The Lives and Characters of the English Dramatick Poets/Unknown Authors
Unknown Authors.
A
The Abdicated Prince; or, The Adventures of Four Years; a Tragi-Comedy, 4to. 1690. acted at White-Hall, by several Persons of Quality.
Abraham's Sacrifice, mentioned in former Catalogues, but I question whether it may be properly called a Play, Mr. Langbain, or my self, having never seen it.
An Alarum for London; or, The Siege of Antwerp; with the Adventurous Acts, and Valiant Deeds of the Lame Soldier; a Tragi-Comedy, 4to. 1602. play'd by the Servants of the Right Honourable, the Lord Chamberlain. Plot from the Tragical History of the City of Antwerp, 4to.
Albion, an Interlude, mentioned in former Catalogues, but never met with by Mr. Langbain, or my self.
Albion's Triumph, a Masque, 4to. 1631. personated at Court by the King, Queen, and the Lords, the Sunday after Twelfth-Night, 1631.
Albumazer, a Comedy, 4to. 1634. play'd at Cambridge before the King, by the Gentlemen of Trinity-Colledge; afterwards revived at the King's House with a new Prologue writ by Mr. Dryden.
Aminta, a Pastoral, 4to. 1628. Translated from Tasso's Aminta, with Ariadne's Complaint, in Imitation of Anguilara.
The Amorous Gallant; or, Love in Fashion; sometimes under the Title of The Amorous Orontus; a Comedy, 4to. 1675. Translated from a French Play, writ by Th. Corneille, stiled, L'Amour Alamode; the Plot from a Spanish Play writ by Ant. de Solis, named, El Amor al Uso.
The Amorous Old Woman; or, 'Tis well if it take; a Comedy, 4to. 1684. 'tis also printed with another Title, call'd, The Fond Lady.
Andronicus, a Tragedy, Impiety's Long Success; or, Heaven's late Revenge, 8vo. 1661. This Play is not mentioned by Mr. Langbain, nor can I learn who is the Author thereof.
Arden of Feversham, his true and lamentable Tragedy, who was barbarously Murthered by the means of his Wife, who being in Love with one Mosebie, hired two Ruffins, Black Will and Shakbag to kill him, 4to. 1599. Plot from Goodwin, Hayward, Hollingshead, Baker, and Beard's Theatre of God's Judgments.
The Arraignment of Paris, a Pastoral, supposed by Kirkman to be Mr. William Shakespear's.
B
The Banish'd Duke; or, The Tragedy of Infortunatuo; 4to. 1690. acted at the Theatre Royal.
The Battle of Alcazar, Fought in Barbary, between Sebastian, King of Portugal; and Abdelmelech, King of Morocco; with the Death of Captain Stukely, a Tragedy, 4to. 1594, acted by the Lord High Admiral's Servants. Plot from Heylin's Cosmography in the History of Spain; De rebus Lusitan. by Andr. Schottum, fol. and Fuller's Worthies.
Band, Ruff, and Cuff; accounted an Interlude in former Catalogues, but neither Mr. Langbain nor my self, could ever procure the Sight of one.
The Bastard, a Tragedy, 4to. 1552. Plot and part of the Language is taken from The Loves of Schiarra and Florelia, in the English Lovers. See also The Unfortunate Spaniard.
The Bloody Duke; or, The Adventures for a Crown, a Tragi-Comedy, 4to. 1690. by the Author of The Abdicated Prince; acted at the Court of Alba Regalis, by several Persons of Quality.
Bonduca, with an Entertainment of Musick, Vocal and Instrumental, a Tragedy acted at the Theatre in Dorset-Garden, 1696. 4to. and dedicated by Mr. Powel to the Right Honourable, the Lord Jefferys. This Play on the Revival (for it is scarce to be said more) tho' the two Universities club'd to the Alterations, did not succeed so well as it deserv'd, considering it almost all Fletcher's.
Braggadocio; or, The Bawd turn'd Puritan, a Comedy, 4to. 1690. by a Person of Quality.
C
CÆsar's Revenge, a Tragedy, of which I can give no Account.
Charles the First, King of England, his Tragedy, 4to. 1649. and dedicated to King Charles the Second, with a Copy of Verses in Praise of it. Plot from English Chronicles.
The Combat of Caps, a Masque which is mentioned in divers Catalogues, but I could never see one.
The Commmons Condition, a Comedy, of which I can give no Account.
The Constant Nymph; or, The Rambling Shepherd, a Pastoral, 4to. 1678. acted at the Duke's Theatre.
The Cornish Comedy, 4to. 1696. acted at the Theatre Royal in Dorset-Garden, by his Majesty's Servants, this Play was writ by a Cornish Attorney, as I am inform'd, who had better have kept to the other Offices of the Quil, so very different from those of Parnassus. 'Tis dedicated by Mr. Powel to Christopher Rich, Esq; one of the Patentees of his Majesty's Theatre; and usher'd in, like other Plays that miss of Success, with a Preface in its Vindication, let its Fate be never so just.
