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
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-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
ever finish'd of this Nature what few mistakes are found in his Play may be easily excus'd But besides its real faults the errors of the Press and what it suffers thro' the prejudice and malice of the Author's Adversaries I do not at all wonder if even the most impartial Reader too should look severely on it seeing he is promis'd in the Title-page what he can never find in the Book It would fain cozen him to believe that he shall meet with the Popish Plot represented in that Play though I have heard Mr. Bedloe often say he never intended any such thing The History he designed may as I am inform'd be read in several Authentick Authors but in Heylin's Geography I remember I met with it my self So may any that will peruse his History of Georgia Mr. Bedloe well knew it was against his Interest so for to ridicule the Plot as to compose a Play of it and he had more judgment in Poetry than to imagine that such a new thing would please in Tragedy And least any one should suspect that his design did in the least incline that way he writ an Epistle to assure his Reader of the contrary Which the Stationer supposing under that pretence the Play would vend much better thought it his interest to stifle and added these words to the Title-page Being the Popish Plot in a Play without the Author's consent or knowledge Mrs. Astraea BEHN A Person lately deceased but whose Memory will be long fresh amongst the Lovers of Dramatick Poetry as having been sufficiently Eminent not only for her Theatrical Performances but several other Pieces both in Verse and Prose which gain'd her an Esteem among the Wits almost equal to that of the incomparable Orinda Madam Katharine Phillips of whom we shall speak hereafter Her Plays are Sixteen in number having therein exceeded any of the Poets of this Age Sr. William Davenant and Mr. Dryden excepted Most of her Comedies have had the good fortune to please and tho' it must be confest that she has borrow'd very much not only from her own Country Men but likewise from the French Poets yet it may be said in her behalf that she has often been forc'd to it through haft and has borrow'd from others Stores rather of Choice than for want of a fond of Wit of her own it having been formerly her unhappiness to be necessitated to write for Bread as she has publisht to the world 'T is also to her Commendation that whatever she borrows she improves for the better a Plea which our late Laureat has not been asham'd to make use of If to this her Sex may plead in her behalf I doubt not but she will be allowed equal with several of our Poets her Contemporaries I shall now give an Account of her Plays in an Alphabetical Order as follows viz. Abdelazer or The Moor's Revenge a Tragedy Acted at his Royal Highness the Dukes Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1671. This Play is originally an old Play of Marloes call'd Lusts Dominion or The Lascivious Queen a Tragedy written above Forty years ago tho' printed in octavo Lond. 1661. She has much improv'd it throughout Amorous Prince or The Curious Husband a Comedy Acted at his Royal Highness the Duke of York's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1671. The Plot of Antonio the curious Husband 's trying his Wives Chastity by his Friend Alberto's means is founded on a Novel in the Romance of Don Quixot call'd The Curious Impertinent See Part 4. Ch. 6 7 8. The City Night-Cap is founded on the same Story tho' Mrs. Behn has much out-done that Play and improv'd the Novel itself City-Heiress or Sr. Timothy Treat-all a Comedy Acted at his Royal Highness his Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1682. and Dedicated to the Right Honourable henry Earl of Arundel and Lord Mowbray This Play had the luck to be well receiv'd in the Town yet I cannot but take notice that most of the Characters are borrow'd as those of Sir Timothy Treat-all and his Nephew from Sir Bounteous Progress and Folly-wit in Middleton's Mad World my Masters and those of Sir Anthony Merrywell and his Nephew Sr. Charles from Durazzo and Caldoro in Massenger's Guardian Part of the Language in each Play is likewise transcrib'd As for the Plot of Sir Timothy's endeavouring to supplant his Nephew of his Mistress 't is the same Design with other Plays as Ram-Alley and Trick to Catch the Old One. Dutch Lover a Comedy Acted at the Duke's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1673. The Plot of this Play is founded on a Spanish Romance written by the ingenious Don Francisco de las Coveras stiled Don Fenise see the Stories of Eufemie and Theodore Don Jame and Frederick Emperor of the Moon a Farce Acted by Their Majesty's Servants at the Queen's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1687. and Dedicated to the Lord Marquess of Worcester This Farce was originally Italian and Acted in France Eighty odd times without intermission under the Title of Harlequin l' Empereur dans le Monde de la Lune but much alter'd and adapted to our English Theatre Forc'd Marriage or The Jealous Bridegroom a Tragi-Comedy Acted at his Highness the Duke of York's Theatre and printed in quarto Lond. 1671. This if I mistake not was the first Play that our Authress brought on the Stage False Count or A New Way to play an Old Game a Comedy Acted at the Duke's Theatre and printed in quarto Lond. 1682. The Hint of Isabella being deceiv'd by Guillaume the Chimney-sweeper is borrow'd from Molliere's Les Precieuses Ridicules Feign'd Courtezmis or a Nights Intrigue a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1679. and Dedicated to Mrs. Ellen Guin This Comedy I take to be One of the best she has written Luckey Chance or an Alderman's Bargain a Comedy acted by Their Majesties Servants printed 4 o Lond. 1687. and Dedicated to the R t Honble Laurence L d Hyde E. of Rochester Tho' some Criticks decry'd this Play yet whoever will consult the Author's Preface will find the Objections fully answer'd however I must observe that the Incident of Gayman's enjoying the Lady Fulbanck and taking her for the Devil is copied from Mr. Alexander Kickshaw and the Lady Aretina in the Lady of Pleasure Rover or The Banisht Cavaleers in two parts both of them Comedies Acted at the Duke's Theatre and printed in quarto Lond. 1677 and 1681. the Second Part being Dedicated to his Royal Highness the Duke These are the only Comedies for the Theft of which I condemn this ingenious Authoress they being so excellent in their Original that 't is pity they should have been alter'd and notwithstanding her Apology in the Postscript to the first part I cannot acquit her of prevarication since Angelica is not the only stol'n Object as she calls it she having borrow'd largely throughout The truth is the better to disguise her Theft she has as the ingenious Scarron
