been very different; since, as Dr. Johnson observes, there are some expressions in this of Shakespeare, which strongly inculcate the doctrine of indefeasible right.

FARMER.

Bacon elsewhere glances at the same transaction: "And for your comparison with Richard II. I see you follow the example of them that brought him upon the stage, and into print in Queen Elizabeth's time." Works, Vol. IV. p. 278. The partizans of Essex had, therefore, procured the publication as well as the acting of this play. HOLT WHITE.

It is probable, I think, that the play which Sir Gilly Merick procured to be represented, bore the title of HENRY IV. and not of RICHARD II.

Camden calls it-" exoletam tragediam de tragica abdicatione regis Ricardi secundi ;" and (Lord Bacon in his account of The Effect of that which passed at the arraignment of Merick and others,) says: "That the afternoon before the rebellion, Merick had procured to be played before them, the play of deposing King Richard the Second." But in a more particular account of the proceeding against Merick, which is printed in the State Trials, Vol. VII. p. 60, the matter is stated thus: "The story of Henry IV. being set forth in a play, and in that play there being set forth the killing of the king upon a stage; the Friday before, Sir Gilly Merick and some others of the earl's train having an humour to see a play, they must needs have The Play of HENRY IV. The players told them that was stale; they should get nothing by playing that; but no play else would serve and Sir Gilly Merick gives forty shillings to Philips the player to play this, besides whatsoever he could get.'

Augustine Philippes was one of the patentees of the Globe playhouse with Shakespeare, in 1603; but the play here described was certainly not Shakespeare's HENRY IV. as that commences above a year after the death of Richard. TYRWHITT.

This play of Shakespeare was first entered at Stationers' Hall by Andrew Wise, Aug. 29, 1597.

It was written, I imagine, in the same year.

STEEVENS.

MALONE.

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

King RICHARD the second.

EDMUND OF LANGLEY, duke of York, uncles to the king. JOHN OF GAUNT, duke of Lancaster,

HENRY, surnamed BOLINGBROKE, duke of Hereford,
son to John of Gaunt, afterwards king Henry IV.

Duke of AUMERLE, son to the duke of York.
MOWBRAY, duke of Norfolk.

Duke of SURREY.

Earl of SALISBury.

Earl BERKLey.

Lord Ross.

Lord WILLOUGHBY.

Lord FITZWATER.

Bishop of Carlisle.

Abbot of Westminster.

Lord Marshal; and another Lord.

Sir PIERCE OF EXTON.

Sir STEPHEN SCROOP.

Captain of a band of Welchmen.

Queen to king Richard.

Duchess of GLOster.

Duchess of YORK.

Lady attending on the Queen. ·

Lords, Heralds, Officers, Soldiers, two Gardeners, Keeper, Messenger, Groom, and other Attendants.

SCENE--dispersedly in England and Wales.