_Shakespeare Society_. _Ralph Roister Doister_, &c., and _The
Tragedie of Gorboduc_. Edited, with Introductory Memoirs, by W. D.
Cooper, F.S.A. The text collated with the original by J. P. Collier,
F.S.A.
6. 24 July 1869. Lond. 1 vol. 8vo. _English Reprints_: see title at
_p._ 1.
.·. All the previous reprints have been and now are unobtainable to
most persons. It is to the most courteous and generous kindness of
the present Provost and Fellows of Eton College that I am enabled to
place what I hope may prove an exact text into the hands of every
one. I trust also to keep it perpetually on sale: that the student
of the History of our Literature may no longer lack one of the most
important illustrations of the growth of English Dramatic Poesy.
The Prologue.
What Creature is in health, eyther yong or olde,
But som mirth with modestie wil be glad to vse
As we in thys Enterlude shall now vnfolde,
Wherin all scurilitie we vtterly refuse,
Auoiding such mirth wherin is abuse:
Knowing nothing more comendable for a mans recreation
Than Mirth which is vsed in an honest fashion:
For Myrth prolongeth lyfe, and causeth health.
Mirth recreates our spirites and voydeth pensiuenesse,
Mirth increaseth amitie, not hindring our wealth,
Mirth is to be vsed both of more and lesse,
Being mixed with vertue in decent comlynesse.
As we trust no good nature can gainsay the same:
Which mirth we intende to vse, auoidyng all blame.
The wyse Poets long time heretofore,
Vnder merrie Comedies secretes did declare,
Wherein was contained very vertuous lore,
With mysteries and forewarnings very rare.
Suche to write neither _Plautus_ nor _Terence_ dyd spare,
Whiche among the learned at this day beares the bell:
These with such other therein dyd excell.
Our Comedie or Enterlude which we intende to play.
Is named Royster Doyster in deede.
Which against the vayne glorious doth inuey,
Whose humour the roysting sort continually doth feede.
Thus by your pacience we intende to proceede
In this our Enterlude by Gods leaue and grace,
And here I take my leaue for a certaine space.