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-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
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
7. London Prodigal a Comedy This is One of the Seven Plays which are added to this Volume which tho' printed all of them in 4o. were never in Folio till 1685. Two of these viz. Cromwell and Locrine we have already handled the Remaining four viz. Old-castle Pericles Puritan Widow and Yorkshire Tragedy shall be treated in their order Loves Labour lost a Comedy the Story of which I can give no Account of Measure for Measure a Comedy founded on a Novel in Cynthio Giraldi viz. Deca Ottava Novella 51 The like Story is in Goulart's Histoires Admirables de nôtre temps Tome 1. page 216. and in Lipsii Monita L.2 C. 9 p. 125. This Play as I have observed was made use of with the Comedy Much ado about nothing by Sir William D' Avenant in his Law against Lovers Merchant of Venice a Tragi-comedy Merry Wives of Windsor a Comedy which Mr. Dryden allows to be exactly form'd and it was regular before any of Ben. Johnson's This is not wholly without the Assistance of Novels witness Mrs. Ford's conveying out Sir John Falstaff in the Basket of Foul Clothes and his declaring all the Intrigue to her Husband under the Name of Mr. Broom which Story is related in the first Novel of The Fortunate Deceived and Unfortunate Lovers which Book tho' written since Shakespear's Time I am able to prove several of those Novels are translated out of Cynthio Giraldi others from Mallespini and I believe the whole to be a Collection from old Novelists Mackbeth a Tragedy which was reviv'd by the Dukes Company and re-printed with Alterations and New Songs 4o. Lond. 1674. The Play is founded on the History of Scotland The Reader may consult these Writers for the Story viz. Hector Boetius Buchanan Du chesne Hollingshead c. The same Story is succinctly related in Verse in Heywood's Hierarchy of Angels B. 1. p. 508. and in Prose in Heylin's Cosmography Book 1. in the Hist of Brittain where he may read the Story at large At the Acting of this Tragedy on the Stage I saw a real one acted in the Pit I mean the Death of Mr. Scroop who received his death's wound from the late Sir Thomas Armstrong and died presently after he was remov'd to a House opposite to the Theatre in Dorset-Garden Midsummer Nights Dream a Comedy The Comical part of this Play is printed separately in 4o. and used to be acted at Bartholomew Fair and other Markets in the Country by Strolers under the Title of Bottom the Weaver Much ado about nothing a Comedy I have already spoke of Sir William D' Avenant's making use of this Comedy All that I have to remark is That the contrivance of Borachio in behalf of John the Bastard to make Claudio jealous of Hero by the Assistance of her Waiting-Woman Margaret is borrowed from Ariosto's Orlando Furioso see Book the fifth in the Story of Lurcanio and Geneuza the like Story is in Spencer's Fairy Queen Book 2. Canto 4. Oldcastle the good Lord Cobham his History The Protagonist in this Play is Sir John Oldcastle who was executed in the Reign of King Henry the Fifth See his Life at large in Fox his Martyrology Dr. Fuller and other Writers of Church History as well as Chronologers Othello the Moor of Venice his Tragedy This is reckoned an Admirable Tragedy and was reprinted 4o. Lond. 1680. and is still an Entertainment at the Theatre-Royal Our Author borrowed the Story from Cynthio's Novels Dec. 3. Nov. 7. The truth is Salustio Picolomini in his Letter to the Author extreamly applauds these Novels as being most of them fit Subjects for Tragedy as you may see by the following Lines Gli Heccatomithi vostri Signor Cynthio mi sono maravigliosa mente piaciuti Et fra le altre cose io ci ho veduti i più belli argomente di Tragedie che si possano imaginare quanto a i nodi quanto alle solutioni tanto felicemente ho viste legate le difficulta che pure ano impossibili ad essere slegate Mr. Dryden says That most of Shakespear's Plots he means the Story of them are to be found in this Author I must confess that having with great difficulty obtained the Book from London I have found but two of those mentioned by him tho' I have read the Book carefully over Pericles Prince of Tyre with the true-Relation of the whole History Adventures and Fortunes of the said Prince This Play was publish'd in the Author's Life-time under the Title of The much Admired Play of Pericles by which you may guess the value the Auditors and Spectators of that Age had for it I know not whence our Author fetch'd his Story not meeting in History with any such Prince of Tyre nor remembring any of that Name except the Famous Athenian whose Life is celebrated by Plutarch Puritan or The Widow of Wattling-street a Comedy sufficiently diverting Richard the Second his Life and Death a Tragedy which is extreamly commended even by Mr. Dryden in his Grounds of Criticisme in Tragedy printed before Troilus and Cressida and Mr. Tate who altered this Play in 1681. says That there are some Master-touches in this Play that will vye with the best Roman Poets For the Plot consult the Chronicles of Harding Caxton Walsingham Fabian Pol. Virgil Grafton Hollingshead Stow Speed c. Richard the Third his Tragedy with the landing of the Earl of Richmond and the Battle of Bosworth Field This Play is also founded on History See Fabian Caxton Pol. Virgil Hollingshead Grafton Trussel stow Speed Baker c. Romeo and Juliet a Tragedy This Play is accounted amongst the best of our Author's Works Mr. Dryden says That he has read the Story of it in the Novels of Cynthio which as yet I cannot find but set it down in my former Catalogue relying upon his Knowledge But I have since read it in French translated by M. Pierre Boisteau whose Sir-name was Launay who says it was writ by Bandello but not having as yet met with Bandello in the Original I must acquiesce in his Word The French Reader may peruse it in the first Tome of Les Histoires Tragicques extraictes des oeuvres Italiennes de Bandello imprimé 8o. à Turin 157c Taming of the Shrew a very diverting Comedy The Story of the Tinker is related by Pontus Heuteras Rerum Burdicarum lib. 4. and by Goulart in his Hist. Admirables Tom. 1. p. 360 Tempest a Comedy How much this Play is now in Esteem tho' the Foundation were Shakespear's all People know How it took at the Black-fryars let Mr. Dryden's Preface speak For his Opinion of Caliban the Monster 's Character let his Preface to Troilus and Cressida explain No Man except Shakespear ever drew so many Charactars or generally distinguish'd them better from one another except only Johnson I will instance but in one to shew the copiousness of his Invention t is that of Caliban or the Monster in the Tempest He seems here to
