the cittie, some in the name of her Majesties menne, some the Earl of Leic^r, some the E. of Oxford, the Lo. Admyralles, and dyvers others; so that when the belles tole to the Lectorer, the trumpetts sound to the Stages, whereat the wicked faction of Rome lawgheth for joy, while the godly weepe for sorrowe. Woe is me! the play howses are pestered, when churches are naked; at the one it is not possible to gett a place, at the other voyde seates are plentie. The profaning of the Sabaoth is redressed, but as badde a custome entertayned, and yet still our long suffering God forbayreth to punishe. Yt is a wofull sight to see two hundred proude players jett in their silkes, wheare five hundred pore people sterve in the streets. But yf needes this mischief must be tollerated, whereat (no doubt) the highest frownith, yet for God's sake (Sir) lett every Stage in London pay a weekly pention to the pore, that ex hoc malo proveniat aliquod bonum: but it weare rather to be wisshed that players might be used, as Apollo did his lawghing, semel in anno. . . . Nowe, mee thinks, I see your honor smyle, and saye to your self, theise things are fitter for the pullpit, then a souldiers penne; but God (who searcheth the hart and reynes) knoweth that I write not hipocritically, but from the veary sorrowe of my soule.
lxxix.
[1587, May 7. Minute of Privy Council, printed from Register in Dasent,
xv. 70.]
A letter to the Lord Maiour of the Citie of London that whereas
their Lordships were given to understand that certaine outrages and
disorders were of late committed in certaine places and theaters
erected within that Citie of London or the suburbes of the same,
where enterludes and comedies were usuallie plaied, and for that the
season of the yeare grew hotter and hotter, it was to be doubted
least by reason of the concorse of people to such places of common
assemblies there might some danger of infeccion happen in the Citie,
their Lordships thought it expedient to have the use of the said
interludes inhibited both at the theaters and in all other places within
his jurisdiccion, and therefore required him accordinglie to take
presente order for the stayinge of the same, charginge the plaiers and
actors to cease and forbeare the use of the said places for the purpose
of playinge or shewinge of anie such enterludes or comedies untill
after Bartholomew tide next ensuinge.
A like letter to the same effecte to the Master of the Rolles.
A like letter to the like effecte to the Justices of Surrie.
lxxx.
[1587, Oct. 29. Minute of Privy Council, printed from Register in
Dasent, xv. 271.]
A letter to the Justices of Surry that whereas thinhabitauntes of
Southwark had complained unto their Lordships declaring that th'order
by their Lordships sett downe for the restrayning of plaies and enter-
