.      .      .
.      .      .
.      .      .      .
.      .      .      .
.      .      .      .
      Sche was fairest of alle,
The kyng       .      .
      And on hys knees byfore hire falle;
.      .      .      .
      He offryde and alle that wit him were,
And afterw       .      .
   .      .       drery chere;
Of Tire I Ar       .      .
   .      .      myself there king,
Appolyn the      .      .
   .      .      wit myn ofryng;
As sone as       .      .
   .      .      upon my letterure,
The  .   ing   .   hedde
   .      .      was ful suyre;
I scholde him       .      .
   .      .      thulke cure,
Therfore he did       .      .
   .      .      he zaf gret huyre;

/ p.3 /

To Tarse y-fledde that deth to    .
   For hunger the cité was al nouzt,
An hundred milianys they hadde of me
   Bushcelles of whete, as y am by-thouzt.
Tho made they an ymage of bras,
   A scheef of whete he helde an honde,
That to my licknes maad was;
   Uppon a buschel they dyde hym stonde,
And wryte about the storye,
   To Appolyn this hys y-do,
To have hym ever in memorye,
   For he delyverede us fro woo.
Tho wente y unto Cirenen;
   The kings douzter he me zaf,
I ledde here fro here kyn;
   Azeyn ne brouzte hire nouzt saf,
Ffor sche deyzde amydde the see,
   And ther sche bare this maide child,
That here stant byfore the;
   Goude goddesse, be to hire myld !
Tho tok y the douzter in Tarse to kepe,
   To Strangulion and dame Denyse,
Y couthe no  .   reed but ever wepe,
   Sorwe me tok in ech wyse;

/ p.4 /

I held me in the see ten and four zeer
   Wit sorwe, care, and wo;
I cam aze and fond hire nouzt ther,
   Tho nyst y what was best to do.
But, grete goddesse, y thanke the
   That evere sche deth so asterte,
That ever y myzhte that day y-seo,
   To have this confort at my herte!
The whiles he expounede thus his lyf
   Wit sorwe and stedfast thouzt,
He tolde hit to hys owene wyf;
   Sche knew him wel, and he hire nouzt.
Heo cauzt him in hire armes two,
   For joye sche ne myzte spek a word ;
The kyng was wroth, and pute hire fro,
   Heo cryede loude, ze beth my lord!
I am zoure wyf, zoure leof y-core,
   Archistrate ze lovede so!
The kynges douzter y was bore,
   Archistrates he ne hadde na mo.
Heo clipte hym, and efter gan to kysse,
   And tolde that was byfalle;
Sche clipte and keuste withouten lysse,
   And saide thus byfore hem alle,—

/ p.5 /

"ze seeth Appolyn, the kyng,
   My maister that tauzte me al my goud,
.      .      .      .
   .      .      .      .
.      .      me out of my grace
   Archistra       .      .
.      .       wham the other forsok,
   And to my lord zou ches;
My lord that leide me on cheste,
   Or y were cast into the see,
My lord that ofte me keuste,
   And never wende me more y-see,
My lord that y have founde,
   Y thanke God in Trinyté!"
Ure douzter on thys grounde,
   ze, dame, par fay, this hys sche!
.   .    te he hire, me scholde nouzt knowe,
   Ho was gladdest of the threo ;
.   .    they wepte alle arowe,
   That ech of other hadde pité
.   .    Ephese hit was couth,
   The goddesse had hire lord knowe,
.   .    an may no man telle wit mouth
   The grete mirthe that was mad, y trowe;

/ p.6 /

.   .    an song and made gleo
   In gret confort of here goddesse,
.   .    thes y-strezyt over al that cité
   An keverede for gret gladnesse:
They made a feste of gret plenté
   And fedde the citesaynes alle at ones,
They made of him gret denté,
   The feste was gret for the nones.
They made hym prest of the lawe,
   Here norry that sche loved mest,
.   .    the maner by har dawe,
   Wymmen dide that offys of prest.
.   .    the joye of that londe,
   Sche dizte hire wit here lord to fare,
.   .    e cité brouzte hem at stronde,
   For deel of blisse wexeth al bare.
.   .    nte hy to Antioche,
   zutt was him kept that kyndom,
.   .   zt fro thennes hys passage
   To his lond Tire he nom;
.   .    Made Anategora kyng,
   Hys douzter quene that was his heir,
.   .   ne hit was at her likynge,
   To schip hy wente alle y-fere

/ p.7 /

To Tarse they wente wit gret navye,
   Wederynge fel at wille,
And alle the citesaynes gonne crye,
   Welcome, lord, us tille:
.   .   yzte anon Strangulion take,
   And hys wyf, Denyse, also,
.   .   ed hem alle for here sake
   Wit hym to hare mothalle goo.
.   .   bet zif he hath trespased ouzt,
   Other eny offense ageyn hem do,
.   .   yde alle nay lord ryzt nouzt,
   ze beth oure lord for ever mo.
.   .   ge have to lorde y-core,
   For evere love zou we mote,
.   .   hadde ze be we hadde before,
   Of alle bales ze were bote;
An image of brass witnesse hys
   That we schulle zow nevere disceyve,
.   .   ollet deye for zou y-wys
   Rather than eny man schal zou greve;
.   .    Angulion, my douzter y tok,
   And Denyse that hys hys wyf.
.   .   .   .
.   .   .   .

/ p.8 /

.   .   .   .
.   .   .   .
That the citesaynes wit gret deol
   Hadde write hit to-fore zowre eyze:
Appolyn gan to calle,
   Tarse, douzter, wherevere you beo,
Schewe the forth byfore us alle,
   Fro deth to lyf arys aze !
Sche pytte hire forthe in riche atir,
   As fel to a quene,
To fulfille her fader desir;
   "Denyse," sche seyth, "hail ze!"
I grete the out of my grave
   Fro deth to lyve arered!
Wher hys Tiophele? him moste y have."
   He stoud sire aferyd.
"Madame, y am her at zoure wille!"
   He stod as he schulde sterve:
"Sche tok me the to spille,
   Deonyse wham y serve."
The citesaynes Strangulion toke,
   And hys wyf for hire trecherye,
Out of the cité drowe wit hoke
   Into a place ther-inne to dye:

/ p.9 /

They stened him wit stone,
   And so hy wolde Teophele also;
Tarse bygan him defende sone,
   To dethe he ne was nouzt do.
And saide, ze zaf me grace
   To pray God Almyzt,
I schal him zeve lyves space,
   Ellys ze ne hadde me never seye in sizt;
Appolyn dwellede ther fourty dayes,
   And gaf grete giftes to alle men;
He made festes and noble lawes,
   And thennes sailede to Cirenen:
zut was hys ffader-in-lawe alyve,
   Archistrates the goud kyng,
ffolk come azeynes him so blyve,
   As eny myzte by other thryng;
They songe, daunsede, and were blythe,
   That evere hy myzte that day y-seo,
And thankede God a thousand sythe;
   The kyng was gladdest, suyr be ze:
Tho he saw hem alle byfore,
   His douzter and hys sone in lawe,
And hys douzter so fair y-core,
   A kinges wyf, he was wel fawe:

/ p.10 /

And her child ther also,
   Al clene of kings blod;
He kuste them, he was glad tho;
   But the olde king so goud,
He made hem dwelle al that zer,
   And deyde in hys douzter arm,—
Wit gret gladnesse he deyde ther,
   If God nolde hit was harm.
Tho nolde Appolyn nevere fyne
   Ar he hadde the ffischere souzt,
That zaf him half hys sclaveyne,
   Tho he was firste to londe y-brouzt;
Knyztes him fette of gret honour,
   He was aferde to be slawe,
He zaf him londes and gret tresour,
   And made him erl by al hys sawe:
Olde man, ne dred the nouzt,
   For I am Appolyn of Tire,
That ones help of the bysouzt,
   Tho I lay byfore the in the myre;
Thou gave me half thy sclaveyne,
   And bed me y schulde thenke on the;
.   .   .   .
.   .   .   .

