' Then there are variations, and names not contained
in that list. These additions mostly refer to dramatic authors,
whilst the previous names, as far as 'John Davis,' only refer to
lyric poets.
We believe the intention of the first writer of _The Return
from Parnassus_ was only to criticise lyric poets. Moreover,
Monius says in the Prologue:--'What is presented here, is an old
musty show, that has lain this twelvemonth in the bottom of a
coal-house amongst brooms and old shoes.' Our opinion is that
_The Return from Parnassus_, after having been acted before
a learned public at Cambridge, came into the hands of players
who applied the manner in which lyric poets had been criticised
in it, to dramatic writers. The authors of the additions must
have been friends of Shakspere; for, as we shall find, the enemies
of the latter are also theirs.
2: Act iv. sc. 3.
3: In _The Poetaster_, of which we shall speak farther on.
4: According to certain indications in _Satiromastix_,
he had an 'ambling' walk, or dancing kind of step. (See _note_
28.)
5: Collier's _Memoirs of Alleyn_, pp. 50 and 51.
6: _Conversations with Drummond_.
7: _Satiromastix_, 1602.
8: Collier's _Drama_, i. 334.
9: _Poetaster_.
10: Compare his Dedication in _Volpone_, of which we shall have
more to say.
11: _Drummond's Conversations_.
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