Thomas Goffe?
THE CARELESS SHEPHERDESS
1618–1629
(revised circa 1638)
a synoptic, alphabetical character list
CHARACTERS FROM THE PRAELUDE
ACTOR
When two different actors fail to remember the prologue, an actor placed in the pit takes the stage and, pretending to be a spectator, delivers a prologue supposedly extempore. He begs the audience to understand that the country matter of the play will be performed in a country style and therefore not to judge it by courtly manners.
BOLT
A door keeper in the Praeludium. He asks Thrift for a shilling to allow him into the play. He tells Spruce that the trumpet for the play has already sounded thrice.
COURTIER
A "ghost character." Thrift mentions that a courtier owes him two thousand pounds for garters and roses.
FOOL
A "ghost character." Landlord describes a fool he's seen in a play who holds out his chin, hangs down his hands, and twirls his bauble. He cried "Doodle, doodle, doo" beyond compare. Landlord would give a second shilling to see that fool play the Changeling again.
LANDLORD
A country gentleman in the Praeludium. He says no one is worth his company beneath the twelve-penny rooms of the playhouse. He prefers to see the fool in every act whether in a comedy or tragedy. When two different actors fail to remember the prologue, Spruce, Spark, and Landlord retire to a box and leave the stage.
PRENTICE, THRIFT'S
A "ghost character." Thrift mentions that he is back at his shop.
PROLOGUE
Two actors present the prologue. The first enters and immediately forgets his lines, making Thrift, Spark, Spruce, and Landlord laugh him off the stage. The second then attempts to deliver the prologue, also forgets his lines and is laughed off by an actor placed in the pit. When the two different actors fail to remember the prologue, the actor placed in the pit takes the stage and, pretending to be a spectator, delivers a prologue supposedly extempore. He begs the audience to understand that the country matter of the play will be performed in a country style and therefore not to judge it by courtly manners.
RHEADE
A "ghost character." A comedian of whom Thrift approves. Thrift never saw Rheade peeping through the curtain that he wasn't ravished with joy. This could be a reference to Emanuel Reade, who was with Queen Anne's Men at the Phoenix about the time of this play.
SPARKE
An Inns of Court man in the Praeludium. He objects to Landlord's assumption that he is fit to judge poetry. He claims Landlord hasn't recognized a plot since the "powder treason," alluding to the Gunpowder plot. When two different actors fail to remember the prologue, Spruce, Spark, and Landlord retire to a box and leave the stage.
SPRUCE
A courtier in the Praeludium. He hopes to sit near Spark in case the play is dull they can talk. He agrees with Spark that Landlord hasn't the wit to judge a play. When two different actors fail to remember the prologue, Spruce, Spark, and Landlord retire to a box and leave the stage.
THRIFT
A citizen in the Praeludium. He offers Bolt a groat to be allowed into the play. He later laments that all the plays are written by Inns of Court Men and Courtiers and the poets have been left to starve. When two different actors fail to remember the prologue, Thrift decides to get his money back and go to the Fortune or Bull playhouse where he can see a play for two pence and get a jig besides.
WIFE, THRIFT'S
A "ghost character." Thrift mentions that she is back at his shop.
CHARACTERS FROM THE PLAY
APOLLO
He sings a song with the two Sybills. He tells Lariscus that he is destined to be crossed in his love and yet derive new blessings from that. He says they cannot be together until she is dead.
ARISMENA
The careless shepherdess, daughter of Bacheus and beloved of Philaritus. She is cold to her many suitors so they won't languish in expectation, for she thinks love is a mischief of the heart. She sings "Now fie on love." She tells Philaritus plainly that she does not love him. When she sees him transfer his affections to Castarina, she is confused by her own ambivalence. She forms an alliance with Lariscus to seem to be in love with him to vex Philaritus. Graculus leads her to the satyrs and abandons her there. The satyr attempts to ravish her, but Philaritus saves her from him. He offers her his heart, but she again says she cannot love him. As Philaritus and Lariscus begin to duel, Arismena and Castarina come in with bows and arrows and threaten to kill Arismena should Philaritus wound Lariscus or Castarina should Lariscus wound Philaritus. Arismena admits love for Philaritus as Lariscus and Castarina reconciled, but the satyrs take up the weapons and steal the women away. It is a joke, however, and the women are safe with Cleobulus and Bacheus until the actual satyrs attack and steal them in earnest. She and Castarina briefly escape and fall asleep beneath an arbor where a satyr finds them and carries Arismena away whilst leaving Castarina to her fate. She and Castarina are reunited, disguised, and made to sing 'Sigh, Shepherds, sigh' to the captured men in the Grand Satyr's presence. She and Arismena are brought in, coffined, but they rise up and explain that all was a ruse to bring exiled Peromett back into the good graces of the land. She happily takes Philaritus for her husband.
