The copy of this play in the Garrick collection appears to be the only one known, and from that source it is now for the first time reprinted. Mr Collier (Hist Engl. Dram. Poetr., ii, 318) points out that there is internal evidence, from the allusion to the 43d year of Queen Elizabeth, that the production was performed before her Majesty in 1600; and it seems likely that it was a revival of a more ancient piece. The writer just quoted remarks that a play, called "Prodigality," was exhibited at Court in 1568 (ibid. note). Philips, author of the "Theatrum Poetarum," in assigning it to Greene, followed either some tradition of the time or his own whim; but he is not a trustworthy authority; and his article on Greene is assuredly as puerile and absurd a performance as could be imagined. In the prologue, the writer refers to _childish years_, presumably his own, and perhaps the "Contention" was a youthful effort. Moreover, from the (not very appropriate) introduction of Latin terms here and there, it is allowable to suspect that the author was preparing to graduate in arts, if he had not done so. THE PROLOGUE. The proverb is, _How many men, so many minds_, Which maketh proof how hard a thing it is, Of sundry minds to please the sundry kinds. In which respect I have inferred this, That where men's minds appear so different, No play, no part, can all alike content. The grave Divine calls for Divinity: The civil student for Philosophy: The courtier craves some rare sound history: The baser sort, for knacks of pleasantry. So every sort desireth specially, What thing may best content his fantasy. But none of these our barren toy affords. To pulpits we refer Divinity: And matters of estate to Council boards. As for the quirks of sage Philosophy, Or points of squirriliting scurrility, The one we shun, for childish years too rare, Th'other unfit for such as present are. But this we bring is but to serve the time, A poor device to pass the day withal: To loftier points of skill we dare not climb, Lest (perking over-high) with shame we fall. Such as doth best beseem such as we be, Such we present, and crave your courtesy. That courtesy, that gentleness of yours, Which wonted is to pardon faults of ours: Which granted, we have all that we require: Your only favour, only our desire. THE END OF THE PROLOGUE. THE SPEAKERS. THE PROLOGUE. VANITY, _Fortune's chief servant_. PRODIGALITY, _suitor for Money_. POSTILION, _his servant_. HOST. TENACITY, _suitor for Money_. DANDALINE, _the hostess_. TOM TOSS. DICK DICER. FORTUNE. MASTER MONEY, _her son_. VIRTUE. EQUITY. LIBERALITY, _chief steward to Virtue_. CAPTAIN WELL-DONE. COURTIER. LAME SOLDIER. CONSTABLES, _with Hue and Cry_. TIPSTAVES. SHERIFF. CLERK. CRIER. JUDGE. EPILOGUE. THE CONTENTION BETWEEN LIBERALITY AND PRODIGALITY. SCENE I. _Enter_ VANITY _solus, all in feathers_.