To my Truest Friend, my Worthiest Kinsman, JOHN FORD, OF GRAY'S INN, ESQ. HE title of this little work, my good cousin, is in sense but the argument of a dedication; which being in most writers a custom, in many a compliment, I question not but your clear knowledge of my intents will, in me, read as the earnest of affection. My ambition herein aims at a fair flight, borne up on the double wings of gratitude for a received, and acknowledgment for a continued love. It is not so frequent to number many kinsmen, and amongst them some friends, as to presume on some friends, and amongst them little friendship. But in every fulness of these particulars I do not more partake through you, my cousin, the delight than enjoy the benefit of them. This inscription to your name is only a faithful deliverance to memory of the truth of my respects to virtue, and to the equal in honour with virtue, desert. The contempt thrown on studies of this kind by such as dote on their own singularity' hath almost so outfaced invention and proscribed judgment, that it is more safe, more wise, to be suspectedly silent than modestly confident of opinion herein. Let me be bold to tell the severity of censurers how willingly I neglect their practice, so long as I digress from no becoming thankfulness. Accept, then, my cousin, this witness to posterity of my constancy to your merits; for no ties of blood, no engagements of friendship, shall more justly live a precedent than the sincerity of both in the heart of JOHN FORD. 1 Here is an allusion to Prynne, also referred to by Shirley in the verses prefixed to this play. Plynne had just produced his Histriomastix, or Actor's Tragedy, and was at this time before the StarChamber for a supposed insult to the Queen by his reflection on women-players. A few days before Histriomastix appeared the Queen and her ladies had acted in a pastoral at Whitehall. DRAMATIS PERSONE. PHILIPPO CARAFFA, Duke of Pavia. PAULO BAGLIONE, Uncle of the Duchess. FERENTES, a wanton Courtier. ROSEILLI, a young Nobleman. PETRUCHIO, two Counsellors of State. NIBRASSA, RODERICO D'AVOLOS, Secretary to the Duke. MAURUCCIO, an old Buffoon. GIACOPO, Servant to Mauruccio. Abbot of Monaco. Courtiers, Officers, Friars, Attendants, &c. R OS. Depart the court? D'Av. Such was the duke's com Great in his counsels, wise, and, I think, Have you, in turning over old records, Read but one name descended of the house Of Lesui in his loyalty remiss? D'Av. Never, my lord. Ros. Why, then, should I now, now when glorious peace Triumphs in change of pleasures, be wiped off, D'Av. You have the open world before you. D'Av. Not so: my warrant is only to command you from the court; within five hours to depart after notice taken, and not to live within thirty miles of it, until it be thought meet by his excellence to call you back. Now I have warned you, my lord, at your peril be it, if disobey. I shall inform the duke of your discontent. Ros. Do, politician, do! I scent the plot That glorious widow, whose commanding check Enter FERNANDO and PETRUCHIO. Fern. My noble lord, Roseilli!, Ros. Fern. Sir, I know You are so well acquainted with your own, I'll be a suitor for you. Pet. And I'll second My nephew's suit with importunity. Ros. You are, my Lord Fernando, late returned From travels; pray instruct me :-since the voice Of most supreme authority commands My absence, I determine to bestow Some time in learning languages abroad; 1 Too hot to nourish arts; the nation proud, you [Exit. 1 It was the age of Velasquez and Calderon, but Spain was not popular in England at this period. Ford was probably indebted in part to Howell for this description. And in their pride unsociable; the court Than do a stranger grace: if you intend To traffic like a merchant, 'twere a place Ros. What for France? Fern. France I more praise and love. You are, my lord, Yourself for horsemanship much famed; and there A paradise; and if you can neglect Your own appropriaments, but praising that You shall be much beloved there. Ros. Yet methought I heard you and the duchess, two night since, Fern. Ros. England? That: pray, sir You have been there, methought I heard you praise it. Fern. I'll tell you what I found there; men as neat, As courtly as the French, but in condition 2 Quite opposite. Put case that you, my lord, Could be more rare on horseback than you are, 1 It seems that about this period the English were surpassed by most nations in this noble art: nor was it till James I. wisely encouraged horse-races, that we thought of improving the old, heavy, short-winded breed of horses, by the introduction of Barbary and other stallions.-Gifford. 2 Disposition. Ford. |