12 o’] on G§

[108] 14 till] ’till 1716

[109] 25 ha’] have G§

---

[95]

THE DIVELL

IS

AN ASSE.

Act. I. Scene. I.

Divell. Pvg. Iniqvity.

Hoh, hoh, hoh, hoh, hoh, hoh, hoh, hoh, &c.
To earth? and, why to earth, thou foooliſh Spirit?
What wold’ſt thou do on earth?

          Pvg. For that, great Chiefe!
As time ſhal work. I do but ask my mon’th.
Which euery petty pui’nee Diuell has; 5
Within that terme, the Court of Hell will heare
Some thing, may gaine a longer grant, perhaps.

Sat. For what? the laming a poore Cow, or two?
Entring a Sow, to make her caſt her farrow?
Or croſſing of a Mercat-womans Mare, 10
Twixt this, and Totnam? theſe were wont to be
Your maine atchieuements, Pug, You haue ſome plot, now,
Vpon a tonning of Ale, to ſtale the yeſt,
Or keepe the churne ſo, that the buttter come not;
Spight o’ the houſewiues cord, or her hot ſpit? 15
Or ſome good Ribibe, about Kentiſh Towne,
Or Hogſden, you would hang now, for a witch,
Becauſe ſhee will not let you play round Robbin:
And you’ll goe ſowre the Citizens Creame ’gainſt Sunday?
That ſhe may be accus’d for’t, and condemn’d, 20
By a Middleſex Iury, to the ſatisfaction
Of their offended friends, the Londiners wiues
Whoſe teeth were ſet on edge with it? Fooliſh feind,
Stay i’ your place, know your owne ſtrengths, and put not
Beyond the ſpheare of your actiuity. 25
You are too dull a Diuell to be truſted
[96]
Forth in thoſe parts, Pug, vpon any affayre
That may concerne our name, on earth. It is not
Euery ones worke. The ſtate of Hell muſt care
Whom it imployes, in point of reputation, 30
Heere about London. You would make, I thinke
An Agent, to be ſent, for Lancaſhire,
Proper inough; or ſome parts of Northumberland,
So yo’ had good inſtructions, Pug.
          Pvg. O Chiefe!
You doe not know, deare Chiefe, what there is in mee. 35
Proue me but for a fortnight, for a weeke,
And lend mee but a Vice, to carry with mee,
To practice there-with any play-fellow,
And, you will ſee, there will come more vpon’t,
Then you’ll imagine, pretious Chiefe.

          Sat. What Vice? 40
What kind wouldſt th’ haue it of?

          Pvg. Why, any Fraud;
Or Couetouſneſſe; or Lady Vanity;
Or old Iniquity: I’ll call him hither.

Ini. What is he, calls vpon me, and would ſeeme to lack a Vice?
Ere his words be halfe ſpoken, I am with him in a trice; 45
Here, there, and euery where, as the Cat is with the mice:
True vetus Iniquitas. Lack’ſt thou Cards, friend, or Dice?
I will teach thee cheate, Child, to cog, lye, and ſwagger,
And euer and anon, to be drawing forth thy dagger:
To ſweare by Gogs-nownes, like a lusty Iuuentus, 50
In a cloake to thy heele, and a hat like a pent-houſe.
Thy breeches of three fingers, and thy doublet all belly,
With a Wench that shall feede thee, with cock-ſtones and gelly.

Pvg. Is it not excellent, Chiefe? how nimble he is!

Ini. Child of hell, this is nothing! I will fetch thee a leape 55
From the top of Pauls-ſteeple, to the Standard in Cheepe:
And lead thee a daunce, through the ſtreets without faile,
Like a needle of Spaine, with a thred at my tayle.
We will ſuruay the Suburbs, and make forth our ſallyes,
Downe Petticoate-lane, and vp the Smock-allies, 60
To Shoreditch, Whitechappell, and so to Saint Kathernes.
To drinke with the Dutch there, and take forth their patternes:
From thence, wee will put in at Cuſtome-houſe key there,
And ſee, how the Factors, and Prentizes play there,
Falſe with their Maſters; and gueld many a full packe, 65
To ſpend it in pies, at the Dagger, and the Wool-ſacke.

Pvg. Braue, braue, Iniquity! will not this doe, Chiefe?

Ini. Nay, boy, I wil bring thee to the Bawds, and the Royſters,
At Belins-gate, feaſting with claret-wine, and oyſters,
From thence ſhoot the Bridge, childe, to the Cranes i’ the Vintry, 70
And ſee, there the gimblets, how they make their entry!
Or, if thou hadſt rather, to the Strand downe to fall,
’Gainſt the Lawyers come dabled from Weſtminſter-hall
[97]
And marke how they cling, with their clyents together,
Like Iuie to Oake; so Veluet to Leather: 75
Ha, boy, I would ſhew thee.

Pvg. Rare, rare!

          Div. Peace, dotard,
And thou more ignorant thing, that ſo admir’ſt.
Art thou the ſpirit thou ſeem’ſt? ſo poore? to chooſe
This, for a Vice, t’aduance the cauſe of Hell,
Now? as Vice ſtands this preſent yeere? Remember, 80
What number it is. Six hundred and ſixteene.
Had it but beene fiue hundred, though ſome ſixty
Aboue; that’s fifty yeeres agone, and ſix,
(When euery great man had his Vice ſtand by him,
In his long coat, ſhaking his wooden dagger) 85
I could conſent, that, then this your graue choice
Might haue done that with his Lord Chiefe, the which
Moſt of his chamber can doe now. But Pug,
As the times are, who is it, will receiue you?
What company will you goe to? or whom mix with? 90
Where canſt thou carry him? except to Tauernes?
To mount vp ona joynt-ſtoole, with a Iewes-trumpe,
To put downe Cokeley, and that muſt be to Citizens?
He ne’re will be admitted, there, where Vennor comes.
Hee may perchance, in taile of a Sheriffes dinner, 95
Skip with a rime o’ the Table, from New-nothing,
And take his Almaine-leape into a cuſtard,
Shall make my Lad Maioreſſe, and her ſiſters,
Laugh all their hoods ouer their shoulders. But,
This is not that will doe, they are other things 100
That are receiu’d now vpon earth, for Vices;
Stranger, and newer: and chang’d euery houre.
They ride ’hem like their horſes off their legges,
And here they come to Hell, whole legions of ’hem,
Euery weeke tyr’d. Wee, ſtill ſtriue to breed, 105
And reare ’hem vp new ones; but they doe not ſtand,
When they come there: they turne ’hem on our hands.
And it is fear’d they haue a ſtud o’ their owne
Will put downe ours. Both our breed, and trade
VVill ſuddenly decay, if we preuent not. 110
Vnleſſe it be a Vice of quality,
Or faſhion, now, they take none from vs. Car-men
Are got into the yellow ſtarch, and Chimney-ſweepers
To their tabacco, and ſtrong-waters, Hum,
Meath, and Obarni. VVe muſt therefore ayme 115
At extraordinary ſubtill ones, now,
When we doe ſend to keepe vs vp in credit.
Not old Iniquities. Get you e’ne backe, Sir,
To making of your rope of ſand againe.
You are not for the manners, nor the times: [98] 120
They haue their Vices, there, moſt like to Vertues;
You cannnot know ’hem, apart, by any difference:
They weare the ſame clothes, eate the ſame meate,
Sleepe i’ the ſelfe-ſame beds, rid i’ thoſe coaches.
Or very like, foure horſes in a coach, 125
As the beſt men and women. Tiſſue gownes,
Garters and roſes, foureſcore pound a paire,
Embroydred ſtockings, cut-worke ſmocks, and ſhirts,
More certaine marks of lechery, now, and pride,
Then ere they were of true nobility! 130
But Pug, ſince you doe burne with ſuch deſire
To doe the Common-wealth of Hell ſome ſeruice;
I am content, aſſuming of a body,
You goe to earth, and viſit men, a day.
But you muſt take a body ready made, Pug, 135
I can create you none: nor ſhall you forme
Your ſelfe an aery one, but become ſubiect
To all impreſſion of the fleſh, you take,
So farre as humane frailty. So, this morning,
There is a handſome Cutpurſe hang’d at Tiborne, 140
Whoſe ſpirit departed, you may enter his body:
For clothes imploy your credit, with the Hangman,
Or let our tribe of Brokers furniſh you.
And, looke, how farre your ſubtilty can worke
Thorow thoſe organs, with that body, ſpye 145
Amongſt mankind, (you cannot there want vices,
And therefore the leſſe need to carry ’hem wi’ you)
But as you make your ſoone at nights relation,
And we ſhall find, it merits from the State,
Your ſhall haue both truſt from vs, and imployment. 150

Pvg. Most gracious Chiefe!

          Div. Onely, thus more I bind you,
To ſerue the firſt man that you meete; and him
I’le ſhew you, now: Obserue him. Yon’ is hee,
          He ſhewes Fitz-dottrel to him, comming forth.
You ſhall ſee, firſt, after your clothing. Follow him:
But once engag’d, there you muſt ſtay and fixe;
Not ſhift, vntill the midnights cocke doe crow.

Pvg. Any conditions to be gone.

Div. Away, then. 157

[110] SD. Divell] Devil, 1692 || Satan 1716, W || Divell...] Enter Satan and Pug. G

[111] 1 &c. om. G

[112] 9 entering G

[113] 10 Market 1641, 1692, 1716 || market W, G

[114] 11 Tottenham G

[115] 15 Housewive’s 1716 || housewife’s W, f.

[116] 23 with’t W, G

[117] 24 i’] in G§ || strength 1692, f.

[118] 30 employs W, G

[119] 33 enough 1692, f.

[120] 34 you ’ad 1716 you had W, G

[121] 38 there with 1692, f.

[122] 41 th’] thou G Why any, Fraud, 1716 Why any: Fraud, W, G

[123] 43 I’ll...] Sat. I’ll... W, G] Enter Iniquity. G

[124] 48 cheate] to cheat W [to] cheat G

[125] 57 Dance 1716 || dance 1641. W, G

[126] 69 Billings-gate 1692 Billingsgate 1716 Billingsgate W Billinsgate G

[127] 76 thee.] thee—G || Div.] Dev. 1692 || Sat. 1716, f.

[128] 79 t’] to G

[129] 84 5 () om. G§

[130] 98 Lady 1692, 1716 lady W, G

[131] 101 Vices 1641, 1692, 1716, G vices W

[132] 103 ’hem] ’em 1692, 1716, W passim them G§

[133] 106 ’hem om. G stand,] stand; G

[134] 107 there:] there W there, G

[135] 116 subtle 1692, f.

[136] 120 manner G

[137] 128 Embrothered 1641 Embroider’d 1716, f. stockins 1641

[138] 130 [Exit Iniq. G

[139] 137 airy 1692, f. passim

[140] 139 human W, G

[141] 140 Tyburn 1692, f. passim

[142] 142 employ W, G

[143] 146, 7 () ret. G

[144] 147 wi’] with G§

[145] 150 employment W, G

[146] 151, 157 Div.] Dev. 1692 Sat. 1716, f.

[147] 153 now] new 1716

[148] 153 SN.] Shews him Fitzdottrel coming out of his house at a distance. G

[149] 157 Exeunt severally. G

Act. I. Scene. II.

Fitz-Dottrell.

I, they doe, now, name Bretnor, as before,
[97]
They talk’d of Greſham, and of Doctor Fore-man,
Francklin, and Fiske, and Sauory (he was in too)
But there’s not one of theſe, that euer could
Yet ſhew a man the Diuell, in true ſort. 5
They haue their chriſtalls, I doe know, and rings,
And virgin parchment, and their dead-mens ſculls
Their rauens wings, their lights, and pentacles,
With characters; I ha’ ſeene all theſe. But—
Would I might ſee the Diuell. I would giue 10
A hundred o’ theſe pictures, to ſee him
Once out of picture. May I proue a cuckold,
(And that’s the one maine mortall thing I feare)
If I beginne not, now, to thinke, the Painters
Haue onely made him. ’Slight, he would be ſeene, 15
One time or other elſe. He would not let
An ancient gentleman, of a good houſe,
As moſt are now in England, the Fitz-Dottrel’s
Runne wilde, and call vpon him thus in vaine,
As I ha’ done this twelue mone’th. If he be not, 20
At all, why, are there Coniurers? If they be not,
Why, are there lawes againſt ’hem? The beſt artiſts
Of Cambridge, Oxford, Middlesex, and London,
Essex, and Kent, I haue had in pay to raiſe him,
Theſe fifty weekes, and yet h’appeares not. ’Sdeath, 25
I ſhall ſuſpect, they, can make circles onely
Shortly, and know but his hard names. They doe ſay,
H’will meet a man (of himſelfe) that has a mind to him.
If hee would ſo, I haue a minde and a halfe for him:
He ſhould not be long abſent. Pray thee, come 30
I long for thee. An’ I were with child by him,
And my wife too; I could not more. Come, yet,
          He expreſſes a longing to ſee the Diuell
Good Beelezebub. Were hee a kinde diuell,
And had humanity in him, hee would come, but
To ſaue ones longing. I ſhould vſe him well, 35
I ſweare, and with reſpect (would he would try mee)
Not, as the Conjurers doe, when they ha’ rais’d him.
Get him in bonds, and ſend him poſt, on errands.
A thouſand miles, it is prepoſterous, that;
And I beleeue, is the true cauſe he comes not. [100] 40
And hee has reaſon. Who would be engag’d,
That might liue freely, as he may doe? I ſweare,
They are wrong all. The burn’t child dreads the fire.
They doe not know to entertaine the Diuell.
I would ſo welcome him, obſerue his diet, 45
Get him his chamber hung with arras, two of ’hem,
I’ my own houſe; lend him my wiues wrought pillowes:
And as I am an honeſt man, I thinke,
If he had a minde to her, too; I should grant him,
To make our friend-ſhip perfect. So I would not 50
To euery man. If hee but heare me, now?
And ſhould come to mee in a braue young ſhape,
And take me at my word? ha! Who is this?

[150] SD. Act. I. om. 1716, f. (as regularly, after Sc. I. of each act.) Act...] Scene II. The street before Fitzdottrel’s House. Enter Fitzdottrel. G

[151] 12 picture, 1641

[152] 17 a] as W [as] G || good] good a G

[153] 21, 22 comma om. after ‘why’ and ‘Why’ 1692 f.

[154] 25 h’] he G

[155] 26 circle 1641

[156] 30 Prithee G

[157] 31 An’] an G

[158] 32 SN. expresseth 1692, 1716, W || SN. om. G

Act. I. Scene. IIJ.

Pvg. Fitz-dottrell.

Sir, your good pardon, that I thus preſume
Vpon your priuacy. I am borne a Gentleman,
A younger brother; but, in ſome diſgrace,
Now, with my friends: and want ſome little meanes,
To keepe me vpright, while things be reconcil’d. 5
Pleaſe you, to let my ſeruice be of vſe to you, Sir.

Fit. Seruice? ’fore hell, my heart was at my mouth,
Till I had view’d his ſhooes well: for, thoſe roſes
Were bigge inough to hide a clouen foote.
          Hee lookes and ſuruay’s his feet: ouer and ouer.
No, friend, my number’s full. I haue one ſeruant, 10
Who is my all, indeed; and, from the broome
Vnto the bruſh: for, iuſt so farre, I truſt him.
He is my Ward-robe man, my Cater, Cooke,
Butler, and Steward; lookes vnto my horſe:
And helpes to watch my wife. H’has all the places, 15
That I can thinke on, from the garret downward,
E’en to the manger, and the curry-combe.

Pvg. Sir, I ſhall put your worſhip to no charge,
More then my meate, and that but very little,
I’le ſerue you for your loue.

          Fit. Ha? without wages? 20
I’le harken o’ that eare, were I at leaſure.
But now, I’m buſie. ’Pr’y the, friend forbeare mee,
And’ thou hadſt beene a Diuell, I ſhould ſay [101]
Somewhat more to thee. Thou doſt hinder, now,
My meditations.

Pvg. Sir, I am a Diuell. 25

Fit. How!

Pvg. A true Diuell, S^r.

          Fit. Nay, now, you ly:
Vnder your fauour, friend, for, I’ll not quarrell.
I look’d o’ your feet, afore, you cannot coozen mee,
Your ſhoo’s not clouen, Sir, you are whole hoof’d.
          He viewes his feete againe.
Pvg. Sir, that’s a popular error, deceiues many: 30
But I am that, I tell you.

Fit. What’s your name?

Pvg. My name is Diuell, S^r.

Fit. Sai’ſt thou true.

Pvg. in-deed, S^r.

Fit. ’Slid! there’s ſome omen i’ this! what countryman?

Pvg. Of Derby-ſhire, S^r. about the Peake.

          Fit. That Hole
Belong’d to your Anceſtors?

Pvg. Yes, Diuells arſe, S^r. 35

Fit. I’ll entertaine him for the name ſake. Ha?
And turne away my tother man? and ſaue
Foure pound a yeere by that? there’s lucke, and thrift too!
The very Diuell may come, heereafter, as well.
Friend, I receiue you: but (withall) I acquaint you, 40
Aforehand, if yo’ offend mee, I muſt beat you.
It is a kinde of exerciſe, I vſe.
And cannot be without.

Pvg. Yes, if I doe not
Offend, you can, ſure.

          Fit. Faith, Diuell, very hardly:
I’ll call you by your ſurname, ’cauſe I loue it. 45

[159] 46 ’hem] ’em G

[160] 47 Wife’s 1716 wife’s W, G passim

[161] 53 word?—Enter Pug handsomely shaped and apparelled. G

[162] SD. on. G

[163] 9 SN. on. G || Aside. G

[164] 13 m’acater W

[165] 15 He has W, G

[166] 17 Even G

[167] 21 I’d W, G

[168] 22 I am G ’Prythe 1692 ’Prithee 1716, W Prithee G

[169] 23 An’ 1716, W An G || hadſt] hast 1692, 1716

[170] 26 Sir 1641. f. passim

[171] 28 cozen 1692, f. passim

[172] 29 SN. om. G

[173] 31 that, I] that I 1692, f.

[174] 37 t’other 1692, f.

[175] 39 [Aside. G

[176] 41 you W, G

Act. I. Scene. IIII.

Ingine. Wittipol. Manly.
Fitzdottrell. Pvg.

Yonder hee walkes, Sir, I’ll goe lift him for you.

Wit. To him, good Ingine, raiſe him vp by degrees,
Gently, and hold him there too, you can doe it.
Shew your ſelfe now, a Mathematicall broker.

Ing. I’ll warrant you for halfe a piece.

Wit. ’Tis done, S^r. 5

Man. Is’t poſſible there ſhould be ſuch a man?

Wit. You ſhall be your owne witneſſe, I’ll not labour
To tempt you paſt your faith.

     Man. And is his wife
So very handſome, ſay you?

          Wit. I ha’ not ſeene her,
Since I came home from trauell: and they ſay, 10
Shee is not alter’d. Then, before I went,
I ſaw her once; but ſo, as ſhee hath ſtuck
Still i’ my view, no obiect hath remou’d her.

Man. ’Tis a faire gueſt, Friend, beauty: and once lodg’d [102]
Deepe in the eyes, ſhee hardly leaues the Inne. 15
How do’s he keepe her?

          Wit. Very braue. Howeuer,
Himselfe be fordide, hee is ſenſuall that way.
In euery dreſſing, hee do’s ſtudy her.

Man. And furniſh forth himselfe ſo from the Brokers?

Wit. Yes, that’s a hyr’d ſuite, hee now has one, 20
To ſee the Diuell is an Aſſe, to day, in:
(This Ingine gets three or foure pound a weeke by him)
He dares not miſſe a new Play, or a Feaſt,
What rate ſoeuer clothes be at; and thinkes
Himſelfe ſtill new, in other mens old.

     Man. But ſtay, 25
Do’s he loue meat ſo?

          Wit. Faith he do’s not hate it.
But that’s not it. His belly and his palate
Would be compounded with for reaſon. Mary,
A wit he has, of that ſtrange credit with him,
’Gainſt all mankinde; as it doth make him doe 30
Iuſt what it liſt: it rauiſhes him forth,
Whither it pleaſe, to any aſſembly’or place,
And would conclude him ruin’d, ſhould hee ſcape
One publike meeting, out of the beliefe
He has of his owne great, and Catholike ſtrengths, 35
In arguing, and diſcourſe. It takes, I ſee:
H’has got the cloak vpon him.

Ingine hath won Fitzdottrel, to ’ſay on the cloake.

Fit. A faire garment,
By my faith, Ingine!

          Ing. It was neuer made, Sir,
For three ſcore pound, I aſſure you: ’Twill yeeld thirty.
The pluſh, Sir, coſt three pound, ten ſhillings a yard! 40
And then the lace, and veluet.

          Fit. I ſhall, Ingine,
Be look’d at, pretitly, in it! Art thou ſure
The Play is play’d to day?

          Ing. O here’s the bill, S^r.
          Hee giues him the Play-bill.
I’, had forgot to gi’t you.

          Fit. Ha? the Diuell!
I will not loſe you, Sirah! But, Ingine, thinke you, 45
The Gallant is ſo furious in his folly?
So mad vpon the matter, that hee’ll part
With’s cloake vpo’ theſe termes?

          Ing. Truſt not your Ingine,
Breake me to pieces elſe, as you would doe
A rotten Crane, or an old ruſty Iacke, 50
That has not one true wheele in him. Doe but talke with him.

Fit. I ſhall doe that, to ſatisfie you, Ingine,
And my ſelfe too. With your leaue, Gentlemen.
          Hee turnes to Wittipol.
Which of you is it, is ſo meere Idolater
To my wiues beauty, and ſo very prodigall 55
Vnto my patience, that, for the ſhort parlee?
Of one ſwift houres quarter, with my wife,
He will depart with (let mee ſee) this cloake here
The price of folly? Sir, are you the man?

Wit. I am that vent’rer, Sir.

Fit. Good time! your name 60
Is Witty-pol?

Wit. The ſame, S^r.

Fit. And ’tis told me, [103]
Yo’ haue trauell’d lately?

Wit. That I haue, S^r.

          Fit. Truly,
Your trauells may haue alter’d your complexion;
But ſure, your wit ſtood ſtill.

Wit. It may well be, Sir.
All heads ha’ not like growth.

          Fit. The good mans grauity, 65
That left you land, your father, neuer taught you
Theſe pleaſant matches?

          Wit. No, nor can his mirth,
With whom I make ’hem, put me off.

Fit. You are
Reſolu’d then?

Wit. Yes, S^r.

          Fit. Beauty is the Saint,
You’ll ſacrifice your ſelfe, into the ſhirt too? 70

Wit. So I may ſtill cloth, and keepe warme your wiſdome?

Fit. You lade me S^r!

Wit. I know what you wil beare, S^r.

Fit. Well, to the point. ’Tis only, Sir, you ſay,
To ſpeake vnto my wife?

Wit. Only, to ſpeake to her.

Fit. And in my preſence?

Wit. In your very preſence. 75

Fit. And in my hearing?

Wit. In your hearing: ſo,
You interrupt vs not.

          Fit. For the ſhort ſpace
You doe demand, the fourth part of an houre,
I thinke I ſhall, with ſome conuenient ſtudy,
And this good helpe to boot, bring my ſelfe to’t. 80
          Hee ſhrugs himſelfe vp in the cloake.
Wit. I aske no more.

          Fit. Pleaſe you, walk to’ard my houſe,
Speake what you liſt; that time is yours: My right
I haue departed with. But, not beyond,
A minute, or a ſecond, looke for. Length,
And drawing out, ma’aduance much, to theſe matches. 85
And I except all kiſſing. Kiſſes are
Silent petitions ſtill with willing Louers.

Wit. Louers? How falls that o’ your phantſie?

          Fit. Sir.
I doe know ſomewhat. I forbid all lip-worke.

Wit. I am not eager at forbidden dainties. 90
Who couets vnfit things, denies him ſelfe.

Fit. You ſay well, Sir, ’Twas prettily ſaid, that ſame,
He do’s, indeed. I’ll haue no touches, therefore,
Nor takings by the armes, nor tender circles
Caſt ’bout the waſt, but all be done at diſtance. 95
Loue is brought vp with thoſe ſoft migniard handlings;
His pulſe lies in his palme: and I defend
All melting ioynts, and fingers, (that’s my bargaine)
I doe defend ’hem, any thing like action.
But talke, Sir, what you will. Vſe all the Tropes 100
And Schemes, that Prince Quintilian can afford you:
And much good do your Rhetoriques heart. You are welcome, Sir.
Ingine, God b’w’you.

          Wit. Sir, I muſt condition
To haue this Gentleman by, a witneſſe.

          Fit. Well,
I am content, ſo he be ſilent.

Man. Yes, S r. 105

Fit. Come Diuell, I’ll make you roome, ſtreight. But I’ll ſhew you
Firſt, to your Miſtreſſe, who’s no common one,
You muſt conceiue, that brings this game to ſee her. [104]
I hope thou’ſt brought me good lucke.

Pvg. I ſhall do’t. Sir.

[177] SD. Act....] Enter, behind, Engine, with a cloke on his arm, Wittipol, and Manly. G

[178] 5 [Engine goes to Fitzdottrel and takes him aside. G

[179] 19 Broker 1692, 1716 broker W

[180] 20 on 1641, f.

[181] 28 Marry 1692, f.

[182] 32 whether 1716

[183] 36 SN. ’say] say 1641, f. SN. om. G

[184] 37 Fitz. [after saying on the cloke.] G

[185] 42 prettily 1641. f.

[186] 44 I’, had] I’d 1716 I had W, G gi’t] give it G

[187] 48 upon 1716, f.

[188] 50 Cain 1692 Cane 1716

[189] 51 with him] with W

[190] 53 too. [comes forward.] G SN. om. G

[191] 60 venturer G

[192] 62 You G§

[193] 70 comma om. after ‘selfe’ 1692, f. to W, G

[194] 80 SN. Hee om. G

[195] 82 is om. 1641

[196] 85 may W, G

[197] 88 phant’sie W phantasy G o’ret. G

[198] 99 comma om. W, G

[199] 102 [Opens the door of his house. G

[200] 103 b’w’] be wi’ G

[201] 108 this om. 1641

[202] 109 [They all enter the house. G

Act. I. Scene. V.

VVittipol. Manly.

Ingine, you hope o’ your halfe piece? ’Tis there, Sir.
Be gone. Friend Manly, who’s within here? fixed?
          Wittipol knocks his friend o’ the breſt.
Man. I am directly in a fit of wonder
What’ll be the iſſue of this conference!

Wit. For that, ne’r vex your ſelfe, till the euent. 5
How like yo’ him?

Man. I would faine ſee more of him.

Wit. What thinke you of this?

Man. I am paſt degrees of thinking.
Old Africk, and the new America,
With all their fruite of Monſters cannot ſhew
So iuſt a prodigie.

          Wit. Could you haue beleeu’d, 10
Without your ſight, a minde ſo ſordide inward,
Should be ſo ſpecious, and layd forth abroad,
To all the ſhew, that euer ſhop, or ware was?

Man. I beleeue any thing now, though I confeſſe
His Vices are the moſt extremities 15
I euer knew in nature. But, why loues hee
The Diuell ſo?

          Wit. O S^r! for hidden treaſure,
Hee hopes to finde: and has propos’d himſelfe
So infinite a Maſſe, as to recouer,
He cares not what he parts with, of the preſent, 20
To his men of Art, who are the race, may coyne him.
Promiſe gold-mountaines, and the couetous
Are ſtill moſt prodigall.

          Man. But ha’ you faith,
That he will hold his bargaine?

          Wit. O deare, Sir!
He will not off on’t. Feare him not. I know him. 25
One baſeneſſe ſtill accompanies another.
See! he is heere already, and his wife too.

Man. A wondrous handſome creature, as I liue!

[203] SD. Act....] om. Scene III. A Room in Fitzdottrel’s House. Enter Wittipol, Manly, and Engine. G

[204] 2 SN.] gone. [Exit Engine.] || fixed! [knocks him on the breast. G

[205] 4 ’ll] will G

Act. I. Scene. VI. [105]

Fitz-dottrell. Miſtreſſe Fitz-dottrell.
Wittipol. Manly.

Come wife, this is the Gentleman. Nay, bluſh not.

M^rs. Fi. Why, what do you meane Sir? ha’ you your reaſon?

          Fit. Wife,
I do not know, that I haue lent it forth
To any one; at leaſt, without a pawne, wife:
Or that I’haue eat or drunke the thing, of late, 5
That ſhould corrupt it. Wherefore gentle wife,
Obey, it is thy vertue: hold no acts
Of diſputation.

          M^rs. Fi. Are you not enough
The talke, of feaſts, and meetingy, but you’ll ſtill
Make argument for freſh?

          Fit. Why, carefull wedlocke, 10
If I haue haue a longing to haue one tale more
Goe of mee, what is that to thee, deare heart?
Why ſhouldſt thou enuy my delight? or croſſe it?
By being ſolicitous, when it not concernes thee?

M^rs. Fi. Yes, I haue ſhare in this. The ſcorne will fall 15
As bittterly on me, where both are laught at.

Fit. Laught at, ſweet bird? is that the ſcruple? Come, come,
Thou art a Niaiſe.
      A Niaiſe is a young Hawke, tane crying out of the neſt.
          Which of your great houſes,
(I will not meane at home, here, but abroad)
Your families in France, wife, ſend not forth 20
Something, within the ſeuen yeere, may be laught at?
I doe not ſay ſeuen moneths, nor ſeuen weekes,
Nor ſeuen daies, nor houres: but ſeuen yeere wife.
I giue ’hem time. Once, within ſeuen yeere,
I thinke they may doe ſomething may be laught at. 25
In France, I keepe me there, ſtill. Wherefore, wife,
Let them that liſt, laugh ſtill, rather then weepe
For me; Heere is a cloake coſt fifty pound, wife,
Which I can ſell for thirty, when I ha’ ſeene
All London in’t, and London has ſeene mee. 30
To day, I goe to the Black-fryers Play-houſe,
Sit ithe view, ſalute all my acquaintance,
Riſe vp betweene the Acts, let fall my cloake,
Publiſh a handſome man, and a rich ſuite
(As that’s a ſpeciall end, why we goe thither, 35
All that pretend, to ſtand for’t o’ the Stage)
The Ladies aske who’s that? (For, they doe come [106]
To ſee vs, Loue, as wee doe to ſee them)
Now, I ſhall loſe all this, for the falſe feare
Of being laught at? Yes, wuſſe. Let ’hem laugh, wife, 40
Let me haue ſuch another cloake to morrow.
And let ’hem laugh againe, wife, and againe,
And then grow fat with laughing, and then fatter,
All my young Gallants, let ’hem bring their friends too:
Shall I forbid ’hem? No, let heauen forbid ’hem: 45
Or wit, if’t haue any charge on ’hem. Come, thy eare, wife,
Is all, I’ll borrow of thee. Set your watch, Sir,
Thou, onely art to heare, not ſpeake a word, Doue,
To ought he ſayes. That I doe gi’ you in precept,
No leſſe then councell, on your wiue-hood, wife, 50
Not though he flatter you, or make court, or Loue
(As you muſt looke for theſe) or ſay, he raile;
What ere his arts be, wife, I will haue thee
Delude ’hem with a trick, thy obſtinate ſilence;
I know aduantages; and I loue to hit 55
Theſe pragmaticke young men, at their owne weapons.
Is your watch ready? Here my ſaile beares, for you:
Tack toward him, ſweet Pinnace, where’s your watch?

He diſpoſes his wife to his place, and ſets his watch.

Wit. I’le ſet it. Sir, with yours.

M^rs. Fi. I muſt obey.

Man. Her modeſty ſeemes to ſuffer with her beauty, 60
And ſo, as if his folly were away,
It were worth pitty.

          Fit. Now, th’are right, beginne, Sir.
But firſt, let me repeat the contract, briefely.
          Hee repeats his contract againe.
I am, Sir, to inioy this cloake, I ſtand in,
Freely, and as your gift; vpon condition 65
You may as freely, ſpeake here to my ſpouſe,
Your quarter of an houre alwaies keeping
The meaſur’d diſtance of your yard, or more,
From my ſaid Spouſe: and in my ſight and hearing.
This is your couenant?

Wit. Yes, but you’ll allow 70
For this time ſpent, now?

Fit. Set ’hem ſo much backe.

Wit. I thinke, I ſhall not need it.

          Fit. Well, begin, Sir,
There is your bound, Sir. Not beyond that ruſh.

Wit. If you interrupt me, Sir, I ſhall diſcloake you.
          Wittipol beginnes.
The time I haue purchaſt, Lady, is but ſhort; 75
And, therefore, if I imploy it thriftily,
I hope I ſtand the neerer to my pardon.
I am not here, to tell you, you are faire,
Or louely, or how well you dreſſe you, Lady,
I’ll ſaue my ſelfe that eloquence of your glaſſe, 80
Which can ſpeake these things better to you then I.
And ’tis a knowledge, wherein fooles may be
As wiſe as a Count Parliament. Nor come I,
With any preiudice, or doubt, that you [107]
Should, to the notice of your owne worth, neede 85
Leaſt reuelation. Shee’s a ſimple woman,
Know’s not her good: (who euer knowes her ill)
And at all caracts. That you are the wife,
To ſo much blaſted fleſh, as ſcarce hath ſoule,
In ſtead of ſalt, to keepe it ſweete; I thinke, 90
Will aske no witneſſes, to proue. The cold
Sheetes that you lie in, with the watching candle,
That ſees, how dull to any thaw of beauty,
Pieces, and quarters, halfe, and whole nights, ſometimes,
The Diuell-giuen Elfine Squire, your husband, 95
Doth leaue you, quitting heere his proper circle,
For a much-worſe i’ the walks of Lincolnes Inne,
Vnder the Elmes, t’expect the feind in vaine, there
Will confeſſe for you.

Fit. I did looke for this geere.

Wit. And what a daughter of darkneſſe, he do’s make you, 100
Lock’d vp from all ſociety, or object;
Your eye not let to looke vpon a face,
Vnder a Conjurers (or ſome mould for one,
Hollow, and leane like his) but, by great meanes,
As I now make; your owne too ſenſible ſufferings, 105
Without the extraordinary aydes,
Of ſpells, or ſpirits, may aſſure you, Lady.
For my part, I proteſt ’gainſt all ſuch practice,
I worke by no falſe arts, medicines, or charmes
To be said forward and backward.

Fit. No, I except: 110

Wit. Sir I ſhall ease you.

He offers to diſcloake him.

Fit. Mum.

          Wit. Nor haue I ends, Lady,
Vpon you, more then this: to tell you how Loue
Beauties good Angell, he that waits vpon her
At all occaſions, and no leſſe then Fortune,
Helps th’ aduenturous, in mee makes that proffer, 115
Which neuer faire one was ſo fond, to loſe;
Who could but reach a hand forth to her freedome:
On the firſt ſight, I lou’d you: ſince which time,
Though I haue trauell’d, I haue beene in trauell
More for this second blessing of your eyes 120
Which now I’haue purchas’d, then for all aymes elſe.
Thinke of it, Lady, be your minde as actiue,
As is your beauty: view your object well.
Examine both my faſhion, and my yeeres;
Things, that are like, are ſoone familiar: 125
And Nature ioyes, ſtill in equality.
Let not the ſigne o’ the husband fright you, Lady.
But ere your ſpring be gone, inioy it. Flowers,
Though faire, are oft but of one morning. Thinke,
All beauty doth not laſt vntill the autumne. 130
You grow old, while I tell you this. And ſuch, [108]
As cannot vſe the preſent, are not wiſe.
If Loue and Fortune will take care of vs,
Why ſhould our will be wanting? This is all.
What doe you anſwer, Lady?

Shee stands mute.

          Fit. Now, the sport comes. 135
Let him ſtill waite, waite, waite: while the watch goes,
And the time runs. Wife!

          Wit. How! not any word?
Nay, then, I taſte a tricke in’t. Worthy Lady,
I cannot be ſo falſe to mine owne thoughts
Of your preſumed goodneſſe, to conceiue 140
This, as your rudeneſſe, which I ſee’s impos’d.
Yet, ſince your cautelous Iaylor, here ſtands by you,
And yo’ are deni’d the liberty o’ the houſe,
Let me take warrant, Lady, from your ſilence,
(Which euer is interpreted conſent) 145
To make your anſwer for you: which ſhall be
To as good purpoſe, as I can imagine,
And what I thinke you’ld ſpeake.

Fit. No, no, no, no.

Wit. I ſhall reſume, S^r.

Man. Sir, what doe you meane?

He ſets M^r. Manly, his friend, in her place.

Wit. One interruption more, Sir, and you goe 150
Into your hoſe and doublet, nothing ſaues you.
And therefore harken. This is for your wife.

Man. You muſt play faire, S^r.

          Wit. Stand for mee, good friend.
          And ſpeaks for her.
Troth, Sir, tis more then true, that you haue vttred
Of my vnequall, and ſo ſordide match heere, 155
With all the circumſtances of my bondage.
I haue a husband, and a two-legg’d one,
But ſuch a moon-ling, as no wit of man
Or roſes can redeeme from being an Aſſe.
H’is growne too much, the ſtory of mens mouthes, 160
To ſcape his lading: ſhould I make’t my ſtudy,
And lay all wayes, yea, call mankind to helpe,
To take his burden off, why, this one act
Of his, to let his wife out to be courted,
And, at a price, proclaimes his aſinine nature 165
So lowd, as I am weary of my title to him.
But Sir, you ſeeme a Gentleman of vertue,
No leſſe then blood; and one that euery way
Lookes as he were of too good quality,
To intrap a credulous woman, or betray her: 170
Since you haue payd thus deare, Sir, for a viſit,
And made ſuch venter, on your wit, and charge
Meerely to ſee mee, or at moſt to ſpeake to mee,
I were too ſtupid; or (what’s worſe) ingrate
Not to returne your venter. Thinke, but how, 175
I may with ſafety doe it; I ſhall truſt
My loue and honour to you, and preſume;
You’ll euer huſband both, againſt this huſband; [109]
Who, if we chance to change his liberall eares,
To other enſignes, and with labour make 180
A new beaſt of him, as hee ſhall deſerue,
Cannot complaine, hee is vnkindly dealth with.
This day hee is to goe to a new play, Sir.
From whence no feare, no, nor authority,
Scarcely the Kings command, Sir, will reſtraine him, 185
Now you haue fitted him with a Stage-garment,
For the meere names ſake, were there nothing elſe:
And many more ſuch iourneyes, hee will make.
Which, if they now, or, any time heereafter,
Offer vs opportunity, you heare, Sir, 190
Who’ll be as glad, and forward to imbrace,
Meete, and enioy it chearefully as you.
I humbly thanke you, Lady.

Hee ſhifts to his owne place againe

Fit. Keepe your ground Sir.

Wit. Will you be lightned?

Fit. Mum.

          Wit. And but I am,
By the ſad contract, thus to take my leaue of you 195
At this ſo enuious distance, I had taught
Our lips ere this, to ſeale the happy mixture
Made of our ſoules. But we muſt both, now, yeeld
To the neceſſity. Doe not thinke yet, Lady,
But I can kiſſe, and touch, and laugh, and whiſper, 200
And doe those crowning court-ſhips too, for which,
Day, and the publike haue allow’d no name
But, now, my bargaine binds me. ’Twere rude iniury,
T’importune more, or vrge a noble nature,
To what of it’s owne bounty it is prone to: 205
Elſe, I ſhould ſpeake—But, Lady, I loue ſo well,
As I will hope, you’ll doe ſo to. I haue done, Sir.

Fit. Well, then, I ha’ won?

Wit. Sir, And I may win, too.

Fit. O yes! no doubt on’t. I’ll take carefull order,
That ſhee ſhall hang forth enſignes at the window, 210
To tell you when I am abſent. Or I’ll keepe
Three or foure foote-men, ready ſtill of purpoſe,
To runne and fetch you, at her longings, Sir.
I’ll goe beſpeake me ſtraight a guilt caroch,
For her and you to take the ayre in. Yes, 215
Into Hide-parke, and thence into Black-Fryers,
Viſit the painters, where you may ſee pictures,
And note the propereſt limbs, and how to make ’hem.
Or what doe you ſay vnto a middling Goſſip
To bring you aye together, at her lodging? 220
Vnder pretext of teaching o’ my wife
Some rare receit of drawing almond milke? ha?
It shall be a part of my care. Good Sir, God b’w’you.
I ha’ kept the contract, and the cloake is mine.

Wit. Why, much good do’t you S^r; it may fall out, [110] 225
That you ha’ bought it deare, though I ha’ not ſold it.

Fit. A pretty riddle! Fare you well, good Sir.
Wife, your face this way, looke on me: and thinke
Yo’ haue had a wicked dreame, wife, and forget it.

Hee turnes his wife about.

Man. This is the ſtrangeſt motion I ere ſaw. 230

Fit. Now, wife, ſits this faire cloake the worſe vpon me,
For my great ſufferings, or your little patience? ha?
They laugh, you thinke?

          M^rs. Fi. Why S^r. and you might ſee’t.
What thought, they haue of you, may be ſoone collected
By the young Genlemans ſpeache.

          Fit. Youug Gentleman? 235
Death! you are in loue with him, are you? could he not
Be nam’d the Gentleman, without the young?
Vp to your Cabbin againe.

M^rs. Fi. My cage, yo’ were beſt
To call it?

        Fit. Yes, ſing there. You’ld faine be making
Blanck Manger with him at your mothers! I know you. 240
Goe get you vp. How now! what ſay you, Diuell?

[206] SD. om. Enter Fitzdottrell, with Mrs. Frances his wife. G

[207] 9 Meetings 1692, 1716 meetings 1641, W, G

[208] 11 I haue] I’ve W haue a] a 1641. f.

[209] 18 SN. om. G

[210] 19 () ret. G

[211] 32 i’ the 1641, 1692, 1716, W in the G

[212] 44 ’hem] ’em G

[213] 46 ’t] it G || ’hem] ’em G

[214] 49 gi’] give G

[215] 51 though 1641, f.

[216] 52 () om. G

[217] 58 SN.] He disposes his wife to her place. G

[218] 59 [Aside. G

[219] 63 th’art 1641, 1692, 1716 they are W, G SN. om. G

[220] 64 enjoy 1692, f.

[221] 74 SN. om. G

[222] 76 employ W, G

[223] 83 came W

[224] 88 characts 1692 Characts 1716

[225] 99 jeer W, G

[226] 115 adventrous 1692, 1716 advent’rous W || th’] the G

[227] 117 forth] out 1641

[228] 121 I’ haue] I have 1692 I’ve 1716, f.

[229] 127 o’] of G

[230] 134, 5 misplaced t adjusted 1692. f.

[231] 135 SN. om. G

[232] 139 my G

[233] 143 you’re 1716, W you are G

[234] 149, 153 SN. [Sets Manly in his place, and speaks for the lady. (after ‘friend.’ 153) G

[235] 154 utt’red 1692 utter’d 1716, f.

[236] 160 He’s 1716, f.

[237] 161 T’ escape W To ’scape 1716

[238] 172, 5 venture 1692, f.

[239] 182 dealt 1692, f.

[240] 187 nothing] no things 1692, 1716

[241] 191 embrace 1692, f.

[242] 193 SN. om. 1641, 1692, 1716 || Hee om. G

[243] 194 lighten’d 1716, f.

[244] 195 sad] said W, G

[245] 211 I am] I’m W

[246] 223 be wi’ G

[247] 224 is mine] is mine owne 1641 is mine own 1692 ’s mine own 1716, W, G

[248] 226 I ha’] I’ve G [Exit. G

[249] 229 Ya’ have 1692 You’ve 1716 You W, G SN. om. G

[250] 230 [Exit. G

[251] 235 Youug] Young 1641, f. || Gentlmans 1641 Gentleman’s 1692, 1716 gentleman’s W, G

[252] 240 him] it 1641

[253] 241 up.—[Exit Mrs. Fitz. Enter Pug. G

Act. I. Scene. VII.

Pvg. Fitzdottrel. Ingine.

Heere is one Ingine, Sir, deſires to ſpeake with you.

Fit. I thought he brought ſome newes, of a broker! Well,
Let him come in, good Diuell: fetch him elſe.
O, my fine Ingine! what’s th’affaire? more cheats?

Ing. No Sir, the Wit, the Braine, the great Proiector, 5
I told you of, is newly come to towne.

Fit. Where, Ingine?

          Ing. I ha’ brought him (H’is without)
Ere hee pull’d off his boots, Sir, but ſo follow’d,
For buſineſſes:

          Fit. But what is a Proiector?
I would conceiue.

          Ing. Why, one Sir, that proiects 10
Wayes to enrich men, or to make ’hem great,
By ſuites, by marriages, by vndertakings:
According as he ſees they humour it.

Fit. Can hee not coniure at all?

          Ing. I thinke he can, Sir.
(To tell you true) but, you doe know, of late, 15
The State hath tane ſuch note of ’hem, and compell’d ’hem,
To enter ſuch great bonds, they dare not practice.

Fit. ’Tis true, and I lie fallow for’t, the while!

Ing. O, Sir! you’ll grow the richer for the reſt.

Fit. I hope I ſhall: but Ingine, you doe talke 20
Somewhat too much, o’ my courſes. My Cloake-cuſtomer
Could tell mee ſtrange particulars.

Ing. By my meanes? [111]

Fit. How ſhould he haue ’hem elſe?

          Ing. You do not know, S^r,
What he has: and by what arts! A monei’d man, Sir,
And is as great with your Almanack-Men, as you are! 25

Fit. That Gallant?

Ing. You make the other wait too long, here:
And hee is extreme punctuall.

Fit. Is he a gallant?

Ing. Sir, you ſhall ſee: He’is in his riding ſuit,
As hee comes now from Court. But heere him ſpeake:
Miniſter matter to him, and then tell mee. 30

[254] SD. om. G

[255] 3 Exit Pug. Re-enter Engine. G

[256] 4 th’] the G§

[257] 7 H’is] he’s 1716, f. () ret. G

[258] 9 businesse 1641

[259] 12 undertaking 1641

[260] 16 ’hem] ’em G

[261] 21 o’ ret. G

[262] 27 a om. 1692, 1716, W

[263] 28 He’is] He’s 1716 he’s W, G

[264] 30 [Exeunt. G

---

Act. IJ. Scene. I.

Meer-craft. Fitz-dottrel. Ingine.
Traines. Pvg.

Sir, money’s a whore, a bawd, a drudge;
Fit to runne out on errands: Let her goe.
Via pecunia! when ſhe’s runne and gone,
And fled and dead; then will I fetch her, againe,
With Aqua-vitæ, out of an old Hogs-head! 5
While there are lees of wine, or dregs of beere,
I’le neuer want her! Coyne her out of cobwebs,
Duſt, but I’ll haue her! Raiſe wooll vpon egge-ſhells,
Sir, and make graſe grow out o’ marro-bones.
To make her come. (Commend mee to your Miſtreſſe, 10
          To a waiter.
Say, let the thouſand pound but be had ready,
And it is done) I would but ſee the creature
(Of fleſh, and blood) the man, the prince, indeed,
That could imploy ſo many millions
As I would help him to.

Fit. How, talks he? millions? 15

Mer. (I’ll giue you an account of this to morrow.)
Yes, I will talke no leſſe, and doe it too;
          To another.
If they were Myriades: and without the Diuell,
By direct meanes, it ſhall be good in law.

Ing. Sir. [112]

Mer. Tell M^r. Wood-cock, I’ll not faile to meet him 20
          To a third.
Vpon th’ Exchange at night. Pray him to haue
The writings there, and wee’ll diſpatch it. Sir,
          He turnes to Fitz-dottrel.
You are a Gentleman of a good preſence,
A handſome man (I haue conſidered you)
As a fit ſtocke to graft honours vpon: 25
I haue a proiect to make you a Duke, now.
That you muſt be one, within ſo many moneths,
As I ſet downe, out of true reaſon of ſtate,
You ſha’ not auoyd it. But you muſt harken, then.

Ing. Harken? why S^r, do you doubt his eares? Alas! 30
You doe not know Maſter Fitz-dottrel.

Fit. He do’s not know me indeed. I thank you, Ingine,
For rectifying him.

          Mer. Good! Why, Ingine, then
          He turnes to Ingine.
I’le tell it you. (I see you ha’ credit, here,
And, that you can keepe counſell, I’ll not queſtion.) 35
Hee ſhall but be an vndertaker with mee,
In a moſt feaſible bus’neſſe. It shall cost him
Nothing.

Ing. Good, S^r.

          Mer. Except he pleaſe, but’s count’nance;
(That I will haue) t’appeare in’t, to great men,
For which I’ll make him one. Hee ſhall not draw 40
A ſtring of’s purſe. I’ll driue his pattent for him.
We’ll take in Cittizens, Commoners, and Aldermen,
To beare the charge, and blow ’hem off againe,
Like ſo many dead flyes, when ’tis carryed.
The thing is for recouery of drown’d land, 45
Whereof the Crowne’s to haue his moiety,
If it be owner; Elſe, the Crowne and Owners
To ſhare that moyety: and the recouerers
T’enioy the tother moyety, for their charge.

Ing. Thorowout England?

          Mer. Yes, which will ariſe 50
To eyghteene millions, ſeuen the firſt yeere:
I haue computed all, and made my ſuruay
Vnto an acre. I’ll beginne at the Pan,
Not, at the skirts: as ſome ha’ done, and loſt,
All that they wrought, their timber-worke, their trench, 55
Their bankes all borne away, or elſe fill’d vp
By the next winter. Tut, they neuer went
The way: I’ll haue it all.

   Ing. A gallant tract
Of land it is!

          Mer. ’Twill yeeld a pound an acre.
Wee muſt let cheape, euer, at firſt. But Sir, 60
This lookes too large for you, I ſee. Come hither,
We’ll haue a leſſe. Here’s a plain fellow, you ſee him,
Has his black bag of papers, there, in Buckram,
Wi’ not be ſold for th’Earledome of Pancridge: Draw,
Gi’ me out one, by chance. Proiect. 4. Dog-skinnes? 65
Twelue thouſand pound! the very worſt, at firſt. [113]

Fit. Pray, you let’s ſee’t Sir.

Mer. ’Tis a toy, a trifle!

Fit. Trifle! 12. thouſand pound for dogs-skins?

          Mer. Yes,
But, by my way of dreſſing, you muſt know, Sir,
And med’cining the leather, to a height 70
Of improu’d ware, like your Borachio
Of Spaine, Sir. I can fetch nine thouſand for’t—

Ing. Of the Kings glouer?

Mer. Yes, how heard you that?

Ing. Sir, I doe know you can.

          Mer. Within this houre:
And reſerue halfe my ſecret. Pluck another; 75
See if thou haſt a happier hand: I thought ſo.
          Hee pluckes out the 2. Bottle-ale.
The very next worſe to it! Bottle-ale.
Yet, this is two and twenty thouſand! Pr’y thee
Pull out another, two or three.

          Fit. Good, ſtay, friend,
By bottle-ale, two and twenty thouſand pound? 80

Mer. Yes, Sir, it’s caſt to penny-hal’penny-farthing,
O’ the back-ſide, there you may ſee it, read,
I will not bate a Harrington o’ the ſumme.
I’ll winne it i’ my water, and my malt,
My furnaces, and hanging o’ my coppers, 85
The tonning, and the ſubtilty o’ my yeſt;
And, then the earth of my bottles, which I dig,
Turne vp, and ſteepe, and worke, and neale, my ſelfe,
To a degree of Porc’lane. You will wonder,
At my proportions, what I will put vp 90
In ſeuen yeeres! for ſo long time, I aske
For my inuention. I will ſaue in cork,
In my mere ſtop’ling, ’boue three thouſand pound,
Within that terme: by googing of ’hem out
Iuſt to the ſize of my bottles, and not ſlicing, 95
There’s infinite loſſe i’ that. What haſt thou there?
O’ making wine of raiſins: this is in hand, now,
          Hee drawes out another. Raiſines.

Ing. Is not that ſtrange, S^r, to make wine of raiſins?

Mer. Yes, and as true a wine, as the wines of France,
Or Spaine, or Italy, Looke of what grape 100
My raiſin is, that wine I’ll render perfect,
As of the muſcatell grape, I’ll render muſcatell;
Of the Canary, his; the Claret, his;
So of all kinds: and bate you of the prices,
Of wine, throughout the kingdome, halfe in halfe. 105

Ing. But, how, S^r, if you raiſe the other commodity, Rayſins?

Mer. Why, then I’ll make it out of blackberries:
And it ſhall doe the ſame. ’Tis but more art,
And the charge leſſe. Take out another.

          Fit. No, good Sir.
Saue you the trouble, I’le not looke, nor heare 110
Of any, but your firſt, there; the Drown’d-land:
If’t will doe, as you ſay.

          Mer. Sir, there’s not place,
To gi’ you demonſtration of theſe things. [114]
They are a little to ſubtle. But, I could ſhew you
Such a neceſſity in’t, as you muſt be 115
But what you pleaſe: againſt the receiu’d hereſie,
That England beares no Dukes. Keepe you the land, S^r,
The greatneſſe of th’ eſtate ſhall throw’t vpon you.
If you like better turning it to money,
What may not you, S^r, purchaſe with that wealth? 120
Say, you ſhould part with two o’ your millions,
To be the thing you would, who would not do’t?
As I proteſt, I will, out of my diuident,
Lay, for ſome pretty principality,
In Italy, from the Church: Now, you perhaps, 125
Fancy the ſmoake of England, rather? But—
Ha’ you no priuate roome, Sir, to draw to,
T’enlarge our ſelues more vpon.

Fit. O yes, Diuell!

Mer. Theſe, Sir, are bus’neſſes, aske to be carryed
With caution, and in cloud.

Fit. I apprehend, 130
They doe ſo, S^r. Diuell, which way is your Miſtreſſe?

Pvg. Aboue, S^r. in her chamber.

Fit. O that’s well.
Then, this way, good, Sir.

          Mer. I ſhall follow you; Traines,
Gi’ mee the bag, and goe you preſently,
Commend my ſeruice to my Lady Tail-buſh. 135
Tell her I am come from Court this morning; ſay,
I’haue got our bus’neſſe mou’d, and well: Intreat her,
That ſhee giue you the four-ſcore Angels, and ſee ’hem
Diſpos’d of to my Councel, Sir Poul Eytherſide.
Sometime, to day, I’ll waite vpon her Ladiſhip, 140
With the relation.

Ing. Sir, of what diſpatch,
He is! Do you marke?

Mer. Ingine, when did you ſee
My couſin Euer-ill? keepes he ſtill your quarter?
I’ the Bermudas?

Ing. Yes, Sir, he was writing
This morning, very hard.

Mer. Be not you knowne to him,
That I am come to Towne: I haue effected 146
A buſineſſe for him, but I would haue it take him,
Before he thinks for’t.

Ing. Is it paſt?

      Mer. Not yet.
’Tis well o’ the way.

Ing. O Sir! your worſhip takes
Infinit paines.

Mer. I loue Friends, to be actiue: 150
A ſluggish nature puts off man, and kinde.

