maminore.--Baretti _Dizion. Ital. ed Ing._ Bacon
distinguishes between _the regal_ and the organ in a
manner which shows them to be instruments of the same
class. “The sounds that produce tones are ever from
such bodies as have their parts and pores equal, as are
nightingale _pipes of regals_ or organs.”--_Nat. Hist._
cent, ii., sec. 102. But, notwithstanding these
authorities, the appellative _regal_ has given great
trouble to the lexicographer, whose sentiments with
regard to its signification are collected and brought
into one point of view by Sir John Hawkins, in his
“History of Music,” vol. ii., p. 448, from whence this
note is extracted. See also a note by the Hon. Daines
Barrington to “Hamlet,” act iii., sc. 2, in the edition
of Shakspeare, 1773, omitted in that of 1778.
[62] _Seeing_, second edit.
[63] _Should_, first edit.
[64] _Now_, first edit.
[65] _Unto_, second edit.
[66] [_Too_, first edit.]
[67] [_What_, both eds.]
[68] Crowd.
[69] “_King_” is omitted in the first edition, and
supplied by the second.--_Collier._
[70] _This_, first edition.
[71] [Old editions have, _where opinion simplenesse
have_, &c. Simpleness, ignorance--_i.e._, who have
deserved mercy, having offended from not knowing
better.]
[72] _Thrust_, first edition.
[73] [Old edit., _injurie_.]
[74] _Yeelde speedily_, second edition.
[75] _To pawne_, second edition.
[76] Folly. Thus Spenser, in his Sonnets,
“_Fondess_ it were for any, being free,
To covet fetters, though they golden be.”
[77] Old editions read, Take heede: _for life wordly_, &c.
[78] Hinder me.
[79] [I do not understand the allusion. The sense seems
to be, I will beat you, come what may--I will put
_prudence_ in my purse or pocket.]
[80] [Originals have _colpheg you_.] I believe we should
read, _colaphize_--i.e., box or buffet. _Colaphiser_,
Fr. See Cotgrave’s “Dictionary.”--_Steevens._
[81] _i.e._, Loose companion. So Spenser--
“Might not be found a ranker _franion_.”
Again--
“A faire _franion_ fit for such a pheere.”--_S._
Again, in “The First Part of King Edward IV.,” sign. C,
p. 5: “Hees a _franke franion_, a merrie companion, and
loves a wench well.”
[82] See Note to “Gammer Gurton’s Needle,” vol. iii.,
p. 198.
[83] [_Stephano_ spelled backwards.]
[84] Read Κρητιξω. Vide Erasm. _Adag._ The _Cretans_
were famous for double-dealing. _Cretizare_, however,
is a word employ’d by lexicographers, instead of
mentiri.--_Steevens_.
[85] Crack-rope was a common term of contempt in old
plays.
“You codshed, you _cracke-rope_, you chattering pye.”
--_Apius and Virginia_, sign. B.
Again in that very rare play, “The Two Italian Gentlemen”--
“Then let him be led through every streete in the town,
That every _crackrope_ may fling rotten egs at the
clown.”
--_Collier_. [See also Tarlton’s “Jests,” 1611 (“Old
English Jest-Books,” ii., p. 211).]
[86] [Old edition, _which_.]
[87] [Old editions have _monckes_.]
[88] [Old editions have _pantacle_.] I suppose he means
to say a _pantofle_--_i.e._, a slipper. Perhaps he
begins his attack with a kick.--_S._ The second edition
reads--
“Even heere with a _faire_ pantacle I will you disgrace,”
an epithet not found in the oldest copy, and hardly
consistent with the supposition that _pantacle_ means
_pantofle_.--_Collier_. [Probably, a slap on the face.]
[89] _Geve_, second edition.
[90] More properly _touch-box_. While match-locks,
instead of fire-locks, to guns were used, the
_touch-box_, at which the match was lighted, was part
of the accoutrement of a soldier.
“When she his flask and _touch-box_ set on fire.”
Line of an author, whose name I cannot at this time
recollect.--_Steevens_.
