“Welcome from Norwich Kempe; all joy to see “Thy safe returne
moriscoed
lustily.
Dodsley - Select Collection of Old Plays - v1
C.
not find any play Shakspeare acted the Children of the Revels. R.
Dodsley here speaking generally the three compa
of
so
of
of *
*I
it
in
do
all
is
of
is a
I.
of
to
is of an
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by
of
;
of
lvi MR. DoDSLEY's PR EFACE.
Jonson's, and others, were first acted by them. Nay, so great was their vogue and estimation, that
the common players, as may be gathered from a scene in Hamlet, grew jealous of them. However,
they served as an excellent nursery for the theatres, many who afterwards became approved actors being educated among them.
It is surprising to consider what a number of playhouses were supported in London about this time. From the year 1570 to the year 1629, when the playhouse in White Friers was finished, no
less than 17 playhouses had been built. " The names of most of them I have collected from the
Title-pages of Plays”. And as the theatres were
nies of the children of St. Paul's, the Chapel, and the Revels,
and not as Mr. Reed concludes, of the two last only, as is
clear from what he observes of Lilly's Plays, for at least six
of those attributed to him were acted by the Children of Paul’s. C.
* Mr. G. Chalmers, in his Supplemental Apology, p. 186, states that “in 1589 there existed in and about London
only two theatres—the Theatre and the Curtain. ” C.
* Paul's Singing-school, The Globe the Bankside,
Southwark, The Swan and The Hope there, The Fortune between h’hitecross-street and Golding Lane, which Maitland tells
was the first playhouse erected London, The Red Bull John's-street, The Cross Keys Grace-Church-street, The Tuns, The Theater, The Curtain, The Nursery Barbican, one
Black Friers, one White Friers, one Salisbury-Court, and the Cockpit and the Phaenir Drury-Lane.
in
in St.
in
in
in in
D.
in
in
on
us
St.
MR. DoDSLEY’s PREFACE.
lvii
so numerous, the companies of players were in
proportion. Besides the Children of the Chapel, and of the Revels, we are told that Queen Eliza beth, at the request of Sir Francis Walsingham, established in handsome salaries twelve of the
principal players of that time, who went under the
In the above enumeration, I suspect there are two play houses which are mentioned twice. Those in JWhite Friers
and Salisbury-Court seem to be one and the same, as those
called The Cock-Pit and The Phaenir certainly are. See
Historia Histrionica, vol. XII. p. 341. The Curtain was in
Shoreditch, a part of which district still retains the name
The Curtain. The original sign hung out at this theatre
was the painting of a curtain striped. (See first volume of
Shakspeare, edit. 1778. vol. I. p. 267. and Sir John Haw
kins's History of Musick, vol. IV. p. 67. ) That called The Theatre, I imagine, was Black Friers. We learn, likewise,
from Prynne's Histriomastir, that in the time of Queen
Elizabeth, there were two other playhouses, the one called The Bell-Sauvage (situated very probably on Ludgate-Hill), the other in Bishopsgate-street; though this latter might be The Curtain. Taylor, the water poet, in The true Cause of the Waterman's Suit concerning Players, 1613, mentions
another theatre, called The Rose. I. R.
The Rose stood on the Bankside, and by the discovery of
Philip Henslowe's accounts in MS. at Dulwich College, it has of late years acquired considerable notoriety Hen slowe was the proprietor of Mr. Malone accuses Dodsley
falling into the error supposing that play houses were open one time, but his words not quite warrant such conclusion: only means say, the authority
the person who continued Stowe's Survey, that between
of
of a
he
to
do
on
17
at
of
it.
lviii MR. DoDSLEY’s PREFACE.
name of her Majesty's Comedians and Servants. “ But exclusive of these, many “noblemen retained companies of players, who acted not only privately
1570 and 1629, no less than 17 play houses had been built: the companies (as he adds) might be in proportion even
though they did not all exist at once. C.
* This took place in 1583, but as early as 1574 she
granted a licence to James Burbage and four others to ex hibit stage plays of any kind in any part of the king dom.
*Thus Shakspeare's Titus Andronicus was acted by the Earls of Derby, Pembroke, and Essex's servants; his Romeo and Juliet in 1596, which some say was his first play, by Lord Hunsdon's servants; and his Merry Wives of Windsor in 1602, by the Lord Chamberlain's [the earl of Oxford's]
servants. The earl of Nottingham, Lord High Admiral,
had a company in 1594, and in 1599 The Pinner of Wake
Jield was acted by the earl of Sussex's servants. In short,
plays were acted by the Lawyers in the Inns of Court, by
the Students of several Halls and Colleges in the Univer"
sities, and even by London Prentices: so that now the say
ing was almost literally true, Tolus Mundus agit Histrio
D.
of players under their protection, may be added the names of The Earl of Worcester and Lord Strange ; the plays of How
nem;
To the noblemen abovementioned, who had companies
to chuse a good Wife from a bad, 4to, 1602, being acted by the servants of the former; and Fair Em, Miller's Daughter Manchester, 4to, 1631, those the latter. The privi protecting players, seems
lege which the nobility claimed have been acknowledged
tury. Mrs. Centlivre's play
late the present cen Love Venture, was
•
of
of of
in at
the
a
to
of
by so
as
MR. DoDSLEY'S PREFACE. lix
in their lords houses, but publicly under their
licence and protection. Agreeable to this is the
account which Stow gives us – “Players in former “ times, says he, were retainers to noblemen, and
“none had the privilege to act plays but such. So “in Queen Elizabeth's time, many of the nobility “had servants and retainers who were players, and
“went about getting their livelihood that way *. “The Lord Admiral had players, so had Lord “Strange, that played in the city of London. And
printed in 4to, 1706, as it was acted by the duke of Graf. ton’s servants, at the new theatre in Bath; and Injured Virtue, or Virgin Martyr, Benjamin Griffin, was like
manner printed 12mo, 1715, acted the playhouse
Richmond servants. R.
the duke Southampton and Cleveland's
The Protector Somerset had company players and no doubt others were sheltered under the patronage noblemen, earlier than the reign Edward VI. work
printed 1568 “at Collen Arnold Birckman,” but the preface dated 1557, find the following mention them, and one Miles, member the company, who perhaps
the first actor England whose name stands upon re cord: the title the book “of the nature and proper
ties well the bathes England, Germanye. ”
“They (says the writer) drye
heale the goute excellently (and that
with diverse others, one Myles, some tyme one my Lord
Summersettes players, can beare witness. ”
other bathes
wounderfullie and shorte tyme)
of is *
in
C. of
of
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inup as aof
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asin
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in
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of
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in
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of
in
lx MR. DoDSLEY’s PREFACE.
“it was usual, on any gentleman's complaint of
“them for indecent reflections in their plays, to “ have them put down. Thus once the lord trea “surer signified to the lord mayor to have these “ players of Lord Admiral and Lord Strange pro “hibited, at least for some time, because one Mr. “Tilney
had for some reasons disliked them. “Whereupon the mayor sent for both companies
“ and gave them strict charge to forbear playing
“till farther orders. The Lord Admiral's players “obeyed; but the Lord Strange's in a contemptu
“ous manner went to the Cross-Keys, and played “ that afternoon. Upon which the mayor com “mitted two of them to the Compter, and pro “hibited playing for the future, till the trea “surer's pleasure was farther known. This was
“1589. ” And another part his Survey London, speaking the stage, says, “This which
was once recreation, and used therefore now
and then occasionally, afterwards abuse be
“came trade and calling, and remains this day. those former days, ingenious trades “men, and gentlemen's servants, would sometimes
“gather company themselves, and learn inter
“ludes,
“actions “Festivals,
expose vice, represent the noble
our ancestors. These they played private houses, weddings,
“other entertainments. But process time
in
In a
a
all of in
to in
he so
at of
of by
it or at
of in
“ of to a
or
of
““
to
MR. DODSLEY’s PREFACE. lxi
“ became an occupation; and these plays being “ commonly acted on as Sundays and Festivals,
“ the churches were forsaken, and the playhouses “ thronged. Great Inns were used for this pur
“pose, which had secret chambers and places, as “well as open stages and galleries. Here maids
“and good citizens children were inveigled and
“allured to private and unmeet contracts; here
“were publicly uttered popular and seditious mat
“ters, unchaste, uncomely,
and unshamefaced
“speeches, and many other enormities. The con
“sideration of these things occasioned in 1574, Sir
“James Hawes being mayor, an act of common
“councel, wherein it was ordained, that no play
“should be openly acted within the liberty of the
“city, wherein should be uttered any words, ex “amples, or doings of any unchastity, sedition, or
“such like unfit and uncomely matter, under the
“penalty of five pounds, and fourteen days im
“prisonment. That no play should be acted till
“first perused and allowed by the lord mayor and
“ court of aldermen; with many other restrictions.
“Yet it was provided that this act should not ex “tend to plays showed in private houses, the lodg
“ings of a nobleman, citizen, or gentleman, for the
* The custom of acting on Sundays possibly took rise from the exhibition of the mysteries on that day, which was
partly considered as an act of religion. D.
xiii MR. DoDSLEY'S PREFACE.
“ celebration of any marriage, or other festivity,
“ and where no collection of money was made from “ the auditors. But these orders were not so well
“observed as they should be ; the lewd matters of “ plays encreased, and they were thought danger
“ous to religion, the state, honesty of manners, “ and also for infection in the time of sickness.
