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diff --git a/15461.txt b/15461.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8bf46cb --- /dev/null +++ b/15461.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7854 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lives of the Most Famous English Poets +(1687), by William Winstanley + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Lives of the Most Famous English Poets (1687) + +Author: William Winstanley + +Commentator: William Riley Parker + +Release Date: March 25, 2005 [EBook #15461] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOST FAMOUS ENGLISH POETS *** + + + + +Produced by David Starner, Leonard Johnson and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. + + + + + + + THE LIVES + _Of the Most Famous_ + _English Poets_. + + (1687) + + BY + _William Winstanley_. + + + A FACSIMILE REPRODUCTION + WITH AN INTRODUCTION + BY + _William Riley Parker_ + + + GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA + SCHOLARS' FACSIMILES & REPRINTS + 1963 + + + SCHOLARS' FACSIMILES & REPRINTS + 1605 N.W. 14th AVE. + GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA, U.S.A. + + HARRY R. WARFEL, GENERAL EDITOR + + + REPRODUCED FROM A COPY OWNED BY + HARRY R. WARFEL + + + L.C. CATALOG CARD NUMBER: 63-7095 + + + MANUFACTURED IN THE U.S.A. + + LETTERPRESS BY J.N. ANZEL, INC. + PHOTOLITHOGRAPHY BY EDWARDS BROTHERS + BINDING BY UNIVERSAL-DIXIE BINDERY + + + + +_Introduction_ + + +This book merits more attention and respect from literary historians +than thus far have been accorded it. The case must be stated carefully. +The work has obvious faults and limitations, which probably account for +its never having been reprinted since its appearance in 1687. Almost +forty percent of it is largely or entirely derivative. Its author, +William Winstanley (1628?-1698), was undoubtedly a compiler and a +hack-writer; his attitudes and methods can hardly be termed +"scholarly." Nevertheless, this pioneer in biographical and +bibliographical research was more nearly a scholar than the man he is +usually alleged to have plagiarized; he wanted to _see_ the books that +Edward Phillips was often content merely to list by title in his +_Theatrum Poetarum_ (1675), and altogether, for his own enjoyment and +that of his readers, he quoted from the works of more than sixty poets. +Moreover, unlike Phillips, he tried to arrange his authors in +chronological order, from Robert of Gloucester to Sir Roger L'Estrange. + +Though Winstanley's _Lives_ advertises on its title page accounts "of +above Two Hundred" poets, only 147 are actually listed in the +catalogue, and only 168 are noted throughout. Of these 168, only 34 had +not already been mentioned by Phillips, a dozen years before. Some +borrowing was inevitable, and, in fact, Winstanley leaned heavily upon +both Phillips and Fuller for information and clues, just as Phillips +had leaned heavily upon Bale's _Summarium_ (1548), Camden's _Remains_, +Puttenham's _Art of English Poesy_, several Elizabethan miscellanies, +and Kirkman's play catalogues. Both men built (as scholars must build) +upon the obvious materials available. Both (in the manner of their age) +were extremely casual about documentation and acknowledgment. If this +leads us to talk unhistorically about "theft," we must say that +Phillips "stole" from a half dozen or so people, whereas Winstanley +simply appropriated a lot of these stolen goods. For doing so, he alone +has been labelled a plagiarist. + +Let us be more specific. Of Winstanley's accounts of 168 poets, 34 seem +to have come out of the _Theatrum Poetarum_ with nothing new added (10 +of these 34 merely named). Of the remaining 134 accounts, 34 are of +poets not mentioned by Phillips, 29 are utterly independent of +Phillips, 40 are largely independent (that is, they borrow some from +Phillips but add more than they borrow), and 31 are largely derivative. +We would praise a doctoral dissertation that succeeded in giving so +much new data. Winstanley was careless, but he was not lazy, and he had +a literary conscience of sorts. Often he went to Phillips' sources and +came away with more than Phillips found (most conspicuously in his use +of Francis Kirkman's 1671 play catalogue). + +Since the groundwork had so recently been laid, Winstanley's problem, +far more than that of Phillips, was one of selection. In the _Theatrum +Poetarum_ 252 modern British poets are named. Of these Winstanley chose +to omit the 16 female and 33 Scottish poets. Of the remaining 203, he +dropped 68, and for the student of literary reputation these omissions +raise some interesting questions. Undoubtedly a few were inadvertent. +About a dozen were authors noted but not dated by Phillips, and it is +probable that Winstanley was unable to learn more about them. Fifteen +others were English poets who apparently did not write in the +vernacular. An additional fifteen were poets dated by Phillips but +described as inferior or almost forgotten. Still another fifteen were +older or early Renaissance poets whose names probably meant nothing to +Winstanley. On the other hand, he omits the following late Renaissance +or contemporary poets whose period is plainly indicated in the +_Theatrum Poetarum_ and who, we might suppose, would be known to anyone +attempting literary history in the year 1687: Richard Barnfield, Thomas +Campion, Francis Davison, John Hall of Durham, William Herbert, William +Leighton, Thomas Sackville, Henry Vaughan the Silurist, and Samuel +Woodford. + +That most of Winstanley's omissions were deliberate, and were prompted +by some awareness of literary reputation, is suggested not only by his +request for help on a revised edition (which never materialized) but +also by the fact that he was able to add to the _Theatrum Poetarum_ +thirty-four poets, almost all of whom could have been noted by +Phillips. Among these were such recent poets as Thomas Tusser, Giles +Fletcher the elder, Sir John Beaumont, Jasper Heywood, Philemon +Holland, Sir Thomas Overbury, John Taylor the Water Poet, and the Earl +of Rochester. The reader of this volume may want to have the additional +names before him; they are: Sir John Birkenhead, Henry Bradshaw, +William Chamberlayne, Hugh Crompton, John Dauncey, John Davies (d. +1618), Robert Fabyan, John Gower (fl. 1640), Lewys Griffin, "Havillan," +Richard Head, Matthew Heywood, John Higgins, Thomas Jordan, Sir William +Killigrew, Sir Roger L'Estrange, Matthew of Paris, John Oldham, Edward +Phillips himself, John Quarles, Richard the Hermit, John Studley, John +Tatham, Christopher Tye, Sir George Wharton, and William of Ramsey. +Mentioned incidentally are John Owen, Laurence Whitaker, and Gawin +Douglas. + +Among the accounts that are utterly independent of Phillips are those +of Churchyard, Chapman, Daniel, Ford, Cower, Lydgate, Lyly, Massinger, +Nashe, Quarles, Suckling, Surrey, and Sylvester. Among those that add +more than they borrow are the notices of Beaumont and Fletcher, +Chaucer, Cleveland, Corbet, Donne, Drayton, Phineas Fletcher, Greene, +Greville, Jonson, Lodge, Lovelace, Middleton, More, Randolph, +Shakespeare, Sidney, Spenser, Warner, and Withers. + +To a modern critic Winstanley may seem devoid of taste, but his +acquaintance with English poetry is impressive. Indeed, Winstanley, +unlike Phillips, strikes us as a man who really read and enjoyed +poetry. Phillips is more the slipshod bibliographer and cataloguer, +collecting names and titles; Winstanley is the amateur literary +historian, seeking out the verse itself, arranging it in chronological +order, and trying, by his dim lights, to pass judgment upon it. + +WILLIAM RILEY PARKER +_Indiana University_ +_12 March 1962_ + +[Illustration: London Printed for Samuel Manship at the Black Bull in +Cornhill near the Royall Exchange.] + + + + +THE +LIVES +Of the most Famous +English Poets, + +OR THE +Honour of _PARNASSUS_; + +In a Brief +ESSAY +OF THE +WORKS and WRITINGS +of above Two Hundred of them, from the +Time of K. _WILLIAM_ the Conqueror, + +To the Reign of His Present Majesty +King JAMES II. + +_Marmora_ Maeonij _vincunt Monumenta Libelli_; +_Vivitur ingenio, extera Mortis erunt_. + +Written by _WILLIAM WINSTANLEY_, Author of +the _English Worthies_. + +Licensed, _June_ 16, 1685. Rob. Midgley. + +_LONDON_, + +Printed by _H. Clark_, for Samuel Manship at the +Sign of the _Black Bull_ in _Cornhil_, 1687. + + * * * * * + + + + +TO THE WORSHIPFUL + +Francis Bradbury, Esq; + + +The Judicious Philosopher _Philo-Judaeus,_ in his Book _De Plantatione_ +Noe, saith; _That when God had made the whole World's Mass, he created +Poets to celebrate and set out the Creator himself, and all his +Creatures:_ such a high Estimate had he of those Genius of brave Verse. +Another saith, that Poets were the first _Politicians_, the first +_Philosophers_, and the first _Historiographers_. And although Learning +and Poetick Skill were but very rude in this our Island, when it +flourished to the height in _Greece_ and _Rome_, yet since hath it made +such improvement, that we come not behind any Nation in the World, both +in Grandity and Gravity, in Smoothness and Propriety, in Quickness and +Briefness; so that for _Skill, Variety, Efficacy_ and _Sweetness_, the +four material points required in a Poet, our _English_ Sons of +_Apollo,_ and Darlings of the _Delian Deity,_ may compare, if not +exceed them + + _Whose victorious Rhime,_ + _Revenge their Masters Death,_ + _and conquer Time_. + +And indeed what is it that so masters Oblivion, and causeth the Names +of the dead to live, as the divine Strains of sacred Poesie? How are +the Names forgotten of those mighty Monarchs, the Founders of the +_Egyptian Pyramids_, when that _Ballad-Poet, Thomas Elderton_, who did +arm himself with Ale (as old Father _Ennius_ did with Wine) is +remembred in Mr. _Cambden's Remains?_ having this made to his Memory, + + _Hic situs est sitiens atque ebrius_ Eldertonus, + _Quid dico; hic situs est; hic potius sitis est_. + +Now, Sir, all my Ambition, that I address these _Lines_ unto you, is, +that you will pardon the Defects I have committed herein, as having +done my good will in so short an _Epitome_ to lay a _Ground-work_, on +which may be built a _sumptuous Structure_; a Work well worthy the Pen +of a second _Plutarch_; since Poetical Devices have been well esteemed. +even amongst them who have been ignorant of what they are; as the +judicious Mr. _Cambden_ reports of _Sieur Gauland_, who, when he heard +a Gentleman express that he was at a Supper, where they had not only +good Company and good Chear, but also savoury _Epigrams_, and fine +_Anagrams_; he returning home, rated and belowted his _Cook_, as an +ignorant _Scullion_, that never dressed or served up to him either +_Epigrams_ or _Anagrams_. + +But, _Sir_, I intrench upon your Patience, and shall no further; only +subscribing my self, + + _Your Worship's ever_ + _to be Commanded_, + + William Winstanley. + + * * * * * + + + + +THE PREFACE TO THE READER. + + +As we account those Books best written which mix Profit with Delight, +so, in my opinion, none more profitable nor delightful than those of +Lives, especially them of Poets, who have laid out themselves for the +publick Good; and under the Notion of Fables, delivered unto us the +highest Mysteries of Learning. These are the Men who in their Heroick +Poems have made mens Fames live to eternity; therefore it were pity +(faith _Plutarch_) that those who write to Eternity, should not live so +too. Now above all Remembrances by which men have endeavoured even in +despight of Death, to give unto their Fames eternity, for Worthiness +and Continuance, Books, and Writings, have ever had the Preheminence; +which made _Ovid_ to give an endless Date to himself, and to his +_Metamorphosis_, in these Words; + + _Famque Opus exegi, &c._ + +Thus Englished by the incomparable Mr. _Sandys_. + + _And now the Work is ended, which_ Jove's _Rage,_ + _Nor Fire, nor Sword, shall raze, nor eating Age,_ + _Come when it will, my Death's uncertain hour_ + _Which only of my Body hath a power;_ + _Yet shall my better Part transcend the Sky,_ + _And my immortal Name shall never dy:_ + _For wherefoe're the_ Roman _Eagles spread_ + _Their conquering Wings, I shall of all be read._ + _And if we Prophets truly can divine,_ + _I in my living Fame shall ever shine_. + +With the same Confidence of Immortality, the Renowned Poet _Horace_ +thus concludes the Third Book of his _Lyrick_ Poesie. + + _Exegi Monumentum aere perennius._ + _Regalique situ, &c_. + + _A Monument than Brass more lasting, I, + Than Princely Pyramids in site more high + Have finished, which neither fretting Showrs, + Nor blustring Winds, nor flight of Years, and Hours, + Though numberless, can raze; I shall not die + Wholly; nor shall my best part buried lie + Within my Grave_. + +And _Martial_, Lib. 10. Ep. 2. thus speaks of his Writings; + + ----_My Books are read in every place, + And when_ Licinius, _and_ Messala's _high + Rich Marble Towers in ruin'd Dust shall lie, + I shall be read, and Strangers every where, + Shall to their farthest Homes my Verses bear_. + +Also _Lucan_, Lib. 9. of his own Verse, and _Caesar's_ Victory at +_Pharsalia_, writeth thus; + + _O great and sacred Work of Poesie! + Thou freest from Fate, and giv'st Eternity + To mortal Wights; but_ Caesar _envy not + Their living Names; if_ Roman _Muses ought + May promise thee, whilst_ Homer's _honoured, + By future Times shalt Thou and I be read; + No Age shall us with dark Oblivion stain, + But our_ Pharsalia _ever shall remain._ + +But this Ambition, or (give it a more moderate Title), Desire of Fame, +is naturally addicted to most men; The Triumph of _Miltiades_ would not +let _Themistocles_ sleep; For what was it that _Alexander_ made such a +Bustle in the world, but only to purchase an immortal Fame? To what +purpose were erected those stupendious Structures, entituled _The +Wonders of the World, viz._ The walls of _Babylon_, the _Rhodian +Colossus_, the Pyramids of _Egypt_, the Tomb of _Mausolus, Diana's_ +Temple at _Ephesus_, the _Pharoes_ Watch-Tower, and the Statue of +_Jupiter_ in Achaya, were they not all to purchase an immortal Fame +thereby? Nay, how soon was this Ambition bred in the heart of man? for +we read in _Genesis_ the 11th. how that presently after the Flood, the +People journeying from the _East_, they said among themselves, _Go to, +let us build us a City, and a tower, whose Top may reach unto Heaven; +and let us make us a Name_. Here you see the intent of their Building +was to make them a Name, though God made it a Confusion; as all such +other lofty Buildings built in Blood and Tyranny, of which nothing now +remains but the Name; which is excellently exprest by _Ovid_ in the +Fifteenth Book of his _Metamorphosis_. + + Troy _rich and powerful, which so proudly stood, + That could for ten years spend such streams of Blood, + For Buildings, only her old Ruines shows, + For Riches, Tombs, which slaughter'd Sires enclose_, + Sparta, Mycenae, _were of_ Greece _the Flowers; + So_ Cecrops _City, and_ Amphion's _Towers: + Now glorious_ Sparta _lies upon the ground. + Lofty_ Mycenae _hardly to be found. + Of_ Oedipus _his_ Thebes _what now remains? + Or_ of Pandion's Athens, _but their Names?_ + +So also _Sylvester_ in his _Du Bartus_. + + Thebes, Babel, Rome, _those proud Heaven-daring Wonders, + Lo under ground in Dust and Ashes lie, + For earthly Kingdoms even as men do die._ + +By this you may see that frail Paper is more durable than Brass or +Marble; and the Works of the Brain more lasting than that of the Hand; +so true is that old Verse, + + Marmora _Maeonij_ vincunt Monumenta Libelli: + Vivitur ingenio, caetera mortis erunt. + + _The Muses Works Stone-Monuments outlast. + 'Tis Wit keeps Life, all else Death will down cast._ + +Now though it is the desire of all Writers to purchase to themselves +immortal Fame, yet is their Fate far different; some deserve Fame, and +have it; others neither have it, nor deserve it; some have it not +deserving, and others, though deserving, yet totally miss it, or have +it not equall to their Deserts: Thus have I known a well writ Poem, +after a double expence of Brain to bring it forth, and of Purse to +publish it to the World, condemned to the Drudgery of the _Chandler_ or +_Oyl-man_, or, which is worse, to light _Tobacco_. I have read in Dr. +_Fuller's Englands Worthies_, that Mr. _Nathanael Carpenter_, that +great Scholar for _Logick_, the _Mathematicks, Geography_, and +_Divinity_, setting forth a Book of _Opticks_, he found, to his great +grief, the Preface thereof in his Printers House, _Casing +Christmas-Pies_, and could never after from his scattered Notes recover +an Original thereof; thus (saith he) _Pearls_ are no _Pearls_, when +_Cocks_ or _Coxcombs_ find them. + +There are two things which very much discourage Wit; ignorant Readers, +and want of _Mecaenasses_ to encourage their Endeavours. For the first, +I have read of an eminent Poet, who passing by a company of Bricklayers +at work, who were repeating some of his Verses, but in such a manner as +quite marred the Sence and Meaning of them; he snatching up a Hammer, +fell to breaking their Bricks; and being demanded the reason thereof, +he told them, that _they spoiled his Work, and he spoiled theirs_. And +for the second; what greater encouragement to Ingenuity than +Liberality? Hear what the Poet _Martial_ saith, _Lib. 10. Epig. 11._ + + _What deathless numbers from my Pen would flow, + What Wars would my_ Pierian _Trumpet blow, + If, as_ Augustus _now again did live, + So_ Rome _to me would a_ Mecaenas _give._ + +The ingenious Mr. _Oldham_, the glory of our late Age, in one of his +Satyrs, makes the renowned _Spenser_'s Ghost thus speak to him, +disswading him from the Study of Poetry. + + _Chuse some old_ English _Hero for thy Theme, + Bold_ Arthur, _or great_ Edward_'s greater Son, + Or our fifth_ Henry, _matchless to renown; + Make_ Agin-Court, _and_ Crescy_-fields out-vie + The fam'd_ Laucinan_-shores, and walls of_ Troy; + _What_ Scipio, _what_ Maecenas _wouldst thou find; + What_ Sidney _now to thy great project kind?_ + Bless me! how great a _Genius_! how each Line + Is big with Sense! how glorious a design + Does through the whole, and each proportion shine! + + How lofty all his Thoughts, and how inspir'd! + Pity, such wondrous Parts are not preferr'd: + _Cry a gay wealthy Sot, who would not bail, + For bare Five Pounds the Author out of Jail, + Should he starve there and rot; who, if a Brief + Came out the needy Poets to relieve, + To the whole Tribe would scarce a Tester give._ + +But some will say, it is not so much the _Patrons_ as the _Poets_ +fault, whose wide Mouths speak nothing but Bladders and Bumbast, +treating only of trifles, the Muses Haberdashers of small wares. + + _Whose Wit is but a Tavern-Tympany, + The Shavings and the Chips of Poetry._ + +Indeed such Pedlars to the Muses, whose Verse runs like the Tap, and +whose invention ebbs and flows as the Barrel, deserve not the name of +Poets, and are justly rejected as the common Scriblers of the times: +but for such who fill'd with _Phebean_-fire, deserve to be crowned with +a wreath of Stars; for such brave Souls, the darlings of the _Delian_ +Deity, for these to be scorn'd, contemn'd, and disregarded, must needs +be the fault of the times; I shall only give you one instance of a +renowned Poet, out of the same Author. + + _On_ Butler_, who can think without just rage, + The glory and the scandal of the age, + Fair stood his hopes, when first he came to Town, + Met every where with welcoms of renown, + Courted, and lov'd by all, with wonder read, + And promises of Princely favour fed: + But what reward for all had he at last, + After a life in dull expectance pass'd? + The wretch at summing up his mispent days, + Found nothing left, but poverty, and praise: + Of all his gains by Verse he could not save + Enough to purchase Flannel, an + +Thus you see though we have had some comparable to _Homer_ for Heroick +Poesie, and to _Euripides_ for Tragedy, yet have they died disregarded, +and nothing left of them, but that only once there were such Men and +Writings in being. + +I shall, in the next place, speak something of my Undertakings, in +writing the Lives of these Renowned Poets. Two things, I suppose, may +be laid to my charge; the one is the omission of some that ought with +good reason to have been mentioned; and the other, the mentioning of +those which without any injury might have been omitted. For the first, +as I have begg'd pardon at the latter end of my Book for their +omission, so have I promised, (if God spare me life so long) upon the +first opportunity, or second Edition of this Book, to do them right. In +the mean time I should think my self much beholding to those persons +who would give me any intelligence herein, it being beyond the reading +and acquaintance of any one single person to do it of himself. + +And yet, let me tell ye, that by the Name of Poet, many more of former +times might have been brought in than what I have named, as well as +those which I have omitted that are now living, namely, Sir _Walter +Rawleigh_, Mr. _John Weever_, Dr. _Heylin_, Dr. _Fuller,_ &c. but the +Volume growing as big as the Bookseller at present was willing to have +it, we shall reserve them to another time, they having already +eternized their Names by the never dying Histories which they have +wrote. + +Then for the second thing which may be objected against me, That I have +incerted some of the meanest rank; I answer, That comparatively, it is +a less fault to incert two, than to omit one, most of which in their +times were of good esteem, though now grown out of date, even as some +learned Works have been at first not at all respected, which afterwards +have been had in high estimation; as it is reported of Sir _Walter +Rawleigh_, who being Prisoner in the Tower, expecting every hour to be +sacrificed to the _Spanish_ cruelty, some few days before he suffered, +he sent for Mr. _Walter Burre_, who had formerly printed his first +Volume of _the History of the World_, whom, taking by the hand, +after some other discourse, he ask'd him, How that Work of his had +sold? Mr. _Burre_ returned this answer, That it sold so slowly, that it +had undone him. At which words of his, Sir _Walter Rawleigh_ stepping +to his Desk, reaches the other part of his History, to Mr. _Burre_, +which he had brought down to the times he lived in; clapping his hand +on his breast, he took the other unprinted part of his Works into his +hand with a sigh, saying, _Ah my Friend, hath the first Part undone +thee? The second Volume shall undo no more; this ungrateful World is +unworthy of it_; When immediately going to the fire-side he threw it +in, and set his foot on it till it was consumed. As great a Loss to +Learning as Christendom could have, or owned; for his first Volume +after his death sold Thousands. + +It may likewise be objected, That some of these Poets here mentioned, +have been more famous in other kind of Studies than in Poetry, and +therefore do not shine here as in their proper sphere of fame; but what +then, shall their general knowledge debar them from a particular notice +of their Abilities in this most excellent Art? Nor have we scarce any +Poet excellent in all its Species thereof; some addicting themselves +most to the _Epick_, some to the _Dramatick_, some to the _Lyrick_, +other to the _Elegiack_, the _Epaenitick_, the _Bucolick_, or the +_Epigram_; under one of which all the whole circuit of _Poetick Design_ +is one way or other included. + +Besides, should we have mentioned none but those who upon a strict +scrutiny the Name of Poet doth belong unto, I fear me our number would +fall much short of those which we have written; for as one writes, +_There are many that have a Fame deservedly for what they have writ, +even in Poetry itself, who, if they come to the test, I question how +well they would endure to open their Eagle-eyes against the Sun._ But I +shall wade no further in this Discourse, desiring you to accept of what +is here written. + + I remain + + Yours, + + _William Winstanley._ + + * * * * * + + + + +The Names of the Poets Mention'd in this Book. + + + _Robert of Glocester_ + _Richard_ the Hermit + _Joseph of Exeter_ + _Michael Blaunpayn_ + _Matthew Paris_ + _William Ramsey_ + _Alexander Nequam_ + _Alexander Essebie_ + _Robert Baston_ + _Henry Bradshaw_ + _Havillan_ + Sir _John Gower_ + _Geoffrey Chaucer_ + _John Lydgate_ + _John Harding_ + _Robert Fabian_ + _John Skelton_ + _William Lilly_ + Sir _Thomas More_ + _Henry Howard, Earl_ of _Surry_ + Sir _Thomas Wiat_ + Dr. _Christopher Tye_ + _John Leland + _Thomas Churchyard_ + _John Higgins_ + _Abraham Fraunce_ + _William Warner_ + _Thomas Tusser_ + _Thomas Stow_ + _Dr. Lodge_ + _Robert Greene_ + _Thomas Nash_ + Sir _Philip Sidney_ + Sir _Fulk Grevil_ + Mr. _Edmund Spenser_ + Sir _John Harrington_ + _John Heywood_ + _Thomas Heywood_ + _George Peel_ + _John Lilly_ + _William Wager_ + _Nicholas Berton_ + _Tho. Kid, Tho. Watson_, &c. + Sir _Thomas Overbury_ + Mr. _Michael Drayton_ + _Joshua Sylvester_ + Mr. _Samuel Daniel_ + _George Chapman_ + _Robert Baron_ + _Lodowic Carlisle_ + _John Ford_ + _Anthony Brewer_ + _Henry Glapthorn_ + _John Davis_ of _Hereford_ + Dr. _John Donne_ + Dr. _Richard Corbet_ + Mr. _Benjamin Johnson_ + _Fr. Beaumont_ and _Jo. Fletcher_ + _William Shakespeare_ + _Christopher Marlow_ + _Barton Holyday_ + _Cyril Turney_ + _Thomas Middleton_ + _William Rowley_ + _Thomas Deckar_ + _John Marston_ + Dr. _Jasper Main_ + _James Shirley_ + _Philip Massinger_ + _John Webster_ + _William Brown_ + _Thomas Randolph_ + Sir _John Beaumont_ + Dr. _Philemon Holland_ + _Thomas Goffe_ + _Thomas Nabbes_ + _Richard Broome_ + _Robert Chamberlain_ + _William Sampson_ + _George Sandys_, Esq; + Sir _John Suckling_ + Mr. _William Habington_ + Mr. _Francis Quarles_ + Mr. _Phineas Fletcher_ + Mr. _George Herbert_ + Mr. _Richard Crashaw_ + Mr. _William Cartwright_ + Sir _Aston Cockain_ + Sir _John Davis_ + _Thomas May_ + _Charles Aleyn_ + _George Withers_ + _Robert Herric_ + _John Taylor_, Water Poet + _Thomas Rawlins_ + Mr. _Thomas Carew_ + Col. _Richard Lovelace_ + _Alexander Broome_ + Mr. _John Cleaveland_ + Sir _John Birkenhead_ + Dr. _Robert Wild_ + Mr. _Abraham Cowley_ + Mr. _Edmond Waller_ + Sir _John Denham_ + Sir _William Davenant_ + Sir _George Wharton_ + Sir _Robert Howard_ + _W. Cavendish_, _D. of Newcastle_ + Sir _William Killegrew_ + _John Studly_ + _John Tatham_ + _Thomas Jordan_ + _Hugh Crompton_ + _Edmund Prestwich_ + _Pagan Fisher_ + _Edward Shirburn_, Esq; + _John Quarles_ + _John Milton_ + _John Ogilby_ + Sir _Richard Fanshaw_ + Earl of _Orrery_ + _Thomas Hobbs_ + Earl of _Rochester_ + Mr. _Thomas Flatman_ + _Martin Luellin_ + _Edmond Fairfax_ + _Henry King_, Bishop of _Chichester_ + _Thomas Manley_ + Mr. _Lewis Griffin_ + _John Dauncey_ + _Richard Head_ + _John Philips_ + Mr. _John Oldham_ + Mr. _John Driden_ + Mr. _Elkinah Settle_ + Sir _George Etheridge_ + Mr. _John Wilson_ + Mr. _Thomas Shadwell_ + _Thomas Stanley_, Esq; + _Edward Philips_ + Mr. _Thomas Sprat_ + _William Smith_ + Mr. _John Lacey_ + Mr. _William Whicherly_ + Sir _Roger L'Estrange_ + + * * * * * + + + + +THE LIVES +Of the most Famous +ENGLISH POETS, + +FROM _WILLIAM_ the _Conqueror_, to these Present Times. + + * * * * * + + + + +_The Life of ROBERT of Glocester._ + + +We will begin first with _Robert_ of _Glocester_, so called, because a +Monk of that City, who flourisht about the Reign of King _Henry_ the +Second; much esteemed by Mr. _Cambden_, who quotes divers of his old +_English_ Rhythms in praise of his Native Country, _England_. Some (who +consider not the Learning of those times) term him a Rhymer, whilst +others more courteously call him a Poet: Indeed his Language is such, +that he is dumb in effect, to the Readers of our Age, without an +Interpreter; which that ye may the better perceive, hear these his +Verses of _Mulmutius Dunwallo_, in the very same Language he wrote +them. + + A Kynge there was in Brutayne Donwallo was his Nam, + Staleworth and hardy, a man of grete Fam: + He ordeyned furst yat theeues yat to Temple flowen wer, + No men wer so hardy to do hem despit ther; + That hath he moche such yhold, as hit begonne tho, + Hely Chyrch it holdeth yut, and wole ever mo. + +Antiquaries (amongst whom Mr. _Selden_) more value him for his History +than Poetry, his Lines being neither strong nor smooth, yet much +informing in those things wherein he wrote; whereof to give you a taste +of the first planting Religion in this Land by King _Lucius_, + + Lucie Cocles Son after him Kynge was, + To fore hym in Engelonde Chrestendom non was, + For he hurde ofte miracles at Rome, + And in meny another stede, yat thurgh Christene men come, + He wildnede anon in hys herte to fonge Chrystendom. + Therefor Messagers with good Letters he nom, + That to the Pape Eleutherie hastelyche wende; + And yat he to hym and his menne expondem sende, + And yat he might seruy God wilned muche thereto, + And seyd he wald noght be glader hyt were ydo. + +This _English_ Rhymer or Poet, which you will have it to be, is said to +have lived whilst he was a very old man, and to have died about the +beginning of the Reign of King _John_. + + * * * * * + + + + +_RICHARD the Hermit_. + + +Contemporary with _Robert_ of _Glocester_, was one _Richard_, a +Religious Hermit, whose Manuscripts were a while ago (and for ought I +know, are still) kept in _Exeter_-Library, although _Exeter_-House in +the _Strand_, is converted now into an Exchange: This Religious Hermit +studied much in converting the Church-Service into _English_ Verse; of +which we shall give you an Essay in part of the _Te Deum_, and part of +the _Magnificat_, + +Te Deum. + + We heryen ye God, we knowlechen ye Lord: + All ye erye worships ye everlasting fader: + Alle Aungels in hevens, and alle ye pours in yis world, + Cherubin and Seraphin cryen by voyce to ye unstyntyng. + +Magnificat. + + My Soul worschips the Louerd, and my Gott joyed in God my hele + For he lokyd ye mekenes of hys hondemayden: + So for iken of yat blissefulle schall sey me all generacjouns; + For he has don to me grete thingis yat mercy is, and his nam hely. + +He likewise translated all the Psalms of _David_, as also the +_Collects, Epistles_ and _Gospels_ for the whole year, together with +the _Pater Noster_ and _Creed_; though there was then another _Pater +Noster_ and _Creed_ used in the Church, sent into _England_ by _Adrian_ +the Fourth, Pope of _Rome_, an _Englishman_, the Son of _Robert +Breakspeare_ of _Abbots Langley_ in _Hertfordshire_, unto King _Henry_ +the Second; which (for variety sake) we shall give you as followeth: + +Pater Noster. + + Ure fader in hevene riche, + Thi nom be haliid everliche, + Thou bring us to thi michilblisce, + Thi wil to wirche thu us wille, + Als hit is in hevene ido + Ever in erth ben hit also, + That heli bred that lastyth ay, + Thou sende hious this ilke day, + Forgiv ous al that we hauith don, + Als we forgiu och oder mon, + He let ous falle in no founding, + Ak seilde ous fro the foul thing. Amen. + +The Creed. + + I Beleeve in God fader almigty, shipper of heven and erth, + And in Jhesus Crist his onle thi son vre Louerd, + That is iuange thurch the hooli Ghost, bore of Mary Maiden, + Tholede pine undyr Pounce Pilate, pitcht on rode tre, + dead and yburiid. + Litcht into helle, the thridde day fro death arose, + Steich into hevene, sit on his fader richt hand God Almichty, + Then is cominde to deme the quikke and the dede, + I beleve in ye hooli Gost, + Alle hooli Chirche, + None of alle hallouen forgivenis of sine, + Fleiss uprising, + Lif withuten end. Amen. + +When this _Richard_ the Hermit died, we cannot find, but conjecture it +to be about the middle of the Reign of King _John_, about the year +1208. + + * * * * * + + + + +_JOSEPH_ of _Exeter_. + + +_Joseph of Exeter_ was born at the City of _Exeter_ in _Devonshire_, he +was also sirnamed _Iscanus_, from the River _Isk_, now called _Esk_, +which running by that City, gave it formerly the denomination of +_Isca_. This _Joseph_ (faith my Author) was _a Golden Poet in a Leaden +Age_, so terse and elegant were his Conceits and Expressions. In his +younger years he accompanied King _Richard_ the First, in his +Expedition into the _Holy Land_, by which means he had the better +advantage to celebrate, as he did, the Acts of that warlike Prince, in +a Poem, entituled _Antiochea_. He also wrote six Books _De Bello +Trojano_, in Heroick Verse, which, as the learned _Cambden_ well +observes, was no other then that Version of _Dares Phyrgius_ into +_Latine_ Verse. Yet so well was it excepted, that the _Dutchmen_ not +long since Printed it under the name of _Cornelius Nepos_, an Author +who lived in the time of _Tully_, and wrote many excellent pieces in +Poetry, but upon a strict view of all his Works, not any such doth +appear amongst them; they therefore do this _Joseph_ great wrong in +depriving him the honour of his own Works. He was afterwards, for his +deserts, preferred to be Arch-bishop of _Burdeaux_, in the time of King +_John_, about the year 1210. + + * * * * * + + + + +_MICHAEL BLAUNPAYN_. + + +This _Michael Blaunpayn_, otherwise sirnamed the _Cornish_ Poet, or the +Rymer, was born in _Cornwall_, and bred in _Oxford_ and _Paris_, where +he attained to a good proficiency in Learning, being of great fame and +estimation in his time, out of whose Rymes for merry _England_ as +_Cambden_ calls them, he quotes several passages in that most excellent +Book of his _Remains_. It hapned one _Henry_ of _Normandy_, chief Poet +to our _Henry_ the Third, had traduced _Cornwall_, as an inconsiderable +Country, cast out by Nature in contempt into a corner of the land. Our +_Michael_ could not endure this Affront, but, full of Poetical fury, +falls upon the Libeller; take a tast (little thereof will go far) of +his strains. + + _Non opus est ut opus numere quibus est opulenta, + Et per quas inopes sustentat non ope lenta, + Piscibus & stanno nusquam tam fertilis ora_. + + We need not number up her wealthy store, + Wherewith this helpful Lands relieves her poor, + No Sea so full of Filh, of Tin, no shore. + +Then, in a triumphant manner, he concludeth all with this Exhortation +to his Countrymen: + + _Quid nos deterret? si firmiter in pede stemus, + Fraus ni nos superat, nihil est quod non superemus._ + + What should us fright, if firmly we do stand? + Bar fraud, and then no force can us command. + +Yet his Pen was not so lushious in praising, but, when he listed, it +was as bitter in railing, witness this his Satyrical Character of his +aforesaid Antagonist. + + _Est tibi gamba capri, crus passeris, & latus Apri, + Os leporis, catuli nasus, dens & gena Muli, + Frons vetulae, tauricaput, & color undique Mauri, + His argumentis quibus est argutia Mentis, + Quod non a Monstro differs, satis hic tibi monstro._ + + Gamb'd like a Goat, Sparrow-thigh'd, sides as a Boar, + Hare-mouth'd, Dog-nos'd, like Mule thy teeth and chin, + Brow'd as old wife, Bull headed, black as a _More_, + If such without, then what are you within? + By these my signs the wife will easily conster, + How little thou does differ from a Monster. + +This _Michael_ flourished in the time of King _John_, and _Henry_ the +Third. + + * * * * * + + + + +_MATTHEW PARIS_. + + +_Matthew Paris_ is acknowledged by all to be an _Englishman_ saving +only one or two wrangling Writers, who deserve to be arraigned of +Felony for robbing our Country of its due; and no doubt +_Cambridgeshire_ was the County made happy by his birth, where the Name +and Family of _Paris_ is right ancient, even long before they were +setled therein at _Hildersham_, wherein they still flourish, though +much impaired for their Loyalty in the late times of Rebellion. + +He was bred a Monk of St. _Albans_, living in that loose Age a very +strict and severe life, never less idle than when he was alone; +spending those hours, reserved from Devotion, in the sweet delights of +Poetry, and laborious study of History, in both which he excelled all +his Contemporaries: His skill also was excellent in Oratory and +Divinity, as also in such manual Arts as lie in the Suburbs of the +liberal Sciences, Painting, Graving, _&c._ so that we might sooner +reckon up those things wherein he had no skill, as those wherein he was +skilled: But his _Genius_ chiefly disposed him for the writing of +Histories, writing a large Chronicle with great Commendations from the +_Norman_ Conquest to the Year of our Lord 1250. where he concludes with +this Distich: + + _Sifte tui metas studij_, Matthaee, _quietas_ + _Nec ventura petas, quae postera proferat atas._ + + Matthew, here cease thy Pen in peace, and study on no more, + Nor do thou rome at things to come, what next Age hath in store. + +Yet, notwithstanding this resolution, he afterwards resumed that Work, +continuing it to the Year 1259. a History impartially and judicially +written, neither flattering any for their Greatness, nor sparing others +for their Vices, no not so much as those of his own Profession; yet +though he had sharp Nails, he had clean Hands, strict in his own, as +well as linking at the loose conversation of