of what Degree soever For the Plot I can direct you to no other but the Book of the Gentle-Craft in Quarto Siege of Constantinople a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre and printed quarto Lond. 1675. For the Plot see Chalcocondylas Constantinopolis a Mahammada Secund. Expugnata Paulus Jovius Hen. Pantaleon Knolles c. Sir Clyomon Knight of the Goledn-shield Son to the King of Denmark and Clamydes the White Knight Son to the King of Swavia both Valiant Knights their History printed quarto Lond. 1599. This Play is written in Old Fashion'd Verse and is very heavy in Reading Sir Gyles Goose-cappe Knight a Comedy acted with great applause at the private-Private-house in Salisbury Court printed quarto Lond. 636. and dedicated by the Publisher Hugh Perry to Rich. Young Esq of Wooley-Farm in the County of Berks. Sir Salomon or The Cautious Coxcomb a Comedy acted at his Royal Highness the Duke of York's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1671. This Play is Originally French being a Translation from Moliere's L'Ecole des Femmes It was translated as I have heard by John Carell and own'd in the Epilogue as a Translation What we have brought before you was not meant For a New Play but a new Precedent For we with modesty our Theft avow There is some Conscience shewn in stealing too And openly declare that if our Cheere Doth hit your Palates you must thank Molliere This Play was frown'd and pelted at to use the Author 's own Expression by many Persons who thought themselves Criticks but notwithstanding it met with Success in the Action And the Author has sufficiently justified his Play in his La Critique de L'Ecole des Femmes to whom I refer the Reader Solyman and Perseda their Tragedy wherein is laid open Love's Constancy Fortune's Inconstancy and Death's Triumphs printed quarto Lond. 1599. This Play I presume was never acted neither is it divided into Acts. Sophister a Comedy printed 4o. 1638. I know not where this was acted or printed the Title-page of my Play being lost Spanish Bawd represented in Celestina or Calisto and Melibea a Tragi-comedy wherein is contained besides the Pleasantness and Sweetness of the Stile many Philosophical Sentences and profitable Instructions fit for the Younger Sort Shewing the Deceits and Subtilties housed in the Bosom of false Servants and Cunny-catching Bawds printed Fol. Lond. 1631. This Play is originally Spanish and translated into English by a Spaniard One Don Diego Puede-ser and by him dedicated to Sir Thomas Richardson the same Author translated Miguel de Cervantes his Exemplary Novels Fol. Lond. 1664. Step-mother a Tragi-comedy acted with great applause at the Theatre in Little Lincolns-Inn-Fields by his Highness the Duke of York's Servants printed quarto Lond. 1664. Strange Discovery a Tragi-comedy printed in quarto I know not when this Play was acted or where printed mine having not the Title-page but I know very well that both the Plot and the Language is borrowed from Heliodorus his AEthiopick History which I take to be One of the most Ancient if not the first Romances extant Susanna's Tears a Play which I never saw Swetnam the Woman-hater arraign'd by Women a Comedy acted at the Red-Bull by the Queen's Servants and printed quarto Lond. 1620. Tho' this Play seems designed chiefly as a Scourge for Joseph Swetnam's Scandalous Pamphlet against the Female Sex called The Arraignment of lew'd idle froward and unconstant Woman printed quarto Lond. 1617. Yet the Play is founded on Story much elder which I have read in Spanish in Twelves and is Intitled Historia de Aurelia y Isabella Hija del Rey de Escotia donde se disputa quien da mas occasion de peccar el Hombe a la muger o la muger al Homber T. Tempe restored a Masque presented by the Queen and Fourteen Ladies to the King's Majesty at Whitehall on Shrove-Tuesday 1631. and printed quarto Lond. 1631. This Masque is founded on the Story of â—irce see Ovid's Metamorphosis Book 14. The Verses were writ by Mr. Aurelian To â—nsend The Subject and Allegory of the Masque with the Descriptions and Apparatus of the Scenes were invented by Mr. Inigo Jones Surveyor of His Majesties Works Thersites an Interlude which I never saw Tom Essence or The Modish Wife a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 16 This Play is founded on two French Plays viz. Molliere's Sganarelle ou Le Cocu Imaginaire and Tho. Corneille's D. Caesar D'Avalos in the part of Love-all's Intrigue with Luce without the Reader will suppose that he follow'd a Spanish Novel call'd The Trapanner trapann'd and for the Business of Tom Essence and his Wife copyed Sir William D'Avenant's Play-House to be Let Act fifth which is a Translation from the former This Play is said to be writ by One Mr. Rawlins Tiberius Claudius Nero his Tragical Life and Death a Tragedy in quarto This Play used to be placed under the Title of Nero's Life and Death which made People mistake it for the Life of Nero Caesar who was the Sixth Emperour of Rome this being the Third I know not when this Play was printed or where acted mine wanting the Title-page but for the Plot read Suetonius Tacitus Dion Victor Eutropius c. Tom Tyler and his Wife an Excellent Old Play acted about a Hundred and thirty Years ago and printed quarto Lond. 1661. This Play is printed in an Old English Letter and is writ in a kind of Burlesk Verse where the Author affects an odd sort of Chiming in the middle of each Line The Design of the Play is to represent a Shrew and teach the way to humble her The Plot of this Play has some Resemblance with Mr. Poisson's Le Sot vengé Traytor to himself or Man's Heart his greatest Enemy a Moral Interlude in Heroick Verse Representing the Careless Hardned Returning Despairing and Renewed Heart with Intermasques at the Close of each several Act. Acted by the Boys of a Publick School at a Breaking-up and published so as it may be useful on the like Occasion printed Oxon. 1678. I find nothing Remarkable in this Play but that 't is writ without Womens parts which the Author says he never thought fit to put on Boys I remember not any Play but Plautus his Captivei that is thus writ and yet notwithstanding it is generally accounted an Admirable Play True Trojans or Fuimus Troes being a Story of the Britains Valour at the Romans first Invasion publickly presented by the Gentlemen Students of Magdalen Colledge in Oxford and printed quarto Lond. 1633. For the Plot or Story the Author has follow'd Livy lib. 3. Caesar's Commentaries lib. 4. 5 and Galfridus Monumetensis lib. 4. as you may see by the perusal of the Drammatis Personae Tryal of Chivalry a Play of which I can give no Account having never seen it Tryal of Treasure a Play to which I am as much a stranger Tunbridge Wells or A Days Courtship a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre and printed
Triumph of Death The Triumph of Time I know not whether ever these Representations appear'd on the Stage or no. The Triumph of Honour is founded on Boccace his Novels Day 10. Nov. 5. The Triumph of Love on the same Author Day 5. Nov. 8. The Triumph of Death on a Novel in The Fortunate Deceiv'd and Unfortunate Lovers part 3. Nov. 3. See besides Palace of Pleasure Nov. 4o. Belle-forest c. The Triumph of Time as far as falls within my discovery is wholly the Authors Invention Honest Man's Fortune a Tragi-Comedy As to the plot of Montaign's being prefer'd by Lamira to be her Husband when he was in Adversity and least expected the like Story is related by Heywood in his History of Women Book 9. pag. 641. Humourous Lieutenant a Tragi-Comedy which I have often seen acted with Applause The Character of the Humourous Lieutenant refusing to fight after he was cured of his Wounds resembles the Story of the Souldier belonging to Lucullus describ'd in the Epistles of Horace lib. 2. Ep. 2. but the very Story is related in Ford's Apothegms p. 30. How near the Poet keeps to the Historian I must leave to those that will compare the Play with the Writers of the Lives of Antigonus and Demetrius the Father and the Son See Plutarch's Life of Demetrius Diodorus Justin Appian c. Island Princess a Tragi-Comedy This Play about three Years ago was reviv'd with Alterations by Mr. Tate being acted at the Theatre Royal printed in quarto Lond. 1687. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Henry Lord Walgrave King and No King a Tragi-Comedy which notwithstanding its Errors discover'd by Mr. Rymer in his Criticisms has always been acted with Applause and has lately been reviv'd on our present Theatre with so great success that we may justly say with Horace Haec placuit semel haec decies repetita placebit Knight of the burning Pestle a Comedy This Play was in vogue some years since it being reviv'd by the King's House and a new Prologue instead of the old One in prose being spoken by Mrs. Ellen Guin The bringing the Citizen and his Wife upon the Stage was possibly in imitation of Ben Johnson's Staple of News who has introduc'd on the Stage Four Gossips Lady-like attir'd who remain during the whole Action and criticise upon each Scene Knight of Malta a Tragi-Comedy Laws of Candy a Tragi-Comedy Little French Lawyer a Comedy The Plot is borrow'd from Gusman or The Spanish Roque part 2. ch 4. The Story of Dinant Clerimont and Lamira being borrow'd from Don Lewis de Castro and Don Roderigo de Montalva The like Story is in other Novels as in Scarron's Novel called The Fruitless Precaution and in The Complaisant Companion 8 o p. 263. which is copied from the above-mentioned Original Love's Cure or The Martial Maid a Comedy Love's Pilgrimage a Comedy This I take to be an admirable Comedy The Foundation of it is built on a Novel of Miguel de Cervantes called The Two Damsels The Scene in the first Act between Diego the Host of Ossuna and Lazaro his Ostler is stoln from Ben Johnson's New Inn which I may rather term borrow'd for that Play miscarrying in the Action I suppose they made use of it with Ben's Consent Lovers Progress a Tragi-Comedy This Play is built on a French Romance written by M. Daudiguier call'd Lisander and Calista Loyal Subject a Tragi-Comedy Mad Lover a Tragi-Comedy The Design of Cleanthe's Suborning the Priestess to give a false Oracle in favour of her Brother Syphax is borrow'd from the Story of Mundus and Paulina describe'd at large by Josephus Lib. 18. Cap. 4. This Play Sr. Aston Cockain has chiefly commended in his Copy of Verses on Mr. Fletcher's Plays See the Verses before the old Edition printed 1647. and Cockain's Poems pag. 101. Maid in the Mill a Comedy This Play amongst othershas likewise been reviv'd by the Duke's House The Plot of Antonio Ismenia and Aminta is borrowed from Gerardo a Romance translated from the Spanish of Don Gonzalo de Cespides and Moneces see the Story of Don Jayme pag. 350. As to the Plot of Otrante's seizing Florimel the Millers supposed Daughter and attempting her Chastity t is borrow'd from an Italian Novel writ by Bandello a Translation of which into French the Reader may find in Les Histoires Tragiques par M. Belleforest Tom. 1. Hist. 12. The same Story is related by M. Goulart see Les Histoires admirables de nôtre temps 8o. Tom. 1. p. 212. Maids Tragedy a Play which has always been acted with great Applause at the King's Theatre and which had still continu'd on the English Stage had not King Charles the Second for some particular Reasons forbid its further Appearance during his Reign It has since been reviv'd by Mr. Waller the last Act having been wholly alter'd to please the Court as the Author of the Preface to the second part of his Poems informs us and give us further the following Account T is not to be doubted who sat for the Two Brothers Characters 'T was agreeable to the Sweetness of Mr. Waller's Temper to soften the Rigor of the Tragedy as he expresses it but whether it be agreeable to the Nature of Tragedy it self to make every thing come off easily I leave to the Criticks This last Act is publisht in the Second Part of Mr. Waller's Poems printed in quarto Lond. 1690. Masque of Grays-Inn Gentlemen and the Inner-Temple This Masque was written by Mr. Beaumont alone and presented before the King and Queen in the banqueting-Banqueting-house of Whitehall at the Marriage of the Illustrious Frederick and Elizabeth Prince and Princess Palatine of the Rhine Monsieur Thomas a Comedy which not long since appear'd on the present Stage under the Name of Trick for Trick Nice Valour or The Passionate Mad-man a Comedy Night Walker or The Little Thief a Comedy which I have seen acted by the King's Servants with great Applause both in the City and Country Noble Gentleman a Comedy which was lately reviv'd by Mr. Durfey under the Title of The Fools Preferment or The Three Dukes of Dunstable Philaster or Love lies a Bleeding a Tragi-Comedy which has always been acted with Success and has been the diversion of the Stage even in these days This was the first Play that brought these Excellent Authors in Esteem and this Play was One of those that were represented at the old Theatre in Lincolns-Inn-Fields when the Women acted alone The Prologue and Epilogue were spoken by Mrs. Marshal and printed in Covent-garden Drollery pag. 18. About this Time there was a Prologue written on purpose for the Women by Mr. Dryden and is printed in his Miscellany Poems in octavo p. 285. Pilgrim a Comedy which was reviv'd some years since and a Prologue spoke which the Reader may find in Covent-garden Dollery p. 12. Prophetess a Tragical History which has lately been reviv'd by Mr. Dryden under the Title of The Prophetess or The History of Dioclesian with