BACHEUS
Arismena's father and Lariscus's uncle, a shepherd. He argues with Cleobulus over their children wishing to marry and orders the rich man off his land. He privately vows to make Cleobulus realize that his virtuous daughter is actually too good for Cleobulus' son. He goes home in a rage and beats Graculus and his whelp. He is mollified by Arismena's assurances that she does not love Philaritus. Castarina tells him that Philaritus and Lariscus are about to fight a duel over the women. He informs Cleobulus of the duel. Although he does not like Cleobulus, he conspires with him to stop the bloodshed, and they are reconciled. The young men return with news that the women have been stolen by satyrs. He disguises as a satyr to demonstrate that it was all a jest and he, Cleobulus, and servants only pretended to steal the women. When the actual satyrs attack and steal the women in earnest, he goes in pursuit with the others. He is captured along with the others and taken before the Grand Satyr. He weeps over the hearses of Arismena and Castarina. When the women rise up, however, and all is explained, he happily leads the lovers to their weddings.
BOBTAIL
A "ghost character." Bacheus and Graculus' bitch that helps tend the sheep and kennels with Graculus.
BONUS GENIUS of CASTARINA
Whilst Castarina is sleeping, this character enters and sings to her to choose death rather than be ravished at the satyr's hands.
CASTARINA
Shepherdess, daughter to Peromett and in love with Lariscus. She has vowed not to marry until her father is redeemed from banishment. She secretly loves Philaritus. She accepts him when he transfers his love from Arismena to her. When they see Arismena and Lariscus kissing, Philaritus rejects Castarina. She realizes that he was only pretending to love her in order to draw Arismena out. She finds the letter in which Philaritus challenges Lariscus to a duel over her and rushes to tell Bacheus. As Philaritus and Lariscus begin to duel, Arismena and Castarina come in with bows and arrows and threaten to kill Arismena should Philaritus wound Lariscus or Castarina should Lariscus wound Philaritus. Arismena admits love for Philaritus as Lariscus and Castarina reconciled, but the satyrs take up the weapons and steal the women away. It is a joke, however, and the women are safe with Cleobulus and Bacheus until the actual satyrs attack and steal them in earnest. She and Arismena briefly escape and fall asleep beneath an arbor where a satyr finds them and carries Arismena away whilst leaving Castarina to her fate. Castarina's 'Bonus Genius' sings to her whilst she sleeps to prefer death to ravishment by the satyrs. She wakes to find Arismena gone. She and Arismena are reunited, disguised, and made to sing 'Sigh, Shepherds, sigh' to the captured men in the Grand Satyr's presence. She and Arismena are brought in, coffined, but they rise up and explain that all was a ruse to bring exiled Peromett back into the good graces of the land. She happily takes Lariscus for her husband.
CAT
A "ghost character." When Bacheus comes home in a fury, he hits the whelp with his staff for yawning, and when the cat sees that, it ran out of the top of the chimney.
CLEOBULUS
A gentleman of Arcadia and the rich father of Philaritus. He disapproves of his son loving a lowly shepherdess. He once married beneath his station but had no father to offend. He therefore disowns Philaritus though he privately admits to pitying him. He threatens to ruin Bacheus if their children should marry. Bacheus later informs him that Philaritus and Lariscus intend to duel. He accepts Bacheus' plan for stopping bloodshed, and they are reconciled. He sends a letter to Philartus forgiving him and allowing him to marry Arismena. The young men return with news that the women have been stolen by satyrs. He calls for a magician and disguises as a satyr to demonstrate that it was all a jest and he, Baccheus, and servants only pretended to steal the women. When the actual satyrs attack and steal the women in earnest, he goes in pursuit with the others. He is captured along with the others and taken before the Grand Satyr. He weeps over the hearses of Arismena and Castarina. When the women rise up, however, and all is explained, he happily calls Peromatt back from exile and leads the lovers to their weddings.
CORIDON
A servant to Cleobulus along with Rurius. He brings Cleobulus to Bacheus to be informed of the duel between Philaritus and Lariscus. He brings a letter to Philaritus from Cleobulus accepting the union of Philaritus and Arismena. He is later discovered bound, along with Rurius, when the actual satyrs break in and capture the women.
EPILOGUE
Delivered by the Grand Satyr. He begs the ladies' pardon for his rude sins and invites them to 'punish' him now with women's weapons, nails and hands, and so 'clap' him for his deeds.
GRACULUS
A servant to Bacheus. He tells Arismena that Bacheus has been possessed. He is later dragged into the satyr's dance by one of the satyrs. They threaten and frighten him into bringing them Arismena. He sings to Arismena "I am in love an cannot woo" as he leads her to the satyrs. He comes upon the wounded satyr and glories over him, threatening to take the wretch home and have him beaten daily. He is surprised, however, when the wounded creature picks him up and carries him away to be hanged. At play's end, he is released from his close cell and, not realizing that the satyrs are really Peromett and his men, has a few comic moments of fear until Cleobulus and the others reckon he's been punished sufficiently for his willingness to yield up Arismena to her fate.
GRAND SATYR
Probably Peromett, though never made clear. He observes the bringing in of the captive Philaritus, Lariscus, Cleobulus, and Bachus. He also delivers the Epilogue.
