SCRIVENER

ARTICLES of Agreement, indented, between the Spectators or Hearers, at the Hope on the Bankeside, in the County of Surrey on the one party; And the Author of Bartholmew Fair in the said place, and County on the oh there party: the one and thirtieth day of October. 1614. and in the twelfth year of the Reign of our Soueragine Lord, Iames by the grace of God King of England, France, & Ire land, Defender of the faith. And of Scotland the seven and fortieth. INPRIMIS, It is covenanted and agreed, by and be tween the parties abovesaid, and the said Spectators, and Hearers, aswell the curious and envious, as the favouring and judicious, as also the grounded Judgements and un derstandings, do for themselves severally Covenant, and agree to remain in the places, their money or friends have put them in, with patience, for the space of two hours and and half, and somewhat more. In which time the Author promises to present them by us, with a new suf ficient Play called BARTHOLMEW FAIR, merry, and as full of noise, as sport: made to delight all, and to offend none. Provided they have either, the wit or the honesty to think well of themselves. It is further agreed that every person here, have his or their freewill of censure, to Like or dislike at their own charge, the Author having now departed with his right: It shall be lawful for any man to judge his six pen'orth his twelve pen'orth, so to his eighteen pence, 2. shillings, half a crown, to the valve of his place: Provided always his place get not above his wit. And if he pay for half a dozen, he may censure for all them too, so that he will undertake that they shall be silent. He shall put in for Censures here, as they do for lots at the lottery : marry if he drop but six pence at the door, and will censure a crowns worth, it is thought there is no conscience, or justice in that. It is also agreed, that every man here, exercise his own Judgement, and not censure by Contagion, or up on trust, from another's voice, or face, that sits by him, be he never so first, in the Commission of Wit : As also, that he be fixed and settled in his censure, that what he approves, or not approves to day, he will do the same to morrow, and if to morrow, the next day, and so the next week (if need be:) and not to be brought about by any that sits on the Bench with him, though they indite, and arraign Plays daily. He that will swear, Jeronimo, or Andronicus are the best plays, yet, shall pass unexcepted at, here, as a man whose Judgement shows it is constant, and hath stood still, these five and twenty, or thirty years. Though it be and Ignorance, it is a virtuous and stayed ignorance; and next to truth, a confirmed error does well; such a one the Author knows where to find him. It is further covenanted, concluded and agreed, that how great soever the expectation be, no person here, is to expect more then he knows, or better beware then a Fair will afford: neither to look back to the sword and buckler-age of Smithfield, but content himself with the present. In stead of a little Davy ; to take toll o'the Bawds, the Author does promise a strut ting Horse-courser, with a leere -Drunkard, two or three to attend him, in as good Equipage as you would wish. And then for Kind-heart, the Toothdrawer, a fine oily Pig-woman with her Tapster, to bid you welcome, and a consort of Roarers for music. A wise Justice of Peace meditant, in stead of a Juggler, with and Ape. A civil Cutpurse searchant. A sweet Singer of new Bal lads allur nt : and as fresh and Hypocrite, as ever was broached rampant. If there be never a Seruant-monster i'the Fair ; who can help it? he says; nor a nest of Antiques ? He is loath to make Nature afraid in his Plays, Like those that beget Tales, Tempests, and such Like Drolleries, to mix his head with other men's heals; let the concupiscence of Iigges and Dances, reign as strong as it will amongst you: yet if the Puppets will please any body, they shall be entreated to come in. In consideration of which, it is finally agreed, by the before said hearers, and spectators, that they neither in themselves conceal, nor suffer by them to be concealed any State-decipherer, or politic Picklock of the Scene, so solemn lie ridiculous, as to search out, who was meant by the Ginger-bread-woman, who by the Hobby-horse-man, who by the Costard-monger, nay, who by their Wares. Or that will pretend to affirm (on his own inspired igno rance ) what Mirror of Magistrates is meant by the Ju stice, what great Lady by the Pigge-woman, what con ceal'd Statesman, by the Seller of Mousetraps, and so of the rest. But that such person, or persons so found, be left discovered to the mercy of the Author, as a for feiture to the Stage, and your laughter, aforesaid. As all so, such as shall so desperately, or ambitiously, play the fool by his place aforesaid, to challenge the Au thor of scurrility, because the language some where savours of Smithfield, the Booth, and the Pig-broath, or of profaneness, because a Madman cries, God quit you, or bless you. In witness whereof, as you have preposterously put to your Seals already (which is your money) you will now add the other partly of suffrage, your hands, The Play shall presently begin. And though the Fair be not kept in the same Regi on, that some here, perhaps, would have it, yet think that therein the Author hath observed a special Decorum, the place being as dirty as Smithfield, and as stinking every whit. Howsoever, he prays you to believe, his Beware is still the same, else you will make him justly suspect that he that is so loath to look on a Baby, or and Hob by-horse, here, would be glad to take up a Commodity of them, at any laugh ter, or lose, in anon there place. A Pretty conceit, and worth the finding! I have such luck to spin out these fine things still, and Like a Silkworm, out of my self. Hers Master Bartholomew Cokes, of Harrow o'th hill, i'th County of Middlesex, Esquire, takes forth his Licence, to marry Mistress Grace Wellborn of the said place and County: and when do's he take it forth? to day! the four and twentieth of August! Bartholmew day! Bartholmew upon Bartholmew ! there's the de vice! who would have marked such a leap-frogge chance now? A very less then Ames-ace, on two Dice! well, go thy ways John Little-wit, Proctor John Little-wit: One of the pretty wits of Paul's, the Little wit of London (so thou art called) and some thing beside. When a quirk, or a quiblin do's escape thee, and thou dost not watch, and apprehend it, and bring it afore the Constable of conceit: (there now, I speak quib too) let'hem carry thee out of the Arch deacons Court, into his Kitchen, and make a Jack of thee, in stead of a John. (There I am again la!) Win, Good morrow, Win. I marry Win ! Now you look finely indeed, Win ! this Cap do's convince! youled not would worn it, Win, nor have had it velvet, but a rough country Beaver, with a copper-band, Like the Conney-skinne woman of Budge -row? Sweet Win, let me kiss it! And. her fine high shoes, Like the Spanish Lady ! Good Win, go a little I would feign see thee pace, pretty Win ! By this fine Cap, I could never leave kissing on't.