Ing. And ſuch a bleſſing followes it.

          Mer. I thanke
My fate. Pray you let’s be priuate, Sir?

Fit. In, here.

Mer. Where none may interrupt vs.

          Fit. You heare, Diuel,
Lock the ſtreete-doores faſt, and let no one in 155
(Except they be this Gentlemans followers)
To trouble mee. Doe you marke? Yo’ haue heard and ſeene
Something, to day; and, by it, you may gather
Your Miſtreſſe is a fruite, that’s worth the ſtealing
And therefore worth the watching. Be you ſure, now [115]
Yo’ haue all your eyes about you; and let in 161
No lace-woman; nor bawd, that brings French-maſques,
And cut-works. See you? Nor old croanes, with wafers,
To conuey letters. Nor no youths, diſguis’d
Like country-wiues, with creame, and marrow-puddings. 165
Much knauery may be vented in a pudding,
Much bawdy intelligence: They’are ſhrewd ciphers.
Nor turne the key to any neyghbours neede;
Be’t but to kindle fire, or begg a little,
Put it out, rather: all out, to an aſhe, 170
That they may ſee no ſmoake. Or water, ſpill it:
Knock o’ the empty tubs, that by the ſound,
They may be forbid entry. Say, wee are robb’d,
If any come to borrow a ſpoone, or ſo.
I wi’ not haue good fortune, or gods bleſſing 175
Let in, while I am buſie.

          Pvg. I’le take care, Sir:
They ſha’ not trouble you, if they would.

Fit. Well, doe ſo.

[265] SD. Meer....] A Room in Fitzdottrel’s House. Enter Fitzdottrel, Engine, and Meercraft, followed by Trains with a bag, and three or four Attendants. G

[266] 1 ’s] is G

[267] 10 SN. To...] [To 1 Attendant.] G

[268] 12 done. [Exit 1 Attend.] G

[269] 14 employ W, G

[270] 15 How, talks] How talks 1716, f.

[271] 17 SN.] [To 2 Attendant.] [Exit 2 Atten. G || talke] take 1641, 1716, f.

[272] 18 Myriads 1716 Myriads W myriads G

[273] 20 SN. om. 1641, 1692. 1716, W [to 3 Atten.] G || M^r.] master G passim

[274] 22 it. [Exit 3 Atten.] G || SN. om. 1641, f.

[275] 24 () om. W

[276] 28 reasons G

[277] 29 sha’] shall G

[278] 33 SN. om. 1641. f.

[279] 34 it om. 1641

[280] 34, 35, 39 () ret. G

[281] 44 ’tis] it is G

[282] 46 his] a 1641, f.

[283] 50 Throughout 1641, 1692, 1716, W Thoroughout G

[284] 53 an] my 1692, f.

[285] 62 fellow, [points to Trains] G

[286] 64 Wi’] Will W, G

[287] 65 chance. [Trains gives him a paper out of the bag.] G || Project; foure 1641 Project: four 1692, 1716 Project four; W Project four: G || Dog-skinnes] dogs-skins 1641 Dogs Skins 1692, 1716 dogs skins W Dogs’ skins G

[288] 67 see’t] see it G

[289] 68 Mer. Yes,] included in line 69 1692, 1716, W

[290] 69 my om. 1641

[291] 76 SN. Hee...] [Trains draws out another.] (after ‘hand:’ 76) G

[292] 78 Pr’y thee] Pry’thee W Prithee G

[293] 78-80 Pr’y thee—pound? om. 1692, 1716

[294] 81 hal’] half G

[295] 89 Proc’lane 1641 porcelane G

[296] 93 above G

[297] 97 O’] O! G || SN.] [Trains draws out another.] G

[298] 99 a om. 1641

[299] 103 Of the] Of 1641

[300] 114 subtile 1692, 1716, W

[301] 115 in’t] in it G

[302] 123 Dividend 1716 dividend W, G

[303] 124 petty 1692, 1716, W

[304] 131 so om. G sir.—Enter Pug. G

[305] 137 entreat W, G

[306] 141 relation. [Exit Trains. G

[307] 142 mark? [Aside to Fitz. G

[308] 150 love] love, 1716, W

[309] 154 us. [Exeunt Meer. and Engine. G

[310] 157, 161 Yo’haue] You’ve 1716, W

[311] 169 ’t] it G

[312] 175 will G§ good fortune, gods blessing] G capitalizes throughout.

[313] 177 Exit. G SD. om. G

Act. II. Scene. II.

Pvg. Miſtreſſe Fitzdottrell.

I haue no ſingular ſeruice of this, now?
Nor no ſuperlatiue Maſter? I ſhall wiſh
To be in hell againe, at leaſure? Bring,
A Vice from thence? That had bin ſuch a ſubtilty,
As to bring broad-clothes hither: or tranſport 5
Freſh oranges into Spaine. I finde it, now:
My Chiefe was i’ the right. Can any feind
Boaſt of a better Vice, then heere by nature,
And art, th’are owners of? Hell ne’r owne mee,
But I am taken! the fine tract of it 10
Pulls mee along! To heare men ſuch profeſſors
Growne in our ſubtleſt Sciences! My firſt Act, now,
Shall be, to make this Maſter of mine cuckold:
The primitiue worke of darkneſſe, I will practiſe!
I will deſerue ſo well of my faire Miſtreſſe, 15
By my diſcoueries, firſt; my counſells after;
And keeping counſell, after that: as who,
So euer, is one, I’le be another, ſure,
I’ll ha’ my ſhare. Most delicate damn’d fleſh!
Shee will be! O! that I could ſtay time, now, [116] 20
Midnight will come too faſt vpon mee, I feare,
To cut my pleaſure—

M^rs. Fi. Looke at the back-doore,
          Shee ſends Diuell out.
One knocks, ſee who it is.

Pvg. Dainty ſhe-Diuell!

M^rs. Fi. I cannot get this venter of the cloake,
Out of my fancie; nor the Gentlemans way, 25
He tooke, which though ’twere ſtrange, yet ’twas handſome,
And had a grace withall, beyond the newneſſe.
Sure he will thinke mee that dull ſtupid creature,
Hee ſaid, and may conclude it; if I finde not
Some thought to thanke th’ attemp. He did preſume, 30
By all the carriage of it, on my braine,
For anſwer; and will ſweare ’tis very barren,
If it can yeeld him no returne. Who is it?

Diuell returnes.

Pvg. Miſtreſſe, it is, but firſt, let me aſſure
The excellence, of Miſtreſſes, I am, 35
Although my Maſters man, my Miſstreſſe ſlaue,
The ſeruant of her ſecrets, and ſweete turnes,
And know, what fitly will conduce to either.

M^rs. Fi. What’s this? I pray you come to your ſelfe and thinke
What your part is: to make an anſwer. Tell, 40
Who is it at the doore?

          Pvg. The Gentleman, M^rs,
Who was at the cloake-charge to ſpeake with you,
This morning, who expects onely to take
Some ſmall command’ments from you, what you pleaſe,
Worthy your forme, hee ſaies, and gentleſt manners. 45

M^rs. Fi. O! you’ll anon proue his hyr’d man, I feare,
What has he giu’n you, for this meſſage? Sir,
Bid him put off his hopes of ſtraw, and leaue
To ſpread his nets, in view, thus. Though they take
Maſter Fitz-dottrell, I am no ſuch foule, 50
Nor faire one, tell him, will be had with ſtalking.
And wiſh him to for-beare his acting to mee,
At the Gentlemans chamber-window in Lincolnes-Inne there,
That opens to my gallery: elſe, I ſweare
T’acquaint my huſband with his folly, and leaue him 55
To the iuſt rage of his offended iealouſie.
Or if your Maſters ſenſe be not ſo quicke
To right mee, tell him, I ſhall finde a friend
That will repaire mee. Say, I will be quiet.
In mine owne houſe? Pray you, in thoſe words giue it him. 60

Pvg. This is ſome foole turn’d!

He goes out.

          M^rs. Fi. If he be the Maſter,
Now, of that ſtate and wit, which I allow him;
Sure, hee will vnderſtand mee: I durſt not
Be more direct. For this officious fellow,
My husbands new groome, is a ſpie vpon me, 65
I finde already. Yet, if he but tell him
This in my words, hee cannot but conceiue [117]
Himſelfe both apprehended, and requited.
I would not haue him thinke hee met a ſtatue:
Or ſpoke to one, not there, though I were ſilent. 70
How now? ha’ you told him?

Pvg. Yes.

M^rs. Fi. And what ſaies he?

Pvg. Sayes he? That which my ſelf would ſay to you, if I durſt.
That you are proude, ſweet Miſtreſſe? and with-all,
A little ignorant, to entertaine
The good that’s proffer’d; and (by your beauties leaue) 75
Not all ſo wiſe, as ſome true politique wife
Would be: who hauing match’d with ſuch a Nupſon
(I ſpeake it with my Maſters peace) whoſe face
Hath left t’accuſe him, now, for’t doth confeſſe him,
What you can make him; will yet (out of ſcruple, 80
And a ſpic’d conſcience) defraud the poore Gentleman,
At leaſt delay him in the thing he longs for,
And makes it hs whole ſtudy, how to compaſſe,
Onely a title. Could but he write Cuckold,
He had his ends. For, looke you—

M^rs. Fi. This can be 85
None but my husbands wit.

Pvg. My pretious M^rs.

M. Fi. It creaks his Ingine: The groome neuer durſt
Be, elſe, so ſaucy—

          Pvg. If it were not clearely,
His worſhipfull ambition; and the top of it;
The very forked top too: why ſhould hee 90
Keepe you, thus mur’d vp in a back-roome, Miſtreſſe,
Allow you ne’r a caſement to the ſtreete,
Feare of engendering by the eyes, with gallants,
Forbid you paper, pen and inke, like Rats-bane.
Search your halfe pint of muſcatell, leſt a letter 95
Be ſuncke i’ the pot: and hold your new-laid egge
Againſt the fire, leſt any charme be writ there?
Will you make benefit of truth, deare Miſtreſſe,
If I doe tell it you: I do’t not often?
I am ſet ouer you, imploy’d, indeed, 100
To watch your ſteps, your lookes, your very breathings,
And to report them to him. Now, if you
Will be a true, right, delicate ſweete Miſtreſſe,
Why, wee will make a Cokes of this Wiſe Maſter,
We will, my Miſtreſſe, an abſolute fine Cokes, 105
And mock, to ayre, all the deepe diligences
Of ſuch a ſolemne, and effectuall Aſſe,
An Aſſe to ſo good purpoſe, as wee’ll vſe him.
I will contriue it ſo, that you ſhall goe
To Playes, to Maſques, to Meetings, and to Feaſts. 110
For, why is all this Rigging, and fine Tackle, Miſtris,
If you neat handſome veſſells, of good ſayle,
Put not forth euer, and anon, with your nets
Abroad into the world. It is your fiſhing. [118]
There, you ſhal chooſe your friends, your ſeruants, Lady,
Your ſquires of honour; I’le conuey your letters, 116
Fetch anſwers, doe you all the offices,
That can belong to your bloud, and beauty. And,
For the variety, at my times, although
I am not in due ſymmetrie, the man 120
Of that proportion; or in rule
Of phyſicke, of the iuſt complexion:
Or of that truth of Picardill, in clothes,
To boaſt a ſoueraignty o’re Ladies: yet
I know, to do my turnes, ſweet Miſtreſſe. Come, kiſſe—

M^rs. Fi. How now!

          Pvg. Deare delicate Miſt. I am your ſlaue, 126
Your little worme, that loues you: your fine Monkey;
Your Dogge, your Iacke, your Pug, that longs to be
Stil’d, o’ your pleaſures.

M^rs. Fit. Heare you all this? Sir, Pray you,
Come from your ſtanding, doe, a little, ſpare 130
          Shee thinkes her huſband watches.
Your ſelfe, Sir, from your watch, t’applaud your Squire,
That ſo well followes your inſtructions!

[314] 5 cloths G

[315] 9 they’re 1716, f. || never G

[316] 18 I will G

[317] 22 pleasure—Enter Mrs. Fitzdottrel. SN. om. G

[318] 23 [Aside and exit. G

[319] 24 venture 1692, f.

[320] 26 it was G

[321] 30 attempt 1641, f.

[322] 33 SN.] Re-enter Pug. G

[323] 34 it is,] it is—W

[324] 41 it om. 1692, f. || M^rs] Mistresse 1641 Mistris 1692 Mistress 1716 mistress W, G

[325] 48 put 1641, f.

[326] 59 Period om. after ‘quiet’ 1716, f.

[327] 61 SN.] [Exit. G

[328] 70 Re-enter Pug. G

[329] 78, 80, 81 () ret. G

[330] 79 ’t] it G

[331] 84 hs] his 1641, f.

[332] 86 M^rs. as in 2. 2. 41 || wit. [Aside. G

[333] 88 saucy. [Aside. G

[334] 91 black Room 1716

[335] 93 engendring 1641

[336] 100 employ’d 1716, f.

[337] 112 your G

[338] 123 Piccardell 1641

[339] 126 Mist.] as in 2. 2. 41

[340] 130 Mrs. Fitz. [aloud]

[341] 131 SN. om. G

Act. II. Scene. III.

Fitz-dottrell. Miſtreſſe Fitz-dottrel. Pvg.

How now, ſweet heart? what’s the matter?

          M^rs. Fi. Good!
You are a ſtranger to the plot! you ſet not
Your fancy Diuell, here, to tempt your wife,
With all the inſolent vnciuill language,
Or action, he could vent?

Fit. Did you so, Diuell? 5

M^rs. Fit. Not you? you were not planted i’ your hole to heare him,
Vpo’ the ſtayres? or here, behinde the hangings?
I doe not know your qualities? he durſt doe it,
And you not giue directions?

          Fit. You shall ſee, wife,
Whether he durſt, or no: and what it was, 10
I did direct.

Her huſband goes out, and enters presently with a cudgell vpon him.

Pvg. Sweet Miſtreſſe, are you mad?

Fit. You moſt mere Rogue! you open manifeſt Villaine!
You Feind apparant you! you declar’d Hel-hound!

Pvg. Good S^r.

Fit. Good Knaue, good Raſcal, and good Traitor.
Now, I doe finde you parcel-Diuell, indeed. 15
Vpo’ the point of truſt? I’ your firſt charge?
The very day o’ your probation?
To tempt your Miſtreſſe? You doe ſee, good wedlocke,
How I directed him.

M^rs. Fit. Why, where S^r? were you? [119]

Fit. Nay, there is one blow more, for exerciſe: 20
          After a pause. He ſtrikes him againe
I told you, I ſhould doe it.

Pvg. Would you had done, Sir.

Fit. O wife, the rareſt man! yet there’s another
To put you in mind o’ the laſt, ſuch a braue man, wife!
Within, he has his proiects, and do’s vent ’hem,
          and againe.
The gallanteſt! where you tentiginous? ha? 25
Would you be acting of the Incubus?
Did her ſilks ruſtling moue you?

Pvg. Gentle Sir.

Fit. Out of my ſight. If thy name were not Diuell,
Thou ſhouldſt not ſtay a minute with me. In,
Goe, yet ſtay: yet goe too. I am reſolu’d. 30
What I will doe: and you ſhall know’t afore-hand.
Soone as the Gentleman is gone, doe you heare?
I’ll helpe your liſping. Wife, ſuch a man, wife!
          Diuell goes out.
He has ſuch plots! He will make mee a Duke!
No leſſe, by heauen! ſix Mares, to your coach, wife! 35
That’s your proportion! And your coach-man bald!
Becauſe he ſhall be bare, inough. Doe not you laugh,
We are looking for a place, and all, i’ the map
What to be of. Haue faith, be not an Infidell.
You know, I am not eaſie to be gull’d. 40
I ſweare, when I haue my millions, elſe. I’ll make
Another Dutcheſſe: if you ha’ not faith.

M^rs. Fi. You’ll ha’ too much, I feare, in theſe falſe ſpirits.

Fit. Spirits? O, no such thing! wife! wit, mere wit!
This man defies the Diuell, and all his works! 45
He dos’t by Ingine, and deuiſes, hee!
He has his winged ploughes, that goe with ſailes,
Will plough you forty acres, at once! and mills.
Will ſpout you water, ten miles off! All Crowland
Is ours, wife; and the fens, from vs, in Norfolke, 50
To the vtmoſt bound of Lincoln-ſhire! we haue view’d it,
And meaſur’d it within all; by the ſcale!
The richeſt tract of land, Loue, i’ the kingdome!
There will be made ſeuenteene, or eighteene millions;
Or more, as’t may be handled! wherefore, thinke, 55
Sweet heart, if th’ haſt a fancy to one place,
More then another, to be Dutcheſſe of;
Now, name it: I will ha’t what ere it coſt,
(If’t will be had for money) either here, 59
Or’n France, or Italy.

M^rs. Fi. You ha’ ſtrange phantaſies!

[342] SD. om. Enter Fitzdottrel. G

[343] 1 ’s] is G

[344] 2 set] see W

[345] 7 upon G§

[346] 10, 11 Whether... direct.] All in line 10. 1692, 1716

[347] 11 SN.] [Exit. Re-enter Fitzdottrel with a cudgel. G

[348] 18 mistress! [Beats Pug. G

[349] 20 SN.] [Strikes him again. G

[350] 22, 23 yet... last] euclosed by () W, G

[351] 23 o’ ret. G

[352] 25 where] were 1716, W Were G

[353] 24 SN.] [Beats him again.] G

[354] 33 SN.] [Exit Pug.] G

[355] 46 Engine 1716 Engine W engine G

[356] 51 bounds 1692, f. || of] in G

[357] 56 th’] thou G

[358] 58 have ’t G

[359] 60 Or’n] Or’in 1692 Or in 1716, f.

Act. II. Scene. IV.

Mere-craft. Fitz-dottrell.
Ingine.

Where are you, Sir?

          Fit. I ſee thou haſt no talent [120]
This way, wife. Vp to thy gallery; doe, Chuck,
Leaue vs to talke of it, who vnderſtand it.

Mer. I thinke we ha’ found a place to fit you, now, Sir.
Gloc’ſter.

Fit. O, no, I’ll none!

Mer. Why, S^r?

Fit. Tis fatall. 5

Mer. That you ſay right in. Spenſer, I thinke, the younger,
Had his laſt honour thence. But, he was but Earle.

Fit. I know not that, Sir. But Thomas of Woodſtocke,
I’m ſure, was Duke, and he was made away,
At Calice; as Duke Humphrey was at Bury: 10
And Richard the third, you know what end he came too.

Mer. By m’faith you are cunning i’ the Chronicle, Sir.

Fit. No, I confeſſe I ha’t from the Play-bookes,
And thinke they’are more authentique.

Ing. That’s ſure, Sir.

Mer. What ſay you (to this then)

He whiſpers him of a place.

          Fit. No, a noble houſe. 15
Pretends to that. I will doe no man wrong.

Mer. Then take one propoſition more, and heare it
As paſt exception.

Fit. What’s that?

          Mer. To be
Duke of thoſe lands, you ſhall recouer; take
Your title, thence, Sir, Duke of the Drown’d lands, 20
Or Drown’d-land.

Fit. Ha? that laſt has a good ſound!
I like it well. The Duke of Drown’d-land?

          Ing. Yes;
It goes like Groen-land, Sir, if you marke it.

          Mer. I,
And drawing thus your honour from the worke,
You make the reputation of that, greater; 25
And ſtay’t the longer i’ your name.

          Fit. ’Tis true.
Drown’d-lands will liue in Drown’d-land!

          Mer. Yes, when you
Ha’ no foote left; as that muſt be, Sir, one day.
And, though it tarry in your heyres, some forty,
Fifty deſcents, the longer liuer, at laſt, yet, 30
Muſt thruſt ’hem out on’t: if no quirk in law,
Or odde Vice o’ their owne not do’it firſt.
Wee ſee thoſe changes, daily: the faire lands,
That were the Clyents, are the Lawyers, now:
And thoſe rich Mannors, there, of good man Taylors, 35
Had once more wood vpon ’hem, then the yard,
By which th’ were meaſur’d out for the laſt purchaſe. [121]
Nature hath theſe viciſſitudes. Shee makes
No man a ſtate of perpetuety, Sir.

Fit. Yo’ are i’ the right. Let’s in then, and conclude. 40
          Hee ſpies Diuell.
I my ſight, againe? I’ll talke with you, anon.

[360] SD. Act....] om. Enter Meercraft and Engine. G

[361] 3 [Exit Mrs. Fitz. G

[362] 6 comma after ‘thinke’ om. 1692, f.

[363] 12 m’] my W, G

[364] 13 have it G

[365] 14,18 ’s] is W, G

[366] 15 SN.] [whispers him.] G

[367] 15 period after ‘house’ om. 1716, f.

[368] 26 ’t] it G

[369] 32 do’t 1641

[370] 37 th’] they G

[371] 40 You’re 1716, W || SN.] Re-enter Pug. G

[372] 41 [Exeunt Fitz. Meer. and Engine. G || I] I’ 1716, W In G

Act. II. Scene. V.

Pvg.

Svre hee will geld mee, if I stay: or worſe,
Pluck out my tongue, one o’ the two. This Foole,
There is no truſting of him: and to quit him,
Were a contempt againſt my Chiefe, paſt pardon.
It was a ſhrewd diſheartning this, at firſt! 5
Who would ha’ thought a woman ſo well harneſs’d,
Or rather well-capariſon’d, indeed,
That weares ſuch petticoates, and lace to her ſmocks,
Broad ſeaming laces (as I ſee ’hem hang there)
And garters which are loſt, if ſhee can ſhew ’hem, 10
Could ha’ done this? Hell! why is ſhee ſo braue?
It cannot be to pleaſe Duke Dottrel, ſure,
Nor the dull pictures, in her gallery,
Nor her owne deare reflection, in her glaſſe;
Yet that may be: I haue knowne many of ’hem, 15
Beginne their pleaſure, but none end it, there:
(That I conſider, as I goe a long with it)
They may, for want of better company,
Or that they thinke the better, ſpend an houre;
Two, three, or foure, diſcourſing with their ſhaddow: 20
But ſure they haue a farther ſpeculation.
No woman dreſt with ſo much care, and ſtudy,
Doth dreſſe her ſelfe in vaine. I’ll vexe this probleme,
A little more, before I leaue it, ſure.

[373] SD. om. G

[374] 5 disheartening G

[375] 9 () ret. G

[376] 17 () ret. G

[377] 24 [Exit. G

Act. IJ. Scene. VI.

Wittipol. Manly. Miſtreſſe Fitz-dottrel.
Pvg.

This was a fortune, happy aboue thought, [122]
That this ſhould proue thy chamber: which I fear’d
Would be my greateſt trouble! this muſt be
The very window, and that the roome.

          Man. It is.
I now remember, I haue often ſeene there 5
A woman, but I neuer mark’d her much.

Wit. Where was your ſoule, friend?

Man. Faith, but now, and then,
Awake vnto thoſe obiects.

          Wit. You pretend ſo.
Let mee not liue, if I am not in loue
More with her wit, for this direction, now, 10
Then with her forme, though I ha’ prais’d that prettily,
Since I ſaw her, and you, to day. Read thoſe.
          Hee giues him a paper, wherein is the copy of a Song.
They’ll goe vnto the ayre you loue ſo well.
Try ’hem vnto the note, may be the muſique
Will call her ſooner; light, ſhee’s here. Sing quickly. 15

M^rs. Fit. Either he vnderſtood him not: or elſe,
The fellow was not faithfull in deliuery,
Of what I bad. And, I am iuſtly pay’d,
That might haue made my profit of his ſeruice,
But, by miſ-taking, haue drawne on his enuy, 20
And done the worſe defeate vpon my ſelfe.
          Manly ſings, Pug enters perceiues it.
How! Muſique? then he may be there: and is sure.

Pvg. O! Is it ſo? Is there the enter-view?
Haue I drawne to you, at laſt, my cunning Lady?
The Diuell is an Aſſe! fool’d off! and beaten! 25
Nay, made an inſtrument! and could not ſent it!
Well, ſince yo’ haue ſhowne the malice of a woman,
No leſſe then her true wit, and learning, Miſtreſſe,
I’ll try, if little Pug haue the malignity
To recompence it, and ſo ſaue his danger. 30
’Tis not the paine, but the diſcredite of it,
The Diuell ſhould not keepe a body intire.

Wit. Away, fall backe, ſhe comes.

Man. I’ll leaue you, Sir,
The Maſter of my chamber. I haue buſineſſe.

Wit. M^rs!

M^rs. Fi. You make me paint, S^r.

Wit. The’are faire colours, 35
Lady, and naturall! I did receiue
Some commands from you, lately, gentle Lady, [123]
   This Scene is acted at two windo’s as out of
          two contiguous buildings.
But ſo perplex’d, and wrap’d in the deliuery,
As I may feare t’haue miſ-interpreted:
But muſt make ſuit ſtill, to be neere your grace. 40

M^rs. Fi. Who is there with you, S^r?

          Wit. None, but my ſelfe.
It falls out. Lady, to be a deare friends lodging.
Wherein there’s ſome conſpiracy of fortune
With your poore ſeruants bleſ affections.

M^rs. Fi. Who was it ſung?

      Wit. He, Lady, but hee’s gone, 45
Vpon my entreaty of him, ſeeing you
Approach the window. Neither need you doubt him,
If he were here. He is too much a gentleman.

M^rs. Fi. Sir, if you iudge me by this ſimple action,
And by the outward habite, and complexion 50
Of eaſineſſe, it hath, to your deſigne;
You may with Iuſtice, ſay, I am a woman:
And a ſtrange woman. But when you ſhall pleaſe,
To bring but that concurrence of my fortune,
To memory, which to day your ſelfe did vrge: 55
It may beget ſome fauour like excuſe,
Though none like reaſon.

Wit. No, my tune-full Miſtreſſe?
Then, ſurely, Loue hath none: nor Beauty any;
Nor Nature violenced, in both theſe:
With all whoſe gentle tongues you ſpeake, at once. 60
I thought I had inough remou’d, already,
That ſcruple from your breſt, and left yo’ all reaſon;
When, through my mornings perſpectiue I ſhewd you
A man ſo aboue excuſe, as he is the cauſe,
Why any thing is to be done vpon him: 65
And nothing call’d an iniury, miſ-plac’d.
I’rather, now had hope, to ſhew you how Loue
By his acceſſes, growes more naturall:
And, what was done, this morning, with ſuch force
Was but deuis’d to ſerue the preſent, then. 70
That ſince Loue hath the honour to approach
          He grows more familiar in his Court-ſhip.
Theſe ſiſter-ſwelling breſts; and touch this ſoft,
And roſie hand; hee hath the skill to draw
Their Nectar forth, with kiſſing; and could make
More wanton ſalts, from this braue promontory, 75
Downe to this valley, then the nimble Roe;
          playes with her paps, kiſſeth her hands, &c.
Could play the hopping Sparrow, ’bout theſe nets;
And ſporting Squirell in theſe criſped groues;
Bury himſelfe in euery Silke-wormes kell,
Is here vnrauell’d; runne into the ſnare, 80
Which euery hayre is, caſt into a curle,
To catch a Cupid flying: Bath himselfe
In milke, and roſes, here, and dry him, there;
Warme his cold hands, to play with this ſmooth, round, [124]
And well torn’d chin, as with the Billyard ball; 85
Rowle on theſe lips, the banks of loue, and there
At once both plant, and gather kiſſes. Lady,
Shall I, with what I haue made to day here, call
All ſenſe to wonder, and all faith to ſigne
The myſteries reuealed in your forme? 90
And will Loue pardon mee the blasphemy
I vtter’d, when I ſaid, a glaſſe could ſpeake
This beauty, or that fooles had power to iudge it?

Doe but looke, on her eyes! They doe light—
  All that Loue’s world comprizeth! 95
Doe but looke on her hayre! it is bright,
  As Loue’s ſtarre, when it riſeth!
Doe but marke, her fore-head’s ſmoother,
  Then words that ſooth her!
And from her arched browes, ſuch a grace 100
  Sheds it ſelfe through the face;
As alone, there triumphs to the life,
  All the gaine, all the good, of the elements ſtrife!

Haue you ſeene but a bright Lilly grow,
  Before rude hands haue touch’d it? 105
Haue you mark’d but the fall of the Snow,
  Before the ſoyle hath ſmuch’d it?
Haue you felt the wooll o’ the Beuer?
  Or Swans downe, euer?
Or, haue ſmelt o’ the bud o’ the Bryer? 110
  Or the Nard i’ the fire?
Or, haue taſted the bag o’ the Bee?
  O, ſo white! O, ſo ſoft! O, ſo ſweet is ſhee!

[378] SD. Act....] om. Scene II. Manly’s Chambers in Lincoln’s Inn, opposite Fitzdottrel’s House. Enter Wittipol and Manly. G

[379] 12 SN.] [Gives him the copy of a song. G

[380] 15 Mrs. Fitzdottrel appears at a window of her house fronting that of Manly’s Chambers. G

[381] 21 worst W || SN. enters] enters and 1716, W || Manly...] Manly sings. Enter Pug behind. G

[382] 23 interview W, G

[383] 24 least W

[384] 27 you’ve 1716, W

[385] 32 entire W, G || [Aside and exit. G

[386] 33 I’ll] I W, G

[387] 34 [Exit. G

[388] 35 M^rs!] Mis! 1641 the rest as in 2. 2. 41 || They’re 1716, W they are G || Mrs. Fitz. [advances to the window.] G

[389] 35, 36 The’are... receiue] one line 1692, 1716, W

[390] 37 SN. om. G

[391] 39 t’] to 1692, f.

[392] 62 y’all 1716, W

[393] 64 he’s W, G

[394] 71, 76 SN. om. G

[395] 75 ’salts 1692 ’saults 1716

[396] 81 is, cast] is cast 1716, W

[397] 88 I’ve W

[398] 98 head’s] head 1641

[399] 100 a om. 1641

[400] 106 of the] the 1641

[401] 108, 112 o’] of W

[402] 108 Beuer] beaver W, G

[403]110 smelt o’ret. G

Act. II. Scene. VII.

Fitz-dottrell. Wittipol. Pvg.

          Her huſband appeares at her back.
Is shee ſo, Sir? and, I will keepe her ſo.
If I know how, or can: that wit of man
Will doe’t, I’ll goe no farther. At this windo’
She ſhall no more be buz’d at. Take your leaue on’t.
If you be ſweet meates, wedlock, or ſweet fleſh, 5
All’s one: I doe not loue this hum about you.
A flye-blowne wife is not ſo proper, In: [125]
For you, S^r, looke to heare from mee.

Hee ſpeakes out of his wiues window.

Wit. So, I doe, Sir.

Fit. No, but in other termes. There’s no man offers
This to my wife, but paies for’t.

Wit. That haue I, Sir.

Fit. Nay, then, I tell you, you are.

Wit. What am I, Sir? 11

Fit. Why, that I’ll thinke on, when I ha’ cut your throat.

Wit. Goe, you are an Aſſe.

Fit. I am reſolu’d on’t, Sir.

Wit. I thinke you are.

Fit. To call you to a reckoning.

Wit. Away, you brokers blocke, you property. 15

Fit. S’light, if you ſtrike me, I’ll ſtrike your Miſtreſſe.

Hee ſtrikes his wife.

Wit. O! I could ſhoote mine eyes at him, for that, now;
Or leaue my teeth in’him, were they cuckolds bane,
Inough to kill him. What prodigious,
Blinde, and moſt wicked change of fortune’s this? 20
I ha’ no ayre of patience: an my vaines
Swell, and my ſinewes ſtart at iniquity of it.
I ſhall breake, breake.

The Diuell ſpeakes below.

          Pvg. This for the malice of it,
And my reuenge may paſſe! But, now, my conſcience
Tells mee, I haue profited the cauſe of Hell 25
But little, in the breaking-off their loues.
Which, if some other act of mine repaire not,
I ſhall heare ill of in my accompt.

Fitz-dottrel enters with his wife as come downe.

          Fit. O, Bird!
Could you do this? ’gainſt me? and at this time, now?
When I was ſo imploy’d, wholly for you, 30
Drown’d i’ my care (more, then the land, I ſweare,
I’haue hope to win) to make you peere-leſſe? ſtudying,
For footemen for you, fine pac’d huiſhers, pages,
To ſerue you o’ the knee; with what Knights wife,
To beare your traine, and ſit with your foure women 35
In councell, and receiue intelligences,
From forraigne parts, to dreſſe you at all pieces!
Y’haue (a’moſt) turn’d my good affection, to you;
Sowr’d my ſweet thoughts; all my pure purpoſes:
I could now finde (i’ my very heart) to make 40
Another, Lady Dutcheſſe; and depoſe you.
Well, goe your waies in. Diuell, you haue redeem’d all.
I doe forgiue you. And I’ll doe you good.

[404] SD. om. SN.] Fitz-dottrell appears at his Wife’s back. G

[405] 8 SN. om. G || you,] you, you, W, G

[406] 11 are.] are—W, G

[407] 13 Sir.] Sir—Ed.

[408] 16 I will W, G

[409] 16 SN.] [Strikes Mrs. Fitz. and leads her out. G

[410] 17 my 1641

[411] 22 th’iniquity G

[412] 23 SN. om [Exit. Scene III. Another Room in Fitzdottrel’s House. Enter Pug. G

[413] 28 in om. 1641 || SN.] Enter Fitzdottrel and his wife. G

[414] 30 employ’d 1716, f.

[415] 31, 32 () ret. G

[416] 38 You’ve 1716, f. || almost W, G

[417] 42 [Exit Mrs. Fitz.] G

[418] 43 [Exit Pug. G

Act. II. Scene. VIIJ.

Mere-craft. Fitz-dottrel. Ingine.
Traines.

Why ha you theſe excurſions? where ha’ you beene, Sir? [126]

Fit. Where I ha’ beene vex’d a little, with a toy!

Mer. O Sir! no toyes muſt trouble your graue head,
Now it is growing to be great. You muſt
Be aboue all thoſe things.

Fit. Nay, nay, ſo I will. 5

Mer. Now you are to’ard the Lord, you muſt put off
The man, Sir.

Ing. He ſaies true.

          Mer. You muſt do nothing
As you ha’ done it heretofore; not know,
Or ſalute any man.

Ing. That was your bed-fellow,
The other moneth.

          Mer. The other moneth? the weeke. 10
Thou doſt not know the priueledges, Ingine,
Follow that Title; nor how ſwift: To day,
When he has put on his Lords face once, then—

Fit. Sir, for theſe things I ſhall doe well enough,
There is no feare of me. But then, my wife is 15
Such an vntoward thing! ſhee’ll neuer learne
How to comport with it. I am out of all
Conceipt, on her behalfe.

Mer. Beſt haue her taught, Sir.

Fit. Where? Are there any Schooles for Ladies? Is there
An Academy for women? I doe know, 20
For men, there was: I learn’d in it, my ſelfe,
To make my legges, and doe my poſtures.

          Ing. Sir.
Doe you remember the conceipt you had—
O’ the Spaniſh gowne, at home?

Ingine whiſpers Merecraft, Merecraft turnes to Fitz-dottrel.

          Mer. Ha! I doe thanke thee,
With all my heart, deare Ingine. Sir, there is 25
A certaine Lady, here about the Towne,
An Engliſh widdow, who hath lately trauell’d,
But ſhee’s call’d the Spaniard; cauſe ſhe came
Lateſt from thence: and keepes the Spaniſh habit.
Such a rare woman! all our women heere, 30
That are of ſpirit, and faſhion flocke, vnto her,
As to their Preſident; their Law; their Canon;
More then they euer did, to Oracle-Foreman.
Such rare receipts ſhee has, Sir, for the face;
Such oyles; such tinctures; such pomatumn’s; 35
Such perfumes; med’cines; quinteſſences, &c.
And ſuch a Miſtreſſe of behauiour; [127]
She knowes, from the Dukes daughter, to the Doxey,
What is their due iuſt: and no more!

          Fit. O Sir!
You pleaſe me i’ this, more then mine owne greatneſſe, 40
Where is ſhee? Let vs haue her.

          Mer. By your patience,
We muſt vſe meanes; caſt how to be acquainted—

Fit. Good, S^r, about it.

Mer. We muſt think how, firſt.

          Fit. O!
I doe not loue to tarry for a thing,
When I haue a mind to’t. You doe not know me. 45
If you doe offer it.

          Mer. Your wife muſt ſend
Some pretty token to her, with a complement,
And pray to be receiu’d in her good graces,
All the great Ladies do’t.

Fit. She ſhall, ſhe ſhall,
What were it beſt to be?

          Mer. Some little toy, 50
I would not haue it any great matter, Sir:
A Diamant ring, of forty or fifty pound,
Would doe it handſomely: and be a gift
Fit for your wife to ſend, and her to take.

Fit. I’ll goe, and tell my wife on’t, ſtreight. 55

Fitz-dottrel goes out.

          Mer. Why this
Is well! The clothes we’haue now: But, where’s this Lady?
If we could get a witty boy, now, Ingine;
That were an excellent cracke: I could inſtruct him,
To the true height. For any thing takes this dottrel.

Ing. Why, Sir your beſt will be one o’ the players! 60

Mer. No, there’s no truſting them. They’ll talke on’t,
And tell their Poets.

          Ing. What if they doe? The ieſt
will brooke the Stage. But, there be ſome of ’hem
Are very honeſt Lads. There’s Dicke Robinſon
A very pretty fellow, and comes often 65
To a Gentlemans chamber, a friends of mine. We had
The merrieſt ſupper of it there, one night,
The Gentlemans Land-lady invited him
To’a Goſſips feaſt. Now, he Sir brought Dick Robinſon,
Dreſt like a Lawyers wife, amongſt ’hem all; 70
(I lent him cloathes) but, to ſee him behaue it;
And lay the law; and carue; and drinke vnto ’hem;
And then talke baudy: and ſend frolicks! o!
It would haue burſt your buttons, or not left you
A ſeame.

Mer. They ſay hee’s an ingenious youth! 75

Ing. O Sir! and dreſſes himſelfe, the beſt! beyond
Forty o’ your very Ladies! did you ne’r ſee him?

Mer. No, I do ſeldome ſee thoſe toyes. But thinke you,
That we may haue him?

          Ing. Sir, the young Gentleman
I tell you of, can command him. Shall I attempt it? 80

Mer. Yes, doe it.

Enters againe.

         Fit. S’light, I cannot get my wife
To part with a ring, on any termes: and yet,
The ſollen Monkey has two.

          Mer. It were ’gainst reaſon
That you ſhould vrge it; Sir, ſend to a Gold-ſmith, [128]
Let not her loſe by’t.

Fit. How do’s ſhe loſe by’t? 85
Is’t not for her?

          Mer. Make it your owne bounty,
It will ha’ the better ſucceſſe; what is a matter
Of fifty pound to you, S^r.

          Fit. I’haue but a hundred
Pieces, to ſhew here; that I would not breake—

Mer. You ſhall ha’ credit, Sir. I’ll ſend a ticket 90
Vnto my Gold-ſmith. Heer, my man comes too,
To carry it fitly. How now, Traines? What birds?

Traines enters.

Tra. Your Couſin Euer-ill met me, and has beat mee,
Becauſe I would not tell him where you were:
I thinke he has dogd me to the houſe too.

          Fit. Well— 95
You ſhall goe out at the back-doore, then, Traines.
You muſt get Guilt-head hither, by ſome meanes:

Tra. ’Tis impoſſible!

          Fit. Tell him, we haue veniſon,
I’ll g’ him a piece, and ſend his wife a Pheſant.

Tra. A Forreſt moues not, till that forty pound, 100
Yo’ had of him, laſt, be pai’d. He keepes more ſtirre,
For that ſame petty ſumme, then for your bond
Of ſixe; and Statute of eight hundred!

          Fit. Tell him
Wee’ll hedge in that. Cry vp Fitz-dottrell to him,
Double his price: Make him a man of mettall. 105

Tra. That will not need, his bond is current inough.

[419] SD. Act....] om. Enter Meercraft and Engine. G || II] III 1641

[420] 6,7 Now... Sir.] “Now... sir.” W

[421] 24 SN.] [whispers Meercraft.] G

[422] 28 she is W, G

[423] 29 and om. 1641

[424] 31 fashion flocke,] fashion, flock 1692, f.

[425] 36 &c.] et caetera; G

[426] 45 to it G

[427] 49 do it G

[428] 52 Diamond 1692, 1716 diamond W, G passim

[429] 55 SN.] [Exit. G

[430] 61 of it G

[431] 64 Dick 1692, 1716 Dick W Dickey G

[432] 66 friend W, G

[433] 69 T’a 1716, W

[434] 81 SN....] Fit.... 1716 Fitz-dottrel... W Re-enter Fitzdottrel. G

[435] 83 sullen 1692, f.

[436] 85, 6 ’t] it G

[437] 92 SN.] Enter Trains. G

[438] 95, 103 Fit.] Meer. W, G

[439] 98 ’T] It G

[440] 99 gi’ 1716, W give G [Exit. G

[441] 106 [Exeunt. G

---

[129]

Act. III. Scene. I.

Gvilt-head. Plvtarchvs.

All this is to make you a Gentleman:
I’ll haue you learne, Sonne. Wherefore haue I plac’d you
With S^r. Poul Either-ſide, but to haue ſo much Law
To keepe your owne? Beſides, he is a Iuſtice,
Here i’ the Towne; and dwelling, Sonne, with him, 5
You ſhal learne that in a yeere, ſhall be worth twenty
Of hauing ſtay’d you at Oxford, or at Cambridge,
Or ſending you to the Innes of Court, or France.
I am call’d for now in haſte, by Maſter Meere-craft
To truſt Maſter Fitz-dottrel, a good man: 10
I’haue inquir’d him, eighteene hundred a yeere,
(His name is currant) for a diamant ring
Of forty, ſhall not be worth thirty (thats gain’d)
And this is to make you a Gentleman!

Plv. O, but good father, you truſt too much!

          Gvi. Boy, boy, 15
We liue, by finding fooles out, to be truſted.
Our ſhop-bookes are our paſtures, our corn-grounds,
We lay ’hem op’n for them to come into:
And when wee haue ’hem there, wee driue ’hem vp
In t’one of our two Pounds, the Compters, ſtreight, 20
And this is to make you a Gentleman!
Wee Citizens neuer truſt, but wee doe coozen:
For, if our debtors pay, wee coozen them;
And if they doe not, then we coozen our ſelues.
But that’s a hazard euery one muſt runne, 25
That hopes to make his Sonne a Gentleman!

Plv. I doe not wiſh to be one, truely, Father.
In a deſcent, or two, wee come to be
Iuſt ’itheir ſtate, fit to be coozend, like ’hem.
And I had rather ha’ tarryed i’ your trade: 30
For, ſince the Gentry ſcorne the Citty ſo much, [130]
Me thinkes we ſhould in time, holding together,
And matching in our owne tribes, as they ſay,
Haue got an Act of Common Councell, for it,
That we might coozen them out of rerum natura. 35

Gvi. I, if we had an Act firſt to forbid
The marrying of our wealthy heyres vnto ’hem:
And daughters, with ſuch lauiſh portions.
That confounds all.

         Plv. And makes a Mungril breed, Father.
And when they haue your money, then they laugh at you: 40
Or kick you downe the ſtayres. I cannot abide ’hem.
I would faine haue ’hem coozen’d, but not truſted.

[442] SD. Act.... I....] Act.... I. A Room in Fitzdottrel’s House. Enter Thomas Gilthead and Plutarchus. G

[443] 3 to om. 1692 t’ 1716 || Poul] Pould 1641

[444] 9 I’m W, G

[445] 12 () ret. G

[446] 15 Boy, boy] Boy, by 1692

[447] 20 two om. 1692, 1716 || Int’one 1716, W into one G

[448] 29 i’ their 1716, W in their G

Act. III. Scene. II.

Mere-craft. Gvilt-head.
Fitz-dottrell. Plvtarchvs.

O, is he come! I knew he would not faile me.
Welcome, good Guilt-head, I muſt ha’ you doe
A noble Gentleman, a courteſie, here:
In a mere toy (ſome pretty Ring, or Iewell)
Of fifty, or threeſcore pound (Make it a hundred, 5
And hedge in the laſt forty, that I owe you,
And your owne price for the Ring) He’s a good man, S^r,
And you may hap’ ſee him a great one! Hee,
Is likely to beſtow hundreds, and thouſands,
Wi’ you; if you can humour him. A great prince 10
He will be ſhortly. What doe you ſay?

          Gvi. In truth, Sir
I cannot. ’T has beene a long vacation with vs?

Fit. Of what, I pray thee? of wit? or honesty?
Thoſe are your Citizens long vacations.

Plv. Good Father do not truſt ’hem.

          Mer. Nay, Thom. Guilt-head. 15
Hee will not buy a courteſie and begge it:
Hee’ll rather pay, then pray. If you doe for him,
You muſt doe cheerefully. His credit, Sir,
Is not yet proſtitute! Who’s this? thy ſonne?
A pretty youth, what’s his name?

Plv. Plutarchus, Sir, 20

Mer. Plutarchus! How came that about?

          Gvi. That yeere S^r,
That I begot him, I bought Plutarch’s liues,
And fell ſ’ in loue with the booke, as I call’d my ſonne
By’his name; In hope he ſhould be like him:
And write the liues of our great men!

          Mer. I’ the City? [131] 25
And you do breed him, there?

Gvi. His minde, Sir, lies
Much to that way.

Mer. Why, then, he is i’ the right way.

Gvi. But, now, I had rather get him a good wife,
And plant him i’ the countrey; there to vſe
The bleſſing I ſhall leaue him:

          Mer. Out vpon’t! 30
And loſe the laudable meanes, thou haſt at home, heere,
T’aduance, and make him a young Alderman?
Buy him a Captaines place, for ſhame; and let him
Into the world, early, and with his plume,
And Scarfes, march through Cheapſide, or along Cornehill,
And by the vertue’of thoſe, draw downe a wife 36
There from a windo’, worth ten thouſand pound!
Get him the poſture booke, and’s leaden men,
To ſet vpon a table, ’gainst his Miſtreſſe
Chance to come by, that hee may draw her in, 40
And ſhew her Finsbury battells.

          Gvi. I haue plac’d him
With Iustice Eytherſide, to get so much law—

Mer. As thou haſt conſcience. Come, come, thou doſt wrong
Pretty Plutarchus, who had not his name,
For nothing: but was borne to traine the youth 45
Of London, in the military truth—
That way his Genius lies. My Couſin Euerill!

[449] SD. Act....] Enter Meercraft. G

[450] 7 ring. [Aside to Gilthead.

[451] 15 Tom G

[452] 20 ’s] is G

[453] 23 so in W, G

[454] 27 he’s W, G

[455] 45,6 to... truth] in italics G

[456] 47 lies.—Enter Everill.

Act. III. Scene. IIJ.

Ever-ill. Plvtarchvs. Gvilt-head.
Mere-craft. Fitzdottrell.

O, are you heere, Sir? ’pray you let vs whiſper.

Plv. Father, deare Father, truſt him if you loue mee.

Gvi. Why, I doe meane it, boy; but, what I doe,
Muſt not come eaſily from mee: Wee muſt deale
With Courtiers, boy, as Courtiers deale with vs. 5
If I haue a Buſineſſe there, with any of them,
Why, I muſt wait, I’am ſure on’t, Son: and though
My Lord diſpatch me, yet his worſhipfull man—
Will keepe me for his ſport, a moneth, or two,
To ſhew mee with my fellow Cittizens. 10
I muſt make his traine long, and full, one quarter;
And helpe the ſpectacle of his greatneſſe. There,
Nothing is done at once, but iniuries, boy:
And they come head-long! an their good turnes moue not, [124]
Or very ſlowly.

Plv. Yet ſweet father, truſt him. 15

Gvi. VVell, I will thinke.

          Ev. Come, you muſt do’t, Sir.
I am vndone elſe, and your Lady Tayle-buſh
Has ſent for mee to dinner, and my cloaths
Are all at pawne. I had ſent out this morning,
Before I heard you were come to towne, ſome twenty 20
Of my epiſtles, and no one returne—

Mere-craft tells him of his faults.

Mer. VVhy, I ha’ told you o’ this. This comes of wearing
Scarlet, gold lace, and cut-works! your fine gartring!
VVith your blowne roſes, Couſin! and your eating
Pheſant, and Godwit, here in London! haunting 25
The Globes, and Mermaides! wedging in with Lords,
Still at the table! and affecting lechery,
In veluet! where could you ha’ contented your ſelfe
With cheeſe, ſalt-butter, and a pickled hering,
I’ the Low-countries; there worne cloth, and fuſtian! 30
Beene ſatisfied with a leape o’ your Hoſt’s daughter,
In garriſon, a wench of a ſtoter! or,
Your Sutlers wife, i’ the leaguer, of two blanks!
You neuer, then, had runne vpon this flat,
To write your letters miſſiue, and ſend out 35
Your priuy ſeales, that thus haue frighted off
All your acquaintance; that they ſhun you at diſtance,
VVorse, then you do the Bailies!

          Ev. Pox vpon you.
I come not to you for counſell, I lacke money.

Hee repines.

Mer. You doe not thinke, what you owe me already?

          Ev. I? 40
They owe you, that meane to pay you. I’ll beſworne,
I neuer meant it. Come, you will proiect,
I ſhall vndoe your practice, for this moneth elſe:
You know mee.
          and threatens him.

Mer. I, yo’ are a right ſweet nature!

Ev. Well, that’s all one!

Mer. You’ll leaue this Empire, one day? 45
You will not euer haue this tribute payd,
Your ſcepter o’ the ſword?

     Ev. Tye vp your wit,
Doe, and prouoke me not—

         Mer. Will you, Sir, helpe,
To what I ſhall prouoke another for you?

Ev. I cannot tell; try me: I thinke I am not 50
So vtterly, of an ore vn-to-be-melted,
But I can doe my ſelfe good, on occaſions.

They ioyne.

Mer. Strike in then, for your part. M^r. Fitz-dottrel
If I tranſgreſſe in point of manners, afford mee
Your beſt conſtruction; I muſt beg my freedome 55
From your affayres, this day.

Fit. How, S^r.

          Mer. It is
In ſuccour of this Gentlemans occaſions,
My kinſ-man—
          Mere-craft pretends buſineſſe.

Fit. You’ll not do me that affront, S^r.

Mer. I am ſory you ſhould ſo interpret it,
But, Sir, it ſtands vpon his being inueſted 60
In a new office, hee has ſtood for, long: [133]

Mere-craft describes the office of Dependancy.

Maſter of the Dependances! A place
Of my proiection too, Sir, and hath met
Much oppoſition; but the State, now, ſee’s
That great neceſſity of it, as after all 65
Their writing, and their ſpeaking, againſt Duells,
They haue erected it. His booke is drawne—
For, ſince, there will be differences, daily,
’Twixt Gentlemen; and that the roaring manner
Is growne offenſiue; that thoſe few, we call 70
The ciuill men o’ the ſword, abhorre the vapours;
They ſhall refer now, hither, for their proceſſe;
And ſuch as treſſpaſe ’gainſt the rule of Court,
Are to be fin’d—

Fit. In troth, a pretty place!

Mer. A kinde of arbitrary Court ’twill be, Sir. 75

Fit. I ſhall haue matter for it, I beleeue,
Ere it be long: I had a diſtaſt.

          Mer. But now, Sir,
My learned councell, they muſt haue a feeling,
They’ll part, Sir, with no bookes, without the hand-gout
Be oyld, and I muſt furniſh. If’t be money, 80
To me ſtreight. I am Mine, Mint and Exchequer.
To ſupply all. What is’t? a hundred pound?

Eve. No, th’ Harpey, now, ſtands on a hundred pieces.

Mer. Why, he muſt haue ’hem, if he will. To morrow, Sir,
Will equally ſerue your occaſion’s,—— 85
And therefore, let me obtaine, that you will yeeld
To timing a poore Gentlemans diſtreſſes,
In termes of hazard.—

Fit. By no meanes!

          Mer. I muſt
Get him this money, and will.—

          Fit. Sir, I proteſt,
I’d rather ſtand engag’d for it my ſelfe: 90
Then you ſhould leaue mee.

          Mer. O good S^r. do you thinke
So courſely of our manners, that we would,
For any need of ours, be preſt to take it:
Though you be pleas’d to offer it.

Fit. Why, by heauen,
I meane it!

       Mer. I can neuer beleeue leſſe. 95
But wee, Sir, muſt preſerue our dignity,
As you doe publiſh yours. By your faire leaue, Sir.

Hee offers to be gone.

Fit. As I am a Gentleman, if you doe offer
To leaue mee now, or if you doe refuſe mee, 99
I will not thinke you loue mee.

          Mer. Sir, I honour you.
And with iuſt reaſon, for theſe noble notes,
Of the nobility, you pretend too! But, Sir—
I would know, why? a motiue (he a ſtranger)
You ſhould doe this?

(Eve. You’ll mar all with your fineneſſe)

Fit. Why, that’s all one, if ’twere, Sir, but my fancy. 105
But I haue a Buſineſſe, that perhaps I’d haue
Brought to his office.

      Mer. O, Sir! I haue done, then;
If hee can be made profitable, to you. [134]

Fit. Yes, and it ſhall be one of my ambitions
To haue it the firſt Buſineſſe? May I not? 110

Eve. So you doe meane to make’t, a perfect Buſineſſe.

Fit. Nay, I’ll doe that, aſſure you: ſhew me once.

Mer. S^r, it concernes, the firſt be a perfect Buſineſſe,
For his owne honour!

      Eve. I, and th’ reputation
Too, of my place.

     Fit. Why, why doe I take this courſe, elſe? 115
I am not altogether, an Aſſe, good Gentlemen,
Wherefore ſhould I conſult you? doe you thinke?
To make a ſong on’t? How’s your manner? tell vs.

Mer. Doe, ſatisfie him: giue him the whole courſe.

Eve. Firſt, by requeſt, or otherwiſe, you offer 120
Your Buſineſſe to the Court: wherein you craue:
The iudgement of the Maſter and the Aſsiſtants.

Fit. Well, that’s done, now, what doe you vpon it?

Eve. We ſtreight S^r, haue recourſe to the ſpring-head;
Viſit the ground; and, ſo diſcloſe the nature: 125
If it will carry, or no. If wee doe finde,
By our proportions it is like to proue
A ſullen, and blacke Bus’neſſe That it be
Incorrigible; and out of, treaty; then.
We file it, a Dependance!

          Fit. So ’tis fil’d. 130
What followes? I doe loue the order of theſe things.

Eve. We then aduiſe the party, if he be
A man of meanes, and hauings, that forth-with,
He ſettle his eſtate: if not, at leaſt
That he pretend it. For, by that, the world 135
Takes notice, that it now is a Dependance.
And this we call, Sir, Publication.

Fit. Very ſufficient! After Publication, now?

