till that time published This Catalogue is very full of Errors throughout Couragious Turk or Amurath the First a Tragedy acted by the Students of Christ-Church in Oxford printed 8 o Lond. 1656. and dedicated to the No less Honoured than Deserving Sir Walter Tichborn by Mr. Rich. Meighen who publish'd it after the Authors Decease There is a Copy of Verses prefix'd to the Play writ I suppose by the same Person and directed to the Author In that Transcribing his Book without his Knowledge he was bound by promise to stand to his pleasure to keep it or burn it For the Plot consult the Writers of the Turkish History in the Reign of Amurath as Leunclacius Chalcocondylas Knolles c. Orestes his Tragedy acted by the Students of Christs Church in Oxford printed 8 o Lond. 1656. How far our Author has follow'd Sophocles in his Electra or Euripides in Orestes I shall leave to the search of the Learned Reader only I cannot but observe that when I first read it I thought by the length it might vye with that Epick Poem of Orestes which Juvenal complains of as being Summi plenâjam margine libri Scriptus in tergo nec dum finitus Orestes Raging Turk or Bajazet the Second a Tragedy acted by the Students of Christ-Church in Oxford printed 8 o Lond. 1656. This Play was writ with the two foregoing Tragedies when the Author was Master of Arts and Student of Christ-Church but not printed till after his decease and then dedicated by Mr. Richard Meighen the Publisher To the No less Ingenious than Zealous Favourer of Ingenuity Sir Richard Tichborn Brother to the above-nam'd Sir Walter For the Plot consult Chalcocondylas Artus Knolles c. These three last Plays are all printed together in 8 o Lond. 1656. Selimus Emperour of the Turks his Tragedy printed 4 o Lond. 1638. I question whether ever this Play were acted because it is not divided into Acts. The Author calls this the First Part and in his Conclusion as he stiles it or Epilogue he promises a Second Part saying If this First Part Gentles do like you well The Second Part shall greater Murthers tell But whether it was ever publisht I am ignorant tho' I am apt to believe not since 't is not mention'd in any Catalogue The Plot is founded on the Turkish History see the Writers of the Reign of Selimus the First as Paulus Jovius Mezeray Knolles c. Mr. Philips and Mr. Winstanley have father'd a Comedy on this Author call'd Cupids Whirligig tho' Democritus and Heraclius were not more different in their Temper than his Genius was opposite to Comedy Besides the true Father was one Mr. E.S. who as he says being long Pregnant with Desire to bring forth something and being afterwards brought a Bed had chose his Friend Mr. Robert Hayman to be God-father not doubting but his Child would be well maintain'd seeing he could not live above an hour with him and therefore he entreated him when he was dead that he might be buried deep enough in his good Opinion and that he might deserve this Epitaph Here lyes the Child that was born in Mirth Against the strict Rules of Child-birth And to be quit I gave him to my Friend Who laught him to death and that was his End Yours while he is his own I hope the Reader will forgive me this Digression which I was forc'd to in Vindication of my Author who was so far from this Ridiculous Stile and affected Mirth that nothing but Manly and Serious escap'd his Pen and in his latter Time he forsook the Stage for the Pulpit and instead of Plays employ'd himself in writing Sermons some of which have appear'd in Print in the Year 1627. To these I may add his Latin Funeral Oration in the Divinity-School at the Obsequies of Sr. Henry Savil printed 4 o Oxon. 1622. Another in Christ-Church Cathedral at the Funeral of Dr. Goodwin Cannon of that Church printed Lond. 1627. Robert GOMERSAL A Gentleman that lived in the Reign of King Charles the First and was the Eldest Son of an Esquire He was born at London and was sent by his Father to the University of Oxon. 1616. being then 14 Years of Age. He was enter'd at Christ-Church and in a little time was chose Student of that Royal-Foundation Here he took his Batchelors and Masters Degrees and in the Year 1627. he went out Batchelor of Divinity I know not what Preferment he got tho' I believe he was Minister of a place call'd Flower in Northamptonshire but this is only Conjecture from some of his Poems dated from thence However I am assur'd he died in the Year 1646. He is accounted by some no mean Preacher or Poet but this I leave to the Judgment of those who will peruse the Works which he has publisht and tho' Divinity ought to claim the preference yet Poetry being my immediate Subject I crave the Readers pardon that I give Account of his Poetry in the first place and begin with his Play call'd Lodovick Sforza Duke of Millain his Tragedy printed 8 o Lond. 1632. and dedicated to his most Worthy Friend Mr. Francis Hide Student of Christ-Church and Junior Proctor of the University in the Year 1627. I cannot satisfy the Readers whether ever this Play appear'd on any Stage but I can inform him that the Foundation of it may be read in Guicciardine lib. 1 2 c. Philip de Commines Mezeray in the Reign of Charles the VIII of France Besides this Play he has writ several other Poems which are printed with it as particularly The Levites Revenge containing Poetical Meditations upon the 19 and 20. Chapters of Judges and is dedicated to his Worthily Respected Friend Barten Holiday Arch-Deacon of Oxford This Poem is highly Commended by a Copy of Verses written by a Gentleman of the Middle-Temple but I shall leave this and his other Poems to the Readers perusal and Judgment He has several Sermons in print on the I. Pet. Chap. 2. Verse 13 14 15 16. printed 4o. Lond. 1663. Francis GOULDSMITH Esq I am able to recover no other Memoires of this Gentleman than that he liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the Martyr and oblig'd the World with the Translation of a Play out of Latin call'd Sophompaneas or The History of Joseph with Annotations a Tragedy printed 4 o Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Henry Lord Marquess of Dochester This Dramma was writ by the Admirable Hugo Grotius publisht by him at Amsterdam 1635. and dedicated to Gerardus Vossius Professor of History and Civil Arts in the most flourishing City of Amsterdam He stiles it a Tragedy notwithstanding it ends successfully and quotes for his Authority AEschylus's Danaides Euripides his Alcestes Jon Helena Iphigenia among the Tauri and even Vossius his own Art of Poetry whether this Opinion be to be controverted or no I leave to the Criticks Some people make it a Question whether it be lawful to make a
observes of the Writers of Romances Flea'd the Eel by beginning at the Tail yet notwithstanding what she has omitted of worth in her first part she has taken into the second and therefore could not justly call these Plays her own Round-heads or The good Old Cause a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1682. and Dedicated to the Most Illustrious Prince Henry Fitz-Roy Duke of Grafton A great part of the Language of this Play is borrow'd from Tateham's Rump or a Mirror of the Times but yet she has a better Title to this Play than the former having much improv'd the Humor of the Round-heads Sr. Patient Fancy a Comedy Acted at the Duke's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1678. The Hint of Sr. Patient Fancy is borrow'd from a French Play called Le Malade imaginaire and the Characters of Sr. Credulous Easy and his Groom Curry are stol'n from Sr. Amphilus the Cornish Knight and his Man Trebasco in Brome's Play called The Damoseille Town Fop or Sr. Timothy Tawdrey a Comedy acted at his Royal Highness the Duke's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1677. The foundation of this Play is a Comedy writ by George Wilkins call'd The Miseries of inforc'd Marriage from which not only the Plot but a great part of the Language is stol'n Widow Ranter or The History of Bacon in Virginia a Tragi-Comedy acted by Their Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1690. and dedicated to the Much Honored Madam Weldon by G. J. a Friend to the Authress by whom this Play was publisht after her Decease I refer the Reader to this Epistle for the Plays justification only I cannot but observe that the Prologue was written Ten years since and publisht before Mr. Shadwell's True Widow and if I mistake not the Epilogue is Old likewise For the Story of Bacon I know no History that relates it but his Catastrophe is founded on the known story of Cassius who perished by the Hand of his freed-Man Dandorus believing his Friend Brutus vanquished Young King or The Mistake a Tragi-Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1683. and dedicated to some Gentleman her particular Friend under the Name of Philaster The Design of this Play is borrow'd from Monsieur Calpranede's Cleopatra see the History of Alcamenes and Menalippa Part VIII Besides these Plays this Ingenious Woman has publisht several other Works both in Verse and Prose As a Collection of Poems in octavo Lond. 1684. and a Collection of several Others in octavo Lond. 1685. Another Volume in octavo Lond. 1688. amongst all which are many of her own Composures Her several Versions from the French are commended by those who think themselves Judges of Wit amongst which the chiefest are A Voyage to the Island of Love Lycidas or The Lover in Fashion and The Lover's Watch. These Pieces in the Original may be found in the second and third Tomes of Le Receueil des Pieces Gallantes en Prose en Vers 8 o Paris 1684. Those who will take the pains to compare them will find the English rather Paraphrases than just Translations but which sufficiently shew the Fancy and excellent Abilities of our Authress She has written other Pieces in prose which have had the fortune to please as The Love Letters between a Nobleman and his Sister in Three Volumes octavo Lond. 1684. c. Three Histories printed in octavo Lond. 1688. viz. Oroonoko or The Royal Slave The fair Jilt or Tarquin and Miranda Agnes de Castro or The Force of Generous Love There are two other small Novels under her Name viz. History of the Nun or The fair Vow-breaker 120 London 1689. The Lucky Mistake 120 Lond. 1689. What Opinion the Wits of the Age had of her may appear from several Copies of Verses written before her Translation of Monsieur Bonnecorse's La Montre or The Watch amongst whom Mr. Charles Cotton who was no contemptible Poet gives her the following Character Some hands write some things well are elsewhere lame But on all Theams your power is the same Of Buskin and of Sock you know the Pace And tread in both with equal Skill and Grace But when you write of Love Astrea then Love dips his Arrows where you wet your Pen. Such charming Lines did never Paper grace Soft as your Sex and smooth as Beauty's Face Dawbridge-court BELCHIER An English-man who liv'd in the Reign of King James the First but one who was an Inhabitant of the Town of Utreicht in the Low Countries at the time of his writing an Interlude called Hans Beer-pot his invisible Comedy of See me and see me not acted by an honest Company of Health-Drinkers printed in quarto Lond. 1618. and dedicated to the Honourable Sr. John Ogle Colonel of our English Regiment of Foot under the Lords the Estates General of the United Provinces and Lord Governor of the Town and Garison of Utreicht This Piece is neither Comedy nor Tragedy as wanting First the just number of Speakers Secondly those Parts or Acts it should have which should be at the least Five but a plain Conference of so many Persons consisting of Three Acts and no more Richard BERNARD This Person flourish'd at Epworth in Lincoln-shire in the time of Queen Elizabeth and was as I suppose the first Translator of Terence's Comedies entire which tho'not so well translated into English as into French by the famous Abbot de Villeloin Monsieur de Marolles or by Monsieur de Martignac yet certainly it is passable for the time in which he liv'd Besides the bare Translation of the whole Six Comedies viz. Andraea Adelphi c. he has taken notice in each Scene of the most remarkable forms of Speech Theses and moral Sentences in imitation possibly of an old French Translation printed at Paris in octavo 1574. This Version is printed with the latine 4o. Cambridge 1598. and dedicated to Mr. Christopher Wray Son and Heir to Sr. William Wray and his Brothers Having given this short account of the Translator and his Work give me leave to speak somewhat of the Author Publius Terentius was a Native of Carthage but being taken Prisoner when he was very young he was sent to Rome He was brought up in Literature and all good Education by his Patron Terentius Seneca and afterwards freed by him on account of his Wit and good Meen He luckily found the best way of writing Comedy and he left some Pieces in that kind that few Persons have been able to imitate He was in great Esteem not only with the People in general by reason of his Dramatick Performances but particularly belov'd and cherish'd by Men of the best Quality as Publius Scipio Laelius and others His purity of Stile was so conspicuous that his Adversaries endeavour'd to perswade the People that he was assisted in his Plays by great Men which he handsomely takes notice of in his Prologue to the Adelphi Nam quod illi dicunt malevoli homines
