eris Sin illum potius Phaebum velit esse Britannum Tum Daniele mihi tu Maro noster eris Nil Phaebo ulterius si quid foret illud haberet Spenserus Phaebus tu Daniele fores Quippe loqui Phaebus cuperet si more Britanno Haud scio quo poterat ni velit ore suo Sir William DAVENANT A Person sufficiently known to all Lovers of Poetry and One whose Works will preserve his Memory to Posterity He was Born in the City of Oxford in the Parish of St. Martins vulgarly call'd Carfax near the End of February in the year 1605. and was Christned on the Third of March following He was the Mercurial Son of a Saturnine Father Mr. John D' Avenant a Vintner by Profession who liv'd in the same House which is now known by the Sign of the Crown He was formerly of Lincoln College and instructed in Logick and Physicks by his Tutor Mr. Daniel Hough Fellow of that Society tho' his Genius rather inclin'd him to walk in the more flowry Fields of Poetry in which he made a Prodigious discovery advancing even without any Guide but his own Wit and Ingenuity as far as the Herculean Pillars if any such bounds are to be set of Poetry He was Poet Laureat to Two Kings whose Memory will always be Sacred to all good loyal and witty Men I mean King Charles the First the Martyr for and King Charles the Second the Restorer of the Protestant Religion according to the Church of England During this Honour of which his Wit and Parts render'd him Worthy he writ as I suppose his Dramatick Pieces of which I shall give some Account To speak of them in general I need only say that most of them have appear'd on the Stage with good applause and been receiv'd with like success in Print the greatest part publisht in the Authors Life time in Quarto and all since his Death collected into one Volume with his other Works printed in Folio Lond. 1673. and dedicated by his Widow to his Royal Highness the late King James Albovine King of the Lombards his Tragedy printed first in quarto and dedicated to the Right Honourable the Duke of Somerset This Play is commended by Eight Copies of Verses For the Design it is founded on History You may read the Story in several Historians See Paulus Diaconus de Gestis Langobardorum lib. 2 c. 28. Gregorius Epise Turonensis Hist. Francorum lib. 2. c. 28 Heylin's Cosinoraphy Part 1. Book 1. p. 57. This Story is likewise related at large in a Novel by Bandello which is translated by Belleforest See Histoires Tragiques Tome 4. Nov. 19. Cruel Brother a Tragedy printed first in quarto and dedicated to the Right Honourable the Lord Weston Lord High Treasurer of England Distresses a Tragi-Comedy printed in folio Lond. 1673. First-days Entertainment at Ruthland-house by Declamation and Musick after the manner of the Ancients The subject of the former of these Declamations is concerning Publick Entertainment by Moral Representations the Disputants being Diogenes the Cynick and Aristophanes the Poet. The later Dispute is between a Parisian and a Londoner who declaim concerning the Preheminence of Paris and London The Vocal and Instrumental Musick was compos'd by Dr. Charles Coleman Capt. Henry Cook Mr. Henry Laws and Mr. George Hudson Fair Favourite a Tragi-Comedy printed in Folio 1673. Just Italian a Tragi-Comedy printed first in quarto and dedicated to the Right Honourable the Earl of Dorset and commended by the Verses of his Friends Mr. William Hopkins and Mr. Thomas Carew Law against Lovers a Tragi-Comedy made up of two Plays written by Mr. Shakespear viz Measure for Measure and Much Ado about Nothing Tho' not only the Characters but the Language of the whole Play almost be borrow'd from Shakespear yet where the Language is rough or obsolete our Author has taken care to polish it as to give instead of many one Instance Shakespear's Duke of Vienna says thus I love the People But do not like to Stage me to their Eyes Though it do well I do not relish well Their loud Applause and Aves vehement Nor do I think the Man of safe discretion That does affect it In Sr. William's Play the Duke speaks as follows I love the People But would not on the Stage salute the Croud I never relisht their Applause nor think The Prince has true discretion who affects it For the Plot I refer you to the abovemention'd Plays in the Account of Shakespear Love and Honour a Tragi-Comedy which I have several times seen acted with good applause first at the Play-house in Lincolns-Inn-Fields and since at the Theatre in Dorset-Garden This was first printed in quarto Man 's the Master a Comedy which I think I have seen acted at the Duke's House however I am sure the Design and part of the Language is borrow'd from Scarron's Jodelet ou Le Maistre valet and as I remember part from L'Heritier ridicule a Comedy of the same Authors Platonick Lovers a Tragi-Comedy which was first printed in octavo with The Wits Play-house to be Let. I know not under what Species to place this Play it consisting of several Pieces of different Kinds handsomely tackt together several of which the Author writ in the Times of Oliver and were acted