A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Vii Part 44

As it was lately playde by the right Honorable the Earle of Nottingham, Lord high Admirall, his seruants. By Henry Porter Gent. Imprinted at London for Ioseph Hunt, and William Ferbrand, and are to be solde at the Corner of Colman-streete, neere Loathburie_. 1599. 4.

Another 4, printed for Ferbrand alone, was published during the same year.--_Dyce_.

[DYCE'S PREFACE.][199]

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 T. Nashe now at this tyme in the fflete for wrytinge of s _the eylle of Dogges_ ten sh.e.l.linges to bee paide agen to x me when he canne I say ten shillinges

Lent unto the company the 30 of Maye 1598 to bye a boocke li [202] called _Love prevented_ the some of fower powndes dd. iiij to Thomas Dowton, Mr Porter

Lent unto the company the 18 of Aguste 1598 to bye a Booke li called _Hoote Anger sone cowld_ of Mr Porter, Mr Cheattell vj and bengemen Johnson in full payment, the some of

Lent unto Thomas Dowton the 22 of Desember 1598 to bye a li boocke of Harey Porter called _the 2 pte of the 2 angrey_ v _Wemen of Abengton_

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 sh.e.l.lings 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 ii vj

Lent Hary Porter the 16 of Aprell 1599 the some of[203] d xij

Lent Harey Porter the 5 of Maye 1599 the some of s d ii vj

Lent Harey Porter the 15 of Maye 1599 the some of s d ii vj

Be it knowne unto all men that I Henry Porter do owe unto Phillip Henchlowe the some of x's of lawfull money of England which I did borrowe of hym the 26 of Maye a'o. dom.

1599 Henry Porter[204].

"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 unenc.u.mbered, 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 G.o.d 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 a.s.sault 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.

MIST[RESS] GOURSEY.

M[ASTER] BARNES.

MIST[RESS] BARNES.

FRANK GOURSEY.

PHILIP [BARNES.]

BOY.

MALL BARNES.

d.i.c.k COOMES.

HODGE.

NICHOLAS PROVERBS.

SIR RALPH SMITH.

[LADY SMITH.]

WILL, _Sir Ralph's man.

[Other Attendants_.]

THE PLEASANT COMEDY OF THE TWO ANGRY WOMEN OF ABINGTON.

_Enter_ MASTER GOURSEY _and his wife, and_ MASTER BARNES _and his wife, with their two sons, and their two servants_.

MASTER GOURSEY. Good Master Barnes, this entertain of yours, So full of courtesy and rich delight, Makes me mis...o...b.. my poor ability In quittance of this friendly courtesy.

MR BAR. O Master Goursey, neighbour-amity Is such a jewel of high-reckoned worth, As for the attain of it what would not I Disburse, it is so precious in my thoughts!

MR GOUR. Kind sir, near-dwelling amity indeed Offers the heart's inquiry better view Than love that's seated in a farther soil: As prospectives[209], the[210] nearer that they be, Yield better judgment to the judging eye; Things seen far off are lessened in the eye, When their true shape is seen being hard by.

MR BAR. True, sir, 'tis so; and truly I esteem Mere[211] amity, familiar neighbourhood, The cousin german unto wedded love.

MR GOUR. Ay, sir, there's surely some alliance 'twixt them, For they have both the offspring from the heart: Within the heart's-blood-ocean still are found Jewels of amity and gems of love.

MR BAR. Ay, Master Goursey, I have in my time Seen many shipwrecks of true honesty; But incident such dangers ever are To them that without compa.s.s sail so far: Why, what need men to swim, when they may wade?-- But leave this talk, enough of this is said: And, Master Goursey, in good faith, sir, welcome;-- And, Mistress Goursey, I am much in debt Unto your kindness that would visit me.

MRS GOUR. O Master Barnes, you put me but in mind Of that which I should say; 'tis we that are Indebted to your kindness for this cheer: Which debt that we may repay, I pray let's have Sometimes your company at our homely house.

MRS BAR. That, Mistress Goursey, you shall surely have; He'll[212] be a bold guest, I warrant ye, And bolder too with you than I would have him.

MRS. GOUR. How, do you mean he will be bold with me?

MRS BAR. Why, he will trouble you at home, forsooth, Often call in, and ask ye how ye do; And sit and chat with you all day till night, And all night too,[213] if he might have his will.

MR BAR. Ay, wife, indeed I thank her for her kindness; She hath made me much good cheer pa.s.sing that way.

MRS BAR. Pa.s.sing well-done of her, she is a kind wench.

I thank ye, Mistress Goursey, for my husband; And if it hap your husband come our way A-hunting or such ordinary sports, I'll do as much for yours as you for mine.