on by Pride, one of the characters, to
'Lingua,' where it is said, 'Methinks it were fit now to renew the claim
to our old title of Affections, which we have lost, as sometimes Madame
Lingua did to the title of a Sense, for it is good fishing in troubled
waters.'
"'Pathomachia' was not printed until 1630, and most likely was not
written until some years after 'Lingua,' from the allusion it contains
in act ii. to the stile of the stage, and the mention in act i. of
Coriat, the traveller, who did not become notorious until after the
publication of his 'Crudities' in 1611....
"The first edition of 'Lingua' is dated 1607, but from a passage in act
iv. sc. 7, it is evident that it was produced before the death of
Elizabeth. The last edition, in 1657, is rendered curious by the
circumstance that the bookseller, Simon Miller, asserts that it was
acted by Oliver Cromwell, the late usurper. This fact is not stated on
the title-page to the play, but in a list of works printed for the same
stationer, placed at the end of Heath's 'New Book of Loyal Martyrs'
[12mo, 1663][166].... Winstanley adds that the late usurper Cromwell
[when a young man] had therein the part of _Tactus_; and this mock
ambition for the Crown is said to have swollen his ambition so high,
that afterwards he contended for it in earnest...."
The present text is taken from the 4to of 1607.]
PROLOGUE
Our Muse describes no lover's passion,
No wretched father, no unthrifty son!
No craving, subtle whore or shameless bawd,
Nor stubborn clown or daring parasite,
No lying servant or bold sycophant.
We are not wanton or satirical.
These have their time and places fit, but we
Sad hours and serious studies to reprieve,
Have taught severe Philosophy to smile,
The Senses' rash contentions we compose,
And give displeas'd ambitious Tongue her due:
Here's all; judicious friends, accept what is not ill.
Who are not such, let them do what they will.
DRAMATIS PERSONAE.
LINGUA, _Comoedus. Tragoedus_.
AUDITUS, _Comoedus. Tragoedus_.
MENDACIO, _Lingua's page_.
TACTUS, | _Odor_.
OLFACTUS, | _Tobacco_.
VISUS, | _Lumen_,
| _Coelum_,
| _Terra_,
| _Heraldry_,
| _Colour_.
GUSTUS; _Bacchus, Ceres, Beer_.
APPETITUS, _a parasite_.
PHANTASTES.
HEURESIS, _Phantastes's page_.
CRAPULA, _Gustus's follower_.
COMMUNIS SENSUS.
MEMORIA.
ANAMNESTES, _Memoria's page_.
SOMNUS.
Personae quarum mentio tantum fi
|