N THE CUSTODY Or THE
BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY.
SHELF N°
"p. (
7
i
THE
POETICAL REGISTER:
O R, T H E
Lives and Charadcrs
OF ALL THE
ENGLISH POETS.
With an Account of their
WRIT I
Adorned with curious Sculptures^ engra-
ven by the heft MASTE R S.
Poets ha've an undouhted Right to claim^
If not the greateft^ the moji lafcing Name.
Congreve*
V O L. 11.
LONDON:
Printed, and Sold by ^* Bettefworth^ W. Taylor^
and y. Batley^ in Patemofier^Row *^ J* Wyat
and C.Rivlngton^ in St. PaiiVs Church-yard ^
E. Bell and W^ A4eadows in Cornhill and J^
Femherton 2ind J» Hooke-j in Fksrjtrect* 1723,
e.
y^
'^..
TO THE
RIGHT HONOURABLE
GEO
Lord Viicount Lanfdown.
My Lord,
H E following Pap-;
contain an Account
^ of Men Eminent in
different Ages, for adorn-
A 3
ii The Dedication.
ing their Native Language
with the Charms of Poe-
try, and who now appear
in a Body before Your
Lordiliip, as One who can
beft diftinguifh their fe-
veral Claims and Merits.
They come to You both as
to their Patron and their
Judge, as well to Proted
their Names with the ge-
nerous Spirit of an Englip
Nobleman, as to Deter-
mine their Shares of that
Reverfionary Fame they
expeded from their Wri-
tings, by one unquejliona-
The Dedication, iii
ble TeB, the Pleafing an
Author of Your Tafte and
Genius.
tEneas in Virgil, is
made to look with Joy on
the Heroes of his Family,
who were to pafs into the
World, and do Honour to
his Name; Your Lordfhip,
from this backward View
of Your Predeceflbrs in
Poetry, may receive a Plea-
fure of another kind : The
Line of Rome began with
Him, the Line of Drama-
A 4 tick
iv The Dedication.
tick Poets is crown'd and
eompleated in Tou.
This alone, my Lord, will
juflify me to the World,
in imploring Your Patro-
nage for a Work of this
Nature. For whofe Name
could I io properly prefix
to this Performance, as the
only' Nobleman, now living,
k Dramatiek Poet ? Your
Lord/hifs Reputation in
that Way we may now rec-
kon Standard, fmce it has
receiv'd the Applaufes of
the
The Dedication, v
the greateft Wits of the
lafl Age: Thus while You
eiijoy the Praifes of the
bed Dead Authors, You
are above the Cenfure and
Envy of the Living ; for .
he who dares appeal from
Mr. Waller and Mr. Dry den,
muft iirfl Diminifh their
Fame before he can Injure
Your Lordpip's.
Your Lordfhip, I am fure,
is as unwilling I fhould, as
I know my felf unable to
attempt your Gharader,
This
vi The Dedication.
This however I will ven-
ture to fay farther, that
all who know You by
Your Works admire You,
and thofe who are ac-
quainted with You only
in them, know the leaft of
my Lord Lansdown.
Permit me, my Lord, a-
mong the refl of Your Ad-
mirers, whom Fortune has
thrown at a Diftance from
Your Quality, to wifh Yoii
the Continuance of the Ef-
teem and Goodwill of Man-
kind,
The Dedication, vii
kind, that Natural Tribute
which honeft Minds pay-
to Virtue, and which alone
is worthy the Acceptance
of the Virtuous. I am.
My Lor d;
Your Lordfhip's
Moil Obedient, and
Mod Devoted
Humble Servant,
G.J.
^.@#*^#€^^®#^s*^ *3 # ^t§ ®:#0##®###^j
PREFACE.
^^^P] AM now to acquaint the
Reader what Alfiftances I
have receiv'd towards the
Compleating and Finifhing this Ac-
count of our Emlifh Dramatkk
Poets.
The Foundation of the Work is
owing to Mr. Langhain^ who was
the firft that brought thcfc Memoirs
into any tolerable Form ; and as he
was Mailer of a great deal o^ Learn^
ing and much Curiofity, his Work
was receiv'd with a general Applaufe.
How-
PRE FACE,
However he had his Faults, and from
particular Prejudices has bore a little
too feverely upon fome of our bed
Poets; he is a little too fanciful
in his Gonjedlures, from whence
Authors drew their Plots, and
having read much himfelf, imagined
that every one elfe had done fo
too. What occafional Ufe I have
made of him, I always freely ac-
knowledge.
Befide thefe, I received great Helps
from private Hands, and have had
the Opportunity of perufing a great
many old Catalogues of Plays,
which they never faw ; one of thcfe
was continued with ereat Care and
Diligence, and communicated lo me
by a Friend.
As
P REFAC E,
As to the Accounts of the Living
Authors, mod of them came
from their own Hands , excepting
fuch Parts as relate to the Fame of
their Writings, where I thought my
felf at hberty to give fuch Charadlers
of Praife or Difpraife, as the be ft
Judges before me had pafs'd upon
their Performances.
I am in particular oblig'd to Mr.
CoNGREVE for his free and early Com-
munication of what relates to himfelf,
as well as his kind DirecStions for the
Compofing of this Work. I have
tried to follow his Advice, and been
very fparing in my Reflexions on the
Merits of Writers, which is indeed
nothing but anticipating the Judg-
ment of the Reader, and who after
all
P R EFACE.
all will judge for himfelf. I forbear
to mention tfhe Names of other Gzn^
tlemen who have tranfmitted their
Accounts to me, hoping a general
Acknowledgment will be fufficient.
In a Work of this Nature there
muft be fome Imperfed:ions as well as
Omiffions, which I fhall take a great
pleafure in correcting upon better
Information, and which I promife the
World to do in a Supplement to
this Treatife, when Occafion fhall re-
quire it.
^^^-^'^ <^^^^ ^^*^^ ^^^-\&*'^-*^*
^l^ti'
^^f=.
^j^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^
THE
NAMES
OF THE
AUTHORS.
A.
Page
A D D I s o ^(Jokph)Efq;
Alexander (William) E^rl
of Sterling 4
Armin (Robert) 7
gAily (Abraham) 7
■ Baker (Thoiiias) 8
Bancroft (John) ibid-
Banks (John) 9
Barcley (6'/VWayam)3i8
Barnes (Barnaby) 12
Baron (Robert) £/^; il?jd.
Barrey (Lodowick) 13
Beaumont (Francis) ibtd,
Beckingham(Charles)28i
Bedloe (William) 14
Behn (Afra) 14, 309
Belchier (Dawbridge) 1 7
Bernard (Richard) 18
BleiUngton (Lord) 317
Bettercon (Thomas) tbid,
Bladen (Martin) 282
Boothby (Frances) 20
Booth (Barton) 282
Boyer (Abel) il;id.
Boyle (Roger) Earl of
Orrery 2 1
3 Br^n-
The Names of the Authors.
Page Page
Brandon (Samuel) 22 Cockain (Sir ARon) 40
Brereton (Thomas) 283 Congreve (\VillUm)EJq;
Breton (Nicholas) 22 41
Breval (JohnDurant) 284 Cook (Edward) Efq; 47
Brewer (Anthony) 22 Cook (John) ibid,
Brome (Alexander) 23 Corey (John) 47,333
Brome (Richard) ibid. Cotton (Charles) Efq; 48
Bourne ^Riiben) 25 Cowley (Abraham) ' ?/>/^.
Bullock (Chriftopher) 284 Cox (Richard) 5 1
3 24 Crauford (David) Efq; 5 2
Burkhead (Henryy 25 Crown (John) ibid.
Burnaby (Mr.) 26, 285
Burnel (Henry) Efq; 26 h>'"'^?)lP*'"'^^'^'^r^rir^l''^?^^-'i^'-'^
V-" T^Ancer (John) 55
/^Arew(i:^i>' Elizabeth) Daniel (Samuel) £/^;
27 5<^
Carew (Thomas) 2^/^. D'Avenant (^'/V William)
Carlell(Lodowick)£/^^28 ^ 58
Carlile (James) 29 D'Avenant (£)r. Charles)
Carpenter (Richard) 30 6z
Cartwright (George)/J'/^. Davenport (Robert) 62
Cartwright (William)/^/^. Davis (Mrs) 286
Cary (Mr.) 308 Daubourne (Robert) <53
Cavendifh (\Villiam)Z)«y^^ Day (John) ibid.
o/Newcaftle 15)0^233 Deckar (Thomas) 6^
(Margaret) Dutch- Denham (Sir John) 66
e/i 0/ Newcaflle ipo Dennis (John) 67,285
CentLivre (Sufanna) 31, Digby (i:{?r^) 310
285 Dilke (Thomas) 70
Chamberlaiji (Robert) 34 Dogget (Thomas) ibid.
Chamberlain (William) /^. Dover (John) 71
Chapman (George) 35 Drake (James) ibid,
Cibber (Coiiey) 37, 285 Dryden(John)£/^;72,3og
307, 315 Dry-
The Names of the Authors.
Page ^ ^
Dryden (John) jm. 86 Mm^MW^mMWM-:^
Duiiet (Thomas) 87, 3 lo
Durfey (Thomas) 88,373 G.
■Aa«A«4^
9)t>A4«^J
E.
T^Cclefton (Edward) ^3
Echard (Laurence)
287
Eflcoiirt (Richard) 94
Etherege (Sir George) ^5
hQ(POQOQQQOQC)Q
R
FAne, (Sir Francis) p6
Fanfhaw (Sir Richard)
97
Farquhar (George) pS
Faulkland (Lord Vifcotint
Henry) P5>
Field (Nathaniel) 100
Filmer (Edward)
Fifhbourn (M.)
Flecknoe (Richard)
Fletcher (John)
Ford (John)
Ford (Thomas)
Fountain (John)
France (Abraham)
Freeman (Sir Ralph) ibid.
Fulwcll (Uloian) ibid.
Fyfe (Mr,y 288
ibid.
loi
ibid,
103
no
288
III
112
Page
O Afccign (George)£/^;
"^ 113
Gay (John) 114
Gay (Jofeph) 289
Gildon (Charles) 115
Glapthorn (Henry) 117
Gofre (Thomas) 118
Gomerfal (Robert) up
Gold (Robert) ibid,
Goldfmith (Francis) Efq;
120
Goring (Charles) 289
Granville (George Lord
Lanjdown) 120, 333
Greber (Mr.) zpo
Green (Alexander) 126
Green (Robert) ibid.
Grevile (Fulk Lord Brook)
127
Griffin (Benjamin) 290
Grimfton (Mr.) 2pi
H.
TlTAbington (William)
^•^ EJq; I2P
Hamilton ( Newburgh )
309,324
a 2 Har-
The Names of the Authors.
page
I2P
324
130
307
130
13^
Harris CJofeph)
Harrifon (William)
Hauiled (Peter)
Hayman (Robert)
Haynes (Jofeph)
Head (Richard)
Hem mings (William) ibid.
Hey wood (John) 132
Hey wood (Jafper) 1 3 3
Hey wood (Thomas) 134
Higden (Henry) E/j; 138
Higgons (Bevil) ibid.
Hill (Aaron) 139
Holyday (Barton) ibid.
Hopkins (Charles) 140
Horden (Mr.) 291
Howard (Edward) Efq;
141
Howard (^^V Robert) 142
Howard (James) £/^j 143
Howell (James) Efq; 144
Hughes (John) J4>'
J-
J
Evon (Thom.as) 145
Ingeland (Thomas) bid.
Johnfon (Ben)
Johnfon (Charles)
Jones (John)
Jordan (Thomas)
Joyner (William)
14^
J54
ibid.
1)5
K.
Page
IT Illegrew (Henry)
*-^ Killegrew (Tho
155
mas)
Efi;
1S6
Killegrew (6'/> Will
liam)
^57
Kirk (John)
158
Knevet (Ralph)
ibid.
Knipe (Charles)
2pi
Kyd (Thomas)
15S
L.
T Acy (John) 159
Leanard (John) 160
Lee (Nathaniel) ibid,
Lilly (John) 163
Lodge (Thomas) 164
Lower (vSzr William) 165
Lupon (Thomas) 292
M.
IV/TAcchin (Lewis) 16$
^ Maidwell (John)i55
Maine (Jafper,£). A) ibid.
Manley(De la Rivier)i 67
Man-
The Names of the Authors^
Page
Manning (Air.) 305
Manuch (Cofmo) 1 70
Markham (Gervafe) 171
Marlow(Chriil:opher)/^/i.
Marmion (Shakerley)i73
Marilon (John) ibid.
Mafon (John) 174
Maffinger (Phillip) 175
May (Thomas) 178
Mead (Robert) 180
Medbourn (Matthewj iL
Meriton (Thomas) 181
Middleton Thomas ibid,
333
Milton (John) 183
Moliere. 292
Molloy (Charles)£/^;295
Montague (Walter) Efq;
184
Moor, (Sir Thomas) 25)5
Motteux (Peter) 185,333
Mountfort (William) i85
N.
'M'Abbs (Thomas) 187
^^ Nafii (Thomas) 188
Nevile (Alexander) i8p
Nevile (Robert) ibid.
Newton (Thomas) 1^2
Page
Norton (Thomas) ipj
Nuce (Thomas) 325
0##0 ### #^@#
o.
O
Ldmixon (John) ipj
Otway( Thomas) I P5
Owen (lidr.) ibid,
Ozell (John) i p8, 3 3 3
p.
DAlfgrave (Johnj ipp
Peaps (Mr.) 200
Peel (George) il^jd.
Philips (Catharine^ ibid.
Philips (William;^/^; 2oz
Fhiliips (Ambrofej Efq;
Philips (Johnj 2^6
Pix (Mary) 203
Pordage(Samuelj£/^;204
Porter (Thomas)£/^i 205
Porter (Henry) 2^6
Powell (George J 205
Preiton (Thomas) 206
Preftwich (Edmund) ibid.
Q:
m
The Names of the Authors.
Page
Savage (Richard) 297
Scot (Thomas) 2ip
Settle (Elkanah) 220
Shadwell (Thomas) Efq;
220
Shadwell (Charles) 226
Shakefpear (William) i^/^.
Sharp (Lewis) 23^
Sharpham (Edward) 298
Shepheard (Samiiei) 236
Sherburne (6Vr Edward)
299
Shipman (Thomas) Efq;
237
Shirley (Henry) il?id.
Shirley (James) ibid.
Sidley (.SV Charles) 242
Sidney (Mary Coimtefs of
Pembroke) 201
Smith (VVilliam) 243
Smith (Henry) ibid.
Smith (Edmund) ibid,
Smitli (John) 299
Southerne (Thomas) 245
Stapleton(^'/V Robert) 248
St. Serfe, (^Sir Thomas)
217
Steele iSir Richard) 248
309
Stephens fjohn) 249
Strode" (William) 250
Studley {Mr.) 305, 314
Suckling (5'/r John) 250
Swinhoe (Gilbert)£/^,*2 54
Swinny (Mr.) 299
T. Tate
Page
QUarles (Francis) Efq\
206
^^ f^^ f^^ f^^ ^^ f^^ /^^ *5 /^ /^^ ^* r^^ ^^ f^^ r*^
S3 V? \^ >? S^ i^ S^ < ^^ S? V^ '^ ^>^ *>? £?
R.
"D Andolph(Thomas)207
• Ravenrcroftf Edward)
209
Rawlins (Thomas) 211
Revet (Edward) 296
Richards (Nathaniel)! 1 1
Rider (Williaiti) ibid.
Rivers (Mr.) ^ 297
Rowe (Nicholas) Efq;2i 2
305
Rowley (William) 214
Rowley (Samuel) 215
Rutter (Jofeph) ibid.
Rymer ( Thomas)£,% 216
--f- ,*?f. ?c^ 1^' 'o* ^ }^ f^Ti i^^ »^ **c|
S.
CAckvile (Mr.) 193
*^Sampron(William)2i8
Sandys (George) Efq; ibid.
Saunders (Charles) 2 1 9
The Kamis of the Authors;
^^m^ ^m^ <nmt Walker T William; 2 68
Wapul (George) 300
T. Waver (Mr.) 26^
Wayer ("William) il;id^
Page Webfler (John) Uid.
'T"Ate(Nahum;£/^^2 54 Wefton (John) £/^; 270
^ Tateham (John) 2)5 Whitaker (Mr.) 271
Taverner (William) 7^:1 wild {Dr. Robert) i^/i.
Taylor (Robert) 257 Wilkinfon (Mr.) 301
Theobald (Lewis) /^/i. Willan (Leonard) i^/i/
Thompfon(Thoinas)2 5P Wiikins (George) 27s
Trapp (Jofeph) 2l^id. Wilmot (John Earl of
Trot (Nicholas) 300 Rochefter) ihi£
Trother (Catherine) 2^0 Wilmot ("Robert) 273
Tuke fRichard) 261 Wilfon (John) iMd.
Tuke (Sir Samuel) il^^d. Wilfon (Robert) 30^
Turner (Cyril) ibid. Wifeman (Mrs.) ibid.
Tutchin (John) 300 Wood (Nathaniel) 274
Wright (John) ikd.
*^^^^^*^^'^ Wright (Thomas) 257
Winchelfea (Anno Coumefi
Wycherley (Williamj Efq;
VAnbrugh (Sir John)
262,333 mm^'-mmmmm^m
Villers (George Duke of
Buckingham) 264 y^
;i,^l,l.^i^,^l,^£JI» VArrington CRobert)
W.
WAger ("Lewis) 265
Waller (Edmund)
Efqi ibid>
TT'ar'T^^-^-^-^-*'^"'^^--*--*-'*-*'.'^^^ « -^ '■
THE
Poetical Regifter :
O R, T H E
Lives and Characters
of the Englifh Dramatick,
Poets.
A.
J o s E f H Addison^ E[q}
HIS fhining Ornament of Literature,
is the Son of the Reverend and Lear^
nedDodor Lancelot Addiso>J,
late Dean of Litchfield. He was early
placed to the Charter-houfe School,
from whence he was remov'd to St. Mary Magdalen s
Golkge^j Oxfordi for the finifhing of his Education*
B Ivlr.
i Lives and Characters of the
-i
Mf. Addifon was firfl known to the World by the
Excellency of his Latin Poetry, which he dedicated
to that great Patron and Encourager of polite Lear-
ning, the late Earl of * Halifax. His firfl Attempt
in Englijh V^erfe, of a publick nature, was a Pccm
to his Majefty King William III. prefented to the Lord
Keeper Somers, in the Year 165)5. ^"d his Lordfhip,
out of a due regard to Mr. Addifons great Merit,
procur'd him a confiderable Penfion from the King,
to enable him to Travel into Itahy and other politQ
Parts of the World, for the polifhing of his Talents,
and refining of his Literature. This qualified Mr.
Addifon^ to ferve his Country in feveral eminent
Employments, for hefucceeded Mr. Locke as ope of
the CommiiTioneiS o^ Appeals in the Excife, wasUndcr
Secretary to Two Secietaries of State ; and Secre-
tary of State in /r^to^underT wo Lords Lieutenants.
Upon the Death of the late Qiieen he was made
Secretary to the Regency, and iince his Ma jellies
Accefiion to the Throne, he was one of the Lords
Commiffioners of "Trade, from whence he wa6 ad-
vanc'd to be One of his Majefly's Principal Secreta*
ries of State.
To pafs by Encomiums on the perfonal Merit of
this great and modefi: Man ; I proceed to his Ta-
lents. In the Writings of Mr. Addifon there appears
an uncommon Beauty; an Elegance of Style ; an
Lmprovement of Diction ; a Strength of Reafon ; an
Excellency of Wit ; and a Noblenefs and Sublimity
of Thought, equall'd by few, if any of our Modern
Poets.
Befides his excellent Compofures of Latin and
Englijh Poetry, his Cnticifms upon Milton^ and the
large fnare he had iw the Tatkr^ Spetiator and G^iaY-
dian^
^ Mufas AngJicawae. Vol* i.
Englifh Dramatick Poets, 5
diariy he has honour'd the Stage with two Dramatick
Pfodudions in a diftereut way.
I. Rosamond; an Opera, perfcnn'd at the
Queen^s Theatre in the Hay-Market y 1702. In-
fcrib'd to her Grace the Dutchefs of Alarlbonugh,
^Tis obferv^'d that this Opera, for the Beauty oi?
its Didlion, exceeds any Englijh Performance of the
Kind ; but being very ill f^t to Mufick^ it had not
the Succefs due to its Merit.
II. Cato ; a Tragedy, aded at the Theatre Royal,
in Drury-lane ijii. This Play was acted with the
greateft Approbation of any that has been reprefen-
red on the Theatre, in this or any preceding Age ;
yet did not its Succefs exceed its Deferts. The Pre-^
tenders to Criticifm charge Mr.. Add?foH with an
Extravagancy of Zeal in the Caufe oi Liberty -, and
an Irregularity of Drama in not bringing Cato on the
Stage till the middle of the Second Atl,
Thefe are Mr. Addif.ris Dramatick Performances;
and the Beauties of the former are hnely exprefs'^d
,in the following Lines, by Mr. Tickdl.
No Charms are wanting to thy artful Seng,
Soft as Corelli, and a6 Virgil Strong.
From Words fofix:e8ty nevj Grace the Notes receive^
And Mufic borrows Hdp^ jhe md to give,
ll^o reads thy H/brh, jhall oven theficeet Surpriz^e,
And view thy Rofamond with Henry ^ E)es,
As for the latter,I think ii modeflly recommended
by the fame Gentleman, in a Copy of Veri'es written
to Mr. Addifon from Queens College y Oxon*
T'hy Oxford fmiles this glvricm JVork to fee.
And fondly triuniphs in a Son like thes.
B 2 T'he
4 Lives and Charaders of the ]
'The Senates^ Confulsy and the Gods of Rome, !
Like old Acquaintance at their native Home^ \
In Thee ue find ', each Deed^ each M^ord expreflj ;
And evry Thought thatfweWd a Roman Breafi. |
We trace each Hint^ that could thy Soul injpire, \
^ With Yh^iVs Judgment y and with hncsins Fire;
We know thy Worthy and give m leave to hoafl^ \
We mcfl admire^ hecaufe we know thee rnofi, \
'\
For gentle I/is claims the Ivy Cfown, \
To bind th^ immortal Brows of Addifon. \
Garth, \
William Alexander,!
Earl of Sterling. ;
A Nobleman of Scotland, who liv'd in the i
Reign of King James I. He was very much ]
in Favour with his Soveraign ; and by his Writings \
he has fiiew'd Poflerity that he had a juQ: Right to ;
it ; tho^ his Plays may be rather term'd Hiftorical |
Dialogues, than Dramatick Performances. i
My Lord Veeras often to have a peculiar Fancy to I
Punning ,• but this was more the Vice of the Age, j
than of the Poet; and an Objedion to his Verfe <
is their being alternate, like the Quartains of the i
French Poet Pibrach; and Sir JViUiam Darvenants]
Gondiherty which meafure of Verfe is found fault ;
with. To fliew that this Nobleman fometimes j
wTOte in a very good Strain, I give you the follow- ;
ing Lines.
Love is a Joy, which upon Pain depends i
A Dnp of Szueet drown d in a Sea of Sewres :
What Folly does begin y that Fury ends ;
They hate for Ever^ who have kvdfor Hours.
In
Engliih Dramatick Poets.' j
In my Lorcfs Recreations of the Mufes, printed in
the Year 1^37, and Dedicated to King James^ are
four Plays, to which he giv^s the general Deno-
mination of Mor^archick Tragedies ; they are the Alex-*
a}tdrian Tragedy, Croefm^ Darim, and Julim Cafar.
I. Xf^e Alexandrian Tragedy, This Play is built
upon the differences about the Succeflion, that arofe
between Alexanders Captains after his Deceafe, &c,
and is far from being after the Model of the Ancients,
as Mr. Langbain will have it j but he has borrowed
very freely their Thoughts, many times tranflating
whole Speeches from Seneca^ Virgil, and others. In
this Play the Author Teems to miiiake the very Effence
of the Drama, which confifts in Action ; for there is
fcarce one Aftion perform^ in view of the Audience,
but feveral Perfons come in and relate Adventures
perform^'d by themfelves or others. The two firft
Ads are entirely foreign to the Bufinefs of the Play ;
but upon the whole it muft be allow'd that my Lord
was a very good Hiflorian, and from his Plays the
Reader may gather a great deal of the Aftairs of
Greece and Rome. For the Plot of this Play, confult
Quimm Curtipti, and the Thirteenth Book of Juftin^
Diodorm Skulm, I. iS. Orojimy /. 3 . c. 21. 'Jofefhm, I. 12.
c. I. Raleigh's Hift. I. 4. c. 3, &c.
II. Croesusj a Tragedy, the mofl moving Play
of the Four. It is chiefly borrowed from Herodotm^
lib. I,. Clio, yuflin, I. I. c. 7. Plutarclrs Life of Solon^
Salian, Torniel. Jn the Fifth Ad there is an Epifode
of Abradatei, and Pcmtlma, which the Author has
taken from Zenophons Cyropaideia : or, 'the Life and
Education of Cyrus, lib. 7. The Ingenious Scudery
has likewife built upon this Foundation in his df^
verting Romance, call'd Grand Cyrus, p. 5. ^. i.
B3 jn. Pa"
6 . Lives a7iii Charaders of the
III. Darius; a Tragedy. This was his Lord"
fliip^s firil: Dramatick Pertbrmance, it being Printed
at Ediiihuigh, in the Year 1 603 , It was at firft com-
posed of a mixture of Enghjb and Scotch Dialed ;
and even then was commended by feveral Copies of
Verfes. Bat the Author has fince not only polifhM
his Native Language, but altered the Play itfelf.
As to the Piot^ confuit Qtiintus CurtiuSy lib. 3,4, t-c
5. ^itfiwy I. II. c. 5, &c. DiodoruSy L 17. Arrian, is
p^xpediticne Alexandri, L 2. Plutarch's Life ot Alexander^
Salian., Kf M. 271(75 &c.
IV. Julius Caesar; a Tragedy, In the
Fifch Afi of this Play, ray Lord brings Brutusy^
Caffmsy Cicero, A'^thoity, &c. together after the Death
of C^favy almoft in the fame Circumilances as Shake-
fpear has done in his Play of this Name. B..t
Shakefpea/s Anthony and Brutus ravifh yoa, while
my Lord^s Brutus, Cicero and Anthony incline you to
fl;icp. This is much the moil regular of all my
Lord's Plays, at lead, m the Unity of Adion :
But after the Death of Ca:far it is unneceffary to
hear of the Confequence of it, either in the Grief
pf Calphurnta, or the Fadions of the Noblem.ea
and Commons. The Story of this Play may be
found in the Reman Hidories, Plutarch and Suetonius
in the Lite of C^far, AppiaH de BelJis Civilthus^ lib. 2.
JFlorus^Ub. A.c. 2. Salian, "Torniel, Sec.
My Lord is very Sententious in his Dramatick
Performances j and his Style, as h^ owns himfeU^
npt pure, for whi^\h he pleads his Country.
Mr.
Englilh Dramatick Poets.
iWr. Robert Armin.
THIS Author like wife liv'd in the Reign of
King Jamesl. And in the Title Page he writes
himfelf one of hisMajefty's Servants ; and 'tis very
probable that he was of the then Company of
Comedians j his Name being printed in the Drama
oiBen. Johnfon's Ale bym/Ji, among the reft of the emi-
nent Players of that Age. He wrote only one Dra-
matick Piece ; caird.
The Hiflory of the two Ma?ds of Moor Clack^ Play'd
by the Children of the King's Majefty's Revels,
and printed in the Year i6op. The Plot feems to
be taken from an old Story in thofe Times.
yy^ /"^^ /T^ /T^ /T^ /T^ /^^ f^^^ f^^ ^^^ /^^ /T^ /^ /^^^ fT^ f^^ f9^ f^^ ^f^ /T^ /^^** ^TS ^T^ /»^ /*^ /*% /^rs ^\ 0^ ^^^
%J- t^ V<A %Jk \^ \Jk ^> ^Jt «^ vr ^^ <^ V>* V^l %^ ViA «_/( «^ «_A a^ t_A %^ *^ C^ «— A t^^ V^ (^ w/^ O*
B.
ilir. Abraham Daily.
A Gentleman of the Society of Lincoln s Inn^
and Author of the following Comedy.
The Spightful Sifler ; Printed in the Year 166 j.
This Author has not playM the Plagiary, either as
to Charaders or Language, what he has writ be-
ing allow'd to be all his own. But 'tis prefum'd
this Play was never Aded, being printed without
Prologue^ Epilogue, or Dedication.
B ^ ' Mr.
$ Lives and Charaders of the
J[dr. Baker.
THIS Gentleman was Son of an Eminent
Attorney of the City of London ; he writ
five Piays,
I. T'he Humour of the Age ; a Comedy, A(5ted at
the Theatre Royal, ^709.
II. An AEl at Oxford ; a Comedy, Dedicated to
the Right Honourable Edward Lord Dudley and
W^rd. This Play was never Ad:ed.
IIL I'mh'idge-fValksy or 77?^ Teoman of Kent ; a
Comedy, Dedicated to the Right Honourable John
H(^v:e Efq; This Play was aded at the Theatre Royal
with great Applaufe.
lY, Hampfled Heath ; a Comedy, a6led at the
Theatre Royal. This Play is for the mofl part
taken from the Oxford Ati.
' y. The fine Ladies Airs : or An Equipage of Lovers ^
a Conaedy, aded at the Theatre Royal.
mmmmmmmmmmmmmMmmmmmmmm
M^r John Bancroft-
THIS Author was by Profeffion a Chirurgeon,
and by a frequent Converfation with a Set of
Witty young Gentlemen (to whom his Bufinefs led
him after their Sportingj with the Subftitutes of
Venm) he was very much inclinM to Poetry. He
^vrote two Play So
' I. StRTOfiiirs; a Tragedy, Acted at the The-
atre -RoyaJ, 16-] 9. ^Tis Dedicated to Captain
'Richard' Savage^ and the Epilogue was ^nt by
Mr. Ravenfcroft. For the Story fee PlinarcKs Life
of S^r tortus ; VelleinV Patc-rculm, lib. 2. fljrus, I. 2,
c' 2'2. dec: The Elder €ormlk has writ a Riay oil
this Subjea. -^ ^^ ^''^''- . ■ . ..^' ^^ • - |l Hi^k-
Englifli Dr/imatick Poets. 9
II. Henry the Second^ with the Death of R o s a-
M o N p ,* a Tragedy, Aded at the Theatre Royal,
1 6 91' This Play has not the Authors Name pre-
fix'd to it ,* and whatever Fate his other Play
had, this met with good Succefs, and may clain}
a Place with feveral celebrated Tragedies of this
Age. For the Plot confult Daniely Stow, Sj^eed, Ba-
kery and other En^Ufi Chronicles.
ilfr. John Bank§.
THIS Gentleman was originally a Member of
the Society of New Inn, His Genius ledi
him tp make feveral Attempts in Dramat^ck Poetry,
v/ith different Succefs ; but when he had the great-
cil: Encouragement, he was very fenfible of his Er-
ror in quitting the more profitable Pra6tice of the
Law, to purfue the Entertainments of the Stage ;
tho' he is thus far to be excused, that he afpir'd af-
ter the Bays in the Gqyen Age of Poetry in the Reiga
of King Charles xho, Second. His Genius lay whol-
ly to Tragedy : His Language i% npt the beftj, and
his Epifodes iliew, that he never much fludied Ari-
fiotle I but in two of his Performances he has gained
the true End of Tragedy, the moving Terror and
Pity ; whicli fome, more celebrated Authors, are
deficient in. He has Seven Piays in Print, which I
ihfert in their Order of Time.
1. 'The Rival Kings, or "The Loves ofO R90NDATES
^??i Statira ,* a Tragedy written in Heroick
Verfe, and Aded at the Theatre' Royal, 1677.
This Play is Dedicated to the Lady Catharine Her-
hen ; and is chiefly founded on the Romance of
Cajfandra : As tp what relates to Alexander, fee
Quint m Cur tiki and J^ft'in,
ih Lives and Clianiders of the
■ II. I'be DeflruEiicn of Troy ; a Tragedy, A&d at
his Royal Highnefs the Duke of York's Theatre, rdyp.
and Dedicated to the Right Honourable the Lady
Catharine Roo^. This Play met with but iJidifFerent
Succefs on the Stage. For the Story coufult Ho?nery
Virgil y Dares Phrygim, &c.
III. Virtue Betray' dy or A n n a B u l l e n ; a Tra-^
gedy, Aded at the Dukes's Theatre, tSSi, and De-
dicated to the Illuilrious Princefs Eliz,abeth, Dutchefs
of Scmerfet. In this Play and the Earl of Effex the
Author has had the good Fortune to pleafe the Fair
Sex. The Plot is taken from a Book calfd, 7'he
Novels of Elizabeth, Qiieen of England, &c. Speed's
Chron, Heybevty Du Chefrie^ Bp. Burnet s Hijiory of the
Reform, Sec.
IV. I'/oe JJy'ihappy Favourite , or T*he Earl of EJfex ;
a Tragedy, A&d at the Theatre Royal, 1682, De-
dicated to the mofl High and mofl Illuftrious Prin-
c'efs, the Lady Anne, (the late Queen) Daughter to
his Royal Highnefs. This Play was Ac5ted with
great Applaufe^ and is fo moving, particularly the
Scene of the parting of the Earl of Effex and his
Dear Friend, that whenever it is reprefenred, the
Fair Sex have fome Difficulty to refrain from Tears.
The Prologue and Epilogue were written by Mr,
Dryden : And the Play is founded on 77;^ Secret
' Hiftory of the mofl Renowned Qiieen Elizabeth, and the
Earl of Efl'ex ; Ca?ndens Eli'z.-ahethy Speedy Du Chefne^
Stow, Baker ^ 6cc. There are Two French Plays on
this Subjed.
V: The I/land Qi^eens^ or 7'he Death of Mary
Qtieen of Scotland ; a Tragedy, publifh'd in the
iear 1684. This Play had the ill Fortune to be
denied the Juftice of appearing on the Stage ; for
which Reaicn it was publifhcd by the Author, in
Defence of himfclf. and the Piece. The Story is
taker.
Englifh Dramatick Poets. if
taken from Buchanan^ Speedy Camden^ Du' Chefuey
Brantorns Memoirs, Caufins Holy Court, &c.
VI. 'The Innocent Ufurpery or The Death of the Lady
Jane Gray; a Tragedy, printed 1 69^. This
Play was likewife prohibited theSrage on account of
feme miftaken Cenfiires, and groundlefs Iniinuations,
that it reflected on the Government. In his Dedi-
cation there is a Defence fetting forth its being
writ Ten Years before ; fo that it could defign no
Reflexion on the then prefent Government. And
as a certain Author has obferv'd, his Defence feems
reafonable ; and I think him as much m the right
when he tells us, that this Tragedy is inferior to
none of his former. Mr. Roii:e has written a Tra-
gedy likewife on this Subjed:, vxrhich has met with
very great Succefs ; but th^ Story does not feem
to t^e fo exadly purfued by him, as by Mr. Banks,
tho' his Language is abundantly more beautifuL
The Story you may find m our Chronicles.
VII. Cyrus the Great ; a Tragedy, Acled at
the New Theatre in Lincolm Inn Fields, and Dedi-
cated to her Royal Highncfs, the Princefs Anne of
Denmark, i6p6. This Play was alfo refus'd Ading
at firfl, but afterwards it came on, and met wiiti
very good Succefs. The Plot is taken out of Sc7i-
derys Romance of Grand Cyrus ; and for the true Sto^
xyoi Cyrus you may conililt Herodotm, Jufiin, &:C'
^Q(OCQOQQOGQ';^QQG)QQG)GQG)QQQG^
Afr. Barker.
I Know nothing farther of this Author, than
that he prefented the V^orld with the following
Comedies.
I. The Beau Defeated, or The Lufky Younger Brother.
II. F I D L L I A and F o R t u n a i' u s,
Mr,
j2 Lives and Charaders of the
Mr. Barnaby Barnes.
AN Author, who liv'd in the Time of King
James 1. He wrote one Piay caU'd,
The De%i?s Charter ; a Tragedy, playM before
the Kingj. idoy. This Tragedy feems to be writ-
ten in Imitation of Shakefpears old Play, call'd P e-
RiCLES, Prince of Tyre ; which ^iv^s an Account
of the Life and Death of Pope Alexander the Vlth :
For as Shakefpear raiTes Gowery an old Enghjh Bard,
for his Introdudor in that PJay ; fo this Author re-
vives Guicciardine for the fame purpofe. And in the
lafl: Age, as well as the prefent Times, the Poets
frequently introdiic'd dumb Reprefentations, which
were very taking with the Spectators.
'«?JK» -Vlr. "i.^ ^^ '^«H "Jb- -»*tr. 'Vk, "iy, -rflr, -^V. '^V '^'V' "^V^ "^^ •»?
c-OvC3ox3'>^Go'G V' G*-^' G'^' O*^ G'^ G'JO'-^ G '^'G'^G v tj'J
Robert Baron, £/^^;
THIS was a Young Gentleman, who livM in
the Reign of King Charles I. and the Inter-
regnum of Oliver, He was hrfl bred at Cambridge^
and afterwards was a Member of the Honourable
Society of Grays-Inn. He wrote Three Dramatick
Pieces.
I. Deorum Dona ; a Mafque, performed before the
King and Queen of Cyprus, It is part of a Ro-
mance written by the Author, call'd The Cyprian
Academy^ printed at London^ i (547. And Mr. Lang-
hain tells us, that part of this Piece is borrow'd
from Mr. JValle/s Poem to the King on the Navy,
II. Gri^us and Hegio, or The Paffionate Lovers ;
a Paftoral, confilling of Three Afts only, and bor-
row-d
Englifli Dramatick Poets. ij
row'd a great Part from JValk/s Poems, Web-
fte/s Dutchefs of Malfy, and the aforefaid Ro-
mance. The Author was but Seventeen Years of
Age, when he composed that Romance.
III. M I R z A ; a Tragedy, aded in Perjia in the
laft Age. This Tragedy was printed at London,
and Dedicated to the King. It was accounted by
his Friends a good Play, and recommended by them
to the World by feveral Copies of Verfes. The
Plot is taken from Herbert's Travels, and for moft
of the Scenes and Language he feems to have con-
jGjlted Ben. Jobnfons Cat aline. Sir John Denhant wrote
his Play calW The Sophy on the fame Subjedt, and
about the fame time.
Mr.lc RAN CIS BeAUMO NT.
See F L E T CHER.
Mr* LoDOwicK Barre y*
AN Author who liv'd in the Reign of King
James I. He wrote only one Play, called.
Ram- Alky, or Merry Tricks ; a Comedy, Aded by
the Children of the King^s Revels, and printed in
the Year i6ii. The Plot of JV2II Small/hank's de-
coying the Widow Taffeta^ is an Incident in KiHi-
greiu's Parfons Weddwg.
Capu
14 Lives and Charader^ of the
Caft. William B e d l o e.
TH IS Gentleman, remarkable for his Evidence
on the Difcovery of the Popifli Plot, left be-
hind him a Play, cali'd,
T'he Excommunicated Prince, or T'he Falfe Relicky
printed i^7p. The Town woi/d have this to be the
Popifli Plot in a Play, the' he writ an Epiflle to
allure the Reader the contrary. This Play was
written in Two Months, and the Plot is taken out
of Heylins Cof?nography.
Mrs. AfraBehn.
Rs. B E HN was born in the City of Canter^
^ , .«. ^'^"^y ' ^'^^' Maiden Name ^ohnfon j and ihe
was no lefs adiriir'd in her Youth for her Beauty,
than m her riper Years for Poetical Performances,
in which fhe. excel I'd all of her own Sex in the
Ap'C fhe liv'd, and exceeded many of her Contem-
porary Poets of the other. She had a great Facility
in Writing ,* moft of her Comedies had the good
Fortune to pleafe; and tho' fhe borrowed very much
from the French Poets, and her own Countrymen,
yet it proceeded rather from Hafte, than want of a
fprightly Wit of her own. SJie had a flrong Natural
Genius, which fliew^'d itfelf in every Thing (lie writ;
and fne was not only eminent for her Theatrical
Performances, but alio for ieveral other Pieces, both
in Verfe and Profe. Her Plays are Seventeen in
Number.
L A »-
Englifli Dramatick Poets. 15
li Abdelazer, or "The Moor's Revenge ; a Tra-
gedy, Acted at the Duke of ToyUs Theatre, 1671-
This is only an Improvement of Mark\ Lufts
Dominion^ or "The Lafcivktcs Qiieeyi,
II. Amorous Prince^ or The Curious Husband , a
Comedy, Adedat the Duke's Theatre, 16 ji. The
Plot of Antonio is taken from the Story of_the Curi-
ous Impertinent in Don Quixot, Part IV. Chap. 6-, 7, 8.
III. Forc'd Marriagey ox T'he Jealous Bridegroom y a
Tragi-Comedy, Acted at the Duke of Tt^ri^^'s Thea-
tre, in the Year 1671.
IV. I'he Dutch Lover ; a Comedy, Ad:ed at the
Duke's Theatre, 1(573. For the Plot of this Play,'
fee a Spanijh Romance, cali'd Don Fenifey and tfie
Scories of Eufemie and T'heodore, &c.
V. Tke Toim-Fop, or ^SiV Timothy Tawdrey ;
a Comedy, A(5i:edat the Duke's Theatre, 1577. A
great part of this Play is borrow 'd from a Comedy,
caird The Miferies of Forcd Marriage y written by
Mr. Geo. Wilkins,
VI. The Rover ^ or T'he BanijV d- Cavalier Sy in Two
Parts, both Comedies* Aded at the Duke of TorU^
Theatre, in the Years 1677, and 1681. The Se-
cond Part Dedicated to his Royal Highnefs the
Duke. Thefe ^\^^% have a great deal of Wit in
them; but they are moilly taken from Z/7%reu;s
Don Tlmnafo, or 'The Wanderer.
VIL aS/V P A T I E N T Fancy; a Comedy, aded
at the Duke's Theatre, 1678. The Charader of
Sir Patient Fancy is borrowed from Moliere's Le
Malade Lnaginaire ; The Hypocondriach Other Cha-
racters from Brooms Damoifeilk.
VIII. The Feign d Courtez,ans, or A Night's Intrigue ;
a Comedy, Aded at the Dukes Theatre 1675?. This
Play met with very good Succefs, and is elleem'd
one of the beft flie has written.
. IX. The
15 Lives and Charafters of the
IX. The Round Heads, or T'he Gccd Old Caiife\ Z
Gomedy^ Acted at the Dukes's Theatre, 1682, and
Dedicated to themofi: II luflrious Prince, /Z'^^zr^Duke
of Grafton, This is only a Play of ^ohn lateams-^
fcali'd, 'the Rump, altered.
X- ihe Falje County or A Neiu Way to Play an Old
Game-, a. Comedy, Aded at the Duke^s Theatre^
1682. Ifahellas being deceived by the Chimney-^
Sweeper, is taken from MoUere's Les Precieufes Ridiculesi
'the affeBed Ladies
XL the City Heirefs, or Sir timothy treat- All; a
Comedy, Afted at the Duke's Theatre, 1 68 2, and De-
dicated to the Right Honourable, Henry, Earl of
Arundel, This Play was well receiv'd, but moil: of
the Charaders are borrowed ,• part of the Play is
taken from one of Middletons, called A Mad Worlds
my Maflers ; and part from a Play of Majfengers^
callM the Guardian*
XII. the Toung King, or the Miflake ,* a Tragi--
Comedy, Adedat the Duke's Theatre, 1683. This
Play is Dedicated to fome Gentleman, her particu-
lar Friend, under the Name of Philafier. The De-
lign is borrow'd from Calprenades Cleopatra, See the
Hiftory cf Alcamenes and Menalippa, p. 8.
XIIL the Lucky Chance, or An Alderman s Bargain ;
A(5ted at the Theatre-Royal, 1687, arid Dedicated
to the Right Honourable, Laurence Hyde, Earl of
Rochefter, Gaymans enjoying Lady Fulbank, and
taking her for the Devil, is copy'd from Mr. Alexan"-
der Rickjhaix), and the Lady Artina, from the Lady of
Pleafure, written by Shirley.
XIV. the Emperor of the Moon ; a Farce, Adedat
the Queen's Theatre, 1687. Tsikcn from Harlequin
Empereur dans le Monde de la Lune^ and was originally
Italian,
XV. the Widow Ranter, or The H/fior) o/Bacon in
Virginia ; a Tragi-Comedy, Aded by their Maje-
fti^s
Englifli Dramatick Poets. 17
Hks Servants, 1 5po. This Play was publifti'd by one
G. J. a known Friend of the Author, after her
Death. The Plot is taken from the Story of
Cajp.m,
XVI. 'The Younger Brother^ or The Amorous yilt i a
Comedy, likewife pubiifi/d after her Death ; to
which is added her hi^t^ This Play was written
above Ten Years before fhe dy'd, and tho' it had ill
Succefs, yet there is a. great deal of Wit in it, efpe-
cially in the Two firft Afts. It was taken from a true
Story of Colonel Henry Martin and a certain Lady*
See the Novel cdXVd, Hatige: or. The Amours of the
King of Tameran.
Mrs. Behn Died in the Year i68p, and lies in*
terr'd in the Cloyfter of TVefiminfter- Abbey ^ under a
Black Marble Stone, with this Infcription ;
Here lies a Proof that Wit can never be
Defence enough again ji M o RTA l i t y.
Afr. Dawbridge-Court Belchier,
THIS Gentleman liv^d in the Reign of King
"James I. and he writ one Interlude^ caird,
Hans-Beer-Pot, his Invifible Comedy of.
See me y and fee me not, 161%. Aded by an honeft
Company of Health Drinkers. The Author was an
Englijh-man, and in his Epiflk he calls it neither
Comedy nor Tragedy.
Mr,
1 8 Lives and Chara^ers of, the !
2\/[r. RichardBernard. |
AL L that I have toobferve of this Gentleman ■
is, that he liv'd in Lincolnjhire^ in the Time of \
Qiieen EliTi.ahethy and gave us the firfl: entire Tranf- \
lation of T'erences Comedies. They are Six in \
Number. ;
Andrea, Adelphi^Eunuchus^ Heatmntimorumenos, Hh ^
cyra, and Phormio. 'Tis worthy Obfervation, that •■
Puhlius Teremius was a Carthaginian born, and brought i
a Slave to Rome, but was made free by his Patroii .]
lerent. Seneca, for his Wit, he having found the beft |
Way of writing Comedy. The Plots of his Comse^ .;
dies he borrowM from the Greeks, the Four firfl from j
the Comedies of Menander, and the Two lafl: from \
Apolkdorus. \
Mr. Echard has likewife oblig'd the Publick with |
a Tranflation of this Author. j
^^^^^^^^^ ^-i^^ ^^^ ^f^^^ ^^ ^ ^ ^. i
JT^r. Thomas Betterton. |
THIS excellent Tragedian was born in luttle- \
Street, Weftminfler, and his Father was under '*,
Cook to King Charles 1. When he arrived to Years \
fufficient, he was bound Apprentice to Mr. Rhodes y \
a Bcokfeller, near Charing-Crofs. ]
What prepared him for the Stage was, that his j
Mafteri^/;oJf.f, having been Wardrobe-Keeper to the ]
King's Company of Comedians in the B lack-Fry ars, got \
a Licence to fet up a Company of Players in the ;
Cock-Pit m Drury-Lane, i6<)p. Mr. Betterton being j
at the Head of them. He was about Tvt^enty two 1
Years of Age, when he gain'd great Applaufe by ading ]
.^ in j
Eiiglilh Dramatick Poets. 19
in the Loyal SuhjeB, the Wdd-Goofe-Chafe^ the Spaniih
Curate^ dec. Bat while he was rhiis rifing under his
Mailer Rhodes, Sir William D'Avenant obtaining a
Patent of King Charles IL for Erecting a Company,
under the Name of the Duke of York'x Servants, took
Mr. Betterton, and all that aded under Mr. Rhodes,
into his Company : And m the Year 1662, open'd
his Houfe in Lincoln s- Inn-Fields,
Mr. Betterton making now the foremofi: Figure in
Sir William D'Avenants Company among the Men,
he marry'd Mrs. Saunderfon, who was no leis excel-
lent among the Female-Players, and a Virtuous
Woman : But notwithilanding the Induftry of the
Patentee, and Managers, the King's Houfe then
carry ''d the Vogue of the Town ,* and the Lincoln s-
Inn-Fields Houfe being not fo commodious, the
Players, and other Adventurers, built a much more
magnificent Theatre in Dorfet Gardens. This like-
wife proving inefredual, they endeavour''d to divide
the Old Houfe, and the Animoiities of the Com-
pany were (o well improv'^d, as to produce a Uni-*
on betwixt the Two Patents. This Union conti-
nu^'d from 1582, to 169^^, when the Adors under
the united Patents, got a new Licence to fet up a
Play-Houfe once more in Lincolm-Lm-'Field'^. But
w;hen the Succefs of that Company began to ^w^o-
way to the Indufiry of the other; and Mr. Vanhugh
had built a Ncv/ Theatre in the Hay-Market, Mr.
Betterton, weary of the Fatigues and Toil of Go-
vernment, deliver^ his Company over to the New
Licence. I have faid thus much to ihew the Progrefs
and Revolutions of the Stage.
He liv'd till he was 75 Years of Age ; and the
'Year before he died, 1705?. the Town paid a parti-
cular Deference to him, by making his Night worth
500/. He v/as buried with great Decency in the
C 2 Clovfter
2 0 Lives and Charaders oj the
Cloyfler of IVeflminfler Abby, and his Death was
equally lamented with that of Rofcim the great
Roman Comedian : Which Mr. Roue prophetically
foretold, in an Efilogue fpoken by Mrs. Barry y at
his lafl Benefit.
What he Jmi been^ thd prefem Praife he dumhy
Shall haply be a "Theme in "Times to come.
As now we talk o/'Roscius, and of Rome.
He was one of the greateft Players we ever had
in England ; and there are three Dramatick Pieces
written or tranfiated by him, tho' his Modefty was
fo great, that he would never permit them to be
printed in his Life time.
I. The Woman made a Juflice ,* a Comedy.
II. The Unjuft Judge^ or Appim a) d Virginia ; a
Tragedy, written originally by Mr. Webfter i but
reviv'd and very much alterM by Mr. Bettenon,
III. The Amorom WidoWy or The Wanton Wtfe\ a
Comedy, afted at the Theatre Royal. This Play
is an Improvement of MoUere's George Dandin, or
The Wanton Wife j and was firft printed from Mr.
Bettenon s Copy in the Year 1710. This Play is
always acted with great Applaufe.
Mrs. Frances Boothby.
THIS Gentlewoman liv'd in the Time of King
Charles II. ilie writ one Play, call'd,
Marcelia; or The Treacherous Friend ; a Tra-
gi-Comedy, aded at the Theatre Royal, 1 570, and
Dedicated to the Honourable the Ld.dy Tate odlar-
%'mgtvn in the County of Worcefier.
*
Ro-
Englifli Dramatick Poets, 21
Roger Boyle,
Earl of Orrery,
A Nobleman of the Kingdom of Ireland, of a
diftinguifli'd Charader, both in Arts and
Arms ; and alfo as a Poet and a Patron. He has pub-
lilh'd fix Plays in Heroick Verfe, wherein true Englijh
Courage is exadly delineated , and Morality and
Virtue truly illuftrated. They are. as follow.
I. T'hfi Black Prince ,* aded at the Theatre Royal>
1672. For the Story, fee Waljinghams Hiflory of
Englandy WigOYYiienfis Chronkon, Polyd. Vergilii, Flo-
rentii Monarch. Froifard Chron. de France & d^ Angle-
terre, Englijh Chronicles in the Reign of King Ed-
ward IIJ.
II. Tryphon ; SL Tragedy, a6led by his Royal
Highnefs the Duke of T/)rk's Servants, 1^57 2. See
the iirfl: Book of Maccabees , Jofefhus, lib 1 3 . Affian de
Bellis-Syriacis, &c.
III. Henry the Fifth ,• Aded at the Duke of
ToyU^ Theatre, 1^77. For the Plot fee the Chro-
nicles of England m the Reign of that King, and the
Reign of King Charles VI. in the jPr^/^c/; Chronicles ;
as 'Jean Juvenal des Urjtns, Le Hifi, de Charles 6. Mez.e-
ray, &c.
IV. MusTAPHA^ a Tragedy, Aded at the
Duke's Theatre, K577. See Thuanusy lib, iz, Tho.
Anus Ig, continuacon de la Hift. des Tourc'sy Knowles*s
T'urkilh Hift. &c.
V. Gjjzman; a Comedy, aded at the Theatre
Royal, i(5c?3. The Plot of this Play is taken from
a Ron^.ance of the fame Name.
VI. Herod the Great ; a Tragedy printed
jr<^P4, For the Story confult Jofephus, and Herod's
C3 Life
22 ■ Lives and Chixd^Gtets oj the i
Life in Cauffins Holy Court. This Play was never !
acted. ■ ■ ]
He alfo wrote another Play, called Mafier \
Anthony, t
Mr. Samuel Brandon. ]
THIS Author liv'd in the Reign of Queea j
Eliz-akth, and wrote one Play only , call'd, j
The Virtuous O ctavia ; a Tragi- Comedy, prin- i
ted in the Year 15518. This Play was never prefen- i
ted on the Stage, tho' the Author and others had a ;
very good opinion of it. The Plot is taken from 1
Plutarch's Life of Mark Antony. i
^i^ ^i^ ^^ ^|^^|s^^i^€ii^^|B^#g^^^^i^^ \
Q^fr. Nicholas Breton. ^
j
I
AN Author who writ and publilh'd one Inter* \
lude^call'd, ^ I
The Old Man's Lejfcn, and Toung Mans Love ; a '
very antient Piece. i
'i
^•Anthony Brewer.
THIS Gentleman livy in the Reign of King \
Charles I. He wrote two Plays, viz,. j
1. The Country Girl ; a Comedy, aded in the Year j
1547. with great Applaufe. This Play was revivM H
by one Leonard^ 16-]^. under the Title of Country Inr j
fiocenre^ or The Cha?nkr Miiid turnd Quaker, ^
II. The ;
Englifii Dramatick Poets. 23
II. T'he Love-Jick King ; an Englifo Tragical Hiflo-
ry^ with the Life and Death of Cartefmunda, the
fair Nun of Wmchefier^ printed 16')^. This Play-
was alfo revived and aded at the Kings's Theatre, un-
der the Title of T^he perjurd Nun, Anno loSo. For
the Story fee Speed, Polyd. Vergil, Gu. Mahmb. Inguh
fus, HigdeUy Du Chefne, &c.
ioo63C)asc)0o
c5^ir. Al E X AND E R B R O M E.
AN Attorney by Profeflion, and a Poet in the
Royal Caufe, in the Reign of King Charles I.
He wrote one Play; call'd,
Xhe Cunning Lovers-, 3. Comedy, afted by their Ma-
jefties Servants, in the Year 1^54. with great Appro-
bation. Part of the Plot is taken from the Hiftory of
The Seven Wffe Mafiers of Komc. See alfo T'he For^
tunate deceived, and Unfortunate Lovers, a Novel.
Tho' this Gentleman wrote but one Play, yet he
gave the World a Volume of Mr. Richard Brome's
after his Deceafe.
'# *##®###@*§^##^#@# @#@## # © -^
e^r. Richard Brome.
A Servant to Ben. Johnfon, who likewife liv'd
in the Reign of King Charles L In imitation
of his Mafter, he iludied Men and Humour more
than Books ; and his Genius leading him to Comedy,
he wrote himfelf into Reputation that way. His
Plots, Mr. Langbain allows to be his own ; and his
Plays, Fifteen in Number, were acted, moil of
them, with good Applaufe. They are as follow ;
C 4 I' No-
1
24 Lives and Charafters of the |
I.NovELLAj a Comedy, aded by his Ma jefty's j
Servants, 16^1. This Play exceeds many of 6ur j
Modern Comedies. 1
II. T^he Court Beggar ; a Comedy, aded at the i
Cockpit, by his Majefly's Servants, 1632. j
III. Aiitipodes ; a Comedy, aded in the Year |
1638. by the Queen's Servants, 2.1 Salishury Qomt \
in Fleet-fireet. I
IV. Afparagm Garden i a Comedy, i (540. Dedi- \
cated to theEarlof A^iLc.?/?/^. j
V. T'he City Wit) or 7"/;^ fVoman wears the Breeches; |
a Comedy, 1653. '
VI. Damoifeile^ or 7^/?^ New Ordinary^ a Comedy, !
J653. !
VII. 7 /7f Af^^:/ Cotiple well Matched; a Comedy, j
1653. This Play was revivM by the Duke of York's ^
Afters, under the Title of 'The Debauchee, or T'he \
Credulom Cuckold. \
VIII. The ywial Crew, or The merry Beggars ', g. \
Comedy, a&d by his Majefty^s Servants, 1653. \
IX. The Loue-Jick Court, or The ambitiom Politick ; '
a Comedy, 1658. ."
X. T/?^ New Academy, or T/;f A^tu Exchange -, a j
Comedy, 1658. \
XI. Cci'f;?^ Garden weeded, or T'/;^ Mtddlefex yuftice 1
0/ P^^c^, 1(558. •
XII. The Queens Exchange; a Comedy, adedwith :
general Applaufe, by his Majefty 's Servants at -B/^c^- !
jryars.
XIII. Queen and Concubine -y a Comedy, 16% 9. \
XIV. The Englifi Moor, or The inock Marriage ; I
a Comedy, aded by her Ma jelly's Servants.' t
XV. The Northern Lafs, or A Nefi of Fools ; a *
Comedy, aded with great Applaufe at the Theatre 1
Royal, 1663. And is commended by Ben, Johnfon^ ''
in thefc Lines : \
And \
Englifli DRAMATIC K Poets. 25
And yoUy Dick, do my Arts -with good Applaufe^
Which you have juftly gained from the Staoe.
By obfervation ofthofe Comic k Laws
Which /, your Mafler^ fir ft did teack the Age,
Mr. Brome likewife join'd with "Tho, Haywood^ in
a Play call'd 'The Lancajhire Witches,
Q^r. Ruben Bourne.
A Gentleman late of the Temple, having one
Play in Print, under the Title of, ,
The Contented Cuckold^ or The Woman s Advocate^
i6p2. This Play was never reprefented on the
Theatre.
ci^r. Henry Burkhead.
THIS Author livM in the Reign of King
Charles I. being then a Merchant of BrifioL
He wrote one Play ; call'd,
C o L Ks Furyy or L y r e n d a'/ Mifery ; a Tra-
gedy, printed 1645, and Dedicated to the Right
Honourable Edward Somerfet, Lord Herbert. The
Subjed of this Play, is the Irijh Rebellion, which
bfoke out in the Year 1(541. This Tragedy was
never afted.
Mr.
2 5 Lives and Ch^s^idets oj the
r^-rr TvTf *
Qy^Ir. B U R N A B Y.
A Gentleman of the I^ifxer Temple, whom, I am
informed, had a Univerfity Education. He
has writ three Plays.
I. Love hetray'dy or The agreeable Difappomtment ; Z
Comedy.
II. "Ike Modijh Hustand -, a Comedy, aded at the
Theatre Royal, 1702.
III. The Ladies VijRting Day ,• a Comedy.
Henry Burnel^^jB/^;
AN Irijh Gentleman, that liv'd in the Reign of
King Charles I. who writ the following Play.
LANDGARTHAj-a Tragi-Comcdy, aded at the
New Theatre in Dublin, with very good Applaufe,
i54t. The Author introducM this Play with a Pra^
logue fpoken by an Amazon, having a Battle- Ax in
her Hand, to fecure its Siiccefs, in imitation of Ben.
yohnfon, whom he dilcs the beft of Englijh Poets.
The Plot is founded on the Conquell of Fro, King
of Suevia, by Regner, King of Denmark ; with the
Repudiation of Landgartha, Queen to Regner» See
Krantz>iuSy lib. 4. c. 6. Jo. Magnus^ lib. ij. c. /^^ $.&
Saxo. Gramat. lib. p.
hcidy
Englifh Dramatick Poets. 27
c.
Lady Elizabeth Carew.
THIS Lady, who liv'd in the Reign of Qiieea
Eliz,abethy wrote one Play i call'd, =
Mariam, the Fair Queen 0/ Juryj a Tragedy,
printed 161 3. The Play is well writ, confidering
thofe Times j but there is another Tragedy iince
written on the fame Subjed, call'd Herod and Marh
amne. The Plot is taken from Jofephus^ Uh. 14. &
15. Saltan, torn. 6. A. M. 4012. &c. Torniel torn, 2.
#####@#»^#*^ # # # # #*^#######
Q^Ir. Thomas Carew.
MR. Carew was a Courtier and Favourite of
King Charles I. being Gentleman of the Bed
Chamber to that Prince ^ he composed a Mafque ;
call'd,
Calwn Britannkum ,• perform^ by the King, the
Duke of Lenox, the Earls of Devonfiire, Holland, and
others of the Nobility, in the Banqueting Houfe at
Whitehall, in the Year 1633. Mr. Henry Lawes fet
the Mufickupon this Occafion. He was a Gentle-
man of a great deal of Wit, but guilty of Extra-
vagancy in his Poems (of which he publiih^'d a
Volume, fince, feveral times reprinted) as appears
!by this Stanza writ to him, by Sir William D^Avenant.
'Thy
a 8 Lives and Charaders of the
l!hy Wits chief Virtue is become its Vice ;
Far every Beauty thou haft rais'dfo highy
'That now coarfe Faces carry fuch a Price^
As muft undo a Lover that would buy.
o
LoDowicK Carlell, Efcjy
THIS Gentleman liv'd in the Time of both
King Charles the Firii: and Second i he was an
old Courtier, and poiTeil: the Place of Groom of the
Privy Chamber, and others. He publifliM Six
Plays.
I. Arviragus and Philicia; a Tragi-
comedy, in two Parts, aded in Black-friarSy by his
Majefty's Servants, 16'^ 9. This Play was lince re-
vived : with a new Prologue, writ by Mr. Dryden.
For the Story fee Geof. Monmouth^ lib. 4. c. 1 6. Pol.
Vergily lib. 2. Matth. Weft, fag. 9^, Grafton, fart j.
fag. 77^
IL The Pafftonate Lover , in two Parts j a Tragi-Co-
medy, ad:ed before the King and Queen at Somerfet-
houfe, 16$$. And Dedicated to the liluftrious Prin-
cefs Mary, Dutchefs of Richmond and Lenox.
III. ihe Fool would be a Favourite, or The Difcreet
Lover; i6$j. aded by the Queens's Servants, with
general Applaufe.
IV. Osmond the Great Turk, or The Noble Ser-
vant ; a Tragedy, acted by the Queen's Majefty's
Servants, 1657. The Adion of this Play, is the
taking o^ Conftantinofle, in the Year 1453. See KnoUes's
Turk. Hift. in the Life oi Mahomet, Bandellos Novels,
torn. I. Hift. 2. Liffii Monita^ lib. 2. caf. i. Artus le
Contin. de I- Hift. des Turcs, lib. 1 1 .
V. Th
'je
Englifh Dramatick PoetsJ 2^
V. 7^he Deferving Favourite; a Tragi-G)medy,
afted by the King's Servants 1^55?. with very great
Applaufe.
VI. Heraclius, Emperor of the Eafl ; a Tra-
gedy, Printed in the Year 166^. This is only a
Tranflation of a French Play, writ by Monfieur Cor*
neilley and was never aded. See Zouar, Baronius,
&c.
The Author has thefe Lines in his Prologue, as
an Excufe for his Tranflation.
All things have proper Idioms of their oiWy
"Their Elegance in ours is hardly fiown ;
This, but a Copy, and allfuch go lefs.
Great Beauties may be alter d by the Drefs,
And the following Diftich fhows his Opinion of
Tranflations in general.
Thofe who Tranjlate, hope but a Labourer s Praife,
^Tisfuch as can Invent, deferve the Bays,
Mr'* James Carlil E.
HIS Author was firft a Player ^ he quitted
the Stage in his Youth, and ferv'd in the Irijb
Wars under King William III, where he loft his Life
in the Bed of Honour. He wrote a Play ; call'd.
The Fortune Hunters, or Two Fools uell met ; a
Comedy, i68p. A6ted by his Majefty^s Servants
with great Applaufe.
M-;
'30 Lives and Charaders of the
Mr. Richard Carpenter.
A
N Author that liv'd in the latter end of the ]
Reign of King James I. He wrote one Play i ;
call'd, i
'The Pragmatical Jefuit new Leaven d ; a Play ten- ]
ding to Morality and Virtue ; the Author was fup- ;
pos'd to be a Divine. !
1
' SA^ >.A/ ^^ ^^ ^^ "^ ^^ "^ ^^ Vl^ ^X^ ^■^ Si^ ^UL^ ^i^ \i^ ^^ (Ut/ ^-A/ ^X- ^W \Jl#
JAr. George C a r t w r i g h t.
nr HIS Gentleman liv'd at Fulkam, and obligM
the World with one Play ; call'd,
Heroick Love, or 7?:'^ Lnfanta of Spain ; z Tragedy,
printed 1661^ and Dedicated to King Charles IL
Vm^
(^Ir. Wi L LI A m' Cart w r i g h t.
A Gentleman, eminent for Learning and Loyalty ;
brought up a King's Scholar at Eton, under
Dr. Olbaflon, and chofe Student of Chrifl-churcif
College in Oxon, where he took his Degrees of
-Batchelor and Mafter of Arts ; In the Year 164^
he was chofen Prodor, and admitted by the Unir
verfity in April, but dkA the Winter following, la-
mented by all that knew him. He was an excellent
Orator, and an admirable Poet, which Cicero^
with all his Pains, could never attain to. He was
expert in the Latin, Greek, French and Italian Lan-
guages ; was extreme modeft in his Behaviour, and
beautiful in his Perfon -, was beloved of Majefty y
and
Englifli Dramatick Poets. jt
and admir'd not only by his Acquaintance, but
Strangers. Ben. Jchnfon caird him his Son : And
Bifhop Fell gives him the higheft Praife, in faying.
He was the utmofi that Man could come to. He writ
four Plays.
I. 'the Siege, or Lovers Convert, a Tragi-Comedy,
1 65 1. Dedicated to King Charles I. The Scory of
Mifander and Leiicatia, is founded on that of Paufa-^
nias and Cleonke, in Plutarch's Life of Cymon ; and
other Parts from Boccace's Novels.
II. the Royal Slave ; a Tragi-Comedy, perform'd
by the Students o£ Chrifl-church College, Oxon. 16^1.
Dr. Busby, late Schoolmafler of Wefiminfler, aded a
chief Part, approving himfelf a fecond i^o/cwj j for
he, with the reft of his Fellow-ftudents, exceeded
the Performance of the Players at Hampon-Court/
This Play, by the Noblenefs of the Stile, and Ex-
cellency of the Songs, with the fine Scenes, and ad-
mirable Performance, was efteem'd the beft that
had been reprefented in the laft Age.
III. the Ordinary; a Comedy, 1(557. Part of the
Firft Ad of this Play, is inferred as a Love Dialogue,
in a Book call^'d Wit's Imerpeter. p. 8 1 .
IV. the Lady Errant, a Tragi-Comedy, i6^j.
This was efteem'd a good Play.
Thefe Plays are printed with his Poems in Svo.
where moft of the Wits of the Univ^er/ity appear
with Copies of Verfes, tq fliew the great Efteem
they had for the Author.
Mrs. Susanna Cent Livre.
TTHIS Gentlewoman, now living, is Daughter
of one Mr. Freeman, late o^ Holbeach,in Lincoln-
Jhire^ who married a Daughter of Mr. Marham, a
Gentle-
32 Lives and Charafters of the
Gentleman of a good Eflate at Lynn Regis, in the
County o( Norfolk. There was formerly an Eflate in
the Family of her Father ; but he being a Diflenter,
and a zealous Parliamentarian, was fo very much per-
fecuted at theReftoration, that he was neceflitated to
fly into Ireland, and his Eftate was coniifcated : Nor
was the Family of her Mother free from the Seve-
rities of thofe Times, they being likewife Parliamen-
tarians. Her Education was in the Country ; and
her Father dying when {he was but three Years of
Age ; and her Mother not living till fhe was twelve,
what Improvements fhe has made, have been meerly
by her own Induflry and Application. She was mar-
ried before the Age of Fifteen, to a Nephew of Sir
Stephen Fox, This Gentleman living with her
but a Year, fhe afterwards married Mr. Carrol^
an Officer in the Army : And furvived him
likewife, in the fpace of a Year and half. She is
fince married to Mr. Jofeph Cent Livre, Yeoman of
the Mouth to his prefent Majefly. She was inclitfd
to Poetry when very Young, having compos'd a
Song before fhe was Seven Years old. She has wrote
Fifteen Plays; her Talent is Comedy, particularly in
the Contrivance of the Plots and Incidents,- the
Condud: and Beauty of which, are fufficiently re-
commended by Sir Richard Steele, in one of the S}jec-^
tators. Her Dramatick Pieces are as follow :
I. "The Perjurd Hmband ; a Tragedy, Aded at
the Theatre Royal, 1702. Dedicated to the late
Duke of Bedford,
II. 77je Beaus Duel, or A Soldier for the Ladies, a
Comedy, aded at the Theatre in Lincolns-Inn-Fields,
Dedicated to Mr. Brown of Stocking- Hall, 1703.
III. The Stolen Heirefs, or 'The Salamancha DoBor
out-witted ; a Tragi-Comedy, aded at the Theatre
in Lincolns- Inn-Fields^ 1 704. Dedicated to Sir Stafford
Fairhourne,
IV. l%e
Englifli Dramas i€'K Poets. 33
I v. 'The Gamefler ; a Comedy, aded at the The-
atre in Lincolns- Inn-Fields^ ^^704' Dedicated to
George Earl of Hmitingdon, This Play is an im-
proved Tranflation of one under the fame Title in
French^ and appeared on the Stage with good Ap-
plauic* - -; :
V. The Bajfet Table;) g,; Comedy, aded at the
Theatre Royal in Druryrlme, Dedicated to the
Lord Altham.
VI. LcrveU-Contriijance, -ot .he -Median mcdgce lui^
2l Comedy, aded in Drmy-lane^ -lyo)- Dedica-
ted to the late Earl of Dorfet. This is a Tranfla-
Yion from Moliere,
VII. Love at a Venture ; a Comedy, a£led at the
Bath, 176(5. Dedicated to^thfe Duke of Beaufort,
yill. The Bufy Body ,• a Comedy, adted at the
Theatre Royal, 1708. Dedicated to the late Lord
Somers. This JPlay^ was -aded with very gr^at Ap-
fiaiife. . r :v'> ;: ■ \-W:
IX. M Afi-PLOT, the Second Part of the Bufy Body*
aded at the Theatre Royal, i -jq^. Dedicated to
the Earl of Portland,
X. The Perplexed Lovers; a Comedy, aded at the
Theatre Roj^al, 1710. Dedicated to Sir Henry
'Funmee. - >! a J^..
XI. The Platonick Ladyi a Comedy, aded at the
fTheatre Roval, 1711.
XIL Tfie Mans bewitch' d^ or The Devil to do about
'her;_ a Comedy, a<::t2d at the Theatre in the Hay-
Market j 1 71 2. Dedicated to the Duke of Devon-^
Jhire.
XIII. '' Th^ Wonder y a Woman keeps a Secret ; a Co-
medy, aded at the Theatre Royal in Drury-lane^
1^714. Dedicated to his Royal Highnefs Geo->ge^
PiiDce of Wah^., This Play xhad very good Siicceis.
XIV. The Cruel Gifty or The Royal Refentmmt ; a
Tragedy, aded at the Th^iitre Royal, iyi6» For
D the
34 Lives and Charaders of the \
the Story of this Play, fee Sigifmonda and Guifcarda^ \
a Novel of Boccace, \
XV. A Bold Stroke for a Wife ; a Comedy aded j
at the Theatre in Lincolns- Inn-Fields ^ ^^7^7' Dedica- |
ted to the Duke of Wharton. I
Befides thefe Plays, Ihe has writ three Farces. '
I. Bicker fluff's Burying^ or Work for the Upholder s»\
II. T'he Gotham Eletiion,. i
III. A Wife v^eUmanagd.
But they were neither of them prefented on the '
Stage.
• ''•■■-'-, - ■• ■ - . :,:>t i
Mr. Robert Chamberlain. ;
AN Author that liv*d ivi the. Time of King |
. Charles I. He wrote one Playji ;. i ■. \
'the Swaggering Damfel ; a Comedy, printed in the i
Year 1 6^o, 'Tis uncertain whether this Play was ;
everaded. ■ \
jVir. William Chamberlain. i
THIS Author livd at Shaftesbury ymDorfetJhirey |
in the Reign of King Charles I. He was an 1
old Cavalier, and by ProfefTion a Dodor of Phyfick. i
He writ but one Play ; call'd, j
Lovers ViBory ; a Tragi-Comedy, 1(^58. Dedi-1
cated to Sir William Portman. This Play was com- ^
pos'd during the inteftine Troubles ; and the Powers :
then in being, having fupprefs'd the Stage, it was ]
not adcd *cill the Year 16 jS, when it appearM and j
was adcd under a new Titles call'd, 7he Wits led I
by the. Nofe^ OX A Poet's Revenge.
Englifii Dramax^ck Poets. 35;
Ji^r. George Chapman.
A Poet that ftourifhM in the latter part of the
Reign of Queen Eliz^abethy and in the Reign of
King James I. He was an Intimate of Be?i. Johnfons^
and was carefs^d by the foremofl Poetick Writers of
that Age. He was extremely valuM by all his Ac-
quaintance ; particularly by the Gentlemen of the
Middle-Temple and Lincoln s-Inn^ at whofe Requefl he
wrote a Mafque on the Occafion of the Marriage
between the Princefs Eliz.aheth, only Daughter to
King James I. and Frederick V. Count Palatine of
the Rhine^ afterwards King of Bohemia, His Dra-
matick Performances are ,•
I. AU Fools- 1 a Comedy prefented at Black-fryars,
1605. This was accounted an excellent Play,
in thofe Days, and was aded before King James.
It is built on Terences Heautontimorumenos^ or Self^
Denyer*
II. Fafiward Hoe ; a Comedy, likewife aded in
the Black-frjarsy 1605. This Play was written by
Mr. Chapman, Ben. Johnfon, and Mr. Marflon^ who
engag'd in a Triumvirate : And Mr. 'Tate, fome time
fince, reiav'd it, under the Title of Cuckolds Haven.
III. T'he Gentleman Uher ; a Comedy, piinted in
1606, This Play merits very little Commendation,
and 'tis very uncertain whether it was ever acted.
IV. Monjieur D^Olive ; a Comedy, often acled
with Succefs, at the Theatre m the Black-fryars,
1606.
V. T'he Con/piracy, and Tragedy of Charles, Duke of
Biron, Marjkal of France. Two Plays, i(5o8. aded
in the Blackfryars, and Dedicated to Sir Tloomas
IValfingham, For the Story, fee Dauilas Hi^- of
D 2 France^
35 Lives and Ch^v^&evs of the
France, Mezeray, and other Eench Chronicles, in ^he
Time of King Hem-y IV of France.
VI. May-Day ; a witty Comedy, aded feveral
times at the ^/^c'^-^/rj^rj, i6ii,
VII. T'he Widow's 'Tears ; a Comedy, i<5i2 ; Plot
from Petronim Arbiter. See alfo The Ephefian Mdtroh.
VIIL Buffy d' AmbO IS his Revenge; a Tragedy,
afted at the private Houfe in the White-fry ars, i<5i ^.
, Dedicated to Sir Thomas Howard. This Play was
not aded with that Applaufe, as mofl of the other
Dramatick Works of this Poet.
IX. 7he Temple; a Mafque, 1614. This was the
Mafque prefented at Court before the King, at the
Celebration of the Nuptials of Count Palatine of
the Rhine, and the Princefs Eliz^aheth ; Mr. Inigo Jones
ordering the Machines and Decoration of the Scenes*
X. Two Wife Men, and all the refl Fools ; 2l Co-
medy, aftdd feveral times, i6i^» The Prologue
and Epilogue of this Play are writ in Profe. Mr.
Langhain, in his Remarks on this Play, takes notice^
that it exceeds, in the number of Ads, aliy Play
whatever, it extending to fevenj which is contrary
to the Rule of * Horace.
JSIeue minor y neu fit quinto, frodiiciior aElu
Fabula, qua fofci vult & SpeSiata re£oni.
XL C^SAR and FoMp^Y ; a Tragedy, 1^31.
Dedicated to the Earl of Middlefex. The Stoiry is ]
to be found in Suetonims Life of Julim C^far, Plu-^ i
tarch. Veil. Paterculus, Florm, Dion, Lucan, dec. i
XII. Revenge for Honour; a Tragedy, 16$^. "\
xm. al-S
* Ds Arte Poetica.
Englifii pRAMATicK Poets. 37
XIII. Alphqnsus, Emperor of Germany ,* a
Tragedy, aded with great Applaufe at the private
Houfe in Black-fry ars^ ^^5^- P^ot from Chron. de Re-
hm Germanick. See alfo ReymlM on the Paffions,
Wanlefs Hift. of Man. Mariana de R.eh. Hijl, lib, 1 3 . c,
10, &c.
XIV. Humor om Days Mirth ; A P leaf ant Comedy,
This Play was aded by the Earl of Nottingham %
Servants.
. XV. Biiffy d'A M B o I s E ; .a Tragedy, pre-
fented at St. Paufs^ in the Reign of King James L
and lince at the Theatre Royal with good Applaufe.
The Plot is taken from the French Chron. Hen. IIL
*thuanm, De Serves & Rojjets HJi, I'rag. de notre Temps.
Hifi. ij.p, 363.
XVJ. The Blind Beggar of Alexandria ; 2l Comedy,
neither divided into Ads nor Scenes, This is faid
to be publifh'd in 15^8 i andif fo, it is the Author's
firft Play,
This Author laid down for a Rule^ that a Moral
ought to be the Foundation of a Play ; Inftrudion
being the chief Delign of a Poet. And. befides his
Dramatick Works, he tranilated all Homer, viz,, his
lUiadsy Odyjfes^ and his Batracomyomachia, or T'he Battle
of the Frogs and Mice : And. Hefiod, and MufaWy
which were efleem'd well done in the Infancy of
Tranflation.
