following passage in the Black Book, 4to. 1604 :"The spindle-shank spider which shewed like great leachers with little legs, went stealing over his (Nash's) head as if they had been conning of Tamburlaine." It seems probable that Nash was the author of both those plays. We learn from Henslowe's MSS. that Tamburlaine' was very popular, being frequently represented. Both parts were printed in 1590, 8vo.; the first part again in 1605, 4to. and the second in 1606, 4to. Langbaine mentions an edition in black letter in 1593, but this appears to be a mistake. Notwithstanding our opinion that Tamburlaine cannot be laid to Marlowe's charge, we have, in deference to the received opinion, admitted it into the present collection. THE PROLOGUE. FROM jigging veins of rhyming mother wits, Where you shall hear the Scythian Tamburlaine : And then applaud his fortunes as you please. |