the greatest Master of Wit the most exact Observer of Mankind and the most acurate Judge of Humour that ever he knew Besides what his Grace has writ in Dramatick Poetry he published during his Honourable Exile at Antwerp the most Magnificent and withall the Best Book of Horsmanship that was ever yet extant How eminent his skill was in that Noble Art of Dressing Horses in the Manage is well known not only to our Countrymen but to all Nations of Europe Persons of all Countries and those of the best Quality crouding to his Manage at Antwerp to see him ride Insomuch that Signior del Campo One of the most knowing Riders of his Time said to the Duke upon his Dismounting as it were in an Extasie Il faut tirer la Planche The Bridge must be drawn up meaning that no Rider must presume to come in Horsemanship after him M. De Soleil one of the best Writers that I have met with amongst the French when he enlarged his Le Parfaict Mareschal borrowed the Art of Breeding from the Duke's Book as he owns in his Avis au Lecteur and stiles him Un des plus accomplis Cavaliers de nôtre temps But having nam'd this Forreigner's borrowing from his Grace I should justly deserve to be branded with Ingratitude should I not own That 't is to the Work of this Great Man that I am indebted for several Notions borrow'd from his Grace in a little Essay of Horsemanship printed 8o. Oxon. 1685. Nay further I think it no small Glory that I am the only Author that I know of who has quoted him in English He has written two Books of Horsemanship the first in French called La Methode nouvelle de Dresser les Chevaux avec Figures Fol. Ant. 1658. The other in English stiled A New Method and Extraordinary Invention to dress Horses and work them according to Nature as also to perfect Nature by the Subtlety of Art Fol. Lond. 1667. The first Book was writ by the Duke in English and made French at his command by a Wallon and is extraordinary scarce and dear The latter as the Duke informs his Reader Is neither a Translation of the first nor an absolutely necessary Addition to it and may be of use without the other as the other hath been hitherto and still is without this but both together will questionless do best I beg my Reader 's Pardon if I have dwelt upon this Subject to the tryal of his Patience but I have so great a Value for the Art it self and such a Respect for the Memory of the best of Horsemen that I cannot refrain from trespassing yet further by transcribing an Epigram writ to the Duke on this Subject but it being the production of the Immortal Johnson I hope that alone will attone for the Digression An Epigram to William Duke of Newcastle When first my Lord I saw you back your Horse Provoke his Mettle and command his force To all the uses of the Field and Race Methought I read the ancient Art of Thrace And saw a Centaure past those tales of Greece So seem'd your Horse and you both of a piece You shew'd like Perseus upon Pegasus Or Castor mounted on his Cyllarus Or what we hear our home-born Legend tell Of bold Sir Bevis and his Arundel Nay so your Seat his Beauties did endorse As I began to wish my self a Horse And surely had I but your Stables seen Before I think my wish absolv'd had been For never saw I yet the Muses dwell Nor any of their Houshold half so well So well as when I saw the Floor and Room I look'd for Hercules to be the Groom And cry'd Away with the Caesarian Breed At these immortal Mangers Virgil fed Margaret Dutchess of NEWCASTLE A Lady worthy the Mention and Esteem of all Lovers of Poetry and Learning One who was a fit Consort for so Great a Wit as the Duke of Newcastle Her soul sympathising with his in all things especially in Dramatick Poetry to which she had a more than ordinary propensity She has publisht six and twenty Plays besides several loose Scenes nineteen of which are bound and printed in one Volume in Fol. 1662. the others in Folio Lond. 1668. under the Title of Plays never before printed I shall not presume to pass my Judgment on the Writings of this Admirable Dutchess but rather imitate the Carriage of Julius Scalinger to the Roman Sulpitia by concluding with him Igitur ut tà m laudibilis Heroinae Ratio habeatur non ausim objicere ei judicii severitatem I know there are some that have but a mean Opinion of her Plays but if it be consider'd that both the Language and Plots of them are all her own I think she ought with Justice to be preferr'd to others of her Sex which have built their Fame on other People's Foundations sure I am that whoever will consider well the several Epistles before her Books and the General Prologue to all her Plays if he have any spark of Generosity or Good Breeding will be favourable in his Censure As a proof of my Assertion it may be proper in this place before I give an Account of her Plays to transcribe part of that general Prologue the whole being too long to be here inserted But Noble Readers do not think my Plays Are such as have been writ in former Days As Johnson Shakespear Beaumont Fletcher writ Mine want their Learning Reading Language Wit The Latin Phrases I could never tell But Johnson could which made him write so well Greek Latin Poets I could never read Nor their Historians but our English Speed I could not steal their Wit nor Plots out take All my Plays Plots my own poor Brain did make From Plutarch's Story I nere took a Plot Nor from Romances nor from Don Quixot As others have for to assist their Wit But I upon my own Foundation writ c. I hasten now to give an Account of the Titles of her Plays according to our accustomed order viz. Apocryphal Ladies a Comedy This Play consists of three and twenty Scenes but is not divided into Acts. Bell in Campo a Tragedy in two parts In the second Play are several Copies of Verses writ by the Duke of Newcastle Blasing World a Comedy Tho' this be stil'd a Play in former Catalogues yet it is but a Fragment the Authress before she had finisht the second Act desisted not finding her Genius tend to the prosecution of it Bridals a Comedy Comical Hash a Comedy This Play has not been in any Catalogue before Convent of Pleasure a Comedy Female Academy a Comedy Lady Contemplation a Comedy in two parts Three Scenes in the first and two in the second part were writ by the Duke Loves Adventures in two parts a Comedy The Song and the Epithalamium in the last Scene in the second part was likewise writ by the Duke Matrimonial Trouble in two parts the second being a Tragedy or as the Authress stiles it
3. Dionysius Hallicarnassaeus c. There are other Works of this Author's writing which speak him a great Wit and Master of an excellent Fancy and Judgment Such as his Poem call'd The Wonders of the Peak printed in octavo Lond. 1681. His Burlesque Poems call'd Scarronides or Virgil Travestie a mock Poem on the first and fourth Books of Virgil's AEneis printed in octavo Lond. 1678. Tho' the Title seems to imply as if this Poem were an Imitation of Scarron who has translated Eight Books of Virgil in the same manner yet those who will compare both these Pieces will possibly find that he has not only exceeded the French but all others that have attempted in that kind to the reserve of the incomparable Butler the fam'd Author of Hudibras and I think we may with little variation apply the following Tetrastick written by Scarron's Uncle to this our Author Si punctum omne tulit qui miscuit utile dulcis Ludendo scribens seria quid meruit Virgilii miranda legens ridere jubetur Hoc debet Cotton Anglica Musa tibi ABRAHAM COWLEY Abraham COWLEY I have generally hitherto contented my self with giving a succinct Account of each Authors Affairs of Life or Family and chose rather to enlarge on their Works but Mr. Cowley was a Person of so great Merit and Esteem in the world when Living and his Memory so fresh in the minds of Learned Men that I am oblig'd not to pass him slightly over 'T is true my Predecessors in this Work I mean Mr. Phillips and Mr. Winstanley have given but an imperfect account of Him or his Writings but as I propose not them for my Pattern in this Subject so I must publickly own that I have so great a Veneration for the Memory of this great Man that methinks his very Name seems an Ornament to my Book and deserves to be set in the best Light I can place it Wherefore I shall be as careful in copying his Picture from his Writings as an Artist would be in hitting the Features of his Sovereign To begin first with his Birth the place of his Nativity was London and the time which made his Virtuous Parents happy in him was the year of our Lord 1618. Tho' his Mother had no prescience like Maia the Parent of the great Virgil who the Night before her delivery dreamt she brought forth a sprig of Lawrel which upon the setting forthwith became a Tree yet it may be said that this our English Maro grew ripe with equal speed as that famous Poplar Bough planted at the Roman Poets Birth sprung up into a beautiful tall Tree which overtopt several others of far riper Age. Virgil at Thirteen years of Age began his Studies at Millain but this our Author writ his Tragical History of Pyramus and Thisbe when he was but Ten years old his Constantia and Philetus at Twelve and at Thirteen had publisht not only these but several other Poetical Blossoms which sufficiently prov'd the pregnancy of his Wit and all this whilst he was yet but a Westminster Schollar before he could say with Juvenal Et nos ergo manum ferulae subduximus Nor is the Character he gives of himself less full of Admiration That even when he was a very young Boy at School instead of running about on Holidays and playing with his Fellows he was wont to steal from them and walk into the Fields either alone with a Book or with some One Companion if he could find any of the same Temper His first Inclinations to Poetry proceeded from his falling by chance on Spencer's Fairy Queen With which he was so infinitely delighted and which by degrees so fill'd his head with the tinkling of the Rhime and dance of the Numbers that he had read him all over before he was Twelve years old and was thus made a Poet as immediately as a Child is made an Eunuch Thus he gradualy grew up to that maturity both of Fancy and Judgment that in the opinion of a great Man now living Whoever would do him right should not only equal him to the principal Ancient Writers of our own Nation but should also rank his Name amongst the Authors of the true Antiquity the best of the Greeks and Romans Nor is this the sence only of this Worthy Person and Excellent Poet but the general Opinion of the Wits of both Universities and which will appear obvious to All that shall diligently read his Works most of which were writ or at least design'd whilst he was of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge and of which I shall give a succinct Account begining first with his English Plays which are Three in Number viz. Guardian a Comedy printed in quarto Lond. 1650. Made says the Author and acted before the Prince or rather neither made nor acted but rough-drawn only and repeated for the hast was so great that it could neither be revised or perfected by the Author nor learned without Book by the Actors nor set forth in any Measure tolerably by the Officers of the Colledge This Mr. Cowley thought fit to acquaint the Prince with in the Prologue which was spoken to him at that time as the Reader may see by the following Lines being part of it Accept our hasty Zeal a thing that 's play'd E're 't is a Play and acted e're 't is made Our Ignorance but our Duty too we show I would all ignorant People would do so At other times expect our Wit and Art This Comedy is acted by the Heart After the Representation the Author tells us he began to look it over and changed it very much striking out some whole Parts as that of the Poet and the Souldier but he having lost the Copy durst not think it deserv'd the pains to write it again which made him omit it in the publication of his Works in Folio though at that time he acknowledg'd there were some things in it which he was not asham'd of taking the Excuse of his Age when he made it But as it was he accounted it only the hasty first-sitting of a Picture and therefore like to resemble him accordingly This Comedy notwithstanding Mr. Cowley's modest Opinion of it was acted not only at Cambridge but several times after that privately during the prohibition of the Stage and after the King's Return publickly at Dublin and never fail'd of Applause This I suppose put our Author upon revising it and there being many things in it which he dislik't and finding himself at leisure in the Country he fell upon altring it almost throughout and then permitted it to appear publickly on the Stage under a new Title as indeed 't was in a manner a new Play calling it Cutter of Coleman-street acted at his Royal Highness's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1663. This Play met with some Opposition at its Representation under this new Name from some who envyed the Authors unshaken Loyalty to the Prince and the Royal Cause in
And in great Choller offer'd to go out But Those that were there thought it not fit To discontent so ancient a Wit And therefore Apollo call'd him back agen And made him mine Host of his own New-Inn I know nothing else published by our Author only I have read a Letter from Mr. James Howell to Dr. Duppa then Bishop of Chichester and Tutor to King Charles the Second when Prince of Wales that he was publishing a Piece call'd Johnsonus Verbius to which Mr. Howell contributed a Decastick I know not what Reception Mr. Howell's Verses met with in the World but I am confident he had willingly allowed Mr. Oldham's Ode had he then liv'd a place in the first Rank of Poets The Title sufficiently explains the Design and the Reader may find it commended by an Ingenious Copy of Verses addrest to the Bishop by Sir W. D'Avenant See his Poems Fol. Edit p. 253. He died An. D. 1637. being aged 63. and was buried in St. Peter's Church in Westminster on the West-side near the Belfry having only a plain Stone over his Grave with this Inscription O RARE BEN. JOHNSON 'T is manifest that a better Monument was design'd him by some Friends but the Civil Wars breaking out hindred their good Intentions tho' it shall not prevent me from transcribing an Elegy written by a Studious Friend and Admirer of Ben. Johnson which I wish were set upon his Grave Hic Johnsonus noster Lyricorum Dramaticorumque Coryphaeus qui Pallade auspice laurum à Graecia ipsaque Roma rapuit fausto Omine in Brittaniam transtulit nostram nunc invidia major fato nec tamen aemulis cessit An Dom. 1637. Id. Nov. Thomas JORDAN An Author that liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the First who could both write and act Plays as appears from three Drammas he has publisht and from a Tragedy call'd Messalina in which he acted the part of Lepida Mother to that shameless Empress His Plays are two Comedies and a Masque viz. Fancies Festivals a Masque printed 4o. Lond. 16 This I have not at present but have formerly read it with satisfaction and still retain the following Lines spoken by a Souldier God and the Souldier Men alike adore Just at the brink of danger and no more The danger past both are alike requited God is forgotten and the Souldier slighted Money is an Ass a Comedy acted with good applause printed 4o. Lond. 1668. I suppose by the Stile this was writ and possibly publish'd some Years before it being a common thing with Mr. Kirkman to publish old Plays as Any thing for a Quiet Life Cure for a Cuckold Gammer Gurton's Needle and many others Walks of Islington and Hogsdon with the Humors of Woodstreet-Compter a Comedy publickly acted Nineteen Days together with extraordinary applause printed 4o. Lond. 1657. and dedicated to the true Lover of Ingenuity the much Honour'd Richard Cheyny of Hackney Esq This Play in those days was commended by a Copy of Verses written by R. C. Master of Arts part of which are thus These Walks 'twixt Islington Hogsdon will Like those 'twixt Tempe and Parnassus Hill Show how the Muses in their sportfull Rage Set all the Town a walking to your Stage With so much Wit and Art and Judgment laid That Nineteen dayes together they were play'd Now by the bounty of the Press we be Possess'd of that which we before did see Not pleasing only Nineteen times read o're But Nineteen Ages or till Times no more William JOYNER A Gentleman born in Oxfordshire and Educated in Magdalen Colledge where he was sometime Fellow but upon the Change of his Religion or in order to it he voluntarily quitted his Place in the beginning of the Wars After he left the Colledge he betook himself to a retir'd Life never intermedling with the Controversies of Religion or the Affairs of State which prudent Demeanor joyned with the Sweetness of his Disposition continued him in the Favour and Good-will of the Society till the New-modelling of the Colledge under the Ecclesiastical Commissioners by whom he was re-placed in his former Station but did not long enjoy it the Colledge being shortly after again restored to its former Settlement That he did not wholly bid Adieu to the Muses when he first withdrew from the University may appear by a Dramma that he publish'd under the Name of The Roman Empress a Tragedy acted at the Royal Theatre by his Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1671. and dedicated to the Honourable Sir Charles Sidley This Play in spight of a dead Vacation and some other Impediments found the applause and approbation of the Theatre as oft as it appear'd The Author has propos'd the Oedipus and Hippolitus for his pattern and I think it may justly deserve to be observ'd That his Tragedy is writ in a more Masculine and lofty Stile than most Plays of this Age and Terror and Compassion being the chief hinges on which he design'd his Tragedy should turn he has judiciously rejected what he calls the Gingling Antitheses of Love and Honour By the Advice of Friends he tells us that he hath disguis'd the Names yet that this Emperour was One of the Greatest that ever Rome boasted I am apt to believe that under the Character of Valentius the Author means Constantine the Great and that Crispus and his Mother-in-law Faustina are shadow'd under the Characters of Florus and Fulvia but this being only Conjecture I must leave it to the Criticks Decision Our Author has nothing else in print that I know of except a little Book entituled Some Observations on the Life of Cardinal Reginal dus Polus where he disguises his Name under these two Letters G. L. which I take to be Guilielmus Lyde the Ancient Name of that Family 'T is printed 8o. Lond. 1686. In this Book the Reader is made acquainted not only with the Authors Reading Stile and Judgment but his skill in the French and Italian Languages K. Henry KILLEGREW AN Author who liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the First and writ a Play call'd Conspiracy a Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1638. This Play was design'd for an Entertainment of the King and Queen at York-House at the Nuptials of the Lady Mary Villiers and the Lord Charles Herbert 'T was afterwards acted on the Black-fryars Stage and found the approbation of the most Excellent Persons of this kind of Writing which were in that time if there were ever better in any time Ben Johnson being then alive who gave a Testimony of this Perce even to be envy'd Some Cavillers at its first Representation at Blackfryars exclaim'd against the Indecorum that appear'd in the part of Cleander who being represented as a Person of seventeen years old is made to speak words that would better sute with the Age of Thirty saying It was monstrous and impossible but the Author was sufficiently vindicated by the Lord Viscount Faulkland who made the following Repartee to One of these Hypercriticks
England began first that Language All our Ladies were then his Schollars and that Beauty in Court which could not Parley Eupheisme was as little regarded as She which now there speaks not French Thomas LODGE A Doctor of Physick in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth who was not so entirely devoted to AEsculapius but that during his Residence in the University of Cambridge he sometimes sacrificed to Apollo and the Nine Sisters Mr. Philips says That he was One of the Writers of those pretty old Pastoral Songs and Madrigals which were very much the Strain of those Times But 't is not in Lyrick Poetry alone that he exercis'd his Pen but sometimes he exercis'd it in Dramatick likewise in which way he has publish two Pieces viz. Looking-Glass for London and England a Tragi-comedy printed 4o. Lond. 1598. in an old Black-Letter In this Play our Author was assisted by Mr. Robert Green of whom we have given an Account p. 241. This Drama is founded on Holy Writ being the History of Jonas and the Ninevites form'd into a Play I suppose they chose this Subject in Imitation of others who had writ Dramas on Sacred Subjects long before them as Ezekiel a Jewish Dramatick Poet writ the Deliverance of the Israelites out of Egypt Gregory Nazianzen or as some say Apollinaris of Laodicea writ the Tragedy of Christ's Passion as I learn from the Learned Vossius To these I might add Hugo Grotius Theodore Beza Petavius c. all which have built upon the Foundation of Sacred History Wounds of Civil War lively set forth in the true Tragedies of Marius and Silla publickly Play'd in London by the Right Honourable the Lord High Admiral his Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1594. For the Plot consult Plutarch in the Lives of Marius and Silla Velleius Paterculus Lib. 2 Salust de Bello Jugurth T. Livius Lib. 66 Brev. Florus Lib. 3. C. 3. Aurelius Vistor Eutropius c. This Author as Mr. Winstanley says was an Eminent Writer of Pastoral Songs Odes and Madrigals of which he cites a pretty Sonnet which is said to be of his Composure and he has transcrib'd another in praise of Rosalinde out of his Euphue's Golden-Legacy This Book I never saw and know nothing else of our Author 's Writing except a Treatise of the Plague printed 4o. Lond. 1600. As to the Plays ascrib'd to him by Mr. Philips and Mr. Winstanley in which he is made an Associate with Mr. Robert Green I have already shewed their mistakes in the Account of that Author to which I refer the Reader Sir William LOWER A Gentleman that liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the First who during the beat of our Civil Wars took Sanctuary in Holland where in peace and privacy he enjoy'd the Society of the Muses He was a great Admirer of the French Poets and bestowed some times and pains in dressing some Plays in an English Garb besides what he has writ himself in his Mother-Tongue So that we are obliged to him for six Plays viz. Amorous Phantasin a Tragi-comedy printed at the Hague 120. 1658. and dedicated to her Highness The Princess Royal. This Play is translated from the French of M. Quinault's Le Fantōme Amoureux which appear'd with success on the French Stage Enchanted Lovers a Pastoral printed at the Hague 120. 1658. Horatius a Roman Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1656. This Play is Translated from the French of Mr. Corneille and as it is the first Version we had of that Admirable Play I think it ought to be excused if it come short of the Excellent Translation of Mr. Cotton and the Incomparable Orinda For the Story consult Livy Lib. 1. Florus Lib. 1. C. 3 Dionysius Hallicarnassaeus Cassiodorus c. Noble Ingratitude a Pastoral Tragi-comedy printed at the Hague 120. 1658. and dedicated to Her Majesty the Queen of Bohemia Our Author is fully perswaded that this Play is in the Original One of the best Dramatick Pieces that has been presented on the French Stage and undoubtedly M. Quinault is an Excellent Poet notwithstanding the Raillery of the Sharp-witted Boileau Si je pense exprimer un Auteur sans default La Raison dit Virgile la Rime Quinault Phoenix in her Flames a Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1639. and dedicated to the Right Worshipful his most Honoured Cousin Thomas Lower Esquire This Play was written before our Author was Knighted and I take it to be the first he writ Polyeuctes a Tragedy Printed 4o. Lond. 1655. For the true Story consult Coeffeteau Hist. Rom. Surius de Vitis Sanctorum As to the Incidents of the Dream of Paulina the Love of Severus the Effectual Baptism of Polyeuctes the Sacrifice for the Emperours Victory the Dignity of Felix the Death of Nearchus the Conversion of Felix and Paulina they are all of them the Author's Invention Three of these Plays viz. Amorous Phantasm Enchanted Lovers Noble Ingratitude were printed together at the Hague during the Author's Exile and at His Majesty's Return the Remainder of the Copies were purchas'd by Mr. Kirkman who printed new Titles in the Year 1661. Thomas LUPON I am able to recover nothing of this Author either as to the time of his Birth the Place where he liv'd or any thing he writ besides a Tragedy mention'd in former Catalogues called All for Money which I never saw M. Lewis MACHIN A Gentlemen that liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the Martyr the Author of a single Play called Dumb Knight an Historical Comedy acted sundry times by the Children of his Majesties Revels printed 4o. Lond. 1633. Our Author has borrow'd several Incidents from Novels as the Story of Mariana her Swearing Prince Philocles to be Dumb Act 2. is borrow'd from Bandello's Novells as I have read the Story translated by Belleforest Tom. 1. Nov. 13. The same Incident is in a Play called The Queen or The Excellency of her Sex Alfonsos ' Cuckolding Prate the Oratour Act 3. and the latter appearing before the Council and pleading in Alfonso's Cloathes whilst he is brought before the King in the Orator's Habit Act 5. is borrow'd as I remember from another of Bandello's Novels and the English Reader may meet with the same Story in The Complaisant Companion octavo p. 246. John MAIDWEL An Ingenious Person still living as I suppose in London where some time ago he undertook the Care and Tuition of young Gentlemen and kept a Private School during which Employment besides some other Performances with which he has obliged the World he has borrow'd so much time as to write a Play stiled Loving Enemies a Comedy acted at his Highness the Duke of York's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1680. and dedicated to the Honourable Charles Fox Esquire The part of Circumstantio seems to me to resemble the Humor of Sir Formal Trifle especially the Description of the Magpies sucking a Hen's Egg Act 4. Sc. 1. is writ much after the same way with that of the Mouse taken in a Trap See
