The Lives and Characters of the English Dramatick Poets/Sir Aston Cockain
Sir Aston Cockain.
This worthy Knight lived (about the Restoration) at his Seat at Ashbourn, a Market Town in Derbyshire, his Family Ancient, pretending an Alliance with William the First:[1] He had Education in Trinity Colledge in Cambridge, made the Tour of France and Italy in his Five and Twentieth Year, finishing it in the Year 1632.[2] Poetry being his darling Study. Among other Pieces, he has left us Three Plays and a Masque, of which in their Order,
Masque, presented at Berthie in Derbyshire, 1639. before the then Earl of Chesterfield, on a Twelfth-Night, his Two Sons acting Parts in the same.
Obstinate Lady, a Comedy, 8vo. 1658. This Play seems a meer Imitation of Massenger's Very Woman.
Ovid's Tragedy, 8vo. 1669. Some part taken from his Elegies, and part from Il Atheisto Fulminato, an Italian Play.
Trappolin supposed a Prince, a Tragy-Comedy, 8vo. 1658. Plot from Trapolén credulo Principe, which he owns to have seen acted at Venice. It has been revived by Mr. Tate, and acted in the Year 1685. by the Dukes Servants in Dorset Garden.
Thersites, and Tyranical Government, which may well be supposed to be none of his, tho' placed to him by Winstanly and Philips, you may find it in their Alphabet among the Anonymous Plays. These are all printed with his Poems, Epigrams, &c. in 8vo.