Page:The Plays of William Shakspeare (1778).djvu/341

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ders it queſtionable, whether Shakſpeare was not indebted to that author for the firſt hint of the magick introduced in this tragedy. The reader will find an account of this ſingular curioſity in the note^[1].—To the obſervations of Mr.

year^[2]. From the dates of his printed plays and from the enſuing verſes on his laſt performance, by Sir William Lower, we may conclude, that he was as early a writer, and at leaſt as old, as Shakſpeare:
“ Tom Middleton his numerous iſſue brings,
“ And his laſt muſe delights us when ſhe ſings:
“ His halting age a pleaſure doth impart,
“ And his white locks ſhew maſter of his art.”
The following dramatick pieces by Middleton appear to have been publiſhed in his life-time.—Your Five Gallants, 1601.—Blurt Maſter Conſtable, or the Spaniard’s night Walke, 1602.—Michaelmas Term, 1607.—The Phænix, 1607.—The Family of Love, 1608.—A Trick to catch the Old One, 1608.—A Mad World my Maſters, 1608.—The Roaring Girl, or Moll Cutpurſe, 1611.—Fair Quarrel, 1617.—A Chaſte Maid of Cheapſide, 1620.—A Game at Cheſſe, 1625—Moſt of his other plays were printed, about thirty years after his death, by Kirkman and other bookſellers, into whoſe hands his manuſcripts fell.

↑ In a former note on this tragedy, I have ſaid that the original edition contains only the two firſt words of the ſong in the 4th act, beginning——Black ſpirits, &c; but have lately diſcovered the entire ſtanza in an unpubliſhed dramatic piece, viz. “ A Tragi-Coomodie called The Witch; long ſince acted by his Ma.ties Servants at the Black Friers; written by Tho. Middleton.” The ſong is there called—“ A charme-ſong, about a veſſell.” The other ſong omitted in the 5th ſcene of the 3d act of Macheth, together with the imperfect couplet there, may likewiſe be found, as follows, in Middleton’s performance.—The Hecate of Shakeſpeare, ſays:———
“ I am for the air, &c.”
The Hecate of Middleton (who like the former is ſummoned away by aerial ſpirits) has the ſame declaration in almoſt the ſame words:——“ I am for aloft,” &c.

“Song.] Come away, come away:	$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$	in the aire.
“Heccat, Heccat, come away.
“ Hec. I come, I come, I come,
“ With all the ſpeed I may,

↑ The Triumph of Health and Proſperity at the Inauguration of the moſt worthy Brother, the Right Hon. Cuthbert Haſket, draper; compoſed by Thomas Middleton, draper, 1626, 4to.

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[p325-1] In a former note on this tragedy, I have ſaid that the original edition contains only the two firſt words of the ſong in the 4th act, beginning——Black ſpirits, &c; but have lately diſcovered the entire ſtanza in an unpubliſhed dramatic piece, viz. “ A Tragi-Coomodie called The Witch; long ſince acted by his Ma.ties Servants at the Black Friers; written by Tho. Middleton.” The ſong is there called—“ A charme-ſong, about a veſſell.” The other ſong omitted in the 5th ſcene of the 3d act of Macheth, together with the imperfect couplet there, may likewiſe be found, as follows, in Middleton’s performance.—The Hecate of Shakeſpeare, ſays:———
“ I am for the air, &c.”
The Hecate of Middleton (who like the former is ſummoned away by aerial ſpirits) has the ſame declaration in almoſt the ſame words:——“ I am for aloft,” &c.

“Song.] Come away, come away: $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$ in the aire.

“Heccat, Heccat, come away.

“ Hec. I come, I come, I come,

“ With all the ſpeed I may,

[2] The Triumph of Health and Proſperity at the Inauguration of the moſt worthy Brother, the Right Hon. Cuthbert Haſket, draper; compoſed by Thomas Middleton, draper, 1626, 4to.

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