preliminary if we are ever to sift truth from falsehood in Dryden's indictment--indolently accepted by many critics as conclusive--of _Bussy D'Ambois_.

The group of quartos of 1641, 1646, and 1657, containing Chapman's revised text, is denoted by the symbol "B"; those of 1607 and 1608 by "A." In the footnotes all the variants contained in A are given except in a few cases where the reading of A has been adopted in the text and that of B recorded as a variant. I have preferred the reading of A to B, when it gives an obviously better sense, or is metrically superior. I have also included in the Text fifty lines at the beginning of Act II, Scene 2, which are found only in A. Some slight conjectural emendations have been attempted which are distinguished by "emend. ed." in the footnotes. In these cases the reading of the quartos, if unanimous, is denoted by "Qq."

In the quartos the play is simply divided into five Acts. These I have subdivided into Scenes, within which the lines have been numbered to facilitate reference. The stage directions in B are numerous and precise, and I have made only a few additions, which are enclosed in brackets. The quartos vary between _Bussy_ and _D'Ambois_, and between _Behemoth_ and _Spiritus_, as a prefix to speeches. I have kept to the former throughout in either case.                                                           F. S. B.

Bussy D'Ambois: A TRAGEDIE: As it hath been often Acted with great Applause. _Being much corrected and amended by the Author before his death._ Printed by _A. N._ for _Robert Lunne_. 1641.ACTUS PRIMI SCENA PRIMA.
          _A glade, near the Court._
          _Enter Bussy D'Ambois poore._
          [_Bussy._] Fortune, not Reason, rules the state of things,
          Reward goes backwards, Honor on his head,
          Who is not poore is monstrous; only Need
          Gives forme and worth to every humane seed.
          As cedars beaten with continuall stormes, 
          So great men flourish; and doe imitate
          Unskilfull statuaries, who suppose
          (In forming a Colossus) if they make him
          Stroddle enough, stroot, and look bigg, and gape,
          Their work is goodly: so men meerely great 
          In their affected gravity of voice,
          Sowrnesse of countenance, manners cruelty,
          Authority, wealth, and all the spawne of Fortune,
          Think they beare all the Kingdomes worth before them;
          Yet differ not from those colossick statues, 

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