Dictionary.net

A great Spanish dramatist; born at Madrid, Jan. 17, 1600; died May 25, 1681. Of "Sacramental Acts"- out-door plays for Corpus Christi day-he wrote 72 on themes Scriptural, classical, or moral: of these, "The Divine Orpheus" is reputed the best. Of religious dramas he wrote 16, among them "The Wonder-Working Magician", the action of which centres on a human soul's surrender to Satan; it was translated by Shelley and beautifully paraphrased by Fitzgerald. Another drama of this series is "The Schism of England". Of his dramas of secular history may be cited the powerful domestic tragedy, "The Alcalde of Zalamea". His dramas include: "No Magic Like Love", founded on the myth of Circe, and "Echo and Narcissus"; while his best known comedies of intrigue, or "of the cloak and sword", are: "The Fairy Lady" and "Tis III Keeping a House with Two Doors".