Notes and Queries, Number 15, February 9, 1850

Excerpt

MARLOWE AND THE OLD “TAMING OF A SHREW.”

I regret that my communication (No. 13. p. 194.), on the subject of the authorship of The Taming of a Shrew, was too late to be of any avail for the already-published new edition of Marlowe’s works; and, had I been aware of such being the case, I should have waited until I had had an opportunity of seeing a work whose editor may entertain views in ignorance of which, to my disadvantage, I am still writing. It is, perhaps, a still greater disadvantage that I should appear to depend for proofs upon a bare enumeration of parallel passages; when I know that the space I should require for the purposes of stating the case fully and fairly, and, as I think, conclusively, would be utterly inconsistent with that brevity which must be with you an essential condition; while, at the same time, I know of no medium through which I am so likely to enlist the attention of a “fit audience” as your publication. Premising that my references are to The Taming of a Shrew in “Six Old Plays,” 1799, and to Marlowe’s Works, edit. 1826, I proceed to indicate such passages as a rapid glance through the respective works, aided by some previous acquaintance with the subject, and a not very bad memory, furnished. Some of the parallels will be found identical; in others, the metaphors will be found to be the same, with the expression more or less varied; and in others, again, particular expressions are the same, though the tenor of the phrase be different. It will be observed that the quotations of Marlowe are exclusively from Dr. Faustus and Tamburlaine. Of the longer passages I have given merely the first line for reference; and I have numbered them for the convenience of comparison:—

THE TAMING OF A SHREW.

(1)    “Now that the gloomy shadow of the night,” &c. p. 161.(2)    “But stay, what dames are these, so bright of hue,” &c. p. 167.(3)    “ O, might I see the censer of my soule.” &c. p.169.(4)    “ Come, fair Emelia, my lovely love,” &c. p. 180.“Valeria, attend, I have a lovely love,” &c. p. 191.“And all that pierceth Phœbus’ silver eye,” &c. p. 181.“Fair Emelia, summer’s bright sun queen,” &c. p.199.(5)     “I fill’d my coffers of the wealthy mines,” &c. p.181.(6)                                “As richly wroughtAs was the massy robe that late adorn’dThe stately legate of the Persian king,” p.183.(7)     “Boy. Come hither, sirha boy.Sander. Boy, O, disgrace to my person!” &c. p.184.

MARLOWE.

(1)     “Now that the gloomy shadow of the night,” &c. —Faustus, vol. ii. p.127.(2)     “Zenocrate, the loveliest maid alive,” &c.—Tamb. vol. i. p.46.(3)     “Whose darts do pierce the centre of my soul,” &c. —Tamb.vol. i. p.120.“Was this the face that launch’d a thousand ships,” &c. —Faustus, vol. ii. p.192.(4)     “Now bright Zenocrate, the world’s fair eye,” &c. —Tamb. vol. i. p.102“Batter the shining palace of the sun,” &c....