That he was One who in his time contributed much towards the English Stage by his Dramatick Writings especially in that noted One of his call'd Lingua for neither was that Play writ by him nor Love's Loadstone Landagartha or Love's Dominion as he and Mr. Phillips affirm Landagartha being writ by Henry Burnel Esq and Love's Dominion by Flecknoe But I shall proceed to give an Account of those Plays which are ascrib'd to him by Mr. Kirkman who was better vers'd in Writings of this Nature Country Girl a Comedy often acted with much applause and printed in quarto Lond. 1647. This Play has been reviv'd on the Stage under the Title of Country Innocence or The Chamber-maid turn'd Quaker Love-sick King an English Tragical History with the Life and Death of Cartesmunda the fair Nun of Winchester printed in quarto Lond. 1655. This Play was likewise reviv'd by the Actors of the King's House in the Year 168c and acted by the Name of the Perjur'd Nun. The Historical part of the Plot is founded on the Invasion of the Danes in the Reign of K. Ethelred and Alfred which the Author calls Etheldred and Alured See the Writers of English Affairs as Polydore Vergil Mathaeus Westmonasteriens Gul. Malmsburiensis Ingulsus Ranulphus Higden Du Chesne Speed c. Alexander BROME This Author flourisht in the Reign of King Charles the Martyr and was an Attorney in the Lord Mayor's Court. He was Eminent in the worst of Times for Law and Loyalty and yet more for Poetry Though his Genius led him rather to Lyrick than Dramatick Poetry yet we have One Play of his extant viz. Cunning Lovers a Comedy acted with great applause by Their Majesties Servants at the private House in Drury-lane printed in quatro Lond. 1654. Part of the Plot is borrow'd as the Duke of Mantua's shutting up his Daughter in the Tower and his being deceiv'd by her and Prince Prospero is taken from a Story in the Old Book of the Seven Wise Masters but which the Reader may find better related in the Fortunate Deceiv'd and Unfortunate Lovers in the Fifth Novel of the Deceiv'd Lovers Although our Author has himself made but one Attempt in this Kind yet we are indebted to him for two Volumes of Mr. Richard Brome's Plays in octavo especially One of them since 't was by his Care that after the Author's Death they were preserv'd and publisht On which account One T. S. amongst other Commendations given our Author in Verse says thus Nor can I tell to whom we are more bound Or to Brome's Wit or You that have it found Our Poet is chiefly famous for his Odes and Dithyrambs which he compos'd during the late Troubles together with his Epistles and Epigrams translated from several Authors all which were printed together at the King 's Return in octavo and Second Edition Lond. 1664. Nor was he less eminent for his Version of Horace which tho' not wholly his own yet having supplied his Verse from the Stores of Sr. Richard Fanshaw Dr. Holliday Sr. Tho. Hawkins the Ingenious Mr. Cowley the Admirable Ben Johnson from which great Master he borrow'd the Version of the last Epistle De Arte Poetica to crown the rest tho'it is since left out for a new Translation done by S. P. Esq which I take to be Samuel Pordage he has gain'd to himself a Reputation which will not speedily decay tho' the late Version of Mr. Creech seems somewhat to obscure it Lustre I cannot but inform the Reader that he had once an Intention to translate Lucretius as I learn from an Epigram writ by Sr. Aston Cockain but this great Work notwithstanding what he design'd and Mr. Evelyn perform'd was reserv'd for the management of a nobler Pen that of the much Admired Mr. Creech Richard BROME This Author liv'd in the Reign of K. Charles the First and tho'of mean Extraction being Servant to the fam'd Ben Johnson Writ himself into much credit His Subject for the most part was Comedy according to the usual Motto out of Martial which he placed before most of his Plays Hic totus volo rideat Libellus As to his worth in Comick Writing it is not only asserted by the Testimony of several Poets of that Age in their commendatory Verses before many of his Plays as Shirley Decker Ford Chamberlain Sr. Aston Cockain Alexander Brome and others but even Ben Johnson himself who was not over-lavish of of Praise bestowed the following Copy on his Northern Lass which will weigh against all the Calumnies of his Enemies To my Faithful Servant and by his continu'd Virtue my Loving Friend the Author of this Work Mr. Richard Brome I had you for a Servant once Dick Brome And you perform'd a Servants faithful parts Now you are got into a nearer Room Of Fellowship professing my old Arts. And you do do them well with good Applause Which you have justly gain'd from the Stage By observation of those Comick Laws Which I your Master first did teach the Age. You learnt it well and for it serv'd your time A Prentice-ship which few do now a days Now each Court Hobbihorse will wince in Rime Both learned and unlearned all write Plays It was not so of Old Men took up Trades That knew the Crafts they had bin bred in right An honest Bilboe-Smith would make good Blades And the Physitian teach men spue and sh The Cobler kept him to his Aul but now He 'll be a Poet scarce can guide a Plow Tho' the later part of this Copy be an imitation of the following Lines of Horace yet I doubt not but the Reader will pardon Ben for his ingenious Application Horatii Epistolarum Lib. 2 Epist. 1. Navem agere ignarus navis timet abrotonum aegro Non audet nisi qui didicit dare Quod Medicorū est Promittunt Medici tractant fabilia fabri Scribimus indocti doctique Poemata passim In imitation of his Master Mr. Johnson he studied Men and Humor more than Books and his Genius affecting Comedy his Province was more observation than Study His Plots were his own and he forg'd all his various Characters from the Mint of his own Experience and Judgment 'T is not therefore to be expected that I should be able to trace him who was so excellent an Imitator of his Master that he might truly pass for an Original so that all that I can inform my Reader of his Plays is that he has Fifteen in print most of which were acted with good Applause and that several of them have been thought worthy to be revived by the Players to their own Profit and the Author's Honor in this Critical Age. Nor are several of his other Plays less worthy of Commendation of which Alphabetically Antipodes a Comedy acted in the year 1638. by the Queen's Majesties Servants at Salisbury Court in Fleetstreet printed in quarto 1640. and dedicated to the Right Honourable William Earl of Hertford City Wit or The Woman wears the Breeches
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-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
since revived on our Stage a new Prologue being writ by Mr. Dryden and spoke by Mr. Hart. there is another Prologue printed in London Drollery pag. 10. Several of our Historians speak of the Actions of this Illustrious Prince See Matth. Westmonast A.D. 44. pag. 93. Galf. Monumentens lib. 4. c. 16. Pol. Vergil lib. 2. Grafton Part 7. p. 77. These all agree that he Reign'd in the time of Claudius Caesar but Mr. Speed will have it that he liv'd in the time of Domitian Caesar from Juvenal who introduces Fabritius Vejento a Roman Senator flattering Domitian at the Councel held about the Turbot as follows Regem aliquem capies aut de Temone Britanno Excidet Arviragus But in this he is mistaken for Arviragus was dead before the Reign of Domitian so that the Sycophant could not mean that he should overcome Him but some British or Foreign Warrier as stout as that Arviragus subdued by his his Father Vespasian Deserving Favourite a Tragi-Comedy presented before the King and Queen's Majesties at White-hall and very often at the Private House in Black-friars with great Applause by King Charles the First his Servants printed in octavo Lond. 1659. and dedicated to his very Noble and Approved Friends Mr. Thomas Cary Son to the Earl of Monmouth and Mr. William Murrey both of the Bed-chamber to His Majesty Fool would be a Favourite or The Discreet Lover often acted by the Queen's Majesties Servants with great applause and printed in octavo Lond. 1657. Osmond the Great Turk otherwise called The Noble Servant his Tragedy acted by the Queens Servants with great applause and printed with the former octavo Lond. 1657. The Action of this Play is the taking of Constantinople in the year 1453. I know not why the Author has alter'd his Scene from Greece to Barbary or the Names of Mahomet and Irene for Melchosus and Despina except in imitation of Beaumont and Fletcher who have transfer'd the Names of Rollo and Otto on Antoninus and Geta and degraded those Emperors of Rome by Creating them Dukes of Normandy Many Authors have treated of this Story in the Life of Mahomet the Second consult Chalcocondylus lib. 8. cap. 6. Knolles's Turkish History This Story is likewise in Bandello's Novels see the French Translation by Belleforest Tome 1. Hist. 2. See Painter's Palace of Pleasure a Book of Novels printed in quarto Lond. 1566. Nov. 4o. For the Underplot of Orcanes Calibeus and Ozaca 't is founded on the Story of Mustapha Son to Mahomet the Second Achmet Bassa and his Wife See Lipsii Monita lib. 2. cap. 9. pag. 125. Artus le Contin de l'Hist des Turcs L. 11. Knolles c. Passionate Lover a Tragi-Comedy in two parts twice presented before the King and Queen's Majesties at Somerset-house and very often at the private-Private-house in Black-friars with great applause by King Charles the First 's Servants printed in octavo Lond. 1655 and Dedicated to the Illustrious Princess Mary Dutchess of Richmond and Lenox by the Publisher Mr. Alexander Goughe On this Play the ingenious Alexander Brome has writ a Copy of Verses which seem to reflect on the Character of the Passionate Lover and may be found by the Curious in his Poems 8o. pag. 256 Edition the Second Heraclius Emperor of the East a Tragedy translated from the French of Monsieur P. Corneille and printed in quarto Lond. 1664. This Play was never acted tho' intended by the Translator for the Stage but another Translation formerly design'd after this seem'd to be accepted being perfected was prefer'd by the Players and this not return'd to the Author until the very day the other was Acted But notwithstanding the Preference given to the other certainly this Version is not contemptible at least if the Author's Reasons in the Prologue make take place All things have proper Idioms of their own Their Elegance in Ours is hardly shown This but a Copy and all such go less Great Beauties may be altered by the Dress Having given you the Author's Excuse for his Translation let me give you his Opinion of Translations in general in the following Distick Those who translate hope but a Labourer's praise Who well invent contrive deserve the Bays In the design of this Play the French Author follows Baronius's Ecclesiastical Annals but does not as he himself acknowledges in his Examen of this Play strictly follow truth in many things See Le Theatre de Corneille tom 3. Je n'ay conservé icy pour toute verité Historique que l'ordre de la Succession des Empereurs Tibere Maurice Phocas Heraclius c. Many are the Historians that have treated on this Story as Nicephorus Calistus Eccl. Hist. Cedreni Annal. Zonaras Annal. Baronius c. Mr. Phillips has omitted Three of these Plays viz. Deserving Favourite Fool would be a Favourite and Heraclius the later is forgot likewise by Mr. Winstanley who has in requital Father'd another Play on him which belongs to Dr. Lodge viz. Marius and Scylla James CARLILE A young Author now living who has lately publisht a Play call'd The Fortune Hunters or Two Fools well met a Comedy acted by his Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1689. I know not how it succeeded on the Stage but if it be consider'd as the First Play of a young Poet I think it deserv'd Applause and exceeds several Comedies printed in this Age. Only I think the Author's as well as Mr. Spruce's Brains were a little Doz'd when he writ the end of the Second Act where he mistakes young Wealthy's Hand for the Handle of the Pump and the Orange-flower-for Pump-water That he meant well is all he has to plead Faith then be kind and let his Play succeed And take for once the Good-will for the Deed. Richard CARPENTER The Author of a Play called The Pragmatical Jesuit new leaven'd printed in quarto but when or where I know not through the defect of my Copy All that I can acquaint the Reader with is that it is a very instructive Play chiefly tending to Morality shewing the difference between true Religion and Hypochrisy The Author has made it his business to expose all the Subtleties and Inventions of the Romish Clergy to gain Proselites and promote their Religion I know not whether or no it might not be writ by a Divine of that Name the Author of several Sermons particularly Three of keeping a good Conscience printed in quarto Lond. 1623. William CARTHWRIGHT A Person as Eminent for Loyaty and Learning his years consider'd as any this Age has produc'd One whose Character has been written by several Pens and therefore has afforded me who fetch my knowledge from Books more than verbal Information the larger subject to expatiate on The Place of this Author's Nativity the time and his Father's Name are differently represented by those Authors that have mention'd him Mr. Lloyd says that he was the Son of Thomas Carthwright of Burford in Oxford-shire and Born Aug. 16.