separately by stealth as the History of Sr. Francis Drake exprest by Instrumental and Vocal Musick and by Art of Perpective in Scenes c. The Cruelty of the Spaniards in Peru. These two Pieces were first printed in quarto They make the third and fourth Acts of this Play The second Act consists of a French Farce translated from Molliere's Sganarelle ou Le Cocu Imaginaire and purposely by our Author put into a sort of Jargon common to French-men newly come over The fifth Act consists of Tragedie travestie or the Actions of Caesar Antony and Cleopatra in Verse Burlesque This Farce I have seen acted at the Theatre in Dorset-garden some years ago at the end of that excellent Tragedy of Pompey translated by the incomparable Pen of the much admired Orinda Siege of Rhodes in two Parts These Plays were likewise in the times of the Civil Wars acted with Stilo Recitativo and printed in quarto but afterwards enlarged by the Author and acted with applause at the Duke of York's Theatre in Lincolns-Inn-Fields It is dedicated to the Right Honourable the Earl of Clarendon Lord High Chancellor of England For the Plot as far as it is founded on History there are several Historians have writ of it in the Life of Solyman the second who took this City in the year 1522. See Thomas Artus Continuation de l'Histoire des Turcs Giov. Bosio L'Istoria della Sacra Religione Illma Militia di San Giovanni Gierosolimitano lib. 29. Boissardi Icones Vitae Sultanorum Turcicorum c. in Vit. Solym. 2. Knolles History of the Turks c. Siege a Tragi-Comedy News from Plimouth a Comedy formerly acted at the Globe with good success
and was printed as I believe in quarto Temple of Love presented by the Queens Majesty Wife to King Charles the First and her Ladies at Whitehall viz. The Lady Marquess Hamilton the Lady Mary Herbert Countess of Oxford Berkshire Carnarvan c. The Lords and others that represented the noble Persian Youths were The Duke of Lenox the Earls of Newport Desmond c. This Masque says the Author for the newness of the Invention variety of Scenes Apparitions and richness of Habits was generally approv'd to be one of the most Magnificent that hath been done in England Triumphs of the Prince d'Amour a Masque presented by his Highness at his Pallace in the Middle-Temple This Masque at the Request of that Honourable Society was devis'd and written by our Author in Three days and was presented by the Members thereof as an Entertainment to the Prince Elector A Lift of the Masquers Names as they were rank'd by their Antiquity in that noble Society is to be found at the end of the Masque to which I refer the curious Reader The Musick of the Songs and Symphonies were excellently compos'd by Mr. Henry and Mr. William Lawes his Majesties Servants Wits a Comedy heretofore acted at the Black-friars and since at the Duke's Theatre printed both in octavo and quarto before this New Edition and dedicated to the chiefly belov'd of all that Ingenious and Noble Endimion Porter of his Majesties Bed-Chamber This Play is commended by a Copy fo Verses written by Mr. Thomas Carew and has often appear'd on the Stage with Applause Having done with his Plays I am now to speak of his other Works which consist of Poems of several sorts and on several Occasions amongst which Gondibert an Epick Poem has made the greatest noise This Poem was design'd by the Author to be an Imitation of an English Dramma it being to be divided into Five Books as the other is into Five Acts The Canto's to be the Parallel of the Scenes with this difference that this is deliver'd Narratively the other Dialogue-wise The Reader may find a long account of the Author's design and his Reasons in the Preface which is directed to his Friend the so well known Mr. Hobbs who not only approves his Design but in the Close of his Letter fixes an extraordinary Complement upon him viz. The Virtues you distribute in your Poem amongst so many Noble Persons represent in the Reading the image but of One Man's Virtue to my fancy which is your own Nor was Mr. Hobbs the only Person that commended this Poem for the first and second Books were usher'd into the world by the Pens of two of our best Poets viz. Mr. Waller and Mr. Cowley which One would have thought might have prov'd a sufficient Defence and Protection against the snarling Criticks Notwithstanding which Four Eminent Wits of that Age two of which were Sr. John Denham and Mr. Donne publisht several Copies of Verses to Sr. William's discredit under this Title Certain Verses written by several of the Authors Friends to be reprinted with the second Edition of Gondibert in octavo Lond. 1653. These Verses were answer'd as Mr. Wood says by the Author himself with as much or rather more Wit and little or no concern for their Raillery rather seeming to sport at and pity their want of Sence The Title of his Answer is The Incomparable Poem Gondibert vindicated from the Wit-Combats of Four Esquires Clinias Dametas Sancho and Jack Pudding printed in octavo Lond. 1655. The Books being scarce I shall for the Readers