he is stiled Servant to Queen Elizabeth Councellor to King James and Friend to Sr. Philip Sidney Dying Anno 16 without Issue and unmarried Those who would read his Character more at large may have recourse to that excellent Author above-mentioned Henry BURKHEAD This Author liv'd in the Reign of K. Charles the Martyr being a Merchant in Bristol He writ a Play in the year 1645. called Cola's Furie or Lirenda's Misery a Tragedy dedicated to the Right Honourable Edward Somerset Lord Herbert The Subject of this Play is the Irish Rebellion which broke out the twenty-third day of October 1641. 'T is couch'd under feign'd Names as Osirus for the late Duke of Ormond Berosus for Sr. John Borlace c. the other Characters are easily discovered by reading Sr. John Temple's History of the Irish Rebellion printed Lond. 1646. and Sr. John Borlace his History on the same Subject Folio Lond. 16 This Play was never acted but introduc'd into the world by two Recommendatory Copies of Verses written by his Friends both which may seem to the Reader to be too partial in their Judgments as may be judg'd by the following Lines which are part of a Copy writ by Mr. Paul Aylward What tho' of Terence Seneca we hear And other modern Scenicks in our Sphere You I prefer Johnson for all his Wit Could never paint out Times as you have hit The Manners of our Age The Fame declines Of ne're enough prais'd Shakespear if thy lines Come to be publisht Beaum Fletcher's skill Submits to yours and your more learned Quill Henry BURNEL Esq This Gentleman liv'd in Ireland in the Reign of King Charles the First He writ a Play called Landgartha a Tragi-Comedy presented in the New Theatre in Dublin with good applause being an ancient Story printed in quarto Dublin 1641. and dedicated To all Fair indifferent Fair Virtuous that are not Fair and magnanimous Ladies This Play is usher'd into the world with Four Copies of Verses three Latine and one English but being guilty of the same partiality with the former I shall omit to insert any The Play it self was first acted on St. Patrick's-day 1639. with allowance of the Master of the Revels The Author it seems miscarried in a former Play and therefore in imitation of Ben Johnson whom he stiles The Best of English Poets he has introduc'd his Play by a Prologue spoken by an Amazon with a Battle-Ax in her Hand which succeeded to the Author's satisfaction The Plot is founded on the Conquest of Fro which the Author calls Frollo King of Suevia or Suethland by Regner or as the Author calls him Reyner King of Denmark with the Repudiation of Landgertha Queen to Regner See Krantzius lib. 4. c. 6. Saxo Grammaticus lib. 9. Jo. Magnus lib. 17. c. 4 5. c. C. Lady Elizabeth CAREW A Lady that flourisht in the Reign of Qu Elizabeth of whom I am able to give no other Account than what I collect from the Title-page of a Play call'd Mariam the Fair Queen of Jewry her Tragedy written says the Publisher by that Learned Virtuous and truly Noble Lady Elizabeth Carew and printed in quarto Lond. 1613. The Play is writ in the same measure of Verse with the Tragedies of the Earl of Sterline viz. in Alternate Verse and the Chorus is writ in Settines or a Stanza of Six Lines four interwoven and a Couplet in Base For the Play itself it is very well Pen'd considering those Times and the Lady's Sex I leave it to the Readers to compare it with that modern Tragedy of Herod and Mariamne Her Story is written at large in Josephus his History of the Jews See lib. 14 and 15. Salian Tom. 6. A.M. 4012. c. Torniel Tom. 2. A. M. 4026. Thomas CAREW A Courtier much in Favour with K. Charles the First being One of the Gentlemen of the Privy-Chamber and Sewer in Ordinary He was the Author of a Masque call'd Coelum Britanicum which was performed at White-hall in the Banqueting-house on Shrove-Tuesday Night the Eighteenth of February 1633. by the King's Majesty the Duke of Lenox the Earls of Devonshire Holland Newport c. with several other Lords and Noblemen's Sons He was assisted in the contrivance by Mr. Inigo Jones that Famous Architect and all the Songs were set by Mr. Henry Lawes Gentleman of the King's Chappel and one of the private Musick to King Charles the First It being written by the King 's express Command our Author placed this Distick in the Front when printed Non habet Ingenium Caesar sed jussit habebo Cur me posse negem posse quod ille putat He writ besides several Poems Songs and Sonnets which are received with good Esteem by the Wits of this Age and are printed with the foregoing Masque These Poems have been several times Reprinted the Fourth Edition being printed in octavo Lond. 1670. This Masque is not mentioned by either Mr. Philips or Mr. Winstanley because it was formerly through a mistake ascrib'd to Sr. William Davenant Sr. John Suckling that gay Wit who delighted to Railly the best Poets and spar'd not Ben Johnson himself has thus play'd upon our Author in his Sessions of Poets Tom Carew was next but he had a Fault That would not well stand with a Laureat His Muse was hide-bound the issue of 's brain Was seldome brought forth but with trouble and pain All that were there present did agree That a Laureat Muse should be easy and free Yet sure 't was not that but 't was thought that His Grace Consider'd he was well he had a Cup-bearer's Place But this is not to be taken for the real Judgment of that Excellent Poet and he was too good a Judge of Wit to be ignorant of Mr. Carew's Worth and his Talent in Poetry and had he pleas'd he could have said as much in his Commendation as Sr William D'Avenant in those Stanzas writ to him with part of which we shall conclude Not but thy Verses are as smooth and high As Glory Love and Wine from Wit can raise But now the Devil take such Destiny What should commend them turns to their dispraise Thy Wits chief Virtue is become its Vice For every Beauty thou hast rais'd so high That now course Faces carry such a Price As must undo a Lover that would buy Lodowick CARLELL Esq This Gentleman flourisht in the Reigns of King Charles the First and Second He was an Ancient Courtier being Gentleman of the Bows to King Charles the First Groom of the King and Queen's Privy-chamber and served the Queen-Mother many years His Plays which are Eight in number were well esteem'd of and most of them appeared on the Stage at the Private-house in Black-friars notwithstanding the prohibition of the Stage in those days The Names follow Arviragus and Philicia a Tragi-Comedy in two parts acted at the Private-house in Black Friars by his Majesties Servants and printed in octavo Lond. 1639. This Play was
by Mr. Tate and acted at the Theatre in Dorset-Garden 1685. Mr. Philips and Mr. Winstanley have committed mistakes in this Author having omitted the Tragedy of Ovid and plac'd two anonymous Plays to him which I dare be confident are none of his viz. Thersites and Tyranical Government All his Poems being collected and publisht together in octavo Lond. 1669 by Mr. Kirkman who knew Plays far better than either of these Authors Having given you this Account of his Plays I am next to speak of his other Poems and Pieces but since the Author has reckon'd them up in Verse in an Epigram directed to his Honoured Friend Major William Warner I shall transcribe his own Lines which may inform the Reader of his Stile as well as his Poems Plays Eclogues Songs a Satyr I have writ A Remedy for those i' th amorous Fit Love Elegies and Funeral Elegies Letters of things of divers Qualities Encomiastick Lines to Works of some A Masque and an Epithalamium Two Books of Epigrams All which I mean Shall in this Volume come upon the Scene Some Divine Poems which when first I came To Cambridge I writ there I need not name Of Dianea neither my Translation Omitted here as of another Fashion For Heavens sake name no more you say I cloy you I do obey you Therefore Friend God b'wy you Edward COOK Esq A Gentleman of whom I can give no other account than that he has publisht a Play call'd Love's Triumph or The Royal Union a Tragedy in Heroick Verse never acted but printed in quarto Lond. 1678. and dedicated to her Highness the Most Illustrious MARY Princess of Orange This Play is founded on Cassandra a fam'd Romance as you will find by reading Part 5th Book 4th to the End John COOK The Author of a Play call'd Green's Tu Quoque a Comedy printed in quarto Lond. I cannot tell the Date or the Place where 't was first acted the Title-page of my Copy being lost tho' I suppose at the Red-Bull by a Passage in the Play but I can inform the Reader that it is commended by Thomas Heywood who purposely writ an Epistle to gratulate as he says the Love and Memory of his Worthy Friend the Author and his intirely beloved Friend the Actor He says further That it past the Test of the Stage with general Applause And I have seen it acted since the King's Return at the Play-house as I think in little Lincolns-Inn-Fields with good success tho' the printed Copy be not divided into Acts. The Plot of Spend-all's gaining the Widow Raysby has a near resemblance with that of Will. Small shanks and Widow Taffety tho' I think the Design is better wrought up in this Play because the Widow by a Counter-plot frees her self from Spend-all and after having made a Tryal of the Sincerity of his Love consents of her own accord to Marry him This Play had its Title given it by the Author in respect of the admirable Comedian Thomas Green who acted the part of Bubble whose universal Repartee to all Complement is Tu Quoque Mr. Heywood gives him this Character That there was not an Actor of his Nature in his Time of better ability in performance of what he undertook more applauded by the Audience of greater Grace at the Court or of more general Love in the City At the Entrance of this Play is a Distick which Mr. Winstanley applies to Mr. Robert Green of whom I shall give an account in his proper place tho' had he put on his Spectacles he would have found it printed thus Upon the Death of Thomas Green How fast bleak Autumn changeth Flora's dye What yesterday was Green now 's sear and dry W. R. John COREY A Gentleman who is pleas'd to stile himself the Author of a Play call'd The Generous Enemies or The Ridiculous Lovers a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by his Majesties Servants and printed in quarto Lond. 1672. Tho'he has so little share in it that we may justly say of him as Appolodorus the Athenian said of the Books of Chrysippus If a Man should extract the things which he hath borrow'd from others the Paper would be left blank To prove this I am to acquaint the Reader that this Play like a Botcher's Cushion is made out of several Pieces he having stollen from Four Eminent Poets Fletcher and Randolph Th. Corneille and Quinault The chief Design of the Play that of the Generous Enemies is borrow'd from Quinault's La Genereuse Ingratitude as will be evident to those who will compare the Characters of Don Alvarez and Signior Flaminio with those of the French Zegry and Abencerage Semena in Disguise under the Name of Lisander with Zelinda under the Name of Ormin c. For the Ridiculous Lovers 't is chiefly borrow'd from a Comedy of Th. Corneille's call'd D. Bertran de Cigarral which Play is founded on a Spanish Comedy written by D. Francisco de Roxas and stiled Entre bobos anda el juego The Quarrel between Bertran and Robatzy in the fifth Act is stollen verbatim from Love's Pilgrimage Act 2. Sc. 1. and Act 3. Sc. 3. The testy Humour of Bertran to his Servants in the third Act is part of it taken from the Muses Looking-glass Act 2. Sc. 1. Act 3. Sc. 3. and 4. Charles COTTON Esq An Ingenious Gentleman lately as I am inform'd Deceas'd who sometimes dwelt at Beresford in the County of Stafford He was an excellent Lyrick Poet but particularly famous for Burlesque Verse but mention'd here on account of a Translation of his call'd Horace a French Tragedy of Monsieur Corneille printed in quarto Lond. 1671. and dedicated to his Dear Sister Mrs. Stanhope Hutchinson This Play was first finished in 1665. But neither at that time nor of sevaral years after was it intended for the publick view it being writ for the private divertisement of a fair young Lady and ever since it had the honor first to kiss her Hands so intirely hers that the Author did not reserve so much as the Broüillon to himself However she being prevail'd upon tho' with some difficulty to give her consent it was printed in Octo. 1670. I shall not extol or particularise the Excellencies of this Play in the Original 't is sufficient to tell you that the French Author thought it might pass for the best of his Productions if the three last Acts had been equal to the two First and this he says was the general Opinion as you may read in the beginning of his Examen of this Play As to the Performance of this our Countryman notwithstanding his Modesty and Generosity in giving the preference to Madam Phillips her Translation I think it no ways inferior to it at least I dare aver that it far transcends that Version publisht by Sr. William Lower The Plot of this Play as far as it is founded on History may be read in several Authors See Livy lib. 1. Florus lib. 1. c.
