Edition given the Reader a large Account of the Title-page of each Play which I have seen as the Double Titles the Place where acted the Date when printed and the Person to whom Dedicated with other Observations which might obiter occur or relate more immediately to each Play Thirdly As to those Plays founded on History instead of One or Two as formerly I have cited most of the Historians that have treated on that Subject that the Reader might compare the Play with the Original Story I have not mention'd so many Authors out of hopes of being counted Industrious or to beget an Opinion in the World of my Reading Tho' as an Ingenious Author observes This Humor possesseth many Men that brag of many Books Coming under their Discovery as if not only with the Mice they had crept through the Crannies of all Libraries but also with the Mothes had got betwixt the Leaves of all Treatises therein I am so far from affecting Title-Learning in which every Bookseller would perhaps excel me that I am willing to acknowledge to the Reader that I am owing to the Compendious Collections of Historians and Chronologers for their Directions to find any Story or Action in the Original Author and therefore shall account it no lessening to my Reputation to be trac'd in Calvisius Spondanus Lloyd Moreri and the like Fourthly As to the Drammas which are founded on Romances or Forreign Plays I have much enlarg'd my Remarks having employ'd a great part if not too much of my Time in reading Plays and Novels in several Languages by which means I have discovered many more Thefts than those in the former Catalogue and have for the Readers Ease as well as my own Vindication cited the particulars of each Plagiary to obviate an Objection of a certain Poet who professes he has not stollen half of what I then accused him of What Reception this Piece may find in the World I am not very sollicitous nor greatly concern'd since as the Judicious Sr. Robert Howard has observ'd Things of this Nature tho' never so Excellent or never to Mean have seldome prov'd the Foundation of Men's New-built Fortunes or the Ruine of their Old I am so far from valuing my self upon this Performance that if there be any thing in it worth Commendation the Poets are at liberty to father it upon whom they please or claim it as their own without my taking any offence at it And if I can but be so happy as to obtain a Pardon from the more solid part of Mankind for having mis-spent my Time in these Lighter Studies I promise for the future to imploy my self on Subjects of more Weight and Importance GER LANGBAINE The AUTHORS Names A. WIlliam Alexander E. of Sterline 1 Robert Armin. 6 B. Abraham Baily 6 John Banckroft 6 John Banks 7 Barnaby Barnes 9 Robert Baron 10 Lodowick Barrey 14 Francis Beaumont 14 Capt. Will. Bedloe 15 Mrs. Astraea Behn 17 Dabridgec Belchier 24 Richard Bernard 24 R. Boyle E. Orrery 27 Mrs. Fran. Boothby 26 Samuel Brandon 30 Anthony Brewer 30 Alexander Brome 31 Richard Brome 33 Fulk Lord Brook 38 Henry Burkhead 41 Henry Burnel 42 C. Lady Eliz. Carew 43 Thomas Carew 43 Lodowick Carlell 45 James Carlisle 49 Richard Carpenter 50 Will. Carthwright 51 Rob. Chamberlain 56 Will. Chamberlain 56 George Chapman 57 Sir Aston Cockain 67 Edward Cook 71 John Cook 72 John Corey 73 Charles Cotton 74 Abraham Cowley 77 Robert Cox 89 John Crown 90 D. John Dancer 97 Samuel Daniel 100 Dr. Ch. Davenant 116 Sr. Will. Davenant 106 Robert Davenport 116 Robert Dabourn 117 John Day 118 Thomas Decker 121 Sr. John Denham 125 John Dover 129 John Dryden 130 Thomas Duffet 177 Thomas Durfey 179 E. Edw. Eccleston 185 Sr. Gec Etheridge 186 F. Sr. Fr. Fane Jun. 188 Sr. Rich. Fanshaw 190 L. Visc. Falkland 197 Nathaniel Field 198 Richard Fleknoe 199 John Fletcher 203 John Ford. 219 Thomas Ford. 222 John Fountain 223 Abraham Fraunce 223 Sr. Ralph Freeman 226 Ulpian Fulwel 227 G. George Gascoigne 228 Henry Glapthorn 231 Thomas Goff 233 Robert Gomersal 237 Franc. Goldsmith 238 Alex. Green 241 Robert Green 241 H. Will. Habington 243 Peter Haustead 244 Richard Head 246 Will. Hemmings 247 Jasper Heywood 248 John Heywood 253 Thomas Heywood 256 Barten Hollyday 270 Charles Hool 272 Edw. Howard 274 James Howard 275 Sr. Rob. Howard 276 James Howel 277 I. Thomas Jevorn 280 Thomas Ingeland 280 Benjamin Johnson 280 Thomas Jordan 306 William Joyner 308 K. Henry Killegrew 309 Thomas Killegrew 311 Sr. Will. Killegrew 314 Thomas Kirke 315 Ralph Knevet 316 Thomas Kyd. 316 L. John Lacy. 317 John Leanard 319 Nathaniel Lee. 320 John Lilly 327 Thomas Lodge 330 Sr. William Lower 332 Thomas Lupon 334. M. Lewis Machin 334 John Maidwell 335 Dr. Jasper Main 336 Cosino Manuch 338 Gervase Markham 340 Christoph. Marloe 342 Shakerley Marmion 345 John Marston 347 John Mason 352 Phil. Massinger 352 Thomas May. 360 Robert Mead. 365 Matth. Medhourn 366 Thomas Meriton 367 Tho. Middleton 370 John Milton 375 Walt. Mountague 377 Will. Mountfort 378 N. Thomas Nabbes 379 Thomas Nash. 382 Alex. Nevile Ib. Robert Nevile 384 Duke of Newcastle 385 Dutch Newcastle 390 Thomas Newton 394 Thomas Nuce 395 O. Thomas Otway 395 P. John Palsgrave 400 George Peel 401 Lady Pembroke 402 Mrs. Kath. Philips 403 Sam. Pordage 406 Henry Porter Ib. Thomas Porter 407 George Powel Ib. Thomas Preston 408 Edm. Prestwith 409 Q. Francis Quarles 409 R. Thomas Randolph 411 Edw. Ravenscroft 417 Thomas Rawlins 424 Edward Revet 425 Nath. Richards 426 William Rider 427 William Rowley 428 Samuel Rowley 430 Joseph Rutter Ib. Thomas Rymer 433 S. Tho. St. Serf 434 William Sampson 435 George Sandys 436 Charles Saunders 438 Elkanah Settle 439 Tho. Shadwell 442 Will. Shakespear 453 Lewis Sharpe 469 Edw. Sharpham 470 S. Shepheard 471 Ed. Sherbourn 472 Tho. Shipman 473 Hen. Shirley Ibid. James Shirley 474 Sir Charles Sidley 485 John Smith 488 Will. Smith Ibid. Tho. Southern 489 Tho. Stanley Ibid. Sir Rob. Stapleton 491 John Stephens 492 Will. Strode Ibid. John Studley 494 Sir John Suckling 496 Gilbert Swinhoe 499 T. Nathaniel Tate 500 John Tateham 502 Robert Taylour 503 Tho. Thomson Ibid. Nich. Trott 504 Rich. Tuke Ibid. Coll. S. Tuke 505 Cyril Turneur Ibid. John Tutchin 506 W. Lewis Wager 506 Edm. Waller 507 Geo. Wapul 508 Will. Wayer 508 R. Weaver 508 John Webster 508 John Watson 510 Whitaker 511 Dr. Rob. Wild. Ib. Leon. Willan Ib. George Wilkins 512 Rob. Wilmot Ibid. John Wilson Ibid. Rob. Wright 514 Will. Wytcherley Ib. Y. Rob. Yarrington 516 The Names of the Authors in the APPENDIX Joseph Harris Tho. Sackvile and Tho. Norton Mr. Wilson AN ACCOUNT OF THE Dramatick Poets A. William ALEXANDER Earl of Sterline OUR Alphabet begins with this worthy Nobleman who was a Scot by Birth and liv'd in the Time of King James the First of England and the Sixth of Scotland All that I am able
