[409] This poem was dedicated to Charles I. in 1635; hence it appears that he wrote it by command of the king. "Those defects," he says, "whatsoever they be, can be imputed only to insufficiency, for neither was there argument wanting nor yet endeavour, since I had the actions of a great king to require my skill, and the command of a greater king to oblige my care."--_Collier._] [410] Thomas May has a complimentary poem prefixed to Pilkinton's "Tournament of Tottenham," &c. 4º. 1631.--_Gilchrist._] [411] The subsequent lines are found in "Wit's Recreations," 1641-- "TO MR. THOMAS MAY. "Thou son of Mercury, whose fluent tongue Made Lucan finish his Pharsalian song, Thy fame is equal, better is thy fate, Thou hast got Charles his love, he Nero's hate." Of course this was before (as Lord Clarendon expresses it) "he fell from his duty."--_Collier._ THE NAMES OF THE ACTORS. THE KING. VIRRO, _an old rich count._ POLYMETES, _an old lord_. EUGENIO, _his son_. LEOCOTHOE, _his daughter_. ROSCIO, _his man_. EUPHUES, _another lord_. PHILOCLES, _his son_. CLERIMONT, _a gentleman, friend to Philocles_. FRANKLIN, _an old rich gentleman_. LUCE,[412] _his daughter_. FRANCISCO, _a young man_. ALPHONSO. SHALLOW, _a foolish gentleman_. NICANOR, _a courtier_. MATHO, _a lawyer_. PSECTAS,[413] _a waiting gentlewoman_. _A Parson._ _A Sumner._ _A Constable and Watch._ _Servants._ _Scene, Sicily._ TO MY HONOURED FRIEND MASTER THOMAS MAY, UPON HIS COMEDY, THE HEIR.