[322] "These lies are like their father—gross as a mountain, open, palpable."—Shak., 1 Hen. IV. 2, 4.
[323] Ward, l.c., calls Roister "a vain-glorious, cowardly blockhead, of whom the Pyrgopolinices of Plautus is the precise prototype." That his character has some fine points, modelled after the Terentian Thraso, is shown in the notes (cf. especially the last scene). Roister's character, indeed, is the least original of the play, but he is not Udall's favourite figure. Udall did not spend as much labour on him as on Merygreeke.
[324] This possible complication, which would have yielded a fine scene, seems not to have occurred to Udall.
[325] In this respect even Jack Juggler deserves credit. I find no trace of Plautus and Terence in Heywood's plays.
ROISTER DOISTER
BY
NICHOLAS UDALL
[The Persons of the Play
- Ralph Royster Doyster, "Miles."[326]
- Mathewe Merygreeke, his friend.
- Gawin Goodlucke, London Merchant, affianced to Custance.
- Tristram Trusty, his friend.
- Dobinet Doughtie, servant to Royster.
- Tom Trupenie, servant to Custance.
- Sym Suresby, servant to Goodluck.
- Harpax and other Musicians in Royster's service.
- Scrivener.
- Dame Christian Custance, a wealthy widow.
- Mage Mumble crust, her old nurse.
- Tibet talk apace }
- Annot Alyface } maids of Custance.
THE SCENE