The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth; or, The Restauration of the Protestant Religion, and the Downfal of the Pope, 4to. 1680. being a most excellent Play, as it was acted both at Bartholomew and Southwark Fairs, with great Applause. This is only a Droll, but the Success the Current of the Times gave it, met with a Bookseller to make it pass the Press; but there is no great Poetry to be expected from it, or any Mastery of Design or Conduct; yet if the Readers have a mind to see a particular Account of the Transactions of that glorious Queen, I wou'd advise them, besides our Chronicles of Stow, Speed, Baker, &c. to read the great Cambden's Elizabeth, and Dr. Burnet's History of the Reformation.
The Costly Whore, a comical History, 4to. 1633. acted by the Company of Revels.
The Contention between York and Lancaster, two Parts, with the Death of the good Duke Humphrey, and the Banishment and Death of the Duke of Suffolk, and the Tragical End of the Proud Cardinal of Winchester, with the notable Rebellion of Jack Cade, and the Duke of York's first Claim to the Crown, a Tragedy, 4to. 1600. This Play differs very little from the second Part of Shakespear's Henry the Sixth, fol.
The Counterfeits, a Comedy, 4to. 1679. acted at the Duke's Theatre. Plot from a translated Spanish Novel, called, The Trapanner Trapann'd, 8vo. 1655. Some account this Play to be John Leanard's, a great Plagiary.
The Counterfeit Bridegroom; or, The Defeated Widow; a Comedy, 4to. 1677. acted at his Royal Highness the Duke's Theatre. 'Tis only an old Play of Middleton's, call'd, No Wit like a Woman's, 8vo.
Cromwell's Conspiracy, a Tragi-Comedy. This I never saw.
Cruel Debtor, a Play only nam'd by Mr. Kirkman, but I never saw any such.
Cupid's Whirligig, a Comedy, 4to. 1616. several times acted by the Children of his Majesty's Revels, and dedicated by the Publisher, to Mr. Rob. Hayman. Plot, Boccace's Novels, fol.
Cyrus, King of Persia; a Tragedy.
D
DAmon and Pythias, a History.
Darius, (stiled) a pretty new Interlude, both pithy and Pleasant, of the Story of King Darius, being taken out of the third and fourth Chapter of Esdras. Lond. 1565. 4to. This is a good old Play, and the Author has so contriv'd it, that Six Persons may easily act it. The Title Page refers the Reader to the Place where (if his Curiosity requires it) he may read the Story.
The Debauchee; or, The Credulous Cuckold; a Comedy, 4to. 1677. acted at his Highness the Duke of York's Theatre. 'Tis a Play of Broome's reviv'd, call'd, A Mad Couple well match'd.
The Destruction of Jerusalem.
Dick Scorner, mentioned to be a Play in Mr. Kirkman's Catalogue.
The Divine Masque, 4to. dedicated to General Monk, by one Anthony Sadler.
E
EDward the Third, his Reign, a History, 4to. 1599. sundry times play'd about the City of London. Plot from our old English Chronicles.
Edward the Third, with the Fall of Mortimer, Earl of March, a History, 4to. 1690. acted at the Theatre Royal, by their Majesties Servants; and dedicated to the Right Honourable, Henry, Lord Viscount Sidney. Plot from the English Chronicles, vide Walsingham, du Chesne, Grafton, Stow, Speed, M. Westminster, Fabian, Froissart, Pol. Virgil, Hollingshead, &c. as also Æschasius Major, and a Novel translated from the French, stiled, The Countess of Salisbury, 8vo.
Elvira; or, The Worst not always True; a Tragi-Comedy, 4to. 1667. This is by some ascribed to the Lord Digby.
The Empress of Morocco, a Farce, 4to. 1674. acted by his Majesty's Servants. Said to be writ by Tho. Duffet.
English Men for Money; or, A Woman will have her Will; a very pleasant Comedy, 4to. 1656. often acted with great Applause.
The English Princes; or, The Death of Richard the Third; a Tragedy, 4to. 1673. This Play is ascribed to John Carel, and writ in Heroick Verse. Plot from Hollingshead, Speed, Baker, Stow, Fabian, Grafton, Pol. Virgil, &c.
Enough's as good as a Feast, a Comedy.
Every Woman in her Humour, a Comedy, 4to. 1609.
F
The Factious Citizen; or, The Melancholy Visioner; a Comedy; 4to. 1685. acted at the Duke's Theatre.
The Faithful Shepherd, a Pastoral, 4to. Plot from Guarini's Il Pastor Fido.
Fair Em, the Miller's Daughter of Manchester; with the Love of William the Conqueror, a pleasant Comedy, 4to. 1631. often acted in the City of London, by the Servants of the Right Honourable, the Lord Strange.
The Fairy Queen, an Opera, 4to. 1692. represented at the Queen's Theatre, by their Majesties Servants. There's a Preface prefixt to it, in Defence of Operas, &c. 'Tis wholly borrowed from the Midsummer-Night's Dream, of Shakespear, tho' there is no such Acknowledgment by this Author.
