  In the following references to the text the lines are numbered from the top of the page, including titles, acts, stage directions, &c., but not, of course, the headline or mere 'rules.' Where, as in the lists of Persons Represented, there are double columns, the right-hand column is numbered after the left. It has not been thought necessary to record the correction of every turned letter nor the substitution of marks of interrogation for marks of exclamation and vice-versÂ. Full-stops have been silently inserted at the ends of speeches and each fresh speaker has been given the dignity of a fresh line: in the double-columned folio the speeches are frequently run on. Only misprints of interest in the Quartos and the First Folio are recorded. ADDENDA TO RECORD OF VARIANTS IN VOL. II.THE ELDER BROTHER.
None of the above add anything to the sum of variants, being merely the occurrence of trivial differences (some, undoubted misprints) already recorded in certain Quartos and found to occur in others upon making a collation of a fresh series of Quartos for the purpose of the volumes of notes. They are given here solely to make the record as complete as may be, but it should be stated that some of them are accounted for by the existence of Quartos made up of corrected and uncorrected sheets, i.e. it often happens that not all the copies of a Quarto bearing the same date possess an identical series of sheets. The following are additions to the sum of the variants already recorded, noted in the collation above referred to.
In the Preface to the second volume of the present edition, I used the words 'First Quarto' somewhat loosely to represent indifferently two versions of The Elder Brother both dated 1637, differing very slightly from each other. The phrase has been misunderstood as implying that the editors of this edition were not aware that one of these two Quartos may possibly have been printed a few years later than the other. This is not the case: the opinion, and the evidence adduced in support of it, were known to the editors, but all questions WIT WITHOUT MONEY.
THE FAITHFUL SHEPHERDESS.As in the case of The Elder Brother, copies of Quartos dated the same year differ by reason of the inclusion of corrected and uncorrected sheets. This remark applies to the undated 1609/10 Quartos called here A and B and also to C and the later Quartos, e.g. some copies of C have been seen which read (p. 372, l. 13): and games, and some: and merry games.
None of the above, noticed during a collation of a fresh set of Quartos for the purpose of the notes, add anything to the sum of variants. The following are additions: p. 373, l. 19 of text for staight read [straight]. p. 390, l. 27. A] dapple. l. 36. A] Beates against. p. 401, l. 21. The Quartos print, with variations of roman and italic type, 'Exit. Amaril. Perigot!' The right reading is probably to regard the last word as Amaryllis's cry for Perigot. By being printed on the same line as the conclusion of Perigot's speech, the two names were printed in the Second Folio as though part of the stage direction. p. 421, l. 36. A and B] so strange. p. 423, l. 8. F] the Cradle. p. 427, l. 7. A-D] women. p. 430, l. 22. A-C] thee, there will bide. p. 442, l. 26. F] labouring spring. p. 519, l. 18. D and F] morality. Since the textual notes in Vol. II were written, the present Editor has seen copies of the undated First Quarto A which do not contain the preliminary verses and address on pp. 521 (2 items) and 522 (2 items). RULE A WIFE, AND HAVE A WIFE.Vol. III. pp. 460 and 461. The following addenda were printed on a slip and affixed as indicated above. They are repeated here in case the slip should become detached.
NOTES TO VOL. IV.THE TRAGEDY OF VALENTINIAN.A = First Folio. B = Second Folio. The following variants are in A unless where otherwise stated.
MONSIEUR THOMAS.B = Second Folio. The title-page of the Quarto of 1639 (= A) runs as follows: Monsieur " Thomas. A Comedy. " Acted at the Private House in " Blacke Fryers. " The Author, " John Fletcher, " Gent. " London, " Printed by Thomas Harper, for John Waterson, and are " to be sold at his shop in Pauls Church-yard," at the signe of the Crowne: " 1639. This Quarto is sometimes met with under the title of Fathers own Son. The title-page is followed in the Quarto by these verses and Richard Brome's letter (see ante, p. 174). In prayse of the Authour, and his following Poeme. 'Tis both the life of Action and of wit, When Actors so the fanci'd humours hit, As if 'twixt them and th' Authour there were strife How each to other should give mutuall life. The last this wanted not. Invention strayes Here in full many pleasant turning wayes, That like Meanders their curld circles bend, Yet in a smooth streame runne to crowne the end. Then 'tis authoriz'd by the Authors name; Who never writ but with such sprightly flame, As if the Muses jointly did inspire, His raptures only with their sacred fire. And yet perhaps it did participate At first presenting but of common fate; When ignorance was judge, and but a few What was legitimate, what bastard, knew. The world's growne wiser now: each man can say If Fletcher made it 'tis an exc'lent play. Thus Poemes like their Authors may be sed, Never to live 'till they have first beene dead. Rich. Brome. As neither the Folio nor the Quarto give the dramatis personÆ, I print a list of the characters here. DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. MONSIEUR THOMAS.
The variants below are those of A unless otherwise noted.
THE CHANCES.A = First Folio. B = Second Folio. The variants below are those of A unless where otherwise stated.