Eve. Then we grant out our Proceſſe, which is diuers;
Eyther by Chartell, Sir, or ore-tenus, 140
Wherein the Challenger, and Challengee
Or (with your Spaniard) your Prouocador,
And Prouocado, haue their ſeuerall courſes—

Fit. I haue enough on’t! for an hundred pieces?
Yes, for two hundred, vnder-write me, doe. 145
Your man will take my bond?

          Mer. That he will, ſure.
But, theſe ſame Citizens, they are ſuch ſharks!
There’s an old debt of forty, I ga’ my word
For one is runne away, to the Bermudas,
And he will hooke in that, or he wi’ not doe. 150

He whiſpers Fitz-dottrell aſide.

Fit. Why, let him. That and the ring, and a hundred pieces,
Will all but make two hundred?

          Mer. No, no more, Sir.
What ready Arithmetique you haue? doe you heare?
          And then Guilt-head.
A pretty mornings worke for you, this? Do it,
You ſhall ha’ twenty pound on’t.

Gvi. Twenty pieces? [135] 155

(Plv. Good Father, do’t)

          Mer. You will hooke ſtill? well,
Shew vs your ring. You could not ha’ done this, now
With gentleneſſe, at firſt, wee might ha’ thank’d you?
But groane, and ha’ your courteſies come from you
Like a hard ſtoole, and ſtinke? A man may draw 160
Your teeth out eaſier, then your money? Come,
Were little Guilt-head heere, no better a nature,
I ſhould ne’r loue him, that could pull his lips off, now!
          He pulls Plutarchus by the lips.
Was not thy mother a Gentlewoman?

Plv. Yes, Sir.

Mer. And went to the Court at Chriſtmas, and S^t. Georges-tide? 165
And lent the Lords-men, chaines?

Plv. Of gold, and pearle, S^r.

Mer. I knew, thou muſt take, after ſome body!
Thou could’ſt not be elſe. This was no ſhop-looke!
I’ll ha’ thee Captaine Guilt-head, and march vp,
And take in Pimlico, and kill the buſh, 170
At euery tauerne! Thou shalt haue a wife,
If ſmocks will mount, boy. How now? you ha’ there now
Some Briſto-ſtone, or Corniſh counterfeit
You’ld put vpon vs.
          He turns to old Guilt-head.

         Gvi. No, Sir I aſſure you:
Looke on his luſter! hee will ſpeake himſelfe! 175
I’le gi’ you leaue to put him i’ the Mill,
H’is no great, large ſtone, but a true Paragon,
H’has all his corners, view him well.

Mer. H’is yellow.

Gvi. Vpo’ my faith, S^r, o’ the right black-water,
And very deepe! H’is ſet without a foyle, too. 180
Here’s one o’ the yellow-water, I’ll ſell cheape.

Mer. And what do you valew this, at? thirty pound?

Gvi. No, Sir, he cost me forty, ere he was ſet.

Mer. Turnings, you meane? I know your Equinocks:
You’are growne the better Fathers of ’hem o’ late. 185
Well, where’t muſt goe, ’twill be iudg’d, and, therefore,
Looke you’t be right. You ſhall haue fifty pound for’t.
          Now to Fitz-dottrel.
Not a deneer more! And, becauſe you would
Haue things diſpatch’d, Sir, I’ll goe preſently,
Inquire out this Lady. If you thinke good, Sir. 190
Hauing an hundred pieces ready, you may
Part with thoſe, now, to ſerue my kinſmans turnes,
That he may wait vpon you, anon, the freer;
And take ’hem when you ha’ ſeal’d, a game, of Guilt-head.

Fit. I care not if I do!

Mer. And diſpatch all, 195
Together.

          Fit. There, th’are iuſt: a hundred pieces!
I’ ha’ told ’hem ouer, twice a day, theſe two moneths.

Hee turnes ’hem out together. And Euerill and hee fall to ſhare.

Mer. Well, go, and ſeale, then, S^r, make your returne
As ſpeedy as you can.

Eve. Come gi’ mee.

Mer. Soft, Sir.

Eve. Mary, and faire too, then. I’ll no delaying, Sir. 200

Mer. But, you will heare?

Eve. Yes, when I haue my diuident.

Mer. Theres forty pieces for you.

Eve. What is this for? [136]

Mer. Your halfe. You know, that Guilt-head muſt ha’ twenty.

Eve. And what’s your ring there? ſhall I ha’ none o’ that?

Mer. O, thats to be giuen to a Lady! 205

Eve. Is’t ſo?

Mer. By that good light, it is.

Ev. Come, gi’ me
Ten pieces more, then.

Mer. Why?

          Ev. For Guilt-head? Sir,
Do’you thinke, I’ll ’low him any ſuch ſhare:

Mer. You muſt.

Eve. Muſt I? Doe you your muſts, Sir, I’ll doe mine,
You wi’ not part with the whole, Sir? Will you? Goe too. 210
Gi’ me ten pieces!

Mer. By what law, doe you this?

Eve. E’n Lyon-law, Sir, I muſt roare elſe.

Mer. Good!

Eve. Yo’ haue heard, how th’ Aſſe made his diuiſions, wiſely?

Mer. And, I am he: I thanke you.

Ev. Much good do you, S^r.

Mer. I ſhall be rid o’ this tyranny, one day?

          Eve. Not,
While you doe eate; and lie, about the towne, here; 216
And coozen i’ your bullions; and I ſtand
Your name of credit, and compound your buſineſſe;
Adiourne your beatings euery terme; and make
New parties for your proiects. I haue, now, 220
A pretty taſque, of it, to hold you in
Wi’ your Lady Tayle-buſh: but the toy will be,
How we ſhall both come off?

          Mer. Leaue you your doubting.
And doe your portion, what’s aſſign’d you: I
Neuer fail’d yet.

          Eve. With reference to your aydes? 225
You’ll ſtill be vnthankfull. Where ſhall I meete you, anon?
You ha’ ſome feate to doe alone, now, I ſee;
You wiſh me gone, well, I will finde you out,
And bring you after to the audit.

          Mer. S’light!
There’s Ingines ſhare too, I had forgot! This raigne 230
Is too-too-vnſuportable! I muſt
Quit my ſelfe of this vaſſalage! Ingine! welcome.

[457] SD. om. G

[458] 1 [takes Meer. aside. G

[459] 7 I’m 1716, W I am G

[460] 16 think. [They walk aside. G

[461] 17 I’m 1716 I am W

[462] 21 SN. om. G

[463] 23 gartering W, G

[464] 32 Storer 1716 storer W, G

[465] 33 Sulters 1641

[466] 38 Bayliffs 1716 bailiffs W, G

[467] 39,43 SN. om. G

[468] 44 you’re 1716, W

[469] 52 Enter Fitzdottrel. || SN. om. G

[470] 53 part. [They go up to Fitz.] G

[471] 57, 61 SN. om. G

[472] 68 since 1641, f.

[473] 90 I had G

[474] 97 SN. Hee om. G

[475] 103 () ret. G

[476] 104 Ever. [Aside to Meer.]

[477] 106 ’d] would G

[478] 114 the W

[479] 123 ’s] is G

[480] 127 our] your 1641

[481] 148 gave G

[482] 149 to] into 1641

[483] 150 SN.] [Aside to Fitz. G he wi’] he’ll G

[484] 153 SN.] [Aside to Gilthead. G

[485] 159 you] your 1641, f.

[486] 163 SN.] [Pulls him by the lips. G

[487] 165 George-G

[488] 166 Lords-] lords W lords’ G

[489] 173 Bristol stone W, G

[490] 174 SN. He, old om. G

[491] 177 He is W, G

[492] 178 He has W, G

[493] 178, 180 He’s W, G

[494] 184 equivokes W, G

[495] 185 You’re 1716, W You are G || ’hem] ’em G || o’ ret. G

[496] 186 where it G

[497] 187 SN.] [To Fitz.] G

[498] 188 dencer 1641 Denier 1716 denier W, G

[499] 196 they’re just a 1716, W they are just a G

[500] 197 SN.] [Turns them out on table. G

[501] 199 can. [Exeunt Fitzdottrel, Gilthead, and Plutarchus.] me. [They fall to sharing. G

[502] 201 Dividend 1716 dividend W, G

[503] 204 o’ ret. G

[504] 205 that is G

[505] 206 Is it W, G

[506] 208 allow 1692, f.

[507] 209 you om. 1692, 1716, W

[508] 212 E’n] Even G

[509] 213 You’ve 1716, W

[510] 218 your om. 1641

[511] 223 you om. 1641

[512] 227 to doe] to be done 1641

[513] 229 audit. [Exit. G

[514] 232 vassalage!—Enter Engine, followed by Wittipoll. G

Act. IIJ. Scene. IV.

Mere-craft. Ingine. VVittipol.

How goes the cry?

Ing. Excellent well!

Mer. Wil’t do?
VVhere’s Robinſon?

          Ing. Here is the Gentleman, Sir.
VVill vndertake t’himſelfe. I haue acquainted him.

Mer. VVhy did you ſo?

    Ing. VVhy, Robinſon would ha’ told him,
You know. And hee’s a pleaſant wit! will hurt 5
Nothing you purpoſe. Then, he’is of opinion,
That Robinſon might want audacity, [129]
She being ſuch a gallant. Now, hee has beene,
In Spaine, and knowes the faſhions there; and can
Diſcourſe; and being but mirth (hee ſaies) leaue much, 10
To his care:

Mer. But he is too tall!

He excepts at his ſtature.

          Ing. For that,
He has the braueſt deuice! (you’ll loue him for’t)
To ſay, he weares Cioppinos: and they doe ſo
In Spaine. And Robinſon’s as tall, as hee.

Mer. Is he ſo?

Ing. Euery iot.

          Mer. Nay, I had rather 15
To truſt a Gentleman with it, o’ the two.

Ing. Pray you goe to him, then, Sir, and ſalute him.

Mer. Sir, my friend Ingine has acquainted you
With a ſtrange buſineſſe, here.

          Wit. A merry one, Sir.
The Duke of Drown’d-land, and his Dutcheſſe?

          Mer. Yes, Sir. 20
Now, that the Coniurers ha’ laid him by,
I ha’ made bold, to borrow him a while;

Wit. With purpoſe, yet, to put him out I hope
To his beſt vſe?

Mer. Yes, Sir.

          Wit. For that ſmall part,
That I am truſted with, put off your care: 25
I would not loſe to doe it, for the mirth,
Will follow of it; and well, I haue a fancy.

Mer. Sir, that will make it well.

    Wit. You will report it ſo.
Where muſt I haue my dreſſing?

Ing. At my houſe, Sir.

Mer. You ſhall haue caution, Sir, for what he yeelds, 30
To ſix pence.

Wit. You ſhall pardon me. I will ſhare, Sir,
I’ your ſports, onely: nothing i’ your purchaſe.
But you muſt furniſh mee with complements,
To th’ manner of Spaine; my coach, my guarda duenn’as;

Mer. Ingine’s your Pro’uedor. But, Sir, I muſt 35
(Now I’haue entred truſt wi’ you, thus farre)
Secure ſtill i’ your quality, acquaint you
With ſomewhat, beyond this. The place, deſign’d
To be the Scene, for this our mery matter,
Becauſe it muſt haue countenance of women, 40
To draw diſcourse, and offer it, is here by,
At the Lady Taile-buſhes.

      Wit. I know her, Sir.
And her Gentleman huiſher.

Mer. M^r Ambler?

Wit. Yes, Sir.

Mer. Sir, It ſhall be no ſhame to mee, to confeſſe
To you, that wee poore Gentlemen, that want acres, 45
Muſt for our needs, turne fooles vp, and plough Ladies
Sometimes, to try what glebe they are: and this
Is no vnfruitefull piece. She, and I now,
Are on a proiect, for the fact, and venting
Of a new kinde of fucus (paint, for Ladies) 50
To ſerue the kingdome: wherein ſhee her ſelfe
Hath trauell’d, ſpecially, by way of ſeruice
Vnto her ſexe, and hopes to get the Monopoly,
As the reward of her inuention. [138]

Wit. What is her end, in this?

          Ev. Merely ambition, 55
Sir, to grow great, and court it with the ſecret:
Though ſhee pretend ſome other. For, ſhe’s dealing,
Already, vpon caution for the ſhares,
And M^r. Ambler, is hee nam’d Examiner
For the ingredients; and the Register 60
Of what is vented; and ſhall keepe the Office.
Now, if ſhee breake with you, of this (as I
Muſt make the leading thred to your acquaintance,
That, how experience gotten i’ your being
Abroad, will helpe our buſinesse) thinke of ſome 65
Pretty additions, but to keep her floting:
It may be, ſhee will offer you a part,
Any ſtrange names of—

      Wit. S^r, I haue my inſtructions.
Is it not high time to be making ready?

Mer. Yes, Sir.

Ing. The foole’s in ſight, Dottrel.

Mer. Away, then. 70

[515] SD. om. G

[516] 1 ’t] it G

[517] 3 t’] ’t 1716, W it G

[518] 6 he’s 1692, f.

[519] 7 want] have 1641

[520] 11 SN. om. G

[521] 12 () ret. G

[522] 17 you to go 1716, W

[523] 35 Provedore 1716 provedore W provedoré G

[524] 43 Usher 1716 usher W, G

[525] 47 Sometime 1692, 1716, W

[526] 55 Ev.] Meer. 1716, f.

[527] 59 is hee] he is W, G

[528] 62, 65 () ret. G

[529] 70 [Exeunt Engine and Wittipol. G

Act. IIJ. Scene. V.

Mere-craft. Fitz-dottrel. Pvg.

Return’d ſo ſoone?

          Fit. Yes, here’s the ring: I ha’ ſeal’d.
But there’s not ſo much gold in all the row, he ſaies—
Till’t come fro’ the Mint. ’Tis tane vp for the gameſters.

Mer. There’s a ſhop-ſhift! plague on ’hem.

Fit. He do’s ſweare it.

Mer. He’ll ſweare, and forſweare too, it is his trade, 5
You ſhould not haue left him.

Fit. S’lid, I can goe backe,
And beat him, yet.

Mer. No, now let him alone.

Fit. I was ſo earneſt, after the maine Buſineſſe,
To haue this ring, gone.

          Mer. True, and ’tis time.
I’haue learned, Sir, ſin’ you went, her Ladi-ſhip eats 10
With the Lady Tail-buſh, here, hard by.

Fit. I’ the lane here?

Mer. Yes, if you’had a ſeruant, now of prefence,
Well cloth’d, and of an aëry voluble tongue,
Neither too bigge, or little for his mouth,
That could deliuer your wiues complement; 15
To ſend along withall.

          Fit. I haue one Sir,
A very handſome, gentleman-like-fellow,
That I doe meane to make my Dutcheſſe Vſher—
I entertain’d him, but this morning, too:
I’ll call him to you. The worſt of him, is his name! 20

Mer. She’ll take no note of that, but of his meſſage. [139]

Hee ſhewes him his Pug.

Fit. Diuell! How like you him, Sir. Pace, go a little.
Let’s ſee you moue.

          Mer. He’ll ſerue, S^r, giue it him:
And let him goe along with mee, I’ll helpe
To preſent him, and it.

          Fit. Looke, you doe ſirah, 25
Diſcharge this well, as you expect your place.
Do’you heare, goe on, come off with all your honours.
          Giues him inſtructions.
I would faine ſee him, do it.

Mer. Truſt him, with it;

Fit. Remember kiſſing of your hand, and anſwering
With the French-time, in flexure of your body. 30
I could now ſo inſtruct him—and for his words—

Mer. I’ll put them in his mouth.

Fit. O, but I haue ’hem
O’ the very Academies.

          Mer. Sir, you’ll haue vſe for ’hem,
Anon, your ſelfe, I warrant you: after dinner,
When you are call’d.

         Fit. S’light, that’ll be iuſt play-time. 35
          He longs to ſee the play.
It cannot be, I muſt not loſe the play!

Mer. Sir, but you muſt, if ſhe appoint to ſit.
And, ſhee’s preſident.

Fit. S’lid, it is the Diuell.

Becauſe it is the Diuell.

Mer. And, ’twere his Damme too, you muſt now apply
Your ſelfe, Sir, to this, wholly; or loſe all. 40

Fit. If I could but ſee a piece—

Mer. S^r. Neuer think on’t.

Fit. Come but to one act, and I did not care—
But to be ſeene to riſe, and goe away,
To vex the Players, and to puniſh their Poet—
Keepe him in awe!

          Mer. But ſay, that he be one, 45
Wi’ not be aw’d! but laugh at you. How then?

Fit. Then he ſhall pay for his’dinner himſelfe.

          Mer. Perhaps,
He would doe that twice, rather then thanke you.
Come, get the Diuell out of your head, my Lord,
(I’ll call you ſo in priuate ſtill) and take 50
Your Lord-ſhip i’ your minde. You were, ſweete Lord,
          He puts him in mind of his quarrell.
In talke to bring a Buſineſſe to the Office.

Fit. Yes.

Mer. Why ſhould not you, S^r, carry it o’ your ſelfe,
Before the Office be vp? and ſhew the world,
You had no need of any mans direction; 55
In point, Sir, of ſufficiency. I ſpeake
Againſt a kinſman, but as one that tenders
Your graces good.

Fit. I thanke you; to proceed—

Mer. To Publications: ha’ your Deed drawne preſently.
And leaue a blancke to put in your Feoffees 60
One, two, or more, as you ſee cauſe—

          Fit. I thank you
Heartily, I doe thanke you. Not a word more,
I pray you, as you loue mee. Let mee alone.
That I could not thinke o’ this, as well, as hee?
O, I could beat my infinite blocke-head—! 65

He is angry with himſelfe.

Mer. Come, we muſt this way.

Pvg. How far is’t.

          Mer. Hard by here
Ouer the way. Now, to atchieue this ring,
From this ſame fellow, that is to aſſure it; [140]
          He thinkes how to coozen the bearer, of the ring.
Before hee giue it. Though my Spaniſh Lady,
Be a young Gentleman of meanes, and ſcorne 70
To ſhare, as hee doth ſay, I doe not know
How ſuch a toy may tempt his Lady-ſhip:
And therefore, I thinke beſt, it be aſſur’d.

Pvg. Sir, be the Ladies braue, wee goe vnto?

Mer. O, yes.

Pvg. And ſhall I ſee ’hem, and ſpeake to ’hem? 75

Mer. What elſe? ha’ you your falſe-beard about you? Traines.

Questions his man.

Tra. Yes.

Mer. And is this one of your double Cloakes?

Tra. The beſt of ’hem.

Mer. Be ready then. Sweet Pitfall!

[530] SD. Act....] Re-enter Fitzdottrel. G

[531] 3 Till it G || from G§

[532] 8 comma after ‘earnest’ om. 1716, f.

[533] 9 it is W, G

[534] 10 since G

[535] 14 or] nor W, G

[536] 21, 27, 35 SN. om. G

[537] 22 Devil!—Enter Pug. G

[538] 27 Do’you] D’you 1692, 1716, W

[539] 30 in] and W, G

[540] 31 now] not 1641

[541] 38 she is W, G

[542] 39 And,] An G

[543] 38, 51 SN. om. G

[544] 47 Then] That 1692, 1716 || for’s 1692, f.

[545] 50 () ret. G

[546] 53 o’] on G

[547] 59 publication G

[548] 60 leave me a 1692, 1716, W

[549] 65 SN.] [Exeunt. Scene II. The Lane near the Lady Tailbush’s House. Enter Meercraft followed by Pug. G

[550] 67 way. [They cross over.] G

[551] 68 SN. om. G || is] is, W, G

[552] 73 [Aside. G

[553] 76 else? Enter Trains. || SN. om. G

[554] 78 then. [Exeunt. Scene III. A Hall in Lady Tailbush’s House. Enter Meercraft and Pug, met by Pitfall. G

Act. IIJ. Scene. VI.

Mere-craft. Pitfall. Pvg.
Traines.

Come, I muſt buſſe—

Offers to kiſſe.

Pit. Away. Mer. I’ll ſet thee vp again.
Neuer feare that: canſt thou get ne’r a bird?
No Thruſhes hungry? Stay, till cold weather come,
I’ll help thee to an Ouſell, or, a Field-fare.
Who’s within, with Madame?

Pit. I’ll tell you straight. 5

She runs in, in haſte: he followes.

Mer. Pleaſe you ſtay here, a while Sir, I’le goe in.

Pvg. I doe ſo long to haue a little venery,
While I am in this body! I would taſt
Of euery ſinne, a little, if it might be
After the māner of man! Sweet-heart!

Pit. What would you, S^r? 10

Pug leaps at Pitfall’s comming in.

Pvg. Nothing but fall in, to you, be your Black-bird,
My pretty pit (as the Gentleman ſaid) your Throſtle:
Lye tame, and taken with you; here’is gold!
To buy you ſo much new ſtuffes, from the ſhop,
As I may take the old vp—

Tra. You muſt send, Sir. 15
The Gentleman the ring.

Traine’s in his falſe cloak, brings a falſe meſſage, and gets the ring.

Pvg. There ’tis. Nay looke,
Will you be fooliſh, Pit.

Pit. This is ſtrange rudeneſſe.

Pvg. Deare Pit.

Pit. I’ll call, I ſweare.

Mere-craft followes preſently, and askes for it.

         Mer. Where are you, S^r?
Is your ring ready? Goe with me.

Pvg. I ſent it you.

Mer. Me? When? by whom?

Pvg. A fellow here, e’en now, 20
Came for it i’ your name.

          Mer. I ſent none, ſure.
My meaning euer was, you ſhould deliuer it,
Your ſelfe: So was your Maſters charge, you know.
          Ent. Train’s as himſelfe againe.
What fellow was it, doe you know him?

Pvg. Here,
But now, he had it.

Mer. Saw you any? Traines? 25

Tra. Not I.

Pvg. The Gentleman ſaw him.

Mer. Enquire.

Pvg. I was ſo earneſt vpon her, I mark’d not!
          The Diuell confeſſeth himſelfe coozen’d.
My diuelliſh Chiefe has put mee here in flesh, [141]
To ſhame mee! This dull body I am in,
I perceiue nothing with! I offer at nothing, 30
That will ſucceed!

Tra. Sir, ſhe ſaw none, ſhe ſaies.

Pvg. Satan himſelfe, has tane a ſhape t’abuſe me.
It could not be elſe.

          Mer. This is aboue ſtrange!
          Mere-craft accuſeth him of negligence.
That you ſhould be ſo retchleſſe. What’ll you do, Sir?
How will you anſwer this, when you are queſtion’d? 35

Pvg. Run from my fleſh, if I could: put off mankind!
This’s ſuch a ſcorne! and will be a new exerciſe,
For my Arch-Duke! Woe to the ſeuerall cudgells,
Muſt suffer, on this backe! Can you no ſuccours? Sir? 39

He asketh ayde.

Mer. Alas! the vſe of it is ſo preſent.

          Pvg. I aske,
Sir, credit for another, but till to morrow?

Mer. There is not ſo much time, Sir. But how euer,
The lady is a noble Lady, and will
(To ſaue a Gentleman from check) be intreated
          Mere-craft promiſeth faintly, yet comforts him.
To ſay, ſhe ha’s receiu’d it.

Pvg. Do you thinke ſo? 45
Will ſhee be won?

         Mer. No doubt, to ſuch an office,
It will be a Lady’s brauery, and her pride.

Pvg. And not be knowne on’t after, vnto him?

Mer. That were a treachery! Vpon my word,
Be confident. Returne vnto your maſter, 50
My Lady Preſident ſits this after-noone,
Ha’s tane the ring, commends her ſeruices
Vnto your Lady-Dutcheſſe. You may ſay
She’s a ciuill Lady, and do’s giue her
All her reſpects, already: Bad you, tell her 55
She liues, but to receiue her wiſh’d commandements,
And haue the honor here to kiſſe her hands:
For which ſhee’ll ſtay this houre yet. Haſten you
Your Prince, away.

Pvg. And Sir, you will take care
Th’ excuſe be perfect?

      Mer. You confeſſe your feares. 60
          The Diuel is doubtfull.
Too much.

Pvg. The ſhame is more, I’ll quit you of either.

[555] SD. om.

[556] 1 SN.] [Offers to kiss her. G

[557] 5 SN. [Exit hastily. (after 5) [Exit. (after 6) G

[558] 10 SN.] Sweetheart! Re-enter Pitfall. || sir? [Pug runs to her. G

[559] 16 SN.] Enter Trains in his false beard and cloke. (after ’vp—’15) [Exit Trains.] (after ‘tis’ 16) G

[560] 18 SN. Enter Meercraft. G

[561] 21 for’t W

[562] 23 SN.] Re-enter Trains dressed as at first. G

[563] 26 Gentlewoman 1716 gentlewoman W, G

[564] 27, 33, 39 SN. om. G

[565] 31 succeed! [Aside. G

[566] 33 else! [Aside. G

[567] 34 ’ll] will G

[568] 37 ’s] is G

[569] 39 back! [Aside.] G

[570] 44 entreated W, G

[571] 45 has 1692, f. passim

[572] 44, 60 SN. om. G

[573] 60 period om. 1716, f.

[574] 61 I’ll...] Meer. I’ll... W, G

[575] 61 [Exeunt G

---

[142]

Act. IIIJ. Scene. I.

Taile-bvsh. Mere-craft. Manly.

A Pox vpo’ referring to Commiſsioners,
I’had rather heare that it were paſt the ſeales:
Your Courtiers moue ſo Snaile-like i’ your Buſineſſe.
Wuld I had begun wi’ you.

          Mer. We muſt moue,
Madame, in order, by degrees: not iump. 5

Tay. Why, there was S^r. Iohn Monie-man could iump
A Buſineſſe quickely.

          Mer. True, hee had great friends,
But, becauſe ſome, ſweete Madame, can leape ditches,
Wee muſt not all ſhunne to goe ouer bridges.
The harder parts, I make account are done: 10
          He flatters her.
Now, ’tis referr’d. You are infinitly bound
Vnto’the Ladies, they ha’ so cri’d it vp!

Tay. Doe they like it then?

Mer. They ha’ ſent the Spaniſh-Lady,
To gratulate with you—

      Tay. I must ſend ’hem thankes
And ſome remembrances.

Mer. That you muſt, and viſit ’hem. 15
Where’s Ambler?

Tay. Loſt, to day, we cannot heare of him.

Mer. Not Madam?

      Tay. No in good faith. They ſay he lay not
At home, to night. And here has fall’n a Buſineſſe
Betweene your Couſin, and Maſter Manly, has
Vnquieted vs all.

     Mer. So I heare, Madame. 20
Pray you how was it?

          Tay. Troth, it but appeares
Ill o’ your Kinſmans part. You may haue heard,
That Manly is a ſutor to me, I doubt not:

Mer. I gueſs’d it, Madame.

          Tay. And it ſeemes, he truſted
Your Couſin to let fall some faire reports 25
Of him vnto mee.

Mer. Which he did!

          Tay. So farre
From it, as hee came in, and tooke him rayling
Againſt him.

Mer. How! And what said Manly to him?

Tay. Inough, I doe aſſure you: and with that ſcorne
Of him, and the iniury, as I doe wonder 30
How Euerill bore it! But that guilt vndoe’s
Many mens valors.

Mer. Here comes Manly.

Man. Madame, [143]
I’ll take my leaue—

Manly offers to be gone.

       Tay. You ſha’ not goe, i’ faith.
I’ll ha’ you ſtay, and ſee this Spaniſh miracle,
Of our Engliſh Ladie.

          Man. Let me pray your Ladiſhip, 35
Lay your commands on me, some other time.

Tay. Now, I proteſt: and I will haue all piec’d,
And friends againe.

Man. It will be but ill ſolder’d!

Tay. You are too much affected with it.

          Man. I cannot
Madame, but thinke on’t for th’ iniuſtice.

          Tay. Sir, 40
His kinſman here is ſorry.

          Mer. Not I, Madam,
I am no kin to him, wee but call Couſins,
          Mere-craft denies him.
And if wee were, Sir, I haue no relation
Vnto his crimes.

          Man. You are not vrged with ’hem.
I can accuſe, Sir, none but mine owne iudgement, 45
For though it were his crime, ſo to betray mee:
I am ſure, ’twas more mine owne, at all to truſt him.
But he, therein, did vſe but his old manners,
And fauour ſtrongly what hee was before.

Tay. Come, he will change!

          Man. Faith, I muſt neuer think it. 50
Nor were it reaſon in mee to expect
That for my ſake, hee ſhould put off a nature
Hee ſuck’d in with his milke. It may be Madam,
Deceiuing truſt, is all he has to truſt to:
If ſo, I ſhall be loath, that any hope 55
Of mine, ſhould bate him of his meanes.

        Tay. Yo’ are ſharp, Sir.
This act may make him honeſt!

          Man. If he were
To be made honeſt, by an act of Parliament,
I ſhould not alter, i’ my faith of him.

          Tay. Eyther-ſide!
Welcome, deare Either-ſide! how haſt thou done, good wench?
          She spies the Lady Eyther-ſide.
Thou haſt beene a ſtranger! I ha’ not ſeene thee, this weeke. 61

[576] SD. IIIJ] VI. 1641 Taile....] A room in Lady Tailbush’s House. Enter Lady Tailbush and Meercraft. G

[577] 10 SN. om. G

[578] 32 valours. Enter Manly. G

[579] 33 SN. om. G

[580] 42 SN. om. G

[581] 43 wee] he G

[582] 47 I’m 1716, W

[583] 56 Y’are 1716, W

[584] 59 him. Enter Lady Eitherside.

[585] 60 SN. om. G

Act. IIIJ. Scene. II.

Eitherside. {To them

Ever your ſeruant, Madame.

Tay. Where hast ’hou beene? [144]
I did ſo long to ſee thee.

          Eit. Viſiting, and ſo tyr’d!
I proteſt, Madame, ’tis a monſtrous trouble!

Tay. And ſo it is. I ſweare I muſt to morrow,
Beginne my viſits (would they were ouer) at Court. 5
It tortures me, to thinke on ’hem.

          Eit. I doe heare
You ha’ cauſe, Madam, your ſute goes on.

Tay. Who told thee?

Eyt. One, that can tell: M^r. Eyther-ſide.

          Tay. O, thy huſband!
Yes, faith, there’s life in’t, now: It is referr’d.
If wee once ſee it vnder the ſeales, wench, then, 10
Haue with ’hem for the great Carroch, ſixe horſes,
And the two Coach-men, with my Ambler, bare,
And my three women: wee will liue, i’ faith,
The examples o’ the towne, and gouerne it.
I’le lead the faſhion ſtill.

Eit. You doe that, now, 15
Sweet Madame.

          Tay. O, but then, I’ll euery day
Bring vp ſome new deuice. Thou and I, Either-ſide,
Will firſt be in it. I will giue it thee;
And they ſhall follow vs. Thou ſhalt, I ſweare,
Weare euery moneth a new gowne, out of it. 20

Eith. Thanke you good Madame.

          Tay. Pray thee call mee Taile-buſh
As I thee, Either-ſide: I not loue this, Madame.

Ety. Then I proteſt to you, Taile-buſh, I am glad
Your Buſineſſe ſo ſucceeds.

Tay. Thanke thee, good Eyther-ſide.

Ety. But Maſter Either-ſide tells me, that he likes 25
Your other Buſineſſe better.

Tay. Which?

Eit. O’ the Tooth-picks.

Tay. I neuer heard on’t.

Eit. Aske M^r. Mere-craft.

Mer. Madame? H’is one, in a word, I’ll truſt his malice,
With any mans credit, I would haue abus’d!

Mere-craft hath whiſper’d with the while.

Man. Sir, if you thinke you doe pleaſe mee, in this, 30
You are deceiu’d!

          Mer. No, but becauſe my Lady,
Nam’d him my kinſman; I would ſatisfie you,
What I thinke of him: and pray you, vpon it
To iudge mee!

Man. So I doe: that ill mens friendſhip,
Is as vnfaithfull, as themſelues.

Tay. Doe you heare? 35
Ha’ you a Buſineſſe about Tooth-picks?

          Mer. Yes, Madame.
Did I ne’r tell’t you? I meant to haue offer’d it
Your Lady-ſhip, on the perfecting the pattent. [145]

Tay. How is’t!

Mer. For ſeruing the whole ſtate with Tooth-picks;
          The Proiect for Tooth-picks.
(Somewhat an intricate Buſineſſe to diſcourſe) but—40
I ſhew, how much the Subiect is abus’d,
Firſt, in that one commodity? then what diſeaſes,
And putrefactions in the gummes are bred,
By thoſe are made of adultrate, and falſe wood?
My plot, for reformation of theſe, followes. 45
To haue all Tooth-picks, brought vnto an office,
There ſeal’d; and ſuch as counterfait ’hem, mulcted.
And laſt, for venting ’hem to haue a booke
Printed, to teach their vſe, which euery childe
Shall haue throughout the kingdome, that can read, 50
And learne to picke his teeth by. Which beginning
Earely to practice, with ſome other rules,
Of neuer ſleeping with the mouth open, chawing
Some graines of maſticke, will preſerue the breath
Pure, and ſo free from taynt—ha’ what is’t? ſaiſt thou?

Traines his man whiſpers him.

Tay. Good faith, it ſounds a very pretty Bus’neſſe! 56

Eit. So M^r. Either-ſide ſaies, Madame.

Mer. The Lady is come.

Tay. Is ſhe? Good, waite vpon her in. My Ambler
Was neuer ſo ill abſent. Either-ſide,
How doe I looke to day? Am I not dreſt, 60
Spruntly?

She lookes in her glaſſe.

Eit. Yes, verily, Madame.

Tay. Pox o’ Madame, Will you not leaue that?

Eit. Yes, good Taile-buſh.

          Tay. So?
Sounds not that better? What vile Fucus is this,
Thou haſt got on?

Eit. ’Tis Pearle.

          Tay. Pearle? Oyſter-ſhells:
As I breath, Either-side, I know’t. Here comes 65
(They say) a wonder, ſirrah, has beene in Spaine!
Will teach vs all; ſhee’s ſent to mee, from Court.
To gratulate with mee! Pr’y thee, let’s obſerue her,
What faults ſhe has, that wee may laugh at ’hem,
When ſhe is gone.

Eit. That we will heartily, Tail-buſh. 70

Wittipol enters.

Tay. O, mee! the very Infanta of the Giants!

[586] SD. om. G

[587] 1 thou 1692, f.

[588] 22 not loue] love not 1716, f.

[589] 26 O’] O, 1641

[590] 27 on’t] of it G

[591] 28 Madam! [Aside to Manly.] G || He is G

[592] 29 SN. with him the 1692, 1716, W SN. om. G

[593] 37 tell it G

[594] 39 is it G || SN. om. G

[595] 40 an] in 1641

[596] 42 disease W

[597] 44 adulterate G

[598] 53 chewing 1716, f.

[599] 55 SN.] taint—Enter Trains, and whispers him. G

[600] 58 in. [Exit Meercraft.] G

[601] 61 SN.] She om. G || o’ ret. G

[602] 68 Prythee 1692 Prithee 1716 prithee W, G

[603] 70 SN.] Re-enter Meercraft, introducing Wittipol dressed as a Spanish Lady. G

Act. IIIJ. Scene. IJI.

Mere-craft. Wittipol. } to them.

Wittipol is dreſt like a Spaniſh Lady.

Mer. Here is a noble Lady, Madame, come, [146]
From your great friends, at Court, to ſee your Ladi-ſhip:
And haue the honour of your acquaintance.

Tay. Sir.
She do’s vs honour.

     Wit. Pray you, ſay to her Ladiſhip,
It is the manner of Spaine, to imbrace onely, 5
Neuer to kiſſe. She will excuſe the cuſtome!

Excuſes him ſelfe for not kiſſing.

Tay. Your vſe of it is law. Pleaſe you, ſweete, Madame,
To take a ſeate.

          Wit. Yes, Madame. I’haue had
The fauour, through a world of faire report
To know your vertues, Madame; and in that 10
Name, haue deſir’d the happineſſe of preſenting
My ſeruice to your Ladiſhip!

Tay. Your loue, Madame,
I muſt not owne it elſe.

Wit. Both are due, Madame,
To your great vndertakings.

          Tay. Great? In troth, Madame,
They are my friends, that thinke ’hem any thing: 15
If I can doe my ſexe (by ’hem) any ſeruice,
I’haue my ends, Madame.

          Wit. And they are noble ones,
That make a multitude beholden, Madame:
The common-wealth of Ladies, muſt acknowledge from you.

Eit. Except ſome enuious, Madame.

          Wit. Yo’ are right in that, Madame, 20
Of which race, I encountred ſome but lately.
Who (’t ſeemes) haue ſtudyed reaſons to diſcredit
Your buſineſſe.

Tay. How, ſweet Madame.

          Wit. Nay, the parties
Wi’ not be worth your pauſe—Moſt ruinous things, Madame,
That haue put off all hope of being recouer’d 25
To a degree of handſomeneſſe.

Tay. But their reaſons, Madame?
I would faine heare.

          Wit. Some Madame, I remember.
They ſay, that painting quite deſtroyes the face—

Eit. O, that’s an old one, Madame.

          Wit. There are new ones, too.
Corrupts the breath; hath left ſo little ſweetneſſe 30
In kiſſing, as ’tis now vſ’d, but for faſhion:
And ſhortly will be taken for a puniſhment.
Decayes the fore-teeth, that ſhould guard the tongue;
And ſuffers that runne riot euer-laſting!
And (which is worſe) ſome Ladies when they meete 35
Cannot be merry, and laugh, but they doe ſpit
In one anothers faces!

Man. I ſhould know
This voyce, and face too:
          Manly begins to know him.

          VVit. Then they ſay, ’tis dangerous [147]
To all the falne, yet well diſpos’d Mad-dames,
That are induſtrious, and deſire to earne 40
Their liuing with their ſweate! For any diſtemper
Of heat, and motion, may diſplace the colours;
And if the paint once runne about their faces,
Twenty to one, they will appeare ſo ill-fauour’d,
Their ſeruants run away, too, and leaue the pleaſure 45
Imperfect, and the reckoning all vnpay’d.

Eit. Pox, theſe are Poets reaſons.

          Tay. Some old Lady
That keepes a Poet, has deuis’d theſe ſcandales.

Eit. Faith we muſt haue the Poets baniſh’d, Madame,
As Maſter Either-ſide ſaies.

          Mer. Maſter Fitz-dottrel? 50
And his wife: where? Madame, the Duke of Drown’d-land,
That will be ſhortly.

VVit. Is this my Lord?

Mer. The ſame.

[604] SD. om. G

[605] 1 SN. is om. 1692, 1716, W || For G see 70 above.

[606] 5 embrace 1716, f.

[607] 6 SN. om. G

[608] 16 ’em G

[609] 20 Yo’] Y’ 1716, W

[610] 22 ’t] it G

[611] 38 SN.] [Aside. G

[612] 39 Mad-dams 1692, 1716 mad-dams W mad-ams G

[613] 46 also G

[614] 51 wife! Wit. Where? Enter Mr. and Mrs.Fitzdottrel, followed by Pug. Meer. [To Wit.] Madam, G

Act. IIIJ. Scene. IV.

Fitz-dottrel. Miſtreſſe Fitz-dottrell. Pvg. } to them.

Your ſeruant, Madame!

VVit. How now? Friend? offended,
That I haue found your haunt here?

Wittipol whiſpers with Manly.

          Man. No, but wondring
At your ſtrange faſhion’d venture, hither.

          VVit. It is
To ſhew you what they are, you ſo purſue.

Man. I thinke ’twill proue a med’cine againſt marriage;
To know their manners.

VVit. Stay, and profit then. 6

Mer. The Lady, Madame, whose Prince has brought her, here,
To be inſtructed.

Hee preſents Miſtreſſe Fitz-dottrel.

VVit. Pleaſe you ſit with vs, Lady.

Mer. That’s Lady-Preſident.

Fit. A goodly woman!
I cannot ſee the ring, though.

Mer. Sir, ſhe has it. 10

Tay. But, Madame, theſe are very feeble reaſons!

Wit. So I vrg’d Madame, that the new complexion,
Now to come forth, in name o’ your Ladiſhip’s fucus,
Had no ingredient—

Tay. But I durſt eate, I aſſure you.

Wit. So do they, in Spaine.

Tay. Sweet Madam be ſo liberall, 15
To giue vs ſome o’ your Spaniſh Fucuſes!

VVit. They are infinit, Madame.

          Tay. So I heare, they haue
VVater of Gourdes, of Radiſh, the white Beanes,
Flowers of Glaſſe, of Thiſtles, Roſe-marine.
Raw Honey, Muſtard-ſeed, and Bread dough-bak’d, 20
The crums o’ bread, Goats-milke, and whites of Egges,
Campheere, and Lilly-roots, the fat of Swannes,
Marrow of Veale, white Pidgeons, and pine-kernells, [148]
The ſeedes of Nettles, perse’line, and hares gall.
Limons, thin-skind—

Eit. How, her Ladiſhip has ſtudied 25
Al excellent things!

VVit. But ordinary, Madame.
No, the true rarities, are th’ Aluagada,
And Argentata of Queene Isabella!

Tay. I, what are their ingredients, gentle Madame?

Wit. Your Allum Scagliola, or Pol-dipedra; 30
And Zuccarino; Turpentine of Abezzo,
Wash’d in nine waters: Soda di leuante,
Or your Ferne aſhes; Beniamin di gotta;
Graſſo di ſerpe; Porcelletto marino;
Oyles of Lentiſco; Zucche Mugia; make 35
The admirable Verniſh for the face,
Giues the right luſter; but two drops rub’d on
VVith a piece of ſcarlet, makes a Lady of ſixty
Looke at ſixteen. But, aboue all, the water
Of the white Hen, of the Lady Eſtifanias! 40

Tay. O, I, that ſame, good Madame, I haue heard of:
How is it done?

          VVit. Madame, you take your Hen,
Plume it, and skin it, cleanſe it o’ the inwards:
Then chop it, bones and all: adde to foure ounces
Of Carrauicins, Pipitas, Sope of Cyprus, 45
Make the decoction, ſtreine it. Then diſtill it,
And keep it in your galley-pot well glidder’d:
Three drops preſerues from wrinkles, warts, ſpots, moles,
Blemiſh, or Sun-burnings, and keepes the skin
In decimo ſexto, euer bright, and ſmooth, 50
As any looking-glaſſe; and indeed, is call’d
The Virgins milke for the face, Oglio reale;
A Ceruſe, neyther cold or heat, will hurt;
And mixt with oyle of myrrhe, and the red Gilli-flower
Call’d Cataputia; and flowers of Rouiſtico; 55
Makes the beſt muta, or dye of the whole world.

Tay. Deare Madame, will you let vs be familiar?

Wit. Your Ladiſhips ſeruant.

Mer. How do you like her.

Fit. Admirable!
But, yet, I cannot ſee the ring.

Hee is iealous about his ring, and Mere-craft deliuers it.

Pvg. Sir.

          Mer. I muſt
Deliuer it, or marre all. This foole’s ſo iealous. 60
Madame—Sir, weare this ring, and pray you take knowledge,
’Twas ſent you by his wife. And giue her thanks,
Doe not you dwindle, Sir, beare vp.

Pvg. I thanke you, Sir.

Tay. But for the manner of Spaine! Sweet, Madame, let vs
Be bold, now we are in: Are all the Ladies, 65
There, i’ the faſhion?

          VVit. None but Grandee’s, Madame,
O’ the claſp’d traine, which may be worne at length, too,
Or thus, vpon my arme.

Tay. And doe they weare
Cioppino’s all?

VVit. If they be dreſt in punto, Madame.

Eit. Guilt as thoſe are? madame?

Wit. Of Goldſmiths work, madame; [149] 70
And ſet with diamants: and their Spaniſh pumps
Of perfum’d leather.

Tai. I ſhould thinke it hard
To go in ’hem, madame.

Wit. At the firſt, it is, madame.

Tai. Do you neuer fall in ’hem?

Wit. Neuer.

Ei. I ſweare, I ſhould
Six times an houre.

         Wit. But you haue men at hand, ſstill,
To helpe you, if you fall?

          Eit. Onely one, madame, 76
The Guardo-duennas, ſuch a little old man,
As this.

Eit. Alas! hee can doe nothing! this!

Wit. I’ll tell you, madame, I ſaw i’ the Court of Spaine once,
A Lady fall i’ the Kings ſight, along, 80
And there ſhee lay, flat ſpred, as an Vmbrella,
Her hoope here crack’d; no man durſt reach a hand
To helpe her, till the Guarda-duenn’as came,
VVho is the perſon onel’ allow’d to touch
A Lady there: and he but by this finger. 85

Eit. Ha’ they no ſeruants, madame, there? nor friends?

Wit. An Eſcudero, or ſo madame, that wayts
Vpon ’hem in another Coach, at diſtance,
And when they walke, or daunce, holds by a hand-kercher,
Neuer preſumes to touch ’hem.

          Eit. This’s ſciruy! 90
And a forc’d grauity! I doe not like it.
I like our owne much better.

Tay. ’Tis more French,
And Courtly ours.

          Eit. And taſts more liberty.
VVe may haue our doozen of viſiters, at once,
Make loue t’vs.

Tay. And before our husbands?

          Eit. Huſband? 95
As I am honeſt, Tayle-buſh I doe thinke
If no body ſhould loue mee, but my poore husband,
I ſhould e’n hang my ſelfe.

          Tay. Fortune forbid, wench:
So faire a necke ſhould haue ſo foule a neck-lace.

Eit. ’Tis true, as I am handſome!

          Wit. I receiu’d, Lady, 100
A token from you, which I would not bee
Rude to refuſe, being your firſt remembrance.

(Fit. O, I am ſatisfied now! Mer. Do you ſee it, Sir.)

Wit. But ſince you come, to know me, neerer, Lady,
I’ll begge the honour, you will weare for mee, 105
It muſt be ſo.

Wittipol giues it Miſtreſſe Fitz-dottrel.

M^rs. Fit. Sure I haue heard this tongue.

Mer. What do you meane, S^r?

Mere-craft murmures,

Wit. Would you ha’ me mercenary?
We’ll recompence it anon, in ſomewhat elſe.

He is ſatisfied, now he ſees it.

Fit. I doe not loue to be gull’d, though in a toy.
VVife, doe you heare? yo’ are come into the Schole, wife,
VVhere you may learne, I doe perceiue it, any thing! 111
How to be fine, or faire, or great, or proud,
Or what you will, indeed, wife; heere ’tis taught.
And I am glad on’t, that you may not ſay,
Another day, when honours come vpon you, 115
You wanted meanes. I ha’ done my parts: beene,
Today at fifty pound charge, firſt, for a ring, [150]
          He vpbraids her, with his Bill of coſts.
To get you entred. Then left my new Play,
To wait vpon you, here, to ſee’t confirm’d.
That I may ſay, both to mine owne eyes, and eares, 120
Senſes, you are my witneſſe, ſha’ hath inioy’d
All helps that could be had, for loue, or money—

M^rs. Fit. To make a foole of her.

Fit. Wife, that’s your malice,
The wickedneſſe o’ you nature to interpret
Your husbands kindeſſe thus. But I’ll not leaue; 125
Still to doe good, for your deprau’d affections:
Intend it. Bend this ſtubborne will; be great.

Tay. Good Madame, whom do they vſe in meſſages?

Wit. They comonly vſe their ſlaues, Madame.

Tai. And do’s your Ladiſhip.
Thinke that ſo good, Madame?

          Wit. no, indeed, Madame; I, 130
Therein preferre the faſhion of England farre,
Of your young delicate Page, or diſcreet Vſher.

Fit. And I goe with your Ladiſhip, in opinion,
Directly for your Gentleman-vſher.
There’s not a finer Officer goes on ground. 135

Wit. If hee be made and broken to his place, once.

Fit. Nay, ſo I preſuppoſe him.

          Wit. And they are fitter
Managers too, Sir, but I would haue ’hem call’d
Our Eſcudero’s.

Fit. Good.

          Wit. Say, I ſhould ſend
To your Ladiſhip, who (I preſume) has gather’d 140
All the deare ſecrets, to know how to make
Paſtillos of the Dutcheſſe of Braganza,
Coquettas, Almoiauana’s, Mantecada’s,
Alcoreas, Muſtaccioli; or ſay it were
The Peladore of Isabella, or balls 145
Againſt the itch, or aqua nanfa, or oyle
Of Ieſſamine for gloues, of the Marqueſſe Muja:
Or for the head, and hayre: why, theſe are offices.

Fit. Fit for a gentleman, not a ſlaue. They onely
Might aske for your pineti, Spaniſh-cole, 150
To burne, and ſweeten a roome; but the Arcana
Of Ladies Cabinets—

          Fit. Should be elſe-where truſted.
Yo’ are much about the truth. Sweet honoured Ladies,
          He enters himſelfe with the Ladies.
Let mee fall in wi’ you. I’ha’ my female wit,
As well as my male. And I doe know what ſutes 155
A Lady of ſpirit, or a woman of faſhion!

Wit. And you would haue your wife ſuch.

          Fit. Yes, Madame, aërie,
Light; not to plaine diſhoneſty, I meane:
But, ſomewhat o’ this ſide.

          Wit. I take you, Sir.
H’has reaſon Ladies. I’ll not giue this ruſh 160
For any Lady, that cannot be honeſt
Within a thred.

Tay. Yes, Madame, and yet venter
As far for th’other, in her Fame—

          Wit. As can be;
Coach it to Pimlico; daunce the Saraband; [151]
Heare, and talke bawdy; laugh as loud, as a larum; 165
Squeake, ſpring, do any thing.

Eit. In young company, Madame.

Tay. Or afore gallants. If they be braue, or Lords,
A woman is ingag’d.

         Fit. I ſay ſo, Ladies,
It is ciuility to deny vs nothing.

Pvg. You talke of a Vniuerſity! why, Hell is 170
A Grammar-ſchoole to this!

The Diuell admires him.

          Eit. But then,
Shee muſt not loſe a looke on ſtuffes, or cloth, Madame.

Tay. Nor no courſe fellow.

Wit. She muſt be guided, Madame
By the clothes he weares, and company he is in;
Whom to ſalute, how farre—

          Fit. I ha’ told her this. 175
And how that bawdry too, vpo’ the point,
Is (in it ſelfe) as ciuill a diſcourſe—

Wit. As any other affayre of fleſh, what euer.

Fit. But ſhee will ne’r be capable, ſhee is not
So much as comming, Madame; I know not how 180
She loſes all her opportunities
With hoping to be forc’d. I’haue entertain’d
          He ſhews his Pug.
A gentleman, a younger brother, here,
Whom I would faine breed vp, her Eſcudero,
Againſt ſome expectation’s that I haue, 185
And ſhe’ll not countenance him.

Wit. What’s his name?

Fit. Diuel, o’ Darbi-ſhire.

Eit. Bleſſe us from him!

Tay. Diuell?
Call him De-uile, ſweet Madame.

M^rs. Fi. What you pleaſe, Ladies.

Tay. De-uile’s a prettier name!

        Eit. And ſounds, me thinks,
As it came in with the Conquerour—

          Man. Ouer ſmocks! 190
What things they are? That nature ſhould be at leaſure
Euer to make ’hem! my woing is at an end.

Manly goes out with indignation.

Wit. What can he do?

Eit. Let’s heare him.

Tay. Can he manage?

Fit. Pleaſe you to try him, Ladies. Stand forth, Diuell.

Pvg. Was all this but the preface to my torment? 195

Fit. Come, let their Ladiſhips ſee your honours.

          Eit. O,
Hee makes a wicked leg.

Tay. As euer I ſaw!

Wit. Fit for a Diuell.

Tay. Good Madame, call him De-uile.

Wit. De-uile, what property is there moſt required
I’ your conceit, now, in the Eſcudero? 200

They begin their Catechiſme.

Fit. Why doe you not speake?

Pvg. A ſetled diſcreet paſe, Madame.

Wit. I thinke, a barren head, Sir, Mountaine-like,
To be expos’d to the cruelty of weathers—

Fit. I, for his Valley is beneath the waſte, Madame,
And to be fruitfull there, it is ſufficient. 205
Dulneſſe vpon you! Could not you hit this?

Pvg. Good Sir—

He ſtrikes him.

Wit. He then had had no barren head.
You daw him too much, in troth, Sir.

          Fit. I muſt walke
With the French ſticke, like an old vierger for you.

Pvg. O, Chiefe, call mee to Hell againe, and free mee. 210

The Diuell prayes.

Fit. Do you murmur now?

Pvg. Not I, S^r.

          Wit. What do you take [152]
M^r. Deuile, the height of your employment,
In the true perfect Eſcudero?

        Fit. When?
What doe you anſwer?

          Pvg. To be able, Madame,
Firſt to enquire, then report the working, 215
Of any Ladies phyſicke, in ſweete phraſe.

Wit. Yes, that’s an act of elegance, and importance.
But what aboue?

Fit. O, that I had a goad for him.

Pvg. To find out a good Corne-cutter.

Tay. Out on him!

Eit. Moſt barbarous!

          Fit. Why did you doe this, now? 220
Of purpoſe to diſcredit me? you damn’d Diuell.

Pvg. Sure, if I be not yet, I ſhall be. All
My daies in Hell, were holy-daies to this!

Tay. ’Tis labour loſt, Madame?

Eit. H’is a dull fellow
Of no capacity!

         Tai. Of no diſcourſe! 225
O, if my Ambler had beene here!

          Eit. I, Madame;
You talke of a man, where is there ſuch another?

Wit. M^r. Deuile, put caſe, one of my Ladies, heere,
Had a fine brach: and would imploy you forth
To treate ’bout a conuenient match for her. 230
What would you obſerue?

Pvg. The color, and the ſize, Madame.

Wit. And nothing elſe?

Fit. The Moon, you calfe, the Moone!

Wit. I, and the Signe.

Tai. Yes, and receits for proneneſſe.

Wit. Then when the Puppies came, what would you doe?

Pvg. Get their natiuities caſt!

Wit. This’s wel. What more? 235

Pvg. Conſult the Almanack-man which would be leaſt?
Which cleanelieſt?

Wit. And which ſilenteſt? This’s wel, madame!

Wit. And while ſhe were with puppy?

       Pvg. Walke her out,
And ayre her euery morning!

          Wit. Very good!
And be induſtrious to kill her fleas? 240

Pvg. Yes!

Wit. He will make a pretty proficient.

          Pvg. Who,
Comming from Hell, could looke for ſuch Catechiſing?
The Diuell is an Aſſe. I doe acknowledge it.

Fit. The top of woman! All her ſexe in abſtract!
          Fitz-dottrel admires Wittipol.
I loue her, to each ſyllable, falls from her. 245

Tai. Good madame giue me leaue to goe aſide with him!
And try him a little!

     Wit. Do, and I’ll with-draw, Madame,
VVith this faire Lady: read to her, the while.

Tai. Come, S^r.

Pvg. Deare Chiefe, relieue me, or I periſh.

The Diuel praies again.

Wit. Lady, we’ll follow. You are not iealous Sir? 250

Fit. O, madame! you ſhall ſee. Stay wife, behold,
I giue her vp heere, abſolutely, to you,
She is your owne. Do with her what you will!
          He giues his wife to him, taking him to be a Lady.
Melt, caſt, and forme her as you ſhall thinke good!
Set any ſtamp on! I’ll receiue her from you 255
As a new thing, by your owne ſtandard!

