A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Viii Part 77

PROD. I confess I have run a wanton wicked race, Which now hath brought me to this woful wretched case: I am heartily sorry, and with tears do lament My former lewd and vile misgovernment.

I find the brittle stay of trustless Fortune's state.

My heart now thirsteth after Virtue all too late: Yet, good my lord, of pity condescend To be a mean for him that meaneth to amend.

The prince is merciful, of whose great mercy Full many have largely tasted already; Which makes me appeal thereto more boldly.

JUDGE. Prodigality, I not mislike your wailful disposition; And therefore for you to the prince there shall be made pet.i.tion, That though your punishment be not fully remitted, Yet in some part it may be qualified.

PROD. G.o.d save your life!

VIRTUE, EQUITY, LIBERALITY, JUDGE, _and all come down before the_ QUEEN, _and, after reverence made_, VIRTUE _speaketh_

THE EPILOGUE.

_Most mighty queen, yonder I sat in place, Presenting show of chiefest dignity; Here prostrate, lo, before your princely grace I show myself, such as I ought to be, Your humble va.s.sal, subject to your will, With fear and love your grace to reverence still_.

FINIS.

GRIM THE COLLIER OF CROYDON.

EDITION.

_Grim the Collier of Croyden; or, The Devil and his Dame: with the Devil and Saint Dunston. By I.T. London. Printed in the year_ [1662]. 12mo.

INTRODUCTION

The initial letters J.T. are placed before this play as those belonging to the author of it. What his name was, or what his condition, are alike unknown. It was printed in 12mo, 1662, with two others, "Th.o.r.n.y Abby; or, The London Maid," and "The Marriage Broker," in a volume ent.i.tled "Gratiae Theatrales; or, A Choice Ternary of English Plays."

Chetwood says it was printed in 1599, and Whincop, in the year 1606.[419] I cannot but suspect the fidelity of both these writers in this particular.[420]

PROLOGUE

You're welcome; but our plot I dare not tell ye, For fear I fright a lady with great belly: Or should a scold be 'mong you, I dare say She'd make more work than the devil in the play.

Heard you not never how an actor's wife, Whom he (fond fool) lov'd dearly as his life, Coming in's way did chance to get a j.a.pe,[421]

As he was 'tired in his devil's shape; And how equivocal a generation Was then begot, and brought forth thereupon?

Let it not fright you; this I dare to say, Here is no lecherous devil in our play.

He will not rumple Peg, nor Joan, nor Nan, But has enough at home to do with Marian, Whom he so little pleases, she in scorn Does teach his devils.h.i.+p to wind the horn; But if your children cry when Robin comes, You may to still them buy here pears or plums.

Then sit you quiet all who are come in, St Dunstan will soon enter and begin.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE.

ST DUNSTAN, _Abbot of Glas...o...b..ry_.

MORGAN, _Earl of London_.

LACY, _Earl of Kent_.

HONOREA, _Morgan's daughter_.

MARIAN, _her Waiting-maid_.

NAN, _Marian's maid_.

MUSGRAVE, _a young Gentleman_.

CAPTAIN CLINTON.

MILES FORREST, _a Gentleman_.

RALPH HARVEY, _an Apothecary_.

GRIM, _the Collier of Croydon_.

PARSON SHORTHOSE.

CLACK, _a Miller_.

JOAN, _a Country Maid_.

PLUTO, MINOS, AEACUS _Devils_.

RHADAMANTHUS, BELPHEGOR, AKERc.o.c.k, _or Robin Goodfellow_, MALBECCO'S _Ghost, Officers, Attendants, &c.

The Stage is England_.

GRIM[422] THE COLLIER OF CROYDON.

ACT I., SCENE I.

_A place being provided for the devil's consistory, enter_ ST DUNSTAN, _with his beads, book, and crosier-staff, &c_.

ST. DUN. Envy, that always waits on virtue's train, And tears the graves of quiet sleeping souls, Hath brought me after many hundred years To show myself again upon the earth.

Know then (who list) that I am English born, My name is Dunstan; whilst I liv'd with men, Chief primate of the holy English church.

I was begotten in West Saxony:[423]

My father's name was Heorstan, my mother's Cinifred.

Endowed with my merit's legacy, I flourish'd in the reign of seven great kings: The first was Athelstane, whose niece Elfleda Malicious tongues reported I defiled: Next him came Edmond, then Edred, and Edwy.

And after him reign'd Edgar, a great prince.