THE BLOODY BROTHER.A = The " Bloody " Brother. " A Tragedy. " By B. J. F. " London, " Printed by R. Bishop, for Thomas Allott, and John Crook, " and are to be sold in Pauls Churchyard, at the signe " of the Greyhound 1639. " B = The Tragedy of " Rollo " Duke of Normandy. " Acted by his " Majesties Servants. " Written by " John Fletcher " Gent. " Oxford, " Printed by Leonard Lichfield " Printer to the University. " Anno 1640. " C = The Second Folio. Here again copies dated the same year differ in their readings. Three copies of the 1639 Quarto have been collated to supply the readings given below, and three copies also of the 1640 Quarto. As the verse arrangements differ considerably in A and B I have given those which are of value in B. p. 246, ll. 1-6. B] The Tragoedy of Rollo Duke of Normandy. ll. 3 and 4. A omits these two lines. l. 7. A] Drammatis PersonÆ. l. 22. A] L'Fisk. l. 23. A and C] Rufee. l. 35. A omits] Women and places Lords to Boyes after Edith. The Persons Represented are given differently in B, wherein they read as follows on a page facing the beginning of the play.
'The drinking Song, to the second Act' (see p. 263), is given in A on the verso of the page containing the Dramatis PersonÆ. l. 42. B omits] Sir. l. 44 etc. B reads] continuing as though spoken still by Gisb. and omitting Bald. in l. 3, p. 247. p. 247, l. 2. A adds] Baldwin after it and continues as above. After l. 9. B adds] To heave them up, and these are too well practis'd. l. 11. B] rest to good men proves. l. 12. B adds char.] Bald. before And in etc. A agrees here with C. See above. l. 18. B] And did. l. 20. A] brother. l. 38. C misprints] aud. p. 248, After l. 3 B adds] Scena 2. Gisbert, Baldwin, Granpree, Verdon. l. 5. B] eldest. l. 6. B omits] lads. l. 10. B for your reads] the. l. 13. B] hemp. l. 14. B] shall plead. B adds following line] Where it shall be concluded, after twelve. l. 31. A] Saulz. B] souse. l. 35. B] all that I. l. 36. B] there's. l. 38. A omits char.] Gis. p. 249, l. 1. B] which wants. l. 2. B] doe you. After l. 16. B adds] Scena 3. l. 32. B omits] too. l. 34. B for Manent reads] omnes praeter. l. 35. B] ever. l. 37. B] such roots. p. 250, Before l. 1. B adds] Scena 4. l. 1. B omits Enter to them and reads] Aubrey, Gisbert, Baldwin. l. 3. B] That are. l. 6. B] arme. l. 13. B] death to be a. l. 14. B] of his. l. 19. B omits] a. l. 24. B] be. l. 25. B] in me. l. 33. B] the. l. 35. B] see those. l. 39. B] any act. p. 251, l. 6. B after in reads here instead of below] Scena 5. Rollo, Latorch, Trevile, Granpree, Otto, Verdon, Duprete, Gisbert, Baldwin, Aubrey and gives See't confirmd, etc. to Gisb. l. 11. A] whom. l. 25. B] I need it not, and would. l. 28. B] threatning. l. 30. B] then a. l 33. B] oath ... is. l. 38. B ends the line with] Nor I. p. 252, l. 1. B] see it. l. 10. B] the ... law. l. 11. B] them as I. l 13. B] them then now. l. 15. B] and then. l. 21. B ends lines at] grant and out. l. 22. B] To assure innocence. l. 29. B] Such have. l 34. B] my. l. 35. A and B] injustice. l. 40. A and B] At his so. p. 253, l. 1. B] merit. ll. 8, 9 and 12. B ends at] live, happy, misery, allegeance, mee. l. 9. B] misery. l. 10. B omits] He. l. 12. B] respect. l. 13. B] stare ons. l. 14. B] man fencers. l. 33. A and B omit] only. l. 38. B] Scaena 6. Sophia, Rollo, Otto and the rest. l 39. B] these. p. 254, l. 8. B] obay hers. l. 9. B] those. l. 15. B] wracks. l. 16. B] danger's. l. 17. B] And must. l. 21. B] Are in. l 23. B] are innocent. l. 29. B ends 2 ll.] Syllable, power. p. 255, l. 4. B] Takes the authority. l. 24. C] that. l. 37. B] safety not my owne. p. 256, l. 6. B] 'tis still. l. 13. B] Whither you can have. l. 15. B ends 2 ll.] desire, keep. l. 23. B] then so to. l. 26. B] which heard my prayers. l. 29. B omits] that. l. 30. B] That gave. p. 257, l. 8. B] but ev'n now. l. 18. A and B] presidents. l. 19. B] worst act. l. 21. B] The Scene of. l. 25. B] starre. l. 26. B] a hundred. l. 32. B] throw down their. l. 33. B ends 2 ll.] joy, eyes. p. 258, ll. 7 and 8. B adds after ones] Soph. Supported thus I am secure O sonnes, This is your Mothers triumph. Exeunt omnes praet. Granpre, Verdon, Trevile, Dupr. Rollo. You deserve it. l. 9. B] hop'd