Aristotle concerning Æschrion the poet, _that he could not tell what Æschrion could not do_." Ben Jonson said of him with some passion, _My son Cartwright writes all like a man_; and Dr Fell, Bishop of Oxford, gave him this character: _Cartwright was the utmost man could come to_. Besides a sermon and some Greek and Latin poems, he was the author of four plays, one only of which, I believe, was published in his lifetime, viz.-- 1. "The Royal Slave, a Tragi-Comedy, presented to the king and queen by the students of Christ Church in Oxford, August 30, 1636; presented since to both their majesties, at Hampton Court, by the king's servants." 4o, 1639-40; 8vo, 1651. This play, in which the celebrated Dr Busby performed a part, gave so much satisfaction to their majesties, that it was by their orders performed at Hampton Court by their own servants. Langbaine says the preference was given to the representation by the collegians, as much superior to that of the players. 2. "The Lady Errant, a Tragi-Comedy." 3. "The Ordinary, a comedy," [probably written in 1634.] 4. "The Siege; or, Love's Convert, a Tragi-Comedy." FOOTNOTES: [110] "Memoirs," p. 422. [111] "Athen. Oxon." p. 34. [112] _Ibid._ [113] Langbaine, p. 51, says 1631. [114] "Athen. Oxon." ii. p. 35. [115] Oldys, in his MSS. notes on Langbaine, says that the king being asked why he appeared in black the day Cartwright was buried, answered, that since the Muses had so much mourned for the loss of such a son, it would be a shame for him not to appear in mourning for the loss of such a subject. DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. HEARSAY, _an intelligencer_. } SLICER, _a lieutenant_. } _complices in_ MEANWELL, (_Littleworth disguised_), } _the Ordinary_ _a decayed knight's son_. } SHAPE, _a cheater_. SIR THOMAS BITEFIG, _a covetous knight_. SIMON CREDULOUS, _a citizen_. ANDRES, _his son, suitor to Mistress Jane_. ROBERT MOTH, _an antiquary_. CASTER, } _gamesters_. HAVE-AT-ALL, } RIMEWELL, _a poet_. BAGSHOT, _a decayed clerk_. } SIR CHRISTOPHER, _a curate_. } _clubbers at_ VICAR CATCHMEY, _a cathedral_ } _the Ordinary_. _singing-man_. } MISTRESS JANE, _daughter to Sir Thomas_. PRISCILLA, _her maid_. JOAN POTLUCK, _a vintner's widow_. _Shopkeeper, Chirurgeon, Officers, Servants._ _The scene, London._ THE PROLOGUE.