“By that time, Supper was done, certayne Comedians of Ravenna presented their service to Segnior Philoxenus, & his honourable companie, who are not tide to a written device, as our English Players are, but having a certayne groundes or principles of their owne, will, Extempore, make a pleasaunt showe of other mens fantasies: so that to try the quicknes of the Gentlemen, & Gentlewomens wittes, to give the Comedians a Theame, Segnior Philoxenus, demanded the meaning of certain Questions” 

- George Whetstone, Heptameron of Civil Discourses, 1582