part 20

O’ my _Diuels_ nature. Now, I will ſo helpe Your malice, ’gainst theſe parties; ſo aduance The buſineſſe, that you haue in hand of _witchcraft_, And your _poſſeſſion_, as my ſelfe were in you. Teach you ſuch tricks, to make your belly ſwell, 25 And your eyes turne, to foame, to ſtare, to gnaſh Your teeth together, and to beate your ſelfe, Laugh loud, and faine ſix voices--

FIT. Out you Rogue! You moſt infernall counterfeit wretch! Auant! Do you thinke to gull me with your _Æſops Fables_? 30 Here take him to you, I ha’ no part in him.

PVG. Sir.

FIT. Away, I do diſclaime, I will not heare you.

_And ſends him away._

MER. What ſaid he to you, Sir?

FIT. Like a lying raskall Told me he was the _Diuel_.

MER. How! a good ieſt!

FIT. And that he would teach me, ſuch fine _diuels_ tricks 35 For our new reſolution.

EVE. O’ pox on him, ’Twas excellent wiſely done, Sir, not to truſt him.

Mere-craft _giues the instructions to him and the reſt_.

MER. Why, if he were the Diuel, we ſha’ not need him, If you’ll be rul’d. Goe throw your ſelfe on a bed, Sir, And faine you ill. Wee’ll not be ſeene wi’ you, 40 Till after, that you haue a fit: and all Confirm’d within. Keepe you with the two _Ladies_ And perſwade them. I’ll to _Iuſtice Either-ſide_, And poſſeſſe him with all. _Traines_ ſhall ſeeke out _Ingine_, And they two fill the towne with’t, euery cable 45 Is to be veer’d. We muſt employ out all Our _emiſſaries_ now; Sir, I will ſend you _Bladders_ and _Bellowes_. Sir, be confident, ’Tis no hard thing t’out doe the _Deuill_ in: A Boy o’ thirteene yeere old made him an _Aſſe_ 50 But t’toher day.

FIT. Well, I’ll beginne to practice; And ſcape the imputation of being _Cuckold_, By mine owne act.

MER. yo’ are right.

EVE. Come, you ha’ put Your ſelfe to a ſimple coyle here, and your freinds, [164] By dealing with new _Agents_, in new plots. 55

MER. No more o’ that, ſweet couſin.

EVE. What had you To doe with this ſame _Wittipol_, for a _Lady_?

MER. Queſtion not that: ’tis done.

EVE. You had ſome ſtraine ’Boue E-_la_?

MER. I had indeed.

EVE. And, now, you crack for’t.

MER. Do not vpbraid me.

EVE. Come, you muſt be told on’t; 60 You are ſo couetous, ſtill, to embrace More then you can, that you looſe all.

MER. ’Tis right. What would you more, then Guilty? Now, your ſuccours.

[783] SD. om. G

[784] 5 _Ambler. Enter_ FITZDOTTREL. G

[785] 11 SN. om. G

[786] 12 private. [_Takes him aside._ G

[787] 28 loud] round 1716

[788] 32 SN.] [_Exit Sledge with Pug._ G

[789] 36 O’] O W O, G

[790] 37 SN. om. G

[791] 42 [_to Everill._ G

[792] 43 I will G

[793] 45 two] to 1641

[794] 46 imploy 1641

[795] 49 t’ ret. G

[796] 51 t’tother 1692 t’other 1716. f.

[797] 53 You’re 1716, W right. || [_Exit Fitz._ G

[798] 61 imbrace 1641

[799] 63 [_Exeunt._ G

ACT. V. SCENE. VJ.

SHAKLES. PVG. INIQUITY. DIVEL.

Pug _is brought to_ New-gate.

Here you are lodg’d, Sir, you muſt ſend your garniſh, If you’ll be priuat.

PVG. There it is, Sir, leaue me. To _New-gate_, brought? How is the name of _Deuill_ Diſcredited in me! What a loſt fiend Shall I be, on returne? My _Cheife_ will roare 5 In triumph, now, that I haue beene on earth, A day, and done no noted thing, but brought That body back here, was hang’d out this morning. Well! would it once were midnight, that I knew My vtmoſt. I thinke Time be drunke, and ſleepes; 10 He is ſo ſtill, and moues not! I doe glory Now i’ my torment. Neither can I expect it, I haue it with my fact.

_Enter_ Iniquity _the_ Vice.