for. ll. 18 and 19. B] ... of fraile thoughts All friends, etc. l. 21. B] Defer till apter. l. 24. B] and that's. l. 29. B omits] Actus ... Prima. l. 32. B ends 2 ll.] doe, ease. l. 36. B] it selfe. p. 259, l. 4. B] soyling. l. 9. B] of prayer. l. 15. B] you are. l. 22. B] of our. l. 29. B] hath. l. 31. B] kisses, kisses a. l. 38. B] Are like. l. 39. B] The breath. p. 260, l. 2. B] So jarres circling in distrusts, distrusts pull down dangers. l. 4. B] them but the Showers. l. 6. B] peece. A] patch. l. 8. B] he tumbles. l. 13. B] disturb him. Omits his peace. l. 15. B] upon you by your. l. 17. B] couch'd Lyon. l. 20. B omits] when. l. 24. B] A teare. l. 25. B] Tasting the bloud ... full spirits. l. 29. B omits] such a curb. l. 30. B omits] To. B] puddle. l. 37. B] yee. p. 261, l. 3. B] a peeces. l. 8. B] you are. l. 27. B] friendship. l. 34. B] 'em. p. 262, l. 4. B omits the third] day. l. 6. B] Body a me I am dry. ll. 8 and 9. B ends 2 ll.] master, eating. l. 11. A and B] ballasse. l. 14. B] Peuh. l. 15. B] yee. l. 16. B] Come sculing. l. 17. B] yee. l. 24. B] maribones. l. 25. B] ye. l. 26. B] plumbes before 'em. l. 27. B] Arion on a dolphin. l. 32. B] ye. l. 34. B] And then sit. l. 36. B] ye. p. 263, l. 7. B] Altar heere. l. 10. B] wine in. l. 14. B] paste. l. 16. B] it may. l. 18. B omits] drinking. A adds] They sing and gives the song at the beginning of the play, not here. l. 30. B adds] Finis. l. 36. B] choine. l. 37. B] jole. p. 264, l. 2. B] And see and yee ... into. l. 3. B] mercy dad. l. 7. B] newes within? Lator. Save ye, Save ye maister, save ye Gentlemen. l. 11. B] yee. l. 14. B] This daies. l. 17. B] Bring 'em. p. 265, l. 2. B] th' masse. l. 3. B] Hee'l. l. 4. B] doe friends. l. 6. B] ye ... yee. l. 9. B] Pray be. l. 11. B] neither fire. l. 21. C] Pardon's. B] Good god. l. 23. A, some copies, omits stage direction. l. 26. A, some copies] I imagine. l. 30. B] taste 'em. l. 32. B] pay ye. l. 33. B omits] up. l. 34. B] yee. l. 35. B] ye. l. 39. Some copies of A omit the second] by you. l. 40. B] ye have. p. 266, l. 1. B] yee ... ye ... ye. l. 3. B omits] your. l. 8. B] ye are. l. 10. A, some copies, reads] All: all: all omitting All as char. B for All char. reads] Omn. l. 15. B] ye. l. 18. B] we dare. l. 19. B] drawd. l. 21. B] shall I. ll. 21-4. B ends ll. as verse] too, rewarded, master, too. l. 22. B omits] yet. l. 25. B divides the line after 'twere done. l. 29. A and C omit] Yeo. (char.). Some copies of A read] to still. l. 36. B] ye. l. 37. B] stands. l. 39. B] podrilla. p. 267, l. 3. B] ye. After l. 3 B adds] Or in a galingale a little does it. l. 7. B adds] Yeo. sel (char.) at beginning of line. l. 10. B] I never. l. 12. B] yee. l. 16. B] o' my knowledge ... ye. l. 19. B] Shewer. l. 24. B] those papers. l. 27. B] Ho boyes and banquet. l. 29. C] Gispert. l. 30. B] Hamon. B. omits] Edith. l. 33. B] for you. p. 268, l. 5. B] yee. l. 10. A, some copies] furnish. l. 13. B] bower of. l. 18. Some copies of A omit this line. l. 22. B] my sweet son. l. 23. B] ye. l. 26. B ends 2 ll.] brother, eate. p. 269, ll. 1-3. B omits these ll. l. 5. B] your feaver. l. 7. B] and my. l. 9. B] from such. l. 11. B] his full. l. 12. B] here with base. B after l. 19 adds a line] Indeed your loving brother. l. 26. B] hee's maymde. l. 30. B] and feares. p. 270, l. 7. C] togue. l. 13. B] you have. l. 18. B] all future. l. 21. B] ye. l. 22. B] upon your. l. 23. B] yee and, after stage direction, adds line] Soph. Doe you now perceive your brothers sweetnesse? l. 33. B omits this line. l. 34. B] ye. l. 36. B] move backward. l. 37. B] Yee. p. 271, l. 6. B] That's. l. 12. B] your selfe up. l. 16. B adds stage direction] A Stoole set out. l. 22. C] Sob. (char.). l. 24. B] tis. l. 26. B] affection. l. 30. B] bonds. l. 31. B] to falshood ever. p. 272, l. 3. B] of him. l. 19. B] of all syncerenesse. l. 24. B] His open. l. 25. B omits] Which he. p. 273, l. 1. B] puffe of. l. 4. B omits] readiest. l. 5. B] gainst. l. 6. B] strow. l. 7. B] 'tis. l. 8. B] to encounter ill for ill. l. 21. B] those. l. 22. B] And sit above. ll. 26 and 27. B ends 4 ll.] arm'd, confidence, rage, monster. p. 274, l. 3. B divides the line at me. B] put off. l. 5. B] the spoile. l. 18. B divides