Part 1 — THE ENGLISH TRAVELLER.
Reading edition
The English Traveller was first printed in 1633, and from the preface it would seem that the publication of the play was an accident; the date of its production (at the Cockpit in Drury Lane) we do not know. The bye-plot of the prodigal Lionel and his servant is borrowed from Plautus’ Mostellaria, which a century or more later was laid under contribution by Fielding in his Intriguing Chambermaid. Heywood may have known Plautus’ comedy in the original or in one of the Italian versions. The character of Young Geraldine deserves study: “he is,” says Professor Ward, “one of the truest gentlemen of Elizabethan comedy.” Mr. Saintsbury (Elizabethan Literature, p. 284) ranks The English Traveller with A Woman Killed with Kindness as Heywood’s best plays.
In the old editions the scenes are only partially indicated.
THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY.
To the Right Worshipful SIR HENRY APPLETON, Knight Baronet, etc.
Noble Sir,
For many reasons I am induced to present this Poem to your favourable acceptance; and not the least of them that alternate love and those frequent courtesies which interchangeably passed betwixt yourself and that good old gentleman, mine uncle (Master Edmund Heywood), whom you pleased to grace by the title of father. I must confess I had altogether slept (my weakliness and bashfulness discouraging me) had they not been wakened and animated by that worthy gentleman your friend and my countryman, Sir William Elvish, whom (who for his unmerited love many ways extended towards me,) I much honour; neither, sir, need you to think it any undervaluing of your worth to undertake the patronage of a poem in this nature, since the like hath been done by Roman Lælius, Scipio, Mæcenas, and many other mighty princes and captains; nay, even by Augustus Cæsar himself, concerning whom Ovid is thus read (De Tristi, lib. 2):
Inspice ludorum sumptus, Auguste, tuorum:
Empta tibi magno talia multa leges.
Hæc tu spectasti, spectandaque sæpe dedisti.
Majestas adeo comis ubique tua est.
Yours most observant, Thomas Heywood.
TO THE READER.
Studious of thy pleasure and profit, Thomas Heywood.
PROLOGUE.
A strange play you are like to have, for know,
We use no drum, nor trumpet, nor dumb show;
No combat, marriage, not so much to-day
As song, dance, masque, to bombast out a play;
Yet these all good, and still in frequent use
With our best poets; nor is this excuse
Made by our author, as if want of skill
Caused this defect; it’s rather his self will.
Will you the reason know? There have so many
Been in that kind, that he desires not any
At this time in his scene, no help, no strain,
Or flash that’s borrowed from another’s brain;
Nor speaks he this that he would have you fear it,
He only tries if once bare lines will bear it:
Yet may’t afford, so please you silent sit,
Some mirth, some matter, and perhaps some wit.
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.
Two young Gentlemen:
Geraldine,
Delavil,
Old Wincott.
Young Lionel, a riotous Citizen.
Old Geraldine, Father of Young Geraldine.
Old Lionel, a Merchant, Father of Young Lionel.
Reignald, a parasitical Serving-man.
Robin, an old country Serving-man.
Roger the Clown, Servant to Old Wincott.
Rioter, a Spendthrift.
Two Gallants, his Companions.
Master Ricott, a Merchant.
A Gentleman, Companion to Delavil.
A Usurer and his Man.
The Owner of the House, supposed to be possessed.
A Tavern Drawer.
Servants.
Wincott’s Wife, a young Gentlewoman.
Prudentilla, her Sister.
Blanda, a Whore.
Scapha, a Bawd.
Two Wenches, Companions to Blanda.
Bess, Chambermaid to Mistress Wincott.
SCENE—London and Barnet.