diversion chuse one out of each of these as a Sample of the rest and amongst the former I shall pitch upon that Copy which reflects on the Commendations given by those great Men above-mention'd The Author upon Himself I am Old Davenant with my Fustian Quill Tho' skill I have not I must be writing still On Gondibert That is not worth a Fart Waller Cowley 't is true have prais'd my Book But how untruly All they that read may look Nor can Old Hobbs Defend me from dry Bobbs Then no more I 'll dabble nor pump Fancy dry To compose a Fable Shall make Will. Crofts to cry O gentle Knight Thou writ'st to them that shite Sr. William's Answer The Author upon Himself False as Foolish What turn felo de me Davenant kill Davenant No the whole World does see My Gondibert To be a piece of Art Waller and Cowley true have prais'd my Book And deservedly Nay I did for it look He both us robbs That blames for this Old Hobbs Write on jeer'd Will and write in Pantofle That 's over Pump-ho And for Will Crofts his baffle Thou may'st long write That writ'st to them that shite Many other Railleries were broacht against him by his Enemies as those Lines in Sr. John Sucklin's Session of the Poets the Ballad entitled How Daphne pays his Debts and others which I might insert but I think 't is time to leave these trifles and acquaint my Readers who are delighted with Criticismes that they may find more serious Animad versions on this Poem in the English Preface written by that admirable Critick Mr. Rymer to his Translation of Monsieur Rapin's Reflections on Aristotle's Treatise of Poesy printed 8 o Lond. 1674. This great Man Died on the Seventh day of April 1668. Aged 63 and was Buried amongst the Poets in Westminster-Abby near to his old Antagonist and Rival for the Bays Mr. Thomas May. 'T was observ'd that at his Funeral his Coffin wanted the Ornament of his Laureats Crown which by the Law of Heraldry justly appertain'd to him but this omission is sufficiently recompenc'd by an Eternal Fame which will always accompany his Memory he having been the first Introducer of all that is splendid in our English Opera's and 't is by his means and industry that our Stage at present rivals the Italian Theatre I shall conclude his Character with that Account which Mr. Dryden has formerly given of him which is the more valuable because the commendation of his Predecessors is seldome the Subject of his Pen. In the time says he that I writ with Sr. William Davenant I had the opportunity to observe somewhat more nearly of him than I had formerly done when I had only a bare acquaintance with him I found him then of so quick a Fancy that nothing was propos'd to him on which he could not suddenly produce a Thought extreamly pleasant and surprising and those first Thoughts of his contrary to the old Latine Proverb Were not always the least happy And as his Fancy was quick so likewise were the Products of it remote and new He borrow'd not of any other and his Imaginations were such as could not enter into any other Man His Corrections were sober and judicious and he corrected his own Writings much more severely than those of another Man bestowing twice the labour and time in Polishing which he us'd in Invention Si sic omnia
King of Persia a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. 3 d Edit Lond. 1675. and dedicated to the Illustrious Princess Anne Dutchess of Monmouth This Tragedy is written in Heroick Verse and founded on History For the Plot see Justin Herodotus Ammianus Marcellinus c. Conquest of China by the Tartars a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1676. and dedicated to the Lord Castle-Rizing This is also writ in Heroick Verse and founded on History See Signior Palafax his History of China translated in octavo John Gonzales de Mendoza Lewis de Guzman c. Empress of Morocco a Tragedy in Heroick Verse acted at the Duke's Theatre printed with Sculptures 4o. Lond. 1673. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Henry Earl of Norwich and Earl-Marshal of England This Play Mr. Dryden writ particularly against in a Pamphlet called Notes and Observations on the Empress of Morocco or some few Erratas to be printed instead of the Sculptures with the second Edition of that Play printed 4o. Lond. 1674. This as I have already observ'd was answered by another Pamphlet which shewed Mr. Dryden was not Infallible but that notwithstanding his Bravadoes he himself was as faulty as others and that he had verified the Spanish Proverb No es tan bravo el Leon come le pintan The Lyon is not so fierce as they paint him Fatal Love or The forc'd Inconstancy a Tragedy acted at the Theatre-Royal printed 4o. Lond. 1680. and dedicated to Sir Robert Owen This Play is founded on Achilles Tatius his Romance called Clitiphon and Leucippe see Book the fifth The English Reader may peruse it translated in octavo printed Oxon. 1638. Female Prelate being the History of the Life and Death of Pope Joan a Tragedy acted at the Theatre-Royal printed 4o. Lond. 1680. and dedicated to the Right Honourable the