NO WIT HELP LIKE A WOMAN’S.

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NO WIT HELP LIKE

A Woman’s. A Comedy, By Tho. Middleton, Gent. London: Printed for Humphrey Moseley, at the Prince’s Arms in St. Pauls Churchyard. 1657. 8vo.—is generally found appended to the Two New Playes, &c. of the same date: see vol. iii. p. 553, and vol. iv. p. 513.

Among Shirley’s Poems (Works, vol. vi. p. 492) is A Prologue to a play there [at Dublin], called, No Wit to A Woman’s—most probably to the present play.

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PROLOGUE.

How is’t possible to suffice

So many ears, so many eyes?

Some in wit, some in shows

Take delight, and some in clothes;

Some for mirth they chiefly come,

Some for passion,^[1]—for both some;

Some for lascivious meetings, that’s their arrant;^[2]

Some to detract, and ignorance their warrant.

How is’t possible to please

Opinion toss’d in such wild seas?

Yet I doubt not, if attention

Seize you above, and apprehension

You below, to take things quickly,

We shall both make you sad and tickle ye.

6DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

Sir Oliver Twilight, a knight.

Philip Twilight, his son.

Sandfield, friend to Philip Twilight, and in love with Jane.

Sunset, an old gentleman.

Low-water, a decayed gentleman.

Sir Gilbert Lambstone, Weatherwise, Pepperton, Overdone, suitors to Lady Goldenfleece.

Beveril, brother to Mistress Low-water.

Dutch Merchant.

Dutch Boy, his son.

Savourwit, servant to Sir Oliver Twilight.

Pickadill, Lady Goldenfleece’s fool.

Servants, &c.

Lady Twilight.

Lady Goldenfleece, a rich widow.

Mistress Low-water.

Grace, secretly married to Philip Twilight, passing as daughter to Sir Oliver Twilight, but really Jane daughter to Sunset.

Jane, passing as daughter to Sunset, but really Grace daughter to Sir Oliver Twilight.

Scene, London.

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NO WIT HELP LIKE A WOMAN’S.