7. London Prodigal a Comedy This is One of the Seven Plays which are added to this Volume which tho' printed all of them in 4o. were never in Folio till 1685. Two of these viz. Cromwell and Locrine we have already handled the Remaining four viz. Old-castle Pericles Puritan Widow and Yorkshire Tragedy shall be treated in their order Loves Labour lost a Comedy the Story of which I can give no Account of Measure for Measure a Comedy founded on a Novel in Cynthio Giraldi viz. Deca Ottava Novella 51 The like Story is in Goulart's Histoires Admirables de nôtre temps Tome 1. page 216. and in Lipsii Monita L.2 C. 9 p. 125. This Play as I have observed was made use of with the Comedy Much ado about nothing by Sir William D' Avenant in his Law against Lovers Merchant of Venice a Tragi-comedy Merry Wives of Windsor a Comedy which Mr. Dryden allows to be exactly form'd and it was regular before any of Ben. Johnson's This is not wholly without the Assistance of Novels witness Mrs. Ford's conveying out Sir John Falstaff in the Basket of Foul Clothes and his declaring all the Intrigue to her Husband under the Name of Mr. Broom which Story is related in the first Novel of The Fortunate Deceived and Unfortunate Lovers which Book tho' written since Shakespear's Time I am able to prove several of those Novels are translated out of Cynthio Giraldi others from Mallespini and I believe the whole to be a Collection from old Novelists Mackbeth a Tragedy which was reviv'd by the Dukes Company and re-printed with Alterations and New Songs 4o. Lond. 1674. The Play is founded on the History of Scotland The Reader may consult these Writers for the Story viz. Hector Boetius Buchanan Du chesne Hollingshead c. The same Story is succinctly related in Verse in Heywood's Hierarchy of Angels B. 1. p. 508. and in Prose in Heylin's Cosmography Book 1. in the Hist of Brittain where he may read the Story at large At the Acting of this Tragedy on the Stage I saw a real one acted in the Pit I mean the Death of Mr. Scroop who received his death's wound from the late Sir Thomas Armstrong and died presently after he was remov'd to a House opposite to the Theatre in Dorset-Garden Midsummer Nights Dream a Comedy The Comical part of this Play is printed separately in 4o. and used to be acted at Bartholomew Fair and other Markets in the Country by Strolers under the Title of Bottom the Weaver Much ado about nothing a Comedy I have already spoke of Sir William D' Avenant's making use of this Comedy All that I have to remark is That the contrivance of Borachio in behalf of John the Bastard to make Claudio jealous of Hero by the Assistance of her Waiting-Woman Margaret is borrowed from Ariosto's Orlando Furioso see Book the fifth in the Story of Lurcanio and Geneuza the like Story is in Spencer's Fairy Queen Book 2. Canto 4. Oldcastle the good Lord Cobham his History The Protagonist in this Play is Sir John Oldcastle who was executed in the Reign of King Henry the Fifth See his Life at large in Fox his Martyrology Dr. Fuller and other Writers of Church History as well as Chronologers Othello the Moor of Venice his Tragedy This is reckoned an Admirable Tragedy and was reprinted 4o. Lond. 1680. and is still an Entertainment at the Theatre-Royal Our Author borrowed the Story from Cynthio's Novels Dec. 3. Nov. 7. The truth is Salustio Picolomini in his Letter to the Author extreamly applauds these Novels as being most of them fit Subjects for Tragedy as you may see by the following Lines Gli Heccatomithi vostri Signor Cynthio mi sono maravigliosa mente piaciuti Et fra le altre cose io ci ho veduti i più belli argomente di Tragedie che si possano imaginare quanto a i nodi quanto alle solutioni tanto felicemente ho viste legate le difficulta che pure ano impossibili ad essere slegate Mr. Dryden says That most of Shakespear's Plots he means the Story of them are to be found in this Author I must confess that having with great difficulty obtained the Book from London I have found but two of those mentioned by him tho' I have read the Book carefully over Pericles Prince of Tyre with the true-Relation of the whole History Adventures and Fortunes of the said Prince This Play was publish'd in the Author's Life-time under the Title of The much Admired Play of Pericles by which you may guess the value the Auditors and Spectators of that Age had for it I know not whence our Author fetch'd his Story not meeting in History with any such Prince of Tyre nor remembring any of that Name except the Famous Athenian whose Life is celebrated by Plutarch Puritan or The Widow of Wattling-street a Comedy sufficiently diverting Richard the Second his Life and Death a Tragedy which is extreamly commended even by Mr. Dryden in his Grounds of Criticisme in Tragedy printed before Troilus and Cressida and Mr. Tate who altered this Play in 1681. says That there are some Master-touches in this Play that will vye with the best Roman Poets For the Plot consult the Chronicles of Harding Caxton Walsingham Fabian Pol. Virgil Grafton Hollingshead Stow Speed c. Richard the Third his Tragedy with the landing of the Earl of Richmond and the Battle of Bosworth Field This Play is also founded on History See Fabian Caxton Pol. Virgil Hollingshead Grafton Trussel stow Speed Baker c. Romeo and Juliet a Tragedy This Play is accounted amongst the best of our Author's Works Mr. Dryden says That he has read the Story of it in the Novels of Cynthio which as yet I cannot find but set it down in my former Catalogue relying upon his Knowledge But I have since read it in French translated by M. Pierre Boisteau whose Sir-name was Launay who says it was writ by Bandello but not having as yet met with Bandello in the Original I must acquiesce in his Word The French Reader may peruse it in the first Tome of Les Histoires Tragicques extraictes des oeuvres Italiennes de Bandello imprimé 8o. à Turin 157c Taming of the Shrew a very diverting Comedy The Story of the Tinker is related by Pontus Heuteras Rerum Burdicarum lib. 4. and by Goulart in his Hist. Admirables Tom. 1. p. 360 Tempest a Comedy How much this Play is now in Esteem tho' the Foundation were Shakespear's all People know How it took at the Black-fryars let Mr. Dryden's Preface speak For his Opinion of Caliban the Monster 's Character let his Preface to Troilus and Cressida explain No Man except Shakespear ever drew so many Charactars or generally distinguish'd them better from one another except only Johnson I will instance but in one to shew the copiousness of his Invention t is that of Caliban or the Monster in the Tempest He seems here to
Black-fryars printed 8o. Lond. 1652. and dedicated to the Worthily Honoured Friend Sir Edmund Bowyer The Queen 's Courting Rosania under the Disguise of a Page and the King 's Surprizing them has Resemblance to a Story in the English Adventures 8o. part 3. between King Henry Izabella and Horatio Imposture a Tragi-comedy acted at the Private-house in Black-fryars and printed 8o. Lond. 1652. 'T is dedicated to Sir Robert Bolles Baronet Sisters a Comedy acted at the Private-house in Black-fryars and printed 8o. Lond. 1652. 'T is dedicated to William Paulet Esq Having given an Account of these Six Plays I am now to speak of Two others which are printed together in 8o. Lond. 16 viz. Honoria and Mammon a Comedy which is built upon that Entertainment before mentioned called Contention for Honour and Riches I shall refer my Reader to the Author's Epistle for further Satisfaction of the Reason of his Undertakings Contention of Ajax and Ulysses for the Armour of Achilles This Interlude was nobly represented says the Author by Young Gentlemen of Quality at a private Entertainment of some Persons of Honour The Design is taken from Ovid's Metamorphosis Book the 13. See the beginning There rests only his Poems to be spoken of printed octavo Lond. 1646. to which is added a Masque call'd Triumph of Beauty personated by some Young Gentlemen for whom it was intended at a private Recreation The Subject of this Masque is that known Story of the Judgment of Paris upon the Golden-Ball which you may read in Lucians Dialogues But our Author has imitated Shakespear in the Comical part of his Midsummer Nights Dream and Shirley's Shepheard Bottle is but a Copy of Shakespear's Bottom the Weaver I shall conclude this Account with Four Lines writ in our Author's Commendation by One Mr. Hall who in the Title of his Panegyrick stiles him The Surviving Honour and Ornament of the English Scene and in the End concludes thus Yet this I dare assert when Men have nam'd Johnson the Nations Laureat the fam'd Beaumont and Fletcher he that cannot see Shirley the fourth must forfeit his best Eye Sir Charles SIDLEY A Gentleman whose Name speaks a greater Panegyrick than I am able to express and whose Wit is so well known to this Age that I should but tarnish its Lustre by my Endeavouring to deliver it over to the next His Wit is too Noble a Subject to need any Herald to proclaim its Titles and Pedigree or if it did my Voice and Skill are too weak to sound out his Praises in their due measures I shall therefore only content my self as the Vallys that have no Voice of their own to eccho out his Merits at the Second-hand and give you part of his Character from a Person whose Honour and Pride it is to have a considerable share in his Friendship I mean Mr. Shadwell who in his Epistle Dedicatory to The True Widow says That he has heard him speak more Wit at a Supper than all his Adversaries with their Heads joyn'd together could write in a Year That his Writings are not unequal to any Man 's of this Age not to speak of Abundance of Excellent Copies of Verses That he has in the Mulberry Garden shown the true Wit Humour and Satyr of a Comedy and in Anthony and Cleopatra the true Spirit of a Tragedy But least this might be thought Partiality or Flattery in our Laureat give me leave to transcribe another part of his Character from an Unquestionable Judge of Poetry the great Ornament of the Muses the Lord Rochester in his Imitation of Horace's Tenth Satyr of the First Book Sidley has that prevailing gentle Art That can with a resistless Charm impart The loosest Wishes to the chastest Heart Raise such a Conflict kindle such a Fire Betwixt declineing Virtue and Desire Till the poor vanquisht Maid dissolves away In Dreams all Night in sighs and tears all Day The Plays this Great Wit has oblig'd the World with are but three all which appear to be writ with Design at least they may serve to be Patterns for succeeding Poets Imitation which I shall only mention in their Alphabetical Order viz. Anthony and Cleopatra a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre and printed 4o. Lond. 1677. For the History see Plutarch's Life of Anthony Appian Dion Cassius Diodorus Florus c. Bellamira or The Mistress a Comedy acted by their Majesties Servants and printed Lond. 1687. This Play is an Imitation as the Author informs us of Terence's Eunucbus Mulberry Garden a Comedy acted by his Majesty's Servants at the Theatre-Royal printed 4o. Lond. 1668. and dedicated to Her Grace the Dutchess of Richmond and Lenox which Epistle is not the least Ornament to the Play and shews the Neatness of his Stile in Prose I dare not say that the Character of Sir John Everyoung and Sir Samuel Fore-cast are Copies of Sganarelle and Ariste in Molliere's L'Escole des Maris but I may say that there is some Resemblance tho' whoever understands both Languages will readily and with Justice give our English Wit the preference and Sir Charles is not to learn to Copy Nature from the French Give me Leave to conclude with what the Learned Mr. Evelyn has said with no less Truth than Ingenuity in his Imitation of Ovid's Fifteenth Elegy of this Excellent Poet and his Friend Sir George Etheridge While Fathers are severe and Servants cheat Till Bawds and Whores can live without deceit Sidley and easy Etheridge shall be Great John SMITH A Gentleman as I suppose now living at Snenton in Yorkshire the Author of a Comedy call'd Cytherea or The Enamouring Girdle printed 4 o Lond. 1677. This Play was refused to be acted by the Players of the Duke's Theatre as you may see by the Epistle Dedicatory to the Northern Gentry I leave the Play to the Judgment of those that have read it William SMITH An Author that lived in the Reign of King James the First who publish'd a Play call'd Hector of Germany or The Palsgrave Prime Elector an Honourable History publickly acted at the Red-bull and at the Curtain by a Company of Young Men of this City printed 4o. Lond. 1615. and dedicated to the Right Worshipful Sir John Swinnerton Lord Mayor of London in the Year 1611. This Play is not divided into Acts I am not certain where this Story is to be found tho' possibly Albertus Argentinensis or Henry Monk of Rebdorf may make some Mention of this Palatin Our Author writ another Play called The Freeman's Honour to dignify the Worthy Company of Taylors but whether ever it was printed or no I know not This Author joyned with One W. Webbe in writing a Book called The Description of the Counry Palatine of Chester Lond. 1656. Hieronymo is ascribed by Mr. Philips and Winstanley thro' their old Mistake to our Author it being an Anonymous Play Thomas SOUTHERN An Author of whom I can give no further Account than that he has two Plays in print viz. Disappointment or
to acquaint my Readers with concerning his private Affairs or Family is only this short account that he was much in Favour with his Sovereign and Father to the present Earl of Sterline The Occasion of his being mention'd in our Catalogue is from four Monarchick Tragedies as he stiles them which are in Print under his Name viz. The Alexandraean Tragedy Croesus Darius and Julius Caesar. These Plays seem to be writ with great Judgment and if I mistake not the Author has propos'd the Ancients for his Pattern by bringing in the Chorus between the Acts. They are grave and sententious throughout like the Tragedies of Seneca and yet where the softer and more tender Passions are touch't they seem as moving as the Plays so much in vogue with the Ladies of this Age. The greatest objection that I know against them is the Choice the Author has made of his Verse which is alternate like the Quatrains of the French Poet Pibrach or Sr. William Davenant's Heroick Poem call'd Gondibert This measure of Verse has lately been found fault with by an Eminent Critick notwithstanding what Sr. William has urg'd in its Defence I shall not pretend to decide the Controversy but leave it to my Reader to peruse both their Arguments at leisure It may possibly be objected that his Stile is not pure but as the Author has already pleaded his Country so he ought to be excus'd by all English Criticks having given the preference to our Tongue as exceeding the Scotch Dialect both in Elegance and Perfection His Tragedies are all of them founded on History and he has so strictly ty'd himself to it that even his Episodes which usually are the sole Invention of every Author are founded on Truth likewise The Alexandraean Tragedy is a proof of this for after the First Act which is wholly employed by Alexander's Ghost possibly in imitation of Seneca's Thyestes the rest of the Play is wholly circumscrib'd by History The The Play is built upon the Differences about the Succession that arose between Alexander's Captains after his Decease The Second Act begins with the Councel held by Perdiccas Meleager and the rest of the Commanders The Author has chiefly followed Q. Curtius lib. 10. cap. 6. seq and Justin lib. 13. But there are other Authors that have toucht upon this Story as well Annalists as Historians which for the Reader 's satisfaction I shall set down Such are Diodorus Siculus lib. 18. Oâ—osius lib. 3. cap. 21. Josephus lib. 12 cap. 1 Appian de Bellis Syriacis Saliani Annales Ecclesiastici A. M. 3730. Num. 30. c. Torniel A. M. 3730. N. 5. c. Raleigh's Hist. lib. 4 c. 3 Heylin 's Hist. of Greece Howell c. Croesus is chiefly borrow'd from Herodotus See lib. 1. sive Clio. You may consult likewise Justin lib. 1. cap. 7. Plutarch's Life of Solon â—ee besides Salian Torniel A. M. 3510. In the fifth Act there is an Episode of Abradates and â—anthaea which the Author has copied from Xenophon's Cyropaideia Or the Life and Institution of Cyrus Lib. 7. and the Ingenious â—â—cudery has built upon this Foundation in that diverting Romance call'd Grand Cyrus See Part 5. Book 1. I leave it to the Readers which Romance is best the Copy or the original Darius was the first Present our Author made the world at which time he was Lord Menstrie He printed this Tragedy at Edinborough in quarto 1603. and dedicated it to K. James VI by a Copy of three Stanzas It was first compos'd in a mixt Dialect of English and Scoth and even then was commended by two Copies of Verses The Author has since pollished and corrected much of his Native Language and even the Play it self is alter'd and 't is now reprinted with the Rest of his Works For the Plot of this Play read Q. Curtius lib. 3 4 and 5. and Justin lib. 11. cap. 5. c. See besides Diodorus lib. 17 Arrian de Expeditione Alexandri lib. 2. Plutarch's Life of Alexander Salian A. M. 2719. c. Julius Caesar is founded on History and the Reader may find many Authors that give an account of his Actions particularly Plutarch and Suetonius each of which writ his Life See besides Appian de Bellis Civilibus lib. 2 Florus lib. 4. cap. 2. Salian Torniel c. Besides these Plays he writ several other Poems of a different Species viz. Doomsday or the great day of the Lord's Judgment Poem divided into Twelve Books which the Author calls Hours A Paraenaesis to Prince Henry who dying before it was publish'd he dedicated it to Prince Charles afterwards King and Martyr Jonathan an Heroick Poem intended but the first Book only extant He writ all these Poems in the Ottava Rima of Tasso or as Michael Drayton calls it A Stanza of Eight Lines Six interwoven and Couplet in Base I shall leave their Excellency to the judgment of Criticks who may view them at leisure his Plays and Poems being all printed together in Folio under the Title of Recreations with the Muses printed at Lond. 1637 and dedicated to His Sacred Majesty K. Charles the First of Blessed Memory This being all the Account I am able to give of our Author and his Works I must have recourse to an old Copy of Verses stiled The Censure of the Poets which tho' mean in themselves shew the Opinion the unknown Author had of our Poet Part of which Copy take as follows So Scotland sent us hither for our own That Man whose Name I even would have known To stand by mine that most ingenious Knight My Alexander to whom in his right I want extreamly yet in speaking thus I do but shew that Love that was 'twixt us And not his Numbers which were brave high So like his Mind was his clear Poesy I have likewise seen an Anagram written by One Mr. William Quin on our Author's Name which being short I will transcribe GULIELMUS ALEXANDER Anagramma I LARGUS MELLE EXUNDA Tetrasticon Cum tibi det Genius Musa ingeniumque Poesis Floribus é variis Attica mella legas I largus melle exunda Mell taque funde Carmina sic facias nomine fata jubent Robert ARMIN. The Author of a Play called The Maids of Moor-clack stiled in former Catalogues a History I am able to give no Account either of the Author or his Play having no knowledge of either All that I can say is that I have seen a Book written by one of the same Name called A Discourse of Elizabeth Caldwell who with some other accomplices attempted to poyson her husband This Book is in quarto printed in London 1604. B. Abraham BAILY A Gentleman of whom I can give no other Information than that he has extant a Play called The Spightful Sister printed in 4 o but where or when I am not able to give an Account the Title-page Dedication and Preface if there be any being deficient in my Copy But if I may be
since revived on our Stage a new Prologue being writ by Mr. Dryden and spoke by Mr. Hart. there is another Prologue printed in London Drollery pag. 10. Several of our Historians speak of the Actions of this Illustrious Prince See Matth. Westmonast A.D. 44. pag. 93. Galf. Monumentens lib. 4. c. 16. Pol. Vergil lib. 2. Grafton Part 7. p. 77. These all agree that he Reign'd in the time of Claudius Caesar but Mr. Speed will have it that he liv'd in the time of Domitian Caesar from Juvenal who introduces Fabritius Vejento a Roman Senator flattering Domitian at the Councel held about the Turbot as follows Regem aliquem capies aut de Temone Britanno Excidet Arviragus But in this he is mistaken for Arviragus was dead before the Reign of Domitian so that the Sycophant could not mean that he should overcome Him but some British or Foreign Warrier as stout as that Arviragus subdued by his his Father Vespasian Deserving Favourite a Tragi-Comedy presented before the King and Queen's Majesties at White-hall and very often at the Private House in Black-friars with great Applause by King Charles the First his Servants printed in octavo Lond. 1659. and dedicated to his very Noble and Approved Friends Mr. Thomas Cary Son to the Earl of Monmouth and Mr. William Murrey both of the Bed-chamber to His Majesty Fool would be a Favourite or The Discreet Lover often acted by the Queen's Majesties Servants with great applause and printed in octavo Lond. 1657. Osmond the Great Turk otherwise called The Noble Servant his Tragedy acted by the Queens Servants with great applause and printed with the former octavo Lond. 1657. The Action of this Play is the taking of Constantinople in the year 1453. I know not why the Author has alter'd his Scene from Greece to Barbary or the Names of Mahomet and Irene for Melchosus and Despina except in imitation of Beaumont and Fletcher who have transfer'd the Names of Rollo and Otto on Antoninus and Geta and degraded those Emperors of Rome by Creating them Dukes of Normandy Many Authors have treated of this Story in the Life of Mahomet the Second consult Chalcocondylus lib. 8. cap. 6. Knolles's Turkish History This Story is likewise in Bandello's Novels see the French Translation by Belleforest Tome 1. Hist. 2. See Painter's Palace of Pleasure a Book of Novels printed in quarto Lond. 1566. Nov. 4o. For the Underplot of Orcanes Calibeus and Ozaca 't is founded on the Story of Mustapha Son to Mahomet the Second Achmet Bassa and his Wife See Lipsii Monita lib. 2. cap. 9. pag. 125. Artus le Contin de l'Hist des Turcs L. 11. Knolles c. Passionate Lover a Tragi-Comedy in two parts twice presented before the King and Queen's Majesties at Somerset-house and very often at the Private-house in Black-friars with great applause by King Charles the First 's Servants printed in octavo Lond. 1655 and Dedicated to the Illustrious Princess Mary Dutchess of Richmond and Lenox by the Publisher Mr. Alexander Goughe On this Play the ingenious Alexander Brome has writ a Copy of Verses which seem to reflect on the Character of the Passionate Lover and may be found by the Curious in his Poems 8o. pag. 256 Edition the Second Heraclius Emperor of the East a Tragedy translated from the French of Monsieur P. Corneille and printed in quarto Lond. 1664. This Play was never acted tho' intended by the Translator for the Stage but another Translation formerly design'd after this seem'd to be accepted being perfected was prefer'd by the Players and this not return'd to the Author until the very day the other was Acted But notwithstanding the Preference given to the other certainly this Version is not contemptible at least if the Author's Reasons in the Prologue make take place All things have proper Idioms of their own Their Elegance in Ours is hardly shown This but a Copy and all such go less Great Beauties may be altered by the Dress Having given you the Author's Excuse for his Translation let me give you his Opinion of Translations in general in the following Distick Those who translate hope but a Labourer's praise Who well invent contrive deserve the Bays In the design of this Play the French Author follows Baronius's Ecclesiastical Annals but does not as he himself acknowledges in his Examen of this Play strictly follow truth in many things See Le Theatre de Corneille tom 3. Je n'ay conservé icy pour toute verité Historique que l'ordre de la Succession des Empereurs Tibere Maurice Phocas Heraclius c. Many are the Historians that have treated on this Story as Nicephorus Calistus Eccl. Hist. Cedreni Annal. Zonaras Annal. Baronius c. Mr. Phillips has omitted Three of these Plays viz. Deserving Favourite Fool would be a Favourite and Heraclius the later is forgot likewise by Mr. Winstanley who has in requital Father'd another Play on him which belongs to Dr. Lodge viz. Marius and Scylla James CARLILE A young Author now living who has lately publisht a Play call'd The Fortune Hunters or Two Fools well met a Comedy acted by his Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1689. I know not how it succeeded on the Stage but if it be consider'd as the First Play of a young Poet I think it deserv'd Applause and exceeds several Comedies printed in this Age. Only I think the Author's as well as Mr. Spruce's Brains were a little Doz'd when he writ the end of the Second Act where he mistakes young Wealthy's Hand for the Handle of the Pump and the Orange-flower-for Pump-water That he meant well is all he has to plead Faith then be kind and let his Play succeed And take for once the Good-will for the Deed. Richard CARPENTER The Author of a Play called The Pragmatical Jesuit new leaven'd printed in quarto but when or where I know not through the defect of my Copy All that I can acquaint the Reader with is that it is a very instructive Play chiefly tending to Morality shewing the difference between true Religion and Hypochrisy The Author has made it his business to expose all the Subtleties and Inventions of the Romish Clergy to gain Proselites and promote their Religion I know not whether or no it might not be writ by a Divine of that Name the Author of several Sermons particularly Three of keeping a good Conscience printed in quarto Lond. 1623. William CARTHWRIGHT A Person as Eminent for Loyaty and Learning his years consider'd as any this Age has produc'd One whose Character has been written by several Pens and therefore has afforded me who fetch my knowledge from Books more than verbal Information the larger subject to expatiate on The Place of this Author's Nativity the time and his Father's Name are differently represented by those Authors that have mention'd him Mr. Lloyd says that he was the Son of Thomas Carthwright of Burford in Oxford-shire and Born Aug. 16.
