MORE DISSEMBLERS BESIDES WOMEN. [In 1623 this comedy was entered by Sir Henry Herbert as an old play.' It was first printed in 1657.] SONG OF THE GIPSIES. COME, my dainty doxies, My dells,* my dells most dear; We take no care for candle rents, Whilst some tell fortunes, some pick purses; We'll steal garters, hose, or shoes, produced first is an open question. Steevens and Gifford assign the priority to Middleton, Malone to Shakespeare. Mr. Dyce objects to Mr. Gifford that he adduces no evidence to show that the Witch was anterior to Macbeth; but, so far as his own opinion is concerned, leaves the question where he found it. Lamb, in a subtle and discriminating criticism, says that the coincidence does not detract much from the originality of Shakespeare (supposing Middleton to have preceded him), because his witches are distinguished from those of Middleton by essential differences. This is quite true. But it should be observed that it is not in these essential differences, which lie in the elements of character, and not in forms of expression, that the resemblance consists; and that the fact of direct imitation in the conception and poetical treatment of the Charms and Incantations remains unaffected. * A cant term for an undefiled girl. At any hour he pleases. We laugh, we quaff, we roar, we scuffle; A CHASTE MAID IN CHEAP SIDE. [First printed in 1630.] THE PARTING OF LOVERS. WEEP eyes, break heart! My love and I must part. Cruel fates true love do soonest sever; O, happy is the maid whose life takes end My love and I must part. THOMAS MIDDLETON AND WILLIAM ROWLEY. [WILLIAM ROWLEY was an actor in the Prince of Wales's company in the reign of James I. In addition to some plays of which he was the sole author, his name appears attached to several others, in conjunction with those of Middleton, Webster, Massinger, Thomas Heywood, Day, Wilkins, Ford, and Fletcher; and in one instance Shakespeare is said to have assisted him.] [This piece was played at court about 1623 or 1624, but the date of its first production in the theatre is not known. It was first printed in 1653.] TRIP GIPSIES. RIP it, gipsies, trip it fine, At threading-needles* we repine, We scorn cutting purses; Though we live by making noise, Over high ways, over low, And over stones and gravel, Oh that all the world were mad! And brave girls keep a-prancing; And cuckolds, though no horns be spied, Welcome, poet to our ging !† Make rhymes, we'll give thee reason, * An old pastime. + Gang. See Note, p. 144. THE GIPSY ROUT. COME, follow your leader, follow, Our convoy be Mars and Apollo ; Our knackers are the fifes and drums, Horsemen we need not fear, The horse sure charge without; Our knackers are the shot that fly, If once the great ordnance play, Then let our armies join and sing, And pit-a-pat make our knackers ring. Arm, arm! what bands are those? For since they pleased to view our sight, A council of war let's call, Whose gates of love being open thrown, THE DRAMATISTS. 12 THY THE GIPSY'S OATH. HY best hand lay on this turf of grass, There thy heart lies, vow not to pass From us two years for sun nor snow, For hill nor dale, howe'er winds blow; Vow the hard earth to be thy bed, With her green cushions under thy head; Flower-banks or moss to be thy board, Water thy wine—and drink like a lord. Kings can have but coronations; We are as proud of gipsy fashions; Dance, sing, and in a well-mixed border, Close this new brother of our order. What we get with us come share, Dance, sing, and in a well-mixed border Set foot to foot; those garlands hold, Vow as these flowers themselves entwine, You must each night embracing meet, To none but you her leaves unfold; |