Mr. C o L L E Y Gibber,
AN excellent Player, as well as an Author;
he is ofForeign'Extradion, his Father being
a Native of Holfiein, and a famous Statuary, which
recommended him to King Charles II. He was ear-
ly, by his Fancy, led to the Stage, but he did not
D 3 make
38 Lives and Charaders of the
make any confiderable Figure there, till the Dirifion
of the HoLifes, when he at once exerted both the
Poet and the Player. He has naturally a good
fhare of Wit, an uncommon Vivacity, and a great I
deal of Humour ; and thefe are very much impiovM I!
by the Converfation he enjoys, which is the beft. \
He has publifh'd Fifteen Dramatick Pieces. 1
I. Loves lafi Shifty or T'he Fool in Fajhion ; a Co- {
medy, aded at the Theatre Royal, 1696, The j
Part of Sir Novelty FafiioUy which the Author per- :
form'd himfeif in this Play, very much increased his <
Reputation. This Play is Dedicated to Richard I
Norton^ of Southwick, Efq^ And the Author afllires j
his Patron that the Play is entirely his own ; neither |
the Plot nor any Expreilions being borrow'd from ■
either the Dead or Living. The Criticks allow the ^i
Plot to be new and admirable, but founded on ;■
an Improbability, viz.. on Lovelefs's not knowing |
.his Wife : And as for the Gharaders, they will have '
it, that Sir Novelty Snap^ Narciffa and the elder \
Worthy^ {eem Copies of Sir Fopling^ Jerry in Love for \
Lovey Setter in the Old Batchelor, &c. j
II. Woman s Wit, or The Lady in Fajhion ; a Co^ ]
medy, aded at the Theatre Royal, 169J, This ^j
Play is inferior, in Reputation, to the former, feveral "]
of the Charadcrs being borrow'd. The Charader ;■
of Rakifiy Father and Son, with the Plot of their |
Walk, are taken in a great mcafure from the Fortune 'j
Hunters; from Otivay's Dare Devil; and from SirJ
I'homas Jievel and his Son, in Greenwich Park. ■:
III. X F RXE s ; a Tragedy, aded atthe Theatre
in Linfolns-Inn-Feldsy by his Majefty's Servants^ \
IV. Love makes a Man, or The Fops Fortune ; a Co- ::
medy, aded at the Theatre in Lincolns- Inn-Fields ,1
with Saccefs. It is partly taken from two o£;|
Fletcher's Plays, viz,. The Offiom of the Country, and ^
^he Elder Jh'Other. ' y.Ths^
Englifli Dramatick Poets. 3P
V. "Tha Carelefs Husband; 2l Comedy, aded at
the Theatre Royal ,* Dedicated to the Duke of
Argyle, This Play was aded with very great
Applaufe,* and ^tis reported that he had Tome Af-
Jfillance in it from his Patron and Mr. Manvjayring.
VI. ^he Ladies lafl Stake ^ or T^be Wives Refent-
ment ; a Comedy, aded at the Queens's Theatre iw
the Hay-markety Dedicated to the Marquis of Kent,
VII. T'be Comical Lovers ; a Comedy, aded at
the Theatre in Drury-lane.
VIII. She wGudy andjhe woud mty or T'be kind Im-^
fofior ; a Comedy, aded .at the Theatre Royal,
170^. Dedicated to the Duke of Ormond.
. IX. T^he'^ Rival Fools ; a Comedy, aded at the
Theatre Royal. This Play met with but indiiferenr
Succefs.
X. Peroxla and Izadora,* a Tragedy,
aded at the Theatre Royal, 1705. Dedicated to
Charles Earl of Orrery.
• XL The Double Gallant y or 'The Sick Ladys Cure i
z Comedy, aded at the Theatre in the Hay-market.
-Part of this Play is borrowed from Mrs. Cent Livre's
Love at a Venture.
, XII. The: Nonjuror; a Comedy, aded at the
•Theatre Royal, 171 7. Dedicated to the King.
This Play was aded fiDr near three Weeks together,
.with great Applaufeu The Coquet in this Play is a
very fine Charader, and the greatell part of it new ;
•but the Charader of the Non-Juror feems to be
taken ftorn Molier/s Tartufi^ and the Tranflation
caird the Englijh Puritan ; aded in the beginning of
the Reign of King Charles II.
XIII. The School-Boy ; a Farce, of two Ads,
XIV. -Venus and Adonis; a Mafque.
XV. My r t I l l o ; a Paftoral Interlude.
Befides thefe, Mr. Cibber has produced another
Flay, caird The Heroick Daughter ; a Tragedy. This
D 4 Play
4© Lives and Charaifters of the
Play has been aded, but was never printed. It is
the CiD of Cormilk cranflated.
Sir Aston C o e k a i n.
A
Gentleman of an ancient Family, who, in rke i
Reign of King Charles 11. liv*d at Afljhourn \
in Derhjhirey where he had. a fine Seat. He was ;
educated at Trinity College^ Camh'idge-, and about the •!
Age of twenty four, he travell'd into F^nce and |
Jtaly : And being very much inclined to Poetical i
Studies y he left (among feveral other Pieces) three j
Plays and a Maique. |
I. A Mafque perform^ at Bert hie in Derhyjhirey ]
i6^p. before the Right Honourable Fhilif, firft
^'dd of Cheflerfeld. ^ /^ 1
II. 7'he objiinate- Lady; a Comedy, 165S. This :
Play is an Imitation of The very Womany written by j
M^ffinger- ^ \
III/ Trappolin fiifpos^d a Prime ; a Tragi" \
Comedy, 1658. The Plot of this Piay is taken from -|
Trapolen credulo Principe ^ an 'Italian Tragi-Comedy, !
-which the Author -faw a<5i:ed at Venice, It was re-* j
yiv^d by Duffety after the Refloration ; and lince ,j
by Mr. 7^2i^^/ being a^^ed in J)orfet Garden^ 1685. ,!
IV. O vis's Tragedy y 1669. Part of this play \
is taken from Ovias Elegies, and part from // Athe^ \
ifto FuhninatOy an Italian Play; particularly, the ■
Paflage of Hmnihafs inviting the dead Carcafs cf ■.
HelvidiHito Supper; and on v/hich Foundation th^ ,
Cataftrophe of the Libertine is built,
Mr, IVmfiantly and Mr. Philips^ place to this ;
Author T^herfiteSj and "Tyrannical Government^ tlio^ .*tis ;
fiippos'd> they were none of his. Thefe arc aii J
printed with his Popm$ in %%^o, ^ \
Englifli Dbl^matick Poets. 41
\V^iLLiAM Qo:^ GU.ZY E^ Efqy
THIS Gentleman is defcended froni the very
ancient Family pf the Coi^greves^ of Congrev^
in the County of Stafford j and he is the only furvir
ving Son of tVilliam Congreve, E£qj who was fecond
Son to Richard Congrevey of Congreve and Stretton in
the faid County, Efq; He wa^ borrf at a Plac^
Q2\!C6. Bardfay v\qi hx ixom Leeds m Tvrkfiire; being
a part of the Eflate of Sir Jo/m Lewisy his Great
Uncle by his Mother's Side.
His Father being a younger Brother, his Affairs
and Command in the Arniy carried him into Ire-
land, when Mr. Congreve was very Young, by which
jpeans he had his Education, as to Humane Lear-
Ding, in the great School or College of Kilkenny,
and the Univerfity of Dublin ; from whence retur-
ning into England kon~<i£t^r the Revolution, he was
enter'd into the Sociejty of the Middle T'emple, where
he began the Study of the Law ; but did not make
fo great a Progrefs as ever to be eall'd to the Bar,
" And, as a certain Author has obferv'd, Mr. Cengreve
" was of too delicate a Tafte, had Wit of too iine
*^ a turn to be long pleas'd with a crabbed unpala^^
"table Study; in which the laborious dull plod*
" ding Fellow generally excells the more fprightly
" and vivacious Wit ,• This concurring with his na^
" rural Inclinations to Poetry, diverted himi
** from the Bar to the declining Stage, which then
^^ ilood in need of fuch a Support ; and from
^^ iwhence the Town jiiflly receiv^'d him as Rornes
" other Hope.
Mr. Cmgreve, notwithftanding he has juflly ac-
Ijnir'd the greateft Reputation in Dramatick Wri-
1 tings.
42 Lives and Charafters of the -
tings, is fo far from being puff 'd up with Vanity
(a Failing 'la moft Authors of Excellency) that he
abounds with Humility and good Nature. He does
not fhew fo much the Poet as the Gentleman; he \s
ambitious of few Praifes, tho' he deferves numerous
Encomiums ; he is genteel and regular in Oecono-
my, unaffeded in Behaviour, pleafing and infor-
ming in his Converfation, and refpedful to all.
And as for his Talents in Dramatick Poetry, I fiiall
omit a Defcription of the Beauty of his Dialogue,
Finenefs of \{ii Humour, and other particulars ; and
confine what I have to fay in the fmalleft Compafs
of Poetical Expreilion.
As rifing Sparkles in each lyvaught of Wtne^
So Force of Wtt appears in evry Line,
Mr. Congreve has oblig'd the World with the fol'-
lowing Plays.
I. T'he Old Batchelor, a Comedy, aded at the The-
atre Royal, in the Year 16^^. Dedicated to the
Right Honourable Charles Lord Clifford. This
Comedy was aded with a general Applaufe, and
was introduced into the Wevld with feveral Copies
of Verfes, which it juflly merited, tho' the Author
was then not above nineteen Years of Age ; and it
not only made him known to the Town, and a noble
Mecancis, but was honoured with the Prefence of the
beautiful and virtuous Queen Mary : And Mr. Cm-^
gre^e, in return of Gratitude, wrote one of the
fineft Paftorals we have in the Englijh Language, on
the lamented Death of that incomparable Princefs.
There^s a genteel and fp rightly Wit in the Dialogue
of this Play ; and the humorous Gharaders ife
agreeable to Nature, which can be faid of few
other Dramatick Performances i yet the Criticks at-
tick
Englifli Dramatigk Poets." 45
tack him for the Incidents of Marriages in Masks,
as being fcarce ever done in reality.
II. The Double Dealer ; a Comedy, aded at the
Theatre Royal, 169^. Dedicated to the Right
Honourable Charles Montague^ Efq; one of the Lords
of the Treafury. This Play did not meet with the
Encouragement as the former ; neither had it equal
Succefs with any of Mr. Congreve's latter Dramatick
Pieces ,• but I never faw any particular Criticifm on
its Defects ,• which gives rae leave to think its ill
Reception proceeded more from a capriciousHumour
of the Town, than any confiderable Errors in the
Compofure of the Play.
III. Love for Love ; a Comedy, aded at the
Theatre in Little Lincolns-Inn-Fieldfy by his Ma-
i^^y's Servants, i6g^. Dedicated to the Right
Honourable Charles Earl of Dorfet and Middlefex,
This Play was aded with very great Applaufe, . at
the opening of the New Houfe. There is abun-
dance of Wit in it, and a great deal of fine and diver-
ting Humour; the Charaders are juftly diilinguifh'd,
and the Manners well mark'd. Some of the nicer
Criticks find fault with the unravelling of the Plot,
and the Condud of Angelica m it : But in fpite of
Envy, this Play mull be ailowM to be one of the
. befl of our modern Comedies.
IV. The Mourning Bride ; a Tragedy, a(5i:ed at the
Theatre in Little Lincolns-Inn-Fidds^ by his Ma-
jefty's Servants, idpj. Decftcated to her Roya!
-Highnefs the Princefs Anne of Denmark. This Play
had the greateft Succefs of all Mr. Congreve's Per-
formances ,• and indeed met with Encouragement in-
ferior to no Dramatick piece, that has at any time
appeared on the Englijh Stage. The Excellency of
this Tragedy can in nothing be more particularly
defcribM, than in Sir Richard Blackmore's Preface to
his Poem, entitled, King Arthur ^ which runs thus:
" Since
44 Lives and Charafters of the
" Since the writing of this, I have feen a Tragedy,
" caird I'he Mourning Bridey which I think myfeif
*' oblig^'d to take notice of in thi§ PJace. This
** Poem has receiv'd, and in my Opinion, very juft-
*' ly, univerfal Applaufe ,• being lookM on as the
*^ mofl perfed: Tragedy that has been wrote in this
Age. The Fable, as far as I can judge at iirft
fight, is a very artful and maflerly Contrivance ;
the Charaders are well chofen, and well delinea-
<c
<c
cc
*' ted ; that of Zara is admirable. The Paflions are
" well touched, and skillfully wrought up. The
cc
*^ Didion proper, clear, beautiful, noble, and di-
verfified agreeably to the variety of the Subjed.
Vice, as it ought to be, is punifhM ; and op-
prefs'd Innocence at laft rewarded. Nature ap-
*' pears very happily imitated, excepting one or
*' two doubtful InHances, thro* the whole piece ;
*^ in which there are no immodell Images or Ex-
preflions ,* no wild unnatural Rants, but fome few
Exceptions being allow'd, all Things are chaft,
jufl: and decent. This Tragedy, as I faid before,
has mightily obtained, and that without the un-
" natural and foolifh mixture of Farce and Buf-
^^ foonery ; without fo much as a Song or a Dance,
^^ to make it more agreeable. By this it appears,
^^ that as a fufficient Genius can recommend itfelf,
^^ and furnifh out abundant Matter of Pleafure and
^'^ Admiration, without the paultry Helps above
*' nam'd : So likewiPe, that the Tafle of the Na-
tion is not fo far deprav'd, but that a regular and
chafle Play will not only be forgiven, but highly
applauded."'' This is the Gharader given by the
learned Dodor of Mr. Congreve's Alourning Bride ;
and I can, by no means, be of Opinion with fome
pretending Criticks, that Sir Richard's Aim, in this
Commendation, was more to deprefs the Praifes of
Mr, Ongrev/s Predeceflbrs, ^Ix. Dr^den^ Mr. Otway,
and
Englifli Dramat icK PoEts* 45
and Mr. Lee^ th^n the raffing of Mr. Congre^e ; I
look upon it to be meerly a Debt due to Merit, and
purfu'd without any further protrafted Views.
V. 7'he Way of the World ,* a Comedy aded at the
Theatre m Little Lincolm- Inn-Fields^ by his Majefly's
Servants, Dedicated to the Right Honourable Ralph
Earl of Mountague. This Play, equal to, if not the
beftof Mr. Congreves Comedies, unlefs it be his Love
for Louey had not the Succefs of moft of his other Per-
formances >• which {hews there is ftiii an uncertainty
in hitting the Humour of the Town : But tho" at firil
it feem^'d to be rejeded, it has been lately revived
at the Theatre in Drury-laney and aded feveral
Nights with very great Applaufe.
VI. Semele ; an Opera. This Performance
was never reprefented on the Theatre.
VII. 'The Judgment q/' P a R i s ; a Mafque.
Thefe Dramatic k Performances of Mr. Congreve,
Were publifh'd with his other Poetical Writings,
in three Volumes bBavo, 1710. and the Criticks
do him the Juftice to confefs, that the Faults which
may be found in them, are of a Nature that
makes them very difputable -, and in which both his
Predecefibrs and Cotemporaries have offended*
Whatever fmall Errors there may be in Mr. Con-
greves Dramatick Pieces, he may be juflly excus'd,^
when ^tis confiderM, that he both began and left off
to write when he was very Young y he quitted wri-
ting at the Age of feven and twenty : And what
might not the World have expeded from him, if he
had continued his Dramatical Studies, when he was
capable of writing an Old Batchekr at Nineteen ?
and the great Mr. Dryden did not compieat his firil
Performance till he was above the Age of Thirty.
He is the only Dramatick Poet now living, excel-
lent for both Comedy and Tragedy ; the Plays he
has written in both ways, being very much applaud-
ed :
4^ Lives and Charafiers of the
ed : And what Mr. Dennis has lately obferv'd of
Mr. Congreve, is efleemM, by moft Perfons, very
juft ; That he left the Stage early, and Comedy
has quitted it with him.
Tho' I am doubtful I fhall trefpafs upon Mr. Con-^
greve's Modefty, I cannot omit inferring fome Verfes
fent to him by Mr. Drydeny upon his writing the
Double Dealer,
To my dear Friend Mr. Congre^je.
IN eafy Dialogue is FletcherV Praife :
He moildthe Mind^ but had not power to raife.
Great Johnfon did by flrength of judgment pleafe^
Yet doubling Fletcher^j- Force, he wants his Eafe :
In differing Talents both adorn d their Age',
One for the Study, t'other for the Stage.
But both to Con^Vi^VQ- jufily Jhall fubmity
One matched in judgment, both o er-match^ d in Wiu
Id Him aU Beauties of this Age we fee*,
Etherege'j- Courtjhip, Southern'/ Purity ;
'the Satire, IVit and Strength of Manly Wycherley.
Maintain your Pofl : that's all the Fame you needi
For 'tis i?npoffible you Jhoiild proceed.
Already I am worn with Cares and Age ;
And jufl abandoning th' ungrateful Stage :
Unprofitably kept, at Heav'ns expenie^
I live a Rent-charge on his Providence :
But ToUy whom evry Mufe and Grace adorn,
ll^3om Ijorefee to better Fortune born ;
Be kind to my Remains ,* and oh defend.
Again fl your judgment, your departed Friend !
Let not th' infulting Foe my Fame perfue ;
But Jhade thofe Lawrels which defcendto Tou :
And take for Tribute what thefe Lines exprefs :
Tou merit more ; nor could my Love do lefs,
Edward
Englilh Dramatick Poets; 47
Edward Cook, Efqi
AN Author, of whom no other Account is given
by Mr. Langbainy than that he wrote one
Play j callM,
Loves, Triumfhy or 'The Royal Union; a Tragi-
comedy, printed 1678. Dedicated to her Royal
Highnefs Maryy Princefs of Orange, Plot from
Caffandray z Romance, fart 5. kok 4. This Play
was never aded.
Mr. J o H N C o o K.
TH I S is likewife an Author who has writ but
one Play ; call'd,
G R E E N^'s Tu Quoqtie ; a Comedy. Mr. Heywood
tells us this Play was aded with great Applaufe. It
had its Name from one Green, a famous Comedian
in his Time, whofe general Repartee to all Com-
plements, was Tu Quoque.
M QQGQQQQQOQG)QQ<SQQQQQG>QQ^O £|
Mr. JohnCorey.
A Gentleman that has compiled one Play, and
tranflated another.
I. The Generom Enemiesy or The Rrdkulom Lovers ;
a Comedy, aded at the Theatre Royal, 16 j 2, This
Play is entirely a Colledion from others. The chief
Defign is borrowed from Quinauh'sLa Gmerettfe Ingra-
* titude I
48 Liv6s and CharacSers of the
titude : that of the Ridiculous Lovers from Comeil/e*s
jy. Beriran de Cigar ral; Bertrans "iefly Humour ^ is
partly borrow'd from Randolph's Mufes Looking-Glafs,
And the Quarrel between him and Rcbatz^i, wholly
ftolen from Lovers Pilgrimage.
II. 77;e Metamorfhofis^ or 'The Old Lo'ver outwitted,
A Tranilation from MoUere.
Charles Cotton, Bfor^ \
A Gentleman of a good Family in Staffdrdjhire, >
He tranflated one of CovneiUes Plays , call'd, {
Horace ; a Tragedy, printed 1571. This ;
Play has been likewife tranflated by Sir William \
Lower and Mrs. Katherine Philips -, but the Tranila- j
tion of Mr. Cotton is preferable to Sir WiUiamSy \
and equal, at leaft, to Mrs. Philips' s. The Yl&a is \
taken from Linjij Hifl. lib. i, L. Florm, lib, 1. p. 3. |
■Caj^odoym, Dionyjim^ Halicarnajfm, &c. " \
This Author ha^ piiblifti'd, beiides this Play, jt |
Volurtie of Poieriis oh fevefal Oceafions; and was ;
very fuccefsful in his Burlefqiie Poems, particularly |
his Virgil Travefiie. i
Mr. Abraham Cowley. \
THIS excellent Poet was boi'h in London^ in the j
Year 161S. He had his Education at l^^Hl- \
minfier School, and Trinity College in Cambridge^ He ^
iiad an eafly, Tipe and cafting Wit,- and great na- ;
rural and improved Abilities. His early Inclina'- ;i
tions to Poetry, proceeded from -his lighting, by {
chance, oti Spenfe/s Fairy Qiteen : At ten Years old j
Englifh DraIviaticK PoEfs. 49
he writ the Tragical Story of Pyrampn and Ihisbe ;
at twelve, that 0I Conftantia 2ind Pbiktm ; by thir-
teen he had publifli'd feveral Poetical Pieces i And
liiofl: of his Works were writ or defign^d, whilfl hs
was at the Univerfity of Cambridge. He had aa
unaife&d Modefty, natural Freedom, and eafy
Vigour in his Writings, as well as his Manners^
and the highell Charaders of Religion, Knowledge
and Friendfhip : He was entertain d in the Service
of my Lord of Sr. Albans -, and he attended the
Queen-Mother to France i where he was very fervice-
able to the Royal Family, during the Exile. He
has publifh'd three Plays ; and in neither of them
he cannot be charged with borrowing from any
other. They are,
L Love's Riddle; a Pailoral Comedy, 1533,
Dedicated to Sir Kembn Digly. This Play was
written by the Author, whilft he was a King'$
Scholar at JVeft/ninfler j and was firil: printed with
his Poetical Bloffoms. The Author makes this
Apology for it in his Dedication,
T^ake it OjS early Fruits^ which rare appear^
'Though not half ripe ^ hut worft cf all the Tear ;
And ij 7t pleafe your Tafte^ my Mufe zuilifay^
The Birch 'which crown' d her then, is grown a 2 ay,
II. The Guardian; a Cortiedy, printed i6$ol
This Play was aded feVeral times privately in London
during the Prohibition of the Stage ; as aifo at Cam-
bridge before Prince Charles j- and after the Reftoration
it was publickly aded at DnhUn with great Applaufe.
III. Ihe Cutter of Cokinan-ftreet ; a Comedy, 166'^*
This was the Play, call'd The Guardian, new
writ, and perfeftly alter VL It was rcprefented at
the Duke of Tork's Theatre in Salisbury Coun ; and
was at iirft opposM by fome Perfons who envied the
E Author
50 Lives and Chancers oj the
Author for his Loyalty i but was afterwards aded
with univerfal Appiaufe.
This Gentleman likewife wrote a Latin Comedy,
intitled Naufragium ^omlare ; The Alerry Shi f wreck ,*
which was adted before the Univeriity of Cam-
bridge^ by the Members of Trinity College^ 1(538. I
He hkewife wrote a great many other excellent \
Pieces in Verfe and Profe : Of the former, his Love \
VerfeSj call'd The Miflrefs ; and his Davideis^ a fa- j
cred Poem on the Troubles oi David, cannot be too j
much admir'd ; and as he did not play the Plagiary i
in any of his Dramatick Works j fo he cannot be j
accus^'d of borrowing any thing in his other Wri- \
tings : Which is elegantly exprefs'd in thcfe Lines of \
Six John Denham* '
Horace^/ JVit, and Virgir^ State^ \
He did net ftealy but emulate ; j
And when he would like Them appear y \
Iheir Garb, but not their Cloaths^ did wear. \
'\
Mr. Cowley's Life was written by Dr. Sprat, late \
Bifhop of Rochefier, and is preiixM to his Works, '
which are in tliree Volumes OBavo, Mr. Evelyn I
gives hinl this Commendation, in his imitation of I
Ovid's Elegy ad Invidos.
\
So longJJjall Cowley be admird above
The Croud, ^ David^j Troubles Pity move.
Till IVomen ceafe to charm^ and Touth to love.
He was buried in Wefiminfler Abbey, near Two of !
our moft celebrated Englijh Bards, Chaucer and j
Spenfer: The Duke of Buckingham ereded a fine |
Monument over him ; with the following Infcrip- {
tion. i
•I
Abra- 1
Englifll DRAMATltiC PoEtSi jx'
Abraham us Cowleius,
Anglorum Pindarus, Flaccm, MarOy
Delicia^ Deem, Dejiderium Avi fuif
Hie jtixtajitus eft,
Aurea dum volitant late tua fcripa^fer ortem^
Et fama sternum vivlsy Divme Poeta^
Hicflacidajacea6 requie ; Cuflodiat urnam
Cana fides, ^uigilentque perenni lampade Mufa;
Sit facer ifle Lccus, Nee quis temerarius aufit
Sacrilega turbare manu Venerabik Buftum,
Intatii ?naneant, maneant per fecula Dulcis
Couki cimi'esy ferventque immQhile Sayrum.
Sic vevet
Vbtumque fuum apud Pofteros Sacratum ejfe voluit^
Qui viro Ineomparabili pofuit Sepulcrale Marmor ,
GeORGIUS Dvk BUCEINGHAMI^.
Excejftt e njita An. ^t. 4p. & honorific a pomp a elatus ex
JEid. Buckinghamianis viris Illuftribus omnium ord. exfe-^
quias cekbrantibus,fepuhus eft die 3 ° M. Aug, A^ Z). 1 66"^^
Mr. Richard Cox.
A Celebrated Comedian, that livM in the Reigd
of King Charles I. On the fuppreffing of the
Stage he compost feveral Drolls, and with his Com-
j panions aded them by ftealth, under the Colour of
: Rope-Dancing; wherein he gainM great Applaufe
at London, O.^ord, &c. He publifh^d one Interlude >
intitied,
AcTiEON and Diana, 16^6, The Plot is
taken from Ovid's Metamorphofesd
E a David
52 Lives and Charafters of the i
David Crauford, Efqi \
A Scots Gentleman, now living, the Author of i
two Plays. j
I. Ccurtjhip Alamode ; a Comedy. j
II. Love at firft Sight ; a Comedy, aded at th« j
Theatre 'm Limolns-Iim-Fields^ 1 704. |
Mr. JohnCrown. i
THIS Gentleman liv'd in the Reign of King 1
Charles II. He was the Son of a DifTenting \
Minifter,' and educated, under his Father, in that'!
Part of America belonging to England^ which is j
caird Nova Scotia : And when a certain Courtier j
defign'd to do him a Prejudice, by informing King |
Charles II. of his Defcent and Education, the King |
was pleas'd, out of his great Generolity, to exprefs !
a Contempt for the Informer. |
His Father venturM a confiderable Fortune in the 1
Plantations, which being taken by the French, and !
he being negleded, he was reducM to the necelTity ]
of commencing Author. His Performances, both!
in Tragedy and Comedy, have been aded with Ap-= \
probation, tho"* Comedy feems to be his Talent.
He has obliged us with Seventeen Plays.
I. J u L I A N A, or The Princefs of Poland ; a Tragi-
comedy, aded at the Duke of York's Theatre, 1671 .
Dedicated to the Earl of Orrery,
II. Andromache ,♦ a Tragedy, afted at the
Duke's Theatre in Doijh Garden, 1675. This Play
was only a Tranllation from Monfieur Racine, by an-
other
Englifh Dramatick Poets. 53*
other Hand, turned into Englijl) Verfe by Mr. Crozvfi.
The Play feems to be founded on Firgi/, lib. 3* 3.
ver. 292. and in part, on the Andromache of Euripides.
III. C A L I s T o, or T'he Chaft Nymph ; a Mafque,
1(575. written by Command of the Queen, and
oftentimes performed at Court by Perfons of great
Quality. There are Songs between the A.Q.S. It is
founded on a Story in Ovid's Met am. lib. i.fah. 5, 6.
IV. l^he Country Wit ; a Comedy, acted at the Duke
of TorUs Theatre, 1575. Dedicated to the Right
Honourable Charles Earl of Middlefex. This Play
contains a great deal of lo\Xr Comedy, but was ap-
proved by his Majefly King Charles II. Part of the
Plot and Language is borrowed from Moliere's Le Si-
cilieriy ou L' Amour Peintre. "The Sicilian : or. Love makes
a Painter,
V. T'he DeftruEiion of Jerufalemy by 'Titm Vefpajtany
in two Parts, aded at the Theatre Royal, K577.
Dedicated to the Dutchefs of Portfmouth. Thefe
Tragedies are writ in Heroick Verfe, and were ac-
ted with great Applaufe. For the Plot read Jofephm
Hi ft. lib. 6. & 7. "tacitti^ Hi ft. lib. 5, Suetomm^ Eufe-
bim, dec.
VI. T" he, Ambitious Statefnany ox "The Loyal Favou-
rite ; a Tragedy, aded at the Theatre Royal, 1675?.
Dedicated to her Grace the Dutchefs of Albemarle.
This Play had but indifferent Succefs, tho"* efreem'd
by the Author one of the befl of his Performances.
The Plot, fee in De Serves, Mezeray^ and other French
Chronicles.
VII. Cn AKL ES the Eighth of France, or T'he In-
vafton of Naples by the French j an Pliftorical Trage-
dy, aded at the Duke's Theatre in Salisbury-Court,
idSo. This Play is writ ivl Heroick Verfe, and De-
dicated, to the Earl of Rochefler. Plot from Guicci-
ardine's Hi ft. Philip de Coinines's Memoires : Andre de la
Vigne, and other Fr^;?fZ? Chronicles.
E3 VIII. Hek-
54 Lives and Charai£lers of the
VIII. Henry the Sixth, with the Death of th
puke of Gloucefler ; a Tragedy, aded at the Duke
of York's Theatre, 168 1. Dedicated to Sir Charles
Sidley. This Play, at firfl, was aded with Applaufe j
but at length the Romijo Fadion oppos^'d it, and by
their Interefl at Court, got it fuppreiVd. Part of this
J*lay is borrowed from Shakefpears Hen, VI.
iX. Hej^RY the Sixth y the Second Party or *The
Mferies of Civil War ; a Tragedy, aded at the
Puke's Theatre 1681. Part of this Play is like-
wife borrowy from Shakefpear. For the Plot fee the
EjigHjJj Chronicles writ in thofe Times, by Qraftony
'HoUin^eady StoWy Speed, &c.
' X. T H Y E s T E s i a Tragedy, aded at the Theatre
Royal, idSi. The Plot is founded on Seneca- s
J'heye/lesy from Poetical Hiflory. There are two
other Plays on this Subjed, one in French, the other
in Spanifi.
XL "/he City Politicks; a Comedy aded at the
Theatre Royal, idSg. This Play was aded with
great Applaufe ; and was a fevere Satire upon the
\Vhiggifh Party in thofe Times.
XII. Sir Courtly Dlice, or It cannot he ; 2. Comedy,
aded at the Theatre Royal 1685. Dedicated to his
Grace the Duke of Ormond. This Play is efteem-d
an excellent Comedy, and has been often aded with
good Succefs. It was written at the Command of
King Charles II. The Plot, and part of the Play,
is taken from a Spanifo Comedy, call'd No pued-efer,
pr It cannot be, Tarugo^s WileSy &c. the Song, Stop
*j'hief, from the French of Aloliere.
XIII- Darius, King of Perfia ; a Tragedy ac-
ted at the Theatre Royal, 1688. For the Plot, fee
Quint. Curt, lib, 3, 4, and 5. jfuflin, Uh, vi. cap. 5.
SLud Dicdorus, lib, ij,3cc. '
"XIV. T'he Enghjh Fryar, or The Town Sparks ; a
pomcdy, aded at the Theatre Royal, 16^0, Dcdi--
cated
Englifii Dramatick Poets. 57
cated to the Right Honourable William, Earl of
Devon/hire. This Play had not the Siiccefs as th^
other Dramatick Pieces wrote by Mr. Crown.
XV. Regulus; a Tragedy, aded at the
Theatre Royal, i6p^. The Deiign of this Play
is Noble, the Example of Regulus being the mofl
celebrated for Honour and Confiancy of any of the
Romans. See the Hiflory in Livy^ Lucius Florus^
&c.
XVI. T'he Married Beau, or l^be Curious Lnperti-
nent ; a Comedy, aded at the Theatre Royal, 1694.
Dedicated to the Marquis of Normaiiby. This is
efteemM a good Play, and has been often aded with
general Approbation. To this Play the Author has
prefix'd a Preface, in Vindication of himfelf from
the Aiperfions cafl on him by fome Perfons, as to
his Morals, &c. The Story is taken from the Hifto-
ry of Don Quixot,
XVII. Caligula, Emperor of Rome ; a Tra-
gedy, aded at the Theatre Royal, i6^2. For the
Plot, fee Suetonius in his hiic.
D.
Q^Ir. John Dancer.
AN Author faid to be born in Ireland^ but cer-
tain it is that he liv'd a great part of his Time
in that Kingdom. About the Year 1(570, he came
o\^c,i ivito England j and underflanding the Z^-^/^r/; and
Italian Languages perfedly well, he tranflated three
Dramatick Pieces, from the Originals of three
eminent Po^ts, vi:^. T'ajfo, C'jrnejlle, and Qtiinauh.
E 4 I. Amynta \
5^ hivts and Charafliers &f the-y j
I Amynta ,• a Pallora], publifh'd 16^0. This j
is a Trandation from that celebrated Wit, Signjor ;
'forquato Tajjo^ bred up at Padua^ and Favourite of |
Charles IX, of Frmce. He is cali'd the Father of |
Paflorals, being the firfl that reduced them from the j
Eclogue to Dramatick Poetry : This is ^fleem'd j
a Mail.er- piece of Paflcral Comedy ; and has been |
tranflated into the Fyench, Spanijh^ German and Dutch j
Tongues, as well as the Engljjh. It is printed with j
feveral Love Verfes, writ in imitation of Mr. Cou-- \
leys> Miflrefs. j
II. N I c o M E p E j a Tragi-Cpmedy, a(5ted at the , i
Theatre Royal in Z>z^^//>2, 1671. Dedicated to the-|
Right Honourable T'homas Earl o'l Ojfory, This |
Play is tranflated from the French of Corneille^ and a ,j
Piece which he himfelf valuM beyond any of his ';j
other Performances. The Story from Jujlin^ Book \
?4' . . I
III. A G R I p P A, K i'lg of Alha^ or The Falfe ^
j'lheYmu'i a Tragi-Comedy, in Heroick Verfe, '|
•aded at the Theatre Royal in Dublin, before the vj
puke of O/T/^n^i, Lord Lieutenant of //^/^W, iS-j^.'j
This Play was Dedicated to the Lady Cavendijh^ I
Paughter of the faid Duke of Ormond, and was a(;- j
ted with great Applaufe. It is a Tranflation ^
from the Freuch of Monlienr Qumault. This Author j
jias writ likewife a Romance, cail'd \the Englijh I
Lovers, And feveral other Pieces. I
Samuel Daniel Efq] .
THIS Gentleman v/as born near "Taunton m\
Somerfetflme ', and in the Year i-^^^i- he being \
|:hVn Nipetpen Years of Age, he was rnter'd Com- |
rnoner|
EnglHli Dktamatick Poets. 37
jnonerof St. Mary Magdalen- Hall ^ Oxford \ he con-
tinued there three Years, applying himfelf, with
great Affiduity, to the Study of Hiflory and Poetry.
When thai- rime was expir'd, he left the Univerlity,
and coming to London^ his own Merit, and the Rej
commendation o^Mr. Jolm Florio, his Brother-in-La\v>
prefer'd him to be one of the Grooms of the privy
Chamber to Queen Anne, Royal Confort of King
Jantes I. He wrote mofl of his Plays retir'd a
little diilance from London, amongfl the Solitary
Amufements of delightful Gardens. At lail he whol-
ly quitted the Town, and removed into TVihJhire,
where he commenc'd Farmer -, and by a healthful
Exercife in that Employment, he liv'd 'till he was
near Eighty Years of Age. He had been Tutor to
the Lady Ame Clijford, Heirefs of George, Earl of
Cumberland, and afterwards Countefs of Pemhrokey
&c. which Lady, after his Death, ereded a Monu-
ment over him. He writ five Dramatick Pieces.
L The Queen s Arcadia', a Paftoral Tragi-Comedy,
prefented to the Qiieen and her Ladies, by the Uni-
verfity of Oxo«, m Chrift-Church-Colkge, i5o). It is
Dedicated to the Queen. The Scene of Carinm
and Amjntas reiemble Qtiinaulis Philene and DajjhniSy
\Vi his ComQdy fans Cojjze die, &c.
IL Cleopatraj a Tragedy, iirfl printed 1 61 i.
Dedicated to the Countefs of Pemhoke, This Play
was very much eileemM in its Time, and there is
another Edition of it 1622. which very much e^
eels the firil. For the Story confult Plutarch's Lives
of PoTTipey and Anthony, Florm hb. 4. c. 11. Appian de
Bel Civil, lib. 5. and a Tranflation of a French Booky
call'd 'The Hiftory of the Three Triumvirates, done by
Mt. Qt\Ji}ay.
III. Phi LOTAS; a Tragedy, Dedicated to
King Charles L when he was only Prince. This
piay )fid.d ^ good Reputation, but met with fome
T ' ■ Op-
^8 Lives and Characflers of the
Oppofition, on Sufpicion that Philotas reprefented
the Earl of Effey,^ the unfortunate Favourite of
Queen Eliz^abeth, This Play is faid to be the firft
the Author writ. The Plot is taken from Plutarch's
Life of Alexander y Quint. Curt, hk 6. c. 7. Jufliny
&c.
IV. Hymen. ^ Triumph ; a Pafloral Tragi-Comedy,
prefented before the King, at the Qiieen's Court, on
the Celebration of the Nuptials of the Lord Rox-
borough. It is Dedicated to the High-born Princefs
Anne of Denmark, Queen of England, Sec. '
V. 'the Vifion of the T/welve Goddeffes ; a Mafque,
prefented at Hamfton-Coun before the Qiieen and
her Ladies j Dedicated to the Lady Lucy, Countefs
of Bedford. The Author's Defign in the Twelve
Goddefles, was, under their Shapes, to reprefent
the Bleflings this Nation enjoy'd, in the Reign of
King ^ames I.
All thefe Pieces, with his Mifcellaneous Poems,
are lately reprinted in tw^o Volumes 1 2"^, under the
Title of the 'whole Poetical Works of Samuel Daniel,
Efq; He wrote, befides, an excellent Hiftory of Eng-
land in Folio, fince continuM by Mr. truffel.
Sir Wl L L I A M D'A V E N A N T.
SIR William D^Avenam was Son to Mr. John
D'Avenant, a Vintner of Oxford. He was born
in the Year 160^. and his Father's Houfe being fre-
quented by the famous Shalefpear, in his Journe}'S
to Warwickjhire, his Poetical Genius, in his Youth,
v/as by tiiat means very much encouragM ,• and fome
will have it, that the handfome Landlady, as well
as the good Wine, invited the Tragedian to thofe
Quarters. In the Year i6zi..^ he was admitted a
Mem-
^■■^
Englifli Dramatick Poets, yp
Member of Lmcoln College ; and after fome fmatte-
ring in Logick, he quitted thofe Studies for Poetry,
which prov'd more to his Advantage : But as Mr.
Langhatn obferves, his Genius rather inciin'd him to
walk in the more flowry Fields of Pamajfnsy in
which he made a great Progrefs, than to puriiie the
Entertainments of the Stage. Fwm Lmcoln-Col/ege hs
went firfi: into the Service of the Dutchefs of Rich^
mond, and afterwards to that of the Lord Brook ;
after whofe Deceafe he apply 'd himfelf to Drama-
tick Writing ; and in the Year 1 53 7, he fucceeded
Ber2. Johnfon^ as Poet Laureat ,* which Place he en-
joy'd in the Reigns both of King Charles I. and II.
He obtained a Patent for a Company of Adors,
who iiril began in Little Lincolns- Inn- Fields ; but the
other Company of Comedians, by their excellent
Performances, winning the Favour of the Town, he
fet up the Whim of Operas ; he being the firft In-
troducer of thofe Entertainments here in England t
Mr. Dryden gives Sir William the Character of a Per-
fon of a quick Fancy j and tells us that his firft
Thoughts were generally themoft happy. His Works
werepublilli'd in FoUo^ i6j^, wherein are the follow-
ing Dramatic k Entertainments.
I. The Cruel Brother ; a Tragedyy Dedicated to the
Right Honourable the Lord IVeflon^ Lord High-
Treafurer of England,
II. A L B o V I N, King of the Lo77ihards ; a Tragedy^
Dedicated to the Duke of Somerfet, This Play is
commended by eight Copies of Verfes. For the
Story fee Paulm Diaconus de Geflis Longobardorum^ lib.
2.C, 28. BandeUos Elifloires Tragiques, torn. 4. Nov. ig,
Greg. Epifc. "Turonenjis Hifl. Francoruniy lib. 2. c. 28-
Heyhns Cofmog. part i . book 1 . page 5 7.
III. The Fair Favourite ; a Tragi-Comedy.
IV. The
€ro Lives a7id Characters of the \
IV. I'he Jufl Italian ; a. Tragi-Comedy, Dedic^- i
ted to the Earl of Dorfet, with recommendatory i
Verfes by Mr. Hopkins and Mr. Carew. i
. V. 'The Law againfl Lovers ; a Tragi-Comedy, J
taken from two Plays of Shakefpear, Meafure for j
Meafare, and Much ado about Nothing, ' "
« Wh.Love and Honour ,* a Tragi-Comedy, aded at |
the .Theatre in Little Lincolns- Inn-Fields^ and in Dorfet
Gm-Jeny with Applaufe. j
- VII. The Wits; a Comedy, aded firft at Black- I
fiyars^ and afterwards at the Dukes's Theatre with i
Applaufe. j
VIII. The Platonick Lovers ; a Tragi-Comedy, ori- |
ginally printed with the IVm. \
:..IX. The Mans the Mafier ; a Comedy, often ac- \
ted with Approbation. Plot from Scarrons Joddelet, i
€u Le Maifire Valet^ &c. ;
X. Neijjsfrom Plymouth ,• a Comedy. I
XL The Play-Hotife to i>e Let. This Play is com- >
pos^d of feveral different Species, and can be call'd i
neither Comedy , Tragi-Comedy , nor Tragedy. '
The Second Ad is a TranOation of Molieres Sga- \
nareile; a Farce. The Third and Fourth Ads con- j
tain the Hiflory of Sir Francis Drake^ and the Cruel-, i
ty of the Spaniards in Peru : The Fifth Ad confifts i
of Tragedy, Travefly, and fets forth the Adions of j
Cafar^ Anthony and Cleopatra^ in Burlefque Verfe. \
XII. The Siege ; a Tragi-Comedy. j
XIII. TheSiege of Rhodes, in Two Parts, Dedica- ^
ted to the Right Honourable the Earl of Clarendon. \
Lord High Chancellor of England, Thefe Plays, |
as alfo the laft mentioned Tragi-Comedy, were writ-
ten, in the Time of the Civil Wars, and were aded \
with great Applaufe at the Duke of Trfs Theatre ';
in Little LimtntJnn-Field^s. For the Story confult \
Boijjiirdi Icones (j vita Sultanorum Turcicorum in Vit, \
Solym, 2. Thomas Art us Continuation de la Hiftoire de ^j
7UYC5
Englilh Dramatick Poets. 6i
Tuns, and our EngUJh Hiflory of the Turksy by
Knolles.
XIV. 'The Unfortunate Lovers ; a Tragedy.
XV. The Dijirejfes \ a Tragi-Comedy.
XVI. An Entertainment at Rutland- Houfe i prefented
by way of Declamation and Mufick, after the
Manner of the Ancients.
XVII. Britannia Triumph ans y a Mafque, written
by Sir William D^Avenant and Mr. Inigo Jones.
XVIII. The Triumphs of the Prince if A M O u r ;
a Mafque, prefented before his Highnefs, at his
Palace in the Middle Temple, perform'd by the
Members of that Honourable Society, as an Enter-
tainment to the Prince EleHor, The Mufick of
the Songs and Symphonies was fet by Mr. Lawes,
XIX. The Temple of Love ; a Mafque, prefented
at Court by the Qiieen, and divers of the Nobility
of both Sexes, in the Reign of King Charles I.
Among Sir William's other Poetical Writings, his
Gondibert made the greateft Noife, which he began,
in France the Year 1550. during the Time of the
Civil Wars, when his Safety made a Retirement ne-
cefTary. He was made General of the Ordnance
by the Marquis of Newcaftky and was Knighted by
the King, 1643.
He died in the Year i568, aged 53, and was bu-
ried among the other eminent Poets in Weflminfter
Abbey, with only this Epitaph in imitation of Ben.
rohnjon.
0 Rare Sir William D'Avenant.
Dr.
C-f
62 Lives and Charafters of the
jS^QQQQg)QQG)0QC)9Q<OQ0Q0GQQQO)0
Dr. Charles D'A v e n a n t.
THIS Gentleman was the Eldeft Son of Sir
William UAvenanty and Dodor of Laws. He
writ one Play j call'd,
Circe ; a Dramatick Opera, aded at the Duke
of ToyKs Theatre, 1577. with great Applaufe. The
Prologue was writ by Mr. Dryden, and the Epilogue
by the Earl of Rochefler, The Plot is founded on
Poetical Hiftory ; See Ovid's Metamorfh. Natal.
ComeSy Boccace, dec.
xtMr. Robert Davenport.
AN Author who liv'd m the Reign of King
Charles L He writ Two Plays.
L 'the City Night Cap i a Tragi-Comedy, afted by
his Majefly's Servants, x66i.Viot from Don Quixotes
Novel of the Curiom Impertinent^ and Boccace^s
Novels.
IL King John and Matilda,* a Tragedy,
165 J. This Play is Dedicated to the Right Honou-
rable Montague Bertie Earl of Lindfey. For the Plot
fee HoUingJheady Martin^ Stow, Speed, and Baker's
Chronicles.
M-,
Englifli Dramatick Poets. ^5
Mr. Robert Dauborne.
THIS Author Viv'd in the Reign of King
James I. He had a good Education, being
Mailer of Arts, but of what Univerfity he was, is
uncertain. He writ the following Plays.
I. The Chrifiian tiirnd Turk; a Tragedy, 1612^
The Story from Barkers Overthrow of Captain
IVard 2Lnd Danjtker, two Pirates, publifh^d, i5op.
II. The Poor Mans Comfort; a Tragi-Comedy,
1665. aded at the Cockpit in Drury-lane, with great
Applaufe.
M^ ^^ ^^ ^H^€!l^C#^is«^i^C^^^^i^^
Q^r. J O H N D A Y.
THIS Gentleman, who likewife liv'd in the
Reign of King James I. was fome time Student
of Cams-College in Cambridge ; and was Author of Six
Dramatick Pieces.
I. T'he Travels of the T'hree Englifh Brothers, Sir
Thomas, Sir Anthony, and Mr, Thomas Shirley;
an Hiilorical Play, aded by her Majefty s Servants,
1507. Dedicated to Honours Favourites, In the
Compofure of this Performance, Mr. Day was afTif-
ted by Mr. Rowley and Mr. IVilkins, The Founda-
tion of this Play is taken from Dr. Fullers Worthies,
our Englijl Chronicles, &c.
II. A Parliament of Bees ; z Mafque, 160 j. This
is an Allegorical Defcription of the Humours of
Mankind.
III. Humour out of Breath ; a Comedy, i^oy.
IV. Law*
^4 Lives a?id Chat-afters of the
IV. Laiv-TrickSy or Who would have thought it ; a
Comedy, ido8.
V. T'he IJle of Gulls ; a Comedy, aded in Blacy
fryarSy 16^^. Plot from Sir Phil/p Sidneys Arcadia.
VI. I'he Blind Beggar of Be dual Green ^ with the
merry Humour of "Tom Stroud, the Norfolk Teoman ; ac-
ted by the Princess Servants, 16$^. For the Story
fee our EngUfh Chronicles 'in the Reign of King
Henry VI.
A Gentleman of Liucolns-Inn writ a Poem upon
the Tranfactions between Mr. Day and his Landlord,
wherein are thefe punning Lines.
*
Here Night and Day confpire a fecret Plight ;
For Day, 'tis f aid, is gone away by Nght.
The Day is^afl, but Landlord where\^ your Renty
Tou might havefeen, that Day was almofl fpem,
IDsLyfoldy at length put off whatever he might,
'Tho' it wa6ne'erfo Darky Day would be Light.
^^^^^^-' ^- ^ ^up cf? ^?^^ <T? .s^-> c^ ^^^ih^p
2idr. Thomas Decker.
A Contemporary Poet with Ben.. Jchnfon, in the
Reign of King James I. and a great Contender
for the Bays. He writ Eight entire Plays himfelf,
and four others with the Affi/lance of Web fter, Rowley
2iX\dFord; but the latter, vaflly exceed the former,
there being no Dramatick Piece writ by him alone
of much efteem, but l.%e untruffmg the Humorous
Poet; and this is chiefly on account of the Subject,
which was the witty Ben. The Plays which he has
composed, and had a hand in, are as follow.
I. F o R T u N AT u s ; 2. Comcdy, I 6qo. This Play
is not divided into Ads,
11. Sa-
Englifli Dramatick Poets. 6$
II. S A T Y R o M A s T I X, Of 'I%e untniffj^/g the Hu-
niorom Poet ; a Comedy, aded by the Lord Chamber-
lains Servants, i6qi. This Play was occafioii'd by
Ben. Jobifons Poetaller ,• where, under the Title of
Crifpinm, Ben lafli'd this Author ,• which he endea-
vour'd to retaliate by untruffing Ben. under the Title
of Horace 'Junior,
III. North-dcard Hoe; a Comedy, i66j, tVehJier
]omd in this Play. The Plot is founded on a No-
vel in the Ducento Novelle del Signior Celio Male/pint^
Pan I. Nov. 2.
IV. IVeffward Hoe; a Comedy, i6oj. Mr.
IVebfier was likewiie concerned in this Performance.
V. T' be Wloore of Babylon; an Hiftorical Play, ae-^
ted by the Princess Servants, 160 j. This Play was
defign'd to iiluftrate the Virtues of Queen Eliz^a--
beth, to expofe the Roman Catholicks at that Time^
and fet forth the Danger which that good Qiieen
efcaped.
VI. T'he Honefl Whore. With the Humours of the Pa-
tient Man and the Longing Wife; a Comedy, 1630.
aded by her Ma jefly^s Servants with Applaufc.
VII. Match me in London ; a Comedy, 1531. This
Play is Dedicated to Lodov^kk Carlel^ Efq; and was
accounted a good Play.
VIII. "The Honefl Whore. Part the Second. With the
Humours of the Patient Alan, and the Impatient PJ^ife ;
alfo the Comical Pafjage of an Italian Bridewell ; a Co-
medy, 1635. This Play is not divided into Ads,-
and Mr. Langbain tells us it was never adted. See
Harringtons Epig. at the end of his Orlando Furiofo.
IX. The Wonder of a Kingdom ; a Comedy, 16^6.
X. Ihe Witch of Edmonton; a Tragedy, 1638.
Mr. Rowley and Mr. Ford joir/d in this Play.
XL If this bent a good Play the Devifs int ; a Co-
medy, acted with great Applauie ; Dedicated to his
belov<i;d Friends the PiayerS' Pare of this Play
F feems
66 Lives and Charaders of the i
» i
feems to be taken from Machiavel's Belfbegor^ a i
Novel. . I
XII. W Y Ar' s Hiflory; a Play, writ by Mr. |
Decker and Mr. Webjier. See the Englijh Chronicle in |
the Reign of Qiieen Alary,
*^^f- *^_f *^f- <^'^ *^^*^f*^f-*^^f'^^/-*^^*^f-^^^*^f-*^f'
Sir John Denham, !
Knight of the ^dith. \
THIS Gentleman liv'd in the Reigns of King \
Charles I. and II ,* and was not only of the- 1
firit Rank in Wit and Gallantry, but alfo in Loyalty, i
He was Son of Sir yohn Denham of Horjley in EJfex^ \
Born in Ireland; his Father being, at the time of j
his Birth, a Judge and Lord Chief Baron of the -Ex-
chequer in that Kingdom. He was brought over from
thence very Young, upon his Father^s Promotion to :
the Exchequer in England ; and in the Year i6^i. he i
was fent to Trinity College in Oxon. He remain^ there \
fome Years ; and afterwards repairing to London \
he iludied the Civil Law. On the breaking out of
the Civil War, Jie got Admiffion to King Charles I.
by the Affiftance of Hugh Peters^ being then em-
ployed on a Meflage from the Queen : This Nego- j
tiation he perform'd fo well, that he was intruded I
by the King to take care of his Letters of Corref- 1
pondence at Home and Abroad, privately in London ; j
but after a Ihort fpace, Mr. Cowley's Hand being i
known, he was difcover'd, and obliged to make his i
Efcape beyond Sea, where he afterwards gave his I
Attendance on King Charles 11. 'till the Reiloration. i
The King oftentimes gave him Subjeds to write on, I
for the Diveriion of his melancholy Hours, where- 1
in the Poet feldom fell fhort of his Matter's Ex-j
pedation. His Majelty made him Surveyor Gene-i
rai'
Engliiii Dramatick Poets. 6^
ral of his Royal ^ml^va^sy and at his Coronation
created him Knight of the Bath, He writ divers
poems and Tranilations ,* among which^ Cooper s
Hill is very much applauded ,• a Poem., which Mr.
Dry den tells us, for the Ma jefly of the Stile, is, and
ever will be, th^ exa(5c Standard of good Writing.
To thefe Poems is prefixed one Play of this Au-
thors, caird,
'The Sophy ; a Tragedy, ac^ed with great Ap-
plaufe, at the Thsazrc in Black-jryars, i6ji. The
Plot of this Piay is the fame with that of Barons
. Mrrz.a, taken from Herbert^ s Travels in the Life of
Abbivs:
He died at Whitehall, in the Year i568. and was
buried in Wejiminfter Abbey, near the Remains of the
Father of our Engltfi Poets^ the great Chaucer.
Mr. John Dennis.
A Gentleman now living, born in the Year 1557.
and Son of an eminent Citizen of London,
He had his firft Education at Harrow on the
Hill, under the pious and learned Mr. William
Horn ', having with him as School-Fellows, the late
Lord Francis Seymoiir, afterwards Duke of Somerfety
the prefent Duke of Somerfet his Brother, and feveral
others, who have fince m.ade no inconfiderable
Figure in the World. He remov'd from Harrow, to
Caiu^ College in Ca?nbridge, where he took the Degrees
of Batchelor and Mafter of Arts ; and afterwards,
deliring rather to improve his Mind than his For-
tune, he faw France and Italy. In his Youth he was
very familiarly converfant with feveral Gentlemen
about Town remarkable for their Wit and Gallantry j
and the Aifeftion he always had for Poetry^ and which
F z. begaa
(58 Lives and ClnnCters of the J
began in his very Infancy, brought him acquainted ■]
with fome oF the mod celebrated Dramatick Writers j
of the Age, viz. Mr. Dry den, Mr. M^ychsrley, Mr. \
Congreve and Mr. Sotuhern. Mr. Dennis is excellent at
Pindarick Writings^, perfedly regular in all his Per- j
formances ; and a Perfon of found Learning : And ij
that he is Mailer of a great deal of Penetration \
and Judgment, his Criticifms, particularly on Sir -^
Richard Blackmore's Prtnce Arthur^ fufficiently de- '
mondrate. He has oblig'd the World with thej
following Plays. |
I. A Plot and no Plot ; a Comedy, aded at thc;^
Theatre Royal, 169-]. Dedicated to the Right]
Honourable the Earl o^ Sunderland. This Play, Ij
am informed, Mr. Dennis intended as a Satire upon |
the Credulity of the Jacobite Party at that Time ; j
^nd, as a certain Author has obferv'd, is exadtly re-ij
gular, and difcovers it felf to be written by aj
Mafter of the Art of the Stage, as well as by a Man \
of Wit. j
II. R I N A L D o and A R M I D A ; a Tragedy, ac- 1
ted at the Theatre in Lincolns-Inn-Fields, ^^99- Dedi-^j
cated to the Duke of Ormond. I
III. Iphigenia,- a Tragedy, aded at the The- j
atre in Lincolns- Inn-Fields y 1700. 1
IV. Liberty AJferted ; a Tragedy, afted at thel
Theatre in Lincolns- Inn-Fields , by her Majefty^s Ser- j
vants, 1704. This Play is Dedicated to Anthony \
Henley, Efq; and was aded with very great Ap- j
plaufe.
V. A P P I u s and Virginia ; a Tragedy, aded
at the Theatre Royal ,• Dedicated to Sidney Earl 0$
Godolphin.
VI. The Co?nical Gallant ,• l^ith the Humours of Sir
John Fa l s t a f f ,; a Comedy. Being an Altera-
. tion of Shakefpears Merry fVrjes of IVmdfor.
This
Englifli Dramatick Poets, 69
This Gentleman, in his Comedy, hath fhewn
a great deal of Juflnefsj. and Ddicacy of Re-
flexion, a Pleafantnefs of Humour, a Nov^elty and
Diftindion of Charaders, an admirable Conduct
and Defign, and a ufeful Moral. When he iiril be-
gan to write Tragedy, he faw, with Concern, that
Love had got the entire pofleffion of the Tragick
Stage, contrary to the Nature and Defign of Tra-
gedy, the pradice of Sophocles, Euripides^ and our
Countryman Shakefpear. As his Intentions were more
to get Reputation than Money, and to gain the Ap-
probation of the Judicious and Knowing (which
he look'd upon as a certain Earneft of future Fame)
rather than of a Crowd of ignorant Spedators and
Readers; he refolv'd to deviate a little from the
reigning Pradice of the Stage ,• and not to make his
Heroes whining Slaves in their Amours ,* which not
only debafes the Majefty of Tragedy, but con^
founds mofl of its principal Charaders, by making
that Paffion the predominant Qiiality in all ; and
which muft for ever make the prefent and fucceeding
Writers unable to attain to the Excellency of the
Ancients : But he did not think it advifeable at once
to fhew his principal Charaders wholly exempt from
it:, apprehending that fo great and fudden an Alte-
ration might prove difagreeable ; he rather chofe to
fleer a middle Courfe, and to make Love appear
violent, but at the fame time to give v/ay to the
force of Reafon, or to the influence of fome other
more noble PafTion ; as in Rinaldo, it gives place to
Glory ,• in Iphigenia, to Friendfiiip ,* and in Liberty
JJferted, to the publick Good. He thought by
thefc means an Audience might be entertained
and prepared for greater Alterations, whereby
the Dignity of Tragedy might be fupported,
and its principal Charaders juflly diftinguifh'd.
}}e has writ feveral other Pieces both 'm Verle and
F g Pi'ofe,
70 Lives and Charaders oj the ]
Profe, befide his Djramatick Works ; the chief of j
which, with Four of his Plays^ are pubiifhM in Two
Volumes OBavo.
\
Mr. Thomas DiLKE, j
npHIS Author was fome time a Student of Oriel]
■ College in Oxford^ afterwards he went into the*;
Army, and quitted the Camp for the Theatre. He|
writ the Three following Plays. '\
L "the Lover s Luck; a Comedy, aded at the Ther^;
atre in Little Lincolns-Inn-Fields^ i6p6. Dedicated j
to the Right Honourable the Lord Ral^y, This]
Play was a&d with general Applaufe ; tho' moll oCi
the Charaders are but Copies, Sir Nichclas Purfleiv^^i
from the Antiquary of Marmion-, Gocfandelc^ from;
Mr. Crowns Sir Courtly I^ice, and Sij: George Ether eg/ st
Sir Foiling Flutter. ,;
II. Fhe City Lady, or Folly Reclairn d ; a Comedy, j
aded at the Theatre Royal, 169J.
III. T'he Pretenders^ or The Toivn Unmc^k'd; a Co-
medy, aded at the Theatre in Little Lincolns-Jnn-'
Fields. Both thefe Plays were unfuccefsful in the
Reprefentatipn,
i
Mr. T H O M A S D p G G E T.
^T^HIS excellent Comedian has lately quitted the
Stage, to the great Concern of all Admirers pf
Humour. He has given us one Play ; call'd.
The Country IVake ; a Comedy, ad:ed at the New 5
^jfTheatre m Little Lincolm-lnn-Fields^ by his Majefiyfs I
Servants
1.
Englifii Dramatick Poets. 71
Servants, i6c}6. Dedicated to the Duke of Ormond,
This Play was aded with Applaufe. It has fince
been reduc'd to a Farce of one A6k^ which is the
beft Entertainment of the kind belonging to the
Englifi Theatre.
jgQ(SQQQQQg)CQQQQQGOQQQQQQg)GI^^
(^fr. John Dover.
A Gentleman of Grays-Inn^ who liv'd in the Reign
of King Charles II. He prefented the World
with one Play ; call'd,
'the Roman Generals^ or the Diflrefsd Ladies ^ a Play
written in Hcroick Verfe, 1697. Dedicated to the
Right Honourable the Lord Brook. Mr. Langhain
tells us this Play was never aded. For the Plot, fee
Plutarch^ Lives of Cafar and Pomfeyy Lucan^ &cc.
mi^mmii^mmmmmmmmm
Dr. James Drake.
'T'HIS Author was a Member of the 'College
of Phyficians, and Bred at Gonvile and Cams
College in Cambridge, He writ one Play ,* call'd,
The Sham Lawyer y or the Lucky Extravagant ,* a
Comedy, aded at the Theatre Royah i^py. This
Flay is for the moft part borrowed from two Plays
of Fletcher^ the Spanijh Curate, and Wit without
Money y but it did not meet with Succefs.
F 4 John
1
72 ^ Lives and Charaders of the \
\
John Dry den,
R. Dryden was by Defcent a Gentleman of \
2L good Family in Novthamptonjhire ; and |
born, * as he himfelf fays, in a Village belonging to j
the late Earl of Exeter in that County. He had his \
Education at Weflrninfler School (being King's Scholar '
there) iipder the learned Dr. Bmby ; and in the Year ;
16^0, he was elefted from thence to Trinity College-^ \
Cambridge ; where he purfu^ hi» Studies, with his i
worthy Friend Sir William Bowyer oi Denham Court,'
It may be prefiimM his Genius did npt lead him early \
to Poetry, by reafon hp was above the Age of Thirty )
before he obliged the World with his firft Dramatick i
Performance ^ but when once he appeared, he was |
inexhauflible, like Springs a long time colled:ing,|
which form a Stream not eafily to be drain^'d. ; \
He deferv'd, in moft of his Writings, the higheft J
Applaiife ; and notwithllanding he was generally j
very much carefs'd by the generous Part of Man-^j
kind, yet he was feldom refpej5led beyond his Merit. !
His Dramatick Pieces, tho^ by Tome Critic ks j
ede^m^'d the moft incorred of his Performances, ar$,
with regard to their Number, equ^l to the Produc-
tions of any Ancient or Modern Writer ; which pq-
<:afiDnM his Advancement . to be Poet Laureat to
King ^mnes II. neither was he \t{s eminent in Profe,
he being ^t the fame time Hifioripgrapher to that
prince.
Mr. pry den was not only a voluipinpus Dramatick
Writer, but alfo a very juil: one in m_oft of his Pej:-
formances ;
See^ 'The Fofcr^pt ts his l'ya?7jlation of Virgil,
Englifli Dramatick Poets* 73
fbrmances : And tho' he borrowed Tome Hints, and
made prodigious Improvements from the Freiich
Poets, and Greek and Latin Authors ; and likewife
from fome of the Works of Shakefpear and others, I
cannot be of opinion with Mr. Langhainy that he is
therefore a meer Plagiary, and entirely; oblig'd to
them for the Plots and Scenes of many of his JPlays.
A Kint or a Theme may be varioufly work'd up
with uncommon Incidents and furprizing Turns,
and thereby a fuiKcient Novelty introduc'd to lay
Claim to Property. And I doubt not but it will be
generally confefs'd that he was fo far from the pre-
fent Practice of borrowing whole Scenes and Plots of
Plays, and frequently making them worfe, that he
never floie any entire Incident, or was found in any
Theft but what he fet off with additional Lullre,
when taken even from the beft of the ancient. Wri-
ters. "■
Mr. LanghaiUy as is already obfervM, in a Con-
tinuation of his Treatife, has lliewn a great deal cf
private and ungenerous Malice, and brought in fe-
veral Things no way relating to the Bufinels before
him. What juft Exception is it to the Reputatioa
of a Poet, to have refleded upon a Body of Men
liable to Frailty, equal with any,- and perhaps equal--
ly deferving the Cnaraderidicks of Mr. Dryden.? And
that he was a Man of Religion, I need only mention
the Complaint he makes to my Lord Cliffordj in one
pf his Dedications o^Vtrgil; which will be a lafting
Reproach upon this Nation, for Ingratitude to a
Perfon of Mr. Dryderis Merit. What I now cj^er to
your Lordjhip (fays he) is the 'wretched P\.e7nainder of a
Jtckly Age^ worn out with Study and opprejs'd by Fortune y
without other Support than the Conflancy and Patience oj a
Chriflian.
My Predecefibr, -in this Work, will not allow that
the World coa}d poiTibly agree in a diftinguifh'd
' ^ ■ Charadcr
74 Lives and Charafters of the
Charader for this celebrated Writer, or in any thing
relating to him, but that he was Poet Laureat and
Hifloriographer to King James, But I take it very
few, if any Perfons can deny, that Mr. Dry den was the
greatefl: Refiner of the Englijh Language and Poetical
Didion that ever liv'd ; was fo much Mafter of
Verfiiication and Numbers, as to improve the Har-
mony of Poefy ,• that he reafon'd flrongly in Elegant
Verfe ,• and wrote with very great Force and Eleva-
tion. And as for his Criticifms on the Works of his
Predeceflbrs Shake/pear^ Fletcher and Ben. Johifony
wherein he is accus'd by Mr. Langbain of a great
deal of Ingratitude and Ill-nature (not to mention the
Freedoms reafonable to be allowed fo great a Man,
v/hen we have fuch numbers of ignorant Pretenders
to Criticifm in this Age) I fhall here infert what the
ingenious * Mr. Congreve has faid of him, which
muft certainly filence Envy and Partiality.
Mr. Dryden had Perfonal Qualities to challenge
both Love and Efleem for all who was truly ac-
quainted with him: He was of a Nature ex-
^^ ceedingly humane and compaiTionate, eafily for-
^^ giving Injuries, and capable of a prompt and fin-
** cere Reconciliation with thofe who had offended
" him. Such a Temperament is the only folid
'* Foundation of all moral Virtues and fociable
^^ Endowments. His Friendfhip, where he pro-
fefs^d it, went much beyond his Profefllons ; tho'
his Hereditary Income was little more than a
bare Competency.
" As his Reading had been very extenfive, fo was
" he very happy in a Memory tenacious of every
*' thing that he read. He was not more poflefs'd of
" Know-
* Dediration of Air, Dryien'i Dramatick Works to the Viike
'fif iVe^.vcaftle.
Englifli Dramatick Poets. yj
^*^ Knowledge than he was Communicative of it :
" But then his Communication of it was by no
*^ means Pedantick or impos'd upon the Converfa-
^^ tion ,• but juft fuch, and went fo far, as by the na-
*' turai Turns of the Difcourfe in which he was
** engagM, it was neceflarily promoted or required,
*' He was extream ready and gentle in his Cor-
*' reftion of the Errors of any Writer, who thought
^' fit to confult him f and full as ready and patient
to admit of the Reprehenfion of others, in re^
fped of his own Overfight or Miftakes. He was
of very eafy, I may fay of verypleafing Accefs, bat
fomewhat flow, and^ as it were, diffident in his
Advances to others. He had fomething in his
Nature that abhorr'd Intrufion into any Society
" whatfoever. Indeed it is to be regretted that he
" was rather blameable in the other Extream ; for
by that means, he was perfonally lefs known ;
and confequently his Charader might become
liable both to Mifapprehenlion and Mifreprefen-
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To the befl of my Knowledge and Obferva-.
tion, he was,' of all Men that ever I knew, one
*' of the mofi: Mcdeft, . and the mofl eafily to be
" jdifcountenancM in his Approaches, either to his
" Superiors or his Equals."
This is the Perfonal Charader of Mr. Dryderiy
given by Mr. Ccngre've; and his Talents in Poetry, and
extenfive Capacity, can no way be more elegant-
ly and particularly illuflrated, than in the Continua-
tion of that Gentleman^'s Encomiums upon his de-
ceafed Friend ^ which is as follows :
" As to Mr. Drydens Writings, I ftiall not take
upon me to fpeak of them ; for to fay little of
^' them, would not be to do them right ; and to fay
'^ all that I ought to fay, would be to be very V^o-
^^ luminous. But I may venture to fay in general
' *' Terms,
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7^ Lives ^<?;^ Charaders qf the ^
Terms, that no Man hath written in our Lan-
guage fo much and fb various Matter, and in jfb i^
various Manners, (b well. Another thing 1 may fay i
was very peculiar to liim; which is, that his Parts -t
*' did not decline with his Years : But that he was
" an improving Writer to his laft, even to near
*^ Seventy Years of Age j .Improving even in Fire '
" and Imagination, as well as in Judgment j witnefs
*' his Ode on St. Cecilia s Day, and his Fables his laft
" Performances.
*' He was equally excellent in Verfe and in Profe :
" His Profe had ail ' the Clearnefs imaginable, to- ■
" gether with all the Noblenefs of Expreffion, all |
the Graces and Ornaments proper and peculiar ^|
to it, without deviating into the Language or Die- |
tion of Poetry. I make this Obfervation only to
diftinguifh his Stile from that of many Poetical
Writers, who meaning to write harmonioufly in
Profe, do in truth often write meer Blank Verfe.
'' His Verlification and his Numbers he could
*' learn of no Body : For he firft pollefs'd thofe Ta- i
" lents in perfeftion in our Tongue : And they who ]
" have befl fucceeded in them fince his Time, have i
been indebted to his Example ; and the more they i
have been able to imitate him, the better have i
they fucceeded. ]
" As his Stile in Profe is always fpecifically dll^ J
ferent from his Srile in Poetry ; fo on the other ;;
hand, in his Poems, his Didion is, wherever |
his Subjed: requires it, fb Sublime, and fo truly ?
Poetical, that its Eilence, like that of pure Gold, j
cannot be deftroy'd. Take his Veries and di- i
veft them of their Rhimes, difjoint them in their ''i
Numbers, tranfpofe their ExpreiTions, make what ]
Arrangement and Difpofition you pleafe of his i
Words, yet fhali there eternally be Poetry, and I
fbmethiiig which will be found incapable of being *|
'' re- :
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Englilh Dr'a MAT icK Poets. 77
r^olv'd into abroluce Profe ; an inconteftable
Charafteriflick of a truly Poetical Genius.
" I will fay but one Word more in general of his
Writings, which is, that what he has done in any
ope Species, or diftinft kind, would have beenfuf-
ficient to have acquired him a great Name. If he
had written nothing but his Prefaces, or nothing
' but his Songs, or his Prologues, each of them
■^ would have intitled him to the Preference and
' Diftindion of excelling in his kind.
Mr. Congre^ue^ out of the good Nature peculiar to
him, has given thisfhiningCharaderof Mr. Dr)'//^;^^'?
Talents ; which, by ail impartial Readers, mufl: be
allowed to be no lefs jufl than aftedionate. Mr.
Dryden iva6 the Darlmg of the Mufes^ andfurpafsd all
other Writers of his T^ime, ai Fire does all other Rlsmeirts c
and in a Copy of Verfes fent to him by Mr. Cvagrevey
on his Tranflation of Pevfim. are the foilowinp
Lines j which not only dem.onltrate the very great
Merit of Mr. Drydeii, but fiiew the mod confum-
mate Wit and Judgment of the Author.
Old Stokk Virtue^ clad in nigged Lines^
Polifb'd by you^ in rnoderti Brilliant JInnes ;
And Hi- before, for Periius our Efteem
To his Antiquity "uccis faid, not him :
SonozVj whatever Praife from us is duey
Belongs not to Old Periius, but the New,
For Jiill cbfcure to us, no Light he gives ;
Dead in himfelf in you alone he lives.
So flubborn Flints their inward Heat conceal,
'lill Art and Force th' unwilling Sparks reveal :
But thro^ your Skill, from thofe f mall Seeds of Fire
Bright Flames anfe^ which never Jhall expire. •
Mr.
7 8 Lives and Charaders of the j
Mn Addifoit, in his Account of- the Englijh PoetS:^ ]
writ in the Year i6^^. gives this Charaacr of Mr* \
Dyydens Writings in general. I
But fee where artful Drydcn next appear f,
Grown old in Rhime, but charming evn in Tears*
Great Dry den next ! wh(fe tuneful Mufe affords
The fweeteft Numbers, and the fittefl Words.
M^nether in Comick Sounds, or Ty-agick Airs
She forms her Voice, JJje moves our Smiles or ifears^
Jj Satire, or Heroick Strains, fie writes^
Her Hero pleajes, and her Satire bites.
From her no harjh unartful Number s fall.
She wears all Dreffes^ and fie charms in all.
I come now to his Plays, wherein I fhall be as
concife as may be,* but withal take notice (in the
fame manner as I do of all others) from whom
he has borrowed any part of his refpedive Perfor- '
mances. I begin in their Order of Time.
I. T'he Wild Gallant ', a Comedy, written in the
Year i66^. and aded at the Theatre Royah This
was the firft Attempt which Mr. Dryden made in
Dramatick Poetry ; and met with fo little Succefs
in the Action, that if he had not had a peculiar
force of Inclination to writing, he would have been
fuiEciently difcourag'd from any farther Progrefs ;
for this Play indeed made no Promifes of that great
Man he was afterwards to be.
IL llje Indian Emperor, or 'The Conquefl of Mexico
by the Spaniards, being the Sequel of the Indian Qtieen ;
a Tragi-Comedy, adedatthe Theatre Royal, iSjo.l
This Play is writ in Heroick Verfe, and has ap-
pearM' on the Stage with great Approbation. For ;
the Story confuit Lopez, de Gamare. Hfl. general de las
Incas & de Conquifta de Mexico. De Bry America pars p*
/. 7. Ogilbys America.^ chap. 3. feci. lo. Mariana de
Keh.
Englifli Dramatick Poets. yp
Reh. Hifp, lib, 26, cap. 5. Sir Paul Rkauts Hift. of
Peru,
III. An Evenings Love^ or l^he Mock Aflrokger ; a
Comedy, K571. adedatthe Theatre Royal j Dedi-
cated to the Duke of Newcaflle. The principal
Plot of this Play is built on Calderons El Afirologo
fingido. And the Play is^, for the moil part, taken
from Corneilles le feint Afirologue^ Moliere's Depetit
Amoreux, and les Precieufes Ridicules ; Quinaults
L'Arnant Indifcret, And fome Hints from Shake-
fpear.
IV. Marriage A-la-'mode ; a Comedy, K^jg. ac-
ted at the Theatre Royal ,• Dedicated to the Right
Honourable the Earl of Rochefler. The ferious
Part of this Play is founded on the Story of Sefoflris
and T^ifnareta in Grand Cyypti, fart p. book 3. The
Charaders oiPalamede and Rodophil feem to be taken
from the Story of Tyrianthes and Parthema, in the fame
Romance, p, 6.h. i. Melanthus making Love to Do-
ralice ^Yom Les Comes D^Ouvi He ^ part i. pag. 13.
V. Amhoyna j a Tragedy, aded at the Theatre
Royal, 1573. The Plot of this Play is chiefly
founded on Hiflory ,* being an Account of the
Cruelty of the Dutch to our Country-men in Amkoy-
na^ A,D. 161 8. For which fee Smbbs^ fVanley'sHiC-
tory of Man, lib. 4. c. 10. The Rape of ^^/>2^^,
by Harman, is built on a Novel of Cynthais Gyraldi,
Deca. 5:. Nou. 10.
VI. T'he Miftaken Hmhand ; a Comedy, 1^75'.
aded at the Theatre Royal. This Play is in the
nature of Farce; or, as the French term it, Bafje
Come die. 'Tis writ on the Model of P/^z/^^i'j -Me-
nechni. Mr. Dry den wa.s not the Author of this
Play, but he added a valuable Scene to it.
VII. Aurenge-Zeee, or T'he Great Mogul ; 2. Tra-
gedy, aded at the Theatre Royal, 16^6. Mr. Lang-
bam determines, that the Characters of Aurenge^Zebe
and
So Lives and Charaders of the -^
and Nourmahal are borrow^'ci from Seneca s Phadra and ;
Hipfolytm: But as a latter Writer obferves, there^'s '\
nothing alike through their whole Story, only theLovs \
of a Son-in-law, and his Ax^eriion j but that does by i
no means conftitute the Charafter (which is a thing \
'Mr. Langbain feems never to under/land) H/ppolytus j
has an Averfion to Love, Aurenge-Zebe is in Love, and i
much more polite j HippGlnm was a Hunter, and \
Aurenge-Zebe a Warrior : Nourmahal is a degree be- \
yond the Lewdnefs of ev'n Senecas Phaira^ who \
degenerated extremely from her Original iw Euri- .'
fides ; and, indeed, fhews none of her Qiialities but ,
Revenge for Difappointment in Love. Mr. Dyjdetz i
is blam'd by the Cricicks for this Line. '\
Tet her akne let net ycur "Thunder feize, ;
The Beauty of Seneca s Exprellion, Me velox cremet \
iraujacim ignis (which it miifl be confcfs'd, is borrow'd \
by Mr. Dryden) \s lofl: in this Tranflation; for feiz- ]
ing is too calm and impotent a Word to exprefs the |
force of a Thunder-bolt. But this feems to be the \
efj-ed: only of writing in Rhime, and not thro' any
want of Judgment.
VIIL The Tempefl, or The Inchamed Ifland ; a Co-
medy, aded at his Royal Highnefs the Duke of York's
Theatre, in the Year idy^. This is only an Altera- j
tion of one of Shakef gear's Plays, by Sir JVtlliam \
D'Amnant and Mr. Dryden^ as is acknowledg a by the
Author. Tho' Mr. Langbain^ in many places, at-
tacks Mr. Dr]den for uijcrratefal Treatment of his
Predecellors -, yet he fays iiere, \is to hispraife that
he fo much commends his deceasM Brother. .
IX. Feign d hnocence, or Stt Martin Mar-all ; a ^
Comedy, zcicd at the Duke of Tovk's Tneatre, 1678. |
The Foundation of this Play is originally Eench^^
which fceins to be the reafon that }sii. Dryden lias 1
not
Englilh Dramatick Posts. 8t
ftbt affix'd his Name to it. The greatefl part of the
Plot, and fome of th^ Language of Sir Martin^ is
taken from Qiiinauli's VAmant indifcrety The Indifcreet
Lover y znd Molieres VEJiourdi. fVan2e/.sp\2Lying on.
the Lute inftead of his Mafter ; and his being fur-
priz'd by his Folly, from Firmuron^ I. 7. Old Moody
and Sir John^ being fet up in their Altitudes, froiti
Shakerly Mnrmions Antiquary,
X. TheAffignation^ or Love in a Nunnery ; a Comedy,
aded at the Theatre Royal, idyS. This Play is
Dedicated to Sir Charles Sidley^ and fticceeded but
ill in the Reprefentation. Several of the Incidents
and Charafters are borrowed. The Charader of the
Duke of Mantua^ Frederick and Lucrefiay from Con-^
fiance the fair Nun^ Annals of LovCy p. Si, Aurelia^,
CamillOy Laura and Violetta, from Scarrcns Comical
Romance, Benito's Affedation of Mufick, from Qui-
naults Jadolety in his Come die fans Comedie ; Frontcnas
throwing Water on Laura, from Les Comes de M. de
In Fontaine, part i . Nov. 11. p. 74.
XL T'he State of Innocence, or The Fall of Man ; atl
Opera, idyS. This Opera is taken kom Milton s Pa->
radife loft ; and is Dedicated to her Royal Highnefs
the Dutchefs. yi):. Dry den is accusM by fome Criticks
of Abfurdity in this Performance; as his making
Lucifer before the World was made, or at leaft the
Devil knew any thing of its Form, Matter, or
ViciiTitudes. But this Piece is coraitiended in a
Copy of Verfes written by Mr. Lee ,• and the Author
has prefixt an Apology for Hetoick Pcretry and Po-
etick Licence.
