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
nobiles Eum adjutare assiduéque unà scribere Quod illi maledictum vehemens esse existimant Eam laudē hic ducit maxumā cùm illis placet Qui vobis universis populo placent Quorum operâ in bello in otio in negotio Suo quisque tempore usus est sine superbia The Plots of these Comedies he borrow'd from the Greeks the Four first from the Comedies of Menander and the Two last from Apollodorus He was beholding to Menander likewise for some other Comedies which in his Return from Greece by Sea were lost with himself in the Year of Rome 595 and the second year of the 155 th Olympiad Some say that he Died in Arcadia but the former Account is confirm'd by Volcatius in the following Verses Sed ut Afer sex populo edidit Comoedias Iter hinc in Asiam fecit navim cum semel ' Conscendit visus nunquam est sic vita vacat Consult further Crinitus de Poetis Latinis Scaliger in Poetic Lilius Gyraldus Hist. Poet. Vossius de Poetis Latinis c. Mrs. Frances BOOTHBY The Authress of a Play called Marcelia or The Treacherous Friend a Tragi-Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by His Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1670. and dedicated to the Honourable and most Accomplisht Lady Yate of Harvington in Worcester-shire to whom she was related Roger BOYLE Earl of Orrery An Irish Nobleman whose Abilities in Arts and Arms have render'd him better known to this Nation than any Character I can give him so that I may justly say of him with Madam Phillips Of him I cannot which is hardest tell Or not to praise him or to praise him well However I must observe that he is not only a Poet himself but a Patron of Poets likewise as Mr. Dryden and Mr. Crown must acknowledge so that methinks his Lordship's Reputation joyn'd with the Earl of Roscomon's might be sufficient to attone for their Country's Character in point of Wit He has publisht Four Plays in Heroick Verse wherein not only the true English Courage is delineated to the Life but likewise the very Infidels and Barbarians are taught by his Pen not only Humanity but the Highest Morality and Virtue But his Wit is as far above my Abilities to describe as to imitate and therefore I shall hasten to give an Account of his Plays viz. Black Prince a Tragedy acted at the Theatre Royal printed at Lond. folio 1672. Tho' this Play in the Title-page be call'd a Tragedy yet it ends successfully and therefore I presume was rather stiled so by the Author from the Quality and Grandeur of the Persons in the Dramma than from any unfortunate Catastrophe For the foundation of this Play as far as it concerns History consult Walsinghami Historia Angliae Florentii Monarch Wigorniensis Chronicon Pol Vergilii Historiae Angliae Froissard Croniques de France d'Angleterre Du Chesne Speed and other English Historians in in Reign of Edward the Third Tryphon a Tragedy acted by his Royal Highness the Duke of York's Servants and printed in folio Lond. 1672. Of this Usurper you have an account in Maccabees lib. 1. See besides Josephus lib. 13. Appian de Bellis Syriacis c. These two Plays are printed together Henry the Fifth a History acted at his Highness the Duke of York's Theatre printed in folio Lond. 1677. For the Plot see the Chronicles of England in the Reign of that King such as Walsingham Polydore Vergil Hollingshead Speed c. and the French Chronicles in the Reign of King Charles the Sixth as Les Chroniques d'Enguerrand de Monstrelet Jean Juvenal des Ursins L'Histoire de Charles VI. F. de Belleforest L'Histoire de neuf Roys Charles de France Mezeray c. Mustapha Son of Solyman the Magnificent a Tragedy acted at the Dukes Theatre printed in folio Lond. 1677. See Paulus Jovius lib. 40. Thuanus lib. 12. Tho. Artus la Continuation de l'Histoire des Turcs Knolles's Turkish History Besides these Plays there is a Comedy lately publisht tho' writ as I suppose some years ago under the Title of Mr. Anthony a Comedy acted by Their Majesties Servants and printed in quarto Lond. 1690. This Play I believe was acted formerly at the Dukes Theatre in Lincolns-Inn-Fields because I find Mr. Angel and Mrs. Long amongst the Actors Names who if I mistake not have been dead some years The Prologue to this Play is the same with that of The Fool turn'd Critick but whether it be borrow'd or genuine I know not Besides these Plays our Author has writ a Romance called Parthenissa which yields not either in Beauty Language or Design to the Works of the famous Scudery or Calpranede however Eminent they may be amongst the French for Pieces of this Nature and what Mr. Davis of Kidwelly says of Scarron's Comical Romance may with more Justice be applied to our Illustrious Author and this Work 'T is a thousand pities That the Author prevented by death hath left the Work imperfect so that we are and ever shall beat a loss to know what period he might bring so many noble Adventures to He his written a Treatise in Folio call'd The Art of War I have been told it has been commended by many expert Captains for the best Piece extant in English but this I must leave to the judgment of others more experienced in the Art Military I know not where or when our Noble Author Died but those who would view his Character more at large must read Sr. William Davenant's Poem to his Lordship which will make them regret the Loss of so great a Man Samuel BRANDON This Author liv'd in the later part of Queen Elizabeths Reign and publisht a Play called The Tragi-Comedy of the Virtuous Octavia never acted but printed 120. Lond. 1598. and dedicated by a Copy of Verses to the Right Honourable and truly Virtuous Lady the Lady Lucia Audelay accompanied with two other Copies in commendation of the Play It is writ in alternate Verse with a Chorus at the end of each Act. For the Ground of this Play read Suetonius's Life of Augustus Plutarch's Life of M. Anthony Dion Cassius c. At the End of this Play are printed two Epistles between Octavia and her Husband M. Anthony in imitation of Ovid's Stile but writ in long Alexandrins They are dedicated to the Honourable Virtuous and Excellent Mrs. Mary Thin The Author had that good Opinion of his Play that besides his Prosopopeia al Libro at the beginning of his Book he has concluded with this Italian Sentence L'aqua non temo de l' eterno oblio Anthony BREWER A Writer in the Reign of King Charles the First to whom is ascrib'd by Mr. Kirkman two Plays viz. The Country Girl and The Love-sick King tho' I question whether the former belong to him it being ascrib'd to T. B. in the Title-page However I am sure Mr. Winstanley is much mistaken in the Account that he gives of our Author
a Comedy printed in octavo Lond. 1653. Covent-Garden weeded or The Middlesex Justice of Peace printed in octavo Lond. 1658. Court Beggar a Comedy acted at the Cock-pit by His Majesties Servants Anno 1632. and printed in octavo Lond. 1653. Damoiselle or The New Ordinary a Comedy printed in octavo Lond. 1653. English Moor or The Mock Marriage a Comedy often acted with general applause by her Majesties Servants printed in octavo Lon. 1659. Jovial Crew or The Merry Beggars a Comedy presented at the Cock-pit in Drury-lane in the year 1641 printed in quarto Lond. 1652. and dedicated to the Right Noble Ingenious and Judicious Gentleman Thomas Stanley Esq This Play was reviv'd by the Actors at the Duke's Theatre and reprinted 1686. Love-sick Court or The Ambitious Politick a Comedy printed in octavo Lond. 1658. What Opinion the Author himself had of this Comedy may be gathered by the following Distick prefixt in his Title-page Nil mea ceu mos est comendes carmina curo Se nisi comendent carmina dispereant Mad Couple well Matcht a Comedy printed in octavo Lond. 1653. This Play was reviv'd on the Stage by the Duke's Actors under the Title of The Debaunchee or The Credulous Cuckold and reprinted in quarto Lond. 1677. New Academy or The New Exchange a Comedy printed in octavo Lond. 1658. Northern Lass a Comedy acted with great Applause at the Theatre Royal by His Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1663. and dedicated to the Right Worthy and no less Judicious than Ingenious Gentleman Rich. Holford Esquire This Play is commended not only by the above-mentioned Ben Johnson but by Five other Copies of Verses printed before the Play This Play was reviv'd by the Players since the Union of the Two Houses and reprinted in quarto Lond. 1684. with a new Prologue and Epilogue the former written by Jo. Haynes the Comedian Novella a Comedy acted at the Black-friars by His Majesties Servants Anno 1632. and printed in octavo Lond. 1653. This I take to exceed many of our modern Comedies Queen and Concubine a Comedy printed in octavo Lond. 1659. Queen's Exchange a Comedy acted with general applause at the Black-fryars by His Majesties Servants and printed in quarto 1657. Sparagus Garden a Comedy acted in the year 1635. by the then Company of Revels at Salisbury-Court printed in quarto Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the Right Honourable William Earl of Newcastle c. Governor to the Prince his Highness This Comedy is applauded by Two Copies of Verses writ by two of the Author's Friends He joyn'd with Thomas Heywood in a Play called The late Lancashire Witches an Account of which see in that Author Ten of these Plays are printed in two Volumes in octavo each under the Title of Five New Plays by Richard Brome Mr. Phillips I know not for what Reason has omitted several of our Authors Plays viz. Damoyselle New Academy Queen and Concubine Queen's Exchange and Lancashire Witches Fulk Grevile Lord BROOK This Honourable Person was Son to Sr. Fulk Grevile the Elder of Beauchamp-Court in Warwick-shire and after having been Educated some time at Cambridge he removed to Court in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth and in the Seventeenth year of King James the First he was made a Baron He was eminently Famous for Learning and Courage He was bred up with the Fam'd Sr. Philip Sidney and in his youth writ several Poems of different Kinds amongst which are two Dramatick Pieces viz. Alaham a Tragedy printed in Folio 1633. This Play seems an Imitation of the Ancients The Prologue is spoken by a Ghost one of the Old Kings of Ormus an Island Scituate at the Entrance of the Persian Gulf where the Scene of the Dramma lies This Spectre gives an Account of each Character which is possibly done in Imitation of Euripides who usually introduced one of the chief Actors as the Prologue whose business was to explain all those Circumstances which preceded the opening of the Stage The Author has been so careful in observing the Rules of Aristotle and Horace that whereas Horace says nec quarta loqui persona laboret He has in no Scene throughout introduc'd above two Speakers except in the Chorus between each Act and even there he observes all the Rules laid down by that great Master in the Art of Poetry part of whose Directions to the Chorus are as follows Ille dapes laudet mensae brevis ille salubrem Justitiam legesque apertis otia Portis For the Plot of this Tragedy I know not whence it is taken neither can I find the Name of any such King as Alaham amongst those Princes that Reigned there which are enumerated by Mr. Herbert in his Account of Ormus Mustapha a Tragedy printed in Folio 1633. What I have spoken of the former may be applied to this Play likewise as to the Rules of the Ancients since both seem to be built on their Model All I have to say further is that an imperfect Copy of this Play appeared in print in quarto Lond. 1609. tho' I suppose without his Lordship's Knowledge since it may rather be stiled a Fragment than a Tragedy But those Imperfections are amended in the Folio Edition As to the Foundation of the Play 't is the same with that of my Lord Orrery's Tragedy therefore I refer you to the same Authors viz. Paulus Jovius Thuanus c. Both these Plays are printed together in Folio Lond. 1633. with several other Poems as A Treatise of Humane Learning An Inquisition upon Fame and Honour A Treatise of Wars All these are written in a Stanza of Six Lines four interwoven and a Couplet in Base which the Italians call Sestine Caelica containing One Hundred and Nine Sonnets of different Measures on different Subjects There are in this Volume two Letters the One to an Honourable Lady the Subject of which is how to behave her self in a Married State The other written to his Cosen Grevil Varney then in France containing Directions for Travel His Lordship has other Pieces ascribed to him besides these publisht under his Name as the Life of his Friend and Companion Sir Philip Sidney printed at the beginning of the Arcadia under the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 His Remains or Poems of Monarchy and Religion printed in octavo Lond. 1670. and other Pieces which because of their uncertainty I omit Only I cannot pass by a Mistake committed by Mr. Phillips and Mr. Winstanley who ascribe another Play to him called Marcus Tullius Cicero's Tragedy This Play was not written at least not printed as I suppose till long after his Lordships Death who was unhappily kill'd by an ungrateful Servant who afterwards to avoid the Sentence of the Law made his own Hand the Executioner of Justice making Death his Choice which should have been his Punishment This Worthy Nobleman lies Buried as Dr. Fuller says in Warwick Church under a Monument of black and white Marble whereon
Andromache Ambitious Statesman or The Loyal Favorite a Tragedy acted at the Theatre Royal by his Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1679. and dedicated to her Grace the Dutchess of Albermarle This Play is in the Poets Opinion the most vigorous of all his Labours but born in a time so unhealthy to Poetry that it met not with the Applause which some people thought it deserv'd I know not what Author Mr. Crown has follow'd or whence he hath taken his Plot but I suppose by his Ambitious Statesman he means Bernard d' Armagnac the seventh Comte d' Armagnac and Constable of France in the Reign of King Charles the Sixth My Reason for this Conjecture is that he speaks of Henry the Fifth's Landing in France which was in the time of that King Those Authors who have treated of his Reign are J. de Laboureur Hist. de Ch. VI. Enguerand de Monstrelet Chron. J. Froissard Chron. de Fr. de Angleterre Memoires de Mart. du Bellay Jean Juvenal des Ursins Hist. de Ch. VI. De Serres Mezeray c. to which I refer the Reader for better satisfaction Calisto or The Chast Nymph a Masque at Court frequently presented there by Persons of great Quality with the Prologue and the Songs between the Acts printed in quarto Lond. 1675. and dedicated to her Highness the Lady Mary Eldest Daughter of his Royal Highness the Duke This Masque was writ at the Command of her present Majesty and was rehearsed near Thirty times all the Representations being follow'd by throngs of Persons of the greatest Quality and very often grac'd with their Majesties and Royal Highnesses Presence The Play was alter'd by the Poet from what it was at first that which remains of the first design may be known by its being written in the Pindarick way that which has been alter'd being in Heroick Verse The Plot is founded on a Story in Ovid's Metamorphosis see Lib. 2. Fab. 5 6. Charles the Eighth of France or The Invasion of Naples by the French a History writ in Heroick Verse acted at his Highness the Duke of York's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1680. and dedicated to the Right Honourable John Earl of Rochester This Play notwithstanding the Patronage of his Lordship could not escape his Railery for in his Imitation of Boyleau's third Satyr he brings in Mr. Crown as follows Kickum for Crown declar'd said in Romance He had out-done the very Wits of France Witness Pandion and his Charles the Eight Where a young Monarch careless of his Fate Tho foreign Troops and Rebels shock his State Complains another sight afflicts him more viz. The Queens Galleys rowing from the Shore Fitting their Oars and Tackling to be gone Whilst sporting Waves smil'd on the rising Sun Waves smiling on the Sun I 'm sure that 's new And 't was well thought on give the Devil his due For the Plot of this Play as far as it concerns History consult those who have written the Affairs of Charles VIII as Philip de Commines's Memoires Robertus Gaguinus Rer. Gal. Annal. Guillaume de Jaligny Hist. de Ch. VIII F. de Belleforest l'Hist de neuf Roys Charles de France André de la Vigne Guicciardine Mezeray c. City Politiques a Comedy acted by his Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1683. This Play which I have seen acted with Applause is a severe Satyr upon the Whiggish Faction but tho' the Author was accus'd for abusing an Eminent Serjeant at Law and his Wife under the Characters of Bartoline and Lucinda and a certain Doctor under the Name of Panchy yet he has sufficiently clear'd himself self in his Epistle to the Reader to which I refer you Country Wit a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1675. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Charles Earl of Middlesex This Comedy is of that Kind which the French call Basse Comedie or Low Comedy one degree remov'd from Farce This Play notwithstanding the Faction against it pass'd the Test and was approv'd by his Majesty King Charles the Second whom the judicious part of Mankind will readily acknowledge to be a sovereign Judge of Wit Part of the design is borrow'd from a Comedy of Molliere's call'd Le Sicilien ou l'Amour Peintre and I must take the freedome to tell our English Author that part of the Language as well as the Plot is stollen from that Play Witness Rambles turning Picture-drawer to gain an Opportunity to discourse Betty Frisque which the Reader may be pleased to compare with the Intrigue between Adraste and Isidore Act. 1. Sc. 10. c. besides other places I shall leave it to those who understand French to judge whether our Author has put in practice the Rule which he has laid down in his Epistle to the Destruction of Jerusalem That all Forreign Coin must be melted down and receive a new Stamp if not addition of Mettal before it will pass currant in England and be judged Sterling Darius King of Persia a Tragedy acted by their Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1688. and dedicated to Sr. George Hewytt Baronet One of the Lieutenants of his Majesties Horse-Guard If I mistake not the Author has copyed or at least imitated Euripides his Hippolitus and Phaedra in the Characters of Memnon and Barzana For the Plot as far as it concerns Darius I have already mention'd in the Account of the Earl of Sterline pag. 4 as Qu. Curtius Justin c. Destruction of Jerusalem by Titus Vespasian in Two Parts acted at the Theatre Royal printed in quarto Lond. 1677. and dedicated to her Grace the Dutchess of Portsmouth These Tragedies are written in Heroick Verse and were acted with good Applause As to the Authors Character of Phraartes I leave it to the Criticks and refer the Reader to his Epistle for satisfaction The Historical part of these Plays may be read at large in Josephus de Bello Judaico Other Authors have likewise toucht upon it as Baronius Annal. Tom. 1. A.C. 72. Eusebius l. 3. c. 6. Xiphilinus Epitome Hist. Dion in Vit. Vespasiani Suetonius Life of T. Vespas Tacitus Hist. l. 5. c. English Friar or The Town Sparks a Comedy acted by their Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1690. and dedicated to the Right Honourable William Earl of Devonshire What Success this Play met with the objections against it and the Authors defence the Preface will inform you Henry the Sixth the First Part with the Death of the Duke of Gloucester a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1681. and dedicated to Sr. Charles Sidley This Play is if I mistake not very much borrow'd from the Second Part of Shakespear's Henry the Sixth tho' Mr. Crown with a little too much assurance affirms that he has no Title to the Fortieth part of it This Play was oppos'd by the Popish Faction who by their Power at Court got it supprest however it was well receiv'd
and was printed as I believe in quarto Temple of Love presented by the Queens Majesty Wife to King Charles the First and her Ladies at Whitehall viz. The Lady Marquess Hamilton the Lady Mary Herbert Countess of Oxford Berkshire Carnarvan c. The Lords and others that represented the noble Persian Youths were The Duke of Lenox the Earls of Newport Desmond c. This Masque says the Author for the newness of the Invention variety of Scenes Apparitions and richness of Habits was generally approv'd to be one of the most Magnificent that hath been done in England Triumphs of the Prince d'Amour a Masque presented by his Highness at his Pallace in the Middle-Temple This Masque at the Request of that Honourable Society was devis'd and written by our Author in Three days and was presented by the Members thereof as an Entertainment to the Prince Elector A Lift of the Masquers Names as they were rank'd by their Antiquity in that noble Society is to be found at the end of the Masque to which I refer the curious Reader The Musick of the Songs and Symphonies were excellently compos'd by Mr. Henry and Mr. William Lawes his Majesties Servants Wits a Comedy heretofore acted at the Black-friars and since at the Duke's Theatre printed both in octavo and quarto before this New Edition and dedicated to the chiefly belov'd of all that Ingenious and Noble Endimion Porter of his Majesties Bed-Chamber This Play is commended by a Copy fo Verses written by Mr. Thomas Carew and has often appear'd on the Stage with Applause Having done with his Plays I am now to speak of his other Works which consist of Poems of several sorts and on several Occasions amongst which Gondibert an Epick Poem has made the greatest noise This Poem was design'd by the Author to be an Imitation of an English Dramma it being to be divided into Five Books as the other is into Five Acts The Canto's to be the Parallel of the Scenes with this difference that this is deliver'd Narratively the other Dialogue-wise The Reader may find a long account of the Author's design and his Reasons in the Preface which is directed to his Friend the so well known Mr. Hobbs who not only approves his Design but in the Close of his Letter fixes an extraordinary Complement upon him viz. The Virtues you distribute in your Poem amongst so many Noble Persons represent in the Reading the image but of One Man's Virtue to my fancy which is your own Nor was Mr. Hobbs the only Person that commended this Poem for the first and second Books were usher'd into the world by the Pens of two of our best Poets viz. Mr. Waller and Mr. Cowley which One would have thought might have prov'd a sufficient Defence and Protection against the snarling Criticks Notwithstanding which Four Eminent Wits of that Age two of which were Sr. John Denham and Mr. Donne publisht several Copies of Verses to Sr. William's discredit under this Title Certain Verses written by several of the Authors Friends to be reprinted with the second Edition of Gondibert in octavo Lond. 1653. These Verses were answer'd as Mr. Wood says by the Author himself with as much or rather more Wit and little or no concern for their Raillery rather seeming to sport at and pity their want of Sence The Title of his Answer is The Incomparable Poem Gondibert vindicated from the Wit-Combats of Four Esquires Clinias Dametas Sancho and Jack Pudding printed in octavo Lond. 1655. The Books being scarce I shall for the Readers diversion chuse one out of each of these as a Sample of the rest and amongst the former I shall pitch upon that Copy which reflects on the Commendations given by those great Men above-mention'd The Author upon Himself I am Old Davenant with my Fustian Quill Tho' skill I have not I must be writing still On Gondibert That is not worth a Fart Waller Cowley 't is true have prais'd my Book But how untruly All they that read may look Nor can Old Hobbs Defend me from dry Bobbs Then no more I 'll dabble nor pump Fancy dry To compose a Fable Shall make Will. Crofts to cry O gentle Knight Thou writ'st to them that shite Sr. William's Answer The Author upon Himself False as Foolish What turn felo de me Davenant kill Davenant No the whole World does see My Gondibert To be a piece of Art Waller and Cowley true have prais'd my Book And deservedly Nay I did for it look He both us robbs That blames for this Old Hobbs Write on jeer'd Will and write in Pantofle That 's over Pump-ho And for Will Crofts his baffle Thou may'st long write That writ'st to them that shite Many other Railleries were broacht against him by his Enemies as those Lines in Sr. John Sucklin's Session of the Poets the Ballad entitled How Daphne pays his Debts and others which I might insert but I think 't is time to leave these trifles and acquaint my Readers who are delighted with Criticismes that they may find more serious Animad versions on this Poem in the English Preface written by that admirable Critick Mr. Rymer to his Translation of Monsieur Rapin's Reflections on Aristotle's Treatise of Poesy printed 8 o Lond. 1674. This great Man Died on the Seventh day of April 1668. Aged 63 and was Buried amongst the Poets in Westminster-Abby near to his old Antagonist and Rival for the Bays Mr. Thomas May. 'T was observ'd that at his Funeral his Coffin wanted the Ornament of his Laureats Crown which by the Law of Heraldry justly appertain'd to him but this omission is sufficiently recompenc'd by an Eternal Fame which will always accompany his Memory he having been the first Introducer of all that is splendid in our English Opera's and 't is by his means and industry that our Stage at present rivals the Italian Theatre I shall conclude his Character with that Account which Mr. Dryden has formerly given of him which is the more valuable because the commendation of his Predecessors is seldome the Subject of his Pen. In the time says he that I writ with Sr. William Davenant I had the opportunity to observe somewhat more nearly of him than I had formerly done when I had only a bare acquaintance with him I found him then of so quick a Fancy that nothing was propos'd to him on which he could not suddenly produce a Thought extreamly pleasant and surprising and those first Thoughts of his contrary to the old Latine Proverb Were not always the least happy And as his Fancy was quick so likewise were the Products of it remote and new He borrow'd not of any other and his Imaginations were such as could not enter into any other Man His Corrections were sober and judicious and he corrected his own Writings much more severely than those of another Man bestowing twice the labour and time in Polishing which he us'd in Invention Si sic omnia
some for an Admirable Poet but it is by those who are not acquainted much with Authors and therefore are deceiv'd by Appearances taking that for his own Wit which he only borrows from Others for Mr. Durfey like the Cuckow makes it his business to suck other Birds Eggs. In my Opinion he is a much better Ballad-maker than Play-wright and those Comedies of his which are not borrow'd are more ally'd to Farce than the true Comedy of the Ancients The Plays to which he lays claim are Thirteen in Number viz. Banditti or A Ladies Distress a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal printed in quarto Lond. 1686. This Play was affronted in the Acting by some who thought themselves Criticks and others with Cat-calls endeavour'd at once to stisle the Author's Profit and Fame which was the occasion that through Revenge he dedicated it to a certain Knight under this Ironical Title To the extream Witty and Judicious Gentleman Sir Critick-Cat-call The chief Plot of this Play is founded on a Romance written by Don Francisco de las Coveras call'd Don Fenise translated into English in 8o. See the History of Don Antonio Book 4. p. 250. The design of Don Diego's turning Banditti and joining with them to rob his supposed Father resembles that of Pipperollo in Shirley's Play call'd The Sisters Common-wealth of Women a Tragi-Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by Their Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1686. and dedicated to the truly Noble and illustrious Prince Christopher Duke of Albermarle This Play is Fletcher's Sea-Voyage reviv'd with the Alteration of some few Scenes tho' what is either alter'd or added may be as easily descern'd from the Original as Patches on a Coat from the main Piece Fond Husband or The Plotting Sisters a Comedy acted at his Royal Highness the Duke's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1678. and dedicated to his Grace the Duke of Ormond This is One of his best Comedies and has been frequently acted with good Applause tho' methinks the business of Sneak Cordelia and Sir Roger Petulant end but abruptly Fool turn'd Critick a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by His Majesties Servants and printed in quarto Lond. 1678. The Prologue to this Play is the same with that of Mr. Anthony and was I suppose borrow'd from thence The Characters of Old Wine-love Tim and Small-wit resemble those of Simo Asotus and Balio in the Jealous Lovers Fools Preferment or The Three Dukes of Dunstable a Comedy acted at the Queens Theatre in Dorset-Garden by their Majesties Servants with the Songs and Notes to them Composed by Mr. Henry Purcel printed in quarto Lond. 1688. and dedicated to the Honourable Charles Lord Morpeth with this familiar Title My Dear Lord and subscrib'd like a Person of Quality only with his Sir-name D'Urfey Nor is his Epistle less presumptuous where he arrogates to himself a Play which was writ by another and owns only a hint from an old Comedy of Fletcher's when the whole Play is in a manner trascrib'd from the Noble Gentleman abating the Scene that relates to Basset which is borrow'd from a late traslated Novel call'd The Humours of Basset As to part of the first Paragraph of his Dedication 't is borrow'd from the translation of Horace's Tenth Satyr by the Earl of Rochester and any Man that understands French and should read a Place he there quotes out of Montaigne would be so far from taking him to be as he stiles himself Nephew to the famous D'Urffee the Author of the Excellent Astraea that they would rather think he understood not the Language or was extreamly negligent in suffering such Errata to go uncorrected For my part I should rather take him to be lineally descended from the Roman Celsus whom Horace makes mention of in his Epistle to his Friend Julius Florus at least I am sure the Character will fit our Author Quid mihi Celsus agit monitus multumque monendus Privatas ut quaerat opes tangere vitet Scripta Palatinus quaecunque recepit Apollo Ne si fortè suas repetitum venerit olim Grex avium plumas moveat cornicula risum Furtivis nudata coloribus Injur'd Princess or The fatal Wager a Tragi-Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by His Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1682. The Design and the Language of this Play is borrow'd from a Play call'd the Tragedy of Cymbeline In this Play he is not content with robbing Shakespear but tops upon the Audience an old Epilogue to the Fool turn'd Critick for a new Prologue to this Play So that what Mr. Clifford said of Mr. Dryden is more justly applicable to our Author That he is a strange unconscionable Thief that is not content to steal from others but robbs his poor wretched Self too Madam Fickle or The Witty false One a Comedy acted at his Royal Highness the Duke's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1677. and dedicated to his Grace the Duke of Ormond This Play is patch up from several other Comedies as the Character of Sir Arthur Old Love is borrow'd from Veterano in the Antiquary Zechiel's creeping into the Tavern Bush and Tilbury Drunk in the Street under it with a Torch Act 5. Sc. 2. is borrow'd from Sir Reverence Lamard and Pimp-well in the Walks of Islington and Hogsden There are other Hints likewise borrow'd from the Fawn so that the Author did well to prefix that Verse of Horace before his Play Non cuivis Homini contingit adire Corinthum plainly implying that he could not write a Play without stealing Royalist a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre and printed in quarto Lond. 1682. This Comedy was well receiv'd on the Stage but patcht up from Novels as the former from Plays Witness the Tryals which Camilla put upon her Husband Sir Oliver Old-cut for the Love of Sir Charles King-love which the Author borrow'd from Boccace Day 7. Nov. 9 Les Contes de M. de la Fontaine pag. 47. and other Hints Nay our Author who sets up himself for Madrigals has stoln the Song of Hey Boys up go We c. in the fourth Act from The Shepherds Oracle an Eclogue printed in quarto Lond. 1644. Siege of Memphis or The Ambitious Queen a Tragedy acted at the Theatre-Royal printed in quarto Lond. 1676. This Play is writ in Heroick Verse and dedicated to the Truly Generous Henry Chivers Esq who shew'd himself truly such in defending a Play so full of Bombast and Fustian There goes more to the making of a Poet than capping Verses or taging Rimes 't is not enough concludere versum as Horace calls it but a Poet must be such a One Ingenium cui sit cui mens divinior atque os Magna sonaturum des nominis hujus honorem I would therefore advise all these Poetasters in the words of a Modern Prologue Rimesters get Wit e're ye pretend to shew it Nor think a game at Crambo makes a Poet. Squire Old-sap or The Night Adventurers a Comedy acted
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
Author has made English by a nearer adherence to the Original than to the French Translation For the Plot 't is founded on Ovid's Metamorphosis lib. 11. See besides Catulli Aurgonautica sive Epithalamium 'T is not to be expected that I should spare room to give an Account of our Authors Works in particular they being so numerous I shall therefore only mention some of the most Emiment and refer the Reader for further Satisfaction to the perusal of a Catalogue of them published with a former Edition of his Letters printed 8o. Lond. 1655. His chief Pieces are Dodona's Grove a Book much priz'd and translated into French 1652. His Letters which were formerly in four distinct Volumes and are reduc'd into one amongst which are several to Ben. Johnson which speak their Intimacy Besides these he has writ a Book of the Precedency of Kings printed Fol. Lond. 1664. Survey of the Seniorie of Venice Fol. Lond. 1652. Life of Lewis the Thirteenth and Cardinal Richelieu Fol. Lond. 1646. Morphandra or The Queen of the Enchanted Island a Poem in Fol. The Vote a Poem Royal in 4 o c. He died about the beginning of November 1666. and was buried on the North-side of the Temple-Church with this Inscription fix'd upon the Wall Jacobus Howell Cambro-Britannus Regius Historiographus in Anglia primus qui post varias peregrinationes tandem naturae cursum peregit Satur Annorum Famae domae forisque huc usque erraticus heic fixus 1666. I. Thomas JEVORN A Person lately dead and one sufficiently known to all that frequent the Theatre both for his Excellency in Dancing and Action He has writ a Play or rather a Farce call'd The Devil of a Wife or A Comical Transformation acted by their Majesties Servants at the Queen's Theatre in Dorset-Garden printed 4o. Lond. 1686. and dedicated to his Friends that frequent Locket's Ordinary This Farce is founded on a Tale as well known as that of Mopsa in Sir Philip Sidney's Arcadia tho' I think if compar'd with our French Farces so frequent on our English Stage it may deserve the Preheminence Thoms INGELAND A Student in Cambridge in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth The Author of a Play which he stiles A Pretty and Merry Interlude call'd The Disobedient Child 'T is writ in old Verse of Ten Syllables and printed 4o. in an old Black Letter without any Date by Thomas Colwell in Fleet-street John JONES An Author who liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the First and writ a Play nam'd Adrasta or The Womans Spleen and Loves Conquest a Tragi-comedy printed 4o. Lond. 1635. and dedicated to Eugenius by which Name he desires to comprehend all his Friends subscribing himself Musophilus This Play the Actors refus'd and I think with Justice it being very indifferently written The Intrigue between Damasippus Frail-ware and their Wives in the third Act is borrow'd from Boccace's Novels Day 8. Nov. 8 However the Author was of Opinion it deserved to appear in publick and therefore prefix'd the following Saying of Horace in his Title-page volet haec sub luce videri Judicis argutum quae non formidat acumen Benjamin JOHNSON I have already drawn some strokes of this Great Man's Character in my Defence of him against the Attempts of Mr. Dryden and therefore shall less need to make a curious and exact Description of all his Excellencies which otherwise are very Great Noble and Various and have been remark'd in parcells by several Hands but exceed my small Capacity to collect them into one full View I shall therefore rather let them lye dispers'd as Scaliger did Virgil's Praises thro' his whole Book of Poetry contenting my self at present with giving the Reader an Account of the private Occurrencies of his Life To begin then with his Nativity He was born in the City of Westminster and tho' he sprang from mean Parents yet his Admirable Parts have made him more Famous than those of a more Conspicuous Extraction Nor do I think it any Diminution to him that he was Son-in-law to a Bricklayer and work'd at that Trade since if we take a Survey of the Records of Antiquity we shall find the Greatest Poets of the meanest Birth and most lyable to the Inconveniencies of Life Witness Homer who begg'd from door to door Euripides traded in Herbs with his Mother Plautus was forc'd to serve a Baker Naevius was a Captain's Man Terence was a Slave to the Generous Lucan Virgil was the Son of a Basket-maker and yet these thought the Obscurity of their Extraction no Diminution to their Worth nor will any Man of Sence reflect on Ben. Johnson on this Account if he seriously call to Mind that saying of Juvenal Nobilitas sola est atque unica Virtus He was Bred first at a Private-School in St. Martin's Church then plac'd at Westminster under the Famous Mr. Cambden to whom in Gratitude he dedicated his Fourteenth Epigram afterwards he was sent to Saint John's Colledge in Cambridge from thence he remov'd to Oxford and was enter'd of Christ-Church Colledge where in the Year 1619. as Mr. Wood says he took his Master of Arts Degree tho' Dr. Fuller says He continu'd there but few Weeks for want of Maintenance being fain to return to the Trade of his Father-in-law where he assisted in the New Building of Lincolns Inn with a Trowel in his Hand and a Book in his Pocket But this English Maro was not long before he found a Maecenas and a Varus to manumit him from an Employment so painful and furnisht him with means to enjoy his Muse at liberty in private 'T was then that he writ his Excellent Plays and grew into Reputation with the most Eminent of our Nobility and Gentry 'T was then that Carthwright Randolph and others of both Universities sought his Adoption and gloried more in his Friendship and the Title of his Sons than in their own Well-deserv'd Characters Neither did he less love or was less belov'd by the Famous Poets of his Time Shakspear Beaumont and Fletcher witness his Copy which he writ on Shakspear after his Death and his Verses to Fletcher when living He was a Man of a very free Temper and withal blunt and somewhat haughty to those that were either Rivals in Fame or Enemies to his Writings witness his Poetaster wherein he falls upon Decker and his answer to Dr. Gill who writ against his Magnetick Lady otherwise of a good Sociable Humour when amongst his Sons and Friends in the Apollo from whose Laws the Reader may possibly better judge of his Temper a Copy of which I have transcrib'd for the Learn'd Readers perusal Leges Convivales quod foelix faustumque Convivis in Apolline sit Nemo asymbolus nisi umbra huc venito Idiota insultus tristis turpis abesto Eruditi Urbani Hilares Modesti adsciscuntur Nec lectae Foeminae repudiantur In apparatu quod convivis corruget nares nil esto Epulae delectu potius quam sumptu
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
hard Stars tho' possibly Gipsy-like he begs with stoln Children that he may raise the more Compassion Nathaniel LEE An Author whose Plays have made him sufficiently remarkable to those who call themselves The Wits and One whose Muse deserv'd a better Fate than Bedlam How truly he has verified the Saying of the Philosopher Nullum fit Magnum-Ingenium sine mixtur â dementiae even to the Regret and Pity of all that knew him is manifest I heartily wish his Madness had not exceeded that Divine Fury which Ovid mentions and which usually accompanies the best Poet Est Deus in nobis agitante calescimus illo But alas his Condition is far worse as it has been describ'd in a Satyr on the Modern Poets There in a Den remov'd from human Eyes Possest with Muse the Brain-sick-Poet lyes Too miserably wretched to be nam'd For Plays for Heroes and for Passion fam'd Thoughtless he raves his sleepless Hours away In Chains all Nights in darkness all the Day And if he gets some intervals from pain The Fit returns he foams and bites his Chain His Eye-balls rowl and he grows mad again However before this misfortune befel him he writ several Dramatical Pieces which gave him a Title to the First Rank of Poets there being several of his Tragedies as Mithridates Theodosius c. which have forc'd Tears from the fairest Eyes in the World his Muse indeed seem'd destin'd for the Diversion of the Fair Sex so soft and passionately moving are his Scenes of Love written He has publisht Eleven Plays besides those two in which he joyn'd with Mr. Dryden and of which we have already spoken viz. Caesar Borgia Son to Pope Alexander the VI. a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre by their Royal-Highnesses Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1680. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Philip Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery For the Plot see Writers of those times as Guicciardine L. 5 6. Mariana L. 27 28. Sr. Paul Ricaut's Continuation of Platina in the Reign of Pope Alexander the VI. Constantine the Great a Tragedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by their Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1684. Many are the Authors that have writ the Actions of this Illustrious Emperor as Socrates Sozomen Eusebius Zonaras Eutropius Ruffinus Baronius c. The Story of Crispus and Fausta is particularly related as I think in Ammianus Marcellinus See besides Beard 's Theatre of God's Judgements Ch. 13. p. 225. Gloriana the Court of Augustus Caesar a Tragedy in Heroick Verse acted at the Theatre-Royal by their Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1676. and dedicated to her Grace the Dutchess of Portsmouth The Plot I take to be rather founded on Romance than History as the Reader will find by comparing the Play with the Romance of Cleopatra in the several Stories of Caesario Marcellus Julia Part 1. Book 3. Part 5. Book 3. Ovid Cypassis and Julia Part 7. Book 3. A Modern Poet in a Satyr writ in Imitation of Sir John Suckling's Session of the Poets writes thus of our Author and this Play Nat Lee stept in next in hopes of a Prize Apollo remember'd he had hit Once in Thrice By the Rubies in 's Face he could not deny But he had as much Wit as Wine could supply Confest that indeed he had a Musical Note But sometimes strain'd so hard that it rattled i' th' Throat Yet own'd he had Sense t' encourage him for 't He made him his Ovid in Augustus's Court. Lucius Junius Brutus Father of his Country a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre by their Royal Highnesses Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1681. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Charles Earl of Dorset and Middlesex This Play well deserv'd so great a Patron as his Lordship few Plays that I know being writ with more Manly Spirit Force and Vigour For the Plot our Author has partly follow'd History partly Romance For History consult Floras Lib. 1. Ch. 9 10. Livy Lib. 1. Dionysius Hallicarnassaeus Eutropius Sextus Rufus Orosius c. For Fiction read in the Romance called Clelia The History of Junius Brutus Part 2. Book 1. p. 170. Part 3. Book 1. p. 229. Massacre of Paris a Tragedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by their Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1690. This Play is founded on that Bloody Massacre which was acted on St. Bartholomew Day in the Year 1572. For the Story consult Thuanus Davila Lib. 5. Pierre Matthieu or as some say Monliard his Continuation of De Serres Mezeray and other Historians in the Reign of Charles the IX Several passages in the Duke of Guise are borrow'd from this Play as the Reader may find by comparing p. 6. of the former with p. 4. of the latter p. 11. with p. 5. p. 13. with p. 5. and 6 c. Mithridates Kings of Pontus a Tragedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by their Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1678. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Charles Earl of Dorset and Middlesex This Play may be reckon'd amongst those of The First-Rank and will always be a Favourite of the Tender-hearted Ladies It is founded on History See Appian de Bell. Mithrid Florus l. 3.c.5 Vell. Paterculus l. 2. Plutarch in the Lives of Scylla Lucullus and Pompey c. Nero Emperor of Rome his Tragedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by his Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1675. and dedicated to the Right Honble the Earl of Rochester This Play is writ in a mixt Stile part in Prose part in Rime and part in Blank Verse For the Plot consult Suetonius in his Life Aurelius Victor Tacitus Ann. lib. 13 14 c. Sulpicius Severus c. Princess of Cleve a Tragi-comedy acted at the Queen's Theatre in Dorset Garden printed 4o. Lond. 1689. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Charles Earl of Dorset and Middlesex Lord Chamberlain of his present Majesty's Houshold and one of his Majesties most Honourable Privy Council This Play is founded on a Romance call'd The Princess of Cleves translated from the French The Invective against Women spoken by Poltrot Act 5. Sc. 1. is printed in several Books of Poetry and may be read in a Romance call'd The French Rogue 8o. ch 21. p. 132. The Author tells his Patron That the Duke of Guise has wrested two Scenes from the Original but which they are I have not time to enquire Rival Queens or The Death of Alexander the Great a Tragedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by their Majesties Servants printed Lond. 1677. and dedicated to the Right Honourable John Earl of Mulgrave This Play has always been applauded by the Spectators and is acknowledg'd a Master-piece by Mr. Dryden himself in that Copy of Verses prefix'd to it which are a sufficient Testimony of its worth The Prologue was written by Sir Car Scroop For the Plot as far as the Author has follow'd History consult Arrian Q. Curtius Plutarch's Life of Alexander Justin lib. 11 12. Diodorus Siculus lib. 17. 18. Josephus lib. 11. cap. 8. Sophonisba or Hannibals
made him Famous all over England Of these he has writ A Discourse of Horsemanship printed 4o. without Date and dedicated to Prince Henry Eldest Son to King James the First Cure of all Diseases incident to Horses 4o. 1610. English Farriar 4o. 1649. Master-piece 4o. 1662. Faithful Farriar 8o. 1667. Perfect Horseman 120. 1671. For Husbandry he publisht Liebault's Le Maison Rustique or The Country Farm Fol. Lond. 1616. This Treatise which was at first translated by Mr. Richard Surflet a Physitian our Author enlarg'd with several Additions from the French Books of Serres and Vinet the Spanish of Albiterio and the Italian of Grilli and others The Art of Husbandry first translated from the Latine of Conr. Heresbachius by Barnaby Googe he revis'd and augmented 4o. 1631. He writ besides Farewel to Husbandry 4o. 1620. Way to get Wealth wherein is compris'd his Country Contentments printed 4o. 1668. To this I may add Hungers Prevention or his Art of Fowling 8o. His Epitome 120. c. In Military Discipline he has publisht The Souldiers Accidence and Grammar 4o. 1635. Besides these the second part of the First Book of The English Arcadia is said to be writ by him insomuch that he may be accounted if not Unus in Omnibus at least a Benefactor to the Publick by those Works he left behind him which will without doubt eternise his Memory Christopher MARLOE An Author that was Cotemporary with the Incomparable Shakespear and One who trod the Stage with Applause both from Queen Elizabeth and King James Nor was he accounted a less Excellent Poet by the Judicious Johnson and Heywood his Fellow Actor stiles him the Best of Poets In what esteem he was in his time may be gathered from part of a Copy of Verses writ in that Age call'd a Censure of the Poets where he is thus Characteriz'd Next Marlow bathed in the Thespian Springs Had in him those brave Sublunary things That your First-Poets had his Raptures were All Air and Fire which made his Verses clear For that fine Madness still he did retain Which rightly should possess a Poet's Brain His Genius inclin'd him wholly to Tragedy and he has obliged the world with Seven Plays of this kind of his own Composure besides One in which he join'd with Nash call'd Dido Queen of Carthage which I never saw Of the others take the following Account Dr. Faustus his Tragical History printed 4o. Lond. 1661. There is an old Edition which I never saw but this is printed with new Additions of several Scenes The Plot or the Foundation of this Play may be read in several Authors as Camerarei Hor. Subcisiv Cent. 1. Wierus de Praestigiis Daemonum Lib. 2. Cap. 4. Lonicerus c. Edward the Second a Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. I know not the Date or the Stage where this Play was acted thro' the defect of my Title-page For the Plot consult the Historians that have writ on those Times as Ranulphus Higden Walsingham Math. Westminster Especially those that have more particularly writ his Life as Thomas de la More Sr. Fr. Hubert c. Jew of Malta a Tragedy play'd before the King and Queen in her Majesties Theatre at Whitehall and by her Majesties Servants at the Cock-pit printed 4o. Lond. 1633. after the Author's Decease and dedicated by Mr. Thomas Heywood the Publisher To his Worthy Friend Mr. Thomas Hammon of Gray's Inn. This Play was in much esteem in those days the Jew's Part being play'd by Mr. Edward Allen that Ornament both to Black-friars Stage and to his Profession to the One on Account of of his excellent Action to the Other of his exemplary Piety in founding Dulwich Hospital in Surrey What Opinion Mr. Heywood had of the Author and Actor may be seen by the beginning of his Prologue spoke at the Cock-pit We know not how our Play may pass this Stage But by the best of Poets in that Age The Malta Jew had being and was made And He then by the best of Actors play'd In Hero and Leander one did gain A lasting Memory in Tamberlain This Jew with others many th' other wan The Attribute of peerless being a Man Whom we may rank with doing no one wrong Proteus for Shapes and Roscius for a Tongue Lust's Dominion or The Lascivious Queen a Tragedy publisht by Mr. Kirkman 8o. Lond. 1661. and dedicated to his worthily honour'd Friend William Carpenter Esquire This Play was alter'd by Mrs. Behn and acted under the Title of Abdelazer or The Moor's Revenge Massacre of Paris with the Death of the Duke of Guise a Tragedy play'd by the Right Honourable the Lord Admiral 's Servants printed octavo Lond. This Play is not divided into Acts it begins with that fatal Marriage between the King of Navarre and Marguerite de Valois Sister to King Charles the Ninth the Occasion of the Massacre and ends with the Death of Henry the Third of France For the Plot see the Writers of those times in the Reigns of these two Kings Ch. IX and Henry III. Thuanus Davila Pierre Matthieu Dupleix Mezeray c. Tamburlain the Great or The Scythian Shepherd a Tragedy in two parts sundry times acted by the Lord Admiral 's Servants printed in an old Black-Letter octavo Lond. 1593. Had I not Mr. Heywood's Word for it In the fore-mention'd Prologue I should not believe this Play to be his it being true what an ingenious Author said That whoever was the Author he might ev'n keep it to himself secure from Plagiary For the Story see those that have writ his Life in particular as Pietro Perondini M. St. Sanctyon Du Bec c. and those that have treated of the Affairs of Turks and Tartars in general in the Reigns of Bajazet and Tamerlane as Laonicus Chalcocondylas Pet. Bizarus Knolles c. He writ besides a Poem call'd Hero and Leander Whose mighty Lines says One Mr. Benjamin Johnson a Man sensible enough of his own Abilities was often heard to say that they were Examples sitler for Admiration than Paralel This Poem being left imperfect by our our Author who according to Mr. Philips In some riotous Fray came to an untimely and violent End it was finished by Mr. Chapman and printed octavo Lond. 1606. Shakerley MARMION A Gentleman born in the Reign of King Charles the First at Ainoe in Sutton Hundred in the County of Northampton about the beginning of January A. D. 1602. He was bred up at Thame-School in Oxfordshire and at fifteen Years of Age was sent to the University of Oxford where he became a Member of Wadham Colledge and in 1624. he took his Master of Arts Degree What further became of him I know not all that I am able to inform the Reader is that he was the Author of three Comedies which have formerly been well approv'd viz. Antiquary a Comedy acted by her Majesties Servants at the Cock-pit and printed quarto Lond. 1641. Aurelio's declaring his Marriage to the Duke and
will be so far bold as to assert that the Earls of Orrery and Roscommon the Incomparable Cowley and the Ingenious Flatman with others amongst whom I must not forget my much respected Countryman James Tyrrel Esq would not have employ'd their Pens in praise of the Excellent Orinda had she not justly deserv'd their Elogies and possibly more than those Ladies of Antiquity for as Mr. Cowley observes in his third Stanza on her Death Of Female Poets who had Names of old Nothing is shewn but only told And all we hear of them perhaps may be Male Flattery only and Male Poetry Few Minutes did their Beauties Lightning waste The Thunder of their Voice did longer last But that too soon was past The certain proofs of our Orinda's Wit In her own lasting Characters are writ And they will long my Praise of them survive Tho' long perhaps that too may live The Trade of Glory manag'd by the Pen Tho' great it be and every where is found Does bring in but small profit to us Men 'T is by the numbers of the Sharers drown'd Orinda in the Female Courts of Fame Engrosses all the Goods of a Poetick Name She doth no Partner with her see Does all the buisiness there alone Which we Are forc'd to carry on by a whole Company The Occasion of our mention of this Excellent Person in this place is on the Account of two Dramatick Pieces which she has translated from the French of Monsieur Corneille and that with such exquisite Art and Judgment that the Copies of each seem to transcend the Original Horace a Tragedy which I suppose was left imperfect by the untimely Death of the Authress and the fifth Act was afterwards supply'd by Sir John Denham This Play acted at Court by Persons of Quality the Duke of Monmouth speaking the Prologue Part of which being in Commendation of the Play I shall transcribe This Martial Story which thro' France did come And there was wrought in Great Corneille's Loom Orinda's Matchless Muse to Brittain brought And Forreign Verse our English Accents taught So soft that to our shame we understand They could not fall but from a Lady's Hand Thus while a Woman Horace did translate Horace did rise above a Roman Fate For the Plot of this Play consult Livy's History Lib. 1. Florus Lib. 1. C. 3. Dionysius Hallicarnassaeus c. Pompey a Tragedy which I have seen acted with great applause at the Duke's Theatre and at the End was acted that Farce printed in the fifth Act of The Play-house to be Let. This Play was translated at the Request of the Earl of Orrery and published in Obedience to the Commands of the Right Honourable the Countess of Corse to whom it is dedicated How great an Opinion My L d Orrery had of this Play may appear from the following Verses being part of a Copy addrest to the Authress You English Corneille's Pompey with such Flame That you both raise our wonder and his Fame If he could read it he like us would call The Copy greater than the Original You cannot mend what is already done Unless you 'l finish what you have begun Who your Translation sees cannot but say That 't is Orinda's Work and but his Play The French to learn our Language now will seek To hear their Greatest Wit more nobly speak Rome too would grant were our Tongue to her known Caesar speaks better in 't than in his own And all those Wreaths once circled Pompey's Brow Exalt his Fame less than your Verses now Both these Plays with the rest of her Poems are printed in one Volume in Fol. Lond. 1678. This Lady to the Regret of all the Beau Monde in general died of the Small-pox on the 22d. of June 1664. being but One and Thirty Years of Age having not left any of her Sex her Equal in Poetry Sam. PORDAGE Esq A Gentleman who was lately if he be not so at present a Member of the Worthy Society of Lincolns-Inn He has publisht two Plays in Heroick Verse viz. Herod and Mariamne a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre and printed 4o. Lond. 1673. This Play was writ a dozen Years before it was made publick and given to Mr. Settle by a Gentleman to use and form as he pleas'd he preferr'd it to the Stage and dedicated it to the Dutchess of Albermarle For the Plot I think the Author has follow'd Mr. Calpranede's Cleopatra a Romance in the Story of Tyridates but for the true History consult Josephus Philo-Judaeus Eberus Egysippus c. Siege of Babylon a Tragi-comedy acted at the Theatre dedicated to her Royal Highness the Dutchess and printed 4o. Lond. 1678. This Play is founded on the Romance of Cassandra Henry PORTER An Author in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth who writ a pleasant History called The two Angry Women of Abington with the humorous Mirth of Dick Coomes and Nicholas Proverbs two Servingmen play'd by the Right Honourable the Earl of Nottingham L d High Admiral 's Servants and printed 4o. Lond. 1599. Thomas PORTER Esq An Author that has writ in our Times two Plays which are receiv'd with Candor by all Judges of Wit viz. Carnival a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by his Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1664. Villain a Tragedy which I have seen acted at the Duke's Theatre with great applause the part of Malignii being incomparably play'd by Mr. Sandford What this Author may have writ besides I know not and am sorry I can give no better Account of One whose Writings I love and admire George POWEL A Person now living the Author of a Tragedy call'd The treacherous Brother acted by their Majesties Servants at the Theatre-Royal and printed 4o. Lond. 1690. 'T is dedicated to the Patentees and Sharers of their Majesties Theatre and commended by a Copy of Latin Verses writ by his Fellow-Actor Mr. John Hudgson For the Foundation of the Play I take it to be borrow'd from a Romance in Fol. call'd The Wall Flower and tho' they are not alike in all particulars yet any One that will take the pains to read them both will find the Soporifick Potion given to Istocles and Semanthe to be the same in quantity with that given to Honoria Amarissa and Hortensia in the asoresaid Romance Thomas PRESTON A very ancient Author who writ a Play in old fashion'd Metre which he calls A Lamentable Tragedy mixed full of pleasant Mirth containing the Life of Cambises King of Persia from the beginning of his Kingdom unto his Death his one good deed of Execution after the many wicked Deeds and tyrannous Murders committed by and through him and last of all his odious Death by Gods Justice appointed Done in such order as followeth printed 4o. Lond. by John Allde In stead of naming more than Justin and Herodotus for the true Story I shall set down the beginning of this Play spoke by King Cambises not only to give our Reader a Taste of our Author's Poetry but because I believe it was
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
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
Soul's Warfare and is grounded on the Danger of the Soul in this World S. TUKE A Collonel now living as I have been inform'd in Sussex the Author of One of the best Plays now extant for Oeconomy and Contrivance viz. Adventures of five Hours a Tragi-comedy the second Edition printed 4o. Lond. 1662. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Henry Howard of Norfolk attended with Eight Copies of Verses writ by very Eminent Persons as Mr. Cowley Evelyn Carlisle and others This Play I believe ows its Foundation to one in Spanish Cyril TURNEUR This Author liv'd in the Reign of King James the First and published Two Tragedies viz. Atheist's Tragedy Of the Date of this Play or to whom dedicated I can give no Account the Title-page and Epistle if there were any of my Copy being lost The Plot of Levidulcia her Conveying Sebastian and Fresco out of her Chamber when she was surpris'd by her Husband Belleforrest's Coming is borrow'd from Boccace Day the 7. Nov. the 6. Revenger's Tragedy sundry times acted by the Kings Majesties Servants and printed 4o. Of these two Plays Mr. Winstanley quotes a Distich I know not from what Author as follows His Fame unto that pitch so only rais'd As not to be despis'd nor too much prais'd John TUTCHIN An Author of our Times who has a Pastoral extant call'd Unfortunate Shepherd a Pastoral printed 8o. Lond. 1685. This Play with the rest of his Poems on several Occasions and a Piece in Prose call'd A Discourse of Life were all printed octavo Lond. 1685. W. Lewis WAGER A Learned Clerk living in the begining of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth who was the Author of an Interlude call'd Mary Magdalen her Life and Repentance printed in a Black Letter 4o. Lond. 1567. This Interlude may easily be acted by Four Persons For the Plot take an Account from the following Lines being part of the Prologue and will give you a Taste of the Author's Stile Of the Gospel we shall rehearse a fruitful Story Written in the 7th of Luke with words plaine The Story of a Woman that was right sorry For that she had spent her Life in sinne vile and vaine By Christ's preaching she was converted againe To be truly penitent by hir fruictes she declared And to shew hir self a sinner she never spared Edmund WALLER A Gentleman not many Years deceas'd whose Name will ever be dear to all Lovers of the Muses His Compositions are universally applauded and they are thought fit to serve as a Standard for all succeeding Poems He was a Friend to the Ingenious Fletcher as appears by his Verses printed at the beginning of those Plays and was so far a Lover of Dramatick Poetry that he translated part of a Play in which the Right Honourable the Earl of Dorset and Middlesex was concerned viz. Pompey the Great a Tragedy acted by the Servants of His Royal Highness the Duke of York printed 4o. Lond. 1664. Besides this Play he has a Volume of Poems extant which have been several times reprinted the Fourth Edition was printed octavo Lond. 1682. There is newly publish'd a Second part containing his Alteration of The Maid's Tragedy and whatsoever of his was left unprinted publisht octavo Lond. 1690. George WAPUL An Author whose Writings are as unknown as any of the former to whom is ascribed a Comedy call'd Tide tarrieth for no Man William WAYER An Author of whose Time and Writings I can give no further Account than that he is accounted the Author of a Comedy which I never saw called The more thou liv'st the more Fool thou art There are two other Plays whose Authors are unknown ascribed by Mr. Philips and Winstanley to our Author viz. Tryal of Chivalry and Tom Tyler and his Wife tho' I believe they were never writ by him R. WAVER The Author of a Play which I have never seen call'd Lusty Juventus who or whence this Author was I know not John WEBSTER An Author that liv'd in the Reign of King James the First and was in those Days accounted an Excellent Poet. He joyn'd with Decker Marston and Rowley in several Plays and was likewise Author of others which have even in our Age gain'd Applause As for Instance Appius and Virginia Dutchess of Malfy and Vittoria Corrombona but I shall speak of these in their Order Appius and Virginia a Tragedy printed according to my Copy 4o. Lond. 1659. I suppose there may be an older Edition than mine but this is that which was acted at the Duke's Theatre and was alter'd as I have heard by Mr. Carthwright by Mr. Betterton For the Plot consult Livy Florus c. Devil's Law-case or When Women go to Là w the Devil is full of business a Tragi-comedy approvedly well acted by Her Majesty's Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1623. and dedicated to Sir Thomas Finch An Accident like that of Romelio's stabbing Contarino out of Malice which turned to his preservation is if I mistake not in Skenkius his Observations At least I am sure the like happened to Phaereus Jason as you may see in Q. Val. Maximus lib. 1. cap. 8. The like Story is related in Goulart's Histoires Admirables tome 1. page 178. Dutchess of Malfy a Tragedy presented privately at the Black-fryars and publickly at the Globe by the King's Majesty's Servants and I have seen it since acted at the Duke of York's Theatre 'T was first printed 4o. Lond. 1623. and dedicated to the Right Honourable George Lord Barkeley and since reprinted 4o. Lond. 1678. For the Plot consult Bandello's Novels in French by Belleforest N. 19. Beard 's Theatre of God's Judgments Book 2. Ch. 24. The like Story is related by Goulart in his Histoires admirables de nôtre temps p. 226. White Devil or The Tragedy of Paulo Giordano Ursini Duke of Brachiano with the Life and Death of Vittoria Corombona the Famous Venetian Curtezan acted by the Queen's Majesty's Servants at the Phoenix in Drury-lane printed 4o. Lond. 1612. and since acted at the Theatre-Royal and reprinted 1665. Besides these Plays our Author has been assisted by Mr. Rowley in two others which because he had the least part in their Composition I place to our Author viz. Cure for a Cuckold a Comedy several times acted with great applause printed 4o. Lond. 1661. Thracian Wonder a Comical History several times acted with great applause printed quarto Lond. 1661. Mr. Philips has committed a great Mistake in ascribing several Plays to our Author and his Associate Mr. Decker One of which belong to another Writer whose Name is annexed and the rest are Anonymous As for Instance The Noble Stranger was writ by Lewis Sharpe and The New Trick to cheat the Devil Weakest goes to the wall and Woman will have her will to unknown Authors John WATSON Esq An Author who in the Reign of King Charles the Second writ a Play in Heroick Verse call'd Amazon Queen or The Amours of Thalestris to Alexander the Great a Tragi-comedy in Heroick Verse and printed 4o. Lond.