/ p.11 /

.   .   .   .
   Brouzte hym dyeinge.
Antiochus his deth hadde swore,
   He was marchaunt of many thynges;
.   .   the kyng to grete,
   He tok him up and gan him to kusse;
.    de he wolde him nevere lete,
   He scholde be on of hem to wysse;
.   im bothe lovde and lede,
   And made him erl a lite ther byside;
.   ful of wilde brede,
   Casteles and tourys that were wyde,
He made him chef of hys consail,
   For he fonde him ferst so..t fewe:
.    as evere wit-oute fail,
   He ne leet for no newe;
.   the kyng goud lyf and clene
   Wit hys wyf in gret solas,
.   .   .   and fourtene
   He lyvede after thys do was;
.   .   .   twey sones by junge age,
   That wax wel farynge men;
.   .   .   the kyndom of Antioche,
   Of Tire and of Cirenen,

/ p.12 /

Were nevere verre on hys lond,
   Ne hunger ne no mesayse,
.   .   hit zede wel an hond,
   He lyvede wel at ayse:
.   .   .    tweye bokys of hys lyf
   That onto his owene bible he sette,
.   .   at byddynge of hys wyf
   He lefte at Ephese so he hire fette;
.   .   .   hys lond in goud manere
   Tho he drow to age,
.   .   ora he made king of Tire,
   That was his owene heritage;
The eldest sone of that empire
   He made king of Antiage,
.   .   .   that he lovede dure,
   Of Cirenen that was    .   .
When he hadde al thys y-dyzt
   Cam deth and axede hys fee,
.   .   hys soule to God Almyzt,
   So wel God that hit bee;
.   .   de ech housbonde grace
   For to lovye so hys wyf,
.   .   y-fed hem witoute trespace,
   As sche dyde hym al here lyf;

/ p.13 /

.   .   ne on alle lyves space
   Heere to amende oure mysdede,
.   .   of hevene to have a place,
   Amen ze synge here, y rede.
.   .   ony thys was translatyd
   Almost at Engelondes ende,
.   .   .   to the makers stat,
   Tak sich an .   .   kynde;
.   .   have y-take hys bedys on hond,
   And sayd hys Pater Noster and Crede,
.   .   was vicary, y understonde,
   At Wymborne mynstre in that stede;
.   .   y thouzte zou have wryte,
   Hit is nouzt worth to be knowe,
.   .   that wole the sothe y-wyte,
   Go thider and me wol ye schewe:
.   .   Fader, and Sone, and Holy Gost,
   To wham y clepide at my begynnynge,
.   .   de he hys of myztes most,
   Brynge us alle to a goud endynge:
Graunte us voide the payne of helle,
   O God, Lorde, and persones threo,
And in the blysse of hevene dwelle!
   Amen, pour charité!
Explicit Apollonius Tyrus rex nobilis et vertuosus, &c.

/ p.14 /

      I. THE Arderns, or Ardens of Wilmecote, a hamlet in the parish of Aston Cantlowe, near Stratford on Avon, were ancestors, on the mother's side, of our great dramatist. The following document is one of the earliest known respecting this family, and it is of peculiar interest as exhibiting the early period at which they were interested in Snitterfield, the village which is presumed to have been the abode of Shakespeare's paternal ancestors. The deed is dated May 1501, or 16 Hen. VII, and is referred to in my Life of Shakespeare, p. 8, where I erroniously attributed it to a previous reign, not having seen the whole of the deed when that work was published:—
      "Sciant præsentes et futuri quod ego Johannes Mayowe de Snytterfeld dedi, concessi, et hac præsenti carta mea confirmavi Roberto Throkmerton armigero, Thomæ Trussell de Billesley, Rogero Reynolds de Heenley in Arden, Willielmo Wodde de Wodhouse, Thomæ Ardern de Wylmecote et Roberto Ardern filio ejusdem Thomæ Ardern, unum mesuagium cum suis pertinentiis in Snytterfeld prædict: una cum omnibus et singulis terris, toftis, croftis, pratis, pascuis et pasturis eidem mesuagio spectan: sive pertinen: in villa et in campis de Snytterfeld prædict: ac omnibus suis pertinentiis, quod quidem mesuagium prædictum quondam fuit Willielmi Mayowe et postea Johannis / p.15 / Mayowe, et situatum est inter terram Johannis Palmer ex parte una et quandam venellam ibidem vocatam Merel lane ex parte altera in latitudine, et extendit se in longitudine a vico regio ibidem usque ad quendam rivulum secundum metas et divisas ibidem factas, Habendum et tenendum prædictum mesuagium cum omnibus et singulis terris, toftis, croftis, pratis, pascuis et pasturis prædictis, ac omnibus suis pertinentiis, præfatis Roberto Throkmerton, Thomæ Trussell, Rogero Reynolds, Willielmo Wodde, Thomæ Ardern et Roberto Ardern hæredibus et assignatis suis, de capitalibus dominis feodi illius, pro servicia inde debita et de jure consueta in perpetuum. Et ego vero prædictus Johannes Mayowe et hæredes mei mesuagium prædictum cum omnibus et singulis terris, toftis, croftis, pratis, pascuis et pasturis supradictis, ac omnibus suis pertinentiis, præfatis Roberto Throkmerton, Thomæ Trussell, Rogero Reynolds, Willielmo Wodde, Thomæ Ardern et Roberto Ardern, hæredibus et assignatis suis, contra omnes gentes warantizabimus et defendemus in perpetuum. Et insuper sciatis me præfatum Johannem Mayowe assignasse, constituisse, et in loco meo posuisse dilectos michi in Christo Thomam Clopton de Snytterfeld prædict: gentilman, et Johannem Porter de eadem, meos veros et legitimos attorn: conjunctim et divisim ad intrandum vice et nomine meo inde capiendum; et postquam hujusmodi seisina sic capta fuit ad deliberandum pro me ac vice et nomine meo præfatis Roberto Throkmerton, Thomæ Trussell, Rogero Reynolds, Willielmo Wodde, Thomæ Ardern et Roberto Arderne plenam et pacificam possessionem et seisinam de / p.16 / et in eadem mesuagio, ac omnibus et singulis præmissis, secundum vim, formam et effectum hujus præsentis cartæ meæ; rat : et grat : habent : et habitur totum et quicquid dicti attorn: mei vice et nomine mei fecerint seu eorum alter fecerit in præmissis. In cujus rei testimonium huic præsenti cartæ meæ et scripto meo sigillum meum apposui, hiis testibus, Johanne Wagstaffe de Aston Cauntelowe, Roberto Porter de Snytterfeld prædicto, Ricardo Russheby de eadem, Ricardo Atkyns de Wylmecote prædicto, Johanne Alcokks de Newenham, et aliis. Datum apud Snytterfeld prædicto die lunæ proximo post festum Invencionis Sanctæ Crucis anno regni Regis Henrici septimi post Conquestum sextodecimo."
      2. The following are copies of deeds relating to a grant from Richard Rushby and Agnes his wife, the daughter and heiress of William Harvey, to Robert Ardern of a tenement in Snitterfield. They are dated December 14th and 21st, 1519:
      "Sciant præsentes et futuri quod nos Ricardus Rushby et Agnes uxor mea, filia et hæres Willielmi Harvy, dedimus, concessimus, et hac præsenti carta nostra confirmavimus Roberto Ardren unum tenementum in Sneterfeld prout jacet inter tenementum Ricardi Hardyng ex una parte et terram domini ex altera parte, habendum et tenendum prædictum tenementum, cum omnibus terris, pratis, pascuis, pasturis, et omnibus aliis suis pertinentiis, præfato Ricardo hæredis et assignatis suis in perpetuum, de capitalibus dominis feodi illius pro servicia inde debita et de jure consueta. Et nos vero prædictus Ricardus et Agnes uxor / p.17 / mea et hæredes nostri prædictum tenementum cum omnibus terris, pratis, pascuis, pasturis, et omnibus aliis suis pertinentiis, ut prædictum est, contra omnes gentes warantizabimus et in perpetuum defendemus. In cujus rei testimonium huic præsenti cartæ nostræ sigilla nostra apposuimus, Hiis testibus, Ricardo Grauntte gen., Rogero Palmer capellano, Johanne Pardy, et aliis. Datum apud Sneterfeld quartodecimo die Decembris anno regni regis Henrici octavi undecimo.
      "Omnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos præsens scriptum pervenerit nos Ricardus Ruschby et Agnes uxor, mea filia et hæres Willielmi Hervy, salutem in Domino sempiternam. Noviter nos præfatos Ricardum et Agnetum, unanimi assensu et consensu, remisisse, relaxasse, et omnino pro nobis et hæredibus nostris in perpetuum quietclamasse Roberto Ardern in sua plena et pacifica possessione existente, hæredibus et assignatis suis in perpetuum, totum jus nostrum, titulum, statum, clameum, demand., et interesse quæ unquam hujusmodi habemus, seu quovismodo in futuro habere poterimus, vel poterint hæredes nostri, de et in uno tenemento cum suis pertinentiis jacent: in Scneterfeld [lit.] inter tenementum Ricardi Hardyng ex una parte et terram domini ex altera parte, cum omnibus terris, pratis, pascuis et pasturis, et omnibus eorum pertinentiis, Ita videlicet quod nec nos prædicti Ricardus Ruschby et Agnes uxor mea, nec hæredes nostri, nec aliquis alius per nos pro nobis, seu nomine nostro, aliquod jus, titulum, statum, clameum, demand., seu interesse de et in prædicto tenemento cum / p.18 / suis pertinentiis cum terris, pratis, pascuis et pasturis, cum omnibus aliis suis pertinentiis, neque in aliqua parcella eorundem de cetero exigere vel vendicare poterimus nec debemus quovismodo in futuro, sed ab omni actione juris, tituli, stati, clamei, demand., ac interesse inde similiter penitus exclusi in perpetuum per præsentes. Et nos vero prædicti Ricardus et Agnes uxor mea, et hæredes nostri, prædictum tenementum cum omnibus terris, pratis, pascuis et pasturis, et omnibus aliis pertinentiis suis præfato Roberto Ardern hæredibus et assignatis suis contra omnes gentes warantizabimus et in perpetuum defendemus per præsentes. In cujus rei testimonium huic præsenti scripto nostro sigilla nostra apposuimus, Hiis testibus, Ricardo Graunt generoso, Rogero Palmer capellano, Johanne Pardy, cum multis aliis. Datum apud Scenterfeld vicesimo primo die mensis Decembris anno regni regis Henrici Octavi undecimo."

