Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations and illuminations. See 45357-h.htm or 45357-h.zip: (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/45357/45357-h/45357-h.htm) or (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/45357/45357-h.zip) Images of the original pages are available through Internet Archive/American Libraries. See https://archive.org/details/thomasdekker00dekkiala Transcriber's note: Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). Non-italicized text within italic text is enclosed by carat characters (example: _and ~Soldiers~. They pass over the stage_) A carat character is used to denote superscription. A single character following the carat is superscripted (example: xxxx^s). The Mermaid Series. Edited by Havelock Ellis. [Illustration] THE BEST PLAYS OF THE OLD DRAMATISTS. THOMAS DEKKER. [Illustration] * * * * * In Half-Crown Monthly Volumes uniform with the present Work. THE MERMAID SERIES. THE BEST PLAYS OF THE OLD DRAMATISTS. _The following comprise the earlier Volumes of the series_:-- MARLOWE. Edited by HAVELOCK ELLIS. With a General Introduction by J. A. SYMONDS. MASSINGER. Edited by ARTHUR SYMONS. MIDDLETON. With an Introduction by A. C. SWINBURNE. BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER (2 vols.). Edited by J. ST. LOE STRACHEY. CONGREVE. Edited by ALEXANDER C. EWALD. DEKKER. Edited by ERNEST RHYS. NERO AND OTHER PLAYS. Edited by H. P. HORNE, etc. WEBSTER & CYRIL TOURNEUR. Edited by J. A. SYMONDS. SHIRLEY. Edited by EDMUND GOSSE. BEN JONSON (2 vols.). Edited by C. H. HERFORD. OTWAY. Edited by the Hon. RODEN NOEL. THOMAS HEYWOOD. Edited by J. A. SYMONDS. FORD. Edited by HAVELOCK ELLIS. ARDEN OF FEVERSHAM, and other Plays attributed to SHAKESPEARE. Edited by ARTHUR SYMONS. * * * * * [Illustration: _THE FORTUNE PLAYHOUSE._ _Golden Lane, Erected 1622._ _From a View Taken in 1811._] The Best Plays of the Old Dramatists. THOMAS DEKKER Edited, with an Introduction and Notes, by Ernest Rhys. [Illustration] “I lie and dream of your full Mermaid wine.”--_Beaumont._ UNEXPURGATED EDITION. [Illustration] London: Vizetelly & Co., 42, Catherine St., Strand. 1887. [Illustration] “What things have we seen Done at the Mermaid! heard words that have been So nimble, and so full of subtle flame, As if that every one from whence they came Had meant to put his whole wit in a jest, And had resolved to live a fool the rest Of his dull life.” _Master Francis Beaumont to Ben Jonson._ “Souls of Poets dead and gone, What Elysium have ye known, Happy field or mossy cavern, Choicer than the Mermaid Tavern?” _Keats._ LONDON: BRADBURY, AGNEW, & CO., PRINTERS, WHITEFRIARS. [Illustration] CONTENTS.