INI. _Child_ of hell, be thou merry: Put a looke on, as round, boy, and red as a cherry. Caſt care at thy poſternes; and firke i’ thy fetters, 15 They are ornaments, _Baby_, haue graced thy betters: Looke vpon me, and hearken. Our _Cheife_ doth ſalute thee, And leaſt the coldyron ſhould chance to confute thee, H’hath ſent thee, _grant-paroll_ by me to ſtay longer A moneth here on earth, againſt cold _Child_, or honger. 20

PVG. How? longer here a moneth?

ING. Yes, boy, till the _Seſſion_, That ſo thou mayeſt haue a triumphall egreſſion.

PVG. In a cart, to be hang’d.

ING. No, _Child_, in a Carre, The charriot of Triumph, which moſt of them are. And in the meane time, to be greazy, and bouzy, 25 And naſty, and filthy, and ragged and louzy, With dam’n me, renounce me, and all the fine phraſes; That bring, vnto _Tiborne_, the plentifull gazes.

PVG. He is a _Diuell_! and may be our _Cheife_! [165] The great Superiour _Diuell_! for his malice: 30 _Arch-diuel_! I acknowledge him. He knew What I would ſuffer, when he tie’d me vp thus In a rogues body: and he has (I thanke him) His tyrannous pleaſure on me, to confine me To the vnlucky carkaſſe of a _Cutpurſe_, 35 wherein I could do nothing.

_The great_ Deuill _enters, and vpbraids him with all his dayes worke_.

DIV. Impudent fiend, Stop thy lewd mouth. Doeſt thou not ſhame and tremble To lay thine owne dull damn’d defects vpon An innocent caſe, there? Why thou heauy ſlaue! The ſpirit, that did poſſeſſe that fleſh before 40 Put more true life, in a finger, and a thumbe, Then thou in the whole Maſſe. Yet thou rebell’ſt And murmur’ſt? What one profer haſt thou made, Wicked inough, this day, that might be call’d Worthy thine owne, much leſſe the name that ſent thee? 45 Firſt, thou did’ſt helpe thy ſelfe into a beating Promptly, and with’t endangered’ſt too thy tongue: A _Diuell_, and could not keepe a body intire One day! That, for our credit. And to vindicate it, Hinderd’ſt (for ought thou know’ſt) a deed of darkneſſe: 50 Which was an act of that egregious folly, As no one, to’ard the _Diuel_, could ha’ thought on. This for your acting! but for suffering! why Thou haſt beene cheated on, with a falſe beard, And a turn’d cloake. Faith, would your predeceſſour 55 The _Cutpurſe_, thinke you, ha’ been ſo? Out vpon thee, The hurt th’ haſt don, to let men know their ſtrength, And that the’are able to out-doe a _diuel_ Put in a body, will for euer be A ſcarre vpon our Name! whom haſt thou dealt with, 60 Woman or man, this day, but haue out-gone thee Some way, and moſt haue prou’d the better fiendes? Yet, you would be imploy’d? Yes, hell ſhall make you _Prouinciall_ o’ the _Cheaters_! or _Bawd-ledger_, For this ſide o’ the towne! No doubt you’ll render 65 A rare accompt of things. Bane o’ your itch, And ſcratching for imployment. I’ll ha’ brimſtone To allay it ſure, and fire to ſindge your nayles off, But, that I would not ſuch a damn’d diſhonor Sticke on our ſtate, as that the _diuell_ were hang’d; 70 And could not ſaue a body, that he tooke From _Tyborne_, but it muſt come thither againe: You ſhould e’en ride. But, vp away with him--

Iniquity _takes him on his back_.

INI. Mount, dearling of darkneſſe, my ſhoulders are broad: He that caries the fiend, is ſure of his loade. 75 The _Diuell_ was wont to carry away the euill; [166] But, now, the Euill out-carries the _Diuell_.

[800] SD. VJJ VII. W ACT. ...] SCENE IV. _A Cell in Newgate. Enter_ SHAKLES, _with_ PVG _in chains_. G

[801] 2 [_Exit Shackles._

[802] SN. (after ‘fact.’ 13) _the_ Vice om. G

[803] 12 i’] in W

[804] 18 the] our 1692, 1716

[805] 19 parole G

[806] 22 maist 1692 may’st 1716 mayst W, G

[807] 36 SN.] _Enter_ SATAN. G DIV.] _Sat._ G

[808] 37 Dost 1692, 1716

[809] 44 enough 1692, f.

