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
Return from Parnassus 547 Revenge Ibid. Revengers Tragedy 506 Reward of Virtue 223 Rhodon and Iris. 316 Richard the Second 462 Rival Friends 245 Kings 8 Ladies 167 Queens 325 Rivals 547 Roaring Girl 373 Robert Earl of Huntingdon's Downfal and Death 267 Hood's Pastoral May-games 547 and his Crew of Souldiers Ibid. Roman Actor 358 Empress 308 Generals 129 Romeo and Juliet 462 Romulus and Hersilia 547 Roundheads 21 Rover. 20 Royalist 183 Royal King and Loyal Subject 268 Masque at Hampton-Court 547 Master 481 Shepherdess 450 Slave 43 Voyage 548 Rule a Wife and have a Wife 214 Rump 503 S. SAcrifice 184 Sad One 498 Shepheard 295 Saint Cicely 520 Salmacida Spolia 548 Sampson Agonistes 375 Sapho and Phaon 329 Scaramouch c. 429 School of Complements 480 Scornful Lady 214 Scots Figaries 503 Sea Voyage 214 Seven Champions of Christendom 315 See me and see me not 24 Sejanus 295 Selimus 315 Sertorius 6 Several Wits 393 Sforza Duke of Millain 237 Shepheards Holyday 433 Paradice 377 Shoomaker 's a Gentleman 429 Sicelides 548 Sicily and Naples 519 Siege 54 110 of Babylon 406 of Constantinople 549 of Memphis 183 of Rhodes 110 of Urbin 315 Silent Woman 296 Silver Age. 259 Sir Barnaby Whig 184 Courtly Nice 96 Giles Goose-cap 549 Hercules Buffon 318 Martin Mar-all 170 Patient Fancy 21 Solomon 549 Sister 484 Six Days Adventure 274 Slighted Maid 492 Sociable Companions 393 Soliman and Perseda 550 Sophister Ibid. Sophonisba 325 351 Sophy 128 Souldiers Fortune 399 Spanish Bawd 550 Curate 214 Fryar 170 Gypsies 373 Rogue 178 Sparagus Garden 37 Speeches at Pr. Henry's Barriers 296 Spightful Sister 6 Sport upon Sport 90 Springs Glory 381 Squire of Alsatia 450 Old Sap. 183 Staple of News 296 State of Innocence 172 Step-mother 551 Strange Discovery Ib. Successful Strangers 378 Sullen Lovers 450 Summers's last Will and Testament 383 Sun's Darling 221 Supposes 231 Surprisal 277 Susanna's Tears 551 Swaggering Damois 56 Sweetnam the Woman-hater arraigned 551 T. TAle of a Tub. 297 Tamberlain the Great 344 Taming of the Shrew 463 Tancred and Gismond 512 Tartuff 367 Tarugo's Wiles 434 Tempe restor'd 551 Tempest 172 463 Temple 64 of Love 110 The longer thou liv'st the more fool thou art 508 Thebais 394 Theodosius 326 Thersytes 552 Thomaso 313 Thornby Abby 524 Thracian Wonder 510 Three Lords and Ladies of London 521 Thyerry and Theodoret 215 Time vindicated to himself and to his Honours 297 Timon of Athens 451 Titus Andronicus 464 Titus and Berenice 399 Tom Essence 552 Tyler and his Wife 508 Tottenham Court 381 Town Fop. 22 Shifts 425 Trapolin supposed a Prince 70 Travels of 3 English Brothers 119 Traytor 481 to himself 553 Treacherous Brother 407 Trick for Trick 184 to catch the Old One. 373 Triumph of Beauty 485 Love and Antiquity 373 Peace 482 the Prince D'Amour 111 Triumphant Widdow 387 Troades 472 521 Troas 251 Troylus and Cressida 173 True Trojans 553 Widdow 451 Tryal of Chivalry 508 Treasure 554 Tryphon 28 Tunbridge Wells 554 Twelfth Night 466 Twins 427 Two Angry Women of Abington 407 Noble Kinsmen 215 Two Tragedies in One. 516 Wise Men and all the rest Fools 64 Tide tarrieth for no Man 508 Tyranical Government 554 Tyranick Love 173 V. VAlentinian 215 Valiant Scot. 523 Welchman 516 Varieties 387 Venice preserv'd 400 Very Woman 359 Vestal Virgin 277 Vilain 407 Virgin Martyr 359 Widow 410 Virtuoso 451 Virtuous Octavia 30 Wife 185 Virtue betray'd 8 Vision of Delight 297 the Twelve Goddesses 103 Unfortunate Lovers 112 Mother 382 Shepheard 506 Usurper 554 Ungrateful Favorite Ib. Unhappy Fair One. 499 Favorite 9 Unnatural Combat 359 Tragedy 393 Untrussing the Humorous Poet. 123 Vow-breaker 437 Usurper 274 W. WAlks of Islington and Hogsden 307 Wandring Lover 368 Warning for fair Women 555 Weakest goes to the wall Ib. Wealth and Health Ib. Wedding 483 Westward-hoe 124 What you will 351 When you see me you know me 430 White Devil 509 Whore of Babylon 124 Wiat's History 125 Widow 298 Ranter 22 's Tears 65 Wife for a Month. 