[91] A Dottrel is a silly kind of bird which imitates
the actions of the fowler, till at last he is taken. If
the fowler stretches out a leg, the bird will do so to.
So, in Butler’s “Character of a Fantastic (_Remains_,
vol. ii., p. 132)”: “He alters his gate with the times,
and has not a motion of his body that (_like a
Dottrel_) he does not borrow from somebody else.” See
also Jonson’s “Devil is an Ass,” iv., 6, and Dyce’s
“Beaumont and Fletcher,” iii., 79, and v., 64.
[92] [Original here has _Cobex epi_. Colliers used to
be nick-named _Carry-coals_. See Hazlitt’s “Proverbs,”
p. 98.]
[93] [Do up, open.]
[94] [For the supply of the court, or _Bouche de la cour_.]
[95] _It was you_, first edition.
[96] _Doth_, second edition].
[97] _i.e._, A cast of that species of hawks that were
called _Merlins_.--_Steevens._ He calls them
[_merlins_, which he might perhaps have been supposed
to pronounce] _Murlons_ on account of their size.
_Merlins_ were the smallest species of hawks.
Turbervile says, “These _merlyns_ are very much like
the haggart falcon in plume, in seare of the foote, in
beake and talons. So as there seemeth to be no oddes or
difference at al betwixt them save only in the
_bignesse_, for she hath like demeanure, like plume,
and very like conditions to the falcon, and in hir kind
is of like courage, and therefore must be kept as
choycely and as daintly as the falcon.” The _merlin_
was chiefly used to fly at small birds; and Latham
says, it was particularly appropriated to the service
of ladies.
[98] _Father Grimme_, second edition.
[99] [Something seems to have dropped out of the text
here to this purport.]
[100] Adopted into the original text from the second
edition.--_Collier._
[101] [A play on the similarity between _rug_ and
_rogue_.]
[102] _What fault can you see heere?_ second edition.
[103] [Small casks, buckets.]
[104] _i.e._, Robin red breasts. Shakespeare uses
_ruddock_ for red breast in “Cymbeline.”--_S._ Again,
in Nash’s “Lenten Stuff,” 1599: “He eft soons defined
unto me, that the red herring was this old tickle cob,
or magister fac totum, that brought in the _red
ruddocks_, and the grummel seed as thick as oatmeal,
and made Yarmouth for Argent to put down the city of
Argentine.”
[105] _Hose at_, second edition.
[106] _Well_, first edition.
[107] [Luscious.]
[108] An intended mistake for _muscadine._--_S._
[109] _Jebit avow mon companion._ Both 4tos.--_S._
[110] _Ihar vow pleadge pety Zawne._ Both 4tos.
[_Zawne_ appears to be a loose application of _Zani_
quasi _noodle_, though here, perhaps, the meaning is
rather _mimic_.]
[111] _Was_, second edition.
[112] [Interrupt? See Nares, edition 1859, in v.]
[113] _Coppe_, in Chaucer, is used for the top of
anything, and here seems intended to signify the head,
or, as the common phrase is, a _hair-brained_ fellow.
[114] _Merie_, second edition.
[115] See “Gammer Gurton’s Needle,” vol. iii., p. 189,
note.
[116] [See Rimbault’s “Little Book of Songs and
Ballads,” 1851, p. 83.]
[117] _Benne_ is the French word for a sack to carry
coals. See Cotgrave.
[118] Bate me an ace, quoth Bolton, is among the
Proverbs published by Mr Ray. That gentleman adds, “Who
this _Bolton_ was I know not, neither is it worth
enquiring. One of this name might happen to say, _Bate
me an ace_, and, for the coincidence of the first
letters of the two words _Bate_ and _Bolton_, it grew
to be a proverb. We have many of the like original; as
_v.g._ Sup, Simon, &c., Stay, quoth Stringer, &c. There
goes a story of Queen Elizabeth, that being presented
with a Collection of English Proverbs, and told by the
author that it contained all the English Proverbs, nay,
replied she, _Bate me an ace, quoth Bolton_: which
Proverb being instantly looked for, happened to be
wanting in his Collection.” [See Hazlitt’s] “Proverbs,”
p. [80.] This story of Queen Elizabeth forms the point
of an epigram by H.P. (probably Henry Parrot) in a
collection called “The Mastive,” 1615--
“A pamphlet was of proverbs penn’d by Polton
Wherein he thought all sorts included were;
Until one told him, _Bate m’ an ace, quoth Bolton_:
Indeed (said he) that proverb is not there.”