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 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
AN ACCOUNT OF THE English Dramatick POETS OR Some OBSERVATIONS And REMARKS On the Lives and Writings of all those that have Publish'd either Comedies Tragedies Tragi-Comedies Pastorals Masques Interludes Farces or Opera's in the ENGLISH TONGUE By GERARD LANGBAINE OXFORD Printed by L. L. for GEORGE WEST and HENRY CLEMENTS An. Dom. 1691. To The RIGHT HONOURABLE JAMES EARL of ABINGTON Baron NORREYS of RICOTT Their MAJESTIES L d Lieutenant of OXFORDSHIRE MY LORD I Should not have presum'd to have prefix'd so Great a Name to so mean a Work had I not been sufficiently assur'd that Candour and Goodness are not the least of those Excellent Qualities which have acquir'd You the Love and Esteem of all that have the Honour to know You. 'T is this Consideration joyn'd with the Experience of Your Lordship's former Favours which rais'd me to the Confidence of expressing my Obligations to Your Honour by dedicating not so much the following Sheets as My Self the Compiler of them to Your Lordship's Service But I am afraid both the Piece and its Author are so inconsiderable in themselves and so unworthy of Your Lordship's Eye Regard that my Offering will seem to most Men to have more of Presumption than Gratitude in it And truly MY LORD I am so sensible of the Objection That tho' I would willingly shroud my self under Your Lordship's Patronage yet I dare not in the least implore it for the Essay itself which hath so many faults that some may be apt to censure the whole Undertaking as an unpardonable One and I am unwilling that Your Lordship's Name shoud be used in the defence of a Trifle which it might have been perhaps more for the Author's Credit to have conceal'd than publish'd And now having said thus much in Excuse of my self I must confess I was never under a greater Temptation to say something according to the Modern Custome of Dedications in Praise of Your LP but that I fear I should need another kind of Apology should I attempt to give a Character of Your Personal Worth and Excellency or enlarge upon those Eminent Services with which You have oblig'd both Your Prince and Country in the most hazardous Tryals of Your Loyalty Affection to each when either the rights of the Crown or the Liberties of the People call'd for your Assistance Your Lordship being still one of the First that was content to have these Your Obligations cancell'd and forgotten and who never suffer'd either the Caresses of the Court or the Applause of the Populace to tempt You from Your Duty or Your Post But having adorn'd the Great Office You undertook and nobly defended the Religion You profess'd by steering betwixt the hot blasts of Zeal the colder calms of Indifferency You generously declin'd to make Your Services appear mercenary or by raising Your Self to a higher Station give the World occasion to suspect that You courted Virtue and Religion for any other than their own Rewards Which that Your Lordship may happily enjoy is the Constant and Affectionate Wish of YOUR LORDSHIP'S Most Oblig'd Faithful and Humble Servant GERARD LANGBAINE The PREFACE MY former Catalogue of Plays in spite of the Malice and poor Designes of some of the Poets and their Agents to destroy its Reputation by printing a Spurious Title-page and an uncorrected Preface has notwithstanding found so kind a Reception from the Generality of Unbyass'd Judges that I thought my self oblig'd by Gratitude as well as Promise to revise it tho' it were only to purge it of those Errata's contracted in the former Edition I am so far from relenting what I have enterpris'd as some have been pleas'd to report that I am only sorry that my Power is not equal to the Zeal I have for the Memory of those Illustrious Authors the Classicks as well as those later Writers of our own Nation Mr Shakespear Fletcher Johnson Cowley c. that I might be capable of doing them better Service in vindicating Their Fame and in exposing our Modern Plagiaries by detecting Part of their Thefts I say Part because I cannot be suppos'd to have trac'd them in All And having no Partners in my Discovery it cannot be expected but that many things will escape my Observation However this may serve for a Hint to others who being better vers'd in Books may build upon the Foundation which is here laid And who ever peruses the following Sheets will find the Observation of Paulus Jovius to be very applicable to most of the Poets of this Age Castrant alios ut Libros suos per se graciles alieno adipe suffarciant But how just soever my Design may seem to unprejudic'd Readers I must expect to be loudly exclaim'd against is not openly assaulted by those Poets who may think themselves injur'd in their Reputation by the following Remarks But I am already prepar'd for the worst having learnt from the Author of Absalom and Achitophel That how honest soever the Design be he who draws his Pen for One Party must expect to make Enemies of the Other and every Man is a Knave or an Ass to the contrary side I shall therefore leave the Poets to their own Management whilst I address my self to my disingag'd Reader whom I hope to find Favourable to One who aims only at his Diversion and intends never to trouble the World again on this Subject I have endeavour'd to make this Piece as useful as the Subject would bear or my Abilities reach and I am almost confident that they who were satisfied with my former Catalogue will be much more favourable to This Account of the Dramatick Poets since they will find This so different from That both in Form and Matter that it may justly be stil'd A New Book In the First place then I have given a succinct Account of the Time in which most of the Ancient Poets liv'd the place of their Nativity Quality Death Writings c. in a larger manner than either Mr. Philips or Mr. Winstanley and have collected all the material Passages of their Lives which I found scattered in Doctor Fuller Lloydd à Wood c. into One Volume for the greater Ease of the Reader and Advantage to the Work I have not indeed always cited my Authorities to avoid loading the Page tho' I here once for all make my publick Acknowledgment to the Fore-mention'd as well as other worthy Writers to whom I have been oblig'd in the compiling this Treatise Neither have I omitted to apply my self to several Persons now living for Information some of which promis'd me great matters which occasioned my deferring the Publication for some time but I found that the Memoires I expected from London were like to arrive with Cardinal Perron's Manuscripts from Rome which he was to make use of in his Vindication of Henry le Grand and that should I have stay'd for the completion of these Promises the Louvre would have sooner been finisht than my Book Secondly I have in this