in the year 1615. Mr. Wood. says that he was the Son of William Carthwrigth and Born at Northway near Tewskbury in Gloucester-shire in Sept. 1611. and Christned the 26 th day of the same Month. That his Father had dissipated a fair Inheritance he knew not how and as his last Refuge turn'd Inn-keeper at Cirencester This Account contradicts the Publisher of his Poems who says that he Died at Thirty But however uncertain the place and time of his Birth be certain it is that he was bred a King's-Scholar under the Reverend and Learned Dr. Oldbaston and in the year 1631 was chose Student of Christ-Church College in Oxford and plac'd under the care of Mr. Terrent He took his several Degrees of Bachelor and Master of Arts and afterwards was chosen by the House as Proctor and admitted as Junior to Mr. Wake of Magdalen College by the University the Twelfth of April 1643. and the same year viz. on the 29 th of November he Died of a Malignant Feaver which then raign'd and was that year Fatal to others of his Contemporaries as Mr. Masters of New-College Mr. Diggs of All-Souls and others both Men of the Gown and Sword He was Buried the first of December in the South-Isle being lamented not only by all good and learned Men but even by Majesty it self the King and Queen having anxiously enquir'd after him all the time of his Sickness and shewed themselves much afflicted at his Death On the Ninth of December Mr. Maplet of the same House was chose to supply his Place the remaining part of the year He was extreamly remarkable both for his outward and inward Endowments his Body being as handsome as his Soul He was an expert Linguist understanding not only Greek and Latine but French and Italian as perfectly as his Mother-tongue He was an excellent Orator and yet an admirable Poet a Quality which Cicero with all his pains could not attain to Nor was Aristotle less known to him than Cicero and Virgil and those who heard his Metaphysical Lectures gave him the Preference to all his Predecessors the present Bishop of Lincoln excepted His Sermons were as much admired as his other Composures and One fitly applied to our Author that Saying of Aristotle concerning AEschron the Poet that He could not tell what AEschron could not do In a word he was of so sweet a disposition and so replete with all Virtues that he was beloved by all Learned Men that knew him and admired by all Strangers and to close all with the Character the Reverend and Pious Dr. Fell sometime Bishop of Oxford gave of him Carthwright was the utmost Man could come to To speak of his Poetry there needs no other Character of it in general then that the ablest Judge of Poetry at that time I mean Ben Johnson said with some Passion My Son Carthwright writes all like a Man He writ Four Plays besides other Poems all which were printed together in octavo Lond. 1651. accompanied with above Fifty Copies of Verses writ by the most eminent Wits of the University every One being desirous to appear in the Number of his Friends and to give a publick Testimony to the world of the Value they had for his Memory Ordinary a Comedy I know not where this Play was acted but I remember part of the second Scene of the first Act between the Widow Pot-luck Slicer and Hear-say is transcrib'd by the Composer of Wits Interpreter in his Love-Dialogues under the Title of the Old Widow pag. 81. Lady Errant a Tragi-Comedy of which I can give no Account where acted only that it is esteem'd by some a good Comedy Royal Slave a Tragi-Comedy presented to the King and Queen by the Students of Christ Church in Oxford Aug. 30. 1636. Presented since to both Their Majesties at Hampton-Court by the King's Servants This Play gave such Content to Their Majesties and the whole Court as well for the stately Scenes the Richness of the Persian Habits the excellency of the Songs which were set by that admirable Composer Mr. Henry Lawes Servant to his Majesty King Charles the First in his publick and private Musick as for the noble Stile of the Play it self and the ready Address and graceful Carriage of the Actors amongst which Dr. Busby the famous Master of Westminster School approv'd himself a second Roscius that they unanimously acknowledged that it did exceed all things of that Nature which they had ever seen The Queen in particular so much admired it that in November following she sent for the Habits and Scenes to Hampton-Court she being desirous to see her own Servants represent the same Play whose profession it was that she might the better judge of the several Performances and to whom the Preference was due The Sentence was universally given by all the Spectators in favour of the Gown tho' nothing was wanting on Mr. Carthwright's side to inform the Players as well as the Scholars in what belong'd to the Action and Delivery of each Part. Siege or Love's Convert a Tragi-Comedy where acted I know not but 't is dedicated by the Author to King Charles the First by an Epistle in Verse The Story of Misander and Leucatia is founded on that of Pausanias and Cleonice in Plutarch's Life of Cymon The Injunction which the Rich Widow Pyle laid upon her Lovers is borrow'd from Boccace's Novels Day 9th Nov. 1. Amongst his Poems there are several concerning the Dramatick Poets and their Writings which must not be forgot as those two Copies which he writ on Mr. Thomas Killegrew's Plays The Prisoner and Claracilla Two Copies on Fletcher and One in Memory of Ben Johnson which are so Excellent that the Publisher of Mr. Carthwright's Poems speaks as in a Rapture in the Preface viz. What had Ben said had he read his own Eternity in that lasting Elegy given him by our Author Besides these Poems our Author has extant other Pieces on different Subjects as a Sermon printed Lond. 1652. and a Book which I never saw but is mentioned by Mr. Wood under this Title Dies in Mense Novembri maxime notabiles Coronam nempe familiam regiam spectantes Lond. 1671. 'T is not possible for me in this place to enumerate all the Praises given him by the Learned of those Times in which he liv'd only give me leave to insert part of one Copy by which the Reader may judge of the Rest. The Lines were writ by John Leigh Esq to the Stationer Mr. Mosely on his printing Mr. Carthwright's Poems After he has nam'd all the admirable Poems set forth by the aforesaid Bookseller with the just Commendation of each Author he says thus of Mr. Carthwright But after all thou bring'st up in the Rear One that fills every Eye and every Ear Carthwright rare Carthwr t to whom all must bow That was best Preacher and best Poet too Whose Learned Fancy never was at rest But always labouring yet labour'd least His Wit 's Immortal
and shall Honor haue While there 's or Slavish Lord or Royal Slave Robert CHAMBERLAIN A Gentleman that flourisht in the Reign of King Charles the First the Author of a Play called The Swaggering Damsel a Comedy printed in quarto Lond. 1640. I know not whether this Play was ever acted but 't is usher'd into the world by Three Copies of Verses one of which was writ by Mr. Rawlins in requital of a Copy writ by our Author in praise of his Tragedy called The Rebellion A Complement which has in this Age been practiced by Mr. Dryden to Mr. Lee's Rival Queens in Return of that past by him on Mr. Dryden's State of Innocence Mr. Phillips and Winstanley have ascrib'd to our Author a Play call'd Sicellides which they stile a Pastoral tho'it is distinguish'd by the Anonymous Author by the Title of a Piscatory the Dramatis Personae being most of them Fishermen William CHAMBERLAIN A Dorset-shire Gentleman who in the Reign of King Charles the First liv'd at Shaftsbury a Market-town of sufficient Note for giving the Title to the famous Lord Cooper first Earl of Shaftsbury He writ a Play called Love's Victory a Tragi-Comedy printed in quarto Lond. 1658. and dedicated to the Right Worshipful Sr. William Portman He writ this Play during the late Troubles and design'd to have it acted but the Powers then in being having suppressed the Stage he contented himself with Printing it tho' it has since appeared at least a great part of it upon the Stage in 1678. under the Title of Wits led by the Nose or A Poet's Revenge This Author writ besides an Heroick Poem called Pharonnida in Five Books printed in octavo Lond. 1659. and dedicated likewise to Sr. William Portman This Poem tho' it hath nothing extraordinary to recommend it yet appear'd abroad in Prose 1683. under the Title of a Novel called Eromena or The Noble Stranger George CHAPMAN A Gentleman of no mean Repute for his Poetical Writings and Versions amongst the Wits of the Age wherein he liv'd to wit in the later part of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth and that of King James I can give him no greater Commendation than that he was so intimate with the famous Jhonson as to engage in a Triumvirate with Him and Marston in a Play called Eastward-Hoe a Favour which the haughty Ben could seldome be perswaded to I might add to this that he was so much valued in his time by the Gentlemen of the Middle-Temple and Lincoln's-Inn that when those two Honourable Societies agreed to Present Their Majesties with a Masque at Whitehall on the joyful Occasion of the Marriage between the Princess Elizabeth only Daughter to King James the First and Frederick the Fifth of that Name Count Palatine of the Rhine and afterwards King of Bohemia they chose Mr. Chapman for their Poet to suit Language to the Occasion and Mr. Inigo Jones for their Ingineer to order the Machines and Decoration of the Scenes He has writ many Dramatick Pieces to the number of Eighteen besides several other Poems and Translations of all which his Tragedy of Bussy d' Amboise has the Preference I know not how Mr. Dryden came to be so possest with Indignation against this Play as to resolve to burn One annually to the Memory of Ben Johnson but I know very well that there are some who allow it a just Commendation and others that since have taken the liberty to promise a solemn annual Sacrifice of The Hind and Panther to the Memory of Mr. Quarles and John Bunyan so that should this last Humour continue The Hind and Panther would grow as scarce as this Old Tragedy is at present But I leave this Digression to give the Reader an Account of his Plays in order All Fools a Comedy presented at the Black-friars and afterwards before his Majesty King James the First in the Begining of his Reign and printed in quarto Lond. 1605. This was in those days accounted an Excellent Comedy and will still bear Reading it seems to be built in part upon the same Fabrick with Terence's Heautontimorumenos as those who will compare the Characters of the two Fathers Gostanzo and Mar. Antonio with Chremes and Menedemus and their Sons Valerio Fortunio and Rynaldo with Clinia Antipho and Syrus may easily perceive The Prologue and Epilogue writ in Blank Verse shew that in those days Persons of Quality and those that thought themselves Judges of Wit instead of sitting in Boxes as now in use sat on the Stage what influence those Sparks had on the meaner Auditors may be seen by the following Lines Great are the Gifts given to united Heads To Gifts Attire to fair Attire the Stage Helps much for if our other Audience see You on the Stage depart before we end Our Wits go with you all and we are Fools c Alphonsus Emperor of Germany a Tragedy very often acted with great Applause at the Private-house in Black-friars by the Servants to King Charles the First printed in quarto Lond. 1654. This Play tho' it bear the Name of Alphonsus was writ as I suppose in Honor of the English Nation in the Person of Richard Earl of Cornwal Son to King John and Brother to King Henry the Third He was chosen King of the Romans in 1257. and Crown'd at Aix the Seventeenth day of May being Ascension day About this time Alphonsus the Tenth King of Castile the subject of this Tragedy was chosen by other Electors Tho'this King was accounted by some a Pious Prince yet our Author represents his as a Bloody Tyrant and contrary to other Historians brings him to an unfortunate End he supposing him to be kill'd by Alexander Son to Lorenzo de Cipres his Secretary in revenge of his Father who was poyson'd by him and to compleat his Revenge he makes him first deny his Saviour in hopes of Life and then stabs him glorying that he had at once destroyed both Body and Soul This Passage is related in several Authors as Bolton's Four last Things Reynolds of the Passions Clark's Examples Wanley's History of Man For the true Story consult Mariana de Reb. Hisp. Lib. 13 C. 10 c. Loüis de Mayerne Turquet Hist. Generale d' Espagne Lib. 12 Bzovius An. 1257 c. Blind Beggar of Alexandria a Comedy most pleasantly discoursing his variable Humours in disguised shapes full of Conceit and Pleasure sundry times publickly Acted in London by the Right Honourable the Earl of Notingham Lord High Admiral his Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1598. This Play is neither divided into Acts nor Scenes Bussy d' Amboise a Tragedy often presented at Pauls in the Reign of King James the First and since the Restauration of King Charles the Second acted at the Theatre-Royal with good Applause For the Plot see Thuanus Jean De Serres and Mezeray in the Reign of King Henry the Third of France The Intrigue between Bussy and Tamyra is related by Rosset in his Histoires
by the Rest of the Audience Henry the Sixth the Second Part or the Misery of Civil-War a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1681. Part of this Play likewise is borrow'd from Shakespear For the Plot read the Chronicles of those Times writ by Graston Hollingshead Trussel Martin Stow Speed Biondi Du Chesne c. Juliana or The Princess of Poland a Tragi-Comedy acted at his Royal Highness the Duke of York's Theatre printed in quarto Lond. 1671. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Roger Earl of Orrery This was the first Play this Author writ which if it be not so well penn'd as several of his later Productions it does but verify his own Observation That there are few Authors but have had those slips from their Prune which their riper Thoughts either were or at least had reason to be asham'd of Sr. Courtly Nice or It cannot be a Comedy acted by his Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1685. and dedicated to his Grace the Duke of Ormond This Play was written at the Command of his late Majesty K. Charles the Second who gave Mr. Crown a Spanish Play No pued eser or It cannot be out of which he took part of the Name and Design of this This Comedy or at least the Plot as far as relates to the Spanish Plot has formerly appear'd on the Stage under the Title of Tarugo's Wiles Sr. Courtly's Song of Stop Thief is a Paraphrase of Mascarille's Au Voleur in Mollier's Les precieuses Ridicules This Play is accounted an excellent Comedy and has been frequently acted with good Applause Thyestes a Tragedy acted at the Theatre Royal by their Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1681. The Plot of this Play is founded on Seneca's Thyestes and seems to be an Imitation of that Play I know not whether our Author ever saw the Italian Play on this Subject written by Ludovicus Dulcis which is commended by Delrio or the French Tragedies of Roland Brisset and Benoist Bauduyn but I doubt not but this Play may vie with either of them at least the French Plays which in the Opinion of some are very mean I know nothing else of our Authors writing except that Romance above-mention'd which I never saw D. John DANCER alias DAUNCY AN Author of whose place of Nativity or other passages of Life I am able to give no Account All I know of him is that he liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the Second and that his Translations shew him well vers'd in the French and Italian Tongue He has oblig'd us with Three Dramatick Plays translated from the Originals of three Eminent Poets viz. Tasso Corneille and Quinault Agrippa King of Alba or The False Tiberinus a Tragi-Comedy in Heroick Verse several times acted with great Applause before his Grace the Duke of Ormond then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland at the Theatre Royal in Dublin printed in quarto Lond. 1675. and dedicated to the Right Honourable the Lady Mary Cavendish Daughter to the Duke of Ormond This Play is traslated from the French of Monsieur Quinault an Author well known amongst those that are conversant in French Poetry several of whose Pieces have appear'd on the English Stage as La Genereuse Ingratitude L'Amant Indiscret Le Fantosme amoureux c. I know not whether this Translation be equal to the Original having never seen the later neither can I give any account of the Plot which I take to be fictitious Aminta a Pastoral printed in octavo Lond. 1660. and dedicated to his much Honoured and truly Noble Friend Mr. R. B. Who is meant by those Letters I will not be so bold as to conjecture because our Author has conceal'd his Patrons Name in obedience to his Commands This Play is a Translation of that famous Piece writ by that celebrated Wit Signior Torquato Tasso born at Sorrento bred up at Padua and the Favourite of Charles IX of France He was as I may say the Father of Pastorals being the first that transferr'd them from the Eclogue to Dramatick Poetry and his Aminta is esteem'd by Forreigners a Master-piece of Pastoral Comedy and has been translated into the French Spanish English German and Dutch Tongues This was the Pattern which the admired Guarini propos'd for his Imitation when he writ Il Pastor fido and our Author has since endeavour'd to imitate his excellent Translator the Lord Embassador Fanshaw If it be objected by some that this Translation of Tasso is far short of that of Guarini we may however with justice affirm that at least this Translation exceeds that printed in 1628 if we allow some consideration for his being clog'd with Rhime which forces him more upon Paraphrase and withal that it was his first attempt to Poetry With this Play are printed several Poems of different Subjects amongst which are Love Verses which seem as is they were writ in imitation of Mr. Cowley's Mistriss Nicomede a Tragi-Comedy acted at the Théatre Royal in Dublin printed in quarto Lond. 1671. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Thomas Earl of Ossory This Play is translated from the French Original of Monsieur Th. Corneille and is One of those Pieces which he himself most valu'd There are a great many Beauties in it which he enumerates in the Examen He says the Story is taken from the Fourth Book of Justin tho' I suppose this is an Errata of the Press the Story being in the last Chapter of the Thirty-fourth Book He writ besides there several other Pieces as a Romance call'd the English Lovers printed in octavo Lond. which however commended by Mr. Winstanley the Contrivance is due to Heywood's Play call'd The Fair Maid of the West in Two Parts from whence our Author borrow'd the Story Two other Pieces are mention'd by Mr. Winstanley viz. A Compleat History of the late Times and a Chronicle of the Kingdome of Portugal neither of which I have ever seen Samuel DANIEL Esq A Gentleman living in the Reigns of Queen Elizabeth and King James the First and One whose Memory will ever be fresh in the minds of those who favour History or Poetry He was born near Taunton in Somerset-shire and at Nineteen years of Age in the year 1581. he was enter'd Commoner of St. Mary Magdalen Hall in Oxford and after having three years exercised himself in History and Poetry he left the University His own Merit added to the Recommendation of his Brother in Law the Resolute John Florio so well known for his Italian Dictionary prefer'd him to the Knowledge of Queen Ann who was pleased to confer on him the Honour of being One of the Grooms of her most Honourable Privy-Chamber which enabled him to rent a Garden-house near London where in private he compos'd most of his Dramatick Pieces At last being weary of the world he retir'd into Wiltshire where he rented a Farm near the Devises according to Dr. Fuller tho' Mr. Wood says that his retreat was to
eris Sin illum potius Phaebum velit esse Britannum Tum Daniele mihi tu Maro noster eris Nil Phaebo ulterius si quid foret illud haberet Spenserus Phaebus tu Daniele fores Quippe loqui Phaebus cuperet si more Britanno Haud scio quo poterat ni velit ore suo Sir William DAVENANT A Person sufficiently known to all Lovers of Poetry and One whose Works will preserve his Memory to Posterity He was Born in the City of Oxford in the Parish of St. Martins vulgarly call'd Carfax near the End of February in the year 1605. and was Christned on the Third of March following He was the Mercurial Son of a Saturnine Father Mr. John D' Avenant a Vintner by Profession who liv'd in the same House which is now known by the Sign of the Crown He was formerly of Lincoln College and instructed in Logick and Physicks by his Tutor Mr. Daniel Hough Fellow of that Society tho' his Genius rather inclin'd him to walk in the more flowry Fields of Poetry in which he made a Prodigious discovery advancing even without any Guide but his own Wit and Ingenuity as far as the Herculean Pillars if any such bounds are to be set of Poetry He was Poet Laureat to Two Kings whose Memory will always be Sacred to all good loyal and witty Men I mean King Charles the First the Martyr for and King Charles the Second the Restorer of the Protestant Religion according to the Church of England During this Honour of which his Wit and Parts render'd him Worthy he writ as I suppose his Dramatick Pieces of which I shall give some Account To speak of them in general I need only say that most of them have appear'd on the Stage with good applause and been receiv'd with like success in Print the greatest part publisht in the Authors Life time in Quarto and all since his Death collected into one Volume with his other Works printed in Folio Lond. 1673. and dedicated by his Widow to his Royal Highness the late King James Albovine King of the Lombards his Tragedy printed first in quarto and dedicated to the Right Honourable the Duke of Somerset This Play is commended by Eight Copies of Verses For the Design it is founded on History You may read the Story in several Historians See Paulus Diaconus de Gestis Langobardorum lib. 2 c. 28. Gregorius Epise Turonensis Hist. Francorum lib. 2. c. 28 Heylin's Cosinoraphy Part 1. Book 1. p. 57. This Story is likewise related at large in a Novel by Bandello which is translated by Belleforest See Histoires Tragiques Tome 4. Nov. 19. Cruel Brother a Tragedy printed first in quarto and dedicated to the Right Honourable the Lord Weston Lord High Treasurer of England Distresses a Tragi-Comedy printed in folio Lond. 1673. First-days Entertainment at Ruthland-house by Declamation and Musick after the manner of the Ancients The subject of the former of these Declamations is concerning Publick Entertainment by Moral Representations the Disputants being Diogenes the Cynick and Aristophanes the Poet. The later Dispute is between a Parisian and a Londoner who declaim concerning the Preheminence of Paris and London The Vocal and Instrumental Musick was compos'd by Dr. Charles Coleman Capt. Henry Cook Mr. Henry Laws and Mr. George Hudson Fair Favourite a Tragi-Comedy printed in Folio 1673. Just Italian a Tragi-Comedy printed first in quarto and dedicated to the Right Honourable the Earl of Dorset and commended by the Verses of his Friends Mr. William Hopkins and Mr. Thomas Carew Law against Lovers a Tragi-Comedy made up of two Plays written by Mr. Shakespear viz Measure for Measure and Much Ado about Nothing Tho' not only the Characters but the Language of the whole Play almost be borrow'd from Shakespear yet where the Language is rough or obsolete our Author has taken care to polish it as to give instead of many one Instance Shakespear's Duke of Vienna says thus I love the People But do not like to Stage me to their Eyes Though it do well I do not relish well Their loud Applause and Aves vehement Nor do I think the Man of safe discretion That does affect it In Sr. William's Play the Duke speaks as follows I love the People But would not on the Stage salute the Croud I never relisht their Applause nor think The Prince has true discretion who affects it For the Plot I refer you to the abovemention'd Plays in the Account of Shakespear Love and Honour a Tragi-Comedy which I have several times seen acted with good applause first at the Play-house in Lincolns-Inn-Fields and since at the Theatre in Dorset-Garden This was first printed in quarto Man 's the Master a Comedy which I think I have seen acted at the Duke's House however I am sure the Design and part of the Language is borrow'd from Scarron's Jodelet ou Le Maistre valet and as I remember part from L'Heritier ridicule a Comedy of the same Authors Platonick Lovers a Tragi-Comedy which was first printed in octavo with The Wits Play-house to be Let. I know not under what Species to place this Play it consisting of several Pieces of different Kinds handsomely tackt together several of which the Author writ in the Times of Oliver and were acted separately by stealth as the History of Sr. Francis Drake exprest by Instrumental and Vocal Musick and by Art of Perpective in Scenes c. The Cruelty of the Spaniards in Peru. These two Pieces were first printed in quarto They make the third and fourth Acts of this Play The second Act consists of a French Farce translated from Molliere's Sganarelle ou Le Cocu Imaginaire and purposely by our Author put into a sort of Jargon common to French-men newly come over The fifth Act consists of Tragedie travestie or the Actions of Caesar Antony and Cleopatra in Verse Burlesque This Farce I have seen acted at the Theatre in Dorset-garden some years ago at the end of that excellent Tragedy of Pompey translated by the incomparable Pen of the much admired Orinda Siege of Rhodes in two Parts These Plays were likewise in the times of the Civil Wars acted with Stilo Recitativo and printed in quarto but afterwards enlarged by the Author and acted with applause at the Duke of York's Theatre in Lincolns-Inn-Fields It is dedicated to the Right Honourable the Earl of Clarendon Lord High Chancellor of England For the Plot as far as it is founded on History there are several Historians have writ of it in the Life of Solyman the second who took this City in the year 1522. See Thomas Artus Continuation de l'Histoire des Turcs Giov. Bosio L'Istoria della Sacra Religione Illma Militia di San Giovanni Gierosolimitano lib. 29. Boissardi Icones Vitae Sultanorum Turcicorum c. in Vit. Solym. 2. Knolles History of the Turks c. Siege a Tragi-Comedy News from Plimouth a Comedy formerly acted at the Globe with good success