late Earl of Shaftsbury This Play being founded on History see Marianus Scotus Sigibert Sabellicus and for the English he may read Platina translated in Fol. by Sir Paul Ricault and the Life and Death of Pope Joan written heretofore in a Dialogue by Mr. Alexander Cooke a Gentleman formerly a Fellow of University Colledge in Oxford a Piece so much cry'd up and admir'd in those Times that it was translated into French by J. De la Montaigne 'T is now published in a set Discourse 8o. Lond. 1675. The Reader will find there a List of those Authors who affirm and those who deny the truth of this Story Heir of Morocco with the Death of Gayland acted at the Theatre-Royal printed 4o. Lond. 1682. and dedicated to the Lady Henrietta Wentworth Baroness of Nettlested Ibraim the Illustrious Bassa a Tragedy in Heroick Verse acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1677. and dedicated to the Dutchess of Albermarle The Play is founded on M. Scudery's Romance so called Love and Revenge a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1675. and dedicated to the Late Duke of Newcastle 'T is a great part borrowed from a Play called The Fatal Contract and is founded on the French Chronicles see Mezeray De Serres c. 'T is pitty our Author was so little considerate to fall upon Mr. Shadwell in his Postscript when he lay so open to an Attaque himself and if our Laureat reply'd too severely upon him in his Preface to the Libertine 't was but se defendendo and he being the Aggressor ought to forgive it Pastor Fido or Faithful Shepherd a Pastoral acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1677. and dedicated to the Right Honourable the Lady Elizabeth Delaval The Play was written in Italian by Guarini and afterwards translated by Sir Ric. Fanshaw This Translation our Author has follow'd being a stranger to the Italian tho' possibly it may by ill natur'd Criticks be thought a presumption to attempt to improve either the Original or the Copy Our Author I think has several Copies of Verses in print besides Prose but because some of them will not advance his Reputation and of others I know not exactly which he writ I shall omit further mentioning of them in this place Tho. SHADWELL Esq Poet Laureat to their present Majesties A Gentleman whose Dramatick Works are sufficiently known to the World but especially his Excellent Comedies which in the Judgment of some Persons have very deservedly advanced him to the Honour he now enjoys under the Title of Poet Laureat to their present Majesties An Advancement which he ingeniously consesses is chiefly owing to the Patronage of the Noble Earl of Dorset that Great Judge of Wit and Parts in whose Favour it has been Mr. Shadwell's particular Happiness sor several Years to have had an Eminent Share Mr. Dryden I dare presume little imagined when he writ that Satyr of Mack-Flecknoe that the Subject he there so much exposes and ridicules should have ever lived to have succeeded him in wearing the Bays But I am willing to say the less of Mr. Shadwell because I have publickly profess'd a Friendship for him and tho' it be not of so long date as some former Intimacy with others so neither is it blemished with some unhandsome Dealings I have met with from Persons where I least expected it I shall therefore speak of him with the Impartiality that becomes a Critick and own I like His Comedies better than Mr. Dryden's as having more Variety of Characters and those drawn from the Life I mean Men's Converse and Manners and not from other Mens Ideas copyed out of their publick Writings tho' indeed I cannot wholly acquit our Present Laureat from borrowing his Plagiaries being in some places too bold and open to be disguised of which I shall take Notice as I go along tho' with this Remark That several of them are observed to my Hand and in a great measure excused by himself in the publick Acknowledgment he makes in his several Prefaces to the Persons to whom he was obliged for what he borrowed That Mr. Shadwell has propos'd B. Johnson for his Model I am very certain of and those who will read the Preface to the Humorists may be sufficiently satisfied what a value he has for that Great Man but how far he has succeeded in his Design I shall leave to the Reader 's Examination So far only give me leave to premise in our Laureat's Defence that the Reader is not to measure his Merit by Mr. Dryden's Standard since Socrates never was more persecuted by the Inhumane Aristophanes than Mr. Shadwell by Mr. Dryden's Pen and with the same injustice tho' I think whoever shall peruse the Modest Defence of the former in his Epistle to the tenth Satyr of Juvenal will not only acquit him but love him for his good Humour and gentle Temper to One who endeavour'd to destroy his Reputation so dear to All Men but the very Darling of Poets as Ovid says Quid petitur sacris nisi tantum fama Poetis Hoc votum nostri summa laboris habet Mr. Shadwell has
permitted to speak my Sentiments of the Play it self I believe the Author has stollen neither his Characters nor Language from any other and I presume those that have read the Character of My Lord Occus in particular Winifred and the rest in general will be of my opinion John BANCROFT A Gentleman who is the Author of a Tragedy called Sertorius acted at the Theatre-Royal by their Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1679. 'T is dedicated to Captain Richard Savage and the Epilogue was writ by Mr. Ravenscroft The Elder Corneille has writ a Play on the same subject which I have read but shall leave it to the decision of better judgments to determine which is best Those who would read the foundation of this Play may consult Plutarch's Life of Sertorius Velleius Paterculus lib. 2. Florus lib. 2. c. 22. c. John BANKS A Person now living and if I mistake not a Member of the Honourable Society of New-Inn One whose Genius to Poetry led him to make several Attempts on the Stage with different success but of whom I may say with justice that if he be not accounted a Poet of the first form yet he bears up with his Contemporaries of the second His Genius lays wholly to Tragedy and he has had the Fortune to please the fair Sex in the Earl of Essex and Anna Bullen He has five Plays in print of which in their Alphabetical Order Destruction of Troy a Tragedy acted at his Royal Highness the Duke's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1679. and dedicated to the Right Honourable the Lady Katherine Roos If this Play fall short of Shakspear's Troilus and Cressida at least it surpasses Heywood's Iron Age and how unkind soever the Criticks were to it I believe they have seen worse Tragedies on the Stage Various are the Authors that have toucht on this subject as Homer Virgil Ovid c. but none more fully than Dares Phrygius and Dictis Cretensis though Learned Men suppose those pieces we have under their Names to be spurious yet Natalis Comes has turned Daxes into Latin Verse and our Countryman Lydgate into old English Meetre Island Queens or The Death of Mary Queen of Scotland a Tragedy published only in defence of the Author and the Play against some mistaken Censures occasioned by its being prohibited the Stage printed in Quarto Lond. 1684. and dedicated to the Illustrious Princess Mary Dutchess of Norfolk Most Historians of those Times have written her Story as well Forreigners as our own See Buchanan Speed in the Reign of Q. Elizabeth Camden Du chesne Brantome's Memoirs Causin's Holy Court Nay even Writers of Romances have thought her Story an ornament to their Work witness the Princess Cloria where part 2. her Story is succinctly related and she pourtrayed under the title of Minerva Queen of Mysta Rival Kings or The Loves of Oroondates and Statira a Tragedy in Heroick Verse acted at the Theatre-Royal printed in quarto 1677. and dedicated to the Right Honourable the Lady Katherine Herbert The Play is founded chiefly on Cassandra a famed Romance in Fol. As to what concerns Alexander I refer you to Curtius and Justin. Vertue betrayed or Anna Bullen a Tragedy acted at his Royal Highness the Duke's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1682. and dedicated to the Illustrious Princess Elizabeth Dutchess of Somerset The Author has followed a little Novel translated from the French and called The Novels of Elizabeth Queen of England containing the History of Queen Ann Bullen For the Story most of our Chronicles relate it See Speed's Chron. in the Reign of Hen. VIII Ld. Herbert Duchesne Dr. Burnet's Hist. Reform Book the 2. c. Unhappy Favourite or The Earl of Essex a Tragedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by their Majesties Servants printed in quarto London 1682. and dedicated to the most High and most Illustrious Princess the Lady Ann Daughter to his Royal-Highness the present Princess of Denmark This Play was acted with good success The Prologue and Epilogne were written by Mr. Dryden and the play it self founded on a Novel called The Secret History of the most Renowned Queen Elizabeth and the Earl of Essex printed in 120. Lond. 1680. For the true Story see Cambden's Elizabeth Speed Duchesne Stow Baker c. in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth There have been two French Plays one by Monsieur Calpranede the other by the Younger Corneille which I have read and am of opinion that the English play is not short of the French notwithstanding the high commendations given it by the Mercury Gallant January 1687. Barnaby BARNES This Person lived in the Reign of K. James the First and writ a Play called The Devil's Charter a Tragedy containing the Life and Death of Pope Alexander the VI. play'd before the King's Majesty upon Candlemas Night by his Majesty's Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1607. and dedicated to the Honourable and his very dear Friends Sir W. Herbert and Sir W. Pope Knights Associates in the Noble Order of the Bath This Tragedy seems to be written in imitation of Shakspear's old Play of Pericles Prince of Tyre for as Shakspear raises Gower an old English Bard for his Interlocutor or Introductor