eris Sin illum potius Phaebum velit esse Britannum Tum Daniele mihi tu Maro noster eris Nil Phaebo ulterius si quid foret illud haberet Spenserus Phaebus tu Daniele fores Quippe loqui Phaebus cuperet si more Britanno Haud scio quo poterat ni velit ore suo Sir William DAVENANT A Person sufficiently known to all Lovers of Poetry and One whose Works will preserve his Memory to Posterity He was Born in the City of Oxford in the Parish of St. Martins vulgarly call'd Carfax near the End of February in the year 1605. and was Christned on the Third of March following He was the Mercurial Son of a Saturnine Father Mr. John D' Avenant a Vintner by Profession who liv'd in the same House which is now known by the Sign of the Crown He was formerly of Lincoln College and instructed in Logick and Physicks by his Tutor Mr. Daniel Hough Fellow of that Society tho' his Genius rather inclin'd him to walk in the more flowry Fields of Poetry in which he made a Prodigious discovery advancing even without any Guide but his own Wit and Ingenuity as far as the Herculean Pillars if any such bounds are to be set of Poetry He was Poet Laureat to Two Kings whose Memory will always be Sacred to all good loyal and witty Men I mean King Charles the First the Martyr for and King Charles the Second the Restorer of the Protestant Religion according to the Church of England During this Honour of which his Wit and Parts render'd him Worthy he writ as I suppose his Dramatick Pieces of which I shall give some Account To speak of them in general I need only say that most of them have appear'd on the Stage with good applause and been receiv'd with like success in Print the greatest part publisht in the Authors Life time in Quarto and all since his Death collected into one Volume with his other Works printed in Folio Lond. 1673. and dedicated by his Widow to his Royal Highness the late King James Albovine King of the Lombards his Tragedy printed first in quarto and dedicated to the Right Honourable the Duke of Somerset This Play is commended by Eight Copies of Verses For the Design it is founded on History You may read the Story in several Historians See Paulus Diaconus de Gestis Langobardorum lib. 2 c. 28. Gregorius Epise Turonensis Hist. Francorum lib. 2. c. 28 Heylin's Cosinoraphy Part 1. Book 1. p. 57. This Story is likewise related at large in a Novel by Bandello which is translated by Belleforest See Histoires Tragiques Tome 4. Nov. 19. Cruel Brother a Tragedy printed first in quarto and dedicated to the Right Honourable the Lord Weston Lord High Treasurer of England Distresses a Tragi-Comedy printed in folio Lond. 1673. First-days Entertainment at Ruthland-house by Declamation and Musick after the manner of the Ancients The subject of the former of these Declamations is concerning Publick Entertainment by Moral Representations the Disputants being Diogenes the Cynick and Aristophanes the Poet. The later Dispute is between a Parisian and a Londoner who declaim concerning the Preheminence of Paris and London The Vocal and Instrumental Musick was compos'd by Dr. Charles Coleman Capt. Henry Cook Mr. Henry Laws and Mr. George Hudson Fair Favourite a Tragi-Comedy printed in Folio 1673. Just Italian a Tragi-Comedy printed first in quarto and dedicated to the Right Honourable the Earl of Dorset and commended by the Verses of his Friends Mr. William Hopkins and Mr. Thomas Carew Law against Lovers a Tragi-Comedy made up of two Plays written by Mr. Shakespear viz Measure for Measure and Much Ado about Nothing Tho' not only the Characters but the Language of the whole Play almost be borrow'd from Shakespear yet where the Language is rough or obsolete our Author has taken care to polish it as to give instead of many one Instance Shakespear's Duke of Vienna says thus I love the People But do not like to Stage me to their Eyes Though it do well I do not relish well Their loud Applause and Aves vehement Nor do I think the Man of safe discretion That does affect it In Sr. William's Play the Duke speaks as follows I love the People But would not on the Stage salute the Croud I never relisht their Applause nor think The Prince has true discretion who affects it For the Plot I refer you to the abovemention'd Plays in the Account of Shakespear Love and Honour a Tragi-Comedy which I have several times seen acted with good applause first at the Play-house in Lincolns-Inn-Fields and since at the Theatre in Dorset-Garden This was first printed in quarto Man 's the Master a Comedy which I think I have seen acted at the Duke's House however I am sure the Design and part of the Language is borrow'd from Scarron's Jodelet ou Le Maistre valet and as I remember part from L'Heritier ridicule a Comedy of the same Authors Platonick Lovers a Tragi-Comedy which was first printed in octavo with The Wits Play-house to be Let. I know not under what Species to place this Play it consisting of several Pieces of different Kinds handsomely tackt together several of which the Author writ in the Times of Oliver and were acted separately by stealth as the History of Sr. Francis Drake exprest by Instrumental and Vocal Musick and by Art of Perpective in Scenes c. The Cruelty of the Spaniards in Peru. These two Pieces were first printed in quarto They make the third and fourth Acts of this Play The second Act consists of a French Farce translated from Molliere's Sganarelle ou Le Cocu Imaginaire and purposely by our Author put into a sort of Jargon common to French-men newly come over The fifth Act consists of Tragedie travestie or the Actions of Caesar Antony and Cleopatra in Verse Burlesque This Farce I have seen acted at the Theatre in Dorset-garden some years ago at the end of that excellent Tragedy of Pompey translated by the incomparable Pen of the much admired Orinda Siege of Rhodes in two Parts These Plays were likewise in the times of the Civil Wars acted with Stilo Recitativo and printed in quarto but afterwards enlarged by the Author and acted with applause at the Duke of York's Theatre in Lincolns-Inn-Fields It is dedicated to the Right Honourable the Earl of Clarendon Lord High Chancellor of England For the Plot as far as it is founded on History there are several Historians have writ of it in the Life of Solyman the second who took this City in the year 1522. See Thomas Artus Continuation de l'Histoire des Turcs Giov. Bosio L'Istoria della Sacra Religione Illma Militia di San Giovanni Gierosolimitano lib. 29. Boissardi Icones Vitae Sultanorum Turcicorum c. in Vit. Solym. 2. Knolles History of the Turks c. Siege a Tragi-Comedy News from Plimouth a Comedy formerly acted at the Globe with good success
