In what a strange dilemma stood my mind, When first I saw the tailor, and did find It so well-fraught with wit! but when I knew The noble tailor to proceed from you, I stood amaz'd, as one with thunder struck, And knew not which to read; you or your book. I wonder how you could, being of our race, So eagle-like look Phoebus in the face. I wonder how you could, being so young, And teeming yet, encounter with so strong And firm a story; 'twould indeed have prov'd A subject for the wisest, that had lov'd To suck at Aganippe. But go on, My best of friends; and as you have begun With that is good, so let your after-times Transcendent be. Apollo he still shines On the best wits; and if a Momus chance On this thy volume scornfully to glance, Melpomene will defend, and you shall see, That virtue will at length make envy flee. I. KNIGHT.[14] TO HIS INGENIOUS FRIEND, MASTER RAWLINS, THE AUTHOR OF "THE REBELLION." What need I strive to praise thy worthy frame, Or raise a trophy to thy lasting name? Were my bad wit with eloquence refin'd, When I have said my most, the most's behind. But that I might be known for one of them, Which do admire thy wit and love thy pen, I could not better show forth my good-will, Than to salute you with my virgin quill, And bring you something to adorn your head Among a throng of friends, who oft have read Your learned poems, and do honour thee And thy bright genius. How like a curious tree Is thy sweet fancy, bearing fruit so rare The learned still will covet. Momus no share Shall have of it; but end his wretched days In grief, 'cause now he seeth th' art crown'd with bays. JO. MERIELL.[15] DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. _A Cupid._ KING OF SPAIN. ANTONIO, _a count_. MACHIAVEL, _a count_. ALERZO, } FULGENTIO, } _three Spanish colonels_. PANDOLPHO, } PETRUCHIO, _Governor of Filford_. RAYMOND (_a Moor_), _General of the French army_. LEONIS, } GILBERTI, } _three French colonels_. FIRENZO, } SEBASTIANO, _Petruchio's son, in the disguise of a tailor called Giovanno_. OLD TAILOR. VERMIN, _his man_. _Three Tailors more._ _Captain of the Banditti._ _Two Ruffians and a Bravo._ PHILIPPA, _the Moor's wife_. AURISTELLA, _Machiavel's wife_. EVADNE, _Antonio's sister_. AURELIA, _Sebastiano's sister_. _Nurse, attendant on Evadne._ _Attendants._ SCENE--_Seville._ THE REBELLION. ACT I., SCENE 1. _Enter severally_, ALERZO, FULGENTIO, _and_ PANDOLPHO. ALER. Colonel? FUL. Signor Alerzo? ALER. Here. PAN. Signors, well-met: The lazy morn has scarcely trimm'd herself To entertain the sun; she still retains The slimy tincture of the banish'd night: I hardly could discern you.