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ALEXANDER AND CAMPASPE,

JOHN LYLY was born in the wilds of Kent, about the year 1553, according to the computation of Wood, who says, " he became a student in Magdalen-College in the beginning of 1569, aged sixteen, or thereabouts, and was afterwards one of the demies or clerks of that house." He took the degree of B. A. April, 27, 1573,3 and of M. A. in the year 1575; and afterwards, on some disgust, removed to Cambridge, from whence he went to court, where he was taken notice of by Queen Elizabeth, and had expectations of being preferred to the post of Master of the Revels; which, after many years attendance, he was disappointed of. In what year he died is unknown, but Wood says he was alive in the year 1597.

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He was an author highly esteemed by his contemporaries, by several of whom, as Nush, Lodge, Webbe,' and others, he was much complimented. Drayton, however, seems to have given his true cha racter, when he says ;

"The noble Sidney with this last arose,
"That heroe for numbers, and for prose;

"That thoroughly pac'd our language as to show,
"The plenteous English hand in hand might go,
"With Greek and Latin, and did first reduce
"Our tongue from Lilly's writing then in use;
"Talking of stones, stars, plants, of fishes, flies,
"Playing with words, and idle similies,
"As th' English apes, and very zanies be
"Of every thing that they do hear and see,

"To imitating this ridiculous tricks,

"They speak and write all like meer lunaticks."

Blount, who republished six of his plays, speaks of him in a different manner: He says, “Our na tion are in his debt for a new English which hee taught them. Euphues and his England began first that language. All our lavies were then his scollers; and that beautie in court who could not parley Euphuesme, was as little regarded as shee which now there speakes not French."

The principal work for which he was distinguished is entitled “ Euphues. The Anatomy of Wit, verie pleasant for all Gentlemen to read, and most necessary to remember; wherein are contained the delyghts that Wit followeth in his youth by the pleasantnesse of Love, and the happinesse he reapeth in age by the perfectnesse of Wisedome. 4to. 1580." And this was followed by" Euphues and his England, containing his voyage and adventures, mixed with sundrie pretie discourses of honest Love, the description of the Countrie, the Court, and the manners of that Isle. Delightful to be read, and nothing hurtful to be regarded; wherein there is small offence by lightnesse given to the wise, and lesse occasion of loosenesse proffered to the wanton. 4to. 1582."

1

I Gildon.

3 Fasti, 108.

2 Athen. Oxon. 295.
4 Ibid. 111.

5 Apology of Pierce Penniless, 4to. 1593. Have with you to Saffron Walden, 4to. 1596.

6 Wit's Misery and Words Madness, 4to. 1596, p. 57,

? Discourse of English Poetrie, 4to. 1586.

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The first six of these plays were republished by Edward Blount, in 12mo. 1652, under the title of "Sixe Court Comedies."

Besides these, he was the author of a piece, published in 1593, called "Pap with a Hatchet, alias, a fig for my Godson, or crack me this nut, or a Country Cuff, that is, a sound box on the ear for the ideot Martin to hold his peace. Written by one that dares call a Dog a Dog." Imprinted for John Oke.

THE PROLOGUE AT THE BLACK FRIERS.

They that fear the stinging of wasps, make fans of peacocks tails, whose spots are like eyes: And Lepidus, which could not sleep for the chattering of birds, set up a beast, whose head was like a dragon: and we which stand in awe of report, are compelled to set before our ow! Pallas's shield, thinking by her virtue to cover the other's defor mity. It was a sign of famine to Ægypt, when Nylus flowed less than twelve cubits, or more than eighteen; and it may threaten despair unto us, if we be less curious than you look for, or more cumbersome. But as Theseus being promised to be brought to an eagle's nest, and travelling all the day, found but a wren in a hedge, yet said this is a bird: so we hope, if the shower of our swelling mountain, seeming to bring forth some elephant, perform but a mouse, you will gently say, this is a beast. Basil softly touched, yieldeth a sweet scent; but chafed in the hand, a rank savour. We fear even so, that our labours slily glanced on, will breed some content; but examined to the proof, small commendation. The haste in performing shall be our excusc. There