VVit. Well, Sir!

[615] SD. om. G

[616] 1 Wit. [Takes Manly aside.]

[617] 2 SN. om. G wondering G

[618] 8 SN. Hee om. G

[619] 13 o’] of W

[620] 14 had] has W, G

[621] 17 hear. Wit. They G

[622] 22 Camphire 1716, f.

[623] 32, 3 leuante... di om. 1641

[624] 34 Grosia 1641

[625] 35 Zucchi 1641

[626] 36 varnish G

[627] 39 at] as 1716, f.

[628] 43 o’ ret. G

[629] 53 or] nor W, G

[630] 59 SN. om. G

[631] 60 [Aside. G

[632] 61 Madam—[whispers Wit.] G

[633] 63 up. [Aside to Pug. G

[634] 70 Eit.] Lady T. G

[635] 71 Diamonds 1692, 1716 diamonds W, G

[636] 75 Wit....] speech given to Tai. 1716, f.

[637] 76 Eit....] speech given to Wit. 1716, f.

[638] 77 guarda W, G

[639] 78 this. [Points to Trains. G

[640] 79 in the 1716, f.

[641] 84 onl’ 1692, 1716 only W, G

[642] 89 dance 1692, f. || Handkerchief 1716 handkerchief W, G

[643] 90 This is W, G

[644] 94 dozen 1692, f.

[645] 103 now! [Aside to Meer. G

[646] 106 SN.] [Gives the ring to Mrs. Fitzdottrel. G Surely 1641 tongue. [Aside. G

[647] 107 SN.] [Aside to Wit. G

[648] 108 SN. om. [Exeunt Meer, and Trains G

[649] 110 heare? [Takes Mrs. Fitz. aside.] G You’re 1716, W into] in 1641 schoole 1641 School 1692, 1716 school W, G

[650] 117 SN. om. G

[651] 118 left] let 1641 entered W enter’d G

[652] 120 owne om. G

[653] 121 sha’] she’ 1692 she 1716, f. enjoy’d 1692, f.

[654] 124 your 1641, f.

[655] 125 kindnesse 1641 Kindness 1692, 1716 kindness W, G

[656] 147 Marquess 1692, 1716 marquess W

[657] 149 Fit.] Eith. 1716, W Wit. They G

[658] 153 SN. om. G || You’re 1716, W

[659] 160 He ’as 1716, W

[660] 162 venture 1692, f.

[661] 164 dance 1641, f.

[662] 168 engag’d W engaged G

[663] 171 SN.] [Aside. G

[664] 176 baudery 1641

[665] 182 SN. om. G

[666] 192 SN.] [Aside, and exit with indignation. G || Wooing 1692, 1716 wooing W, G

[667] 195 [Aside. G

[668] 196 Ladiship 1641

[669] 200, 210 SN. om. G

[670] 201 pase] pause 1641

[671] 207 SN.] [Fit strikes Pug. W || He om. G

[672] 208 draw 1716

[673] 209 Virger W verger G

[674] 210 [Aside. G

[675] 212 Divele 1641

[676] 223 [Aside. G

[677] 224 He’s 1716, W He is G

[678] 229 employ 1692, f.

[679] 235, 237 This’s] This is 1716, f.

[680] 237 cleanliest 1692, f. silent’st 1692. f.

[681] 238 Wit. om. 1692, f.

[682] 242 such] such a W, G

[683] 243 [Aside. G

[684] 244 SN.] [Aside, and looking at Wittipol. G

[685] 249 SN.] [Aside. G

[686] 253 SN. om. G

[687] 256 [Exit Wit. Well, sir! [Exeunt Wittipol with Mrs. Fitz. and Tailbush and Eitherside with Pug. G

Act. IIIJ. Scene. V.

Mere-craft. Fitz-dottrel. Pit-Fal.
Ever-ill. Plvtarchus.

But what ha’ you done i’ your Dependance, ſince? [153]

Fit. O, it goes on, I met your Couſin, the Maſter—

Mer. You did not acquaint him, S^r?

          Fit. Faith, but I did, S^r.
And vpon better thought, not without reaſon!
He being chiefe Officer, might ha’ tane it ill, elſe, 5
As a Contempt againſt his Place, and that
In time Sir, ha’ drawne on another Dependance.
No, I did finde him in good termes, and ready
To doe me any ſeruice.

Mer. So he said, to you?
But S^r, you do not know him.

          Fit. VVhy, I presum’d 10
Becauſe this bus’neſſe of my wiues, requir’d mee,
I could not ha’ done better: And hee told
Me, that he would goe preſently to your Councell,
A Knight, here, i’ the Lane—

Mer. Yes, Iuſtice Either-ſide.

Fit. And get the Feoffment drawne, with a letter of Atturney, 15
For liuerie and ſeiſen!

          Mer. That I knowe’s the courſe.
But Sir, you meane not to make him Feoffee?

Fit. Nay, that I’ll pauſe on!

Mer. How now little Pit-fall.

Pit. Your Couſin Maſter Euer-ill, would come in—
But he would know if Maſter Manly were heere. 20

Mer. No, tell him, if he were, I ha’ made his peace!
          Mere-craft whiſpers againſt him.
Hee’s one, Sir, has no State, and a man knowes not,
How such a trust may tempt him.

Fit. I conceiue you.

Eve. S^r. this ſame deed is done here.

          Mer. Pretty Plutarchus?
Art thou come with it? and has Sir Paul view’d it? 25

Plv. His hand is to the draught.

Mer. VVill you step in, S^r.
And read it?

Fit. Yes.

Eve. I pray you a word wi’ you.
          Eueril whiſpers against Mere-craft.
Sir Paul Eitherside will’d mee gi’ you caution,
Whom you did make Feoffee: for ’tis the truſt
O’ your whole State: and though my Cousin heere 30
Be a worthy Gentleman, yet his valour has
At the tall board bin queſtion’d: and we hold
Any man ſo impeach’d, of doubtfull honesty!
I will not iuſtiſie this; but giue it you
To make your profit of it: if you vtter it, 35
I can forſweare it!

Fit. I beleeue you, and thanke you, Sir.

[688] SD. V] III. 1641 Act....] Scene II. Another Room in the same. Enter Meercraft and Fitzdottrel. G

[689] 5 taken G

[690] 9 service 1641, W, G Service 1692, 1716

[691] 18 on. Enter Pitfall. G

[692] 20 Mr. 1692, 1716 mr. W

[693] 21 [Exit Pitfall. SN. om. G

[694] 23 Enter Everill and Plutarchus. G

[695] 25 Poul 1692, 1716 Poul W

[696] 27 SN.] [Aside to Fitz. G

[697] 28 give 1641, G Paul] as in 4.5.25

[698] 36 [Exeunt. G

Act. IIIJ. Scene. VI.

VVittipol. Mistresse Fitz-dottrel.
Manly. Mere-craft.

Be not afraid, ſweet Lady: yo’ are truſted [154]
To loue, not violence here; I am no rauiſher,
But one, whom you, by your faire truſt againe,
May of a ſeruant make a moſt true friend.
M^rs. Fi. And ſuch a one I need, but not this way: 5
Sir, I confeſſe me to you, the meere manner
Of your attempting mee, this morning tooke mee,
And I did hold m’inuention, and my manners,
Were both engag’d, to giue it a requitall;
But not vnto your ends: my hope was then, 10
(Though interrupted, ere it could be vtter’d)
That whom I found the Maſter of ſuch language,
That braine and ſpirit, for ſuch an enterpriſe,
Could not, but if thoſe ſuccours were demanded
To a right vſe, employ them vertuouſly! 15
And make that profit of his noble parts,
Which they would yeeld. S^r, you haue now the ground,
To exerciſe them in: I am a woman:
That cannot ſpeake more wretchedneſſe of my ſelfe,
Then you can read; match’d to a maſſe of folly; 20
That euery day makes haſte to his owne ruine;
The wealthy portion, that I brought him, ſpent;
And (through my friends neglect) no ioynture made me.
My fortunes ſtanding in this precipice,
’Tis Counſell that I want, and honeſt aides: 25
And in this name, I need you, for a friend!
Neuer in any other; for his ill,
Muſt not make me, S^r, worſe.

Manly, conceal’d this while, ſhews himſelf.

       Man. O friend! forſake not
The braue occaſion, vertue offers you,
To keepe you innocent: I haue fear’d for both; 30
And watch’d you, to preuent the ill I fear’d.
But, ſince the weaker ſide hath ſo aſſur’d mee,
Let not the ſtronger fall by his owne vice,
Or be the leſſe a friend, cauſe vertue needs him.

Wit. Vertue ſhall neuer aske my ſuccours twice; 35
Moſt friend, moſt man: your Counſells are commands:
Lady, I can loue goodnes in you, more [155]
Then I did Beauty; and doe here intitle
Your vertue, to the power, vpon a life
You ſhall engage in any fruitfull ſeruice, 40
Euen to forfeit.

Mer. Madame: Do you heare, Sir,
      Mere-craft takes Wittipol aſide, & moues a proiect for himſelfe.
We haue another leg-ſtrain’d, for this Dottrel.
He’ha’s a quarrell to carry, and ha’s cauſ’d
A deed of Feoffment, of his whole eſtate
To be drawne yonder; h’ha’ſt within: And you, 45
Onely, he meanes to make Feoffee. H’is falne
So deſperatly enamour’d on you, and talkes
Moſt like a mad-man: you did neuer heare
A Phrentick, ſo in loue with his owne fauour!
Now, you doe know, ’tis of no validity 50
In your name, as you ſtand; Therefore aduiſe him
To put in me. (h’is come here:) You ſhall ſhare Sir.

[699] SD. Scene III Another Room in the same. Enter Wittipol, and Mrs. Fitzdottrel. G

[700] 1 Yo’] you W

[701] 4 Manly enters behind. G

[702] 8 m’] W, G

[703] 28 SN.] [comes forward.] G

[704] 40 faithfull 1641

[705] 41 SN.] Enter Meercraft. (after ‘forfeit.’) Aside to Wittipol. (after ‘Sir,’) G

[706] 42 leg-strain’d] hyphen om. 1692, f.

[707] 43 He’] H’ 1692, 1716

[708] 45 h’ om. 1641 he W, G

[709] 46 H’is He’s 1716, W He is G

[710] 49 phrenetic G

[711] 52 me!—Enter Fitzdottrel, Everill, and Plutarchus. G || h’is] He’s 1716, f.

Act. IV. Scene. VIJ.

Wittipol. Miſtreſſe Fitz-dottrel. Manly.
Mere-craft. Fitz-dottrell. Everill.
Plvtarchvs.

Fit. Madame, I haue a ſuit to you; and afore-hand,
I doe beſpeake you; you muſt not deny me,
I will be graunted.

Wit. Sir, I muſt know it, though.

Fit. No Lady; you muſt not know it: yet, you muſt too.
For the truſt of it, and the fame indeed, 5
Which elſe were loſt me. I would vfe your name,
But in a Feoffment: make my whole eſtate
Ouer vnto you: a trifle, a thing of nothing,
Some eighteene hundred.

          Wit. Alas! I vnderſtand not
Thoſe things Sir. I am a woman, and moſt loath, 10
To embarque my ſelfe—

Fit. You will not ſlight me, Madame?

Wit. Nor you’ll not quarrell me?

       Fit. No, ſweet Madame, I haue
Already a dependance; for which cauſe
I doe this: let me put you in, deare Madame,
I may be fairely kill’d.

Wit. You haue your friends, Sir, 15
About you here, for choice.

Eve. She tells you right, Sir.

Hee hopes to be the man.

Fit. Death, if ſhe doe, what do I care for that?
Say, I would haue her tell me wrong.

          Wit. Why, Sir, [156]
If for the truſt, you’ll let me haue the honor
To name you one.

Fit. Nay, you do me the honor, Madame: 20
Who is’t?

Wit. This Gentleman:

Shee deſignes Manly.

          Fit. O, no, sweet Madame,
H’is friend to him, with whom I ha’ the dependance.

Wit. Who might he bee?

Fit. One Wittipol: do you know him?

Wit. Alas Sir, he, a toy: This Gentleman
A friend to him? no more then I am Sir! 25

Fit. But will your Ladyſhip vndertake that, Madame?

Wit. Yes, and what elſe, for him, you will engage me.

Fit. What is his name?

VVit. His name is Euſtace Manly.

Fit. VVhence do’s he write himſelfe?

VVit. of Middle-ſex, Eſquire.

Fit. Say nothing, Madame. Clerke, come hether 30
VVrite Euſtace Manly, Squire o’ Middle-ſex.

Mer. What ha’ you done, Sir?

        VVit. Nam’d a gentleman,
That I’ll be anſwerable for, to you, Sir.
Had I nam’d you, it might ha’ beene ſuſpected:
This way, ’tis ſafe.

Fit. Come Gentlemen, your hands, 35
For witnes.

Man. VVhat is this?

Eve. You ha’ made Election
          Eueril applaudes it.
Of a moſt worthy Gentleman!

      Man. VVould one of worth
Had ſpoke it: whence it comes, it is
Rather a ſhame to me, then a praiſe.

Eve. Sir, I will giue you any Satisfaction. 40

Man. Be ſilent then: “falſhood commends not truth”.

Plv. You do deliuer this, Sir, as your deed.
To th’ vſe of M^r. Manly?

          Fit. Yes: and Sir—
VVhen did you ſee yong Wittipol? I am ready,
For proceſſe now; Sir, this is Publication. 45
He ſhall heare from me, he would needes be courting
My wife, Sir.

Man. Yes: So witneſſeth his Cloake there.

Fit. Nay good Sir,—Madame, you did vndertake—

Fitz-dottrel is ſuſpicious of Manly ſtill.

VVit. VVhat?

Fit. That he was not Wittipols friend.

VVit. I heare S^r. no confeſſion of it.

          Fit. O ſhe know’s not; 50
Now I remember, Madame! This young Wittipol,
VVould ha’ debauch’d my wife, and made me Cuckold,
Through a caſement; he did fly her home
To mine owne window: but I think I ſou’t him,
And rauifh’d her away, out of his pownces. 55
I ha’ ſworne to ha’ him by the eares: I feare
The toy, wi’ not do me right.

          VVit. No? that were pitty!
VVhat right doe you aske, Sir? Here he is will do’t you?

Wittipol diſcouers himſelfe.

Fit. Ha? Wittipol?

VVit. I Sir, no more Lady now,
Nor Spaniard!

Man. No indeed, ’tis Wittipol. 60

Fit. Am I the thing I fear’d?

VVit. A Cuckold? No Sir,
But you were late in poſſibility,
I’ll tell you ſo much.

Man. But your wife’s too vertuous!

VVit. VVee’ll ſee her Sir, at home, and leaue you here,
To be made Duke o’ Shore-ditch with a proiect. [157] 65

Fit. Theeues, rauiſhers.

VVit. Crie but another note, Sir,
I’ll marre the tune, o’ your pipe!

Fit. Gi’ me my deed, then.

He would haue his deed again.

VVit. Neither: that ſhall be kept for your wiues good,
VVho will know, better how to vſe it.

          Fit. Ha’
To feaſt you with my land?

         VVit. Sir, be you quiet, 70
Or I ſhall gag you, ere I goe, conſult
Your Maſter of dependances; how to make this
A ſecond buſineſſe, you haue time Sir.

VVitipol bafflees him, and goes out.

          Fit. Oh!
VVhat will the ghoſt of my wiſe Grandfather,
My learned Father, with my worſhipfull Mother, 75
Thinke of me now, that left me in this world
In ſtate to be their Heire? that am become
A Cuckold, and an Aſſe, and my wiues Ward;
Likely to looſe my land; ha’ my throat cut:
All, by her practice!

Mer. Sir, we are all abus’d! 80

Fit. And be ſo ſtill! VVho hinders you, I pray you,
Let me alone, I would enioy my ſelfe,
And be the Duke o’ Drown’d-Land, you ha’ made me.

Mer. Sir, we muſt play an after-game o’ this.

Fit. But I am not in caſe to be a Gam-ſter: 85
I tell you once againe—

Mer. You muſt be rul’d
And take some counſell.

          Fit. Sir, I do hate counſell,
As I do hate my wife, my wicked wife!

Mer. But we may thinke how to recouer all:
If you will act.

      Fit. I will not think; nor act; 90
Nor yet recouer; do not talke to me?
I’ll runne out o’ my witts, rather then heare;
I will be what I am, Fabian Fitz-Dottrel,
Though all the world ſay nay to’t.

Mer. Let’s follow him.

[712] SD. om. G

[713] 3 granted 1692, f.

[714] 16 SN. om. G

[715] 21 SN. She om. W She...] [Pointing to Manly. G

[716] 22 He’s 1716, f.

[717] 30 [To Plutarchus. G || hither 1692, f.

[718] 32 sir? [Aside to Wit. G

[719] 36 SN. om. G

[720] 38 it! but now whence W, G

[721] 39 to] unto W, G

[722] 43 [To Manly. G

[723] 48 SN. om. G

[724] 49 VVit. What. 1641

[725] 53 Thorow 1692 Thorough 1716, f.

[726] 54 sou’t] fou’t 1692 fought 1716, W sous’d G

[727] 58 SN. Wittipol om. G

[728] 67 SN. om. G

[729] 69 Ha! 1692, f.

[730] 73 SN.] [Baffles him, and exit with Manly. G

[731] 82 injoy 1641

[732] 94 to’t. [Exit. G || Let’s Let us W, G || him. [Exeunt. G

---

[158]

Act. V. Scene. I.

Ambler. Pitfall. Mere-craft.

Bvt ha’s my Lady miſt me?

          Pit. Beyond telling!
Here ha’s been that infinity of ſtrangers!
And then ſhe would ha’ had you, to ha’ ſampled you
VVith one within, that they are now a teaching;
And do’s pretend to your ranck.

          Amb. Good fellow Pit-fall, 5
Tel M^r. Mere-craft, I intreat a word with him.
          Pitfall goes out.
This most vnlucky accident will goe neare
To be the loſſe o’ my place; I am in doubt!

Mer. VVith me? what ſay you M^r Ambler?

          Amb. Sir,
I would beſeech your worſhip ſtand betweene 10
Me, and my Ladies diſpleaſure, for my abſence.

Mer. O, is that all? I warrant you.

Amb. I would tell you Sir
But how it happened.

        Mer. Brief, good Maſter Ambler,
Put your selfe to your rack: for I haue taſque
Of more importance.
          Mere-craft ſeemes full of buſineſſe.

       Amb. Sir you’ll laugh at me? 15
But (ſo is Truth) a very friend of mine,
Finding by conference with me, that I liu’d
Too chaſt for my complexion (and indeed
Too honeſt for my place, Sir) did aduiſe me
If I did loue my ſelfe (as that I do, 20
I muſt confeſſe)

Mer. Spare your Parentheſis.

Amb. To gi’ my body a little euacuation—

Mer. Well, and you went to a whore?

          Amb. No, S^r. I durſt not
(For feare it might arriue at ſome body’s eare,
It ſhould not) truſt my ſelfe to a common houſe; 25
          Ambler tels this with extraordinary ſpeed.
But got the Gentlewoman to goe with me,
And carry her bedding to a Conduit-head,
Hard by the place toward Tyborne, which they call
My L. Majors Banqueting-houſe. Now Sir, This morning
Was Execution; and I ner’e dream’t on’t 30
Till I heard the noiſe o’ the people, and the horſes;
And neither I, nor the poore Gentlewoman [159]
Durſt ſtirre, till all was done and paſt: ſo that
I’ the Interim, we fell a ſleepe againe.

He flags.

Mer. Nay, if you fall, from your gallop, I am gone S^r. 35

Amb. But, when I wak’d, to put on my cloathes, a ſute,
I made new for the action, it was gone,
And all my money, with my purſe, my ſeales,
My hard-wax, and my table-bookes, my ſtudies,
And a fine new deuiſe, I had to carry 40
My pen, and inke, my ciuet, and my tooth-picks,
All vnder one. But, that which greiu’d me, was
The Gentlewoman’s ſhoes (with a paire of roſes,
And garters, I had giuen her for the buſineſſe)
So as that made vs ſtay, till it was darke. 45
For I was faine to lend her mine, and walke
In a rug, by her, barefoote, to Saint Giles’es.

Mer. A kind of Iriſh penance! Is this all, Sir?

Amb. To ſatisfie my Lady.

Mer. I will promiſe you, S^r.

Amb. I ha’ told the true Diſaſter.

          Mer. I cannot ſtay wi’ you 50
Sir, to condole; but gratulate your returne.

Amb. An honeſt gentleman, but he’s neuer at leiſure
To be himſelfe: He ha’s ſuch tides of buſineſſe.

[733] SD. Ambler...] A Room in Tailbush’s House. Enter Ambler and Pitfall. G

[734] 6 entreat W, G || SN.] [Exit Pitfall. G

[735] 8 Enter Meercraft. G

[736] 12 that] this 1641

[737] 14 a tasque 1641

[738] 15 SN. om. G

[739] 16 () ret. G.

[740] 25 SN. Ambler om. G

[741] 29 Mayor’s 1716, f.

[742] 30 never W, G

[743] 34 SN. slags 1641

[744] 43, 4 (with... garters,) W || () ret. G

[745] 51, 3 [Exit. G

Act. V. Scene. II.

Pvg. Ambler.

O, Call me home againe, deare Chiefe, and put me
To yoaking foxes, milking of Hee-goates,
Pounding of water in a morter, lauing
The ſea dry with a nut-ſhell, gathering all
The leaues are falne this Autumne, drawing farts 5
Out of dead bodies, making ropes of ſand,
Catching the windes together in a net,
Muſtring of ants, and numbring atomes; all
That hell, and you thought exquiſite torments, rather
Then ſtay me here, a thought more: I would ſooner 10
Keepe fleas within a circle, and be accomptant
A thouſand yeere, which of ’hem and how far
Out leap’d the other, then endure a minute
Such as I haue within. There is no hell
To a Lady of faſhion. All your torture there 15
Are paſtimes to it. ’T would be a refreſhing [160]
For me, to be i’ the fire againe, from hence.

Ambler comes in, & ſuruayes him.

Amb. This is my ſuite, and thoſe the ſhoes and roſes!

Pvg. Th’ haue such impertinent vexations,
A generall Councell o’ diuels could not hit— 20
          Pug perceiues it, and ſtarts.
Ha! This is hee, I tooke a ſleepe with his Wench,
And borrow’d his cloathes. What might I doe to balke him?

Amb. Do you heare, S^r?

Pvg. Answ. him but not to th’purpoſe

Amb. What is your name, I pray you Sir.

Pvg. Is’t ſo late Sir?

He anſwers quite from the purpoſe.

Amb. I aske not o’ the time, but of your name, Sir. 25

Pvg. I thanke you, Sir. Yes it dos hold Sir, certaine.

Amb. Hold, Sir? what holds? I muſt both hold, and talke to you
About theſe clothes.

Pvg. A very pretty lace!
But the Taylor coſſend me.

Amb. No, I am coſſend
By you! robb’d.

Pvg. Why, when you pleaſe Sir, I am 30
For three peny Gleeke, your man.

          Amb. Pox o’ your gleeke,
And three pence. Giue me an anſwere.

          Pvg. Sir,
My maſter is the beſt at it.

Amb. Your maſter!
Who is your Maſter.

Pvg. Let it be friday night.

Amb. What ſhould be then?

Pvg. Your beſt ſongs Thom. o’ Bet’lem 35

Amb. I thinke, you are he. Do’s he mocke me trow, from purpoſe?
Or do not I ſpeake to him, what I meane?
Good Sir your name.

         Pvg. Only a couple a’ Cocks Sir,
If we can get a Widgin, ’tis in ſeaſon.

Amb. He hopes to make on o’ theſe Scipticks o’ me 40
          For Scepticks.
(I thinke I name ’hem right) and do’s not fly me.
I wonder at that! ’tis a ſtrange confidence!
I’ll prooue another way, to draw his anſwer.

[746] SD.] Scene II. Another Room in the Same. Enter Pug. G

[747] 8 mustering G numbering G

[748] 17 SN.] Enter Ambler, and surveys him. G

[749] 18 [Aside. G

[750] 19 They’ve W They have G

[751] 20 SN. om. 1641 [sees Ambler.] G

[752] 22,3 [Aside. G

[753] 23 him om. 1641

[754] 24, 40 SN. om. G

[755] 31 o’ ret. G

[756] 35 Tom 1641, G || o’ ret. G || Bethlem 1716, G Bethlem W

[757] 38 a’] o’ 1692, 1716, W of G

[758] 40 on] one 1641, f.

[759] 41 () ret. G

[760] 43 [Exeunt severally. G

Act. V. Scene. IIJ.

Mere-craft. Fitz-dottrel.
Everill. Pvg.

It is the eaſieſt thing Sir, to be done.
As plaine, as fizzling: roule but wi’ your eyes,
And foame at th’ mouth. A little caſtle-ſoape
Will do’t, to rub your lips: And then a nutſhell,
With toe, and touch-wood in it to ſpit fire, 5
Did you ner’e read, Sir, little Darrels tricks,
With the boy o’ Burton, and the 7. in Lancaſhire,
Sommers at Nottingham? All theſe do teach it.
And wee’ll giue out, Sir, that your wife ha’s bewitch’d you: [161]

They repaire their old plot.

Eve. And practiſed with thoſe two, as Sorcerers. 10

Mer. And ga’ you potions, by which meanes you were
Not Compos mentis, when you made your feoffment.
There’s no recouery o’ your ſtate, but this:
This, Sir, will ſting.

Eve. And moue in a Court of equity.

Mer. For, it is more then manifeſt, that this was 15
A plot o’ your wiues, to get your land.

Fit. I thinke it.

Eve. Sir it appeares.

Mer. Nay, and my coſſen has knowne
Theſe gallants in theſe ſhapes.

Eve. T’haue don ſtrange things, Sir.
One as the Lady, the other as the Squire.

Mer. How, a mans honeſty may be fool’d! I thought him 20
A very Lady.

Fit. So did I: renounce me elſe.

Mer. But this way, Sir, you’ll be reueng’d at height.

Eve. Vpon ’hem all.

          Mer. Yes faith, and ſince your Wife
Has runne the way of woman thus, e’en giue her—

Fit. Loſt by this hand, to me, dead to all ioyes 25
Of her deare Dottrell, I ſhall neuer pitty her:
That could, pitty her ſelfe.

      Mer. Princely reſolu’d Sir,
And like your ſelfe ſtill, in Potentiâ.

[761] SD.] Scene III. A Room in Fitzdottrel’s House. Enter Meercraft, Fitzdottrel, and Everill. G

[762] 2 Roll 1692, 1716 roll W, G

[763] 9 SN. om. G

[764] 11 gave G

[765] 13 estate 1641

[766] 18 shapes—G

[767] 27 could not pity W could [not] pity G

Act. V. Scene. IV.

Mere-craft, &c. to them. Gvilt-head.
Sledge. Plvtarchvs. Serieants.

Gvilt-head What newes?

Fit. O Sir, my hundred peices:
Let me ha’ them yet.

Fitz-dottrel aſkes for his money.

Gvi. Yes Sir, officers
Arreſt him.

Fit. Me?

Ser. I arreſt you.

Sle. Keepe the peace,
I charge you gentlemen.

Fit. Arreſt me? Why?

Gvi. For better ſecurity, Sir. My ſonne Plutarchus 5
Aſſures me, y’are not worth a groat.

          Plv. Pardon me, Father,
I said his worſhip had no foote of Land left:
And that I’ll iuſtifie, for I writ the deed.

Fit. Ha’ you theſe tricks i’ the citty?

          Gvi. Yes, and more.
Arreſt this gallant too, here, at my ſuite. 10

Meaning Mere-craft.

Sle. I, and at mine. He owes me for his lodging
Two yeere and a quarter.

    Mer. Why M. Guilt-head, Land-Lord,
Thou art not mad, though th’art Constable
Puft vp with th’ pride of the place? Do you heare, Sirs.
Haue I deſeru’d this from you two? for all 15
My paines at Court, to get you each a patent.

Gvi. For what?

Mer. Vpo’ my proiect o’ the forkes,

Sle. Forkes? what be they? [162]

The Project of forks.

          Mer. The laudable vſe of forkes,
Brought into cuſtome here, as they are in Italy,
To th’ ſparing o’ Napkins. That, that ſhould haue made 20
Your bellowes goe at the forge, as his at the fornace.
I ha’ procur’d it, ha’ the Signet for it,
Dealt with the Linnen-drapers, on my priuate,
By cause, I fear’d, they were the likelyeſt euer
To ſtirre againſt, to croſſe it; for ’twill be 25
A mighty ſauer of Linnen through the kingdome
(As that is one o’ my grounds, and to ſpare waſhing)
Now, on you two, had I layd all the profits.
Guilt-head to haue the making of all thoſe
Of gold and ſiluer, for the better perſonages; 30
And you, of thoſe of Steele for the common ſort.
And both by Pattent, I had brought you your ſeales in.
But now you haue preuented me, and I thanke you.

Sledge is brought about.

Sle. Sir, I will bayle you, at mine owne ap-perill.

Mer. Nay chooſe.

Plv. Do you ſo too, good Father. 35

And Guilt-head comes.

Gvi. I like the faſhion o’ the proiect, well,
The forkes! It may be a lucky one! and is not
Intricate, as one would ſay, but fit for
Plaine heads, as ours, to deale in. Do you heare
Officers, we diſcharge you.

          Mer. Why this ſhewes 40
A little good nature in you, I confeſſe,
But do not tempt your friends thus. Little Guilt-head,
Aduiſe your ſire, great Guilt-head from theſe courſes:
And, here, to trouble a great man in reuerſion,
For a matter o’ fifty on a falſe Alarme, 45
Away, it ſhewes not well. Let him get the pieces
And bring ’hem. Yo’ll heare more elſe.

Plv. Father.

[768] SD. Mere.... them] To them. Mere-craft &c. 1692 Mere-craft, &c. om. 1716. W

[769] Act....] Enter Gilthead, Plutarchus, Sledge, and Serjeants. G

[770] 2 SN. om. G

[771] 3 Ser.] I Serj. G

[772] 6 y’] you W, G

[773] 10 SN.] [Points to Meercraft. G

[774] 13 th’] thou W, G

[775] 18 SN. om. G

[776] 23, 4 private Bie, ’cause 1692, 1716 private, Because W, G

[777] 27 to] so 1641

[778] 33, 5 SN. om. G

[779] 37, 8 Not intricate (l. 38) G

[780] 40 you. [Exeunt Serjeants. G

[781] 45 on] in W, G

[782] 47 You’ll 1692, 1716 You’ll W || Exeunt Gilt. and Plut. Enter Ambler, dragging in Pug. G

Act. V. Scene. V.

Ambler. { To them.

O Maſter Sledge, are you here? I ha’ been to ſeeke you.
You are the Conſtable, they ſay. Here’s one
That I do charge with Felony, for the ſuite
He weares, Sir.

Mer. Who? M. Fitz-Dottrels man?
Ware what you do, M. Ambler.

Amb. Sir, theſe clothes 5
I’ll ſweare, are mine: and the ſhooes the gentlewomans
I told you of: and ha’ him afore a Iuſtice, [163]
I will.

Pvg. My maſter, Sir, will paſſe his word for me.

Amb. O, can you ſpeake to purpoſe now?

          Fit. Not I,
If you be ſuch a one Sir, I will leaue you 10
To your God fathers in Law. Let twelue men worke.

Fitz-dottrel diſclaimes him.

Png. Do you heare Sir, pray, in priuate.

        Fit. well, what ſay you?
Briefe, for I haue no time to looſe.

          Pvg. Truth is, Sir,
I am the very Diuell, and had leaue
To take this body, I am in, to ſerue you; 15
Which was a Cutpurſes, and hang’d this Morning.
And it is likewiſe true, I ſtole this ſuite
To cloth me with. But Sir let me not goe
To priſon for it. I haue hitherto
Loſt time, done nothing; ſhowne, indeed, no part 20
O’ my Diuels nature. Now, I will ſo helpe
Your malice, ’gainst theſe parties; ſo aduance
The buſineſſe, that you haue in hand of witchcraft,
And your poſſeſſion, as my ſelfe were in you.
Teach you ſuch tricks, to make your belly ſwell, 25
And your eyes turne, to foame, to ſtare, to gnaſh
Your teeth together, and to beate your ſelfe,
Laugh loud, and faine ſix voices—

          Fit. Out you Rogue!
You moſt infernall counterfeit wretch! Auant!
Do you thinke to gull me with your Æſops Fables? 30
Here take him to you, I ha’ no part in him.

Pvg. Sir.

Fit. Away, I do diſclaime, I will not heare you.

And ſends him away.

Mer. What ſaid he to you, Sir?

Fit. Like a lying raskall
Told me he was the Diuel.

Mer. How! a good ieſt!

Fit. And that he would teach me, ſuch fine diuels tricks 35
For our new reſolution.

          Eve. O’ pox on him,
’Twas excellent wiſely done, Sir, not to truſt him.

Mere-craft giues the instructions to him and the reſt.

Mer. Why, if he were the Diuel, we ſha’ not need him,
If you’ll be rul’d. Goe throw your ſelfe on a bed, Sir,
And faine you ill. Wee’ll not be ſeene wi’ you, 40
Till after, that you haue a fit: and all
Confirm’d within. Keepe you with the two Ladies
And perſwade them. I’ll to Iuſtice Either-ſide,
And poſſeſſe him with all. Traines ſhall ſeeke out Ingine,
And they two fill the towne with’t, euery cable 45
Is to be veer’d. We muſt employ out all
Our emiſſaries now; Sir, I will ſend you
Bladders and Bellowes. Sir, be confident,
’Tis no hard thing t’out doe the Deuill in:
A Boy o’ thirteene yeere old made him an Aſſe 50
But t’toher day.

        Fit. Well, I’ll beginne to practice;
And ſcape the imputation of being Cuckold,
By mine owne act.

Mer. yo’ are right.

          Eve. Come, you ha’ put
Your ſelfe to a ſimple coyle here, and your freinds, [164]
By dealing with new Agents, in new plots. 55

Mer. No more o’ that, ſweet couſin.

          Eve. What had you
To doe with this ſame Wittipol, for a Lady?

Mer. Queſtion not that: ’tis done.

Eve. You had ſome ſtraine
’Boue E-la?

Mer. I had indeed.

Eve. And, now, you crack for’t.

Mer. Do not vpbraid me.

Eve. Come, you muſt be told on’t; 60
You are ſo couetous, ſtill, to embrace
More then you can, that you looſe all.

          Mer. ’Tis right.
What would you more, then Guilty? Now, your ſuccours.

[783] SD. om. G

[784] 5 Ambler. Enter Fitzdottrel. G

[785] 11 SN. om. G

[786] 12 private. [Takes him aside. G

[787] 28 loud] round 1716

[788] 32 SN.] [Exit Sledge with Pug. G

[789] 36 O’] O W O, G

[790] 37 SN. om. G

[791] 42 [to Everill. G

[792] 43 I will G

[793] 45 two] to 1641

[794] 46 imploy 1641

[795] 49 t’ ret. G

[796] 51 t’tother 1692 t’other 1716. f.

[797] 53 You’re 1716, W right. || [Exit Fitz. G

[798] 61 imbrace 1641

[799] 63 [Exeunt. G

Act. V. Scene. VJ.

Shakles. Pvg. Iniquity. Divel.

Pug is brought to New-gate.

Here you are lodg’d, Sir, you muſt ſend your garniſh,
If you’ll be priuat.

          Pvg. There it is, Sir, leaue me.
To New-gate, brought? How is the name of Deuill
Diſcredited in me! What a loſt fiend
Shall I be, on returne? My Cheife will roare 5
In triumph, now, that I haue beene on earth,
A day, and done no noted thing, but brought
That body back here, was hang’d out this morning.
Well! would it once were midnight, that I knew
My vtmoſt. I thinke Time be drunke, and ſleepes; 10
He is ſo ſtill, and moues not! I doe glory
Now i’ my torment. Neither can I expect it,
I haue it with my fact.

Enter Iniquity the Vice.

          Ini. Child of hell, be thou merry:
Put a looke on, as round, boy, and red as a cherry.
Caſt care at thy poſternes; and firke i’ thy fetters, 15
They are ornaments, Baby, haue graced thy betters:
Looke vpon me, and hearken. Our Cheife doth ſalute thee,
And leaſt the coldyron ſhould chance to confute thee,
H’hath ſent thee, grant-paroll by me to ſtay longer
A moneth here on earth, againſt cold Child, or honger. 20

Pvg. How? longer here a moneth?

          Ing. Yes, boy, till the Seſſion,
That ſo thou mayeſt haue a triumphall egreſſion.

Pvg. In a cart, to be hang’d.

          Ing. No, Child, in a Carre,
The charriot of Triumph, which moſt of them are.
And in the meane time, to be greazy, and bouzy, 25
And naſty, and filthy, and ragged and louzy,
With dam’n me, renounce me, and all the fine phraſes;
That bring, vnto Tiborne, the plentifull gazes.

Pvg. He is a Diuell! and may be our Cheife! [165]
The great Superiour Diuell! for his malice: 30
Arch-diuel! I acknowledge him. He knew
What I would ſuffer, when he tie’d me vp thus
In a rogues body: and he has (I thanke him)
His tyrannous pleaſure on me, to confine me
To the vnlucky carkaſſe of a Cutpurſe, 35
wherein I could do nothing.

The great Deuill enters, and vpbraids him with all his dayes worke.

          Div. Impudent fiend,
Stop thy lewd mouth. Doeſt thou not ſhame and tremble
To lay thine owne dull damn’d defects vpon
An innocent caſe, there? Why thou heauy ſlaue!
The ſpirit, that did poſſeſſe that fleſh before 40
Put more true life, in a finger, and a thumbe,
Then thou in the whole Maſſe. Yet thou rebell’ſt
And murmur’ſt? What one profer haſt thou made,
Wicked inough, this day, that might be call’d
Worthy thine owne, much leſſe the name that ſent thee? 45
Firſt, thou did’ſt helpe thy ſelfe into a beating
Promptly, and with’t endangered’ſt too thy tongue:
A Diuell, and could not keepe a body intire
One day! That, for our credit. And to vindicate it,
Hinderd’ſt (for ought thou know’ſt) a deed of darkneſſe: 50
Which was an act of that egregious folly,
As no one, to’ard the Diuel, could ha’ thought on.
This for your acting! but for suffering! why
Thou haſt beene cheated on, with a falſe beard,
And a turn’d cloake. Faith, would your predeceſſour 55
The Cutpurſe, thinke you, ha’ been ſo? Out vpon thee,
The hurt th’ haſt don, to let men know their ſtrength,
And that the’are able to out-doe a diuel
Put in a body, will for euer be
A ſcarre vpon our Name! whom haſt thou dealt with, 60
Woman or man, this day, but haue out-gone thee
Some way, and moſt haue prou’d the better fiendes?
Yet, you would be imploy’d? Yes, hell ſhall make you
Prouinciall o’ the Cheaters! or Bawd-ledger,
For this ſide o’ the towne! No doubt you’ll render 65
A rare accompt of things. Bane o’ your itch,
And ſcratching for imployment. I’ll ha’ brimſtone
To allay it ſure, and fire to ſindge your nayles off,
But, that I would not ſuch a damn’d diſhonor
Sticke on our ſtate, as that the diuell were hang’d; 70
And could not ſaue a body, that he tooke
From Tyborne, but it muſt come thither againe:
You ſhould e’en ride. But, vp away with him—

Iniquity takes him on his back.

Ini. Mount, dearling of darkneſſe, my ſhoulders are broad:
He that caries the fiend, is ſure of his loade. 75
The Diuell was wont to carry away the euill; [166]
But, now, the Euill out-carries the Diuell.

[800] SD. VJJ VII. W Act....] Scene IV. A Cell in Newgate. Enter Shakles, with Pvg in chains. G

[801] 2 [Exit Shackles.

[802] SN. (after ‘fact.’ 13) the Vice om. G

[803] 12 i’] in W

[804] 18 the] our 1692, 1716

[805] 19 parole G

[806] 22 maist 1692 may’st 1716 mayst W, G

[807] 36 SN.] Enter Satan. G Div.] Sat. G

[808] 37 Dost 1692, 1716

[809] 44 enough 1692, f.

[810] 48 entire W, G

[811] 57 th’] thou G

[812] 58 the’are] they are 1641, G the’are are 1692 they’re 1716, W

[813] 63 employ’d W, G

[814] 67 employment W, G

[815] 64 Cheaters] heaters 1641

[816] 77 [Exeunt. [A loud explosion, smoke, &c. G

Act. V. Scene. VIJ.

Shakles. Keepers.

A great noise is heard in New-gate, and the Keepers come out affrighted.

O mee!

Kee. 1. What’s this?

2. A piece of Iustice Hall
  Is broken downe.

3. Fough! what a ſteeme of brimſtone
  Is here?

4. The priſoner’s dead, came in but now!

Sha. Ha? where?

4. Look here.

Kee. S’lid, I ſhuld know his countenance!
It is Gill-Cut-purſe, was hang’d out, this morning! 5

Sha. ’Tis he!

2. The Diuell, ſure, has a hand in this!

3. What ſhall wee doe?

Sha. Carry the newes of it
Vnto the Sherifes.

1. And to the Iuſtices.

4. This ſtrange!

3. And ſauours of the Diuell, ſtrongly!

2. I’ ha’ the ſulphure of Hell-coale i’ my noſe. 10

1. Fough.

Sha. Carry him in.

1. Away.

2. How ranke it is!

[817] SD.] Enter Shakles, and the Under-keepers, affrighted. G

[818] 3 Is here?] part of line 2 W

[819] 9 This is 1716, f.

[820] 11 [Exeunt with the body. G

Act. V. Scene. VIII.

Sir Povle. Mere-craft. Ever-ill.
Traines. Pitfall. Fitz-dottrel.

{To them}

VVittipol. Manly. Miſtreſſe Fitz-dottrel.

Ingine. To them } Gvilt-head.
Sledge. to them } Shackles.

The Iuſtice comes out wondring, and the reſt informing him.

This was the notableſt Conſpiracy,
That ere I heard of.

Mer. Sir, They had giu’n him potions,
That did enamour him on the counterfeit Lady—

Eve. Iuſt to the time o’ deliuery o’ the deed—

Mer. And then the witchcraft ’gan’t’ appeare, for ſtreight 5
He fell into his fit.

   Eve. Of rage at firſt, Sir,
Which ſince, has ſo increaſed.

Tay. Good S^r. Poule, ſee him,
And puniſh the impoſtors.

Pov. Therefore I come, Madame.

Eit. Let M^r. Etherſide alone, Madame.

          Pov. Do you heare?
Call in the Conſtable, I will haue him by: 10
H’is the Kings Officer! and ſome Cittizens, [167]
Of credit! I’ll diſcharge my conſcience clearly.

Mer. Yes, Sir, and ſend for his wife.

Eve. And the two Sorcerers,
By any meanes!

        Tay. I thought one a true Lady,
I ſhould be ſworne. So did you, Eyther-ſide? 15

Eit. Yes, by that light, would I might ne’r ſtir elſe, Tailbuſh.

Tay. And the other a ciuill Gentleman.

          Eve. But, Madame,
You know what I told your Ladyſhip.

          Tay. I now ſee it:
I was prouiding of a banquet for ’hem.
After I had done inſtructing o’ the fellow 20
De-uile, the Gentlemans man.

        Mer. Who’s found a thiefe, Madam.
And to haue rob’d your Vsher, Maſter Ambler,
This morning.

Tay. How?

Mer. I’ll tell you more, anon.

Fit. Gi me ſome garlicke, garlicke, garlicke, garlicke.

He beginnes his fit.

Mer. Harke the poore Gentleman, how he is tormented! 25

Fit. My wife is a whore, I’ll kiſſe her no more: and why?
Ma’ſt not thou be a Cuckold, as well as I?
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, &c.

Pov. That is the Diuell ſpeakes, and laughes in him.

The Iuſtice interpret all:

Mer. Do you thinke ſo, S^r.

Pov. I diſcharge my conſcience. 30

Fit. And is not the Diuell good company? Yes, wis.

Eve. How he changes, Sir, his voyce!

          Fit. And a Cuckold is
Where ere hee put his head, with a a Wanion,
If his hornes be forth, the Diuells companion!
Looke, looke, looke, elſe.

Mer. How he foames!

Eve. And ſwells! 35

Tay. O, me! what’s that there, riſes in his belly!

Eit. A ſtrange thing! hold it downe:

Tra. Pit. We cannot, Madam.

Pov. ’Tis too apparent this!

Fit. Wittipol, Wittipol.

Wittipol, and Manly and Mistr. Fitz-dottrel enter.

Wit. How now, what play ha’ we here.

Man. What fine, new matters?

Wit. The Cockſcomb, and the Couerlet.

          Mer. O ſtrang impudēce! 40
That theſe ſhould come to face their ſinne!

         Eve. And out-face
Iuſtice, they are the parties, Sir.

Pov. Say nothing.

Mer. Did you marke, Sir, vpon their comming in,
How he call’d Wittipol.

Eve. And neuer ſaw ’hem.

Pov. I warrant you did I, let ’hem play a while. 45

Fit. Buz, buz, buz, buz.

Tay. Laſſe poore Gentleman!
How he is tortur’d!

M^rs. Fi. Fie, Maſter Fitz-dottrel!
What doe you meane to counterfait thus?

          Fit. O, ô,
          His wife goes to him.
Shee comes with a needle, and thruſts it in,
Shee pulls out that, and ſhee puts in a pinne, 50
And now, and now, I doe not know how, nor where,
But ſhee pricks mee heere, and ſhee pricks me there: ôh, ôh:

Pov. Woman forbeare.

Wit. What, S^r?

  Pov. A practice foule
For one ſo faire:

Wit. Hath this, then, credit with you?

Man. Do you beleeue in’t?

        Pov. Gentlemen, I’ll diſcharge
My conſcience. ’Tis a cleare conſpiracy! 56
A darke, and diuelliſh practice! I deteſt it!

Wit. The Iuſtice ſure will proue the merrier man! [168]

Man. This is moſt ſtrange, Sir!

          Pov. Come not to confront
Authority with impudence: I tell you,
I doe deteſt it. Here comes the Kings Conſtable,
And with him a right worſhipfull Commoner;
My good friend, Maſter Guilt-head! I am glad
I can before ſuch witneſſes, profeſſe
My conſcience, and my deteſtation of it. 65
Horible! moſt vnaturall! Abominable!

Eve. You doe not tumble enough.

Mer. Wallow, gnaſh:

They whiſper him.

Tay. O, how he is vexed!

Pov. ’Tis too manifeſt.

Eve. Giue him more ſoap to foame with, now lie ſtill.

and giue him ſoape to act with.

Mer. And act a little.

Tay. What do’s he now, S^r.

          Pov. Shew
The taking of Tabacco, with which the Diuell
Is ſo delighted.

Fit. Hum!

          Pov. And calls for Hum.
You takers of ſtrong Waters, and Tabacco,
Marke this.

Fit. Yellow, yellow, yellow, yellow, &c.

Pov. That’s Starch! the Diuells Idoll of that colour. 75
He ratifies it, with clapping of his hands.
The proofes are pregnant.

Gvi. How the Diuel can act!

Pov. He is the Maſter of Players! Master Guilt-head,
And Poets, too! you heard him talke in rime!
I had forgot to obſerue it to you, ere while! 80

Tay. See, he ſpits fire.

          Pov. O no, he plaies at Figgum,
The Diuell is the Author of wicked Figgum—

Sir Poule interprets Figgum to be a Iuglers game.

Man. Why ſpeake you not vnto him?

          Wit. If I had
All innocence of man to be indanger’d,
And he could ſaue, or ruine it: I’ld not breath 85
A ſyllable in requeſt, to ſuch a foole,
He makes himſelfe.

Fit. O they whiſper, whiſper, whiſper.
Wee ſhall haue more, of Diuells a ſcore,
To come to dinner, in mee the ſinner.

Eyt. Alas, poore Gentleman!

       Pov. Put ’hem aſunder. 90
Keepe ’hem one from the other.

          Man. Are you phrenticke, Sir,
Or what graue dotage moues you, to take part
VVith so much villany? wee are not afraid
Either of law, or triall; let vs be
Examin’d what our ends were, what the meanes? 95
To worke by, and poſſibility of thoſe meanes.
Doe not conclude againſt vs, ere you heare vs.

Pov. I will not heare you, yet I will conclude
Out of the circumſtances.

Man. VVill you ſo, Sir?

Pov. Yes, they are palpable:

Man. Not as your folly: 100

Pov. I will diſcharge my conſcience, and doe all
To the Meridian of Iuſtice:

Gvi. You doe well, Sir.

Fit. Prouide mee to eat, three or foure diſhes o’ good meat,
I’ll feaſt them, and their traines, a Iuſtice head and braines
Shall be the firſt.

Pov. The Diuell loues not Iuſtice, [169]
There you may ſee.

          Fit. A ſpare-rib O’ my wife, 106
And a whores purt’nance! a Guilt-head whole.

Pov. Be not you troubled, Sir, the Diuell ſpeakes it.

Fit. Yes, wis, Knight, ſhite, Poule, Ioule, owle, foule, troule, boule.

Pov. Crambe, another of the Diuell’s games! 110

Mer. Speake. Sir, ſome Greeke, if you can. Is not the Iuſtice
A ſolemne gameſter?

Eve. Peace.

          Fit. Οὶ μοὶ, κακοδαιμων,
Καὶ τρισκακοδαίμων, καὶ τετράκις, καὶ πεντάκις,
Καὶ δοδεκάκις, καὶ μυριάκις.

Pov. Hee curſes.
In Greeke, I thinke.

Eve. Your Spaniſh, that I taught you. 115

Fit. Quebrémos el ojo de burlas,

          Eve. How? your reſt—
Let’s breake his necke in ieſt, the Diuell ſaies.

Fit. Di grátia, Signòr mio ſe haúete denári fataméne parte.

Mer. What, would the Diuell borrow money?

          Fit. Ouy,
Ouy Monſieur, ùn pàuure Diable! Diablet in! 120

Pov. It is the diuell, by his ſeuerall langauges.

Enter the Keeper of New-gate.

Sha. Where’s S^r. Poule Ether-ſide?

Pov. Here, what’s the matter?

Sha. O! ſuch an accident falne out at Newgate, Sir:
A great piece of the priſon is rent downe!
The Diuell has beene there, Sir, in the body— 125
Of the young Cut-Purſe, was hang’d out this morning,
But, in new clothes, Sir, euery one of vs know him.
Theſe things were found in his pocket.

Amb. Thoſe are mine, S^r.

Sha. I thinke he was commited on your charge, Sir.
For a new felony.

Amb. Yes.

          Sha. Hee’s gone, Sir, now, 130
And left vs the dead body. But withall, Sir,
Such an infernall ſtincke, and ſteame behinde,
You cannot ſee S^t. Pulchars Steeple, yet.
They ſmell’t as farre as Ware, as the wind lies, 134
By this time, ſure.

Fit. Is this vpon your credit, friend?

Fitz-dottrel leaues counterfaiting.

Sha. Sir, you may ſee, and ſatisfie your ſelfe.

Fit. Nay, then, ’tis time to leaue off counterfeiting.
Sir I am not bewitch’d, nor haue a Diuell:
No more then you. I doe defie him, I,
And did abuſe you. Theſe two Gentlemen 140
Put me vpon it. (I haue faith againſt him)
They taught me all my tricks. I will tell truth,
And ſhame the Feind. See, here, Sir, are my bellowes,
And my falſe belly, and my Mouſe, and all
That ſhould ha’ come forth?

     Man. Sir, are not you aſham’d
Now of your ſolemne, ſerious vanity? 146

Pov. I will make honorable amends to truth.

Fit. And ſo will I. But theſe are Coozeners, ſtill;
And ha’ my land, as plotters, with my wife:
Who, though ſhe be not a witch, is worſe, a whore. 150

Man. Sir, you belie her. She is chaſte, and vertuous,
And we are honeſt. I doe know no glory [170]
A man ſhould hope, by venting his owne follyes,
But you’ll ſtill be an Aſſe, in ſpight of prouidence.
Pleaſe you goe in, Sir, and heare truths, then iudge ’hem:
And make amends for your late raſhneſſe; when, 156
You ſhall but heare the paines and care was taken,
To ſaue this foole from ruine (his Grace of Drown’d-land)

Fit. My land is drown’d indeed—

Pov. Peace.

          Man. And how much
His modeſt, and too worthy wife hath ſuffer’d 160
By miſ-conſtruction, from him, you will bluſh,
Firſt, for your owne beliefe, more for his actions!
His land is his: and neuer, by my friend,
Or by my ſelfe, meant to another vſe,
But for her ſuccours, who hath equall right. 165
If any other had worſe counſells in’t,
(I know I ſpeake to thoſe can apprehend mee)
Let ’hem repent ’hem, and be not detected.
It is not manly to take ioy, or pride
In humane errours. (wee doe all ill things, 170
They doe ’hem worſt that loue ’hem, and dwell there,
Till the plague comes) The few that haue the ſeeds
Of goodneſſe left, will ſooner make their way
To a true life, by ſhame, then puniſhment.

The End

[821] SD. Sir] To them.] Sir 1692 to them om. 1692, 1716, W Act....] Scene V. A Room in Fitzdottrel’s House. Fitzdottrel discovered in bed; Lady Eitherside, Tailbush, Ambler, Trains, and Pitfall, standing by him. Enter Sir Paul Eitherside, Meercraft, and Everill. G

[822] 1 SN. and] at 1692, 1716, W The...] om. G

[823] 4 time o’ ret. G

[824] 11 H’is] He’s 1716, f.

[825] 14 means. [Exit Ambler. G

[826] 20 o’] of W

[827] 21 Who is G

[828] 28 ha, om. W ha, &c. om. G

[829] 29 SN. interprets 1692, 1716, W The...] om. G

[830] 33 a om. 1641, f.

[831] 38 SN. Wittipol, and... enter] Enter Wittipol,... G

[832] 40 strange 1641, f.

[833] 43 their] our W

[834] 48 SN. His wife om. G

[835] 58 prove to be the merrier? 1641

[836] 60 impudence] insolence 1641

[837] 61 it.—Re-enter Ambler, with Sledge and Guilthead. G

[838] 69 with [To Meer.] G

[839] SN. him om. 1641

[840] SN. om. G

[841] 73 strong om. 1641

[842] 74 &c. om. G

[843] 82 SN. to be om. 1641

[844] SN. om. G

[845] 84 endanger’d W, G

[846] 86 foole] fellow 1641

[847] 87 He makes himselfe] I’d rather fall 1641 O they whisper, they whisper, whisper, &c. 1641

[848] 91 phrenetic G

[849] 108 you om. W

[850] 110 Crambe] Crambo W. G

[851] 111 can. [Aside to Fitz.] G

[852] 112 κακοδάμων 1692, 1716

[853] 113 τισ 1692, 1716

[854] 114 δωδεκάκις W, G

[855] 115 Aside to Fitz. G

[856] 119 Fit. Ouy,] in line 120, 1692, f.

