A Collection of Old English Plays, Vol. III | Page 2

words:--
"Doe women bring no helpe of soule to men? Why, friend, they either are mens soules themselves Or the most witty imitatrixes of them, Or prettiest sweet apes of humane soules."
From a reference to Queen Elizabeth in Act I., Scene I., it is clear that Sir Gyles Goosecappe was written not later than 1603. The lines I have quoted may have been added later; or our author may have seen the Gentleman Usher in manuscript.
Chapman's influence is again (_me judice_) apparent in the eloquent but somewhat strained language of such a passage as the following:--
"Alas, my noble Lord, he is not rich, Nor titles hath, nor in his tender cheekes The standing lake of Impudence corrupts; Hath nought in all the world, nor nought wood have To grace him in the prostituted light. But if a man wood consort with a soule Where all mans sea of gall and bitternes Is quite evaporate with her holy flames, And in whose powers a Dove-like innocence Fosters her own deserts, and life and death Runnes hand in hand before them, all the skies Cleare and transparent to her piercing eyes. Then wood my friend be something, but till then A _cipher_, nothing, or the worst of men."
Sir Gyles Goosecappe is the work of one who had chosen the "fallentis semita vitae"; who was more at home in Academic cloisters than in the crowded highways of the world. None of the characters bears any impression of having been drawn from actual life. The plot is of the thinnest possible texture; but the fire of verbal quibbles is kept up with lively ingenuity, and plenty of merriment may be drawn from the humours of the affectate traveller and the foolish knight by all who are not
"of such vinegar aspect That they'll not show their teeth in way of smile, Though Nestor swear the jest be laughable."
The romantic friendship between the noble Lord Monford and the thoughtful Clarence is a pleasing study, planned and executed with a grave, sweet sincerity. It is not improbable that Clarence was the prototype of Charles in Fletcher's Elder Brother. The finest passage in the present play, where Clarence's modesty and Monford's nobility are portrayed in language of touching charm, was selected by Charles Lamb (whose judgment was never at fault) for quotation in the "Extracts from the Garrick Plays."
A second edition of Sir Gyles Goosecappe was issued, after the author's death, in 1636; and the following dedication was appended by Hugh Perry, the publisher:--
To the Worshipfull RICHARD YOUNG of Woolleyfarme in the County of Berks, Esquire.
WORTHY SIR,
_The many favours, and courtesies, that I have Received from you, and your much Honor'd Father, have put such an obligation upon me, as I have bin long cogitateing how to expresse myselfe by the requitall of some part of them; Now this Play having diverse yeeres since beene thrust into the world to seeke its owne entertainment, without so much as an epistle, or under the Shelter of any generous spirit, is now almost become worne out of memory: and comming to be press'd to the publique view againe, it having none to speake for it (the Author being dead) I am bold to recommend the same to your Worships protection, I know your studies are more propense to more serious subjects, yet vouchsafe, I beseech you, to recreate your selfe with this at some vacant time when your leasure will permit you to peruse it, and daigne mee to bee_,
Your Worships bounden Servant,
HVGH PERRY.

SIR GYLES GOOSECAPPE, _Knight_,
A Comedy presented by the Chil. of the Chappell.
AT LONDON: Printed by _Iohn Windet_, for Edward Blunt. 1606.

_Eugenia_, A widowe and a Noble Ladie. _Hippolyta_, | _Penelope_, | Ladie-virgines, and Companions to Eugenia. _Wynnifred_, gentlewoman to Eugenia. _Monford_, A Noble Man, uncle to Eugenia. _Clarence_, Gentleman, friend to Monf. _Fowlweather_, A french affected Travayler, and a Captaine. _Sir Gyles Goosecap_, a foolish Knight. _Sir Cuthbert Rudsbie_, a blunt Knight. _Sir Clement Kingcob_, a Knight, Lord Tales. Lord Furnifall. _Bullaker_, a french Page. _Iack_, | _Will_, | Pages.

Sir Gyles Goosecappe, Knight.
Actvs Primvs.
SCAENA PRIMA.
Enter Bullaker with a Torche.
Bullaker. This is the Countesse Eugenias house, I thinke. I can never hit of theis same English City howses, tho I were borne here: if I were in any City in _Fraunce_, I could find any house there at midnight.
_Enter Iack, and Will_.
Iack. Theis two strange hungry Knights (_Will_) make the leanest trenchers that ever I waited on.
Will. A plague on them _Iack_; they leave us no fees at all, for our attendance. I thinke they use to set their bones in silver they pick them so cleane.--See, see, see, _Iack_, whats that.
Iack. A my word (_Will_) tis the great _Baboone_, that was to be seen in Southwarke.
Will. Is this he? Gods my life what beastes were we, that we