THE

POETICAL REGISTER

OR, THE

Lives and Characters

OF ALL THE

ENGLISH POETS.

With an Account of their

WRITINGS

'Adorned with curious Sculptures engra→ ven by the beft MASTERS.

Poets have an undoubted Right to claim, If not the greateft, the most lafting Name. Congreve.

VOL. I.

LONDON:

Printed, and Sold by A. Bettefworth, W. Taylor, and F. Batley, in Paternofter-Row; F. Wyat and C. Rivington, in St. Paul's Church-yard; E. Bell and W. Meadows, in Cornhill, and F. Pemberton and J. Hooke in Fleetftrcet. 1723.

!

PREFACE.

AM now to acquaint the

Reader what Affiftances I

have receiv'd towards the

Compleating and Finishing this Account of our English Dramatick

POETS.

The Foundation of the Work is owing to Mr. Langbain, who was the first that brought these Memoirs into any tolerable Form; and as he was Master of a great deal of Learning and much Curiosity, his Work was receiv'd with a general Applause.

How