[810] 48 entire W, G

[811] 57 th’] thou G

[812] 58 the’are] they are 1641, G the’are are 1692 they’re 1716, W

[813] 63 employ’d W, G

[814] 67 employment W, G

[815] 64 Cheaters] _heaters_ 1641

[816] 77 [_Exeunt._ [_A loud explosion, smoke, &c._ G

ACT. V. SCENE. VIJ.

SHAKLES. KEEPERS.

_A great noise is heard in_ New-gate, _and the Keepers come out affrighted_. O mee!

KEE. 1. What’s this?

2. A piece of Iustice Hall Is broken downe.

3. Fough! what a ſteeme of brimſtone Is here?

4. The priſoner’s dead, came in but now!

SHA. Ha? where?

4. Look here.

KEE. S’lid, I ſhuld know his countenance! It is _Gill-Cut-purſe_, was hang’d out, this morning! 5

SHA. ’Tis he!

2. The _Diuell_, ſure, has a hand in this!

3. What ſhall wee doe?

SHA. Carry the newes of it Vnto the _Sherifes_.

1. And to the _Iuſtices_.

4. This ſtrange!

3. And ſauours of the _Diuell_, ſtrongly!

2. I’ ha’ the _ſulphure_ of _Hell-coale_ i’ my noſe. 10

1. Fough.

SHA. Carry him in.

1. Away.

2. How ranke it is!

[817] SD.] _Enter_ SHAKLES, _and the_ Under-keepers, _affrighted_. G

[818] 3 Is here?] part of line 2 W

[819] 9 This is 1716, f.

[820] 11 [_Exeunt with the body._ G

ACT. V. SCENE. VIII.

Sir POVLE. MERE-CRAFT. EVER-ILL. TRAINES. PITFALL. FITZ-DOTTREL.

{_To them_}

VVITTIPOL. MANLY. Miſtreſſe FITZ-DOTTREL.

INGINE. _To them_} GVILT-HEAD. SLEDGE. _to them_} SHACKLES.

_The Iuſtice comes out wondring, and the reſt informing him._

This was the notableſt Conſpiracy, That ere I heard of.

MER. Sir, They had giu’n him potions, That did enamour him on the counterfeit _Lady_--

EVE. Iuſt to the time o’ deliuery o’ the deed--

MER. And then the witchcraft ’gan’t’ appeare, for ſtreight 5 He fell into his fit.

EVE. Of rage at firſt, Sir, Which ſince, has ſo increaſed.

TAY. Good S^r. _Poule_, ſee him, And puniſh the impoſtors.

POV. Therefore I come, _Madame_.

EIT. Let M^r. _Etherſide_ alone, _Madame_.

POV. Do you heare? Call in the Conſtable, I will haue him by: 10 H’is the Kings _Officer_! and ſome Cittizens, [167] Of credit! I’ll diſcharge my conſcience clearly.

MER. Yes, Sir, and ſend for his wife.

EVE. And the two _Sorcerers_, By any meanes!

TAY. I thought one a true _Lady_, I ſhould be ſworne. So did you, _Eyther-ſide_? 15

EIT. Yes, by that light, would I might ne’r ſtir elſe, _Tailbuſh_.

TAY. And the other a ciuill Gentleman.

EVE. But, _Madame_, You know what I told your _Ladyſhip_.

TAY. I now ſee it: I was prouiding of a banquet for ’hem. After I had done inſtructing o’ the fellow 20 _De-uile_, the Gentlemans man.

MER. Who’s found a thiefe, _Madam_. And to haue rob’d your Vsher, Maſter _Ambler_, This morning.

TAY. How?

MER. I’ll tell you more, anon.

FIT. Gi me ſome _garlicke, garlicke, garlicke, garlicke_.

_He beginnes his fit._

MER. Harke the poore Gentleman, how he is tormented! 25

FIT. _My wife is a whore, I’ll kiſſe her no more: and why? Ma’ſt not thou be a Cuckold, as well as I? Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, &c._

POV. That is the _Diuell_ ſpeakes, and laughes in him.

_The Iuſtice interpret all:_

MER. Do you thinke ſo, S^r.

POV. I diſcharge my conſcience. 30

FIT. _And is not the Diuell good company? Yes, wis._

EVE. How he changes, Sir, his voyce!

FIT. _And a Cuckold is Where ere hee put his head, with a_ a _Wanion, If his hornes be forth, the Diuells companion! Looke, looke, looke, elſe._

MER. How he foames!

