Beaumont & Fletchers Works (1 of 10) – the Custom of the Country
TextEpilogue
Why there should be an Epilogue to a play,
I know no cause: the old and usuall way,
For which they were made, was to entreat the grace
Of such as were spectators in this place,
And time, 'tis to no purpose; for I know
What you resolve already to bestow,
Will not be alter'd, what so e're I say,
In the behalf of us, and of the Play;
Only to quit our doubts, if you think fit,
You may, or cry it up, or silence it.
Another Prologue for the Custom of the Country
We wish, if it were possible, you knew
What we would give for this nights look, if new.
It being our ambition to delight
Our kind spectators with what's good, and right.
Yet so far know, and credit me, 'twas made
By such, as were held work-men in their Trade,
At a time too, when they as I divine,
Were truly merrie, and drank lusty wine,
The nectar of the Muses; Some are here
I dare presume, to whom it did appear
A well-drawn piece, which gave a lawfull birth
To passionate Scenes mixt with no vulgar mirth.
But unto such to whom 'tis known by fame
From others, perhaps only by the name,
I am a suitor, that they would prepare
Sound palats, and then judge their bill of fare.
It were injustice to decry this now
For being like'd before, you may allow
(Your candor safe) what's taught in the old schools,
All such as liv'd before you, were not fools.
The Epilogue
I spake much in the Prologue for the Play,
To its desert I hope, yet you might say
Should I change now from that, which then was meant,
Or in a syllable grow less confident,
I were weak-hearted. I am still the same
In my opinion, and forbear to frame
Qualification, or excuse: If you
Concur with me, and hold my judgement true,
Shew it with any sign, and from this place,
Or send me off exploded, or with grace.
THE CUSTOM OF THE COUNTRY
A = The First Folio.
p. 302, l. 2. A omits Lists of Persons Represented in the Play and of principal Actors. l. 49. Second Folio misprints] Arnolda.
p. 303, l. 5. A] And that. l. 17. A] a conscience. l. 21. A] Customes. l. 24. A] In the world.
p. 304, l. 25. A] it can. l. 36. A] I A dainty wench. l. 37. A omits] I.
p. 305, l. 3. Second Folio misprints] yon. l. 11. A] wilde minde. l. 24. A] a heritage.
p. 306, l. 14. A] De'e doubt tis day now. l. 15. A] pulses.
p. 307, l. 32. A] This rogue that breaks.
p. 308, l. 7. A] speake.
p. 311, l. 31. A] alarums.
p. 312, l. 14. A] this marring. l. 15. A] sheckles. ll. 26-28. A adds in the margin] Boy ready for the songs.
p. 313, l. 13. A] But such a ransome. ll. 28 and 29. A adds marginal stage-direction] Bowle of wine ready. l. 31. A] And blushing and unloose.
p. 314, l. 39. A] alarums. ll. 7 and 9. Second Folio] Arn.
p. 316, l. 2. A] Pompean. l. 19. A] Ile ha' your life. l. 20. A prints this line as part of Charino's speech.
p. 317, l. 8. A omits] A. l. 23. A omits] o're.
p. 319, l. 8. A] Lisborne.
p. 321, l. 21. A] renders. l. 35. A] Lisborne.
p. 322, l. 14. A] aboord. l. 15. A] Yet my disguise. l. 30. A] the contempt.
p. 325, l. 10. A] And he in Lisbon. ll. 22-26. This speech is printed in A as a continuation of Arnoldo's.
p. 326, ll. 18 and 19. A adds in the margin] Tapers ready. l. 20. A] so, like a Turke. l. 26. Second Folio misprints] Of what. l. 34. Second Folio misprints] embace.
p. 327, ll. 2-10. A gives all these lines to Rutilio.
p. 328, ll. 5 and 6. A adds in margin] Lights ready. l. 33. A omits] Fight. l. 35. A omits] Falls. l. 38. Second Folio misprints] Governous.
p. 329, l. 4. A omits] 1.
p. 331, l. 30. A prints marginal direction] Hold a purse ready.
p. 333, l. 14. In A the words 'my state would rather ask a curse' are printed by mistake between ll. 16 and 17. l. 23. A] sight. l. 30. A] her Chamber.
p. 334. l. 17. A] but to a fortune. l. 21. A] bucket. l. 39. A prints the marginal direction (Musicke) at the end of the following line.
p. 335, l. 1. A omits] 1. l. 19. A] strike indeed.
p. 336, l. 1. A] attend her.
p. 341, ll. 14-16. A by mistake gives these lines as a continuation of Sulpicia's speech. l. 33. A] beaten off.
p. 342, l. 23. A] blow that part.
p. 344, l. 12. A] affection.
p. 345, l. 33. A] give that.
p. 346, l. 4. A] may cease.
p. 350, l. 18. A] a larum.
p. 352, l. 5. A] had. l. 13. Second Folio misprints] Portual.
p. 353, l. 29. A omits] will.
p. 354, l. 25. Second Folio] comanded.
p. 358, l. 31. A] angers.
p. 359, l. 13. Second Folio] you. l. 25 and 26. A transposes these lines. l. 26. A omits] not.
p. 361, l. 10. A] hopes. Lords againe. l. 38. A omits] and.
p. 365, l. 27. A] it will not hold. l. 33. A] lost me an. l. 34. Second Folio misprints] strengthing. l. 39. A] a dores.
p. 367, l. 4. A] adventure. 1. 20. Second Folio misprints] unwhosom.
p. 368, l. 38. Second Folio misprints] To may you.
p. 369, l. 27. A omits] do. l. 28. A] maugre.
p. 371, l. 9. A] sorrowes. l. 27. A omits] and.
p. 372, l. 18. A] visitance.
p. 373, l. 3. A] but to read.
p. 375, l. 11. A] Gives.
p. 376, l. 2. A] banding.
p. 379, l. 1. A] a foote. l. 9. A] stick. l. 23. A] welcome home, Gentlemen.
p. 380, l. 36. A] eye.
p. 381, l. 19. Second Folio] If.
p. 383, l. 13. A] Doore in.
p. 384, l. 25. Second Folio misprints] rrue.
P. 387, l. 13. A adds] For my Soune Clarke.