216 Wild Gallant 174 Goose-chase 216 Wily beguil'd 555 Wine Beer Ale and Tobacco 555 Winters Tale. 466 Wise Women of Hogsden 268 Wit at several Weapons 216 of a Woman 556 in a Constable 233 without Money 216 Wits 111 Cabal 393 led by the Nose 556 Witty Combat 520 Fair One 483 Woman Captain 452 Hater 216 in the Moon 330 kill'd with Kindness 268 turn'd Bully 556 Woman 's a Weather-cock 198 Conquest 374 Prize 217 Women beware Women 374 pleas'd 217 Wonder a Woman never vex'd 429 World lost at Tennis 374 Wrangling Lovers 423 Y. YOrkshire Tragedy 466 Young Admiral 483 King 22 Your five Gallants 375 Youths Glory Deaths Banquet 393 The Plays in the Appendix ALphonso King of Naples Amphytryon Banish'd Duke Belphegor Bragadocio Distressed Innocence Edward the Third Ferrex and Porrex Folly of Priestcraft Gorboduc Mad World my Masters Mistakes Robin Conscience Royal Flight Scowrers Sir Anthony Love Unfortunate Lovers Witch of Edmonton Woman will have her will Wonder of a Kingdom The APPENDIX THe Occasion of adding this following Appendix is to compleat the Account of all the Plays that have been printed as far as this present Time since several new Ones have been publisht after the Fore-going Sheets were sent to the Press and some others thro' oversight omitted in the Body of the Book I have chose rather to place them here than leave the whole imperfect I shall follow the same Method as before beginning first with the Known Authors in an Alphabetical Order and afterwards mention those whose Authors are conceal'd I begin with Sir William DAVENANT I have already given an Account of this Author p. 106 c. to which I refer my Reader only beg his Pardon for the Omission of a Play to be found in the Body of his Works nam'd Unfortunate Lovers a Tragedy printed in Folio Thomas DECKER An Author already mention'd p. 122. to have a hand in Twelve Plays tho' thro' mistake I have given an Account but of Ten of them 'T is true I referr'd the Reader p. 125. to the Account of Will. Rowley for The Witch of Edmonton but quite forgot a Play which was writ wholly by our Author stil'd Wonder of a Kingdom a Tragi-comedy printed 4o. Lond. 1636. This I take to be a very diverting old Play John DRYDEN Esq The Reader will find an Account of this Author's Writings p. 130 c. but he having lately publisht a new Play I am here to give the Reader some Account of it Amphytryon or The Two Socias a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal to which is added the Musick of the Songs compos'd by Mr. Henry Purcel printed 4o. Lond. 1691. and dedicated to the Honourable Sir Levison Gower Baronet This Play is founded on Plautus's Amphytruo and Molliere's Amphytryon as the Author himself acknowledges in his Epistle Dedicatory The Reader that will take the pains to compare them will find that Mr. Dryden has more closely followed the French than
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
till that time published This Catalogue is very full of Errors throughout Couragious Turk or Amurath the First a Tragedy acted by the Students of Christ-Church in Oxford printed 8 o Lond. 1656. and dedicated to the No less Honoured than Deserving Sir Walter Tichborn by Mr. Rich. Meighen who publish'd it after the Authors Decease There is a Copy of Verses prefix'd to the Play writ I suppose by the same Person and directed to the Author In that Transcribing his Book without his Knowledge he was bound by promise to stand to his pleasure to keep it or burn it For the Plot consult the Writers of the Turkish History in the Reign of Amurath as Leunclacius Chalcocondylas Knolles c. Orestes his Tragedy acted by the Students of Christs Church in Oxford printed 8 o Lond. 1656. How far our Author has follow'd Sophocles in his Electra or Euripides in Orestes I shall leave to the search of the Learned Reader only I cannot but observe that when I first read it I thought by the length it might vye with that Epick Poem of Orestes which Juvenal complains of as being Summi plenâjam margine libri Scriptus in tergo nec dum finitus Orestes Raging Turk or Bajazet the