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
at his Royal Highness the Duke's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1679. This Comedy is very much beholding to Romances for several Incidents as the Character of Squire Old-sap and Pimpo's tying him to a Tree Act 1. is borrow'd from the begining of the Romance call'd the Comical History of Francion Trick-love's cheating Old-sap with the Bell and Pimpo's standing in Henry's place Act 4. Sc. 3. is borrow'd from Boccace's Novels Day 7. Nov. 8. The same is related in Les Contes de M. de la Fontaine in the Story intituled La Gageure des trois Commeres Tom. 1. pag. 47. Trick-love's contrivance with Welford to have Old-sap beaten in her Habit Act 4. Sc. the last is borrow'd from Boccace Day 7. Nov. 7. tho' the same is an incident in other Plays as in Fletcher's Women Pleas'd London Cuckolds c. There are other passages borrow'd likewise which I purposely omit to repeat Sir Barnaby Whig or No Wit like a Womans a Comedy acted by their Majesties Servants at the Theatre-Royal printed in quarto Lond. 1681. and dedicated to the Right Honourable George Earl of Berkley This Play is founded on a Novel of Monsieur S. Bremond call'd The Double Cuckold and the part of the Humor of Captain Porpuss is borrow'd from a Play called The Fine Companion Trick for Trick or The Debauch'd Hypocrite a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by his Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1678. This Play is only Fletcher's Monsieur Thomas reviv'd tho' scarce at all acknowledg'd by our Author Virtuous Wife or Good luck at last a Comedy acted at the Dukes Theatre by His Royal Highness his Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1680. This Comedy is one of the most entertaining of his tho' there are many little hints borrow'd from other Comedies as particularly the Fawn and the Humor of Beaufort is copy'd from Palamede in Marriage A-la-mode Besides these Plays he has written several Songs which if I mistake not were collected into one entire Vol. and printed 8o. Lond. 1682. But I wou'd not have him ascribe all his Songs any more than his Plays to his own Genius or Imagination since he is equally beholding for some of them to other Mens pains Witness the above-mention'd Song in the Royalist And didst thou not promise me when thou ligst by me c. He has writ besides other pieces as Butler's Ghost printed 8o. Lond. 1682. Poems 8o. Lond. 1690. Collin's Walk 8o. Lond. 1690. c. E. Edward ECCLESTON A Gentleman now living the Author of an Opera of the same Nature with Mr. Dryden's State of Innocence but being publisht after it it serv'd rather as a Foil to the excellent piece than any ways rival'd its Reputation This piece first bore the Title of Noahs Flood or The Destruction of the World an Opera printed 4o. Lond. 1679. and dedicated to her Grace the Dutchess of Monmouth This Play not going off a new Title and Cuts were affix'd to it in Hillary-Term 1684. it then going under the Title of The Cataclism or General Deluge of the World Whether Mr. Holford was more successful than Mr. Took in putting off the remainder of the Impression or whether the various Sculptures took more with the Ladies of the Pal-mall than the Sence did with those who frequent Paul's Church-Yard I am not able to determine but I doubt the Bookseller still wants Customers since I again find it in the last Term Catalogue under the Title of The Deluge or The Destruction of the World The Title shews the Foundation of it to be Scripture Sir George ETHERIDGE A Gentleman sufficiently eminent in the Town for his Wit and Parts and One whose tallent in sound Sence and the Knowledge of true Wit and Humour are sufficiently conspicuous and therefore I presume I may with justice and without envy apply Horace's Character of Fundanus to this admirable Author Argutâ meretrice potes Davoque Chremeta Eludente senem comis garrire libellos Unus vivorum Fundani This Ingenious Author has oblig'd the World by publishing three Comedies viz. Comical Revenge or Love in a Tub a Comedy acted at his Royal-Highness the Duke of York's Theatre in Lincolns-Inn-fields printed quarto Lond. 1669. and dedicated to the Honourable Charles Lord Buckhurst This Comedy tho' of a mixt nature part of it being serious and writ in Heroick Verse yet has succeeded admirably on the Stage it having always been acted with general approbation Man of Mode or Sir Fopling Flutter a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1676. and dedicated to her Royal Highness the Dutchess This Play is written with great Art and Judgment and is acknowledg'd by all to be as true Comedy and the Characters as well drawn to the Life as any Play that has been Acted since the Restauration of the English Stage Only I must observe that the Song in the last Act written by C.S. is translated from part of an Elegy written in French by Madame la Comtesse de la Suze in Le Recüeil des Pieces Gallantes tom 1. p. 42. She wou'd if she cou'd a Comedy Acted at his Highness the Duke of York's Theatre and printed quarto Lond. 1671. This Comedy is likewise accounted one of the first Rank by several who are known to be good Judges of Dramatick Poesy Nay our present Laureat says 'T is the best Comedy written since the Restauration of the Stage I heartily wish for the publick satisfaction that this great Master would oblidge the World with more of his Performances which would put a stop to the crude and indigested Plays which for want of better cumber the Stage F. Sir Francis FANE Junior Knight of the Bath A Gentleman now living at Fulbeck in Lincoln-shire and Granson as I suppose to the Right Honourable the Earl of Westmorland This Noble Person 's Wit and Parts are above my Capacity to describe and therefore I must refer my Reader to his Works which will afford him better satisfaction He has obliged the World with two Plays which are equall'd by very few of our modern Poets and has shew'd that he can command his Genius being able to write Comedy or Tragedy as he pleases Love in the dark or The Man of business a Comedy acted at the Theatre Royal by his Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1675. and dedicated to the Right Honourable John Earl of Rochester The Plot of Count Sforza and Parthelia Daughter to the Doge of Venice is founded on a novel of Scarron's call'd the Invisible Mistress Bellinganna Cornanto's Wife sending Scrutinio to Trivultio to check him for making Love to her is founded on a Novel in Boccace Day 3. Nov. 3. Hircanio's Wife catching him with Bellinganna is built on the Story of Socrates and his Wife Mirto in the Loves of Great Men p. 59 Trivultio's seeming to beat Bellinganna is grounded on a Story in Boccace See Day 7. Nov. 7. Sacrifice a Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1686. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Charles