to Bow was up in Arms They damn'd the Play all at one fatal Blow And broke the Glass that did their Picture show In this Play he is not exempt from borrowing some Incidents from French and Italian Novels Mrs Saintlys discovery of Love-all in the Chest Act 1. is borrow'd from the Novels of Cynthio Gyraldi see prima parte Deca 3a. Nov. 3. The same Story is in The Fortunate Deceiv'd and Unfortunate Lovers see Nov. 7. Deceiv'd Lovers Mrs. Brainsicks pricking and pinching him Act 3. Sc. 2. is copied from the Triumph of Love over Fortune a Novel writ by M. S. Bremond or else from Zelotide of M. de Païs but these are things not worthy to be urg'd against any One but Mr. Dryden whose Critical Pen spares no Man Indian Emperor or The Conquest of Mexico by the Spaniards being the Sequel of the Indian Queen printed in quarto Lond. 1670. and dedicated to the Most Excellent and most Illustrious Princess Anne Dutchess of Monmouth and Bucclugh This Play is writ in Heroick Verse and has appear'd on the Stage with great Approbation yet it is not wholly free from Plagiarie but since they are only Hints and much improv'd I shall not mention the Particulars 'T is sufficient for me to observe in general that he has borrow'd from Plutarch Seneca Montagne Fletcher c. Mr. Dryden in the Second Edition to this Play prefixt a Piece intituled A Defence of an Essay of Dramatick Poesy being an Answer to the Preface of The Great Favourite or The Duke of Lerma but upon some considerations our Author was obliged to retract it For the Plot of this Play 't is founded chiefly on History See Lopez de Gomara Hist. General de las Incas de Conquista de Mexico De Bry Americae Pars 9. L. 7. Ogleby's America Chap. 3. Sect. 10. Mariana de Reb. Hisp. L. 26. Cap. 3. Four Letters printed in several Languages Marriage A-la-mode a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by Their Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1673. and dedicated to the Right Honourable the Earl of Rochester This Play tho' stil'd in the Title-page a Comedy is rather a Tragi-Comedy and consists of two different Actions the one Serious the other Comick both borrow'd from two Stories which the Author has tackt together The Serious Part is founded on the Story of Sesostris and Timareta in the Grand Cyrus Part 9. Book 3. and the Characters of Palamede and Rhodophil from the same Romance Par. 6 B k 1. See the History of Timantes and Parthenia I might mention also the Story of Nogaret in The Annals of Love from whence part of the Character of Doralice was possibly borrow'd and Les Contes D Ouville partie premiere p. 13. from whence the Fancy of Melantha's making Court to her self in Rhodophil's Name is taken but this is usual with our Poet. Mistaken Husband a Comedy acted by His Majesties Servants at the Theatre-Royal and printed in quarto Lond. 1675. This Play Mr. Dryden was not the Author of tho 't was adopted by him as an Orphan which might well deserve the Charity of a Scene which he bestowed on it It is of the nature of Farce or as the French term it Basse Comedie as Mr. Bentley the Bookseller has observ'd 'T is writ on the Model of Plautus's Maenechmi and I have read a Story somewhat like it in L'Amant Oysif Tome 2. p. 297. Nouvelle intitulée D. Martin Oedipus a Tragedy acted at his Royal Highness the Duke's Theatre written by Mr. Dryden and Mr. Lee printed in quarto Lond. 1679. This Play is certainly one of the best Tragedies we have extant the Authors having borrow'd many Ornaments not only from Sophocles but also from Seneca though in requital Mr. Dryden has been pleas'd to arraign the Memory of the later by taxing him of Running after Philosophical Notions more proper for the Study than the Stage As for Corneille he has scouted him for failing in the Character of his Hero which he calls an Error in the first Concoction tho' possibly 't was so in him to fall upon two such Great Men without any provocation and to whom he has been more than once oblig'd for beautiful Thoughts As to the Plot 't is founded on the Tragedies of Sophocles and Seneca Rival Ladies a Tragi-Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal printed in quarto Lond. 1679. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Roger Earl of Orrery This Dedication is in the Nature of a Preface written in Defence of English Verse The Authors Sentiments were afterwards controverted by Sr. Robert Howard in the Preface to his Plays to which Arguments Mr. Dryden reply'd towards the end of his Dramatick Essay Sr. Robert made a Rejoynder when he publisht his Duke of Lerma and Mr. Dryden answer'd him again in the Preface to his Indian Emperour as I have already observ'd I beg leave of my Reader to make one Remark on this Preface to Rectify the following mistake committed by our Author He says That The Tragedy of Queen Gorbuduc was written in English Verse and consequently that Verse was not so much a new way amongst us as an old way new reviv'd and that this Play was written by the late Lord Buckhurst afterwards Earl of Dorset Mr. Dryden as well as Sr. Fopling notwithstanding his smattering in the Mathematicks is out in his Judgment at Tennis for first tho' His Majesties late Historiographer he is mistaken in the Title-page and I must crave leave to tell him by the by that I never heard of any such Queen of Brittain any more than he of any King that was in Rhodes Nay further had he coâ—â—â—â— Milton's History of England or any other Writers of Brute's History nay even the Argument of that very Play he would have found Gorbuduc to have been the last King of that Race at least the Father of Ferex and Porrex in whom terminated the Line of Brute and consequently would not have permitted so gross an Error to have escapt his Pen for Three Editions tho' it may be Mr. Dryden's Printer was as much to blame to print Queen for King as he ironically accuses Sr. Robert's for setting shut for open There are other Errata's in History which I might impute at least to Mr. Dryden's Negligence but I shall at present wave them In the mean time I must acquaint the Reader that however Mr. Dryden alledges that this Play was writ by the Lord Buckhurst I can assure him that the three first Acts were writ by Mr. Thomas Norton and that the Play it self was not written in Rime but blank Verse or if he will have it in prose mesurée so that Mr. Shakespear notwithstanding our Author's Allegation was not the first beginner of that way of Writing As to his Oeconomy and working up of his Play our Author is not wholly free from Pillage witness the last Act where the Dispute between Amideo and Hippolito with Gonsalvo's fighting with the Pirates is borrow'd from Petronius Arbyter