XIL 'The Conquefl of Granada by the Sp^anidrds, Two
parts ', a Tragi-Comedy, aded at the Theatre
Royal, 167^. Thefe Plays are Dedicated to his
Royal Highnefs the Duke of Tork, and have beeri
aded with very great Applaufe. Mr. Langhain tells
us, that the main Plot, Thoughts and Charaders of
G thefe
n
82 Lives and Charifters of the , \
thefe Plays are borrow'd from French and Spanijh Ro -'
mances, as Almahidey Grand Cyrni, Ib-rahinty and GuJ- \
7nan; and defcends to Particulars too numerous to ]
have place in this Treatife ; But tho' Mr. Langhain {
is of Opinion, that the Character pf Almanzor is i
very like Pome de Leon, in Almahide ] y^t Almanzor ,
feems rather to be a Copy of the Achilles of Homer y \
ill underflood. 'Tis no wonder that the Succefs o£ 1
thefe Plays rous'd the Envious, and introducM very 1
particular and barbarous Criticifms, efpecially of \
Mr. Langhain \ when ^tis not long (ince one of the |
fin ell Writers of the prefent Age, met with the j
fame ungenerous Treatment, upon obliging the i
Town with a beautiful * Performance. And Ii
think the fingle Confideration of Mr. Drydens ha- |
ving produced fix Dramatick Performances in one. 1
Year, is fufficient to attone for iiiconfiderable Thefts, j
and trivial Irregularities. j
XIII. AH fir Love, or The World ueU loft; \
a Tragedy, ai^ed at the Theatre Royal, 1(578. i
Dedicated to the Earl of Dan&y. This Play is writ- ]
ten in Imitation of Shakeff ear's Stile; and chiefly ;
taken from his Anthony and Cleopatra, For the 1
Plot fee Plutarch's Life of Anthony , Suetonim in Aug* j
Dion, Cajpm, lib, 48, 51. OroJtHs^ lib. 6. c. 7. . j
XIV. Tyrannick Love^ or T^he Royal Martyr; as 1
Tragedy, aded at the Theatre Royal, 16 j9. This i
Piay is Dedicated to the moft illuftrious Prince, j
James Duke of Monmouth ; and is written in Heroick' j
Verfe. The Plot of this Tragedy, Mr. Langbain ;
fays, is founded on Hiilory, Zofimm^ lib. 4. So-\
crates^ lib. 5. c. 14., Herodian^ I, j. & S. Jul, Capit, in\
vit. Max. jfun. \
XV. Troilus and Cr^ss id Ay ov Truth fiund\
out too late ; a Tragedy, aded at the Duke's Theatre, I
1^7^.'
II « I 1 1 I II I - L • • • '
* Adr. Addifon'j Cato.
H
£iiglilh DRAJ.iAticK Poet Si 83
16 jp. This Play was firfl written by Shake/pear^ but
revis^'d by Mr. Dryden^ who added feveral new
Scenes \ and the laft Scene in the Third Ad, is al-
law'd to be a Mafler-piece. The 81017 is to be
found in Chaucer s I'roilm and Crefjpda. This Play is
Dedicated to the Earl of Stmderland ; and has a Pre-
face prefixed, containing the Grounds of CriLiciim
in Tragedy.
XVL Oedipus Km^ of 'Thebes ; a Tragedy^
aded at the Duke of Tork's Theatre^ i<^7^- It was
ritten by Mr. Dryden and Mr. Lee, This Tragedy
s eflecm a one of the befl we have extant : There
re mdny Things taken from Sophocles j.and if the
aihorshadfollcw'd Sophocles yet clofcr, in the Opi-
ion of the beft Judges, it had certainly ex'ceeded
Ihe beft of our other Modern Plays j fo far are they
rom being accus'd as Plagiaries here. Oediptis's Re-
fli of an Embrace of Jocafla^ after he had tied from
is Crown and pull'd out his Eyes, is judg'd an Ir-
jegulariry. ^
I XVII. Secret LoTe^ or The Maiden Queen ; a Tragi-
pomedy, a(3:ed at the Theatre Royal, i6jp. The
'::rious part of the Plot is founded on the Hiflory 0/
lle.buline (^i^t^:). cf CGrimh, p. 7. h. 7. The Cha-
iaders of Celadon^ Florimel, Olinda^ and Sah'ma^ are
oriow'd from the Hidory of Pififlratus and Ce-
vatha in Grand CyruSy p. 9- ^. 3. and the French Mar^
uis from Ibrahim. p> 2, b. 1.
XVIII. The Rival Ladies ; a Tragi-Comedy^
:5red at the Theatre Royal, 16-] 9, This Play is,
),diGated to the Right Honourable R'-ger Earl of
'rrery^ in the nature cf a Preface, written in Defence
t Englijb Verfe. Mr. Dryden alledges that this Play
■^ s firit written by the late Lord Euckhuyft^ after-
'ards Earl of DoYJet : but Mr. Langbain ainrms that
Ir. 'Thoma6 Norton wrote the three tirit Ads of it, and
ut not in Rhime, but in Blank Verfe* The Dif-
G a pure
^4 Lives and Chambers of the
pute betwixt Amideo and Hypolno, and Gonfaha%
fighting with the Pyrates, is Borrow'd from Encolpius^
Gitoriy Eumolpus and 'Teyphenas boarding the Veflel
of Lycas, in Petronius Arbiter ; and the Gataflrophe
refembles Scarrons Rival Brothers,
XIX. The kind Keeper^ or Mr, LimbeRhamj
a Comedy, aded at the Duke's Theatre, 1680.
Mr. Faimlfs Difcovery of Love-all in the Cheft ; fee
Cynthia Gyraldi, p, i, Dec. ^.^N. 3. 'M^s. Br ainjick's
pricking and pinching him, fee "Triwnph of Love over
Fortune-^ a Novel.
"XX. 'The Spanijh Fryar, or The Double Difcovery ,*
a Tragi-Comedy, aded at the King^s Theatre,
1 68 1. Here Mr. Langhain rails at Mr. Dryden vehe-
mently, for his Charader of Dominick^ a Satire on the
Romijh Priefls only, which he would have extend to
the Clei^y in general of all Opinions. The comical
Parts of Lorenz.0 and Elvira^ are founded on a No-
vel, caird The Pilgrimage i written by Monfieur S»
Bremond.
XXI. The Duke of Guife, a Tragedy, aded at
the Theatre Royal, 1683. The Plot is taken froifti
Daviky Mezeray, and other Writers in the Reign of
Henry III,' &c. For the Story of Malicorn the Con-
juror, read R^Jfet's Hifloires Tragiques en la vie de
Campe^ p. 449. Mr. Lee afTifled Mr. Dryden in the
compoling of this Play.
" XXII. Albion and A lb anus i an Opera,
perform'd at the Queen's Theatre in Dorfet-Garden,
1 68 5. The Siibjed is wholly Allegorical, and ex-
pofed the Lord Shaftesbury and his Adherents.
XXIII. Don Sebastian Kmg of Portugal; a
Tragedy, aded at the Theatre Royal, in the Yeai
i6po. This Play, Mr. Langbain informs us, is one
of the bell of Mr. Dryden s^ and was a6i:ed with
great Applaufe. It is founded chiefly on a Frenci
Novel of the fame Name.
XXIV. ^i
Englifli Dr A M A T re k P o e t s. 8 j
XXIV. King Arthur, or The Britifi Worthy ;
a Tragedy, aded at the Theatre in Dorfet Ga-.-den^
\6<^i. Dedicated to the Marquis oF Halifax. This
Play confiils more of Singing and fine Scenery, than
of Excellency ivi the Drama. The Incidents are extri.-
vagant, and Mr. Drjdm s great Genius fhines very
little in it. The Irichanted fVocd, and Ofmond's ArtyizQ
borrow'd from Tajfo i and the fabulous Story of
King Artlpur, you may read in Geoffrj of Monmouth, '
'' X^Js^ V. A M p H I T R Y o ,N,* ot The Tivo S .0 c I a'j ;
a Comedy ,• aded at the Theatre Royal, i6pi^
Dedicated to Sir Levifon Goner, Bart. It is taken
from Plautms Play of the fame Name.
XXVI. C L E o M E N E s. The Spartan Hero ; a Tra-
JBdy, aded at the Theatre Royal, 1 5p2. This Play
^as afted with great Applaufe, notwithftanding it
Was mifreprefented by fome of Mr. Dry dens Ene-
mies at Court. The Plot, the Author owns, is taken
from Plutarch ; but to the Story he has added the
Love of Cajfandrq for Cleommes, and has ^w^x^ him
a Second Wife. See more of Clecmenes m Polybtus and
CorneUm> Nepos,
. XXVII. Lgv^ Triuniphant^ or Nature vjill prevail ;
2l Tragi-Comedy, aded at the Theatre Royal,
165)4. Dedicated to the Right Honourable James
Earl of Salisbury, iyc. This Play had not fo good
Succefs as many of Mr. Drydens met with ,• but in
feveral Parts the Genius of that great Man breaks
out, efpecially in the Scene of the DiTcovery of
Alphonfo\ vidorious Love, and the lafl Scene^, wnere
the Cataflrophe is extremely moving. In the
Epiftle Dedicatory to this Play, Mr., Dryden m^
form'd us, that it was the laft he intended for the
Theatre. Thefe his Dramatical Works iire lately
re-printed in Six Volumes 1 2"\ and Dedicated to
the Duke of Nsmaftk, by Mr. Congreze,
G I Thus
$6 Lives and Chiud.evs cf the j
.V.J 1
Thus l^ir. JDry deny in the fpace cf 25 Years/ (be- |
fides his other numerous Poetical Writings) prodiic'd i
ij Plays; and 'tis generally obferv'djthat m^.ny of his \
Dramatical Performances are Airy to ^ Degree, and |
border upon Obfcenity : In anfwer to which I have 1
frequently heard it ojfl-er'd in his Favour, that hi§ 1
Neceffities obliged him to a Conflancy of writing ;
for the Entertainment of the Town, the Taile of i
which was very much deprav'd ; and that he has de-? !
clar'd he never writ but one Dram^tick Piece j
to pleafe himfelf, in his whole Life ; which I think ;
is related tp be his Spanijh Eja}-, or The Double \
jpifcovery. j
Ke died at Lcndcriy in the Year 1700. and in th? !
\ 67th Year of his Age, He wjis buried at Weftminr \
j fter : A_nd the prefent Duke of Ne-^j^caflky put pF hi} j
exteniive Liberality, and unprecedented Efteem for t
Merit, has lately order'd a noble Monument to be ii
ereded over his Remains.
Mr. John D r y d e n, Junior > I
A Son of the great Mt. Dry den. He went early '
to F<omey where he was entertained by the i
Pope, as one of the Gentlemen cf his Bed-Cham-' j
ber. He wrote one Play. \
The Hmhand his ovm Cuckold ; a Comedy, aded at; i
the Theatre Royal in Little Lincohu- Inn-Fields ^ ip9^f \
Dedicated to the Right Honourable Sir Rokrt ;
Hoivard, This Play is introduce with a Prefaqp
^vritten by his Father.
Englifli Dramatick Poets. S7
Jidr, Thomas Duffet.
THIS Author was a Milliner m the New Ex-
change ; but his Genius leading him to Po-
etry (particularly low Comedy) he wrote four
Dramatic k Pieces.
I. T'he Spanijh Rcgtie ; a. Comedy, aded at the
Theatre Royal, 1^74. Dedicated to Madam E/z-
anor Gwyn. By Mr. Langbains Remarks on this Play,
it fliould be Keroick Verfe, which is very unufual
in Comedy L^and tho' it is one of the beft of this
Author's, yet it had but indifierent Succefs.
II. T'he Mock Tempefl^ or 7?;<? Inchanted Caflle ; a
Farce, aded at the Theatre Royal, idyd. This
Piece was purpofely writ in a Buriefque Stile ,• and
defign'd to draw Spedators' from the other Theatre,
there being, at that Time, a great refort thither, to
fee the Play reviv'd, call'd T'he 'Tempefi. It is in-
termixt with fo much Scurrillity, that when it was
prefented at the Theatre in Dublin, feveral Ladies
and Perfons of the befl Quality, quitted the Houfe :
Such Ribaldry, according to Horace, pleaiing none
but the Rabble.
Offenduntur enim, quibm efi equm, & pater, & res :
Nee fi quidfriEti ciceris probat, & nucis emptor^
j^quis accipium animis, donantve Corona.
Hor. de Art. Poet.
III. Beauties ^Triumph ; a Mafque, i6j6. prefen-
ted by the Scholars of Mr. Banifter and Mr. Hart^
at the hod^XfiiW^ School at Chelfey.
G 4 IV. Psyche
t
88 Lives and Characjiers of the
IV. Psyche Debauched ; a Comedy, or Mock
Opera, aded at the Theatre Royal, 1678. Thi^
is a Biirlefque on Shadirelfs Pfychey as was the above
Meek 'Tempefl on the 'Tempefi, or T'he Inchanted Iflandy
reviv'd with Alterations fropi Shakeffear^ by Mr.
Dryden.
What Succefs both of them had, as Mr. Langham"
obferves^ may be learad from thefe Lines ;
T'he ^ull Biirlefque appear d with Impudence^
And pleased by Novelty^ for want of' Senfe. '
But this lew Stuff', the Town at lafl defpud,
lAndfcornd the Folly ^ that they once hadpri^fd.
' Boileau^j Art. of Poet.
Mr. Thomas Durfey. i
THIS Gentleman was born in the County of i
Devon, and was firil bred to the Law. He ]
has writ near Thirty Plays with various Succefs j but |
he has this Satisfadion, that the greatell Part of 1
them met with Approbation. His Excellency is 5
Farce, which fhews ii^ol^ in moft of his Dramadck |
Works,- and he muft certainly be allow'd a greater i
Mafler in the Compofure of Songs, than at Theatri- i
cal Writings. He has fhewn himfelf a notable Pla-^ I
giary in a great many of his Performaaces ,*. and the ;i
Plays he has publifh^d are as follow.
I. T'he Siege of Memphis, or "Xhe Ambiticm Queen i y
a Tragedy,' aded at the Theatre' Royal, le-jC* i
This Play met not with the Stxcefs expe&d. j
II. Madam Fickle, or T'he Witty Falfe One i a \\
Comedy, i^dcd at the Duke of Br^'s Theatre, 1677, ^
T'edicated co his Gr^ce the Duke of Ojmmd. This iiii
pia) IS comi^i'd. from feveral other Comedies ,* 0/4 \
Lie, from Vets. a/.o. i'ji Ma, •m,On\'. Antiquary ^ Zechiel]^ \\
ereej.>iag. i..to ti^e Ta\et..-Bafh, 3.nd Tillwfs being
n
English D R A M A T 1 CK Poets. 8p
drunk under it, &c, from Sir Reijerence Lamard^ and
PimpweUy in Iflington and Hogfden Walks. See alfo a
Play writ by Mr. Mar/ion ; calJ'd, T'/'e Fawn,
III. Trick for Trick, or 77;^ Debauched Hypocrite ; Z
Comedy, adedatthe Theatre Royal, 1678. Thi$
is onJy one of Fletcher's Plays, call'd, Monfieur
T%oma6y revived.
IV. T^he Fool turn d Critick; a Comedy, aded at
the Theatre Royal, i ^78. Several of the Charac-
ters of this Play are borrowed ; as Old Wine-Lo'vey
'Trim and Small Wit, feem to be taken from Simo^ ^
AfotHi, and Balio, in Randolph's Jealons Lo'vers,
'^ V. The Fond Hmband, or The Plotting^ ^ifiers , a
Comedy, aded at the Duke of Tork's Theatre, 1 57$.
This is efteem'd one of the befl of Mr. Durfiy-%
plays, and was aded with Applaiife. ^
VI. Squire O l d S a p, or The N/ght Adventurers i
a Comedy, a6led at the Duke's Theatre, 167^. Se-
veral Incidents in this Play, are borrowed from Frau"
cions Comic. Hijl. Boccace's, Novels, Les Comes de M- de
la Fontaine.
VII. The Virtmm Wife, or Good Luck at loft ; a
Comedy, aded at the Duke's Theatre, 1^80. Se-
veral Hints are taken from The Fawn, Marriage
A'la-mode, &c.
VI1I.\S/V Bar,nab Y Whig, or No Wit like a
Woman Sy a Comedy, aded at the Theatre Ro}al,
1 68 1. Dedicated to the Right Hoi ourable G^-o?^^
Earl of Berkeley. The Plot of this Play is taken
from a Play of Marmioris i cali'd. The Fne Compa-
nion ; and part fl'om The Double Cuckold^ a Novel,
written by Monfieur St. Bemond.
IX. The Rojalift ; a Comedy, aded at the Duke'
of Tork's TheaiTw, 1682. This Play me c with good
Succsfs ; but it is colleded cliiefly trom Novels.-
Camiiias Tnck of impolin^Sir OUvei Old- Cut. ror Sir
Charles KiKg-hviy is borrcw'd itom. Boccace s Novels,
Daj
90 Lives and Chara(5ters of the
Day 7. Nov, p. And the Song of Hey Boys up go xi'^,
ftolen from an Eclogue in The Shepherds Oracle,
X. T.he Injured Prince j^s^ or The Fatal Wager ', a
Tragi-Comedy, a^ted at the Theatre Royal, 1682.
The Foundation of this Play is entirely taken from
Shakefpear's Cymbeline.
XI. A Common-wealth of Women ; a Tragi-Come-
dy, aded at the Theatre Royal, i6%6. Dedicated
to the Duke of Albemarle. This Play is borrowed
from Fletchers Sea Voyage ; and is very ill written.
XII. The Banditti^ or A Ladys Diftrefs ; a Come-
dy aded at the Theatre Royal, iC^6, This Play"
being oppos'd in the ading, by Perfons with Cat-
Calls ; the Author Dedicated it to a certain Knight,
tinder the Title of. The extreme JVittj and JudicJcm
Gentleman, Sir Criiick-Cat- Call, Plot iwm Don Fenife,
CSr H/fi. Don Antonio, Diego's turning Banditti^ &c.
borrowed from Pippercllo in Shirley's- Siflers,
XIII. A Fool's Prefevmenty or The Three Dukes of
Dunflable ; afted at the Queen*s Theatre in Dorfet
Gar deny 1688. Dedicated to Charles Lord Morpeth ^
in a familiar way, as if the Author were a Man of
Quality. There are feveral Songs in this Play fet
by the ingenious Mr. Henry PurceL The whole
play is little more than a Tranfcript of Fletcher's
Noble Gentleman, except one Scene, which is taken
|rom a Novel,* call'd. The Humours of Bajjet.
XIV. Bujfy D'Ambois, or The Husband's Re-
venge; a Traged}^ afted at the Theatre Royal,
i6pi. Dcdic2Ltcd to Edward Ea.rl o^ Carli/le, This
is a Play of Mr. Chapman s revis'd ; and the Cha-
rader of Tamyra, Mr. Durfey tells us, he has alter'd
for the better. For the Story fee Thuanm Jean de
^rres & Mex.-eray, in the Reign of Henry III. of
France ,* and the particular Intrigue of Buffy with
Tamyra in Rofjei, in his Hijloires Tagiques de Noftre
Temps,
XV. Love
Englifli Dr a m a t I c k P 0 e t s. 91
■ ^V* Love for Money ^ or 7 he Boardiyig-School ; Z
Comedy, aded at the Theatre Royal, 16^1, Der
dicated to ths Right Honourable Charles Lord Vif-
count Laiifdouny Count of the Sacred Roman Empire,
O'c. This Play me.t with Oppofition in the iirft
J)r/s Reprefentition ,* but notwithftanding, it had
tolerable Saccel's. The Plot, in general, is allow*(i
to be his own.
XVI. T^he Rkhnond Heirefs^ or A Woman cnce in
the Right ; a Comedy, aded at the Theatre Royal>
i6p3. This Play had not the Succefs the Author
gxpeded ; but being reviv'd with Alterations, k
was well receiv'd.
XVIL 'the Marriage-Hater Match' d ; a Comedy,
afted at the Theatre Royal, 1(593. Dedicated to
^arnes Duke, Marquis and Earl of Ormonde dec. In
a flatteiing Epiflle, the Author tells us this is much
the beft ot his Comedies.- Mt. Dogget was firft takeQ^
notice of as an excellent Actor, from the admirably
Performance of his Part in this Play.
XVIII. the Comical Hi ft or y of Don QuixoTj^
Part J. aded at the Queen's Theatre in Dorfet
Garden^ id'5?4. Dedicated to the Dutchefs of Or-*
mond. This Play was aded with very great Ap-
plaufe. It is wholly taken from the S^anifi Ro-
piance of that Name.
XIX. the Corneal Hiflory of Den Qu i x o t, Par$
II. acted at the Queen^s Theatre, 1(594. Dedica-
ted, by an EpiPde in Heroick Verfe, to the Earl of
porfet and Middlefe^^, This Play was likewife a(5ted
with Applaufe.
XX. Don Q^uixoT, Part III. With the Marriage
of Mary the Buxcm, i6p6. Dedicated to Charles
Mcntaguey Efq^ one of the Lords Commiffioners of
the Treafury. This Play wanted Succefs j but the
Author would not allow its Defers to be fo noto-
|:ious as they were reprefentcd. Thefe two laft
' ^ ' "' Plays
'pi Lives and Charadlers of the
Plays are alfo borrowed from the iheomparabic
Cervantes.
XXI. llje Intrigues of VerfaiUes; -or A J tit in all
HumoJLYs ; a Corned)^, aded at t-he Theatre in Lin-
colns-Inn-Fields, 165)7. This PJay likewife had not
the Succefs the Aiitho^p defir'd j for-in-hisEpiftle to
the two Sir Charles Sidleys, he condemns the Tafte
of the Town for not liking it, when they had ap-
^prov'd others of his Plays of lefs Merit. The Thefts
in this Play are numerous : 7ornez.res Difguife, and
Count Brifack's falling in Love with his Wife's Gal-
lant in Woman's Gl6aths, are borrow'd from i
Novel, entitled, 'The Double Cuckold] Vandoffns
Chara^er feems to be a Copy of Olivia in the Plain"
' Dealer y and Mirtillay in Mrs Behns Play, caird^
'the AmoYom Jdt. -^
XXII. Cynthia and E n d i m i o n, or T'he Loves
cf the Deities ; a Dramatick Opera, acted at the
-Theatre Royal, 169-]. Dedicated to the Right
Honourable Henry Earl of Rumney,' This Play was
aded with Applaufe ^ and the Author, in his Title
Page, lets his Patron know, that the late Qneeh
'Mary deiignM to Honour this Oft' 'ring of his Mufe.
^here are many Lines in this Play above the Genius
which generally appears in the other Works of this
Author ; but he has perverted the Gharafters of
Ovid, m making Daphne, the Chafte Favourite of
Diana, a Whore and a Jilt,* and fair Syrinx to lofe
iier Reputation, in the unknown ignominy of an en-
vious, mercenary infamous Woman. For the
Story, fee Ovid's Metamorphcfes, and Pfyche, in the
4th, 5th, and (5th Books of Lucius ApuleiHis Golden
Afs.
XXIII. The Campaigners, or Pleafam Adventures at
Bniffels ; viith a familiar Preface upon a late Reformer
V cf the Stage ; ending with a Satyrkal Fable of the Dog
md the Otter, 1 69'd; This.p]ay is Dewiicated to the
' Right
Englifh D R A k^a tick Poet s.' ip j
Right Honourable T'homas Lord Wharton ; and part
ot* it is borrow^'d from a Novel ; call'd. Female Falf*
hood.
XXIV. M A s s I A N E L L o, ov^ A Fijherman a
Prince^ in Two Parts ; a<5ted at the Theatre in I^
coins- Inn- Fields^ 1700. Dedicated to 'ThoTnas 'Loxd,
Leigh.
XXV. T^he Modern Prophets^ or. New Wit for a
Husband; a Comedy.
XXVI. The Old Mode and the NeWy or Country
Mifs iCith her Furbeloe^ a Comedy,
XXVII. Wonders in the Sun, or, 'The Kingdom of
Birds ; a Comick Opera, perform'd at the Queen s
Theatre in the Hay-market*
E. '
Mr. E D W A R D E C C L E S T O N.
A Gentleman who wrote one Dramatick Piece,
of the fame Nature with Mr. Drydens State
of Innocence, but very fhort of its ExcelJency; it is
call'd,
N o A h'j- F/oo/^, or Tl)e DeflruHion of the World;
an Opera, 167P. Dedicated to the Dutchefe of
Monmouth. This Play not k\lm^ according to the
Bookfeller's Expectation, appeared after uhder twa
other Titles, viz.. The Cataplafm, ox General De-^
luge of the World ,* 2.ndThe Deluge, or The FkJlruBion
of the Worlds with feveral Ornamental Sculptures.
Mr.
54 Lives and Charaders of the
Mr. Richard Estcourt-
THIS incomparable Comedian was born in
Glome flerjlnre : Coming up to London, he fervid
an Apprenticefhip to an Apothecary in Hatton Garden;
and afterwards fet up his Trade -, but not meet-
ing with the Encouragement he expe&dj he went
over to Irelandy and entered himfelf in the Company
of Players belonging to the Theatre in Dublin. He
had not been long there, before be became Eminent i
and returning to England, he foon acquired the
greateft Reputation. Sir Richard Steele gives him the
Charader of an excellent Companion, one who was
perfectly Mafter of well turn'd Complements^ a^
well as fmart Repartees. * He died in the Year
171 3. And the Dramatick Pieces he writ are Two
in Number.
I. T'he Fair Example, or "The Modijh Citizen ; a
Comedy, aded at the Theatre Royal, 1706. This
play is Dedicated to Chrifiopher Rich, Efq^ and was
aded with Applaufc.
II. Prunella ,• an Interlude, performed (be-
tween the A(5i:s in the Rehearfal) at the Theatre
Royal. This is a Burlefque upon the Italian
Operas, particularly Avfinoe, Camilla, and 'Ihcmyris ;
wherein the inimitable Humour of the Author is va-
riouDy fhewn. He lays-his Scene in Covem-Garden ;
which "he thus defcribes: " Scene, A Hat piece of
^' Ground without Hedge or Stile : The Profpcd
'* of- a'Church in-view, and Tonis Ccffee-Ho^^fe at a
-'•-i^ " diftance.
f See mere in the Spedator, Numb. ^So,
Englifli Dramatick Poets, ^5
" diflance." And in his Burlefque on Arjinoe; Sat-
timfcoy the Mercer's Man, fmgs this Air, alluding to
a line one, fung by Mrs. Tofis in that Opera.
0 Maid that art fo fir^y
To thee I ftill incline ;
A Prettier Lafs ij^as never /sen
'7^u/x^ Dover and the Rhine.
Such Dazzling fills my Sight y
Like Flambeaus in the Night ;
'That Bonfires on a Holy-day y
M^ere never half fo bright.
.5^^
Sir G E O R G E E T H E R E G E.
A Gentleman celebrated for his Wit in the Reiga
■^ of King Charles IL Hisfirft Applications were
to the Law, at one of the Inns of Court ; and his
firft Comedy gainM him a general Eileem amongft
all Lovers of Polite Literature. He was married
Young to a confiderable Fortune, whereupon being
in favour with King ya?nes II. he was Knighted hf
him, and fent Envoy to Hamburgh. Upon the Re^
lolutionthc followed the Fortunes of that Printey and
died in France, He lias oblig'd the World witU
three Plays.
L The Comical Revenge y or Lifve in a Tub ; a Co-
medy, aded at the Duke of Tor}is Theatre, 166%
Diidicated to the Right Honourable Charles Lord
Buckhurfl, This Play is part Serious and part Co^
mical ; and tho' the Serious part is not approv'd
like the other, yet it was aded with a general Ap^
piaufe.
II. She wQud if Jhe coti'd ; a Comedy, aded at the
Duke's Theatre, i6ji. This Comedy is efteem'd
one of the firft Rank j and Mr. Shadv^elly in his Pre-
face
<p5 Lives and Chafaftefs of the
{b,cc to T'he Humorifisy %{\ts it the Charadet of the
beft Comedy written fince the Reftoration of thie
Stage. ,
111. 'the Man of Modcy or 6V> F o p l i n g F l u t-
T E R i a Comedy, aded at the Duke^s Theatre, 1 6j6.
Dedicated to her Royal Highnefs the Dutchefs of
TorL This Play is written with great Art and
Judgment, and ftiews that its Author was Mailer of
true Wit and Humour. It was aded with very
great Applaufe. The Charader of Dor imam was
drawn in Compliment to the Earl of Rochefier,
F.
Sir Francis F a n e^
Knight of the Bath.
TAN honourable Author, who liv'd in the Reign
j[^\^ of King Charles II. He was Grandfon to
the Earl of Weflmorland, and refided, for the moft
part, at Fulbeck in Lincolnjhire. He writ two Plays.
I. Love in the Darky or T'he Man of Bujinefs ; a Co-
medy, aded at the Theatre Royal, K575. Dedica-
ted to the Right Honourable John Earl of Rochefier.
The Plot of this Play is taken from T'he Invijible
Miflrefs^ in Scarrons Novels, Boccace's Novels, Live^
of' Great Alen, &c.
II. T'he Sacrifice ^ a Tragedy, 16S6. Dedicated to
the Right Honourable Charles Earl olDorfet and Mid-
dlefex. For the Plot of this Tragedy, fee the Lives
of Tamerlane and Bajazet, Chalcocondyla^, lib* 3 . Leun^
clavimy lib. 6, This Play was not prefented on the
Theatre ; but it was highly commended by twd
Copies of Vcrfes to the Author, by Mr- Tate and
' : . Mrs-
Englifli Dram A TICK Poets.* sT
Mrs. Bdm \ in the former are the two following
Lines.
T^hpt^ for a T*heatrey the JJ^orld you find.
And your af^laudwg Audience ^ all Mankind,
Sir Richard F a n s h a \v.
THIS Gentleman was Brother to the Right
Honourable Thomas Lord Fanfiavj. He had his
Education at the Univerfity of Cambridge, from
whence he remov'd to Court, where he did not
continue long without Preferment; being made
Secretary to King Charles L in Holland, France and
Scotland : He was a perfed Mailer of the French^
Italian^ .^anifi znd Portuguefe hzngua.gQS ; and was
no lefs a Statefman than a Scholar. After the Reflc^
ration, he was fent Ambafladpr, to agree upon a
>/Iatch between King Charles II, and Catherine the
Infanta of Portugal. In the Year 166/^. he was or-*
der'd to the Court of Madrid, to confirm a Treaty of
Commerce, and Died there, 1666. very much la-
mented. His Dramatick Pieces are only two ia
Number, and both Tranflations.
I. paJIorFlDO, or The Fait hfi4 Shepherd; a Paf-
toral, printed 1 6^6, Dedicated to King Charles II,
when Prince of Wales. It is tranllated from the
; Italian of the famous Guarini, who imitated lajfo's
I Aminta, and excelled it. This Paftoral was fiirft writ
on the Occafion of Charles Emmanuel, the Young
j Duke of Sarvoys Marriage with the Infanta o^ Spain,
1 II. Querer per folo querer, To Love only for Lcue's
fake, 1 671. This is a Dramatick Romance, tranf-
lated from the Spanijh oiAIendoz.a by Sir Richard, when
he was under Conirnement in Tankerfly Caflle in
H Torkr
98 hives a?td Clnn&ets of the
TorkJJme, he being taken •Prifoner at the Battle of •
IVorcefier, during the Civil Wars, exerting himfelf in- j
the Defence of his Royal Mafter. This Play con- i
fids of but three Ads, according to the Sjpanijb ']
Cuflom. I
I
f?^e^^^'^^^^^''f.^^ ^l^^ ^^^ ^^< ^>^^7^^c5'^''^'':M '''
i*^.m^ii^^^^^.^ CSi8$i i^:^ ^^ ^c;^X^'^^^^'v!^^;^ .i
Mr. George Farquhar.
A Gentleman defcended from a good Family in |
the North part o^ Ireland. He was Educated at '
Irmity College in Dublin j and afterwards he followed j
the Banner of Mars, which fuited his Inclinations, i
He was a Lieutenant of Foot, when he wrote moft !
of his Dramacicic Pieces; znd his Recruimg Officer \ \
fuiEciently fhows that he was well acquainted with' ]
that gay Scene of Life. His chief Charaders are- j
generally Copies of himfelf ; and his Humour,- !
which is truly natural, makes all his Plays very- I
entertaining. They are Eight in number. ' '
L Loue and a Bottle; a Comedy, aded at the: i
Theatre Royal, 1698. Dedicated to /"^r^^r/^^f Lord I
Marquis of Carmarthen. This PJay has a humorous- '\
Prologue and Epilogue, both written and fpoke by \
Jo. Haines.
\L "The Con flam Couple., or A T'rip to the Jubilee ; a .^
Comedy, aded at the Theatre Royal, 1700. De- 1
dicated to Sir Roger Moflyn, Bart. Wddair in this i
Play, is the Charadcr of the Author in his polite^" il
Capacity; but at befl, it muft be allow'd, that in * i
the Reprefentation, Mr. H'^ilks, by his fprightly-;^
Behaviour, vaftly excells the Original. - i
in. *SzV H A R R Y W I L D A I R, being the Sequel t^ W
the "Trip to the Jubilee, a Comedy, aded at the li
Theatre Royal, 1701. Dedicated to the Earl of ij
Am-
Englifli DraMatick Pohts; 99
Alkmarle. Both thefe Plays were afted with great
Applaufe*
IV. The Liconjiant^ cr T'he ipay to win him ; a Co^
medy, aded at t^e Theatre Royal^ 1703. Dedi-
cated to Richard 7'ighey Efq;
V. The Tv:in Ri'vals ; 2l Corfiedy, aded at the
Theatre Royal, 1705. Dedicated to Hem-y Brety
Efq; This Play met with very good Succefs. .
VI. 'the Recruiting Officer ; a Comedy, aded at the
Theatre Royal, 1 707. Dedicated to all his Friends
round the Wrekin* This Play YiZ.s a Prologue part-
ly Profe and partly Verfe, introduc'd v/ith Eeat
of Drum ; and was aded with Applaufe.
VII. T'he Beaus Stratagem ; a Comedy, aded at
the Tlieatre Royal, 1710. This Play was brought
on the Stage, when the Author was on his Death-
bed j and in a. fliort Advertifement before it, he
gratefully acknowledges the Friend fhip of Mr. Wilksy
to whom he fays, he owes the Succefs of this Play.
VIII. The Stage-Ccach ; a Farce, acted like wife at
the Theatre Royal.
«4* *&** ^•- ^^ ^^-^^''-^-^'^-*^^*^*&^^
j Henry Lord Vtfcount Faulkland^
THE learned Nobleman celebrated by Mn
Cowley* He was Lord Lieutenant of the
I .County of Oxford; and very much refpected for his
extraordinary Parts and Heroick Spirit. He ho-
j nourM the VVorld with one Play.
' The Marriage Night; a Tragedy, printed i66j^.
I This Tragedy has a great deal of Wit and Satire in
■ it ; but it is uncertain whether it was ever acted.
H 2 Mr,
1
i
loo Lives and Chariders of the \
i
j
Mr. N A T H A N I E L F I E L D.
A Poet that liv'd in the Reigns of King James i
and King Charles I. very much efteem^d by i
Mr. Chapman, Majfenger, and others his Contempo- |
raries. He writ two Plays. ^ j
I. Woman s a WeathevCock ; a Comedy, aded be- ;
fore the King at Wloite-Hall; and in the White-fry ars^ i
idi2. This Play is Dedicated to any Woman that i
hath not been a Weather-Cock ; and is commended \
by a Copy of Verfes written by Mr. Chapman.
II. Amends for Ladies, with the merry Pranks of
Moll C u t-P u r s e j or *The Humour of Roaring ;
a Comedy, adad at the Whitefryars by the Princess
Servants, 1639. This Play the Author writ to a-
tone for the Oftence the other had given to the Fair
Sex. The Plot is partly taken from the Novel of
'fhe Curiom Impertinent in Don Quixot.
^5^
Ot^^
T
Mr. E D W A R D FiL MER. I
HIS Gentleman was Doctor of the Civil 1
Law; and produc^'d a Play in the Autumn of li
his Age. It is call d,
I'he Unnatural Brother -, a Tragedy, aded at the 1
Theatre in Little Lincolns-lan-Fields, 169-], This '\
Play> like its Author, wanted Force and Fire to live :^
long; but fome Twines in it difcover the Compofer \i
to be a Man of good Senfe. The Plot is taken ;.j
from Cajfandra, }]
Mr.
Englilli Dramatick Poets. lor
Mr. FiSHBOURN.
A Gentleman Jbelonging to the Inns of Courts
who writ an obicene and unlicenc'd Piay^
caird,
Sodom, The Bookfeller, to make this Piece fell, put
the Letters E. R. in the Title Page, thinking by
that means it might pafs for the Earl of Rochefiers j
But my Lord, upon a former Imputation, in a Copy
of Verfes, denies his having any Ihare in the Com-
pofurci neither has it any of my Lord Rocheflers
Wit to make amends for the abominable Obfcenity.
The only good Lines in it are thefe, defcribing
the Seat of Pleafure-
T'his is the Warehoufe of the IJ/brld^s chief TradCy
On this f oft Anvil all Mankind were made,
Mr. Richard Flecknoe.
THIS Author liv'd in the Reigns of King
Charles I. and 11. and 'tis faid that he was ori-
ginally a Jefuit : he publifh'd feveral Pieces both iti
Profe and Verfe, particularly the latter ; but as Mr.
Langhain obferves, he had a greater Propeniity to
Rhiming, than Genius to Poetry \ and his Name is
perpetuated more by Mr. Drydens Satire, call'd
Mack Flecknoe^ than his own Writings. He writ feveral
Plays, tho' he could never get but one of. them
a^ed ; and that met with a very ill Fate, His Dra-
matick Pie^^s are,
H 5 I- Lcve's
1
T02 Lives and Charafters of the
I. Lcve's Doininion ; a Dramatick Pafloral, printed ^|
1554. Dedicated to the Lady Eliz>aheth Claypole, j
This Piece was written as a Pattern for the reform'd j
Stage, and contains a great deal of Morality. j
II. Loves Kingdom; a' Paftoral Tragi-Comedy, \
166^. Dedicated to the Marquis of Newcaflle, \
This is little more than the former Play altered, ':
with a new Title ; and it was afted at the Theatre ;
in Lmolns-Jyin-Fields ; but it had the misfortune to j
milcarry in the Reprefentation. S
III. E s M I N I A, or The Cha(l Lady ; a Tragi-CO'» i
medy, 1 66-]. Dedicated to th^ Fair and Virtuous j
Lady South cot.
IV. Da?ne7feIIes A-Ia-mode ; a Comedy, 1 5(57. ^^'^
dicated to the Duke and Dutchefs of Ne-u^cajik,
This Play, the Author owns, is taken out of feveral
excellent Pieces of Moliere. The main Plot from
his Les precieufes Ridicuks ; the Counterplot of
Sganarelle from his L'Efcole des Feinmes i and the
\ two Naturals from his L'Efcole des Maris.
y . T'he Marriage 0/ O c e a N u s.and B ?ii t a n n i a^
^ Mafqiie. -
In Erminia, and Damoifelks A-la-mcde, the Author
has put the Aclors Names, he defign'd for the Per-
formance, pver-againfl the Dramatis Perfona, thp'
they were never acted ; for which he girt.s this rea-
fon, that the Reader might have half the Pleafure of
feeing them a^ed, by a lively -Imagination, Vv^hich;
would fupply the dzkct of Aftion : And this was
politick enough^ fince it was his fiudnefs to get theiii
%Q be ready -
#v
Englilh Dramatick Poets. 103
2i/fr. John Fletcher, and
Mr. Francis BExIUMOnt.
MR. Fletcher was Son of the Reverend Dodor
Richard Fletcher, created Bifliop o( Bripl by
Queen El/zakth ; and by her tranilated to the
Bifhoprick of London, Anno i^ps- ^^ ^^^^^ Educa-
ted at the Univerfity of Cambridge. As to his Col-
league in Writing, Mr. Beaumont, he was defcended
from the ancient Family of that Name, feated
at Gracedieu in Leiceflerjhire. He was Brother to Sir
Henry Beaumont Knight, of the fame Place ; and his
Father, Francis Bemmont, Efq,- was Judge of the
Common-pleas. He had his Education likewife at
Cambridge-, from whence he removed to the Inner-*
T'emple. He was a Man of a . great deal of Learning,
good Wit, and better Judgment ; infomuch that^, as
}AT.Langbain obferves, the great Ben. Johnjon thought
it no Difgrace to fubmit fome of his Writings to his
Corredion. Mr. Fletcher was excellent at Repartee,
the greateft Grace of Comedy -, and his Wit was
equal to Mr. Beaumont s Judgnient ; but foms times
flow'd to that height, that it required a check from
his Judicious Friend. They were both polite in
their Manners, whereby they introduc'd fine Scenes
o f Con verfa t i on ; and Fletcher exp re fs'd h i s Tho 11 ght s
with fuch Vivacity, drew the Paflions fo lively
(efpecially Love) and his Raillery was io witty,
that he rather pleasM than difguiled, even thofw very
Perfons on whom he feem'd to refled:. Their Plays
are Fifty three in number -, and it muft be confefsM
that Fletcher s Fancy and Beaumont s Judgment com-
bined in the Produdion : They v/ere firii coile&d
H 4 into
104 Lives and Charaders of the
into one large Volume Fol/o, 16 jp. but are fince re-
printed in feven Volumes O^^'z;^, 1 71 1. Dedicated
to the Puke of Devoujlme. And are as follow.
I. 'The Beggar's Btijh i a Comedy, at iirft aded
with Applaufe.
ll/B o N DUG A ; a Tragedy. Plot from 7*acitms
Annals^ Book 14. Milton s Hi ft, Engl. Sook 2. This
Play has been twice reviv^'d.
' III. The Bloody Brother^ or R o l L o Duke of Nor-
mandy ', 2L Tragedy, afted at the Theatre in Dorjiit
Garden. The Plot is taken from Herodian. Hft. hb>
4. and part of the Language from Smeca-s Thebais.
IV. The Captain ; a Comedy. This Play has not
been ' reprefented on the Theatre a great many
Years. . .
Vr The Chances ; a Comedy. This Comedy was
revived by the late Duke o^ Buckingham^ with' great
Alterations, 1682. and was aded at ;he Theatre in
Dorfet Garden, with great Applaufe. ' '
VI. TI^^ Coro;z<^^/o«,- aTragi-Comedy. Islx. Shirley
claims this Play as his.
VII. The Coxco?nb ; a Comedy. This Flay has
beenreviv'd at the Theatre Royal, with a Prologue
fpoken by Jo. Haines,
• VIII. Cupid's Revenge ; a Tragedy.
IX. Ihe Cuflom of the Country ; a Tragi-Comedy,
This was accounted a good Play. The Plot taken
from Malifpinis^s Novels, Deca. 6. No'V. 6. '
• X. The Double Marriage ,• a Tragedy. This Play
was re viv^ fome Years lince.
'' XL The Elder Brother', a Comedy,, which met
with good Succefs. ■ ^ ■■
Xli. The Faithful Shepherdefs ; a Dramatick Pafto-^
ral, firft aded on a Tiveljth Night at Somerfet \Houfe,
This was entirely Mr. Fletchers ; and inftead of a
Prologue, was king a Dialogue, between a Prieft and
^ Jsfymph^ writ by Sir IViUiam p'Avenant; and thfe
'^ , . E^ilogu?
Englifii Dramatick Poets, tp^'
Epilcgue was fpoken by the Lady Mordant. This
Piece was commended in two Copies of Verfes" i^y
Mr- Beaumont and Ben, Johnfon,
XIII. T'he Fair Maid of the Inn ', a Comedy. Part
of this Play is taken from Caujins Holy Court, and
W.inkfs H'fi, of Man,
XIV. The Falfe One ; a Tragedy. This Play is
founded on the Adventures of Julius C^far in Egypt ;
and his Amours with Clecfatra. See Suetonius, Plu-
tarch, Dion, Appian, Florus^ Orojius, dec.
XV. Four Plays in One^ or Moral Reprefentations ;
containing the 'Triumph of Honour, the Triumph of Lo've^
the Triumph of Death, and the Triumph of Time. The
Triumph of Time is wholly the Author's ,• the
others are built on Boccace's Novels.
XVI. The Honefl Mans Fortune ; a Tragi-Comiedy.
For the Plot fee Heywood's Hifl. of Women.
XVII. The Humorous Lieutenant j a Tragi-Come^
dy;, ftill a6ted with Applaufe. Some Hmts are taken
from the Epiftles of Horace, lib. 2. Ep. 2. And fome
from Ford's Apothegms, p. 30. Confalt likewife Plu-
tarch's Life of Demetrius, Appian, Jujlin, Sec.
' XVIIL The I/land Princcfs ; a Tragi-Comedy,
This Play was revivM with Alterations by Mr. Tate^
and a'6i:ed at the Theatre Royal, 1687. The re-
'Viv'd'Play is Dedicated to the Right Honourable
Henry Ijot (HValgraije.
XIX. A King and no King ; a Tragi-Comedy,
aded with Applaufe. This Play has been likewife
'revived". • - '
XX. The Knight of the Burning Pejlle ; a ComeSy,
alfo reyivM with a Prologue fpoken by the famous
'fAns. E^enGuin.
XXI. The Knight cf Malta; a Tragi-Comedy.
XXII. ' The- Laivf cf Candy ; a Tragi-Comedy.
Neither of thefe two lail have been aded of late
XXIIL 7^
io6 Lives and Charaders of the
XXIII. The Little French Lawyer i a Comedy. The
plot from Gufman^ or 'The Sfanijh Rogue, The Story
of Dinanty Ckrimonty and Lamiz^a, are borrowed
from Don Lewis de Caftro, and Don Roderigo de
Montaha^ &:c.
XXIV. Love's Cure, or The Martial Maid; a Co-
medy.
XXV. The Love/s Pilgrimage ; a Comedy. The Plot
is taken from a Novel, call'd The Two Damfels i and
fome Incidents from Ben. Johnfons New-Iym.
XXVI. The Lover's Progrefs; a Tragi-Comedy ;
built on a French Romance, call'd Lyfander and Ca-
lifla, ^
XXVII. The Loyal SuhjeEl ; a Comedy.
XXVIII. The Mad Lover ; a Tragi-Comedy. See
the Story of Mundus and Paulina^ in Jofephus^ lib. i8.
c. 4. This Play is commended in a Copy of Verfes
by Sir Aflon Cockain.
XXIX. The Maid in the Mill ; a Comedy. The
ferious part of the Plot from Gerardo, a Spanijh Ro-
mance ; and the Comical part from Bandello's Novels.
This Play was reviv^ and often aded at the Duke
of fork's Theatre.
XXX. The Maid's Tragedy ; a Play which has
been always aded with the greateft Applaufe ; but
ibme part of it difpleafing King Charles II. it was,
for a time, forbid ading in that Reign, 'ciil it
was reviv'd by Mr. JValler^ who entirely altering the
laft Ad, it was brought on the Stage again with
uHiverfal Approbation.
XXXI. A Mafque of Gray s- Inn Gentlemen, pre-
fented at^ the Marriage of the Princefs Eliz.ahethy
and the Prince Palatine of the Rhine, m the Banquet^
ing Houfe at U^ljite-halL This Piece was written
by Mr.. Eeauinoiit alone.
XXXIL Monfieur
Errglifii Dramatick Poets* to7
XXXII. Menfieur T H o m a s; a Comedy. This
Play has lince been aded on the Stage, under the
Title of J'rkkfor T'rkk.
XXXIII. Nice Valour^ or "The Paffionate Mad^man;
a Comedy.
XXXIV. "The Night-Walker, or The Link Thief;
a Corned}^, a<5t:ed by rhe King's Servants, lince the
Reftoration, with Applaiife.
XXXV. The Noble Gemleman j a Comedy. This
Play was revivM by Mr. Durfey ; and by him call'd.
The Fool's Preferment y or The Three Dukes of Dun^
flahle.
XXXVI. P H I L A s T E R, or Lonje lies a Bleeding ;
a Tragi-Comedy. This was the firft Play that
brought thefe excellent Writers in Eikem, it being
often aded w^ith Applaufe ; and it is accounted one
of the befi Dramatick Pieces thefe Authors have
publiih'd. It was iirll reprcfented at the Old The-
atre in Lincolns-Inn-Fields, when the V/omen a6ted '
by themfelves.
XXXVII. The Pilgrim ; a Comedy, revived and
aded with Succefs.
XXXVIII. The Prophetef; a Tragi-Comedy.
This Play has been revived by Mr. Bettertoi, under:
the Name of The Proplmef, or The Hi (lory of Dio-
c L E s I A N j an Opera. For the Hillory confulc
f^icephorK6y lib. 6. and 7. Eufebipn, hb, 8. Baronnn
An. 2o^j Sec.
XXXIX. The Qtieen of Corinth ; a Tragi-Co-»
jiiedy.
XL. liule a IVifiy and have a Wife j a Comedy,
, afted with Applaufe.
' XLL The Scornful Lady; a Comedy, a&d
with very great Applaufe.
XLII. Ihe Sea Voyage ; a Comedy, revived by Mr.
Durfey 5 who gives it the Title of The Cvnmonmahk
' ■ • ^ ^f
!io8 Lives and Charafters of the
$f Women, This Play fhoiild be taken from Shake-
fjpears Temfefi, by thefc Lines.
I'he Storm 'which vaniJJ/d otz the neighyring Shore^
JVa6 taught ^^Shakefpear*j Tempeji firfl to roar ;
That Innocence and Beauty which didfmile
- In Fletcher, greiu on this Inchanted IJle,
Dryden,
XLIII. 7%e Spanijh Curate; a Coniedy, feveral
times reviv'd with Applaufe. Plot from Gerardo^s
Hift. of Don Johny 202. and his Sfanijh Curate^ f,
214.
XLIV. Thiery and Theodoret; a Tra-
gedy. The Plot taken from the French Chronicles, in
the Reign of Clotair II. Fredegarim^ De Serres, Meze-
Yuy, &c. ^
XLV. The Two Noble Kinfmen ; a Tragi-Come-
dy, Shakefpear afliiled Fletcher in the Compofure of
this Play.
XL VI. Va lentinian; a Tragedy, revived
and alterM by the late Earl of Rochefter ; and afted
at the Theatre Royal with great Applaufe. The
Plot from Amm, Marcel, Procopim^ Hifl, ofEvagriHS, &c.
XL VIL A mfe for a Month ; a Tragi-Comedy,
For the Story fee Mariana and Louis de Mayerne I'ur^
quety Hifl. Sancho the Eighth King of Leon,
XLVIIL The mid Goofe Chace ; a Comedy, foi>r
merly adted with Applaufe.
XLIX. mt at feveral Weapons ; 2L Comedy. 'Tis
thought Sir William D'Avenant built fome of the
Characters of his Play, call'd The WitSy on this Co-
medy.
L. Wit without Money y a Comedy, reviv'd at the
Old Houfe in LiiKohis-Inn-Fieldsy immediately after
the burning of the Theatre in Dvury-lane^ with ^
a^w Pioloque by Mr. Dryden,
LI. "the
Ertglifli Dramatick Poets.^ top
LI. The Woman Hater \ a Com-edy, reviv'd by
Sir William D'A'venanty with a new Prologue m
Profe. This Play was one of chofs writ by Mr.
Fletcher alone.
LII. Women fleoid^ a G)me<iy. The comi-
cal Parts from Boccaces Novels, Day 'j, Nov. 6,
Day 8. Nov, 8, &c.
LIIL Woman s Prizjey or T^e 'famer tantdi z
CcMnedy, built on the faftie Foundation with Shaken
fpea/s laming of the Shrew ; and writ by Mr, Fletcher,
without the Ailil^ance of Mr. Beaumont,
Mr. Canvoright prefented Mr. Fletcher with the
following Lines, on his writing fingly.
'T'is knovmy that Sometimes he did fland alone ^
That both th Spunge and Pencil were his own :
What himfelfjiidgdy himf elf could fingly do ^
And woi at lafly Beaumont and Fletcher too.
Mr. Fletcher join'd with Ben. Johnfon and Middle-"
ton^ in a Comedy call'd The Widow, He died of
the Plague, in the Year 1^25. in the 4pth Year of his
Age ; and was buried in St. Mary Overfs Churchy South'
wark.
Mr. Beaumont writ, htCides his Dramatick Pieces,
a Volume of Poems, Elegies, Sonnets, &c. He dkd
Young, before he was Thirty Years of Age, and
was buried at the Entrance into St. Benedict's Chapel
in Wejiminfter Ahkyy in the Year 1615.
In a Copy of Verfes writ by Sir George Lifte, to
the Memory of Mr. Francis Beaumont y are the two
following Lines.
And this rUfayy thou flrik^fi: our Senfe fo deepy
At once thou mak'ft us Blujby Rejoice^ and Weep*
And
[110 Lives and Charaders of the
And the famous Ben. Johnfouy in fome Verft;s
to Mr. Beaumont (when living) in return of a Copy
fent to, him, has this . Complinieni; : ,
Ami even there^ ivhere mofl thoupraifjft Me
For Writing heuevy I mujl envy. iChee,.
Sir John Berkenhead^ a noted Wit in his Time^
lyrit viader Mr. Fktchffs Pidure xhtk Latin Lines.
Felicis aviy ac Pra^fnlis Natus ; comes
Beaumontio ; fic^ <luippe Parnajfm^ Biceps ;
Fletcherus unam in Pyramida fiircai agens»
Struxit chorum pimji/nplicem vates Duplex ;
plus Duplicemfolus : nee uUiim tranflulit ;
Nee transferrendus : Dmmatum aterni faleSy
Anglo F'heatro, Orbi Jtbi juperftites,
Fletchere, fades ahjque vultu pingitur ;
Qiiantus 1 uel Umbra ni circuit nemo tuam.
oP/fr. John F o r d.
A Gentleman of the Middle Fempk, who liv'd
in the Reign, of King Charles I. He writ
tight Dramatick Pieces.
I. Lovers Melancholy ; a Tragi-Comed}% acled in
the Black-fryars ^ i6ig. Dedicated to feveral
Friends of Gray's-Jmi in particular, and the whole
Society in general.
II. F'he Broken Heart \ a Tragedy, aded by his
Majelly^s Servants, at the private Houfe in the
Black-fry ars^y i6}^. Dedicated to the Lord C/'^'iye//.
III. Love's Sacrifice; a Tragedy, aded by the
Qiieen's Servants at the Phoenix in Drury-lane, 16^'^,
Dedicated to John Ford of Grafs-Inn^ Efq; Mr. Shnly
writ
Englifli Dramatic K Poets: hi
writ a Copy of Verfes ia commendation of this
Play.
ly. ^I'is fity She's a Whore ; a Tragedy^ aded ia
Drurylaney 16^:^, Dedicated to Joka Earl of Peter-
borough.
V. Perk IN Warbeck; an Hiilorical Play,
afted by the Queen's Servants in Drury-lane^ J^^34»
Dedicated to the Earl of Newcaflle. For the Story
fee Hifl. of Perk, Warheck, by Gainsfordy and our
Englijh Chronicles in the Reign of Henry VIL
VI. Fancies Chaft and Noble; a Tragi-Comedy,
aded in Drury-lane^ 1538. Dedicated to the Lord
Mackdonel, an Irifi Peer.
VII. 7'he Ladies Tryal ; a Tragi-Comedy, afted
by their Ma jefty's Servants, at the Theatre in Drury^
lane, 163 p.
VIII. The Suns Darling ; a Mafque, prefented at
the Cockpit in Drury-lane, 1 65 7. Dedicated to the
Earl of Southampten. This Mafque was written by
Mr. Ford and Mr. Deckar^ and alludes to the Four
Seafons of the Year.
This Author join'd with Rowley and Deckar ; and
his Plays are known by an Anagram inftead of his
Name, generally printed in the Title Page, viz,
FIDE HONOR.
g§QC)GQ'QQG^CGQQQOQQOQQ(SQQg)Qg^
QyMr. John Fountain.
\DevonJhire Gentleman, who in the Reign 'of
°* King Charles II. wrote the following Play.
*The Reward of Virtue; a Comedy, printed i66t.
This Play was not defign'd for the Stage by the
Author ; but after his Death it being revived and
altered
1
jii Lives a^id Characters of th l
alter'd by Mr. Shadwelly who gave it the Title of \
'The Royal Shefherdefit it was a&d with Applaufe. |
(^Ir. Abraham France.
A N ancient Poet. He liv'd in the Reign of
Queen EUzjabeth^ and was Author of one
Dramatick Paftoral ; call'd,
Amyntas 5 printed in a Book writ by him,
entitled 7^6" Countefs of Pembroke s Ivy Church, ^59^*
It is a Tranflation from Tajfoy in Hexamettr
Verfe.
Sir Ralph Freeman.
'IT HIS Gentleman liv'd in the Reign of King
Charles I. and during the inteftine Troubles,
writ the following Play in his Retirement.
Imperiale; a Tragedy, printed 1655. The
Cataflrophe of this Play is very moving. For the
Plot fee Pont anus ; Budaus's Treafury of Ancient and
Modern Times ; Beard's Theatre of God's 'Judgments^
part 2. p. 45. U^anley's Hi ft. of Man, lib. 4. c. 2. Goulart
Hift. Admirab. de nctre Temps, &c.
e^r.'ULPIAN FULWELL, I
A N Author, v/ho, in the Reign of Qiieen E!iz.a- . '']
bethy writ one Play in Rhime. !
Like :
I
Ehglifh Dramatic^ Poets* iij
Like will to like, quoth the De^il to the Collier ; an
interlude, printed in an old Black Letter, 1587,
This Play fets forth the Paniihment of Licentious
Perfonj.
^^^^'^^^' ^"'•'^t**''^^^^^ ^^^- "'^^S*' ''^^^''\.
G.
George Gascoign^ ^{^'y
THIS Gentleman iWd in the beginning of
Queen Eliz.abeth\ Reign j he was a Member
of the Society of Grafs-Inn, and writ feveral Poeti-
cal Performances, among which are the four Dra-^
matick Pieces following.
L J o c A s TA j a Tragedy, prefented at Qrays-Inn
1 566. This is 2L Tranflation from the Greek oiEuri"
fides, digefted into A6ts. Eurifides, who was ftil^d
the Ti-agick Philofopher, was born at Phila^ a Town
in Attica ', Predius taught him Rhetorick^, after which
he made a Voyage to Egypt with Plato, for the Im-
provement of his Learning. He was Friend to 6b-
cratesy and ailifted him in the compofing his Trage-
dies. He left Athens diffatisfied at the Preferment of
the Comick Writers ,* anxi retir^ to the Court pf
Archelaiis King of Macedonia, where he was receiv d
with the greatefl Marks of Efteem ; but at laft King
Archelaus was aiTafllnated, and Euripides tore to pieces
with Dogs by the Confpiracy oi Decamnion and others^
He died about the d5th Year of his Age, in the 93 d
Olympiad, and in the Year of Rome 348. being
406 Years before the Incarnation of our Saviour,
yhe Anci^its mention above Ninety Tragedies writ
J by
114 Lives and Charafters of the ^
by this great Man, but I think at prefent we enjoy \
but Nineteen of them. Some relate that he receiv'd ■
his Death from vicious Women, againft whom he ^"<
had too bitte'rly inveigh*d. In ForXs Apothegms there j
is this Story ; Sophocles being once askM the Reafon \
why in his Tragedies he always reprefented Wo-l
men good, and Euripides wicked ; anfwerM that i
Euripides defcrib'd them as they were, he as the'y >
ought to be. This fhort Account of this ancient i
Tragedian I thought fit to infert for the Entertain- j
ment of the Curious. j
II. T'he Suppofes ; a Comedy, prefented at Gray's-Imy \
if66. Tranllated from the Italian &£ Arioflo^ z fa-'
mous Poet ; a, Ferrarefe and Favourite oiAlphonfus firil |
Duke of Ferrara, This and the former are two of j
the mofl ancient Plays in the Englijh Language /j
The Prologue of this Play is writ in Profe, which I
has been a Precedent in other Dramatick Perfor^^
mances; and Mr. "Tate's Duke or no Duke has afl i
JEpilogue in Profe.
III. The Glafs of Government ; a Tragi-Comedy^ ,'
1 575;. This Play illuflrates the Rewards, of Virtud,
and particularly fhews the Punifhment of Vice.
IV. Pleafure at Kenelworth Caflle ; a Mafque, per-
form'd before the Queen for her Entertainment.
All thefe Plays are printed in a black Letter, and
bound up with his other Poems, in a large Vo- |
lume, 1587. i
Mr. Jo H N G A r. i
A N Author born in DevonJImCy and bred a Mercer i
in the Strand j but quitting that Employmentj i
he was afterwards retain^ in the Service of the i
Dutchefs of Monmouth^ a.s her Grace's Domeflick >
Steward; I
Englifh Dramatick Poets. 115
Steward ; and having an Inclination to Poetry, by
the Strength of his own Genius, and the Converfa-
tion of Mr. Pope, he has made fome Progrefs in Poe-
tical Writings. His Dramatick Pieces are,
I. T^e Wife of JBath ; a Comedy, aded at the
Theatre Royal in Drury-taney 1 714. This Play met
with but indifferent Succefs. Part of the Plot feems
to be taken from Kite in 'the Recruiting Officer >
II. The what d'ye call it ; a Tragi-Comi-Pafloral
Farce^ aded at the Theatre Royal, 171 5. This
.Farce was aded with Applaufe ,* it is allegorical^
arid expofes feveral of our eminent Poets.
III. Three Hours after Marriage; a Comedy of
three Ads, aded at the Theatre Royal, 171 7. This
Play , has fome extraordinary Scenes m it, which
feem'd to trefpafs on Female Modefty.
IV; The Mohocks i a Farce, never aded.
Mr. Charles Gildgn^
THIS Gentleman (flill living) was born at.
Gillingham near Shaftestpury, in the County of
Dorfet. His Parents and Family were all of the
Romijh Perfwafion ; but they could not convey their
Zeal for that Religion to this Author. His Father
was a Member of the Society of Grays-Im, and
fuffer'd very much with the Royal Party. His firft
^Rudiments of Learning he had at the piace of his
Nativity • thence his Relations fent hiih to the
Englijh College of Secular Priefis at Douay in Hair
nauity with deligri of making him a Prieft ; but after
five Years Study there, he found his inclinations
lead hiin another way. At Nineteen he re-
.'turn'd to England , and, as foon as he was o£
Age^ and capable of enjoying all the Pleafures of
I i Life/
ii6 Lives and Charafters cff the
Life, he came to Londouy where having fpent the
beft Part of his Paternal Eftate, at about Three
and Twenty he married. During the Reign of
King Jamesy he employ^ himfelf in reading the
Controverfies of thofe Times ; and he declares that
it cofl: him above feven Years Study and Conteft, be-
fore he could overcome the Prejudice of Education.
His firft Attempt in a Dramatick way, was not till
after his Two and Thirtieth Year. And he tells us
in his Effays, that Neceflity (the general Induce-
ment) was the firft Motive of his venturing to be an
Author. He has writ three Plays.
I. 'the Roman Bride's Revenge ; a Tragedy, afted
at the Theatre Royal, 169 j. This Play was writ
in a Month , and had the ufual Succefs of hafty
Produdions, tho"* the firft and fecond Acls are well
done ; and the Cataftrophe is beautiful ; the Moral
being to givQ us an Example in the Punifhment of
Martian^ that no Confideration ought to make us
delay the Service of our Country. Part of the Plot
is taken from Camma of Galata,]
II. Phaeton, or The Fatal Divorce ; a Trage-
dy, aded at the Theatre Royal, 169S, Dedicated
to Charles Montague, Efq; This Play is written in
imitation of the Ancients, and it had better Succefs
than the other. The Plot, and a great many of the
Beauties, the Author owns in his Preface, he has
taken from the Medea of Euripides.
III. Love's ViElimy or The Queen of Wales ; a
Tragedy, aded at the Theatre in Lincoks-Inn-^
Fields, •
He introduced the Play, caird The Younger Brother,
or The Amorom yHt j written by Mrs. Behn, but not
brought upon the Stage till after her Deceafe. He
made very little Alteration in it. His Plays have
not his Name to them ; and his Faults lie gene-
rally in the Style, which is too near an Imitation of
Mr,
Englifii Dramatick Poets, /iiy
Mr. I^/s ; tho' that Poet had Beauties enough to
make amends for it.
Mr- HbnryGlapthor n;
THIS Author liv^d in the Reign of King
Charles L and was allowed to be a good Dra-
matick Poet of that Age. He writ Five Plays.
I. Arc ALUS and Parthenia; a Tragi-Co-
medy, 1639. This Play was aded before the King
and Queen at Court ,* and afterwards at the private
Houfe in Drury-ianej by their M^jefties Servants,
The Plot is founded on Sir Philip Sidneys Arcadia ;
a Romance.
II. I'he Ladies Privilege ; a Comedy, aded at the
Cock-Pit in Drury-Jane, by their Majeflies Servants,
1640. This Play is Dedicated to Sir Frederick Corn^
vjallis; and was likewife acted before their Ma jefties
^t Whitehall.
III. Albertus Wa LLENSTEiNj a Tragedy,
afted at the Glohe^ by his Majefly^s Servants, 16^0.
For the Story fee the Writers in the Time of the
Emperor Ferdinand II. Sfondanuss Continuation of
BaroniuSy &c.
IV. The Hollander ; a Comedy, aded at the Cock-
pit in £)r«r>-to^, 1640. Dedicated to Sir Thomas
Fr/ber.
V. IVit in a Conflahle -, 2l Comedy, aded at the
Cock-Pit in Drury-lane, by their Ma jellies Servants i
Dedicated to Thomas Lord IVentworth,
I 3 Mr,
ii8 Lives and Charaders of the
Jidr. Thomas GoFFE.
A Gentleman that flourifh'd in the Reign of King
James I. He was bom in EJfex, the Year
I5P2. and wasfirfl plac^'dto Weflminfter School^ front"
whence he removed to Chrift-Church-CoUegey Oxford ;
and had conferrM on him the Degree of Batchelor
of Divinity, before he left the Univerfity. In
the Year iSi^y he was preferred to the Living of
Eafl Clandon m Surrey ; where, ^r. Langbain tells us,
he unhappily njet with a Xantippe to his Wife, the
'Dm of whofe provoking Tongue put an untimely
Period to his Days. He arriv^ to be a good Poet,
a fine Orator, and an excellent Preacher. He dy'd
in the Year i (52 7, -and was buried in his.own Parifli
phurcL His Dramatick Pieces are as follow.
LSelim us Emperor of the Turks ; a Tragedy,
1538. ''Tis uncertain whether this Play was ever
avgied. For the Plot fee the Turkijh Hiftories in the
Reign of Selimm I. as Paulm J ovinia Mez^eray^ dec,
11. Tke Carelefs Sbepherdefs ; a Dramatick Paftoral;.
165^. - This Play was acled at Salisbury Court be-
fore the King and Qiieen, with great Applau'fe.
'^-III. Orestes; a Tragedy, acied by the Stu-
dents of Cbrifl-Cburcb in Oxford^ 10^6, Plot from
the Oreftes of Euripides.
IV. ^he Couragicm Turliy or Amurath I; a
Tragedy, 165 (5. Dedicated to Sir Walter jicbborfi.
For the Plot confult the Hiftories of Leunglavim^
Chalcocondylaiy Knolles^ Sec. in the Reign of Amurath,
V. The Raging Turk, or B a j a 2 e T II ; a Tra-
gedy. Both thefe lait mentiop/d Plays were like-
'^'Ik a6ted by the Students of Chrift-Cburcb-College m
Oxford.
Mr.
Endifh Dramatick Poets, up
•D
r\
^
Mr. Robert Gomersal.
THIS Author^ likewife a Divine, was born in
London the Year i6oi. At Fourteen Years of
Age he was entered of Chrifl-Cburch-Colkge in Oxford^
and foon after chofen a Student of that Royal Foun-
dation. Here he took the Degrees of Batchelor and
Mailer of Arts ; and in the Year 162 j, he was made
Batchelor of Divinity. He had a Living in North-
amptonjhirey and dy'd in the Year 16^6, He wrote
one Play ; eall'd,
LoDovicK Sforza Duke of Milan ; a Tragedy, 1^3 2.
Dedicated to Mr. Francis Hyde. The Story you may
fee in Guicciardin, Uh, i. 2, &c. Mez,eray, and Philip
de Comines in the Reign of Charles VIII. of France.
This Gentleman likewife wrote feveral Divine
Poems,- one whereof is call'dthe LevitesK.QvmgQ.
Mr. Robert Gould.
^ A I^omeftick of the late Earl of Dorfet and Mid-
jfjj^ dlefex ; who afterwards' became a Country
bchool-Mafter. He writ one Play.
The Rival Sifters^ or "The Violence of Love ; a Tra-
gedy, aded at the Theatre Royal, 16^6, Dedica-
ted to the Right Honourable James 'E2ix\o£ Abingdon,
This Play was well received, tho"* the ading of it
was delayed for fomc time, as the Author complains
in his Epiflle. The Plot is taken, in a great meafure,
from Shirk/ s Maid's Revenge ; the Story from Reynold's
God's Revenge againfl Murder.
I 4 Fkan-
tio Lives and Characters of the
Francis Goldsmith, Efq'y
I Am able to give no other Account of this
Gentleman, than that he liv'd in the Reign of
King Charles I. and obliged us with a Tranflation of
a Dramatick Piece, ; calJ'd,
S o p H o M p A N E A s, ot T'hc Hijlorv 0/ J o s E P H ;
a Tragedy, with Annotations, i6^o. Dedicated
to the Marquis of Dorchefler, This Divine Play
was wirit in Latin^ by the famous Hugo GrotmSy a
Svcediffj Gentleman, and Ambaflkdor from Sweden to
the Court oi France ^ in the Reign of Lewis XIII.
and' is tranflated into Heroick Verfe. It is founded
on the 44th and 45 th Chapter of Genejis ; Philo^ in
the Life oi Jofephm, Juflw, hooky 35, &c. It end;?
fuccefsfully, as Authority for which, the Authot
quotes a Tragedy writ by EuripideSy czlVA Alcefles^
&c. The Author v/as found fault with by fome
religious Ferfons, for bringing Sacred Things into a
Play and Fable.
^ ^ ^^"^ 'ii^^ ^^^-^«^^^^^^
George Granville^
Lord Lanfdovvne, Baron of Biddiford.
THIS accomplifiiM Kobleman is defcended
from the Ancient and Noble Family of the
Grenville's or Granville's^ feated for many Ages in
X>evonjhi>e and Cornwall' This Family came from
Rollo the Firft Duke of Normandy. Richard de
Granville, Second Son of the faid Duke, accompani-
ea WtMiam the Conqueror in his Expedition into this
Kingdom j and the Conqueror, for his fignal Ser-
^' ' vices"
Englifii Drama TICK Poets. i2t'
vices, beflow'd on him the Caflle and Lordfliip of
Biddiford, Richard de Granville, Son of the faid
Richard, was funimony by King Edward I. to at-
tend him in his Foreign Wars. Sir Richard Gran^
viUe, a Defcendant of this Houfe, was one of the
famous Eriglijhmen, who in the Year 1^66 ferv'd
the Emperor Ferdinand againfl the Turks ; and was
prefent with Don ^ohn of Auftria, at the famous
Battle of Lepanto j and on his Return, was made
Vice-Admiral o^ England: He was flain near the
Az.ore Iflands, having in one Ship alone fuflain'd a
Fight, for fifteen Hours, againft the whole Naval
Power of Spain, Sir Be'vil Granville, Grandfbn to
Sir Richard, raisM confiderable Forces, at his own
Expence, for King Charles I. and at the Battle of
Lanfdowne he loft his Life. John, the eldeft Son of
Sir Bevil Granville, was the chief Inftrument of the
famous Negotiation with General Monk ; and after
the Reftoration he was created Earl o^ Bath and
Vifcount Lanfdowne. The prefent Lord La}7fd6wne is
fecond Son to Bernard Granville, who was fecond
§on of the famous Sir Bevil ; and by the Death of
the late William Henry Earl of Bath, is become the
chief Male Reprefentative of that Houfe. The il-
luftrious Original and glorious Adions of the Fa-
mily of this Nobleman, will, I doubt not, render
jthis concife Account of \\is Defcent acceptable to
all curious Readers : But to proceed to his Educa-
tion.
He receivM ms firft Tincture of Letters in France,
iiKder the Care and Tuition of Sir William Ellis, a
Gentleman bred up under the famous Dodor Bushy^
and who has iince been eminent in many publick
Stations. At Eleven Years of Age, he was fent to
'Irinity-College in Camtrridge, where he remain^ hVe
Years j but at the Age of Thirteen he was admit-
ted to the Degree of Mafter of Arts.
Her
"1
fi25 Lives and Charaders of the
Her Royal Highnefs the Dutchefs of York (Con-
fort to the late King James) paying a Vifit to the I
Univerfity of Cambridge^ he was chofen by the Col- i
lege to compliment her Highnefs with a Speech in : i
English Verfe, which he perform^'d with wonderful ! 1
Applaufe. Being thus introduced to the Mufes, he j
took fuch a liking to them, and to his iirfl Subjed, :\
that he could forfake neither. His next Perfor- |
mance was a Copy of Verles infcrib'd to the Earl |j
of Peterbordugh^ upon his Negotiation of the Mar- i
riage of her Royal Highnefs with the Duke : And ^
it has been a receiv^ Opinion, that moft of his j
Panegy ricks to Myra, however di^gixis'd. and feem- i
ingly apply'd, were originally defign^d for that Prin- i
cefs j it appears that he continued conilant to this ii
Theme to the laft ; for in his Progrefs of Beauty^ he \
could not forbear placing her at the Head of his si
Celebrated Beauties : And this was one of the laft |
Pieces of his Lordihip's Writing in that kind. i
It is a very difficult Task to give a Charader of \
this fhining Nobleman ; I prefume to fay, that his \
Lordihip is not only an excellent Poet, but a candid \
and generous Patron ; a Nobleman of Uprightly Wit, \
and Vivacity, as appears in all his Writings, and per- \
fedly accomplifh'd in the Affairs of State : Tho' it be \
unufual amongfl Quality, he is eafy of Accefs, hu- \
mane and affable in his Temper, and fincere in his \
Adions; he has a great deal of Perfonal Bravery, |
and gives as much Honour lo the Titles he bears, j
as he has received from them. i
In the Year 1710, his Lordfhip (then Mr. Gran" j
vjlle) was made Secretary at War, as he was after- '
wards Comptroller and Treafurer of the Houlhold to ;
the late Queen, and One of her Majefly's moH !
Honourable Privy Council : And in the Year 1711, j
he was created a Peer of the Realm, by tlie Stile |
and
Engliffi Dramatigk Poets. 1^5
and Title of Baron Lanfdowne of Biddifo-rd in the
County of Devon,
\Beficies his Lordfhip's Colledion of Poems, con-
fifling chiefly of Verfes of Gallantry, Songs, Epi-
grams, &c. he has honour^'d the World with Three
Dramatick Pieces.
I. 7he She Gallants ; a Comedy, afted at the
Theatre Royal in Little Lincolns- Inn-Fields ^ 16^6.
This Play, tho' it wad Writ at an Age when fane Per--
fons are but leginning to Spell y * has a great deal more
Wit than the Stage is generally us'd to. Dialogue
equallM by few, and more juft Satyrical Obferva-
tions than mofl of our modern Comedies : But it
being mifreprefented, as designing, in fome of the
Charaders, to refled upon particular Perfons, and
efpecially upon the Government,- this Prejudice,
and the Envy to the Merit of the Performance,
arm'd a Fadion againfl it, tho' they could not hin-
der its Succefs, it being often aded with Applaufe.
I His Lordfhip will be ealily acquitted of the Imputa-
i tion of refleding upon the Government, when 'tis
i coniiderM that he writ this Play long before that
Government fubfifted, or thofe Perfons fuppos'd,
were any ways noted ; nor was it composed with
any Intention of being made publick, but only for
a private Amufement, as his Lordfnip himfelf avers
in his Preface. Part of the Epifode of The Four
Sifiers, feems to be taken out of 'The French Marquis
in the Romance of Ibrahim.
II. Heroick Love ; a Tragedy, aded at the Theatre
Royal with great Applaufe. This Play is one of
the beft of our modern Tragedies : His Lordfhip
has obferv'd the flrideft Rules of the ancient Dra-
ma 5 the Adion is iingle, the Place not varied, noc
the
* See tls Advertifement prefx'd to this 'Blay<
124 Lives and Charaders of the
the Time extended beyond Ariftotk's Bounds ; the
whole being tranfaded in the fame Camp, and re-
quiring no more Hours than are barely neceflary
for the Reprefentation. He has, perhaps, too in-
duftrioufly avoided that Crowd of Incidents, which
the Enghjh Stage feems to demand. His Lordfhip:,
has like wife broke thro* that long eftablifli'd Cuflom
of Stabbing and Murdering upon the Stage, not one
Ador being reprefented as dying in the fight of the '
Audience, which gax^e occafion to fo me fort of Cri-
ticks, to except againfl it as no Tragedy ; as if the
fatal and unavoidable neceffity of an Eternal Sepa-
ration between two faithful Lovers was not a Ca-
taftrophe fufficiently moving ,• or that cruel unna-
tural, and bloody Spedacles were the Eflentiais of-
Tragedy. His Lordfhip, in this Play, feems, by
his Style, to have made it his chief Study to de-
liver the Tragick Vein from all fuftian and affeded .
ExprefEons, and to preferve the Dignity of the i
Buskin from finking too low or rifing too high. The ,
Plot is built on the firfl: Book of Hoiner, ;
III. l^he Britijh Enchanters y or No Magick like Love ; '
a Dramatick Opera, perform'd at the Queen's-,;
Theatre in the Hay-market. This Piece was written-
before Herokk Love^ but it was lafl publifh'd. Myj
Lord had taken an early Diflike to the French and.;
Italian Operas, confifting meerly of Dancing, Sing- J
ing, and Decorations, without the leafl Entertain- j
ment for any other Senfe but the Eye or the Ear. ,1
His Lordfliip, therefore in hisAttempt, feems to have '-
applied himfelf to reconcile the V^ariety and Mag- '
riificence efiential to Operas, to a more reafbnable j
Model, by introducing fomething more fubftantial;]
itt which Defign he is jaftified by Moniieur De \
St. Evre?nond, who in his Difcourfe of Operas pro- \
pofes the very fame Method, upon which this Dra- ;;
matick Performance is contrived. The Succefs in j
the ^
Englifli Dramatick Poets. 125
the Reprefentation every way anfwer'd ,• but all fu-
ture Entertainments of this kind were at once pre-
i vented, by the Diviiion of the Theatre, atid a Pro-
i hibition to that Houfe where Dramatick Pieces
were allow'd to receive Mufical Performers ; which
was intended for the better Encouragement of the
Iml/aft Operas, at that time the prevailing PaiEon
of the Town.
His Lordfhip alfo reviv'd, with great Alterations,
a Comedy oi Shakefpea/s, callM I'he Merchant of Venice^
under the Title of I'he Jew of Venice ; which was
afted with good Applaufe. I have been inform'd
that his Lordfhip had fome other Dramatick Pieces
and Poems in Manufcript; but upon feizing his
Perfon and Papers three Years fince, on a ground-
lefs Sufpicion (as has lince prov^'d) of his being dif-
affeded to the prefent Eftabliihment, all fuch Papers
and Writings, of any kind whatfoever (which
efcapM the Diligence of the OjfEcers) were burnt
' without examining, by the over oiEcious Care of
I his Servants, to the very great Concern of all Lo-
! vers of Wit and Gallantry.
