
Thomas Dekker / Edited, with an introduction and notes by Ernest Rhys. Unexpurgated Edition
Free AI audiobook with natural voice. No signup required.
About This Book
The Elizabethan dramatist Thomas Dekker was a versatile and prolific writer, whose career spanned several decades and brought him into contact with many of the period's most famous dramatists. Of the surviving plays that are entirely Dekker’s work, the best-known are ‘The Shoemakers Holiday’ (1600) and ‘The Honest Whore, Part 2’ (1630), which are typical of his work in their use of the moralistic tone of traditional drama. His ear for colloquial speech served him well in his vibrant portrayals of daily life in London and his works are characterised for their boisterousness nature and an inimit...
Chapters (502)
- The Best Plays of the Old Dramatists. THOMAS DEKKER
- CONTENTS.
- THOMAS DEKKER.
- THE OLD FORTUNE THEATRE.
- THE SHOEMAKER’S HOLIDAY; OR A PLEASANT COMEDY OF THE GENTLE CRAFT.
- TO ALL GOOD FELLOWS, PROFESSORS OF THE GENTLE CRAFT, OF WHAT DEGREE SOEVER.
- PROLOGUE
- DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.
- ACT THE FIRST.
- SCENE I.—A Street in London.
- ACT THE SECOND.
- SCENE I.—A Garden at Old Ford.
- SCENE II.—A Street in London.
- SCENE III.—An open Yard before Eyre’s House.
- SCENE IV.—A Field near Old Ford.
- SCENE V.—Another part of the Field.
- ACT THE THIRD.
- SCENE I.—A Room in Eyre’s House.
- SCENE II.—London: a Room in Lincoln’s House.
- SCENE III.—London: a Room in the Lord Mayor’s House.
- SCENE IV.—London: a Room in Eyre’s House.
- SCENE V.—A Room at Old Ford.
- ACT THE FOURTH.
- SCENE I.—A Street in London.
- SCENE II. London: a Street before Hodge’s Shop.
- SCENE III.—The Same.
- SCENE IV.—London: a Room in the Lord Mayor’s House.
- SCENE V.—Another Room in the same House.
- ACT THE FIFTH.
- SCENE I.—A Room in Eyre’s House.
- SCENE II.—A Street near St. Faith’s Church.
- SCENE III.—A Street in London.
- SCENE IV.—A Great Hall.
- SCENE V.—An Open Yard before the Hall.
- THE HONEST WHORE. IN TWO PARTS. Part the First.
- DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.
- ACT THE FIRST.
- SCENE I.—A Street in Milan.
- SCENE II.—Another Street.
- SCENE III.—A Chamber in the Duke’s Palace.
- SCENE IV.—A Street.
- SCENE V.—Candido’s Shop.
- ACT THE SECOND.
- SCENE I.—A Room in Bellafront’s House.
- ACT THE THIRD.
- SCENE I.—Candido’s Shop.
- SCENE II.—An outer Apartment in Bellafront’s House.
- SCENE III.—A Chamber in Bellafront’s House.
- ACT THE FOURTH.
- SCENE I.—A Chamber in Hippolito’s House.
- SCENE II. A Street.
- SCENE III. Candido’s Shop.
- SCENE IV.—Grounds near the Duke’s Palace.
- ACT THE FIFTH.
- SCENE I.—A Hall in the Duke’s Palace.
- SCENE II. An Apartment in Bethlem Monastery.
- THE HONEST WHORE. Part the Second.
- DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.
- ACT THE FIRST.
- SCENE I.—A Hall in Hippolito’s House.
- SCENE II.—An Apartment in the Duke’s Palace.
- SCENE III.—A Room in Candido’s House. Candido, the Bride and Guests discovered at dinner; Prentices waiting on them.
- ACT THE SECOND.
- SCENE I.—A Room in Matheo’s House.
- SCENE II.—Before Candido’s Shop.
- ACT THE THIRD.
- SCENE I.—An Apartment in Hippolito’s House.
- SCENE II.—A Room in Matheo’s House.