1667. The Story of Thalestris may be read in Q. Curtius lib. 6. c. 5. Just. lib. 3. Strabo lib. 5. c. Tho' our Author makes her somewhat nice in her Amours This Play was never acted by reason of the Author 's hearing of two Plays besides on the same Subject that were intended for the Stage WHITAKER The Author of a Play call'd Conspiracy or The Change of Government a Tragedy acted at His Royal Highness the Duke of York's Theatre and printed 4o. Lond. 1680. This Play is written in Heroick Verse as to its Character I shall leave it to the Judgment of abler Criticks Dr. Robert WILD A Doctor of the Presbyterian Leven but yet who it seems in his Juvenile Years was the Author of a Comedy call'd The Benefice which was printed 4o. Lond. 1689. His Opinion of the Orthodox Clergy may easily be collected from this Play tho' he is beholding to another Play call'd The Return from Pernassus or The Scourge of Simony for his Design His Poems are well known octavo 1605. Leonard WILLAN A Gentleman that flourish'd in the Reign of King Charles the Second This Author publish'd a Play call'd Astraea or True Loves Mirrour a Pastoral in Verse printed 8o. Lond. 1651. and dedicated to the Illustrious Princess Mary Dutchess of Richmond and Lenox This Play is founded on the Romance of Astraea writ by Mr. D'Urfé On this Author Mr. Herrick has writ a Copy of Verses which the Reader may peruse at leisure p. 354. of his Poems in octavo George WILKINS An Author that liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the First who was the Writer of a single Comedy besides that in which he joyn'd with Day and Rowley I mean The Travels of three English Brothers The Play I am speaking of is call'd Miseries of Inforced Marriage play'd by his Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1637. This Comedy has been a great part of it reviv'd by Mrs. Behn under the Title of The Town Fop or Sir Timothy Tawdry Robert WILMOT An Author in the time of Queen Elizabeth who at the desire of the Gentlemen of the Inner-Temple compos'd a Play call'd Tancred and Gismund their Tragedy acted before Her Majesty by the Gentlemen of the Temple printed 4o. Lond. 1592. and dedicated to the Right Worshipful and Vertuous Ladies the Lady Mary Peter and the Lady Anne Grey This Play is founded on a Story in Boccace see Day the fourth Novel the first John WILSON A Gentleman that liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the Second if not still alive whose Muse has been applauded on the Stage His Play call'd The Cheats having the general Approbation of being an Excellent Comedy He has writ three Plays in Number of which take the following Account Andronicus Comnenus a Tragedy printed Lond. 1663. For the Plot consult Glycas Leunclaius Chorriates Cantacusenus c. Cheats a Comedy written in the Year 1662. and printed 2 d Edit 4o. Lond. 1671. The Author has sufficiently Apologiz'd for this Play in his Preface to which I refer you Projectors a Comedy printed 40. Lond. 1665. Robert WILSON A Gentleman that flourish'd in the time of Queen Elizabeth and was the Author of a Comedy call'd The Coblers Prophecy printed 4o. Lond. 1655. Nathaniel WOODS An Author that was a Minister in Norwich in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth and who writ an Old Comedy call'd Conflict of Conscience containing a most Lamentable Example of the doleful Desperation of a miserable Worldling by the Name of Philologus who forsook the Truth of God's Gospel for fear of the Loss of Life and worldly Goods The Actors Names divided into six parts most convenient for such as be dispos'd either to shew this Comedy in private Houses or otherwise printed 4o. Lond. 1581. John WRIGHT A Writer still living who has publisht two Plays the one being writ in Heroick Verse and the other disguis'd En Travesty They both bear the same Title and are bound together viz. Thyestes a Tragedy translated out of Seneca printed in octavo Lond. 1674. and dedicated to Bennet Lord Sherrard Mock Thyestes a Farce in Burlesque Verse and printed 4o. Lond. 1674. In commendation of these two Plays there is a Copy of Verses written by Mr. O. Salisbury which begins thus Did Seneca now live himself would say That your Translation has not wrong'd his Play But that in every Page in every Line Your Language does with equal splendor shine c. William WYTCHERLEY A Gentleman whom I may boldly reckon amongst the Poets of the First Rank no Man that I know except the Excellent Johnson having outdone him in Comedy in which alone he has imploy'd his Pen but with that Success that few have before or will hereafter match him His Plays are four in Number viz. Country Wife a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal and printed 4o. Lond. 1683. This is reckon'd an Admirable Play Gentleman Dancing-Master a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre and printed in quarto Lond. 1673. Love in a Wood or Saint James's Park a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by His Majesty's Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1672. and dedicated to the Dutchess of Cleveland Plain Dealer a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by His Majesty's Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1678. and dedicated to Madam B Of this Play and its Author Mr. Dryden says thus The Author of the Plain Dealer whom I am proud to call My Friend has oblig'd all Honest and Virtuous Men by One of the most Bold most General and most Useful Satyrs which has been presented on the English Theatre But notwithstanding this Admirable Character I must take the Freedom to alledge That our Author has borrow'd his chief Characters of Manly and Olivia from Molliere's Le Misanthrope that of Major Old-fox from Scarron's City Romance and that of Vernish his seizing Fidelia and discovering her Sex may possibly be founded on Silvia Molliere's Memoires But notwithstanding all this the Play is Excellent in its kind and the Author's Character is justly drawn by Mr. Evelyn As long as Men are false and Women vain While Gold continues to be Virtues bane In pointed Satyr Wycherley shall Reign Y. Robert YARRINGTON An Ancient Writer in Queen Elizabeth's Time who has publisht a Play call'd Two Tragedies in One. The One of the Murther of Mr. Beech a Chandler in Thames-street and his Boy done by Thomas Mern The Other of a Young Child murther'd in a Wood by two Ruffins with the Consent of his Uncle printed in quarto Lond. 1601. Supposed Authors WE are now arriv'd at those Authors whose Names are not certainly known who discover themselves only to their Friends in private and disguise themselves from the Knowledge of the World by Two Letters only part of which we shall unriddle in the following Account R. A. Gent. This Author writ a Play call'd The Valiant Welchman or The True Chronicle History of the Life and Valiant Deeds of Charadoc the Great King of Cambria now call'd Wales This Play has been sundry times acted
Suffolk and the tragical End of the proud Cardinal of Winchester with the notable Rebellion of Jack Cade and the Duke of York's first Claim to the Crown printed 4o. Lond. 1600. This Play is only the Second part of Shakespear's Henry the Sixth with little or no Variation Counterfeits a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1679. This Comedy is ascribed by some to Leanard but I believe it too good to be his Writing 't is founded on a translated Spanish Novel call'd The Trapanner trapann'd octavo Lond. 1655. and I presume the Author may have seen a French Comedy writ by Tho. Corneille on the same Subject call'd D. Caesar D'Avalos Counterfeit Bridegroom or The Defeated Widow a Comedy acted at His Royal Highness the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1677. This Play is only an Old Play of Middleton's call'd No Wit like a Woman's printed octavo Cromwell's Conspiracy a Tragi-comedy which I never saw Cruel Debtor a Play only nam'd by Mr. Kirkman Cupid's Whirligig a Comedy sundry times acted by the Children of his Majesty's Revels printed 4o. Lond. 1616. and dedicated by the Publisher to Mr. Robert Hayman This Play is part founded on Boccace as for Instance the Conveyance of the Captain and Exhibition out of the Lady's Chamber is founded on the Sixth Novel of the Seventh Day and is the Ground-work of many other Plays Cyrus King of Persia a Tragedy mention'd by Kirkman which I never saw D. Damon and Pythias a History of which I can give no Account Debauchee or The Credulous Cuckold a Comedy acted at his Highness the Duke of York's Theatre and printed 4o. Lond. 1677. This Play is by some ascrib'd to Mrs. Behn but is indeed only a Play of Brome's reviv'd call'd A mad Couple well matcht Destruction of Jerusalem a Play which I never saw but in the Catalogue printed with the Old Law 't is ascrib'd to one Thomas Legge Dick Scorner a Play mention'd in Mr. Kirkman's Catalogue but which I never saw nor do I know what species of Dramatick Poetry it is Divine Masque printed in quarto Lond. The Title-page of mine is lost but 't is dedicated to General Monk by One Anthony Sadler who I take to be the Author E. Edward the Third his Reign a History sundry times play'd about the City of London printed 4o. Lond. 1599. The Plot is founded on English Chronicles See Walsingham M. Westminster Fabian Froissart Pol. Virgil Hollingshead Stow Speed c. See besides AEschasius Major and a Novel call'd The Countess of Salisbury octavo translated from the French Elvira or The worst not always true a Comedy written by a Person of Quality suppos'd to be the Lord Digby and printed 4o. Lond. 1667. Empress of Morocco a Farce acted by His Majesty's Servants said to be writ by Thomas Duffet and printed 4o. Lond. 1674. English Princess or The Death of Richard the Third a Tragedy in Heroick Verse ascribed to Mr. John Carel and printed 4o. Lond. 1673. For the Plot see Fabian Pol. Virgil Hollingshead Grafton Stow Speed Baker c. English-men for Money or A Woman will have her Will a pleasant Comedy divers times acted with great applause printed 4o. Lond. 1626. Enough 's as good as a Feast a Comedy which I never saw but mentioned by Mr. Kirkman Every Woamn in her Humour a Comedy printed quarto Lond. 1609. F. Factious Citizen or The Melancholy Visioner a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre and printed quarto Lond. 1685. Fair Em the Miller's Daughter of Manchester with the Love of William the Conqueror a pleasant Comedy sundry times publickly acted in the Honourable City of London by the Right Honourable the Lord Strange his Servants printed quarto Lond. 1631. Fair Maid of Bristow a Comedy play'd at Hampton before the King and Queen's most Excellent Majesties printed quarto Lond. 1605. in a Black Letter False Favourite disgrac'd and the Reward of Loyalty a Tragi-comedy never acted printed octavo Lond. 1657. This Play is ascribed to George Gerbier D'Ouvilly Fatal Jealousie a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre and ascribed by some to Mr. Pane printed quarto Lond. 1673. Part of the Plot is in Johannes Gigas's Postills See besides Theatre of God's Judgments 2 d part p. 55. Unfortunate Lovers Nov. 1. Feigned Astrologer a Comedy translated from the French of Monsieur Corneille and printed 4o. Lond. 1668. The Plot of this Play which is borrow'd from Calderon's El Astrologo fingido is made use of in the Story of the French Marquess in the Illustrious Bassa when he play'd the part of the Feigned Astrologer Fidele and Fortunatus I know not what sort of Play it is whether Comedy or Tragedy having never seen it but in Old Catalogues 't is ascribed to Thomas Barker Flora's Vagaries a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by His Majesty's Servants ascribed to Mr. Rhodes and printed quarto Lond. 1670. This Plot of Orante's making use of the Fryar to carry on her Intrigue with Ludovico is founded on Boccace Day 3. Nov. 3. Free-Will a Tragedy which I know not where or when printed the Title-page of Mine being lost 'T was written Originally in Italian by F. N. B. which I take to be Franciscus Niger Bassentinus and was translated into English by H. C. that is Henry Cheek 'T is printed in an Old English Character Fulgius and Lucrelle a Piece of which I can give no Account having never seen it G. Ghost or The Woman wears the Breeches a Comedy writ in the Year 1640. and printed quarto Lond. 1650. H. Hell's Higher Court of Justice or The Tryal of the Three Politick Ghosts viz. Oliver Cromwell King of Sweden and Cardinal Mazarine printed quarto Lond. 1661. Histriomastix or The Player whipt printed quarto Lond. 1610. This Play was writ in the time of Queen Elizabeth tho' not printed till afterwards as appears by the last Speech spoken by Peace to Astraea under which Name the Queen is shadowed Henry the Fifth his Victories containing the Honourable Battle of Agin-court a History acted by the Kings Majesties Servants printed quarto Lond. 1617. For the Plot see the English Chronicles as Hollingshead Stow Speed c. Hector or The False Challenge a Comedy written in the Year 1655. and printed quarto Lond. 1656. I know not the Author of this Play but I think it may vye with many Comedies writ since the Restauration of the Stage Hyppolitus a Tragedy which as I have been told is printed in octavo and translated from Seneca by Edmund Prestwith For the Plot see the Poets as Ovid's Epistle of Phaedra to Hyppolitus his Metamorphosis Lib. 6. Virgil. AEn Lib. 7. c. Hoffman his Tragedy or A Revenge for a Father acted divers times with great applause at the Phoenix in Drury-lane and printed 4o. Lond. 1631. This Play was adopted by One Hugh Perry and by him sent to the Press and dedicated to his Honoured Friend Mr. Richard Kilvert How a Man may chuse a Good Wife from a Bad a pleasant
Servants and printed 4o. Lond. 1600. For the Historical part see the Chronicles in the Reign of King Henry the Second viz. Pol. Virg. Speed Baker Daniel c. Love in its Extasie or The large Prerogative a kind of Royal-Pastoral written long since by a Gentleman supposed by Mr. Kirkman I know not on what ground to be One Peaps Student at Eaton and printed quarto Lond. 1649. The Author was not seventeen Years of Age when this was writ on which Account I think the Play may pass Muster with others of those Times Lost Lady a Tragi-comedy which I never read or saw but once and which I remember was printed in Folio Love a-la-mode a Comedy acted with great applause at Middlesex House written by a Person of Honour and printed 4o. Lond. 1663. This Play is justified by the Author in his Preface and ushered into the World by three Copies of Verses nor is the Play altogether undeserving Commendation Luminalia or The Festival of Light personated in a Masque at Court by the Queen's Majesty and Her Ladies on Shrove-Tuesday Night 1637. and printed 4o. Lond. 1637. The Famous Mr. Inigo Jones Surveyor of Her Majesty's Works had a Hand in the Contrivance of this Masque by Her Majesty's Command The Invention consisting of Darkness and Light the Night presented the first Antimasque and the Subject of the Main-masque is Light But for the clearer Information of the Reader I refer him to the Masque it self M. Manhood and Wisdom a Play mentioned by other Authors of which I can give no Account never having seen it Marcus Tullius Cicero that Famous Roman Orator his Tragedy printed quarto Lond. 1651. I know not whether even this Play was acted but it seems to me to be written in Imitation of Ben. Johnson's Cataline For the Plot see Plutarch in his Life See likewise his own Works Hist. Ciceroniana Lambin as also Dion Appian c. Marriage of Wit and Science an Interlude which I never saw Masque of Flowers presented by the Gentlemen of Grays-Inn at the Court at Whitehall in the Banquetting-house upon Twelfth-Night 1631. Being the last of the Solemnities and Magnificences which were performed at the Marriage of the Right Honourable the Earl of Sommerset and the Lady Frances Daughter of the Earl of Suffolk Lord Chamberlain printed 4o. Lond. 1614. This Masque is dedicated to Sir Francis Bacon Attorney General to King James the First Massenello but rightly Tomaso Amello di Malfa General of the Neopolitans his Tragedy or The Rebellion of Naples printed in octavo Lond. 1631. This Play was written by a Gentleman who was an Eye-witness where this was really acted upon that Bloody Stage the Streets of Naples An. D. 1647. 'T is dedicated to Iohn Caesar of Hyde-Hall in the County of Hertford Esquire by his Kinsman T. B. the Publisher For the Plot or rather the History read Alexander Giraffi's History of Naples translated by J. Howell See besides Du Verdier Histoire Universelle c. Mercurius Britannicus or The English Intelligencer a Tragi-comedy acted at Paris with great applause printed 1641. The Subject of this Play is about the Business of Ship-money the Judges being arraign'd under feigned Names as for Example Justice Hutton is called Hortensius and Justice Cook Corvus Acilius Prin is also introduced under the Name of Prinner There are but Four Acts and of the Fifth the Epilogue gives the following Account It is determined by the AEdils the Mistress of publick Plays that the next Day by Jove's Permission the Fifth Act shall be acted upon Tyber I should say Tyburne by a New Society of Abalamites Vive le Roy. Merry Devil of Edmonton a Comedy acted sundry times by his Majesty's Servants at the Globe on the Bank-side and printed 4o. Lond. 1655. This Play is said by Kirkman to be writ by Shakespear tho' finding no Name to it I have plac'd it amongst those that are Anonymous This Play is founded on the History of One Peter Fabel of whom see Fuller's Worthies in Middlesex p. 186. See other Chronicles in the Reign of Henry the Sixth Morning Ramble or The Town Humours a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1673. This Play is said to be written by One Mr. Pane and may be accounted a good Comedy Mucedorus the King's Son of Valencia and Amadine the King's Daughter of Arragon with the Merry Conceits of Mouse a Comedy acted by his Highness's Servants at the Globe and before the King's Majesty at Whitehall on Shrove-Tuesday Night printed 4o. 1668. This Play is said by former Catalogues to have been writ by Shakespear and was I presume printed before this Edition It has been frequently the Diversion of Country-people in Christmas Time Muse of New-market containing Three Drolls viz. Merry Milk-maids of Islington or The Rambling Gallants defeated Love lost in the Dark or The Drunken Couple Politick Whore or The Conceited Cuckold acted at New-market and printed quarto Lond. 1681. All these Three Drolls are stollen as I remember from Plays but not having them by me I cannot tell the particulars Mistaken Beauty or The Lyar a Comedy acted by their Majesties Servants at the Theatre-Royal printed quarto Lond. 1685. This Comedy is translated from a Play of P. Corneilles call'd Le Menteur N. Nero's Tragedy printed Lond. in quarto This Play was in former Catalogues call'd Nero newly written because 't was writ after that of Claudius Tiberius Nero which through Kirkman's want of Knowledge in History he call'd Nero's Life and Death which led me into the same Mistake till I came to read both Plays I know not when either of them were printed or when printed the Title-pages of both my Plays being wanting For the History of Domitius Nero consult Suetonius in Vit. Neronis Aurelius Victor Tacitus Sulpitius Severus Augustinus de Civit. Dei Eusebius c. New Custom an Interlude no less witty if we believe the Title-page than pleasant printed in a Black Letter quarto Lond. 1573. This Play is so contriv'd that Four Persons may act it and the Design of it is against Propery and to justify Reformation which then flourished in Queen Elizabeth's Reign This Play consists of 3. Acts but is written in Verse throughout so that had Mr. Dryden ever seen this Play he might better have quoted it than Gondibert which besides being writ seventeen Years before this is not in Rime to prove the Antiquity of Verse New-market Fair a Tragi-comedy in Two parts the First of which I never saw but the Second part I have by me and the Title of it is New-market Fair or Mistress Parliaments New Figaries written by the Man in the Moon and printed at You may go look in quarto 1649. The Design of it is to expose the Rebels then in power Nice Wanton a Comedy which I never saw No Body and Some Body with the true Chronicle History of Elydure who was fortunately three several times crown'd King of England acted by the Queen's Majesties
That he was One who in his time contributed much towards the English Stage by his Dramatick Writings especially in that noted One of his call'd Lingua for neither was that Play writ by him nor Love's Loadstone Landagartha or Love's Dominion as he and Mr. Phillips affirm Landagartha being writ by Henry Burnel Esq and Love's Dominion by Flecknoe But I shall proceed to give an Account of those Plays which are ascrib'd to him by Mr. Kirkman who was better vers'd in Writings of this Nature Country Girl a Comedy often acted with much applause and printed in quarto Lond. 1647. This Play has been reviv'd on the Stage under the Title of Country Innocence or The Chamber-maid turn'd Quaker Love-sick King an English Tragical History with the Life and Death of Cartesmunda the fair Nun of Winchester printed in quarto Lond. 1655. This Play was likewise reviv'd by the Actors of the King's House in the Year 168c and acted by the Name of the Perjur'd Nun. The Historical part of the Plot is founded on the Invasion of the Danes in the Reign of K. Ethelred and Alfred which the Author calls Etheldred and Alured See the Writers of English Affairs as Polydore Vergil Mathaeus Westmonasteriens Gul. Malmsburiensis Ingulsus Ranulphus Higden Du Chesne Speed c. Alexander BROME This Author flourisht in the Reign of King Charles the Martyr and was an Attorney in the Lord Mayor's Court. He was Eminent in the worst of Times for Law and Loyalty and yet more for Poetry Though his Genius led him rather to Lyrick than Dramatick Poetry yet we have One Play of his extant viz. Cunning Lovers a Comedy acted with great applause by Their Majesties Servants at the private House in Drury-lane printed in quatro Lond. 1654. Part of the Plot is borrow'd as the Duke of Mantua's shutting up his Daughter in the Tower and his being deceiv'd by her and Prince Prospero is taken from a Story in the Old Book of the Seven Wise Masters but which the Reader may find better related in the Fortunate Deceiv'd and Unfortunate Lovers in the Fifth Novel of the Deceiv'd Lovers Although our Author has himself made but one Attempt in this Kind yet we are indebted to him for two Volumes of Mr. Richard Brome's Plays in octavo especially One of them since 't was by his Care that after the Author's Death they were preserv'd and publisht On which account One T. S. amongst other Commendations given our Author in Verse says thus Nor can I tell to whom we are more bound Or to Brome's Wit or You that have it found Our Poet is chiefly famous for his Odes and Dithyrambs which he compos'd during the late Troubles together with his Epistles and Epigrams translated from several Authors all which were printed together at the King 's Return in octavo and Second Edition Lond. 1664. Nor was he less eminent for his Version of Horace which tho' not wholly his own yet having supplied his Verse from the Stores of Sr. Richard Fanshaw Dr. Holliday Sr. Tho. Hawkins the Ingenious Mr. Cowley the Admirable Ben Johnson from which great Master he borrow'd the Version of the last Epistle De Arte Poetica to crown the rest tho'it is since left out for a new Translation done by S. P. Esq which I take to be Samuel Pordage he has gain'd to himself a Reputation which will not speedily decay tho' the late Version of Mr. Creech seems somewhat to obscure it Lustre I cannot but inform the Reader that he had once an Intention to translate Lucretius as I learn from an Epigram writ by Sr. Aston Cockain but this great Work notwithstanding what he design'd and Mr. Evelyn perform'd was reserv'd for the management of a nobler Pen that of the much Admired Mr. Creech Richard BROME This Author liv'd in the Reign of K. Charles the First and tho'of mean Extraction being Servant to the fam'd Ben Johnson Writ himself into much credit His Subject for the most part was Comedy according to the usual Motto out of Martial which he placed before most of his Plays Hic totus volo rideat Libellus As to his worth in Comick Writing it is not only asserted by the Testimony of several Poets of that Age in their commendatory Verses before many of his Plays as Shirley Decker Ford Chamberlain Sr. Aston Cockain Alexander Brome and others but even Ben Johnson himself who was not over-lavish of of Praise bestowed the following Copy on his Northern Lass which will weigh against all the Calumnies of his Enemies To my Faithful Servant and by his continu'd Virtue my Loving Friend the Author of this Work Mr. Richard Brome I had you for a Servant once Dick Brome And you perform'd a Servants faithful parts Now you are got into a nearer Room Of Fellowship professing my old Arts. And you do do them well with good Applause Which you have justly gain'd from the Stage By observation of those Comick Laws Which I your Master first did teach the Age. You learnt it well and for it serv'd your time A Prentice-ship which few do now a days Now each Court Hobbihorse will wince in Rime Both learned and unlearned all write Plays It was not so of Old Men took up Trades That knew the Crafts they had bin bred in right An honest Bilboe-Smith would make good Blades And the Physitian teach men spue and sh The Cobler kept him to his Aul but now He 'll be a Poet scarce can guide a Plow Tho' the later part of this Copy be an imitation of the following Lines of Horace yet I doubt not but the Reader will pardon Ben for his ingenious Application Horatii Epistolarum Lib. 2 Epist. 1. Navem agere ignarus navis timet abrotonum aegro Non audet nisi qui didicit dare Quod Medicorū est Promittunt Medici tractant fabilia fabri Scribimus indocti doctique Poemata passim In imitation of his Master Mr. Johnson he studied Men and Humor more than Books and his Genius affecting Comedy his Province was more observation than Study His Plots were his own and he forg'd all his various Characters from the Mint of his own Experience and Judgment 'T is not therefore to be expected that I should be able to trace him who was so excellent an Imitator of his Master that he might truly pass for an Original so that all that I can inform my Reader of his Plays is that he has Fifteen in print most of which were acted with good Applause and that several of them have been thought worthy to be revived by the Players to their own Profit and the Author's Honor in this Critical Age. Nor are several of his other Plays less worthy of Commendation of which Alphabetically Antipodes a Comedy acted in the year 1638. by the Queen's Majesties Servants at Salisbury Court in Fleetstreet printed in quarto 1640. and dedicated to the Right Honourable William Earl of Hertford City Wit or The Woman wears the Breeches
in the year 1615. Mr. Wood. says that he was the Son of William Carthwrigth and Born at Northway near Tewskbury in Gloucester-shire in Sept. 1611. and Christned the 26 th day of the same Month. That his Father had dissipated a fair Inheritance he knew not how and as his last Refuge turn'd Inn-keeper at Cirencester This Account contradicts the Publisher of his Poems who says that he Died at Thirty But however uncertain the place and time of his Birth be certain it is that he was bred a King's-Scholar under the Reverend and Learned Dr. Oldbaston and in the year 1631 was chose Student of Christ-Church College in Oxford and plac'd under the care of Mr. Terrent He took his several Degrees of Bachelor and Master of Arts and afterwards was chosen by the House as Proctor and admitted as Junior to Mr. Wake of Magdalen College by the University the Twelfth of April 1643. and the same year viz. on the 29 th of November he Died of a Malignant Feaver which then raign'd and was that year Fatal to others of his Contemporaries as Mr. Masters of New-College Mr. Diggs of All-Souls and others both Men of the Gown and Sword He was Buried the first of December in the South-Isle being lamented not only by all good and learned Men but even by Majesty it self the King and Queen having anxiously enquir'd after him all the time of his Sickness and shewed themselves much afflicted at his Death On the Ninth of December Mr. Maplet of the same House was chose to supply his Place the remaining part of the year He was extreamly remarkable both for his outward and inward Endowments his Body being as handsome as his Soul He was an expert Linguist understanding not only Greek and Latine but French and Italian as perfectly as his Mother-tongue He was an excellent Orator and yet an admirable Poet a Quality which Cicero with all his pains could not attain to Nor was Aristotle less known to him than Cicero and Virgil and those who heard his Metaphysical Lectures gave him the Preference to all his Predecessors the present Bishop of Lincoln excepted His Sermons were as much admired as his other Composures and One fitly applied to our Author that Saying of Aristotle concerning AEschron the Poet that He could not tell what AEschron could not do In a word he was of so sweet a disposition and so replete with all Virtues that he was beloved by all Learned Men that knew him and admired by all Strangers and to close all with the Character the Reverend and Pious Dr. Fell sometime Bishop of Oxford gave of him Carthwright was the utmost Man could come to To speak of his Poetry there needs no other Character of it in general then that the ablest Judge of Poetry at that time I mean Ben Johnson said with some Passion My Son Carthwright writes all like a Man He writ Four Plays besides other Poems all which were printed together in octavo Lond. 1651. accompanied with above Fifty Copies of Verses writ by the most eminent Wits of the University every One being desirous to appear in the Number of his Friends and to give a publick Testimony to the world of the Value they had for his Memory Ordinary a Comedy I know not where this Play was acted but I remember part of the second Scene of the first Act between the Widow Pot-luck Slicer and Hear-say is transcrib'd by the Composer of Wits Interpreter in his Love-Dialogues under the Title of the Old Widow pag. 81. Lady Errant a Tragi-Comedy of which I can give no Account where acted only that it is esteem'd by some a good Comedy Royal Slave a Tragi-Comedy presented to the King and Queen by the Students of Christ Church in Oxford Aug. 30. 1636. Presented since to both Their Majesties at Hampton-Court by the King's Servants This Play gave such Content to Their Majesties and the whole Court as well for the stately Scenes the Richness of the Persian Habits the excellency of the Songs which were set by that admirable Composer Mr. Henry Lawes Servant to his Majesty King Charles the First in his publick and private Musick as for the noble Stile of the Play it self and the ready Address and graceful Carriage of the Actors amongst which Dr. Busby the famous Master of Westminster School approv'd himself a second Roscius that they unanimously acknowledged that it did exceed all things of that Nature which they had ever seen The Queen in particular so much admired it that in November following she sent for the Habits and Scenes to Hampton-Court she being desirous to see her own Servants represent the same Play whose profession it was that she might the better judge of the several Performances and to whom the Preference was due The Sentence was universally given by all the Spectators in favour of the Gown tho' nothing was wanting on Mr. Carthwright's side to inform the Players as well as the Scholars in what belong'd to the Action and Delivery of each Part. Siege or Love's Convert a Tragi-Comedy where acted I know not but 't is dedicated by the Author to King Charles the First by an Epistle in Verse The Story of Misander and Leucatia is founded on that of Pausanias and Cleonice in Plutarch's Life of Cymon The Injunction which the Rich Widow Pyle laid upon her Lovers is borrow'd from Boccace's Novels Day 9th Nov. 1. Amongst his Poems there are several concerning the Dramatick Poets and their Writings which must not be forgot as those two Copies which he writ on Mr. Thomas Killegrew's Plays The Prisoner and Claracilla Two Copies on Fletcher and One in Memory of Ben Johnson which are so Excellent that the Publisher of Mr. Carthwright's Poems speaks as in a Rapture in the Preface viz. What had Ben said had he read his own Eternity in that lasting Elegy given him by our Author Besides these Poems our Author has extant other Pieces on different Subjects as a Sermon printed Lond. 1652. and a Book which I never saw but is mentioned by Mr. Wood under this Title Dies in Mense Novembri maxime notabiles Coronam nempe familiam regiam spectantes Lond. 1671. 'T is not possible for me in this place to enumerate all the Praises given him by the Learned of those Times in which he liv'd only give me leave to insert part of one Copy by which the Reader may judge of the Rest. The Lines were writ by John Leigh Esq to the Stationer Mr. Mosely on his printing Mr. Carthwright's Poems After he has nam'd all the admirable Poems set forth by the aforesaid Bookseller with the just Commendation of each Author he says thus of Mr. Carthwright But after all thou bring'st up in the Rear One that fills every Eye and every Ear Carthwright rare Carthwr t to whom all must bow That was best Preacher and best Poet too Whose Learned Fancy never was at rest But always labouring yet labour'd least His Wit 's Immortal
by the Rest of the Audience Henry the Sixth the Second Part or the Misery of Civil-War a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1681. Part of this Play likewise is borrow'd from Shakespear For the Plot read the Chronicles of those Times writ by Graston Hollingshead Trussel Martin Stow Speed Biondi Du Chesne c. Juliana or The Princess of Poland a Tragi-Comedy acted at his Royal Highness the Duke of York's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1671. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Roger Earl of Orrery This was the first Play this Author writ which if it be not so well penn'd as several of his later Productions it does but verify his own Observation That there are few Authors but have had those slips from their Prune which their riper Thoughts either were or at least had reason to be asham'd of Sr. Courtly Nice or It cannot be a Comedy acted by his Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1685. and dedicated to his Grace the Duke of Ormond This Play was written at the Command of his late Majesty K. Charles the Second who gave Mr. Crown a Spanish Play No pued eser or It cannot be out of which he took part of the Name and Design of this This Comedy or at least the Plot as far as relates to the Spanish Plot has formerly appear'd on the Stage under the Title of Tarugo's Wiles Sr. Courtly's Song of Stop Thief is a Paraphrase of Mascarille's Au Voleur in Mollier's Les precieuses Ridicules This Play is accounted an excellent Comedy and has been frequently acted with good Applause Thyestes a Tragedy acted at the Theatre Royal by their Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1681. The Plot of this Play is founded on Seneca's Thyestes and seems to be an Imitation of that Play I know not whether our Author ever saw the Italian Play on this Subject written by Ludovicus Dulcis which is commended by Delrio or the French Tragedies of Roland Brisset and Benoist Bauduyn but I doubt not but this Play may vie with either of them at least the French Plays which in the Opinion of some are very mean I know nothing else of our Authors writing except that Romance above-mention'd which I never saw D. John DANCER alias DAUNCY AN Author of whose place of Nativity or other passages of Life I am able to give no Account All I know of him is that he liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the Second and that his Translations shew him well vers'd in the French and Italian Tongue He has oblig'd us with Three Dramatick Plays translated from the Originals of three Eminent Poets viz. Tasso Corneille and Quinault Agrippa King of Alba or The False Tiberinus a Tragi-Comedy in Heroick Verse several times acted with great Applause before his Grace the Duke of Ormond then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland at the Theatre Royal in Dublin printed in quarto Lond. 1675. and dedicated to the Right Honourable the Lady Mary Cavendish Daughter to the Duke of Ormond This Play is traslated from the French of Monsieur Quinault an Author well known amongst those that are conversant in French Poetry several of whose Pieces have appear'd on the English Stage as La Genereuse Ingratitude L'Amant Indiscret Le Fantosme amoureux c. I know not whether this Translation be equal to the Original having never seen the later neither can I give any account of the Plot which I take to be fictitious Aminta a Pastoral printed in octavo Lond. 1660. and dedicated to his much Honoured and truly Noble Friend Mr. R. B. Who is meant by those Letters I will not be so bold as to conjecture because our Author has conceal'd his Patrons Name in obedience to his Commands This Play is a Translation of that famous Piece writ by that celebrated Wit Signior Torquato Tasso born at Sorrento bred up at Padua and the Favourite of Charles IX of France He was as I may say the Father of Pastorals being the first that transferr'd them from the Eclogue to Dramatick Poetry and his Aminta is esteem'd by Forreigners a Master-piece of Pastoral Comedy and has been translated into the French Spanish English German and Dutch Tongues This was the Pattern which the admired Guarini propos'd for his Imitation when he writ Il Pastor fido and our Author has since endeavour'd to imitate his excellent Translator the Lord Embassador Fanshaw If it be objected by some that this Translation of Tasso is far short of that of Guarini we may however with justice affirm that at least this Translation exceeds that printed in 1628 if we allow some consideration for his being clog'd with Rhime which forces him more upon Paraphrase and withal that it was his first attempt to Poetry With this Play are printed several Poems of different Subjects amongst which are Love Verses which seem as is they were writ in imitation of Mr. Cowley's Mistriss Nicomede a Tragi-Comedy acted at the Théatre Royal in Dublin printed in quarto Lond. 1671. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Thomas Earl of Ossory This Play is translated from the French Original of Monsieur Th. Corneille and is One of those Pieces which he himself most valu'd There are a great many Beauties in it which he enumerates in the Examen He says the Story is taken from the Fourth Book of Justin tho' I suppose this is an Errata of the Press the Story being in the last Chapter of the Thirty-fourth Book He writ besides there several other Pieces as a Romance call'd the English Lovers printed in octavo Lond. which however commended by Mr. Winstanley the Contrivance is due to Heywood's Play call'd The Fair Maid of the West in Two Parts from whence our Author borrow'd the Story Two other Pieces are mention'd by Mr. Winstanley viz. A Compleat History of the late Times and a Chronicle of the Kingdome of Portugal neither of which I have ever seen Samuel DANIEL Esq A Gentleman living in the Reigns of Queen Elizabeth and King James the First and One whose Memory will ever be fresh in the minds of those who favour History or Poetry He was born near Taunton in Somerset-shire and at Nineteen years of Age in the year 1581. he was enter'd Commoner of St. Mary Magdalen Hall in Oxford and after having three years exercised himself in History and Poetry he left the University His own Merit added to the Recommendation of his Brother in Law the Resolute John Florio so well known for his Italian Dictionary prefer'd him to the Knowledge of Queen Ann who was pleased to confer on him the Honour of being One of the Grooms of her most Honourable Privy-Chamber which enabled him to rent a Garden-house near London where in private he compos'd most of his Dramatick Pieces At last being weary of the world he retir'd into Wiltshire where he rented a Farm near the Devises according to Dr. Fuller tho' Mr. Wood says that his retreat was to
dixisset Dr. Charles DAVENANT This Gentleman as I suppose is now living being Son of the above-mention'd Sr. William Davenant and Dr. of Laws He has as I have been inform'd a share in the present Theatre in right of his Father and is jointly impower'd with the Master of the Revels to inspect the Plays design'd for the Stage that no Immoralities may be presented This Gentleman has writ a Play call'd Circe a Tragedy acted at his Royal Highness the Duke of York's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1677. The Prologue was writ by Mr. Dryden and the Epilogue by the late Earl of Rochester This Play I have seen acted with good applause The Plot is founded on Poetical History See Ovid's Metamorph. lib. 14. See besides Boccace Phil Bergomensis Nat. Comes c. The Scenes and Machines may give it a Title to that Species of Dramatick Poetry call'd an Opera Robert DAVENPORT The Author of Two Plays in the Reign of King Charles the Martyr tho' not publisht till the Reign of King Charles the Second viz. City Night-Cap or Crede quod habes habes a Tragi-Comedy acted with great applause by her Majesties Servants at the Phoenix in Drury Lane printed in quarto Lond. 1661. The Plot of Lorenzo Philippo and Abstemia is borrow'd from the Novel of the Curious Impertinent in the Romance of Don Quixot Part 4. Ch. 6 7 8. and that of Lodovico Francisco and Dorothea from Boccace's Novels Day 7. Novel 7. on which likewise part of Mr. Ravenscroft's London Cuckolds is built King John and Matilda a Tragedy acted with great applause by her Majesties Servants at the Cock-pit in Drury-lane printed in quarto Lond. 1655. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Mountague Bertie Earl of Lindsey by the Publisher Andrew Pennycuicke who acted the part of Matilda Women in those times not having appear'd on the Stage For the Plot read the English Chronicles that have given an account of the Reign of King John as Mathew Paris Polydore Vergil Hollingshead Grafton Danyel Martin Stow Speed Baker Churchil c. Robert DABORN alias DAUBORNE This Gentleman liv'd in the Reign of King James the First and was a Master of Arts tho' of which University I am uncertain He writ Two Plays viz. Christian turn'd Turk or The Tragical Lives and Deaths of the two Famous Pirates Ward and Dansiker a Tragedy printed in quarto Lond. 1612. For the Story I refer you to a Piece call'd Barker's Overthrow of Captain Ward and Dansiker two Pirates printed in quarto Lond. 1609. from which Narrative I suppose our Author borrow'd the Story Poor Man's Comfort a Tragi-Comedy divers times acted at the Cock-pit in Drury-lane with great applause and printed in 4 o Lond. 1665. Tho' this Author in his Epistle to his Christian turn'd Turk speaks of his former Labours It has not been my fortune to have seen any of them There is a Sermon written by One Robert Daborn on Zach. 11. 7. printed in octavo Lond. 1618. whether this were the same with our Author I know not but 't is probable it might be and that he was a Divine by this Distick which I find in an old Copy on the Time Poets Dawbourn I had forgot and let it be He dy'd Amphibion by the Ministry John DAY This Author liv'd in the Reign of King James the First and was sometime Student of Cains-Colleage in Cambridge He has written Six Plays if his Parliament of Bees may pass under that Species as the Authors of all former Catalogues have plac'd it Blind Beggar of Bednal-Green with the merry Humour of Tom Stroud the Norfolk Yeoman divers times publickly acted by the Princes Servants printed in quarto London 1659. For the Plot as far as it concerns History consult the Writers on the Reign of King Henry the Sixth as Fabian Caxton Du Chesne Pol. Vergil Grafton Stow Speed c. Humour out of Breath a Comedy said to be writ by our Author but which I never saw and therefore can say nothing of it Isle of Gulls a Comedy often acted in the Black Fryars by the Children of the Revels printed in 4 o Lond. 1633. This is a good Play and is founded on the incomparable Sr. Philip Sidney's Arcadia A Romance of that esteem that besides the frequent Editions of it in English I have seen it translated for the use of Forreigners both in the French and Dutch Tongues Law Tricks or Who would have thought it a Comedy divers times acted by the Children of the Revels and printed in quarto Lond. 1608. Parliament of Bees with their proper Characters or A Bee-hive furnisht with Twelve Honey-combs as pleasant as profitable being an allegorical description of the Actions of good and bad men in these our days printed in quarto Lond. 1641. and dedicated to the Worthy Gentleman Mr. George Butler Professor of the Arts Liberal and true Patron of neglected Poesy Travels of the Three English Brothers Sr. Thomas Sr. Anthony and Mr. Robert Shirley a History play'd by her Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1607. and dedicated to Honors Favourites and the intire Friends of the Family of the Shirleys In the Composure of this Play our Author was assisted by Mr. William Rowley and Mr. George Wilkins The foundation of it may be read in several English Writers and Chronicles particularly I have seen it in Dr. Fuller's Worthies in his Description of Sussex Where the Author speaking of the subject of this Comedy says thus As to the Performances of these Three Brethren I know the Affidavit of a Poet carries but a small credit in the Court of History and the Comedy made of them is but a Friendly Foe to their Memory as suspected more accommodated to please the present Spectators than to inform Posterity However as the belief of Mitio when an Inventory of his adopted Sons Misdemeanors was brought to him embrac'd a middle and moderate way nec omnia credere nec nihil neither to believe all things nor nothing of what was told him so in the List of their Atchievements we may safely pitch on the same Proportion and when abatement is made for Poetical Embelishments the remainder will speak them worthy in their Generations When our Author Died I know not but I have read an Elegy written on him by his Friend Mr. Tateham which begins thus Don Phoebus now hath lost his Light And left his Rule unto the Night And Cynthia she hath overcome The day and darkned the Sun Whereby we now have lost our hope Of gaining Day in 's Horoscope c. At this jingling rate he runs on the end much after the rate of a Gentleman of Lincolns Inn who writ a more ingenious Poem upon the Transactions between a Landlord and his Tenant Day who privately departed from him by Night printed in a single Sheet Lond. 1684. To shew the Parallel give me leave to transcribe the first six Lines by which the Reader may guess at the Rest. Here Night and Day