“Wherefore they were afterwards for some time “totally suppressed. But upon application to the
“ queen and the councel they were again tolerated, “under the following restrictions: That no plays
“be acted on Sundays at all, nor on any other “holidays till after evening-prayer”. That no play
“ing be in the dark, nor continue any such time,
* The acting of plays, &c. on Sunday was prohibited in consequence of the fall of a scaffold in Paris garden, on the 13th January, 1583. This appears from a Sermon on the event by John Field. Prynne (Histriomastix 491) states on
the supposed authority of Field that they abolished plays
on the Sabbath, about 1580; but this is a mistake. Arthur
Golding, the translator of Ovid, in his “Discourse upon the Earthquake” of the 6th April, 1580, complains that the
Lord's Day “is spent full heathenishly in taverning, tip ling, gaming, playing and beholding of bear-baitings and stage-plays to the utter dishonour of God, impeachment of
the godliness and unnecessary consuming men's sub stances, which ought better employed. ” George Whetstone, his Mirror for Magistrates Cities, 1584, though play-poet himself, objects the use them upon the Sabbath day, and the abuse them all times. ”
of
to
at
of
C.
al
a
in
of
of
to be
all
MR. DoDSLEY's PREFACE. lxiii
“but as any of the auditors may return to their “ dwellings in London before sunset, or at least
players
“only be tolerated, and of them their number and “certain names to be notified in the lord trea
“surer's letters to the lord mayor, and to the jus “tices of Middlesex and Surrey. And those her
“ players not to divide themselves in several com “panies. And that for breaking any of these
“before it be dark. That the Queen's
“ orders, their toleration cease. “scriptions were not sufficient “in due bounds, but their plays
times
“offence, and occasioned many disturbances:
“whence they were now and then stopped and prohibited. ” hope this long quotation from
abusive often virtue, particular persons, gave great
prove the stage
that time, and the early depravity
the plays not only that age, but long before, were sometimes personal satires, appears from manu
script letter which have seen from Sir John Hallies
the Lord Treasurer Burleigh, found amongst some papers belonging the House Commons,
which the knight accuses his lordship having
said several dishonourable things him and his family particularly that his grandfather, who had
then been dead seventy years, was man
Stow will excused, serves not only several facts, but show the customs
But these pre keep them with
But that
a
it. of
so
into at
““
to
as it
I
I of
or
of of
of a to
of
all
to
of be
to so
}xiv. MR. Do DSL EY’s PREFACE.
remarkably covetous, that the common players re presented him before the court with great applause.
Thus we see the stage no sooner began to talk,
than it grew scurrilous: and first marks sense were seen ribaldry and lasciviousness. This occasioned much offence; the zeal of the
pulpit, and the gravity
the city, equally con Many pamphlets were Stephen Gosson”, the book, intituled, The School Abuse, pleasant Invective against Poets,
curred condemn wrote both sides. year 1579, published
Pipers, Players, Jesters,
pillars the Commonwealth; dedicated Sir
Philip Sydney, He also wrote, Plays confuted five Actions: proving that they are not
Stephen Gosson was Kentishman, born 1556, and
admitted scholar of Christ Church 1512. He left the
University without completing his degrees, and came
London, where became celebrated poet, and wrote, acknowledges, the following Plays, which were acted
upon the theatre; viz. Calalin's Conspiracies; The Comedie Captain Mario, borrowed from the Italian; and The Praise
shewed his dislike plays such patron growing weary his company,
Parling, Morality.
He afterwards went into the coun try instruct agentleman’s sons, and continued there until
and took orders. He was first parson
Essex, and afterwards St. Botolph without Bishop
gate, London. Wood says was alive 1615.
and such like Cater
manner, that, his left his service, Great Wigoorow,
in
of he
in
aa ait.
of
in he at he * in to
of
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its
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to
or
MR. DoDSLEY'S PREFACE. lxv
suffered in a Christian commonwealth: dedicated
to Sir Francis Walsingham. The defendants in
this controversy were Thomas Lodge”, who wrote an old play, called, A Looking-glass for London
and England; and that voluminous dramatic writer Thomas Heywood. *
But to proceed: The stage soon after recovered
its credit, and rose to a higher pitch than ever. In
1603, the first year of King James's reign, a licence” was granted under the privy seal to Shakspeare,
Fletcher, Burbage, Hemmings, Condel, and others,
authorizing them to act plays not only at their usual
house, the Globe on the Bankside, but in any other part of the kingdom, during his majesty's pleasure.
And now, as there lived together at this time many
eminent players, it may not be amiss just to set
down what we can collect, which will be but very
little, of the most considerable of them, with regard to their talents and abilities. And first, “who is of
“more report,” says the author of the Return from Parnassus, “ than Dick Burbage” and Will
* For a particular account of Lodge, and his dramatic
and undramatic productions, see the prefatory matter to
The Wounds of Civil War, (vol. VIII. ) a play for the first time included in this collection. C.
* In his “Apology for Actors,” 1612. C.
* This licence is printed in the last edition of Shakspeare, (1778) vol. I. p. 193. I. R.
* Burbage died, says Mr. Steevens, in tfhe year 1629.
vol. I.
.
lxvi MR. DoDSLEY'S PREFACE.
“ Kempe”? He is not counted a gentleman that “ knows not Dick Burbage and Will Kempe:
(Shakspeare, 1778, p. 198. ) Flecnoe, in A short Discourse of English Stage, printed the end Love's Kingdom, 1674, speaking Burbage, says, “he was delightful
“Proteus, wholly transforming himself into his part,
and putting off himself with his cloathes, never (not much the Tyring-house) assumed himself
“again until the play was done: there being much difference betwixt him and one of our common actors as
“between ballad-singer who onely mouths and “excellent singer who knows all his graces, and can art “fully vary and modulate his voice even know how “much breath give every syllable. He had all the
parts excellent orator (animating his words with “speaking and speech with action); his auditors being
“never more delighted than when spake, nor more sorry then when held his peace; yet even then, was
“excellent actor still, never falling his part when had done speaking; but with his looks and gesture main “taining still unto the heighth, imagining age quod
“agis onely spoke
player him wrong, man being less idle then he,
“whose whole life nothing else but action; with only
“this difference from other men's, that what but play
“to them his business; their business but play “to him. ” R.
William Kempe was one the actors who performed the Globe and Black Fryers. His name appears among
the original performers Jonson's Every Man
remarkable for excelling
Shakspeare's Plays, and Ben Humour, acted 1598. He was the morrice dance, circum
him those who call him
a
he
a an an
in
is
to
in his in
so of
no : so
at
in
he
at *
““““
“““
the
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of
isdoit ofa I. hean
so
so
isis aa
to
as a it, as he
as
in
he
he
of
MR. DODSLEY'S PREFACE. lxvii
“ there's not a country wench that can dance Sel “ lenger's Round, but can talk of Dick Burbage and
stance often mentioned by contemporary writers. As in Jacke Drum’s Entertainment, 1616, Sign. A. 3:
“I
“For of foolish actions, may be theyle talke wisely but of “Wise intendments, most part talke like fooles. ”
had rather that
Kemp’s chat, Morice were their
Taylor's Laugh and be fat, p. 73:
“This gentleman thy travels doth advance
“Above Kemp’s Norwich anticke Morris dance. ”
I am informed, that among the books, given by Robert
Burton to the Bodleian library, is a pamphlet, entitled,
“Kemp's nine daies wonder performed in a daunce from “London to Norwich. Containing the pleasure, paines,
“ and kind entertainment of William Kemp, between Lon “don and that city in his late Morrice. Wherein is some “what set downe worth note; to reproove the slaunders “spred of him: many things merry, nothing hurtfull. “Written by himselfe to satisfie his friends. ” London,
printed for Nicholas Ling, 4to. 1600, B. L. It is dedicated
to “The true ennobled Lady, and his most bountifull mis
“tris, mistris Anne Fitton, mayde of Honour to the Most
“Sacred Mayde Royall Queene Elizabeth. ” Prefixed to it
is a wooden cut of Kemp as a morris-dancer, preceded by a
fellow with a pipe and drum, whom he (in the book) calls
Thomas Slye his taberer. Ben Jonson, in Every Man out
of his Humour, A. 4. S. 4. makes one of the characters say:
“— would I had one of Kemp's shoes to throw after you. ” Among Braithwaite's Epitaphs, 8vo. 1618, Sign. F 8, is
the following:
UPON KEMPE AND HIS MORICE WITH HIS EPITAPH.
“Welcome from Norwich Kempe; all joy to see “Thy safe returne moriscoed lustily.
lxviii MR. DoDSLEY'S PREFACE.
