[In the following essay, Langbaine provides a brief overview of Ford's dramatic works, singling out for censure Ford's treatment of incest in 'Tis Pity She's a Whore.]

A Gentleman of the Middle-Temple, who liv'd in the Reign of King Charles the First: Who was a Well-wisher to the Muses, and a Friend and Acquaintance of most of the Poets of his Time. He was not only a Partner with Rowly, and Decker in the Witch of Edmonton, … and with Decker, in The Sun's Darling, but writ like-wise himself seven Plays; most of which were acted at the Phœnix, and the Black-Friars: and may be known by an Anagram instead of his Name, generally printed in the Title-page, viz.

FIDE HONOR.

He was more addicted to Tragedy, than Comedy; which occasion'd an Old Poet to write thus of him.

Deep in a Dump John Ford was alone got
With folded Arms, and melancholy Hat.

I shall give an Account of his Plays Alphabetically, and place The Sun's Darling in its order, because the greatest part of it was writ by our Author.

Broken Heart, a Tragedy acted by the Kings Majesties Servants, at the private House in Black-Fryars, printed 40 Lond. 1633. and dedicated to the most Worthy Deserver of the Noblest Titles in Honour, William Lord Craven, Baron of Hamstead-Marshal. The Speakers Names are fitted to their Qualities; and most of them are deriv'd from Greek Etimologies.

Fancies Chast and Noble, a Tragi-comedy, presented by the Queen Majesties Servants, at the Phœnix in Drury Lane; printed 40 Lond. 1638. and dedicated to the Right Noble Lord, the Lord Randell Macdonell, Earl of Antrim in the Kingdom of Ireland. This Play is usher'd into the World by a Copy of Verses, written by Mr. Edward Greenfield.

Ladies Tryal, a Tragi-comedy acted by both their Majesties Servants, at the private House in Drury Lane; printed 40 Lond. 1639. and dedicated to his Deservingly Honoured John Wyrley Esq; and to the Virtuous and Right worthy Gentlewoman Mrs. Mary Wyrley his Wife.

Lovers Melancholy, a Tragi-comedy acted at the private House in the Black-Fryars, and publickly at the Globe by the Kings Majesties Servants; printed 40 Lond.1629. and dedicated to his most worthily Respected Friends, Nathaniel Finch, John Ford, Esquires; Mr. Henry Blunt, Mr. Robert Ellice, and all the rest of the Noble Society of Grays-Inn. This Play is commended by four of the Author's Friends; one of which … writ the following Tetrastick.

'Tis not the Language nor the fore-plac'd Rimes Of Friends, that shall commend to after-times The Lovers Melancholy: Its own Worth, Without a borrow'd Praise, shall set it forth.

The Author has Embellisht this Play with several Francies from other Writers, which he has appositely brought in; as the Story of the Contention between the Musician and the Nightingale; describ'd in Strada's Academical Prolusions, Lib.2. Prol.6. which begins,

Jam Sol è medio pronus defluxerat Orbe, &c.

A Definition and Description of Melancholy, copied from the Ingenious Mr. Rob. Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy, &c.

Love's Sacrifice, a Tragedy, receiv'd generally well; acted by the Queens Majesties Servants, at the Phœnix in Drury Lane; printed 40 Lond. 1633. and dedicated to his truest Friend, his worthiest Kinsman, John Ford of Gray's-Inn Esquire. There is a Copy of Verses printed before this Play, written by that Dramatick Writer Mr. James Shirley.

Perkin Warbeck, a Chronicle History, and a Strange Truth, acted (sometimes) by the Queens Majesties Servants in Drury Lane; printed 40 Lond. 1634. and dedicated to the Rightly Honourable William Cavendish Earl of Newcastle. This Play as several of the former, is attended with Verses written by Four of the Author's Friends; one of which is his Kinsman abovementioned. The Plot is founded on Truth, and may be read in most of the Chronicles that have writ of the Reign of King Henry the VII. See Caxton, Polidore Virgil, Holling shead, Speed, Stow, Salmonet, Du Chesne, Martyn, Baker, Gaynsford's History of Perkin Warbeck, &c.

Sun's Darling, a Moral Mask, often presented by their Majesties Servants, at the Cock-pit in Drury Lane, with great applause; printed 4⁰Lond. 1657. and dedicated to the Right Honourable Thomas Wriathesley, Earl of Southampton. This Play was written (as I have said) by our Author and Decker, but not publisht till after their Decease. A Copy of Verses written by Mr. John Tateham, is the Introduction to the Masque; at the Entry whereof, the Reader will find an Explanation of the Design, alluding to the Four Seasons of the Year.

'Tis pity she's a whore, a Tragedy printed 40 I can give no further Account of the Title-page, or Dedication, mine being lost. All that I can say is, that it equalls any of our Author's Plays; and were to be commended, did not the Author paint the incestuous Love between Giovanni, and his Sister Annabella, in too beautiful Colours.

Mr. Winstanly says, that this Author was very beneficial to the Red-Bull, and Fortune Play-Houses; as may appear by the Plays which he wrote; tho' the Reader may see by the foregoing Account that he takes his Information upon trust, or else the Plays he has seen are of different Editions from those I have by me: but I rather believe the former, since I have found him subject to several Mistakes of this Nature.