Lear's "Learned Theban"

Abstract

who has the correct Falkland in mind. This is H. A. Evans, writing on Shakespearian Controversy of the Eighteenth Century.4 As Falkland was one of those present on this occasion, this scene must have taken place September, i643, when he fell on the field of Newbury (p. 465). Evans' statement appears to have been overlooked by later commentators, even those, like Baldwin, who cite him (at I, 70 n.). Yet, Evans' terminus ante quem is not correct, either, for others besides Falkland were participants in the remarkable scene. A composite list from Gildon and Rowe includes: Hales (d. i656), Suckling (d. I642), Falkland (d. i643), Davenant (d. i668), Endymion Porter (d. I649), and Jonson (d. i637). If Ben Jonson was actually present (as Rowe's account has it) to hear Hales say 'That if Mr. Shakespear had not read the Antients, he had not likewise stollen any thing from 'em; (a fault the other [i.e., Jonson] made no Conscience of)', we may well wonder with Baldwin (I, 23) why choleric Jonson did not run Hales through. I pass no judgment on the credibility of the whole story; but if it is a true one, then the events must have happened i637, not before i633 nor yet before September, i643.