Second a Tragedy acted by the Students of Christ-Church in Oxford printed 8 o Lond. 1656. This Play was writ with the two foregoing Tragedies when the Author was Master of Arts and Student of Christ-Church but not printed till after his decease and then dedicated by Mr. Richard Meighen the Publisher To the No less Ingenious than Zealous Favourer of Ingenuity Sir Richard Tichborn Brother to the above-nam'd Sir Walter For the Plot consult Chalcocondylas Artus Knolles c. These three last Plays are all printed together in 8 o Lond. 1656. Selimus Emperour of the Turks his Tragedy printed 4 o Lond. 1638. I question whether ever this Play were acted because it is not divided into Acts. The Author calls this the First Part and in his Conclusion as he stiles it or Epilogue he promises a Second Part saying If this First Part Gentles do like you well The Second Part shall greater Murthers tell But whether it was ever publisht I am ignorant tho' I am apt to believe not since 't is not mention'd in any Catalogue The Plot is founded on the Turkish History see the Writers of the Reign of Selimus the First as Paulus Jovius Mezeray Knolles c. Mr. Philips and Mr. Winstanley have father'd a Comedy on this Author call'd Cupids Whirligig tho' Democritus and Heraclius were not more different in their Temper than his Genius was opposite to Comedy Besides the true Father was one Mr. E.S. who as he says being long Pregnant with Desire to bring forth something and being afterwards brought a Bed had chose his Friend Mr. Robert Hayman to be God-father not doubting but his Child would be well maintain'd seeing he could not live above an hour with him and therefore he entreated him when he was dead that he might be buried deep enough in his good Opinion and that he might deserve this Epitaph Here lyes the Child that was born in Mirth Against the strict Rules of Child-birth And to be quit I gave him to my Friend Who laught him to death and that was his End Yours while he is his own I hope the Reader will forgive me this Digression which I was forc'd to in Vindication of my Author who was so far from this Ridiculous Stile and affected Mirth that nothing but Manly and Serious escap'd his Pen and in his latter Time he forsook the Stage for the Pulpit and instead of Plays employ'd himself in writing Sermons some of which have appear'd in Print in the Year 1627. To these I may add his Latin Funeral Oration in the Divinity-School at the Obsequies of Sr. Henry Savil printed 4 o Oxon. 1622. Another in Christ-Church Cathedral at the Funeral of Dr. Goodwin Cannon of that Church printed Lond. 1627. Robert GOMERSAL A Gentleman that lived in the Reign of King Charles the First and was the Eldest Son of an Esquire He was born at London and was sent by his Father to the University of Oxon. 1616. being then 14 Years of Age. He was enter'd at Christ-Church and in a little time was chose Student of that Royal-Foundation Here he took his Batchelors and Masters Degrees and in the Year 1627. he went out Batchelor of Divinity I know not what Preferment he got tho' I believe he was Minister of a place call'd Flower in Northamptonshire but this is only Conjecture from some of his Poems dated from thence However I am assur'd he died in the Year 1646. He is accounted by some no mean Preacher or Poet but this I leave to the Judgment of those who will peruse the Works which he has publisht and tho' Divinity ought to claim the preference yet Poetry being my immediate Subject I crave the Readers pardon that I give Account of his Poetry in the first place and begin with his Play call'd Lodovick Sforza Duke of Millain his Tragedy printed 8 o Lond. 1632. and dedicated to his most Worthy Friend Mr. Francis Hide Student of Christ-Church and Junior Proctor of the University in the Year 1627. I cannot satisfy the Readers whether ever this Play appear'd on any Stage but I can inform him that the Foundation of it may be read in Guicciardine lib. 1 2 c. Philip de Commines Mezeray in the Reign of Charles the VIII of France Besides this