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Shakspeare is supposed to allude to, when he intro. duces Falstaff speaking in King Cambises' vein.

Vol. 2.

Spanish Tragedy--see Reed 1744.

David and Bethsabe was written by George Peele between 1579 and 1598-the stage direction with which this play begins is-" David draws a curtain " and discovers Bethsabe with her maid bathing over "a spring; she sings, and David sits above viewing "her"—this at the first glance appears ludicrous, but almost every thing in the piece is perfectly seriousat the conclusion David appoints Solomon his successor-the rebellion of Absalom is suppressed.

Soliman and Perseda-Erastus, a young Rhodian, and Perseda are mutually in love-Erastus gains the victory at a tournament--he accidentally loses a chain which Perseda had given him-Ferdinando finds the chain, and gives it to Lucina-Perseda sees it on Lucina's neck, and is highly offended at Erastus-Erastus gets the chain from Lucina-Erastus and Ferdinando fight-Ferdinando is killed-Erastus makes his escape to Constantinople-Soliman, the Emperor of the Turks, receives Erastus in the most friendly manner, having previously heard a high character of him from Brusor, who was present at the tournament Brusor by Soliman's orders takes Rhodes-he presents Lucina and Perseda to the Emperor-Soliman falls in love with Perseda-but on finding her attachment to Erastus, he resigns her to him--he sends Erastus to Rhodes as the governour

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-he repents of his generosity-Brusor persuades Erastus to return to Constantinople, under pretence that the Emperor has great occasion for his services-Soliman puts Erastus to death under a false charge of treason-Piston, the servant of Erastus, informs Perseda that his master had been strangled-Soliman comes to Rhodes-Perseda, in the habit of a man, fights with Soliman-he kills her -she contrives to poison him-Love, Fortune and Death open the play by way of Prologue--they comment on the events at the end of each act-at the conclusion, Death claims the victory, as well he may, for there is not a single person of any importance who is not killed-Basilisco is a good comic character-Hawkins says, perhaps the original of Falstaff-Basilisco is a vainglorious knight-he is in love with Perseda-at the taking of Rhodes, he turns Turk to save his life -he turns Christian again—at the conclusion, he is killed by Soliman-this play has considerable merit-it was printed in 1599, but without the name of the author.

Ferrex and Porrex-see Gorboduc in 2d vol. of Dodsley 1744.

Vol. 3.

The Supposes-Phylogano, a Sicilian gentleman, had sent his son, Erostrato, to study at Ferrara— Erostrato had fallen in love with Polynesta, the daughter of Damon--for her sake he had assumed the name of his servant, Dulippo, and had hired himself to Damon --Dulippo had by his master's orders

assumed the name and habit of Erostrato-the supposed Dulippo had prevailed on Polynesta to allow him the privileges of a husband-he had however previously told her who he really was-here the play begins-Cleander, an old doctor of law, pays his addresses to Polynesta-so does the supposed Erostrato --the latter prevails on a Scenese, as he is called, to assume the character of Phylogano-the real Phylogano arrives at Ferrara--he knocks at the door of the house in which he is told that his son livesScenese appears at the window, and says that he is Phylogano-the supposed Erostrato affects not to know his old master-in the mean time Damon had discovered the intrigue between his daughter and the supposed Dulippo-he shuts up the supposed Dulippo in a dungeon-Phylogano goes to consult Cleander -Cleander discovers that the real Dulippo is his son -an explanation takes place to the satisfaction of all parties--and the piece concludes with the union. of Polynesta and the real Erostrato-Pasiphilo, the parasite, is an important character-part of his 1st soliloquy is evidently from Juvenal – the play seems to have been written in imitation of Terence-the whole of it passes in the street-this is a very good C. it was written in Italian by Ariosto, and translated by Gascoigne-it was printed in 1566, and had been acted at Gray's Inn-the Supposes is said to be the first English play in prose-Shakspeare has borrowed from it a considerable part of his Taming of the Shrew-but he has not improved what he has borrowed the story is better managed in the Supposes.

Satiro-mastix-see Ben Jonson's Poetaster.

Return from Parnassus, or the Scourge of Simony -this play was publickly acted by the Students of St. John's College Cambridge in 1606-the design of it was to expose the vices and follies of the rich in those days, and to show what little attention was paid by that class of men to the learned and ingenious-the scenes in which Simony is Scourged have great merit, but as the play is totally void of plot and incident, some parts of it are dull-Sir Raderick agrees to present Immerito to a living, upon condition of receiving £100, and under a promise that Immerito will take 12 pence a year for the tithes due to him from Sir Raderick-after this a ridiculous examination of Immerito takes place-several Students leave the University in hopes of advancing their fortunes in the metropolis, two of them, who have been unsuccessful, propose going on the stage.

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Act 4th Scene 3rd-Enter Burbage and Kempe.

Burb. Now, Will Kempe, if we can entertain these scholars at a low rate, it will be well; they have oftentimes a good conceit in a part.

Kem. It's true, indeed, honest Dick, but the slaves are somewhat proud.

Burb. A little teaching will mend these faults, and it may be besides, they will be able to pen a part.

Kem. Few of the University pen plays well; they smell too much of that writer Ovid, and that writer Metamorphosis; why, here's our fellow Shakspeare puts them all down; ay, and Ben Jonson too—O, that Ben Jonson is a pestilent fellow, he brought up

Horace giving the poets a pill; but our fellow Shakspeare has given him a purge, that made him bewray his credit.

Burb. It's a shrewd fellow indeed-I wonder these scholars stay so long, they appointed to be here presently, that we might try them; O, here they come -Master Philomusus, and Master Studioso, Heaven

save you.

Kem. Master Philomusus, and Master Otioso, well met.

Philo.. The same to you, good Master Burbage— what Master Kempe

*

Kem. Well, you merry knaves, you may come to the honour of it one day; is it not better to make a fool of the world as I have done, than to be fooled of the world as you scholars are? but be merry, my lads, you have happened upon the most excellent vocation in the world for money; they come north and south to bring it to our playhouse; and for honours, who of more report than Dick Burbage and Will Kempe? he is not counted a gentleman that knows not Dick Burbage and Will Kempe; there's not a country wench that can dance Sellenger's round, but can talk of Dick Burbage and Will Kempe.

Philo. Indeed, Master Kempe you are very fa

mous

Burb. Master Studioso, I pray you take some part in this book and act it, that I may see what will fit you best; I think your voice would serve for Hieronimo, observe how I act it and then imitate me.

Studi. "Who calls Hieronimo," &c.

Burb. You will do well, after a while.

Kem. Now for you; methinks you should belong

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