I suspect M^r Warton had no other authority than this for saying that this play was left imperfect by Marlowe, and completed + published by Nashe; for it does not appear from the title page that it was not written in conjunction by him + Marlowe in the lifetime of the former.  Perhaps Nashe’s Elegy might ascertain this point.  Tanner had, I believe, no authority but Philipses, for calling Marlowe an actor.

There was an old Latin play on the subject of Dido, written by John Rightwise and played before Cardinal Wolsey + again before Queen Elizabeth in 1564.  There is also another Latin play on this subject Dido, tragedia nova so quatuor pri*ibus *** **************** Virgilii disampla Antwerp ed, 1559.

THE
Tragedie of Dido
Queene of Carthage:

Played by the Children of her
Maiesties Chappell.

Written by Christopher Marlowe, and
Thomas Nash.  Gent.

Actors

Iupiter.        Ascanius.
Ganimed.        Dido.
Venus.          Anna.
Cupid.          Achates.
Iuno.           Ilioneus.
Mercurie.       Iarbas.
Hermes.         Cloanthes.
AEneas.          Sergestus.

[Illustration:  (Decorative) “BY PEACE PLENTY, BY WISDOME PEACE”]

AT LONDON,

Printed, by the Widdowe Orwin, for Thomas Woodcocke, and are to be solde at his shop, in Paules Church-yeard, at the signe of the blacke Beare. 1594.

[Illustration:  (Decorative)]

The Tragedie of Dido Queene
of Carthage.

Here the Curtaines draw, there is discovered Iupiter dandling Ganimed upon his knee, and Mercury lying asleepe.

Iup. Come gentle Ganimed and play with me, I loue thee well, say Iuno what she will.

Gan. I am much better for your worthles loue, That will not shield me from her shrewith blowes:  To day when as I fild into your cups, And held the cloath of pleasance whiles you dranke, She reacht me such a rap for that I spilde, As made the bloud run downe about mine eares.

Iup. What? dares she strike the darling of my thoughts?  By Saturnes soule, and this earth threatning aire, That shaken thrise, makes Natures buildings quake, I vow, if she but once frowne on thee more, To hang her meteor like twixt heauen and earth, And bind her hand and foote with golden cordes, As once I did for harming Hercules.

Gan. Might I but see that pretie sport a foote,
O how would I with Helens brother laugh,
And bring the Gods to wonder at the game: 
Sweet Iupiter, if ere I pleasde thine eye,
Or seemed faire walde in with Egles wings,
Grace my immortall beautie with this boone,
And I will spend my time in thy bright armes.