others, and for his +eminent austerity, was imployed by Pope _Innocent_ the Fourth, not only +to visit the Monks in the Diocess of _Norwich_ but also was sent by him +into _Norway_, to reform the Discipline in _Holui_, a fair Covent +therein, but much corrupted. + +His History was set forth with all integrity about a hundred years ago, +by his namesake, _Matthew Parker_, (though some asperse it with a +suspition of forgery) and afterwards in a latter and more exact +Edition, by the care and industry of Doctor _William Wats_, and is at +this present in great esteem amongst learned men. + + * * * * * + + + + +_WILLIAM RAMSEY_. + + +This _William Ramsey_ was born in _Huntingtonshire_, a County famous +for the richest _Benedictines_ Abbey in _England_; yet here he would +not stay, but went to _Crowland_, where he prospered so well, that he +became Abbot thereof. _Bale_ saith he was a _Natural Poet_, and +therefore no wonder if fault be found in the Feet of his Verses; but by +his leave, he was also a good Scholar, and Arithmetician enough to make +his Verse run in right Numbers. + +This _William_ wrote the Lives of St. _Guthlake_, St. _Neots_, St. +_Edmond_ the King, and divers others, all in Verse, which no doubt were +very acceptable and praise-worthy in those times; but the greatest +wonder of him, and which may seem a wonder indeed, was, that being a +Poet, he paid the vast Debts of others, even forty thousand Marks for +the engagement of his Covent, and all within the compass of eighteen +Months, wherein he was Abbot of _Crowland_. This was a vast Sum in that +Age, and would render it altogether incredible for a Poet to do, but +that we find he had therein the assistance of King _Henry_ the Second; +who, to expiate the Blood of _Becket_, was contented to be melted into +Coyn, and was prodigiously bountiful to many Churches as well as to +this. He died about the year 1180. + + * * * * * + + + + +_ALEXANDER NEQUAM_. + + +_Alexander Nequam_, the learnedest _Englishman_ of his Age, was born at +St. _Albans_ in _Hartfordshire_: His Name in _English_ signifies _Bad_, +which caused many, who thought themselves wondrous witty in making +Jests, (which indeed made themselves) to pass several Jokes on his +Sirname, whereof take this one instance: _Nequam_ had a mind to become +a Monk in St. _Albans_, the Town of his Nativity, and thus Laconically +wrote for leave to the Abbot thereof; + + _Si vis, veniam, sin autem, tu autem_. + +To whom the Abbot returned, + + _Si bonus sis, venias, si nequam, nequaquam_. + +Whereupon for the future, to avoid the occasion of such Jokes, he +altered his Name from _Nequam_, to _Neckam_. + +His admirable knowledge in good Arts, made him famous throughout +_England_, _France_, _Italy_, yea and the whole World, and that with +incredible admiration, that he was called _Miraculum ingenij_, the +Wonder and Miracle of Wit and Sapience. He was an exact Philosopher, +and excellent Divine, an accurate Rhetorician, and an admirable Poet, +as did appear by many his Writings which he left to posterity, some of +which are mentioned by _Bale_. + +That he was born at St. _Albans_, appears by a certain passage in one +of his _Latine_ Poems, cited by Mr. _Cambden_, and thus Englished by +his Translatour, Doctor _Holland_. + + _This is the place that knowledge took of my Nativity, + My happy Years, my Days also of Mirth and Jollity. + This Place my Childhood trained up in all Arts liberal, + And laid the ground-work of my Name, and skill Poetical. + This Place great and renowned Clerks into the World hath sent; + For Martyr bless'd, for Nation, for Sight, all excellent. + A troop here of Religious Men serve Christ both night and day, + In Holy Warfare, taking pains duly to watch and pray._ + +He is thought by some, saith _Bale_, to have been a Canon Regular, and +to have been preferred to the Abbotship of _Glocester_, as the +Continuater of _Robert of Glocester_ will have it. + + And Master Alisander that Chanon was er + Imaked was of Gloucestre Abbot thulk yer. + Viz. 7 Reg. Regis _Johannis_. + +But this may be understood of _Alexander Theologus_, who was contempory +with him: and was Abbot of St. _Maries_ in _Cirencester_ at the time of +his death. + +Bishop _Godwin_, in his Catalogue of the Bishops of _Lincoln_, maketh +mention of a passage of wit betwixt him and _Phillip Repington_ Bishop +of _Lincoln_, the latter sending the Challenge. + + _Et niger & Nequam cum sis cognomine Nequam, + Nigrior esse potes, Nequior esse nequis_. + + Both black and bad, whilest _Bad_ the name to thee, + Blacker thou may'st, but worse thou canst not be. + +To whom _Nequam_ rejoyned, + + Phi _not a foetoris_, Lippus _malus omnibus horis_, + Phi _malus_ & Lippus, _totus malus ergo_ Philippus. + + Stinks are branded with a _Phi, Lippus_ Latin for blear-eye, + _Phi_ and _Lippus_ bad as either, then _Philippus_ worse together. + +A Monk of St. _Albans_ made this Hexameter allusively to his Name: + + _Dictus erat_ Nequam, _vitam duxit tamen aquam_. + +The Elogy he bestoweth on that most Christian Emperor _Constantine_ the +Great, must not be forgot: + + From _Colchester_ there rose a Star, + The Rays whereof gave Glorious Light + Throughout the world in Climates far, + Great _Constantine, Romes_ Emperor bright. + +He was (saith one) Canon of _Exeter_, and (upon what occasion is not +known,) came to be buried at _Worcester_, with this Epitaph, + + _Eclipsim patitur Sapientia, Sol sepelitur, + Cui si par unus, minus esset flebile funus; + Vir bene discretus, & in omni more facetus, + Dictus erat_ Nequam, _vitam duxit tamen aequam_. + + Wisdom's eclips'd, Sky of the Sun bereft; + Yet less the loss if like alive were left; + A man discreet, in matters debonair, + Bad Name, black Face, but Carriage good and fair. + +Yet others say he was buried at St. _Albans_ (where he found repulse +when living, but repose when dead) with this Epitaph, + + Alexander, _cognomento_ Nequam, _Abbas_ Cirecestriae, + _Literarum scientia clarus, obiit Anno Dom._ 1217. _Lit. + Dom. C. prid. Cal. Feb. & sepultus erat apud Fanum S._ Albani, + _sujus Animae propitietur altissimus_, Amen. + + * * * * * + + + + +_ALEXANDER ESSEBIE_. + + +This _Alexander_ was born in _Staffordshire_, say some; in +_Somersetshire_, say others; for which, each County might strive as +being a Jewel worth the owning, being reckoned among the chief of +_English_ Poets and Orators of that Age. He in imitation of _Ovid de +Fastis_, put our Christian Festivals into Verse, setting a Copy therein +to _Baptista Mantuan_. Then leaving _Ovid_, he aspired to _Virgil_, and +wrote the History of the Bible, (with the Lives of some Saints,) in an +Heroical Poem, which he performed even to admiration; and though he +fell short in part of _Virgil_'s lofty style, yet went he beyond +himself therein. He afterward became Prior of _Esseby-Abbey_, belonging +to the _Augustines_, and flourished under King _Henry_ the Third, _Anno +Dom._ 1220. + + * * * * * + + + + +_ROBERT BASTON_. + + +_Robert Baston_ was born not far from _Nottingham_, and bred a +_Carmelite_ Frier at _Scarborough_ in _Yorkshire_: He was of such great +Fame in Poetry, that King _Edward_ the Second, in his _Scotish_ +Expedition pitcht upon him to be the Celebrater of his Heroick Acts; +when being taken Prisoner by the _Scots_, he was forced by Torments to +change his Note, and represent all things to the advantage of _Robert +Bruce_, who then claimed the Crown of _Scotland_: This Task he +undertook full sore against his will, as he thus intimates in the two +first Lines. + + In dreery Verse my Rymes I make, + Bewailing whilest such Theme I take. + +Besides his Poem _De Belle Strivilensi_, there was published of his +writing a Book of Tragedies, with other Poems of various Subjects. + + * * * * * + + + + +_HENRY BRADSHAW_. + + +_Henry Bradshaw_ was born in the City of _Chester_, and bred a +_Benedictine_ Monk in the Monastery of _St. Werburg_; the Life of which +Saint he wrote in Verse, as also (saith my Author) a no bad Chronicle, +though following therein those Authors, who think it the greatest Glory +of a Nation to fetch their Original from times out of mind. Take a +Taste of his Poetry in what he wrote concerning the Original of the +City of _Chester_, in these words; + + The Founder of this City, as saith _Polychronicon_, + Was _Leon Gawer_, a mighty strong Gyant, + Which builded Caves and Dungeons many a one, + No goodly Building, ne proper, ne pleasant. + + But King _Leir_, a _Britain_ fine and valiant, + Was Founder of _Chester_ by pleasant Building, + And was named _Guer Leir_ by the King. + +These Lines, considering the Age he lived in, (which _Arnoldus Vion_ +saith, was about the Year 1346.) may pass with some praise, but others +say he flourished a Century of years afterwards, _viz._ 1513. which if +so, they are hardly to be excused, Poetry being in that time much +refined; but whensoever he lived, _Bale_ saith, he was (the Diamond in +the Ring) _Pro ea ipsa aetate, admodum pius_. + + * * * * * + + + + +_HAVILLAN_. + + +Should we forget the learned _Havillan_, our Book would be thought to +be imperfect, so terse and fluent was his Verse, of which we shall give +you two Examples, the one out of Mr. _John Speed_ his Description of +_Devonshire_, speaking of the arrival of _Brute_. + + The God's did guide his Sail and Course, the Winds were at command, + And _Totness_ was the happy shore where first he came on land. + +The other out of Mr. _Weever_ his Funeral Monuments in the Parish of +St. _Aldermanbury_ in _London_, speaking of _Cornwal_. + + There Gyants whilome dwelt, whose Clothes were skins of Beasts; + Whose Drink was Blood; Whose Cups, to serve for use at Feasts, + Were made of hollow Wood; Whose Beds were bushy Thorns; + And Lodgings rocky Caves, to shelter them from Storms; + Their Chambers craggy Rocks; their Hunting found them Meat. + To vanquish and to kill, to them was pleasure great. + Their violence was rule; with rage and fury led, + They rusht into the fight, and fought hand over head. + Their Bodies were interr'd behind some bush or brake, + To bear such monstrous Wights, the earth did grone and quake. + These pestred most the Western Tract; more fear made thee agast, + O _Cornwall_, utmost door that art to let in _Zephyrus_ blast. + + * * * * * + + + + +_JOHN GOWER_. + + +_John Gower_, whom some make to be a Knight, though _Stow_, in his +_survey of London_, unknighteth him, and saith he was only an Esquire; +however he was born of a knightly Family, at _Stitenham_ in the +North-Riding in _Bulmore-Wapentake_ in _Yorkshire_. He was bred in +_London_ a Student of the Laws, but having a plentiful Estate, and +prizing his pleasure above his profit, he quitted Pleading to follow +Poetry, being the first refiner of our _English_ Tongue, effecting +much, but endeavouring more therein, as you may perceive by the +difference of his Language, with that of _Robert of Glocester_, who +lived in the time of King _Richard_ the First, which notwithstanding +was accounted very good in those days. + +This our _Gower_ was contemporary with the famous Poet _Geoffry +Chaucer_, both excellently learned, both great friends together, and +both alike endeavour'd themselves and employed their time for the +benefit of their Country. And what an account _Chaucer_ had of this our +_Gower_ and of his Parts, that which he wrote in the end of his Work, +entituled _Troilus & Cressida_, do sufficiently testifie, where he +saith, + + O marvel, _Gower_, this Book I direct + To thee, and to the Philosophical _Strode_. + To vouchsafe, there need is, to correct + Of your benignitees and zeles good. + +_Bale_ makes him _Equitem Auratum & Poetam Laureatum_, proving both +from his Ornaments on his Monumental Statue in St. _Mary Overies +Southwark_. Yet he appeareth there neither _laureated_ nor _hederated_ +Poet, (except the leaves of the Bays and Ivy be wither'd to nothing, +since the erection of the Tomb) but only _rosated_, having a Chaplet of +four Roses about his Head, yet was he in great respect both with King +_Henry_ the Fourth, and King _Richard_ the Second, at whose request he +wrote his Book called _Confessio Amantis_, as he relateth in his +Prologue to the same Book, in these words, + + As it befell upon a tide, + As thing, which should tho betide, + Under the town of New Troie, + Which toke of Brute his first ioye, + In Themese, when it was flowende, + As I by Bote came rowende; + So as fortune hir tyme sette, + My leige Lord perchance I mette, + And so befelle as I cam nigh, + Out of my Bote, when he me sigh, + He bad me come into his Barge, + And when I was with him at large, + Amonges other things seyde, + He hath this charge upon me leyde, + And bad me doe my businesse, + That to his high worthinesse, + Some newe thynge I should boke, + That he hymselfe it might loke, + After the forme of my writynge, + And this upon his commandynge + Myne herte is well the more glad + To write so as he me bad. + And eke my fear is well the lasse, + That none enuie shall compasse, + Without a reasonable wite + To seige and blame that I write, + A gentill hert his tongue stilleth, + That it malice none distilleth, + But preiseth that is to be preised, + But he that hath his word unpeised, + And handleth with ronge any thynge, + I praie unto the heuen kynge, + Froe such tonges he me shilde, + And nethelesse this worlde is wilde, + Of such ianglinge and what befall, + My kinges heste shall not faile, + That I in hope to deserue + His thonke, ne shall his will observe, + And els were I nought excused. + +He was before _Chaucer_, as born and flourishing before him, (yea, by +some accounted his Master) yet was he after _Chaucer_, as surviving him +two years, living to be stark blind, and so more properly termed our +_English Homer_. His death happened _Anno_ 1402. and was buried at St. +_Mary Overies_ in _Southwark_, on the North side of the said Church, in +the Chappel of St. _John_, where he founded a Chauntry, and left Means +for a Mass, (such was the Religion of those times) to be daily sung for +him, as also an _Obit_ within the same Church to be kept on Friday +after the Feast of St. _Gregory_. He lieth under a Tomb of stone, with +his Image also of stone over him, the hair of his head auburn long to +his shoulders, but curling up, and a small forked beard; on his head a +Chaplet, like a Coronet of four Roses; an habit of purple, damasked +down to his feet, a Collar of Esses of Gold about his neck, which being +proper to places of Judicature, makes some think he was a Judge in his +old age. Under his feet the likeness of three Books, which he compiled, +the first named _Speculum Meditantis_, written in _French_: the second, +_Vox Clamantis_, penned in _Latine_: the third, _Confessio Amantis_, +written in _English_, which was Printed by _Thomas Berthelette_, and by +him dedicated to King _Henry_ the Eighth, of which I have one by me at +this present. His _Vox Clamantis_ with his _Cronica Tripartita_, and +other Works both in _Latine_ and _French_, _Stow_ saith he had in his +possession, but his _Speculum Meditantis_ he never saw, but heard +thereof to be in _Kent_. + +Besides, on the Wall where he lieth, there was painted three Virgins +crowned, one of which was named _Charity_, holding this device, + + _En toy qui es fitz de Dieu le Pere, + Sauue soit, qui gist sours cest pierre._ + +The second Writing _Mercy_, with this Decree, + + _O bone Jesu fait ta mercy_, + _Al' ame, dont le corps gisticy._ + +The third Writing _Pity_, with this device, + + _Pour ta pite Jesu regarde, + Et met cest a me en sauue garde._ + +And thereby formerly hung a Table, wherein was written, That whoso +prayed for the Soul of _John Gower_, so oft as he did it, should have a +M. and D. days of pardon. + +His Arms were in a Field Argent, on a Cheveron Azure, three Leopards +heads gold, their tongues Gules, two Angels supporters, on the Crest a +Talbot. + +His Epitaph. + + _Armigeri Scultum nihil a modo fert sibi tutum, + Reddidit immolutum morti generale tributum, + Spiritus exutum se gaudeat esse solutum + Est ubi virtutum Regnum sine labe statutum_. + +All I shall add is this, That about fifty years ago there lived at +_Castle-Heningham_ in _Essex_, a School-master named _John Gower_, who +wrote a witty Poem, called _the Castle Combate_, which was received in +that Age with great applause. + + * * * * * + + + + +_GEOFFERY CHAUCER_. + + +Three several Places contend for the Birth of that famous Poet. 1. +_Berkshire_, from the words of _Leland_, that he was born _in +Barocensiprovincia_; and Mr. _Cambden_ avoweth that _Dunington-Castle_ +nigh unto _Newbery_, was anciently his Inheritance. 2. _Oxfordshire_, +where _J. Pits_ is positive that his Father was a Knight, and that he +was born at _Woodstock_. 3. The Author of his Life, set forth 1602. +proveth him born in _London_, out of these his own words in the +_Testament of Love_. + + +Also in the City of London, that is to me so dear and sweet, in which I +was forth grown, and more kindly love have I to that place, than any +other in yerth, as every kindely creature hath full appetite to that +place of his kindly ingendure, and to wilne rest and peace in that +stede to abide, thilke peace should thus there have been broken, which +of all wise men is commended and desired. + + +For his Parentage, although _Bale_ writes, he termeth himself +_Galfridus Chaucer nobili loco natus, & fummae spei juvenis_; yet in the +opinion of some Heralds (otherwise than his Virtues and Learning +commended him) he descended not of any great House, which they gather +by his Arms: And indeed both in respect of the Name, which is _French_, +as also by other Conjectures, it may be gathered, that his Progenitors +were Strangers; but whether they were Merchants (for that in places +where they have dwelled, the Arms of the Merchants of the Staple have +been seen in the Glass-windows) or whether they were of other Callings, +it is not much necessary to search; but wealthy no doubt they were, and +of good account in the Commonwealth, who brought up their Son in such +sort, that both he was thought fit for the Court at home, and to be +employed for Matters of State in Foreign Countries. + +His Education, as _Leland_ writes, was in both the Universities of +_Oxford_ and _Cambridge_, as appeareth by his own words, in his Book +Entituled _The Court of Love_: And in _Oxford_ by all likelihood, in +_Canterbury_ or in _Merton_ Colledge, improving his Time in the +University, he became a witty Logician, a sweet Rhetorician, a grave +Philosopher, a holy Divine, a skilful Mathematician, and a pleasant +Poet; of whom, for the Sweetness of his Poetry, may be said that which +is reported of _Stesichorus_; and as _Cethegus_ was called _Suadae +Medulla_, so may _Chaucer_ be rightly called the Pith and Sinews of +Eloquence, and the very Life it self of all Mirth and pleasant Writing. +Besides, one Gift he had above other Authors, and that is, by the +Excellencies of his Descriptions to possess his Readers with a stronger +imagination of seeing that done before their eyes which they read, than +any other that ever writ in any Tongue. But above all, his Book of +_Canterbury-Tales_, is most recommended to Posterity, which he maketh +to be spoken by certain Pilgrims who lay at the _Tabard_-Inn in +_Southwark_ as he declareth in the beginning of his said Book. + + It befell in that season, on a day, + In Southwark, at the Tabert as I lay, + Ready to wend on my pilgrimage + To Canterbury, with full devout courage; + That night was comen into the Hosterie, + Well nine and twenty in a companie, + Of sundry folke, by adventure yfall + In fellowship, and Pilgrims were they all, + That toward Canterbury woulden ride; + The Stables and Chambers weren wide, + And well wee were eased at the best, &c. + +By his Travel also in _France_ and _Flanders_, where he spent much time +in his young years, but more in the latter end of the Reign of King +_Richard_ the Second; he attained to a great perfection in all kind of +Learning, as _Bale_ and _Leland_ report of him: _Circa postremos_ +Richardi _Secundi annos_, Galliis _floruit, magnamque illic ex assidua +in Literis exercitatione gloriam sibi comparavit. Domum reversus Forum_ +Londinense; _& Collegia_ Leguleiorum, _qui ibidem Patria Jura +interpretantur frequentavit_, &c. About the latter end of King +_Richard_ the Second's Days, he flourished in _France_, and got himself +into high esteem there by his diligent exercise in Learning: After his +return home, he frequented the Court at _London_, and the Colledges of +the _Lawyers_, which there interpreted the Laws of the Land. Amongst +whom was _John Gower_, his great familiar Friend, whose Life we wrote +before. This _Gower_, in his Book entituled _Confessio Amantis_, +termeth _Chaucer_ a worthy Poet, and maketh him as it were the Judge of +his Works. + +This our _Chaucer_ had always an earnest desire to enrich and beautifie +our _English_ Tongue, which in those days was very rude and barren; and +this he did, following the example of _Dantes_ and _Petrarch_. who had +done the same for the _Italian_ Tongue, _Alanus_ for the _French_, and +_Johannes Mea_ for the _Spanish_: Neither was _Chaucer_ inferior to any +of them in the performance hereof; and _England_ in this respect is +much beholding to him; as _Leland_ well noteth: + + _Anglia_ Chaucerum _veneratur nostra Poetam_; + _Cui veneris debet Patria Lingua suas_. + + Our _England_ honoureth _Chaucer_ Poet, as principal; + To whom her Country-Tongue doth owe her Beauties all. + +He departed out of this world the _25th._ day of _October_ 1400, after +he had lived about seventy two years. Thus writeth _Bale_ out of +_Leland, Chaucerus ad Canos devenit, sensitque Senectutem morbum esse_; +_& dum Causas suas_ Londini _curaret_, &c. _Chaucer_ lived till he was +an old man, and found old Age to be grievous; and whilst he followed +his Causes at _London_, he died, and was buried at _Westminster_. + +The old Verses which were written on his Grave at the first, were +these; + + Galfridus Chaucer, _Vates & Fama Poesis, + Maternae haec sacra sum tumulatus humo_. + +_Thomas Occleue_, or _Okelefe_, of the Office of the Privy Seal, +sometime Chaucer's Scholar, for the love he bore to the said _Geoffrey_ +his Master, caused his Picture to be truly drawn in his Book, _De +Regimine Principis_, dedicated to _Henry_ the Fifth; according to +which, that his Picture drawn upon his Monument was made, as also the +Monument it self, at the Cost and Charges of _Nicolas Brigham_ +Gentleman, _Anno_ 1555. who buried his Daughter _Rachel_, a Child of +four years of Age, near to the Tomb of this old Poet, the _21th_. of +_June_ 1557. Such was his Love to the Muses; and on his Tomb these +Verses were inscribed: + + _Qui fuit_ Anglorum _Vates ter maximus olim_, + Galfridus Chaucer, _conditur hoc Tumulo, + Annum si quaeras Domini, si tempora Mortis, + Ecce notae subsunt, quae tibi cuncta notant_; + 25 Octobris 1400. + _AErumnarum requies Mors_. + N. Brigham _hos fecit Musarum nomine sumptus_. + +About the Ledge of the Tomb these Verses were written; + + _Si rogitas quis eram, forsante Fama docebit, + Quod si Fama negat, Mundi quia Gloria transit, + Haec Monumenta lege_. + +The foresaid _Thomas Occleve_, under the Picture of _Chaucer_, had +these Verses: + + Although his Life be queint, the resemblance + Of him that hath in me so fresh liveliness, + That to put other men in remembrance + Of his Person I have here the likeness + Do make, to the end in Soothfastness, + That they that of him have lost thought and mind, + By this peniture may again him find. + +In his foresaid Book, _De Regimine Principis_, he thus writes of him: + + But welaway is mine heart wo, + That the honour of _English_ Tongue is dead; + Of which I wont was counsaile haue and reed: + O Master dere, and Fadre reuerent: + My Master _Chaucer_ Floure of Eloquence, + Mirror of fructuous entendement: + O vniuersal fadre of Science: + Alas that thou thine excellent Prudence + In thy Bed mortal mightest not bequeath. + What eyl'd Death, alas why would she the fle? + O Death, thou didst not harm singler in slaughter of him, + But all the Land it smerteth; + But natheless yet hast thou no power his name flee, + But his vertue afterteth + Unslain fro thee; which ay us lifely herteth, + With Books of his ornat enditing, + That is to all this Land enlumining. + +In another place of his said Book, he writes thus; + + Alas my worthy Maister honourable, + This Land's very Treasure and Richess! + Death by thy Death hath harm irreparable + Unto us done: her vengeable duress + Dispoiled hath this Land of the sweetness + Of Rhetorige; for unto _Tullius_ + Was never man so like among us: + Also who was here in Philosophy + To _Aristotle_, in our Tongue, but thee? + The Steps of _Virgil_ in Poesie, + Thou suedst eken men know well enough, + What combre world that thee my Master slough + Would I slaine were. + +_John Lidgate_ likewise in his Prologue of _Bocchas_, of the _Fall of +Princes_, by him translated, saith thus in his Commendation: + + My Master _Chaucer_, with his fresh Comedies, + Is dead alas, chief Poet of _Brittaine_, + That whilom made full pitous Tradgedies, + The faule of Princes he did complaine, + As he that was of making Soveraine; + Whom all this Land should of right preferre + Sith of our Language he was the load-sterre. + +Also in his Book which he writeth of the Birth of the Virgin _Mary_, he +hath these Verses. + + And eke my Master _Chaucer_ now is in grave, + The noble Rhetore, Poet of _Britaine_, + That worthy was the Laurel to have + Of Poetry, and the Palm attaine, + That made first to distill and raine + The Gold dew drops of Speech and Eloquence, + Into our Tongue through his Eloquence. + +That excellent and learned _Scottish_ Poet _Gawyne Dowglas_ Bishop of +_Dunkeld_, in the Preface of _Virgil's Eneados_ turned into +_Scottish_ Verse, doth thus speak of _Chaucer_; + + Venerable _Chaucer_, principal Poet without pere, + Heavenly Trumpet, orloge, and regulere, + In Eloquence, Baulme, Conduct, and Dyal, + Milkie Fountaine, Cleare Strand, and Rose Ryal, + Of fresh endite through _Albion_ Island brayed + In his Legend of Noble Ladies fayed. + +And as for men of latter time, Mr._Ascham_ and Mr. _Spenser_ have +delivered most worthy Testimonies of their approving of him. +Mr._Ascham_, in one place calleth him _English Homer_, and makes no +doubt to say, that he valueth his Authority of as high estimation as he +did either _Sophocles_ or _Euripides_ in _Greek_. And in another place, +where he declareth his Opinion of _English_ Versifying, he useth these +Words; Chaucer _and_ Petrark _those two worthy Wits, deserve just +praise_. And last of all, in his Discourse of _Germany_, he putteth him +nothing behind either _Thucydides_ or _Homer_, for his lively +Descriptions of Site of Places, and Nature of Persons, both in outward +Shape of Body, and inward Disposition of Mind; adding this withal, That +not the proudest that hath written in any Tongue whatsoever, for his +time hath outstript him. + +Mr. _Spenser_ in his first Eglogue of his _Shepherds Kalendar_, calleth +him _Tityrus_, the God of Shepherds, comparing him to the worthiness of +the _Roman Tityrus, Virgil_. In his _Fairy Queen_, in his Discourse of +Friendship, as thinking himself most worthy to be _Chaucer_'s friend, +for his like natural disposition that _Chaucer_ had; he writes, That +none that lived with him, nor none that came after him, durst presume +to revive _Chaucer_'s lost labours in that imperfect Tale of the +Squire, but only himself: which he had not done, had he not felt (as he +saith) the infusion of _Chaucer_'s own sweet Spirit surviving within +him. And a little before, he calls him the most Renowned and Heroical +Poet, and his Writings the Works of Heavenly Wit; concluding his +commendation in this manner: + + _Dan Chaucer_ well of _English_ undefiled, + On Fames eternal Bead-roll worthy to be filed; + I follow here the footing of thy feet, + That with thy meaning so I may the rather meet. + +Mr. _Cambden_, reaching one hand to Mr. _Ascham_, and the other to Mr. +_Spenser_, and so drawing them together, uttereth of him these words, +_De_ Homero _nostro_ Anglico _illud vere asseram, quod de_ Homero +_eruditus ille_ Italus _dixit_. + + ----_Hic ille est, cujus de gurgite sacro, + Combibit arcanos vatum omnis turba furores._ + +The deservingly honoured Sir _Philip Sidney_, in his _Defence of +Poesie_, thus writeth of him, Chaucer _undoubtedly did excellently in +his_ Troylus _and_ Crescid, _of whom truly I know not whether to marvel +more, either that he in that misty time could see so clearly or we in +this clear age walk so stumblingly after him._ And Doctor _Heylin_, in +his elaborate Description of the World, ranketh him in the first place +of our chiefest Poets. Seeing therefore that both old and new Writers +have carried this reverend conceit of him, and openly declared the same +by writing, let us conclude with _Horace_ in the eighth Ode of his +fourth Book; + + _Dignum Laudi causa vetut mori_. + +The Works of this famous Poet, were partly published in Print by +_William Caxton_, Mercer, that first brought the incomparable Art of +Printing into _England_, which was in the Reign of King _Henry_ the +Sixth. Afterward encreased by _William Thinne_, Esq; in the time of +King _Henry_ the Eighth. Afterwards, in the year 1561. in the Reign of +Queen _Elizabeth_, Corrected and Encreased by _John Stow_; And a fourth +time, with many Amendments, and an Explanation of the old and obscure +Words, by Mr. _Thomas Speight_, in _Anna_ 1597. Yet is he said to have +written many considerable Poems, which are not in his publish'd Works, +besides the _Squires Tale_, which is said to be compleat in +_Arundel-house_ Library. + + * * * * * + + + + +_JOHN LYDGATE_. + + +_John Lydgate_ was born in a Village of the same name, not far off St. +_Edmondsbury_, a Village (saith _Cambden_) though small, yet in this +respect not to be passed over in silence, because it brought into the +World _John Lydgate_ the Monk, whose Wit may seem to have been framed +and fashioned by the very Muses themselves: so brightly reshine in his +_English_ Verses, all the pleasant graces and elegancy of Speech, +according to that Age. After some time spent in our _English_ +Universities, he travelled through _France_ and _Italy_, improving his +time to his great accomplishment, in learning the Languages and Arts; +_Erat autem non solum elegans Poeta, & Rhetor disertus, verum etiam +Mathematicus expertus, Philosophus acutus, & Theologus non +contemnendus_: he was not only an elegant Poet, and an eloquent +Rhetorician, but also an expert Mathematician, an acute Philosopher, +and no mean Divine, saith _Pitseus_. After his return, he became Tutor +to many Noblemens Sons, and both in Prose and Poetry was the best +Author of his Age, for if _Chaucer's_ Coin were of greater Weight for +deeper Learning, _Lydgate's_ was of a more refined Stantard for purer +Language; so that one might mistake him for a modern Writer. But +because none can so well describe him as himself, take an Essay of his +Verses, out of his _Life and Death of_ Hector, _pag._ 316 and 317. + + I am a Monk by my profession, + In _Berry_, call'd _John Lydgate_ by my name, + And wear a habit of perfection; + (Although my life agree not with the same) + That meddle should with things spiritual, + As I must needs confess unto you all. + + But seeing that I did herein proceed + [A]At his command, whom I could not refuse, + I humbly do beseech all those that read, + Or leisure have, this story to peruse, + If any fault therein they find to be, + Or error, that committed is by me; + + That they will of their gentleness take pain, + The rather to correct and mend the same, + Than rashly to condemn it with disdain, + For well I wot it is not without blame, + Because I know the Verse therein is wrong, + As being some too short and some too long. + + For _Chaucer_, that my Master was, and knew + What did belong to writing Verse and Prose, + Ne're stumbled at small faults, nor yet did view + With scornful eye the Works and Books of those + That in his time did write, nor yet would taunt + At any man, to fear him or to daunt. + +[Footnote A: _Hen._ 5.] + +Now if you would know further of him, hear him in his Prologue to the +Story of _Thebes_, a Tale (as his Fiction is) which (or some other) he +was constrained to tell, at the command of mine Host of the _Tabard_ in +_Southwark_, whom he found in _Canterbury_, with the rest of the +Pilgrims which went to visit Saint _Thomas_ shrine. + +This Story was first written in _Latine_ by _Geoffry Chaucer_, and +translated by _Lydgate_ into _English_ Verse, but of the Prologue of +his own making, so much as concerns himself, thus: + + ----While that the Pilgrims lay + At _Canterbury_, well lodged one and all, + I not in sooth what I may it call, + Hap or fortune, in conclusioun, + That me befell to enter into the Toun, + The holy Sainte plainly to visite, + After my sicknesse, vows to acquite. + In a Cope of blacke, and not of greene, + On a Palfrey slender, long, and lene, + With rusty Bridle, made not for the sale, + My man to forne with a voyd Male, + That by Fortune tooke my Inne anone + Where the Pilgrimes were lodged everichone, + The same time her governour the host + Stonding in Hall, full of wind and bost, + Liche to a man wonder sterne and fers, + Which spake to me, and said anon Dan _Pers_, + Dan _Dominick_, Dan _Godfray_, or _Clement_, + Ye be welcome newly into _Kent_: + Thogh your bridle have nother boos ne bell; + Beseeching you, that ye will tell + First of your name, and what cuntre + Without more shortly that ye be, + That looke so pale, all devoid of bloud, + Upon your head a wonder thred-bare Hood, + Well arrayed for to ride late: + I answered my Name was _Lydgate_ + Monke of _Bury_, me fifty yeare of age, + Come to this Town to do my Pilgrimage + As I have hight, I have thereof no shame: + Dan _John_ (quoth he) well brouke ye your name, + Thogh ye be sole, beeth right glad and light, + Praying you to soupe with us this night; + And ye shall have made at your devis, + A great Pudding, or a round hagis, + A _Franche_ Moile, a Tanse, or a Froise, + To been a Monk slender is your [A]coise, + Ye have been sick I dare mine head assure, + Or let feed in a faint pasture. + Lift up your head, be glad, take no sorrow, + And ye should ride home with us to morrow, + I say, when ye rested have your fill. + After supper, sleep will doen none ill, + Wrap well your head, clothes round about, + Strong nottie Ale will make a man to rout; + Take a Pillow, that ye lye not low; + If nede be, spare not to blow; + To hold wind, by mine opinion, + Will engender colles passion, + And make men to greven on her [B]rops, + When they have filled her maws and her crops; + But toward night, eate some Fennell rede, + Annis, Commin, or Coriander-seed, + And like as I have power and might, + I charge you rise not at midnight, + Thogh it be so the Moon shine clere, + I will my self be your [C]Orlogere, + To morrow early, when I see my time, + For we will forth parcel afore prime, + Accompanie [D]parde shall do you good. + +[Footnote A: Countenance.] + +[Footnote B: Guts.] + +[Footnote C: Clock.] + +[Footnote D: Verily.] + +But I have digressed too far: To return therefore unto _Lydgate_. +_Scripsit partim Anglice, partim Latine; partim Prosa, partim Versu +Libros numero plures, eruditione politissimos_. He writ (saith my +Author) partly _English_, partly _Latine_; partly in Prose, and partly +in Verse, many exquisite learned Books, saith _Pitseus_, which are +mentioned by him and _Bale_, as also in the latter end of _Chaucer's_ +Works; the last Edition, amongst which are _Eglogues_, _Odes_, +_Satyrs_, and other Poems. He flourished in the Reign of _Henry_ the +Sixth, and departed this world (aged about 60 years) _circiter_ An. +1440. and was buried in his own Convent at _Bury_, with this Epitaph, + + _Mortuus saeclo, superis Superstes, + Hic jacet_ Lydgate _tumulaetus Urna: + Qui fuit quondam celebris_ Britannae + _Fama Poesis_. + + Dead in this World, living above the Sky, + Intomb'd within this Urn doth _Lydgate_ lie; + In former time fam'd for his Poetry, + All over _England_. + + * * * * * + + + + +_JOHN HARDING_. + + +_John Harding_, our Famous _English_ Chronologer, was born (saith +_Bale_) in the Northern parts, and most likely in _Yorkshire_, being an +Esquire of an eminent Parentage. He was a man equally addicted to Arms +and Arts, spending his Youth in the one, and his Age in the other: His +first Military Employment was under _Robert Umfreuil_, Governor of +_Roxborough_-Castle, where he did good Service against the _Scots_. +Afterwards he followed the Standard of King _Edward_ the Fourth, to +whom he valiantly and faithfully adhered, not only in the Sun-shine of +his Prosperity, but also in his deepest Distress. + +But what endeared him the most to his Favour, and was indeed the +Masterpiece of his Service, was his adventuring into _Scotland_; a +desperate Attempt, and performed not without the manifest hazarding of +his Life; where he so cunningly demeaned himself, and insinuated +himself so far into their Favour, as he got a sight of their Records +and Original