Earl of Dorset and Middlesex There are two Copies of Verses that I have seen writ in Commendation of this Play one writ by Mr. Tate to the Author and printed with the Play the other writ by the late Mrs. A. Behn see the Miscellany Poems printed with Lycidas or the Lover in Fashion 8o. p. 102. The Plot of this admirable Tragedy is founded on the Story of Tamerlane and Bajazet Many are the Historians that have given an Account of the Affairs of these Great Men. Read Chalcocondylas lib. 3 Leunclavius lib. 6 The Life of Tamerlane by Mr. D'Assigny the same by P. Perondini Knolls his Turkish History in the Life of Bajazet the First This Play the Author wanting patience to attend the leisure of the Stage published without Action How much all Lovers of Poetry are indebted to him for it I must leave to those that are Poets to describe I that am none am glad to set my hand to an Address drawn up by Mr. Tate in the following Lines Accept our Thanks tho' you decline the Stage That yet you condescend the Press t' engage For while we thus possess the precious store Our Benefits the same your Glory more Thus for a Theatre the World you find And your Applauding Audience All Mankind 'T is not in Dramatick Poetry alone that our Author is a Master but his Talent is equal also in Lyricks Witness three Copies of Verses printed in Mr. Tate's Collection of Poems 8o. One to the Earl of Rochester upon the Report of his Sickness in Town in allusion to an Ode in Horace A second to a great Lord inviting him to Court or else to write a History in the Country being a Paraphrase upon Horace Lib. 2. Ode 12. A third to a perjur'd Mistress in imitation of another Ode of Horace Lib. 1. Ode 8. The Honble Sir Richard FANSHAW This Excellent Man was Brother to the Right Honourable Thomas Lord Fanshaw of Ware-Park in Hertfordshire He had his Breeding in his younger Years in Cambridge and was so good a Proficient in Latin French Italian Spanish and Portugese that he understood them as well as his Mother-tongue He removed from Cambridge to Court where he serv'd his Majesty with all imaginable Fidelity and Dutiful Affection He was his Secretary in Holland France and Scotland and at Worcester Fight was wounded and taken prisoner in Defence of the Royal Cause His Loyalty and Abilities were so conspicuous to His Majesty King Charles the II. that at His happy Restauration He preferr'd him to be one of the Masters of the Requests and afterwards sent him into Portugal with the worthy Title of Lord Embassador of Honour to court the present Queen Dowager for this Master where he remain'd three Years and discharg'd his Employment with Honour In the Year 1644. he was sent Embassador into Spain to compleat a Treaty of Commerce and to strengthen the League between the two Crowns which Affair he managed with great Prudence and Integrity He died at Madrid in July 1666. leaving behind him the Character of an able Statesman a great Scholar and a sincere sweet natur'd and pious Gentleman At present we are only to consider his Scholarship which will sufficiently appear by the several Translations which he has publisht particularly those which are Dramatick the first of which in Order and the most Eminent is stil'd Il Pastor Fido The Faithful Shepherd a Pastoral printed 4o. Lond. 1646. and dedicated to the Hope and Lustre of three Kingdoms Charles Prince of Wales This Piece is translated from the Italian of the Famous Guarini of whose Life by way of Digression give me leave to speak succinctly He was a Native of Ferrara and Secretary to Alphonsus the II. Duke of that Principality who sent him into Germany Poland and Rome in the time of Pope Gregory the XIII After the death of Alphonsus he was Secretary to Vincent de Gonzaga Duke of Mantua to Ferdinand de Medicis Great Duke of Tuscany who created him Knight of the Order of Saint Stephen and to Francis Maria de la Rovera Duke of Urbin in all these Stations he was as much admir'd for his Politicks as Poetry How much he was esteem'd for this last the several Academies of Italy are a sufficient proof most of which elected him a Member into their several Societies as Gli Humoristi of Rome De la Crusca of Florence Gli Olympici of Vicenza and Gli Innominati of Parma and Gli Elevati of Ferrara He withdrew from pulick Affairs towards the latter end of his Life and dwelt privately at Padua afterwards at Venice where being about seventy five Years of Age he died in the Year 1613. Having given you this Abridgment of Guarini's Life I shall return to our English Author's Translation Tho' in his Epistle to the Prince He speaks modestly of his Performance as if this Dramatick Poem had lost much of the Life and Quickness by being poured out of one Vessel that is one Language into another besides the unsteadiness of the Hand that pours it and that a Translation at the best is but a Mock-Rainbow in the Clouds faintly imitating the true one into which Apollo himself had a full and immediate Influence I say notwithstanding this modest Apology yet Sir John Denham in his Verses on this Translation infinitely commends it and tho' he seems to assent to our Author's Notions touching Translations in general yet he shews that Sir Richard has admirably succeeded in this particular Attempt as the Reader may see by the following Lines where after having blam'd servile Translators he goes on thus A new and nobler Way thou dost pursue To make Translations and Translators too They but preserve the Ashes thou the Flame True to his Sense but truer to his Fame Foording his Current where thou find'st it low Let'st in thine own to make it rise and flow Wisely restoring whatsoever grace Is lost by change of Times or Tongues or Place Nor fetter'd to his Numbers and his Times Betray'st his Musick to unhappy Rimes Nor are the Nerves of his compacted strength Stretch'd and dissolv'd into unsinew'd length Yet after all lest we should think it thine Thy Spirit to his Circle dost confine I have already said that Guarini imitated Tasso's Aminta in this Pastoral and I may add that by the unquestionable Verdict of all Italy he outstript him which rais'd Tasso's Anger so high that he cry'd out in a great Passion Se non havuto visto il mio Aminta c. If he had not seen my Aminta he had not excell'd it Give me leave to enlarge further that this Pastoral was writ on the occasion of Charles Emmanuel the Young Duke of Savoy's Marriage with the Infanta of Spain The Author's Design is Allegorical and Instructive under the Name of Carino he personates himself and his chief End was to instill into his Princely Pupil under the disguise of a Dramatick Diversion the Principles of Divine Moral and Political Virtues