[119] [Sacks of coal, more properly, _benters_, as just
above.]
[120] In the former edition, Mr Dodsley had altered
this to _pay mee wel_.
[121] [Urine.]
[122] _Aloue_, French is to allow, to approve, to
praise. I know of no other word that resembles that in
the text. _Alosed_, in Chaucer, is _praised_.--_S._
[Possibly, _Hallo, hallo!_ may be the true reading.]
[123] From the manner in which this expression is used
by Sir John Harington, in “The Anatomie of the
Metamorphosis of Ajax,” 1596, sig. L, 7, it seems as
though it was intended for a sallow hue. “Both of a
complexion inclining to the oriental colour of a
_Croyden sanguine_.”
[124] The 4tos read _Pallarrime_. The razors of Palermo
were anciently famous. They are mentioned in more than
one of our old plays, and particularly in “The Wounds
of Civill War,” by Thomas Lodge, 1594, “Neighbour
sharpen the edge tole of your wits upon the whetstone
of indiscretion, that your wordes may shine like _the
rasers of Palermo_.”--_S_.
[125] He means a _pestilence_ quean.--_S._
[126] _A pestle of porke_--_i.e._, gammon of
bacon.--_Minsheu._
[127] _Trimly_, second edition.
[128] [_i.e._, Dionysius, to which Dodsley changed it.]
[129] _Bonns_, both 4tos.
[130] Sometimes called New Queen Street, where there
seems to have been the sign of _the three Cranes_. Ben
Jonson mentions this place in “The Devil is an Ass,”
act. i. sc. 1.
“From thence shoot the bridge child, to _the Cranes
of the Vintry_,
And see there the gimblets how they make their entry!”
Stow says it was a place of some account for the
Costermongers who had warehouses there; and it appears
from Dekker’s “Belman of London,” sig. E 2, that the
beggars of his time called one of their places of
rendezvous by this name. [See Herbert’s edition of
Ames, p. 367-8.]
[131] _These_, first edition.
[132] _Vaunted_, second edition.
[133] _Increased is_, old editions.
[134] _Streams_, second edition.
[135] [_None such_, old editions. The meaning seems to
be, a perfect friend:--_’tis a world to seek one
such_.]
[136] Both the old copies have it “_my_ state to moan,”
which may be right, and the substitution [to _thy_,
which was made in the earlier editions] should not have
been made without notice.--_Collier._
[137] Whether I will or not. See Note 23 to “Grim the
Collier of Croydon.”
[138] _i.e._, It _rideth fast_ upon noon. The word is
used by Spenser and many of our ancient writers.
[139] With Pithias in his custody, and Stephano, as is
evident from the rest of the scene.--_Collier._
[140] Hinder him.
[141] _Doth_, both 4tos.
[142] _Doo_, first edition. The reading of both the old
copies in this place is
“_Golden time_ doo wear away.”
If it were worth while to remark the difference between
_doo_ and _doos_, it might have been as well not to
make the change in the text without notice, although it
is probably right.--_Collier._
[143] _i.e._, Thou wilt derive no _credit_ from
striking off a head so disadvantageously placed for the
purpose of decollation. _Honnetete_, French, anciently
signified _fame_ or _reputation_ in the dexterous
execution of any undertaking, whether honourable or the
contrary. _Honesty_ seems here to be used with the
French meaning.--_Steevens._ In this instance the
author appears to have had before him the speech which
Sir Thomas More made at his execution. Hall, in his
“Chronicle,” p. 226, says, “Also the hangman kneled
doune to him askyng him forgiuenes of his death (as the
maner is), to whom he sayd I forgeue thee, but I
promise thee that thou shalt neuer haue _honestie of
the strykyng of my head, my necke is so short_.”
