All Is Not Gold That Glisters
Historical Records
Payments
To playwrights in Philip Henslowe's diary
Fol. 86 (Greg, I.135)
Layd owte at the a poyntment of Samwell } Rowley vnto harey chettell in parte of paymente } xxxxs for a Boocke called al is not gold yt glesters } the last of mrche 1601 some of . . . . . . . . }
pd vnto harey chettell the 6 of aprell } 1601 in full payment of a Boocke called } iiijli al is not gold that glisters at the a } poyntment of Samwell Rowley some of }
Theatrical Provenance
Authorized by Rowley as a representative of the Admiral's men, the play would have been presented at the Fortune playhouse in late spring 1601.
Probable Genre(s)
Comedy? (Harbage)
Possible Narrative and Dramatic Sources or Analogues
The proverb that doubles as title for the play is a warning "against trusting an attractive outward appearance" (Wiggins, Catalogue #1280).
References to the Play
None known.
Critical Commentary
Greg II noted wryly that "[n]othing is known of this piece" (#216, p. 217).
Wiggins, Catalogue adds that Abraham Hill had seen a manuscript by 1678 (#1280).
For What It's Worth
Chettle worked on several plays with proverbial titles: "Tis No Deceit to Deceive the Deceiver," "Christmas Comes but Once a Year," "Love Parts Friendship," and "Too Good to Be True."
Works Cited
Site created and maintained by Roslyn L. Knutson, Professor Emerita, University of Arkansas at Little Rock; updated 24 May 2016.