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
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
Climate could influence or any way adulterate his Mind he was brought from thence his Father being prefer'd to be One of the Barons of the Exchequer in England At Sixteen years of Age in the Year 1631. he was taken from School and sent to the University of Oxford where he became a Member of Trinity Colledge In this Society he spent some years after he was remov'd again to London and follow'd the Study of the Civil Law The Civil War breaking out this Honourable Person exerted his Loyalty so far that upon the voluntary offer of his Service he was intrusted by the Queen to deliver a Message to his Majesty Who at that time viz. in 1647. was in the hands of the Army By Hugh Peters's Assistance he got admittance to the King who was then at Causham and having deliver'd his Instructions his Majesty was pleased to discourse very freely with him of the whole state of Affairs and at his departure from Hampton-Court he was pleas'd to command him to stay privately in London to send to him and to receive from him all his Letters from and to all his Correspondents at Home and Abroad and he was further furnisht with Nine Cyphers in order to it which Trust he performed with great safety to the Persons with whom he corresponded but about Nine Months after being discover'd by their knowledge of Mr. Cowley's Hand he happily escap'd beyond Sea both for himself and those that held Correspondence with him He got safe to His Majesty King Charles the Second and during his Attendance on the King in Holland and France His Majesty was pleas'd sometimes to give him Arguments to divert and put off the evil Hours of their Banishment which as he modestly expresses himself now and then fell not short of His Majesty's Expectation At His Majesty's departure from St. Germains to Jersey he was pleas'd without any sollicitation to confer upon Sir John the office of Surveyor General of all His Majesties Royal Buildings and at his Coronation created him Knight of the Bath This Honor he enjoy'd Eight years and then surrender'd up his Honor with his Soul on the Tenth day of March in the Year 1668. at his House near White-hall and was Buried the Twenty-third Instant at Westminster amongst those Noble Poets Chaucer Spencer and Cowley After this Abridgment of his Life I am next to give you a Summary of his Works They consist of Poems part of which are Translations as The Destruction of Troy an Essay on the Second Book of Virgil's AEneis The Passion of Dido for AEneas being the later part of the Fourth Book Sarpedon's Speech to Glaucus being part of the Twelfth Book of Homer Two Pieces from the Italian of Mancini upon the two first Cardinal Virtues Prudence and Justice c. Others are his own Productions amongst which his Coopers Hill is most commended A Poem which in the Opinion of Mr. Dryden who is without contradiction a very able Judge in Poetry for the Majesty of the Stile is and ever will be the exact Standard of good Writing His Verses on Sir William Fanshaw's Translation of Il Pastor Fido and his Preface to the Destruction of Troy shew sufficiently his Judgment and his Translations themselves his Genius for Peformances of that nature and admitting it true that few Versions deserve praise yet His are to be excepted from the general Rule His Elegy on Mr. Cowley part of which we have transcribed already in the Account of that great Man will make his Name famous to Posterity and there wants nothing to eternise his Name but a Pen equal to his if any such were to be found to perform the like Friendly office to his Manes He has writ but one Play but by that Specimen we may judge of his ability in Dramatick as well as Epick Poesy this Play being generally commended 'T is call'd The Sophy a Tragedy acted at the Private-house in Black-friars with good applause 'T was first printed in quarto Lond. 1642. but since publisht with his Poems and Translations all which are dedicated to King Charles the Second The last Edition being printed in octavo Lond. 1671. For the Plot of this Play it is the same with that of Baron's Mirza which Story you may find in Herberts Travels tho' differently handled by each Poet and tho' it has been objected by Mr. Baron that our Author kills Abbas in this Tragedy who really surviv'd some years after the Murther of his Son it may be answer'd That he did only Poetical Justice and took no other Liberty than what is allow'd by Horace Pictoribus atque Poetis Quidlihet audendi semper suit aequa Potestas John DOVER A Gentleman of whom I can give no other account than what I learn from a Play he has written viz That he was of Grays-Inn and that to divert himself after the Fatigue of the Law he employ'd himself in Reading History the Effects whereof produc'd The Roman Generals or The Distressed Ladies a Play written in Heroick Verse printed in quarto Lond. 1677. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Robert Lord Brook The Plot as far as it concerns History may be read in Plutarch's Lives of Caesar and Pompey see besides Suetonius Lucan c. But the Author has not as he himself owns altogether follow'd nor yet declin'd History least by the one his Play might be took for a Piece translated out of Livy or Lucan or by the other for an idle Romance but like the Traveller for Delight he has sometimes follow'd and sometimes quitted his Rode This Play as I conjecture from the Prologue and Epilogue was never acted they being rather address'd to the Stationers Customers than the Audience John DRYDEN Esq A Person whose Writings have made him remarkable to all sorts of Men as being for a long time much read and in great Vogue It is no wonder that the Characters given of him by such as are or would be thought Wits are various since even those who are generally allow'd to be such are not yet agreed in their Verdicts And as their Judgments are different as to his Writings so are their Censures no less repugnant to the Managery of his Life some excusing what these condemn and some exploding what those commend So that we can scarce find them agreed in any One thing save this That he was Poet Laureat and Historiographer to His late Majesty For this and other Reasons I shall wave all Particularities of his Life and let pass the Historiographer that I may keep the closer to the Poet toward whom I shall use my accustom'd Freedome and having spoken my Sentiments of his Predecessors Writings shall venture without partiality to exercise my slender Judgment in giving a Censure of his Works DRYDEN His Genius seems to me to incline to Tragedy and Satyr rather than Comedy and methinks he writes much better in Heroicks than in blank Verse His very Enemies must grant that there his Numbers are
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
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
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
Sir 't is not altogether so monstrous and impossible for One of Seventeen Years to speak at such a rate when He that made him speak in that manner and writ the whole Play was Himself no Older This Impression was printed without the Authors consent from a false and an imperfect Transcript the Original Copy being with the Author in Italy so that it might rather be call'd the First Design or Foul Draught than a True Copy This occasioned a new Edition and the Publisher impos'd on it a New Title that it might shew as little Affinity as possible to what he calls its Anti-type stiling it Pallantus and Eudora a Tragedy printed fol. Lond. 1653. To this Edition I recommend the Reader remembring that of Martial Multum crede mihi refert à fonte bibatur Quae stuit an pigro quae stupet unda lacu Thomas KILLEGREW A Gentleman well known at Court having been Page of Honour to King Charles the First and Groom of the Bed-chamber to King Charles the Second with whom he endur'd twenty Years Exile During his abode beyond Sea he took a view of France Italy and Spain and was Honoured by his Majesty with the Creditable Employ of Resident at the State of Venice whither he was sent in August 1651. During his Absence from his Country he diverted himself with the Muses writing several Playes of which Sir John Denham in a jocular way takes notice in his Copy of Verses on our Author's Return from his Embassie from Venice I. Our Resident Tom From Venice is come And hath left the Statesman behind him Talks at the same pitch Is as wise is as rich And just where you left him you find him II. But who says he was not A man of much Plot May repent that false Accusation Having plotted and penn'd Six Plays to attend The Farce of his Negotiation Tho' Sir John Denham mentions but six our Author writ nine Plays in his Travells and two at London amongst which his Don Thomaso in two parts and his Parson's Wedding will always be valu'd by the best Judges and Admirers of Dramatick Poetry Of these Eleven Plays I shall speak in their Order Bellamira her Dream or Love of Shadows a Tragi-comedy the first Part printed fol. Lond. 1663. written in Venice and dedicated to the Lady Mary Villiers Dutchess of Richmond and Lenox Bellamira her Dream the second Part a Tragi-comedy written in Venice printed fol. Lond. 1663. and dedicated to the Lady Anne Villiers Countess of Essex Cicilia and Clorinda or Love in Arms a Tragi-comedy the first Part printed fol. Lond. 1663. written in Turin and dedicated to the Lady Anne Villiers Countess of Morton Cicilia and Clorinda the second Part a Tragi-comedy printed fol. Lond. 1663. written in Florence in August 1651. and dedicated to the Lady Dorothy Sidney Countess of Sunderland The first Scene between Amadeo Lucius and Manlius seems copied from the Characters of Aglatidas Artabes and Megabises in the Grand Cyrus see the History of Aglatidas and Amestris Part 1. Book 3. Claracilla a Tragi-comedy printed Folio Lond. 1663. written in Rome and dedicated to his Dear Sister the Lady Shannon On this Play and The Prisoners Mr. Carthwright has writ an ingenious Copy of Verses which the Reader may find amongst his Poems p. 258. Parson's Wedding a Comedy printed Folio Lond. 1663. written at Basil in Switzerland and dedicated to