Play he has writ several other Poems which are printed with it as particularly The Levites Revenge containing Poetical Meditations upon the 19 and 20. Chapters of Judges and is dedicated to his Worthily Respected Friend Barten Holiday Arch-Deacon of Oxford This Poem is highly Commended by a Copy of Verses written by a Gentleman of the Middle-Temple but I shall leave this and his other Poems to the Readers perusal and Judgment He has several Sermons in print on the I. Pet. Chap. 2. Verse 13 14 15 16. printed 4o. Lond. 1663. Francis GOULDSMITH Esq I am able to recover no other Memoires of this Gentleman than that he liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the Martyr and oblig'd the World with the Translation of a Play out of Latin call'd Sophompaneas or The History of Joseph with Annotations a Tragedy printed 4 o Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Henry Lord Marquess of Dochester This Dramma was writ by the Admirable Hugo Grotius publisht by him at Amsterdam 1635. and dedicated to Gerardus Vossius Professor of History and Civil Arts in the most flourishing City of Amsterdam He stiles it a Tragedy notwithstanding it ends successfully and quotes for his Authority AEschylus's Danaides Euripides his Alcestes Jon Helena Iphigenia among the Tauri and even Vossius his own Art of Poetry whether this Opinion be to be controverted or no I leave to the Criticks Some people make it a Question whether it be lawful to make a
Hertfordshire near St. Albans He was most familiar with Sr. Thomas More whose Neighbour he was and by whom I suppose he was introduc'd to the knowledge of Queen Mary in whose Favour he grew exceedingly After her Death he fled beyond Sea on Account of his Religion and Died an Exile at Mechlem An. Dom. 1556. He was I believe One of the first Dramatick Writers in our English Tongue and publisht Seven Pieces which he calls Interludes and which according to Mr. Kirkman were printed with the first of our English Printing Notwithstanding his suffering for Religion he has as much exploded the Vices of the Romish Clergy as Nic. de Clemangiis He says of his own Writings ` That he applied Mirth more than Thrift `made mad Plays and did few good Works Of all his Plays I never saw but one which I have by me in quarto tho' I have been told that the rest of his Plays are printed in fol. of which in Order Four P's a Merry Interlude of a Palmer a Pardoner a Potycary and a Pedler Imprinted at London in Fleet-street at the Sign of the George by Will. Middleton in 4o. Take a Sample of his Stile that you may judge of the rest Palmer Nowe God be here who kepeth this Place Now by my Faith I crye you mercy Of Reason I must sew for grace My Rewdness sheweth me no so homely Where of your pardon art and wonne I sew you as Curtesy doth me binde To tell this which shall be begonne In order as may come best in mindy I am a Palmer as yee se c. Play between John the Husband and Tib his Wife Play between the Pardoner the Fryar the Curate and Neighbour Prat. Play of Gentleness and Nobility 2 Parts Play of Love Play of the Weather Besides these Plays he has written Three hundred Epigrams upon 300. Proverbs printed in quarto London A Fourth hundred of Epigrams printed in quarto Lond. 1598. A Fifth hundred of Epigrams printed in quarto Lond. 1598. Dr. Fuller mentions a Book writ by our Author intituléd Monumenta Literaria which are said to be Non tam labore condita quà m lepore condita The Author of The Art of English Poetry speaking of several of our Old English Bards says thus of this our Poet John Heywood who in King Edward the Sixth's time for the Mirth and Quickness of his Conceits more than for any good Learning that was in him came to be well benefy'd by the King That the Reader may judge of his Epigrams to which certainly the forementioned Writer alludes I will transcribe one writ by him on himself Of Heywood's Fifth Hund. Numb 100. Art thou Heywood with thy mad Merry Wit Yea forsooth Master that Name is even hit Art thou Heywood that apply'st Mirth more than