Eusebius, Timotheus, Theophilus (Folger MS X.d.390)

Anon. (unknown date)

Historical Records

Folger Shakespeare Library MS fragment

Two small quarto leaves (three pages of writing) of this lost play exist (Folger MS. X.d.390 (1-2)). Fols.1a & 1b are from the play in a state of composition, with heavy deletions and irregularities. Fol.2a is a fair copy of part of the same content.
Fol.1a

[Eusebius]

Eusebius Timoth: Theoph. spea<king>

[Timotheus, Theophilus,] Chrysoglottus, Vranius} mute

Sophronius, Theodidactus, Nephalius, Eulalius}

. . . . . . . . . . . . . and much more deerly
. . .Eus: . . .Welcome my Worthy Guests [thys visitation]
. . . . . . . . .for [fa] that yo^u bring yo^r ffreinds and come so early
The entertayn- . . . [merits no lesse, but for yo^u come so early]
ment of y^e . . . [w^th theis yo^r ffreinds a double gratulation]
Guests w^th . . . [should be bestowd to welcome yo^u more deerly]
their freinds. . . . . . . . ffor some vnciuilly w^th slow repayre
. . . . . . . . . . . . . tyre their Inviter and halfe marr the fare.
. . .Tim. Wee came the sooner for our better leasure
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . w^ch for various pleasure
. . .of this yo^r Pallace [to take ample view]
. . .[w^ch, wee haue heard, is mervaylous for pleasure]
. . . . . . . as yf therein another Tempe grew
. . .wee heare is woundrous to take ample view
. . . . . . . each place its Owners rich inuenting worth
. . . . . . . well witnessing & lively setting [wor] forth
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . yo^u shall see that seruethe best
. . .Eus. A [petite] pallace [fit for such a King]
. . . . . . . for such a king
. . .[yo^u shall behold], _^ to mee a litle nest.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .<in>fuzeth
. . .w^ch more Contentment to my mynd Dot<. ..l.>ing
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prince for <d...> <vs>eth
. . . . . . . . . . . . . then what the greatest [Monarch t<r...y] ..>est
. . . . . . . . . . . . . And yf he raignes that liues to his desire

. . . . . . . . . . . . . then surely here I raigne nor more aspire
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the Mr^es Cook prouidese o^r meate
. . . . . . . . . .But while [the] Sun disperseth moderate heate
. . . . . . . . . . . . . And while y^e/
. . . . . . . . . .(hauing not yet reachd his meridian hight)
. . . . . . . . . .[And while the M^res Cooke prouides our meate]
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 'twere good methinks to recreate the sight
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . w^th other obiects that more pleasing be,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . my Gardens may it please yo^u walke to see.
. . .Tim. What, haue you more then this! for this is neat<
[The first] . . and woundrous trym, in all things most complete.
[garden] . . w^ch, all that enter, w^th a pleasing face
. . . . . . . seemes to salute & courteously embrace.
. . . . . . . Eus: Here therefore, least the houses ayre offend
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . some pilipend
. . . . . . . . . each gather floures & leaues, [one kynd of sent]
. . . . . . . [all do not lyke alyke; some pilipend]
. . . . . . . . . What oth<e>rs take their sences to content
. . . . . . . all [do not <..>ke] lyk<e> not alike one kynd of sent
. . . . . . . . . then mak<e> yo^r Choices, nor let any spare
. . . . . . . . . . . for wha<t> growes here is no forbidden ware

Theatrical Provenance

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Probable Genre(s)

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Possible Narrative and Dramatic Sources or Analogues

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References to the Play

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Critical Commentary

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For What It's Worth

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Works Cited

Anon. Dramatic fragment in verse [manuscript], ca. 1630. Folger MS X.d.390 (1-2).

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