EVE. And ſwells! 35

TAY. O, me! what’s that there, riſes in his belly!

EIT. A ſtrange thing! hold it downe:

TRA. PIT. We cannot, _Madam_.

POV. ’Tis too apparent this!

FIT. _Wittipol, Wittipol._

Wittipol, _and_ Manly _and_ Mistr. Fitz-dottrel _enter_.

WIT. How now, what play ha’ we here.

MAN. What fine, new matters?

WIT. The _Cockſcomb_, and the _Couerlet_.

MER. O ſtrang impudēce! 40 That theſe ſhould come to face their ſinne!

EVE. And out-face _Iuſtice_, they are the parties, Sir.

POV. Say nothing.

MER. Did you marke, Sir, vpon their comming in, How he call’d _Wittipol_.

EVE. And neuer ſaw ’hem.

POV. I warrant you did I, let ’hem play a while. 45

FIT. _Buz, buz, buz, buz._

TAY. Laſſe poore Gentleman! How he is tortur’d!

M^rs. FI. Fie, Maſter _Fitz-dottrel_! What doe you meane to counterfait thus?

FIT. _O, ô,_ _His wife goes to him._ _Shee comes with a needle, and thruſts it in,_ _Shee pulls out that, and ſhee puts in a pinne,_ 50 _And now, and now, I doe not know how, nor where,_ _But ſhee pricks mee heere, and ſhee pricks me there: ôh, ôh:_

POV. Woman forbeare.

WIT. What, S^r?

POV. A practice foule For one ſo faire:

WIT. Hath this, then, credit with you?

MAN. Do you beleeue in’t?

POV. Gentlemen, I’ll diſcharge My conſcience. ’Tis a cleare conſpiracy! 56 A darke, and diuelliſh practice! I deteſt it!

WIT. The _Iuſtice_ ſure will proue the merrier man! [168]

MAN. This is moſt ſtrange, Sir!

POV. Come not to confront Authority with impudence: I tell you, I doe deteſt it. Here comes the Kings _Conſtable_, And with him a right worſhipfull _Commoner_; My good friend, Maſter _Guilt-head_! I am glad I can before ſuch witneſſes, profeſſe My conſcience, and my deteſtation of it. 65 Horible! moſt vnaturall! Abominable!

EVE. You doe not tumble enough.

MER. Wallow, gnaſh:

_They whiſper him._

TAY. O, how he is vexed!

POV. ’Tis too manifeſt.

EVE. Giue him more ſoap to foame with, now lie ſtill.

_and giue him ſoape to act with._

MER. And act a little.

TAY. What do’s he now, S^r.

POV. Shew The taking of _Tabacco_, with which the _Diuell_ Is ſo delighted.

FIT. _Hum!_

POV. And calls for _Hum_. You takers of ſtrong _Waters_, and _Tabacco_, Marke this.

FIT. _Yellow, yellow, yellow, yellow_, &c.

POV. That’s _Starch_! the _Diuells_ Idoll of that colour. 75 He ratifies it, with clapping of his hands. The proofes are pregnant.

GVI. How the _Diuel_ can act!

POV. He is the Maſter of _Players_! Master _Guilt-head_, And _Poets_, too! you heard him talke in rime! I had forgot to obſerue it to you, ere while! 80

TAY. See, he ſpits fire.

POV. O no, he plaies at _Figgum_, The _Diuell_ is the Author of wicked _Figgum_--

_Sir_ Poule _interprets_ Figgum _to be a Iuglers game_.

MAN. Why ſpeake you not vnto him?

WIT. If I had All innocence of man to be indanger’d, And he could ſaue, or ruine it: I’ld not breath 85 A ſyllable in requeſt, to ſuch a foole, He makes himſelfe.

FIT. _O they whiſper, whiſper, whiſper. Wee ſhall haue more, of Diuells a ſcore, To come to dinner, in mee the ſinner._

EYT. Alas, poore Gentleman!

POV. Put ’hem aſunder. 90 Keepe ’hem one from the other.

MAN. Are you phrenticke, Sir, Or what graue dotage moues you, to take part VVith so much villany? wee are not afraid Either of law, or triall; let vs be Examin’d what our ends were, what the meanes? 95 To worke by, and poſſibility of thoſe meanes. Doe not conclude againſt vs, ere you heare vs.

POV. I will not heare you, yet I will conclude Out of the circumſtances.

MAN. VVill you ſo, Sir?

