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158 FERREX AND POR REX.
[ACT v.
Beholde how mischiefe wide her selfe displayes, And with the brother's hand the brother slayes.
When bloud thus shed doth staine the heavens face, Crying to Jove for vengeance of the deede,
The mightie God even moveth from his place
With wrath to wreke, then sendes he forth with spede The dreadfull furies, daughters of the night,
With serpentes girt, carying the whip of ire,
With heare of stinging snakes, and shining bright With flames and bloud, and with a brand of fire: These for revenge of wretched murder done,
Do make the mother kill her onely sonne.
Blood asketh blood, and death must death requite: Jove by his just and everlasting dome
Justly hath ever so requited
This times before recorde, and times come
Shall finde true, and doth present proofe Present before our eyes for our behoofe.
happy wight that suffres not the snare
Of murderous minde tangle him blood
And happy that can time beware
By others harmes, and turne his good: But wo him that, fearing not offend,
Doth serve his lust, and will not see the end.
The Order and Signification the Domme Shew before the fifth Act.
These, after their pieces discharged, and that the
armed men had three times marched about the stage, departed, and then the drommes and fluits did cease. Hereby was signified tumults, rebellions, armes, and
civil warres follow, fell the realme Great Brittayne, which the space fiftie yeares and more continued civill warre betwene the nobilitie after the
First the drommes and fluites
which there came forth upon the stage company hargabusiers and armed men all order battaile.
began sound, during
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FERIREX AND POR REX. 1. 59
sc.
death king Gorboduc, and
certayne limitacion succession
time of Dunwallo Molmutius monarchie.
his issues, for want the crowne, till the who reduced the land
ACTUS QUINTUS. SCENA PRIMA. CLoTYN. MANDUD. Gw EN FERG Us. EUBULUs.
Clotyn. Did ever age bring forth such tyrant harts The brother hath bereft the brother's life;
The mother she hath died her cruell handes
bloud her owne sonne; and now last The people, loe, forgetting trouth and love, Contemning quite both law and loyall hart,
Even they have slaine their soveraigne lord and queene.
Mandud. Shall this their traitorous crime unpunished rest
Even yet they cease not, caryed with rage their rebellious routes, threaten still
new bloud shed unto the prince's kinne slay them all, and uproote the race
Both the king and queene; are they moved With Porrex death, wherin they falsely charge
The giltlesse king without desert all,
And traitorously have murdered him therfore,
And eke the queene.
Gwenard. Shall subjectes dare with force worke revenge upon their princes fact?
Admit the worst that may; sure this
The deede was fowle, the queene slaye her sonne,
Shall yet the subject seeke take the sworde, Arise agaynst his lord, and slaye his king?
wretched state where those rebellious hartes
Are not rent out even from their living breastes, And with the body throwen unto the foules,
According Henslowe's MS. William Rankin, who after wards attacked plays and players furiously, his Mirror
Monsters, wrote historical play called Mulmutius Donwallow.
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160 FERREX AND POR REX,
[ACT 1.
As carrion foode, for terrour of the rest I
Fergus. There can no punishment be thought to
great
For this so grevous cryme; let spede therefore Be used therein, for it behoveth so.
Eubulus. Ye my lordes, see, consent one, And one consent with all:
holde more then neede, with sharpest law To punish their tumultuous bloudy rage;
For nothing more may shake the common state, Than sufferance uproares without redresse, Wherby how some kingdomes mightie power, Aftergreat conquestes made, and florishing
fame and wealth, have ben ruine brought: pray Jove that we may rather wayle
Such happe them, then witnesse ourselves.
Eke fully with the duke my minde agrees “*That cause serves, wherby the subject may
“Call account the dooinges his prince;
“Much lesse blood swoorde woorke revenge; “No more then may the hand cut the head.
“In acte nor speech, not secret thought
“The subject may rebell against his lord,
“Or judge him that sits Caesar's seate,
“With grudging minde
Though kinges forget
Yet subjectes must obey
But now, my lordes, before farder wade
damne those mislikes. ” governe they ought,
spend your speach, what sharpe revenge shall fall By justice plague these rebellious wightes?
rather should first search the way time the rage this uproare
repressed, and these great tumults ceased. Even yet the life Brittayne land doth hang,
Me thinkes
By which Mought
unegall weight,
Thinke not, my lordes, the death Gorboduc,
Nor yet Widenae's bloud will cease their rage:
That cause serves, &c. ] This and the lines following marked with commas are only found the spurious edition this play.
