the same produceth it not, for divers reasons, which do vary at
every interview.

6.--He that communicateth the idea of a yet unwritten drama to a
friend, who, being of a fair wit, and prompt withal, useth the
same to his own ends and reapeth the harvest thereof.

And secondly, of them that be unfortunate after the production of their
works, there be some whose pieces are successful, and there be some whose
pieces are not successful.

And firstly, of unfortunate authors whose pieces are unsuccessful there
be--

1.--Those who write a piece which faileth through its own demerits,
which may be, as--

A.--He that writeth a farce or comedy, and neglecteth to
introduce jokes in the same.

B.--He that writeth a farce or comedy, and introduceth bad
jokes in the same.

C.--He that writeth a farce or comedy, and introduceth old
jokes in the same.

D.--He that writeth a tragedy, and introduceth matter for
merriment therein.

E.--He that, in either tragedy, comedy, farce, or other
entertainment, shocketh the propriety of the audience, or
causeth a division in the same, by political allusions.

2.--He that writeth a piece which faileth, though not through its
own demerits, which may be, as--

A.--When the principal actor, not having the author's words by
heart, and being of a suggestive wit and good assurance,
substituteth others, which he deemeth sufficient.

B.--When the principal actor, not having the author's words by
heart, and being of a dull and heavy turn, and deaf withal,
substituteth nothing, but standeth aghast, yearning for the
voice of the prompter.

C.--When the scene-shifter ingeniously introduceth a forest into
a bed-chamber, or committeth the like incongruity, marvellous
pleasant and mirthful to behold, but in no way conducive to
success.

D.--When pistols or other fire-arms do miss fire; when red fire
igniteth not, or igniteth the scenes; when a trap-door
refuseth to open, a rope to draw, and the like.

E.--When the author intrusteth his principal part to a new actor,
and it falleth out that the same doth grievously offend the
audience, who straight insist that he do quit the stage,