Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 23.djvu/77



, and appended are certain ‘sonets,’ published at the instance of the author's friend William Bubb. In 1588 also appeared Greene's popular romance (based on a Polish tale), (10) ‘Pandosto: The Triumph of Time,’ 4to (Brit. Mus.), with a dedication to the Earl of Cumberland; reprinted in 1607, 1609, 1614, 1629, 1632, 1636, 1655, 1664, 1675, 1677, 1684, 1694, 1703, 1723, 1735. The running title is ‘The Hystorie of Dorastus and Fawnia,’ which is found on the title-page of the later editions. It was twice translated into French; first in 1615 (Bodleian), and again in 1722 (Bibl. Nationale, Paris). From ‘Pandosto’ Shakespeare drew the plot of his ‘Winter's Tale.’ (11) The earliest edition known of ‘Alcida; Greene's Metamorphosis …,’ 4to, is dated 1617, but the pamphlet was licensed on 9 Dec. 1588, and probably published in 1589. It is dedicated to Sir Charles Blount, knt., and four copies of commendatory verse are prefixed—two in Latin by ‘R. A. Oxon.’ and ‘G. B. Cant.,’ and two in English by ‘Ed. Percy’ and ‘Bubb Gent.’ The stories in ‘Alcida’ show the evils that spring from women's pride and vanity. (12) ‘The Spanish Masquerado. Wherein vnder a pleasant deuise is discouered effectuallie in certaine breefe Sentences and Mottos the pride and insolencie of the Spanish Estate,’ 1589, 4to (Brit. Mus.), reprinted in the same year, was licensed on 1 Feb. 1588-9. Written immediately after the Spanish Armada, it contains a strong attack on the Roman catholics. Prefixed are a dedication to Hugh Ofley, sheriff of the city of London, and commendatory French verses by Thomas Lodge. (13) ‘Menaphon. Camillas Alarvm to Slumbering Euphves in his Melancholie Cell at Silexedra …,’ 1589, 4to (Brit. Mus.), dedicated to Lady Hales, is stated by some bibliographers to have been first published in 1587, but there is no authority for the statement. Later editions, under the title of ‘Greene's Arcadia; or Menaphon,’ &c., appeared in 1599, 1605, 1610, 1616, 1634. Nashe prefixed a lively address to the gentlemen students of both universities, in which he reviewed the state of English literature and glanced at the stage. It is possible, but scarcely probable, that some passages in the address refer to Shakespeare; it is certain that others are directed against Marlowe. Greene had been vexed (as we gather from the preface to ‘Perimedes’) at the success of rival playwrights. Nashe assures him that ‘Menaphon’ excelled the achievements of men who, unable to produce a romance, ‘think to outbrave better pens with the swelling bumbast of a bragging blank verse,’ and ‘repose eternity in the mouth of a player.’ In the same spirit writes Thomas Barnibe, who signs his complimentary verses with the anagram ‘Brabine’: Come forth, you wits, that vaunt the pomp of speech, And strive to thunder from a stageman's throat; View Menaphon, a note beyond your reach, Whose sight will make your drumming descant doat. ‘Menaphon’ contains some of Greene's best poems, notably the beautiful cradle-song, ‘Weep not, my wanton, smile upon my knee.’ Simpson's attempt (School of Shakspere, ii. 355-6, 370-2) to identify Shakespeare with Doron, one of the characters in ‘Menaphon,’ lacks all semblance of probability. (14) ‘Ciceronis Amor. Tullies Loue: Wherein is discoursed the prime of Ciceroes youth …,’ 1589, 4to (Huth), was dedicated to Lord Strange, and has commendatory verses in Latin by Thomas Watson and ‘G. B. Cantabrigiensis,’ in English by Thomas Burnaby (or Barnibe) and Edward Rainsford. This love-story proved very popular and was reprinted in 1592, 1597, 1601, 1609, 1611, 1615, 1616, 1629, and 1639. (15) ‘Greenes Orpharion. Wherein is discouered a musicall concorde of pleasant Histories. … Omne tulit punctum qui miscuit vtile dulci,’ 4to, dedicated to Robert Carey, was licensed 9 Feb. 1589-90, but the earliest edition known is dated 1599. In the preface to ‘Perimedes,’ 1588, Greene promised to publish ‘Orpharion’ during the next term; but the publishers kept the book (see preface to 'Orpharion’) for a whole year. The first edition must have appeared in 1589-90, shortly after the date of its entry in the ‘Stationers' Register.’ Greene imagines himself in ‘Orpharion’ to be transported in a dream from Mount Erycinus [Eryx] to Olympus, where he feasts among the gods and goddesses. Orpheus and Arion are summoned from the shades to entertain the company. (16) ‘The Royal Exchange. Contayning sundry Aphorismes of Phylosophie.… Fyrst written in Italian and dedicated to the Signorie of Venice, nowe translated and offered to the Cittie of London,’ 1590, 4to (Chetham Library), a collection of maxims, is dedicated to the lord mayor, Sir John Hart, kt., and to the sheriffs, Richard Gurney and Stephen Soame. (17) ‘Greenes Mourning Garment: given him by Remembrance at the Funerals of Love; which he presents for a favour to all Young Gentlemen that wish to weane themselves from wanton desires. … Sero sed serio,’ 4to, was licensed 2 Nov. 1590 and published in the same year; but the edition of 1616 is the earliest that has been discovered. A dedication to the Earl of Cumberland and an address to the ‘Gentlemen Schollers of both Vniversities’