And the reprint that spurious edition 1590.
traitours balaunce
they are bounde.
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sc. FERREx AND POR REx. 161
Even our owne lyves, our wives, and children deare, Our countrey, dearest all, daunger standes, Now spoiled, now, now made desolate,
And by ourselves conquest ensue:
For geve once swey unto the people's lustes, To rush forth on, and stay them not time,
And the streame that rowleth downe the hyll, So will they headlong ronne with raging thoughtes From bloud bloud, from mischiefe unto moe, To ruine the realme, themselves and all;
giddy are the common people's mindes,
glad chaunge, more wavering than the sea.
Ye see (my lordes) what strength these rebelles have, What hugie nombre assembled still,
For though the traiterous fact for which they rose
Be wrought and done, yet lodge they still field;
that how farre their furies yet will stretch
of ora.
Great cause we have By present battaile
Speede must we use
dreade: that we may seeke represse their power,
levie force therfore,
For either they forthwith will mischiefe work, Or their rebellious roares forthwith will “cease:
These violent thinges may have lasting long. Let therfore use this for present helpe: Perswade gentle speach, and offre grace With gift pardon save unto the chiefe;
And that upon condicion that forthwith They yelde the captaines their enterprise,
To beare such guerdon" their traiterous fact As may both due vengeance themselves, And holsome terrour posteritie.
This shall, thinke, scatter" the greatest parte,
That now are holden with desire of home. Weried field with cold winter's nightes,
And some (no doubt) striken with dread law.
The edit. 1590 reads,
“Or their rebellious roares forthwith must cease,”
the sense the passage.
which perhaps improvement *gerudon] reward. See Note
The Spanish Tragedy, vol. III. -
“Flatter,” edit. 1590. VOL. I.
M
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162 FERREx AND POR. R. Exe
{[Act Iv.
Whose safety biddes them to betray their heads, And so much more bycause the rascall routes,
In thinges of great and perillous attemptes, Are never trustie to the noble race.
And while we treate and stand on termes of grace, We shall both stay their furies rage the while,
And eke gaine time, whose onely helpe sufficeth
Withouten warre to vanquish rebelles power. In the meane while, make you in redynes
Such band of horsemen as ye may prepare.
Horsemen (you know) are not the commons strength, But are the force and store of noble men.
Wherby the unchosen and unarmed sort o
Of skillesse rebelles, whome none other power, But nombre makes to be of dreadfull force, With sodeyne brunt may quickely be opprest.
And if this gentle meane of proffered grace
With stubborne heartes cannot so farre avayle As to asswage their desperate courages,
Then do I wish such slaughter to be made, As present age and eke posteritie
May be adrad. * with horrour of revenge, That justly then shall on these rebelles fall; This my lords, the summe mine advise.
Whan this is once proclamed, it shall make The captaines to mistrust the multitude,
large; And though did, this speach that hath ben sayd
Clotyn. Neither this case admittes debate
Hath well abridged the tale would have tolde. Fully with Eubulus consent
that hath sayde; and the same To you my lordes may seeme for best advise,
wish that should streight put ure.
unchosen and unarmed sort] multitude. See Note Gurton's Needle, vol. II.
may adrad. ] Adrad the participle passive afraid. S.
Gammer
adrede:
lyke Julius
Folie, 1549, Sign.
“great princes have wysemen jelousie and suspicion,
Erasmus's Praise
“Caesar had Brutus and also Cassius, whereas nothinge helde “hymselfe adradde drunken Mark Anthony. ”
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FER REX AN POR. R. Ex. 163
Mandud. My lordes, then let presently depart And follow this that liketh us so well.
gaine kingdome here offred me!
their king and queene, The offspring the prince slaine and dead,
No issue now remaines, the heire unknowen, The people are armes and mutynies,
The nobles they are busied how cease
These great rebellious tumultes and uproares:
And Brittayne land now desert left alone Amyd these broyles uncertayn where rest, Offers herselfe unto that noble hart
Fergus. ever time Were offred man, now
The realme reft both
That will dare pursue Shall that am the duke Discended from that line
beare her crowne. Albanye
noble bloud,
Which hath long florished worthy fame Of valiaunt hartes, such noble brestes
Of right should rest above the baser sort, Refuse adventure life winne crowne?
