John Ford

Verse

A Contract of Love and Truth
('Soe gold is priz'd, and being chastly pure')

First published in Bertram Lloyd, An Unprinted Poem by John Ford(?), RES, 1 (1925), 217-19. Nondramatic Works (1991), pp. 359-62.

FoJ 1

Copy of a poem subscribed J. Foord.

In: A quarto miscellany of verse and some prose, predominantly in a single secretary hand, written from both ends, 179 leaves, in 19th-century half blue morocco gilt. c.1640s.

Inscribed (f. 179r) This is Sr. Thomas Meres [or ? Maiors] Book: i.e. probably Sir Thomas Meres (1634-1715), of Kirton, Lincolnshire. Later bookplate of the Rev. John Curtis. Purchased from Mrs Ann Austin Curtis 12 October 1889.

Edited from this MS in Lloyd and in Nondramatic Works (1991), where is is also discussed with a complete facsimile on p. 361.

Fame's Memorial
('Swift Time, the speedy pursuivant of heaven')

First published in London, 1606. Dyce, III, 277-327. Nondramatic Works (1991), pp. 61-131.

FoJ 2
Fair copy, complete with dedication and the anagram from Camden, written for presentation to Lady Penelope Rich; bound in a volume of Ford's printed plays. [1606].

This MS discussed and unpublished stanzas printed in Bertram Lloyd, An Inedited MS. of Ford's Fames Memoriall, RES, 1 (1925), 93-5. Also discussed in G.D. Monsarrat, Printed Texts and Presentation Manuscripts: The Case of John Ford's Fame's Memorial and A Line of Life, The Library, 6th Ser. 2 (1980), 80-5, and in Nondramatic Works (1991), esp. pp. 78-81, with a facsimile of ff. vv-1r on p. 84.

To ye memory of ye late excellent Poet John ffletcher
('Heere needs noe Marble to adorne this Hearse')

First published in English Renaissance Literary Criticism, ed. Brian Vickers (Oxford, 1999), No. 31, pp. 541-5, and in Jeremy Maule, To the memory of the late excellent Poet John Fletcher: A New Poem by John Ford, EMS, 8 (2000), 136-59.

FoJ 2.5

Copy, subscribed John fford.

In: A quarto verse miscellany, the first 21 pages in a small mixed hand, the rest (including a book catalogue dated 1675) in one or two later hands, 33 pages (plus numerous blanks), in old calf.

Inscribed (p. 1) ffran: Wyrley, possibly the principal compiler, whose name is also subscribed to several poems.

c.1636-77.

Also inscribed (f. ii) Michaell Keepis. anno Dom: 1636 ffebruarie. 13th. Me tenet. Later Phillipps MS 9311. Bookplate of Wyrley Birch. Purchased from Peter Murray Hill, 1950. Formerly S4975M1 [1636-75] Bound.

Edited from this MS in Vickers and in Maule. Complete facsimile in Maule, pp. 138-9.

Prose

A Line of Life

First published [in London], 1620; Dyce, III, 381-419. Nondramatic Works (1991), pp. 277-327.

FoJ 3

Formal copy, in a professional secretary hand, with a title-page and a dedicatory preface, subscribed in an italic hand John de la Ford, apparently written for presentation to James Hay (c.1580-36), Baron Hay, Viscount Doncaster, and later first Earl of Carlisle, courtier and diplomat.

In: A quarto composite volume of religious tracts, in various hands, 236 leaves, in modern quarter crushed morocco on cloth boards.

This MS recorded in M. Joan Sargeaunt, Writings Ascribed to John Ford by Joseph Hunter in Chorus Vatum, RES, 10 (1934), 165-76 (pp. 174-5), and in George F. Reinecke, John Ford's Missing Ralegh Passage, ELN, 6 (1968-9), 252-4. Discussed in Nondramatic Works (1991), esp. pp. 287-96, with a facsimile of ff. 144v-5 on p. 298. Also discussed in G.D. Monsarrat, Edited Texts and Presentation Manuscripts: The Case of John Ford's Fame's Memorial and A Line of Life, The Library, 6th Ser. 2 (1980), 80-5.

Dramatic works

The Lady's Trial, II, iv. Song
('Pleasures, beauty, youth attend ye')

First published in London, 1639. Dyce, III, 1-99 (pp. 40-1). De Vocht, pp. 329-408 (p. 363, lines 1011-26).

FoJ 4

Autograph copy by Lawes, in his musical setting, untitled.

In: A folio autograph songbook by William Lawes (1602-45), composer, 49 leaves, in contemporary calf stamped in gilt with arms of Charles I. c.1638-45.

Inscribed (f. 1v) Richard Gibbon his booke giuen to him by Mr William Lawes all of his owne pricking and composeing, and Giuen to me J R by his widdow mris Gibbon J R:, and Borrowed of Alderman Fidye by me Jo: Surgenson. Bookplates of William Gostling (1696-1777), antiquary and topographer, and of Julian Marshall (1836-1903), music and print collector and writer.

