Plays were written and performed in Latin in Greene's time.
426 ESSAY ON THE ATJTHOESPIIP

if the Dean had been as dull as he was dirty, he might have
written comedy much in the style of Greene. In the following
passage, however, Greene is cleaner and cleverer than it was his
wont to be.
** First Ruffian, Come on smith, thou shalt be one of the
crew, because thou knowest where the best ale in town is.
Adam. Come on, in faith, my colts : I have left my master
striking of a heat, and stole away because I would keep you
company.
Clown. "Why, what, shall we have this paltry smith with us ?

Adam. Paltry smith ! why you incarnative knave, what are
you that you speak petty treason against the smith's trade ?

Clown. Why, slave, I am a gentleman of Nineveh.
