s in the play itself, or in
the lameness of the action, or in the numbers of its enemies, who came
resolved to damn it for the title, he will not pretend any more than the
author to determine.

11. The State of Innocence; or the Fall of Man, an Opera, written in
heroic verse, and printed in 4to. 1678. It is dedicated to her royal
highness the duchess of York, on whom the author passes the following
extravagant compliment.

'Your person is so admirable, that it can scarce receive any addition
when it shall be glorified; and your soul which shines thro' it, finds
it of a substance so near her own, that she will be pleased to pass an
age within it, and to be confined to such a palace.'

To this piece is prefixed an apology for heroic poetry, and poetic
licence. The subject is taken from Milton's Paradise Lost, of which it
must be acknowledged, it is a poor imitation.

12. The Conquest of Granada by the Spaniards, in two parts, two
Tragi-Comedies, acted at the theatre-royal, and printed 1678. These two
plays are dedicated to the duke of York, and were received on the stage
with great applause. The story is to be found in Mariana's history of
Spain, B. 25. chap. 18.

These plays are written in rhime. To the first is prefixed an essay on
heroic plays, and to the second an essay on the dramatic poetry of the
last age.

13. All for Love, or the World well Lost, a Tragedy, acted at the
theatre-royal, and printed in quarto, 1678. It is dedicated to the earl
of Danby.

This is the only play of Mr. Dryden's which he says ever pleased
himself; and he tells us, that he prefers the scene between Anthony and
Ventidius in the first act, to any thing he had written in this kind.
It is full of fine sentiments, and the most poetical and beautiful
descriptions of any of his plays: the description of Cleopatra in her
barge, exceeds any thing in poetry, except Shakespear's, and his own St.
Cecilia.

14. Tyrannic Love; or the Royal Martyr, a Tragedy, acted at the
theatre-royal 1679. It is written in rhime, and dedicated to the duke of
Monmouth.

15. Troilus and Cressida; or Truth found too late; a Tragedy, acted at
the duke's theatre, and printed in 4to. 1679. It is dedicated to the
earl of Sunderland, and has a preface prefixed concerning grounds
of criticism in tragedy. This play was originally Shakespear's, and
revised, and altered by Mr. Dryden, who added several new scenes.--The
plot taken from Chaucer's Troilus and Cressida,