---

III.—THE NORTHERN LAND.
       MR. HUNTER, in his New Illustrations of Shakespeare, vol. i, p. 301, was the first to draw attention to the following ballad, which comprises romantic incidents similar to some which occur in the Merchant of Venice and in Cymbeline. "Of its age," says Mr. Hunter, "I can pronounce no opinion which would be of any value; but it appears to me not of modern date, that is, that there are expressions which seem to belong to the earlier ages of the existing / p.19 / ballad poetry, and that the incidents are too numerous, and of too romantic a cast, to allow of its being considered as a modern invention." The earliest copy I am acquainted with is in my own possession, and was printed by J. White of Newcastle, who died in 1769.

---

The Northern Lord, or the Knight in Green. Shewing how
	a noble lord sold his daughter to a knight for her weight in gold; how he borrowed the money of a wealthy Jew, and that if he missed to pay at the appointed time, the Jew was to have so many ounces of the knight's flesh; how they fled to the German Court to escape from the Jew; and how the Dutch lord wagered a ton of gold, that he could enjoy the knight's lady.

PART I.

A NORTHERN lord of high renoun,
Two daughters had: the eldest brown,
The youngest beautiful and fair.
By chance a noble knight came there.
   Her father said, kind sir, I have
Two daughters here; which do you crave?
One that is beautiful, he cry'd.
The noble lord he then reply'd:
   She's young, she's beautiful and gay,
And is not to be given away

/ p.20 /

But as jewels are bought and sold,
She must bring me her weight in gold.
   The price I think you need not grudge,
Since I will freely give as much
With her own sister, if I can
Find out some loving nobleman.
   With that bespoke the noble knight:
I'd sooner have the beauty bright
At that vast rate, renouned lord,
Than the other with a vast reward.
   So then the bargain it was made,
But e'er the money it could be paid,
He borrowed of a wealthy Jew
The sum so large, and writings drew—
   That if he fail'd or miss'd the day,
So many ounces he should pay
Of his own flesh instead of gold;
All was agreed, the sum was told.
   So he return'd immediately
Unto the lord, where he did buy
His daughter fine, I do declare,
And paid him down the money there.
   He bought her too, it was well known
Unto mankind, she was his own;

/ p.21 /

By her a son he did enjoy,
A sweet and comely handsome boy.
   At length the time of day drew near,
When the knight began to fear:
He dreaded much the cruel Jew,
Because the money it was due:
   His lady asked him why he griev'd:
He said, My jewel, I received
Such a sum of money of a Jew,
And now the money it is due:
   And now the day of payment's come,
I'm sure I cannot raise the sum;
He'll my flesh weigh by weight,
Which makes my grief and sorrow great.
   Pshaw! never fear him, she reply'd,
We'll cross the raging ocean wide,
And secure you from that fate;
To her request he yielded straight.

PART II.

Then having pass'd the raging seas,
They travell'd on, till by degrees
Unto the German court they came,
The knight, his son, and comely dame.

/ p.22 /

   Unto the emperor he told
His story of the sum of gold
That he borrowed of a Jew,
And that for fear of death he flew.
   The emperor he did erect
A court for them, and show'd respect
Unto his guests, because they came
From Britain, the blest land of fame.
   As here he lived in delight,
A Dutch lord told our English knight,
That he a ton of gold would lay
That he could enjoy his lady gay.
   From her the Dutch lord was to bring
A rich and coastly diamond ring,
That was to prove and testify,
How he did with his lady lie.
   He tried, but never could obtain
Her favour, but with high disdain
She did abhor his base intent.
So to her chamber-maid he went,
   And told her if she would but steal
Her lady's ring, and so conceal
The same, and bring it to him straight,
She should enjoy a fine estate.

/ p.23 /

   In hopes of such a fine reward,
The ring she stole; then the Dutch lord
Did take it to the noble knight,
Who almost swooned at the sight.
   Home he goes to the lady straight,
And meeting her at the palace gate,
He flung her head-long into the moat;
A miller found her where she did float.
   Soon after that in clothes of green,
She like a war-like knight was seen;
And in most gallant gay deport,
She rode unto the emperor's court.
   Now when the emperor beheld
Her brave deportment, he was fill'd
With admiration at the sight,
Who call'd herself an English knight.
   The emperor he did reply,
We have an English knight to die
For drowning of his lady gay;
Quoth she, I'd see him if I may.
   'Twas granted, so to him she came,
And calling him by his name,
She said, kind sir, be of good cheer,
Your friend I'll be, you need not fear.

/ p.24 /

PART III.