I I have been likewife credibly inform'd, that all
I that has yet appear^'d of his Lordfhip's, was written
I between the Age of Thirteen and Twenty five
; (wherein my Lord feems to have fbllow'd the Ex-
i ample of Mr. Congreve^ efpecially in his early quit-
I ting the Stage) And publifh'd, for the moft parr,
from Copies without his privity^ and never re-
vis'd or correded by himfelf i fo that his Lordfhip
can be juilly accused of but very few Errors. And
yin.Dryden, the greateft Judge of Writings, as well
as the befl Writer of the Age wherein he liv'd,
in an excellent Copy of Verfes upon the Tragedy of
Hmkk Love^ has the following impartial Lines.
Anfpmosi&
iz6 Lives and Charaders of the \
i
Aufpiciom Poet, ivert thou not my Friend^ I
How coud I envy, what I inufl commend ! i
Butjtnce \is NatUYe\^ Law, in Love and iPliy . \
'That Touth jhoud Reign, and with\ing Age fuhmiiy \
With lefs Regret, thofe Laurels 1 rejign, \
Which, dying on my Brows ^ revive on T'hind |
- ,• ■ ■ .''.■-!
His Lordfliip's Works are printed in Two Volumes !
OBavo : And tho' it be a bold Attempt to fay any |
thing after Mr. Dry den ; I prefume to add this;
Goupleti
Great Granville'^ Works unnumbered Praifes claim^
And range him foremofl in the Rolls of Fame.
|^^i^#:|B^#.|S^^i^^|^^;^«^!I^C# ^i^ ^M^ #ls«
i\/lr. Alexander Green.
AN Author that liv'd in the Reign of King j
Charles 11. and who writ one Comedy j|
caird, I
"The Politician Cheated, printed in the Year i66i,\
but never aded. " j
^Q(SQQC)QQQQQC)QQ(SGQQQQC)QQQQp^ |
• ■ ■ ■ "-^1
Mr. Robert Green. J
nr HIS Poet liv'd in the Reign of Queen Etizd^j
beth; he was Educated at the Univ^rfity 6f|
Cambridge, where he was Mafler of Arts. Mr. jj
Winftanley tells us, that this Gentleman being veryj
much inclined to the PleafureS of Venus, wasoblig'd !
to make his Pen a Slave to his'Furfe, foi the fupport.l
of his Extra vaganeies» He writ feveral Pieces of I
Poetry^,
jj^L-^
Englifli Dramatic K Poets. 127
Poetry, moft of them printed in Black Letter,
among which is the following Play.
'The Hifiory of Frydr Bacon, arid Fryar B u n g y ;
a Comedy, aded by the Prince of Palatines Ser-
vants. For the Plot fee Wood's Antiquities of O^n^
Plots H'fiory of Oxford/hire,
He affiiled Dodor Lodge in fome of his Plays.
His other Poetical Works are, Doraflm and Faunia^
his Arcadia, Upflart Courtier ^ &c.
F U L K G R E V I L E
Lord Brook.
-TTHIS Honourable Author was Son of Sir F^/^l
Grevile the Elder, of Beauchamp Cotirt in War-
■%uickfiire (being a Branch of the ancient Family of
the Gre'L'z7/y,,. feated- at Qamhden in Gloucejlerfhire, in
the Time of King Edivard III.) He was bred at
Cambridge ; from whence coming to Court he was
very much in favour with Qaton Eliz,akth and
King James I. by which laft he was made a Baroa
He arriv^ to an Eminency in Learning, and was no
lefs fam'd for his Valour. He was an Intimate of
Sir Philif Sidney's, and in his Youth he writ feveral
Poems of different kinds, two whereof are Drama-
tick Pieces, 'viz,
I. Alahami a Tragedy, 1^35. This Play is
built on the Model of the Ancients ,* the Prologue
is fpoken by a Ghoft, who gives an Account of
every Charader. The Author has been very care-
ful iu obferving the Rules of Arifiotk and Horace^
m
"-Nee
/-r
128 Lives and Charaders of the
— Nee quarta loquiferfona lahoret.
De Arte Poetka.
for he has, in no Scene throughout, introduc'd
n above two Speakers, except in the Chorus between
each Ad. The Scene of the Drama of this Play
lies at the Entrance of the Perjian Guljh^ fee Her-
hei-ts Travels.
II. M us T A PH'A^ a Tragedy, 1(535. This Play
feenis alfo an Imitation of the Ancients. The
Foundation of it is the fame with that of my Lord
Orrerys Tragedy of this Name. For the Plot, con^
fult Paulus yovim, 'Thuanus^ and other Turkijh j
Chronicles. This Play firft appear'd in Print in the ~\
Year, 1609. but was then very imperfed. j
This Nobleman wrote A Ty-eatife of Humane \
Learning; An Jnquijltion upon Fame and Honour; T'he Life |
of \S/> Philip Sidney, belorc his Arcadia; and his Re--
mains or Poems of Monarchy and Religion, &c. printed
in the Year 1^70,
He lies buried in IVarivick Church, under a blackj
and white Marble Monument, whereon he isf
ftiled.
Servant to Queen Elizabeth,
CounceUor to King James, and
Friend to Sir Philip Sidney.
W I L L I A M|
Englilh Dramatick Poets. 129
i^^
H.
\V'iLLiAM Habington, Efq}
A Poet that in the midft of the Civil Wars de^
voted himfelf to the Mufes. He writ one
Play ; called,
7 he Queen of Arragon ; a Tragi-Comedy, aded at
Court, and in the Black-fry ars, 16^0. He wrote
like wife a Volume of Poems, called Caftara. Which
is divided into Three Parts. The Firft is call'd The
Miflrefsy the Second The Wife, and the Third The
Friend,
Mr. Joseph Harris.
A Comedian of no great Note; but by the
JTIl AiTiftance of his Friends he aim'd at being an
Author ,• and Two Plays are publifli'd under his
Kame*
I. The Afifiake.^, or The Falfe Report; a Comedy,
originally eompos'd by another Perfon ,* but being
put into his Hands, he, by altering, fpoil'd it.
II. The City Bride, or The Merry Cuckold ; a Come-
dy, aded at the Theatre in Little Lincolns-Inn-Fields^
\i6p6. Dedicated to Sir John Walter ^ Bart, This
jPlay is borrow'd from IVehfters Cure for a Cuckold,
feveral whole Scenes being the fame, but fpoil'd by
■the Tranfpofer ^ fo that it mifcarried in the Repre-
fentation. K Mr*
126 Lives and Charaders of the 1
' f
Mr. Peter Hausted.
THIS Author was born at Oundk in North-
amptonjhire^ in the Reign of King Charles I.
He was Educated at Queen s-CoUegey Cambridge ; and ^
took the Degree of Mafter of Arts. He writ one i
Play;callU I
The Rival Friends ; a Comedy, afled before the 'i
King and Queen at CambridgCy i6i 2. The Prologue t
of this Play is a Dialogue between Vemti, Thetis, and ii
Phoebmy appearing at a Window above, as rifen, i
calling to Sol who lay in Thetis's Lap, at the Eaft ^
Side of the Stage, canopy 'd with an azure Curtain, ii
The Scene betwixt Loueall sluA Hamerjhiny Ad 3, isj
taken from True-Wit y Dawy and La Fooly in BsnJ
Johnfons Silent Woman. \
Mr. Joseph Haynes. j
THERE is one Play mentionM, in former Ca-
talogues, to have the Name of this humo^
tous Comedian to it; but it is fo very ill written,
that he is generally acquitted from being the Author.
It is call'd,
A'Fatal Miflahy or The Plot fpoifdy 16^6, This
Play was printed, but never aded.
-~ "His Prologues and Epilogues, many of which are |
not printed, are remarkable for a fprightly Turn ofi
Wit, and much Humour. I
Mr.
Englifii t>KAUAriCK Poets. 131
e^r. Richard Head.
AN Author born of 'EngUjIj Parents in the King-
dom of Ireland. His Father was a Clergy-
man in Ireland, and was murderM in the Mafl'acre
there 1 541. He was fome time at the Univer-
fity o( Oxford ; but removing from thence to London^
he commenc^'d Bookfeller,- and was afterwards Partner
with Mr. Kirkman in St. Paul's Church-yard. Mr.
hanghain informs us^ that he was a Man of excellent
Natural Parts^ but extreamly given to Pleafure. He
writ one Play; caliM,
Hk ij Uhique^ or T'he Humours of Dublin ; a Co-
medy aded with Applaufe, 166^. Dedicated to
Charles Duke of Monmouth. He wrote feveral other
(mall Pieces j as the Firft Part of T'he Engl7jh Rcgue^
P^emii's Cabinet unlocked, &c.
" Q^Ir. Will i a m H e m m i n g s.
'T'HIS Gentleman liv'd in the Reign of King
Charles L He was Educated at 0>ford, vvhere
lie took 'the Degree of Mafier of Arts. He u^rit
Three Tragedies;, in his Time eileem'd. And Mr.
Langbain tells us, that they appear'd on the Stage
after the Reftoration of Kin.g Charles II. and the
Mufes, with Approbation. They are,
^ r. The Fatal Contract ; a Tragedy, afi:ed by her
Ma;efty'*s Servants, 1653. Dedicated to James
Eari.of Northampton, and Ifabella his Countefs, This
^lay was revived twice after the Reftoration. For
K s the
132 Lives and Chadaers of the
the Plot confult Gregorie de lours, lih. 4, 5, &c. Aimh
on, Valois, De Serve s, Mez>erayy ike, in the Reigns of
Chilferk L and Clot air II. of France,
II. I'he Jews Tragedy, with their Overthrow by Vef-
pafian and Titus his Son, 1662, This Play was not
printed till feme Years after the Author's Death.
The Story you may find in Jofefhm, hb. 5, 7.
III. I'he Eunuch ; a Tragedy.
*&t ^ ^ ^ ^^^^^^^'^^^^^^
Tkifr. JohnHeywood. |
A K ancient Poet, that liv'd in the Reigns of:
-^ King Edward VI. and Queen Mary I. He was ;
a Hertford/hire Gentleman, and an Intimate of Sir
'fhomas Moor, to whom he was a Neighbour, and j
by whofe Intereft he was introduced to Queen MaryA
After her Death he fled beyond Sea, on account of j
his Religion, he being a Papift, and died at Mechlen,;i
1555. He was one of the beft Dramatick Writers
of his Time, and a famous Epigrammatift. Tho*
he was a Roman Catholick, yet he wrote with Se-
verity againft the Regular Clergy of that Religion.
His Dramatick Pieces, being moftly Interludes, arc
Six in Number, viz,,
I. A Play of Love-
II. A Play of Genteelnefs and Nobility, in Two Partsli
III. A Play between J OHii the Hmband, and Tim
his mfe.
IV. A Play between the Pardoner, the Fryar, the.
Curate and Neighbour Prat. :
V. T^he Four P 's; an Interlude.
VI. A Play of the pf/eather ; call'd A New and verj
Merry Interlude of all manner of Weathers, 1533. *
Thefe were fome of the firft Plays that appearM !
I'd our Englijh Language. This Author writ Two orj
Th'recl
Englifli Dramatick Poets. 135
Three Books of Epigrams, which, Mr. Langhain
ikys, made Five Hundred in number ; and alio a
Book call*d Monumenta Literaria.
JMr. Jasper Heywood.
THIS Author was Son of Mr. John Heywood.
He was firft bred at MertonrCoIiege in Oxford^
from whence he remov'd to Ali-Sculs- College in the
fame Univcrfity; which he left for St. Omers in
Francey where he became a zealous bigotted Jefuit ;
and was the firft of that Seminary fent for England.
Dodor Fuller informs us, that he was executed in
the Reign of Queen EUx^cdjeth ^ but in Baker s Chro-^
nicies mention is made, that he was one of the Seven-
ty Priefls taken in the Year 1585, fent beyond Sea,
when fome of them had receivM Sentence of Con-
demnation. Whilft he was at Oxford, he tranflated
Three of Semcas Tragedies.
I. Hercules Furens. This is an Imitation
of a Play of the fame Name writ by Euripides.
II. T R o A s. Farnaby ftiles this a Divine Trage-
dy, and highly commends if, Heinfim alfo praifes ir,
and prefers it to the Troades of Euripides. In the be-
ginning of the Second kdi of this Play, the Tran-
flator has added a whole Scene^ where he introduces
the Spedre of Achilles rifing from Hell, to require
the Sacrifice of Polyxena.
III. Thyestesj a Tragedy, which our Author
tranflated at .AU-Souls, Oxford. He has likewife
added a Scene to this Play, at the End of the Fifth
Ad, wherein I'hyeftes bewails his Mifery, and im-
plores the Vengeance of Heaven on Atrem.
K 3 Mr.
134 hives and Qh^ndevs of the
1
e^kfr. Thomas Heywood. !
N A(5lor and a Poet that liy'd in the Reigns J
of Qiieen EUz^aheth and King 'James I. By \
hiS own AccoLUit, he was the molt voiuminousj
Dramatick Writer we ever had in England ; for)
in the Preface to one of his Comedies^ he affirms, \
that he either had an entire Hand, or a very great^
Share in the Compofiire of above Two Hundred;
Piays. "Tisfaid, that he not only acted himfelf aH
moil every Day, but alfo wrote each Day a Sheet,j
a eood part whereof was difpatch'd at the Tavern;!
Ai;d Mr. Layigham %i\'Q,s his Plays the Title of Se-js
cond Rate Performances ; tho' the Writers of the;
Age wherein he liv'd will not allow it. Mr, Lang^\
(?am lets up for a Vindicator of this Author, at the J
fame time he condemns the famous Mr. Dryderty^
which is no Compliment to his Judgment. Out of]
the Two Hundred and Twenty Dramatick Pieces*
this Author fays he has been concern^'d in, there are \
but Five and Twenty entire Plays remaining -, which !
are as follow. |
I. Robert Earl of Huntingdon s Doimf all ; anHif*,^
torical Pla3\ i<5oi, a6ted by theEarlof ATo^^/W^Wsl
bervanL?. i
II. R o E E R T Earl of Huntingdon s Death, or R o- \
BIN HcoD of Merry Sherwood ; '^ith the 'tragedy of \
Chafte Matilda, i do i . The Plots of thefe two j
Plays are taken from Stoiv^ Sj^eed mid Bake/s ChrQ- \
nicks in the Reign of King Richard I. ' :
III. The Golden Age, or the Lives qf J u P i T E R and I
S A T u R N i an Hiflorical Play, adted at the Red Bully \
bv the Quee-n's Majcfty's Servants, idii, This !
Play j
Englifii Dramatick Poets, 135
Pky the Author fliles "The Eldefl Brother of Three
Ages, For the Story fee Gakruchms Poetical Hift,
Rofs's Myftagogm PoeticHi ; HoHjoak, Littleton^ and
other Didionaries.
IV. The Silver Age, 1 5i 3 , including the Love of
Jupiter to Alcmena, the Birth of Hercules, and the
Rape of Proferpine concluded with the Arraignment
of the Moon. See Plautuf, Ovid's MetamorphJtb. 3.
and other Poetical Hiflories.
V. The Braz>en Age ; an Hiflorical Play, i^i3»
This Play contains the Death of the Centaur Nejfm,
the Tragedy of Meleager, and of Jafon and Medea^
the Death of Hercules, Vulcan 5 Net, &c. For the
Stories fee Ovid's Metamorph. HI;. 4, j, S, g.
VI. A Woman kilfd ijcith Kindnefs; a Comedy^ acfted
by the Queens's Servants with Applaufe^, 161 7.
■ VII. If you know not me, you know no Body ; or The
Troubles of Queen Elizabeth, in Two Parts, 162^,
The Plot taken from Cambden, ^eed, and other
Englijh Chronicles in the Reign of Queen Eliz,a'
beth.
VIII. The Royal King, and Loyal SuhjeB ; a Tra^
gi-Comedy, 1627. This Play was aded with Ap-
plaufe. It feems to be taken from Fletcher's Loyal
SiibjeEl, ■
IX. The Fair Maid of the Wefi, or A Girl worth
Gold; a Tragi-Comedy, 16^1, This Play was ac-
ted before the King and Queen.
X. The Fair Maid of the IVefl, or A Girl worth
Gold. Part IL Aded likewife before the King and
Queen, 16^1. Dedicated to Thomm Hammond of
Grays-Inn, Efq; Both thefe Plays met with a gene-
ral Approbation in thofe Times, v
XI. The Dutchefs of Suffolk ; an Hiflorical Piay^
1^31. For the Plot fee Fo>:'s Martyr ology , and
Clark's Marty rokgy] t. 521, 6-:c.
" ' K 4 XII. The
135 Lives and Charaders of the
XIL I'he Iron Age; an Hillorical Play, 16^ 2I
This Play contains the Rape of Helen^ the Siege of
Troy^ the Combat between Hecior 2i\\A Ajaxy HeSior
^nd Troilus flain by Achilles^ Achilles {lain by Parisy
the Contention ofAjax and Uljjfes for the Armour of
AcMeSy the Death of Ajax, &c.
'Xllt The Iron Age. Part II. 16^2. Dedicated
to 'Thomaa Manwaritig, Efq; In this Play is included
the Death of Pemhejikay Parts, Priam, and Hecuba,
the burning of 'troy, the Deaths of Agamemnon, Me- :
nelam, Clytemneflra, Helena, Orefles, ^giflhm, Pylades^ \
King Diomedy Pyrrhm, Cethus, Symn, I'herjttes. Thefe ^
Plays were aded with Applaufe. For the Plot con-^l
fult Virgil, Homer, Lucian, Ovid, &c.
XIV. The Englijh Traveller; a Tragi-Comedy,
acled at the Cock-pit in Drury-lane, 16^^. Dedica-
ted to Sir Henry Appleton, Both the Plot and Lan-
guage of Lyonel and Reginald are taken from Plautus's
M^fiellaria.
XV. A Maidenhead weUloJl ; a Comedy, aded in
Drury-lane, 16^^.
XVI. The Four London Apprentices^ with the Conquefl
efjerufalem ; an Hiilorical Play, aded by the Queen's ■.
Servants, 1635. It is founded on the Hiftory of
Godfrey of Bulloign- See Tajfo, Fullers Hiftory cf
the Holy War, 8cc.
XVII. A Challenge for Beauty ; a Tragi-Comedy,
aded by the King^s Servants in the Blackfryars,
XVIII. T^e Fair Maid of the Exchange, with the
merry Humours of the Cripple of Fenchurch ; a Come- 1
dy, i<^37'
XIX. The Wife Woman of Hogfden ; a. Comedy, )
afted with Applaufe, i6^S. ]
XX. The Rape o/Lucrece; a Roman Tragedy, i
a£ied at the Red-Bull, 16^8. Plot from T^t. Livim, J
i)ec. i.c, 58, \
XXI. love's \
Englilh Dramatick Poits: 137
XXI. LoiJe*s Miftrefs, or I'he Queens Ma&k ,* pre-
fented before their Majefties feveral times, iCap.
For the Plot fee Apuleims Golden Afs.
XXII. Fortune by Land and Sea ^ a Comedy, aded
by the Queen's Servants, 1(555. Mr. ilou'/?)' affifted
in the compofing of this Play.
XXIII. T'he Lancajhire tVitches ; a Comedy, aded
at the Globe by the King^s Servants. Mr. Brome
joined with Mr. HeyiLood in writing this Comedy.
This Story is related by the Author in his Hierarchy
cf Angels.
XXIV. Edward IV. an Hifiorical Play, in
Two Parts. For the Story fee Hollingjhead, S^eed,
J)u Chefne, and other Chronicles.
This Author publifh'd feveral other Pieces in
Verfe and Profe, as his Hierarchy of Angels above-
mention^'d, 7'he Life and Troubles of Queen Elizabeth,
\the General Hiflory of IVomen^ An Apology for AEtorSy
^c.
In his Preface to T'he Fair Maid of the Weft^ he
pleads Modeily for not expofing his Plays to 'the
publick view of the World, in a large Volume un-
der the Title of Works, as others had done^ which
feem'd to be a tacit Arraignment of fome of his
Contemporaries for Ollentation, particularly Ben,
Johnfony who, Mr. Langbain fays, was the only Poet in
thofe Days that gave his Plays the pompous Title
of Works ; And when an Intimate of Ben. Johnfons
was ask'd why Bens Plays fhould be call'd Works;
he made this Anfwer,
'The Author s Friend^ thmforthe Author fays y
Ben'j- Plays are JVorks^ when others Works are Plays',
The
J38 Lives and Characters of the
The ufual Motto which this Author prefixed to
moft of his Works, and which fhew*d the chief
Defign of his Writing, was this from Horace j
• Aut frodejfe volum, nut delegare Poeta,
ggQ(S)QQg)QQC)COQOOC)CQ^QQQGG^)Q ^
Henry Higden, B^q-y
npHIS Author was a Member of the Society of
the Middle Tempky and a Perfon well known to
all the converfable part of the Town, he being a
Gentleman of Wit, and a very pleafant and face-
tious Companion. He writ one Play. .
'the Wary Widow, or 6Vr N o i s y P a r R a T ; a
Comedy, afled at the Theatre Royal, 16$^. De-
dicated to the Right Honourable Charles Earl of
Dorfet and Middlefex, This Play was ulher'd into
the World with feveral Copies of Verfes, and had
a Prologue writ by Sir Charles Sidley ; but yet it did
not meet with the Succefs expeded ; the Author
having contriv'd to make fo much drinking of Punch
in the Play, that the Adors got drunk, and were
unable to go through with it, the Audience was
difmifs'd at the Clofe of the Third Ad. This is the
reafon of his Complaint in the Preface of the unge-
nerous Ufage the Bear-Garden Criticks gave it with
Cat-Calls.
A
^eJ^r. Bevil Higgons.
Gentleman who follow'd the Fortunes of
the late King James IL He is ftiil living in
Fvancey
Englifh Dramatick Poets, 139
fi'oncey and as I am told by a Friend of his, main-
tains his Wit and good Humour undeprefsM by hi?
Misfortunes. He has writ one Play; call'd,
"The Generom Conqueror ,* a Tragedy, acted at the
The:itre Royal,
Mr. Aaron Hill.
nrHIS Gentleman, if I miflake not, attended
the Lord Paget Embaflador to Corijiantinopky as
his Secretary, where he wrote ^ Hiflory of the
Ottoman Empire, He is Author of the following
Plays, njiz>.
L E L F R E D, or "The Fair Inconflant ; a Tragedy,
acted at the Theatre Royal. To which is added
a Farce, callM The Walking Statue^ or The Devil in
the W^ne Cellar,
IL The Fatal Vijiony or The Fall of Siam ; a Tra-
gedy, aded at the Theatre in Lincolns-Inn-pields,,
IJ16, Dedicated to Mr. Dennis and Mr. Gildon,
Mr. Barton Holyday.
AN Author born at Oxford, the latter end of
'^ Qiieen Elix,aheth\ Reign j and who flourifr/d in
the Reigns of King. Charles I. and IL He was ear-
ly enter'd a Student of Chrifl-Church-College ; and ha-
ving taken his Degrees of Batchelor and Mafter of
Arts, he was made Archdeacon of Osfoi'djhire. He
had the Charafter of a general Scholar, and a good
Poet. He died in the Year 1 661^(00^ after the Ref-
t oration.
Jr^o Lives and Chara&crs of the
toration, at Eify nc2,v Oxford^ and was buried in Chrijh^
Church. He wrote only one Dramatick Piece ; call'd,
TEXNOfAMlA, or 7%e Marriages of the Arts ; 2
Comedy, aded by the Students of Chrifi-Church^
1630. This Play met with a general Approbation.
This Author, belides this Play, prefented the World
with a Tranflation of Juvenal and Perjimy illuf-
trated with Notes and Sculptures, A Verfionof the
Odes of Horace^ two Trads in Latin^ dec.
.]
np HIS Poet was Son of that Reverend and Emi-
nent Divine, Ezekiei Hopkins Biftiop of London" ;
derrjy in the Kingdom of Ireland. He was born in |
Deionjhire, but carried to Ireland vtvy Young. He \
had his Education at Dublin College; and coming |
from thence over to England, he was a Student at \
Caynbridge. When the Wars broke out in. Ireland he ^
returned to that Kingdom, and exerted his early i
Valour in the Caufc of his Country, Religion and ';
Liberty : After the Wars were over, he came again |
for England, and fell into acquaintance of Gentle- \
men of tne beft Wit, whofe Age and Genius were \
moft agreeable to his own. The Sweetnefs of his 1
l^umbers, andEafinefs of his Thoughts, in his Po- i
etical Writings (particularly his Tranflations out of \
Ovtd) as a certain Author has obferv'd, fhew that 1
he was born a Poet. He writ the Three following |
Plays. j
I. Pyrrhus King of Epirus ; a Tragedy, adcd -
at tne Tneatre m Little Lincolns-Im- Fields, by his \
Majefly*s Servants, 165)5. Dedicated to his High- '
nefs the Duke of Gloucejler, This Play had not the 1
Sue- I
/ i
Englifli Dramatxck Poets; 14x1
Succefs defir'd, but the Author was very Young
when he writ it. See the Story in Livy^ Plutarch's
Life of Pyrrhusy Lucius FloruSy dec,
II. BoADicEAj Queen of Britain i a Traredy
aded at the Theatre in Lincolns- Inn-Fields ^ i<^P7-
Dedicated in Verfe to Mr. Congreve, This Play is
writ in Heroick Verfe ; and was aded with very
great Applaufe. The Author has fenfibly touch'd
the Paflions j and Camillas difcovering her Rape,
making the Firfl Scene of the Fourth Act, is mafter-"
ly perform'd. The Story is the fame wich Bonduca,
Ihe being fometimes call'd Boadicea, and fometimes
Bonduca ; as you may read in I'acitus's Annals^
Second Book of Milton s Hiflory of England, Tyrrel's
Hiflory of England, dec.
III. Friendjhip imprcv'd, or 'The Female Warrior ; a
Tragedy, aded at the Theatre Royal. This Play
is Dedicated to Edward Cooke of Norfolk, Efq; and,
as I remember, has a very humorous Prologue, the
Subjed of which is upon the Au thorns commencing
Merchant, and accumulating Wealth, if a Poet can.
It concludes with thefe two Lines,
My hrightejl Goods are laid afide as Lumber^
No Money left, but Lines exceeding Number^
Edward Howard, E[q}
T^ HIS Author was of the Noble Family of the
Earl of Berkfhire, He writ four Plays ; but in
all of them fell fhort of the Succefs he expeded.
They are,
I. The Vfurfer ; a Tragedy, aded at the Theatre
Royal, 1^68, The Charader of Damocles, in this
Play,
142 Lives and Characters of this
Play, 'tis fuppds'd, the Author defigu d for Oliver
Cromwei.
II. .SVx Days Adventurey or T^ke Nexv Utopia ; a Co-
inedy, aded at the Diike of Tork's Theatre, i6ji.
This Play mifcarried m the Reprefentation.
III. A Woman s Conquejl ; a Tragi-Comedy, aded
by the Duke of Torlis Servants in Dorfet-Gardeny
1 577. This is the befl of Mr Hou^ard's Dramatick
Pieces.
IV. The Man cf Neiv-marht ; a Comedy, aded
at the Theatre Royal, 1578. This Author has
likewife writ two Books of Poems in Octavo; one
call'd 'The Britijh Princes ; and the other. Poems and'
EJfaySy zvith a Paraphrafe on Cicero's LaliuSy or Trati
of Friendjhip'
Sir Robert Howard.
SI R Rokrt Howard was Brother to the Earl of
Berk/hire. He was not only an admirable Poet,
but a generous Patron, and a great Encourager of
Learning. His Skill in Dramatick Poetry is very
confpicuous in lie Committee^ and The Indian Queeny
which were very much admir'd by the befl: Judges.
He wi;it Six Plays, the worft of which had better
Succefs than the. bed Performance of Mr. Edvjard
Hoiijavd. His Plays are as follow.
I. The Committee ; 3. Comedy, i^^5, aded often-
times with Applaufe.
II. The Indian Queen ; a Tragedy, aded at the
Theatre Royal, 166^. This Play is writ in He-
roic k Verfe, and. was aded with very great Ap-
plaufe. It has fince been converted to an Opera,*
and been reprefented with the like Succefs.
III. The
Englilli Dramatick Poets; 143
III. T'he Surpriz>al ; a Tragi-Gomedy, aded at
the Theatre Royal, 1 5(55.
IV. The Great Fawurite, or T^he Duke of Lerma ;
a Tragi-Comedy , aded at the Theatre Royal,
1 568. For the Plot fee Mariana^ Turquet De
Mayeriiy and other Hiflorians of thofe Times.
V. T'he Blmd Lady; a Comedy, 16^6. This
Play is bound up with divers other Poems of the
Author's.
VI. The Veflal Virgin^ or The Roman Ladies ; a
Tragedy, aded at the Theatre Royal. There are
two Fifth Ads in this Play, one ending tragically,
and the other fuccefsfully. One of Sir Robert's Plays
being refleded on by his Contemporary Poets, he has>
in his Prologue to this Play, thefe two Lines,
It does a zvretched Dearth of Wit betray^ •
When Things of Kind on one another frey.
The Committee has lately been forbid to be aded,
the Audience turning fome Scenes of it, by Party
Interpretations, to Times they never were intended
to reprefent.
James Howard^ £/^;
A Gentleman of the Noble Family of the Howards^
who writ two Comedies.
I. All Miflaken, or The Mad Couple, aded at the
Theatre Royal, 1572. This was efleem'd an ex-
cellent Comedy.
II. The Englijh Monjieur ; a Comedy, aded at the
Theatre Royal, 16^74. This Play met with good
Sticcefs,
James
ri44 Lives and Chafafters of the
James Howell^ jB/^j
HIS Gentleman was born in Caermarthenjhire^
in South Wales^ in the Year 1^94. At Sixteen
Years of Age he removed from Hereford Schooly to
Jefus'CoUege, Oxford. In the Year i<5i8, he was
fent beyond Sea by Sir Robert Manfel ; he traveled
the Low Countries y France and Italy. He was em*
ploy'd by King James in a Negotiation at the Court
of Madrid; and was Secretary to my Lord Scroop ^
Prefident of the Council in the North. He writ and
tranflated near Fifty Books, tho* but one of them is
in a Dramatick Way, which isy
• 'The Nuptials of P e l e u s and T H e T 1 s ; a
Mafque and Comedy, aded at Paris, J ^54^ by the
French King, the Duke of Tork, Duke of Anjou^
Henrietta Maria the Princefs Royal, the Princefs of
Contiy &c. It is partly a Tranflation from an Italian
Comedy ,* and is Dedicated to the Marchionefs of
Dorchefter. The Plot is taken from Ovid's Meta-*
morfh. lib. 11, &c.
Among his other Works, his Dodonas Grove,
or The Vocal Forefly was very much applauded. He
died in the Year i666y and lies buried on the North
fide of the Temple Churchy with this Infcription
over him :
Jacobus Howell, Cambro-BritanmtSy Regius Hif-
torzographm in Anglia Primus \ quiy poft i/arias peregri"
nationesy tandem naturae Curfum peregit, Satur Annorum
C^ Fama Domi^ forifque hue ufque erraticusy hie fixus,
1666.
i Mr.
Englifli Dramatick Poets. i'4J
Mr. John Hughes.
THIS Gentleman is Secretary to the Com-
miifion for Juftices of the Peace. He has
written an Opera; call'd.
Calypso arid Telemachus ; perform'd at
the Queen's Theatre in the Hay-market,
He has a Tragedy ready for the Stage, call'd
T^he Siege of Damafcus,
I.
Mr. Thomas Jevon.
A
N excellent Comedian in the Reigns of King
Charles and King James II. He writ a Farce ;
call'd,
"The Devil of a Wife, or A Comical Transformation;
aded at the Queen's Theatre in Dorfet Garden,
1626. It is taken from the Story of Mo^fa in Sir
Philip Sidnefs Arcadia.
'^m^
#
(iyMr. Thomas Ingeland.
T^ H I S Author was a Student aj: the Univer/ity
of Cambridge^ in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth.
Be v/rit one Play ,• call'd,
L 'The
ja6 Lives and Charafters of the \
*The Dijobedient Child, a merry Interlude j .printed .;
in an old black Letter without any Date. i
*^ ^' *^^^^'^*^^^^^*^ ^ I
B E N J O H N S O N. j
THIS celebrated Poet was born in the City of I
IVeflminftery at which School he received his.j
firit Rudiments of Learning under Mr. Cambden, j
He removM from thence to St. Johns College m \
Ca?nhyidge, and afterwards to Chrifl-Church-College^ .■
Oxford j but his Circumflances not aifording an !
expenfive Education, he was oblig^'d to quit the
Univerfity, and follow the Trade of a Bricklayer
with his Father-in-Law ; tho' feme Authors fay, i
that he firft took the Degree of Mailer oL Arts.
He alTifted in the Building of Lincolns-Inn^ where ha-
ving a Trowel in his Hand, and a Horace in his
Pocket, he found an honourable MecanaSy that freed 1
him from his fervile Employment. Some Perfons i
have endeavoured to lefTen this great Man on ac- \
count of his Defcent ; but, as Mr. Langbain obferves, i
it is no Diminution to him, that he was Son-in-Law j
to a Bricklayer, and workM at that Trade, fince \
the greateft Poets in all Ages have been generally 1
of the meaneil Eirth and Fortune j witnefs. Homer \
who was a Beggar, Euripides an Herb-gatherer, j
Pte^wj a Baker's Servant, Terence a, S\a,vQy and Virgil]
was the S^ of a Basket-maker. He was of anj
open free Tem.per, a jovial and pleafant Compa-|
nion, blunt and haughty to his Antagonifts, and|
impatient of Cenfure. His natural Genius wasj
much improv^'d by Study and Learning, no one
making greater Advantages of his Reading than
he, .which is. plain m all his Works. His De-
signs were great, noble, and various i and as
there
Ehglifh Dramatic K Poets, 147
th^re are few Men of Eminence but imitate the
Antients, fo Plautus chiefly feem'd to be his Model.
He was Poet Laureat to King James and King
Charles I. ^is Dramatick Pieces are Fifty two
i\\ Number, but his Plays make not above Nine-
teen, vm.
I. Every Man in his Humour j a Comedy, afted by
the Lord Chamberldins Servants, 1^9^- Dsdica-
ted to Mr. Camhden. This Play has been reviv'd
and aded fince the Refloration with Applaufe, ha-
ving a new Epilogue fpoken by Ben Johnfons
Ghoft, written by the Lord Dorfeu
II. Every Man out of his Humour , a Comedyg
aded by the Lord Chamberlains Servants, 1^99^
This Play was reviv'd and a&d at the Theatre
loyal, i675»
III. C Y N T H i A^<- R(^uehy or 7he Fountain of Self--
ove ; a Comedy, aded by the Children of Queen
Eliz.abeth's Chapel, 1600= In the Epilogue to this
lay are thefe Lines.
l' his from our Author I was bid to fay ^
By Jove 'tis good, and if you U Ukity'fju may,
. IV. 'The Poetafier^ or His Arraignment ,* a Come-
dy,* aded in the Year 1601. This is a Satire upon
:he 'Poets of the Age, particularly Mr. Decker , who
s lafii'd under the Title of Crifpinus : And Mn
Decker y in his Satyromaflix, has this in his Defence^
Sorace (fays he) traifd his Poetafters to the Bar, and
he Poetafters untrufsd Horace. This Play is adorn'd
Arith feveral Tranflations from the Ancients. See
l^z/s Eleg. Lib. I. Eleg. 15. Hordt, Sat. Lib, i. Stat,.
t. Virgilii JEn, Lib. 4, &c.
y. S E J A N u sV EaU\ 2l Tragedy, aded by his
siajefty's Servants, 1603* Dedicated to the Lord
iM/^np This Play was ufhet'd mo th*^ World
L :t mth
148 Lives a?2d Charaders of the 1
with Nine Copies of Verfes, and was aded with '-[
general Approbation. For the Story, fee Tacitus^ -J
Suetonius, Seneca, &c. }
VI. An Entertainment for the Queen and Prince, ,
at my Lord Spencer's at Althropy 1(503. This waS/
perform^ upon the firfl coming of the Queen into^ ;
England.
VII. Volpone : or Tloe Fox ; a Comedy, aded by ,i
the King's Servants, 1^05. Dedicated to both the J
Univerfities. This Play was aded with great Ap- i
plaufe. It is writ in imitation of the Ancients,..)
and the Argument is fbrm^i into an Acroftick, \
after the Manner of Plautus, \
VIII. Queens Mafques, of Beauty and of Black-.;
nefs ; perform'd at Court on Twelfth Night, and at !
White- Hall 160^. I
IX. An Entertainment of the King of England |
and King of Denmark at Theobalds, 1606. |
X. E p I c ce N E, or The Silent Woman ^ a Come-.^|
dy, aded firfl by the Children of her Majefty's. |
Revels, i<5op. Dedicated to Sir Francis Stuart, \
This is accounted one of the beft Comedies we have. !
extant, and is always aded with univerfal Applaufe. |
Part of this Play is borrowed from Ovid de Arte i
Amandi, from "Juvenal, &c. ^ j
XI. Mafque of Qtieens, celebrated from the Houfe \
of Fame, by the Qiieen of Great Britain and her \
Ladies, at White-Hall, i6og. This Mafque is a- :i
dorn'd with learned Notes ; and the Author was i
alTifted in the Invention of the Scenes and Machine- j
ry by Mr. Mgo Jones, the famous Arc hired. '
XII. The Cafe is alter d; a. Comedy, aded at the 1
Black Fry ars, i6op. This Play is partly bCrrow'd,!
(win Plautm's Comedies. 1
XIII. The Alchy7niB ', a Comedy, aded by his\\
Majefty's Servants, i<5io. Dedicated-to the Ladyi
Mary Wrotk This Play v/as aded with great Ap- \\
Englifli Dramatick Poets. 149
plaufe, Mr. Dryden was of Opinion, that the Cha-
racter of the Alchymifl is taken from Albumaz>ar.
XIV. C A T A L I N e's Con/piracy ; 2l Tragedy, a6i:-
ed by the King's Servants, 1611. Dedicated to
WtUiam Earl of Pembroke. The Plot from Saluft,
Hip:. Plutarch's Life of CkerOy dec.
XV. Bartholomem-Fair y a Comedy, aded by the
Lady Eliz,abeth's Servants, 1614. Dedicated to
King James L This Play was afted with great
Applaufe. It has a great deal .of Humour in it j but
fome of it is low, which Ben, intended as a Banter
upon the Town, for not encouraging his Catdiney
(a learned Piece) which tho^ well received, had not
the Succefs he expeded.
XVI. An Entertainment in private of the King
and Queen, on May-Day^ at Sir WtUiam Comwal/is's
Houfe at Highgatey 1^14.
XVII. T'he Gslden Age reflord y a. Court Mafque,
161^.
XVIII. T?;^' Devil's an Afs; a. Comedy, aded by
his Majefty^s Servants, 1616. Part of this Play is
taken from JBoccace's Novels.
XIX. A. Chriftma6 Mafque j prefented at Court,
1616.
XX. Pleafure reconciled to Virtue ,• a Mafque, pre-
fented at Court before King Jamesy 16 ip.
XXI. News from the new World, drfcoverd in the
Moon ; a. Mafque, likewife prefented at Court be-
fore King James y 1620.
XXII. The Metamorphosed Gipjtes; a Mafque, pre-
fented before the King at Burleigh on the Hill, and
Windfor-Cafile^ 1621.
XXIII. 'Time vindicated to hhnfelf and his Honours i
a Mafque, 1621.
■ XXIV. Pan's Anniverfary, 01 T'he Shepherd's Ho-
lyday ; a Mafque, prefented before the King and
Court, 1625.
L s XXV
\
J so Lives and Charafters of the i
XXV. 'The Staple of News ; a Comedy, afted by i
his Majefty's Servants, 1^25. The Author in thi$j
play introduces four Perfons, who continue during*^
the Reprefentation, and Criticife on the Perfor-j
mance. ]
XXVI. A Mafque of Owls at Kenelivorth ; per-'j
formed by the Ghoft of Captain Cox^ mounted on i
his Hobby-Horfe, 1616^
XX VII. The Fortunate IJles ; a Court Mafque,i 626,
XXVIII. The New Jym, or The Light Heart ; a
Comedy, 162 p. This Play the Author fays wa;s
never aded, but mofl negligently played by th&j
icing's Servants, and more fqueamifhly beheld and j
cenfur'd by the Audience.
XXIX. Love's Triumph thro^ Callipolis \ a Mafque, j
performMar Court by King Charlesl. with his Lords J
and Gentlemen, 16^0. ' ;
XXX. C L o R I D I A, or Rites to Chris ; a Mafque^ i
prefented by the Queen and her Ladies at Court, |
1630. 1
XXXL The King's Entertainment at JVelheck in |
Nottingha?nJ'hiyey the Seat of the then Earl of New- i
caftle^ on his Majefty's going into Scotland, 16^^. j
XXXII. Love's Welcome ; an Entertainment for i
the King and Queen at the Earl oi NewcaJile'sHoufQ ,
at Bolfover, 16^^. . ', I
XXXIII. The Magnetick Lady, or Humours recon- \
citd', a Comedy,' aded in the Black-Fry ars, Thi§ |
was efleem'd an excellent Play. ' ' ,
XXXIV. M o R T I M E Ks Fall; a Tragedy. Thi$ \
Play was Icfu imperfedi: by tlie Author. ' \
' XXXV. The Widow I a Comedy, afted by his i
Ma jelly's Servants in the Black-Fryars with great .i
Applaufe. Mr. Fletcher and Mr. Middleton afTifted in £]
the Compofition of this Play. ' |l
XXXVI. Entertainment at King "James t\\t FirlVs i^
Coronation. ' ^ , ll
xxxvn.y
Englifli Dramatick Poets. 151
XXXVII. Entertainment of King James and
Qiicen Anne at 'theohalds.
XXXVIII. A Challenge at "Tilt at a Marriage i z
Mafque.
XXXIX. Love freed from Ignorance and Folly ; a
Mafque.
XL. Love rejtor'd ; a Mafque, prefented at Court
by Gentlemen belonging to the King.
XLI. N E p T u N E^s Tiium^h for the Return of Ah
hion ; a Mafqiie.
XLII. A T'aleof a T'uh; a Comedy.
XLIIL T'he Sad Shepherd^ or A Tale of Robin
H o o D j a Dramatick-Pafloral of Three Ads.
XLI V. 'The Vtfion of Delight i a Mafque, prefent-
ed at Court.
XLV. Mercury vindicated from the Akhjmifis
at Court; a Mafque.
XL VI. The Irifi Mafque at Court ; prefented by
Gentlemen, the King's Servants.
XLVIL A Mafque of Augurs^ prefented with
feveral Anti-Mafques.
XL VIII. Hymen^j, or The Solemnities of a
M^f^^^ ^^^^ Barriers at a Marriage; with learned
Marginal Notes.
XLIX. A Mafque at the Lord Haddington s Mar-
riage^ prefented at Court.
L. A Mafque at the Lord Haye's Houfe ; prefen-
ted by feveral Noblemen, for the Entertainment of
Monfieur Le Baron de Tour, Embaifador from the
French King.
LI. Oberon the Fairy Prince; a Mafque of
Prince Henry s,
LII. Speeches at Prince He n r yV Barriers, I know
not when thefe Twenty Dramatick Pieces, lad
mention'd, were acted, but they were printed with
the reft in Two Volumes Folio, 1640 and 16^2 ;
and his whole Works are lately reprinted in Six
Volumes OHavo, L 4 A
iji" Lives and Charaders of the
A noted Writer of the Age wherein this incom-
parable Poet liv'd, wrote this Epigram on his Plays
in general.
Each like an Indian Ship or Hull appears^
'That took a Voyage for fome certain Tear Sy
1*0 plow the Sea, and furrow tip the Main,
And brought rich Ingots from his loadtn Brain :
His Art the Sun ; his Labours were the Lines
Where f olid H^it, the 'Treafure fully fhines.
To fiiew that Ben was famous at Epigram, I
need only tranfcribe the Epitaph he wrote on the
Lady Eliz^abeth £. H,
Underneath this Stone doth lye |
As much Virtue a^ could die; ^^
Pl/hich, when alive ^ did Harbour give |
*/ /> •»* ^/wrirln \< T' » TT T- IT ttt /•mil A /Vr»i/* V
To as much Beauty aa could live.
^
He died Anno id^j, in the Sixty Third Year of his /I
Age, and was buried in TVeftminfier- Abbey , on the||
Wefl Side near the Belfry, with only this Mcmo-'( j
rial, •!
O Rare Ben. Johnson. \
One of his Admirers wrote the following Infcrip- \
tion, deflgn^'d for his Monument : i
Hie Johnfbnus nofler Lyricorum, Dramaticorumq; \
CoryphosHi, quiPallade aufpice laurum aGracia ipfaq; !
Roma rapuity & fau/io omine in Britanniam tranjiulit \
nofiramy nunc invidia major ^ fato^ nee tamen a^mtilis i
cejft, Ann, Dom, i^^y. < I
Mr, Charles
Englifli Dramatick Poets. 153
Mr. Charles Johnson,
AN Author now living, who has pubh'fli'd tlie
following Plays :
I. Fortune in her MAts ; a. Comedy, 1 705. This is
but an indifferent Tranflation of Mr. Coiuky's Nauy
fragium Joculare j and was never prefented on the
Stage.
II. T'he IVife^s Relief, or "The Husband's Cure ; a
Comedy, aded at the Theatre Royal. This Play
is chiefly taken from Shirley s Gamefter*
III. 'Ihe Force of Friendjhip ,* a Tragedy, with a
Farce, call'd Lo^ue in a Chefi^ aded at the Queen's
Theatre in the Haymarket^ 1710. Dedicated to the
Dutchefs of Shrewsbury.
IV. ihe generous Husband y otCoffee-Honfe Politician ;
2. Comedy. Dedicated to the Lord Ajhburnhnjn.
V. T^he Country Lajfes, or The Ctiftom of the Manor;
a Comedy. Dedicated to the Earl of Clare. This
is chiefly taken from Fletchers Cuflom of the Country.
VI. ne Succefful Pirate ; a Comedy, taken from
an old Play call'd Arviragm.
VII. Love and Liberty j a Tragedy.
VIII. The Victim i a Tragedy, 171 >. Dedicated
to the Dutchefs pf Marlborough. It is taken for the
moft Part from Racine's Iphigenia.
IX. The Sukanefs ; a Tragedy, 171 7. This is
little more tiaan a bare TranUation of Racine's
Bajaz.et.
X. The Cobler of Pveftnn ; a Farce of Two Ads,
taken from Shakefpea/s Tinker of Burton Htath in the
Taming of a Shrew.
Thef^
154 Lives and Charaders of the
Thefe Seven laft were all adsd at the Theatre
Royal in Dmrylane,
Mr. John Jones.
THIS Author liv'd in the Reign of King
Charles L and writ one Play call'd,
Adrasta, or The Wo?nans Spleen and Love*$
Conquefi; a Tragi-Comedy, 1635. never aded. Part
of this Play is taken from Boccace's Novels.
jlfr. Thomas Jordan.
AP L A Y E R, who liv'd in the Reign of King ]
Charles I. He writ Three Dramatick Pieces. ,^
I. 7%e Walks of Iflington and Hogfdon, with the Hu^ J
mours of IVood-flreet Compter I a Comedy^, 1557. De-
dicated to Richard Cheyney^ Efq; This Play was
aded Nineteen T^di^s^ together with great Applaufe.
II. Money s 4nAfi.i a Comedy, adted with Ap- :
plaufe^ 166^. \
III. Fancies Feflivals i a Mafque. In this Play
are the follov/ing Lines fpoken by a Soldier : J
%
Our God and Soldier vje alike adore^ M.
'Jufi at the brink of Bjivn^ not before ;
'The Danger pafly both are alike requited,
God is forgotten^ and the Soldicv /lighted.
Mr.
Endifii Dramatick Poets* 155:
•o
Mr- William Joyner.
THIS Gentleman was born in Oxford/hire, in
the Reign of King Charles IL and educated
at Magdakn-Coliegey whereof he was a Fellow, "'till
he chang'd his Religion, when he voluntarily re-
fign'd. In the Reign of K.m^ James II. he was re-
placed in the fame College on new Modelling of the
Univerfity by the EcclefialHcal Commiilioners ; but
on an Apprehenfion of the Revolution, he and the reft
of the Fellows were foon after removM. When he
withdrew from Oxford, he wrote a Tragedy call'd,
T^f Ro7mn Emprefs ; aded at the Theatre Royal,
16 ji. Dedicated to Sir Charles Sidley. This Play
was aded with Applaufe. The Author has imita-
ted OEdtpm and Hifplitm ; and Mr. Langbain fup-
pofes this to be the Story of Conftantine and his
Wife and Son, under the Names of Valemim, Crif-
pm and Fauflina. For the Plot fee ZQz>omens Hifiory.
Mr. HenryKillegrew-
AP E R S O N cf eminent Wit in the Reign
of King Charles I. who, at the Age of Seven-
teen, v/rit the following Play.
'The Confpiracy ; a Tragedy, aded at the Black-
Fry ars with Applaufe, 1638. Ben JohnfQn and my
Lord
1^6 Lives and Charafters of the
Lord Fdulkland commended this Play, which created
the Author fomc Envy. The firfl Impreffion was
fiirreptitioully printed, without his Confent, whilft
he was beyond Sea; fo that, on his Return, he
obliged the World with a new Edition, under the
Title of Pallantus and Eudora, 1653.
Thomas Killegrew, Efq\
THIS Gentleman was Page of Honour to
King Charles I. and Groom of the Bed-
Chamber to King Charles II. He was a Perfon cele-
brated for Wit, and attended the King in his Exile,
during which Time ^he made the Tour of France^
Italy and Sfain. In the Year i(55i, he was fent Re-
fident to the State of Venice. He writ Eleven Plays,
Nine whereof were compos'd in his Travels ,• they
are printed in One Volume Fol. 166^. (viz.)
I. 'the Parfons IVedding ; a Comedy, writ at Bafil
in Switz,erland, Dedicated to the Lady Barton, This
play was revived at the Theatre in Little Lincolns-lmi-
Fieldsy and acted all by Women. It appear'd on the
Stage with great Approbation. The chief Incidents
in this Play are to be found in Two old Plays, vfz,.
Antiquary, Rajn-Alley, &c.
II. B E L L a M I R A /;^r Dream, or Love of Shadows ;
a Tragi-Comedy, Dedicated to the Dutchefs cf
Richmond and Lenox.
III. Bellamira her Dream, Part II. written at
Venice ; Dedicated to the Lady Anne VtUen Countefs
of EJfex.
i V. C I CI L I a and C l 0 R i t^ d a, or Love in Arms ;
a Tragi-Ccmedy, written at tmin \, Dedicated to
the Countefs of Morton.
V .
Englifli Dramatick Poets; 157
V. C I c I L I A and C L o R I N D A, Part II. written
at Florence the Year 16$ i. Dedicated to the Lady
Dorothy Sidney, Coimtefs of Sunderland, The Gha-
na ders of AmadeOy Ducim and Manlim^ feem Copies
of Aglatidoiy Artahes and Megabifes in Grand Cyrm^
Parti. Lib. 3.
VI. Claracilla; a Tragi-Comedy, written
at Rome, and Dedicated to the Author s Sifter, the
Lady Shannon. ,
VII. T'he Prifoners ; a Comedy, written in London.
Dedicated to his Niece the Lady Compton. Mr. Can-
imight writ fome commendatory Lines on this Play
and Claracilla,
VIIL ThePrinceff, ov L6ve at firfl Sight; a Tragi-
Comedy, written at Naples. Dedicated to the La-
dy Lovelace,
IX. 'The Pilgrim ; a Tragedy, writ at Paris. De-
dicated to the Coimtefs of Caernarvon,
X. ThomasOj or The Wanderer; a Comedy.
Part of this Play is borrow^ from Fletcher^ Captain
and Ben yohnfons Fox,
XL T H 0 M A s o, or The JVanderer, Part IL Both
thefe Plays were aded with Applaufe.
'&^ ^ ^* ^ «^n£^^*^^^^^^^
Sir Wl L L I A M K I L L E G R E W.
VI c E-C KAMBERLAiNto ^/7//:>^r/;;?QueenDow-
ager , was Author of Five Plays, which were
all aded with Applaufe, viz..
L P A N D o R A, or The Cvnveits ; a Tragi-Comedy.
- II. Ormasdes; a Tragi-Comedy.
III. Selindra; a Tragi-Comedy.
IV. The Siege of JJjbin ; a Tragi-Comedy.
V. The Imperial Tragedy. The chief Part of this
Play is taken from a Latin one. For the Plot, fee
Maral-
J 158 hives and Chan&ers of the '
Marcellinm^ Cajjiodormy EvagYim, &c. of Zeno tht 1
Twelfth Emperor from Conjiantine. All thefe Plays %
are printed in one Volume Fo/. 1666.
iWr. John Kirk.
\ A N Author who liv^'d in the Reign of King
jf\^ Charles I. and writ one Play call'd,
'The Seven Champions of Chrifiendom ; aded at the
Cockpit with general Approbation, 1638. Dedicated
to Mr. John Waite, The Plot of this Play is taken
from the Hiftory of the fame Name, and Heylyns
Hift. of St. George.
Mr. Ralph Knevet.
A Norfolk Gentleman, who, in the Reign of King
Charles I. writ one Dramatick Piece, call'd,
R H o D o N and Iris; a Pafloral, 16^1, Dedica-
ted to Nicholas Bacon^ Efq;
Mr. Thomas Kyd.
THIS Gentleman liv'd in the Reign of Queen
Eliz.abeth^ and publifh'd one Play, call'd,
PoMPEY thi' Great; his iz-ix: Cornelias Tragedy^
15P5. Dedicated to the Countefs of Suffex. This
is only a Tranflation from the French of the famous
Robert Gamier.
L; Mr.
Englifh Dramatick Poets^ 159
L.
Mr. John Lacy.
A FAMOUS Comedian in the Reign of
King Charles II. He was born near Donca-
fier in Torkfiire, originally a Dancing-Mafter ; but
was afterwards a Lieutenant and Quarter-Mafter in
the Army, under Colonel Gerrard, He was well
fhap^'d, of a good Stature and juft Proportion, which
are great Advantages to an Ador. King Charles'-
To much efleem'd him for his admirable playing/'
that he had his Pidure drawn in three feveral Re-
prefentations, (^iz,.) as league in the Committee, Scru-
ple in the Cheats, and Gallyard in the Varieties. He
was not only an excellent Player, but a good Judge
of Plays. Ke wrote Three Dramatick Pieces.
I. "The Dumb Lady, or T'he Farrier made Phyfician ;
-a Comedy, 1672. Dedicated to the Earl of Soiith-
ampton. The Plot, and great part of the Language
of this Play is taken from Molieres k Medecin Malgre
Luy,
IL "The Old T'roop, or Monfieur Ragou -, a Comedy,
1672.
in. Sauny the Scot, or The Teaming of a Shrew ; al-
; ter'd from Shakefpear, and aded with great Applaufc
"at the Theatre Royal in Drury-Lane.
IV. ^?V H E R c u L E s Buffoon, or lihe Poetical
Squire ; a. Comedy, aded at the Duke of Tork's
Theatre.. This Play was publifh^d in the Year
1684, Three Years after the Author^s Death.
Mr,
i6o Lives and Charafters of the
]S/ir. John L e a n a r d.
MR. Langhain tells us, that this was a Plagiary ;
of extraordinary Aflurance, who by other J
Mens Writings adum'd the Title of an Author, "^j
There are two Plays publifliM under his Name, (viz,.) .
I. Country Innocence^ or T'he Cbamber-Maid turnd "\
Quaker ; a Comedy, afted at the Theatre Royal, |
1677. Dedicated to Sir Francis Hinchman, This is 1
little more than Mr. Brewe/s Country Girl reprinted, i
with a new Title. \
IL 'The Rambling Jnfiice^ or The Jeakm Husband; J
a Comedy, acted at the Theatre Royal, i(58o. The ^
greatell part of this Play is taken from a Comedy, :
writ by Mr. Middleton^ call'd, More Dijfe?nblers bejtdes ]
Women,
\
Mr. Nathaniel Lee. i
A N eminent Poet, the Son of a Clergy-Man, was '■
•^ educated at Weftminjier School under Dr. Busby, \
from whence he went to Trinity-College in theUniverlity y
of Cambridge. He writ Eleven Plays, and has fliewn ,.;
a Mafter-piece in Lucius Junius Brutus, ]
which fcarce any of his Contemporaries equalled, \
and none has excell'd. In his M i t h R i d a t e s i^
and Theodosius, the Love Scenes are extreme- j
ly moving. His Plays are as follow, viz,. \
L Nero Emperor of Rome ; a Tragedy, aded at j
the Theatre Royal, 1675. Dedicated to the Earl of J
Rochefler. This Play is writ in a mixt S:iie, Profe, i
Rhime and Blank Veife. For the Pxo: confult j
Nero^^ ■
Englilh Dramatick Poets. i5ii
Nero's Life in Suetonim, Aurelim ViEiovy 'Tacitus^
&c.
II. S o P H o N I s B A, or H A N I B A l'j Overthrow ;
a Tragedy, aded ^t the Theatre Royal, 1 6j6. De-
dicated to the Dutchefs of Port/mouths Plot from
Sir Walter Raleigh*s Hift. of the tVorld, Livy^ Florm^
AfpicLYiy Diodormy Polybimj yuftin, ike.
III. G L o R I A N A, the Court of Augustus
C iE s A R ; a Tragedy, aded at the Theatre Royal,
1675. Dedicated likewife to the Dutchefs of Portf-
mouth. The Story you may find in Cleopatra, Part L
Book 3. Part V. Book 3, &c. under the Charaders
of Cafario, Marcellm and ^ulia.
IV. "the Rival Queens, or T^he Death of Al e x-
AND E R the Great ; a Tragedy, aded at the Thea-
tre Royal, 1(577- Dedicated to the Earl of M/^
grave. This Play was aded with very great Ap-
piaufe, and was allowed by Mr. Dryden, in a Copy
of Verfes'prefixM to it, to be a Mailer-piece. The
Plot is taken from Quint. Curtim, Plutarch's Life of
Alexander the Great, Juflinj Jofeph^i, &c.
V. MiTHRiDATES King of PoHtus ; a Trage-
dy, aded at the Theatre Royal, 1578. Dedicated
to. the Earl of Dorfet and Middkfex, This Play was
aded with general Approbation : It is founded on
Hiftory, as Appan of Alexand. Roman Hift. Florm^
Veil.- Pater cuius, and Plutarch in the Lives- of Scylia, Lt^
:uUus, PomPey, Sec.
VI. Theodosius, or The Force of Love ; a
Tragedy, aded at the Duke ofTork^s Theatre,i(58o,
with great Applaufe. Dedicated to the Dutchefs
of Richmond. The Plot is taken from Pharamond a
Romance, Eufeby Hift. Ecclejlaftica^ Varenim, Martian
and Iheodojius.
VIL CiESAR Borgia; a Tragedy, aded at
the Duke of TorUs Theatre, idSo. Dedicated to
the Earl of Pembroke, See Guicciardine^ lib, 5, 6. Ma-
id, riana^
1 6i Lives and Characters of the
riana, lib, 27, 28. Sir Paul Rkaut's Lives of the i
popes ^ in the Pjign of Alexander VL j
VIII. Lucius Junius Brutus^ Father of hii i
Country ; a Tragedy, a(3:ed at the Duke^s Theatre, \
1 68 1, with great Applaiife. Dedicated to the Earl \
of Dorfet and Middkfex, For the Story fee Junius \
Brutus^ in Clelia^ a Romance, Part II. Book i. and <
Part in. Book i. And for the original Hiflory, «'
confult Florus^ Livy^ Dionyjlus, HaUicamaff. Eutropius, |
Orojius, &c. ' \
IX. CoNSTANTiNE the Great ; 3, Tragedy, 3
aded at the Theatre Royal, 1684. The Plot fromd
Eufeh. de Vita Confiantin. Socrates y Zonaras^ Eutropius^i
Baroniusy Ammianus Marcellinusy &c. f
X. The Primefiof Ckve ; a Tragi-Comedy, aftedjc
at the Queen's Theatre in Dorfet-Garden, i68p. De-T
dicated to the Earl of Dorfet and Mtddlefex. "Thijj
Play is founded on a Romance of the fame Title.
XL I'he Maffacre of Paris ; a Tragedy, aded at
the Theatre Royal, 1 5^o. For the Story fee. T'hu-
anus, Pierre, Mathieu, Davila, Mezaray, &c. in the
Reign of Charles IX.
' Mr, Lee likewife joinM with Mr. Dryden in two o
his Plays, viz,. The Duke ofGuife, and OE d i pus.
This unfortunate Gentleman was under Confine
ment fome Years in Bedlam ; but at length obtain
ing his Liberty, died in the Street in one of hi
Night-Rambles : And as Mr. Langhain obfervcs, hi
Lunacy exceeded that of the Divine Fury, men
tion'd by Ovid, and which oftentimes accompanieL
the beft Poets : p
£/? Deus in nobis y agitante calefcimus illo.
The follov/ing Defcription of Madnefs in his C a^
SAR Borgia is inimitable.
Engliili Dramatic K Poets, i^j
To my charm d Ears no more of Woitian tell^
Name not a Woman, and IjhaU be uell :
Like a poor Lunatick, that makes his Moan,
And for a while beguiles his Lookers on ;
He Reafons well^ his Eyes their Wildnefs lofe^
He vows the Keepers his wrong d Senfe abufe :
But if you hit the Caufe that hurt his Brain^ J
Then his Teeth gnajh^ he foams ^ he jhakes his Chain, >
His Eye- Balis rowl, and he is Mad again, j
J O H N L Y L Y, M. A.
A POET that liv'd in the Reign of Qiieen Eti^
z,abeth. He was born in Kent, and had his
Education at St. Mary Magdalen-College, Oxford, where
in the Year 1575 he took his Degree of Mafler of
Arts. He was one of the firft Authors that at^
tempted to refine the EngUJh Language ; and writ
the following Plays.
I. The Maid's Metamorphojts ; a Comedy, a6bed by
the Children of St. Paul's, 1 600*
II. Love's Metamorfhojis ; a Dramatiek-Paflotal^
aded by her Majefty^'s Children of the Chapel, K^oi^
III. Endimion; a Comedy, a6ted before the
Queen by the Children of St. Paul's. Endimion's be-
ing belovM by the Moon, may be met with in £«*
^ian's Dialogue between Venus and the Moon, Natales
Comes, and Galtruchius's Hifl, of the Heathen Gods.
IV. G A L A T H E A ,* a Comedy, aded before the
Queen at Greenwich on New-Year^s-Day. The Cha-
raders of Galathea and Phillidia are taken from Iphis
and lanthe in Ovid's Metamorfhojis, lib. p. &c.
V. Alexander and Campaspe; a Tragi-
comedy, prefented before the Queen, and after-
M z wards
154 Lives and Charafters o^ the \
wards aded in Black- Fry ars. Plot from Pliny's Na-^. 4
tural Hifl. lib. 35. cap. 10. 1
VI. M YD A s ^ a Comedy^ likewife play'd before \
the Queen. Apukius has writ this Story at large in j
his Aureus Afinus. See alfo Natales Comes^ Galtru- j
chius's Hifl. of the Heathen Gods^ and Ovid's MetU" .,;
?norph. lib. 11. 1
VII. Sappho and P h a o n ; a Comedy, ad- i
ed before the Queen, and afterwards in the Black-
F'ryars. V\ot kom Ovid's Epift. \
VIII. Mother B o M E I E j a pleafant Comedy, aded ,!
by the Children of St. Paul\. Theie Six Plays, laft |
mention^, are piiblilh'd together by one Mr. Blounty j
(an Author in thofe Days) in the Year 1612. \
IX. T'he Woman in the Moon; a Comedy, i66j. -J
":- Mr* Lyly likewife writ a Novel call'd, E u p h u e s ^
and his England, which was in his Time very much ^
efteemM, and has been lately reprinted. i
TkTr. Thomas Lodge.
)
HIS Author was a Dodor of Phyfick in the '
Reign of Queen Eliz-abeth ; bred at Cambridge, ',
and during his Relidence there, he writ feveral Pieces. ;]
of Poetry, amongil which are Two Plays. -^I
I. 7^he Wounds of Civil War, or T'he Tragedies of \
M A R I u s and S c y l l a, 15^4. For the Plot \
■■ confult Plutarch^ in Vit. Mar. tX' Sill. See alfo Aure-- J
- lius ViElor, EuiropiuSy Veil. Pater cuius, Saluflius, &C. &
II. A Looking-glafs for London and England \ a Tragi- -p
Comedy, 15^8. Mr. Green affiilicd in the Compofing ']
of this Play. It is fourided on the Story of Jonas \
and the Nmevites i\i Sacred Hiflory.
i
Englifli Dramatick Poets. i€$
J/> "W I L L I A M Lowe r.
A NOTED Cavalier in the Reign of King
Charles I. who, during the Civil Wars, took
Sanduary in Ho Handy where he diverted himfelf
with Poetry, and writ and tranflated Six Plays. - »
I. T'he Phoenix in her Flames ; a Tj^agedy, i6'^g.
Dedicated to T^homm Loiver, E(q;
II. T'he Martyr, or Polyeucie y a Tragedy, 1^55'.
For the Story fee Coeffeteau Hifl, Rom. Surius de Vais
Sanclorunty Sec.
III. HoRATius; a Roman Tragedy, 155^,
This is a Tranflation from Comeil/e. See Dion Hal-
lie arnajf. Cajjiodorus, &c.
. IV. IVolfle Ingratitude ; a Pafloral Tragi-Comedy,
1658. tranflated from Monfieur Quinault.
V. T^he Inchanted Louvers ; a Draraatick-Pafloral.
VI. 'The Amorous Phantafm ; a Tragi-Comedy,
tranflated from Quinault, Dedicated to her High^
nefs the Princefs Royal.
Thefe Two laft were printed at the Hague, i<558.
M.
(^r. Lewis M a c c h i n.
A Gentleman that Mv'd in the Reign of King
Charles I- Author of one Play.
The Dumb Knight -, a Comedy, aded by the Chil-
dren of his Majefty's Revels, 1533. *Sever;al Inci-
M 3 dents
J 66 Lives and Charaders of the I
dents are taken from a Comedy call'd. The Queenyt
or The Excellency of her Sex. And Bandelk's Novels, 1
&c.
(t^fr. John Ma id well.
nr HIS Author had the Care of Educating fome
^ young Gentlemen privately in the City of Low \
don : And befides feveral Tranflations, he writ one ;
Play, call'd, I
Ihe Loving Enemies -, a Comedy, aded at the Duke j
of TtJrFs Theatre, idSo. Dedicated to the Ho- |
nourable Charles FoXy E{q; Mr, Shadwell wrote the i
Epilogue to this Play. \
i
Jasper M a i n e, D. D.
A Learned Divine, who liv-d in the Reigns ofj
:^ King James and King Charles I. He was born j
at a Place call'd Hatherleigh in Devonhire, in the \
Year 1 504. He was educated at JVeflminfter School, '
from whence, in the Year 1623, he was eleded tp ^
Chrift-Church-CoUegey Oxford, in the Condition of:
a Servitor^ but the next Year he was chofen in-: i
to the Number of Students on that Noble Founda- \
tion. He took his Degrees of Batchelor and Mafter '\
of Arts, and entered into Orders, after which he i
was prefer^d to Two Livings in the Gift of the |
College. In the Time of the Civil Wars he preach'd j
before the King at Oxford^ and was made Dodor of :|
•pivinity,' but was foon after ejeded out of ^his Li- !
yings, and turnM out of the College by Oliver Qrom-^
Englifh Dramatick Poets. 157
v:eirs Vifitors. During the intefline Troubles he
found an Afylum in the Houfe of the Earl of De-
'vonfiire, where herefided 'till the Reftauration of King
Charles II, when, he was reftorM to his former Bene-
fices, and made Canon of Chrifi-Church, and Arch-
deacon of Chichefler, all which Preferments he en-
joy^'d 'cill his Death. He was a Peifon of a ready
Wit, and in his younger Years writ Two Plays, be-
ing very much addided to Poetry.
I. 7he Ctty Match ; a Comedy, afted before the
King and Queen at White-Hall, and afterwards at
the Theatre in the Black-FryarSy 1558. with very
great Applaufe.
II. T'he Amorous War ; a Tragi-Comedy, 1558.
He died in the Year 1572. He gave by his Will
feveral publick Legacies, particularly 500 /. towards
the Rebuilding of St. Paul's-, 100/. to the Poor of
Caffington, &c. and his Propenfity to innocent Mirth
attended him m his laft Moments ; for to one of his
Servants he bequeath'd a Trunk, with fomething in
it to make him drink after his Death, which being
open'd by the Servant, big with Expedation, to his
great mortification he found this promifing Legacy
to be nothing but a Red Herring. He lies buried on
the North Side of the Cathedral of Ckrift-Chunh.
Mrs. De la Rivier Manley.
Now call'd the Atalantk Lady, being defer-
vedly eileem'd for her Afrability, Wit and
Loyalty.
'^ She was born in Hampjhire, in one of thofe
lilands which formerly belonged to France, where
her Father Sir Roger Manley was Governour ; af-
terwards he enjoy 'd the fame Pod in other Places
M 4 iti
<.(.
cc
i<58 Liv,es and Charaftcrs of the
*•' in England. He was the Second Son of an ancient
** iFamily ; the better Part of the Eftate was ruin'd
^ in the Civil War by adhering to the Royal Family^
without ever being repair d^ or fcarce taken no- - \
tice of at the Reflauration, The Governour was I
Brave, full of Honour, and a very fine Gentle- |
man : He became a Scholar in the midll: of ^ j
Camp, having left the Univerfity at Sixteen Years ,;
*' of Age, to follow the Fortunes of K. Charles ]
^^ the Firfl. His Temper had too much of the \
*' Stoic in it for the good of his Family. After 3. '<
*5 Life, the beft part {pent in Civil and Foreign !
V/ar, he began to love Eafe and Retirement, de- .
voting himfelf to his Study, and the Charge of \
his little Poll, without ever following the Court : j
His great Virtue and Modefty rendered him unfit '\
for folliciting fiich Perfbns, by whom Preferment j^
was there to be gain'd, fo that his Deferts feem'd |
buried and forgotten.
€C
cc
" In his Solitude he wrote feveral Trzdis for his
" own Amufement, particularly his Latin Commen-
taries of I'he Civil Wars in England. He was l
*' likewife the genuine Author of the firft Volume of ]
.^' that admirM and fuccefsful Work, 'the Turkijb Spy. j
^' Dr. Mi dgky, an ingenious Phyilcian, related i
*' to the Family by Marriage, had the Charge of j
*^' looking over his Papers, among which he foun^ |
that Manufcript, which he eafily referv^'d to his |
proper Uf? ; and both by his own Pen, and the !
Affiftance of fome others, continued the Work un- i
til the Eighth Volume, without ev^r having the i
- ' Juftice to name the Author of the Firfl. * !
* See the Life of Mrs, Manley, pubtijh'd under the Tiitle
of, The Adventures gf RivelLny pag, 14, 15. J^rlnted for
I;. Cur L L» • r
* In
Englifli Dramatick Poets. 169
. In all the Writings of Mrs. Manky there appears
a happy Sprightlinefsjand an eafy Turn. Befides her
inimitable Atalantis^ fome Novels and Letters, ihe has
given us Three Plays, Two Tragedies and One
Comedy, viz..
I. "The Lofl Lover, or 'The Jealous Husband ; a Co-
medy, aded at the Theatre Royal, 1 696. The
Dialogue of this Play \s very genteel, tho' it did not
fucceed in the Reprefentation.
II. The Royal Mjfchief; a Tragedy, a6i:ed at the
Theatre in Lincolns-Inn-Fields, 1696. Dedicated to
his Grace the Duke of Devonjhire. This Play was
aded with great Applaufe; the Rules of ^r//?i)^/^
being obferv'd, and 4:he Metaphors and Allegories
are juft. The Story, fhe informs us in the Preface,
is taken from Sir John Chardins Travels ; but has
received this Advantage, that the Criminals are here
punifh'd for their unlawful Amours, who in the
Story efcape.
III. Lucius, the firfl Chriflian King of Britain ;
a Tragedy, aded at the Theatre Royal, 171 7. De-
dicated to Sir Richard Steele. This Play is founded
upon the Legendary Account of this Monarch given
by the Monkifh Writers, and an agreeable Fidion
of her own. Sir Richard Steele writ a Prologue,
and Mr. Prior the Epilogue.
The Didipn of her Tragedy is purely Drama-
tical, and I think Mr. Pope's Obfervation on this
Subject * is juftly her due j for, upon reading her
Two Tragedies, it will appear, that
She "wakes the Soul by tender Strokes of Art,
Raifes the Genius, and improves the Heart.
* ^rohzMS to Mr, Addifon'i Cato,
i>
Her
170 Lives and Charafters of the
Her Friendfhip being as fincere as her ConveHation 5
is entertaining. I fhall not prefiime to enlarge upon \
her Chara(5lcr, (ince it has been fo well drawn by a ^
Nobleman now living, in the following excellent 1
Copy of Verfes, prefix^ to her Royal Mifchief, i
What ! all our Sex in one fad Hour undone?
Lofl are our Arts, our Learning, our Renown,
Since Nature's lide of Wit came rolling down.
Keen were your Eyes we knew, and fur e their Darts,
pire to our Soul they fend, and Pajfton to our Hearts !
JSfeedlefs was an Addition tofuch ArmSy
When all Mankind were Vaffals to your Charms :
'That Hand butfeen, gives W(fnder and Dejirey
Snow to the Sight, but with its Touches, Fire !
Who fees thy * Yielding Qiieen, and would not he
On any Terms, the Blefl, the Happy He;
Entranc'd, we fancy all His Extacy,
Quote Ovid noii) no more, ye Amorous Swains^
Delia than Ovid has more moving Strains y
Nature in Her alone exceeds all Art,
And Nature fure does nearefl touch the Heart.
Oh! might I call the bright T)i{cov\tr miney
The whole Fair Sex unenvyd I'd refign ;
Give all my happy Hours to D e l i a^j- Charms y
She who by Writing thus our Wijhes warms.
What Worlds of Love muji circle in her Arms !
* The chief Character in the Play. . j i
'j
\
(^Mr. C O S M O M A N U C H. j
A N Italian Gentleman, who liv'd in the Reign of !
King Charles I. He was a Major in the King's,^
Army, in the Civil WarSy and Author of Two Plays, i'i
I. Thei^
\
r
r
Englifii Dramatick Poets. lyxj
I'. T'he Jufl General i a Tragedy, printed in the
Year 16^0.
II. The Loyal Lovers ; a Tragi-Comedy, 1552. In
this Play are fatyriz'd feveralof the Committee-Men
and their Informers. I cannot learn that either of
thefe Plays were ever afted ,* but that the firft was
defign'd for the Stage, appears by thefe Two Vet-
fes in the Prologue :
Infpite of Malice/ venture I thmfar.
Pack not a ^ury^ and TU fland the Bar,
Q^r. Gervase Markham.
THIS Author liv'd in the Reigns of King
James and King Charles I. He was the Son
of Robert Markham oiCotham^, in the County of iVb^-
tingham, Efq; In the Time of the Ch^il iVarSy he
bore a Captain's Commiflion under King Charles I,
being well skiilM in the Art of War, and was alfo
a good Scholar. He writ one Play, called,
Herod and Antipater; a Tragedy, 1 52 2.
The Plot taken from Jofefhms Hi ft. Jews, lil. 14, 15,
&c. Salian, Spndanusj Baronii Ann. Torniel^ dec.
Mr^ Christopher Marlow.
AP O E T and a Player in the Reigns of Queen
Eliz.abeth and King James, He was Con-
temporary with the immortal Shakefpeary and was
Fellow- Ador with Heywood. His Genius inclined to
Tragedy, and he both wrote and adted with Ap-
plaufe. His Plays are as follow :
I. T A Mr^
172' Lives and Characflers of the
I. T A M B E R L A I N the. Greoi, or 'The Scythian
Shepherd ; a Tragedy, in Two Parts, aded by the
Lord Admiral^s Servants, 1593. For the Story fee
Jean du £ec, Laonicm^ Chalcocondilas, Pet. Bizarus.
KnoUes's Hifl. Turks, Jj Hiflorie de Tamerlain, 6cc.
II. The yew of Malta ; a Tragi-Comedy, aded at ^
White-Hail before the King and Queen, and at the |
Cockpit by her Majefly^s Servants, 1633. This Play J
was very much applauded. j
III. Lufl^s Dominion, or The Lafciviom Queen ; a ;
Tragedy. Dedicated to William Carpenter, Efq; 1
l^his'Play was alterM by Mrs. Behn, and aded un- ';
der the Title oi Abdelaz,er, or The Moo/ s Revenge. \
IV. Edward the Second; a Tragedy. The ^
Story is taken from Thomas de la More, Sir Francis \
Hubert, Walfingham, and other Hiflorians of thofe \
Times. \
V. The Majfacre at Paris, with the Death of the '|
Duke of Guife , a Tragedy, a6ted by the Lord Ad-* J
mirars Servants. This Play is not divided into ^
A6ts. Rot from Davila, Thiianus, Mez.aray, dec. in |
the Reigns o^ Charles IX, and Henry III of France. !
VI. F)r.' F A u s T u s'j Tragical Hifiory. The lafl \
Edition of this Play was printed in 1661. It is\
founded on Camerarii Hor. Subcijiv. Cent. i. cap. yo. ';
Wierus de Praftig- Damonum, lib. 2. c. 4. Lonicerus, &c. '1
This Author join'd with Mr. Nafb in writing of a J
Play, callM, Dido, Queen of Carthage. He likewife I
wrote a Poem, caird. Hero and Leander, *
commended by Ben Johnfon, in a. Copy of Verfes, 1
caird, A Cenfure of the Poets, wherein fpeaking of I
Mr. Marlows Fire in his Writings, are the follow- J
ing Lines, \
And that fine Madnefs flill he did retain.
Which rightly Jhould poffefs a Poets Brain.
Mr
Eiiglifii Dramatick Poets, 173
'' (^fr. Shakerly Marmioist.
A N Author born at Amoe in Northamftonjhirey in
the Year 1601. He was firfl plac'd to T'hame-
School in Oxfordfiire, from whence, about the Age
of Sixteen, he was remov'd to IVadham-College^ Ox-
ford^ where he took the Degree of Mafler of Arts.
He writ Three Plays.
^ I. Holland's Leaguer ; a. Comedy, afted by Prince
^Charles'sStxW2ir\tsm Salisbury-Court, 16^2, with Ap-
plaufe. Several ©f the Incidents are borrowed from
Petronius Arbiter.
II. itheFine Companion ; a Comedy, aded before the
King and Queen at White-Hall, with great Applaufe,
163 3 . This Play is Dedicated to Sir Ralph Button,
III. 'The Antiquary j a Comedy, aded at the Cock-^
fit by their Majeflies Servants, 1641.
gQQQQQQQ<OGQQQQC)QQC^GQC)0QQQgg
Q^r. John M a r s t o n.
^ A P O E T in the Reign of King James I, who
wrote feveral Plays, which were very well
approvM, vi^.
I. Antonio and M e l i d a, an Hiftorical Play.
II. Antonio'j- Revenge, or The Second Part of
Antonio and Melida ; a Tragedy. Both aded by the
Children of St. P^^/Z's, 1602.
III. The Infatiate Countefs ; a Tragedy, aded in the
Woite-Fryars, 160-^. The Plot of this Play is taken
Tom Montius Hfl. of Naples, See likewife Dr. Fullers
Prophane State^ God's Revenge againft Adultery, &c.
