’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, which that poet translated from the original story written in Latin verse, by Lollius, a Lombard.

17.  Secret Love; or the Maiden Queen, a Tragi-Comedy, acted at the theatre-royal, and printed in 4to, 1697.  The serious part of the plot is founded on the history of Cleobuline, Queen of Corinth.

18.  The Rival Ladies, a Tragi-Comedy, acted at the theatre-royal 1679.  It is dedicated to the earl of Orrery.  The dedication is in the nature of a preface, in defence of English verse or rhime.

19.  The Kind Keeper; or Mr. Limberham, a Comedy, acted at the duke’s theatre, printed in 4to. 1680.  It is dedicated to John lord Vaughan.  Mr. Langbain says, it so much exposed the keepers about town, that all the old letchers were up in arms against it, and damned it the third night.

20.  The Spanish Fryar; or the Double Discovery, a Tragi Comedy, acted at the duke’s theatre, and printed 1681.  It is dedicated to John lord Haughton.  This is one of Mr. Dryden’s best plays, and still keeps possession of the stage.  It is said, that he was afterwards so much concerned for having ridiculed the character of the Fryar, that it impaired his health:  what effect bigotry, or the influence of priests, might have on him, on this occasion, we leave others to determine.