in that Play so this Author revives Guicciardine for the same design This was the common practice of the Poets of the last Age as Shakspear Heywood c. at which time they frequently introduced dumb Shews which took much with the Spectators of those times 'T is evident the Author followed Guicciardine who has largly treated to this Pope in his History of the Wars of Italy see the first six Books Other Authors have likewise treated of him as Du Preau Hist. de l'Estat succes de l'Eglise tom 2 p. 293 seq Vollateranus tit 22. sub fine Massonius de Gestis Pontificum Romanorum c. This Author has extant besides four Books of Offices about Princes how they ought to be administred printed fol. Lond. 1606. Robert BARON Esq This Author was a young Gentleman bred first at Cambridge and afterwards brought up in the worthy Society of Grays-Inn During his abode there he writ a Romance called The Cyprian Academy printed octavo Lond. 1647. He dedicated it to the famous Traveller Mr. James Howel in particular and to the Ladies and Gentlewomen of England in general In his Romance are included two Dramaticks which Mr. Kirkman has inserted in his Catalogue tho' they are not entire Tracts of themselves nor of any signal Eminence but since they have been mention'd in former Catalogues I shall not omit them Deorum Dona a Masque presented before Flaminius and Clorinda King and Queen of Cyprus at their Regal Palace in Nicosia Part of this piece is borrow'd from Mr. Waller's Poem to the King on his Navy Gripus and Hegio or The Passionate Lovers a Pastoral acted by the Lady Julio's Servants for the Entertainment of Flaminius This Play consists but of three Acts and is borrow'd very much from Waller's Poems and Webster's
nobiles Eum adjutare assiduéque unà scribere Quod illi maledictum vehemens esse existimant Eam laudē hic ducit maxumā cùm illis placet Qui vobis universis populo placent Quorum operâ in bello in otio in negotio Suo quisque tempore usus est sine superbia The Plots of these Comedies he borrow'd from the Greeks the Four first from the Comedies of Menander and the Two last from Apollodorus He was beholding to Menander likewise for some other Comedies which in his Return from Greece by Sea were lost with himself in the Year of Rome 595 and the second year of the 155 th Olympiad Some say that he Died in Arcadia but the former Account is confirm'd by Volcatius in the following Verses Sed ut Afer sex populo edidit Comoedias Iter hinc in Asiam fecit navim cum semel ' Conscendit visus nunquam est sic vita vacat Consult further Crinitus de Poetis Latinis Scaliger in Poetic Lilius Gyraldus Hist. Poet. Vossius de Poetis Latinis c. Mrs. Frances BOOTHBY The Authress of a Play called Marcelia or The Treacherous Friend a Tragi-Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by His Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1670. and dedicated to the Honourable and most Accomplisht Lady Yate of Harvington in Worcester-shire to whom she was related Roger BOYLE Earl of Orrery An Irish Nobleman whose Abilities in Arts and Arms have render'd him better known to this Nation than any Character I can give him so that I may justly say of him with Madam Phillips Of him I cannot which is hardest tell Or not to praise him or to praise him well However I must observe that he is not only a Poet himself but a Patron of Poets likewise as Mr. Dryden and Mr. Crown must acknowledge so that methinks his Lordship's Reputation joyn'd with the Earl of Roscomon's might be sufficient to attone for their Country's Character in point of Wit He has publisht Four Plays in Heroick Verse wherein not only the true English Courage is delineated to the Life but likewise the very Infidels and Barbarians are taught by his Pen not only Humanity but the Highest Morality and Virtue But his Wit is as far above my Abilities to describe as to imitate and therefore I shall hasten to give an Account of his Plays viz. Black Prince a Tragedy acted at the Theatre Royal printed at Lond. folio 1672. Tho' this Play in the Title-page be call'd a Tragedy yet it ends successfully and therefore I presume was rather stiled so by the Author from the Quality and Grandeur of the Persons in the Dramma than from any unfortunate Catastrophe For the foundation of this Play as far as it concerns History consult Walsinghami Historia Angliae Florentii Monarch Wigorniensis Chronicon Pol Vergilii Historiae Angliae Froissard Croniques de France d'Angleterre Du Chesne Speed and other English Historians in in Reign of Edward the Third Tryphon a Tragedy acted by his Royal Highness the Duke of York's Servants and printed in folio Lond. 1672. Of this Usurper you have an account in Maccabees lib. 1. See besides Josephus lib. 13. Appian de Bellis Syriacis c. These two Plays are printed together Henry the Fifth a History acted at his Highness the Duke of York's Theatre printed in folio Lond. 1677. For the Plot see the Chronicles of England in the Reign of that King such as Walsingham Polydore Vergil Hollingshead Speed c. and the French