THE MAID OF HONOUR.] This "Tragi-comedy" does not appear, under the present title, in the Office-book of Sir H. Herbert but a play called the Honour of Women was entered there May 6th, 1628, which Mr. Malone conjectures to be the piece before us. He speaks, however, with some hesitation on the subject, as a play of Massinger's, called the Spanish Viceroy, or the Honour of Women, was entered at Stationer's Hall, for Humphrey Mosely, in 1653. If this double title be correct, of which we may reasonably entertain a doubt, the plays cannot be the same; for among the dramatis persona of the present, no such character as a Spanish viceroy is to be found. Sicily, indeed, was long governed by viceroys from Spain; but Roberto is here styled King, and constantly acts from himself. Mr. Malone says, that the Maid of Honour was printed in 1631. All the copies which I have seen (for there is but one edition) are dated 1632, which was probably the earliest period of its appearance; as we learn from the commendatory verses prefixed to it by Sir Aston Cockayne, that it was printed after the Emperor of the East, which was not given to the press till this year. This Play was always a favourite, and, indeed, with strict justice; for it has a thousand claims to admiration and applause. It was frequently acted, the old title-page tells us," at the Phoenix in Drurie-lane, with good allowance, by the Queen's Majesties servants." An attempt was made some years since (1785) to revive it, by Mr. Kemble, but, as I have been informed, without success. ΤΟ My most honoured Friends, SIR FRANCIS FOLJAMBE, KNT. AND BART. AND SIR THOMAS BLAND, KNT. your THAT you have been, and continued so for many years, since you vouchsafed to own me, patrons to me and my despised studies, I cannot but with all humble thankfulness acknowledge: and living, as you have done, inseparable in friendship, (notwithstanding all differences, and suits in law arising between you,*) I held it as impertinent as absurd, in the presentment of my service in this kind, to divide you. A free confession of a debt in a meaner man, is the amplest satisfaction to his superiors; and I heartily wish, that the world may take notice, and from myself, that I had not to this time subsisted, but that I was supported by your frequent courtesies and favours. When your more serious occasions will give you leave, you may please to peruse this trifle, and peradventure find something in it that may appear worthy of your protection. Receive it, I beseech you, as a testimony of his duty who, while he lives, resolves to be Truly and sincerely devoted to your service. PHILIP MASSINGER. *Notwithstanding all differences, and suits in law arising between you,] The suits in law subsisting between these fast friends of Massinger,-sir Francis Foljan be of Walton, in the county of Derby, and sir Thomas Bland, of Kippax Park, in the county of York, originated in a question as to the right of working some coal mines. GILCHRIST. DRAMATIS PERSONE. Roberto, king of Sicily. Ferdinand, duke of Urbin. Bertoldo, the king's natural brother, a knight of Malta. Gonzaga, a knight of Malta, general to the dutchess of Sienna. Astutio, a counsellor of state. Fulgentio, the minion of Roberto. Adorni, a follower of Camiola's father. Antonio, Gasparo, } two rich heirs city-bred. Pierio, a colonel to Gonzaga. Roderigo, } captains to Gonzaga. Jacomo, Druso, Livio, } captains to duke Ferdinand. Father Paulo, a priest, Camiola's confessor. A Bishop. A Page. Aurelia, dutchess of Sienna. Camiola, the MAID OF HONOur. Clarinda, her woman. Scout, Soldiers, Gaoler, Attendants, Servants, &c. SCENE, partly in Sicily, and partly in the Siennese. 1015/23 Sothernar 8306 THE MAID OF HONOUR. ACT I. SCENE I. Palermo. A State-room in the Palace. Enter ASTUTIO and ADORNI. Ador. Good day to your lordship. Ast. Thanks, Adorni. Ador. May I presume to ask if the ambassador Employ'd by Ferdinand, the duke of Urbin, Hath audience this morning? Enter FULGENTIO. Ast. 'Tis uncertain; For, though a counsellor of state, I am not Of the cabinet council: but there's one, if he please, That may resolve you. Ador. I will move him.-Sir! Ful. If you've a suit, shew water,' 1 am blind else. Shew water,] i. e. to clear his sight. A proverbial periphrasis for a bribe, which, in Massinger's days, (though happrinot since,) was found to be the only collyrium for the eyes of a courtier. Ador. A suit; yet of a nature not to prove The quarry that you hawk for: if your words Are not like Indian wares, and every scruple To be weigh'd and rated, one poor syllable, Vouchsafed in answer of a fair demand, Cannot deserve a fee. Ful. It seems you are ignorant, I neither speak nor hold my peace for nothing; Ador. I much thank you. Hath the ambassador audience, sir, to-day? Ador. At what hour? Ful. I promised not so much. A syllable you begg'd, my charity gave it; Ast. This you wonder at: With me, 'tis usual. Ador. Pay you, sir, what is he? [Exit. Ast. A gentleman, yet no lord." He hath some drops Of the king's blood running in his veins, derived Some ten degrees off. His revenue lies In a narrow compass, the king's ear; and yields him Every hour a fruitful harvest. Men may talk Of three crops in a year in the Fortunate Islands, Or profit made by wool; but, while there are suitors, His sheepshearing, nay, shaving to the quick, 2 Ast. A gentleman, yet no lord.] Would not the satire be more apparent, if the sentence were reversed? As it stands now, it appears to contradict the next line, and is, indeed, scarcely intelligible. Probably, it is merely an accidental transposition of the press, and should be read. No gentleman, yet a lord. |