Whom shall finde enemies that will withstand
My fact herein, attempt armes
broyle? These dukes power can hardly well appease
To seeke the same now these times
The people that already are armes:
But perhappes my force once field,
not my strength power above the best
Of these lordes now left Brittayne land.
And though they should match me with power men,
Yet doubtfull the chaunce battailes joyned.
victors the field we may depart,
Ours the scepter then great Brittayne
slayne amid the playne this body lye,
Mine enemies yet shall not deny me this, But that dyed geving the noble charge
To hazarde life for conquest crowne.
liketh] pleaseth. See Note Cornelia, vol. II.
Forthwith therefore will
Tô Albanye, and raise armour there
All power can: and here my secret frendes
post depart
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164 FERItex AND PORREX.
[Act v.
ACTUS QUINTUS. SCENA SECUNDA.
Eubulus. Clory N. MAN DUD. Gw ENARD. ARoSTUs. NUN i i Us.
Eubulus. O Jove, how are these people's harts abusde!
What blind fury thus headlong caries them? That though so many bookes, so many rolles
Of auncient time recorde what grevous plagues Light on these rebelles aye, and though so oft Their eares have heard their aged fathers tell What juste reward these traitours still receyve;
Yea though themselves have sene depe death and bloud By strangling cord and slaughter of the sword
To such assigned, yet can they not beware;
Yêt can not stay their lewde rebellious handes, * But suffring, loe, fowle treason to distaine
Their wretched myndes, forget their loyall hart, Reject truth, and rise against their prince.
ruthefull case, that those whom duties bond, Whom grafted law, nature, truth, and faith Bound preserve their country and their king,
Borne defend their commonwealth and prince, Even they should geve consent thus subvert
By secret practise shall sollicite still
To seeke to wynne to me the people's hartes,
Thee Brittaine land, and from thy wombe should bring (O native soile) those, that will needs destroy
And ruyne thee and eke themselves fine.
For lo, when once the duke had offred grace Of pardon sweete (the multitude misledde
By traiterous fraude their ungracious heades) One sort that saw the dangerous successe
Of stubborne standing rebellious warre,
princes power, From headlesse nombre tumultuous routes,
And knew the difference
Whom common countreies care and private feare
Taught repent the errour theirrage,band, Layde hands upon the captaines their
“Yet cal, they not stay their rebellious hands. ” edit. 1590.
*
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sc. II. ]
FERREX AND POR. R. E. X. 165
And brought them bound unto the mightie dukes.
And other sort, not trusting yet so well The truth of pardon, or mistrusting more
Their owne offence than that they could conceive Sure hope ofpardon for so foule misdede,
Or for that they their captaines could not yeld, Who fearing to e yelded fled before,
Stale home by silence of the secret night.
The third unhappy and enraged sort
Of desperate hartes, who stained in princes bloud,
From trayterous furour could not be withdrawen By love, by law, by grace, ne yet by feare,
By proffereod life, ne yet by threatmed death,
With mindes hopelesse of life, dreadlesse of death,
Carelesse of countrey, and awelesse of God.
Stoode bent to fight, as furies did them move With violent death to close their traiterous life.
These power horsemen were opprest,
And with
Or with the strangling cord hangd the tree,
sworde slayne the field,
Where yet the caryen carcases preach
The fruites that rebelles reape their uproares,
And the murder their sacred prince. But loe, where approche the noble dukes,
By whom these tumults have ben thus appeasde.
Clotyn.
And feare
Mandud. rebell,
thinke the world will now length beware, put armes agaynst their prince.
not, those trayterous hartes that dare -
-
Let them beholde the wide and hugie fieldes With bloud and bodies spread rebelles slayne; The lofty trees clothed with corpses dead
That strangled with the cord hang thereon.
