maiesties revels'. One of these contained a version of the jest used in
the Induction of The Taming of the Shrew (q.v.). There is nothing else to connect Edwardes with the Revels office, and probably 'revels' in Warton's account is a mistake for 'children' or 'chapel'. Dissertations: W. Y. Durand, Notes on R. E. (1902, J. G. P. iv. 348), Some Errors concerning R. E. (1908, M. L. N. xxiii. 129).
Damon and Pythias. 1565
S. R. 1567-8. 'A boke intituled ye tragecall comodye of Damonde and Pethyas.' Rycharde Jonnes (Arber, i. 354). Warton, iv. 214, describes an edition, not now known, as printed by William How in Fleet Street. The Tragical comedie of Damon and Pythias, newly imprinted as the same was playde before the queenes maiestie by the children of her grace's chapple. Made by Mayster Edwards, then being master of the children. William How. [Only known through the description of Warton, iv. 214.] 1571. The excellent Comedie of two the moste faithfullest Freendes, Damon and Pithias. Newly Imprinted, as the same was shewed before the Queenes Maiestie, by the Children of her Graces Chappell, except the Prologue that is somewhat altered for the proper vse of them that hereafter shall haue occasion to plaie it, either in Priuate, or open Audience. Made by Maister Edwards, then beynge Maister of the Children. Richard Jones.
1582. Richard Jones.
Editions in Dodsley^4, iv (1874), and by W. Scott (1810, A. B. D. i) and J. S. Farmer (1908, T. F. T.).—Dissertation: W. Y. Durand, A Local Hit in E.'s D. and P. (M. L. N. xxii. 236).
The play is not divided into acts or scenes; the characters include Carisophus a parasite, and Grim the Collier. The prologue [not that used at Court] warns the audience that they will be 'frustrate quite of toying plays' and that the author's muse that 'masked in delight' and to some 'seemed too much in young desires to range' will leave such sports and write a 'tragical comedy . . . mixed with mirth and care'. Edwardes adds (cf. App. C, No. ix):
Wherein, talking of courtly toys, we do protest this flat,
We talk of Dionysius court, we mean no court but that.
A song at the end wishes Elizabeth joy and describes her as 'void of all sickness, in most perfect health'. Durand uses this reference to date the play in the early months of 1565, since a letter of De Silva (Sp. P. i. 400) records that Elizabeth had a feverish cold since 8 Dec. 1564, but was better by 2 Jan. 1565. He identifies the play with the 'Edwardes tragedy' of the Revels Accounts for 1564-5 (cf. App. B), and points out that there is an entry in those accounts for 'rugge bumbayst and cottone for hosse', and that in Damon and Pythias (Dodsley, iv. 71) the boys have stuffed breeches with 'seven ells of rug' to one hose. A proclamation of 6 May 1562 (Procl. 562) had forbidden the use of more than a yard and three-quarters of stuff in the 'stockes' of hose, and an enforcing proclamation (Procl. 619) was required on 12 Feb. 1566. Boas, 157, notes a revival at Merton in 1568.
