[319] These traits as well as the practical jokes would, of course, be especially enjoyed by the Eton players and their youthful audience. [320] Ward, _Hist. Dram. Lit._, 1, 157 (Lond.: 1899). [321] Cf. the splendid essay on the Roman _Colax_ and Parasite in O. Ribbeck's _Hist. of Roman Lit._ (_Stuttgart_, 1887), 1, 83 _sqq._ [322] "These lies are like their father--gross as a mountain, open, palpable."--Shak., _1 Hen. IV._ 2, 4. [323] Ward, _l.c._, calls Roister "a vain-glorious, cowardly blockhead, of whom the Pyrgopolinices of Plautus is the precise prototype." That his character has some fine points, modelled after the Terentian Thraso, is shown in the notes (cf. especially the last scene). Roister's character, indeed, is the least original of the play, but he is not Udall's favourite figure. Udall did not spend as much labour on him as on Merygreeke. [324] This possible complication, which would have yielded a fine scene, seems not to have occurred to Udall. [325] In this respect even _Jack Juggler_ deserves credit. I find no trace of Plautus and Terence in Heywood's plays. ROISTER DOISTER BY NICHOLAS UDALL [The Persons of the Play RALPH ROYSTER DOYSTER, "_Miles_."[326] MATHEWE MERYGREEKE, _his friend_. GAWIN GOODLUCKE, _London Merchant, affianced to Custance_. TRISTRAM TRUSTY, _his friend_. DOBINET DOUGHTIE, _servant to Royster_. TOM TRUPENIE, _servant to Custance_. SYM SURESBY, _servant to Goodluck_. HARPAX _and other Musicians in Royster's service_. SCRIVENER. DAME CHRISTIAN CUSTANCE, _a wealthy widow_. MAGE MUMBLE CRUST, _her old nurse_. TIBET TALK APACE } ANNOT ALYFACE } _maids of Custance_. _THE SCENE_ LONDON[327]] FOOTNOTES: [326] Cf. stage-direction, III, iii, 83, and Appendix _B_. [327] St. Paul's is mentioned, II, iv, 40; Sym Suresby seems to come directly from the landing place; the house of Custance might, therefore, safely be located in the _City_ proper. Roister Doister The Prologue. What Creature is in health, eyther yong or olde, A ii But som mirth with modestie wil be glad to use As we in thys Enterlude shall now unfolde, Wherin all scurilitie we utterly refuse, Avoiding such mirth wherin is abuse: Knowing nothing more comendable for a mans recreation Than Mirth which is used in an honest fashion: 7 For Myrth prolongeth lyfe, and causeth health. Mirth recreates our spirites and voydeth pensivenesse, Mirth increaseth amitie, not hindring our wealth, Mirth is to be used both of more and lesse, Being mixed with vertue in decent comlynesse. As we trust no good nature can gainsay the same: Which mirth we intende to use, avoidyng all blame. 14