John Ford

1586?–1639?

Introduction

Manuscript Copies

No manuscripts of Ford's most famous plays, The Broken Heart and 'Tis Pity she's a Whore, are known, and of his other plays only a few early manuscript copies of particular songs are recorded. On the other hand, presentation copies of the poem Fame's Memorial (FoJ 2) and the religious essay A Line of Life (FoJ 3) are preserved. Their formal appearance suggests that they are both professional copies rather than autograph manuscripts, but there appears to be no independent example of Ford's handwriting with which to compare them.

The Canon

Apart from the poem A Contract of Love and Truth, which is ascribed to J. Foord and has been tentatively added to the canon (FoJ 1), and the recently discovered elegy To ye memory of ye late excellent Poet John ffletcher (FoJ 2.5), the canon accepted here is that established in Dyce. For references to other works that have been at some time attributed to Ford, see Bentley, Jacobean & Caroline Stage, III, 433-64.

Prompt-books

A few seventeenth- and eighteenth-century prompt-books of plays by Ford are also recorded below, as well as a manuscript adaptation of a play (FoJ 7.8, FoJ 15-16). No doubt other later prompt-books survive elsewhere.

Abbreviations

Bang: John Fordes Dramatische Werke, ed. Willy Bang, Materialien zur Kunde des älteren Englischen Dramas, Ser. I, Vol. 23 (Louvain, 1908; reprinted by Kraus Reprint Ltd, 1967).
De Vocht: John Ford's Dramatic Works, ed. Henry De Vocht, Materials for the Study of the Old English Drama, Ser. II, Vol. 1 (Louvain, 1927; reprinted by Kraus Reprint Ltd, 1967).
Dyce: The Works of John Ford, ed. William Gifford and revised by Alexander Dyce, 3 vols (London, 1869; 1895 edition reprinted New York, 1965).
Nondramatic Works (1991): The Nondramatic Works of John Ford, ed. L.E. Stock, Gilles D. Monsarrat, Judith M. Kennedy, and Dennis Danielson, Renaissance English Text Society (Binghamton, New York, 1991).

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.

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

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 S^r. 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.

The British Library: Egerton MSS (Egerton MS 2725 ff. 134v-5r)

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. v^v-1^r on p. 84.

Bodleian Library, Malone Collection (Mal. 238 (10))

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.

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

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. 13^th. Me tenet. Later Phillipps MS 9311. Bookplate of Wyrley Birch. Purchased from Peter Murray Hill, 1950. Formerly S4975M1 [1636-75] Bound.

Clark Library, Los Angeles (MS. 1950. 024 pp. 13-14)

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.

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.

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

The British Library: Lansdowne MSS (Lansdowne MS 350 ff. 139r-78r)

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.

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

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 m^ris 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.

The British Library, Music Books and Manuscripts (Add. MS 31432 ff. 18v-19r)

FoJ 4.5

Copy of the song.

Collated in Thomas.

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

Bodleian Library, Rawlinson Collection, Rawl. poet. 150 through 199 (MS Rawl. poet. 196 f. 1v)

FoJ 5

Copy, in a musical setting.

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).

New York Public Library, Music Division (Drexel MS 4041 No. 68, f. 48r)

FoJ 6

Copy, in a musical setting.

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

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.

New York Public Library, Music Division (Drexel MS 4257 No. 178)

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.

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

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

The British Library, Music Books and Manuscripts (Add. MS 31432 f. 18v)

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.

The Folger Shakespeare Library, Printed books (STC 11163 copy 3)

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.

Harvard Theatre Collection (HTC-LC PR2524.L68 1629)

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.

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

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.

Bodleian Library, Rawlinson Collection, Rawl. poet. 150 through 199 (MS Rawl. poet. 153 f. 21v)

FoJ 9

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

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.

The Rosenbach Museum & Library, numbers 1 through 239 (MS 239/18 p. 49)

FoJ 10

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

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 M^r 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.

The Rosenbach Museum & Library, numbers 240 through 999 (MS 243/4 p. 7)

FoJ 11

Copy, beginning He y^t would learne to pledge a health in hell.

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 Rosenbach Museum & Library, numbers 1000 through end (MS 1083/15 p. 141)

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.

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

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.

Bodleian Library, Music MSS (MS Mus. b. 1 f. 99r)

FoJ 13

Copy in a musical setting by John Wilson.

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.

Bodleian Library, Music MSS (MS Mus. d. 238 p. 124)

FoJ 14

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

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).

Edinburgh University Library (MS Dc. 1. 69 p. 128)

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.

Bodleian Library, Rawlinson Collection, Rawl. poet. 100 through 149 (MS Rawl. poet. 122)

'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.