[xxv:2] Sig. E. 4.--Mr. Collier's conjecture (_Hist. of Engl. Dram. Poet._ iii. 33) that Nash "refers possibly" to the "Merrimentes of the men of Goteham" was thrown out, I think, somewhat hastily. [xxvi:1] Among the books given to it by Robert Burton. No other copy is extant. Blomefield mistook it for a MS.: "In 1599 ... one Kemp came dancing the whole Way from London to Norwich, and there is a MSS. in the Bodleian Library containing an Account of it."--_Hist. of Norf._ ii. 250. [xxvi:2] Note on B. Jonson's _Works_, ii. 166. Kemps nine daies vvonder. Performed in a daunce from London to Norwich. _Containing the pleasure, paines and kinde entertainment_ of _William Kemp_ betweene _London_ and that Citty in his late Morrice. Wherein is somewhat set downe worth note; to reprooue the slaunders spred of him: many things merry, nothing hurtfull. _Written by himselfe to satisfie his friends._ [Illustration] LONDON Printed by _E. A._ for _Nicholas Ling_, and are to be solde at his shop at the west doore of Saint Paules Church 1600. To the true Ennobled Lady, and his most bountifull Mistris, Mistris Anne Fitton, Mayde of Honour to the most sacred Mayde, Royall Queene Elizabeth.{1:2} Honorable Mistris, in the waine of my litle wit I am forst to desire your protection, else euery Ballad-singer will proclaime me bankrupt of honesty. A sort{1:6} of mad fellows, seeing me merrily dispos'd in a Morrice, haue so bepainted mee in print since my gambols began from London to Norwich, that (hauing but an ill face before) I shall appeare to the world without a face, if your fayre hand wipe not away their foule coulors. One hath written _Kemps farewell_ to the tune of Kery, mery, Buffe;{1:11} another, His desperate daungers in his late trauaile; the third, His entertainement to New-Market; which towne I came neuer neere by the length of halfe the heath. Some sweare, in a Trenchmore{1:14} I haue trode a good way to winne the world; others that guesse righter, affirme, I haue without good help daunst my selfe out of the world; many say many thinges that were neuer thought. But, in a word, your poore seruant offers the truth of his progresse and profit to your honorable view: receiue it, I beseech you, such as it is, rude and plaine; for I know your pure iudgement lookes as soone to see beauty in a Blackamoore, or heare smooth speech from a Stammerer, as to finde any thing but blunt mirth in a Morrice dauncer, especially such a one as Will Kemp, that hath spent his life in mad Iigges{2:2} and merry iestes. Three reasons mooue mee to make publik this iourney: one to reproue lying fooles I neuer knew; the other to cōmend louing friends, which by the way I daily found; the third to shew my duety to your honorable selfe, whose fauours (among other bountifull friends) makes me (dispight of this sad world) iudge my hart Corke and my heeles feathers, so that