English tragedians.
IV, 3, 299.
Although the sentence is self explanatory, its meaning puzzled me. The contemporary drama has no reference to this somewhat primitive method of advertising. I wrote the following paragraph to Notes and Queries, and received the two replies which are here printed.
FROM Notes and Queries.
Shakespereana. All’s Well that Ends Well.
In the “Arden Shakespeare,” which is the only separate edition of this play that has a full commentary, the important passage, “Has led the drum before the English tragedians,” is left unnoticed. I am prepared to wager that not one in a hundred readers of Shakespeare would be able to interpret it. I am not quite certain of its interpretation, and therefore I ask your readers to interpret it. I believe it has reference to the actors who marched through the City accompanied by a drum to call attention to the play they were about to act.
(Sgnd.) MAURICE JONAS.
REPLIES.
Shakespereana. All’s Well that Ends Well. 10 S. XI. 30.