dies, saith one,

His Fame unto that Pitch so only raised,
As not to be despised, nor too much prais'd.

* * * * *

_THOMAS MIDLETON_.

_Thomas Midleton_ was one who by his Industry added very much to the
_English_ Stage, being a copious Writer of Dramatick Poetry. He was
Contemporary with _Johnson_ and _Fletcher_ and tho' not of equal Repute
with them, yet were well accepted of those times such Plays as he
wrote; namely, _Blurt Mr. Constable, the chaste Maid in Cheapside, Your
fine Gallants, Family of Love, More Dissemblers than Women_, the _Game
at Chess,_ the _Mayor of_ Quinborough, _a mad world my Masters,
Michaelmas Term, No Wit like a womans_, the _Roaring Girl, any thing
for a quiet Life_, the _Phenix_ and _a new Trick to catch the old
one_, Comedies; _The world toss'd at Tennis_, and _the Inner Temple_,
Masques; and _Women beware Women_, a Tragedy. Besides what, he was an
Associate with _William Rowley_ in several Comedies and Tragi-Comedies;
as, _the Spanish Gypsies, the Changeling, the Old Law, the fair
Quarrel, the Widow_: Of all which, his _Michaelmas Term_ is highly
applauded both for the plot and neatness of the style.

* * * * *

_WILLIAM ROWLEY_.

_William Rowley_ was likewise a great Benefactor to the _English_
Stage, not only in those Plays mentioned before with _Thomas Midleton_,
but also what he wrote alone; as, _A Woman never vext_ a Comedy; _A
Match at Midnight_, and _All's lost by Lust_, Tragedies; and joyn'd
with _Webster_, two Comedies, _The Thracian wonder_, and _A Cure for a
Cuckold_, with _Shakespere, The Birth of_ Merlin, a Tragi-Comedy; and
_The Travels of the three_ English _Brothers_, a History, wherein he
was joyn'd with _Day_ and _Wilkins_.

* * * * *

_THOMAS DECKER_.

_Thomas Decker_, a great pains-taker in the Dramatick strain, and as
highly conceited of those pains he took; a high-flyer in wit, even
against _Ben Johnson_ himself, in his Comedy, call'd, _The untrussing
of the humorous Poet_. Besides which he wrote also, _The Honest Whore_,
in two Parts; _Fortunatus; If this ben't a good Play the Devil's in't;
Match me in_ London; _The Wonder of a Kingdom; The Whore of_ Babylon,
all of them Comedies. He was also an associate with _John Webster_ in
several well entertain'd Plays, _viz. Northward, hoe? The Noble
Stranger; New trick to cheat the Devil; Wes