ounts of Henslowe shew that it was
performed, not as a new piece, 10th June, 1592[xxii:4]; and there is no
doubt that it was originally produced several years before that date.
The name of its author has not been ascertained. That portion of it
which the title-page distinguishes as "Kemps applauded Merrimentes of
the men of Goteham" is comprehended in the following scene:

_"Enter mad men of Goteham, to wit, a Miller, a Cobler, and a
Smith._

"_Miller._ Now let vs constult among our selues how to misbehaue
our selues to the Kings worship, Iesus blesse him! and when he
comes, to deliuer him this peticion. I think the Smith were best to
do it, for hees a wise man.

"_Cobler._ Naighbor, he shall not doe it as long as Jefferay the
Translater is Maior of the towne.

"_Smith._ And why, I pray? because I would haue put you from the
Mace?

"_Miller._ [_Cobler._] No, not for that, but because he is no good
fellow, nor he will not spend his pot for companie.

"_Smith._ Why, sir, there was a god of our occupation; and I charge
you by vertue of his godhed to let me deliuer the petition.

"_Cob._ But soft you; your God was a Cuckold, and his Godhead was
the horne; and thats the Armes of the Godhead you call vpon. Go,
you are put down with your occupation; and now I wil not grace you
so much as to deliuer the petition for you.

"_Smith._ What, dispraise our trade?

"_Cob._ Nay, neighbour, be not angrie, for Ile stand to nothing
onlie but this.

"_Smith._ But what? bear witnesse a giues me the But, and I am not
willing to shoot. Cobler, I will talke with you: nay, my bellowes,
my coletrough, and my water shall enter armes with you for our
trade. O neighbour, I can not beare it, nor I wil not beare it.

"_Mil._ Heare you, neighbour; I pray conswade yourself and be not
wilful, and let the Cobler deliuer it; you shal see him mar all.

"_Smith._ At your request I will commit my selfe to you, and lay
myselfe open to you lyke an Oyster.

"_Mil._ Ile tell him what you say. Heare you, naighbor: we haue
constulted to let you deliuer the petition; doe it wisely for the
credite of the towne.

"_Cob._ Let me alone; for the Kings Carminger was here, he sayes
the King will be here anon.

"_Smith._ But heark, by the Mas he comes.

"_Enter the King, Duns