“Will Kempe. ” Burbage was the Betterton, and
Kempe the Nokes of that age. Burbage was the original Richard the Thirds, and greatly distin guished himself in that character; Kempe was ini mitable in the part of a clown. “ He succeeded “Tarleton * (says Heywood) as well in the favour
“But out alasse how soone's thy morice done, “When pipe and taber thy friends gone, “And leave thee now dance the second part “With feeble nature, not with nimble art;
“Then thy triumphs fraught with strains mirth, “Shall cag’d up within chest earth;
“Shall be? they are, th'ast danc'd thee out breath, “And now must make thy parting dance with death. ”
Bishop Corbet, his Iter Boreale, see Poems, 19. introduces his Host Bosworth, describing the battle:
“For when would have said King Richard dy’d,
appears have been great favour with Queen Elizabeth, and like many other his brethren, who have succeeded him, joined some humour great deal profligacy. He
was the author dramatic performance, called The seven deadly Sins, which now lost; but the scheme plan
“And call’d
horse, horse, Burbage cry’d. ” *Tarlton was actor the Bull, Bishopsgate-street, and performed the Judge’s character the play King Henry which was prior that Shakspeare. He also for some time kept ordinary Pater-noster-row, and once was master of Tavern Grace-church-street. He
pre sent his possession. Gabriel Harvey’s Foure Letters and certaine Sonnets, especially touching Robert Greene and
hath been lately discovered Mr. Malone, and
“other parties him abused,” 4to, 1592, 29, mention
by
of
is a an
a he
p.
“
“
in
*
be all
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to
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I. p.
MR. DoDSLEY’s PREFACE.
lxix
“ of her majesty Queen Elizabeth, as in the opinion “ and good thoughts of the general audience. ”
made of a work written by Thomas Nashe, “ — right for “mally conveyed according to the stile and tenour of
“Tarlton's president, his famous play of the Seaven deadly “Sinnes, which most deadly, but most lively playe, I might
“have seene in London: and was very gently invited there “unto at Oxford by Tarlton himselfe, of whome I merrily “demaunding, which of the seaven was his owne deadlie “sinne ; he bluntly aunswered after this manner, By God “the sinne of other gentlemen lechery. Oh, but that M. “Tarleton is not your part upon the stage: you are too
“blame that dissemble with the world, and have one part “for your frends pleasure, another for your owne. I am “ somewhat of Doctor Perne's religion, quoth he and “abruptlie tooke his leave. ” Tarlton died about 1589, and was buried at Shoreditch. On the 2d day of August, in that year, Henry Kyrkham had licensed unto “A sorowfull “newe sonnette, intitled Tarlton's Recantation upon this “theame, gyven him by a Gent at the Bel Savage without “Ludgate, (nowe or els never), beinge the laste theame he “songe. ” And on the 16th of October, there was licenced to Richard Jones, “Tarlton’s repentance, or his farewell to “his friends in his sicknes a little before his death, &c. ”— (See the Entries from the Books of the Stationers’ Com
pany. ) By Bishop Hall's Satires it appears, that Tarlton
was celebrated enough to have his head hung as a sign for ale-houses,
“To with Tarlton
Bucke’s “Stately moral the three Lords and
“three Ladies London,” 1590, Simplicity, sort pedlar-clown, represented carrying his basket pic
ale-post's signe! ”
is
of
as
of
on an
in
a
I. R.
of
In P.
sit
MR. Dodsley's PREFACE.
Tarleton, says Sir Richard Baker in his Chronicle, for the part of a clown, never had his match, nor ever will have. The Epitaph of
Burbage is preserved in Cambden's Remains, and is only Exit BURBAGE. The Epitaph of Tarleton is preserved by the same historian as follows:
Hic situs est, cujus Vox, Vultus, Actio possit Ex Heraclito redde Democritum. s
The next I shall mention is Edward Alleyn, the
lxx
And
Hospital; as famous for honesty, says Baker, for his acting and two such actors and Burbage, age must ever
founder of Dulwich
look see again. He's man, says Heywood
Malta,
Whoin may rank with (do more wrong)
weight, never was lightly bestowed:
Rome great, and her wisest age,
Fear'd not boast the glories her stage, As skilful Roscius, and grave AFsop, men, Yet crown'd with honours with riches then, Who had less trumpet their name
Than Cicero, whose very breath was fame:
tures of Tarlton. The date of Tarlton's death has been
ascertained have been shortly before the September,
his Prologue the Jew
Proteus for shapes, and Roscius for
Hear also Ben Jonson, whose praise more
1588, (not 1589, mentioned Mr. Reed) buried that day, appears the Register Leonard, Shoreditch.
was
tongue.
-
2
of
a
on
to
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of a
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to
\
MR. DODSLEY’s PREFACE.
lxxi.
How can so great example die in me, -
That, Alleyn, I should pause to publish thee?
Who both their graces in thyself hast more Outstript, than they did that went before; And present worth all dost contract,
As others speak, but only thou dost act.
Wear this renown: 'Tis just that who did give So many poets life, one should live.
Thomas Green” was famous for performing the part clown with great propriety and humour;
and from his excellent performance the character Bubble, comedy written Mr. John Cooke, the author called after his name, Green's Tu quoque. “There was not actor, says Hey
“wood, his nature, his time, better ability “in his performance, more applauded the
“audience, greater grace court, “general love the city. ”
more
Hemmings and Condel “were two considerable
See vol. VII. for some account Green.
not known when these two performers died. Mr. Steevens, who searched for their wills the Commons,
could not find them, though 1641. See the first volume 1778, 198. Hemmings had
looked late the year
bably called compliment Shakspeare), who was born London, 1605, elected from Westminster School, student Christ Church, 1621, and completed his degree
arts 1628. He was the author two Plays, and Latin copy Verses, printed “Carolus Redus,” 1623.
the edition
son named William (pro
Shakspeare
of
inp. It* of ofis a
in
*
of
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p. 1,
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at
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lxxii MR. DoDSLEY’s PREFACE.
actors in most of Shakspeare's, Jonson's, and
Fletcher's Plays; the first in tragedy, the last in comedy: but they are better known for being the first editors of Shakspeare's Works in folio, in the year 1623, seven years after his death.
Lowin Taylor, and Benfield, are mentioned
Massinger famous actors. Ben Jonson are these two lines:
Let Lowin cease, and Taylor scorn The loathed stage, for thou hast made
Satire against
touch such.
Lowin, though something later than Burbage, said have been the first actor Hamlet, and
an Advertisement one his Plays, appears that lived not long after the year 1650.
This account will receive some corrections the reader who refers Malone's Sh, by Boswell, III. 186, and where
also appears that “John Heminge (or Heminges) player” (for styled the parish register) died
the 10th October, 1630, and was buried two days afterwards the church-yard St. Mary, Aldermanbury.
See Historia Histrionica, this vol.
This seems said merely the credit Roberts the player his answer Pope’s Preface; but quotes
no authority, the truth may doubted. The Historia Histrionica speaks Lowin's performance Falstaffe, Morose, Wolpone, and Mammon; and Downes, his Roscius
Anglicanus, 24. mentions him King Henry VIII, but neither his ever being the representative
trary both them (see vol. xii.
the original actor them take any notice
Hamlet. On the con 341. and Downes, 21. )
of p.
in
to
tois as
3",
p. of
of as
be
on
I.
R. it
* In of to a
p.
of of
on the
he is
in of
as of he
by
of
be
of
he so
to of
of to it
in
in
* * in
it
by
C.
to
it
|
MR. DoDSLEY's PREFACE.
lxxiii
also the original Henry VIII. from an observation
of whose acting it in later days, Sir William
Davenant conveyed his instruction Mr. Better ton.
And now the theatre seems have been
its height glory and reputation.
thors abounded, and every year produced
number new Plays: nay, great was the passion
this time for shew representation,
that was celebrate their wed dings, birth-days, and other occasions rejoicing,
with masques and interludes, which were exhibited with surprising expence; that great architect Inigo
the fashion for the nobility
The king and his lords, the queen and her ladies,
frequently performed
and the nobility their own private
Masque
Ludlow-castle.
eagerness after theatrical diversions continued du
ring the whole reign king James, and great part Charles the First, till Puritanism, which had
assert that Joseph Taylor was the original
and from Sir William Davenant's observation ner, Mr. Betterton received instructions (See also edition Shakspeare, 1778, vol.
Dramatic au
Jones being frequently employed rations with the magnificence
furnish deco his invention.
these masques court,
houses: short, public entertainment was thought com
plete without them; and owe, and perhaps 'tis
this humour we we owe the inimitable For the same universal
that character: his man
perform 408).
of
all
of x. to
it,
to
to
p. of
of
a it
I.
R. it.
at
at
ofin of all
at
no
of
of
to
in in
of to
or so to
all
his
it is
at
lxxiv. MR. DoDSLEY'S PREFACE.
now gathered great strength, more openly opposed
them as wicked and diabolical. If we may judge of this spirit from Prynne's famous Histrio-mastir,
or Players Scourge, it appears to have been a zeal
much without knowledge. This was a heavy load of dull abuse, published in 1633, against plays,
players, and who favoured them, William
Prynne? ', esq
barrister Lincoln’s-Inn. The
This very extraordinary man, whose severe punishment, and Roman constancy submitting had small effect upon the minds the people, and contributed more than
generally imagined the disasters the times, was born Swanswick, near Bath, Somersetshire, the
year 1600. He was educated the last-mentioned city; entered Oriel College 1616, and took the degree
B. A. Jan. 20, 1620. From thence he was removed Lin coln's Inn, where studied the Common Law, and be came successively Barrister, Bencher, and Reader, that
society. After the execution his sentence, account Histrio-mastir, printed other pieces which gave equal
offence, which occasioned his being again prosecuted. consequence which, was fined, branded, and impri soned, and each with equal more severity than he
fore. The place his confinement was Mount Orguiel, the island Jersey, where continued three years: the end that time, being chosen member for Newport Cornwall, he was released, and entered London tri umph; and soon had opportunity revenge the se
vere treatment had experienced from his inveterate foe, Archbishop Laud. He sat the long Parliament, and
was one the secluded Members who were imprisoned
at ofof of
on
in at in
In
in
he
of
in
an
he
to in
to
it, of
in
in to
in of
of
he
of a all in
or
in
of to
of
is
*
he of in
heof :
on
he
no
by
MR. DoDSLEY’s PREFACE. lxxv
best way the parties concerned thought an
swer this Work, was publish the best old
Plays that could then found that many that
had never yet seen the light were now brought
forth have observed myself more than fifty that were printed this year. short, the patrons
the stage for some short time prevailed; Prynne's
Book was deemed infamous libel both against the church and state, against the peers, prelates,
and magistrates; and particularly against the king
and queen, where says, that princes dancing
their own persons was the cause their untimely ends: that our English ladies, shorn and fizzled
madams, had lost their modesty; that plays were the chief delight the devil, and that frequent
account their zeal for peace with the King. From this time was avowed enemy Oliver Cromwell, and was by him imprisoned Dunster Castle Somersetshire. At the restoration became instrumental recalling the King, and was rewarded with being appointed keeper the records the Tower, and salary 300s. per annum. He was soon after named one the Commissioners for ap peals and regulating the excise, was elected Member for Bath, and embroiled himself with the House Com mons, which account was obliged make sub mission. He died his chambers Lincoln’s-Inn, Oct.
