THE TWO ANGRY WOMEN OF ABINGTON.
_EDITION.
The Pleasant Historie of the two angrie women of Abington. With the humorous mirthe of Dick Coomes and Nicholas Prouerbes, two Seruingmen. As it was lately playde by the right Honorable the Earle of Nottingham, Lord high Admirall, his seruants. By Henry Porter Gent. Imprinted at London for Ioseph Hunt, and William Ferbrand, and are to be solde at the Corner of Colman-streete, neere Loathburie_. 1599. 4º.
Another 4º, printed for Ferbrand alone, was published during the same year.—Dyce.
[DYCE'S PREFACE.][199]
The text of the former 4°, which is, I apprehend, the earlier impression, has been adopted in the present reprint, except where the readings of the other edition have been occasionally preferred, and where obvious typographical errors have been rectified. Every minute particular in which the second 4° differs from the first, I have thought it unnecessary to note. The absurd punctuation and faulty metrical arrangement of the old copy have not been followed; and I must be allowed to add that I have retained the original spelling only in accordance to the decision of the Percy Council.[200]
Though Henry Porter was a dramatist of considerable reputation, all his productions, except the copy now reprinted, appear to have utterly perished; and, I believe, the only materials to be found for his biography are the subjoined memoranda in the Diary of Henslowe:[201]—
Pd this 23 of Aguste 1597 to Harey Porter to carye to | T. Nashe now at this tyme in the fflete for wrytinge of | s the eylle of Dogges ten shellinges to bee paide agen to | x me when he canne I say ten shillinges |
Lent unto the company the 30 of Maye 1598 to bye a boocke | li [202] called Love prevented the some of fower powndes dd. | iiij to Thomas Dowton, Mr Porter |
Lent unto the company the 18 of Aguste 1598 to bye a Booke | li
called Hoote Anger sone cowld of Mr Porter, Mr Cheattell | vj
and bengemen Johnson in full payment, the some of |