*, Vsf.The
174 I^ives and Charafiers of the
IV. The Alakcontent I a Tragi - Comedy, i6q^]
Dedicated to Ben Johnfon, The firfl Plan of this
Play was drawn by Mr. Webfter.
V. The Dutch Courtefan ; a Comedy, a6led by the
Children of the Qiieen's Revels, 1605. Part of this
Play is borrow'd from a .French Book, entitled. Con- I
tes du Monde^ and from an Englijh Book of Novels, j
call'd. The Palace of Pleafure. .
VI. Parajttafler, or The Fawn; a Comedy, aded i
by the Children of the Queens's Revels, 1606. The 1
Plot of Dulcimel is taken from Boccace^s Novels, !
Day 3. Nov. 3. j
VII. S o p H G N I s B A, or The Wonder of Women ; a :
Tragedy, aded at the Black-Fryars. The Plot from 1
Sir Walter Raleigh y Polybim^ Appian, Livfs Hift. &c. j
VIII. What you will ; a Comedy. The Plot of j
this Play was taken from Plautus's AmphitYtcn. This 1
'Mr. Langhain fays is one of ihe Author's beft Plays. 5
Thefe Two lafi mention'd, and Four others, were |
publifli'd together in one Volume, 1533. \
1
(t^lr. John Mason.
nrmS Gentleman livM in the Reign of King a
Jamesl, He was Mafter of Arts, but of what f
Univeriity I cannot learn. He writ one Play callM, )
M u L E A s s E s, ^/;f Turk ; a worthy Tragedy, aftedi
by the Children of his Ma jelly's Revels, 1610. The|
Author had a good. Opinion of it, as may be c(^h\
Icded from his Motto taken out of Horace^
Sume Superhiam quajttam mmtis*
Englifli Dramatick Poets. 175
c^y^r. Philip Massinger.
THIS excellent Poet, born at Salisbury^ was
Son of Mr. Philip Maffinger^ a Gentleman be-
longing to the Family of the Earl of Montgomery. In
the Year 1502, being Eighteen Years of Age, he was
fent to St, Alhan-HaU in Oxford^ where he remained
a Student for Three or Four Years, and compleated
his Education. He had a great deal of Modefly,
and extraordinary Natural Parts ; and the Purity of
his Stile {hews that he was a Man of Learning, as
the OEconomy of his Plots demonflrates that he
was perfedly acquainted with the Methods of Dra-^
matick Writing. He was very much belov'd by the
Poets of that Age j and there were few but took it
as an Honour to join with him m a Play. He writ
Sixteen Plays, njiz^.
I. T^he Roman Aclor ; a Tragedy, acted at the pri-
vate Houfe in the Black-Fryars by the King^s Ser-
vants, 1619. Dedicated to Sir Philip Knivety Sir
^Thomas Jay^ and T'homas BeUinghamy Efq; This Play
was aded with Applaufe, and \^ recommended by
feveral Copies of Verfes. The Plot is taken from
I'acitm, Aurelim, ViEiory'dLnd Suetonius in the Life of
Domitian.
II. The Renegado ', a Comedy, aded at the private
Theatre in Drury-Lane^ by her MajeHy's Servants,
1(530. Dedicated to the Right 'Honourable G^^or^^
Harding^ Baron of Barkley-Caflle, Mr. Shirley and
others fent the Author commendatory Verfes on this
Play.
III. 'The Maid of Honour i a Tragi-Comedy, aded
by her Majefly's Servants at the Phoenix in Drury-,
LanCy 1632. Dedicated to Sir Francis Foliambe and
Sir
i'j6 Lives and Charaders of the 1
Sir "fbomas Bland. This Play was aded with Ap- 1
plaiife. \
IV. 'The Emperor of the Eafl ; a Tragi-Comedy, ']
aded at the Theatre in the B lack-Fry ars, i5^2. De- \
dicated to the Right Honourable John Lord Mohun, ]
Sir Aflon Cockatn wrote a Copy of Verfes in Com- J
mendation of this Play. The Story from Socrates^ ■]
lib. 7. Nicephorus^ lib. 14. BaroniuSy &c. ^ J
V. 7^^ jRzi^/ Dowry; -a Tragedy, aded in the <
Black'FryarSy by his Majefly's Servants, 1(532, This j
Play was often aded with Applaufe ; and Mr. Field -^
aflifted in the Compofitio . Charlois's Ranfoming his \
Father, by his own Imprifonment, is trken from \
Cymon, in Val. Max. lib. 5. cap. 4. Ex. p. I
VI. A new Way to fay old Debts; a Comedy, often '[
aded at the Phoenix in Drury-Lane^ ^^33- Dedicated ,<
to the Right Honourable Robert Earl of Caernarvon. ^
Vn. The Piciure ; a. Tragi-Comedy, aded in the \
Black-Fryars, 16^6. Dedicated to the Society of ^
the Inner-Temple. Plot from The Fortunate deceived and j
Unfortunate Lover s^ Nov. 4. of the Deceived Lovers. I
VIII. The Great Duke of Florence ; a Comedy, pre- |
fented at the Phoenix in Drury-Lane,.i6^6. Dedica- \
ted to Sir Robert IVifeman. This Play had very good \
Succefs. The Plot of it is taken from 6^^^^, Stowy \
Baker, and other Englifi Hiflories of the Reign of '^
King Edgar, ^
IX. The Duke of MiUan ,* a Tragedy, often aded \
at the Black-Fry ars, 1538. Plot ixom J of ephms Hifl, \
Jews, Book I J. chap. ^. \
X. The Bondman ; a Comedy, aded with Ap- j
plaufe, at the Cockpit in Drury-Lane, K538. Dedi- \
cated to Philip Earl of Montgomery. The reducing i
the Slaves by the Sight of the Whips, is taken from- ,
the Story of the Scythian Slaves, in Jujlin, Itb. 1. cap. 5.
XI. The Unnatural Combat; z Tragedy, prefen- j
ted by his Ma jelly's Servants at the Globe, 16^ p. De- 1
dicated ^
Englifh Dramatick Poets. 177
dicated to Anthony SentUger^ Efq; This Play has
neither Prologue nor Epilogue.
XII. T'h^ Guardian ; a Comedy, aded at the pri-
vate Houfe in the Black-Fryars with great Applaufe,
1655* Severino's cuttixng off Calipfo's Nofe in the
dark, and taking her for his Wife Jolantre^ is bor-
rowed from Brccace^s Novels, Day 8. Nov. 7. and
from the Cimmerian Matron^ a Romance.
XIII. T'he Bajhful Lover -, 3, Comedy, aded at the
private Houfe in Black-Fryars, ^^55'
XIV". A very Woman y or "the Prince of Tarent ;
a Tragi-Comedy, aded in the Black-Fryars with
Applaiife, 1655. The Plot of this Play refembles
that of the Obftinate Lady, writ by Sir Aflon Cockain.
XV. T'he City Dame; a Comedy, aded at the
private Houfe in Black-Fryars, i6$p. Dedicated to
the Countefs of Oxford. This was eft.eem'd a very
good Play.
XVI. The Virgin Martyr ; a Tragedy, aded with
great Applaufe, 1661. Mr. Decker had a Share in
the Writing of this Play. The Story is taken from
Valefius, Rcfiuedim, Eufebii Hiji. lib. 8. cap. 1 7.
He joinM with Middleton, Rowley and Fletcher ivi
fome of their Plays. A Poet that liv'd in the
Time of Mr. Maffinger^ after he had commended
his Plays, and his Writings in Verfe and Prcfe, has
thefe Two, Lines : v
His eafy Pcgafas iJoill ramble e'er-
Some Threefcore Miles of Fancy in an KouYc
He died in the Year i66g, and was buried in
St, Mary Overies Church in Southiuark, in the fame
Grave wherein Mr. Fletcher had been before interred.
N Mr
lyS hives and ChsLrdidQi's of the ■
r
\
Qy^^r. Thomas May.
A
Gentleman of a good Family in Sujfex, who
liv'd in the Reign of C^iieen Eliz^aheth, He was \
fome Years a Fellow-Commoner of Sidney-College in j
Cambridge^ from whence he remov'd to London^ and |
attending the Coart, he contraded an Intimacy with |
Endymion Porter^ Efq; and other eminent Perfons i \
but not meeting with the Encouragement he expec- 1
ted from the Great Men in Power, and being Can- j
didate with Sir William D'auenam for the Preferment j
of Queens's Poet, but lofing it, he retir'd into the \
Country very much difgufled. He writ Five Plays. ; ,
I. The Heir ; a Comedy, aded by the Company i
of Revels, 1610. This Play was acled with great I
Applaufe, and was very much commended in a Co- ;
py of Verfes by Mr. Carew. \
II. Cleopatra, Qiieen of Eg\pt ; a Tragedy, j
afted in the Year 1616. Dedicated to Sir Kenelm\
D'lghj. The Story from Appian de Bello Civ. L. Florm, \
hh. 4. Suetonim in Vit. Augufl. and Plutarch's Life aj j
M. Anthony y CalUmachms Epig. on "Timcn^ dec. j
III. ANTiGON-E^the Theban Princefs ,* a Tragedy^ i
1 5; I. Dedicated to the Honourable End\mion Por^ ^
ter^ Efq; The Plot is borrow'd from the Antigone of \
Sophocles^ Seneca s ThebaiSj &c.
IV. Ihe Old Couple ; a Comedy, 16$ i. This Play I
had a very good Reputation. |
V. A. G R I p p I N A, Emprefs of Rome ,* a Tragedy, j
The Author has followed Xiphilinus, Tacitus and i
Suctoniu'^ in the Deligning this Tragedy, and has i
tranllated part of Petronius Arbiters Satyricony be-' j
ginning, I
" !
Orkm I
Englifil DramatickPoets. 17P
Oihem jam mum viBor Ronianus habehaty SkC,
And concluding with,
Siculo Scarus dquore merfus
Ad menfam vivus perducitur
This Play and Antigone are ufually bound together*
Mr. May has likewife publifh'd;, I. A Tranflation of
Lucans PharfaUa, atid continu'd it down to the
Death of Julim Cafavy m Eight Books, i (53 5.
II. A Hiftory of the Civil Wars in England.
He died fuddenly in the Year, 1652, in the 55th
Year of his Age, and was buried on the Weft Side
of the North Ifle of PVeftminfter- Abbey y near the
Great Mr. Cambden, The following Infcription was
made upon him, by one of the Cavalier Party which
he had abus'd.
*
Adfl a. Viator y & Poet am legos
Lucani Interpretem,
Qiiem ha fdiciter Anglicanum feceraty
Ut Js/layus Jimul & Lueanus videretur^
Et fane credos Metempfuchojin :
Nam uterque ingratus Principis fui Proditor ;
Hk Neronis Tyranni, ilk CaroU Regum optimiy
At fata plane di'uerfa ;
Lucanum enim ante obitum poenitentem legUy
May us 'vero repentina morte occubuity
Ne forfan posmteret.
Parliamenti Rebellis tarn pertinax adflipulatOTy
Ut Mufarum, quos ohm reUgiofe colueraty
SaQrilegm Hoftis evaferit,
Attamen fingendi artem mn penitus amifity
Nam gefla eorum fcripjit & typis mandavit
In pros^ mendax Poeta,
N % Inter
i8o Lives and Charaders of the
Inter tot Heroas Poetojum, Nohiliumque,
Ojiod tarn indigni fepelianttir Cineres^
Vt demur flere mar mora.
Nee tamen mirere eum hie Rehelles pofuijfe^
Qui totfaeras JEdes^ &' Dei delubra^
Equis fecere ftahula.
"c.ipi
Qy^<fr. Robert Mead.
'T'HIS Gentleman liv'd in the Time of King
Jamef and King Charles I. He was educated
at Chrift-Church-College in Oxford, and was a Perfon
of very good Abilities. He writ one Play, publifh'd
after his Deceafe, call'd,
\the Combat of Love and Frieiidfiip ', a Comedy,
prefented by the Students of Chrifl-Church-Colkge^
i<55i.
Mr- Matthew M e d b o u r n.
AN eminent Ador, belonging to the Duke of
Tork's Theatre, in the Reign of King Charles II.
He was a Roman Catholick, and committed to
Nevjgate for being concern ''d in Oates's Plot, and, as
Mr. Langhain obferves, he' w^as one that deferv*d a
better Fate than to di^ in Prifon, thro" a too for-
ward and indifcreet Zeal for Religion.' He tranOa-
ted from Moliere^ with fome few Alterations,
T A R T u F F E, or I'he French Puritan ; a Comedy,
cded at the Theatre Royal with Applaufe, idyo.
Dedicated to Henry Lord Howard. The Epilogue to
this Play was written by the Right Honourable
Charks late Earl of Dorfet and Middkfex.
Mr.
Englifli D R A M A T I c K Poets. iSt
2[dr. Thomas M e r i t o n.
AN inconfiderable Author, that liv'd in the
Reign of King Charles 11. He publifh'd Two
Plays.
I. Love and War; 2l Tragedy, never aded, but
printed ill the Year 1558. Dedicated to the truly
Noble, judicious Gentleman, and his mofl: elleem'd
Brother Mr. George Meriton.
II. 'the M^andrtng Lover ,• a Tragi-Comedy, a6ied
feveral Times privately by the Author and his
Friends, 1^58. Dedicated to Francis Wright^ Efq;
Mr. Thomas Middleton.
A P O E T in the Reign of King Charles 1. He
X\^ was Contemporary with Benjohnfon^ Fletcher y
Majfinger^ See. by the two iiril: of which he was
hough: fit to be received into a Triumvirate in the
IVriting of Plays, which fhew^d him to be no mean
^'oet ; and tho^ he fell fliort of thofe celebrated
^Vriters, yet by their Alliflance, he attain'd a pretty
:on(iderable Reputation. He has Twenty Two
Plays Qxtanty viz..
I. The Five Gal/ants; a6led at the Elack-Frvars.
II. Blurt, Mr, Conftahle, or "The Spaniard's Night
Walk I a Comedy, aded by the Children of St. Paul's^
602.
III. 7%e Phoenix ; a Tragedy, z6tcd by the Chil-
Ircn of St. Paul's, and alfo before hisMajefty, 1^07.
The Scory is taken from a Spanijh Novel, call'd, 7he
orce of Love.
N 3 TV/
iS
i 82 Lives and CharaSers of the
IV. The Family of Love ; a Comedy, aded by the I
Children of his Ma jelly's Revels, i(5o8. |
V. "The Roaring Girl^ or MoU Cntpirfe \ aded on |
the former Stage by the Prince^'s Players, 1611.]
Good part of this Play was writ by Mr. Decker. \
VI. A T'yick to catch the Old One ; a Comedy, aded j
both at Paul's and Black-FryarSy before their Majef- i
ties, with great Applaufe, 1616. [^^
VII. The 'Triumphs of Love and Antiquity ; a Mafque,^^
performed at the Confirmation o^ ^k Wtlliam CockaiUy
General of his Majefly^'s Forces, and Lord Mayor
of the City of London^ 161 p. /
■ yill. The Chafte Maid of CheapfJe ; ' a pleafant Co-
medy, adted by the Lady Elix>aheth's Servants, 1620.
IX. The World tofs'd at Tennis ; a Mafqiie, prefen-
ted by the Prince's Servants, J620. Dedicated to
the Lord Howard of Effingham, and his Lady.
X. The Fair Quarrel; a Comedy, aded in the
Year 1622. Dedicated to Robert Grey, Efq^ Mr.i^oxu-
ley aififled in the compofing of this Play. The Plot
is taken from Cynthio Giraldi, a Novel, Dec.^ii^. Nov. 5. j
XL The Inner-Temple Mafque, or Mafque of Heroes ; \
prefented by the Gentlemen of the Inner-Temple,
1^40.
VII. The Changeling; a Tragedy, aded at the
private Houfe in Drury-Lane, and in Salisbury-Court, j
with great Applaufe, 16^^. Mr. Rowley joind m\
the writing this Play. For the Plot, fee the Story I
of AlfemerOy and Beatrice Joanna, m Reynold^ s God's'
Revenge againB Murder.
XIII. The old Law, or A new Way to pleafe ye ; a
Comedy , aded before the King and Queen in
Salisbury-Court, 16^6. Mr. Majpnger and Mr. Rowley
aiTifted in this. Play.
XIV. NoWit,no HelpJikeaWomans; a Comedyjj
aded in the Year 1657. *
XV'
I Englifh Dramatick Poets. 183
j XV. IVomen, beware Women ; a Tragedy, 1657.
This Play is founded on a Romance^ cairdj Hyppo-
'ito and If a Ma.
XV I. Alore Dijfemhiers bejides Women ; a Comedy,
ifted K557. This and the Two former Plays are
)ound together.
XVII. The Spanijh Gypfies : a Comedy, aded-with
\.pplaLife both at the private Houfe in Drury-Lane
,nd Salisbury-Court, 1661. In this Play he was al-
ifted by Mr. Rowley. Part of it is borrowM from a
ij&i2»//Z> Novel, call'd. The. Force of Bloody written ori-
;inally by M. de Cervantes.
XVIII. The Ma)or of Queenborough ; a Comedy,
fled by his Majsfty^s Servants, 1661 , with Ap-
ilaiife. For the Plot fee the Reign of Vortiger in
'^u Chefney Stow, Speed, &c.
XIX. Any thing for a quiet Life; a Comedy, aded
t the Gkbe on the Barfkrfide. This is a Game be-
iveen the Church of England and that of Kome^
/■herein the Former gains the Victory.
XXL Michaelmas^ Tertn ; a Com.edy. I cannot
^arn whether this Play was ever atted.
XXII. A mad World, }ny Maflers j a Comedy, of-
^n aded at the private Houfe i)i Salisbury-Court
ath Applaufe.
Afr. John Milton.
HIS Great Man liv'd \\\ the Reign of King
Charles I. During the Civil Wars, and after
le Murder of that Monarch, he was made Under-
-crerary of State to Oliver Cromwell, he being a
renuous Defender of the Power and Liberty of the
eople : And his Controverfy with Salmatun rendered
IS Name famous throughout Europe, iv, the writing
N 4 of
184 Lives and Charaders oj the
of which he was fo affiduous in Study Day and
Kightj that he loft his Eyes -, but his Adversary had
a worfe Fate, and is faid to have loft his Life out of.
Vexation, Mr. Milton, in the Opinion of the World,
having the better of the Controverfy. After the
Reftoration^ by the Lenity of King Charles II, he
was fuffer^d to keep a School at Greenwich. He writ
two Dramatick Pieces.
I. A Mafqiiej prefented zt Ludlow-Cafile, before
John Earl of Bridgivater, Lord Prefident of WaleSy
II. Sampson Agonistes; a Tragedy, 168 2.
The Author has endeavourM to imitate the Trage-
dy of the Greek Poets, and has not divided his Play
into Ads, wherein he feerns to have folio w'd .So-
Rhodes. It is founded on the 13 th of Judges, yofeph,
Antiq. /. 5. Tornier, Salian, &c.
This Author has made himfelf Immortal by his
Poem caird, Paradi.fe Left; and I think his Cha-
racter is finely drawn by Mr. Dryden in the following
excellent Epi'gram upon that Work.
"Three Pcets in three diftant Ages horUy
Greece, Italy, and England did adorn,
The fir ft in Loftinefs of Thought furpaft :
The next, in Majefty^ in both the Laft,
The Force of Nature could no farther go;
To make a Thirds JJje joind the former Two.
ALTER M O N T A G U E, Efa\
■^ H I S Gentleman was a Courtier in the Reign
of King Charles L He writ a Paftoral, callM,"
The- Shepherd's Paradife ; prefented before the Kingi
by the Oueeia and her Ladi^-'s of Honour.
Englifli Dramatick Poets. 185
Mr. PeterMotteux.
A FRENCH Gentleman, born and bred at
Rohan in Normandy, He came over into
England, became a conliderable Trader, and refided
here many Years. He had a good fliare of Wit and
Humour, and befides a Tranflation of Don Quixot^
feveral Songs, Prologues and Epilogues^ he has writ
the following Dramatick Pieces.
I. Loves a Jeft ; a Comedy, afted at the Thea-
tre in Little Lincolns- Inn "Fields J by his Majefty's
Servants, i6g6. Dedicated to Charles Lord Clifford.
In the two Scenes where Love is made a Jell;, fome
Pafl'ages are taken from Italian Writers.
IL "the Loves of Mars and Venus; a Play fet
to Mufick, aded at the Theatre in Little Lintolns"
Inn-Fields^ 16 p6. Dedicated to Colonel Codrington,
The Author m his Preface owns the Story to be
from Ovidy and that he took the Dance of the Cyclop
from Mr. ShadiveUS Pfyche,
in. T'he Novelty , or Every Acl a Play ; confifting
of Paftoral, Comedy, Mafque, Tragedy and Farce,
afted at the Theatre in Little Lincolns-Inn-Fields^i6^j,
Dedicated to Charles Cafar, Efq,- The Pafloral is
caird, T'hyrjis, and was written by Mr. Oldmixon.
The Comedy is call'd, AH without Money ; and the
Mafque, Hercules^ both his own. The Tragedy
call'd, T^he Unfortunate Couple, is the latter Part of
Dr. Filme/s Unnatural Brother ; and the Farce call'd.
Natural Magick, is an Imitation of part of a French
Comedy, of one Ad, after the Italian manner. The
Model of this Play feems to be taken from Sir Wil-
liam D'avenants Play-Hcufe to he Let,
IV.
j%6 Lives and Charaders of the
IV. Europe's Revels for the Peace , and his Majsflys
happy Return ; an Interlude, perform'd at the Thea-
tre in Lincolns- Inn-Fields^ ^^91^ on the King's Return
to England^ after the Conclufion of the Peace.
V. Beauty in Dijlrefs ; a Tragedy, a(5ted at the
Theatre in Little Limolm-Inn-Fields, i6^S. Dedica-
ted to Hemy Heveningham, Efq; There are many
fine Lines in this Play ; and in the Multiplicity of
his Incidents he has followed the Example of our
Native Poets. Before this Piece there is a Dif-
courfe of the Lawfulnefs and Unlawfulnefs of Plays.
VI. I'he Ifland Princefs^ or T'he Generous Portuguefe.
This is only Fletche/s Ifland Princefs turn'd into a
Dramatick Opera.
This unfortunate Gentleman was found dead in a
diforderly Houfe in the Parifh of St. Clement Danes,
not without fufpicion of having been murderM,
which Accident happen'd to him on his Birth-Day,
in the 58th Year of his Age, Ann. 1718. His Body
was interr'd in his own Parifh Church, being that of
St. Mary Axe in the City of London.
jlfr. William Mount fort.
A N eminent Player. The firfl Time he was ta-
ken particular Notice of on the Srage, was in
ading the Part of 'Tall-Boy; after which he was ad-
vanc'd on the Theatre, and acfted the Part of Sir
Courtly Nice in Mr. Croi.'//sPlay of that Name. He
was at length entertain'd in the Family of the Lord
Chancellor Jefferies^ from whence he came again to
the Stage, where he continuM 'till he was kill'd by
the Lord Mvhiin in Norfolk~fl:reet, in the Strand^ Anno
i6p2. Hepublifh'd Three Plays.
l.T^he
« Englilh Dramatick PoetsJ 187
I. "The Injured Lovers^ ox "The Amhitiom Father^ ; a
Tragedy, aded at the Theatre Royal, 1688. De-
dicated to James Eavl of Arran, Son to the Duke of
Hamilton. This Play met with but indifferent Suc-
cefs.
II. 'The Succefsful Strangers ; a. Tragi-Comedy, aded
at the Theatre Royal, i5po. Dedicated to the
Right Honourable "thomas Wharton^ Efq^ (late Lord
Wharton?) This Play is better writ than the for-
mer. The Plot from the Ki'val Brothers in Scarrons
Novels.
III. Greenwich- Park; a Comedy, aded at the Thea-
tre Royal, 1691. Dedicated to the Right Honour-
able Algernon Earl of EJfe^, This Play was aded
with Applaufe.
Befides thefe, he turn'd the Life and Death of
Dr. Faufius into a Farce, with the Humours of Har"
lequin and Scaramouch^ aded at the Queens's Theatre
in Dorfet-Garden,
N.
Mr. Thomas Nabbs
o»
AP O E T in the Reign of King Charles I, who
writ the following Drama tick Pieces, (viz..)
L Covent-Garden ; a Comedy, aded by the Queen's
Servants, 1632. Dedicated to Sir John Suckling,
This Play was not printed ''till the Year 1538.
IL Hannibal' and S ci p i o , an Hiftorical Tra-
gedy, aded by the Qiieen^'s Servants, 16^ $. This
Flay Mr. Langbain tells us_, was acted before Women
- ap-
[t88 Lives and Charaders of the
appear'd on the Stage, the Part of Sophonisha be-*
ing piay^'d by Mr. Ferre ; and it is addrefs'd to
the Ghofts of Hannibal and Scipio, For the Plot,
fe^'the Lives of Hannibal and Scipio in Corn, Nepos,
Plutarch^ Florus, &c.
III. Microcofmus , a Mafque^, prefented at the pri-
vate HoLife in Salisbury-Court y i6^j.
IV. Springs Glory y vindicating Love by 'Temperance ;
a Mafque, 1(538. Dedicated to Peter Ball, Efq; with
this Mafque is printed an Interlude intended for
•Prince Cto7(?/s Birth-Day, call'd, A Prefentation.
Thefe two Pieces have a great deal of Morality in
them.
V. Tottenham-Court ; a Comedy^ acSted in Salisbury-
Courtyid^S. 'Dtdicated to William MiUsy Efq; This
Play has been lately reprinted.
VI. The Bride ; a Comedy, aded at the private
Houfe in Drury-Lane, by their Majefties Servants^,
1640.
VII. The Unfortunate Mother; a Tragedy, 1(540.
Dedicated to Richard Brathwait, Efq; This Play
has feveral recommendatory Copies of Verfes before
•it, tho^ it was never aded.
yilL An Entertainment on the Prince's Birth-Day.
Jidr. Thomas Nash.
A POET of the fame Time, b!it of a more
eminent Charader. He was educated at che
"Univerfity o^ Cambridge ^ where his Genius early led
him to writing, particularly Satire and Dramatick
Poetry. . He writ two Plays.
I. 'Dido Queen of Carthage; a - Tragedy. Mr.
Mar low aiTifted in the Corapofition of this Play. The
DQfigii is taken from Firgil's JEneids.'^
IT. Sum-
Englifli DramatickPoets. i8^
II. Summers lafl Will and "Teflament ; a Comedy.
This Author likewife writ feveral other fmall Pieces
both in Verfe and Profe, as Pierce Pennilefs's Suppli^
ation to the Devily 2l Poem called, T'he White and Red
Herring, dec,
Jldr. A L E X A N D E^R N E V I L E.
YOUNG Gentleman, that liv'd in the Reign
of Queen EUz^abeth^ and who, at the Ag^ of
Sixteen, tranliated the following Play from Seneca,
OEdipusj a Tragedy, 1581. Dedicated to
)r. tVotton. This Play was tranflated Twenty
fears before it was printed.
jl<fr. Robert Nevile.
A N Author in the Reign of King Charles I. He
\^2ls¥c\\ow o'l Kings College, Cambridge^ and writ
ine Play, call'd,
;The Poor Scholari a Comedy, printed in the Year
662, It was never ad:ed ,• but in a Copy of Ver^ .
IS before it, are thefe Lines in its Praife :
Ben'j Auditors ivere once infuch a Mood,
'That he was forced to/wear his Play was good:
ihy Play than his does far more current go,
.For withotit /wearing well helteve thine fo.
Wl L LIAM
•*3 £»«..-.
tpd Lives and Charaders of the
William T>uke of Newcaitle.
THIS Nobleman defcended from the lUuflrious
and ancient Family of the Cauendijhes ; was a- ;
zealous Follower of the Royal Caufe, which occa-
fionM his Exile with King Charles IL He was not
only a Poet, but a Perfon of the greateil Loy-
alty, a Man of Bravery, a compleat Statefman,
and his generous Encouragement of Poetry ren-
derM him the Mecanas of the Age wherein he livM.'
He writ Four Plays.
I. I'he Country Captain ; a Comedy, aded by his^
Majefly's Servants in tho. Black-Fryars, i6^p. This
Play was fuppos^'d to be writ during his Grace^'s
Exile.
II. I'he Exile; a Comedy, aded in the Black-
Fryars^ 16^9. Thefe Plays were aded with great;
Applaufe, and printed together.
' III. T'he T^riumphant Widow, or I'he Medley of Hu-
mours; a Comedy, aded by the Duke of Tork's Ser-
vants, 1^77- lAi. Shadwellh2i(i (o good an Opinion
of this Play, that he borrow^ great part of it in
his Bury-Fair,
IV. T^he Humorom Lovers ; a Comedy, afted by
the Duke's Servants, i ^77. '
Margaret T)utche[s of Ne wcaftle.
THIS Lady (the mofl voluminous Dramaticic
Writer of our Female Poets) was Confort of
the forementionM Duke. She had a great deal of
Wit, and a more than ordinary Propeniity to Dra-
matick
Englilh Dramatick Poets, ip?
matick Poetry. All the Language and Plots of her
Plays, Mr. Langhain tells us, were her own, which
i% 2l Con:imendation preferable to Fame built on
other People's Foundation, and will very well atone
for inconfiderable Faults in her numerous Produc-
tions.
I. T^he Feinnle Academy \ a Comedy, \662,
II. Lo'vis Adventures j a Comedy, in Two Parts.
III. Natures T'hree Daughters^ Beauty^ Love and Wit ;
in Two Parts, a Comedy.
IV. like Apocryphal Ladies i a Comedy. This Play
confifts of an extraor.'mary Number of Scenes, but
it is not divided into A6ts.
V. Publick Whoing ,• a Comedy. Several of the
C.haraders in this Play, and fome of the Songs, were
written by the Duke.
VI. Matrimonial "Troubles^ in Two Parts j the firfi:
being a Comedy, the laft a Tragedy.
VII. 'The Unnatural Tragedy. The Pfologue and
Epilogue of this PJay were writ by the Duke.
, VIII. Bell in Campo', a Tragedy, in Two Parts.
In the fecond Part are feveral Copies of Verfes writ-
ten by the Duke.
IX. The Comical Hajh ; a Comedy.
X. The Lady's Contemplation^ in Two Parts ,* a Co-
medy. The Duke affifted in fome Scenes of thefe
Plays.
XL Toiith's Glory, and Deat It's Banquet, in Two
Parts j a Tragedy. Some of the Scenes in this
Play were written by the Duke.
XII. Wns Cabal ; a Comedy, In Two Parts.
XIII. Several Wits ; a Comedy.
XIV. Religions ; a Tragi-Comedy. Thcfe Plays
were all printed together in Two Vol. in Folioy i66z,
XV. The Convent of Pleafure, i66S, ^
XVI. The Sociable Companions, or The Female Wits;
a Corned V,
XVII.
ip2 Lives and Charaders of the
XVII. The Prefence ; a Comedy. This Play has
Twenty Nine Scenes, and they are printed fepa-
rately.
XVIII. T'he Bndalis ; a Comedy.
XIX. The Blaz.ing World ; a Comedy, or Two
A6ls of a Play only, it being never perfeded. Thefe
laft mentioned Plays are publifh'd in one Volume,
Folio^ 1668.
Her Grace wrote a Volume of Poems in Folio y
1653 ^ as alfo her own Life, i(55d, and the Life of
the Duke of Newcaflle, her Husband, in Englijh and
Latin^ 1668, in Two Volumes in Folio.
Mr. Thomas Newton.
ONE of the Tranflators of Seneca s Tragedies,
in the Reign of Queen Eliz>aheth, The Play
he did was the
T H E B A I s ,• a Tragedy. This Play by fome
Perfons is believ^ not to be Seneca s, by reafon Jo-
cafia appears alive in it throughout, and in OEdipus
Ihe is killed ; and it is not very probable that he
Ihould write Two Plays, wherein the fame Perfon
is reprefented, with fuch a Difference m the Cataf-
trofhe.
He joined, with Mr. Jafper Heywood,2Lnd. Mr. Alex-
ander Nevile in tranflating the reft of Seneca s Plays ;
and he publifliM them all, being Ten in Number,
and Dedicated them to Sir Thomas Heneage,
Mr
'^mm
iEnglllh DRAMAtiCK PoEtS. IP3
Qy^r. Thomas Norton, and
Thomas Sackvile, Efqi
rH E S E were Confedetates in Poetry, in the
Reign of Queen EUz^abeth ; the Latter was
fter wards made Lord Buckhurfty and in i Jac, I^
reaced Earl of Dorfet. They writ a Play, call'd,
F E R R E X and P o R R E X J a Tragedy, printed Ami
)6$ ; but fince altered, with the Title of^
J GoRBODUc; a Tragedy, 1 5 po. This Play was
refented by the Gentlemen of the Imer-7em/le be-
|>re the Queen, and was accounted an excellent
!iece. The Plot from the Englijh Chronicles* •
O
Mr. Thomas O t w a y.
rHIS Gentleman was the Son oiMx, Humphrey
Otway, Redor of Wolbeding in Sujfex^ bora at
vottin in the fame County^ on the 3 d of Marchy 1 55 1 .\
'jz was educated at JVmcheftery and removed from
lence to Chrifi-Church in Oxford, where he did nor con-
nue long enough to take any Degree. I have heard
; Cambridgey that he went afterwards to St. John's
)lkge in that Univerfity^ which feems Very proba^'
e from a Copy of Verfes of Mr. Dukes to him, be-
veen whom there was a faft Friendlhip to; the
•eath of Mr* Otwcty^ He appear'^d upon the Stage
O with
iS4 Lives and Charaders of the \
with no great Succefs at firfl, but rofe upon the '
World in every Attempt, ^tiil at lafi he gave it two
as fine and finiflied Tragedies as the Englijh Theatre ■
ev€r faw. His Fortune was as mix'd and various j
as his Wit, fometimes exceeding low, and fometimes
at a more gay and flourifhing heighth. The Earl of
Plimouth, one of King Charleses Sons, feems to be his.
firft Patron, by whofe Interefl: he was made a Cor-il
i^et of Horfe, but foon quitted his CommifTion, and
returned to writing for the Stage. It looks as if
there was no very good Underflanding between him
and Mr. Dryden^ which he hints at in one of his
Prefaces,* and this is the more probable from his
Intimacy with Mr. Shadwell^ who was the very A-
verfion of Mr. Dryden, He was certainly a Man oj
excellent Parts, and a bold fprightly Genius, but
fullied with a Misfortune too incident to great Wits.
a flrong and violent Inclination to Pleafure, which
often flung him into Want and Mifery. His Com-
pany being much coveted by the gay and wittj
Part of the World ; and he too negligent of the Con-
fequences of a drinking Converfation, led the befl
and brightelT: Part of his Days in a Tavern. Thui;
thro" many Stages of Mirth and Bitternefs, and al-
ternate Returns of Jollity and Poverty, he flrugglec
on to the Thirty Fourth Year of his Age, when he,
died on the 1 4th of April, 1 6^^, at a Pubhck-Houfe or
I'o'wer-HilL Great Things might have been expedec
from fo happy a Genius as that which could writ<:
'The Orphan, and Venice Prefervd, where the PaffionJ
are touch a with the moil mafterly Strokes, and th<
Stile is withal fo eafy, flowing and natural. Som<
pretend that he left a finifh'd Tragedy behind him-
but that Piece is a poor Performance, not h
Mr. Otway's Hand, and very unworthy of him. &
writ Nine Plays.
I. Aj^
Englilh Dram A TICK Poets, ipj
IAlcibiades; a Tragedy, acled at the Duke
dF Tork's Theatre, idyj. Dc-dieated to Charles 'Ed.'d
^f Dorfet and Middkfex. The Story of this Play is
raken from Corn. Ne^os^ and Plutarch in the Life of
Akibiades ; but he has made Alabiades a Perfon of
:rue Honour, chufing rather to lofe his Life than
^rong his Defender King Agis, or abufe his Bz6.y
ivhereas Plutarch ^ivcs him a different Gharader.
II. Titus and Berenicej a Tragedy, aded
Lt his Royal Highnefs^s Theatre, i6j'j. Dedicated
:o the Right Honourable John Earl of Rochefler,
Phis Play confifts of but Three Ads, and is a Tranf-
ation from Monfieur Racine into Hercick Verfe.
for the Story, fee Suetonim^ Dionyfimf Jofefhm, 6cc,
To which is added, 'The Cheats of Scaptn ; 2l Farce,
ifted at the Duke of York's Theatre, 1677. This is
I Tranflation from Moliere^ arid is originally Terence's
^hormio.
III. Friendjhip in Fajhion', a Comedy, aded at the
Duke's Theatre, 1(578. Dedicated to the Earl of
jorfet and Middkfex. This Play was aded with
Vpplaufe.
I V. D o N C A R L o s, Prince of Spain ; a Tragedy,
cted at the Duke of Tork's Theatre, 1579. Dedi-
ated to his Royal Highnefs the Dake. This Play
s written in Heroick Verfe, and Mr. Langhain tells
, it was the fecond Produdion of this Author. It
^s aded with very great Applaufe. The Plot
.cm the Novel callM, Don Carlos: See alfo the
pamjh ChronicleSy in the Life of Philip II.
V. The Orphan^ or The Unhappy Marriage ; a
Tragedy, aded at the Duke of Tork's Theatre, i<58o*
dedicated to her Royal Highnefs the Dutehefs,
This is a very moving Play, and often aded with
reat Applaufe^ tho' it is not heighten^ by the Im-
ortance of Charaders. It is founded on the Hif-
ory of Brandon^ and a Novel call'd, The Englijh Ad-
emures, O 2 VL
1^6 l^Wes and ChdiVaO^ei's of the \
VI. 'The Hiftory and Fall of C a i u s I^a r i u s ; a
Tragedy, afted at the Duke's Theatre, 1680. De-
dicated to the Lord Vifcount Falkland, Charafters
of Marim junior and Lavinia are borrowed from
Shakefpears Romeo and "Juliet, For the Plot, confult
Plutarch's Life of Cairn Marim, and Luc an s Pharfalia,
VII. T^he So Idler* s Fortune ; a Comedy, aded at the
Duke's Theatre, 16S1. This Play is Dedicated to
Mr. Bentley his Bookfeller, as an Acquittance, for!
the Copy-Money, as he tells us himfelf. The Lady
Dunce making her Husband Agent, is from Molten
L'Efcole de Maris. See iikewife Boccace's Novels, D
3 . A^ 3 . Scarrons Comical Romance ^ p, 227. T'he An-
ti^uarVy dec.
VIII. The AtheiR-y oicThe Second Part of the Soldier':
Fortune ; a Comedy, aded at the Duke of Tork'i
Theatre, 1 684. Dedicated to the Lord Eland, eldefl
Son to the Marquifs o[ Halifax. The Plot of Beau-
gard and Portia taken from Scarrons Invijihle Mifirefs
a Novel.
IX. Venice Preferi/'d, or A Plot Difccverd ; a Trat
gedy, aded at the Duke's Theairc, 1685. Dedica-
ted to the Dutchefs of Port/mouth* This Play is al-'
ways a(5led with very great Applaufe. The Plot
from a little Book, giving an Account of the Con-
fpiracy of the Spaniards agaiiiii Venice. All thef«
Plays, with feme of his Poems and Love-Letters, an
printed in Two Volumes, 1 2°.
He iikewife wri:. The Poets Complaint to hU Mufe
a {mall Pieces and a Paftoral on 'iMo. De: th of Km^
Charl. Yiy ^ndp.blilh'din excellent Traiifiation froir
the French, called. The Htfiory of the Triumvir ate.
Mr
: Engliih Dram AT icK Poets, igj
Mr. John O l d m i x o n.
r
HIS Gentleman, nowliving, is defcended from
the ancient Family of the Oldmixons oi Oldmixon,^
ear Bridgwater in Somerfetjhire. He has writ the
Three following Dramatick Pieces :
I. Amyntas; a Paftoral, prefented at the Thea-
re Royal. Dedicated to the Diitchefs of Ma.l-
irough. It is taken From the Amynta of Tajfo, and
le Preface informs us, that it met with but ill Sue-
tk ; for Pafioral, tho' never fo well writ, is not a
ubjed fit for a long Entertainment on the Englifi
i'heatre : But the Original pleased in Italy, wnere
le Performance of the Compofer of the Mufick is
enerally more regarded than that of the Poet.
II. 'The Grove y or Loves Paradife; an Qpera,
III. The Governor of Cyfrm; a Tragedy^ acSled
t the Theatre Royal.
Mr. Owen.
I ^ HIS Gentleman was educated at £/<5«-SchooI,
I and from thence remov^'d to Krng's College in
'ambridge. He has writ one Play, call'd,
Hypermnestra^ or Love in Tears -^ 4 Tra-
O 3 M^
1^8 Lives and Chara<£lers of the
Air. John Ozell.
A GENTLEMAN (now living). He received
^ the Rudiments of his Education from Mr. Shaw,
an excellent Grammarian, Mafter of the Free-School
at Ajll^y de la Zouch m Leiceflerjhirey in or near whict
Town, Somebody, who knew the faid Mr. O 2 e l i
a School-Boy^ and had particular Obligations to hii
Family, has, ^tis faid, lately left him competent
Means to live on, whenever he thinks fit to retir(
jfrom Biifinefs. He finiih^ his School-Learning un-
der the Reverend Mr. Montfon of Chrifirs Hofptal
where having attain'd the Latm^ Greek and Hehre-u
Tongues, he was defign'd to be fent to the Univer
flty of Cambridge in order to Priellhopd • but h(
chofe rather to be plac'd in an Office of Public!
Accompts in London, being qualify "d for the fame b]
his Skill m Arithmetick, and writing the neceflarj
Hands. He has fince, at Litervals, by reading th(
t>eft Foreign Authors, and much perfonal Converfa
tion with Travellers from abroad , made himfel
iMafler of mofi: of the living Languages, efpeciall]
the French^ Italian and Spamjh ; from all which, a.
well as the Latin and Gveek^ he has oblig'd the V/ork
with a great many valuable Tranflatipns ; among!
which are thefe Six French Plays.
I. B R I T A N N r c u s.
II. Alexander thg- Great. Two Tragedie.
from R.acine,
IIL The Litigants; a Comedy, from Racine.
IV. M a N L I u s Capitol j n us; a Tragedy
from Moniieur La FJfe.
' V„ The C I p ; a Tragedy, from Corneille,
VI
"Englifh Dramatick Poets. 199
VI. C A T o ; a Tragedy. From Monfieur Des
]^hamps^ aded at the Theatre in Lincolns- Inn-Fields ^
\iji6. Dedicated to Count Volkra, the Emperors
[Envoy. To which is added, A Parallel between
:his Play and Mr. Addifons Cato. Befides thefe,
V[r. Oz>ell has tranllated all Molieres Plays, which
ire printed in Six Volumes in 12°^ and has by him,
■eady for the Prefs, A Colleftion of fome of the
3eft Spanijh and Italian Plays, from Calderon, Aretin,
Ricciy and Lopez, de Vega, It muft be confell:, his
Tranflation of Moliere is in Tome Places fliff, occa-
fion'd by the Original being in Rhime, which, when
difmounted into Profe, will unavoidably run lefs
mooth, than if the Original had been written, as
Dur Comedies are, in Profe.
P.
Mr* John Palsgrave.
AN Author, who liv'd in the Reign of King
Henry VIII, was Batchelor of Divinity, and
Chaplain to the King. He writ one Play, cail'd,
AcoLASTusj a Comedy, 1 540. Dedicated to
the King. - It is a Tranflation from a Latin Play of
the fame Name, writ by Gulielmtt^ Fidlonim. 'Tis
the Parable of the Prodigal Son; and the Author has
endeavour^ to imitate Tereme and PlautM-i in the
jO Economy.
O 4 Mu
apo Lives and Charafters oj the
zy^Ir. P E A P s.
A N Eton-Schohv, who at Seventeen Years of
Age writ a Dramatick-Paftoral, call'd,
Loie in its Extafyy 1 6^^. This Piece was com-
posed many Years before printed.
Mr. George Peel.
T
HIS Gentleman livM in the Reign of Qiieen
Eliz^abeth. He was educated at Chrifl-Church-
CoUegey Oxford, where he took the Degree of Mafter
of Arts. He writ two Plays.
I. E D w A R D if^^ Firf} ; an Hiflorical Play, 1 5P5 .
This King was furnam'd Long Shanks ; and the Play,
gives an Account of his Return from the Holy Landy
with the Life of Lleweliin, Rebel in Wales: It alfo
relates the Story of Queen Eleanor s linking near
Chdring-Crcfsy and riling again at Queen-Hithey before
callM Potter s-Hithe. For the Story, fee Walfingham^
Graftony MartWy HoUingsheady StoWy and other Englijh
Chronicles.
II. P A V I D and B E R s H E B A, their Loves y with
the Tragedy of Ahfahniy 1 5 99. This Play was feveral
times aded with Approbation. Plot from Holy
Scripture.
Mr, Langhain mentions fome Remains of Poetry
written by this Author, publilhM in a Book call'd,
England's Helicon,
ART
Englifli Dramatick Poets. 201
ZmN
Mary Countefs c/' Pembroke.
LADY worthy the higheft Praife and Com-
mendation. She was that Sifler of the Famous
Sir Philip Sidney, to whom he Dedicated his incom-
parable Romance, call'd, "The Arcadia. She was not
only a Lover of the Mufes, but a great Encourager
of polite Learning, which k very rarely to be found
in any of that Sex. Mr. Samuel Daniel very much
commends this Lady. She tranflated a Play from
the Frenchy call'd,
A N T o N I u s, or T'he "Tragedy of Mark Anthony^
^595-
a^Mrs. Catharine Philips.
TH E matchlefs O R i n d a was born in Brech
nockjhire in Wales, and fhe was a Contempo-
rary with, and admir^'d by the Great Coixiley. Mr.
Langhain, to do him Juflice, is very good natur'd m
his Account of this Lady. He fays fhe was one that
equall'd the Lesbian Sappho, and the Roman S u l-
p I T I A ^ and as they were prais'd by Horace, Mar^
tial, Aiijonim, and other ancient Poets; fo was this
Lady commended by the Earls of Orrery, Rofcomon^
Cowley, Flatman, and ocher eminent Poets. She
tranflated two Plays from the French of Comeille.
I. jfl o R A c E ; a Tragedy, 1678. Sir "John Den-
ham added a Fifth Ad to this Play -, and it was pre-
fented at Court by Perfons of Qiiality. The Duke
jof Monmouth fpoke the Prologue, v/herein are thefe
Lines i
So
202 Lives and Charafters of the
Sofofty that to our Shame we under flandy
T!hey could not fall hut from a Lady*s Hand.
'Thus while a Woman Horace did Tranjlate^
Horace did rife above a Roman Fate^.
II. P o M p E Y ; a Tragedy, aded at the Duke of
Torlzs Theatre, idyS. This Play is Dedicated to
the Countefs of Corky and was aded with very great
Applaufe. My Lord Rofcomon writ the Prologue,
wherein he thus Compliments the Ladies and the
Tranflator.
Tou bright Nymphsy give Casfar leave to IVoo^
T^he greateR Wonder of the World but Tou,
And hear a Mufe^ who has that Hero taught ,
'To fpeak as genroufly as eer he fought.
Whofe Rloqitence from fuch a Theme deters
All Tongues but Englifh, and all Pens but Hers,
By the JuR Fates your Sex is doubly hleBj
Tou Conque/d Csefar, and you Praife him heH.
She died of the Small-Pox, Anno i66^y in the
31ft Year of her Age. Thefe Plays were publiih'd
in Mrs. Phi lips' s Colledion of Poems, in FoliOy and
are lately reprinted in Ociavo. There is likewife
extant a Volume of excellent Letters, which pafs'd
between her and Sir Charles CottereS y under the
feignM Names of Orinda and Polyarchm.
f^ ^i^ €^ C#^^l^^€is^^|B^^s^4^€||9^^fi^^5i
William Philips, jE^;
A GENTLEMAN educated in the Kingdom
•^^ of Irelandy Author of one Play, cail'd.
The Revengeful Queen ; a Tragedy, aded at the
Theatre Royal, 169^. The Story, the Author tells
us, is taken from Machiavefs Hiftory of Florence.
A M-
Englifli Dramatick Poets. 20;
Am B R O S £ P.H I L I P S, Effy
No W a Jullice of the Peace, formerly Fellow
of St, John's College^ Cambridge. His Excel-
lency in Poetry is Pafloral, wherein he has equall'd
his Contemporaries both French and Englijh, and
gain'd a great Reputation. He has oblig'd the World
with one Play.
T'he Diflrefs'd Mother ; a Tragedy, aded at the
Theatre Royal with great Applaufe, 171 3. Dedi-
cated to the Dutchefs of Mountague, This Play is
chiefly a Tranflation from the French of Racine.
(^rs. Mart P i x.
HP HIS Gentlewoman was the Daughter of Mr,
Griffith^ an eminent Clergyman, born at Nettle-
hed in Oxfordjhire, and by her Mother^'s Side was de-
fcended from a very confiderable Family, that of the
IVallish. She has given us Seven Plays, vizj.
I. T'he Spa-nijh fVives ; a Farce of three Ads, acled
at the Theatre in Dorfet-Garden^ i6g6^ ^dth Ap-
plaufe. Dedicated to tlie Honourable Sir "Thojuas
T'ipping. For the Plot, fee the Novel of the Pilgrim^
IL I B R A H I M the XII (by her Mifi:ake cali'd the
XIII) Emperor of the Turks j a Tragedy, aded at
the Theatre Royal, \6^6, Dedicated to Richard
Minchal, E(qj This Piay has not the Harmony of
Numbers, nor a Sublimity of Expremonj but the
Diftrefs of Morena is very moving. The Story is to
be found in Sir Paul Ricauts Continuatioa of the
"Turkijh Hijkr).
' III.
204 Lives and Charafters of the
III. 'The Innocent Mtflrefs ; a Comedy, aded at the
Theatre m Uttk Lincolns- Inn- Fields ^ by his Majefty^'s
Servants, 16^7. This Play met with very good Sue-
cefs, tho^ aded in the Summer Seafon. She has
borrow'd fome Incidents from other Plays, particu-
larly Sir FopUng Flutter.
IV. Queen Catharine, or The Ruines of Love ;
a Tragedy, aded at the Theatre in Little Lincolns-
lrm~Fieldsy i6p8. Dedicated to the Honourable
Mrs. Cook of Norfolk. For the Plot, confult Bake}-,
Speedy Stow^ dec. in the Lives of Ednwd IV, and
Henry VI.
V. The Deceiver Deceived ; a Comedy, likewife
aded at the Theatre in Little Lincolns- Inn- Fields y
i6pS. Dedicated to Sir Robert Majham.
VL The Cz.ar of Mufcovy ; a. Tragedy, aded at
the Theatre Royal in Drury-Lane,
VII. The Double Diflrefs ; a Tragedy. BsCidcs
thefe Plays, fhe writ a very ingenious Novel, call'd.
The Inhuman Cardinal. Dedicated to the Princefs
j^nne of Denmark,
C)QQG>0QQ00QQQQ0Q(SCG^QQOQ^
Samuel Pordage, £^;
G E N T L E M A N, of the Honourable So-
ciety of Ltmolns-Inn in the Reign of King
Charles II. He writ two Plays.
I. Herod and M a r i a m n e ,• a Tragedy, aded
at the Theatre Royal, 1^73. Dedicated to the
Dutchefs of Albemarle. This Play was writ many
Years before it could be brought on the Stage; but
when it appeared, it was well receiv'd. Plot from
Jofeph. Hift. Philo-yudamj and Cleopatra^ a Romance
m the Scory o^ -Tyri dates.
IL
A
Englifli Dramatick Poets. 2oy
,2 II. a' he Siege of Babylon; a Tragi-Comedy, zdcd
at the Duke of York's Theatre, i6jS, Dedicated to
her Royal Highnefs the Dutchefs. This Play is
founded on the Romance of Cajfandra.
Thomas Porter, £^;
'T'HIS Gentleman liv'd in the Reigns of King
-*" Charles the I. and II. He writ two Plays.
I. T'he Carnival-^ z Comedy, aded at the Theatre
Royal, by his Majefty's Servants, 1^54.
II. T'he Villain ; a Tragedy, aded at the Duke of
Tork's Theatre with great Applaufe.
e^r. George Powell.
AN excellent Player. He died in the Year
1 714, and was interr'd in the Vault of the
Parilh-Church of St. Clements Danes, He has given
us four Plays.
I. Brutus of Alba, or A u g us t u s^ Triumph;
a Dramatick Opera, prefented at the Theatre in
Dorfet-Garden, i5po. This Play is entirely taken
from Mr. 'Tate's Brutus of Alba, and other old Plays.
II. The Treacherous Brother ; a Tragedy, likewife
afted at the Theatre Royal, 16^0. Dedicated to
the Patentees of the Theatre. Plot taken from the
Wall-Flower, a Romance writ by Dodor Baily,
III. A L p H o N s o. King of Naples ; a Tragedy,
a(5i:ed at the Theatre Royal, 16^1. Dedicated to
the Dutchefs of Ormond.
IV. A very Good Wife ; a Comedy, aded at the
Theatre Royal, ^^9')* Dedicated to the Honour-
able
7o6 Lives mid Charafters of the
able Alexander Popham^ Efq; The Prologue to this
play is writ by Mr. Cbngreve,
tt
'^ >'"''l >"'^ >'"''i ^""4 > "'^ >"% ^V^ >?^ ^"/^ ^""^i J'?^ >~''''^ ? ^^''-^ ^"'"^ >"''i J''''^ ^""'i >^"'< ^"^ i-"''^ i-"'4 >''^4 ^'"'^
7l4r, Thomas Preston.
A N ancient Poet, who .writ one Play in old
"^ Metre, caird,
■^ A lamentable Tragedy^ mixt full of f leaf ant Mirth ;
containing the Life of Cambyses, from the Beginning
ijf his Reign unto his Death ; his one good Deed of Exe-
cution^ after the many kicked. Deeds^ and tyrannous Mm^-
iers committed by and through him : And latl of uU^ his
cdious Death, by God's Juflice appointed. The Story
is taken trom Herodotus and Juftm,
. Mr. Edmund P r e s t w i c h.
T^ HIS Author writ two Plays, 1^/2:..
I. HiPPOLiTusi a- Tragedy, 164^1, The
Plot is taken from Seneca, or the Phadra of Euripides.
II. 'The He^ors ; a. Tragedy.
Francis Q^u a r l e s, £fq;
THIS Gentleman was Son of James Quarks^
Efq; Clerk of the Green-Cloth, and Purveyor
to Queen Elizabeth. He was born at Stewards, a
Seat
Englifli Dramatick Poets. 207^
Seat in the Parifli of Rumfordin Effex; from whence
he was fent to Peter-Houfe, and finiftiM his Educa-
tion in Chrifl-Col/ege, Cambridge : Afterwards he was '
a Member of LincQlns-Imy Cupbearer to the Queea-
of Bohemia, and Secretary to Arch-Bifhop UJIm.
He endur'd a fevere Profecution for writing a Book
call'd, "The Loyal Convert. He died the Year i ^44,
in the Two and Fiftieth Year of his Age, and was
buried in St. Fofiers Church, London, He writ one
play, call'd,
"The Virgin Widow ; a Comedy, printed in the Year
i64p.
This Author writ feveral other Pieces, as his
Emhkmsy a Book of Poems, in which are the Hijr
torics of Sampfoiiy Jonah^ Efther^ and Job Mlitam ;
Argalus and Part hem a; Pentalogia^ or The Quintejfence
of Meditation ,* The Loyal Convert^ &c»
R.
Q^r. Thomas Randolph.
AP O E T that liv'd in the Reign of King
Charles I. He was born at Houghton in
Northamptonjhire y educated at Weflmin/ier -SchooU
from whence he was removM to Trinity-College^ Cam-
bridge^ where he became Feliov/ -, but he died young.
He was a Man of a pregnant Wit, gay Humour,
and of excellent Learning, which gainM him the Ei-^
teem of the polite Part of the Town, and particu--
larly recommended him to the Favour of Ben John-
fin, who adopted him one of his Sons, and held him
::i equal Efteem with the ingenious Mr. Cartwright^
an-
2o8 Lives and Charaders of the
another of the Laureate's adopted Sons. He writ
the following Plays :,
L Hey for Honefly, Down with Knavery ; 2l Comedy,
tranflated from Ariflophanes's Plums ^ i6$i.
II. 'The Jealous Loziers ; a Comedy, prefented be-
fore their Majeftics at the Univerfity of Cambridge^
by the Students of Trinity-College^ i66%. This Play
was commended by Copies of Verfes from the moft
eminent Wits of both Univerfities, and was aded
with Applaufe. It was revivM on the Theatre at
London, 1685.
III. The Mufes Looking-Glafs j a Comedy, i68i-
This Play was firft callM by the Author, The Enr
ter.tainment^ and was very much commended by Sit
Afion Cockain and Mr. Rich of Chrifi-Church-CoUege^
Oxon.
IV. Aristippus, or The Jovial Philofopher ; a
Tragi-Comedy, 1688. To which is added, The
Conceited Pedlar , 2l Farce.
V' A M Y N T A s, or The Imfofjlhle Dowry ; a Paf-
toral, prefented before the King and Queen at
White-Hall, 1688. Four of thefe Plays were printed
with his Poems at Oxford. He writ an Anfwer to
Ben Johnfons Ode in Defenfe of his New Inn, to
perfwade him not to leave the Stage, which begins
cbus :
Ben, do not leave the Stage,
^Caufe ^tis a loathfome Age :
For Pride and Impudence will grow too hold.
When they jhall hear it told
*Ihey frighted Thee ,• fland high a& is thy Caufe^
Their Hifs is thy Applaufe ;
More juB- were thy Difdain,
Had they approved thy Vein :
So Thou /or Themy and They /or Thee were Born ;
They to IncenfC;, and Thou as much to Scorn.
Mri
Eriglifli DramAtick Pc5£ts. 209
ggQC)QQQSGOCQC^QQG)QQG)Q9G)QQG)Q^
J\4r. Edward Ravenscroft.
^TPHIS Gentleman was defcended froni an an*
^ cient Family. He entered himfelf of the Middle-
Teirifle, but made no Progrefs in the Study of the
Law. Mr. Langbain ^iv^s him the Charader of ^/f-
CoUeElor. He publilh^'d Eleven Plays, lizi,
I. I'he Carekfs Lovers; a Comeay, aifted at the
Duke of Torlis Theatre, 1^73. Part of this Play
is borrow'd from Moheres Monfieur de Pcurceaiignaco
II. Mamamouchiy or 'The Citizen turnd Gentleman ;
d Comedy, aded at the Duke's Theatre, 1675. De-
dicated to his Highnefs Prince Rupert. Part of thi5
Flay is taken from MoUere's le Burgeois Gemilhomme.
III. Scaramouch a Phikfopher^ Harlequin
a School-Boy^ Bravo a Merchant and Magician ; ^
Comedy^ aded at the Theatre Royal, 1577. Thi^
Play is written after the Italian Manner, and the
Poet boails of having brought a new fort of Gomedy
on our Stage ; but Mr. Langbain will not allow any
bne Scene of it to be the genuine Oiispring of his
own Brain, and efteems him rather the Midwife thafi
the Parent of this Piece, Part <bf this Play is taken
from Molieres le Burgeois Gemilhomme^ and Le Mar-"
Ytage Furch - . ^
IV. The IVr angling Lovers, or The Lrvifihle Mi fire} s ;
a Comedy, aded at the Duke of Tories Theatre, 1677;
This Pi ay is founded upon Cor nei He's Les Engagements
iu Haz.ardy and a Spanijh Romance, call'd, Decettid
Vifm, or Seeing and Believing are two Things.
V. King Edgar and AifREDA; a Tragedy,
aded at the Tneatre Royal, 1677. T^^^^^ ^i^X
Mr. Langbain allows to be the Author s own. The
P Story
2 to Lives and Chara(Sters oj the
Story is taken from the Annals of Love, a Novel, and
Malmeshury, G/aftony Stow, Speedy and other Englijh
Chronicles.
VI. I'he Englijh Lawyer ; a Comedy, aded at the
Theatre Royal, 1678. This is only a Tranilation
of the celebrated Latin Comedy of Ignoramusy writ
by Mr. Ruggle of Clare-Hall, Cambridge,
VII. 'the London Cuckolds j a Comedy, aded at the
Duke of Tor}L^ Theatre, 1683. This is the moft
diverting Play the Author ever writ, but much oi:
it IS borrowed from Novels. The Plot from Scarrons
Novels, Novel i. the Fruitlefs Precaution, from Les
Comes Du-Sieur D'ouville, Part II' p, 121, and from
Boccace's Novels*
VIII. Dame Dobs on, or the Cunmng Woman;
a Comedy, aded at the Duke's Theatre, 1684.
This is a Tranflation of a French Comedy, caU'd,
La Devenirejfe, ou les faux EnchantmentSy and milcar-
ried in the-Adion.
IX. The Canterbury Guejlsy or A Bargain Broken ; a
Comedy, aded at the Theatre Royal, 169$, De-
dicated to Rowland Eyre, Efq; This Play met with
but indifferent Succefs.
X. the AnatomiBy or the Sham DoBor; a Comedy,
aded with Applaufe at the Theatre in Little Lincolns-
Inn-Fields y i6^j. Dedicated to thomcis Ravenfcrofij
E{q;
XL the Italian Husband ,• a Tragedy, aded at the
Theatre in Little Lincolns- Inn- Field Sy i6gj. To this
Play, belldes the Prologue, is prefix'd a Dialogue,
whicii the Author calls the Prelude, manag'd by the
Poet, a Critic k, and one Mr. Peregrine, the Poet's
Friend. This Poet feems to be under the fame Mif
take with fome other of our modern Writers, who
are fond of barbarous and bloody Stories, and think
no Tragedy can be good without fome Villain
in it.
Mr.
Englifii Dramatjck Poets, iii
Mr. Ravenf croft revived and alter'd Shake/fear^ s
Titus Andronicus. ^
TkTn Thomas Rawlins.
PRINCIPAL Graver of the Mint in the
Reigns of King Charles' 1, and II. He writ two
Plays,
I. The Rebellion ; a Tragedy, a&d by his Ma jefiy^s
Cc^mpany of R6ve]s,i(540. Dedicated to Rokrt Ducie^
Efq; This Play was aded with great Applaufe, and
las feveral Copies of Verfes in its Commendation;
II. Tom E s s e n c e, or "fhe ModiJJ] Wife ; a Co-
rned y. This Play fucceeded very well. Part of it
is taken from Moliere's le Cocu Imaginaire,
Mr. Nathaniel Richards.
A BOUT the Beginning of the Civil Wars, in
the Reign of King Charles I. This Gentleman
writ one Play.
Messalina, the Roman Emprefs ; a Tragedy,
a<fted by the Company of his Majeiiy's Revels, 1640.
Dedicated to the Lord Vifcount i^oc7^^c)r^. Plot from
^uetoniusy Claudian, Pliny ^ Juvenal^ &c.
Mr. W I L 5L I A M R I D E R, M. A.
•AUTHOR of one Play, iv. the Reign of King
^ ^ Charles II, called,
"' I'he Iwins ; a Tragi-Comedy, aded at the private
Hoiife ivi Saliskury-Court with Applaufe, 1655.
Pa Ni-
212 Lives and Charaders of the
Nicholas Rowe, E[cj^y
TpHIS Gentleman was born at Link Berkfordy in
the County of Bedford. He is defcended from the
Family of the Rowes of Lamerton in Devonhire^ and
is the only furviving Son of John Ruwe, Efq; Serjeant
at Law. He was Srft plac^'d to a private School at
Highgate ; and afterwards put under the Care of
the Reverend Dr. Buihy, in WeftminfterSchool ; from
thence he remov'd to the Middle-T'empley where, af-
ter a confiderable Progrefs in the Study of the Lawjhe
was call'd to the Bar, and attain'd a Reputation fuit-
able to his Merit ; but he early quitted thofe dry and
laborious Studies, to purfue the more pleafing Bent
of his Genius in polite Literature.
He was, in the late Reign, near Three Years
Under-Secretary to the Duke of Queens borough and
Dover y Principal Secretary of State ; and fince his
Majefty's Accellion, he has had conferred on him the-
Places of Clerk of the Council to his Royal High-
nefs the Prince of fVales, Poet-Laureat to his Ma-
jefty, one of the Land-Surveyors of the Cuftoms in
the Port of London, and Secretary of the Prefenta^
tions to the Lord High-Chancellor of Great Britain. ,,
Mr. Rovce is eafy and inilirudive in his Converfa-
tion, polite in his Manners, and perfedly fincere in
his Profeflions of Friendfhip. Li his Writings there
is a beauty of Expreffion, a mafterly Wit, a nervous
Strength, and a Diction more exadly Dramatick
than appears in the Works of any other Modern
Author. His Talent is Tragedy, and he has
oblig'd us with the following Performances :
L T'he Ambitious St£p-Mcther ; a Tragedy, aded at
the Theatre in LincoJm-Im-Fields, Dedicated to the
Ead of Jerfey. IL T Ar
Englifil D R A M A T I C K P O E T S. 21 j
II. Tamerlane,- a Tragedy, aded at the
Theatre in Lmcolns-Im-Fields. Dedicated to the
Marquifs of Hartmgton, now Duke of Devon/hire,
This Play was wrote in Compliment to King PFil-
■iam III. It was at firfl received (and continues llill to
>e adled) with very great Applaufe.
III. T'he Fair Penitent; a Tragedy, aded at the
Theatre in Lincolns-Iaa Fields, Dedicated to the
Dutchefs of O.mcnd.
IV. T'he Biter ; 2l Comedy of Three Ads, per-
mmd at the Theatre in Lincclns- Inn-Fields.
V. Ulysses^ a Tragedy, aded at the Queen's
Theatre in the Hay-Market, Dedicated to the Earl
3f Godolphin.
VL 'The Royal Convert ; a Tragedy, aded at the
Queen's Theatre in the Hay-Market, Dedicated to
Qkarles Earl of Halifax.
VII. 7%e Tragedy of Jane Shore; written in
imitation of Shakefpea/s Stile, aded at the Theatre
^oyal in Drury-Lane, Dedicated to the Duke of
Queensborough and Dover,
VIII. 7h 'Tragedy of the Lady Jane Gray;
i^ed at the Theatre Royal in Drury-Lane, Dedi-
:ated to her Royal Highne/s the Princefs of Wales,
All Mr. Rowe's Tragedies have fucceeded, and
Indeed they cannot be too much applauded. They
ire now printed in Two Volumes 1 2°, with a ge-
[leral Dedication to Edward Henry Earl of IVarwick
md Holland. Befides thefe, and his other Poetical
Writings, he has given us an excellent Tranflation
of Luc AN.
I cannot omit concluding with what a certain
Gentleman has obferv'd of Mr. Rowe, which is the
more juft for being mention^'d in a Satire. *
'Twoi He that wrote Immortal Tamerlane.
P 3 M-.
214 Lives and Charaders of the
Mr. AV'iLLiAM Rowley.
A POET .that Yivdi in the Reign of King
Charles I. He was fome time a Student ac
Pemhroke-Hally Cambridge, and not only well known
to, but aflbciated with Shakefpear, Fletcher, Majjinger^
MarftoHy Wehfter, and yther eminent Poets of that
Age. He writ Six Plays.
I. A New Wmder, a Woman never Vext ; a Come-
dy, aded Anno 16^2. The Widow's finding her
Wedding-Ring, (which fhe dropt crofling the Thames)
in the Belly of a Fifh, is taken fiom the Story of
Poly crates in the Thalia of Hero dot m.
II. A Match at Midnight ; a Comedy, a died by
the Children of the Revels, 1^33. Part of the Plot
is taken from a Story in the Englijh Rogue, Part IV,
c. ip.
III. All's IcB by LuB ; a Tragedy, aded at the
Ph^nix in Drury-Lane, by the Lady Eliz..abeth^s Ser-
vants, i<533. This was efteenvd a very good Play,
Story from Surites Annal, lib. i. c. i . Turqtiet, lih»
5.C. 30. Unfortunate Lovers, Nov. I,
IV. A Shoemaker s a Gentleman-, a Comedy, aded
at the Red Bull, 1638. This Play was afterwards
reviv'd at the Theatre in Dorfet-Garden. Plot from
Crifpin and Crifpianm, or The Hijiory of the Gentle^
Craft.
V. The Witch of Ed-montcn ; a Tragi-Comedy^
aded by the Prince^'s Servants at the Cockpit in Drury-
Lane, I (558. This Play was afterwards aded at
Court v/ith great Appiaufe.
VI. The Birth of M e R l i n, or The Child has Icfi
a Father; d.T^d,Zi-Qom^iY, 1662, Plot from Geof
of
I Englilh Dramatick Poets. 215
10/ Monmouth y Pol. Virgil, Stow, Speed, &c. Shakefpear
lafTifted in this Play. He joined with Middleton in
his Sfanijh Gyffies, Webfler in his T'bracian Wonder, dec.
^o'/z \yrc ^"Z >%^"'^ >"'5 ^^'"i ^"'^ >"Z ^''i • y/'i ^f'i ^'?$ i^^'i J-'"'^ J-*".'^ '^^i ^''.''i i"'^ >"'< ^X'4 -"X'^ ^""^ >''^
Jl/i^* /'/i.^ /-/ivS 5va^ VluN X.Cv^ 5>^^ 7yJs 7m< 7^
\
Qy^Ir. Samuel Rowley.
A N Author in the Reign of King Charles L He
' ftiW himfelf Servant to the Prince of Wales;
and two Plays appear under his Name.
L When you fee me you know me; an Hiilorical Pla/
of Henry VIII, with the Birth and virtuous Life of
Edward Prince of Wales, aded by the Prince of
Wales's Servants, 153 2. Plot from the Englijh Chro-
nicles, Lord Herbert's Life of Henry VIIL
IL 'The Noble Spanifh Soldier, or A ContraB Broken
juftly Revengd'i a Tragedy, printed after the Au-
thor's Death, 1534.
Mr. Joesph Rutter.
THIS Gentleman was a Dependant on the Fa-
mily of the Lord Dorfet, in the Reign of King
Charles I, and Servant to King Charles IL He writ
one Play, and tranflated two others, by the Com-
mand of his Majefly and the Lord Dorfet.
I. The Shepherd's Holy day ; a Tragi-Comi-Pafloral,
prefented before their Majellies at White-Hall, by
the Queens's Servants, K535. Mr. Langbain fliles this
Piece the Nobler Sort of Palloral, being written in
Blank Verfe.
II. The C I D ,• a Tragi-Comedy, afted before their
Majefties at Court;, and at the Cockpit in DruryLane^
P 4 ^^37'
ai5 Lives and Gharafters of the
1(5^7. Dedicated to Edv^^ard Earl of Dorfet, A
Tranflation from Corneil/e; and the young Lord Dor--
jet affilied in it.
III. T'he CiD, Part II ; a Tragi-Comedy, 1540.
Dedicated to the Lady T'heofhila Cook, This Part i%
alfo a Tranflition from Comeille. Thefe Plays are
founded on Hiilory i k^ Roderic de Toledo^^ and Ma-
Ytanay &c.
Thomas R y m e r, E[oj\
A GENTLEMANbornintheNorthofE;^^-
r^ tei, and who had Univerfity Education. He
was a Member of the Societ(y of Grays-Imy and fuc-
ceeded Mr. ShadvceU as Hi/loriographer to King.
William III. He was a Man of great Learning,
and a Lover of Poetry ; this led him to the Perufal
of thofe Authors which fet him up for a Critick ; but
In his View of the Tragediea of the laB Age^ he has
been more fevere than jufl: in his Criticifms upon
Shakefpear ; and I am of Opinion with Mr. Langhaifi,
that his Talents tor Dramatick Poetry were very in*
ferior to thofe of the Perfons he cenfur'd. He writ
one Tragedy.
E D G A R, or 'The Englijh Monarch ; an Heroick
Tragedy, 1678. Dedicated to King C/&^r/<?j 11. For
the Plot, confult JV. Malmeshury^ HuntingdoriyPoL Viy
gily Hi gden, Grafton, Stow, &c. He likewife publifhM
fome Original Poems and Tranfiations. He had
not a Genius for Poetry, but was an excellent An-
tiquary and Hillorian. Some of his Pieces relating
to our Conftitution are very good j and his valuable
Cclledion of the Foedera, cfTc. will be a lafting
Monument of his Worth.
'I ' . . ■
S. Mr.
Englifii Dramaticx Poits. aiy
s.
jl^'r. Thomas Sackvile,
S^e N o R T o N.
Sir Thomas St- S e r f e.
A SCO TS Gentleman, who in the Reign of
King Charges II, writ a Play, caird,
T A R u G oV M^iksy or 7he Coffee-Houfe ; a Co-
medy, aded at the Duke of Tork^s Theatre, 1668.
Dedicated to the Marquifs of Huntley, Part of this
Comedy is built on the Sfanijh Pi ay. No Pnedefer, or
Jt cannot he. The late Earl of Dcrfet writ an excellent
Copy of Verfes to the Author upon its Publica-
tion, which are as follow :
T A R u G o gave m Wonder and Delight 9
When he ohhgd the World by Candle-light :
But now hes ventured on the Face of Day^
T* oblige andfer've his Friends a ncbler Way ;
Make all our Old Men Wns^ State/men the Youngs
And teach evn Englifh Alen the Englifti Tongue,
James, on whofe Reign all peaceful Stars didfmiky
Did but attempt tH Uniting of our Ifle,
What Kings y and Nature , only could dejign^
ShaU be accomplijh^ d by this Work of thine i
For ivho is fuch a Cockney in his Hearty
Proud of the Plenty of the Southern Part,
To f corn that Union, by ivhich he may
Boafi 'tv,w his Country-man that writ this Play f
Phcebus
2 1 8 Lives and Charaders of the
Phoebus himfelfy indulgent to thy Mufe,
Has to thy Country fent this kind Excufe :
Fair Northern Lafs, it is not thro' NegleB
I court thee at a Diflancey but RefpeB.
J cannot aEiy my Paffion is fo great.
But ril make up in Light, -ivhat wants in Heat,
On thee I zvill beflow my longeii Days,
And crown thy Sons with everlafling Bays :
My Beams that reach theejhall employ their Powrs
*To ripen Souls of Men, not Fruits or Flow'rs.
Let warmer Climes my fading Favours boaR,
Poets and Stars Jhine brighteft in the FroR,
Mr. William Sampson,
AGENTLEMAN retained in the Family of
"^ Sir Henry Willoughby, of Richley in Derbyshire, in
the Reign of King Charles I. He writ one Play.
l!he Vow-Breaker,, or The Fair Maid of Clifton in
Nottinghamjhire j a Tragedy, aded with great Ap-
plaufe, I (5^3, Dedicated to Mrs. Anne WiUoughby.
He alfo jbin'd with Mr. Markham in his Herod and
Antipater,
George Sandys^ £]^^;
n^ HIS Gentleman was Son of Edwin Arch-Blfhop
of Tork, born at Bifhops T'horp in Yorkjhire, in
the Year 1577- At Eleven Years of Age he was
fent to the Univerfity of Oxford, and entered in
St, Mary's Hail there. In the Year 1610, (remark-
able for the Murder ofHenrylV of France) he made
the. Tour of France, Italy, 'Turkey, Paleftine, &c. 5-nd
Englifh Dramatick Poets, 2ip
on his Return, he pubh'fh'd an Account of his Tra-
vels, and the following Play.
ChrjR's Paffion; a Tragedy, 1540. Dedicated to
King Charles I. Tranflared from the Latin of Higy
Gi-otins, with Annotations. It is excellently well
done, and in the Year 1688 it was reprinted.
He tranflated Ovid's Metamorfhofis ^ the whole
Fifteen Books, the firft Book of Virgil's ^neis^ &c.
He died at Boxley-Abbey in Kenty being the Seat of
his Nephew Mr. Wtat, Anno 1543, ^"^ ^^ buried in
the Chancel of that Church.
Mr. Charles Saunders.
AY O U N G Gentleman, who, in the Reigti
of King Charles II, writ a Play whilft he was
a Kings's Scholar at WefiminfterSchooly cail'd,
• T A M B E R L A I N ?/;^ Great ; a Tragedy, ad:ed at
the Theatre Royal, 1681. This Play was hkewifc
aded before the King at Oxford,' with great Ap-
plaufe ,• and it is highly commended by Mr. Banks
knd other Poets. Plot from Afteriu^ and T'amerlanej
a Novel.
Mr, Thomas Scot.
rTTl HIS Gentleman, Secretary to the Earl o^Rcx-
JL l^urgh, W2LS educated at lVtftminJier~Schoo\ , from
whence he remov'd to the Univ^erfity of Cambridge^
and there iinilh\i his Education. He has writ two
Plays.
I. "Ihe Mock-Marriage ; a Cpmedy, aded at the
yheatre in Dorfet-Garden^ 16^6, This Play met with
pretty
220 Lives and Charaders of the
pretty good Succefs, confidering the Seafon of the
Year, and its being the firfl EfTay of a young
Writer.
II. 'The Unhappy Kindnefi^ or A Fruitlefs Revenge ; a
Tragedy , aded at the Theatre Royal. This
is only Fletche/s IV/je for a Month alter'd ; and the
Charader ot the Wife to provoke the Husband to
eafe her of her Maidenhead^is heightened in this Play.
2\dr. Elkanah Settle.
Now City-Poet. This Gentleman was fome
time at Trmity-Col/ege, Oxen; upon his co-
ming to London, and being poflefs'd with the Spirit
of Poetry, he fpent a very good Fortune. "When
his Neceffities iirfi: obliged him to write, his Uncer-
tainty in his Political Principles did him a Prejudice,
and at lafl he made a Refolution of quitting all Pre-
tenfions to State-Craft, and to fculk into a Corner
of the Stage, and there die contented, which is his
own Expreflion in the Preface to one of his Pieces.
He has writ Fifteen Plays, with various Succefs :
His Talent is Tragedy, and Mr. Langhain tells us,
that he was Tragically dealt withal by Mr. Dryden,
in his Difpute with him. His Plays are as follow:
I. The Emprefs of Morocco j a Tragedy, a(5ted at
the Duke of Tork\ Theatre with great Applaufe.
It was fo much in Efteem, as to be performed at
Court, and the Lords and Ladies of the Bed-
chamber play'd in it, 1673. Dedicated to Henry
Earl of Norvjichy EarHvfarfhal of England, This
Play is writ in Heroick Verfe, and illuftrated with
Cuts, being the hril Play that ever was fo adorn'd.
Mr. Dry den, Mr. ShadwelJ and Mr. Crown writ againft
it, which began a famous Conrrcverfy betwixt
the
Englifli DRAMAticK Poets. 221
the Wits of the Town, wherein Mr. Dryden was
roughly handled, particularly by the Lord Rochefler
and the Duke of Buckmgham^ and Mr. Settle got the
better of the Argument.
II. Love and Revenge ; a Tragedy, a(5led at the
Duke of York's Theatre, 1675. Dedicated to the
Diike of Newcajile. Great Part of this Play is ta-
ken from T'he Fatal Contract, writ by Mr. Hemmings.
