Pastoral Tragedy, A
Historical Records
Payments
To playwrights in Philip Henslowe's diary
Fol. 63v (Greg I.110)
Lent vnto Thomas downton the 17 of } July 1599 [in ear] to lend vnto mr chapman } in earneste of a pastrall tragedie the } xxxxs some of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . }
To playwrights in fragments of Philip Henslowe's diary, specifically British Museum MS. Add. 30262, f. 66
Foakes, p. 266:.
Receaued by me George Chapman for a Pastorall ending in a Tragedye in part payment the Sum[me] of fortye shilling[es], this xvijth of July Anno 1599 ... [sum cut away]
- By me George Chapman
Theatrical Provenance
The Admiral's Men, through their player-sharer Thomas Downton, paid George Chapman in earnest toward a pastoral tragedy in the summer of 1599, as the company played at the Rose and anticipated the arrival of the Chamberlain's Men across Main Lane at the Globe, which presumably was open for business by August.
Probable Genre(s)
Tragedy (Harbage)
Possible Narrative and Dramatic Sources or Analogues
None known.
References to the Play
None known.
Critical Commentary
Greg assumes the play was never finished; he notes that this instance is Chapman's last mention in Henslowe's diary (II.204 Item #177). He transcribes the receipt in Chapman's hand, including "x [ ]" as payment (II.xlix).
Foakes does not see the "x" of the payment on the receipt in Chapman's hand. He refers readers to Greg's essay on the fragment, cited below (p. 266).
For What It's Worth
The receipt signed by Chapman is in Chapman's hand, as is his signature.
Works Cited
Site created and maintained by Roslyn L. Knutson, Professor Emerita, University of Arkansas at Little Rock; updated 5 November 2009.