dixisset Dr. Charles DAVENANT This Gentleman as I suppose is now living being Son of the above-mention'd Sr. William Davenant and Dr. of Laws He has as I have been inform'd a share in the present Theatre in right of his Father and is jointly impower'd with the Master of the Revels to inspect the Plays design'd for the Stage that no Immoralities may be presented This Gentleman has writ a Play call'd Circe a Tragedy acted at his Royal Highness the Duke of York's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1677. The Prologue was writ by Mr. Dryden and the Epilogue by the late Earl of Rochester This Play I have seen acted with good applause The Plot is founded on Poetical History See Ovid's Metamorph. lib. 14. See besides Boccace Phil Bergomensis Nat. Comes c. The Scenes and Machines may give it a Title to that Species of Dramatick Poetry call'd an Opera Robert DAVENPORT The Author of Two Plays in the Reign of King Charles the Martyr tho' not publisht till the Reign of King Charles the Second viz. City Night-Cap or Crede quod habes habes a Tragi-Comedy acted with great applause by her Majesties Servants at the Phoenix in Drury Lane printed in quarto Lond. 1661. The Plot of Lorenzo Philippo and Abstemia is borrow'd from the Novel of the Curious Impertinent in the Romance of Don Quixot Part 4. Ch. 6 7 8. and that of Lodovico Francisco and Dorothea from Boccace's Novels Day 7. Novel 7. on which likewise part of Mr. Ravenscroft's London Cuckolds is built King John and Matilda a Tragedy acted with great applause by her Majesties Servants at the Cock-pit in Drury-lane printed in quarto Lond. 1655. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Mountague Bertie Earl of Lindsey by the Publisher Andrew Pennycuicke who acted the part of Matilda Women in those times not having appear'd on the Stage For the Plot read the English Chronicles that have given an account of the Reign of King John as Mathew Paris Polydore Vergil Hollingshead Grafton Danyel Martin Stow Speed Baker Churchil c. Robert DABORN alias DAUBORNE This Gentleman liv'd in the Reign of King James the First and was a Master of Arts tho' of which University I am uncertain He writ Two Plays viz. Christian turn'd Turk or The Tragical Lives and Deaths of the two Famous Pirates Ward and Dansiker a Tragedy printed in quarto Lond. 1612. For the Story I refer you to a Piece call'd Barker's Overthrow of Captain Ward and Dansiker two Pirates printed in quarto Lond. 1609. from which Narrative I suppose our Author borrow'd the Story Poor Man's Comfort a Tragi-Comedy divers times acted at the Cock-pit in Drury-lane with great applause and printed in 4 o Lond. 1665. Tho' this Author in his Epistle to his Christian turn'd Turk speaks of his former Labours It has not been my fortune to have seen any of them There is a Sermon written by One Robert Daborn on Zach. 11. 7. printed in octavo Lond. 1618. whether this were the same with our Author I know not but 't is probable it might be and that he was a Divine by this Distick which I find in an old Copy on the Time Poets Dawbourn I had forgot and let it be He dy'd Amphibion by the Ministry John DAY This Author liv'd in the Reign of King James the First and was sometime Student of Cains-Colleage in Cambridge He has written Six Plays if his Parliament of Bees may pass under that Species as the Authors of all former Catalogues have plac'd it Blind Beggar of Bednal-Green with the merry Humour of Tom Stroud the Norfolk Yeoman divers times publickly acted by the Princes Servants printed in quarto London 1659. For the Plot as far as it concerns History consult the Writers on the Reign of King Henry the Sixth as Fabian Caxton Du Chesne Pol. Vergil Grafton Stow Speed c. Humour out of Breath a Comedy said to be writ by our Author but which I never saw and therefore can say nothing of it Isle of Gulls a Comedy often acted in the Black Fryars by the Children of the Revels printed in 4 o Lond. 1633. This is a good Play and is founded on the incomparable Sr. Philip Sidney's Arcadia A Romance of that esteem that besides the frequent Editions of it in English I have seen it translated for the use of Forreigners both in the French and Dutch Tongues Law Tricks or Who would have thought it a Comedy divers times acted by the Children of the Revels and printed in quarto Lond. 1608. Parliament of Bees with their proper Characters or A Bee-hive furnisht with Twelve Honey-combs as pleasant as profitable being an allegorical description of the Actions of good and bad men in these our days printed in quarto Lond. 1641. and dedicated to the Worthy Gentleman Mr. George Butler Professor of the Arts Liberal and true Patron of neglected Poesy Travels of the Three English Brothers Sr. Thomas Sr. Anthony and Mr. Robert Shirley a History play'd by her Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1607. and dedicated to Honors Favourites and the intire Friends of the Family of the Shirleys In the Composure of this Play our Author was assisted by Mr. William Rowley and Mr. George Wilkins The foundation of it may be read in several English Writers and Chronicles particularly I have seen it in Dr. Fuller's Worthies in his Description of Sussex Where the Author speaking of the subject of this Comedy says thus As to the Performances of these Three Brethren I know the Affidavit of a Poet carries but a small credit in the Court of History and the Comedy made of them is but a Friendly Foe to their Memory as suspected more accommodated to please the present Spectators than to inform Posterity However as the belief of Mitio when an Inventory of his adopted Sons Misdemeanors was brought to him embrac'd a middle and moderate way nec omnia credere nec nihil neither to believe all things nor nothing of what was told him so in the List of their Atchievements we may safely pitch on the same Proportion and when abatement is made for Poetical Embelishments the remainder will speak them worthy in their Generations When our Author Died I know not but I have read an Elegy written on him by his Friend Mr. Tateham which begins thus Don Phoebus now hath lost his Light And left his Rule unto the Night And Cynthia she hath overcome The day and darkned the Sun Whereby we now have lost our hope Of gaining Day in 's Horoscope c. At this jingling rate he runs on the end much after the rate of a Gentleman of Lincolns Inn who writ a more ingenious Poem upon the Transactions between a Landlord and his Tenant Day who privately departed from him by Night printed in a single Sheet Lond. 1684. To shew the Parallel give me leave to transcribe the first six Lines by which the Reader may guess at the Rest. Here Night and Day
the worst of Times but afterwards I suppose the Authors Preface to which I refer the Reader dispell'd all those Clouds rais'd by the Faction and I have seen it acted with universal Applause and I believe generally speaking all unbyass'd Judges that have read or seen it acted will give it the Approbation of an excellent Comedy and for those who are unsatisfied concerning his Fidelity to his King I must refer them to that admirable Defence writ by the Reverend Bishop of Rochester in behalf of this excellent Man it being too copious to be inserted here Love's Riddle a Pastoral Comedy written at his time of being King's Scholar in Westminster School printed first with his Poetical Blossoms in quarto Lond. 1633. but since printed in the Second Volume of his Works in Fol. Lond. 1681. and dedicated by a Copy of Verses to the truly Worthy and Noble Sr. Kenelm Digby If this Play be consider'd according to the Authors years at that time 't will certainly be allow'd standard or at least needs no other Apology then what the Author makes for it in his Dedication to his Patron Take it as early Fruits which rare appear Though not half ripe but worst of all the year And if it please your Taste my Muse will say The Birch which crown'd her then it s grown a Bay It might be expected that I should give some Account either of the Plots of these Plays or whence he has borrow'd but let those that think so be satisfied from the Famous Denham's Character That he is noâ— an Author of that Stamp I hope it will not be thought Foreign to my purpose to transcribe part of that Copy which he writ on this Admirable Poets Death and Burial amongst the Ancient Poets The whole Copy deserves to be engraved in Brass but I shall here transcribe only what is to our purpose Old Mother Wit and Nature gave Shakespear and Fletcher all they have In Spencer and in Johnson Art Of slower Nature got the start But both in him so equal are None knows which bears the happy'st share To him no Author was unknown Yet what he wrote was all his own He melted not the ancient Gold Nor with Ben Johnson did make bold To plunder all the Roman Stores Of Poets and of Orators Horace his Wit and Virgil's State He did not steal but emulate And when he would like them appear Their Garb but not their Cloaths did weas As to his other Works in English they consist both of Verse and Prose amongst which are his Love Verses call'd The Mistress which were first printed in octavo Lond. 1647. from a Correct Copy written by the Author himself and since they are printed in Folio with several of his other Pieces These Poems are highly applauded by the generality of judicious Men and notwithstanding the nice scruples of some it is an undeniable Truth which the knowing Writer of his Life lays down That never yet so much was written on a Subject so Delicate that can less offend the severest rules of Morality I dare not persume to give a particular Character of his Works therefore I shall refer them to the large Account of his Life written by the exact and ingenious Author above-mentioned or to the Readers own judgment They consist of Miscellanies Anacreontiques and Pindariques or some Copies of Verses translated Paraphrastically out of Anacreon and Pindar on the later he has writ Notes as replete with Learning as his Odes with Wit and Fancy and which most admirably explain the most difficult and abstruse Passages Besides these he has publisht an Epique Poem call'd Davideis a Sacred Poem of the Troubles of David in Four Books tho' design'd by the Author to be continu'd and extended to Twelve not for the Tribes sake but in imitation of Virgil. As it is a great grief to the Lovers of Poetry that he liv'd not to finish the Work so 't is the Opinion of an eminent Critick That as it may be lamented that he carried not on the Work so far as he design'd so it might he wisht that he had liv'd to Revise what he did leave us I think the Troubles of David is neither Title nor Matter proper for an Heroick Poem seeing it is rather the Actions than his Sufferings that make an Heroe nor can it be defended by Homer's Odysseis since Ulysses's Sufferings conclude with one great and perfect Action Yet notwithstanding this judicious Author allows That in the Davideis Fragment and imperfect as it is there shines something of a more fine more free more new and more noble air than appears in the Hierusalem of Tasso which for all his care is scarce perfectly purg'd from Pedantry And after all says That in the Lyrick way however Cowley far exceeds him and all the rest of the Italians Tho' Jacobus Philippus