III. Cambyses King of Per Jla; a Tragedy, aded
at the Duke's Theatre, 1675. Dedicated to the
Dutchefs of Monmouth. This Tragedy is written in
Heroick Verfe. The Plot from yuflin^ lib. i. eg,
Ammiami^ Marcellinus, lib. 23. Herodotus, &c*
IV. T'he ConqueR of China by the Tartars ; a Tra-
gedy, aded at the Dukes's Theatre, 1 575. Dedi-
cated to the Lord Howard of Caflle-Rifing. This
Play is likewife writ in Heroick Verfe, and founded
on Hiftory. For the Story, confult Heylms Cofmo-
graphy, T'he Conquefl of China, written by Palafaxy
Levels de Gufman, &c.
V. Ibrahim, the lUuflrious Bajfa ,* a Tragedy,
aded at the Duke's Theatre, 1677. Dedicated to
the Dutchefs of Albemarle. Plot from T.):ie Illuflriom
Bafja, a Romance, by Scudery.
VL Pastor Fido, or The Faithful Shepherd ;
a Dramatick Paftoral, prefented at the Duke o^Tork's
Theatre, 1^77. Dedicated to the Lady Eliz.abeth
Delaval. This is Sir Richard Fanjhaius Tranflatioa
from the Italian of Guarini, improv'd.
VII. Fatal Love, or The fore' d Inconftancy ; a Tra-
gedy, afted at the Theatre Royal, 16S0, Dedi-
cated to Sir Rcbert On;en, The Piot of this Play is
taken from Achilks Tatims Clitiphon, and Leucippe, a
Romance, trandated into Enghjh,
VIII. The Female Prelate, cr The Hifiory of the
Life and Death of Pope Joan; a Tragedy, a6ted at
the Theatre Royal, zcSo. Dedicated to the Earl
* of
22 2 Lives and Characters of the
of Shaftesbury. Plot from Platinas Lives of the Pcpes^
tranflated by Sir Paul Ricauty and a fmall Book of
'The Life and Death of Pope Joan, writ by Mr. Cook.
IX. L'he Heir of Morocco, with the Death of Gaf-
land; a Tragedy, aded at the Theatre Royal, 1682.
Dedicated to the Lady Wemworth.
X. Difirefs'd Innocence ; or The Princefs of Perjia ;
a Tragedy, aded at the Theatre Royal, i6pi. De-
dicated to John Lord Cutty. This Play was aded
with Applaufe. The Author owns himfelf oblig'd
to Mr. Betterton for fome valuable Hints in this Play,
and that Mr. Momfort wrote the laft Scene of it.
XL The Ambitious Slave ^ or A Generous Revenge ;
a Tragedy, aded at the Theatre Royal, 1694. De-
dicated to John Bright, Efq; This Play met with
but ill Succefs. The Scene is laid in Perfia.
XII. "The World m the Alocn; a Dramatick-Comic-
Opera, perform^ at the Theatre in Dorfet-Garden^
by his Majefty's Servants, 1 65)8. Dedicated to Chri-
ftopher Rich, Efq;
XIII. "fhe City Ramble, or l^he Play-houfe Wedding ;
a Comedy, aded at the Theatre Royal.
XIV. 'the Vtrgm Prophetefs, or the Fate of troy ;
an Opera.
XV. the Ladies triumph ; a Comic-Opera, pre-
fented at the Theatre in Lincolns-Inn- Fields by Sub-
fcription, 1718.
« v,v \!>r/ sy/y w v'/ v"/ v'/: ^"'-i ^'''■•i v'/i ^"''-'. ■^'^, ^'c y^ ^'^^ i^'- y^^ >"% >"'^ ^*''■l ^'^'j * y-i y-j -^"'-i
Thomas Shad well, £j^^
THIS Gentlem.an was defcended from a very
good Family in the County of Norfolk. He
was very much in favour with the Quality, parti-
cularly the late Earl of Z?6'?:/^?, who was his great Pa-
tron,
Englifli Dr A MAT icK Poets, 225
tton, and by his Lordfhip's Intereft at Court at the
Revolution, he fucceeded Mr. Dryden as Poet-Lau-
reat. His Talent was Comedy, and in his Plays
there h a great variety of Characters. He well un-
derftood Humour, and could draw a Coxcomb in
perfedion ; but he feem'd to be deficient in perfed-
ing the Charader of a fine Gentleman. In moil of
his Plays he endeavoured to imitate Ben John/on.
They are as follow :
I. "The Royal SJoepherdefs i a Tragi-Comedy, aded
by the Duke of York's Servants, 1 669. This Play
was aded with Applaufe. It is taken from a Co-
medy writ by Mr. Fomtain^ call'd, T'hs Reward of
Virtue,
II. 'the Sullen Lovers^ or Ijoe Impertinents ; z Come-
dy, aded at the Duke of York's Theatre, 16 jo. De-
dicated to IVilliam Duke of Newcafile. The Author
owns in his Preface, that he took a Hint in his Plot
from Moliere\ Les Facbeux,
III. the Humounjis ; a Comedy, aded by the
Duke of I'ork's Servants, idyi. Dedicated to the
Dutchefs of Newca/lle. Tho^ I have very little re-
gard for punning Wity I cannot help faying, that
the Humour of the Town occafion^ this Play ma-
-ny Enemies.
IV. the Mifer ; a Comedy, aded at the Theatre
Royal, i6'j2. Dedicated to the Earl of Dorfet and
Middle/ex. The Plot of this Play is taken from
Moliere"B L^Avare,
V. Psicke; an Opera, prefented at the Duke
of York's Theatre, 1575. Dedicated to James Duke
of Monmouth. Part of this Play is taken from the
'.French Pfiche^ znd'Apukim's Golden Afs.
VI Epfom IVells ; a Comedy, aded at the Duke
of Yjvk's Theatre, i6']6. Dedicated to the Duke of
Newcajlle. This is a very diverting Play.
VII.
224 Liv6s and Charaders of the
VII. I'he Virtuofo j a Comedy, aded at the Duke
of Tork!s Theatre, 16^6. Dedicated to the Duke cf
Nev^cafile, This Play contains great variety of
Humour.
VIII. T%e Libertine ; a Tragedy, aded by the Duke
of Tork^s Servants, le-je. Dedicated to the Dakc
of NeiLcaflle. This Play was aded with great Ap-
plaufe, and is efieem'd one of the beft of our Au-
thor's Performances.
IX. T I M o N of Athens y or T'he Man-Hater; a Tra-
gedy, aded at the Duke of Tork's Theatre, i6j8.
Dedicated to the Duke of Buckingham, The
greateft part of this Tragedy is taken from Shake^
fpea, 's Play of the fame Name.
"K, 'The True IVudow; a Comedy, aded at tlic
Duke's Thea:re, t6jp. Dedicated to Sir Charles
Sidley, Mr. larighain tells us, that the Charaders
and Humour in this Comedy are as well done as in
any of that Age ; but it did not meet with very
good Succefs on the Stage.
XI. The Woman-Captain ; a Comedy, aded at the
Duke's Theatre, 1680. Dedicated to Henry Lord
Ogk, Son to the Duke of Neu)cafile. This Play was
aded with Applaufe.
XII. The Lancajhire Witches, and Teague 0 Divelly^ 1
the Irijh PrieR ; a Comedy, aded at the Diike's I
Theatre, 1682. This is a very entertaining Come-
dy, and Mr. Hey wood and Brome have both writ on
the fame Subjed.
XIII. 77?^ 'Squire of Alfatia ; a Comedy,- aded by
their Majefties Servants, 1688. Dedicated to th«
Earl of Dorfet and Middlefex. This Play is founded
on Terence's Adelphi, and was. aded with very great
Ap^iaule. Mr. Langhain tells us, that in this Play,
and the Lancajhire Witches there are feveral RefledionS;
on the Clergy.
xiv:
Engliih Dramatick Poets. 225
XIV. Bury-Fair ; a Comedy, aded by his Ma-
jefty's Servants, i68p. Dedicated to Charles Earl
of Dorfet and Mfddkfex, then Lord Chamberlain of
his Majefty's HoufhoJd. Part of this Play is taken
from the Duke of Newcafik's 'Triumphant Widow, and
Molieres Precieufes Ridicules.
XV. The Amorous Bigot, ivith the Second Fart of
Teagiie 0 Diveliy ; a(5ted by their Majefties Servants,
1690. Dedicated to the Duke o^ Shrewsbury.
XVI. The Scowrers ; a Comedy, afted by their
Majefties Servants, i*dpi. Dedicated to Queen Mary.
This Play contains a great deal of low Humour.
The Charafter of Eugenia feems to be a Copy of
Harriot, in one of Sir George Ether ege\ Plays.
XVII. The Volunteers, or The Stock-jobbers ; a Co-
medy, i5p3. Dedicated by the Author^s Widow
to the virtuous Queen Mary. Some Hints of this
Play, in the Charader of Sir Timothy Ca(lril, feem to
De taken from Fletche/s Little French Lawyer.
This Author likewife writ feveral other Pieces of
Poetry, the chief whereof are, his Congratulatory
Poem on his Highnefs the Prince of Orange's Coming
:o England; another on Queen Mary i his Tranflation
Df the Tenth Satire of Juvenal, dec. Mofl of the
Poetical World hav^ heard of the great Difference
between him and Mr. Dry den, which produced that
evere Satire of Mac-Fleckno from the latter ; to
ivhich Mr. Shadwell made a fort of Reply in the Pre-
•ace to a Poem he publifh^d foon after. He 6\^di m
:he Year 165^2, and lies buried ia IVeflminfler- Abbey,
lear the Remains of the famous Spenfer. There is
)ver him a white Marble Monument, with his Bufto,
and this Infcription :
Thomas Shadwell, Armiger, Amiqua ftirpe in Comi-
tatu Staff or dia Oriundus, Poeta Laiireatus & HiJ-
toriographm Regim. Obiit nono die Dec. Anno Doin.
i6p2. JEtat. fuis, 52. Q if.
2 2 5 Lives and Charadlers of the
H. M, P. C.
In perpetuam pietatis Memoriam
Johannes Shadv:eJly M. D. T^hom^s, F.
Q^kfr. Charles Shadwell.
THIS Gentleman was Nephew to T'lmnas
Shadijoell, Efq,* He has writ two Plays.
I. "The Fair Quaker of Dealy or The Humours of ths\
Navy ; a Comedy, a>5led at the Theatre Royal with
Applaufe, 17^4- Dedicated to his Friends in the
County of Kera.
II. "The Humours of the Army, a Comedy, acted atj
the Theatre Royal, 171(5.
^t
Mr. William Shakespea r.
HE was the Son of Mr. John Shakefpear^ and
was born at Stratford upon Avon, in Warvjick-\
jhire, in April 1^6^. His Family, as appears by the|
Regifter and publick Writings relating to that!
Town, vv^ere of good Figure and Fafhion there, and
are mentioned as Gentlemen. His Father, who was
a confiderable Dealer in Wool, had fo large a Fa
mily. Ten Children in all, that, though he was his,
eldeft Son, he could give him no better Education
than his own Employment. He had bred him for
fome time at a Free-School, where he acquir^'d the
Knowledge of the Latin Tongue ; but the Narrow-
nefs of his Circumflances, and the want of his Af-
fiftance at Home, forc'd his Father to withdraw him
from thence, and unhappily prevented his farther
Pioiiciency in Learning.
Upon
I Englifli Dramatick Poets. 227
; Upon his leaving School, he Teems to have given
Sitirely into that way of living which his Father
^ropos'd to himj and in order to fettle in the
^orld, he, while very young, married the Daugh-
:er of Mr. Hathaway, a fubftantial Yeoman in the
>Jeighbourhood of Stratford.
In this kind of Settlement he continued for fome
ime, 'till an Extravagance that he was guilty of,
brcM him both out of his Country and that way of
iving which he had taken up ; and tho' it feem'd at
irft to be a Biemifh upon his good Manners, and a
Misfortune to him, yet it afterwards happily prov'd
he Occaiion of exerting one of the greatefl: Genius'^s
hat ever was known in Dramatick Poetry. He
7ZS feverely profecuted by Sir I'homas Lucy of Cherle^
)ty near Stratfordy for joining with fome young Fel-
Dws, more than once, in robbing his Park. This
^rofecution obliged him to Ihelter him.felf in London ;
nd it was upon this Accident, that he is faid to
ave made his firil Acquaintance in the Playhoufe,
^■herein he was receiv'd at £rfl in a very mean Rank ;
ut his admirable Wit, and the natural Turn of ic
) the Stage, foon diliinguifh'd him, if not as an
xtraordinary Ador, yet as an excellent Writer.
could never meet with any farther Account of him,
5 to the Parts he us'd to play, than that the Top
f his Performance was the GhoB in his own H am-
E T. It would be a great Pleafure to fee and know
'hat was the firft EfTay of a Fancy like Shakefpea/s.
Ir. Dryden feems to think that Pericles is one
f his firft Plays ; but tho' the Order of Time, in
^hich the feveral Pieces were written, be generally
ncertain, yet there are PafTages in fome of them
''hich feem to fix their Dates. Whatever the par-
cular Times of his Writing were, the People of
is Age could not but be highly pleased to fee a Ge-
'm arife amongft them of fo pleafurable, fo rich a
Q 3 y^iii^
^28 Lives and Ch^Ltzderi of the
Vein, and fo plentifully capable of furnifliing tbeit'
favourite Entertainments. Befides the Advantages
of his Wit, he was in himfelf a good-natur'd Man,
of great Sweetnefs in his Manners, and a moft agree-
able Companion ; fo that it is no wonder he made
himfelf acquainted with the beft Con verfat ions of ;
thofe Times. Queen Elizakth had feveral of his
Plays aded before her, and gave him many gracious ,
Marks of her Favour : What Grace foever the Qpeen i
conferred upon him, it was not to her only he ow'd I
the Fortune which the Reputation of his Wit made.
He had the Honour to meet with many great and i
uncommon Marks of Favour and Friendlhip from ;
the Earl of Southampton, (famous in the Hiftories of i
that Time for his Friendfliip to the unfortunate Earl i
of EJfex) to whom he Dedicated two Poems, V e-
Nus and Adonis, and Tarq^uin and Lu-
cre ce- For the Former of which Dedications,
that Noble Lord gave him a Thoufand Pounds,,
which uncommon Bounty Mr. Shake/pear gratefully /
acknowledg'd in the Dedication to the Latter.
What particular Friendfliips he contracted witli^r
private Men, I have not been able to learn, more.'
than that every one who had a true Tafte of Merit,
had generally a juft Value and Efleem for him.
Mr. Spenser fpeaks of him in his T'ears of the
Mufes, not only with the Praifes due to a good Poet,:
but even lamenting his Abfence with the Tendernefs
of a Friend.
His Plays are properly to be diilinguifli^'d only in«
to Comedies and Tragedies. Thofe which are call d
Hiftories, and even fome of his Comedies, are real-
ly Tragedies with a Mixture of Comedy amongft
them. That way of Tragi-Comedy was the com-
mon Miflake of that Age, and is indeed become fo
agreeable to the E}7glJfi Tafle, that tho" the feveret
Criticks among us cannot bear it, yet the generali-
ty
Englifii Dramatick Poets. 225^
ty of our Audiences feem to be better pleas'd with
it than with an exad Tragedy.
There is certainly a great deal of Entertainment
in his Comical Humours ; and a pleafing and well-
diflinguifh'd Variety in thofe Charaders which he
thought fit to meddle with. His Images are indeed
every where (o lively, that the Thing he would re-
prefent ftands full before you, and you poffefs every
Part of it. His Tales were feldom invented, but
rather taken either from true Hiftory, or Novels and
Romances ; and he commonly made ufe of them in
that Order, with thofe Incidents, and that extent
of Time in which he found them in the Authors
from whence he borrowed them. Almofl all his
Hiftorical Plays comprehend a great length of Time,
and very different and diftind Places : But in recom-
pence for his Carelefnefs in this Point, when he
comes to another Part of the Drama, 77:?^ Man-
ners of his Characters, in ABing er Speaking what is
proper for them, and fit to befiewn by the Poet y he may
be generally juftify^, and in very many Places great-
ly commended. His Sentiments are great and natu-
ral, and his Expreflion juft, and rais a in proportion
to his Subjed and Occafion,
The latter part pf his Life was fpent, as all Men
of good Senfe will wifh theirs may be, in Eafe, Re-
tirement, and the Converfation of his Friends. He
had the good Fortune to gather an Eftate equal to
this Occafion, and in that to his Wifh ; and is faid
to have fpent fome Years before his Death at his
Native Stratford. His pleafurable Wit and good
>^ature engaged him in the Acquaintance, and in-
titul'd him to the Friendlhip of the Gentlemen of
the Neighbourhood. The Plays he has written, are
publifh a in the following Order, viz.,
I. 'the tempefl \ a Comedy, aded in the Blach*
Fryars with great Applaufe.
Q3 II.
t^o hives and Chara<^ers of the
II. 7%e Two Gentle7nan of Verona i a Comedy.
III. 'the Merry Wives of IVindfor ', a Comedy. This
excellent Play was writ by the Command of Qiieen
Eliz^aheth,
IV. Meafure for Meafure ; a Comedy. The Plot
of this Play is taken from Cynthio Giraldi^ Dec. 8,
Nov. 5. Lipfit Monita, f. 125, &c.
V. the Comedy of Errors. This Play is founded
on Plciutus^s Manechmi.
VI. Much ado about Nothing i a Comedy. For the .
Plot, fee Ariojio's Orlando Furiofo, and Sfenfers Fairy
Queen.
VII. Lovers Labour's loR ; a Comedy.
VIII. A Midfummer Night's Dream; a Comedy.
IX. the Merchant ofVENicEj a Tragi-Com edy^
X. As you like it , a Comedy.
XL the taming of the Shrew; a Comedy. Th^j
Story of the Tinker, you may find in Goularts Hifl.
Admirables, and Pontus Heuterus Rerum Burdicarum. ,
XII. AJfs Well that ends Well ; a Comedy. The '
Plot of this Play is taken from Boccace's Novels, Ju"
liet of Narbona,^ Sec.
XIII. twelfth Nighty or H^at you wiH; a Comedy.
In this Play there is fomething fingularly ridiculous
and pleafant in the fantaftical Steward MalvoUo, Part
of the Plot taken from Plautus's Manechmi.
XIV. the Wmters tale ; a Tragi-Comedy. For
the Plot of this Play, confult Doraftm and Faunia.
XV. the Life and Death of King John,* an Hif-
torical Play. The Plot from Matth. Paris, Waljtng*
ham, Fabian, Grafton, Stow, Speed, dec. .; '
XVI. the Life and Death of King R i c H A R d II j
a Tragedy. Plot from the Englfb Chronicles.
XVII. the FirB Part of King Henry IV ; an
Hiftorical Play, with the hi^Q and Death of Henrf,
firnamM Hotfpur. The Charader of Falflaff in this
Plays is allowed by every Body to be a Mafler-piece.
XVIIlt
Englilh Dramatick Poets. 231
X VIIL T^he Second Part 0/ H e N R Y I V ; containing
his Death, and the Coronation of K. He nky V. Thefe
Plays are founded on JBuchanan, Caxton, Grafton^
Martin^ Stow, and other Engltjh Chronicles.
XIX. the Life of King Henry Vj in Hiftori-
cal Play. A Comical Part i^ likewife mix^'d with the
Hillory in this Play.
XX. l!he FtrB Part of King Henry VI; an
Hiftorical Play. For the Story, confult Fabian, Pol.
Virgil J Hall, Hollingshead, Grafton, Stow, Speed, Sec.
XXL The Second Part of King Henry VI, with
the Death of the good Duke Humphrey.
XXII. The Third Part of King H e N R Y VI, with
the Death of the Duke of Y okk. Thefe Plays con-
tain the whole Reign of this Monarch.
XXIII. The Life and Death of Richard III,
with the Landing of the Earl ^'Richmond, and the
Battle at Bofworth-Field.
XXIV. The famous Hiftory of the Life of King
Henry VIIL The Story is taken from Rollings-
\pead, Grafton, Stow, Speed, Herbert, Baker, &c.
XXV. Troilus ^w^Cre ssiD A ; a Tragedy.
lot from Chaucer,
XXVI. Co RIO L ANUS,- a Tragedy. The Sto-
ry from Livy, Dionyftm PlaUicarnaff^m, Plutarch's
iLife of Coriolanm, &c.
XXVIL Titus Andronicus; a Tragedy.
XX VIIL Romeo and Juliet; a Tragedy.
The Plot of this Play is taken from Bandellos
Novels.
XXIX. TiMON of Athens; a Tragedy.
Story from Plutarch's Life of M. Anthony, Lucians
JDialogues, &c.
XXX. Julius Cesar ; a Tragedy. Story from
Livy, Plutarch, Suetonim^ &c. His Grace, the prefent
Duke of Buckingha?njhire, has divided the Two Revo-
lutions in this Play, and made them into two excel-
" (^ 4 , lent
f^z Lives and Charafters of the
lent Tragedies, pne under this Title, the other
caird Brutus.
XXXI. The Tragedy of Macbeth; Plot from
Buchanan^ and other Scots Writers, Heylins Cofmo^ra--
^hy, Heyivood's Hierarchy of Angels, Sec.
XXXII. Hamlet, Prime of Denmark. The
Story from Saxo-GrammaticuSy Cramz.imy Pontanm,
Idacius, Sec.
XXXIII. King Lear; a Tragedy. For the Plot
fee Milton s Hrfi. of Engl. Leland, Monmotith, Sec.
XXXIV. Othello, the Moor of Venice ; a
Tragedy. Plot from Cymhios Novels, Dec, 3.
ISlov. 7.
XXXV. Anthony and Cleopatra; a
Tragedy. The Story from Affian, Dion^ Cajftmy
Diodoi-us, Sec. and P hit arch in vita Antonii,
XXXVI. Cymbeline; a Tragedy. Plot from
Boccace's Kovels. 4J
XXXVII. Pericles, Prince of Tyre; an Hif-
torical Play. Printed in his Life-time.
XXXVIII. The London Prodigal; a Comedy.
XXXIX. The Life and Death of Thomas Lord I
Cromwell; an Hiftorical Play. The Plot from
Fox's Martyrokgy, Dr. Burnetts Hifl. Reform. Fuller's
Church Hifl. Wanlefs Hifl. of Man. HackweU's Apology^
and Lloyd's Engl. Worthies.
XL. The Hiftory of Sir Jom^ O D L c a s t l e, ?^^
^ Good Lord C o b h a m ; a Tragedy. See Fulle/s
Church Hifl. Foxs Book of Martyrs.
XLI. The puritan, or The Widow of Watling- Street ;
a Comedy. This is a very Diverting Play.
XLII. A Yorkshire Tragedy. This Play is rather
an Interlude than a Tragedy, being very fhort, and
not diYidcd into Ads.
XL III. The Tragedy of L o c R I N e, the eldef} Son of
FJyig Brutus. The Story from Mikon^s Hifl. of
England^ Uhaldim Le Vite delle Donne lUtifiriy ^! j^ Sec.
He
Englifh Dramatick Poets. 233
He died Anno 1616, in the 53d Year of his Age,
and was buried on the North Side of the Chancel,
in the great Church at Stratford, where a Monument
is plac'd in the Wail, representing his Statue leaning
on a Cufhion, with thefe Infcriptions :
Ingenio Pylium, Genio Socratem,
Arte Maronem,
, *Terra tegit, Pofulus m<xrety
Olympus hahet.
Stay, Pajfenger, why goefl thou hy fo faB ?
Read, if thou canfl, whom enviom Death hath placed
Within this Monument ', Shakefpear with whome
Quick "Nature died, whofe Narne doth deck the T^omhe
Far more than CoH, fith all that he hath Writ
heaves living Art, hut Page, to ferve his Wit.
On his Grave-Stone underneath are the following
J-ines :
Goed Friend, for Jefus* Sake, for hear $
"To dig the Duft enclofed here.
Btefl he the Man that fpares thefe Stones,
And curft he he that moves my Bones,
The Charader of Mr. Shakefpear is beft feen in
his Writings. But fince Ben Johnfon has made a
fort of an Eilay towards it in his Difcoveries, tho*
he was not very cordial in his Friendfhip, I will
venture to give it in his Words :
^^ I remember the Players have often mentioned it
" as an Honour to Shakefpear, that in Writing (what-
" foever he penVi) he never blotted out a Line.
f^ My Arfwer hath been. Would he had hlotted a
^ T'hotfand^ which th;y thoug it a malevolent Speech.
2 34 Lives and Characters of the
f' I had not told Pofterity this, but for their Igncn
*^ ranee, who chofe that Circumftance to commend
" their Friend by, wherein he moft faulted. And
*^ to juftify mine own Candor, (for I lov'd the Man,
*^ and do honour his Memory, on this fide Idolatry,
" as much as any.) He was, indeed, Honeft, and
*' of an open and free Nature, had an excellent
*^ Fancy, brave Notions, and gentle Expreffions ;
*' wherein he flowM with that Facility, that fome-
" times it was neceflary he Ihould be ftop'd : Suf-
** flaminandm erat^ as Auguftm faid of Haterim. His
*' Wit was in his own Power ; would the Rule of it
"had been fo too. Many times he fell into thofe
*' things which could not efcape Laughter ; as
*^ when he faid in the Perfon of C'^r, one fpeaking
" to him,
'^ Caefar thou doR me JVrong,
f He reply 'd :
*^ Csefar did nev.er Wrongs hut with jufi Caufe,
^^ and fuch like, which were ridiculous. But he re-»
" deem'd his Vices with his Virtues : There was
" ever more in him to be Prais'd than to be Par-
'' dondr
As for the Paffage which he mentions out of
Shakefpeary there is fomewhat like it in Julius Ca-
far. Vol. VI. p. IP4. but without the Abfnrdi-
ty ; * nor did I ever meet with it in any Edition
that I have feen, as quoted by Mr. Johnfon. Befides
his Plays in this Edition, there are two or three af-
crib'd to him by Mr. Langhain, which I have never
fcen.
* Km-w^ Caefar doth not Wrongs mv without Caufe
Will he he fatisfed,
Englifli Dram A TICK Poets. 231
feen, and know nothing of. As to the Charader
given of him by Ben Johnfon^ there is a good deal
true in it : But I believe it may be as well exprefs'd
by what Horace fays of the firft Romans^ who wrote
Tragedy upon the Greek Models, (01 indeed tranf-
lated "em) in his Epiflle to Auguflm,
NatUYor fuhlimis & Acer
Namfpirat 'Tragicum fatis & falkher Audet,
Sed turfem putat in Chartis metuit^'j Lituram,
Mr. Dryden was an Admirer of our Author, and,
indeed, he owed him a great deal, as thofe who
have read them both may very eafily obferve. And,
I think, in Juftice to "em both, I fliould not on
this Occafion omit what Mr. Dryden has faid of
him, in his Prologue to the \te?npefl^ altered.
Shakefpear, luho^ taught by none, did firH impart y
To Fletcher IVa, to laboring Johnfon Art.
He, Monarch like, gave thofe his SubjeBs Law,
And is that Nature which they Paint and Draw.
Fletcher reached that which on his Heights did grow^
WhilB Johnfon crep and gather d all below :
'This did his Love, and this his Mirth digeii.
One Lmitates him moR, the other be[}.
'If they have fince out-writ all other Men,
^Tis with the Drops which fell from Shakefpear'f Pen,
The * Storm which vanijh'd on the Neighboring Shear y
Was taught by Shakefpear'/ TempeFi firfl to roar.
Ho at Innocence and Beauty which did f mile
In Fletcher, grew on this Inchanted Ifle.
But Shakefpear^j- Magick could net copied be,
IVithin that Circle none dm ft walk but He,
I
* Alluding to the Sea-Voyage of Fletcher.
2^6 Lives and Charaifters of the
I muB confefs 'twas bold, nor would you now
That Liberty to vulgar Wits alloWy
Which works by Magick fupernatral Things :
But Shakefpear'j Power is Sacred as a Kings.
The Works of Mr. Shakefpear^ confilling of his
Plats and Poems, are now printed in Nine Vo-
lumes, I2^
Mr. Lewis Sharp.
FAN Author in the Reign of King Charles I,
J^^\^ who writ one Play, call'd.
The Noble Stranger; a. Comedy, aded at the pri-
vate Houfe in Salisbury-Court, i6^o. Dedicated to
Sir Edmund IViUiams.
#^ ^ €||^ C#^l^^^«i^^^^^^i*^ls*^
34r. S. Shepheard.
A GENTLEMAN that liv'd in the Reign
of King Charles I, and during the Prohibi-
tion of the Stage writ two Dramatick Pieces ; but,
as Mr. Langbain obferves, he was more valued for
his Loyalty thati his Poetry. His Pieces are.
The Committee ' Man Curried, a Comedy, in two
Parts, 1647. Tho' they are ftil'd Comedies, they
are no longer than one Ad of a Play. The great-
eft Part of them is ftolen from Sir John Suckling, and
Sir Robert Stapletons Tranflation of JuvenaL
Tho-
Englilh Dramatic K Poets. 237
Thomas Shipman, Efq;
AN Author that liv'd in the Reign of King
Charles II. He was a Gentleman of a good
Family, and very well educated, which rendered him
acceptable to the Wits of the Age. He writ only
one Play.
Henry the 7%ird of France , Staif^d by a Fryar,
mth the Fall of the Gvishs; a Tragedy, aded at
the Theatre Royal, 1678. Dedicated to the Mar-
quefs of Dorchefter. The Story from Davila^ and
the Duke cf Efperons Life.
This Gentleman publifh^d Carolina^ ox Loyal Poems^
T
Mr. Henry Shirley.
HIS Author liv^d in the Reign of King
.^ Charles I. He writ one Play, cali'd,
"The Marty/ d Soldier j a Tragedy, aded at the
private Houfe in Drury-Lane^ 1638. Dedicated to
Sir Kenelm Digby. This Play was aded with great
Applaufe I but was not publifti^d ^till after the Au-
thor's Death.
*^® ® @>^€^® @® 0 <^ @ ^3 *# a<S^^^@#® -^
Mr. James Shirley.
A VO LUMINOUS Dramatick Author,
Contemporary with the Former. He was
once of Grays-Inny and Servant to the King ,• and
was
i^S Lives and Charafters of the
was efleem'd a Second-Rate Poet, and a modeft
Writer. He had a great Veneration for his Prede-*
ceflbrsi and he ftil'd the famous Ben John/on his
Learned Mailer. Mr. Langbain givts him the high-
eft Commendation, and, as is already obferv^ by a
certain * Author, he does the fame to moft of the
indifferent Writers ,* fo that fhould a Stranger to our
Dramatick Poets read him, they would make an odd
CoUedion of out Englijh Poetty, for they would
be fure to take Heywoody Shirley^ &c. and leave
Dry den, &c. But I think that Gentleman has fhewn
the fame partiality, in fome of his Charaders, as
Mr. Langbain has done in this and feveral others,
(tho' he profefles the contrary) : And in his Account
of Beaumont and Fletcher, he has not a little exerted
the malicious Critick. But to return to our Author i
he died fince the Reftoration, and writ the fol-
lowing Dramatick Pieces, being Thirty Eight in
Number.
I. T'he Changes y or Love in a Maze; a Comedy,
afted with Applaufe at the private Houfe in Salisbury-
Court.,1 63 2. Dedicated in Verfe to the Lady Dorothy
Shirley. Part of jt is taken from The Maiden Queen,
II. Contention for Honour and Riches; a Mafque, 163 3 .
Dedicated to Edward Golding, Efq;
III. H o N o R I A and Mammon; a Comedy.
This Play is grounded on the afo re-men tion^'d
Mafque.
IV. The IVttty Fair One; a Comedy, aded in
Drury-Lane, 16^^, Dedicated to Sir Edmund BufieL
V. The Traytor ; a Tragedy, aded by her Ma-
jefty's Servants, 163 5. Dedicated to the Duke of
Newcaflle. This Play was originally writ by Mr.
Rivers, 2l Jefuit ; but very much altered by Mr.
Shirley,
VL
* Mr* Gildon'i Continuation j>f Langbain.
Englilh D R A M A T I c K Poets. 239
VI. 'the Toung Admiral ; a Tragi-Comedy, aded
at the private Houfe in Drury-Lane^ 1 53 7. Dedica-
ted to the Lord Berkley,
VII. "the Example; a Tragi-Comedy, aded in
Drury-Lane by her Ma jefty^s Servants, 1 63 7.
VIII. Hide-Park; a Comedy, afted in Dr^r^-Z^/^,
1637. Dedicated to Henry Earl of Holland.
IX. 7"/?^ Gamefter; a Comedy, aded in Drury-
Lane, 16^^, This Play met with very good Suc-
cefs. The Plot h taken from Queen Margarets
NoveIs> and T'he Unlucky Citizen.
X. 7he Royal Mafler ; a. Tragi-Comedy, aded at
the Theatre in Dublin, 1638. Dedicated to the
Right Honourable George Earl of Kildare. By the
many Copies of Verfes in praife of this Play, *tis
very probable it was aded with Applaufe.
XL I'he Duke's Mifirefs ; 3. Tragi-Comedy, acled
by her Majeil:y'*s Servants, 1638.
XIL The Lady of Pleafure ; a Comedy, aded at
the private Houfe in Drury-Lane, 1538. Dedicated
to Richard Lord Lovelace. The Plot of KickJhavSs
Enjoying Aretina, and thinking her the Devil, he has
alfo brought into his Grateful Servant.
XIII. The Maid's Revenge; z Tragedy, aded at
ihc private Houfe in Drury-Lane, with Applaufe,
1639. Dedicated to Henry Osborn, Efqi For the
Plot, fee God's Revenge againfi Murder , written by
Reynolds.
XIV. C H A B o T, Admiral of France ; a Tragedy,
aded in'Drury-Lane, 1 63 9. The Story you may find
in Paul Jovim, Paul j^inilim, Mez,eray, and other
Hiftorians in the Reign of Francis L Mr. Chapman
join'd in this Play.
XV. The Ball ; 2l Comedy, aded in Drury-Lane,
1(539. Mr. Chapman like wife alTifted in this Co-
medy.
XVL
240 Lives and Charaders of the
XVI. Arcadia; a Dramatick-Paftoral, per-
formed at the Phoemx in Drury-Lane^ by her Majefty^'s
Servants, 1640. This Play is built on Sir Philip
Sidneys Arcadia,
XVII. \tbe Humorom Courtier i a Comedy, pre-
fented at the private Houfe in Drury-Lane^ 1540.
This Play v^^as aded with great Applaufe.
XVIII. St. P A T R I c K /or Ireland ; an Hiflorical
Play, 1640. For the Story, fee Bedis Life of St. Pa-
tricky Sigiberty Balem^ Baromn^, &c.
XIX. Lome's Cruelty ; a Tragedy, aded by her
Majefty's Servants, at the private Houfe in Drury
Laney 1640. Part of this Play is taken from Queen
Margaret's and Cyntlms Novels.
XX. I'he Triumph of Beauty ; a Mafque, 16^6,
Part of this Piece feems to be taken from Shakefpears
Midfummer Night'' s Dream, and Lucians Dialogues.
XXI. The Sifters ; a Comedy, aded at the private
Houfe in Black-Fryars, 16$ 2. Dedicated to IVilUam
Pawlety Efq;
XXII. The Brothers ; a Comedy, 1552. Dedica-^
ted to Thomas Stanley , Efq;
XXIII. The Doubtful Heir ; a, Tragi-Comedy,
aded at the Black-Fryars, 1552. Dedicated to Sir
Edmund Bowyer. For part of the Story, fee The
Englffh Adventures-
X'XIV. The Court Secret ; a Tragi-Comedy, afled
at the Black-Fryars y 16$^. Dedicated to the Earl of
Strafford. This Play was printed before aded.
XXV. The Impoftor ; a Tragi-Comedy, aded at
the private Houfe in Black-Fryarsy 155.3. Dedicated
to Sir Robert Bol/es, Bart.
XXVI. The Polmcian; *a Tragedy, aded in Sa-^
lisbury-Courty 1655. Dedicated to Walter Moyle, Efq;
part of the Plot is taken from 77?^ Countefs of Mont-
gomerys Urania.
XXVII.
Engliih DPvAmatick Poets. 241,
XXVIL 'the Grateful Sevo ant', a Tragi-Comedy,
aded at the private Houfe in Drury-Lane, 16^^.
Dedicated to Francis Earl of Rutland, and it was
acfted with good Applaufe. Part of this Play re-
fembles the Humorous Courtier, writ by the fame
Author.
XXVIII. the Gentleman of Venice ; a Tragi-Co-
medy, aded at the private Houfe in Salis bury- Court y
1655. Dedicated to Sir t homos Nightingale, Plot
from Gaytcns Notes on Don Qjiixote, B. IV. c. 6, &c*
XXIX. the Contention of A j ax and Ulysses
for A c H iL L Es's Armour ; a Mafque, 1558. It is
taken from Ovid's Metajnorphofis, Book XIIL
XXX. Cupid and Deathj a Mafque, 16'^%,
See Ogilby's JEfop's Fables.
XXXI. Love tricks, or the School of Compliments ;
a Comedy, aded by the Duke of York's Servants in
Little Lincolns-Lm-Fields, 166 j.
XXX II. the Ccnjiant Maid, or Loie will find out
'.he Way, a Comedy, aded at a new Houfe, cali'd,
the Nurfery in Hatton-Garden, 166 j. The greatelt
pare of this Play is taken from others.
XXXIII. the Opportunity; a Comedy, ^^:Qd at
:he private Houfe in D>-ury-Lane by her Majefty^s
servants. Dedicated to Captain Richard Owen. Part
)f this Play is borrow'd from Shakefpears Meafurefor
Meafure.
XXXIV. the Wedding ; a Comedy, a(5led at the
"^hocnix in Drury-Lane. Dedicated to William Goiuer^
ifq;
XXXV. A Bird in a Cage ; a Comedy, a(5led in.
Drury-Lane. Dedicated to Mr, Willia?n Prynne.
XXXVI. the Coronation; a Comedy. This Play
s printed with Beaumont and Fletcher's.
XXXVII. the Cardinal; a Tragedy, aded at the
uivate Houfe in Black-Fryars*
R xxxvm
i42 Lives and Charafters of the
XXXVIII. 7he Triumphs of Peace ; a Mafque,
prefented before the King and Queen at WIjite-Hall,
i6i^y by the Gentlemen of the Four Inns of Court.
^ ^ ^ ^ ^^^*^^^^^^^
J/> C H A R L E S S I D L E Y.
THIS Gentleman may be defervediy rank'd in
the iirft Clafs of Men of Wit and Gallantry :
His Friendfliip was courted by every Body, and no
one went out of his Company but pleas^'d and im-
prove : Time added but very little to Nature, for
he was every thing that an Englijh Gentleman could
be. Befides an excellent Volume of Poems, he has
given us Four Plays, viz.,
L The Mulberry-Garden ; a Comedy, aded at the
Theatre Royal, i<568. Dedicated to the Dutchefi
of Richmond and Lenox,
II. Anthony and Cliopatra; a Tragedy,
aded at the Duke of York's Theatre, 1677. Thij
Play was aded with great Applaufe. The Story
from Appian^ Dion Cajjim, Plutarch's Life of Anthony
III. Bellamira, or The Aliflrefs j a Comedy,
aded by his Majefty's Servants, 1 687. This Play h
taken from Terence's Eunuch,
IV. Beauty the Conqueror ^ or The Death of Isd aK(.
Anthony; a Tragedy, in Imitation of the i^o-
man way of Writing. Printed in the Year 1702
but never aded.
My Lord Rochejler, in the Imitation of the Tentl
Satire of the Firft Book of Horace, has the fcllowin^
Verfes in his Commendation.
Sidley hci£ that prevailing gentle Art, Z
That can with a rejifllefs Charm i?npart ^
The loofeH M^ip^es to the chafteR Heart,
Kaiji
Englifii Dramatick Poets. 243
Raifefuch a Conflicl, kindle fuch a Fire,
Betwixt declmiiig Virtue^ and Defire ;
T'bat the poor vanquijUd Maid dijfolves away.
In pr earns all Night, in Sighs and Tears all Day,
Ji^r. William Smith.
A N Author, who, in the Reign of King James I,
writ an Hiftorical Play, call'd,
The HeFlor of Germany, or The Paljgrave Prince
Elector ; aded at the Red Bull by a Company of
young Citizens, 161 5. Dedicated to Sir John Swin-^
nerton. Lord Mayor of London.
Mr. H. S M I T H.
T*^ H E Author of one Play, fome time flnce writ-
ten, cali'd.
The Frincefs of F arm a; a Tragedy.
,;i', ^v, «v, ,■*•, j«r. ,-v„ ^v. .'*', ,•*■, ric, c>K, .X. ^v- «•*■.
Tkfr. E D M u M D Smith.
THIS Gentleman was Son of an eminent
Merchant. His Education was at Wefiminfter--
School under the famous Dr. Busby, from whence
he remov'd to Chrift-Church, Oxford:^ He there gain'd
he Reputation of a Univerfal Scholar, and was in-
timate with all who were accounted fuch; but out
of a natural, not aife<3:ed Negligence, he made little
R z Ufc
2 44 Lives and Chara(5lers^^ of t^/^
Ufe of it after his fetting out into the World.- He
writ one Play.
P H JE D R A and HiPPOLYTus; a Tragedy, acted
at the Theatre Royal in Drury-Lane. Dedicated to
the Earl of Halifax j and to which no lefs Names
than Mr. Addifon and Mr. Prior were joinM, one for
the Prologue, the other for the Epilogue. Several
Draughts of Pkys were found after his Death, but
proved all unfinifhed Sketches. His Charader is
finely drawn in an Epitaph by Mr. AdamSy late,,
of Chrift-Church ; and the Author of the "Tatler de-
plores the want of Tafte in the Audience, for not
encouraging his excellent Tragedy. He died at
Hart ham in Wiltjhtre^ the Seat of George Duekett, Efq;
and was buried in the Parifti Church there,' Anm
1 710. His Infcription before refer'd to runs thus :
M. S.
Edmundi Smith. A. M.
Qui in SchoU Weftmon. educatuSy
Ingeniiy & Literature SpkndorSy
Lepida. Morum Comitate,
JEdem Cbrifli Oxon- cohoneflauit
Poeta, Orator, Philofofhm;
Cui GrsECSE, & Romzhx Laudts amnio
Difciplincu fuas Euclides, & Stagyrita,
Tub am Maro, Flaccus Lyram,
Euripides Cothurnumy Facundiam Cicero,
Certatim Detukre ;
XJt quod paucis unquam comigit.
Id Egregio huic 'J uueni palmar turn for ety
I'ragoediam in Hi'ppolito y?^(), refiituere,
Auriaci gloriam Scriptis auger e,
Bodleio, Pocockio, Phillipfio, Famam addere.
Dum aiitem yudicio pollens limato^
De Sublimi Dicendi genere
hone,inm alter opm parat ardumn,
Heu I
Englifli Dramatick Poets. 245
Heu I fato immaturo extinBm efi ;
Vtris DoBis, & Ingeniofii femper carufy
Ed nunc carioTy quia ahreptm.
Ohiit A. D. Mdccx. j^tat. 42.
NW/ xw/ vwy vv/ vw ^rr
Mr. Thomas Southern e.
n^ HIS Gentleman was born at Oxmantown in
Dubliny the Year of the Reftoration of King
Charles \1. He was Four Years at the Univerfity
there ,* from whence he came over to Englandy and in
the Year 1678, enter 'd himfelf of the Middle-T^emple,
He left the Studies of tlie Law, for the more plea-
fing Entertainment of the Mufes, and afterwards,
prompted by his adive Temper, he quitted Poetry
for the V/ars j but he iirfl wrote two Plays with ve-
ry good Succefs. When the Duke o^ Monmouth came
into Englandy he firil went into the Army, in the Re-
giment of Foot rais'd by the Lord Ferrersy after-
wards Commanded by the Duke of Berzvick ; and he
had three Comm.iHions, viz>. of En/ign, Lieutenant,
and Captain under King ya??ie.f in that Regiment.
He wrote a Play in that King's Reign, a Year be-
fore the Revolution, call'd The Spartan Dame, a Tra-
gedy, which has not yet been allow'd to come upon
the Stage, tho' every Winter he is in hopes of its
being permitted to appear. The Subject is taken
from the Life of Agis in Plutarchy where the Cha-
rader of Chelonisy between the Duties of a Wife and
Daughter, may juftify the Pidure of fo excellent a
Woman. After the Revolution he writ Six Piays^
which, with the Two before, are as follow :
I. I'he Loyal Brother y or The Perjian Prince ; a Tra-
gedy, ailed at the Theatre Royal, 1682. Dcdicci-
R ^ ted
'246 Lives and Charaders of the
ted to the Duke of Richmond. The Prologue and
Epilogue to this Play are written by Mr. Dry den.
The Story is taken from "tachmas Prince of Perfia^ a
Novel.
II. T^he Difappoiminent, or T'he Mother in Fafbicn ,•
afted at the Theatre Royal, 1684. Dedicated to
^ames Earl of OJfory. Part of the Plot of this Play
feems to be borrowM from T'he Curiom Impertinent m
Den Qtiixcte.
III. Sir Anthony Lcue, or 7%e Rmnhling Lady ; a
Comedy, aded at the Theatre Royal, idpo. Dedi-
cated to Thomas Skipwith, Efq,* This Play was afted
with great Applaufe.
* IV. 'The Wives Exctife^ or Cuckolds make themfehes ,*
a Comedy, aded at the Theatre Royal, 1692. De-
dicated to the Right Honourable Thomas Wharton^
Efq^ Comptroller of his Majefly^s Houfhold. There
is a great deal of Gaity of Converfation, and Purity
cf Language in this Play.
V. The Maid's Latl Prayer ^ or Any thing rather than, i
Fail; a Comedy, aded at the Theatre Royal, i6p^.
Dedicated to the Honourable Charles Boyle, Efq;
VL The Fatal Marriage, or The Innocent Adultery ,
a Play, aded at the Theatre Royal, 16^4. Dedi-
cated to Anthony Hammond^ Efq; This Play ap-
pear'don the Stage with vaft Applaufe, the Diftrefs
being extreamly moving. The Tragical Part
of this Play the Author owns he took from Th0
Nun, or The Fair Voiu-Breaker, a Novel, writ by
Mrs. Behn ; and the Incident o{ Fernando being per-
fuaded to believe that he had been Dead, Buried,
and in Purgatory, fecms to be taken from Fletcher's
Utile Thief,
VII. O R o o N o K o ; a Tragedy, aded at the
Theatre Royal, i6<?6* Dedicated to his Grace
William Duke Oi Devo}ip}ire. This Play met with fuch
very great Succefs on the Stage, that Mr. Ve}brug^en,
^^7
Englifii Dramatick Poets. 247
y his Playing therein, acquir'd the Reputation of
bne of the beft A(5lors of his Time. Mr. Congve've
jv^-ote the Epilogue ; and the Author owns in his
Dedication, that the Plot is taken from Mrs. Behyis
Novel of that Name.
VIII. Ttbe Fate of Capua ; a Tragedy, aded at
the Theatre Royal, 1700. The Prologue of this
Play is writ by the Honourable Charles Boyle^ Efq;
and the Epilogue by Colonel Codnngton, All thefe
Plays are publifhM in Two Volumes 12% lyi:^.
Mr. Southerne's Play, call'd, T'he Wives Excufe, or
Cuckolds make themfehes^ not meeting with the Sue-
cefs it deferv'd, Mr. Dryden fent him thefe excellent
Lines :
May he thou hafi not fleas' d the Box and Pit^ ^
Tet thofe Vjho blame thy T'ale^ commend thy li/it j J>
So Terence Plotted \ but Jo Terence Writ, 3
Like hisy thy 'Thoughts are triie^ thy Language clean^
Evn Leuudnefs is made Moral in thy Scene.
The Hearers may for ivant of * Nokes repine^
i B^i reflfecure, the Readers will be thine.
Nor was thy labour d Drama damnd or hifs^dy
But with a kind Civility^ difmifs'd :
' With fuch good Manners a6 the \ ^i^^ did ufe,
Whoy not accepting^ did but juf} refufe.
There was a Glance at parting ; fuch a Look
As bids thee not give oer^ for one Rebuke.
But if thou wouldR be feen^ a5 well as read ;
Copy one Living Author ^ and one Dead ;
The Standard of thy Style, let Etherege be :
For Wit, th' LmmoYtal Spring of Wycherley.
Seem <2//^r both, to draw fome juR Defign,
And the next Age will learn to Copy Thine.
R 4 Sir
* A Famous ComeJian.
t The V/ife in the Play, Mrs, TrlendaU,
24^ Lives and Charafters of the
Sir Robert S t a p l e t o n.
T
"^ HIS Learned Author^ Gentleman -Ufher
of the Privy-Chamber to King Charles II,
was very much efteem'd by that Prince. He wrote
Two Plays.
I. T'he Slighted Maid; a Comedy, aded at the
Theatre in Lmk LincQlm- Inn-Fields with great Ap-
plaufe, 1661,. Dedicated to his Grace the Duke
of Monmouth, Part of this Play is taken from Mart
Epigr. I, 4, &c.
II. Hero and L e a n d e R ; a Tragedy, 1 66 g.
Dedicated to the Dutche fs of Monmouth, Plot fron*
Ovid's EpiftleSy and Mufam Erctopagion^ Greek and
Latin.
This Author likewife tranflated Juvenal^ and
Mufam.
^/> R I c H A R D Steele.
THIS Gentleman was born in Dublin. He left
the Kingdom of Ireland young ; wa.s educated 1
at tiie Charter-Ho7ife ; and, at his iirft Appearance in the
World, rid privately in the Guards, when, he wrote
a fmall Piece, call'd, T^he Chriftjnn Hero^ dec. Upon
Dedicating this Treatife to the Lord C u t t s, (who
wa5 a Lover of Wit, and a Man of Wit himfelf)
by that Nobleman's Lnereil he foon obtainM a
Captain's Commiflion. The Publick are very much
indebted to him for the Enrerrainment he has given
then^
Englifli Dramatick Poets. 249
them in the T'atler, SpeEiatoVy Guardian^ Englijlmariy
Lover, Reader, and other public k Papers ; and the no-
ble Stand he lately made in Defenfe of his Country,
and the Prcteflam Snccejjlon m the Moft liluflrious
Houfe of Hanover, againft a Corrupt Miniflry^
ought always to be remembred to his Honour. Smce
his Majefly^'s Acceflion, he has had conferred on him
the Honour of Knighthood, and fome Publick Pre-
ferments, tho^ I can't fay equal to his Merit. As to
his private Charader, he is a Man of the moif exten-
live good Nature, Candour, and Genero/ity. The
Dramatick Pieces he has written are as follow :
I. The Funeral, or Grief Al-a-Mode ; a Comedy,
afted at the Theatre in Dniry-Lane, 1702. Dedi-
cated to the Countefs of Albemarle. This Play has
a great deal of Humour in it, and was aded with
Applaufe.
II. The "tender Husband, or the Accomplijh^d Fools;
a Comedy, aded at the Theatre Royal, 1703. De-
dicated to Jofeph Addfci?, Efq; The Prologue to
this Play is writ by Mr. Addifon.
III. ihe Lying Ljwers, or l%e Ladies Friend-hip ', a
Comedy, aded at the Theatre Royal, 1 704. Dedi-
cated to the Duke of Ormond. All thefe Plays met
with Succefs on the Stage, and are printed in one
Volume 12°, with a general Dedication to the
Datchefs of Hamilton.
Mr. John Stephens.
A
N Author, who in the Reign of King Jarnes I,
writ a Tragedy, caU'd,
C y N T H I A^' Revenge, idij. This is one of the
longefl: Plays that ever was written. The Plot from
Lucans Pharfalia and Ovias Mctamorphifls.
' ■ ' Mr.
250 Lives and Chara<2:ers of the
Mr. William Strode,
T^HIS Gentleman, a Poet and Divine, liv*d in
the Reign of King Charles L He was born in
Devonjhire, and at Nineteen Years of Age was ad-
mitted Student of ChriR-Church-CoUegey Oxford ; after
he had taken his Degrees of Batchelor and Mafler
of Arts, he was chofen Univerfity Orator, which
Poft he had not long enjoy'd, before he was made
a Canon and Dodor of Divinity. He writ one
Play.
Ihe Fkating-I/land ; a Comedy, aded before his
Majefly by the Students of ChriB- Church , 1619,
This Play has a great deal of Morality in it, and
was commended by the King- It was not printed
'till the Year 1655, Eleven Years after the Author's
Death. He di^d in the Year 1 644, and was buried
in the Chapel of ChriH-Chunh,
^ c^ ^:f ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^^ ^ ^ ^^^ ^ & ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 4^
iJ/V J o H N Suckling.
So N of Sir John Sucklingy Comptroller of the
Houfhold to King Charles I. He was born at
Witham, in the County of Middlefex, 16 1^^ with a
remarkable Circumftance of his Mother's going ^till
the Eleventh Month with him, which the Natura-
lifts look upon as a Sign of a vigorous and hardy
CoDilitution ; and it is certain, the Slcwnefs of his
Birth was fufficiently made up in the Quicknefs,
Strength, and Pregnancy of his Parts, which he firil;
difcover'd by his ilrangc Propenfiry to Languages ;
Enalifli Dramatick Poets. 251
infotnuch that he is faid to have fpoke L^tm at Five
Years old, and to have writ it at Nine.
From this early Foundation, he proceeded in the
Courfe of his Studies, to apply the Ufe of Words
to the Attainment of the Arts and Sciences, moil:
of which he arrived to in an eminent Degree.
Thofe which he more particularly admired, were
Mujick and Poetry; and tho^ he excelled in both, he
profeffed neither, fo as to make them his Bufinefs,
but ufed them rather as his Miftredcs, to foften the
Harfhnefs and Drinefs of his other Studies, juft as
his Leifure or Fancy inclined him. His Learning ia
other Kinds was polite and general ; and tho"* the
Sprightlinefs and Vivacity cfhis Temper Vv-ouldnot
fuffer him to be long intent upon one Study, yet he
had that which made amends for it in his (Irengch of
Genius and Capacity, which requirM \q(s Pains and
Application in him, than it did in others, to make
himfelf Mafter of it.
When he had taken a Survey of the mofl remark-
able Things at Home, he travelled to digeft and en-
large his Notions from a View of other -Countries;
where he made a Coiledion of their Virtues, with-
out any tindure of their Vices and Follies, only
that fome thought he had a little too much of the
French Air, which being not fo agreeable to the
Gravity and Solidity, for which his Father was re-
markable, or indeed to the Severity of the Times he
lived in, was imputed to him as a Fault, and the
effed of his Travels- But it was certamly rather
natural than acquired in him, the Eafinefs of his
Carriage and Addrefs being luitable to the Openncfs
of his Heart, and to the Gaiety, Wit and Gallantry,
which were fo confpicuous in him ; and he feems <A\
along to have piqued himfelf upon nothing more
than the Charader of a O-nnier^ and a Fine Geyitle^
mariy v/hich he fo far attained to, that he was 'A-
low'cl
252- Lives and Chara<Sers of the
low'd to have the peculiar Happinefs of making
every thing he d.idj become him.
He was not fo devoted to the Mufes, or to the
Softnefs and Luxury of Courts, as to be wholly a
Stranger to the Camp. In his Travels he made a
Campaign under the Great Guflavus AdolphtHy where
he was prefent at three Battles, and five Sieges, be-
iides other Skirmifhes between Parties ,• and from,
fuch a confiderable Scene of Adion, gainM as much
Experience m Six Months, as otherwife he might
have done in as many Years. And after his Return
to his Country, he raifed a Troop of Horfe for the
Kings's Service entirely at his own Charge, and fo
richly and compleatly mounted, that it iteod him in
I2000 /. But his Endeavours did not meet with the
Succefs he promifed himfeJf for his Majefty's S-rvice,
which he laid very much to Heart, and foon after
this Mifcarriage was feized with a Fever, of which
he died at Twenty Eight Yeats of Age. In which
fiiort Space he had done enough to procure him the
Love and Efteem of all the politefl Men who con-
verfed with him : But as he had fet out in the
World with all the Advantages of Birth and Perfon,
Education, Parts and Fortune, he had raifed Peoples
Expedation of him to a prodigious height ,• and if
his Character does not appear enough diftinguifh'd
in the Hiflory of thcfe Times, it can be afcribed to
nothing but the immaturity of his Death, which
did not allow him time for Adion.
I will not trouble the Reader with any other
Characfter of his Writings, than what has been gi\'c\-\
of them by Mr. Lloyd in his Memoirs -, that his Po-
ems are clean, fprightly and natural ; his Difcoiir-
ks full and convincing ; his Plays well humoured and
taking; his Letters fragrant and fparkling. He pb-
ferves farther, that his Thoughts were not fo lopfe
as his Expr>.Mrions, nor his Life fo vain as his
Thoughts.,
Eiiglifli Dramatick Poets. 253
Thoughts, and at the fame time makes an Allow-
ance fcr his Youth and Sanguine Complexion, which
would eafily have been redified by a little more
Time and Experience. Of this we have Inflances
in his Occafional Difcourfe about Religion to My
Lord Dorfet, to whom he had the Honour to be re-
lated, and in his Thoughts of the Poflure of Affairs
in the State to Mr. Jermin^ afterwards Earl of
St. Albans ; in both which he has difcovered, that
he could Think as coolly, and Reafon as juftly,
as Men of more Years, and lefs Fire. 'Tis in regard
to thefe Thoughts, with fome other Sentences of
Religion and Morality, which he delivered to his
Friends about him in the time of his Sicknefs, that
Mr. Lloyd thus concludes his Account of him.
Ne ha Zelantis anima Sacriores
Scintillula ipfuniy unde deciderant, ffir antes
Caelum^ & Author Magnus ipsa^ quam
Alh's dedit, careret memorid ; Interejfe
Pofieris futanjimns brevem Honor ati[Qmi
Viri Johannis Sucklingii vitam hiftori^
EJje ferenmndam.
Utpote qui Nobiltffim.i Sucklingiorum Familid oriun-
df'iiy ctii tantum reddidit^ quantum accepit^ honorem, Nat,
Cal. April 1613. Withamise ?« Agro Middlef. Re-
natm ibid, Maii 7"° dr denatus 16^ hand yam
Trigeffimus^ & fcriptu digniffima fecit, <& faSlu dignijp.-
ma fcripfity Calayno pariter & gladio Celebris^ pads Ar-
tium gnarusy & belli.
He has given us Four Plays, viz,.
I. Aglaura; a Tragi-Comedy, afled at the
private Houfe in the Black-Fryars. This was ef-
teem'd an excellent Comedy. The Ull Ad of this
Piav
2 54 Lives ^;;^' Charaders of the
Play may be alter'd at pleafure to make it either
Tragedy, or Tragi-Comedy.
II. T/j^ Goblins ; a Tragi-Comedy, prefented by
his Majefty^'s Servants at the private Houfe in the
jBlack-Fi-yars,
III. Brennoralt, or I'he Difcontented Colonel i
a Tragedy, likewife aded in the Black-Fryars.
IV. "tloe Sad One-, a Tragedy. This Play Sir
'^ohn never finiih'd. His Works, confifting of Plays,
Poems, Letters and Dilcourfes, are printed in One
Volume 8'°.
Gilbert S w i n h o e, Efq\
HP HIS Author liv'd in the Reigns oiKing Charles
^ I and 11. He was born in the County of Nor-
thumberland:, and writ one Play, call'd,
T'he Unhappy Fair Irene; a Tragedy, 1(558. The
Story is taken from Eandelios Novels, Life of Maho-
met I, and the Turkijh Chronicles.
T.
N A H u M Tate, £[q',
THIS Gentleman, our late Poet-Laureat, was
born in the Kingdom of Ireland^ and there
educated. He was a Man of Learning, Can-
dour, and Courteous to all. He had a good (hare
of Wit, and a great deal of Modefty, which pre-
vented his making his Fortune, and being incumber'd
with
Englifti Dramatick Poets, 25^
with Debts, he had for feveral Years the Patronage
of the Earl of Dorfet. He died in the Mint, Anno
iji6^ and was interred in St. George's Church South*
ivark. He has, befides feveral Poetical Performances,
and a Verfion of the P s a l m s, (in conjundion with
Dr. Brady) given us Nine Plays, viz,
I. Brutus 0/ Alba; an Opera, prefented at
the Duke of Tork^s Theatre, 1^78. Dedicated to
the Right Honourable Charles Earl of Dorfet and
Middkfex. The Defign of this Opera is taken from
Virgil's ^neidsy B. IV.
II. 'the Loyal General; a Tragedy, a<51:ed at the
Duke's Theatre, i(58o. Dedicated to Edward lay"
lor, Efq;
III. KiCHAKD the third, or tfje Sicilian Ufurper ;
an Hiftorical Play, aded at the Theatre Royal,
1 68 1. Dedicated to George Raynsford, Efq; This
was a Play of Shakefpears reviv'd and altered.
IV. the Ingratitude of a Common-Health , or the
Fall of Caius Marius Coriolanus; acted
at the Theatre Royal, 1682. Dedicated to Charles
Lord Herbert, Marquifs of IVorcefier, Part of this
Play is borrow'd from Shakefpears Coriolanm.
V. Cuckold's HaveUy or An Alderman no Conjurer;
a Farce, aded at the Queen's Theatre in Dorfet-
Garden, 1685. Dedicated to Colonel AJbton. Part
of the Plot of this Piece feems to be taken from Ben
^ohnfons Eaflward Hoe, and the Devil's an Afs.
VI. A Duke and no Duke ; a Farce, aded by their
Ma jellies Servants, 168 j. Dedicated to Sir John
Hewyt, In which are feveral Songs fet to Mufick,
with thorough Baffes for the Theorbo or Bafs-VioL
The Plot from trapfoUn Supposed a Prince,
VIL The Ifland Princef ; 2l Tragi-Comedy, aded
at the Theatre Royal, 1687. Dedicated to Henry
Lord Wa^grave. This is Fletcher's I/land Princef s re-
vival, with AJterations,
VIIL
2^6 Lives and Charaders of the
VIII. Lear, King of England, and his Three
Daughters ; an Hiilorical Play, aded at the Diike^s
Theatre, 1687. Dedicated to T'homas Boteler, Efq;
This Play was performed with great Applaufe. It is
one of Sbakefpears reviv^'d, with Alterations, and is
now callM, The True and Ancient Hijlory of King
Lear.
IX. Injur d Love, or T'he Cruel Husband; 2l Tra-
gedy, aded at the Theatre Royal in. DruryLane.
c
Mr. John Tateham.
I T Y - P O E T in the Reign of King Charles L
He writ Four Plays.
I. T'he Diflracled State 'y a Tragedy, 16$ i. Dedi-
cated to Sir John Sidky.
II. Scots Vagaries, or A Knot of Knaves ; a Come-
dy, 1552. Dedicated to Robert Dormer, Efqj
III. Love Crowns the End ; a Tragi-Comedy, 1(557.
IV. The Rmnp, or T'he Mirror of the Late 'times ;
a Comedy, acted at the private Houfe in Dorfet-
Court, 1661. Dedicated to Walter Jaiiies, Efq; This
Play has been revived under the Title of the Round-
heads,
Mr. WilliamTaverner.
HTHIS Gentleman is defcended from the Taver-
ners of North Ehnham in Norfolk, who re-
moved to Nettle-Bed in Oxfordfhire, and fettled lafl
at Hexton in Heritor Mire. He is the Son of Mr. Je-
remiah taverner Face-Painter, was bred to the Civil
LaWy
Englifli D^AMATicK Poets. 257
'Lawy and is at this Time a Proclor of the Arches*
He has writ: Five Plays, viz,,
I. "The Faithful Bride of Granada ; a. Coined}^
II. The Miid the Mffirefs; a Comedy.
III. The Female Advocates^ or The Frantick Stock"
jobbers; a Comedy. Thefe three afted at the Thea-
tre Royal in Drury-Lane,
IV. The Artful Hiiiband; a Comedy, aded at the
Theatre in Lincolns- Inn- Fields with Applaufe, lyid.
Pedicared to the Earl of Sea f dale.
:' V. The Artful Wife; a Comedy, aded at the
Theatre in Lincolns-hn-Fields^ ^ 7-f 7- This Play, tho*
it didi not meet with equal Succefs, is in all Refpeds
far fuperior to the former.
Mr. Robert Taylor.
A GENTLEMAN, who, in the Reign of King
f James I, writ one Play, call'd,
' The Hog has lofi his Pearl; a Comedy, 16 ix. It
was feveral times afted by a Set of London- k.^^xcn-
tices»
5''"^ ^^'i i^'i ^*^^i >% 'i^'^i ^y^^^"'^^ >''.'i ^% ^% ^/fi i'"'^i^>'% ■^''^' '^'^i T\f'^i. ^'^4 '^% >^^i ^'% >"'^^ >'"''i
ij^ //^ 5avX >,U^ ^a^x /y«S /f^\ '//«tx //.v^ /y»c5 h^ 7>.^ . rtC^ * '/jA /y^ '. ^ 7i^ /^ '/J^ t'^ ^j^ %^ }J,i^ 5-^^
Air. Lewis Theobald,
HIS Gentleman was born at Sittingbome in
Kem^ of which Place his late Father, Mr. Peter
Theobald, was an eminent Attorney. His School-
Learning he received chiefly under the Reverend
Mr. Ellis at J/kworth in Middlefex, and hath lince
applied himfelf to the Study and Pradice of the
law. He is mentioned here on account of the fol-
1* S lowing
258 Lives and Charaders of the
lowing Pieces, and Tranflations, in the Dramatick
Way.
I. 7%e Perfian Princefs, or 'The Royal Villain ; a
Tragedy, aded at the Theatre Royal in Drury-
Lane. Printed in the Year 171 5, and Dedicated to
her Grace Mary Dutchefs of Ormond. The Author
fays in his Preface, this Play was written and aded
before he was full Nineteen Years old. The PJot
feems to be a Fidion, and borrowed from no Cir-
cumftances of the Perfian Hiftory.
II. The PerfidioiLs Brother y a Tragedy, afted at
the Theatre in Little Lincolm-Inn-Fieldsy iyi6. This
Play is built after the Model of the Orphan^ the
whole Scene of it lying in a private Family.
III. Pan and Syrinx; an Opera of one Ad,
fet to Mulick by Mr. Galliard. Performed at the
Theatre in Lincolns-Inn-Ftelds^ ^7^7- For the Story
confult Ovid's Meta?n,
IV. Entertainments for a Subfcription - Opera,
call'd. The Lady's Tritmph i fet to Mufick by Mr.
Galliard. Perform 'd at the Theatre in Lmcolns" Inn-
Fields y ijiS. For the Mafque at the latter End,
confult the Story of Decim Mundus^ and Paulina in
Jofephus.
V. Electra; a Tragedy. Tranflated froni
the Greek of Sophocles^ with Notes. Printed in the
Year 1714. Dedicated to 'Jofeph Addifon, Efq;
VI. Oedipus, King of 7hebes ,• a Tragedy.
Tranflated from Sophocles^ with Notes. Printed in
the Year 171 5. Dedicated to the Right Honoura-
ble Levels Earl of Rockingham.
VII. P L u T u s, or The World's Idol ; a Comedy.
Tranflated from the Greek of Ariflophanes^ with
Notes. Printed in the Year 1715. ' Dedicated to
his Grace ^ohn Duke of Argyle. The Author has
to this Tranflation prefixed a Difcourfe, containing
fome Account of Ariflophanes and his two Comedies
of Plmm^ and The Clouds* VIII.
Engliih Dramat icK Poets. 259
VIII. I'be Clouds ; a Comedy. Tranflated from
Anftophmiesy with Notes. Printed in the Year 1715.
Dedicated to John Glan'ville, Efq; This Play was like-
wife tranflated by T'homai Stanley^ Efq; in the Year 1 68 7.
What other Pieces this Author has publifh'd, not
being in the Dramatick Way, do not properly fall
under the Notice of this Treatife. He has by him
a Tragedy ready for the Stage, cal^d, I'he Death of
H A N N I JB A L, and has finiili'd a Tranflation of the
Seven Tragedies of ^ s c h y l u s*
Mr. Thomas Thompson,
A PL A G I A RY, who was fo unhappy, that he
could neither di(gm[Q or improve his Thefts.
He publifh'd two Plays.
I. The Engljjh Rogue ; a Comedy, i (568. Dedica-*
ted to Mrs. Alice Barret.
II. Mother S H I p T o N, her Life ; allied with great
Appiaufe. The Plot from a little Book call'd by
the fame Name : Aloft of the Charaders and Lan-
guage are taken from The City-Madam, and The Chafi
Ma?d of Cheaffde.
Mr. Joseph T r a p p^ M. A.
ry U O K D A M Chaplain to the late Lord Boling-
^w [;roke, and at prefent Lediirer of St. Martins in
the Fields, He was educated at IVadham-Coikgefixof?^
where he writ a Play, call'd,
A B R A M u L E, or Love and Empire ; a Tragedy,
av^ed at the Theatre in Lincolns^InwEeldsy 1704,
S z with
26o Lives and Ch^n&cr^. of the
with Applaufe. Dedicated to the Right Honou-
rable the Lady Harriot Gcdolfhin. He has publifhM
feveral Poems, and Tranllations, particularly the
^neis of Viygil m Blank Verfe.
Mrs. Catharine Trother.
T
HIS Gentlewoman was defcended of Scots Pa-
rents, but born and bred in England. She has
writ Five Plays, wherein the Paffions are well de-
fcribM, and the Didion \s> juH: and familiar.
I. Agnes de Castro; a Tragedy, aded at:
the Theatre Royal, 1 6^6. Dedicated to the Right
Honourable Charles Earl of Dorfet and Middlefex.
This Play met with very good Succefs. *Tis built
on a French Novel of the fame Title, tranflated in-
to Englifi by Mrs. Belm.
II. Fatal Friendship ,• a Tragedy, afted at the
Theatre in Lincolns-Inn-Fields,i6g)^. Dedicated to
her Royal Highnefs the Princefs Anne of Denmark .
This Play was aded with very great Applaufe.
III. T'he Unhappy Penitent; 2l Tragedy, afted at
the Theatre Royal.
IV. Love at a Lofi, or Alofl Votes carry it ; a Co-
medy, aded at the Theatre Royal.
V. The Revolution of Sweden ; a Tragedy, aded
at the Theatre Royal. Mrs. Trother was very much
inclined to Philofophical Studies, and has written a
very pretty fmall Piece in Defenfe of Mr. Lockers
EJfay concerning Hwman llndemflanding. Some time af-
ter the writing of her laft Play, fhe was, by the late
Bifhop of Salisbury^ converted from the Romijh Per-
fuafion, and was, by his Lordfhip's Recommenda-
tion, married to a Clergyman.
m.
Englifli Dramatick Poets. 261
(*y^r. Richard Tuke.
AUTHOR of a Religious Play, cail'd.
The Divine Comedian, or The Right life of
Plays; a Sacred Tragi-Comedy, 1(572. Dedicated
to the Right Honourable the Countefs of IVariuicL
-This Play was firfl: cail'd. The Soul's Warfare.
Sir Samuel Tuke.
AN Effex Gentleman, a Colonel in the Army,
who tranflated, with Improvements, an ex-
cellent Spanijh Play, cail'd,
T'he Adventures of Five Hours ; a Tragi-Comedy,
aded with great Applaufe, 1662. Dedicated to the
Right Honourable Hemy Howard of Norfolk, Efq;
This Play has feveral Copies of Verfes before it,
writ by Mr. Cowley, Mr. Evelyn, and other eminent
Poets.
Mr. Cyril Turner.
A GENTLEMAN, who, in the Reign of
King James 1, writ two Plays.
I. The Atheifl's Tragedy. Part of the Plot is taken
from Boccace's Novels, Day 7. Nov. 6.
II. 'The Loyal Brother, or The Revetige/s Tragedy ;
feveral times aded by tiic King's Servants.
S 3 Mr.
26z Lives and ChanuSers of the
Mr. Winflanly writ this Couplet in Commenda-
tion of this Author :
His Fame to that mid 'Track was only randy
As not to he defpis'd nor over-praised.
U.
Sir John V a n b r u g h.
THIS Gentleman is defcended from a very
good Family in Chefhire^ and had beftowM on
him a liberal Education. He was early inclined to.
Writing, and tho^ his Plays are all univerfally ap-
plauded, yet his Modeily would not permit him to
^ffix his Name to any. He has a great deal of
Wit in all his Performances, and fhews a very
great fprighdinefs of Converfation. His Charaders
are juftly drawn, appear more lil^e Originals than
Copies, and fliew the Lineaments of Nature with-
out the ScifEiefs of Art. His Men of V/it are real^
ly fo, and, as another Author has obferv'd, he puts
Folly into fuch a Light, that it is as diverting to the
Reader as Spectator ; and his Fools are fo pleafing,
that you are not weary of their Company before
they leave you. His Dialogue is extremely eafy,
and well turnM, and I may venture to fay, that this
Gentleman and Mr. Coyigreve have juftly gainM the
Preference of all our Modern Writers of Comedy,
His Plays are as follow,
L Tke Relapfe^ or Virtue in Danger^ being the Se-
quel to Lovers lafi Shifty or The Fool in Fafhion ; 4
Comedy, aded at the Theatre Royal, i6py. This
pjay
Englifh Dramatick Poets. 253
Play was acled with great Applaufe ,* and the Cha-
rader of my Lord Foppington falls very little fhort of
Sir George Etherege's Sir Fopling Flutter y which is al-
lowed to be a Mafter-piece ,' but the broken Scenes
are judg'd an Irregularity. This Play was writ in
Six Weeks.
II. "The Pro'vok'd Wife \ a Comedy, aded at the
Theatre in Lincolns-Inn-Fields with great Applaufe :
But fome of our Criticks objeded againft it as a
loofe Performance, tho'' I think the Defign of it is
very juft ; for it teaches Husbands how they ought
to exped their Wives fhould fhew a Refentment, if
they ufe them as Sir John Brute did his : Such Huf-
bands may learn, by fatal Experience, that negled-
ed and abusM Virtue and Beauty may be provok'd
to yield to the Motives of Revenge, and t-hat the
forcible Solicitations of an agreeable Perfon, who
not only demonftrates a Value, but a Paffion fot
what the PolTeflbr flights, may be fufficiently pre-
valent with an iil-usM Wife to forfeit her Honour.
III. iEsop, a Comedy, aded at the Theatre
Royal, with Applaufe. This Play was original-
ly writ in French by Mr. Botrrfaut, but -the Scenes
of Sir Polydorus Hogftye, the Players^ the Senator and
the Beau are added by the Author. This Play con-
tains a great deal of general Satire, and very ufefiil
Morality, yet it had not the Succeis it merited, ef~
pecially in the firft two Nights Reprefentation : It
was admir'd that this Play, which very much excels
the French one, foould not hold out above a Week,
when that was aded for near a Month together ; but
thefe Things are eafily accounted for, when we con-
lider that at Paris there is no Prejudice againft the
Stage, and, in this City, all publick Entertainments
are determined by Party Cenfures.
S ± IV,.
2^4 Lives and Charaders of th^
IV. lloe Faife Friend; a Comedy, aded at the
Theatre Royal in Drury-Lane.
V. 'the M flake ; a Comedy, aded at the Theatre
Royal.
VI. "The Confederacy ; a Comedy, aded at the
Qiieen^s Theatre in the Haymarket,
VII. "The Country-Houfe ,• a Farce. Tranflated from
the French. Aded at both Theatres.
George Villers,
Duke of Buckingham,
A NOBLEMAN of incomparable Parts in
the Reign of King Charles l}, and the greateft
Ornament of that Prince's Court. He has honoured
the Stage with two Dramatick Performances.
I. 'The Rehearfal. The jufteft and trueft Satire the
World ever faw, and will be an everlafting Demon-
flration of the Author's Wit. When, his Grace be^
gan this Farce, I could never exadlly learn; but thus
much we may certainly gather from the Plays re-?
fleded on in it, that it was before the End of 166]^^
andiinifh'd before the End of 166^, becaufe it had
been feveral times Rehears'd, the Players were per^
fed in their Parts, and all things in readinefs for its
Afting, before the great Plague 1 6^5, and that, then
prevented it ; but what was then intended, was ve^
ry difrerent from what now appears. In that, he
caird his Ppet B'dboay by which Name Sir Robert
Howard was the Perfon pointed at, During this In-r
terval many Plays came forth? writ in Heroic-^
Rhime ; and on the Death of Sir WilJiam D'Avenanty
1669^ whom Mr. Dr)den fucceeded as Laureat, it
became fliil in greater Vogue : This mpv^d the Duke
to
Englifli Dramatick Poets. 26$
to change the Name of his Poet from Bilha to Bayes.
It was brought upon the Stage in the Year i6ji,
and aded with univerfal Applaufe.
II. T/je Chances; a Comedy, afted at the Theatre
Royal. A beautiful and corred Edition of thefe
Two Plays has been lately reprinted in a neat Poc-
ket Volume, with a compleat Key to the former.
W.
z^fr. Lewis Wager.
A LEARNED Clerk, who liv'd in the Reign
of Queen EUz^abeth^ and wrote one Inter-
lude.
Mary Magdalen, her Life and RepentancCy
I $6 J. This Play is printed in an old black Letter.
Edmund Waller, Efq;
n^HIS admirable Poet was born at Colejhill in
^ Henjordjhirey in the Year 1^05. He was Son
of Robert Waller of Agmondelha-m, in the Count)^ of
Buckingham^ Efq; and his Mother was of the anci-
ent Family of the Hampdsns in that County. His
Father was bred a Lawyer, and pradisM at the Bar
fome time, and by his prudent OEconomy left him
an Eftate of 3 5 00/. a Year, tho^ his Family was but
a younger Branch of the Wallers diKem. His Father
4ving when he was very young, the Care of his E-
ducation
266 Lives a7td Charaders of the
ducation fell to his Mother, who fent him firfl to
jE^ow- School, from whence he remov'd to Kings
CoUegBy Cambridge. He began to write at Sixteen,
and was fo early fit for Bulinefs, that at Seventeen
Years of Age he was chofen into the laft Parliament
of King James I, and ferv'd as Burgefs for Agmon-
dejham. He had the Hpnour to be carefs'd by Per-
fons of the beft Quality at Court, and was very inti-
mate with my Lord Falkland^ Chillingworth, Godolphin,
&c. and likewife with theCountefs oi Carlifle^ and
others of the Fair Ssx famous for their Wit ; nor was
he lefs converfant with the greateft Wits of France,
J/biturey La Fomaine, St. Evremondy &c. During the
Ufurpation of Oliver CromzLell, he was concerned in a
Confpiracy, to recover the City of London into the
King^s Hands; and being betray 'd by his Sifter
P7^icey he wasfin'd loooo/. andfufter^'d Banifiiment
Upon the Reftoration, he was us'd with great Hu-
manity by King Charles II. He was very much in
Love with the Lady Dorothy Sidney, whom in his
Poems he calls Sacharijfa : £he was afterwards mar-
ried to the Earl of Sunderland. He had a great deal
of Wit j was generally admired for the Delicacy and
Elevation of his Genius ,• and he was the firft that
refin'd our Englifi Verfification. He writ two Dra-
matick Pieces.
L P o M p E Y ^/;^ Great ', a Tragedy, aded by the
Duke of York's Servants, 1 66^. This is a Tranflation
from Corneilky and the Earl of Dorfet and Midd/efex
affifted in it.
IL 'The Maid's Tragedy : aded with great Applaiife.
This is a Play of Ftetche/s revived, with Altera-
tions, and an entire new Fifth A(5t.
