Tut, what cares he for modest, close-couched terms, Give him plain-naked words, stripped from their shirts, Brings the great battering ram of terms to towns; Batters the walls of the old fusty world." When The Malcontent was first published, Marston lived in friendship with Ben Jonson, to whom he dedicated it. He, also, wrote some complimentary verses to that author, which are printed before the first edition of Sejanus in 1605. The good correspondence between them, however, was afterwards broken; but the cause of it remains unknown. In the next year, 1606, the play of Sophonisba appeared; and in the preface is the following pas sage, plainly levelled at the play he had just before applauded: " Know, that I have not laboured in this Poem to relate any thing as an historian, but to enlarge every thing as a poet. To transcribe authors, quote authorities, and translate Latin prose orations into English blank verse, hath in this subject been the least aim of my studies." Ben also, many years afterwards, spoke of Marston with some degree of acrimony: he said to Drummond of Hawthornden, that "he fought several times with Marston; and that the latter wrote his father-in-law's preachings, and his father-in-law his comedies.” Marston was the author of the following plays: 1. Antonio and Mellida; A History. Acted by the children of Paul's, 4to, 1602. 2. Antonio's Revenge. The Second Part. As it hath beene sundry times acted by the children of Paul's, 4to, 1602. 3. The Insatiate Countess; a tragedy. Acted at White Fryers, 4to, 1603; 4to, 1613; 4to, 1631. 4. The Malcontent, 4to, 1604. Another edition in 4to in the same year. 5. The Dutch Courtezan. As it was played in the Blacke Friars, by the children of her Majestie's Revels, 4to, 1605. 6. Parisitaster; or, The Fawne. As it hath bene divers times presented at the Blacke Friars, by the children of the Queenes Majestie's Revels, 4to, 1606. 7. The Wonder of Women; or, The Tragedy of Sophonisba. As it hath beene sundry times acted at the Blacke Friers, 4to, 1606. 8. What you will, 4to, 1607. All these, except The Insatiate Countess and The Malcontent, were printed in 12mo, 1633. He was also the author of " The Argument of the Spectacle, presented to the Sacred Majestys of "Great Britain and Denmark, as they passed through London." In MS. in the British Museum, No. 18. A. 31. The following Epigram is printed in The Scourge of Folly, by John Davies, 12mo, N. D. p. 105: To acute Mr JOHN MARSTON. Thy Malecontent, or Malecontentednesse, Hath made thee change thy Muse, as some do gesse. 1 BENIAMINI JONSONIO РОЕТЕ ELEGANTISSIMO GRAVISSIMO AMICO SVO CANDIDO ET CORDATO, MVSARVM ALVMNVS ASPERAM HANC SVAM THALIAM, TO THE READER. I AM an ill orator; and, in truth, use to indite more honestly than eloquently, for it is my custom to speak as I think, and write as I speak. In plainness, therefore, understand, that in some things I have willingly erred, as in supposing a Duke of Genoa, and in taking names different from that city's families: for which some may wittily accuse me; but my defence shall be as honest, as many reproofs unto me have been most malicious. Since, I heartily protest, it was my care to write so far from reasonable offence, that even strangers, in whose state I laid my scene, should not from thence draw any disgrace to any, dead or living; yet, in despite of my endeavours, I understand some have been most unadvisedly over-cunning in misinterpreting me, and with subtilty, as deep as hell, have maliciously spread ill rumours, which springing from themselves, might to themselves have heavily returned. Surely I desire to satisfy every firm spirit, who, in all his actions, proposeth to himself no more ends than God and virtue do, whose intentions are always simple: to such I protest, that with my free understanding I have not glanced at disgrace of any, but of those whose unquiet studies labour innovation, contempt of holy policy, reverend comely superiority, and established unity: for the rest of my supposed tartness, I fear not, but unto every worthy mind it will be approved so general and honest, as may modestly pass with the freedom of a satire. I would fain leave the paper; only one thing afflicts me, to think that scenes, invented merely to be spoken, should