FROM Heywood's Apology for Actors, it appears that Thomas Kyd was the author of the Spanish Tragedy, or Hieronimo is mad again.*-But whether he likewise wrote this first part of Jeronimo does not appear.

This first part of Jeronimo is so scarce that many have doubted whether it ever existed; and Mr. Coxeter and the author of the Playhouse Dictionary were of opinion, that what is called "The Spanish Tragedy, "or Hieronimo is mad again," was only the old play altered and new named.-Ben Jonson has a passage in the Induction to Cynthia's Revels, 1600, that seems to favour that opinion. "Another swears down all that "sit about him, that the old Hieronimo (as it was first "acted) was the only best and judiciously pen'd play "of Europe."

They were however, two distinct plays, as appears from this copy of the first part, which is printed from one in the valuable collection of David Garrick, Esq.

From another passage in the Induction to Cynthia's Revels, acted in 1600, it may be conjectured that Jeronimo first appeared on the stage about the year 1588.† They say (says one of the children of the "Queen's Chapel) the ghosts of some three or four 'plays, departed a dozen years since, have been seen "walking on your stage here."

* Heywood's words are these. "Therefore Mr. Kyd in the Spanish Tragedy, upon occasion presenting itself, thus writes: "Why, Nero thought it no disparagement,

And Kings and Emperours have tane delight
To make experience of their wits in playes."

These three lines are to be found towards the commencement of act
V. of the Spanish Tragedy. C.

+ It appears from Philip Henslowe's Papers, lately discovered in the rubbish of Dulwich College, that "the Comedy of Jeronimo," was played by "the Lord Stranges men the 10th April, 1591."

O. G.

ISABELLA, wife to Jeronimo.
BELLIMPERIA, sister to Lorenzo.

The Scene, Spain and Portugal.

THE FIRST PART OF

JERONIMO.

Sound a signet, and pass over the stage. Enter at one door the King of SPAIN, Duke of CASTILE, Duke MEDINA, LORENZO, and ROG ERO; at another door, ANDREA, HORATIO, and JERONIMO. JERONIMO

kneels down, and the King creates him Marshall of Spain: LORENZO puts on his spurs 2, and ANDREA his sword. The King goes along with JERONIMO to his house; after a long signet is sounded, enter all the Nobles, with covered dishes to the banquet.

Exeunt omnes.

That done enter all again as before.

Spain. FROLICK Jeronimo, thou art now confirm'd Marshal of Spain, by all the dues

And customary rights unto thy office.

Jeronimo. My knee sings thanks unto your highness bounty:

Come hither, boy Horatio; fold thy joints;

Kneel by thy father's loins, and thank my leege,
By honouring me, thy mother, and thyself,
With this high staff of office.

Horatio. O my leege,

I have a heart thrice stronger than my years,
And that shall answer gratefully for me;

1 Sound a signet,] This word which is variously spelt, as sent, cynet, sennet, sinet, signate, synnet, signet, &c. I believe to be no more than a corruption of sonata, Ital. See a note on Julius Cæsar, vol. VIII. p. 9. and another on King Henry VIII. vol. VII. p. 236. S.

2 Lorenzo puts on his spurs,] This ceremony is still retained in the creation of a Knight of the Bath, and is generally performed by some person of eminence. See Anstis, Historical Essay upon the Knighthood of the Bath, 4to. 1725. Lord Herbert of Cherbury's Life,

p. 54.

Let not my youthful blush impare my valour.
If ever you have foes, or red field scars,
I'll empty all my veins to serve your wars:
I'll bleed for you; and more, what speech affords,
I'll speak in drops when I do fail in words.

Jeronimo. Well spoke, my boy, and on thy father's side;

My leege, how like you Don Horatio's spirit?
What! doth it promise fair?

Spain. Ay, and no doubt his merit will purchase

more.

Knight Marshal rise, and still rise

Higher and greater in thy sovereign's eyes.

Jeronimo. O fortunate hour, blessed minute, happy day,

Able to ravish even my sense away!

Now I remember too: O sweet remembrance !
This day my years strike fifty, and in Rome
They call the fifty year the year of Jubily,
The merry year, the peaceful year, jocond year,
A year of joy, of pleasure and delight:

This shall be my year of Jubily, for 'tis my fifty.
Age ushers honour: 'tis no shame; confess,
Beard thou art fifty full, not a hair less.

Enter an EMBASSADOR.

Spain. How now? what news from Spain ?* tribute return'd?

Embassador. Tribute in words, my leege, but not in coin.

Spain. Ha! dare he still procrastinate with Spain? Not tribute paid! not three years paid!

"Tis not at his coin,

But his slack homage, that we most repine.

Jeronimo. My leege, if my opinion might stand firm Within your highness' thoughts

Spain. Marshal, our kingdom calls thee father; Therefore speak free.

* This passage ought either to be "What news for Spain, or we must suppose Spain misprinted for Portugal. The substitution would destroy the measure. C.