POV. Yes, they are palpable:

MAN. Not as your folly: 100

POV. I will diſcharge my conſcience, and doe all To the _Meridian_ of Iuſtice:

GVI. You doe well, Sir.

FIT. _Prouide mee to eat, three or foure diſhes o’ good meat, I’ll feaſt them, and their traines, a Iuſtice head and braines Shall be the firſt._

POV. The _Diuell_ loues not Iuſtice, [169] There you may ſee.

FIT. _A ſpare-rib O’ my wife, 106 And a whores purt’nance! a_ Guilt-head _whole_.

POV. Be not you troubled, Sir, the _Diuell_ ſpeakes it.

FIT. _Yes, wis, Knight, ſhite, Poule, Ioule, owle, foule, troule, boule._

POV. _Crambe_, another of the _Diuell’s_ games! 110

MER. Speake. Sir, ſome _Greeke_, if you can. Is not the _Iuſtice_ A ſolemne gameſter?

EVE. Peace.

FIT. Οὶ μοὶ, κακοδαιμων, Καὶ τρισκακοδαίμων, καὶ τετράκις, καὶ πεντάκις, Καὶ δοδεκάκις, καὶ μυριάκις.

POV. Hee curſes. In _Greeke_, I thinke.

EVE. Your _Spaniſh_, that I taught you. 115

FIT. _Quebrémos el ojo de burlas_,

EVE. How? your reſt-- Let’s breake his necke in ieſt, the _Diuell_ ſaies.

FIT. _Di grátia, Signòr mio ſe haúete denári fataméne parte._

MER. What, would the _Diuell_ borrow money?

FIT. _Ouy, Ouy Monſieur, ùn pàuure Diable! Diablet in!_ 120

POV. It is the _diuell_, by his ſeuerall langauges.

_Enter the_ Keeper _of_ New-gate.

SHA. Where’s S^r. _Poule Ether-ſide_?

POV. Here, what’s the matter?

SHA. O! ſuch an accident falne out at _Newgate_, Sir: A great piece of the priſon is rent downe! The _Diuell_ has beene there, Sir, in the body-- 125 Of the young _Cut-Purſe_, was hang’d out this morning, But, in new clothes, Sir, euery one of vs know him. Theſe things were found in his pocket.

AMB. Thoſe are mine, S^r.

SHA. I thinke he was commited on your charge, Sir. For a new felony.

AMB. Yes.

SHA. Hee’s gone, Sir, now, 130 And left vs the dead body. But withall, Sir, Such an infernall ſtincke, and ſteame behinde, You cannot ſee S^t. _Pulchars Steeple_, yet. They ſmell’t as farre as _Ware_, as the wind lies, 134 By this time, ſure.

FIT. Is this vpon your credit, friend?

Fitz-dottrel _leaues counterfaiting_.

SHA. Sir, you may ſee, and ſatisfie your ſelfe.

FIT. Nay, then, ’tis time to leaue off counterfeiting. Sir I am not bewitch’d, nor haue a _Diuell_: No more then you. I doe defie him, I, And did abuſe you. Theſe two Gentlemen 140 Put me vpon it. (I haue faith againſt him) They taught me all my tricks. I will tell truth, And ſhame the _Feind_. See, here, Sir, are my bellowes, And my falſe belly, and my _Mouſe_, and all That ſhould ha’ come forth?

MAN. Sir, are not you aſham’d Now of your ſolemne, ſerious vanity? 146

POV. I will make honorable amends to truth.

FIT. And ſo will I. But theſe are _Coozeners_, ſtill; And ha’ my land, as plotters, with my wife: Who, though ſhe be not a witch, is worſe, a whore. 150

MAN. Sir, you belie her. She is chaſte, and vertuous, And we are honeſt. I doe know no glory [170] A man ſhould hope, by venting his owne follyes, But you’ll ſtill be an _Aſſe_, in ſpight of prouidence. Pleaſe you goe in, Sir, and heare truths, then iudge ’hem: And make amends for your late raſhneſſe; when, 156 You ſhall but heare the paines and care was taken, To ſaue this foole from ruine (his _Grace_ of _Drown’d-land_)

FIT. My land is drown’d indeed--

POV. Peace.