Tomasinus Laur. Crasso and other great Men give Tasso an extraordinary Character But to return to our Author whatever faults Mr. Cowley may have committed in the Oeconomy of his Poem as Mr. Rymer reckons up others if it be consider'd That he writ the greatest part of it as the Author of his Life observes whilst he was a young Student in Trinity College in Cambridge and withal reflect on the vastness of the Argument and his manner of Handling it he may seem like one of the Miracles he there adorns like a Boy attempting Goliah The rest of his Verses are written on several Occasions and for what remains unspoken of in his Second Volume they are Verses which he made when he was a King's Scholar and to which he gave the Title of Sylva As to his Pieces in English Prose they are Discourses by way of Essays upon grave and serious Subjects where he gives the truest and best Character of himself and his thoughts during his Retirement These with several others which he design'd to add he intended had not Death prevented him to have dedicated to his old Patron the Earl of St. Albans As a Testimony of his entire Respects to him and a kind of Apology for having left humane Affairs in the strength of his Age while he might still have been serviceable to his Country But not withstanding his Death his intentions are made good by his worthy Friend the careful Overseer to his Writings who has paid in this Legacy according to the will and intention of the deceased Testator His Latine Works contain the two former Books of his Davideis a Latine Comedy call'd Naufragium Joculare which was acted before the University of Cambridge by the Members of Trinity Colledge the second day of February 1638. and his Poemata Latina printed in octavo 1668. consisting of Six Books of Plants and One of Miscellanies of whose several Character you will find an account in his Life where you may likewise find a description of his Temper Conversation c. which would swell this Volume beyond its design'd Bulk to relate All that I shall acquaint you
Edmonton of which see an Account in Rowly and with Decker in The Sun's Darling but writ likewise himself seven Plays most of which were acted at the Phoenix and the Black-Friars and may be known by an Anagram instead of his Name generally printed in the Title-page viz. FIDE HONOR He was more addicted to Tragedy than Comedy which occasion'd an Old Poet to write thus of him Deep in a Dump John Ford was alone got With folded Arms and melancholy Hat I shall give an Account of his Plays Alphabetically and place The Sun's Darling in its order because the greatest part of it was writ by our Author Broken Heart a Tragedy acted by the Kings Majesties Servants at the private House in Black-Fryars printed 4 o Lond. 1633. and dedicated to the most Worthy Deserver of the Noblest Titles in Honour William Lord Craven Baron of Hamstead Marshal The Speakers Names are fitted to their Qualities and most of them are deriv'd from Greek Etimologies Fancies Chast and Noble a Tragi-comedy presented by the Queen Majesties Servants at the Phoenix in Drury Lane printed 4 o Lond. 1638. and dedicated to the Right Noble Lord the Lord Randell Macdonell Earl of Antrim in the Kingdom of Ireland This Play is usher'd into the World by a Copy of Verses written by Mr. Edward Greenfield Ladies Tryal a Tragi-comedy acted by both their Majesties Servants at the private House in Drury Lane printed 4 o Lond. 1639. and dedicated to his Deservingly Honoured John Wyrley Esq and to the Virtuous and Right worthy Gentlewoman Mrs. Mary Wyrley his Wife Lovers Melancholy a Tragi-comedy acted at the private House in the Black-Fryars and publickly at the Globe by the Kings Majesties Servants printed 4 o Lond. 1629. and dedicated to his most worthily Respected Friends Nathaniel Finch John Ford Esquires Mr. Henry Blunt Mr. Robert Ellice and all the rest of the Noble Society of Grays-Inn This Play is commended by four of the Author's Friends one of which who stiles himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 writ the following Tetrastick 'T is not the Language nor the fore-plac'd Rimes Of Friends that shall commend to after-times The Lovers Malancholy It s own Worth Without a borrow'd Praise shall set it forth The Author has Embellisht this Play with several Fancies from other Writers which he has appositely brought in as the Story of the Contention between the Musician and the Nightingale describ'd in Strada's Academical Prolusions Lib. 2. Prol. 6 which begins Jam Sol è medio pronus defluxerat Orbe c. A Definition and Description of Melancholy copied from the Ingenious Mr. Rob. Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy c. Love's Sacrifice a Tragedy receiv'd generally well acted by the Queens Majesties Servants at the Phoenix in Drury Lane printed 4 o Lond. 1633. and dedicated to his truest Friend his worthiest Kinsman John Ford of Gray's Inn Esquire There is a Copy of Verses printed before this Play written by that Dramatick Writer Mr. James Shirley Perkin Warbeck a Chronicle History and a Strange Truth acted sometimes by the Queens Majesties Servants in Drury Lane printed 4 o Lond. 1634. and dedicated to the Rightly Honourable William Cavendish Earl of Newcastle This Play as several of the former is attended with Verses written by Four of the Author's Friends one of which is his Kinsman above-mentioned The Plot is founded on Truth and may be read in most of the Chronicles that have writ of the Reign of King Henry the VII See Caxton Polidore Virgil Hollingshead Speed Stow Salmonet Du Chesne Martyn Baker Gaynsford's History of Perkin Warbeck c. Sun's Darling a Moral Mask often presented by their Majesties Servants at the Cock-pit in Drury Lane with great applause printed 4 o Lond. 1657. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Thomas Wriathesley Earl of Southampton This Play was written as I have said by our Author and Decker but not publisht till after their Decease A Copy of Verses written by Mr. John Tateham is the Introduction to the Masque at the Entry whereof the Reader will find an Explanation of the Design alluding to the Four Seasons of the Year 'T is pity she 's a whore a Tragedy printed 4 o I can give no further Account of the Title-page or Dedication mine being lost All that I can say is that it equalls any of our Author's Plays and were to be commended did not the Author paint the incestuous Love between Giovanni and his Sister Annabella in too beautiful Colours Mr. Winstanly says that this Author was very beneficial to the Red-Bull and Fortune Play-Houses as may appear by the Plays which he wrote tho' the Reader may see by the fore-going Account that he takes his Information upon trust or else the Plays he has seen are of different Editions from those I have by me but I rather believe the former since I have found him subject to several Mistakes of this Nature Thomas FORD An Author who liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the First who publisht a Dramatick Poem call'd Love's Labyrinth or The Royal Shepherdess a Tragi-comedy printed 8 o Lond. 1660. This Play is commended by two Copies of Verses but whether ever it appear'd on any Stage I cannot determine only this I know that part of this Play is stollen from Gomersal's Tragedy of Sforza Duke of Millain Mr. Philips thro' mistake ascribes this Play to the above-mention'd Mr. John Ford. This Author has writ several other Pieces Virtus Rediviva a Panegyrick on King Charles the Martyr A Theatre of Wits being a Collection of Apothegms Fenestra in Pectore or a Century of Familiar Letters Fragmenta Poetica or Poetical Diversions A Panegyrick on the Return of King Charles the Second All these Pieces with the fore-going Play are printed together in 8 o Lond. 1661. John FOUNTAIN A Gentleman who flourish'd in Devonshire at the time of his Majesty King Charles the Second his Return and was the Author of a single Play nam'd Reward of Virtue a Comedy printed in 4o. Lond. 1661. This Play was not design'd for the Stage by the Author but about eight Years after the first printing Mr. Fountain being dead it was reviv'd with Alterations by Mr. Shadwell and acted with good Applause under the Title of The Royal Shepherdess Abraham FRAUNCE An Ancient Writer who liv'd in the time of Queen Elizabeth and was the Author of a Book called The Countess of Pembroke's Ivy Church which Title in former Catalogues was set down as the Name of a Play in 2 Parts tho' in reality there is but one Dramatick Piece call'd Amintas's Pastoral being the first part of the Book printed 4 o Lond. 1591. and dedicated to the Right Excellent and most Honourable Lady the Lady Mary Countess of Pembroke This Play is writ in English Hexameters and is a Translation from Tasso's Aminta which was done into Latin by one Mr. Watson before this Version was undertaken by our Author He owns that he has somewhat alter'd Sigr. Tasso's Italian
Worthy Ancients which by any of my Country-men are Naturaliz'd I shall give some Account of them and their Writings as opportunity shall offer it self and therefore I crave leave to lay hold of this to speak a word or Two of Euripides This Poet was stil'd the Tragick Philosopher and was born at Phyla a Town in Attica in the 75 Olympiade and in the 274 Year after the Building of Rome Prodius taught him Rhetorick after which he made a Voyage to AEgypt with Plato to visit the Learned Men there and to improve himself by their Conversation He was also a Friend of Socrates and some have believed that this Philosopher assisted him in the Composition of his Tragedies He went from Athens dissatisfied with the People for preferring the Comick Writers before him and retir'd to the Court of Archelaus King of Macedonia about the year of Rome 338. This Prince confer'd many Favours on him and had a great value for him It happen'd at that time that a certain person nam'd Decamnion having raillied him about his Breath which was not over agreeable Archelaus sent him to Euripides to be punisht at his pleasure This so exasperated Decamnion both against the King and the Poet that for the sake of Revenge he join'd with other Conspirators in the Assassination of the Former and set Dogs upon the later which soon devour'd the Object of his Hatred Some say that this Misfortune proceeded from the Brutality of those irrational Creatures by accident and not design Others again relate that he receiv'd his Death from some inhumane Women against whom he had somewhat too bitterly inveigh'd I remember a pleasant Story in Ford's Apothegms that Sophocles being once ask'd the Reason why in his Tragedies he always represented Women Good and Euripides Wicked answer'd That Euripides describ'd them as they were he as they ought to be But Digression apart the time of his Death no more than the manner of it is agreed upon Some say he Dy'd about the 65 year of his Age in the 93 Olympiade and in the Year of Rome 348. being 406 years before the Incarnation of our Saviour Others say that he Dy'd not till the Year of Rome 351. The Ancients mention Ninety odd Tragedies writ by him of which at present we enjoy but Nineteen Supposes a Comedy Englisht from the Italian of Ariosto a famous Poet a Ferarese and Favuorite of Alphonsus the First Duke of Ferrara and of the