A Collection of Old English Plays, Vol. III | Page 2

things his sweete Ape."
The charming fitness of the expression "sweet ape" would impress any
capable reader. I cannot think that by mere accident the anonymous
writer lighted on the same words:--
"Doe women bring no helpe of soule to men? Why, friend, they either
are mens soules themselves Or the most witty imitatrixes of them, Or
prettiest sweet apes of humane soules."
From a reference to Queen Elizabeth in Act I., Scene I., it is clear that
Sir Gyles Goosecappe was written not later than 1603. The lines I have
quoted may have been added later; or our author may have seen the
Gentleman Usher in manuscript.

Chapman's influence is again (_me judice_) apparent in the eloquent
but somewhat strained language of such a passage as the following:--
"Alas, my noble Lord, he is not rich, Nor titles hath, nor in his tender
cheekes The standing lake of Impudence corrupts; Hath nought in all
the world, nor nought wood have To grace him in the prostituted light.
But if a man wood consort with a soule Where all mans sea of gall and
bitternes Is quite evaporate with her holy flames, And in whose powers
a Dove-like innocence Fosters her own deserts, and life and death
Runnes hand in hand before them, all the skies Cleare and transparent
to her piercing eyes. Then wood my friend be something, but till then A
_cipher_, nothing, or the worst of men."
Sir Gyles Goosecappe is the work of one who had chosen the "fallentis
semita vitae"; who was more at home in Academic cloisters than in the
crowded highways of the world. None of the characters bears any
impression of having been drawn from actual life. The plot is of the
thinnest possible texture; but the fire of verbal quibbles is kept up with
lively ingenuity, and plenty of merriment may be drawn from the
humours of the affectate traveller and the foolish knight by all who are
not
"of such vinegar aspect That they'll not show their teeth in way of smile,
Though Nestor swear the jest be laughable."
The romantic friendship between the noble Lord Monford and the
thoughtful Clarence is a pleasing study, planned and executed with a
grave, sweet sincerity. It is not improbable that Clarence was the
prototype of Charles in Fletcher's Elder Brother. The finest passage in
the present play, where Clarence's modesty and Monford's nobility are
portrayed in language of touching charm, was selected by Charles
Lamb (whose judgment was never at fault) for quotation in the
"Extracts from the Garrick Plays."
A second edition of Sir Gyles Goosecappe was issued, after the author's
death, in 1636; and the following dedication was appended by Hugh
Perry, the publisher:--
To the Worshipfull RICHARD YOUNG of Woolleyfarme in the
County of Berks, Esquire.

WORTHY SIR,
_The many favours, and courtesies, that I have Received from you, and
your much Honor'd Father, have put such an obligation upon me, as I
have bin long cogitateing how to expresse myselfe by the requitall of
some part of them; Now this Play having diverse yeeres since beene
thrust into the world to seeke its owne entertainment, without so much
as an epistle, or under the Shelter of any generous spirit, is now almost
become worne out of memory: and comming to be press'd to the
publique view againe, it having none to speake for it (the Author being
dead) I am bold to recommend the same to your Worships protection, I
know your studies are more propense to more serious subjects, yet
vouchsafe, I beseech you, to recreate your selfe with this at some
vacant time when your leasure will permit you to peruse it, and daigne
mee to bee_,
Your Worships bounden Servant,
HVGH PERRY.

SIR GYLES GOOSECAPPE, _Knight_,
A Comedy presented by the Chil. of the Chappell.
AT LONDON: Printed by _Iohn Windet_, for Edward Blunt. 1606.

_Eugenia_, A widowe and a Noble Ladie. _Hippolyta_, | _Penelope_, |
Ladie-virgines, and Companions to Eugenia. _Wynnifred_,
gentlewoman to Eugenia. _Monford_, A Noble Man, uncle to Eugenia.
_Clarence_, Gentleman, friend to Monf. _Fowlweather_, A french
affected Travayler, and a Captaine. _Sir Gyles Goosecap_, a foolish
Knight. _Sir Cuthbert Rudsbie_, a blunt Knight. _Sir Clement
Kingcob_, a Knight, Lord Tales. Lord Furnifall. _Bullaker_, a french
Page. _Iack_, | _Will_, | Pages.

Sir Gyles Goosecappe, Knight.
Actvs Primvs.

SCAENA PRIMA.
Enter Bullaker with a Torche.
Bullaker. This is the Countesse Eugenias house, I thinke. I can never
hit of theis same English City howses, tho I were borne here: if I were
in any City in _Fraunce_, I could find any house there at midnight.
_Enter Iack, and Will_.
Iack. Theis two strange hungry Knights (_Will_) make the leanest
trenchers that ever I waited on.
Will. A plague on them _Iack_; they