Page:The Lives and Characters of the English Dramatick Poets.djvu/48

28 Love's Riddle, a Pastoral Comedy, 4to. 1633. This Play was written in the Author's Youth, whilst a King's Schollar at Westminster, first printed with his Poetical Blossoms; and since that, in the Second Volume of his Works.

In any of his Plays he cannot be taxed with borrowing from any other.

The Works of this admirable Author are eminent enough to the Ingenious, so needless to be here characteriz'd. He left Two Volumes in Folio, Verse and Prose, also a Volume in 8vo. Entituled, Poemata Latina. It is a great Pity he liv'd not to finish that incomparable Epick Poem of Davideis, being only Four Books of the Troubles of David; which he design'd to extend in all, to Twelve. For his Life and Works I refer you further, to Dr. Sprat, Bishop of Rochester's Account thereof. HIS Author was a celebrated Comedian in King Charles the First's time: On the Suppression of the Stage he made several Drolls, and, with his Companions, Acted them by stealth, both in London and the Country Towns: He Acted the chief Parts himself, and so very naturally, that at Oxon. he gain'd great Applause. He publish'd one Interlude, called,

Actæon and Diana, Interl. 4to. The Plot from Ovid's Metamorph. This, with some Drolls of his, may be found a second time printed 1656. in 4to. the first Edition being printed for the Author's own Use, and in the Year 1673. they were again printed, with other Drolls collected by Kirkman, under the Title of Sport upon Sport, 8vo. Gentleman yet living, whose Father having ventured most of his Estate (which was considerable) in a Foreign Plantation, that was afterwards taken by the French, and all King Charles's Reign neglected, he took, by the Encouragement of the late famous Lord Rochester, to Dramatick Writing, and has perform'd very well both in Tragedy and Comedy; tho', with Mr. Langbain, I look on Comedy to be his Talent; he has given us a Proof of his Ability in these following Plays:

Ambitious Statesman, or The Loyal Favourite, a Tragedy, 4to. 1679. Acted at the Theatre Royal, and Dedicated to her Grace the Dutchess of Albermarle. This Play met not with the Applause the Author and his Friends expected. For the Plot, See De Serres, Mazeray, and other French Chronicles. Andro-