Letters; a Copy of which he brought with him to _England_, +and presented the same to King _Edward_ the Fourth: Out of these he +collected a History of the several Submissions, and sacred Oaths of +Fealty openly taken from the time of King _Athelstane_, by the Kings of +_Scotland_; to the Kings of _England_, for the Crown of _Scotland_; a +Work which was afterwards made much use of by the _English_; although +the _Scotch_ Historians stickle with might and main, that such Homage +was performed only for the County of _Cumberland_, and some parcel of +Land their Kings had in _England_ South of _Tweed_. + +Now as his Prose was very useful, so was his Poetry as much delightful; +writing a Chronicle of our _English_ Kings from _Brute_ to King +_Edward_ the Fourth, and that in _English_ Verse; for which he was +accounted one cf the chiefest Poets of his time; being so exactly done, +that by it Dr. _Fuller_ adjudges him to have drunk as deep a draught of +_Helicon_ as any in his Age: And another saying, that by the fame he +deservedly claimed a Seat amongst the chiefest of the Poetical Writers. + +But to give you the better view of his Poetical Abilities, I shall +present you with some of his Chronicle-Verse, concerning the sumptuous +Houshold kept by King _Richard_ the Second, _cap._ 193. + + Truly I herd Robert Ireleffe say, + Clarke of the Green-cloth, and that to the houshold + Came every daye, forth most part alway + Ten thousand folke, by his Messes told, + That followed the hous aye as thei wold. + And in the Kechin, three hundred Seruitours, + And in eche Office many Occupiours. + + And Ladies faire, with their Gentleweomen + Chamberers also and Lauenders, + Three hundred of theim were occupied then; + There was great pride emong the Officers, + And of all men far passing their compeers; + Of rich arraye, and much more costeus, + Then was before, or sith, and more precious, &c. + +This our Poet _Harding_ was living _Anno_ 1461. being then very aged; +and is judged to have survived not long after. + + * * * * * + + + + +_ROBERT FABIAN_. + + +_Robert Fabian_ was born and bred in _London_ as witnesseth _Bale_ and +_Pits_; becoming one of the Rulers thereof, being chosen Sheriff, +_Anno_ 1493. He spent his time which he had spare from publick +Employments, for the benefit of posterity; writing two large +Chronicles: the one from _Brute_ to the Death of King _Henry_ the +Second; the other, from the First of King _Richard_, to the Death of +_Henry_ the Seventh. He was (saith my Author) of a merry disposition, +and used to entertain his Guests as well with good Discourse as good +Victuals: He bent his Mind much to the Study of Poetry; which according +to those times, passed for currant. Take a touch of his Abilities in +the Prologue to the second Volume of his Chronicle of _England_ and +_France_. + + Now would I fayne, + In words playne, + Some Honour sayne, + And bring to mynde; + Of that auncient Cytye, + That so goodly is to se, + And full true ever hath be, + And also full kynde, + To Prince and Kynge + That hath borne just rulynge, + Syn the first winnynge + of this Hand by _Brute_. + So that in great honour + By passynge of many a showre, + It hath euer borne the flowre; + And laudable _Brute_, &c. + +These Verses were made for the Honour of _London_; which he calleth +_Ryme Dogerel_, and at the latter end thereof, excuseth himself to the +Reader in these words: + + Who so him lyketh these Versys to rede, + With favour I pray he will theym spell; + Let not the rudenes of theym hym lede + For to dispraue thys Ryme Dogerell: + Some part of the honour it doth you tell + Of this old Cytye _Troynouant_; + But not thereof the halfe dell; + Connyng in the Maker is so adaunt: + But though he had the Eloquence + Of _Tully_, and the Moralytye + Of _Seneck_, and the Influence + Of the swyte sugred _Armony_, + Or that faire Ladye _Caliope_, + Yet had he not connyng perfyght, + This Citye to prayse in eche degre + As that shulde duely aske by ryght. + +Sir _John Suckling_, a prime Wit of his Age, in the Contest betwixt the +Poets for the Lawrel, maketh _Apollo_ to adjudge it to an Alderman of +_London_; in these words; + + He openly declar'd it was the best sign + Of good store of Wit, to have good store of Coyne, + And without a syllable more or less said, + He put the Lawrel on the Alderman's Head. + +But had the Scene of this Competition been laid a hundred and fifty +years ago, and the same remitted to the Umpirage of _Apollo_, in sober +sadness he would have given the Lawrel to this our Alderman. + +He died at _London_, Anno 1511, and was buried at St. _Michael's_ +Church in _Cornhil_, with this Epitaph; + + _Like as the Day his Course doth consume, + And the new Morrow springeth again as fast; + So Man and Woman by Natures custom + This Life do pass; at last in Earth are cast, + In Joy and Sorrow, which here their Time do wast, + Never in one state, but in course transitory, + So full of change is of the World the Glory_. + +Dr. _Fuller_ observeth, That none hath worse Poetry than Poets on their +Monuments; certainly there is no Rule without Exceptions; he himself +instancing to the contrary in his _England's Worthies_, by Mr. +_Drayton's_ Epitaph, and several others. + + * * * * * + + + + +_JOHN SKELTON_. + + +_John Skelton_, the Poet Laureat in his Age, tho' now accounted only a +Rhymer, is supposed to have been born in _Norfolke_, there being an +ancient Family of that Name therein; and to make it the more probable, +he himself was Beneficed therein at _Dis_ in that County. That he was +Learned, we need go no further than to _Erasmus_ for a Testimony; who, +in his Letter to King _Henry_ the Eighth, stileth him, _Britanicarum +Literarum Lumen & Decus_. Indeed he had Scholarship enough, and Wit too +much: _Ejus Sermo_ (saith _Pitz._) _salsus in mordacem, risus in +opprobrium, jocus in amaritudinem_. Whoso reads him, will find he hath +a miserable, loose, rambling Style, and galloping measure of Verse: yet +were good poets so scarce in his Age, that he had the good fortune to +be chosen Poet Laureat, as he stiles himself in his Works, _The Kings +Orator, and Poet Laureat_. + +His chief Works, as many as can be collected, and that out of an old +Printed Book, are these; _Philip Sparrow_, _Speak Parrot_, _The Death +of King_ Edward _the Fourth_, _A Treatise of the_ Scots, _Ware the +Hawk_, _The Tunning of_ Elianer Rumpkin: In many of which, following +the humor of the ancientest of our Modern Poets, he takes a Poetical +Liberty of being Satyrical upon the Clergy, as brought him under the +Lash of Cardinal _Woolsey_, who so persecuted him, that he was forced +to take Sanctuary at _Westminster_, where Abbot _Islip_ used him with +much respect. In this Restraint he died, _June_ 21, 1529. and was +buried in St. _Margaret's_ Chappel, with this Epitaph; + + _J. Sceltanus Vates Pierius hic situs est_. + +We must not forget, how being charg'd by some on his Death-bed for +begetting many Children on a Concubine which he kept, he protested, +that in his Conscience he kept her in the notion of a Wife, though such +his cowardliness, that he would rather confess Adultery, than own +Marriage, the most punishable at that time. + + * * * * * + + + + +_WILLIAM LILLIE_. + + +To this _John Scelton_, we shall next present you with the Life of his +Contemporary and great Antagonist _William Lillie_, born at _Odiham_, a +great Market-Town in _Hantshire_; who to better his knowledge, in his +youth travelled to the City of _Jerusalem_, where having satisfied his +curiosity in beholding those sacred places where on our Saviour trode +when he was upon the Earth; he returned homewards, making some stay at +_Rhodes_, to study _Greek_. Hence he went to _Rome_, where he heard +_John Sulpitius_ and _Pomponius Sabinus_, great Masters of _Latine_ in +those days. At his return home, Doctor _John Collet_ had new builded a +fair School at the East-end of St. _Paul_'s, for 153 poor mens +Children, to be taught free in the same School; for which he appointed +a Master, an Usher, and a Chaplain, with large Stipends for ever; +committing the oversight thereof to the Masters, Wardens and Assistants +of the _Mercers_ in _London_, because he was Son to _Henry Collet_ +Mercer, sometime Major; leaving for the Maintenance thereof, Lands to +the yearly value of 120_l_. or better; making this _William Lilly_ +first Master thereof; which Place he commendably discharg'd for 15 +years. During which time he made his _Latine_ Grammar, the Oracle of +Free Schools of _England_, and other Grammatical Works. He is said also +by _Bale_, to have written Epigrams, and other Poetry of various +Subjects in various _Latine_ Verse, though scarce any of them (unless +it be his _Grammar_) now extant, only Mr. _Stow_ makes mention of an +Epitaph made by him, and graven on a fair Tomb, in the midst of the +Chancel of St. _Paul_'s in _London_ containing these Words; + + _Inclyta_ Joannes Londini _Gloria gentis, + Is tibi qui quondam_ Paule _Decanus erat, + Qui toties magno resonabat pectore Christum, + Doctor & Interpres fidus Evangelij: + Qui mores hominum multum sermone disertae + Formarat, vitae sed probitate magis: + Quique Scholam struxit celebrem cognomine_ Jesu, + _Hac dormit tectus membra_ Coletus _humo_. + + _Floruit sub_ Henrico 7. & Henrico 8. + _Reg. Obiit_ An. Dom. 1519. + + _Disce mori Mundo, vivere disce Deo_. + +_John Skelton_ (whom we mentioned before) whose Writings were for the +most part Satyrical, mixing store of Gall and Copperas in his Ink, +having fell foul upon Mr. _Lilly_ in some of his Verses, _Lilly_ +return'd him this biting Answer; + + _Quid me_ Sceltone _fronte sic aperta + Carpis, vipereo potens veneno? + Quid Versus trutina, meos iniqua + Libras? Dicere vera num licebit? + Doctrinae, tibi dum parare famam, + Et doctus fieri studes Poeta, + Doctrinam ne habes, nec es Poeta_. + + With Face so bold, and Teeth so sharp, + Of Viper's venom, why dost carp? + Why are my Verses by thee weigh'd + In a false Scale? May Truth be said; + Whilst thou to get the more esteem, + _A Learned Poet_ fain wouldst seem, + _Skelton_, thou art, let all men know it, + Neither Learned, nor a Poet. + +He died of the Plague, _Anno_ 1522, and was buried in St. _Paul's_, +with this Epitaph on a Brass Plate, fixed in the Wall by the great +North-Door: + + Gulielmo Lilio, _Pauliae Scholae olim Praeceptori primario, &_ + Agnetae _Conjugi, in sacratissimo hujus Templi Coemiterio hinc a + tergo nunc destructo consepultis_; Georgius Lilius, _hujus + Ecclesiae Canonicus, Parentum Memoriae pie consulens, Tabellam hanc + ab amicis conservatam, hic reponendam curavit._ + + * * * * * + + + + +_Sir THOMAS MORE_. + + +Sir _Thomas More_, a great Credit and Ornament in his Time, of the +_English_ Nation, and with whom the Learned'st Foreigners of that Age, +were proud to have correspondence, for his wit and excellent parts, was +born in _Milk-street_, London. _Anno Dom._ 1480. Son to Sir _John +More_, Knight, and one of the Justices of the _Kings Bench_. + +He was bred first in the Family of Archbishop _Morton_, then in +_Canterbury_-Colledge in _Oxford_; afterwards removed to an Inn of +_Chancery_ in _London_, called _New-Inn_, and from thence to +_Lincolns-Inn_; where he became a double Reader. Next, his Worth +preferred him to be Judge in the Sheriff of _London's_, Court, though +at the same time a Pleader in others; and so upright was he therein, +that he never undertook any Cause but what appeared just to his +Conscience, nor never took Fee of Widow, Orphan, or poor Person. + +King _Henry_ the Eighth coming to the Crown, first Knighted him, then +made him Chancellor of the Duchy of _Lancaster_, and not long after +L. Chancellor of _England_, in which place he demeaned himself with +great integrity, and with no less expedition; so that it is said, at +one time he had cleared all Suits depending on that Court: whereupon, +one thus versified on him, + + When _More_ some years had Chancellor been, + No more Suits did remain; + The same shall never more be seen, + Till _More_ be there again. + +He was of such excellency of Wit and Wisdom, that he was able to make +his Fortune good in whatsoever he undertook: and to this purpose it is +reported of him, that when he was sent Ambassador by his Master _Henry_ +the Eighth into _Germany_, before he deliver'd his Embassage to the +Emperor, he bid one of his Servants to fill him a Beer-glass of Wine, +which he drunk off twice; commanding his Servant to bring him a third; +he knowing Sir _Thomas More_'s Temperance, that he was not used to +drink, at first refused to fill him another; telling Sir _Thomas_ of +the weight of his Employment: but he commanding it, and his Servant not +daring to deny him, he drank off the third, and then made his immediate +address to the Emperor, and spake his Oration in _Latine_, to the +admiration of all the Auditors. Afterwards Sir _Thomas_ merrily asking +his Man what he thought of his Speech? he said, that he deserved to +govern three parts of the World, and he believed if he had drunk the +other Glass, the Elegancy of his Language might have purchased the +other part of the World. + +Being once at _Bruges_ in _Flanders_, an arrogant Fellow had set up a +_Thesis_, that he would answer any Question could be propounded unto +him in what Art soever. Of whom, when Sir _Thomas More_ heard, he +laughed, and made this Question to be put up for him to answer; Whether +_Averia capta in Withernamia sunt irreplegibilia_? Adding, That there +was an _Englishman_ that would dispute thereof with him. This bragging +_Thraso_, not so much as understanding the Terms of our Common Law, +knew not what to answer to it, and so became ridiculous to the whole +City for his presumptuous bragging. + +Many were the Books which he wrote; amongst whom his _Utopia_ beareth +the Bell; which though not written in Verse, yet in regard of the great +Fancy and Invention thereof, may well pass for a Poem, it being the +_Idea_ of a compleat Commonwealth in an Imaginary Island (but pretended +to be lately discovered in _America_) and that so lively counterfeited, +that many at the reading thereof, mistook it for a real Truth: insomuch +that many great Learned men, as _Budeus_, and _Johannes Paludanus_ upon +a fervent zeal, wished that some excellent Divines might be sent +thither to preach Christ's Gospel: yea, there were here amongst us at +home, sundry good Men, and learned Divines, very desirous to undertake +the Voyage, to bring the People to the Faith of Christ, whose Manners +they did so well like. + +Mr. Owen, the _Brittish_ Epigrammatist, on this Book of _Utopia_, +writeth thus; + +More's _Utopia_ and _Mercurius Britanicus_. + + _More_ shew'd the best, the worst World's shew'd by the: + Thou shew'st what is, and he shews what should be. + +But at last he fell into the King's displeasure, touching the Divorce +of Queen _Katherine_, and for refusing to take the Oath of Supremacy; +for which he was committed to the Tower, and afterwards beheaded on +_Tower-Hill_, July 6, 1635, and buried at _Chelsey_ under a plain +Monument. + +Those who desire to be further informed of this Learned Knight, let +them read my Book of _England's Worthies_, where his Life is set forth +more at large. + + * * * * * + + + + +_HENRY HOWARD_ Earl of _Surrey_. + + +This Honourable Earl was Son to _Thomas Howard_ Duke of _Norfolk_, and +_Frances_ his Wife, the Daughter of _John Vere_ Earl of _Oxford_. He +was (saith _Cambden_) the first of our _English_ Nobility that did +illustrate his high Birth with the Beauty of Learning, and his Learning +with the knowledge of divers Languages, which he attained unto by his +Travels into foreign Nations; so that he deservedly had the particular +Fame of Learning, Wit and Poetical Fancy. + +Our famous Poet _Drayton_, in his _England's Heroical Epistles_, +writing of this Noble Earl, thus says of him; + + The Earl of _Surrey_, that renowned Lord, + Th'old _English_ Glory bravely that restor'd, + That Prince and Poet (a Name more divine) + Falling in Love with Beauteous _Geraldine_, + Of the _Geraldi_, which derive their Name + From _Florence_; whether to advance her Fame, + He travels, and in publick Justs maintain'd + Her Beauty peerless, which by Arms he gain'd. + +In his way to _Florence_, he touch'd at the Emperor's Court; where he +fell in acquaintance with the great Learned _Cornelius Agrippa_, so +famous for Magick, who shewed him the Image of his _Geraldine_ in a +Glass, sick, weeping on her Bed, and resolved all into devout Religion +for the absence of her Lord; upon sight of which, he made this Sonnet. + + All Soul, no earthly Flesh, why dost thou fade? + All Gold, no earthly Dross, why look'st thou pale? + Sickness, how dar'st thou one so fair invade? + Too base Infirmity to work her Bale. + Heaven be distempered since she grieved pines, + Never be dry these my sad plantive Lines. + + Pearch thou my Spirit on her Silver Breasts, + And with their pains redoubled Musick beatings, + Let them toss thee to world where all toil rests, + Where Bliss is subject to no Fear's defeatings; + Her Praise I tune whose Tongue doth tune the Sphears, + And gets new Muses in her Hearers Ears. + + Stars fall to fetch fresh light from her rich eyes, + Her bright Brow drives the Sun to Clouds beneath. + Her Hairs reflex with red strakes paints the Skies, + Sweet Morn and Evening dew flows from her breath: + _Phoebe_ rules Tides, she my Tears tides forth draws, + In her sick-Bed Love sits, and maketh Laws. + + Her dainty Limbs tinsel her Silk soft Sheets, + Her Rose-crown'd Cheeks eclipse my dazled sight. + O Glass! with too much joy my thoughts thou greets, + And yet thou shew'st me day but by twilight. + Ile kiss thee for the kindness I have felt, + Her Lips one Kiss would unto _Nectar_ melt. + +From the Emperor's Court he went to the City of _Florence_, the Pride +and Glory of _Italy_, in which City his _Geraldine_ was born, never +ceasing till he came to the House of her Nativity; and being shewn the +Chamber her clear Sun-beams first thrust themselves in this cloud of +Flesh, he was transported with an Extasie of Joy, his Mouth overflow'd +with _Magnificats_, his Tongue thrust the Stars out of Heaven, and +eclipsed the Sun and Moon with Comparisons of his _Geraldine_, and in +praise of the Chamber that was so illuminatively honoured with her +Radiant Conception, he penned this Sonnet: + + Fair Room, the presence of sweet Beauties pride, + This place the Sun upon the Earth did hold, + When _Phaeton_ his Chariot did misguide, + The Tower where _Jove_ rain'd down himself in Gold, + Prostrate as holy ground Ile worship thee. + Our _Ladies Chappel_ henceforth be thou nam'd; + Here first _Loves Queen_ put on Mortality, + And with her Beauty all the world inflam'd. + Heaven's Chambers harbouring fiery Cherubins, + Are not with thee in Glory to compare. + Lightning, it is not Light which in thee mines, + None enter thee but streight entranced are. + O! if _Elizium_ be above the ground, + Then here it is, where nought but Joy is found. + +That the City of _Florence_ was the ancient Seat of her Family, he +himself intimates in one of his Sonnets: thus; + + From _Tuscan_ came my Ladies worthy Race; + Fair _Florence_ was sometimes her ancient Seat, + The Weltern Isle, whose pleasant Shoar doth face, + Whilst _Camber's_ Cliffs did give her lively heat. + +In the Duke of _Florence's_ Court he published a proud Challenge +against all Comers, whether _Christians_, _Turks_, _Canibals_, _Jews_, +or _Saracens_, in defence of his _Geraldines_ Beauty. This Challenge +was the more mildly accepted, in regard she whom he defended, was a +Town-born Child of that City; or else the Pride of the _Italian_ would +have prevented him ere he should have come to perform it. The Duke of +_Florence_ nevertheless sent for him, and demanded him of his Estate, +and the reason that drew him thereto; which when he was advertiz'd of +to the full, he granteth all Countries whatsoever, as well Enemies and +Outlaws, as Friends and Confederates, free access and regress into his +Dominions immolested, until the Trial were ended. + +This Challenge, as he manfully undertook, so he as valiantly performed; +as Mr. _Drayton_ describes it in his Letter to the Lady _Geraldine_. + + The shiver'd Staves here for thy Beauty broke, + With fierce encounters past at every shock, + When stormy Courses answer'd Cuff for Cuff, + Denting proud Beavers with the Counter-buff; + Which when each manly valiant Arm essays, + After so many brave triumphant days, + The glorious Prize upon my Lance I bare, + By Herald's Voyce proclaim'd to be thy share. + +The Duke of _Florence_ for his approved Valour, offered him large +Proffers to stay with him; which he refused: intending, as he had done +in _Florence_, to proceed through all the chief Cities in _Italy_; but +this his Purpose was frustrated, by Letters sent to him from his Master +King _Henry_ the _8th._ which commanded him to return as speedily as +possibly he could into _England_. + +Our famous _English_ Antiquary _John Leland_, speaking much in the +praise of Sir _Thomas Wiat_ the Elder, as well for his Learning, as +other excellent Qualities, meet for a man of his Calling; calls this +Earl the conscript enrolled Heir of the said Sir _Thomas Wiat_: writing +to him in these words; + + _Accipe Regnorum Comes illustrissime Carmen, + Quo mea Musa tuum laudavit moesta Viallum_. + +And again, in another place, + + _Perge_, Houerde, _tuum virtute referre Viallum, + Dicerisque tuae clarissima Gloria stirpis_. + +A certain Treatise called _The Art of_ English _Poetry_, alledges, +_That Sir_ Thomas Wiat _the Elder, and_ Henry _Earl of_ Surrey _were +the two Chieftains, who having travelled into_ Italy, _and there tasted +the sweet and stately Measures and Style of the_ Italian _Poesie, +greatly polished our rude and homely manner of vulgar Poesie from what +it had been before; and may therefore justly be shewed to be the +Reformers of our_ English _Meeter and Style_. + +I shall only add an Epitaph made by this Noble Earl on Sir _Anthony +Denny_, Knight (a Gentleman whom King _Henry_ the _8th._ greatly +affected) and then come to speak of his Death. + + Death and the King did as it were contend, + Which of them two bare _Denny_ greatest Love; + The King to shew his Love, gan far extend, + Did him advance his Betters far above: + Near Place, much Wealth, great Honour eke him gave, + To make it known what Power great Princes have. + + But when Death came with his triumphant Gift, + From worldly Cark he quit his wearied Ghost, + Free from the Corps, and streight to Heaven it lift, + Now deem that can who did for _Denny_ most; + The King gave Wealth, but fading and unsure, + Death brought him Bliss that ever shall endure. + +But to return, this Earl had together with his Learning, Wisdom, +Fortitude, Munificence, and Affability; yet all these good and +excellent parts were no protection against the King's Displeasure; for +upon the _12th_ of _December_, the last of King _Henry_ the _8th._ he, +with his Father _Thomas_ Duke of _Norfolk_, upon certain surmises of +Treason, were committed to the Tower of _London_, the one by Water, the +other by Land; so that the one knew not of the others Apprehension: The +_15th._ day of _January_ next following, he was arraigned at Guildhall, +_London_, where the greatest matter alledged against him, was, for +bearing certain Arms that were said belonged to the King and Prince; +the bearing whereof he justified. To be short, (for so they were with +him) he was found guilty by twelve common Juriars, had Judgment of +Death; and upon the _19th_ day of the said Month (nine days before the +Death of the said King _Henry_, was beheaded at _Tower-Hill_) He was at +first interred in the Chappel of the Tower, and afterwards, in the +Reign of King _James_, his Remainders of Ashes and Bones were removed +to _Framingham_ in _Suffolk_, by his second Son _Henry_ Earl of +_Northampton_, where in the Church they were interred, with this +Epitaph; + + Henrico Howardo, Thomae _Secundi Ducis_ Norfolciae _filio + primogenito_, Thomae _tertij Patri, Comiti_ Surriae, _& + Georgiani Ordinis Equiti Aurato, immature Anno Salutis 1546, + abrepto. Et_ Francisae _Uxori ejus, filiae_ Johannis + _Comitis_ Oxoniae. Henricus Howardus _Comes_ + Northhamptoniae, _filius secundo genitus, hoc supremum Pietatis in + Parentes Monumentum posuit_, A.D. 1614. + + * * * * * + + + + +Sir _THOMAS WIAT_ the Elder. + + +This worthy Knight is termed by the Name of the Elder, to distinguish +him from Sir _Thomas Wiat_ the raiser of the Rebellion in the time of +Queen _Mary_, and was born at _Allington_ Castle in the County of +_Kent_; which afterwards he repaired with most beautiful Buildings. He +was a Person of great esteem and reputation in the Reign of King +_Henry_ the _8th._ with whom, for his honesty and singular parts, he +was in high favour. Which nevertheless he had like to have lost about +the Business of Queen _Anne Bullein_; but by his Innocency, Industry +and Prudence, he extricated himself. + +He was one of admirable ingenuity, and truly answer'd his Anagram, +_Wiat_, a Wit, the judicious Mr. _Cambden_ saith he was. + + _Eques Auratus splendide doctus_. + +And though he be not taken notice of by _Bale_ nor _Pits_, yet for his +admirable Translation of _David's_ Psalms into _English_ Meeter, and +other Poetical Writings, _Leland_ forbears not to compare him to +_Dante_ and _Petrarch_, by giving him this large commendation. + + _Bella suum merito jactet_ Florentia Dantem + _Regia_ Petrarchae _carmina_ Roma _probat_, + _His non inferior Patrio Sermone_ Viattus + _Eloquii secum qui decus omne tulit_. + + Let _Florence_ fair her _Dantes_ justly boast, + And royal _Rome_ her _Petrarchs_ number'd feet, + In _English Wiat_ both of them doth coast: + In whom all graceful eloquence doth meet. + +The renowned Earl of _Surrey_ in an _Encomium_ upon his Translation of +_David's_ Psalms, thus writes of him, + + What holy Grave, what worthy Sepulcher, + To _Wiat's_ Psalms shall Christians purchase then? + +And afterward, upon his death, the said Earl writeth thus: + + What Vertues rare were temper'd in thy brest? + Honour that _England_ such a Jewel bred, + And kiss the ground whereas thy Corps did rest, _&c._ + +This worthy Knight being sent Ambassador by King _Henry_ the Eighth to +_Charles_ the Fifth Emperor, then residing in _Spain_, died of the +Pestilence in the West Country, before he could take Shipping, _Anno_ +1541. + + * * * * * + + + + +Dr. _CHRISTOPHER TYE_. + + +In the writing this Doctors Life, we shall principally make use for +Directions of Mr. _Fuller_, in his _England's Worthies_, fol. 244. He +flourished (saith he) in the Reign of King _Henry_ the Eighth, and King +_Edward_ the Sixth, to whom he was one of the Gentlemen of their +Chappel, and probably the Organist. Musick, which received a grievous +wound in _England_ at the dissolution of Abbeys, was much beholding to +him for her recovery; such was his excellent Skill and Piety, that he +kept it up in Credit at Court, and in all Cathedrals during his life: +He translated _the Acts of the Apostles_ into Verse, and let us take a +tast his Poetry. + + In the former Treatise to thee, + dear friend _Theophilus_, + I have written the veritie + of the Lord Christ Jesus, + + + Which he to do and eke to teach, + began until the day; + In which the Spirit up did him fetch + to dwell above for aye. + + After that he had power to do + even by the Holy Ghost: + Commandements then he gave unto + his chosen least and most. + + To whom also himself did shew + from death thus to revive; + By tokens plain unto his few + even forty days alive. + + Speaking of God's kingdom with heart + chusing together them, + Commanding them not to depart + from that _Jerusalem_. + + But still to wait on the promise + of his Father the Lord, + Of which you have heard me e're this + unto you make record. + +Pass we now (saith he) from his Poetry, (being Musick in words) to his +Musick, (being Poetry in sounds) who set an excellent Composition of +Musick in four parts, to the several Chapters of his aforenamed Poetry, +dedicating the same to King _Edward_ the Sixth, a little before his +death, and Printed it _Anno Dom._ 1353. He also did Compose many +excellent _Services_ and _Anthems_ of four and five parts, which were +used in Cathedrals many years after his death, the certain date whereof +we cannot attain to. + + * * * * * + + + + +_JOHN LELAND_. + + +This famous Antiquary, Mr. _John Leland_, flourish'd in the year 1546. +about the beginning of the Reign of King _Edward_ the Sixth, and was +born by most probable conjecture at _London_. He wrote, among many +other Volumes, several Books of Epigrams, his _Cigneo Cantio_, a +Genethliac of Prince _Edward_, _Naniae_ upon the death of Sir _Thomas +Wiat_, out of which we shall present you with these Verses: + + _Transtulit in nostram_ Davidis _carmina linguam, + Et numeros magna reddidit arte pares. + Non morietur opus tersum, spectabile sacrum, + Clarior hac fama parte_ Viattus _erit. + Una dies geminos Phoenices non dedit orbi, + Mors erit unius, vita sed alterius. + Rara avis in terris confectus morte_ Viattus, + Houerdum _haeredem scripserat ante suum. + Dicere nemo potest recte periisse_ Viattum, + _Ingenii cujus tot monimenta vigent_. + +He wrote also several other things both in Prose and Verse, to his +great fame and commendation. + + * * * * * + + + + +_THOMAS CHURCHYARD_. + + +_Thomas Churchyard_ was born in the Town of _Shrewsbury_, as himself +doth affirm in his Book made in Verse of the _Worthiness of Wales_, +taking _Shropshire_ within the compass, (to use his own Expression) +_Wales_ the _Park_, and the _Marches_ the _Pale_ thereof. He was one +equally addicted to Arts and Arms, serving under that renowned Captain +Sir _William Drury_, in a rode he made into _Scotland_, as also under +several other Commanders beyond Sea, as he declares in his _Tragical +Discourse of the Unhappy Mans Life_, saying, + + Full thirty years both Court and Wars I tryde, + And still I sought acquaintance with the best, + And served the State, and did such hap abide + As might befal, and Fortune sent the rest, + When Drum did sound, I was a Soldier prest + To Sea or Land, as Princes quarrel stood, + And for the same full oft I lost my blood. + +But it seems he got little by the Wars but blows, as he declares +himself a little after. + + But God he knows, my gain was small I weene, + For though I did my credit still encrease, + I got no wealth by wars, ne yet by peace. + +Yet it seems he was born of wealthy friends, and had an Estate left +unto him, as in the same Work he doth declare. + + So born I was to House and Land by right, + But in a Bag to Court I brought the same, + From _Shrewsbury_-Town, a seat of ancient fame. + +Some conceive him to be as much beneath a Poet as above a Rymer, yet +who so shall consider the time he wrote in, _viz._ the beginning of the +Reign of Queen _Elizabeth_, shall find his Verses to go abreast with +the best of that Age. His Works, such as I have seen and have now in +custody, are as followeth: + + _The Siege of_ Leith. + _A Farewel to the World_. + _A feigned Fancy of the Spider and the Goat_. + _A doleful Discourse of a Lady and a Knight_. + _The Road into_ Scotland, _by Sir_ William Drury. + _Sir_ Simon Burley'_s Tragedy_. + _A Tragical Discourse of the Vnhappy Mans Life_. + _A Discourse of Vertue_. + Churchyard'_s Dream_. + _A Tale of a Fryar and a Shoomaker's wife_. + _The Siege of_ Edenborough-_Castle_. + _Queen_ Elizabeth'_s Reception into_ Bristol. + +These Twelve several Treatises he bound together, calling them +_Church-yard's Chips_, and dedicated them to Sir _Christopher Hatton_. +He also wrote the Falls of _Shore_'s Wife and of Cardinal _Wolsey_; +which are inserted into the Book of _the Mirrour for Magistrates_. +Thus, like a stone, did he trundle about, but never gather'd any Moss, +dying but poor, as may be seen by his Epitaph in Mr. _Cambden's +Remains_, which runs thus; + + Come _Alecto_, lend me thy Torch, + To find a _Church-yard_ in a Church-porch: + _Poverty_ and _Poetry_ his Tomb doth enclose, + Wherefore good Neighbours be merry in prose. + +His death, according to the most probable conjecture, may be presumed +about the eleventh year of the Queen's Reign, _Anno Dom._ 1570. + + * * * * * + + + + +_JOHN HIGGINS_. + + +_John Higgins_ was one of the chief of them who compiled the History of +_the Mirrour of Magistrates_, associated with Mr. _Baldwin_, Mr. +_Ferrers_, _Thomas Churchyard_, and several others, of which Book Sir +_Philip Sidney_ thus writes in his _Defence of Poesie_, _I account the_ +Mirrour of Magistrates _meetly furnished of beautiful parts_. These +Commendations coming from so worthy a person, our _Higgins_ having so +principal a share therein, deserves a principal part of the praise. And +how well his deservings were, take an essay of his Poetry in his +induction to the Book. + + When Summer sweet with all her pleasures past, + And leaves began to leave the shady tree, + The Winter cold encreased on full fast, + And time of year to sadness moved me: + For moisty blasts not half so mirthful be, + As sweet _Aurora_ brings in Spring-time fair, + Our joys they dim as Winter damps the air. + + The Nights began to grow to length apace, + Sir _Phoebus_ to th'Antartique 'gan to fare: + From _Libra_'s lance, to the _Crab_ he took his race + Beneath the Line, to lend of light a share. + For then with us the days more darkish are, + More short, cold, moist, and stormy, cloudy, clit, + For sadness more than mirths or pleasures fit. + + Devising then what Books were best to read, + Both for that time, and sentence grave also, + For conference of friend to stand in stead, + When I my faithful friend was parted fro; + I gat me strait the Printers shops unto, + To seek some Work of price I surely ment, + That might alone my careful mind content. + +And then he declareth how there he found the first part of this Mirrour +for Magistrates, which yet took beginning from the time of King +_Richard_ the Second; But he knowing many Examples of famous persons +before _William_ the Conquerour, which were wholly omitted, he set upon +the Work, and beginning from _Brute_, continued it to _Aurelius +Bassianus Caracalla_ Emperour of _Rome_, about the year of Christ 209. +shewing in his Writings a great deal of Wisdom and Learning. He +flourished about the beginning of the Reign of Queen _Elizabeth_. + + * * * * * + + + + +_ABRAHAM FRAUNCE_. + + +This _Abraham Fraunce_, a Versifier, about the same time with _John +Higgins_, was one who imitated _Latine_ measure in _English_ Verse, +writing a Pastoral, called _the Countess of_ Pembroke's _Ivy-church_, +and some other things in Hexameter, some also in Hexameter and +Pentameter; He also wrote _the Countess of_ Pembroke's _Emanuel_, +containing the Nativity, Passion, Burial, and Resurrection of Christ, +together with certain Psalms of _David_, all in _English_ Hexameters. +Nor was he altogether singular in this way of writing, for Sir _Philip +Sidney_ in the Pastoral Interludes of his _Arcadia_, uses not only +these, but all other sorts of _Latine_ measure, in which no wonder he +is followed by so few, since they neither become the _English_, nor any +other modern Language. + +He began also the Translation of _Heliodorus_ his _AEthiopick_ History, +in the same kind of Verse, of which, to give the Reader the better +divertisement, we shall present you with a tast. + + As soon as Sun-beams could once peep out fro the Mountains, + And by the dawn of day had somewhat lightned _Olympus_, + Men, whose lust was law, whose life was still to be lusting, + Whose thriving thieving, convey'd themselves to an hill top, + That stretched forward to the _Heracleotica_ entry + And mouth of _Nylus_; looking thence down to the main sea + For sea-faring men; but seeing none to be sailing, + They knew 'twas bootless to be looking there for a booty: + So that strait fro the sea they cast their eyes to the sea-shore; + Where they saw, that a Ship very strangely without any ship man, + Lay then alone at road, with Cables ty'd to the main-land, + And yet full fraighted, which they, though far, fro the hill-top, + Easily might perceive by the water drawn to the deck-boards, _&c._ + +His _Ivy-Church_ he dedicated to the _Countess of Pembroke_, in which +he much vindicated his manner of writing, as no Verse fitter for it +then that; he also dedicated his _Emanuel_ to her, which being but two +lines take as followeth: + + _Mary_ the best Mother sends her best Babe to a _Mary: + Lord_ to a _Ladies_ sight, and _Christ_ to a _Christian_. + +When he died, we cannot find, but suppose it to be about the former +part of Queen _Elizabeth's_ Reign. + + * * * * * + + + + +_WILLIAM WARNER_. + + +_William Warner_, one of principal esteem in his time, was chiefly +famous for his _Albion's England_, which he wrote in the old-fashioned +kind of seven-footed Verse, which yet sometimes is in use, though in +different manner, that is to say, divided into two: He wrote also +several Books in prose, as he himself witnesseth, in his Epistle to the +Reader, but (as we said before) his _Albion's England_ was the +chiefest, which he deduced from the time of _Noah_, beginning thus: + + I tell of things done long ago, of many things in few: + And chiefly of this Clime of ours, the accidents pursue. + Thou high director of the same, assist mine artless Pen, + To write the Jests of _Brutons_ stout, and Arts of _English-men_. + +From thence he proceeds to the peopling of the Earth by the Sons of +_Noah_, intermixing therein much variety of Matter, not only pleasant, +but profitable for the Readers understanding of what was delivered by +the ancient Poets, bringing his Matter succinctly to the Siege of +_Troy_, and from thence to the coming of _Brute_ into this Island; and +so, coming down along the chiefest matters, touched of our _British_ +Historians, to the Conquest of _England_ by Duke _William_, and from +him the Affairs of the Land to the beginning of Queen _Elizabeth_; +where he concludeth thus, + + _Elizabeth_ by peace, by war, for majesty, for mild, + Enrich'd, fear'd, honour'd, lov'd, but (loe) unreconcil'd, + The _Muses_ check my saucy Pen, for enterprising her, + In duly praising whom, themselves, even _Arts_ themselves might err. + _Phoebus_ I am, not _Phaeton_, presumptuously to ask + What, shouldst thou give, I could not guide; give not me thy task, + For, as thou art _Apollo_ too, our mighty subjects threats + A _non plus_ to thy double power: + _Vel volo, vel nollem_. + +I might add several more of his Verses, to shew the worth of his Pen, +but the Book being indifferent common, having received several +Impressions, I shall refer the Reader, for his further satisfaction, to +the Book itself. + + * * * * * + + + + +_THOMAS TUSSER_. + + +_Thomas Tusser_ (a person well known by his Book of Husbandry) was born +at _Rinen-hall_ in _Essex_, of an ancient Family, but now extinct; +where, when but young, his Father, designing him for a Singing-man, put +him to _Wallingford_-School, where how his Misfortunes began in the +World, take from his own Pen. + + O painful time, for every crime, + What toosed ears, like baited Bears, + What bobbed lips, what yerks, what nips, + What hellish toys? + What Robes so bare, what Colledge-fare? + What Bread how stale, what penny Ale? + Then _Wallingford_, how wer't thou abhorr'd, + Of silly boys? + +From thence he was sent to learn Musick at _Pauls_ with one _John +Redford_, an excellent Musician; where, having attained some skill in +that Art, he was afterwards sent to _Eaton_-School, to learn the +_Latine_ Tongue, where, how his Miseries encreas'd, let himself speak. + + From _Pauls_ I went, to _Eaton_ sent, + To learn straightways the _Latine_ phrase, + Where fifty three stripes given to me, + At once I had, + For fault but small, or none at all, + It came to pass thus beat I was, + See _Udal_, see, the mercy of thee + To me poor Lad. + +Having attained to some perfection in the _Latine_ Tongue, he was sent +to _Trinity-Hall_ in _Cambridge_, where he had not continued long, but +he was vexed with extream sickness, whereupon he left the University, +and betook himself to Court, and lived for a while under the Lord +_Paget_, in King _Edward_ the Sixth's days; when, the Lords falling at +dissention, he left the Court, and went to _Suffolk_, where he married +his first Wife, and took a Farm at _Ratwade_ in that County, where he +first devised his Book of Husbandry, but his Wife not having her health +there, he removed from thence to _Ipswich_ and soon after buried her. + +Not long after he married again to one Mrs. _Amy Moon_, upon whose Name +he thus versified: + + I chanced soon to find a _Moon_, + Of chearful hue; + Which well and fine me thought did shine, + And never change, a thing most strange, + Yet keep in sight her course aright, + And compass true. + +Being thus married he betook himself again to Husbandry, and hired a +Farm, called _Diram Cell_, and there he had not lived long, but his +Landlord died, and his Executors falling at variance, and now one +troubled him, and then another, whereupon he left _Diram_, and went to +_Norwich_, turning a Singing-man under Mr. _Salisbury_, the Dean +thereof; There he was troubled with a _Dissury_, so that in a 138 Hours +he never made a drop of Water. Next he hired a Parsonage at _Fairstead_ +in _Essex_, but growing weary of that he returned again to _London_, +where he had not lived long, but the Pestilence raging there, he +retired to _Cambridge_: Thus did he roul about from place to place, +but, like _Sisiphus_ stone, could gather no Moss whithersoever he went: +He was successive a Musician, Schoolmaster, Servingman, Husbandman, +Grasier, Poet, more skilful in all, than thriving in any Vocation. He +traded at large in Oxen, Sheep, Dairies, Grain of all kinds, to no +profit. He spread his Bread with all sorts of Butter, yet none would +stick thereon. So that he might say with the Poet, + + --_Monitis sum minor ipse meis_. + +None being better at the _Theory_, or worse at the _Practice_ of +Husbandry, and may be fitly match'd with _Thomas Churchyard_, they +being mark'd alike in their Poetical parts, living in the same time, +and statur'd both alike in their Estates, and that low enough in all +reason. He died in _London_, _Anno Dom._ 1580. and was buried at St. +_Mildred's_-Church in the _Poultrey_, with this Epitaph: + + Here _THOMAS TUSSER_, clad in earth doth lie, + That sometime made the Points of Husbandry: + By him then learn thou may'st, here learn we must, + When all is done, we sleep, and turn to dust: + And yet, through Christ, to Heaven we hope to go, + Who reads his Books, shall find his Faith was so. + + * * * * * + + + + +_THOMAS STORER_. + + +_Thomas Storer_ was a great writer of Sonnets, Madrigals, and Pastoral +Airs, in the beginning of Q. _Elizabeth's_ Reign, and no doubt was +highly esteemed in those days, of which we have an account of some of +them in an old Book, called _England's Hellicon_. This kind of writing +was of great esteem in those days, and much imitated by _Thomas +Watson_, _Bartholomew Yong_, Dr. _Lodge_, and several others. What time +he died is to me unknown. + + * * * * * + + + + +_THOMAS LODGE_. + + +_Thomas Lodge_, a Doctor of Physick, flourish'd also about the +beginning of the Reign of Queen _Elizabeth_; He was also an eminent +Writer of Pastoral Songs, Odes, and Madrigals. This following Sonnet is +said to be of his composing. + + If I must die, O let me chuse my Death: + Suck out my Soul with Kisses, cruel Maid! + In thy Breasts Crystal Balls embalm my Breath, + Dole it all out in sighs when I am laid; + Thy Lips on mine like Cupping-glasses clasp; + Let our Tongues meet, and strive as they would sting: + Crush out my Wind with one straight girting Grasp, + Stabs on my Heart keep time whilst thou dost sing. + Thy Eyes like searing-Irons burn out mine; + In thy fair Tresses stifle me outright: + Like _Circes_, change me to a loathsom Swine, + So I may live for ever in thy sight. + Into Heavens Joys can none profoundly see, + Except that first they meditate on thee. + +Contemporary with Dr. _Lodge_, were several others, who all of them +wrote in the same strain, as _George Gascoigne_, _Tho. Hudson_, _John +Markham_, _Tho. Achely_, _John Weever_, _Chr. Midleton_, _George +Turbervile_, _Henry Constable_, Sir _Edward Dyer_, _Charles Fitz +Geoffry_. Of these _George Gascoigne_ wrote not only Sonnets, Odes and +Madrigals, but also something to the Stage: as his _Supposes_, a +Comedy; _Glass of Government_, a Tragi-Comedy; and _Jocasta_, a +Tragedy. + +But to return to Dr. _Lodge_; we shall only add one Sonnet more, taken +out of his _Euphues Golden Legacy_, and so proceed to others. + + Of all chaste Birds, the _Phoenix_ doth excel; + Of all strong Beasts, the _Lion_ bears the Bell: + Of all sweet Flowers, the Rose doth sweetest smell; + Of all fair Maids, my _Rosalind_ is fairest. + Of all pure Metals, _Gold_ is only purest; + Of all high Trees, the _Pine_ hath highest Crest; + Of all soft _Sweets_, I like my Mistress best: + Of all chaste Thoughts my Mistress Thoughts are rarest. + Of all proud Birds, the _Eagle_ pleaseth _Jove_, + Of pretty Fowls, kind _Venus_ likes the _Dove_: + Of Trees, _Minerva_ doth the _Olive_ love, + Of all sweet Nymphs, I honour _Rosalinde_, + Of all her Gifts, her _Wisdom_ pleaseth most: + Of all her Graces, _Virtue_ she doth boast; + For all the Gifts, my Life and Joy is lost, + If _Rosalinde_ prove cruel and unkind. + + * * * * * + + + + +_ROBERT GREENE_. + + +_Robert Greene_ (that great Friend to the _Printers_ by his many +Impressions of numerous Books) was by Birth a Gentleman, and sent to +study in the University of _Cambridge_; where he proceeded Master of +Art therein. He had in his time sipped of the Fountain of _Hellicon_, +but drank deeper Draughts of Sack, that _Helliconian_ Liquor, whereby +he beggar'd his Purse to enrich his Fancy; writing much against +Viciousness, but too vicious in his Life. He had to his Wife a +Virtuous Gentlewoman, whom yet he forsook, and betook himself to a high +course of Living; to maintain which, he made his Pen mercenary, making +his Name very famous for several Books which he wrote, very much taking +in his time, and in indifferent repute amongst the vulgar at this +present; of which, those that I have seen, are as followeth) Euphues +_his Censure to_ Philautus; Tullies _Love_, _Philomela_, _The Lady_ +Fitz-waters _Nightingale_, _A Quip for an upstart Courtier_, _the +History of_ Dorastus _and_ Fawnia, Green's _never too late_, first and +second Part; Green's _Arcadia_, Green _his Farewell to Folly_, Greene's +_Groats-worth of Wit, &c._ He was also an Associate with Dr. _Lodge_ in +writing of several Comedies; namely, _The Laws of Nature_; _Lady +Alimony_; _Liberality and Prodigality_; and a Masque called +_Luminalia_; besides which, he wrote alone the Comedies of _Fryer +Bacon_, and _fair Emme_. + +But notwithstanding by these his Writings he got much Money, yet was it +not sufficient to maintain his Prodigality, but that before his death +he fell into extream Poverty, when his Friends, (like Leaves to Trees +in the Summer of Prosperity) fell from him in his Winter of Adversity: +of which he was very sensible, and heartily repented of his ill passed +Life, especially of the wrongs he had done to his Wife; which he +declared in a Letter written to her, and found with his Book of _A +Groatsworth of Wit_, after his Death, containing these Words; + + _The Remembrance of many Wrongs offered Thee and thy unreproved + Vertues, add greater sorrow to my miserable State than I can utter, + or thou conceive; neither is it lessened by consideration of thy + Absence (though Shame would let me hardly behold thy Face) + but exceedingly aggravated, for that I cannot (as I ought) to thy + own self reconcile my self, that thou mightest witness my inward Wo + at this instan Green, _and may grow strait, if he be carefully tended; + otherwise apt enough (I fear me) to follow his Fathers Folly. That + I have offended thee highly, I know; that thou canst forget my + Injuries, I hardly believe; yet I perswade my self, if thou sawest + my wretched estate, thou couldst not but lament it: Nay, certainly + I know thou wouldst. All my wrongs muster themselves about me, and + every Evil at once plagues me: For my Contempt of God, I am + contemned of Men; for my swearing and fors + + Thy Repentant Husband + + for his Disloyalty, + + _Robert Greene_. + +In a Comedy called _Green's Tu quoque_, written by _John Cooke_, I find +these Verses made upon his Death; + + How fast bleak Autumn changeth _Flora_'s Die; + What yesterday was _Greene_, now's sear and dry. + + * * * * * + + + + +_THOMAS NASH_. + + +_Thomas Nash_ was also a Gentleman born, and bred up in the University +of _Cambridge_; a man of a quick apprehension and Satyrick Pen: One of +his first Books he wrote was entituled _Pierce Penniless his +Supplication to the Devil_, wherein he had some Reflections upon the +Parentage of Dr. _Harvey_, his Father being a Rope-maker of +_Saffron-Walden_: This begot high Contests betwixt the Doctor and him, +so that it became to be a well known Pen-Combate. Amongst other Books +which Mr. _Nash_ wrote against him, one was entituled, _Have with ye +to_ Saffron-Walden; and another called _Four Letters confuted_; in +which last he concludes with this Sonnet; + + Were there no Wars, poor men should have no Peace; + Uncessant Wars with Wasps and Drones I cry: + He that begins oft knows not how to cease; + He hath begun; He follow till I die. + Ile hear no Truce, Wrong gets no Grave in me: + Abuse pell-mell encounter with abuse; + Write he again, Ile write eternally; + Who feeds Revenge, hath found an endless Muse. + If Death ere made his black Dart of a Pen, + My Pen his special Bayly shall become: + Somewhat Ile be reputed of 'mongst men, + By striking of this Dunce or dead or dumb: + Await the World the Tragedy of Wrath, + What next I paint shall tread no common Path. + +It seems he had a Poetical Purse as well as a Poetical Brain, being +much straightned in the Gifts of Fortune; as he exclaims in his _Pierce +Penniless_. + + Why is't damnation to despair and die, + When Life is my true happiness disease? + My Soul, my Soul, thy Safety makes me fly + The faulty Means that might my Pain appease. + Divines and dying men may talk of Hell, + But in my Heart her several Torments dwell. + + Ah worthless Wit, to train me to this Wo! + Deceitful Arts that nourish _Discontent_, + Ill thrive the Folly that bewitch'd me so! + Vain Thoughts adieu; for now I will repent: + And yet my Wants persuade me to proceed, + Since none takes pity of a Scholar's need. + + Forgive me, God, although I curse my Birth, + And ban the Ayr wherein I breath a wretch, + Since Misery hath daunted all my Mirth, + And I am quite undone through Promise breach. + Oh Friends! no Friends, that then ungently frown, + When changing Fortune calls us headlong down. + + Without redress complains my careless Verse, + And _Midas_ ears relent not at my mone; + In some far Land will I my griefs rehearse, + 'Mongst them that will be mov'd, when I shall grone. + _England_ adieu, the Soil that brought me forth; + Adieu unkind, where Skill is nothing worth. + +He wrote moreover a witty Poem, entituled, _The White Herring and the +Red_; and two Comedies, the one called _Summer's last Will and +Testament_, and _See me and see me not_. + + * * * * * + + + + +Sir _PHILIP SIDNEY_. + + +Sir _Philip Sidney_, the glory of the _English_ Nation in his time, and +pattern of true Nobility, in whom the Graces and Muses had their +domestical habitations, equally addicted both to Arts and Arms, though +more fortunate in the one than in the other. Son to Sir _Henry Sidney_, +thrice Lord Deputy of _Ireland_, and Sisters Son to _Robert_ Earl of +_Leicester_; Bred in _Christ_'s Church in _Oxford_, (_Cambridge_ being +nevertheless so happy to have a Colledge of his name) where he so +profited in the Arts and Liberal Sciences, that after an incredible +proficiency in all the Species of Learning, he left the Academical +Life, for that of the Court, invited thither by his Uncle, the Earl of +_Leicester_, that great Favourite of Queen _Elizabeth_. Here he so +profited, that he became the glorious Star of his Family, a lively +Pattern of Vertue, and the lovely Joy of all the learned sort. These +his Parts so indeared him to Queen _Elizabeth_, that she sent him upon +an Embassy to the Emperor of _Germany_ at _Vienna_, which he discharged +to his own Honour, and her Approbation. Yea, his Fame was so renowned +throughout all Christendom, that (as it is commonly reported) he was in +election for the Kingdom of _Poland_, though the Author of his Life, +printed before his _Arcadia_, doth doubt of the truth of it, however it +was not above his deserts. + +During his abode at the Court, at his spare hours he composed that +incomparable Romance, entituled, _The Arcadia_, which he dedicated to +his Sister the Countess of _Pembroke_. A Book (saith Dr. _Heylin_) +which, besides its excellent Language, rare Contrivances, and +delectable Stories, hath in it all the strains of Poesie, comprehendeth +the whole art of speaking, and to them who can discern and will +observe, affordeth notable Rules of Demeanour, both private and +publick; and though some men, sharp-witted only in speaking evil, have +depraved the Book, as the occasion that many precious hours are spent +no better, they consider not that the ready way to make the minds of +Youth grow awry, is to lace them too hard, by denying them just and due +liberty. Surely (saith one) the Soul deprived of lawful delights, will, +in way of revenge, (to enlarge its self out of prison) invade and +attempt unlawful pleasures. Let such be condemned always to eat their +meat with no other sawce, but their own appetite, who deprive +themselves and others of those sallies into lawful Recreations, whereof +no less plenty than variety is afforded in this _Arcadia_. + +One writes, that Sir _Philip Sidney_ in the extream agony of his +wounds, so terrible the sence of death is, requested the dearest friend +he had, to burn his _Arcadia_; what promise his friend returned herein +is uncertain; but if he brake his word to be faithful to the publick +good, posterity herein hath less cause to censure him for being guilty +of such a meritorious offence, wherewith he hath obliged so many ages. +Hereupon thus writeth the _British_ Epigramatist. + + _Ipse tuam morient sede conjuge teste jubebas, + Arcadium saevis ignibus esse cibum; + Si meruit mortem, quia flammam accendit amoris + Mergi, non uri debuit iste liber. + In Librum quaecunque cadat sententia nulla, + Debuit ingenium morte perire tuum._ + + In serious thoughts of Death 'twas thy desire + This sportful Book should be condemn'd with Fire: + If so, because it doth intend Love-matters, + It rather should be quench'd or drown'd i' th waters. + However doom'd the Book, the memory + Of thy immortal Wit will never die. + +He wrote also besides his _Arcadia_, several other Works; namely, _A +Defence of Poesie_, a Book entituled _Astrophel_ and _Stella_, with +divers Songs and Sonnets in praise of his Lady, whom he celebrated +under that bright Name; whom afterwards he married, that Paragon of +Nature, Sir _Francis Walsingham_'s Daughter, who impoverished himself +to enrich the State; from whom he expected no more than what was above +all Portions, a beautiful Wife, and a virtuous Daughter. + +He also translated part of that excellent Treatise of _Philip Morney du +Plessis_, of the Truth of Religion; and no doubt had written many other +excellent Works, had not the Lamp of his Life been extinguish'd too +soon; the manner whereof take as followeth: + +His Unkle _Robert Dudley_ Earl of _Leicester_ (a man almost as much +hated as his Nephew was loved) was sent over into the _Low-Countries_, +with a well appointed Army, and large Commission, to defend the _United +Provinces_ against the _Spanish_ Cruelty. Under him went Sir _Philip +Sidney_, who had the Command of the cautionary Town of _Flushing_, and +Castle of _Ramekius_, a Trust which he so faithfully discharged, that +he turned the Envy of the _Dutch_ Townsmen into Affection and +Admiration. Not long after, some Service was to be performed nigh +_Zutphen_ in _Gueiderland_, where the _English_, through false +intelligence, were mistaken in the strength of the Enemy. Sir _Philip_ +is employed next to the Chief in that Expedition; which he so +discharged, that it is questionable whether his Wisdom, Industry or +Valour may challenge to it self the greatest praise of the Action. And +now when the triumphant Lawrels were ready to Crown his Brows, the +_English_ so near the Victory, that they touched it, ready to lay hold +upon it, he was unfortunately shot in the Thigh, which is the +Rendez-vouz of Nerves and Sinews, which caused a Feaver, that proved so +mortal, that five and twenty days after he died of the same; the Night +of whose Death was the Noon of his Age, and the exceeding Loss of +Christendom. + +His Body was conveyed into _England_, and most honourably interred in +the Church of St. _Paul_ in _London_; over which was fixed this +Epitaph: + + _England_, _Netherland_, the Heavens, and the Arts, + All Souldiers, and the World have made fix parts + Of the Noble _Sidney_; for none will suppose + That a small heap of Stones can _Sidney_ enclose: + _England_ hath his Body, for she it bred; + _Netherland_ his Blood, in her defence shed; + The Heavens his Soul, the Arts his Fame; + All Soldiers the Grief, the World his good Name. + +To recite the Commendations given him by several Authors, would of it +self require a Volume; to rehearse some few not unpleasing to the +Reader. The reverend _Cambden_ writes thus; This is that _Sidney_, +whom, as God's will was, he should be therefore born into the world +even to shew unto our Age a Sample of ancient Virtues. Doctor _Heylin_ +in his _Cosmography_ calleth him, That gallant Gentleman of whom he +cannot but make honourable mention. Mr. _Fuller_ in his _Worthies_ thus +writes of him, His homebred Abilities perfected by Travel with foreign +accomplishments, and a sweet Nature, set a gloss upon both. _Stow_ in +his _Annals_, calleth him, a most valiant and towardly Gentleman. +_Speed_ in his Chronicle, That worthy Gentleman in whom were compleat +all Virtues and Valours that could be expected to reside in man: And +Sir _Richard Baker_ gives him this Character, A man of so many +excellent parts of Art and Nature, of Valour and Learning, of Wit and +Magnanimity, that as he had equalled all those of former Ages, so the +future will hardly be able to equal him. + +Nor was this Poet forgotten by the Poets; who offered whole Hecatombs +of Verses in his praise. Hear first that Kingly Poet, or Poetical King, +King _James_ the first, late Monarch of Great _Britain_, who thus +writes, + + _Armipotens cui jus in fortia pectora_ Mayors, + _Tu Dea quae cerebrum perrumpere digna totantis, + Tuque adeo bijugae proles_ Latonia _rupis + Gloria, decidua cingunt quam collibus artes, + Duc tecum, & querelis_ Sidnaei _funera voce + Plangite; nam vester fuerat_ Sidnaeus _alumnus, + Quid genus, & proavos, & spem, floremque juventae, + Immaturo obituraptum sine retexo? + Heu frustra queror? heu rapuit Mors omnia secum? + Et nihil ex tanto nunc est Heroe superstes, + Praeterquam Decus & Nomen virtute paratum, + Doctaque_ Sidneas _testantia Carmina laudes._ + +Thus translated by the said King: + + Thou mighty _Mars_, the Lord of Soldiers brave, + And thou _Mirnerve_, that dost in wit excel, + And thou _Apollo_, who dost knowledge have + Of every Art that from _Parnassus_ fell, + With all your Sisters that thereon do dwell, + Lament for him who duly serv'd you all: + Whom in you wisely all your Arts did mell, + Bewail (I say) his unexpected fall, + I need not in remembrance for to call + His Race, his Youth, the hope had of him ay, + Since that in him doth cruel Death appall + Both Manhood, Wit and Learning every way: + But yet he doth in bed of Honour rest, + And evermore of him shall live the best. + +And in another place thus; + + When _Venus_ sad saw _Philip Sidney_ slain, + She wept, supposing _Mars_ that he had been, + From Fingers Rings, and from her Neck the Chain + She pluckt away, as if _Mars_ ne'er again + She meant to please, in that form he was in, + Dead, and yet could a Goddess thus beguile, + What had he done if he had liv'd this while? + +These Commendations given him by so learned a Prince, made Mr. +_Alexander Nevil_ thus to write; + + Harps others Praise, a Scepter his doth sing, + Of Crowned Poet, and of Laureat King. + +Divine _Du Bartus_, speaking of the most Learned of the _English_ +Nation, reckoneth him as one of the chief, in these words; + + And (world mourn'd) _Sidney_, warbling to the _Thames_, + His Swan-like Tunes, so courts her coy proud Streams, + That (all with child with Fame) his Fame they bear + To _Thetis_ Lap, and _Thetis_ every where. + +Sir _John Harrington_ in his Epigrams thus; + + If that be true the latter Proverb says, + _Laudari a Laudatis_ is most Praise, + _Sidney_, thy Works in Fames Books are enroll'd + By Princes Pens, which have thy Works extoll'd, + Whereby thy Name shall dure to endless days. + +Mr. _Owen_, the _Brittish_ Epigrammatist thus sets him forth: + + Thou writ'st things worthy reading, and didst do + Things worthy writing too. + Thy Arts thy Valour show, + And by thy Works we do thy Learning know. + +I shall conclude all with these excellent Verses made by himself a +little before his Death; + + It is not I that die, I do but leave an Inn, + Where harbour'd was with me all filthy Sin: + It is not I that die, I do but now begin + Into eternal Joy by Faith to enter in, + Why mourn you then my Parents, Friends and Kin? + Lament you when I lose, not when I win. + + * * * * * + + + +Sir _FULK GREVIL_. + + +Next to Sir _Philip Sidney_, we shall add his great Friend and +Associate, Sir _Fulk Grevil_, Lord _Brook_, one very eminent both for +Arts and Arms; to which the _genius_ of that time did mightily invite +active Spirits. This Noble Person, for the great love he bore to Sir +_Philip Sidney_, wrote his Life. He wrote several other Works both in +Prose and Verse, some of which were Dramatick, as his Tragedies of +_Alaham_, _Mustapha_, and _Marcus Tallius Cicero_, and others, commonly +of a Political Subject; amongst which, a Posthume Work, not publish'd +till within a few years, being a two-fold Treatise, the first of +Monarchy, the second of Religion, in all which is observable a close +mysterious and sententious way of Writing, without much regard to +Elegancy of Stile, or smoothness of Verse. Another Posthume Book is +also fathered upon him; namely, _The Five Years of King_ James, _or the +Condition of the State of_ England, _and the Relation it had to other +Provinces_, Printed in the Year 1643. But of this last Work many people +are doubtful. + +Now for his Abilities in the Exercise of Arms, take this instance: At +such time when the _French_ Ambassadours came over into _England_, to +Negotiate a Marriage between the Duke of _Anjou_, and Queen +_Elizabeth_, for their better entertainment, Solemn Justs were +proclaimed, where the Earl of _Arundel, Frederick_ Lord _Windsor_, Sir +_Philip Sidney_, and he, were chief Challengers against all comers; in +which Challenge he behaved himself so gallantly, that he won the +reputation of a most valiant Knight. + +Thus you see, that though _Ease be the Nurse of Poesie_, the Muses are +also Companions to _Mars_, as may be exemplified in the Lives of the +Earl of _Surrey_, Sir _Philip Sidney_, and this Sir _Falk Grevil_. + +I shall only add a word or two of his death, Which was as sad as +lamentable. He kept a discontented servant, who conceiving his deserts, +not soon or well enough rewarded, wounded him mortally; and then (to +save the Law a labour) killed himself. Verifying therein the +observation, _That there is none who never so much despiseth his own +life, but yet is master of another mans_. + +This ingenious Gentleman, (in whose person shined all true Vertue and +high Nobility) as he was a great friend to learning himself, so was he +a great favourer of learning in others, witness his liberality to Mr. +_Speed_ the Chronologer, when finding his wide Soul was stuffed with +too narrow an Occupation, gave it enlargement, as the said Author doth +ingeniously confess in his description of _Warwickshire, Whose Merits_ +(saith he) _to me-ward, I do acknowledge, in setting this hand free +from the daily employments of a Manual Trade, and giving it full +liberty thus to express the inclination of my mind, himself being the_ +Procurer _of my present Estate_. + +He lieth interred in _Warwick_ Church, under a Monument of Black and +White Marble, wherein he is styled, _Servant to Queen_ Elizabeth, +_Counsellor to King_ James, _and Friend to_ Sir _Philp Sidney_. He died +_Anno 16--._ without Issue, save only those of his Brain, which will +make his Name to live, when others Issue they may fail them. + + * * * * * + + + + +Mr. _EDMOND SPENSER_. + + +This our Famous Poet, Mr. _Edmond Spenser_, was born in the City of +_London_, and brought up in _Pembroke-Hall_ in _Cambridge_; where he +became a most excellent Scholar, but especially very happy in _English_ +Poetry, as his learned, elaborate Works do declare, which whoso shall +peruse with a judicious eye, will find to have in them the very height +of Poetick fancy, and though some blame his Writings for the many +_Chaucerisms_ used by him, yet to the Learned they are known not to be +blemishes, but rather beauties to his Book; which, notwithstanding, +(saith a learned Writer) had been more salable, if more conformed to +our modern language. + +His first flight in Poetry, as not thinking himself fully fledged, was +in that Book of his, called _The Shepherds Kalendar_, applying an old +Name to a new Book; It being of Eclogues fitted to each Month in the +Year: of which Work hear what that worthy Knight, Sir _Philip Sidney_ +writes, whose judgment in such cases is counted infallible: _The +Shepherds Kalendar_ (saith he) _hath much Poetry in his Eclogues, +indeed worthy the reading, if I be not deceived; That same framing his +Stile to an old rustick Language, I dare not allow, since neither_ +Theocritus _in_ Greek, Virgil _in_ Latine, _nor_ Sanazara _in_ Italian +_did effect it_. Afterwards he translated the _Gnat_, a little fragment +of _Virgil's_ excellency. Then he translated _Bellay_ his Ruins of +_Rome_; His most unfortunate Work was that of _Mother Hubbard's Tale_, +giving therein offence to one in authority, who afterwards stuck on his +skirts. But his main Book, and which indeed I think Envy its self +cannot carp at, was his _Fairy Queen_, a Work of such an ingenious +composure as will last as long as time endures. + +Now as you have heard what esteem Sir _Philip_ _Sidney_ had of his +Book, so you shall hear what esteem Mr. _Spenser_ had of Sir _Philip +Sidney_, writing thus in his _Ruins of Time_. + + Yet will I sing, but who can better sing + Than thou thy self, thine own selfs valiance? + That while thou livedst thou madest the Forests ring, + And Fields resound, and Flocks to leap and dance, + And Shepherds leave their Lambs unto mischance, + To run thy shrill _Arcadian_ Pipe to hear, + O happy were those days, thrice happy were. + +In the same his Poem of the _Ruins of Time_, you may see what account +he makes of the World, and of the immortal Fame gotten by Poesie. + + In vain do earthly Princes then, in vain, + Seek with Pyramids to Heaven aspir'd; + Or huge Collosses, built with costly pain; + Or brazen Pillars never to be fir'd, + Or Shrines, made of the metal most desir'd, + To make their Memories for ever live, + For how can mortal immortality give? + For deeds do die, however nobly done, + And thoughts of men do in themselves decay, + But wise words taught in numbers for to run, + Recorded by the Muses, live for aye; + Ne may with storming showers be wash'd away, + Ne bitter breathing with harmful blast, + Nor age, nor envy, shall them ever wast. + +There passeth a story commonly told and believed, that Mr. _Spenser_ +presenting his Poems to Queen _Elizabeth_, she highly affected +therewith, commanded the Lord _Cecil_, her Treasurer, to give him an +Hundred Pound; and when the Treasurer (a good Steward of the Queen's +Money) alledged, that Sum was too much for such a matter; then give +him, quoth the Queen, _what is reason_; but was so busied, or seemed to +be so, about matters of higher concernment, that Mr. _Spenser_ received +no reward: whereupon he presented this Petition in a small piece of +Paper to the Queen in her progress. + + I was promis'd on a time, + To have reason for my rime, + From that time unto this season, + I receiv'd nor rime nor reason. + +This tart reflect so wrought upon the Queen, that she gave strict order +(not without some check to her Treasurer) for the present payment of +the hundred pounds she first intended him. + +He afterwards went over into _Ireland_, Secretary to the Lord _Gray_, +Lord Deputy thereof; and though that his Office under his Lord was +lucrative, yet got he no Estate; _Peculiari Poetis fato semper cum +paupertate conflictatus est_, saith the reverend _Cambden_; so that it +fared little better with him, (than with _Churchyard_ or _Tusser_ +before him) or with _William Xiliander_ the _German_, (a most excellent +Linguist, Antiquary, Philosopher, and Mathematician) who was so poor, +that (as _Thuanus_ writes) he was thought, _Fami non famae scribere_. + +Thriving so bad in that boggy Country, to add to his misery, he was +robb'd by the Rebels of that little he had left; whereupon, in great +grief, he returns into _England_, and falling into want, which to a +noble spirit is most killing, being heartbroken, he died _Anno_ 1598. +and was honourably buried at the sole charge of _Robert_, first of that +name Earl of _Essex_, on whose Monument is written this Epitaph. + + Edmundus Spencer, _Londinensis, Anglicorum Poetarum nostri seculi + fuit Princeps, quod ejus Poemata, faventibus Musis, & victuro genio + conscripta comprobant. Obiit immatura morte, Anno salutis_, + 1598. _& prope_ Galfredum Chaucerum _conditur, qui + scoelisissime Poesin Anglicis literis primus illustravit. In quem + haec scripta sunt Epitaphia._ + + _Hic prope_ Chaucerum _situs est_ Spenserius, _illi + Proximus ingenio, proximus ut tumulo. + Hic prope_ Chaucerum Spensere _poeta poetam + Conderis, & versu! quam tumulo proprior, + Anglica te vivo vixit, plausitque Poesis; + Nunc moritura timet, te moriente, mori_. + +These two last lines, for the worthiness of the Poet, are thus +translated by Dr. _Fuller_. + + Whilest thou didst live, liv'd English Poetry, + Which fears, now thou art dead, that she shall die. + +A modern Author writes, that the Lord _Cecil_ owed Mr. _Spenser_ a +grudge for some Reflections of his in _Mother Hubbard's Tale_, and +therefore when the Queen had order'd him that Money, the Lord Treasurer +said, What all this for a Song? And this he is said to have taken so +much to heart, that he contracted a deep Melancholy, which soon after +brought his life to a period: so apt is an ingenious spirit to resent a +slighting even from the greatest persons. And thus much I must needs +say of the Merit of so great a Poet, from so great a Monarch, that it +is incident to the best of Poets sometimes to flatter some Royal or +Noble Patron, never did any do it more to the height, or with greater +art and elegance, if the highest of praises attributed to so Heroick a +Princess can justly be termed flattery. + + * * * * * + + + + +Sir _JOHN HARRINGTON_. + + +Sir _John Harrington_ is supposed to be born in _Somerset-shire_, he +having a fair Estate near _Bath_ in that County. His Father, for +carrying a Letter to the Lady (afterwards Queen) _Elizabeth_, was kept +twelve months in the _Tower_, and made to spend a Thousand Pounds e're +he could be free of that trouble. His Mother also being Servant to the +Lady _Elizabeth_, was sequestred from her, and her Husband enjoyned not +to keep company with her; so that on both sides he may be said to be +very indear'd to Queen _Elizabeth_, who was also his Godmother, a +further tye of her kindness and respects unto him. + +This Sir _John_ was bred up in _Cambridge_, either in _Christ_'s or in +St. _John_'s-Colledge, under Dr. _Still_ his Tutor. He afterwards +proved one of the most ingenious Poets of our _English_ Nation, no less +noted for his Book of witty Epigrams, than his judicious Translation of +_Ariosto's Orlando Furioso_, dedicated to the Lady _Elizabeth_, +afterwards Queen of _Bohemia_. + +The _British_ Epigramatist, Mr. _John Owen_, in his second Book of +Epigrams, thus writes to him: + + A Poet mean I am, yet of the Troop, + Though thou art not, yet better thou canst do't. + +And afterwards in his fourth Book, _Epig._ 20. concerning Envy's +Genealogy; he thus complements him. + + Fair Vertue, foul-mouth'd Envy breeds, and feeds; + From Vertue only this foul Vice proceeds; + Wonder not that I this to you indite, + 'Gainst your rare Vertues, Envy bends her spite. + +It happened that whilest the said Sir _John_ repaired often to an +Ordinary in _Bath_, a Female attendress at the Table, neglecting other +Gentlemen, which sat higher, and were of greater Estates, applied +herself wholly to him, accommodating him with all necessaries, and +preventing his asking any thing with her officiousness. She being +demanded by him, the reason of her so careful waiting on him? _I +understand_ (said she) _you are a very witty man, and if I should +displease you in any thing, I fear you would make an Epigram of me._ + +Sir _John_ frequenting often the Lady _Robert_'s House, his Wives +Mother, where they used to go to dinner extraordinary late, a Child of +his being there then, said _Grace_, which was that of the _Primmer, +Thou givest them Meat in due season_; Hold, said Sir _John_ to the +Child, you ought not to lie unto God, for here we never have our Meat +in due season. This Jest he afterwards turned into an Epigram, +directing it to his Wife, and concluding it thus: + + Now if your Mother angry be for this, + Then you must reconcile us with a kiss. + +A Posthume Book of his came forth, as an addition to Bishop _Godwin's +Catalogue of Bishops_, wherein (saith Dr. _Fuller_) besides mistakes, +some tart reflections in _Uxaratos