the line at Latorch. l. 21. C] your. B divides the line at Ha. l. 31. B divides the line at dead. l. 35. B] To bloudy ore. l. 38. B] or powers. p. 275, l. 2. B] 'ith. l. 11. B] teach this. l. 12. B] Counsellour. l. 21. B] no ground. l. 28. B] mischiefe. l. 32. B] are both dull. l. 36. B] Power lives. l. 38. B] 'sleft halfe. l. 39. B] these. p. 276, l. 4. B] Complaining the. l. 6. B] I shall my Lord. l. 8. B] Rise. l. 16. B] in your. l. 20. B divides the line at addition. l. 22. B] nor your. l. 30. B divides the line at mad. l. 33. B adds stage direction] He disarms him. p. 277, l. 5. A] Survives. l. 10. Some copies of A for with read] which. l. 13. B divides the line at well. l. 22. B] ist. l. 24. B] rais'd me. A] raise. l. 28. B omits] that. l. 34. B] T' excuse. p. 278, l. 1. B divides the line after the first him. l. 4. A] do thy. l. 9. B omits this line. l. 18. B adds] Exit. l. 24. B divides the line at death. l. 29. B divides the line at excuse. l. 35. B divides the line at Citizens. l. 36. A and B] perswasions. l. 40. B omits] here's. p. 279, l. 2. B for Sir reads] my Lord. l. 3. A] vildely. l. 12. B divides the line at Duke. l. 31. B omits] few. l. 35. B adds Sir after the second mercy. l. 39. B] seize mee. p. 280, l. 4. B] ye. l. 6. B] ye. After l. 6 B adds line] The Prince forgets his fury, why doe ye tug him? l. 7. B] ye. l. 15. B omits] that. l. 18. A and B for Nay read] No. l. 24. B] stand up thus. l. 39. B] howlings. p. 281, ll. 3, 5. B omits] And. l. 4. B] I came too. l. 8. B] high heaven. l. 16. B] Enter the Citizens. l. 22. B] be lov'd. l. 26. A and B] makes them. B] made mee. l. 27. B] preserv'd mee. l. 29. B] childrens goods. l. 30. B] prey to. l. 35. B] The Curtian Gulfe. p. 282, l. 1. B] that beare. l. 6. B] mine owne. l. 8. A] my own. l. 15. A and B] rest. l. 18. B] oblivions. l. 20. B] For you. l. 24. B] Kinsman. l. 25. A] you. l. 26. A and B] Empery. l. 32. B] the seat. l. 40. B] yee. p. 283, l. 4. B] ope them. l. 7. B] Cast off what. l. 21. B] bow't ye. l. 32. B omits the line] Scene II. l. 34. B here and often elsewhere] Yeo. Seller. B] and Pantler. l. 35. B omits] in. A] them. l. 36. B] afore there, Roome there for. l. 37. B] afore ... get no place. p. 284, l. 3. B] The'rle. l. 5. B divides the line at Sir. l. 6. B] ift please you. l. 10. B divides the line at boyes. B] Here's e'en enough. l. 11. A and B] Pox. l. 14. A and B] heare Sir? l. 20. B] you sheep Pantler, You peaching rogue. A] peaching. l. 23. A and B] Pray. l. 24. B] Good goodman. l. 30. A comma has been substituted for a full stop after praying. l. 34. A and B] pox. l. 35. B omits] if. l. 36. B] yee. l. 37. B] leave too. This. A] leave to, l. 39. B] Ballad. p. 285, l. 2. B] penny-pot-Poets. l. 3. B] hang men ever. l. 6. B] yee. l. 7. B] and dispatch. l. 9. B] never. l. 10. B] chose. l. 11. B] They sing. l. 12. C] Forune's. l. 16. B] But this. B omits] still. l. 20. B] As e're did sing three parts in a string, All under the triple tree. ll. 21 and 35. B omits] II. and III. ll. 22 and 23. B prints these as one line. ll. 24 and 25. B prints these as one line. l. 37. B] Taylor had a stitch in. p. 286, l. 1. B divides this line at man. l. 2. B divides this line at can. l. 4. Should come my selfe for to. ll. 6-9. B prints these after the next song. l. 6. B] for ye now and divides following lines thus. Farewell ... not Be printed ... head. B adds] Exeunt. ll. 10 and 11. B omits] IV. and Pant. l. 12. B] wears. l. 15. B] That am thus chipt because I clipt. After l. 18 B adds] Three merry boyes, &c. l. 21. B] to speake to you. l. 22. B and some copies of A] leggs. l. 34. B] it is. p. 287, l. 2. B] state. l. 3. B] are faire. l. 4. B] that gin. l. 8. B] nobles on't. ll. 9-13. B divides thus] block, to, themselves, service, hold, maister. l. 9. B] them. l. 11. B] If you. l. 13. B] And to the. l. 14. B omits] so. l. 15. B] Their ayery fears ... 