The Fair Maid of Bristow, a Comedy, 4to. 1605. play'd before the King and Queen at Hampton Court.
The False Favourite Disgrac'd, and the Reward of Loyalty; a Tragi-Comedy, 8vo. 1657. This Play is ascribed to George Gerbier D'Ouvilly, but never acted.
The Fatal Jealousie, a Tragedy, 4to. 1673. acted at the Duke's Theatre, and ascribed by some to Mr. Pane. Plot from Johannes Gigas's Postills; see also Theatre of God's Judgments, part 2. p. 55. Unfortunate Lovers, Nov. 1.
The Feign'd Astrologer, a Comedy, 4to. 1668. translated from the French of Monsieur Corneille, Junior. Plot from Calderon's El Astrologo fingido.
Fidele and Fortunatus, in former Catalogues has been ascribed to one Barker.
Flora's Vagaries, a Comedy, 4to. 1670. acted at the Theatre Royal, by his Majesty's Servants; ascribed to Mr. Rhodes. Plot is founded on Boccace's Third Day, Nov. 3.
The Folly of Priestcraft, a Comedy, 4to. 1690.
The Fond Lady, a Comedy, 4to. The same with The Amorous Old Woman, only different Titles.
Free-Will, a Tragedy, translated from the Italian, by H. C. supposed to be Henry Cheek.
Fulgius and Lucrelle, I can say nothing of this Play, having never seen it.
G
The Gentile Craft, see Shoomakers Holiday, which is the same Play.
The Ghost; or, The Woman wears the Breeches, a comedy, writ in the Year, 1640. and printed 4to. 1650.
H
The Hector; or, The False Challenge; a Comedy, 4to. 1656.
Henry the Fifth, with the Battel of Agen-Court; a History, 4to. 1617. acted by the King's Majesty's Servants. Plot from the English Chronicles, viz. Stow, Speed, Baker, &c.
Histriomastrix; or, The Player whipt, a Comedy, 4to. 1610. This Play was writ in the time of Queen Elizabeth.
Hoffman, his Tragedy; or, A Revenge for a Father; acted with great Applause, at the Phænix in Drury-Lane, dedicated by Hugh Perry, to his Honoured Friend Mr. Richard Kilvert.
How to chuse a good Wife from a Bad one, a pleasant conceited Comedy, 4to. 1634. several times acted by the servants of the Earl of Worcester. The Foundation of this Play is taken from a Novel in Cynthio Giraldi, Dec. 3. Nov. 5. the Story of Anselmes saving of young Arthur's Wife, is related in several Novels; vide the Ninth Novel of The Pleasant Companion (printed in 8vo. London, 1684.) stil'd, Love in the Grave.
I
JAck Drums Entertainment; or, The Comedy of Pasquil and Catherine, 4to. 1616. several times acted by the Children of Pauls. Mammon's poysoning of Catherine's Face, resembles the Usage of Demagoras to Parthenia, in Argulus and Parthenia.
Jack Jugler, a Comedy, according to old Catalogues, but I could never procure one.
Jack Straw's Life and Death, a notorious Rebel in England, who was kill'd in Smithfield by the Lord Major of London, 4to. 1593. This Play is divided into but Four Acts. Plot in the English Chronicles, viz. Baker, Speed, Stow, &c. in the Reign of King Richard the Second.
Jacob and Esau, an Interlude, this Play, as it is easy to be perceived, is founded on Scripture. See Genesis, Chap. 25, 26, &c. See also Josephus, Lib. 1. Tornelli Annales, &c.
James the Fourth, a History. The Play is founded on the King of Scotland of that Name.
Jeronymo, the First Part, with the Wars of Portugal; or, The Spanish Tragedy, 4to. 1695. containing the Life and Death of John Andræa.
Jeronymo is mad again; or, The Spanish Tragedy, containing the lamentable End of D. Horatio and Bellimperin, with the pitiful Death of Jeronymo, 4to. 1623. There are some Authors that have quoted several Lines out of this Play, viz. Ben. Johnson in Every Man in his Humour, Shirley in his Bird in a cage, &c.
Impatient Poverty, stiled a Comedy by some Catalogues.
The Imperial Tragedy; fol. 1669. acted at the Nursery in Barbican, Plot from Marcellinus and Cassiodorus, in their Chronicles about Zenon; see also, Baronius, Godeau, Zonarus, &c. 'tis by some ascribed to Sir William Killigrew, and translated from the Latin.
The Interlude of Youth, a serious, old, instructive Piece, written in Verse in 4to.
John the Evangelist. The Title page of this also shews the Subject Divine.
The Jovial Crew; or, The Devil turn'd Ranter; an Interlude, 4to. 1651. This is a Character of The Roaring Ranters of those Times represented in a Comedy.
K
KIng Edgar and Alfreda, a History, 4to. Plot from English Chronicles.