24, 1669; and was buried under the chapel there.
This note transferred this place from the introductory
matter, Shirley's Bird Cage, which not reprinted the present edition. C:
in
to on in is
he
of
:I
to
at
he
in
of
to ahean in he a
an
be aofof Into
in
is to
of
in in
; so
of
R. inof
of,
I. a
of
all
of
all
in
lxxvi MR. DoDSLEY'S PREFACE.
ed them were damned. As he knew the king and queen frequented them daily, this was thought to
reflect on their majesties. To music has
the choristers bellow the tenor they were oren, bark counter-point like kennel hounds, roar
treble they were bulls, and grunt out base like parcel hogs. For these and many other
utter antipathy, but church-music
which calls the bleating brute beasts; and says,
passages,
the common hangman: and his sentence was,
was ordered burnt the hands
‘be put from the bar, excluded the society Lin coln’s-Inn, and degraded the university Ox
ford stand the pillory Westminster and
lose ear each place, and paper his head, declaring
Cheapside,
fined 5000l. and suffer perpetual imprison ment. This sentence was executed on him with
great rigour. But Puritanism, from thousand concurrent causes every day gathering strength,
little time overturned the constitution; and
amongst their many Reformations this was one, the total suppression plays and play-houses. "
hoax was played off upon Prynne, some years after the printing his Histriomastix 1633, the publica tion tract, called “Mr. William Prynn, his Defence
stand with
offence
against both their majesties, and the government;
the publishing infamous libel
particular,
in 1
an
at at
all in
of
be a
on an
by
of if a by
*
a
to in
of
ofA be ; a a
of all
of of
of in his to
a
he an
as a to to it if
he
to in
of
by
to be
a of as
a
MR. DoDSLEY'S PREFACE. lxxvii
Thus I have brought down this imperfect essay on the rise and progress of the English stage, to
the period which I at first intended : to pursue it farther, and take it up again at the Restoration,
when a new” patent was granted to Sir William Lavenant, would be needless; because from that
time the affairs of the stage are tolerably well known. If what I have done shall give any satis faction to the curious, it is more than I have dared to promise myself, from my own sense of great imperfection; but hope will considered,
what slender materials either the ignorance those times, the injury the following, have afforded
former book his 1649, but the
Vindication William Prynne esquire from some scan dalous papers and imputations newly printed, and publish
Stage-plays;
called Histrio-mastix. ” answer Prynne dated Jan. 10, 1648,
Retractation
bears date
the shape
was most likely ante-dated. “The
ed, traduce and defame him his reputation,”
the exist:
British Museum, and other copies
declares the supposed defence forgery, and imposture” some players. ”
are known
may not amiss take notice clause this patent, which says, “That whereas the women's parts
plays have hitherto been acted by men the habits “women, which some have taken offence, we permit
and give leave, for the time come, that all women’s
parts acted by women. ” And from this time women began appear upon the stage.
posting bill
him
the “imprisoned stage
“a mere
“““
*It
he
to
to be
at
of
or
to D.
of in of it byof a
of in a
to be
of in
is
C. be
of
a
to
by
in
in
as
of
it
of in
a be
to is in
of
its
it to
it, It
of
I
or
lxxviii MR. DODSLEY'S PREFACE.
us. I am, as it were, the first adventurer on these
discoveries, and it is not reasonable to expect more perfection than is commonly found in the first attempts of this nature. All that I can say
that have thrown circumstances
together number curious
the subject, that the reader vain elsewhere. And the
would
seek for
novelty
person
leisure, make stricter enquiry into this matter,
would certainly oblige me, and perhaps
public. enough for me that have led the
way, and been the first, however imperfect, dis COWerer.
now only remains say something my un
dertaking, which shall endeavour comprize few words may be. My first end was
snatch some the best pieces our old dramatic
writers from total neglect and oblivion: things not only mere curiosity but use, far
elegant entertainment can use; several these being not unworthy the present, nor indeed
any stage. have generally preferred comedies
tragedies, not only these times afforded much better the kind, and would therefore this and other respects most entertaining the reader,
but they better serve shew the humour, fa shion, and genius the times which they were
written. Another end which thought such
them should excite the curiosity any greater abilities, better health, more
I in
be
of of
a
a
to
as of an
to in
the
is,
as It he
as I
to
to
be
as I
in on
of
as
to
in
of
to
I of
in
Iof
of
It is
to ofof a
as
as
of or of if
MR. DoDSLEY'S PREFACE. lxxix
collection might answer was, that it would serve very well to shew the progress and improvement
ofour taste and language. For this better pur
pose, in the six pieces 39 which compose the first
volume, and also in the remarkable tragedy of Gor boduc, I was even so scrupulous as to preserve their very original orthography. I did indeed, to
gratify the reader's curiosity, intend to have done the same in the rest; but this was plainly im
-
possible,
editions; every edition the orthography was
unless could have met with the first
that then use. also con sidered, that though this might have been enter taining the curious, the generality readers
would have been very disagreeable. To the first therefore have given sufficient specimen one volume, and the other have endeavoured
make the reading easy could the rest. farther inducement this undertaking was the hopes had being able these authors jus
tice more correct edition their Plays, than they hitherto had; for the greater part them,
seems carelessness and ignorance had
Mr. Dodsley, not knowing the first editions the se veral pieces which compose this collection, made wrong
arrangement them. This altered the present edi tion; but the orthography the first six pieces pre
served, though three the plays are printed from earlier and more correct copies.
generally adapted
I. R.
to II to as
to
of
as as to
to a
of is in
of do
in
is
a
of
of
in to
of
as
if of to
it *9
it
in I
a Ito
for all inI
in
of
I
A
lxxx MR. DoDSLEY’s PREFACE.
joined their efforts in rendering them unintelligible.
And not only so, but the pointing is at the same time so preposterous (which, like false guiding posts, are perpetually turning out of the high road
of common sense), that one would almost suspect there was as much malice as stupidity in these old editors. However, by the assistance of a little common sense, I think I have set a great number of these passages right. And if any one should be offended that some are left unintelligible in the state they were found, I desire he will be pleased to consider how many such still remain in Shaks peare”, after the best endeavours that have hitherto
* It should be remembered that this was written in the
year 1744, when the observation might be made with great truth and justice. How imperfectly Shakspeare was under
stood at that time, every reader conversant with his writ ings is now well informed. The same year in which the
former edition of this work appeared, the splendid, but conducted, design Sir Thomas Hanmer was made public. It, however, was generally disapproved of, and Dr. War
burton's attempt few years afterwards, from which great
expectations were formed, was not more successful. The failure these gentlemen probably excited Dr. Johnson undertake new edition, which would have precluded
every further effort, had executed the plan laid down his proposals. “The editor,” says he, “will endeavour
“read the books which the author read, trace his know “ledge the source, and compare his copies with their “originals. ” Again, “He hopes, that, comparing the
“works Shakespeare with those writers who lived
of
to
of
of
to
at
to in
ill
by
he
to
a
a
of
MR. DODSLEY'S PREFACE. lxxxi
Be
or discover the
been used to restore their original meaning. sides, I believe I may venture to say, it is more difficult to give a correct specimen of so many writers, than a correct edition of any one: be cause, when an Author's manner is once known, it
will very often help to rectify
meaning of corrupted or intricate passages: where
as the reading of so many different stiles and man
ners of writing will be apt, without great care, to confound and mislead the judgment. Add to this, that it is easier to correct the errors in a good au
thor than in a bad one; because not only the con struction of the language is generally better and less confused, but the sentiments are clearer and more striking. After all, I submit what I have
“ the same time, immediately preceded or immediately fol “lowed him, he shall be able to ascertain his ambiguities, “disentangle his intricacies, and recover the meaning of “words now lost in the darkness of antiquity. ” That Dr. Johnson was not possessed of the materials necessary to
accomplish his own excellent design would have been the subject of regret with every reader of Shakspeare, if the plan
he had delineated had been neglected on failure
hands. Fortunately for the public, was resumed by Mr. Steevens with unremitting attention and equal ability.
not find any play Shakspeare acted the Children of the Revels. R.
