The Lives and Characters of the English Dramatick Poets/Thomas Nabbs
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Thomas Nabbs.
He was accounted a Third Rate Poet, who liv’d in King Charles the First’s Time, there is published of his Writings, Eight Dramatick Pieces, which follow in Alphabetical Order:
The Bride, called, a pleasant Comedy, 4 to. 1646. Acted first, Two Years before, at the Private House in Drury-Lane, by their Majesties Servants. Dedicated to several Gentlemen of the Honorable Houses of the Inns of Court, his Friends.
Covent-garden, a Comedy, 4 to. 1638, first acted by the Queen’s Majesty’s Servants, 1632. The Dedication is to the Right Worthy, Sir John Suckling.
Hanibal and Scipio, called, An Historical Tragedy, 4 to. 1637. but acted first in the Year 1635. by the Queen’s Majesty’s Servants, at the private House in Drury-Lane. Plot founded on History; see the Lives of Hanibal and Scipio, in Corn. Nepos, and Plutarch; see also Livy, L. Florus, &c.
An Entertainment on the Prince’s Birth-Day, 4 to. This is ranked under Nabbs, in Mr. Langbain’s Catalogue, as also in Kirkman’s and others, but omitted in Mr. Langbain’s Account of the Poets, for what Reason I know not.
Microcosmos, a Masque, 4 to. 1637. presented (says the Title) with general liking, at the private House in Salisbury-Court, an here set down, according to the Intention of the Author. The Dedication is to the Service and Delight of all truly Noble, Generous, and Honest Spirits. This is a Masque which has good Morality in it, and (as I find) was commended by Brome, and others.
Spring’s Glory, Vindicating Love by Temperance, a Masque, 4 to. 1638. This has much of Morality also, and is commended by Mr. Chamberlain, a then noted Poet, and others. It’s dedicated to Peter Ball, Esq. There is joined with this A Presentation, as intended for Prince Charles’s Birth-Day, (viz.) May 29. which, in other Catalogues has been stiled an Interlude. There are besides, many Poems, Epigrams, Elegies and Epithalamiums.
Tottenham-Court, a Comedy, 4 to. printed 1638. but acted five Years before, in Salisbury-Court: And is dedicated to the Worshipful, Will. Mills, Esq.
Unfortunate Mother, a Tragedy, 4 to. 1640. It is dedicated to the Right Worshipful, Richard Brathwait, Esq. Some of the Author’s Friends bestowed commendatory Verses on this Play, tho’ it did not bear acting.
The Woman-Hater Arraigned, a Comedy, and Charles the First, a Tragedy, have been by Philips and Winstanly, plac’d to this Author, but without any Ground or Reason; for which see among the Anonymous Plays, hereafter mentioned.