21.  Duke of Guise, a Tragedy, acted 1688.  It was written by Dryden and Lee, and dedicated to Hyde earl of Rochester.  This play gave great offence to the Whigs, and engaged several writers for and against it.

22.  Albion and Albanius, an Opera, performed at the Queen’s theatre in Dorset-Gardens, and printed in folio 1685.  The subject of it is wholly allegorical, and intended to expose my lord Shaftfbury and his party.

23.  Don Sebastian King of Portugal, a Tragedy, acted 1690, dedicated to the earl of Leicester.

24.  King Arthur; or the British worthy, a Tragedy, acted 1691, dedicated to the marquis of Hallifax.

25.  Amphytrion; or the two Socias, a Comedy, acted 1691, dedicated to Sir Leveson Gower, taken from Plautus and Moliere.

26.  Cleomenes, the Spartan Hero, a Tragedy, acted at the theatre-royal, and printed in 4to. 1692, dedicated to the earl of Rochester.  There is prefixed to it the Life of Cleomenes, translated from Plutarch by Mr. Creech.  This play was first prohibited by the lord Chamberlain, but upon examination being found innocent of any design to satirize the government, it was suffered to be represented, and had great success.  In the preface, the author tells us, that a foolish objection had been raised against him by the sparks, for Cleomenes not accepting the favours of Cassandra.  ’They (says he) would not have refused a fair lady; I grant they would not, but let them grant me, that they are no heroes.’

27.  Love Triumphant; or Nature will prevail, a Tragi-comedy, acted 1694.  It is dedicated to the earl of Shaftsbury, and is the last Mr. Dryden wrote, or intended for the theatre.  It met with but indifferent success, tho’ in many parts the genius of that great man breaks out, especially in the discovery of Alphonfo’s successful love, and in the catastrophe, which is extremely effecting.

  In Obitum JOHAN.  DRYDENI,
  poetarum Anglorum facile principis.

  Pindarus Anglorum magnus, cujusque senilem
  Ornavit nuper frontem Parnissia laurus,
  Sive cothurnatum molitur musa laborem,
  Sive levem ludit foccum, seu grande Maronis
  Immortalis epos tentat, seu carmine pingit
  Mordaci mores homitium, nunc occidit, eheu! 
  Occidit, atque tulit secum Permessidos undas;
  Et fontem exhausit totum Drydenius Heros.

Heu! miserande senex! jam frigida tempora circum Marcessit laurus, musae, maestissima turba!  Circumstant, largoque humeclant imbre cadaver; Sheffeildum video, in lacrymis multoque dolore Formosum, aetatis Flaccum, vatisque patronum; Te Montacute, te, cujus musa triumphos Carmine Boynaeos cucinit, magnumque Wilhelmum AEternavit, et olim Boynam, ignobile flumen; Teque, O! et legum et musarum gloria! et alter Maecenas; cui lingua olim facunda labantem Defendit mitrae causam; nee teruit aula Prava jubens—­vos, O jam tanguni funera vatis!

  Jamque dies aderat, magna stipante caterva,