Dodsley here speaking generally the three compa
of
so
of
of *
*I
it
in
do
all
is
of
is a
I.
of
to
is of an
is an
of
of
ofofas I. R.
by
of
;
of
lvi MR. DoDSLEY's PR EFACE.
Jonson's, and others, were first acted by them. Nay, so great was their vogue and estimation, that
the common players, as may be gathered from a scene in Hamlet, grew jealous of them. However,
they served as an excellent nursery for the theatres, many who afterwards became approved actors being educated among them.
It is surprising to consider what a number of playhouses were supported in London about this time. From the year 1570 to the year 1629, when the playhouse in White Friers was finished, no
less than 17 playhouses had been built. " The names of most of them I have collected from the
Title-pages of Plays”. And as the theatres were
nies of the children of St. Paul's, the Chapel, and the Revels,
and not as Mr. Reed concludes, of the two last only, as is
clear from what he observes of Lilly's Plays, for at least six
of those attributed to him were acted by the Children of Paul’s. C.
* Mr. G. Chalmers, in his Supplemental Apology, p. 186, states that “in 1589 there existed in and about London
only two theatres—the Theatre and the Curtain. ” C.
* Paul's Singing-school, The Globe the Bankside,
Southwark, The Swan and The Hope there, The Fortune between h’hitecross-street and Golding Lane, which Maitland tells
was the first playhouse erected London, The Red Bull John's-street, The Cross Keys Grace-Church-street, The Tuns, The Theater, The Curtain, The Nursery Barbican, one
Black Friers, one White Friers, one Salisbury-Court, and the Cockpit and the Phaenir Drury-Lane.
in
in St.
in
in
in in
D.
in
in
on
us
St.
MR. DoDSLEY’s PREFACE.
lvii
so numerous, the companies of players were in
proportion. Besides the Children of the Chapel, and of the Revels, we are told that Queen Eliza beth, at the request of Sir Francis Walsingham, established in handsome salaries twelve of the
principal players of that time, who went under the
In the above enumeration, I suspect there are two play houses which are mentioned twice. Those in JWhite Friers
and Salisbury-Court seem to be one and the same, as those
called The Cock-Pit and The Phaenir certainly are. See
Historia Histrionica, vol. XII. p. 341. The Curtain was in
Shoreditch, a part of which district still retains the name
The Curtain. The original sign hung out at this theatre
was the painting of a curtain striped. (See first volume of
Shakspeare, edit. 1778. vol. I. p. 267. and Sir John Haw
kins's History of Musick, vol. IV. p. 67. ) That called The Theatre, I imagine, was Black Friers. We learn, likewise,
from Prynne's Histriomastir, that in the time of Queen
Elizabeth, there were two other playhouses, the one called The Bell-Sauvage (situated very probably on Ludgate-Hill), the other in Bishopsgate-street; though this latter might be The Curtain. Taylor, the water poet, in The true Cause of the Waterman's Suit concerning Players, 1613, mentions
another theatre, called The Rose. I. R.
The Rose stood on the Bankside, and by the discovery of
Philip Henslowe's accounts in MS. at Dulwich College, it has of late years acquired considerable notoriety Hen slowe was the proprietor of Mr. Malone accuses Dodsley
falling into the error supposing that play houses were open one time, but his words not quite warrant such conclusion: only means say, the authority
the person who continued Stowe's Survey, that between
of
of a
he
to
do
on
17
at
of
it.
lviii MR. DoDSLEY’s PREFACE.
name of her Majesty's Comedians and Servants. “ But exclusive of these, many “noblemen retained companies of players, who acted not only privately
1570 and 1629, no less than 17 play houses had been built: the companies (as he adds) might be in proportion even
though they did not all exist at once. C.
* This took place in 1583, but as early as 1574 she
granted a licence to James Burbage and four others to ex hibit stage plays of any kind in any part of the king dom.
*Thus Shakspeare's Titus Andronicus was acted by the Earls of Derby, Pembroke, and Essex's servants; his Romeo and Juliet in 1596, which some say was his first play, by Lord Hunsdon's servants; and his Merry Wives of Windsor in 1602, by the Lord Chamberlain's [the earl of Oxford's]
servants. The earl of Nottingham, Lord High Admiral,
had a company in 1594, and in 1599 The Pinner of Wake
Jield was acted by the earl of Sussex's servants. In short,
plays were acted by the Lawyers in the Inns of Court, by
the Students of several Halls and Colleges in the Univer"
sities, and even by London Prentices: so that now the say
ing was almost literally true, Tolus Mundus agit Histrio
D.
of players under their protection, may be added the names of The Earl of Worcester and Lord Strange ; the plays of How
nem;
To the noblemen abovementioned, who had companies
to chuse a good Wife from a bad, 4to, 1602, being acted by the servants of the former; and Fair Em, Miller's Daughter Manchester, 4to, 1631, those the latter. The privi protecting players, seems
lege which the nobility claimed have been acknowledged
tury. Mrs. Centlivre's play
late the present cen Love Venture, was
•
of
of of
in at
the
a
to
of
by so
as
MR. DoDSLEY'S PREFACE. lix
in their lords houses, but publicly under their
licence and protection. Agreeable to this is the
account which Stow gives us – “Players in former “ times, says he, were retainers to noblemen, and
“none had the privilege to act plays but such. So “in Queen Elizabeth's time, many of the nobility “had servants and retainers who were players, and
“went about getting their livelihood that way *. “The Lord Admiral had players, so had Lord “Strange, that played in the city of London. And
printed in 4to, 1706, as it was acted by the duke of Graf. ton’s servants, at the new theatre in Bath; and Injured Virtue, or Virgin Martyr, Benjamin Griffin, was like
manner printed 12mo, 1715, acted the playhouse
Richmond servants. R.
the duke Southampton and Cleveland's
The Protector Somerset had company players and no doubt others were sheltered under the patronage noblemen, earlier than the reign Edward VI. work
printed 1568 “at Collen Arnold Birckman,” but the preface dated 1557, find the following mention them, and one Miles, member the company, who perhaps
the first actor England whose name stands upon re cord: the title the book “of the nature and proper
ties well the bathes England, Germanye. ”
“They (says the writer) drye
heale the goute excellently (and that
with diverse others, one Myles, some tyme one my Lord
Summersettes players, can beare witness. ”
other bathes
wounderfullie and shorte tyme)
of is *
in
C. of
of
In a
inup as aof
at
asin
of
as
of
of
by in
in
is
by
a
of
as
by
of in a
we
of
of
in
I.
the
of
in
lx MR. DoDSLEY’s PREFACE.
“it was usual, on any gentleman's complaint of
“them for indecent reflections in their plays, to “ have them put down. Thus once the lord trea “surer signified to the lord mayor to have these “ players of Lord Admiral and Lord Strange pro “hibited, at least for some time, because one Mr. “Tilney
had for some reasons disliked them. “Whereupon the mayor sent for both companies
“ and gave them strict charge to forbear playing
“till farther orders. The Lord Admiral's players “obeyed; but the Lord Strange's in a contemptu
“ous manner went to the Cross-Keys, and played “ that afternoon. Upon which the mayor com “mitted two of them to the Compter, and pro “hibited playing for the future, till the trea “surer's pleasure was farther known. This was
“1589. ” And another part his Survey London, speaking the stage, says, “This which
was once recreation, and used therefore now
and then occasionally, afterwards abuse be
“came trade and calling, and remains this day. those former days, ingenious trades “men, and gentlemen's servants, would sometimes
“gather company themselves, and learn inter
“ludes,
“actions “Festivals,
expose vice, represent the noble
our ancestors. These they played private houses, weddings,
“other entertainments. But process time
in
In a
a
all of in
to in
he so
at of
of by
it or at
of in
“ of to a
or
of
““
to
MR. DODSLEY’s PREFACE. lxi
“ became an occupation; and these plays being “ commonly acted on as Sundays and Festivals,
“ the churches were forsaken, and the playhouses “ thronged. Great Inns were used for this pur
“pose, which had secret chambers and places, as “well as open stages and galleries. Here maids
“and good citizens children were inveigled and
“allured to private and unmeet contracts; here
“were publicly uttered popular and seditious mat
“ters, unchaste, uncomely,
and unshamefaced
“speeches, and many other enormities. The con
“sideration of these things occasioned in 1574, Sir
“James Hawes being mayor, an act of common
“councel, wherein it was ordained, that no play
“should be openly acted within the liberty of the
“city, wherein should be uttered any words, ex “amples, or doings of any unchastity, sedition, or
“such like unfit and uncomely matter, under the
“penalty of five pounds, and fourteen days im
“prisonment. That no play should be acted till
“first perused and allowed by the lord mayor and
“ court of aldermen; with many other restrictions.
“Yet it was provided that this act should not ex “tend to plays showed in private houses, the lodg
“ings of a nobleman, citizen, or gentleman, for the
* The custom of acting on Sundays possibly took rise from the exhibition of the mysteries on that day, which was
partly considered as an act of religion. D.
xiii MR. DoDSLEY'S PREFACE.
“ celebration of any marriage, or other festivity,
“ and where no collection of money was made from “ the auditors. But these orders were not so well
“observed as they should be ; the lewd matters of “ plays encreased, and they were thought danger
“ous to religion, the state, honesty of manners, “ and also for infection in the time of sickness.
