Now what Account the Wits of that Age had of him, you shall hear from two of his own Profession in Commendation of two of his Plays; and first those of Mr. _James Shirley_ on his Comedy the _Jovial Crew_. This Comedy (ingenious Friends) will raise Itself a Monument, without a praise. Beg'd by the Stationer, who, with strength of purse, And Pens, takes care, to make his Book sell worse. And I dare calculate thy Play, although Not Elevated unto _fifty two_; It may grow old as time or wit, and he That dares dispise may after envy thee. Learning the file of Poesy may be Fetch'd from the Arts and University: But he that writes a Play, and good must know, Beyond his Books, Men, and their Actions too. Copies of Verse, that makes the new Men sweat, Reach not a Poem, nor the Muses heat; Small Brain Wits, and wood may burn a while, And make more noise then Forrests on a Pile. Whose Finers shrunk, ma' invite a Piteans Stream, Not to Lament, but to extinguish them, Thy fancies Mettal, and thy stream's much higher, Proof 'gainst their wit, and what that dreads the Fire. The other of Mr. _John Ford_ on the _Northern Lass_. _Poets_ and _Painters_ curiously compar'd Give life to Fancy, and Atchieve reward, By immortality of name, so thrives _Arts Glory_, that All, which it breaths on lives. Witness this _Northern Piece_, The Court affords No newer Fashion, or for wit, or words. The Body of the Plot is drawn so fair, That the Souls language quickens with fresh Air. This well Limb'd Poem, by no rule, or thought Too dearly priz'd, being or sold, or bought. We could also produce you _Ben. Johnsons_ Verses, with other of the prime Wits of those times; but we think these sufficient to shew in what respect he was held by the best Judgments of that Age. * * * * * _ROBERT CHAMBERLAIN._ This _Robert Chamberlain_ is also remembred amongst the Dramatick Writers of that time for two Plays which he wrote; the _Swaggering Damosel_, a Comedy: and _Sicelides_ a Pastoral. There was also one _W. Chamberlain_ who wrote a Comedy called _Loves Victory_. * * * * * _WILLIAM SAMPSON._ About the same time also Flourisht _William Sampson_, who wrote of himself two Tragedies; The _Vow Breaker_, and _the Valiant Scot_: and joyned with _Markham_ a Tragedy called _Herod_ and _Antipater, and how to choose a good Wife from a Bad_, a Tragi-Comedy. * * * * * _GEORGE SANDYS, Esquire._