the Lady Ursula Bartu Widow This Play was reviv'd at the Old Theatre in little Lincolns-Inn-fields and acted all by Women a new Prologue and Epilogue being spoken by Mrs. Marshal in Man's Cloaths which the Reader may find printed in Covent-Garden Drollery 8o. pag. 3. c. The Intrigue of Careless and Wild circumventing the Lady Wild and Mrs. Pleasance into Marriage is an Incident in several Plays as Ram-Alley Antiquary c. but in none so well manag'd as in this Play Pilgrim a Tragedy printed Fol. Lond. 1663. written in Paris in the Year 1651. and dedicated to the Countess of Carnarvan Princess or Love at first sight a Tragi-comedy printed Fol. Lond. 1663. written in Naples and dedicated to his Dear Neece the Lady Anne Wentworth Wife to the Lord Lovelace Prisoners a Tragi-comedy printed Fol. Lond. 1663. written in London and dedicated to his Dear Neece the Lady Crompton Thomaso or The Wanderer a Comedy in two Parts printed Fol. Lond. 1663. and dedicated to the Fair and Kind Friends of Prince Palatine Polexander In the first part of this Play the Author has borrow'd several Ornaments as the Song sung by Angelica Act 2. Sc. 3. is taken from Fletcher's Play call'd The Captain Act 4. He has made use of Ben Johnson considerably for not only the Character of Lopus but even the very Words are copied from Johnson's Fox where Vulpone personates Scoto of Mantua as the Reader will see by comparing Act 4. Sc. 2. of this Play with that of the Fox Act 2. Sc. 2. I do not believe that our Author design'd to conceal his Theft since he is so just to acknowledge a Song against Jealousy which he borrow'd and was written by Mr. Thomas Carew Cup-bearer to King Charles the First and sung in a Masque at Whitehall An. 1633. This Chorus says he I presume to make use of here because in the first design 't was writ at my request upon a Dispute held betwixt Mrs. Cicilia Crofts and my self where he was present she being then Maid of Honor this I have set down lest any man should believe me so foolish as to steal such a Poem from so famous an Author or so vain as to pretend to the making of it my self Certainly therefore if he scrupled to rob Mr. Carew he would much more Mr. Johnson whose Fame as much exceeded the others as his Writings and Compositions are better known However it be I am sure he is not the only Poet that has imp'd his Wings with Mr. Johnson's Feathers and if every Poet that borrows knew as well as Mr. Killegrew how to dispose of it 't would certainly be very excusable All these Plays are printed together in One Volume in Folio Lond. 1664. Sir William KILLEGREW A Gentleman who by his Writings and honourable Station in the Court being Vice-Chamberlain to the Queen Dowager is well known He is the Author of Four Plays which have been applauded whether with Justice or no I leave to the Criticks by Men who have themselves been reputed Eminent for Poetry as Mr. Waller Sr. Robert Stapleton Mr. Lodowick Carlell and others I shall therefore only acquaint the Reader with their several Titles and submit them to his further judgment Ormasdes or Love and Friendship a Tragi-Comedy Pandora or The Converts a Comedy Selindra a Tragi-comedy Siege of Urbin a Tragi-comedy All these Plays were printed together in Folio Oxon 1666. There is another Play ascrib'd to our Author call'd The Imperial Tragedy printed Fol. Lond. 1669. the chief part was taken out of a Latine Play and very much alter'd by him for
acted and printed 4o. Lond. 1632. That passage of the Widows finding her Wedding-Ring which she dropp'd in crossing the Thames in the Belly of a Fish which her Maid bought accidentally in the Market is founded either upon the Story of Polycrates of Samos as the Author may read at large in Herodotus Lib. 3. sive Thalia or upon the like Story related of one Anderson of Newcastle by Doctor Fuller in his Worthies of England I know of nothing else written by our Author neither can I tell the time of his Death and therefore I must leave it to Persons of better Information to acquaint the World with more particulars of his Life whilst I hasten to an Account of his Names sake Samuel ROWLEY Whether this Author was related to as well as Contemporary with the former I know not only this I know that he writ himself a Servant to the Prince of Wales He is the Author of two Historical Plays of which we are to give an Account in their Alphabetical Order viz. Noble Spanish Souldier or A Contract broken justly revenged a Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1634. This is a Posthumous Piece and if we believe the Printer's Preface has received applause in Action Where it was acted I know not nor the Foundation of the Story it not being mentioned what King of Spain it was that committed that act of Perjury with Onaelia When you see me you know me or The Famous Chronical History of Henry the Eighth with the Birth and Virtuous Life of Edward Prince of Wales being play'd by the High and Mighty Prince of Wale's Servants and printed 4o. Lond. 1632. For the Plot see the L d Herbert's Life of Hen. the VIII and other Writers of his Life as Polydore Virgil