There are few, or no particulars relating to the life of this poet preserved.  He was attached to the Tory interest, and in the latter part of Queen Anne’s reign frequently had the honour of diverting her with witty catches, and songs of humour suited to the spirit of the times.  He died, according to Mr. Coxeter, February 26, 1723, in a good old age, and was buried in the Church-yard of St. James’s, Westminster.  His dramatic works are,

1.  The Siege of Memphis, or the Ambitious Queen; a Tragedy acted at the Theatre-royal, printed in quarto 1676.  Mr. Langbain says that this play is full of bombast and fustian, and observes, ’That there goes more to the making a poet, than copying verses, or tagging rhimes, and recommends to the modern poetasters, the following lines from a Prologue to a Play called the Atheist.’

  ’Rhimsters get wit, e’re ye pretend to shew it,
  Nor think a game at Crambo makes a poet.’

2.  Madam Fickle, or the Witty False One; acted at the duke of York’s Theatre, printed in quarto, 1677, dedicated to the duke of Ormond.  This play is compiled from several other Comedies; the scene is laid in Covent-Garden.

3.  Trick for Trick, or the Debauched Hypocrite; a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal 1678:  This is the only one of Fletcher’s plays, called Monsieur Thomas revived.

4.  The Fool turn’d Critic; acted at the Theatre-Royal, 1678.  Several of the characters of this play are borrowed; as Old-wine-love, Trim and Small-wit, seem to be taken from Senio Asotus, and Ballio, in Randolph’s Jealous Lovers.

5.  Fond Husband, or the Plotting Sisters, a Comedy.  Of this we have already given some account, in the words of Mr. Addison.

6.  Squire Old-Sap, or the Night-Adventures; a Comedy; acted at the duke’s Theatre, printed in quarto, 1679.  Several incidents in this play are taken from Francion’s Comic.  Hist.  Boccace’s Novels, les Contes de M. de la Fontaine.

7.  The Virtuous Wife, or Good-Luck at last; a Comedy acted at the duke’s Theatre 1680.  Several hints are taken from the Town, Marriage A-la-mode, &c. the Scene Chelsea.

8.  Sir Barnaby Whig, or no Wit like a Woman’s; a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal 1681.  Dedicated to the right honourable George Earl of Berkley.  The plot of this play is taken from a Play of Marmion’s, called the Fine Companion; and part from the Double Cuckold, a Novel, written by M. St. Evremond.  Scene London.

9.  The Royalist, a Comedy; acted at the Duke’s Theatre 1682.  This play, which is collected chiefly from novels, succeeded on the stage; printed in 4to. 1644.

10.  The Injured Princess, or the Fatal Wager; a Tragi-Comedy; acted at the Theatre-Royal 1682.  The foundation of this play is taken from Shakespear’s Cymbeline.

11.  A Common-wealth of Women, a Tragi-Comedy; acted at the Theatre Royal 1686, dedicated to Christopher Duke of Albemarle.  This play is chiefly borrowed from Fletcher’s Sea Voyage.  The scene is in Covent Garden.