The Lives and Characters of the English Dramatick Poets/William Cartwright
The Name of our Author's Father and Place of Nativity, are differently Related by Mr. Wood,[1] the late Antiquarian, in his Antiquit. Oxon. and Mr. Loyd[2] in his Memoirs, the first making him Gloucestershire, and the latter Oxofordshire; but all agree he was brought up a King's Schollar at Eaton, under Dr. Olbaston, and chose Student of Christ-Church-Colledge in Oxon., where he passed thro' his Degrees of Batchelor and Master of Arts: The House made choice of him for Proctor, and was admitted by the University with Mr. Wake of Magdalen Colledge in the Year 1643. in the Winter that Year he Dy'd of a Malignant Fever, and lies Buried in the South Isle of that Church. He was belov'd by the King and Queen, and lamented by all his Acquaintance and Friends. He was expert in the Latin, Greek, French, and Italian Tongues; was extream modest, as well as handsome; and admired, not only by his Acquaintance but Strangers. Ben. Johnson among the rest writ in his Praise; and Bishop Fell gives him the highest, if not Hyperbolical Praise, in saying, He was the utmost that Man could come to. He writ four Plays, viz.
Lady Errant, a Tragi-Comedy, 8vo. 1657. This was esteemed by many about that time a good Play.
Ordinary, a Comedy 8vo. 1657. Part of the first Act is inserted in a Book call'd, Wits Interpreter, as a Love Dialogue, under the Title of the Old Widow, p. 81.
Royal Slave, a Tragi-Comedy, 8vo. 1651. This Play was first presented to the King and Queen, by the Students of Christ-Church-Colledge, Oxon., Dr. Busby, late Schoolmaster of Westminster, acting a part therein; and afterwards at Hampton Court, to both Their Majesties, by the Players, at the Queens Command; and tho' the Poet gave equal Instructions, the Students carryed the Prize.
Seige, or Loves Convert, a Tragi-Comedy, 8vo. 1651. Occasion in Plutarch's Life of Cymon, and part from Boccaces Novels, Day 9th. Nov. 1st.
These Plays are Printed together with his Poems in 8vo. where you may find most of the Wits in the University appear with Copies of Verses, to shew the great Esteem they had for him.
Our Author has also extant other Pieces, viz. a Sermon Printed 1652. a Latin Book entituled, Dies in Mense Novemb. maxime notabiles Coronam, &c. 1671.