in the year 1615. Mr. Wood. says that he was the Son of William Carthwrigth and Born at Northway near Tewskbury in Gloucester-shire in Sept. 1611. and Christned the 26 th day of the same Month. That his Father had dissipated a fair Inheritance he knew not how and as his last Refuge turn'd Inn-keeper at Cirencester This Account contradicts the Publisher of his Poems who says that he Died at Thirty But however uncertain the place and time of his Birth be certain it is that he was bred a King's-Scholar under the Reverend and Learned Dr. Oldbaston and in the year 1631 was chose Student of Christ-Church College in Oxford and plac'd under the care of Mr. Terrent He took his several Degrees of Bachelor and Master of Arts and afterwards was chosen by the House as Proctor and admitted as Junior to Mr. Wake of Magdalen College by the University the Twelfth of April 1643. and the same year viz. on the 29 th of November he Died of a Malignant Feaver which then raign'd and was that year Fatal to others of his Contemporaries as Mr. Masters of New-College Mr. Diggs of All-Souls and others both Men of the Gown and Sword He was Buried the first of December in the South-Isle being lamented not only by all good and learned Men but even by Majesty it self the King and Queen having anxiously enquir'd after him all the time of his Sickness and shewed themselves much afflicted at his Death On the Ninth of December Mr. Maplet of the same House was chose to supply his Place the remaining part of the year He was extreamly remarkable both for his outward and inward Endowments his Body being as handsome as his Soul He was an expert Linguist understanding not only Greek and Latine but French and Italian as perfectly as his Mother-tongue He was an excellent Orator and yet an admirable Poet a Quality which Cicero with all his pains could not attain to Nor was Aristotle less known to him than Cicero and Virgil and those who heard his Metaphysical Lectures gave him the Preference to all his Predecessors the present Bishop of Lincoln excepted His Sermons were as much admired as his other Composures and One fitly applied to our Author that Saying of Aristotle concerning AEschron the Poet that He could not tell what AEschron could not do In a word he was of so sweet a disposition and so replete with all Virtues that he was beloved by all Learned Men that knew him and admired by all Strangers and to close all with the Character the Reverend and Pious Dr. Fell sometime Bishop of Oxford gave of him Carthwright was the utmost Man could come to To speak of his Poetry there needs no other Character of it in general then that the ablest Judge of Poetry at that time I mean Ben Johnson said with some Passion My Son Carthwright writes all like a Man He writ Four Plays besides other Poems all which were printed together in octavo Lond. 1651. accompanied with above Fifty Copies of Verses writ by the most eminent Wits of the University every One being desirous to appear in the Number of his Friends and to give a publick Testimony to the world of the Value they had for his Memory Ordinary a Comedy I know not where this Play was acted but I remember part of the second Scene of the first Act between the Widow Pot-luck Slicer and Hear-say is transcrib'd by the Composer of Wits Interpreter in his Love-Dialogues under the Title of the Old Widow pag. 81. Lady Errant a Tragi-Comedy of which I can give no Account where acted only that it is esteem'd by some a good Comedy Royal Slave a Tragi-Comedy presented to the King and Queen by the Students of Christ Church in Oxford Aug. 30. 1636. Presented since to both Their Majesties at Hampton-Court by the King's Servants This Play gave such Content to Their Majesties and the whole Court as well for the stately Scenes the Richness of the Persian Habits the excellency of the Songs which were set by that admirable Composer Mr. Henry Lawes Servant to his Majesty King Charles the First in his publick and private Musick as for the noble Stile of the Play it self and the ready Address and graceful Carriage of the Actors amongst which Dr. Busby the famous Master of Westminster School approv'd himself a second Roscius that they unanimously acknowledged that it did exceed all things of that Nature which they had ever seen The Queen in particular so much admired it that in November following she sent for the Habits and Scenes to Hampton-Court she being desirous to see her own Servants represent the same Play whose profession it was that she might the better judge of the several Performances and to whom the Preference was due The Sentence was universally given by all the Spectators in favour of the Gown tho' nothing was wanting on Mr. Carthwright's side to inform the Players as well as the Scholars in what belong'd to the Action and Delivery of each Part. Siege or Love's Convert a Tragi-Comedy where acted I know not but 't is dedicated by the Author to King Charles the First by an Epistle in Verse The Story of Misander and Leucatia is founded on that of Pausanias and Cleonice in Plutarch's Life of Cymon The Injunction which the Rich Widow Pyle laid upon her Lovers is borrow'd from Boccace's Novels Day 9th Nov. 1. Amongst his Poems there are several concerning the Dramatick Poets and their Writings which must not be forgot as those two Copies which he writ on Mr. Thomas Killegrew's Plays The Prisoner and Claracilla Two Copies on Fletcher and One in Memory of Ben Johnson which are so Excellent that the Publisher of Mr. Carthwright's Poems speaks as in a Rapture in the Preface viz. What had Ben said had he read his own Eternity in that lasting Elegy given him by our Author Besides these Poems our Author has extant other Pieces on different Subjects as a Sermon printed Lond. 1652. and a Book which I never saw but is mentioned by Mr. Wood under this Title Dies in Mense Novembri maxime notabiles Coronam nempe familiam regiam spectantes Lond. 1671. 'T is not possible for me in this place to enumerate all the Praises given him by the Learned of those Times in which he liv'd only give me leave to insert part of one Copy by which the Reader may judge of the Rest. The Lines were writ by John Leigh Esq to the Stationer Mr. Mosely on his printing Mr. Carthwright's Poems After he has nam'd all the admirable Poems set forth by the aforesaid Bookseller with the just Commendation of each Author he says thus of Mr. Carthwright But after all thou bring'st up in the Rear One that fills every Eye and every Ear Carthwright rare Carthwr t to whom all must bow That was best Preacher and best Poet too Whose Learned Fancy never was at rest But always labouring yet labour'd least His Wit 's Immortal
Alterations and Additions after the manner of an Opera represented at the Queens Theatre and printed 4 o Lond. 1690. For the Plot consult Eusebius Lib 8. Nicephorus Lib. 6. and 7. Vopisc Car. Carin Aur. Victoris Epitome Eutropius L. 9. Baronius An. 204. c. Orosius L. 7. C. 16. Coeffeteau L. 20. c. Queen of Corinth a Tragi-Comedy Rule a Wife and have a Wife a Tragi-Comedy which within these few years has been acted with applause at the Queens Theatre in Dorset-Garden Scornful Lady a Comedy acted with good Applause even in these times at the Theatre in Dorset-Garden Mr. Dryden has condemn'd the Conclusion of this Play in reference to the Conversion of Moor-craft the Usurer but whether this Catastrophe be excusable I must leave to the Criticks Sea Voyage a Comedy lately reviv'd by Mr. Durfey under the Title of The Common-wealth of Women This Play is supposed by Mr. Dryden as I have observ'd to be copied from Shakespears's Tempest The Storm which vanisht on the neighbring shore Was taught by Shakespears Tempest first to roar That Innocence and Beauty which did smile In Fletcher grew on this Enchanted Isle Spanish Curate a Comedy frequently reviv'd with general Applause The Plot of Don Henrique Ascanio Violante and Jacintha is borrow'd from Gerardo's History of Don John pag. 202. and that of Leandro Bartolus Amarantha and Lopez from the Spanish Curate of the same Author pag. 214. c. Thirry and Theodoret a Tragedy This Play is accounted by some an excellent old Play and therefore 't is pitty the Compositor was so careless in this new Edition as to omit a great part of the last Act which contains the King's behaviour during the Operation of the Poison given him by his Mother and which is as moving as any part of the Play This Imperfection may be supply'd from the Copy printed in quarto and I hope the Proprietors of the Copy will take care in the next Impression to do justice to these admirable Authors ` For Beaumont's Works and Fletcher's should come forth ' With all the Right belonging to their Worth The Plot of this Play is founded on History See the French Chronicles in the Reign of Clotaire the Second See Fredegarius Scholasticus Aimoinus Monachus Floriacensis De Serres Mezeray Crispin c. Two Noble Kinsmen a Tragi-Comedy This Play was written by Mr. Fletcher and Mr. Shakespear Valentinian a Tragedy reviv'd not long ago by that Great Wit the Earl of Rochester acted at the Theatre-Royal and printed in quarto 1685. with a Preface concerning the Author and his Writings For the Plot see the Writers of those Times as Cassidori Chron. Amm. Marcell Hist. Evagrius Lib. 2. Procopius c. Wife for a Month a Tragi-Comedy This Play is in my poor Judgment well worth reviving and with the alternation of a judicious Pen would be an excellent Dramma The Character and Story of Alphonso and his Brother Frederick's Carriage to him much resembles the History of Sancho the Eighth King of Leon. I leave the Reader to the perusal of his Story in Mariana and Loüis de Mayerne Turquet Wild-Goose Chase a Comedy valued by the best Judges of Poetry Wit at several Weapons a Comedy which by some is thought very diverting and possibly was the Model on which the Characters of the Elder Pallatine and Sr. Morglay Thwack were built by Sr. William D'Avenant in his Comedy call'd The Wits Wit without Money a Comedy which I have seen acted at the Old House in little Lincolns-Inn-Fields with very great Applause the part of Valentine being play'd by that compleat Actor Major Mohun deceas'd This was the first Play that was acted after the Burning the King's House in Drury-lane a New Prologue being writ for them by Mr. Dryden printed in his Miscellany Poems in octavo p. 285. Woman Hater a Comedy This Play was reviv'd by Sr. William D'Avenant and a new Prologue instead of the old One writ in prose was spoken which the Reader may peruse in Sir William's Works in Fol. p. 249. This Play was one of those writ by Fletcher alone Women pleas'd a Trigo-comedy The Comical parts of this Play throughout between Bartello Lopez Isabella and Claudio are founded on several of Boccace's Novels See Day 7. Nov. 6. and 8. Day 8. Nov. 8. Woman's Prize or the Tamer tam'd a Comedy written on the same foundation with Shakespear's Taming of the Shrew or which we may better call a Second part or counter-part to that admirable Comedy This was writ by Mr. Fletcher's Pen likewise I wish I were able to give the Reader a perfect Account what Plays He writ alone in what Plays he was assisted by the Judicious Beaumont and which were the Plays in which Old Phil. Massinger had a hand but Mr. Charles Cotton being dead I know none but Sir Aston Cockain if he be yet alive that can satisfy the World in this particular all that I can say is that most of these Plays were acted at the Globe and Black-Friars in the Time of those Actors Taylor Lowin Burbage c. This Account I receiv'd from Sir Aston Cockain's Poems who writ an Epistle to his Cosen Charles Cotton concerning these excellent Authors part of which I shall transcribe for the Reader 's better Satisfaction and because his Poems are not very common 'T is true Beaumont and Fletcher both were such Sublime Wits none could them admire too much They were our English Pole-Stars and did bear Between them all the World of Fancy clear But as two Suns when they do shine to us The Air is lighter they prodigious So while they liv'd and writ together we Had Plays exceeded what we hop'd to see But they writ few for youthful Beaumont soon By Death eclipsed was at his high Noon Surviving Fletcher then did Penn alone Equal to both pardon Comparison And suffer'd not the Globe Black-Friar's Stage T' envy the Glories of a former Age. As we in Humane Bodies see that lose An Eye or Limb the Vertue and the Use Retreat into the other Eye or Limb And makes it double So I say of him Fletcher was Beaumont's Heir and did inherit His searching Judgment and unbounded Spirit His Plays were printed therefore as they were Of Beaumont too because his Spirit 's there I know no Poems writ by Mr. Fletcher but Mr. Beaumont has a Poem extant call'd Salmacis Hermaphroditus printed Lond. 4 o 1602. and which was again re-printed with his Elegy of Love Elegies Sonnets and other Poems 8 o Lond. 1653. Our Author joyn'd with the Famous Johnson and Middleton in a Comedy called The Widow Of this Play see more under the Name of Ben. Johnson John FORD A Gentleman of the Middle-Temple who liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the First Who was a Well-wisher to the Muses and a Friend and Acquaintance of most of the Poets of his Time He was not only a Partner with Rowly and Decker in the Witch of
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
the Compilers of former Catalogues because it consists of Speeches of Gratulation as the Author stiles them which were spoke to his Majesty at Fen-Church Temple-Bar and the Strand and therefore besides the presidents of former Catalogues which might in part justify me I might be blam'd should I omit it The Author has plac'd a Comment throughout to illustrate and authorise his Contrivance Entertainment in private of the King and Queen on May-day in the Morning at Sir William Cornwallis's House at High-gate 1604. printed Fol. Lond. 1640. Entertainment of King James and Queen Anne at Theobalds when the House was deliver'd up with the possession to the Queen by the Earl of Salisbury May 22. 1607. The Prince of Janvile Brother to the Duke of Guise being then present printed Fol. Lond. 1640. Entertainment in particular of the Queen and Prince their Highnesses at Althrope at the Lord Spencer's on Saturday being the Twenty-fifth of June 1603. as they came first into the Kingdome printed Fol. Lond. 1640. Entertainment of the Two Kings of Great Brittain and Denmark at Theobalds July 24 th 1606. printed Fol. Lond. 1640. This Entertainment is very short and consists chiefly of Epigrams Every Man in his Humour a Comedy acted in the Year 1598. by the then Lord Chamberlain's Servants printed Fol. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the Most Learned and his Honour'd Friend Mr. Cambden Clarencieux This Play has been reviv'd since the Civil Wars and was receiv'd with general Applause There is a new Epilogue writ for this Play the latter part of which is spoken by Ben Johnson's Ghost The Reader may find it in a Collection of Poems on several Occasions printed 8o. Lond. 1673. See pag. 29. Every Man out of his Humour a Comical Satyr first acted in the Year 1599. by the then Lord Chamberlain's Servants with allowance of the Master of the Revels printed Fol. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the Noblest Nurseries of Humanity and Liberty in the Kingdome The Inns of Court This Play was reviv'd at the Theatre-Royal in the Year 1675. at which time a new Prologue and Epilogue were spoken by Jo. Heyns which were writ by Mr. Duffet See his Poems 8o. pag. 72. c. This is accounted an excellent Old Comedy Fortunate Isles and their Union celebrated in a Masque design'd for the Court on the Twelfth-Night 1626. printed Fol. Lond. 1641. Golden Age restor'd in a Masque at Court 1615. by the Lords and Gentlemen the King's Servants and printed Fol. Lond. 1641. Hymenaei or The Solemnities of a Masque and Barriers at a Marriage printed Fol. Lond. 1640. To this Masque are annext by the Author Learned Notes in the Margin for illustration of the Ancient Greek and Roman Customs Irish Masque at Court by Gentlemen the King's Servants printed Fol. Lond. 1640. King's Entertainment at Welbeck in Nottingham-shire a House of the Right Honourable William Earl of Newcastle at his going into Scotland 1633. printed Fol. Lond. 1640. Love free'd from Ignorance and Folly a Masque of her Majesties printed Fol. Lond. 1640. Love Restor'd in a Masque at Court by Gentlemen the King's Servants printed Fol. Lond. 1640. Love's Triumph thro' Callipolis perform'd in a Masque at Court 1630. by his Majesty King Charles the First with the Lords and Gentlemen Assisting the Inventors being Mr. Johnson and Mr. Inigo Jones printed Fol. Lond. 1641. Love's Welcome the King and Queen's Entertainment at Bolsover at the Earl of Newcastle's the 30 th of July 1634. and printed Fol. Lond. 1641. Magnetick Lady or Humours Reconcil'd a Comedy acted at the Black-fryars and printed Fol. Lond. 1640. This Play is generally esteem'd an Excellent Play tho' in those days it found some Enemies amongst which Dr. Gill Master of Pauls School or at least his Son writ a Satyr against it part of which the whole being too long I shall take the pains to transcribe But to advise thee Ben in this strist Age A Brick-kill's better for thee than a Stage Thou better know'st a Groundsil for to lay Then lay the Plot or Ground-work of a Play And better can'st direct to Cap a Chimney Then to converse with Clio or Polyhimny Fall then to work in thy old Age agen Take up thy Trug and Trowel gentle Ben Let Plays alone or if thou needs will write And thrust thy feeble Muse into the light Let Lowen cease and Taylor scorn to touch The loathed Stage for thou hast made it such But to shew how fiercely Ben could repartee on any one that had abus'd him I will present the Reader with his answer Shall the prosperity of a Pardon still Secure thy railing Rhymes infamous Gill At libelling Shall no Star-Chamber Peers Pillory nor Whip nor want of Ears All which thou hast incurr'd deservedly Nor Degradation from the Ministry To be the Denis of thy Father's School Keep in thy bawling Wit thou bawling Fool. Thinking to stir me thou hast lost thy End I 'll laugh at thee poor wretched Tike go send Thy blotant Muse abroad and teach it rather A Tune to drown the Ballads of thy Father For thou hast nought to cure his Fame But Tune and Noise the Eccho of his Shame A Rogue by Statute censur'd to be whipt Cropt branded slit neck-stockt go you are stript Masque at the Lord Viscount Hadington's Marriage at Court on Shrove-Tuesday at Night 1608. and printed fol. Lond. 1640. Masque of Augurs with several Antimasques presented on Twelfth-night 1622. printed fol. Lond. 1640. Masque of Owls at Kenelworth presented by the Ghost of Captain Coxe mounted on his Hobby-horse 1626. printed fol. Lond. 1640. Masque of Queens celebrated from the House of Fame by the Queen of Great Britain with her Ladies at Whitehall Febr. 2. 1609. This Masque is adorned with learned Notes for the Explanation of the Author's Design He was assisted in the Invention and Architecture of the Scenes throughout by Mr. Inigo Jones Masque presented in the House of the Right Honourable the Lord Haye by divers of Noble Quality his Friends for the Entertainment of Monsieur Le Baron de Tour Extraordinary Ambassador for the French King on Saturday the 22. of Febr. 1617. printed fol. Lond. 1617. Metamorphos'd Gypsies a Masque thrice presented to King James first at Burleigh on the Hill next at Belvoyr and lastly at Windsor in August 1621. printed fol. Lond. 1641. Mercury Vindicated from the Alchymists at Court by Gentlemen the King's Servants printed fol. Lond. 1640. Mortimer's Fall a Tragedy or rather a Fragment it being just begun and left imperfect by his Death tho' the Reader may see the Model of each Act by the Argument publisht before it printed fol. Lond. 1640. Neptune's Triumph for the Return of Albion celebrated in a Masque at Court on the Twelfth-Night 1644. printed fol. Lond. 1641. News from the New World discovered in the Moon a Masque presented at Court before King James 1620. and printed fol. Lond. 1641. Oberon the Fairy Prince a Masque of Prince Henries printed fol. Lond. 1640. On
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
And in great Choller offer'd to go out But Those that were there thought it not fit To discontent so ancient a Wit And therefore Apollo call'd him back agen And made him mine Host of his own New-Inn I know nothing else published by our Author only I have read a Letter from Mr. James Howell to Dr. Duppa then Bishop of Chichester and Tutor to King Charles the Second when Prince of Wales that he was publishing a Piece call'd Johnsonus Verbius to which Mr. Howell contributed a Decastick I know not what Reception Mr. Howell's Verses met with in the World but I am confident he had willingly allowed Mr. Oldham's Ode had he then liv'd a place in the first Rank of Poets The Title sufficiently explains the Design and the Reader may find it commended by an Ingenious Copy of Verses addrest to the Bishop by Sir W. D'Avenant See his Poems Fol. Edit p. 253. He died An. D. 1637. being aged 63. and was buried in St. Peter's Church in Westminster on the West-side near the Belfry having only a plain Stone over his Grave with this Inscription O RARE BEN. JOHNSON 'T is manifest that a better Monument was design'd him by some Friends but the Civil Wars breaking out hindred their good Intentions tho' it shall not prevent me from transcribing an Elegy written by a Studious Friend and Admirer of Ben. Johnson which I wish were set upon his Grave Hic Johnsonus noster Lyricorum Dramaticorumque Coryphaeus qui Pallade auspice laurum à Graecia ipsaque Roma rapuit fausto Omine in Brittaniam transtulit nostram nunc invidia major fato nec tamen aemulis cessit An Dom. 1637. Id. Nov. Thomas JORDAN An Author that liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the First who could both write and act Plays as appears from three Drammas he has publisht and from a Tragedy call'd Messalina in which he acted the part of Lepida Mother to that shameless Empress His Plays are two Comedies and a Masque viz. Fancies Festivals a Masque printed 4o. Lond. 16 This I have not at present but have formerly read it with satisfaction and still retain the following Lines spoken by a Souldier God and the Souldier Men alike adore Just at the brink of danger and no more The danger past both are alike requited God is forgotten and the Souldier slighted Money is an Ass a Comedy acted with good applause printed 4o. Lond. 1668. I suppose by the Stile this was writ and possibly publish'd some Years before it being a common thing with Mr. Kirkman to publish old Plays as Any thing for a Quiet Life Cure for a Cuckold Gammer Gurton's Needle and many others Walks of Islington and Hogsdon with the Humors of Woodstreet-Compter a Comedy publickly acted Nineteen Days together with extraordinary applause printed 4o. Lond. 1657. and dedicated to the true Lover of Ingenuity the much Honour'd Richard Cheyny of Hackney Esq This Play in those days was commended by a Copy of Verses written by R. C. Master of Arts part of which are thus These Walks 'twixt Islington Hogsdon will Like those 'twixt Tempe and Parnassus Hill Show how the Muses in their sportfull Rage Set all the Town a walking to your Stage With so much Wit and Art and Judgment laid That Nineteen dayes together they were play'd Now by the bounty of the Press we be Possess'd of that which we before did see Not pleasing only Nineteen times read o're But Nineteen Ages or till Times no more William JOYNER A Gentleman born in Oxfordshire and Educated in Magdalen Colledge where he was sometime Fellow but upon the Change of his Religion or in order to it he voluntarily quitted his Place in the beginning of the Wars After he left the Colledge he betook himself to a retir'd Life never intermedling with the Controversies of Religion or the Affairs of State which prudent Demeanor joyned with the Sweetness of his Disposition continued him in the Favour and Good-will of the Society till the New-modelling of the Colledge under the Ecclesiastical Commissioners by whom he was re-placed in his former Station but did not long enjoy it the Colledge being shortly after again restored to its former Settlement That he did not wholly bid Adieu to the Muses when he first withdrew from the University may appear by a Dramma that he publish'd under the Name of The Roman Empress a Tragedy acted at the Royal Theatre by his Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1671. and dedicated to the Honourable Sir Charles Sidley This Play in spight of a dead Vacation and some other Impediments found the applause and approbation of the Theatre as oft as it appear'd The Author has propos'd the Oedipus and Hippolitus for his pattern and I think it may justly deserve to be observ'd That his Tragedy is writ in a more Masculine and lofty Stile than most Plays of this Age and Terror and Compassion being the chief hinges on which he design'd his Tragedy should turn he has judiciously rejected what he calls the Gingling Antitheses of Love and Honour By the Advice of Friends he tells us that he hath disguis'd the Names yet that this Emperour was One of the Greatest that ever Rome boasted I am apt to believe that under the Character of Valentius the Author means Constantine the Great and that Crispus and his Mother-in-law Faustina are shadow'd under the Characters of Florus and Fulvia but this being only Conjecture I must leave it to the Criticks Decision Our Author has nothing else in print that I know of except a little Book entituled Some Observations on the Life of Cardinal Reginal dus Polus where he disguises his Name under these two Letters G. L. which I take to be Guilielmus Lyde the Ancient Name of that Family 'T is printed 8o. Lond. 1686. In this Book the Reader is made acquainted not only with the Authors Reading Stile and Judgment but his skill in the French and Italian Languages K. Henry KILLEGREW AN Author who liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the First and writ a Play call'd Conspiracy a Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1638. This Play was design'd for an Entertainment of the King and Queen at york-York-House at the Nuptials of the Lady Mary Villiers and the Lord Charles Herbert 'T was afterwards acted on the Black-fryars Stage and found the approbation of the most Excellent Persons of this kind of Writing which were in that time if there were ever better in any time Ben Johnson being then alive who gave a Testimony of this Perce even to be envy'd Some Cavillers at its first Representation at Blackfryars exclaim'd against the Indecorum that appear'd in the part of Cleander who being represented as a Person of seventeen years old is made to speak words that would better sute with the Age of Thirty saying It was monstrous and impossible but the Author was sufficiently vindicated by the Lord Viscount Faulkland who made the following Repartee to One of these Hypercriticks
Leonardo from Lucretia's Lodging where he got in by her Maid's Assistance is an Incident as I have already shew'd in several Plays Fine Companion a Comedy acted before the King and Queen at Whitehall and sundry times with great applause at the Private House in Salisbury-court by the Prince's Servants printed quarto Lond. 1633. and dedicated to the truly Noble and his worthy Kinsman in all respects Sir Ralph Dutton The Reader will find that Captain Porpuss in Sir Barnaby Whig is beholding to Captain Whibble in his Play for some of his Expressions Holland's Leaguer an Excellent Comedy often acted with great Applause by the High and Mighty Prince Charles his Servants at the Private House in Salisbury-court printed quarto Lond. 1632. The Author in this Play has shewed his Reading having borrow'd several things from Juvenal Petronius Arbyter c. Mr. Winstanley has made no mention of our Author and Mr. Philips to prove his Character of him that he is not an Obscure or Uncopious Writer of English Comedy has ascrib'd two Comedies to him which belong to other Men the Fleire being writ by Edward Sharpham and the Fair Maid of the Exchange if we may believe Kirkman's Account by Thomas Heywood John MARSTON An Author that liv'd in the Reign of King James the First who was a Contributor to the Stage in his Time by Eight Plays which were approv'd by the Audience at the Black-fryars and one of them viz. Dutch Curtezan was some few Years since reviv'd with success on the present Stage under the Title of The Revenge or The Match in New-gate The place of our Author's Birth and Family are to me unknown neither can I recover other Information of him than what I learnt from the Testimony of his Bookseller That he was free from all Obscene Speeches which is the chief cause that makes Plays to be so odious unto most Men. That he abhorr'd such Writers and their Works and profest himself an Enemy to all such as stufft their Scenes with Ribaldry and larded their Lines with Scurrilous Taunts and Jests So that whatsoever even in the Spring of his Years he presented upon the private and publick Theatre in his Autumn and Declining Age he needed not to be asham'd of An Excellent Character and fit for the Imitation of our Dramatists most of whom would be thought to have throughly studyed Horace I could wish therefore that they which know him so well would call to Mind and practice his Advice which is thus exprest Silvis deducti caveant me judice Fauni Ne nimiū teneres juvenentur versibus unquam Aut immunda crepent ignominiosaque dicta Offenduntur enim quibus est equus pater res But leaving this I shall give the Reader an Account of his Plays in their Accustom'd Order having first inform'd him that six of our Author's Plays are collected into one Volume being publisht under the Title of The Works of Mr. John Marston printed octavo Lond. 1633. and dedicated to the Right Honourable the Lady Elizabeth Carie Viscountess Faulkland According to the Alphabet I am to begin with viz. Antonio and Melida a History acted by the Children of Paul's printed octavo Lond. 1633. Antonio's Revenge or The Second part of Antonio and Melida frequently acted by the Children of Paul's printed in octavo These two Plays were likewise printed in quarto above 30 Years before this new Edition viz. 1602. Dutch Curtezan a Comedy divers times presented at the Black-fryars by the Children of the Queens Majesties Revels printed in octavo Lond. 1633. This Play was publisht long before in quarto viz. 1605. Cockledemoy's cheating Mrs. Mulligrub the Vintner's Wife of the Goblet and the Salmon is borrow'd from an old French Book called Les Contes du Monde see the same Story in English in a Book of Novels call'd The Palace of Pleasure in the last Novel Insatiate Countess a Tragedy acted at the White-fryars printed quarto Lond. 1603. It being a common custom with our Author to disguise his Story and to personate real Persons under feign'd Characters I am perswaded that in this Play under the Title of Isabella the Insatiable Countess of Suevia he meant Joane the First Queen of Jerusalem Naples and Sicily and I doubt not but the Reader who will compare the Play with the History will assent to my conjecture Many are the Writers that have related her Life as Collenuccio Simmoneta Villani Montius c. but I refer my English Reader to Dr. Fuller's Prophane State Ch. 2. That her Life has been the Subject not only of History but of Poetry and Novels also is manifest from this Play and the Novels of Bandello who has related her Story under the Title of The Inordinate Life of The Countess of Celant This Novel is translated into French by Belleforest Tom. 2. Nov. 20. and possibly our Author might build his Play on this Foundation The like Story is related in God's Revenge against Adultery under the Name of Anne of Werdenberg Dutchess of Ulme See Hist. 5. Male Content a Tragicomedy the first Design being laid by Mr. Webster was corrected and augmented by our Author printed 4o. Lond. 1604. and dedicated in the following Stile to Ben Johnson Benjamini Johnsonio Poetae Elegantissimo Gravissimo Amico suo candido cordato Johannes Marston Musarum Alumnus asperam hanc suam Thaliam D. D. Notwithstanding our Authors profession of Friendship he afterwards could not refrain from reflecting on Mr. Johnson on Account of his Sejanus and Catiline as the Reader will find in the perusal of his Epistle to Sophonisba Know says he that I have not labour'd in this Poem to relate any thing as an Historian but to enlarge every thing as a Poet. To transcribe Authors quote Authorities and translate Latin Prose Orations into English Blank-Verse hath in this Subject been the least aim of my Studies That Mr. Johnson is here meant will I presume be evident to any that are acquainted with his Works and will compare the Orations in Salust with those in Catiline On what provocations our Author thus censured his Friend I know not but this Custom has been practic'd in all Ages the Old Proverb being verify'd in Poets as well as Whores Two of a Trade can never agree 'T is within the Memory of Man that a Play has been dedicated to the late witty Earl of Rochester and an Essay upon Satyr from the same Hand has bespatter'd his Reputation So true it is that some Poets Are still prepar'd to praise or to abhor us Satyr they have and Panegyrick for us But begging pardon for this Digression I return to the Play which I take to be an honest general Satyr and not as some malicious Enemies endeavour'd to perswade the World design'd to strike at any particular Persons Parasitaster or The Fawn a Comedy divers times presented at the Black-fryars by the Children of the Queens Majesties Revels printed 80. Lond. 1633. This Play was formerly printed
