sibly have improved the language of his time. It ought to be added that Drayton is of a different opinion, and compliments Sydney, as the author that

"Did first reduce

Our tongue from Lyly's writing, then in use;
Talking of stones, stars, plants, of fishes, flies,
Playing with words and idle similies,

As th' English apes and very zanies be
Of every thing that they do hear and see;

So imitating his ridiculous tricks,

They speak and write all like mere lunatics."

This criticism, though highly coloured, has its foundation in truth; as may be discovered from his dramatic writings, particularly his "Maid's Metamorphosis;" Winstanley, however, says his plays were acted "with great applause of the vulgar, as such things which they understood." This is strangely at variance with the criticism of Drayton; and from it the reader might infer, that his scenes were taken from common life, and presented in familiar dialogue; but his plots are from Pliny, Lucian, Ovid, Apuleius, &c. &c. and his language refined with art till it is any thing but colloquial. "Mother Bombie" has less of this than any other of his plays.

The following is a list of his dramatic works:

1. Alexander and Campaspe, Tragi-com. 4to. 1584, 1591, D. C.

2. Sapho and Phao, Com. 4to. 1584; 4to. 1591.

This play has been, through some error, attributed to Richard Edwards.

3. Endimion, Com. 4to. 1591.

4. Gallathea, Com. 4to. 1592.

5. Midas, Com. 4to. 1592.

6. Woman in the Moon, Com. 4to. 1597.

7. Maid her Metamorphosis, 4to. 1600.

8. Love his Metamorphosis, Past. 4to. 1601.

9. Mother Bombie, Com. 4to. 1594, 1598.

The first five, and "Mother Bombie," were published in one volume in 12mo. 1632, by Mr. Blount, under the title of "Six Court Comedies." Wood and Winstantley have erroneously attributed to this author, "A Warning for fair Women."

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

Memphio.

Stellio.

Prisius.

Sperantus.

Candius, son to Sperantus.

Mæstius, the son of Memphio.

Accius, the supposed son of Memphio.
Dromio, servant to Memphio.

Risio, servant to Stellio.

Halfpenny, servant to Sperantus.

Lucio, servant to Prisius.

Livia, daughter to Prisius.

Serena, daughter to Stellio.

Silena, the supposed daughter to Stellio.

Vicina, mother to Accius and Silena.

Mother Bombie.

Rixula.

Synis, Nasutus, Bedunenus, Hackneyman, Serjeant and

Scriviner.

MOTHER BOMBIE.

ACT I. SCENE I.

MEMPHIO and DROMIO.

Mem. Boy, there are three things that make my life miserable; a thread-bare purse, a curst wife, and a fool to my heir.

Drom. Why, then, sir, there are three medicines for these three maladies: a pike-staff to take a purse on the high-way, a holly wand to brush choler from my mistress' tongue, and a young wench for my young master; so that as your worship, being wise, begot a fool; so he, being a fool, may tread out a wise man.

Mem. Ah! but, Dromio, these medicines bite hot on great mischiefs; for so might I have a rope about my neck, horns upon my head, and my house a litter of fools.

in

Drom. Then, sir, you had best let some wise man sit on your son, to hatch him a good wit: they say, if ravens sit on hens' eggs, the chickens will be black, and so forth.

Mem. Why, boy, my son is out of the shell, and is grown a pretty cock.

Drom. Carve him, master, and make him a capon, else all your breed will prove cockscombs.

Mem. I marvel he is such an ass, he takes it not of his father.

Drom. He may for any thing you know.

Mem. Why, villain, dost thou think me a fool? Drom. Oh no, sir; neither are you sure that you are his father..

Mem. Rascal, dost thou imagine thy mistress naught* of her body?

Drom. No; but fantastical of her mind; and it may be, when this boy was begotten, she thought of a fool, and so conceived a fool, yourself being very wise, and she surpassing honest.

Mem. It may be, for I have heard of an Ethiopian, that, thinking of a fair picture, brought forth a fair lady, and yet no bastard.

Drom. You are well read, sir; your son may be a bastard, and yet legitimate; yourself a cuckold, and yet my mistress virtuous; all this in conceit.

Mem. Come, Dromio, it is my grief to have such a son, that must inherit my lands.

Drom. He needs not, sir; I'll beg him for a fool.

* The following quotation from King Richard III. will sufficiently explain the meaning of this passage.

Brak. With this, my lord, myself have naught to do.

Glo. Naught to do with Mistress Shore? I tell thee, fellow, He that doth naught with her, excepting one,

Were best to do it secretly, alone.

Brak. What one, my lord?

Glo. Her husband, knave :-would'st thou betray me?

Mem. Vile boy, thy young master?

Drom. Let me have in a device *.

Mem. I'll have thy advice; and if it fadget, thou shalt eat, thou shalt sweat, play till thou sleep, and sleep till thy bones ake.

Drom. Ah marry, now you tickle me; I am both hungry, gamesome, and sleepy, and all at once; I'll break this head against the wall, but I'll make it bleed good matter.

Mem. Then, this it is: thou knowest I have but one son, and he is a fool.

Drom. A monstrous fool.

Mem. A wife, and she an arrant scold. Drom. Ah, master, I smell your device; it will be excellent.

Mem. Thou canst not know it till I tell it.

Drom. I see it through your brains; your hair is so thin, and your scull so transparent, I may sooner see it than hear it.

Mem. Then, boy, hast thou a quick wit, and I a slow tongue: but what is't?

Drom. Marry, either you would have your wife's tongue in your son's head, that he might be a prating fool; or his brains in her brain-pan, that she might be a foolish scold.

Mem. Thou dream'st, Dromio; there is no such matter. Thou knowest I have kept them close, so that my neighbours think him to be wise, and her to be temperate, because they never heard them speak.

Drom. Well.

Mem. Thou knowest that Stellio hath a good

* Permit me to suggest a contrivance to you.

+ Fadge," to suit, to fit, to go with."" STEVENS.