RICHARD BROOME.
Reading edition
Richard Broome was a Servant to Mr. Benjamin Johnson, a Servant (saith one) suitable to such a Master; having an excellent Vain fitted for a Comique Strain, and both natural Parts and Learning answerable thereunto; though divers witty only in reproving, say, That this Broome had only what he swept from his Master: But the Comedies he Wrote, so well received and generally applauded, give the Lie to such Detractors; three of which, viz. His Northern Lass, The Jovial Crew, and Sparagus Garden, are little inferior if not equal to the writings of Ben. Johnson himself; besides these three Comedies before mentioned he wrote twelve others, viz. The Antipodes, Court Beggar, City Wit, Damoyselle, Mock Marriage, Love Sick Court, Mad Couple well Matcht, Novella, New Exchange, Queens Exchange, Queen and Concubine, Covent Garden Wedding, and a Comedy called the Lancaster Witches, in which he was joyned with Heyward.
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.