conspire a secret flight For Day they say is gone away by Night The Day is past but Landlord where 's your Rent You might ha'seen that Day was almost spent Day sold and did put off what e're he might Tho' it was ne're so Dark Day would be Light Thomas DECKER A Poet that liv'd in the Reign of King James the First and was Contemporary with that admirable Laureat Mr. Benjamin Johnson He was more famous for the contention he had with him for the Bays than for any great Reputation he had gain'd by his own Writings Yet even in that Age he wanted not his Admirers nor his Friends amongst the Poets in which number I reckon the Ingenious Mr. Richard Brome who always stil'd him by the Title of Father He clubb'd with Webster in writing Three Plays and with Rowley and Ford in another and I think I may venture to say that these Plays as far exceed those of his own Brain as a platted Whip-cord exceeds a single Thread in strength Of those which he writ alone I know none of much Esteem except The Untrussing the Humourous Poet and that chiefly on account of the Subject of it which was the Witty Ben Johnson He has had a Hand in Twelve Plays Eight whereof were of his own Writing Of all which I shall give an account in their Alphabetical Order as follows Fortunatus a Comedy of which I can give no other account than that I once barely saw it and is printed in quarto Honest Whore the First Part a Comedy with the Humours of the Patient Man and the longing Wife acted by her Majesties Servants with great applause printed in 4 o Lond. 1635. Honest Whore the Second Part a Comedy with the Humours of the Patient Man the Impatient Wife the Honest Whore perswaded by strong Arguments to turn Curtizan again her brave refuting those Arguments and lastly the Comical passage of an Italian Bridewel where the Scene ends printed in quarto Lond. 1630. This Play I believe was never acted neither is it divided into Acts. The passage between the Patient Man and his Impatient Wife 's going to fight for the Breeches with the happy Event is exprest by Sr. John Harrington in Verse See his Epigrams at the end of Orlando Furioso Book 1. Epigr. 16. If this be not a good Play the Devil is in it a Comedy acted with great applause by the Queen's Majesties Servants at the Red Bull printed Lond. 16 and dedicated to his loving and loved Friends and Fellows the Queens Majesties Servants by which he means the Actors The beginning of his Play seems to be writ in imitation of Matchiavel's Novel of Belphegor where Pluto summons the Devils to Councel Match me in London a Tragi-Comedy often presented first at the Bull in St. John's Street and lately at the Private-house in Drury-lane call'd the Phoenix printed in quarto Lond. 1631. and dedicated to the Noble Lover and deservedly Beloved of the Muses Lodowick Carlel Esquire Some account this a tolerable old Play Northward-Ho a Comedy sundry times acted by the Children of Pauls printed in quarto Lond. 1607. This Play was writ by our Author and John Webster The Plot of Greenshield and Featherstone's pretending to Mayberry that they had both lain with his Wife and how they came to the knowledge of each other by her Ring Act 1. Sc. 1. is founded on a Novel which is in the Ducento Novelle del Signior Celio Malespini Par. 1. Nov. 2. Satyromastix or The Untrussing the Humourous Poet a Comical Satyr presented publickly by the Right Honourable the Lord Chamberlain's Servants and privately by the Children of Pauls printed in quarto Lond. 1602. and dedicated to the World This Play was writ on the occasion of Ben Johnson 's Poetaster where under the Title of Chrispinus Ben lash'd our Author which he endeavour'd to retaliate by Untrussing Ben under the Title of Horace Junior This Play is far inferior to that of Mr. Johnson as indeed his abilities in Poetry were no ways comparable to his but this may be said in our Author's behalf that 't was not only lawful but excusable for him to defend himself pray therefore hear part of his Defense in his own language and then censure as you please Horace says he trail'd his Poetasters to the Bar the Poetasters Untruss'd Horace how worthily either or how wrongfully World leave it to the Jury Horace questionless made himself believe that his Burgonian-wit might desperately challenge all Comers and that none durst take up the Foyles against him It s likely if he had not so believ'd he had not been so deceiv'd for he was answer'd at his own Weapon And if before Apollo himself who is Coronator Poetarum an Inquisition should be taken touching this lamentable merry murdering of Innocent Poetry all Mount Hellicon to Bun-hill would find it on the Poetasters side se defendando Westward-Ho a Comedy divers times acted by the Children of Pauls and printed in quarto Lond. 1607. This was writ by our Author and Mr. Webster Whore of Babylon an History acted by the Prince's Servants and printed in quarto Lond. 1607. The design of this Play is under feign'd Names to set forth the admirable Virtues of Queen Elizabeth and the Dangers which she escap'd by the happy discovery of those Designs against her Sacred Person by the Jesuites and other Biggoted Papists The Queen is shadow'd under the Title of Titania Rome under that of Babylon Campian the Jesuite is represented by the Name of Campeius Dr. Parry by Parridel c. Wyat's History a Play said to be writ by Him and Webster and printed in quarto Tho' I never saw this Play yet I suppose the subject of it is Sr. Thomas Wyat of Kent who made an Insurrection in the First year of Queen Mary to prevent her Match with Philip of Spain but as this is only conjecture I must rest in suspence till I can see the Play Besides these Plays he joyn'd with Rowley and Ford in a Play call'd The Witch of Edmonton of which you will find an account in William Rowley There are Four other Plays ascrib'd to our Author in which he is said by Mr. Philips and Mr. Winstanley to be an Associate with John Webster viz. Noble Stranger New Trick to Cheat the Devil Weakest goes to the Wall Woman will have her Will. In all which they are mistaken for the first was written by Lewis Sharp and the other by anonymous Authors Sir John DENHAM Knight of the BATH A Poet of the first Form whose Virtue and Memory will ever be as dear to all Lovers of Poetry as his Person was to Majesty it self I mean King Charles the First and Second He was the only Son of Sir John Denham of little Horesly in Essex but Born at Dublin in Ireland His Father being at the time of his Nativity a Judge of that Kingdome and Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer But before the Foggy Air of that
Edmonton of which see an Account in Rowly and with Decker in The Sun's Darling but writ likewise himself seven Plays most of which were acted at the Phoenix and the Black-Friars and may be known by an Anagram instead of his Name generally printed in the Title-page viz. FIDE HONOR He was more addicted to Tragedy than Comedy which occasion'd an Old Poet to write thus of him Deep in a Dump John Ford was alone got With folded Arms and melancholy Hat I shall give an Account of his Plays Alphabetically and place The Sun's Darling in its order because the greatest part of it was writ by our Author Broken Heart a Tragedy acted by the Kings Majesties Servants at the private House in Black-Fryars printed 4 o Lond. 1633. and dedicated to the most Worthy Deserver of the Noblest Titles in Honour William Lord Craven Baron of Hamstead Marshal The Speakers Names are fitted to their Qualities and most of them are deriv'd from Greek Etimologies Fancies Chast and Noble a Tragi-comedy presented by the Queen Majesties Servants at the Phoenix in Drury Lane printed 4 o Lond. 1638. and dedicated to the Right Noble Lord the Lord Randell Macdonell Earl of Antrim in the Kingdom of Ireland This Play is usher'd into the World by a Copy of Verses written by Mr. Edward Greenfield Ladies Tryal a Tragi-comedy acted by both their Majesties Servants at the private House in Drury Lane printed 4 o Lond. 1639. and dedicated to his Deservingly Honoured John Wyrley Esq and to the Virtuous and Right worthy Gentlewoman Mrs. Mary Wyrley his Wife Lovers Melancholy a Tragi-comedy acted at the private House in the Black-Fryars and publickly at the Globe by the Kings Majesties Servants printed 4 o Lond. 1629. and dedicated to his most worthily Respected Friends Nathaniel Finch John Ford Esquires Mr. Henry Blunt Mr. Robert Ellice and all the rest of the Noble Society of Grays-Inn This Play is commended by four of the Author's Friends one of which who stiles himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 writ the following Tetrastick 'T is not the Language nor the fore-plac'd Rimes Of Friends that shall commend to after-times The Lovers Malancholy It s own Worth Without a borrow'd Praise shall set it forth The Author has Embellisht this Play with several Fancies from other Writers which he has appositely brought in as the Story of the Contention between the Musician and the Nightingale describ'd in Strada's Academical Prolusions Lib. 2. Prol. 6 which begins Jam Sol è medio pronus defluxerat Orbe c. A Definition and Description of Melancholy copied from the Ingenious Mr. Rob. Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy c. Love's Sacrifice a Tragedy receiv'd generally well acted by the Queens Majesties Servants at the Phoenix in Drury Lane printed 4 o Lond. 1633. and dedicated to his truest Friend his worthiest Kinsman John Ford of Gray's Inn Esquire There is a Copy of Verses printed before this Play written by that Dramatick Writer Mr. James Shirley Perkin Warbeck a Chronicle History and a Strange Truth acted sometimes by the Queens Majesties Servants in Drury Lane printed 4 o Lond. 1634. and dedicated to the Rightly Honourable William Cavendish Earl of Newcastle This Play as several of the former is attended with Verses written by Four of the Author's Friends one of which is his Kinsman above-mentioned The Plot is founded on Truth and may be read in most of the Chronicles that have writ of the Reign of King Henry the VII See Caxton Polidore Virgil Hollingshead Speed Stow Salmonet Du Chesne Martyn Baker Gaynsford's History of Perkin Warbeck c. Sun's Darling a Moral Mask often presented by their Majesties Servants at the Cock-pit in Drury Lane with great applause printed 4 o Lond. 1657. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Thomas Wriathesley Earl of Southampton This Play was written as I have said by our Author and Decker but not publisht till after their Decease A Copy of Verses written by Mr. John Tateham is the Introduction to the Masque at the Entry whereof the Reader will find an Explanation of the Design alluding to the Four Seasons of the Year 'T is pity she 's a whore a Tragedy printed 4 o I can give no further Account of the Title-page or Dedication mine being lost All that I can say is that it equalls any of our Author's Plays and were to be commended did not the Author paint the incestuous Love between Giovanni and his Sister Annabella in too beautiful Colours Mr. Winstanly says that this Author was very beneficial to the Red-Bull and Fortune Play-Houses as may appear by the Plays which he wrote tho' the Reader may see by the fore-going Account that he takes his Information upon trust or else the Plays he has seen are of different Editions from those I have by me but I rather believe the former since I have found him subject to several Mistakes of this Nature Thomas FORD An Author who liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the First who publisht a Dramatick Poem call'd Love's Labyrinth or The Royal Shepherdess a Tragi-comedy printed 8 o Lond. 1660. This Play is commended by two Copies of Verses but whether ever it appear'd on any Stage I cannot determine only this I know that part of this Play is stollen from Gomersal's Tragedy of Sforza Duke of Millain Mr. Philips thro' mistake ascribes this Play to the above-mention'd Mr. John Ford. This Author has writ several other Pieces Virtus Rediviva a Panegyrick on King Charles the Martyr A Theatre of Wits being a Collection of Apothegms Fenestra in Pectore or a Century of Familiar Letters Fragmenta Poetica or Poetical Diversions A Panegyrick on the Return of King Charles the Second All these Pieces with the fore-going Play are printed together in 8 o Lond. 1661. John FOUNTAIN A Gentleman who flourish'd in Devonshire at the time of his Majesty King Charles the Second his Return and was the Author of a single Play nam'd Reward of Virtue a Comedy printed in 4o. Lond. 1661. This Play was not design'd for the Stage by the Author but about eight Years after the first printing Mr. Fountain being dead it was reviv'd with Alterations by Mr. Shadwell and acted with good Applause under the Title of The Royal Shepherdess Abraham FRAUNCE An Ancient Writer who liv'd in the time of Queen Elizabeth and was the Author of a Book called The Countess of Pembroke's Ivy Church which Title in former Catalogues was set down as the Name of a Play in 2 Parts tho' in reality there is but one Dramatick Piece call'd Amintas's Pastoral being the first part of the Book printed 4 o Lond. 1591. and dedicated to the Right Excellent and most Honourable Lady the Lady Mary Countess of Pembroke This Play is writ in English Hexameters and is a Translation from Tasso's Aminta which was done into Latin by one Mr. Watson before this Version was undertaken by our Author He owns that he has somewhat alter'd Sigr. Tasso's Italian
Worthy Ancients which by any of my Country-men are Naturaliz'd I shall give some Account of them and their Writings as opportunity shall offer it self and therefore I crave leave to lay hold of this to speak a word or Two of Euripides This Poet was stil'd the Tragick Philosopher and was born at Phyla a Town in Attica in the 75 Olympiade and in the 274 Year after the Building of Rome Prodius taught him Rhetorick after which he made a Voyage to AEgypt with Plato to visit the Learned Men there and to improve himself by their Conversation He was also a Friend of Socrates and some have believed that this Philosopher assisted him in the Composition of his Tragedies He went from Athens dissatisfied with the People for preferring the Comick Writers before him and retir'd to the Court of Archelaus King of Macedonia about the year of Rome 338. This Prince confer'd many Favours on him and had a great value for him It happen'd at that time that a certain person nam'd Decamnion having raillied him about his Breath which was not over agreeable Archelaus sent him to Euripides to be punisht at his pleasure This so exasperated Decamnion both against the King and the Poet that for the sake of Revenge he join'd with other Conspirators in the Assassination of the Former and set Dogs upon the later which soon devour'd the Object of his Hatred Some say that this Misfortune proceeded from the Brutality of those irrational Creatures by accident and not design Others again relate that he receiv'd his Death from some inhumane Women against whom he had somewhat too bitterly inveigh'd I remember a pleasant Story in Ford's Apothegms that Sophocles being once ask'd the Reason why in his Tragedies he always represented Women Good and Euripides Wicked answer'd That Euripides describ'd them as they were he as they ought to be But Digression apart the time of his Death no more than the manner of it is agreed upon Some say he Dy'd about the 65 year of his Age in the 93 Olympiade and in the Year of Rome 348. being 406 years before the Incarnation of our Saviour Others say that he Dy'd not till the Year of Rome 351. The Ancients mention Ninety odd Tragedies writ by him of which at present we enjoy but Nineteen Supposes a Comedy Englisht from the Italian of Ariosto a famous Poet a Ferarese and Favuorite of Alphonsus the First Duke of Ferrara and of the Cardinal Hippolito d' Este his Brother He Dy'd the 13 of July in the Year 1533. I purposely decline to give a larger Account of his Life because it would swell my Book too much and the English Reader may satisfy his Curiosity by perusing his Life at the End of Sr. John Harrington's Translation of Orlando Furioso Those Vers'd in Italian may read his Life writ by Gierolamo Poro of Padoua Gierolamo Guarafola of Ferrara Simon Fornari of Rheggio c. This Play was presented at Gray's Inn and printed in quarto Lond. 1566. The Prologue as well as the Play is writ in prose This Prologue I suppose gave the Grounds for that writ by Mr. Duffet to the Play call'd Trappolin suppos'd a Prince as that did to the Epilogue of The Duke and No Duke Pleasure at Kenelworth Castle a Masque as Mr. Kirkman informs us in his Catalogue which I never saw Our Author has written several Poems of a Different Species which he calls Herbs and which with his Plays make a considerable Vollume and are printed together in quarto Lond. 1587. Henry GLAPTHORN An Author that liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the First who publisht several Plays which I presume in those days past with good Approbation at the Globe and Cock-pit Play-houses tho' I cannot agree with Mr. Winstanley That he was One of the chiefest Dramatick Poets of this Age. He writ Five Plays viz. Albertus Wallenstein Duke of Fridland and General to the Emperor Ferdinand the Second his Tragedy acted with good Allowance at the Globe on the Bank-side by His Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the Great Example of Virtue and true Mecaenas's of Liberal Arts Mr. William Murrey of His Majesties Bed-chamber For the Plot see the Historians who have writ on the last German Wars in the Reign of Ferdinand the Second See besides M. Sarasins Walstein's Conspiracy translated into English 8 o Lond. 1678. Spondanus's Continuation of Baronius Fierzen L'Hist de Liege c. Argalus and Parthenia a Tragi-comedy acted at the Court before their Majesties and at the Private-house in Drury-lane by their Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1639. The Plot of this Play is founded on Sr. Philip Sidney's Arcadia a Romance in the Story of Argalus and Parthenia see pag. 16. c. Mr. Quarles has writ a pretty Poem on the same Foundation Hollander a Comedy written in the Year 1635. and then acted at the Cock-pit in Drury-lane by their Majesties Servants with good Allowance and at the Court before Both their Majesties printed in quarto Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the great Hope of growing Nobleness his Honourable Friend Sir Thomas Fisher. Lady's Priviledge a Comedy acted with good Allowance at the Cock-pit in Drury Lane and before Their Majesties at White-hall twice printed 4o. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the true Example of Heroick Virtue and Favourer of Arts Sir Frederick Cornwallis Wit in a Constable a Comedy writ in the Year 1639. and then acted at the Cock-pit in Drury Lane by Their Majesties Servants with good Allowance printed 4o. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the Right Honourable his singular good Lord Thomas Lord Wentworth Besides these Plays he has a Book of Poems extant in which are several Copies directed to his Mistress under the Name of Lucinda printed 4 o Lond. 1639. Thomas GOFF. A Gentleman that flourisht in the Reign of King James the First He was born in Essex towards the latter end of Queen Elizabeth's Reign about the Year 1592. In his Youth he was sent to Westminster-School and at the Age of Eighteen he was brought in Student of Christ-Church Colledge in Oxford Being an Industrious Scholar he arrived to be a good Poet a skilful Oratour and an Excellent Preacher In the Year 1623. he proceeded Batchelour of Divinity and was preferr'd to a Living in Surrey call'd East-Clandon there he got him a Wife which prov'd as great a plague to him as a Shrew could be and became a true Xantippe to our Ecclesiastical Socrates insomuch that she gave him daily opportunities of exercising his Patience and t is believ'd by some that this Domestick-scourge shortned his days He was buried at his own Parish-Church at Clandon the 27. of July 1627. He writ several Pieces on several Subjects amongst which are reckon'd five Plays viz. Careless Shepherdess a Tragi-comedy acted before the King and Queen at Salisbury-Court with great applause printed 4 o Lond. 1656. with an Alphabetical Catalogue of all such Plays that ever were
Gray's Inn. Our Author in the Epistle both to this Play and The English Traveller pleads Modesty in not exposing his Plays to the publick view of the World in numerous Sheets and a large Volume under the Title of Works as others By which he would seem tacitly to arraign some of his Contemporaries for Ostentation and want of Modesty I am apt to believe that our Author levell'd his Accusation at Ben Johnson since no other Poet that I know of in those day gave his Plays the pompous Title of Works of which Sir John Suckling has taken notice in his Sessions of the Poets The first that broke silence was good Old Ben Prepar'd before with Canary Wine And he told them plainly that he deserv'd the Bays For his were call'd Works where others were but Plays This puts me in mind of a Distick directed by some Poet of that Age to Ben Johnson Pray tell me Ben where does the myst'ry lurk What others call a Play you call a Work Which was thus answer'd by a Friend of his The Author's Friend thus for the Author say's Ben's Plays are Works when others Works are Plays Fair Maid of the West or A Girl worth Gold the second Part acted before the King and Queen with approved Liking by the Queens Majesties Comedians printed 4 o Lond. 1631. and dedicated to the true Favourer of the Muses and all good Arts Thomas Hammond Esq of Grays-Inn These Plays as our Author acquaints his Patron ` Not only past the ` Censure of the Plebe and Gentry but of the Patricians and Pretextatae as also of our Royal-Augustus and Livia I know not where our Poet met with this Story but as Poets usually take the Foundation of a Play from a History or a Romance so these two Plays have serv'd for the Subject of a Romance which on this Model was writ by John Dancer above-mentioned to whom I refer you Fortune by Land and Sea a Tragi-comedy acted with great applause by the Queen's Servants written by our Author and the Well-Esteem'd William Rowly but not printed till after their Decease 4 o Lond. 1655. Four Prentices of London with the Conquest of Jerusalem a History divers times acted at the Red-Bull by the Queens Majesties Servants with good applause printed 4 o Lond. 1635. and dedicated to the Honest High-Spirited Prentices the Readers This Play was written as the Author says in his Infancy of Judgement in this kind of Poetry and his first Practice and that as Plays were then some sixteen Years before its Publication it was in the Fashion This Play is founded on the Exploits of the Famous Godfrey of Bulloign who took Jerusalem from the Infidels the 15. of July A.D. 1099. For the Story see Tasso's Il Gosredo Dr. Fuller's Holy War The late History of the Croïsades c. If you know not me you know no Body or The Troubles of Queen Elizabeth a History in two Parts printed 4 o Lond. 1623. This Play was printed without the Author's Knowledge or Consent and that so corruptly it not being divided into Acts that at the Reviving of it at the Cock-pit after having been acted for the space of one and twenty Years he writ a Prologue which particularly inveigh'd against this Imperfect Copy as will appear by the following Lines 'T was ill nurst And yet receiv'd as well perform'd at first Grac'd and frequented for the Cradle-Age Did throng the Seats the Boxes and the Stage So much that some by Stenography drew The Plot put it in print scarce one word true And in that lameness it has limpt so long The Author now to vindicate that wrong Hath took the pains upright upon it's feet To teach it walk so please you sit and see 't For the Plot see the Writers of the Life of Q. Elizabeth as Cambden Speed Du Chesne c. And our Author had so great a Veneration for that Heroick Pricess that he writ a little Historical Piece call'd England's Elizabeth printed 8 o Lond. 1631. Lancashire Witches a well receiv'd Comedy acted at the Globe on the Bank-side by the Kings Majesties Actors written by our Author and the Ingenious Rich. Brome and printed 4o. Lond. 16 I have read in my younger Days if I mistake not the Foundation of this Play in an old English Quarto but as to that part of the Plot where Whetstone revenges himself by his Aunt 's means on Arthur Shakstone and Bantam for calling him Bastard Act 4. Sc. the last 't is founded on the Story of John Teutonicus of Holberstad a place in High-Germany who was a known Bastard and a Magician Our Author has related this Story in Verse in his Hierarchy of Angels Lib. 8. pag. 512 c. Loves Mistris or The Queen's Masque three times acted before their Majesties within the space of eight Days in the presence of sundry Forreign Embassadours Publickly acted by the Queen's Comedians at the Phoenix in Drury-Lane The Second Impression corrected by the Author printed 4 o Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Edward Earl of Dorset The Play is founded on Apuleius's Golden Ass a kind of Romance in Latin and English'd by W. Addington 4 o Lond. 1634. Maidenhead well lost a pleasant Comedy publickly acted in Drury-Lane with much applause by her Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1634. Rape of Lucrece a true Roman Tragedy with the several Songs in their appointed places by Valerius the merry Lord among the Roman Peers The Copy revis'd and sundry Songs before omitted now inserted in their right places acted by the Majesties Servants at the Red-Bull printed 4 o Lond. 1638. For the Plot see Livy Dec. 1. C. 58. Florus Lib. 1. C. 7. Val. Max. Lib. 6. C. 11. Ex. 1. Robert Earl of Huntington's Downfall afterwards call'd Robin Hood of Merry Sherwoode with his Love to Chaste Matilda the Lord Fitz-water's Daughter afterwards his Fair Maid Marian acted by the Right Honourable the Earl of Nottingham the Lord High Admiral of England his Servants and printed 4o. Lond. 1601. Robert Earl of Huntington's Death otherwise call'd Robin Hood of Merry Sherwoode with the Lamentable Tragedy of Chaste Matilda his Fair Maid Marian poyson'd at Dunmow by the King and printed 4o. Lond. 1601. Both these Plays are printed in Black-Letter but neither of them are divided into Acts. The first part is introduc'd by John Shelton Poet Laureat to King Henry the Eighth and the the second by Fryar Tuck For the Plot see our English Chronicles in the Reign of King Richard the First as Du Chesne Speed Baker c. See besides Fullers Worthies in the Account of Nottinghamshire p. 315 Drayton's Polyolbion Song 26. Royal King and Loyal Subject a Tragi-comedy acted with great applause by the Queens Majesties Servants and printed 4o. Lond. 1637. The Plot of this Play extreamly resembles that of Fletcher's Loyal Subject Wise-Woman of Hogsden a Comedy sundry times acted with good applause printed quarto Lond. 1638. This Play is commended
by a Copy of Verses printed at the End writ by his Friend Mr. Samuel King Woman kill'd with Kindness a Comedy oftentimes acted by the Queens Majesties Servants and printed quarto Lond. 1617. These are all the Plays that our Author has extant except we will reckon his Dialogues under the Species of Dramatick Poetry such as Jupiter and Io Apollo and Daphne Amphrise or The Forsaken Shepherdess c. all which with several Translations above-mention'd the Reader may peruse in a Book intituled Pleasant Dialogues and Drammas collected out of Lucian Erasmus Textor Ovid c. printed octavo Lond. 1637. There may be another Reason added to those already mention'd why no more of our Author's Plays have been published which he himself gives us in his Epistle to The Rape of Lucrece That he used to sell his Copy to the Players and therefore suppos'd he had no further right to print them without their Consent which is the Reason that so few are in print and that some of these Plays that are so have been copy'd by the Ear and printed uncorrect without his Knowledge As to his other Pieces he has publisht several in Verse and Prose In the former he has written a Poem called The Hierarchy of the Blessed Angels with Notes printed fol. Lond. 1635. In reading over this Book I find our Author informing the World That he intended to commit to the publick View the Lives of the Poets Forreign and Modern from the first before Homer to the Novissimi and last of what Nation or Language soever so far as any History or Chronology would give him warrant But this Work notwithstanding our Author's Intention I presume was never compleated or at least publisht His chief Pieces in Prose are An Apology for Actors printed 4o. Lond. 1612. which was highly commended by several Copies of Verses written in Greek Latin and English This piece was answer'd or rather rail'd against by One J. G. in a Pamphlet call'd A Refutation of the Apology for Actors printed 4o. Lond. 1615. Whether Mr. Prynn's Piece call'd Histriomastix printed 4o. Lond. 1633. were particularly levell'd against this Book I cannot positively determine but I think Sir Richard Baker who answer'd it in a little Piece call'd The Theatre vindicated printed 8o. Lond. has sufficiently made out the Character he gives of it That all his Book is but a Bundle of Scolding Invectives and Railing instead of Reasoning He has writ besides The Life and Troubles of Queen Elizabeth from her Cradle to her Crown printed 8o. Lond. 1631. The Examplary Lives and Acts of Nine Women Worthies three Jews three Gentiles and three Christians printed 4o. 1640. The General History of Women of the most Holy and Profane the most Famous and Infamous in all Ages printed 8o. Lond. 1657. The usual Motto which he prefix'd to most of his Works and which shew'd the chief design of his Writing was this of Horace Aut prodesse solent aut delectare Barten HOLLYDAY A Gentleman that flourisht in the Reigns of King Charles the First and Second He was born about the latter End of Queen Elizabeths Reign in Oxford in the Parish of All-Saints He was enter'd young at Christ-Church in the time of Dr. Ravis his Relation and Patron by whom he was chose Student and having taken his Degrees of Batchelor and Master of Arts he at length became Arch-Deacon of Oxfordshire He died soon after the King's Return at Eifly the Corps of his Arch-Deaconry near Oxford in the Year 1661. and was buried in Christ-Church having left behind him the Character of a general Scholar a good Preacher a skilful Philosopher and an excellent Poet. As a proof of this I must refer my Reader to his Works in general it being my province at present only to enumerate his Writings and make remarks on nothing but what he has publisht in Dramatick Poetry which is a Play call'd TEXNOTAMIA or The Marriages of the Arts a Comedy acted by the Students of Christ-Church in Oxford before the University at Shrove-tide printed 4o. Lond. 1630. The Author has sufficiently shew'd his Learning in the Contexture of this Comedy and has introduc'd several things from the Ancients particularly two Odes from Anacreon viz. Act 2. Sc. 2. Act 3. Sc. the last He has shew'd how well he was able to imitate another Author by this Play as the Reader may see by comparing the Challenge of Logicus to Poeta Act 2. Sc. 2. with that of Dametas to Clinias drawn by the Pen of the Admirable Sir Philip Sidney He has several other Pieces of Poetry which tho' Translations have gain'd him a considerable Reputation as the Translation of the Satyrs of Juvenal and Persius Illustrated with Notes and Sculptures printed Fol. Oxon. 1673. His Version of the Odes of Horace mention'd by Mr. Wood to have been printed Lond. 1652. He has likewise publisht several Sermons as Three Sermons preach'd at Oxford and two Sermons at St. Pauls-Cross printed 1626. A Sermon of the Nature of Faith printed 4o. Lond. 1654. Motives to a godly Life printed 4o. Oxon. 1657. In Latin he has printed two Pieces viz. Philosophiae Politico-barbarae Specimen de Animâ 4o. Oxon. 1635. Orbis terrarum Inspectio lib. 10. Oxon. 1661. Charles HOOL A Gentleman living in the Reigns of King Charles the First and Second and possibly still in Being He was born at Wakefield in Yorkshire and at eighteen Years of Age came up to the University of Oxford and was enter'd of Lincoln Colledge After having taken his Degree of Master of Arts he withdrew into his own Countrey where he took upon him the Profession of a School Master he taught in several places particularly at Rotheram a Market-Town in the West Riding in Yorkshire and afterwards being sent for up to London by several Eminent Citizens he taught School in Red-Cross-street near Alders-gate Parish and afterwards remov'd to Arundel-Buildings not far from the Royal-Exchange At the King's Return he left the City and remov'd into Wales where possibly he still follows that useful Profession He has been very laborious not only in Instructing Youth but also in publishing many Books to their Advancement One of which is the Subject of his being mention'd in our Catalogue viz. Six Comedies of that Excellent Poet Publius Terentius an African of Carthage in English and Latin for the use of Young Scholars that they may the more readily obtain the purity of the Latin Tongue for common Discourse printed 8o. 1676. This Translation was undertaken by our Author at the Request of the Company of Stationers for whom it was printed and was castrated in some places as in particular see Eunuchus Act 3. Sc. 4 5. to spare the Modesty of the Youth under his Tuition Those who would know more of Terence and his Works let them turn back to Richard Bernard The rest of his Works consist chiefly in Translations of Books for the use of young Scholars as Corderius Cato AEsop's Fables Commenii Orbis pictus
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
parantur Obsonator Coquus convivarum gulae periti sunto De Discubitu non contenditur Ministri à Dapibus oculati muti A poculis auriti celeres sunto Vina puris fontibus ministrantur aut vapulet hospes Moderatis poculis provocare sodales fas esto At sabulis magis quà m vino velitatio fiat Convivae nec muti nec loquaces sunto De seriis aut sacris poti saturine disserunto Fidicen nisi accersitus non venito Admisso risu tripudiis choreis saltibus Omni gratiarum festivitate sacra celebrantur Joci sine felle sunto Insipida Poemata nulla recitantur Versus scribere nullus cogitur Argumentationis totius strepitus abesto Amatoriis querelis ac suspiriis liber angulus esto Lapitharum more scyphis pugnare vitrea collidere Fenestras excutere supellectilem dilacerare ne fas esto Qui foras dicta vel facta eliminet eliminatur Neminem reum pocula jaciunto Focus perennis esto As to his Poetry I dare not pretend to give a Judgment on it it deserving somewhat above what my faint Praise can reach or describe therefore those who would be better satisfy'd must have recourse to his Character drawn by Dr. Fuller and Mr. Anthony Wood in Prose and by Mr. Carthwright and the late Mr. Oldham in Verse to the foregoing I might add Mr. Dryden's Dramatick Essay which had it been writ after his Postscript to Granada might have aton'd for that unbecoming Character and had serv'd for a Palinode but since he has not that I know of thought fit to retract it give me leave to insert an old Copy of Verses which seems to wipe off the Accusations of Mr. Johnson's Enemies Ad Benjaminum Johnsonum In jus te voco Jonsoni venito Adsum qui plagii malae rapinae Te ad Phoebi peragam reum tribunal Assidente choro NovemDearum Quaedam Dramata scilicet diserta Nuper quae Elysii roseti in umbrâ Faestivissimus omnium Poeta Plautus composuit Diisque tandem Stellato exhibuit poli in Theatro Movendo superis leves cachinnos Et risos tetrico Jovi ciendo Axe plausibus intonante utroque Haec tu Dramata scilicet diserta Clepsisti superis negotiosis Quae tu nunc tua venuitare pergis In jus te voco Jonsoni venito En pro te Pater ipse Rexque Phoebus Assurgit modò Jonsoni palamque Testatur tua serio fuisse Illa Dramata teque condidisse Sese non modò conscio at juvante Unde ergò sibi Plautus illa tandem Nactus exhibuit Jovi Deisque Maiae Filius Nepos Atlantis Pennatus celeres Pedes at ungues Viscatus volucer puer vaferque Furto condere quidlibet jocoso Ut quondam facibus suis Amorem Per ludos videavit Pharetrâ Sic nuper siquidem solet frequenter Tecum ludere plaudere jocari Neglectas tibi ilepsit has papyrus Secumque ad Superos abire jussit Jam victus taceo pudore vincis Phoebo Judice Jonsoni Patrono I might here appositely enough bring in a pleasant Story or two of Ben. Jonson's as Instances of his Debonaire Humor and Readiness at Repartee did I not fear to be condemn'd by Mr. Dryden and reckon'd by him and his Admirers in the number of those grave Gentlemen whose Memory he says is the only Plea for their being Wits for this reason I shall forbear and hasten to give an Account of his Works He has writ above fifty several Pieces which we may rank under the Species of Dramatick Poetry of which we shall give an Account in Order beginning with one of his best Comedies viz. Alchymist a Comedy acted in the Year 1610. by the Kings Majesties Servants with the Allowance of the Master of the Revels printed fol. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the Lady most deserving her Name and Blood the Lady Mary Wroth the Author of the Urania Mr. Dryden supposes this Play was copy'd from the Comedy of Albumazer as far as concerns the Alchymist's Character as the Reader may observe from the following Lines being part of his Prologue to Albumazer reviv'd Subtle was got by our Albumazer That Alchymist by this Astrologer Here he was fashion'd and we may suppose He lik'd the Fashion well who wore the Cloaths Whether this Accusation be true I pretend not to determine but sure I am that this last Couplet is borrow'd from Mr. Dryden's Dramatick Essay where he says of Mr. Johnson thus You will pardon me therefore if I presume he lov'd the Fashion when he wore their Cloaths Bartholomew Fair a Comedy acted at the Hope on the Bank-side Oct. 31. in the Year 1614. by the Lady Elizabeth's Servants and then dedicated to King James the First and printed fol. Lond. 1640. This Play has frequently appear'd on the Stage since the Restauration with great applause Cataline his Conspiracy a Tragedy first acted in the Year 1611. by the Kings Majesties Servants with Allowance from the Master of the Revels printed fol. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the great Example of Honour and Virtue the most Noble William Earl of Pembroke This Play is still in Vogue on the Stage and always presented with success It was so well approv'd of by the Judicious Beaumont that he writ a Copy of Verses in praise of it which the Reader may find before our Authors Works Nevertheless I must take notice that Mr. Johnson has borrow'd very much from the Ancients in this Tragedy as for Instance part of Sylla's Ghost in the very Entrance of the Play is copy'd from the Ghost of Tantalus in the beginning of Seneca's Thyestes Thus our Author has translated a great part of Salust's History tho' with great Judgment and Elegance and inserted it into his Play For the Plot see Salust Plutarch in the Life of Cicero Florus Lib. 4. C. 1. Challenge at Tilt at a Marriage a Masque printed Fol. Lond. 1640. Christmass his Masque presented at Court 1516. printed Fol Lond. 1640. Cloridia or Rites to Cloris and her Nymphs personated in a Masque at Court by the Queens Majesty and her Ladies at Shrove-tide 1630. printed Fol. Lond. 1640. The Inventors of this Masque were Mr. Johnson and Mr. Inigo Jones Cynthia's Revels or The Fountain of Self-love a Comical Satyr first acted in the Year 1600. by the then Children of Queen Elizabeth's Chappel with the Allowance of the Master of the Revels printed Folio Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the Special Fountain of Manners The Court. Devil is an Ass a Comedy acted in the Year 1616. by his Majesties Servants and printed Fol. Lond. 1641. Tho' our Author seldome borrows any part of his Plot yet in this Play if I mistake not Wittipol's giving his Cloak to Fitz-dotterel to court his Wife one quarter of an Hour is founded on a Novel in Boccace Day 3. Nov. 5. Entertainment of King James in passing to his Coronation printed in Fol. Lond. 1640. This Entertainment was mention'd I suppose by
this Play the Author has writ Annotations Pan's Anniversary or The Shepherd's Holy-day a Masque presented at Court before King James 1625. and printed fol. Lond. 1641. In the Decorations our Author was assisted by the above mention'd Mr. Jones Pleasure reconcil'd to Virtue a Masque presented at Court before King James 1619. to which were made some Additions for the Honour of Wales This in former Catalogues was mention'd as a Masque distinct from the other Poetaster or His Arraignment a Comical Satyr first acted in the Year 1601. by the then Children of his Majesties Chappel with the Allowance of the Master of the Revels printed fol. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the Vertuous and his Worthy Friend Mr. Richard Martin I have already spoken of this Play in the Account of Decker's Satyromastix and I must further add I heartily wish for our Author's Reputation that he had not been the Agressor in this Quarrel but being altogether ignorant of the Provocations given him I must suspend my Judgment and leave it to better Judges to determine the Controversy Our Author has adorn'd this Play with several Translations from the Ancients as Ovid. Amor. lib. 1. Eleg. 15. Horatii Sat. lib. 1. Sat. 9. lib. 2. Sat. 1. Virgilii AEneid lib. 4. with others Queen's Masques the first of Blackness personated at the Court at Whitehall on the Twelfth-Night 1605. the second of Beauty was presented in the same Court at Whitehall on the Sunday Night after the Twelfth-Night 1608. printed fol. Lond. 1640. Sad Shepherd or A Tale of Robin Hood a Pastoral printed fol. Lond. 1641. This Play is left imperfect there being but two Acts and part of the third finisht Sejanus's Fall a Tragedy first acted in the Year 1603. by the Kings Majesties Servants with the Allowance of the Master of the Revells printed fol. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the No less Noble by Virtue than Blood Esme Lord Aubigny This Play is generally commended by all Lovers of Poetry and usher'd into the World by nine Copys of Verses one of which was writ by Mr. George Chapman 'T is founded on History and the Author in a former Edition published 4o. Lond. 1605. has printed Quotations throughout the Reasons whereof take in his own Words being part of the Preface to that Edition The next is least in some nice Nostrils the Quotations might favour affected I do let you know That I abhor nothing more and have only done it to shew my Integrity in the Story and save my self in those common Torturers that bring all Wit to the Rack whose Noses are ever like Swine spoiling and rooting up the Muses Gardens and their whole Bodies like Moles as blindly working under Earth to cast any the least hills upon Vertue For the Story the Reader may consult Tacitus's Annals lib. 3 4 5. Suetonius in the Life of Tiberius Dion c. Silent Woman a Comedy first acted in the Year 1609. by the Children of her Majesties Revels with the Allowance of the Master of the Revels printed fol. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the truly Noble by all Titles Sir Francis Stuart Part of this Play is borrow'd from the Ancients as Act 1. Sc. 1. part from Ovid de Arte Amandi Act 2 Sc. 2. part from Juvenal Sat. 6. Act 2. Sc. 5. part from Plautus's Aulularia Act 3. Sc. 5. with other passages Notwithstanding which this Play is Accounted by all One of the best Comedies we have extant and those who would know more may be amply satisfied by the perusal of the judicious Examen of this Play made by Mr. Dryden Speeches at Prince Henry's Barriers printed fol. Lond. 1640. These Speeches being printed amongst his other Masques and always reckoned under that Species of Poetry by others in former Catalogues I could not omit their Mention in this place Staple of News a Comedy acted in the Year 1625. by his Majesties Servants and printed fol. Lond. 1631. The Author introduces four Gossips on the Stage who continue during the Action and criticise on the Play This was practised more than once witness Every man out of his Humor and Magnetick Lady and herein he was follow'd by Fletcher as I have already observ'd in His Knight of the Burning-pestle Tale of a Tub a Comedy printed fol. Lond. 1640. Time vindicated to himself and to his Honours a Masque presented at Court on Twelfth-Night 1623. and printed fol. Lond. 1641. Vission of Delight a Masque presented at Court in Christmas 1617. and printed fol. Lond. 1641. Vulpone or The Fox a Comedy first acted in the Year 1605. by the Kings Majesties Servants with the Allowance of the Master of the Revells printed fol. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to both Universities in the following form To the most Noble and most Equal Sisters the two Famous Universities for their Love and Acceptance shewn to his Poem in the Presentation Ben. Johnson the grateful Acknowledger dedicates both it and himself This Play is writ in Imitation of the Comedy of the Ancients and the Argument is form'd into an Acrostick like those of Plautus which are said to be writ by Priscian or some other Eminent Grammarian It is still in vogue at the Theatre in Dorset-Garden and its value is sufficiently manifested by the Verses of Mr. Beaumont and Dr. Donne All these Plays with several other Poems and Translations and an English Grammar are printed together in two Volumes in Folio He has three other Plays which are omitted in these Volumes tho' for what reason I know not two of which are printed in 4o. and the third in 8o. of which we are now to speak Case is alter'd a pleasant Comedy sundry times acted by the Children of the Black-fryars and printed 4o. Lond. 1609. In this Comedy our Author hath very much made use of Plautus as the Learned Reader may observe by comparing His Aulularia and Capteivei with this Comedy Widow a Comedy acted at the Private House in Black-fryars with great applause by his late Majesties Servants and printed 4o. Lond. 1652. This Play was writ by Mr. Johnson Mr. Fletcher and Mr. Middleton and first publisht by Mr. Alexander Gough a great lover of Plays who helpt Mr. Mosely the Bookseller to this and several other Dramatick Manuscripts as the Passionate Lovers 2. parts The Queen or The Excellency of her Sex c. It was reviv'd not many Years ago at the King's House with a new Prologue and Epilogue which the Reader may find in London Drollery p. 11 12. New-Inn or The Light Heart a Comedy never acted but most negligently play'd by some the Kings Servants and more squeamishly beheld and censured by others the Kings Subjects 1629. Now at last set at liberty to the Readers his Majesties Servants and Subjects to be judg'd printed 8o. Lond. 1631. The Reader may see by this Title-page that the Play succeeded not answerable to our Author's Expectation and the just Merit as he thought of his Play which may be conjectured from the Ode
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
