ROXBURGH COLLECTION.

AMONG a great many very rare and curious articles of Literature in the Roxburgh Collection, the following have more particularly attracted my attention, and by the kindness of Mr. G. Nicol I am enabled to describe them.

I begin with the rare Dramatic pieces, and first with one which is known to be unique, and which has particularly attracted the curiosity and attention of collectors. This is called

"COMMON CONDYCIONS."

I cannot, perhaps, do better than transcribe the note of Mr. Steevens, which appears in this copy.

"Of this dramatic piece, no copy, except the following mutilated one, has hitherto been discovered.

The first mention of it occurs in the books of the Stationers Company, where, July 26, 1576, John Hunter enters, "A new and pleasant Comedie or Plaie, after the manner of Common Condycions."

The original entry of it was, perhaps, earlier than any register at Stationers' Hall now remaining. See the Prolegomena to Reed's Shakspeare, 1785, vol. 1. p. 281.

We

We meet with it next in Kirkman's Printed Catalogue of Plays, 1671, under the title of Common Conditions.

Again in Langbaine's republication of do. with

amendments.

1680.

Again in Langbaine's new Catalogue. 1688. Again in his Account of English Dramatic Poets, 1691, where he calls it a "Comedy I never saw."

Again in the Theatrical Records of that mea sureles and bungling Lyar, William Rufus Chetwood, 1756, Article XLIX, with a pretended date to it, at least a century too late, viz. 1676. Perhaps the blockhead thought the piece was a political one, and had some reference at some period or other to the Condition of the Com mons of England.

From hence it found its way into Baker's Companion to the Playhouse, 1764, and was afterwards described with accuracy in the additions and corrections of the second volume of Mr. Reed's republication of the same work, 1782, p. 436.

See also Egerton's Theatrical Remembrancer, 1788, p. 32.

The following copy of Common Conditions was purchased at the sale of the late Dr. Wright's books, 1787, see his catalogue, p. 51, for 51. 5s.'

G. S."

This great literary curiosity contains the fol

lowing

SONG BY MARINERS.

Lustely, lustely, lustely let us saile forthe,

The winde trim doth serve us, it blowes at the North.

All things we have ready, and nothing we want
To furnishe our ship that rideth hereby,
Victals and weapons, ther be nothing skant,
Like worthie mariners ourselves we will trie.
Lustely, lustely, &c.

Her flagges be newe trimmed set flantyng alofte,
Our ship for swift swimmyng, oh she doth excell,
Wee feare no enemies, wee have escaped them ofte,
Of all ships that swimmeth, she bareth the bell.
Lustely, lustely, &c.

And here is a maister excelleth in skill,
And our maisters mate he is not to seeke,

And here is boteswaine will doe his good will,
And here is a ship boye wee never had to leake.
Lustely, lustely, &c.

If fortune then faile not, and our next voiage prove,
Wee will return merely and make a good cheare,
And hold al together as frendes linkt in love,
The cannes shall be filled with wine, ale, and beare.
Lustely, lustely, &c.

The Duke of Roxburgh purchased this rare tract for six pounds ten shillings, at the sale of Mr. Steevens's books.

"THE NICE WANTON.

A preaty Interlude called Nice Wanton.

This is in black letter, and contains the following specimens of Songs:

See Gentleman's Magazine for 1787, pp. 400 and 689.

DUET BETWEEN INIQUITIE AND DALILA.

INIO.

Golde lockes

She must have knockes,

Or else I do her wronge.

DALILA,

DALILA.

When ye have your wyl,
Ye were best lye styl;

The winter nights be long.

INIO.

When I ne may

An other essay,

I wyl take it for no wrongě.

DALILA.

Then by the roode,
A bone in your hoode,
I shall put ere it be longe.

SONG.

It is good to be mery,
But who can be mery?

He that hath a pure conscience,
He may well be mery.

Who hath a pure conscience? tell me f

No man of himself I ensure thée :

Then must it follow of necessitie,

That no man can be mery:

Puritie itselfe may purenesse give,

VOL. II.

You must aske it of God in true beleve,

Then wyl he geve it and nere repreve,

And so we may be mery.