LARISCUS
Lover of Castarina and Bacheus' nephew. His uncle can redeem Peromett from banishment, but no one knows where Peromett is. He goes to Apollo for guidance. Apollo tells Lariscus that he is destined to be crossed in his love and yet derive new blessings from that. Apollo says that Lariscus and his love cannot be together until she is dead. He sees Philaritus kissing Castarina and grows angry. He forms an alliance with Arismena to seem to be in love with her to vex Castarina. He accepts Philaritus' challenge to duel at Apollo's shrine. As Philaritus and Lariscus begin to duel, Arismena and Castarina come in with bows and arrows and threaten to kill Arismena should Philaritus wound Lariscus or Castarina should Lariscus wound Philaritus. Arismena admits love for Philaritus as Lariscus and Castarina reconciled, but the satyrs take up the weapons and steal the women away. Lariscus advises Philaritus to seek aid from Cleobulus to raise an army to comb the satyr's forest for the women. Returning home, he is relieved to discover that the kidnapping was a jest propounded by Cleobulus and Baccheus, but when the actual satyrs attack and steal the women in earnest, he goes in pursuit with the others. He is captured along with the others and taken before the Grand Satyr. There, he learns that the women died rather than be ravished, and he goes to grieve over their hearses. When the women rise up, however, and all is explained, he happily leads Castarina to their marriage.
PEROMETT
A satyr and banished father of Castarina. He unmasks at play's end and explains everything. He disguised himself as a satyr and hoped to capture Arismena only to win her love. Had he married her, he expected to be called back from exile. Because he treated her honorably and willingly returned her to Philaritus, Cleobulus forgives him and recalls him from exile. He is probably also the Grand Satyr, though the identification is not apparent in the text.
PHILARITUS
Cleobulus' son and lover of Arismena. He is melancholy and listens to sad songs in the forest because his love is unrequited. His father disowns and banishes him for his foolish love. He dresses as a shepherd and goes into the forest. He overhears Arismena claim that she does not love him and Castarina reveal that she does. When he overhears Bacheus dispraise him to Arismena, he transfers his affections to Castarina. When he sees Arismena and Lariscus kissing, however, Philaritus rejects Castarina. he sends Lariscus a challenge to duel at Apollo's shrine. He comes upon the satyr attempting to ravish Arismena and saves her by stabbing the creature. He again offers his heart and Arismena again refuses him. As Philaritus and Lariscus begin to duel, Arismena and Castarina come in with bows and arrows and threaten to kill Arismena should Philaritus wound Lariscus or Castarina should Lariscus wound Philaritus. Arismena admits love for Philaritus as Lariscus and Castarina reconciled, but the satyrs take up the weapons and steal the women away. He receives a letter from his father forgiving him, and he takes Lariscus' advice to seek aid from Cleobulus to raise an army to comb the satyr's forest for the women. Returning home, he is relieved to discover that the kidnapping was a jest propounded by Cleobulus and Baccheus, but when the actual satyrs attack and steal the women in earnest, he goes in pursuit with the others. He is captured along with the others and taken before the Grand Satyr. There, he learns that the women died rather than be ravished, and he goes to grieve over their hearses. When the women rise up, however, and all is explained, he happily leads Arismena to their marriage.
RURIUS
A servant to Cleobulus along with Coridon, and a supposed magician. He pretends to call up a vision of the satyrs capturing the women in the masque that Cleobulus and Bacheus arrange to trick Philaritus and Lariscus. He is later discovered bound, along with Coridon, when the actual satyrs break in and capture the women.
SATYRS, FOUR
The third satyr warns the others away from Arismena, whom he loves. While the first three dance, the fourth drags in Graculus. They threaten and frighten him into bringing them Arismena. The satyr attempts to ravish her, but Philaritus stabs him and he falls as if dead. He rises again and swears to be revenged on them both. Graculus comes upon the wounded satyr and glories over him, threatening to take the wretch home and have him beaten daily. The satyr, however, turns the tables, picks Graculus up and carries him away to be hanged. Later, Cleobulus, Bacheus and their servants disguise as satyrs to pretend to steal Arismena and Castarina. Afterwards, actual satyrs kidnap the women. The satyrs then seize the men and bring them before the Grand Satyr. There, they play upon hoboys, disguised to look like boughs, in 'a distracted way.' One satyr tells the men that Arismena and Castarina are dead and offers to let them grieve over their hearses, for they died in honor and unstained.
SERVANT
A servant tells Philaritus that his father has sent for him. This is probably the same character as Coridon.
SHEPHERDS, THREE
They open act two singing "Come shepherds come, impale your brows" with Sylvia.
SISTER, GRACULUS'
A "ghost character." Graculus says to save his life he'd give the satyrs his own sister.
SYBILLS, TWO
They sing a song with Apollo.
SYLVIA
She opens act two singing "Come shepherds come, impale your brows" with three shepherds.
WHELP
A "ghost character." When Bacheus comes home in a fury, he hits the whelp with his staff for yawning.
WIFE, GRACULUS'
A "ghost character." Graculus says to save his life he'd give the satyrs his own wife.