The King and Queen's Entertainment at Richmond, after their leaving Oxford, in a Masque, presented by the most Illustrious Prince Charles, September 12. 1636. and dedicated to her Majesty, the Queen of Great Britain, by a Copy of Verses.
A Knack how to know an Honest Man, a Comedy, 4to. 1596. 'Tis entituled a pleasant conceited Comedy, as it has been sundry times play'd about the City of London.
A Knack how to know a Knave, a very pleasant and merry Comedy, 4to. 1594. several times acted by Edw. Allen, with Kemp's applauded Merriments of the Men of Goteham, in receiving the King into Goteham. Plot from the Story of King Edgar, Ethenwald and Alfeda; see also Walsingham, Grafton, Malmesbury, Stow, &c.
The Knave in Grain new vampt, a Comedy, 4to. 1640. acted at the Fortune with very great Applause.
Knavery in all Trades; or, The Coffee-House; a Comedy, 4to. 1664. acted in the Christmas Holy-days, by several Apprentices with great Applause.
The Knight of the Golden Shield. See Sir Clyomon.
L
The Lady Alimony; or, The Alimony-Lady; an excellent pleasant Comedy, 4to. 1659. duly authorised, daily acted, and frequently followed.
The Late Revolution; or, The Happy Change; a Tragi-Comedy, acted throughout the English Dominions, in the Year 1688. written by a Person of Quality, and printed in 4to. 1690. the Epistle Dedicatory is to all true English Men, &c. This Play or Story is what the Title Bears, viz. The Transactions of the Late King’s leaving the Nation.
The Laws of Nature, a Comedy, by former Catalogues; but I question whether any such.
The Levellers Levelled; or, The Independents Conspiracy to root out Monarchy; an Interlude written by Mercurius Pragmaticus, 4to. 1647. This is dedicated to the late King Charles the Second.
Liberality and Prodigality, a Comedy.
Lingua; or, The Combat of the Tongue and the five Senses for Superiority; a pleasant Comedy, 4to. Mr. Winstanly says, that Oliver Cromwell, the late Usurper, acted the part of Lactus, in Cambridge, which first inspir’d him with Ambition.
London Chanticlers, a witty Comedy, full of various and delightful Mirth, often acted with great Applause, and printed 4to. 1659.
Look about you, a pleasant Comedy, 4to. 1600. play’d by the Servants of the Right Honourable, Lord High Admiral. For the Historical Part, see the English Chronicles; viz. Baker, Speed, Pol. Virgil, Daniel, &c. in the Reign of King Henry the Second.
The Lost Lady, a Tragi-Comedy, fol.
Love A-la-mode, a Comedy, 4to. 1663. acted at Middlesex House, with great Applause. This Play is justified by the Author, who, if we believe the Title Page, is a Person of Honour.
Love’s Loadstone, a Comedy, 4to. of which I refer you to the Letter P. where you may find some Account of it under the Title of Pathomachia; or, The Battle of Affections; which is the same Play, 1630.
Luminalia; or, The Festival of Light; a Masque, 4to. 1637. this was personated (the same Year) on Shrove-Tuesday-Night, by the Queen's Majesty and her Ladies. Mr. Inigo Jones assisted in it.
M
MAnhood and Wisdom, a Play mentioned in other Catalogues.
Marcus Tullius Cicero, that famous Orator, his Tragedy, 4to. 1651. writ in Imitation of Catiline's Conspiracy, by Johnson. Plot Plutarch in vita Ciceronis, Appian, Dion, Lambin, &c.
Marriage of Wit and Science, an Interlude.
Master Turbulent; or, The Melancholicks; a Comedy, 4to. 1682. as it was acted at the Duke's Theatre.
Masque of Flowers, 4to. 1614. presented at the Banquetting-House at White-Hall, by the Gentlemen of Grays-Inn, on Twelfth-Night, 1631. It is dedicated to Sir Francis Bacon, then Attorney General.
Massianello, his Tragedy; or, The Rebellion of Naples; 8vo. 1631. This is dedicated to John Cæsar, of Hyde-Hall, in the County of Hertford, Esq; Plot from Giraffi's History of Naples, Englished by James Howel.
Mercurius Britanicus; or, The English Intelligencer; a Tragi-Comedy, 4to. This Play reflects much upon the Judges, Cook, Hutton, and other Persons concerned in the Business of Ship-Money. It has but four Acts.
The Merry Devil of Edmonton, a Comedy, 4to. 1655. Plot, Fuller's Church Hist. p. 186.
The Morning Ramble; or, The Town-Humours; a Comedy, 4to. 1673. acted at the Duke's Theatre. This Play some think to be written by one Mr. Pane.
Mucedorus, the King's Son of Valencia; and Amadon, the King's Daughter of Arragon; with the Merry Conceits of Mouse; a Comedy, 4to. 1668. acted at the Globe, and afterwards before the King at White Hall. Supposed to be writ by Shakespear, and printed formerly.
The Muse of New-market, containing three Drolls; viz. The Mery Milk Maids of Islington; or, The Rambling Gallants defeated: Love lost in the Dark; or, The Drunken Couple: The Politick Whore; or, The Conceited Cuckold. 4to. 1681. acted (as the Title says) at New-market. All three Drolls stollen from other Plays.
