THE FAIR MAID OF THE WEST. Part I.
Reading edition
I have marked the changes of scene, and in one or two places have made trifling corrections in the text. For instance, in scene iv. of the first act, by reading “your hopes deceased,” and changing the punctuation, we get a very fair sense where Collier (who edited the play for the Shakespeare Society) was inclined to think that a line had dropped out.
THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY.
To the much worthy and my most respected John Othow, Esquire, Counsellor at Law, in the noble Society of Gray’s Inn.
Sir,
Excuse this my boldness, I entreat you, and let it pass under the title of my love and respect, long devoted unto you; of which, if I endeavour to present the world with a due acknowledgement, without the sordid expectation of reward or servile imputation of flattery, I hope it will be the rather accepted. I must ingenuously acknowledge, a weightier argument would have better suited with your grave employment; but there are retirements necessarily belonging to all the labours of the body and brain. If in any such cessation you will deign to cast an eye upon this weak and unpolished poem, I shall receive it as a courtesy from you, much exceeding any merit in me, my good meaning only excepted. Thus wishing you healthful ability in body, untroubled content in mind, with the happy fruition of both the temporal felicities of the world present, and the eternal blessedness of the life future, I still remain as ever,
Yours, most affectionately devoted, Thomas Heywood.
To the Reader.
Courteous Reader, my plays have not been exposed to the public view of the world in numerous sheets and a large volume, but singly, as thou seest, with great modesty and small noise. These comedies, bearing the title of The Fair Maid of the West, if they prove but as gracious in thy private reading as they were plausible in the public acting, I shall not much doubt of their success. Nor need they, I hope, much fear a rugged and censorious brow from thee, on whom the greatest and best in the kingdom have vouchsafed to smile. I hold it no necessity to trouble thee with the argument of the story, the matter itself lying so plainly before thee in acts and scenes, without any deviations or winding indents.
Peruse it through, and thou mayst find in it
Some mirth, some matter, and, perhaps, some wit.
He that would study thy content,
T.H.
PROLOGUE.[2]
Amongst the Grecians there were annual feasts,
To which none were invited, as chief guests,
Save princes and their wives. Amongst the men,
There was no argument disputed then,
But who best governed; and, as’t did appear,
He was esteemed sole sovereign for that year.
The queens and ladies argued at that time
For virtue and for beauty which was prime,
And she had the high honour. Two here be,
For beauty one, the other majesty,
Most worthy (did that custom still persever)
Not for one year, but to be sovereigns ever.
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.
Gentlemen:
Spencer,
Carrol,
Fawcett,
Captain Goodlack, Spencer’s Friend.
Clem, a Vintner’s Apprentice.
Two Captains.
The Mayor of Foy.
An Alderman.
Mullisheg, King of Fez.
Bashaw Alcade.
Bashaw Joffer.
A Spanish Captain.
An English Merchant.
A French Merchant.
An Italian Merchant.
A Surgeon.
A Preacher.
Drawers, Sailors, Spaniards, Moors.
Servants, Chorus.
Bess Bridges, the Fair Maid of the West.
A Kitchenmaid.
The Earl of Essex,
The Mayor of Plymouth,
Petitioners,
SCENE—England, The Azores, Morocco.