and was printed as I believe in quarto Temple of Love presented by the Queens Majesty Wife to King Charles the First and her Ladies at Whitehall viz. The Lady Marquess Hamilton the Lady Mary Herbert Countess of Oxford Berkshire Carnarvan c. The Lords and others that represented the noble Persian Youths were The Duke of Lenox the Earls of Newport Desmond c. This Masque says the Author for the newness of the Invention variety of Scenes Apparitions and richness of Habits was generally approv'd to be one of the most Magnificent that hath been done in England Triumphs of the Prince d'Amour a Masque presented by his Highness at his Pallace in the Middle-Temple This Masque at the Request of that Honourable Society was devis'd and written by our Author in Three days and was presented by the Members thereof as an Entertainment to the Prince Elector A Lift of the Masquers Names as they were rank'd by their Antiquity in that noble Society is to be found at the end of the Masque to which I refer the curious Reader The Musick of the Songs and Symphonies were excellently compos'd by Mr. Henry and Mr. William Lawes his Majesties Servants Wits a Comedy heretofore acted at the Black-friars and since at the Duke's Theatre printed both in octavo and quarto before this New Edition and dedicated to the chiefly belov'd of all that Ingenious and Noble Endimion Porter of his Majesties Bed-Chamber This Play is commended by a Copy fo Verses written by Mr. Thomas Carew and has often appear'd on the Stage with Applause Having done with his Plays I am now to speak of his other Works which consist of Poems of several sorts and on several Occasions amongst which Gondibert an Epick Poem has made the greatest noise This Poem was design'd by the Author to be an Imitation of an English Dramma it being to be divided into Five Books as the other is into Five Acts The Canto's to be the Parallel of the Scenes with this difference that this is deliver'd Narratively the other Dialogue-wise The Reader may find a long account of the Author's design and his Reasons in the Preface which is directed to his Friend the so well known Mr. Hobbs who not only approves his Design but in the Close of his Letter fixes an extraordinary Complement upon him viz. The Virtues you distribute in your Poem amongst so many Noble Persons represent in the Reading the image but of One Man's Virtue to my fancy which is your own Nor was Mr. Hobbs the only Person that commended this Poem for the first and second Books were usher'd into the world by the Pens of two of our best Poets viz. Mr. Waller and Mr. Cowley which One would have thought might have prov'd a sufficient Defence and Protection against the snarling Criticks Notwithstanding which Four Eminent Wits of that Age two of which were Sr. John Denham and Mr. Donne publisht several Copies of Verses to Sr. William's discredit under this Title Certain Verses written by several of the Authors Friends to be reprinted with the second Edition of Gondibert in octavo Lond. 1653. These Verses were answer'd as Mr. Wood says by the Author himself with as much or rather more Wit and little or no concern for their Raillery rather seeming to sport at and pity their want of Sence The Title of his Answer is The Incomparable Poem Gondibert vindicated from the Wit-Combats of Four Esquires Clinias Dametas Sancho and Jack Pudding printed in octavo Lond. 1655. The Books being scarce I shall for the Readers diversion chuse one out of each of these as a Sample of the rest and amongst the former I shall pitch upon that Copy which reflects on the Commendations given by those great Men above-mention'd The Author upon Himself I am Old Davenant with my Fustian Quill Tho' skill I have not I must be writing still On Gondibert That is not worth a Fart Waller Cowley 't is true have prais'd my Book But how untruly All they that read may look Nor can Old Hobbs Defend me from dry Bobbs Then no more I 'll dabble nor pump Fancy dry To compose a Fable Shall make Will. Crofts to cry O gentle Knight Thou writ'st to them that shite Sr. William's Answer The Author upon Himself False as Foolish What turn felo de me Davenant kill Davenant No the whole World does see My Gondibert To be a piece of Art Waller and Cowley true have prais'd my Book And deservedly Nay I did for it look He both us robbs That blames for this Old Hobbs Write on jeer'd Will and write in Pantofle That 's over Pump-ho And for Will Crofts his baffle Thou may'st long write That writ'st to them that shite Many other Railleries were broacht against him by his Enemies as those Lines in Sr. John Sucklin's Session of the Poets the Ballad entitled How Daphne pays his Debts and others which I might insert but I think 't is time to leave these trifles and acquaint my Readers who are delighted with Criticismes that they may find more serious Animad versions on this Poem in the English Preface written by that admirable Critick Mr. Rymer to his Translation of Monsieur Rapin's Reflections on Aristotle's Treatise of Poesy printed 8 o Lond. 1674. This great Man Died on the Seventh day of April 1668. Aged 63 and was Buried amongst the Poets in Westminster-Abby near to his old Antagonist and Rival for the Bays Mr. Thomas May. 'T was observ'd that at his Funeral his Coffin wanted the Ornament of his Laureats Crown which by the Law of Heraldry justly appertain'd to him but this omission is sufficiently recompenc'd by an Eternal Fame which will always accompany his Memory he having been the first Introducer of all that is splendid in our English Opera's and 't is by his means and industry that our Stage at present rivals the Italian Theatre I shall conclude his Character with that Account which Mr. Dryden has formerly given of him which is the more valuable because the commendation of his Predecessors is seldome the Subject of his Pen. In the time says he that I writ with Sr. William Davenant I had the opportunity to observe somewhat more nearly of him than I had formerly done when I had only a bare acquaintance with him I found him then of so quick a Fancy that nothing was propos'd to him on which he could not suddenly produce a Thought extreamly pleasant and surprising and those first Thoughts of his contrary to the old Latine Proverb Were not always the least happy And as his Fancy was quick so likewise were the Products of it remote and new He borrow'd not of any other and his Imaginations were such as could not enter into any other Man His Corrections were sober and judicious and he corrected his own Writings much more severely than those of another Man bestowing twice the labour and time in Polishing which he us'd in Invention Si sic omnia
Quarter-quibble or a bare Pun serves his turn as well as his Friend Bur in his Wild Gallant and therefore he might have spar'd this Reflection if he had given himself the liberty of Thinking As to his Reflections on this Triumvirate in general I might easily prove that his Improprieties in Grammar are equal to theirs and that He himself has been guilty of Solecisms in Speech and Flaws in Sence as well as Shakespear Fletcher and Johnson but this would be to wast Paper and Time and besides ' I consider that Apollos Laws like those of our own Nation allow no Man to be try'd twice for the same Crime and Mr. Dryden having already been arraign'd before the Wits upon the Evidence of the Rota and found Guilty by Mr. Clifford the Foreman of the Jury I shall suppress my further Evidence till I am serv'd with a Subpaena by him to appear before that Court or have an Action clapp'd upon me by his Proctor as guilty of a Scandalum Archi-Poetae and then I shall readily give in my Depositions For these and the like Reasons I shall at present pass by his dis-obliging Reflections on several of his Patrons as well as the Poets his Cotemporaries his little Arts to set up himself and decry others his dexterity in altering other Mens Thoughts so as to make them pass for his own his Tautologies his Petty-Larcenies which notwithstanding his stiling of himself Saturnine shew him sufficiently Mercurial at least if Plagiaries may be accounted under the Government of that Planet In fine if Old Moody will allow me to borrow that word he resembles Vulgar Painters who can tolerably copy after a good Original but either have not judgment or will not take the pains themselves to design any thing of value This will easily appear in the following Account of his Plays of which I come now to speak Viz. Albion and Albanius an Opera perform'd at the Queen's Theatre in Dorset-Garden and printed in Folio Lond. 1685. The Subject of it as the Author says is wholly Allegorical and the Allegory it self so very obvious that it will no sooner be read than understood I need not therefore take the pains to acquaint my Reader that by the Man on the Pedestal who is drawn with a long lean pale Face with Fiends Wings and Snakes twisted round his Body and incompast by several Phanatical Rebellious Heads who suck Poyson from him which runs out of a Tap in his Side is meant the late Lord Shaftsbury and his Adherents I shall not pretend to pass my censure whether he deserv'd this usage from our Author or no but leave it to the judgments of Statesmen and Polititians How well our Author has drawn his other Characters I shall leave to the decision of the Criticks as also whether Monsieur Grabut or our Poet deserves the preference or either of them merit those Applauses which Mr. Dryden in both their Names challenges as their due since I find an Author of a different Opinion who thus describes them Grabut his Yoke-mate ne're shall be forgot Whom th' God of Tunes upon a Muse begot Bays on a double score to him belongs As well for writing as for setting Songs For some have sworn th' Intrigue so od is laid That Bayes and He mistook each others Trade Grabut the Lines and He the Musick made All for Love or The World well Lost a Tragedy acted at the Theatre Royal and written in imitation of Shakespear's stile printed in quarto Lond. 1678. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Thomas Earl of Danby That our Author has nearly imitated Shakespear is evident by the following Instance In the Comedy call'd Much Ado about Nothing the Bastard accuses Hero of Disloyalty before the Prince and Claudio her Lover who as surpris'd at the News asks Who Hero Bast. Even she Leonato's Hero your Hero every Mans Hero In this Play on the like occasion where Ventidius accuses Cleopatra Antony says Not Cleopatra Ven. Even she my Lord Ant. My Cleopatra Ven. Your Cleopatra Dollabella's Cleopatra Every Mans Cleopatra Ex homine hunc natum dicas Our Author with justice prefers the Scene betwixt Antonius and Ventidius in the first Act to any thing he has written in that kind but as to his defence of the Scene between Octavia and Cleopatra in the end of the third Act there are some Criticks who are not yet satisfied that it is agreeable to the Rules of Decency and Decorum to make Persons of their Character demean themselves contrary to the Modesty of their Sex For the Plot see Plutarch in Vit. M. Ant. Suetonius in Aug. Dion Cassius Lib. 48. 51. Orosius Lib. 6. Cap. 7. Florus L. 4. C. 11. Appian de Bellis Civilibus L.5 Amboyna a Tragedy acted at the Theatre Royal printed in quarto Lond. 1673. and dedicated to the Right Honourable the Lord Clifford of Chudleigh The Plot of this Play is founded chiefly on History being an Account of the Cruelty of the Dutch to our Country-Men in Amboyna An. Dom. 1618. There was a Book publisht by the East-India Company which I never saw but I have read a Relation extracted from thence by Mr. Purchas and printed in his Pilgrimage Vol. II. L. 10. Ch. 16. There are several other Authors that have mention'd this Story as Sanderson's History of King James pag. 577. Stubb's Relation of the Dutch Cruelties to the English at Amboyna printed in quarto Lond. 1632. Wanley's History of Man Lib. 4. Ch. 10. Ex. 1. The Plot of the Rape of Isabinda by Harman Junior is founded on a Novel in Cynthio Gyraldi Deca 5a Nov. 10. Assignation or Love in a Nunnery a Comedy acted at the Theatre Royal printed in quarto Lond. 1678. and dedicated to his most Honour'd Friend Sir Charles Sidley Baronet This Play was Damn'd on the Stage or as the Author phrases it it succeeded-ill in the Representation I shall not pretend to determine any more than the Author Whether the fault was in the Play it self or in the lameness of the Action or in the number of its Enemies who came resolv'd to damn it for the Title but this I know that his Reflections on Mr. Ravencrofts Play call'd Mamamouchi provok'd him to a retort in another Prologue to a new Play of his acted the Vacation following part of which as relating to this Play I shall transcribe An Author did to please you let his Wit run Of late much on a Serving-man and Cittern And yet you would not like the Serenade Nay and you damn'd his Nuns in Masquerade You did his Spanish Sing-song too abhor Ah! que locura con tanto rigor In fine the whole by you so much was blam'd To act their parts the Players were asham'd Ah! how severe your Malice was that Day To damn at once the Poet and his Play But why was your Rage just at that time shown When what the Poet writ was all his own Till then he borrowâ—d from Romance and did
to Bow was up in Arms They damn'd the Play all at one fatal Blow And broke the Glass that did their Picture show In this Play he is not exempt from borrowing some Incidents from French and Italian Novels Mrs Saintlys discovery of Love-all in the Chest Act 1. is borrow'd from the Novels of Cynthio Gyraldi see prima parte Deca 3a. Nov. 3. The same Story is in The Fortunate Deceiv'd and Unfortunate Lovers see Nov. 7. Deceiv'd Lovers Mrs. Brainsicks pricking and pinching him Act 3. Sc. 2. is copied from the Triumph of Love over Fortune a Novel writ by M. S. Bremond or else from Zelotide of M. de Païs but these are things not worthy to be urg'd against any One but Mr. Dryden whose Critical Pen spares no Man Indian Emperor or The Conquest of Mexico by the Spaniards being the Sequel of the Indian Queen printed in quarto Lond. 1670. and dedicated to the Most Excellent and most Illustrious Princess Anne Dutchess of Monmouth and Bucclugh This Play is writ in Heroick Verse and has appear'd on the Stage with great Approbation yet it is not wholly free from Plagiarie but since they are only Hints and much improv'd I shall not mention the Particulars 'T is sufficient for me to observe in general that he has borrow'd from Plutarch Seneca Montagne Fletcher c. Mr. Dryden in the Second Edition to this Play prefixt a Piece intituled A Defence of an Essay of Dramatick Poesy being an Answer to the Preface of The Great Favourite or The Duke of Lerma but upon some considerations our Author was obliged to retract it For the Plot of this Play 't is founded chiefly on History See Lopez de Gomara Hist. General de las Incas de Conquista de Mexico De Bry Americae Pars 9. L. 7. Ogleby's America Chap. 3. Sect. 10. Mariana de Reb. Hisp. L. 26. Cap. 3. Four Letters printed in several Languages Marriage A-la-mode a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by Their Majesties Servants printed in quarto Lond. 1673. and dedicated to the Right Honourable the Earl of Rochester This Play tho' stil'd in the Title-page a Comedy is rather a Tragi-Comedy and consists of two different Actions the one Serious the other Comick both borrow'd from two Stories which the Author has tackt together The Serious Part is founded on the Story of Sesostris and Timareta in the Grand Cyrus Part 9. Book 3. and the Characters of Palamede and Rhodophil from the same Romance Par. 6 B k 1. See the History of Timantes and Parthenia I might mention also the Story of Nogaret in The Annals of Love from whence part of the Character of Doralice was possibly borrow'd and Les Contes D Ouville partie premiere p. 13. from whence the Fancy of Melantha's making Court to her self in Rhodophil's Name is taken but this is usual with our Poet. Mistaken Husband a Comedy acted by His Majesties Servants at the Theatre-Royal and printed in quarto Lond. 1675. This Play Mr. Dryden was not the Author of tho 't was adopted by him as an Orphan which might well deserve the Charity of a Scene which he bestowed on it It is of the nature of Farce or as the French term it Basse Comedie as Mr. Bentley the Bookseller has observ'd 'T is writ on the Model of Plautus's Maenechmi and I have read a Story somewhat like it in L'Amant Oysif Tome 2. p. 297. Nouvelle intitulée D. Martin Oedipus a Tragedy acted at his Royal Highness the Duke's Theatre written by Mr. Dryden and Mr. Lee printed in quarto Lond. 1679. This Play is certainly one of the best Tragedies we have extant the Authors having borrow'd many Ornaments not only from Sophocles but also from Seneca though in requital Mr. Dryden has been pleas'd to arraign the Memory of the later by taxing him of Running after Philosophical Notions more proper for the Study than the Stage As for Corneille he has scouted him for failing in the Character of his Hero which he calls an Error in the first Concoction tho' possibly 't was so in him to fall upon two such Great Men without any provocation and to whom he has been more than once oblig'd for beautiful Thoughts As to the Plot 't is founded on the Tragedies of Sophocles and Seneca Rival Ladies a Tragi-Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal printed in quarto Lond. 1679. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Roger Earl of Orrery This Dedication is in the Nature of a Preface written in Defence of English Verse The Authors Sentiments were afterwards controverted by Sr. Robert Howard in the Preface to his Plays to which Arguments Mr. Dryden reply'd towards the end of his Dramatick Essay Sr. Robert made a Rejoynder when he publisht his Duke of Lerma and Mr. Dryden answer'd him again in the Preface to his Indian Emperour as I have already observ'd I beg leave of my Reader to make one Remark on this Preface to Rectify the following mistake committed by our Author He says That The Tragedy of Queen Gorbuduc was written in English Verse and consequently that Verse was not so much a new way amongst us as an old way new reviv'd and that this Play was written by the late Lord Buckhurst afterwards Earl of Dorset Mr. Dryden as well as Sr. Fopling notwithstanding his smattering in the Mathematicks is out in his Judgment at Tennis for first tho' His Majesties late Historiographer he is mistaken in the Title-page and I must crave leave to tell him by the by that I never heard of any such Queen of Brittain any more than he of any King that was in Rhodes Nay further had he coâ—â—â—â— Milton's History of England or any other Writers of Brute's History nay even the Argument of that very Play he would have found Gorbuduc to have been the last King of that Race at least the Father of Ferex and Porrex in whom terminated the Line of Brute and consequently would not have permitted so gross an Error to have escapt his Pen for Three Editions tho' it may be Mr. Dryden's Printer was as much to blame to print Queen for King as he ironically accuses Sr. Robert's for setting shut for open There are other Errata's in History which I might impute at least to Mr. Dryden's Negligence but I shall at present wave them In the mean time I must acquaint the Reader that however Mr. Dryden alledges that this Play was writ by the Lord Buckhurst I can assure him that the three first Acts were writ by Mr. Thomas Norton and that the Play it self was not written in Rime but blank Verse or if he will have it in prose mesurée so that Mr. Shakespear notwithstanding our Author's Allegation was not the first beginner of that way of Writing As to his Oeconomy and working up of his Play our Author is not wholly free from Pillage witness the last Act where the Dispute between Amideo and Hippolito with Gonsalvo's fighting with the Pirates is borrow'd from Petronius Arbyter
no disparagement to submit his Writings to his Correction What a great Veneration Ben. had for him is evident by those Verses he writ to him when living Mr. Fletcher's Wit was equal to Mr. Beaumont's Judgment and was so luxuriant that like superfluous Branches it was frequently prun'd by his Judicious Partner These Poets perfectly understood Breeding and therefore successfully copy'd the Conversation of Gentlemen They knew how to describe the Manners of the Age and Fletcher had a peculiar tallent in expressing all his thoughts with Life and Briskness No Man ever understood or drew the Passions more lively than he and his witty Raillery was so drest that it rather pleas'd than disgusted the modest part of his Audience In a word Fletcher's Fancy and Beaumont's Judgment combin'd produc'd such Plays as will remain Monuments of their Wit to all Posterity Nay Mr. Fletcher himself after Mr. Beaumont's Decease compos'd several Dramatick Pieces which were well worthy the Pen of so great a Master Of this the following Lines writ by that Excellent Poet Mr. Carthwright are a proof Tho' when All Fletcher writ and the entire Man was indulg'd unto that sacred fire His thoughts his thoughts dress appear'd both such That 't was his happy fault to do too much Who therefore wisely did submit each Birth To knowing Beaumont e're it did come forth Working again until he said 't was fit And made him the sobriety of his Wit Tho' thus he call'd his Judge into his Fame And for that aid allow'd him half the Name 'T is known that sometimes he did stand alone That both the spunge and pencil were his own That himself judg'd himself could singly do And was at last Beaumont and Fletcher too Else we had lost his Shepherdess a piece Even and smooth sprung from a finer fleece Where Softness reigns where passions passions greet Gentle high as floods of Balsam meet Where drest in white Expressions sit bright Loves Drawn like their fairest Queen by milky Doves A Piece which Johnson in a Rapture bid Come up a glorify'd Work and so it did They who would read more of these admirable Poets worth may peruse at their leisure those excellent Copys of Verses printed with their Works written by the prime Wits of the Age as Waller Denham Sir John Berkenhead Dr. Main c. I am extreamly sorry that I am not able to give any Account of the Affairs of these Great Men Mr. Beaumont's Parentage Birth County Education and Death being wholly unknown to me And as to Mr. Fletcher all I know of him is That he was Son to the Eminent Richard Fletcher created Bishop of Bristol by Queen Elizabeth An. 1559. and by her preferr'd to London 1593. He died in London of the Plague in the First Year of King Charles the Martyr 1625. being Nine and fourty Years of Age and was bury'd in St. Mary Overies Church in Southwarke I beg my Reader 's Leave to insert the Inscription which I find writ under his Picture by that well known Wit Sir John Berkenhead which will give the Reader a fuller Knowledge of his Abilities and Merit than I am able to express Felicis aevi ac Praesulis Natus comes Beaumontio sic quippe Parnassus Biceps FLETCHERVS unam in Pyramida furcas agens Struxit chorum plùs simplicem Vates Duplex Plus Duplicem solus nec ullum transtulit Nec transferrendus Dramatum aeterni sales Anglo Theatro Orbi Sibi superstitites FLETCHERE facies absque vultu pingitur Quantus vel umbram circuit nemo tuam Where or when Mr. Beaumont died I know not but I have met with an Epitaph writ by Dr. Corbet immediately after his Death that well deserves the Reader 's perusal On Mr. Francis Beaumont Then newly dead He that hath such Acuteness and such Wit As would ask Ten good Heads to husband it He that can write so well that no man dare Refuse it for the best let him beware BEAUMONT is dead by whose sole Death appears Wit 's a Disease consumes men in few years There are two and fifty Plays written by these worthy Authors all which are now extant in one Volume printed fol. Lond. 1679. each of which I shall mention Alphabetically Beggers Bush a Comedy This Play I have seen several times acted with applause Bonduca a Tragedy The plot of this Play is borrow'd from Tacitus's Annals Lib. 14. See Milton's History of England Book 2. Ubaldino de Vita delle Donne Illustri del Regno d' Inghelterra Scotia pag. 7 c. Bloody Brother or Rollo Duke of Normandy a Tragedy much in request and notwithstanding Mr. Rymer's Criticisms on it has still the good fortune to Please it being frequently acted by the present Company of Actors at the Queen's Play-House in Dorset-Garden The Design of this Play is History See Herodian lib. 4. Xiphilini Epit. Dion in Vit. Ant. Caracallae Part of the Language is copy'd from Seneca's Thebais Captain a Comedy Chances a Comedy reviv'd by the late Duke of Buckingham and very much improv'd being acted with extraordinary applause at the Theatre in Dorset-Garden and printed with the Alterations Lond. 4 o 1682. This Play is built on a Novel written by the Famous Spaniard Miguel de Cervantes call'd The Lady Cornelia which the Reader may read at large in a Fol. Vol. call'd Six Exemplary Novels Coronation a Tragi-comedy Coxcomb a Comedy which was reviv'd at the Theatre-Royal the Prologue being spoken by Jo. Hains Cupid's Revenge a Tragedy Custome of the Country a Tragi-comedy This is accounted an excellent Play the Plot of Rutilio Duarte and Guyomar is founded on one of Malespini's Novels Deca 6. Nov. 6. Double Marriage a Tragedy which has been reviv'd some years ago as I learn from a new Prologue printed in Covent-Garden Drollexy p. 14. Elder Brother a Comedy which has been acted with good applause Faithful Shepherdess a Pastoral writ by Mr. Fletcher and commended by two Copies written by the Judicious Beaumont and the Learned Johnson which the Reader may read at the end of the Play See the last Edit Fol. p. 233. When this Pastoral was first acted before their Majesties at Sommerset House on Twelfth-Night 1633. instead of a Prologue there was a Song in Dialogue sung between a Priest and a Nymph which was writ by Sir William D'Avenant and an Epilogue was spoken by the Lady Mary Mordant which the Reader may read in Covent-Garden Drollery pag. 86. Fair Maid of the Inn a Tragi-comedy Mariana's disowning Caesario for her Son and the Duke's Injunction to marry him is related by Causin in his Holy Court and is transcrib'd by Wanley in his History of Man Fol. Book 3. Chap. 26. False One a Tragedy This Play is founded on the Adventures of Julius Caesar in AEgypt and his Amours with Cleopatra See Suetonius Plutarch Dion Appian Florus Eutropius Orosius c. Four Plays or Moral Representations in One viz. The Triumph of Honour The Triumph of Love The
