on the two sermon days of
the _first_ week, and after that exacted their usual share as rental
for the building.]

[Footnote 702: That is, Passion Week, during which time the English
companies were never allowed to give performances.]

The use of the Cockpit in Drury Lane came to an end at Easter, for the
Queen's own troupe, under Beeston's management, regularly occupied
that building. But the King summoned the French players to act at
Court on several occasions. Thus Herbert records:

The 4 April, on Easter Monday,[703] they played the
_Trompeur Puny_[704] with better approbation than the
other.

On Wednesday night, the 16 April,[705] 1635, the French
played _Alcimedor_[706] with good approbation.[707]

[Footnote 703: This must be an error, for Easter Monday fell on March
30.]

[Footnote 704: _Le Trompeur Puni, ou Histoire Septentrionale_, by
Scuderi.]

[Footnote 705: Wednesday was the 15th.]

[Footnote 706: _Alcimedon_, by Duryer.]

[Footnote 707: Malone, _Variorum_, III, 121, note.]

Clearly these actors were in high favor at Court. Sir Henry, who did
not as a rule show any hesitancy in accepting fees, notes in the
margin of his book: "The French offered me a present of L10; but I
refused it, and did them many other courtesies gratis to render the
Queen my mistress an acceptable service." In view of this royal favor,
it is not surprising to find that, after they were driven from the
Cockpit, they received permission to fit up a temporary playhouse in
the manage, or riding-school, of one M. Le Febure, in Drury Lane. The
Lord Chamberlain's Office-Book contains the following entry on the
subject:

18 April, 1635: His Majesty hath commanded me to signify his
royal pleasure that the French comedians (having agreed with
Mons. le Febure) may erect a stage, scaffolds, and seats,
and all other accommodations which shall be convenient, and
act and present interludes and stage plays at his house [and
manage[708]] in Drury Lane, during His Majesty's pleasure,
without any disturbance, hindrance, or interruption. And
this shall be to them, and Mr. le Febure, and to all others,
a sufficient discharge, &c.[709]

[Footnote 708: This clause I insert from Mrs. Stopes's notes on the
Lord Chamberlain's records, in the Shakespeare _Jahrbuch_, XLVI, 97.]

[Footnote 709: I have chosen to reproduce the record from Chalmers's
_Apology_, p. 506, note _s_,