in quarto 1606. The Plot of Dulcimel her cozening the Duke by a pretended Discovery of Tiberio's Love to her is borrow'd from Boccace's Novels Day 3. Nov. 3. This Novel is made use of as an Incident in several other Plays as Flora's Vagaries Souldiers Fortune and Nymphadoro's Humour of Loving the whole Sex Act. 3. Sc. 1. is copy'd from Ovid's Amor. Lib. 2. Eleg. 4. What you will a Comedy printed 8o. Lond. 1633. Francisco's zanying the Person and Humour of Albano is an incident in several Plays as Mr. Cowley's Guardian Albumazer c. tho' I presume the Design was first copy'd from Plautus his Amphitruo This I take to be one of our Authors best Plays Wonder of Women or Sophonisba her Tragedy sundry times acted at the Black-fryars and printed in 8o. Lond. 1633. This Play is founded on History see Livy Dec. 3. Lib. 10. Corn. Nepos in Vit. Annibal Polibius Appian Orosius The English Reader may read this Story lively describ'd by the Judicious Sir W. Rawleigh in his History of the World Book the 5. Mr. Phillips and Mr. Winstanley have created him the Author of a Play call'd The Faithful Shepherd which I am confident is none of his and have ommitted his Satyrs which render'd him more eminent than his Dramatick Poetry The Title is The Scourge of Villany in three Books of Satyrs printed in 8o. Lond. 1598. Mr. Fitz-Geoffry above-mention'd in the Account of Daniel and Johnson writ in their Commendation the following Hexastick Ad Johannem Marstonem Gloria Marstoni Satyrarum proxima primae Primaque fas primas si numerare duas Sin primam duplicare nefas tua gloria saltem Marstoni primae proxima semper eris Nec te paeniteat stationis Jane secundus Cū duo sint tantùm est neuter at ambo pares John MASON I can give the Reader no Account of this Author further than he was a Master of Arts in the time of King James the First about the middle of whose Reign he publisht a Play stil'd Muleasses the Turk a Worthy Tragedy divers times acted by the Children of his Majesties Revels printed 4o. Lond. 1610. Whether this Play deserv'd the Title of Worthy I shall not determine but that the Author had a good Opinion of it seems apparent from his Lemma in the Title-page borrow'd from Horace Sume superbiam quaesitam meritis Philip MASSINGER PHILIP MASSINGER Our Author has publisht Fourteen Plays of his own Writing besides those in which he join'd with other Poets We shall begin with a Play call'd Bashful Lover a Tragi-comedy often acted at the private House in Black-friars by His Majesties Servants with great Applause printed 8o. 1655. Bondman an ancient Story often acted with good allowance at the Cock-pit in Drury-lane by the most Excellent Princess the Lady Elizabeth her Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1638. and dedicated to the Right Honourable and his Singular good Lord Philip Earl of Montgomery The Plot of the Slaves being seduc'd to Rebellion by Pisander and reduc'd by Timoleon and their flight at the sight of the Whips is borrow'd from the Story of the Scythian Slaves Rebellion against their Master See Justin L.1 C. 5 City Madam a Comedy acted at the private House in Black-friars with great Applause printed 4o. Lond. 1659. for Andrew Pennycuicke One of the Actors and dedicated by him to the truly Noble and Virtuous Lady Anne Countess of Oxford This is an Excellent old Play Duke of Millain a Tragedy printed in 4o. tho when or where acted I know not my Copy being imperfect As to the Plot I suppose Sforza's giving orders to his Favourite Francisco to murther his beloved Wife the Dutchess Marcelia was borrow'd from the History of Herod who on the like occasion left orders with his Uncle Joseph to put his beloved Mariamne to Death as the Reader may see in Josephus Lib. 15. Cap. 4. Emperor of the East a Tragi-comedy divers times acted at the Black-friars and Globe Play-houses by the King's Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1632. and dedicated to the Right Honourable and his very good Lord John Lord Mohune Baron of Oke-hampton This Play is commended by three Copies of Verses One of which was writ by Sir Aston Cockain For the Play 't is founded on the History of Theodosius the Younger See Socrates L. 7. Theodoret L.5 Nicephorus L. 14. Baronius Godeau c. Fatal Dowry a Tragedy often acted at the private House in Black-friars by His Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1632. This Play was writ by our Author and Mr. Nathaniel Field of whom I have already spoken The behaviour of Charalois in voluntarily choosing imprisonment to ransom his Fathers Corps that it might receive Funeral Rights is copied from the Athenian Cymon that admirable Example of Piety so much celebrated by Valerius Maximus Lib. 5. C. 4 Ex. 9 Plutarch and Cornelius Nepos notwithstanding make it a forc'd Action and not voluntary Guardian a Comical History often acted at the private House in Black-fryars by his late Majesties Servants with great Applause printed 8o. Lond. 1655. Severino's cutting off Calipso's Nose in the dark taking her for his Wife Jolantre is borrow'd from the Cimerian Matron a Romance 8o. the like Story is related in Boccace Day 8. Nov. 7. Great Duke of Florence a Comical History often presented with good allowance by her Majesties Servants at the Phoenix in Drury-lane printed 4o. Lond. 1636. and dedicated to the truly Honoured and his noble Favourer Sir Robert Wiseman of Thorrel's Hall in Essex This Play is commended by two Copies of Verses One of which was writ by Mr. John Ford of whom we have already spoken p. 219. The false Character given the Duke of the Beauty of Lidia by Sanasarro resembles the Story of King Edgar and Duke Ethelwolph in his Account of the Perfections of Alphreda As the Reader may find the Story related in our English Chronicles that have writ the Reign of Edgar as Speed Stow Baker c. Maid of Honour a Tragi-comedy often presented with good allowance at the Phoenix in Drury-lane by the Queen's Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1632. and dedicated to his most Honoured Friends Sir Francis Foliambe and Sir Thomas Bland A Copy of Verses is prefixt to the Play writ by Sir Aston Cokain New way to pay Old Debts a Comedy often acted at the Phoenix in Drury-lane by the Queens Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1633. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Robert Earl of Carnarvan This Play is deservedly commended by the Pens of Sir Henry Moody and Sir Thomas Jay above-mention'd Old Law or A new Way to please you an excellent Comedy acted before the King and Queen at salisbury-Salisbury-house and at several other places with great applause printed 4o. Lond. 1656. In this Play our Author was assisted by Mr. Middleton and Mr. Rowley At the End of it is printed a Catalogue of Plays which tho' stil'd perfect in the Title-page is far from it for besides abundance of
was well acquainted with most of the Poets of his time He was the Cheif Graver of the Mint to both King Charles the First and Second and died in that Employment in 1670. He writ a Play for his Diversion only not for profit as he tells the Reader in his Preface Take no notice of my Name for a second Work of this Nature shall hardly bear it I have no desire to be known by a Thread-bare Cloak having a Calling that will maintain it Woolly His Play is called Rebellion a Tragedy acted Nine Days together and divers times since with good applause by his Majesty's Company of Revels and printed 4o. Lond. 1640. 'T is dedicated to his Kinsman Robert Ducie of Aston in the County of Stafford Esq and is accompanied with Verses to the number of eleven Copies amongst which are several writ by the Dramatick Poets his Contemporaries He was very young when he writ this Tragedy as appears from the following Lines of Mr. Chamberlain publisht with the Play To see a Springot of thy tender Age With such a lofty Straine to word a Stage To see a Tragedy from thee in Print With such a World of fine Meanders in 't Pusles my wondring soul for there appeares Such disproportion 'twixt thy Lines and Yeares That when I read thy Lines methinks I see The sweet tongu'd Ovid fall upon his Knee With Parce precor The Scene of this Play lyes in Sevile but I cannot direct you to any particular History because I know not in what King of Spain's Reign this Action happened All I can tell you is That I believe this Taylor was fitted upon Crispin's Last and that Webster's Shoomaker gave Birth to our Poet's Don Sebastiano Mr. Winstanley speaks of other small Pieces that he wrote tho' I know of none except some commendatory Verses publisht with his Friends Plays as with Mr. Chamberlain's Swaggering Damsel Mr. Richards's Messalina c. Edward REVET An Author of our Time who published a Play called Town Shifts or Suburb Justice a Comedy Acted at his Royal Highness the Duke of York's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1671. and dedicated to Stephen Mosedelf Esq Give me leave so far to commend this Comedy to say that it is Instructive and that the Author's Protagonist Lovewel tho' reduced to poverty yet entertains not only an Innate Principle of Honesty but advises his two Comrades Friendly and Faithful to the practice of it and it succeeds happily to them I mention this because few of our Modern Characters are so nicely drawn Nathaniel RICHARDS An Author that lived in the Reign of King Charles the First of whom I can give no further Account than that he writ one Tragedy publisht in the beginning of our late Troubles viz. Messalina the Roman Empress her Tragedy acted with general applause divers times by the Company of his Majesty's Revels and printed 8o. Lond. 1640. This Play is dedicated to the Right Honourable John Cary Viscount Rochsord and is ushered into the Light by six Copies of Verses two of which were writ by our Dramatick Authors Davenport and Rawlins two by two Actors in his Play Robinson and Jordan and a fifth Latin Copy by One Thomas Combes which may deserve a place in our Account after having acquainted the Reader that for the Story he may consult Tacitus Suetonius Pliny Plutarch and Juvenal all which have given a Character of the Insatiate Messalina as the following Verses do of her Vices and the Virtues of her Mother Lepida Carissimo Amico Auctori in eximiam Missalinae Tragoediam Ridentem Venerem veteres pinxere sed ecce Apparet Venus hic sanguinolenta nigra Lascivos amplexa viros amplectitur ensem Effera quae vita est baec furibunda nece Sic eadem Victrix eademque Libidinis Ultrix Messalina altrix quae fuit ipsa fuit Dū moritur mala pars oritur pars conjungis illa Quae superat quamvis mors in utramque furit Casta parens toties quoties fit adultera proles Pugnat adversa cum pie tate scelus Dumque scelus fugiens dat terga stat altera lugēs Et nituit niveo pectore purus Honor Haec ubi sunt verbis aptata Tragoedia digna Illa est in primis Laudis illa tua est Thomas Combes William RIDER This Writer as I suppose by the Date of his Play flourish'd in the Reign of King Charles the Second and was a Master of Arts tho' of which University or Colledge is to me unknown All I can inform my Reader is that he is the Author of a Play called Twins a Tragi-comedy acted at the private House at Salisbury Court with general applause printed 4o. Lond. 1655. This Play is not contemptible either as to the Language or Oeconomy of it tho' I judge it older far than the the Date of it imports William ROWLY An Author that flourish'd in the Reign of King Charles the First and was sometime a Member of Pembroke Hall in Cambridge I can say nothing further of his Life or Country but as to his Poetry and his intimate Acquaintance with the prime Poets of that Age I can speak at large He was not only beloved by those Great Men Shakespear Fletcher and Johnson but likewise writ with the former The Birth of Merlin Besides what he joyned in writing with Poets of the second Magnitude as Heywood Middleton Day and Webster as you may see under each of their Names our Author has four Plays in print of his own Writing of which take the following Account viz. All 's lost by Lust a Tragedy divers times acted by the Lady Elizabeth's Servants and with great applause at the Phoenix in Drury-Lane and printed 4o. Lond. 1633. This is a good old Play and the Story it self may be read in the Spanish Histories See Mariana Lib. 21 22 23. Suritta's Annales c. Lib. 1. C. 1. Turquet L. 5. C. 30. As to Margaretta's Design'd Revenge on her Husband Antonio read the Unfortunate Lovers Novel the 3. Match at Midnight a pleasant Comedy acted by the Children of the Revels and printed 4o. Lond. 1633. The Plot of Alexander Blood-hound's being hid by Jarvis under the Widow's Bed is founded on an old Story inserted in the English Rogue part 4. Ch. 19. Shoomaker 's a Gentleman a Comedy printed 4o. Lond. Not having this Play by me at present I cannot inform my Reader where It was acted or when printed But this I know that it has not many Years since been revived at the Theatre in Dorset-Garden and been formerly acted abroad in the Country and the Comical part of it is an usual Entertainment at Bartholomew and Southwarke Fairs it being a Copy to which all Stroling Companies lay claim to The Play is founded on a stitcht Pamphlet in quarto called The History of the Gentle-Craft The Reader may find an Epilogue printed in Duffet's Poems p. 60. writ for this Play when 't was revived New Wonder a Woman never vext a pleasant Comedy sundry times
acted and printed 4o. Lond. 1632. That passage of the Widows finding her Wedding-Ring which she dropp'd in crossing the Thames in the Belly of a Fish which her Maid bought accidentally in the Market is founded either upon the Story of Polycrates of Samos as the Author may read at large in Herodotus Lib. 3. sive Thalia or upon the like Story related of one Anderson of Newcastle by Doctor Fuller in his Worthies of England I know of nothing else written by our Author neither can I tell the time of his Death and therefore I must leave it to Persons of better Information to acquaint the World with more particulars of his Life whilst I hasten to an Account of his Names sake Samuel ROWLEY Whether this Author was related to as well as Contemporary with the former I know not only this I know that he writ himself a Servant to the Prince of Wales He is the Author of two Historical Plays of which we are to give an Account in their Alphabetical Order viz. Noble Spanish Souldier or A Contract broken justly revenged a Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1634. This is a Posthumous Piece and if we believe the Printer's Preface has received applause in Action Where it was acted I know not nor the Foundation of the Story it not being mentioned what King of Spain it was that committed that act of Perjury with Onaelia When you see me you know me or The Famous Chronical History of Henry the Eighth with the Birth and Virtuous Life of Edward Prince of Wales being play'd by the High and Mighty Prince of Wale's Servants and printed 4o. Lond. 1632. For the Plot see the L d Herbert's Life of Hen. the VIII and other Writers of his Life as Polydore Virgil Hollingshead Hall Grafton Stow Speed Martin Baker c. Joseph RUTTER An Author that liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the First He belong'd to the Earl of Dorset's Family and attended on his Son the Father of the present Earl At the Command of the Right Honourable Edward Earl of Dorset and Lord Chamberlain to the Queen he undertook the Translation of the Cid out of French and Mr. Kirkman ascribes another Play to him besides of both which I shall speak in their Order Cid a Tragi-comedy acted before their Majesties at Court and on the Cock-pit Stage in Drury-Lane by the Servants to both their Majesties and printed 8o. Lond. 1637. This first Part is dedicated to Edward Earl of Dorset aforesaid part of it being translated by the young Lord his Son on whom our Author attended Cid Part the second printed 4o. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the Lady Theophila Cook This Part was undertaken by our Author at his Majesties Command who was pleas'd to think it worth the translating and commanded it to be put into our Author's Hands Both these Plays are usually bound together in actavo As to these Plays in the Original they are much commended tho' I never saw but the first Part in French I shall not here transcribe the Author 's own Sentiments of it but leave it to those who understand the French to peruse the Examen of the Second Part it being too long for this place But what M. Boileau says of it in his 9 th Satyr may be sufficient to shew the Sentiments of the publick in its Favour His Words are these En vain contre le Cid un Ministre se ligue Tout Paris pour Climene a les yeux de Rodrigue L' Academie en Corps a beau le censurer Le Public revolté s'obstine à l'admirer To speak of the Translation in general I think if the Time be considered when it was undertaken it may pass muster with candid Readers The Author having at least so far improv'd it as to bring several things in Action which in the Original are delivered in Narration an Excellency commended by Horace in those Lines so well known to all Scholars Aut agitur res in Scenis aut Acta refertur Segnius irritant animos demissa per aurem Quam quae sunt oculis subjecta fidelibus quae Ipse sibi tradit spectator It is true our Author has altered in the Original some places but not many Two Scenes he has left out as being Soliloquies and things little pertinent to the Business and give me leave to observe by the by That the French are much addicted to bring in these Monologues in their serious Plays Some things likewise our Author has added but scarce discernable and where M. Corneille would give him leave he says he has follow'd close both his Sense and Words tho' as he has observed many things are received Wit in one Tongue which are not in another As to the Play 't is founded on true History and the Author has follow'd Roderic de Tolede and Mariana The Reader may consult other Historians that have writ of the Affairs of Don Fernando the First King of Castille Shepherds Holyday a Pastoral Tragi-comedy acted before their Majesties at Whitehall by the Queen's Servants and printed 8o. Lond. 1635. This Play is ascrib'd by Mr. Kirkman to our Author tho' only J.R. is affix'd to the Title-page This Play is of the Nobler sort of Pastorals and is writ in Blank Verse At the End is a Pastoral Elegy on the Death of the Lady Venetia Digby in the Person of Sir Kenelm Digby her Husband and a Latin Epigram on her Tomb. I know nothing else of our Authors Writing Thomas RYMER Esq This Gentleman is now living and was once if he be not at present a Member of the Honourable Society of Grays-Inn He has excellent Talent towards Criticism as appears by his Preface to the Translation of Rapin's Reflections on Aristotle's Treatise of Poetry 8o. and his Tragedies of the last Age consider'd but I think for Dramatick Poetry there are other Poets now alive that at least equal that Tragedy which he has publisht viz. Edgar or The English Monarch an Heroick Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1678. This Tragedy is dedicated to King Charles the Second and written in Heroick Verse If it be compared with Mr. Ravenscroft's King Edgar and Alfreda it far exceeds it For the Plot see the Historians before mentioned viz. Malmesbury Huntingdon Hoveden Ingulfus Higden c. Grafton Stow c. S. Thomas St. SERF A Gentleman who in the Reign of King Charles the Second writ a Play call'd Tarugo's Wiles or The coffee-Coffee-house a Comedy acted at his Highnesses the Duke of York's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1668. and dedicated to the Right Honourable George Marquess of Huntley This Comedy if not equal with those of the first Rank yet exceeds several which pretend to the second especially the third Act which discovers the several Humours of a Coffee-house As to the other part of the Play 't is founded as I suppose on the Spanish Play No puedeser or It cannot be but not having the Original I cannot be positive but this I know That the Lord
Fourteen Plays in print which we shall give an Account of in the Order we have begun viz. Alphabetically tho' by this means his last Play comes first upon our Stage viz. Amorous Bigotte with the Second Part of Tegue O Divelly a Comedy acted by their Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1690. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Charles Earl of Shrewsbury Bury Fair a Comedy acted by his present Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1689. and dedicated to the Rt. Honourable Charles Earl of Dorset and Middlesex the present Lord Chamberlain of his Majesty's Houshold How difficult it is for Poets to find a continual Supply of new Humour this Poet has sufficiently shew'd in his Prologue and therefore he ought to be excus'd if Old Wit and Sir Humphry Noddy have some resemblance with Justice spoil Wit and Sr. John Noddy in the Triumphant Widow Skilfull Poets resemble excellent Cooks whose Art enables them to dress one Dish of Meat several ways and by the Assistance of proper Sawces to give each a different Relish and yet all grateful to the Palate Thus the Character of La Roche tho' first drawn by Molliere in Les ' Precieuses ridicules and afterwards copy'd by Sir W. D' Avenant Mr. Betterton and Mrs. Behn yet in this Play has a more taking Air than in any other Play and there is something in his Jargon more diverting than in the Original it self Epsom Wells a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1676. and dedicated to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle This is so diverting and withal so true a Comedy that even Forreigners who are not generally the kindest to the Wit of our Nation have extreamly commended it and it is no small credit to our Author that the Sieur De Saint Euvremont speaking of our English Comedies in his Essays has ranked this Play with Ben Johnson's Bartholmew Fair as two of our most diverting Comedies 'T is true that some endeavoured to fix a Calumny upon our Author alledging that this Play was not in Ingenious but this Stain was quickly wip'd off by the Plea he makes for himself in the Prologue spoken to the King and Queen at Whitehall where he says If this for him had been by others done After this Honour sure they 'd claim their own Humorists a Comedy acted by his Royal Highnesses Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1671. and dedicated to the most Illustrious Margaret Dutchess of Newcastle The Design of this Play was To reprehend some of the Vices and Follies of the Age which is certainly the most proper and most useful way of writing Comedy But notwithstanding the Author 's good Design it met with implacable Enemies who resolv'd to damn it right or wrong and the Author was forc'd to mutilate his Play by expunging the chief Design to prevent giving Offence These and other Disadvantages the particulars of which you may read in the Preface the Poet met with and yet I think a Candid Judge would let it pass without much Censure and pardon the faults of the Play for that Reparation that is made for it in the Preface Lancashire Witches and Teague O Divelly the Irish Priest a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre and printed 4o. Lond. 1682. This Play was written in the Times of Whig and Tory therefore was opposed by Papists and their Adherents for the sake of their Dear-Joy Teague O Divelly but nevertheless there appeared so numerous a party in the Play 's Defence that the Play lived in spight of all their Malice However I wish our Author for his own sake had left out the Character of Smirk notwithstanding and the Defence he makes for it in the Preface and his Protestation of having a true value for the Church of England for 't is evident that her Sons the Clergy are abused in that Character particularly in the first Scene of the second Act and therefore Mr. Shadwell must allow me a little to distrust his sincerity when he makes such large Professions of Respect to Gowns-men to whom I believe his Obligations are greater than Kindness otherwise he would not have suffer'd such reflections to have passed his Pen as are to be met with in his Squire of Alsatia and the Epilogue to the Amorous Bigotte c. If Mr. Shadwell would therefore take a Friend's Counsel I would advise him to treat serious things with due Respect and not to make the Pulpit truckle to the Stage or Preface a Play with a a Treatise of Religion every Man has his Province and I think the Stating of Passive Obedience and Non-Resistance is none of Mr. Shadwell's He may remember that Mr. Dryden never miscarried more than when he inter-meddled with Church Matters and that all the Art and Beauty of his Absalom and Achitophel will hardly make Amends for the Spots and Blemishes that are to be found in his Hind and Panther But to return to our Subject Mr. Heywood and Mr. Brome have writ a Play on the same Story with our Author but how much this exceeds it will be evident to unbyassed Judges As to the Magick in the Play our Author has given a very good Account in his Notes from the Writings of Delrio Bodinus Wierus c. and I know nothing that we have in this Nature in Dramatick Poetry except Ben. Johnson's Masque of Queens which is likewise explained by Annotations Libertine a Tragedy acted by his Royal Highnesses Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1676. and dedicated to William Duke of Newcastle This Play if not regular is at least diverting which according to the Opinion of some of our First-Rate Poets is the End of Poetry The Play is built upon a Subject which has been handled by Spanish Italian and French Authors there being four Plays extant says my Author on this Story I have never seen but one viz. Molliere's L'Athée Foundroyé which it appear'd our Author has read There is a Character in Sir Aston Cockain's Ovid I mean that of Captain Hannibal whose Catastrophe is like that of Don John which as I have said may possibly be borrowed from Il Atheisto fulminato Miser a Comedy acted by his Majesties Servants at the Theatre-Royal printed 4o. Lond. 1672. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Charles L d Buckhurst the present Earl of Dorset This Play the Author confesses is founded on Molliere's L'Avare which by the way is it self founded on Plautus his Autularia 'T was the last Play that was acted at the King's House before the fatal Fire there Whoever will peruse this Play will find more than half writ by our Author and the French part much improved Psyche a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1675. and dedicated to the late James Duke of Monmouth This was the first Play that our Author writ in Rhime and on that Account he found most of the Crambo-Poets up in Arms against it who look'd upon our Author as an Incroacher on their Territories and Were as he says very much offended with him
therefore it was Night close laid Strove to imprison Beauty till the Morn But yet the Doors were of such fine stuff made That it broke through shew'd it self in scorn Throwing a kind of light about the place Which turn'd to smiles still as 't came near her Face I have now no more to do but to close up all with an Account of his Death which was on the 23 d of April Anno Dom. 1616. He lyeth Buried in the Great Church in Strasford upon Avon with his Wife and Daughter Susanna the Wife of Mr. John Hall In the North Wall of the Chancel is a Monument fixed which represents his true Effigies leaning upon a Cushion with the following Inscription Ingenio Pylum genio Socratem arte Maronem Terra tegit Populus moeret Olympus habet Stay Passenger why dost thou go so fast Read if thou canst whom envious Death has plac't Within this Monument Shakespear with whom Quick Nature died whose Name doth deck the Tomb Far more than cost since all that he hath writ Leaves living Art but Page to serve his Wit Obiit An. Dom. 1616. AEt 53. die 23. Apr. Near the Wall where this Monument is Erected lyeth a plain Free-stone underneath which his Body is Buried with this Epitaph Good Friend for Jesus sake forbear To dig the Dust enclosed here Blest be the Man that spares these Stones And curs'd be he that moves my Bones Lewis SHARPE An Author of a Play in the Reign of King Charles the Martyr stiled Noble Stranger acted at the private House in Salisbury Court by her Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to Sir Edmund Williams 'T is commended by a Copy of Verses writ by Rich. Woolfall of which these are part Yet do not fear the danger Of Critick Readers since thy Noble Stranger With pleasing straines has smooth'd rugged Fate Of oft-cramn'd Theaters and prov'd Fortunate Smile at their frowns for I dare boldly say Who ere dislikes it cannot mend thy Play If this Play be look'd upon with mild Eyes it will weigh against some Plays writ in our Time There is somewhat in the Characters of Pupillus and Mercutio which might take in this Age and I believe old Lacy had read this Play before he writ the Character of several Poets of his Poetical Squire Buffon In the fourth Act he has given the Characters of several Poets particularly of Ben. Johnson under the Title of a Confident Poetical Wit as may be guessed from the Epilogue to Cynthia's Revels This from our Author I was bid to say By Jove 't is good and if you 'l lik 't you may But I leave this to the Judgment of the Curious Reader and hasten to the next Poet. Edward SHARPHAM A Gentleman of the Middle-Temple who liv'd in the Reign of King James the First He writ a Play called Fleire a Comedy often paly'd in the Black-fryars by the Children of the Revels and printed 4o. Lond. 1615. I take the Character of Antifront the Duke of Florence to be a pattern taken from Hercules Duke of Ferrara and Marston's Fawne to be the Father of Sharpham's Fleire but this I leave to the Judgment of others to decide they please S. SHEPHEARD One who lived in the time of the late Unhappy Civil Wars and whose Loyalty seems to have been far better than his Poetry He writ in the time of the Prohibition of the Stage two Pamphlets which he stiles Comedies but indeed are no longer than one single Act of a Play that I have seen His Comedies are stiled Committee-man curried a Comedy in two parts represented to the View of all men A piece discovering the Corruption of Committee-men and Excise-men the unjust Sufferings of the Royal-party the devilish Hypocrisy of some Roundheads the Revolt for Gain of some Ministers Not without pleasant Mirth and Variety and printed 4o. Lond. 1647. This Title-page led me to great Expectations but I soon found Horace's Observation true Parturient Montes nascetur ridiculus Mus. The Author indeed has shew'd his Reading if not his Fancy for there is scrace a piece of Sir John Suckling that he has not plundered His Aglaura Goblins Brenoralt all have pay'd tribute to our Excise-Poet neither his Verses nor Prose have escaped him This with what he has borrow'd from Sir Robert Stapleton's Translation of Juvenal Sat. 1. and 3. make up the greatest part of the two Comedies But however I am so far oblig'd by my Charity and Respect and good Intention of asserting Loyalty to set down his own Apology in the Prologue to the Second part The Author prays you for to think the Store Of Wit is wasted by those went before And that the Fatness of the Soil being spent Men's Brains grown barren you 'd not raise the Rent Edward SHERBURN Esq A Gentleman as I suppose still living and Famous for his Versions particularly of Manilius his Sphere or Five Books of Astronomy in Fol. Lond. 1675. Besides that famous Work he has translated two of Seneca's Tragedies viz. Medea a Tragedy with Annotations Printed octavo Lond. 1648. to which is added Seneca's Answer to Lucilius his Query Why Good Men suffer misfortunes On this Play see Mr. Stanley's Vindication of the Author in his Poems octavo p. 75. Troades or The Royal Captives a Tragedy with Annotations printed 4o. Lond. 1679. These Tragedies I look upon as the best Versions we have extant of any of Seneca's and shew the Translator a Gentleman of Learning and Judgment What he writ besides I know not tho' there was the 16 th Idillium of Theocritus printed in Tate's Miscellanies and ascribed to Sir Edw. Sherburn whether the same Person I know not Thomas SHIPMAN Esq A Gentleman not many Years since deceas'd who as a Friend of his says was a Man every way accomplish'd To the advantage of his Birth his Education had added whatsoever was necessary to fit him for Conversation and render him as he was desirable by the best Wits of the Age. He was the Author of a Play called Henry the Third of France stabb'd by a Fryar with the Fall of the Guises a Tragedy in Heroick Verse acted at the Theatre-Royal printed 4o. Lond. 1678. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Henry Lord Marquess of Dorchester For the Plot see Davila M. Girard D. of Espernon's Life c. Besides this Play he has a Book call'd Carolina or Loyal Poems printed octavo Lond. 1683. which sufficiently evince the Ingenuity and Parts of the Author Henry SHIRLEY A Gentleman who flourisht in the time of King Charles the Martyr of whom I can give no further Account than that he was the Author of One Play call'd Martyred Souldier a Tragedy sundry times acted with great Applause at the private House in Drury-lane and at other publick Theatres by Her Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1638. and dedicated to the Famous Sir Kenelm Digby by the Publisher J. K. who gave it to the Press after the Author's Decease and in his
