The story of the serious portion of the play was doubtless derived from an old ballad, inserted by Thomas Deloney in his "Garland of Good Will" (probably written by him), where it is entitled "A Song of King Edgar, showing how he was deceived of his Love." As it is reprinted in all the editions of "Evans's Old Ballads," and has been the subject of two plays in comparatively modern times,[23] it is not necessary here to give any detail of the plot, which also, in several incidents, strongly resembles parts of Robert Greene's "Friar Bacon and Friar Bongay," which, like the "Knack to know a Knave," was printed in 1594.[24] The Editor was, some years ago, permitted to make a transcript of this rare play from a copy in the library of his Grace the Duke of Devonshire, that in the British Museum being very defective in several places, and the missing pages having been supplied by very delusive manuscript. The Rev. Alexander Dyce also possesses a perfect exemplar, which was extremely useful for the purpose of collation. THE CONFLICT OF CONSCIENCE EDITION. An excellent new Commedie, Intituled: The Conflict of Conscience. Contayninge, A most lamentable example of the dolefull desperation of a miserable world-linge termed by the name of Philologus, _who_ forsooke the trueth of Gods Gospel, for feare of the losse of lyfe & worldly goods. Compiled, by Nathaniell Woodes, Minister, in Norwich. The Actors names, deuided into six partes, most conuenient for such as be disposed, either to shew this Comedie in priuate houses, or otherwise. PROLOGUE, | MATHETES, | _For one_. CONSCIENCE, | PAPHINITIUS, | SATAN, | TYRANNY, | SPIRIT, | _For one_. HORROR, | EUSEBIUS, | AVARICE, | SUGGESTION, | _For one_. GISBERTUS, | NUNTIUS, | HYPOCRISY, | _For one_. THEOLOGUS, | CARDINAL, | _For one_. CACON, < PHILOLOGUS, _For one_. At London Printed by Richarde Bradocke dwellinge in Aldermanburie, a little aboue the Conduict. Anno. 1581. 4to. Black-letter. THE PROLOGUE When whirling winds which blow with blust'ring blast, Shall cease their course, and not the air move, But still unstirred it doth stand, it chanceth at the last To be infect, the truth hereof even day by day we prove; For deep within the caves of earth of force it doth behove, Sith that no winds do come thereto, the air out to beat, By standing still the closed air doth breed infections great. The stream or flood, which runneth up and down, Is far more sweet than is the standing brook: If long unworn you leave a cloak or gown, Moths will it mar, unless you thereto look: Again, if that upon a shelf you place or set a book, And suffer it there still to stand, the worms will soon it eat: A knife likewise, in sheath laid up, the rust will mar and fret.