7.  Sun’s Darling, a Moral Mask, often presented by their Majesties Servants at the Cock-pit in Drury-Lane, with great Applause, printed in 4to.  London 1657, dedicated to the Right Hon. Thomas Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton.  This Play was wrote by our author and John Decker, but not published till after their decease.  A Copy of Verses written by Mr. John Tateham is the Introduction to the Mask, at the Entry whereof the Reader will find an Explanation of the Design alluding to the Four Seasons of the Year.

8.  ’Tis Pity she’s a Whore, a Tragedy, printed in 4to.  Mr. Langbaine says, that this equals if not exceeds any of our author’s performances, and were to be commended did not he paint the incestuous love between Giovanni, and his Sister Annabella, in too beautiful colours.  I have not been able to ascertain the year in which this author died; but imagine from circumstances, that it must have been some time before the Restoration, and before the Year 1657, for the Sun’s Darling, written between him and Decker was published in 1657, which Mr. Langbaine says, was after their Decease.

* * * * *

THOMAS MIDDLETON

Lived in the reign of King Charles I. he was cotemporary with Johnson, Fletcher, Maslinger and Rowley, in whose friendship he is said to have shared, and though he fell much short of the two former, yet being joined with them in writing plays, he arrived at some reputation.  He joined with Fletcher and Johnson in a play called The Widow, and the highest honour that is known of this poet, is, his being admitted to make a triumvirate with two such great men:  he joined with Massinger and Rowley in writing the Old Law; he was likewise assisted by Rowley in writing three plays[1].  We have not been able to find any particulars of this man’s life, further than his friendship and connection already mentioned, owing to his obscurity, as he was never considered as a genius, concerning which the world thought themselves interested to preserve any particulars.

His dramatic works are,

1.  The Five Gallants, acted at the Black Fryars.

2.  Blur, Mr. Constable, or the Spaniard’s Night Walk, a Comedy, acted by the Children of St. Paul’s School, 1602.

3.  The Phaenix, a Tragedy, acted by the Children of St. Paul’s, and also before his Majesty, 1607; the story is taken from a Spanish Novel, called the Force of Love.

4.  The Family of Love, a Comedy, acted by the children of his Majesty’s Revels, 1608.

5.  The Roaring Girl, or Moll Cutpurse, acted by the Prince’s Players, 1611; part of this play was writ by Mr. Decker.

6.  A Trick to catch the Old One, a Comedy, acted both at St. Paul’s and Black Fryars before their Majesties, with success, 1616.

7.  The Triumphs of Love and Antiquity, a Masque, performed at the Confirmation of Sir William Cokain, General of his Majesty’s Forces, and Lord Mayor of the city of London, 1619.