not think so many Englishmen could be fond of slavery.”  ’Upon which so many members rose and followed him, that the Speaker without telling, declared from the chair the Noes have it, and the bill was accordingly thrown out.  Upon this, he went immediately up to Cromwell, and said, “I have done you this day as great a service as ever I did in my life.  How? returned Cromwell; by hindring your government, replied my lord, from becoming hateful, which already begins to be disliked; for if this bill had passed, three kingdoms would have risen up against you; and they were your enemies, and not your friends who brought it in.”  ’This Cromwell so firmly believed, that he never forgave nor trusted them afterwards.’

King Charles ii. put my lord upon writing plays, which he did, upon the occasion of a dispute that arose in the Royal presence, about writing plays in rhime.  Some affirmed, that it was to be done, others that it would spoil the fancy to be so confined; but lord Orrery was of another opinion, and his Majesty being willing, that a trial should be made, laid his commands on his lordship, to employ some of his leisure time that way, which his lordship readily complied with, and soon after composed the Black Prince.

It is difficult to give a full and accurate account of this nobleman’s compositions; for it must be owned, he was a better statesman than a poet, and fitter to act upon the wide theatre of life, than to write representations for the circumscribed theatre of the stage.  In the light of an author he is less eminent, and lived a life of too much hurry to become proficient in poetry, a grace which not only demands the most extensive abilities, but much leisure and contemplation.  But if he was not extremely eminent as a poet, he was far removed above contempt, and deserves to have full mention made of all his writings; and we can easily forgive want of elegance and correctness in one who was of so much service to his country, and who was born rather to live than to write a great part.

According to the least exceptionable account, his works are as follow: 

1.  The Irish Colours displayed, in a reply of an English Protestant, to an Irish Roman Catholic, Lond. 1662, 4to.

2.  An Answer to a scandalous Letter lately printed and subscribed be a Peter Walsh, procurator for the Secular and Romish priests of Ireland:  This was the same infamous Walsh who forged the commisssion to act against the Protestants.  In this letter his lordship makes a full discovery of the treachery of the Irish rebels, Dublin 1662, 4to.  Lond. 1662, 4to.

3.  A Poem on his Majesty’s Restoration, presented by the earl himself to the King.

4.  A Poem on the Death of the celebrated Mr. Abraham Cowley, Lond. 1667, fol. reprinted by Dr. Sprat, before his edition of Cowley’s works; also reprinted and much commended by Mr. Budgel.

5.  History of Henry V. a tragedy.  Lond. 1668, fol.  In this play Mr. Harris who played Henry, wore the Duke of York’s coronation suit; and Betterton, who played Owen Tudor, by which he got reputation, wore the King’s; and Mr. Liliston, to whom the part of the Duke of Burgundy was given, wore the Earl of Oxford’s.