Worthy Ancients which by any of my Country-men are Naturaliz'd I shall give some Account of them and their Writings as opportunity shall offer it self and therefore I crave leave to lay hold of this to speak a word or Two of Euripides This Poet was stil'd the Tragick Philosopher and was born at Phyla a Town in Attica in the 75 Olympiade and in the 274 Year after the Building of Rome Prodius taught him Rhetorick after which he made a Voyage to AEgypt with Plato to visit the Learned Men there and to improve himself by their Conversation He was also a Friend of Socrates and some have believed that this Philosopher assisted him in the Composition of his Tragedies He went from Athens dissatisfied with the People for preferring the Comick Writers before him and retir'd to the Court of Archelaus King of Macedonia about the year of Rome 338. This Prince confer'd many Favours on him and had a great value for him It happen'd at that time that a certain person nam'd Decamnion having raillied him about his Breath which was not over agreeable Archelaus sent him to Euripides to be punisht at his pleasure This so exasperated Decamnion both against the King and the Poet that for the sake of Revenge he join'd with other Conspirators in the Assassination of the Former and set Dogs upon the later which soon devour'd the Object of his Hatred Some say that this Misfortune proceeded from the Brutality of those irrational Creatures by accident and not design Others again relate that he receiv'd his Death from some inhumane Women against whom he had somewhat too bitterly inveigh'd I remember a pleasant Story in Ford's Apothegms that Sophocles being once ask'd the Reason why in his Tragedies he always represented Women Good and Euripides Wicked answer'd That Euripides describ'd them as they were he as they ought to be But Digression apart the time of his Death no more than the manner of it is agreed upon Some say he Dy'd about the 65 year of his Age in the 93 Olympiade and in the Year of Rome 348. being 406 years before the Incarnation of our Saviour Others say that he Dy'd not till the Year of Rome 351. The Ancients mention Ninety odd Tragedies writ by him of which at present we enjoy but Nineteen Supposes a Comedy Englisht from the Italian of Ariosto a famous Poet a Ferarese and Favuorite of Alphonsus the First Duke of Ferrara and of the Cardinal Hippolito d' Este his Brother He Dy'd the 13 of July in the Year 1533. I purposely decline to give a larger Account of his Life because it would swell my Book too much and the English Reader may satisfy his Curiosity by perusing his Life at the End of Sr. John Harrington's Translation of Orlando Furioso Those Vers'd in Italian may read his Life writ by Gierolamo Poro of Padoua Gierolamo Guarafola of Ferrara Simon Fornari of Rheggio c. This Play was presented at Gray's Inn and printed in quarto Lond. 1566. The Prologue as well as the Play is writ in prose This Prologue I suppose gave the Grounds for that writ by Mr. Duffet to the Play call'd Trappolin suppos'd a Prince as that did to the Epilogue of The Duke and No Duke Pleasure at Kenelworth Castle a Masque as Mr. Kirkman informs us in his Catalogue which I never saw Our Author has written several Poems of a Different Species which he calls Herbs and which with his Plays make a considerable Vollume and are printed together in quarto Lond. 1587. Henry GLAPTHORN An Author that liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the First who publisht several Plays which I presume in those days past with good Approbation at the Globe and Cock-pit Play-houses tho' I cannot agree with Mr. Winstanley That he was One of the chiefest Dramatick Poets of this Age. He writ Five Plays viz. Albertus Wallenstein Duke of Fridland and General to the Emperor Ferdinand the Second his Tragedy acted with good Allowance at the Globe on the Bank-side by His Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the Great Example of Virtue and true Mecaenas's of Liberal Arts Mr. William Murrey of His Majesties Bed-chamber For the Plot see the Historians who have writ on the last German Wars in the Reign of Ferdinand the Second See besides M. Sarasins Walstein's Conspiracy translated into English 8 o Lond. 1678. Spondanus's Continuation of Baronius Fierzen L'Hist de Liege c. Argalus and Parthenia a Tragi-comedy acted at the Court before their Majesties and at the Private-house in Drury-lane by their Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1639. The Plot of this Play is founded on Sr. Philip Sidney's Arcadia a Romance in the Story of Argalus and Parthenia see pag. 16. c. Mr. Quarles has writ a pretty Poem on the same Foundation Hollander a Comedy written in the Year 1635. and then acted at the Cock-pit in Drury-lane by their Majesties Servants with good Allowance and at the Court before Both their Majesties printed in quarto Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the great Hope of growing Nobleness his Honourable Friend Sir Thomas Fisher. Lady's Priviledge a Comedy acted with good Allowance at the Cock-pit in Drury Lane and before Their Majesties at White-hall twice printed 4o. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the true Example of Heroick Virtue and Favourer of Arts Sir Frederick Cornwallis Wit in a Constable a Comedy writ in the Year 1639. and then acted at the Cock-pit in Drury Lane by Their Majesties Servants with good Allowance printed 4o. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the Right Honourable his singular good Lord Thomas Lord Wentworth Besides these Plays he has a Book of Poems extant in which are several Copies directed to his Mistress under the Name of Lucinda printed 4 o Lond. 1639. Thomas GOFF. A Gentleman that flourisht in the Reign of King James the First He was born in Essex towards the latter end of Queen Elizabeth's Reign about the Year 1592. In his Youth he was sent to Westminster-School and at the Age of Eighteen he was brought in Student of Christ-Church Colledge in Oxford Being an Industrious Scholar he arrived to be a good Poet a skilful Oratour and an Excellent Preacher In the Year 1623. he proceeded Batchelour of Divinity and was preferr'd to a Living in Surrey call'd East-Clandon there he got him a Wife which prov'd as great a plague to him as a Shrew could be and became a true Xantippe to our Ecclesiastical Socrates insomuch that she gave him daily opportunities of exercising his Patience and t is believ'd by some that this Domestick-scourge shortned his days He was buried at his own Parish-Church at Clandon the 27. of July 1627. He writ several Pieces on several Subjects amongst which are reckon'd five Plays viz. Careless Shepherdess a Tragi-comedy acted before the King and Queen at Salisbury-Court with great applause printed 4 o Lond. 1656. with an Alphabetical Catalogue of all such Plays that ever were
