_viz._ His _Northern Lass, The Jovial
Crew_, and _Sparagus Garden_, are little inferior if not equal to the
writings of _Ben. Johnson_ himself; besides these three Comedies before
mentioned he wrote twelve others, _viz._ The _Antipodes, Court Beggar,
City Wit, Damoyselle, Mock Marriage, Love Sick Court, Mad Couple well
Matcht, Novella, New Exchange, Queens Exchange, Queen and Concubine,
Covent Garden Wedding_, and a Comedy called the _Lancaster Witches_, in
which he was joyned with _Heyward_.

Now what Account the Wits of that Age had of him, you shall hear from
two of his own Profession in Commendation of two of his Plays; and
first those of Mr. _James Shirley_ on his Comedy the _Jovial Crew_.

This Comedy (ingenious Friends) will raise
Itself a Monument, without a praise.
Beg'd by the Stationer, who, with strength of purse,
And Pens, takes care, to make his Book sell worse.
And I dare calculate thy Play, although
Not Elevated unto _fifty two_;
It may grow old as time or wit, and he
That dares dispise may after envy thee.
Learning the file of Poesy may be
Fetch'd from the Arts and University:
But he that writes a Play, and good must know,
Beyond his Books, Men, and their Actions too.
Copies of Verse, that makes the new Men sweat,
Reach not a Poem, nor the Muses heat;
Small Brain Wits, and wood may burn a while,
And make more noise then Forrests on a Pile.
Whose Finers shrunk, ma' invite a Piteans Stream,
Not to Lament, but to extinguish them,
Thy fancies Mettal, and thy stream's much higher,
Proof 'gainst their wit, and what that dreads the Fire.

The other of Mr. _John Ford_ on the _Northern Lass_.

_Poets_ and _Painters_ curiously compar'd
Give life to Fancy, and Atchieve reward,
By immortality of name, so thrives
_Arts Glory_, that All, which it breaths on lives.
Witness this _Northern Piece_, The Court affords
No newer Fashion, or for wit, or words.
The Body of the Plot is drawn so fair,
That the Souls language quickens with fresh Air.

This well Limb'd Poem, by no rule, or thought
Too dearly priz'd, being or sold, or bought.

We could also produce you _Ben. Johnsons_ Verses, with other of the
prime Wits of those times; but we think these sufficient to shew in
what respect he was held by the best Judgments of that Age.

* * * * *

_ROBERT CHAMBERLAIN._

This _Robert Chamberlain_ is also remembred