Arostus. just rewarde, such times before
Have ever lotted those wretched folkes. *
Marlow,
“Brother, revenge
“Preach upon poles for trespass their tongues. ”
Edward vol. 318.
and let these their heads
lusty trees,” edit. 1590. -
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166 FER REX AND POR REXs
[ACT v.
Gwenard. But what meanes he that commeth here ! so fast?
Nuntius. My lordes, as dutie and my trouth doth move,
And of my countrey worke a care in me,
That if the spending of my breath availed
To do the service that my hart desires,
I would not shunne to imbrace a present death; So have I now in that wherein I thought
Ventred my life to bring these tydings here. Fergus, the mightie duke of Albanye,
Is nowe in armes, and lodgeth in the fielde: With twentie thousand men hether he bendes
His spedy march, and mindes to invade the crowne. Dayly he gathereth strength, and spreads abrode,
That to this realme no certaine heire remaines,
. That Brittayne land is left without a guide, That he the scepter seekes, for nothing els
But to preserve the people and the land
Which now remaine as shippe without a sterne “: Loe this is that which I have here to say.
Clotyn. Is this his fayth? and shall he falsely thus Abuse the vauntage of unhappie times?
O wretched land, if his outragious pride,
His cruell and untempred wilfulnesse,
His deepe dissembling shewes of false pretence, Should once attaine the crowne of Brittaine land.
Let us, my lordes, with timely force resist
The new attempt of this our common foe,
As we would quench the flames of common fire.
Mandud. Though we remaine without a certain prince To weld the realm, or guide the wandring rule,
Yet now the common mother of us all,
Our native land, our countrey that conteines Our wives, children, kindred, ourselves, and all
That ever is or may be deare to man, Cries unto us to helpe ourselves and her:
** without a sternel 4 sterne was the antient term for the rudder. See King Henry V. S. -
My travayle mought performe some good effect
sc. II. ] .
FERREX AND PORREX. 167
Let us advaunce our powers to represse
This growing foe of our liberties.
Gwenard. Yea let so, my lordes, with hasty speede.
And goddes) send the welcome death, To shed our bloud field, and leave not
lothesome life lenger out our dayes,” To see the hugie heapes these unhappes,
That now roll downe upon the wretched land, Where emptie place princely governaunce,
No certaine stay now left doubtlesse heire,
Thus leave this guidelesse realme open pray To endlesse stormes and waste of civill warre.
Arostus. That (my lordes) agree one To save your countrey from the violent reigne And wrongfully usurped tyrannie
Of him that threatens conquest you all,
To save your realme, and this realme yourselves
From forreine thraldome
proud prince,
Much prayse; and besech the goddes With happy honour requite you.
But (O my lords) sith now the heavens wrath Hath reft this lande the issue their prince;
Sith the body our late soveraigne lorde Remaines moe; since the yong kinges slaine,
And the title discended crowne, Uncertainly the diverse mindes thinke Even the learned sort, and more uncertainly Will parciall fancie and affection deeme;
But most uncertainly will climbing pride
And hope reigne withdraw sundrie partes The doubtfull right and hopefull lust reigne;
When once this noble service For Brittaine land the mother
atchieved, all,
When once have with armed force represt, The proude attemptes this Albanian prince,
That threatens thraldome your native land, When shall vanquishers returne from field And find the princely state open pray,
To greedie lust and usurping power;
“To lenger out our lives. ” Edit. 1590.
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168 FER Rex AND Por Rex.
[ACT v.
then, then (my lordes) if ever kindly care
O. auncient honour of your auncesters,
Of present wealth and noblesse of your stockes, Yea of the lives and safetie yet to come
Of your deare wives, your children, and yourselves, Might move your noble hartes with gentle ruth,
Then, then have pitie on the torne estate,
Then helpe to salve the wel neare hopelesse sore!
Which ye shall do, if ye yourselves withholde
The slaying knife from your owne mother's throate,
Her shall you save, and you and yours in her,
If ye shall with one assent forbeare Once lay hand, take unto yourselves,
The crowne colour
Or what other meanes ever
pretended right;
be, you
Be set certaine place governaunce, which your parliament and your choise
Preferre the right (my lordes) without” respect Ofstrength frendes, whatsoever cause That may set forward any others part:
For right will last, and wrong can not endure.