Triumph of Death The Triumph of Time I know not whether ever these Representations appear'd on the Stage or no. The Triumph of Honour is founded on Boccace his Novels Day 10. Nov. 5. The Triumph of Love on the same Author Day 5. Nov. 8. The Triumph of Death on a Novel in The Fortunate Deceiv'd and Unfortunate Lovers part 3. Nov. 3. See besides Palace of Pleasure Nov. 4o. Belle-forest c. The Triumph of Time as far as falls within my discovery is wholly the Authors Invention Honest Man's Fortune a Tragi-Comedy As to the plot of Montaign's being prefer'd by Lamira to be her Husband when he was in Adversity and least expected the like Story is related by Heywood in his History of Women Book 9. pag. 641. Humourous Lieutenant a Tragi-Comedy which I have often seen acted with Applause The Character of the Humourous Lieutenant refusing to fight after he was cured of his Wounds resembles the Story of the Souldier belonging to Lucullus describ'd in the Epistles of Horace lib. 2. Ep. 2. but the very Story is related in Ford's Apothegms p. 30. How near the Poet keeps to the Historian I must leave to those that will compare the Play with the Writers of the Lives of Antigonus and Demetrius the Father and the Son See Plutarch's Life of Demetrius Diodorus Justin Appian c. Island Princess a Tragi-Comedy This Play about three Years ago was reviv'd with Alterations by Mr. Tate being acted at the Theatre Royal printed in quarto Lond. 1687. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Henry Lord Walgrave King and No King a Tragi-Comedy which notwithstanding its Errors discover'd by Mr. Rymer in his Criticisms has always been acted with Applause and has lately been reviv'd on our present Theatre with so great success that we may justly say with Horace Haec placuit semel haec decies repetita placebit Knight of the burning Pestle a Comedy This Play was in vogue some years since it being reviv'd by the King's House and a new Prologue instead of the old One in prose being spoken by Mrs. Ellen Guin The bringing the Citizen and his Wife upon the Stage was possibly in imitation of Ben Johnson's Staple of News who has introduc'd on the Stage Four Gossips Lady-like attir'd who remain during the whole Action and criticise upon each Scene Knight of Malta a Tragi-Comedy Laws of Candy a Tragi-Comedy Little French Lawyer a Comedy The Plot is borrow'd from Gusman or The Spanish Roque part 2. ch 4. The Story of Dinant Clerimont and Lamira being borrow'd from Don Lewis de Castro and Don Roderigo de Montalva The like Story is in other Novels as in Scarron's Novel called The Fruitless Precaution and in The Complaisant Companion 8 o p. 263. which is copied from the above-mentioned Original Love's Cure or The Martial Maid a Comedy Love's Pilgrimage a Comedy This I take to be an admirable Comedy The Foundation of it is built on a Novel of Miguel de Cervantes called The Two Damsels The Scene in the first Act between Diego the Host of Ossuna and Lazaro his Ostler is stoln from Ben Johnson's New Inn which I may rather term borrow'd for that Play miscarrying in the Action I suppose they made use of it with Ben's Consent Lovers Progress a Tragi-Comedy This Play is built on a French Romance written by M. Daudiguier call'd Lisander and Calista Loyal Subject a Tragi-Comedy Mad Lover a Tragi-Comedy The Design of Cleanthe's Suborning the Priestess to give a false Oracle in favour of her Brother Syphax is borrow'd from the Story of Mundus and Paulina describe'd at large by Josephus Lib. 18. Cap. 4. This Play Sr. Aston Cockain has chiefly commended in his Copy of Verses on Mr. Fletcher's Plays See the Verses before the old Edition printed 1647. and Cockain's Poems pag. 101. Maid in the Mill a Comedy This Play amongst othershas likewise been reviv'd by the Duke's House The Plot of Antonio Ismenia and Aminta is borrowed from Gerardo a Romance translated from the Spanish of Don Gonzalo de Cespides and Moneces see the Story of Don Jayme pag. 350. As to the Plot of Otrante's seizing Florimel the Millers supposed Daughter and attempting her Chastity t is borrow'd from an Italian Novel writ by Bandello a Translation of which into French the Reader may find in Les Histoires Tragiques par M. Belleforest Tom. 1. Hist. 12. The same Story is related by M. Goulart see Les Histoires admirables de nôtre temps 8o. Tom. 1. p. 212. Maids Tragedy a Play which has always been acted with great Applause at the King's Theatre and which had still continu'd on the English Stage had not King Charles the Second for some particular Reasons forbid its further Appearance during his Reign It has since been reviv'd by Mr. Waller the last Act having been wholly alter'd to please the Court as the Author of the Preface to the second part of his Poems informs us and give us further the following Account T is not to be doubted who sat for the Two Brothers Characters 'T was agreeable to the Sweetness of Mr. Waller's Temper to soften the Rigor of the Tragedy as he expresses it but whether it be agreeable to the Nature of Tragedy it self to make every thing come off easily I leave to the Criticks This last Act is publisht in the Second Part of Mr. Waller's Poems printed in quarto Lond. 1690. Masque of Grays-Inn Gentlemen and the Inner-Temple This Masque was written by Mr. Beaumont alone and presented before the King and Queen in the Banqueting-house of Whitehall at the Marriage of the Illustrious Frederick and Elizabeth Prince and Princess Palatine of the Rhine Monsieur Thomas a Comedy which not long since appear'd on the present Stage under the Name of Trick for Trick Nice Valour or The Passionate Mad-man a Comedy Night Walker or The Little Thief a Comedy which I have seen acted by the King's Servants with great Applause both in the City and Country Noble Gentleman a Comedy which was lately reviv'd by Mr. Durfey under the Title of The Fools Preferment or The Three Dukes of Dunstable Philaster or Love lies a Bleeding a Tragi-Comedy which has always been acted with Success and has been the diversion of the Stage even in these days This was the first Play that brought these Excellent Authors in Esteem and this Play was One of those that were represented at the old Theatre in Lincolns-Inn-Fields when the Women acted alone The Prologue and Epilogue were spoken by Mrs. Marshal and printed in Covent-garden Drollery pag. 18. About this Time there was a Prologue written on purpose for the Women by Mr. Dryden and is printed in his Miscellany Poems in octavo p. 285. Pilgrim a Comedy which was reviv'd some years since and a Prologue spoke which the Reader may find in Covent-garden Dollery p. 12. Prophetess a Tragical History which has lately been reviv'd by Mr. Dryden under the Title of The Prophetess or The History of Dioclesian with
and Mr. Watson's Latine Amintas to make them both one English Notwithstanding Mr. Chapman in his Translation of Homer and Sir Philip Sidney in his Eclogues have practic'd this way of Writing yet this way of Imitating the Latin Measures of Verse particularly the Hexameter is now laid aside and the Verse of Ten Syllables which we stile Heroick Verse is most in use If this Translation be allow'd grains for the time when 't was writ 't will be excus'd by the more moderate Criticks tho' if compar'd with the Translation which was afterwards printed in 1628. or that more Modern Version done by Dancer at the King's Return 't will appear inferior to either in Value The Second Part goes under the Title of Phillis Funeral and it is writ in the form of Eclogues being divided by the Author into twelve Parts which he stiles Days This Poem is likewise writ in Hexameters to which is annext in the same Measure The Lamentation of Corydon for the Love of Alexis This is a Translation of the second Eclogue of Virgil Verse for Verse The Author added likewise the begining of The AEthiopick History of Heliodorus in the same Species of Metre With these Pieces are commonly join'd another of our Authors Writing call'd The Countess of Pembrokes Emanuel Containing the Nativity Passion Burial and Resurrection of Christ together with certain Psalms of David all in English Hexameters printed in quarto Lond. 1591. and dedicated to the Right Excellent and most Honourable Lady the Lady Mary Countess of Pembroke by the following Distick Mary the best Mother sends her best Babe to a Mary Lord to a Ladies Sight and Christ to a Christian Hearing Mr. Phillips says That he writ some other things in Hexameter and Pentameter and the same writes Mr. Winstanley tho' I doubt the former takes his Opinion upon Trust and the later does not I believe know a Pentameter from an Asclepiade Verse The truth is there are no Pentameters throughout the Volume but in the last Act there is a Scene between Phillis and Amintas which whether it be in the Original I question where this pair of Lovers sing some Asclepiades which I suppose is the Occasion of the mistake tho' I cannot but wonder at Mr. Winstanley's negligence that when he copied out the begining of Heliodorus he should not inform himself better but I hope my small pains may be serviceable to his next Impression Neither is his Conjecture less probable concerning the time of our Author's Death which he supposes was about the former part of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth this can not be since our Author was alive at the publication of his Book which was in the Year 1591. and in the Thirty-third Year of her Reign tho' how long after he surviv'd I know not Sir Ralph FREEMAN A Gentleman who during the late Troubles busied himself in Poetry and writ an excellent Tragedy call'd Imperiale printed in quarto Lond. 1655. and dedicated to his Ancient and Learned Friend John Morris Esquire I know not whether ever this Play was acted but certainly it far better deserv'd to have appear'd on the Theatre than many of our modern Farces that have usurp'd the Stage and depos'd its lawful Monarch Tragedy The Compositor maim'd the last Act by setting the Sheet I false so that 't is pretty difficult to make out the five first Scenes The Catastrophe of this Play is as moving as most Tragedies of this Age and therefore our Author chose a proper Lemma for the Frontispiece of his Play in that Verse of Ovid. Omne Genus Scripti gravitate Tragoedia vincit The Story on which this Play is built is related by many Authors as Pontanus Budaeus's Treasury of Ancient and Modern Times Beard 's Theatre of Gods Judgments part 1. p. 427. and part 2. p. 45. Wanley's History of Man Book 4. Chap. 11. Goulart Histoires admirables de nôtre temps tom 1. p. 362. The Story is related at large in Bandello's Italian Novels see the French Translation by Belleforest Tom. 2. p. 242. Ulpian FULWEL An Ancient Writer of whom I can give no other Account than that he lived in the Reign of Q. Elizab. and publisht a Dramatical Piece call'd Like will to Like qouth the Devil to the Collier an Interlude wherein is declared what punishments follow those that will rather live Licentiously than esteem and follow good Counsel And what Benefits they receive that apply themselves to virtuous Living and good Exercises printed in quarto Lond. 1587. This Interlude is so contriv'd that Five may easily play it 'T is printed in an old Black Letter the Prologue is writ in Alternate Verse and the whole Play is writ in Rime such as it is however it might have suited with Mr. Dyrden's Design to prove the Antiquity of Crambo far better than the Tragedy of Gorbuduc which was writ in Blank Verse whereas this Play is tag'd with Rimes throughout and is Three Years Older than the other that not being printed till the Year 1590. G. George GASCOIGNE Esq THis Gentleman I can give no further Account of than that he flourisht in the begining of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth that he was a Member of the Honourable Society of Gray's Inn and was the Parent of feveral Poetical Works amongst which are Four Dramatick Pieces of which I shall first discourse Glass of Government a Tragical Comedy so intituled because therein are handled as well the Rewards for Virtues as also the Punishments for Vices Seen and allowed according to the Order appointed in the Queens Majesties Injunctions printed in quarto Lond. 1575. At the begining of this Play I find the following Hexastick In Comoediam Gascoigni Carmen B.C. Haec nova non vetus est Angli Comoedia Vatis Christus adest Sanctos nil nisi sancta decent Graecia vaniloquos genuit turpesque Poetas Vix qui syncerè scriber at unus erat Idvereor nostro ne possit dicier aevo Vana precor valeant ver a precor placeant This Play is printed in a Black Letter as are all his Works 't is writ in prose with a Chorus between each Act which with the Prologue are all in Verse Jocasta a Tragedy written in Greek by Euripides translated and digested into Acts by our Author and Mr. Francis Kinwelmershe of Gray's Inn and there presented and printed in quarto Lond. 1556. Each Act of this Play is introduc'd by a Dumb shew which in those times was the mode in Tragedies and concluded by a Chorus The First Fourth and last Acts were translated by Mr. Kinwelmershe the Second and Third by our Author and the Epilogue was writ by Mr. Christopher Yelverton in Alternate Rime This is the only Play of that ancient Tragedian that to my Knowledge is translated into English tho' our Language and the Knowledge of this Age be far more proper for Translations now than in that time our Author flourisht That I may not be wanting in my Respect to those
Dramatick Poem of a Sacred Argument and I have heard some People of tender Consciences speak against this Play and Christ's Passion writ by the same Author But I think the following Opinion of the Great Vossius printed before this Play may satisfy them in this point I am of Opinion says he 't is better to chuse another Argument than Sacred For it agrees not with the Majesty of Sacred things to be made a Play and a Fable It is also a Work of very dangerous Consequence to mingle Humane Inventions with things sacred because the Poet adds uncertainties of his own sometimes falsities which is not only to play with holy things but also to ingraft in Mens Minds uncertain Opinions and now and then false These things have place especially when we bring in God or Christ speaking or treating of the Mysteries of Religion I will allow more where the History is taken out of the Sacred Scriptures but yet in the Nature of the Argument is Civil As if the Action be of David flying from his Son Absalon or of Joseph sold by his Brethren advanced by Pharoah to the Government of Egypt and in that Dignity adored by and made known unto his Brethren Of which Argument is Sophompaneas made by the most Illustrious and Incomparable Man Hugo Grotius Embassador when he liv'd of the most Gracious Queen and Kingdom of Sweden to the most Christian King of France Which Tragedy I suppose may be set for a Pattern to him that would handle an Argument from the Holy Scriptures I shall say nothing of the Life of Hugo Grotius only that he was an Honour to Delph where he was born in the Year 1583. and will be famous to Posterity in regard of those many Excellent Pieces that he has published In some of his Writings he had defended Arminianism for which he suffer'd Imprisonment in the Castle of Louverstein in the Year 1618. at which time his Associate Barnevelt lost his Head on the same Account afterwards he escaped out of Prison by means of Maria Reigersberg his Wife and fled into Flanders and thence into France where he was kindly receiv'd by Lewis the XIII He died at Rostoch in Meclebourg Sept. the first 1645. His Life is writ at large by Melchior Adamus in Latin and in English by C. B. and printed 8 o Lond. 1652. â—â—â— to our Author and his Translation which is in Heroick Verse I find it extreamly commended by the Verses of four of his Friends and I doubt not but the candid Reader will assent to their Judgments For the Plot the Author has acquainted the Reader before the Play That the History is recorded by Moses in Genesis 44 and 45 Chapters with the Contexts there adjoyning Psal. 105. Acts 7. By Philo in the Life of Josephus By Josephus in the 2d. Book of the Jewish Antiquities and partly by Justin out of Trogus Pompeius the 36. Book It is extant also in Astapanus out of Alexander Polyhistor and in Demetrius the places you may see in Eusebius his Preparation to the Gospel Alexander GREEN A Gentleman that liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the Second who presently after the Restauration published a Play call'd The Politician cheated a Comedy printed 4 o Lond. 1663. I know not whether ever this Play appear'd on the Stage or no nor can I recover any thing else of this Author 's Writing Robert GREEN This Author lived in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth and was a Master of Arts of Cambridge As to any further Account of him I I can meet with none except what I am forc'd to borrow from Mr. Winstanley But the truth is I dare not trust too much to him knowing how subject he is to take things upon Reâ—â—â—â—â— as I find particularly in the Innumeration he makes of this Author's Plays However for once I will venture to transcribe the following passage upon his Authority who tells us That the Person we here treat of was married to a Deserving Gentlewoman whom he ungratefully forsook living above himself and therefore was forc'd to make his Pen a slave to his Purse to supply his Extravagancies notwithstanding which he was reduc'd to extreme poverty towards the latter end of his Life which through God's Mercy led him to a sight of his former Follies and to a Repentance of his evil Course of Life especially his Unkindness and Disloyalty to his Virtuous Partner which occasion'd a Letter published by Mr. Winstanley which was directed to her by our Penitent and found after his Death which Epistle in my Opinion very much resembles the Stile of Dr. Reynolds in his God's Revenge against Murther As to that Distich said by Mr. Winstanley to be writ on our Author I have shew'd his mistake in the Account This Author has writ several Pieces but especially one Play the occasion of his mention in this place whose Title is The Honourable History of Fryar Bacon and Fryar Bungy play'd by the Prince Palatine's Servants and printed Lond. I know not whence the Author borrow'd his Plot but this Famous Fryar Minor liv'd in the Reign of King Henry the Third and died in the Reign of Edward the First in the Year 1284. Conâ—â—â—â—â— Bale Script Illustr Majoris Britannae Caâ—â—â—â— Pitseus Relationes Historicae Wood. Antiq. Oxon. Dr. â—lot Hist. Oxford c. Mr. Philips and Mr. Winstanley say That he was an Associate with Dr. Lodge in writing several Comedies namely The Laws of Nature Lady Alimony Liberality and Prodigality and a Masque called Lumenalia Besides which he wrote alone the Comedies of Fryar Bacon and Fair Emme But in this Assertion they are extreamly out for he joyn'd with Dr. Lodge but in one Play call'd A Looking-glass for London of which hereafter and as to the others most of which I have by me they are all Anonymous Plays As to his other Pieces I have never seen but two viz. Quip for an Upstart Courtier and Dorastus and Fawnia tho' Mr. Winstanley reckons up several others as Euphues his Censure to Philautus Tullies Love Philomela The Lady Fitzwaters Nightingale Green's never too late first and second part Green's Arcadia Green's Farewell to Folly Green's Groats-worth of Wit c. H. William HABINGTON Esq A Gentleman that liv'd in the Time of the late Civil Wars and slighting Bellona gave himself up entirely to the Muses He was equally famous for History and Poetry of which his Edward the Fourth and Castara are sufficient Testimonies Mr. Kirkman who was very knowing in Plays has ascribed a Dramatick Piece to him which gives us occasion to speak of him 't is call'd Queen of Arragon a Tragi-comedy acted at Court and the Black-Fryars and printed fol. Lond. 1640. Tho' the Author's Name be not prefix'd to the Title-page yet I have that confidence in Mr. Kirkman's Judgment as to believe this Play to be writ by him His other Poems are all printed together 8o. and go under the Title of Castara they are divided into three
Author has made English by a nearer adherence to the Original than to the French Translation For the Plot 't is founded on Ovid's Metamorphosis lib. 11. See besides Catulli Aurgonautica sive Epithalamium 'T is not to be expected that I should spare room to give an Account of our Authors Works in particular they being so numerous I shall therefore only mention some of the most Emiment and refer the Reader for further Satisfaction to the perusal of a Catalogue of them published with a former Edition of his Letters printed 8o. Lond. 1655. His chief Pieces are Dodona's Grove a Book much priz'd and translated into French 1652. His Letters which were formerly in four distinct Volumes and are reduc'd into one amongst which are several to Ben. Johnson which speak their Intimacy Besides these he has writ a Book of the Precedency of Kings printed Fol. Lond. 1664. Survey of the Seniorie of Venice Fol. Lond. 1652. Life of Lewis the Thirteenth and Cardinal Richelieu Fol. Lond. 1646. Morphandra or The Queen of the Enchanted Island a Poem in Fol. The Vote a Poem Royal in 4 o c. He died about the beginning of November 1666. and was buried on the North-side of the Temple-Church with this Inscription fix'd upon the Wall Jacobus Howell Cambro-Britannus Regius Historiographus in Anglia primus qui post varias peregrinationes tandem naturae cursum peregit Satur Annorum Famae domae forisque huc usque erraticus heic fixus 1666. I. Thomas JEVORN A Person lately dead and one sufficiently known to all that frequent the Theatre both for his Excellency in Dancing and Action He has writ a Play or rather a Farce call'd The Devil of a Wife or A Comical Transformation acted by their Majesties Servants at the Queen's Theatre in Dorset-Garden printed 4o. Lond. 1686. and dedicated to his Friends that frequent Locket's Ordinary This Farce is founded on a Tale as well known as that of Mopsa in Sir Philip Sidney's Arcadia tho' I think if compar'd with our French Farces so frequent on our English Stage it may deserve the Preheminence Thoms INGELAND A Student in Cambridge in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth The Author of a Play which he stiles A Pretty and Merry Interlude call'd The Disobedient Child 'T is writ in old Verse of Ten Syllables and printed 4o. in an old Black Letter without any Date by Thomas Colwell in Fleet-street John JONES An Author who liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the First and writ a Play nam'd Adrasta or The Womans Spleen and Loves Conquest a Tragi-comedy printed 4o. Lond. 1635. and dedicated to Eugenius by which Name he desires to comprehend all his Friends subscribing himself Musophilus This Play the Actors refus'd and I think with Justice it being very indifferently written The Intrigue between Damasippus Frail-ware and their Wives in the third Act is borrow'd from Boccace's Novels Day 8. Nov. 8 However the Author was of Opinion it deserved to appear in publick and therefore prefix'd the following Saying of Horace in his Title-page volet haec sub luce videri Judicis argutum quae non formidat acumen Benjamin JOHNSON I have already drawn some strokes of this Great Man's Character in my Defence of him against the Attempts of Mr. Dryden and therefore shall less need to make a curious and exact Description of all his Excellencies which otherwise are very Great Noble and Various and have been remark'd in parcells by several Hands but exceed my small Capacity to collect them into one full View I shall therefore rather let them lye dispers'd as Scaliger did Virgil's Praises thro' his whole Book of Poetry contenting my self at present with giving the Reader an Account of the private Occurrencies of his Life To begin then with his Nativity He was born in the City of Westminster and tho' he sprang from mean Parents yet his Admirable Parts have made him more Famous than those of a more Conspicuous Extraction Nor do I think it any Diminution to him that he was Son-in-law to a Bricklayer and work'd at that Trade since if we take a Survey of the Records of Antiquity we shall find the Greatest Poets of the meanest Birth and most lyable to the Inconveniencies of Life Witness Homer who begg'd from door to door Euripides traded in Herbs with his Mother Plautus was forc'd to serve a Baker Naevius was a Captain's Man Terence was a Slave to the Generous Lucan Virgil was the Son of a Basket-maker and yet these thought the Obscurity of their Extraction no Diminution to their Worth nor will any Man of Sence reflect on Ben. Johnson on this Account if he seriously call to Mind that saying of Juvenal Nobilitas sola est atque unica Virtus He was Bred first at a Private-School in St. Martin's Church then plac'd at Westminster under the Famous Mr. Cambden to whom in Gratitude he dedicated his Fourteenth Epigram afterwards he was sent to Saint John's Colledge in Cambridge from thence he remov'd to Oxford and was enter'd of Christ-Church Colledge where in the Year 1619. as Mr. Wood says he took his Master of Arts Degree tho' Dr. Fuller says He continu'd there but few Weeks for want of Maintenance being fain to return to the Trade of his Father-in-law where he assisted in the New Building of Lincolns Inn with a Trowel in his Hand and a Book in his Pocket But this English Maro was not long before he found a Maecenas and a Varus to manumit him from an Employment so painful and furnisht him with means to enjoy his Muse at liberty in private 'T was then that he writ his Excellent Plays and grew into Reputation with the most Eminent of our Nobility and Gentry 'T was then that Carthwright Randolph and others of both Universities sought his Adoption and gloried more in his Friendship and the Title of his Sons than in their own Well-deserv'd Characters Neither did he less love or was less belov'd by the Famous Poets of his Time Shakspear Beaumont and Fletcher witness his Copy which he writ on Shakspear after his Death and his Verses to Fletcher when living He was a Man of a very free Temper and withal blunt and somewhat haughty to those that were either Rivals in Fame or Enemies to his Writings witness his Poetaster wherein he falls upon Decker and his answer to Dr. Gill who writ against his Magnetick Lady otherwise of a good Sociable Humour when amongst his Sons and Friends in the Apollo from whose Laws the Reader may possibly better judge of his Temper a Copy of which I have transcrib'd for the Learn'd Readers perusal Leges Convivales quod foelix faustumque Convivis in Apolline sit Nemo asymbolus nisi umbra huc venito Idiota insultus tristis turpis abesto Eruditi Urbani Hilares Modesti adsciscuntur Nec lectae Foeminae repudiantur In apparatu quod convivis corruget nares nil esto Epulae delectu potius quam sumptu
his own diversion But upon the Importunity of Friends he was prevailed with to have it publisht but without Name because many do censure Plays according to their Opinions of the Author The Plot is founded on the History of Zeno the Twelfth Emperor of Constantinople after Constantine Several Authors have writ his Story as Marcellinus Cassiodorus Cedrenus Evagrius Zonoras Baronius c. John KIRKE A Writer in the Reign of King Charles the First of a Play call'd The Seven Champions of Christendome acted at the Cock-pit and at the Red Bull in St. John's Street with a general liking printed 4o. Lond. 1638. and dedicated to his much respected and worthy Friend Mr. John Waite This Play is written in a mixt stile and founded on that well known Book in prose which bears the same Title See besides Dr. Heylin's History of St. George Ralph KNEVET An Author that liv'd about the same time with the former He writ a Play call'd Rhodon and Iris a Pastoral presented at the Florists Feast in Norwich May the Third 1631. printed 4o. Lond. 1631. and dedicated to the Right Worshipful Mr. Nicholas Bacon of Gillingham Esquire This Pastoral is commended by Four Copies of Verses Thomas KYD. An Ancient Writer or rather Translator in the time of Queen Elizabeth who publisht a Play call'd Pompey the Great his Fair Cornelia's Tragedy effected by her Father and Husband 's Down-cast Death and Fortune printed 4o. Lond. 1595. and dedicated to the Virtuously Noble and rightly Honour'd Lady the Countess of Sussex This Play is translated from the French of Robert Garnier who in the Reigns of Charles the Ninth Henry the Third and Henry the Fourth was accounted an Excellent Poet tho' M. Rapin says His Tragedies with those of Rotrou Serre and others of that time are of a mean Character 'T is evident to any that have read his Tragedies which are Nine in Number that he propos'd Seneca for his Model and he was thought in those days to have happily succeeded in his Design This Translation is writ in blank Verse only here and there at the close of a Paragraph if I may so speak the Reader is presented with a Couplet The Chorus's are writ in several Measures of Verse and are very sententious L. John LACY A Comedian whose Abilities in Action were sufficiently known to all that frequented the King's Theatre where he was for many years an Actor and perform'd all Parts that he undertook to a miracle in so much that I am apt to believe that as this Age never had so the next never will have his Equal at least not his Superiour He was so well approv'd of by King Charles the Second an undeniable Judge in Dramatick Arts that he caus'd his Picture to be drawn in three several Figures in the same Table viz. That of Teague in the Committee Mr. Scruple in The Cheats and M. Galliard in The Variety which piece is still in being in Windsor-Castle Nor did his Talent wholly ly in Acting he knew both how to judge and write Plays and if his Comedies are somewhat allied to French Farce 't is out of choice rather than want of Ability to write true Comedy We have Three Plays extant under his Name viz. Dumb Lady or The Farriar made Physitian a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal printed 4o. Lond. 1672. and dedicated to the High-born and most Hopeful Prince Charles Lord Limrick and Earl of Southampton This Play is founded on a Comedy of Molliere's call'd Le Medecin malgré luy If the Reader will take the pains to compare them together he will easily see that our Author has much improv'd the French Play Old Troop or Monsieur Ragou a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal printed 4o. Lond. 1672. and dedicated to the young Prince George Third Son to the Dutchess of Cleveland I fancy by the stile this Play likewise is founded on some French Original tho' my small Acquaintance with French Poets makes me speak only on Conjecture Both these Plays were acted with universal Applause Sir Hercules Buffoon or The Poetical Squire a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre and printed 4o. Lond. 1684. This Play was brought upon the Stage and publisht after the Author's Decease the Prologue was writ by Mr. Durfey the Epilogue by Jo. Heyns the Comedian and both spoken by the later I know not how this Play succeeded on the Theatre but I am confident had the Author been alive to have grac'd it with his Action it could not have fail'd of Applause This Mr. Durfey has observ'd in the beginning of his Prologue Ye Scribling Fops cry mercy if I wrong ye But without doubt there must be some among ye Know that fam'd Lacy Ornament o' th' Stage That Standard of true Comedy in our Age Wrote this New Play And if it takes not all that we can say on 't Is we 've his Fiddle not his Hands to play on 't John LEANARD A confident Plagiary whom I disdain to stile an Author One who tho' he would be esteem'd the Father is at best but the Midwife to the Labour of others I mean those Two Dramatick Pieces which go under his Name I know not how they were receiv'd on the Stage but I am sure the Author deserv'd tho' the Plays might not to be damn'd for his vain-glorious Humour of re-printing another Man's Play under his own Name as he has done Mr. Brewer's Country Girl under the Title of Country Innocence or The Chamber-maid turn'd Quaker a Comedy acted at the Theatre Royal printed 4o. Lond. 1677. and dedicated to his Honour'd Friend Sr. Francis Hinchman Whether his Patrons Instructions rais'd him to that height of presumption as to publish another man's Play as his own I pretend not to judge but I am sure he has sufficiently made appear to the World that he is One of those Authors he speaks of whose Arrogance and Impudence are their chief dependency Had our Author been as well acquainted with Martial as he pretends to be with Homer he would have weigh'd his Opinion before he had made any progression as he calls it in his Thefts Mutare dominum non potest liber notus Aliena quisquis recitat petit famam Non emere Librum sed silentium debet Rambling Justice or The Jealous Husbands with the Humours of Sir John Twiford a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal printed 4o. Lond. 1680. A great part of it is stoln from a Comedy of Middleton's call'd More Dissemblers besides Women As the Scene between Sir Generall Amorous and Bramble Act 2. Sc. 1. is stoln from the Scene between Lactantio and Dondolo Act 3. Sc. 1. Petulant Easy disguis'd like a Gipsy in the same Act is borrow'd from Aurelia's Disguise in Middleton's Play Act 4. Sc. 1. The Scene between Bramble and the Gipsies is stoln from the same Play but since our Author is forc'd to strole like One of that Tribe for a Livelihood with the Issue of other Men's Brains I leave him to his
