A. H. B. agrees, attributing a few passages to Shakspere, notably the trial scene of Catherine. Sir A. Ward thinks that Massinger and Fletcher wrote most of the play, Shakspere only a little (_H. E. D._, ii., 246). Macaulay ascribes it to Shakspere and Fletcher, “perhaps revised by Massinger.” For a fuller discussion of this problem, _cf._ pp. 84-91. 8. _The Two Noble Kinsmen._ (Massinger and Fletcher.) M.: Act I.; Act II., 1; Act III., 1, 2; Act IV., 3; Act V., 1 from line 19, 3, 4. A. H. B. thinks that Shakspere wrote additions for the revival of an old play, _Palamon and Arsett_, which came into the hands of Fletcher and Massinger after the death of Shakspere. Massinger has interpolated his own work in some of the Shakspere passages. For a fuller discussion of this problem, _cf._ pp. 92-104. 9. _The Custom of the Country._ (Massinger and Fletcher.) M.: Act II., 1, 2, 3, 4; Act III., 4, 5; Act IV., 1, 2; Act V., 1, 2, 3, 4. A. H. B. agrees. Macaulay adds part of Act V., 5 to Massinger. A. H. C.: This play owes very little to Massinger. Boyle, in attributing Act II. to him, must have been guided solely by metrical considerations. There is not a trace of his style in the Act. No doubt it is true that Hippolyta is a type familiar in Massinger’s plays; and her sudden change of mind in the last act reminds us of him. Again, the mental treatment to which Duarte owes his cure (Act IV., 1), and the praises of the medical profession (Act V., 4), recall _A Very Woman_ (II., 2, 26). But we have to set a good deal against these facts. The plot is more elaborate, bustling, and improbable than we expect from Massinger. It is improbable that the young men (Act II., 2) should leap into the sea and leave Zenocia in the lurch. It is improbable that they should swim a league to shore with their swords erect in the air, though swords no doubt they must have if they are to behave as Fletcher’s gentlemen behave. It is improbable that Rutilio in his flight (Act II., 4) should take refuge in a palace and find himself in the bedroom of the lady of the house. Difficulties of this kind are familiar enough in Fletcher. It need scarcely be said that Sulpicia and her establishment are due to Fletcher alone. To sum up, if Massinger had any share in this play, he may have given hints or added touches in connexion with Hippolyta and Duarte. The simplest supposition is that he edited the play for a revival. The Prologue and Epilogue “at a revival” contain expressions which remind us of him. The Prologue ends thus (lines 18-20): You may allow (Your candour safe) what’s taught in the old schools, “All such as lived before you were not fools.” The parenthesis is in Massinger’s manner. Again, in the second Epilogue, line 7, we find “qualification,” with which compare “fortification” in _A New Way_, I., 2, 25. 10. _The Elder Brother._ (Fletcher (?), Beaumont; probably revised generally by Massinger.)