[280] The Tell-Tale. Through the courtesy of the Master, Dr. Carver, I have had an opportunity of examining this play. It is of no particular interest. The comic part is very poor, suggesting William Rowley at his worst. Here are some fair lines, the best I can find:—
Fide[lio]. How? dead in prison?
Duke. Dead, Fidelio:
Things of theire nature, like [a] vipers brood,
Kill their owne parents. But having sett the Court
In some good order, my next busines
Ys thus disguis'd to overlooke the Camp;
For a rude army, like a plott of ground
Left to yt selfe, growes to a wildernes
Peopled with wolves & tigers, should not the prince
Like to a carefull gardner see yt fenct,
Waterd & weeded with industrious care,
That hee ithe time of pruning nether spare
Weeds for faire looks and painted bravery, nor
Cut downe good hearbs and serviceable for
Theire humble growth: the violet that is borne
Under a hedg outsmells the blossomd thorne
That dwells fare higher.
Fide. Yare full of goodnes & have layd out much
In provision for the whole state.
Duke. My place: I am overseer
And bound to seet provided for by pattent.
For as the sunn, when lesser plannets sleep,
Holds his continued progresse on and keepes
A watchful eye over the world, so kings
(When meaner subjects have their revillings
And sports about them) move in a restless herde;
The publique safty is theyr privat care.
But now farewell; the army once surveighd
Expect mee here.
Fid. Your pleasure bee obaid.
[281] A few years ago I suggested in "Notes and Queries" that this unknown author was Cyril Tourneur. Afterwards I discovered that I had been anticipated by Thomas Lovell Beddoes. Curiously enough Mr. Fleay had independently arrived at the same conclusion. Mr. Swinburne (Essay on Chapman) is inclined to attribute the Second Maiden's Tragedy to Middleton.
[282] The next scene is marked Act 2, Scene 1.