'em. ll. 15-17. B divides thus] 'em, sound, state. l. 22. A comma has been taken away after Do. B] gainst. l. 24. B divides the line after whosoever. B] o' the. l. 25. B divides the line after so. l. 26. B divides the line after heare. l. 27. B divides the line after you. l. 28. B divides the line after hearts. l. 30. B] o'th. l. 35. B] dar'st thou. l. 37. B] the scale. l. 39. B] thine. p. 288, l. 1. B] durst ... thought. l. 9. B] neither he can. l. 11. B] whil'st. l. 14. B] unto. l. 26. A and B] a spatious. l. 33. B] in a. l. 35. B divides the line after not. l. 37. B] 'em. p. 289, l. 1. B divides the line after brother. l. 2. B divides the line after brother. l. 3. B divides the line after mee. l. 5. B] To upbraid ... I am falne. l. 8. A and B] pray. l. 9. B] the headsman. l. 13. B divides the line after buriall. l. 19. A and B] for so sleight. B] clauses. l. 20. B] Hath still. l. 24. B omits] some. l. 25. B] kills. ll. 25 and 26. B gives back Master to the previous line. l. 29. B] here's. l. 34. B] And do not. l. 36. B] let 'em. l. 37. B] You make. p. 290, l. 5. B] th' unsavorie. l. 10. B] affrights they are no ties. l. 11. B] 'gin. l. 13. B divides the line after hope. l. 17. B] no word more. ll. 18 and 19. B divides thus] then, safety, truth, and reads I am ... There is ... blocked up against the. l. 20. B] I doe thank. l. 21. B divides the line after what. l. 22. B] I will so, I assure. l. 23. B] Exeunt omnes praeter Rollo, and Latorch. l. 24. B divides the line after Latorch. l. 25. B divides the line after manners. l. 28. B divides the line after life. l. 30. B] would, he is so. l. 32. B] and he is. l. 35. B] besides. l. 37. B] us so possess. l. 40. A omits] at. A, some copies, reads set for] felt. p. 291, l. 1. A] shaft. l. 12. B omits] wish. l. 14. B] be ... [dots in original, i.e. omits Secretary] of your delight. l. 16. A] travailes. l. 29. B divides the line after me. l. 34. B] blanck figures. l. 37. B] else Sir offer at. l. 40. B] Another Gentleman. p. 292, l. 10. B] compacted. l. 12. B] Automicon. l. 13. B] stooles. l. 19. B] we read there, that Hiarbaes. l. 21. B] wait at the. l. 23. B] wooden Dove. l. 25. B] All these were done Sir by. l. 27. B] your own sphere. l. 28. B] with you ... beleeve you. l. 31. B] know't. l. 35. B omits] still. B adds line] And accurate forth from them. p. 293, l. 2. A] Norbert. l. 4. B] Mine. l. 5. B] Whats that. l. 8. A] thee tooke. l. 13. B] cannot. After l. 18 B adds line] I cannot heare your beads knack. l. 23. B] That you. l. 25. B] best on's. l. 32. B] send in a. l. 33. B] o' th. l. 34. B] one of his Boles. p. 294, l. 4. A] Souz. B] souse ... yee ... yee. ll. 8 and 9. B] o' your. l. 11. B] bird cal'd. l. 13. B] Element. l. 23. B omits] e're. l. 26. B] I' th. l. 28. B] crispt. l. 37. B] O' your. l. 40. B] on us. p. 295, l. 1. A] wrists. l. 2. B] you ha' none. l. 3. B] who's. ll. 2-4. B reads stage direction] Bells Ring within. " Exit Pip. and enter " againe. l. 8. B omits stage direction. l. 10. B] towards. l. 13. B] T'his. l. 14. B] visour. l. 15. B] Enter Latorch and Hamond. l. 17. B gives Business to the previous line. l. 18. B] i'th. B omits] Exit. l. 21. B] I am. l. 23. B] La Bube. l. 32. A] minutes. l. 33. B] Pray them they will. l. 35. B] heere, heere in a. l. 36. B] fitt' illuminate. p. 296, l. 2. B omits this line. l. 7. C] neglient. l. 11. B] As may well free 'em. l. 13. B divides the line after Gentlemen. l. 14. B divides the line after hour. l. 20. B] those. l. 22. B] late his. l. 30. B divides the line at is. l. 34. C] Bud. l. 35. B divides the line after then. B and C] intreat, it be. l. 36. B] Ha' you. l. 38. B divides the line after Sir. p. 297, l. 1. B divides the line after Marry. l. 8. B] these studies. l. 9. B] was imitated. l. 12. B omits] to. l. 14. B omits this line. l. 15. B omits] him. l. 19. B divides the line after Familiars. l. 25. B divides the line after true. l. 28. B omits] a. l. 30. B divides the line after I. l. 34. A omits] a. l. 35. B] these, this. l. 36. C] Norbert. l. 37. B] your. l. 38. B] see 't. p. 298. After l. 3 B adds line] At twenty one degrees the latitude. l. 7. B] see 't. l. 8. B] they are. l. 9. B omits] in. l. 10. A] Fortune. B] fortuna. l. 11. A] twelve. B] twelfe. l. 13. B] i' the fift. l. 15. B] the ascendant. l. 16. B] That joint. l. 17. B] Imum ... exultation. C] Juniu. l. 18. B] Ith'. l. 20. A and B] Almuter. l. 21. B] genitures. l. 23. B] Nasahales, Laell. l. 25. B] o' th. l. 32. A] 'is the. B] Alchocoden. l. 37. B] i' th. l. 38. B] ha told. l. 40. A and B] partly. p. 