Querer por solo querer To love only for Love's sake a Dramatick Romance represented at Aranjuez before the King and Queen of Spain to celebrate the Birth-day of that King Phil. IV. by the Meninas which are a Set of Ladies in the Nature of Ladies of Honour in that Court Children in Years but Higher in Degree being Daughters and Heirs to Grandees in Spain than the Ladies of Honour Attending likewise that Queen This Play was written in Spanish by Don Antonio de Mendoza 1623. and dedicated to the Queen of Spain which was Elizabeth Daughter to Henry the Great of France It was paraphras'd by our Author in English in 1654. during his Confinement to Tankersly Park in Yorkshire by Oliver after the Battle of Worcester in which as I have already observ'd he was taken prisoner serving his Majesty King Charles the Second as Secretary of State At that time he writ on this Dramatick Romance 3 Stanzas both in Latin and English which may give the Reader a Taste of his Vein in both these Languages and therefore may not be improper for me to transcribe or unpleasant to the Reader to perufe I shall give the preference to the Latin Verses Learning and Learned Men being to be preferr'd before Vulgar Readers Ille ego qui dubiis quondam jactatus in Undis Qui dum nunc Aulae nunc mibi Castra Strepunt Leni importunas mulceban Carmine Curas In quo PASTORIS Flamma FIDELIS erat At nunc Castris Aulisque ejectus Undis Nam mihi Naufragium Portus Ira Quies Altius insurgens Regum haud intactus Amores Et Reginarum fervidus Arma Cano Quae vinclis Hymenaee tuis spretisque Coronis Nec juga ferre virûm nec dare Jur a velint Dulce prosellosos audire ex Litore fluctus Eque truci Terram dulce videre Mari. In English thus Time was when I a Pilgrim of the Seas When I midst noise of Camps Courts disease Purloin'd some Hours to charm rude Cares with Verse Which Flame of FAITHFUL SHEPHERD did rehearse But now restrain'd from Sea from Camp from Court And by a Tempest blown into a Port I raise my Thoughts to muse on higher things And Eccho Arms Loves of Queens Kings Which Queens despising Crowns and Hymen's Band Would neither Men Obey nor Men Command Great Pleasure from rough Seas to see the Shore Or from firm Land to hear the Billows rore Tho' this Play was during the Author's Imprisonment translated 't was not printed till long after his Death viz. 4o. Lond. 1671. to which is added Fiestas de Aranjuez Festivals represented at Aranjuez written by the same Author and on the same Occasion and translated by the same Hand The Play it self consists but of three Acts which the Spaniards call Jornadas according to the Spanish Custom their Poets seldom or never exceeding that number As to his other Works he writ several Poems in Latin as a Copy on the Escurial another on the Royal Sovereign and a third on Mr. May's Translation of and Supplement to Lucan He translated other Pieces into that Learned Tongue as two Poems written by Mr. Thomas Carew Several Pieces he translated out of Latin into English as the fourth Book of Virgil's AEneids an Epigram out of Martial Lib. 10. Epig. 47. Two Odes out of Horace relating to the Civil Wars of Rome the First Carm. Lib. 3. Ode 24. The Second Epod. 16. with some Sonnets translated from the Spanish and other Poems writ in his Native Language with several Pieces which you will find bound up with Pastor Fido printed 8o. Lond. 1671. Nor was it out of these Languages only that he translated what pleas'd him but even so uncourted a Language as he terms that of Portugal employ'd his Pen during his Confinement For he translated Luis de Camoens whom the Portugals call their Virgil his Lusiad or Portugal's Historical Poem This Poem was printed fol. Lond. 1665. and dedicated to the Right Honourable William Earl of Strafford Son and Heir to that Glorious Protomartyr of Monarchy the Noble Thomas Earl of Strafford Lord Deputy of Ireland on whose Tryal our Author writ a Copy of Verses printed amongst his Poems p. 302. Besides these Pieces Mr. Philips and Mr. Winstanley attribute to him the Latin Version of Mr. Edmund Spencer's Shepherds Calendar which I take to be a mistake of Mr. Philips ' whose Errors Mr. Winstanley generally copies not having heard of any other Translation than that done by Mr. Theodore Bathurst sometime Fellow of Pembroke-Hall in Cambridge and printed at the end of Mr. Spencer's Works in fol. Lond. 1679. Henry L d Viscount FAULKLAND This Worthy Person was as I suppose Father of the present Right Honourable Cary Viscount Faulkland A Person Eminent for his Extraordinary Parts and Heroick Spirit He was well known and respected at Court in the Parliament and in Oxfordshire his Country of which he was Lord Lieutenant When he was first elected to serve in Parliament some of the House oppos'd his Admission urging That he had not sow'd his Wild-oats he reply'd If I have not I may sow them in the House where there are Geese enough to pick them up And when Sir J. N. told him That He was a little too wild for so grave a Service he reply'd Alas I am wild and my Father was so before me and I am no Bastard as c. But what need I search for Wit when it may be sufficiently seen in a Play which he writ the occasion of our making mention of him call'd The Marriage Night a Tragedy printed 4 o Lond. 1664. I know not whether this Play ever appear'd on the Stage or no. He was cut off in the prime of his Years as much miss'd when dead as belov'd when living Nathaniel FIELD An Author that liv'd in the Reigns of King James and King Charles the First who was not only a Lover of the Muses but belov'd by them and the Poets his Contemporaries He was adopted by Mr. Chapman for his Son and call'd in by Old Massinger to his Assistance in the Play call'd The Fatal Dowry of which Play more hereafter He writ himself two Plays which will still bear Reading viz. Amends for Ladies with the merry Pranks of Moll Cut-purse or The Humour of Roaring a Comedy full of honest Mirth and Wit Acted at the Black-Friars both by the Prince's Servants and the Lady Elizabeth's and printed 4 o Lond. 1639. The Plot of Subtles tempting the married Wife at her Husbands intreaty seems to be founded on Don Quixote's Novel of the Curious Impertinent and has been the Subject of many Plays as The City Night-cap Amourous Prince of The Curious Husband c. This Play was writ by our Author as Amends to the Fair Sex for a Play which he had writ some Years before and whose very Title semm'd a Satyr on Womankind viz. Woman's Weather-cock a Comedy acted before the King in White-hall and several times privately at the
