Andromana; or, The Merchant's Wife. The Scene Iberia. By J. S. London: Printed for John Bellinger; and are to be sold at his shop, in Clifford's Inn Lane, in Fleet-street. 1660. 4to. This play, although it was not published sooner than the year 1660, is supposed to be one of the earliest productions of the author, Thomas Middleton. 'Mr Malone imagines it to have been written about the same time that Pericles and Robert of Huntingdon appeared, each of these plays having a chorus in the same manner as Raynulph in the present performance. The regulation of the metre seems to have been intirely neglected; some liberties have therefore becn necessarily taken to restore the play nearer to the state in which it is presumed the author left it. GENTLEMEN, You have the first flight of him, I assure you. This Mayor of Quinborough, whom you have all heard of, and some of you beheld upon the stage, now begins to walk abroad in print; he has been known sufficiently by the reputation of his wit, which is enough, by the way, to distinguish him from ordinary Mayors; but wit, you know, has skulk'd in corners for many years past, and he was thought to have most of it that could best hide himself. Now whether this magistrate fear'd the decimating times, or kept up the state of other Mayors, that are bound not to go out of their liberties during the time of their mayoralty, I know not; 'tis enough for me to put him into your hands, under the title of an honest man, which will appear plainly to you, because you shall find him all along to have a great pique to the rebel Oliver. I am told his drollery yields to none the English drama did ever produce; and though I would not put his modesty to the blush, by speaking too much in his commendation, yet I know you will argee with me, upon your better acquaintance with him, that there is some difference in point of wit, betwixt the Mayor of Quinborough and the Mayor of Huntingdon. Attempt to ascertain the order of Shakspeare's Plays, p. 283. 2 Huntingdon, the place where Oliver Cromwell was born and resided many years of his life. Some allusion here seems to be lost. SCENE I. Enter 3 RAYNULPH. ACT I. Ray. What Raynulph, monk of Chester, can Raise from his polychronicon, That raiseth him, as works do men, To see long-parted light again, That best may please this round fair ring, With sparkling diamonds circled in, I shall produce. If all my powers Can win the grace of two poor hours, Well apaid I go to rest. Ancient stories have been best; Fashions, that are now call'd new, Have been worn by more than you; Elder times have us'd the same, Though these new ones get the name: Shouts within; then enter Vortiger. Vor. Will that wide-throated beast, the multitude, Never leave bellowing? Courtiers are ill Advised when they first make such monsters. How near was I to a scepter and a crown? Fair power was even upon me, my desires Were casting glory, till this forked rabble, With their infectious acclamations, Poison'd my fortunes for Constantine's sons. 3 Raynulph.-Raynulph Higden was the compiler of the Polychronicon, as far as the year 1357, thirty-first of Edward III. It was translated into English by Trevisa, and compleated and printed by Caxton in folio, 1482. Well, though I rise not king, I'll seek the means Enter DEVONSHIRE and STAFFORD. In whose kind loves and wishes I am built Their wills are up still; nothing can appease them, Good speeches are but cast away upon them. Vor. Then, since necessity and fate withstand me, I'll strive to enter at a straighter passage; Enter CONSTANTIUS (as a Monk, attended by other Monks), VORTIGER stays him. Vor. Vessels of sanctity, be pleas'd a while Constantius, eldest son of Constantine, Con. On me! for what, lords? Keep me from growing downwards into earth again : I hope I am farther on my way than so; set forwards. Take heed, the very beam let in to comfort you Vor. Good my lord; I know you cannot lodge so many virtues, You should not kneel so long for't. Vor. 'Twill be the death of millions if you rise not, For fear all come too late. Con. This is a cruelty That peaceful man did never suffer yet. you. Who is born a prince, is born a general peace, Deem me unfit for government and rule, All. Long live Constantius, son of Constantine, King of Great Britain! Con. I do feel a want And extream poverty of joy within; The peace I had is parted 'mongst rude men: To keep them quiet I have lost it all. What can the kingdom gain by my undoing? That riches is not best, though it be mighty, That's purchas'd by the ruin of another; Nor can the peace, so filch'd, ever thrive with them: 4 Prais'd me.-Probably we should read pray'd me; that is, desired me to go into this profession, or pressed me. S. P. And if't be worthily held sacrilege And all their hopes will be beguil'd in me; In a rough desart; well may the weight kill ine, Vor. Not so, great king; here stoops a faithful servant Would sooner perish under it with cheerfulness, ments Cast upon me your servant, upon Vortiger; If't were not sin to grieve another's patience Vor. I am quite blown up a conscionable way: [Aside. Con. Holy partners in strictest abstinence, What several inclinations are in nature? Calls a fair crown the weight of his afflictions! Can have conception in the thought of man. 1st Graz. An honourable life inclose your lordship! Vor. Now, what are you? 2d Graz. Graziers, if't like your lordship. Vor. So it should seem by your inclosures. What's your affair with me? 1st Graz. We are your petitioners, my lord. Vor. For what? Depart; petitioners to me! You have well deserv'd my grace and favour. Have you not a ruler after your own election? Hye you to court, Get near and close; be loud And bold enough: you cannot chuse but speed. [Exit. 2d Graz. If that will do't, We have throats wide enough, we'll put them [Exeunt. to't. Dumb show. Fortune discovered; in her hand a round ball full of lots: then enter HENGIST and HORSUS, with others: they draw lots; and having opened them, all depart save HENGIST and HORSUS, who kneel and embrace: then enter ROXENA, seeming to take leave of HENGIST in great passion, but more especially and warily of HORSUS, her lover; she departs one way, HENGIST and HORSUs another. Enter RAYNULPH. Ray. When Germany was overgrown With sons of peace, too thickly sown, Several guides were chosen then By destin'd lots, to lead out men; And they whoin fortune here withstands, Must prove their fates in other lands. On these two captains fell the lot; But that which must not be forgot, Was Roxena's cunning grief; Who from her father, like a thief, Hid her best and truest tears, Which her lustful lover wears, In many a stol'n and wary kiss Unseen of father: maids do this, Yet highly scorn to be call'd strumpets too; But what they lack of't I'll be judg'd by you. [Exit. Enter VORTIGER, Felt-maker, Button-maker, and Grazier, petitioners. Vor. This way his majesty comes. Vor. When you hear yon door open |