Cardinal Hippolito d' Este his Brother He Dy'd the 13 of July in the Year 1533. I purposely decline to give a larger Account of his Life because it would swell my Book too much and the English Reader may satisfy his Curiosity by perusing his Life at the End of Sr. John Harrington's Translation of Orlando Furioso Those Vers'd in Italian may read his Life writ by Gierolamo Poro of Padoua Gierolamo Guarafola of Ferrara Simon Fornari of Rheggio c. This Play was presented at Gray's Inn and printed in quarto Lond. 1566. The Prologue as well as the Play is writ in prose This Prologue I suppose gave the Grounds for that writ by Mr. Duffet to the Play call'd Trappolin suppos'd a Prince as that did to the Epilogue of The Duke and No Duke Pleasure at Kenelworth Castle a Masque as Mr. Kirkman informs us in his Catalogue which I never saw Our Author has written several Poems of a Different Species which he calls Herbs and which with his Plays make a considerable Vollume and are printed together in quarto Lond. 1587. Henry GLAPTHORN An Author that liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the First who publisht several Plays which I presume in those days past with good Approbation at the Globe and Cock-pit Play-houses tho' I cannot agree with Mr. Winstanley That he was One of the chiefest Dramatick Poets of this Age. He writ Five Plays viz. Albertus Wallenstein Duke of Fridland and General to the Emperor Ferdinand the Second his Tragedy acted with good Allowance at the Globe on the Bank-side by His Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the Great Example of Virtue and true Mecaenas's of Liberal Arts Mr. William Murrey of His Majesties Bed-chamber For the Plot see the Historians who have writ on the last German Wars in the Reign of Ferdinand the Second See besides M. Sarasins Walstein's Conspiracy translated into English 8 o Lond. 1678. Spondanus's Continuation of Baronius Fierzen L'Hist de Liege c. Argalus and Parthenia a Tragi-comedy acted at the Court before their Majesties and at the Private-house in Drury-lane by their Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1639. The Plot of this Play is founded on Sr. Philip Sidney's Arcadia a Romance in the Story of Argalus and Parthenia see pag. 16. c. Mr. Quarles has writ a pretty Poem on the same Foundation Hollander a Comedy written in the Year 1635. and then acted at the Cock-pit in Drury-lane by their Majesties Servants with good Allowance and at the Court before Both their Majesties printed in quarto Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the great Hope of growing Nobleness his Honourable Friend Sir Thomas Fisher. Lady's Priviledge a Comedy acted with good Allowance at the Cock-pit in Drury Lane and before Their Majesties at White-hall twice printed 4o. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the true Example of Heroick Virtue and Favourer of Arts Sir Frederick Cornwallis Wit in a Constable a Comedy writ in the Year 1639. and then acted at the Cock-pit in Drury Lane by Their Majesties Servants with good Allowance printed 4o. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the Right Honourable his singular good Lord Thomas Lord Wentworth Besides these Plays he has a Book of Poems extant in which are several Copies directed to his Mistress under the Name of Lucinda printed 4 o Lond. 1639. Thomas GOFF. A Gentleman that flourisht in the Reign of King James the First He was born in Essex towards the latter end of Queen Elizabeth's Reign about the Year 1592. In his Youth he was sent to Westminster-School and at the Age of Eighteen he was brought in Student of Christ-Church Colledge in Oxford Being an Industrious Scholar he arrived to be a good Poet a skilful Oratour and an Excellent Preacher In the Year 1623. he proceeded Batchelour of Divinity and was preferr'd to a Living in Surrey call'd East-Clandon there he got him a Wife which prov'd as great a plague to him as a Shrew could be and became a true Xantippe to our Ecclesiastical Socrates insomuch that she gave him daily opportunities of exercising his Patience and t is believ'd by some that this Domestick-scourge shortned his days He was buried at his own Parish-Church at Clandon the 27. of July 1627. He writ several Pieces on several Subjects amongst which are reckon'd five Plays viz. Careless Shepherdess a Tragi-comedy acted before the King and Queen at Salisbury-Court with great applause printed 4 o Lond. 1656. with an Alphabetical Catalogue of all such Plays that ever were
Account of the Plays our Author has written but crave his leave to begin first with those which are usually stiled The Ages because they are generally sold together and depend upon each other and on another score they deserve the Preference as being accounted by most the Flower of all his Plays I shall rank them in the same manner as Ovid has describ'd them in his Divine Work the Metamorphosis Golden Age or The Lives of Jupiter and Saturn with the Deifying of the Heathen Gods a History sundry times acted at the Red-Bull by the Queens Majesties Servants and printed 4 o Lond. 1611. This Play the Author stiles The Eldest Brother of three Ages that have adventur'd the Stage but the only yet that hath been judg'd to the Press The Author in this Play and the Two following introduces Homer as the Expositor of each Dumb shew in imitation as I suppose of Shakespear's practice in Pericles Prince of Tyre where Gower is suppos'd to do the same piece of Service to the Audience I shall leave it to the Learned Readers Judgment how far our Poet has follow'd the Writers of Poetical History whilst I refer my English Readers to Ross's Mistagogus Poeticus and to Galtruchius's Poetical History for satisfaction or if they please to the Historical Dictionaries of Gouldman Littleton c. Silver Age a History including the Love of Jupiter to Alcmena the Birth of Hercules and the Rape of Proserpine concluding with the Arraignment of the Moon printed 4 o Lond. 1613. The Author in this Epistles acquaints the Reader That tho' He began with Gold follow with Silver proceed with Brass and purpose by God's Grace to end with Iron He hopes the declining Titles shall no whit blemish the Reputation of the Works but he rather trusts that as those Mettals decrease in value so è contrario their Books shall increase in substance weight and estimation Our Author in this Play has borrow'd several Passages from the Ancients as the Intrigue of Jupiter and Alcmena is translated from the Amphitruo of Plautus The Rape of Proserpine is borrow'd from Ovid's Metamorphosis lib. 3 with other places too many to repeat Brazen Age a History the First Act containing the Death of the Centaure Nessus the Second the Tragedy of Meleager the Third the Tragedy of Jason and Medea the Fourth Vulcan's Net the Fifth the Labours and Death of Hercules printed 4 o Lond. 1613. All these Stories are to be found in Ovid's Metamorphosis For the Story of Nessus see Lib. 9 Fab. 2 Of Meleager Lib. 8 Fab. 4 Of Jason Lib. 7 Fab. 1 Of Vulcan's Net Lib. 4 Fab. 5 Of Hercules Lib. 9 Fab. 3 Iron Age the first part an History containing the Rape of Hellen the Siege of Troy the Combat between Hector and Ajax Hector and Troilus slain by Achilles Achilles slain by Paris Ajax and Ulysses contend for the Armour of Achilles the Death of Ajax c. printed 4 o Lond. 1632. and dedicated to his Worthy and Much Respected Friend Mr. Thomas Hammond of Gray's Inn Esquire The Author in his Epistle acquaints the Reader That this Iron Age beginneth where the other left holding on in a plain and direct course from the second Rape of Hellen not only to the utter ruine and devastation of Troy but it with the second part stretcheth to the Deaths of Hellen and all those Kings of Greece who were the undertakers of that Ten years bloody and fatal Siege Lastly he desires the Reader to take notice That these were the Plays often and not with the least applause publickly acted by two Companies upon One Stage at once and have at sundry times thronged three several Theatres with numerous and mighty Auditories The Author has borrow'd in many places of this Play as the Reader may see by comparing the Contention between Ajax and Ulysses with Ovid's Metamorphosis Lib. 13 and other the like too numerous to particularise For the main Plot consult Homer Vigil Dares Phrigius c. for the Episodes Ovid's Epistles Metamorphosis Lucian's Dialogues c. Iron Age the second part a History containing the Death of Penthesilea Paris Priam and Hecuba The burning of Troy The Deaths of Agamemnon Menelaus Clitemnestra Hellena Orestes Egistus Pylades King Diomed Pyrbus Cethus Synon Thersites printed 4 o Lond. 1632. and dedicated to his Worthy and much Respected Friend Mr. Thomas Manwaring Esquire For the Plot consult the foremention'd Authors Mr. Heywood design'd a new Edition of all these Ages together And to illustrate as he says the whole Work with an Explanation of the difficulties and an Historical Comment upon every hard Name which might appear obscure and intricate to such as were not frequent in Poetry but design of his I know not for what reason was laid aside Having given the Reader a full if not too tedious Account of these Plays I hasten to speak of the rest in our accustom'd order as follows Challenge for Beauty a Tragi-comedy sundry times acted by the Kings Majesties Servants at the Black fryars and at the Globe on the Bank-side printed 4 o Lond. 1636. Dutchess of Suffolk her Life a History divers and sundry times acted with good Applause printed 4 o Lond. 1631. The PLot is built on History see the Story at large in Fox's Martyrology in the Reign of Queen Mary An. Dom. 1558. in the Story of Lady Katherine Dutchess of Suffolk See besides Clark's Martyrology Chap. 11. pag. 521. Edward the Fourth a History in Two Parts printed 4 o Lond. 16 The Foundation of this Play is built upon Chronicle See the Story of this King writ by Polydore Virgil Du Chesue Speed c. English Traveller a Tragi-comedy publickly acted at the Cock-pit in Drury-lane by her Majesties Servants prited 4 o Lond. 1633. and dedicated to the Right Worshipful Sir Henry Appleton Knight Baronet The Plot and Language of young Lyonel and Reginald is stoln from Plautus's Mostellaria The Story of old Wincote and his Wife Geraldine and Dalavil the Author affirms to be true in his History of Women where 't is related at large lib. 4. pag. 269. 8 o Edition Fair Maid of the Exchange a Comedy together with the merry Humours and pleasant Passages of the Cripple of Fanchurch furnisht with variety of delectable Mirth printed 4o. Lond. 1637. The Parts are so cast by the Author that tho' there are Twenty Actors Eleven may easily act this Comedy tho' in my opinion it is not worth reviving Nay further I question notwithstanding Mr. Kirkman has ascrib'd it to our Author whether it be his since his Name is not prefixt neither does the Stile or Oeconomy resemble the rest of his Labours Fair Maid of the West or A Girlworth Gold a Tragi-comedy the First Part lately acted before the King and Queen with approved liking by the Queens Majesties Comedians printed 4 o Lond. 1631. and dedicated to his much Worthy and his most Respected John Othow Esquire Counsellor at Law in the Noble Society of
