The text of the former 4°, which is, I apprehend, the earlier impression, has been adopted in the present reprint, except where the readings of the other edition have been occasionally preferred, and where obvious typographical errors have been rectified. Every minute particular in which the second 4° differs from the first, I have thought it unnecessary to note. The absurd punctuation and faulty metrical arrangement of the old copy have not been followed; and I must be allowed to add that I have retained the original spelling only in accordance to the decision of the Percy Council.[200] Though Henry Porter was a dramatist of considerable reputation, all his productions, except the copy now reprinted, appear to have utterly perished; and, I believe, the only materials to be found for his biography are the subjoined memoranda in the Diary of Henslowe:[201]-- Pd this 23 of Aguste 1597 to Harey Porter to carye to | T. Nashe now at this tyme in the fflete for wrytinge of | s _the eylle of Dogges_ ten shellinges to bee paide agen to | x me when he canne I say ten shillinges | Lent unto the company the 30 of Maye 1598 to bye a boocke | li [202] called _Love prevented_ the some of fower powndes dd. | iiij to Thomas Dowton, Mr Porter | Lent unto the company the 18 of Aguste 1598 to bye a Booke | li called _Hoote Anger sone cowld_ of Mr Porter, Mr Cheattell | vj and bengemen Johnson in full payment, the some of | Lent unto Thomas Dowton the 22 of Desember 1598 to bye a | li boocke of Harey Porter called _the 2 pte of the 2 angrey_ | v _Wemen of Abengton_ | Let unto Harey Porter at the request of the company in | earnest of his booke called _ij merey women of abington_ | the some of forty shellings and for the resayte of that | s money he gave me his faythfull promise that I should have | xl alle his bookes which he writte ether him selfe or with | any other which some was dd. the 28th of febreary 1598[-9]. | Lent unto Harey Cheattell the 4 of March 1598[-9] in | s earneste of his boocke which Harey Porter and he is a | x writtinge the some of--called _the Spencers_. | Lent Harey Porter the 11 of Aprell 1599 the some of | s d | ii vj Lent Hary Porter the 16 of Aprell 1599 the some of[203] | d | xij Lent Harey Porter the 5 of Maye 1599 the some of | s d | ii vj Lent Harey Porter the 15 of Maye 1599 the some of | s d | ii vj