[144] The two old copies have it,
“O happie kinges _within_ your courtes,” &c.--_Collier._
[145] _Two to_, second edition.
[146] _No reason_, first edition.
[147] This direction means that Dionysius, Damon,
Pithias, and all others go out, excepting
Stephano.--_Collier._
[148] [Old copies, _joy_.]
[149] [Freedom.]
APPIUS AND VIRGINIA.
[The reader does not probably require to be told that Chaucer has
taken up the story of the “Wicked Judge Appius” in the “Doctor of
Physic’s Tale,” and there is a drama by Webster on the same subject,
written many years before it was published in 1654, and included in
all the editions of that writer’s works.]
THE PLAYERS’ NAMES.[150]
VIRGINIUS.
MATER.
VIRGINA.
HAPHAZARD.
MANSIPULUS.
MANSIPULA.
SUBSERVUS.
APPIUS.
CONSCIENCE.
JUSTICE.
CLAUDIUS.
RUMOUR.
COMFORT.
REWARD.
DOCTRINA.
MEMORY.
MR COLLIER’S PREFACE.
The “Tragical Comedy of Appius and Virginia” deserves especial notice,
as probably [one of] our earliest extant dramatic productions publicly
represented, the plot of which is derived from history. Sackville’s
“Ferrex and Porrex” was acted before the Queen at Whitehall, and
Edwards’ “Damon and Pithias” also at Court, while the interlude of
“Thersites” merely adopts the name of a historical personage as an
indication of character, without reference to any events in which he
was concerned. “Appius and Virginia” is besides curious as holding a
middle station between the old moralities and historical plays [while
it still retains the allegorical character in some degree].
The performance was printed in 1575, but acted most likely as early as
1563. The initials R. B. on the title-page would apply to more than
one writer about that date. It is a work of great rarity, the only
known copy being in the British Museum. It would be singular therefore
that it has hitherto almost escaped notice, were it not evident that
there are so many plays in the Garrick Collection which have never been
read by the editors of Shakespeare. Mr Malone makes one reference to
“Appius and Virginia” in a note on “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” but he
misquotes both the words and the date.
There is internal evidence that it was publicly represented; and with
reference to this point, we find in one place a curious instance of
the ancient simplicity of the construction of an open stage, and of
the directions to the actors: “Here let Virginius go about the
scaffold.” This was the “scaffold hie” on which Herod, according to
Chaucer [“Miller’s Tale”] was accustomed to rant. Hawkins [Orig. Engl.
Dr. I. vii.] tells us that this temporary erection, in Parfre’s
“Candlemas Day,” was called “the _Stage_,” but he erred from
misquotation. In the following piece we are expressly informed that
_Haphazard_ was the _Vice_, regarding which character see
Douce’s “Illustr. of Shakesp.” ii., 304, &c.[151]
[In the former edition nearly all the corruptions of the old copy,
which was edited and printed with the grossest carelessness, were
allowed to remain. A few still stand which baffle our ingenuity.]
THE PROLOGUE.
Qui[152] cupis æthereas et summas scandere sedes,
Vim simul ac fraudem discute, care, tibi.
Fraus hic nulla juvat, non fortia facta juvabunt:
Sola Dei tua te trahet tersa fides.
Qui placet in terris, intactæ paludis instar,
Vivere Virginiam nitore, virgo, sequi:
Quos tulit et luctus, discas [et] gaudia magna,
Vitæ dum Parcæ scindere fila parent.
Huc ades, O virgo pariter moritura, sepulchro;
Sic ait, et facies pallida morte mutat.
Who doth desire the trump of fame to sound unto the skies,
Or else who seeks the holy place where mighty Jove he lies,
He must not by deceitful mind, nor yet by puissant strength,
But by the faith and sacred life he must it win at length,
And what she be that virgin’s life on earth would gladly lead
The floods that Virginia did fall I wish her to read:
Her dolor and her doleful loss, and yet her joys at death:
Come, Virgins pure, to grave with me, quoth she with latest breath.
