olitary, and alone
Doth practise her low speculation.

The reader from the above specimen may see what a poet he was; but as
he was in some degree of esteem in his time, we thought it improper to
omit him.

The following are his plays;

1. The Bride, a Comedy; acted in the Year 1638 at a private House in
Drury-Lane by their Majesty's Servants, printed 4to. 1640.

2. Covent Garden, a Comedy; acted in the Year 1632.

3. Hannibal and Scipio, an Historical Tragedy, acted in the year 1635.

4. Microcosmus, a Moral Masque, represented at a private house in
Salisbury Court, printed 1637.

5. Spring's Glory, Vindicating Love by Temperance, against the Tenet,
Sine Cerere & Baccho friget Venus; moralized in a Masque. With other
Poems, Epigrams, Elegies, and Epithalamiums of the author's, printed
in 4to, London, 1638. At the end of these poems is a piece called A
Presentation, intended for the Prince's Birth day, May 29, 1638,
annually celebrated.

6. Tottenham-Court, a Comedy, acted in the year 1633, at a private
house in Salisbury Court, printed in 4to. 1638.

7. Unfortunate Lovers, a Tragedy, never acted, printed in 4to. London,
1640.

Mr. Philips and Mr. Winstanley, according to their old custom, have
ascribed two other anonymous plays to our author: The Woman Hater
Arraigned, a Comedy, and Charles the First, a Tragedy, which Langbaine
has shewn not to be his.

* * * * *

JAMES SHIRLEY,

A very voluminous dramatic author, was born in the city of London,
and: was descended from the Shirleys in Suffex or Warwickshire; he was
educated in grammar learning in Merchant Taylors school, and
transplanted thence to St. John's College, but in what station he
lived there, we don't find.

Dr. William Laud, afterwards archbishop of Canterbury, presiding over
that house, conceived a great affection for our author, and was
willing to cherish and improve those promising abilities early
discoverable in him. Mr. Shirley had always an inclination to enter
into holy orders, but, for a very particular reason, was discouraged
from attempting it by Dr. Laud; this reason to some may appear
whimsical and ridiculous, but has certainly much weight and force in
it.

Shirley had unfortunately a large mole upon his left cheek, which much
disfigured him, and gave him a very forbidding appearance. Laud
observed very justly, that an audience can scarce help c