Episcopos_, might well have been +spared. In a word (saith he) he was a Poet in all things, save in his +wealth, leaving a fair Estate to a learned and religious Son, and died +about the middle of the Reign of King _James_. + + * * * * * + + + + +_JOHN HEYWOOD_. + + +This _John Heywood_ was one of the first writers of _English_ Plays, +contemporary with the Authors of _Gammar Gurton's Needle_, and _Tom +Tyler and his Wife_, as may appear by the Titles of his Interludes; +_viz._ The Play of Love; Play of the Weather; Play between _Johan_ +the Husband, and _Tib_ his Wife; Play between the Pardoner and the +Fryer, and the Curate and Neighbour _Prat_; Play of Gentleness and +Nobility, in two parts. Besides these he wrote two Comedies, the +_Pinner of Wakefield_, and _Philotas_ _Scotch_. There was of this Name, +in King _Henry_ the Eighth's Reign, an Epigramatist, _who_, saith the +Author of the Art of _English_ Poetry, _for the mirth and quickness of +his conceits, more than any good learning was in him, came to be well +benefited by the King._ + + * * * * * + + + + +_THOMAS HEYWOOD_. + + +_Thomas Heywood_ was a greater Benefactor to the Stage than his +Namesake, _John Heywood_, aforesaid, he having (as you may read in an +Epistle to a Play of his, called, _The English Travellers_) had an +entire hand, or at least a main finger in the writing of 220 of them. +And no doubt but he took great pains therein, for it is said, that he +not only Acted himself almost every day, but also wrote each day a +Sheet; and that he might lose no time, many of his Plays were composed +in the Tavern, on the back-side of Tavern Bills; which may be an +occasion that so many of them are lost, for of those 220. mentioned +before, we find but 25. of them Printed, _viz. The Brazen Age_; +_Challenge for Beauty_; _The_ English _Travellers_; _The first and +second part of_ Edward _the Fourth_; _The first and second part of +Queen_ Elizabeth's _Troubles_; _Fair Maid of the West, first and second +part_; _Fortune by Land and Sea_; _Fair Maid of the Exchange_; +_Maidenhead well lost_; _Royal King and Loyal Subject_; _Woman kill'd +with kindess_; _Wise Woman of_ Hogsdon, Comedies. _Four_ London +_Prentices_; _The Golden Age_; _The Iron Age, first and second part_; +Robert _Earl of_ Huntington's _downfal_ Robert _Earl of_ Huntington's +_death_; _The Silver Age_; _Dutchess of_ Suffolk, Histories; _And +Loves Mistress_, a Mask. And, as if the Name of _Heywood_ were +destinated to the Stage, there was also one _Jasper Heywood_, who wrote +three Tragedies, namely, _Hercules Furiens_, _Thyestes_, and _Troas_. +Also, in my time I knew one _Matthew Heywood_; who wrote a Comedy, +called _The Changling_, that should have been acted at _Audley-end_ +House, but, by I know not what accident was prevented. + + * * * * * + + + + +_GEORGE PEEL_. + + +_George Peel_, a somewhat antiquated _English_ Bard of Queen +_Elizabeth_'s date, some remnants of whose pretty pastoral Poetry we +have extant in a Collection, entituled, _England's Helicon_. He also +contributed to the Stage three Plays, _Edward_ the first, a History; +_Alphonsus_, Emperour of _Germany_, a Tragedy; and _David_ and +_Bathsabe_ a Tragi-Comedy; which no doubt in the time he wrote passed +with good applause. + + * * * * * + + + + +_JOHN LILLY_. + + +_John Lilly_, a famous Poet for the State in his time, as by the Works +which he left appears, being in great esteem in his time, and acted +then with great applause of the Vulgar, as such things which they +understood, and composed chiefly to make them merry. Yet so much prized +as they were Printed together in one Volume, namely, _Endymion_, +_Alexander and Campasoe_, _Galatea_, _Midas_, _Mother Boniby_, _Maids +Metamorphosis_, _Sapho and Phao_, _Woman in the Moon_, Comedies; and +another Play called _A Warning for fair Women_; all which declare the +great pains he took, and the esteem which he had in that Age. + + * * * * * + + + + +_WILLIAM WAGER_. + + +This _William Wager_ is most famous for an Interlude which he wrote, +called _Tom Tyler and his Wife_, which passed with such general +applause that it was reprinted in the year 1661. and has been Acted +divers times by private persons; the chief Argument whereof is, _Tyler_ +his marrying to a Shrew, which, that you may the better understand, +take it in the Author's own words, speaking in the person of _Tom +Tyler_. + + I am a poor _Tyler_, in simple array, + And get a poor living, but eight pence a day, + My Wife as I get it doth spend it away; + And I cannot help it, she saith; wot ye why? + For wedding and hanging comes by destiny. + I thought when I wed her, she had been a Sheep, + At board to be friendly, to sleep when I sleep: + She loves so unkindly, she makes me to weep. + But I dare say nothing, god wot; wot ye why? + For wedding and hanging comes by destiny. + Besides this unkindness whereof my grief grows, + I think few _Tylers_ are matcht to such shrows, + Before she leaves brawling, she falls to deal blows. + Which early and late doth cause me to cry, + That wedding and hanging is destiny. + The more that I please her, the worse she doth like me, + The more I forbear her, the more she doth strike me, + The more that I get her, the more she doth glike me. + Wo worth this ill fortune that maketh me cry, + That wedding and hanging is deny. + If I had been hanged when I had been married, + My torments had ended, though I had miscarried, + If I had been warned, then would I have tarried; + But now all too lately I feel and cry, + That wedding and hanging is destiny. + +He wrote also two Comedies, _The Tryal of Chivalry_, and _The longer +thou livest, the more Fool thou art_. + + * * * * * + + + + +_NICHOLAS BRETON_. + + +_Nicholas Breton_, a writer of Pastoral Sonnets, Canzons, and +Madrigals, in which kind of writing he keeps company with several other +contemporary Emulators of _Spencer_ and Sir _Philip Sidney_, in a +publish'd Collection of several Odes of the chief Sonneters of that +Age. He wrote also several other Books, whereof two I have by me, _Wits +Private Wealth_, and another called _The Courtier and the Country-man_, +in which last, speaking of _Vertue_, he hath these Verses: + + There is a Secret few do know, + And doth in special places grow, + A rich mans praise, a poor mans wealth, + A weak mans strength, a sick mans health, + A Ladies beauty, a Lords bliss, + A matchless Jewel where it is; + And makes, where it is truly seen, + A gracious King, and glorious Queen. + + * * * * * + + + + +_THOMAS KID, THOMAS WATSON_, &c. + + +_Thomas Kid_, a writer that seems to have been of pretty good esteem +for versifying in former times, being quoted among some of the more +fam'd Poets, as _Spencer_, _Drayton_, _Daniel_, _Lodge_ &C. with whom +he was either contemporary, or not much later: There is particularly +remembred his Tragedy, _Cornelia_. + +There also flourish'd about the same time _Thomas Watson_, a +contemporary immitater of Sir _Philip Sidney_, as also _Tho. Hudson_, +_Joh. Markham_, _Tho. Achelly_, _Joh. Weever_, _Ch. Middleton_, _Geo. +Turbervile_, _Hen. Constable_, with some others, especially one _John +Lane_, whose Works though much better meriting than many that are in +print, yet notwithstanding had the ill fate to be unpublish'd, but they +are all still reserved in Manuscript, namely, his _Poetical Vision_, +his _Alarm to the Poets_ his _Twelve Months_, his _Guy of Warwick_, a +Heroick Poem; and lastly, his Supplement to _Chaucer's Squires Tale_. + + * * * * * + + + + +Sir _THOMAS OVERBURY_. + + +Sir _Thomas Overbury_, a Knight and Wit, was Son to Sir _Nicholas +Overbury_ of _Burton_ in _Glocester-shire_, one of the Judges of the +Marches; who, to his natural propension of ingenuity, had the addition +of good Education, being bred up first in _Oxford_, afterwards, for a +while a Student of the Law in the _Middle Temple_; soon after he cast +Anchor at Court, the Haven of Hope for all aspiring Spirits; afterwards +travell'd into _France_, where having been some time, he returned +again, and was entertained into the respects of Sir _Rob. Carre_, one +who was newly initiated a Favourite to King _James_; where, by his wise +carriage, he purchased to himself not only the good affection and +respect of Sir _Robert_, but also of divers other eminent persons. + +During his abode with Sir _Robert Carre_, he composed that excellent +Poem of his, entituled, _A Wife_; which, for the excellency thereof, +the Author of the Epistle to the Reader, prefixed before his Book, thus +writes, _Had such a Poem been extant among the ancient_ Romans, _altho' +they wanted our easie conservation of Wit by Printing, they would have +committed it to Brass, lest injurious time might deprive it of due +eternity_. Nor was his Poem of _A Wife_ not only done to the life, but +also those Characters which he wrote, to this day not out-witted by +any. + +But to return from the Work to the Workman; Mr. _Overbury_ is by the +King knighted, and Sir _Rob. Carre_ made a Viscount, and such a +reciprocal Love pass'd betwixt them, that it was questionable, whether +the Viscount were more in favour with King _James_, or Sir _Thomas +Overbury_ in the favour of the Viscount? But what estate on earth is so +firm, that is not changeable, or what friendship is so constant, that +is not dissolvable? Who would imagine this Viscount should be +instrumental to his death, who had done him so faithful service, and to +whom he had embosom'd his most secret thoughts? Yet so it was, for Sir +_Thomas_, out of an unfeigned affection which he bare to the Viscount, +diswaded him from a motion of a Marriage which was propounded betwixt +him and the Lady _Francis Howard_, who was lately divorced from the +Earl of _Essex_, as a Match neither for his credit here, nor comfort +hereafter. This Counsel, though it proceeded from an unfeigned love in +Sir _Thomas_, yet where Beauty commands, all discretion being +sequestred, created in the Viscount a hatred towards him; and in the +Countess the fury of a woman, a desire of revenge, who perswaded the +Viscount, _That it was not possible that ever she should endure those +injuries, or hope for any prosperity so long as he lived; That she +wondred how he could be so familiar, so much affected to his man_ +Overbury; _that without him he could do nothing, as it were making him +his right hand, seeing he being newly grown into the Kings favour, and +depending wholly upon his greatness, must expect to be clouded if not +ruined, when his servant that knew his secrets should come to +preferment._ The Viscount, apt enough of his own inclination to +revenge, being thus further exasperated by the Countess, they joyntly +resolve upon his death, and soon a fit opportunity came to their hands. +He being by King _James_ (and as it is thought by the Viscount's +Counsel) nominated to be sent Embassador to the Emperor of _Russia_, +was by the said Viscount, whom he especially trusted, persuaded to +decline the employment, as no better than an _honourable Grave_; Better +lie some days in the _Tower_, than more months in a worse Prison; a +Ship by Sea, and a barbarous cold Country by Land. _You are now_ (Said +he) _in credit at home, and have made tryal of the dangers of travel, +why then should you hazard all upon uncertainties, being already in +possession of that you can probably expect by these means_; promising +him, that within a small time he would so work with the King, that he +should have a good of opinion him. But he (saith Dr. _Fuller_) who +willingly goes into a Prison out of hope to come easily out of it, may +stay therein so long till he be too late convinced of his error. + +And now having him in the place where they would, their next study to +secure their revenge, was closely to make him away; which they +concluded to be by poyson. To this end, they consult with one Mrs. +_Turner_ (the first inventer of that horrid Garb of yellow Ruffs and +Cuffs, and in which Garb she was after hanged) she having acquaintance +with one _James Franklin_, a man skilled for that purpose, agreed with +him to provide that which should not kill presently, but cause one to +languish away by degrees, a little and a little. Sir _Gervas Yelvis_, +Lieutenant of the Tower, being drawn into the Conspiracy, admits one +_Weston_, Mrs. _Turners_ man, who under pretence of waiting upon Sir +_Thomas_, was to act the horrid Tragedy. The Plot thus continued, +_Franklin_ buyes certain Poysons, _viz. Sosater_, _white Arsenic_, +_Mercury sublimate_, _Cantharides_, red _Mercury_, with three or four +other deadly Ingredients, which he delivered to _Weston_, with +instructions how to use them. _Weston_, (an apt Scholar in the Devil's +School) tempers them in his Broth and Meat, increasing or diminishing +their strength according as he saw him affected. Besides these, +poyson'd Tarts & Jellies are sent him by the Viscount. Nay, they +poysoned his very Salt, Sauce, Meat and Drink; but being of a very +strong Constitution, he held out still: At last they effected their +work by a poysoned Clyster which they administed unto him, so that the +next day he died thereof; and because there were some Blisters and ugly +Botches on his Body, the Conspirators gave it out he died of the +_French Pox_. + +Thus by the Malice of a Woman this worthy Knight was murdered, who yet +still lives in that witty Poem of his, entituled, _a Wife_; as is well +expressed by these Verses under his Picture. + + A man's best Fortune, or his worst's a Wife: + Yet I that knew no Marriage, Peace, nor Strife, + Live by a good one, by a bad one lost my Life. + +But God, who seldom suffers Murder to go unrevenged, revealed the same; +for notwithstanding what the Conspirators had given out, Suspitions grew +high that Sir_ Thomas_ was poysoned: Whereupon _We port_ is examined by +the Lord _Cook_, who at first flatly denied the same; but being +perswaded by the Bishop of _London_, he tells all: How Mrs. _Turner_ +and the Countess came acquainted; what relation she had to Witches, +Sorcerers and Conjurers; and discovers all those who had any hand in +it: whereupon they were all apprehended; some sent to the _Tower_, +others to _Newgate_. Having thus confessed, being convicted according +to course of Law, he was hanged at _Tyburn_; after him Mrs. _Turner_, +after her _Franklin_, then Sir _Gervas Yelvis_, upon their several +Arraignments, were found guilty, and executed. Some of them died very +penitent: The Earl and his Countess were both condemned, but through +the King's gracious Pardon had their Lives saved, but were never +admitted to the Favour of the Court. + +We shall conclude all with this his Epitaph written by himself. + + The span of my days measur'd, here I rest, + That is, my Body; but my Soul, his Guest, + Is hence ascended, whither, neither Time, + Nor Faith, nor Hope, but only Love can clime; + Where being now enlightned, she doth know + The Truth of all men argue of below: + Only this Dust doth here in pawn remain, + That, when the world dissolves, she come again. + + * * * * * + + + + +Mr. _MICHAEL DRAYTON_. + + +Mr. _Drayton_, one who had drunk as deep a Draught at _Helicon_ as any +in his time, was born at _Athelston_ in _Warwickshire_, as appeareth in +his Poetical Address thereunto, _Poly-Olbion_, Song 13. p. 213. + + My native Country then, which so brave Spirits hast bred, + If there be virtue yet remaining in thy earth, + Or any good of thine thou breath'st into my Birth, + Accept it as thine own whilst now I sing of thee, + Of all thy latter Brood th'unworthiest tho' I be. + +He was in his time for fame and renown in Poetry, not much inferior, if +not equal to Mr. _Spencer_, or Sir _Philip Sidney_ himself. Take a +taste of the sprightfulness of his Muse, out of his _Poly-Olbion_, +speaking of his native County _Warwickshire_. + + Upon the Mid-lands now th'industrious Muse doth fall, + That Shire which we the Heart of _England_ well may call, + As she herself extends (the midst which is _Deweed_) + betwixt St. _Michael's Mount_ and _Barwick_-bordering + _Tweed_, + Brave _Warwick_ that abroad so long advanc'd her _Bear_, + By her illustrious Earls renowned every where, + Above her neighbouring Shires which always bore her Head. + +Also in the Beginning of his _Poly-Olbion_ he thus writes; + + Of _Albions_ glorious Isle the wonders whilst I write, + The sundry varying Soyls, the Pleasures infinite, + Where heat kills not the cold, nor cold expells the heat, + The calms too mildly small, nor winds too roughly great. + Nor night doth hinder day, nor day the night doth wrong; + The summer not too short, the winter not too long: + What help shall I invoke to aid my Muse the while? _&c._ + +However, in the esteem of the more curious of these times, his Works +seem to be antiquated, especially this of his _Poly-Olbion_ because of +the old-fashion'd kind of Verse thereof, which seems somewhat to +diminish that respect which was formerly paid to the Subject, although +indeed both pleasant and elaborate, wherein he took a great deal both +of study and pains; and thereupon thought worthy to be commented upon +by that once walking Library of our Nation, Mr. _John Selden_: His +_Barons Wars_ are done to the Life, equal to any of that Subject. His +_Englands Heroical Epistles_ generally liked and received, entituling +him unto the appellation of the _English Ovid_. His Legends of _Robert_ +Duke of _Normandy_. _Matilda_, _Pierce Gaveston_, and _Thomas Cromwel_, +all of them done to the Life. His _Idea_ expresses much Fancy and +Poetry. And to such as love that Poetry, that of _Nymphs_ and +_Shepherds_, his _Nymphals_, and other things of that nature, cannot be +unpleasant. + +To conclude, He was a Poet of a pious temper, his Conscience having +always the command of his Fancy; very temperate in his Life, flow of +speech, and inoffensive in company. He changed his Lawrel for a Crown +of Glory, _Anno_ 1631. and was buried in _Westminster-Abbey_, near the +South-door, by those two eminent Poets, _Geoffry Chaucer_ and _Edmond +Spencer_, with this Epitaph made (as it is said) by Mr. _Benjamin +Johnson_. + + _Do, pious Marble, let thy Readers know + What they, and what their Children ow + To Drayton's Name, whose sacred Dust + We recommend unto thy Trust_ + + _Protect his Memory, and preserve his Story, + Remain a lasting Monument of his Glory: + And when thy Ruines shall disclaim + To be the Treasurer of his Name, + His Name that cannot fade shall be + An everlasting Monument to thee_. + + * * * * * + + + + +_JOSHUA SYLVESTER_. + + +_Joshua Sylvester_, a very eminent Translator of his time, especially +of the Divine _Du Bartus_, whose six days work of Creation, gain'd him +an immortal Fame, having had many great Admirers even to these days, +being usher'd into the world by the chiefest Wits of that Age; amongst +others, the most accomplisht Mr. _Benjamin Johnson_ thus wrote of him. + + If to admire, were to commend my Praise + might then both thee, thy work and merit raise; + But, as it is (the Child of Ignorance + And utter stranger to all Ayr of _France_) + How can I speak of thy great pains, but err; + Since they can only judge that can confer? + Behold! the reverend shade of _Bartus_ stands + Before my thought and (in thy right) commands + That to the world I publish, for him, this: + _Bartus doth with thy_ English _now were his_, + So well in that are his Inventions wrought, + As his will now be the _Translation_ thought, + Thine the Original; and _France_ shall boast + No more those Maiden-Glories she hath lost. + +He hath also translated several other Works of _Du Bartus_; namely, +_Eden_, the _Deceipt_, the _Furies_, the _Handicrafts_, the _Ark_, +_Babylon_, the _Colonies_, the _Columns_, the _Fathers_, _Jonas_, +_Urania_, _Triumph of Faith_, _Miracle of Peace_, the _Vocation_, the +_Fathers_, the _Daw_, the _Captains_, the _Trophies_, the +_Magnificence_, &c. Also a Paradox of _Odes de la Nove_, Baron of +_Teligni_, with the Quadrains of _Pibeac_; all which Translations were +generally well received: but for his own Works which were bound up with +them, they received not so general an approbation; as you may perceive +by these Verses; + + We know thou dost well + As a Translator, + But where things require + A Genius and a Fire, + Not kindled before by others pains, + As often thou hast wanted Brains. + + * * * * * + + + + +Mr. _SAMUEL DANIEL_. + + +Mr. _Daniel_ was born nigh to the Town of _Taunton_ in _Somersetshire_; +his Father was a Master of Musick, and his harmonious Mind (saith Dr. +_Fuller_) made an impression in his Son's Genius, who proved to be one +of the Darlings of the Muses, a most excellent Poet, whose Wings of +Fancy displayed the Flags of highest Invention: Carrying in his +_Christian_ and _Sirname_ the Names of two holy Prophets; which, as +they were Monitors to him, for avoyding Scurrility, so he qualified his +Raptures to such a strain, as therein he abhorred all Debauchery and +Prophaneness. + +Nor was he only one of the inspired Train of _Phoebus_, but also a most +judicious Historian, witness his Lives of our _English_ Kings since the +Conquest, until King _Edward_ the Third, wherein he hath the happiness +to reconcile brevity with clearness, qualities of great distance in +other Authors; and had he continued to these times, no doubt it had +been a Work incomparable: Of which his Undertaking, Dr. _Heylin_ in the +Preface to his _Cosmography_, gives this Character, speaking of the +chiefest Historians of this Nation; _And to end the Bed-roll_ (says he) +_half the Story of this Realm done by Mr._ Daniel, _of which I believe +that which himself saith of it in his Epistle to the Reader, that there +was never brought together more of the Main_. Which Work is since +commendably continued (but not with equal quickness and judgment,) by +Mr. _Truffel_. + +As for his Poems so universally received, the first in esteem is, that +Heroical one of the Civil Wars between the two Houses of _York_ and +_Lancaster_; of which the elaborate Mr. _Speed_, in his Reign of +_Richard_ the Second, thus writes: _The Seeds_ (saith he) _of those +fearful Calamities, a flourishing Writer of our Age_ (speaking of Mr. +_Daniel_) _willing nearly to have imitated_ Lucan, _as he is indeed +called our_ English Lucan, _doth not unfortunately express, tho' he +might rather have said he wept them, than sung them; but indeed so to +sing them, is to weep them._ + + I sing the Civil Wars, tumultuous Broils + And bloody Factions of a mighty Land, + Whose people haughty, proud with foreign spoyls; + Upon their selves turn back their conquering hand + + While Kin their Kin, Brother the Brother foils, + Like Ensigns, all against like Ensigns stand: + Bows against Bows, a Crown against a Crown, + While all pretending right, all right throw down + +Take one Taste more of his Poetry, in his sixth Book of that Heroical +Poem, speaking of the Miseries of Civil War. + + So wretched is this execrable War, + This civil Sword, wherein though all we see + be foul, and all things miserable are, + Yet most of all is even the Victory; + Which is, not only the extream Ruiner + of others, but her own Calamity; + Where who obtains, cannot what he would do: + Their power hath part that holp him thereunto. + +Next, take notice of his _Musophilus_, or general Defence of Learning, +Dedicated to Sir _Fulk Greuil_; his Letter of _Octovia_ to _Marcus +Antonius_, his Complaint of _Rosamond_ his _Panegyrick_, _Delia_, _&c._ +Besides his _Dramatick_ Pieces; as his Tragedy of _Philotus_ and +_Cleopatra_; _Hymenis Triumph_, and the _Queens Arcadia_, a Pastoral; +being all of them of such worth, that they were well accepted by the +choicest Judgments of those Times, and do yet remain in good esteem, as +by their often Impressions may appear. + +This our Poet's deserts preferr'd him to be a Servant in ordinary to +Queen _Anne_, the most illustrious wife of King _James_ I. who allowed +him a fair Salary, such as enabled him to keep a handsom Gardenhouse in +_Old-street_ nigh _London_, where he would commonly lie obscure +sometimes two Months together, the better to enjoy that great Felicity +he aimed at, by enjoying the company of the _Muses_, and then would +appear in publick, to recreate himself, and converse with his Friends; +of whom the most endeared were the Learned Doctor _Cowel_, and +Judicious Mr. _Cambden_. + +And now being weary of the Troubles of the City and Court, he retired +into the Country, and turn'd Husbandman, Renting a Farm or Grange in +_Wiltshire_ nigh the _Devizes_, not so much, as it is thought, for the +hope of gains, as to enjoy the retiredness of a Country Life: How he +thrived upon it, I cannot inform my self, much less my Readers, +although no question pleasing himself therein, he attained to that +Riches he sought for, _viz._ Quiet and Contentedness; which whoso +enjoys, reapeth benefit of his labours. He left no Issue behind him but +those of his Brain, though living a good space of time with _Justina_ +his wife: For his Estate, he had neither a _Bank_ of Wealth, nor _Lank_ +of Want; but living in a competent contented condition, and died (as it +is conjectured) about the latter end of King _James_ I. + + * * * * * + + + + +_GEORGE CHAPMAN_. + + +_George Chapman_ was one in his time much famed for the Fluency of his +Muse; gaining a great repute for his Translation of _Homer_ and +_Hesiod_, which in those times passed as Works done without compare; +and indeed considering he was one of the first who brake the Ice in the +Translation of such learned Authors, reading the highest conception of +their Raptures into a neat polite _English_, as gave the true meaning +of what they intended, and rendred it a style acceptable to the Reader; +considering, I say, what Age he lived in, it was very well worthy +praise; though since the Translation of _Homer_ is very far out-done by +Mr. _Ogilby_. He also continued that excellent Poem of _Hero_ and +_Leander_, begun by _Christopher Marlow_, and added very much to the +Stage in those times by his Dramatick Writings; as his _Blind Beggar_ +of _Alexandria_, _All Fools_, the _Gentleman Usher_, _Humorous Days +Mirth_, _May-Day_, _Mounsieur D'Olive_, _Eastward ho_, _Two wise men, +and all the rest Fools_, _Widows Tears_, Comedies; _Bussy D' Amboys_, +_Byron's Tragedy_, _Bussy D'Amboys Revenge_, _Caesar_ and _Pompey_, +_Revenge for Honour_, Tragedies; the _Temple_, _Masque of the Middle +Temple_ and _Lincolns-Inn_ Masques; and _Byron's Conspiracy_, a +History; in all seventeen. + + * * * * * + + + + +_ROBERT BARON_. + + +Of this _Robert Baron_, we can recover nothing, save only those +Dramatick Pieces which he wrote to the Stage, and which no doubt passed +with good applause in those times. Of these are remembred his _Don +Quixot_, or _the Knight of the Ill-favoured Countenance_, a Comedy; +_Gripus_ and _Hegia_, a Pastoral; _Deorum Dona_, _Dick Scorner_, +_Destruction of Jerusalem_, _the Marriage of Wit and Science_, Masques +and Interludes; and _Myrza_, a Tragedy. + + * * * * * + + + + +_LODOVIC CARLISLE_. + + +To Mr. _Robert Baron_ we may add _Lodovic Carlisle_, as much about the +same time, and of like equal esteem; having written some not yet +totally forgotten Plays, _viz._ _Arviragus_ and _Felicia_, in two +parts; _the deserving Favorite_, _the Fool would be a Favorite_, or +_the deserving Lover_, Tragi-Comedies; _Marius_ and _Scylla_, and +_Osmond the Great Turk_, or _the Noble Servant_, Tragedies; all which +shew him (though not a Master) yet a great Retainer to the Muses. + + * * * * * + + + + +_JOHN FORD_. + + +To these we may add _John Ford_, a Dramatick Writer likewise of those +times; very beneficial to the _Red-Bull_ and _Fortune_-Play-houses; as +may appear by these Plays which he wrote, _viz._ _The Fancies_, _Ladies +Tryal_, Comedies; _the broken Heart_; _Lovers Melancholy_, _Loves +Sacrifice_, _'tis pity she's a Whore_, Tragedies; _Perkin Warbeck_, a +History; and an Associate with _Rowley_ and _Deckar_ in a Tragi-Comedy +called _The Witch_ of _Edmonton_. + + * * * * * + + + + +_ANTHONY BREWER_. + + +_Anthony Brewer_ was also one who in his time contributed very much +towards the _English_ Stage by his Dramatick Writings; especially in +that noted one of his, entituled, _Lingua_; which (as it is reported) +being once acted in _Cambridge_, the late Usurper _Cromwel_ had therein +the Part of _Tactus_, the Substance of the Play being a Contention +among the Senses for a Crown, which _Lingua_, who would have made up a +sixth Sense, had laid for them to find; having this Inscription; + + _Which of the five that doth deserve it best, + Shall have his Temples with this Coronet blest._ + +This Mock-contention for a Crown, is said to swell his Ambition so +high, that afterwards he contended for it in earnest, heading such a +notable Rebellion, as had almost ruined three flourishing Kingdoms. + +But to return to Mr. _Brewer_; Besides this _Lingua_, he wrote _Loves +Loadstone_, and _the Countrey-Girl_, Comedies; _the Love-sick King_, +and _Landagartha_, Tragi-Comedies, and _Loves Dominion_, a Pastoral. + + * * * * * + + + + +_HENRY GLAPTHORN_. + + +_Henry Glapthorn_ was one well deserving of the _English_, being one of +the chiefest Dramatick Writers of this Age; deservingly commendable not +so much for the quantity as the quality of his Plays; being his +_Hollander_, _Ladies Priviledge_, and _Wit in a Constable_, Comedies; +his _Argalus_ and _Parthenia_, a Pastoral; and _Alberus Wailestein_, a +Tragedy; in which Tragedy these Lines are much commended. + + _This Law the Heavens inviolably keep, + Their Justice well may slumber, but ne'er sleep,_ + + * * * * * + + + + +_JOHN DAVIS_ of _Hereford_. + + +In the writing of this Mans Life, we shall make use of Dr. _Fuller_ in +his _England_'s _Worthies_, who saith, that he was the greatest Master +of the Pen that _England_ in his Age beheld; for, + + 1. _Fast writing_; so incredible his expedition. + + 2. _Fair writing_; some minutes consultation being required to + decide whether his Lines were written or printed. + + 3. _Close writing_; a Mystery which to do well, few attain + unto. + + 4. _Various writing_; _Secretary, Roman, Court_ and + _Text_. + +The Poetical Fiction of _Briareus_ the Giant, who had an hundred hands, +found a Moral in him, who could so cunningly and copiously disguise his +aforesaid elemental hands, that by mixing, he could make them appear an +hundred; and if not so many sorts, so many degrees of writing. He had +also many pretty excursions into Poetry, and could flourish Matters as +well as Letters, with his Fancy as well as with his Pen. Take a taste +of his Abilities in those Verses of his before _Coriat's Crudities_, +being called the _Odcombian Banquet_, wherein the whole Club of Wits in +that Age joyned together, to write Mock-commendatory Verses in +_Praise-dispraise_ of his Book. + + _If Art that oft the Learn'd hath stammer'd, + In one Iron Head-piece (yet no Hammer-Lead) + May (joyn'd with Nature) hit Fame on the Cocks-comb, + Then 'tis that Head-piece that is crown'd with_ Odcomb + _For he, hard_ Head (_and_ hard, _sith like a_ Whet-stone) + _It gives_ Wits _edge, and draws them too like_ Jet-stone) + _Is_ Caput Mundi _for a world of School-tricks, + And is not ignorant in the learned'st--tricks + H'hath seen much more than much, I assure ye, + And will see_ New-Troy, Bethlem, _and_ Old-Jury + _Meanwhile (to give a taste of his first travel, + With streams of Rhetorick that get golden Gravel) + He tells how he to_ Venice _once did wander; + From whence he came more witty than a Gander: + Whereby he makes relations of such wonders, + That_ Truth _therein doth lighten, while_ Art _thunders, + All Tongues fled to him that at_ Babel _swerved, + Left they for want of warm months might have starved, + Where they do revel in such passing measure, + (Especially the_ Greek, _wherein's his pleasure.) + That (jovially) so_ Greek _he takes the guard of, + That he's the merriest_ Greek _that ere was heard of; + For he as 'twere his Mothers twittle twattle, + (That's Mother-tongue) the_ Greek _can prittle prattle. + Nay, of that Tongue he so hath got the Body, + That he sports with it at_ Ruffe, Gleek _or_ Noddy, _&c._ + +He died at _London_ in the midst of the Reign of King _James_ I. and +lieth buried in St. _Giles_ in the Fields. + + * * * * * + + + + +Doctor _JOHN DONNE_. + + +This pleasant Poet, painful Preacher, and pious Person, was born in +_London_, of wealthy Parents, who took such care of his Education, that +at nine years of Age he was sent to study at _Hart-Hall_ in _Oxford_, +having besides the _Latine_ and _Greek_, attained to a knowledge in the +_French_ Tongue. Here he fell into acquaintance with that great Master +of Language and Art, Sir _Henry Wootton_; betwixt whom was such +Friendship contracted, that nothing but Death could force the +separation. + +From _Oxford_ he was transplanted to _Cambridge_, where he much +improved his Study, and from thence placed at _Lincolns Inn_, when his +Father dying, and leaving him three thousand pound in ready Money; he +having a youthful desire to travel, went over with the Earl of _Essex_ +to _Cales_; where having seen the issue of this Expedition, he left +them and went into _Italy_, and from thence into _Spain_, where by his +industry he attained to a perfection in their Languages, and returned +home with many useful Observations of those Countries, and their Laws +and Government. + +These his Abilities, upon his Return, preferred him to be Secretary to +the Lord _Elsmore_, Keeper of the Great Seal; in whose Service he fell +in Love with a young Gentlewoman who lived in that Family, Neece to the +Lady _Elsmore_, and Daughter to Sir _George Moor_, Chancellor of the +Garter, and Lieutenant of the Tower, who greatly opposed this Match; +yet notwithstanding they were privately married: which so exasperated +Sir _George Moor_, that he procured the Lord _Elsmore_ to discharge him +of his Secretariship, and never left prosecuting him till he had cast +him into Prison, as also his two Friends who had married him, and gave +him his Wife in Marriage. + +But Mr._Donne_ had not been long there before he found means to get +out, as also enlargement for his two Friends, and soon after through +the mediation of some able persons, a reconciliation was made, and he +receiving a Portion with his Wife, and having help of divers friends, +they lived very comfortably together; And now was he frequently visited +by men of greatest learning and judgment in this Kingdom; his company +desired by the Nobility, and extreamly affected by the Gentry: His +friendship was sought for of most foreign Embassadors, and his +acquaintance entreated by many other strangers, whose learning or +employment occasioned their stay in this _Kingdom_. In which state of +life he composed his _more brisk_ and _youthful Poems_; in which +he was so happy, as if Nature with all her varieties had been made to +exercise his _great Wit_ and _Fancy_; Nor did he leave it off in his +_old age_, as is witnessed by many of his _divine Sonnets_, and other +_high, holy_ and _harmonious Composures_, under his _Effigies_ in these +following Verses to his Printed Poems, one most ingeniously expresses. + + _This was for youth, strength, mirth, and wit, the time + Most count their golden age, but 'twas not thine: + Thine was thy later years, so much refin'd, + From youths dross, mirth, and wit, as thy pure mind, + Thought, like the Angels, nothing but the praise + Of thy Creator in those last best days. + Witness this Book, thy Emblem, which begins + With love, but ends with sighs and tears for sins_. + +At last, by King _James's_ his command, or rather earnest persuasion, +setting himself to the study of _Theology_, and into _holy Orders_, he +was first made a Preacher of _Lincoln's-Inn_, afterwards advanc'd to be +Dean of _Pauls_, and as of an eminent Poet he became a much more +eminent Preacher, so he rather improved then relinquisht his Poetical +fancy, only con converting it from _humane and worldly_ to _divine and +heavenly Subjects_; witness this Hymn made in the time of his sickness. + +_A Hymn to God the Father_. + + Wilt thou forgive that sin where I begun, + Which was my sin, tho' it were done before? + Wilt thou forgive that sin through which I run, + And do run still, tho' still I do deplore? + When thou hast done, thou hast not done, + For I have more. + + Wilt thou forgive that sin which I have won + Others to sin, and made my sin their door? + Wilt thou forgive that sin, which I did shun + A year or two, but wallowed in a score? + When thou hast done, thou hast not done, + For I have more. + + I have a sin of fear, that when I have spun + My last thrid, I shall perish on the shore; + But swear by thy self, that at my death thy son + Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore; + And having done that, thou hast done, + I ask no more. + +He died _March_ 31. _Anno_ 1631. and was buried in St. _Paul's_-Church, +attended by many persons of Nobility and Eminency. After his burial, +some mournful friends repaired, and as _Alexander_ the great did to the +Grave of the most famous _Achilles_, so they strewed his with curious +and costly flowers. Nor was this (tho' not usual) all the honour done +to his reverend ashes; for some person (unknown) to perpetuate