fight on your side; but this is not the fittest time, however just the quarrel. Besides the resemblances we have noticed, it is to be observed that Shakespeare has also adopted Lodge's under-plot in the loves of Sylvius and Phoebe, but the comic incidents and persons are his own invention and introduction.

MORTON. The remark, you may remember, also applies to his adaptation of Rich's novel to the stage. May the same be said of the "Winter's Tale," or does Greene, in his "Dorastus and Fawnia," bring forward any such character as Autolicus?

BOURNE. He does not; but the greatest difference between Shakespeare and Greene, in regard to that story, is, that the latter makes Bellaria, who corresponds to Hermione, actually die in consequence of the shock of the unjust accusation, of the cruel treatment she receives during her trial, and of the unexpected intelligence of the death of her young son Garinter, who is Shakespeare's Prince Mamillius. The annotators have done still less to enable the reader of the Winter's Tale" to compare it with "Dorastus and Fawnia."

ELLIOT. How long before Shakespeare is supposed to have written his "Winter's Tale" did Robert Greene produce his "Dorastus and Fawnia?"

BOURNE. The earliest date hitherto assigned to the Winter's Tale is 1594, and there is a copy of Greene's "Dorastus and Fawnia" printed as early as 1588: perhaps there might be others even still earlier,

VOL. II.

N

but Greene's first extant performance is dated 1584, and is called " A Myrrour of Modestie:" it is the story of Susanna and the Elders, told at considerable length, and with some eloquence. This shows that he began his literary career with a production calculated to allay rather than excite the passions.

MORTON. That would depend much on the mode in which it was handled: it is not difficult to imagine that the descriptions in the history of Susanna might be so highly wrought as to afford very strong incentives.

BOURNE. As you have doubts about it, and as it is a tract of the very rarest occurrence, never quoted that I am aware of, you may like to hear a short specimen of it: we will then proceed to his "Dorastus and Fawnia." The title speaks pretty unequivocally as to the nature and object of the performance: "The Myrrour of Modestie, wherein appeareth as in a perfect Glasse how the Lorde deliuereth the innocent from all imminent perils, and plagueth the bloudthirstie hypocrites with deserued punishments," &c. " By R. G. Maister of Artes. Imprinted at London by Roger Warde," &c. 1584.

MORTON. Was that his first work? It does not seem very probable that it should be, recollecting that he died of a surfeit of red herrings and Rhenish in 1592.

BOURNE. I only said it was his first extant production, but the prefatory matter to it does not enable

"These

us to form an opinion one way or the other: the following is from the body of the tract. two cursed caitifes of the seede of Chanaan southing one another in this deuilish imagination, concluded when they might finde hir alone to sucke the bloude of this innocent lambe, and with most detestable villanie to assaile the simple minde of this sillie Susanna. Persisting therefore in this hellish purpose, manie daies were not passed ere they spied fit oportunitie (as they thought) to obtaine their desire, for the season being very hot and the tender bodie of Susanna being sore parched with heate, she supposing that none of hir housholde, much lesse anie stranger had bin in the garden, went in as hir vse was with two maidens, onlie thinking there secretlie to washe hirselfe, and seing the coast cleere and hirself solitarily said thus vnto them: bring mé quoth she oyle and sope wherewith to washe, and see that you shut the doores surelie. The maidens, carefullie obaieng their mistresse commande, shut the garden gates and went out themselues at a backe doore to fet what their mistresse had willed them, not seeing the elders because they were hid, who no sooner sawe the maidens gone, and Susanna a fit pray for their filthy purpose, but they rose vp and run vnto hir." My design in reading this passage, is only to show that Greene purposely let slip the opportunity of giving a luxurious or exciting description of Susanna, and that this tract is very

far from what you hinted it might be. However illgoverned Greene might be in his life and manners, most of his writings are calculated to warn others of the dangers he had not been able to shun.

ELLIOT. As you have finished your quotation, we may proceed with "Dorastus and Fawnia."

MORTON. Have you ever seen a copy of it printed in 1588?

BOURNE. Never; those dated before 1600 are all very difficult to be procured: indeed I never saw a copy of it sold, let the date be what it would, under several guineas. I have fortunately two, one of them dated in 1636, and the other as late as 1694, and I have seen a third printed as recently, I think, as 1724. Observe on the title-page of this edition of 1694 there is a curious wood-cut, containing a summary of the history, like the plates to Orlando Furioso. In the distance, as far as distance is preserved in so rude a representation, is the sea, with a boat and child upon it; on one side, but more in front, is a shepherdess tending her flock; and in the fore-ground the hero in armour, and heroine in a court dress, holding each other by the hand. The edition of 1636, which is the most valuable, has no such ornament, and bears the following title: "The Pleasant Historie of Dorastus and Fawnia. Wherein is discovered, that although by the meanes of sinister Fortune, Truth may be concealed, yet by Time, in spight of Fortune, it is manifestly revealed. Pleasant

for age to avoyd drowsie thoughts, Profitable for Youth to avoyd other wanton Pastimes, And bringing to both a desired Content. Temporis filia Veritas. By Robert Greene, Master of Arts in Cambridge. Omne tulit punctum qui miscuit utile dulci." London, &c. 1636.

MORTON. The edition of 1694, I observe, omits a part of that title, in order to make room for the barbarous wood-cut. I also perceive at the back of the title-page of 1694, a poem which is not in the copy of 1636.

BOURNE. It is not, and you will find that the lines are not contemptible. I suppose the printer in 1636 did not think it worth while to insert them, though it is unquestionably an important omission.

MORTON. I will read them: they are called,

"Dorastus in Loue-passion, Writes these few lines in praise of his louing and best-beloued Fawnia." "Ah, were she pitifull as she is fair,

or but as mild as she is seeming so,

Then were my hopes greater than my despair, then all the World were Heauen, nothing Woe.

Ah, were her Heart relenting as her Hand,

that seems to melt euen with the mildest touch, Then knew I where to seat me in a Land,

under wide Heauens; but yet not such,

So as she shows: she seems the budding Rose yet sweeter far than is an Earthly flower: