Robert Tailor
THE HOG HATH LOST HIS PEARL
21 February 1613
(performed by the apprentices at Whitefriars)
a synoptic, alphabetical character list
ALBERT
A gentleman and friend to Carracus. Waits under Maria's window for Carracus in order to assist Carracus and Maria to run away from Maria's father, Old Lord Wealthy and be married. In the darkness, Maria tells Albert to climb up to her window, thinking he is Carracus. Albert decides, despite his friendship with Carracus, to take up Maria's offer, so he climbs up the ladder and joins Maria in her bedchamber. Later, having taken Maria's virginity, Albert (still pretending to be Carracus) descends the ladder to look for Albert and prepare for their escape. In soliloquy he reveals a sense of guilt for what he has done, but consoles himself in the fact that the crime of his licentious appetite cannot be detected. He meets Carracus and explains that he has been to Maria's window and, imitating Carracus' voice, has told her that he was going to find Albert. With Carracus he returns to Maria's window and after she descends, he joins them as they exit to find the horses; in asides he expresses guilt for abusing his friend's confidence. He next appears after Carracus and Maria have been married for about a month, and he is still tormented by his guilty conscience. He stops at Carracus' house and asks Carracus' Servingman about Carracus' and Maria's health, refusing to see them in person. When the Servingman exits, Albert vows to live by himself in the woods as penance for his lust, and to carve his story into the trees. Albert next appears in the woods, lamenting that the contentment of this life would be greater without his persistent sense of guilt for betraying Carracus and Maria. He spies a page and overhears a complaint that identifies her as the disguised and famished Maria. He vows to make good on his repentance by fetching her food, and exits. He returns just in time to hear Maria pardon him and to see her faint. He revives her without acknowledging her true identity; Maria also does not recognize Albert. He promises to help her live in the woods and to lead her to the Albert who has been carving his sorrows into the trees. Later, Albert then discovers Carracus dancing in the woods and leads him towards a grove where he promises to give him curative water. After restoring Carracus' reason, Albert, still disguised as a hermit, asks Carracus to forgive Albert, whose complaints Carracus has read carved into the trees. After Maria steps forward and is reunited with Carracus, Albert wishes that he too could be freed from the burden of his crimes. Carracus reassures him that his penitence will have its reward, and when Carracus asks him to lead them to Albert so that they may forgive him personally, Albert takes off his hermit disguise and is forgiven Carracus and Maria. Initially Albert plans to continue his life in the woods, but Carracus persuades him to return with them to civilization. Albert joins Carracus and Maria at Old Lord Wealthy's, where they are greeted warmly, and where Carracus and Maria's marriage receives Old Lord Wealthy's blessing. At the end of the play, Albert joins Carracus and Maria at Old Lord Wealthy's feast.
ASCARION
Name of the spirit impersonated by the Player during the deception and robbery of Hog.
ATLAS
A porter. Attends Haddit's door and, once he determines Lightfoot is not a creditor, summons Haddit to the door. Later, after Lightfoot leaves, Atlas brings the Player to Haddit. After the Player exits, Atlas expresses his doubt that Lightfoot will assist Haddit.
BAZON
Name of the spirit impersonated by Haddit during the deception and robbery of Hog.
BECK
Name given to Rebecca by Young Lord Wealthy.
CARRACUS
A gentleman, friend to Albert and in love with Maria. He first enters just after Albert has gone into Maria's bedchamber, and delivers a soliloquy in which he praises the friendship of Albert and the love of Maria. He then wonders why Albert has not arrived and why Maria has not set out the light to signal him. Waiting for Albert's arrival, he thinks about the effect his eloping with Maria will have on her father, yet considering that lovers should not be constrained by parents. He resolves to wait for Albert in a nearby field where their horses await them. Later he meets with Albert, who tells him that he has already been to Maria's window and, imitating Carracus' voice, has gone to look for Albert. They both return to Maria's window and Carracus calls to her and assists her as she descends the ladder; they along with Albert exit to find the horses. Later, after he and Maria have been married for about a month, Carracus learns from his Servingman about Albert's inquiry after them. He criticizes his Servingman for not persuading Albert to stay and then, after the Servingman exits, wonders if Albert's seeming coldness arises from the perception that Carracus has put his love for Maria ahead of their friendship. While glad to know that Albert cares about them, Carracus is at the same time upset that Albert did not stay. Maria enters to him and tries to cheer him up regarding Albert's neglect. Carracus then notices a ring on Maria's hand which he recognizes as Albert's, and which Albert accidentally left behind in Maria's room on the evening he impersonated Carracus. Carracus and Maria uncover Albert's treachery and then, when Maria faints, Carracus calls for the Nurse. When the Nurse takes Maria in, Carracus in soliloquy compels his reason to assert control over his grief. The Nurse returns and tells Carracus that Maria is dead; Carracus becomes distracted and vows revenge against Albert. He goes in to see Maria. He next appears when Young Lord Wealthy arrives with a letter from Old Lord Wealthy. Carracus reads the letter, which asks him and Maria to travel with Young Lord Wealthy to the residence of Old Lord Wealthy. He tells Young Lord Wealthy that they cannot go, and invites him inside to visit with Maria, whom he thinks has been sleeping in her chamber for the past three days. Later, Carracus goes to the woods in search of Maria. He discovers Echo, who confirms his belief that women generally are unfaithful but also tells him that Maria was false against her will and that she still lives. Still distracted, he begins to dance; he is discovered by Albert who had heard Echo conversing with him. Albert leads Carracus towards a grove where he promises to give him curative water. After Carracus' reason is restored, Albert, still disguised as a hermit, asks Carracus to forgive Albert, whose complaints Carracus has read carved into the trees. When Carracus does so, Maria steps forward and is reunited with Carracus. Carracus reassures Albert, disguised as the hermit, that his penitence will have its reward, and when Carracus asks the hermit to lead them to Albert so that they may forgive him personally, Albert takes off his hermit disguise and is forgiven Carracus and Maria. Carracus plans to go with Maria to Old Lord Wealthy's house in order to receive his blessing on their union. Initially Albert plans to continue his life in the woods, but Carracus persuades him to return with them to civilization. Carracus, Maria, and Albert arrive at Old Lord Wealthy's, where they are warmly greeted, and the marriage of Carracus and Maria receives Old Lord Wealthy's blessing. When Young Lord Wealthy, Hog, and Peter enter, Carracus asks for Young Lord Wealthy's forgiveness over his earlier behavior. Carracus invites Maria and Albert to join him at Old Lord Wealthy's feast.
COVETOUSNESS
Name given to Hog by Lightfoot.
ECHO
Carracus discovers Echo when he goes to the woods in search of Maria. Echo confirms Carracus' belief that women generally are unfaithful but also tells him that Maria was false against her will and that she still lives.
HADDIT
A youthful gallant. Lives in London and when he meets his relation Lightfoot at the start of the play he laments his fall into poverty by means of his expensive lifestyle. He tells Lightfoot that he plans to recover his fortune by marrying the daughter of Hog the Usurer: she had loved him before, but he had scorned her, thinking her too low socially for his attention. When Lightfoot offers to help, Haddit suggests that Lightfoot buy him an expensive outfit and mortgage some land to Hog in return for cash. After Lightfoot leaves, Haddit meets with the Player who has come for a jig Haddit has promised to him and his company. Haddit shows the Player the beginning of the jig, entitled Who buys my four ropes of hard onions, and receives a down payment of 2 angels from the Player. When Haddit expresses his fear that the Player has memorized the plot and will bribe another writer with ale to complete the jig, the Player adds another pair of angels to the down payment. Haddit promises the Player a jig that will attract large audiences and asks the Player to leave so that he can continue to compose his work. Later, Haddit appears in his expensive clothes and, when Lightfoot raises the possibility that Rebecca might already be betrothed, Haddit expresses confidence in his manly ability to seduce any woman; they continue on to Hog's. Later, he discusses with Rebecca his plan to rob Hog, and asks her to assist him, Lightfoot, and the Player to enter Hog's house that evening. After Rebecca exits, Haddit is joined by Hog, Lightfoot, and Peter, Hog and Lightfoot having completed the arrangements for the mortgage of some of Lightfoot's land. Hog leaves them to take the papers to the scrivener's, and orders Peter to fetch them some beer. After Hog leaves, Haddit and Lightfoot develop a plan to get Peter drunk so that he will pass out: Lightfoot will quarrel with Peter, and Haddit will intervene, restoring peace between them through drink. Peter enters and they begin to put their plan into action; Young Lord Wealthy then enters and is called upon by Haddit to judge the merit of his proposed solution to the quarrel. Haddit tells Peter and Lightfoot to go to the cellar and drink several mugs of beer together; he invites Young Lord Wealthy to join him in the cellar as well. Later, Haddit appears in Hog's chamber disguised as the spirit Bazon. Following the orders of the spirit of King Croesus, who is Lightfoot in disguise, Bazon takes all of Hog's gold away to transform it into pearl. Having escaped with Rebecca from Hog's residence, Haddit next appears giving payment to the Priest who has married him to Rebecca. Haddit sends Rebecca to Atlas' house while he and Lightfoot go to Old Lord Wealthy's. He instructs Rebecca to join them shortly, by which time he promises to receive Rebecca as his wife from Hog's hands. At Old Lord Wealthy's Haddit greets Carracus and learns of Hog's robbery. When Rebecca enters, Hog is overjoyed and Haddit tells Hog that his daughter is worth more than all of his treasure. Haddit offers to marry Rebecca despite her poverty, and when Hog agrees Haddit asks everyone assembled to bear witness to Hog's agreement. At the end of the play Haddit celebrates their new-found wealth, which, although stolen, has saved Hog's soul from damnation, which outweighs their crime. Haddit, Lightfoot, and Rebecca exit to Old Lord Wealthy's feast.
HOG
A usurer and father of Rebecca. Plans to marry his daughter Rebecca to Young Lord Wealthy despite her preference for Haddit. When Young Lord Wealthy arrives Hog discusses Maria's disappearance with him and then leaves in order to allow Young Lord Wealthy to woo Rebecca and set a wedding date. Later, appears with Lightfoot and Peter, having completed arrangements for the mortgage of some of Lightfoot's land. Hog leaves Lightfoot and Haddit to have the papers drawn up by a scrivener and orders Peter to fetch them some beer. Later, after Rebecca has prepared his bed and exited, Hog uncovers his gold and jewels and praises their worth and power. He is interrupted by a flash of fire and the entrance of Lightfoot disguised as the spirit of King Croesus. The spirit of Croesus praises Hog's wealth and offers him even greater wealth on earth as well as the opportunity to reign in hell alongside Croesus after death. Hog agrees and Lightfoot as Croesus summons the Player, disguised as Ascarion, who is ordered to take away all of Hog's silver and change it into gold, and Haddit, disguised as Bazon, who is ordered to take away all of Hog's gold and change it into pearl. Lightfoot as Croesus instructs Hog to keep his eyes fixed on the west in order to witness the return of the spirits with his transformed treasure. Hog wonders why Croesus has favored him and whether he might be the victim of a hoax, but remains certain that the spirits will return with his treasure. Instead, Peter andYoung Lord Wealthy enter to him, and Hog realizes that he has been robbed of his fortune and that Rebecca has fled. Hog agrees to go with Young Lord Wealthy to Old Lord Wealthy's house, where Young Lord Wealthy promises to do what he can to restore Hog's wealth. Hog arrives at Old Lord Wealthy's with Young Lord Wealthy and Peter and explains his robbery to Old Lord Wealthy. When Haddit and Lightfoot enter, Hog tells them about his robbery. Rebecca enters and Hog is overjoyed to find her safe. Haddit tells Hog that he should be glad that his daughter has been returned, since she is worth more than all his treasure; Haddit also offers to marry her despite her poverty. Hog agrees to their marriage and also returns the lands that Haddit had mortgaged to Hog. Finally, Hog renounces avarice and joins Old Lord Wealthy at his celebratory feast.
LIGHTFOOT
A country gentleman. Has come to London to visit his relation Haddit, whom he finds much altered due to his poverty. After hearing Haddit's plan to court Hog the Usurer's daughter, Lightfoot offers to help by buying Haddit an expensive outfit and mortgaging some land to Hog in return for cash. Later, when Haddit has his expensive clothes, Lightfoot raises the possibility that Rebecca might already be betrothed; they continue on to Hog's. Later, he appears with Hog, having completed the paperwork to mortgage some of his land to Hog. After Hog leaves with the mortgage papers, Haddit and Lightfoot develop a plan to get Peter drunk so that he will pass out: Lightfoot will quarrel with Peter, and Haddit will intervene, restoring peace between them through drink. Peter enters and they begin to put their plan into action; Young Lord Wealthy then enters and is called upon by Haddit to judge the merit of his proposed solution to the quarrel. Haddit tells Peter and Lightfoot to go to the cellar and drink several mugs of beer together; he also invites Young Lord Wealthy to join him in the cellar as well. Later that evening, Lightfoot appears in a flash of fire in Hog's chamber, disguised as the spirit of King Croesus. As the spirit of Croesus, Lightfoot tells Hog that his earthly riches will be multiplied and that after death he will reign in hell with Croesus. Lightfoot as the spirit of Croesus summons Ascarion, who is the Player in disguise, and orders him to take Hog's silver away and turn it into gold; he then summons Bazon, who is Haddit in disguise, and orders him to take Hog's gold away and turn it into pearl. He tells Hog to fix his eyes on the west and watch for the returning spirits; in the meantime, Lightfoot exits with Hog's jewels. Later, Lightfoot joins Haddit and Rebecca as Haddit pays the Priest who married them, and then he continues on with Haddit to Old Lord Wealthy's. At Old Lord Wealthy's Lightfoot greets Hog and learns of his robbery. At the end of the play he joins Haddit and Rebecca and exits to Old Lord Wealthy's feast.
MARIA
Daughter of Old Lord Wealthy, sister of Young Lord Wealthy, and in love with Carracus. Awaiting Carracus' arrival one night in order to elope with him, Maria calls out to Albert, thinking that he is Carracus, and invites him to climb up the ladder and join her in her bedchamber. After surrendering her virginity to Albert, thinking he is Carracus, she tells Albert as he descends the ladder to hurry with the preparations for their departure. When Albert returns with Carracus, she descends the ladder to join them as they exit to find the horses. Later, after Maria and Carracus have been married about a month, she enters to Carracus and tries to console him over Albert's seeming neglect. She identifies the ring she is wearing as the one Carracus left behind in her bedroom on the evening of their escape; Carracus, though, identifies it as Albert's and they both uncover Albert's treachery. Maria faints and is taken away by the Nurse. She recovers but tells the Nurse to inform Carracus that she is dead, so that she can banish herself to the woods and hide her shame. She disguises herself as a page and flees Carracus' house just as Young Lord Wealthy arrives. She next appears in the woods faint with hunger. She finds one of Albert's carvings on a tree and reads it out, thereby discovering Albert's penitence for his treachery. She wishes that she could live and tell Carracus of Albert's penitence; she also forgives Albert and then faints. She is revived by the disguised Albert, whom she does not recognize; Albert convinces her to live with him in the woods and promises to help her find the Albert who has been carving his story into the trees. Later, Maria wanders in search of Albert and, after witnessing a dance by a group of satyrs, encounters the disguised Albert with Carracus. She hears Albert disguised as a hermit ask Carracus to forgive Albert, whose complaints Carracus has read on the trees. When Carracus forgives Albert, Maria steps forward and reveals herself, explaining how her shame caused her to flee, and how the hermit had helped her to avoid starvation. She joins Carracus and Albert and returns to civilization. They appear at Old Lord Wealthy's, where they are greeted warmly and the marriage of Carracus and Maria receives Old Lord Wealthy's blessing. Maria greets her brother Young Lord Wealthy when he enters, and at the end of the play joins Carracus and Albert at Old Lord Wealthy's feast.
MASTER CHANGE–COAT
Name given by Haddit to the Player.
NURSE
Summoned by Carracus when Maria faints after Albert's treachery is uncovered. She examines Maria and takes her in, and then returns to tell Carracus that Maria is dead. While Carracus is distracted, she reveals that Maria is in fact alive and has vowed to perpetually banish herself to the woods and has ordered the Nurse to tell Carracus of her feigned death.
OLD LORD WEALTHY
Father of Young Lord Wealthy and Maria. Laments the mysterious disappearance of Maria, but despite her disobedience to him, he wishes her contentment in her love. He sends Young Lord Wealthy to Carracus' with instructions to pass on his forgiveness to them if she is there. Later, Old Lord Wealthy welcomes Carracus, Maria, and Albert after they return from the woods, and gives his blessing to the marriage of Carracus and Maria. Young Lord Wealthy, along with Hog and Peter, enter to Old Lord Wealthy seeking justice for Hog's robbery. At the end of the play, after Rebecca and Haddit have been joined with Hog's blessing and Haddit's mortgaged land has been returned, Old Lord Wealthy invites the assembled company to join him in a celebratory feast.
PETER SERVITUDE
Hog's servant. Discusses with Hog the plan to marry Rebecca to Young Lord Wealthy as he ties Hog's points. Hog sends Peter to summon Rebecca. After he returns and Hog leaves, Peter tells Young Lord Wealthy that Rebecca has no other suitors. After Young Lord Wealthy begins wooing Rebecca, Peter promises him to tell everyone that Young Lord Wealthy and Rebecca are betrothed. Later, enters with Hog and Lightfoot after the mortgage arrangements have been completed; Hog orders him to fetch some beer for Lightfoot and Haddit. When he returns, Lightfoot begins to quarrel with him, and Haddit suggests that they, along with Young Lord Wealthy, descend to the cellar to restore peace over some drinks. Peter passes out and later finds his way, along with Young Lord Wealthy, into Hog's chamber where Hog awaits the return of the spirits with his treasure. Peter falls into the hole that Lightfoot, Haddit and the Player had used to make their magical entries, and then re-enters the room carrying a candle. He tells Hog that Rebecca has left and then joins Hog and Young Lord Wealthy going to Old Lord Wealthy's. At Old Lord Wealthy's he observes the resolution of Hog's robbery and the union of Rebecca and Haddit. At the end of the play he exits to Old Lord Wealthy's feast with Young Lord Wealthy.
PLAYER
Comes to Haddit to see if Haddit has completed a jig he promised to the Player and his company. The Player looks over the beginning of the jig and believes Haddit's claim that the finished product will be very popular. He pays Haddit a down payment of two angels, which he increases to four when Haddit suggests that the Player has memorized the plot and will bribe another writer with ale to complete the jig. The Player begs Haddit to give his company the first chance to buy any of his works and leaves to allow Haddit to continue with his composition. Later, the Player appears in Hog's chamber disguised as the spirit Ascarion. Following the orders of the spirit of King Croesus, who is Lightfoot in disguise, Ascarion takes all of Hog's silver away to transform it into gold.
PRIEST
Marries Haddit and Rebecca, and receives payment from Haddit.
