From the size and manner of the page of this folio edition being upon the same scale as Wayland’s reprint of The tragedies gathered by Ihon Bochas, as noticed already, it appears upon calculation, that if no more than was printed in 1559 had been given,[21] it would not have exceeded twenty-five or thirty leaves, and which may be assigned as a further reason for believing the original intention was to include both works in one volume.

A Myrroure for Magistrates. Wherein may be seen by example of other, with howe greuous plages vices are punished: and howe frayle and vnstable worldly prosperitie is founde, even of those whom Fortune seemeth most highly to fauour. Fœlix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum. Anno 1559. Londini, In ædibus Thomæ Marshe. 92 leaves.

This title is in an architectural metal border, composed of four pieces. After the Epistle inscribed by the editor William Baldwin, to the Nobility, and his Brief Memorial addressed to the Reader, follow nineteen legends, viz:

1. Tresilian by Ferrers.
2. Two Mortimers Cavyll.
3. Gloucester Ferrers.
4. Norfolk Chaloner.
5. Richard II. Ferrers.
6. Owen Glendour Phaer.
7. Northumberland *Baldwin.
8. Cambridge Baldwin.
9. Salisbury *Baldwin.
10. James I. Baldwin.
11. Suffolk Baldwin.
12. Jack Cade *Baldwin.
13. Yorke *Baldwin.
14. Clifford *Baldwin.
15. Worcester *Baldwin.
16. Warwick *Baldwin.
17. Henry VI.[22] *Baldwin.
18. Clarence Baldwin.
19. Edward IV. Skelton.

Several of these lives have always been printed without signatures, and, from want of a knowledge of other claimants, are conjecturally supposed to be written by Baldwin. A slight authority for this appropriation is found in the Epistle before the continuation of the work in the next edition, in the observation: “I have nowe also set furth another parte conteynynge as litle of myne owne, as the fyrst doth of other mens.” With no better testimony, ten of the lives, distinguished above with asterisks, are attributed to his pen, while in another place Baldwin makes questionable his own title. The passage alluded to is found in the preface, and has been hitherto passed over unnoticed. He says: “The numbre of seauen, were through a generall assent at one apoynted time and place, gathered together, to deuise thereupon; (and, he adds) I resorted vnto them.”[23] After this formal annunciation of a company consisting of eight persons, including the Editor, given at the head of the volume, may we not expect to find, that each was a contributor? Yet in the above list, are only six names, viz: Ferrers, Cavil, Chaloner, Phaer, Baldwin, and Skelton; and the last doubtful, as he died as early as 1529; and Baldwin repeats the lines from memory. Perhaps this difficulty may be avoided by adding to the five certain names those of Sackville, Dolman, and Segar; concluding that the Editor had received their assurance of articles in time for another edition, and which are found inserted in the next accordingly. No other name interferes with this disposition, except that of Churchyard, whose communication of Shore’s Wife was no sooner read, than Baldwin observes: “all together exhorted me instantly to procure Maister Churchyarde to vndertake and to penne as manye moe of the remaynder as myght by any meanes be attaynted at his handes.” This presumptively shows that the author was not enumerated as one of the company.

All that can be gleaned from the intermediate prose, upon this subject, is very inconclusive and unsatisfactory. For example, there being no man ready at the meeting,[24] Baldwin said: “I will somewhat doe my part, I will, under your correction, declare the tragedy of Thomas Mowbray, duke of Northfolk.” And to this life, in edition 1571, “T. Ch.” is added, the signature of Sir T. Chaloner. Again, at p. 77, Ferrers is staid by one who briefly said: “To the end, Baldwin, that you may know what to say of the Percies,—I will take upon me the person of the Lord Henry Percy,” &c. and this is left without signature, and given to Baldwin. Similar at p. 102, where the Speaker adopting king James, concludes “mark, Baldwin, what I think he may say,” and which also, as wanting signature, has the same appropriation. Several others are contradictory, as being delivered in the person of one of the company, and since assigned to the Editor, by whose indolence, perhaps, in not altering the conversations to suit the fact, after public approbation extinguished the desire of secrecy, and real signatures were added, much of this complexity arises.

A Myrrovr for Magistrates—Anno 1563. Imprinted at London in Fletestrete nere to Saynct Dunstans Churche by Thomas Marshe. 178 leaves.

This title in the same border as before. In addition to the contents of the preceding article, this has the original Induction by Sackville; and the eight following legends, as a second part, viz.

20. Rivers by Baldwin.
21. Hastings Dolman.
Induction Sackville.
22. Buckingham Sackville.
23. Collingborn Baldwin.
24. Richard III. Segar.
25. Jane Shore Churchyard.
26. Somerset *Baldwin.
27. The Blacksmith Cavyll.

As well in this as the prior edition, there is a lapse in numbering the folio from xlviii to lix.[25] The other edition is printed on a better paper, and with clearer ink; abounds less in press errors; and has not such frequent inaccuracies in the numbering, though they correspond in leaves to fol. Lxxxv, sig. k i, where “endeth the first parte” in this edition. The opening prose, or conversation, of the second part is addressed to the reader, by Baldwin, in whose hands Ferrers is described, as placing all he had brought, having business great and weighty to attend, and knowing he could “do it well inough:” And “dyuers of the rest lykyng hys deuyse, vsed the lyke maner.” The whole controul of this first edition of the second part was evidently given to Baldwin.