Masque or Masque of Heroes presented as an Entertainment for many worthy Ladies by Gentlemen of the same Ancient and Noble House printed 4o. Lond. 1640. This Play was writ twenty Years before it was printed and yet so well esteem'd by Mrs. Behn that she has taken part of it into the City Heiress Mayor of Quinborough a Comedy often acted with much applause by his Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1661. In this Play are several Dumb Shews explained by Rainulph Monk of Chester and the Author has chiefly followed his Polychronicon See besides Stow Speed Du Chesne c. in the Reign of Vortiger Michaelinass-Term a Comedy printed in quarto but where or when I know not thro' the imperfection of my Copy More Dissemblers besides Women a Comedy printed 8o. Lond. 1657. No Wit no Help like a Woman's a Comedy printed 8o. Lond. 1657. Phoenix a Tragi-comedy sundry times acted by the Children of Paul's and presented before his Majesty printed 4o. Lond. 1607. Roaring Girl a Comedy which I never saw Spanish Gypsie a Tragi-comedy acted with great applause at the Private-House in Drury-Lane and Salisbury-Court written by our Author and Mr. Rowley printed 4o. Lond. 1661. The Story of Roderigo and Clara has a near resemblance with if it be not borrow'd from a Spanish Novel writ by Mignel de Cervantes call'd The Force of Blood Trick to catch the Old One a Comedy often in Action both at Paul's the Black-fryars and before their Majesties printed 4o. Lond. 1616. This is an Excellent Old Play Triumphs of Love and Antiquity an Honourable Solemnity performed thro' the City at the Confirmation and Establishment of the Right Honourable Sir William Cockaine Kt. in the Office of His Majesties Lieutenant the Lord Mayor of the Famous City of London Taking beginning in the Morning at his Lordship's Going and perfecting it self after his Return from Receiving the Oath of Mayoralty at Westminster on the Morrow after Simon and Jude's Day Octob. 29 1619. printed 4o. Lond. and dedicated to the Honour of him to whom the Noble Fraternity of Skinners his Worthy Brothers have dedicated their Loves in Costly Triumphs The Right Honourable Sir William Cockaine Knight Lord Mayor of this Renowned City and Lord General of his Military Forces This Piece consists only of Speeches addrest to his Lordship at his Cavalcade thro' the City and I think no ways deserv'd either the Title of a Masque under which Species it has been hitherto rank'd nor so pompous a Title as the Author has prefix'd Women beware Women a Tragedy printed 8o. Lond. 1657. This Play with two others viz. More Dissemblers besides Women and No Wit like a Woman's are all in one Volume The Foundation of this Play is borrow'd from a Romance called Hyppolito and Isabella octavo This Drama if we give Credit to Mr. Richards a Poet of that Age was acted with extraordinary applause as he says in his Verses on that Play I that have see it can say having just cause Ne're Tragedy came off with more Applause World lost at Tennis a Masque divers times presented to the Contentment of many Noble and Worthy Spectators by the Princes Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1620. and dedicated to the truly Noble Charles Lord Howard Baron of Effingham and to his Virtuous and Worthy the Right Honourable Mary Lady Effingham Eldest Daughter of the truly Generous and Judicious Sir W. Cockain Knight Ld. Mayor of the City of London and Lord General of the Military Forces Your Five Gallants a Comedy often in Action at the Black-fryars and imprinted at London 4o. This Play has no Date and I believe was One of the first that our Author publishd John MILTON An Author that liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the Martyr Had his Principles been as good as his Parts he had been an Excellent Person but his demerits towards his Sovereign has very much sullied his Reputation He has writ several Pieces both in Verse and Prose and amongst others two Dramas of which we shall first give an Account viz. Samson Agonistes a Dramatick Poem printed 8o. Lond. 1680. Our Author has endeavour'd to imitate the Tragedy of the Ancient Greek Poets 't is writ in Blank Verse of ten Syllables which the Author prefers to Rime His Reasons are too long to be transcribed but those who have the Curiosity may read them at the Entrance of his Paradice lost The Chorus is introduced after the Greek Manner and says my Author The Measure of its Verses is of all sorts called by the Greeks Monostrophic or rather Apolelymenon without regard had to Strophe Antistrophe or Epod which were a kind of Stanza's fram'd only for the Musick than used with the Chorus that sung not essential to the Poem and therefore not material or being divided into Stanza's or Pauses they may be called Allaeostropha Division into Act and Scene referring chiefly to the Stage to which this Work never was intended is here omitted In this the Author seems to follow Sophocles whose Plays are not divided into Acts. I take this to be an Excellent Piece and as an Argument of its Excellency I have before taken Notice that Mr. Dryden has transferred several Thoughts to his Aurengzebe The Foundation of the History is in Holy Writ See Judges Ch. 13 c. Josephus Antiq. l. 5. Torniel Salian c. Masque presented at Ludlow Castle 1634. on Michaelmass Night before the Right Honourable John Earl of Bridgwater Viscount Brackley Ld. President of Wales and One of his Majesties most Honourable Privy Council printed 4o. Lond. 1637. and dedicated by Mr. Henry Laws the Publisher to the Right Honourable John Lord Viscount Brackley Son and Heir Apparent to the Earl of Bridgwater c. The Publisher acquaints his Patron that Altho not openly acknowledged by the Author yet it is a Legitimate Off-spring so lovely and so much desired that the often copying of it hath tir'd his Pen to give his several Friends Satisfaction and brought him to a Necessity of producing it to the publick view The principal Persons of this Masque were the Lord Brackley Mr. Thomas Egerton the Lady Alice Egerton Our Author 's other Pieces in Verse are his Paradice lost an Heroick Poem in twelve Books I know not when it was first printed but there came out not long since a very fair Edition in Fol. with Sculptures printed Lond. 1689. His Paradice regain'd a Poem in four Books is fitted likewise to be bound with it He publisht some other Poems in Latin and English printed 8o. Lond. 1645. Nor was he less Famous for History than Poetry witness his History of Brittain from the first Traditional Beginning of the Norman Conquest printed 4o. Lond. 1670. He writ several other Pieces as a Latin Piece called Pro populo Anglicano Defensio contra Salmasium 120. Lond. 1652. The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce in two Books printed 4o. Lond. 1644 this being answered by an Anonymous Writer was reply'd to by our Author in a Book which