Epistle to the Reader speaks thus of both For the Man his Muse was much courted but no common Mistress and tho' but seldom abroad yet ever much admired at This Work not the meanest of his Labours has much adorned not only One but many Stages with such general Applause as it has drawn even the Rigid Stoicks of the Time who tho' not for pleasure yet for profit have gathered something out of his plentiful Vineyard This Play is founded on History during the time of the Eighth Persecution see Victor Episc. Uticensis de Vandalica Persecutione Isodorus Hispalensis Baronius c. James SHIRLEY A Gentleman of the same Name and Age with the former and was if not Poet Laureat yet Servant to her Majesty One of such Incomparable parts that he was the Chief of the Second-rate Poets and by some has been thought even equal to Fletcher himself He had a great Veneration for his Predecessors as may be seen by his Prologue to the Sisters and particularly for Mr. Johnson whom in an Epistle to the Earl of Rutland he stiles Our acknowledg'd Master the Learned Johnson and in all his Writings shews a Modesty unusual seldom found in our Age and in this I cannot refrain from comparing his Carriage to the Civil and Obliging Gentleman of Rome I mean Ovid who speaking of Virgil in the first of his two Epigrams if at least they are his which Heinsius questions says thus Quantum Virgilius magno concessit Homero Tantum ego Virgilio Naso Poëta meo Nec me praelatum cupio tibi ferre poëtäm Ingenio si te subsequor hoc satis est I need not take pains to shew his Intimacy not only with the Poets of his Time but even the Value and Admiration that Persons of the first Rank had for him since the Verses before several of his Works and his Epistles Dedicatory sufficiently shew it He has writ several Dramatick Pieces to the Number of 37. which are in print besides others which are in Manuscript Of these I have seen four since my Remembrance two of which were acted at the King's House and the other two presented at the Duke's Theatre in Little Lincolns-Inn Fields viz. Court Secret Chances Grateful Servant School of Compliments with what success I leave it to the Players now in being Permit me to bring you the Testimonium of an Old Writer on the Time-Poets in behalf of our Author who delivers this Distich in his praise Shirley the Morning Child the Muses bred And sent him born with Bays upon his Head But I shall cease any further Enlargement on his Commendation and leave you to the perusal of his Works which will shew him in his Native Excellence far better than I am able to describe him or them however take the following Account for want of a better and first of those in Quarto which are Twenty Nine Arcadia a Pastoral acted by Her Majesties Servants at the Phoenix in Drury-lane printed 4o. Lond. 1640. This Play is founded on the incomparable Romance written by Sir Philip Sidney and call'd The Arcadia Ball a Comedy presented by Her Majesties Servants in the private House in Drury-lane printed 4o. Lond. 1539. In this Play our Author was assisted by Geo. Chapman as likewise another which in its Order I forgot in his Account to take notice of Bird in a Cage a Comedy presented at the Phoenix in Drury-lane and printed 4o. Lond. 16 This Play is an Excellent Old Comedy and is dedicated by an Ironical Epistle to the Famous Mr. William Prinne that Great Antagonist to Plays Amongst other Sentences give me leave to transcribe One which may give the Reader a taste of the whole Proceed Inimitable Mecaenas and having such convenient Leisure and an indefatigable Pegasus I mean your Prose which scorneth the Road of Common Sence and despiseth any Stile in his Way travel still in the pursuit of New Discoveries which you may publish if you please in your next Book of Digressions If you do not happen presently to convert the Organs you may in time confute the Steeple and bring every Parish to one Bell. Changes or Love in a Maze a Comedy presented at the private House in Salisbury Court by the Company of His Majesty's Revels printed 4o. Lond. 1632. This Play is dedicated to the Honourable the Lady Dorothy Shirley by a Copy of Verses The passage in the first Act where Goldsworth examining his Daughters Chrysolina and Aurelia find them both in Love with Gerard is better manag'd in the Maiden-Queen tho' this Play has been received with Success as I said in our Time and as I remember the deceas'd Mr. Lacy acted Jonny Thump Sir Gervase Simple's Man with general Applause Chabot Philip Admiral of France his Tragedy presented by Her Majesties Servants at the private House in Drury-lane printed 4o. Lond. 1639. This is the Second Play in which Mr. Chapman joyn'd with our Author For the Plot see the French Chronologers and Historians in the Reign of Francis the First such as Paulus Jovius Arnoldus his Continuation of Paulus AEmilius Mart. Longeus De serres Mezeray c. Constant Maid or Love will find out the way a Comedy acted at the New Play-house called The Nursery in Hatton-Garden printed 4o. Lond. 1667. Hardwell Courting Mrs. Bellamy the Widow by the Advice of his Friend Play-fair is the Subject of several Plays Old and New as I might instance were it material tho' I mention it here because it occasions most of the business in the Play Contention for Honour and Riches printed 4o. Lond. 1633. I know not what to call this whether Interlude or Entertainment but I think I may call it A Useful Moral and which being enlarged under the Title of Honoria and Mammon I shall speak more of anon 'T is dedicated to Edward Golding of Colston in Nottinghamshire Esq Coronation a Comedy which tho' printed in the Folio Edition of Fletcher's Works was writ by Shirley as the Reader may see by the Catalogue of his Six Plays octavo Lond. 1653. Cupid and Death a private Entertainment represented with Scenes and Musick Vocal and Instrumental printed 4o. Lond. 1659. I cannot call to Mind at present whence the Poet took originally his History which is the Changing of Arrows between them which produce dismal Effects but the English Reader may read the same Story in Ogilby's AEsop's Fables Vol. 1. Fab. 39. Dukes Mistress a Tragi-comedy presented by Her Majesty's Servants at the Private-house in Drury-lane and printed 4o. Lond. 1638. Example a Tragi-comedy presented by Her Majesty's Servants at the Private-house in Drury-lane and printed 4o. Lond. 1637. Gamester a Comedy presented by Her Majesty's Servants at the Private-house in Drury-lane and printed 4o. Lond. 1637. The Intrigue between Wilding and his Kinswoman his Wife and Hazard is borrow'd from Ducento Novelle del Signor Celio Malespini secunda parte Nov. 96. The same Story in Q. Margaret's Novels Day first Nov. 8. tho' manag'd to greater Advantage by our
Poet and I must do Mr. Shirley this Justice to say in his behalf That whatever he borrowes from Novels Loses nothing in his Hands any more than in in Mr. Dryden tho' our modest Author would never have said so much were he living Gentleman of Venice a Tragi-comedy presented at the Private-house in Salisbury Court by Her Majesty's Servants and printed quarto Lond. 1655. This Play is dedicated to the Honourable Sir Thomas Nightinghale Baronet and the Intrigue between Florelli Cornari and Claudiana is borrowed as I suppose from a Novel out of Gayton's Festivous Notes on Don Quixote see Book 4. Chap. 6 7 8. Grateful Servant a Comedy presented with good Applause in the Private house in Drury-lane by Her Majesty's Servants This Play is dedicated to the Right Honourable Francis Earl of Rutland and printed 4o. Lond. Lodowik's Contrivance to have Piero tempt his Wife Artella that he might be Divorc'd is the same with Contarini's Humour and Contrivance Giotto in the Humorous Courtier Hide Park a Comedy presented by Her Majesty's Servants at the Private-house in Drury-lane and printed 4o. Lond. 1637. This Play is dedicated to the Right Honourable Henry Earl of Holland This was the first Earl of that Name created in 23. Jac. Apr. 3. and was Beheaded with Duke Hamilton and the Lord Capel March the ninth dying a Martyr to retrive his former forfeited Loyalty to his Prince To this Earl I presume Hide Park once might belong since the Title was occasion'd by his Command to the Author Humorous Courtier a Comedy presented with good Applause at the Private-house in Drury-lane and printed 4o. Lond. 1640. Lady of Pleasure a Comedy acted by Her Majesty's Servants at the Private-house in Drury-lane and printed 4o. Lond. 1637. This Play is dedicated to the Right Honourable Richard Lord Lovelace of Hurley The Plot of Alex. Kickshaw his Enjoying of Aretina and thinking her the Devil resembles Lodowick in Grateful Servant Love Tricks or The School of Compliments acted by His Royal Highness the Duke of York's Servants at the Theatre in Little Lincolns-Inn Fields and printed 4o. Lond. 1667. Love's Cruelty a Tragedy presented by Her Majesty's Servants at the Private-house in Drury-lane printed 4o. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to Cornet George Porter and Mr. Charles Porter The Concealment of Hyppolito and Chariana's Adultery from her Servant by her Husband Bellamente's Contrivance is borrow'd from Queen Margaret's Novels Day 4. Nov. 6. The like Story is related in Cynthio's Heccatomithi Dec. terza Novella sesta Maid's Revenge a Tragedy acted with good Applause at the Private-house in Drury-lane by Her Majesty's Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1639. and dedicated to Henry Osborn Esquire The Play is founded on a History in Mr. Reynolds his God's Revenge against Murther see Book 2. Hist. 7. Opportunity a Comedy presented by her Majesty's Servants at the Private-house in Drury-lane printed Lond. and dedicated to Captain Richard Owen The Resemblance of Aurelio to Borgia is founded on the same with Measure for measure and other English Plays all which as I have observ'd took their Original from Plautus Politician a Tragedy presented at Salisbury Court by Her Majesty's Servants and printed 4o. Lond. 1655. This Play is dedicated to Walter Moyle Esquire A Story resembling this I have read in the first Book of the Countess of Montgomery's Urania concerning the King of Romania the Prince Antissius and his Mother-in-Law Royal Master a Tragi-comedy acted in the New Theatre in Dublin and before the Right Honourable the Lord Deputy of Ireland in the Castle and printed 4o. Lond. 1638. This Play is dedicated to the Right Honourable George Earl of Kildare and is accompanied with Ten Copies of Verses in its Commendation Traytor a Tragedy acted by Her Majesty's Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1635. and dedicated to the Right Honourable William Earl of Newcastle afterwards Marquess and Duke This Play is recommended by a Copy of Verses writ by Mr. William Atkins a Gentleman of the Worthy Society of Grays-Inn Triumph of Peace a Masque presented by the Four Honourable Houses or Inns of Court before the King and Queen's Majesties in the banqueting-Banquetting-house at Whitehal Feb. the third 1633. The Scene and Ornament was the Contrivance of Mr. Inigo Jones the Musick was Composed by Mr. William Laws and Mr. Simon Ives The Masque is dedicated to the Four Equal Honourable Societies of the Inns of Court Mr. Shirley being at that time of Grays-Inn The Masquers went in a Solemn Cavalcade from Ely House to Whitehall and the Author himself says That this Masque for the Variety of the Shews and the Richness of the Habits was the most Magnificent that hath been brought to Court in his Time 'T is printed 4o. Lond. 1633. I have a little Piece by me call'd The Inns of Court Anagrammatist or The Masquers masqued in Anagrammes written by Mr. Francis Lenton One of Her Majesty's Poets and printed 4o. Lond. 1634. This Piece not only names the Masquers and of what House they were but commends each in an Epigram Saint Patrick for Ireland the First part printed 4o. Lond. 1640. Tho' our Title-page calls it the First part I know not whether there was ever a Second part printed tho' the Prologue seems to promise one in the following Lines Saint Patrick whose large Story cannot be bound in the limits of One Play if Ye First welcome this you 'l grace our Poets Art And give him courage for a Second Part. For the Story see Bede's Life of St. Patrick Sigebert Baronius Balaeus Seven Champions of Christendom His Life in English in Twelves Lond. 16 Wedding a Tragi-comedy acted by Her Majesty's Servants at the Phoenix in Drury-lane printed 4o. Lond. 1690. and dedicated to William Gowre Esquire This is an Excellent Comedy considering the Time in which 't was writ Witty Fair One a Comedy presented at the Private-house in Drury-lane and printed 4o. Lond. 1633. This Play is dedicated to Sir Edmund Bushel Young Admiral a Tragi-comedy presented by Her Majesty's Servants at the Private-house in Drury-lane printed 4o. Lond. 1637. and dedicated to the Right Honourable George Lord Barkley of Barkley-Castle These are all the Plays that our Author has in print in Quarto we are now to give an Account of Nine Dramatick pieces printed in Octavo We shall begin with Six Plays which are printed together viz. Brothers a Comedy acted at the Private-house in Black-fryars printed 8o. Lond. 1652. and dedicated to his Noble Friend Thomas Stanley Esq Cardinal a Tragedy acted at the Private-house in Black-fryars printed 8o. Lond. 1652. and dedicated to his Friend G. B. Esq Court Secret a Tragi-comedy prepared for the Scene at Black-fryars but not acted till after it appeared in print it being printed 8o. Lond. 1653. and dedicated to William Earl of Strafford Son and Heir to that Great Soul of Honour Thomas Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and the Proto-martyr for Religion and Loyalty in the Year 1641. Doubtful Heir a Tragi-comedy acted at the Private-house in
Black-fryars printed 8o. Lond. 1652. and dedicated to the Worthily Honoured Friend Sir Edmund Bowyer The Queen 's Courting Rosania under the Disguise of a Page and the King 's Surprizing them has Resemblance to a Story in the English Adventures 8o. part 3. between King Henry Izabella and Horatio Imposture a Tragi-comedy acted at the private-Private-house in Black-fryars and printed 8o. Lond. 1652. 'T is dedicated to Sir Robert Bolles Baronet Sisters a Comedy acted at the Private-house in Black-fryars and printed 8o. Lond. 1652. 'T is dedicated to William Paulet Esq Having given an Account of these Six Plays I am now to speak of Two others which are printed together in 8o. Lond. 16 viz. Honoria and Mammon a Comedy which is built upon that Entertainment before mentioned called Contention for Honour and Riches I shall refer my Reader to the Author's Epistle for further Satisfaction of the Reason of his Undertakings Contention of Ajax and Ulysses for the Armour of Achilles This Interlude was nobly represented says the Author by Young Gentlemen of Quality at a private Entertainment of some Persons of Honour The Design is taken from Ovid's Metamorphosis Book the 13. See the beginning There rests only his Poems to be spoken of printed octavo Lond. 1646. to which is added a Masque call'd Triumph of Beauty personated by some Young Gentlemen for whom it was intended at a private Recreation The Subject of this Masque is that known Story of the Judgment of Paris upon the Golden-Ball which you may read in Lucians Dialogues But our Author has imitated Shakespear in the Comical part of his Midsummer Nights Dream and Shirley's Shepheard Bottle is but a Copy of Shakespear's Bottom the Weaver I shall conclude this Account with Four Lines writ in our Author's Commendation by One Mr. Hall who in the Title of his Panegyrick stiles him The Surviving Honour and Ornament of the English Scene and in the End concludes thus Yet this I dare assert when Men have nam'd Johnson the Nations Laureat the fam'd Beaumont and Fletcher he that cannot see Shirley the fourth must forfeit his best Eye Sir Charles SIDLEY A Gentleman whose Name speaks a greater Panegyrick than I am able to express and whose Wit is so well known to this Age that I should but tarnish its Lustre by my Endeavouring to deliver it over to the next His Wit is too Noble a Subject to need any Herald to proclaim its Titles and Pedigree or if it did my Voice and Skill are too weak to sound out his Praises in their due measures I shall therefore only content my self as the Vallys that have no Voice of their own to eccho out his Merits at the Second-hand and give you part of his Character from a Person whose Honour and Pride it is to have a considerable share in his Friendship I mean Mr. Shadwell who in his Epistle Dedicatory to The True Widow says That he has heard him speak more Wit at a Supper than all his Adversaries with their Heads joyn'd together could write in a Year That his Writings are not unequal to any Man 's of this Age not to speak of Abundance of Excellent Copies of Verses That he has in the Mulberry Garden shown the true Wit Humour and Satyr of a Comedy and in Anthony and Cleopatra the true Spirit of a Tragedy But least this might be thought Partiality or Flattery in our Laureat give me leave to transcribe another part of his Character from an Unquestionable Judge of Poetry the great Ornament of the Muses the Lord Rochester in his Imitation of Horace's Tenth Satyr of the First Book Sidley has that prevailing gentle Art That can