A LIST

OF

FORD'S PLAYS.

1. 'Tis Pity she's a Whore, T. Acted at the Phoenix before

2. The Witch of Edmonton, T. Dekkar, Ford, &c.

Printed 1633. 1623.

By Rowley,

Printed 1658. Pro-
Acted at the

bably acted soon after 1622.
Cockpit, and at Court.

3. The Sun's Darling, M. Acted in March 1623-4 at the Cockpit. Printed 1657.

4. The Lover's Melancholy, T. C. Acted at the Blackfriars and the Globe, 24th November 1628. Printed 1629.

5. The Broken Heart, T. Printed 1633, Acted at the Blackfriars.

6. Love's Sacrifice, T. Printed 1633. Acted at the Phoenix.

7. Perkin Warbeck, H. T. Printed 1634. Acted at the Phoenix.

s. The Fancies, Chaste and Noble, C. Printed 1638. Acted at the Phoenix.

9. The Lady's Trial, T. C. Acted at the Cockpit in May 1638. Printed 1639.

10. Beauty in a Trance, probably a T. Entered on the Stationers' books, September 9th 1653, but not printed. Destroyed by Mr Warburton's servant.

11. The London Merchant, C.

12. The Royal Combat, C.

Entered on the Station

13. An Ill Beginning has a Good (1660, but not printed. Gooders' Books June 29th End, and a Bad Begin-Destroyed by Mr Warning may have a Good burton's servant. End, * C.

This title is probably corrupt.

COMMENDATORY VERSES ON FORD.

To

my Friend the Author (of 'Tis Pity she's a
Whore.)

WITH admiration I beheld this whore,
Adorn'd with beauty, such as might restore
(If ever being, as thy muse hath fam'd),
Her Giovanni, in his love unblam'd:
The ready graces lent their willing aid;
Pallas herself now play'd the chambermaid,
And help'd to put her dressings on. Secure
Rest thou that thy name herein shall endure
To th' end of age; and Annabella be
Gloriously fair, even in her infamy.

THOMAS ELLICE.

To my honour'd Friend, Master JOHN FORD, on his Lover's Melancholy.

Ir that thou think'st these lines thy worth can raise Thou dost mistake my liking is no praise;

Nor can I think thy judgment is so ill.
To seek for bays from such a barren quill.
Let your true critic, that can judge and mend,
Allow thy scenes and style: I, as a friend
That knows thy worth, do only stick my name
To shew my love, not to advance thy fame.
GEORGE DONNE,

To his worthy Friend the Author (of The Lover's
Melancholy), Master JOHN FORD.

I WRITE not to thy play: I'll not begin
To throw a censure upon what hath been
By th' best approv'd: it can nor fear, nor want
The rage, or liking of the ignorant.

Nor seek I fame for thee, when thine own pen
Hath forc'd a praise long since, from knowing men.
I speak my thoughts, and wish unto the stage
A glory from thy studies; that the age
age of
May be indebted to thee, for reprieve
Of purer language, and that spite may grieve
To see itself outdone. When thou art read,
The theatre may hope arts are not dead,
Though long conceal'd; that poet-apes may fear
To vent their weakness, mend, or quite forbear.
This I dare promise; and keep this in store;
As thou hast done enough, thou canst do more.
WILLIAM SINGLETON

* From a copy of verses prefixed to Massinger's Emperor of the East, Singleton appears to have been a kinsman of that poet's.

To the Author (of the Lover's Melancholy) Master JOHN FORD.

BLACK choler, reason's overflowing spring,
Where thirsty lovers drink, or any thing,
Passion, the restless current of dull plaints
Affords their thoughts, who deem lost beauties
saints;

Here their best lectures read, collect, and see.
Various conditions of humanity,

Highly enlighten'd by thy muse's rage;
Yet all so couch'd that they adorn'd the stage.
Shun Phocion's blushes thou; for sure to please
It is no sin, then what is thy disease?
Judgment's applause? effeminated smiles?
Study's delight! thy wit mistrust beguiles :
Establish'd fame will thy physician be,
(Write but again) to cure thy jealousy.

HUM. HOWORTH.

Of the Lover's Melancholy,

'Tis not the language, nor the fore-plac'd rhymes
Of friends, that shall commend to after-times
The Lover's Melancholy: its own worth
Without a borrow'd phrase shall set it forth...!

Ο φίλος.

t