Till first common counsell parliament, the regall diademe
Right meane
The people rest
Or the vertue
Already made their title advaunce:
Such one (my lordes) let your chosen king, Such one borne within your native land, Such one preferre, and wise admitte, The heavie yoke forreine governance.
Let forreine titles yelde publike wealth,
And with that hart wherewith now prepare Thus withstand the proude invading foe,
With that same hart (my lordes) keepe out also * Unnaturall thraldome strangers reigne, Nesuffer you against the rules kinde,
Your mother land serve forreine prince.
Eubulus. Loe here the end Brutus royall line, 45 without] with, edit. 1590.
hers, upon whose name meane native line,
some former lawe,
a of
of it
to
of
of
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or
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in
all
by
to into
so
by Ior by
all
tointo or no be of
of
of so
by
his
In In
II. ] FERRex AND por Rex. 169
And loe the entry the wofull wracke And utter ruine of this noble realme.
The royall king, and eke his sonnes are slaine; ruler restes within the regall seate:
The heire whom the scepter longes, unknowen
That eche force Whom vauntage
forreine princes power,
your wretched state may move,"
gaine riche reigne leades
feede their thoughts, with hope reach realme? And who will not force attempt winne
sodeine armes
And the proud and gredie minde
Whom blinded lust Loe Brittaine realme
present spoyle
Who seeth not now how many rising mindes
left conquest
ensue.
realme,
home
aspire, open pray,
great againe that hope perswades simple colour shall for title serve:
have? right,
lineall race prove him lawfull king. t
the meane while these civil armes shall rage, And thus thousand mischiefes shall unfolde
And farre and neare spread thee Brittaine land). right and lawe shall cease, and that had
Nothing to-day, to-morrowe shall enjoye
Who winnes the royall crowne will want Nor such shall display long discent
golde, and that flowed wealth, - bereft life and all;
Great heapes
Loe shall
And happiest
The wives shall suffer rape, the maides defloured, And children fatherlesse shall weepe and waile: With fire and sworde thy native folke shall perishe, One kinsman shall bereave others life,
The father shall unwitting slay the sonne,
The sonne shall slay the sire and know not. Women and maides the cruel souldiers sword
Shall perse death, and sillie children loe
That playing “in the streetes and fieldes are found,
that then possesseth least.
“May move,” omitted Edit. 1590.
“To prove himself king. ” Edit. playing] play, edit. 1590.
1590.
3.
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170 FER REX AND POR REX.
[Act v.
By violent hand shall close their latter day.
Whom shall the fierce and bloudy souldier
Reserve to life? whom shall he spare from death? Even thou (O wretched mother) halfe alive,
Thou shalt beholde thy deare and onely childe Slaine with the sworde while he yet suckes thy brest. Loe, giltlesse bloud shall thus eche where be shed: Thus shall the wasted soyle yelde forth no fruite But dearth and famine shall possesse the land.
The townes shall be consumed, and burnt with fire;
The peopled cities shall waxe desolate,
And thou O Brittaine, whilome in renowne,
Whilome in wealth and fame, shalt thus be torne: Dismembred thus, and thus be rent in twaine, Thus wasted and defaced, spoyled and destroyed.
These be the fruites your civill warres will bring. Hereto it commes when kinges—will not consent To grave advise, but follow wilfull will :
`This is the end, when in fonde prince's hartes Flattery prevailes, and sage rede hath no place:
These are the plages when murder is the meane
To make new heires unto the royall crowne:
Thus wreke the Gods when that the mother's wrath
Nought but the bloud of her own childe may swage: These mischiefes spring, when rebells will arise,
To worke revenge and judge their prince's fact: This, this ensues when noble men do faile
In loyall trouth, and subjectes will be kinges: And this doth growe, when loe unto the prince, Whome death or sodeine happe of life bereaves, No certaine heire remaines; such certein heire,
As not onely the rightfull heire,
be, And trouth therby vested subjectes hartes,
But the realme made knowen"
To owe fayth there, where right knowen rest. Alas, parliament what hope can be,
parliament hope all, Which though assembled by consent,
Yet not likely with consent end Unknowne. ” Edit, 1590.