Typographical Faults there are many other gross Errors several pieces being mention'd under the Title of Plays which are of a different Species for Instance Virgil's Eclogues are inserted under the Name of a Tragedy c. Picture a Tragi-comedy often presented with good allowance at the Globe and Black-Fryars Play-houses by the King's Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1636. and dedicated to his Honour'd and Selected Friends of the Noble Society of the Inner-Temple This Play was acted by those excellent Players of the last Age Lowin Taylor Benfield c. and is commended by his true Friend Sir Thomas Jay The Plot of Sophia's decoying the two debaucht Courtiers Richardo and Ubaldo who attempted her Chastity is related in a Book of Novels in octavo call'd The Fortunate Deceiv'd and Unfortunate Lovers see Nov. 4. of the Deceiv'd Lovers but this Story is I suppose originally Italian this Book being a Collection from Italian Novels Renegado a Tragi-comedy often acted by the Queens Majesties Servants at the private Play-house in Drury-lane printed 4o. Lond. 1630. and dedicated to the Right Honourable George Harding Baron of Barkley of Barkley-Castle and Knight of the Honourable Order of the Bath This Play is likewise commended by two Copies of Verses One of which was writ by Mr. James Shirley Roman Actor a Tragedy acted divers times with good allowance at the private House in the Black-fryars by the King's Majesties Servants printed 4o. 1629. and dedicated to his much Honour'd and most True Friends Sir Philip Knivet Sir Thomas Jay and Thomas Bellingham of Newtimber in Sussex Esquire This Play is commended by Six Copies of Verses writ by several Dramatick Poets of that Age as May Goss Ford c. For the Plot read Suetonius in the Life of Domitian Aurelius Victor Eutropius Lib. 7. Tacitus Lib. 13. c. Very Woman or The Prince of Tarent a Tragi-comedy often acted at the private House in the Black-fryars by His late Majesties Servants with great applause printed 8o. Lond. 1655. Our Author owns this Play to be founded on a Subject which long before appear'd on the Stage tho' what Play it was I know not I have already acquainted the Reader with the Resemblance between the Plot of this Tragi-comedy and The Obstinate Lady This Play with The Bashful Lover and The Guardian are printed together Virgin Martyr a Tragedy acted by His Majesties Servants with great applause printed 4o. Lond. 1661. In this Play our Author took in Mr. Thomas Decker for Partner I presume the Story may be met with in the Martyrologies which have treated of the Tenth Persecution in the time of Dioclesian and Maximian See Rossweidus Valesius c. Unnatural Combat a Tragedy presented by the King's Majesties Servants at the Globe printed 4o. Lond. 1639. and dedicated to his much Honour'd Friend Anthony Sentliger of Oukham in Kent Esquire This Old Tragedy as the Author tells his Patron has neither Prologue nor Epilogue it being composed in a time when such By-ornaments were not advanced above the Fabrick of the whole work I know nothing else of our Authors Writings and therefore must hasten to the last Act of his Life his Death which happen'd at London in March 1669. On the Seventeenth of the same Month he was Buried in St. Mary Overies Church in Southwark in the same Grave with Mr. Fletcher What Monument or Inscription he has I know not but shall close up our Account of this Ingenious Poet with the following Epitaph writ by Sir Aston Cokain An Epitaph on Mr. John Fletcher and Mr. Philip Massinger who lay both buried in one Grave in St. Mary Overy's Church in Southwark In the same Grave Fletcher was buried here Lies the Stage Poet Philip Massinger Plays they did write together were great Friends And now one Grave includes them in their Ends. So whom on Earth nothing did part beneath Here in then Fame they lie in spight of Death Thomas MAY. This Gentleman was born in Sussex of an ancient but somewhat declining Family in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth He was for some Years bred a Scholar in the University of Cambridge being Fellow-Commoner of Sidney Colledge During his Abode there he was a very close Student and what Stock of Learning he then treasur'd up is apparent from his Works which are in print He remov'd afterwards to London following the Court where he contracted Friendship with several Eminent Courtiers amongst others with the accomplisht Endymion Porter Esq One of the Gentlemen of his Majesties Bedchamber a Gentleman so dear to Sir William D'Avenant that he stiled him Lord of his Muse and Heart Whilst he resided at Court he writ the five Plays which are extant and possibly his other Pieces Dr. Fuller says of him That some Disgust at Court was given to or taken by him as some would have it because his Bays were not guilded richly enough and his Verses rewarded by King Charles according to expectation Mr. Philips and Mr. Winstanley insinuate That being Candidate with Sir William D'Avenant for the Honourable Title of the Queen's Poet and being frustrate in his Expectations out of meer Spleen as it is thought for his Repulse he vented his Spite in his History of the late Civil Wars of England wherein Mr. Winstanley says he shew'd all the Spleen of a Male-contented Poet making thereby his Friends his Foes and rendring his Name odious to Posterity Whether this Accusation be true or no I know not but I am sure his Enemies must allow him to be a good Poet tho' possibly he fell short of Sir William D'Avenant and tho' I no ways abet his self Opinion yet I learn from Horace that even Ill Poets set a value on their Writings tho' they are despis'd by others Ridentur mala qui componunt Carmina verùm Gaudent Scribentes se venerantur ultrò Si taceas laudant quicquid scripsere beati And therefore I hope the moderate Critick will bear with the Frailty of our Author and I doubt not but if they will read his Works with Candor and especially his Plays they will find he had some Reason for his Opinion of what he writ I shall first give the Reader a succinct Account of his Plays as follows Agrippina Empress of Rome her Tragedy printed 120. Lond. 1639. Our Author has follow'd Xiphilinus Tacitus and Suetonius in the Designing his Tragedy and besides has translated and inserted above 30. Lines from Petronius Arbyters Satyricon being a Translation of those Verses recited by Eumolpus beginning Orbemjam totum victor Romanus habebat c. and concluding with Siculo scarus aequore mersus Ad mensam vivus perducitur Now altho' this is patly enough apply'd by our Author he having introduced Nero at a Banquet commanding Petronius to write a Satyr against those Pleasures he us'd to commend yet methinks Mr. May having such a particular Value for Lucan as to translate his Pharsalia he should not have inserted what was
he called Collasterion printed 4o. Lond. 1645. He writ besides a Piece called Tetrachordon or An Exposition on the Four Chief places of Scripture concerning Marriage and Divorce printed Lond. 1645. Sr. Robert Filmer if I mistake not writ against him in his Observations concerning the Original of Government printed 4o. Lond. 1652. Walter MOUNTAGUE Esq A Gentleman who liv'd at Court in the Reign of King Charles the First and during the times of Peace before the Muses were disturb'd by the Civil Wars writ a Play call'd Shepheard's Oracle a Pastoral privately acted before King Charles by the Queen's Majesty and Ladies of Honour printed octavo Lond. 1649. I shall not be so presumptuous to criticise on a Play which has been made Sacred by the Protection of Majesty it self besides I am deterr'd from Criticism by the Stationers Friend's Advice in his Verses in Commendation of the Play at least good Manners sayes They first should understand it e're dispraise William MOUNTFORT One who from an Actor sets up for an Author and has attempted both Tragedy and Comedy with what success I leave to those who have seen his Plays to determine Had I been of the number of his Friends I should have endeavour'd to have perswaded him still to act Sir Courtly Nice in bestowing only Garniture on a Play as he calls it as a Song or a Prologue and let alone sine Language as belonging only to Pedants and poor Fellows that live by their Wits He has publisht two Plays viz. Injur'd Lovers or The Ambitious Father a Tragedy acted by their Majesties Servants at the Theatre-Royal printed 4o. London 1688. and dedicated to the Right Honourable James Earl of Arran Son to his Grace the Duke of Hamilton There are some Surlyes who think that in this Play Sir Courtly writ for his Diversion but never regarded Wit Successful Strangers a Tragi-comedy acted by their Majesties servants at the Theatre-Royal printed 4o. Lond. 1690. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Thomas Wharton Comptroller of his Majesty's Houshold This Play far exceeds the Other tho' the Author as well as his predecessors is beholding to others for part of his Plot he having made use of Scarron's Novel call'd The Rival Brothers in working up the Catastrophe of his Comedy I have seen some Copies of Verses in Manuscript writ by our Author but not being in print that I know of I forbear to mention them N. Thomas NABBES A Writer in the Reign of Charles the First who we may reckon amongst Poets of the Third-rate and One who was pretty much respected by the Poets of those Times Mr. Richard Brome and Mr. Robert Chamberlain before mention'd having publickly profest themselves his Friends and Sir John Suckling being his Patron He has Seven Plays and Masques extant besides other Poems of which we may say That if they are not to be compar'd with some Dramatick Pieces of this Age at least wise what our Author has published is His own and not borrow'd from others and in that Respect deserves Pardon if not Applause from the Candid Reader This he averrs in his Prologue to Covent Garden and which I believe may be urged for the rest of his Labours viz. He justifies that 't is no borrow'd Strain From the Invention of another's Brain Nor did he steal the Fancy 'T is the same forth He first intended by the Proper Name 'T was not a Toyl of Years few Weeks brought This Rugged Issue might have been more worth If he had lick'd it more Nor doth he raise From th' Imitation of Authentick Plays Matter or Words to height nor bundle up Conceits at Taverns where the Wits do sup His Muse is solitary and alone Doth practice her low Speculation c. The Reader therefore is to expect little more from me than a bare Account of the Titles of his Works as followss Bride a Comedy acted in the Year 1638. at the Private-House in Drury-Lane by their Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the Generality of his Friends Gentlemen of the several Honourable Houses of the Inns of Court Covent Garden a pleasant Comedy acted in the Year 1632. by the Queen's Majesty's Servants and printed 4o. Lond. 1638. and dedicated to the Right Worthy of his Honour Sir John Suckling Hannibal and Scipio an Historical Tragedy acted in the Year 1635. by the Queen's Majesties Servants at their Private-House in Drury-Lane printed Lond. 1637. The Play is addrest in Verse by the Author to the Ghosts of Hannibal and Scipio with an Answer printed in their Names directed to our Author It was acted before Women came on the Stage the part of Sophonisba being play'd by one Ezekiel Fenne For the Plot the Title-page speaks the Foundation to be History see the Life of of Hannibal writ by Cornelius Nepos that of Scipio by Plutarch see besides Livy Florus and other Authors mention'd p. 326. Microcosmus a Moral Masque presented with general liking at the Private-House in Salisbury-Court and here set down according to the Intention of the Author printed 4o. Lond. 1637. and dedicated to the Service and Delight of all Truly Noble Generous and Honest Spirits This Masque is introduc'd by two Copies One of which was writ by Mr. Richard Brome Spring 's Glory vindicating Love by Temperance against the Tenet Sine Cerere Baccho friget Venus Moralized in a Masque with other Poems Epigrams Elegies and Epithalamiums of the Author's printed 4o. Lond. 1638. and dedicated to Peter Balle Esq At the end of these Poems is a piece call'd A Presentation intended for the Prince his Highness's Birth-day the 29. of May 1638. annually celebrated this in former Catalogues was stiled an Interlude These Masques and Poems are commended by two Copies one of which was penned by Mr. Robert Chamberlain Tottenham-Court a pleasant Comedy acted in the Year 1637. at the Private-House in Salisbury-Court printed 4o. Lond. 1638. and dedicated to the Worshipful William Mills Esq Unfortunate Lover a Tragedy never acted but set down according to the Intention of the Author printed 4o. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the Right Worshipful Richard Brathwaite Esq This Play is attended by three Copies written in its Commendation by several of our Author's Friends and a Proeme in Verse by the Author wherein he justifies it to be writ according to the Rules of Art A Constant Scene the buisiness it intends The two Hours of Time of Action comprehends Mr. Philips and Mr. Winstanley according to their old Custom have ascrib'd two other Anonymous Plays to our Author The Woman-Hater arraigned a Comedy and Charles the First a Tragedy the Reason of their Mistake has been already given p. 13. and more at large in the Preface to my former Catalogue Thomas NASH A Gentleman that liv'd about the time with the foremention'd Author and was sometime educated in the University of Cambridge His Genius was much addicted to Dramatick Poetry and Satyr and he writ some things in Prose all which gain'd
him the Reputation of a Sharp Wit In an Old Copy of Verses I find His Character thus drawn And surely Nash tho' be a Proser were A Branch of Laurel yet deserves to bear Sharply Satyrick was he and that way He went since that his being to this day Few have attempted and I surely think Those Words shall hardly be set down by Ink Shall scorch and blast so as his could when he Would inflict Vengeance As to his Plays he has publisht only two that I have heard of viz. Dido Queen of Carthage in which he joyn'd with Marloe and Summer's last Will and Testament a Comedy I could never procure a Sight of either of these but as to that Play call'd See me and see me not ascribed to him by Mr. Philips and Mr. Winstanley I have it by me and have plac'd it to the right Author Mr. Dawbridgecourt Belchier see page 24. He writ several other Pieces some Satyrical as Pierce Penniless his Supplication to the Devil Have with ye to Safron-Walden Four Letters Confuted A Poem called The White-Herring and the Red and another Piece in Prose which I take to be the same Thomas Nash called A Fourfold Way to a Happy Life in a Dialogue between a Countryman Citizen Divine and Lawyer printed 4o. Lond. 1633. Alexander NEVILE An Author in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth that early addicted himself to Poetry and was one of those that the Eminent Jasper Heywood made choice of to joyn with him and others in the Translation of Seneca Our Author undertook the Task and at sixteen Years of Age he translated Oedipus a Tragedy which he Englished in the Year 1560. and was printed with the rest 4o. Lond. 1581. and more immediately dedicated by the Author To the Right Honourable Mr. Dr. Wotton One of the Queens Majesties Privy Council Many were the Authors of Antiquity that writ on this Subject tho' but two Plays writ by Sophocles viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 have descended to our Times from the which Seneca is said to have borrow'd part of this Play Our Translator acknowledges in his Epistle to his Patron and God-Father That he has not been precise in following the Author word for word but sometimes by Addition sometimes by Substraction to use the aptest Phrases in giving the Sense that he could invent There are other Pieces which I suppose were writ by our Author published in Latin as Oratio in Obitium Sydnaei printed 4o. Lond. 1587. De Furoribus Norfolciensium Ketto Duce printed 4o. 1575. Norvicus ibid. all which being printed about the time that he lived make me imagine them to be his Robert NEVILE An Author that liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the First and in his younger Years was educated in the University of Cambridge where he became a fellow of King's Colledge I know nothing that he has publisht but a single Play call'd Poor Scholar a Comedy printed 4o. Lond. 1662. This Play was as I suppose writ some Years before it being printed for Mr. Kirkman I know not whether ever it was acted but I may presume to say 't is no contemptible Play for Plot and Language It is commended for an excellent one by three Copies of Verses prefix'd to it writ by his Friends One of which says thus in its praise Bees from a bruised Ox says Maro breed But thou drawest Honey from a tatter'd weed Seeing thy Wit 's so pure thy Phrase so clean Thy Sense so weighty that each Line 's a Scene We 'll change the Song and cry as truly too Whither may not This thy Poor Scholar go This fault the Best-nos'd Criticks only smell That thy Poor Scholar is attir'd too well Ben's Auditors were once in such a mood That he was forc'd to swear his Play was good Thy Play than his doth far more currant go For without Swearing we 'll believe thine so William Duke of NEWCASTLE I am now arriv'd at a Nobleman whose Heroick Actions are too Copious and Illustrious for me to attempt the Description of and are a fitter Subject for the Pen of a Modern Plutarch if any such were to be found than for mine I shall leave therefore the Character of this Valiant Heroe Careful Tutor Wise Statesman Exact Courtier and Loyal Subject to be describ'd by some Illustrious Historian or else refer my Reader to his Life already writ in Latin and English by the Hand of his Incomparable Dutchess who during his Life-time describ'd all his Glorious Actions in a Stile so Noble and Masculine that she seems to have even antedated his Apotheosis But tho' I dare not pretend to describe his Heroick Atchievements or view him in the Field as a General yet I shall presume to look upon him in his Retirements and consider him as a Poet and an Author it being my immediate Province To speak first of his Acquaintance with the Muses and his affable Deportment to all their Votaries No Person since the Time of Augustus better understood Dramatick Poetry nor more generously encourag'd Poets so that we may truly call him our English Mecaenas He had a more particular kindness for that Great Matter of Dramatick Poesy the Excellent Johnson and 't was from him that he attain'd to a perfect Knowledge of what was to be accounted True Humour in Comedy How well he has copy'd his Master I leave to the Criticks but I am sure our late as well as our present Laureat have powerful Reasons to defend his Memory He has writ four Comedies which have always been acted with applause viz. Country Captain a Comedy lately presented by his Majesties Servants at the Black-fryars 8o. In 's Grave van Hag. Ant. 1649. I believe this Play was writ during his Exile Humorous Lovers a Comedy acted by his Royal Highness's Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1677. This Play equals most Comedies of this Age. Triumphant Widow or The Medley of Humours a Comedy acted by his Royal Highness's Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1677. This was thought so excellent a Play by our present Laureat that he has transcrib'd a great part of it in his Bury-Fair Variety a Comedy presented by his Majesties Servants at the Black-fryars printed 8o. Lond. 1649. This Play and Country Captain are always bound together the Duke's Name is not prefix'd to them but I am confident they are his from several Testimonies since Mr. Alexander Brome writ a Copy in praise of this Play directed to his Grace and printed before the Comedy call'd Covent Garden weeded and Mr. Leigh in a Copy directed to Mr. Mosely the publisher of Mr. Carthwright's Works in reckoning what Poetical Treatises he has presented the Publick with names these two Plays in the following Couplet Then fam'd Newcastle's choice Variety With his Brave Captain held up Poetry We have many other Pieces writ by this Ingenious Nobleman scattered up and down in the Poems of his Dutchess all which seem to confirm the Character given by Mr. Shadwell That he was
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
for leaving his own Province of Comedy to invade their Dominion of Rhime But as our Author never valu'd himself upon this Play so his Design at that time was to entertain the Town with variety of Musick curious Dancing splendid Scenes and Machines and not with fine Poetry the Audience being not at leisure to mind the Writing The foundation of this Play is Apuleius his Aureus Asinus which the Reader may read in English under the Title of The Golden Ass translated by W. Adlington printed 4o. Lond. 1639. How far he has borrow'd from the French Psyche he tells you in the Preface and I leave it to those which have seen it which I have not to give Judgment to whom the preference belongs How much this Opera takes every Body that is acquainted with the Theatre knows and with reason since the greatest Masters in Vocal Musick Dancing and Painting were concern'd in it Royal Shepherdess a Tragi-comedy acted by his Highness the Duke of York's Servants and printed 4o. Lond. 1669. This Play as our Poet owns was originally Mr. Fountain's of Devonshire and without descanting on the Play I shall refer the Reader to the view of Mr. Shadwell's Epistle to the Reader and the Comparison of both Plays which are in print for his satisfaction Squire of Alsatia a Comedy acted by their Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1688. and dedicated to the Earl of Dorset and Middlesex The Ground of this Play is from Terence his Adelphi especially the two Characters of Mitio and Demea which I think are improv'd If he has not taken notice of having borrowed these Characters 't is because he is not beholding to the French or English for his Model and that those for whom he chiefly writes are Persons that are well acquainted with Poets of Antiquity and need not be informed 'T is sufficient for the vulgar Audience that the Play is taking and divertive without troubling their Heads whence 't is borrowed and all People must allow that no Comedy has found better success than this since the Restauration of the Theatre Sullen Lovers or The Impertinents a Comedy acted by his Highness the Duke of York's Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1670. and dedicated to the late Duke of Newcastle The Author owns that he receiv'd a hint from the Report of Molliere's Les Fâcheux upon which he wrote a great part of his Play before he saw it The Play is regular and diverting and the Author himself has better defended it than I am able to do nor doth he at any time need a Second and therefore I refer you to his Preface for Satisfaction Timon of Athens the Man-hater his History acted at the Duke's Theatre made into a Play printed 4o. Lond. 1678. and dedicated to the late Duke of Buckingham The Play is originally Shakespear's but so imperfectly printed that 't is not divided into Acts. How much our Author has added or expung'd I must leave to the Examination of the less busie Reader I not having time at present to enquire into particulars True Widow a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1679. and dedicated to Sir Charles Sidley This Play I take to be as true Comedy and the Characters and Humours to be as well drawn as any of this Age. Virtuoso a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1676. and dedicated to his Grace the late Duke of Newcastle I think there is no Body will deny this Play its due Applause at least I know that the University of Oxford who may be allowed Competent Judges of Comedy especially of such Characters as Sir Nicholas Gimcrack and Sir Formal Trisle applauded it and as no Man ever undertook to discover the Frailties of such Pretenders tenders to this kind of Knowledge before Mr. Shadwell so none since Mr. Johnson's Time ever drew so many different Characters of Humours and with such Success Woman-Captain a Comedy acted at his Royal Highnesses Servants printed 4o. Lond. 167 and dedicated to Henry Lord Ogle Son to his Grace Henry Duke of Newcastle If this Play falls short of the former at least it wants not variety of Characters which have gained it a Reputation above what is written by pitiful Poets of the Fourth-Rate our Author 's perpetual Enemies who are no more to be regarded than the buzzing of Flies and Insects in hot Weather which tho' troublesome are inoffensive and without Stings and for his greatest Enemy he has imitated the Bee that with his Malice has left his Sting behind him I hope now our Author is advanced to a Station wherein he will endeavour to exert his Muse and having found Encouragement from Majesty it self aim at writing Dramatick Pieces equal to those of Antiquity which however applauded have been paralelled I was about to say excelled by the Comedies of the Admirable Johnson I must do Mr. Dryden so much Justice as to acknowledge that in Epick Poetry he far exceeds not only Mr. Shadwell but most if not all the Poets of our Age and I could wish our present Laureat would not give his predecessor such frequent Advantages over him but rather confine himself within his own Sphere of Comedy He has several Poems extant but because his Name is not affix'd to them I shall mention but Three viz. The tenth Satyr of Juvenal translated with Notes printed 4o. Lond. 1687. A Congratulatory Poem on his Highness the Prince of Orange coming into England and another to the most Illustrious Q. Mary upon her Arrival both printed 4o. Lond. 1689. William SHAKESPEAR One of the most Eminent Poets of his Time he was born at Stratford upon Avon in Warwickshire and flourished in the Reigns of Queen Elizabeth and King James the First His Natural Genius to Poetry was so excellent that like those Diamonds which are found in Cornwall Nature had little or no occasion for the Assistance of Art to polish it The Truth is 't is agreed on by most that his Learning was not extraordinary and I am apt to believe that his Skill in the French and Italian Tongues exceeded his Knowledge in the Roman Language for we find him not only beholding to Cynthio Giraldi and Bandello for his Plots but likewise a Scene in Henry the Fifth written in French between the Princess Catherine and her Governante Besides Italian Proverbs scatter'd up and down in his Writings Few Persons that are acquainted with Dramatick Poetry but are convinced of the Excellency of his Compositions in all Kinds of it and as it would be superfluous in me to endeavour to particularise what most deserves praise in him after so many Great Men that have given him their several Testimonials of his Merit so I should think I were guilty of an Injury beyond pardon to his Memory should I so far disparage it as to bring his Wit in competition with any of our Age. 'T is true Mr. Dryden has censured him very severely in his Postscript to Granada but in cool Blood
Epistle to the Reader speaks thus of both For the Man his Muse was much courted but no common Mistress and tho' but seldom abroad yet ever much admired at This Work not the meanest of his Labours has much adorned not only One but many Stages with such general Applause as it has drawn even the Rigid Stoicks of the Time who tho' not for pleasure yet for profit have gathered something out of his plentiful Vineyard This Play is founded on History during the time of the Eighth Persecution see Victor Episc. Uticensis de Vandalica Persecutione Isodorus Hispalensis Baronius c. James SHIRLEY A Gentleman of the same Name and Age with the former and was if not Poet Laureat yet Servant to her Majesty One of such Incomparable parts that he was the Chief of the Second-rate Poets and by some has been thought even equal to Fletcher himself He had a great Veneration for his Predecessors as may be seen by his Prologue to the Sisters and particularly for Mr. Johnson whom in an Epistle to the Earl of Rutland he stiles Our acknowledg'd Master the Learned Johnson and in all his Writings shews a Modesty unusual seldom found in our Age and in this I cannot refrain from comparing his Carriage to the Civil and Obliging Gentleman of Rome I mean Ovid who speaking of Virgil in the first of his two Epigrams if at least they are his which Heinsius questions says thus Quantum Virgilius magno concessit Homero Tantum ego Virgilio Naso Poëta meo Nec me praelatum cupio tibi ferre poëtäm Ingenio si te subsequor hoc satis est I need not take pains to shew his Intimacy not only with the Poets of his Time but even the Value and Admiration that Persons of the first Rank had for him since the Verses before several of his Works and his Epistles Dedicatory sufficiently shew it He has writ several Dramatick Pieces to the Number of 37. which are in print besides others which are in Manuscript Of these I have seen four since my Remembrance two of which were acted at the King's House and the other two presented at the Duke's Theatre in Little Lincolns-Inn Fields viz. Court Secret Chances Grateful Servant School of Compliments with what success I leave it to the Players now in being Permit me to bring you the Testimonium of an Old Writer on the Time-Poets in behalf of our Author who delivers this Distich in his praise Shirley the Morning Child the Muses bred And sent him born with Bays upon his Head But I shall cease any further Enlargement on his Commendation and leave you to the perusal of his Works which will shew him in his Native Excellence far better than I am able to describe him or them however take the following Account for want of a better and first of those in Quarto which are Twenty Nine Arcadia a Pastoral acted by Her Majesties Servants at the Phoenix in Drury-lane printed 4o. Lond. 1640. This Play is founded on the incomparable Romance written by Sir Philip Sidney and call'd The Arcadia Ball a Comedy presented by Her Majesties Servants in the private House in Drury-lane printed 4o. Lond. 1539. In this Play our Author was assisted by Geo. Chapman as likewise another which in its Order I forgot in his Account to take notice of Bird in a Cage a Comedy presented at the Phoenix in Drury-lane and printed 4o. Lond. 16 This Play is an Excellent Old Comedy and is dedicated by an Ironical Epistle to the Famous Mr. William Prinne that Great Antagonist to Plays Amongst other Sentences give me leave to transcribe One which may give the Reader a taste of the whole Proceed Inimitable Mecaenas and having such convenient Leisure and an indefatigable Pegasus I mean your Prose which scorneth the Road of Common Sence and despiseth any Stile in his Way travel still in the pursuit of New Discoveries which you may publish if you please in your next Book of Digressions If you do not happen presently to convert the Organs you may in time confute the Steeple and bring every Parish to one Bell. Changes or Love in a Maze a Comedy presented at the private House in Salisbury Court by the Company of His Majesty's Revels printed 4o. Lond. 1632. This Play is dedicated to the Honourable the Lady Dorothy Shirley by a Copy of Verses The passage in the first Act where Goldsworth examining his Daughters Chrysolina and Aurelia find them both in Love with Gerard is better manag'd in the Maiden-Queen tho' this Play has been received with Success as I said in our Time and as I remember the deceas'd Mr. Lacy acted Jonny Thump Sir Gervase Simple's Man with general Applause Chabot Philip Admiral of France his Tragedy presented by Her Majesties Servants at the private House in Drury-lane printed 4o. Lond. 1639. This is the Second Play in which Mr. Chapman joyn'd with our Author For the Plot see the French Chronologers and Historians in the Reign of Francis the First such as Paulus Jovius Arnoldus his Continuation of Paulus AEmilius Mart. Longeus De serres Mezeray c. Constant Maid or Love will find out the way a Comedy acted at the New Play-house called The Nursery in Hatton-Garden printed 4o. Lond. 1667. Hardwell Courting Mrs. Bellamy the Widow by the Advice of his Friend Play-fair is the Subject of several Plays Old and New as I might instance were it material tho' I mention it here because it occasions most of the business in the Play Contention for Honour and Riches printed 4o. Lond. 1633. I know not what to call this whether Interlude or Entertainment but I think I may call it A Useful Moral and which being enlarged under the Title of Honoria and Mammon I shall speak more of anon 'T is dedicated to Edward Golding of Colston in Nottinghamshire Esq Coronation a Comedy which tho' printed in the Folio Edition of Fletcher's Works was writ by Shirley as the Reader may see by the Catalogue of his Six Plays octavo Lond. 1653. Cupid and Death a private Entertainment represented with Scenes and Musick Vocal and Instrumental printed 4o. Lond. 1659. I cannot call to Mind at present whence the Poet took originally his History which is the Changing of Arrows between them which produce dismal Effects but the English Reader may read the same Story in Ogilby's AEsop's Fables Vol. 1. Fab. 39. Dukes Mistress a Tragi-comedy presented by Her Majesty's Servants at the Private-house in Drury-lane and printed 4o. Lond. 1638. Example a Tragi-comedy presented by Her Majesty's Servants at the Private-house in Drury-lane and printed 4o. Lond. 1637. Gamester a Comedy presented by Her Majesty's Servants at the Private-house in Drury-lane and printed 4o. Lond. 1637. The Intrigue between Wilding and his Kinswoman his Wife and Hazard is borrow'd from Ducento Novelle del Signor Celio Malespini secunda parte Nov. 96. The same Story in Q. Margaret's Novels Day first Nov. 8. tho' manag'd to greater Advantage by our
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
The Mother in Fashion acted at the Theatre-Royal printed 4o. Lond. 1684. and dedicated to the Right Honourable James Earl of Ossory the present Duke of Ormond This has somewhat of the Story of The Curious Impertinent in Don Quixot Loyal Brother or The Persian Prince a Tragedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by their Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1682. and dedicated to his Grace the Duke of Richmond The Play is founded on a Novel called Tachmas Prince of Persia octavo Thomas STANLEY Esq A Gentleman who flourish'd in the Reign of King Charles the First at Camberloe-Green in Hertfordshire One who is sufficiently known to all Learned Men not only for his Skill in Languages as appears by his several Versions but by his Great Learning Exquisite Fancy and Admirable Judgment For the One to wit his Fancy he is here mention'd in Quality of a Poet and the rather because we owe to him the Version of an Excellent Piece of Antiquity which he calls Clouds a Comedy which he translated from Aristophanes his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This Play as AElian observes in his Various History was writ at the Instigation of Anytas purposely to abuse Socrates and is subjoyn'd by our Author to the Life of that Excellent Philosopher not as a Comical Divertisement for the Reader who can expect little in that Kind from a Subject so ancient and particular but as a Necessary Supplement to the Life of Socrates This Play is printed with Mr. Stanley's History of Philosophy printed Fol. Lond. 1687. Second Edit a Work which will always be valued by all Learned Men In which the Reader will find also translated a Dramma of Ausonins inscribed Ludus Septem Sapientum His Translation of AEschylus his Tragedies into Latin with his Excellent Comment printed Fol. Lond. 1664. deserves the highest Commendation and for his Poems in English not only those which are properly his own sufficiently shew his Genius for Poetry But even his various Translations from the Greek of Anacreon Moschus from the Latin of Ausonius Catullus Bion Secundus Barclaius to which I may add Picus Mirandula his Discourse of Platonick Love from the Spanish of Lope de Vega Gongora and Montalvan the Italian of Guarini Marino Tasso Petrarch Cassone Preti Boscan c. the French of St. Amant Tristan Ronsard Theophile and De Voiture shew how much he was vers'd in those Languages His Poems receiv'd several Editions that which I take to be the best was printed 8o. Lond. 1651. Besides these Poems he has in print two little Romances or Novels translated from the Spanish of Don Juan Perez de Montalvan call'd Aurora Ismenia and The Prince which with the Poem of Oronta translated from the Italian of Signor Girolamo Preti are printed octavo Lond. 1655. Sir Robert STAPLETON A Gentleman who I presume is still living He was well known at Court by the Honourable Station he was in being One of the Gentlemen-Ushers of his Majesty King Charles the Second's most Honourable Privy-Chamber But his Writings have made him not only Known but Admired throughout all England and whilst Musaeus and Juvenal are in Esteem with the Learned Sir Robert's Fame will still survive the Translation of those two Famous Authors having plac'd his Name in the Temple of Immortality As to Musaeus he had so great a Value for him that after he had translated him he built the Story into a Dramatick Poem call'd Hero and Leander their Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1669. and dedicated to the Dutchess of Monmouth Whether this Play were ever acted or no I know not or where tho' the Prologue and Epilogue seem to imply that it had appeared on the Stage Slighted Maid a Comedy written likewise by our Author and acted with great Applause at the Theatre in Little Lincolns-Inn Fields by his Highness the Duke of York's Servants printed 8o. Lond. 1663. and dedicated to the late Duke of Monmouth The Epitaph made by Decio upon Iberio and Pyramena is borrowde from Arria and Petus see Martial Epigr. L. 1. Ep. L. 4. Stapleton's Juvenal the best Edition with Cuts is printed Fol. Lond. 1663. and his Musaeus or Hero and Leander in Verse is printed 8o. Lond. 1647. to which is added Leander's Letter to Hero and her Answer translated from Ovid's Epistles Besides these he Englished Strada de Bello Belgich printed Lond. 1650. Of these Pieces Jo. Leigh Esq in his Verses on Carthwright says thus Brave Stapleton translates Old Wit and New Musaeus Juvenal and Strada too I know nothing else that our Author has extant but a Translation from the French of Mr. De Marmet L d of Valcroisant call'd Entertainments of the Course or Academical Conversations printed 8o. Lond. 1658. and Mr. De Bergerac's History of the World in the Moon in twelves Lond. John STEPHENS An Author that liv'd in the Reign of King James the First who has published a Play called Cynthia's Revenge a Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1613. This is One of the longest Plays that I ever read and withall the most tedious The Author seems to have a great Value for Lucan for he not only makes King Menander repeat part in the Original but in the Fourth Act he makes him speak a Speech containing the beginning of the First Book of Lucan to the 24 th Verse but how far short he falls of Mr. May I leave to the Readers Judgment In the Fifth Act the Poet introduces an Interlude of the Contention of Ajax and Ulysses for the Armour of Achilles which I take to be but Indifferent He has writ besides a Piece called Satyrical Essays in octavo Lond. 1615. This Play was in former Catalogues ascrib'd to John Swallow but I believe this to be the Genuine Author William STRODE A Gentleman that flourish'd in the Reign of King Charles the Martyr of a Good Family in Devonshire being Countryman and Collegiate with the Witty Dr. Main He was enter'd in Christ-Church Colledge in Oxford at Nineteen Years of Age and soon after was elected Student He took his several Degrees and was chosen for his Excellent Parts Oratour of the University Tho' he was in Orders he was sent for by the Dean and Chapter to write a Play for the Diversion and Entertainment of their Majesties which was call'd Floating Island a Tragi-comedy acted before his Majesty at Oxf. Aug. 1639. by the Students of Christ-Church The Airs and Songs were set by Mr. Henry Laws Servant to his Majesty in publick and private Musick This Play was not printed till Eleven Years after the Author's Death and above Eighteen Years after 't was acted being printed Lond. 1655. and dedicated even in Manuscript and in the Author's Life-time to his most Honoured Patron Sir John Helle by a Copy of Verses This Play was too full of Morality to please the Court tho' at the same time 't was commended by the King as was apparent by his bestowing a Cannon's Dignity upon him not long after at which time he took the Degree of Doctor
Servants and printed quarto Lond. For the Historical part of this Play consult Grafton Hollingshead Pol. Virgil Lloyd c. 'T is not devided into Acts. O. Old Wives Tale a Play of which I can say nothing having never seen it Orlando Furioso One of the Twelve Peers of France his History acted before the Queen's Majesty and printed quarto Lond. 1594. This Play is not divided into Acts but is founded upon the Epick Poem of Ariosto so called and translated into English by Sir John Harrington P. Pastor Fido or The Faithful Shepheard a Pastoral translated out of Italian into English printed quarto Lond. 1602. This was the first Version of the Famous Guarini into English and was Excellent for those Times The Author tho' his Name be unknown was nearly related to Sir Edward Demock Queen Elizabeth's Champion to whom after the Author's Decease the Bookseller dedicated it Pathomachia or The Battle of Affections shadowed by a Feigned Siege of the City Pathopolis printed quarto Lond. 1630. This Play was written some Years before and published by Fr. Constable a Friend of the Deceas'd Author's and by him dedicated to the Lord Hundsdon This is the same Play with that called Love's Loadstone Patient Grissel a Comedy say ancient Authors which tho' I never saw I presume is founded on that Famous Story in Boccacio I mean the last Novel in his Book Pedlers Prophecy a Comedy mentioned in former Catalogues of which I can give no Account Philotus a very Excellent and Delectable Comedy as we are told in the Preface wherein we may perceive the great Inconveniencies that fall out in the Marriage between Old Age and Youth This Play is printed at Edinburgh in an Old Black Letter An. Dom. 1612. Some People have mistaken this Play for Daniel's Philotas but this is of a different Subject and kind of Verse and is printed in Stanzas Pinder of Wakefield a Comedy which I have once seen printed in 4o. as I remember Lond. 1632. or thereabouts Piso's Conspiracy a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1676. This Play is only the Tragedy of Nero before mention'd Reviv'd and printed verbatim For the Plot see Suetonius Tacitus c. Presbyterian Lash or Noctroffe's Maid whipt a Tragi-comedy acted in the Great Room at the Pye Tavern at Algate by Noctroff the Priest and several of his Parishioners at the Eating of a Chine of Beef The First part printed for the use of Mr. Noctroffe's Friends This Play is dedicated to Mr. Zach. Noctroffe by F.K. which I take to be Fr. Kirkman I know not whether ever there were a Second part extant or no. Promises of God manifested this I never saw Promus and Cassandra in Two parts These are mention'd in other Catalogues though I can give no Account of either Q. Queen or The Excellency of her sex an Excellent Old Play found out by a Person of Honour and given to the Publisher Alexander Goughe printed 4o. Lond. 1653. This Play is dedicated by him to the Lady Katherine Mohun Wife to Lord Warwick Mohun Baron of Oakehamton This Publisher is applauded by two Copies of Verses before the Play The Plot of Salassa's Swearing Velasco not to fight is founded on a Novel said to be Bandello's which the Reader may peruse in Les Dixhuit Histoires Tragicques par Fr. De Belleforest 8o. Nov. 13 p. 285. R. Rampant Alderman or News from the Exchange a Farce printed quarto Lond. 1685. This Farce is patcht up out of several Plays as Fine Companion c. Reformation a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre and printed 4o. Lond. 1673. This Play is ascribed to Mr. Arrowsmith and is a very good Comedy Rehearsal a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal printed 4 th Edit quarto Lond. 1683. This Play is ascribed to the Late Duke of Buckingham and will ever be valued by Ingenious Men. There are some who pretend to furnish a Clavis to it my Talent not lying to Politicks I know no more of it than that the Author lashes several Plays of Mr. Dryden as Conquest of Granada Tyranick Love Love in a Nunnery and some passages of other Plays as The Siege of Rhodes Virgin Widow Slighted Maid Villain English Monsieur c. Religious Rebel a Tragi-comedy in quarto which I have only once seen but can give no Account of Return from Parnassus or The Scourge of Simony a Comedy publickly acted by the Students of St. John's Colledge in Cambridge printed quarto Lond In this Play the Poets of those times are censured and this is the Original of Dr. Wild's Benefice which is now in print Revenge or A Match in New-gate a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre and printed quarto Lond. 1680. This Play is ascribed to Mrs. Behn but is indeed a Play of Marston's revived and called The Dutch Curtezan Rivals a Tragi-comedy in quarto which at present I have not but have heard Mr. Cademan for whom as I think it was printed say it was writ by Sir Will. D' Avenant Robin Hood's Pastoral May Games which I know not Robin Hood and his Crew of Souldiers of the same Stamp and which I never saw Romulus and Hersilia or The Sabine War a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre and printed quarto Lond. 1683. For the Plot see Livy lib. 1. Ovidii Met. lib. 14. Plut. in Vit. Romuli Florus Dionysius Hallicarnassaeus Velleius Paterculus Eutrop. c. Royal Masque at Hampton-Court presented on Sunday Night being the Eighth of January 1604. and personated by the Queen 's Most Excellent Majesty attended by Eleven Ladies of Honour printed quarto Lond. 1604. Royal Voyage or The Irish Expedition a Tragi-comedy printed quarto Lond. 1690. The Subject of this Play is known by the Title S. Salmacida Spolia a Masque presented by the King and Queen's Majesties at Whitehall on Tuesday the 21st of January 1639. and printed quarto Lond. 1639. The Invention Ornament Scenes and Machines with their Descriptions were made by Mr. Inigo Jones Surveyor General of His Majesty's Works What was spoken or sung by Sir Will. D'Avenant and the Musick was compos'd by Mr. Lewis Richard Master of Her Majesties Musick Sicelides a Piscatory acted in Kings Colledge in Cambridge and printed quarto Lond. 1631. The Serious parts of this Play are most writ in Verse with Chorus's between the Acts. Perindus telling to Armillus the Story of Glaucus Scylla and Circe Act 1. Sc. 4. is taken from Ovid's Met. lib. 13. Atychus fighting with and killing the Ork that was to have devoured Olynda is an Imitation of Perseus Andromeda Ovid Met. lib. 4. or else Orlando Furioso Book eleventh Shoomaker 's Holyday or The Gentle-Craft with the Humorous Life of Simon Eyre Shoomaker and Lord Mayor of London a Comedy acted before the Queen's most Excellent Majesty on New-Year's Day at Night by the Right Honourable the Earl of Nottingham Lord High Admiral his Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1657. This Play is dedicated To all Good Fellows Professors of the Gentle-Craft
of what Degree soever For the Plot I can direct you to no other but the Book of the Gentle-Craft in Quarto Siege of Constantinople a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre and printed quarto Lond. 1675. For the Plot see Chalcocondylas Constantinopolis a Mahammada Secund. Expugnata Paulus Jovius Hen. Pantaleon Knolles c. Sir Clyomon Knight of the Goledn-shield Son to the King of Denmark and Clamydes the White Knight Son to the King of Swavia both Valiant Knights their History printed quarto Lond. 1599. This Play is written in Old Fashion'd Verse and is very heavy in Reading Sir Gyles Goose-cappe Knight a Comedy acted with great applause at the Private-house in Salisbury Court printed quarto Lond. 636. and dedicated by the Publisher Hugh Perry to Rich. Young Esq of Wooley-Farm in the County of Berks. Sir Salomon or The Cautious Coxcomb a Comedy acted at his Royal Highness the Duke of York's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1671. This Play is Originally French being a Translation from Moliere's L'Ecole des Femmes It was translated as I have heard by John Carell and own'd in the Epilogue as a Translation What we have brought before you was not meant For a New Play but a new Precedent For we with modesty our Theft avow There is some Conscience shewn in stealing too And openly declare that if our Cheere Doth hit your Palates you must thank Molliere This Play was frown'd and pelted at to use the Author 's own Expression by many Persons who thought themselves Criticks but notwithstanding it met with Success in the Action And the Author has sufficiently justified his Play in his La Critique de L'Ecole des Femmes to whom I refer the Reader Solyman and Perseda their Tragedy wherein is laid open Love's Constancy Fortune's Inconstancy and Death's Triumphs printed quarto Lond. 1599. This Play I presume was never acted neither is it divided into Acts. Sophister a Comedy printed 4o. 1638. I know not where this was acted or printed the Title-page of my Play being lost Spanish Bawd represented in Celestina or Calisto and Melibea a Tragi-comedy wherein is contained besides the Pleasantness and Sweetness of the Stile many Philosophical Sentences and profitable Instructions fit for the Younger Sort Shewing the Deceits and Subtilties housed in the Bosom of false Servants and Cunny-catching Bawds printed Fol. Lond. 1631. This Play is originally Spanish and translated into English by a Spaniard One Don Diego Puede-ser and by him dedicated to Sir Thomas Richardson the same Author translated Miguel de Cervantes his Exemplary Novels Fol. Lond. 1664. Step-mother a Tragi-comedy acted with great applause at the Theatre in Little Lincolns-Inn-Fields by his Highness the Duke of York's Servants printed quarto Lond. 1664. Strange Discovery a Tragi-comedy printed in quarto I know not when this Play was acted or where printed mine having not the Title-page but I know very well that both the Plot and the Language is borrowed from Heliodorus his AEthiopick History which I take to be One of the most Ancient if not the first Romances extant Susanna's Tears a Play which I never saw Swetnam the Woman-hater arraign'd by Women a Comedy acted at the Red-Bull by the Queen's Servants and printed quarto Lond. 1620. Tho' this Play seems designed chiefly as a Scourge for Joseph Swetnam's Scandalous Pamphlet against the Female Sex called The Arraignment of lew'd idle froward and unconstant Woman printed quarto Lond. 1617. Yet the Play is founded on Story much elder which I have read in Spanish in Twelves and is Intitled Historia de Aurelia y Isabella Hija del Rey de Escotia donde se disputa quien da mas occasion de peccar el Hombe a la muger o la muger al Homber T. Tempe restored a Masque presented by the Queen and Fourteen Ladies to the King's Majesty at Whitehall on Shrove-Tuesday 1631. and printed quarto Lond. 1631. This Masque is founded on the Story of â—irce see Ovid's Metamorphosis Book 14. The Verses were writ by Mr. Aurelian To â—nsend The Subject and Allegory of the Masque with the Descriptions and Apparatus of the Scenes were invented by Mr. Inigo Jones Surveyor of His Majesties Works Thersites an Interlude which I never saw Tom Essence or The Modish Wife a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 16 This Play is founded on two French Plays viz. Molliere's Sganarelle ou Le Cocu Imaginaire and Tho. Corneille's D. Caesar D'Avalos in the part of Love-all's Intrigue with Luce without the Reader will suppose that he follow'd a Spanish Novel call'd The Trapanner trapann'd and for the Business of Tom Essence and his Wife copyed Sir William D'Avenant's Play-House to be Let Act fifth which is a Translation from the former This Play is said to be writ by One Mr. Rawlins Tiberius Claudius Nero his Tragical Life and Death a Tragedy in quarto This Play used to be placed under the Title of Nero's Life and Death which made People mistake it for the Life of Nero Caesar who was the Sixth Emperour of Rome this being the Third I know not when this Play was printed or where acted mine wanting the Title-page but for the Plot read Suetonius Tacitus Dion Victor Eutropius c. Tom Tyler and his Wife an Excellent Old Play acted about a Hundred and thirty Years ago and printed quarto Lond. 1661. This Play is printed in an Old English Letter and is writ in a kind of Burlesk Verse where the Author affects an odd sort of Chiming in the middle of each Line The Design of the Play is to represent a Shrew and teach the way to humble her The Plot of this Play has some Resemblance with Mr. Poisson's Le Sot vengé Traytor to himself or Man's Heart his greatest Enemy a Moral Interlude in Heroick Verse Representing the Careless Hardned Returning Despairing and Renewed Heart with Intermasques at the Close of each several Act. Acted by the Boys of a Publick School at a Breaking-up and published so as it may be useful on the like Occasion printed Oxon. 1678. I find nothing Remarkable in this Play but that 't is writ without Womens parts which the Author says he never thought fit to put on Boys I remember not any Play but Plautus his Captivei that is thus writ and yet notwithstanding it is generally accounted an Admirable Play True Trojans or Fuimus Troes being a Story of the Britains Valour at the Romans first Invasion publickly presented by the Gentlemen Students of Magdalen Colledge in Oxford and printed quarto Lond. 1633. For the Plot or Story the Author has follow'd Livy lib. 3. Caesar's Commentaries lib. 4. 5 and Galfridus Monumetensis lib. 4. as you may see by the perusal of the Drammatis Personae Tryal of Chivalry a Play of which I can give no Account having never seen it Tryal of Treasure a Play to which I am as much a stranger Tunbridge Wells or A Days Courtship a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre and printed
