Medieval literature
The allegorical form, so extensively employed in Medieval literature, was decidedly old-fashioned by the early 17th century; yet a few writers were still exploiting its potentials in the early Stuart era. In addition to Thomas Tomkis's "Lingua", and "Pathomachia" (probably also by Tomkis), cited above, a list of allegorical plays from Holyday's period could include Nabbes's "Microcosmus", Randolph's "The Muses' Looking Glass", and William Strode's "The Floating Island".