When
is
is in
to
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of * it
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be
so no
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to to
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FER REX AND POR REX. 171
While eche one for himselfe, or for his frend,
Against his foe, shall travaile what he may :
While now the state left open to the man,
That shall with greatest force invade the same.
Shall fill ambicious mindes with gaping hope
When will they once with yelding hartes agree ? Or in the while how shall the realme be used ?
No, no; then parliament should have bene holden,
And certaine heires appointed to the crowne To staye the title on established right,
And in the people plant obedience,
While yet the prince did live, whose name and power By lawfull sommons and authoritie,
Might make a parliament to be of force,
And might have set the state * in quiet stay. But now, O happie man, whom spedie death
Deprives of life, ne is enforced to see
These hugie mischiefes and these miseries,
These civill warres, these murders, and these wronges. Of justice yet must God t in fine restore,
This noble crowne unto the lawfull heire:
For right will alwayes live, and rise at length,
But wrong can never take deepe roote to last.
* “Realm,” edit. 1590, + “Jove,” edit. 1590.
*.
-
172
EDITIONS.
(1. ) “The Tragedie of Gorboduc; whereof three
“Actes were written by Thomas Nortone, and the two
“laste by Thomas Sackvyle. Settforthe as the same “was shewed before the Queenes most excellent
“Majestie, in her hignes court of Whitehall, the 18
“Jan. 1561. By the Gentlemen of Thynner Temple, “ in London, Sept. 22. ” 4to. Printed for William
Griffith. . (See Ames's p. 316. )
Typographical Antiquities,
This Edition I have not seen. It appears to be the first spurious one complained of by the Authors.
(2. ) “The Tragedie of Ferrex and Porrex. Set “forth without addition or alteration; but altogether “as the same was shewed on stage before the Queenes “Majestie about nine yeares past, viz. the xv. 111 day of “Januarie, 1561, by the Gentlemen of the Inner “Temple. Seen and allowed, &c. Imprinted at “London by John Daye, dwelling -over Aldersgate. ” B. L. 8vo.
In the Bodleian Library, and in the possession of Thomas Pearson, Esq.
(3. ) “The Tragedie of Gorboduc; whereof three
“Actes were written by Thomas Norton, and the two
“last by Thomas Sackvyle. Set forth as the same “was shewed before the Queenes most excellent
“Majesty, in her hignes Court of Whitehall, by the “Gentlemen of the Inner Temple. At London, “printed by Edward Allde for John Perrin, and are to “be sold in Paule's Churchyard, at the signe of the “Angell, 1590. ” B. L. 4to.
In the Collection of Thomas Pearson Esq. and also
lso to #:
to jo
so ;4%
in that of Mr. Garrick. In the last-mentioned
“of Inner Temple. ”
The Serpent
Division appears -
translation.
C.
173
*
copy is a discourse entitled, The Serpent of Devision *.
the end the address “To the Gentlemen
Readers,” prefixed The Serpent Division, the printer says—“Heere
“shalt thou see also, with content thou peruse the woful “Tragedie Gorboduc, and Ferrex and Porrex his two sonnes,
“it was presented before the Queenes Majestie, the Gentlemen
so
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DAMON AND PITHIAS.
Richard Edwards, a Somersetshire man, was born
in the year 1523, admitted a scholar of Corpus Christi College on the 11th of May, 1540, and probationer fellow on the 11th of August, 1544. At the founda
tion of Christ Church, by King Henry the Eighth, in
the upper
year 1547, was chosen student table, and the same year took the degree Arts. From the University, removed
Master Lincoln’s- Inn; and the beginning Queen Elizabeth's reign
was appointed one the gentlemen her chapel, and
master the children there". He died, according John Hawkins', the 31st October, 1566.
He was the author of
(1) Damon and Pithias: Comedy. Acted before
Queen the children her chapel, and published 4to. 1571. 4to. 1582
(2) Palaemon and Arcyte: Comedy. two
1566. This September.
parts. Acted Christ-Church-Hall, piece was represented the and
The first evening, was scarcely begun formed before became Tragedy,
per the weight the multitudes the scaffold fell down. Five men
were greatly hurt and wounded, and three killed
has been conjectured that came early Court, for there
existin MS. some Poems with his name, addressed
the beauties Nuga An the Paradise Edwards upon this subject, and the first
o, Court Queen Mary. See the new edition Mr. Park, vol. p. 392. The third Poem
Doyntie Devises,
anzashews that was young man when sought “become 'one the courtly trayne:” begins,
youthfull yeeres when fyrst young desyres began
pricke me foorth serve Čourt, sciender tall young
lm man,” &c.