with a resistless Charm impart The loosest Wishes to the chastest Heart Raise such a Conflict kindle such a Fire Betwixt declineing Virtue and Desire Till the poor vanquisht Maid dissolves away In Dreams all Night in sighs and tears all Day The Plays this Great Wit has oblig'd the World with are but three all which appear to be writ with Design at least they may serve to be Patterns for succeeding Poets Imitation which I shall only mention in their Alphabetical Order viz. Anthony and Cleopatra a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre and printed 4o. Lond. 1677. For the History see Plutarch's Life of Anthony Appian Dion Cassius Diodorus Florus c. Bellamira or The Mistress a Comedy acted by their Majesties Servants and printed Lond. 1687. This Play is an Imitation as the Author informs us of Terence's Eunucbus Mulberry Garden a Comedy acted by his Majesty's Servants at the Theatre-Royal printed 4o. Lond. 1668. and dedicated to Her Grace the Dutchess of Richmond and Lenox which Epistle is not the least Ornament to the Play and shews the Neatness of his Stile in Prose I dare not say that the Character of Sir John Everyoung and Sir Samuel Fore-cast are Copies of Sganarelle and Ariste in Molliere's L'Escole des Maris but I may say that there is some Resemblance tho' whoever understands both Languages will readily and with Justice give our English Wit the preference and Sir Charles is not to learn to Copy Nature from the French Give me Leave to conclude with what the Learned Mr. Evelyn has said with no less Truth than Ingenuity in his Imitation of Ovid's Fifteenth Elegy of this Excellent Poet and his Friend Sir George Etheridge While Fathers are severe and Servants cheat Till Bawds and Whores can live without deceit Sidley and easy Etheridge shall be Great John SMITH A Gentleman as I suppose now living at Snenton in Yorkshire the Author of a Comedy call'd Cytherea or The Enamouring Girdle printed 4 o Lond. 1677. This Play was refused to be acted by the Players of the Duke's Theatre as you may see by the Epistle Dedicatory to the Northern Gentry I leave the Play to the Judgment of those that have read it William SMITH An Author that lived in the Reign of King James the First who publish'd a Play call'd Hector of Germany or The Palsgrave Prime Elector an Honourable History publickly acted at the Red-bull and at the Curtain by a Company of Young Men of this City printed 4o. Lond. 1615. and dedicated to the Right Worshipful Sir John Swinnerton Lord Mayor of London in the Year 1611. This Play is not divided into Acts I am not certain where this Story is to be found tho' possibly Albertus Argentinensis or Henry Monk of Rebdorf may make some Mention of this Palatin Our Author writ another Play called The Freeman's Honour to dignify the Worthy Company of Taylors but whether ever it was printed or no I know not This Author joyned with One W. Webbe in writing a Book called The Description of the Counry Palatine of Chester Lond. 1656. Hieronymo is ascribed by Mr. Philips and Winstanley thro' their old Mistake to our Author it being an Anonymous Play Thomas SOUTHERN An Author of whom I can give no further Account than that he has two Plays in print viz. Disappointment or
jam Trigessimus Scriptu dignissima fecit factu dignissima scripsit Calamo pariter Gladio celebris pacis artium gnarus belli Gilbert SWINHOE Esq A Gentleman who liv'd in the Reigns of King Charles the First and Second a North-country Man by Birth being Born in Northumberland the Author of a Play call'd Unhappy fair Irene her Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1658. This Play is accompany'd with three Copies of Verses in its Commendation tho' I think it scarce deserve them The Play is founded on History see Knolles his Turkish History in the Life of Mahomet the First which Story is the Subject of a Novel in Bandello which is translated into French by Pierre Boisteau see Histoires Tragicques tome premier Nov. 2. The same is translated into English by Wil. Painter in his Palace of Pleasure in quarto Nov. 4o. T. Nathaniel TATE AN Author now living who tho' he be allow'd to be a Man of Wit and Parts yet for Dramatick Poetry he is not above the common Rank What he has extant for the most part is borrow'd at least we may say That generally he follows other Mens Models and builds upon their Foundations for of Eight Plays that are printed under his Name Six of them owe their Original to other Pens as we shall shew in the following Account Brutus of Alba or The enchanted Lovers a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1678. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Charles Earl of Dorset and Middlesex This Play is founded on Virgil's AEneids Book the 4 th and was finished under the Names of Dido and AEneas but by the Advice of some Friends was transformed to the Dress it now wears Cuckold's Haven or An Alderman no Conjurer a Farce acted at the Queen's Theatre in Dorset Garden printed 4o. Lond. 1685. and dedicated to Colonel Edmund Ashton This Play is borrow'd from Johnson's Eastward-hoe and Devil is an Ass. Duke and no Duke a Farce acted by their Majesties Servants with the several Songs set to Musick with Thorough-Basses for the Theorbo or Bass-Viol printed 4o. Lond. 1685. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Sir George Hewyt This Play is founded on Sir Aston Cockain's Trappolin suppos'd a Prince Ingratitude of a Common-wealth or The Fall of Caius Martius Coriolanus acted at the Theatre-Royal printed 4o. Lond. 1682. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Charles Lord Herbert Marquess of Worcester This Play is borrowed from Shakespear's Coriolanus Island Princess a Tragi-comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal revived with Alterations printed 4o. Lond. 1687. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Henry Lord Walgrave This Play is Fletcher's Originally Loyal General a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1680. and dedicated to Edward Taylor Esquire Lear King of England his History acted at the Dukes Theatre revived with Alterations printed 4o. Lond. 1687. and dedicated to Thomas Boteler Esq This Play in the Original was writ by W. Shakespear Richard the Third a History acted at the Theatre-Royal under the Name of The Sicilian Usurper with a Prefatory Epistle in Vindication of the Author occasioned by the Prohibition of this Play on the Stage printed 4o. Lond. 1681. and dedicated to George Raynford Esq This Play owns its Birth likewise to Shakespear Besides these Plays our Author has two Volumes of Poems in print One wholy writ by him call'd Poems writ on several Occasions second Edit enlarg'd printed 8o. Lond. 1684. The other call'd Poems by several Hands and on several Occasions collected by our Author and printed octavo Lond. 1685. John TATEHAM An Author that flourish'd in the Reign of King Charles the First and was says Mr. Winstanley the City Poet. If he was not an Extraordinary Wit at least he was Loyal in the highest Degree as may appear by his Plays and equally hated the Rump and the Scots He has Four Plays in print Three in quarto and One printed with his Poems in octavo Distracted State a Tragedy written in the Year 1641. but not printed till 1651. 4o. and dedicated to John Sidley This Play suited well with the Times and his Hatred to the Scots appears in this Play where he introduces a Scotch Mountebank in the fourth Act to poyson Archias the Elected King at the Instigation of Cleander This I take to be the best of our Author's Writings Rump or The Mirrour of the late Times a Comedy acted many times with great applause at the private-Private-house in Dorset Court printed the second Edit 4o. Lond. 1661. and dedicated to Walter James of Rambden-House in Smarden in the County of Kent Esq This Play has lately been reviv'd on our Stage under the Name of The Roundheads Scots Figaries or A Knot of Knaves a Comedy printed 4 o Lond. 1652. and dedicated to Robert Dormer Esq Most of this Play is writ in the Scotch Dialect and displays them to the Life Love crowns the End a Tragi-comedy acted by the Scholars of Bingham in the County of Nottingham This Play is not divided into Acts and is much shorter than most usually are being fitted purposely as I suppose for those Youths than acted it 'T is printed with his Poems call'd The Mirrour of Fancies in octavo Lond. 1657. and dedicated to Sir John Winter Secretary of State to his Majesty in his Exile Robert TAYLOUR An Author to whose Person and Writings I am wholy a Stranger only I find in former Catalogues a Comedy ascribed to him call'd Hog-huth lost his Pearl Thomas THOMSON Another Author of the meanest Rank and a great Plagiary if One of the Plays be own'd by him which Mr. Kirkman has ascribed to him viz. English Rogue a Comedy acted before several Persons of Honour with great applause printed 4o. Lond. 1668. and dedicated to Mrs. Alice Barret Mother Shipton her Life acted Nine Days together with great applause printed 4o. Lond. 16 I suppose the Occasion of the Success of this Play was from what he stole for all the Characters except what relate to Shipton are borrow'd as the Characters of Shift-hose Monylack Sir Oliver Whore-hound David c. are stollen verbatim from Massinger's City Madam and Middleton's Chast Maid in Cheapside This Play has not the Author's Name to it but the two first Letters it may be he was asham'd to set his Name to other Mens Labours As to the Story of Shipton I know not how to direct the Reader except to an old Book in quarto call'd The Life and Death of Mother Shipton Nicholas TROTT An Author who writ a Tragedy call'd Arthur which I never saw neither can I give any Account of the Author himself or the time he liv'd in Richard TUKE An Author of whom I can give no further Account than that he writ a Play call'd Divine Comedian or The Right Use of Plays improved in a Sacred Tragi-comedy printed 4o. Lond. 1672. and dedicated to the Right Honourable and no less Virtuous Mary Countess of Warwick This Play was call'd first by the Author The
Ingenious Person lately deceas'd being one of the Squire Bedles in the University of Oxford His Skill in Languages particularly in Latin and Greek is sufficiently known to the Learned World He translated out of Greek the Electra of Sophocles and presented it to Her Highness the Lady Elizabeth printed 120. at the Hague 1649. Several Translations besides he has publish'd as Gratius his Cynegeticon printed 8o. Lond. 1654. and Prioli's Hist. of France some of Tully's Orations and his Latin Dictionary besides other School-Books several of which have been often reprinted and all of them shew his Great Industry and Parts E. W. A Person who was tho' not the Author yet the occasion of the Publication of a Comedy call'd Apollo Shroving compos'd for the Scholars of the Free-School of Hadleigh in Suffolk and acted by them on Shrove-Tuesday Feb. 6. 1626. written by the School-Master of Hadleigh and printed octavo 1627. J. W. The Author of a Play call'd The Valiant Scot which was printed 4o. Lond. 1637. and dedicated to the Right Honourable James Marquess Hamilton by the Publisher or Promoter of the Copy to the Press Mr. William Bowyer L. W. The Author of a Play call'd Orgula or The Fatal Error a Tragedy wherunto is annexed a Preface discovering the true Nature of Poesie with the proper use and Intention of such publick Divertisements printed 4o. Lond. 1658. and dedicated to the most accomplish'd Lady the Lady Frances Wildegoss M. W. Master of Arts. Another Author whose Play is bound in the Ternary of Plays 't is call'd The Marriage Broker or The Pander a Comedy printed 120. 1662. T. W. The third Author concern'd in that Volume having writ a Tragedy call'd Thornby-Abby or The London Maid All these Plays are dedicated to William Austin Esq by R. D. the Publisher W. W. The Translator of a Comedy writ by Plausus call'd Manaechmi printed 4o. Lond. 1515. This Author had translated several others in Manuscript tho' they were never permitted to come abroad in the World Unknown Authors WE are now come to the last Division of Authors I mean those whose Modesty or other Reasons have hinder'd the publication of their Names and as we have Decyphered some Authors in the foregoing Division upon Conjecture so we shall not pretermit to take Notice of such Plays whose Authors we can any ways guess at in this I shall Rank these as I did the former in an Alphabetical Method A. Abdicated Prince or The Adventures of Four Years a Tragi-comedy lately acted at Alba-Regalis by several Persons of Great Quality and printed Lond. 4 o 1690. This Play contains the Transactions of the Court and Nation during the Reign of the late King James under seigned Names there needs no Clavis the Persons being obvious to all Intelligent Persons The time of the Action is from the Coronation of King James to the Landing of his present Majesty Abraham's Sacrifice a Play which I never saw but do believe that it may possibly be a Translation from Theodore Beza Alarum for London or The Siege of Antwerpe with the Venturous Acts and Valiant Deeds of the Lame Souldier play'd by the Right Honourable the Lord Chamberlain his Servants printed Lond. 1602. Albion an Interlude mention'd by Kirkman which I never saw Albion's Triumph personated in a Masque at Court by the King and Queens Majesties and the Lords the Sunday after Twelfth-Night 1631. printed 4o. Lond. 1631. Mr. Inigo Jones had a Share in the Contrivance of this Masque Albumazar a Comedy presented before the King's Majesty at Cambridge by the Gentlemen of Trinity Colledge printed 4o. Lond. 1634. This was reviv'd at the King's House and a Prologue writ by Mr. Dryden see Miscellan Poems publish'd by him 8o. p. 279. Aminta a Pastoral translated from the Italian of Torquato Tasso to which is added Arriadne's Complaint in Imitation of Anguilara written by our Translator both printed in quarto Lond. 1628. Amorous Gallant or Love in Fashion a Comedy in Heroick Verse as it was acted and printed 4o. Lond. 1675. This Play has appeared abroad under the Title of The Amorous Orontus It is translated from a French Play written by Th. Corneille and call'd L'Amour à la mode It is founded on a Spanish Play writ by Ant. de Solis call'd by the same Name towit El Amor al uso Amorous Old Woman or 'T is well if it take a Comedy acted by their Majesties Servants and printed 4o. Lond. 1684. I have been told this Play was writ by Tho. Duffet 't is printed with a New Title-page call'd The Fond Lady Arden of Feversham his True and Lamentable Tragedy who was most wickedly murthered by the means of his disloyal Wife who for the love she bare to one Mosebie hired two desperate Ruffins Black-will and Shak-bag to kill him printed 4o. Lond. 1599. in a Black Letter The Story is to be found in the Reign of Edward the Sixth see Hollingshead Goodwin Hayward Baker Beard 's Theatre of God's Judgment Book 2. Ch. 10. Edit 4. and the second part Chap. 6. added by Dr. Tho. Taylour Arraignment of Paris a Pastoral which I never saw but it is ascribed by Kirkman to Mr. W. Shakespear B. Battle of Aliazar fought in Barbary between Sebastian King of Portugal and Abdelmelech King of Morocco with the Death of Captain Stukeley play'd sundry times by the Lord High Admiral 's Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1594. For the Plot several Authors mention the Story the English Reader may find it in Heylin's Cosmography and Fuller's Worthies Band Ruff and Cuff an Interlude which other Catalogues mention but which I never saw Bastard a Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1652. The Plot of this Tragedy and part of the Language concerning Clare Rodriguez Balthazar and Mariana is borrow'd from the Loves of Schiarra and Florelia in the English Lovers and Catilina's Supplying her Mistress Mariana's Room on the Wedding Night is founded on the Story of Roberto and Isdaura in Gerardo the Unfortunate Spaniard p. 87. Bloody Duke or The Adventures for a Crown a Tragi-comedy acted at the Court of Alba Regalis by several Persons of Great Quality by the Author of the Abdicated Prince printed 4 o Lond. 1690. This Play comprises the publick Affairs from the first Discovery of the Popish-plot to the Death of King Charles the Second The Persons are as easily known as in the former C. Caesar's Revenge a Tragedy which I never saw Charles the First King of England his Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1649. and dedicated to King Charles the Second commended by a Copy of Verses Combat of Caps a Masque of which I can give no Account Commons Condition a Comedy which I never saw Constant Nymph or The Rambling Shepheard a Pastoral acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1678. Costly Whore a Comical History acted by the Company of Revels printed 4o. Lond. 1633. Contention between York and Lancaster with the Death of the Good Duke Humphrey and the Banishment and Death of the Duke of