- SCENE III.—Before Candido’s Shop. Candido and his Bride discovered in the Shop.
- ACT THE FOURTH.
- SCENE I.—A Room in Matheo’s House.
- SCENE II.—An Apartment in the Duke’s Palace.
- SCENE III.—A Room in Matheo’s House.
- ACT THE FIFTH.
- SCENE I.—A Street.
- SCENE II.—An Apartment in Bridewell.
- THE PLEASANT COMEDY OF OLD FORTUNATUS.
- THE PROLOGUE AT COURT.
- PROLOGUE.
- DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.
- ACT THE FIRST.
- SCENE I.—A Wood in Cyprus.
- SCENE II.—Outside the House of Fortunatus.
- SCENE III.—A Wood in Cyprus.
- ACT THE SECOND
- SCENE I.—The Court at Babylon.[365]
- SCENE II.—Outside the House of Fortunatus.
- ACT THE THIRD.
- SCENE I.—London. The Court of Athelstane.
- SCENE II.—The same.
- ACT THE FOURTH.
- SCENE I.—A Wilderness.
- SCENE II.—London. The Court of Athelstane.
- ACT THE FIFTH.
- SCENE I.—London. The Court of Athelstane.
- SCENE II.—An open Space near London: a Prison and a Pair of Stocks in the background.
- THE EPILOGUE AT COURT.[410]
- THE WITCH OF EDMONTON.
- PROLOGUE.
- DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.
- ACT THE FIRST.
- SCENE I.—The neighbourhood of Edmonton. A Room in the House of Sir Arthur Clarington.
- SCENE II.—Edmonton. A Room in Carter’s House.
- ACT THE SECOND.
- SCENE I.—The Fields near Edmonton.
- SCENE II.—Carter’s House.
- ACT THE THIRD.
- SCENE I.—The Village Green.
- SCENE II.—The neighbourhood of Edmonton.
- SCENE III.—A Field with a clump of trees.
- SCENE IV.—Before Sir Arthur Clarington’s House.
- ACT THE FOURTH.
- SCENE I.—Edmonton. The Street.
- SCENE II. A Bedroom in Carter’s House. A bed thrust forth, with Frank in a slumber.
- ACT THE FIFTH.
- SCENE I.—The Witch’s Cottage.
- SCENE II.—London. The neighbourhood of Tyburn.
- EPILOGUE.
- FOOTNOTES
- [Pg iv]
- [Pg v]
- [Pg vi]
- [Pg vii]
- [Pg ix]
- [Pg x]
- [Pg xi]
- [Pg xii]
- [Pg xiii]
- [Pg xiv]
- [Pg xv]
- [Pg xvi]
- [Pg xvii]
- [Pg xviii]
- [Pg xix]
- [Pg xx]
- [Pg xxii]
- [Pg xxiii]
- [Pg xxiv]
- [Pg xxv]
- [Pg xxvi]
- [Pg xxvii]
- [Pg xxviii]
- [Pg xxix]
- [Pg xxx]
- [Pg xxxi]
- [Pg xxxii]
- [Pg xxxiii]
- [Pg xxxiv]
- [Pg xxxv]
- [Pg xxxvi]
- [Pg xxxvii]
- [Pg xxxviii]
- [Pg xxxix]
- [Pg xl]
- [Pg xli]
- [Pg xlii]
- [Pg xliii]
- [Pg xliv]
- [Pg xlv]
- [Pg xlvi]
- [Pg 1]
