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A SELECT COLLECTION OF OLD ENGLISH PLAYS, VOL. IX

Originally published by Robert Dodsley in the Year 1744.


Fourth Edition,

Now first chronologically arranged, revised and enlarged with the Notes
of all the Commentators, and new Notes

By

W. CAREW HAZLITT.

1874-76.



CONTENTS:

How a Man May Choose a Good Wife from a Bad
The Return from Parnassus
Wily Beguiled
Lingua
The Miseries of Enforced Marriage






HOW A MAN MAY CHOOSE A GOOD WIFE FROM A BAD.




_EDITION


A Pleasant conceited Comedie, Wherein is shewed how a man may chuse a
good Wife from a bad. As it hath bene sundry times Acted by the Earle of
Worcesters Seruants. London Printed for Mathew Lawe, and are to be solde
at his shop in Paules Church-yard, neare unto S. Augustines gate, at the
signe of the Foxe_. 1602. 4to.

[There were editions in 1605, 1608, 1614, 1621, 1630, 1634, all in 4to.

It is not improbable that the author was Joshua Cooke, to whom, in an
old hand on the title of edit. 1602 in the Museum, it is attributed.]




[PREFACE TO THE FORMER EDITION.[1]]


This play agrees perfectly with the description given of it in the
title; it is certainly a most pleasant conceited comedy, rich in humour,
and written altogether in a right merry vein. The humour is broad and
strongly marked, and at the same time of the most diverting kind; the
characters are excellent, and admirably discriminated; the