his +memory, sent to his Executors, Dr. _King_, and Dr. _Momford_, an 100 +_Marks_ towards the making of a _Monument_ for him; which they +faithfully performed, it being as lively a representation as in dead +Marble could be made of him, tho' since by that merciless Fire in 1666. +it be quite ruined. + +I shall conclude all with these Verses, made to the Memory of this +reverend person. + + He that would write an Epitaph for thee, + And do it well, must first begin to be + Such as thou wert; for none can truly know + Thy worth, thy life, but he that lived so. + He must have wit to spare, and to hurl down, + Enough to keep the Gallants of the Town. + He must have learning plenty, both the Laws + Civil and Common, to judge any Cause; + Divinity great store above the rest, + None of the worst Edition, but the best: + He must have Language, Travel, all the Arts; + Judgment to use, or else he wants thy parts: + He must have friends the highest, able to do, + Such as _Maecenas_ and _Augustus_ too; + He must have such a sickness, such a death, + Or else his vain descriptions come beneath: + He must unto all good men be a friend, + And (like to thee) must make a pious end. + + * * * * * + + + + +Dr. _RICHARD CORBET_. + + +This reverend Doctor was born at _Ewel_ in _Surrey_; a witty Poet in +his youth, witness his _Iter Boreale_, and other _facetious Poems_, +which were the effects of his juvenal fancy; He was also one of those +celebrated Wits, which with Mr. _Benjamin Johnson_, Mr. _Whitaker_, Sir +_Joh. Harrington_, Dr. _Donne_, Mr. _Drayton_, Mr. _Davis_, whom I +mentioned before, and several others, wrote those mock commendatory +Verses on _Coriats Crudities_; which, because the Book is scarce, and +very few have seen it, I shall give you them as they are recited in the +Book. + + I do not wonder, _Coriat_, that thou hast + Over the _Alps_, through _France_, and _Savoy_, past, + Parcht on thy skin, and founder'd in thy feet, + Faint, thirsty, lousie, and didst live to see't. + Tho' these are _Roman_ sufferings, and do show + What Creatures back thou hadst, could carry so; + All I admire is thy return, and how + Thy slender pasterns could thee bear, when now + Thy observations with thy brain ingendred, + Have stufft thy massy and volumnious head + With Mountains, Abbeys, Churches, Synagogues, + Preputial Offals, and _Dutch_ Dialogues: + A burthen far more grievous than the weight + Of Wine or Sleep, more vexing then the freight + Of Fruit and Oysters, which lade many a pate, + And send folks crying home from _Billings-gate_. + No more shall man with Mortar on his head + Set forward towards _Rome_: no, Thou art bred + A terror to all Footmen, and to Porters, + And all Lay-men that will turn _Jews_ Exhorters, + To fly their conquer'd trade: Proud _England_ then + Embrace this luggage, which the man of men + Hath landed here, and change thy Welladay + Into some home-spun welcome Roundelay. + Send of this stuff thy Territories thorough, + To _Ireland_, _Wales_, and _Scottish Edenborough_; + There let this Book be read and understood, + Where is no theme, nor writer half so good. + +He from a Student in, became Dean of _Christchurch_, then Bishop of +_Oxford_, being of a courteous carriage, and no destructive nature to +any who offended him, counting himself plentifully repaired with a Jest +upon him. He afterwards was advanced Bishop of _Norwich_, where he died +_Anno_ 1635. + + * * * * * + + + + +Mr. _BENJAMIN JOHNSON_. + + +This _renowned Poet_, whose Fame surmounts all the Elogies which the +most learned Pen can bestow upon him, was born in the City of +_Westminster_, his Mother living there in _Harts-horn-lane_, near +_Charing-cross_, where she married a _Bricklayer_ for her second +Husband. He was first bred in a private School in St. +_Martin's_-Church, then in _Westminster_-School, under the learned Mr. +_Cambden_, as he himself intimates in one of his Epigrams. + + _Cambden_, most reverend head, to whom I owe + All that I am in Arts, all that I know. + How nothings that, to whom my Country owes, + The great _renown_ and _name_ wherewith she goes. + +Under this _learned Schoolmaster_ he attained to a good degree of +learning, and was statutably admitted in St. _John's_-Colledge in +_Cambridge_, (as many years after incorporated a honorary Member of +_Christ-Church_ in _Oxford_) here he staid but some small time, for +want of maintainance; for if there be no Oyl in the Lamp, it will soon +be extinguish'd: And now, as if he had quite laid aside all thoughts of +the University, he betook himself to the Trade of his Father-in-law; +And let not any be offended herewith, since it is more commendable to +work in a lawful Calling, then having one not to use it. He was one who +helped in the building of the new Structure of _Lincolns-Inn_, where, +having a Trowel in his hand, he had a Book in his pocket, that as his +work went forward, so his study went not backward. + +But such _rare Parts_ as he had could be no more hid, than the Sun in a +serene day, some Gentlemen pitying such rare Endowments should be +buried under the rubbish of so mean a Calling, did by their bounty +manumise him freely to follow his own ingenious inclinations. Indeed +his Parts were not so ready to run of themselves, as able to answer the +spur; so that it may be truly said of him, that he had an elaborate wit +wrought out by his own industry; yet were his Repartees for the most +part very quick and smart, and which favour'd much of ingenuity, of +which I shall give you two instances. + +He having been drinking in an upper room, at the _Feathers_-Tavern in +_Cheap side_, as he was coming down stairs, his foot slipping, he +caught a fall, and tumbling against a door, beat it open into a room +where some Gentlemen were drinking _Canary_; recovering his feet, he +said, _Gentlemen, since I am so luckily fallen into your company, I will +drink with you before I go_. + +He used very much to frequent the _Half-Moon_-Tavern in +_Aldersgate-street_, through which was a common _Thorough fare_; he +coming late that way, one night, was denied passage, whereupon going +through the _Sun_-Tavern a little after, he said, + + _Since that the_ Moon _was so unkind to make me go about, + The_ Sun _hence forth shall take my Coin, the_ Moon _shall go without_. + +His constant humour was to sit silent in learned Company, and suck in +(besides Wine) their several Humours into his observation; what was +_Ore_ in others, he was able to refine unto himself. + +He was one, and the chief of them, in ushering forth the Book of +_Coriats Crudities_, writing not only a Character of the Author, an +explanation of his Frontispiece, but also an Acrostick upon his Name, +which for the sutableness of it, (tho' we have written something of +others mock Verses) we shall here insert it. + + T_ry and trust_ Roger, _was the word, but now_ + H_onest_ Tom Tell-troth _puts down_ Roger, How? + O_f travel he discourseth so at large_, + M_arry he sets it out at his own charge_; + A_nd therein (which is worth his valour, too)_ + S_hews he dare more than_ Paul's _Church-yard durst do._ + + C_ome forth thou bonny bouncing Book then, daughter_ + O_f_ Tom of Odcombe, _that odd jovial Author_, + R_ather his son I should have call'd thee, why_? + Y_es thou wert born out of his travelling thigh_ + A_s well as from his brains, and claim'st thereby_ + T_o be his_ Bacchus _as his_ Pallas: _he_ + E_ver his Thighs_ Male _then and his Brains_ She. + +He was paramount in the Dramatick part of Poetry, and taught the Stage +an exact conformity to the Laws of Comedians, being accounted the most +learned, judicious, and correct of them all, and the more to be admired +for being so, for that neither the height of natural parts, for he was +no _Shakespear_, nor the cost of extraordinary education, but his own +proper industry, and addiction to Books, advanced him to this +perfection. He wrote fifty Plays in all, whereof fifteen Comedies, +three Tragedies, the rest Masques and Entertainments. His Comedies +were, _The Alchimist_, _Bartholomew Fair_, _Cynthia's Revels_, _Caseis +alter'd_, _The Devil is an Ass_, _Every Man in his humour, every Man +out of his humour_, _The Fox_, _Magnetick Lady_, _New Inn_, +_Poetaster_, _Staple of News_, _Sad Shepherd, Silent Woman_, and _A +Tale of a Tub_. His Tragedies were, _Cateline's Conspiracy, Mortimer's +Fall_, and _Seianus_. His Masques and Entertainments, too long here to +write, were thirty and two, besides a Comedy of _East-ward, hoe_? in +which he was partner with _Chapman_. + +These his Plays were above the vulgar capacity, (which are onely +tickled with down-right obscenity) and took not so well at the first +_stroke_, as at the _rebound_, when beheld the second time, yea, they +will endure reading, and that with due commendation, so long as either +ingenuity or learning are fashionable in our Nation. And although all +his Plays may endure the test, yet in three of his Comedies, namely, +_The Fox, Alchymist_, and _Silent Woman_, he may be compared in the +judgment of the learned men, for _decorum, language_ and +_well-humouring_ parts, as well with the chief of the ancient _Greek_ +and _Latine_ Comedians, as the prime of modern _Italians_, who have +been judged the best of _Europe_ for a happy vein in Comedies; nor is +his _Bartholomew Fair_ much short of them. As for his other Comedies, +_Staple of News, Devil's an Ass_, and the rest, if they be not so +sprightful and vigorous as his first pieces, all that are old will, and +all that desire to be old, should excuse him therein; and therefore let +the Name of _Ben Johnson_ sheild them against whoever shall think fit +to be severe in censure against them. Truth is, his Tragedies, _Seianus +and Cateline_ seem to have in them more of an artificial and inflate, +than of a pathetical and naturally Tragick height; yet do they every +one of them far excel any of the _English_ ones that were writ before +him; so that he may be truly said to be the first reformer of the +_English_ Stage, as he himself more truly than modestly writes in his +commendatory Verses of his Servants _Richard Broom_'s Comedy of the +_Northern Lass_. + + Which you have justly gained from the Stage, + By observation of those Comick Laws, + Which I, your Master, first did teach the Age. + +In the rest of his Poetry, (for he is not wholly Dramatick) as his +_Underwoods_, _Epigrams_, &c. he is sometimes bold and strenuous, +sometimes Magisterial, sometimes lepid and full enough of conceit, and +sometimes a man as other men are. + +It seems the issue of his brain was more lively and lasting than the +issue of his body, having several Children, yet none living to survive +him; This he bestowed as part of an Epitaph on his eldest Son, dying an +Infant. + + Rest in soft peace, and ask'd, say, Here doth lye + _Ben Johnson_ his best piece of Poetry. + +But tho' the immortal Memory still lives of him in his learned Works, +yet his Body, subject to mortality, left this life, _Anno_ 1638. and +was buried about the Belfrey in the Abbey-Church at _Westminster_, +having only upon a Pavement over his Grave, this written: + + _O Rare_ Ben Johnson. + +Yet were not the Poets then so dull and dry, but that many expressed +their affection to his Memory in Elegies and Epitaphs; amongst which +this following may not be esteemed the worst. + + The Muses fairest Light in no dark time, + The Wonder of a learned Age; the line + That none can pass: the most proportion'd Wit + To Nature; the best Judge of what was fit: + The deepest, plainest, highest, clearest Pen: + The Voyce most eccho'd by consenting men; + The Soul which answer'd best to all well said + By others; and which most requital made: + Tun'd to the highest Key of ancient _Rome_; + Returning all her Musick with her own; + In whom with Nature, Study claim'd a part, + And yet who to himself ow'd all his Art; + Here lies _Ben Johnson_, every Age will look + With sorrow here, with Wonder on his Book. + + * * * * * + + + + +_FRANCIS BEAUMONT_ and _JOHN FLETCHER_. + + +These two joyned together, made one of the happy _Triumvirate_ (the +other two being _Johnson_ and _Shakespear_) of the chief Dramatick +Poets of our Nation, in the last foregoing Age; among whom there might +be said to be a symmetry of perfection, while each excelled in his +peculiar way: _Ben Johnson_ in his elaborate pains and knowledge of +Authors, _Shakespear_ in his pure vein of wit, and natural Poetick +height; _Fletcher_ in a Courtly Elegance and Gentile Familiarity of +Style, and withal a Wit and Invention so overflowing, that the +luxuriant Branches thereof were frequently thought convenient to be +lopt off by Mr. _Beaumont_; which two joyned together, like _Castor_ +and _Pollux_, (most happy when in conjunction) raised the _English_ to +equal the _Athenian_ and _Roman_ Theaters; _Beaumont_ bringing the +Ballast of Judgment, _Fletcher_ the Sail of Phantasie, both compounding +a Poet to admiration. + +These two admirable Wits wrote in all two and fifty Plays, whereof +three and forty were Comedies; namely, _Beggars Bush_, _Custom of the +Country_, _Captain Coxcomb_, _Chances_, _Cupid's Revenge_, _Double +Marriage_, _Elder Brother_, _Four Plays in one_, _Fair Maid of the +Inn_, _Honest man's Fortune_, _Humorous Lieutenant_, _Island Princess_, +_King and no King_, _Knight of the burning Pestle_, _Knight of_ Malta, +_Little_ French _Lawyer_, _Loyal Subject_, _Laws of_ Candy, _Lovers +Progress_, _Loves Cure_, _Loves Pilgrimage_, _Mad Lover_, _Maid in the +Mill_, _Monsieur_ Thomas, _Nice Valour_, _Night-Walker_, _Prophetess_, +_Pilgrim_, _Philaster, Queen of_ Corinth, _Rule a Wife and have a +Wife_, Spanish _Curate_, _Sea-Voyage_, _Scornful Lady_, _Womans Prize_, +_Women pleased_, _Wife for a Month_, _Wit at several weapons_, and a +_Winters Tale_. Also six Tragedies; _Bonduca_, the _Bloody Brother_, +_False One_, the _Maids Tragedy_, _Thiery and Theodoret_, +_Valentinian_, and _Two Noble Kinsmen_, a Tragi-Comedy, _Fair +Shepherdess_, a Pastoral; and a _Masque of_ Grays-Inn _Gentlemen_. + +It is reported of them, that meeting once in a Tavern, to contrive the +rude Draught of a Tragedy, _Fletcher_ undertook to _kill the King_ +therein, whose Words being over-heard by a Listner (though his Loyalty +not to be blamed herein) he was accused of High Treason, till the +Mistake soon appearing, that the Plot was only against a Dramatick and +Scenical King, all wound off in Merriment. + +Yet were not these two Poets so conjoyned, but that each of them did +several Pieces by themselves, Mr. _Beaumont_, besides other Works, +wrote a Poem, entituled, _Salmacis_ and _Hermaphroditus_, a Fable taken +out of _Ovid's Metamorphosis_; and Mr. _Fletcher_ surviving Mr. +_Beamont_, wrote good Comedies of himself; so that it could not be laid +to his Charge what _Ajax_ doth to _Ulysses_; + + _Nihil hic_ Diomede _remoto_, + + When _Diomedes_ was gone, + He could do nought alone. + +Though some think them inferior to the former, and no wonder if a +single thread was not so strong as a twisted one, Mr. _Fletcher_ (as it +is said) died in _London_ of the Plague, in the first year of King +_Charles_ the First, 1625. + + * * * * * + + + + +_WILLIAM SHAKESPEAR_. + + +This eminent Poet, the Glory of the _English_ Stage (and so much the +more eminent, that he gained great applause and commendation, when able +Wits were his Contemporaries) was born at _Stratford_ upon _Avon_ in +_Warwickshire_, and is the highest honour that Town can boast of. He +was one of the _Triumvirate_, who from Actors, became Makers of +Comedies and Tragedies, _viz. Christopher Marlow_ before him, and Mr. +_John Lacy_, since his time, and one in whom three eminent Poets may +seem in some sort to be compounded, 1. _Martial_, in the warlike sound +of his Sirname, _Hastivibrans_, or _Shakespear_; whence some have +supposed him of military extraction. 2. _Ovid_, the most natural and +witty of all Poets; and hence it was that Queen _Elizabeth_ coming into +a Grammar-School, made this extemporary Verse. + + _Persius_ a Crab-staff, Bawdy _Martial_, _Ovid_ a fine Wag. + +3. _Plautus_, a most exact Comedian, and yet never any Scholar, as our +_Shakespear_ (if alive) would confess himself; but by keeping company +with Learned persons, and conversing with jocular Wits, whereto he was +naturally inclin'd, he became so famously witty, or wittily famous, +that by his own industry, without the help of Learning, he attained to +an extraordinary height in all strains of Dramatick Poetry, especially +in the Comick part, wherein we may say he outwent himself; yet was he +not so much given to Festivity, but that he could (when so disposed) be +solemn and serious; so that _Heraclitus_ himself might afford to smile +at his Comedies, they were so merry, and _Democritus_ scarce forbear to +sigh at his Tragedies, they were so mournful. + +Nor were his Studies altogether confined to the Stage, but had +excursions into other kinds of Poetry, witness his Poem of the _Rape of +Lucrece_, and that of _Venus and Adonis_; wherein, to give you a taste +of the loftiness of his Style, we shall insert some few Lines of the +beginning of the latter. + + Even as the Sun with purple-colour'd face + Had tane his last leave of the weeping Morn, + Rose-cheek'd _Adonis_ hy'd him to the Chase, + Hunting he lov'd, but Love he laught to scorn. + Sick thoughted _Venus_ makes amain unto him, + And like a bold-fac'd Suiter 'gins to woo him. + Thrive fairer than my self (thus she begins) + The fields chief flower, sweet above compare, + Stain to all Nymphs, more lovely than a man; + More white and red than Doves or Roses are: + Nature that made thee with herself at strife, + Says that the world hath ending with thy life, &c + +He was an eminent instance of the truth of that Rule, _Poeta non fit, +sed nascitur_; one is not made, but born a Poet; so that as _Cornish +Diamonds_ are not polished by any Lapidary, but are pointed and +smoothed even as they are taken out of the Earth, so Nature itself was +all the Art which was used on him. + +He was so great a Benefactor to the Stage, that he wrote of himself +eight and forty Plays; whereof 18 Comedies, _viz._ _As you like it_, +_All's well that ends well_, _A Comedy of Errors_, _Gentleman of_ +Verona, _Loves Labour lost_, London _Prodigal_, _Merry Wives of_ +Windsor, _Measure for measure_, _Much ado about Nothing_, _Midsummer +Nights Dream_, _Merchant of_ Venice, _Merry Devil of_ Edmonton, +_Mucedorus, the Puritan Widow_, _the Tempest_, _Twelf-Night_, or _what +you will_, _the taming of the Shrew_, and _a winters Tale_. Fourteen +Tragedies, _viz._ _Anthony and Cleopatra_, _Coriolanus_, _Cymbeline_, +_Hamlet_, _Julius Caesar_, _Lorrino_, _Leir and his three Daughters_, +_Mackbeth_, _Othello the Moor of_ Venice, _Romeo and Juliet_, _Troylus +and Cressida_, _Tymon of_ Athens, _Titus Andronicus_, and _the +Yorkshire Tragedy_. Also fifteen Histories, _viz._ Cromwel's _History_, +_Henry_ 4. in two parts, _Henry_ 5. _Henry_ 6. in three parts, _Henry_ +8. _John King of_ England, in three parts, _Pericles Prince of_ Tyre, +_Richard_ 2. _Richard_ 3. and _Oldrastes Life and Death_. Also _the +Arraignment of Paris_, a Pastoral. + +Many were the Wit-combats betwixt him and _Ben Johnson_, which two we +may compare to a _Spanish great Gallion_, and an _English Man of war_: +Mr. _Johnson_, (like the former) was built far higher in Learning, +solid, but slow in his performances; _Shakespear_, with the _English +Man of war_, lesser in Bulk, but lighter in sayling, could turn with +all Tides, tack about, and take advantage of all Winds, by the +quickness of his Wit and Invention. His History of _Henry_ the Fourth +is very much commended by some, as being full of sublime Wit, and as +much condemned by others, for making Sir _John Falstaffe_ the property +of Pleasure for Prince _Henry_ to abuse, as one that was a _Thrasonical +Puff_, and emblem of mock Valour; though indeed he was a man of Arms +every inch of him, and as valiant as any his Age, being for his +Martial Prowess made Knight of the Garter by King _Henry_ the 6th. + +This our famous Comedian died _An. Dom_. 16--and was buried at +_Stratford_ upon _Avon_, the Town of his Nativity; upon whom one hath +bestowed this Epitaph, though more proper had he been buried in +_Westminster Abbey_. + + Renowned _Spencer_, lie a thought more nigh + To learned _Chaucer_, and rare _Beaumont_ lie + A little nearer _Spencer_ to make room + For _Shakespear_, in your threefold, fourfold Tomb, + To lodge all four in one Bed make a shift + Until Doomsday, for hardly will a fifth + Betwixt this day and that, by Fates be slain + For whom your Curtains may be drawn again. + If your precedency in Death do bar + A fourth place in your sacred Sepulcher, + Under this sacred Marble of thine own, + Sleep rare Tragedian _Shakespear_! sleep alone, + Thy unmolested Peace in an unshar'd Cave, + Possess as Lord, not Tenant of thy Grave, + That unto us, and others it may be + Honour hereafter to be laid by thee. + + * * * * * + + + + +_CHRISTOPHER MARLOW_. + + +_Christopher Marlow_ was (as we said) not only contemporary with +_William Shakespear_, but also, like him, rose from an Actor, to +be a maker of Comedies and Tragedies, yet was he much inferior to +_Shakespear_ not only in the number of his Plays, but also in the +elegancy of his Style. His Pen was chiefly employ'd in Tragedies; +namely, his _Tamberlain_ the first and second Part, _Edward_ the +Second, _Lust's Dominion_, or _the Lascivious Queen_, the _Massacre of_ +Paris, his _Jew of_ Malta, a Tragi-comedy, and his Tragedy of _Dido_, +in which he was joyned with _Nash_. But none made such a great Noise as +his Comedy of _Doctor Faustus_ with his Devils, and such like tragical +Sport, which pleased much the humors of the Vulgar. He also begun a +Poem of _Hero_ and _Leander_; wherein he seemed to have a resemblance +of that clear and unsophisticated Wit which was natural to _Musaeus_ +that incomparable Poet. This Poem being left unfinished by _Marlow_ who +in some riotous Fray came to an untimely and violent end, was thought +worthy of the finishing hand of _Chapman_, as we intimated before; in +the performance whereof, nevertheless he fell short of the Spirit and +Invention with which it was begun. + + * * * * * + + + + +_BARTON HOLYDAY_. + + +_Barton Holyday_, an old Student of _Christ-Church_ in _Oxford_, who +besides his Translation of _Juvenal_ with elaborate Notes, writ several +other things in _English_ Verse, rather learned than elegant; and +particularly a Comedy, called _The Marriage of the Arts_: Out of which, +to shew you his fluent (but too Satyrical Style) take these Verses made +by him to be spoken by _Pocta_, as an Execration against Women. + + O Women, Witches, Fayries, Devils, + The impure extract of a world of Evils; + Natures great Errour, the Obliquity + Of the Gods Wisdom; and th'Anomaly + From all that's good; Ile curse you all below + The Center, and if I could, then further throw + Your cursed heads, and if any should gain + A place in Heaven, Ile rhyme 'em down again + To a worse Ruine, _&c._ + + * * * * * + + + + +_CYRIL TURNER_. + + +_Cyril Turner_ was one who got a Name amongst the Poets, by writing of +two old Tragedies, the _Athei'st's Tragedy_, and the _Revenger's +Tragedy_; which two Tragedies, saith one, + + His Fame unto that Pitch so only raised, + As not to be despised, nor too much prais'd. + + * * * * * + + + + +_THOMAS MIDLETON_. + + +_Thomas Midleton_ was one who by his Industry added very much to the +_English_ Stage, being a copious Writer of Dramatick Poetry. He was +Contemporary with _Johnson_ and _Fletcher_ and tho' not of equal Repute +with them, yet were well accepted of those times such Plays as he +wrote; namely, _Blurt Mr. Constable, the chaste Maid in Cheapside, Your +fine Gallants, Family of Love, More Dissemblers than Women_, the _Game +at Chess,_ the _Mayor of_ Quinborough, _a mad world my Masters, +Michaelmas Term, No Wit like a womans_, the _Roaring Girl, any thing +for a quiet Life_, the _Phenix_ and _a new Trick to catch the old +one_, Comedies; _The world toss'd at Tennis_, and _the Inner Temple_, +Masques; and _Women beware Women_, a Tragedy. Besides what, he was an +Associate with _William Rowley_ in several Comedies and Tragi-Comedies; +as, _the Spanish Gypsies, the Changeling, the Old Law, the fair +Quarrel, the Widow_: Of all which, his _Michaelmas Term_ is highly +applauded both for the plot and neatness of the style. + + * * * * * + + + + +_WILLIAM ROWLEY_. + + +_William Rowley_ was likewise a great Benefactor to the _English_ +Stage, not only in those Plays mentioned before with _Thomas Midleton_, +but also what he wrote alone; as, _A Woman never vext_ a Comedy; _A +Match at Midnight_, and _All's lost by Lust_, Tragedies; and joyn'd +with _Webster_, two Comedies, _The Thracian wonder_, and _A Cure for a +Cuckold_, with _Shakespere, The Birth of_ Merlin, a Tragi-Comedy; and +_The Travels of the three_ English _Brothers_, a History, wherein he +was joyn'd with _Day_ and _Wilkins_. + + * * * * * + + + + +_THOMAS DECKER_. + + +_Thomas Decker_, a great pains-taker in the Dramatick strain, and as +highly conceited of those pains he took; a high-flyer in wit, even +against _Ben Johnson_ himself, in his Comedy, call'd, _The untrussing +of the humorous Poet_. Besides which he wrote also, _The Honest Whore_, +in two Parts; _Fortunatus; If this ben't a good Play the Devil's in't; +Match me in_ London; _The Wonder of a Kingdom; The Whore of_ Babylon, +all of them Comedies. He was also an associate with _John Webster_ in +several well entertain'd Plays, _viz. Northward, hoe? The Noble +Stranger; New trick to cheat the Devil; Westward, hoe? The Weakest goes +to the Wall_; And _A Woman will have her will_: As also with _Rowley_ +and _Ford_ in _the Witch of Edmunton_, a Tragi-Comedy; And also _Wiat's +History_ with _Webster_. + + * * * * * + + + + +_JOHN MARSTON_. + + +_John Marston_ was one whose fluent Pen both in a Comick and Tragick +strain, made him to be esteemed one of the chiefest of our _English_ +Dramaticks, both for solid judgment, and pleasing variety. His Comedies +are, _the Dutch Curtezan; the Fawn; What you will_. His Tragedies, +_Antonio and Melida; Sophonisba; the insatiate Countess_: Besides _the +Malecontent_, a Tragi-Comedy; and _the faithful Shepherd_, a Pastoral. + + * * * * * + + + + +Dr. _JASPER MAIN_. + + +He was in his youth placed a Student of _Christ-Church_ in _Oxford_, a +Nursery of many and excellent good wits, where he lived for many years +in much credit and reputation for his florid wit and ingenious vein in +Poetry, which diffused itself in all the veins and sinews thereof; +making it (according to its right use) an Handmaid to Theology. In his +younger years he wrote two very ingenious and well-approved Comedies, +_viz._ the _City Match_, and the _Amorous War_, both which, in my +judgment, comparable to the best written ones of that time; Nor did he +after his application to Theology, of which he was Doctor, and his +Ecclesiastical preferment, totally relinquish those politer Studies to +which he was before addicted, publishing _Lucian's_ Works, of his own +translating, into _English_, besides many other things of his +composing, not yet publish'd. + + * * * * * + + + + +_JAMES SHIRLEY_. + + +Mr. _James Shirley_ may justly claim a more than ordinary place amongst +our _English_ Poets, especially for his Dramatick Poetry, being the +fourth for number who hath written most Plays, and for goodness little +inferiour to the best of them all. His Comedies, in number twenty two, +are these; _The Ball, the Bird in a Cage, the Brothers, Love in_ _a +Maze, the Constant Maid, Coronation, Court Secret, the Example, the +Gamester, Grateful Servant, Hide-Park, Humorous Courtier, Honoria and +Mammon, Opportunity, the Lady of Pleasure, the Polititian, the Royal +Master, the School of Complements, the Sisters, the witty fair one, the +Wedding_, and _the young Admiral:_ His Tragedies six, _viz. Chabot +Admiral of France, the Cardinal, Loves Cruelty, the Maids Revenge, the +Traytor_, and _the martyr'd Soldier_. Four Tragi-Comedies, _viz. Dukes +Mistress, the Doubtful Heir, the Gentleman of Venice_, and _the +Imposture_, four Masques, _Cupid and Death, Contention of Honour and +Riches, the Triumph of Peace_, and _the Triumph of Beauty; Patrick for +Ireland_, a History; and the _Arcadia_, a _Pastoral_. + + * * * * * + + + + +_PHILIP MASSINGER_. + + +_Philip Massinger_ was likewise one who in his time was no mean +contributer unto the Stage, wherein he so far excell'd as made his Name +sufficiently famous, there being no less than sixteen of his Plays +printed, _viz. The Bondman, the bashful Lover, the City Madam, the +Emperour of the East, the-Great Duke of Florence, the Guardian, Maid of +Honour, New Way to pay Old Debts, the Picture, the Renegado_, and _the +merry Woman_, Comedies: _The Duke of Millain, Fatal Dowry, Roman Actor, +Unnatural Combat_, and _the Virgin Martyr_, Tragedies. + + * * * * * + + + + +_JOHN WEBSTER_. + + +_John Webster_ was also one of those who in that plentiful age of +Dramatick Writers contributed his endeavours to the Stage; being (as we +said before) associated with _Thomas Decker_, in several Plays, which +pass'd the Stage with sufficient applause, as also in two Comedies with +_William Rowley_; besides what he wrote alone, _the Devil's Lam-Case_, +a Tragi Comedy, and _the white Devil_, and _Dutchess of Malfy_, +Tragedies. + + * * * * * + + + + +_WILLIAM BROWN_. + + +Mr. _William Brown_ was a Gentleman (as I take it) of the _Middle +Temple_, who besides his other ingenious Employments, had his +excursions to those sweet delights of Poetry, writing a most ingenious +Piece, entituled, _Britain's Pastorals_, it being for a Subject of an +amorous and rural Nature, worthily deserving commendations, as any one +will confess who shall peruse it with an impartial eye. Take a view of +his abilities, out of his Second Book, first Song of his Pastorals, +speaking of a deform'd Woman. + + And is not she the Queen of Drabs, + Whose Head is perriwigg'd with scabs? + Whose Hair hangs down incurious flakes, + All curl'd and crisp'd, like crawling Snakes; + The Breath of whose perfumed Locks + Might choke the Devil with a Pox; + Whose dainty twinings did entice + The whole monopoly of Lice; + Her Forehead next is to be found, + Resembling much the new-plough'd ground, + Furrow'd like stairs, whose windings led + Unto the chimney of her head; + The next thing that my Muse descries, + Is the two Mill-pits of her Eyes, + Mill-pits whose depth no plum can sound, + For there the God of Love was drown'd, + On either side there hangs a Souse, + And Ear I mean keeps open house, + An Ear which always there did dwell, + And so the Head kept sentinel, + Which there was placed to descry, + If any danger there was nigh, + But surely danger there was bred + Which made them so keep off the head; + Something for certain caus'd their fears, + Which made them so to hang their ears; + But hang her ears; _Thalia_ seeks + To suck the bottle of her cheeks, &c. + + * * * * * + + + + +_THOMAS RANDOLPH_. + + +This Famous Poet was born at _Houghton_ in _Northampton-shire_, and was +first bred in _Westminster-School_, then Fellow in _Trinity-Colledge_ +in _Cambridge_; He was one of such a pregnant Wit, that the Muses may +seem not only to have smiled, but to have been tickled at his Nativity, +such the festivity of his Poems of all sorts. Yet was he also +sententiously grave, as may appear by many of his Writings, not only in +his _Necessary Precepts_, but also in several other of his Poems; take +one instance in the conclusion of his Commendatory Verses to Mr. +_Feltham_, on his excellent Book of _Resolves_. + + 'Mongst thy Resolves, put my Resolves in too; + Resolve who will, this I resolve to do, + That should my Errors chuse anothers line + Whereby to write, I mean to live by thine. + +His extraordinary indulgence to the too liberal converse with the +multitude of his applauders, drew him to such an immoderate way of +living, that he was seldom out of Gentlemens company, and as it often +happens that in drinking high quarrels arise, so there chanced some +words to pass betwixt Mr. _Randolf_ and another Gentleman, which grew +to be so high, that the Gentleman drawing his Sword, and striking at +Mr. _Randolph_, cut off his little finger, whereupon, in an extemporary +humour, he instantly made these Verses: + + Arithmetick nine digits and no more + Admits of, then I have all my store; + But what mischance hath tane from my Lefthand, + It seems did only for a cypher stand, + Hence, when I scan my Verse if I do miss, + I will impute the fault only to this, + A fingers loss, I speak it not in sport, + Will make a Verse a foot too short. + +That he was of a free generous disposition, not regarding at all the +Riches of the World, may be seen in the first Poem of his Book, +speaking of the inestimable content he enjoyed in the Muses, to those +of his friends which dehorted him from Poetry. + + Go sordid earth, and hope not to bewitch + My high born Soul, which flies a nobler pitch; + Thou canst not tempt her with adulterate show, + She bears no appetite that flags so low, &c. + +His Poems publish'd after his death, and usher'd into the World by the +best Wits of those times, passed the Test with general applause, and +have gone through several Impressions; To praise one, were in some sort +to dispraise the other, being indeed all praise-worthy. His _Cambridge +Duns_ facetiously pleasing, as also his _Parley with his Empty Purse_, +in their kind not out-done by any. He was by _Ben. Johnson_ adopted for +his Son, and that as is said upon this occasion. + +Mr. _Randolph_ having been at _London_ so long as that he might truly +have had a parley with his _Empty Purse_, was resolved to go see _Ben. +Johnson_ with his associates, which as he heard at a set-time still +kept a Club together at the _Devil-Tavern_ near _Temple-Bar_; +accordingly at the time appointed he went thither, but being unknown to +them, and wanting Money, which to an ingenious spirit is the most +daunting thing in the World, he peep'd in the Room where they were, +which being espied by _Ben. Johnson_, and seeing him in a Scholars +thredbare habit, _John Bo-peep_, says he, come in, which accordingly he +did, when immediately they began to rime upon the meanness of his +Clothes, asking him, If he could not make a Verse? and withal to call +for his Quart of Sack; there being four of them, he immediately thus +replied, + + I _John Bo-peep_, to you four sheep, + With each one his good fleece, + If that you are willing to give me five shilling, + 'Tis fifteen pence a piece. + +By _Jesus_ quoth _Ben. Johnson_, (his usual Oath) I believe this is my +Son _Randolph_, which being made known to them, he was kindly +entertained into their company, and _Ben. Johnson_ ever after called +him Son. + +He wrote besides his Poems, the _Muses Looking-glass, Jealous Lovers_, +and _Hey for Honesty, down with Knavery_, Comedies; _Amintas_, a +Pastoral, and _Aristippus_, an Interlude. + + * * * * * + + + + +Sir _JOHN BEAUMONT Baronet_. + + +Sir _John Beaumont_ was one who Drank as deep Draughts of _Helicon_ as +any of that Age; and though not many of his Works are Extant, yet those +we have be such as are displayed on the Flags of highest Invention; and +may justly Stile him to be one of the chief of those great Souls of +Numbers. He wrote besides several other things, a Poem of _Bosworth +Field_, and that so Ingeniously, as one thus writes of it. + + Could divine _Maro_, hear his Lofty Strain; + He would condemn his Works to fire again. + +I shall only give you an Instance of some few lines of his out of the +aforesaid Poem, and so conclude. + + Here Valiant _Oxford_, and Fierce _Norfolk_ meet; + And with their Spears, each other rudely greet: + About the Air the shined Pieces play, + Then on their Swords their Noble Hand they lay. + And _Norfolk_ first a Blow directly guides, + To _Oxfords_ Head, which from his Helmet slides + Upon his Arm, and biteing through the Steel, + Inflicts a Wound, which _Vere_ disdains to feel. + But lifts his Faulcheon with a threatning grace, + And hews the Beaver off from _Howards_ Face, + This being done, he with compassion charm'd, + Retires asham'd to strike a Man disarm'd. + But strait a deadly Shaft sent from a Bow, + (Whose Master, though far off, the Duke could know: + Untimely brought this combat to an end, + And pierc'd the Brains of _Richards_ constant Friend. + When _Oxford_ saw him Sink his Noble Soul, + Was full of grief, which made him thus condole. + _Farewel true Knight, to whom no costly Grave + Can give due honour, would my Tears might save + Those streams of Blood, deserving to be Spilt + In better service, had not_ Richard's _guilt + Such heavy weight upon his Fortune laid, + Thy Glorious vertues had his Sins outweigh'd_. + + * * * * * + + + + +_Dr. PHILEMON HOLLAND_. + + +This worthy Doctor, though we find not many Verses of his own +Composing, yet is deservedly placed amongst the Poets; for his numerous +Translations of so many Authors: insomuch that he might be called the +Translator General of his Age; So that those Books alone of his turning +into English, are sufficient to make a Country