There is good reason to dispute this interpretation of the word _fortunate_, but Mr Steevens seems to have discovered many sneers at Shakespeare that were never intended. Mr Malone, quoting the two last lines from the above prologue, observes: "By _fortunate_ I understand _highly successful_," and he is warranted in this understanding by the following passage directly in point, which he might have quoted from lines prefixed by Richard Woolfall to Lewis Sharpe's "Noble Stranger," 1640-- "Yet do not feare the danger Of critick readers, since thy 'Noble Stranger,' With pleasing strains has smooth'd the rugged fate Of oft cram'd Theatres, and prov'd _fortunate_." --_Collier._ Malone, after quoting a passage from "Pymlico or Runne Red-cap," 1609, disputes the notion that a sneer at "Pericles" was intended by Tailor. It appears that "Pericles" drew crowds, and that it was as successful as a play called "Shore." See Malone's Shakespeare, xxi. p. 4, edit. 1821.--_Idem_ (_additional notes to Dodsley_). THE HOG HATH LOST HIS PEARL. ACTUS PRIMI, SCENA PRIMA. _Enter_ LIGHTFOOT, _a country gentleman, passing over the stage, and knocks at the other door_. LIGHT. Ho! who's within here? _Enter_ ATLAS, _a porter_. ATLAS. Ha' ye any money to pay, you knock with such authority, sir? LIGHT. What if I have not? may not a man knock without money, sir? ATLAS. Seldom; women and servants will not put it up so, sir. LIGHT. How say you by that, sir? but, I prythee, is not this one Atlas's house, a porter? ATLAS. I am the rent-payer thereof. LIGHT. In good time, sir. ATLAS. Not in good time neither, sir, for I am behind with my landlord a year and three-quarters at least. LIGHT. Now, if a man would give but observance to this fellow's prating, he would weary his ears sooner than a barber. Do y' hear, sir? lies there not one Haddit, a gentleman, at this house? ATLAS. Here lies such a gentleman, sir, whose clothes (were they not greasy) would bespeak him so. LIGHT. Then I pray, sir, when your leisure shall permit, that you would vouchsafe to help me to the speech of him. ATLAS. We must first crave your oath, sir, that you come not with intent to molest, perturb, or endanger him; for he is a gentleman, whom it hath pleased fortune to make her tennis-ball of, and therefore subject to be struck by every fool into hazard. LIGHT. In that I commend thy care of him, for which friendship here's a slight reward; tell him a countryman of his, one Lightfoot, is here, and[364] [he] will not any way despair of his safety. ATLAS. With all respect, sir; pray, command my house. [_Exit_ ATLAS.