In 1692, he composed music for the plays, entitled, the _Wife's Excuse_, by Southerne; the _Indian Queen_, by Howard and Dryden; the _Indian Emperour_, by Dryden; _Œdipus_, a tragedy by Dryden and Lee; the _Marriage-hater match'd_, by D'Urfey; and the so-called opera, the _Fairy Queen_, anonymously adapted from Shakespeare's _Midsummer Night's Dream_. The music of the _Indian Queen_ abounds in very striking passages; it is only necessary to recall the titles of "Ye Twice ten Hundred Deities," which Dr. Burney considered the best recitative in the English language; the dramatic air, "By the Croaking of the Toad," and the delightful song, "I Attempt from Love's Sickness to fly," a ditty again made popular by the exquisite singing of Hobbs in the generation just passed away.[43] Three years after the first performance of the _Indian Queen_, some portion of the music was published without the consent, or even consultation, of the composer; the publication, now become very rare, has the following title:-- "The songs in the _Indian Queen_, as it is now compos'd into an opera by Mr. Henry Purcell, composer in ordinary to his Majesty, and one of the organists of his Majesty's Chapel Royal, London. Printed by J. Heptinstall, and are now to be sold by John May, at his shop under St. Dunstan's church; and for John Hudgbutt at Thomas Dring's, bookseller at the Harrow at Clifford's-lane-end in Fleet Street, 1695." The preface is too curious to be omitted:-- "The publishers to Mr. Henry Purcell. Sir, having had the good Fortune to meet with the Score or Original Draught of your Incomparable Essay of Musick compos'd for the Play, call'd the _Indian Queen_, It soon appear'd that we had found a Jewel of very great Value; on which account we were unwilling that so rich a Treasure should any longer lie bury'd in Oblivion; and that the Commonwealth of Musick should be depriv'd of so considerable a Benefit. Indeed, we well knew your innate Modesty to be such, as not to be easily prevailed upon to set forth anything in Print, much less to Patronize your own Works, although in some respects Inimitable. But in regard that (the Press being now open) any one might print an imperfect Copy of these admirable Songs, or publish them in the nature of a Common Ballad, We were so much the more emboldened to make this Attempt, even without acquainting you with our Design; not doubting but your accustomed Candor and Generosity will induce you to pardon this Presumption. As for our parts, if you shall think fit to condescend so far, we shall always endeavour to approve ourselves your obedient servants, "J. MAY, J. HUDGEBUTT." Comment on this legal robbery of the fruit of an author's brain-work is quite unnecessary.