  The text of the former 4°, which is, I apprehend, the earlier impression, has been adopted in the present reprint, except where the readings of the other edition have been occasionally preferred, and where obvious typographical errors have been rectified. Every minute particular in which the second 4° differs from the first, I have thought it unnecessary to note. The absurd punctuation and faulty metrical arrangement of the old copy have not been followed; and I must be allowed to add that I have retained the original spelling only in accordance to the decision of the Percy Council.[200] Though Henry Porter was a dramatist of considerable reputation, all his productions, except the copy now reprinted, appear to have utterly perished; and, I believe, the only materials to be found for his biography are the subjoined memoranda in the Diary of Henslowe:[201]— Pd this 23 of Aguste 1597 to Harey Porter to carye to " Lent unto the company the 30 of Maye 1598 to bye a boocke " li Lent unto the company the 18 of Aguste 1598 to bye a Booke " li Lent unto Thomas Dowton the 22 of Desember 1598 to bye a " li Let unto Harey Porter at the request of the company in " earnest of his booke called ij merey women of abington " the some of forty shellings and for the resayte of that " s money he gave me his faythfull promise that I should have " xl alle his bookes which he writte ether him selfe or with " any other which some was dd. the 28th of febreary 1598[-9]. " Lent unto Harey Cheattell the 4 of March 1598[-9] in " s earneste of his boocke which Harey Porter and he is a " x writtinge the some of—called the Spencers. " Lent Harey Porter the 11 of Aprell 1599 the some of " s d Lent Hary Porter the 16 of Aprell 1599 the some of[203] " d Lent Harey Porter the 5 of Maye 1599 the some of " s d Lent Harey Porter the 15 of Maye 1599 the some of " s d Be it knowne unto all men that I Henry Porter do owe unto "The Two Angry Women of Abington" is thus noticed by the late Charles Lamb: "The pleasant comedy from which these extracts are taken is contemporary with some of the earliest of Shakespeare's, and is no whit inferior to either the 'Comedy of Errors' or the 'Taming of the Shrew,' for instance. It is full of business, humour, and merry malice. Its night scenes are peculiarly sprightly and wakeful. The versification unencumbered, and rich with compound epithets."[205] A.D. THE PROLOGUE.Gentlemen, I come to ye like one that lacks and would borrow, but was loth to ask, lest he should be denied: I would ask, but I would ask to obtain; O, would I knew that manner of asking! To beg were base; and to couch low, and to carry an humble show of entreaty, were too dog-like, that fawns on his master to get a bone from his trencher: out, cur! I cannot abide it; to put on the shape and habit of this new world's new-found beggars, mistermed soldiers[206], as thus: "Sweet gentlemen, let a poor scholar implore and exerate that you would make him rich in the possession of a mite of your favours, to keep him a true man in wit, and to pay for his lodging among the Muses! so God him help, he is driven to a most low estate! 'tis not unknown what service of words he hath been at; he lost his limbs in a late conflict of flout; a brave repulse and a hot assault it was, he doth protest, as ever he saw, since he knew what the report of a volley of jests were; he shall therefore desire you"—A plague upon it, each beadle disdained would whip him from your company. Well, gentlemen, I cannot tell how to get your favours better than by desert: then the worse luck, or the worse wit, or somewhat, for I shall not now deserve it. Well, then[207], I commit myself to my fortunes and your contents; contented to die, if your severe judgments shall judge me to be stung to death with the adder's hiss. THE NAMES OF THE SPEAKERS.[208]M[ASTER] GOURSEY. |
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