1606, Nov. 21. Transfer from Trundell to Busby and Arthur Johnson, with note 'This booke is aucthorised by Sir George Bucke Master Hartwell and the wardens' (Arber, iii. 333).
1607. The Fleire. As it hath beene often played in the Blacke-Fryers by the Children of the Reuells. Written by Edward Sharpham
of the Middle Temple, Gentleman. F. B. [Epistle to the Reader, by the printer.] 1610; 1615; 1631. Edition by H. Nibbe (1912, Materialien, xxxvi). The epistle says that the book has been 'long lookt for', that the author is 'ith' Country' and that further 'Comicall discourses' from him are forthcoming. A date after the executions for treason on 30 Jan. 1606 is suggested, as in the case of Marston's Fawn, by ii. 364, 'I have heard say, they will rise sooner, and goe with more deuotion to see an extraordinarie execution, then to heare a Sermon', and with this indication allusions to the Union (ii. 258) and Northward Ho! (ii. 397) and resemblances to the Fawn are consistent.
Cupid's Whirligig. 1607
S. R. 1607, June 29 (Tylney). 'A Comedie called Cupids Whirley-*gigge.' John Busby and Arthur Johnson (Arber, iii. 354).
1607. Cupid's Whirligig, As it hath bene sundry times Acted by the Children of the Kings Majesties Reuels. E. Allde, sold by A. Johnson. [Epistle to Robert Hayman, signed 'E. S.']
1611; 1616; 1630.
Baker, Biographia Dramatica, ii. 146, cites Coxeter as authority for a false ascription of the play to Shakespeare. But nobody could well have supposed Shakespeare to be indicated by the initials E. S., for which there is really no other candidate than Sharpham. The play must be the further 'Comicall discourses' promised by the same publishers in the epistle to The Fleir, and it may be added that Hayman (cf. D. N. B.), like Sharpham, was a Devonshire man. The date may be taken to be 1607, as the King's Revels are not traceable earlier.
SAMUEL SHEPPARD (> 1606-1652 <).
The known work of this miscellaneous writer belongs to 1646-52, and although it includes a political tract in dramatic form, it is only his vague claim of a share, possibly as amanuensis, in Jonson's Sejanus (q.v.), which suggests that he might be the unknown S. S. whose initials are on the title-page of The Honest Lawyer (1616).
SIR PHILIP SIDNEY (1554-86).
Both his entertainments were printed for the first time with the third (1598) edition of the Arcadia.
The Lady of May. 1579 (?)
1598. The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia. Written by Sir Philip Sidney Knight. Now the third time published, with sundry new