History Music, vol. 541.
the words “newly imprinted” the title-page the edition 157 perhaps understood, that had been Polished before; may only mean that the Play was then
*wly imprinted” from the MS. Some biographers have noticed **PPosed edition Damon and Pithias, 1570, but this mis
the year following.
I- N
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178
the fall of a wall”. On the second evening, the Queen is said to have been much entertained. After the play was ended, she called the author to her, commended
his work, promised what she would do for him, and
talked to him in the most familiar way. One of the performers, supposed to be young Carew, pleased her
so much, that she made him a present of eight guineas.
See Wood's Athenae Oroniensis, vol. 1. p. 151. ; and Peshall's History of the University of Oxford, 227, 228.
Chetwood says, both parts of this play were printed, with the Author's Songs and Poems, in 1585. Wood assures us, that there were several other dramatic
pieces by him, which he did not live to finish; and that
it was the opinion of many, he would have run mad had he continued to exercise his talents as a writer for
the stage.
He was also the Author of
Some Poems printed in The Paradise of Dainty Devises, 4to. 1575, and a Poem called Edward's Soul knil ; or The Soule's knell: written in his last illness.
He appears to have obtained a considerable reputa tion as a dramatic writer, which will appear from the following testimony in Puttenham's Art of Poetry: “I
“think that for Tragedy the Lord Buckhurst and
“Maister Edward Ferrys, for such doings as I have
“seen of theirs, do deserve the highest price; the Earl
“of Oxford, and Mr. Edwards of her Majesty's “Chapel, for Comedy and Interlude. ” An Epitaphon
him is said to be printed among the Poems of George Turberville”.
* Peshall's History of the University of Oxford, 227.
* This production, which Mr. Reed had not seen, does exist; and is to be be found in Turberville's Epitaphes, Epigrams, Songes, and Sonets, printed in 1570. It opens as follows:
“Epitaph on Maister Edwards, sometime Maister of the Chil
“dren of the Chapell, and Gentleman of Lyncolnes Inne * Court.
“Ye learned Muses nine, and Sacred Sisters all,
“Now lay your cheerfull cithrons downe, and to lamenting fall.
179
“Rent off those garlandes greene, doe laurel leaves away,
“Remove the myrtill from your browes, and stint on strings to play;
** For he #: led the daunce, the cheesest of your traine,
“I
“Ye courtiers chaunge your cheere, lament in wailefull wise,
hight, by
mean the man that Edwards cruell death is slaine.
“For now your Orpheus has resignd, in clay his carcas lies. “O ruth! he is bereft, that whilst he lived here,
“For poet's pen and passinge witte, could have no Englishe
peere.
-
“His veine in verse was such, so stately eke his style,
“His fate in forging sugred songes, with cleane and curious file ; “As all the learned Greekes and Romaines would repine,
“If they did live againe, to viewe his verse with scornefull eine. ”
The rest of this production is in the same strain, and the above will be a sufficient specimen. C.
THE PROLOGUE.
On everie syde, wheras I glaunce my rovyng eye,
bee,
Your lust is lost, and all the pleasures that you sought, Is frustrate quite of toying playes. A soden change is
-
wrought:
-
I
playnly espie doe
Silence in all eares bent
But if your egre lookes doo longe such toyes to see,
As heretofore, in commycall wise, were wont abroade to
:
For loe, our aucthor's muse, that masked in delight, Hath forst penne against kinde”, more such
sportes
Muse that lust, (right worshipfull) for chaunce hath
made this change,
For that some seemed too much yonge desires range:
whiche, right glad please, seyng that did offende,
Of all humblie pardon craves: his pen that shall amende.
And yet (worshipfull audience) thus much dare advouche, commedies the greatest skyll this, rightly touche
All thynges the quicke; and eke frame eche person
That his common talke, you may his nature rightly know
write.
royster ought not preache, that were heare,
But from vertue doth swerve, ought his wordes appeare:
The olde man sober, the yonge man rashe, the lover
triumphyng joyes.