[857] 121 SN.] Enter Shackles, with the things found on the body of the Cut-purse. G

[858] 128 Those] These W

[859] 135 SN.] Fitz. [starts up.] G

[860] 141 () ret. G

[861] 145 not you] you not W, G

[862] 148 Coozners 1641 Cozeners 1692, 1716 cozeners W, G

[863] 166 in it G

[864] 167 () ret. G

[865] 170 human 1692, f.

[866] 174 [He comes forward for the Epilogue. G

[867] 175 ‘The End.’ after line 6 1692 om. 1716 W, G

---

The Epilogue.

Thus, the Proiecter, here, is ouer-throwne.
But I have now a Proiect of mine owne,
If it may paſſe: that no man would inuite
The Poet from vs, to ſup forth to night, 5
If the play pleaſe. If it diſpleaſant be,
We doe preſume, that no man will: nor wee.

[868] 1 ‘The Epilogue.’ om. G

[869] 7 [Exeunt. G

Notes

The present edition includes whatever has been considered of value in the notes of preceding editions. It has been the intention in all cases to acknowledge facts and suggestions borrowed from such sources, whether quoted verbatim, abridged, or developed. Notes signed W. are from Whalley, G. from Gifford, C. from Cunningham. For other abbreviations the Bibliography should be consulted. Explanations of words and phrases are usually found only in the Glossary. References to this play are by act, scene, and line of the Text; other plays of Jonson are cited from the Gifford-Cunningham edition of 1875. The references are to play, volume and page.

Title-Page

THE DIUELL IS AN ASSE. ‘Schlegel, seizing with great felicity upon an untranslateable German idiom, called the play Der dumme Teufel [Schlegel’s Werke, ed. Böcking, 6. 340]—a title which must be allowed to be twice as good as that of the English original. The phrase ‘the Devil is an ass’ appears to have been proverbial. See Fletcher’s The Chances, Act 5. Sc. 2:

          Dost thou think
The devil such an ass as people make him?’
          —Ward, Eng. Drama 2. 372.

A still more important passage occurs in Dekker’s If this be not a good Play, a partial source of Jonson’s drama:

Scu. Sweete-breads I hold my life, that diuels an asse.
          —Dekker, Wks. 3. 328.

Jonson uses it again in The Staple of News, Wks. 5. 188:

The conjurer cozened him with a candle’s end; he was an ass.

Dekker (Non-dram. Wks. 2. 275) tells us the jest of a citizen who was told that the ‘Lawyers get the Diuell and all: What an Asse, replied the Citizen is the diuell? If I were as he I would get some of them.’

HIS MAIESTIES SERVANTS. Otherwise known as the King’s Company, and popularly spoken of as the King’s Men. For an account of this company see Winter, ed. Staple of News, p. 121; and Fleay, Biog. Chron. 1. 356-7; 2. 403-4.

Ficta voluptatis, etc. The quotation is from Horace, De Art. Poet., line 338. Jonson’s translation is:

Let what thou feign’st for pleasure’s sake, be near
The truth.

Jonson makes use of this quotation again in his note ‘To the Reader’ prefixed to Act 3 of The Staple of News.

I. B. Fleay speaks of this printer as J. Benson (Biog. Chron. 1. 354). Benson did not ‘take up freedom’ until June 30, 1631 (Sta. Reg. 3. 686). Later he became a publisher (1635-40; Sta. Reg. 5. lxxxiv). I. B. was also the printer of Bartholomew Fair and Staple of News. J. Benson published a volume of Jonson’s, containing The Masque of the Gypsies and other poems, in 1640 (Brit. Museum Cat. and Yale Library). In the same year he printed the Art of Poetry, 12mo, and the Execration against Vulcan, 4to (cf. Pub. of Grolier Club, N. Y. 1893, pp. 130, 132). The evidence that I. B. was Benson is strong, but not absolutely conclusive.

ROBERT ALLOT. We find by Arber’s reprint of the Stationer’s Register that Robert Allot ‘took up freedom’ Nov. 7, 1625. He must have begun publishing shortly after, for under the date of Jan. 25, 1625-6 we find that Mistris Hodgettes ‘assigned over unto him all her estate,’ consisting of the copies of certain books, for the ‘some of forty-five pounds.’ The first entry of a book to Allot is made May 7, 1626. In 1630 Master Blount ‘assigned over unto him all his estate and right in the copies’ of sixteen of Shakespeare’s plays. In 1632 Allot brought out the Second Folio of Shakespeare’s works. On Sept. 7, 1631 The Staple of News was assigned to him. The last entry of a book in his name is on Sept. 12, 1635. The first mention of ‘Mistris Allott’ is under the date of Dec. 30, 1635. Under date of July 1, 1637 is the record of the assignment by Mistris Allott of certain books, formerly the estate of ‘Master Roberte Allotts deceased.’ Among these books are ’37. Shakespeares Workes their part. 39. Staple of Newes a Play. 40. Bartholomew fayre a Play.’ I have been able to find no record of The Devil is an Ass in the Stationer’s Register.

the Beare. In the Shakespeare folio of 1632 Allot’s sign reads ‘the Black Beare.’ The first mention of the shop in the London Street Directory is in 1575, among the ‘Houses round the Churchyard.’

Pauls Church-yard. ‘Before the Fire, which destroyed the old Cathedral, St. Paul’s Churchyard was chiefly inhabited by stationers, whose shops were then, and until the year 1760, distinguished by signs.’—Wh-C.

The Persons of the Play

GVILT-HEAD, A Gold-smith. The goldsmiths seem to have been a prosperous guild. (See Stow, Survey, ed. Thoms, p. 114.) At this time they performed the office of banking, constituting the intermediate stage between the usurer and the modern banker. ‘The goldsmiths began to borrow at interest in order to lend out to traders at a higher rate. In other words they became the connecting link between those who had money to lend and those who wished to borrow for trading purposes, or it might be to improve their estates. No doubt at first the goldsmiths merely acted as guardians of their clients’ hoards, but they soon began to utilize those hoards much as bankers now make use of the money deposited with them.’—Social England 3. 544.

AMBLER. Jonson uses this name again in Neptune’s Triumph, Wks. 8. 32:

Grave master Ambler, news-master o’ Paul’s,
Supplies your capon.

It reappears in The Staple of News.

Her Gentlemanvsher. For an exposition of the character and duties of the gentleman-usher see the notes to 4. 4. 134. 201, 215.

Newgate. ‘This gate hath of long time been a gaol, or prison for felons and trespassers, as appeareth by records in the reign of King John, and of other kings.’—Stow, Survey, ed. Thoms, p. 14.

The Prologue

1 The DIVELL is an Asse. ‘This is said by the prologue pointing to the title of the play, which as was then the custom, was painted in large letters and placed in some conspicuous part of the stage.’—G.

Cf. Poetaster, After the second sounding: ‘What’s here? THE ARRAIGNMENT!’ Also Wily Beguiled: Prol. How now, my honest rogue? What play shall we have here to-night?

Player. Sir, you may look upon the title.
Prol. What, Spectrum once again?’

Jonson often, but not invariably, announces the title of the play in the prologue or induction. Cf. Every Man out, Cynthia’s Revels, Poetaster, and all plays subsequent to Bart. Fair except Sad Shep.

3 Grandee’s. Jonson uses this affected form of address again in Timber, ed. Schelling. 22. 27

4 allowing vs no place. As Gifford points out, the prologue is a protest against the habit prevalent at the time of crowding the stage with stools for the accommodation of the spectators.

Dekker in Chapter 6 of The Guls Horne-booke gives the gallant full instructions as to the behavior proper to the play-house. The youth is advised to wait until ‘the quaking prologue hath (by rubbing) got culor into his cheekes’, and then ‘to creepe from behind the Arras,’ and plant himself ‘on the very Rushes where the Commedy is to daunce, yea, and vnder the state of Cambises himselfe.’ Sir John Davies makes a similar allusion (Epigrams, ed. Grosart, 2. 10). Jonson makes frequent reference to the subject. Cf. Induction to The Staple of News, Every Man out, Wks. 2. 31; Prologue to Cynthia’s Revels, Wks. 2. 210, etc.

5 a subtill thing. I. e., thin, airy, spiritual, and so not occupying space.

6 worne in a thumbe-ring. ‘Nothing was more common, as we learn from Lilly, than to carry about familiar spirits, shut up in rings, watches, sword-hilts, and other articles of dress.’—G.

I have been unable to verify Gifford’s statement from Lilly, but the following passage from Harsnet’s Declaration (p. 13) confirms it: ‘For compassing of this treasure, there was a consociation betweene 3 or 4 priests, deuill-coniurers, and 4 discouerers, or seers, reputed to carry about with them, their familiars in rings, and glasses, by whose suggestion they came to notice of those golden hoards.’

Gifford says that thumb-rings of Jonson’s day were set with jewels of an extraordinary size, and that they appear to have been ‘more affected by magistrates and grave citizens than necromancers.’ Cf. I Henry IV 2. 4: ‘I could have crept into any alderman’s thumb-ring.’ Also Witts Recreat., Epig. 623:

He wears a hoop-ring on his thumb; he has
Of gravidad a dose, full in the face.

Glapthorne, Wit in a Constable, 1639, 4. 1: ‘An alderman—I may say to you, he has no more wit than the rest of the bench, and that lies in his thumb-ring.’

8 In compasse of a cheese-trencher. The figure seems forced to us, but it should be remembered that trenchers were a very important article of table equipment in Jonson’s day. They were often embellished with ‘posies,’ and it is possible that Jonson was thinking of the brevity of such inscriptions. Cf. Dekker, North-Ward Hoe 3. 1 (Wks. 3. 38): ‘Ile have you make 12. poesies for a dozen of cheese trenchers.’ Also Honest Whore, Part I, Sc. 13; and Middleton, Old Law 2. 1 (Wks. 2. 149); No Wit, no Help like a Woman’s 2. 1 (Wks. 4. 322).

15 Like the young adders. It is said that young adders, when frightened, run into their mother’s mouth for protection.

16 Would wee could stand due North. I. e., be as infallible as the compass.

17 Muscouy glasse. Cf. Marston, Malcontent, Wks. 1. 234: ‘She were an excellent lady, but that her face peeleth like Muscovy glass.’ Reed (Old Plays 4. 38) quotes from Giles Fletcher’s Russe Commonwealth, 1591, p. 10: ‘In the province of Corelia, and about the river Duyna towards the North-sea, there groweth a soft rock which they call Slude. This they cut into pieces, and so tear it into thin flakes, which naturally it is apt for, and so use it for glasse lanthorns and such like. It giveth both inwards and outwards a clearer light then glasse, and for this respect is better than either glasse or horne; for that it neither breaketh like glasse, nor yet will burne like the lanthorne.’ Dekker (Non-dram. Wks. 2. 135) speaks of a ‘Muscouie Lanthorne.’ See Gloss.

22 the Diuell of Edmunton. The Merry Devil of Edmunton was acted by the King’s Men at the Globe before Oct. 22, 1607. It has been conjecturally assigned to Shakespeare and to Drayton. Hazlitt describes it as ‘perhaps the first example of sentimental comedy we have’ (see O. Pl., 4th ed., 10. 203 f.). Fleay, who believes Drayton to be the author, thinks that the ‘Merry devil’ of The Merchant of Venice 2. 3, alludes to this play (Biog. Chron. 1. 151 and 2. 213). There were six editions in the 17th century, all in quarto—1608, 1612, 1617, 1626, 1631, 1655. Middleton, The Black Book, Wks. 8. 36, alludes to it pleasantly in connection with A Woman kill’d with Kindness. Genest mentions it as being revived in 1682. Cf. also Staple of News, 1st Int.

26 If this Play doe not like, etc. Jonson refers to Dekker’s play of 1612 (see Introduction, p. xxix). On the title-page of this play we find If it be not good, The Diuel is in it. At the head of Act. 1, however, the title reads If this be not a good play, etc.

Act I

1. 1. 1 Hoh, hoh, etc. ‘Whalley is right in saying that this is the conventional way for the devil to make his appearance in the old morality-plays. Gifford objects on the ground that ‘it is not the roar of terror; but the boisterous expression of sarcastic merriment at the absurd petition of Pug;’ an objection, the truth of which does not necessarily invalidate Whalley’s statement. Jonson of course adapts the old conventions to his own ends. See Introduction, p. xxiii.

1. 1. 9 Entring a Sow, to make her cast her farrow? Cf. Dekker, etc., Witch of Edmonton (Wks. 4. 423): ‘Countr. I’ll be sworn, Mr. Carter, she bewitched Gammer Washbowls sow, to cast her Pigs a day before she would have farried.’

1. 1. 11 Totnam. ‘The first notice of Tottenham Court, as a place of public entertainment, contained in the books of the parish of St. Gile’s-in-the-Fields, occurs under the year 1645 (Wh-C.). Jonson, however, as early as 1614 speaks of ‘courting it to Totnam to eat cream’ (Bart. Fair, Act 1. Sc. 1, Wks. 4. 362). George Wither, in the Britain’s Remembrancer, 1628, refers to the same thing:

And Hogsdone, Islington, and Tothnam-court,
For cakes and cream had then no small resort.

Tottenham Fields were until a comparatively recent date a favorite place of entertainment.

1. 1. 13 a tonning of Ale, etc. Cf. Sad Shep., Wks. 6. 276:

The house wives tun not work, nor the milk churn.

1. 1. 15 Spight o’ the housewiues cord, or her hot spit. ‘There be twentie severall waies to make your butter come, which for brevitie I omit; as to bind your cherne with a rope, to thrust thereinto a red hot spit, &c.’—Scot, Discovery, p. 229.

1. 1. 16, 17 Or some good Ribibe... witch. This seems to be an allusion, as Fleay suggests, to Heywood’s Wise-Woman of Hogsdon. The witch of that play declares her dwelling to be in ‘Kentstreet’ (Heywood’s Wks. 5. 294). A ribibe meant originally a musical instrument, and was synonymous with rebec. By analogy, perhaps, it was applied to a shrill-voiced old woman. This is Gifford’s explanation. The word occurs again in Skelton’s Elynour Rummyng, l. 492, and in Chaucer, The Freres Tale, l. 1377: ‘a widwe, an old ribybe.’ Skeat offers the following explanation: ‘I suspect that this old joke, for such it clearly is, arose in a very different way [from that suggested by Gifford], viz. from a pun upon rebekke, a fiddle, and Rebekke, a married woman, from the mention of Rebecca in the marriage-service. Chaucer himself notices the latter in E. 1704.’

1. 1. 16 Kentish Towne. Kentish Town, Cantelows, or Cantelupe town is the most ancient district in the parish of Pancras. It was originally a small village, and as late as the eighteenth century a lonely and somewhat dangerous spot. In later years it became noted for its Assembly Rooms. In 1809 Hughson (London 6. 369) called it ‘the most romantic hamlet in the parish of Pancras.’ It is now a part of the metropolis. See Samuel Palmer’s St. Pancras, London, 1870.

1. 1. 17 Hogsden. Stow (Survey, ed. Thoms, p. 158) describes Hogsden as a ‘large street with houses on both sides.’ It was a prebend belonging to St. Paul’s. In Hogsden fields Jonson killed Gabriel Spenser in a duel in 1598. These fields were a great resort for the citizens on a holiday. The eating of cream there is frequently mentioned. See the quotation from Wither under note 1. 1. 11, and Alchemist, Wks. 4. 155 and 175:

     ——Ay, he would have built
The city new; and made a ditch about it
Of silver, should have run with cream from Hogsden.

Stephen in Every Man in dwelt here, and so was forced to associate with ‘the archers of Finsbury, or the citizens that come a-ducking to Islington ponds.’ Hogsden or Hoxton, as it is now called, is to-day a populous district of the metropolis.

1. 1. 18 shee will not let you play round Robbin. The expression is obscure, and the dictionaries afford little help. Round-robin is a common enough phrase, but none of the meanings recorded is applicable in this connection. Some child’s game, played in a circle, seems to be referred to, or the expression may be a cant term for ‘play the deuce.’ Robin is a name of many associations, and its connection with Robin Hood, Robin Goodfellow, and ‘Robert’s Men’ (‘The third old rank of the Canting crew.’—Grose.) makes such an interpretation more or less probable.

M. N. G. in N. & Q. 9th Ser. 10. 394 says that ‘when a man does a thing in a circuitous, involved manner he is sometimes said “to go all round Robin Hood’s barn to do it.”’ ‘Round Robin Hood’s barn’ may possibly have been the name of a game which has been shortened to ‘round Robin.’

1. 1. 21 By a Middlesex Iury. ‘A reproof no less severe than merited. It appears from the records of those times, that many unfortunate creatures were condemned and executed on charges of the rediculous nature here enumerated. In many instances, the judge was well convinced of the innocence of the accused, and laboured to save them; but such were the gross and barbarous prejudices of the juries, that they would seldom listen to his recommendations; and he was deterred from shewing mercy, in the last place by the brutal ferociousness of the people, whose teeth were set on edge with’t, and who clamoured tumultuously for the murder of the accused.’—G.

1. 1. 32 Lancashire. This, as Gifford says, ‘was the very hot-bed of witches.’ Fifteen were brought to trial on Aug. 19, 1612, twelve of whom were convicted and burnt on the day after their trial ‘at the common place of execution near to Lancaster.’ The term ‘Lancashire Witches’ is now applied to the beautiful women for which the country is famed. The details of the Lancaster trial are contained in Potts’ Discoverie (Lond. 1613), and a satisfactory account is given by Wright in his Sorcery and Magic.

1. 1. 33 or some parts of Northumberland. The first witch-trial in Northumberland, so far as I have been able to ascertain, occurred in 1628. This was the trial of the Witch of Leeplish.

1. 1. 37 a Vice. See Introduction, pp. xxxiv f.

1. 1. 38 To practice there-with any play-fellow. See variants. The editors by dropping the hyphen have completely changed the sense of the passage. Pug wants a vice in order that he may corrupt his play-fellows there-with.

1. 1. 41 ff. Why, any Fraud; Or Couetousnesse; or Lady Vanity; Or old Iniquity. Fraud is a character in Robert Wilson’s The Three Ladies of London, printed 1584, and The Three Lords and Three Ladies of London, c 1588, printed 1590. Covetousness appears in Robin Conscience, c 1530, and is applied to one of the characters in The Staple of News, Wks. 5. 216. Vanity is one of the characters in Lusty Juventus (see note 1. 1. 50) and in Contention between Liberality and Prodigality, printed 1602 (O. Pl. 4th ed., 8. 328). She seems to have been a favorite with the later dramatists, and is frequently mentioned (I Henry IV. 2. 4; Lear 2. 2; Jew of Malta 2. 3, Marlowe’s Wks. 2. 45). Jonson speaks of her again in The Fox, Wks. 3. 218. For Iniquity see Introduction, p. xxxviii.

The change in punctuation (see variants), as well as that two lines below, was first suggested by Upton in a note appended to his Critical Observations on Shakespeare. Whalley silently adopted the reading in both cases.

1. 1. 43 I’ll call him hither. See variants. Coleridge, Notes, p. 280, says: ‘That is, against all probability, and with a (for Jonson) impossible violation of character. The words plainly belong to Pug, and mark at once his simpleness and his impatience.’ Cunningham says that he arrived independently at the same conclusion, and points out that it is plain from Iniquity’s opening speech that he understood the words to be Pug’s.

1. 1. 49 thy dagger. See note 1. 1. 85.

1. 1. 50 lusty Iuuentus. The morality-play of Lusty Juventus was written by R. Wever about 1550. It ‘breathes the spirit of the dogmatic reformation of the Protector Somerset,’ but ‘in spite of its abundant theology it is neither ill written, nor ill constructed’ (Ward, Eng. Drama 1. 125). It seems to have been very popular, and the expression ‘a lusty Juventus’ became proverbial. It is used as early as 1582 by Stanyhurst, Aeneis 2 (Arber). 64 and as late as Heywood’s Wise Woman of Hogsdon (c 1638), where a gallant is apostrophised as Lusty Juventus (Act 4). (See Nares and NED.) Portions of the play had been revived not many years before this within the tragedy of Thomas More (1590, acc. to Fleay 1596) under the title of The Mariage of Witt and Wisedome. ‘By dogs precyous woundes’ is one of the oaths used by Lusty Juventus in the old play, and may be the ‘Gogs-nownes’ referred to here (O. Pl., 4th ed., 2. 84). ‘Gogs nowns’ is used several times in Like will to Like (O. Pl., 4th ed., 3. 327, 331, etc.).

1. 1. 51 In a cloake to thy heele. See note 1. 1. 85.

1. 1. 51 a hat like a pent-house. ‘When they haue walkt thorow the streetes, weare their hats ore their eye-browes, like pollitick penthouses, which commonly make the shop of a Mercer, or a Linnen Draper, as dark as a roome in Bedlam.’ Dekker, West-ward Hoe, Wks. 2. 286.

With your hat penthouse-like o’er the slope of your eyes.
     —Love’s Labour’s Lost 3. 1. 17.

Halliwell says (L. L. L., ed. Furness, p. 85): ‘An open shed or shop, forming a protection against the weather. The house in which Shakespeare was born had a penthouse along a portion of it.’ In Hollyband’s Dictionarie, 1593, it is spelled ‘pentice,’ which shows that the rime to ‘Juventus’ is probably not a distorted one.

1. 1. 52 thy doublet all belly. ‘Certaine I am there was neuer any kinde of apparell euer inuented that could more disproportion the body of man then these Dublets with great bellies,... stuffed with foure, fiue or six pound of Bombast at the least.’—Stubbes, Anat., Part 1, p. 55.

1. 1. 54 how nimble he is! ‘A perfect idea of his activity may be formed from the incessant skipping of the modern Harlequin.’—G.

1. 1. 56 the top of Pauls-steeple. As Gifford points out, Iniquity is boasting of an impossible feat. St. Paul’s steeple had been destroyed by fire in 1561, and was not yet restored. Several attempts were made and money collected. ‘James I. countenanced a sermon at Paul’s Cross in favor of so pious an undertaking, but nothing was done till 1633 when reparations commenced with some activity, and Inigo Jones designed, at the expense of Charles I., a classic portico to a Gothic church.’—Wh-C.

Lupton, London Carbonadoed, 1632, writes: ‘The head of St. Paul’s hath twice been troubled with a burning fever, and so the city, to keep it from a third danger, lets it stand without a head.’ Gifford says that ‘the Puritans took a malignant pleasure in this mutilated state of the cathedral.’ Jonson refers to the disaster in his Execration upon Vulcan, U. 61, Wks. 8. 408. See also Dekker, Paules Steeples complaint, Non-dram. Wks. 4. 2.

1. 1. 56 Standard in Cheepe. This was a water-stand or conduit in the midst of the street of West Cheaping, where executions were formerly held. It was in a ruinous condition in 1442, when it was repaired by a patent from Henry VI. Stow (Survey, ed. Thoms, p. 100) gives a list of famous executions at this place, and says that ‘in the year 1399, Henry IV. caused the blanch charters made by Richard II. to be burnt there.’

1. 1. 58 a needle of Spaine. Gifford, referring to Randolph’s Amyntos and Ford’s Sun’s Darling, points out that ‘the best needles, as well as other sharp instruments, were, in that age, and indeed long before and after it, imported from Spain.’ The tailor’s needle was in cant language commonly termed a Spanish pike.

References to the Spanish needle are frequent. It is mentioned by Jonson in Chloridia, Wks. 8. 99; by Dekker, Wks. 4. 308; and by Greene, Wks. 11. 241. Howes (p. 1038) says: ‘The making of Spanish Needles, was first taught in England by Elias Crowse, a Germane, about the eight yeare of Queene Elizabeth, and in Queen Maries time, there was a Negro made fine Spanish Needles in Cheape-side, but would neuer teach his Art to any.’

1. 1. 59 the Suburbs. The suburbs were the outlying districts without the walls of the city. Cf. Stow, Survey, ed. Thoms, p. 156 f. They were for the most part the resort of disorderly persons. Cf. B. & Fl., Humorous Lieut. 1. 1.; Massinger, Emperor of the East 1. 2.; Shak., Jul. Caes. 2. 1; and Nares, Gloss. Wheatley (ed. Ev. Man in, p. 1) quotes Chettle’s Kind Harts Dreame, 1592: ‘The suburbs of the citie are in many places no other but dark dennes for adulterers, thieves, murderers, and every mischief worker; daily experience before the magistrates confirms this for truth.’ Cf. also Glapthorne, Wit in a Constable, Wks., ed. 1874, 1. 219:

     ——make safe retreat
Into the Suburbs, there you may finde cast wenches.

In Every Man in, Wks. 1. 25, a ‘suburb humour’ is spoken of.

1. 1. 60 Petticoate-lane. This is the present Middlesex Street, Whitechapel. It was formerly called Hog Lane and was beautified with ‘fair hedge-rows,’ but by Stow’s time it had been made ‘a continual building throughout of garden houses and small cottages’ (Survey, ed. 1633, p. 120 b). Strype tells us that the house of the Spanish Ambassador, supposedly the famous Gondomar, was situated there (Survey 2. 28). In his day the inhabitants were French Protestant weavers, and later Jews of a disreputable sort. That its reputation was somewhat unsavory as early as Nash’s time we learn from his Prognostication (Wks. 2. 149):

‘If the Beadelles of Bridewell be carefull this Summer, it may be hoped that Peticote lane may be lesse pestered with ill aires than it was woont: and the houses there so cleere clensed, that honest women may dwell there without any dread of the whip and the carte.’ Cf. also Penniless Parliament, Old Book Collector’s Misc. 2. 16: ‘Many men shall be so venturously given, as they shall go into Petticoat Lane, and yet come out again as honestly as they went first in.’

1. 1. 60 the Smock-allies. Petticoat Lane led from the high street, Whitechapel, to Smock Alley or Gravel Lane. See Hughson 2. 387.

1. 1. 61 Shoreditch. Shoreditch was formerly notorious for the disreputable character of its women. ‘To die in Shoreditch’ seems to have been a proverbial phrase, and is so used by Dryden in The Kind Keeper, 4to, 1680. Cf. Nash, Pierce Pennilesse, Wks. 2. 94: ‘Call a Leete at Byshopsgate, & examine how euery second house in Shorditch is mayntayned; make a priuie search in Southwarke, and tell mee how many Shee-Inmates you fin de: nay, goe where you will in the Suburbes, and bring me two Virgins that haue vowd Chastity and Ile builde a Nunnery.’ Also ibid., p. 95; Gabriel Harvey, Prose Wks., ed. Grosart. 2. 169; and Dekker, Wks. 3. 352.

1. 1. 61 Whitechappell. ‘Till within memory the district north of the High Street was one of the very worst localities in London; a region of narrow and filthy streets, yards and alleys, many of them wholly occupied by thieves’ dens, the receptacles of stolen property, gin-spinning dog-holes, low brothels, and putrescent lodging-houses,—a district unwholesome to approach and unsafe for a decent person to traverse even in the day-time.’—Wh-C.

1. 1. 61, 2 and so to Saint Kathernes.
To drinke with the Dutch there, and take forth their patternes.

Saint Kathernes was the name of a hospital and precinct without London. The hospital was said to have been founded by Queen Matilda, wife of King Stephen. In The Alchemist (Wks. 4. 161), Jonson speaks of its having been used ‘to keep the better sort of mad-folks.’ It was also employed as a reformatory for fallen women, and it is here that Winifred in Eastward Ho (ed. Schelling, p. 84) finds an appropriate landing-place.

From this hospital there was ‘a continual street, or filthy strait passage, with alleys of small tenements, or cottages, built, inhabited by sailors’ victuallers, along by the river of Thames, almost to Radcliff, a good mile from the Tower.’—Stow, ed. Thoms, p. 157.

The precinct was noted for its brew-houses and low drinking places. In The Staple of News Jonson speaks of ‘an ale-wife in Saint Katherine’s, At the Sign of the Dancing Bears’ (Wks. 5. 226). The same tavern is referred to in the Masque of Augurs as well as ‘the brew-houses in St. Katherine’s.’ The sights of the place are enumerated in the same masque.

The present passage seems to indicate that the precinct was largely inhabited by Dutch. In the Masque of Augurs Vangoose speaks a sort of Dutch jargon, and we know that a Flemish cemetery was located here (see Wh-C). Cf. also Sir Thomas Overbury’s Character of A drunken Dutchman resident in England, ed. Morley, p. 72: ‘Let him come over never so lean, and plant him but one month near the brew-houses of St. Catherine’s and he will be puffed up to your hand like a bloat herring.’ Dutch weavers had been imported into England as early as the reign of Edward III. (see Howes, p. 870 a), and in the year 1563 great numbers of Netherlanders with their wives and children fled into England owing to the civil dissension in Flanders (Howes, p. 868 a). They bore a reputation for hard drinking (cf. Like will to Like, O. Pl. 3. 325; Dekker, Non-dram. Wks. 3. 12; Nash, Wks. 2. 81, etc.).

The phrase ‘to take forth their patternes’ is somewhat obscure, and seems to have been forced by the necessity for a rhyme. Halliwell says that ‘take forth’ is equivalent to ‘learn,’ and the phrase seems therefore to mean ‘take their measure,’ ‘size them up,’ with a view to following their example. It is possible, of course, that actual patterns of the Dutch weavers or tailors are referred to.

1. 1. 63 Custome-house key. This was in Tower Street on the Thames side. Stow (ed. Thoms, pp. 51. 2) says that the custom-house was built in the sixth year of Richard II. Jonson mentions the place again in Every Man in, Wks. 1. 69.

1. 1. 66 the Dagger, and the Wool-sacke. These were two ordinaries or public houses of low repute, especially famous for their pies. There were two taverns called the ‘Dagger,’ one in Holborn and one in Cheapside. It is probably to the former of these that Jonson refers. It is mentioned again in the Alchemist (Wks. 4. 24 and 165) and in Dekker’s Satiromastix (Wks. 1. 200). Hotten says that the sign of a dagger was common, and arose from its being a charge in the city arms.

The Woolsack was without Aldgate. It was originally a wool-maker’s sign. Machyn mentions the tavern in 1555; and it is alluded to in Dekker, Shoemaker’s Holiday, Wks. 1. 61. See Wh-C. and Hotten’s History of Signboards, pp. 325 and 362.

1. 1. 69 Belins-gate. Stow (ed. Thoms, p. 78) describes Belins-gate as ‘a large water-gate, port or harborough.’ He mentions the tradition that the name was derived from that of Belin, King of the Britons, but discredits it. Billingsgate is on the Thames, a little below London Bridge, and is still the great fish-market of London.

1. 1. 70 shoot the Bridge. The waterway under the old London Bridge was obstructed by the narrowness of the arches, by cornmills built in some of the openings, and by the great waterworks at its southern end. ‘Of the arches left open some were too narrow for the passage of boats of any kind. The widest was only 36 feet, and the resistance caused to so large a body of water on the rise and fall of the tide by this contraction of its channel produced a fall or rapid under the bridge, so that it was necessary to “ship oars” to shoot the bridge, as it was called,—an undertaking, to amateur watermen especially, not unattended with danger. “With the flood-tide it was impossible, and with the ebb-tide dangerous to pass through or shoot the arches of the bridge.” In the latter case prudent passengers landed above the bridge, generally at the Old Swan Stairs, and walked to some wharf, generally Billingsgate, below it.’—Wh-C.

1. 1. 70 the Cranes i’ the Vintry. These were ‘three strong cranes of timber placed on the Vintry wharf by the Thames to crane up wine there (Stow, ed. Thoms, p. 00). They were situated in Three Cranes’ lane, and near by was the famous tavern mentioned as one of the author’s favorite resorts (Bart. Fair 1. 1, Wks. 4. 356). Jonson speaks of it again in The Silent Woman, Wks. 3. 376, and in the Masque of Augurs. Pepys visited the place on January 23, 1662, and describes the best room as ‘a narrow dogg-hole’ in which he and his friends were crammed so close ‘that it made me loath my company and victuals, and a sorry dinner it was too.’ Cf. also Dekker, (Non-dram. Wks. 8. 77).

1. 1. 72 the Strand. This famous street was formerly the road between the cities of Westminster and London. That many lawyers lived in this vicinity we learn from Middleton (Father Hubburd’s Tales, Wks. 8. 77).

1. 1. 73 Westminster-hall. It was once the hall of the King’s palace at Westminster, originally built by William Rufus. The present hall was formed 1397-99. Here the early parliaments were held. ‘This great hall hath been the usual place of pleadings, and ministration of justice.’—Stow, ed. Thoms, p. 174.

1. 1. 75 so Veluet to Leather. Velvet seems to have been much worn by lawyers. Cf. Overbury, Characters, p. 72: ‘He loves his friend as a counsellor at law loves the velvet breeches he was first made barrister in.’

1. 1. 85 In his long coat, shaking his wooden dagger. See Introduction, pp. xxxviii f.

1. 1. 93 Cokeley. Whalley says that he was the master of a puppet show, and this has been accepted by all authorities (Gifford, ed.; Nares, Gloss.; Alden, ed. of Bart. Fair). He seems, however, to have been rather an improviser like Vennor, or a mountebank with a gift of riming. He is mentioned several times by Jonson: Bart. Fair, Wks. 4. 422, 3: ‘He has not been sent for, and sought out for nothing, at your great city-suppers, to put down Coriat and Cokely.’ Epigr.129; To Mime, Wks. 8. 229:

Or, mounted on a stool, thy face doth hit
On some new gesture, that’s imputed wit?
—Thou dost out-zany Cokely, Pod; nay Gue:
And thine own Coryat too.

1. 1. 94 Vennor. Gifford first took Vennor to be a juggler, but corrected his statement in the Masque of Augurs, Wks. 7. 414. He says: ‘Fenner, whom I supposed to be a juggler, was a rude kind of improvisatore. He was altogether ignorant; but possessed a wonderful facility in pouring out doggrel verse. He says of himself,

Yet, without boasting, let me boldly say
I’ll rhyme with any man that breathes this day
Upon a subject, in extempore, etc.

He seems to have made a wretched livelihood by frequenting city feasts, &c., where, at the end of the entertainment, he was called in to mount a stool and amuse the company by stringing together a number of vile rhymes upon any given subject. To this the quotation alludes. Fenner is noticed by the duchess of Newcastle: “For the numbers every schoolboy can make them on his fingers, and for the rime, Fenner would put down Ben Jonson, and yet neither boy nor Fenner so good poets.” This, too, is the person meant in the Cambridge answer to Corbet’s satire:

A ballad late was made,
But God knows who the penner;
Some say the rhyming sculler,
And others say ’twas Fenner. p. 24.

Fenner was so famed for his faculty of rhyming, that James, who, like Bartholomew Cokes, would willingly let no raree-show escape him, sent for him to court. Upon which Fenner added to his other titles that of his “Majesty’s Riming Poet.” This gave offense to Taylor, the Water poet, and helped to produce that miserable squabble printed among his works, and from which I have principally derived the substance of this note.’—G.

‘In Richard Brome’s Covent Garden Weeded (circ. 1638), we have: “Sure ’tis Fenner or his ghost. He was a riming souldier.” (p. 42.)’—C.

The controversy referred to may be found in the Spenser Society’s reprint of the 1630 folio of Taylor’s Works, 1869, pp. 304-325. Here may be gathered a few more facts regarding the life of Fenner (or Fennor as it should be spelled), among them that he was apprenticed when a boy to a blind harper. In the quarrel, it must be confessed, Fennor does not appear markedly inferior to his derider either in powers of versification or in common decency. The quarrel between the poets took place in October, 1614, and Fennor’s admittance to court seems to be referred to in the present passage.

1. 1. 95 a Sheriffes dinner. This was an occasion of considerable extravagance. Entick (Survey 1. 499) tells us that in 1543 a sumptuary law was passed ‘to prevent luxurious eating or feasting in a time of scarcity; whereby it was ordained, that the lord-mayor should not have more than seven dishes at dinner or supper,’ and ‘an alderman and sheriff no more than six.’

1. 1. 96 Skip with a rime o’ the Table, from New-nothing. What is meant by New-nothing I do not know. From the construction it would seem to indicate the place from which the fool was accustomed to take his leap, but it is possible that the word should be connected with rime, and may perhaps be the translation of a Greek or Latin title for some book of facetiae published about this time. Such wits as Fennor and Taylor doubtless produced many pamphlets, the titles of which have not been recorded. In 1622 Taylor brought out a collection of verse called ‘Sir Gregory Non-sense His Newes from no place,’ and it may have been this very book in manuscript that suggested Jonson’s title. In the play of King Darius, 1106, one of the actors says: ‘I had rather then my new nothing, I were gon.’

1. 1. 97 his Almaine-leape into a custard. ‘In the earlier days, when the city kept a fool it was customary for him at public entertainments, to leap into a large bowl of custard set on purpose.’—W. Whalley refers also to All’s well that Ends Well 2. 5: ‘You have made a shift to run into it, boots and all, like him that leapt into the custard.’

Gifford quotes Glapthorne, Wit in a Const.:

The custard, with the four and twenty nooks
At my lord Mayor’s feast.

He continues: ‘Indeed, no common supply was required; for, besides what the Corporation (great devourers of custard) consumed on the spot, it appears that it was thought no breach of city manners to send, or take some of it home with them for the use of their ladies.’ In the excellent old play quoted above, Clara twits her uncle with this practise:

Now shall you, sir, as ’tis a frequent custom,
‘Cause you’re a worthy alderman of a ward,
Feed me with custard, and perpetual white broth
Sent from the lord Mayor’s feast.’

Cunningham says: ‘Poets of a comparatively recent date continue to associate mayors and custards.’ He Quotes Prior (Alma, Cant. 1) and a letter from Bishop Warburton to Hurd (Apr. 1766): ‘I told him (the Lord Mayor) in what I thought he was defective—that I was greatly disappointed to see no custard at table. He said that they had been so ridiculed for their custard that none had ventured to make its appearance for some years.’ Jonson mentions the ‘quaking custards’ again in The Fox, Wks. 3. 164., and in The Staple of News, Wks. 5. 196, 7.

An Almain-leap was a dancing leap. ‘Allemands were danced here a few years back’ (Nares). Cunningham quotes from Dyce: ‘Rabelais tells us that Gargantua “wrestled, ran, jumped, not at three steps and a leap,... nor yet at the Almane’s, for, said Gymnast, these jumps are for the wars altogether unprofitable and of no use.” Rabelais, Book 1, C. 23.’

Bishop Barlow, Answer to a Catholike Englishman, p. 231, Lond. 1607, says: ‘Now heere the Censurer makes an Almaine leape, skipping 3 whole pages together’ (quoted in N. & Q. 1st Ser. 10. 157).

1. 1. 97 their hoods. The French hood was still worn by citizens’ wives. Thus in the London Prodigal, ed. 1709:

No Frank, I’ll have thee go like a Citizen
In a Garded Gown, and a French Hood.

When Simon Eyre is appointed sheriff, his wife immediately inquires for a ‘Fardingale-maker’ and a ‘French-hood maker’ (Dekker, Wks. 1. 39). Strutt says that French hoods were out of fashion by the middle of the 17th century (Antiq. 3. 93). See the frequent references to this article of apparel in Bart. Fair. It is interesting to notice that the hoods are worn at dinner.

1. 1. 106, 7. The readings of ‘Whalley and Gifford are distinctly inferior to the original.

1. 1. 112, 3 Car-men Are got into the yellow starch. Starch was introduced in the age of Elizabeth to meet the needs of the huge Spanish ruff which had come into favor some years before (see Soc. Eng., p. 386). It was frequently colored. In Middleton and Rowley’s World Tossed at Tennis five different colored starches are personified. Stubbes says that it was ‘of all collours and hues.’ Yellow starch must have come into fashion not long before this play was acted, for in the Owle’s Allmanacke, published in 1618, it is said: ‘Since yellow bandes and saffroned chaperoones came vp, is not above two yeeres past.’ This, however, is not to be taken literally, for the execution of Mrs. Turner took place Nov. 14, 1615. Of her we read in Howell’s Letters 1. 2: ‘Mistress Turner, the first inventress of yellow Starch, was executed in a Cobweb Lawn Ruff of that colour at Tyburn; and with her I believe that yellow Starch, which so much disfigured our Nation, and rendered them so ridiculous and fantastic, will receive its Funeral.’ Sir S. D’Ewes (Autobiog. 1. 69) says that from that day it did, indeed, grow ‘generally to be detested and disused.’ The Vision of Sir Thomas Overbury, 1616 (quoted in Amos, Great Oyer, p. 50) speaks of

     ——that fantastic, ugly fall and ruff
Daub’d o’er with that base starch of yellow stuff

as already out of fashion. Its popularity must have returned, however, since Barnaby Riche in the Irish Hubbub,1622, p. 40, laments that ‘yellow starcht bands’ were more popular than ever, and he prophesies that the fashion ‘shortly will be as conversant amongst taylors, tapsters, and tinkers, as now they have brought tobacco.’

D’Ewes also in describing the procession of King James from Whitehall to Westminster, Jan. 30, 1620, says that the king saw one window ‘full of gentlewomen or ladies, all in yellow bandes,’ whereupon he called out ‘A pox take yee,’ and they all withdrew in shame. In The Parson’s Wedding, printed 1664, O. Pl. 11. 498, it is spoken of as out of fashion. Yellow starch is mentioned again in 5. 8. 74. 5, and a ballad of ‘goose-green starch and the devil’ is mentioned in Bart. Fair, Wks. 4. 393. Similarly, Nash speaks in Pierce Pennilesse, Wks. 2. 44. of a ‘Ballet of Blue starch and poaking stick.’ See also Dodsley’s note on Albumazar, O. Pl. 7. 132.

1. 1. 113, 4 Chimney-sweepers To their tabacco. See the quotation from Riche in the last note and note 5. 8. 71.

1. 1. 114, 5 Hum, Meath, and Obarni. Hum is defined B. E. Dict. Cant. Crew, Hum or Humming Liquor, Double Ale, Stout, Pharoah. It is mentioned in Fletcher’s Wild Goose Chase 2. 3 and Heywood’s Drunkard. p. 48. Meath or mead is still made in England. It was a favorite drink in the Middle Ages, and consisted of a mixture of honey and water with the addition of a ferment. Harrison, Description of England, ed. Furnivall, 1. 161, thus describes it: ‘There is a kind of swish swash made also in Essex, and diuerse other places, with honicombs and water, which the [homelie] countrie wiues, putting some pepper and a little other spice among, call mead, verie good in mine opinion for such as loue to be loose bodied [at large, or a little eased of the cough,] otherwise it differeth so much from the true metheglin, as chalke from cheese.’

Obarni was long a crux for the editors and dictionaries. Gifford (Wks. 7. 226) supplied a part of the quotation from Pimlyco or Runne Red-Cap, 1609, completed by James Platt, Jun. (N. & Q. 9th Ser. 3. 306). in which ‘Mead Obarne and Mead Cherunk’ are mentioned as drinks

     ——that whet the spites
Of Russes and cold Muscovites.

Mr. Platt first instanced the existing Russian word obarni or obvarnyi (see Gloss.), meaning ‘boiling, scalding,’ and C. C. B. (N. & Q. 9. 3. 413) supplied a quotation from the account of the voyage of Sir Jerome Bowes in 1583 (Harris’s Travels 1. 535), in which ‘Sodden Mead’ appears among the items of diet supplied by the Emperor to the English Ambassador. The identification was completed with a quotation given by the Stanford Dict.: ‘1598 Hakluyt Voy. 1. 461 One veather of sodden mead called Obarni.’

1. 1. 119 your rope of sand. This occupation is mentioned again in 5. 2. 6.

1. 1. 126 Tissue gownes. Howes, p. 869. tells us that John Tuce, ‘dweling neere Shorditch Church’, first attained perfection in the manufacture of cloth of tissue.

1. 1. 127 Garters and roses. Howes, p. 1039, says that ‘at this day (1631) men of meane rancke weare Garters, and shooe Roses, of more than fiue pound price.’ Massinger, in the City Madam, Wks., p. 334, speaks of ‘roses worth a family.’ Cf. also John Taylor’s Works, 1630 (quoted in Hist. Brit. Cost.):

Weare a farm in shoe-strings edged with gold
And spangled garters worth a copyhold.

1. 1. 128 Embroydred stockings. ‘Then haue they nether-stocks to these gay hosen, not of cloth (though neuer so fine) for that is thought to base, but of Iarnsey worsted, silk, thred, and such like, or els at the least of the finest yarn that can be, and so curiouslye knit with open seam down the leg, with quirks and clocks about the ancles, and sometime (haply) interlaced with gold or siluer threds, as is wonderful to behold.’—Stubbes, Anat., Part 1, p. 57. The selling of stockings was a separate trade at this time, and great attention was paid to this article of clothing. Silk stockings are frequently mentioned by the dramatists. Cf. Stephen Gosson, Pleasant Quippes:

These worsted stockes of bravest die, and silken garters fring’d with gold;
These corked shooes to beare them hie makes them to trip it on the molde;
They mince it with a pace so strange,
Like untam’d heifers when they range.

1. 1. 128 cut-worke smocks, and shirts. Cf. B. & Fl., Four Plays in One:

     ——She show’d me gownes, head tires,
Embroider’d waistcoats, smocks seamed with cutworks.

1. 1. 135 But you must take a body ready made. King James in his Dæmonologie (Wks., ed. 1616, p. 120) explains that the devil, though but of air, can ‘make himself palpable, either by assuming any dead bodie, and vsing the ministerie thereof, or else by deluding as well their sence of feeling as seeing.’

1. 1. 143 our tribe of Brokers. Cf. Ev. Man in, Wks. 1. 82:

‘Wel. Where got’st thou this coat, I marle?
Brai. Of a Hounsditch man, sir, one of the devil’s near kinsmen, a broker.’

The pawnbrokers were cordially hated in Jonson’s time. Their quarter was Houndsditch. Stow says: ‘there are crept in among them [the inhabitants of Houndsditch] a base kinde of vermine, wel-deserving to bee ranked and numbred with them, whom our old Prophet and Countryman, Gyldas, called Ætatis atramentum, the black discredit of the Age, and of place where they are suffered to live.... These men, or rather monsters in the shape of men, professe to live by lending, and yet will lend nothing but upon pawnes;’ etc.

Nash speaks of them in a similar strain: ‘Fruits shall be greatly eaten with Catterpillers; as Brokers, Farmers and Flatterers, which feeding on the sweate of other mens browes, shall greatlye hinder the beautye of the spring.’—Prognostication, Wks.2. 145. ‘They shall crie out against brokers, as Jeremy did against false prophets.’ Ibid. 2. 162.

1. 1. 148 as you make your soone at nights relation. Cf. Dekker, Satiromastix, Wks. 1. 187: ‘Shee’l be a late sturrer soone at night sir,’ and ibid. 223:

By this faire Bride remember soone at night.

1. 2. 1 ff. I, they doe, now, etc. ‘Compare this exquisite piece of sense, satire, and sound philosophy in 1616 with Sir M. Hale’s speech from the bench in a trial of a witch many years afterwards.’—Coleridge, Notes, p. 280.

1. 2. 1 Bretnor. An almanac maker (fl. 1607-1618). A list of his works, compiled from the catalogue of the British Museum, is given in the DNB. He is mentioned twice by Middleton:

This farmer will not cast his seed i’ the ground
Before he look in Bretnor.
     —Inner-Temple Masque, Wks. 7. 211.

‘Chough. I’ll not be married to-day, Trimtram: hast e’er an almanac about thee? this is the nineteenth of August, look what day of the month ’tis.

Trim. ’Tis tenty-nine indeed, sir. [Looks in almanac.
Chough. What’s the word? What says Bretnor?
Trim. The word is, sir, There’s a hole in her coat.’

—Middleton, A Fair Quarrel, Wks. 4. 263.

Fleay identifies him with Norbret, one of the astrologers in Beaumont and Fletcher’s Rollo, Duke of Normandy.

1. 2. 2 Gresham. A pretended astrologer, contemporary with Forman, and said to be one of the associates of the infamous Countess of Essex and Mrs. Turner in the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury. Arthur Wilson mentions him in The Life of James I., p. 70:

‘Mrs. Turner, the Mistris of the Work, had lost both her supporters. Forman, her first prop, drop’t away suddenly by death; and Gresham another rotten Engin (that succeded him) did not hold long: She must now bear up all her self.’

He is mentioned twice in Spark’s Narrative History of King James, Somer’s Tracts 2. 275: ‘Dr. Forman being dead, Mrs. Turner wanted one to assist her; whereupon, at the countesses coming to London, one Gresham was nominated to be entertained in this businesse, and, in processe of time, was wholly interested in it; this man was had in suspition to have had a hand in the Gunpowder plot, he wrote so near it in his almanack; but, without all question, he was a very skilful man in the mathematicks, and, in his latter time, in witchcraft, as was suspected, and therefore the fitter to bee imployed in those practises, which, as they were devilish, so the devil had a hand in them.’

Ibid. 287: ‘Now Gresham growing into years, having spent much time in many foule practises to accomplish those things at this time, gathers all his babies together, viz. pictures in lead, in wax, in plates of gold, of naked men and women with crosses, crucifixes, and other implements, wrapping them all up together in a scarfe, crossed every letter in the sacred word Trinity, crossed these things very holily delivered into the hands of one Weston to bee hid in the earth that no man might find them, and so in Thames-street having finished his evill times he died, leaving behind him a man and a maid, one hanged for a witch, and the other for a thief very shortly after.’

In the ‘Heads of Charges against Robert, Earl of Somerset’, drawn up by Lord Bacon, we read: ‘That the countess laboured Forman and Gresham to inforce the Queen by witchcraft to favour the countess’ (Howell’s State Trials 2. 966). To this King James replied in an ‘Apostyle,’ Nothing to Somerset. This exhausts the references to Gresham that I have been able to find. See note on Savory, 1. 2. 3.

1. 2. 2. Fore-man. Simon Foreman, or Forman (1552-1611) was the most famous of the group of quacks here mentioned. He studied at Oxford, 1573-1578, and in 1579 began his career as a necromancer. He claimed the power to discover lost treasure, and was especially successful in his dealings with women. A detailed account of his life is given in the DNB. and a short but interesting sketch in Social England 4. 87. The chief sources are Wm. Lilly’s History and a diary from 1564 to 1602, with an account of Forman’s early life, published by Mr. J. O. Halliwell-Phillipps for the Camden Soc., 1843.

He is mentioned again by Jonson in Silent Woman, Wks. 3. 413: ‘Daup. I would say, thou hadst the best philtre in the world, and couldst do more than Madam Medea, or Doctor Foreman.’ In Sir Thomas Overbury’s Vision (Harl. Ms., vol. 7, quoted in D’Ewes’ Autobiog., p. 89) he is spoken of as ‘that fiend in human shape.’

1. 2. 3 Francklin. Francklin was an apothecary, and procured the poison for Mrs. Turner (see Amos, Great Oyer. p. 97). He was one of the three persons executed with Mrs. Turner. Arthur Wilson, in his Life of James I. (p. 70), describes him as ‘a swarthy, sallow, crooked-backt fellow, who was to be the Fountain whence these bitter waters came.’ See also Somer’s Tracts 2. 287. The poem already quoted furnishes a description of Francklin:

A man he was of stature meanly tall.
His body’s lineaments were shaped, and all
His limbs compacted well, and strongly knit.
Nature’s kind hand no error made in it.
His beard was ruddy hue, and from his head
A wanton lock itself did down dispread
Upon his back; to which while he did live
Th’ ambiguous name of Elf-lock he did give.
     —Quoted in Amos. p. 50.

1. 2. 3 Fiske. ‘In this year 1633, I became acquainted with Nicholas Fiske, licentiate in physick, who was borne in Suffolk, near Framingham [Framlingham] Castle, of very good parentage.... He was a person very studious, laborious, and of good apprehension.... He was exquisitely skilful in the art of directions upon nativities, and had a good genius in performing judgment thereupon.... He died about the seventy-eighth year of his age, poor.’—Lilly, Hist., p. 42 f.

Fiske appears as La Fiske in Rollo, Duke of Normandy, and is also mentioned by Butler, Hudibr., Part 2, Cant. 3. 403:

And nigh an ancient obelisk
Was rais’d by him, found out by Fisk.

1. 2. 3 Sauory. ’And therefore, she fearing that her lord would seek some public or private revenge against her, by the advice of the before-mentioned Mrs. Turner, consulted and practised with Doctor Forman and Doctor Savory, two conjurers, about the poisoning of him.’—D’Ewes, Autobiog. 1. 88. 9.

He was employed after the sudden death of Dr. Forman. Wright (Sorcery and Magic, p. 228) says that the name is written Lavoire in some manuscripts. ‘Mrs. Turner also confessed, that Dr. Savories was used in succession, after Forman, and practised many sorceries upon the Earle of Essex his person.’—Spark, Narrative History, Somer’s Tracts 2. 333.

In the Calendar of State Papers the name of ‘Savery’ appears four times. Under date of Oct. 16, 1615, we find Dr. Savery examined on a charge of ‘spreading Popish Books.’ ‘Savery pretends to be a doctor, but is probably a conjurer.’ And again under the same date he is interrogated as to his relations with Mrs. Turner and Forman. Under Oct. 24 he replies to Coke. ‘Oct.?’ we find Dr. Savery questioned as to his ‘predictions of troubles and alterations in Court.’ This is the last mention of him.

Just what connection Gresham and Savory had with the Overbury plot is a difficult matter to determine. Both are spoken of as following Forman immediately, and of neither is any successor mentioned except the actual poisoner, Franklin. It seems probable that Gresham was the first to be employed after Forman, and that his own speedy death led to the selection of Savory. How the latter managed to escape a more serious implication in the trial it is difficult to conceive.

1. 2. 6-9 christalls,... characters. As in other fields, Jonson is well versed in magic lore. Lumps of crystal were one of the regular means of raising a demon. Bk. 15, Ch. 16 of Scot’s Discovery of Witchcraft, 1584, is entitled: ‘To make a spirit appear in a christall’, and Ch. 12 shows ‘How to enclose a spirit in a christall stone.’

Lilly (History, p. 78) speaks of the efficacy of ‘a constellated ring’ in sickness, and they were doubtless considered effective in more sinister dealings. Jonson has already spoken of the devil being carried in a thumb-ring (see note P. 6).

Charms were usually written on parchment. In Barrett’s Magus, Bk. 2, Pt. 3. 109, we read that the pentacle should be drawn ‘upon parchment made of a kid-skin, or virgin, or pure clean white paper.’

That parts of the human body belonged to the sorcerer’s paraphernalia is shown by the Statute 1 Jac. I. c. xii, which contains a clause forbidding conjurors to ‘take up any dead man woman or child out of his her or their grave... or the skin bone or any other parte of any dead person, to be imployed or used in any manner of Witchcrafte Sorcerie Charme or Inchantment.’