Mr. V/allers Genius did not fo much incline to
Dramatick Writings as other Poetry, as may be col-
lected from his Verfes on Fletche/s Pkys :
/
Englifli Dramatick Poets. ^6^
I never yet the T^ragkk Strain ajjaydy
Deter d by that inimitable Maid ',
And v:hen I venture at the Comick Style ^
7'by Scornful Lzdyfeems to mock my Toil,
He 6.\td at London m the Year i588, but was burf-
cd in Becons field Church- Yard, in the County of Buc-
kingham^ near the Vault of his Family. There is
a Tomb ereded over him with the following Inicrip-
tions, written by Mr. Rymer :
On the Weftern End.
Edmundi WaiJer hie jacet idquantuin morti cefpty
Qui inter Poetas fui temporis facile princepSy
Lauream, quam meruit adolefcens^
Ociogenarim baud abdicavit.
Huic debet P&iria Lingua quod credos
Si Grace Latineque intermitterent^ Muf;e
Loqui ii'marent Anglice,
South Side.
Hens viator tumulatum vides Edmundum Waller,
Qui tanti JSfominis Poeta, & idem avitis opibmy
Inter primosy fpeEiabilis ; Mufis fe dedit & patria;.
X^ondum Otiodecenarim, inter Ardua Regni traElanteSy
Sedem habuit a Burgo de Amerfham miffm.
Hie vita curfus : nee Oneri dejuit fenex, vixitq; femper
Populo charuSy Principibus in deliciis, Admirationi
Omnibus.
Hie condittir \tumulo fub eod.em
Rarti Virtute & multcl prole Nobilis
lIxoTy Maria ex Brejfycni?n Familiar
Cum Edmundo Waller ^ Conjuge Charijjijno :
Quern ter & decies latum fecit patrem^
V, Filiis, Filiabus VUk
Quos Mundo dedity Cr" in Coelum rediit,
Eaft
2#8 Lives and Charaders of the
Eaft End.
Edmundus Waller, cui hoc Marmor Sacrum efl,
ColjhiU nafcendi locum habuity Cantabrigiam Studendiy
Patrem Robertum (j" ex Hampdena flirpe matrem ;
Cafit vivere 3 Martii A, D. 1605.
Prima Uxor Annay Edwardi Banks Filia Unica
Hares ;
Ex priina bis Pater faBus ; ex fecunda tredecieSy
Cui & duo lu/ira Super fles ; obiit 2 1 OEiobeVy
A. D. i6Sy.
North Side.
Hoc Marmore Edmundo Waller,
Mariaque ex fecundis Nuptiis Conjugi,
Pientijjimis parentibus piiffime parentavit
Edmundus Ftlim.
Honores bene-merentibus Extremos dedity
Quos ipfe fugit
EL. JV.JR H.G, ex Tefiamemo HMP.
in Julii 1700.
jkTr. William Walker.
GENTLEMAN of a good Family, born
in the Ifle of Barbadoesy but educated moflly
in England, He writ Two Plays.
I. ViBcrious Lo've ; a Tragedy, afted at the Theatre
Royal, i<5p8. Dedicated to the Honourable James
Kendall, Efq; The Author writ this Play at Nine-
teen Years of Age, and aded a Part in it himfelf.
It feems to be a kind of Imitation of Oroonoko.
II. Marry or do MAnfe -y a Comedy, aded at the
Theatre Royal.
Mr.
Englith Dramatic K Poets. ^69
oMr. R. W A V E R.
AUTHOR of a Dramatick Piece, call'd,
'^ Lufy Juventus ; an Interlude, printed without
;; any Date.
J[/Ir. WiLLiAM Wayer.
AUTHOR of one Play long fince printed,
-^ called.
Tie Longer thou Livf?, the more Fool thou art; Si
merry Comedy. This Play has no Date to it.
Q^r. John Webster.
T^HIS Author was a Contemporary withD^c^^r,
Marfton^ znd Rowley^ and join'd with them, in
feveral Dramatick Pieces. He was Clerk of St. An-
drews Parifh in Holhrn, and efteem^ a tolerable
Poet in thofe Days. The Plays he writ are,
I. "fhe White Devil^ or T'he "Tragedy of P. G I o R-
D A N o U R s I N I, Duke of BrachianOy with the Life
I _ and Death o/Vittoria Corombona, thefamom
Venetian Courtez>an ; firil aded at the Phoenix in Drury-
Lane^ 1612, and afterwards at the Theatre Royal,
by their Majefties Servants.
II. The Devil's Law-Cafe, or H^jen Women go to
Law, the Devil is full of Bnfinefs ; a Tragi-Comedy,
aded by their Majefties Serv«nts, 1523. Dedica-
ted
270 Lives and Charaders of the
ted to Sir TTjothus Finch, Part of the Plot of this
Play i'^ taken from Skmkims Ohferuat, Medic.
Goulart's Hiftories Admirabksy 'Torn. i. & V. Maximm^
Lib. I. c. 8.
III. I'he Dtitchefs of Malt^y ; a Tragedy, firfl:
aded privately in Black-Fryars^ 162^, Dedicated
to George Lord Berkley, This Play was aded with
Applaufe, and has been once revived. For the Plot,^.
fee Bandel!o\ Novels, Goular/s Hift. Admirah. and
JBeard^s "Theatre of God's Judgments'
IV. A p P I u s and Virginia; a Tragedy, aded
at the Duke of Tory's Theatre, i^^p. This Play
was reviv'd and alterM by Mr. Betterton feme Years
fince. Plot from Livii Hifi, Flonis, &c.
V. The Thracian Wonder i a Comic -HiHorical
Play, aded with great Applaufe, 1661,
VI. A Cure for a Cuckold; a Comedy, 1661. Mr.
Rowley aflifled in the Compofing of thefe two Plays.
John Weston, E[q\
N Author, who in the Reign of King Charlesll^
writ one Play, call'd.
The AinaT.on Queeriy or The Amours of T H a l e S-
T R I s and A LEXANDER the Great ; a Tragi-Come-
dy, 1667. This Play was writ in Heroick Verfe,
but never appeared on the Stage. The Story you
may find m Straho^ Lib. 11. Qj Curt. Lib. 6, jtiflin^
Lib. $.
Mr.
Englifn Dramatick Poets. 271
Tl^r. W H I T A K E R.
'T^ H I S Gentleman, in the Reign of K. Charles II,
publiih'd the following Play,
The Confpiracy^ or Change of Government ; a Trage-
dy, aded at the Duke of York's Theatre, 1680.
Written in Heroick Verfe,
2)r. Robert Wild.
A F A N AT I C K Zealot, Author of Iter Boreale,
other Poems, and one Play, call'd,
T^he Benefice y a Comedy, i68p. The Opinions
the Presbyterians entertain of the Orthodox Clergy,
may be eafily colleded from this Play. The Defiga
is chiefly taken from another Play, call'd, "The Return
from Parnajfusy or A Scourge for Simony,
^ ^ ^^ ^ S^ S^ ^ i^. f^^ c^ -^^ ^ ^^ :^',
Mr^ Leonard Willan.
T^HIS Gentleman liv'd in the Reign of King
Charles XL He wrote a Paftoral, call'd,
A s T R iE A, or X^^^ Love's Mtrrour^ i6')i. Dedi-
cated to the Illuftrious Princeis Mary^ Diitchefs of
Richmond and Leno>;, Plot from a Romance of the
fame Name,
Mr.
272 Lives and Characters of the
^ ^ ^ ^^ *&*^^^^^^\if ^^
Mr^ George Wilkin s.
A N Author, who, in the Reign of King Charksl,
writ one Play.
T'he Miferies of Enfond Marriage ; a Tragi- Com e-
dy, 1(537- Mrs. Behn is oblig'd to this Play for
great part of the Plot of her Town-Fop, or Sir Timo-^
thy Tawdry.
This Author likewife join'd with Day and Rowley
in the Ihyee Englifi Brothers.
John "W i l m o t, Earl (^Rochcfter.
nr O this Illuflrious Nobleman we are very much
^ indebted for his excellent Alteration of,
V A L E N T I N I A N ,' a Tragedy, aded at the'
Theatre Royal. Written originally by Mr. Fletcher y
*' who, (asMr. /^//^/^ijudicioully obferves, *) tho'
" he might be allow'd fome Preference in the Skill
*' of a Play-Wright, (a Thing my Lord had not
^' much fludied) in the Contrivance and working
" up of a paffionate Scene ,* yet my Lord had fo
*' many other far more eminent Virtues to lay in the
*' contrary Scale, as muft neceflai-ily weigh down
*' the Ballance."' The juft Charadier of my Lord^s
Performance is, I think, given by Mrs. Beb/i in her
Prologue to the Play.
Famd
* See the preface to Valentinian, zvjy^ch ijuas puhlijl/d by thai
Gentleman after his Lordjhlfs Dcceafe,
Englifii Dramatick Poets. 273
Famd and fuhflantial Authors give this Tieaty
And 'twill be Solemn^ Nvhle all ^d Great*
PVity f acred Wit^ is all the Btifimjs here^
Great FJetcfjer, and the Greater Roehefter.
None but gyeaP'S>Ui^^\\Q\-\sfoft and powerful Wit
DiirR undertake to mend vchat Fletcher writ,
T>iff\ent tlrnr heavenly Notes : Tet both agree
To make an everlajiing Harmony-,
Lifteny ye Virgins^ to his charming Song^
Eternal Mujtck dwelt upon his 'Tongue :
'The Gods^ of Love and Wtt infpird his Pen^
And Love and Beauty was his glorious Theme.
j^g)GQQQQQCGQQ QOGQQQQ<^QQQQ|^
Mr. Robert W 1 l m o t.
A N Author in the Reign of Queen Eli%.aheth,
He writ one Play at the Requeft of the Gentle-
men of the Inner-Temple y call'd,
T A N c R E D and Guismond; a Tragedy, zSlqA
before her Majelty by the Gentlemen of the Inner^
Temple, 15^2. Dedicated to the Lady Mary Peter ^
and the Lady Anne Grey, Plot from Boccace's No-*
vels. Nov. I . Day 4.
»
Mr. John Wilson.
J^ GENTLEMAN who liv'd in the Reign of
King Charles II. He refided feme time in Dub-
lin, and was Recorder of Londonderry in Ireland. He
.was Author of the four following Play:s:
T LAn-
^74 Lives and Charaders of the
I. Andronicus Commenius; a Tragedy,' ■
1 553 . For the St'^y, fee Leitnclavim^ Cantacuz>enm,
and Heylyns Cofm^aphy, in the Defcription of Greece,
II. T'he ProjeEiors ; a Comedy^ 16^5-;- This Play
met with very good Succefs on the Stage.
III. 7he Cheats; a Comedy, 1671;* This is a di-
verting Comedy, and was afted with great Ap-
plaufe.
IV. B E L p H E G o R, or T'he Marriage of the De'vil;
a Comedy, aded at the Queen's Theatre in Dorfet-
Garden, 1690. Th^- Plot from Quevedo's Novels,
and MachiaveL ■ I
iMr. Nathaniel Wood.
A C L E R G Y M A N of the City, of Norwich ,
in the Reign of/Queen Eliz.absthy Author of
one Dramatick Piece.
"fhe ConfliFI: of Confcience i a Pafloral, 1581. This
Piece has a great deal of Morality in it, and was
defign'd to be prefented in private Families as well
as in pubiick.
^ ^^ ^t ^ *^^%^^^*^^^^^s^^^
^ Mr. John Wright.
A GENTLEMAN of the Middle -I'emfk,
He writ two Plays.
I. T H Y E s T E s ; a Tragedy, 1 574. Dedicated
to the Lord Sherrard,-' This is a. Translation from
Seneca,
11 Mod
Engli& DRAMATtcK Poets. 275
IL Meek Thyestesj a Farce, ^<^74^ ^Tit in
Burlefque Verfe. Upon which, among others, were
writ the foilowing Lines :
Did Seneca now live^ he flrnight wmldfay^
That your T.ranjlamn has not wrong d his Play ^
But that in every Page y in evry Line,
Tour Language does with equal Sflendor Jhine.
Mr. Thomas Wright.
^ U T H O R of one Play, call'd.
The Female Fertuofoes; a Comedy, ad:ed at the
Queens's Theatre with Applaufe, i6p^. Dedicated
to the Right Honourable Charles Earl of Winchelfea.
it is an improv^ Tranfiation of Moliere's Femrnes
Scavantes^ i. e. T'he Learned Ladies.
, I: A vjA ^/jA • IjJ^ hA ^^ k< ^/A ^,A ^.'A 5>,«^ I: A l;A t^jA ^/^s^ %A ^:A ^/.^ %i ^-/i %'A VJi ^;A. ^^^
Anne Countefs of WincheKea.
'npHIS Lady, defervedly celebrated for her ifine
O D E s on the Spleen and Vanity, has to her Col-
ledion of Poems, (publiihy in Octavo, iji^) addedj
Aristomenes, or l^he Royal Shepherd; sl Tra-
;edy. This Play was never reprefented on the
^Stage-
Some
27^ Lives and Chara<5ters 5/ the
Some Memoirs of
^
"William Wycherley, EJ^Q^
By Major PACK.
TH t S Gentleman was Son of Wycherley^
Eiq; of Shrofjhire^ who lived in the Neigh-
bourhood of Shre-vosbury, and was poflefled of an
Eftate of about Six Hundred Pounds a Year. It is
faid he did not fland much indebted to the Tender-
nefs of his Father, when his Debts and Misfortunes
gave him mofl: reafon to demand and expe6t his
Afliftance j namely, after the Death of King Charles^
and the Abdication o^Kin^ James ^ with both which
Princes he was in a great degree of Favour. How-
ever that may be, he was obliged to his Care for
a liberal Education, as well as to Nature for his
extraordinary Talents, which he improved with the
greateft Refinements. After fome Time fpent at
the Univerlity, he was removed to the Inns of
Court, and enter'd of the Middle-Temple : But ma-
king his firfl: Appearance in Town in a Reign when
Wit and Gaity were the Favourite Diflindions, he
foon left the dry Study of the Law, and gave into'
Parfuits more agreeable to his own Genim, as well
as to the Tade of the Age. It was not long before
he became generally known, and as much carefled
by the Perfoiis moft Eminent for their Qiiality, or
Politenefsj and among others of that Charader,
atid Rank, t\\^ fomous Duke of Buckingham honoured
him
Englilh Dramatick Poets. 277
him with his Familiarity and Efteem : Bat whether
he received any more profitable Marks of his Friend-
fliip than pubhck Profeffions, and outward Civili-
ties, I am not able to declare. A Scory that Mr.
W^cherky related to me, upon another Occafion,
makes me inclined to believe, that that Carelels,
tho* Ingenious Nobleman, might polTibly ncgled to
reward Merit in him, as well as in the Perfon I am
going to mention.
Mr. IVycherley always laid hold oF any Opportu-
nities, that offered, to reprefent to his Grace how
well Mr. Butler had defer ved of the R'yyal Family y
by writing his inimitable Hudib/as ,• and that it
was a Reproach to the Court, that a Perfon of his
Loyalty, as well as Wit, fhould fufterin that Obfcu-
rity, and under the Wants he did. The Duke
feemed always to hearken with Attention enough,
and at lad: undertook to Recommend his Pretenfions
to the King. Mr. IVycherley^ to keep him fteady to
his Word, obtained of his Grace to name a Day,
when he might introduce that Modell and Unfor-
tunate Poet to his new Patron. At lafl an Ap-
pointment was made, and the Place of meeting
was fixed to be at the Roe-Buck. Mr. Butler and
his Friend attended accordingly. The Duke too
joined them : But, as the Devil would have it, the
Door of the Room where they fat was open, and his
Grace, who had placed himfelf near it, obferving
a Pimp of his Acquaintance (the Creature too
was a Knight) trip by with a Brace of Ladies, he
immediately quitted his Engagement to ^0 upon
another kind of Daty that he was more ready at,
than in doing good Offices to Men of Defert, tho*
no Man was better qualify 'd, both by his Fortune
and Underitanding, to protect them ; and from that
Hour to the Day of his Dearh, poor B'ltler never
found the leafl Effec^t of his Promife. Bat to return
T 3 to
278 Lives ^«i Characters of Jk
to Mr. Wycherky His Company was ri6t only
courted by the Men, but he found his Perfon as
welcome to the Ladies ; and as King Charles was
extremely fond of him, upon account of his Wit,
fome of the Royal Miflrelfes fet no lefs Value (aS
I have heard) upon thofe Parts in him of which they
were more proper Judges. It is known to every one
that hath convcrfed in the World, that the Amours
p^ Britain, in the firfl Years of that- Monarch, would
furnifh as diverting Memoirs, if well related^ as
thofe of France, publifh'd by Ra^utin, or thofe of
Nero'S Court, writ by Petronim. Among many other
Pieces of Gallantry, I cannot forbear to mention
one jufl'3 (pour la rarite du fait) that Mr. H^}cher-
ley was telling me once, they had in thofe Days. ,
it was this : There was a Houfe at the Bridge Foot :
(you fee how diPcant the Scene lies now from what
it did then) where Perfons of better Condition ufed \
to refort for Pleafure and Privacy. The Liquor the
Ladies and their Lovers ufed to drink, at thofe
Meetings, was Canary ; and among other Compli-
ments, the Gentlem.en paid their MiftrefTes, this'
it feems v/as always pne, to take hold of the Bot-
tom of their Smocks, and, pouring their Wine thro' :
that Fibre, feafi their Imagination with thought of
what gave the T'eflo^ and (o drink a Health to the
ToaB.
He is juftly celebrated among the beft of our Eng-
Jijh Comick Poets. Ws Plays are an excellent Satire
upon the Vices and'Fpllies of the Age he lived in.
His Stile is Mafculine, and his Wit is pointed^
and yet with all that Sharpne fs and Severity with
'ssjrhich he appears on the Stage, thofe who were of
his Acquaintance applauded him for the Generofity
and Gentlenefs of nis Temper. The Right Ho-
nourable the preient Lord Lanfdoivn hath very finely-
vindicated his Fdcnd unon this Head, to which A-
Englilh Dramatick Poets. 279
pology I refer the Reader. Our Author was
twice Married, once, in the younger Part of his
Life, to the Countefs of Drogheda^ who fettled her
whole Fortune upon him : But his Title being dif*
puted after her Death, the Expence of the Law,
and other Incumbrances fo far reduced him, that he
was not able to fatisfy the Impatience of his Credi-
tors, and they flung him at laft into Prifon. I have
been affured, that the Bookfelkr. who printed his
Plain-Dealer y by which he gamed as much .Money
-almoft as the Author did Reputation, was fo Un-
grateful to his Benefador, as to refufe to lend him
Twenty Pounds in his extreme Neceffities. In that
Confinement he languifhed Seven Years, nor was re-
leafed from thofe Bonds, 'till King James going to
fee the Play I juft mentioned, was fo charmed with
the Entertainment, as to giYQ order for the imme-
diate Payment of his Debts, and farther allowed
him a Penfion of 200 /. per Ann. as long as he con-
tinued in England. But the bountiful Intentions of
that Prince to him had not the defign'd Effed, pure-
■ iy by the Modefty of this poor Gentleman, who
was afhamed to tell my Lord Mulgraue^ (uhe pre-
fent T)[xkQ:6i Buckmgha?ny whom the King fent to
demand it) a full State of his Debts. Mr. Wycher-
ley hath acknowledged to me, that this Nobleman
likewife« lent him once 500/. upon his Bond. A::
laft his Father (whom by the bye, they fay, he fha-
dowed under the Charader of the litigious Lady
Blackacre) died, and left him his Eftate, but under
very uneafy Limitations, he not being allowed to
raife Money upon it for the Payment of his Debts,
Yet as he had a Power to make a Joynture, he mar-
ried, almoft at the Eve of his Death, a young Gen-
tlewoman of 1500/. Fortune, part of which having
applied to the Ufes he wanted it for, he died in
great Peace about eleven Days after the Celebration
T 4 ' of
28o Lives and Clurafters of the
of hi$ Nuptials, in the Year 171^, and about the
Eightieth pf \}is Age. He lie$ interred in the Vault
of Covent-Garden Church.
The Four excellent Plays Mr. JVycherky has given
u^, were publifh 'd in the following Order,
I. l^ov^ in a Wood, ox St.] au'e s"j Park ; a Come-
dy, aded at the. Theatre Royal, i6j2. Dedicated
to the Dutchefs pf Cleveland.
II. T'he Gentleman Dancing- Mafler j a Comedy, ac-
ted at the Duke of York's Theatre, 1^73.
III. 'The Plain - Dealer ; a Comedy, aded at the
Theatre Royal, 1678. Dedicated to Madam B — r-
IV. 'The Country U^ije ; a Comedy, adted at the
Theatre Royal, 1(583.
M O P E R N
Dramatick Poets.
B.
Mr. Charles B e c k i n g h a m.
THIS Gentleman was educated at Me'rchant"
I'aylors School, and at Nineteen Years of Age
gave us a Tragedy, call'd,
Scipio Africanus; afled at the Theatre in
Lincolns- Inn-Fields, ijij^ with Applaufe. I think
that he hath hit the Didion of the Stage very well ;
his Expreffionsare all very proper, and hisSs^ntiments
|uft. His Plot is founded on Truth, as delivered to
us by Hiftory, and is indeed very well fuited for a
Dramatick Performance. The Adion is one and
entire ; the Epifodes very judicioufly interwoven, fo
that they conduce and feem to belong to the main
Delign. The Charaders are well drawn, and the
Unities of the Stage prefervM : In fhort, it is an ex-
cellent Tragedy, conformable to the Rules of the
Prama, and the Precepts of our Modern Criticks.
M A R-
2^2 Modern t) r a m at i c k P o e t s;
Martin Bladen, Efq',
j!!^ tJ T H O R of one Play, callM,
S o L o N5 or Philofofhy no Defenfe again fl Love;
a Tragi-Comedy, never aded. It was printed in
the Year 1705, unknown to the Author.
Mr. Barton Booth.
A N excellent Player, and the only living Orna-
ment of the Tragick Scene. This Gentleman
is defcended from a very good Family, was born in
'Lancajhire, and educated at WefiminfterSchool under
Dr. Busily, He has given us one Dramatick Piece,
call'd.
Dido and iE n e a s ; a Mafque, perforni'd at the
Theatre Royal in Drtcry-Lane^ with great Applaufe,
Mr. Abel Boyer.
A FRENCH Refugee, Author, (or rather
Tranilator from Racine) of one Play, call'd,
Achilles, or I p h i g e n i a z;^ A u l i s i a Tra-
gedy, ad:ed at the Theatre Royal.
M'
Modern Dramatics Poets. 283
Mr. Thomas B r e r e t o n.
HP HIS Gentleman is the Son oi T'homas Brerethn^
Efq; Major of the Queen^s Dragoons m tiie
Reign of King IVtlUamWl^ and defcended from a
younger Branch of the ancient and noble Family of
the Breretons of Brereton, in the County of Chejhire,
He was educated firft at the Free-School of Ckejler;
and afterwards under Mr. Denis, a French Refugee,
who kept a Boarding-School in that City. From
him he removM to Br a:ii.en-Nofe- College in Oxford, of
which he continu'd a Member during the fpace of
Eight Years, but as yet has only taken the Degree
of Batchelor of Arts. He is the Author of Two^
Dramatical Performances.
I. Esther, or Faith T\'iumphant ; a facred Tra-
gedy in Rhime, with a Chorus after the Manner of
the ancient Greeks, Tranilated with Improvements,
from the French of Mr. B^acine, by whom this Play
was originally written for the particular Ufe of the
Virgins or Nuns of St. Cyr^ and by them aded in
the Prefence of Louis XIV. Mr. Brereton has pre-
fixed a large Dedication to the Lord Archbifhop of
Tork, in defence of fuch Compolitions, againft the
Rants of itertullian and Mr. Collier.
II. Sir John O l d c a s t l e, or Love and Zeal ;
a Tragedy, in which he all along keeps in view the
PolietiEle, or Mart} r of Mr. Corneille.
This Author ha^ begun a Tranflation of the other
facred Tragedy of Racine, call'd, A t i-i a l i a h ,- as
likewife a Comedy, 'which lie entitles, The Oxford
Ladies^ or The Nol^lemaiL
Mr.
284 Modern Dramatick Poets.
'*>^ vt/Os^Wto
I 'n'^^^^^,!-ff<?^^^^tn'<^y^^'^ »^
Mr. John Durant Breval.
'T' HIS Gentleman is Son of the late Dr. Breval^
one of the Prebendaries of Wefiminfler. He had
his Education at iVeftmhifler-^chodiy from whence he
was eleded to Trinity-College in Cambridge^ of which
he was fome time Fellow : But leaving the Univer-
fity, he went into the Army, and has now a Lieute-
nant's CommifTion. He has given us one Drama-
tick Performance, call'd.
The Play U the Plot ; a Comedy, aded at the
Theatre Royal, 171 7. This Play met with but in-
different Succefs, being, as himfelf allows, mere
Farce. Part of it feems to be tranflated from fome
French Interludes in Le 'theatre ItaUen. He has writ
feveral very entertaining Poems, viz. the An of
Dref^. II. Mac Dermoty or the Irijh For tune- Hunter.
HI. CalfCy or Gibraltary &c.
JMr. Christopher Bullock.
Jo I N T-M A N A G E R With Mr. Keeue of the Thea-
tre in Lincolns- Inn-Fields. He is the Son of Mr.
William Bullock, z famous Comedian. He is a good
Player, appears fprightly on the Stage, and general-
ly ads thofe Parrs in Comedy which are performed
by Mr. Ohkr at Drury-Lane. He has publifh'd Five
Dramatick Pieces.
I. M^vmans a Riddle ; a Comedy, a(5led with Ap-
plaufe. Dedicated to the Earl of IVbarton^ 1716.
JPart o^ this Plot is borrowed from a S^anijh Come-
dy, caliM, JVomans the Devil.
z^-
Modern Dramatick Poets. ^%^
II. 'the Coblerof Preflon; a Farce, afted with Ap-
plaufe, 1 71 7. The Plan of this Farce is taken from
Shakefpears Tinker of Burton-Heathy in the taming of
the Shrew.
IIL the Slip; a Farce, a(5ied with Applaufe.
ly. the Adventures of Half an Hour ; a Farce. ,
♦V. A Woman s Revenge y or A Match in Newgate; a
Comedy, of three Ads, aded with Applaufe. Chiefly
taken from an old Play of Mar/ion s, call'd, the
Dutch Courtefan. A\\ thefe Pieces were performed at
jthe Theatre in Lincohs- Ian- Fields.
(^Ir. B U R N A B Y.
IN this Gentlemaii^'s Account is omitted a Play
wrote by him, caird,
the Reform d Wife \ a Comedy, aded at the Thea--
Ht Royal in Drury-Lane.
f yv_Ap »v^w^(-» «vv_A^ «'/>>^Y* «Y»«^/» *xf'^-v*y^~'t" •ir'-'Y*'Y^'A* 'y^-vO'Of •v^A^*)(
c.
Mrs. Cent Livre.
IN this Gentlewoman's Account it (hould have
been obfervM, that her Farce, caird. Bicker-
s T A F p'f Buryingy or Work for the Upholders^ was at
firft, feveral times aded at the Theatre Royal, and
fome time after again revived under the Title of^ the
Cuftom of the Country.
Mr.
1 S$ Modern D R a u at/i c k P o e t si
Mr* C I B B Z R.
rr HIS judicious VVriter has taken upon him to
. Buriefque yLv.Lees Rival Queens , or 77?^ Death
q/'ALEXANDER tke Greaty in a Farce, caU'd, 'The
Rival Queans ; moftly valuing himfelf upon the Wit
of his punning Title, the Performance it felf being
only fit for the Mouth of Punchianello,
D.
D A V I s.
'T^HIS Gentlewoman is a Clergyman's Widow s
She was born in Ireland, and has writ a Play,
call'd.
The Hu?nours of Tork ; a Comedy, aded at the
Theatre in Lincolns- Inn-Fields^ 17^5-
Tkfr. J o H N Dennis.
IN the Account this Gentleman fent, he omitted,
but for what Reafon is unknown to us, a Play
wrote. by him, callM, Gibraltar, oi The Spanijh Ad-
venture ; a Comedy, ad:ed at the Theatre Royal in
DruYj-Lane,
E. Lau"
'\>\
Modern D r a m a t i ex Poet s; 1 87,
K
Laurence E c h a r d, M. A.
THIS Gentleman, befides a Tranflation of
T E R E N c E, has given us Three Comedies
from P L A u T u S5 ;^L Amp hi t ry o n, II. E p i j) i--
c u s. III. R u D E N s j with Critical Remarks iipK^n
each Play. To which h^ has prefixed a judicioiis
Parallel between Terence and Plautm ; and for a cle^|
er Decilion gf the Point, that Terence was the more
Polite Writer oj Comedy, he produces the firfl A^
of Platitms Aulularia^ and the firft A(^ of his Mtk\
Gloriofm, againftthe third Ad o£Terence\ Eunuch. It
ought to be objervd^ fays Mr. Echard, that Plautus wa.^
fo7newhat poor, and ?nade it his principal Aim td,. pleaje
and tickle the common people ; and fince they were almo}J
always delighted with fomething new^ftrqnge^ andunufual^
the better to humour them, he was not only frequently ex-
travagant in his Expreflions, bu^ likewifi in his Ct^a-
rasters too, and drew them often more Vicious , more C\r
vetoufy more Foolijh, &c. than generally they were, and
this to fet the People a gaz^ing and wondring. With thefe
fort of Characters many of our Modern Comedies a^
bound, which makes ^em too much degenerate into Farce,
which feldom fail of pleafing the Mob. Mr. Echard has,
in juftice to Mv. Dry den, given us fome Inftances of
his Improvement of Amphitryon, and concludes
them with this jufi: Remark in Compliment to our
Nation, fVe find that many of the fine Things of the
Ancients are like Seeds, . that when planted on Englifh
Ground, ^y a Poet^s skilful Hand, thrive and produce
* excellent
288 Modern Dramatick PoExSi
excellent Fruit, Thefe Three Plays are printed m z
Pocket Volume. Dedicated to Sir Charles Sidley,
F.
Q^Tr. Thomas Ford.
AN Author, who, in the Reign of King Charles L
writ the following Play :
Lo'ves Labyrinth y o^ "The Royal Shepherdefs ; a Tragi-
comedy, 1660. Part of this Play is borrowed from
Gomerfiirs tragedy of Sforz.a Duke of Millan. This
Author likewile writ feveral other Pieces of Poetry^
as his Theatre of Wity &c. printed with this Play.
^fi-^^:^^^^*^^^:*^
^^S&f^^*^'^W
:^j^^j|^^j^4j^<^y
e^r- F Y F E.
AUTHOR of a Play, call'd,
^he Royal Martyr, or Kin^ Charles the FirB ; Z
Tragedy.
a Q^Ir.
Modern Dramatick Poets. 2S9
G.
*
Qy^Ir. Joseph Gay.
UTHOR of an excellent Farce, call'd,
T'he Cofifedeyates. This Farce was written to
expofe -the Obfcenity and falfe Pretence to Wit, in
^ Coniedy caird, 'Three Hours after Marriage.
In which. Three mighty Bards their Forces
joinM \ * and in whofe Praife were fpoke the follow-
ing Lines, at the Theatre Royal, by Mr. Wilks.
Such icere the Wags who boldly did advemurey
To Club a Farce by Tripartite Indenture j
But let them Share their Dividend of Praife,
And wear their own Fools Cap inflead of Bays.\
* Mr. John Gay, Mr. Pops, and Dr. Arbuthnott.
t Prologue to the Sultanefs.
Q^r. Charles Goring.
A GENTLEMAN who has writ one Plav,
^ calfd,
Irene, of The Fair Greek; a Tragedy, 1708.
Dedicated to tfae late Dake of Beaufort, Never a^ted,
U . Mr.
2 go Lives and Charafters of the
(tMr* G R E B E R.
AUTHOR of a Dramatick-Pafloral, call'd,
'The Loves q/* E R G a s t o.
^ ^ ^ ^* ^^«^-^^^^<^^^
JWr. Benjamin Griffin.
^ C O M E D I A N, of about Three Years flan4;
ing at the Theatre mtincolm- Inn-Fields. He is
the Son of the late Reverend Mr. Benjamin Grifml
Redor of Buxton and Oxnead, in the County of Nbr^
folky the Seats of the Paftons, Earls of Tarmoutkj
to which honourable Family he was many Years
Chaplain. Our Author was born at Oxnead afore-!
faid, and educated at the Free-School of North-
Waljham in the faid County, founded by that Noble
Family. He has publilh'd an Alteration of an old
Play/ writ by Majjinger and Decker ^ callM,
I. Injur d Virtue i or The Virgin-Martyr ; a Tragedy,
aded at Riohmondy printed in 12°, 1714. Dedica-
ted to Henry Earl of Rochefler.
II. Lonje in a Sack j a Farce of Two A(5i:s, 171 5.
III. 77?^ Humours of Purgatory ; 2l Farce of Two
Ads, 171^.
IV. ihe Mqfquerade, or An Evenings Intrigue ; a
Farce of two A-cts, 1 71 7. Thefe Farces were all per-
formed at the Theatre in Lincolm- Inn-Fields,
Mr.
Modern DraMatick Poets; Jpr]
Q^r. G R I M S T O N.
J^ GENTLEMAN of a confiderable Eftate;
who, when he was very young, wrote a Play>
c^ird,
"The Lawye'/s Fortune, or Love in a HoUovj-'Tree ,* a
Comedy, aded by the Strolers at U^indfor, i-joC.
^ ^_ S^ ^ ^ ^. ^ $. ^ ^^^ z^ ^ #. S"^^
-^-^^^^^MM^^^^if^^^
9
H.
Q^r. Horde f.
A UTHOR of a Play, call'd,
JSfegleEied Virtue y or I'he Unhappy Conquer our j %
Tragedy. He was an Ador of confiderable Note, but
was killed about the feventh Year of his Appearance*
Mr. Charles K n i p e.'
THIS Gentleman was educated at Tj-inity-Col-
lege, Cambridge, He has writ one Dramatick
Piece, call'd,
A City Ramble : or, 'The Hwnours of the Compter ; a
Farce of Two A6ts, perform^ at the Theatre in Lin^,
tolm-hn-Fieldf^ with great Applaufe, 171 5.
U z L.Mr;
2p2 Lives and Charaders of the
^M^4
L.
Mr. Thomas L upon.
A U T H O R of a Play, call'd,
«r4^/or Mvney i a Tragedy.
M.
M O L I E R E.
ALL the Comedies of Monfieur Moliere be-
ing now tranflated, and defervedly efteemM, I
think it not improper in this Place, to- %v^^ the Rea-
der fome Account of that Author and his Writings.
M o L 1 E R E was the Son of Monf. Jean Baptist
P o Qu E L I N, an Upholfterer in the Palace-Royal at
Faris y he kept his Shop under the Piliers des Hallesy
where our Author was born, Atmo 16^0. He was
defignM by his Father for the Law, but his Genius
carrying him a quite dift'erent Way, he became jfirfl
an Ador, and afterwards a Writer of Comedies, and
ilich as will ever be the greatefl Ornament of that
land to his Country. His Plays are Thirty Two
in Number, viz.
L L^EsTouRDi. <5z> Martin Mar- all.'
Mr. Dryden has made ufe of this Play, in his Feign d
Imocemey or Sir Martin Mar-all
IL Dept Amouretix : 'The Amorom Quarrel. Mr,
Drydens Mock AJirokger, and the greateft Part of
Mr. Raven/croft's TVrangling Lo'verSy are from this Play.
in. L^s
Modern Dramatick Poets. 2^3
III. Les Precieufes Ridicules : "the Affetled Ladies.
Mr. Fkcknoe's DamoyfeUe^ Mr. Shadwell's Bury-Fairy
Mr. Dry dens Mock Aflrologer y Mrs. Behns Falfe
Count, are partly from this Comedy ,• as is the Song
of Mr. Cro-wn in Sir Courtly Nice, of. Stop Thiet^
ftop Thief.
IV. Le Cocu Imagimire : *The Lnaginary Cuckold^
Sir William Da'venants Play-Houfe to he Let, Mr. Mol-
lofs' Miftake upon Miftake, are from this Comedy.
V. L'Efcole des Maris. A School for Husbands,
Some Charaders in Sir Charles Sidleys Mulberry Gar-
den, Flecknoes Damoyfelle Alamodey Raz-enf croft's London
Cuckoldsy Carlel's Sir Soloman, or Camiom Coxcomb,
are from this Play.
VL Les Facheux : The Impertinents. The Sullen
Lovers, by Mr. ShadvceU, is from this Play.
VII. L] Efcole des Femmes. A School for Women.
Mr. Car lei, Mr. Ravenf croft, Mr. Flecknoe, have alfo
made ufe of this Play in their Comedies lall men-
tioned.
VIII. La Critique' de V Efcole des Femmes. 'The
School for Women Criticifed.
IX. The Princefs of Elis^ or The Pleafures of the
Jnchanted Ifland.
X. Second Part.
XL Third Part.
XII. Le Marriage Force. The Forced Marriage. Mrs.
Centli'vre's Lores Contrivance, is from this Comedy.
XIII. L^ Amour Medecin, Love the he[} Phyfician.
Mrs. Centlivre has taken whole Scenes of her lafl
mentioned Play from this.
XIV. Le Mifamrope. The Man-Hater. The De-
fign of Mr. Wycherleys Plain Dealer, is from this Play.
XV. Le Medecin inalgre lui. The forced Phyfician.
Mr. Lacys Dirmb Lady, or The Farrier made Phyfician ;
Mr. Cemlivve's Love's Contrivance, or L' Medecin Malgre
Lui, are alfo out of this Play.
U 5 XVI. Le
2P4 Lives and Chara^ers of the
XVI. Le Ski lien,, ou V Amour Peintrey ibe Sidli"
a'dy or Love lymkes a Painter. Mr. Crown in his Coun-'
try IVit, and Sir Richard Steele m his Tender Husbandy
have taken fome Incidents out of this Play.
XVII. Amphitryon : or, 'The two Socias, Mr. Dry-
den has wonderfully improvM this Play, in his, of
the fame Name.
XVIII. V Avare. the Mifer. Mr. ShadvceU has
alterM this, into one of the fame Name.
XJX. George Dandin: or. The Walton Wife,
Mr. Betterton has publifhy this Play with Improve-
ments, under the Title of The Amorom Widow : or^
The Wanton Wife,
XX. Tartu ffe^ or The Hypocrite. Mr. Medhourne has
done this into EngUfo with fome Alterations under
the Title of Tartuffe^ or The French Puritan^ as has
Mr. C'lUer^ but with greater Alterations, and call'd
it Thi: Non-juror.
XXI. Monjieur Jf P o u R c e a u g n a c : or, Squire
T R E I o o B Y. Several Authors have built upon
this Play, as Mr. Raienfcroft in his Carekfs Lo'vers, Mr.
Mottsiix in his Love's a jefi; it is alfo tranflated by an
unknown Hand, under the Title of Squire Treloohy.
XXIL Le Burgecis Gmtilhomme. The Gentlemen Ci^
tizen. This is the fame with Mr. Raven/croft's Ma.-
manwiichi.
XXIII. Les Fotirheries de Scapin. The Cheats of Sea-
pin. Mr. Otway has this, under the lame Title.
XXIV. Pfyche, Mi% Shadvcell's Pfyche is from this.
XXV. The Learned Ladies, Mr. Wright's Female
J/irtuofoes is taken from this.
XXVI. Don Garcia of Navarre : or^ The Jealom
Prince.
XXV II. The Impromptu of Ver failles,
XXVIII. The Uhertine. Mr. ShadweU's of the
fgnie Name is from this Play.
XXlXo Meltcerta. An Heroick PaRoral.
^ '^^ ■ ' '^' XXX. Us
Modern Drama tick Poets.' 2s/f
XXX. LesAmans Magmfiqiies, I'he Magnificent Lovers.
XXXI. The Cotintefs of Efcarbagnas.
XXXII. T'he Hypocondriack. Mrs. Behns Sir J? a-
item Fancy h from this Play.
A Friend of Monfieur MoUeres, after his Death,
writ a fmall Piece, intituled, L'07;z^r^ de M ol i e r e,
l^he Gbofi o/M o L I E R E, which we mention becaufe
it is bound up with his Works. -
Mr. Moliere di^A in the Performance of his Le Ma--
lade Im agin aire (T'he Hypocondriack) on the Stage, the
third Night of its Appearance ; Feb. 17, Anno Dom,
1 6r/9, in the 53 d Year of his Age.
Charles Molloy, E[q^y
A GENTLEMAN of a good Family in the
Kingdom of Ireland. He was born in Dub--
lin, but educated for the moft part abroad : Upon
his coming into England, he enter d himfelf of the
Inner-l^emple. He has writ Two Plays.
l.-'the Perplex d Couple., or Miftake upon Miflake;
a Comedy, 1714. Chiefly a Tranilation from the
French. - ^
IL 'the Coquet, or "The Englijh Chevalier ; a Come-
dy, both aded at the Theatre' in Lincolns-Lin-Fieldsy
f 7 1 8, with Applaufe.
ggQG)GQQQQQCQQQ0C)CQQQQC'QQOQ^
Sir Thomas M o o r.
'T^HIS Gentleman is the Author of a Piece,
■ called,
M A N G 0 R A, King of the T^imhufians ,• a Tragedy,
acled at the Theatre m Uyicolm-lm-FieW, ij^l-
U4 P.Mr,
t^S Lives and Charafters of the
P.
Mr. Henry Porter.
TTjHIS Author liv'd in the Reign of Queen Eli-
z^abeth, and wrote one Play, call'd,
T^he Two Angry Women of Abingdon ; afted by the
Lord Admiral^s Servants, i'^^^,
(^Mr. John Philips.
A YOUNG Gentleman^ now living. Author of
"^ Two Political Farces-
I. The Earl of M a r Mcirrd. With the Humours of
Jockey the Highlander.
II. l%e Pretender s Flight : or, A Mock-Coronation y
"With the Humours of the facetious Hzny St. John. Both
printed in the Year 1 716.
Mr. Edward Revet.
AUTHOR of a Play, cali'd,
^ I'he Thwn'-ShiftSy or The Suburh-Juftice ; a Cor
snedy, aded ^t the Duke's Theatre^ with Ap-
j3>Jauie^ 1(571,
Modern Dramatick'Poet s. 297
4^ ^ ^?^^. ^ ^ ^ ^ a «a»r'^-^ ^ ^? -^^ ^ a? -s?^ .^ ^^ ^
Q^Ir. Rivers.
A JESUIT, Author of a Play call'd,
T/'^ Ti-aytor ; a Tragedy. This Play was al-
tered, and brought on the Stage by Mr. Shirley, Anno
J 6^$, as has been already obierv'd ; and in the
Year i6pi it was revived, under the Title of the
Tragedy of A m i d e a, with a Dedication to the
Earl of Clmcarty, where the anonymous Reviver
fays, 'tis the beft Tragedy this Age has produc'd ;
but tho- it does not deferve any fuch Chara&er;, it
is allow'd to be a good Tragedy. It has been late-
ly revived and altered by Mr. C. Eulkck.
s.
Qy^fr. Richard S a v a g £»
*l^ HIS Gentleman is a Natural Son of the late Earl
Riven; by the Countefs of Macclesfield (now
Widow of the late Colonel Bret) fhe being divorc'd
by the Houfe of Lords from the Earl of Macclesfield
on Account of his Birth. Earl Rivers himfelf flood
Godfather^ gave him his own Name^ and faw it
entered accordingly in the Regifler-Book of St. An-
drew's Holbryra j and for v/hcm, no doubt, he would
have liberally provided, had not feme unfair Me-
thods been put in practice to deceive him, by a falfe
l^epprt of his Sou's De^th.
Ta
2p8 Lives and Charaders of the
To his own Mother he has not been the leafl:
oblig'd for his Education, but to her Mother the
Lady Mafon ; flie committed him to the Care of
Mrs. Lloyd his Godmother, who, dying before he
was Ten Years old, out of her tender Regard, left
him a Legacy of 300 /. which was embezzled by her
Executors.
Under all thefe Misfortunes, this Gentleman ha-
ving a Genius for Dramatick Studies^ gave us Two
Plays between the Age of Nineteen and Twenty
One.
L Woman s a Riddle ; a Comedy, aded at the
Theatre m Lincolns-Inn-FieUsy iji6. Dedicated to
the Marquis of IVharton. The Story is taken from
a Sfanijh Play, call'd. La Dama Duende,
IL Love in a Veil -, a Comedy, aded at the Thea-
tre Royal in Drury-Lane, lyi^j with Applaufe. De-
dicated to the Lord Lanfdoixjn. The Story from a
Spanijh Play, call'd, Peor e(la que eflava.
' To the lirft of thefe Comedies, the Author, being
unacquainted with the Management of the Stage,
permitted Mr. C. Bullock to Dedicate it, and put his
Kame to the Title-Page, on account of fome few
Alterations he procured to be made in the Per-
formance.
Mr. Edward S h a r p h a m.
npHIS Gentleman was a Member of the Middle-
^ Te?nple, in the Reign of King ya?nes L He
writ one Play, call'd,
The Fleer ; a Comedy, acted at the Black-Fryars^
by. the Children of the Revels, 161 5. Part of this
Play fecms to be taken from Mar/Ions Fawne*
Modern Drama t ick Poets.* 299
a#®»3€^@##®€-€^--t €^#<?^®@@®# @ *^ €^
Sir Edward Sherburne.
THIS Gentleman has given us a Tranflation
of Four of Seneca s Tragedies, viz,,
I. Medea.
II. Th EBAIS.
III. Hercules. Which he has illuflrated with
large Notes. Printed in 8^. An. Dom. ijoi,
IV. T R o A D E s, or T'he Royal Captives,
^:^^QQG)QQOQQC)GQC>Q0'S£QQQQOQ ^
Mr. John Smith.
A YORKSHIRE Gentleman, who writ a Pla}^
call'd,
C Y T H E R E A, or 'The Enamouring Girdle, a Come-
dy, 1677. Dedicated to the Northern Gentry. Thi^
Play was never aded. He was for feveral Years be-
fore his Death Under-Mafler of Magdalen School in
Oxford, and Mafter of Arts of the College to v/hich
it belongs.
l8r^QOQQOGQ(SGGC)QGQQC>SCQ{OCQQC i^
V ' ' ' — • ■■■' ■ — ■ — _— y,u
Mr. S w I N N Y.
AU T H O R of one Play, call'd.
The Quacks; a Comedy, acted at the Q^ieeii^
Theatre in the Jiaj-Markef.
T. Mr.
A.
3 op Lives and Charaders of the
T.
J\dr. Nicholas Ti^ot.
A U T H O R of one Play, callM,
*^ Arthur; a Tragedy.
JVf^. John Tutchin.
A U T H O R of a Paftoral, call'd,
7^^^ Unfortunate Shepherd. It is printed with a
Colledion of Poems, 1685.
w.
Mr. George Wapul.
A U T H O R of one Play, cali'd,
.^^^ Tide "Tarriethfor no Man i a pleafant and mer-
ry Comedy, printed 1611*
Mr.
Modern Dramatic k Poets, jor
Mr. Wilkinson.
AUTHOR of one Play, called,
Jy^iice Reclaim d : Or, The Paffionate Miflrefs ; a
Comedy.
Mr. Robert Wilson.
HP HIS Gentleman liv'd in the Reign of Queen
Elizakth, and writ one Play, call'd,
T/je Coblers Prophecy ; printed Anno i6^$.
Mrs. Wiseman.
SH E was a Servant in the Family of Mr. Re-
corder IVright of OxoHy where, having a pretty
deal of leifure Time, which fhe fpent in Reading
Novels and Plays, fhe began a Play, and iinifh'd it
after fhe came to London^ call'd,
Antiochus?^^ Great : or, I'he Fatal Relapfe ; a
Tragedy, afted at the Theatre Royal, lyod, with
Applaufe. She married a young Vintner, whofe
Name was Holt; and with the Profits arifing from
her Play, they fet up a Tavern in Weftminfler,
X.Mr.
3oa
Lives and Ch^irafters:
Mr- Robert Yarrington,
THIS Gentleman liv^d in the Reign of Queen
Eliz>abethy and writ a Play, entitled
"Two Iragedies in one. Printed 1678. The Stoiy
of this Play, is the private Murders of one Mr. Beech
and another Gentleman.
P LAYS
WRITTEN
By Anonymous Authors.
A.
I.
A
Lphonsus King of Aragm ; an Hiftori-
cal Play^ aded with Applaufe 15pp. This
Play has prefixed to it, the Letters R, G.
II. Apollo Shro'ving; a Comedy, 162 jy with
the Letters E. TV.
III. A MINT a; a Pafloral, 1528, tranflated from
the Italian of T'ajfo ; with Ariadne's Complaint, in
Imitation of Anguilara.
IV. Albion'/ 'Tritiifiph ; a Mafque performed at
Court, 1 63 1, by the King and Queen, and feverai
Noblemen, the Sunday after Twelfth- Night.
V. Albumazar; a Comedy, aded before the
King at Cambridge^ by the Gentlemen of Trinity-
College, 16^^. Since reriv'd at the Theatre Royal,
with a Prologue writ by Mr. Dryden.
VI. A N D R o M A N A, ot "The Merchant* i JVije ; a
Tragedy, 1660. The Plot from Sir Philip Sidney's
Arcadia, m the Story of Plangus, This Play has the
Letters J, S.
VIL
3 ©4 Plays Written by Anonymous Authors^
VII. Andronicus, Impiety's long Succefs, or
Heavens late Revenge; a Tragedy^ 1661.
VIII. Ariadne, or "The Marriage of Bacchus ;
an Opera. Tranllated from the French^ and prefen-
ted by the Academy of Mufick at the Theatre
Royal in Covem Garden, -f <^74- It was dedicated to
the King, and was written by Monlieur P. P.
IX. I'/je Amorous Gallant y or Love in Fajhion ; a
Comedy in Heroick Verfe, 1575. It is a Tranfla-
tion of Corneille's. t Amour Alamode, and fome time ap-
^ear'd under the Title of 'the Amorous Orontus.
X. T^he Amorous Old Woman, or 'tis v:e!l if it take ;
a Comedy, 2.ditd at the Theatre Royal 1684. This
Play was afterwards printed with the Title of the
Fond Lady.
XL the Abdicated Prince, or the Adventures of
Four Tears; a Tragi-Comedy, aded at White-Hall
i6po* This Play contains the Tranfadions of the
Court and Nation during the Reign of King James II.
XII. Albion; an Interlude.
XIII. A B R A H A m'j- Sacrifice ; a Play, fuppos'd to
be a Tranflation from theodore Bez>a.
XIV. An Alarm for London, or the Siege of Ant-
werp, with the ventrous A els and valiant Deeds of the
Lame Soldier ; 2l Tragi-Comedy, aded by the Lord
Chamberlain's Servants. Plot from the Tragical Hi f
tory of the Qty of Antzierp,
XV. A R D E N of Feverfiam, his true and lamentable
tragedy. For the Story, fee Goodwin, Hayward, Hoi-
linjhead. Sec.
XVL the Arraigmnent of Paris; a Dramatick-Paf-
toral. Shakefpear was fuppos'd to be the Author of
this Piece.
XVII. Arsinoe Queen of Cyprm; an Opera,
performed at the Theatre in Drury-Lane,
XVIIL Adventures at Madrid; a Cc-medy.
Plays Written by Anonymous Authors, 30 j
XIX. A L A R B A s ; an Opera, aded at the Qucen^s
Theatre in the Haymarket.
XX. 7%e Albion Qtieem ; a Tragedy, afted at
the Theatre Royal.
XXI. Al/ for the Better y or 'the InfalUhle Cure ; a
Comedy. Written by Mr. Manning.
XXII. Almahide,* an Opera, prefented at
the Tkeatre in the Haymarket*
XXIII. A L M Y N A, or 'the Arabian Vov^ ; a Tra-
gedy.
XXIV. the Amorous Mifery or The Tounger the U^i--
fer. By Mr. Motteux.
XXV. As you find it; a Comedy.
XXVI. Altemiraj a Tragedy, aded at the
Theatre Royal.
XXVII. the Apparition, or the Sham I^edding ; a
Comedy, aded at the Theatre Royal 1714. Writ-
ten by a Gentleman of Chrifl-Chmch-CoHege in Ox^
ford. Dedicated to the Lord Carteret.
XXVIII. A J A X ; a Tragedy. Tranflated from
the Greek oi Sophocles. Revifed by Mr. E^owe, iji6.
XXIX. Agamemnon. Tranflated from Seneca
by Mr, J. Studley.
XXX. Amadis,- an Opera. Performed at the
Theatre in the Haymarket,
XXXI. Apollo and^ Daphne,- a Mafque.
^^:^,^2?a^:^/ss^-^^>^.^^'^f2s^^si2<^:^
B.
I. np//"£ Bafiard; a Tragedy, 1552. ThePlo:
JL and part of the Language from the Englifi
Lovers, and the Unfortunate Spaniard.
X n.
3o5 Plays Writte?i by Anonymous Authors.
II. "The Battle of Alx: a zak; a Tragedy, aded
by the Lord High Admiral^'s Servants, 15^4. The
Story relates to Sehaflian King of Portugal, and Abde-
lemecb King of Morocco. Plot from Heylins Cofmogra-
fhy m the Hiftory of Spain^ Sec.
III. T^he Bajbful Louers ; a Tragi-Comedy, aded at
ths. Blatk-Fryarsy by his Majefty's Servants, 1(555.
This Play has the Letters B. J.
IV. The Beau Merchant ; a Comedy. Written by
Mr. S- — , a Gentleman of Glocefler. Never aded.
V. iChe Braggadocio, or "jthe Bawd turnd Puritan ;
a Comedy, 1690. Writ by a Perfon of Quality.
VI. The Banijh'd Duke, or The Tragedy of Infortu-
natus; aded at the Theatre-Royal i5po. The Cha-
racter of Infortunatm, was drawn for the Duke of
Monmouth.
VII. The Bloody Duke, or The Adventures for a
Croinn I a Tragi-Comedy, aded at the Court of Al-
ba Regalis, by feveral Perfons of Quality 1690.
This Play is written by the Author of the Abdicated \
Prince : and expofes the Popijh-Plot, &c.
VIII. B o N D u c A, or The Britifh Heroine ; a Tra -
gedy, with an Entertainment of Mufick 1696. Der
dicated to the Lord Jefferys. This is Fletcher's Bon-
duca revived and alter'd j the two Univeriities club*d !
in it.
IX. Bandy Ruff, and Cuff; an Interlude.
X. The Bloody Banquet; 2l Tragedy, aded at the
Theatre-Royal.
XI. The Battle of Sedgmoor. A Farce, injuriouf-
\y fathered upon the Duke of Buckingham. Never
aded.
Plays Written by Anonpioiis Authors. 307
c
I.
C Up id's IVhirligig; a Comedy, aded by
the Children of the King's Revels i6\6.
Dedicated to Mr Kohen Hayman. The Plot is taken
from Boccaces Novels.
II. T'he Coftly Whore ^ a Comic-Hiflorical Play,
aded by the Company of the Revels r^g .
III. Charles the Firfi ^mg of England ; a
Tragedy i^4P. Dedicated to King Charles the Se-
cond.
IV* 'fhe Cotinterfeit Bridegroom, or T'he Defeated Wi-
dow ; a. Comedy, aded at the Duke of York's Thea-
tre 1^77. This is only Middletoris^ No Wit like a
Woman s. Printed with a new Title.
V. T'he Conftant Nymfh, Or 'The Rambling Shepherd;
a Dramatick Paftoral, prefented at the Duke*s The-
atre 1578.
VI. T'he Counterfeits ; a Comedy, aded at the Duke
of Tork's Theatre, 1679. Plot from a SpaniJJ:) Novel
tranllated, call'd, T'he Trafanner Urapannd. Leonard
was fuppos'd to be Author of this Play. Mr. CMers
She woiid and fie zvoud not, is taken from this Play.
VII. The Chriflma6 Ordinary ; a Comedy, aded at
a Gentleman's Houfe among other Revels 1682.
This Piece is Written by a Gentleman who was
Mailer of Arts, and has to it, the Letters W. R,
VIII. The Coronation of Queen E 1 1 2 a b e r h, or
The Refloration of the Proteflant Religion, and Downfal
of the Pope ; an Hiftorical Play. This has like wife
the Letters, W. R.
IX. The Ccrnijh Comedy ; a6led at the Theatre in
Dorfet-Garden i6q6. Dedicated to Chrifiopher Rich
X 2 Efq;
3o8 Plays Written by Anonymous Authors.
Efqj one of the Patentees of his Majefty's Theatre.
Writ by a Comifi Attorney.
X. i/^e Commons Conditton ; z Comedy.
XI. Cromwell's Con/piracy ; a Tragi-Come-
dy, which I can give no Account of.
XII. "T^e Contention between York and Lancafier. In
Two Parts ; containing the Death of the good Duke
Humphrey^ the Banifhment and Death of the Duke
of Suffolk, and the Tragical End of the proud Car-
dinal of Winchefler, with the Notable Rebellion of
"Jack Cade^ and the Duke of Torlis iirft Claim to the
Crown. This Play differs very little from Shakeffears
Hen. Vlth, 2 Part.
XIII. Cesar's Revenge ; a Tragedy.
XIV. Cyrus King of Perfm; aded at the The-
tre-Royal.
XV- T^he Cruel Debtor i a Play, only nam'd by Mr.
Kirkman,
XVI. T'he Combat of Cap ; a Mafque.
X VII. T'he Contrivances y or More Ways than one ; a
Farce, aded at the Theatre-Royal 1715. By Mn
Cary.
XVIII. I'he Carelefs Shepherds.
XIX. Camilla; an Opera, aded at the The-r
atre in the Hay-Market.
XX. T'he Cares of Love ; a Comedy.
XXI. Cinna's Confpiracy; a Tragedy, aded
at the Theatre in Lincolns- Inn-Fields,
XXII. l^he Conquefi of Spain ; a Tragedy.
XXIII. T'he Cruelty of the Spaniards in Peru ; ex-
prefs'd by Inflrumental and Vocal Mufick, and by
Art of Perfpedive in Scenes, &c. Reprefented daily
at the Cockpit in Drury-Lane at three Afternoon punc-
tually, 1558.
XXIV. 7he City Madam ; a Comedy.
XXV. Cyrus, King of Perha ; a Tragedy.
XXVI. Clotilda,- an Italian Opera, pre-
fented at the Theatre in the Haymarket. -
Plays Written by Anonymous Authors. 3 op
XXVII. Sir Clymon, Knight of the Golden
Shield, and Clamydes the white Knight ; an Hifto-
rical Play, 16^9- Clymon was Son of the King of
Denmarky and Clamydes Son of the King of Suavia.
c^b^y^Xi b3 v3s i^\i a3 v3s«/\Xi acJ- s »/\Xi B<i/ba
D.
I. 1 Aarius; an Interlude 15(55. Taken from
I J the third and fourth Chapter of Efdras.
II. The Dehaucheey or T'he Credulous Cuckold}, a Co-
medy, aded at the Duke of York's Theatre 1677.
This is Broome's Mad Couple well Match'd, revived
by Mrs. Behn,
III. Damon and Pythias; an Hiftorical
Play.
IV. 2 he DeflruEiion of Jerufalem.
V. ithe Divine Mafque. Dedicated to General
Monk,
VI. Dick Scorner; a Play taken Notice
of, by Mr. Kirkman,
VII. 'The Different Widow y ox Intrigue A-la-mode ; a
Comedy.
VIII. Dr, Dodipole; a Comedy, aded at the
Theatre-Royal.
IX. The Doating Lovers ; a Comedy, aded at the
Theatre in Lincolns-Inn-Fieldsy 171 5, by Newburgh
Hamilton, Gent.
X. The Drummer, or The Haunted-Houfe -, a Co-
medy, afted at the Theatre-Royal, 171 5. With a
Preface by Sir Richard Steele,
XI. The Death of Dido; a Mafque,
X 3 I. Ed-
310 Plays Written by Anonymous Authors.
^^ ?^ -f ' -^ ^ -f- ^ -^ # ^"^ ^ ^f' ^ ^^ ■
E.
I. T^DWARD III; an Hiftorical Play, 15^9!
f^j Plot from our Englijld Chronicles. ]
II. Every Woman in her Humour y a Comedy, i6og\
III. Electra; a Tragedy, printed at th(
Hague 1 54P, and prefented to her Highnefs the La^
^y Elii>aheth. It \s a Tranflation from Sofhodes
and has in the Front the Letters C. JV.
IV. The Extravagant Shepherd ,* a Paftoral-Come^
dy, 1654. This Piece is tranflated from Corneille
Dedicated to Mrs. "JthornhiU, To the Title-Page oi
this Play are preiix'd the Letters T'. R.
V. Englifh Men for Money y ox: A Woman voill have
her Will i a Comedy, aded with great Applaufe,
1655.
VI. Elvira, or T^he WorFi not always true \ a
Tragi-Comedy , written by a Perfon of Quality,
1667. The Lord Dighy was fuppos^ to be the Au-
thor of this Play.
VII. The Englifh Princefs^ or T'he Death 0/ Richard
III ; a Tragedy, 1^73- This Play was afcrib'd to
Mr. John Carlel. The Plot from Hollingsheady Speed,
Bakery dec.
VIII. T^he E?nprefs of Morocco ; a Farce, afted
by his Majefly's Servants, 1^74, faid to be writ by
Mr. 7ho. Buffet.
IX. Edward III, with the Fall of Mortimer,
Earl of March ; an hiik)rical Play, a<5led at the
Theatre Royal, 16^0. Dedicated to Henry Lord
Vifcount Sidney, Plot from the Engltjh Chronicles,
and a Novel tranflated from the French^ called. The
Countefs of Salisbury.
Plays Written by Anonymouus Authors. 311
X. Enough's Osgood as a FeaB ; a Comedy.
XI. An Evening Adventure^ or A Night's Intrigue;
2, Comedy, from the Spanijh.
XII. Ernelindaj an Opera, perform'd at the
Theatre in the Haymarket.
XIII. Etearco; an Opera, perform'd at the
Theatre in the Haymarket.
XIV. Emilia,- a Tragedy, 1572. Dedicated
to the only Few The Author in his Dedication
confefles that he has taken the Hint of the Plot
from La ConflaHz.a di Rofamondo of Aurelio Aureli,
R
I. 'T^ HE Fair Maid o/Briftol ,* a Comedy, aded
1. before the King and Queen at Hampton-
Court 160^.
W, Fair E m the Miller s Daughter of Manchefler,
ijjith the Love of Wi l l i a m the Conquer er ,* a Comedy,
aded by the Lord Strange s Servants, 1 63 1 .
III. T!he Falfe Favourite Difgracdy and the Reward
of Loyalty ; a Tragi-Comedy, 1657. This Play was
never aded.
IV. T'he Feign d Aflrologer ; a Comedy, tranflated
from the French of CornetUe^ 16 68, The Plot from
Calderons El Eflrologo fingido.
V. F L o R AS Vagaries ; a Comedy, a(5i:ed at the
Theatre Royal, 1670. This Play is afcrib'd to
Mr. Rhodes, Plot from Boccace's Novels, £). 3. iV. 3.
VI. The Fatal Jealoufy ; a Tragedy, aded at the
Duke of York's Theatre, 16 j^. Plot from Johannes
Gigas's Pofiillsy Theatre of Gcd's Judgments ^ Unfortunate
Lover Sy dec,
. X 4 VIL
312 Plays Written by Anonpnom Authors.
VII. T^he French Conjurer; a Comedy, adcd at
the Duke's Theatre, 1678. Plot from the Stories of
Dorido and Cloridia, and the Merchant of Sevil, in
the Romance of GuzJman, This Play has the Let-
ters, T. P,
VIII. 'the FaBious Citizen, or 7%e Melancholy Vi/t-
cner ', a Comedy, aded at the Duke of Tcrk's Thea-
tre, 1685.
IX. The Folly of Prieficraft ; a Comedy, 16^0,
Mr. Langhain tells us, that this is an excellent Piece
of Satire.
X. the Fairy Queen ; an Opera, prefented at the
Qiieen^s Theatre, 16^2, This is borrowed fron^
Shakefpears Midfummer Night s Dream,
XL F u L G I u s ^;?^ L u c R E L L E.
XII. Free Will; a Tragedy. Tranflated from
the Italian by one H. C.
XIII. the Faithful Shepherd; a Dramatick Paftoral.
Plot from Guarinis Paflor Ftdo.
XI v. the Fatal Difcoveryy or Love in Ruins ; a.
Tragedy, acted at the Theatre Royal, i6pS. it
feems to be taken from the Hint of the old Story of
OEdipus,
XV. the Fajhionahle Lo'vers, or IVit in Necejjity ; a.
Comedy.
XVI. Feign d Friendjhip, or the Mad Reformer ; a
Comedy.
XVII. the Female WitSy or the Triumvirate of Poets
at Rehearfal; a Comedy, having in the Title Page
the Letters W, M.
XVIII. the Fickk Shepherdefs ; acled at the Thea-
tre in Lincolns- Inn-Fields by his Majefty's Servants ;
play'd all by Women, Dedicated to the Lady
Gower,
XIX. the Faithful General
XX. the Fall of Tarquin^ printed at Tork, Writ-
ten by Mr. William Hum Colleftor of the Excife.
Plays Written by Anonpious Authors. 3 1 3
G.
I. f^ U Y Earl of Warwick ; a Tragedy, having
Vj prefixed to it the Letters B, J.
II. I'he GhoFi, or I'he Woman wears the Breeches ; z
Comedy, 1640.
III. Gammer G u R T o n'j- Needle ; a Comedy, afted
at Chris's College, Cambridge, Writ by Mr. S. Ma-
iler of Arts.
IV. Grim the Collier of Croydon, or i'he Devil
and his Dame, with the Devil and St. Dunftan ,• a Co-
medy, 1606, Plot from Machiavel's Marriage of
Belphegor, a Novel. This Play has to it the Letters
V. i'he Gentle Craft, or Shoemake/s Holiday.
VL i'he Generous Cully ; a Comedy.
VII. T^he General Cajhier^d.
VIII. The Generous Choice.
IX. Sir G I L-BS G o o s E-C A p ; adicd at the pri-
vate Houfe in Salishury-Court, with great Applaufe
1^36. Dedicated to Richard Young, Efq;
X. aJ/V G I D D Y W H I M, or I'he unlucky Amour ;
a Comedy.
3 1 4 Plays Written by Anonymous Authors^
H.
HI ST' RIO MA STR IX, or The Player WJoipt ;
a Comedy, i6iq.
II. T'he UoneH Lawyer j a Comedy, aded by the
Queen's Servants, \6i6. This Play has the Letters
s. s:
III. Henry V, with the Battle of Agin-Court ;
an Hiftorical Play, aded by the King's Servants,
1(5 1 7. Plot from the Englijh Chronicles.
. IV. How to chufe a Good M^ife from a Bad one ; a<5led
by the Earl of Worcefters Servants, 1(534. The
Foundation of this Play is taken from Cynthio Geraldr,
a Novel.
V. "fhe HeBor, or The Falfe Challenge ; z Comedy,
16$ 6. Mr. Langbain gives this Play a very good Cha-
rader. ^ ^ n
VI. Helts High Court of Juftice, or Ihe Try al of the
Politick Ghofls (viz.) Oliver Cromwell, the King of
Sweden, and Cardinal Maz^arine; a Tragedy, i6(5i;
This Play has in the Title Page the Letters J. D.
VII. Huntingdon'^ Divertifement ; an Inter-
lude, for the Entertainment of the County Feaft held
at Merchant-'taylors-Hall, 1^78. This Piece has the
Letters TV. N. ^
VIII. H o F F M A n'j Tragedy, or Revenge for a Fa-
ther ; aded at the Phoonix in Drury-Lane, with great
Applaufe.
IX. Hydaspes; an Opera, prefented at the
Theatre in the Haymarket.
X. Hercules Oetus; a Tragedy, from ^^-
neca^ by Mr. J. Studley.
Plays Written by Anoiipiom Authors. '315
XI. 'The Honour of Wales ; a Mafque, fuppofed to
be writ by B. Johnfon.
XII. Hob, or The Country Wake ; a Farce, by
Mr. Cibher. Taken from Mr. Dogget's Play of the
fame Name.
J.
I. TAMES IV; an Hiftorical Play. This Sto-
J ry is founded on a King of Scotland of that
Name.
II. Jack St'b.aw's Life and Death, ^593- For
the Plot, fee the Englijh Chronicles in the Reign of
King Richard II.
III. Jeronymo, or The Spanifh Tragedy , ivith
the Wars of Portugal, 1605. This Play contains the
Life and Death of Don Andrea.
IV. Jeronymo is Mad again, or The Spanifii
Tragedy, Part II ; containing the lamentable End of Don
Horatio and Bellimperin, luith the Death of Jeronymo,
1623. This Play was aded with Applaufe.
V. Jack Drum'j- Entertainment, or The Comedy
of Pas Q.U i l and Catharine; aded by the
Children o£St.Pauls,i6i6. Part of this Play is taken
from Argalm and Parthenia,
VI. The Jovial Crew, or The Devil turnd Ranter ;
an Interlude, 1651.
VII. Ignoramus ; a Comedy, often ad:ed with
Applaufe before King fames!, 1662, This Play
was originally writ in Latin, and tranflated by R. G.
VIII. St. J o H N the Evangelif} ; a Dramatick Piece,
IX. Jacob ai^d Esau; an Interlude, founded
on Scripture.
X
3 16 Plays Written by Anonymous Authors;
X. 'The Interlude of Touth ; an old inllriiftive Piece
written in Verfe.
XL Imfatiem Poverty ; a. Comedy.
XII. Jack Juggler; a Comedy.
XIII. Joseph'/ AffliEiions.
XIV. Injur d Love, or The Ladys SatisfaBion ; a
Comedy, aded at the Theatre in Lincolns- Inn-Fields.
XV. The Impofture Defeated^ or A Trick to Cheat
\heDevil ; a Comedy.
XVI The Juror I a Farce, 171 7. Never aded.
iooeaoeeooooaooeooeoooooai
K.
I. A Knack how to know a Knave; a Comedy,
^- IjtiL ^5P4- The ferious Pare of this Play is
taken from the Story of King Edgar, Ethelwald and
Alfreda. See JValJingham, Malmeshury^ Stow, &c.
II. A Knack to know an Honeii Man \ a Comedy,
feveral times a<5ledj i5P^-
III. The Knave in Grain New Vamft ; a Comedy,
afted at the Fortune with Applaufe, 1 640.
IV. Knavery in all Trades, or The Coffee-Houfe ; a
Comedy, aded by Apprentices of London in the
Chriftmas Holydays, 166^.
V. The King and Qiieens Entertainment at Richmond,
after their Departure from Oxford ; a Mafque, prefented
by the moft Illuftrious Prince Charles, Dedicated to
her Majefly.
VI. King Edgar and Alfreda; an Hiftorical
Play. The Story from the EngUfi Chronicles.
L. L
Plays Written by Anonytnom Authors, 3 1 7
L.
I. T 00 K about you; a Comedy, aded by the
I J Lord High Admirars Ssrvants, i doo. This
is a diverting Play ; it is partly founded on EngUJh
Hiftory, 'uiz.. the Chronicles of Baker^ S^eed^ &c. in
the Reign of King Henry II.
II. The LoR Princefs ; a Tragedy. Written by the
late Lord Bleffington.
III. LuMiNALiA, or T'he Feflival of Light ; a
Mafque, prefented at Court on Shrove Tnefday Night,
I dj 7. Mr. Inigo Jones aflifted in it.
IV. The Levellers Levelfd, or T'he Independants Con-'
/piracy to rout out Monarchy ; an Interlude, 1^47. This
Piece is Dedicated to King Charles II.
V. The Lady Alimony, or The Alimony Lady ;
aded with Applaufe, 165 p.
VI. London Chanticleers ; a Comedy, frequently
aded, 16$ p.
VII. Love Al-a-mode ,* a Comedy, aded at Middle-
y^x-Houfe, 1 66^. This Play was writ by a Perfon
of Honour, and aded with Applaufe.
VIII. The Refolution, or The Happy Change ; a Tra-
gi-Comedy, aded throughout the Englijh Dominions,
1688. Written by a Perfon of Quality.
IX. The Laws of Nature ; a Comedy.
X. Lingua y or The Combat of the Tongue and Five
Senfes for Liberality ; a diverting Comedy. Mr. ^^»-
fianly tells us, that Oliver Cromwell aded the Part of
La^Hs in this Play, at Cambridge, which firft infpir'd
him with Ambition.
* XL Li^
3 1 8 Plays Written by Anonymous Authors*
XL Liberality and Prodigality ; a Comedy.
XII. Loves Loadflone ; a Comedy.
XIII. T^he Losl Lady ; a Tragi-Comedy. By Sir
William Barcley.
XIV. T'he Lunatick ; a Comedy, aded at the
Theatre Royal.
XV. Love without IntereB ; a Comedy.
XVI. Love's a Lottery ; a Comedy.
XVII. "the Lucky Prodigal^ or Wit at a Pinch ; a
Farce of two A(5ts, aded at the Theatre in Lincolns-
Inn-Fieldsy iji$,
X VIII. LuciusVerusj an Opera. Perform'd
at the Theatre in the Haymarket.
XIX. Love in a Wood, or T'he Country 'Squire ; a
Farce. By G. J. Never aded. This Piece was
compos'd in three or four Days, and before the Au-
thor was any ways acquainted with the Stage, or
Poetical Writings.
This Gentleman has a Play ready for the Stage,
entitul'd, T'he Soldier's Laft Stake ; a Comedy. He
is Son of a confiderable Malfter of Romfey, in the
County of Southampton, at which Place he was born
Anno 1(585. His Mother is of the Family of the
T'hornburgh's m Wilts, one whereof was Biihop of
TVorcejhr^ in the Reign of King Charles I, and two
of them attended tlie Royal Exile. He was bred
to the Law under a very eminent Attorney ,* and
has lince been Steward and Secretary to the Ho-
nourable William Blathwayt, Efq; a celebrated Cour-
tier in the Reign of King William ; and who enjoyM
great Preferments in the State in the late and pre-
lent Reign.
Plays Written by Anonymous Authors. 319
M.
I. ]i yr ASSIANELLO, or ^he KeheUion of
IVX Naples; a Tragedy, i6^i. Dedicated
to John Cafar, Efq; Plot form the Lord Alexander
Gimffis Hiftory of Naples, Englifh'd by Mr. Howely
1550. Du Verdie/s Hiftoire Vniverfelky &c.
II. A Mafque of Flowers ; prefented at the Banquet^
ing-Houfe at Whitehall^ by the Gentlemen of Grays-Inn
on.lvoelfth-Nighty 16^1. Dedicated to Sk Francis
Bacon,
III. Mafquerade du del; a Mafque, 16^0. Dedi-
cated to the Queen. By J. S,
IV. Marcus TuLLius Cicero, his Tragedy^
1 55 1 . This Play is writ in Imitation of Ben John-
fons Cataline, but it is uncertain whether il; was ever
aded. The Story of this famous Orator, you may
find in Plutarch\ Life of Cicero^ Appian, Dion, dec,
V. I'he Merry Devil of Edmonton ; a Comedy,
often aded at the GMe on the Bank-Side, 16$$, Plot
from Fuller s Church Hift.
VI. "The Marriage Broaker,. or T'he Pander; a Co-
medy written by M. JV, M. A. 1661. Plot from
the Englijh Chronicles in the Reign of Sebert King of
the Weft Saxons,
VII. MucEDORUS and A m a d o n , -with the
merry Conceits of Moufe ,♦ a Comedy, aded at the
Globe, 1 668, and afterwards prefented before the
King at Whitehall. Mucedorus w3.s Son to the King
of Valencia, and Amadon was Daughter of the King
of Aragon. This Play was fuppos'd to be writ by
Sbakefpear.
*■ VIIL
3 2 o Plays Written hj Anonpnom Authors.
VIII. The Alorning Ramble, or 'Ihe Town Humours ;
a Comedy, aded at the Duke's Theatre, 1673.
IX. ihe Male, or T'he Modijh Lovers ; a Comedy,
aded by his Majefty's Servants, 1 6j^. Dedicated
to IVtlliam Whitcomby Efq; This Play has in the
Title Page the Letters J. D.
X. "the Mock DuehH, or lihe French Valet \ a.
Comedy, aded at the Theatre Royal, i6j$s This
Play is fiippos'd to be writ by Mr. Peter Eellcn^ ha-
ving the Letters P, B.
XI. T'he Mufe of New-Market, containing three
Drolls, viz. I. T'he merry Milk- Maids o/Iflington, Ox T'he
Rambling Gallants Defeated : 2. Love loR in the Dark, or
T'he Drunken Couple : 3. T'he Politick Whore, or: T'he Con-
ceited Cuckold; aded at Nevj- Market, 1681. AH
fiolen from other Plays.
XII. Mafler T'urbulent, or T'he Melancholicks ,* a Co-
medy, aded at the Duke's Theatre, 1682.
XIII. Miflaken Beauty, or T'he Lyar ; a Comedy,
aded at the Theatre Royal, 1585. This is a Tranf-
lation from Corneilles Menteur.
XIV. T'he Marriage of Wit and Science ; an Inter-
lude.
XV. Manhood and Wifdomy a Play.
XVI. Mercurius Britannicus, or T'he Englifh Intelli-
gencer ; a Tragi-Comedy. This Play refleds upon
fome of the Judges, and other Perfons, who advis'd
King Charles I. to levy the Ship-Money.
XVII. Menoechmus ; a Comedy. This is a Tranf-
lation from Plautus, and has the Letters W. W.
XVIII. Monjieur ^^Pourceaugnac, or 'Squire
Trelooby^ a Comedy of Three Acts. Performed
by Subfcription at the Theatre in Lincolns- Inn-Fields,
by a feled Company of Comedians from both Hou-
fes, 1704. It is a Tranflation from the French of
Moliere. The Prologue by Dr. Garth.
XIX-
Plays Written by Anonymous Authors. 3 2 l
XIX. M A N L I u s j an Opera. Performed at the
Theatre in the Haymarket.
XX. A Mafqiie of the Middle-7emple.
XXI. A Mafque made for my Lord Rochfle/s
Va L E N T I N I A N, by Mr. Tate. Printed in his Mif-
cellanies. ,
N.
I. I^T E R o*s Tragedy. Mr. Lee writ a Tragedy
X^ on this Subjed. For the Story, lee S^eto-
nius in Vita Nermis^ (7c.
II. Neglecled Virtue^ or The Unhappy Conqueror ,* an
Hiftorical Play, aded at the Theatre Royal. Dedi-
cated to Sir John Smithy Bart.
III. A New Cuflom; an Interlude, 1573. This
Play contains but Three Ads, and may be perform'd
by Four Perfons. It was writ in Defence of the
Reformation.
IV. New-Market Fair, or Mrs. Parliament s New
Vagaries; a Tragi-Comedy, in Two Parts, 1645?,
The Defign of thefe Satyrical Plays was to expose
the Rebels againft King Charles I.
V. The Nice Wanton ; a Comedy.
VI. No Body and Some Body, with the Hiflory of
E L Y D u R E, who was three Times Crown d King of
England J aded by the Queen's Majefty*s Servants.
This Play is not divided into Ads, For the Story,
confult our Enghjh Chronicles.
VII. A New Trick to Cheat tie Devil', a Comedy,
h^ R. D.
yill. A Nighis Intrigue ', a Farce,
¥ iX.The
'322 Plays Written by Anonptom Authors.
