Page:The Lives and Characters of the English Dramatick Poets.djvu/57

Rh ''Ben. Johnson's Poetaster'' (wherein he is severe on this our Author) occasioned the Writing of this Play.

Westward Hoe, a Comedy, 4to. 1607. This Play was divers times Acted by the Children of Paul's. Mr. Webster also was concerned in producing this Play.

The Whore of Babylon, a History, 4to. 1607. Acted by the Prince's Servants. This Play was design'd to expose the Roman Catholicks, especially the Jesuits at that time, and sets forth the excellent Virtues of Queen Elizabeth, and the many Dangers she escaped.

Wyat's History, 4to. 1607. In this Mr. Webster joined with him, and is a Play Mr. Langbain never saw. See the English Chron. in the Reign of Queen Mary.

The Witch of Edmonton, a Tragedy, 4to. 1658 In this Play Mr. Rowley and Mr. Ford joined with him.

The Wonder of a Kingdom, a Comedy, 4to. 1636.

He likewise writ with Mr. Philip Massenger, the Virgin Martyr, and with Mr. Middleton, the Roaring Girl.

was born in Ireland, tho' his Father was Sir John Denham of Horsley in Essex, but was at the Birth of this his only Son a Judge in that Kingdom, and Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer; on his being promoted to the Exchequer in England, he brought over our Author very young. In the year 1631. he was sent to Trinity-Colledge in Oxon.: After some few years he left Oxon. for London, where he applied himself to the Study of the Civil Law. By the Assistance of Hugh Peters, he got admission to Charles I. then in the Armies Hands at Causham, being then employed on a Message to him by the Queen, to whom he had offered his Service, which Negotiation he perform'd, so that he was further employ'd by the King; but being discover'd by Mr. Cowley's Hand being known, he escaped beyond Sea, where he afterwards gave his Attendance on King Charles II. who oftentimes gave him Subjects to write on. He made him Surveyor General of his Royal Buildings, and at his Coronation Knight of the Bath. He dy'd at his House near Whitehall, March 10th, 1668. and was Buried among the Poets in Westminster-Abbey. He hath writ divers Poems and Translations in 8vo. among them Cooper's Hill, a Piece much commended; at the end of these Poems is one Play of this Author's, wherein he shews his Ability in Dramatick Poesy. It is Entituled,

The Sophy, a Tragedy, 8vo. 1671. Acted at the Black Friers with good Applause; it was first Printed in 4to. 1642. Plot from Herbert's Travels, Life of Abbas. The same Story is differently handled by Mr. Baron in his Tragedy of Mirza.

John