You Lordlings, all that present be this Tragedy to hear,
Note well what zeal and love herein doth well appear:
And, ladies, you that linked are in wedlock bands for ever,
Do imitate the life you see, whose fame will perish never.
But Virgins you, O Ladies fair, for honour of your name.
Do lead the life apparent here to win immortal fame.
Let not the blinded God of Love, as poets term him so,
Nor Venus with her venery, nor lechers, cause of woe,
Your Virgins’ name to spot or file: dear dames, observe the
life[153]
That fair Virginia did observe, who rather wish[ed] the knife
Of father’s hand her life to end, than spot her chastity:
As she did wail, wail you her want, you maids of courtesy.
If any by example here would shun that great annoy.
Our Author would rejoice in heart, and we would leap for joy.
Would gods that our endeavours may as well to please your ears,
As is our author’s meaning here, then were we void of fears.
But patiently we wish you bear with this our first attempt,
Which surely will to do our best, then yield us no contempt:
And as you please in patient wise our first for to receive,
Ere long a better shall you win, if God do grant us leave.
APPIUS AND VIRGINIA.
_Enter_ VIRGINIUS.
Before the time that fortune’s lot did show each fate his doom,
Or bird or beast, or fish or fowl, on earth had taken room,
The gods they did decree to frame, the thing is ended now,
The heavens and the planets eke, and moist from air to bow.
Then framed they the man from mould and clay, and gave him time to
reign,
As seemed best their sacred minds to run and turn again,
They framed also, after this, out of his tender side
A piece of much formosity with him for to abide.
From infancy to lusty youth, and so to reign awhile,
And well to live, till Œtas he unwares do him beguile.
Therewith to see these gifts of them on grounded cave to view,
And daintily to deck them up, which after they may rue.
Therefore I thank the gods above that yield to me such fate
To link to me so just a spouse, and eke so loving mate.
By her I have a virgin pure, an imp of heavenly race
Both sober, meek and modest too, and virtuous in like case:
To temple will I wend therefore to yield the gods their praise,
For that they have thus luckily annexed to my days.
But stay: behold the peerless sparks, whereof my tongue did talk,
Approach in presence of my sight: to church I deem they walk.
But stay I will, and shroud me secretly awhile
To see what wit or counsel grave proceedeth from their style.
_Here entereth_ MATER _and_ VIRGINIA.
The pert and pricking prime of youth ought chastisement to have,
But thou, dear daughter, needest not, thyself doth show thee grave:
To see how Phœbus with his beams hath youth so much infested,[154]
It doth me woe to see them crave the thing should be detested.[155]
I draw to grave and nought can leave of thee to be desired,
As much as duty to thy dear, as reason hath required:
My sovereign[156] lord and friendly pheer[157] Virginius, father
thine,
To nurse as doth become a child, when bones are buried mine.
VIRGINIA.[158] Refell your mind of mourning plaints, dear mother,
rest your mind,
For though that duty dainty were, dame nature will me bind
So much to do; and further force of Gods that rule the skies,
The Globe,[159] and eke the Element, they would me else despise.
MATER. Then if the gods have granted thee such grace to love thy
sire,
When time shall choose thee out a make, be constant, I require:
Love, live, and like him well, before you grant him grace or faith,
So shall your love continue long, experience thus he saith.
VIRGINIA. I grant, dear Dame, I do agree,
When time shall so provide;
But tender youth and infancy
Doth rather wish me bide.
What, should I lose Diana’s gift
And eke the spring to shun,
By which Acteon fatally
His final race did run?
Should I as abject be esteemed
Throughout Parnassus hill,
Or should my virgin’s name be filed,
It were too great a skill.
But yet it is unspotted, lo,
Right well I do conceive,
When wedlock doth require the same,
With parents’ love and leave:
Yet obstinate I will not be,
But willing will me yield,
When you command, and not before,
Then duty shall me shield.
