Volume I Part 1 (1/2)

A Select Collection of Old English Plays.

Volume I.

by R. Dodsley.

PREFACE.

After the lapse of about half a century since the issue of the last edition of _Dodsley's Select Collection of Old Plays_,[1] and the admittance of that work into the honourable rank of scarce and dear books, it seemed a desirable thing to attempt, with such additional improvements as might be practicable or expedient, a revival of a publication which has been a favourite with the lovers of our early drama since its first publication more than a hundred years ago. Between 1744, the date of its original appearance, and 1825, it pa.s.sed through three editions; and it may be remarked that the tendency in each successive edition has been to remodel the undertaking on the principle of rejecting plays which from time to time have been lifted up (so to speak) into the collected works of their respective authors, and to subst.i.tute for them plays which have either suffered unmerited obscurity in original and rare editions, or have lain so far scattered about in various other collections; and in the present instance that principle has been strictly adhered to.[2]

It is desirable that it should be seen precisely in what manner, and to what extent, the edition now offered differs from its predecessors as regards the contents. The points of variation are three: 1. Omissions; 2.

Additions of pieces not included in the former editions; 3. Additional plays now first reprinted from the originals. The first division comprises the following productions which, since the last republication of Dodsley, have been taken up into the collected editions of their respective authors:--

Ferrex and Porrex _Sackville, &c_.

Alexander and Campaspe _Lyly_.

Jew of Malta _Marlowe_.

Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay _Greene_.

Edward the First _Peele_ Edward the Second _Marlowe_.

Pinner of Wakefield _Greene_.

Four Prentices of London _Heywood_.

Mayor of Quinborough _Middleton_.

Malcontent _Marston, &c_.

All Fools _Chapman_.

Woman Killed with Kindness _Heywood_.

Honest Wh.o.r.e (two parts) _Decker and Middleton_.

The White Devil _Webster_.

Eastward Hoe _Marston, &c_.

A Mad World, my Masters _Middleton_.

The Roaring Girl _Middleton_.

The Widow's Tears _Chapman_.

The Widow _Jonson, &c_.

The Wits _Davenant_.

The Jovial Crew _Brome_.

The second and third characteristics of our book are the ADDITIONS, which, as we have stated, are of two kinds. In the first place, we may enumerate the dramas new to Dodsley's collection, though previously edited in a variety of forms:

Interlude of the Four Elements _Anon_.

Disobedient Child _Ingelend_.

Trial of Treasure _Anon_.

Youth _Anon_.

l.u.s.ty Juventus _Wever_.

Hickscorner, An Interlude _Anon_.

Everyman, An Interlude _Anon_.

Pardoner and Friar, An Interlude _Heywood_.

Jack Juggler

_Anon_.

Thersites

Interludes _Anon_.