the following dedication. To the old quarto, five copies of recommendatory verses are prefixed, which will be found in the First Volume. The excellence of the piece must have insured it good reception, and the praises of such a man as Dr Donne were certainly not misapplied, though, from the words in the titlepage, acted some times," we cannot infer that it obtained great popularity. The word may, however, be used in the very common sense of formerly, and, in this case, the play was probably produced a considerable time before it was printed.

!

ΤΟ

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE.

WILLIAM CAVENDISH,

EARL OF NEWCASTLE, VISCOUNT MANSFIELD,

LORD BOLSOVER AND OGLE*.

MY LORD,

OUT of the darkness of a former age, (enlightened by a late both learned and an honourable pen †), I have endeavoured to personate a great attempt, and in it, a greater danger. In other labours you

*This accomplished nobleman was born in the year 1592, and was early in favour with James I., by whom he was made a knight of the Bath in 1610, and created a peer by the title of Baron Ogle and Viscount Mansfield in 1623. He continued in favour with Charles I., who created him Earl of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and, in 1638, assigned him the office of governor to the Prince of Wales. His exertions in favour of the royal cause during the rebellion are too well known to require any notice in this place. He was created Duke of Newcastle in 1664, and died twelve years after, at the advanced age of 84, loaded with honours. He was not only a patron of playwrights, but also condescended to cultivate the dramatic muse himself, having produ ced four comedies. But his lady exceeded him in the fertility of her imagination, having left to the world not less than twentyseven dramatic performances.

+ Alluding to the History of King Henry VII. by the great Lord Bacon.

may read actions of antiquity discoursed; in this abridgement, find the actors themselves discoursing; in some kind practised as well what to speak, as speaking why to do. Your lordship is a most competent judge, in expressions of such credit; commissioned by your known ability in examining, and enabled by your knowledge in determining, the monuments of times. Eminent titles may, indeed, inform who their owners are, not often what. To your's the addition of that information in both, cannot in any application be observed flattery; the authority being established by truth. I can only acknowledge the errours in writing mine own; the worthiness of the subject written being a perfection in the story, and of it. The custom of your lordship's entertainments (even to strangers) is rather an example than a fashion: in which consideration I dare not profess a curiosity; but am only studi ous that your lordship will please, amongst such as best honour your goodness, to admit into your no. ble construction,

JOHN FORD,

PROLOGUE.

STUDIES have, of this nature, been of late
So out of fashion, so unfollowed, that
It is become more justice, to revive
The antic follies of the times, than strive
To countenance wise industry: no want
Of art doth render wit, or lame, or scaut,
Or slothful, in the purchase of fresh bays;
But want of truth in them who give the praise
To their self-love, presuming to out-do
The writer, or (for need) the actors too.
But such this author's silence best befits,

Who bids them be in love with their own wits.
From him, to clearer judgments, we can say
He shows a history, couched in a play:
A history of noble mention, known,

Famous, and true: most noble, 'cause our owa;
Not forged from Italy, from France, from Spain,
But chronicled at home; as rich in strain
Of brave attempts, as ever fertile rage
In action could beget to grace
the stage.
We cannot limit scenes, for the whole land
Itself appeared too narrow to withstand
Competitors for kingdoms: nor is here
Unnecessary mirth forced, to endear
A multitude on these two rests the fate

Of worthy expectation, truth and state.