A complete facsimile of this volume in English Song 1600-1675, ed. Elise Bickford Jorgens, Vol. 2 (New York & London, 1986). Discussed in John P. Cutts, British Museum Additional MS. 31432 William Lawes' writing for the Theatre and the Court, The Library, 5th Ser. 7 (1952), 225-34, and in Margaret Crum, Notes on the Texts of William Lawes's Songs in B.M. MS. Add. 31432, The Library, 5th Ser. 9 (1954), 122-7.

This MS recorded in Cutts, The Library (1952), p. 231.

FoJ 4.5

Copy of the song.

In: A quarto miscellany of chiefly amatory verse, in several hands, i + 132 leaves.

Partly in Scottish dialect, one poem by mr. W. Turner.

Early 18th century.

Collated in Thomas.

FoJ 5

Copy, in a musical setting.

In: A folio songbook, in a single secretary hand, some items misnumbered, 144 leaves. c.1640s.

Once owned by the Shirley family, Earls Ferrers, of Staunton Harold, Leicestershire. Also owned, and annotated, by Edward Francis Rimbault (1816-76), organist and author. Acquired in 1888.

Generally cited as the Earl Ferrers MS. Collated in Cutts, Drexel Manuscript 4041, Musica Disciplina, 18 (1964), 151-202. A complete facsimile is in English Song 1600-1675, ed. Elise Bickford Jorgens, Vol. 9 (New York & London, 1987).

FoJ 6

Copy, in a musical setting.

In: A folio music book, containing 327 songs, in three largely secretary hands, with a Cattalogue of contents, 229 leaves.

Owned (in 1659) and partly compiled by the composer John Gamble (d.1687), with some misnumbering.

c.1630s-50s.

Later owned by Edward Francis Rimbault (1816-76), organist and author. Acquired in 1888.

A complete facsimile is in English Song 1600-1675, ed. Elise Bickford Jorgens, Vol. 10 (New York & London, 1987). Discussed in Charles W. Hughes, John Gamble's Commonplace Book, M&L, 26 (1945), 215-29.

Facsimile of this MS in John H. Long, Shakespeare's Use of Music (Gainesville, Florida, 1961), p. 146.

The Lady's Trial, IV, ii. Song
('What, ho! we come to be merry')

Dyce, III, 70.

FoJ 7

Autograph copy by Lawes, in his musical setting, untitled.

In: A folio autograph songbook by William Lawes (1602-45), composer, 49 leaves, in contemporary calf stamped in gilt with arms of Charles I. c.1638-45.

Inscribed (f. 1v) Richard Gibbon his booke giuen to him by Mr William Lawes all of his owne pricking and composeing, and Giuen to me J R by his widdow mris Gibbon J R:, and Borrowed of Alderman Fidye by me Jo: Surgenson. Bookplates of William Gostling (1696-1777), antiquary and topographer, and of Julian Marshall (1836-1903), music and print collector and writer.

A complete facsimile of this volume in English Song 1600-1675, ed. Elise Bickford Jorgens, Vol. 2 (New York & London, 1986). Discussed in John P. Cutts, British Museum Additional MS. 31432 William Lawes' writing for the Theatre and the Court, The Library, 5th Ser. 7 (1952), 225-34, and in Margaret Crum, Notes on the Texts of William Lawes's Songs in B.M. MS. Add. 31432, The Library, 5th Ser. 9 (1954), 122-7.

Edited from this MS in Cutts, The Library, 5th Ser. 7 (1952), 230.

The Lover's Melancholy

First published in London, 1629. Dyce, I, 1-106. Bang, pp. 1-86.

FoJ 7.5
An exemplum of the first first edition of 1629, with extensive MS deletions for performance, numbered on the title-page 2097. Late 17th century.

Discussed in Clifford Leech, A Projected Restoration Performance of Ford's The Lover's Melancholy?, MLR 56 (1961), 378-81.

FoJ 7.8
An exemplum of the printed edition of 1629, with MS revisions, prepared as a prompt-book by Charles Macklin (1699-1797) for performances at Drury Lane on 28 April, 5 and 20 May 1748. 1748.

Discussed in Robert R. Findlay, Macklin's 1748 Adaptation of Ford's The Lover's Melancholy, RECTR, 8 (1969), 13-22.

The Lover's Melancholy, III, ii. Song
('They that will learn to drink a health in hell')

Dyce, I, 66. Bang, p. 67 (lines 1629-33).

FoJ 8

Copy of Cuculus's song, headed On dispraise of Tabacco and here beginning He that will learn to drink a health in hell.

In: A quarto composite volume comprising three independent MSS bound together, i + 78 leaves.

The first MS a verse miscellany, in an italic hand, 29 leaves. c.1640.

First published London, 1629; Dyce, I, 1-106p. (p. 66); Bang, pp. 1-86 (p. 67, lines 1629-33).