The wing of the raven, as a bird of ill omen, may be an invention of Jonson’s own. The lighting of candles within the magic circle is mentioned below (note 1. 2. 26).

Most powerful of all was the pentacle, of which Scot’s Discovery (Ap. II, p. 533, 4) furnishes an elaborate description. This figure was used by the Pythagorean school as their seal, and is equivalent to the pentagram or five-pointed star (see CD.).

Dekker (Wks. 2. 200) connects it with the Periapt as a ‘potent charm,’ and Marlowe speaks of it in Hero and Leander, Wks. 3. 45:

A rich disparent pentacle she wears,
Drawn full of circles and strange characters.

It will be remembered that the inscription of a pentagram on the threshold prevents the escape of Mephistopheles in Goethe’s Faust. The editors explain its potency as due to the fact that it is resolvable into three triangles, and is thus a triple sign of the Trinity.

Cunningham says that the pentacle ‘when delineated upon the body of a man was supposed to point out the five wounds of the Saviour.’ W. J. Thoms (Anecdotes, Camden Soc., 1839, p. 97) speaks of its presence in the western window of the southern aisle of Westminster Abbey, an indication that the monks were versed in occult science.

1. 2. 21 If they be not. Gifford refers to Chrysippus, De Divinatione, Lib. 1. § 71: ‘This is the very syllogism by which that acute philosopher triumphantly proved the reality of augury.’

1. 2. 22 Why, are there lawes against ’hem? It was found necessary in 1541 to pass an act (33 Hen. VIII. c. 8) by which—‘it shall be felony to practise, or cause to be practised conjuration, witchcrafte, enchantment, or sorcery, to get money: or to consume any person in his body, members or goods; or to provoke any person to unlawful love; or for the despight of Christ, or lucre of money, to pull down any cross; or to declare where goods stolen be.’ Another law was passed 1 Edward VI. c. 12 (1547). 5 Elizabeth. c. 16 (1562) gives the ‘several penalties of conjuration, or invocation of wicked spirits, and witchcraft, enchantment, charm or sorcery.’ Under Jas. I, anno secundo (vulgo primo), c. 12, still another law was passed, whereby the second offense was declared a felony. The former act of Elizabeth was repealed. This act of James was not repealed until 9 George II. c. 5.

Social England, p. 270, quotes from Ms. Lansdowne, 2. Art. 26, a deposition from William Wicherley, conjurer, in which he places the number of conjurers in England in 1549 above five hundred. A good idea of the character of the more disreputable type of conjurer can be got from Beaumont and Fletcher’s Fair Maid of the Inn. See especially Act 5, Sc. 2.

1. 2. 26 circles. The magic circle is one of the things most frequently mentioned among the arts of the conjurer. Scot (Discovery, p. 476) has a long satirical passage on the subject, in which he enjoins the conjurer to draw a double circle with his own blood, to divide the circle into seven parts and to set at each division a ‘candle lighted in a brazen candlestick.’

1. 2. 27 his hard names. A long list of the ‘diverse names of the divell’ is given in The Discovery, p. 436, and another in the Second Appendix, p. 522.

1. 2. 31, 2 I long for thee. An’ I were with child by him,... I could not more. The expression is common enough. Cf. Eastward Hoe: ‘Ger. As I am a lady, I think I am with child already, I long for a coach so.’ Dekker, Shomakers Holiday, Wks. 1. 17: ‘I am with child till I behold this huffecap.’ The humors of the longing wife are a constant subject of ridicule. See Bart. Fair, Act 1, and Butler’s Hudibras, ed. 1819, 3. 78 and note.

1. 2. 39 A thousand miles. ‘Neither are they so much limited as Tradition would have them; for they are not at all shut up in any separated place: but can remove millions of miles in the twinkling of an eye.’—Scot, Discovery, Ap. II, p. 493.

1. 2. 43 The burn’t child dreads the fire. Jonson is fond of proverbial expressions. Cf. 1. 6. 125; 1. 6. 145; 5. 8. 142, 3, etc.

1. 3. 5 while things be reconcil’d. In Elizabethan English both while and whiles often meant ‘up to the time when’, as well as ‘during the time when’ (d. a similar use of ‘dum’ in Latin and of ἕ ος in Greek).—Abbot, §137.

For its frequent use in this sense in Shakespeare see Schmidt and note on Macbeth 3. 1. 51, Furness’s edition. Cf. also Nash, Prognostication, Wks. 2. 150: ‘They shall ly in their beds while noon.’

1. 3. 8, 9 those roses Were bigge inough to hide a clouen foote. Dyce (Remarks, p. 289) quotes Webster, White Devil, 1612:

     —why, ’tis the devil;
I know him by a great rose he wears on’s shoe,
To hide his cloven foot.

Cunningham adds a passage from Chapman, Wks. 3. 145:

  Fro. Yet you cannot change the old fashion (they say)
And hide your cloven feet.
  Oph. No! I can wear roses that shall spread quite
Over them.

Gifford quotes Nash, Unfortunate Traveller, Wks. 5. 146: ‘Hee hath in eyther shoo as much taffaty for his tyings, as would serue for an ancient.’ Cf. also Dekker, Roaring Girle, Wks. 3. 200: ‘Haue not many handsome legges in silke stockins villanous splay feet for all their great roses?’

1. 3. 13 My Cater. Whalley changes to ‘m’acter’ on the authority of the Sad Shep. (vol. 4. 236):

     —Go bear ’em in to Much
Th’ acater.

The form ‘cater’, however, is common enough. Indeed, if we are to judge from the examples in Nares and NED., it is much the more frequent, although the present passage is cited in both authorities under the longer form.

1. 3. 21 I’le hearken. W. and G. change to ‘I’d.’ The change is unnecessary if we consider the conditional clause as an after-thought on the part of Fitzdottrel. For a similar construction see 3. 6. 34-6.

1. 3. 27 Vnder your fauour, friend, for, I’ll not quarrell. ‘This was one of the qualifying expressions, by which, “according to the laws of the duello”, the lie might be given, without subjecting the speaker to the absolute necessity of receiving a challenge.’—G.

Leigh uses a similar expression. Cf. note 2. 1. 144. It occurs several times in Ev. Man in:

‘Step. Yet, by his leave, he is a rascal, under his favour, do you see.
E. Know. Ay, by his leave, he is, and under favour: a pretty piece of civility!’
     —Wks. 1. 68.

‘Down. ’Sdeath! you will not draw then?
Bob. Hold, hold! under thy favour forbear!’
     —Wks. 1. 117.

‘Clem. Now, sir, what have you to say to me?
Bob. By your worship’s favour——.’
     —Wks. 1. 140.

I have not been able to confirm Gifford’s assertion.

1. 3. 30 that’s a popular error. Gifford refers to Othello 5. 2. 286:

Oth. I look down towards his feet,—but that’s a fable.—
    If that thou be’st a devil, I cannot kill thee.

Cf. also The Virgin Martyr, Dekker’s Wks. 4. 57:

—Ile tell you what now of the Divel;
He’s no such horrid creature, cloven footed,
Black, saucer-ey’d, his nostrils breathing fire,
As these lying Christians make him.

1. 3. 34 Of Derby-shire, S^r. about the Peake. Jonson seems to have been well acquainted with the wonders of the Peak of Derbyshire. Two of his masques, The Gipsies Metamorphosed, acted first at Burleigh on the Hill, and later at Belvoir, Nottinghamshire, and Love’s Welcome at Welbeck, acted in 1633 at Welbeck, Nottinghamshire, the seat of William Cavendish, Earl of Newcastle, are full of allusions to them. The Devil’s Arse seems to be the cavern now known to travellers as the Peak or Devil’s Cavern. It is described by Baedeker as upwards of 2,000 feet in extent. One of its features is a subterranean river known as the Styx. The origin of the cavern’s name is given in a coarse song in the Gypsies Met. (Wks. 7. 357), beginning:

Cocklorrel would needs have the Devil his guest,
And bade him into the Peak to dinner.

In Love’s Welcome Jonson speaks again of ‘Satan’s sumptuous Arse’, Wks. 8. 122.

1. 3. 34, 5. That Hole. Belonged to your Ancestors?Jonson frequently omits the relative pronoun. Cf. 1. 5. 21; 1. 6. 86, 87; 3. 3. 149; 5. 8. 86, 87.

1. 3. 38 Foure pound a yeere. ‘This we may suppose to have been the customary wages of a domestic servant.’—C. Cunningham cites also the passage in the Alchemist, Wks. 4. 12; ‘You were once... the good, Honest, plain, livery-three-pound-thrum, that kept Your master’s worship’s house,’ in which he takes the expression ‘three-pound’ to be the equivalent of ‘badly-paid’.

1. 4. 1 I’ll goe lift him. Jonson is never tired of punning on the names of his characters.

1. 4. 5 halfe a piece. ‘It may be necessary to observe, once for all, that the piece (the double sovereign) went for two and twenty shillings.’—G. Compare 3. 3. 83, where a hundred pieces is evidently somewhat above a hundred pounds. By a proclamation, Nov. 23, 1611, the piece of gold called the Unitie, formerly current at twenty shillings was raised to the value of twenty two shillings (S. M. Leake, Eng. Money 2. 276). Taylor, the water-poet, tells us that Jonson gave him ‘a piece of gold of two and twenty shillings to drink his health in England’ (Conversations, quoted in Schelling’s Timber, p. 105). In the Busie Body Mrs. Centlivre uses piece as synonymous with guinea (2d ed., pp. 7 and 14).

1. 4. 31 Iust what it list. Jonson makes frequent use of the subjunctive. Cf. 1. 3. 9; 1. 6. 6; 5. 6. 10; etc.

1. 4. 43 Ô here’s the bill, S^r. Collier says that the use of play-bills was common prior to the year 1563 (Strype, Life of Grindall, ed. 1821, p. 122). They are mentioned in Histriomastix, 1610; A Warning for Fair Women, 1599, etc. See Collier, Annals 3. 382 f.

1. 4. 50 a rotten Crane. Whalley restores the right reading, correctly explained as a pun on Ingine’s name.

1. 4. 60 Good time! Apparently a translation of the Fr. A la bonne heure, ‘very good’, ‘well done!’ etc.

1. 4. 65 The good mans gravity. Cf. Homer, Il., Γ 105:

ἄξετε δὲ Πριάμοιο Βίην.

Shak., Tempest 5. 1: ‘First, noble friend, let me embrace thine age.’ Catiline 3. 2.: ‘Trouble this good shame (good and modest lady) no farther.’

1. 4. 70 into the shirt. Cf. Dekker, Non-dram. Wks. 2. 244: ‘Dice your selfe into your shirt.’

1. 4. 71 Keepe warme your wisdome? Cf. Cyn. Rev., Wks. 2. 241: ‘Madam, your whole self cannot but be perfectly wise; for your hands have wit enough to keep themselves warm.’ Gifford’s note on this passage is: ‘This proverbial phrase is found in most (sic) of our ancient dramas. Thus in The Wise Woman of Hogsden: “You are the wise woman, are you? You have wit to keep yourself warm enough, I warrant you”’. Cf. also Lusty Juventus, p. 74: ‘Cover your head; For indeed you have need to keep in your wit.’

1. 4. 72 You lade me. ‘This is equivalent to the modern phrase, you do not spare me. You lay what imputations you please upon me.’—G.

The phrase occurs again in 1. 6. 161, where Wittipol calls Fitzdottrel an ass, and says that he cannot ‘scape his lading’. ‘You lade me’, then, seems to mean ‘You make an ass of me’. The same use of the word occurs in Dekker, Olde Fortunatus, Wks. 1. 125: ‘I should serue this bearing asse rarely now, if I should load him’. And again in the works of Taylor, the Water Poet, p. 311: ‘My Lines shall load an Asse, or whippe an Ape.’ Cf. also Bart. Fair, Wks. 4. 421: ‘Yes, faith, I have my lading, you see, or shall have anon; you may know whose beast I am by my burden.’

1. 4. 83, 4 But, not beyond, A minute, or a second, looke for. The omission of the comma after beyond by all the later editors destroys the sense. Fitzdottrel does not mean that Wittipol cannot have ‘beyond a minute’, but that he cannot have a minute beyond the quarter of an hour allowed him.

1. 4. 96 Migniard. ‘Cotgrave has in his dictionary, “Mignard—migniard, prettie, quaint, neat, feat, wanton, dainty, delicate.” In the Staple of News [Wks. 5. 221] Jonson tries to introduce the substantive migniardise, but happily without success.’—G.

1. 4. 101 Prince Quintilian. The reputation of this famous rhetorician (c 35-c 97 A. D.) is based on his great work entitled De Instiutione Oratoria Libri XII. The first English edition seems to have been made in 1641, but many Continental editions had preceded it. The title Prince seems to be gratuitous on Jonson’s part. He is mentioned again in Timber (ed. Schelling, 57. 29 and 81. 4).

1. 5. 2 Cf. New Inn, Wks. 5. 323:

‘Host. What say you, sir? where are you, are you within?
     (Strikes Lovel on the breast.)’

1. 5. 8, 9. Old Africk, and the new America, With all their fruite of Monsters. Cf. Donne, Sat., Wks. 2. 190 (ed. 1896):

Stranger...
Than Afric’s monsters, Guiana’s rarities.

Brome, Queen’s Exchange, Wks. 3. 483: ‘What monsters are bred in Affrica?’ Glapthorne, Hollander, Wks., 1874, 1. 81: ‘If Africke did produce no other monsters,’ etc. The people of London at this time had a great thirst for monsters. See Alden, Bart. Fair, p. 185, and Morley, Memoirs of Bartholomew Fair.

1. 5. 17 for hidden treasure. ’And when he is appeared, bind him with the bond of the dead above written: then saie as followeth. I charge thee N. by the father, to shew me true visions in this christall stone, if there be anie treasure hidden in such a place N. & wherein it now lieth, and how manie foot from this peece of earth, east, west, north, or south.’—Scot, Discovery, p. 355.

Most of the conjurers pretended to be able to recover stolen treasure. The laws against conjurers (see note 1. 2. 6) contained clauses forbidding the practice.

1. 5. 21 his men of Art. A euphemism for conjurer. Cf. B. & Fl., Fair Maid of the Inn 2. 2:

‘Host. Thy master, that lodges here in my Osteria, is a rare man of art; they say he’s a witch.
Clown. A witch? Nay, he’s one step of the ladder to preferment higher; he’s a conjurer.’

1. 6. 10 wedlocke. Wife; a common latinism of the period.

1. 6. 14 it not concernes thee? A not infrequent word-order in Jonson. Cf. 4. 2. 22.

1. 6. 18 a Niaise. Gifford says that the side note ‘could scarcely come from Jonson; for it explains nothing. A niaise (or rather an eyas, of which it is a corruption) is unquestionably a young hawk, but the niaise of the poet is the French term for, “a simple, witless, inexperienced gull”, &c. The word is very common in our old writers.’

The last statement is characteristic of Gifford. It would have been well in this case if he had given some proof of his assertion. The derivation an eyas > a nyas is probably incorrect. The Centary Dictionary gives ‘Niaise, nyas (and corruptly eyas, by misdivision of a nias).’ The best explanation I can give of the side note is this. The glossator takes the meaning ‘simpleton’ for granted. But Fitzdottrel has just said ‘Laught at, sweet bird?’ In explanation the side note is added. This, perhaps, does not help matters much and, indeed, I am inclined to believe with Gifford that the side notes are by another hand than Jonson’s. See Introduction, pp. xiii, xvii.

1. 6. 29, 30. When I ha’ seene All London in’t, and London has seene mee.Gifford compares Pope:

Europe he saw, and Europe saw him too.

1. 6. 31 Black-fryers Play-house. This famous theatre was founded by James Burbage in 1596-7. The Burbages leased it to Henry Evans for the performances of the Children of the Chapel, and the King’s Servants acted there after the departure of the children. In 1619 the Lord Mayor and the Council of London ordered its discontinuance, but the players were able to keep it open on the plea that it was a private house. In 1642 ‘public stage plays’ were suppressed, and on Aug. 5, 1655, Blackfriars Theatre was pulled down and tenements were built in its place. See Wh-C.

Nares, referring to Shirley’s Six New Playes, 1653, says that ‘the Theatre of Black-Friars was, in Charles I.’s time at least considered, as being of a higher order and more respectability than any of those on the Bank-side.’

1. 6. 33 Rise vp between the Acts. See note 3. 5. 43.

1. 6. 33, 4 let fall my cloake, Publish a handsome man, and a rich suite. The gallants of this age were inordinately fond of displaying their dress, or ‘publishing their suits.’ The play-house and ‘Paul’s Walk,’ the nave of St. Paul’s Cathedral, were favorite places for accomplishing this. The fourth chapter of Dekker’s Guls Horne-booke is entitled ‘How a Gallant should behaue himselfe in Powles walkes.’ He bids the gallant make his way directly into the middle aisle, ‘where, in view of all, you may publish your suit in what manner you affect most, either with the slide of your cloake from the one shoulder, and then you must (as twere in anger) suddenly snatch at the middle of the inside (if it be taffata at the least) and so by that meanes your costly lining is betrayd,’ etc. A little later on (Non-dram. Wks. 2. 238) Dekker speaks of ‘Powles, a Tennis-court, or a Playhouse’ as a suitable place to ‘publish your clothes.’ Cf. also Non-dram. Wks. 4. 51.

Sir Thomas Overbury gives the following description of ‘a Phantastique:’ ‘He withers his clothes on a stage as a salesman is forced to do his suits in Birchin Lane; and when the play is done, if you mark his rising, ’tis with a kind of walking epilogue between the two candles, to know if his suit may pass for current.’ Morley, p. 73.

Stephen Gosson (School of Abuse, p. 29) says that ‘overlashing in apparel is so common a fault, that the verye hyerlings of some of our plaiers, which stand at reversion of vi^s by the weeke, jet under gentlemens noses in sutes of silke.’

1. 6. 37, 8 For, they doe come To see vs, Loue, as wee doe to see them. Cf. Induction to The Staple of News, Wks. 5. 151: ‘Yes, on the stage; we are persons of quality, I assure you, and women of fashion, and come to see and to be seen.’ Silent Woman, Wks. 3. 409: ‘and come abroad where the matter is frequent, to court,... to plays,... thither they come to shew their new tires too, to see, and to be seen.’ Massinger, City Madam, Wks., p. 323:

  Sir. Maur. Is there aught else
To be demanded?
  Anne.... a fresh habit,
Of a fashion never seen before, to draw,
The gallants’ eyes, that sit upon the stage, upon me.

Gosson has much to say on the subject of women frequenting the theatre. There, he says (p. 25). ‘everye man and his queane are first acquainted;’ and he earnestly recommends all women to stay away from these ‘places of suspition’ (pp. 48 f.).

1. 6. 40 Yes, wusse. Wusse is a corruption of wis, OE. gewis, certainly. Jonson uses the forms I wuss (Wks. 1. 102), I wusse (Wks. 6. 146), and Iwisse (Wks. 2. 379. the fol. reading; Gifford changing to I wiss), in addition to the present form. In some cases the word is evidently looked upon as a verb.

1. 6. 58 sweet Pinnace. Cf. 2. 2. 111 f. A woman is often compared to a ship. Nares cites B. & Fl., Woman’s Pr. 2. 6:

This pinck, this painted foist, this cockle-boat.

Cf. also Stap. of News, Wks. 5. 210:

She is not rigg’d, sir; setting forth some lady
Will cost as much as furnishing a fleet.—
Here she is come at last, and like a galley
Gilt in the prow.

Jonson plays on the names of Pinnacia in the New Inn, Wks. 5. 384:

‘Host. Pillage the Pinnace....
Lord B. Blow off her upper deck.
Lord L. Tear all her tackle.’

Pinnace, when thus applied to a woman, was almost always used with a conscious retention of the metaphor. Dekker is especially fond of the word. Match me in London, Wks. 4. 172:

     —There’s a Pinnace
(Was mann’d out first by th’ City), is come to th’ Court,
New rigg’d.

Also Dekker, Wks. 4. 162; 3. 67, 77, 78.

When the word became stereotyped into an equivalent for procuress or prostitute, the metaphor was often dropped. Thus in Bart. Fair, Wks. 4. 386: ‘She hath been before me, punk, pinnace and bawd, any time these two and twenty years.’ Gifford says on this passage: ‘The usual gradation in infamy. A pinnace was a light vessel built for speed, generally employed as a tender. Hence our old dramatists constantly used the word for a person employed in love messages, a go-between in the worst sense, and only differing from a bawd in not being stationary.’ A glance at the examples given above will show, however, that the term was much more elastic than this explanation would indicate.

The dictionaries give no suggestion of the origin of the metaphor. I suspect that it may be merely a borrowing from classical usage. Cf. Menaechmi 2. 3. 442:

Ducit lembum dierectum nauis praedatoria.

In Miles Gloriosus 4. 1. 986, we have precisely the same application as in the English dramatists: ‘Haec celox (a swift sailing vessel) illiust, quae hinc agreditur, internuntia.’

1. 6. 62 th’ are right. Whalley’s interpretation is, of course, correct. See variants.

1. 6. 73 Not beyond that rush. Rushes took the place of carpets in the days of Elizabeth. Shakespeare makes frequent reference to the custom (see Schmidt). The following passage from Dr. Bulleyne has often been quoted: ‘Rushes that grow upon dry groundes be good to strew in halles, chambers and galleries, to walk upon, defending apparel, as traynes of gownes and kertles from dust.’ Cf. also Cyn. Rev. 2. 5; Every Man out 3. 3.

1. 6. 83 As wise as a Court Parliament. Jonson refers here, I suppose, to the famous Courts or Parliaments of Love, which were supposed to have existed during the Middle Ages (cf. Skeat, Chaucer’s Works 7. lxxx).

Cunningham calls attention to the fact that Massinger’s Parliament of Love was not produced until 1624. Jonson depicts a sort of mock Parliament of Love in the New Inn, Act 4.

1. 6. 88 And at all caracts. ‘I. e., to the nicest point, to the minutest circumstance.’—G. See Gloss. and cf. Every Man in, Wks. 1. 70.

1. 6. 89, 90 as scarce hath soule, In stead of salt. Whalley refers to Bart. Fair, Wks. 4. 446, 7: ‘Talk of him to have a soul! ’heart, if he have any more than a thing given him instead of salt, only to keep him from stinking. I’ll be hang’d afore my time.’ Gifford quotes the passage from B. & Fl., Spanish Curate:

     —this soul I speake of,
Or rather salt, to keep this heap of flesh
From being a walking stench.

W. furnishes a Latin parallel: ‘Sus vero quid habet praeter escam? cui quidem, ne putresceret, animam ipsam pro sale datam dicit esse Chrysippus.’—Cic. De Natura Deor, lib. 2.

It is to these passages that Carlyle refers in his Past and Present: ‘A certain degree of soul, as Ben Jonson reminds us, is indispensable to keep the very body from destruction of the frightfulest sort; to ‘save us,’ says he, ’the expense of salt.’ Bk. 2, Ch. 2.

‘In our and old Jonson’s dialect, man has lost the soul out of him; and now, after the due period,—begins to find the want of it.... Man has lost his soul, and vainly seeks antiseptic salt.’ (Simpson in N. & Q., 9th Ser. 4. 347, 423.)

To the same Latin source Professor Cook (Mod. Lang. Notes, Feb., 1905) attributes the passage in Rabbi Ben Ezra 43-45:

What is he but a brute
Whose flesh has soul to suit,
Whose spirit works lest arms and legs want play?

and Samuel Johnson’s ‘famous sentence recorded by Boswell under June 19, 1784: “Talking of the comedy of The Rehearsal, he said: ‘It has not wit enough to keep it sweet.’”’

1. 6. 97 the walks of Lincolnes Inne. One of the famous Inns of Court (note 3.1.8). It formerly pertained to the Bishops of Chichester (Stow, Survey, ed. 1633, p. 488a). The gardens ‘were famous until the erection of the hall, by which they were curtailed and seriously injured’ (Wh-C.). The Tatler (May 10, 1709, no. 13) speaks of Lincoln’s Inn Walks.

1. 6. 99 I did looke for this geere. See variants. Cunningham says: ‘In the original it is geere, and so it ought still to stand. Gear was a word with a most extended signification. Nares defines it, “matter, subject, or business in general!” When Jonson uses the word jeer he spells it quite differently. The Staple of News was first printed at the same time as the present play, and in the beginning of Act IV. Sc. 1, I find: “Fit. Let’s ieere a little. Pen. Ieere? what’s that?”’

It is so spelt regularly throughout The Staple of News, but in Ev. Man in 1. 2 (fol. 1616), we find: ‘Such petulant, geering gamsters that can spare No... subject from their jest.’ The fact is that both words were sometimes spelt geere, as well as in a variety of other ways. The uniform spelling in The Staple of News, however, seems to indicate that this is the word gear, which fits the context, fully as well as, perhaps better than Gifford’s interpretation. A common meaning is ‘talk, discourse’, often in a depreciatory sense. See Gloss.

1. 6. 125 Things, that are like, are soone familiar. ‘Like will to like’ is a familiar proverb.

1. 6. 127 the signe o’ the husband. An allusion to the signs of the zodiac, some of which were supposed to have a malign and others a beneficent influence.

1. 6. 131 You grow old, while I tell you this.

Hor. [Carm. I. II. 8 f.]:
          Dum loquimur, fugerit invida
          Aetas, carpe diem.

—G.

Whalley suggested:

Fugit Hora: hoc quod loquor, inde est.
     —Pers. Sat. 5.

1. 6. 131, 2 And such As cannot vse the present, are not wise.Cf. Underwoods 36. 21:

To use the present, then, is not abuse.

1. 6. 138 Nay, then, I taste a tricke in’t. Cf. ‘I do taste this as a trick put on me.’ Ev. Man in, Wks. 1. 133. See Introduction, p. xlvii.

1. 6. 142 cautelous. For similar uses of the word cf. Massinger, City Madam, Wks., p. 321, and B. & Fl., Elder Brother, Wks. 10. 275. Gifford gives an example from Knolles, Hist. of the Turks, p. 904.

1. 6. 149 MAN. Sir, what doe you meane? 153 MAN. You must play faire, S^r. ‘I am not certain about the latter of these two speeches, but it is perfectly unquestionable that the former must have been spoken by the husband Fitzdottrel.’—C.

Cunningham may be right, but the change is unnecessary if we consider Manly’s reproof as occasioned by Fitzdottrel’s interruption.

1. 6. 158, 9 No wit of man Or roses can redeeme from being an Asse. ‘Here is an allusion to the metamorphosis of Lucian into an ass; who being brought into the theatre to shew tricks, recovered his human shape by eating some roses which he found there. See the conclusion of the treatise, Lucius, sive Asinus.’—W.

See Lehman’s edition, Leipzig, 1826, 6. 215. As Gifford says, the allusion was doubtless more familiar in Jonson’s day than in our own. The story is retold in Harsnet’s Declaration (p. 102), and Lucian’s work seems to have played a rather important part in the discussion of witchcraft.

1. 6. 161 To scape his lading. Cf. note 1. 4. 72.

1. 6. 180 To other ensignes. ‘I. e., to horns, the Insignia of a cuckold.’—G.

1. 6. 187 For the meere names sake. ‘I. e. the name of the play.’—W.

1. 6. 195 the sad contract. See variants. W. and G. are doubtless correct.

1. 6. 214 a guilt caroch. ‘There was some distinction apparently between caroch and coach. I find in Lord Bacon’s will, in which he disposed of so much imaginary wealth, the following bequest: “I give also to my wife my four coach geldings, and my best caroache, and her own coach mares and caroache.”’—C.

Minsheu says that a carroch is a great coach. Cf. also Taylor’s Wks., 1630:

No coaches, or carroaches she doth crave.

Rom Alley, O. Pl., 2d ed., 5. 475:

No, nor your jumblings,
In horslitters, in coaches or caroches.

Greene’s Tu Quoque, O. Pl., 2d ed., 7. 28:

May’st draw him to the keeping of a coach
For country, and carroch for London.

Cf. also Dekker, Non-dram. Wks. 1. 111. Finally the matter is settled by Howes (p. 867), who gives the date of the introduction of coaches as 1564, and adds: ‘Lastly, euen at this time, 1605, began the ordinary use of Caroaches.’ In Cyn. Rev., Wks. 2. 281, Gifford changes carroch to coach.

1. 6. 216 Hide-parke. Jonson speaks of coaching in Hyde Park in the Prologue to the Staple of News, Wks. 5. 157, and in The World in the Moon, Wks. 7. 343. Pepys has many references to it in his Diary. ‘May 7, 1662. And so, after the play was done, she and The Turner and Mrs. Lucin and I to the Parke; and there found them out, and spoke to them; and observed many fine ladies, and staid till all were gone almost.’

‘April 22, 1664. In their coach to Hide Parke, where great plenty of gallants, and pleasant it was, only for the dust.’

Ashton in his Hyde Park (p. 59) quotes from a ballad in the British Museum (c 1670-5) entitled, News from Hide Park, In which the following lines occur:

Of all parts of England, Hide-park hath the name,
For Coaches and Horses, and Persons of fame.

1. 6. 216, 7 Black-Fryers, Visit the Painters. A church, precinct, and sanctuary with four gates, lying between Ludgate Hill and the Thames and extending westward from Castle Baynard (St. Andrew’s Hill) to the Fleet river. It was so called from the settlement there of the Black or Dominican Friars in 1276. Sir A. Vandyck lived here 1632-1641. ‘Before Vandyck, however, Blackfriars was the recognized abode of painters. Cornelius Jansen (d. 1665) lived in the Blackfriars for several years. Isaac Oliver, the miniature painter, was a still earlier resident.’ Painters on glass, or glass stainers, and collectors were also settled here.—Wh-C.

1. 6. 219 a middling Gossip. ‘A go-between, an internuntia, as the Latin writers would have called her.’—W.

1. 6. 224 the cloake is mine. The reading in the folio belonging to Dr. J. M. Berdan of Yale is: ‘the cloake is mine owne.’ This accounts for the variant readings.

1. 6. 230 motion. Spoken derogatively, a ‘performance.’ Lit., a puppet-show. The motion was a descendent of the morality, and exceedingly popular in England at this time. See Dr. Winter, Staple of News, p. 161; Strutt, Sports and Pastimes, p. 166 f.; Knight, London 1. 42. Jonson makes frequent mention of the motion. Bartholomew Fair 5. 5 is largely devoted to the description of one, and Tale Tub 5. 5 presents a series of them.

1. 7. 4 more cheats? See note on Cheaters, 5. 6. 64, and Gloss.

1. 7. 16 The state hath tane such note of ’hem. See note 1. 2. 22.

1. 7. 25 Your Almanack-Men. An excellent account of the Almanac-makers of the 17th century is given by H. R. Plomer in N. & Q.,6th Ser. 12. 243, from which the following is abridged:

‘Almanac-making had become an extensive and profitable trade in this country at the beginning of the 17th century, and with the exception of some fifteen or twenty years at the time of the Rebellion continued to flourish until its close. There were three distinct classes of almanacs published during the seventeenth century—the common almanacs, which preceded and followed the period of the Rebellion, and the political and satirical almanacs that were the direct outcome of that event.

‘The common almanacs came out year after year in unbroken uniformity. They were generally of octavo size and consisted of two parts, an almanac and a prognostication. Good and evil days were recorded, and they contained rules as to bathing, purging, etc., descriptions of the four seasons and rules to know the weather, and during the latter half of the century an astrological prediction and “scheme” of the ensuing year.

‘In the preceding century the makers of almanacs were “Physitians and Preests”, but they now adopted many other titles, such as “Student in Astrology”, “Philomath”, “Well Willer to the Mathematics.” The majority of them were doubtless astrologers, but not a few were quack doctors, who only published their almanacs as advertisements.’ (Almanac, a character in The Staple of News, is described as a ‘doctor in physic.’)

Among the more famous almanac-makers the names of William Lilly, John Partridge and Bretnor may be mentioned. For the last see note 2. 1. 1, and B. & Fl., Rollo, Duke of Normandy, where Fiske and Bretnor appear again. Cf. also Alchemist, Wks. 4. 41; Every Man out, Wks. 2. 39-40; Mag. La., Wks. 6. 74, 5. In Sir Thomas Overbury’s Character of The Almanac-Maker (Morley, p. 56) we read: ‘The verses of his book have a worse pace than ever had Rochester hackney; for his prose, ’tis dappled with ink-horn terms, and may serve for an almanac; but for his judging at the uncertainty of weather, any old shepherd shall make a dunce of him.’

Act II

2. 1. 1 Sir, money’s a whore, etc. Coleridge, Notes, p. 280. emends: ‘Money, sir, money’s a’, &c. Cunningham, on the other hand, thinks that ‘the 9-syllable arrangement is quite in Jonson’s manner, and that it forces an emphasis upon every word especially effective at the beginning of an act.’ See variants.

Money is again designated as a whore in the Staple of News 4. 1: ‘Saucy Jack, away: Pecunia is a whore.’ In the same play Pennyboy, the usurer, is called a ‘money-bawd.’ Dekker (Non-dram. Wks. 2. 137) speaks of keeping a bawdy-house for Lady Pecunia. The figure is a common one.

2. 1. 3 Via. This exclamation is quite common among the dramatists and is explained by Nares as derived from the Italian exclamation via! ‘away, on!’ with a quibble on the literal of L. via, a way. The Century Dictionary agrees substantially with this derivation. Abundant examples of its use are given by the authorities quoted, to which may be added Merry Devil of Edmonton 1. 2. 5, and Marston, Dutch Courtezan, Wks. 2. 20:

O, yes, come, via!—away, boy—on!

2. 1. 5 With Aqua-vitae. Perhaps used with especial reference to line 1, where he has just called money a bawd Compare:

O, ay, as a bawd with aqua-vitae.
     —Marston, The Malcontent, Wks. 1. 294.

‘Her face is full of those red pimples with drinking Aquauite, the common drinke of all bawdes.’—Dekker, Whore of Babylon, Wks. 2. 246.

2. 1. 17. See variants. Line 15 shows that the original reading is correct.

2. 1. 19 it shall be good in law. See note 1. 2. 22.

2. 1. 20 Wood-cock. A cant term for a simpleton or dupe.

2. 1. 21 th’ Exchange. This was the first Royal Exchange, founded by Sir Thomas Gresham in 1566, opened by Queen Elizabeth in 1570-1, and destroyed in the great fire of 1666 (Wh-C.). Howes (1631) says that it was ‘plenteously stored with all kinds of rich wares and fine commodities,’ and Paul Hentzner (p. 40) speaks of it with enthusiasm.

It was a favorite lounging-place, especially in the evening. Wheatley quotes Hayman, Quodlibet, 1628, p. 6:

Though little coin thy purseless pockets line,
Yet with great company thou’rt taken up;
For often with Duke Humfray thou dost dine,
And often with Sir Thomas Gresham sup.

‘We are told in London and Country Carbonadoed, 1632, that at the exchange there were usually more coaches attendant than at church doors.’ Cf. also Bart. Fair, Wks. 4. 357: ‘I challenge all Cheapside to shew such another: Moor-fields, Pimlico-path, Or the Exchange, in a summer evening.’ Also Ev. Man in, Wks. 1. 39.

2. 1. 30 do you doubt his eares? Ingine’s speech is capable of a double interpretation. Pug has already spoken of the ‘liberal ears’ of his asinine master.

2. 1. 41 a string of’s purse. Purses, of course, used to be hung at the girdle. A thief was called a cut-purse. See the amusing scene in Bart. Fair, Wks. 5. 406.

2. 1. 53, 4 at the Pan, Not, at the skirts. ‘Pan is not easily distinguished from skirt. Both words seem to refer to the outer parts, or extremities. Possibly Meercraft means—on a broader scale, on a more extended front.’—G.

‘The pan is evidently the deepest part of the swamp, which continues to hold water when the skirts dry up, like the hole in the middle of the tray under a joint when roasting, which collects all the dripping. Meercraft proposed to grapple with the main difficulty at once.’—C.

I had already arrived at the same conclusion before reading Cunningham’s note. The NED. gives: ‘Pan. A hollow or depression in the ground, esp. one in which water stands.

1594 Plat, Jewell-ho 1. 32 Of all Channels, Pondes, Pooles, Riuers, and Ditches, and of all other pannes and bottomes whatsoeuer.’

Pan, however, is also an obsolete form of pane, a cloth or skirt. The use is evidently a quibble. The word pan suggested to Jonson the word skirt, which he accordingly employed not unaptly.

2. 1. 63 his black bag of papers, there, in Buckram. The buckram bag was the usual sign of the pettifogger. Cf. Marston, Malcontent, Wks. 1. 235:

Pass. Ay, as a pettifogger by his buckram bag.

Dekker, If this be not a good Play, Wks. 3. 274: ‘We must all turn pettifoggers and in stead of gilt rapiers, hang buckram bags at our girdles.’ Nash refers to the same thing in Pierce Pennilesse, Wks. 2. 17.

2. 1. 64 th’ Earledome of Pancridge. Pancridge is a corruption of Pancras. The Earl of Pancridge was ‘one of the “Worthies” who annually rode to Mile End, or the Artillery Ground, in the ridiculous procession called Arthurs Shew’ (G.). Cf. To Inigo Marquis Would-be, Wks. 8. 115:

Content thee to be Pancridge earl the while.

Tale Tub, Wks. 6. 175:

     —next our St. George,
Who rescued the king’s daughter, I will ride;
Above Prince Arthur.
  Clench. Or our own Shoreditch duke.
  Med.. Or Pancridge earl.
  Pan. Or Bevis or Sir Guy.

For Arthur’s Show see Entick’s Survey 1. 497; Wh-C. 1. 65; and Nares 1. 36. Cf. note 4. 7. 65·

2. 1. 71, 2 Your Borachio Of Spaine. ‘“Borachio (says Min-shieu) is a bottle commonly of a pigges skin, with the hair inward, dressed inwardly with rozen, to keep wine or liquor sweet:”—Wines preserved in these bottles contract a peculiar flavour, and are then said to taste of the borachio.’—G.

Florio says: ‘a boracho, or a bottle made of a goates skin such as they vse in Spaine.’ The word occurs somewhat frequently (see NED.) and apparently always with this meaning, or in the figurative sense of ‘drunkard’. It is evident, however, from Engine’s question, ‘Of the King’s glouer?’ either that it is used here in a slightly different sense, or more probably that Merecraft is relying on Fitzdottrel’s ignorance of the subject. Spanish leather for wearing apparel was at this time held in high esteem. See note 4. 4. 71, 2.

2. 1. 83 a Harrington. ‘In 1613, a patent was granted to John Stanhope, lord Harrington, Treasurer of the Chambers, for the coinage of royal farthing tokens, of which he seems to have availed himself with sufficient liberality. Some clamour was excited on the occasion: but it speedily subsided; for the Star Chamber kept a watchful eye on the first symptoms of discontent at these pernicious indulgences. From this nobleman they took the name of Harrington in common conversation.’—G.

‘Now (1613) my lord Harrington obtained a patent from the King for the making of Brasse Farthings, a thing that brought with it some contempt through lawfull.’—Sparke, Hist. Narration, Somer’s Tracts 2. 294.

A reference to this coin is made in Drunken Barnaby’s Journal in the Oxoniana (quoted by Gifford) and in Sir Henry Wotton’s Letters (p. 558, quoted by Whalley). Cf. also Mag. La., Wks. 6. 89: ‘I will note bate you a single Harrington,’ and ibid., Wks. 6. 43.

2. 1. 102 muscatell. The grape was usually called muscat. So in Pepys’ Diary, 1662: ‘He hath also sent each of us some anchovies, olives and muscatt.’ The wine was variously written muscatel, muscadel, and muscadine. Muscadine and eggs are often mentioned together (cf. Text, 2. 2. 95-96; New Inn 3. 1; Middleton, Wks. 2. 290; 3. 94; and 8. 36), and were used as an aphrodisiac (Bullen). Nares quotes Minsheu: ‘Vinum muscatum, quod moschi odorem referat; for the sweetnesse and smell it resembles muske.’

2. 1. 116, 7 the receiu’d heresie, That England beares no Dukes. ‘I know not when this heresy crept in. There was apparently some unwillingness to create dukes, as a title of honour, in the Norman race; probably because the Conqueror and his immediate successors were dukes of Normandy, and did not choose that a subject should enjoy similar dignities with themselves. The first of the English who bore the title was Edward the black prince, (son of Edward III.) who was created duke of Cornwall, by charter, as Collins says, in 1337. The dignity being subsequently conferred on several of the blood-royal, and of the nobility, who came to untimely ends, an idea seems to have been entertained by the vulgar, that the title itself was ominous. At the accession of James I. to the crown of this country, there was, I believe, no English peer of ducal dignity.’—G.

The last duke had been created in the reign of Henry VIII., who made his illegitimate son the Duke of Richmond, and Charles Brandon, who married his sister Mary, Duke of Suffolk. After the attainder and execution of Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk, in 1572, there was no duke in England except the king’s sons, until the creation of the Duke of Richmond in 1623. (See New Int. Cyc. 6. 349.)

2. 1. 144 Bermudas. ‘This was a cant term for some places in the town with the same kind of privilege as the mint of old, or the purlieus of the Fleet.’—W.

‘These streights consisted of a nest of obscure courts, alleys, and avenues, running between the bottom of St. Martin’s Lane, Half-moon, and Chandos-street. In Justice Overdo’s time, they were the receptacles of fraudulent debtors, thieves and prostitutes.’—G. (Note on Bart. Fair, Wks. 4. 407.)

‘On Wednesday at the Bermudas Court, Sir Edwin Sandys fell foul of the Earl of Warwick. The Lord Cavendish seconded Sandys and the Earl told the Lord, “By his favour he believed he lied.” Hereupon, it is said, they rode out yesterday, and, as it is thought, gone beyond sea to fight.—Leigh to Rev. Joseph Mede, July 18, 1623.’ (Quoted Wh-C. 1. 169.) So in Underwoods, Wks. 8. 348:

     turn pirates here at land,
Have their Bermudas and their Streights i’ the Strand.

Bart. Fair, Wks. 4. 407: “The Streights, or the Bermudas, where the quarrelling lesson is read.”

It is evident from the present passage and the above quotations that ruffians like Everill kept regular quarters in the ‘Bermudas’, where they might be consulted with reference to the settlement of affairs of honor.

2. 1. 151 puts off man, and kinde. ‘I. e., human nature.’—G. Cf. Catiline, Wks. 4. 212:

     —so much, that kind
May seek itself there, and not find.

2. 1. 162 French-masques. ‘Masks do not appear as ordinary articles of female costume in England previous to the reign of Queen Elizabeth.... French masks are alluded to by Ben Jonson in The Devil is an Ass. They were probably the half masks called in France ‘loups,’ whence the English term ‘loo masks.’

Loo masks and whole as wind do blow,
And Miss abroad’s disposed to go.
     Mundus Muliebris, 1690.
     —Planché Cycl. of Costume 1. 365.

‘Black masks were frequently worn by ladies in public in the time of Shakespeare, particularly, and perhaps universally at the theatres.’—Nares.

2. 1. 163 Cut-works. A very early sort of lace deriving its name from the mode of its manufacture, the fine cloth on which the pattern was worked being cut away, leaving the design perfect. It is supposed to have been identical with what was known as Greek work, and made by the nuns of Italy in the twelfth century. It was introduced into England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and continued in fashion during those of James I. and Charles I. Later it fell under the ban of the Puritans, and after that period is rarely heard of. (Abridged from Planché, Cycl.)

2. 1. 168 ff. nor turne the key, etc. Gifford points out that the source of this passage is Plautus, Aulularia [ll. 90-100]:

Caue quemquam alienum in aedis intromiseris.
Quod quispiam ignem quaerat, extingui uolo,
Ne causae quid sit quod te quispiam quaeritet.
Nam si ignis uiuet, tu extinguere extempulo,
Tum aquam aufugisse dicito, si quis petet.
Cultrum, securim, pistillum, mortarium,
Quae utenda uasa semper uicini rogant,
Fures uenisse atque abstulisse dicito.
Profecto in aedis meas me absente neminem
Volo intromitti, atque etiam hoc praedico tibi,
Si Bona Fortuna ueniat, ne intromiseris.

Jonson had already made use of a part of this passage:

Put out the fire, kill the chimney’s heart,
That it may breathe no more than a dead man.
     Case is Altered 2. 1, Wks. 6. 328.

Wilson imitated the same passage in his Projectors, Act 2, Sc. 1: ‘Shut the door after me, bolt it and bar it, and see you let no one in in my absence. Put out the fire, if there be any, for fear somebody, seeing the smoke, may come to borrow some! If any one come for water, say the pipe’s cut off; or to borrow a pot, knife, pestle and mortar, or the like, say they were stole last night! But harke ye! I charge ye not to open the door to give them an answer, but whisper’t through the keyhole! For, I tell you again, I wilt have nobody come into my house while I’m abroad! No; no living soul! Nay, though Good Fortune herself knock at a door, don’t let her in!’

2. 2. 1 I haue no singular seruice, etc. I. e., This is the sort of thing I must become accustomed to, if I am to remain on earth.

2. 2. 49, 50 Though they take Master Fitz-dottrell, I am no such foule. Gifford points out that the punning allusion of foul to fowl is a play upon the word dottrel. ‘The dotterel (Fuller tells us) is avis γελοτοποιος a mirth-making bird, so ridiculously mimical, that he is easily caught, or rather catcheth himself by his over-active imitation. As the fowler stretcheth forth his arms and legs, stalking towards the bird, so the bird extendeth his legs and wings, approaching the fowler till he is surprised in the net.’—G.

This is what is alluded to in 4. 6. 42. The use of the metaphor is common. Gifford quotes Beaumont & Fletcher. Bonduca and Sea Voyage. Many examples are given in Nares and the NED., to which may be added Damon and Pithias, O. Pl. 4. 68; Nash, Wks. 3. 171; and Butler’s Character of a Fantastic (ed. Morley, p. 401): ‘He alters his gait with the times, and has not a motion of his body that (like a dottrel) he does not borrow from somebody else.’ Nares quotes Old Couple (O. Pl., 4th ed., 12. 41):

E. Our Dotterel then is caught?
     B. He is and just
As Dotterels use to be: the lady first
Advanc’d toward him, stretch’d forth her wing, and he
Met her with all expressions.

It is uncertain whether the sense of ‘bird’ or ‘simpleton’ is the original. Dottrel seems to be connected with dote and dotard. The bird is a species of plover, and Cunningham says that ‘Selby ridicules the notion of its being more stupid than other birds.’ In Bart. Fair (Wks. 4. 445) we hear of the ‘sport call’d Dorring the Dotterel.’

2. 2. 51 Nor faire one. The dramatists were fond of punning on foul and fair. Cf. Bart. Fair passim.

2. 2. 77 a Nupson. Jonson uses the word again in Every Man in, Wks. 1. 111: ‘O that I were so happy as to light on a nupson now.’ In Lingua, 1607, (O. Pl., 4th ed., 9. 367, 458) both the forms nup and nupson are used. The etymology is uncertain. The Century Dictionary thinks nup may be a variety of nope. Gifford thinks it may be a corruption of Greek νηπ.

2. 2. 78 with my Master’s peace. ‘I. e. respectfully, reverently: a bad translation of cum pace domini.’—G.

2. 2. 81 a spic’d conscience. Used again in Sejanus, Wks. 3. 120, and New Inn, Wks. 5. 337.

2. 2. 90 The very forked top too. Another reference to the horned head of the cuckold. Cf. 1. 6. 179, 80.

2. 2. 93 engendering by the eyes. Cf. Song in Merch. of V. 3. 2. 67: ‘It is engender’d in the eyes.’

2. 2. 98 make benefit. Cf. Every Man in, Wks. 1. 127.

2. 2. 104 a Cokes. Cf. Ford, Lover’s Melancholy, Wks. 2. 80: ‘A kind of cokes, which is, as the learned term [it], an ass, a puppy, a widgeon, a dolt, a noddy, a——.’ Cokes is the name of a foolish coxcomb in Bart. Fair.

2. 2. 112 you neat handsome vessells. Cf. note 1. 6. 57.

2. 2. 116 your squires of honour. This seems to be equivalent to the similar expression ’squire of dames.’

2. 2. 119-125 For the variety at my times,... I know, to do my turnes, sweet Mistresse. I. e., when for variety you turn to me, I will be able to serve your needs. Pug, of course, from the delicate nature of the subject, chooses to make use of somewhat ambiguous phrases.

2. 2. 121. Thos. Keightley, N. & Q. 4. 2. 603, proposes to read:

Of that proportion, or in the rule.

2. 2. 123 Picardill. Cotgrave gives: ‘Piccadilles: Piccadilles; the severall divisions or peeces fastened together about the brimme of the collar of a doublet, &c.’ Gifford says: ‘With respect to the Piccadil, or, as Jonson writes it, Picardil, (as if he supposed the fashion of wearing it be derived from Picardy,) the term is simply a diminutive of picca (Span. and Ital.) a spear-head, and was given to this article of foppery, from a fancied resemblance of its stiffened plaits to the bristled points of those weapons. Blount thinks, and apparently with justice, that Piccadilly took its name from the sale of the “small stiff collars, so called”, which was first set on foot in a house near the western extremity of the present street, by one Higgins, a tailor.’

As Gifford points out, ‘Pug is affecting modesty, since he had not only assumed a handsome body, but a fashionable dress, “made new” for a particular occasion.’ See 5. 1. 35, 36.

Jonson mentions the Picardill again in the Challenge at Tilt, Wks. 7. 217, and in the Epistle to a Friend, Wks. 8. 356. For other examples see Nares, Gloss.

2. 2. 127 f. your fine Monkey; etc. These are all common terms of endearment. The monkey is frequently mentioned as a lady’s pet by the dramatists. See Cynthia’s Revels, passim, and Mrs. Centlivre’s Busie Body.

2. 3. 36, 7 and your coach-man bald! Because he shall be bare. See note to 4. 4. 202.

2. 3. 45 This man defies the Diuell. See 2. 1. 18.

2. 3. 46 He dos’t by Ingine. I. e., wit, ingenuity, with a possible reference to the name of Merecraft’s agent.

2. 3. 49 Crowland. Crowland, or Croyland is an ancient town and parish of Lincolnshire, situated in a low flat district, about eight miles north-east from Peterborough. The origin of Crowland was in a hermitage founded in the 7th century by St. Guthlac. An abbey was founded in 714 by King Ethelbald, which was twice burnt and restored.

2. 4. 6 Spenser, I thinke, the younger. Thomas (1373-1400) was the only member of the Despenser family who was an Earl of Gloucester. The person referred to here, however, is Hugh le Despenser, the younger baron, son of Hugh le Despenser, the elder. He married Eleanor, daughter of Gilbert of Clare, Earl of Gloucester, and sister and coheiress of the next Earl Gilbert. After the death of the latter, the inheritance was divided between the husbands of his three sisters, and Despenser was accordingly sometimes called Earl of Gloucester.

Despenser was at first on the side of the barons, but later joined the King’s party. In 1321 a league was formed against him, and he was banished, but was recalled in the following year. In the Barons’ rising of 1326 he was taken prisoner, brought to Hereford, tried and put to death.

2. 4. 8 Thomas of Woodstocke. Thomas of Woodstock, Earl of Buckingham (1355-97), the youngest son of Edward III., was made Duke of Gloucester by his nephew, Richard II., in 1385, and later acquired an extraordinary influence, dominating the affairs of England for several years. By his high-handed actions he incurred Richard’s enmity. He was arrested July 10, 1397, and conveyed to Calais, where he was murdered in the following September by the king’s order.

2. 4. 10 Duke Humphrey. Humphrey, called the Good Duke Humphrey (1391-1447), youngest son of Henry IV., was created Duke of Gloucester and Earl of Pembroke in 1414. During the minority of Henry VI. he acted as Protector of the kingdom. His career was similar to that of Thomas of Woodstock. In 1447 he was arrested at Bury by order of Henry VI., who had become king in 1429. Here he died in February, probably by a natural death, although there were suspicions of foul play.

2. 4. 11 Richard the Third. Richard III. (1452-1485), Duke of Gloucester and King of England, was defeated and slain in the battle of Bosworth Field, 1485.

2. 4. 12-4 MER. By... authentique. This passage has been the occasion of considerable discussion. The subject was first approached by Malone. In a note to an essay on The Order of Shakespeare’s Plays in his edition of Shakespeare’s works (ed. 1790, 3. 322) he says: ‘In The Devil’s an Ass, acted in 1616, all his historical plays are obliquely censured.’

Again in a dissertation on Henry VI.: ‘The malignant Ben, does indeed, in his Devil’s an Ass, 1616, sneer at our author’s historical pieces, which for twenty years preceding had been in high reputation, and probably were then the only historical dramas that had possession of the theatre; but from the list above given, it is clear that Shakespeare was not the first who dramatized our old chronicles; and that the principal events of English History were familiar to the ears of his audience, before he commenced a writer for the stage.’ Malone here refers to quotations taken from Gosson and Lodge. Both these essays were reprinted in Steevens’ edition, and Malone’s statements were repeated in the edition by Dr. Chalmers.

In 1808 appeared Gilchrist’s essay, An Examination of the Charges... of Ben Jonson’s enmity, etc. towards Shakespeare. This refutation, strengthened by Gifford’s Proofs of Ben Jonson’s Malignity, has generally been deemed conclusive. Gifford’s note on the present passage is written with much asperity. He was not content, however, with an accurate restatement of Malone’s arguments. He changes the italics in order to produce an erroneous impression, printing thus: ‘which were probably then the only historical dramas on the stage: He adds: ’And this is advanced in the very face of his own arguments, to prove that there were scores, perhaps hundreds, of others on it at the time.’ This is direct falsification. There is no contradiction in Malone’s arguments. What he attempted to prove was that Shakespeare had had predecessors in this field, but that in 1616 his plays held undisputed possession of the stage. Gifford adds a passage from Heywood’s Apology for Actors, 1612, which is more to the point: ‘Plays have taught the unlearned the knowledge of many famous histories, instructed such as cannot read in the discovery of our English Chronicles: and what man have you now of that weake capacity that being possest of their true use, cannot discourse of any notable thing recorded even from William the Conqueror, until this day?’

This passage seems to point to the existence of other historical plays contemporary with those of Shakespeare. Besides, Jonson’s words seem sufficiently harmless. Nevertheless, although I am not inclined to accept Malone’s charge of ‘malignity’, I cannot agree with Gifford that the reference is merely a general one. I have no doubt that the ‘Chronicle,’ of which Merecraft speaks, is Hall’s, and the passage the following: ‘It semeth to many men, that the name and title of Gloucester, hath been vnfortunate and vnluckie to diuerse, whiche for their honor, haue been erected by creacion of princes, to that stile and dignitie, as Hugh Spencer, Thomas of Woodstocke, sonne to kyng Edward the third, and this duke Humfrey, which thre persones, by miserable death finished their daies, and after them kyng Richard the iii. also, duke of Gloucester, in ciuill warre was slaine and confounded: so y^t this name of Gloucester, is take for an vnhappie and vnfortunate stile, as the prouerbe speaketh of Seianes horse, whose rider was euer unhorsed, and whose possessor was euer brought to miserie.’ Hall’s Chronicle, ed. 1809, pp. 209-10. The passage in ‘the Play-bookes’ which Jonson satirizes is at the close of 3 Henry VI. 2. 6:

  Edw. Richard, I will create thee Duke of Gloucester,
And George, of Clarence: Warwick, as ourself,
Shall do and undo as him pleaseth best.
  Rich. Let me be Duke of Clarence, George of Gloucester;
For Gloucester’s dukedom is too ominous.