Thrift Yes Sir I take merry Mirth a Golden Gift Art thou Heywood that hast made many mad Plays Yea many Plays few good Works in my Days Art thou Heywood that hath made Men merry long Yea and will if I be made merry among Art thou Heywood that wouldst be made merry now Yes Sir help me to it now I beseech you 'T is not unlikely that our Author may have more Plays in Print than we have mention'd but I am very confident that The Pinder of Wakefield and Philotas Scotch notwithstanding the Allegations of Mr. Philips and Mr. Winstanley are not of that number the One being written as I suppose at least printed above Twenty the Other more than Fourty Years after his Death Thomas HEYWOOD An Author that liv'd in the Time of Queen Elizabeth and the Reign of King James the First Tho' he were but an Actor as is manifest by Mr. Kirkman's Testimony and apparent from a Piece writ by him call'd The Actors Vindication yet his Plays were in those Days accounted of the Second-Rate He was the most Voluminous Writer that ever handled Dramatick Poetry in our Language and I know none but the Famous Spaniard Lopez de Vega that can vye with him if at least we give Credit to his own Attestation in the Preface to One of his Plays This Tragi-comedy as he says being One reserv'd amongst two Hundred and Twenty in which I have had either an entire Hand or at the least a main Finger Of this Number we have that I know of but Five and Twenty entire Plays remaining the Reason of which the Author gives us in the same Epistle True it is that my Plays are not exposed unto the world in Volumes to bear the Title of Works as others one Reason is That many of them by shifting and change of Companies have been negligently lost Others of them are still retained in the Hands of some Actors who think it against their peculiar profit to have them come in Print and a third That it was never any great Ambition in me to be Voluminously read These seem to me to be more plausible Reasons than what Mr. Winstanley gives for their Miscarriage 'T is said that he not only acted himself almost every day but also wrote each day a Sheet and that he might loose no time many of his Plays were compos'd in the Tavern on the back-side of Tavern Bills which may be the occasion that so many of them be lost Certainly the Tavern Bills were very large or Mr. Winstanley must think his Readers Credulity of the same extent with his own who would subscribe to the belief of so ridiculous a Story This Report Mr. Winstanley partly borrows from Mr. Kirkman's Advertisement at the End of his Catalogue and as Stories lose nothing in the carriage Mr. Winstanley had added the Contrivance of making use of Tavern Bills to save Paper But tho' many of these Plays being written loosely in Taverns as Mr. Kirkman observes might occasion their being so mean yet it did not in probability much contribute to their loss as Mr. Winstanley would have it To do our Author justice I cannot allow that his Plays are so mean as Mr. Kirkman has represented them for he was a general Scholar and an indifferent Linguist as his several Translations from Lucian Erasmus Textor Beza Buchanan and other Latine and Italian Authors sufficiently manifest Nay further in several of his Plays he has borrow'd many Ornaments from the Ancients as more particularly in his Plays call'd The Ages he has intersperst several Things borrow'd from Homer Virgil Ovid Seneca Plautus c. which extreamly set them off What Opinion the Wits of the last Age had of him may appear from the following Verses extracted from a Copy of the Poets of those Times viz. The squibbing Middleton and Heywood Sage Th' Apologetick Atlas of the Stage Well of the Golden Age he could entreat But little of the Mettal he could get Three score sweet Babes he fashion'd at a Lump For he was Christen'd in Parnassus Pump The Muses Gossip to Aurora's Bed And ever since that time his Face was Red. I shall now give the Reader an
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
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