This play was the object of ridicule to almost every writer of the time.[1] Heywood refers to it as the work of Thomas Kyd,[2] who is enumerated among the best tragic writers of his time by Meres. Ben Jonson speaks of him in his lines on Shakespeare as sporting Kyd; and Clarke, in his "Polimanteia," 1595, says, "Cornelia's Tragedy, however not respected, was excellently well done by him."
There is no exact authority for calling Allde's undated 4to the second edition, as Hawkins did, since we do not know how many others may have preceded it. The play was licenced in October 1592; but of a first edition, not purporting to be amended, no copy has been yet found. The allusion to "Jeronimo," which occurs in the introduction to Jonson's "Bartholomew Fair," probably refers to the "First Part of Jeronimo."
Henslowe seems to mention a performance of the "Spanish Tragedy," February 23, 1591-92; and we find from Decker's "Satiromastix," 1602, that Ben Jonson originally performed the part of Jeronimo.[3]
Cotton alludes to this play even as late as in the prologue to his "Scoffer Scoff'd"—
"Old tales and songs and an old jest,
Our stomachs easily digest,
And of all plays Hieronymo's the best,"
which shows that then it was remembered.
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.
- The Ghost of Andrea.
- Revenge.
- King of Spain.
- Viceroy of Portingal.
- Don Cyprian, Duke of Castile.
- Hieronimo, Marshal of Spain.[5]
- Balthazar,[6] the Viceroy's Son, in love with Bell'-Imperia.
- Lorenzo, Duke of Castile's Son.
- Horatio, Hieronimo's Son.
- Alexandro.
- Villuppo.
- Pedringano.
- Serbebine.
- Old Man.
- Painter.
- Page.
- Hangman.
- Citizens, Soldiers, Attendants.
- Isabella, Hieronimo's Wife.
- Bell'-Imperia, Lorenzo's Sister.
THE SPANISH TRAGEDY, &c.