ometime, theater-goers
took sides and watched with interest "the actors and dramatists'
boisterous war of personalities," to quote Mr. Lee, who goes on to
point out that on May 10, 1601, the Privy Council called the attention
of the Middlesex magistrates to the abuse covertly leveled by the actors
of the "Curtain" at gentlemen "of good desert and quality," and directed
the magistrates to examine all plays before they were produced.

Jonson, himself, finally made apologies in verses appended to printed
copies of the "Poetaster."

"Now for the players 'tis true I tax'd them
And yet but some, and those so sparingly
As all the rest might have sat still unquestioned,
Had they but had the wit or conscience
To think well of themselves. But impotent they
Thought each man's vice belonged to their whole tribe;
And much good do it them. What they have done against me
I am not moved with, if it gave them meat
Or got them clothes, 'tis well: that was their end,
Only amongst them I was sorry for
Some better natures by the rest so drawn
To run in that vile line."

Sidney Lee cleverly deduces Shakespeare's attitude in the quarrel in
allusions to it in "Hamlet," wherein he "protested against the abusive
comments on the men-actors of 'the common' stages or public theaters
which were put into the children's mouths. Rosencrantz declared that the
children 'so berattle [_i.e._ assail] the common stages--so they call
them--that many wearing rapiers are afraid of goose-quills, and dare
scarce come thither [_i.e._ to the public theaters].' Hamlet in pursuit
of the theme pointed out that the writers who encouraged the vogue of
the 'child actors' did them a poor service, because when the boys should
reach men's estate they would run the risk, if they continued on the
stage, of the same insults and neglect which now threatened their
seniors.

"'_Hamlet._ What are they children? Who maintains 'em? How are they
escorted [_i.e._ paid]? Will they pursue the quality [_i.e._ the actor's
profession] no longer than they can sing? Will they not say afterwards,
if they should grow themselves to common players--as it is most like, if
their means are no better--their writers do them wrong to make them
exclaim against their own succession?

"'_Rosencrantz._ Faith, there has been much to do on both sides, and the
nation holds it no sin to tarre [_i.e._ incite] them to controversy;
there was for a while no