Gentleman a Competent +Library for Historians. He is thought to have his Birth in +_Warwick-shire_, but more certain to have his Breeding in _Trinity +Colledge_ in _Cambridge_; where he so Profited, that he became Doctor +of Physick: and practised the same in _Coventry_ in his (if so it were) +native Country. Here did he begin and finish the Translation of so many +Authors, that considering their Voluminousness, a Man would think he +had done nothing else; which made one thus to descant on him. + + _Holland_ with his Translations doth so fill us, + He will not let _Suetonius_ be _Tranquillus_. + +Now as he was a Translator of many Authors, so was he very Faithful in +what he did; But what commended him most in the Praise of Posterity, +was his Translating _Cambdens Britania_, a Translation more then a +Translation: he adding to it many more notes then what were first in +the Lattin Edition, but such as were done by Mr. _Cambden_ in his Life +time, discoverable in the former part with Astericks in the Margent; +But these Additions with some Antiquaries obtain not equal +Authenticalness with what was set forth by Mr. _Cambden_ himself. + +Some of these Books (notwithstanding their Gigantick bigness) he wrote +with one Pen, where he himself thus pleasantly versified. + + With one sole Pen, I writ this Book, + Made of a Gray Goose quill: + A Pen it was when I it took, + And a Pen I leave it still. + +This Monumental Pen he kept by him, to show Friends when they came to +visit him, as a great Rarity. + + * * * * * + + + + +_THOMAS GOFF_. + + +_Thomas Goff_ was one whose Abilities rais'd him to a high Reputation +in the Age he lived in; chiefly for his Dramatick Writings: Being the +Author of the _Couragious Turk_, _Rageing Turk_, _Selimus_ and +_Orestes_ Tragedies; the _Careless Shepherdess_ a Tragi-Comedy, and +_Cupids Whirligig_ a Comedy. + + * * * * * + + + + +_THOMAS NABBES_. + + +_Thomas Nabbes_ was also one who was a great Contributer to the +_English_ Stage, chiefly in the Reign of King _Charles_ the First; His +Comedies were _the Brides, Covent-Garden, Totnam Court_, and the +_Woman-hater Arraigned_. His Tragedies, _The Unfortunate Mother_, +_Hannibal_ and _Scipio_, and _The Tragedy of King_ Charles _the First_; +besides two Masques, _The Springs Glory_, and _Microcosmus_, and an +_Entertainment on the Princes Birth-day_, an interlude. + + * * * * * + + + + +_RICHARD BROOME_. + + +_Richard Broome_ was a Servant to Mr. _Benjamin Johnson_, a Servant +(saith one) suitable to such a Master; having an excellent Vain fitted +for a Comique Strain, and both natural Parts and Learning answerable +thereunto; though divers witty only in reproving, say, That this +_Broome_ had only what he swept from his Master: But the Comedies he +Wrote, so well received and generally applauded, give the Lie to such +Detractors; three of which, _viz._ His _Northern Lass, The Jovial +Crew_, and _Sparagus Garden_, are little inferior if not equal to the +writings of _Ben. Johnson_ himself; besides these three Comedies before +mentioned he wrote twelve others, _viz._ The _Antipodes, Court Beggar, +City Wit, Damoyselle, Mock Marriage, Love Sick Court, Mad Couple well +Matcht, Novella, New Exchange, Queens Exchange, Queen and Concubine, +Covent Garden Wedding_, and a Comedy called the _Lancaster Witches_, in +which he was joyned with _Heyward_. + +Now what Account the Wits of that Age had of him, you shall hear from +two of his own Profession in Commendation of two of his Plays; and +first those of Mr. _James Shirley_ on his Comedy the _Jovial Crew_. + + This Comedy (ingenious Friends) will raise + Itself a Monument, without a praise. + Beg'd by the Stationer, who, with strength of purse, + And Pens, takes care, to make his Book sell worse. + And I dare calculate thy Play, although + Not Elevated unto _fifty two_; + It may grow old as time or wit, and he + That dares dispise may after envy thee. + Learning the file of Poesy may be + Fetch'd from the Arts and University: + But he that writes a Play, and good must know, + Beyond his Books, Men, and their Actions too. + Copies of Verse, that makes the new Men sweat, + Reach not a Poem, nor the Muses heat; + Small Brain Wits, and wood may burn a while, + And make more noise then Forrests on a Pile. + Whose Finers shrunk, ma' invite a Piteans Stream, + Not to Lament, but to extinguish them, + Thy fancies Mettal, and thy stream's much higher, + Proof 'gainst their wit, and what that dreads the Fire. + +The other of Mr. _John Ford_ on the _Northern Lass_. + + _Poets_ and _Painters_ curiously compar'd + Give life to Fancy, and Atchieve reward, + By immortality of name, so thrives + _Arts Glory_, that All, which it breaths on lives. + Witness this _Northern Piece_, The Court affords + No newer Fashion, or for wit, or words. + The Body of the Plot is drawn so fair, + That the Souls language quickens with fresh Air. + + This well Limb'd Poem, by no rule, or thought + Too dearly priz'd, being or sold, or bought. + +We could also produce you _Ben. Johnsons_ Verses, with other of the +prime Wits of those times; but we think these sufficient to shew in +what respect he was held by the best Judgments of that Age. + + * * * * * + + + + +_ROBERT CHAMBERLAIN._ + + +This _Robert Chamberlain_ is also remembred amongst the Dramatick +Writers of that time for two Plays which he wrote; the _Swaggering +Damosel_, a Comedy: and _Sicelides_ a Pastoral. There was also one _W. +Chamberlain_ who wrote a Comedy called _Loves Victory_. + + * * * * * + + + + +_WILLIAM SAMPSON._ + + +About the same time also Flourisht _William Sampson_, who wrote of +himself two Tragedies; The _Vow Breaker_, and _the Valiant Scot_: and +joyned with _Markham_ a Tragedy called _Herod_ and _Antipater, and how +to choose a good Wife from a Bad_, a Tragi-Comedy. + + * * * * * + + + + +_GEORGE SANDYS, Esquire._ + + +This worthy Gentleman was youngest Son of _Edwin Sandys_ Arch-Bishop of +_York_, and born at _Bishops Throp_ in that County. He having good +Education, proved a most Accomplished Gentleman, and addicting his mind +to Travel, went as far as the Sepulcher at _Jerusalem_; the rarities +whereof, as also those of _AEgypt_, _Greece_, and the remote parts of +_Italy_: He hath given so lively a Description, as may spare others +Pains in going thither to behold them; none either before or after him +having more lively and truly described them. He was not like to many of +our _English_ Travellers, who with their Breath Suck in the vices of +other Nations, and instead of improving their Knowledge, return knowing +in nothing but what they were ignorant of, or else with _Tom. Coriat_ +take notice only of Trifles and Toyes, such Travellers as he in his +most excellent Book takes notice of, the one sayes he + + Do Toyes divulge---- + + The other carried on in the latter part of the Distick. + + ----Still add to what they hear, + And of a Mole-hill do a Mountain rear. + +But his Travels were not only painful, but profitable, living piously, +and by that means having the blessing of God attending on his +endeavours, making a holy use of his viewing those sacred places which +he saw _Jerusalem_; Take an instance upon his sight of that place where +the three wise men of the _East_ offered their Oblations to our +Saviour. + + Three Kings to th'King of Kings three gifts did bring, + Gold, Incense, Myrrh, as Man, as God, as King; + Three holy gifts be likewise given by thee + To _Christ_, even such as acceptable be; + For Myrhah, Tears; for Frankincense impart + Submissive Prayers; for pure Gold, a pure Heart. + +He most elegantly translated _Ovid_ his _Metamorphosis_ into English +Verse, so that as the Soul of _Aristotle_ was said to have transfigured +into _Thomas Aquinas_, so might _Ovid_'s Genius be said to have passed +into Mr. _Sandys_, rendring it to the full heighth, line for line with +the Latin, together with most excellent Annotations upon each Fable. +But his Genius directed him most to divine subjects, writing a +Paraphrase on the Book of _Job_, _Psalms_, _Ecclesiastes_, _Canticles_, +&c. as also a divine Tragedy on _Christs Passion_. He lived to be a +very aged man, having a youthful Soul in a decayed Body, and died about +the year 1641. + + * * * * * + + + + +Sir _JOHN SUCKLING_. + + +Sir _John Suckling_, in his time, the delight of the Court and darling +of the Muses, was one so filled with _Phoebean_ fire, as for excellency +of his wit, was worthy to be Crowned with a Wreath of Stars, though +some attribute the strength of his lines to favour more of the Grape +than the Lamp; Indeed he made it his Recreation, not his Study, and did +not so much seek fame as it was put upon him: In my mind he gives the +best Character of himself in those Verses of his in the _Sessions of +the Poets_: + + _Suckling_ next was call'd, but did not appear, + But strait one whisper'd _Apollo_ i'th'ear, + That of all men living he cared not for't, + He lov'd not the Muses so well as his sport. + + And prized black eyes, or a lucky hit + At Bowles, above all the Trophies of wit. + But _Apollo_ was angry, and publickly said, + Twere fit that a fine were set upon's head. + +Besides his Poems, he wrote three Plays, the _Goblins_ a Comedy, +_Brenovalt_ a Tragedy, and _Aglaura_ a Tragi-Comedy. He was a loyal +person to his Prince, and in that great defection of Scotch Loyalty in +1639. freely gave the King a hundred Horses. And for his Poems, I shall +conclude with what the Author of his Epistle to the Reader saies of +them, _It had been a Prejudice to posterity, and an_ _injury to his own +Ashes, should they have slept in Oblivion._ + + * * * * * + + + + +Mr. _WILLIAM HABINGTON_. + + +He was one of a quick wit and fluent language, whose Poems coming forth +above thirty years ago, under the Title of _Castara_, gained a general +fame and estimation, and no wonder, since that human Goddess by him so +celebrated, was a person of such rare endowments as was worthy the +praises bestowed upon her, being a person of Honour as well as Beauty, +to which was joyned a vertuous mind, to make her in all respects +compleat. He also wrote the History of the Reign of King _Edward_ the +Fourth, and that in a style sufficiently florid, yet not altogether +pleasing the ear, but as much informing the mind, so that we may say of +that Kings Reign, as Mr. _Daniel_ saith in his Preface to his History +of _England, That there was never brought together more of the main_. +He also wrote a Tragi-Comedy, called, _the Queen of_ Arragon, which as +having never seen, I can give no great account of it. + + * * * * * + + + + +Mr. _FRANCIS QUARLES_. + + +_Francis Quarles_, son to _James Quarles_, Esq; was born at _Stewards_ +at the Parish of _Rumford_, in the County of _Essex_, and was bred up +in the University of _Cambridge_, where he became intimately acquainted +with Mr. _Edward Benlowes_, and Mr. _Phineas Fletcher_, that Divine +Poet and Philosopher, on whose most excellent Poem of the _Purple +Island_, hear these Verses of Mr. _Quarles_, which if they be as +delightful to you in the reading, as to me in the writing, I question +not but they will give you content. + + Mans _Body's_ like a _House_, his greater _Bones_ + Are the main _Timber_; and the lesser ones + Are smaller _splints_: his _ribs_ are _laths_ daub'd o're + Plaister'd with _flesh_ and _blood_: his _mouth's_ the door, + His _throat's_ the narrow _entry_, and his _heart_ + Is the great _Chamber_, full of curious art: + His _midriff_ is a large _Partition-wall_ + 'Twixt the great _Chamber_, and the spacious _Hall_: + His _stomach_ is the _Kitchin_, where the meat + Is often but half sod for want of heat: + His _Spleen's_ a _vessel_ Nature does allot + To take the _skum_ that rises from the Pot: + His _lungs_ are like the _bellows_, that respire + In every _Office_, quickning every fire: + His _Nose_ the _Chimny_ is, whereby are vented + Such _fumes_ as with the _bellowes_ are augmented: + His _bowels_ are the _sink_, whose part's to drein + All noisom _filth_, and keep the _Kitchin_ clean: + His _eyes_ are Christal _windows_, clear and bright; + Let in the object and let out the sight. + And as the _Timber_ is or great, or small, + Or strong, or weak, 'tis apt to stand or fall: + Yet is the likeliest _Building_ sometimes known + To fall by obvious chances; overthrown + Oft times by _tempests_, by the full mouth'd _blasts_ + Of _Heaven_; sometimes by _fire_; sometimes it wafts + Through unadvis'd _neglect_: put case the stuff + Were ruin-proof, by nature strong enough + To conquer time, and age; put case it should + Nere know an end, alas, our _Leases_ would; + What hast thou then, _proud flesh and blood_, to boast + Thy daies are evil, at best; but few, at most; + But sad, at merriest; and but weak, at strongest; + Unsure, at surest; and but short, at longest. + +He afterwards went over into _Ireland_, where he became Secretary to +the Reverend _James Usher_, Arch-bishop of _Armagh_: one suitable to +his disposition, having a Genius byassed to Devotion; Here at leisure +times did he exercise himself in those ravishing delights of Poetry, +but (alwaies with the _Psalmist_) his _heart was inditing a good +matter_; these in time produced those excellent works of his, _viz._ +his Histories of _Jonas_, _Esther_, _Job_, and _Sampson_; his _Sions +Songs_ and _Sions Elegies_, also his _Euchyridion_, all of them of such +a heavenly strain, as if he had drank of _Jordan_ instead of _Helicon_, +and slept on Mount _Olivet_ for his _Pernassus_. He had also other +excursions into the delightful walks of Poetry, namely, his _Argulus_ +and _Parthenia_, a Science (as he himself saith) taken out of Sir +_Philip Sidney's_ Orchard, likewise his _Epigrams_, _Shepherds +Oracles_, Elegies on several persons, his _Hierogliphicks_, but +especially his _Emblems_, wherein he hath _Out-Alciated Alcialus_ +himself. There hath been also acted a Comedy of his called, _The Virgin +Widdow_, which passed with no ordinary applause. But afterwards the +Rebellion breaking forth in _Ireland_ (where his losses were very +great) he was forced to come over; and being a true Loyalist to his +Soveraign, was again plundred of his Estate here, but what he took most +to heart (for as for his other losses he practiced the patience of +_Job_ he had described) was his being plundred of his Books, and some +rare Manuscripts which he intended for the Press, the loss of which, as +it is thought, facilitated his death, which happned about the year of +our Lord, 1643. to whose memory one dedicated these lines by way of +Epitaph. + + To them that understand themselves so well, + As what, and who lies here, to ask, I'll tell, + What I conceive Envy dare not deny, + Far both from falshood, and from flattery. + + Here drawn to Land by Death, doth lie + A Vessel fitter for the Skie, + Than _Jason's Argo_, though in _Greece_ + They say, it brought the Golden Fleece. + The skilful Pilot steered it so, + Hither and thither, too and fro. + Through all the Seas of Poverty, + Whether they far or near do lie, + And fraught it so with all the wealth + Of wit and learning, not by stealth, + Or privacy, but perchance got + That this whole lower World could not + Richer Commodities, or more + Afford to add unto his store. + To Heaven then with an intent + Of new Discoveries, he went + And left his Vessel here to rest, + Till his return shall make it blest. + The Bill of Lading he that looks + To know, may find it in his Books. + + * * * * * + + + + +Mr. _PHINEAS FLETCHER_. + + +This learned person, Son and Brother to two ingenious Poets, himself +the third, not second to either, was son to _Giles Fletcher_, Doctor in +Law, and Embassadour from Queen _Elizabeth_ to _Theodor Juanowick_ Duke +of _Muscovia_; who though a Tyranick Prince, whose will was his Law, +yet setled with him very good Terms for our Merchants trading thither. +He was also brother to two worthy Poets, _viz._ _George Fletcher_, the +Author of a Poem, entituled, _Christs Victory and Triumph over and +after Death_; and _Giles Fletcher_, who wrote a worthy Poem, entituled, +_Christs Victory_, made by him being but Batchelor of Arts, discovering +the piety of a Saint, and divinity of a Doctor. This our _Phineus +Fletcher_ was Fellow of _Kings Colledge_ in _Cambridge_, and in Poetick +fame exceeded his two Brothers, in that never enough to be celebrated +Poem, entituled, _The Purple Island_, of which to give my Reader a +taste (who perhaps hath never seen the Book) I shall here add two +Stanza's of it. + + Thrice happy was the worlds first infancy, + Nor knowing yet, nor curious ill to know: + Joy without grief, love without jealousie: + None felt hard labour, or the sweating Plough: + The willing earth brought tribute to her King: + _Bacchus_ unborn lay hidden in the cling + Of big swollen Grapes; their drink was every silver spring. + +And in another place, speaking of the vanity of ambitious Covetousness. + + Vain men, too fondly wise, who plough the Seas, + With dangerous pains another earth to find: + Adding new Worlds to th'old, and scorning ease, + The earths vast limits daily more unbind! + The aged World, though now it falling shows, + And hasts to set, yet still in dying grows, + Whole lives are spent to win, what one Deaths hour must lose. + +Besides this _Purple Island_, he wrote divers _Piscatorie Eclogues_, +and other _Poetical Miscelanies_, also a Piscatory Comedy called +_Sicelides_, which was acted at _Kings-Colledge_ in _Cambridge_. + + * * * * * + + + + +Mr. _GEORGE HERBERT_. + + +This divine Poet and person was a younger brother of the Noble Family +of the _Herberts_ of _Montgomery_, whose florid wit, obliging humour in +conversation, fluent Elocution, and great proficiency in the Arts, +gained him that reputation at _Oxford_, where he spent his more +youthful Age, that he was chosen University Orator, a place which +required one of able parts to Mannage it; at last, taking upon him Holy +Orders, not without special Encouragement from the King, who took +notice of his extraordinary Parts, he was made Parson of _Bemmerton_ +near _Salisbury_, where he led a Seraphick life, converting his Studies +altogether to serious and Divine Subjects; which in time produced those +his so generally known and approved Poems entituled, _The Temple_. + + Whose Vocal notes tun'd to a heavenly Lyre, + Both learned and unlearned all admire. + +I shall only add out of his Book an Anagram, which he made on the name +of the Virgin _Mary_. + + M A R Y. + A R M Y. + + And well her name an Army doth present, + In whom the Lord of Hosts did pitch his Tent. + + * * * * * + + + + +Mr. _RICHARD CRASHAW_. + + +This devout Poet, the Darling of the _Muses_, whose delight was the +fruitful Mount _Sion_, more than the barren Mount _Pernassus_, was +Fellow first of _Pembrook-Hall_, after of St. _Peters-Colledge_ in +_Cambridge_; a religious pourer forth of his divine Raptures and +Meditations, in smooth and pathetick Verse. His Poems consist of three +parts, the first entituled, _Steps to the Temple_, being for the most +part Epigrams upon several passages of the New Testament, charming the +ear with a holy Rapture. The Second part, _The delights of the Muses_, +or Poems upon several occasions, both English and Latin; such rich +pregnant Fancies as shewed his Breast to be filled with _Phoebean_ +Fire. The third and last part _Carmen Deo nostro_, being Hymns and +other sacred Poems, dedicated to the Countess of _Denbigh_, all which +bespeak him, + + The learned Author of Immortal Strains. + +He was much given to a religious Solitude, and love of a recluse Life, +which made him spend much of his time, and even lodge many Nights under +_Tertullian's_ roof of Angels, in St. _Mary's_ Church in _Cambridge_. +But turning _Roman Catholick_, he betook himself to, that so zealously +frequented place, _Our Lady's of Lorretto in Italy_; where for some +years he spent his time in Divine Contemplations, being a Canon of that +Church, where he dyed. + + * * * * * + + + + +Mr. _WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT_. + + +Mr. _William Cartwright_ a Student of _Christ Church_ in _Oxford_, +where he lived in Fame and Reputation, for his singular Parts and +Ingenuity; being none of the least of _Apollo's_ Sons; for his +excelling vein in Poetry, which produc'd a Volume of Poems, publisht +not long after his Death, and usher'd into the World by Commendatory +Verses of the choicest Wits at that time; enough to have made a Volume +of it self: So much was he reverenced by the Lovers of the Muses. He +wrote, besides his Poems, _The Ordinary_, a Comedy; the _Royal Slave_, +_Lady Errant_, and _The Seige, Or, Loves Convert_, Tragi-Comedies. + + * * * * * + + + + +Sir _ASTON COCKAIN_. + + +Sir _Aston Cockain_ laies Claim to a place in our Book, being remembred +to Posterity by four Plays which he wrote, _viz._ _The Obstinate Lady_, +a Comedy; _Trapolin supposed a Prince_, _Tyrannical Government_, +Tragi-Comedies; and _Thersites_ an Interlude. + + * * * * * + + + + +_Sir JOHN DAVIS_. + + +This worthy Knight, to whom Posterity is indebted for his learned +Works, was well beloved of Queen _Elizabeth_, and in great Favour with +King _James_. His younger Years he addicted to the study of Poetry, +which produced two excellent Poems, _Nosce Teipsum_, and _Ochestra_: +Works which speak themselves their own Commendations: He also wrote a +judicious Metaphrase on several of _David's_ Psalms, which first made +him known at Court: afterwards addicting himself to the Study of the +Common-Law of _England_; he was first made the Kings Serjeant, and +after his Attorney-General in _Ireland_. + + * * * * * + + + + +_THOMAS MAY_. + + +_Thomas May_ was one in his time highly esteemed, not only for +his Translation of _Virgils Georgicks_ and _Lucans Pharsalia_ into +English, but what he hath written _Propria Minerva_, as his Supplement +to _Lucan_, till the Death of _Julius Caesar_: His History of _Henry_ +the Second in Verse; besides what he wrote of Dramatick, as his +Tragedies of _Antigone_, _Agrippina_, and _Cleopatra_; _The Heir_, a +Tragi-Comedy; _The Old Couple_, and _the Old Wives Tale_, Comedies; and +the History of _Orlando Furioso_; of these his Tragi-Comedy of _The +Heir_ is done to the life, both for Plot and _Language_; and good had +it been for his Memory to Posterity, if he had left off Writing here; +but taking disgust at Court for being frustrated in his Expectation of +being the Queens Poet, for which he stood Candidate with Sir _William +Davenant_, who was preferred before him, out of meer Spleen, as it is +thought for his Repulse, he vented his Spite in his History of the late +Civil Wars of _England_; wherein he shews all the Spleen of a +Male-contented Poet, making thereby his Friends his Foes, and rendring +his Fame odious to Posterity; such is the Nature of Malice, that as the +Poet saith, + + Impoison'd with the Drugs of cruel Hate, + Draw on themselves an unavoided Fate. + + * * * * * + + + + +_CHARLES ALEYN_. + + +_Charles Aleyn_ was one and that no despicable Poet, as may be seen by +his Works, which still live in Fame and Reputation, writing in Heroick +verse the Life of King _Henry_ the Seventh, with the Battle of +_Bosworth_; and also the Battle of _Crescy_ and _Poietiers_, in which +he is very pithy and sententious: I shall only give you two instances, +the first out of his Battle of _Crescy_. + + They swell with love who are with valour fill'd, + And _Venus_ Doves may in a Head-piece build. + +The other out of his History of King _Henry_ the Seventh. + + Man and Money a mutual Falshood show, + Man makes false Mony, Mony makes man so. + + * * * * * + + + + +_GEORGE WITHERS_. + + +_George Withers_ was one who loved to Fish in troubled Waters, being +never more quiet then when in Trouble, of a restless Spirit, and +contradicting Disposition; gaining more by Restraint then others could +get by their Freedom, which his ungoverned (not to say worse) Pen often +brought him unto, so that the _Marshalsea_ and _Newgate_ were no +Strangers unto him. He was born in _Hantshire_ (if it be every whit the +more honour to the County for his Birth) a prodigious Pourer forth of +Rhime, which he spued from his Maw, as _Tom Coriat_ formerly used to +spue _Greek_, and that with a great pretence to a Poetical Zeal, +against the Vices of the Times; which he mightily exclaim'd against in +his _Abuses Stript and Whipt_, his _Motto_, _Brittains Remembrancer_, +&c. with other Satyrical Works of the like nature: He turn'd also into +_English_ Verse the Songs of _Moses_, and other Hymns of the Old +Testament; besides these he wrote a Poem called _Philaret_, the +_Shepherds Hunting_, his _Emblems_, _Campo Musae_, _Opo-Balsamum_, the +_Two Pitchers_, and others more then a good many, had not his Muse been +more Loyal than it was; he was living about the Year 1664. when I saw +him, and suppose he lived not long after. + + * * * * * + + + + +_ROBERT HERRIC_. + + +_Robert Herric_ one of the Scholars of _Apollo_ of the middle Form, yet +something above _George Withers_, in a pretty Flowry and Pastoral Gale +of Fancy, in a vernal Prospect of some Hill, Cave, Rock, or Fountain; +which but for the Interruption of other trivial Passages, might have +made up none of the worst Poetick Landskips. Take a view of his Poetry +in his Errata to the Reader in these lines. + + For these Errata's, Reader thou do'st see, + Blame thou the Printer for them, and not me: + Who gave him forth good Grain, tho he mistook, + And so did sow these Tares throughout my Book. + +I account him in Fame much of the same rank, as he was of the same +Standing, with one _Robert Heath_, the Author of a Poem, Entituled, +_Clarastella_, the ascribed Title of that Celebrated Lady, who is +supposed to have been both the Inspirer and chief Subject of them. + + * * * * * + + + + +_JOHN TAYLOR_ the Water-Poet. + + +Some perhaps may think this Person unworthy to be ranked amongst those +Sons of _Apollo_ whom we mentioned before; but to them we shall answer, +That had he had Learning according to his natural Parts, he might have +equal'd, if not exceeded, many who claim a great share in the Temple of +the Muses. Indeed, for ought I can understand, he never learned no +further then his _Accidence_, as we may learn from his own Words in one +of his Books. + + I must confess I do want Eloquence, + And never Scarce did learn my _Accidence_; + For having got from _Possum_ to _Posset;_ + I there was gravel'd, could no further get. + +He was born in _Glocester-shire_, where he went to School with one +_Green_; who, as _John Taylor_ saith, loved new Milk so well, that to +be sure to have it new, he went to the Market to buy a Cow; but his +Eyes being Dim, he cheapned a Bull, and asking the price of the Beast, +the Owner and he agreed; and driving it home, would have his Maid to +Milk it, which she attempting to do, could find no Teats: and whilst +the Maid and her Master were arguing the matter, the Bull very fairly +pist into the Pail; whereupon his Scholar _John Taylor_ wrote these +Verses. + + Our Master _Green_ was over-seen + In buying of a Bull, + For when the Maid did mean to milk, + He pist the Pail half full. + +He was afterwards bound Apprentice to a Waterman of _London_, a +Laborious Trade: and yet though it be said, that _Ease is the Nurse of +Poetry_, yet did he not only follow his Calling, but also plyed his +Writings, which in time produced above fourscore Books, which I have +seen; besides several others unknown to me; some of which were +dedicated to King _James_, and King _Charles_ the First, and by them +well accepted, considering the meanness of his Education to produce +works of Ingenuity. He afterwards kept a Publick House in _Phoenix +Alley_ by _Long-Acre_ continuing very constant in his Loyalty to the +King, upon whose doleful Murther he set up the Sign of the _Mourning +Crown_; but that being counted Malignant in those times of Rebellion, +he pulled down that, and hung up his own Picture, under which were writ +these two lines. + + There's many a King's Head hang'd up for a Sign, + And many a Saint's Head too, then why not Mine? + +He dyed about the Year 1654. upon whom one bestowed this Epitaph. + + Here lies the Water-Poet, honest _John_, + Who rowed on the Streams of _Helicon_; + Where having many Rocks and dangers past, + He at the Haven of Heaven arriv'd at last. + + * * * * * + + + + +_THOMAS RAWLINS_. + + +_Thomas Rawlins_ my old Friend, chief Graver of the Mint to King +_Charles_ the First, as also to King _Charles_ the Second till the Year +1670. in which he died. He was an Excellent Artist, perhaps better then +a Poet, yet was he the Author of a Tragedy called _The Rebellion_, +which hath been acted not without good Applause; besides some other +small things which he wrote. + + * * * * * + + + + +_Mr. THOMAS CAREW_. + + +This learned Gentleman Mr. _Carew_, one of the Bed-Chamber to King +_Charles_ the First, was in his time reckoned among the chiefest for +delicacy of wit and Poetick Fancy, which gained him a high Reputation +amongst the most ingenious persons of that Age. He was a great +acquaintance of Mr. _Thomas May_, whom none can deny to be an able +Poet, although Discontent made him warp his Genius contrary to his +natural Fancy, in commentation of whose Tradi-Comedy called _The Heir_, +Mr. _Carew_ wrote an excellent paper of Verses. His Books of Poems do +still maintain their fame amongst the Curious of the present age. + + * * * * * + + + + +Col. _RICHARD LOVELACE_. + + +I can compare no Man so like this Colonel _Lovelace_ as Sir _Philip +Sidney_, of which latter it is said by one in an Epitaph made of him, + + Nor is it fit that more I should acquaint, + Lest Men adore in one + A Scholar, Souldier, Lover, and a Saint. + +As for their parallel, they were both of noble Parentage, Sir _Philips_ +Father being Lord Deputy of _Ireland_, and President of _Wales_; our +Colonel of a Vicount's name and Family; Scholars none can deny them +both: The one Celebrated his Mistress under the bright name of +_Stella_, the other the Lady Regent of his Affections, under the Banner +of _Lucasta_, both of them endued with transcendent Sparks of Poetick +Fire, and both of them exposing their Lives to the extreamest hazard of +doubtful War; both of them such Soldiers as is expressed by the Poet. + + Undaunted Spirits, that encounter those + Sad dangers, we to Fancy scarce propose. + +To conclude, Mr. _Lovelace's_ Poems did, do, and still will live in +good Esteem with all knowing true Lovers of Ingenuity. + + * * * * * + + + + +_ALEXANDER BROOME_. + + +_Alexander Broome_ our English _Anacreon_, was an Attorney in the Lord +Mayors Court; who besides his practice in Law, addicted himself to a +Jovial strain in the ravishing Delights of Poetry; being the ingenious +Author of most of those Songs, which on the Royalists account came +forth during the time of the _Rump_, and _Oliver's_ Usurpation; and +were sung so often by the Sons of Mirth and _Bacchus_, and plaid to by +the sprightly Violin. Take for a tast a verse of one of his Songs. + + Come, come, let us drink, + 'Tis in vain to think, + Like fools, on grief or Sadness; + Let our Money fly, + And our Sorrows die, + _All worldly care is Madness_: + But Sack and good Chear, + Will in spight of our fear, + Inspire our Souls with Gladness. + +I shall only add his Poem which he made on the great Cryer at +_Westminster-Hall_, by which you may judge of his Abilities in Poetry. + + When the Great Cryer in that greater Room, + Calls _Faunt-le-roy_, and _Alexander Broome_, + The people wonder (as those heretofore, + When the Dumb spoke) to hear a Cryer Roar. + The kitling Crue of Cryers that do stand + With _Eunuchs_ voices, squeaking on each hand, + Do signifie no more, compar'd to him, + Then Member _Allen_ did to Patriot _Pim_. + Those make us laugh, while we do him adore; + Their's are but _Pistol_, his Mouths _Cannon-Bore_. + Now those same thirsty Spirits that endeavor, + To have their names enlarg'd, and last for ever, + Must be Attorneys of this Court, and so + His voice shall like Fame's loudest Trumpet blow + Their names about the world, and make them last, + While we can lend an Ear, or he a Blast. + +He wrote besides those airy Fancies, several other Serious Pieces; as +also a Comedy called the _Cunning Lover_. + + * * * * * + + + + +_Mr. JOHN CLEVELAND_. + + +This eminent Poet, the Wit of our age, was born at _Hinckley_, a small +Market Town in the County of _Leicester_, where his Father was the +Reverend and Learned Minister of the place. _Fortes creantur e +fortibus_, and bred therein under Mr. _Richard Vines_ his +School-master, where he attained to a great perfection in Learning, by +choicest Elegancies in Greek and Latin, more elegantly English; so that +he may be said to have lisped wit, like an English _Bard_, and early +ripe accomplished for the University. + +From a loving Father and learned School-Master, he was sent to _Christ +Colledge_ in _Cambridge_, where he proved such an exquisite Orator, and +pure Latinist, as those his Deserts preferred him to a Fellowship in +St. _Johns_. There he lived about the space of nine Years, the Delight +and Ornament of that Society; what service as well as reputation he did +it, let his excellent Orations and Epistles speak: To which the Library +oweth much of its Learning, the Chapel much of its pious Decency, and +the Colledge much of its Renown. + +He was (saith Dr. _Fuller_) a general Artist, pure Latinist, exquisite +Orator, and (which was his Master-Piece) eminent Poet; whose verses in +the time of the Civil War begun to be in great request, both for their +Wit and Zeal to the King's Cause, for which indeed he appeared the +first, if not only Champion in verse against the _Presbyterian_ party. +His Epistles were pregnant with Metaphors, carrying in them a difficult +plainness, difficult at the hearing, plain at the considering thereof. +His lofty Fancy may seem to stride from the top of one Mountain to the +top of another, so making to it self a constant Level and Champian of +continued Elevations. + +These his eminent parts preferr'd him to be Rhetorick Reader, which he +performed with great Applause; and indeed, what was it in which he did +not excel? This alone may suffice for his Honour, that after the +Oration which he addressed to that incomparable Prince of Blessed +Memory, _Charles_ the First; His Majesty called for him, gave him his +hand to Kiss, and (with great expressions of kindness) commanded a Copy +to be sent after him, whither he was hasting that night. + +Such who have _Clevelandiz'd_, that is, endeavoured to imitate his +Masculine stile, yet could never go beyond his Poem of the +_Hermaphrodite_; which though inserted into Mr. _Randolphs_ Poems (one +of as high a tow'ring Wit as most in that age;) yet is well known to be +Mr. _Clevelands_; it being not only made after Mr. _Randolph's_ death, +but hath in it the very _vein_ and strain of Mr. _Cleveland's_ Writing, +walking from one height to another, in a constant Level of continued +Elevation. And indeed so elaborate are all his other pieces of Poetry, +as to praise one were to detract from the rest, and are not to be the +less valued by the Reader, because most studyed by the Writer: Take but +a taste of the Loftiness of his stile, in those verses of his called +_Smectymnuus_. + + _Smectymnuus!_ the Goblin makes me start, + I'th'name of Rabbi _Abraham_, what art? + _Syriack?_ or _Arabick?_ or _Welsh?