299, l. 3. B] hilage. l. 5. B] you will. l. 7. B omits] in. l. 9. A and B] Algell. l. 14. B] Alchocoden. l. 30. B] tells not us. l. 31. B] That's. l. 38. B] of bloud. l. 40. A and B] Fart. B divides the line after reverence. p. 300, l. 7. B] He's. l. 16. B] you shall. l. 18. B] inth'. l. 21. B] there not wait your. A] your. C] you. l. 22. B] on't. l. 24. B omits the line] Scene III. l. 25. A and B omit] and. p. 301, l. 4. C omits] be. l. 5. B] fame. l. 10. B] but for th'. l. 16. A] partiall. l. 25. B] thine. l. 28. B omits] Sophia. l. 40. B] have ... now they are. p. 302, l. 1. C] desire? l. 5. B] he were fit. l. 11. B] t' hast. l. 13. B] Th' admittance. l. 15. B] leave too. l. 20. B] mine ... with an attracted. l. 23. A and B] Affects thou. l. 24. B] Mine. l. 27. B] They're ... me mine. l. 31. B] worthlesse. l. 36. B] 'Tis. p. 303, l. 4. B gives But to the previous line. l. 8. B] th' encounters. l. 22. B] thing that runnes. l. 39. B] Rhoane. p. 304, l. 1. B omits this line. l. 3. B] them. l. 8. B] the house. l. 19. B omits this line. l. 22. B] the letters. l. 26. B] nor. l. 29. B] to it. p. 305, l. 6. B omits this line and proceeds with Aub.'s speech Tis etc. l. 11. B divides the line after first. l. 18. B] for his hate. l. 25. B] base and dye, so sir your pardon. l. 28. B omits] a. l. 36. B] know. l. 37. A] do's not know. B] doe not know. C] does know. l. 39. B] where he is. p. 306, l. 2. B] in my. l. 5. B] in stormes. l. 17. B omits the line] Scene II. l. 18. B] and a boy. A banquet set out. l. 19. B] the ruine. l. 23. A and B] cloud. p. 307, l. 4. B] The Song. l. 9. A, some copies] being again. l. 12. B] bosome bears. l. 14. B] Are yet of. l. 16. A] Ioy chaines some copies read gay. B] Icy chaines. l. 19. A] Ha's. B] comfort thee. l. 34. B] she got thee. l. 35. B] hath prickt. l. 37. B] th' Arabian. p. 308, l. 8. B] any thing, and any thing. l. 9. B] direction. l. 10. B] whilst. l. 12. B] Has. l. 22. B] thee, and yet there is. l. 28. B] They are. l. 32. B omits] I. l. 33. A and B] mischiefe. l. 34. B] mens. l. 35. A] sorrowes, made. B] sorrowes minde ... thou learne. l. 40. B omits this line. p. 309, l. 9. A] upon one. l. 10. B] doe thou not. l. 15. B] and blesse me. l. 20. A] ha's. l. 22. B] doore. l. 25. B begins Rollo's speech with I have etc. l. 32. B divides the line after the first Pray. p. 310, l. 3. B divides the line after No. l. 8. A] ha's. B] ha thee. ll. 12-15. B divides these lines after not, villain, not, Him. l. 19. B] I am. l. 20. A] ha's. l. 21. B divides the line at Captain. l. 24. B] comes. l. 26. B] wilt thou. l. 31. A and B] soules. l. 38. A] ha's. l. 39. B divides the line at No. l. 40. B] yee. B for within reads stage direction Sophia, Matilda, Aubrey, and Lords at the doore. p. 311, l. 1. B] Yee. l. 2. B] make my way. l. 5. B] let 'em. l. 14. B] May honour. l. 20. C] sacrifie. l. 22. B] mine eyes. l. 23. B] ev'n. l. 26. B] I will. l. 36. B] I am ... then, for though. l. 38. B] Cloyster presently carry. p. 312, l. 1. B] faint revenges. l. 6. B] That's. l. 11. B] Should suffer himselfe to be. l. 13. B] mouth's. l. 14. B] on yee. l. 17. B] bent. l. 19. B] crowded too. l. 23. B] Ha dead? my. l. 26. B] Lator. O my fortune, " My maister dead. l. 29. B] mischiefes. l. 35. B] twenty foot. l. 36. B] Lator. Mercy, mercy, 'tis too late fool. Exit Lator. Aub.'s speech beginning with Such and the stage direction at the end of l. 38 being omitted. l. 39. B] peeping knaves are those. p. 313, l. 2. B] And it like your. ll. 2 and 5. B divides the lines at Mathematicians and Sir. l. 3. B] ye. l. 7. B] yee. l. 9. B] whip 'em. l. 17. B] 'em and omits the stage direction. l. 18. B adds stage direction] Exeunt Juglers. ll. 27 and 28. B divides the lines at yee (= you) and mee. l. 30. B] service. l. 32. B omits] is. l. 33. B] W'are ... that honour. Omits Sir. l. 38. B] Goe sadly. l. 39. B adds] Exeunt. l. 40. B adds] Florish. A and B add] Finis. THE WILD-GOOSE CHASE.This comedy is referred to in the Stationer's address 'to the Readers' in the First Folio (see Vol. I, present edition, p. xiii) as having 'beene long lost.' It was published separately in folio in 1652 and is often bound up with copies of the Folios. The title-page of the 