The matron grave, the harlot wilde, and full wanton toyes.
kindel See note Ferrex and Porrex this vol.
-
-
straunge
A * as
In
In
7 in to
he
he to
in
of
I to
z
he
no
is
his to
so
by
: to
he
to to so,
to
is to
his in
he
to
181
Whiche all in one course, they no wise doo agree;
So correspondent to their kinde their speeches ought to be. -
Which speeches well pronounste, with action lively framed, Ifthis offende the lookers on, Horace then blamed,
Which hath our author taught schole, from whom doth not swarve,
all suche kinde exercise decorum observe.
Thus much for his defence (he sayth) poetes earst have donne,
Which heretofore commodies the self same rase did 7°onne.
But now for briefe, the matter expresse.
Which here wee shall present, this: Damon and Pithias.
rare ensample frendship true, legend lie,
But thynge once donne indeede, hystories doe discrie. Whiche doone yore longe time past, yet present
Lo here Siracusa' th' auncient towne, which once the Romaines wonne,
Here Dionisius pallace, within whose courte this thing most strange was donne.
Which matter mixt with myrth and care, just name applie,
As seemes most fit, wee have termed, tragicall com medie.
Wherein talkyng courtly toyes, doe protest this flat,
Wee talke Dionisius courte, wee meane court but that:
And that we doo meane, who wysely calleth minde The time, the place, the authoro, here most plainely shall
finde.
Loe this speake” for our defence, lest others should - be shent":
But worthy audience, wee you pray, take thinges they ment;
shall
here,
Even were dooynge now, lively shall appeare.
author] authours, 1st. edit. speake] spake, 2d. edit.
shent: To shend, says Mr. Steevens, treat with injurious language. Note Hamlet,
Again, Ascham's Report and Discourse.
reprove harshly, Bennet's Edition,
in
be
it
of
in it
in of of be
to
so as
is
*** be
A
In
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of
a as
is of a to
A.
3. no
be
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2.
as
to
so
in of
we
it to a it no
as
to
it
is
at let
to
he
be
to
in
182
Whose upright judgement we doo crave, with heedfull
eare and eye
To here the cause, and see th' effect of this newe tragicall
commedie.
[Erit.
p. 38: “A wonderfull follie in a great man himselfe, and some “ piece of miserie in a whole commonwealth, where fooles chiefly “ and flatterers may speake freely what they will, and wise men “and good men shal commonly be shent, if they speake what they “should. ”
THE SPEAKERS NAMES.
ARISTIPPUs, a pleasant gentilman. CARIsop HUs, a parasite.
DAMon, two gentlemen of Greece. PITHIAs, }
STEPHANo,
WILL, Aristippus lackey.
JACKE, Carisophus lackey.
SNAP, the porter.
DIONIsIUs, the kynge.
EUBULUs, the kynge's counselour. GRoNNo, the hangman.
GRIMME, the colyer.
servant to Damon and Pithias.
eadi
ng.
DAMON AND PITHIAS. *
Here entreth ARIsTIPPUs.
Aristippus. THo' strange (perhaps) it seemes to some,
That I, Aristippus, a courtier am become:
A philosopher of late, not of the meanist name,
But now, to the courtly behaviour, my lyfe I frame: Muse he that lyst, to you of good skill,
I say that I am a phylosopher styll.
Lovers of wisdom, are termed philosophers",
Then who is a philosopher so rightly as I? For in lovyng of wisdom, proofe doth this trie, That frustra sapit, qui non sapit sibi.
I am wyse for myselfe, then tell me of troth, Is not that great wisdom, as the world goth
* Although it is obvious that great pains were taken by Mr. Reed and others, (to say nothing of Dodsley,) in the collation of this dramatic piece, yet they left it in a very imperfect state. In the course of it not less than fifty important variations and errors have been detected, consisting of words omitted, and words acci dentally inserted independently of errors of the press for which of course an Editor was not responsible. It is hoped that it will be now found more uniformly correct, although the Editor can scarcely
flatter himself that the reprint may not be still found defective. C. * philosophers, Philosophie, both Editions.