Literary Criticism (1400-1800)

Etherege, George | Gerard Langbaine (essay date 1691)

Gerard Langbaine (essay date 1691)

SOURCE: Langbaine, Gerard. “Sir George Etherege.” In An Account of the English Dramatick Poets, pp. 186-88. 1691. Reprint. New York: Garland Publishing, 1973.

[In the essay below, Langbaine provides a favorable account of Etherege and his plays.]

A Gentleman sufficiently eminent in the Town for his Wit and Parts, and One whose tallent in sound Sence, and the Knowledge of true Wit and Humour, are sufficiently conspicuous: and therefore I presume I may with justice, and without envy, apply Horace's Character of Fundanus, to this admirable Author;

Argutâ meretrice potes, Davoque Chremet,
Eludente senem, comis garrire libellos,
Unus vivorum, Fundani.———

This Ingenious Author has oblig'd the World by publishing three Comedies, viz.

Comical Revenge,or Love in a Tub, a Comedy, acted at his Royal-Highness the Duke of York's Theatre in...

[The entire page is 448 words long]

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