In this volume an attempt is made for the first time to edit _Bussy D'Ambois_ and _The Revenge of Bussy D'Ambois_ in a manner suitable to the requirements of modern scholarship. The immediate source of _Bussy D'Ambois_ still remains undiscovered. But the episodes in the career of Chapman's hero, vouched for by contemporaries like Brantôme and Marguerite of Valois, and related in some detail in my _Introduction_, are typical of the material which the dramatist worked upon. On the _provenance_ of _The Revenge of Bussy D'Ambois_ I have been fortunately able, with valuable assistance from others, to cast much new light. Biography George Chapman was probably born in the year after Elizabeth's accession. According to Wood "in 1574 or thereabouts, he being well grounded in school learning was sent to the University." His life for almost a couple of decades afterwards is a blank, though it has been conjectured on evidences drawn from _The Shadow of Night_ and _Alphonsus Emperor of Germany_, respectively, that he served in one of Sir F. Vere's campaigns in the Netherlands, and that he traveled in Germany. By 1605, Chapman had resumed his work for the stage. In that year he wrote conjointly with Marston and Jonson the comedy of _Eastward Hoe_. On account of some passages reflecting on the Scotch, the authors were imprisoned. Chapman found himself in trouble with the authorities in 1608, for the French ambassador had the performance of his plays stopped for a time. His fourth tragedy based on French history, _The Revenge of Bussy D'Ambois_, appeared in 1613. It is important to remember these details while delving into the works and life of George Chapman.The year 1614, when the _Odyssey_ was completed, marks the culminating
point of Chapman's literary activity. Henceforward, partly perhaps owing
to the disappointment of his hopes through Prince Henry's death, his
production was more intermittent. Translations of the _Homeric Hymns_,
of the _Georgicks_ of Hesiod, and other classical writings, mainly
occupy the period till 1631. In that year he printed another tragedy,
_Cæsar and Pompey_, which, however, as we learn from the dedication, had
been written "long since." The remaining plays with which his name has
been connected did not appear during his lifetime. A comedy, _The Ball_,
licensed in 1632, but not published till 1639, has the names of Chapman
and Shirley on the title-page, but the latter was certainly its main
author. Another play, however, issued in the same year, and ascribed to
the same hands, _The Tragedie of Chabot, Admiral of France_ makes the
impression, from its subject-matter and its style, of being chiefly due
to Chapman. In 1654 two tragedies, _Alphonsus Emperour of Germany_ and
_The Revenge for Honour_, were separately published under 

  P 1/498 next