went two nights to the begetting of Hercules. Feathers appear not on the phoenix under seven months, and the mulberry is twelve in budding: but our travails are like the hare's, who at one time bringeth forth, nourisheth, and engendreth again; or like the brood of a Trochilus, whose eggs in the same moment that they are laid, become birds. But howsoever we finish our work, we crave pardon, if we offend in matter; and patience, if we transgress in manners. We have mixed mirth with counsel, and discipline with delight; thinking it not amiss in the same garden to sow, pot-herbs, that we set flowers. But we hope, as harts that cast their horns, snakes their skins, eagles their bills, become more fresh for any other labour; so our charge being shaken off, we shall be fit for greater matters. But lest, like the Myndians, we make our gates greater than our town, and that our play runs out at the preface, we here conclude; wishing, that although there be in your precise judgments an universal mislike, yet we may enjoy, by your wonted courtesies, a ge❘neral silence.

THE PROLOGUE AT THE COURT.

We are ashamed that our bird, which flutter- | eth by twilight, seeming a swallow, should be proved a bat, set against the sun. But as Jupiter placed Silenus's ass among the stars, and Alcibiades covered his pictures, being owls and apes, with a curtain einbroidered with lions and

eagles, so are we enforced, upon a rough discourse, to draw on a smooth excuse, resembling lapidaries, who think to hide the crack in a stone, by setting it deep in gold. The gods supp'd once with poor Baucis; the Persian kings sometimes shaved sticks; our hope is, your highness will at

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CLYTUS, PARMENIÓ, TIMOCLEA, CAMPASPE,
ALEXANDER, HEPHESTION.

thrown down, bodies not thrust aside; a conquest without conflict, and a cruel war in a mild peace.

Par. Clytus, it becometh the son of Philip to be none other than Alexander is; therefore seeClyt. Parmenio, I cannot tell whether I should ing in the father a full perfection, who could have more commend in Alexander's victories, courage, doubted in the son an excellency? For as the or courtesy in the one being a resolution with-moon can borrow nothing else of the sun but out fear, in the other a liberality above custom. light; so of a sire, in whom nothing but virtue Thebes is rased, the people not racked; towers was, what could the child receive but singular?

Appion raising Homer from hell, demanded only who was his father." Quærat aliquis, quæ sint mentiti veteres Magi, cum adolescentibus nobis visus Apion Grammatica artis, prodiderit cynocephaliam herbam, quæ in Egypto vocaretur osyrites, divinam, et contra omnia venesicia: sed si ea erueretur, statim eum qui eruisset, mori. Seque evocasse umbras ad percontandum Homerum, qua patria quibusque parentibus genitus esset, non tamen ausus profiteri, quid sibi respondisse diceret.”—C. Plin. Nat. Hist. 1. xxx. c. 2. 9 The subject of this play is taken from Pliny's Natural History, lib. xxxv. c. 10. "Tantum erat auctoritati juris in regem, alioquin iracundum: quanquam Alexander ei honorem clarissima præbuit exemplo. Namque cum dilectam sibi ex pallacis suis præcipue nomine Campaspem nudam pingi ob admirationem formæ ab Apelle jussissit, eumque tum pari captum amore sensisset, dono cam dedit. Magnús animo, major imperio sui, nec minor hoc facto, quam victoria aliqua. Quippe, se vicit nec torum tantum suum, sed etiam affectum donavit artifici: ne dilectæ quidam respectu motus, ut quæ modo regis fuissct, modo pictoris esset. Sunt qui Venerem Anadyomenem illo pictam exemplari putant."

It is for 10 turquois to stain each other, not for | diamonds; in the one to be made a difference in goodness, in the other no comparison.

Clyt. You mistake me, Parmenio, if whilst I commend Alexander, you imagine I call Philip into question; unless haply you conjecture, (which none of judgment will conceive,) that because I like the fruit, therefore I heave at the tree; or coveting to kiss the child, I therefore go about to poison the teat.

Par. Ay, but Clytus, I perceive you are born in the east, and never laugh but at the sun-rising; which argueth, though a duty where you ought, yet no great devotion where you might.