Soul's Warfare and is grounded on the Danger of the Soul in this World S. TUKE A Collonel now living as I have been inform'd in Sussex the Author of One of the best Plays now extant for Oeconomy and Contrivance viz. Adventures of five Hours a Tragi-comedy the second Edition printed 4o. Lond. 1662. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Henry Howard of Norfolk attended with Eight Copies of Verses writ by very Eminent Persons as Mr. Cowley Evelyn Carlisle and others This Play I believe ows its Foundation to one in Spanish Cyril TURNEUR This Author liv'd in the Reign of King James the First and published Two Tragedies viz. Atheist's Tragedy Of the Date of this Play or to whom dedicated I can give no Account the Title-page and Epistle if there were any of my Copy being lost The Plot of Levidulcia her Conveying Sebastian and Fresco out of her Chamber when she was surpris'd by her Husband Belleforrest's Coming is borrow'd from Boccace Day the 7. Nov. the 6. Revenger's Tragedy sundry times acted by the Kings Majesties Servants and printed 4o. Of these two Plays Mr. Winstanley quotes a Distich I know not from what Author as follows His Fame unto that pitch so only rais'd As not to be despis'd nor too much prais'd John TUTCHIN An Author of our Times who has a Pastoral extant call'd Unfortunate Shepherd a Pastoral printed 8o. Lond. 1685. This Play with the rest of his Poems on several Occasions and a Piece in Prose call'd A Discourse of Life were all printed octavo Lond. 1685. W. Lewis WAGER A Learned Clerk living in the begining of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth who was the Author of an Interlude call'd Mary Magdalen her Life and Repentance printed in a Black Letter 4o. Lond. 1567. This Interlude may easily be acted by Four Persons For the Plot take an Account from the following Lines being part of the Prologue and will give you a Taste of the Author's Stile Of the Gospel we shall rehearse a fruitful Story Written in the 7th of Luke with words plaine The Story of a Woman that was right sorry For that she had spent her Life in sinne vile and vaine By Christ's preaching she was converted againe To be truly penitent by hir fruictes she declared And to shew hir self a sinner she never spared Edmund WALLER A Gentleman not many Years deceas'd whose Name will ever be dear to all Lovers of the Muses His Compositions are universally applauded and they are thought fit to serve as a Standard for all succeeding Poems He was a Friend to the Ingenious Fletcher as appears by his Verses printed at the beginning of those Plays and was so far a Lover of Dramatick Poetry that he translated part of a Play in which the Right Honourable the Earl of Dorset and Middlesex was concerned viz. Pompey the Great a Tragedy acted by the Servants of His Royal Highness the Duke of York printed 4o. Lond. 1664. Besides this Play he has a Volume of Poems extant which have been several times reprinted the Fourth Edition was printed octavo Lond. 1682. There is newly publish'd a Second part containing his Alteration of The Maid's Tragedy and whatsoever of his was left unprinted publisht octavo Lond. 1690. George WAPUL An Author whose Writings are as unknown as any of the former to whom is ascribed a Comedy call'd Tide tarrieth for no Man William WAYER An Author of whose Time and Writings I can give no further Account than that he is accounted the Author of a Comedy which I never saw called The more thou liv'st the more Fool thou art There are two other Plays whose Authors are unknown ascribed by Mr. Philips and Winstanley to our Author viz. Tryal of Chivalry and Tom Tyler and his Wife tho' I believe they were never writ by him R. WAVER The Author of a Play which I have never seen call'd Lusty Juventus who or whence this Author was I know not John WEBSTER An Author that liv'd in the Reign of King James the First and was in those Days accounted an Excellent Poet. He joyn'd with Decker Marston and Rowley in several Plays and was likewise Author of others which have even in our Age gain'd Applause As for Instance Appius and Virginia Dutchess of Malfy and Vittoria Corrombona but I shall speak of these in their Order Appius and Virginia a Tragedy printed according to my Copy 4o. Lond. 1659. I suppose there may be an older Edition than mine but this is that which was acted at the Duke's Theatre and was alter'd as I have heard by Mr. Carthwright by Mr. Betterton For the Plot consult Livy Florus c. Devil's Law-case or When Women go to Là w the Devil is full of business a Tragi-comedy approvedly well acted by Her Majesty's Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1623. and dedicated to Sir Thomas Finch An Accident like that of Romelio's stabbing Contarino out of Malice which turned to his preservation is if I mistake not in Skenkius his Observations At least I am sure the like happened to Phaereus Jason as you may see in Q. Val. Maximus lib. 1. cap. 8. The like Story is related in Goulart's Histoires Admirables tome 1. page 178. Dutchess of Malfy a Tragedy presented privately at the Black-fryars and publickly at the Globe by the King's Majesty's Servants and I have seen it since acted at the Duke of York's Theatre 'T was first printed 4o. Lond. 1623. and dedicated to the Right Honourable George Lord Barkeley and since reprinted 4o. Lond. 1678. For the Plot consult Bandello's Novels in French by Belleforest N. 19. Beard 's Theatre of God's Judgments Book 2. Ch. 24. The like Story is related by Goulart in his Histoires admirables de nôtre temps p. 226. White Devil or The Tragedy of Paulo Giordano Ursini Duke of Brachiano with the Life and Death of Vittoria Corombona the Famous Venetian Curtezan acted by the Queen's Majesty's Servants at the Phoenix in Drury-lane printed 4o. Lond. 1612. and since acted at the Theatre-Royal and reprinted 1665. Besides these Plays our Author has been assisted by Mr. Rowley in two others which because he had the least part in their Composition I place to our Author viz. Cure for a Cuckold a Comedy several times acted with great applause printed 4o. Lond. 1661. Thracian Wonder a Comical History several times acted with great applause printed quarto Lond. 1661. Mr. Philips has committed a great Mistake in ascribing several Plays to our Author and his Associate Mr. Decker One of which belong to another Writer whose Name is annexed and the rest are Anonymous As for Instance The Noble Stranger was writ by Lewis Sharpe and The New Trick to cheat the Devil Weakest goes to the wall and Woman will have her will to unknown Authors John WATSON Esq An Author who in the Reign of King Charles the Second writ a Play in Heroick Verse call'd Amazon Queen or The Amours of Thalestris to Alexander the Great a Tragi-comedy in Heroick Verse and printed 4o. Lond.