“Wherefore they were afterwards for some time “totally suppressed. But upon application to the
“ queen and the councel they were again tolerated, “under the following restrictions: That no plays
“be acted on Sundays at all, nor on any other “holidays till after evening-prayer”. That no play
“ing be in the dark, nor continue any such time,
* The acting of plays, &c. on Sunday was prohibited in consequence of the fall of a scaffold in Paris garden, on the 13th January, 1583. This appears from a Sermon on the event by John Field. Prynne (Histriomastix 491) states on
the supposed authority of Field that they abolished plays
on the Sabbath, about 1580; but this is a mistake. Arthur
Golding, the translator of Ovid, in his “Discourse upon the Earthquake” of the 6th April, 1580, complains that the
Lord's Day “is spent full heathenishly in taverning, tip ling, gaming, playing and beholding of bear-baitings and stage-plays to the utter dishonour of God, impeachment of
the godliness and unnecessary consuming men's sub stances, which ought better employed. ” George Whetstone, his Mirror for Magistrates Cities, 1584, though play-poet himself, objects the use them upon the Sabbath day, and the abuse them all times. ”
of
to
at
of
C.
al
a
in
of
of
to be
all
MR. DoDSLEY's PREFACE. lxiii
“but as any of the auditors may return to their “ dwellings in London before sunset, or at least
players
“only be tolerated, and of them their number and “certain names to be notified in the lord trea
“surer's letters to the lord mayor, and to the jus “tices of Middlesex and Surrey. And those her
“ players not to divide themselves in several com “panies. And that for breaking any of these
“before it be dark. That the Queen's
“ orders, their toleration cease. “scriptions were not sufficient “in due bounds, but their plays
times
“offence, and occasioned many disturbances:
“whence they were now and then stopped and prohibited. ” hope this long quotation from
abusive often virtue, particular persons, gave great
prove the stage
that time, and the early depravity
the plays not only that age, but long before, were sometimes personal satires, appears from manu
script letter which have seen from Sir John Hallies
the Lord Treasurer Burleigh, found amongst some papers belonging the House Commons,
which the knight accuses his lordship having
said several dishonourable things him and his family particularly that his grandfather, who had
then been dead seventy years, was man
Stow will excused, serves not only several facts, but show the customs
But these pre keep them with
But that
a
it. of
so
into at
““
to
as it
I
I of
or
of of
of a to
of
all
to
of be
to so
}xiv. MR. Do DSL EY’s PREFACE.
remarkably covetous, that the common players re presented him before the court with great applause.
Thus we see the stage no sooner began to talk,
than it grew scurrilous: and first marks sense were seen ribaldry and lasciviousness. This occasioned much offence; the zeal of the
pulpit, and the gravity
the city, equally con Many pamphlets were Stephen Gosson”, the book, intituled, The School Abuse, pleasant Invective against Poets,
curred condemn wrote both sides. year 1579, published
Pipers, Players, Jesters,
pillars the Commonwealth; dedicated Sir
Philip Sydney, He also wrote, Plays confuted five Actions: proving that they are not
Stephen Gosson was Kentishman, born 1556, and
admitted scholar of Christ Church 1512. He left the
University without completing his degrees, and came
London, where became celebrated poet, and wrote, acknowledges, the following Plays, which were acted
upon the theatre; viz. Calalin's Conspiracies; The Comedie Captain Mario, borrowed from the Italian; and The Praise
shewed his dislike plays such patron growing weary his company,
Parling, Morality.
He afterwards went into the coun try instruct agentleman’s sons, and continued there until
and took orders. He was first parson
Essex, and afterwards St. Botolph without Bishop
gate, London. Wood says was alive 1615.
and such like Cater
manner, that, his left his service, Great Wigoorow,
in
of he
in
aa ait.
of
in he at he * in to
of
of he a in
its
I. R.
to as to be
in
of to
in
A
a of
he a
on to
of
of
to
or
MR. DoDSLEY'S PREFACE. lxv
suffered in a Christian commonwealth: dedicated
to Sir Francis Walsingham. The defendants in
this controversy were Thomas Lodge”, who wrote an old play, called, A Looking-glass for London
and England; and that voluminous dramatic writer Thomas Heywood. *
But to proceed: The stage soon after recovered
its credit, and rose to a higher pitch than ever. In
1603, the first year of King James's reign, a licence” was granted under the privy seal to Shakspeare,
Fletcher, Burbage, Hemmings, Condel, and others,
authorizing them to act plays not only at their usual
house, the Globe on the Bankside, but in any other part of the kingdom, during his majesty's pleasure.
And now, as there lived together at this time many
eminent players, it may not be amiss just to set
down what we can collect, which will be but very
little, of the most considerable of them, with regard to their talents and abilities. And first, “who is of
“more report,” says the author of the Return from Parnassus, “ than Dick Burbage” and Will
* For a particular account of Lodge, and his dramatic
and undramatic productions, see the prefatory matter to
The Wounds of Civil War, (vol. VIII. ) a play for the first time included in this collection. C.
* In his “Apology for Actors,” 1612. C.
* This licence is printed in the last edition of Shakspeare, (1778) vol. I. p. 193. I. R.
* Burbage died, says Mr. Steevens, in tfhe year 1629.
vol. I.
.
lxvi MR. DoDSLEY'S PREFACE.
“ Kempe”? He is not counted a gentleman that “ knows not Dick Burbage and Will Kempe:
(Shakspeare, 1778, p. 198. ) Flecnoe, in A short Discourse of English Stage, printed the end Love's Kingdom, 1674, speaking Burbage, says, “he was delightful
“Proteus, wholly transforming himself into his part,
and putting off himself with his cloathes, never (not much the Tyring-house) assumed himself
“again until the play was done: there being much difference betwixt him and one of our common actors as
“between ballad-singer who onely mouths and “excellent singer who knows all his graces, and can art “fully vary and modulate his voice even know how “much breath give every syllable. He had all the
parts excellent orator (animating his words with “speaking and speech with action); his auditors being
“never more delighted than when spake, nor more sorry then when held his peace; yet even then, was
“excellent actor still, never falling his part when had done speaking; but with his looks and gesture main “taining still unto the heighth, imagining age quod
“agis onely spoke
player him wrong, man being less idle then he,
“whose whole life nothing else but action; with only
“this difference from other men's, that what but play
“to them his business; their business but play “to him. ” R.
William Kempe was one the actors who performed the Globe and Black Fryers. His name appears among
the original performers Jonson's Every Man
remarkable for excelling
Shakspeare's Plays, and Ben Humour, acted 1598. He was the morrice dance, circum
him those who call him
a
he
a an an
in
is
to
in his in
so of
no : so
at
in
he
at *
““““
“““
the
at
to to
as in
of
isdoit ofa I. hean
so
so
isis aa
to
as a it, as he
as
in
he
he
of
MR. DODSLEY'S PREFACE. lxvii
“ there's not a country wench that can dance Sel “ lenger's Round, but can talk of Dick Burbage and
stance often mentioned by contemporary writers. As in Jacke Drum’s Entertainment, 1616, Sign. A. 3:
“I
“For of foolish actions, may be theyle talke wisely but of “Wise intendments, most part talke like fooles. ”
had rather that
Kemp’s chat, Morice were their
Taylor's Laugh and be fat, p. 73:
“This gentleman thy travels doth advance
“Above Kemp’s Norwich anticke Morris dance. ”
I am informed, that among the books, given by Robert
Burton to the Bodleian library, is a pamphlet, entitled,
“Kemp's nine daies wonder performed in a daunce from “London to Norwich. Containing the pleasure, paines,
“ and kind entertainment of William Kemp, between Lon “don and that city in his late Morrice. Wherein is some “what set downe worth note; to reproove the slaunders “spred of him: many things merry, nothing hurtfull. “Written by himselfe to satisfie his friends. ” London,
printed for Nicholas Ling, 4to. 1600, B. L. It is dedicated
to “The true ennobled Lady, and his most bountifull mis
“tris, mistris Anne Fitton, mayde of Honour to the Most
“Sacred Mayde Royall Queene Elizabeth. ” Prefixed to it
is a wooden cut of Kemp as a morris-dancer, preceded by a
fellow with a pipe and drum, whom he (in the book) calls
Thomas Slye his taberer. Ben Jonson, in Every Man out
of his Humour, A. 4. S. 4. makes one of the characters say:
“— would I had one of Kemp's shoes to throw after you. ” Among Braithwaite's Epitaphs, 8vo. 1618, Sign. F 8, is
the following:
UPON KEMPE AND HIS MORICE WITH HIS EPITAPH.
“Welcome from Norwich Kempe; all joy to see “Thy safe returne moriscoed lustily.
lxviii MR. DoDSLEY'S PREFACE.