Leonardo from Lucretia's Lodging where he got in by her Maid's Assistance is an Incident as I have already shew'd in several Plays Fine Companion a Comedy acted before the King and Queen at Whitehall and sundry times with great applause at the Private House in Salisbury-court by the Prince's Servants printed quarto Lond. 1633. and dedicated to the truly Noble and his worthy Kinsman in all respects Sir Ralph Dutton The Reader will find that Captain Porpuss in Sir Barnaby Whig is beholding to Captain Whibble in his Play for some of his Expressions Holland's Leaguer an Excellent Comedy often acted with great Applause by the High and Mighty Prince Charles his Servants at the Private House in Salisbury-court printed quarto Lond. 1632. The Author in this Play has shewed his Reading having borrow'd several things from Juvenal Petronius Arbyter c. Mr. Winstanley has made no mention of our Author and Mr. Philips to prove his Character of him that he is not an Obscure or Uncopious Writer of English Comedy has ascrib'd two Comedies to him which belong to other Men the Fleire being writ by Edward Sharpham and the Fair Maid of the Exchange if we may believe Kirkman's Account by Thomas Heywood John MARSTON An Author that liv'd in the Reign of King James the First who was a Contributor to the Stage in his Time by Eight Plays which were approv'd by the Audience at the Black-fryars and one of them viz. Dutch Curtezan was some few Years since reviv'd with success on the present Stage under the Title of The Revenge or The Match in New-gate The place of our Author's Birth and Family are to me unknown neither can I recover other Information of him than what I learnt from the Testimony of his Bookseller That he was free from all Obscene Speeches which is the chief cause that makes Plays to be so odious unto most Men. That he abhorr'd such Writers and their Works and profest himself an Enemy to all such as stufft their Scenes with Ribaldry and larded their Lines with Scurrilous Taunts and Jests So that whatsoever even in the Spring of his Years he presented upon the private and publick Theatre in his Autumn and Declining Age he needed not to be asham'd of An Excellent Character and fit for the Imitation of our Dramatists most of whom would be thought to have throughly studyed Horace I could wish therefore that they which know him so well would call to Mind and practice his Advice which is thus exprest Silvis deducti caveant me judice Fauni Ne nimiū teneres juvenentur versibus unquam Aut immunda crepent ignominiosaque dicta Offenduntur enim quibus est equus pater res But leaving this I shall give the Reader an Account of his Plays in their Accustom'd Order having first inform'd him that six of our Author's Plays are collected into one Volume being publisht under the Title of The Works of Mr. John Marston printed octavo Lond. 1633. and dedicated to the Right Honourable the Lady Elizabeth Carie Viscountess Faulkland According to the Alphabet I am to begin with viz. Antonio and Melida a History acted by the Children of Paul's printed octavo Lond. 1633. Antonio's Revenge or The Second part of Antonio and Melida frequently acted by the Children of Paul's printed in octavo These two Plays were likewise printed in quarto above 30 Years before this new Edition viz. 1602. Dutch Curtezan a Comedy divers times presented at the Black-fryars by the Children of the Queens Majesties Revels printed in octavo Lond. 1633. This Play was publisht long before in quarto viz. 1605. Cockledemoy's cheating Mrs. Mulligrub the Vintner's Wife of the Goblet and the Salmon is borrow'd from an old French Book called Les Contes du Monde see the same Story in English in a Book of Novels call'd The Palace of Pleasure in the last Novel Insatiate Countess a Tragedy acted at the White-fryars printed quarto Lond. 1603. It being a common custom with our Author to disguise his Story and to personate real Persons under feign'd Characters I am perswaded that in this Play under the Title of Isabella the Insatiable Countess of Suevia he meant Joane the First Queen of Jerusalem Naples and Sicily and I doubt not but the Reader who will compare the Play with the History will assent to my conjecture Many are the Writers that have related her Life as Collenuccio Simmoneta Villani Montius c. but I refer my English Reader to Dr. Fuller's Prophane State Ch. 2. That her Life has been the Subject not only of History but of Poetry and Novels also is manifest from this Play and the Novels of Bandello who has related her Story under the Title of The Inordinate Life of The Countess of Celant This Novel is translated into French by Belleforest Tom. 2. Nov. 20. and possibly our Author might build his Play on this Foundation The like Story is related in God's Revenge against Adultery under the Name of Anne of Werdenberg Dutchess of Ulme See Hist. 5. Male Content a Tragicomedy the first Design being laid by Mr. Webster was corrected and augmented by our Author printed 4o. Lond. 1604. and dedicated in the following Stile to Ben Johnson Benjamini Johnsonio Poetae Elegantissimo Gravissimo Amico suo candido cordato Johannes Marston Musarum Alumnus asperam hanc suam Thaliam D. D. Notwithstanding our Authors profession of Friendship he afterwards could not refrain from reflecting on Mr. Johnson on Account of his Sejanus and Catiline as the Reader will find in the perusal of his Epistle to Sophonisba Know says he that I have not labour'd in this Poem to relate any thing as an Historian but to enlarge every thing as a Poet. To transcribe Authors quote Authorities and translate Latin Prose Orations into English Blank-Verse hath in this Subject been the least aim of my Studies That Mr. Johnson is here meant will I presume be evident to any that are acquainted with his Works and will compare the Orations in Salust with those in Catiline On what provocations our Author thus censured his Friend I know not but this Custom has been practic'd in all Ages the Old Proverb being verify'd in Poets as well as Whores Two of a Trade can never agree 'T is within the Memory of Man that a Play has been dedicated to the late witty Earl of Rochester and an Essay upon Satyr from the same Hand has bespatter'd his Reputation So true it is that some Poets Are still prepar'd to praise or to abhor us Satyr they have and Panegyrick for us But begging pardon for this Digression I return to the Play which I take to be an honest general Satyr and not as some malicious Enemies endeavour'd to perswade the World design'd to strike at any particular Persons Parasitaster or The Fawn a Comedy divers times presented at the Black-fryars by the Children of the Queens Majesties Revels printed 80. Lond. 1633. This Play was formerly printed
Typographical Faults there are many other gross Errors several pieces being mention'd under the Title of Plays which are of a different Species for Instance Virgil's Eclogues are inserted under the Name of a Tragedy c. Picture a Tragi-comedy often presented with good allowance at the Globe and Black-Fryars Play-houses by the King's Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1636. and dedicated to his Honour'd and Selected Friends of the Noble Society of the Inner-Temple This Play was acted by those excellent Players of the last Age Lowin Taylor Benfield c. and is commended by his true Friend Sir Thomas Jay The Plot of Sophia's decoying the two debaucht Courtiers Richardo and Ubaldo who attempted her Chastity is related in a Book of Novels in octavo call'd The Fortunate Deceiv'd and Unfortunate Lovers see Nov. 4. of the Deceiv'd Lovers but this Story is I suppose originally Italian this Book being a Collection from Italian Novels Renegado a Tragi-comedy often acted by the Queens Majesties Servants at the private Play-house in Drury-lane printed 4o. Lond. 1630. and dedicated to the Right Honourable George Harding Baron of Barkley of Barkley-Castle and Knight of the Honourable Order of the Bath This Play is likewise commended by two Copies of Verses One of which was writ by Mr. James Shirley Roman Actor a Tragedy acted divers times with good allowance at the private House in the Black-fryars by the King's Majesties Servants printed 4o. 1629. and dedicated to his much Honour'd and most True Friends Sir Philip Knivet Sir Thomas Jay and Thomas Bellingham of Newtimber in Sussex Esquire This Play is commended by Six Copies of Verses writ by several Dramatick Poets of that Age as May Goss Ford c. For the Plot read Suetonius in the Life of Domitian Aurelius Victor Eutropius Lib. 7. Tacitus Lib. 13. c. Very Woman or The Prince of Tarent a Tragi-comedy often acted at the private House in the Black-fryars by His late Majesties Servants with great applause printed 8o. Lond. 1655. Our Author owns this Play to be founded on a Subject which long before appear'd on the Stage tho' what Play it was I know not I have already acquainted the Reader with the Resemblance between the Plot of this Tragi-comedy and The Obstinate Lady This Play with The Bashful Lover and The Guardian are printed together Virgin Martyr a Tragedy acted by His Majesties Servants with great applause printed 4o. Lond. 1661. In this Play our Author took in Mr. Thomas Decker for Partner I presume the Story may be met with in the Martyrologies which have treated of the Tenth Persecution in the time of Dioclesian and Maximian See Rossweidus Valesius c. Unnatural Combat a Tragedy presented by the King's Majesties Servants at the Globe printed 4o. Lond. 1639. and dedicated to his much Honour'd Friend Anthony Sentliger of Oukham in Kent Esquire This Old Tragedy as the Author tells his Patron has neither Prologue nor Epilogue it being composed in a time when such By-ornaments were not advanced above the Fabrick of the whole work I know nothing else of our Authors Writings and therefore must hasten to the last Act of his Life his Death which happen'd at London in March 1669. On the Seventeenth of the same Month he was Buried in St. Mary Overies Church in Southwark in the same Grave with Mr. Fletcher What Monument or Inscription he has I know not but shall close up our Account of this Ingenious Poet with the following Epitaph writ by Sir Aston Cokain An Epitaph on Mr. John Fletcher and Mr. Philip Massinger who lay both buried in one Grave in St. Mary Overy's Church in Southwark In the same Grave Fletcher was buried here Lies the Stage Poet Philip Massinger Plays they did write together were great Friends And now one Grave includes them in their Ends. So whom on Earth nothing did part beneath Here in then Fame they lie in spight of Death Thomas MAY. This Gentleman was born in Sussex of an ancient but somewhat declining Family in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth He was for some Years bred a Scholar in the University of Cambridge being Fellow-Commoner of Sidney Colledge During his Abode there he was a very close Student and what Stock of Learning he then treasur'd up is apparent from his Works which are in print He remov'd afterwards to London following the Court where he contracted Friendship with several Eminent Courtiers amongst others with the accomplisht Endymion Porter Esq One of the Gentlemen of his Majesties Bedchamber a Gentleman so dear to Sir William D'Avenant that he stiled him Lord of his Muse and Heart Whilst he resided at Court he writ the five Plays which are extant and possibly his other Pieces Dr. Fuller says of him That some Disgust at Court was given to or taken by him as some would have it because his Bays were not guilded richly enough and his Verses rewarded by King Charles according to expectation Mr. Philips and Mr. Winstanley insinuate That being Candidate with Sir William D'Avenant for the Honourable Title of the Queen's Poet and being frustrate in his Expectations out of meer Spleen as it is thought for his Repulse he vented his Spite in his History of the late Civil Wars of England wherein Mr. Winstanley says he shew'd all the Spleen of a Male-contented Poet making thereby his Friends his Foes and rendring his Name odious to Posterity Whether this Accusation be true or no I know not but I am sure his Enemies must allow him to be a good Poet tho' possibly he fell short of Sir William D'Avenant and tho' I no ways abet his self Opinion yet I learn from Horace that even Ill Poets set a value on their Writings tho' they are despis'd by others Ridentur mala qui componunt Carmina verùm Gaudent Scribentes se venerantur ultrò Si taceas laudant quicquid scripsere beati And therefore I hope the moderate Critick will bear with the Frailty of our Author and I doubt not but if they will read his Works with Candor and especially his Plays they will find he had some Reason for his Opinion of what he writ I shall first give the Reader a succinct Account of his Plays as follows Agrippina Empress of Rome her Tragedy printed 120. Lond. 1639. Our Author has follow'd Xiphilinus Tacitus and Suetonius in the Designing his Tragedy and besides has translated and inserted above 30. Lines from Petronius Arbyters Satyricon being a Translation of those Verses recited by Eumolpus beginning Orbemjam totum victor Romanus habebat c. and concluding with Siculo scarus aequore mersus Ad mensam vivus perducitur Now altho' this is patly enough apply'd by our Author he having introduced Nero at a Banquet commanding Petronius to write a Satyr against those Pleasures he us'd to commend yet methinks Mr. May having such a particular Value for Lucan as to translate his Pharsalia he should not have inserted what was
Thomas MERITON A Gentleman that liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the Second and is certainly the meanest Dramatick Writer that ever England produc'd I may with Justice apply to his Stupidity what Menedemus the Eretriack Philosopher said of Perseus's wickedness He is indeed a Poet but of all Men that are were or ever shall be the dullest Never any Man's Stile was more Bombast so that undoubtedly he deserv'd to have been under Ben. Johnson's Hands and had he liv'd in that Age had without question underwent the trouble of a Vomit as well as Crispinus in Poetaster till he had to borrow One of his losty Expressions disgorg'd the obdure Faculty of his Sence I pretend not to that Quickness of Apprehension as to understand either of his Plays and therefore the Reader will not expect that I should give any further Account of them than that they are two in number viz. Love and War a Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1658. and dedicated to the Truly Noble Judicious Gentleman and his most Esteemed Brother Mr. George Meriton I am apt to believe these two Brothers acted the Counterpart of those German Brethren that dwelt at Rome the Orator and the Rhetorician mentioned by Horace whose business it was ut alter Alterius sermone meros audiret honores Gracchus ut hic illi foret hic ut Mutius illi Wandring Lover a Tragi-comedy acted several times privately at sundry places by the Author and his Friends with great Applause printed 4o. Lond. 1658. and dedicated to the Ingenious Judicious and much Honoured Gentleman Francis Wright Esquire This Author's Works being very scarce and most of the Impression bought up by Chandlers and Grocers I may possibly oblige my Reader by giving him a Taste of his Stile and justify my self from the Imputation of Scandal I shall therefore transcribe part of his Epistle which runs thus To the Ingenious Judicious and much Honoured Gentleman Francis Wright Esq Sir My Intentions wandring upon the limits of vain Cogitations was at the last arrived at the propicious brinks of an Anglicis of Performance where seeing Diana and Venus in a Martial combat and such rare Atchievements performed by two such Ininimate Goddesses did lend to the Aspect of their Angelical Eyes my self to be the sole Spectator of their foregoing Valour where then their purpose was to choose me their Arbitrator the which I perceiving did with a mild Complection knowing my self impotent relent backwards thinking thereby to lose less Credit and gain more Honour to set Pen to Paper and to relate some certain and harmless Dialogues that while I was present betwixt them past which is This Poem c. By this time I suppose my Reader is sufficiently tired and will take my Word that the Play is of the same piece without giving himself the trouble to disprove me and I assure him that His Love and War is yet more swelling and unintelligible than this Play He tells his Patron above-mentioned That certain it is he writ two Books of the same Nature viz. The several Affairs a Comedy and The Chast Virgin a Romance but they were his Pocket-Companions and but shewn to some private Friends Happy certainly were those Men who were not reckoned in the number of his Friends since they were obliged to hear such an Author 's ampullous Fustian which like an empty Cask makes a great Sound but yields at best nothing but a few Lees. Tho' to all Men generally such Authors are troublesome if not odious and to be shunn'd by them as Horace says Indoctum doctumque sugat recitator acerbus Quem vero arripuit tenet occiditque legendo Non missura cutem nisi plena cruoris hirudo Thomas MIDDLETON An Author of good Esteem in the Reign of King Charles the First He was Contemporary with those Famous Poets Johnson Fletcher Massinger and Rowley in whose Friendship he had a large Share and tho' he came short of the two former in parts yet like the Ivy by the Assistance of the Oak being joyn'd with them in several Plays he clim'd up to some considerable height of Reputation He joyn'd with Fletcher and Johnson in a Play called The Widow of which we have already spoken p. 298. in the Account of Johnson and certainly most Men will allow That he that was thought fit to be receiv'd into a Triumvirate by two such Great Men was no common Poet. He club'd with Massinger and Rowley in Writing the Old Law as before I have remarked already See pag. 352. He was likewise assisted by Rowley in three Plays of which we shall presently give an Account and in those Plays which he writ alone there are several Comedies as Michaelmass-Term Mayor of Quinborough c. which speak him a Dramatick Poet of the Second Rank The first Play we are to begin with is call'd Any thing for a Quiet Life a Comedy formerly acted at the Black-fryars by his late Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1662. This Play being One of those Manuscripts published by Kirkman I suppose was in Esteem on the Stage before the Breaking out of the Civil Wars Blurt Mr. Constable or The Spaniard's Night-walk a Comedy sundry times privately acted by the Children of Paul's printed Lond. 1602. There is no Name affix`d to this Play and several others which are ascribed to our Author by Mr. Kirkman as The Phoenix Game at Chess and The Family of Love but knowing his Acquaintance with Plays to have been very considerable I have plac'd them to their Reputed Author Changling a Tragedy acted with great applause at the Private-House in Drury-Lane and Salisbury-Court printed 4o. Lond. 1653. in this Play our Author was assisted by Mr. Rowley The Foundation of the Play may be found in Reynold's God's Revenge against Murther See the Story of Alsemero and Beatrice Joanna Book 1. Hist. 4. Chast Maid in Cheap-side a pleasant conceited Comedy often acted at the Swan on the Bank-side by the Lady Elizabeth her Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1620. Fair Quarrel a Comedy printed 4o. Lond. 1622. and dedicated to the Nobly dispos'd and Faithful-breasted Robert Grey Esq one of the Grooms of his Highnesses Chamber The Plot of Fitz-allen Russel and Jane is founded as I suppose on some Italian Novel and may be read in English in the Complaisant Companion octavo p. 280. That part of the Physitian tempting Jane and then accusing her is founded on a Novel of Cynthio Giraldi See Dec. 4. Nov. 5. In this Play Mr. Rowley joyn'd with our Author Family of Love a Comedy acted by the Children of his Majesties Revels printed 4o. Lond. 1608. This Play is mentioned by Sir Thomas Bornwel in The Lady of Pleasure Act 1. Sc. 1. Game at Chess sundry times acted at the Globe on the Bank-side printed 4o. Lond. 16 This Play is consonant to the Title where the Game is play'd between the Church of England and that of Rome Ignatius Loyola being Spectator the former in the End gaining the Victory Inner-Temple
lib. 3. c. 21. Don Carlos Prince of Spain a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1679. and dedicated to his Royal Highness the Duke This Play is writ in Heroick Verse as well as Alcibiades that being the first this the second that ever he writ or thought of writing For the History consult the Spanish Chronicles as Loüis de Mayerne Turquet's Chronicle of Spain Cabrera's Life of Philip the Second Thuanus Brantome c. Tho' I believe our Author chiefly follow'd the Novel of Don Carlos translated from the French and printed 8o. Lond. 1674. which is the most perfect Account of that Tragical Story that I have met with Friendship in Fashion a Comedy acted at his Royal Highness the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1678. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Charles Earl of Dorset and Middlesex This is a very diverting Play and was acted with general applause Orphan or The Unhappy Marriage a Tragedy acted at his Royal Highness the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1680. and dedicated to her Royal Highness the Dutchess This is a very moving Tragedy and is founded on a Novel call'd English Adventures See the History of Brandon p. 17. Souldiers Fortune a Comedy acted by their Royal Highness's Servants at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1681. This Play is dedicated to Mr. Bentley his Stationer and is as he says a sort of Acquittance for the Money receiv'd for the Copy There are several passages in this Play that have been touch'd before by others As for Instance the Plot of My Lady Dunce making her Husband the Agent in the Intrigue between Beaugard and her to convey the Ring and Letter is the Subject of other Plays writ before this as The Fawne and Flora's Vagaries and the Original Story is in Boccace's Novels Day 3. Nov. 3. Sir Jolly boulting out of his Closet and surprising his Lady and Beaugard kissing and her Deportment thereupon is borrow'd from Scarron's Comical Romance in the Story of Millamant or The Rampant Lady p. 227. tho' by the way that Story is not in the French Copy and I suppose was not writ by Scarron but was rather translated from Les Amours des Dames Illustres de nôtre Siecle The Behaviour of Bloody-bones is like the Bravo in the Antiquary and that of Courtine at Silvia's Balcony like Monsieur Thomas his Carriage to his Mistress in that Play of Fletcher's so called Titus and Berenice a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1677. and dedicated with the Cheats of Scapin as aforesaid This Play is translated from the French of Monsieur Racine it consists of three Acts and is written in Heroick Verse For the Story of Titus and Berenice see Suetonius in his Life Ch. 7. See besides Josephus Dion c. Venice preserved or A Plot discovered a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1682. and dedicated to the Dutchess of Portsmouth I have not at present any particular History of Venice by me but suppose this Story may be found in some of the Writers on the Venetian Affairs as Bembus Sabellicus Maurocenus Paruta c. Besides his Dramatick Poems our Author writ a Stitcht Poem call'd The Poet's Complaint to his Muse printed 4o. Lond. 1680. and a Pastoral on King Charles the Second printed with Mrs. Behn's Lycidas 8o. p. 81. Add to these his Translation out of French being a Book call'd The History of the Triumvirates printed since his Decease 8o. Lond. 1686. P. John PALSGRAVE AN Author that liv'd in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth He was Bachelor of Divinity but of what University I know not and was Chaplain to the King He printed a Play in an Old English Character call'd Accolastus a Comedy printed 4o. 1540. and dedicated to King Henry the Eighth This Play was translated from the Latine Accolastus written by Gulielmus Fullonius the English being printed after the Latine The Plot is the Parable of the Prodigal Son in the Gospel and the Author has endeavour'd to imitate Terence and Plautus in the Oeconomy 'T was set forth by the Author Fullonius before the Burgesses of the Hague in Holland An. Dom. 1529. This Author publisht besides L'Eclaircissement de la Langue Francoise 1530. George PEEL An Author that liv'd in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth and was formerly Student and Mr. of Arts of Christ-Church Colledge in Oxford He is the Author of Two Plays which are in print viz. David and Bethsabe their Love with the Tragedy of Absalom divers times play'd on the Stage and printed 4o. Lond. 1599. This Play is founded on Holy Scripture See Samuel Kings c. Edward the First Sirnamed Edward Longshanks with his Return from the Holy Land Also the Life of Llewellin Rebel in Wales Lastly the sinking of Queen Elinor who sunk at Charing-Cross rose again at Potters Hithe now named Queen-hithe printed 4o. Lond. 1593. For the Story see the Authors that have writ of those times as Walsingham Fabian Matth. Westm. Pol. Virgil Grafton Hollingshead Stow Speed Martyn Baker c. I am not ignorant that another Tragedy to wit Alphonsus Emperor of Germany is ascribed to him in former Catalogues which has occasion'd Mr. Winstanley's mistake but I assure my Reader that that Play was writ by Chapman for I have it by me with his Name affixt to it Mr. Philips mentions some Remnants of his Poetry extant in a Book call'd England's Hellicon which I never saw Mary Countess of PEMBROKE The belov'd Sister of the Admirable Sr. Philip Sidney to whom he dedicated his Arcadia and Patron to the Ingenious Daniel A Lady whose Inclinations led her not only to the Patronage but love of the Muses as appears by a Tragedy of Hers in print call'd Antonius which to my regret I never yet saw though I have earnestly desired it it is thus commended by Mr. Daniel in his Dedication of Cleopatra I who contented with an humble Song Made Musick to my self that pleas'd me best And only told of Delia and her wrong And prais'd her Eyes and plain'd mine own unrest A Text from whence my Muse had not digrest Had I not seen thy well grac'd Anthony Adorn'd by thy sweet stile in our fair Tongue Requir'd his Cleopatra's Company Mr. Philips through mistake as formerly has ascrib'd another Play to her viz. Albion's Triumph a Masque I know nothing else of this Admirable Lady's Writing KATHARINE PHILLIPS Mrs. Katherine PHILIPS A Lady of that admirable Merit and Reputation that her Memory will be honour'd of all Men that are Favourers of Poetry One who not only has equall'd all that is reported of the Poetesses of Antiquity the Lesbian Sapho and the Roman Sulpitia but whose Merit has justly found her Admirers amongst the greatest Poets of our Age and though I will not presume to compare our Poets with Martial who writ in praise of Sulpitia or Horace Ausonius and Sydonius who commended Sapho least I offend their Modesty who are still living yet I
