The Benefice, Title page – Dramatis personae
THE BENEFICE. A COMEDY.
By R. W. D. D. Author of ITER BOREALE. Written in his Younger Days: Now made Publick for promoting Innocent Mirth.
—Ridentum dicere verum
Quid vetat?
Licensed and Enter'd.
LONDON, Printed, to be Sold by R. Ianeway, in Queens-Head Court in Pater-Noster-Row. M.DC.LXXXIX.
TO THE READER.
'TIs now several Years since these Papers, of the most Ingenious Dr. R. Wild's first fell into my Hands. Which (having been the occasion of so much Innocent Mirth and Diversion, not only to my self, but to all I ever communicated them to) I thought fit, at length (lest I should seem either Envious or Injurious to others) not any longer to engross the Pleasure of them wholly to my self; but to invite the Publick to share in this, no contemptible Priviledg, by the Publication hereof: Which, without the least Diminution, Addition, or Alteration, is here presented to thee in the Author's own Words.
A further Recommendation being needless, to what will so assuredly Recommend it self, being Read; I shall only add, That if Pure Wit, Harmless Jest, True Mirth, and Good Design are taking, I need not doubt but what followeth here, will highly Please, and Oblige thee to the Publisher,
Farewel.
Dramatis Personae.
| INvention. | |
| Furor Poeticus, | An Humorous Poet. |
| Pedanto, | A School-Master. |
| Comaedia, | A Girl. |
| Ceres, | The Goddess of Harvest. |
| Marchurch, | The Patron of a Living. |
| Ursley, | His Kitchin Wench. |
| Mar-Pudding, | A Cotquean; Nephew to Marchurch. |
| Book-Worm, | A Young Divine. |
| Sir Homily, | An Old Curat. |
| Hob-Nail, | Marchurch's hind-Servant. |
| Phantastes, | A meer Scholar, newly come from the Vniversity. |
| Goodman Scuttle, | A New-English Basket-Maker. |
| Two Watchmen. | |
| A School-Boy. | |
| Tinker, and a Gypsie his Wife. |
Scena profi…gentis arbitrio.