1652 edition runs as follows: The " Wild-Goose Chase. " A " Comedie. " As it hath been Acted with singular " Applause at the Black-Friers: " Being the Noble, Last, and Onely Remaines " of those Incomparable Drammatists, " Francis Beaumont, and John Fletcher, Gent. " Retriv'd for the publick delight of all the Ingenious; " And private Benefit " Of John Lowin, And Joseph Taylor, Servants to His late Majestie. " By a Person of Honour. " Ite bonis avibus—" London, Printed for Humpherey Moseley, and are to be " sold at the Princes Armes in St. Paules " Church-yard. 1652. The Dedication and preliminary verses that follow are from the edition of 1652: they were omitted in the Second Folio. In the following variations A = 1652 and B = the Second Folio. THE DEDICATION. To the Honour'd, Few, Lovers of Drammatick Poesie. Noble Spirits! It will seem strange to you that we should beg a Pardon from you before you know a Crime committed; But such is our harsh Fate, that we shall want as much of your Mercie to the forgiving of this sad presumption of offering to your view these few poor sheets, the Rich Remains of our too-long-since lost Friend, Mr FLETCHER, as we shall your favourable Acceptance, and Incouragement in it. The Play was of so Generall a receiv'd Acceptance, that (he Himself a Spectator) we have known him un-concern'd, and to have wisht it had been none of His; He, as well as the throng'd Theatre (in despight of his innate Modesty) Applauding this rare issue of his Brain. His Complacencie in his own Work, may be, perhaps no Argument to you of the Goodness of the Play, any more than our Confidence of it; and we do not expect our Encomium can do any thing with you, when the Play it self is so near: That will commend it self unto you. And now Farewell our Glory! Farewell your Choice Delight, most noble Gentlemen! Farewell th' Grand Wheel that set Us smaller Motions in Action! Farewell the Pride and Life o' th' Stage! Nor can we (though in our Ruin) much repine that we are so little, since He that gave us being is no more. Generous Soules! 'Tis not unknown unto you All, how by a cruell Destinie we have a long time been Mutes and Bound, although our Miseries have been sufficiently Clamorous and Expanded, yet till this happy opportunitie, never durst vex your open Ears and Hands: But this we're confident of will be the surest Argument for your Noblesses. What an Ingenious Person of Qualitie once spake of his Amours, we apply to our necessities, Silence in Love betrays more Wo Than Words, though ne'r so Wittie: The Beggar that is DUMB, you know, Deserves a DOUBLE PITTIE. But be the Comoedie at your Mercy as We are. Onely we wish, that you may have the same Kind Joy in Perusing of it, as we had in the Acting. So Exeunt On the best, last, and only I' Mun-o'reclowded too! Clear from the Mist! The blind and late Heaven's Ey's Great Oculist Obscur'd with the False Fiers of his Sceme Not halfe those Souls are Lightned by this Theme. Unhappy Murmurers that still repine (After th' Eclipse our Sunne doth brighter shine) Recant your False Grief and your True joyes knowe, Your Bliss is Endles as you fear'd your Woe! What Fort'nate Flood is this? what storm of Witt? Oh who would live and not orewhelm'd in it? No more a Fatall Diluge shall be hurl'd, This Inundation hath sav'd the World. Once more the Mighty FLETCHER doth arise Roab'd in a Vest, Studded with Starrs and Eyes Of all his former Glories; His last Worth Imbroydered with what yet Light e're brought forth. See! in this glad Farewell he doth appeare Stuck with the Constellations of his Sphere, Fearing we num'd fear'd no Flagration Hath curled all his Fyres in this one ONE, Which (as they guard his hallowed Chast Urn) The dull approaching Hereticks do burn. FLETCHER at his Adieu Carouses thus To the Luxurious Ingenious. A Cleopatra did of Old out-vie Th' un-numbred dishes of her Anthonie When (He at th' emptie Board a Wonderer) Smiling shee call's for Pearl and Vineger; First pledges Him in's Breath, then at one Draught Swallowes Three Kingdomes off to His best Thought. Hear Oh ye Valiant Writers and subscribe! (His Force set by) y'are Conquer'd by this Bribe; Though you Hold out your selves, He doth commit