c. To which I may add his Edition of the Greek Testament in which the Young Grecian will find all the Themes of Greek Words according to Passor's Lexicon plac'd in the Margin He has publisht besides An Entrance to the Latin Tongue octavo Lond. 1659. An Explanation of the Accidence octavo Lond. 1683. with other Books of the like Nature Edward HOWARD Esq A Gentleman as I suppose now living who has addicted himself to the Study of Dramatick Poetry how well he has succeeded therein I shall leave to the Readers Judgment who may find four Plays of his under the Titles of Man of New-Market a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal and printed 4 o Lond. 1678. Six Days Adventure or The New Utopia a Comedy acted at his Royal Highness the Duke of York's Theatre printed 4 o Lond. 1671. This Play miscarried in the Action as the Author himself acknowledges in his Preface and indeed that sharp Wit the late Earl of Rochester writ an Invective against it but the Ingenious Mrs. Behn Mr. Ravenscroft and other Poets of the Age sent the Author Recommendatory Verses which are printed with the Play and in return he writ a Pindarick to Mrs. Behn which she gratefully publisht in a Collection of Poems printed 8 o Lond. 1685. Usurper a Tragedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by his Majesties Servants and printed 4o. Lond. 1668. Whether the Author design'd in the Caracter of Damocles to personate Oliver Cromwel and intended his Play a paralel of those times I leave to more discerning Judgments Womens Conquest a Tragi-comedy acted by his Royal Highness the Duke of York's Servants and printed 4o. Lond. 1677. This I take to be the best Play our Author has publisht Besides these Plays Mr. Howard hath publisht an Epick Poem in octavo call'd The British Princess which the late Earl of Rochester has likewise handled severely There is ascrib'd to him another Book of Poems and Essays with a Paraphrase on Cicero's Laelius or Tract of Friendship printed in octavo London 16 James HOWARD Esq I am not able to acquaint the Reader whether or no this Gentleman be of the same Family with the former but I am oblig'd to mention him on Account of two Plays writ by him viz. All mistaken or The Mad Couple a Comedy acted by his Majesties Servants at the Theatre-Royal and printed 4 o Lond. 1672. This Play is commended by some for an excellent Comedy English Monsieur a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by his Majesties Servants printed 4 o Lond. 1674. Whether the late Duke of Buckingham in his Character of Prince Volscius's falling in Love with Parthenope as he is pulling on his Boots to go out of Town design'd to reflect on the Characters of Comely and Elsbeth I pretend not to determine but I know there is a near Resemblance in the Characters Sir Robert HOWARD This Ingenious Person is equally conspicuous for the Lustre of his Birth and the Excellency of his Parts being as I suppose Brother to the present Earl of Berkshire and One whose Plays will remain Eternal Testimonies to Posterity of his Skill in Dramatick Performances His Committee and Indian Queen are deservedly admir'd by the best Judges of Dramatick Poetry and even our late Laureat in spite of Envy must acknowledge his Worth both as a Poet and Patron His Plays are six in number viz. Blind Lady a Comedy printed octavo Lond. 16 Committee a Comedy printed fol. Lond. 1665. This is an admirable Comedy and highly commended Great Favourite or The Duke of Lerma a Tragi-comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by his Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1668. For the Plot see the Historians of those Times as Mariana de Mayerne Turquet c. This Play as I have before observ'd p. 165. was reflected on by Mr. Dryden tho' had he consulted Reason Gratitude or his own Reputation he had otherwise imploy'd his time it being a true Observation which Sr. Robert has made in his Prologue to the Vestal Virgin This doth a wretched Dearth of Wit betray When things of Kind on One another prey Indian Queen a Tragedy writ in Heroick Verse and formerly acted with great applause at the Theatre-Royal printed fol. Lond. 1665. Surprisal a Tragi-comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal and printed fol. Lond. 1665. Vestal Virgin or The Roman Ladies a Tragedy acted by the King's Servants and printed fol. Lond. 1665. Some Readers who are strangers to the Excellent Tallents of Sir Robert might expect from me some Discoveries of what he has borrow'd but I am to Inform them That this Admirable Poet has too great a Stock of Wit of his own to be necessitated to borrow from others All that I can observe is That The Vestal Virgin has a double Fifth Act the One of which ends Tragically the Other successfully which possibly might be done in Imitation of Sir John Suckling the only Gentleman that I know fit for his Imitation who has done the same thing in his Aglaura He has writ besides some Poems which are printed with his Blind Lady in octavo and four of his Plays viz. Surprisal Committee Indian Queen and Vestal Virgin are printed together in fol. Lond. 1665. James HOWEL A Gentleman of Wales born at Abernalies in the County of Caermarden in the Year 1594. He was Bred up at the Free-School in Hereford and at 16. Years of Age sent to the University of Oxford where he became a Member of Jesus Colledge About March in the Year 1618. he travelled beyond Sea being sent on Buisiness by Sir Robert Mansel where he visited the Low-Countries and afterwards made a Tour thro' France and Italy as appears by the Letters he has publisht In which the Reader may not only be inform'd of the Chief Occurences of those Times but of our Author 's several Imployments as His being sent by King James into Spain for the Recovery of a Vessel of great value seiz'd on by the Vice-Roy of Sardinia under pretence of being laden with prohibited Goods His being chosen Fellow of Jesus Colledge during his absence His being Secretary to the Lord Scroop when he was President of the Councel in the North His being Imploy'd about the Clerks of the Councel c. Notwithstanding his various Employs and multiplicity of Business he found leisure to publish abundance of Books to the number of Fourty-nine Many of them were Translations out of French Italian Spanish Portuguese Of which Nature is the Play which occasions his mention in our Catalogue viz. Nuptials of Peleus and Thetis consisting of a Masque and a Comedy or The Great Royal Ball acted in Paris six times by the King in person the Duke of Anjou the Duke of York with divers other Noblemen Also by the Princess Royal Henriette Marie the Princess of Conty c. printed 4o. Lond. 1654. and dedicated to the most Excellent and High Born Lady the Lady Katherine Marchioness of Dorchester The Masque was extracted from an Italian Comedy which the
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
