En vain contre le Cid un ()Miniftre fe ligue, Tout Paris pour (1) Climene a les yeux de (i) Rodrigue.

(*) L'Academie en Corps a beau le cenfurer, Le Public revolté s'obtine à l'admirer.

To fpeak of the Tranflation in general, I think, if the Time be confidered when it was undertaken, it may pafs mufter with candid Readers: The Author having at least so far improv'd it, as to bring feveral things in Action, which in the Original are delivered in Narration; an Excellency commended by Horace, in thofe Lines so well known to all Scholars.

Aut agitur res in Scenis aut Alta refertur: Segnius irritant animos demiffa per aurem; Quam quæ funt oculis fubjecta fidelibus, & quæ Ipfe fibi tradit fpectator

It is true our Author has altered in the Original, fome places; but not many. Two Scenes he has left out, as being Soliloquies, and things little pertinent to the Bufinefs: and give me leave to obferve by the by, That the French are much addicted to bring in these Monologues, in their ferious Plays. Some

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(g) Cardinal Richelieu. (b) The Names of the Heroine, and (i) Hero, in the Play. (k) The Academy writ a Book against it, by the Cardinal's private order, entituled Sentimens de l'Atademie Francoife fur la Tragi-comedie du Cid: tho''twas publickly fo well approved of, that in many places of France 'twas Proverbially faid, Cela eft beau comme le Cid.

things likewife our Author has added, but fcarce difcernable: and where M. Corneille would give him leave, he fays he has follow'd clofe both his Senfe and Words; tho', as he has obferved, many things are received Wit in one Tongue, which are not in another. As to the Play, 'tis founded on true Hiftory; and the Author has follow'd Roderic de Tolede, and Mariana. The Reader may confult other Hiftorians, that have writ of the Affairs of Don Fernando, the First King of Caftille.

Shepherds Holyday, a Paftoral Tragi-comedy, acted before their Majefties, at Whitehall, by the Queen's Servants; and printed 8°. Lond. 1635. This Play is afcrib'd by Mr. Kirkman, to our Author;tho' only 7.R.is affix'd to the Titlepage. This Play is of the Nobler fort of Paftorals; and is writ in Blank Verfe: At the End is a Paftoral Elegy, on the Death of the Lady Venetia Digby, in the Perfon of Sir Kenelm Digby, her Husband; and a Latin Epigram on her Tomb.

I know nothing else of our Authors Writing.

Thomas RYMER, Efq;

This Gentleman is now living, and was once (if he be not at prefent) a Member of the Honourable Society of Grays-Inn. He has an excellent Talent towards Criticifm; as appears by his Preface to the Tranflation of Rapin's Reflections on Ariftotle's Treatife of Poetry 80. and his Tragedies of the laft Age confider'd but I think

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think for Dramatick Poetry, there are other Poets now alive, that at leaft equal that Tragedy which he has publifht, viz.

Edgar, or The English Monarch; an Heroick Tragedy, printed 4o. Lond. 1678. This Tragedy is dedicated to King Charles the Second, and written in Heroick Verfe. If it be compared with Mr. Ravenscroft's King Edgar and Alfreda, it far exceeds it. For the Plot, fee the Hiftorians before mentioned; viz. Malmesbury, Huntingdon, Hoveden, Ingulfus, Higden, &c. Grafton, Stow, &c.

S.

Thomas St. SERF.

A Gentleman, who in the Reign of King

Charles the Second writ a Play, call'd Tarugo's Wiles, or The Coffee-house; a Comedy acted at his Highneffes the Duke of York's Theatre, printed 4o. Lond. 1668. and dedicated to the Right Honourable George, Marquefs of Huntley. This Comedy if not equal with those of the first Rank, yet exceeds feveral which pretend to the fecond; efpecially the third Act, which difcovers the feveral Humours of a Coffee-houfe. As to the other part of the Play, 'tis founded (as I fuppofe) on the Spanish Play No puedefer, or It cannot be; but not having the Original, I cannot be pofitive: but this I know, That the Lord Bell-guard, and Crack in Sir Courtly Nice, extreamly refembles Don Pa

tricio and Tarugo, in this Play: Nay more, the Plots of both are alike. I leave it to the Decifion of Mr. Crown, or any other who have feen the Spanish Play. In the mean time, I defire no Man to rely upon my Judgment; but if what I have faid cannot fave him, excufe him upon his own Plea, in his own Words.

If this prevail not, he hopes he's fafe from danger, ForWit and Malice ought not to reach a Stranger.

William SAMPSON.

An Author that liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the Firft: He was fometimes a Retainer to the Family of Sir Henry Willoughby, of Richley in Derbyshire; and was the Author of a Play, call'd

Vow-breaker, or The Fair Maid of Clifton, in Nottinghamshire; divers times acted by feveral Companies with great applaufe, printed 4°. Lond. 1633. and dedicated to Mrs. Anne Wil loughby, Daughter to Sir Henry in which Epiftle, the Author concludes thus; 'Heaven keep you from Fawning Parafites, and bufie "Goffips, and fend you a Husband, and a Good 'One; or elfe may you never make a Holyday for Hymen. As much Happiness as Tongue 'can fpeak, Pen can write, Heart think, or "Thoughts imagine, ever attend on you, your "Noble Father, and all his Noble Family; to 'whom I ever reft, as my bounden Duty, a 'Faithful Servant, Will. Sampfon. This Play feems founded upon Truth; I have likewife, in

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my younger Years, read a Ballad compos'd upon the fame Subject.

Our Author befides this Play, joyned with Mr. Markham in Herod and Antipater, which I forgot before. But as for the Valiant Scot, and How to chufe a Good Wife from a Bad, they are in my Judgment none of our Author's writing; tho' Mr. Philips and his Follower Mr.Winftan ley, have afcribed them to him.

George SANDYS, Efq;

A Gentleman who flourish'd in the Reign of King Charles the Martyr; if one may fo fay, of a Perfon, who fympathiz'd fo deeply with his Prince and Country in their misfortunes. He was Son to his Grace Edwin, Arch-bifh.of York: and was born in theYear 1577.at Biops-Thorp, in the fame County, being his Father's youngelt Child. He was fent to the University that memorable Year 1588. being then eleven Years of Age; and was enter'd of St. Mary Hall in Oxford. How long he stay'd, I know not: but in the Year 1610 memorable for the Murder of that Great Hero Henry the Fourth of France,by that Villain Ravaillac, he began his Travels thro' France, Italy, Turky, Egypt, Palestine, &c. an Account of which you may read in his Travels, printed Fol. Lond. 1658. But 'tis not on this Account, but his Poetry, that he is here mentioned; and therefore I fhall haften to speak of his Writings in that kind, and first of that excellent Piece of Dramatick Poetry, which he has left us; and chiefly in this Account challenges a particular place; viz.

Chrift's