Chapter I: Preface

Marston's Works were edited in 1856 by Mr. Halliwell (3 vols. 8vo.) for Mr. Russell Smith's _Library of Old Authors_. I yield to none in my admiration for the best and the most accurate of living Shakespearean scholars; but I am sure that Mr. Halliwell-Phillipps, who in his _Outlines of the Life of Shakespeare_ has set so singularly high a standard of excellence, would be the first to acknowledge that his edition of Marston's Works needs revision.

In the present volumes I have done my best to regulate the text, which is frequently very corrupt; but I am painfully conscious that I have left plenty of work for future editors.

A valuable edition of Marston's poems was published in 1879, for private circulation, by Dr. Grosart. I have availed myself freely of the results of Dr. Grosart's biographical researches; and I am indebted to his edition for the text of the _Entertainment_ in vol. iii.

Dr. Brinsley Nicholson, whose recently published edition of Reginald Scot's _Discovery of Witchcraft_ met with the enthusiastic welcome that it deserved, has helped me liberally with advice and suggestions; and I have to thank Mr. P. A. Daniel, whose scholarship is as sound as it is acute, for his kindness in reading my Introduction.

In deference to friendly criticism, I have prefixed to each play a brief summary of the plot.

_18th March 1887._

CONTENTS OF VOL. I.

PAGE