Page:Lives of Poets-Laureate.djvu/220

206 the plots of their predecessors as unblushingly as we now prey on those of our Gallic contemporaries. In the nine dramatic pieces which he has left behind him, he borrowed from Ben Jonson, Fletcher, Dekker, and others—besides his alteration of Shakespeare. They had no brilliant success—more than one was a decided failure, but others were frequently played and remained stock pieces. His "Duke and no Duke," was last played at the Haymarket, in 1797. Into his "Richard II." Tate introduced some songs, one of which is the following:

A song in "Cuckold's Haven" supplied Charles II. with a quotation, on an occasion mentioned by Mr. P. Cuningham in his charming story of "Nell Gwynne." The King was dining at the Guildhall. The courtiers and