An account of the English dramatick poets, or, Some observations and remarks on the lives and writings of all those that have publish'd either comedies, tragedies, tragi-comedies, pastorals, masques, interludes, farces or opera's in the English tongue by Gerard Langbaine.
About this Item
Title
An account of the English dramatick poets, or, Some observations and remarks on the lives and writings of all those that have publish'd either comedies, tragedies, tragi-comedies, pastorals, masques, interludes, farces or opera's in the English tongue by Gerard Langbaine.
Author
Langbaine, Gerard, 1656-1692.
Publication
Oxford :: Printed by L.L. for George West and Henry Clements,
1691.
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Subject terms
English drama -- Bio-bibliography.
Opera -- Bio-bibliography.
Theater -- England.
Link to this Item
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A49533.0001.001
Cite this Item
"An account of the English dramatick poets, or, Some observations and remarks on the lives and writings of all those that have publish'd either comedies, tragedies, tragi-comedies, pastorals, masques, interludes, farces or opera's in the English tongue by Gerard Langbaine." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A49533.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 24, 2025.
Pages
Sir George ETHERIDGE.
A Gentleman sufficiently eminent in the Town for his Wit and Parts, and One whose tallent in sound Sence, and the Knowledge of true Wit and Humour, are sufficiently conspi∣cuous: and therefore I presume I may with justice, and without envy, apply Horace's Cha∣racter of Fundanus, to this admirable Author;a 1.1
This Ingenious Author has oblig'd the World by publishing three Comedies, viz.
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Comical Revenge, or Love in a Tub, a Comedy, acted at his Royal-Highness the Duke of York's Theatre in Lincolns-Inn-fields: printed quarto Lond. 1669. and dedicated to the Honourable Charles Lord Buckhurst. This Comedy tho' of a mixt nature, part of it being serious, and writ in Heroick Verse; yet has succeeded ad∣mirably on the Stage, it having always been acted with general approbation.
Man of Mode, or Sir Fopling Flutter, a Co∣medy acted at the Duke's Theatre printed 4o. Lond. 1676. and dedicated to her Royal High∣ness the Dutchess. This Play is written with great Art and Judgment, and is acknowledg'd by all, to be as true Comedy, and the Characters as well drawn to the Life, as any Play that has been Acted since the Restauration of the En∣glish Stage. Only I must observe, that the Song in the last Act written by C.S. is translated from part of an Elegy written in French by Madame la Comtesse de la Suze, in Le Recüeil des Pieces Gallantes, tom. 1. p. 42.
She wou'd if she cou'd, a Comedy Acted at his Highness the Duke of York's Theatre, and printed quarto Lond. 1671. This Comedy is likewise accounted one of the first Rank, by se∣veral who are known to be good Judges of Dramatick Poesy. Nay our present Laureat says,b 1.2 'Tis the best Comedy written since the Restauration of the Stage. I heartily wish for the publick satisfaction, that this great Master would oblidge the World with more of his Performances, which would put a stop to the
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crude and indigested Plays, which for want of better, cumber the Stage.