Bell-guard and Crack in Sir Courtly Nice extreamly resembles Don Patricio and Tarugo in this Play Nay more the Plots of both are alike I leave it to the Decision of Mr. Crown or any other who have seen the Spanish Play In the mean time I desire no Man to rely upon my Judgment but if what I have said cannot save him excuse him upon his own Plea in his own Words If this prevail not he hopes he 's safe from danger For Wit and Malice ought not to reach a Stranger William SAMPSON An Author that liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the First He was sometimes a Retainer to the Family of Sir Henry Willoughby of Richley in Derbyshire and was the Author of a Play call'd Vow-breaker or The Fair Maid of Clifton in Nottinghamshire divers times acted by several Companies with great applause printed 4o. Lond. 1633. and dedicated to Mrs. Anne Willoughby Daugther to Sir Henry in which Epistle the Author concludes thus Heaven keep you from Fawning Parasites and busie Gossips and send you a Husband and a Good One or else may you never make a Holyday for Hymen As much Happiness as Tongue can speak Pen can write Heart think or Thoughts imagine ever attend on you your Noble Father and all his Noble Family to whom I ever rest as my bounden Duty a Faithful Servant Will. Sampson This Play seems founded upon Truth I have likewise in my younger Years read a Ballad compos'd upon the same Subject Our Author besides this Play joyned with Mr. Markham in Herod and Antipater which I forgot before But as for the Valiant Scot and How to chuse a Good Wife from a Bad they are in my Judgment none of our Author's writing tho' Mr. Philips and his Follower Mr. Winstanley have ascribed them to him George SANDYS Esq A Gentleman who flourish'd in the Reign of King Charles the Martyr if one may so say of a Person who sympathiz'd so deeply with his Prince and Country in their misfortunes He was Son to his Grace Edwin Arch-bish of York and was born in the Year 1577 at Bishops-Thorp in the same County being his Father's youngest Child He was sent to the University that memorable Year 1588. being then eleven Years of Age and was enter'd of St. Mary Hall in Oxford how long he stay'd I know not but in the Year 1610. memorable for the Murder of that Great Hero Henry the Fourth of France by that Villain Ravaillac he began his Travels thro' France Italy Turky AEgypt Palestine c. an Account of which you may read in his Travels printed Fol. Lond. 1658. But 't is not on this Account but his Poetry that he is here mentioned and therefore I shall hasten to speak of his Writings in that kind and first of that excellent Piece of Dramatick Poetry which he has left us and chiefly in this Account challenges a particular place viz. Christ's Passion a Tragedy with Annotations printed 8o. Lond. 1640. and dedicated to King Charles the First This Play is translated from the Latin Original writ by Hugo Grotius This Subject was handled before in Greek by that Venerable Person Apollinarius of Laodicea Bishop of Hierapolis and after him by Gregory Nazianzen tho' this of Hugo Grotius in our Author's Opinion transcends all on this Argument As to the Translator I doubt not but he will be allow'd an Excellent Artist by Learned Judges and as he has follow'd Horace's Advice of Avoiding a servile Translation Nec verbum verbo curabis reddere fidus Interpres So he comes so near the Sence of the Author that nothing is lost no Spirits evaporate in the decanting of it into English and if there be any Sediment it is left behind This Book was reprinted with Figures 8o. Lond. 1688. Nor are his other Translations less valu'd especially Ovid's Metamorphosis printed with Cuts Fol. Oxon. 1632. This Translation was so much esteem'd in former times that I find two old Copies of Verses speaking in praise of our Author In the first called A Censure of the Poets are these Lines Then dainty Sands that hath to English done Smooth sliding Ovid and hath made him One With so much sweetness and unusual Grace As tho' the neatness of the English Pace Should tell your setting Latin that it came But slowly after as though stiff or lame The other on the Time Poets sayes thus Sands Metamorphos'd so into another We know not Sands and Ovid from each other To this I may add the Translation of the first Book of Virgil's AEneis by which Specimen we may see how much he has excell'd Mr. Ogilby For his other Divine Pieces as his Paraphrase on the Psalms Job Ecclesiastes Lamentatiöns of Jeremiah c. I have heard them much admired by Devout and Ingenious Persons and I believe very deservingly Having done with his Translations give me leave to conclude with His to another World which happen'd at his Nephew Mr. Wiat's House at Boxley-Abbey in Kent in the Chancel of which Parish-Church he lyes buried tho' without a Monument and therefore I shall follow my Author from whence I collected this Account by transcribing what deserves to be inscrib'd on a Monument viz. Georgius Sandys Poetarum Anglorum sui saecult Princeps sepultus fuit Martii 70 Stilo Anglico A.D. 1643. Charles SAUNDERS A Young Gentleman whose Wit began to bud as early as that of the Incomparable Cowley and was like him a King's Scholar when he writ a Play call'd Tamberlane the Great a Tragedy acted by their Majesties Servants at the Theatre-Royal as likewise at Oxford before his late Majesty King Charles the Second at his meeting the Parliament there 'T was printed in quarto Lond. 1681. and the Design was drawn as the Author owns from the Novel of Tamerlane and Asteria in octavo I have so great a value for this Author's Play that I cannot but wish well to his Muse but being no Poet I must set my Hand to another Man's Wishes I mean Mr. Banks who has writ a Copy of Verses on this Play part of which are as follow Launch out young Merchant new set up of Wit The World 's before thee and thy stock is great Sail by thy Muse but never let her guide Then without danger you may safely glide By happier Studies steer'd and quickly gain The promised Indies of a hopeful Brain Bring home a Man betimes that may create His Country's Glory in the Church or State Elkanah SETTLE An Author now living whose Muse is chiefly addicted to Tragedy and has been tragically dealt withal by a Tyranical Laureat which has somewhat eclips'd the glory he at first appeared in But Time has her vicissitudes and he has lived to see his Enemy humbled if not justly punished for this Reason I shall not afresh animadvert upon his fault but rather bury them in Oblivion and without any Reflections on his Poetry give a succinct Account of those Plays which he has published being Nine in Number viz. Cambyses
The Mother in Fashion acted at the Theatre-Royal printed 4o. Lond. 1684. and dedicated to the Right Honourable James Earl of Ossory the present Duke of Ormond This has somewhat of the Story of The Curious Impertinent in Don Quixot Loyal Brother or The Persian Prince a Tragedy acted at the Theatre-Royal by their Majesties Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1682. and dedicated to his Grace the Duke of Richmond The Play is founded on a Novel called Tachmas Prince of Persia octavo Thomas STANLEY Esq A Gentleman who flourish'd in the Reign of King Charles the First at Camberloe-Green in Hertfordshire One who is sufficiently known to all Learned Men not only for his Skill in Languages as appears by his several Versions but by his Great Learning Exquisite Fancy and Admirable Judgment For the One to wit his Fancy he is here mention'd in Quality of a Poet and the rather because we owe to him the Version of an Excellent Piece of Antiquity which he calls Clouds a Comedy which he translated from Aristophanes his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This Play as AElian observes in his Various History was writ at the Instigation of Anytas purposely to abuse Socrates and is subjoyn'd by our Author to the Life of that Excellent Philosopher not as a Comical Divertisement for the Reader who can expect little in that Kind from a Subject so ancient and particular but as a Necessary Supplement to the Life of Socrates This Play is printed with Mr. Stanley's History of Philosophy printed Fol. Lond. 1687. Second Edit a Work which will always be valued by all Learned Men In which the Reader will find also translated a Dramma of Ausonins inscribed Ludus Septem Sapientum His Translation of AEschylus his Tragedies into Latin with his Excellent Comment printed Fol. Lond. 1664. deserves the highest Commendation and for his Poems in English not only those which are properly his own sufficiently shew his Genius for Poetry But even his various Translations from the Greek of Anacreon Moschus from the Latin of Ausonius Catullus Bion Secundus Barclaius to which I may add Picus Mirandula his Discourse of Platonick Love from the Spanish of Lope de Vega Gongora and Montalvan the Italian of Guarini Marino Tasso Petrarch Cassone Preti Boscan c. the French of St. Amant Tristan Ronsard Theophile and De Voiture shew how much he was vers'd in those Languages His Poems receiv'd several Editions that which I take to be the best was printed 8o. Lond. 1651. Besides these Poems he has in print two little Romances or Novels translated from the Spanish of Don Juan Perez de Montalvan call'd Aurora Ismenia and The Prince which with the Poem of Oronta translated from the Italian of Signor Girolamo Preti are printed octavo Lond. 1655. Sir Robert STAPLETON A Gentleman who I presume is still living He was well known at Court by the Honourable Station he was in being One of the Gentlemen-Ushers of his Majesty King Charles the Second's most Honourable Privy-Chamber But his Writings have made him not only Known but Admired throughout all England and whilst Musaeus and Juvenal are in Esteem with the Learned Sir Robert's Fame will still survive the Translation of those two Famous Authors having plac'd his Name in the Temple of Immortality As to Musaeus he had so great a Value for him that after he had translated him he built the Story into a Dramatick Poem call'd Hero and Leander their Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1669. and dedicated to the Dutchess of Monmouth Whether this Play were ever acted or no I know not or where tho' the Prologue and Epilogue seem to imply that it had appeared on the Stage Slighted Maid a Comedy written likewise by our Author and acted with great Applause at the Theatre in Little Lincolns-Inn Fields by his Highness the Duke of York's Servants printed 8o. Lond. 1663. and dedicated to the late Duke of Monmouth The Epitaph made by Decio upon Iberio and Pyramena is borrowde from Arria and Petus see Martial Epigr. L. 1. Ep. L. 4. Stapleton's Juvenal the best Edition with Cuts is printed Fol. Lond. 1663. and his Musaeus or Hero and Leander in Verse is printed 8o. Lond. 1647. to which is added Leander's Letter to Hero and her Answer translated from Ovid's Epistles Besides these he Englished Strada de Bello Belgich printed Lond. 1650. Of these Pieces Jo. Leigh Esq in his Verses on Carthwright says thus Brave Stapleton translates Old Wit and New Musaeus Juvenal and Strada too I know nothing else that our Author has extant but a Translation from the French of Mr. De Marmet L d of Valcroisant call'd Entertainments of the Course or Academical Conversations printed 8o. Lond. 1658. and Mr. De Bergerac's History of the World in the Moon in twelves Lond. John STEPHENS An Author that liv'd in the Reign of King James the First who has published a Play called Cynthia's Revenge a Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1613. This is One of the longest Plays that I ever read and withall the most tedious The Author seems to have a great Value for Lucan for he not only makes King Menander repeat part in the Original but in the Fourth Act he makes him speak a Speech containing the beginning of the First Book of Lucan to the 24 th Verse but how far short he falls of Mr. May I leave to the Readers Judgment In the Fifth Act the Poet introduces an Interlude of the Contention of Ajax and Ulysses for the Armour of Achilles which I take to be but Indifferent He has writ besides a Piece called Satyrical Essays in octavo Lond. 1615. This Play was in former Catalogues ascrib'd to John Swallow but I believe this to be the Genuine Author William STRODE A Gentleman that flourish'd in the Reign of King Charles the Martyr of a Good Family in Devonshire being Countryman and Collegiate with the Witty Dr. Main He was enter'd in Christ-Church Colledge in Oxford at Nineteen Years of Age and soon after was elected Student He took his several Degrees and was chosen for his Excellent Parts Oratour of the University Tho' he was in Orders he was sent for by the Dean and Chapter to write a Play for the Diversion and Entertainment of their Majesties which was call'd Floating Island a Tragi-comedy acted before his Majesty at Oxf. Aug. 1639. by the Students of Christ-Church The Airs and Songs were set by Mr. Henry Laws Servant to his Majesty in publick and private Musick This Play was not printed till Eleven Years after the Author's Death and above Eighteen Years after 't was acted being printed Lond. 1655. and dedicated even in Manuscript and in the Author's Life-time to his most Honoured Patron Sir John Helle by a Copy of Verses This Play was too full of Morality to please the Court tho' at the same time 't was commended by the King as was apparent by his bestowing a Cannon's Dignity upon him not long after at which time he took the Degree of Doctor
jam Trigessimus Scriptu dignissima fecit factu dignissima scripsit Calamo pariter Gladio celebris pacis artium gnarus belli Gilbert SWINHOE Esq A Gentleman who liv'd in the Reigns of King Charles the First and Second a North-country Man by Birth being Born in Northumberland the Author of a Play call'd Unhappy fair Irene her Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1658. This Play is accompany'd with three Copies of Verses in its Commendation tho' I think it scarce deserve them The Play is founded on History see Knolles his Turkish History in the Life of Mahomet the First which Story is the Subject of a Novel in Bandello which is translated into French by Pierre Boisteau see Histoires Tragicques tome premier Nov. 2. The same is translated into English by Wil. Painter in his Palace of Pleasure in quarto Nov. 4o. T. Nathaniel TATE AN Author now living who tho' he be allow'd to be a Man of Wit and Parts yet for Dramatick Poetry he is not above the common Rank What he has extant for the most part is borrow'd at least we may say That generally he follows other Mens Models and builds upon their Foundations for of Eight Plays that are printed under his Name Six of them owe their Original to other Pens as we shall shew in the following Account Brutus of Alba or The enchanted Lovers a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1678. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Charles Earl of Dorset and Middlesex This Play is founded on Virgil's AEneids Book the 4 th and was finished under the Names of Dido and AEneas but by the Advice of some Friends was transformed to the Dress it now wears Cuckold's Haven or An Alderman no Conjurer a Farce acted at the Queen's Theatre in Dorset Garden printed 4o. Lond. 1685. and dedicated to Colonel Edmund Ashton This Play is borrow'd from Johnson's Eastward-hoe and Devil is an Ass. Duke and no Duke a Farce acted by their Majesties Servants with the several Songs set to Musick with Thorough-Basses for the Theorbo or Bass-Viol printed 4o. Lond. 1685. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Sir George Hewyt This Play is founded on Sir Aston Cockain's Trappolin suppos'd a Prince Ingratitude of a Common-wealth or The Fall of Caius Martius Coriolanus acted at the Theatre-Royal printed 4o. Lond. 1682. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Charles Lord Herbert Marquess of Worcester This Play is borrowed from Shakespear's Coriolanus Island Princess a Tragi-comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal revived with Alterations printed 4o. Lond. 1687. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Henry Lord Walgrave This Play is Fletcher's Originally Loyal General a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1680. and dedicated to Edward Taylor Esquire Lear King of England his History acted at the Dukes Theatre revived with Alterations printed 4o. Lond. 1687. and dedicated to Thomas Boteler Esq This Play in the Original was writ by W. Shakespear Richard the Third a History acted at the Theatre-Royal under the Name of The Sicilian Usurper with a Prefatory Epistle in Vindication of the Author occasioned by the Prohibition of this Play on the Stage printed 4o. Lond. 1681. and dedicated to George Raynford Esq This Play owns its Birth likewise to Shakespear Besides these Plays our Author has two Volumes of Poems in print One wholy writ by him call'd Poems writ on several Occasions second Edit enlarg'd printed 8o. Lond. 1684. The other call'd Poems by several Hands and on several Occasions collected by our Author and printed octavo Lond. 1685. John TATEHAM An Author that flourish'd in the Reign of King Charles the First and was says Mr. Winstanley the City Poet. If he was not an Extraordinary Wit at least he was Loyal in the highest Degree as may appear by his Plays and equally hated the Rump and the Scots He has Four Plays in print Three in quarto and One printed with his Poems in octavo Distracted State a Tragedy written in the Year 1641. but not printed till 1651. 4o. and dedicated to John Sidley This Play suited well with the Times and his Hatred to the Scots appears in this Play where he introduces a Scotch Mountebank in the fourth Act to poyson Archias the Elected King at the Instigation of Cleander This I take to be the best of our Author's Writings Rump or The Mirrour of the late Times a Comedy acted many times with great applause at the Private-house in Dorset Court printed the second Edit 4o. Lond. 1661. and dedicated to Walter James of Rambden-House in Smarden in the County of Kent Esq This Play has lately been reviv'd on our Stage under the Name of The Roundheads Scots Figaries or A Knot of Knaves a Comedy printed 4 o Lond. 1652. and dedicated to Robert Dormer Esq Most of this Play is writ in the Scotch Dialect and displays them to the Life Love crowns the End a Tragi-comedy acted by the Scholars of Bingham in the County of Nottingham This Play is not divided into Acts and is much shorter than most usually are being fitted purposely as I suppose for those Youths than acted it 'T is printed with his Poems call'd The Mirrour of Fancies in octavo Lond. 1657. and dedicated to Sir John Winter Secretary of State to his Majesty in his Exile Robert TAYLOUR An Author to whose Person and Writings I am wholy a Stranger only I find in former Catalogues a Comedy ascribed to him call'd Hog-huth lost his Pearl Thomas THOMSON Another Author of the meanest Rank and a great Plagiary if One of the Plays be own'd by him which Mr. Kirkman has ascribed to him viz. English Rogue a Comedy acted before several Persons of Honour with great applause printed 4o. Lond. 1668. and dedicated to Mrs. Alice Barret Mother Shipton her Life acted Nine Days together with great applause printed 4o. Lond. 16 I suppose the Occasion of the Success of this Play was from what he stole for all the Characters except what relate to Shipton are borrow'd as the Characters of Shift-hose Monylack Sir Oliver Whore-hound David c. are stollen verbatim from Massinger's City Madam and Middleton's Chast Maid in Cheapside This Play has not the Author's Name to it but the two first Letters it may be he was asham'd to set his Name to other Mens Labours As to the Story of Shipton I know not how to direct the Reader except to an old Book in quarto call'd The Life and Death of Mother Shipton Nicholas TROTT An Author who writ a Tragedy call'd Arthur which I never saw neither can I give any Account of the Author himself or the time he liv'd in Richard TUKE An Author of whom I can give no further Account than that he writ a Play call'd Divine Comedian or The Right Use of Plays improved in a Sacred Tragi-comedy printed 4o. Lond. 1672. and dedicated to the Right Honourable and no less Virtuous Mary Countess of Warwick This Play was call'd first by the Author The
Ingenious Person lately deceas'd being one of the Squire Bedles in the University of Oxford His Skill in Languages particularly in Latin and Greek is sufficiently known to the Learned World He translated out of Greek the Electra of Sophocles and presented it to Her Highness the Lady Elizabeth printed 120. at the Hague 1649. Several Translations besides he has publish'd as Gratius his Cynegeticon printed 8o. Lond. 1654. and Prioli's Hist. of France some of Tully's Orations and his Latin Dictionary besides other School-Books several of which have been often reprinted and all of them shew his Great Industry and Parts E. W. A Person who was tho' not the Author yet the occasion of the Publication of a Comedy call'd Apollo Shroving compos'd for the Scholars of the Free-School of Hadleigh in Suffolk and acted by them on Shrove-Tuesday Feb. 6. 1626. written by the School-Master of Hadleigh and printed octavo 1627. J. W. The Author of a Play call'd The Valiant Scot which was printed 4o. Lond. 1637. and dedicated to the Right Honourable James Marquess Hamilton by the Publisher or Promoter of the Copy to the Press Mr. William Bowyer L. W. The Author of a Play call'd Orgula or The Fatal Error a Tragedy wherunto is annexed a Preface discovering the true Nature of Poesie with the proper use and Intention of such publick Divertisements printed 4o. Lond. 1658. and dedicated to the most accomplish'd Lady the Lady Frances Wildegoss M. W. Master of Arts. Another Author whose Play is bound in the Ternary of Plays 't is call'd The Marriage Broker or The Pander a Comedy printed 120. 1662. T. W. The third Author concern'd in that Volume having writ a Tragedy call'd Thornby-Abby or The London Maid All these Plays are dedicated to William Austin Esq by R. D. the Publisher W. W. The Translator of a Comedy writ by Plausus call'd Manaechmi printed 4o. Lond. 1515. This Author had translated several others in Manuscript tho' they were never permitted to come abroad in the World Unknown Authors WE are now come to the last Division of Authors I mean those whose Modesty or other Reasons have hinder'd the publication of their Names and as we have Decyphered some Authors in the foregoing Division upon Conjecture so we shall not pretermit to take Notice of such Plays whose Authors we can any ways guess at in this I shall Rank these as I did the former in an Alphabetical Method A. Abdicated Prince or The Adventures of Four Years a Tragi-comedy lately acted at Alba-Regalis by several Persons of Great Quality and printed Lond. 4 o 1690. This Play contains the Transactions of the Court and Nation during the Reign of the late King James under seigned Names there needs no Clavis the Persons being obvious to all Intelligent Persons The time of the Action is from the Coronation of King James to the Landing of his present Majesty Abraham's Sacrifice a Play which I never saw but do believe that it may possibly be a Translation from Theodore Beza Alarum for London or The Siege of Antwerpe with the Venturous Acts and Valiant Deeds of the Lame Souldier play'd by the Right Honourable the Lord Chamberlain his Servants printed Lond. 1602. Albion an Interlude mention'd by Kirkman which I never saw Albion's Triumph personated in a Masque at Court by the King and Queens Majesties and the Lords the Sunday after Twelfth-Night 1631. printed 4o. Lond. 1631. Mr. Inigo Jones had a Share in the Contrivance of this Masque Albumazar a Comedy presented before the King's Majesty at Cambridge by the Gentlemen of Trinity Colledge printed 4o. Lond. 1634. This was reviv'd at the King's House and a Prologue writ by Mr. Dryden see Miscellan Poems publish'd by him 8o. p. 279. Aminta a Pastoral translated from the Italian of Torquato Tasso to which is added Arriadne's Complaint in Imitation of Anguilara written by our Translator both printed in quarto Lond. 1628. Amorous Gallant or Love in Fashion a Comedy in Heroick Verse as it was acted and printed 4o. Lond. 1675. This Play has appeared abroad under the Title of The Amorous Orontus It is translated from a French Play written by Th. Corneille and call'd L'Amour à la mode It is founded on a Spanish Play writ by Ant. de Solis call'd by the same Name towit El Amor al uso Amorous Old Woman or 'T is well if it take a Comedy acted by their Majesties Servants and printed 4o. Lond. 1684. I have been told this Play was writ by Tho. Duffet 't is printed with a New Title-page call'd The Fond Lady Arden of Feversham his True and Lamentable Tragedy who was most wickedly murthered by the means of his disloyal Wife who for the love she bare to one Mosebie hired two desperate Ruffins Black-will and Shak-bag to kill him printed 4o. Lond. 1599. in a Black Letter The Story is to be found in the Reign of Edward the Sixth see Hollingshead Goodwin Hayward Baker Beard 's Theatre of God's Judgment Book 2. Ch. 10. Edit 4. and the second part Chap. 6. added by Dr. Tho. Taylour Arraignment of Paris a Pastoral which I never saw but it is ascribed by Kirkman to Mr. W. Shakespear B. Battle of Aliazar fought in Barbary between Sebastian King of Portugal and Abdelmelech King of Morocco with the Death of Captain Stukeley play'd sundry times by the Lord High Admiral 's Servants printed 4o. Lond. 1594. For the Plot several Authors mention the Story the English Reader may find it in Heylin's Cosmography and Fuller's Worthies Band Ruff and Cuff an Interlude which other Catalogues mention but which I never saw Bastard a Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1652. The Plot of this Tragedy and part of the Language concerning Clare Rodriguez Balthazar and Mariana is borrow'd from the Loves of Schiarra and Florelia in the English Lovers and Catilina's Supplying her Mistress Mariana's Room on the Wedding Night is founded on the Story of Roberto and Isdaura in Gerardo the Unfortunate Spaniard p. 87. Bloody Duke or The Adventures for a Crown a Tragi-comedy acted at the Court of Alba Regalis by several Persons of Great Quality by the Author of the Abdicated Prince printed 4 o Lond. 1690. This Play comprises the publick Affairs from the first Discovery of the Popish-plot to the Death of King Charles the Second The Persons are as easily known as in the former C. Caesar's Revenge a Tragedy which I never saw Charles the First King of England his Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1649. and dedicated to King Charles the Second commended by a Copy of Verses Combat of Caps a Masque of which I can give no Account Commons Condition a Comedy which I never saw Constant Nymph or The Rambling Shepheard a Pastoral acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1678. Costly Whore a Comical History acted by the Company of Revels printed 4o. Lond. 1633. Contention between York and Lancaster with the Death of the Good Duke Humphrey and the Banishment and Death of the Duke of
