Lovew. To wave this Digression, I have Read of one Edward Allin, a Man so famed for excellent Action, that among Ben. Johnson's epigrams, I find one directed to him, full of Encomium, and concluding thus,
Wear this Renown, 'tis just that who did give
So many Poets Life, by one should Live.
Was he one of the Black-friers?
Trum. Never, as I have heard; (for he was Dead before my time). He was Master of a Company of his own, for whom he Built the Fortune Playhouse from the Ground, a large, round Brick Building. This is he that grew so Rich that he purchased a great estate in Surrey and elsewhere; and having no Issue, He built and largely endow'd Dulwich College, in the Year 1619, for a Master, a Warden, Four Fellows, Twelve aged poor People, and Twelve poor Boys, &c. A noble Charity.
Lovew. What kind of Playhouses had they before the Wars?
Trum. The Black-friers, Cockpit, and Salisbury-court, were called Private Houses, and were very small to what we see now. The Cockpit was standing since the Restauration, and Rhode's Company Acted there for some time.
Lovew. I have seen that.
Trum. Then you have seen the other two, in effect; for they were all three Built almost exactly alike, for Form and Bigness. Here they had Pits for the Gentry, and Acted by Candle-light. The Globe, Fortune and Bull, were large Houses, and lay partly open to the Weather, and there they alwaies Acted by Daylight.
Lovew. But, prithee, Truman, what became of these Players when the Stage was put down, and the Rebellion rais'd?