The Lives and Characters of the English Dramatick Poets/Thomas Deckar
This Author was a Contemporary of Ben. Johnson's, in the Reign of K. James I. and his Antagonist for the Bays; he Writ Eight Plays entire, and four others assisted with Webster, Rowley, and Ford, in all Twelve, which take as follow.
Fortunatus, a Comedy, 4to. 1600. stiled, Old Fortunatus. This Play is not divided into Acts; the story is taken from the stitch'd Book of Fortunatus.
Honest Whore, the First Part, with the Humours of the Patient Man, and the Longing Wife; a Comedy, 4to. 1635. Acted by her Majesties Servants with great Applause.
Honest Whore, the Second Part, with the Humors of the Patient Man, and the Impatient Wife, also the Comical passage of an Italian Bridewel, a Comedy, 4to. 1630. This Play is not divided into Acts, nor ever, (I suppose) Acted. See Harrington's Epig. at the end of his Orlando Furioso.
If this b'ent a good Play, the Devil's in't; a Comedy, 4to. 1612. a Play then Acted with great Applause by the Queen's Majesties Servants. See Machiavel's Novel of Belphegor.
Match me in London, a Comedy, 4to. 1631. This was then accounted a good Play and often Acted both at the Bull in St. John's-street, and in Drury-Lane.
Northward Hoe, a Comedy, 4to. 1607. sundry times Acted by the Children of Paul's. John Webster joined with our Author in this Play. See Ducento Novelle del Signior Celio Malespini, part I. Nov. 2.
Satyromastyx, or, The Untrussing the Humorous Poet, a Comedy, 4to. 1602, presented Publickly by the Right Honourable the Lord Chamberlain's Servants, and privately by the Children of St. Paul's. Ben. Johnson's Poetaster (wherein he is severe on this our Author) occasioned the Writing of this Play.
Westward Hoe, a Comedy, 4to. 1607. This Play was divers times Acted by the Children of Paul's. Mr. Webster also was concerned in producing this Play.
The Whore of Babylon, a History, 4to. 1607. Acted by the Prince's Servants. This Play was design'd to expose the Roman Catholicks, especially the Jesuits at that time, and sets forth the excellent Virtues of Queen Elizabeth, and the many Dangers she escaped.
Wyat's History, 4to. 1607. In this Mr. Webster joined with him, and is a Play Mr. Langbain never saw. See the English Chron. in the Reign of Queen Mary.
The Witch of Edmonton, a Tragedy, 4to. 1658 In this Play Mr. Rowley and Mr. Ford joined with him.
The Wonder of a Kingdom, a Comedy, 4to. 1636.
He likewise writ with Mr. Philip Massenger, the Virgin Martyr, and with Mr. Middleton, the Roaring Girl.