- [Pg 2]
- [Pg 3]
- [Pg 4]
- [Pg 5]
- [Pg 6]
- [Pg 7]
- [Pg 9]
- [Pg 12]
- [Pg 13]
- [Pg 14]
- [Pg 15]
- [Pg 16]
- [Pg 17]
- [Pg 18]
- [Pg 20]
- [Pg 21]
- [Pg 22]
- [Pg 23]
- [Pg 24]
- [Pg 25]
- [Pg 26]
- [Pg 27]
- [Pg 28]
- [Pg 29]
- [Pg 30]
- [Pg 31]
- [Pg 32]
- [Pg 33]
- [Pg 34]
- [Pg 36]
- [Pg 40]
- [Pg 41]
- [Pg 42]
- [Pg 43]
- [Pg 44]
- [Pg 45]
- [Pg 46]
- [Pg 48]
- [Pg 49]
- [Pg 50]
- [Pg 52]
- [Pg 54]
- [Pg 55]
- [Pg 56]
- [Pg 57]
- [Pg 58]
- [Pg 59]
- [Pg 60]
- [Pg 61]
- [Pg 62]
- [Pg 63]
- [Pg 64]
- [Pg 65]
- [Pg 66]
- [Pg 67]
- [Pg 68]
- [Pg 69]
- [Pg 70]
- [Pg 71]
- [Pg 72]
- [Pg 73]
- [Pg 74]
- [Pg 75]
- [Pg 76]
- [Pg 77]
- [Pg 79]
- [Pg 80]
- [Pg 81]
- [Pg 82]
- [Pg 83]
- [Pg 84]
- [Pg 87]
- [Pg 88]
- [Pg 89]
- [Pg 90]
- [Pg 91]
- [Pg 92]
- [Pg 93]
- [Pg 95]
- [Pg 98]
- [Pg 99]
- [Pg 100]
- [Pg 101]
- [Pg 102]
- [Pg 103]
- [Pg 105]
- [Pg 107]
- [Pg 108]
- [Pg 109]
- [Pg 110]
- [Pg 111]
- [Pg 112]
- [Pg 114]
- [Pg 116]
- [Pg 117]
- [Pg 118]
- [Pg 119]
- [Pg 120]
- [Pg 121]
- [Pg 122]
- [Pg 123]
- [Pg 124]
- [Pg 125]
- [Pg 126]
- [Pg 133]
- [Pg 134]
- [Pg 135]
- [Pg 136]
- [Pg 137]
- [Pg 138]
- [Pg 139]
- [Pg 141]
- [Pg 143]
- [Pg 144]
- [Pg 145]
- [Pg 146]
- [Pg 148]
- [Pg 150]
- [Pg 154]
- [Pg 155]
- [Pg 157]
- [Pg 158]
- [Pg 160]
- [Pg 161]
- [Pg 162]
- [Pg 163]
- [Pg 164]
- [Pg 166]
- [Pg 167]
- [Pg 169]
- [Pg 170]
- [Pg 171]
- [Pg 172]
- [Pg 174]
- [Pg 175]
- [Pg 177]
- [Pg 178]
- [Pg 180]
- [Pg 181]
- [Pg 183]
- [Pg 184]
- [Pg 185]
- [Pg 187]
- [Pg 188]
- [Pg 189]
- [Pg 190]
- [Pg 191]
- [Pg 192]
- [Pg 193]
- [Pg 194]
- [Pg 195]
- [Pg 196]
- [Pg 197]
- [Pg 200]
- [Pg 201]
- [Pg 202]
- [Pg 203]
- [Pg 204]
- [Pg 205]
- [Pg 207]
- [Pg 208]
- [Pg 210]
- [Pg 211]
- [Pg 212]
- [Pg 213]
- [Pg 215]
- [Pg 216]
- [Pg 217]
- [Pg 218]
- [Pg 220]
- [Pg 221]
- [Pg 222]
- [Pg 223]
- [Pg 224]
- [Pg 225]
- [Pg 226]
- [Pg 227]
- [Pg 229]
- [Pg 230]
- [Pg 233]
- [Pg 234]
- [Pg 235]
- [Pg 236]
- [Pg 237]
- [Pg 238]
- [Pg 239]
- [Pg 240]
- [Pg 241]
- [Pg 242]
- [Pg 243]
- [Pg 244]
- [Pg 245]
- [Pg 246]
- [Pg 247]
- [Pg 248]
- [Pg 249]
- [Pg 250]
- [Pg 251]
- [Pg 254]
- [Pg 258]
- [Pg 259]
- [Pg 260]
- [Pg 261]
- [Pg 262]
- [Pg 263]
- [Pg 264]
- [Pg 265]
- [Pg 266]
- [Pg 267]
- [Pg 268]
- [Pg 269]
- [Pg 272]
- [Pg 273]
- [Pg 275]
- [Pg 277]