the Latin Poet but however it must with Justice be allowed that what he has borrowed he has improv'd throughout and Molliere is as much exceeded by Mr. Dryden as Rotrou is outdone by Molliere The truth is our Author so polishes and improves other Mens Thoughts that tho' they are mean in themselves yet by a New Turn which he gives them they appear Beautiful and Sparkling Herein resembling Skillful Lapidaries that by their Art make a Bristol Stone appear with almost the same Lustre as a Natural Diamond Joseph HARRIS A New Author who being infected with the Contagion of Poetry spread amongst his Fellow Actors is setting up for an Author but with what Success I leave to those who frequent the Theatre to decide He has lately publisht a Play call'd Mistakes or The False Report a Tragi-comedy acted by their Majesties Servants printed quarto Lond. 1690. and dedicated to Godfrey Kneller Esq This Young Author is beholding to the Poets to rig him out Mr. Dryden having bestowed a Prologue on his Play and Mr. Tate an Epilogue and the ever Obliging and Compassionate Mr. Montford as the Author with Gratitude acknowledges Not only corrected the Tediousness of the Fifth Act by cutting out a whole Scene but to make the Plot more clear has put in one of his own which heightens his own Character and was very pleasing to the Audience This Play seems to me to be of the same Stamp with several others lately written by his Fellow-Comedians tho' in my Opinion they had better confine themselves within their own Sphere of Action Thomas MIDDLETON An Author of several Plays already mentioned p. 370. but particularly One which by chance was omitted viz. Mad World my Masters a Comedy often acted at the Private-House in Salisbury Court by her Majesty's Servants and printed quarto Lond. 1640. This Play was writ twenty Years before 't was publish'd as the Printer and Stationer inform the Reader and appeared with Applause on the Stage The Language and Plot of this Comedy are very diverting and the former is so little obsolete that Mrs. Behn has transplanted part of it into her City Heiress George POWELL An Author and Poet already mention'd p. 107. who has publisht a new Play call'd Alphonso King of Naples a Tragedy acted at the Theatre-Royal printed quarto Lond. 1690. and dedicated to Her Grace the Dutchess of Ormond The Prologue was written by Mr. John Haynes and the Epilogue by Mr. Durfey William ROWLEY An Author of whom I have already given an Account p. 428. but forgot to speak of a Play in which he was chiefly concern'd viz. Witch of Edmonton a Known True Story compos'd into a Tragi-comedy by divers well esteem'd Poets William Rowley Thomas Decker and John Ford acted by the Prince's Servants often at the Cock-pit in Drury-lane and once at Court with singular Applause printed quarto Lond. 1658. Tho. SACKVILE Tho. NORTON Two Authors that liv'd in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth the former of which was L d Buckhurst and in the first Year of K. James the First viz. March 13. 1603. created Earl of Dorset He was L d Treasurer and Chancellor of the University of Oxford He joyn'd with Mr. Norton in writing a Tragedy which in those Days was in much repute It was thrice printed the first Edition was published under the Title of Ferrex and Porrex printed 8 o Lond. 1565. by W. G. This Edition was printed from a surreptitious Copy when the L d Buckhurst was beyond Sea and Mr. Norton far distant from London The second Edition was printed with Consent of the Authors the Title-page being as follows The Tragedy of Ferrex and Porrex set forth without Addition or Alteration but altogether as the same was shewed on the Stage before the Queen's Majesty about nine Years past viz. the Eighteenth Day of January 1565. by the Gentlemen of the Inner-Temple printed 8 o Lond. 15 The last Edition is stil'd The Tragedy of Gorboduc whereof three Acts were written by Thomas Norton and the two last by Thomas Sackvile set forth as the same was shewed before the Queen's most Excellent Majesty in Her Highness's Court of the Inner-Temple printed 4 o Lond. 1590. I have already given some Account of this Play in Mr. Dryden's Character p. 168. I shall here add the Opinion of that Great Judge of Wit Sir Philip Sidney in his Excellent Defence of Poesie Page 561. Our Tragedies and Comedies are not without cause cry'd out against observing Rules neither of Honest Civility nor Skilful Poetry excepting Gorboduc again I say of those I have seen which notwithstanding as it is full of slately Speeches and well-sounding Phrases climbing to the height of Seneca's Stile and as full of notable Morality which it does most delightfully teach and so obtain the very End of Poesie Yet in truth it is detectuous in the Circumstances which grieves me because it might not remain an exact Model of all Tragedies For the Plot consult Nenius Leland R. of Gloucester H. of Huntingdon Jeo of Monmouth Du Chesne c. I know not whether My Lord Buckhurst writ any thing besides or no but I have seen two little Pieces writ by Mr. Norton in octavo One intituled To the Queen's Majesties poor deceived Subjects in the North Conntry drawn into Rebellion by the Earls of Northumberland and Westmorland printed octavo Lond. 1569. A Second stiled A Warning against the dangerous Practices of Papists and especially the Partners of the late Rebellion printed 8 o Lond. 15 Elkanah SETTLE An Author who has forsaken the Banners of Mars and Pallas to return to the Theatre the Seat of the Muses One to use his own Expression Who after all his repented Follies is resolv'd to quit all Pretentions to State-craft and honestly skulk into a Corner of the Stage and there dye contented This Resosolution our Author has begun to put in Practice by publishing a Play whose Title is Distressed Innocence or The Princess of Persia a Tragedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by their Majesties Servants printed Lond. 1690. and dedicated to the Right Honourable John Lord Cutts Baron of Gowran This Tragedy was kindly receiv'd by the Audience as the Poet gratefully acknowledges and owns likewise his Obligations to Mr. Betterton for his several extraordinary Hints to the heightning of his best Characters and to Mr. Montford for the last Scene of his Play which he was so kind to write for him To which may be added the Epilogue The Author likewise owns That whatever Fiction he has elsewhere interwoven the Distresses of Hormidas and Cleomira are true History I have not leisure at present to make Enquiry after this Passage but possibly the Reader may find somewhat of it in Socrates Zozomen or Nicephorus all which if I mistake not mention the Affairs of Isdegerdes King of Persia. Thomas SHADWELL Our present Laureat having publisht a New Play I am bound to take Notice of it viz. Scowrers a Comedy acted by Their Majesties Servants printed
4o. Lond. 1690. How this Play succeeded on the Stage I know not but I think 't is far from the worst of his Comedies and I believe is wholy free from Plagiary Thomas SOUTHERN An Author that has contributed three Plays to the Stage which have gain'd him no small Reputation Two of them I have already mention'd p. 489. This last Play is stil'd Sir Anthony Love or The Rambling Lady a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by their Majesties Servants printed quarto Lond. 1690. and dedicated to his Friend Thomas Skipwith Esq This Play was acted with extraordinary Applause the Part of Sir Anthony Love being most Masterly play'd by Mrs. Montfort and certainly who ever reads it will find it fraught with true Wit and Humour and in the Characters of M. L'Abbé and Palmer the Pilgrim our Author has given us some Sketches of the Hypocrisie of those pretended Saints Mr. WILSON I am apt to believe this Writer is the same with the Author of the Cheats I mean John Wilson already mention'd p. 512. Whoever he is he has publisht a New Play call'd Belphegor or The Marriage of the Devil a Tragi-comedy lately acted at the Queen's Theatre in Dorset Garden printed quarto Lond. 1690. This Play notwithstanding it was decryed on the Stage I think far surpasses many others that have lately appear'd there For the Foundation of the Play the Author has directed the Reader to Matchiavel and Straparola both which have played with the same Story And I may add That those who delight in French Poetry may read it ingeniously translated in Les Contes de M. de la Fontaine octavo 1. partie page 180. derniere Edit and the English Reader may find it pleasantly related not only in the Folio Translation of Matchiavel but likewise at the end of Quevedo's Novels Engl. octavo Unknown Authors I Am in the last place to give an Account of those Plays whose Authors are unknown do in the former Method beginning with a Play call'd Banish'd Duke or The Tragedy of Infortunatus acted at the Theatre-Royal printed 4o. Lond. 1690. The Reader will easily find that under the Character of Infortunatus the Poet design'd to portray the late Unfortunate Duke of Monmouth under that of Romanus and Papissa the late King and Queen Braggadocio or The Bawd turn'd Puritan a New Comedy by a Person of Quality printed 4o. Lond. 1690. This Comedy I take to be instructive and undoubtedly in the Character of Flush he has hit some Features which belong to some private Enemies of Universities Edward the Third with the Fall of Mortimer Earl of March an Historical Play acted at the Theatre-Royal by their Majesties Servants printed quarto Lond. 1690. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Henry Lord Viscount Sidney of Sheppey by Mr. Mountfort to whom the Play was made a Present This Play I take to exceed most of the Plays that have been lately publisht and I think in the Characters of Tarleton Chancellor of England and Serjeant Etherside he has somewhat detected the Misdemeanours of some Great Men in the last Reign For the Plot as far as concerns History consult Harpsfield Walsingham Pol. Vigil Froissard Du Chesne Math. Westminster Hollingshead Grafton Stow Daniel Speed c. Englishmen for Money or a pleasant Comedy call'd A Woman will have her Will divers times acted with great Applause printed 4o. Lond. 1626. This Comedy is not divided into Acts. Folly of Priestcraft a Comedy printed quarto Lond. 1690. Though the Modesty or Prudence of this Author will not permit him to to be known yet I think he deserves a place amongst the Eldest Sons of Apollo and if I may presume to speak my Judgment I believe no Satyr since The Plain Dealer has been more judiciously or ingeniously penn'd and I question not but it will deserve a good Character from all Readers except the Priests and Bigots of the Romish Religion Robin Conscience a Play which I never could obtain the sight of tho finding it mentioned in former Catalogues I was unwilling to omit it Royal Flight or The Conquest of Ireland a New Farce printed quarto Lond. 1690. The Subject of this Play is evident from its Title-page and the Author has no ways disguised his Characters Tho' had he treated some Persons in his Farce with more Modestie it had been no less for his Reputation Thus I have finish'd My ACCOUNT of Our English Dramatick Poets and their Writings and having laid a Foundation I shall leave it to Others who may think it worth their while to perfect the Edifice hoping those that will attempt it will alter or supply what ever they dislike or find defective in the whole Essay FINIS ERRATA PAge 106 Line 6 for suo read tuo p. 158 l. 34 after Albibech r. of Abdalla Abdelmelech p. 169 l. 26 for his r. this p. 215 l. 7. for Thirry r. Thierry p. 224 l. 15 for Walton's r. Watson's p. 242 l. 19 after Account r. of J. Cook p. 255 l. 24 for benefy'd r. benefic'd p. 260 l. 3 for I began r. he began p. 274 l. 29 for Women's r. Woman's p. 304 l. the last for last r. lasted p. 310 l. 3 for Person r. Judges p. 352 l. 2 for their r. his Id. l 6 for eti r. eris p. 376 l. 20 for 1687 r. 1637. p. 377 l. 1 for Oracle r. Paradice p. 382 l. 3 for Lover r. Mother p. 388 l. 18 for Soleil r. Soleisel p. 405 l. 13 for Corse r. Cork p. 415 l. 12 for his own r. this One p. 446 l. 8 for Ingenious r. Genuine p. 454 l. 16 for Ben Johnson r. our Author p. 492 l. 27 to the end belongs to Tho. St. Serf p. 435. p. 508 l. 10 for more r. longer Id. l 16 for Waver r. Weaver p. 514 l. 13 for Talisbury r. Salisbury p. 519 l. 12 for Basker r. Barker Id. l 14 dele was p. 522 l. 20 for Thorpy r. Thorny p. 527 l. 2 for Aliazer r. Alcazer Id. l. 14 for Chare r. Clare p. 534 l. 12. for Tornelli Annals r. Tornielli Annales p. 535 l. 7 for Bellimperin r. Bellimperia p. 538 l. 19 for Lactus r. Tactus p. 543 l. 15 for before r. after Some other Literal faults not here inserted the Reader is desired to correct
permitted to speak my Sentiments of the Play it self I believe the Author has stollen neither his Characters nor Language from any other and I presume those that have read the Character of My Lord Occus in particular Winifred and the rest in general will be of my opinion John BANCROFT A Gentleman who is the Author of a Tragedy called Sertorius acted at the Theatre-Royal by their Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1679. 'T is dedicated to Captain Richard Savage and the Epilogue was writ by Mr. Ravenscroft The Elder Corneille has writ a Play on the same subject which I have read but shall leave it to the decision of better judgments to determine which is best Those who would read the foundation of this Play may consult Plutarch's Life of Sertorius Velleius Paterculus lib. 2. Florus lib. 2. c. 22. c. John BANKS A Person now living and if I mistake not a Member of the Honourable Society of New-Inn One whose Genius to Poetry led him to make several Attempts on the Stage with different success but of whom I may say with justice that if he be not accounted a Poet of the first form yet he bears up with his Contemporaries of the second His Genius lays wholly to Tragedy and he has had the Fortune to please the fair Sex in the Earl of Essex and Anna Bullen He has five Plays in print of which in their Alphabetical Order Destruction of Troy a Tragedy acted at his Royal Highness the Duke's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1679. and dedicated to the Right Honourable the Lady Katherine Roos If this Play fall short of Shakspear's Troilus and Cressida at least it surpasses Heywood's Iron Age and how unkind soever the Criticks were to it I believe they have seen worse Tragedies on the Stage Various are the Authors that have toucht on this subject as Homer Virgil Ovid c. but none more fully than Dares Phrygius and Dictis Cretensis though Learned Men suppose those pieces we have under their Names to be spurious yet Natalis Comes has turned Daxes into Latin Verse and our Countryman Lydgate into old English Meetre Island Queens or The Death of Mary Queen of Scotland a Tragedy published only in defence of the Author and the Play against some mistaken Censures occasioned by its being prohibited the Stage printed in Quarto Lond. 1684. and dedicated to the Illustrious Princess Mary Dutchess of Norfolk Most Historians of those Times have written her Story as well Forreigners as our own See Buchanan Speed in the Reign of Q. Elizabeth Camden Du chesne Brantome's Memoirs Causin's Holy Court Nay even Writers of Romances have thought her Story an ornament to their Work witness the Princess Cloria where part 2. her Story is succinctly related and she pourtrayed under the title of Minerva Queen of Mysta Rival Kings or The Loves of Oroondates and Statira a Tragedy in Heroick Verse acted at the Theatre-Royal printed in quarto 1677. and dedicated to the Right Honourable the Lady Katherine Herbert The Play is founded chiefly on Cassandra a famed Romance in Fol. As to what concerns Alexander I refer you to Curtius and Justin. Vertue betrayed or Anna Bullen a Tragedy acted at his Royal Highness the Duke's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1682. and dedicated to the Illustrious Princess Elizabeth Dutchess of Somerset The Author has followed a little Novel translated from the French and called The Novels of Elizabeth Queen of England containing the History of Queen Ann Bullen For the Story most of our Chronicles relate it See Speed's Chron. in the Reign of Hen. VIII Ld. Herbert Duchesne Dr. Burnet's Hist. Reform Book the 2. c. Unhappy Favourite or The Earl of Essex a Tragedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by their Majesties Servants printed in quarto London 1682. and dedicated to the most High and most Illustrious Princess the Lady Ann Daughter to his Royal-Highness the present Princess of Denmark This Play was acted with good success The Prologue and Epilogne were written by Mr. Dryden and the play it self founded on a Novel called The Secret History of the most Renowned Queen Elizabeth and the Earl of Essex printed in 120. Lond. 1680. For the true Story see Cambden's Elizabeth Speed Duchesne Stow Baker c. in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth There have been two French Plays one by Monsieur Calpranede the other by the Younger Corneille which I have read and am of opinion that the English play is not short of the French notwithstanding the high commendations given it by the Mercury Gallant January 1687. Barnaby BARNES This Person lived in the Reign of K. James the First and writ a Play called The Devil's Charter a Tragedy containing the Life and Death of Pope Alexander the VI. play'd before the King's Majesty upon Candlemas Night by his Majesty's Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1607. and dedicated to the Honourable and his very dear Friends Sir W. Herbert and Sir W. Pope Knights Associates in the Noble Order of the Bath This Tragedy seems to be written in imitation of Shakspear's old Play of Pericles Prince of Tyre for as Shakspear raises Gower an old English Bard for his Interlocutor or Introductor in that Play so this Author revives Guicciardine for the same design This was the common practice of the Poets of the last Age as Shakspear Heywood c. at which time they frequently introduced dumb Shews which took much with the Spectators of those times 'T is evident the Author followed Guicciardine who has largly treated to this Pope in his History of the Wars of Italy see the first six Books Other Authors have likewise treated of him as Du Preau Hist. de l'Estat succes de l'Eglise tom 2 p. 293 seq Vollateranus tit 22. sub fine Massonius de Gestis Pontificum Romanorum c. This Author has extant besides four Books of Offices about Princes how they ought to be administred printed fol. Lond. 1606. Robert BARON Esq This Author was a young Gentleman bred first at Cambridge and afterwards brought up in the worthy Society of Grays-Inn During his abode there he writ a Romance called The Cyprian Academy printed octavo Lond. 1647. He dedicated it to the famous Traveller Mr. James Howel in particular and to the Ladies and Gentlewomen of England in general In his Romance are included two Dramaticks which Mr. Kirkman has inserted in his Catalogue tho' they are not entire Tracts of themselves nor of any signal Eminence but since they have been mention'd in former Catalogues I shall not omit them Deorum Dona a Masque presented before Flaminius and Clorinda King and Queen of Cyprus at their Regal Palace in Nicosia Part of this piece is borrow'd from Mr. Waller's Poem to the King on his Navy Gripus and Hegio or The Passionate Lovers a Pastoral acted by the Lady Julio's Servants for the Entertainment of Flaminius This Play consists but of three Acts and is borrow'd very much from Waller's Poems and Webster's
Dutchess of Malsy which is excusable only on the account of the Author's Youth he being but 17 Years of age when he compos'd that Romance which was the reason that it was so highly commended by twelve Copies of Verses writ by his Friends and printed with his Book Mirza a Tragedy really acted in Persia in the last Age Illustrated with Historical Annotations printed octavo Lond. and dedicated to his Majesty by a Copy of Verses This Play is much beyond either of the former and has the repute of a good Play It is commended by five Copies of Verses written by the Author's Cambridge-Friends On this very Subject the famous Denham had before writ a Play called The Sophy Tho' our Author had finished three compleat Acts of this Tragedy before he saw that nor was he then discouraged seeing the most Ingenious Author of that has made his seem quite another Story from this Mr. Baron has follow'd not only the Honourable Sr. Thomas Herbert's printed Account in his Travels but likewise made use of a Manuscript Letter which Sr. Dodmore Cotton Embassador to Abbas King of Persia from King Charles the First in the Year 1626. sent to a Friend of his in Cambridge according to which Letter he prosecuted the Story throughout The Author seems to have propos'd for his pattern the famous Catiline writ by Ben Johnson and has in several places not only hit the model of his Scenes but even imitated the Language tolerably for a young Writer Whoever pleases to compare the Ghost of Emir-hamze-mirza with that of Scilla may easily see his Imitation but that being too long to transcribe I shall set down the first words of Catiline in that admirable Play and afterwards those of Abbas and then submit my opinion to my Reader 's judgment Catiline Act first It is decreed Nor shall thy fate O Rome Resist my Vow Though hills were set on hills And seas met seas to guard thee I would thro' I 'll plough up Rocks steep as the Alpes in dust And lave the Tyrhene waters into clouds But I would reach thy head thy head proud City Mirza Act first The vow is made nor shall thy flattering Fate O Mirza contradict it though thy Troops Stood like a wall about thee nay tho' Jove Press all the gods to guard thee and should arm Them every one with thunder I would through I 'll tear the groundsells of thy Towers up And make their nodding Spires kiss the centre But I will reach thy heart thy heart proud Victor This is the first Author taken notice of either by Mr. Phillips in his Theatrum Poetarum or his Transcriber Mr. Winstanley in his Lives of the English Poets and though neither of them give any other Account of our Author but what they collected from my former Catalogue printed 1680. yet through a mistake in the method of that Catalogue they have ascrib'd many Anonymous Plays to the foregoing Writers which belonged not to them and thus have committed mistakes in almost all the Dramatick Writers they have handled To give an Instance in this Author they both ascribe to him Don Quixote or The Knight of the ill-favoured Countenance a Comedy I know not whence they had their Intelligence but I never heard or read any such Play nor do I believe there is any other Book which bears that title except the fam'd Romance written by the admirable Pen of that famous Spanish Author Miguel de Cervantes They have likewise ascribed several other Dramatick Pieces to this Author which I dare be confident are not of his Writing as Dick Scorner Destruction of Jerusalem Marriage of Wit and Science Masques and Interludes and have omitted two other Pieces written by him viz. Poems octavo and a Book intituled An Apology for Paris Neither do I believe Mr. Phillips's Account that any of his Pieces appear'd on the Stage I shall conclude all with the following Anagram written by his Friend Mr. John Quarles sometimes of St. Peter's College in Cambridge Anagram ROBERTUS BARONUS Anagram RARUS AB ORBE NOTUS Rarus haud cuiquam peperit Natura secundum Notus es scriptis Baron ab orbe tuis Lodowick BARREY An Author that liv'd in the middle of the Reign of King James the First who writ a Play call'd Ram-Alley or Merry Tricks a Comedy divers times heretofore Acted by the Children of the Kings Revels and printed in quarto Lond. 1611. The Plot of Will Smallshank's decoying the Widow Taffeta into Marriage is borrow'd as I suppose from the same Author from whence Kirkman took the Story which is to be found in the English Rogue Part the IV Chap. 19. and is an Incident in other Plays besides this particularly in Killegrew's Parjon's Wedding Francis BEAUMONT See Fletcher Captain William BEDLOE A Person so remarkable in this Nation not many years since on the Account of the Popish Plot that few are ignorant of his part of the discovery I shall not pretend here to give you an account of his Life but refer you to that which was written by an Unknown Hand intituled The Life and Death of Captain William Bedloe printed in octavo Lond. 1681. The Reason why we mention him in our Catalogue is on account of a Play writ by him called The Excommunicated Prince or The false Relick a Tragedy Acted by his Holiness's Servants being The Popish Plot in a Play printed in folio Lond. 1679. Dedicated to his Grace the Duke of Buckingham I must confess I was very desirous to read this Piece for the sake of the Title-page and came to it with great expectations but found them altogether frustrated and only a Story which I had formerly read in Dr. Heylin's Geography described in it But afterwards when his Life came out I was satisfied with the Account the Publisher gave of it which for the Readers Information and the Justification of the Deceased I shall quote word for word In the next place I desire leave to speak something of his Dramatick Poem call'd The Excommunicated Prince or The False Relick As to the worth of the Play I do own my self so unskilful in Poetry that I will not rashly pretend to give my opinion of it But that which I know let me assert in its vindication viz. That it was both began and finisht in the space of two Months which every one must needs acknowledge was but a very short time considering the great business that then more earnestly imploy'd his thoughts which must necessarily be a weighty clog to the ablest Muse. Whereas some of the chiefest Poets of this Age have thought it no disparagement to confess that a correct Play to be perfected will require at least twelve Months time And I remember in some Prologue I think in that to the Virtuoso I have read this Distick to the same purpose A Play like Ground must a Year Fallow lye E're it can ripen to good Comedy This consider'd and it being the first Essay he
observes of the Writers of Romances Flea'd the Eel by beginning at the Tail yet notwithstanding what she has omitted of worth in her first part she has taken into the second and therefore could not justly call these Plays her own Round-heads or The good Old Cause a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1682. and Dedicated to the Most Illustrious Prince Henry Fitz-Roy Duke of Grafton A great part of the Language of this Play is borrow'd from Tateham's Rump or a Mirror of the Times but yet she has a better Title to this Play than the former having much improv'd the Humor of the Round-heads Sr. Patient Fancy a Comedy Acted at the Duke's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1678. The Hint of Sr. Patient Fancy is borrow'd from a French Play called Le Malade imaginaire and the Characters of Sr. Credulous Easy and his Groom Curry are stol'n from Sr. Amphilus the Cornish Knight and his Man Trebasco in Brome's Play called The Damoseille Town Fop or Sr. Timothy Tawdrey a Comedy acted at his Royal Highness the Duke's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1677. The foundation of this Play is a Comedy writ by George Wilkins call'd The Miseries of inforc'd Marriage from which not only the Plot but a great part of the Language is stol'n Widow Ranter or The History of Bacon in Virginia a Tragi-Comedy acted by Their Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1690. and dedicated to the Much Honored Madam Weldon by G. J. a Friend to the Authress by whom this Play was publisht after her Decease I refer the Reader to this Epistle for the Plays justification only I cannot but observe that the Prologue was written Ten years since and publisht before Mr. Shadwell's True Widow and if I mistake not the Epilogue is Old likewise For the Story of Bacon I know no History that relates it but his Catastrophe is founded on the known story of Cassius who perished by the Hand of his freed-Man Dandorus believing his Friend Brutus vanquished Young King or The Mistake a Tragi-Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1683. and dedicated to some Gentleman her particular Friend under the Name of Philaster The Design of this Play is borrow'd from Monsieur Calpranede's Cleopatra see the History of Alcamenes and Menalippa Part VIII Besides these Plays this Ingenious Woman has publisht several other Works both in Verse and Prose As a Collection of Poems in octavo Lond. 1684. and a Collection of several Others in octavo Lond. 1685. Another Volume in octavo Lond. 1688. amongst all which are many of her own Composures Her several Versions from the French are commended by those who think themselves Judges of Wit amongst which the chiefest are A Voyage to the Island of Love Lycidas or The Lover in Fashion and The Lover's Watch. These Pieces in the Original may be found in the second and third Tomes of Le Receueil des Pieces Gallantes en Prose en Vers 8 o Paris 1684. Those who will take the pains to compare them will find the English rather Paraphrases than just Translations but which sufficiently shew the Fancy and excellent Abilities of our Authress She has written other Pieces in prose which have had the fortune to please as The Love Letters between a Nobleman and his Sister in Three Volumes octavo Lond. 1684. c. Three Histories printed in octavo Lond. 1688. viz. Oroonoko or The Royal Slave The fair Jilt or Tarquin and Miranda Agnes de Castro or The Force of Generous Love There are two other small Novels under her Name viz. History of the Nun or The fair Vow-breaker 120 London 1689. The Lucky Mistake 120 Lond. 1689. What Opinion the Wits of the Age had of her may appear from several Copies of Verses written before her Translation of Monsieur Bonnecorse's La Montre or The Watch amongst whom Mr. Charles Cotton who was no contemptible Poet gives her the following Character Some hands write some things well are elsewhere lame But on all Theams your power is the same Of Buskin and of Sock you know the Pace And tread in both with equal Skill and Grace But when you write of Love Astrea then Love dips his Arrows where you wet your Pen. Such charming Lines did never Paper grace Soft as your Sex and smooth as Beauty's Face Dawbridge-court BELCHIER An English-man who liv'd in the Reign of King James the First but one who was an Inhabitant of the Town of Utreicht in the Low Countries at the time of his writing an Interlude called Hans Beer-pot his invisible Comedy of See me and see me not acted by an honest Company of Health-Drinkers printed in quarto Lond. 1618. and dedicated to the Honourable Sr. John Ogle Colonel of our English Regiment of Foot under the Lords the Estates General of the United Provinces and Lord Governor of the Town and Garison of Utreicht This Piece is neither Comedy nor Tragedy as wanting First the just number of Speakers Secondly those Parts or Acts it should have which should be at the least Five but a plain Conference of so many Persons consisting of Three Acts and no more Richard BERNARD This Person flourish'd at Epworth in Lincoln-shire in the time of Queen Elizabeth and was as I suppose the first Translator of Terence's Comedies entire which tho'not so well translated into English as into French by the famous Abbot de Villeloin Monsieur de Marolles or by Monsieur de Martignac yet certainly it is passable for the time in which he liv'd Besides the bare Translation of the whole Six Comedies viz. Andraea Adelphi c. he has taken notice in each Scene of the most remarkable forms of Speech Theses and moral Sentences in imitation possibly of an old French Translation printed at Paris in octavo 1574. This Version is printed with the latine 4o. Cambridge 1598. and dedicated to Mr. Christopher Wray Son and Heir to Sr. William Wray and his Brothers Having given this short account of the Translator and his Work give me leave to speak somewhat of the Author Publius Terentius was a Native of Carthage but being taken Prisoner when he was very young he was sent to Rome He was brought up in Literature and all good Education by his Patron Terentius Seneca and afterwards freed by him on account of his Wit and good Meen He luckily found the best way of writing Comedy and he left some Pieces in that kind that few Persons have been able to imitate He was in great Esteem not only with the People in general by reason of his Dramatick Performances but particularly belov'd and cherish'd by Men of the best Quality as Publius Scipio Laelius and others His purity of Stile was so conspicuous that his Adversaries endeavour'd to perswade the People that he was assisted in his Plays by great Men which he handsomely takes notice of in his Prologue to the Adelphi Nam quod illi dicunt malevoli homines
he is stiled Servant to Queen Elizabeth Councellor to King James and Friend to Sr. Philip Sidney Dying Anno 16 without Issue and unmarried Those who would read his Character more at large may have recourse to that excellent Author above-mentioned Henry BURKHEAD This Author liv'd in the Reign of K. Charles the Martyr being a Merchant in Bristol He writ a Play in the year 1645. called Cola's Furie or Lirenda's Misery a Tragedy dedicated to the Right Honourable Edward Somerset Lord Herbert The Subject of this Play is the Irish Rebellion which broke out the twenty-third day of October 1641. 'T is couch'd under feign'd Names as Osirus for the late Duke of Ormond Berosus for Sr. John Borlace c. the other Characters are easily discovered by reading Sr. John Temple's History of the Irish Rebellion printed Lond. 1646. and Sr. John Borlace his History on the same Subject Folio Lond. 16 This Play was never acted but introduc'd into the world by two Recommendatory Copies of Verses written by his Friends both which may seem to the Reader to be too partial in their Judgments as may be judg'd by the following Lines which are part of a Copy writ by Mr. Paul Aylward What tho' of Terence Seneca we hear And other modern Scenicks in our Sphere You I prefer Johnson for all his Wit Could never paint out Times as you have hit The Manners of our Age The Fame declines Of ne're enough prais'd Shakespear if thy lines Come to be publisht Beaum Fletcher's skill Submits to yours and your more learned Quill Henry BURNEL Esq This Gentleman liv'd in Ireland in the Reign of King Charles the First He writ a Play called Landgartha a Tragi-Comedy presented in the New Theatre in Dublin with good applause being an ancient Story printed in quarto Dublin 1641. and dedicated To all Fair indifferent Fair Virtuous that are not Fair and magnanimous Ladies This Play is usher'd into the world with Four Copies of Verses three Latine and one English but being guilty of the same partiality with the former I shall omit to insert any The Play it self was first acted on St. Patrick's-day 1639. with allowance of the Master of the Revels The Author it seems miscarried in a former Play and therefore in imitation of Ben Johnson whom he stiles The Best of English Poets he has introduc'd his Play by a Prologue spoken by an Amazon with a Battle-Ax in her Hand which succeeded to the Author's satisfaction The Plot is founded on the Conquest of Fro which the Author calls Frollo King of Suevia or Suethland by Regner or as the Author calls him Reyner King of Denmark with the Repudiation of Landgertha Queen to Regner See Krantzius lib. 4. c. 6. Saxo Grammaticus lib. 9. Jo. Magnus lib. 17. c. 4 5. c. C. Lady Elizabeth CAREW A Lady that flourisht in the Reign of Qu Elizabeth of whom I am able to give no other Account than what I collect from the Title-page of a Play call'd Mariam the Fair Queen of Jewry her Tragedy written says the Publisher by that Learned Virtuous and truly Noble Lady Elizabeth Carew and printed in quarto Lond. 1613. The Play is writ in the same measure of Verse with the Tragedies of the Earl of Sterline viz. in Alternate Verse and the Chorus is writ in Settines or a Stanza of Six Lines four interwoven and a Couplet in Base For the Play itself it is very well Pen'd considering those Times and the Lady's Sex I leave it to the Readers to compare it with that modern Tragedy of Herod and Mariamne Her Story is written at large in Josephus his History of the Jews See lib. 14 and 15. Salian Tom. 6. A.M. 4012. c. Torniel Tom. 2. A. M. 4026. Thomas CAREW A Courtier much in Favour with K. Charles the First being One of the Gentlemen of the Privy-Chamber and Sewer in Ordinary He was the Author of a Masque call'd Coelum Britanicum which was performed at White-hall in the Banqueting-house on Shrove-Tuesday Night the Eighteenth of February 1633. by the King's Majesty the Duke of Lenox the Earls of Devonshire Holland Newport c. with several other Lords and Noblemen's Sons He was assisted in the contrivance by Mr. Inigo Jones that Famous Architect and all the Songs were set by Mr. Henry Lawes Gentleman of the King's Chappel and one of the private Musick to King Charles the First It being written by the King 's express Command our Author placed this Distick in the Front when printed Non habet Ingenium Caesar sed jussit habebo Cur me posse negem posse quod ille putat He writ besides several Poems Songs and Sonnets which are received with good Esteem by the Wits of this Age and are printed with the foregoing Masque These Poems have been several times Reprinted the Fourth Edition being printed in octavo Lond. 1670. This Masque is not mentioned by either Mr. Philips or Mr. Winstanley because it was formerly through a mistake ascrib'd to Sr. William Davenant Sr. John Suckling that gay Wit who delighted to Railly the best Poets and spar'd not Ben Johnson himself has thus play'd upon our Author in his Sessions of Poets Tom Carew was next but he had a Fault That would not well stand with a Laureat His Muse was hide-bound the issue of 's brain Was seldome brought forth but with trouble and pain All that were there present did agree That a Laureat Muse should be easy and free Yet sure 't was not that but 't was thought that His Grace Consider'd he was well he had a Cup-bearer's Place But this is not to be taken for the real Judgment of that Excellent Poet and he was too good a Judge of Wit to be ignorant of Mr. Carew's Worth and his Talent in Poetry and had he pleas'd he could have said as much in his Commendation as Sr William D'Avenant in those Stanzas writ to him with part of which we shall conclude Not but thy Verses are as smooth and high As Glory Love and Wine from Wit can raise But now the Devil take such Destiny What should commend them turns to their dispraise Thy Wits chief Virtue is become its Vice For every Beauty thou hast rais'd so high That now course Faces carry such a Price As must undo a Lover that would buy Lodowick CARLELL Esq This Gentleman flourisht in the Reigns of King Charles the First and Second He was an Ancient Courtier being Gentleman of the Bows to King Charles the First Groom of the King and Queen's Privy-chamber and served the Queen-Mother many years His Plays which are Eight in number were well esteem'd of and most of them appeared on the Stage at the Private-house in Black-friars notwithstanding the prohibition of the Stage in those days The Names follow Arviragus and Philicia a Tragi-Comedy in two parts acted at the Private-house in Black Friars by his Majesties Servants and printed in octavo Lond. 1639. This Play was
since revived on our Stage a new Prologue being writ by Mr. Dryden and spoke by Mr. Hart. there is another Prologue printed in London Drollery pag. 10. Several of our Historians speak of the Actions of this Illustrious Prince See Matth. Westmonast A.D. 44. pag. 93. Galf. Monumentens lib. 4. c. 16. Pol. Vergil lib. 2. Grafton Part 7. p. 77. These all agree that he Reign'd in the time of Claudius Caesar but Mr. Speed will have it that he liv'd in the time of Domitian Caesar from Juvenal who introduces Fabritius Vejento a Roman Senator flattering Domitian at the Councel held about the Turbot as follows Regem aliquem capies aut de Temone Britanno Excidet Arviragus But in this he is mistaken for Arviragus was dead before the Reign of Domitian so that the Sycophant could not mean that he should overcome Him but some British or Foreign Warrier as stout as that Arviragus subdued by his his Father Vespasian Deserving Favourite a Tragi-Comedy presented before the King and Queen's Majesties at White-hall and very often at the Private House in Black-friars with great Applause by King Charles the First his Servants printed in octavo Lond. 1659. and dedicated to his very Noble and Approved Friends Mr. Thomas Cary Son to the Earl of Monmouth and Mr. William Murrey both of the Bed-chamber to His Majesty Fool would be a Favourite or The Discreet Lover often acted by the Queen's Majesties Servants with great applause and printed in octavo Lond. 1657. Osmond the Great Turk otherwise called The Noble Servant his Tragedy acted by the Queens Servants with great applause and printed with the former octavo Lond. 1657. The Action of this Play is the taking of Constantinople in the year 1453. I know not why the Author has alter'd his Scene from Greece to Barbary or the Names of Mahomet and Irene for Melchosus and Despina except in imitation of Beaumont and Fletcher who have transfer'd the Names of Rollo and Otto on Antoninus and Geta and degraded those Emperors of Rome by Creating them Dukes of Normandy Many Authors have treated of this Story in the Life of Mahomet the Second consult Chalcocondylus lib. 8. cap. 6. Knolles's Turkish History This Story is likewise in Bandello's Novels see the French Translation by Belleforest Tome 1. Hist. 2. See Painter's Palace of Pleasure a Book of Novels printed in quarto Lond. 1566. Nov. 4o. For the Underplot of Orcanes Calibeus and Ozaca 't is founded on the Story of Mustapha Son to Mahomet the Second Achmet Bassa and his Wife See Lipsii Monita lib. 2. cap. 9. pag. 125. Artus le Contin de l'Hist des Turcs L. 11. Knolles c. Passionate Lover a Tragi-Comedy in two parts twice presented before the King and Queen's Majesties at Somerset-house and very often at the Private-house in Black-friars with great applause by King Charles the First 's Servants printed in octavo Lond. 1655 and Dedicated to the Illustrious Princess Mary Dutchess of Richmond and Lenox by the Publisher Mr. Alexander Goughe On this Play the ingenious Alexander Brome has writ a Copy of Verses which seem to reflect on the Character of the Passionate Lover and may be found by the Curious in his Poems 8o. pag. 256 Edition the Second Heraclius Emperor of the East a Tragedy translated from the French of Monsieur P. Corneille and printed in quarto Lond. 1664. This Play was never acted tho' intended by the Translator for the Stage but another Translation formerly design'd after this seem'd to be accepted being perfected was prefer'd by the Players and this not return'd to the Author until the very day the other was Acted But notwithstanding the Preference given to the other certainly this Version is not contemptible at least if the Author's Reasons in the Prologue make take place All things have proper Idioms of their own Their Elegance in Ours is hardly shown This but a Copy and all such go less Great Beauties may be altered by the Dress Having given you the Author's Excuse for his Translation let me give you his Opinion of Translations in general in the following Distick Those who translate hope but a Labourer's praise Who well invent contrive deserve the Bays In the design of this Play the French Author follows Baronius's Ecclesiastical Annals but does not as he himself acknowledges in his Examen of this Play strictly follow truth in many things See Le Theatre de Corneille tom 3. Je n'ay conservé icy pour toute verité Historique que l'ordre de la Succession des Empereurs Tibere Maurice Phocas Heraclius c. Many are the Historians that have treated on this Story as Nicephorus Calistus Eccl. Hist. Cedreni Annal. Zonaras Annal. Baronius c. Mr. Phillips has omitted Three of these Plays viz. Deserving Favourite Fool would be a Favourite and Heraclius the later is forgot likewise by Mr. Winstanley who has in requital Father'd another Play on him which belongs to Dr. Lodge viz. Marius and Scylla James CARLILE A young Author now living who has lately publisht a Play call'd The Fortune Hunters or Two Fools well met a Comedy acted by his Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1689. I know not how it succeeded on the Stage but if it be consider'd as the First Play of a young Poet I think it deserv'd Applause and exceeds several Comedies printed in this Age. Only I think the Author's as well as Mr. Spruce's Brains were a little Doz'd when he writ the end of the Second Act where he mistakes young Wealthy's Hand for the Handle of the Pump and the Orange-flower-for Pump-water That he meant well is all he has to plead Faith then be kind and let his Play succeed And take for once the Good-will for the Deed. Richard CARPENTER The Author of a Play called The Pragmatical Jesuit new leaven'd printed in quarto but when or where I know not through the defect of my Copy All that I can acquaint the Reader with is that it is a very instructive Play chiefly tending to Morality shewing the difference between true Religion and Hypochrisy The Author has made it his business to expose all the Subtleties and Inventions of the Romish Clergy to gain Proselites and promote their Religion I know not whether or no it might not be writ by a Divine of that Name the Author of several Sermons particularly Three of keeping a good Conscience printed in quarto Lond. 1623. William CARTHWRIGHT A Person as Eminent for Loyaty and Learning his years consider'd as any this Age has produc'd One whose Character has been written by several Pens and therefore has afforded me who fetch my knowledge from Books more than verbal Information the larger subject to expatiate on The Place of this Author's Nativity the time and his Father's Name are differently represented by those Authors that have mention'd him Mr. Lloyd says that he was the Son of Thomas Carthwright of Burford in Oxford-shire and Born Aug. 16.