of what Degree soever For the Plot I can direct you to no other but the Book of the Gentle-Craft in Quarto Siege of Constantinople a Tragedy acted at the Duke's Theatre and printed quarto Lond. 1675. For the Plot see Chalcocondylas Constantinopolis a Mahammada Secund. Expugnata Paulus Jovius Hen. Pantaleon Knolles c. Sir Clyomon Knight of the Goledn-shield Son to the King of Denmark and Clamydes the White Knight Son to the King of Swavia both Valiant Knights their History printed quarto Lond. 1599. This Play is written in Old Fashion'd Verse and is very heavy in Reading Sir Gyles Goose-cappe Knight a Comedy acted with great applause at the Private-house in Salisbury Court printed quarto Lond. 636. and dedicated by the Publisher Hugh Perry to Rich. Young Esq of Wooley-Farm in the County of Berks. Sir Salomon or The Cautious Coxcomb a Comedy acted at his Royal Highness the Duke of York's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1671. This Play is Originally French being a Translation from Moliere's L'Ecole des Femmes It was translated as I have heard by John Carell and own'd in the Epilogue as a Translation What we have brought before you was not meant For a New Play but a new Precedent For we with modesty our Theft avow There is some Conscience shewn in stealing too And openly declare that if our Cheere Doth hit your Palates you must thank Molliere This Play was frown'd and pelted at to use the Author 's own Expression by many Persons who thought themselves Criticks but notwithstanding it met with Success in the Action And the Author has sufficiently justified his Play in his La Critique de L'Ecole des Femmes to whom I refer the Reader Solyman and Perseda their Tragedy wherein is laid open Love's Constancy Fortune's Inconstancy and Death's Triumphs printed quarto Lond. 1599. This Play I presume was never acted neither is it divided into Acts. Sophister a Comedy printed 4o. 1638. I know not where this was acted or printed the Title-page of my Play being lost Spanish Bawd represented in Celestina or Calisto and Melibea a Tragi-comedy wherein is contained besides the Pleasantness and Sweetness of the Stile many Philosophical Sentences and profitable Instructions fit for the Younger Sort Shewing the Deceits and Subtilties housed in the Bosom of false Servants and Cunny-catching Bawds printed Fol. Lond. 1631. This Play is originally Spanish and translated into English by a Spaniard One Don Diego Puede-ser and by him dedicated to Sir Thomas Richardson the same Author translated Miguel de Cervantes his Exemplary Novels Fol. Lond. 1664. Step-mother a Tragi-comedy acted with great applause at the Theatre in Little Lincolns-Inn-Fields by his Highness the Duke of York's Servants printed quarto Lond. 1664. Strange Discovery a Tragi-comedy printed in quarto I know not when this Play was acted or where printed mine having not the Title-page but I know very well that both the Plot and the Language is borrowed from Heliodorus his AEthiopick History which I take to be One of the most Ancient if not the first Romances extant Susanna's Tears a Play which I never saw Swetnam the Woman-hater arraign'd by Women a Comedy acted at the Red-Bull by the Queen's Servants and printed quarto Lond. 1620. Tho' this Play seems designed chiefly as a Scourge for Joseph Swetnam's Scandalous Pamphlet against the Female Sex called The Arraignment of lew'd idle froward and unconstant Woman printed quarto Lond. 1617. Yet the Play is founded on Story much elder which I have read in Spanish in Twelves and is Intitled Historia de Aurelia y Isabella Hija del Rey de Escotia donde se disputa quien da mas occasion de peccar el Hombe a la muger o la muger al Homber T. Tempe restored a Masque presented by the Queen and Fourteen Ladies to the King's Majesty at Whitehall on Shrove-Tuesday 1631. and printed quarto Lond. 1631. This Masque is founded on the Story of â—irce see Ovid's Metamorphosis Book 14. The Verses were writ by Mr. Aurelian To â—nsend The Subject and Allegory of the Masque with the Descriptions and Apparatus of the Scenes were invented by Mr. Inigo Jones Surveyor of His Majesties Works Thersites an Interlude which I never saw Tom Essence or The Modish Wife a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 16 This Play is founded on two French Plays viz. Molliere's Sganarelle ou Le Cocu Imaginaire and Tho. Corneille's D. Caesar D'Avalos in the part of Love-all's Intrigue with Luce without the Reader will suppose that he follow'd a Spanish Novel call'd The Trapanner trapann'd and for the Business of Tom Essence and his Wife copyed Sir William D'Avenant's Play-House to be Let Act fifth which is a Translation from the former This Play is said to be writ by One Mr. Rawlins Tiberius Claudius Nero his Tragical Life and Death a Tragedy in quarto This Play used to be placed under the Title of Nero's Life and Death which made People mistake it for the Life of Nero Caesar who was the Sixth Emperour of Rome this being the Third I know not when this Play was printed or where acted mine wanting the Title-page but for the Plot read Suetonius Tacitus Dion Victor Eutropius c. Tom Tyler and his Wife an Excellent Old Play acted about a Hundred and thirty Years ago and printed quarto Lond. 1661. This Play is printed in an Old English Letter and is writ in a kind of Burlesk Verse where the Author affects an odd sort of Chiming in the middle of each Line The Design of the Play is to represent a Shrew and teach the way to humble her The Plot of this Play has some Resemblance with Mr. Poisson's Le Sot vengé Traytor to himself or Man's Heart his greatest Enemy a Moral Interlude in Heroick Verse Representing the Careless Hardned Returning Despairing and Renewed Heart with Intermasques at the Close of each several Act. Acted by the Boys of a Publick School at a Breaking-up and published so as it may be useful on the like Occasion printed Oxon. 1678. I find nothing Remarkable in this Play but that 't is writ without Womens parts which the Author says he never thought fit to put on Boys I remember not any Play but Plautus his Captivei that is thus writ and yet notwithstanding it is generally accounted an Admirable Play True Trojans or Fuimus Troes being a Story of the Britains Valour at the Romans first Invasion publickly presented by the Gentlemen Students of Magdalen Colledge in Oxford and printed quarto Lond. 1633. For the Plot or Story the Author has follow'd Livy lib. 3. Caesar's Commentaries lib. 4. 5 and Galfridus Monumetensis lib. 4. as you may see by the perusal of the Drammatis Personae Tryal of Chivalry a Play of which I can give no Account having never seen it Tryal of Treasure a Play to which I am as much a stranger Tunbridge Wells or A Days Courtship a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre and printed
quarto Lond. 1678. This is said in the Title-page to be writ by a Person of Quality tho' I have been told it was writ by Mr. Rawlins But whoever was the Author 't is certainly inferiour to Epsom Wells in point of Humour and Repartee Tyrannical Government another Play which I never saw U. Unfortunate Usurper a Tragedy printed 4o. Lond. 1663. This Play is dedicated by the Author who ever he was to his Honoured and Highly Esteemed Friend Mr. Edward Umfreville Fox the Plot 't is founded on History being the Story of Andronicus Comnenus See Glycas Leunclaius Choniates Cantacusenus Nicetas Baronius c. This Play is short of that of Willson's on the same Subject but in the Fifth Act Sc. 3 there is a paralel between those Times and Ours in Reference to the Late Rebellion which I take to be the best thing in the Play Ungrateful Favourite a Tragedy written by a Person of Honour and printed quarto Lond. 1664. The Scene of this Play lies in Naples but in what King 's Reign this happened I am not able to guess so that whether it be founded on Romance or History I leave to the Enquiry of those who have read Pandulphus Collenuctius Jov. Pontanus Guicciardine or others Writers of the Affairs of Naples W. Warning for Fair Women a Tragedy containing the most Tragical and Lamentable Murther of Mr. George Sanders of London Merchant near Shooters Hill consented unto by his own Wife acted by Capt. George Brown Mrs Drury and Trusty Roger Agents therein with their several Ends. This Play was in Vogue in Queen Elizabeth's Time and divers times acted by the Right Honourable the L d Chamberlain's Servants 'T is not divided into Acts and full of Dumb-shews according to the Mode of those Times the Prologue and Epilogue being spoken by Tragedy 'T is printed in a Black Letter 4o. Lond. 1599. Wealth and Health a Play of which I can give no Account Weakest goes to the Wall a Tragi-comedy played sundry times by the Right Honourable the Earl of Oxenford Lord Great Chamberlain of England's Servants and printed 4o. Lond. 1618. Wily beguiled a pleasant Comedy wherein the Chiefest Actors be these a Poor Scholar a Rich Fool and a Knave at a Shift printed quarto Lond. 16 Wine Beer Ale and Tobacco contending for Superiority a Dialogue tho' in other Catalogues stiled an Interlude printed 4o. Lond. 1658. Wisdom of Dr. Dodipol a Comedy acted by the Children of Pauls and printed quarto Lond. 1600. The Earl Cassimeere's Friendship in marrying Deformed Cornelia and Sharing his Estate with her Father Flores when he was in Affliction and Arrested by the Duke's Order is copy'd from Lucian's Story of Zenothemis and Menecrates Wits or Sport upon Sport a Collection of Drolls and Farces presented at Fairs by Stroling Players and printed last Edition octavo Lond. 1675. These are most of them taken out of the Plays of Shakespear Fletcher Shirley Marston c. There is a former Edition that has a Table prefixed which shews from what Play each Droll is borrowed Wit of a Woman a pleasant merry Comedy printed quarto Lond. 1604. Tho' the Author stiles it so I think it no ways answers the Title Wit led by the Nose or A Poet's Revenge a Tragi-comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal and printed quarto Lond. 1678. The greatest part of this Play except a Scene or two is stollen from Chamberlain's Love's Victory Woman turn'd Bully a Comedy acted at the Duke's Theatre and printed quarto Lond. 1675. This I take to be a very Diverting Comedy FINIS * In the Epistle Fuller's Chr. Hist. p. 43. * Pref. to 4 Plays Fol. a Mr. Rymer's Pref. to Kapin's Reflections on Aristotle's Treatise of Poetry b Preface to Gondibert c Epistle to Darius 4o. Edin Edingh 1603. d Epistle to Baron's Hars a Epistle to the Reader b pag. 16◠c pag. 113. d See his Life pag. 110. e Pref. to Sir Patient Fancy f Pref. to Mock Astrologer g City Romance pag. 2. h See Epistle Dedicatory i Poems pag. 151. k Pref. to Scarron's Novels l Davenants Poems p. 275. m Lives of the Poets p. 114. n Volume the Second o Cockain's Poems p. 204. p Theatrum Poetarum pag. 157. q De Arte Poetica r De Arte Poetica s See his Travels third Edit p. 114. t Worthies Warwick-shire pag. 127. u See Prologue to Poetaster a Poems pag. 8. b See Davenant's Works c See Dryden's Misc. Poems p. 281. d L.5 c. 6 e Sat. 4. * Epilogue to the Play f Memoires pag. 422. g Antiq. Oxoniens p. 274. g Antiq. Oxoniens pag. 274. h Pref. to Spanish Friar i Pref. to Reasons for Bays Changing his Religion k Prologue to the Play l Epistle Dedicatory m Trane du Poeme Epique lib. 1. cap. 7 n Pref. to Troilus and Cressida o De Arte Poetica p See Cokain's Epigrams l. 2. Ep. 7. q See his Poems p. 93. r See pag. 118. s Pag. 57. t Pag. 13. u Pag. 163. x Epigr. L. 2. Ep. 124. y A Romance Translated from the Italian of Giovanni Francisco Lovedano z Epistle to the Reader a See the Epistle to the Reader b See Theatre de Corneille tom 2 d The Title of his Book e Sat. 1. f Essay of Himself pag. 143. g Idem p. 144. h Dr. Sprat See his Life in the last page i Preface to his Works Pag. 2. k Idem l Life pag. 6. m Denham's Poems p. 90. n See his Life p. 11. o Mr. Rymer's Pref. to Aristotle's Treatie of Poesy Excessit è vita An. AEt 49. honorifica pompa elatus ex AEd. Buckinghamianis viris Illustribus omnium Ord. exsequias celibrantibus sepultus est die 30. M. Aug. A.D. 1667. q Modern Poets p. 1. r Tate's Collection of Poems p. 45. f Rochester's Poems p. 109. t See the Play p. 16. u Epistle Dedicatory a Fuller's Worthies Somerset-shire p. 28. b Antiq. Oxon. p. 372. c Mr. Crown 's Epistle to Andromache d Act 1. Sc. 2. e Act. 2. Sc. 4. f Act. 2. Sc. 7. g Mr. Bobun's Translation of Mr. Whear's Meth. Legendi Hist. 8o. p. 171. h Choice Drollery 8o. Lond. 1656. p. 6. i Sportive Wit 8o. p. 70. k Epigram 8o. Oxon. 1601. l Measure for Measure Act. 1. Sc. 1. m Law against Lovers Act 1. Sc. 1. n Antiq. Oxon. 2. 168. o Pag. 5. p Pag. 14. q Wits Metriment 8o. p. 20. r Preface to Tempest s Pag. 107. c. t Fancy's Theatre u See Epistle Dedicatory x Modern Poets p. 116. y Lives of the Poets p. 137. z See his Epistle to King Charles the Second a Ep. Ded. to Rival Ladies b See Pag. 83. c De Arte Poetica d Epistle Dedicatory e Preface to Mock Astrologer f Love in a Nunnery p. 59. g The Chief Hero in a Romance call'd Almatride h Poesies de M. de Voiture p. 457. i Act. 5. Sc. 1. k Postscript
AN ACCOUNT OF THE English Dramatick POETS OR Some OBSERVATIONS And REMARKS On the Lives and Writings of all those that have Publish'd either Comedies Tragedies Tragi-Comedies Pastorals Masques Interludes Farces or Opera's in the ENGLISH TONGUE By GERARD LANGBAINE OXFORD Printed by L. L. for GEORGE WEST and HENRY CLEMENTS An. Dom. 1691. To The RIGHT HONOURABLE JAMES EARL of ABINGTON Baron NORREYS of RICOTT Their MAJESTIES L d Lieutenant of OXFORDSHIRE MY LORD I Should not have presum'd to have prefix'd so Great a Name to so mean a Work had I not been sufficiently assur'd that Candour and Goodness are not the least of those Excellent Qualities which have acquir'd You the Love and Esteem of all that have the Honour to know You. 'T is this Consideration joyn'd with the Experience of Your Lordship's former Favours which rais'd me to the Confidence of expressing my Obligations to Your Honour by dedicating not so much the following Sheets as My Self the Compiler of them to Your Lordship's Service But I am afraid both the Piece and its Author are so inconsiderable in themselves and so unworthy of Your Lordship's Eye Regard that my Offering will seem to most Men to have more of Presumption than Gratitude in it And truly MY LORD I am so sensible of the Objection That tho' I would willingly shroud my self under Your Lordship's Patronage yet I dare not in the least implore it for the Essay itself which hath so many faults that some may be apt to censure the whole Undertaking as an unpardonable One and I am unwilling that Your Lordship's Name shoud be used in the defence of a Trifle which it might have been perhaps more for the Author's Credit to have conceal'd than publish'd And now having said thus much in Excuse of my self I must confess I was never under a greater Temptation to say something according to the Modern Custome of Dedications in Praise of Your LP but that I fear I should need another kind of Apology should I attempt to give a Character of Your Personal Worth and Excellency or enlarge upon those Eminent Services with which You have oblig'd both Your Prince and Country in the most hazardous Tryals of Your Loyalty Affection to each when either the rights of the Crown or the Liberties of the People call'd for your Assistance Your Lordship being still one of the First that was content to have these Your Obligations cancell'd and forgotten and who never suffer'd either the Caresses of the Court or the Applause of the Populace to tempt You from Your Duty or Your Post But having adorn'd the Great Office You undertook and nobly defended the Religion You profess'd by steering betwixt the hot blasts of Zeal the colder calms of Indifferency You generously declin'd to make Your Services appear mercenary or by raising Your Self to a higher Station give the World occasion to suspect that You courted Virtue and Religion for any other than their own Rewards Which that Your Lordship may happily enjoy is the Constant and Affectionate Wish of YOUR LORDSHIP'S Most Oblig'd Faithful and Humble Servant GERARD LANGBAINE The PREFACE MY former Catalogue of Plays in spite of the Malice and poor Designes of some of the Poets and their Agents to destroy its Reputation by printing a Spurious Title-page and an uncorrected Preface has notwithstanding found so kind a Reception from the Generality of Unbyass'd Judges that I thought my self oblig'd by Gratitude as well as Promise to revise it tho' it were only to purge it of those Errata's contracted in the former Edition I am so far from relenting what I have enterpris'd as some have been pleas'd to report that I am only sorry that my Power is not equal to the Zeal I have for the Memory of those Illustrious Authors the Classicks as well as those later Writers of our own Nation Mr Shakespear Fletcher Johnson Cowley c. that I might be capable of doing them better Service in vindicating Their Fame and in exposing our Modern Plagiaries by detecting Part of their Thefts I say Part because I cannot be suppos'd to have trac'd them in All And having no Partners in my Discovery it cannot be expected but that many things will escape my Observation However this may serve for a Hint to others who being better vers'd in Books may build upon the Foundation which is here laid And who ever peruses the following Sheets will find the Observation of Paulus Jovius to be very applicable to most of the Poets of this Age Castrant alios ut Libros suos per se graciles alieno adipe suffarciant But how just soever my Design may seem to unprejudic'd Readers I must expect to be loudly exclaim'd against is not openly assaulted by those Poets who may think themselves injur'd in their Reputation by the following Remarks But I am already prepar'd for the worst having learnt from the Author of Absalom and Achitophel That how honest soever the Design be he who draws his Pen for One Party must expect to make Enemies of the Other and every Man is a Knave or an Ass to the contrary side I shall therefore leave the Poets to their own Management whilst I address my self to my disingag'd Reader whom I hope to find Favourable to One who aims only at his Diversion and intends never to trouble the World again on this Subject I have endeavour'd to make this Piece as useful as the Subject would bear or my Abilities reach and I am almost confident that they who were satisfied with my former Catalogue will be much more favourable to This Account of the Dramatick Poets since they will find This so different from That both in Form and Matter that it may justly be stil'd A New Book In the First place then I have given a succinct Account of the Time in which most of the Ancient Poets liv'd the place of their Nativity Quality Death Writings c. in a larger manner than either Mr. Philips or Mr. Winstanley and have collected all the material Passages of their Lives which I found scattered in Doctor Fuller Lloydd à Wood c. into One Volume for the greater Ease of the Reader and Advantage to the Work I have not indeed always cited my Authorities to avoid loading the Page tho' I here once for all make my publick Acknowledgment to the Fore-mention'd as well as other worthy Writers to whom I have been oblig'd in the compiling this Treatise Neither have I omitted to apply my self to several Persons now living for Information some of which promis'd me great matters which occasioned my deferring the Publication for some time but I found that the Memoires I expected from London were like to arrive with Cardinal Perron's Manuscripts from Rome which he was to make use of in his Vindication of Henry le Grand and that should I have stay'd for the completion of these Promises the Louvre would have sooner been finisht than my Book Secondly I have in this
Edition given the Reader a large Account of the Title-page of each Play which I have seen as the Double Titles the Place where acted the Date when printed and the Person to whom Dedicated with other Observations which might obiter occur or relate more immediately to each Play Thirdly As to those Plays founded on History instead of One or Two as formerly I have cited most of the Historians that have treated on that Subject that the Reader might compare the Play with the Original Story I have not mention'd so many Authors out of hopes of being counted Industrious or to beget an Opinion in the World of my Reading Tho' as an Ingenious Author observes This Humor possesseth many Men that brag of many Books Coming under their Discovery as if not only with the Mice they had crept through the Crannies of all Libraries but also with the Mothes had got betwixt the Leaves of all Treatises therein I am so far from affecting Title-Learning in which every Bookseller would perhaps excel me that I am willing to acknowledge to the Reader that I am owing to the Compendious Collections of Historians and Chronologers for their Directions to find any Story or Action in the Original Author and therefore shall account it no lessening to my Reputation to be trac'd in Calvisius Spondanus Lloyd Moreri and the like Fourthly As to the Drammas which are founded on Romances or Forreign Plays I have much enlarg'd my Remarks having employ'd a great part if not too much of my Time in reading Plays and Novels in several Languages by which means I have discovered many more Thefts than those in the former Catalogue and have for the Readers Ease as well as my own Vindication cited the particulars of each Plagiary to obviate an Objection of a certain Poet who professes he has not stollen half of what I then accused him of What Reception this Piece may find in the World I am not very sollicitous nor greatly concern'd since as the Judicious Sr. Robert Howard has observ'd Things of this Nature tho' never so Excellent or never to Mean have seldome prov'd the Foundation of Men's New-built Fortunes or the Ruine of their Old I am so far from valuing my self upon this Performance that if there be any thing in it worth Commendation the Poets are at liberty to father it upon whom they please or claim it as their own without my taking any offence at it And if I can but be so happy as to obtain a Pardon from the more solid part of Mankind for having mis-spent my Time in these Lighter Studies I promise for the future to imploy my self on Subjects of more Weight and Importance GER LANGBAINE The AUTHORS Names A. WIlliam Alexander E. of Sterline 1 Robert Armin. 6 B. Abraham Baily 6 John Banckroft 6 John Banks 7 Barnaby Barnes 9 Robert Baron 10 Lodowick Barrey 14 Francis Beaumont 14 Capt. Will. Bedloe 15 Mrs. Astraea Behn 17 Dabridgec Belchier 24 Richard Bernard 24 R. Boyle E. Orrery 27 Mrs. Fran. Boothby 26 Samuel Brandon 30 Anthony Brewer 30 Alexander Brome 31 Richard Brome 33 Fulk Lord Brook 38 Henry Burkhead 41 Henry Burnel 42 C. Lady Eliz. Carew 43 Thomas Carew 43 Lodowick Carlell 45 James Carlisle 49 Richard Carpenter 50 Will. Carthwright 51 Rob. Chamberlain 56 Will. Chamberlain 56 George Chapman 57 Sir Aston Cockain 67 Edward Cook 71 John Cook 72 John Corey 73 Charles Cotton 74 Abraham Cowley 77 Robert Cox 89 John Crown 90 D. John Dancer 97 Samuel Daniel 100 Dr. Ch. Davenant 116 Sr. Will. Davenant 106 Robert Davenport 116 Robert Dabourn 117 John Day 118 Thomas Decker 121 Sr. John Denham 125 John Dover 129 John Dryden 130 Thomas Duffet 177 Thomas Durfey 179 E. Edw. Eccleston 185 Sr. Gec Etheridge 186 F. Sr. Fr. Fane Jun. 188 Sr. Rich. Fanshaw 190 L. Visc. Falkland 197 Nathaniel Field 198 Richard Fleknoe 199 John Fletcher 203 John Ford. 219 Thomas Ford. 222 John Fountain 223 Abraham Fraunce 223 Sr. Ralph Freeman 226 Ulpian Fulwel 227 G. George Gascoigne 228 Henry Glapthorn 231 Thomas Goff 233 Robert Gomersal 237 Franc. Goldsmith 238 Alex. Green 241 Robert Green 241 H. Will. Habington 243 Peter Haustead 244 Richard Head 246 Will. Hemmings 247 Jasper Heywood 248 John Heywood 253 Thomas Heywood 256 Barten Hollyday 270 Charles Hool 272 Edw. Howard 274 James Howard 275 Sr. Rob. Howard 276 James Howel 277 I. Thomas Jevorn 280 Thomas Ingeland 280 Benjamin Johnson 280 Thomas Jordan 306 William Joyner 308 K. Henry Killegrew 309 Thomas Killegrew 311 Sr. Will. Killegrew 314 Thomas Kirke 315 Ralph Knevet 316 Thomas Kyd. 316 L. John Lacy. 317 John Leanard 319 Nathaniel Lee. 320 John Lilly 327 Thomas Lodge 330 Sr. William Lower 332 Thomas Lupon 334. M. Lewis Machin 334 John Maidwell 335 Dr. Jasper Main 336 Cosino Manuch 338 Gervase Markham 340 Christoph. Marloe 342 Shakerley Marmion 345 John Marston 347 John Mason 352 Phil. Massinger 352 Thomas May. 360 Robert Mead. 365 Matth. Medhourn 366 Thomas Meriton 367 Tho. Middleton 370 John Milton 375 Walt. Mountague 377 Will. Mountfort 378 N. Thomas Nabbes 379 Thomas Nash. 382 Alex. Nevile Ib. Robert Nevile 384 Duke of Newcastle 385 Dutch Newcastle 390 Thomas Newton 394 Thomas Nuce 395 O. Thomas Otway 395 P. John Palsgrave 400 George Peel 401 Lady Pembroke 402 Mrs. Kath. Philips 403 Sam. Pordage 406 Henry Porter Ib. Thomas Porter 407 George Powel Ib. Thomas Preston 408 Edm. Prestwith 409 Q. Francis Quarles 409 R. Thomas Randolph 411 Edw. Ravenscroft 417 Thomas Rawlins 424 Edward Revet 425 Nath. Richards 426 William Rider 427 William Rowley 428 Samuel Rowley 430 Joseph Rutter Ib. Thomas Rymer 433 S. Tho. St. Serf 434 William Sampson 435 George Sandys 436 Charles Saunders 438 Elkanah Settle 439 Tho. Shadwell 442 Will. Shakespear 453 Lewis Sharpe 469 Edw. Sharpham 470 S. Shepheard 471 Ed. Sherbourn 472 Tho. Shipman 473 Hen. Shirley Ibid. James Shirley 474 Sir Charles Sidley 485 John Smith 488 Will. Smith Ibid. Tho. Southern 489 Tho. Stanley Ibid. Sir Rob. Stapleton 491 John Stephens 492 Will. Strode Ibid. John Studley 494 Sir John Suckling 496 Gilbert Swinhoe 499 T. Nathaniel Tate 500 John Tateham 502 Robert Taylour 503 Tho. Thomson Ibid. Nich. Trott 504 Rich. Tuke Ibid. Coll. S. Tuke 505 Cyril Turneur Ibid. John Tutchin 506 W. Lewis Wager 506 Edm. Waller 507 Geo. Wapul 508 Will. Wayer 508 R. Weaver 508 John Webster 508 John Watson 510 Whitaker 511 Dr. Rob. Wild. Ib. Leon. Willan Ib. George Wilkins 512 Rob. Wilmot Ibid. John Wilson Ibid. Rob. Wright 514 Will. Wytcherley Ib. Y. Rob. Yarrington 516 The Names of the Authors in the APPENDIX Joseph Harris Tho. Sackvile and Tho. Norton Mr. Wilson AN ACCOUNT OF THE Dramatick Poets A. William ALEXANDER Earl of Sterline OUR Alphabet begins with this worthy Nobleman who was a Scot by Birth and liv'd in the Time of King James the First of England and the Sixth of Scotland All that I am able