Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 23.djvu/79



By Cuthbert Cony-catcher,' 1592, 4to (Brit. Mus.) The writer contends that since there is knavery in all trades Greene might have let the poor 'conny-catchers' alone and flown at higher game. Greene is himself charged with cheating: 'Aske the Queen's Players if you sold them not Orlando Furioso for twenty nobles, and when they were in the country sold the same play to the Lord Admirals men for as much more. Was not this plaine Conny-catching, R. G.?' Nevertheless it is not improbable that Greene wrote this 'Defence,' or at least was privy to the publication. He would certainly have had no objection to let it be known that he had gulled the players. The whole series of 'conny-catching' pamphlets (some of which are adorned with curious woodcuts) is full of interest. Greene had brushed against disreputable characters, but much of his information could have been got from Harman's 'Caveat' and other sources. Nor need we accept the view that his sole object in publishing these books was to benefit society and atone for his unprincipled life. As a matter of fact, some of the pamphlets are by no means edifying; they amused the public, and that was enough. Samuel Rowlands and Dekker went over the ground again a few years later. 'Questions concerning Coniehood and the nature of the Conie,' n. d., 4to, 'Mihil Mumchance,' n. d., 4to, and other anonymous 'conny-catching' tracts have been uncritically assigned to Greene.

(27) ‘Philomela. The Lady Fitzwaters Nightingale. … Sero sed serio. Il vostro Malignare non Giova Nulla,’ 1592, 4to (Bodleian), licensed 1 July, an Italian story of jealousy, was dedicated to Lady Fitzwater; and Greene states that, in christening it in her ladyship's name, he followed the example of Abraham Fraunce [q. v.], ‘who titled the lamentations of Aminta vnder the name of the Countesse of Pembrookes Iuie Church.’ ‘Philomela’ was written (he tells us) before he had made his vow not to print any more ‘wanton pamphlets.’ He wished the romance to be published anonymously, but yielded to the publisher's earnest entreaty. Later editions were published in 1615, 1631, and n. d. (28) ‘A Qvip for an Vpstart Courtier: or, a quaint dispute between Veluet-breeches and Cloth-breeches. Wherein is plainely set downe the disorders in all Estates and Trades,’ 4to, licensed 20 July 1592, appears to have passed through three editions in that year. In its original form the tract contained a satirical notice of Gabriel Harvey and his brothers; but none of the extant copies has the libellous passage, though a certain ropemaker (Harvey's father was a ropemaker) is introduced. Richard Harvey, Gabriel's younger brother, in a ‘Theological Discourse of the Lamb of God,’ had spoken disrespectfully of ‘piperly make-plaies and make-bates.’ Thereupon Greene ‘being chief agent of the companie (for hee writ more than four other) tooke occasion to canuaze him a little in his Cloth-breeches and Veluet-breeches; and because by some probable collections hee gest the elder brothers hand was in it he coupled them both in one yoake, and to fulfill the proverbe Tria sunt omnia, thrust in the third brother who made a perfect parriall [pair royal] of pamphleters. About some seauen or eight lines it was’ (, Strange Newes, 1592). Gabriel Harvey declares (Fovre Letters) that Greene cancelled the obnoxious passage from fear of legal proceedings. According to Nashe, who ridicules Harvey's statement, a certain doctor of physic (consulted by Greene in his sickness) read the book and laughed over the 'three brothers legend,' but begged Greene to omit the passage altogether, or tone it down, for one of the brothers 'was proceeded in the same facultie of phisicke hee profest, and willinglie hee would have none of that excellent calling ill spoken off.' Greene cancelled or altered the passage; but some copies containing the offensive matter appear to have got abroad. The pamphlet contrasts the pride and uncharitableness of present times with the simplicity and hospitality of the past, denouncing upstart gentlemen who maintain themselves in luxury by depressing their poor tenants. It was dedicated to Thomas Barnaby, who is praised as a father of the poor and supporter of ancient hospitality. Greene was very largely indebted to a poem by F. T. (not Francis Thynne) entitled 'The Debate between Pride and Lowliness.' The 'Quip' was reprinted in 1606, 1615, 1620, 1625, and 1635. A Dutch translation was published at the Hague in 1601, and later editions appeared; the pamphlet was also translated into French. This was the latest work issued in Greene's lifetime.

The first of his posthumous tracts: (29)‘Greens Groatsworth of Wit, bought with a Million of Repentance.… Written before his death, and published at his dying request. Fælicem fuisse infaustum,’ 4to, was licensed 20 Sept. 1592; but the earliest extant edition is dated 1596 (Huth). It was reprinted in 1600,1616, 1617, 1620, 1621, 1629, 1637, n.d. Henry Chettle, who edited this tract from Greene's original manuscript, tells us in the preface to ‘Kind Harts Dreame’ (licensed December 1592) that he toned down a passage (unquestionably relating to Marlowe) in the notorious letter ‘To those gentlemen 