The Mistaken Beauty; or, The Lyar; a Comedy, 4to. 1685. acted by their Majesties Servants, at the Theatre Royal. Translated from Corneille's Le Menteur.
N
NEglected Vertue; or, The Unhappy Conqueror; a Play acted at the Theatre Royal, by his Majesty's Servants, 1696. 4to. and dedicated by Mr. Horden the Player, to the Honourable, Sir John Smith, Baronet, &c. in which he lets his Patron know its ill Success, and that it's none of his own, and in that he's much in the Right, for all the Comical Part is taken out of Fletcher.
Nero's Tragedy, 4to. writ many Years since; another bearing the like Title, was writ and publish'd by Mr. Lee. Plot or Hist. from Suetonius in vita Neronis, Aurelius Victor, Sulvitius Severus, and Tacitus Annal.
A New Custom, an Interlude, 4to. 1573. It contains but three Acts, and may be acted by four Persons. This being writ in Queen Elizabeth's Time, was purposely to vindicate the Reformation.
New-market-Fair, the First Part, a Tragi-Comedy, 4to.
New-market-Fair; or, Mrs. Parliament's New Figaries; the Second Part, a Tragi-Comedy, 4to. 1649. and the Title tells you, writ by the Man in the Moon, and printed at You may go look. The Intent of these Two Plays are to expose the Rebels against King Charles the First.
The Nice Wanton, a Comedy.
No Body, and Some Body; with the true Chronicle History of Elydure, who was fortunately three times Crown'd King of England, 4 to. acted by the Queen's Majesty's Servants. It is not divided into Acts. For the true Story consult our English Chronicles.
O
An Old Wives Tale.
Orlando Furioso, One of the Twelve Peers of France; a Hist. 4to. 1594. acted before the Queen's Majesty. It is not divided into Acts: Translated by Sir John Harrington from Ariosto's Poem so called.
P
PAstor Fido; or, The Faithful Shepherd; a Pastoral, 4to. 1602. written in Italian by Guarini, and afterwards translated into English by this Author, who conceals his Name; but (if we believe the Bookseller who printed it after his Decease, was a Relation to Sir Edward Dimock, then Queen Elizabeth's Champion. Sir Richard Fanshaw and Mr. Settle have both put their Pens to the same Subject.
Pathomachia; or, The Battle of Affections, Shadowed by a Feigned Seige of the City Pathopolis; a Comedy, 4to. 1630. published by one Constable, and dedicated to the Lord Hunsdon: But is the same Play as Love's Loadstone, only different in Title.
Patient Grissel, a Comedy. Plot from Boccace's Novels, Day 10. Nov. 10. fol.
Pausanias, the Betrayer of his Country, a Tragedy, acted at the Theatre Royal, by his Majesty's Servants; written by a Person of Quality, 1696. 4to. and dedicated to Anthony Henly, of the Grange in Hampshire, Esq; by Mr. Southern; the Epilogue being writ by Mr. Henly, and the Prologue by an unknown Hand. Mr. Southern informs us in the Epistle, that it was put into his Hands by a Person of Quality; and that the Play is built on the Model of the Ancients, and according to the Reformation of the French Stage; and I am of Opinion that there is something of the Manly Force of the Ancients in it: tho' the perverted Judgments of the Town could not relish it. The Story you will find in his Life in Plutarch.
The Pedlar's Prophecy, a Comedy.
Philotus, a Comedy, 4to. printed in Scotland, 1612. This Play shews the Mischiefs oft-times happening by Old Age Marrying with Youth.
Piso's Conspiracy, a Tragedy, 4to. 1676. acted at the Duke's Theatre. This is no more than the Tragedy of Nero, with a Title chang'd, and if you compare them, will find no Difference throughout.
The Presbyterian Lash; or, Noctroff's Maid Whipt; a Tragi-Comedy, 4to. 1651. and, says the Title Page, acted in the Great Room at the Pye-Tavern at Algate, by Noctroff the Priest, and several of his Parishoners at the eating of a Chine of Beef.
The Promises of God manifested, this has been in former Catalogues as a Dramatick Piece, but whether it be so I much question.
Promus and Cassandra, in Two Parts.
Q
The Queen; or, The Excellency of her Sex; a Tragi-Comedy, 4to. 1653. published by Alexander Gough, being given him by a Person of Honour; dedicated to the Lady Catharine Mohun. Plot, part of it from Bandello's Novels, and part from Histoires Tragiques par de Belleforest, 8vo.
R
The Rampant Alderman; or, News from the Exchange; a Farce, 4to. 1685. This is taken out of several other Plays, as Fine Companion, &c.
The Rape; or, The Innocent Impostors, a Tragedy, acted at the Theatre Royal, by their Majesties Servants, 1692. 4to. and dedicated to the Right Honourable, Charles, Earl of Dorset and Middlesex, &c. This Play was writ by a Divine, tho' introduc'd by our late Laureat, Mr. Shadwel. It met with no great Success, tho' it is not the worst of our English Tragedies.
