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by Nicholas Udall, who was appointed to prepare dialogues and interludes for Queen Mary in 1554. The play was composed between the years 15 34 and 1541, though it was not printed until 1566. Nicholas Udall was a scholar, a schoolmaster, and a famous Latinist of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and in all probability "Ralph Roister Doister" was acted by his scholars at Eton and Westminster, he having been head master of both these colleges at different times.
'• The Lord preserve our most noble queen of renown, And her virtues reward with the heavenly crown. The Lord strengthen her most excellent majesty-Long to reign over us in all prosperity. That her godly proceedings, the faith to defend, He may 'stablish and maintain through to the end. God grant her, as she doth, the Gospel to protect, Learning and virtue to advance, and vice to correct. God grant her loving subjects both the mind and grace Her most godly proceedings worthily to embrace. Her highness' most worthy counsellors, God prosper, With honour and love of all men to minister. God grant the nobility her to serve and love, With the whole commonty, as doth them behove. Amen.''
This prayer has been recited at special performances of Shakespeare's plays, and in particular at the celebration of Stratford-on-Avon,
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