Tragiques de nôtre temps under the feign'd Names of Lysis Silvie Hist. 17. pag. 363. Bussy d' Amboise his Revenge a Tragedy often presented at the Private-house in the White-Friars printed in quarto Lond. 1613. and dedicated to the Right Virtuous and Truly Noble Knight Sr. Thomas Howard This Play is far short in value to the former and was not received on the Stage with that universal Applause Neither is it so strictly founded on Truth as the other tho' the Author calls them poor Envious Souls that cavil at Truth 's want in these natural Fictions Material Instruction elegant and sententious excitation to Virtue and deflection from her contrary being the Soul limbs and limits of an Authentical Tragedy Conspiracy and Tragedy of Charles Duke of Byron Marshal of France in two Plays acted at the Black-friars in the Reign of King James the First printed in quarto Lond. 1608. and Dedicated to his Honourable and constant Friend Sr. Thomas Walsingham and to his much Loved from his Birth the right Toward and Worthy Gentleman his son Thomas Walsingham Esq This Play is founded on History in the Reign of Henry IV. of France and many are the Authors that have mention'd the Marshal's Story See Davila's Civil Wars of France Montluc's Memoires Mezeray's Chron. Pierre Mathiew's Contin of De Serres Thuanus Anselmus Gemblacensis Scipion Du pleix P. Mathiew c. Caesar and Pompey a Roman Tragedy declaring their Wars out of whose Events is evicted this Proposition Only a Just Man is a Freeman printed in quarto Lond. 1631. and Dedicated to the Right Honourable his exceeding good Lord the Earl of Middlesex I cannot pass by that our Author has here laid down the same Rule with Father Le Bossu the Learned regular Canon of St. Genevieve That the Moral ought to be the foundation of a Play Instruction being the chief design of a Poet. As he says La premiere chose par où l'ou doit commencer pour fair une Fable est de choisir l'Instruction le point de Morale qui luy doit servir de fond selon le dessein la fin que l'on se propose This is that Passage which Mr. Dryden hints at in his Grounds of Criticism in Tragedy and tho' he takes the French for his Guide I believe there have not been wanting those of our own Countrymen who have been able to decide all Controversies in Dramatick Poetry as well as Strangers Many Authors have treated on this Story See Suetonius's Life of Julius Caesar. Plutarch's Lives of Pompey Caesar and Cato Velleius Paterculus Florus Dion and Lucan who by some is rather accounted an Historian than a Poet. Gentleman Usher a Comedy printed in quarto Lond. 1606. I know not whether ever this Play was acted but I have heard it commended by some for a good Comedy though if I may presume to give my Opinion 't is but indifferent Humourous days Mirth a Comedy printed as I am told in quarto and a passable Play but this I must leave to those who have read it Masque of the Two Honourable Houses or Inns of Court the Middle-Temple and Lincolns Inn Perform'd before the King at White-hall on Shrove-monday at Night being the fifteenth of February 1613 at the Princely Celebration of the Most Royal Nuptials of the Palsgrave and his thrice Gracious Princess Elizabeth c. With a description of their whole Shew in the manner of their March on Horse-back to the Court from the Master of the Rolls his House with all their Right Noble Consorts and shewful Attendants Invented and Fashion'd with the ground and special structure of the whole Work-by our Kingdoms most Artfull and Ingenious Architect Inigo Jones Supplied applied digested and written by George Chapman printed in quarto Lond. 1614. and dedicated to the most Noble and constant Combiner of Honor and Virtue Sr. Edward Phillips Master of the Rolls At the end of the Masque is printed an Epithalamium called a Hymne to Hymen for the most time-fitted Nuptials of our Thrice Gracious Princess Elizabeth c. I leave it to their Judgments who have perus'd this Piece to determine whether it answer the swelling Title-page or whether the Authors Defence before the Masque be just and solid May-day a Witty Comedy divers times acted at the Black-friars and printed in quarto Lond. 1811. Monsieur d'Olive a Comedy sundry times acted by her Majesties Children at the Black Friars printed in quarto Lond. 1606. Revenge for Honor a Tragedy printed in quarto Lond. 1654. This Play I have seen acted many years ago at the Nursery in Barbican Temple a Masque which I never saw Two Wise Men and all the rest Fools or a Comical Moral censuring the Follies of that Age divers times acted and printed in quarto Lond. 1619. The Prologue and Epilogue to this Play are writ in Prose which was practic'd formerly by several of the Poets as William Lilly in his Court Comedies and others But there is One thing in this Play far more remarkable that it is extended to Seven Acts a thing which I never saw in any other either in our own or Foreign Languages and which is directly contrary to that Rule of Horace Néve minor neu sit quinto productior actu Fabula quae posci vult spectata reponi But I suppose this might rather be the Printer's Ignorance than the Poets Intention for certainly Mr. Chapman better understood the Rules of the Dramma tho'I am led only by Tradition to believe this Play to be his since 't is published without any mention of the Author or the Place where 't was printed Widow's Tears a Comedy often presented in the Black and White-Friars printed in quarto Lond. 1612. and dedicated to the right Virtuous and truly Noble Gentleman John Reed of Mitton in the County of Gloucester Esq. The Plot of Lysander and Cynthia is borrow'd from Petronius Arbyters Satyricon being the Story of the Matron of Ephesus related by Eumolpus a Story since handled by several other Pens as Janus Dousa the Father in his Notes on this Story and Gabbema in the last Edition of Petronius who observe That it was translated into Latine Verse by Romulus an Antique Gramarian that it was translated from the German Language into Latine and into French Rhime by Hebertus We have it not only in the Seven Wife Masters a Book vulgarly known and which if I may believe my Author is a translation of Modius who new modell'd the Story and publisht his Version under this Title Ludus septem Sapientum de Astrei regii adolescentis educatione periculis c. But also I have read the same Story with little alteration in the Cento Novelle Antiche di Carlo Gualteruzzi Nov. 51. We have it likewise much improv'd with a Philosophical Comment upon it by a Countryman of our own under the Title of the Ephesian Matron printed in octavo Lond. 1668. and others These are all the Plays which I
by Mr. Tate and acted at the Theatre in Dorset-Garden 1685. Mr. Philips and Mr. Winstanley have committed mistakes in this Author having omitted the Tragedy of Ovid and plac'd two anonymous Plays to him which I dare be confident are none of his viz. Thersites and Tyranical Government All his Poems being collected and publisht together in octavo Lond. 1669 by Mr. Kirkman who knew Plays far better than either of these Authors Having given you this Account of his Plays I am next to speak of his other Poems and Pieces but since the Author has reckon'd them up in Verse in an Epigram directed to his Honoured Friend Major William Warner I shall transcribe his own Lines which may inform the Reader of his Stile as well as his Poems Plays Eclogues Songs a Satyr I have writ A Remedy for those i' th amorous Fit Love Elegies and Funeral Elegies Letters of things of divers Qualities Encomiastick Lines to Works of some A Masque and an Epithalamium Two Books of Epigrams All which I mean Shall in this Volume come upon the Scene Some Divine Poems which when first I came To Cambridge I writ there I need not name Of Dianea neither my Translation Omitted here as of another Fashion For Heavens sake name no more you say I cloy you I do obey you Therefore Friend God b'wy you Edward COOK Esq A Gentleman of whom I can give no other account than that he has publisht a Play call'd Love's Triumph or The Royal Union a Tragedy in Heroick Verse never acted but printed in quarto Lond. 1678. and dedicated to her Highness the Most Illustrious MARY Princess of Orange This Play is founded on Cassandra a fam'd Romance as you will find by reading Part 5th Book 4th to the End John COOK The Author of a Play call'd Green's Tu Quoque a Comedy printed in quarto Lond. I cannot tell the Date or the Place where 't was first acted the Title-page of my Copy being lost tho' I suppose at the Red-Bull by a Passage in the Play but I can inform the Reader that it is commended by Thomas Heywood who purposely writ an Epistle to gratulate as he says the Love and Memory of his Worthy Friend the Author and his intirely beloved Friend the Actor He says further That it past the Test of the Stage with general Applause And I have seen it acted since the King's Return at the Play-house as I think in little Lincolns-Inn-Fields with good success tho' the printed Copy be not divided into Acts. The Plot of Spend-all's gaining the Widow Raysby has a near resemblance with that of Will. Small shanks and Widow Taffety tho' I think the Design is better wrought up in this Play because the Widow by a Counter-plot frees her self from Spend-all and after having made a Tryal of the Sincerity of his Love consents of her own accord to Marry him This Play had its Title given it by the Author in respect of the admirable Comedian Thomas Green who acted the part of Bubble whose universal Repartee to all Complement is Tu Quoque Mr. Heywood gives him this Character That there was not an Actor of his Nature in his Time of better ability in performance of what he undertook more applauded by the Audience of greater Grace at the Court or of more general Love in the City At the Entrance of this Play is a Distick which Mr. Winstanley applies to Mr. Robert Green of whom I shall give an account in his proper place tho' had he put on his Spectacles he would have found it printed thus Upon the Death of Thomas Green How fast bleak Autumn changeth Flora's dye What yesterday was Green now 's sear and dry W. R. John COREY A Gentleman who is pleas'd to stile himself the Author of a Play call'd The Generous Enemies or The Ridiculous Lovers a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by his Majesties Servants and printed in quarto Lond. 1672. Tho'he has so little share in it that we may justly say of him as Appolodorus the Athenian said of the Books of Chrysippus If a Man should extract the things which he hath borrow'd from others the Paper would be left blank To prove this I am to acquaint the Reader that this Play like a Botcher's Cushion is made out of several Pieces he having stollen from Four Eminent Poets Fletcher and Randolph Th. Corneille and Quinault The chief Design of the Play that of the Generous Enemies is borrow'd from Quinault's La Genereuse Ingratitude as will be evident to those who will compare the Characters of Don Alvarez and Signior Flaminio with those of the French Zegry and Abencerage Semena in Disguise under the Name of Lisander with Zelinda under the Name of Ormin c. For the Ridiculous Lovers 't is chiefly borrow'd from a Comedy of Th. Corneille's call'd D. Bertran de Cigarral which Play is founded on a Spanish Comedy written by D. Francisco de Roxas and stiled Entre bobos anda el juego The Quarrel between Bertran and Robatzy in the fifth Act is stollen verbatim from Love's Pilgrimage Act 2. Sc. 1. and Act 3. Sc. 3. The testy Humour of Bertran to his Servants in the third Act is part of it taken from the Muses Looking-glass Act 2. Sc. 1. Act 3. Sc. 3. and 4. Charles COTTON Esq An Ingenious Gentleman lately as I am inform'd Deceas'd who sometimes dwelt at Beresford in the County of Stafford He was an excellent Lyrick Poet but particularly famous for Burlesque Verse but mention'd here on account of a Translation of his call'd Horace a French Tragedy of Monsieur Corneille printed in quarto Lond. 1671. and dedicated to his Dear Sister Mrs. Stanhope Hutchinson This Play was first finished in 1665. But neither at that time nor of sevaral years after was it intended for the publick view it being writ for the private divertisement of a fair young Lady and ever since it had the honor first to kiss her Hands so intirely hers that the Author did not reserve so much as the Broüillon to himself However she being prevail'd upon tho' with some difficulty to give her consent it was printed in Octo. 1670. I shall not extol or particularise the Excellencies of this Play in the Original 't is sufficient to tell you that the French Author thought it might pass for the best of his Productions if the three last Acts had been equal to the two First and this he says was the general Opinion as you may read in the beginning of his Examen of this Play As to the Performance of this our Countryman notwithstanding his Modesty and Generosity in giving the preference to Madam Phillips her Translation I think it no ways inferior to it at least I dare aver that it far transcends that Version publisht by Sr. William Lower The Plot of this Play as far as it is founded on History may be read in several Authors See Livy lib. 1. Florus lib. 1. c.
his coming to visit Lyndaraxa in Disguise p. 35. is stollen from the former Story of Elibesis in Cyrus p. 25. c. Abdalla visiting her being Royally attended with Guards p. 39 from the same p. 67 Almanzor's freeing Almahide from Abdalla's Captivity p. 45. is copied from Alm. p. 73. The beginning of the Fifth Act viz. The Scene between Abdalla and Lyndaraxa under the Walls of the Albayzin immediately after his Defeat p. 48. is stollen from Cyrus in the Story aforesaid p. 61. His flying to the Christians p. 50. from Alm. p. 72. Ozmin and Benzaida's flight p. 62. from Ibrahim p. 8. I might proceed through the Second Part did I not fear the Reader to be already as tir'd as my self I shall therefore only acquaint him that most of that Play is borrow'd as well as the former So that had our Author stollen from others in none of his Labours yet these Plays alone argue him guilty of the highest Confidence that durst presume to arraign the Ancient English Poets as Plagiaries in a Postscript to two Plays whose Foundation and Language are in a great measure stollen from the Beginning to the End I would therefore desire Mr. Dryden henceforth to ponder upon the following Epigram which seems to give him better Advice Cum fueris Censor primum te crimine purga Nec tua te damnent facta ne sanda reum Ne tua contemnas aliena negotia curans An tibi te quisquam junctior esse potest There are several Authors that have given an Account of this famous Action as Mariana L. 25. C. 18. Mayerne Turquet L. 23. Thuanus L. 48. Guicciardine L. 12. Luc. Marinaeus Sic. L. 20. Car. Verardus Domingo Baltanas c. Don Sebastian King of Portugal a Tragedy acted at the Theatre-Royal printed in quarto Lond. 1690. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Philip Earl of Leicester This Play is accounted by several One of the best of Mr. Dryden's and was as I have heard acted with great Applause The Foundation of it is built upon a French Novel call'd Don Sebastian How far our Author has followed the French-man I leave to the Readers of both to judge Only give me leave to take notice of that passage in his Epistle to this Play where he endeavours to clear himself from the charge of Plagiarie He says The Ancients were never accus'd of being Plagiaries for building their Tragedies on known Fables To prove this assertion he brings several Instances Thus says he Augustus Caesar wrote an Ajax which was not less his own because Euripides had written a Play before him on that Subject Thus of late years Corneille writ an Oedipus after Sophocles and I have design'd one after him which I wrote with Mr. Lee yet neither the French Poet stole from the Greek nor we from the French-man 'T is the Contrivance the new turn and new Characters which alter the Property and make it ours I have not that I know of any where accus'd the Poets in general or Mr. Dryden in particular for borrowing their Plots knowing that it is allow'd by Scaliger M. Hedelin and other Writers 'T is true I have shew'd whether they were founded on History or Romance and cited the Authors that treat on the Subject of each Dramma that the Reader by comparing them might be able to judge the better of the Poets abilities and his skill in Scenical Performances But tho' the Poet be allow'd to borrow his Foundation from other Writers I presume the Language ought to be his own and when at any time we find a Poet translating whole Scenes from others Writings I hope we may without offence call him a Plagiary which if granted I may accuse Mr. Dryden of Theft notwithstanding this Defence and inform the Reader that he equivocates in this Instance of Oedipus for tho' he stole not from Corneille in that Play yet he has borrow'd very much from the Oedipus Tyrannus of Sophocles as likewise from that of Seneca For the Plot read the French Novel call'd Don Sebastian Roy de Portugal translated into English Vasconcellos his Anacephalaeosis sive Summa Capita Actorum Regum Lusitaniae Anacaeph 20. See besides other Writers of the Affairs of Portugal about 1578 in which year Sebastian was kill'd Duke of Guise a Tragedy acted by Their Majesties Servants written by Mr. Dryden and Mr. Lee printed in quarto Lond. 1683. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Laurence Earl of Rochester This Play found several Enemies at its first appearance on the Stage the Nation at that time being in a ferment about the Succession which occasion'd several Pamphlets pro and con to be publisht The main Plot is borrow'd from Davila Mezeray and other Writers of the Affairs of Charles the Ninth as P. Mathieu Memoires de Castelnau See besides Thuanus L. 93. The Story of Malicorn the Conjurer may be read in Rosset's Histoires Tragiques en la Vie de Canope,80 p. 449. Evening's Love or The Mock Astrologer a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by His Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1671. and dedicated to his Grace William Duke of Newcastle This Play is in a manner wholly stollen from the French being patcht up from Corneille's Le Feint Astrologue Molliere's Depit amoreux and his Les Precieuses Ridicules and Quinault's L'Amant Indiscreet not to mention little Hints borrow'd from Shakespear Petronius Arbiter c. The main Plot of this Play is built on that of Corneille's or rather Calderon's Play call'd El Astrologo fingido which Story is likewise copied by M. Scudery in his Romance call'd Ibrahim or the Illustrious Bassa in the Story of the French Marquess Aurelia's affectation in her Speech p. 31. is borrow'd from Molliere's Les Precieuses Ridicules The Scene between Alonzo and Lopez p. 39. is translated from Molliere's Depit amoreux Act 2. Sc. 6 Camilla's begging a new Gown of Don Melchor p. 61. from the same Act 1. Sc. 2. The Love Quarrel between Wild-blood and Jacinta Mascal and Beatrix Act 4. Sc. the last is copied from the same Play Act 4. Sc. 3 and 4. The Scene of Wild-blood Jacinta c. being discover'd by Aurelia's falling into Alonzo's Arms p. 73. c. is borrow'd from Quinault's L'Amant Indiscreet Act 5. Sc. 4. Kind Keeper or Mr. Limberham a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre by his Royal Highness's Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1680. and dedicated to the Right Honourable John Lord Vaughan In this Play which I take to be the best Comedy of his he so much expos'd the keeping part of the Town that the Play was stopt when it had but thrice appear'd on the Stage but the Author took a becoming Care that the things that offended on the Stage were either alter'd or omitted in the Press One of our modern Writers in a short Satyr against Keeping concludes thus Dryden good Man thought Keepers to reclaim Writ a Kind Satyr call'd it Limberham This all the Herd of Letchers straight alarms From Charing-Cross
to Bow was up in Arms They damn'd the Play all at one fatal Blow And broke the Glass that did their Picture show In this Play he is not exempt from borrowing some Incidents from French and Italian Novels Mrs Saintlys discovery of Love-all in the Chest Act 1. is borrow'd from the Novels of Cynthio Gyraldi see prima parte Deca 3a. Nov. 3. The same Story is in The Fortunate Deceiv'd and Unfortunate Lovers see Nov. 7. Deceiv'd Lovers Mrs. Brainsicks pricking and pinching him Act 3. Sc. 2. is copied from the Triumph of Love over Fortune a Novel writ by M. S. Bremond or else from Zelotide of M. de Païs but these are things not worthy to be urg'd against any One but Mr. Dryden whose Critical Pen spares no Man Indian Emperor or The Conquest of Mexico by the Spaniards being the Sequel of the Indian Queen printed in quarto Lond. 1670. and dedicated to the Most Excellent and most Illustrious Princess Anne Dutchess of Monmouth and Bucclugh This Play is writ in Heroick Verse and has appear'd on the Stage with great Approbation yet it is not wholly free from Plagiarie but since they are only Hints and much improv'd I shall not mention the Particulars 'T is sufficient for me to observe in general that he has borrow'd from Plutarch Seneca Montagne Fletcher c. Mr. Dryden in the Second Edition to this Play prefixt a Piece intituled A Defence of an Essay of Dramatick Poesy being an Answer to the Preface of The Great Favourite or The Duke of Lerma but upon some considerations our Author was obliged to retract it For the Plot of this Play 't is founded chiefly on History See Lopez de Gomara Hist. General de las Incas de Conquista de Mexico De Bry Americae Pars 9. L. 7. Ogleby's America Chap. 3. Sect. 10. Mariana de Reb. Hisp. L. 26. Cap. 3. Four Letters printed in several Languages Marriage A-la-mode a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by Their Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1673. and dedicated to the Right Honourable the Earl of Rochester This Play tho' stil'd in the Title-page a Comedy is rather a Tragi-Comedy and consists of two different Actions the one Serious the other Comick both borrow'd from two Stories which the Author has tackt together The Serious Part is founded on the Story of Sesostris and Timareta in the Grand Cyrus Part 9. Book 3. and the Characters of Palamede and Rhodophil from the same Romance Par. 6 B k 1. See the History of Timantes and Parthenia I might mention also the Story of Nogaret in The Annals of Love from whence part of the Character of Doralice was possibly borrow'd and Les Contes D Ouville partie premiere p. 13. from whence the Fancy of Melantha's making Court to her self in Rhodophil's Name is taken but this is usual with our Poet. Mistaken Husband a Comedy acted by His Majesties Servants at the Theatre-Royal and printed in quarto Lond. 1675. This Play Mr. Dryden was not the Author of tho 't was adopted by him as an Orphan which might well deserve the Charity of a Scene which he bestowed on it It is of the nature of Farce or as the French term it Basse Comedie as Mr. Bentley the Bookseller has observ'd 'T is writ on the Model of Plautus's Maenechmi and I have read a Story somewhat like it in L'Amant Oysif Tome 2. p. 297. Nouvelle intitulée D. Martin Oedipus a Tragedy acted at his Royal Highness the Duke's Theatre written by Mr. Dryden and Mr. Lee printed in quarto Lond. 1679. This Play is certainly one of the best Tragedies we have extant the Authors having borrow'd many Ornaments not only from Sophocles but also from Seneca though in requital Mr. Dryden has been pleas'd to arraign the Memory of the later by taxing him of Running after Philosophical Notions more proper for the Study than the Stage As for Corneille he has scouted him for failing in the Character of his Hero which he calls an Error in the first Concoction tho' possibly 't was so in him to fall upon two such Great Men without any provocation and to whom he has been more than once oblig'd for beautiful Thoughts As to the Plot 't is founded on the Tragedies of Sophocles and Seneca Rival Ladies a Tragi-Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal printed in quarto Lond. 1679. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Roger Earl of Orrery This Dedication is in the Nature of a Preface written in Defence of English Verse The Authors Sentiments were afterwards controverted by Sr. Robert Howard in the Preface to his Plays to which Arguments Mr. Dryden reply'd towards the end of his Dramatick Essay Sr. Robert made a Rejoynder when he publisht his Duke of Lerma and Mr. Dryden answer'd him again in the Preface to his Indian Emperour as I have already observ'd I beg leave of my Reader to make one Remark on this Preface to Rectify the following mistake committed by our Author He says That The Tragedy of Queen Gorbuduc was written in English Verse and consequently that Verse was not so much a new way amongst us as an old way new reviv'd and that this Play was written by the late Lord Buckhurst afterwards Earl of Dorset Mr. Dryden as well as Sr. Fopling notwithstanding his smattering in the Mathematicks is out in his Judgment at Tennis for first tho' His Majesties late Historiographer he is mistaken in the Title-page and I must crave leave to tell him by the by that I never heard of any such Queen of Brittain any more than he of any King that was in Rhodes Nay further had he coâ—â—â—â— Milton's History of England or any other Writers of Brute's History nay even the Argument of that very Play he would have found Gorbuduc to have been the last King of that Race at least the Father of Ferex and Porrex in whom terminated the Line of Brute and consequently would not have permitted so gross an Error to have escapt his Pen for Three Editions tho' it may be Mr. Dryden's Printer was as much to blame to print Queen for King as he ironically accuses Sr. Robert's for setting shut for open There are other Errata's in History which I might impute at least to Mr. Dryden's Negligence but I shall at present wave them In the mean time I must acquaint the Reader that however Mr. Dryden alledges that this Play was writ by the Lord Buckhurst I can assure him that the three first Acts were writ by Mr. Thomas Norton and that the Play it self was not written in Rime but blank Verse or if he will have it in prose mesurée so that Mr. Shakespear notwithstanding our Author's Allegation was not the first beginner of that way of Writing As to his Oeconomy and working up of his Play our Author is not wholly free from Pillage witness the last Act where the Dispute between Amideo and Hippolito with Gonsalvo's fighting with the Pirates is borrow'd from Petronius Arbyter
as the Reader may see by reading the Story of Encolpius Giton Eumolpus and Tryphaena aboard Licas's Vessel To say nothing of the Resemblance of the Catastrophe with that of Scarron's Rival Brothers Novel the Fifth Secret Love or The Maiden Queen a Tragi-Comedy acted by His Majesties Servants at the Theatre-Royal printed in quarto Lond. 1679. I have already made some observation on this Preface p. 143. and cannot pass by his making use of Bayes's Art of Transversing as any One may observe by comparing the Fourth Stanza of his First Prologue with the last Paragraph of the Preface to Ibrahim As to the Contrivance of the Plot the serious part of it is founded on the History of Cleobuline Queen of Corinth Part 7. Book 2. The Characters of Celadon Florimel Olinda and Sabina are borrow'd from the Story of Pisistates and Cerintha in the Grand Cyrus Part 9. Book 3. and from the Story of the French Marquess in Ibrahim Part 2. Book 1. Sir Martin Mar-all or The Feign'd Innocence a Comedy acted at His Highness the Duke of York's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1678. This Play is generally ascrib'd to Mr. Dryden tho' his Name be not affix'd to it But in reality the Foundation of it is originally French and whoever will compare it with M. Quinault's L'Amant Indiscret and Molliere's L'Etourdy ou le contre temps will find not only the Plot but a great part of the Language of Sr. Martin and his Man Warner borrow'd There are several other Turns of the Plot copied from other Authors as Warner's playing on the Lute instead of his Master and his being surpriz'd by his Folly See Francion written by M. Du Pare Lib. 7. Old Moody and Sr. John being hoisted up in their Altitudes is taken at least the hint of it from Shakerly Marmion's Fine Companion Act 4. Sc. 1. The Song of Blind Love to this Hour as I have already observ'd is translated from a Song made by M. de Voiture tho' I must do Mr. Drydeu the Justice to acquaint the World that he has kept to the Sense and the same Measure of Verse Spanish Fryar or The Double Discovery a Tragi-Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1681. and dedicated to the Right Honourable John Lord Haughton Whether Mr. Dryden intended his Character of Dominick as a Satyr on the Romish Priests only or on the Clergy of all Opinions in general I know not but sure I am that he might have spar'd his Reflecting Quotation in the Front of his Play Ut melius possis fallere sume togam But the truth is ever since a certain Worthy Bishop refus'd Orders to a certain Poet Mr. Dryden has declar'd open defiance against the whole Clergy and since the Church began the War he has thought it but Justice to make Reprisals on the Church Mr. Dryden who is famous for collecting Observations and Rules for Writing has learnt this great Arcanum from his Brother Poet the Tutor to Pacheco in the Comedy of the Reformation That this one piece of Art of Reflecting in all he writes on Religion and the Clergy has set off many an indifferent Play by the titilation it affords the Gallants who are sure to get those Verses all by heart and fill their Letters with them to their Country Friends But whatever success this way of Writing may find from the Sparks it can never be approv'd on by sober Men and there are none who have any sense of Religion themselves that can without concern suffer it to be abus'd and none but Apostates or Atheists will be so impudent to attempt it and the real cause of their Envy and Malice is the same with that of the Emperor to his Son Aureng-zebe which with Reference to the Clergy may be thus apply'd Our Clergy's sacred Virtues shine too bright They flash too fierce their foes like birds of night Shut their dull Eyes and sicken at the sight The Comieal Parts of the Spanish Fryar Lorenzo and Elvira are founded on Monsieur S. Bremond's Novel call'd the Pilgrim State of Innocence or The Fall of Man an Opera written in Heroick Verse printed in quarto Lond. 1678. and dedicated to Her Royal Highness the Dutchess Whether the Author has not been guilty of the highest Flattery in this Dedication I leave to the Reader 's Judgment but I may presume to say that there are some Expressions in it that seem strain'd and a Note beyond Ela as for Instance Your Person is so admirable that it can scarce receive addition when it shall be glorified and your Soul which shines through it finds it of a Substance so near her own that she will be pleas'd to pass an Age within it and to be confin'd to such a Pallace This Dramma is commended by a Copy of Verses written by Mr. Lee and the Author has prefixt an Apology for Heroick Poetry and Poetick Licence The foundation of this Opera is fetcht from Mr. Milton's Paradise Lost. How far our Author has transcrib'd him I shall leave to the inquiry of the Curious that will take the pains to compare the Copy with the Original Tempest or The Inchanted Island a Comedy acted at His Royal Highness the Duke of York's Theatre and printed in quarto Lond. 1676. This Play is originally Shakespear's being the first Play printed in the Folio Edition and was revis'd by Sr. D'Avenant and Mr. Dryden The Character of the Saylors were not only the Invention of the former but for the most part of his Writing as our Author ingeniously confesseth in his Preface 'T is likewise to his Praise that he so much commends his deceas'd Predecessor But as to his Reflections on Mr. Fletcher and Sr. John Suckling for having copied the One his Sea Voyage the other his Goblins from this Play I believe were Mr. Dryden to be try'd by the same Standard most of his Plays would appear Copies Troilus and Cressida or Truth found out too late a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre to which is prefixt a Preface containing the Grounds of Criticisme in Tragedy printed in quarto Lond. 1679. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Thomas Earl of Sunderland This Play was likewise first written by Shakespear and revis'd by Mr. Dryden to which he added several new Scenes and even cultivated and improv'd what he borrow'd from the Original The last Scene in the third Act is a Master-piece and whether it be copied from Shakespear Fletcher or Euripides or all of them I think it jnstly deserves Commendation The Plot of this Play was taken by Mr. Shakespear from Chaucer's Troilus and Cressida which was translated according to Mr. Dryden from the Original Story written in Latine Verse by One Lollius a Lombard Tyranick Love or The Royal Martyr a Tragedy acted by His Majesties Servants at the Theatre-Royal printed in quarto Lond. 1677. and dedicated to the Most Illustrious Prince James Duke of Monmouth and Bucclugh This Tragedy is writ in Heroick
Verse and several Hints are borrow'd from other Authors but much improv'd Only I cannot but observe that whenever the Criticks pursue him he withdraws for shelter under the Artillery of the Ancients and thinks by the discharge of a Quotation from a Latine Author to destroy their Criticisms Thus in the Preface to his Play he vindicates the following Line in his Prologue And he who servilely creeps after Sence Is safe By that Quotation of Horace Serpit humi tutus So he justifies the following Line in the end of the Fourth Act With Empty Arms embrace you whilst you sleep From this Expression in Virgil Vacuis amplectitur Ulnis I could cite you other passages out of his Conquest of Granada Indian Emperor State of Innocence c. but these are sufficient to shew how much Self-justification is an Article of our Author's Creed As to the Plot of this Tragedy 't is founded on History see Zosimus L.4 Socrates L.5 C. 14 Herodiani Hist. L.7 and 8. Jul. Capitolinus in Vit. Max. Jun. Wild Gallant a Comedy acted at the Theatre Royal by Their Majesties Servants and printed in quarto Lond. 1669. This Play tho' the last mention'd by reason of the Alphabetical Order throughout observ'd was yet the first attempt which our Author made in Dramatick Poetry and met with but indifferent Success in the Action The Plot he confesses was not originally his own but however having so much alter'd and beautified it we will do him the Honour to call him the Author of the Wild Gallant as he has done Sr. Robert Howard the Author of the Duke of Lerma and by way of Excuse I shall transcribe his own Lines in behalf of a New Brother of Parnassus 'T is Miracle to see a first good Play All Hawthorns do not bloom on Christmass-day A slender Poet must have time to grow And spread and burnish as his Brothers do Who still looks lean sure with some Pox is curst But no Man can be Falstaff Fat at first I am next to give the Reader an Account of his other Writings and Transactions as far as they are come to my Knowledge and I shall begin with those in Verse because nearer ally'd to my present Subject There are several pieces of this Nature said to be writ by him as Heroick Stanzas on the late Usurper Oliver Cromwel written after his Funeral and printed in quarto Lond. 1659. Annus Mirahilis The Year of Wonders 1666. An Historical Poem describing the Dutch War and the Fire of London printed in octavo Lond. 1667. Absalom and Achitophel printed in quarto Lond. 1682. This last with several other of his Poems as the Medal Mack Flecknoe c. are printed in A Collection of Poems in octavo Lond. 1684. Sylva or a Second Volume of Poetical Miscellanies in octavo Lond. 1685. Religio Laici printed in quarto Lond. 1682. Threnodia Augustalis or a Funeral-Pindarique Poem on King Charles the Second printed in quarto Lond. 1685. Hind and Panther in quarto Lond. 1687. Britannia Rediviva a Poem on the Birth of the Prince in Fol. Lond. 1688. In Prose he has writ An Essay of Dramatick Poetry in quarto Lond. 1668. Vindication of the Duke of Guise in quarto Lond. 1683. The Life of Plutarch in octavo Lond. 1683. And some Theological Pieces which I have not by me at present He has translated The History of the League The Life of St. Xavier c. Now that Mr. Dryden may not think himself slighted in not having some Verses inserted in his Commendation I will present the Reader with a Copy written by Mr. Flecknoe and leave him to Judge of his Wit and Mr. Dryden's Gratitude by comparing the Epistle Dedicatory to his Kind Keeper and his Satyr call'd Mack Flecknoe with the following Epigram To Mr. John Dryden Dryden the Muses Darling and delight Than whom none ever flew so high a flight Some have their Vains so drossy as from Earth Their Muses only seem to have ta'ne their Birth Other but Water-Poets are have gone No farther than to th' Fount of Helicon And they 'r but airy Ones whose Muse soars up higher No higher than to Mount Pernassus top Whilst thou with thine dost seem to have mounted Than he who fetcht from Heaven Celestial Fire And dost as far surpass all others as Fire does all other Elements surpass Thomas DUFFET An Author altogether unknown to me but by his Writings and by them I take him to be a Wit of the third Rate and One whose Fancy leads him rather to Low-Comedy and Farce than Heroick Poetry He has written three Plays Two of which were purposely design'd in a Burlesque Stile but are intermixt with so much Scurrility that instead of Diverting they offend the modest Mind And I have heard that when one of his Plays viz. The Mock Tempest was acted in Dublin several Ladies and Persons of the best Quality left the House such Ribaldry pleasing none but the Rabble as Horace says Offenduntur enim quibus est equus pater res Nec si quid fricti ciceris probat nucis emptor AEquis accipiunt animis donant-ve coronâ Mock Tempest or The Enchanted Castle a Farce acted at the Theatre-Royal printed in quarto Lond. 1675. The Design of this Play was to draw the Town from the Duke's Theatre who for a considerable time had frequented that admirable reviv'd Comedy call'd The Tempest What success it had may be learnt from the following Lines The dull Burlesque appear'd with Impudence And pleas'd by Novelty for want of Sence Ali except trivial points grew out of Date Parnassus spoke the Cant of Billingsgate Boundless and Mad disorder'd Rime was seen Disguis'd Apollo chang'd to Harlequin This Plague which first in Country Towns began Cities and Kingdoms quickly over-ran The dullest Scriblers some Admirers found And the Mock-Tempest was a while renown'd But this low stuff the Town at last despis'd And scorn'd the Folly that they once had priz'd Psyche Debauch'd a Comedy acted at the Theatre Royal and printed 8 o Lond. 1678. This Mock Opera was writ on purpose to Ridicule Mr. Shadwell's Psyche and to spoil the Duke's House which as has been before observ'd was then more frequented than the King 's This Play is as Scurrilous as the former Spanish Rogue a Comedy acted by His Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1674. and dedicated to Madam Ellen Guin Tho' this Play far exceed either of the former yet I cannot commend it neither do I think Comedy a fit subject for Heroick Verse few of them being writ in Rime in our Language and those few scarce any of them have succeeded on the English Stage Our Author has writ nothing else that I know of but a Book of Poems Songs Prologues and Epilogues printed in octavo Lond. 1676. Thomas DURFEY A Person now living who was first bred to the Law but left that rugged way for the flowry Fields of Poetry He is accounted by
no disparagement to submit his Writings to his Correction What a great Veneration Ben. had for him is evident by those Verses he writ to him when living Mr. Fletcher's Wit was equal to Mr. Beaumont's Judgment and was so luxuriant that like superfluous Branches it was frequently prun'd by his Judicious Partner These Poets perfectly understood Breeding and therefore successfully copy'd the Conversation of Gentlemen They knew how to describe the Manners of the Age and Fletcher had a peculiar tallent in expressing all his thoughts with Life and Briskness No Man ever understood or drew the Passions more lively than he and his witty Raillery was so drest that it rather pleas'd than disgusted the modest part of his Audience In a word Fletcher's Fancy and Beaumont's Judgment combin'd produc'd such Plays as will remain Monuments of their Wit to all Posterity Nay Mr. Fletcher himself after Mr. Beaumont's Decease compos'd several Dramatick Pieces which were well worthy the Pen of so great a Master Of this the following Lines writ by that Excellent Poet Mr. Carthwright are a proof Tho' when All Fletcher writ and the entire Man was indulg'd unto that sacred fire His thoughts his thoughts dress appear'd both such That 't was his happy fault to do too much Who therefore wisely did submit each Birth To knowing Beaumont e're it did come forth Working again until he said 't was fit And made him the sobriety of his Wit Tho' thus he call'd his Judge into his Fame And for that aid allow'd him half the Name 'T is known that sometimes he did stand alone That both the spunge and pencil were his own That himself judg'd himself could singly do And was at last Beaumont and Fletcher too Else we had lost his Shepherdess a piece Even and smooth sprung from a finer fleece Where Softness reigns where passions passions greet Gentle high as floods of Balsam meet Where drest in white Expressions sit bright Loves Drawn like their fairest Queen by milky Doves A Piece which Johnson in a Rapture bid Come up a glorify'd Work and so it did They who would read more of these admirable Poets worth may peruse at their leisure those excellent Copys of Verses printed with their Works written by the prime Wits of the Age as Waller Denham Sir John Berkenhead Dr. Main c. I am extreamly sorry that I am not able to give any Account of the Affairs of these Great Men Mr. Beaumont's Parentage Birth County Education and Death being wholly unknown to me And as to Mr. Fletcher all I know of him is That he was Son to the Eminent Richard Fletcher created Bishop of Bristol by Queen Elizabeth An. 1559. and by her preferr'd to London 1593. He died in London of the Plague in the First Year of King Charles the Martyr 1625. being Nine and fourty Years of Age and was bury'd in St. Mary Overies Church in Southwarke I beg my Reader 's Leave to insert the Inscription which I find writ under his Picture by that well known Wit Sir John Berkenhead which will give the Reader a fuller Knowledge of his Abilities and Merit than I am able to express Felicis aevi ac Praesulis Natus comes Beaumontio sic quippe Parnassus Biceps FLETCHERVS unam in Pyramida furcas agens Struxit chorum plùs simplicem Vates Duplex Plus Duplicem solus nec ullum transtulit Nec transferrendus Dramatum aeterni sales Anglo Theatro Orbi Sibi superstitites FLETCHERE facies absque vultu pingitur Quantus vel umbram circuit nemo tuam Where or when Mr. Beaumont died I know not but I have met with an Epitaph writ by Dr. Corbet immediately after his Death that well deserves the Reader 's perusal On Mr. Francis Beaumont Then newly dead He that hath such Acuteness and such Wit As would ask Ten good Heads to husband it He that can write so well that no man dare Refuse it for the best let him beware BEAUMONT is dead by whose sole Death appears Wit 's a Disease consumes men in few years There are two and fifty Plays written by these worthy Authors all which are now extant in one Volume printed fol. Lond. 1679. each of which I shall mention Alphabetically Beggers Bush a Comedy This Play I have seen several times acted with applause Bonduca a Tragedy The plot of this Play is borrow'd from Tacitus's Annals Lib. 14. See Milton's History of England Book 2. Ubaldino de Vita delle Donne Illustri del Regno d' Inghelterra Scotia pag. 7 c. Bloody Brother or Rollo Duke of Normandy a Tragedy much in request and notwithstanding Mr. Rymer's Criticisms on it has still the good fortune to Please it being frequently acted by the present Company of Actors at the Queen's Play-House in Dorset-Garden The Design of this Play is History See Herodian lib. 4. Xiphilini Epit. Dion in Vit. Ant. Caracallae Part of the Language is copy'd from Seneca's Thebais Captain a Comedy Chances a Comedy reviv'd by the late Duke of Buckingham and very much improv'd being acted with extraordinary applause at the Theatre in Dorset-Garden and printed with the Alterations Lond. 4 o 1682. This Play is built on a Novel written by the Famous Spaniard Miguel de Cervantes call'd The Lady Cornelia which the Reader may read at large in a Fol. Vol. call'd Six Exemplary Novels Coronation a Tragi-comedy Coxcomb a Comedy which was reviv'd at the Theatre-Royal the Prologue being spoken by Jo. Hains Cupid's Revenge a Tragedy Custome of the Country a Tragi-comedy This is accounted an excellent Play the Plot of Rutilio Duarte and Guyomar is founded on one of Malespini's Novels Deca 6. Nov. 6. Double Marriage a Tragedy which has been reviv'd some years ago as I learn from a new Prologue printed in Covent-Garden Drollexy p. 14. Elder Brother a Comedy which has been acted with good applause Faithful Shepherdess a Pastoral writ by Mr. Fletcher and commended by two Copies written by the Judicious Beaumont and the Learned Johnson which the Reader may read at the end of the Play See the last Edit Fol. p. 233. When this Pastoral was first acted before their Majesties at Sommerset House on Twelfth-Night 1633. instead of a Prologue there was a Song in Dialogue sung between a Priest and a Nymph which was writ by Sir William D'Avenant and an Epilogue was spoken by the Lady Mary Mordant which the Reader may read in Covent-Garden Drollery pag. 86. Fair Maid of the Inn a Tragi-comedy Mariana's disowning Caesario for her Son and the Duke's Injunction to marry him is related by Causin in his Holy Court and is transcrib'd by Wanley in his History of Man Fol. Book 3. Chap. 26. False One a Tragedy This Play is founded on the Adventures of Julius Caesar in AEgypt and his Amours with Cleopatra See Suetonius Plutarch Dion Appian Florus Eutropius Orosius c. Four Plays or Moral Representations in One viz. The Triumph of Honour The Triumph of Love The
parts under a different Title suitable to their Subject The first which was writ when he was a Suitor to his Wife is usher'd in by a Character writ in Prose of a Mistress The second being Copies writ to her after Marriage by a Character of a Wife After which is a Character of a Friend before several Funeral Elegies The third part consists of Divine Poems some of which are Paraphrases on several Texts out of Job and the Book of Psalms before which is the Portraict of a Holy Man I know not when those Poems were first printed but the last Edition which I have by me augmented and corrected was printed 8o. Lond. 1640. and his Poetry is commended by his Friend and Kinsman Mr. John Talbot I know nothing that he has writ in Prose except his Chronicle of K. Edward the Fourth printed fol. Lond. 1640. Of what esteem it is in the World is well known to Historians Peter HAUSTEAD A Gentleman that was born at Oundle a Market Town in Northamptonshire and flourisht in the Reign of King Charles the First of Blessed Memory He was after some Years sent to the University of Cambridge where in Queens Colledge he took the Degree of Master of Arts. He challenges a Place in our Catalogue on Account of his Play call'd Rival Friends a Comedy acted before the King and Queens Majesties when out of their Princely Favour they were pleas'd to visit the University of Cambridge upon the nineteenth day of March 1631. Cry'd down by Boys Faction Envy and confident Ignorance approv'd by the Judicious and Expos'd to the publick Censure by the Author printed 4 o Lond. 1632. and dedicated by a Copy of Verses to the Right Honble Right Reverend Right Worshipful or whatsoever he be shall be or whom he hereafter may call Patron The Play is commended by a Copy of Latin Verses and Two writ in English The Prologue is a Dialogue betwixt Venus Thetis and Phoebus sung by two Trebles and a Base Venus being Phosphorus as well as Vesper appearing at a window above as risen calling to Sol who lay in Thetis Lap at the East-side of the Stage canopy'd with an Azure Curtain Our Author seems to me to be much of the Humor of Ben Johnson whose greatest weakness was that he could not bear Censure and has so great a Value for Ben's Writings that his Scene betwen Love-all Mungrel Hammershin Act 3. Sc. 7. is copy'd from that in Johnson's Play called The Silent Woman between True-wit Daw and La-fool Act. 4. Sc. 5. I know not whether our Author were in Orders when he writ this Play but I know there are Eleven Sermons in print under his Name published 4 o Lond. 1646. Richard HEAD This Author liv'd in the Reigns of King Charles the First and Second He was born in Ireland of English Parents being the Son of a Clergy-man who was murther'd in the deplorable Massacre of Ireland in the beginning of the Rebellion which broke out there on the 2 d day of October 1641. He was educated for some small time in the University of Oxford and afterwards exchang'd his Study for a Booksellers Shop I remember him a Bookseller and Partner with Kirkman if I mistake not in the Alley that fronts the North-gate of Pauls call'd Cannon-Alley He was a Man extreamly given to pleasure and yet of excellent Natural Parts had they been improv'd by Virtue or fix'd by Solidity He writ a Play call'd Hic ubique or The Humour 's of Dublin a Comedy acted privately with good Applause printed in quarto Lond. 1663. and dedicated to the Illustrious Charles Duke of Monmouth and Orkney He has writ several other Pieces of different Subjects tho' all of them trivial and which betray'd his Conversation as The first part of the English Rogue Venus Cabinet unlock'd The Art of Wheedling The Floating Island or A Voyage from Lambethania to Ram-allia A Discovery of O Brasil Jackson's Recantation The Red-sea and some Pieces against Dr. Wild all which I have borrow'd from Mr. Winstanley and shall be ready to return him Interest for it in the Next Edition of his Book if he pleases to command me Our Author according to Mr. Winstanley was cast away at Sea in his passage to the Isle of Wight William HEMMINGS A Gentleman that liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the First and was Master of Arts of the University of Oxford tho' I cannot inform my self of what Colledge He writ two Tragedies which in his time were in some esteem and one of them has appear'd on the Stage since the Restitution of his late Majesty and the Muses with Approbation It is call'd Fatal Contract a Tragedy acted with good Applause by Her Majesties Servants and printed quarto Lond. 1653. This Play was published after the Author's Death having pass'd thro' many Hands as a Curiosity of Wit and Language and was dedicated to the Right Honourable James Compton Earl of Northampton and to Isabella his Virtuous Countess It was reviv'd not many Years since under the Title of Love and Revenge with some Alterations the Old Play being out of print it was about three Years ago reprinted as a New Play under the Title of The Eunuch For the Plot 't is founded on the French Chronicle in the Reigns of Chilperic the First and Clotaire the Second Consult Gregoire de Tours Lib. 4 5. c. Aimoin Fredegaire Sigebert Fortunat Valois De Serres Mezeray c. Jews Tragedy or their fatal and final Overthrow by Vespasian and Titus his Son agreeable to the Authentick and Famous History of Josephus printed 4 o Lond. 1662. This Play was not published till some Years after the Author's Death For the History consult Josephus Lib. 6 7. Jasper HEYWOOD This Author was Son to John Heywood the Famous Epigramatist of which by and by and was bred in his younger Years at Merton Colledge and afterwards was a Member of All-Souls Colledge in Oxford In some few Years he changed the University for S. Omers where he became a fierce Bigotted Jesuite and was the first Jesuite that set foot in England Dr. Fuller says He was executed in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth but Sir Richard Baker tells us That he was one of the Chief of those seventy Priests that were taken in the Year 1585. and when some of them were condemn'd and the rest in danger of the Law that Gracious Queen caus'd them all to be Ship'd away and sent out of England During his Residence in the University he imploy'd part of his time in translating three of Seneca's Tragedies of which we shall give an Account But first with the Readers permission since an hansome Opportunity offers it self we will present you with an Abridgment of the Life of this our Poetical-Stoick Lucius Annaeus Seneca was born at Cordoüa in Spain a little before the Death of Augustus Caesar. He bore his Father's Name which Conformity has mis-led some Authors causing them to ascribe to the Son
