Tarlton's News out of purgatory (1590) : a modern-spelling edition ...

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He is referred to once in the Jests as ! the queenes jester 1
('Tarlton's jest of a Bristow man 1 , p.30). Bohun probably
describes the situation more accurately than Puller when
discussing how Queen Elizabeth entertained herself:
She would then also admit Tarleton, a famous
Comedian, and a pleasant Talker, and other
such like men, to divert her with Stories of
the Town, and the common Jests, or Accidents;
but so, that they kept within the bounds of
modesty and chastity. **
In Tarltons Newes Out of Purgatorie Tarlton's ghost
describes himself as 'Dick Tarlton that coulde quaint it in
the Court, and clowne it on the stage 1 (sig. B1 V , p.2S3 ).
This ability to please all strata of society seems to have
been one of his characteristics, often being mentioned. In
the ballad 'Regard my sorrows, you lasses that love', which is
almost certainly a lament for Tarlton, we find his popularity
at Court described:
Commended he was, both of great and smale,
where-soever he did abide,
in courte or in cittie, in countrie or towne -
so well himselfe he could guide.
Tyme caused my willie to come to the courte,
and in favour to be with the Queene:
wher oft he made her grace for to smile
when she full sad was seene.
A groome of her chamber my willie was made
to waight upon her grace,
and well he behaved him selfe therin
when he had obtaynedfplace.
Regarded he was of gentlemen all
that in the corte did remaine,
and ladies desired his companie oft
because of his plesant vaine.
Lyke argoes my willie had eyes for to see
least any he might offend:
and though that he iested, his iestes they weare such
as unto reason did tend.