_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.