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'THE first play that brought Fletcher and him
in esteem was their Philaster; for before that they
had written two or three very unsuccessfully.
Their plots were generally more regular than Shake-
speare's, especially those which were made before
Beaumont's death; and they understood and imitated
the conversation of gentlemen much better; whose
wild debaucheries, and quickness of wit in repartees,
no poet before them could paint as they have done.
Humour, which Ben Jonson derived from particular
persons, they made it not their business to describe;
they represented all the passions very lively, but above
all love. I am apt to believe the English language in
them arrived to its highest perfection; what words
have since been taken in are rather superfluous than
ornamental.'-DRYDEN.

PREFACE

Early Editions. In the Stationers' Register, under the date 10 January, 1619-20, we find the entry :

Thomas Walkley

Entred for his copie vnder the handes of

Master Tauernor and Master Jaggard warden vjd

A Play Called Philaster.

The edition here referred to is the Quarto of 1620, with the title: Philaster; or, Love lyes a Bleeding. Acted at the Globe by his Maiesties Servants.

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Printed at London for Thomas Walkley, and are to be sold at his shop at the Eagle and Child in Brittaines Bursse, 1620, 4o. On the title-page there is also a small woodcut representing 'The Princes,' 'A Cuntrie Gentellman,' and 'Philaster,' and illustrating a situation in Act iv. Scene 3 of the play. This edition begins and ends in an entirely different manner from all its successors. Its text up to line 117 in Act i. and from line 38 in Act v. Scene 4 is manifestly spurious, and it is corrupt in other places. But in certain passages it preserves what appears

to be the true reading. It contains a list of 'The Actors Names,' but no Preface.

The Second Quarto appeared in 1622, with the title: Philaster or Love lies a Bleeding. As it hath been diverse times Acted at the Globe, and Blacke-Friers, by his Maiesties Servants.

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London,

The second Impression, corrected, and amended. Printed for Thomas Walkley, and are to be solde at his shoppe, at the signe of the Eagle and Childe, in Brittaines Bursse, 1622, 4°. This edition has no woodcut or list of characters, but it contains the following Preface, 'To the Reader.' Courteous Reader. Philaster and Arethusa his loue, haue laine so long a bleeding, by reason of some dangerous and gaping wounds, which they received in the first Impression that it is wondered how they could go abroad so long, or trauaile as farre as they have done. Although they were hurt neither by me, nor the Printer; yet I knowing and finding by experience, how many well-wishers they haue abroad, haue adventured to bind up their wounds, to enable them to visite vpon better tearmes, such friends of theirs as were pleased to take knowledge of them, so mained and deformed, as they at the first were, and if they were then gracious in your sight, assuredly they will now finde double fauour, being reformed, and set forth suitable to their birth, and breeding. By your serviceable Friend, Thomas Walkley. This edition was the first to give the true text of the play, and as it appeared during the lifetime of Fletcher, who

may not improbably have resented the publication of the corrupt Quarto of 1620, it is of peculiar value.

The third Quarto appeared in 1628, with the title: Printed by A. M. for Richard Hawkins, and are to be sold at his Shop in Chancery-lane, adioyning to Sarjeants Inne gate. It contains the following Preface from 'The Stationer to The Understanding Gentrie.' This play so affectionatly taken and approved by the Seeing Auditors, or Hearing Spectators (of which sort, I take or conceive you to bee the greatest part) hath received (as appears by the copious vent of two Editions) no lesse acceptance with improouement of you likewise the Readers, albeit the first Impression swarm'd with Errors, proouing it selfe like pure Gold, which the more it hath beene tried and refined, the better is esteemed; the best Poems of this kind, in the first presentation, resemble that all tempting minerall newly digged vp, the acters being onely the labouring Miners, but you the skilfull Triers and Refiners: Now considering how currant this hath passed under the infallible stampe of your iudicious censure, and applause, and (like a gainefull office in this Age) eagerly sought for, not onely by those that have heard and seene it, but by others that have meerely heard thereof: here you behold me acting the merchant-aduenturers part, yet as well for their satisfaction as mine own benefit, and if my hopes (which I hope, shall neuer lye like this Loue a Bleeding) doe fairely arrive at their intended Hauen, I shall then be ready to lade a new Bottome, and set forth againe, to gaine the good-will both of you and them. To whom respectively I conuey this hearty greeting. Adieu.

This Preface, which is repeated in later Quartos, sufficiently attests the play's popularity, of which still stronger proof is furnished by the number of editions that were rapidly called

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