The Reformation, a Comedy, 4to. 1673. acted at the Duke's Theatre. This Play is accounted to be written by Mr. Arrowsmith.
The Rehearsal, a Comedy, 4to. 1683. This being an excellent Farce, and ascribed to the late Duke of Buckingham, as Author, has bore several Impressions, and is frequently acted of late Days. This Play lashes the ridiculous Model of our modern Tragedies.
The Religious Rebel, a Tragi-Comedy, 4to. 1671.
The Return from Parnassus; or, The Scourge of Simony, a Comedy, 4to. 1606. It was acted by the Students of St. John's Colledge in Cambridge. This Play censures the Poets, and is the Original Dr. Wild's Play, call'd, The Benefice.
The Revenge; or, A Match in Newgate; a Comedy, 4to. 1680. acted at the Duke's Theatre. This is only a Play of Marston's, called, The Dutch Courtezan, reviv'd and ascribed to Mrs. Behn.
The Rivals, a Tragi-Comedy, in 4to. printed 1668.
Robin Conscience. This has been stiled a Play, but is rather an old Dialougue, entituled, Robin Conscience against his Father Covetous, his Mother Newguise, and his Sister Proud Beauty.
Robin Hood's Pastoral May Games.
Robin Hood and his Crew of Soldiers.
Romulus and Hersilia; or, The Sabine War; a Tragedy, 4to. 1683. Plot from Livii Hist. lib. 1. Ovidii Metamorph. lib. 14, &c.
The Royal Cuckold; or, the Great Bastard; giving an Account of the Birth and Pedigree, of Lewis le Grand, the First French King of that Name and Race, a Tragi-Comedy, as it is acted by his Imperial Majesty's Servants, at the Amphitheatre in Vienna; translated out of the German Language, by Paul Veegerius, 1695. 4to. and dedicated to the Right Honourable, Edward Russel, Lord High Admiral of England, &c. This Play was never acted, and is taken from a little Book in 8vo. called, The Secret History of Lewis the Fourteenth.
The Royal Masque at Hampton-Court, 4to. 1604. presented January the 8th, that Year; personated by the Queen's most excellent Majesty, and the Ladies of Honour attending.
The Royal Voyage; or, The Irish Expedition; a Tragi-Comedy, 4to. 1690. You may easily conjecture what the Subject of this Play is, by its Title and Date.
S
SAlmacida Spolia, a Masque, 4to. 1639. This was presented by the King and Queen's Majesties, on the 21st of January the same Year at White-Hall. The Scenes, Machines, and Ornaments are the Invention of Mr. Inigo Jones, Surveyor General of his Majesty's Works. What was sung or spoken, was writ by Sir William Davenant; and the Musick was composed by her Majesty's Master of Musick, Mr. Lewis Richards.
The Scottish Politick Presbyter Slain by an English Independent; or, The Independents Victory over the Presbyterian Party, &c. a Tragi-Comedy, 4to. 1647. This is a Play of the same Class with the former, and of most others that are writ by Anonimous Authors, for the particular Gust of the Times they are printed in. The Year of its being printed, the Title of it shews; where the Reader may find more of the Grounds of it, viz. in the Accounts of the Transactions of those Times.
She Ventures, and He wins, a Comedy, acted at the New Theatre in Little Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, by his Majesty's Servants, written by a young Lady, 1696. 4to. The Plot is taken from a very pleasant witty Novel of Mr. Alexander Oldis, called, The Fair Extravagant; or, The Humorous Bride.
Sicelides, a Piscatory Dramma, or a Pastoral, 4to. 1631. acted at King's-Colledge, Cambridge. For the Plot consult Ovid Metamorph. lib. 4, & 13. also Orlando Furioso.
Shoomakers Holyday; or, The Gentle Craft; with the Humorous Life of Simon Eyre, Shoomaker and Lord Mayor of London, a Comedy, 4to. 1657. acted before the Queen's most excellent Majesty, by the Right Honourable the Lord High Admiral's Servants. The Story from the old Book, called, The Gentle Craft, 4to.
The Siege of Constantinople, a Tragedy, 4to. 1675. acted at the Duke's Theatre. Plot from Heylin's Cosmography, Book 2. in the Description of Greece, Paulus Jovius, Knolles Hist. and Constantinopolis a Mabammada 2da. expugnata, fol.
The Siege and Surrender of Mons, a Tragi-Comedy, exposing the Villany of the Priests, and the Intreagues of the French, 1681. 4to. This was never acted, and is built on the publick News, and private Reports of that Siege.
Sir Clyomon, Knight of the Golden-Shield, Son to the King of Denmark; and Clamydes, the White Knight, Son to the King of Suavia, (both Valiant Knights) their History, 4to. 1599.