Account of the Plays our Author has written but crave his leave to begin first with those which are usually stiled The Ages because they are generally sold together and depend upon each other and on another score they deserve the Preference as being accounted by most the Flower of all his Plays I shall rank them in the same manner as Ovid has describ'd them in his Divine Work the Metamorphosis Golden Age or The Lives of Jupiter and Saturn with the Deifying of the Heathen Gods a History sundry times acted at the Red-Bull by the Queens Majesties Servants and printed 4 o Lond. 1611. This Play the Author stiles The Eldest Brother of three Ages that have adventur'd the Stage but the only yet that hath been judg'd to the Press The Author in this Play and the Two following introduces Homer as the Expositor of each Dumb shew in imitation as I suppose of Shakespear's practice in Pericles Prince of Tyre where Gower is suppos'd to do the same piece of Service to the Audience I shall leave it to the Learned Readers Judgment how far our Poet has follow'd the Writers of Poetical History whilst I refer my English Readers to Ross's Mistagogus Poeticus and to Galtruchius's Poetical History for satisfaction or if they please to the Historical Dictionaries of Gouldman Littleton c. Silver Age a History including the Love of Jupiter to Alcmena the Birth of Hercules and the Rape of Proserpine concluding with the Arraignment of the Moon printed 4 o Lond. 1613. The Author in this Epistles acquaints the Reader That tho' He began with Gold follow with Silver proceed with Brass and purpose by God's Grace to end with Iron He hopes the declining Titles shall no whit blemish the Reputation of the Works but he rather trusts that as those Mettals decrease in value so è contrario their Books shall increase in substance weight and estimation Our Author in this Play has borrow'd several Passages from the Ancients as the Intrigue of Jupiter and Alcmena is translated from the Amphitruo of Plautus The Rape of Proserpine is borrow'd from Ovid's Metamorphosis lib. 3 with other places too many to repeat Brazen Age a History the First Act containing the Death of the Centaure Nessus the Second the Tragedy of Meleager the Third the Tragedy of Jason and Medea the Fourth Vulcan's Net the Fifth the Labours and Death of Hercules printed 4 o Lond. 1613. All these Stories are to be found in Ovid's Metamorphosis For the Story of Nessus see Lib. 9 Fab. 2 Of Meleager Lib. 8 Fab. 4 Of Jason Lib. 7 Fab. 1 Of Vulcan's Net Lib. 4 Fab. 5 Of Hercules Lib. 9 Fab. 3 Iron Age the first part an History containing the Rape of Hellen the Siege of Troy the Combat between Hector and Ajax Hector and Troilus slain by Achilles Achilles slain by Paris Ajax and Ulysses contend for the Armour of Achilles the Death of Ajax c. printed 4 o Lond. 1632. and dedicated to his Worthy and Much Respected Friend Mr. Thomas Hammond of Gray's Inn Esquire The Author in his Epistle acquaints the Reader That this Iron Age beginneth where the other left holding on in a plain and direct course from the second Rape of Hellen not only to the utter ruine and devastation of Troy but it with the second part stretcheth to the Deaths of Hellen and all those Kings of Greece who were the undertakers of that Ten years bloody and fatal Siege Lastly he desires the Reader to take notice That these were the Plays often and not with the least applause publickly acted by two Companies upon One Stage at once and have at sundry times thronged three several Theatres with numerous and mighty Auditories The Author has borrow'd in many places of this Play as the Reader may see by comparing the Contention between Ajax and Ulysses with Ovid's Metamorphosis Lib. 13 and other the like too numerous to particularise For the main Plot consult Homer Vigil Dares Phrigius c. for the Episodes Ovid's Epistles Metamorphosis Lucian's Dialogues c. Iron Age the second part a History containing the Death of Penthesilea Paris Priam and Hecuba The burning of Troy The Deaths of Agamemnon Menelaus Clitemnestra Hellena Orestes Egistus Pylades King Diomed Pyrbus Cethus Synon Thersites printed 4 o Lond. 1632. and dedicated to his Worthy and much Respected Friend Mr. Thomas Manwaring Esquire For the Plot consult the foremention'd Authors Mr. Heywood design'd a new Edition of all these Ages together And to illustrate as he says the whole Work with an Explanation of the difficulties and an Historical Comment upon every hard Name which might appear obscure and intricate to such as were not frequent in Poetry but design of his I know not for what reason was laid aside Having given the Reader a full if not too tedious Account of these Plays I hasten to speak of the rest in our accustom'd order as follows Challenge for Beauty a Tragi-comedy sundry times acted by the Kings Majesties Servants at the Black fryars and at the Globe on the Bank-side printed 4 o Lond. 1636. Dutchess of Suffolk her Life a History divers and sundry times acted with good Applause printed 4 o Lond. 1631. The PLot is built on History see the Story at large in Fox's Martyrology in the Reign of Queen Mary An. Dom. 1558. in the Story of Lady Katherine Dutchess of Suffolk See besides Clark's Martyrology Chap. 11. pag. 521. Edward the Fourth a History in Two Parts printed 4 o Lond. 16 The Foundation of this Play is built upon Chronicle See the Story of this King writ by Polydore Virgil Du Chesue Speed c. English Traveller a Tragi-comedy publickly acted at the Cock-pit in Drury-lane by her Majesties Servants prited 4 o Lond. 1633. and dedicated to the Right Worshipful Sir Henry Appleton Knight Baronet The Plot and Language of young Lyonel and Reginald is stoln from Plautus's Mostellaria The Story of old Wincote and his Wife Geraldine and Dalavil the Author affirms to be true in his History of Women where 't is related at large lib. 4. pag. 269. 8 o Edition Fair Maid of the Exchange a Comedy together with the merry Humours and pleasant Passages of the Cripple of Fanchurch furnisht with variety of delectable Mirth printed 4o. Lond. 1637. The Parts are so cast by the Author that tho' there are Twenty Actors Eleven may easily act this Comedy tho' in my opinion it is not worth reviving Nay further I question notwithstanding Mr. Kirkman has ascrib'd it to our Author whether it be his since his Name is not prefixt neither does the Stile or Oeconomy resemble the rest of his Labours Fair Maid of the West or A Girlworth Gold a Tragi-comedy the First Part lately acted before the King and Queen with approved liking by the Queens Majesties Comedians printed 4 o Lond. 1631. and dedicated to his much Worthy and his most Respected John Othow Esquire Counsellor at Law in the Noble Society of
Overthrow a Tragedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by their Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1676. and dedicated to her Grace the Dutchess of Portsmouth This Play is writ in Heroick Verse and hath always appear'd on the Stage with applause especially from the Female Sex and Envy it self must acknowledge That the Passion between Massanissa and Sophonisba is well express't tho' Hannibal and Scipio's Parts fall somewhat short of the Characters given them by Historians as the Ingenious and Sharp Lord Rochester has observ'd in his Allusion to Horace's Tenth Satyr of the First Book When Lee makes temperate Scipio sret and rave And Hannibal a whining Amorous Slave I laugh and wish the Hot-brain'd Fustian-Fool In Busby's Hands to be well lasht at School As our Author has taken the Liberty in several Plays to follow Romances so possibly he purposely err'd with the late Earl of Orrery who in his first Part of Parthenissa has represented the Warlike Hannibal as much in Love with Izadora as Mr. Lee has describ'd him passionate of Rosalinda's Charms Many Historians have writ the Actions of these Great Men see Cornelius Nepos his Life of Hannibal Plutarch's Life of Scipio and that of Hannibal father'd on him tho' suppos'd to be writ by Donatus Acciajolus Livy Dec. 3. Lib. 1. c. Florus Lib. 2. C. 6. Justin Orosius Diodorus Polybius Appian c. Those who understand Italian may read the Story of Massanissa and Sophonisba very neatly describ'd by the Excellent Pen of Petrarch in his Il Trionfo d'Amore C. 2. Theodosius or The Force of Love a Tragedy acted by their Royal-Highness's Servants at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1680. and dedicated to her Grace the Dutchess of Richmond The Passions are extreamly well drawn in this Play and it met with its deserv'd Applause and our Author has said with as much Truth as Modesty That such Characters Every Dawber cannot draw This Play is founded on a Romance call'd Pharamond translated from the French of Mr. Calpranede See the History of Varannes Part 3. Book 3. p. 282. Of Martian Part 7. Book 1. p. 207. Of Theodosius Part 7. Book 3. p. 256. I know nothing else that our Author has in Print and therefore I shall conclude with that just Commendation given him and Mr. Otway by Mr. Evelyn in his Imitation of Ovid's Elegy ad Invidos When the aspiring Grecian in the East And haughty Philip is forgot in the West Then Lee and Otway's Works shall be supprest John LILLY An Ancient Writer living in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth he was a Kentish Man and in his younger Years brought up in St. Mary Magdalen Colledge in Oxon. where in the Year 1575. he took his Master of Arts Degree He was a very close Student and much addicted to Poetry a Proof of which he has given the World in Nine Plays he has bequeath'd to Posterity and which in that Age were well esteem'd both by the Court and the University He was One of the first Writers that in those Days attempted to reform our Language and purge it from obsolete Expressions Mr. Blount a Gentleman who has made himself known to the World by the several Pieces of his own Writing as Horae Subsecivae his Microcosmography c. and who publisht fix of these Plays in his Title-page stiles him The only Rare Poet of that Time The Witty Comical Facetiously-Quick and Unparalell'd John Lilly 'T is not to be expected that I should any where trace this Author if the Character Mr. Blount gives of him in his Epistle Dedicatory be true That he sat at Apollo's Table that Apollo gave him a Wreath of his own Bayes without Snatching and that the Lyre he play'd on had no borrow'd Strings The Reader therefore is only to expect a short Account of his Titles Alphabetically Alexander and Campaspe a Tragical-Comedy play'd before the Queens Majesty on Twelfth-day at Night by her Majesties Children and the Children of Paul's and afterwards at the Black-fryars printed 120. Lond. 1632. The Story of Alexander's bestowing Campaspe on the Enamour'd Apelles is related by Pliny in his his Natural History Lib. 35 L.10 Endymion a Comedy presented before Queen Elizabeth by the Children of her Majesties Chappel and the Children of Pauls printed 120 Lond. 1632. For the Story of Endimion's being belov'd by the Moon with Comments upon it may be met with in most of the Mythologists See Lucian's Dialogues between Venus and the Moon Natalis Comes Lib. 4. C 8. Hygini Poeticon Astronomicon Fulgentii Mythologia Galtruchius's History of the Heathen Gods Lib. I. C. 9. M. Gombauld has writ a Romance call'd Endymion translated in English printed octavo 1639. Galathea a Comedy play'd before the Queens Majesty at Greenwich on New-Years Day at Night by the Children of Paul's printed 120. Lond. 1632. In the Characters of Galathea and Phillidia the Poet has copy'd the Story of Iphis and Janthe which the Reader may find at large In Ovid's Metamorphosis Lib. 9 Cap. 12 Love's Metamorphosis a Witty and Courtly Pastoral first play'd by the Children of Paul's and now by the Children of the Chappel printed 4o. Lond. 1601. Maid's Metamorphosis a Comedy sundry times acted by the Children of Paul's printed 4o. Lond. 1600. The first Act is wholy writ in Verse and so is the greatest part of the Play Mother Bombie a Pleasant Conceited Comedy sundry times play'd by the Children of Paul's printed 120. Lond. 1632. Mydas a Comedy play'd before the Queens Majesty upon Twelfth-day at Night printed 120. Lond. 1632. For the Story see Ovid's Metamorphosis Lib. II. Fab. 4 Natalis Comes Lib. 9. Cap. 15. Galtruchius Book 2. Ch. 5 Apuleius has writ the Story at large in his Aureus Asinus c. Sapho and Phao a Comedy play'd before the Queens Majesty on Shrove-Tuesday by her Majesties Children and the Children of Paul's and afterwards at the Black-fryars printed 120. Lond. 1632. This Story the Reader may learn from Ovid's Epistle of Sapho to Phaon Ep. 21. Woman in the Moon a Comedy presented before Her Highness printed 4o. Lond. 1667. Six of these Plays viz. Alexander and Campaspe Endymion Galathea Mother Bombie Mydas Sapho and Phao are printed together under the Title of Six Court Comedies 120. Lond. 1632. and dedicated by the above mention'd Mr. Blount to the Right Honourable Richard Lumley Viscount Lumley of Waterford The other three are printed single in 4o. By which it appears how and Mr. Philips and his Transcriber Mr. Winstanley are mistaken in affirming That all Mr. Lilly's Plays are printed together in a Volume Not are they less mistaken in ascribing to him a Play call'd Warning for fair Women it being writ by an Anonymous Author I presume our Author may have other Pieces in print tho' I have not been so happy to see them Mr. Blount seems to mention a Book stiled Euphues Our Nation says he are in his Debt for a new English which he taught them Euphues and his
England began first that Language All our Ladies were then his Schollars and that Beauty in Court which could not Parley Eupheisme was as little regarded as She which now there speaks not French Thomas LODGE A Doctor of Physick in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth who was not so entirely devoted to AEsculapius but that during his Residence in the University of Cambridge he sometimes sacrificed to Apollo and the Nine Sisters Mr. Philips says That he was One of the Writers of those pretty old Pastoral Songs and Madrigals which were very much the Strain of those Times But 't is not in Lyrick Poetry alone that he exercis'd his Pen but sometimes he exercis'd it in Dramatick likewise in which way he has publish two Pieces viz. Looking-Glass for London and England a Tragi-comedy printed 4o. Lond. 1598. in an old Black-Letter In this Play our Author was assisted by Mr. Robert Green of whom we have given an Account p. 241. This Drama is founded on Holy Writ being the History of Jonas and the Ninevites form'd into a Play I suppose they chose this Subject in Imitation of others who had writ Dramas on Sacred Subjects long before them as Ezekiel a Jewish Dramatick Poet writ the Deliverance of the Israelites out of Egypt Gregory Nazianzen or as some say Apollinaris of Laodicea writ the Tragedy of Christ's Passion as I learn from the Learned Vossius To these I might add Hugo Grotius Theodore Beza Petavius c. all which have built upon the Foundation of Sacred History Wounds of Civil War lively set forth in the true Tragedies of Marius and Silla publickly Play'd in London by the Right Honourable the Lord High Admiral his Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1594. For the Plot consult Plutarch in the Lives of Marius and Silla Velleius Paterculus Lib. 2 Salust de Bello Jugurth T. Livius Lib. 66 Brev. Florus Lib. 3. C. 3. Aurelius Vistor Eutropius c. This Author as Mr. Winstanley says was an Eminent Writer of Pastoral Songs Odes and Madrigals of which he cites a pretty Sonnet which is said to be of his Composure and he has transcrib'd another in praise of Rosalinde out of his Euphue's Golden-Legacy This Book I never saw and know nothing else of our Author 's Writing except a Treatise of the Plague printed 4o. Lond. 1600. As to the Plays ascrib'd to him by Mr. Philips and Mr. Winstanley in which he is made an Associate with Mr. Robert Green I have already shewed their mistakes in the Account of that Author to which I refer the Reader Sir William LOWER A Gentleman that liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the First who during the beat of our Civil Wars took Sanctuary in Holland where in peace and privacy he enjoy'd the Society of the Muses He was a great Admirer of the French Poets and bestowed some times and pains in dressing some Plays in an English Garb besides what he has writ himself in his Mother-Tongue So that we are obliged to him for six Plays viz. Amorous Phantasin a Tragi-comedy printed at the Hague 120. 1658. and dedicated to her Highness The Princess Royal. This Play is translated from the French of M. Quinault's Le Fantōme Amoureux which appear'd with success on the French Stage Enchanted Lovers a Pastoral printed at the Hague 120. 1658. Horatius a Roman Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1656. This Play is Translated from the French of Mr. Corneille and as it is the first Version we had of that Admirable Play I think it ought to be excused if it come short of the Excellent Translation of Mr. Cotton and the Incomparable Orinda For the Story consult Livy Lib. 1. Florus Lib. 1. C. 3 Dionysius Hallicarnassaeus Cassiodorus c. Noble Ingratitude a Pastoral Tragi-comedy printed at the Hague 120. 1658. and dedicated to Her Majesty the Queen of Bohemia Our Author is fully perswaded that this Play is in the Original One of the best Dramatick Pieces that has been presented on the French Stage and undoubtedly M. Quinault is an Excellent Poet notwithstanding the Raillery of the Sharp-witted Boileau Si je pense exprimer un Auteur sans default La Raison dit Virgile la Rime Quinault Phoenix in her Flames a Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1639. and dedicated to the Right Worshipful his most Honoured Cousin Thomas Lower Esquire This Play was written before our Author was Knighted and I take it to be the first he writ Polyeuctes a Tragedy Printed 4o. Lond. 1655. For the true Story consult Coeffeteau Hist. Rom. Surius de Vitis Sanctorum As to the Incidents of the Dream of Paulina the Love of Severus the Effectual Baptism of Polyeuctes the Sacrifice for the Emperours Victory the Dignity of Felix the Death of Nearchus the Conversion of Felix and Paulina they are all of them the Author's Invention Three of these Plays viz. Amorous Phantasm Enchanted Lovers Noble Ingratitude were printed together at the Hague during the Author's Exile and at His Majesty's Return the Remainder of the Copies were purchas'd by Mr. Kirkman who printed new Titles in the Year 1661. Thomas LUPON I am able to recover nothing of this Author either as to the time of his Birth the Place where he liv'd or any thing he writ besides a Tragedy mention'd in former Catalogues called All for Money which I never saw M. Lewis MACHIN A Gentlemen that liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the Martyr the Author of a single Play called Dumb Knight an Historical Comedy acted sundry times by the Children of his Majesties Revels printed 4o. Lond. 1633. Our Author has borrow'd several Incidents from Novels as the Story of Mariana her Swearing Prince Philocles to be Dumb Act 2. is borrow'd from Bandello's Novells as I have read the Story translated by Belleforest Tom. 1. Nov. 13. The same Incident is in a Play called The Queen or The Excellency of her Sex Alfonsos ' Cuckolding Prate the Oratour Act 3. and the latter appearing before the Council and pleading in Alfonso's Cloathes whilst he is brought before the King in the Orator's Habit Act 5. is borrow'd as I remember from another of Bandello's Novels and the English Reader may meet with the same Story in The Complaisant Companion octavo p. 246. John MAIDWEL An Ingenious Person still living as I suppose in London where some time ago he undertook the Care and Tuition of young Gentlemen and kept a Private School during which Employment besides some other Performances with which he has obliged the World he has borrow'd so much time as to write a Play stiled Loving Enemies a Comedy acted at his Highness the Duke of York's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1680. and dedicated to the Honourable Charles Fox Esquire The part of Circumstantio seems to me to resemble the Humor of Sir Formal Trifle especially the Description of the Magpies sucking a Hen's Egg Act 4. Sc. 1. is writ much after the same way with that of the Mouse taken in a Trap See
Leonardo from Lucretia's Lodging where he got in by her Maid's Assistance is an Incident as I have already shew'd in several Plays Fine Companion a Comedy acted before the King and Queen at Whitehall and sundry times with great applause at the Private House in Salisbury-court by the Prince's Servants printed quarto Lond. 1633. and dedicated to the truly Noble and his worthy Kinsman in all respects Sir Ralph Dutton The Reader will find that Captain Porpuss in Sir Barnaby Whig is beholding to Captain Whibble in his Play for some of his Expressions Holland's Leaguer an Excellent Comedy often acted with great Applause by the High and Mighty Prince Charles his Servants at the Private House in Salisbury-court printed quarto Lond. 1632. The Author in this Play has shewed his Reading having borrow'd several things from Juvenal Petronius Arbyter c. Mr. Winstanley has made no mention of our Author and Mr. Philips to prove his Character of him that he is not an Obscure or Uncopious Writer of English Comedy has ascrib'd two Comedies to him which belong to other Men the Fleire being writ by Edward Sharpham and the Fair Maid of the Exchange if we may believe Kirkman's Account by Thomas Heywood John MARSTON An Author that liv'd in the Reign of King James the First who was a Contributor to the Stage in his Time by Eight Plays which were approv'd by the Audience at the Black-fryars and one of them viz. Dutch Curtezan was some few Years since reviv'd with success on the present Stage under the Title of The Revenge or The Match in New-gate The place of our Author's Birth and Family are to me unknown neither can I recover other Information of him than what I learnt from the Testimony of his Bookseller That he was free from all Obscene Speeches which is the chief cause that makes Plays to be so odious unto most Men. That he abhorr'd such Writers and their Works and profest himself an Enemy to all such as stufft their Scenes with Ribaldry and larded their Lines with Scurrilous Taunts and Jests So that whatsoever even in the Spring of his Years he presented upon the private and publick Theatre in his Autumn and Declining Age he needed not to be asham'd of An Excellent Character and fit for the Imitation of our Dramatists most of whom would be thought to have throughly studyed Horace I could wish therefore that they which know him so well would call to Mind and practice his Advice which is thus exprest Silvis deducti caveant me judice Fauni Ne nimiū teneres juvenentur versibus unquam Aut immunda crepent ignominiosaque dicta Offenduntur enim quibus est equus pater res But leaving this I shall give the Reader an Account of his Plays in their Accustom'd Order having first inform'd him that six of our Author's Plays are collected into one Volume being publisht under the Title of The Works of Mr. John Marston printed octavo Lond. 1633. and dedicated to the Right Honourable the Lady Elizabeth Carie Viscountess Faulkland According to the Alphabet I am to begin with viz. Antonio and Melida a History acted by the Children of Paul's printed octavo Lond. 1633. Antonio's Revenge or The Second part of Antonio and Melida frequently acted by the Children of Paul's printed in octavo These two Plays were likewise printed in quarto above 30 Years before this new Edition viz. 1602. Dutch Curtezan a Comedy divers times presented at the Black-fryars by the Children of the Queens Majesties Revels printed in octavo Lond. 1633. This Play was publisht long before in quarto viz. 1605. Cockledemoy's cheating Mrs. Mulligrub the Vintner's Wife of the Goblet and the Salmon is borrow'd from an old French Book called Les Contes du Monde see the same Story in English in a Book of Novels call'd The Palace of Pleasure in the last Novel Insatiate Countess a Tragedy acted at the White-fryars printed quarto Lond. 1603. It being a common custom with our Author to disguise his Story and to personate real Persons under feign'd Characters I am perswaded that in this Play under the Title of Isabella the Insatiable Countess of Suevia he meant Joane the First Queen of Jerusalem Naples and Sicily and I doubt not but the Reader who will compare the Play with the History will assent to my conjecture Many are the Writers that have related her Life as Collenuccio Simmoneta Villani Montius c. but I refer my English Reader to Dr. Fuller's Prophane State Ch. 2. That her Life has been the Subject not only of History but of Poetry and Novels also is manifest from this Play and the Novels of Bandello who has related her Story under the Title of The Inordinate Life of The Countess of Celant This Novel is translated into French by Belleforest Tom. 2. Nov. 20. and possibly our Author might build his Play on this Foundation The like Story is related in God's Revenge against Adultery under the Name of Anne of Werdenberg Dutchess of Ulme See Hist. 5. Male Content a Tragicomedy the first Design being laid by Mr. Webster was corrected and augmented by our Author printed 4o. Lond. 1604. and dedicated in the following Stile to Ben Johnson Benjamini Johnsonio Poetae Elegantissimo Gravissimo Amico suo candido cordato Johannes Marston Musarum Alumnus asperam hanc suam Thaliam D. D. Notwithstanding our Authors profession of Friendship he afterwards could not refrain from reflecting on Mr. Johnson on Account of his Sejanus and Catiline as the Reader will find in the perusal of his Epistle to Sophonisba Know says he that I have not labour'd in this Poem to relate any thing as an Historian but to enlarge every thing as a Poet. To transcribe Authors quote Authorities and translate Latin Prose Orations into English Blank-Verse hath in this Subject been the least aim of my Studies That Mr. Johnson is here meant will I presume be evident to any that are acquainted with his Works and will compare the Orations in Salust with those in Catiline On what provocations our Author thus censured his Friend I know not but this Custom has been practic'd in all Ages the Old Proverb being verify'd in Poets as well as Whores Two of a Trade can never agree 'T is within the Memory of Man that a Play has been dedicated to the late witty Earl of Rochester and an Essay upon Satyr from the same Hand has bespatter'd his Reputation So true it is that some Poets Are still prepar'd to praise or to abhor us Satyr they have and Panegyrick for us But begging pardon for this Digression I return to the Play which I take to be an honest general Satyr and not as some malicious Enemies endeavour'd to perswade the World design'd to strike at any particular Persons Parasitaster or The Fawn a Comedy divers times presented at the Black-fryars by the Children of the Queens Majesties Revels printed 80. Lond. 1633. This Play was formerly printed
Thomas MERITON A Gentleman that liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the Second and is certainly the meanest Dramatick Writer that ever England produc'd I may with Justice apply to his Stupidity what Menedemus the Eretriack Philosopher said of Perseus's wickedness He is indeed a Poet but of all Men that are were or ever shall be the dullest Never any Man's Stile was more Bombast so that undoubtedly he deserv'd to have been under Ben. Johnson's Hands and had he liv'd in that Age had without question underwent the trouble of a Vomit as well as Crispinus in Poetaster till he had to borrow One of his losty Expressions disgorg'd the obdure Faculty of his Sence I pretend not to that Quickness of Apprehension as to understand either of his Plays and therefore the Reader will not expect that I should give any further Account of them than that they are two in number viz. Love and War a Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1658. and dedicated to the Truly Noble Judicious Gentleman and his most Esteemed Brother Mr. George Meriton I am apt to believe these two Brothers acted the Counterpart of those German Brethren that dwelt at Rome the Orator and the Rhetorician mentioned by Horace whose business it was ut alter Alterius sermone meros audiret honores Gracchus ut hic illi foret hic ut Mutius illi Wandring Lover a Tragi-comedy acted several times privately at sundry places by the Author and his Friends with great Applause printed 4o. Lond. 1658. and dedicated to the Ingenious Judicious and much Honoured Gentleman Francis Wright Esquire This Author's Works being very scarce and most of the Impression bought up by Chandlers and Grocers I may possibly oblige my Reader by giving him a Taste of his Stile and justify my self from the Imputation of Scandal I shall therefore transcribe part of his Epistle which runs thus To the Ingenious Judicious and much Honoured Gentleman Francis Wright Esq Sir My Intentions wandring upon the limits of vain Cogitations was at the last arrived at the propicious brinks of an Anglicis of Performance where seeing Diana and Venus in a Martial combat and such rare Atchievements performed by two such Ininimate Goddesses did lend to the Aspect of their Angelical Eyes my self to be the sole Spectator of their foregoing Valour where then their purpose was to choose me their Arbitrator the which I perceiving did with a mild Complection knowing my self impotent relent backwards thinking thereby to lose less Credit and gain more Honour to set Pen to Paper and to relate some certain and harmless Dialogues that while I was present betwixt them past which is This Poem c. By this time I suppose my Reader is sufficiently tired and will take my Word that the Play is of the same piece without giving himself the trouble to disprove me and I assure him that His Love and War is yet more swelling and unintelligible than this Play He tells his Patron above-mentioned That certain it is he writ two Books of the same Nature viz. The several Affairs a Comedy and The Chast Virgin a Romance but they were his Pocket-Companions and but shewn to some private Friends Happy certainly were those Men who were not reckoned in the number of his Friends since they were obliged to hear such an Author 's ampullous Fustian which like an empty Cask makes a great Sound but yields at best nothing but a few Lees. Tho' to all Men generally such Authors are troublesome if not odious and to be shunn'd by them as Horace says Indoctum doctumque sugat recitator acerbus Quem vero arripuit tenet occiditque legendo Non missura cutem nisi plena cruoris hirudo Thomas MIDDLETON An Author of good Esteem in the Reign of King Charles the First He was Contemporary with those Famous Poets Johnson Fletcher Massinger and Rowley in whose Friendship he had a large Share and tho' he came short of the two former in parts yet like the Ivy by the Assistance of the Oak being joyn'd with them in several Plays he clim'd up to some considerable height of Reputation He joyn'd with Fletcher and Johnson in a Play called The Widow of which we have already spoken p. 298. in the Account of Johnson and certainly most Men will allow That he that was thought fit to be receiv'd into a Triumvirate by two such Great Men was no common Poet. He club'd with Massinger and Rowley in Writing the Old Law as before I have remarked already See pag. 352. He was likewise assisted by Rowley in three Plays of which we shall presently give an Account and in those Plays which he writ alone there are several Comedies as Michaelmass-Term Mayor of Quinborough c. which speak him a Dramatick Poet of the Second Rank The first Play we are to begin with is call'd Any thing for a Quiet Life a Comedy formerly acted at the Black-fryars by his late Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1662. This Play being One of those Manuscripts published by Kirkman I suppose was in Esteem on the Stage before the Breaking out of the Civil Wars Blurt Mr. Constable or The Spaniard's Night-walk a Comedy sundry times privately acted by the Children of Paul's printed Lond. 1602. There is no Name affix`d to this Play and several others which are ascribed to our Author by Mr. Kirkman as The Phoenix Game at Chess and The Family of Love but knowing his Acquaintance with Plays to have been very considerable I have plac'd them to their Reputed Author Changling a Tragedy acted with great applause at the Private-House in Drury-Lane and Salisbury-Court printed 4o. Lond. 1653. in this Play our Author was assisted by Mr. Rowley The Foundation of the Play may be found in Reynold's God's Revenge against Murther See the Story of Alsemero and Beatrice Joanna Book 1. Hist. 4. Chast Maid in Cheap-side a pleasant conceited Comedy often acted at the Swan on the Bank-side by the Lady Elizabeth her Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1620. Fair Quarrel a Comedy printed 4o. Lond. 1622. and dedicated to the Nobly dispos'd and Faithful-breasted Robert Grey Esq one of the Grooms of his Highnesses Chamber The Plot of Fitz-allen Russel and Jane is founded as I suppose on some Italian Novel and may be read in English in the Complaisant Companion octavo p. 280. That part of the Physitian tempting Jane and then accusing her is founded on a Novel of Cynthio Giraldi See Dec. 4. Nov. 5. In this Play Mr. Rowley joyn'd with our Author Family of Love a Comedy acted by the Children of his Majesties Revels printed 4o. Lond. 1608. This Play is mentioned by Sir Thomas Bornwel in The Lady of Pleasure Act 1. Sc. 1. Game at Chess sundry times acted at the Globe on the Bank-side printed 4o. Lond. 16 This Play is consonant to the Title where the Game is play'd between the Church of England and that of Rome Ignatius Loyola being Spectator the former in the End gaining the Victory Inner-Temple
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
was well acquainted with most of the Poets of his time He was the Cheif Graver of the Mint to both King Charles the First and Second and died in that Employment in 1670. He writ a Play for his Diversion only not for profit as he tells the Reader in his Preface Take no notice of my Name for a second Work of this Nature shall hardly bear it I have no desire to be known by a Thread-bare Cloak having a Calling that will maintain it Woolly His Play is called Rebellion a Tragedy acted Nine Days together and divers times since with good applause by his Majesty's Company of Revels and printed 4o. Lond. 1640. 'T is dedicated to his Kinsman Robert Ducie of Aston in the County of Stafford Esq and is accompanied with Verses to the number of eleven Copies amongst which are several writ by the Dramatick Poets his Contemporaries He was very young when he writ this Tragedy as appears from the following Lines of Mr. Chamberlain publisht with the Play To see a Springot of thy tender Age With such a lofty Straine to word a Stage To see a Tragedy from thee in Print With such a World of fine Meanders in 't Pusles my wondring soul for there appeares Such disproportion 'twixt thy Lines and Yeares That when I read thy Lines methinks I see The sweet tongu'd Ovid fall upon his Knee With Parce precor The Scene of this Play lyes in Sevile but I cannot direct you to any particular History because I know not in what King of Spain's Reign this Action happened All I can tell you is That I believe this Taylor was fitted upon Crispin's Last and that Webster's Shoomaker gave Birth to our Poet's Don Sebastiano Mr. Winstanley speaks of other small Pieces that he wrote tho' I know of none except some commendatory Verses publisht with his Friends Plays as with Mr. Chamberlain's Swaggering Damsel Mr. Richards's Messalina c. Edward REVET An Author of our Time who published a Play called Town Shifts or Suburb Justice a Comedy Acted at his Royal Highness the Duke of York's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1671. and dedicated to Stephen Mosedelf Esq Give me leave so far to commend this Comedy to say that it is Instructive and that the Author's Protagonist Lovewel tho' reduced to poverty yet entertains not only an Innate Principle of Honesty but advises his two Comrades Friendly and Faithful to the practice of it and it succeeds happily to them I mention this because few of our Modern Characters are so nicely drawn Nathaniel RICHARDS An Author that lived in the Reign of King Charles the First of whom I can give no further Account than that he writ one Tragedy publisht in the beginning of our late Troubles viz. Messalina the Roman Empress her Tragedy acted with general applause divers times by the Company of his Majesty's Revels and printed 8o. Lond. 1640. This Play is dedicated to the Right Honourable John Cary Viscount Rochsord and is ushered into the Light by six Copies of Verses two of which were writ by our Dramatick Authors Davenport and Rawlins two by two Actors in his Play Robinson and Jordan and a fifth Latin Copy by One Thomas Combes which may deserve a place in our Account after having acquainted the Reader that for the Story he may consult Tacitus Suetonius Pliny Plutarch and Juvenal all which have given a Character of the Insatiate Messalina as the following Verses do of her Vices and the Virtues of her Mother Lepida Carissimo Amico Auctori in eximiam Missalinae Tragoediam Ridentem Venerem veteres pinxere sed ecce Apparet Venus hic sanguinolenta nigra Lascivos amplexa viros amplectitur ensem Effera quae vita est baec furibunda nece Sic eadem Victrix eademque Libidinis Ultrix Messalina altrix quae fuit ipsa fuit Dū moritur mala pars oritur pars conjungis illa Quae superat quamvis mors in utramque furit Casta parens toties quoties fit adultera proles Pugnat adversa cum pie tate scelus Dumque scelus fugiens dat terga stat altera lugēs Et nituit niveo pectore purus Honor Haec ubi sunt verbis aptata Tragoedia digna Illa est in primis Laudis illa tua est Thomas Combes William RIDER This Writer as I suppose by the Date of his Play flourish'd in the Reign of King Charles the Second and was a Master of Arts tho' of which University or Colledge is to me unknown All I can inform my Reader is that he is the Author of a Play called Twins a Tragi-comedy acted at the private House at Salisbury Court with general applause printed 4o. Lond. 1655. This Play is not contemptible either as to the Language or Oeconomy of it tho' I judge it older far than the the Date of it imports William ROWLY An Author that flourish'd in the Reign of King Charles the First and was sometime a Member of Pembroke Hall in Cambridge I can say nothing further of his Life or Country but as to his Poetry and his intimate Acquaintance with the prime Poets of that Age I can speak at large He was not only beloved by those Great Men Shakespear Fletcher and Johnson but likewise writ with the former The Birth of Merlin Besides what he joyned in writing with Poets of the second Magnitude as Heywood Middleton Day and Webster as you may see under each of their Names our Author has four Plays in print of his own Writing of which take the following Account viz. All 's lost by Lust a Tragedy divers times acted by the Lady Elizabeth's Servants and with great applause at the Phoenix in Drury-Lane and printed 4o. Lond. 1633. This is a good old Play and the Story it self may be read in the Spanish Histories See Mariana Lib. 21 22 23. Suritta's Annales c. Lib. 1. C. 1. Turquet L. 5. C. 30. As to Margaretta's Design'd Revenge on her Husband Antonio read the Unfortunate Lovers Novel the 3. Match at Midnight a pleasant Comedy acted by the Children of the Revels and printed 4o. Lond. 1633. The Plot of Alexander Blood-hound's being hid by Jarvis under the Widow's Bed is founded on an old Story inserted in the English Rogue part 4. Ch. 19. Shoomaker 's a Gentleman a Comedy printed 4o. Lond. Not having this Play by me at present I cannot inform my Reader where It was acted or when printed But this I know that it has not many Years since been revived at the Theatre in Dorset-Garden and been formerly acted abroad in the Country and the Comical part of it is an usual Entertainment at Bartholomew and Southwarke Fairs it being a Copy to which all Stroling Companies lay claim to The Play is founded on a stitcht Pamphlet in quarto called The History of the Gentle-Craft The Reader may find an Epilogue printed in Duffet's Poems p. 60. writ for this Play when 't was revived New Wonder a Woman never vext a pleasant Comedy sundry times
have created a Person which was not in Nature a boldness which at first sight would appear intolerable For he makes him a species of himself begotten by an Incubus on a Witch but this is not wholly beyond the bounds of Credibility at least the Vulgar I suppose still believe it But this is not the only Character of this Nature that Mr. Shakespear has written for Merlin as he introduces him is cozen-German to Caliban by Birth as those may observe who will read that Play As to the Foundation of this Comedy I am ignorant whether it be the Author 's own Contrivance or a Novel built up into a Play Titus Andronicus his Lamentable Tragedy This Play was first printed 4o. Lond. 1594. and acted by the Earls of Derby Pembroke and Essex their Servants 'T was about the time of the Popish-plot revived and altered by Mr. Ravenscroft In his Preface to the Reader he says That he thinks it a greater theft to rob the Dead of their Praise than the Living of their Money Whether his Practice agree with his Protestation I leave to the Comparison of his Works with those of Molliere and whether Mr. Shadwell's Opinion of Plagiaries reach not Mr. Ravenscroft I leave to the Reader I says he ingeniously freely confess my Theft and am asham'd on 't tho' I have the Example of some that never yet wrote a Play without stealing most of it and like Men that Lye so long till they believe themselves at length by continual Thieving reckon their stollen Goods their own too which is so Ignoble a thing that I cannot but believe that he that makes a common practice of stealing other Men's Wit would if he could with the same Safety steal any thing else Mr. Ravenscroft in the Epistle to Titus says That the Play was not originally Shakespear's but brought by a private Author to be acted and he only gave some Master-touches to one or two of the principal Parts or Characters afterwards he boasts his own pains and says That if the Reader compare the Old Play with his Copy he will find that none in all that Author's Works ever receiv'd greater Alterations or Additions the Language not only refined but many Scenes entirely new Besides most of the principal Characters heightened and the Plot much encreased I shall not engage in this Controversy but leave it to his Rivals in the Wrack of that Great Man Mr. Dryden Shadwell Crown Tate and Durfey But to make Mr. Ravenscroft some Reparation I will here furnish him with part of his Prologue which he has lost and if he desire it send him the whole To day the Poet does not fear your Rage Shakespear by him reviv'd now treads the Stage Under his sacred Lawrels he sits down Safe form the blast of any Criticks Frown Like other Poets he 'll not proudly scorn To own that he but winnow'd Shakespear's Corn So far he was from robbing him of 's Treasure That he did add his own to make full Measure Timon of Athens his Life This Play was thought fit to be presented on the Stage with some Alterations by Mr. Shadwell in the Year 1678. I shall say more of it in the Accounts of his Works The Foundation of the Story may be read in Plutarch's Life of M. Anthony see besides Lucian's Dialogues c. Troilus and Cressida a Tragedy Of this Play I have already given an Account see the Name in the Remarks on Mr. Dryden who altered this Play in the Year 1679. Twelfth-Night or What you will a comedy I know not whence this Play was taken but the Resemblance of Sebastian to his Sister Viola and her change of Habit occasioning so many mistakes was doubtless first borrowed not only by Shakespear but all our succeeding Poets from Plautus who has made use of it in several Plays as Amphitruo Maenechmi c. Two Gentlemen of Verona a Comedy Winter's Tale a Tragi-comedy The Plot of this Play may be read in a little Stitcht-pamphlet which is call'd as I remember The Delectable History of Dorastus and Fawnia printed 4o. Lond. Yorkshire Tragedy not so new as lamentable and true This may rather deserve the Old Title of an Interlude than a Tragedy it being not divided into Acts and being far too short for a Play These are all that are in Folio there rest yet three Plays to be taken notice of which are printed in quarto viz. Birth of Merlin or The Child has lost his Father a Tragi-comedy several times acted with great applause and printed quarto Lond. 1662. This Play was writ by our Author and Mr. W. Rowly of which we have already spoken For the Plot consult the Authors of those times such as Ethelwerd Bede G. Monmouth Fabian Pol. Virgil Stow Speed c. Ubaldino Le Vite delle Donne Illustri p. 18. John King of England his troublesome Reign the First and Second Part with Discovery of King Richard Coeur de lyon's Base Son vulgarly named the Bastard Fawconbridge Also the Death of King John at Swinstead Abbey As they were sundry times acted by the Queens Majesties Players printed quarto Lond. 1611. These Plays are not divided into Acts neither are the same with that in Folio I am apt to conjecture that these were first writ by our Author and afterwards revised and reduced into one Play by him that in the Folio being far the better For the Plot I refer you to the Authors aforementioned in that Play which bears the same Title Besides these Plays I know Mr. Kirkman ascribes another Pastoral to him viz. The Arraignment of Paris but having never seen it I dare not determine whether it belongs to him or no. Certain I am that our Author has writ two small Poems viz. Venus and Adonis printed 8o. Lond. 1602. and The Rape of Lucrece printed 8o. Lond. 1655. publish'd by Mr. Quarles with a little Poem annext of his own production which bear the Title of Tarquin banished or The Reward of Lust. Sr. John Sucklin had so great a Value for our Author that as Mr. Dryden observes in his Dramatick Essay he preferred him to Iohnson and what value he had for this small Piece of Lucrece may appear from his Supplement which he writ and which he has publisht in his Poems which because it will give you a taste of both their Muses I shall transcribe I. One of her Hands one of her Cheeks lay under Cozening the Pillow of a lawfull Kiss Which therefore swell'd seem'd to part asunder As angry to be robb'd of such a Bliss The One lookt pale and for Revenge did long Whilst t' other blusht 'cause it had done the wrong II. Out of the Bed the other fair Hand was On a green Sattin Quilt whose perfect white Lookt like a Dazie in a field of Grass And shew'd like unmelt snow unto the sight There lay this pretty perdue safe to keep The rest o' th' Body that lay fast asleep III. Her Eyes and
therefore it was Night close laid Strove to imprison Beauty till the Morn But yet the Doors were of such fine stuff made That it broke through shew'd it self in scorn Throwing a kind of light about the place Which turn'd to smiles still as 't came near her Face I have now no more to do but to close up all with an Account of his Death which was on the 23 d of April Anno Dom. 1616. He lyeth Buried in the Great Church in Strasford upon Avon with his Wife and Daughter Susanna the Wife of Mr. John Hall In the North Wall of the Chancel is a Monument fixed which represents his true Effigies leaning upon a Cushion with the following Inscription Ingenio Pylum genio Socratem arte Maronem Terra tegit Populus moeret Olympus habet Stay Passenger why dost thou go so fast Read if thou canst whom envious Death has plac't Within this Monument Shakespear with whom Quick Nature died whose Name doth deck the Tomb Far more than cost since all that he hath writ Leaves living Art but Page to serve his Wit Obiit An. Dom. 1616. AEt 53. die 23. Apr. Near the Wall where this Monument is Erected lyeth a plain Free-stone underneath which his Body is Buried with this Epitaph Good Friend for Jesus sake forbear To dig the Dust enclosed here Blest be the Man that spares these Stones And curs'd be he that moves my Bones Lewis SHARPE An Author of a Play in the Reign of King Charles the Martyr stiled Noble Stranger acted at the private House in Salisbury Court by her Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to Sir Edmund Williams 'T is commended by a Copy of Verses writ by Rich. Woolfall of which these are part Yet do not fear the danger Of Critick Readers since thy Noble Stranger With pleasing straines has smooth'd rugged Fate Of oft-cramn'd Theaters and prov'd Fortunate Smile at their frowns for I dare boldly say Who ere dislikes it cannot mend thy Play If this Play be look'd upon with mild Eyes it will weigh against some Plays writ in our Time There is somewhat in the Characters of Pupillus and Mercutio which might take in this Age and I believe old Lacy had read this Play before he writ the Character of several Poets of his Poetical Squire Buffon In the fourth Act he has given the Characters of several Poets particularly of Ben. Johnson under the Title of a Confident Poetical Wit as may be guessed from the Epilogue to Cynthia's Revels This from our Author I was bid to say By Jove 't is good and if you 'l lik 't you may But I leave this to the Judgment of the Curious Reader and hasten to the next Poet. Edward SHARPHAM A Gentleman of the Middle-Temple who liv'd in the Reign of King James the First He writ a Play called Fleire a Comedy often paly'd in the Black-fryars by the Children of the Revels and printed 4o. Lond. 1615. I take the Character of Antifront the Duke of Florence to be a pattern taken from Hercules Duke of Ferrara and Marston's Fawne to be the Father of Sharpham's Fleire but this I leave to the Judgment of others to decide they please S. SHEPHEARD One who lived in the time of the late Unhappy Civil Wars and whose Loyalty seems to have been far better than his Poetry He writ in the time of the Prohibition of the Stage two Pamphlets which he stiles Comedies but indeed are no longer than one single Act of a Play that I have seen His Comedies are stiled Committee-man curried a Comedy in two parts represented to the View of all men A piece discovering the Corruption of Committee-men and Excise-men the unjust Sufferings of the Royal-party the devilish Hypocrisy of some Roundheads the Revolt for Gain of some Ministers Not without pleasant Mirth and Variety and printed 4o. Lond. 1647. This Title-page led me to great Expectations but I soon found Horace's Observation true Parturient Montes nascetur ridiculus Mus. The Author indeed has shew'd his Reading if not his Fancy for there is scrace a piece of Sir John Suckling that he has not plundered His Aglaura Goblins Brenoralt all have pay'd tribute to our Excise-Poet neither his Verses nor Prose have escaped him This with what he has borrow'd from Sir Robert Stapleton's Translation of Juvenal Sat. 1. and 3. make up the greatest part of the two Comedies But however I am so far oblig'd by my Charity and Respect and good Intention of asserting Loyalty to set down his own Apology in the Prologue to the Second part The Author prays you for to think the Store Of Wit is wasted by those went before And that the Fatness of the Soil being spent Men's Brains grown barren you 'd not raise the Rent Edward SHERBURN Esq A Gentleman as I suppose still living and Famous for his Versions particularly of Manilius his Sphere or Five Books of Astronomy in Fol. Lond. 1675. Besides that famous Work he has translated two of Seneca's Tragedies viz. Medea a Tragedy with Annotations Printed octavo Lond. 1648. to which is added Seneca's Answer to Lucilius his Query Why Good Men suffer misfortunes On this Play see Mr. Stanley's Vindication of the Author in his Poems octavo p. 75. Troades or The Royal Captives a Tragedy with Annotations printed 4o. Lond. 1679. These Tragedies I look upon as the best Versions we have extant of any of Seneca's and shew the Translator a Gentleman of Learning and Judgment What he writ besides I know not tho' there was the 16 th Idillium of Theocritus printed in Tate's Miscellanies and ascribed to Sir Edw. Sherburn whether the same Person I know not Thomas SHIPMAN Esq A Gentleman not many Years since deceas'd who as a Friend of his says was a Man every way accomplish'd To the advantage of his Birth his Education had added whatsoever was necessary to fit him for Conversation and render him as he was desirable by the best Wits of the Age. He was the Author of a Play called Henry the Third of France stabb'd by a Fryar with the Fall of the Guises a Tragedy in Heroick Verse acted at the Theatre-Royal printed 4o. Lond. 1678. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Henry Lord Marquess of Dorchester For the Plot see Davila M. Girard D. of Espernon's Life c. Besides this Play he has a Book call'd Carolina or Loyal Poems printed octavo Lond. 1683. which sufficiently evince the Ingenuity and Parts of the Author Henry SHIRLEY A Gentleman who flourisht in the time of King Charles the Martyr of whom I can give no further Account than that he was the Author of One Play call'd Martyred Souldier a Tragedy sundry times acted with great Applause at the private House in Drury-lane and at other publick Theatres by Her Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1638. and dedicated to the Famous Sir Kenelm Digby by the Publisher J. K. who gave it to the Press after the Author's Decease and in his