FoJ 9

Copy, headed Tobacco and here beginning He that would learn to drink a health in hell.

In: A quarto miscellany of verse and some prose, in probably two or more secretary hands, 108 pages, in half brown morocco. Mid-17th century.

Later owned by F.W. Cosens (1819-89). Bookplate of James W. Ellsworth.

FoJ 10

Copy, headed An Epigram of Tobackoe and here beginning Hee that will learne to drink a helth in hell.

In: An oblong quarto verse miscellany, in a single neat hand, written with the volume tilted with the spine to the top, 167 pages (plus blanks), in elaborately tooled green morocco gilt.

Including ten poems by Carew and twelve poems by Strode (and two poems of doubtful authorship).

c.1634.

The initials M W stamped on each cover: i.e. M[aidstone] and W[inchilsea]. Evidently compiled by or for Sir Thomas Finch, Viscount Maidstone and Earl of Winchilsea (who succeeded to the peerage in 1633 and died in 1634). A.S.W. Rosenbach's sale catalogue English Poetry to 1700 (1941), item 190.

The MS came to Rosenbach with a printed exemplum of William Wishcart, An Exposition of the Lord's Prayer (London, 1633), and the two clearly share the same provenance. The printed volume is similarly bound, with the initials M W; it is inscribed Lord Winchilsea for Mr Locker 1634; it bears the late 17th-century signatures of Stephen Locker and Alexander Campbell, and the bookplates of Captain William Locker (1731-1800) and Edward Hawke Locker (1777-1849).

Cited in IELM, II.i-ii (1987-93), as the Winchelsea MS: CwT Δ 33 and StW Δ 25.

FoJ 11

Copy, beginning He yt would learne to pledge a health in hell.

In: A quarto verse miscellany, 180 pages, in three secretary hands, in contemporary limp vellum.

Probably compiled by a member of an Inn of Court.

c.1630.

Bookplate of William Horatio Crawford, of Lakelands, Cork, book collector. Formerly Rosenbach 186.

The Lover's Melancholy, V, i. Song
('Fly hence, shadows, that do keep')

Dyce, I, 95. Bang, p. 77 (lines 2437-46).

FoJ 12

Copy of the Boy's song in a musical setting by John Wilson, untitled.

In: A large folio volume of songs in musical settings by John Wilson (1595-1674), composer and musician, vi + 214 leaves (plus some blanks), gilt-edged, in contemporary black morocco elaborately gilt, lettered on each cover DR. / I.W, with silver clasps.

Possibly Wilson's formal autograph MS or else in the hand of someone similarly associated with Edward Lowe (c.1610-82).

c.1656.

Complete facsimile in Jorgens, Vol. 7 (1987). Discussed in John P. Cutts, Seventeenth Century Lyrics: Oxford, Bodleian, MS. Mus. b. 1, MD, 10 (1956), 142-209.

This MS collated in John P. Cutts, Seventeenth Century Lyrics, MD, 10 (1956), 142-209 (p. 181).

FoJ 13

Copy in a musical setting by John Wilson.

In: A folio music part book (2nd treble part), viii + 218 pages, in contemporary calf.

Compiled by Edward Lowe (c.1610-82), organist and composer.

c.1650s.

Bookplate of Povert Henley.

FoJ 14

Copy, in a musical setting by John Wilson, untitled.

In: A folio songbook (First Treble part), in a single hand, written from both ends, viii + 213 pages (paginated 1-191, then 1-22 rev.), lacking pp. 87-8, 115-18, the first two of which are now Birmingham Central Library, Acc. No. 57316, Location No. S747.01, in modern half brown morocco marbled boards.

Compiled entirely by Edward Lowe (c.1610-82), organist and composer.

Mid-late 17th century.

Later owned by Edward Francis Rimbault (1816-76), organist and author.

Discussed in John P. Cutts, Seventeenth-Century Songs and Lyrics in Edinburgh University Library Music MS. Dc. 1. 69, MD, 13 (1959), 169-94. A complete facsimile is in English Song 1600-1675, ed. Elise Bickford Jorgens, Vol. 8 (New York & London, 1987).

Perkin Warbeck

First published in London, 1634.

FoJ 15
MS of an adaptation of Ford's play, in several hands, probably prepared for a performance at Goodman's Fields Theatre on 19 December 1745. 1745.

Discussed in Donald K. Anderson, Jr, The Date and Handwriting of a Manuscript Copy of Ford's Perkin Warbeck, N&Q, 208 (September 1963), 340-1, and in Margaret Crum, A Manuscript of Ford's Perkin Warbeck: An additional Note, N&Q, 210 (March 1965), 104-5.

'Tis Pity She's a Whore

First published in London, 1633.

FoJ 16
An exemplum of the printed edition of 1633, marked up as a prompt-book probably for a theatre production in the Restoration. Late 17th century.

A.S.W. Rosenbach's sale catalogue of English plays to 1700 (1940), item 204.

Recorded in Bentley, Jacobean & Caroline Stage, III, 464.