She to the emperor did ride,
And said, "now let this cause be try'd
Once more, for I've a mind to save
This noble gallant from the grave."
   It being done, the court was set,
The Dutch lord came, seeming to fret
About the ring, for he did fear
How truth would make his shame appear.
   And so it did, for soon they call
The maid, who on her knees did fall;
Before the court she did confess
The Dutch lord's unworthiness.
   The court replied, "and is it so?
The lady too, for ought we know,
May be alive; therefore we'll stay
The sentence till another day."
   Now the Dutch lord gave him a ton
Of gold, which he had fairly won;
And so he did with shame and grief,
And thus the knight obtain'd relief.
   The Dutch lord to revenge the spite
Upon our noble English knight,
Did send a letter out of hand,

/ p.25 /

And so the Jew did understand
   That he was in the German court;
And then upon this good report
The Jew he cross'd the ocean wide,
Resolving to be satisfy'd.
   As soon as e'er he fixt his eyes
Upon the knight, in wrath he cries,
Your hand and seal I pray behold,
Your flesh I'll have instead of gold.
   Then said the noble knight in green,
Sir, may not your articles be seen?
Yes, they may, reply'd the Jew,
And I'm resolv'd to have my due.
   Lo, then the knight began to read;
At length he said, I find indeed
Nothing but flesh you are to have:
Answers the Jew, that's all I crave.
   The poor distressed knight was brought—
The bloody-minded Jew he thought
That day to be reveng'd on him,
And part the flesh from every limb.
   The knight in green said, Mr. Jew,
There's nothing else but flesh your due;
And see no drop of blood you shed,
For if you do, off goes your head.

/ p.26 /

   Pray take your due, with all my heart,
But with his blood we will not part;
With that the Jew he sneaked away,
And had not one more word to say.

PART IV.

No sooner were these troubles past,
But his wife's father came at last,
Resolving for to have his life,
For drowning his beloved wife.
   Over the sea her father brought
Many fine horses: one was bought
By the pretended knight in green,
Which was the best that e'er was seen.
   So to the German court he came,
Declaring such-a-one by name
Had drowned his fair daughter dear,
And ought to die a death severe.
   They brought him from the prison then,
Guarded by many armed men,
Unto the place where he must die;
And the young knight was standing by.
   And from her side her sword she drew,
And run her gelding thro' and thro'.
Her father said, Why do you so?
I may, it is my own, you know ;

/ p.27 /

   You sold the gelding; 'tis well known
I bought it, making it my own,
And may do what I please with it.
And then to her he did submit.
   Here is a man arraign'd and cast,
And brought to suffer death at last,
Because your daughter dear he slew,
Which, if he did, what's that to you?
   You had the money when you sold
Your daughter for her weight in gold;
Therefore he might, it is well known,
Do what he pleased with his own.
   So having chang'd her garments green,
And drest herself like a fair queen,
Her father and her husband strait
Both knew her, and their joys were great.
   Soon they did carry this report
Unto the famous Grecian court,
How the renowned English knight
Had found his charming lady bright.
   So the emperor, and lords the same,
With cheerful hearts they did proclaim
An universal joy to see
His lady's life at liberty.

---

/ p.28 /

IV.—ATTENDANCES OF JOHN SHAKESPEARE. THE following list of the attendances of Shakespeare's father at the meetings of the corporation of Stratford-on-Avon has been compiled from the original records of that town. The subject will, on examination, be found to bear on several points in the history of the poet's family. See my Life of Shakespeare, p. 66.

1564.	6 Sept.	J. S. Burg. Pres.		5 Sept.	13 Eliz.	Pres.
1565.	16 Jan.	7 Eliz. J. S. Burg. Pres.		24 Oct.	13 Eliz.	Pres.
	15 Feb.	7 Eliz.      Pres.		18 Jan.	14 Eliz.	Pres.
	22 Mar.	7 Eliz.      Pres.		7 Feb.	14 Eliz.	Pres.
	2 May,	7 Eliz.      Pres.		2 April	14 Eliz.	Pres.
	4 July,	7 Eliz.      Pres.		9 April	14 Eliz.	Pres.
	9 May,	7 Eliz.      Pres.		18 April	14 Eliz.	Pres.
	12 Sept.	7 Eliz. J. S. Ald.		28 May	14 Eliz.	Pres.
		Pres.		3 Sept.	14 Eliz.	Pres.
	26 Oct.	7 Eliz.      Abs.		9 Jan.	15 Eliz.	J. S.
1566.	15 Feb.	8 Eliz.      Abs.			Ald.	Pres.
1567	8 Jan.	9 Eliz.      Pres.		9 Sept.	15 Eliz.	Pres.
	16 July,	9 Eliz.      Pres.		17 Feb.	16 Eliz.	Pres.
	3 Sept.	9 Eliz.      Pres.		1 Sept.	16 Eliz.	Pres.
	20 April	12 Eliz.      Pres.		29 Dec.	17 Eliz.	Pres.
	23 Aug.	12 Eliz.      Pres.		7 Sept.	17 Eliz.	Pres.
	6 Sept.	12 Eliz.      Pres.		7 Oct.	17 Eliz.	Pres.
	24 Jan.	13 Eliz.      Pres.		23 Nov.	18 Eliz.	Pres.
	7 Feb.	13 Eliz.      Pres.		5 Sept..	18 Eliz.	Pres.
	2 May	13 Eliz.      Pres.		5 Oct.	18 Eliz.	Pres.
	11 July	13 Eliz.      Pres.		5 Dec.	19 Eliz.	Pres.

/ p.29 /

23Jan.   19 Eliz. among the aldermen, "ab. Johannes Shax- peare."				19 Oct. 14 Dec. 22 Dec.	22 Eliz. 23 Eliz. 23 Eliz.	Abs. Abs. Abs.
8 May.   19 Eliz. J. S. again absent, his name not being marked as present.				26 Jan. 22 Feb. 27 May	23 Eliz. 23 Eliz. 23 Eliz.	Abs. Abs. Abs.
	24 July	19 Eliz. J. S. abs.		6 Sept.	23 Eliz.	Abs.
	4 Oct.	19 Eliz. J. S. Ald. Pres.		20 Sept. 6 Oct.	23 Eliz. 23 Eliz.	Abs. Abs.
	6 Nov.	19 Eliz.       Pres.		2 May	24 Eliz.	Abs.
	4 Dec.	20 Eliz.       Pres.		31 Jan.	24 Eliz.	Abs.
	15 Jan. 29 Jan.	20 Eliz.       Abs. 20 Eliz.       Abs.		Hall held 5 Sept. 24 Eliz. Nomina Aldermannorum.
	5 June	20 Eliz.       Abs.		m Johannes Shaxper, S.
	18 June	20 Eliz.       Abs.		m Willielmus Tyler, q.
	3 Sept. 24 Sept.	20 Eliz.       Abs. 20 Eliz.       Abs.		10 Sept. 24 Eliz. J. S. Ald.    Abs.
	3 Oct.	20 Eliz.       Abs.		19 Sept.	24 Eliz.	Abs.
	19 Nov.	21 Eliz.       Pres.		5 Oct.	24 Eliz.	Abs.
1578.	24 Nov.	Abs.		2 Nov.	24 Eliz.	(Uncertain)
	23 April	21 Eliz.       Abs.		7 Nov.	24 Eliz.	Abs.
	2 Aug.	ao. 1579      Abs.		16 Nov.	24 Eliz.	Abs.
	2 Sept.	1579       Pres.		12 Dec.	25 Eliz.	J. S. Ald.
	9 Sept.	21 Eliz.       Pres.			Abs.
	2 Oct.	21 Eliz.       Abs.		11 Jan.	25 Eliz.	Abs.
	— Dec.	22 Eliz.       Abs.		23 Jan.	25 Eliz.	Abs.
	20 Jan.	22 Eliz.       Abs.		25 Jan.	25 Eliz.	Abs.
	19 Mar.	22 Eliz.       Abs.		1 Feb.	25 Eliz.	Abs.
	3 Aug.	22 Eliz.       Abs.		13 Mar.	25 Eliz.	Abs.
	7 Sept.	22 Eliz.       Abs.		17 April	25 Eliz.	Abs.
	30 Sept.	22 Eliz.       Abs.		7 May	25 Eliz.	Abs.

