May 14, 1594.

Tho. Creede.] A booke intitled the famous Victories of Henrye the Ffyft, conteyninge

the honorable Battell of Agincourt'... 306 b.
May 14, 1594.

Edw. White.] A booke entituled the Moste fa-
mous Chronicle Historye of Leire Kinge
of England and his three Daughters'.. 307

May 22, 1594.

Edw. White.] A booke entituled a Wynters
Nightes Pastime3.

June 19, 1594.

307 b.

Tho. Creede.] An enterlude intitled the Tragedie of Richard the Third, wherein is showen the Death of Edward the Fourthe, with the Smotheringe of the twoo Princes in the Tower, with a lamentable End of Shore's Wife, and the Conjunction of the twoo Houses of Lancaster and York. 309 b.

This might have been the very displeasing play mentioned in the epilogue to the second part of King Henry IV. STEEVENS, The earliest edition of this play now known to be extant, was printed in 1598. Of that edition I have a copy. This piece furnished Shakspeare with the outline of the two parts of King Henry IV. as well as with that of King Henry V. MALONE. 2 I suppose this to be the play on the same subject as that of

our author, but written before it. STEEVEns.

3 Query if The Winter's Tale. STEEVENS.

4 This could not have been the work of Shakspeare, as the death of Jane Shore makes no part of his drama. STEEVENS. The play here entered, I believe to have been The true Tragedy of Richard the Third, which will be found appended to Shakspeare's drama in this edition. BOSWELL.

July 20, 1594.

Tho. Creede.] The lamentable Tragedie of Locrine, the eldest Sonne of K. Brutus,

discoursinge the Warres of the Britans,

&c.

Before the beginning of this volume are placed two leaves containing irregular entries, prohibitions, notes, &c. Among these are the following:

Aug. 4th.

As You Like It, a book.
Henry the Fift, a books.

Comedy of Much Ado about Nothing.

310 b.

Vol. C.

}

to be staied.

pages are from

Dec. 1, 1595.

The dates scattered over these

1596 to 1615.

Cuthbert Burby.] A book entituled Edward the

Third and the Black Prince, their Warres

with Kinge John of Fraunce".

Aug. 5, 1596.

....

Edw. White.] A newe ballad of Romeo and

Juliett7...

Aug. 15, 1597.

Rich. Jones.] Two ballads, beinge the ffirste and

6

12 b.

5 Probably the play before that of Shakspeare. STEEVENS. Surely this must have been Shakspeare's Henry V. which, as well as Much Ado About Nothing, was printed in 1600, when this entry appears to have been made. See the Essay on the chronological order of Shakspeare's plays; article, As You Like It. MALONE.

This is ascribed to Shakspeare by the compilers of ancient catalogues. STEEVENS.

7 Query, if Shakspeare's play, the first edition of which appeared in 1597. STEEVENS.

second parts of the Widowe of Watling-
streete 8.

Aug. 29, 1597.

Andrew Wise.] The tragedye of Richard the

Seconde

Oct. 20, 1597.

22 b.

23

Andrew Wise.] The tragedie of Kinge Richard the Third, with the Death of the Duke

of Clarence..

Feb. 25, 1597.

Andrew Wise.] A booke entitled the Historye of Henry the Fourth, with his Battaile at Shrewsburye against Henry Hottspurre of the Northe with the conceipted Mirth of Sir John Falstalffe.

July 22, 1598.

James Robertes.] A booke of the Marchaunt of Venyce, or otherwise called the Jewe of Venyse. Provided that yt bee not prynted by the said James Roberts or anye other whatsoever, without lycence first had of the right honourable the Lord Chamberlen

Aug. 4, 1600.

As You Like It, a book. Henry the Ffift, a book.
Every Man in his Humour, a book. The
Comedie of Much Adoo about Nothinge,

a book.

31

39 b.

• Perhaps the songs on which the play with the same title was founded. It may, however, be the play itself. It was not uncommon to divide one dramatick piece, though designed for a single exhibition, into two parts. See the King John before that of Shakspeare. SEEEVENS.

Aug. 11, 1600.

Tho. Pavier.] First Part of the History of the
Life of Sir John Oldcastle Lord Cobham.

Item, The Second and last Parte of
the History of Sir John Oldcastell Lord
Cobham, with his Martyrdom

Aug. 14, 1600.

62

Tho. Pavyer.] The Historye of Henrye the Vth, with the battel of Agencourt, &c...... 63

Aug. 23, 1600.

And. Wise, and Wm. Aspley.] Muche Adoe about
Nothinge.
Second Part of the History of King
Henry the Fourth, with the Humors of
Sir John Fallstaff, written by Mr.
SHAKESPERE.

Oct. 8, 1600.

Tho. Fysher.] A booke called a Mydsomer Nyghte

63 b.

ibid.

Dreame.

Oct. 28, 1600.

65 b.

Tho. Haies.] The book of the Merchant of

Venyce.

Jan. 18, 1601.

66

John Busby.] An excellent and pleasant conceited commedie of Sir John Faulstof and the Merry Wyves of Windesor.... 78 Arth. Johnson.] The preceding entered as assigned to him from John Busby.

April 19, 1602.

Tho. Pavier.] By Assignment from Tho. Millington, Salvo jure cujus cumq. The

1st and 2d pts of Henry the VI. ii books.

Tho. Pavyer.] Titus and Andronicus.

ibid.

80 b.

July 26, 1602.

James Roberts.] A booke The Revenge of
Hamlett prince of Denmarke, as yt was

latelie acted by the Lord Chamberlayn

his servantes.

Aug. 11, 1602.

Wm. Cotton.] A booke called the Lyfe and
Deathe of the Lord Cromwell, as yt was

lately acted by the Lord Chamberleyn
his servants...

Feb. 7, 1602.

Mr. Roberts.] The booke of Troilus and Cresseda, as yt is acted by my Lo. Cham

84 b.

85 b.

Nath. Butter.] Yf he get good allowance for the
Enterlude of K. Henry 8, before he
begyn to print it; and then procure the
warden's hands to it for the entrance of
yt, he is to have the same for his copy 9. 120
May 8, 1605.

Simon Stafford.] A booke called the tragicall
Historie of Kinge Leir and his three
Daughters, &c. as yt was latelie acted. 123

John Wright.] By assignment from Simon Staf-
ford and consent of Mr. Leake, the tra-

9 This was a play entitled, "When you see me you know me, or the famous Chronicle Historie of King Henrie the Eight," &c. by Samuel Rowley. Printed for N. Butter, 1605. MALONE.