Clyt. We will make no controversy of that which there ought to be no question; only this shall be the opinion of us both, that none was worthy to be the father of Alexander but Philip, nor any meet to be the son of Philip but Alexan

der.

Par. Soft, Clytus, behold the spoils and prisoners! a pleasant sight to us, because profit is join'd with honour; not much painful to them, because their captivity is eased by mercy.

eth a king. In all things, than which nothing cau be greater, he is Alexander.

Cam. Then if it be such a thing to be Alexan der, I hope it shall be no miserable thing to be a virgin. For if he save our honours, it is more than to restore our goods. And rather do I wish he'd preserve our fame than our lives, which if he do, we will confess there can be no greater thing than to be Alexander.

Alex. Clytus, are these prisoners? of whence these spoils?

Clyt. Like your majesty, they are prisoners, and of Thebes.

of

Alex. Of what calling or reputation?

Clyt. I know not, but they seem to be ladies honour.

Alex. I will know- Madam, of whence you are I know, but who, I cannot tell.

Timo. Alexander, I am the sister of Theagines, who fought a battel with thy father, before the city of Chieronte," where he died, I say which none can gainsay, valiantly.

Alex. Lady, there seem in your words sparks of your brother's deeds, but worser fortune in your life than his death: but fear not, for you shall live without violence, enemies, or necessityBut what are you, fair lady, another sister to Theagines?

Cam. No sister to Theagines, but an humble handmaid to Alexander, born of a mean parentage, but to extream fortune.

Timo. Fortune, thou didst never yet deceive virtue, because virtue never yet did trust fortune. Sword and fire will never get spoil, where wisdom and fortitude bears sway. O Thebes, thy walls were raised by the sweetness of the harp, but rased by the shrillness of the trumpet. Alexander had never come so near the walls, had Epaminondas walk'd about the walls; and yet Alex. Well, ladies, for so your virtues shew might the Thebans have been merry in their you, whatsoever your births be, you shall be hostreets, if he had been to watch their towers. nourably entreated. Athens shall be your Thebes, But destiny is seldom foreseen, never prevented, and you shall not be as abjects of war, but as subWe are here now captives, whose necks are yok-jects to Alexander. Parmenio, conduct these ed by force, but whose hearts can not yield by death. Come, Campaspe, and the rest, let us not be ashamed to cast our eyes on him, on whom we fear'd not to cast our darts.

Pur. Madam, you need not doubt, it is Alexander that is the conqueror.

Timo. Alexander hath overcome, not conquer'd. Par. To bring all under his subjection, is to conquer.

Timo. He cannot subdue that which is divine.
Par. Thebes was not.
Timo. Virtue is.

honourable ladies into the city, charge the soldiers not so much as in words to offer them any offence, and let all wants be supply'd so far forth as shall be necessary for such persons, and my prisoners.

[Exeunt PARMENIO and Captives. Hephestion, it resteth now that we have as great care to govern in peace, as conquer in war: that whilst arms ceasc, arts may flourish, and joining letters with launces, we endeavour to be as good philosophers as soldiers; knowing it no less praise to be wise, than commendable to be valiant.

you

Clyt. Alexander, as he tendreth virtue, so he Heph. Your majesty therein sheweth, that will you; he drinketh not blood, but thirsteth have as great desire to rule as to subdue; and after honour; he is greedy of victory, but never needs must that commonwealth be fortunate, satisfied with mercy. In fight terrible, as be- whose captain is a philosopher, and whose philo cometh a captain; in conquest mild, as beseem-sopher is a captain." [Exeunt.

10 Turquois-In the first edition, Turkes. (6 Turquesis," says Malynes, in his Treatise of the Canker of England's Common-wealth, 12mo, 1601, "are found in Malabar, being of Turquey's color by the day time, and by night, by the light, greene; they grow upon a black stone, whereof retaining some little blacke veines is the better." "It is," as Mr Steevens observes, “said of the Turky stone, that it faded or brightened in its colour, as the health of the wearer increased or grew less." (Note on Merchant of Venice, p. 188. Vol. III) See also Dr Morell's Account of it, p. 417. of his edition of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, 8vo. 1737.

