In the "Lives and Characters of the English Dramatick Poets . . . . . First begun by Mr. Langbain, improv'd and continued down to this Time, by a Careful Hand, London: Printed for William Turner, at the White Horse, without Temple Bar, 1699," Langbain describes Thomas Thompson as—
A Poor Plagiary, that could not disguise or improve his Thefts. Those two following Plays go under his Name; viz.
The English Rogue, a Comedy, 4to. 1688, acted (says the Title) before several Persons of Honour, with great Applause, and dedicated to Mrs. Alice Barrett.
Mother Shipton, her Life; 4to. The Author hereof says, 'twas acted Nine Days together, with great Applause. Plot from a Book so called in the Prose, 4to., but most of the Characters and Language from The City Madam, and The Chast Maid of Cheapside.
Thompson's play of The English Rogue, was also dramatised from a book by Richard Head, for whose dubious writings Thompson, therefore, seems to have had admiration.
There may be other ancient versions of Mother Shipton's prophecies, but none are known of an earlier date than 1641, and I have dealt with the oldest I can find in the British Museum Library. Notes and Queries,