be inforcively published to be read, and that the least hurt I can receive is to do myself the wrong. But, since others otherwise would do me more, the least inconvenience is to be accepted: I have myself, therefore, set forth this comedy; but so, that my inforced absence must much rely upon the printer's discretion; but I shall intreat slight errors in orthography may be as slightly overpassed; and that the unhandsome shape which this trifle in reading presents, may be pardoned, for the pleasure it once afforded you, when it was presented with the soul of lively action. [ Sine aliqua dementia nullus Phæbus.) J. M. DRAMATIS PERSONE, GUERRINO, two Courtiers. GIOVANNI ALTOFRONTO, disguised Malevole, EQUATO, MENDOZO, a Minion to the Duchess of Pietro AURELIA, Duchess to Duke Pietro Jacomo, some time Duke of Genoa, -PIETRO JACOMO, Duke of Genoa, Jacomo, CELSO, a friend to Altofronto, BILIOSO, an old choleric Marshal, PREPASSO, a Gentleman-usher, FERNEZE, a young Courtier, and enamoured of the Duchess, FERRARDO, a Minion to Duke Pietro Jacomo, MARIA, Duchess to Duke Altofronto, EMELIA, } two Ladies attending the Duchess, MAQUERELLE, an old Panderess. PASSARELLO, Fool to Bilioso. THE INDUCTION ΤΟ THE MALCONTENT; And the Additions acted by the King's Majesty's Servants. Written by JOHN Webster. Enter WILLIAM SLY; a Tire-mun following this play often, and can give them intelligence him with a Stool. Tire. Sir, the gentlemen will be angry if you sit here. W. Sly. Why, we may sit upon the stage at the private house. Thou dost not take me for a country gentleman? dost think I fear hissing? I'll hold my life thou took'st me for one of the players? Tire. No, sir. W. Sly. By god's-slid, if you had I would have given you but sixpence for your stool. Let them that have stale suits sit in the galleries. Hiss at me! He that will be laughed out of a tavern, or an ordinary, shall seldom feed well, or be drunk in good company. Where's Harry Condell, Dick Burbage, and William Sly? Let me speak with some of them. Tire. An't please you to go in, sir, you may. W. Sly. I tell you no; I am one that hath seen for their action. I have most of the jests here in my table-book. 4 William Sly, was one of the original actors in Shakespeare's plays. His name is among those enumerated in the folio edition of his works, 1623. 5 But sixpence.-From Chap. VI. in Dekkar's Guls Horn-book, reprinted in the last edition of Shakespeare, Vol. I. p. 80., it appears, that it was the fashion for the gallants of the times to sit on the stage on stools. We learn also that a shilling was the sum paid for them. 6 Harry Condell,-One of the publishers of Shakespeare's plays in folio, 1623. 7 Dick Burbage, an actor of that period. 8 Sinklow -This was a player in Shakespeare's time. His name is twice printed in that author's works, instead of the characters he performed. See Induction to The Taming of the Shrew, and the conclusion of The Second Part of King Henry IV. 9 A viol de gambo.-From the name of this instrument, which is derived from the Italian, and the manner in which it appears to have been played on, I apprehend it to be the same which is now called a bass viol. compass of his patron's folly. Why should not Enter DICK BURBAGE, HENRY CONDELL, and we enjoy the antient freedom of poesy? Shall we 10 JOHN LOWIN. my W. Sly. The players. God save you. D. Burb. You are very welcome. W. Sly. I pray you know this gentleman, cousin; 'tis Mr Doomsday's son the usurer. H. Cond. I beseech you, sir, be covered. W. Sly. No, in good faith, for mine ease; look you, my hat's the handle to this fan : god'sso, what a beast was I, I did not leave my feather at home! Well, but I'll take an order with you. [Puts his Feather in his Pocket. D. Burb. Why do you conceal your feather, sir? W. Sly. Why do you think I'll have jests broken upon me in the play to be laughed at? This play hath beaten all young gallants out of the feathers. Blackfriars hath almost spoiled Blackfriars for feathers. 