"Chieronte-Chieronie, in the first and second editions,

SCENE II.

MANES, GRANICHUS, PSYLLUS.

Manes. I serve instead of a master, a mouse, whose house is a tub, whose dinner is a crust, and 12 whose bed is a board.

Psyl. Then art thou in a state of life which philosophers commend. A crumb for thy supper, a band for thy cup, and thy clothes for thy sheets. For Natura paucis contenta.

Gra. Manes, it is pity so proper a man should be cast away upon a philosopher; but that Diogenes, that dog, should have Manes that dog-bolt, it grieveth nature, and spiteth art; the one having found thee so dissolute, absolute I would say, in body, the other so single, singular in mind.

Manes. Are you merry? it is a sign by the trip of your tongue, and the toys of your head, that you have done that to-day, which I have not done these three days.

Psyl. What's that? Manes. Dined.

Gra. I think Diogenes keeps but cold chear. Manes. I would it were so; but he keepeth neither hot nor cold.

Gra. What then, luke warm? That made Manes run from his master the last day.

Psyl. Manes had reason; for his name foretold as much.

Manes. My name! how so, sir boy?

Manes. Did your masters never teach you, that the soul is immortal?

Gra. Yes.

Manes. And the body is the prison of the soul. Gra. True.

Manes. Why then, thus to make my body immortal, I put it in prison.

Gra. Oh bad!

Psyl. Excellent ill!

Manes. You may see how dull a fasting wit is; therefore, Psyllus, let us go to supper with Granichus: Plato is the best fellow of all philosophers. Give me him that reads in the morning in the school, and at noon in the kitchen. Psyl. And me.

Gra. Ah, sirs, my master is a king in his parlour for the body; and a God in his study for the soul. Among all his men he commendeth one that is an excellent musician, then stand I by and clap another on the shoulder, and say, this is a passing good cook.

Manes. It is well done, Granichus; for give me pleasure that goes in at the mouth, not the ear; I had rather fill my guts than ny brains.

Psyl. I serve Apelles, who feedeth me, as Diogenes doth Manes; for at dinner the one preacheth abstinence, the other commendeth counterfeiting: When I would eat meat, he paints a spit; and when I thirst, O, saith he, is not this a fair pot? and points to a table, which contains the

Psyl. You know that it is called Mons à mo- banquet of the gods, where are many dishes to vendo, because it stands still.

Manes. Good.

Psyl. And thou art named Manes, à Manendo, because thou run'st away.

Manes. Passing reasons! I did not run away, but retire.

Psyl. To a prison, because thou wouldst have leisure to contemplate.

Manes. I will prove that my body was immortal, because it was in prison. Gra. As how?

feed the eye, but not to fill the gut.

Gra. What dost thou then?

Psyl. This doth he then, bring in many examples that some have lived by savours, and proveth that much easier it is to grow fat by colours, and tells of birds that have been fatted by painted grapes in winter; and how many have so fed their eyes with their mistress's picture, that they never desir'd to take food, being glutted with the delight in their favours. 13 Then doth he shew me counterfeits, such as have surfeited with their

12 Whose bed is a board.—The first and second editions read, whose board is a bed.

13 Then doth he shew me counterfeits-Counterfeit was a term formerly used for any kind of painting, but more especially for a portrait. Psyllus says above, " for a dinner the one preacheth abstinence, the other commendeth counterfeiting."

And, in Dekker's Strange Horserace, 16-. B. 2: -" and more to dignifie the conqueror, pictures, and counterfets of all the citties, mountaines, rivers, and battailes, from whence they came victors, were drawn in ensignes to the liveliest portrature, all supported before the triumpher."

Again, Arden of Feversham, 1592:

I happen'd on painter yesternight,

The onely cunning man of Christendoome:
For he can temper poyson with his oyle,
That whoso lookes upon the worke he drawes,
Shall with the beames that issue from his sight,
Suck vennome to his breast, and slay himselfe,
Sweet Ales he shall draw thy counterfet,
That Arden may by gaizing on it perish.

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