/ p.30 /

	25 May	25 Eliz.       Abs.		13 Jan.	27 Eliz.	Abs.
	17 June	25 Eliz.       Abs.		17 Feb.	27 Eliz.	Abs.
	26 June	25 Eliz.       Abs.		17 Mar.	27 Eliz.	Abs.
	21 Aug.	25 Eliz.       Abs.		28 April	27 Eliz.	Abs.
	4 Sept.	25 Eliz.       Abs.		23 June	27 Eliz.	Abs.
	(He was the only one absent.)			7 July	27 Eliz.	Abs.
	4 Oct.	25 Eliz.       Abs.		2 Sept.	27 Eliz.	Abs.
	16 Oct.	25 Eliz.       Abs.		1 Oct.	27 Eliz.	Abs.
	5 Feb.	26 Eliz.       Abs.		27 Oct.	27 Eliz.	Abs.
	10 April	26 Eliz.       Abs.		16 Mar.	28 Eliz.	Abs.
	20 May	26 Eliz.       Abs.		30 Mar.	28 Eliz.	Abs.
	4 Sept.	26 Eliz.       Abs.		25 May	28 Eliz.	Abs.
	2 Oct.	26 Eliz.       Abs.		6 July	28 Eliz.	Abs.
	21 Nov.	26 Eliz.       Abs.		31 Aug.	28 Eliz.	J. S. Ald.
	28 Nov.	27 Eliz.       Abs.		marked as being present, but this
	9 Dec.	26† Eliz.      Abs.		must be an error, for see the
	(† Sic, by error for 27.)			order printed in Malone, p.164.

---

/ p.31 /

V.—THE ROYAL COURTLY GARLAND.
      THIS garland is here printed from a copy which was issued about the middle of the last century, and bears a similar character to the ballad of the Northern Lord. The story is the same with that of the Winter's Tale. The title-page of the garland is embellished with a rude woodcut, representing a man smoking on the sea-shore and a ship nearing the coast.

THE ROYAL COURTLY GARLAND. IN SIX PARTS.
Part I. How the King of Bohemia, having married a
	most virtuous queen, and being afterwards visited by a foreign prince, of whom the king became jealous, and hired his cup-bearer to poison him; the prince being acquainted with it, went into his own country, and was soon after crowned there.
Part II. How the king put his wife in prison, where she
	was deliver'd of a daughter, who was by the king's order put into a boat, and left to the mercy of the sea.
Part III. How the king in a vision being assured of his
	wife's innocency, released her, who soon after died with grief.
Part IV. How the child was drove into that country where
	the prince reigned, taken up by a shepherd, and kept as his own.
Part V. How the king's son fell in love with her, and
	embark'd with her and the old shepherd for Italy.

/ p.32 /

Part VI. Being by a storm drove into Bohemia, were
	confined; and how the king thereof knew she was his own daughter.
Licensed and entered according to Order.

PART 1

A TRAGICAL story I have now to relate;
A King of Bohemia in splendor most great,
This royal king wedded a fair virtuous queen,
The greatest of beauties that ever was seen.

An outlandish prince of honour and fame,
Unto this king's court he a visiting came,
Who then was attended with honour and state;
The king set his nobles upon him to wait.

And likewise to welcome this prince to the court,
Great feasting was made, with rare pastime and sport;
Now give your attention, and I'll shew you in brief,
How their joy was turn'd into sorrow and grief.

The king saw his queen in the garden one day
Walking with the young prince, which caus'd him to say,
I fear this young prince is too great with my queen,
And therefore I ever will bear him a spleen.

/ p.33 /

She proving with child, made his jealousy more,
Because she had never conceived before:
The king was enraged with much violence,
And swore he would soon destroy the young prince.

The king called his cup-bearer then with all speed,
Saying, When the prince comes to the table indeed,
Be sure give him poison to end his life,
For he has been naughty with my beautiful wife.

To humour the king, the cup-bearer he said,
Your majesty's orders shall now be obey'd:
Not willing to do it, this cup-bearer went,
And gave the young prince to know his intent.

So soon as he had the king's treachery told,
The prince gave him twenty bright pieces of gold:
Saying, I will now escape his blood-thirsty hand,
By steering away to my own native land.

Fearing the king's wrath, the prince durst not stay,
The wind proving fair, he soon sailed away,
And in a small time to his father's court came,
Where he was received with honour and fame.

/ p.34 /

Soon after, this royal prince married a wife,
Who was the whole comfort and joy of his life;
His old father died in a little space,
And then the young prince reigned in his place.

His wife she conceived, and brought forth a son,
Which joyful tidings thro' the kingdom did run;
So now I will leave them in plenty great store,
And turn to the King of Bohemia once more.

PART II.

Now when the old king found that he was got clear,
Then to his fair wife he prov'd sharp and severe:
Close lock'd in a castle he did her confine,
For to have her burnt this king did design.

At length she was deliver'd, as we do hear,
Of a beautiful daughter, most charming and fair;
A child of such beauty was scarce e'er beheld.
Then with a great passion the king he was fill'd,

And taking the child with great violence,
Said, I'll kill it, because 'twas got by the prince;
'Tis like him, and therefore her blood shall run down,
No bastard shall ever inherit my crown.

/ p.35 /

His beautiful queen then in sorrow did say,
None but your ownself I e'er knew in that way.
I will not believe it, base harlot, says he,
For this great offence thou burned shall be.

To me, nor my infant, no mercy you'll shew,
On the throne above there's a just God I know,
That surely will plague you for your cruelty;
So with conscience clear I truly shall die.

With what you tax me God knows I am clear,
If you burn my body, I do not much fear
But my soul in heaven with angels may dwell,
While you may with devils be scorched in hell!

Soon after, ,this cruel king studied another way
The life of this innocent babe to betray;
He told to the queen, with abundance of spite,
He'd let her try swimming, because she was light.

Then a little boat he did straightway provide,
Resolving to send her away with the tide:
I'll send her a voyage when the wind fair doth blow,
She may come to fortune for aught that I know.

/ p.36 /

The queen she then begged upon her bare knees,
Let me see my infant once more, if you please?
The beautiful infant was brought her once more,
With tears she then kiss'd it a thousand times o'er.

A purse of fine diamonds she plac'd next her skin,
And fasten'd it likewise securely within;
A chain round her neck, and a mantle of gold,
Because she her infant no more might behold.

Oh, how it this cruel king's fancy did please,
To see this child floating upon the salt seas:
Where now we will leave this sweet infant, and show
The goodness of God, who all secrets does know.

PART III.

This king in his sleep was disturbed in mind;
Three times was a voice heard, Oh, king most unkind,
That now has contriv'd to destroy the child's life
Thro' jealousy; there is no fault in thy wife.

Then waking from sleep, he was heartily vex'd,
His conscience was troubled, his mind was perplex'd:

/ p.37 /

He went to the castle when day did appear,
To ask the queen's pardon, and straight set her clear.

The worst of all wretches I surely have been,
For I have committed a base horrid sin,
My dear wife and infant so vilely to serve,
The worst of all punishments I do deserve.

The child of my bowels is sunk in the main,
I ne'er shall expect to have comfort again;
To think of these actions my panting heart bleeds;
Oh, how shall I answer for my unjust deeds?

The queen for her infant some time did lament;
Oh, there was a court full of sad discontent!
She took to her bed, where her heart soon was broke,
And this to the king was a terrible stroke.

The court was in mourning for several years,
And likewise the king did shed many tears:
And now we must leave them in sorrow to weep,
And return to the child that was left on the deep.

PART IV.

