which that poet
translated from the original story written in Latin verse, by Lollius, a
Lombard.

17. Secret Love; or the Maiden Queen, a Tragi-Comedy, acted at the
theatre-royal, and printed in 4to, 1697. The serious part of the plot is
founded on the history of Cleobuline, Queen of Corinth.

18. The Rival Ladies, a Tragi-Comedy, acted at the theatre-royal 1679.
It is dedicated to the earl of Orrery. The dedication is in the nature
of a preface, in defence of English verse or rhime.

19. The Kind Keeper; or Mr. Limberham, a Comedy, acted at the duke's
theatre, printed in 4to. 1680. It is dedicated to John lord Vaughan. Mr.
Langbain says, it so much exposed the keepers about town, that all the
old letchers were up in arms against it, and damned it the third night.

20. The Spanish Fryar; or the Double Discovery, a Tragi Comedy, acted
at the duke's theatre, and printed 1681. It is dedicated to John lord
Haughton. This is one of Mr. Dryden's best plays, and still keeps
possession of the stage. It is said, that he was afterwards so much
concerned for having ridiculed the character of the Fryar, that it
impaired his health: what effect bigotry, or the influence of priests,
might have on him, on this occasion, we leave others to determine.

21. Duke of Guise, a Tragedy, acted 1688. It was written by Dryden and
Lee, and dedicated to Hyde earl of Rochester. This play gave great
offence to the Whigs, and engaged several writers for and against it.

22. Albion and Albanius, an Opera, performed at the Queen's theatre in
Dorset-Gardens, and printed in folio 1685. The subject of it is wholly
allegorical, and intended to expose my lord Shaftfbury and his party.

23. Don Sebastian King of Portugal, a Tragedy, acted 1690, dedicated to
the earl of Leicester.

24. King Arthur; or the British worthy, a Tragedy, acted 1691, dedicated
to the marquis of Hallifax.

25. Amphytrion; or the two Socias, a Comedy, acted 1691, dedicated to
Sir Leveson Gower, taken from Plautus and Moliere.

26. Cleomenes, the Spartan Hero, a Tragedy, acted at the theatre-royal,
and printed in 4to. 1692, dedicated to the earl of Rochester. There is
prefixed to it the Life of Cleomenes, translated from Plutarch by Mr.
Creech. This play was first prohibited by the lord Chamberlain, but
upon examination being found innocent of any design to satirize the
government, it was suffered to be represented, and had great success.
In the preface, the author tells