Page:The Lives and Characters of the English Dramatick Poets.djvu/27

Rh Truth of the Story, which you may find in our Chronicles. This Play I look on to be much better than any of the late Tragedies; tho' in his Metaphors, he seems not to 've consulted that Justness which the Rules of good Rhetorick requires; but like all other human Performances, as it has its Beauties, it has also its Faults, but not enough of the later to over-ballance the former.

The Island Queen, or the Death of Mary Queen of Scotland, 4to. 1684. This Play too had the ill fortune to be denyed the Justice of appearing on the Stage, but Published by the Author in defence of himself and the piece. The Story you may read in Buchanan, Speed, Camden, Du Chesne, Brantons's Memoirs, Causon's Holy Court, &c.

Rival Kings, or the Loves of Oroondates and Statira, a Tragedy, 4to. Acted at the Theatre Royal, 1677. Dedicated to the Lady Catharine Herbert. For the Plot consult the Romance of Cassandra, Quintus Curtius, and Justin.

Virtue Betray'd, or Anna Bullen, a Tragedy, Acted at his Royal Highness the Duke's Theatre, 4to. Lon. Printed 1682. Dedicated to the illustrious Princess, Elizabeth Dutchess of Somerset; for the Plot consult a Book call'd, The Novels of Elizabeth Queen of England, &c. Speed, Herbert, Du Chesne, Dr. Burnet's History of the Reformation, &c.

Unhappy Favourite, or the Earl of Essex, a Tragedy, Acted at the Theatre Royal by their Majesties Servants, 4to. Lon. 1682. Dedicated to the most High and most Illustrious Princess, the Lady Ann, Daughter to his Royal Highness. This has always been Acted with Success, and never fail'd to draw Tears from the Eyes of the fair Sex. For the Story, see the Novel call'd, The Secret History of the most Renowned Queen Elizabeth, and the Earl of Essex, Camden's Elizabeth, Speed, Du Chesne, Stow, Baker, &c. N Author who liv'd in the time of King James I. he writ but one Play Published, which bears the Name of the

Devil's Charter, a Tragedy, 4to. 1607. It seems to be written in imitation of Shakespear's Pericles, Prince of Tyre; an antient Play, and is an Account of the Life and Death of Pope Alexander VI. See Guiccardin's ''Hist. Italy; and Massonius de Gestis Pontificum Romanum''.

There is also Published under this Author's Name, a Book of Offices, about Princes, fol. 1606.

Robert