jam Trigessimus Scriptu dignissima fecit factu dignissima scripsit Calamo pariter Gladio celebris pacis artium gnarus belli Gilbert SWINHOE Esq A Gentleman who liv'd in the Reigns of King Charles the First and Second a North-country Man by Birth being Born in Northumberland the Author of a Play call'd Unhappy fair Irene her Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1658. This Play is accompany'd with three Copies of Verses in its Commendation tho' I think it scarce deserve them The Play is founded on History see Knolles his Turkish History in the Life of Mahomet the First which Story is the Subject of a Novel in Bandello which is translated into French by Pierre Boisteau see Histoires Tragicques tome premier Nov. 2. The same is translated into English by Wil. Painter in his Palace of Pleasure in quarto Nov. 4o. T. Nathaniel TATE AN Author now living who tho' he be allow'd to be a Man of Wit and Parts yet for Dramatick Poetry he is not above the common Rank What he has extant for the most part is borrow'd at least we may say That generally he follows other Mens Models and builds upon their Foundations for of Eight Plays that are printed under his Name Six of them owe their Original to other Pens as we shall shew in the following Account Brutus of Alba or The enchanted Lovers a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1678. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Charles Earl of Dorset and Middlesex This Play is founded on Virgil's AEneids Book the 4 th and was finished under the Names of Dido and AEneas but by the Advice of some Friends was transformed to the Dress it now wears Cuckold's Haven or An Alderman no Conjurer a Farce acted at the Queen's Theatre in Dorset Garden printed 4o. Lond. 1685. and dedicated to Colonel Edmund Ashton This Play is borrow'd from Johnson's Eastward-hoe and Devil is an Ass. Duke and no Duke a Farce acted by their Majesties Servants with the several Songs set to Musick with Thorough-Basses for the Theorbo or Bass-Viol printed 4o. Lond. 1685. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Sir George Hewyt This Play is founded on Sir Aston Cockain's Trappolin suppos'd a Prince Ingratitude of a Common-wealth or The Fall of Caius Martius Coriolanus acted at the Theatre-Royal printed 4o. Lond. 1682. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Charles Lord Herbert Marquess of Worcester This Play is borrowed from Shakespear's Coriolanus Island Princess a Tragi-comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal revived with Alterations printed 4o. Lond. 1687. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Henry Lord Walgrave This Play is Fletcher's Originally Loyal General a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1680. and dedicated to Edward Taylor Esquire Lear King of England his History acted at the Dukes Theatre revived with Alterations printed 4o. Lond. 1687. and dedicated to Thomas Boteler Esq This Play in the Original was writ by W. Shakespear Richard the Third a History acted at the Theatre-Royal under the Name of The Sicilian Usurper with a Prefatory Epistle in Vindication of the Author occasioned by the Prohibition of this Play on the Stage printed 4o. Lond. 1681. and dedicated to George Raynford Esq This Play owns its Birth likewise to Shakespear Besides these Plays our Author has two Volumes of Poems in print One wholy writ by him call'd Poems writ on several Occasions second Edit enlarg'd printed 8o. Lond. 1684. The other call'd Poems by several Hands and on several Occasions collected by our Author and printed octavo Lond. 1685. John TATEHAM An Author that flourish'd in the Reign of King Charles the First and was says Mr. Winstanley the City Poet. If he was not an Extraordinary Wit at least he was Loyal in the highest Degree as may appear by his Plays and equally hated the Rump and the Scots He has Four Plays in print Three in quarto and One printed with his Poems in octavo Distracted State a Tragedy written in the Year 1641. but not printed till 1651. 4o. and dedicated to John Sidley This Play suited well with the Times and his Hatred to the Scots appears in this Play where he introduces a Scotch Mountebank in the fourth Act to poyson Archias the Elected King at the Instigation of Cleander This I take to be the best of our Author's Writings Rump or The Mirrour of the late Times a Comedy acted many times with great applause at the Private-house in Dorset Court printed the second Edit 4o. Lond. 1661. and dedicated to Walter James of Rambden-House in Smarden in the County of Kent Esq This Play has lately been reviv'd on our Stage under the Name of The Roundheads Scots Figaries or A Knot of Knaves a Comedy printed 4 o Lond. 1652. and dedicated to Robert Dormer Esq Most of this Play is writ in the Scotch Dialect and displays them to the Life Love crowns the End a Tragi-comedy acted by the Scholars of Bingham in the County of Nottingham This Play is not divided into Acts and is much shorter than most usually are being fitted purposely as I suppose for those Youths than acted it 'T is printed with his Poems call'd The Mirrour of Fancies in octavo Lond. 1657. and dedicated to Sir John Winter Secretary of State to his Majesty in his Exile Robert TAYLOUR An Author to whose Person and Writings I am wholy a Stranger only I find in former Catalogues a Comedy ascribed to him call'd Hog-huth lost his Pearl Thomas THOMSON Another Author of the meanest Rank and a great Plagiary if One of the Plays be own'd by him which Mr. Kirkman has ascribed to him viz. English Rogue a Comedy acted before several Persons of Honour with great applause printed 4o. Lond. 1668. and dedicated to Mrs. Alice Barret Mother Shipton her Life acted Nine Days together with great applause printed 4o. Lond. 16 I suppose the Occasion of the Success of this Play was from what he stole for all the Characters except what relate to Shipton are borrow'd as the Characters of Shift-hose Monylack Sir Oliver Whore-hound David c. are stollen verbatim from Massinger's City Madam and Middleton's Chast Maid in Cheapside This Play has not the Author's Name to it but the two first Letters it may be he was asham'd to set his Name to other Mens Labours As to the Story of Shipton I know not how to direct the Reader except to an old Book in quarto call'd The Life and Death of Mother Shipton Nicholas TROTT An Author who writ a Tragedy call'd Arthur which I never saw neither can I give any Account of the Author himself or the time he liv'd in Richard TUKE An Author of whom I can give no further Account than that he writ a Play call'd Divine Comedian or The Right Use of Plays improved in a Sacred Tragi-comedy printed 4o. Lond. 1672. and dedicated to the Right Honourable and no less Virtuous Mary Countess of Warwick This Play was call'd first by the Author The
by the Prince of Wales his Servants but printed 4o. Lond. 1663. For the Plot of this Play 't is founded on true History see Tacitus Annals Milton's History of England c. See besides Ubaldine Le Vite delle Donne Illustre p. 6. H. H. B. The Author of a Play call'd The World's Idol or Plutus a Comedy written in Greek by Aristophanes and translated by our Author together with his Notes and a short Discourse upon it printed octavo Lond. 1650. P. B. i. e. Peter BELON Gent. An Author now living who is supposed to write a Play call'd The Mock Duellist or The French Vallet acted at the Theatre-Royal by His Majesty's Servants printed quarto Lond. 1675. and dedicated to the Virtuous Accomplisht Lady Madam S. C. J. C. The Author of a pleasant Comedy call'd The two Merry Milk-maids or The best Words wear the Garland acted before the King with General approbation by the Company of the Revels printed quarto Lond. 16 Part of the Plot of this Play viz. Dorigene's promise to Dorillus of Enjoyment when he presented her with a Garland that should contain all sorts of Flowers in January and the Consequence is founded on Boccace Day 10. N. 5. and is the Foundation of other Plays as Fletcher's Four Plays in one c. R. C. There are two Plays which no otherwise discover the Author than by these two Letters The first call'd Alphonsus King of Arragon a History which I never saw the other nam'd Ignoramus a Comedy several times acted with extraordinary applause before the Majesty of King James with a Supplement which out of Respect to the Students of the Common Law was hitherto wanting Written in Latin by R. Ruggles sometimes Master of Arts in Clare Hall in Cambridge and translated by R. C. sometimes Master of Arts in Magdalen Colledge in Oxford printed 4o. Lond. 1662. J. D. The Author of a Comedy call'd The Mall or The Modish Lovers acted by his Majesty's Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1674. and dedicated to William Whitcom Junior Esq This Play is ascribed by Dr. Hyde the Proto-Bibliothecarius to the University to Mr. Dryden tho' methinks the Stile of the Epistle Dedicatory is not like the rest of his Writings R. D. The Author of a Play call'd New Trick to cheat the Devil a Comedy printed 4o. Lond. 1639. The Plot of Fryar John's Discovering the Constable and the Woman 's Intrigue and pretending to conjure for Victuals at the Husband's Return Act 3. Sc. 1. is the same with that made use of in the London Cuckolds and which is related since the Writing of this Play by M. D'Ouville in his Tales part 2. page 257. Slight-all's teaching the Art of Love to the two Gentlemen in the second Scene of the first Act is borrow'd from Ovid De Arte Amandi Lib. 2. T. D. Under these Letters is a Play in print call'd The Bloody Banquet a Tragedy printed 1620. This Play by some old Catalogues is ascrib'd to Thomas Basker S. H. Concerning this Author was I know no more than that he was a Batchelor of Arts of Exeter Colledge in Oxford and writ a Play call'd Sicily and Naples or The Fatal Union a Tragedy printed 4o. Oxon. 1640. This Play is commended by Seven Copies of Verses which are prefix'd most of them being writ by Young Academics B. J. The Author of a Tragedy call'd Guy of Warwick which I have once seen in quarto Lond. and the Gentleman that shew'd it me told me it was writ by Ben Johnson tho' by that little I read I guess'd it to be writ by a Pen far inferiour to that Great Master in Poetry E. M. The Author of a Tragedy call'd Saint Cecilie or The Converted Twins printed quarto Lond. 1667. This Play was publish'd by Mr. Medbourn the Comedian and dedicated to Queen Katherine For the Plot consult Ecclesiastical Writers as Epiphanius Eusebius Baronius c. T. P. Under these Letters are printed two Plays One of which is call'd The French Conjurer a Comedy acted at the Duke of York's Theatre and printed 4o. Lond. 1678. This Play is founded on two Stories in the Romance of Guzman the Spanish Rogue one call'd Dorido and Clorinia the other The Merchant of Sevil. The second Play is stiled A witty Combat or The Female Victor a Tragi-comedy acted by Persons of Quality in Whitson Week with great applause printed 4o. Lond. 1663. This Play is founded on the Story of Mary Carleton the German Princess See her Life in octavo Monsieur P. P. The Author of an Opera call'd Ariadne or The Marriage of Bacchus being a Vocal Representation translated out of French and put into Musick by Mr. Grabut Master of his Majesty's Musick and acted by the Royal-Academy of Musick at the Theatre-Royal in Covent Garden printed 4o. Lond. 1674. and dedicated to King Charles the Second S. P. An Author which I take to be Samuel Pordage who publish'd a Play of Seneca's with Notes call'd Troades to which is annex'd some Poems on several Occasions all which are printed together octavo Lond. 1660. T. R. An Author that publisht a Play call'd The Extravagant Shepheard a Pastoral Comedy translated from the French of M. Corneille Junior printed 4o. Lond. 1654. and dedicated to Mrs. Thornhill Wife to Coll. Rich. Thornhill of Ollantigh in Kent This Play is founded on a Romance call'd Lysis or The Extravagant Shepheard in Folio W. R. The Author of a Piece which I never saw call'd Three Lords and Ladies of London Mr. S. Mr. of Arts. The Author of a Right Pithy Pleasant and Merry Comedy Entituled Gammer Gorton's Needle play'd on the Stage near a hundred Year ago in Christs Colledge in Cambridge printed in a Black Letter 4o. Lond. 1661. J. S. Four Plays are printed under these Letters viz. a Masque call'd Masquarade du Ciel presented to the Great Queen of the Little World printed 4o. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the Queen A Pastoral call'd Phillis of Scyros translated from the Italian of C. Guidubaldo di Bonarelli and printed 4o. Lond. 1655. A Tragedy whose Name is Andromana or The Merchant's Wife printed 4o. Lond. 1660. This Play is founded on Sr. Phil. Sidney's Romance call'd Arcadia in Fol. see the Story of Plangus p. 155. And a Comedy call'd The Prince of Priggs Revels or The Practices of that Grand Thief Captain James Hinde printed 4o. Lond. 16 S. S. The Author of a Play call'd The Honest Lawyer a Comedy acted by the Queens Majesty's Servants and printed 4o. Lond. 1616. J. T. Under these Letters are two Plays the first call'd Grim the Collier of Croyden or The Devil and his Dame with the Devil and St. Dunstan printed octavo Lond. 1662. This Play is bound with two others viz. Thorpy Abby or Marriage Broker under the Title of Gratiae Theatrales or A Choice of Ternary of English Plays The second Play is L. Annaeus Seneca's Troas a Tragedy translated from the Latin and printed 4o. Lond. 1686. C. W. i.e. Christopher WASE An
Ingenious Person lately deceas'd being one of the Squire Bedles in the University of Oxford His Skill in Languages particularly in Latin and Greek is sufficiently known to the Learned World He translated out of Greek the Electra of Sophocles and presented it to Her Highness the Lady Elizabeth printed 120. at the Hague 1649. Several Translations besides he has publish'd as Gratius his Cynegeticon printed 8o. Lond. 1654. and Prioli's Hist. of France some of Tully's Orations and his Latin Dictionary besides other School-Books several of which have been often reprinted and all of them shew his Great Industry and Parts E. W. A Person who was tho' not the Author yet the occasion of the Publication of a Comedy call'd Apollo Shroving compos'd for the Scholars of the Free-School of Hadleigh in Suffolk and acted by them on Shrove-Tuesday Feb. 6. 1626. written by the School-Master of Hadleigh and printed octavo 1627. J. W. The Author of a Play call'd The Valiant Scot which was printed 4o. Lond. 1637. and dedicated to the Right Honourable James Marquess Hamilton by the Publisher or Promoter of the Copy to the Press Mr. William Bowyer L. W. The Author of a Play call'd Orgula or The Fatal Error a Tragedy wherunto is annexed a Preface discovering the true Nature of Poesie with the proper use and Intention of such publick Divertisements printed 4o. Lond. 1658. and dedicated to the most accomplish'd Lady the Lady Frances Wildegoss M. W. Master of Arts. Another Author whose Play is bound in the Ternary of Plays 't is call'd The Marriage Broker or The Pander a Comedy printed 120. 1662. T. W. The third Author concern'd in that Volume having writ a Tragedy call'd Thornby-Abby or The London Maid All these Plays are dedicated to William Austin Esq by R. D. the Publisher W. W. The Translator of a Comedy writ by Plausus call'd Manaechmi printed 4o. Lond. 1515. This Author had translated several others in Manuscript tho' they were never permitted to come abroad in the World Unknown Authors WE are now come to the last Division of Authors I mean those whose Modesty or other Reasons have hinder'd the publication of their Names and as we have Decyphered some Authors in the foregoing Division upon Conjecture so we shall not pretermit to take Notice of such Plays whose Authors we can any ways guess at in this I shall Rank these as I did the former in an Alphabetical Method A. Abdicated Prince or The Adventures of Four Years a Tragi-comedy lately acted at Alba-Regalis by several Persons of Great Quality and printed Lond. 4 o 1690. This Play contains the Transactions of the Court and Nation during the Reign of the late King James under seigned Names there needs no Clavis the Persons being obvious to all Intelligent Persons The time of the Action is from the Coronation of King James to the Landing of his present Majesty Abraham's Sacrifice a Play which I never saw but do believe that it may possibly be a Translation from Theodore Beza Alarum for London or The Siege of Antwerpe with the Venturous Acts and Valiant Deeds of the Lame Souldier play'd by the Right Honourable the Lord Chamberlain his Servants printed Lond. 1602. Albion an Interlude mention'd by Kirkman which I never saw Albion's Triumph personated in a Masque at Court by the King and Queens Majesties and the Lords the Sunday after Twelfth-Night 1631. printed 4o. Lond. 1631. Mr. Inigo Jones had a Share in the Contrivance of this Masque Albumazar a Comedy presented before the King's Majesty at Cambridge by the Gentlemen of Trinity Colledge printed 4o. Lond. 1634. This was reviv'd at the King's House and a Prologue writ by Mr. Dryden see Miscellan Poems publish'd by him 8o. p. 279. Aminta a Pastoral translated from the Italian of Torquato Tasso to which is added Arriadne's Complaint in Imitation of Anguilara written by our Translator both printed in quarto Lond. 1628. Amorous Gallant or Love in Fashion a Comedy in Heroick Verse as it was acted and printed 4o. Lond. 1675. This Play has appeared abroad under the Title of The Amorous Orontus It is translated from a French Play written by Th. Corneille and call'd L'Amour à la mode It is founded on a Spanish Play writ by Ant. de Solis call'd by the same Name towit El Amor al uso Amorous Old Woman or 'T is well if it take a Comedy acted by their Majesties Servants and printed 4o. Lond. 1684. I have been told this Play was writ by Tho. Duffet 't is printed with a New Title-page call'd The Fond Lady Arden of Feversham his True and Lamentable Tragedy who was most wickedly murthered by the means of his disloyal Wife who for the love she bare to one Mosebie hired two desperate Ruffins Black-will and Shak-bag to kill him printed 4o. Lond. 1599. in a Black Letter The Story is to be found in the Reign of Edward the Sixth see Hollingshead Goodwin Hayward Baker Beard 's Theatre of God's Judgment Book 2. Ch. 10. Edit 4. and the second part Chap. 6. added by Dr. Tho. Taylour Arraignment of Paris a Pastoral which I never saw but it is ascribed by Kirkman to Mr. W. Shakespear B. Battle of Aliazar fought in Barbary between Sebastian King of Portugal and Abdelmelech King of Morocco with the Death of Captain Stukeley play'd sundry times by the Lord High Admiral 's Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1594. For the Plot several Authors mention the Story the English Reader may find it in Heylin's Cosmography and Fuller's Worthies Band Ruff and Cuff an Interlude which other Catalogues mention but which I never saw Bastard a Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1652. The Plot of this Tragedy and part of the Language concerning Clare Rodriguez Balthazar and Mariana is borrow'd from the Loves of Schiarra and Florelia in the English Lovers and Catilina's Supplying her Mistress Mariana's Room on the Wedding Night is founded on the Story of Roberto and Isdaura in Gerardo the Unfortunate Spaniard p. 87. Bloody Duke or The Adventures for a Crown a Tragi-comedy acted at the Court of Alba Regalis by several Persons of Great Quality by the Author of the Abdicated Prince printed 4 o Lond. 1690. This Play comprises the publick Affairs from the first Discovery of the Popish-plot to the Death of King Charles the Second The Persons are as easily known as in the former C. Caesar's Revenge a Tragedy which I never saw Charles the First King of England his Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1649. and dedicated to King Charles the Second commended by a Copy of Verses Combat of Caps a Masque of which I can give no Account Commons Condition a Comedy which I never saw Constant Nymph or The Rambling Shepheard a Pastoral acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1678. Costly Whore a Comical History acted by the Company of Revels printed 4o. Lond. 1633. Contention between York and Lancaster with the Death of the Good Duke Humphrey and the Banishment and Death of the Duke of
conceited Comedy sundry times acted by the Earl of Worcester's Servants and printed 4o. Lond. 1634. The Story of Anselme's saving of Young Arthur's Wife by taking her out of the Grave and carrying her to his Mother's House is the Subject of other Plays and such a Story is related in several Novels see the 9. Nov. of the Pleasant Companion printed octavo Lond. 1684. call'd Love in the Grave But the Novel which I take to be the foundation of this Play is in Cynthio Giraldi Dec. 3. Nov. 5. I. Jacob and Esau an Interlude mentioned in former Catalogues which I never saw tho' 't is easy to guess that 't is founded on Scripture Story see Genesis Ch. 25 26 c. See besides Josephus Lib. 1. Tornelli Annals c. Jack Drum's Entertainment or The Comedy of Pasquil and Katherine sundry times acted by the Children of Paul's and printed 4 o Lond. 1616. Mammon's poysoning Katherine's Face resembles the Usage of Demagoras to Parthenia in Argalus and Parthenia Jack Juggler stiled a Comedy by Old Catalogues of which having never seen it I can give no Account Jack Straw's Life and Death a Notable Rebel in England who was killed in Smith-fields by the Lord Mayor of London printed quarto Lond. 1593. This Play I know not for what reason is divided into but four Acts. For the Plot see the English Chronicles as Pol. Virgil Hollingshead Stow Speed c. in the Reign of King Richard the Second James the Fourth a History mentioned in former Catalogues which I never saw but I suppose the Play is founded on the Story of the King of Scotland of that Name Jeronymo the First part with the Wars of Portugal or The Spanish Tragedy containing the Life and Death of Don Andraea a Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1605. Jeronymo is mad again or The Spanish Tragedy containing the Lamentable End of D. Horatio and Bellimperia with the pittiful Death of Jeronymo printed quarto Lond. 1623. This Play has been divers times acted and several Lines have been quoted out of it by several Authors as those may see that will read over Every man in his Humour Bird in a Cage Love will find out the way c. Impatient Poverty stiled a Comedy by some Catalogues This Play I never saw Imperial Tragedy taken out of a Latin Play and very much altered by a Gentleman for his own Diversion who on the importunity of Friends consented to have it published but without his Name Because many says he do censure Plays according to their Opinion of the Author This Play was printed Fol. Lond. 1669. and has been acted if I mistake not at the Nursery in Barbican For the Story see Marcellinus and Cassiodorus in their Chronicles concerning Zenon See besides Zonaras Baronius Godeau c. Interlude of Youth an Old Serious Instructive Piece written in Verse and printed at London in quarto in an Old Character As to the Date hereof or the Title-page I am ignorant mine being lost John the Evangelist a Piece which I never saw Joseph's Afflictions another tho' the Title-page of both shew the Subject Divine Tovial Crew or The Devil turned Ranter an Interlude which I never saw tho' being mentioned in Mr. Kirkman's Catalogue I could not omit it K. King and Queen's Entertainment at Richmond after their Departure from Oxford in a Masque presented by the most Illustrious Prince Prince Charles Sept. 12. 1636. printed 4o. Lond. 1636. and dedicated to the Majesty of the Queen of Great Britain by a Copy of Verses of Ten Lines The Occasion of the Masque was the Queen's Desire to see the Prince not much above six Years of Age dance The Dances were compos'd by Simon Hopper the Musick by Mr. Charles Hopper and the parts of the Captain and Druyd were acted so well by the then Ld. Buckhurst and Mr. Edward Sackvile that it proved that Genuine Action was not so much confined to the Stage but that a Gentleman might reach it if not transcend it Knack how to know an Honest Man a Comedy which I could never meet with Knack how to know a Knave a most pleasant and merry Comedy sundry times play'd by Edw. Allen with Kemp's Applauded Merriments of the Men of Goteham in Receiving the King into Goteham printed quarto Lond. 1594. The Serious part of this Play is the Story of King Edgar Ethenwald and Alfreda See Malmesbury Pol. Virgil Walsingham Grafton Stow c. The Play is printed in Old Black Letter and lays open the Vices of the Age being detected by Honesty Knave in grain new vampt a Comedy acted at the Fortune many Days together with great applause and printed 4o. Lond. 1640. This Play has given Subject to the late Novels as Julio's Cheating his Drunken Guests Act 3 d is repeated by Kirkman in the Third part of the English Rogue Ch. 13. His Cheating the Countryman of the piece of Gold Act 5 th is revived in the Account of the last Frost 1684. in octavo p. 46. Knavery in all Trades or The Coffee-House a Comedy acted in the Christmas Holy-days by several Apprentices with great Applause printed quarto Lond. 1664. I know not with what Applause it might be acted privately but I presume it would not meet with Success on the Stage in Dorset Garden nay nor in the Nursery for I can find no Plot in it L. Lady Alimony or The Alimony-Lady an Excellent pleasant Comedy duly authorised daily acted and frequently followed printed 4o. Lond. 1659. Late Revolution or The Happy Ghange a Tragi-comedy acted throughout the English Dominions in the Year 1688. Written by a Person of Quality and printed Lond. 1690. This Play begins from the Birth of the late Prince of Wales to the Arrival of Our present Majesty at Exeter and concludes the whole Catastrophe of our late Affairs Laws of Nature a Play which I never saw Levellers levelled or The Independents Conspiracy to root out Monarchy an Interlude written by Mercurius Pragmaticus printed quarto 1647. Who this Author is under this Disguise I know not but 't is easy to discover him a Royalist by his Dedication to King Charles the Second and an Enemy to Lilly the Almanack-maker whom he lashes under the Name of Orlotto Liberality and Prodigality a Comedy which I can give no Account Lingua or The Combat of the Tongue and the Five Senses for Superiority a pleasant Comedy printed quarto Lond. Mr. Winstanley says That the late Usurper Oliver acted the part of Tactus in Cambridge which first inspired him with Ambition See his Account of Ant. Brewer to whom through mistake he ascribes this Play London Chanticleers a Witty Comedy full of Various and Delightful Mirth often acted with great applause and printed quarto Lond. 1659. This Play or rather Interlude for 't is not divided into Acts is of the Basse Comedy writ by the French the Scene lying entirely amongst Persons of the lowest Rank Look about you a pleasant Comedy played by the Right Honourable the Lord High Admiral 's
eris Sin illum potius Phaebum velit esse Britannum Tum Daniele mihi tu Maro noster eris Nil Phaebo ulterius si quid foret illud haberet Spenserus Phaebus tu Daniele fores Quippe loqui Phaebus cuperet si more Britanno Haud scio quo poterat ni velit ore suo Sir William DAVENANT A Person sufficiently known to all Lovers of Poetry and One whose Works will preserve his Memory to Posterity He was Born in the City of Oxford in the Parish of St. Martins vulgarly call'd Carfax near the End of February in the year 1605. and was Christned on the Third of March following He was the Mercurial Son of a Saturnine Father Mr. John D' Avenant a Vintner by Profession who liv'd in the same House which is now known by the Sign of the Crown He was formerly of Lincoln College and instructed in Logick and Physicks by his Tutor Mr. Daniel Hough Fellow of that Society tho' his Genius rather inclin'd him to walk in the more flowry Fields of Poetry in which he made a Prodigious discovery advancing even without any Guide but his own Wit and Ingenuity as far as the Herculean Pillars if any such bounds are to be set of Poetry He was Poet Laureat to Two Kings whose Memory will always be Sacred to all good loyal and witty Men I mean King Charles the First the Martyr for and King Charles the Second the Restorer of the Protestant Religion according to the Church of England During this Honour of which his Wit and Parts render'd him Worthy he writ as I suppose his Dramatick Pieces of which I shall give some Account To speak of them in general I need only say that most of them have appear'd on the Stage with good applause and been receiv'd with like success in Print the greatest part publisht in the Authors Life time in Quarto and all since his Death collected into one Volume with his other Works printed in Folio Lond. 1673. and dedicated by his Widow to his Royal Highness the late King James Albovine King of the Lombards his Tragedy printed first in quarto and dedicated to the Right Honourable the Duke of Somerset This Play is commended by Eight Copies of Verses For the Design it is founded on History You may read the Story in several Historians See Paulus Diaconus de Gestis Langobardorum lib. 2 c. 28. Gregorius Epise Turonensis Hist. Francorum lib. 2. c. 28 Heylin's Cosinoraphy Part 1. Book 1. p. 57. This Story is likewise related at large in a Novel by Bandello which is translated by Belleforest See Histoires Tragiques Tome 4. Nov. 19. Cruel Brother a Tragedy printed first in quarto and dedicated to the Right Honourable the Lord Weston Lord High Treasurer of England Distresses a Tragi-Comedy printed in folio Lond. 1673. First-days Entertainment at Ruthland-house by Declamation and Musick after the manner of the Ancients The subject of the former of these Declamations is concerning Publick Entertainment by Moral Representations the Disputants being Diogenes the Cynick and Aristophanes the Poet. The later Dispute is between a Parisian and a Londoner who declaim concerning the Preheminence of Paris and London The Vocal and Instrumental Musick was compos'd by Dr. Charles Coleman Capt. Henry Cook Mr. Henry Laws and Mr. George Hudson Fair Favourite a Tragi-Comedy printed in Folio 1673. Just Italian a Tragi-Comedy printed first in quarto and dedicated to the Right Honourable the Earl of Dorset and commended by the Verses of his Friends Mr. William Hopkins and Mr. Thomas Carew Law against Lovers a Tragi-Comedy made up of two Plays written by Mr. Shakespear viz Measure for Measure and Much Ado about Nothing Tho' not only the Characters but the Language of the whole Play almost be borrow'd from Shakespear yet where the Language is rough or obsolete our Author has taken care to polish it as to give instead of many one Instance Shakespear's Duke of Vienna says thus I love the People But do not like to Stage me to their Eyes Though it do well I do not relish well Their loud Applause and Aves vehement Nor do I think the Man of safe discretion That does affect it In Sr. William's Play the Duke speaks as follows I love the People But would not on the Stage salute the Croud I never relisht their Applause nor think The Prince has true discretion who affects it For the Plot I refer you to the abovemention'd Plays in the Account of Shakespear Love and Honour a Tragi-Comedy which I have several times seen acted with good applause first at the Play-house in Lincolns-Inn-Fields and since at the Theatre in Dorset-Garden This was first printed in quarto Man 's the Master a Comedy which I think I have seen acted at the Duke's House however I am sure the Design and part of the Language is borrow'd from Scarron's Jodelet ou Le Maistre valet and as I remember part from L'Heritier ridicule a Comedy of the same Authors Platonick Lovers a Tragi-Comedy which was first printed in octavo with The Wits Play-house to be Let. I know not under what Species to place this Play it consisting of several Pieces of different Kinds handsomely tackt together several of which the Author writ in the Times of Oliver and were acted separately by stealth as the History of Sr. Francis Drake exprest by Instrumental and Vocal Musick and by Art of Perpective in Scenes c. The Cruelty of the Spaniards in Peru. These two Pieces were first printed in quarto They make the third and fourth Acts of this Play The second Act consists of a French Farce translated from Molliere's Sganarelle ou Le Cocu Imaginaire and purposely by our Author put into a sort of Jargon common to French-men newly come over The fifth Act consists of Tragedie travestie or the Actions of Caesar Antony and Cleopatra in Verse Burlesque This Farce I have seen acted at the Theatre in Dorset-garden some years ago at the end of that excellent Tragedy of Pompey translated by the incomparable Pen of the much admired Orinda Siege of Rhodes in two Parts These Plays were likewise in the times of the Civil Wars acted with Stilo Recitativo and printed in quarto but afterwards enlarged by the Author and acted with applause at the Duke of York's Theatre in Lincolns-Inn-Fields It is dedicated to the Right Honourable the Earl of Clarendon Lord High Chancellor of England For the Plot as far as it is founded on History there are several Historians have writ of it in the Life of Solyman the second who took this City in the year 1522. See Thomas Artus Continuation de l'Histoire des Turcs Giov. Bosio L'Istoria della Sacra Religione Illma Militia di San Giovanni Gierosolimitano lib. 29. Boissardi Icones Vitae Sultanorum Turcicorum c. in Vit. Solym. 2. Knolles History of the Turks c. Siege a Tragi-Comedy News from Plimouth a Comedy formerly acted at the Globe with good success
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
White-Friars by the Children of her Majesty's Revels printed 4o. Lond. 1612. and dedicated to any Woman that hath been no Weather-cock This Play is commended by a Copy of Verses writ by Mr. Chapman There is one thing remarkable in this Play and which for the Author's Credit I must take notice of that the Time of the Action is circumscrib'd within the compass of twelve Hours as the Author himself observes in the Conclusion of his Play Nere was so much what cannot Heavenly Powers Done and undone and done in twelve short hours Richard FLECKNOE Esq This Gentleman liv'd in the Reigns of King Charles the First and Second and was as Famous as any in his Age for indifferent Metre His Acquaintance with the Nobility was more than with the Muses and he had a greater propensity to Riming then a Genius to Poetry He never could arrive with all his Industry to get but one Play to be acted and yet he has printed several He has publisht sundry Works as he stiles them to continue his Name to Posterity tho' possibly an Enemy has done that for him which his own Endeavours would never have perfected For whatever become of his own Pieces his Name will continue whilst Mr. Dryden's Satyr call'd Mack Flecknoe shall remain in Vogue He has publisht several Pieces both in Prose and Verse which I have seen and he hath others in print which I could never obtain a view of as in particular that Epistle Dedicatory to a Nobleman which Mr. Dryden raillys so severely in his Dedication of Limberham As to what Works I have seen of his I shall give the Reader a particular Account beginning first with his Plays Damoiselles à la mode a Comedy printed in octavo Lond. 1667. and dedicated to their Graces the Duke and Dutchess of Newcastle more humbly than by way of Epistle This Comedy was design'd by the Author to have been acted by the Kings Servants as the Reader may see by the Scheme drawn by the Poet shewing how he cast the several Parts but I know not for what reason they refus'd it The Poet indeed seems to give one which whether true or false is not much material but methinks it will serve to shew the Reader his Humour For the acting this Comedy says he those who have the Governing of the Stage have their Humours and would be intreated and I have mine and won't intreat them and were all Dramatick Writers of my mind they should wear their Old Plays Thread-bare ere they should have any New till they better understood their own Interest and how to distinguish betwixt good and bad I know not whether the late Duke of Buckingham thought of Mr. Flecknoe when he drew the Character of Mr. Bayes but methinks there is some resemblance between his Anger at the Players being gone to Dinner without his leave and Mr. Flecknoe's Indignation at their Refusing his Play Mr. Bays seeming to me to talk much at the same rate How are the Players gone to Dinner If they are I 'll make them know what 't is to injure a Person that does them the Honour to write for them and all that A Company of Proud Conceited Humorous Cross-grain'd Persons and all that I 'll make them the most Contemptible Despicable Inconsiderable Persons and all that in the whole World for this Trick This Play as the Author in his Preface acknowledges is taken out of several Excellent Pieces of Molliere The main Plot of the Damoiselles out of his Les Precieuses Ridicules the Counterplot of Sganarelle out of his L'Escole des Femmes and the Two Naturals out of his L'Escole des Maris Erminia or The Chast Lady printed 8 o Lond. 1665. and dedicated to the Fair and Virtuous Lady the Lady Southcot This Play tho' the Actors Names design'd by the Authors be printed over against the Dramatis Personae was never acted Love's Dominion a Dramatick Piece full of Excellent Morality written as a Pattern for the Reformed Stage printed 8 o Lond. 1654. and dedicated to the Lady Elizabeth Claypole In this Epistle the Author insinuates the use of Plays and begs her Mediation to gain License to act them Whether the Play answer the Title-page or whether Mr. Flecknoe have so regularly observ'd the three Unities I shall leave to the Criticks Love's Kingdom a Pastoral-Tragi-comedy not as it was acted at the Theatre near Lincolns-Inn but as it was written and since corrected printed 8 o Lond. 1664. and dedicated to his Excellency William Lord Marquess of Newcastle This Play is but the former Play a little alter'd with a new Title and after the King 's Return it seems the Poet got leave to have it acted but it had the misfortune to be damn'd by the Audience which Mr. Flecknoe stiles The people and calls them Judges without Judgment for want of its being rightly represented to them He owns that it wants much of the Ornament of the Stage but that he says by a lively Imagination may easily be supply'd To the same purpose he says of his Damoiselles à la mode That together with the Persons represented he had set down the Comedians that he design'd should represent them that the Reader might have half the pleasure of seeing it acted and a lively Imagination might have the pleasure of it all entire M r John Fletcher Marriage of Oceanus and Britannia a Masque which I never saw and therefore am not able to give any Account of it Whether our Author have any more Plays in print I know not but I remember a Prologue amongst his Epigrams intended for a Play call'd The Physician against his will which I believe might be a Translation of Molliere's Le Medecin malgré luy but it was never publisht that I know of As to his other Works they consist of Epigrams and Enigmatical Characters which are usually bound up with his Love's Dominion at the end of which is a short Discourse of the English Stage which I take to be the best thing he has extant There is another Book of his Writing call'd Diarium or The Journal divided into twelve Jornadas in Burlesque Verse with some other Pieces printed 120 Lond. 1656 John FLETCHER and Francis BEAUMONT Esq I am now arriv'd at a brace of Authors who like the Dioscuri Castor and Pollux succeeded in Conjunction more happily than any Poets of their own or this Age to the reserve of the Venerable Shakespear and the Learned and Judicious Johnson 'T is impossible for me to reach their Characters and therefore as the Witty Dr. Fuller cites Bale's saying of Randal Higden That 't is no shame to crave aid in a Work too weighty for any ones back to bear I must have recourse to others Assistance for the Characters of this worthy pair of Authors To speak first of Mr. Beaumont he was Master of a good Wit and a better Judgment he so admirably well understood the Art of the Stage that even Johnson himself thought it
this Play Shakespear meant when he brought in Sir John Falstaff speaking in K. Cambyses Vein My Counsaile grave and sapient with Lords of Legal Train Attentive eares towards us bend and mark what shall be sain So you likewise my valiant Knight whose manly acts doth fly By brute of Fame the sounding trump doth perse the azure Sky My sapient words I say perpend and so your skill delate You know that Mors vanquished hath Cyrus that King of state And I by due Inheritance possess that Princely Crown Ruling by sword of mighty force in place of great Renown Edmund PRESTWITH The Author of a Tragedy called Hyppolitus which as I suppose is translated from Seneca tho' I never saw it but have heard 't was printed in octavo Mr. Philips and Mr. Winstanley have placed another Play to his Account viz. The Hectors but it was a fault which I suppose they were led into by my Catalogue printed 1680. as I my self was tho' I must now assure my Reader That that Play has no Name to it and in Mr. Kirkman's Catalogue is set down as an Anonymal Play Q. Francis QUARLES Esq THis Gentleman was Son to James Quarles Esq who was Clerk of the Green-Cloth and Purveyor to Queen Elizabeth He was Born at Stewards in the Parish of Rumford in Essex He was sent to Cambridge and was bred for some time in Christ-Church Colledge afterwards he became a Member of Lincolns-Inn in London He was sometime Cup-bearer to the Queen of Bohemia Secretary to the Reverend James Usher Archbishop of Armagh and Chronologer to the Famous City of London He was a Poet that mix'd Religion and Fancy together and was very careful in all his Writings not to intrench upon Good Manners by any Scurrility in his Works or any ways offending against his Duty to God his Neighbour and himself The Occasion of our Mentioning him in this place is from his being the Author of an Innocent Innosfensive Play called The Virgin Widow a Comedy printed 4o. Lond. 1649. As to his other Works they are very numerous those which I have seen are his History of Sampson in Verse Jonah Esther Job Militant His Emblems are reputed by some a Copy of Hermannus Hugo's Pia Desideria Anniversaries upon his Paranete Pentalogia or The Quintessence of Meditation Argalus and Parthenia being founded on a Story in Sir Philip Sydney's Arcadia Enchiridion of Meditations Divine and Moral Nor must I forget his Loyal Convert tho' I never saw it being a Cause of his Persecution by the Usurped Authority then in being The troubles of Ireland forc'd him from thence so that he dy'd in his Native Country Sept. 8. 1644. being aged 52 Years and the Father of eighteen Children by one Wife and was buried at St. Foster's Church London R. Thomas RANDOLPH HE Flourisht in the Reign of King Charles the First and was Born at Houghton in Northamptonshire from whence he was sent for Education to Westminster School and thence was remov'd to Cambridge where he became Fellow of Trinity Colledge in that University He was accounted one of the most pregnant Wits of his Time and was not only admir'd by the Wits of Cambridge but likewise belov'd and valu'd by the Poets and Men of the Town in that Age. His Gay Humour and Readiness at Repartee begat Ben. Johnson's Love to that Degree that he Adopted him his Son on which Account Mr. Randolph writ a Gratulatory Poem to him which is printed these Lines being part of the Copy When my Muse upon obedient knees Asks not a Father's Blessing let her leese The Fame of this Adoption 't is a Curse I wish her 'cause I cannot think a worse How true a Filial Love he pay'd to his Reputation may appear from his Answer to that Ode which Ben. writ in Defence of his New-Inn and which Mr. Feltham reply'd upon so sharply Having given you the two former in my Account of Mr. Johnson give me leave likewise to transcribe this in Honour of Mr. Randoph whose Memory I reverence for his Respect to that Great Man An Answer to Mr. Ben Johnson's Ode to perswade him not to leave the Stage I. Ben do not leave the Stage 'Cause 't is a loathsome Age For Pride and Impudence will grow too bold When they shall hear it told They frighted thee stand high as is thy Cause Their Hiss is thy Applause More just were thy Disdain Had they approv'd thy Vein So thou for them and they for thee were born They to incense and thou as much to scorn II. Will't thou engross thy Store Of Wheat and pour no more Because their Bacon-brains have such a tast As more delight in Mast No! set them forth a board of Dainties full As thy best Muse can cull Whilst they the while do pine And thirst midst all their Wine What greater plague can Hell it self devise Than to be willing thus to Tantalize III. Thou can'st not find them stuff That will be bad enough To please their Pallates let 'em them refuse For some Pye-Corner Muse She is too fair an Hostess 't were a sin For them to like thine Inn 'T was made to entertain Guests of a Nobler Strain Yet if they will have any of thy Store Give them some scraps and send them from thy dore IV. And let those things in plush Till they be taught to blush Like what they will and more contented be With what Brome swept from thee I know thy worth and that thy lofty Strains Write not to Cloaths but Brains But thy great Spleen doth rise 'Cause Moles will have no Eyes This only in my Ben I faulty find He 's angry they 'l not see him that are blind V. Why should the Scene be mute Cause thou canst touch thy Lute And string thy Horace let each Muse of Nine Claim thee and say Th' art mine 'T were fond to let all other Flames expire To sit by Pindar's Fire For by so strange Neglect I should my self suspect The Palsie were as well thy Brains disease If they could shake thy Muse which way they please VI. And tho' thou well canst sing The Glories of thy King And on the wings of Verse his Chariot bear To Heaven and fix it there Yet let thy Muse as well some Raptures raise To please him as to praise I would not have thee chuse Only a treble Muse But have this Envious Ignorant Age to know Thou that canst sing so high canst reach as low There was another Copy of Verses writ by Mr. Carew to Mr. Johnson on occasion of his Ode of Defiance annexed to his Play of the New-Inn See his Poems 8o. p. 90. Having given you a taste of his Lyrick Poetry I now proceed to his Dramatick Performance of which according to our Custom I shall speak Alphabetically Amyntas or The Impossible Dowry a Pastoral acted before the King and Queen at Whitehall Aristippus or The Jovial Philosopher presented in a private Shew to which is added The Conceited
Pedlar Jealous Lovers a Comedy presented to their Gracious Majesties at Cambridge by the Students of Trinity Colledge and dedicated to Dr. Comber D. of Carlile This Play I think to be the best of his and was revived on the Stage at London in 1682. as may appear by an Epilogue written by Mrs. Behn and printed in her Collection of Poems published 8o. Lond. 1685. This Play was revised and printed by the Author in his Life-time being usher'd by the Chief Wits of both Universities to the Press One of which says thus of it Tho' thou hast made it publick to the view Of Self-love Malice and that other Crew It were more fit it should impaled lye Within the walls of some great Library That if by chance through Injury of Time Plautus and Terence and that Fragrant Thyme Of Attick-Wit should perish we might see All those reviv'd in this own Comedy The Jealous Lover Pander Gull and Whore The Doting Father Shark and many more Thy Scene doth represent unto the Life Besides the Character of a curst Wife So truly given in so proper Stile As if thy Active Soul had dwelt a while In each Man's Body and at length had seen How in their Humors they themselves demean Muses Looking-Glass a Comedy which by the Author was first called The Entertainment as I learn from Sir Aston Cockain's Works who writ an Encomiastick Copy on it See his Works p. 98. As to this Play it answers both the Designs of Poetry Profit and Delight and what a Student of Christ-church Mr. Rich. West said of it will be found true by every Reader Who looks within his clearer Glass will say At once he writ an Ethick Track and Play All these Dramatick Pieces and his Poems were published by his Brother Mr. Thomas Randolph of Christ-church Colledge in Oxon. and are now printed the 5 th Edit Oxon. 1668. I know not when our Author died tho' I presume he liv'd to no great Age being too much addicted to the Principles of his Predecessor Aristippus Pleasure and Contempt of Wealth My Readers are not to expect any Discoveries of Thefts for this Author had no occasion to practice Plagiary having so large a Fond of Wit of his own that he needed not to borrow from others and therefore I may justly say with a Friend of his With what an Extasie shall we behold This Book which is no Ghost of any old Worm-eaten Author here 's no Jest or Hint But had his Head both for its Oar and Mint Wer 't not for some Translations none could know Whether he had e're look'd in Book or no. Of this Nature are not only his several Versions as the Second Epod of Horace several Pieces out of Claudian c. but likewise a Dramatick Piece from Aristophanes called in the Original 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but by our Translator Hey for Honesty Down with Knavery a pleasant Comedy printed 4o. Lond. 1651. This Play was first translated by our Author and afterwards augmented and published by F. J. I shall not pretend to determine whether this Translation for that published in octavo be better but leave it to those more vers'd in the Original than I pretend to Permit me therefore to conclude all with the following Lines writ by One of St. John's in Memory of our Author Immortal Ben is dead and as that Ball On Ida toss'd so is his Crown by all The Infantry of Wit Vain Priests That Chair Is only fit for his true Son and Hen. Reach here thy Laurel Randolph 't is thy praise Thy naked Skull shall well become the Bays See Daphne courts thy Ghost and spite of Fate Thy Poems shall be Poet Laureate Edward RAVENSCROFT A Gentleman now living and One that was sometime a Member of the Middle-Temple One who with the Vulgar passes for a Writer tho' I hope he will pardon me if I rather stile him in the Number of Wit-Collectors for I cannot allow all the Wit in his Plays to be his own I hope he will not be angry for transcribing the Character which he has given of Mr. Dryden and which mutato nomine belongs to himself 'T is not that I any ways abet Mr. Dryden for his falling upon his Mamamouchi but that I may maintain the Character of Impartial to which I pretend I must pull off his Disguise and discover the Politick Plagiary that lurks under it I know he has endeavoured to shew himself Master of the Art of Swift-writing and would perswade the World that what he writes is ex tempore Wit and written currente calamo But I doubt not to shew That tho' he would be thought to imitate the Silk-worm that spins its Web from its own Bowels yet I shall make him appear like the Leech that lives upon the Blood of Men drawn from the Gums and when he is rubb'd with Salt spues it up again To prove this I shall only give an Account of his Plays and by that little of my own Knowledge which I shall discover 't will be manifest that this Ricketty-Poet tho' of so many Years cannot go without others Assistance For take this Prophecy from your humble Servant or Mr. Ravenscroft's Mamamouchi which you please When once our Poets translating Vein is past From him you can't expect new Plays in hast To prove this I need only give you an Account of what he has already publish'd and from thence you may judge according to the old Adage Expede Herculem what is like to follow Careless Lovers a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre and printed 4o. Lond. 1673. The Epistle to this Play was written against Mr. Dryden and his Prologue levell'd against Almanzor and his Play call'd Love in Nunnery The truth is Mr. Dryden had fallen first upon his Mamamouchi as we have said and therefore on that Account our Poet was excusable but to accuse him for borrowing and translating as he faith Till then he borrowed from Romance and did translate was unreasonable when our Poet knew his own Guilt for notwithstanding he writes in the same Prologue ` That all that 's in it is ex tempore Wit Yet I must take the Liberty to contradict him and acquaint my Reader That the Sham-Scene in the 4. Act which is the most diverting in the Play where Mrs. Breedwell and Clapham bring in their Children and challenge Marriage of the L d De Boastado is stollen from Molliere's M. De Pourceaugnac Act 2. Sc. 7. and 8. As to the rest of the French Play he has inserted it into his Mamamouchi The Author in his Epistle acknowledges That the Reason why there are such continual Picques amongst the Poets is the same with that of Whores Two of a Trade can never agree and therefore Mr. Dryden and Mr. Ravenscroft being profest Plagiaries and having both laid claim to Molliere no wonder if they fell out like the two Travellers in AEsop about the Ass tho' at the same time a third Poet ran away with the