VIRGINIUS. Ah gods, that rule and reign in heavens, in seas, in
floods, in lands,
Two couples such, I surely deem, you never made with hands.
Ah gods, why do ye not compel each dame the like to show,
And every imp of her again her duty thus to know?
I cannot stay my tongue from talk, I needs must call my dear.
O spouse, well-met, and daughter too, what news? how do you cheer?
MATER. O dear Virginius, joy to me, O peerless spouse and mate,
In health, I praise the gods, I am, and joyful for thy state.
VIRGINIUS. Virginia, my daughter dear,
How standeth all with thee?
VIRGINIA. Like happy state, as mother told.
VIRGINIUS. Like joyful sight to me.[160]
By the gods, wife, I joy me that have such a treasure,
Such [a] gem and such [a] jewel, surmounting all measure:
Such a happy spouse, such a fortunate dame,
That no blot or stain can impair her fame,
Against such an imp and graff of my tree,
As clear doth surmount all others that be.
MATER. Nay, rather, dear spouse, how much is my case,
To be now advanced by such happy grace,
Doth daily distil: my husband so loving,
Granting and giving to all thing behoving,
Joying in me and in the fruit of my womb:
Who would not requite it, the gods yield their doom,
And if it be I, the gods do destroy me,
Rather than sin so sore should annoy me.
VIRGINIUS. O wife, refell thy wishing for woe,
Myself thy fau’t right well do know:
And rather I wish myself to be slain
Than thou or thy daughter ought woe should sustain.
VIRGINIA. O father, my comfort, O mother, my joy,
O dear and O sovereign, do cease to employ
Such dolorous talking, where dangers are none:
Where joys are attendant, what needeth this moan?
You matron, you spouse, you nurse and you wife,
You comfort, you only the sum of his life:
You husband, you [sweet]heart, you joy, and you pleasure,
You king and you kaiser too, her[161] only treasure:
You father, you mother, my life doth sustain,
I your babe, I your bliss, I your health am again.[162]
Forbear then your dolor, let mirth be frequented,
Let sorrow depart, and not be attempted.
VIRGINIUS. O wife, O spouse, I am content.
MATER. O husband.
VIRGINIA. O father, we do consent.
[_Sing here._
_All sing this._
_The trustiest treasure in earth,[163] as we see,
Is man, wife, and children in one to agree;
Then friendly and kindly let measure be mixed
With reason in season, where friendship is fixed._
VIRGINIUS [_sings_].
_When nature nursed first of all, young Alexander learned,
Of whom the poets mention make, in judgment so discerned,
O, what did want, that love procured, his vital end well near?
This is the hope, where parents love their children, do not fear_,
_All sing this._
_The trustiest treasure in earth, as we see
Is man, wife, and children, &c._
MATER [_sings_].
_What[164] time King Nisus would not let his daughter to be taught,
Of any one correcting hand to virtue[165] to be brought,
She, void of duty, cut his locks and golden tresses clear,
Whereby his realm was overrun, and she was paid her hire._
_All sing this._
_The trustiest treasure in earth, as we see,
Is man, wife, and children, &c._
VIRGINIA [_sings_].
_When Dædalus from Crete did fly
With Icarus his joy.
He nought regarding father’s words,
Did seek his own annoy:
He mounted up into the skies,
Whereat the gods did frown.
And Phœbus sore his wings did fry,
And headlong flings him down._
_All sing this._
_The trustiest treasure in earth, as we see,
Is man, wife, and children, &c._
VIRGINIUS [_sings again_].
_Then sith that partiality doth partly discord move,
And hatred oftentimes doth creep, where overmuch we love;
And if we love no whit at all, the faming trump will sound,
Come, wife, come, spouse, come, daughter dear, let measure bear the
ground._
_All sing this._
_The trustiest treasure in earth, as we see,
Is man, wife, and children in one to agree;
Then friendly and kindly let measure be mixed
With reason in season, where friendship is fixed._
_Exeunt._[166]
_Here entereth_ HAPHAZARD _the Vice_.