THE only edition of this play yet discovered was printed in 1630 (see the title at length at the end), but that it was written shortly after the first part of the Honest Whore, is evident from the following licence granted by Sir G. Buc, then Master of the Revels, and to be found in the Registers of the Stationers' Company.

"29 April, 1608. The 2nd Pte. of the converted Courtisan, or Honest Whore.” *

It is not mentioned on the title page that it was ever acted, and hence has arisen a notion that it was not represented at any of the theatres at that time: but considering the excellence of the play, its variety of character and incident, and the intimate connection of the author with the stage, merely this omission does not seem to warrant such a conclusion. It is not unlikely that some earlier edition than that of 1630 may yet be discovered.

The incident where Candido takes up the cudgels with his new wife, is given in Sir J. Harrington's Epigrams. Although these were not printed in an entire state until 1618,-(See Ritson's Bibl. Poet. 236) yet many of them were written when their author (who died in 1612) was a very young man. It seems probable that the incident was founded upon the epigram, for though Sir John Harrington borrowed from the Latin and Italian, he most likely would not steal from an English play, especially when it appears that his originality had been attacked. The following is his Epigram.

OF A HOUSEHOLD FRAY FRIENDLY ENDED.

A man and wife strove erst who should be masters,
And having chang'd between the household speeches,
The man in wrath brought forth a pair of wasters,

And swore those two should prove who wore the breeches.

* Mr. G. Chalmers, quoting this entry, in his Supplemental Apology, p. 202, calls the play "The convicted Courtesan, or Honest Whore," but this is an error.

She that could break his head, yet give him plasters,
Accepts the challenge, yet withall beseeches
That she as weakest then might strike the first,
And let him ward, and after do his worst.

He swore that should be so, as God should bless him,
And close he laid him to his surest locks.
She flourishing as though she should not miss him,
Laid down her cudgel, and with witty mock
She told him for his kindness she would kiss him
That now was sworne to give her never knock:
You sware, said she, I should the first blow give,
And I swear I'll ne'er strike you while I live.

Ah flattering slut, said he, thou dar'st not fight!
I am no lark, quoth she, man do not dare me,
Let me 'point time and place, as 'tis my right
By law of challenge, and then never spare me.
Agreed, said he,-Then rest, quoth she, to night;
To-morrow, at Cuckolds haven. I'll prepare me.
Peace wife, said he, we'll cease all rage and rancor,
Ere in that harbour I will ride at anchor.

Dekkar dedicated to Sir J. Harrington, his tract, called, "The Dead Terme, or Westminsters complaint for long Vacations and short Terms," 1608, and in it bestowed a high eulogium upon the translation of Ariosto's Orlando, Furioso. Sir J. Harrington, (in Book 4. Epigr. 11) mentions Dekkar's “Gentle Craft," (meaning his play named "The Shoemakers Holiday, or the Gentle Craft,") in these terms.

OF A BOOK CALLED THE GENTLE CRAFT.

I pass'd the other day through Pauls Church yard,
I heard some read a book, and reading laugh'd :
The title of the book was Gentle Craft;
But when I mark'd the matter with regard,
A new-sprung branch that in my mind did graft,
And thus I said-Sirs, scorn not him that writ it:
A gilded blade hath oft a dudgeon half,
And well I see this writer roves a shaft
Near fairest mark, yet happily not hit it:
For never was the like book sold in Poules
If so, with gentle craft it could persuade
Great Princes midst their pomp to learn a trade;
Once in their lives to work to mend their souls.

327

The following entry is contained in Sir Henry Herbert's Register, kept while he held the office of Master of the Revels.

30 July 1623-For the Prince's Players, A French Tragedy of The Bellman of Paris, written by

Thomas Dekkirs and John Day, for the
Company of the Red Bull.

The following is the earliest notice of Fortunatus, in Henslowe's Accounts :

"R. (i. e. received) 3 Febreary, 1595, at the 1 p of Forteunatus, £iii o o.'

If " 1 p of Fortunatus," mean the first part of the play, it may be a performance earlier than that by Dekkar; or if the entry be correct, and the play Dekkar's, the second part has yet to be recovered. The earliest notice of Dekkar, by Henslowe, is in connection with Troilus and Cressida, under date of 1592,

DRAMATIS PERSONA.

DUKE.

HIPOLITO, Husband to Infelice.

ORLANDO FRISCOBALDO, Father to Bellafront. MATHEO, Husband to Bellafront.

CANDIDO, the Patient Man.

LODOVICO, also called Sforsa.
BERALDO.

Vintners, Constable, Masters of Bridewell, Beadles,

Prentices, Pages, and Servants.

Scene Milan.

THE SECOND PART OF

THE HONEST WHORE.

ACTUS PRIMUS. SCENA PRIMA.

Enter at one door BERALDO, CAROLO, FONTINELL, ASTOLFO, with Serving-men, or Pages attending on them; at another door enter LODOVICO, meeting them.

Lodovico. Good day, Gallants.

Omnes. Good morrow, sweet Lodovico.
Lodovico. How doest thou, Carolo?

Carolo. Faith, as physicians do in a plague, see the world sick, and am well myself.

Fontinell. Here's a sweet morning, gentlemen.

Lodovico. Oh, a morning to tempt Jove from his Ningle Ganimed, which is but to give dairy wenches green gowns as they are going a milking; what, is thy lord stirring yet?

Astolfo. Yes, he will not be hors'd this hour, sure. Beraldo. My lady swears he shall, for she longs to be at court.

Carolo. Oh, we shall ride switch and spur; would we were there once!

Enter BRYAN the Footman.

Lodovico. How now, is thy lord ready?

Bryan. No so crees sa me, my lady will have some little ting in her pelly first.

Carolo. Oh, then they'le to breakfast.

Lodovico. Footman, does my lord ride i'th' coach my lady, or on horseback?

with