Sir Giles Goose-Cap, Knight; a Comedy, 4to. 1636. acted at the private House in Salisbury-Court, with great Applause. This was publish'd by one Perry, and dedicated to Richard Young, Esq;
Sir Solomon; or, The Cautious Coxcomb; a Comedy, 4to. 1671. acted at his Royal Highness, the Duke of York's Theatre. This is mostly a Translation from Moliere's L'Ecole des Femmes, and most agree done by Mr. Carel. This Play, tho' met with some Enemies, yet found Success in the Action; and afterwards the Author printed a Justification of it.
Solimon and Perseda, their Tragedy; wherein is laid open Love's Constancy, Fortune's Inconstancy, and Death's Triumphs; 4to. 1599. This old Play, with the before-going long Title, is not divided into Acts.
The Sophister, a Comedy, 4to. 1638. This Play, tho' printed, was not, I believe, ever acted.
The Spanish Bawd; or, Calisto and Melibea, represented in Celestina, a Tragi-Comedy, fol. 1631. The Play is very long, and was originally writ in Spanish, and done into English by Don Diego Puedeser, a Spaniard; who also translated another Book into English, called, Exemplary Novels, fol. There are Twenty Four Acts in The Spanish Bawds.
Sport upon Sport; Drolls, 8vo. This is a Collection of Drolls taken from Plays, by Kirkman, and printed 1673.
The Step-Mother, a Tragi-Comedy, 4to. 1664. acted at the Theatre in Little Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, by his Highness, the Duke of York's Servants.
The Strange Discovery, a Tragi-Comedy, 4to. 1640. Plot and Language from Heliodorus's Æthiopick Hist. 8vo. Book 10.
Susanna's Tears.
The Subjects Joy; or, The King's Restauration, cheerfully made known in a sacred Masque, &c. 4to. 1660. dedicated to the Lord General Monk. This Masque has been omitted by Mr. Langbain.
Swetnam, the Woman-Hater, arraign'd by Women, a Comedy, 4to. 1620. acted at the Red-Bull, by the Queen's Servants. Plot from an old Spanish Book, call'd, Historia de Aurelia, Isabella Hija del Rey de Escotia, &c. 12mo. and from an English Pamphlet, entituled, The Arraignment of Lewd, Idle, Froward, and Inconstant Woman.
T
TEmpe Restored, a Masque, 4to. 1631. This was presented on Shrove-Tuesday, at White-Hall, to his Majesty, by the Queen and fourteen Ladies of Honour. The Descriptions, &c. of the Scenes were invented by Mr. Inigo Jones.
Thersytes, an Interlude.
Tiberius (Claudius Nero) his Tragical Life and Death, a Tragedy, 4to. 1617. Plot from Suetonius, Dion, Tacitus, &c.
Timoleon; or, The Revolution; a Tragi-Comedy, London, printed 1697. 4to. and dedicated to his Friend, J. F. The Comical part is a very good and useful Satyr on the Mercenary Temper of many Courtiers of preferring Money to Merit. The Story of Timoleon, is in his Life in Plutarch, and Cornelius Nepos, &c.
Tom Essence; or, The Modish Wife; a Comedy, 4to. 1677. This Play succeeded well, and is said to be writ by one Mr. Rawlins; Part from Molliere's Le Cocu Imaginarie, and part from Corneilles D. Cæsar D'Avalos.
Tom Tyler and his Wife, an Interlude, 4to. printed first many Years ago, in an old English Black Letter, and in a sort of Burlesque Verse. The Drift of the whole Play is to represent and humble a Shrew. If it be compar'd with Monsieur Poison's Le Sot Venge, a near resemblance will appear.
A Traytor to Himself; or, Man's Heart his greatest Enemy; a moral Interlude, in Heroick Verse, 4to. 1678. This was acted by the Boys of a Publick School at a Breaking up, and publish'd that it may be useful on the like occasion. In it are no Womens Parts. Plautus his Captives is writ like it.
The True Trojans; or, Fuimus Troes; being a Story of the Britains Valour at the Romans first Invasion; a History, 4to. 1633. This Play was publickly presented by the Gentlemen Students of Magdalen-College, in Oxon. Plot from Liv. Lib. 3. Cæsar Comment. Lib. 4, and 5. Galfridus ap. Arthur Monumetensis. De Gestis Regum Britanniæ, Lib. 4.
A Tryal of Chivalry, 4to. Wanting the Title Page, I'm ignorant of the Date and Place of its acting.
Tryal of Treasure.
The Triumphs of Virtue, a Tragi-Comedy, acted at the Theatre Royal, 1697. by his Majesty's Servants. Tho' this Play succeeded not, it seems, among a great many Faults of Language, not to want some Merit; and had the Style and Language been as good as the Design, it could not have fail'd of Applause. The Begining seems to be borrowed from Fletcher's Wit without Money; and great part of the Character of Antonio (if I'm not mistaken) is copied from thence.
Tunbridge-Wells; or, A Day's Courtship, a Comedy, 4to. 1678. acted at the Duke's Theatre. This is thought to be writ by Mr. Rawlins, tho' the Title says, by a Person of Quality. This does not equal Epsom-Wells.
