this has been accounted equal to Madam Phillips's Translation, and far to exceed that Version of Sir William Lower. For the Plot consult Livii Hist. Lib. 1. L. Florus, Lib. I. C. 3. Cassiodorus, Dionysius Hallicarnassæus, &c.
This Author has publish'd (besides this Play) divers other Pieces; as a Volume of Poems on several Occasions, 8vo. 1689. The Compleat Angler, being a Second Part of that Book on the same Subject written by Mr. Isaac Walton, 8vo. 1676. in which Book are excellent Instructions how to Angle for a Trout or Grayling in a clear Stream. The Wonder of the Peak, a Poem, 8vo. 1681. Scaronides, or Virgil Travestie, a Mock Poem on the 1st and 4th Books of Virgil's Æneis, 8vo. 1678. And one more attributed to him, tho' his Name not thereto, called, The Scoffer Scoft; which are several of Lucian's Dialogues put into Burlesque Verse, Printed 8vo. 1675.
This eminent Author was Born in London, 1618. at Ten Years Old (whilst he was a Westminster Schollar) he writ the Tragical Story of Pyramus and Thisbe; at Twelve that of Constantia and Philetus. By Thirteen he had published several Poetical Pieces. From a Boy he was very Studious, and his Chance lighting on Spencer's Fairy Queen, rous'd his Inclinations to Poetry, which never forsook him till he Died. Whoever would read a just Account of his Life, will find it admirably writ by the present Bishop of Rochester. He Died of a Stoppage in his Breast and Throat, having lain Ill a Fortnight; and was Buried the 30th of August, 1667. in Westminster-Abbey, next Chaucer, and near Spencer and Drayton, with a neat Marble Monument erected (as the Inscription informs us) to him, by the late Duke of Buckingham. He has publish'd Three English Plays, of which in their Order.
Cutter of Coleman-Street, a Comedy, 4to. 1663. This Play was Represented at the Duke's Theatre in Salisbury-Court, with good Applause; yet met with Opposition by some few, who at that time envied the Author for his Loyalty to his Prince, but was afterwards Acted with universal Applause, it being a revis'd Comedy, and much alter'd and enlarg'd from that Mr. Cowly had about Ten Years before hastily drawn up, under the Name of the
Guardian, a Comedy, 4to. 1650. Acted several times privately during the Prohibition of the Stage; as also at Cambridge before Prince Charles, and after the Restauration publickly Acted at Dublin with good Applause.