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-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
Sir 't is not altogether so monstrous and impossible for One of Seventeen Years to speak at such a rate when He that made him speak in that manner and writ the whole Play was Himself no Older This Impression was printed without the Authors consent from a false and an imperfect Transcript the Original Copy being with the Author in Italy so that it might rather be call'd the First Design or Foul Draught than a True Copy This occasioned a new Edition and the Publisher impos'd on it a New Title that it might shew as little Affinity as possible to what he calls its Anti-type stiling it Pallantus and Eudora a Tragedy printed fol. Lond. 1653. To this Edition I recommend the Reader remembring that of Martial Multum crede mihi refert à fonte bibatur Quae stuit an pigro quae stupet unda lacu Thomas KILLEGREW A Gentleman well known at Court having been Page of Honour to King Charles the First and Groom of the Bed-chamber to King Charles the Second with whom he endur'd twenty Years Exile During his abode beyond Sea he took a view of France Italy and Spain and was Honoured by his Majesty with the Creditable Employ of Resident at the State of Venice whither he was sent in August 1651. During his Absence from his Country he diverted himself with the Muses writing several Playes of which Sir John Denham in a jocular way takes notice in his Copy of Verses on our Author's Return from his Embassie from Venice I. Our Resident Tom From Venice is come And hath left the Statesman behind him Talks at the same pitch Is as wise is as rich And just where you left him you find him II. But who says he was not A man of much Plot May repent that false Accusation Having plotted and penn'd Six Plays to attend The Farce of his Negotiation Tho' Sir John Denham mentions but six our Author writ nine Plays in his Travells and two at London amongst which his Don Thomaso in two parts and his Parson's Wedding will always be valu'd by the best Judges and Admirers of Dramatick Poetry Of these Eleven Plays I shall speak in their Order Bellamira her Dream or Love of Shadows a Tragi-comedy the first Part printed fol. Lond. 1663. written in Venice and dedicated to the Lady Mary Villiers Dutchess of Richmond and Lenox Bellamira her Dream the second Part a Tragi-comedy written in Venice printed fol. Lond. 1663. and dedicated to the Lady Anne Villiers Countess of Essex Cicilia and Clorinda or Love in Arms a Tragi-comedy the first Part printed fol. Lond. 1663. written in Turin and dedicated to the Lady Anne Villiers Countess of Morton Cicilia and Clorinda the second Part a Tragi-comedy printed fol. Lond. 1663. written in Florence in August 1651. and dedicated to the Lady Dorothy Sidney Countess of Sunderland The first Scene between Amadeo Lucius and Manlius seems copied from the Characters of Aglatidas Artabes and Megabises in the Grand Cyrus see the History of Aglatidas and Amestris Part 1. Book 3. Claracilla a Tragi-comedy printed Folio Lond. 1663. written in Rome and dedicated to his Dear Sister the Lady Shannon On this Play and The Prisoners Mr. Carthwright has writ an ingenious Copy of Verses which the Reader may find amongst his Poems p. 258. Parson's Wedding a Comedy printed Folio Lond. 1663. written at Basil in Switzerland and dedicated to the Lady Ursula Bartu Widow This Play was reviv'd at the Old Theatre in little Lincolns-Inn-fields and acted all by Women a new Prologue and Epilogue being spoken by Mrs. Marshal in Man's Cloaths which the Reader may find printed in Covent-Garden Drollery 8o. pag. 3. c. The Intrigue of Careless and Wild circumventing the Lady Wild and Mrs. Pleasance into Marriage is an Incident in several Plays as Ram-Alley Antiquary c. but in none so well manag'd as in this Play Pilgrim a Tragedy printed Fol. Lond. 1663. written in Paris in the Year 1651. and dedicated to the Countess of Carnarvan Princess or Love at first sight a Tragi-comedy printed Fol. Lond. 1663. written in Naples and dedicated to his Dear Neece the Lady Anne Wentworth Wife to the Lord Lovelace Prisoners a Tragi-comedy printed Fol. Lond. 1663. written in London and dedicated to his Dear Neece the Lady Crompton Thomaso or The Wanderer a Comedy in two Parts printed Fol. Lond. 1663. and dedicated to the Fair and Kind Friends of Prince Palatine Polexander In the first part of this Play the Author has borrow'd several Ornaments as the Song sung by Angelica Act 2. Sc. 3. is taken from Fletcher's Play call'd The Captain Act 4. He has made use of Ben Johnson considerably for not only the Character of Lopus but even the very Words are copied from Johnson's Fox where Vulpone personates Scoto of Mantua as the Reader will see by comparing Act 4. Sc. 2. of this Play with that of the Fox Act 2. Sc. 2. I do not believe that our Author design'd to conceal his Theft since he is so just to acknowledge a Song against Jealousy which he borrow'd and was written by Mr. Thomas Carew Cup-bearer to King Charles the First and sung in a Masque at Whitehall An. 1633. This Chorus says he I presume to make use of here because in the first design 't was writ at my request upon a Dispute held betwixt Mrs. Cicilia Crofts and my self where he was present she being then Maid of Honor this I have set down lest any man should believe me so foolish as to steal such a Poem from so famous an Author or so vain as to pretend to the making of it my self Certainly therefore if he scrupled to rob Mr. Carew he would much more Mr. Johnson whose Fame as much exceeded the others as his Writings and Compositions are better known However it be I am sure he is not the only Poet that has imp'd his Wings with Mr. Johnson's Feathers and if every Poet that borrows knew as well as Mr. Killegrew how to dispose of it 't would certainly be very excusable All these Plays are printed together in One Volume in Folio Lond. 1664. Sir William KILLEGREW A Gentleman who by his Writings and honourable Station in the Court being Vice-Chamberlain to the Queen Dowager is well known He is the Author of Four Plays which have been applauded whether with Justice or no I leave to the Criticks by Men who have themselves been reputed Eminent for Poetry as Mr. Waller Sr. Robert Stapleton Mr. Lodowick Carlell and others I shall therefore only acquaint the Reader with their several Titles and submit them to his further judgment Ormasdes or Love and Friendship a Tragi-Comedy Pandora or The Converts a Comedy Selindra a Tragi-comedy Siege of Urbin a Tragi-comedy All these Plays were printed together in Folio Oxon 1666. There is another Play ascrib'd to our Author call'd The Imperial Tragedy printed Fol. Lond. 1669. the chief part was taken out of a Latine Play and very much alter'd by him for
