[35] It was a custom at the end of our ancient interludes and plays to conclude with a solemn prayer for the king or queen, the council, the parliament, or the nobleman by whom the players were protected. Many instances are produced by Dr Farmer and Mr Steevens, in their last notes on the epilogue to "Second Part of Henry IV.," and many others might be added. See particularly the conclusion of Fulwell's "Like will to like, quoth the Devil to the Collier," 1368; Wager's "The longer thou livest the more foole thou art;" "King Darius," and others.--_Reed._ [36] [Interest.] RALPH ROISTER DOISTER A COMEDY BY NICHOLAS UDALL (1550) [The only copy known of this admirable comedy, and that deficient of the title, was discovered in 1818, and is at present in the library of Eton College. It was reprinted in 1818, again in 1821 and 1830, and for the fourth time, with a copious account of Udall and his writings, by Mr W. D. Cooper, 1847. It was licensed and probably printed in 1566, but is quoted in Wilson's "Rule of Reason," 1551, before which date it was no doubt not only composed but performed. "Ralph Roister Doister" is the first regular comedy in our language--a place of honour long held by "Gammer Gurton's Needle," which is an inferior, as well as a later, production. Since the appearance of Mr Cooper's edition, Mr Furnivall has printed from the Royal MS. the pageant referred to at p. xiii. of Mr Cooper's introduction in one of the Ballad Society's volumes.] THE PROLOGUE. What creature is in health, either young or old, But some mirth with modesty will be glad to use, As we in this interlude shall now unfold? Wherein all scurrility we utterly refuse; Avoiding such mirth, wherein is abuse: Knowing nothing more commendable for a man's recreation, Than mirth which is used in an honest fashion. For mirth prolongeth life, and causeth health; Mirth recreates our spirits, and voideth pensiveness; Mirth increaseth amity (not hind'ring our wealth); Mirth is to be used both of more and less, Being mixed with virtue in decent comeliness, As we trust no good nature can gainsay the same: Which mirth we intend to use, avoiding all blame. The wise poets, long time heretofore, Under merry comedies secrets did declare, Wherein was contained very virtuous lore, With mysteries and forewarnings very rare. Such to write neither Plautus nor Terence did spare, Which among the learned at this day bears the bell: These with such other therein did excel. Our comedy or interlude, which we intend to play, Is named ROISTER DOISTER indeed, Which against the vain-glorious doth inveigh, Whose humour the roisting sort continually doth feed. Thus, by your patience, we intend to proceed In this our interlude, by God's leave and grace: And here I take my leave for a certain space. FINIS.