Suffolk and the tragical End of the proud Cardinal of Winchester with the notable Rebellion of Jack Cade and the Duke of York's first Claim to the Crown printed 4o. Lond. 1600. This Play is only the Second part of Shakespear's Henry the Sixth with little or no Variation Counterfeits a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1679. This Comedy is ascribed by some to Leanard but I believe it too good to be his Writing 't is founded on a translated Spanish Novel call'd The Trapanner trapann'd octavo Lond. 1655. and I presume the Author may have seen a French Comedy writ by Tho. Corneille on the same Subject call'd D. Caesar D'Avalos Counterfeit Bridegroom or The Defeated Widow a Comedy acted at His Royal Highness the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1677. This Play is only an Old Play of Middleton's call'd No Wit like a Woman's printed octavo Cromwell's Conspiracy a Tragi-comedy which I never saw Cruel Debtor a Play only nam'd by Mr. Kirkman Cupid's Whirligig a Comedy sundry times acted by the Children of his Majesty's Revels printed 4o. Lond. 1616. and dedicated by the Publisher to Mr. Robert Hayman This Play is part founded on Boccace as for Instance the Conveyance of the Captain and Exhibition out of the Lady's Chamber is founded on the Sixth Novel of the Seventh Day and is the Ground-work of many other Plays Cyrus King of Persia a Tragedy mention'd by Kirkman which I never saw D. Damon and Pythias a History of which I can give no Account Debauchee or The Credulous Cuckold a Comedy acted at his Highness the Duke of York's Theatre and printed 4o. Lond. 1677. This Play is by some ascrib'd to Mrs. Behn but is indeed only a Play of Brome's reviv'd call'd A mad Couple well matcht Destruction of Jerusalem a Play which I never saw but in the Catalogue printed with the Old Law 't is ascrib'd to one Thomas Legge Dick Scorner a Play mention'd in Mr. Kirkman's Catalogue but which I never saw nor do I know what species of Dramatick Poetry it is Divine Masque printed in quarto Lond. The Title-page of mine is lost but 't is dedicated to General Monk by One Anthony Sadler who I take to be the Author E. Edward the Third his Reign a History sundry times play'd about the City of London printed 4o. Lond. 1599. The Plot is founded on English Chronicles See Walsingham M. Westminster Fabian Froissart Pol. Virgil Hollingshead Stow Speed c. See besides AEschasius Major and a Novel call'd The Countess of Salisbury octavo translated from the French Elvira or The worst not always true a Comedy written by a Person of Quality suppos'd to be the Lord Digby and printed 4o. Lond. 1667. Empress of Morocco a Farce acted by His Majesty's Servants said to be writ by Thomas Duffet and printed 4o. Lond. 1674. English Princess or The Death of Richard the Third a Tragedy in Heroick Verse ascribed to Mr. John Carel and printed 4o. Lond. 1673. For the Plot see Fabian Pol. Virgil Hollingshead Grafton Stow Speed Baker c. English-men for Money or A Woman will have her Will a pleasant Comedy divers times acted with great applause printed 4o. Lond. 1626. Enough 's as good as a Feast a Comedy which I never saw but mentioned by Mr. Kirkman Every Woamn in her Humour a Comedy printed quarto Lond. 1609. F. Factious Citizen or The Melancholy Visioner a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre and printed quarto Lond. 1685. Fair Em the Miller's Daughter of Manchester with the Love of William the Conqueror a pleasant Comedy sundry times publickly acted in the Honourable City of London by the Right Honourable the Lord Strange his Servants printed quarto Lond. 1631. Fair Maid of Bristow a Comedy play'd at Hampton before the King and Queen's most Excellent Majesties printed quarto Lond. 1605. in a Black Letter False Favourite disgrac'd and the Reward of Loyalty a Tragi-comedy never acted printed octavo Lond. 1657. This Play is ascribed to George Gerbier D'Ouvilly Fatal Jealousie a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre and ascribed by some to Mr. Pane printed quarto Lond. 1673. Part of the Plot is in Johannes Gigas's Postills See besides Theatre of God's Judgments 2 d part p. 55. Unfortunate Lovers Nov. 1. Feigned Astrologer a Comedy translated from the French of Monsieur Corneille and printed 4o. Lond. 1668. The Plot of this Play which is borrow'd from Calderon's El Astrologo fingido is made use of in the Story of the French Marquess in the Illustrious Bassa when he play'd the part of the Feigned Astrologer Fidele and Fortunatus I know not what sort of Play it is whether Comedy or Tragedy having never seen it but in Old Catalogues 't is ascribed to Thomas Barker Flora's Vagaries a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by His Majesty's Servants ascribed to Mr. Rhodes and printed quarto Lond. 1670. This Plot of Orante's making use of the Fryar to carry on her Intrigue with Ludovico is founded on Boccace Day 3. Nov. 3. Free-Will a Tragedy which I know not where or when printed the Title-page of Mine being lost 'T was written Originally in Italian by F. N. B. which I take to be Franciscus Niger Bassentinus and was translated into English by H. C. that is Henry Cheek 'T is printed in an Old English Character Fulgius and Lucrelle a Piece of which I can give no Account having never seen it G. Ghost or The Woman wears the Breeches a Comedy writ in the Year 1640. and printed quarto Lond. 1650. H. Hell's Higher Court of Justice or The Tryal of the Three Politick Ghosts viz. Oliver Cromwell King of Sweden and Cardinal Mazarine printed quarto Lond. 1661. Histriomastix or The Player whipt printed quarto Lond. 1610. This Play was writ in the time of Queen Elizabeth tho' not printed till afterwards as appears by the last Speech spoken by Peace to Astraea under which Name the Queen is shadowed Henry the Fifth his Victories containing the Honourable Battle of Agin-court a History acted by the Kings Majesties Servants printed quarto Lond. 1617. For the Plot see the English Chronicles as Hollingshead Stow Speed c. Hector or The False Challenge a Comedy written in the Year 1655. and printed quarto Lond. 1656. I know not the Author of this Play but I think it may vye with many Comedies writ since the Restauration of the Stage Hyppolitus a Tragedy which as I have been told is printed in octavo and translated from Seneca by Edmund Prestwith For the Plot see the Poets as Ovid's Epistle of Phaedra to Hyppolitus his Metamorphosis Lib. 6. Virgil. AEn Lib. 7. c. Hoffman his Tragedy or A Revenge for a Father acted divers times with great applause at the Phoenix in Drury-lane and printed 4o. Lond. 1631. This Play was adopted by One Hugh Perry and by him sent to the Press and dedicated to his Honoured Friend Mr. Richard Kilvert How a Man may chuse a Good Wife from a Bad a pleasant