THE HONEST WHORE. (PART FIRST.)

3The Honest Whore, with, The Humours of the Patient Man, and the Longing Wife. Tho: Dekker. London Printed by V. S. for John Hodgets, and are to be solde at his shop in Paules church-yard. 1604. 4to. Other eds. in 1605,^[1] 1615, 1616, 1635, 4to.

It has also been reprinted (with the grossest and most unpardonable incorrectness) in the various editions of Dodsley’s Old Plays, vol. iii.

This drama (both First and Second Parts) ought to have occupied an earlier station among our author’s works. I originally rejected it, because the name of Dekker alone appears on the title-page; but I have since felt convinced that, with such authority for ascribing a portion of it to Middleton as that of Henslowe in the following entry, I should not be justified in excluding it from the present collection:

“March 1602-3. The Patient Man and Honest Whore, by Thomas Dekker and Thomas Middleton.” Malone’s Shakespeare (by Boswell), vol. iii. p. 328.

4DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

Gasparo Trebazzi, duke of Milan.

Hippolito, a count.

Castruchio.

Sinezi.

Pioratto.

Fluello.

Matheo.

Benedict, a doctor.

Anselmo, a friar.

Fustigo, brother to Viola.

Candido, a linen-draper.

George, his servant.

First Prentice.

Second Prentice.

Crambo.

Poh.

Roger, servant to Bellafront.

Porter.

Sweeper.

Madmen, Servants, &c.

Infelice, daughter to the duke.

Bellafront, a harlot.

Viola, wife to Candido.

Mistress Fingerlock, a bawd.

Scene, Milan, and the neighbourhood.

5THE HONEST WHORE.