The last line, of course, corresponds to the ’Tis fatal of Fitzdottrel. Furthermore it may be observed that Thomas of Woodstock’s death at Calais is referred to in Shakespeare’s K. Rich. II.; Duke Humphrey appears in 2 Henry IV.; Henry V.; and 1 and 2 Henry VI.; and Richard III. in 2 and 3 Henry VI. and K. Rich. III. 3 Henry VI. is probably, however, not of Shakespearean authorship.

2. 4. 15 a noble house. See Introduction, p. lxxiv.

2. 4. 23 Groen-land. The interest in Greenland must have been at its height in 1616. Between 1576 and 1622 English explorers discovered various portions of its coast; the voyages of Frobisher, Davis, Hudson and Baffin all taking place during that period. Hakluyt’s Principall Navigations appeared in 1589, Davis’s Worldes Hydrographical Description in 1594, and descriptions of Hudson’s voyages in 1612-3. The usual spelling of the name seems to have been Groenland, as here. I find the word spelled also Groineland, Groenlandia, Gronland, and Greneland (see Publications of the Hakluyt Society). Jonson’s reference has in it a touch of sarcasm.

2. 4. 27 f. Yes, when you, etc. The source of this passage is Hor., Sat. 2. 2. 129 f.:

Nam propriae telluris erum natura neque illum
Nec me nec quemquam statuit; nos expulit ille,
Ilium aut nequities, aut vafri inscitia juris
Postremo expellet certe vivacior haeres.
Nunc ager Umbreni sub nomine, nuper Ofelli
Dictus, erit nulli proprius, sed cadet in usum
Nunc mihi, nunc alii.

Gifford quotes a part of the passage and adds: ‘What follows is admirably turned by Pope:

Shades that to Bacon might retreat afford,
Become the portion of a booby lord;
And Helmsley, once proud Buckingham’s delight,
Slides to a scrivener, or city knight.’

A much closer imitation is found in Webster, Devil’s Law Case, Wks. 2. 37:

Those lands that were the clients art now become
The lawyer’s: and those tenements that were
The country gentleman’s, are now grown
To be his tailor’s.

2. 4. 32 not do’it first. Cf. 1. 6. 14 and note.

2. 5. 10 And garters which are lost, if shee can shew ’hem. Gifford thinks the line should read: ‘can not shew’. Cunningham gives a satisfactory explanation: ’As I understand this it means that if a gallant once saw the garters he would never rest until he obtained possession of them, and they would thus be lost to the family. Garters thus begged from the ladies were used by the gallants as hangers for their swords and poniards. See Every Man out of his Humour, Wks. 2. 81: “O, I have been graced by them beyond all aim of affection: this is her garter my dagger hangs in;” and again p. 194. We read also in Cynthia’s Revels, Wks. 2. 266, of a gallant whose devotion to a lady in such that he

     Salutes her pumps,
Adores her hems, her skirts, her knots, her curls,
Will spend his patrimony for a garter,
Or the least feather in her bounteous fan.’

Gifford’s theory that ladies had some mode of displaying their garters is contradicted by the following:

Mary. These roses will shew rare: would ’twere in fashion
That the garters might be seen too!
     —Massinger, City Madam, Wks., p. 317.

Cf. also Cynthia’s Revels, Wks. 2. 296.

2. 5. 14 her owne deare reflection, in her glasse. ‘They must haue their looking glasses caryed with them wheresoeuer they go,... no doubt they are the deuils spectacles to allure vs to pride, and consequently to distruction for euer.’—Stubbes, Anat., Part 1, P. 79.

2. 6. 21 and done the worst defeate vpon my selfe. Defeat is often used by Shakespeare in this sense. See Schmidt, and compare Hamlet 2. 2. 598:

     —A king
Upon whose property and most dear life
A damn’d defeat was made.

2. 6. 32 a body intire. Cf. 5. 6. 48.

2. 6. 35 You make me paint. Gifford quotes from the Two Noble Kinsmen:

How modestly she blows and paints the sun
With her chaste blushes.

2. 6. 37 SN. ‘Whoever has noticed the narrow streets or rather lanes of our ancestors, and observed how story projected beyond story, till the windows of the upper rooms almost touched on different sides, will easily conceive the feasibility of everything which takes place between Wittipol and his mistress, though they make their appearance in different houses.’—G.

I cannot believe that Jonson wished to represent the two houses as on opposite sides of the street. He speaks of them as ‘contiguous’, which would naturally mean side by side. Further than this, one can hardly imagine even in the ‘narrow lanes of our ancestors’ so close a meeting that the liberties mentioned in 2. 6. 76 SN. could be taken.

2. 6. 53 A strange woman. In Bart. Fair, Wks. 4. 395, Justice Overdo says: ‘Rescue this youth here out of the hands of the lewd man and the strange woman.’ Gifford explains in a note: ‘The scripture phrase for an immodest woman, a prostitute. Indeed this acceptation of the word is familiar to many languages. It is found in the Greek; and we have in Terence—pro uxore habere hanc peregrinam: upon which Donatus remarks, hoc nomine etiam meretrices nominabantur.’

2. 6. 57-113 WIT. No, my tune-full Mistresse? etc. This very important passage is the basis of Fleay’s theory of identification discussed in section D. IV. of the Introduction. The chief passages necessary for comparison are quoted below.

A CELEBRATION OF CHARIS:
In Ten Lyric Pieces.

V.
His Discourse with Cupid.

  Noblest Charis, you that are
Both my fortune and my star,
And do govern more my blood,
Than the various moon the flood,
Hear, what late discourse of you, 5
Love and I have had; and true.
’Mongst my Muses finding me,
Where he chanced your name to see
Set, and to this softer strain;
Sure, said he, if I have brain, 10
This, here sung, can be no other,
By description, but my Mother!
So hath Homer praised her hair;
So Anacreon drawn the air
Of her face, and made to rise 15
Just about her sparkling eyes,
Both her brows bent like my bow.
By her looks I do her know,
Which you call my shafts. And see!
Such my Mother’s blushes be, 20
As the bath your verse discloses
In her cheeks, of milk and roses;
Such as oft I wanton in:
And, above her even chin,
Have you placed the bank of kisses, 25
Where, you say, men gather blisses,
Ripen’d with a breath more sweet,
Than when flowers and west-winds meet.
Nay, her white and polish’d neck,
With the lace that doth it deck, 30
Is my mother’s: hearts of slain
Lovers, made into a chain!
And between each rising breast,
Lies the valley call’d my nest,
Where I sit and proyne my wings 35
After flight; and put new stings
To my shafts: her very name
With my mother’s is the same.
I confess all, I replied,
And the glass hangs by her side, 40
And the girdle ’bout her waist,
All is Venus, save unchaste.
But alas, thou seest the least
Of her good, who is the best
Of her sex: but couldst thou, Love, 45
Call to mind the forms that strove
For the apple, and those three
Make in one, the same were she.
For this beauty yet doth hide
Something more than thou hast spied. 50
Outward grace weak love beguiles:
She is Venus when she smiles:
But she’s Juno when she walks,
And Minerva when she talks.

UNDERWOODS XXXVI.
AN ELEGY.

By those bright eyes, at whose immortal fires
Love lights his torches to inflame desires;
By that fair stand, your forehead, whence he bends
His double bow, and round his arrows sends;
By that tan grove, your hair, whose globy rings 5
He flying curls, and crispeth with his wings;
By those pure baths your either cheek discloses,
Where he doth steep himself in milk and roses;
And lastly, by your lips, the bank of kisses,
Where men at once may plant and gather blisses: 10
Ten me, my lov’d friend, do you love or no?
So well as I may tell in verse, ’tis so?
You blush, but do not:—friends are either none,
Though they may number bodies, or but one.
I’ll therefore ask no more, but bid you love, 15
And so that either may example prove
Unto the other; and live patterns, how
Others, in time, may love as we do now.
Slip no occasion; as time stands not still,
I know no beauty, nor no youth that will. 20
To use the present, then, is not abuse,
You have a husband is the just excuse
Of all that can be done him; such a one
As would make shift to make himself alone
That which we can; who both in you, his wife, 25
His issue, and all circumstance of life,
As in his place, because he would not vary,
Is constant to be extraordinary.

THE GIPSIES METAMORPHOSED
The Lady Purbeck’s Fortune, by the

Gip. Help me, wonder, here’s a book, 2
Where I would for ever look:
Never yet did gipsy trace
Smoother lines in hands or face:
Venus here doth Saturn move 5
That you should be Queen of Love;
And the other stars consent;
Only Cupid’s not content;
For though you the theft disguise,
You have robb’d him of his eyes. 10
And to shew his envy further:
Here he chargeth you with murther:
Says, although that at your sight,
He must all his torches light;
Though your either cheek discloses 15
Mingled baths of milk and roses;
Though your lips be banks of blisses,
Where he plants, and gathers kisses;
And yourself the reason why,
Wisest men for love may die; 20
You will turn all hearts to tinder,
And shall make the world one cinder.

From

A CHALLENGE AT TILT,
At a Marriage.

Cup. What can I turn other than a Fury itself to see thy 2
impudence? If I be a shadow, what is substance? was it not I
that yesternight waited on the bride into the nuptial chamber, and,
against the bridegroom came, made her the throne of love? had I
not lighted my torches in her eyes, planted my mother’s roses in 5
her cheeks; were not her eye-brows bent to the fashion of my bow,
and her looks ready to be loosed thence, like my shafts? had I not
ripened kisses on her lips, fit for a Mercury to gather, and made
her language sweeter than his upon her tongue? was not the girdle
about her, he was to untie, my mother’s, wherein all the joys and 10
delights of love were woven?

1 Cup. And did not I bring on the blushing bridegroom to taste
those joys? and made him think all stay a torment? did I not
shoot myself into him like a flame, and made his desires and his
graces equal? were not his looks of power to have kept the night 15
alive in contention with day, and made the morning never wished
for? Was there a curl in his hair, that I did not sport in, or a
ring of it crisped, that might not have become Juno’s fingers? his
very undressing, was it not Love’s arming? did not all his kisses
charge? and every touch attempt? but his words, were they not 20
feathered from my wings, and flew in singing at her ears, like
arrows tipt with gold?

In the above passages the chief correspondences to be noted are as follows:

1. Ch. 5. 17; U. 36. 3-4; Challenge 6. Cf. also Ch. 9. 17:

Eyebrows bent, like Cupid’s bow.

2. Ch. 5. 25-6; U. 36. 9-10; DA. 2. 6. 86-7; Gipsies 17-8; Challenge 8.

3. Ch. 5. 21-2; U. 36. 7-8; DA. 2. 6. 82-3; Gipsies 15-6; Challenge 5-6.

4. Ch. 5. 41; Challenge 9-10.

5. U. 36. 5-6; DA. 2. 6. 77-82; Challenge 17-8. Cf. also Ch. 9. 9-12:

Young I’d have him too, and fair,
Yet a man; with crisped hair,
Cast in thousand snares and rings,
For love’s fingers, and his wings.

6. U. 36. 21; DA. 1. 6. 132.

7· U. 36. 1-2; Gipsies 13-4; Challenge 5.

8. U. 36. 22-3; DA. 2. 6. 64-5

9. DA. 2. 6. 84-5; Ch. 9. 19-20:

Even nose, and cheek withal,
Smooth as is the billiard-ball.

10. Gipsies 19-20; Ch. 1. 23-4:

Till she be the reason, why,
All the world for love may die.

2. 6. 72 These sister-swelling brests. ‘This is an elegant and poetical rendering of the sororiantes mammae of the Latins, which Festus thus explains: Sororiare puellarum mammae dicuntur, cum primum tumescunt.’—G.

2. 6. 76 SN. ‘Liberties very similar to these were, in the poet’s time, permitted by ladies, who would have started at being told that they had foregone all pretensions to delicacy.’—G.

The same sort of familiarity is hinted at in Stubbes, Anatomy of Abuses (Part 1, p. 78). Furnivall quotes Histriomastix (Simpson’s School of Shak. 2. 50) and Vindication of Top Knots, Bagford Collection, 1. 124, in illustration of the subject. Gosson’s Pleasant Quippes (1595) speaks of ‘these naked paps, the Devils ginnes.’ Cf. also Cyn. Rev., Wks. 2. 266, and Case is A., Wks. 6. 330. It seems to have been a favorite subject of attack at the hands of both Puritans and dramatists.

2. 6. 76 Downe to this valley. Jonson uses a similar figure in Cyn. Rev., Wks. 2. 240 and in Charis (see note 2. 6. 57).

2. 6. 78 these crisped groues. So Milton, Comus, 984: ‘Along the crisped shades and bowers.’ Herrick, Hesper., Cerem. Candlemas-Eve: ‘The crisped yew.’

2. 6. 85 well torn’d. Jonson’s usual spelling. See Timber, ed. Schelling, 64. 33; 76. 22. etc.

2. 6. 85 Billyard ball. Billiards appears to have been an out-of-door game until the sixteenth century. It was probably introduced into England from France. See J. A. Picton, N. & Q.. 5. 5. 283. Jonson uses this figure again in Celeb. Charis 9. 19-20.

2. 6. 92 when I said, a glasse could speake, etc. Cf. 1. 6. 80 f.

2. 6. 100 And from her arched browes, etc. Swinburne says of this line: ‘The wheeziest of barrel-organs, the most broken-winded of bagpipes, grinds or snorts out sweeter music than that.’—Study of Ben Jonson, p. 104.

2. 6. 104 Have you seene. Sir John Suckling (ed. 1874, p. 79) imitates this stanza:

Hast thou seen the down in the air
    When wanton blasts have tossed it?
Or the ship on the sea,
    When ruder winds have crossed it?
Hast thou marked the crocodile’s weeping,
    Or the fox’s sleeping?
Or hast viewed the peacock in his pride,
    Or the dove by his bride
    When he courts for his lechery?
O, so fickle, O, so vain, O, so false, so false is she!

2. 6. 104 a bright Lilly grow. The figures of the lily, the snow, and the swan’s down have already been used in The Fox, Wks. 3. 195. The source of that passage is evidently Martial, Epig. 1. 115:

Loto candidior puella cygno,
Argento, nive, lilio, ligustro.

In this place Jonson seems to have more particularly in mind Epig. 5. 37:

Puella senibus dulcior mibi cygnis...
Cui nec lapillos praeferas Erythraeos,...
Nivesque primas liliumque non tactum.

2. 7. 2, 3 that Wit of man will doe’t. There is evidently an ellipsis of some sort before that (cf. Abbott, §284). Perhaps ‘provided’ is to be understood.

2. 7. 4 She shall no more be buz’d at. The metaphor is carried out in the words that follow, sweet meates 5, hum 6, flye-blowne 7. ‘Fly-blown’ was a rather common term of opprobrium. Cf. Dekker, Satiromastix, Wks. 1. 195: ‘Shal distaste euery vnsalted line, in their fly-blowne Comedies.’ Jonson is very fond of this metaphor, and presses it beyond all endurance in New Inn, Act 2. Sc. 2, Wks. 5. 344, 5, etc.

2. 7. 13 I am resolu’d on’t, Sir. See variants. Gifford points out the quibble on the word resolved. See Gloss.

2. 7. 17 O! I could shoote mine eyes at him. Cf. Fox, Wks. 3. 305: ‘That I could shoot mine eyes at him, like gun-stones!’

2. 7. 22. See variants. The the is probably absorbed by the preceding dental. Cf. 5. 7. 9.

2. 7. 33 fine pac’d huishers. See note 4. 4. 201.

2. 7. 38 turn’d my good affection. ‘Not diverted or changed its course; but, as appears from what follows, soured it. The word is used in a similar sense by Shakespeare:

Has friendship such a faint and milky heart,
It turns in less than two nights!
     Timon, 3. 2.’

—G.

2. 8. 9, 10 That was your bed-fellow. Ingine, perhaps in anticipation of Fitzdottrel’s advancement, employs a term usually applied to the nobility. Cf. K. Henry V. 2. 2. 8:

Nay, but the man that was his bedfellow,
Whom he had cloy’d and grac’d with princely favors.

Steevens in a note on the passage points out that the familiar appellation of bedfellow, which appears strange to us, was common among the ancient nobility.’ He quotes from A Knack to know a Knave, 1594; Look about you, 1600; Cynthia’s Revenge, 1613; etc., where the expression is used in the sense of ‘intimate companion’ and applied to nobles. Jonson uses the term chamberfellow in Underwoods, Wks. 8. 353.

2. 8. 20 An Academy. With this passage compare U. 62, Wks. 8. 412:

     —There is up of late
The Academy, where the gallants meet—
What! to make legs? yes, and to smell most sweet:
All that they do at plays. O but first here
They learn and study; and then practice there.

Jonson again refers to ‘the Academies’ (apparently schools of deportment or dancing schools) in 3. 5. 33.

2. 8. 33 Oracle-Foreman. See note 1. 2. 2.

2. 8. 59 any thing takes this dottrel. See note 2. 2. 49-50.

2. 8. 64 Dicke Robinson. Collier says: ‘This player may have been an original actor in some of Shakespeare’s later dramas, and he just outlived the complete and final suppression of the stage.’ His death and the date at which it occurred have been matters of dispute.

His earliest appearance in any list of actors is at the end of Jonson’s Catiline, 1611, with the King’s Majesty’s Servants. He was probably the youngest member of the company, and doubtless sustained a female part. Gifford believes that he took the part of Wittipol in the present play, though this is merely a conjecture. ‘The only female character he is known to have filled is the lady of Giovanus in The Second Maiden’s Tragedy, but at what date is uncertain; neither do we know at what period he began to represent male characters.’ Of the plays in which he acted, Collier mentions Beaumont and Fletcher’s Bonduca, Double Marriage, Wife for a Month, and Wild Goose Chase (1621); and Webster’s Duchess of Malfi, 1622.

His name is found in the patent granted by James I. in 1619 and in that granted by Charles I. in 1625. Between 1629 and 1647 no notice of him occurs, and this is the last date at which we hear of him. ‘His name follows that of Lowin in the dedication to the folio of Beaumont and Fletcher’s works, published at that time.’—Collier, Memoirs, p. 268.

Jonson not infrequently refers to contemporary actors. Compare the Epitaph on Salathiel Pavy, Ep. 120; the speech of Venus in The Masque of Christmas, Wks. 7. 263; and the reference to Field and Burbage in Bart. Fair 5. 3.

2. 8. 73 send frolicks! ‘Frolics are couplets, commonly of an amatory or satirical nature, written on small slips of paper, and wrapt round a sweetmeat. A dish of them is usually placed on the table after supper, and the guests amuse themselves with sending them to one another, as circumstances seem to render them appropriate: this is occasionally productive of much mirth. I do not believe that the game is to be found in England; though the drawing on Twelfth Night may be thought to bear some kind of coarse resemblance to it. On the continent I have frequently been present at it.’—G.

The NED. gives only one more example, from R. H. Arraignm. Whole Creature XIV. § 2. 244 (1631) ‘Moveable as Shittlecockes... or as Frolicks at Feasts, sent from man to man, returning againe at last, to the first man.’

2. 8. 74, 5 burst your buttons, or not left you seame. Cf. Bart. Fair, Wks. 4. 359: ‘he breaks his buttons, and cracks seams at every saying he sobs out.’

2. 8. 95, 103. See variants.

2. 8. 100 A Forrest moues not. ‘I suppose Trains means, “It is in vain to tell him of venison and pheasant, the right to the bucks in a whole forest will not move him.”’—C.

2. 8. 100 that forty pound. See 3. 3. 148.

2. 8. 102 your bond Of Sixe; and Statute of eight hundred! I. e., of six, and eight hundred pounds. ‘Statutes merchant, statutes staple, and recognizances in the nature of a statute staple were acknowledgements of debt made in writing before officers appointed for that purpose, and enrolled of record. They bound the lands of the debtor; and execution was awarded upon them upon default in payment without the ordinary process of an action. These securities were originally introduced for the encouragement of trade, by providing a sure and speedy remedy for the recovery of debts between merchants, and afterwards became common assurances, but have now become obsolete.’—S. M. Leake, Law of Contracts, p. 95.

Two of Pecunia’s attendants in The Staple of News are Statute and Band (i. e. Bond, see U. 34). The two words are often mentioned together. In Dekker’s Bankrouts Banquet (Non-dram. Wks. 3. 371) statutes are served up to the bankrupts.

Trains is evidently trying to impress Fitzdottrel with the importance of Merecraft’s transactions.

Act III

3. 1. 8 Innes of Court. ‘The four Inns of Court, Gray’s Inn, Lincoln’s Inn, the Inner, and the Middle Temple, have alone the right of admitting persons to practise as barristers, and that rank can only be attained by keeping the requisite number of terms as a student at one of those Inns.’—Wh-C.

Jonson dedicates Every Man out of his Humor ‘To the Noblest Nurseries of Humanity and Liberty in the Kingdom, the Inns of Court.’

3. 1. 10 a good man. Gifford quotes Merch. of Ven. 1. 3. 15: ‘My meaning in saying he is a good man, is, to have you understand me, that he is sufficient.’ Marston, Dutch Courtesan, Wks. 2. 57. uses the word in the same sense.

3. 1. 20 our two Pounds, the Compters. The London Compters or Counters were two sheriff’s prisons for debtors, etc., mentioned as early as the 15th century. In Jonson’s day they were the Poultry Counter and the Wood Street Counter. They were long a standing joke with the dramatists, who seem to speak from a personal acquaintance with them. Dekker (Roaring Girle, Wks. 3. 189) speaks of ‘Wood Street College,’ and Middleton (Phoenix, Wks. 1. 192) calls them ‘two most famous universities’ and in another place ‘the two city hazards, Poultry and Wood Street.’ Jonson in Every Man in (Wks. 1. 42) speaks of them again as ‘your city pounds, the counters’, and in Every man out refers to the ‘Master’s side’ (Wks. 2. 181) and the ‘two-penny ward,’ the designations for the cheaper quarters of the prison.

3. 1. 35 out of rerum natura. In rerum natura is a phrase used by Lucretius 1. 25. It means, according to the Stanford Dictionary, ‘in the nature of things, in the physical universe.’ In some cases it is practically equivalent to ‘in existence.’ Cf. Sil. Wom., Wks. 3. 382: ‘Is the bull, bear, and horse, in rerum natura still?’

3. 2. 12 a long vacation. The long vacation in the Inns of Court, which Jonson had in mind, lasts from Aug. 13 to Oct. 23. In Staple of News, Wks. 5. 170, he makes a similar thrust at the shop-keepers:

Alas I they have had a pitiful hard time on’t,
A long vacation from their cozening.

3. 2. 22 I bought Plutarch’s liues. T. North’s famous translation first appeared in 1579. New editions followed in 1595, 1603, 1610-12, and 1631.

3. 2. 33 Buy him a Captaines place. The City Train Bands were a constant subject of ridicule for the dramatists. They are especially well caricatured by Fletcher in The Knight of the Burning Pestle, Act 5. In addition to the City Train Bands, the Fraternity of Artillery, now called The Honorable Artillery Company, formed a separate organization. The place of practice was the Artillery Garden in Bunhill Fields (see note 3. 2. 41). In spite of ridicule the Train Bands proved a source of strength during the Civil War (see Clarendon, Hist. of the Rebellion, ed. 1826, 4. 236 and Wh-C., Artillery Ground).

Jonson was fond of poking fun at the Train Bands. Cf. U. 62, Wks. 8. 409; Ev. Man in, Wks. 1. 88; and Alchemist, Wks. 4. 13. Face, it will be remembered, had been ‘translated suburb-captain’ through Subtle’s influence.

The immediate occasion of Jonson’s satire was doubtless the revival of military enthusiasm in 1614, of which Entick (Survey 2. 115) gives the following account:

‘The military genius of the Londoners met with an opportunity, about this time, to convince the world that they still retained the spirit of their forefathers, should they be called out in the cause of their king and country. His majesty having commanded a general muster of the militia throughout the kingdom, the city of London not only mustered 6000 citizens completely armed, who performed their several evolutions with surprizing dexterity; but a martial spirit appeared amongst the rising generation. The children endeavoured to imitate their parents; chose officers, formed themselves into companies, marched often into the fields with colours flying and beat of drums, and there, by frequent practice, grew up expert in the military exercises.’

3. 2. 35 Cheapside. Originally Cheap, or West Cheap, a street between the Poultry and St. Paul’s, a portion of the line from Charing Cross to the Royal Exchange, and from Holborn to the Bank of England.

‘At the west end of this Poultrie and also of Buckles bury, beginneth the large street of West Cheaping, a market-place so called, which street stretcheth west till ye come to the little conduit by Paule’s Gate.’—Stow, ed. Thoms, p. 99.

The glory of Cheapside was Goldsmith’s Row (see note 3. 5. 2). It was also famous in early times for its ‘Ridings,’ and during Jonson’s period for its ‘Cross,’ its ‘Conduit,’ and its ‘Standard’ (see note 1. 1. 56 and Wh—C.).

3. 2. 35 Scarfes. ‘Much worn by knights and military officers in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.’—Planché.

3. 2. 35 Cornehill. Cornhill, between the Poultry and Leadenhall Street, an important portion of the greatest thoroughfare in the world, was, says Stow, ‘so called of a corn market time out of mind there holden.’ In later years it was provided with a pillory and stocks, a prison, called the Tun, for street offenders, a conduit of ‘sweet water’, and a standard. See Wh-C.

3. 2. 38 the posture booke. A book descriptive of military evolutions, etc. H. Peacham’s Compleat Gentleman, 1627 (p. 300, quoted by Wheatley, Ev. Mall in), gives a long list of ‘Postures of the Musquet’ and G. Markham’s Souldier’s Accidence gives another. Cf. Tale Tub, Wks. 6. 218:

     —All the postures
Of the train’d bands of the country.

3. 2. 41 Finsbury. In 1498, ‘certain grounds, consisting of gardens, orchards, &c. on the north side of Chiswell-street, and called Bunhill or Bunhill-fields, within the manor of Finsbury, were by the mayor and commonalty of London, converted into a large field, containing 11 acres, and 11 perches, now known by the name of the Artillery-ground, for their train-bands, archers, and other military citizens, to exercise in.’—Entick, Survey 1. 441.

In 1610 the place had become neglected, whereupon commissioners were appointed to reduce it ‘into such order and state for the archers as they were in the beginning of the reign of King Henry VIII.’ (Ibid. 2. 109). See also Stow, Survey, ed. Thoms, p. 159.

Dekker (Shomaker’s Holiday, Wks. 1. 29) speaks of being ‘turnd to a Turk, and set in Finsburie for boyes to shoot at’, and Nash (Pierce Pennilesse, Wks. 2. 128) and Jonson (Bart. Fair, Wks. 4. 507) make precisely similar references. Master Stephen in Every Man in (Wks. 1. 10) objects to keeping company with the ‘archers of Finsbury.’ Cf. also the elaborate satire in U. 62, (Wks. 8. 409).

3. 2. 45 to traine the youth
Of London, in the military truth. Cf. Underwoods 62:

Thou seed-plot of the war! that hast not spar’d
Powder or paper to bring up the youth
Of London, in the military truth.

Gifford believes these lines to be taken from a contemporary posture-book, but there is no evidence of quotation in the case of Underwoods.

3. 3. 22, 3 This comes of wearing Scarlet, gold lace, and cut-works! etc. Webster has a passage very similar to this in the Devil’s Law Case, Wks. 2. 37 f.:

‘Ari. This comes of your numerous wardrobe.
Rom. Ay, and wearing cut-work, a pound a purl.
Ari. Your dainty embroidered stockings, with overblown roses, to hide your gouty ankles.
Rom. And wearing more taffata for a garter, than would serve the galley dung-boat for streamers....
Rom. And resorting to your whore in hired velvet with a spangled copper fringe at her netherlands.
Ari. Whereas if you had stayed at Padua, and fed upon cow-trotters, and fresh beef to supper.’ etc., etc.

For ‘cut-works’ see note 1. 1. 128.

3. 3. 24 With your blowne roses. Compare 1. 1. 127, and B. & Fl., Cupid’s Revenge:

No man to warm your shirt, and blow your roses.

and Jonson, Ep. 97, Wks. 8. 201:

His rosy ties and garters so o’erblown.

3. 3. 25 Godwit. The godwit was formerly in great repute as a table delicacy. Thomas Muffett in Health’s Improvement, p. 99, says: ‘A fat godwit is so fine and light meat, that noblemen (yea, and merchants too, by your leave) stick not to buy them at four nobles a dozen.’

Cf. also Sir T. Browne, Norf. Birds, Wks., 1835, 4. 319: God-wyts... accounted the daintiest dish in England; and, I think, for the bigness of the biggest price.’ Jonson mentions the godwit in this connection twice in the Sil. Wom. (Wks. 3. 350 and 388), and in Horace, Praises of a Country Life (Wks. 9. 121) translates ‘attagen Ionicus’ by ‘Ionian godwit.’

3. 3. 26 The Globes, and Mermaides! Theatres and taverns. Mr. Halliwell-Phillipps has proved that the Globe Theatre on the Bankside, Southwark, the summer theatre of Shakespeare and his fellows, was built in 1599. It was erected from materials brought by Richard Burbage and Peter Street from the theatre in Shoreditch. On June 29, 1613, it was destroyed by fire, but was rebuilt without delay in a superior style, and this time with a roof of tile, King James contributing to the cost. Chamberlaine, writing to Alice Carleton (June 30, 1614), calls the Globe Playhouse ‘the fairest in England.’ It was pulled down Apr. 15, 1644.

Only the Lord Chamberlain’s Company (the King’s Men) seems to have acted here. It was the scene of several of Shakespeare’s plays and two of Jonson’s, Every Man out and Every Man in (Halliwell-Phillips, Illustrations, p. 43). The term ‘summer theatre’ is applicable only to the rebuilt theatre (ibid., p. 44). In Ev. Man out (quarto, Wks. 2. 196) Johnson refers to ‘this fair-fitted Globe’, and in the Execration upon Vulcan (Wks. 8. 404) to the burning of the ‘Globe, the glory of the Bank.’ In Poetaster (Wks. 2. 430) he uses the word again as a generic term: ‘your Globes, and your Triumphs.’

There seem to have been two Mermaid Taverns, one of which stood in Bread Street with passage entrances from Cheapside and Friday Street, and the other in Cornhill. They are often referred to by the dramatists. Cf. the famous lines written by Francis Beaumont to Ben Jonson, B. & Fl., Wks., ed. 1883, 2. 708; City Match, O. Pl. 9. 334, etc. Jonson often mentions the Mermaid. Cf. Inviting a Friend, Wks. 8. 205:

Is a pure cup of rich Canary Wine,
Which is the Mermaid’s now, but shall be mine.

On the famous Voyage, Wks. 8. 234:

At Bread-Street’s Mermaid having dined, and merry,
Proposed to go to Holborn in a wherry.

Bart. Fair, Wks. 4. 356-7: ‘your Three Cranes, Mitre, and Mermaid-men!’

3. 3. 28 In veluet! Velvet was introduced into England in the fifteenth century, and soon became popular as an article of luxury (see Hill’s Hist. of Eng. Dress 1. 145 f.).

3. 3. 30 I’ the Low-countries. ‘Then went he to the Low Countries; but returning soone he betook himself to his wonted studies. In his service in the Low Countries, he had, in the face of both the campes, killed ane enemie and taken opima spolia from him.’—Conversations with William Drummond, Wks. 9. 388.

In the Epigram To True Soldiers Jonson says:

          —I love
Your great profession, which I once did prove.
          Wks. 8. 211.

3. 3. 32 a wench of a stoter! See variants. The word is not perfectly legible in the folios, which I have consulted, but is undoubtedly as printed. Cunningham believes ‘stoter’ to be a cheap coin current in the camps. This supplies a satisfactory sense, corresponding to the ‘Sutlers wife,... of two blanks’ in the following line.

3. 3. 33 of two blanks! ‘Jonson had Horace in his thoughts, and has, not without some ingenuity, parodied several loose passages of one of his satires.’—G. Gifford is apparently referring to the close of Bk. 2. Sat. 3.

3. 3. 51 vn-to-be-melted. Cf. Every Man in, Wks. 1. 36: ‘and in un-in-one-breath-utterable skill, sir.’ New Inn, Wks. 5. 404: you shewed a neglect Un-to-be-pardon’d.’

3. 3. 62 Master of the Dependances! See Introduction. pp. lvi, lvii.

3. 3. 69 the roaring manner. Gifford defines it as the ‘language of bullies affecting a quarrel’ (Wks. 4. 483). The ‘Roaring Boy’ continued under various designations to infest the streets of London from the reign of Elizabeth until the beginning of the eighteenth century. Spark (Somer’s Tracts 2. 266) says that they were persons prodigall and of great expence, who having runne themselves into debt, were constrained to run into factions to defend themselves from danger of the law.’ He adds that divers of the nobility afforded them maintenance, in return for which ‘they entered into many desperate enterprises.’

Arthur Wilson (Life of King James I., p. 28), writing of the disorderly state of the city in 1604, says: ‘Divers Sects of vitious Persons going under the Title of Roaring Boyes, Bravadoes, Roysters, &c. commit many insolences; the Streets swarm night and day with bloody quarrels, private Duels fomented,’ etc.

Kastril, the ‘angry boy’ in the Alchemist, and Val Cutting and Knockem in Bartholomew Fair are roarers, and we hear of them under the title of ‘terrible boys’ in the Silent Woman (Wks. 3. 349). Cf. also Sir Thomas Overbury’s Character of a Roaring Boy (ed. Morley, p. 72): ‘He sleeps with a tobacco-pipe in his mouth; and his first prayer in the morning is he may remember whom he fell out with over night.’

3. 3. 71 the vapours. This ridiculous practise is satirized in Bart. Fair, Wks. 4. 3 (see also stage directions).

3. 3. 77 a distast. The quarrel with Wittipol.

3. 3. 79 the hand-gout. Jonson explains the expression in Magnetic Lady, Wks. 6. 61.

You cannot but with trouble put your hand
Into your pocket to discharge a reckoning,
And this we sons of physic do call chiragra,
A kind of cramp, or hand-gout.

Cf. also Overbury’s Characters, ed. Morley, p. 63: ‘his liberality can never be said to be gouty-handed.’

3. 3. 81 Mint. Until its removal to the Royal Mint on Tower Hill in 1810, the work of coinage was carried on in the Tower of London. Up to 1640, when banking arose, merchants were in the habit of depositing their bullion and cash in the Tower Mint, under guardianship of the Crown (see Wh-C. under Royal Mint, and History of Banking in all the Leading Nations, London, 1896, 2. 1).

3. 3. 86-8 let... hazard. Merecraft seems to mean: ‘You are in no hurry. Pray therefore allow me to defer your business until I have brought opportune aid to this gentleman’s distresses at a time when his fortunes are in a hazardous condition.’ The pregnant use of the verb timing and the unusual use of the word terms for a period of time render the meaning peculiarly difficult.

3. 3. 106 a Businesse. This was recognized as the technical expression. Sir Thomas Overbury ridicules it in his Characters, ed. Morley, p. 72: ‘If any private quarrel happen among our great courtiers, he (the Roaring Boy) proclaims the business—that’s the word, the business—as if the united force of the Roman Catholics were making up for Germany.’ Jonson ridicules the use of the word in similar fashion in the Masque of Mercury Vindicated from the Alchemists.

3. 3. 133 hauings. Jonson uses the expression again in Ev. Man in, Wks. 1. 29, and Gipsies Met., Wks. 7. 364. It is also used in Muse’s Looking Glasse, O. Pl. 9. 175.

3. 3. 147 such sharks! Shift in Ev. Man in is described as a ‘threadbare shark.’ Cf. also Earle, Microcosmography, ed. Morley, p. 173.

3. 3. 148 an old debt of forty. See 2. 8. 100.

3. 3. 149 the Bermudas. See note 2. 1. 144. Nares thinks that the real Bermudas are referred to here.

3. 3. 155 You shall ha’ twenty pound on’t. As Commission on the two hundred. ‘Ten in the hundred’ was the customary rate at this period (see Staple of News, Wks. 5. 189).

3. 3. 165 St. Georges-tide? From a very early period the 23d of April was dedicated to St. George. From the time of Henry V. The festival had been observed with great splendor at Windsor and other towns, and bonfires were built (see Shak, 1 Henry VI. 1. 1). The festival continued to be celebrated until 1567, when Elizabeth ordered its discontinuance. James I., however, kept the 23d of April to some extent, and the revival of the feast in all its glories was only prevented by the Civil War. So late as 1614 it was the custom for fashionable gentlemen to wear blue coats on St. George’s Day, probably in imitation of the blue mantle worn by the Knights of the Garter, an order created at the feast of St. George in 1344 (see Chambers’ Book of Days 1. 540).

The passages relating to this custom are Ram Alley, O. Pl., 2d ed., 5. 486:

By Dis, I will be knight,
Wear a blue coat on great St. George’s day,
And with my fellows drive you all from Paul’s
For this attempt.

Runne and a great Cast, Epigr. 33:

With’s coram nomine keeping greater sway
Than a court blew-coat on St. George’s day.

From these passages Nares concludes ‘that some festive ceremony was carried on at St. Paul’s on St. George’s day annually; that the court attended; that the blue-coats, or attendants, of the courtiers, were employed and authorised to keep order, and drive out refractory persons; and that on this occasion it was proper for a knight to officiate as blue coat to some personage of higher rank’.

In the Conversations with Drummond, Jonson’s Wks. 9. 393, we read: ‘Northampton was his mortal enimie for beating, on a St. George’s day, one of his attenders.’ Pepys speaks of there being bonfires in honor of St. George’s Day as late as Apr. 23, 1666.

3. 3. 166 chaines? PLV. Of gold, and pearle. The gold chain was formerly a mark of rank and dignity, and a century before this it had been forbidden for any one under the degree of a gentleman of two hundred marks a year to wear one (Statutes of the Realm, 7 Henry VIII. c. 6). They were worn by the Lord Mayors (Dekker, Shomaker’s Holiday, Wks. 1. 42), rich merchants and aldermen (Glapthorne, Wit for a Constable, Wks., ed. 1874, 1. 201-3), and later became the distinctive mark of the upper servant in a great family, especially the steward (see Nares and Ev. Man out, Wks. 2. 31). Massinger (City Madam, Wks., p. 334) speaks of wearing a chain of gold ‘on solemn days.’ With the present passage cf. Underwoods 62, Wks. 8. 410:

If they stay here but till St. George’s day.
All ensigns of a war are not yet dead,
Nor marks of wealth so from a nation fled,
But they may see gold chains and pearl worn then,
Lent by the London dames to the Lords’ men.

3. 3. 170 take in Pimlico. ‘Near Hoxton, a great summer resort in the early part of the 17th century and famed for its cakes, custards, and Derby ale. The references to the Hoxton Pimlico are numerous in our old dramatists.’—Wh—C. It is mentioned among other places in Greene’s Tu Quoque, The City Match, fol. 1639, News from Hogsdon, 1598, and Dekker, Roaring Girle, Wks. 3. 219, where it is spoken of as ‘that nappy land of spice-cakes.’ In 1609 a tract was published, called Pimlyco or Runne Red-Cap, ’tis a Mad World at Hogsdon.

Jonson refers to it repeatedly. Cf. Alch., Wks. 4. 155:

     —Gallants, men and women.
And of all sorts, tag-rag, been seen to flock here,
In threaves, these ten weeks, as to a second Hogsden,
In days of Pimlico and Eye-bright.

Cf. also Alch., Wks. 4. 151; Bart. Fair, Wks. 4. 357; and this play 4. 4. 164. In Underwoods 62 the same expression is used as in this passage:

What a strong fort old Pimlico had been!
How it held out! how, last, ’twas taken in!—

Take in in the sense of ‘capture’ is used again in Every Man in, Wks. 1. 64, and frequently in Shakespeare (see Schmidt). The reference here, as Cunningham suggests, is to the Finsbury sham fights. Hogsden was in the neighborhood of Finsbury, and the battles were doubtless carried into its territory.

3. 3. 173 Some Bristo-stone or Cornish counterfeit. Cf. Heywood, Wks. 5. 317: ‘This jewell, a plaine Bristowe stone, a counterfeit.’ See Gloss.

3. 3. 184, 5 I know your Equiuocks: You’are growne the better Fathers of ’hem o’ late.

‘Satirically reflecting on the Jesuits, the great patrons of equivocation.’—W.

‘Or rather on the Puritans, I think; who were sufficiently obnoxious to this charge. The Jesuits would be out of place here.’—G.

Why the Puritans are any more appropriate Gifford does not vouchsafe to tell us. So far as I have been able to discover the Puritans were never called ‘Fathers,’ their regular appellation being ‘the brethren’ (cf. Alch. and Bart. Fair). The Puritans were accused of a distortion of Scriptural texts to suit their own purposes, instances of which occur in the dramas mentioned above. On the whole, however, equivocation is more characteristic of the Jesuits. They were completely out of favor at this time. Under the generalship of Claudio Acquaviva, 1581-1615, they first began to have a preponderatingly evil reputation. In 1581 they were banished from England, and in 1601 the decree of banishment was repeated, this time for their suspected share in the Gunpowder Plot.

3. 3. 206, 7 Come, gi’ me Ten pieces more. The transaction with Guilthead is perhaps somewhat confusing. Fitzdottrel has offered to give his bond for two hundred pieces, if necessary. Merecraft’s ‘old debt of forty’ (3. 3. 149), the fifty pieces for the ring, and the hundred for Everill’s new office (3. 3. 60 and 83) ‘all but make two hundred.’ Fitzdottrel furnishes a hundred of this in cash, with the understanding that he receive it again of the gold-smith when he signs the bond (3. 3. 194). He returns, however, without the gold, though he seals the bond (3. 5. 1-3). Of the hundred pieces received in cash, twenty go to Guilthead as commission (3. 3. 155). This leaves forty each for Merecraft and Everill.

3. 3. 213 how th’ Asse made his diuisions. See Fab. cix, Fabulae Aesopicae, Leipzig, 1810, Leo, Asinus et Vulpes. Harsnet (Declaration, p. 110) refers to this fable, and Dekker made a similar application in Match me in London, 1631, Wks. 4. 145:

  King. Father Ile tell you a Tale, vpon a time
The Lyon Foxe and silly Asse did jarre.
Grew friends and what they got, agreed to share:
A prey was tane, the bold Asse did diuide it
Into three equall parts, the Lyon spy’d it.
And scorning two such sharers, moody grew,
And pawing the Asse, shooke him as I shake you...
And in rage tore him peece meale, the Asse thus dead,
The prey was by the Foxe distributed
Into three parts agen; of which the Lyon
Had two for his share, and the Foxe but one:
The Lyon (smiling) of the Foxe would know
Where he had this wit, he the dead Asse did show.
  Valasc. An excellent Tale.
  King. Thou art that Asse.

3. 3. 214 Much good do you. So in Sil. Wom., Wks. 3. 398: ‘Much good do him.’

3. 3. 217 And coozen i’ your bullions. Massinger’s Fatal Dowry, Wks., p. 272, contains the following passage: ‘The other is his dressing-block, upon whom my lord lays all his clothes and fashions ere he vouchsafes them his own person: you shall see him... at noon in the Bullion,’ etc. In a note on this passage (Wks. 3. 390, ed. 1813) Gifford advanced the theory that the bullion was ‘a piece of finery, which derived its denomination from the large globular gilt buttons, still in use on the continent.’ In his note on the present passage, he adds that it was probably ‘adopted by gamblers and others, as a mark of wealth, to entrap the unwary.’

Nares was the next man to take up the word. He connected it with ‘bullion; Copper-plates set on the Breast-leathers and Bridles of Horses for ornament’ (Phillips 1706). ‘I suspect that it also meant, in colloquial use, copper lace, tassels, and ornaments in imitation of gold. Hence contemptuously attributed to those who affected a finery above their station.’

Dyce (B. & Fl., Wks. 7. 291) was the first to disconnect the word from bullion meaning uncoined gold or silver. He says: ‘Bullions, I apprehend, mean some sort of hose or breeches, which were bolled or bulled, i. e. swelled, puffed out (cf. Sad. Shep., Act 1. Sc. 2, bulled nosegays’).’

The NED. gives ‘prob. a. F. bouillon in senses derived from that of “bubble.”’

Besides the passages already given, the word occurs in B. & Fl., The Chances, Wks. 7. 291:

Why should not bilbo raise him, or a pair of bullions?

Beggar’s Bush, Wks. 9. 81:

In his French doublet, with his blister’d
(1st fol. baster’d) bullions.

Brome, Sparagus Garden, Wks. 3. 152:

     —shaking your
Old Bullion Tronkes over my Trucklebed.

Gesta Gray in Nichols’ Prog. Q. Eliz. 3. 341 A, 1594: ‘A bullion-hose is best to go a woeing in; for tis full of promising promontories.’

3. 3. 231 too-too-vnsupportable! This reduplicated form is common in Shakespeare. See Merch. of Ven. 2. 6. 42; Hamlet 1. 2. 129; and Schmidt, Dict. Jonson uses it in Sejanus, Wks. 3. 54, and elsewhere. It is merely a strengthened form of too. (See Halliwell in Sh. Soc. Papers, 1884, 1. 39, and Hamlet, ed. Furness, 11th ed., 1. 41.) Jonson regularly uses the hyphen.

3. 4. 13 Cioppinos. Jonson spells the word as if it were Italian, though he says in the same sentence that the custom of wearing chopines is Spanish. The NED., referring to Skeat, Trans. Phil. Soc., 1885-7, p. 79, derives it from Sp. chapa, a plate of metal, etc. ‘The Eng. writers c 1600 persistently treated the word as Italian, even spelling it cioppino, pl. cioppini, and expressly associated it with Venice, so that, although not recorded in Italian Dicts. it was app. temporarily fashionable there.’ The statement of the NED. that ‘there is little or no evidence of their use in England (except on the stage)’ seems to be contradicted by the quotation from Stephen Gosson’s Pleasant Quippes (note 1. 1. 128). References to the chopine are common in the literature of the period (see Nares and NED.). I have found no instances of the Italianated form earlier than Jonson, and it may be original with him. He uses the plural cioppini in Cynthia’s Revels, Wks. 2. 241. See note 4. 4. 69.

3. 4. 32 your purchase. Cf. Alch., Wks. 4. 150, and Fox, Wks. 3. 168: ‘the cunning purchase of my wealth.’ Cunningham (Wks. 3. 498) says: ‘Purchase, as readers of Shakespeare know, was a cant term among thieves for the plunder they acquired, also the act of acquiring it. It is frequently used by Jonson.’

3. 4. 35 Pro’uedor. Gifford’s change to provedoré is without authority. The word is provedor, Port., or proveedor, Sp., and is found in Hakluyt, Voyages, 3. 701; G. Sandys, Trav., p. 6 (1632); and elsewhere, with various orthography, but apparently never with the accent.

3. 4. 43 Gentleman huisher. For the gentleman-usher see note 4. 4. 134. The forms usher and huisher seem to be used without distinction. The editors’ treatment of the form is inconsistent. See variants, and compare 2. 7. 33.

3. 4. 45-8 wee poore Gentlemen... piece. Cf. Webster, Devil’s Law Case, Wks. 2. 38: ‘You have certain rich city chuffs, that when they have no acres of their own, they will go and plough up fools, and turn them into excellent meadow.’ Also The Fox 2. 1:

     —if Italy
Have any glebe more fruitful than these fellows,
I am deceived.

As source of the latter Dr. L. H. Holt (Mod. Lang. Notes, June, 1905) gives Plautus, Epidicus 2. 3. 306-7:

nullum esse opinor ego agrum in agro Attico
aeque feracem quam hic est noster Periphanes.

3. 5. 2 the row. Stow (Survey, ed. 1633, p. 391) says that Goldsmith’s Row, ‘betwixt Breadstreete end and the Crosse in Cheap,’ is ‘the most beautifull Frame of faire houses and shops, that be within the Wals of London, or elsewhere in England.’ It contained ‘ten faire dwelling houses, and fourteene shops’ beautified with elaborate ornamentation. Howes (ed. 1631, p. 1045) says that at his time (1630) Goldsmith’s Row ‘was much abated of her wonted store of Goldsmiths, which was the beauty of that famous streete.’ A similar complaint is made in the Calendar of State Papers, 1619-23, p. 457, where Goldsmith’s Row is characterized as the ‘glory and beauty of Cheapside.’ Paul Hentzner (p. 45) speaks of it as surpassing all the other London streets. He mentions the presence there of a ‘gilt tower, with a fountain that plays.’

3. 5. 29, 30 answering
With the French-time, in flexure of your body.

This may mean bowing in the deliberate and measured fashion of the French, or perhaps it refers to French musical measure. See Gloss.

3. 5. 33 the very Academies. See note 2. 8. 20.

3. 5. 35 play-time. Collier says that the usual hour of dining in the city was twelve o’clock, though the passage in Case is Altered, Wks. 6. 331, seems to indicate an earlier hour:

Eat when your stomach serves, saith the physician,
Not at eleven and six.

The performance of plays began at three o’clock. Cf. Histriomastix, 1610:

Come to the Town-house, and see a play:
At three a’clock it shall begin.

See Collier, Annals 3. 377. Sir Humphrey Mildmay, in his Ms. Diary (quoted Annals 2. 70), speaks several times of going to the play-house after dinner.

3. 5. 39 his Damme. NED. gives a use of the phrase ‘the devil and his dam’ as early as Piers Plowman, 1393. The ‘devil’s dam’ was later applied opprobriously to a woman. It is used thus in Shakespeare, Com. Err. 4. 3. 51. The expression is common throughout the literature of the period.

3. 5. 43 But to be seene to rise, and goe away. Cf. Dekker, Guls Horne-booke, Non-dram. Wks. 2. 253: ‘Now sir, if the writer be a fellow that hath either epigrammd you, or hath had a flirt at your mistris,... you shall disgrace him worse then by tossing him in a blancket... if, in the middle of his play,... you rise with a screwd and discontented face from your stoole to be gone: no matter whether the Scenes be good or no; the better they are the worse do you distast them.’

3. 5. 45, 6 But say, that he be one, Wi’ not be aw’d! but laugh at you. In the Prologue to Massinger’s Guardian we find:

     —nor dares he profess that when
The critics laugh, he’ll laugh at them agen.
(Strange self-love in a writer!)

Gifford says of this passage: ‘This Prologue contains many sarcastick allusions to Old Ben, who produced, about this time, his Tale of a Tub, and his Magnetic Lady, pieces which failed of success, and which, with his usual arrogance, (strange self-love in a writer!) he attributed to a want of taste in the audience.’—Massinger’s (Wks., ed. 1805, 4. 121.)

The Guardian appeared in 1633, two years after the printing of The Devil is an Ass. It seems certain that the reference is to the present passage.

3. 5. 47 pay for his dinner himselfe. The custom of inviting the poet to dinner or supper seems to have been a common one. Dekker refers to it in the Guls Horne-booke, Non-dram. Wks. 2. 249. Cf. also the Epilogue to the present play.

3. 5. 47 Perhaps, He would doe that twice, rather then thanke you. ‘This ill-timed compliment to himself, Jonson might have spared, with some advantage to his judgment, at least, if not his modesty.’—G.

3. 5. 53. See variants. Gifford’s change destroys the meaning and is palpably ridiculous.

3. 5. 77 your double cloakes. ‘I. e., a cloake adapted for disguises, which might be worn on either side. It was of different colours, and fashions. This turned cloke with a false beard (of which the cut and colour varied) and a black or yellow peruke, furnished a ready and effectual mode of concealment, which is now lost to the stage. ’—G.

3. 6. 2 canst thou get ne’r a bird? Throughout this page Merecraft and Pug ring the changes on Pitfall’s name.

3. 6. 15, 16 TRA. You must send, Sir. The Gentleman the ring. Traines, of course, is merely carrying out Merecraft’s plot to ‘achieve the ring’ (3. 5. 67). Later (4. 4. 60) Merecraft is obliged to give it up to Wittipol.

3. 6. 34-6 What’ll you do, Sir?... Run from my flesh, if I could. For a similar construction cf. 1. 3. 21 and note.

3. 6. 38, 9 Woe to the seuerall cudgells, Must suffer on this backe! Adapted from Plautus, Captivi 3. 4. 650:

Vae illis uirgis miseris, quae hodie in tergo morientur meo.

(Gifford mentions the fact that this is adapted from the classics. I am indebted for the precise reference to Dr. Lucius H. Holt.)

3. 6. 40 the vse of it is so present. For other Latinisms cf. resume, 1. 6. 149; salts, 2. 6. 75; confute, 5. 6. 18, etc.

3. 6. 61 I’ll... See variants. The original reading is undoubtedly wrong.

Act IV

4. 1. 1 referring to Commissioners. In the lists of patents we frequently read of commissions specially appointed for examination of the patent under consideration. The King’s seal was of course necessary to render the grant valid.

4. 1. 5 S^r. Iohn Monie-man. See Introduction, p. lxxiii.

4. 1. 37 I will haue all piec’d. Cf. Mag. La., Wks. 6. 50:

Item. I heard they were out.
Nee. But they are pieced, and put together again.

4. 1. 38 ill solder’d! Cf. The Forest, 12, Epistle to Elizabeth, etc.; ‘Solders cracked friendship.’

4. 2. 11 Haue with ’hem. ‘An idea borrowed from the gaming table, being the opposite of “have at them.”’—C.

4. 2. 11 the great Carroch. See note 1. 6. 214.

4. 2. 12 with my Ambler, bare. See note 4. 4. 202.

4. 2. 22 I not loue this. See note 1. 6. 14.

4. 2. 26 Tooth-picks. This was an object of satire to the dramatists of the period. Nares says that they ‘appear to have been first brought into use in Italy; whence the travellers who had visited that country, particularly wished to exhibit that symbol of gentility.’ It is referred to as the mark of a traveller by Shakespeare, King John, 1. 1 (cited by Gifford):

     —Now your traveller,
He, and his tooth-pick, at my worship’s mess.

Overbury (Character of An Affected Traveller, ed. Morley, p. 35) speaks of the pick-tooth as ‘a main part of his behavior.’

It was also a sign of foppery. Overbury (p. 31) describes the courtier as wearing ‘a pick-tooth in his hat,’ and Massinger, Grand Duke of Florence, Act 3 (quoted by Nares), mentions ‘my case of tooth-picks, and my silver fork’ among the articles ‘requisite to the making up of a signior.’ John Earle makes a similar reference in his Character of An Idle Gallant (ed. Morley, p. 179), and Furnivall (Stubbes’ Anatomy, p. 77) quotes from Laugh and lie downe: or The worldes Folly, London, 1605, 4to: ‘The next was a nimble-witted and glib-tongu’d fellow, who, having in his youth spent his wits in the Arte of love, was now become the jest of wit.... The picktooth in the mouth, the flower in the eare, the brush upon the beard;... and what not that was unneedefull,’ etc.