Chronicles in the Reign of King Charles the Sixth as Les Chroniques d'Enguerrand de Monstrelet Jean Juvenal des Ursins L'Histoire de Charles VI. F. de Belleforest L'Histoire de neuf Roys Charles de France Mezeray c. Mustapha Son of Solyman the Magnificent a Tragedy acted at the Dukes Theatre printed in folio Lond. 1677. See Paulus Jovius lib. 40. Thuanus lib. 12. Tho. Artus la Continuation de l'Histoire des Turcs Knolles's Turkish History Besides these Plays there is a Comedy lately publisht tho' writ as I suppose some years ago under the Title of Mr. Anthony a Comedy acted by Their Majesties Servants and printed in quarto Lond. 1690. This Play I believe was acted formerly at the Dukes Theatre in Lincolns-Inn-Fields because I find Mr. Angel and Mrs. Long amongst the Actors Names who if I mistake not have been dead some years The Prologue to this Play is the same with that of The Fool turn'd Critick but whether it be borrow'd or genuine I know not Besides these Plays our Author has writ a Romance called Parthenissa which yields not either in Beauty Language or Design to the Works of the famous Scudery or Calpranede however Eminent they may be amongst the French for Pieces of this Nature and what Mr. Davis of Kidwelly says of Scarron's Comical Romance may with more Justice be applied to our Illustrious Author and this Work 'T is a thousand pities That the Author prevented by death hath left the Work imperfect so that we are and ever shall beat a loss to know what period he might bring so many noble Adventures to He his written a Treatise in Folio call'd The Art of War I have been told it has been commended by many expert Captains for the best Piece extant in English but this I must leave to the judgment of others more experienced in the Art Military I know not where or when our Noble Author Died but those who would view his Character more at large must read Sr. William Davenant's Poem to his Lordship which will make them regret the Loss of so great a Man Samuel BRANDON This Author liv'd in the later part of Queen Elizabeths Reign and publisht a Play called The Tragi-Comedy of the Virtuous Octavia never acted but printed 120. Lond. 1598. and dedicated by a Copy of Verses to the Right Honourable and truly Virtuous Lady the Lady Lucia Audelay accompanied with two other Copies in commendation of the Play It is writ in alternate Verse with a Chorus at the end of each Act. For the Ground of this Play read Suetonius's Life of Augustus Plutarch's Life of M. Anthony Dion Cassius c. At the End of this Play are printed two Epistles between Octavia and her Husband M. Anthony in imitation of Ovid's Stile but writ in long Alexandrins They are dedicated to the Honourable Virtuous and Excellent Mrs. Mary Thin The Author had that good Opinion of his Play that besides his Prosopopeia al Libro at the beginning of his Book he has concluded with this Italian Sentence L'aqua non temo de l' eterno oblio Anthony BREWER A Writer in the Reign of King Charles the First to whom is ascrib'd by Mr. Kirkman two Plays viz. The Country Girl and The Love-sick King tho' I question whether the former belong to him it being ascrib'd to T. B. in the Title-page However I am sure Mr. Winstanley is much mistaken in the Account that he gives of our Author
jam Trigessimus Scriptu dignissima fecit factu dignissima scripsit Calamo pariter Gladio celebris pacis artium gnarus belli Gilbert SWINHOE Esq A Gentleman who liv'd in the Reigns of King Charles the First and Second a North-country Man by Birth being Born in Northumberland the Author of a Play call'd Unhappy fair Irene her Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1658. This Play is accompany'd with three Copies of Verses in its Commendation tho' I think it scarce deserve them The Play is founded on History see Knolles his Turkish History in the Life of Mahomet the First which Story is the Subject of a Novel in Bandello which is translated into French by Pierre Boisteau see Histoires Tragicques tome premier Nov. 2. The same is translated into English by Wil. Painter in his Palace of Pleasure in quarto Nov. 4o. T. Nathaniel TATE AN Author now living who tho' he be allow'd to be a Man of Wit and Parts yet for Dramatick Poetry he is not above the common Rank What he has extant for the most part is borrow'd at least we may say That generally he follows other Mens Models and builds upon their Foundations for of Eight Plays that are printed under his Name Six of them owe their Original to other Pens as we shall shew in the following Account Brutus of Alba or The enchanted Lovers a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1678. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Charles Earl of Dorset and Middlesex This Play is founded on Virgil's AEneids Book the 4 th and was finished under the Names of Dido and AEneas but by the Advice of some Friends was transformed to the Dress it now wears Cuckold's Haven or An Alderman no Conjurer a Farce acted at the Queen's Theatre in Dorset Garden printed 4o. Lond. 1685. and dedicated to Colonel Edmund Ashton This Play is borrow'd from Johnson's Eastward-hoe and Devil is an Ass. Duke and no Duke a Farce acted by their Majesties Servants with the several Songs set to Musick with Thorough-Basses for the Theorbo or Bass-Viol printed 4o. Lond. 1685. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Sir George Hewyt This Play is founded on Sir Aston Cockain's Trappolin suppos'd a Prince Ingratitude of a Common-wealth or The Fall of Caius Martius Coriolanus acted at the Theatre-Royal printed 4o. Lond. 1682. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Charles Lord Herbert Marquess of Worcester This Play is borrowed from Shakespear's Coriolanus Island Princess a Tragi-comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal revived with Alterations printed 4o. Lond. 1687. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Henry Lord Walgrave This Play is Fletcher's Originally Loyal General a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1680. and dedicated to Edward Taylor Esquire Lear King of England his History acted at the Dukes Theatre revived with Alterations printed 4o. Lond. 1687. and dedicated to Thomas Boteler Esq This Play in the Original was writ by W. Shakespear Richard the Third a History acted at the Theatre-Royal under the Name of The Sicilian Usurper with a Prefatory Epistle in Vindication of the Author occasioned by the Prohibition of this Play on the Stage printed 4o. Lond. 1681. and dedicated to George Raynford Esq This Play owns its Birth likewise to Shakespear Besides these Plays our Author has two Volumes of Poems in print One wholy writ by him call'd Poems writ on several Occasions second Edit enlarg'd printed 8o. Lond. 1684. The other call'd Poems by several Hands and on several Occasions collected by our Author and printed octavo Lond. 1685. John TATEHAM An Author that flourish'd in the Reign of King Charles the First and was says Mr. Winstanley the City Poet. If he was not an Extraordinary Wit at least he was Loyal in the highest Degree as may appear by his Plays and equally hated the Rump and the Scots He has Four Plays in print Three in quarto and One printed with his Poems in octavo Distracted State a Tragedy written in the Year 1641. but not printed till 1651. 4o. and dedicated to John Sidley This Play suited well with the Times and his Hatred to the Scots appears in this Play where he introduces a Scotch Mountebank in the fourth Act to poyson Archias the Elected King at the Instigation of Cleander This I take to be the best of our Author's Writings Rump or The Mirrour of the late Times a Comedy acted many times with great applause at the Private-house in Dorset Court printed the second Edit 4o. Lond. 1661. and dedicated to Walter James of Rambden-House in Smarden in the County of Kent Esq This Play has lately been reviv'd on our Stage under the Name of The Roundheads Scots Figaries or A Knot of Knaves a Comedy printed 4 o Lond. 1652. and dedicated to Robert Dormer Esq Most of this Play is writ in the Scotch Dialect and displays them to the Life Love crowns the End a Tragi-comedy acted by the Scholars of Bingham in the County of Nottingham This Play is not divided into Acts and is much shorter than most usually are being fitted purposely as I suppose for those Youths than acted it 'T is printed with his Poems call'd The Mirrour of Fancies in octavo Lond. 1657. and dedicated to Sir John Winter Secretary of State to his Majesty in his Exile Robert TAYLOUR An Author to whose Person and Writings I am wholy a Stranger only I find in former Catalogues a Comedy ascribed to him call'd Hog-huth lost his Pearl Thomas THOMSON Another Author of the meanest Rank and a great Plagiary if One of the Plays be own'd by him which Mr. Kirkman has ascribed to him viz. English Rogue a Comedy acted before several Persons of Honour with great applause printed 4o. Lond. 1668. and dedicated to Mrs. Alice Barret Mother Shipton her Life acted Nine Days together with great applause printed 4o. Lond. 16 I suppose the Occasion of the Success of this Play was from what he stole for all the Characters except what relate to Shipton are borrow'd as the Characters of Shift-hose Monylack Sir Oliver Whore-hound David c. are stollen verbatim from Massinger's City Madam and Middleton's Chast Maid in Cheapside This Play has not the Author's Name to it but the two first Letters it may be he was asham'd to set his Name to other Mens Labours As to the Story of Shipton I know not how to direct the Reader except to an old Book in quarto call'd The Life and Death of Mother Shipton Nicholas TROTT An Author who writ a Tragedy call'd Arthur which I never saw neither can I give any Account of the Author himself or the time he liv'd in Richard TUKE An Author of whom I can give no further Account than that he writ a Play call'd Divine Comedian or The Right Use of Plays improved in a Sacred Tragi-comedy printed 4o. Lond. 1672. and dedicated to the Right Honourable and no less Virtuous Mary Countess of Warwick This Play was call'd first by the Author The