Hollingshead Hall Grafton Stow Speed Martin Baker c. Joseph RUTTER An Author that liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the First He belong'd to the Earl of Dorset's Family and attended on his Son the Father of the present Earl At the Command of the Right Honourable Edward Earl of Dorset and Lord Chamberlain to the Queen he undertook the Translation of the Cid out of French and Mr. Kirkman ascribes another Play to him besides of both which I shall speak in their Order Cid a Tragi-comedy acted before their Majesties at Court and on the Cock-pit Stage in Drury-Lane by the Servants to both their Majesties and printed 8o. Lond. 1637. This first Part is dedicated to Edward Earl of Dorset aforesaid part of it being translated by the young Lord his Son on whom our Author attended Cid Part the second printed 4o. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to the Lady Theophila Cook This Part was undertaken by our Author at his Majesties Command who was pleas'd to think it worth the translating and commanded it to be put into our Author's Hands Both these Plays are usually bound together in actavo As to these Plays in the Original they are much commended tho' I never saw but the first Part in French I shall not here transcribe the Author 's own Sentiments of it but leave it to those who understand the French to peruse the Examen of the Second Part it being too long for this place But what M. Boileau says of it in his 9 th Satyr may be sufficient to shew the Sentiments of the publick in its Favour His Words are these En vain contre le Cid un Ministre se ligue Tout Paris pour Climene a les yeux de Rodrigue L' Academie en Corps a beau le censurer Le Public revolté s'obstine à l'admirer To speak of the Translation in general I think if the Time be considered when it was undertaken it may pass muster with candid Readers The Author having at least so far improv'd it as to bring several things in Action which in the Original are delivered in Narration an Excellency commended by Horace in those Lines so well known to all Scholars Aut agitur res in Scenis aut Acta refertur Segnius irritant animos demissa per aurem Quam quae sunt oculis subjecta fidelibus quae Ipse sibi tradit spectator It is true our Author has altered in the Original some places but not many Two Scenes he has left out as being Soliloquies and things little pertinent to the Business and give me leave to observe by the by That the French are much addicted to bring in these Monologues in their serious Plays Some things likewise our Author has added but scarce discernable and where M. Corneille would give him leave he says he has follow'd close both his Sense and Words tho' as he has observed many things are received Wit in one Tongue which are not in another As to the Play 't is founded on true History and the Author has follow'd Roderic de Tolede and Mariana The Reader may consult other Historians that have writ of the Affairs of Don Fernando the First King of Castille Shepherds Holyday a Pastoral Tragi-comedy acted before their Majesties at Whitehall by the Queen's Servants and printed 8o. Lond. 1635. This Play is ascrib'd by Mr. Kirkman to our Author tho' only J.R. is affix'd to the Title-page This Play is of the Nobler sort of Pastorals and is writ in Blank Verse At the End is a Pastoral Elegy on the Death of the Lady Venetia Digby in the Person of Sir Kenelm Digby her Husband and a Latin Epigram on her Tomb. I know nothing else of our Authors Writing Thomas RYMER Esq This Gentleman is now living and was once if he be not at present a Member of the Honourable Society of Grays-Inn He has excellent Talent towards Criticism as appears by his Preface to the Translation of Rapin's Reflections on Aristotle's Treatise of Poetry 8o. and his Tragedies of the last Age consider'd but I think for Dramatick Poetry there are other Poets now alive that at least equal that Tragedy which he has publisht viz. Edgar or The English Monarch an Heroick Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1678. This Tragedy is dedicated to King Charles the Second and written in Heroick Verse If it be compared with Mr. Ravenscroft's King Edgar and Alfreda it far exceeds it For the Plot see the Historians before mentioned viz. Malmesbury Huntingdon Hoveden Ingulfus Higden c. Grafton Stow c. S. Thomas St. SERF A Gentleman who in the Reign of King Charles the Second writ a Play call'd Tarugo's Wiles or The Coffee-house a Comedy acted at his Highnesses the Duke of York's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1668. and dedicated to the Right Honourable George Marquess of Huntley This Comedy if not equal with those of the first Rank yet exceeds several which pretend to the second especially the third Act which discovers the several Humours of a Coffee-house As to the other part of the Play 't is founded as I suppose on the Spanish Play No puedeser or It cannot be but not having the Original I cannot be positive but this I know That the Lord
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.
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