Now let me shew you how Providence smil'd
Upon this sweet, innocent, beautiful child:

/ p.38 /

By tempestuous waves it was drove on the shore,
Where that prince reigned king whom we spoke on before.

A shepherd, by chance, came down to the sea-side,
To look for some sheep, when the boat he espy'd;
And seeing the infant, he strangely did gaze,
Awhile the poor shepherd did stand in amaze.

Yet, nevertheless, he took up the sweet child,
Seeing what was about it the old shepherd smil'd;
And being ne'er bless'd with a babe in his life,
He carry'd this infant straight home to his wife.

His wife said, What infant is this I behold?
What bastard is this? And began for to scold.
The shepherd said, She was drove close to the shore:
But seeing the riches, she scolded no more.

The shepherd said, Wife, we'll not call it our own,
But keep it a while that it may not be known:
I need not to keep any more sheep on the plain,
I'll buy a farm, and so flourish amain.

/ p.39 /

The good wife said, Husband, hear me, if you please,
It is the best way to begin by degrees;
They'll say we have robbed upon the highway,
Therefore take my counsel, dear husband, I pray.

He took his wife's counsel, as we understand;
They in short time bought a small spot of land;
Thus in decent manner they went on, 'tis true,
And all his good neighbours commended him too.

PART V.

This child she grew up endued with grace,
A modest behaviour, and sweet charming face:
And being now about the age of fifteen,
For beauty and wisdom none like her was seen.

First farmers, next 'squires, and knights of renown
To the shepherd's house they all came flocking down;
And strove to salute her with proffers most kind,
But still to Love's fancy she was not inclin'd.

It chanced the king's son rode a hunting one day,
And seeing this beauty in homely array,

/ p.40 /

Her charming sweet features did torture him so:
The young prince was wounded with Cupid's sure bow.

Oh, how this young prince was inflamed with love!
And studying how he might his passion remove
From a shepherd's daughter, so low, mean, and poor,
Yet nevertheless he was tortur'd the more.

The prince he walk'd out, and met her in the field
Amongst her young lambs, where he quickly reveal'd
His passionate story; saying, Charmer so sweet,
Grant me thy sweet love, or I die at thy feet.

She answer'd him straight, Royal prince of renown,
Woud you be disinherited quite from the crown?
Therefore, royal prince, sure that cannot be done,
Of a shepherd's daughter, and you a king's son.

My kingdom and crown, love, I value it not!
I'll make thee my own whate'er falls to my lot;
If you were a shepherd, dear prince, she reply'd,
I could love you dearly, and be your sweet bride

/ p.41 /

The prince went and put on shepherd's array,
And came to this beauty a-courting next day;
Said he, Charming shepherdess, if you'll be my wife
I ever will love you as dear as my life.

You're dress'd like a shepherd, sir, I may believe,
I know you, or else my eyes do me deceive;
Therefore do not lead me thus in ignorance,
I fear you're no shepherd, but a royal prince.

He kiss'd, and embrac'd her sometime in his arms,
Saying, I am the prince that must yield to thy charms;
To some foreign nation, dear love, let us go,
And we will be marry'd where none do us know.

He got a ship loaded, as we do understand;
With rich golden treasures, for another land:
And took a page with him, whom he could intrust,
Who always had proved right faithful and just.

PART VI.

The old shepherd hearing this, said, She'll be spoil'd,
I fear that the young prince will get her with child:

/ p.42 /

Oh, how shall we get her, wife, from the king's son?
I'll tell the king of it, or she'll be undone.

Then with the gold mantle he posted away,
The prince's page met him, and said, Old friend, this day
The king for some pleasure is gone on the seas,
I'll bring you on board to the king, if you please.

But when the old shepherd came onboard, pray mind,
Instead of the king, the young prince he did find,
And likewise this beauty, dress'd in rich array,
Then straight the old shepherd for pardon did pray.

The prince said, Old father, rise up from your knees.
The shepherd said, Put me on shore if you please,
Or else my poor wife will be grieved full sore.
No, said the prince, I'll not trust you on shore.

Now while the poor shepherd his case did bewail,
They had a fair wind, so they hoisted up sail:
The ship, as we hear, was to Italy bound,
But great grief & sorrow encompass'd them round.

/ p.43 /

A violent storm on the sea did arise,
Dove them to Bohemia; then taken for spies,
Their ship seized, and to prison they went;
Hearing of this beauty, the king for her sent.

So soon as this beautiful creature was brought,
The king then with lust to defile her he sought,
Yet still with the king for her honour she strove,
Saying, Let me die for to ransom my love.

Then finding that she would not yield, I protest
He sent her to prison, lock'd close from the rest:
His hot lustful love to hatred was turn'd,
He vow'd she should either be hang'd or burn'd.

At last they were brought to their trial, we hear,
Oh, how the old shepherd did tremble with fear!
May't please your grace, this child is none of my own
Then how he came by her made it all known.

He likewise produced the mantle of gold,
The king was amaz'd this strange sight to behold:
Tho' long time the shepherd made choice of the same,
The king knew it well, being wrought with his name.

/ p.44 /

He swooned away, but recovered again,
Saying, Thou art my child, whom I laid on the main
My child is alive, whom I thought to destroy.
The prince made himself known, too, which raised their joy.

With honour and triumph soon marry'd they were,
His father was sent for, who quickly came there;
And likewise dame Mopsy, the old shepherd's wife,
Whose dancing well pleased the court to the life.

The shepherd and his wife made pastime and sport,
The king made the shepherd a lord of his court;
Now, by what was thus acted, ye plainly may see
That nothing can hinder what Fate doth decree.

FINIS

/ p.45 /

VI.—DOCUMENTS AT DULWICH CASTLE.
      SOME years ago I drew Mr. Collier's attention to a considerable number of documents, preserved at Dulwich College, which related to the dramatic affairs of the time of Shakespeare and Alleyn, and suggested the probability that they might yield something of interest and value. The results of Mr. Collier's examination were published in his Memoirs of Alleyn, printed by the Shakespeare Society in 1841; and amongst the discoveries were presented several papers of interest in which the name of our great poet occurred. With the view of establishing the authenticity of these records, I present the reader with fac-similes, carefully made from the originals by F. W. Fairholt, Esq., F.S.A.
      The first document is a small piece of paper, containing a list of inhabitants living in Southwark in July, 1596, who had complained of the Bear-garden, and who therefore, probably, resided in its immediate neighbourhood. The incessant noise and tumult raised by this place of amusement must have been a source of great annoyance to the inhabitants of the vicinity. The paper is entitled, "Inhabitantes of Southerk as have complaned this . . . . . Jully, 1596," and contains the following / p.46 / names, "Mr. Markis, Mr. Tuppin, Mr. Langorth, Wilsone the pyper, Mr. Barett, Mr. Shaksper, Phellipes, Tomson, Mother Golden the baude, Nagges, ffilpott, and no more, and soe well ended." The conclusion of this precludes the possibility of the document having been an official one. It was, probably, a memorandum hastily drawn up by some person connected with the Bear-garden.
      The next document informs us that "Mr. Shakespeare," in April, 1609, was assessed at sixpence a week

towards the relief of the poor in Southwark. If this relate to the poet, and I must acknowledge I entertain some doubt on the matter, it was most likely on account of his share in the Globe theatre, not for a dwelling-house, for, in the spring of the year 1609, Shakespeare appears to have been at Stratford. Two copies of this document, contemporary with each other, are preserved in the archives of Dulwich College.
      The third paper is perhaps the most curious, and