IX. 'fhe New Athenian Comedy ; containing the Po-
liticks, OEconomicks, Tadicks, Crypticks, Apoca-
lypticks, Styrticks, Scepticks, Pneumaticks, Theoio-
gicks, Poeticks, Mathematicks, Sophiflicks, Pragma-
ticks, Dogmaticks, &c. of that mod learned Society.
Dedicated to Edward Wilfon^ Efq; i5p3, by J. S.
It is a low piece of Banter on the Athenian Society.
^S^*)
^P^
^^)
'»^^/,
,fAC
W
Z<r^
m^f'
V-^
'?5^5/.
o.
I. . A N old Wife's T^ale; a Comedy,
x\. H- P c T A V I A ; a Tragedy. Writ by
Mr. 'Thomas Nuce.
III. O R G u L A, or The Fatal Error ; a Tragedy,
1558. Dedicated to the Lady Frances Wildgoofe ;
with a Preface fhewing the true Nature of Poefy, by
I. W.
IV. Orlando Furioso, one of the Twehe
Peers of France, afted before the Queen, 1 55^4. This
Play is a Tranflation from Ariofto,
V. Orpheus and Eurydice; a Mafque, pre-
fented at the Theatre Royal, 171 7.
P.
I. TTJHiLOTus; a Comedy, 1616, The Defign
X^ of this Play is to fhew the fatal Confequen-
ces of Marrying Youth to Old Age.
XL Pa-
Plays Written by Anonymous Authors. 323
n. P A T H o M A c H I A, or 'j'he Battle of AffeElionSy
JJmdoujd by a feign d Siege of the City of Pathopolis ;
2L Comedy, 1530. Dedicated to the Lord Hunfdon*
This is only Lovers Loadflone^ difguis'd under another
Title.
III. The Pindar of Wakefield ; a Comedy, i ^3 3 .
IV. P H I L L I s of Scyros ; a Dramatick Pailoral,
1655. This is cL Tranflation from the Italian o^Gui-
dubaldo di Bonarelli.
V. T'he Prince of Fkig c'f Revels, or j'he PraEiices
of that grand 'Thief Captain James Hind ; a Comedy.
Both thefe Pieces have in the Title Page the Letters
J. S. Gent.
VI. Prefiimptuous Love; a Mafque, perform'd at
the Theatre in Lincolm-Inn-Fie/ds, in a Comedy called.
Every Body miflaken, (being an Alteration of Shake-
/pear's Comedy of Errors) never printed.
VII. The Presbyterian Lajl), or N o c T R o f f'j Maid
ijchifd; a Tragi-Comedy, acted in the great Room
at the Pye-Tavern at Aldgate, by NoElroff the Prieil,
and feveral of his Parifhioners, 1661,
VIII. P I s o'i Confpiracy ; a Tragedy, afted at the
Duke of Tork's Theatre, 16 j6. This is only the
Tragedy of Nero with a new Title.
IX. P A u s A N I A s, the Betrayer of his Country. A
Tragedy, afted at the Theatr<e Royal, 16^6. De-
dicated to Anthony Henley, Efq; Mr. Southern brought
this Play on the Stage, and informs us in the Epifile
Dedicatory, that it was put into \\is Hands by a
Perfon of Quality. It is built on the Model of the
Ancients, and writ according to the Reformation of
the French Stage. Mr. Henley wrote the Epilogue,
and Sir Samuel Garth has this excellent Couplet in
Commendation of this Play,
'And
324 Plays Written by Anonymous Authors.
And Britain, fi}7ce Paufanias was JVrity
Knows Spartan Virtue^ and Athenian Wtt.
Difpenfary,
The Story of this Play may be found in Plutarch.
X. P R o M u s and Cassandra, in two Parts.
XI. Patient Grissel^ a Comedy. Plot
ifrom Boccace^s Novels.
XII. J'he Pedlar s Prophecy ; a Comedy.
XIII. llje Promifes of God manifefied ; a Dramatick
Piece.
'XIV. T/jf Pilgrms, or 'fhe Happy Converts ; a Tra-
gedy. By IV, Harrifon a Pattin-Maker, but a Man
of excellent Natural Parts. Never aded.
XV. 'the Patriot^ or 7^^ Italian Con/piracy ; a Tra-
gedy.
XVI. The Portfmouth Heirefsy or Generous Refufal;
a Comedy.
. XVII. P y r R H u s and Demetrius,* an Opera.
^ * XVIII. A Phauatick Play; prefented by the Lord
Fleetzvood, Sir Henry Fane, Lord Lainbert^ dec.
XIX. the Perjuror ; a Farce, aded at the Thea-
in LincoIns-Inn-'Fields, Written by Mr. C. Bullock,
XX. the Petticoat-Plotter ; a Farce of Tv^ro Ads.
Perform^'d at the Theatre Royal in Drury-Lane, By
Mr. Hamiltony 1 70 2.
THE Q^ieen, or the Excellency of her Sex ; a
Tragi-Comedy, 16^^. This Play was writ
by a Ferfon of Honour, and is Dedicated to the La-
dy Cathaiine Mohun, Part of the Plot from Sandei".
/(?s Novels, &c.
Plays Written by Anonymous Authors. 32 j
»«Xrvs»
R.
I. f I ^ HE Royal Mafque at'ii2im^tQn''QoviXtyi6Q4i^
1 Perfonated by the Queen and her Ladios
of Honour.
II. 'The Return from Parnaflus, or A Scourge fir Si-
mony ; a Comedy, aded by the Students of St. Johns
College, Cambridge, 1606, This Play Cenfures the
^oets, and is the Foundation of Dr. Wild's Play,
cair'd, The Benefice.
III. The Rivals ; a Tragi-Coinedy, aded by the
Duke of York's Servants, 1668. This Play was fup-
posM to be writ by Sir William Davenant.
IV- The Religious Rebel; a, Tragi-Comedy, i6ji.
V. The Refor??iation ; a Comedy, afte,d at the Duke
of York's Theatre, 16 j^.
VI. The Revenge, or A Match in Newgate ; a Co-
medy, a(5ced at the Duke's Theatre, i58o. This is
only Mr. Marftons Play call'd, The Dutch Courtezan
Revivd.
VII. RoME^.f Follies, or The AntDrous Fryars; a
Comedy, aded at aPerfon of Quality's Houfe, i(58i.
Dedicated to Anthony Earl of Shaftsbury, by N. N.
VIII. Romulus and Hersilia, or The Sa-
bine War ; a Tragedy, aded at the Duke of York's
Theatre, idSj. Plot from Ovid's MetamorpL Lib. 14.
Livii Hifi' Lib. I . &c.
IX. The Rampant Alderman, or News from the Ex-
change; a Farce, idSj. This is ftoien from the
Fme Companion, and feveral other Plays.
X. The Rape, or The Innocent Impoftors ; a Tragedy,
adcd at the Theatre Royal, 1682. Dedicated to
y 3 the
32^ Plays Written by Anonymous Authors.
the Right Honourable Charles Earl of Dorfet and Mid-
dlefex. This PJay was writ by a Divine, and intro-
dac'd by Mr. Shadwell.
XL Robin H o o d^j Pafloral May-Games.
XIL Robin Hood and his Crew of Soldiers i an
Interlude.
XIII. Robin Conscience.' This is a Dra-
matick Dialogue between Robin Confciencey his Father
Covetous^ his Mother Neu^guife, and his Sifter Proud
Beamy.
XIV. 'The Royal Voyage^ or The Irifli Expedition ^ a
Tragi-Comedy^ i6go.
XV. The Revolter ; a Tragi- Comedy.
XVI. The Royal Cuckold, or Great Bafiard; a Tra-
gi-Comedy, tranflated from the G<?rw^?/j 162 $. De-
dicated to the Right Honourable the Lord Rujfel,
Lord High Admiral of England. This Play was
tranfiated by Mr. Pa?4 Vegerius. Never aded. It
is taken from a Book called. The Secret H.flory of
Lewis XIV of France.
XVII. The Refiaurationy or Right luiU take Place ; a
Tragi-Comedy. Injurioufly fathered upon the Duke
of Buckingham, Never aded.
XVIIL The Rival Brothers ; a Tragedy.
XIX. The Royal Flight, or The ConqueB of Ireland ;
aFarce,i6po. The Title Page of this Piece plainly
ihews the Subjed of it and the Scene ,' and the Au-
thor has drawn mofl; of his Characters without any
jy\{%mk or Modell:y.
XX. RiNALDOj an Opera, prefcnted at the
Theatre in the Haymmht,
Plays Written by Anonymous Authors. 327
s.
I. Q'Olmion and Perseda,* a Tragedy, i $9^]
O This Play lays open Love's Confbncy, For-
tune's Inconftancy, and Death's Triumphs. It is
not divided into Ads.
II. S w E T N A M, the Woman- Hater y arraign d by
Women j a Comedy, adcd by the Queen's Servants
at the Red Bull, 1620. The Plot from an old S^anifh
Book, call'd, Hiftoria de Amelia Ifabella Hija del Rey
de Efcotia, &c.
III. The Spanifii Bawd, orCALiSTO and M e-
L I B E A, reprefented in Celeftina ; a Tragi-Comedy,
1638. This Play is very long, originally writ in
SpaniP), and done into Engltfi by Don Diego pue defer,
a Spaniard, who dedicated it to Sir Thoma6 Richard-
fon. Mr. Langbain tells us, it expofcs the Cunny-
catching Bawds.
^ IV. SicELiDES; a Pifcatory Drama, or Paflo-
ral, * adied at Kings College, Cambridge, 16^1, For the
Plot, fee Ovid's Metamorphojis, hb. 4. and 1 3 . Orlan-
do Furiofo, lib. 1 1 . &c,
V. The Sophifler; 2l Comedy, 1538. This Play
was aded at one of the Univeriities ,* and has a Pro-
logue fpoken by Mercury to the Academical Auditory,
VI. Salmacida Spolia,* a Mafque, pre-
fented by the King and Queen at Whitehall, 16^ p.
Sir William Danjenant writ the Songs in this Mafque,
Mr. Inigo Jones contriv'd the Scenes, and Mr. Richards
compos'd the Mufick.
VII. The Strange Difcovery ; a Tragi-Comedy,i(54o.
The Plot and great part of the Language is taken
from Heliodorus's ^^thiopick Hiji,
328 Plays Written by Anony?nous Authors^
VIII. Sicily and Naples, or 7he Fatal Union ; a
Tragedy, 1640. Before this Play are feveral Copies
of Verfes writ by the Students of Oxford. The Au-
thor was a Batchelor of Arts of Exeter-Colkge, Oxon -,
but he would not make himfelf known any farther
than by the Letters S. H.
XL 'The Scotifh Politick Presbyter^ Slain by an Eng-
glifh Indepe}7dent3 or T'he Independents Vtclory p'ver the
Presbyterian Party, &c. a Tragi-Comedy, 1 647.
X. The Shoemaker's Holy day, or The Gentle-Craft ;
isoith the Hmnorous Life of Simon Eyre, Shoeinaker and
Lord Mayor 0/ London ; a Comedy, K557. A6ted
before the Q^ieen by the Lord Admiral's Servants on
Nei\)~Tea/s~Day at Night.
XL Ihe SuhjeBs Joy, pr The Kings Refioration ; ^
Mafque, 1660. Dedicated to General Monk.
XII. The Step-Mother ; a Tragi-Comedy, aded at
the Theatre in Lincolns-Inn-Fields, with great Ap^
plaufe, 1 6154.
XIIL Saint Cecily, or The Converted Twins ; a
Tragl-Comedy, i66j. Dedicated to Queen Catha-^
vine. The Plot from Eufebius, Epiphanius, Baronius^
&c. This Play has prefixed to the Titl^ Page the
Letters £. M.
XIV- Sir Solomon, or 7 he Cautious Coxcomb -, a>
Comedy, aded at the Duke of York's Theatre, 1(^7 1,
This Piay met with fome Enemies at firft, but not-
withfianding, it had good Succefs in the Action. It
is moilly a Tranflation from Moliere, and is fupposM
to be done by M'c Carlel.
XV. Sport upon Sport, i6j^. This is only a Col-
ledicn of Drolls taken from Plays by 'MvfKirkman,
Bvo.
XVI. The Siege of Conflantinople ^ a Tragedy,
gded at the Duke of York's Theatre, 1675. For
the Plot, fie Heyltris Ccfmcgrpphy , Paulj^i "Jouius^
^noliess Hiji. d\Cf
Plays Written by Anonyinom Authors, 329
XVII. T'he Siege and Surrender of Mons ; a Tragi-:
Comedy, 1681. This Play was never aded.
XVIII. S u s A N N a'j Tears ,* a Play.
XIX. She Ventures, and He Wins ; a Comedy, aded
at the Theatre in Lincolm- Inn-Fields, 1626. The
Plot is taken from The Fair Extravagant, or T'he Hu-
morous Bride, a Novel, writ by Mr. Oldis.
XX. T'he Stage Beau tofs'd in a Blanket ; a Co-
medy. This is a Satyrical Piece againfl Mr. Collier.
Never defign'd for the Stage. Written by t! Brown,
XXL I'he Siege of Troy ,• aded at the Theatre
Royal.
XXII. Socrates 'friumfhans -, a, Tragedy.
f^^^
T.
I. ' I ^ lBERiysCLAUDiusNERo;a Tragedy?
1 containing his Tragical Life and Death*
For the Plot, fee Suetonius, Dion, Tacitm, &c.
II. Tempe Refio/d ; a Mafque, prefented at
Whitehall by the Queen and her Ladies of Honour
on Shro've-'Tuefday, 16^1.
III. I'he Trrue Trojans, or Fuimus T'roes ; an Hifto-
rical Play, 1633. This Play contains the Story of
t\\Q Britatns Valour at the Romans firfl: Invafion, and
was a6ted by the Gentlemen Students of Magdalen-
College, Oxon. The Plot is taken from Liijy, lib. 5.
Qafar Comment, lib. 4 and 5.
IV. Troadesj a Tragedy, 1660. This Play
is taken from Seneca, and was fuppos^'d to be done
\>y yi^, S^ Fm-dage, it having the Letters S. P.
V. t:u
'330 Plays Written by Anonymous Authors^
V- "the Two Merry Milk-Maids^ or 'The heB JVord^
mar the Garland ; a Comedy, aded by the Compa-
ny of Revels before the King, with great Applaufe,
i66i. Part of this Play is taken from Boccace's No-
vels. It was writ by one J. C.
VI. Tunbridge-/^//j-, or A Day's Court/hip ; a Co-
medy, aded at the Duke of York's Theatre, 1678.
Mr. Rawlins was thought to be the Author of this
Play.
VII. A Traytor to Himfelf^ or Mans Heart is his
greateFi Enemy ; a Moral Interlude in Heroick Verfe,
1678. It was aded by School-Boys, having no Wo-
man's Parts, and is writ after the manner of Plautus's
Captives.
VIII. Troasj a Tragedy, tranflated from »Se-
tieca by J. T.
IX. T I M o L E 0 N, or T.he Revolution ; a Tragi-
comedy, i<5p7. The Comical Part is a Satire on
mercenary Courtiers, who prefer Money to Merit.
Story from Plutarch's Life of TtmoleoUy. Cornelius Ne-
fosy &c.
X. The Triumphs of Virtue; a Tragi-Comedy,
aded at the Theatre Royal, 1697. Part of this
Play feems to be borrow'd from Fletchers Wit without
Money,
XI. Thersytes; an Interlude.
Xli. Tom Tyler and his Wife \ an Interlude.
The Defign of this Play is to Reprefent and Hum-
ble a Shrew. The Plot refembles Mr. Poisons Le
Sot Venge.
XIII. A Tryal of Ireafure ;- a Play.
XIV. A Tryal of Chivalry ; a Play.
XV. Tyrannical Govern?nent ; a Tragedy.
XVI. The Three Ladies of London. By R. W.
XVII. ThoYny-Ahby, or The London Maid; a Tra-
gedy Written by T W. Dedicated to William
Au/iin,E{(i; Firflprintedi6i3, reprinted 1662.
XVIIL
Plays Written by Anonymous Authors.. 3 3 1
XVIII. T H o xM Y R I s Queen of Scythia ; an O-
pera.
XIX. Theseus,- an Opera. Both performed
at the Theatre in the Haymarket,
V.
I. f I ^ HE Valiant Scot, 1(537. Dedicated to j^/7w^i
X. Marquefs of Hamilton^ by J. IV.
II. I'he Valiant Welch Man^ or T'he Life and Vali-
ant Deeds of Charadoc King of Cambria {mv^ call'd
Wales ; ) a Tragi-Comedy, aded by the Prince's
Servants, 166^. Plot from Tachm's Annals, Milton s
Hijl. of England, &c. This Play is writ by R. A,
Gent.
III. T'he Unfortunate Ufurper; a Tragedy, 166^ i
Dedicated to Mr. Edward Umfreville. The Story is
that of Andronicm Commenius in Leundauius, Baronius^
dec.
IV. T^he Unfortunate Favourite; a Tragedy, writ
by a Perfon of Honour, 166^. This Play was never
aded. The Scene is laid in Naples ; and for the
Story, fee Guicdardine^ Pontanm, &c.
V. "Tloe Unfortunate Mother ; a Tragedy, aded at
the Theatre in Limolns- Inn- Fields, idpS. This Play
was writ by a young Lady ,• and the Scene of Adion
is in the Kingdom of Siam. Some Incidents are
borrow'd from Settles Princefs of Ferfia.
3 3 i Plays Written by Anonymous Authors:
ggg^^OOCOOOiOQOOOQOQOOOOOO gg
w.
I, ^ I ^ HE Wit of a Woman ; a Comedy, 160^.
.1 II. ^ Warning for Fair Women \ a Trage-
dy, aded in the Reiga of Queen Eliz^abeth, by the
Lord Chamberlain's Servants. It contains the Tra-
gical Murther of Mr. George Saunders.
III. iLheWeahB goes to the Wall; a Comedy, aded
by the Lord Chamberlain's Servants, 161 8.
IV. 'The World's Idol, or P l u t u s ,* a Comedy,
tranflated from Ariflophanes, k^Jo, by H. B,
V. Wine^ Beer, Ale and Tobacco^ contending for Supe-*
riority ; an Interlude, i6^S,
VI. The Witty Combat, or The Female VtBor ; a
Tragi-Comedy, 1667,, This Play was aded by fe-
veral Perfons of Quality, Plot from the German
Princefs, a Novel.
VII. Woman turnd Bully; a Comedy, aded at
the Duke of York's Theatre, 1575.
VIII. Wtn her and Take her, or Old Fools will be
Medling ; a Comedy, aded at the Theatre Royal,
1691. Dedicated to the Earl ofDanby by Mx.Underhilh
IX. Wtly Beguil'd ; a Comedy. The chief Cha-
raders are a poor Scholar, a rich Fool, and a Knav^,
X. Wealth and Health ; a Comedy.
XL Wenceslaus; an Opera.
Z.
'"Z E L M A N E, or The Corinthian Qtieen ; a Tragedy.
333
1^1 0QC0QC0OQ0QC0Q00G)CQSieQC)0?fit
Addenda & Corrigenda.
Mr. John Corey.
A GENTLEMAN, defcended from an an-
cient Family in Cornwall: He was born at
Barnjlapk in Devonjhirey defign'd for the Law, and
was fome time of Neiu-Im. He is a good Play-
er of about J 8 Years {landing. The two following
Plays appear under his Name, viz,,
L T'he MetamoYfhofis. This is an Alteration of
an old Play call'd, Albtimaz.ar.
II. A Cure for Jealoufy ; a Comedy, aded at the
Theatre Royal, 1705. It was not this Gentleman,
but another of the fame Name, who writ ih Gene-
rous Enemiesy before mention^.
Omitted in Mr. D u r f e yV Account-
g A T H, or 77;^ Weflern Lafs ; a Comedy.
Omitted in m^ Lord LansdownV Account.
PEiEUs^/zi Thetis,* a Mafque, performed
in The Jew of Venice.
Omitted in Air. MiddletonV Accounu
A Game at Chefs ; a Comedy.
433 'Addenda (^ Corrigenda.
Qmitted in Mr> M o t t e u x'l
Account.
I. A ^ ^ ^ ^^^ Galatea; a Mafque.
j[^\^ 11. Love Dragoon d'y a Farce.
Omitted in the T)uke of N e \v-
C A s T L E V Account -
H E Variety ; a Tragedy.
T
^ .^ ^y^- ^ •??• ^ 'f? ^ •f'^/^'-^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^r%^^ ^ ^. ^,
Mr. O Z E L L.
THIS Gentleman has lately Tranflated a French
Farce of Three Ads, written by Monfieur
Bourfault, called, Le Foire de St. Ger?nain : or, The Fair
of St. Germain. This Piece of Buftbonry was aded
(by a Company of Strollers from Rohan) at the Thea-
tre in Lincolns-Inn-Ftelds on Friday^ Nou- 7, 1718.
5rv
■m
Sir John V a n b r u g h.
THIS Gentleman alter'd the Pilgrim of Bemir
mom and Fletcher^ wherein i$ a Mafque, by
Mr. Dryden*
The
71?^ Interments t?/ ^6?;^^ Authors
mention d in this Work, were
lately communicated to me by Mr.
Bo M A N, and are as follow^ viz.
MR. Jofeph Haynes, and Mr. Richard Eflconrty
lie Interred in the Parifh Church of St. Paul
Covent'Garden,
'Mx. Nathaniel Lee, Mr. William Moumfort, and
Mrs. Mary Pix, lie Interred m the Parilh Church of
St, Clement Danes,
Mr. George Farquhar was Interred at St. Martins
in the Fields,
Mr. John Crown was Interred at St. Gileses in the
Fields,
Mr. John Banks was Interred at St. James's IVefi-
minfter.
Sir Robert Howard was Interred at AJhted in Surrey,
Mr. 'Thomas Jevon was Interred at Hampflead,
where, on a Tomb-Stone in the Church- Yard, is the
following Infcription :
Here lieth the Body of Mr. Thomas Jevon,
Pl^o died the loth Day of December,
In the Tear of our Lord i588.
Aged 36 Tears,
FINIS.
E R R A r A,
T^Age 39' Tiifie 4. ^ele and 'tis reported that he had fomc Affiftance in it
ttom his Patron and J^t. Manwaring- ^^xg. 29- I- 3i- fot' Engliila, read
French, fag. 120. /. 26. r. Richard de Granville defcended from the Second
Son of the faid Duke, &>c. pag. 257. I 3. /or Comedy, y. Tragedy, ^ag,
278. /. 26. foY Tejioj r. Zejh.
( 437 )
THE
Poetical Register
Continued.
From Not'emb. 7. 1 7 1 8. to No<vemh. 7.17228
at the Theatre in Lincoln s Inn
Fields. Written by Mr. Mottley.
Dedicated tb the Lord Grim^
fton-
A RS AC ES^ an Opera. I^erformM at th^
King's Theatre in the Hay- Markets
The Artifice, a Comedy. Afied ^ at the
Theatre-Royai iri Drury-Lane. Written by
Mrs. Cent-Livre* Dedicated to Erafmus EarU^
Efq*, • ,.
A StARTiJ 5, an Opera. Perform'd dt
the King's Theatre in the Hay-Marht*
438 ^he Poetical Regifter Continud.
B,
TH E Briton^ a Tragedy. ASed at the
Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane. Written
by Jmbrofe Philip^ E% Dedicated to the
Princefs of Wales.
B V S I R I Sy a Tragedy. Afted at the
Theatre in Drnry-Lane, Written by Edward
Tomg^ L. L. D. and Fellow of AU-SohIs College
in Oxford. Dedicated to the Duke of Newcafile.
This is only the Story of Tarquin and Lu*
crece^ under the Difguife of z/£iyptian Chara-
cters.
c.
TH E Chlmaraj a ^ Farce. Adled at the
Theatre in Lincoln s-Inn Fields, Written
by Mr. OdelL
Chit-Chat^ a Comedy. Aded at the Theatre-
Royal in Drury-Lane. Written by Capt. Ki^i"
grew. Dedicated to the Duke of Argyll,
The Confcious Loversj a Comedy. Aded
at the Theatre-Royal m Drury'Lane^ with great
Applaufe. Written by Sir Richard Steele^ Knt.
Dedicated to the K I N G.
This Play is taken from Terence's A NDRIA.
C RISPV Sj an Opera.
cr RV Sy an Opera.
Both perform'd at the King's Theatre in the
Hay'Market.
THE
the Poetical Regifter Continu'd 439
F.
TH E Fair Captive^ a Tragedy. Aded at
the Theatre in Lincoln s-Jnn Fields.
Written by Mrs. Heywood.
The Fair Circajfian^ a Dramatick Entertain-
ment. By the Reverend Mr. CroxalL
This Piece is publifh'd under the fiditious
Cover of being wrote by a Gentleman Com-
moner of Oxford, deceas'd. It is a Para-
phrafe upon SO LO MO N^s Song -^ an At-
tempt of the fame Kind was publilh'd by Mr.
Sandys, in 1640.
The Fatal Extravagance, a Tragical Enter-
tainment of Two Ads. Performed at the The-
atre in Lincoln s Inn Fields* Taken from Shake^
fpeare. By Mr. Jofeph Mitchell, Dedicated to
Duke Hamilton,
FLO RI D ANTE, an Opera. Perform'd
at the King's Theatre in the Hay-Market,
G.
GRISE LDJ, an Opera. Perform'd at the
King's Theatre in the Hay-Market.
Z 2 THE
440 'I he Poetical Regifter Contimd,
H.
TH E rragedy of King HE NRY the Fourth
ef France. Aded at the Theatre in
Lincoln's Inn Fields. Written by Mr. Becking"
ham. Dedicated to the Earl of Sunderland,
Hihernia Free^d, a Tragedy. Afted at th^
Theatre in Lincoln^ s Inn Fields. Written by
Capt. William Philips^ Dedicated to the Earl of
"Thomonde.
HOB^s Wedding-, a Farce. ('Being a Sequel
to the Country 'Wake') Aded at the Theatre in
Lincoln s-Tnn Fields. Written by Mr. John
Leigh^ Comedian.
The Half-Pay-Officers^ a Farce. A6:ed at the
Theatre in Lincoln s-Inn Fields. The Author
acknowledges, that he has taken this Piecb
chiefly from Sir William Davenanis Love and
Honour.
Tho Two HARLEQVlNSy a French
Comedy. By Monfiewr Le Noble. Adedatthe
Theatre in Lincoln s-Inn Fields^ by fpme French
Strolers. Tranflated and printed in French and
JEnglijh.
L
THE Imperial Captives^ a Tragedy. ASed
at the Theatre in Lincoln s-Inn Fields.
Written by Mr. Mottley. Dedicated to the
I^ord Cafilemain*
^ ' The
^he Poetical Regifter Conthitid^ 441
The Story, is the Invafion of Genftric, King of
the Vandals^ in the Time of Maximm^ after
the Death of Fdentlnian. See the Roman Hi''
fiory.
The Invader of his Country : Or, The Fatal
Refentment, Aded at the Theatre-Royal in
Dmry-Lane, Written, by Mr. Dennis. Dedicated
to the Duke of Newcafile.
This is chiefly taken from the Coriolanus of
Shake/pear e,
^ -K ^ -fle ^ «(; ^ ^ !» if ^ .«•>:«$ %V ifi; -d; ;^ ^ id; s"^ >3- •«• •«;
K.
KEN S INGTO N Gardens^ a Comedy.
Aded at the Theatre in Lincolns-Inn
Fields. Written by Mr. John Leigh^ Comedian.
Dedicated to the Lord Brooke*
ten jrh ,in (fT* >^> ^ ^ >^ liT* ^ ^ ^ ' ,£r» .^ «£r» •o* ^iX* ^^ >a* -o^ ,^ •iX* ^ts^ •xr*
M.
THE Mdfquerade, a Comedy. Afted at the
Theatre Royal in DrnryLme. Written
by Mr. Charles John fen.
The Principal Scenes in this Play are taken
from Mr. James Shirley^s Lady of Flsaf^ire^ and
Mr. Randans Hey for Honefty'^ down with Kna^
*uery,
MVriVS SC<^rOLA, an Opera.
Perform'd at the King's Theatre in the Hay
'Market,
NAR,.
^42 7^^ Poetical Regifter Contimtd.
N.
NARCJSSVS^ an Opera.
NV Miro R^ an Opera.
Both perform'd at the King's Theatre in the
Hay-Market*
R.
RAD JMTSTV S, an Opera. Perform'd
at the King's Theatre in the Hay-Markets
Compos'd by Mr. Han del.
The Tragedy of Sir Walter Rawleigh. Aded
at the Theatre in Lincoln s- Inn Fields* Written
by George Sewell^ M. D. Dedicated to Mr. Secre-
tary Craggs.
The Refafal : Or, The Ladies Philofophy^ a
Comedy. Aded at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-
Lane. Alter'd by Mr. Cibher^ from the Female
Vertuofoes ; which was likewife alter'd by another
Hand, and A£led at the Theatre in Lincoln s-ltm
Fields^ under the Title of No Fools like Wits.
The Female Fertuofoes has been lately re-
printed, to which is prefix d, an Account of
the abovemeiition'd Alterations of this Comedy ;
and to which the Town fhew'd a juft Refent-
ment, by Hiffing them off the Stage.
The Revenge, a Tragedy. Aded at the
Theatre-Royal in Brnry-Lant. Written by Ed*
ward Tomg^ L. L. D. and Fellow of All Souls
College in Oxford.
The whole Plan of this Play is built upon the
Othello of Shakefpeare.
^ The
^he Poetical Regifter Continud. 445
*T\iQ ^Tragedy of King RICHARD the Se-
cond. Altered from Shake fpeare^ by Mr. Theobalds
Aded at the Theatre in Lincoln s Jnn fields.
Dedicated to the Earl of Orrery*
S.
THE Siege of Damafcm^ a Tragedy. ASed
at the Theatre -Royal in Drnry-Lane.
Written by John Hughes^ Efq^ Dedicated to
Earl Cowper.
This ingenious Gentleman died the very Night
his Play was brought upon the Stage. The Story
is taken from Mr. Ockleys Hiftory of the Saracens*
The Spartan Dame^ a Tragedy. Aded at the
Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane. Written by Mr.
Southern. Dedicated to the Duke of Argyll.
T.
y'-r^IS Well if it Tahs^ a Comedy. Aded at
1 the Theatre in Lincoln s Inn Fields. Writ*
by Mr. Tavemer.
W.
THE Earl of WARWICK: Or, Britijh
Exile^ a Tragedy. Aded at the Theatre
Royal in Br wry-Lane. Written by Mr. Tolfon.
Dedicated to the Lord Grimfton*
Whig
444 ^^^ iPoetlckl Regifter Continud.
Whig and Tory^ a Comedy. AQ:ed \t the
Theatre iii Lincoln s Inn Pields* Written by
Mr. Benjamin Griffin^ ComediaH. Dedicated td
the Lord North and Grey.
X.
XIMEUJ: Or, The Heroicl Banghterl
a Tragedy. (Taken from the CID of
Corneilie.) Adted at thfe Theatre Rbyaliri DrHry-
Lane. After two Years Dormancy, Mr. Cihher
thoiight lit to publifli this Play *, to which he
prefixed a long and fulfom Epillle Dedicatory to
Sir Richard Steele^ to which that Gentleman has
Ihewna very honourable Refentment in Behalf of
his ^ntnAMv.Addifon^ whofe Charader there-
in was fo injudicioufly, as well as injiirioufly
attacked, by obliging Mr. Cihher to leave ouE
this Dedication in a Collediori of fortife PlayS
which go under his Name, lately printed in two
Volumes in Quarto.
TH E Xounger Brother : Or, The Sham Mar"
qiiis^ a Comedy. Afted at the Theatre in
Lincoln s Inn Fields. This is a grofs Piece of
Plagiarifm, fpoorly executed) from the Txvirt
Rivals of Mr. Farqubar^
F 1 N I S^
INDEX
O F
PL AYS
A.
ABdelazer 15
Abdicated Frince 504
Abraham'i Sacrifce ibid.
Abra-mule 259
Achilles 282
Acis atid Galatea 433
Acolaftus 199
AB at Oxford 8
ActQon and Dhn3. 51
Adelphiy from Teience 18
Adraila, or the Womajfs Sp!es?i
154
Adventures ai M.3.dTid. 304
Adventures cf file Hours 16 1
Adventures of half an Hoar 285
AffeHed luadies 293
Agamemnon 305
Aglaura 253
>]^gnes de Caflro 2<>o
Agrippa, King of Alba 5*^
Agrlppina, Emprefs
Vage
of Rome
17S
305
127
30?
304
117
304
H
305
303
Ajax of Sophocles
Alaham
Alarbas
Alarm for London
Aibertus Wallenftine
Albion
Albion and Albianus
Albion Qjieens
Albion'i 'Triumph
Albovin, King of the Lombards
Albumazer 30;
Alchymift 14^
Alcibiades 19^
Alexander 193
Alexander and Campafpe ids
Alexandrian 'Tragedy ^
All Fools 3 J
All for the Better 505
AH for Love 82
7* All
Index of Plays.
Tfige
All for Mo ^ey ' ^ i^z
All Mijlnke 77 1 45
All's Loft by Liifi 214
AWs '-jjell that ends well 230
Almahide 505
Almyna ibid,
Alphonfus Emperor of Germany
ri
Alphoqfus, Khg of Arragon
Alpbonfo, iO^T^o/ Naples 205
Altemira 505
Am ad is ibid.
Amazon Queen 270
Ambitious Slave , 222
Ambitious Statefma7t 55
Ambitious Stepmother 212
Amboyna 79
Amends for Ladies jco
Amorous Bigot 225
Amorous Gallant 304
Amorous Mifer 305
Amorous old Woman 304
Amorous Orontes ibid.
Amorous Vhantafm i(5'5
Amorous Evince T 5
Amorous Quarrel 292
Amorous War 167
Amorous Widoiv 20
Amphytrion, from Plautns 287
Amphytrion, or the two Socit^s
85, 294
Amynta 5(>, 305
Amyntas 112, 197
Amyntas,r)y the impojfible Dowry
20S
Anatomijl, or the Sham DoBcr
210
Andrea, /ro;?2 Terence 18
Andromache 52
Andromana
Androniciis
Androniciis Commenius
Anthony and Cleopatra
Ta(re
ibid.
274
242
24^
178
361
24
i?3
201
'75
Sir Anthony Love
Antigone -
Anfiochus the Qyeq^t
Afjfipodes
Antiquary
Antonius
Antonio and Melida
Any thing for a Quiet Life 185
Apocryphal Ladies 1 9 T
Apollo /«;^^ Daphne 305
Apollo Shtoving 303
Apparition 305
Appius ^??^ Virginia ^8, 270
Arcadia 240
Arden of Feverfham 304
Argalus and Parthenia 117
Ariadne 304
Ariftippus, or the Jovial Vhi-
lofopher 208
Arifcomenes 275
Arminius an Opera
Arraignment of Paris 301
Arfinoe, Queen of Cyrus, ibid.
Artful Husband
1257
Artful Wife
ibid.
Arthur
300
Arviragus and Philicia
28
As you find it
3of
As you like it
230
Affignation, or Love in a
Nun-
nevy
81
Aftrea
271
Atheifl
196
Atheift's Tragedy
z6i
Aurenjj^ebe
n
B, Ball
Index of P l a y s.
GQ0QOQQG)GQQQ/1
pAl! 239
^ Bar^dy Ruff and C tiff ^06
Batiditti 90
Banijh'd Duke 'S,o6
Sir Barnahy Whig 89
Bartholomew-F^ir i49
Bap^ful Lover 1 7 7
Bajhful Lovers 306
Bajfet-Table 3 3
Bafiard 50)
Bath, or i^e Wejlevn Lafs 335
B/n^/Z? o/ Alcazar 50*5
Battle of Sedgmoor ibid,
B^^ii Defeated 1 1
Bedu's Duel 32
Bedu Mercha-fjt 306
B^^«'j' Stratagem 99
Beauty the Conqueror 242
Beauty in Dijirefs 186
Beauty's 'Triumph 87
Bfi-^^.^^^r'-f Bi/j7i 104
Bell in Campo 19 1
Bellamira 242
Bellamira'j D>'f«5?«zi 15*^
Belphegor 274
Benefice 271
BickerftafF'/ Burying 34
Birf/ iz? ^ C^.^ff 241
B/r/^ 0/ Merlin 214
Biter 213
B/^ci^ Prince ■ 21
Blazing World 1 9 2,
JB//W Beggar of Alexandria 37
Blind Beggar cf Bednal-Gresn
64
BItnd Lr,dy 145
Bloody Banquet 306
Bloody Brother J 04
Bloody Duke 306
Bltirt, A/y. Conjlahle 18 1
Boadicia 141
BoW Stroke for a Wife 34
Bondman 17 (J
Bonduca 104
Braggadocio 506^
Brazen Age 135
Brenoralt 254
Bridals 192
BWf^g ' 188
Btitannicus 198
Britannia Triumphans dt
BritJLfli Enchanters 124
Broken Heart no
Brothtrs 24a
Brutus of Alba 255
Brattis of Alba, or AuguftusV
'Triumph 205
Bury-Kiir 225
Bufy-Body 3^
Buny D* Amboys 37
Bofly D' Araboys'j Revenge ^6
Bully D' Amboyi'/ Iragedy 90
flyron'j Conjfiracy and "Trag, 3 ^
c
aelum Britannicum
Caefar Borgia
2t
Caerar and Pompey 3 (J
Casfar'j Revenge 508
Caius Marius i9<5
Califto 55
Caligula, Emperor of Rome 5 5
Calypfo /rW Telemachus 145
CambyfeSjiT. i>f Perlia zoSyizi
Camilla 30S
Campaigners 9 2'
Canterbury Guejis 210
Capain , 104
I N D E X of Play s.
Vage
308
39
2.09
308
118
205
.14S
144.
Cardinal
Cares of Love
C^relefs Husband
Carelefs Lovers
€^rekfs Shepherds
Carelefs Shepherdefs
parnival
Cafe is alter d
CajTandra, an Opera
j([^ataline*j Confpiracy
4dato 3
jGato of Utica 199
<3habot, Admiral of Fmnce 239
Challenge at "Tilt 151
Challenge for Beatify 1 56
Qhances 104, 26.5
•Changes ,238
Chang ling 182
Charles I. J^/V?^ of England 307
;CharlesVIIL ef France 53
Cbafi Maid of Cheapfide 182
Cheats :\'G Vi274
■jCheats of Scapin . /. f $15 j^ 1244
/Qhrift'i Papon ,-. "(f ,'219
phriflmas il</^y^^e 149
Chriftmas Ordinary 307
CJjriftian.turn'd Tork ^3
Cicilia ^t?^ Clorinda 1 56
Ctd 198,215
CinnaV Co?7fpiracy 308
Circe 6z
City Brid£ 129
Ci/J_y D^w^ 177
X)ity Heirefs l6
Cit^ Lady 70
%)ity Madam 308
C/ty Match 16]
City.JSfigpt''Cap 6z
City FQliticks 54
City P. amble 222
City Wit : . ,24
Citizen turned GerHjeman 1 209
Chracilla ., .,.^33:;.'^ 5 7
Cleomenes ^ 85
Cleopatra , '; 57, ^ 7*
Clbridia
Clotilda
Clouds
Sir Clymon , Knight of
Golden Shield
Cohler of Prefton 153,
Coblers Frophccy
Cola'j Fury
Combat of Caps
Combat of Love
Comedy of Errors
Comical Gallant
Comical Hajh
Comical Lovers
Comical Revenge^
Committee
Committee-Man Curried
Commo?2S Conditions
Commoyj-Wealth of Women
Confederacy
Confederates
ConfiB of Confcience
Conquefi of China -
Concjuefi of Granada
Conspiracy ,55
Tage
150
308
259
the
502
2S5
301
25
308
180
230
68
191
39
95
14^
236
308
90
2^4
298
274
221
81
155
Confpiracy y or the Change of Go-
vernment 111
Confiant Couple 98
Conjiant Miid 241
Confiant Nymph , 307
Conftantine the Great 16 z
Contented Cuckold 25
Contention between York and
Lancafter 308
Contention for Honour and Rich-
es 238
Conte?2tionfor Achilles*i Armour
24r
Co?2trivances
Convent of Flea/ure
Ceo^uet
Corioian us
Cornifli Comedy '.
Coronation
X04
308
295
23-?
.3A7
, 24J
Coror
Index of P l a y s;
Vage
Coronation of Queen Elizabeth
Cofily Whore ibid.
Covent-Garden 187
Covent-Garden Weeded 24
Counterfeits ^5p7
Caunterf^t Brideirroom ibid.
Couniefs of Efcsrbaguas 295
Country Captain 190
Country Girl 22
Country Uoiife 2(54
Conntry Innocence l^o
Cauntry Laffes 153
Country Wake lo
Country Wife 2S0
Country Wit 53
Couragious Turk 118
Court-Begs ar 24
Sir Courtly Nice 54
Court Secret 240
CourtJl)ip A-Ia-mods 52
Coxcomb 104
Croefus 5
CromweU'i Con/piracy 508
.Ci^omweirj Life ^?2^ D^4/^ 232
Cruel Brother 59
Crife/ Debtor ^oS
Cruel Gift 33
Cruelty ef the Spaniards 508
Cuckolds Hazen 255
Cunning Lovers 23
Cupid and Death 241
Cupid V Revenge 104
Cupid* J Whirligig 307
C^re for a Cuckold . 2 70
Cure for Jeahufy 333
Cujlom of the Country 104
Cutter of Coleman-ftreet 4^
CynibelineV 'Tragedy 232
Cynthia and Endymion 92
•sCynthia'x Revels 147
CynthiaV Revengg 249
Cyrus t^ Gneat ^ ^
Cyrus King of Perfia
Cytherea
Czar of Mufcovy
Tage
50S
299
204
\
T\Ame Dobfon 21^
•*-^ Damoifelle 24
DamoiCelle A-la-mode 102
Damon and Pythias 309
Darius 6y 309
Darius, Z^?;?^ cf Perfia 54
David a-nd Berfheba 204
Death of DidiO ^309
Debauchee ibid.
Deceiver Deceivd 204
DeorumDona 12.
Defer ving Favourite 29
DeftruBion of Jerufalem 55
DeJlruBion of Troy ijs
Devil's an Afs 149
Devil's Charter i 2
DeviVs Lmv Cife 2^9
Dew/ ef ^ fF//# ^ _ 145
DickScorner 3^59
Dido and JEne^s 284
Dido, Queen of Carthage 18S
Different Wido^j; 3^9
Difappointment 24.^
Difobedient Child 1^6
DiJlraHed State z^6
Dijirefs'd Innocence 222
Dijirefs'd Mother -205
Dipejfes ^l
Divine Comedian 261
Divine Mafqtte ■ ■ 309
Doting Lovers - ibid.
DoBor Dodipole " ibid.
Do^or Fauftus 172
Dr* Fauftus'i Life and Death iS]
Von
I N D E 5c 6f P h A Y S.
Dow Carlos ^95
Don Garcia 294
X)o» Quixote,. m 5 P/tr/j 91
Dow Sebaftian, Kir/g of Portu-
gal 84
X>ouh!6 Dealer 43
Double Dlflrefs 204
Double Gallapt _ 39
Double Marriage 1 04
Doubtful Heir . 240
Drummer 3*^9
l)«jl'e 0/ GuiCe 84
D»/te of Milan ,- 176
P«jte tf ?;f^ ;?(? Duke 255
Dike's Miflrefs 239
Dumb Lady 1 59
Dumb Knight 16^
Dutch Court ez^f^ 174
Dutch LrJ'Z/fy • 15
Df/^c^^^y} 0/ Malfey 270
Dut chefs of Suffolk 135
]l74r/ 0/ Mar Marrd 296
^ Eafl^ivard Hoe 3 5
£dgar, or the Englifh Mon(trch
216
Edward I. 200
Edward IL 178
Edward III. 310
Ed-ward III* <wltb the Fall of
Mortimer ibid.
Edward IV. 137
Elder Brother 1 04
Eleftra 258, 310
Elfred 139
Elvira 310
Emilia 3 1 1
Kmperor of the Eafl i-]6
Emperor of the AdpQ7$ 16
Tage
Emprefs of Morocco 220, 313
Endymion 162.
Erigiij"h Fryar 54
Eugiifh La-ivyer 210
En^\i{h Men for Money .310
Englifh Monfieur 14^
Englilh Moor 24
Englifh Frincefs 310
Englifh Rogue 259
Englifh Ira-veller 1^6
Eftough's as good as a Feafi 311
Entertainment at^MXi^nd- Houfe
61
Entertainment at King James
the Jfi's Coronation 1 56
E?7terfainment of King James T.
^}jd Queen Anne at Theo-
balds 157
Entertainment of the King ^nd
Queen at Highgate 149
Entertainment of the King of
England and King of Den'-
mark 148
Entertainment of the Queen dnd
Vrince at Althorp ibid.
Entertainment on the prince's
Birth-Day 18S
Epidicus 287
Epfom^'^eZ/i 223
Erminia lol
j^fop 2(^3
Ernelijida 31 1
Efther, or Faith 'Triumphant
283
Etearco 311
Evening Adve?2ture ibid.
Evening's Love 79
Every Man in his Humour 147
Every Man out of his Humeuf
ibid.
EveryWoman in her Humour ■^ii>
Eunuch t%i l'3t
Europe'j Revels for the Feacei
1^6
Ex-
I IT D B X of P L A Y S.
"Page
ExcimpU 239
Excommunicated Evince 14
Exile 190
Extravagant Shepherd 310
912
511
^13
22(5
.182
R
T^ABiotts Citizen
■* F4:/> Em
"Fair Example 94
F/«/v Favourite 59
F<i:i»* 0/ 5f. Germain, a Farce
433
J<?/V il^/W of Briftol 311
Efir il</^/^ of the Exchange 1^6
Fair Maid of the Inn 1 05
Fair Maid of the Wefi 1 3 5
Fair Tenitent
Fair Qu^aker of Deal
Fair Quarrel
Fairy Queen 312
Faithful Bride of Granada 257
Faithful General ^iz
Faithful Shepherd ibid.
Faithful Shapherdefi 104
Fall of Tarqiiin 3x2
F^/yi Count 1 6
Falfe Favourite 311
Falfe Friend z6j\,
Falfe one 105
Family of Love 182
Fancies Chaji and Nohle 1 1 1
Fancies Fejthals i</^
Fajbionable Lover 512,
Fatal Contra^ 131
Fatal Difcevery i^ x 2
Fatal Dowry j y^
Fatal Friendjbip 260
Fatal Jeahufy o j j
Fatal Love 221
245
Fatal Mijlake
Faial Vijlon
Fate of Capta
Faivn
Feign d AJlrologer
Feign d Courtezans
Feign d Friendjhip
Feign d Innocence
Female Academy
Female Adrjocates
Female Prelate
Female Vertuofocs
Female Wits
Ferrex and Porrex
Fickle Shepherdefs
Fidelia and Fortunatus
Fine Companion
Fine Ladies Airs
Fine Gallants
Fleir
Floaiing IJland
Flora'j- Vagaries
Folly of Frldflcraft
Fond Husband
Fond Lady
Fool turnd Critick
Tage
135
139
247
174
911
15
312
80
19%
^51
221
^iz
jr
8
181
298
250
Sir
11%
89
304
«9
Fatal Marriage
Fool nvould he a Favourite 28
^ooVs Preferment 90
Sir Fopling Flutter ^<^
Force of Friendpip 152
Forc'd Marri^e 15, 295
Forc'd Phyfician ibid.
Fortunate IJles 1 50
Foxtunatus ^a
Fortune by Land and Sea 137
Fortune -Hunters 29
Fortune in her Wits 152
F(P//>' LoiidoQ Apprentices 135"
Fo//>- P/<^jj i/a U//^ iQf
Four p 's X22,
Fox x^g
Free-Will 3x3
French Conjurer ibid.
£rlendfhip hnpvovd 141
In D E t of P L A y s;
Tage
TYttndfnp ht F^ph» 19 S
Fryar Bacon 127
Fulgius and Liicrelle 511
■Fmieralj or Grief A-la-mode 249
/^Alathea 167,
^-^ Game at ChQ^s 335
Gamefier ^ 33» ^39
Gammer Guttons Needle 313
General Cajlnerd ibid.
Generous Choice ibid.
Generous Conquerour 139
Generous Enemies 47
Generous Husband 153
Gentle-Craft 313
Gentleman Cit 294
'Ge?jtleman Cully 313
Gentleman Dancing-Adajler 280
Gentleman of Venice 241
Genthman Uper 35
"George Dandin 294
G^(?/ 3^-3
'G^o/? 0/ Moliere 295
Gibraltar 28(^
-5ir Giddy Whim 313
5ir Giles Goofe-Cap ibid.
Glafs of Government 1 14
Gloriana 161
Goblins 2 54
Golden Age 1 54
Golden Age Re fiord 1 49
Gorboduc 193
Gotham EleSlion 34
Go^er72or of Cyprus 197
Grateful Servant 241
Great Duke of Florence 17?^
Great Favourite ^ or Vuke of
- Lerma 143
Green'j Tu Quoque 47
Tage
Greenwich-Park 1S7
Grim, the Collier of Croydon
315
Gripus and Hegio 1 1
Grovey or Love's Faradife 197
Guardian 49, 177
Guy of Warwick 3 13
Guzman 2 1
H.
OAmlet, Frirce of Denmark
Hampftead-Heath 8
Hannibal and Scipio 187
Hans-Beer-Pot'j invifihle Come-
dy 11
Sir Harry Wildair 98
Heautontimoriimenos 1 8
He£tor of Germany 243
Meciors 2 ©5
Hecyra 18
Heir 178
Heir of Morocco 222
Hell's High Court of Jufiice
314
Henry IT. 9
Henry ill. 237
250
y 5
14
Henry IV
Henry V. 21
Henry VI. 231
Henry VI. or the j\diferies of
Civil War 54
Henry VIII. 251
Heraclius, Emperor of the Eafi
29
Hercules 299
Sir Hercules Buffoon 1 59
Hercules Furens 133
Hercules OEt us 314
Hero mid Leander 248
Herod
Index of P l a y si
Herod the Great 2,1
Herod a?;d Antipater 171
Herod a/id Mariamne 204
Heroick TriendjVip ; a 'trngedy^
never aHed^ nor worthy of //>
i7i)UviouJly Father d on Mr*
Ocway. For a farther Ac-
count of this forry Ferfor-
7}ia7icey fee the Coytchifion of
that Gentleman s Life 1^4
Heroick Love , 123
Heroick Love^ or the Infa?7ta of
Spain
Hey for Honefly
Huntingdon'j Di'vertifemcvt'^ 14
Husband his o-iun Cuckold ^6
Hydafpes ^t^
HyiTienV 'Triumph 58
Hymenasi 1-51
Hypermneftra 197
Hypocondriack 2^ 5
0
20S
1^1
239
106
Hie & Ubicpie
Hide-Park
Hippolitus
Hillriomaftrix 314
Hob, or the Counfrv Wake 7 o,
HoflFmanV Tr/tg-^^ 314
Hog has lofl his Fearl 1 5 7
Hollander 117
Holland' J Leaguer 173
Hotieji La-ivyer 314
Honeji Mans Fortune 105
Honejl Whore 65
Honoria .?77^ Mammon 238
Honour of Wales 315
Horace 48, 1(^5, 201
How to chufe a good W iff 31:4
Humour of the Ag^ '-^"^1 8
Humours of the Army 216
Humours of the Compter 291
Hiimours of the Navy 116
Hu)7iours of Furgatory 290
Humours of York 28<J
H-ti77jor'ous Courtier 240
Humorous Vay's Mirth 37
■ Hui7ioyous Lieutenant 105
Humorous Loners 190
Humd-rilh 223
HHinonr cat of Breath 6^
J-
JAck DromV E72tertai7me7ft
Jack Jugler ^x^
Jack Straw 'i L/f<? a77d Death
Jacob ^wcf Elau ibid.
James IV. ibid.
Jane Shore *'"'-''xv^
Ibrahim, the Illujirlom Bajft
: .,.'i^:. 2,21
Ibrahim XII. Empercr' of'-jthe
Turks '265
y-ealous Lovers 208
Jeronymo 315
Jeronymo is Mad again ibid.
■JewV 'Tragedy 132
Jew of Malta 172
Jew 0/ Venice 125
If this be77*t a good ^lay the
Devil's 177' t 6y
If yeu know not Me^ you knoiv
770 Body 155
Ignoramus 315
Imagi7jary Cuckold 295
Impatient Poverty 31^
Imperial Tragedy 1^7
Imperiale us
Impertinent s 29 5
Impojhr 240
L7ipoJlor J)efeafed 7,iC
A a Im-
Index of Play s^
Impronfptu of Verfailles 294
I?2chant ed Lo'uers 165
Imonjinnt 99
Indian Emperor 78
Indian Oueen 142
• Ingratitude of a Common Wealth
Injur d Love, or the Cruel Huf-
. hanA - 256
Injur d hove, or the Ladies Sa-
tisfaBion 3 1 6
Injur d Lovers 187
Injur d Princefs 90
injur d Virtue 290
Inuer-Temple Mafque 182
Innocent Mijlrefs 204
Innocent JJfurper 10
Infatiate Countefs 175
Interlude of Youth 316
Intrigues of Verfailles 92
Jocafta 113
jchn the Evangelijl 315
Johii, Ki?ig of England 230
jofeph 3 1 <J
Jofeph'j AffiBions ibid.
yovial Crew-, or the Merry Beg-
gars 24
^o^ial CreWy or the Devil turn d
Ranter 315
Iphigenia <J8
Irene, or the Fair Gteek 289
Irifh Mafque 151
Iron Age 13<J
Ifland Princefs 105,255
IJland Trincefsy or the Generous
186
10
64
210
45
5^
6, 231
3i<J
171
60
Porttignefe
IJland S^e en
IJle of Gulls
Italian Husband
Judgment of Paris
Juliana
Julius Caefar
Juror
jFhJI General
Jufi Italian
^QOQQ^QQOGQC)Q
K.
Vage
rTw^ Keeper, or Mr, Lim-
-^^ berham 84
^i;;^ Arthur 85
King Edgar /??7^Alfreda 209
King John and Matilda 6z
Ki72g Lear 232
Kiyig and no King 105
Khig and Queens Entertain-
ment at Kichmond 3 1 (J
Kings Entertainment ^t Wei-
beck 1 50
Knack to know an Bane ft Man
31^
Knack to^novj a Knave ibid.
Knave in Grain ibid.
Knavery in all Trades ibid.
Knight of the Burning Pefik
105
Knight of Malts. 105
L.
T Ady Alimony 3I7
-^ L.tdy Errant 3 1
Ltf^fy Jane Gray 213
Lady^of Pleafure 239
Lady*s Contemp lation 191
Lady*s Privilege 1 1 7
L/iWyV /^^ 5/^ie 39
Lady's "Triumph 222
L/rrfy'i ^ry/»i HI
Ladfs Vifiting-Day 16
Lamentable Tragedy 20(J
Lancafliire Witches 137
Lancafhire ^/c^#/,/W7rfTeagpe
0 Divelly 224
Landgartha ^^
Z<4^
Index of P l a y s;
IPage
Late Rewlttiion 3^7
Law againfi Lovers 60
Ltws of Candy 105
La-zvsjf Nature 3 1 7
Law Tricks <^4
Lawye/j Fortttfie^ or Love in a
holloa Iree 291
Le^r, King of England, and
his three Daughters 2.^6
Learned Ladies 294
Levellers Levelled 317
Liberality and Frodigality 3 1 8
Libertine 224, 294
Liberty flfferted ■ 68
Like will be like, quoth the De-
i;il to the Collier 113
lingua 317
llitigants 198
Little French Lawyer 106
Locrine 232
Lodovic Sforza, Duke 0/ Milan
119
London Chanticleers 3 1 7
London Cuckolds 210
London Prodigal 232
Longer thou livfl the more Tool
thou art 269
Look about ye 317
Lookittg-Glafs for London 164
Lofi Lady 31S
Lofi Lover 1 69
Lofi Prf??cefs 3 1 7
Love A-la-mode ibid.
Love Betray' d 26
Love and a Bottle 98
Love and Honour 60
Love and Liberty 153
Love and Revenge 221
Love and PVar 18 1
Lnie and Zeal 28 3
Love at frfi fight 52
Love at a Lofs 160
Love at a Venture 3 3
Love for Love 45
Tage
Love for Money 9^,
Love Dmgootj d 43?
Love freed from Ignorance 1 57
Love in a Chefi 1 53
Love in a Sack 290
Love in a 'Tub 9S
Love in a Veil 29^,.
Love in a Wood 28a
Love in a Woody or the Country
'Squire 3 ^ '^
Love in the Dark 9^
Love in its Exta/y 200
Love ivithout Interefi 318
Love makes a Man 38
Love only for Love's fake 9 7
Love the befi Phyfician 293
Love Refior'd 1 5 1
Love "Tricks 241
Love Triumphant 85
Love crowns the E?2d 2y6
Loves of Ergafta 29a
Love's Adventures 191
Love's Contrivance 35
Love's Cruelty 240
Love's Cure 106
Love's Dominion 1*^2
Love's a j^efi 185
Love's a Lottery 318
Love's Kingdom 1 02
Love's Libour lofi 250
Love's Labyrinth 28S
Love's laft Shift 38
Love's Loadfione 318
Loves of Mars and Venus 185
165
106
49
no
^7
L5:/e*i Triumph thro Callipolis
i5c»
Love's Viclim ii<^
I*Jt€'/ r/t^i'ry 34
Aa 2 Low's
Love's Metamorphofis
Love's Mifirefs
Love's Pilgrimage
Love's Riddle
Love's Sacrifice
Love's Triumph
In
^ove s Tl'^elcoyne
Lovers Ltick
Ztovers ']yiel<t7ichoJy
ij^vers Fi'ogrefs
Jj0vif7g Ef/emies
ZjQve-Jick Court
L>vejick Ki?7g
luoyal Brother
Lijai Gef/eral
"Loyal Loz'ers
Loyal Subjefi
B E X of
F-age
150
70
no
106
166
24
255
I7T
106"
245>
hvicius.frfi Chvtfilan Khg of Mail's thj^ Mtpv
Britain
Lucius Junius Brutus
Lucius Verns
'i^ucky Chance
Lucky Prod/gal
Luminalia
Lunatick
LmJ^'s "Domlriiort
Lujh Juventus
Lye fig Lovers
169
161
318
16
518
318
172
H9
^^li^ «^i?^^^i^ ^|g«^l§»
M
M
Ackbeth
Aiadam Fickle
Mad CoHph rj;ell matched
Mad Lover . ,^^1
Mad World my M.a]i^rs ■. '
Magnet kk Lady
Magnificent Lovers
Maideiihead -^vell lofi -
Maid hi the Mill
Ai^tid of Honour
Maid of Moor Clack
Maid's laji Prayer
Maid's Metamorphofis
Maid's the Mijirefs
Maid's Revenge
Maid's Tragedy
JiJaleco/itenf
232-
24'
106
•1S3
150
295
1^6
106
175
7
24(>
16'.
0
257
2-39
106 J 266
174
LAYS.
Mtll^ or Modip Lo^ei-s 520
Mamamouchi 209
Mangora, King of^ the Timbu-
fians 295
Manhater 224, 245
320
321
9^
142
35
60
20
319
Manhood and V/ifdom
Maniins
Manlius Capitolinus
Man of Mode
Man of Newmarket
Mian's Beivitch'd
Marcelia
Marcus Tullius Cicero
Mariam , tie Fair Q^een of
Jury 27
Marius and Scylla 164
Marplot 53
Marriage Al-a-Mode 79
Marriage Broaker 319
J\darriage Mater match' d. f^Jl
Marriage Night 99
Marriage of Oceanus and Bri-
102"
140
Science
320
55
268
80, 292
237
16)
tannia
Marriage of the Arts
Marriage of Wit and
Married Beau
Marry or do ivorfe
Sir Martin Mar-all
Martyr
Martyr d Soldier
Mary Magd. Repenta?ice
Mlafcjue at Berthie 40
Aiafqus at Lord HaddingtonV
151
Mafque at Lord Hayes'j ibid.
Mafqiie at Ludlow- C<«/?/^ 184
Mafque of Augurs i^^r.
Mnfqiie of Floivers 319
Adtfpie of Grays-Inn io(>
Mafque cj Middle-Temple 321
Mafcfite of Owls 150
Mafque of Queens 145
, Mafqus
Ikd bx of Pl a y:s^
Mafqife of Ya\ennhia.n 5^1
Mafcjiierade -9^
Maf<],iierade da Ciel 319
M<tjjacre of Paris i<^-
Jiiajfacr^ at Paris, ct;if/^ f/je
j354/^ of f.^e D//l'5 of Guife
Maffianello 93 > 3^9
Majhr Anthony --
Mapv Turbulent 3-0
Match at Midnight 2,14
Match in Newgate ii4
Match me in London ^5
Matilda ; a "Tragedy y written in
the "Hime of K* Henry VII.
Matrimonial "Troubles 1 9^
May-D/iy 3^
Mayor of Queenbor ough 1 8 3
Meafure for Meafure 2,3*^
Medea 299
Melicerta 294
Moenechmus 320
Merchant of Venice 250
Mercurius Britannicus 320
Mercury Fi/7^/V^^e^ I5'i
Merry Devil of Edmonton 319
Merry Wives of Wind for 230
Meflalina, the Roman Emp'efs
211
Metamorphofis 48, 353
Metamorphos'd Gypjtes 1 49
Michaelmas-Tenn 183
Microcofmus 188
Midfummer Night's Dream 250
Mir2;a 1 3
Mi/er 223
Miferies of Civil War 54
Mi/er ies of Fore d Marriage 272
Mijiahe z6.^^
Mtfiaken Beauty 320
Mifiahen Husba-nd 79
Mifiakes 129
Mithridates, iCi/Tg- c/ Ponrus
161
iWbci^ VugJliJl. . 320
iV/or/t Tempefi
Mock Thyeftes
Modern Prophets
Modijh Husband
Mohocks
Monfieur D' Olive
219
87
275
z6
115
^5
Monfieur De Pourceaugnac294
Monfieur Thomas 107
Money's an Afs ■ 1 )4
ili(?>-e Diffemhlers hefides JVon/en
183
Morning Ramble 320
Mortimer'i F^// 1 5*^
Mother Bomhy i^4
il^o/W Shipton 259
Mourni?/g Bride 43
Mucedorus ,3^9
Much ado about Nothing 230
Mulberry-Garden 242
Miileafles ^/.;^ Turk 1 74
Mufe of Newmarket . 320
Mufes Lodking-glafs 208
Muftapha 21, 128
Mydas 1^4
Myrtillo 39
.^^ .*3 ^ ^ ^' ^^ ^ -^ *,^;.^*
N.
'Ature's three Daughters 191
Neg lech d Virt ue z 9 1 ., 3 2 1
Neptune'-f Triumph 151
Nero, Emperor of Ronoe 160
N-
5^ J.
Nezv Academy 24
Nevu Athenian Comedy 522
Ne^uCupm 321
N'f?'^; Exchange 24
New-Inn 15*^
Newmarkgt Erin 32 1
Nei'j Trick to Cheat the Dev/l
' ibid.
" Neiij
Index of P l a y s;
¥age
2^etv Way to pay old Debts if 6
New Wondevy a Woman mver
'Dex'd 214
T^e^jus from Plymouth 60
Newt from the World in the
Moon 149
Nice Valour 107
Nice Wanton 521
Nicomede 56
Night's Intrigue 521
Night-Walker 107
Noah'i Flood 95
Noble Gentleman 107
Nohle Ingratitude 1^5
Nohle Spanifh Soldier 215
Nohle Stranger z^6
No Body andfome Body 521
Nonjuror 39
Northern Lafs 24
Northward Hoe 65
Novella 24
Novelty 185
No Wit like a Woman's 182
Nuptials of Peleus and Thetis
144
O.
/^Beron, the Fairy Prince 151
^^ Obfiinate Lady 40
Oftavia 522
Oedipus 85, 189, 258
Old Batchelor 42
Oldcaftle'i Hiftory 232
Old Couple 178
Old Law 182
OM Mans Leffon 22
OM iV^orf^ ^??^ /^e j^?^'u; 95
OM 'Troop 1 59
Old Wife's Tale 322
Opportunity 241
Ordinary 5 1
Oreftes
Orgula
iiS
322
ibid.
Orlando Fariofo
Ormafdes 157
Oroonoko 24^
Orphan 195
Orpheus rt;;?ff Eurid ice 322
Ofmond, /^e Gre^;^ Turk 28
Othello, Moor of Venice 232
Ovid'i "Tragedy 43
>cS
P.
pAllantus and Eudora 1 5^
Pandora 157
Pan and Syrinx
Pan*/ Anniverfary
Parafitafter
Parliament of Bees
Varfons Wedding
Pajtonate Lover
Paftor Fido
Pathomachica
Patient Griflel
Sir Patient Fancy
258
149
174
^5
28
97,221
323
324
15
5/. Patrick for Ireland 240
Patriot 324
Paufanias 225
Pedlar's Prophecy 524
Peleus and Thetis 353
Perfidious Brother 258
Pericles, Prime of Tyre 232
Perjurd Husband 52
Perjtird Nun 2 3
perjuror 524
Perkin Warbeck i ii
Perolla ^wrf Izadora 39
Perplexed Couple 295
Perplex' d Lovers 3 5
Perfian Pm;ce/jr 258
Petticoat Plotter 324
Phaeton 116?
Pha-
Index of P l a y s.
Page
Pbanatick Vlay 524
Phasdra arid Hippolitus 244
Philafter 197
Phillis 0/ Scyros 325
Phiiotas 5 7
Pbilotus 322
Phcenix 181
Phoenix h her FUmes 16$
Phormio 18
PiBure 1 7 (J
Pilgrim I07,I57»435
Pilgrims y or Happy Convert s^z^
Pindar of Wakeheld 925
Pifo'j Confpiracy ibid.
Pity file's a Whore III
Plain Dealer .208
Platonick Lady 53
Platonick Lovers 60
Play betaveen John the Hnshand
and Tih his Wife 152
Play bet<wee?j the Pardoner^ the
fryar^ theCmaie^^c. ibid.
Play of Genteelnefs and Nobi-
lity ibid.
Play of Love ibid.
Play of Weather ibid.
Play is the Plot 284
Play-Houfe to be Lett 60
Pleafure at Keaelworth 1 14
Pleafure reconciled to Virtue 149
Plot and no Plot 68
Plutus, or the World* s Idol 258
Poetafler 1 47
Poet's Revenge 34
Politician 240
Politician Cheated 12*^
Pompey 202
Pompey the Great 266
Pompey and his Fair Cornelia
158
Poor Aran's Comfort (Jj
Poor Scholar iSy
Portfmouth Heirefs 324
Pragmatical ^e/uit
Presbyterian Lafh
Prefence
Prefumptttous Love
Pretenders
Pretender s Flight
Page
50
525
192
325
70
295
Prince of Prigg's Revels 325
Prince fs 157
Princefs of Cleve i6z
Princefs of Elis 293
Princefs of Parma 243
Prifonevs 157
ProjeBors 274
Pramifes of God Mamfefled 324
Promus rtWf/CafTandra ibid.
Prophetefsy or the Uijlory of Dio-
clefian 107
Provoked Wife z6^
Prunella 94
Pfyche 22
Pfyche Debauched
Publick Wooing 191
Puritan 232
Pyrrhiis, King of Epyrus 140
Pyrrhus and Demetrius 324
3» 294
88
a
QTJacks 299
» Queen 324
Queen and Concuhins 24
Queen Catherine 204
Queen of Arragon 129
Queen of Corinth 107
Queen s Arcadia *} 7
Queen s Exchange 24
Queen s Mafque of Beauty 1 48
Queen s Mafque of Blackriefs
ibid.
Qnerer per folo querer 9 7
I K D« X of P L A ¥«;
^i!>3:e5C2^^^'^5)S5c^^
71 Agri}j^ Turk
-^ Ram Alley
Hamhl'ujg yisjlice
B.ampa7it Alderman
Rape
Jiape of Lucrece
Rehellmi
B-ecntithig Officer
Reform d Wife
Reformation
Regulus
Rehearfal
ReLitfe
Religious
Reliff^ioHS ReheJ.
o
Renegado
Reflauyafion
Ret Mm from Parnaflas
Rcijetige
Revenge for Ho?70ur
Revo^geftd Qneejj
Revenger s Iragedy
Reward of Virtue
Revolution of Sweden
Revolter
Rhoden andliis
Richard II.
Richard III, or the
VfliYpCV
Richard III.
Richmond Keirefs
RinalJo and hxmi^a.
Rinaldo
Riv.ll Brothers
Rival Fools
Ritjal Trieiids
Rival Kiiigs
Rival Ladies
Rival Qneens
Rival Sijlers
Rivals
Roaring Girl
Ta^e
i6i
119
325
182
Tage Robert Earl of Huntingdon'^
Dowtifal afid Death 154
Robin Confcience 326
Robin Hood a72d his Crew oi
Soldiers ibia.
Robin Hood'i Tafioral May-
Game ibid.
Rollo, Dtilze of Normandy
104
Roman Aclor
Roman Bride's Revenge
Roman Emprefs
Roman Ge72er.:ls
Romeo a7id Juliet
Rome'/ Follies
Romulus a77d Herfilia
Rofamond
Ro'u7jdhexds
Rover
Royal Convert
Royal Cuckold
Royal Flight
Royal Ki7ig and' Loyaf Suhje'B
135
Royal Martyr-
Royal Mafque
Royal Majier
Royal ]\dercha72t
Royal Mi/chief
Royal Shepherdefs
Royal Slave
118
160
325
ibid.
136
211
99
285
3^5
55
264
262
191
175
326
325
ibid.
0^6
202
161
III
26^0
32<>
158
230
Sicilian
255
231
91
68
326
32(J
3.9
130
9
83
175
1 16
155
71
231
32:5
ibid.
■ i»%
16
326
ibid.
28S
o o ■>
Royal Voyage
Royalijt
Rudens
Rule a W4^
Rump
■ r-^
89
2S7
and have a Wife
.107
256
S. Sii*
Index of P l a y $,'
s.
254
328
184
154
159
CAcrlfice
^ Sad 0?ie
Sad Shepherd
Saint Cicely
Salmacida Spolia
Sampfon Agoniffes
Sapho aTid Phaon
Satyromajlix
Sawney the Scot
Scaramouch, a Philofopherf 8cc
209
School -Boy 39
School foy Hushands 293
School for Wives ibid.
Scipio Africanns 281
Scornful Lady 3:07
Scot'i Vag^^.ries 'l'j6
Scotd(h politick. Vreshyter 328
SiOwrers • 2:^5
Sea Voyage 107
Secret Love 83
Seyiims's Fall 147
Selimus, Emperor of the Turks
118
Selindra 157
Semele 45
Sertorius 8
Several Wits 191
Seven Champion i 158
Sham Laivyer . ) I
5/;e Galla?its 123
5^0^ Ventures and He Wins 329
5/?^ Wou'd andflje Wond ?Jot 3 9
5^* W(5;/^ if jhe Coud 9 5
Shepherd's Holy day 2 1 5
Shepherd's Faradife 1S4
Shoemaker's Holiday 328
Shoemaker s a Ge/itleman 214
Sicelides 3^7
Sicily ^77^ I^aples 3iS
Sicilian
Siege J or Love* s Convert
Si-'ge of Babylon
Siege of Conftantinople
Sifge of Damafcus
Siege of Memphi*
Siege of Mons
Siege of Rhodes
Siege of Troy
Seige of Urbin
S:le?jt Woman
Silver Ag£
Sir Solomon Single
Sijhrs
Six Days Adventure
Slighted Maid
Slip
Sociable Companions
Socrates Triumphans
Sodom
Soldier s Fortune
Soliman and Perfeda
Solon
SophiJ}er
Sophompaneos
Sophonisba
Sophy
Spanifh Bated
Spanifh Curate
Spanifh Fryar
Spanifh Gypfies
Spanifh Rogue
SpatiifFi Wives
Spanith "Tragedy
Sparagus Gardeyi
Spartan Dame
Sp:''ches at Frince Henry'
riers
Spighiful Sijler
Sport upon Sport
Spring's Glory
Sc^uire of Alfatii
Spfire Old Sap
Bb
T.ige
294
60
31
205
328
145
88
329
60
329
159
148
32S
240
142
248
285
191
329
lOI
I9<>
327
282.
527
120
174
66
3.08
84
185
87
205
308
24
245
s Bar-
151
7
328
188
224
89
Staoff
I N D
E X
of P
AY p.
Beau iofs'd in a BlafiKet
3-9
Siafre Coach
Staple of Keci's
State of Ir7?2ocence
Stepmother
Stole?-; Heirsfs
SfratJire D if c every
Suhjecls foy
Succefful Pirate
Succefsful Strangers
Sullen Loi'ers
Sultanefs
I5iz, 299
99
150
81
328
52
528
155
Thebais ^
Theodofiiu
Therfites
Thefeus
Thomafo
Thomyris
Tho'iny- Abbey
Thracian Wonder
I'hree Hours after Marriage I J 5
l^r/ee Ladies of London
Thiery and Theodoret
Thyeftes 54, 133,
Tiberius
330
331
»57
330
270
Summer'/ Lafl Will and 'Tefia- 'T'.de tarrieth for no Man
msnt 189
Suns Darling III
Suptofes 114
Surpriz^'tl 143
Surrender of Mon5 329
SufannaV Ijsars ibid.
Swaggering Damfe! 34
S wetnam, ths V^^oman-Hater ar-
raigti^d 327
T.
Cr*Ale of Tith 151
-^ Tamberiain the Great 172,
219
Tamerlane
^Tanting of the Shre-u?
Tancred and Gnifmond
Tartu ff iSo,
Tarugo'j Wles
Tenape BejJo'd 329
'Tempefif cr the Enchanted IJlafid
80, 229
^eniph '^6
'Temple of hove 6^
Render Husband 249
Ihe logger thou Uvji the greater
Fool z6'^
213
230
273
294
217
330
log
274
329
300
J 49
330
'X'rf77e Vindicated
Timoleon
Timon of Athens, or the Man-
Hater 224,231
*'Tis pity ps's a V/hore
Titus Andronicus
Titus and Berenice
Tom EfTence
Tom Tyler and his Wife
Tottenham-Court
Town Fop
Town Shifts
Trapoliti, fi^Ppos'd a Trince 40
Travels of the three £nglifh
Brothers 6^
Tray tor 238, 297
Traytor to hinijelf 1:^7,0
Treacherous Brother
III
251
195^
211
330
188
1^6
Trie J: for Trick
Tricks of Phorraio
Trick to catch the Old One
Triumph of Beauty
Triuripb of J^oz/e
Triiaiiph of 'Peace
Triumph of Prince
205
89
IS2
240
i8z
24a
D' Amour
6\
330
190
Triumph of Virtue
Triumphant Widonv
Troades, or ths Royal Captives
Troas
I N D
EX of P t A y s,
Page
Troas 159, 330
Troilus a}?d Creflida 82, 231
Tn/e Trojans 329
"True V/ido'W 224
'itrial of Chivalry 330
3r/<t/ of 'Treafiire ibid.
Tryphon 21
li unhn^gQ-Walks 8
Tunbridge-fT^/// 330
Tivelfth-Nioht 230
Xztv';/ Rivals 99
^J^-wins 211
^^•0 Gei7tlemen of Verona 230
'T1V0 Noble Kin/men 1 08
2a?o ^»|->y Women of Abing-
don 29^
^tyo mervy Milk- Maids 330
^rW|9 'Tragedies i?z One 302
^'^•i) ii;i/e Men and fll the reji
Fools ^6
^Tyrannical Government 330
Tyrannick Love 8 2
V.
Virtuous Wife 89
Virtuofo 224
y?/^;; 0/ Delight 151
F//(>w of /^e Tivelve Goddejfes 58
UlyfTes
Unfortunate Lovers
Unfortunate Shepherd
Unfortunate Mother
Unfortunate Ufurper
Ungrateful Favorite
Unhappy Favorite
Unhappy Fair Irene
Unhappy Kindnefs
Unhappy Penitent
Unjujl yudq^e
Unnatural brother
Unnatural Combat
Unnatural Mother
Unnatural Tragedy
Untnijpng the Humorous Poet 6$
Voluntiers 225
Volpone 148
Vo^j^'Breaker 218
Ufurper 141
215
300
188
331
331
IQ
254
220
26(5
20
100
331
191
■\7'Alentinian
- Valiant Scot
108, 272
331
Valiant Welchman
ibid.
Variety
433
Venice Prefer-v\d
1^6
Venus and Adonis
39
Very good Wife
205
Very Womati
177
Veji^l Virgin
143
Vice Reclaimed
301
V^Bim
M3
Vi^orious Love
268
Villain
205
Virgin Martyr
177
Vi'^gin Prophetefs
222
Virgin Widoiv
207
yirtue Betray'd
10
yirtuous O^avia
22
w.
T/fjAl^s of Iflington
''^^ Walking Statue
Wandring Lover
Warni-n^ for Fair Women
Wary Widow
Way of the W'orld
Weakejl goes to the Wall
Wealth and Health
Weddinar
Weneilaus
WeJi'Lvard Hoe
What d^ ye call it
What ye ivill
When you fee me^ you know me
215
White
1 54
139
181
332
138
45
S32
ibid.
241
332
^5
115
174
I N D E X of P L A Y Sl
150
16
115
108
94
153
78
168
ibid.
f^ite Devil
Whore of Babyloil
l^ldoiv
Widow Ranter
Widoivs "Tears
Wife of Bath
Wife for a MojJth
Wife ivell manag'd
Wife's Relief
Wild Gallant
Wild Goofe Chafe
Wily BeguiVd
Win her and take h^r
Winey Beer, Ale and tobacco
ibid.
Winters 'Tale ^ 230
Wife Wo^^^ ^f J^ogfden 13 (J
Witch of Edmonton 65, 214
Wit at a Finch 518
PVii without Money loS
W~'ii at fever al Weapons ibid.
Wit of a Woman 332
Wit in a Gonfiable 1 1 7
Wits 60
Wit's Cabal 191
Wits led by the Nofe 34
Witty Combat 332
Witty Fair One 238
Wf^'^ Ejccufe 2^6
Woman Captain 224
Woman tarnd Bully 332
Woman will have her Will 310
Wo^an Hater ic(>
WotJtan in the Moon 164.
Women i beiv are Women 183
Wonder, a Woman keeps a Se-
cret 33|
Wondery a Woman never Vext
214
Wonder if a Kinp;dom
Wonders in the Sun
World in the M0071 '
World toft at Tennis
World's Idol
Wrangling Lovers
Wyat'j Ilijlory
65
95
221
182
253
20^
66
X.
x^
rxe^
38
y.
yOrkfliire Tragedy
Young Admiral
I09
20
285
142
I09
38
232
239
Toung King 1 6
Tou?2ger Brother 1 7
Youth's Glory, and Death's Ban-
quet 191
Woman kilVd with Kindtiefi 1 3 5
Woman Vleas'd
Woman made a Juflice
'Woman's Rtvenge
W^^^^*^ Conquejl
Woman'' s Prize
Woman's Wit
Woman's a Riddle 28$) 25^8
Woman'' s a Weathercock loo
*:^* The Gentleman-Cully ; a Comedy , was writ by Mi
Chajles Johnfcn.
Z.
^hlm^LnCy or the Corinthian
Queen 332,
F I N J S.
/-
?iwv.» ■♦
>
4
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