only a few additions, which are enclosed in
brackets. The quartos vary between _Bussy_ and _D'Ambois_, and between
_Behemoth_ and _Spiritus_, as a prefix to speeches. I have kept to the
former throughout in either case.

F. S. B.

Bussy D'Ambois:

A
TRAGEDIE:

As it hath been often Acted with
great Applause.

_Being much corrected and amended
by the Author before his death._

[Illustration]

_LONDON:_
Printed by _A. N._ for _Robert Lunne_.
1641.

SOURCES

The immediate source of the play has not been identified, but in the
_Introduction_ attention has been drawn to passages in the writings of
Bussy's contemporaries, especially Brantome and Marguerite de Valois,
which narrate episodes similar to those in the earlier Acts. Extracts
from De Thou's _Historiae sui temporis_ and Rosset's _Histoires
Tragiques_, which tell the tale of Bussy's amorous intrigue and his
assassination, have also been reprinted as an Appendix. But both these
narratives are later than the play. Seneca's representation in the
_Hercules Oetaeus_ of the Greek hero's destruction by treachery gave
Chapman suggestions for his treatment of the final episode in Bussy's
career (cf. V, 4, 100-108, and note).

PROLOGUE

_Not out of confidence that none but wee
Are able to present this tragedie,
Nor out of envie at the grace of late
It did receive, nor yet to derogate
From their deserts, who give out boldly that 5
They move with equall feet on the same flat;
Neither for all, nor any of such ends,
We offer it, gracious and noble friends,
To your review; wee, farre from emulation,
And (charitably judge) from imitation, 10
With this work entertaine you, a peece knowne,
And still beleev'd, in Court to be our owne.
To quit our claime, doubting our right or merit,
Would argue in us poverty of spirit
Which we must not subscribe to: Field is gone, 15
Whose action first did give it name, and one
Who came the neerest to him, is denide
By his gray beard to shew the height and pride
Of D'Ambois youth and braverie; yet to hold
Our title still a foot, and not grow cold 20
By giving it o're, a third man with his best
Of care and paines defends our interest;
As Richard he was lik'd, nor doe wee feare,
In personating D'Amboi