But dramatic critics have not given much credit to these professions of honesty. Mr. Dyce even doubts the fact of Kemp having made a journey on the continent, and considers the notice in _The Returne from Pernassus_ of his “dancing the morrice over the Alpes,” to be only a “sportive allusion to his journey to Norwich.” In his _Nine Daies Wonder_, however, he announces his intention of setting out shortly on a “great journey,” and in his dedication he seems to allude to a projected journey to Rome. I have recently discovered a passage in a contemporary diary, which proves that Kemp actually met with Sir Anthony Shirley at Rome, and that his “great journey” was not a very profitable speculation. It is as follows:—“1601, Sept. 2. Kemp, mimus quidam, qui peregrinationem quandam in Germaniam et Italiam instituerat, post multos errores et infortunia sua reversus: multa refert de Anthonio Sherly equite aurato, quem Romæ (legatum Persicum agentem) convenerat.”—MS. Sloan. 392, fol. 401. William Parry, who was with Shirley in Russia, returned to England in the middle of September, 1601, as we learn from the account published by Hackluyt; and it is therefore very probable that Kemp was the first who brought the news of his proceedings in Persia and Russia. An account of Shirley’s adventures was published at London in 1613, and a very circumstantial relation by Manwaring is in MS. Sloan. 110, but neither of these contain the slightest notice of Kemp’s interview with the ambassador. What we have given above is, however, quite sufficient to establish its truth, and “the travell to Rome with the return in certain daies,” mentioned in Rowley’s _Search for Money_, 1609, doubtlessly alludes to the same circumstance: and would also seem to imply that he had accomplished his homeward journey in a short time. Mr. Rimbault has also kindly favoured me with a copy of the following song from an old MS. in his possession by Thomas Weelkes, entitled, _Ayres or fantasticke spirites_, which was printed with some variations in 1608: “Since Robin Hood, Maid Marian, And little John are gone-a, The hobby-horse was quite forgot, When Kempe did dance alone-a. He did labour after the tabor For to dance: then into France He tooke paines To skip it; In hope of gaines He will trip it, On the toe, Diddle, diddle, doe.” [11] John of Salisbury thus complains of the indelicacy of actors:—“Quorum adeo error invaluit, ut a præclaris domibus non arceantur, etiam illi qui obscenis partibus corporis, oculis omnium eam ingerunt turpitudinem, quam erubescat videre vel Cynicus.”—_De Nugis Curialium_, lib. i. cap. 8, edit. 1639, p. 34. P. 31, l. 8. Flammea.] Sic in MS. pro _flammeo_. P. 37, l. 8. Showe.] So in MS., but perhaps _shove_, which would complete the rhyme. P. 38, l. 28. Never.] This word is added to the MS. in a more recent hand.