It is a frequent subject of satire in Jonson. Cf. Ev. Man out, Wks. 2. 124; Cyn. Rev., Wks. 2. 218, 248; Fox, Wks. 3. 266. See also Dekker, Wks. 3. 280.

4. 2. 63 What vile Fucus is this. The abuse of face-painting is a favorite subject of satire with the moralists and dramatists of the period. Stubbes (Anatomy of Abuses, Part 1, pp. 64-8) devotes a long section to the subject. Dr. Furnivall in the notes to this passage, pp. 271-3, should also be consulted. Brome satirizes it in the City Wit, Wks. 2. 300. Lady Politick Would-be in the Fox is of course addicted to the habit, and a good deal is said on the subject in Epicoene. Dekker (West-ward Hoe, Wks. 2. 285) has a passage quite similar in spirit to Jonson’s satire.

4. 2. 71 the very Infanta of the Giants! Cf. Massinger and Field, Fatal Dowry 4. 1: ‘O that I were the infanta queen of Europe!’ Pecunia in the Staple of News is called the ‘Infanta of the mines.’ Spanish terms were fashionable at this time. Cf. the use of Grandees, 1. 3. It is possible that the reference here is to the Infanta Maria. See Introduction, p. xviii.

4. 3. 5, 6 It is the manner of Spaine, to imbrace onely, Neuer to kisse. Cf. Minsheu’s Pleasant and Delightfull Dialogues, pp. 51-2: ‘W. I hold that the greatest cause of dissolutenesse in some women in England is this custome of kissing publikely.... G. In Spaine doe not men vse to kisse women? I. Yes the husbands kisse their wiues, but as if it were behinde seuen walls, where the very light cannot see them.’

4. 3. 33 f. Decayes the fore-teeth, that should guard the tongue; etc. Cf. Timber, ed. Schelling, 13. 24: ‘It was excellently said of that philosopher, that there was a wall or parapet of teeth set in our mouth, to restrain the petulancy of our words; that the rashness of talking should not only be retarded by the guard and watch of our heart, but be fenced in and defended by certain strengths placed in the mouth itself, and within the lips.’

Professor Schelling quotes Plutarch, Moralia, de Garrulitate 3, translated by Goodwin: ‘And yet there is no member of human bodies that nature has so strongly enclosed within a double fortification as the tongue, entrenched within a barricade of sharp teeth, to the end that, if it refuses to obey and keep silent when reason “presses the glittering reins” within, we should fix our teeth in it till the blood comes rather than suffer inordinate and unseasonable din’ (4. 223).

4. 3. 39 Mad-dames. See variants. The editors have taken out of the jest whatever salt it possessed, and have supplied meaningless substitutes. Gifford followed the same course in his edition of Ford (see Ford’s Wks. 2. 81), where, however, he changes to Mad-dam. Such gratuitous corruptions are inexplicable. Cf. Tale Tub, Wks. 6. 172:

Here is a strange thing call’d a lady, a mad-dame.

4. 3. 45 Their seruants. A common term for a lover. Cf. Sil. Wom., Wks. 3. 364.

4. 3. 51. See variants. There are several mistakes in the assignment of speeches throughout this act. Not all of Gifford’s changes, however, are to be accepted without question. Evidently, if the question where? is to be assigned to Wittipol, the first speech must be an aside, as it is inconceivable that Merecraft should introduce Fitzdottrel first under his own name, and then as the ‘Duke of Drown’d-land.’

My conception of the situation is this: Pug is playing the part of gentleman usher. He enters and announces to Merecraft that Fitzdottrel and his wife are coming. Merecraft whispers: ‘Master Fitzdottrel and his wife! where?’ and then, as they enter, turns to Wittipol and introduces them; ‘Madame,’ etc.

4. 4. 30 Your Allum Scagliola, etc. Many of the words in this paragraph are obscure, and a few seem irrecoverable. Doubtless Jonson picked them up from various medical treatises and advertisements of his day. I find no trace of Abezzo, which may of course be a misprint for Arezzo. The meanings assigned to Pol-dipedra and Porcelletto Merino are unsatisfactory. Florio gives ‘Zucca: a gourd; a casting bottle,’ but I have been unable to discover Mugia. The loss of these words is, to be sure, of no moment. Two things illustrative of Jonson’s method are sufficiently clear. (1) The articles mentioned are not, as they seem at first, merely names coined for the occasion. (2) They are a polyglot jumble, intended to make proficiency in the science of cosmetics as ridiculous as possible. It is worth while to notice, however, that this list of drugs is carefully differentiated from the list at 4. 4. 142 f., which contains the names of sweetmeats and perfumes.

4. 4. 32, 3 Soda di leuante, Or your Ferne ashes. Soda-ash is still the common trade name of sodium carbonate. In former times soda was chiefly obtained from natural deposits and from the incineration of various plants growing by the sea-shore. These sources have become of little importance since the invention of artificial soda by Leblanc toward the end of the eighteenth century (see Soda in CD.). Florio’s definition of soda is: ‘a kind of Ferne-ashes whereof they make glasses.’ Cf. also W. Warde, Tr. Alessio’s Secr., Pt. 1 fol. 78[^m] 1º: ‘Take an vnce of Soda (which is asshes made of grasse, whereof glassemakers do vse to make their Cristall).’ In Chaucer’s Squire’s Tale (11. 254 f.) the manufacture of glass out of ‘fern-asshen’ is mentioned as a wonder comparable to that of Canacee’s ring.

4. 4. 33 Beniamin di gotta. The Dict. d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, 1843, 2. 509, gives: ‘Benjoin. Sa teinture, étendue d’eau, sert à la toilette sous le nom de Lait virginal.’ See 4. 4. 52.

4. 4. 38 With a piece of scarlet. Lady Politick Would-be’s remedies in the Fox are to be ‘applied with a right scarlet cloth.’ Scarlet was supposed to be of great efficacy in disease. See Whalley’s note on the Fox, Wks. 3. 234.

4. 4. 38, 9 makes a Lady of sixty Looke at sixteen. Cunningham thinks this is a reference to the In decimo sexto of line 50.

4. 4. 39, 40 the water Of the white Hen, of the Lady Estifanias! The Lady Estifania seems to have been a dealer in perfumes and cosmetics. In Staple of News, Wks. 5. 166, we read: ‘Right Spanish perfume, the lady Estifania’s.’ Estefania is the name of a Spanish lady in B. & Fl.’s Rule a Wife.

4. 4. 47 galley-pot. Mistresse Gallipot is the name of a tobacconist in Dekker’s and Middleton’s Roaring Girle.

4. 4. 50 In decimo sexto. This is a bookbinder’s or printer’s term, ‘applied to books, etc., a leaf of which is one-sixteenth of a full sheet or signature.’ It is equivalent to ‘16mo.’ and hence metaphorically used to indicate ‘a small compass, miniature’ (see Stanford, p. 312). In Cyn. Rev., Wks. 2. 218, Jonson says: ‘my braggart in decimo sexto!’ Its use is well exemplified in John Taylor’s Works, sig. L₁ v^0/1: ‘when a mans stomache is in Folio, and knows not where to haue a dinner in Decimo sexto.’ The phrase is fairly common in the dramatic literature. See Massinger, Unnat. Combat 3. 2; Middleton, Father Hubburd’s Tales, Wks. 8 64, etc. In the present passage, however, the meaning evidently required is ‘perfect: ’spotless,’ and no doubt refers to the comparative perfection of a sexto decimo, or perhaps to the perfection naturally to be expected of any work in miniature.

4. 4. 52 Virgins milke for the face. Cf. John French, Art Distill.. Bk. 5. p. 135 (1651): ‘This salt being set in a cold cellar on a marble stone, and dissolved into an oil, is as good as any Lac virginis to clear, and smooth the face.’ Lac Virginis is spoken of twice in the Alchemist, Act 2, but probably in neither case is the cosmetic referred to. See Hathaway’s edition, p. 293. Nash speaks of the cosmetic in Pierce Pennilesse, Wks. 2. 44: ‘She should haue noynted your face ouer night with Lac virginis.’

4. 4. 55 Cataputia. Catapuce is one of the laxatives that Dame Pertelote recommended to Chauntecleer in Chaucer’s Nonne Preestes Tale, l. 145.

4. 4. 63 Doe not you dwindle. The use of dwindle in this sense is very rare. NED. thinks it is ‘probably a misuse owing to two senses of shrink.’ It gives only a single example, Alch., Wks. 4. 163: ‘Did you not hear the coil about the door? Sub. Yes, and I dwindled with it.’ Besides the two instances in Jonson I have noticed only one other, in Ford, Fancies chaste and noble, Wks. 2. 291: ‘Spa. Hum, how’s that? is he there, with a wanion! then do I begin to dwindle.’

4. 4. 69 Cioppino’s. The source of this passage, with the anecdote which follows, seems to be taken from Coryat’s Crudities (ed. 1776, 2. 36, 7): ‘There is one thing vsed of the Venetian women, and some others dwelling in the cities and towns subject to the Signiory of Venice, that is not to be obserued (I thinke) amongst any other women in Christendome: which is so common in Venice, that no woman whatsoeuer goeth without it, either in her house or abroad; a thing made of wood, and couered with leather of sundry colors, some with white, some redde, some yellow. It is called a Chapiney, which they weare vnder their shoes. Many of them are curiously painted; some also I haue seene fairely gilt: so vncomely a thing (in my opinion) that it is pitty this foolish custom is not cleane banished and exterminated out of the citie. There are many of these Chapineys of a great heigth, euen half a yard high, which maketh many of their women that are very short, seeme much taller then the tallest women we haue in England. Also I haue heard that this is obserued amongst them, that by how much the nobler a woman is, by so much the higher are her Chapineys. All their Gentlewomen, and most of their wiues and widowes that are of any wealth, are assisted and supported eyther by men or women when they walke abroad, to the end they may not fall. They are borne vp most commonly by the left arme, otherwise they might quickly take a fall. For I saw a woman fall a very dangerous fall as she was going down the staires of one of the little stony bridges with her high Chapineys alone by her selfe: but I did nothing pitty her, because shee wore such friuolous and (as I may truely term them) ridiculous instruments, which were the occasion of her fall. For both I myselfe, and many other strangers (as I haue obserued in Venice) haue often laughed at them for their vaine Chapineys.’

4. 4. 71, 2 Spanish pumps Of perfum’d leather. Pumps are first mentioned in the sixteenth century (Planché). A reference to them occurs in Midsummer Night’s Dream, 1593-4, 4. 2. They were worn especially by footmen.

Spanish leather was highly esteemed at this time. Stubbes (Anat. of Abuses, Part 1, p. 77) says: ‘They haue korked shooes, pinsnets, pantoffles, and slippers,... some of spanish leather, and some of English lether.’ Marston (Dutch Courtezan, Wks. 2. 7) speaks of a ‘Spanish leather jerkin,’ and Middleton (Father Hubburd’s Tales, Wks. 8. 70) of ‘a curious pair of boots of King Philip’s leather,’ and a little farther on (Wks. 8. 108) of Spanish leather shoes. Fastidious Brisk’s boots are made of the same material (Ev. Man out, Wks. 2. 147). Cf. also Dekker, Wks. 2. 305.

Perfumes were much in fashion, and Stubbes’ Anatomy has a great deal to say on the subject. We hear of perfumed jerkins in Marston’s Malcontent (Wks. 1. 314) and in Cynthia’s Revels (Wks. 2. 325). Spanish perfume for gloves is spoken of in the latter play (p. 328) and in the Alchemist (Wks. 4. 131) ‘your Spanish titillation in a glove’ is declared to be the best perfume.

4. 4. 77, 8 The Guardo-duennas, such a little old man, As this. Minsheu gives the definition: ‘Escudero, m. An Esquire, a Seruingman that waits on a Ladie or Gentlewoman, in Spaine neuer but old men and gray beards.’

4. 4. 81 flat spred, as an Vmbrella. The umbrella of the seventeenth century seems to have been used exclusively to protect the face from the sun. Blount, Glossographia, 1670, gives: ‘Umbrello (Ital. Ombrella), a fashion of round and broad Fans, wherewith the Indians (and from them our great ones) preserve themselves from the heat of the sun or fire; and hence any little shadow, Fan, or other thing wherewith women guard their faces from the sun.’

It was apparently not in use in England when Coryat published his Crudities, which contains the following description (1. 135): ‘Also many of them doe carry other fine things of a far greater price, that will cost at the least a duckat, which they commonly call in the Italian tongue vmbrellaes, that is, things that minister shadow unto them for shelter against the scorching heate of the sunne. These are made of leather something answerable to the forme of a little cannopy, & hooped in the inside with diuers little wooden hoopes that extend the vmbrella in a pretty large compasse.’

’As a defense from rain or snow it was not used in western Europe till early in the eighteenth century.’—CD.

4. 4. 82 Her hoope. A form of the farthingale (fr. Sp. Verdugal) was worn in France, Spain, and Italy, and in England as early as 1545. It gradually increased in size, and Elizabeth’s farthingale was enormous. The aptness of the comparison can be appreciated by reading Coryat’s description of the umbrella above.

4. 4. 87 An Escudero. See note 4. 4. 77, 8.

4. 4. 97 If no body should loue mee, but my poore husband. Cf. Poetaster, Wks. 2. 444: ‘Methinks a body’s husband does not so well at court; a body’s friend, or so—but, husband! ’tis like your clog to your marmoset,’ etc.

4. 4. 134 your Gentleman-vsher. ‘Gentleman-Usher. Originally a state-officer, attendant upon queens, and other persons of high rank, as, in Henry VIII, Griffith is gentleman-usher to Queen Catherine; afterwards a private affectation of state, assumed by persons of distinction, or those who pretended to be so, and particularly ladies. He was then only a sort of upper servant, out of livery, whose office was to hand his lady to her coach, and to walk before her bare-headed, though in later times she leaned upon his arm.’—Nares.

Cf. Dekker, West-ward Hoe, Wks. 2. 324: ‘Weare furnisht for attendants as Ladies are, We have our fooles, and our Vshers.’

The sources for a study of the gentleman-usher are the present play, The Tale of a Tub, and Chapman’s Gentleman Usher. In the Staple of News the Lady Pecunia is provided with a gentleman-usher. The principal duties of this office seem to have consisted in being sent on errands, handing the lady to her coach, and preceding her on any occasion where ceremony was demanded. In Chapman’s play Lasso says that the disposition of his house for the reception of guests was placed in the hands of this servant (cf. Chapman, Wks. 1. 263 f.). Innumerable allusions occur in which the requirement of going bare-headed is mentioned (see note on 4. 4. 202). Another necessary quality was a fine pace, which is alluded to in the present character’s name (see also note 4. 4. 201). An excellent description of the gentleman-usher will be found in Nares’ Glossary, quoting from Lenton’s Leasures, a book published in 1631, and now very rare.

4. 4. 142 the Dutchesse of Braganza. Braganza is the ruling house of Portugal. Dom John, Duke of Braganza, became king of Portugal in 1640.

4. 4. 143 Almoiauna. The Stanford Dictionary gives: ‘Almojabana, Sp. fr. Arab. Al-mojabbana: cheese-and-flour cake. Xeres was famed for this dainty, which is named from Arabic jobn = “cheese.”’

4. 4. 147 Marquesse Muja. Apparently a Spanish marquise, occupying a position in society similar to that of Madame Récamier.

4. 4. 156 A Lady of spirit. With this line and lines 165 f. cf. U. 32, Wks. 8. 356:

To be abroad chanting some bawdy song,
And laugh, and measure thighs, then squeak, spring, itch,
Do all the tricks of a salt lady bitch!
—For these with her young company she’ll enter,
Where Pitts, or Wright, or Modet would not venture;
     (Fol. reads ‘venter’)
And come by these degrees the style t’inherit
Of woman of fashion, and a lady of spirit.

4. 4. 164 Pimlico. See note 3. 3. 170.

4. 4. 164 daunce the Saraband. The origin of the saraband is in doubt, being variously attributed to Spain and to the Moors. It is found in Europe at the beginning of the sixteenth century, and its immoral character is constantly referred to. Grove (Dict. of Music 3. 226) quotes from chapter 12, ‘Del baile y cantar llamado Zarabanda,’ of the Tratado contra los Juegos Publicos (‘Treatise against Public Amusements’) of Mariana (1536-1623): ‘Entre las otras invenciones ha salido estos años un baile y cantar tan lacivo en las palabras, tan feo en las meneos, que basta para pegar fuego aun á las personas muy honestas’ (‘amongst other inventions there has appeared during late years a dance and song, so lascivious in its words, so ugly in its movements, that it is enough to inflame even very modest people’). ‘This reputation was not confined to Spain, for Marini in his poem “L’Adone” (1623) says:

Chiama questo suo gioco empio e profano
Saravanda, e Ciaccona, il nuova Ispano.

Padre Mariana, who believed in its Spanish origin, says that its invention was one of the disgraces of the nation, and other authors attribute its invention directly to the devil. The dance was attacked by Cervantes and Guevara, and defended by Lope de Vega, but it seems to have been so bad that at the end of the reign of Philip II. it was for a time suppressed. It was soon, however, revived in a purer form and was introduced at the French court in 1588’ (Grove 3. 226-7).

In England the saraband was soon transformed into an ordinary country-dance. Two examples are to be found in the first edition of Playford’s Dancing Master, and Sir John Hawkins (Hist. of the Science and Practice of Music, 1776) speaks of it several times. ‘Within the memory of persons now living,’ he says, a Saraband danced by a Moor was constantly a part of the entertainment at a puppet-show’ (4. 388). In another place (2. 135), in speaking of the use of castanets at a puppet-show, he says: ‘That particular dance called the Saraband is supposed to require as a thing of necessity, the music, if it may be called so, of this artless instrument.’

In the Staple of News, Wks. 5. 256, Jonson speaks of ‘a light air! the bawdy Saraband!’

4. 4. 165 Heare, and talke bawdy; laugh as loud, as a larum. Jonson satirizes these vices again in U. 67 (see note 4. 4. 156) and Epigrams 48 and 115. Dekker (Guls Horne-booke, Non-dram. Wks. 2. 238) advises the young gallant to ‘discourse as lowd as you can, no matter to what purpose,... and laugh in fashion,... you shall be much obserued.’

4. 4. 172 Shee must not lose a looke on stuffes, or cloth. It being the fashion to ‘swim in choice of silks and tissues,’ plain woolen cloth was despised.

4. 4. 187 Blesse vs from him! Preserve us. A precaution against any evil that might result from pronouncing the devil’s name. Cf. Knight of the Burning Pestle 2. 1: Sure the devil (God bless us!) is in this springald!’ and Wilson, The Cheats, Prologue:

No little pug nor devil,—bless us all!

4. 4. 191, 2 What things they are? That nature should be at leasure Euer to make ’hem! Cf. Ev. Man in, Wks. 1. 119: ‘O manners that this age should bring forth such creatures! that nature should be at leisure to make them!’

4. 4. 197 Hee makes a wicked leg. Gifford thinks that wicked here means ‘awkward or clownish.’ It seems rather to mean ‘roguish,’ a common colloquial use.

4. 4. 201 A setled discreet pase. Cf. 3. 5. 22; 2. 7. 33; and Dekker, Guls Horne-booke, Non-dram. Wks. 2. 238: ‘Walke vp and downe by the rest as scornfully and as carelesly as a Gentleman-Usher.’

4. 4. 202 a barren head, Sir. Cf. 2. 3. 36, 7 and 4. 2. 12. Here again we have a punning allusion to the uncovered head of the gentleman-usher. ‘It was a piece of state, that the servants of the nobility, particularly the gentleman-usher, should attend bare-headed.’ Nares, Gloss. For numerous passages illustrating the practice both in regard to the gentleman-usher and to the coachman, see the quotations in Nares, and Ford, Lover’s Melancholy, Wks. 1. 19; Chapman, Gentleman-Usher, Wks. 1. 263; and the following passage, ibid. 1. 273:

  Vin. I thanke you sir.
Nay pray be couerd; O I crie you mercie,
You must be bare.
  Bas. Euer to you my Lord.
  Vin. Nay, not to me sir,
But to the faire right of your worshipfull place.

A passage from Lenton (see note 4. 4. 134) may also be quoted: ‘He is forced to stand bare, which would urge him to impatience, but for the hope of being covered, or rather the delight hee takes in shewing his new-crisp’t hayre, which his barber hath caused to stand like a print hedge, in equal proportion.’

The dramatists ridiculed it by insisting that the coachman should be not only bare-headed, but bald. Cf. 2. 3. 36 and Massinger, City Madam, Wks. p. 331: ‘Thou shalt have thy proper and bald-headed coachman.’ Jonson often refers to this custom. Cf. Staple of News, Wks. 5. 232:

Such as are bald and barren beyond hope,
Are to be separated and set by
For ushers to old countesses: and coachmen
To mount their boxes reverently, etc.

New Inn, Wks. 5. 374:

  Jor. Where’s thy hat?...
  Bar. The wind blew’t off at Highgate, and my lady
Would not endure me light to take it up;
But made me drive bareheaded in the rain.
  Jor. That she might be mistaken for a countess?

Cf. also Mag. La., Wks. 6. 36, and Tale Tub, Wks. 6. 217 and 222.

4. 4. 204 his Valley is beneath the waste. ‘Waist’ and ‘waste’ were both spelled waste or wast. Here, of course, is a pun on the two meanings.

4. 4. 206 Dulnesse vpon you! Could not you hit this? Cf. Bart. Fair, Wks. 4. 358: ‘Now dullness upon me, that I had not that before him.’

4. 4. 209 the French sticke. Walking-sticks of various sorts are mentioned during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. ‘In Chas. II.’s time the French walking-stick, with a ribbon and tassels to hold it when passed over the wrist, was fashionable, and continued so to the reign of George II.’ (Planché).

4. 4. 215, 6 report the working, Of any Ladies physicke. In Lenton’s Leasures (see note 4.4.134) we find: ‘His greatest vexation is going upon sleevelesse arrands, to know whether some lady slept well last night, or how her physick work’d i’ th’ morning, things that savour not well with him; the reason that ofttimes he goes but to the next taverne, and then very discreetly brings her home a tale of a tubbe.’

Cf. also B. & Fl., Fair Maid of the Inn 2. 2: ‘Host. And have you been in England?... But they say ladies there take physic for fashion.’

Dekker, Guls Horne-booke, Non-dram. Wks. 2. 255, speaks of ‘a country gentleman that brings his wife vp to learne the fashion, see the Tombs at Westminster, the Lyons in the Tower, or to take physicke.’ In the 1812 reprint the editor observes that in Jonson’s time ‘fanciful or artful wives would often persuade their husbands to take them up to town for the advantage of physick, when the principal object was dissipation.’

4. 4. 219 Corne-cutter. This vulgar suggestion renders hopeless Pug’s pretensions to gentility. Corncutters carried on a regular trade (see Bart. Fair 2. 1.), and were held in the greatest contempt, as we learn from Nash (Four Letters Confuted, Wks. 2. 211).

4. 4. 232 The Moone. I. e., see that the moon and zodiacal sign are propitious.

4. 4. 235 Get their natiuities cast! Astrology was a favorite subject of satire. Cf. Massinger, City Madam 2. 2; B. & Fl., Rollo Duke of Normandy 4. 2, etc.

4. 5. 31, 2 his valour has At the tall board bin question’d. Tall board is, I think, the same as table-board, a gaming-table. In Dyce’s edition of Webster’s Devil’s Law Case (Wks. 2. 38) we read: ‘shaking your elbow at the table-board.’ Dyce says in a note that the old folio reads Taule-board. Tables is derived from Lat. Tabularum lusus › Fr. Tables. The derivation, table › tavl › taul › tall, presents no etymological difficulties. A note from Professor Joseph Wright of Oxford confirms me in my theory.

The passage seems to mean that Merecraft was accused of cheating, and, his valor not rising to the occasion, his reputation for honesty was left somewhat in doubt.

4. 6. 38-41 intitle Your vertue, to the power, vpon a life ... Euen to forfeit. Wittipol is ‘wooing in language of the pleas and bench.’ Cf. 4. 7. 62.

4. 6. 42 We haue another leg-strain’d, for this Dottrel. See variants, and note 2. 2. 49, 50.

4. 6. 49 A Phrentick. See note 5. 8. 91-2.

4. 7. 37-40. See variants. Gifford silently follows Whalley’s changes, which are utterly unwarrantable. Cunningham points out the wrong division in 37, 8. The scansion is thus indicated by Wilke (Metrische Untersuchungen, p. 3):

Of a/ most wor/thy gen/tleman./ Would one
Of worth/ had spoke/ it: whence/ it comes,/ it is
Rather/ a shame/ to me,/ ͝ then/ a praise.

The missing syllable in the third verse is compensated for by the pause after the comma. This is quite in accordance with Jonson’s custom (see Wilke, p. 1 f.).

4. 7. 45 Publication. See 3. 3. 137.

4. 7. 54 I sou’t him. See variants. Gifford says that he can make nothing of sou’t but sought and sous’d, and that he prefers the latter. Dyce (Remarks) confidently asserts that the word is the same as shue, ‘to frighten away poultry,’ and Cunningham accepts this without question. There seems, however, to be no confirmation for the theory that the preterit was ever spelt sou’t. Wright’s Dialect Dictionary gives: ‘Sough. 19. to strike; to beat severely,’ but the pronunciation here seems usually to be souff. Professor Wright assures me that sous’d is the correct reading, and that the others are ‘mere stupid guesses.’

4. 7. 62 in possibility. A legal phrase used of contingent interests. See note 4. 6. 38, 9.

4. 7. 65 Duke O’ Shore-ditch. ‘A mock title of honour, conferred on the most successful of the London archers, of which this account is given:

When Henry VIII became king, he gave a prize at Windsor to those who should excel at this exercise, (archery) when Barlo, one of his guards, an inhabitant of Shoreditch, acquired such honor as an archer, that the king created him duke of Shoreditch, on the spot. This title, together with that of marquis of Islington, earl of Pancridge, etc., was taken from these villages, in the neighborhood of Finsbury fields, and continued so late as 1683. Ellis’s History of Shoreditch, p. 170.

The latest account is this: In 1682 there was a most magnificent entertainment given by the Finsbury archers, when they bestowed the title of duke of Shoreditch, etc., upon the most deserving. The king was present. Ibid. 173.’—Nares, Gloss.

Entick (Survey 2. 65) gives an interesting account of a match which took place in 1583. The Duke of Shoreditch was accompanied on this occasion by the ‘marquises of Barlow, Clerkenwell, Islington, Hoxton, and Shaklewell, the earl of Pancras, etc. These, to the number of 3000, assembled at the place appointed, sumptuously apparelled, and 942 of them had gold chains about their necks. They marched from merchant-taylors-hall, preceded by whifflers and bellmen, that made up the number 4000, besides pages and footmen; performing several exercises and evolutions in Moorfields, and at last shot at the target for glory in Smithfield.’

4. 7. 69 Ha’. See variants. The original seems to me the more characteristic reading.

4. 7. 84 after-game. Jonson uses the expression again in the New Inn, Wks. 5. 402:

And play no after-games of love hereafter.

Act V

5. 1. 28 Tyborne. This celebrated gallows stood, it is believed, on the site of Connaught Place. It derived the name from a brook in the neighborhood (see Minsheu, Stow, etc.).

5. 1. 29 My L. Majors Banqueting-house. This was in Stratford Place, Oxford Street. It was ‘erected for the Mayor and Corporation to dine in after their periodical visits to the Bayswater and Paddington Conduits, and the Conduit-head adjacent to the Banqueting-House, which supplied the city with water. It was taken down in 1737, and the cisterns arched over at the same time.’—Wh-C.

Stow (ed. 1633, pp. 475-6) speaks of ‘many faire Summer houses’ in the London suburbs, built ‘not so much for use and profit, as for shew and pleasure.’

The spelling Major seems to be a Latin form. Mr. Charles Jackson (N. & Q. 4. 7. 176) mentions it as frequently used by the mayors of Doncaster in former days. Cf. also Glapthorne (Wks. 1. 231) and Ev. Man in (Folio 1616, 5. 5. 41).

5. 1. 41 my tooth-picks. See note 4. 2. 26.

5. 1. 47 Saint Giles’es. ‘Now, without the postern of Cripplesgate, first is the parish church of Saint Giles, a very fair and large church, lately repaired, after that the same was burnt in the year 1545.’—Stow, Survey, ed. Thoms, p. 112.

5. 1. 48 A kind of Irish penance! ‘There is the same allusion to the rug gowns of the wild Irish, in the Night Walker of Fletcher:

We have divided the sexton’s household stuff
Among us; one has the rug, and he’s turn’d Irish.’

—G.

Cf. also Holinshed, Chron. (quoted CD.):‘As they distill the best aqua-vitæ, so they spin the choicest rug in Ireland.’ Fynes Moryson (Itinerary, fol. 1617, p. 160) says that the Irish merchants were forbidden to export their wool, in order that the peasants might ‘be nourished by working it into cloth, namely, Rugs... & mantles generally worn by men and women, and exported in great quantity.’

Jonson mentions rug as an article of apparel several times. In Alch., Wks. 4. 14, it is spoken of as the dress of a poor man and ibid. 4. 83 as that of an astrologer. In Ev. Man out (Wks. 2. 110) a similar reference is made, and here Gifford explains that rug was ‘the usual dress of mathematicians, astrologers, &c., when engaged in their sublime speculations.’ Marston also speaks of rug gowns as the symbol of a strict life (What You Will, Wks. 2. 395):

Lamp-oil, watch-candles, rug-gowns, and small juice,
Thin commons, four o’clock rising,

—I renounce you all.

5. 2. 1 ff. put me To yoaking foxes, etc. Several at least of the following employments are derived from proverbial expressions familiar at the time. Jonson speaks of ‘milking he-goats’ in Timber, ed. Schelling, p. 34, which the editor explains as ‘a proverbial expression for a fruitless task.’ The occupation of lines 5-6 is adapted from a popular proverb given by Cotgrave: ‘J’aymeroy autant tirer vn pet d’un Asne mort, que. I would as soone vndertake to get a fart of a dead man, as &c.’ Under Asne he explains the same proverb as meaning ‘to worke impossibilities.’ This explains the passage in Staple of News 3. 1., Wks. 5. 226. The proverb is quoted again in Eastward Ho, Marston, Wks. 3. 90, and in Wm. Lilly’s Observations,’ Hist., pp. 269-70. ‘Making ropes of sand’ was Iniquity’s occupation in 1. 1. 119. This familiar proverb first appears in Aristides 2. 309: ἑκ ψάμμου σχοινίον πλέκειν. In the New Inn, Wks. 5. 394, Lovel says: ‘I will go catch the wind first in a sieve.’ Whalley says that the occupation of ‘keeping fleas within a circle’ is taken from Socrates’ employment in the Clouds of Aristophanes (ll. 144-5). Gifford, however, ridicules the notion. Jonson refers to the passage in the Clouds in Timber (ed. Schelling, 82. 33), where he thinks it would have made the Greeks merry to see Socrates ‘measure how many foot a flea could skip geometrically.’ But here again we seem to have a proverbial expression. It occurs in the morality-play of Nature, 642. II (quoted by Cushman, p. 116):

I had leiver keep as many flese,
Or wyld hares in an opyn lese,
As undertake that.

5. 2. 32. Scan:

And three/ pence. ͝/ Give me/ an an/swer. Sir.

Thos. Keightley, N. & Q. 4. 2. 603, suggests:

And your threepence, etc.

5. 2. 35 Your best songs Thom. O’ Bet’lem. ‘A song entitled “Mad Tom” is to be found in Percy’s Reliques; Ballad Soc. Roxb. Ball., 2. p. 259; and Chappell’s Old Pop. Mus. The exact date of the poem is not known.’—H. R. D. Anders, Shakespeare’s Books, p. 24-5.

Bethlehem Royal Hospital was originally founded ‘to have been a priory of canons,’ but was converted to a hospital for lunatics in 1547. In Jonson’s time it was one of the regular sights of London, and is so referred to in Dekker’s Northward Hoe, Wks. 3. 56 f.; Sil. Wom., Wks. 3. 421; Alch., Wks. 4. 132.

5. 3. 6 little Darrels tricks. John Darrel (fl. 1562-1602) was born, it is believed, at Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, about 1562. He graduated at Cambridge, studied law, and then became a preacher at Mansfield. He began to figure as an exorcist in 1586, when he pretended to cast out an evil spirit from Catherine Wright of Ridgway Lane, Derbyshire. In 1596 he exorcised Thomas Darling, a boy of fourteen, of Burton-on-Trent, for bewitching whom Alice Goodrich was tried and convicted at Derby. A history of the case was written by Jesse Bee of Burton (Harsnet, Discovery, p. 2). The boy Darling went to Merton College, and in 1603 was sentenced by the Star-chamber to be whipped, and to lose his ears for libelling the vice-chancellor of Oxford. In March, 1596-7, Darrel was sent for to Clayworth Hall, Shakerly, in Leigh parish, Lancashire, where he exorcised seven persons of the household of Mr. Nicholas Starkie, who accused one Edmund Hartley of bewitching them, and succeeded in getting the latter condemned and executed in 1597. In November, 1597, Darrel was invited to Nottingham to dispossess William Somers, an apprentice, and shortly after his arrival was appointed preacher of St. Mary’s in that town, and his fame drew crowded congregations to listen to his tales of devils and possession. Darrel’s operations having been reported to the Archbishop of York, a commission of inquiry was issued (March 1597-8), and he was prohibited from preaching. Subsequently the case was investigated by Bancroft, bishop of London, and S. Harsnet, his chaplain, when Somers, Catherine Wright, and Mary Cooper confessed that they had been instructed in their simulations by Darrel. He was brought before the commissioners and examined at Lambeth on 26 May 1599, was pronounced an impostor, degraded from the ministry and committed to the Gatehouse. He remained in prison for at least a year, but it is not known what became of him. (Abridged from DNB.)

Jonson refers to Darrel again in U. 67, Wks. 8. 422:

This age will lend no faith to Darrel’s deed.

5. 3. 27 That could, pitty her selfe. See variants.

5. 3. 28 in Potentiâ. Jonson uses the phrase again in the Alchemist, Wks. 4. 64: ‘The egg’s... a chicken in potentia.’ It is a late Latin phrase. See Gloss.

5. 4. 17 my proiect o’ the forkes. Forks were just being introduced into England at this time, and were a common subject of satire. The first mention of a fork recorded in the NED. is: ‘1463 Bury Wills (Camden) 40, I beqwethe to Davn John Kertelynge my silvir forke for grene gyngour.’

Cf. Dekker, Guls Horne-booke, Non-dram. Wks. 2. 211: ‘Oh golden world, the suspicious Venecian carued not his meate with a siluer pitch-forke.’ B. & Fl., Queen of Corinth 4. 1 (quoted by Gifford):

It doth express th’ enamoured courtier,
As full as your fork-carving traveler.

Fox, Wks. 3. 261:

     —Then must you learn the use
And handling of your silver fork at meals,
The metal of your glass; (these are main matters
With your Italian;)

Coryat has much to say on the subject (Crudities 1. 106): ‘I obserued a custome in all those Italian Cities and Townes through the which I passed, that is not vsed in any other country that I saw in my trauels, neither doe I thinke that any other nation of Christendome doth vse it, but only Italy. The Italian and also most strangers that are commorant in Italy, doe alwaies in their meales vse a little forke when they cut their meate. For while with their knife which they hold in one hand they cut the meate out of the dish, they fasten their forke which they hold in their other hand vpon the same dish, so that whatsoeuer he be that sitting in the company of any others at meale, should vnadvisedly touch the dish of meate with his fingers from which all at the table doe cut, he will giue occasion of offence vnto the company, as hauing transgressed the lawes of good manners.... This forme of feeding I vnderstand is generally vsed in all places of Italy, their forkes being for the most part made of yron or steele, and some of siluer, but those are vsed only by Gentlemen.’ Coryat carried this custom home with him to England, for which a friend dubbed him furcifer. This passage is doubtless the source of Jonson’s lines. Compare the last sentence of the quotation with lines 30, 31 of this scene.

5. 4. 23, 4 on my priuate, By cause. See variants. There is no necessity for change. Cf. 1616 Sir R. Dudley in Fortesc. Papers 17: ‘Nor am I so vaine... bycause I am not worth so much.’ The same form occurs in Sad Shepherd (Fol. 1631-40, p. 143):

But, beare yee Douce, bycause, yee may meet mee.

Gabriel Harvey uses both the forms by cause and bycause. Prose Wks. 1. 101; 102; et frequenter.

5. 4. 34 at mine owne ap-perill. The word is of rare occurrence. Gifford quotes Timon of Athens 1. 2: ‘Let me stay at thine apperil, Timon;’ and refers to Mag. La., Wks. 6. 109: ‘Faith, I will bail him at mine own apperil.’ It occurs again in Tale Tub, Wks. 6. 148: ‘As you will answer it at your apperil.’

5. 5. 10, 11 I will leaue you To your God fathers in Law. ‘This seems to have been a standing joke for a jury. It is used by Shakespeare and by writers prior to him. Thus Bulleyn, speaking of a knavish ostler, says, “I did see him ones aske blessyng to xii godfathers at ones.” Dialogue, 1564.’—G.

The passage from Shakespeare is Merch. of Ven. 4. 1. 398:

In christening, shalt thou have two godfathers:
Had I been judge, thou should’st have had ten more,
To bring thee to the gallows, not the font.

Cf. also Muse’s Looking Glass, O. Pl. 9. 214: ‘Boets! I had rather zee him remitted to the jail, and have his twelve godvathers, good men and true contemn him to the gallows.’

5. 5. 50, 51 A Boy O’ thirteene yeere old made him an Asse But t’toher day. Whalley believed this to be an allusion to the ‘boy of Bilson,’ but, as Gifford points out, this case did not occur until 1620, four years after the production of the present play. Gifford believes Thomas Harrison, the ‘boy of Norwich,’ to be alluded to. A short account of his case is given in Hutchinson’s Impostures Detected, pp. 262 f. The affair took place in 1603 or 1604, and it was thought necessary to ‘require the Parents of the said Child, that they suffer not any to repair to their House to visit him, save such as are in Authority and other Persons of special Regard, and known Discretion.’ Hutchinson says that Harrison was twelve years old. It is quite possible, though not probable, that Jonson is referring again to the Boy of Burton, who was only two years older. See note 5. 3. 6.

5. 5. 58, 59 You had some straine ‘Boue E-la? Cf. 1593 Nash, Christ’s Tears, Wks. 4. 188: ‘You must straine your wits an Ela aboue theyrs.’ Cf. also Nash, Wks. 5. 98 and 253; Lyly, Euphues, Aij; and Gloss.

5. 6. 1 your garnish. ‘This word garnish has been made familiar to all time by the writings of John Howard. “A cruel custom,” says he, “obtains in most of our gaols, which is that of the prisoners demanding of a newcomer garnish, footing, or (as it is called in some London gaols) chummage. Pay or strip are the fatal words. I say fatal, for they are so to some, who, having no money, are obliged to give up part of their scanty apparel; and if they have no bedding or straw to sleep on, contract diseases which I have known to prove mortal.”’—C.

Cf. Dekker, If this be not a good Play, Wks. 3. 324:

Tis a strong charme gainst all the noisome smels
Of Counters, Iaylors, garnishes, and such hels.

and Greene, Upstart Courtier, Dija: ‘Let a poore man be arrested... he shal be almost at an angels charge, what with garnish, crossing and wiping out of the book... extortions... not allowed by any statute.’

The money here seems to have been intended for the jailer, rather than for Pug’s fellow-prisoners. The custom was abolished by 4 George IV. c. 43, § 12.

5. 6. 10 I thinke Time be drunke, and sleepes. Cf. 1. 4. 31. For the metaphor cf. New Inn, Wks. 5. 393:

If I but knew what drink the time now loved.

and Staple of News, Wks. 5. 162:

     —Now sleep, and rest;
Would thou couldst make the time to do so too.

5. 6. 18 confute. ‘A pure Latinism. Confutare is properly to pour cold water in a pot, to prevent it from boiling over; and hence metaphorically, the signification of confuting, reproving, or controuling.’—W.

For the present use cf. T. Adams in Spurgeon, Treas. Dav., 1614, Ps. lxxx. 20: ‘Goliath... shall be confuted with a pebble.’ R. Coke, Justice Vind. (1660) 15: ‘to be confuted with clubs and hissing.’

5. 6. 21 the Session. The general or quarter sessions were held regularly four times a year on certain days prescribed by the statutes. The length of time for holding the sessions was fixed at three days, if necessity required it, but the rule was not strictly adhered to. See Beard, The Office of the Justice of the Peace in England, pp. 158 f.

5. 6. 23 In a cart, to be hang’d. ‘Theft and robbery in their coarsest form were for many centuries capital crimes.... The question when theft was first made a capital crime is obscure, but it is certain that at every period some thefts were punished with death, and that by Edward I.’s time, at least, the distinction between grand and petty larceny, which lasted till 1827, was fully established.’—Stephen, Hist. Crim. Law 3. 128 f.

5. 6. 24 The charriot of Triumph, which most of them are. The procession from Newgate by Holbom and Tyburn road was in truth often a ‘triumphall egression,’ and a popular criminal like Jack Sheppard or Jonathan Wild frequently had a large attendance. Cf. Shirley, Wedding 4. 3, Wks., ed. Gifford, 1. 425: ‘Now I’m in the cart, riding up Holborn in a two-wheeled chariot, with a guard of Halberdiers. There goes a proper fellow, says one; good people pray for me: now I am at the three wooden stilts,’ etc.

5. 6. 48 a body intire. Jonson uses the word in its strict etymological sense.

5. 6. 54 cheated on. Dyce (Remarks) points out that this phrase is used in Mrs. Centlivre’s Wonder, Act 2. Sc. 1. Jonson uses it again in Mercury vindicated: ‘and cheat upon your under-officers;’ and Marston in What You Will, Wks. 2. 387.

5. 6. 64 Prouinciall o’ the Cheaters! Provincial is a term borrowed from the church. See Gloss. Of the cheaters Dekker gives an interesting account in the Bel-man of London, Non-dram. Wks. 3. 116 f.: ‘Of all which Lawes, the Highest in place, and the Highest in perdition is the Cheating Law or the Art of winning money by false dyce: Those that practise this studie call themselues Cheators, / the dyce Cheaters, and the money which they purchase [see note 3. 4. 31, 2.] Cheates [see 1.7.4 and Gloss.]: borrowing the tearme from our common Lawyers, with whome all such casuals as fall to the Lord at the holding of his Leetes, as Waifes, Strayes, & such like, are sayd to be Escheated to the Lords vse and are called Cheates.’

5. 6. 64 Bawd-ledger. Jonson speaks of a similar official in Every Man out, Wks. 2. 132: ‘He’s a leiger at Horn’s ordinary (cant name for a bawdy-house) yonder.’ See Gloss.

5. 6. 68 to sindge your nayles off. In the fool’s song in Twelfth Night we have the exclamation to the devil: ‘paire thy nayles dad’ (Furness’s ed., p. 273). The editor quotes Malone: ‘The Devil was supposed from choice to keep his nails unpared, and therefore to pare them was an affront. So, in Camden’s Remaines, 1615: “I will follow mine owne minde, and mine old trade; who shall let me? the divel’s nailes are unparde.”’

Compare also Henry V. 4. 4. 76: ‘Bardolph and Nym had ten times more valor than this roaring devil i’ the old play, that every one may pare his nails with a wooden dagger.’

5. 6. 76 The Diuell was wont to carry away the euill. Eckhardt, p. 100, points out that Jonson’s etymology of the word Vice, which has been a matter of dispute, was the generally accepted one, that is, from vice = evil.

5. 7. 1 Iustice Hall. ‘The name of the Sessions-house in the Old Bailey.’—G. Strype, B. 3. p. 281 says that it was ‘a fair and stately building, very commodious for that affair.’ ‘It standeth backwards, so that it hath no front towards the street, only the gateway leading into the yard before the House, which is spacious. It cost above £6000 the building. And in this place the Lord Mayor, Recorder, the Aldermen and Justices of the Peace for the County of Middlesex do sit, and keep his Majesty’s Sessions of Oyer and Terminer.’ It was destroyed in the Gordon Riots of 1780.—Wh-C.

5. 7. 9 This strange! See variants. The change seriously injures the metre, and the original reading should be preserved. Such absorptions (this for this is or this’s) are not uncommon. Cf. Macbeth 3. 4. 17, ed. Furness, p. 165: ‘yet he’s good’ for ‘yet he is as good.’

5. 8. 2 They had giu’n him potions. Jonson perhaps had in mind the trial of Anne Turner and her accomplices in the Overbury Case of the previous year. See Introduction, p. lxxii. For a discussion of love-philtres see Burton, Anat. of Mel. (ed. Bullen), 3. 145 f.

5. 8. 33 with a Wanion. This word is found only in the phrases ‘with a wanion,’ ‘in a wanion,’ and ‘wanions on you.’ It is a kind of petty imprecation, and occurs rather frequently in the dramatists, but its precise signification and etymology are still in doubt. Boswell, Malone, 21. 61, proposed a derivation from winnowing,‘a beating;’ Nares from wanung, Saxon, ‘detriment;’ Dyce (Ford’s Wks. 2. 291) from wan (vaande, Dutch, ‘a rod or wand’), ‘of which wannie and wannion are familiar diminutives.’ The CD. makes it a later form of ME. waniand, ‘a waning,’ spec. of the moon, regarded as implying ill luck.

5. 8. 34 If his hornes be forth, the Diuells companion! The jest is too obvious not to be a common one. Thus in Eastward Ho Slitgut, who is impersonating the cuckold at Horn-fair, says: ‘Slight! I think the devil be abroad. in likeness of a storm, to rob me of my horns!’,—Marston’s Wks. 3. 72. Cf. also Staple of News, Wks. 5. 186: ‘And why would you so fain see the devil? would I say. Because he has horns, wife, and may be a cuckold as well as a devil.’

5. 8. 35 How he foames! For the stock indications of witchcraft see Introduction, p. xlix.

5. 8. 40 The Cockscomb, and the Couerlet. Wittipol is evidently selecting an appropriate name for Fitzdottrel’s buffoonery after the manner of the puppet-shows. It is quite possible that some actual motion of the day was styled ‘the Coxcomb and the Coverlet.’

5. 8. 50 shee puts in a pinne. Pricking with pins and needles was one of the devil’s regular ways of tormenting bewitched persons. They were often supposed to vomit these articles. So when Voltore feigns possession, Volpone cries out: ‘See! He vomits crooked pins’ (The Fox, Wks. 3. 312).

5. 8. 61 the Kings Constable. ‘From the earliest times to our own days, there were two bodies of police in England, namely, the parish and high constables, and the watchmen in cities and boroughs. Nothing could exceed their inefficiency in the 17th century. Of the constables, Dalton (in the reign of James I.) observes that they “are often absent from their houses, being for the most part husbandmen.” The charge of Dogberry shows probably with no great caricature what sort of watchmen Shakespeare was familiar with. As late as 1796, Colquhoun observes that the watchmen “were aged and often superannuated men.” ’—Sir J. Stephen, Hist. Crim. Law 1. 194 f.

5. 8. 71 The taking of Tabacco, with which the Diuell Is so delighted. This was an old joke of the time. In Middleton’s Black Book, Wks. 8. 42 f. the devil makes his will, a part of which reads as follows: ‘But turning my legacy to you-ward, Barnaby Burning-glass, arch-tobacco-taker of England, in ordinaries, upon stages both common and private, and lastly, in the lodging of your drab and mistress; I am not a little proud, I can tell you, Barnaby, that you dance after my pipe so long, and for all counter-blasts and tobacco-Nashes (which some call railers), you are not blown away, nor your fiery thirst quenched with the small penny-ale of their contradictions, but still suck that dug of damnation with a long nipple, still burning that rare Phoenix of Phlegethon, tobacco, that from her ashes, burned and knocked out, may arise another pipeful.’

Middleton here refers to Nash’s Pierce Pennilesse and King James I.’s Counterblast to Tobacco. The former in his supplication to the devil says: ‘It is suspected you have been a great tobacco-taker in your youth.’ King James describes it as ‘a custom loathsome to the eye, hateful to the nose, harmful to the brain, dangerous to the lungs, and in the black stinking fume thereof, nearest resembling the horrid stygian smoke of the pit that is bottomless.’

The dramatists seem never to grow tired of this joking allusion to the devil and his pipe of tobacco. Cf. Dekker, If this be not a good Play, Wks. 3. 293: ‘I think the Diuell is sucking Tabaccho, heeres such a Mist.’ Ibid. 327: ‘Are there gentleman diuels too? this is one of those, who studies the black Art, thats to say, drinkes Tobacco.’ Massinger, Guardian, Wks., p. 344:

     —You shall fry first
For a rotten piece of touchwood, and give fire
To the great fiend’s nostrils, when he smokes tobacco!

Dekker (Non-dram. Wks. 2. 89) speaks of ‘that great Tobacconist the Prince of Smoake & darknes, Don Pluto.’

The art of taking or drinking tobacco was much cultivated and had its regular professors. The whiff, the ring, etc., are often spoken of. For the general subject see Dekker, Guls Horne-booke; Barnaby Riche, Honestie of this Age, 1613; Harrison, Chronology, 1573; Every Man in, etc. An excellent description of a tobacconist’s shop is given in Alchemist, Wks. 4. 37. For a historical account of its introduction see Wheatley. Ev. Man in, p. xlvii.

Jonson’s form tabacco is the same as the Italian and Portuguese. See Alden, Bart. Fair, p. 169.

5. 8. 74, 5 yellow, etc. That’s Starch! the Diuell’s Idoll of that colour. For the general subject of yellow starch see note 1. 1. 112, 3. Compare also Stubbes, Anat. of Abuses, p. 52: ‘The deuil, as he in the fulness of his malice, first inuented these great ruffes, so hath hee now found out also two great stayes to beare vp and maintaine this his kingdome of great ruffes.... The one arch or piller whereby his kingdome of great ruffes is vnderpropped, is a certaine kinde of liquide matter which they call starch, wherein the devil hath willed them to wash and diue his ruffes wel.’

‘Starch hound’ and ‘Tobacco spawling (spitting)’ are the names of two devils in Dekker’s If this be not a good Play, Wks. 3. 270. Jonson speaks of ‘that idol starch’ again in the Alchemist, Wks. 4. 92.

5. 8. 78 He is the Master of Players. An evident allusion to the Puritan attacks on the stage. This was the period of the renewed literary contest. George Wither had lately published his Abuses stript and whipt, 1613. For the whole subject see Thompson, E. N. S., The Controversy between the Puritans and the Stage, New York, 1903.

5. 8. 81 Figgum. ‘In some of our old dictionaries, fid is explained to caulk with oakum: figgum, or fig’em, may therefore be a vulgar derivative from this term, and signify the lighted flax or tow with which jugglers stuff their mouths when they prepare to amuse the rustics by breathing out smoke and flames:

     —a nut-shell
With tow, and touch-wood in it, to spite fire (5. 3. 4. 5).’

—G.

5. 8. 86, 7 to such a foole, He makes himselfe. For the omission of the relative adverb cf. 1. 3. 34, 35.

5. 8. 89 To come to dinner, in mee the sinner. The conception of this couplet and the lines which Fitzdottrel speaks below was later elaborated in Cocklorrel’s song in the Gipsies Metamorphosed. Pluto in Dekker’s If this be not a good Play, Wks. 3. 268, says that every devil should have ‘a brace of whores to his breakfast.’ Such ideas seem to be descended from the mediæval allegories of men like Raoul de Houdanc, Ruteboeuf, etc.

5. 8. 91, 2 Are you phrenticke, Sir, Or what graue dotage moues you. ‘Dotage, fatuity, or folly, is a common name to all the following species, as some will have it.... Phrenitis, which the Greeks derive from the word φρήν, is a disease of the mind, with a continual madness or dotage, which hath an acute fever annexed, or else an inflammation of the brain, or the membranes or kells of it, with an acute fever, which causeth madness and dotage.’—Burton, Anat. of Mel., ed. Shilleto, 1. 159-60.

5. 8. 112 f. Οὶ μοὶ κακοδαίμων, etc. See variants. ‘This Greek is from the Plutus of Aristophanes, Act 4, Sc. 3.’—W.

Accordingly to Blaydes’s edition, 1886, 11. 850-2. He reads Οἴμοι κακοδαίμων, etc. (Ah! me miserable, and thrice miserable, and four times, and five times, and twelve times, and ten thousand times.)

5. 8. 116 Quebrémos, etc. Let’s break his eye in jest.

5. 8. 118 Di grátia, etc. If you please, sir, if you have money, give me some of it.

5. 8. 119 f. Ouy, Ouy Monsieur, etc. Yes, yes, sir, a poor devil! a poor little devil!

5. 8. 121 by his seuerall languages. Cf. Marston, Malcontent, Wks. 1. 212: ‘Mal. Phew! the devil: let him possess thee; he’ll teach thee to speak all languages most readily and strangely.’

5. 8. 132 Such an infernall stincke, etc. Dr. Henry More says that the devil’s ‘leaving an ill smell behind him seems to imply the reality of the business’, and that it is due to ‘those adscititious particles he held together in his visible vehicle being loosened at his vanishing’ (see Lowell, Lit. Essays 2. 347).

5. 8. 133 St. Pulchars Steeple. St. Sepulchre in the Bailey (occasionally written St. ’Pulcher’s) is a church at the western end of Newgate Street and in the ward of Farringdon Without. A church existed here in the twelfth century. The church which Jonson knew was built in the middle of the fifteenth century. The body of the church was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666.

It was the custom formerly for the clerk or bellman of St. Sepulchre’s to go under Newgate on the night preceding the execution of a criminal, and, ringing his bell, to repeat certain verses, calling the prisoner to repentance. Another curious custom observed at this church was that of presenting a nosegay to every criminal on his way to Tyburn (see Wh-C.). The executed criminals were buried in the churchyard (d. Middleton, Black Book, Wks. 8. 25).

Cunningham says that ‘the word steeple was not used in the restricted sense to which we now confine it. The tower of St. Sepulchre’s in Jonson’s time, must have been very much like what we now see it as most carefully and tastefully restored.’

5. 8. 134 as farre as Ware. This is a distance of about 22 miles. Ware is an ancient market-town of Herts, situated in a valley on the north side of the river Lea. The ‘great bed of Ware’ is mentioned in Twelfth Night 3. 2. 51, and the town is characterized as ‘durty Ware’ in Dekker’s North-ward Hoe, Wks. 3. 53.

5. 8. 142, 3 I will tell truth, etc. Jonson uses this proverb again in Tale Tub, Wks. 6. 150: ‘tell troth and shame the devil.’