Front matter

INSIDE THE RED BULL PLAYHOUSE. From the frontispiece to Kirkman’s “Drolls.” 1672.

THE MERMAID SERIES

THE BEST PLAYS OF THE OLD DRAMATISTS.

THOMAS HEYWOOD

Edited by A. Wilson Verity

:

WITH AN INTRODUCTION

By J. Addington Symonds

.

“I lie and dream of your full Mermaid wine.”—

Beaumont

.

UNEXPURGATED EDITION.

LONDON:

VIZETELLY & CO., 16, HENRIETTA STREET

,

COVENT GARDEN.

1888.

“What things have we seen

Done at the Mermaid! heard words that have been

So nimble, and so full of subtle flame,

As if that every one from whence they came

Had meant to put his whole wit in a jest,

And had resolved to live a fool the rest

Of his dull life.”

Master Francis Beaumont to Ben Jonson.

“Souls of Poets dead and gone,

What Elysium have ye known,

Happy field or mossy cavern,

Choicer than the Mermaid Tavern?”

Keats.

LONDON: BRADBURY, AGNEW, & CO., PRINTERS, WHITEFRIARS.