- [Pg 278]
- [Pg 279]
- [Pg 280]
- [Pg 281]
- [Pg 283]
- [Pg 284]
- [Pg 285]
- [Pg 286]
- [Pg 287]
- [Pg 288]
- [Pg 289]
- [Pg 290]
- [Pg 291]
- [Pg 292]
- [Pg 293]
- [Pg 294]
- [Pg 295]
- [Pg 304]
- [Pg 305]
- [Pg 306]
- [Pg 308]
- [Pg 309]
- [Pg 310]
- [Pg 311]
- [Pg 312]
- [Pg 314]
- [Pg 316]
- [Pg 318]
- [Pg 320]
- [Pg 322]
- [Pg 324]
- [Pg 325]
- [Pg 326]
- [Pg 327]
- [Pg 328]
- [Pg 329]
- [Pg 333]
- [Pg 334]
- [Pg 335]
- [Pg 336]
- [Pg 337]
- [Pg 339]
- [Pg 340]
- [Pg 341]
- [Pg 342]
- [Pg 343]
- [Pg 344]
- [Pg 345]
- [Pg 346]
- [Pg 347]
- [Pg 350]
- [Pg 351]
- [Pg 353]
- [Pg 355]
- [Pg 356]
- [Pg 357]
- [Pg 358]
- [Pg 361]
- [Pg 363]
- [Pg 364]
- [Pg 365]
- [Pg 366]
- [Pg 367]
- [Pg 371]
- [Pg 372]
- [Pg 373]
- [Pg 374]
- [Pg 375]
- [Pg 376]
- [Pg 377]
- [Pg 385]
- [Pg 387]
- [Pg 388]
- [Pg 389]
- [Pg 390]
- [Pg 391]
- [Pg 399]
- [Pg 400]
- [Pg 404]
- [Pg 405]
- [Pg 406]
- [Pg 407]
- [Pg 408]
- [Pg 409]
- [Pg 410]
- [Pg 411]
- [Pg 414]
- [Pg 415]
- [Pg 416]
- [Pg 417]
- [Pg 418]
- [Pg 419]
- [Pg 420]
- [Pg 424]
- [Pg 425]
- [Pg 426]
- [Pg 428]
- [Pg 429]
- [Pg 431]
- [Pg 434]
- [Pg 435]
- [Pg 438]
- [Pg 439]
- [Pg 440]
- [Pg 442]
- [Pg 443]
- [Pg 444]
- [Pg 445]
- [Pg 446]
- [Pg 447]
- [Pg 449]
- [Pg 450]
- [Pg 451]
- [Pg 453]
- [Pg 455]
- [Pg 459]
- [Pg 460]
- [Pg 462]
- [Pg 463]
- [Pg 464]
- [Pg 466]
- [Pg 468]
- [Pg 469]
- [Pg 472]
- [Pg 473]
- [Pg 474]
How to Listen
- 1. Click "Listen Free" above
- 2. The book opens in CastReader's browser reader
- 3. Click the play button — AI narration starts with word highlighting
- 4. Use "Send to Phone" to continue listening on your phone
More by Thomas Dekker
You Might Also Like
FAQ
Is this audiobook really free?
Yes. "Thomas Dekker / Edited, with an introduction and notes by Ernest Rhys. Unexpurgated Edition" is a public domain work from Project Gutenberg. CastReader converts it to audio using AI text-to-speech for free. No account or payment needed.
What does the AI voice sound like?
CastReader uses Kokoro TTS, a natural-sounding AI voice. It handles punctuation, names, and dialogue naturally. Most listeners forget it's AI after a few minutes.
Can I listen on my phone?
Yes. Open the book, then use "Send to Phone" to stream audio to your phone via Telegram. No app download needed.