12 Sink. God's so! I thought 'twas for somewhat our gentlewomen at home counselled me to wear my feather to the play; yet I am loath to spoil it. W. Sly. Why, cuz ? Sink. Because I got it in the tilt-yard: 13 there was a herald broke my pate for taking it up. But I have worn it up and down the Strand, and met him forty times since, and yet he dares not challenge it. W. Sly. Do you hear, sir? this play is a bitter play. H. Cond. Why, sir, 'tis neither satire nor mo ral, but the mere passage of an history; yet there are a sort of discontented creatures that bear a stingless envy to great ones, and these will wrest the doings of any man to their base, malicious appliment; but should their interpretation come to the test, like your marmoset, they presently turn their teeth to their tail, and eat it. W. Sly. I will not go far with you; but I say, any man that bath wit may censure, if he sit in the twelvepenny room: and I say again, the play is bitter. D. Bub. Sir, you are like a patron that, presenting a poor scholar to a benefice, enjoins him not to rail against any thing that stands within protest to the ladies, that their painting makes them angels? or to my young gallant, that his expence in the brothel shall gain him reputation? No, sir, such vices as stand not accountable to law should be cured as men heal tetters, by casting ink upon them. Would you be satisfied in any thing else, sir? W. Sly. Ay marry would I. I would know how you came by this play? H. Cond. Faith, sir, the book was lost; and because 'twas pity so good a play should be lost, we found it, and play it. W. Sly. I wonder you would play it, another company having interest in it. H. Cond. Why not Malevole 14 in folio with us, as well as Ieronimo in decimo sexto with them! They taught us a name for our play, we call it, One for another. W. Sly. What are your additions? D. Burb. Sooth, not greatly needful; only as your sallet to your great feast, to entertain a little more time, and to abridge the not-received custom of music in our theatre. I must leave you, sir. [Exit BURBAGE. Sink. Doth he play the Malcontent? H. Cond. Yes, sir. Sink. I durst lay four of mine ears the play is not so well acted as it hath been. H. Cond. O! no, sir, nothing, Ad Parmenonis J. Low. Have you lost your ears, sir, that you are so prodigal of laying them? Sink. Why did you ask that, friend? J. Low. Marry, sir, because I have heard of a fellow would offer to lay a hundred pound wager, that was not worth five baubees; and in this kind you might venture four of your elbows : yet God defend your coat should have so many. Sink. Nay, truly, I am no great censurer, and yet I might have been one of the college of critics once. My cousin here hath an excellent memory, indeed, sir. W. Sly. Who, I? I'll tell you a strange thing of myself; and I can tell you, for one that never studied the art of memory, 'tis very strange too. 10 John Lowin.-Another of the original actors in Shakespeare's plays. "No, in good faith, for mine ease.-A quotation from the part of Osrick in Hamlet. See Vol. X. edit. 1778, p. 395. Sly might have been the original performer of that character. See Note 5. to The Taming of the Shrew, Vol. III. p. 396. S. 12 Blackfriars hath almost spoil'd Blackfriars for feathers.-See Note 1. to The Muses Looking-glass. 13 Tilt-yard.-Where the barriers were fought. 14 Why not Malevole, &c.-See Mr Collins's Note on Troilus and Cressida, Vol. IX. edit. 1778, p. 3, S. 15 Ad Parmenonis suem. 16 Great Allexan|dēr when he|came to the tomb of Achilles, Spake with a big loud voice, Othōu thrice|blēssed and happy. W. Sly. Alexander was an ass to speak so well of a filthy cullion. 17 J. Low. Good sir, will you leave the stage? I'll help you to a private room. W. Sly. Come, cuz, let's take some tobacco. Have you never a prologue? J. Low. Not any, sir. W. Sly. Let me see, I will make one extempore; Come to them, and fencing of a congey with arms and legs, Be round with them. "Gentlemen, 18 I could wish for the women's sakes you had all soft cushions; and, gentlewomen, I could wish that for the men's sakes you had all more easy standings." What would they wish more but the play now? And that they shal have instantly. 16 Great Alexander, &c.--These two lines are hexameters, that "halt ill on Roman feet," like those of Sydney mentioned by Pope. Into such verse Stanyhurst translated the four first Books of Virgil. S. 17 Cullion.-See Note 87. to Gammer Gurton's Needle, p. 125. 18 Gentlemen, &c.-This seems intended as a burlesque on the Epilogue to As you like it. |