[3] Singer's edition, p. 120. [4] Introduction to the Works of Massinger, p. xxxviii. [5] Vol. ii. p. 933. [6] Life of Wolsey, p. 517. [7] The entry in the college book styles him "Phillip Massinger, _Salisburiensis, generosi filius_." [8] Dedication to the folio edition of Shakspeare. [9] Indulgences were granted to those who attended the representation of them. [10] Gorboduc appeared in 1562; Gammer Gurton, in 1566. [11] Reed's Shakspeare, vol. iii. p. 83, note 3. [12] Reed's Shakspeare, vol. iii. p. 15. [13] Gifford's Massinger, vol. i. p. 103. [14] This question ought to be set at rest, methinks, by the following extract from the Book of Revels, the oldest that exists, in the office of the auditors of the imprest: "Mrs. Dane, the lynnen dealer, for _canvass to paynte for houses for the players, and other properties_, as monsters, great hollow trees, and such other, _twenty dozen ells_, 12_l._"--See Boswell's Shakspeare, vol. iii. p. 364, et seq. [15] The first woman who appeared in a regular drama, on a public stage, played Desdemona, about the year 1660. Her name is unknown. [16] Nat. Field. This celebrated actor played female parts. He was the author of two comedies: A Woman's a Weathercock, 1612, and Amends for Ladies, 1618. He also assisted Massinger in The Fatal Dowry. [17] Robert Daborne was the author of two plays: The Christian turned Turk, 1612, and The poor Man's Comfort, 1655. He was a gentleman of liberal education, master of arts, and in holy orders. It is supposed that he had preferment in Ireland. A sermon by him, preached at Waterford, in 1618, is extant. [18] Additions to Malone's Hist. Account of Eng. Stage, p. 488. THE VIRGIN-MARTYR. THE VIRGIN-MARTYR.] This very beautiful play, one of Massinger's earliest and most popular works, was first printed in 1622, but we have no account when it was first produced. In the composition of it he was assisted by Decker, a dramatist of no mean reputation. The plot of this tragedy is founded on the tenth and last general persecution of the Christians, which broke out in the nineteenth year of Dioclesian's reign with a fury hard to be expressed; the Christians being every where, without distinction of age, sex, or condition, dragged to execution, and subjected to the most exquisite torments that rage, cruelty, and hatred could suggest.