“Will Kempe. ” Burbage was the Betterton, and
Kempe the Nokes of that age. Burbage was the original Richard the Thirds, and greatly distin guished himself in that character; Kempe was ini mitable in the part of a clown. “ He succeeded “Tarleton * (says Heywood) as well in the favour
“But out alasse how soone's thy morice done, “When pipe and taber thy friends gone, “And leave thee now dance the second part “With feeble nature, not with nimble art;
“Then thy triumphs fraught with strains mirth, “Shall cag’d up within chest earth;
“Shall be? they are, th'ast danc'd thee out breath, “And now must make thy parting dance with death. ”
Bishop Corbet, his Iter Boreale, see Poems, 19. introduces his Host Bosworth, describing the battle:
“For when would have said King Richard dy’d,
appears have been great favour with Queen Elizabeth, and like many other his brethren, who have succeeded him, joined some humour great deal profligacy. He
was the author dramatic performance, called The seven deadly Sins, which now lost; but the scheme plan
“And call’d
horse, horse, Burbage cry’d. ” *Tarlton was actor the Bull, Bishopsgate-street, and performed the Judge’s character the play King Henry which was prior that Shakspeare. He also for some time kept ordinary Pater-noster-row, and once was master of Tavern Grace-church-street. He
pre sent his possession. Gabriel Harvey’s Foure Letters and certaine Sonnets, especially touching Robert Greene and
hath been lately discovered Mr. Malone, and
“other parties him abused,” 4to, 1592, 29, mention
by
of
is a an
a he
p.
“
“
in
*
be all
In
to
of in
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of
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of
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I. p.
MR. DoDSLEY’s PREFACE.
lxix
“ of her majesty Queen Elizabeth, as in the opinion “ and good thoughts of the general audience. ”
made of a work written by Thomas Nashe, “ — right for “mally conveyed according to the stile and tenour of
“Tarlton's president, his famous play of the Seaven deadly “Sinnes, which most deadly, but most lively playe, I might
“have seene in London: and was very gently invited there “unto at Oxford by Tarlton himselfe, of whome I merrily “demaunding, which of the seaven was his owne deadlie “sinne ; he bluntly aunswered after this manner, By God “the sinne of other gentlemen lechery. Oh, but that M. “Tarleton is not your part upon the stage: you are too
“blame that dissemble with the world, and have one part “for your frends pleasure, another for your owne. I am “ somewhat of Doctor Perne's religion, quoth he and “abruptlie tooke his leave. ” Tarlton died about 1589, and was buried at Shoreditch. On the 2d day of August, in that year, Henry Kyrkham had licensed unto “A sorowfull “newe sonnette, intitled Tarlton's Recantation upon this “theame, gyven him by a Gent at the Bel Savage without “Ludgate, (nowe or els never), beinge the laste theame he “songe. ” And on the 16th of October, there was licenced to Richard Jones, “Tarlton’s repentance, or his farewell to “his friends in his sicknes a little before his death, &c. ”— (See the Entries from the Books of the Stationers’ Com
pany. ) By Bishop Hall's Satires it appears, that Tarlton
was celebrated enough to have his head hung as a sign for ale-houses,
“To with Tarlton
Bucke’s “Stately moral the three Lords and
“three Ladies London,” 1590, Simplicity, sort pedlar-clown, represented carrying his basket pic
ale-post's signe! ”
is
of
as
of
on an
in
a
I. R.
of
In P.
sit
MR. Dodsley's PREFACE.
Tarleton, says Sir Richard Baker in his Chronicle, for the part of a clown, never had his match, nor ever will have. The Epitaph of
Burbage is preserved in Cambden's Remains, and is only Exit BURBAGE. The Epitaph of Tarleton is preserved by the same historian as follows:
Hic situs est, cujus Vox, Vultus, Actio possit Ex Heraclito redde Democritum. s
The next I shall mention is Edward Alleyn, the
lxx
And
Hospital; as famous for honesty, says Baker, for his acting and two such actors and Burbage, age must ever
founder of Dulwich
look see again. He's man, says Heywood
Malta,
Whoin may rank with (do more wrong)
weight, never was lightly bestowed:
Rome great, and her wisest age,
Fear'd not boast the glories her stage, As skilful Roscius, and grave AFsop, men, Yet crown'd with honours with riches then, Who had less trumpet their name
Than Cicero, whose very breath was fame:
tures of Tarlton. The date of Tarlton's death has been
ascertained have been shortly before the September,
his Prologue the Jew
Proteus for shapes, and Roscius for
Hear also Ben Jonson, whose praise more
1588, (not 1589, mentioned Mr. Reed) buried that day, appears the Register Leonard, Shoreditch.
was
tongue.
-
2
of
a
on
to
as it
we
as he
C. as
by by
in
of a
as
of he St.
in
his
as
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;
no a
so to
to
of as
no
no
If
to
\
MR. DODSLEY’s PREFACE.
lxxi.
How can so great example die in me, -
That, Alleyn, I should pause to publish thee?
Who both their graces in thyself hast more Outstript, than they did that went before; And present worth all dost contract,
As others speak, but only thou dost act.
Wear this renown: 'Tis just that who did give So many poets life, one should live.
Thomas Green” was famous for performing the part clown with great propriety and humour;
and from his excellent performance the character Bubble, comedy written Mr. John Cooke, the author called after his name, Green's Tu quoque. “There was not actor, says Hey
“wood, his nature, his time, better ability “in his performance, more applauded the
“audience, greater grace court, “general love the city. ”
more
Hemmings and Condel “were two considerable
See vol. VII. for some account Green.
not known when these two performers died. Mr. Steevens, who searched for their wills the Commons,
could not find them, though 1641. See the first volume 1778, 198. Hemmings had
looked late the year
bably called compliment Shakspeare), who was born London, 1605, elected from Westminster School, student Christ Church, 1621, and completed his degree
arts 1628. He was the author two Plays, and Latin copy Verses, printed “Carolus Redus,” 1623.
the edition
son named William (pro
Shakspeare
of
inp. It* of ofis a
in
*
of
in
to a
p. 1,
of
at
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by of
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lxxii MR. DoDSLEY’s PREFACE.
actors in most of Shakspeare's, Jonson's, and
Fletcher's Plays; the first in tragedy, the last in comedy: but they are better known for being the first editors of Shakspeare's Works in folio, in the year 1623, seven years after his death.
Lowin Taylor, and Benfield, are mentioned
Massinger famous actors. Ben Jonson are these two lines:
Let Lowin cease, and Taylor scorn The loathed stage, for thou hast made
Satire against
touch such.
Lowin, though something later than Burbage, said have been the first actor Hamlet, and
an Advertisement one his Plays, appears that lived not long after the year 1650.
This account will receive some corrections the reader who refers Malone's Sh, by Boswell, III. 186, and where
also appears that “John Heminge (or Heminges) player” (for styled the parish register) died
the 10th October, 1630, and was buried two days afterwards the church-yard St. Mary, Aldermanbury.
See Historia Histrionica, this vol.
This seems said merely the credit Roberts the player his answer Pope’s Preface; but quotes
no authority, the truth may doubted. The Historia Histrionica speaks Lowin's performance Falstaffe, Morose, Wolpone, and Mammon; and Downes, his Roscius
Anglicanus, 24. mentions him King Henry VIII, but neither his ever being the representative
trary both them (see vol. xii.
the original actor them take any notice
Hamlet. On the con 341. and Downes, 21. )
of p.
in
to
tois as
3",
p. of
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be
on
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|
MR. DoDSLEY's PREFACE.
lxxiii
also the original Henry VIII. from an observation
of whose acting it in later days, Sir William
Davenant conveyed his instruction Mr. Better ton.
And now the theatre seems have been
its height glory and reputation.
thors abounded, and every year produced
number new Plays: nay, great was the passion
this time for shew representation,
that was celebrate their wed dings, birth-days, and other occasions rejoicing,
with masques and interludes, which were exhibited with surprising expence; that great architect Inigo
the fashion for the nobility
The king and his lords, the queen and her ladies,
frequently performed
and the nobility their own private
Masque
Ludlow-castle.
eagerness after theatrical diversions continued du
ring the whole reign king James, and great part Charles the First, till Puritanism, which had
assert that Joseph Taylor was the original
and from Sir William Davenant's observation ner, Mr. Betterton received instructions (See also edition Shakspeare, 1778, vol.
Dramatic au
Jones being frequently employed rations with the magnificence
furnish deco his invention.
these masques court,
houses: short, public entertainment was thought com
plete without them; and owe, and perhaps 'tis
this humour we we owe the inimitable For the same universal
that character: his man
perform 408).
of
all
of x. to
it,
to
to
p. of
of
a it
I.
R. it.
at
at
ofin of all
at
no
of
of
to
in in
of to
or so to
all
his
it is
at
lxxiv. MR. DoDSLEY'S PREFACE.
now gathered great strength, more openly opposed
them as wicked and diabolical. If we may judge of this spirit from Prynne's famous Histrio-mastir,
or Players Scourge, it appears to have been a zeal
much without knowledge. This was a heavy load of dull abuse, published in 1633, against plays,
players, and who favoured them, William
Prynne? ', esq
barrister Lincoln’s-Inn. The
This very extraordinary man, whose severe punishment, and Roman constancy submitting had small effect upon the minds the people, and contributed more than
generally imagined the disasters the times, was born Swanswick, near Bath, Somersetshire, the
year 1600. He was educated the last-mentioned city; entered Oriel College 1616, and took the degree
B. A. Jan. 20, 1620. From thence he was removed Lin coln's Inn, where studied the Common Law, and be came successively Barrister, Bencher, and Reader, that
society. After the execution his sentence, account Histrio-mastir, printed other pieces which gave equal
offence, which occasioned his being again prosecuted. consequence which, was fined, branded, and impri soned, and each with equal more severity than he
fore. The place his confinement was Mount Orguiel, the island Jersey, where continued three years: the end that time, being chosen member for Newport Cornwall, he was released, and entered London tri umph; and soon had opportunity revenge the se
vere treatment had experienced from his inveterate foe, Archbishop Laud. He sat the long Parliament, and
was one the secluded Members who were imprisoned
at ofof of
on
in at in
In
in
he
of
in
an
he
to in
to
it, of
in
in to
in of
of
he
of a all in
or
in
of to
of
is
*
he of in
heof :
on
he
no
by
MR. DoDSLEY’s PREFACE. lxxv
best way the parties concerned thought an
swer this Work, was publish the best old
Plays that could then found that many that
had never yet seen the light were now brought
forth have observed myself more than fifty that were printed this year. short, the patrons
the stage for some short time prevailed; Prynne's
Book was deemed infamous libel both against the church and state, against the peers, prelates,
and magistrates; and particularly against the king
and queen, where says, that princes dancing
their own persons was the cause their untimely ends: that our English ladies, shorn and fizzled
madams, had lost their modesty; that plays were the chief delight the devil, and that frequent
account their zeal for peace with the King. From this time was avowed enemy Oliver Cromwell, and was by him imprisoned Dunster Castle Somersetshire. At the restoration became instrumental recalling the King, and was rewarded with being appointed keeper the records the Tower, and salary 300s. per annum. He was soon after named one the Commissioners for ap peals and regulating the excise, was elected Member for Bath, and embroiled himself with the House Com mons, which account was obliged make sub mission. He died his chambers Lincoln’s-Inn, Oct.
