are prefixed. The story, remotely autobiographical, relates the adventures of a young man, Philador, who, beguiled by rapacious courtesans, endures much misery, but finally returns a penitent to his father's house. At the end is an apologetical discourse in which Greene announces that he will write no more love-pamphlets, and that he intends to apply himself henceforward to serious studies. He wishes his 'Mourning Garment' to be regarded as 'the first fruites of my new labours and the last farewell to my fond desires.' (18) 'Greenes Neuer too Late. Or, a Powder of Experience: sent to all Youthful Gentlemen … Omne tulit punctum,' with the continuation 'Francescos Fortunes: Or the second part of Greenes Neuer too Late… Sero sed serio,' was published in 1590, 4to Francesco tells in the first part how he deserted his wife Isabella for a courtesan, Infida, who robbed him of his last penny and then thrust him out of doors, whereupon he fell among a company of actors and was encouraged by them to write plays, an employment which he found lucrative and congenial. When Infida heard of his success she tried to win him back to her side; but he rejected her advances. The second part shows his return to the faithful Isabella, whose virtue had been put to severe trial in his absence. Passages in the first part of Francesco's career clearly relate Greene's own experiences; but the second part is fiction. The tract was reprinted in 1600, 1607, 1616, 1631, and n. d. Each part has a separate dedication to Thomas Burnaby; Ralph Sidley and Richard Hake prefixed commendatory verses to the first part, and before the second part are more verses by Hake and an anonymous sonnet. (19) 'Greenes farewell to Folly: sent to Covrtiers and Schollers as a president to warne them from the vaine delights that drawes youth on to repentance. Sero sed serio,' 1591, 4to (Bodleian), was licensed 11 June 1587, but was probably altered later. It consists of a series of discussions on pride, love, &c., supposed to take place in a villa near Florence. Greene declares in the dedicatory epistle, addressed to Robert Carey, that this pamphlet is 'the last I meane euer to publish of such superficiall labours.' The prefatory address to the students of both universities has an attack on the anonymous author of the poor play 'Fair Emm.' Another edition appeared in 1617. Sir Christopher Hatton died 20 Sept. 1591, and Greene paid a tribute to his memory in an elegy entitled (20) 'A Maiden's Dreame. Vpon the death of the right Honorable Sir Christopher Hatton, Knight, late Lord Chancelor of England,' 1591, 4to (Lambeth Palace), dedicated to the wife of Sir William Hatton, the late chancellor's nephew.
Then followed a batch of pamphlets written to expose the practices of the swindlers who infested the metropolis. (21) 'A Notable Discouery of Coosnage. Now daily practised by sundry lewd persons called Connie-catchers and Crosse-biters. … Nascimur pro patria,' 1591, 4to (Brit. Mus.), reprinted in 1592, was licensed 13 Dec. 1591. It shows the various tricks by which card-sharpers and panders cozen unwary countrymen, and touches on the dishonesty of coal-dealers who give light weight to poor customers. In the preface Greene states that the 'conny-catchers' had threatened to cut off his hand if he persisted in his purpose of exposing their villainies. (22) 'The Second part of Conny-catching. Contayning the discouery of certaine wondrous Coosenages, either superficiallie past ouer, or vtterlie vntoucht in the first. … Mallem non esse quam non prodesse patrie [sic],' 1591, 4to (Huth), reprinted in 1592, treats of horse-stealing, swindling at bowls, picking of locks, &c. (23) 'The Thirde and last Part of Conny-catching. With the new devised knauish Art of Foole-taking,' 1592, 4to (Brit. Mus.), was entered in the 'Stationers' Register' 7 Feb. 1591-2. Greene states that he had intended to write only two parts, but that, having learned new particulars about 'conny-catchers ' from a justice of the peace, he published the additional information. (24) 'A Dispvtation Betweene a Hee Conny-catcher and a Shee Conny-catcher, whether a Theefe or a Whoore is most hurtfull in Cousonage to the Common-wealth. …Nascimur pro patria,' 1592, 4to (Huth), an entertaining medley, was reprinted with alterations in 1617 under the title 'Theeves falling out, True Men come by their Goods,' 4to. He states in the 'Dispvtation ' that a band of 'conny-catchers' made an attempt on his life. (25) 'The Black Bookes Messenger. Laying open the Life and Death of Ned Browne, one of the most notable Cutpurses, Crosbiters, and Conny-catchers, that euer liued in England. … Nascimur pro patria,' 1592, 4to (Bodleian), was intended as an introduction to a 'Blacke Booke' which Greene had in preparation, but which was never issued. When he had written this introduction he fell ill; but he looked forward to publishing the larger work after his recovery. He also promised to issue a tract called 'The Conny-catcher's Repentance,' which did not appear. Earlier in 1592 was issued (26) 'The Defence of Connycatching. Or, a Confvtation of those two injurious Pamphlets pubished by R. G. against the practitioners of many Nimble-witted and mysticall Sciences.
