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]
Exeunt omnes praet. Granpre, Verdon, Trevile, Dupr.
l. 9. B] hop'd for. ll. 18 and 19. B]
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?
l. 11. B] yee. l. 14. B] This daies. l. 17. B] Bring 'em.
l. 19. B] though it. l. 32. B] to you. l. 36. B] Yee.
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]
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.
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.
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,
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
Your Gratefull Servants,
JOHN LOWIN, }
JOSEPH TAYLOR.}
On the best, last, and only
remaining Comoedy of Mr.
FLETCHER.
ON
Mr. FLETCHERS
excellent Play,
THE
WILD-GOOSE CHASE.
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.
To the incomparable Mr. FLETCHER,
upon his excellent Play, The
WILD-GOOSE CHASE.
On Mr. FLETCHERS Wild-Goose Chase recovered.