Page:The Lives and Characters of the English Dramatick Poets.djvu/203

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MPHITRYON, 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 Rh