MAN. And how much His modeſt, and too worthy wife hath ſuffer’d 160 By miſ-conſtruction, from him, you will bluſh, Firſt, for your owne beliefe, more for his actions! His land is his: and neuer, by my friend, Or by my ſelfe, meant to another vſe, But for her ſuccours, who hath equall right. 165 If any other had worſe counſells in’t, (I know I ſpeake to thoſe can apprehend mee) Let ’hem repent ’hem, and be not detected. It is not manly to take ioy, or pride In humane errours. (wee doe all ill things, 170 They doe ’hem worſt that loue ’hem, and dwell there, Till the plague comes) The few that haue the ſeeds Of goodneſſe left, will ſooner make their way To a true life, by ſhame, then puniſhment.

_THE END_.

[821] SD. Sir] To them.] Sir 1692 _to them_ om. 1692, 1716, W ACT. . . .] SCENE V. _A Room in_ Fitzdottrel’s _House_. FITZDOTTREL _discovered in bed; Lady_ EITHERSIDE, TAILBUSH, AMBLER, TRAINS, _and_ PITFALL, _standing by him. Enter Sir_ PAUL EITHERSIDE, MEERCRAFT, _and_ EVERILL. G

[822] 1 SN. _and_] _at_ 1692, 1716, W The ...] om. G

[823] 4 time o’ ret. G

[824] 11 H’is] He’s 1716, f.

[825] 14 means. [_Exit Ambler._ G

[826] 20 o’] of W

[827] 21 Who is G

[828] 28 _ha_, om. W _ha, &c._ om. G

[829] 29 SN. _interprets_ 1692, 1716, W _The_ ...] om. G

[830] 33 a om. 1641, f.

[831] 38 SN. Wittipol, _and ... enter_] _Enter_ WITTIPOL, ... G

[832] 40 strange 1641, f.

[833] 43 their] our W

[834] 48 SN. _His wife_ om. G

[835] 58 prove to be the merrier? 1641

[836] 60 impudence] insolence 1641

[837] 61 it.--_Re-enter_ AMBLER, _with_ SLEDGE _and_ GUILTHEAD. G

[838] 69 with [_To Meer._] G

[839] SN. _him_ om. 1641

[840] SN. om. G

[841] 73 strong om. 1641

[842] 74 &c. om. G

[843] 82 SN. _to be_ om. 1641

[844] SN. om. G

[845] 84 endanger’d W, G

[846] 86 foole] fellow 1641

[847] 87 He makes himselfe] I’d rather fall 1641 O they whisper, they whisper, whisper, &c. 1641

[848] 91 phrenetic G

[849] 108 you om. W

[850] 110 _Crambe_] Crambo W. G

[851] 111 can. [_Aside to Fitz._] G

[852] 112 =κακοδάμων= 1692, 1716

[853] 113 =τισ= 1692, 1716

[854] 114 =δωδεκάκις= W, G

[855] 115 _Aside to Fitz._ G

[856] 119 FIT. _Ouy_,] in line 120, 1692, f.

[857] 121 SN.] _Enter_ SHACKLES, _with the things found on the body of the Cut-purse_. G

[858] 128 Those] These W

[859] 135 SN.] _Fitz._ [_starts up_.] G

[860] 141 () ret. G

[861] 145 not you] you not W, G

[862] 148 Coozners 1641 _Cozeners_ 1692, 1716 cozeners W, G

[863] 166 in it G

[864] 167 () ret. G

[865] 170 human 1692, f.

[866] 174 [_He comes forward for the Epilogue._ G

[867] 175 ‘The End.’ after line 6 1692 om. 1716 W, G

The Epilogue.

_Thus, the_ Proiecter, _here, is ouer-throwne. But I have now a_ Proiect _of mine owne, If it may paſſe: that no man would inuite The_ Poet _from vs, to ſup forth to night, 5 If the_ play _pleaſe. If it diſpleaſant be, We doe preſume, that no man will: nor wee._

[868] 1 ‘The Epilogue.’ om. G

[869] 7 [_Exeunt._ G

NOTES

The present edition includes whatever has been considered of value in the notes of preceding editions. It has been the intention in all cases to acknowledge facts and suggestions borrowed from such sources, whether quoted verbatim, abridged, or developed. Notes signed W. are from Whalley, G. from Gifford, C. from Cunningham. For other abbreviations the Bibliography should be consulted. Explanations of words and phrases are usually found only in the Glossary. References to this play are by act, scene, and line of the Text; other plays of Jonson are cited from the Gifford-Cunningham edition of 1875. The references are to play, volume and page.

TITLE-PAGE.

