Page:A life of William Shakespeare (IA lifeofwilliamsha02lees).pdf/29

right to that title since he obtained in 1599 from the College of Arms a recognition of his claim to a coat-of-arms and to the title of 'gentleman.' It is worthy of notice, at the same time, that the respective services rendered to the Earl of Rutland by Shakespeare and his friend Burbage were reckoned of precisely the same pecuniary value. Each was remunerated with 44 shillings 'in gold.' Payment was obviously made in the new gold pieces called 'jacobuses,' each of which was worth about 22s.

Abundant literary evidence is already accessible of Burbage's repute as a painter, in addition to the authentic specimen of his brush which belonged to Edward Alleyn, the actor and founder of Dulwich College, and may still be seen at the Dulwich College Gallery. But the financial statement among the Duke of Rutland's manuscripts shows the actor for the first time in the guise of a professional artist, who put his skill at the services of a noble patron in return for a money payment. That the result of Burbage's labour in 'painting and making' the 'impresa' which Shakespeare suggested to him was wholly satisfactory to the Earl of Rutland is amply proved. Another entry in the Duke of Rutland's household books brings to light that Burbage was employed on a like work by the earl three years later. On March 25, 1616, the Earl again took part