Tyrannical Government.
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THE Unfortunate Usurper, a Tragedy, 4to. 1663. dedicated to Mr. Edward Umferville. The same Story of Andronicus Commenus, is writ by one Wilson, before-mentioned; which Play I take to excel this, but in this, Act 5. Scene 3. we have a Parallel between those Times, and our late Civil Wars.
The Ungrateful Favourite, a Tragedy, 4to. 1664. writ by a Person of Honour; but I do not find it was ever acted. See Guicciardine Pontanus, and other writers on the Affairs of Naples.
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A Warning for Fair Women, a Tragedy, 4to. 1599. The Title tells you it contains the most Tragical and Lamentable Murther of Mr. George Sanders, of London, Merchant, near Shooters-Hill.
The Weakest goes to the Wall; a Comedy, 4to. 1618. acted by the Right Honourable, the Earl of Oxon, Lord Great Chamberlain of England's Servants.
Wealth and Health.
Wily Beguiled, a pleasant Comedy, 4to. The Chief Actors in the Comedy are a Poor Scholar, a Rich Fool, and a Knave at a Shift.
Wine, Beer, Ale, and Tobacco, contending for Superiority; incerted in former Catalogues as an Interlude, but is no other than a Dialogue, 4to. 1658.
Win her and Take her; or, Old Fools will be Medling; a Comedy, 4to. 1691. acted at the Theatre Royal, by their Majesties Servants; and is dedicated to the Right Honourable, Peregrine, Earl of Danby, Viscount Latimer, &c. by Mr. Underhill.
The Wit of a Woman, a pleasant merry Comedy, 4to. 1604.
The Wits led by the Nose; or, A Poets Revenge; a Tragi-Comedy, 4to. 1678. acted at the Theatre Royal, great part of it is taken from Chamberlain's Love's Victory.
Woman turn'd Bully, a Comedy, 4to. 1675. acted at the Duke's Theatre. This Play met not with that Success as was expected.
A Woman will have her Will. See English Men for Money.
Unknown Authors.
Amphitryon, Epidicus, and Rudens, made English from Plautus, with Critical Remarks upon each Play. This Translation is supposed to be done by a Divine of the Church of England; but since he has not thought fit to put his Name to it, I shall not presume to do it. 'Tis dedicated to Sir Charles Sidley, Baronet.
The Fatal Discovery; or, Love in Ruines, a Tragedy, as it is acted by his Majesty's Servants, at the Theatre Royal, 1698. The Author of this Play is unknown; 'tis usher'd into the world by a Preface under Mr. Powel's Name, in Answer to a Copy of Verses writ by Mr. Dryden, in which there was some Reflections on that Theatre. The Story is originally a Case of Conscience put by St. Austin; and after that mentioned in some of our English Divines. It seems to be taken from the hint of the old Story of Oedipus; but 'tis more improbable, and scarce possible to happen, and therefore of no Use, as incapable of affording any Moral.
The Pindar of Wakefield, a Comedy, 4to. 1633. This Play was through mistake, omitted in transcribing the Copy for the Press.
Terence, this Latin Poet is translated by the Translator of the former, in Conjunction with two other Divines of Cambridge. I'm sensible the Translators understood the Original very well, but their altering the Terminations of the Proper Names, would make some think that they had taken it only from the French of Madam Dacier.
The Unnatural Mother; the Scene in the Kingdom of Siam, as it is now acted at the new Theatre in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, by his Majesty's Servants; written by a young Lady, 4to. 1698. This Play is an Argument of the Strange Chance of Plays, when so indigested a heap could be tollerably received; and I think 'tis a great Argument against those judges who receive and permit the Plays to be acted: For I am unwilling that the Nakedness of our Country should be discover'd; that is, that an Audience cou'd bear such as this, and some other of a Modern Date. The Writers now (I mean all that attempt Writing) think if they can make a horrid Character or two in a Play, and some bloody and barbarous Incidents, they can presently write a Tragedy, never reflecting that a Poet is not to be a Hangman, he is not to rival Jack Ketch in his Office, and rob the publick Executioners of their Business, by ending a Criminal privately, who ought to have a Publick and most infamous Execution. Where the Laws condemn a Villain to the Gibbet, the Poet has nothing to do, such Characters are below the Stage, and ought to appear no where but on the Cart, and in the Ordinary's Paper. The Poets Court of Justice is more sublime, he examines and punishes Crimes that the Political Courts overlook. He is not to make Characters more deprav'd than Experience ever shew'd us; for I'm confident Callapeia never had her Fellow, on this side the Line at least, and for the Vices of those of the other, I know nothing that we have to do with them, (having Stock enough of our own) and 'tis with abundance of Reason, call'd, The Unnatural Mother; for sure there never was such an one in Nature. Bebbemeah's being put on the Couch with a Black Slave, and there found asleep, is borrowed from Mr. Settle's Incident of Cleomira, and Oirantes, in the Princess of Persia.
FINIS.