24, 1669; and was buried under the chapel there.
This note transferred this place from the introductory
matter, Shirley's Bird Cage, which not reprinted the present edition. C:
in
to on in is
he
of
:I
to
at
he
in
of
to ahean in he a
an
be aofof Into
in
is to
of
in in
; so
of
R. inof
of,
I. a
of
all
of
all
in
lxxvi MR. DoDSLEY'S PREFACE.
ed them were damned. As he knew the king and queen frequented them daily, this was thought to
reflect on their majesties. To music has
the choristers bellow the tenor they were oren, bark counter-point like kennel hounds, roar
treble they were bulls, and grunt out base like parcel hogs. For these and many other
utter antipathy, but church-music
which calls the bleating brute beasts; and says,
passages,
the common hangman: and his sentence was,
was ordered burnt the hands
‘be put from the bar, excluded the society Lin coln’s-Inn, and degraded the university Ox
ford stand the pillory Westminster and
lose ear each place, and paper his head, declaring
Cheapside,
fined 5000l. and suffer perpetual imprison ment. This sentence was executed on him with
great rigour. But Puritanism, from thousand concurrent causes every day gathering strength,
little time overturned the constitution; and
amongst their many Reformations this was one, the total suppression plays and play-houses. "
hoax was played off upon Prynne, some years after the printing his Histriomastix 1633, the publica tion tract, called “Mr. William Prynn, his Defence
stand with
offence
against both their majesties, and the government;
the publishing infamous libel
particular,
in 1
an
at at
all in
of
be a
on an
by
of if a by
*
a
to in
of
ofA be ; a a
of all
of of
of in his to
a
he an
as a to to it if
he
to in
of
by
to be
a of as
a
MR. DoDSLEY'S PREFACE. lxxvii
Thus I have brought down this imperfect essay on the rise and progress of the English stage, to
the period which I at first intended : to pursue it farther, and take it up again at the Restoration,
when a new” patent was granted to Sir William Lavenant, would be needless; because from that
time the affairs of the stage are tolerably well known. If what I have done shall give any satis faction to the curious, it is more than I have dared to promise myself, from my own sense of great imperfection; but hope will considered,
what slender materials either the ignorance those times, the injury the following, have afforded
former book his 1649, but the
Vindication William Prynne esquire from some scan dalous papers and imputations newly printed, and publish
Stage-plays;
called Histrio-mastix. ” answer Prynne dated Jan. 10, 1648,
Retractation
bears date
the shape
was most likely ante-dated. “The
ed, traduce and defame him his reputation,”
the exist:
British Museum, and other copies
declares the supposed defence forgery, and imposture” some players. ”
are known
may not amiss take notice clause this patent, which says, “That whereas the women's parts
plays have hitherto been acted by men the habits “women, which some have taken offence, we permit
and give leave, for the time come, that all women’s
parts acted by women. ” And from this time women began appear upon the stage.
posting bill
him
the “imprisoned stage
“a mere
“““
*It
he
to
to be
at
of
or
to D.
of in of it byof a
of in a
to be
of in
is
C. be
of
a
to
by
in
in
as
of
it
of in
a be
to is in
of
its
it to
it, It
of
I
or
lxxviii MR. DODSLEY'S PREFACE.
us. I am, as it were, the first adventurer on these
discoveries, and it is not reasonable to expect more perfection than is commonly found in the first attempts of this nature. All that I can say
that have thrown circumstances
together number curious
the subject, that the reader vain elsewhere. And the
would
seek for
novelty
person
leisure, make stricter enquiry into this matter,
would certainly oblige me, and perhaps
public. enough for me that have led the
way, and been the first, however imperfect, dis COWerer.
now only remains say something my un
dertaking, which shall endeavour comprize few words may be. My first end was
snatch some the best pieces our old dramatic
writers from total neglect and oblivion: things not only mere curiosity but use, far
elegant entertainment can use; several these being not unworthy the present, nor indeed
any stage. have generally preferred comedies
tragedies, not only these times afforded much better the kind, and would therefore this and other respects most entertaining the reader,
but they better serve shew the humour, fa shion, and genius the times which they were
written. Another end which thought such
them should excite the curiosity any greater abilities, better health, more
I in
be
of of
a
a
to
as of an
to in
the
is,
as It he
as I
to
to
be
as I
in on
of
as
to
in
of
to
I of
in
Iof
of
It is
to ofof a
as
as
of or of if
MR. DoDSLEY'S PREFACE. lxxix
collection might answer was, that it would serve very well to shew the progress and improvement
ofour taste and language. For this better pur
pose, in the six pieces 39 which compose the first
volume, and also in the remarkable tragedy of Gor boduc, I was even so scrupulous as to preserve their very original orthography. I did indeed, to
gratify the reader's curiosity, intend to have done the same in the rest; but this was plainly im
-
possible,
editions; every edition the orthography was
unless could have met with the first
that then use. also con sidered, that though this might have been enter taining the curious, the generality readers
would have been very disagreeable. To the first therefore have given sufficient specimen one volume, and the other have endeavoured
make the reading easy could the rest. farther inducement this undertaking was the hopes had being able these authors jus
tice more correct edition their Plays, than they hitherto had; for the greater part them,
seems carelessness and ignorance had
Mr. Dodsley, not knowing the first editions the se veral pieces which compose this collection, made wrong
arrangement them. This altered the present edi tion; but the orthography the first six pieces pre
served, though three the plays are printed from earlier and more correct copies.
generally adapted
I. R.
to II to as
to
of
as as to
to a
of is in
of do
in
is
a
of
of
in to
of
as
if of to
it *9
it
in I
a Ito
for all inI
in
of
I
A
lxxx MR. DoDSLEY’s PREFACE.
joined their efforts in rendering them unintelligible.
And not only so, but the pointing is at the same time so preposterous (which, like false guiding posts, are perpetually turning out of the high road
of common sense), that one would almost suspect there was as much malice as stupidity in these old editors. However, by the assistance of a little common sense, I think I have set a great number of these passages right. And if any one should be offended that some are left unintelligible in the state they were found, I desire he will be pleased to consider how many such still remain in Shaks peare”, after the best endeavours that have hitherto
* It should be remembered that this was written in the
year 1744, when the observation might be made with great truth and justice. How imperfectly Shakspeare was under
stood at that time, every reader conversant with his writ ings is now well informed. The same year in which the
former edition of this work appeared, the splendid, but conducted, design Sir Thomas Hanmer was made public. It, however, was generally disapproved of, and Dr. War
burton's attempt few years afterwards, from which great
expectations were formed, was not more successful. The failure these gentlemen probably excited Dr. Johnson undertake new edition, which would have precluded
every further effort, had executed the plan laid down his proposals. “The editor,” says he, “will endeavour
“read the books which the author read, trace his know “ledge the source, and compare his copies with their “originals. ” Again, “He hopes, that, comparing the
“works Shakespeare with those writers who lived
of
to
of
of
to
at
to in
ill
by
he
to
a
a
of
MR. DODSLEY'S PREFACE. lxxxi
Be
or discover the
been used to restore their original meaning. sides, I believe I may venture to say, it is more difficult to give a correct specimen of so many writers, than a correct edition of any one: be cause, when an Author's manner is once known, it
will very often help to rectify
meaning of corrupted or intricate passages: where
as the reading of so many different stiles and man
ners of writing will be apt, without great care, to confound and mislead the judgment. Add to this, that it is easier to correct the errors in a good au
thor than in a bad one; because not only the con struction of the language is generally better and less confused, but the sentiments are clearer and more striking. After all, I submit what I have
“ the same time, immediately preceded or immediately fol “lowed him, he shall be able to ascertain his ambiguities, “disentangle his intricacies, and recover the meaning of “words now lost in the darkness of antiquity. ” That Dr. Johnson was not possessed of the materials necessary to
accomplish his own excellent design would have been the subject of regret with every reader of Shakspeare, if the plan
he had delineated had been neglected on failure
hands. Fortunately for the public, was resumed by Mr. Steevens with unremitting attention and equal ability.