relates, as Mr. Collier observes, to some theatrical wager / p.47 / in which Alleyn, one of the Lord Admiral's players, was, for a part not named, to be matched against Kempe, who belonged to the Lord Chamberlain's company. The verses were evidently written by a partisan of Alleyn's, and it is almost unnecessary to say that "Roscius Richard" was Richard Burbage. The lines are, unfortunately, not dated; but as Kempe appears to have left Alleyn's company either in, or before, 1596, the wager was, most probably, undertaken after that period.
      The fourth, and last document at Dulwich College which contains the name of Shakespeare, is dated April the 9th, 1604, and is the latest notice we have of him as an actor. The poet's name occurs in a list of the King's
Company's players, attached to an order from the lords of the council, addressed to the lord mayor of London, and to the justices of the peace in Middlesex and Surrey, commanding them to permit the king's, queen's, and prince's companies to perform at the Globe, Fortune, and Curtain theatres, unless the weekly mortality from the plague in London exceeded the number of thirty. I have, however, some doubt whether Shakespeare's name might not have been retained in such a list as long as he continued to possess an interest in the profits of the theatre, even although he had relinquished his / p.48 / profession as an actor. It seems evident from a document printed in my Life of Shakespeare, p.208, that, in 1604, he was occupied in pursuits of quite a different kind at Stratford, and the transactions there mentioned are of a character to lead us to believe he was then a resident in that town, especially as they are spread over a considerable period; but it must be borne in mind that the evidence in this respect is not sufficiently complete to enable us to decide with certainty the period of his permanent establishment at Stratford, for Aubrey's assertion, that "he was wont to goe to his native countrey once a yeare", sufficiently explains the circumstances of the case, if, indeed, we may venture to adopt the opinion of a writer whose other statements are so improbable.

---

VII.—SHAKESPEARE AT STRATFORD IN 1596
       THE name of Shakespeare occurs in the particulars attached to the following writ of certiorari—"Mr. Shaxpere one boke." The original document is preserved in the Council Chamber of Stratford-on-Avon, and has never yet been noticed. It either alludes to John Shakespeare, the poet's father, or to Shakespeare himself, for Shakespeare the shoemaker had left Stratford before this period. If the latter, as is most probably the case (for John Shakespeare had little to do with learning or books), it adds another presumptive proof to the several we already possess / p.49 / that Shakespeare was thus early a frequent visitor to his native town. I follow the spelling of the original.
      Elizabeth, Dei gratia Angl. ffranc. et Hibern. regina, Fidei defensor, &c., ballivo burgi sive villæ de Stretford super Avon salutem, Quia in recordo et processu ac etiam in reddicione judicii loquele, que fuit coram vobis in cur. nostra burgi sive villæ prædict. sine brevi nostro, secundum consuetudinem ejusdem burgi sive villæ, inter Margaretam Yonge viduam et Johannam Parrett viduam, de quadam transgressione super casum eidem Margaretæ per præfatam Johannam illat. ut dicitur, Error intervenit manifestus ad grave dampnum ipsius Johannæ, sicut ex querela sua accepimus; nos errorem, si quis fuerit modo debito corrigi et partibus prædictis plenam et cæterem justiciam fieri volentes in hac parte vobis mandamus quod si judicium inde redditum sit tunc recordum et processum loquelæ prædictæ cum omnibus ea tangen. nobis sub sigillo vestro distincte et aperte mittatis et hoc breve, Ita quod ea habeamus a die Sancti Hillarii in xv. dies ubicunque tunc fuerimus in Angl. ut inspectis recordo et processu prædictis ulterius inde pro errore illo corrigendo fieri faciamus quod de jure et secundum legem et consuetudinem regni nostri Angl. fuerit faciendum. Teste meipsa apud Westm. tercio die Novembr. anno regni reginæ tricesimo octavo.

[1596.]	Per Smyth.
	Ric. Dixon.		Nicolas James.
	Thomas More.		Thomas Bucke.
	Willm Slater.		Thomas Sharpe.
	Humffrey Cowper		Thomas Nycolls.

/ p.50 /

	Humffrey Wheler		ffowlke Jonsons.
	Roger Bragge.		George Mace.

      Yowre yssue ys to enquere whether that a woman's gowne of sadd tawnie, faced withe vellett, to the value of fyve pound; one other woman's gowne, of skattes color, pryced iijli., one kyrtle, pryce xxxs., one pettie-cote, pryce xxxs., one cloke, pryce liiis. iiijd., two daggers, pryce xvjs. viijd., one coverlett, pryce xls., and iij. thre prayer bokes, pryce xs., the xxth day of July, a^o. xxxvij^o. Elizabethe regine, dyd come to the handes and possession of Johane Parrett wydo or not: yf yow finde for the playntyffe, yow must assesse damages, and also for costes of the sute.
      We fynd for the playntyf to be damnyfyd to the valeve of vli. ixs. iiijd. Costes, vjd.
      Jury betwen Margryt Younge, plantyv, and Jane Perat, defendant.

Phyllyp Gren		oRoger Bragg, jur.
Nycolas Tybates		Rychard Tayller
Robert Bydell		Edward Walt
oRychard Dyxson, jur.		Henge Piggan
John Whood		oNycollas James, jur.
Rychard Hornbye		oThomas Bucke, jur.
Robert Wylson		John Strayne
Robert Janson		Laurens Holmes
oThomas More, jur.		oThomas Sharpe, jur.
oWyllyame Slater, jur.		oThomas Nycolles, jur.
oHumfrey Couper, jur.		oFoulke Jansones, jur.
oHumfrey Wheeller, jur.		oGeorge Mase, jur.

/ p.51 /

      [To this list of jurymen the following curious memorandum is attached.]
      Mr. Shaxpere, one boke.
      Mr. Barber, a coverlett, ij. daggars, the 3 bokes.
      Ursula ffylld the apparell and the bedding clothes at Whytsontyd was twelmonth.
      Emily Blacke.          Dettes due to the partie ded.

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VIII.—SHAKESPEARE'S THREE AUNTS.
       THE trust deeds made by Robert and Agnes Arden, on July 17th, 1550, in favour of their six children, exclusive of Mary Arden, Shakespeare's mother, are quoted by Mr. Collier, p. 63, whom I have followed in an erroneous date, not having then seen the original document. One of these deeds is printed in my Life of Shakespeare, p. 6, and with the following will form a complete account of the transaction. There can be no doubt but that some arrangements of other property in Snitterfield were made in favour of Mary Arden, and indeed there is documentary evidence that such was the case, but the papers belonging to them at this period have not yet been discovered.
      "Sciant presentes et futuri quod ego Robertus Ardern de Wylmecote in parochia de Aston Cantlowe in com. Warr. husbandman dedi concessi et hac presenti carta mea tripartit. indentat. confirmavi Adæ Palmer de Aston Cantlowe prædict. et Hugoni Porter de Snytterfylde in com. / p.52 / prædicto, totum illud mesuagium meum et tres quartronas terræ cum prat. eisden pertinent. cum suis pertinen. in Snytterfylde prædict. quæ nunc sunt in tenura cujusdam Ricardi Henley, ac tot. illud cotagium meum cum gardino et pomario adjacen. cum suis pertin. in Snytterfyld prædict. quæ nunc sunt in tenura prædicti Hugonis Porter, Habendum et Tenendum omnia prædict. mesuagium cotagium gardinum pomarium terr. prat. et cætera premissa cum suis pertin. prædictis Adæ Palmer et Hugoni Porter hæredibus et assign suis ad usum et opus mei prædicti Roberti Ardern et Agnetis nunc uxoris meæ pro termino vitæ nostrum eorundem Roberti et Agnetis ac diucius viventis nostrum, et post decessum diucius viventis nostrum prædictorum Roberti Ardern et Agnetis nunc uxoris meæ tunc ad usus et opus sequent: Scilicet unam terciam partem omnium prædict. mesuagii cotagii gardini pomarii terr. prat. et ceterorum premissorum cum suis pertin. ad usum et opus Margaretæ Webbe nunc uxoris Alexandri Webbe de Bereley filiæ mei prædicti Roberti Ardern ac hæredum et assign. ejusdem Margaretæ Webbe in perpetuum, et alteram terciam partem omnium eorundem mesuagii cotagii gardini pomarii terr. et cæterorum præmissorum cum suis pertin. ad usum et opus Jocosæ Ardern aliæ filiæ mei prædicti Roberti Ardern ac hæredibus et assign. ejusdem Jocosæ Ardern in perpetuum, Aliamque terciam partem omnium prædictorum mesuagii cotagii gardini pomarii terr. prat. et cæterorum præmissorum cum suis pertin. ad usum et opus Aliciæ Ardern aliæ filiæ mei prædicti Roberti Ardern ac hæredum et assign. ejusdem Aliciæ Ardern in perpetuum / p.53 / de capitalibus dominis feodi ill. per serviciam inde prius debit. et de jure consuet. Et ego vero prædictus Robertus Ardern et hæredes mei omnia prædict. mesuagium cotagium gardinum pomarium terr. prat. et cætera præmissa cum suis pertin. præfatis Adæ Palmer et Hugoni Porter hæredibus et assign. suis ad usus et opus supradict. contra omnes gentes warantizabimus et in perpetuum defendemus per præsentes. Sciatis insuper me prædictum Robertum Ardern plenam et pacificam possessionem et seisinam de et in prædict. mesuag. cotag. gardin. pomar. terr. prat. et ceteris præmissis cum suis pertin. præfatis Adæ Palmer et Hugoni Porter ad usus et opus superius specificatus secundum vim formam tenorem et effectum hujus præsentis cartæ meæ triplic. indentat. inde eis confect. in propria persona mea tradidisse et liberasse. In cujus rei testimonium cuilibet parti hujus præsentis cartæ meæ tripart. indentat. sigillum meum apposui. Datum decimo septimo die Jullii anno regni domini Edwardi Sexti Dei gratia Angliæ ffranc. et Hibern. regis Fidei defensoris, et in terra ecclesiæ Anglicanæ et Hibernicæ supremi capitis quarto.