In this a Sacred Treason on your Witt; Give up; This Overture must buy you out. Thus with some Prodigall Us'rer 't doth fare That keepes his Gold still veyl'd, his steel-breast bare, That doth exclude his Coffers all but's Eye And his Ey's Idoll the Wing'd Deitie; That cannot lock his Mines with half the Art As some Rich Beauty doth his wretched heart: Wild at his reall Poverty, and so wise To winne her, turnes Himselfe into a Prise. First startles Her with th' Emerald-Mad-lover The Rubie-Arcas; lest shee should recover Her das'led Thought a Diamond He throwes Splendid in all the bright Aspatia's woes; Then to summe up the Abstract of his store He flings a Rope of Pearl of Forty more. Ah see! the stag'ring Vertue faints! which He Beholding, darts his Wealth's Epitome, And now to Consumate her wished Fall Shewes this one Carbuncle that darkens All. Richard Lovelace. ON Mr. FLETCHERS excellent Play, THE WILD-GOOSE CHASE. Me thinkes I see thy angred ashes rise FLETCHER; I feel them smarting in my eyes. Methinks thou sayst what would this rimer have He raises me, yet gives my fame a grave? Me thinkes (like that Old Moralist's Complaint What ill of mine has gain'd this ill mans prayse?) I hear thee say, sure this Play has some taint That this ill Poet gives his withered bayes? Perhaps this good Philosophers life began To make the ill man good; As in a man To love the good's a step to being so, Love to thy Muse may be to me so too; Then I shall know how to commend thy Muse When her own self the prayses shall infuse: Till then I must sit down, confess the wonder, 'Bove which I cannot go, and, won't go under. But where's the prayse (you'l say) to FLETCHERS wit? I would ha giv'n but had no Offering fit. Then let these lines be thought to FLETCHERS Muse Not an Encomium, but an Excuse. NORREYS JEPHSON. An Epigram upon the long lost and fortunately recovered WILD-GOOSE CHASE, and as seasonably bestowed on Mr. JOHN LOWEN and Mr. JOSEPH TAYLOR, for their best advantage. In this late dearth of wit, when Jose and Jack Were hunger-bit for want of fowl and Sack, His nobleness found out this happy meanes To mend their dyet with these WILD-GOOSE scenes, By which he hath revived in a day Two Poets, and two Actors with one Play. W. E. To the incomparable Mr. FLETCHER, upon his excellent Play, The WILD-GOOSE CHASE. Sole Soul of Drammas, thou who only art Whole in the whole, and whole in ev'ry Part. Thy fury every scene with spirit warmes, And that same spirit every line informes. No Commas ly intranc'd, and rise up sense Three, four lines off, such is thy Influence. Thy woords are all alive; and thou ne're writ Things to come to themselves, nor Types of Wit, All lives, and is fulfill'd. And for thy Plot When ere we read we have, and have it not, And glad to be deceiv'd, finding thy Drift T' excell our guess at every turn, and shift. Some new Meanders still do put us out, Yet find that nearest what we thought about. Through all Intriqu's we are securely lead, And all the way we pass w'ave hold 'oth' thread, Which a long while we feel not, till thy Close Winding the Bottom up the Bottom showes. H. Harington. On Mr. FLETCHERS Wild-Goose Chase recovered. This sprightly Posthume, whom our pious fear Bewail'd as if it an abortive were (And out of sense of that, no gen'rous breast But a forsaken lover's grief exprest) Hath forc'd his way thorough the pangs of Fate, And in his infancy's at mans estate. Thus that Fam'd flood that's plung'd into a grave For many leagues, at length exalts his wave; Leapes from his Sepulcher, and proudly slides Through's banks in deeper, more expanded tides; Till to his watry Center he hath got By wrigling twines, subtile as FLETCHER'S plot. That 'tis a sacred birth from hence we know, It doth by buriall more glorious grow: Is Martyr'd, but's opprest into a throne. There reign he to Time's end! while we from this, Doe calculate his Apotheosis. James Ramsey.
Instead of the Actors' names being given in a list separately, they follow the names and descriptions of the characters, thus: End of Vol. IV. CAMBRIDGE: PRINTED BY JOHN CLAY, M.A. AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS. |
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