REBECCA
Daughter of Hog the Usurer. Enters to find Young Lord Wealthy at her home and ready to arrange their immediate marriage. He tells her about Maria's mysterious disappearance, which she is glad to hear. When Young Lord Wealthy refuses to listen to her refusals, she exits. Later, she enters with Haddit, who has outlined his plan to rob Hog with the assistance of Lightfoot and the Player. Rebecca agrees to let them in that evening, but fears that once they rob Hog, Haddit will no longer be interested in marrying her. That evening, Rebecca prepares Hog's bed, and, pretending to lay the house keys under Hog's bolster, puts them in her pocket in order to let in Haddit, Lightfoot and the Player. While Haddit, Lightfoot, and the Player are deceiving and robbing Hog, Rebecca leaves the house and later joins Haddit. They are married by a Priest, and after Haddit has paid him, he tells Rebecca to wait at Atlas's house for a while, and then join him and Lightfoot at Old Lord Wealthy's, where he plans to arrange things so that Hog will give Rebecca to him as wife. Rebecca arrives at Old Lord Wealthy's where Hog is overjoyed to find her safe. Haddit tells Hog that Rebecca is worth more than all of his wealth and offers to marry her despite her poverty. Hog agrees, and Rebecca joins Haddit and Lightfoot and exits to Old Lord Wealthy's feast.
SERVINGMAN
Works for Carracus. Answers the door when Albert stops by to inquire after the health of the recently married Carracus and Maria. Later, he is criticized by Carracus for not persuading Albert to stay. He next appears when Young Lord Wealthy arrives seeking Maria; he tells Young Lord Wealthy that Carracus is ill, but then Carracus himself appears and receives the letter from Old Lord Wealthy.
SPIRIT of KING CROESUS
Disguise assumed by Lightfoot during the deception and robbery of Hog.
TAYLOR
A "ghost character." Young Lord Wealthy's tailor.
YOUNG LORD WEALTHY
Son of Old Lord Wealthy and brother to Maria; suitor to Hog's daughter Rebecca. Arrives at Hog's residence to find out when he can marry Rebecca; he also reports to Hog and Peter Servitude the mysterious disappearance of Maria the previous night. After Hog leaves, Young Lord Wealthy asks Peter Servitude if Rebecca has any other suitors; when he learns that she does not, he is disappointed because no one will envy him when he marries her. When Rebecca enters, he begins to plan their wedding for the next week, despite Rebecca's refusal to marry; he also informs Rebecca of Maria's mysterious disappearance. When Rebecca exits, Young Lord Wealthy finds he loves her even more because of her dislike for him. He returns to his father's and reports his failure to find Maria. He suspects that Carracus has Maria and Old Lord Wealthy sends him to Carracus' house to find out and give his blessing to them. Young Lord Wealthy arrives at Carracus' house just as Maria, disguised as a page, is leaving. He meets Carracus' Servingman, who tells him that Carracus is ill, but then Carracus, still distracted, enters. Young Lord Wealthy delivers Old Lord Wealthy's letter to Carracus. After Carracus has read the letter, he and Young Lord Wealthy go inside to visit Maria, whom Carracus thinks has been sleeping for the past three days. Young Lord Wealthy next appears at Hog's, where he arrives during the quarrel between Lightfoot and Peter and is asked by Haddit to approve of the solution Haddit proposes. Young Lord Wealthy tells Haddit and Lightfoot about how Carracus threatened to whip him, thinking that the lord was a spy, and how he managed to escape only with the help of a servant. He agrees to join Peter, Lightfoot, and Haddit in the cellar to witness the reconciliation of Peter and Lightfoot. He passes out and later wakes up to join Peter in Hog's chamber. When Hog tells them that he has been robbed, Young Lord Wealthy, with some prompting from Peter, restates his promise to marry Rebecca and suggests that they all go to Old Lord Wealthy's to see what can be done about recovering Hog's treasure. At Old Lord Wealthy's, Young Lord Wealthy asks his father for justice in the case of Hog's robbery. He greets his sister Maria, and accepts the forgiveness of Carracus, who apologizes for his earlier behavior towards Young Lord Wealthy. At the end of the play, he joins Peter and exits to Old Lord Wealthy's feast.
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