=THE DIUELL IS AN ASSE.= ‘Schlegel, seizing with great felicity upon an untranslateable German idiom, called the play _Der dumme Teufel_ [Schlegel’s _Werke_, ed. Böcking, 6. 340]--a title which must be allowed to be twice as good as that of the English original. The phrase ‘the Devil is an ass’ appears to have been proverbial. See Fletcher’s _The Chances_, Act 5. Sc. 2:

Dost thou think The devil such an ass as people make him?’ --Ward, _Eng. Drama_ 2. 372.

A still more important passage occurs in Dekker’s _If this be not a good Play_, a partial source of Jonson’s drama:

_Scu._ Sweete-breads I hold my life, that diuels an asse. --Dekker, _Wks._ 3. 328.

Jonson uses it again in _The Staple of News_, _Wks._ 5. 188:

The conjurer cozened him with a candle’s end; he was an ass.

Dekker (_Non-dram. Wks._ 2. 275) tells us the jest of a citizen who was told that the ‘Lawyers get the Diuell and all: What an Asse, replied the Citizen is the diuell? If I were as he I would get some of them.’

=HIS MAIESTIES SERVANTS.= Otherwise known as the _King’s Company_, and popularly spoken of as the _King’s Men_. For an account of this company see Winter, ed. _Staple of News_, p. 121; and Fleay, _Biog. Chron._ 1. 356-7; 2. 403-4.

=Ficta voluptatis=, etc. The quotation is from Horace, _De Art. Poet._, line 338. Jonson’s translation is:

Let what thou feign’st for pleasure’s sake, be near The truth.

Jonson makes use of this quotation again in his note ‘To the Reader’ prefixed to Act 3 of _The Staple of News_.

=I. B.= Fleay speaks of this printer as J. Benson (_Biog. Chron_. 1. 354). Benson did not ‘take up freedom’ until June 30, 1631 (_Sta. Reg._ 3. 686). Later he became a publisher (1635-40; _Sta. Reg._ 5. lxxxiv). I. B. was also the printer of _Bartholomew Fair_ and _Staple of News_. J. Benson published a volume of Jonson’s, containing _The Masque of the Gypsies_ and other poems, in 1640 (_Brit. Museum Cat._ and Yale Library). In the same year he printed the _Art of Poetry_, 12mo, and the _Execration against Vulcan_, 4to (cf. _Pub. of Grolier Club_, N. Y. 1893, pp. 130, 132). The evidence that I. B. was Benson is strong, but not absolutely conclusive.

=ROBERT ALLOT.= We find by Arber’s reprint of the _Stationer’s Register_ that Robert Allot ‘took up freedom’ Nov. 7, 1625. He must have begun publishing shortly after, for under the date of Jan. 25, 1625-6 we find that Mistris Hodgettes ‘assigned over unto him all her estate,’ consisting of the copies of certain books, for the ‘some of forty-five pounds.’ The first entry of a book to Allot is made May 7, 1626. In 1630 Master Blount ‘assigned over unto him all his estate and right in the copies’ of sixteen of Shakespeare’s plays. In 1632 Allot brought out the Second Folio of Shakespeare’s works. On Sept. 7, 1631 _The Staple of News_ was assigned to him. The last entry of a book in his name is on Sept. 12, 1635. The first mention of ‘Mistris Allott’ is under the date of Dec. 30, 1635. Under date of July 1, 1637 is the record of the assignment by Mistris Allott of certain books, formerly the estate of ‘Master Roberte Allotts deceased.’ Among these books are ‘37. _Shakespeares Workes_ their part. 39. _Staple of Newes_ a Play. 40. _Bartholomew fayre_ a Play.’ I have been able to find no record of _The Devil is an Ass_ in the _Stationer’s Register_.

=the Beare.= In the Shakespeare folio of 1632 Allot’s sign reads ‘the Black Beare.’ The first mention of the shop in the _London Street Directory_ is in 1575, among the ‘Houses round the Churchyard.’

=Pauls Church-yard.= ‘Before the Fire, which destroyed the old Cathedral, St. Paul’s Churchyard was chiefly inhabited by stationers, whose shops were then, and until the year 1760, distinguished by signs.’--Wh-C.

THE PERSONS OF THE PLAY.

