Rumour, that Hydra-headed monster, with more tongues than eyes, by help of his intelligencer Envy, hath made strange constructions on this Dumb Knight, which then could not answer for himself; but now this publication doth untie his tongue, to answer the objections of all sharp critical censures, which here-to-fore have undeservedly passed upon him. And for my part, I protest the wrongs I have received by some (whose worths I will not traduce), with a mild neglect I have laughed at their follies; for I think myself happy, because I have been envied, since the best now in grace have been subject to some slanderous tongues that want worth themselves, and think it great praise to them to detract praise from others that deserve it; yet having a partner in the wrong, whose worth hath been often approved, I count the wrong but half a wrong, because he knows best how to answer for himself; but I now in his absence make this apology, both for him and me. Thus leaving you and the book together, I ever rest yours, LEWIS MACHIN. FOOTNOTES: [123] This edition had a different title-page to some of the copies, but in all other respects they were similar: it was as follows-- "The dumbe Knight. A pleasant Comedy, acted sundry times by the children of his Maiesties Reuels. Written by Iaruis Markham." [Imprint the same as above.]--_Collier._ [124] [To the play, as printed in the last edition of Dodsley's "Old Plays."] [125] Charles Fitzgeoffry, writing a similar poem on Sir Francis Drake, in 1596, thus mentions Markham's work-- "Well hath this poet royalis'd his facts And curiouslie describ'd his tragedie; Quaintlie he hath eternized his acts In lasting characters of memorie, Even co-eternal with eternitie: So that the world envies his happie state, That he should live when it is ruinate." [126] A person of the name of Robert Markham wrote and printed in 1628 "A description of that ever-to-be-famed knight Sir John Burgh." Whether he was in any way related to Gervase Markham is not known. [127] [Yet many errors and misprints remained in the former edition, of which some were readily set right, while others seem to bid defiance to a revising hand. It is not even easy, in every case, to detect where the corruption lies.] DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. MEN. KING OF CYPRUS. PHILOCLES, _his favourite, the Dumb Knight_. DUKE OF EPIRE. ALPHONSO. FLORIO. PRATE, _an Orator [lawyer]_. MECHANT, } VELOURS, } _Clients to Prate_. DRAP, } PRECEDENT, _Clerk to Prate_. CÆLIO, _Marshal for the Queen_. CHIP _and_ SHAVINGS, _Carpenters_. _Heralds, Watchmen, Gentleman-Usher, Physician, Executioner, &c._ WOMEN. QUEEN OF SICILY. MARIANA, _her Companion, and Sister to the Duke of Epire_. LOLLIA, _Wife to the Orator_. COLLAQUINTIDA, _a Bawd_. _Attendants, &c._