A Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 3

This third volume gathers a handful of early‑modern English dramas that have long lain dormant on the shelves of private libraries. Many of the pieces appear here for the first time in print, and the editor’s meticulous notes reveal the painstaking effort required to decipher the often‑illegible handwriting of the original manuscripts. Readers will appreciate the scholarly care that brings these forgotten works back to life, complete with explanations of textual quirks and historical references.

Among the plays, the anonymous comedy Sir Gyles Goosecappe offers a lively glimpse of turn‑of‑the‑century theatrical taste. Its opening act introduces a witty, courtly crowd engaged in clever wordplay and gentle satire, echoing the styles of Ben Jonson and John Lyly while hinting at deeper moral concerns. The dialogue sparkles with odd metaphors—“sweet apes” and other inventive turns—that capture the playful yet reflective spirit of the period, inviting listeners to experience the charm of a once‑obscure stage favorite.