=GVILT-HEAD, A Gold-smith.= The goldsmiths seem to have been a prosperous guild. (See Stow, _Survey_, ed. Thoms, p. 114.) At this time they performed the office of banking, constituting the intermediate stage between the usurer and the modern banker. ‘The goldsmiths began to borrow at interest in order to lend out to traders at a higher rate. In other words they became the connecting link between those who had money to lend and those who wished to borrow for trading purposes, or it might be to improve their estates. No doubt at first the goldsmiths merely acted as guardians of their clients’ hoards, but they soon began to utilize those hoards much as bankers now make use of the money deposited with them.’--_Social England_ 3. 544.

=AMBLER.= Jonson uses this name again in _Neptune’s Triumph_, _Wks._ 8. 32:

Grave master Ambler, news-master o’ Paul’s, Supplies your capon.

It reappears in _The Staple of News_.

=Her Gentlemanvsher.= For an exposition of the character and duties of the gentleman-usher see the notes to 4. 4. 134. 201, 215.

=Newgate.= ‘This gate hath of long time been a gaol, or prison for felons and trespassers, as appeareth by records in the reign of King John, and of other kings.’--Stow, _Survey_, ed. Thoms, p. 14.

THE PROLOGUE.

=1 The DIVELL is an Asse.= ‘This is said by the prologue pointing to the _title_ of the play, which as was then the custom, was painted in large letters and placed in some conspicuous part of the stage.’--G.

Cf. _Poetaster_, _After the second sounding_: ‘What’s here? THE ARRAIGNMENT!’ Also _Wily Beguiled_: _Prol._ How now, my honest rogue? What play shall we have here to-night?

_Player._ Sir, you may look upon the title. _Prol._ What, _Spectrum_ once again?’

Jonson often, but not invariably, announces the title of the play in the prologue or induction. Cf. _Every Man out_, _Cynthia’s Revels_, _Poetaster_, and all plays subsequent to _Bart. Fair_ except _Sad Shep_.

=3 Grandee’s.= Jonson uses this affected form of address again in _Timber_, ed. Schelling. 22. 27

=4 allowing vs no place.= As Gifford points out, the prologue is a protest against the habit prevalent at the time of crowding the stage with stools for the accommodation of the spectators.

Dekker in Chapter 6 of _The Guls Horne-booke_ gives the gallant full instructions as to the behavior proper to the play-house. The youth is advised to wait until ‘the quaking prologue hath (by rubbing) got culor into his cheekes’, and then ‘to creepe from behind the Arras,’ and plant himself ‘on the very Rushes where the Commedy is to daunce, yea, and vnder the state of Cambises himselfe.’ Sir John Davies makes a similar allusion _(Epigrams_, ed. Grosart, 2. 10). Jonson makes frequent reference to the subject. Cf. _Induction_ to _The Staple of News_, _Every Man out_, _Wks._ 2. 31; _Prologue_ to _Cynthia’s Revels_, _Wks._ 2. 210, etc.

=5 a subtill thing.= I. e., thin, airy, spiritual, and so not occupying space.

=6 worne in a thumbe-ring.= ‘Nothing was more common, as we learn from Lilly, than to carry about familiar spirits, shut up in rings, watches, sword-hilts, and other articles of dress.’--G.

I have been unable to verify Gifford’s statement from Lilly, but the following passage from Harsnet’s _Declaration_ (p. 13) confirms it: ‘For compassing of this treasure, there was a consociation betweene 3 or 4 priests, _deuill-coniurers_, and 4 _discouerers_, or _seers_, reputed to carry about with them, their familiars in rings, and glasses, by whose suggestion they came to notice of those golden hoards.’

Gifford says that thumb-rings of Jonson’s day were set with jewels of an extraordinary size, and that they appear to have been ‘more affected by magistrates and grave citizens than necromancers.’ Cf. _I Henry IV_ 2. 4: ‘I could have crept into any alderman’s thumb-ring.’ Also _Witts Recreat._, _Epig._ 623:

He wears a hoop-ring on his thumb; he has Of gravidad a dose, full in the face.

Glapthorne, _Wit in a Constable_, 1639, 4. 1: ‘An alderman--I may say to you, he has no more wit than the rest of the bench, and that lies in his thumb-ring.’

=8 In compasse of a cheese-trencher.= The figure seems forced to us, but it should be remembered that trenchers were a very important article of table equipment in Jonson’s day. They were often embellished with ‘posies,’ and it is possible that Jonson was thinking of the brevity of such inscriptions. Cf. Dekker, _North-Ward Hoe_ 3. 1 (_Wks._ 3. 38): ‘Ile have you make 12. poesies for a dozen of cheese trenchers.’ Also _Honest Whore_,