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-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
Bell-guard and Crack in Sir Courtly Nice extreamly resembles Don Patricio and Tarugo in this Play Nay more the Plots of both are alike I leave it to the Decision of Mr. Crown or any other who have seen the Spanish Play In the mean time I desire no Man to rely upon my Judgment but if what I have said cannot save him excuse him upon his own Plea in his own Words If this prevail not he hopes he 's safe from danger For Wit and Malice ought not to reach a Stranger William SAMPSON An Author that liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the First He was sometimes a Retainer to the Family of Sir Henry Willoughby of Richley in Derbyshire and was the Author of a Play call'd Vow-breaker or The Fair Maid of Clifton in Nottinghamshire divers times acted by several Companies with great applause printed 4o. Lond. 1633. and dedicated to Mrs. Anne Willoughby Daugther to Sir Henry in which Epistle the Author concludes thus Heaven keep you from Fawning Parasites and busie Gossips and send you a Husband and a Good One or else may you never make a Holyday for Hymen As much Happiness as Tongue can speak Pen can write Heart think or Thoughts imagine ever attend on you your Noble Father and all his Noble Family to whom I ever rest as my bounden Duty a Faithful Servant Will. Sampson This Play seems founded upon Truth I have likewise in my younger Years read a Ballad compos'd upon the same Subject Our Author besides this Play joyned with Mr. Markham in Herod and Antipater which I forgot before But as for the Valiant Scot and How to chuse a Good Wife from a Bad they are in my Judgment none of our Author's writing tho' Mr. Philips and his Follower Mr. Winstanley have ascribed them to him George SANDYS Esq A Gentleman who flourish'd in the Reign of King Charles the Martyr if one may so say of a Person who sympathiz'd so deeply with his Prince and Country in their misfortunes He was Son to his Grace Edwin Arch-bish of York and was born in the Year 1577 at Bishops-Thorp in the same County being his Father's youngest Child He was sent to the University that memorable Year 1588. being then eleven Years of Age and was enter'd of St. Mary Hall in Oxford how long he stay'd I know not but in the Year 1610. memorable for the Murder of that Great Hero Henry the Fourth of France by that Villain Ravaillac he began his Travels thro' France Italy Turky AEgypt Palestine c. an Account of which you may read in his Travels printed Fol. Lond. 1658. But 't is not on this Account but his Poetry that he is here mentioned and therefore I shall hasten to speak of his Writings in that kind and first of that excellent Piece of Dramatick Poetry which he has left us and chiefly in this Account challenges a particular place viz. Christ's Passion a Tragedy with Annotations printed 8o. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to King Charles the First This Play is translated from the Latin Original writ by Hugo Grotius This Subject was handled before in Greek by that Venerable Person Apollinarius of Laodicea Bishop of Hierapolis and after him by Gregory Nazianzen tho' this of Hugo Grotius in our Author's Opinion transcends all on this Argument As to the Translator I doubt not but he will be allow'd an Excellent Artist by Learned Judges and as he has follow'd Horace's Advice of Avoiding a servile Translation Nec verbum verbo curabis reddere fidus Interpres So he comes so near the Sence of the Author that nothing is lost no Spirits evaporate in the decanting of it into English and if there be any Sediment it is left behind This Book was reprinted with Figures 8o. Lond. 1688. Nor are his other Translations less valu'd especially Ovid's Metamorphosis printed with Cuts Fol. Oxon. 1632. This Translation was so much esteem'd in former times that I find two old Copies of Verses speaking in praise of our Author In the first called A Censure of the Poets are these Lines Then dainty Sands that hath to English done Smooth sliding Ovid and hath made him One With so much sweetness and unusual Grace As tho' the neatness of the English Pace Should tell your setting Latin that it came But slowly after as though stiff or lame The other on the Time Poets sayes thus Sands Metamorphos'd so into another We know not Sands and Ovid from each other To this I may add the Translation of the first Book of Virgil's AEneis by which Specimen we may see how much he has excell'd Mr. Ogilby For his other Divine Pieces as his Paraphrase on the Psalms Job Ecclesiastes Lamentatiöns of Jeremiah c. I have heard them much admired by Devout and Ingenious Persons and I believe very deservingly Having done with his Translations give me leave to conclude with His to another World which happen'd at his Nephew Mr. Wiat's House at Boxley-Abbey in Kent in the Chancel of which Parish-Church he lyes buried tho' without a Monument and therefore I shall follow my Author from whence I collected this Account by transcribing what deserves to be inscrib'd on a Monument viz. Georgius Sandys Poetarum Anglorum sui saecult Princeps sepultus fuit Martii 70 Stilo Anglico A.D. 1643. Charles SAUNDERS A Young Gentleman whose Wit began to bud as early as that of the Incomparable Cowley and was like him a King's Scholar when he writ a Play call'd Tamberlane the Great a Tragedy acted by their Majesties Servants at the Theatre-Royal as likewise at Oxford before his late Majesty King Charles the Second at his meeting the Parliament there 'T was printed in quarto Lond. 1681. and the Design was drawn as the Author owns from the Novel of Tamerlane and Asteria in octavo I have so great a value for this Author's Play that I cannot but wish well to his Muse but being no Poet I must set my Hand to another Man's Wishes I mean Mr. Banks who has writ a Copy of Verses on this Play part of which are as follow Launch out young Merchant new set up of Wit The World 's before thee and thy stock is great Sail by thy Muse but never let her guide Then without danger you may safely glide By happier Studies steer'd and quickly gain The promised Indies of a hopeful Brain Bring home a Man betimes that may create His Country's Glory in the Church or State Elkanah SETTLE An Author now living whose Muse is chiefly addicted to Tragedy and has been tragically dealt withal by a Tyranical Laureat which has somewhat eclips'd the glory he at first appeared in But Time has her vicissitudes and he has lived to see his Enemy humbled if not justly punished for this Reason I shall not afresh animadvert upon his fault but rather bury them in Oblivion and without any Reflections on his Poetry give a succinct Account of those Plays which he has published being Nine in Number viz. Cambyses
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