=the Beare.= In the Shakespeare folio of 1632 Allot’s sign reads ‘the Black Beare.’ The first mention of the shop in the _London Street Directory_ is in 1575, among the ‘Houses round the Churchyard.’ =Pauls Church-yard.= ‘Before the Fire, which destroyed the old Cathedral, St. Paul’s Churchyard was chiefly inhabited by stationers, whose shops were then, and until the year 1760, distinguished by signs.’--Wh-C. THE PERSONS OF THE PLAY. =GVILT-HEAD, A Gold-smith.= The goldsmiths seem to have been a prosperous guild. (See Stow, _Survey_, ed. Thoms, p. 114.) At this time they performed the office of banking, constituting the intermediate stage between the usurer and the modern banker. ‘The goldsmiths began to borrow at interest in order to lend out to traders at a higher rate. In other words they became the connecting link between those who had money to lend and those who wished to borrow for trading purposes, or it might be to improve their estates. No doubt at first the goldsmiths merely acted as guardians of their clients’ hoards, but they soon began to utilize those hoards much as bankers now make use of the money deposited with them.’--_Social England_ 3. 544. =AMBLER.= Jonson uses this name again in _Neptune’s Triumph_, _Wks._ 8. 32: Grave master Ambler, news-master o’ Paul’s, Supplies your capon. It reappears in _The Staple of News_. =Her Gentlemanvsher.= For an exposition of the character and duties of the gentleman-usher see the notes to 4. 4. 134. 201, 215. =Newgate.= ‘This gate hath of long time been a gaol, or prison for felons and trespassers, as appeareth by records in the reign of King John, and of other kings.’--Stow, _Survey_, ed. Thoms, p. 14. THE PROLOGUE. =1 The DIVELL is an Asse.= ‘This is said by the prologue pointing to the _title_ of the play, which as was then the custom, was painted in large letters and placed in some conspicuous part of the stage.’--G. Cf. _Poetaster_, _After the second sounding_: ‘What’s here? THE ARRAIGNMENT!’ Also _Wily Beguiled_: _Prol._ How now, my honest rogue? What play shall we have here to-night? _Player._ Sir, you may look upon the title. _Prol._ What, _Spectrum_ once again?’ Jonson often, but not invariably, announces the title of the play in the prologue or induction. Cf. _Every Man out_, _Cynthia’s Revels_, _Poetaster_, and all plays subsequent to _Bart. Fair_ except _Sad Shep_. =3 Grandee’s.= Jonson uses this affected form of address again in _Timber_, ed. Schelling. 22. 27 =4 allowing vs no place.= As Gifford points out, the prologue is a protest against the habit prevalent at the time of crowding the stage with stools for the accommodation of the spectators.