this Play the Author has writ Annotations Pan's Anniversary or The Shepherd's Holy-day a Masque presented at Court before King James 1625. and printed fol. Lond. 1641. In the Decorations our Author was assisted by the above mention'd Mr. Jones Pleasure reconcil'd to Virtue a Masque presented at Court before King James 1619. to which were made some Additions for the Honour of Wales This in former Catalogues was mention'd as a Masque distinct from the other Poetaster or His Arraignment a Comical Satyr first acted in the Year 1601. by the then Children of his Majesties Chappel with the Allowance of the Master of the Revels printed fol. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the Vertuous and his Worthy Friend Mr. Richard Martin I have already spoken of this Play in the Account of Decker's Satyromastix and I must further add I heartily wish for our Author's Reputation that he had not been the Agressor in this Quarrel but being altogether ignorant of the Provocations given him I must suspend my Judgment and leave it to better Judges to determine the Controversy Our Author has adorn'd this Play with several Translations from the Ancients as Ovid. Amor. lib. 1. Eleg. 15. Horatii Sat. lib. 1. Sat. 9. lib. 2. Sat. 1. Virgilii AEneid lib. 4. with others Queen's Masques the first of Blackness personated at the Court at Whitehall on the Twelfth-Night 1605. the second of Beauty was presented in the same Court at Whitehall on the Sunday Night after the Twelfth-Night 1608. printed fol. Lond. 1640. Sad Shepherd or A Tale of Robin Hood a Pastoral printed fol. Lond. 1641. This Play is left imperfect there being but two Acts and part of the third finisht Sejanus's Fall a Tragedy first acted in the Year 1603. by the Kings Majesties Servants with the Allowance of the Master of the Revells printed fol. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the No less Noble by Virtue than Blood Esme Lord Aubigny This Play is generally commended by all Lovers of Poetry and usher'd into the World by nine Copys of Verses one of which was writ by Mr. George Chapman 'T is founded on History and the Author in a former Edition published 4o. Lond. 1605. has printed Quotations throughout the Reasons whereof take in his own Words being part of the Preface to that Edition The next is least in some nice Nostrils the Quotations might favour affected I do let you know That I abhor nothing more and have only done it to shew my Integrity in the Story and save my self in those common Torturers that bring all Wit to the Rack whose Noses are ever like Swine spoiling and rooting up the Muses Gardens and their whole Bodies like Moles as blindly working under Earth to cast any the least hills upon Vertue For the Story the Reader may consult Tacitus's Annals lib. 3 4 5. Suetonius in the Life of Tiberius Dion c. Silent Woman a Comedy first acted in the Year 1609. by the Children of her Majesties Revels with the Allowance of the Master of the Revels printed fol. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the truly Noble by all Titles Sir Francis Stuart Part of this Play is borrow'd from the Ancients as Act 1. Sc. 1. part from Ovid de Arte Amandi Act 2 Sc. 2. part from Juvenal Sat. 6. Act 2. Sc. 5. part from Plautus's Aulularia Act 3. Sc. 5. with other passages Notwithstanding which this Play is Accounted by all One of the best Comedies we have extant and those who would know more may be amply satisfied by the perusal of the judicious Examen of this Play made by Mr. Dryden Speeches at Prince Henry's Barriers printed fol. Lond. 1640. These Speeches being printed amongst his other Masques and always reckoned under that Species of Poetry by others in former Catalogues I could not omit their Mention in this place Staple of News a Comedy acted in the Year 1625. by his Majesties Servants and printed fol. Lond. 1631. The Author introduces four Gossips on the Stage who continue during the Action and criticise on the Play This was practised more than once witness Every man out of his Humor and Magnetick Lady and herein he was follow'd by Fletcher as I have already observ'd in His Knight of the Burning-pestle Tale of a Tub a Comedy printed fol. Lond. 1640. Time vindicated to himself and to his Honours a Masque presented at Court on Twelfth-Night 1623. and printed fol. Lond. 1641. Vission of Delight a Masque presented at Court in Christmas 1617. and printed fol. Lond. 1641. Vulpone or The Fox a Comedy first acted in the Year 1605. by the Kings Majesties Servants with the Allowance of the Master of the Revells printed fol. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to both Universities in the following form To the most Noble and most Equal Sisters the two Famous Universities for their Love and Acceptance shewn to his Poem in the Presentation Ben. Johnson the grateful Acknowledger dedicates both it and himself This Play is writ in Imitation of the Comedy of the Ancients and the Argument is form'd into an Acrostick like those of Plautus which are said to be writ by Priscian or some other Eminent Grammarian It is still in vogue at the Theatre in Dorset-Garden and its value is sufficiently manifested by the Verses of Mr. Beaumont and Dr. Donne All these Plays with several other Poems and Translations and an English Grammar are printed together in two Volumes in Folio He has three other Plays which are omitted in these Volumes tho' for what reason I know not two of which are printed in 4o. and the third in 8o. of which we are now to speak Case is alter'd a pleasant Comedy sundry times acted by the Children of the Black-fryars and printed 4o. Lond. 1609. In this Comedy our Author hath very much made use of Plautus as the Learned Reader may observe by comparing His Aulularia and Capteivei with this Comedy Widow a Comedy acted at the Private House in Black-fryars with great applause by his late Majesties Servants and printed 4o. Lond. 1652. This Play was writ by Mr. Johnson Mr. Fletcher and Mr. Middleton and first publisht by Mr. Alexander Gough a great lover of Plays who helpt Mr. Mosely the Bookseller to this and several other Dramatick Manuscripts as the Passionate Lovers 2. parts The Queen or The Excellency of her Sex c. It was reviv'd not many Years ago at the King's House with a new Prologue and Epilogue which the Reader may find in London Drollery p. 11 12. New-Inn or The Light Heart a Comedy never acted but most negligently play'd by some the Kings Servants and more squeamishly beheld and censured by others the Kings Subjects 1629. Now at last set at liberty to the Readers his Majesties Servants and Subjects to be judg'd printed 8o. Lond. 1631. The Reader may see by this Title-page that the Play succeeded not answerable to our Author's Expectation and the just Merit as he thought of his Play which may be conjectured from the Ode
his own diversion But upon the Importunity of Friends he was prevailed with to have it publisht but without Name because many do censure Plays according to their Opinions of the Author The Plot is founded on the History of Zeno the Twelfth Emperor of Constantinople after Constantine Several Authors have writ his Story as Marcellinus Cassiodorus Cedrenus Evagrius Zonoras Baronius c. John KIRKE A Writer in the Reign of King Charles the First of a Play call'd The Seven Champions of Christendome acted at the Cock-pit and at the Red Bull in St. John's Street with a general liking printed 4o. Lond. 1638. and dedicated to his much respected and worthy Friend Mr. John Waite This Play is written in a mixt stile and founded on that well known Book in prose which bears the same Title See besides Dr. Heylin's History of St. George Ralph KNEVET An Author that liv'd about the same time with the former He writ a Play call'd Rhodon and Iris a Pastoral presented at the Florists Feast in Norwich May the Third 1631. printed 4o. Lond. 1631. and dedicated to the Right Worshipful Mr. Nicholas Bacon of Gillingham Esquire This Pastoral is commended by Four Copies of Verses Thomas KYD. An Ancient Writer or rather Translator in the time of Queen Elizabeth who publisht a Play call'd Pompey the Great his Fair Cornelia's Tragedy effected by her Father and Husband 's Down-cast Death and Fortune printed 4o. Lond. 1595. and dedicated to the Virtuously Noble and rightly Honour'd Lady the Countess of Sussex This Play is translated from the French of Robert Garnier who in the Reigns of Charles the Ninth Henry the Third and Henry the Fourth was accounted an Excellent Poet tho' M. Rapin says His Tragedies with those of Rotrou Serre and others of that time are of a mean Character 'T is evident to any that have read his Tragedies which are Nine in Number that he propos'd Seneca for his Model and he was thought in those days to have happily succeeded in his Design This Translation is writ in blank Verse only here and there at the close of a Paragraph if I may so speak the Reader is presented with a Couplet The Chorus's are writ in several Measures of Verse and are very sententious L. John LACY A Comedian whose Abilities in Action were sufficiently known to all that frequented the King's Theatre where he was for many years an Actor and perform'd all Parts that he undertook to a miracle in so much that I am apt to believe that as this Age never had so the next never will have his Equal at least not his Superiour He was so well approv'd of by King Charles the Second an undeniable Judge in Dramatick Arts that he caus'd his Picture to be drawn in three several Figures in the same Table viz. That of Teague in the Committee Mr. Scruple in The Cheats and M. Galliard in The Variety which piece is still in being in Windsor-Castle Nor did his Talent wholly ly in Acting he knew both how to judge and write Plays and if his Comedies are somewhat allied to French Farce 't is out of choice rather than want of Ability to write true Comedy We have Three Plays extant under his Name viz. Dumb Lady or The Farriar made Physitian a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal printed 4o. Lond. 1672. and dedicated to the High-born and most Hopeful Prince Charles Lord Limrick and Earl of Southampton This Play is founded on a Comedy of Molliere's call'd Le Medecin malgré luy If the Reader will take the pains to compare them together he will easily see that our Author has much improv'd the French Play Old Troop or Monsieur Ragou a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal printed 4o. Lond. 1672. and dedicated to the young Prince George Third Son to the Dutchess of Cleveland I fancy by the stile this Play likewise is founded on some French Original tho' my small Acquaintance with French Poets makes me speak only on Conjecture Both these Plays were acted with universal Applause Sir Hercules Buffoon or The Poetical Squire a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre and printed 4o. Lond. 1684. This Play was brought upon the Stage and publisht after the Author's Decease the Prologue was writ by Mr. Durfey the Epilogue by Jo. Heyns the Comedian and both spoken by the later I know not how this Play succeeded on the Theatre but I am confident had the Author been alive to have grac'd it with his Action it could not have fail'd of Applause This Mr. Durfey has observ'd in the beginning of his Prologue Ye Scribling Fops cry