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/ p.54 /

IX.—WASHINGTON IRVING ON STRATFORD AND
SHAKESPEARE'S BIRTH-PLACE, WITH ILLUS-
TRATIONS AND NOTES.
       THE most elegant paper on Stratford, regarding it in its connexion with our great poet, is the production of an American. Washington Irving's essay on the subject is, indeed, so exquisitely written, that, after an attempt to embody his allusions in a separate production, so as to afford an opportunity for introducing the woodcuts, I decided on reprinting it entire, merely subjoining a few explanatory foot-notes. Transatlantic readers will probably not find fault with this. The Red Horse Inn, and its "little parlour", are now added to the attractions of Stratford; and no true American will turn his steps from the town without having seen the temporary abode of "Geoffrey Crayon." The enthusiasm in this respect has extended itself so far that, some time ago, a small party abstracted the poker from this apartment; and the landlord, remembering, perhaps, the relation of the theft committed by the "sworn brothers in filching", Nym and Bardolph,—"in Calais they stole a fire-shovel"—despaired of its return; but in a few days the missing implement was forwarded to its owner, inscribed with the magic line, Geoffrey Crayon's sceptre, and there it remains, a relic more authentic at least, if not as interesting, as Shakespeare's chair.

/ p.55 /

Enlargement
O a homeless man, who has no spot on this wide world which he can truly call his own, there is a momentary feeling of something like independence and territorial consequence, when, after a weary day's travel, he kicks off his boots, thrusts his feet into slippers, and stretches himself before an inn fire. Let the world go as it may; let kingdoms rise and fall, so long as he has the wherewithal to pay his bill, he is, for the time being, the very monarch of all he surveys. The arm-chair is his throne, the poker his sceptre, and the little parlor, of some twelve feet square, his undisputed empire.*

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   * "This chair shall be my state, this dagger my sceptre, and this cushion my crown".—1 Henry IV, act ii, sc. 4.
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It is a morsel of certainty, snatched from the midst of the uncertainties of life; it is a sunny moment gleaming out kindly on a cloudy day; and he who has advanced some way on the pilgrimage / p.56 / of existence, knows the importance of husbanding even morsels and moments of enjoyment. "Shall I not take mine ease in mine inn?" thought I, as I gave the fire a stir, lolled back in my elbow-chair, and cast a complacent look about the little parlour of the Red Horse at Stratford-upon-Avon.*

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   * The little parlour here immortalized is the first room on the left entering the gateway of the inn, and immediately opposite Bridge Street.
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The Parlour at the Red Horse.
Enlargement
      The words of sweet Shakespeare were just passing through my mind as the clock struck midnight from the tower of the church in which he lies buried.†

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   † It is not an agreeable, perhaps not a wise, task to disturb a poet's thoughts. Truth will destroy the poetry of this passage. The clock was that at the Old Market Cross, not at the church, which did not contain one.
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There was a gentle tap at the door, and a pretty chambermaid, putting in her smiling face, inquired, with a hesitating air, whether I had rung.‡

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   ‡ "Sally Gardiner, the zealous housekeeper of the establishment, regrets that she did not shew herself on this occasion to our author, for she it was who actually / p.57 / rapped at the door, and by subsequently allowing pretty Hannah Cuppage to attend him with the bed-candle and warming-pan to No. 15 (immediately over the little parlour), lost an immortality from his pen. On a future visit, however, she still hopes to exclaim,—' 'Tis now midnight, and by eight o'clock to-morrow I may be made immortal.' Sally is in a state of single blessedness."—Captain Saunders' MSS. belonging to the Shaksperian Club, Stratford-on-Avon.
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/ p.56 / I understood it as a modest hint that it was / p.57 /

The Jubilee Amphitheatre. Enlargement

time to retire. My dream of absolute dominion was at an end; so abdicating my throne like a prudent potentate, to avoid being deposed, and putting the Stratford guide-book under my arm, as a pillow companion, I went to bed, and dreamt all night of Shakespeare, the jubilee, and David Garrick.
      The next morning was one of those quickening mornings which we sometimes have in early spring; for it was about the middle of March. The chills of a long winter had suddenly given way; the north wind had spent its last gasp; and a mild air came stealing from the west, breathing the breath of life into nature, and wooing every bud and flower to burst into fragrance and beauty.
      I had come to Stratford on a poetical pilgrimage. My first visit was to the house in which he was born, and where, according to tradition, he was brought up to his father's craft of wool-combing.
      It is a small, mean-looking edifice of wood and plaster; / p.58 / a true nestling place of genius, which seems to delight in hatching its offspring in by-corners.
      The walls of its squalid chambers are covered with

Room in which Shakespeare was born. Enlargement

names and inscriptions, in every language, by pilgrims of all nations, ranks, and conditions, from the prince to the peasant, and present a simple, but striking instance of the spontaneous and universal homage of mankind to the great poet of nature.
      The house is shown by a garrulous old lady, in a frosty red face, lighted up by a cold blue anxious eye, and garnished with artificial locks of flaxen hair, curling from under an exceedingly dirty cap. She was peculiarly assiduous in exhibiting the relics with which this, like all other celebrated shrines, abounds. There was the shattered

Shakespeare's Matchlock

stock of the very match-lock with which Shakespeare shot the deer, on his poaching exploits. There too was his tobacco-box, which proves that he was a rival*

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   * It is somewhat singular that no allusion to tobacco in any way should be found in Shakespeare. Ben Jonson and his contemporaries are constantly alluding to it.
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smoker / p.59 / of Sir Walter Raleigh; the sword, also, with which he

played Hamlet; and the identical lantern with which Friar Laurence discovered Romeo and Juliet at the tomb! There was an ample supply, also, of Shakespeare's mulberry-tree, which seems to have as extraordinary powers of self-multiplication as the wood of the true cross, of which there is enough extant to build a ship of the line.
      The most favourite object of curiosity, however, is Shakespeare's chair. It st