entitled The Seven deadly Sins, written by Tarleton, of which the MS. plot or scheme is in my possession, he represented Sardanapalus. I have not been able to learn what parts he performed in our author's plays; but believe that he was in the same class as Kempe, and Armine; for he appears, like the former of these players, to have published a ludicrous metrical piece, which was entered on the Stationers' books in 1595. Philips's production was entitled The Jigg of the Slippers. WILLIAM KEMPE was the successor of Tarleton. "Here I must needs remember Tarleton, (says Heywood, in his Apology for Actors,) in his time gracious with the queen his soveraigne, and in the people's general applause; whom succeeded Will. Kemp, as well in the favour of her majestie, as in the opinion and good thoughts of the general audience." From the quarto editions of some of our author's plays, we learn that he was the original performer of Dogberry in Much Ado about Nothing, and of Peter in Romeo and Juliet. From an old comedy called The Return from Parnassus, we may collect that he was the original Justice Shallow; and the contemporary writers inform us that he usually acted the part of a Clown; in which character, like Tarleton, he was celebrated for his extemporal wit.' Launcelot in The Merchant of Venice, Touchstone in As you like it, Launce in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and the Gravedigger in Hamlet, were probably also performed by this comedian. He was an author as well as an actor.2 See p. 138, n. 1. * See The Returne from Parnassus, a comedy, 1606: "In So early as in the year 1589 Kempe's comick talents appear to have been highly estimated; for an old pamphlet called An Almond for a Parrot, written, I think, by Thomas Nashe, and published about that time, is dedicated " to that most comicall and conceited Cavaleire Monsieur du Kempe, Jestmonger, and vice-gerent generall to the Ghost of Dicke Tarleton." From a passage in one of Decker's tracts it may be presumed that this comedian was dead in the year 1609.3 deed, M. Kempe, you are very famous, but that is as well for workes in print as your part in cue." Kempe's New Jigg of the Kitchen-stuff Woman was entered on the books of the Stationers' Company in 1595; and in the same year was licensed to Thomas Gosson, "Kempes New Jigge betwixt a Souldier and a Miser and Sym the Clowne." Sept. 7, 1593, was entered on the Stationers' books, by R. Jones, 66 A comedie entitled A Knack how to know a Knave, newly set forth, as it hath been sundrye times plaied by Ned Allen and his company, with Kempes applauded merryment of The Men of Gotham." In the Bodleian Library, among the books given to it by Robert Burton, is the following tract, bound up with a few others of the same size, in a quarto volume marked L, 62d art. : 66 Kemps nine daies wonder performed in a daunce from London to Norwich. Containing the pleasure, paines and kind entertainment of William Kemp between London and that city, in his late morrice. Wherein is somewhat set downe worth note; to reprooue the slanders spred of him: many things merry, nothing hurtfull. Written by himselfe, to satisfie his friends." (Lond. E. A. for Nicholas Ling. 1600. b. 1.-With a wooden cut of Kempe as a morris-dancer, preceded by a fellow with a pipe and drum, whom he (in the book) calls Thomas Slye, his taberer. It is dedicated to " The true ennobled lady, and most bountifull mistris, mistris Anne Fitton, mayde of honour to the most sacred mayde royall queene Elizabeth." "Tush, tush, Tarleton, Kempe, nor Singer, nor all the litter of fooles that now come drawling behind them, never played the clownes part more naturally than the arrantest sot of you all." Guls Hornebooke, 1609. In Braithwaite's Remains, 1618, he is thus commemorated: "UPON KEMPE AND HIS MORICE, WITH HIS EPITAPH. "Welcome from Norwich, Kempe: all joy to see "But out alas! how soone's thy morice done, "Then all thy triumphs fraught with strains of mirth, "Shall be? they are; thou hast danc'd thee out of breath; "And now must make thy parting dance with death.” THOMAS POPE. This actor likewise performed the part of a Clown. He died before the year 1600." GEORGE BRYAN. I have not been able to gather any intelligence concerning this performer, except that in the exhibition of The Seven deadly Sins he represented the Earl of Warwick. He was, I believe, on the stage before the year 1588. what meanes Singer then, "And Pope, the clowne, to speak so borish, when : Heywood's Apology for Actors. HENRY CUNDALL is said by Roberts the player to have been a comedian, but he does not mention any other authority for this assertion but stage-tradition. In Webster's Dutchess of Malfy he originally acted the part of the Cardinal; and as, when that play was printed in 1623, another performer had succeeded him in that part, he had certainly before that time retired from the stage. He still, however, continued to have an interest in the theatre, being mentioned with the other players to whom a licence was granted by King Charles the First in 1625. He had probably a considerable portion of the shares or property of the Globe and Blackfriars theatres. This actor as well as Heminge lived in Aldermanbury, in which parish he served the office of Sideman in the year 1606. I have not been able to ascertain his age; but he appears to have married about the year 1598, and had eight children, the eldest of whom was born in Feb. 1598-99, and died an infant. Three only of his children appear to have survived him; Henry, born in 1600; Elizabeth in 1606; and William, baptized May 26, 1611. Before his death he resided for some time at Fulham, but he died in London, and was buried in his parish church in Aldermanbury, Dec. 29, 1627. On the 13th of that month he made his will, of which I subjoin a copy, extracted from the registry of the Prerogative Court: "In the name of God, Amen. I Henry Cundall of London, gentleman, being sick in body, but of perfect mind and memory, laud and praise be therefore given to Almighty God, calling to my remembrance that there is nothing in this world more sure and certain to mankind than death, and nothing more uncertain than the hour thereof, do therefore make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say; first I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God, trusting and assuredly believing that only by the merits of the precious death and passion of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ I shall obtain full and free pardon and remission of all my sins, and shall enjoy everlasting life in the kingdom of heaven, amongst the elect children of God. My body I commit to the earth, to be decently buried in the night-time in such parish where it shall please God to call me. My worldly substance I dispose of as followeth. And first concerning all and singular my freehold messuages, lands, tenements, and hereditaments whatsoever, with their and every of their appurtenances, whereof I am and stand seized of any manner of estate of inheritance, I give, devise and bequeath the same as followeth : "Imprimis, I give, devise and bequeath all and singular my freehold messuages, lands, tenements and hereditaments whatsoever, with their and every of their appurtenances, situate, lying and being in Helmett-court in the Strand, and elsewhere, in the county of Middlesex, unto Elizabeth my well beloved wife, for and during the term of her natural life; and from and immediately after her decease, unto my son Henry Cundall, and to the heirs of his body lawfully to be begotten, and for want of such issue unto my son William Cundall, and to the heirs of his body lawfully to be begotten; and for default of such issue unto my daughter |