Note 272 — ACT III. SCENE I.

But who comes here] In the old ed. these words are preceded by the stage-direction “Enter Lipsalve and Shrimp his Page;” and at the end of the speech Gerardine and Maria exeunt.

I have already noticed (p. 142) the want of moveable painted scenery in Middleton’s days. Here the spectators were to suppose that Gerardine and Maria, standing on the upper-stage (see note, p. 125), were either in the apartment of the latter, or in the gallery communicating with it (see p. 112): when Lipsalve had entered, they were to suppose that the stage represented a street; and when Gerardine and Maria had re-appeared “above,” they were to suppose that the upper-stage was a window. Having found it necessary to begin a new scene with the entrance of Lipsalve, I hope my readers will be kind enough to suppose that, when Gerardine says “who comes here,” he happens to turn his eye towards the window, and catches a glimpse of that gallant.