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'The Pedler's Prophecy' (C. 1561): An Edition
Abstract
The Pedler's Prophecy permits its almost ubiqui- tous lowborn hero, the Pedler, to assume divinely inspired prophetic powers for the purpose of reforming villains re- sponsible for existing evils in the commonwealth. His accu- sations and threats of terrible punishment, which are not un- like those of the early prophets to whom he frequently al- ludes, achieve dramatic significance as he encounters each of the ten remaining characters of the play: the Maid, her Mother, and her Father; the Mariner, the Traveller, and the Artificer; the Landlord; the Interpreter and the Justice; and lastly the Judge.1 Apparently intending to be an out- spoken critic of the evils preponderant in every estate of the realm, the Pedler begins his work by means of provoking the Maid with a tirade ade against such evils as idleness (which in maidens is "most pernicious and detestable" [1. 228]), and against lavish clothing, abuses sanctioned by indulgent par- ents. Likewise demanding reform are "the scarcitie of good mariners" (1. 540) and the treachery and inefficiency of present mariners, as well as their practice of transporting aliens into the kingdom, a practice directly contributing to the increase of rents by the extortionate and uncharitable Landlord. Also castigated as enemies of the commonwealth are both dishonest travellers, who profit from illegal financial manipulations, and "counterfeit Artificers" (1. 945). Nor are reproaches restricted to the commoners. As stated by the Interpreter, "Bishops and Priests all/...are the begin- ners of all controuersie" (11. 1286-1287), and justices are corrupters of justice: "The vpright and fatherlesse you [the Justice] reprehend, /The malefactors you let passe" (11. 1234-1235). Similarly, judges "loue rewards, and follow gifts" (1. 1499). To protect himself from retaliation by the authorities, the ingenious Pedler adopts the disguise of a priest, insists that he speaks of Ilion, not England, and dares to prophecy that "though Princes themselues be good" (1. 1459), they are responsible for the sins of their sub- jects. The play ends with an admission by the Justice and the Judge that reform of evils is necessary and that it is contingent on man's service to God theme in the play.
Subject Area
Literature
Recommended Citation
PEEK, MARGARET M. CHAPMAN, "'The Pedler's Prophecy' (C. 1561): An Edition" (1972). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI7227418.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI7227418