mercy if I wrong ye But without doubt there must be some among ye Know that fam'd Lacy Ornament o' th' Stage That Standard of true Comedy in our Age Wrote this New Play And if it takes not all that we can say on 't Is we 've his Fiddle not his Hands to play on 't John LEANARD A confident Plagiary whom I disdain to stile an Author One who tho' he would be esteem'd the Father is at best but the Midwife to the Labour of others I mean those Two Dramatick Pieces which go under his Name I know not how they were receiv'd on the Stage but I am sure the Author deserv'd tho' the Plays might not to be damn'd for his vain-glorious Humour of re-printing another Man's Play under his own Name as he has done Mr. Brewer's Country Girl under the Title of Country Innocence or The Chamber-maid turn'd Quaker a Comedy acted at the Theatre Royal printed 4o. Lond. 1677. and dedicated to his Honour'd Friend Sr. Francis Hinchman Whether his Patrons Instructions rais'd him to that height of presumption as to publish another man's Play as his own I pretend not to judge but I am sure he has sufficiently made appear to the World that he is One of those Authors he speaks of whose Arrogance and Impudence are their chief dependency Had our Author been as well acquainted with Martial as he pretends to be with Homer he would have weigh'd his Opinion before he had made any progression as he calls it in his Thefts Mutare dominum non potest liber notus Aliena quisquis recitat petit famam Non emere Librum sed silentium debet Rambling Justice or The Jealous Husbands with the Humours of Sir John Twiford a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal printed 4o. Lond. 1680. A great part of it is stoln from a Comedy of Middleton's call'd More Dissemblers besides Women As the Scene between Sir Generall Amorous and Bramble Act 2. Sc. 1. is stoln from the Scene between Lactantio and Dondolo Act 3. Sc. 1. Petulant Easy disguis'd like a Gipsy in the same Act is borrow'd from Aurelia's Disguise in Middleton's Play Act 4. Sc. 1. The Scene between Bramble and the Gipsies is stoln from the same Play but since our Author is forc'd to strole like One of that Tribe for a Livelihood with the Issue of other Men's Brains I leave him to his
made him Famous all over England Of these he has writ A Discourse of Horsemanship printed 4o. without Date and dedicated to Prince Henry Eldest Son to King James the First Cure of all Diseases incident to Horses 4o. 1610. English Farriar 4o. 1649. Master-piece 4o. 1662. Faithful Farriar 8o. 1667. Perfect Horseman 120. 1671. For Husbandry he publisht Liebault's Le Maison Rustique or The Country Farm Fol. Lond. 1616. This Treatise which was at first translated by Mr. Richard Surflet a Physitian our Author enlarg'd with several Additions from the French Books of Serres and Vinet the Spanish of Albiterio and the Italian of Grilli and others The Art of Husbandry first translated from the Latine of Conr. Heresbachius by Barnaby Googe he revis'd and augmented 4o. 1631. He writ besides Farewel to Husbandry 4o. 1620. Way to get Wealth wherein is compris'd his Country Contentments printed 4o. 1668. To this I may add Hungers Prevention or his Art of Fowling 8o. His Epitome 120. c. In Military Discipline he has publisht The Souldiers Accidence and Grammar 4o. 1635. Besides these the second part of the First Book of The English Arcadia is said to be writ by him insomuch that he may be accounted if not Unus in Omnibus at least a Benefactor to the Publick by those Works he left behind him which will without doubt eternise his Memory Christopher MARLOE An Author that was Cotemporary with the Incomparable Shakespear and One who trod the Stage with Applause both from Queen Elizabeth and King James Nor was he accounted a less Excellent Poet by the Judicious Johnson and Heywood his Fellow Actor stiles him the Best of Poets In what esteem he was in his time may be gathered from part of a Copy of Verses writ in that Age call'd a Censure of the Poets where he is thus Characteriz'd Next Marlow bathed in the Thespian Springs Had in him those brave Sublunary things That your First-Poets had his Raptures were All Air and Fire which made his Verses clear For that fine Madness still he did retain Which rightly should possess a Poet's Brain His Genius inclin'd him wholly to Tragedy and he has obliged the world with Seven Plays of this kind of his own Composure besides One in which he join'd with Nash call'd Dido Queen of Carthage which I never saw Of the others take the following Account Dr. Faustus his Tragical History printed 4o. Lond. 1661. There is an old Edition which I never saw but this is printed with new Additions of several Scenes The Plot or the Foundation of this Play may be read in several Authors as Camerarei Hor. Subcisiv Cent. 1. Wierus de Praestigiis Daemonum Lib. 2. Cap. 4. Lonicerus c. Edward the Second a Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. I know not the Date or the Stage where this Play was acted thro' the defect of my Title-page For the Plot consult the Historians that have writ on those Times as Ranulphus Higden Walsingham Math. Westminster Especially those that have more particularly writ his Life as Thomas de la More Sr. Fr. Hubert c. Jew of Malta a Tragedy play'd before the King and Queen in her Majesties Theatre at Whitehall and by her Majesties Servants at the Cock-pit printed 4o. Lond. 1633. after the Author's Decease and dedicated by Mr. Thomas Heywood the Publisher To his Worthy Friend Mr. Thomas Hammon of Gray's Inn. This Play was in much esteem in those days the Jew's Part being play'd by Mr. Edward Allen that Ornament both to Black-friars Stage and to his Profession to the One on Account of of his excellent Action to the Other of his exemplary Piety in founding Dulwich Hospital in Surrey What Opinion Mr. Heywood had of the Author and Actor may be seen by the beginning of his Prologue spoke at the Cock-pit We know not how our Play may pass this Stage But by the best of Poets in that Age The Malta Jew had being and was made And He then by the best of Actors play'd In Hero and Leander one did gain A lasting Memory in Tamberlain This Jew with others many th' other wan The Attribute of peerless being a Man Whom we may rank with doing no one wrong Proteus for Shapes and Roscius for a Tongue Lust's Dominion or The Lascivious Queen a Tragedy publisht by Mr. Kirkman 8o. Lond. 1661. and dedicated to his worthily honour'd Friend William Carpenter Esquire This Play was alter'd by Mrs. Behn and acted under the Title of Abdelazer or The Moor's Revenge Massacre of Paris with the Death of the Duke of Guise a Tragedy play'd by the Right Honourable the Lord Admiral 's Servants printed octavo Lond. This Play is not divided into Acts it begins with that fatal Marriage between the King of Navarre and Marguerite de Valois Sister to King Charles the Ninth the Occasion of the Massacre and ends with the Death of Henry the Third of France For the Plot see the Writers of those times in the Reigns of these two Kings Ch. IX and Henry III. Thuanus Davila Pierre Matthieu Dupleix Mezeray c. Tamburlain the Great or The Scythian Shepherd a Tragedy in two parts sundry times acted by the Lord Admiral 's Servants printed in an old Black-Letter octavo Lond. 1593. Had I not Mr. Heywood's Word for it In the fore-mention'd Prologue I should not believe this Play to be his it being true what an ingenious Author said That whoever was the Author he might ev'n keep it to himself secure from Plagiary For the Story see those that have writ his Life in particular as Pietro Perondini M. St. Sanctyon Du Bec c. and those that have treated of the Affairs of Turks and Tartars in general in the Reigns of Bajazet and Tamerlane as Laonicus Chalcocondylas Pet. Bizarus Knolles c. He writ besides a Poem call'd Hero and Leander Whose mighty Lines says One Mr. Benjamin Johnson a Man sensible enough of his own Abilities was often heard to say that they were Examples sitler for Admiration than Paralel This Poem being left imperfect by our our Author who according to Mr. Philips In some riotous Fray came to an untimely and violent End it was finished by Mr. Chapman and printed octavo Lond. 1606. Shakerley MARMION A Gentleman born in the Reign of King Charles the First at Ainoe in Sutton Hundred in the County of Northampton about the beginning of January A. D. 1602. He was bred up at Thame-School in Oxfordshire and at fifteen Years of Age was sent to the University of Oxford where he became a Member of Wadham Colledge and in 1624. he took his Master of Arts Degree What further became of him I know not all that I am able to inform the Reader is that he was the Author of three Comedies which have formerly been well approv'd viz. Antiquary a Comedy acted by her Majesties Servants at the Cock-pit and printed quarto Lond. 1641. Aurelio's declaring his Marriage to the Duke and
he called Collasterion printed 4o. Lond. 1645. He writ besides a Piece called Tetrachordon or An Exposition on the Four Chief places of Scripture concerning Marriage and Divorce printed Lond. 1645. Sr. Robert Filmer if I mistake not writ against him in his Observations concerning the Original of Government printed 4o. Lond. 1652. Walter MOUNTAGUE Esq A Gentleman who liv'd at Court in the Reign of King Charles the First and during the times of Peace before the Muses were disturb'd by the Civil Wars writ a Play call'd Shepheard's Oracle a Pastoral privately acted before King Charles by the Queen's Majesty and Ladies of Honour printed octavo Lond. 1649. I shall not be so presumptuous to criticise on a Play which has been made Sacred by the Protection of Majesty it self besides I am deterr'd from Criticism by the Stationers Friend's Advice in his Verses in Commendation of the Play at least good Manners sayes They first should understand it e're dispraise William MOUNTFORT One who from an Actor sets up for an Author and has attempted both Tragedy and Comedy with what success I leave to those who have seen his Plays to determine Had I been of the number of his Friends I should have endeavour'd to have perswaded him still to act Sir Courtly Nice in bestowing only Garniture on a Play as he calls it as a Song or a Prologue and let alone sine Language as belonging only to Pedants and poor Fellows that live by their Wits He has publisht two Plays viz. Injur'd Lovers or The Ambitious Father a Tragedy acted by their Majesties Servants at the Theatre-Royal printed 4o. London 1688. and dedicated to the Right Honourable James Earl of Arran Son to his Grace the Duke of Hamilton There are some Surlyes who think that in this Play Sir Courtly writ for his Diversion but never regarded Wit Successful Strangers a Tragi-comedy acted by their Majesties servants at the Theatre-Royal printed 4o. Lond. 1690. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Thomas Wharton Comptroller of his Majesty's Houshold This Play far exceeds the Other tho' the Author as well as his predecessors is beholding to others for part of his Plot he having made use of Scarron's Novel call'd The Rival Brothers in working up the Catastrophe of his Comedy I have seen some Copies of Verses in Manuscript writ by our Author but not being in print that I know of I forbear to mention them N. Thomas NABBES A Writer in the Reign of Charles the First who we may reckon amongst Poets of the Third-rate and One who was pretty much respected by the Poets of those Times Mr. Richard Brome and Mr. Robert Chamberlain before mention'd having publickly profest themselves his Friends and Sir John Suckling being his Patron He has Seven Plays and Masques extant besides other Poems of which we may say That if they are not to be compar'd with some Dramatick Pieces of this Age at least wise what our Author has published is His own and not borrow'd from others and in that Respect deserves Pardon if not Applause from the Candid Reader This he averrs in his Prologue to Covent Garden and which I believe may be urged for the rest of his Labours viz. He justifies that 't is no borrow'd Strain From the Invention of another's Brain Nor did he steal the Fancy 'T is the same forth He first intended by the Proper Name 'T was not a Toyl of Years few Weeks brought This Rugged Issue might have been more worth If he had lick'd it more Nor doth he raise From th' Imitation of Authentick Plays Matter or Words to height nor bundle up Conceits at Taverns where the Wits do sup His Muse is solitary and alone Doth practice her low Speculation c. The Reader therefore is to expect little more from me than a bare Account of the Titles of his Works as followss Bride a Comedy acted in the Year 1638. at the Private-House in Drury-Lane by their Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the Generality of his Friends Gentlemen of the several Honourable Houses of the Inns of Court Covent Garden a pleasant Comedy acted in the Year 1632. by the Queen's Majesty's Servants and printed 4o. Lond. 1638. and dedicated to the Right Worthy of his Honour Sir John Suckling Hannibal and Scipio an Historical Tragedy acted in the Year 1635. by the Queen's Majesties Servants at their Private-House in Drury-Lane printed Lond. 1637. The Play is addrest in Verse by the Author to the Ghosts of Hannibal and Scipio with an Answer printed in their Names directed to our Author It was acted before Women came on the Stage the part of Sophonisba being play'd by one Ezekiel Fenne For the Plot the Title-page speaks the Foundation to be History see the Life of of Hannibal writ by Cornelius Nepos that of Scipio by Plutarch see besides Livy Florus and other Authors mention'd p. 326. Microcosmus a Moral Masque presented with general liking at the Private-House in Salisbury-Court and here set down according to the Intention of the Author printed 4o. Lond. 1637. and dedicated to the Service and Delight of all Truly Noble Generous and Honest Spirits This Masque is introduc'd by two Copies One of which was writ by Mr. Richard Brome Spring 's Glory vindicating Love by Temperance against the Tenet Sine Cerere Baccho friget Venus Moralized in a Masque with other Poems Epigrams Elegies and Epithalamiums of the Author's printed 4o. Lond. 1638. and dedicated to Peter Balle Esq At the end of these Poems is a piece call'd A Presentation intended for the Prince his Highness's Birth-day the 29. of May 1638. annually celebrated this in former Catalogues was stiled an Interlude These Masques and Poems are commended by two Copies one of which was penned by Mr. Robert Chamberlain Tottenham-Court a pleasant Comedy acted in the Year 1637. at the Private-House in Salisbury-Court printed 4o. Lond. 1638. and dedicated to the Worshipful William Mills Esq Unfortunate Lover a Tragedy never acted but set down according to the Intention of the Author printed 4o. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the Right Worshipful Richard Brathwaite Esq This Play is attended by three Copies written in its Commendation by several of our Author's Friends and a Proeme in Verse by the Author wherein he justifies it to be writ according to the Rules of Art A Constant Scene the buisiness it intends The two Hours of Time of Action comprehends Mr. Philips and Mr. Winstanley according to their old Custom have ascrib'd two other Anonymous Plays to our Author The Woman-Hater arraigned a Comedy and Charles the First a Tragedy the Reason of their Mistake has been already given p. 13. and more at large in the Preface to my former Catalogue Thomas NASH A Gentleman that liv'd about the time with the foremention'd Author and was sometime educated in the University of Cambridge His Genius was much addicted to Dramatick Poetry and Satyr and he writ some things in Prose all which gain'd
a Comedy printed in octavo Lond. 1653. Covent-Garden weeded or The Middlesex Justice of Peace printed in octavo Lond. 1658. Court Beggar a Comedy acted at the Cock-pit by His Majesties Servants Anno 1632. and printed in octavo Lond. 1653. Damoiselle or The New Ordinary a Comedy printed in octavo Lond. 1653. English Moor or The Mock Marriage a Comedy often acted with general applause by her Majesties Servants printed in octavo Lon. 1659. Jovial Crew or The Merry Beggars a Comedy presented at the Cock-pit in Drury-lane in the year 1641 printed in quarto Lond. 1652. and dedicated to the Right Noble Ingenious and Judicious Gentleman Thomas Stanley Esq This Play was reviv'd by the Actors at the Duke's Theatre and reprinted 1686. Love-sick Court or The Ambitious Politick a Comedy printed in octavo Lond. 1658. What Opinion the Author himself had of this Comedy may be gathered by the following Distick prefixt in his Title-page Nil mea ceu mos est comendes carmina curo Se nisi comendent carmina dispereant Mad Couple well Matcht a Comedy printed in octavo Lond. 1653. This Play was reviv'd on the Stage by the Duke's Actors under the Title of The Debaunchee or The Credulous Cuckold and reprinted in quarto Lond. 1677. New Academy or The New Exchange a Comedy printed in octavo Lond. 1658. Northern Lass a Comedy acted with great Applause at the Theatre Royal by His Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1663. and dedicated to the Right Worthy and no less Judicious than Ingenious Gentleman Rich. Holford Esquire This Play is commended not only by the above-mentioned Ben Johnson but by Five other Copies of Verses printed before the Play This Play was reviv'd by the Players since the Union of the Two Houses and reprinted in quarto Lond. 1684. with a new Prologue and Epilogue the former written by Jo. Haynes the Comedian Novella a Comedy acted at the Black-friars by His Majesties Servants Anno 1632. and printed in octavo Lond. 1653. This I take to exceed many of our modern Comedies Queen and Concubine a Comedy printed in octavo Lond. 1659. Queen's Exchange a Comedy acted with general applause at the Black-fryars by His Majesties Servants and printed in quarto 1657. Sparagus Garden a Comedy acted in the year 1635. by the then Company of Revels at Salisbury-Court printed in quarto Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the Right Honourable William Earl of Newcastle c. Governor to the Prince his Highness This Comedy is applauded by Two Copies of Verses writ by two of the Author's Friends He joyn'd with Thomas Heywood in a Play called The late Lancashire Witches an Account of which see in that Author Ten of these Plays are printed in two Volumes in octavo each under the Title of Five New Plays by Richard Brome Mr. Phillips I know not for what Reason has omitted several of our Authors Plays viz. Damoyselle New Academy Queen and Concubine Queen's Exchange and Lancashire Witches Fulk Grevile Lord BROOK This Honourable Person was Son to Sr. Fulk Grevile the Elder of Beauchamp-Court in Warwick-shire and after having been Educated some time at Cambridge he removed to Court in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth and in the Seventeenth year of King James the First he was made a Baron He was eminently Famous for Learning and Courage He was bred up with the Fam'd Sr. Philip Sidney and in his youth writ several Poems of different Kinds amongst which are two Dramatick Pieces viz. Alaham a Tragedy printed in Folio 1633. This Play seems an Imitation of the Ancients The Prologue is spoken by a Ghost one of the Old Kings of Ormus an Island Scituate at the Entrance of the Persian Gulf where the Scene of the Dramma lies This Spectre gives an Account of each Character which is possibly done in Imitation of Euripides who usually introduced one of the chief Actors as the Prologue whose business was to explain all those Circumstances which preceded the opening of the Stage The Author has been so careful in observing the Rules of Aristotle and Horace that whereas Horace says nec quarta loqui persona laboret He has in no Scene throughout introduc'd above two Speakers except in the Chorus between each Act and even there he observes all the Rules laid down by that great Master in the Art of Poetry part of whose Directions to the Chorus are as follows Ille dapes laudet mensae brevis ille salubrem Justitiam legesque apertis otia Portis For the Plot of this Tragedy I know not whence it is taken neither can I find the Name of any such King as Alaham amongst those Princes that Reigned there which are enumerated by Mr. Herbert in his Account of Ormus Mustapha a Tragedy printed in Folio 1633. What I have spoken of the former may be applied to this Play likewise as to the Rules of the Ancients since both seem to be built on their Model All I have to say further is that an imperfect Copy of this Play appeared in print in quarto Lond. 1609. tho' I suppose without his Lordship's Knowledge since it may rather be stiled a Fragment than a Tragedy But those Imperfections are amended in the Folio Edition As to the Foundation of the Play 't is the same with that of my Lord Orrery's Tragedy therefore I refer you to the same Authors viz. Paulus Jovius Thuanus c. Both these Plays are printed together in Folio Lond. 1633. with several other Poems as A Treatise of Humane Learning An Inquisition upon Fame and Honour A Treatise of Wars All these are written in a Stanza of Six Lines four interwoven and a Couplet in Base which the Italians call Sestine Caelica containing One Hundred and Nine Sonnets of different Measures on different Subjects There are in this Volume two Letters the One to an Honourable Lady the Subject of which is how to behave her self in a Married State The other written to his Cosen Grevil Varney then in France containing Directions for Travel His Lordship has other Pieces ascribed to him besides these publisht under his Name as the Life of his Friend and Companion Sir Philip Sidney printed at the beginning of the Arcadia under the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 His Remains or Poems of Monarchy and Religion printed in octavo Lond. 1670. and other Pieces which because of their uncertainty I omit Only I cannot pass by a Mistake committed by Mr. Phillips and Mr. Winstanley who ascribe another Play to him called Marcus Tullius Cicero's Tragedy This Play was not written at least not printed as I suppose till long after his Lordships Death who was unhappily kill'd by an ungrateful Servant who afterwards to avoid the Sentence of the Law made his own Hand the Executioner of Justice making Death his Choice which should have been his Punishment This Worthy Nobleman lies Buried as Dr. Fuller says in Warwick Church under a Monument of black and white Marble whereon