_ what skilt? + Ap all the Brick-layers that _Babel_ built. + Some Conjurer translate, and let me know it; + Till then 'tis fit for a _West-Saxon_ Poet. + But do the Brother-hood then play their prizes, + Like Mummers in Religion with Disguizes? + Out-brave us with a name in rank and file, + A name which if't were train'd would spread a mile; + The Saints Monopoly, the zealous Cluster, + Which like a Porcupine presents a Muster. + +Thus he shined with equal Light and Influence, until that great +defection of Loyalty over-spread the Land, and Rebellion began to +unvizard it self; of which no Man had more sagacious Prognosticks, of +which take this one instance; when _Oliver Cromwell_ was in Election to +be Burgess for the Town of _Cambridge_, as he ingaged all his Friends +and Interests to oppose it; so when it was passed, he said with much +passionate zeal, _That single vote ruined both Church and Kingdom_; +such fatal events did he presage from his bloody Beak: For no sooner +did that _Harpey_ appear in the University, but he made good what was +predicted of him, and he amongst others, that were outed for their +Loyalty, was turned out of his Fellowship at St. _Johns_; out of which +Loyal Colledge was then ejected Dr. _Beal_ the Master, thirteen +Batchellors of Divinity, and fourteen Masters of Art, besides Mr. +_Cleveland_. + +And now being forced from the Colledge, he betook himself to the Camp, +and particularly to _Oxford_ the Head quarter of it, as the most proper +and proportionate Sphere for his Wit, Learning, and Loyalty; and added +no small Lustre to that famous University, with which it shined before. + +Here he managed his Pen as the highest Panegyrist (witness his +_Rupertismus_, his Elegy on the Bishop of _Canterbury_, &c.) on the one +side to draw out all good inclinations to vertue: and the smartist +Satyrist, exemplifi'd in the _Rebel Scot_, the _Scots Apostacy_, which +he presented with such a Satyrical Fury, that the whole Nation fares +the worse for it, lying under a most grievous Poetical Censure. Such +also were his Poem of _The mixt Assembly_, his Character of a _London_ +Diurnal, and a _Committee-Man_; Blows that shakes triumphing Rebellion, +reaching the Souls of those not to be reached by Law or Power, striking +each Traytor to a Paleness, beyond that of any Loyal Corps, that bled +by them; such Characters being as indelible as Guilt stabs beyond +Death. + +From _Oxford_, his next stage was the Garrison of _Newark_, where he +was Judge Advocate until the Surrender thereof; and by an excellent +temperature of both, was a just and prudent Judge for the King, and a +faithful Advocate for the Country. Here he drew up that excellent +Answer and Rejoynder to a Parliament Officer, who had sent him a Letter +by occasion of one _Hill_, that had deserted their side, and brought +with him to _Newark_ the sum of 133 _l._ and 8_d._ I shall only give +you part of Mr. _Clevelands_ Answer to his first Letter, by which you +may give an Estimate of the rest. + +Sixthly, _Beloved it is so, that our Brother and fellow-Labourer in the +Gospel is Start aside; then this may serve for an use of instruction, +not to trust in Man, or in the Son of Man. Did not_ Demas _leave_ Paul, +_did not_ Onesimus _run from his Master_ Philemon? _Also this should +teach us to employ our Talents, and not to lay them up in a Napkin_; +_had it been done among the Cavaliers, it had been just, then the_ +Israelite _had spoiled the_ AEgyptian: _but for_ Simeon _to plunder_ +Levi, _that_--that--_&c._ + +This famous Garrison was maintained with much courage and resolution +against the Besiegers, and not surrendred but by the King's special +Command, when first he had surrendred himself into the hands of the +_Scots_; in which action of that Royal Martyr, we may conclude our +_Cleveland Vates,_ both Poet and Prophet: For besides his passionate +resentment of it in that excellent Poem, _The Kings disguise_; upon +some private intelligence, three days before the King reached them, he +foresaw the pieces of Silver paying upon the banks of _Tweed_, and that +they were the price of his Sovereigns Blood, and predicted the Tragical +events. + +Thenceforth he followed the fate of distressed Loyalty, subject to the +Malice and Vengeance of every Fanatick Spirit, which seldom terminates +but in a Goal, which befel this learned Person, being long imprisoned +at _Yarmouth_: where living in a lingering Condition, and having small +hopes of coming out, he composed an Address to that Idol at +_White-Hall, Oliver Cromwell_, written with such Tow'ring Language, and +so much gallant Reason, as looked bigger than his Highness, shrinking +before the Majesty of his Pen, as _Felix_ trembled before _Paul_. So +obtaining his Liberty, not by a servile Submission, but rather a +constrained Violence, neither injuring his Conscience, nor betraying +his Cause. + +And so now with _Daniel_ being delivered out of the Lyons Den, he was +courted to several places, (which contended as emulously for his abode, +as the seven _Grecian_ Cities for _Homers_ Birth;) at last he setled in +_Grays-Inn_, which when he had enobled with some short time of his +residence, an intermitting Fever seized him, whereof he dyed, on +_Thursday_ Morning, _April_ the 29. 1658. from whence his Body was +brought to _Hunsden-House_, and on _Saturday_ being _May-day_, was +buried at _Colledgehill-Church_; His dear Friend Dr. _John Pearson_ +(afterwards Lord Bishop of _Chester_) preached his Funeral Sermon, who +rendred this Reason; why he cautiously declined all commending of the +Party deceased, Because such praising of him would not be adequate to +any expectation in that Auditory; seeing some, who knew him not, would +think it far above him, while those, who knew him must needs know it +far below him. + +Many there were who sought to eternize their own Names by honouring +his; some by Elegies, and other Devices, amongst the rest one made this +Anagram upon his name. + +_JOHN CLEAVELAND_. + +_HELICONIAN DEW_. + +The difficult Trifle (saith one) is rather well endeavoured, than +exactly performed. More happy were those Wits, who descanted on him and +his works in Verse, although so eminent a Poet was never interred with +fewer Elegies than he; for which we may assign two Reasons, One that at +that time the best Fancies of the _Royal Party_ were in restraint, so +that we may in part think their Muses confin'd, as well as their +Bodies. Secondly, not to do it to the heighth, were in a manner to +dispraise him. However I shall adventure to give you an instance in +two, whereof the first of Mr. _Edward Martin_ of _London_. + + Ye Muses do not me deny; + I ever was your Votary. + And tell me, seeing you do daign + T'inspire and feed the hungry Brain; + With what choice Cates? With what choice Fare? + To _Cleaveland's_ fancy still repair? + Fond Man, say they, why do'st thou question thus? + Ask rather with what Nectar he feeds us. + +The other by Mr. _A.B._ printed before Mr. _Cleveland's_ Works. + + _Cleaveland_ again his sacred head doth raise, + Even in the dust crown'd with immortal Bayes, + Again with verses arm'd that once did fright + _Lycambe's_ Daughters from the hated Light, + Sets his bold foot on Reformations neck, + And triumphs o'er the vanquisht Monster _Smec_; + That _Hydra_ whose proud heads did so encrease, + That it deserv'd no less an _Hercules_. + This, this is he who in Poetick Rage, + With Scorpions lash'd the Madness of the age; + Who durst the fashions of the times despise, + And be a Wit when all Mankind grew wise. + When formal Beards at Twenty one were seen, + And men grew Old almost as soon as Men: + Who in those daies when reason, wit, and sence + Were by the Zealots grave Impertinence + _Ycliped_ Folly, and in Ve-ri-ty + Did savour rankly of Carnality. + When each notch'd Prentice might a Poet prove. + For warbling through the Nose a Hymn of Love, + When sage _George Withers_ and grave _William Prin_, + Himself might for a Poets share put in: + Yet then could write with so much art and skill, + That _Rome_ might envy his Satyrick Quill; + And crabbed _Persins_ his hard lines give ore, + And in disdain beat his brown Desk no more. + How I admire the _Cleaveland_! when I weigh + Thy close-wrought Sense, and every line survey! + They are not like those things which some compose, + Who in a maze of Words the Sense do lose. + Who spin one thought into so long a thread, + And beat their Wit we thin to make it spread; + Till 'tis too fine for our weak eyes to find, + And dwindles into Nothing in the end. + No; they'r above the Genius of this Age, + Each word of thine swells pregnant with a Page. + Then why do some Mens nicer ears complain, + Of the uneven Harshness of thy strain? + Preferring to the vigour of thy Muse + Some smooth weak Rhymer, that so gently flowes, + That Ladies may his easy strains admire, + And melt like Wax before the softning fire. + Let such to Women write, you write to Men; + We study thee, when we but play with them. + + * * * * * + + + + +Sir _JOHN BERKENHEAD_. + + +Sir _John Berkenhead_ was a Gentleman, whose Worth and deserts were too +high for me to delineate. He was a constant Assertor of his Majesties +Cause in its lowest Condition, painting the Rebels forth to the life in +his _Mercurius Aulicus_ and other Writings; his _Zany Brittanicus_ who +wrote against him, being no more his Equal, than a Dwarf to a Gyant, or +the goodness of his cause to that of the Kings; for this his Loyalty he +suffered several Imprisonments, yet always constant to his first +Principles. His skill in Poetry was such, that one thus writes of him. + + Whil'st Lawrel sprigs anothers head shall Crown, + Thou the whole Grove mayst challenge as thy Own. + +He survived to see his Majesties happy Restoration, and some of them +hanged who used their best endeavor to do the same by him. As for his +learned Writings, those who are ignorant of them, must plead ignorance +both to Wit and Learning. + + * * * * * + + + + +Dr. _ROBERT WILD_. + + +He was one, and not of the meanest of the Poetical Cassock, being in +some sort a kind of an _Anti-Cleaveland_, writing as high, and standing +up as stifly for the _Presbyterians_, as ever _Cleaveland_ did against +them: But that which most recommended him to publick fame, was his +_Iter Roreale_, the same in Title though not in Argument, with that +little, but much commended Poem of Dr. _Corbets_ mentioned before. This +being upon General _Monk's_ Journey out of _Scotland_, in order to his +Majesties Restoration, and is indeed the Cream and flower of all his +Works, and look't upon for a lofty and conceited Stile. His other +things are for the most part of a tepid and facetious nature, +reflecting on others, who as sharply retorted upon him, for he that +throwes stones at other, 'tis ten to one but is hit with a stone +himself; one of them playing upon his red face thus. I _like the Man +that carries in his Face,_ _the tincture of that bloody banner he +fights under, and would not have any Mans countenance, prove so much an +Hypocrite to cross a French Proverb._ + + His Nose plainly proves, + What pottage he loves. + +Hear one of their reflections upon him, on his humble thanks, for his +Majesties Declaration for Liberty of Confidence. + + When first the _Hawkers_ bawl'd 'ith' streets _Wild_'s name, + A lickerish longing to my Pallat came; + A feast of Wit I look't for, but, alass! + The meat smelt strong, and too much _Sawce_ there was, _&c._ + +Indeed his strain, had it been fitted to a right key, might have +equal'd the chiefest of his age. + + * * * * * + + + + +Mr. _ABRAHAM COWLEY_. + + +This Gentleman was one, who may well be stil'd the glory of our +Nation, both of the present and past ages, whole early Muse began to +dawn at the Thirteenth year of his age, being then a Scholar at +_Westminster_-School which produc'd two little Poems, the one called +_Antonius_ and _Melida_, the other _Pyramus_ and _Thisbe_; discovering +in them a maturity of Sence far above the years that writ them; shewing +by these his early Fruits, what in time his stock of worth would come +to. And indeed Fame was not deceived in him of its Expectation, he +having built a lasting Monument of his worth to posterity, in that +compleat Volume of his Works, divided into four parts: His Mistress, +being the amorous Prolusions of his youthful Muse; his Miscelanies, or +Poems of various arguments; his most admired Heroick Poem _Davideis_, +the first Books whereof he compos'd while but a young Student at +_Trinity_-Colledge in _Cambridge_; and lastly, that is, in order of +time though not of place, his _Pindaric Odes_, so call'd from the +Measure, in which he translated the first _Ithmian_ and _Nemean Odes_, +where as the form of those _Odes_ in the _Original_ is very different, +yet so well were they approved by succeeding Authors, that our primest +Wits have hitherto driven a notable Trade in _Pindaric Odes_. But +besides these his _English_ Poems, there is extant of his writing a +Latine Volume by it self, containing a Poem of Herbs and Plants: Also +he Translated two Books of his _Davideis_ into Latine Verse, which is +in the large Volume amongst the rest of his Works. + + * * * * * + + + + +Mr. _EDMOND WALLER_. + + +This Gentleman is one of the most fam'd Poets, and that not +undeservedly of the present age, excelling in the charming Sweets of +his Lyrick Odes, or amorous Sonnets, as also in his other occasional +Poems both smooth and strenuous, rich of Conceit, and eloquently +adorned with proper Similies: view his abilities in this Poem of his, +concerning the Puissance of our Navies, and the _English_ Dominion at +Sea. + + Lords of the Worlds great Wast, the Ocean, we + Whole Forrests send to reign upon the Sea; + And every Coast may trouble or relieve, + But none can visit us without our leave; + Angels and we have this Prerogative, + That none can at our happy Seat arrive, + While we descend at pleasure to invade + The bad with Vengeance, or the good to aid: + Our little world the image of the great, + Like that amidst the boundless Ocean set, + Of her own growth has all that Nature craves, + And all that's rare as Tribute from the waves. + _As AEgypt_ does not on the Clouds rely, + But to her _Nyle_ owes more then to the sky; + So what our Earth, and what our Heaven denies, + Our ever constant friend, the Sea supplies. + The tast of hot _Arabia's_ Spice we know, + Free from the Scorching Sun that makes it grow; + Without the worm, in _Persian_ Silks we shine, + And without Planting drink of every Vine; + To dig for wealth we weary not our limbs, + Gold, though the heaviest metal, hither swims. + Ours is the Harvest where the _Indians_ mow, + We plough the deep, and reap what others Sow. + +I shall only add two lines more of his, quoted by several Authors. + + All that the Angels do above, + Is that they sing; and that they love. + +In sum, this our Poet was not Inferior to _Carew_, _Lovelace_, nor any +of those who were accounted the brightest Stars in the Firmament of +Poetry. + + * * * * * + + + + +Sir _JOHN DENHAM_. + + +Sir _John Denham_ was a Gentleman, who to his other Honors had this +added; that he was one of the Chief of the _Delphick Quire_, and for +his Writings worthy to be Crowned with a wreath of Stars. The +excellency of his Poetry may be seen in his _Coopers Hill_, which +whosoever shall deny, may be accounted no Friends to the Muses: His +Tragedy of the _Sophy_, is equal to any of the Chiefest Authors, which +with his other Works bound together in one Volume, will make his name +Famous to all Posterity. + + * * * * * + + + + +Sir _WILLIAM DAVENANT_. + + +Sir _William Davenant_, may be accounted one of the Chiefest of +_Apollo's_ Sons, for the great Fluency of his Wit and Fancy: Especially +his _Gondibert_, the Crown of all his other Writings; to which Mr. +_Hobbs_ of _Malmsbury_ wrote a Preface, wherein he extolleth him to the +Skyes; wherein no wonder (sayes one) if Compliment and Friendly +Compliance do a little biass and over-sway Judgment. He also wrote a +Poem entituled _Madagascur_, also a _Farrago_ of his Juvenile, and +other Miscelaneous Pieces: But his Chiefest matter was what he wrote +for the _English_ Stage, of which was four Comedies, _viz._ _Love and +Honour_, _The Man is the Master_; _The Platonick Lovers_; and _The +Wits_. Three Tragedies; _Albovine_, _The Cruel Brother_, and _The +unfortunate Lovers_. Two Tragi-Comedies, the _Just Italian_; and the +_Lost Lady_. And Six Masques, _viz._ _Brittania Triumphans_; _The +Cruelty of the_ Spaniards _in_ Peru; _Drakes_ History First Part; +_Siege of Rhodes_ in two Parts, and _The temple of Love_; Besides his +Musical Drama's, when the usual Playes were not suffered to be Acted, +whereof he was the first Reviver and Improver by painted Scenes after +his Majesties Restoration; erecting a new Company of Actors, under the +Patronage of the Duke of _York_. + +Now this our Poet, as he was a Wit himself, so did several of the Wits +play upon him; amongst others Sir _John Suckling_ in his Session of the +Poets hath these Verses. + + _Will Davenant_ asham'd of a Foolish mischance + That he had got lately Travelling into _France_; + Modestly hoped the Handsomness of's Muse, + Might any Deformity about him excuse. + +And + + Surely the Company would have been content, + If they could have found any President; + But in all their Records either in Verse or Prose, + There was not one Laureat without a Nose. + +His Works since his Death have been fairly Published in a large Volume; +to which I refer my Reader. + + * * * * * + + + + +Sir _GEORGE WHARTON_. + + +He was one was a good Souldier, Famous Mathematician, and an excellent +Poet; alwayes Loyal to his Prince: For whose Service he raised a Troop +of Horse at his own Charge, of which he became Captain himself; and +with much Gallantry and Resolution behaved himself. Nor was he less +serviceable to the Royal Cause with his Pen, of which he was a resolute +Assertor: Suffering very much by Imprisonment, even to the apparent +hazard of his Life. He having so Satyrically wounded them in his +_Elenctichus_, as left indelible Characters of Infamy upon their +Actions. His Excellent Works collected into one Volume, and Published +in the Year, 1683. By the Ingenious Mr. _Gadbury_, are a sufficient +Testimony of his Learning, Ingenuity and Loyalty; to which I refer the +Reader. + +In sum, as he participated of his Masters Sufferings; So did he enjoy +the Benefit of his Restoration, having given him a Place of great Honor +and Profit, with which he lived in Credit and Reputation all the days +of his Life. + + * * * * * + + + + +_Sir ROBERT HOWARD_. + + +Sir _Robert Howard_, of the Noble Family of the Earls of _Berk-shire_, +a Name so reverenced, as it had Six Earls at one time of that Name. +This Noble Person to his other Abilities, which Capacitated him for a +Principal Office in his Majesties Exchequer; attained to a considerable +Fame by his Poetical Works: Especially for what he hath written to the +Stage, _viz_. The _Blind Lady_; _The Committee_; and _The Surprizal_, +Comedies; The _Great Favorite_, and _The Vestal Virgin_, Tragedies; +_Inforc'd Marriage_, a Tragi-Comedy, and _The Indian Queen_ a Dramatick +History. + + * * * * * + + + + +_WILLIAM CAVENDISH_ +Duke of _New-Castle_ + + +This Honourable Person, for his eminent Services to his Prince and +Country, preferred from Earl to Duke of _New-Castle_; was a Person +equally addicted both to Arms and Arts, which will eternize his Name to +all Posterity, so long as Learning, Loyalty, and Valour shall be in +Fashion. He wrote a splendid Treatise of the Art of Horsemanship, in +which his Experience was no less than his Delight; as also two +Comedies, _The Variety_, and the _Country Captain_. Nor was his +Dutchess no less busied in those ravishing Delights of Poetry, leaving +to Posterity in Print three ample Volumes of Her studious Endeavors; +one of Orations, the second of Philosophical Notions and Discourses, +and the third of Dramatick and other kinds of Poetry, of which five +Comedies, _viz._ _The Bridalls_; _Blazing World_; _Covent of Pleasure_; +_the Presence_; and _The Sociable Companions, or Female Wits_. + + * * * * * + + + + +Sir _WILLIAM KILLIGREW_. + + +Sir _William Killigrew_ was one whose Wings of Fancy displayed as high +Invention, as most of the Sons of _Phoebus_ of his time; contributing +to the Stage five Playes, _viz._ _Ormardes_, _The Princess, or Love +at first sight_; _Selindra_, and _The Seige_ of _Urbin_, +Tragi-Comedies; and a Comedy called _Pandora_. To whom we may joyn Mr. +_Thomas Killigrew_, who also wrote five Plays, _viz._ _The Parsons +Wedding_; and _Thomaso, or the Wanderer_, Comedies; the _Pilgrim_ a +Tragedy; and _Clarasilla_, and _The Prisoners_, Tragi-Comedies. + + * * * * * + + + + +_JOHN STUDLEY_. + + +Was one who besides other things which he wrote, contributed to the +Stage four Tragedies, _viz._ _Agamemnon_, _Hyppolitus_, _Hercules +Oetes_, and _Medea_, and therefore thought worthy to have a Place +amongst the rest of our _English_ Poets. + + * * * * * + + + + +_JOHN TATHAM_. + + +_John Tatham_ was one, whose Muse began to bud with his Youth, which +produced early Blossomes, of not altogether Contemptible Poetry, in a +Collection of Poems entituled _Fancys Theater_; which was usher'd into +the World by divers of the Chief Wits of that age. He was afterwards +City Poet, making those Speeches and Representations used at the Lord +Mayors show, and other Publick Meetings. He also contributed to the +Stage four plays, _viz_. The _Scots Fegaries_ and _The Rump, or Mirror +of the late times_, Comedies; the _Distracted State_, a Tragedy, and +_Love crowns the End_; a Tragy-Comedy. Here a tast of his juvenile wit +in his _Fancys Theater_ speaking in the Person of _Momus_. + + How now presumptuous Lad, think st thou that we + Will be disturb'd with this thy Infancy + Of Wit?-- + Or does thy amorous Thoughts beget a flame, + (Beyond its merit) for to court the name + Of Poet; or is't common row a days + Such slender Wits dare claim such things as Bays? _&c._ + + * * * * * + + + + +_THOMAS JORDEN_. + + +Contemporary with him was _Thomas Jorden_, and of much like equal Fame; +indulging his Muse more to vulgar Fancies, then to the high flying wits +of those times, yet did he write three Plays, _viz._ _Mony's an Ass_; +and _The Walks of_ Islington _and_ Hogsden, Comedies; and _Fancys +Festivals_, a Mask. + + * * * * * + + + + +_HUGH CROMPTON_. + + +He was born a Gentleman, and bred up a Scholar, but his Father not +leaving him Means enough to support the one, and the Times in that +Condition, that without Money Learning is little regarded; he therefore +betook him to a Gentile Employment, which his Learning had made him +capable to do; but the succession of a worse fate disemploying him, as +he himself saith in his Epistle to the Reader of his Book, entituled, +_Pierides, or the Muses Mount_, he betook him to his Pen, (that +Idleness might not sway) which in time produced a Volume of Poems, +which to give you a tast of the briskness of his Muse, I shall instance +in a few lines, in one or two of them. + + When I remember what mine eyes have seen, + And what mine Ears have heard, + Concerning Muses too young and green; + And how they have been jear'd, + T' expose my own I am afear'd. + + And yet this fear decreases, when I call + To my tempestuous mind, + How the strong loins of _Phoebus_ Children all, + Have faln by Censures mind: + And in their road what Rocks they find. + +He went over afterwards into _Ireland_, where he continued for some +time; but whether he dyed there or no, I am not certain. + + * * * * * + + + + +_EDMUND PRESTWICH_. + + +_Edmund Prestwich_, was one who deservedly cometh in as a Member of the +Noble Society of Poets, being the Author of an ingenious Comedy called +the _Hectors_, or _False Challenge_; as also _Hippolytus_ a Tragedy; +what ever he might have written besides, which may not have come to my +knowledge. + + * * * * * + + + + +_PAGAN FISHER_. + + +_Paganus Piscator_, vulgarly _Fisher_, was a notable Undertaker in +Latin Verse, and had well deserved of his Country, had not lucre of +Gain and private Ambition over-swayed his Pen, to favour successful +Rebellion. He wrote in Latin his _Marston-Moor; A Gratulatory Ode of +Peace_; Englished afterwards by _Thomas Manley_, and other Latin +pieces, besides English ones, not a few, which (as we said) might have +been meriting, had not those worldly Considerations over-swayed the +Dictates of his own Conscience. But this his temporizing with the +Times, preferred him to be Poet Laureat (if that were any Preferment) +to that notorious Traytor _Oliver Cromwell_; to whom being Usurper, if +his Muse did homage, it must be considered (saith Mr. _Phillips_) that +Poets in all times have been inclinable to ingratiate themselves with +the highest in Power, by what Title so ever. + +However it was, I have heard him often confess his Unhappiness therein: +and imparted to me a design he had, of committing to memory the +Monuments of the several Churches in _London_ and _Westminster_; not +only those mentioned by _Stow_ and _Weaver_, but also those who have +been erected since, which might have been of great use to Posterity, +had it been done before the great Conflagration of the Fire, thereby +preserving many Monuments, endangered since to be lost, but Death +interposing hindred him of his Design. + + * * * * * + + + + +_EDWARD SHIRBURN_, Esq; + + +_Edward Shirburn_ (saith a learned Author) was intimately knowing as +well of the ancient Greek and Latin, as of the choicest of modern +Poets, both _Italian_, _French_, and _Spanish_; and in what he hath +elegantly and judiciously Translated either of the former or latter; in +the Translating of which he hath discovered a more pure Poetical Fancy, +than many others can justly pretend to in their Original Works. Nor was +his Genius confined only to Poetry, his Version of those Books of +_Manilius_, which relate meerly to Astronomy, is a very Noble Work, +being set forth with most exact Notes, and other learned and proper +Illustrations. Besides many other genuine Pieces which he wrote. + + * * * * * + + + + +_JOHN QUARLES_. + + +_John Quarles_, Son to _Francis Quarles_, Esq; may be said to be born a +Poet, and that his Father's Genius was infused into him; nor was he +less Loyal in his Principles to his Prince, writing besides several +other Works, an Elegy on the Lord _Capell_, and _A Curse against the +Enemies of Peace_; of which I remember those were the two last lines. + + That all the world may hear them hiss and cry, + Who loves no peace, in peace shall never die. + +He was also addicted to Arms, as well as Arts, and, as I have been +informed, was a Captain in the King's Army, but then Loyalty suffering +an Eclipse, he came up to _London_, and continued there till the great +Sickness, which swept away of the Pestilence no fewer than 68586 +persons, amongst whom this unfortunate Gentleman was one, tho to my +knowledge, to prevent it, he might have been kindly welcom to his +worthy Kinsman, Mr. _William Holgate_ of _Saffron-Walden_ in _Essex_, +but Fate had decreed it otherwise. + + * * * * * + + + + +_JOHN MILTON_. + + +_John Milton_ was one, whose natural parts might deservedly give him a +place amongst the principal of our English Poets, having written two +Heroick Poems and a Tragedy; namely, _Paradice Lost_, _Paradice +Regain'd_, and _Sampson Agonista_; But his Fame is gone out like a +Candle in a Snuff, and his Memory will always stink, which might have +ever lived in honourable Repute, had not he been a notorious Traytor, +and most impiously and villanously bely'd that blessed Martyr King +_Charles_ the First. + + * * * * * + + + + +_JOHN OGILBY_. + + +_John Ogilby_ was one, who from a late Initiation into Literature, made +such a Progress therein, as might well stile him to be the Prodigy of +his time, sending into the world so many large and learned Volumes, as +well in Verse as in Prose, as will make posterity much indebted to his +Memory. His Volumes in Prose were his _Atlas_, and other Geographical +Works, which gained him the Style and Office of the King's +Cosmographer. In Verse his Translations of _Homer_ and _Virgil_, done +to the Life, and adorned with most excellent Sculptures; but above all, +as composed _Propria_ _Minerva_; his Paraphrase upon _AEsop's_ Fables, +which for Ingenuity and Fancy, besides the Invention of new Fables, is +generally confest to have exceeded what ever hath been done before in +that kind. He also set forth King _Charles_ the Second his +Entertainment through _London_, when he went to his Coronation, with +most admirable Cuts of the several Pageants as he passed through, and +Explanations upon them. And that which added a great grace to his +Works, he printed them all on special good Paper, and had them printed +on very good Letter. + + * * * * * + + + + +Sir _RICHARD FANSHAW_. + + +This worthy Gentleman, one of _Apollo's_ chiefest Sons, was Secretary +to King _Charles_ the Second, when Prince of _Wales_, and after his +Restoration, his Embassadour to _Spain_, where he died. His Employments +were such, as one would think he should have had no time for Poetical +Diversions, yet at leisure times he Translated _Guarini's Pastor Fido_ +into English Verse, and _Spencer's Shepherds Callendar_ into Latin +Verse. + + * * * * * + + + + +_ROGER BOILE_, Lord _Broghil_, +Earl of _Orrery_. + + +This Noble Person, the credit of the _Irish_ Nobility for Wit and +ingenious Parts, and who had the command of a smooth Stile, both in +Prose and Verse; in which last he hath written several Dramatick +Histories, as _Mustapha_, _Edward_ the Third, _Henry_ the Fifth, and +_Tryphon_, all of them with good success and applause, as writing after +the French way of Rhyme, now of late very much in Fashion. + + * * * * * + + + + +_THOMAS HOBBS_ of _Malmsbury_. + + +This noted Person, who gave occasion for so many Pens to band against +him, is of the more consideration, for what he hath either judged or +writ in Poetry; but his _Leviathan_, which he wrote in Prose, caused +the Pen of a no less than a learned Bishop to write against him. He +wrote a Preface to _Davenant's Gondibert_, where no wonder if +Complement and friendly Compliance do a little byass and over-sway +Judgment. His Latin Poem _De Mirabilibus Pexi_, wanteth not due +Commendation. After many bustles in the world, he sequestred himself +wholly to _Malmsbury_, where he died better inform'd (as I have heard) +of the Deity, than in the former part of his life he seemeth to have +been. + + * * * * * + + + + +Earl of _ROCHESTER_. + + +This Earl for Poetical Wit, was accounted the chief of his time; his +Numbers flowing with so smooth and accute a Strain, that had they been +all confined within the bounds of Modesty, we might well affirm they +were unparallel'd; yet was not his Muse altogether so loose, but that +with his Mirth he mixed Seriousness, and had a knack at once to tickle +the Fancy, and inform the Judgement. Take a taste of the fluency of his +Muse, in the Poem which he wrote _in Defence of Satyr_. + + When _Shakespeare_, _Johnson_, _Fletcher_ rul'd the Stage, + They took so bold a freedom with the Age, + That there was scarce a Knave, or Fool in Town, + Of any note, but had his Picture shown; + And (without doubt) tho some it may offend. + Nothing helps more than Satyr, to amend + Ill Manners, or is trulier Vertues Friend. + Princes may Laws ordain, Priests gravely preach, + But Poets most successfully will teach. + For as the Passing-Bell frights from his meat + The greedy Sick-man, that too much wou'd eat; + So when a Vice ridiculous is made, + Our Neighbours Shame keeps us from growing bad. + But wholsom Remedies few Palats please, + Men rather love what flatters their Disease. + + Pimps, Parasites, Buffoons, and all the Crew + That under Friendship's name weak man undo; + Find their false service kindlier understood, + Than such as tell bold Truths to do us good. + Look where you will, and you shall hardly find + A man without some sickness of the Mind. + In vain we wise wou'd seem, while every Lust + Whisks us about, as Whirlwinds do the Dust. + + Here for some needless gain a Wretch is hurld + From Pole to Pole, and slav'd about the World; + While the reward of all his pains and cares, + Ends in that despicable thing, his Heir. + + There a vain Fop mortgages all his Land + To buy that gaudy Play-thing, a Command; + To ride a Cock-horse, wear a Scarf at's ---- + And play the Pudding in a _May-pole Farce_. + + Here one, whom God to make a Fool thought fit, + In spight of Providence, will be a Wit: + But wanting strength t'uphold his ill made choice, + Sets up with Lewdness, Blasphemy, and Noise. + + There at his Mistress feet a Lover lies, + And for a Tawdry painted Baby dies; + Falls on his knees, adores and is afraid + Of the vain Idol he himself has made. + These, and a thousand Fools unmention'd here, + Hate Poets all, because they Poets fear. + Take heed (they cry) yonder mad Dog will bite, + He cares not whom he falls on in his fit: + Come but in's way, and strait a new _Lampoon_ + Shall spread your mangled fame about the Town + +This Earl died in the Flower of his Age, and though his Life might be +somewhat Extravagant, yet he is said to have dyed Penitently; and to +have made a very good End. + + * * * * * + + + + +Mr. _THOMAS FLATMAN_. + + +Mr. _Thomas Flatman_, a Gentleman once of the middle Temple, of +Extraordinary Parts, equally ingenious in the two Noble Faculties of +Painting and Poetry; as by the several choice Pieces that have been +seen of his Pourtraying and Limning, and by his Book of Poems, which +came out about Fourteen or Fifteen Years ago, sufficiently appeareth: +The so much Celebrated Song of the Troubles of Marriage, is ascribed to +him. + + Like a Dog with a Bottle tyed close to his Taile, + Like a Tory in a Bog, or a Thief in a Jail, _&c._ + + * * * * * + + + + +_MARTIN LUELLIN_. + + +This Gentleman was bred up a Student in _Christ-Church_ in _Oxford_; +where he addicted his Mind to the sweet Delights of Poetry, writing an +Ingenious Poem, entituled, _Men Miracles_, which came forth into the +World with great applause. The times being then when there was not only +_Cobling Preaching_, but _Preaching Coblers_; he followed the practice +of Physick, and whether he be yet living is to me unknown. + + * * * * * + + + + +_EDMOND FAIRFAX_. + + +_Edmond Fairfax_, a most judicious, elegant, and approved Poet, and who +we should have remembred before: But better out of due place, than not +at all. This judicious Poet Translated that most exquisite Poem of +_Torquato Tasso_, the Prince of _Italian_ Heroick Poets, which for the +Exactness of his Version, is judged by some not inferior to the +Original it self. He also wrote some other things of his own Genius, +which have passed in the World with a general applause. + + * * * * * + + + + +_HENRY KING_ Bishop of _Chichester_. + + +This Reverend Prelate, a great lover of Musick, Poetry, and other +ingenious Arts; amongst his other graver Studies, had some Excursions +into those pleasing Delights of Poetry; and as he was of an Obliging +Conversation for his Wit and Fancy; so was he also very Grave and Pious +in his Writings; Witness his Printed Sermons on the Lords Prayer, and +others which he Preached on several Occasions. His Father was _John +King_, Bishop of _London_; one full fraught with all Episcopal +Qualities; who died _Anno_ 1618. and was Buried in the Quire of St. +_Paul's_, with the plain Epitaph of _Resurgam_: But since a prime Wit +did enlarge thereon, which for the Elegancy of it, I cannot but commit +it to Posterity. + + Sad Relique of a blessed Soul, whose Trust + We Sealed up in this religious Dust. + O do not thy low Exequies suspect, + As the cheap Arguments of our neglect. + Twas a commanded Duty that thy Grave + As little Pride as thou thy self should have. + Therefore thy Covering is an humble Stone, + And but a Word[A] for thy Inscription. + When those that in the same Earth Neighbour thee, + Have each his Chronicle and Pedigree. + They have their waving Penons, and their Flags, + Of Matches and Alliance formal Brags. + When thou (although from Ancestors thou came, + Old as the Heptarchy, great as thy Name;) + Sleepest there inshrin'd in thy admired Parts, + And hast no Heraldry but thy Deserts. + Yet let not them their prouder Marbles boast, + For they rest with less Honour though more Cost. + Go search the World, and with your Mattock wound, + The groaning Bosom of the patient Ground: + Dig from the hidden Veins of her dark Womb, + All that is rare and precious for a Tomb. + Yet when much Treasure, and more time is spent, + You must grant his the Nobler Monument; + Whose Faith stands o're him for a Hearse, and hath + The _Resurrection_ for his _Epitaph_. + +[Footnote A: _Resurgam_] + +This worthy Prelate was born in the same County, Town, House, and +Chamber with his Father; Namely, at _Warn hall_ nigh _Tame_ in +_Buckingham-shire_, and was Bred up at _Christ-Church_ in _Oxford_. in +_Anno_ 1641. when Episcopacy was beheld by many in a deep +_Consumption_, and hoped by others that it would prove Mortal. To cure +this, it was conceived the most probable Cordial to prefer Persons into +that Order, not only unblameable for their Life, and eminent for their +Learning; but also generally, beloved, by all disegaged People; and +amongst these, King _Charles_ advanced this our Doctor, Bishop of +_Chichester_. + +But all would not do, their Innocency was so far from stopping the +Mouth of Malice; that Malice had almost swallowed them down her Throat. +Yet did he live to see the Restitution of his Order, live a most +religious Life, and at leisure times Composed his generally admired and +approved Version of _Davids_ Psalms into _English_ Meetre. + + * * * * * + + + + +_THOMAS MANLEY_. + + +_Thomas Manley_ was (saith my Author) one of the Croud of Poetical +writers of the late King's Time. He wrote among other things the +History of _Job_ in verse; and Translated into _English_, _Pagan +Father_ his _Congratulatory Ode of Peace_. + + * * * * * + + + + +Mr. _LEWYS GRIFFIN_. + + +He was born (as he informed me himself) in _Rutland shire_, and bred up +in the University of _Cambridge_; where proving an Excellent Preacher, +he was after some time preferred to be a Minister of St. _George's_ +Church in _Southwark_; where being outed for Marrying two Sisters +without their Friends Consent, He was afterwards beneficed at +_Colchester_ in _Essex_; where he continued all the time during a sore +Pestilence raged there. He wrote a Book of _Essays and Characters_, an +excellent Piece; also _The Doctrine of the Ass_, of which I remember +these two lines. + + Devils pretences always were Divine, + A Knave may have an Angel for a Sign. + +He wrote also a Book called _The Presbyterian Bramble_; with several +other Pieces, in Defence of the King and the Church. Now to shew you +the Acuteness of his Wit, I will give you an Instance: The first year +that _Poor Robin_'s Almanack came forth (about Six and Twenty Years +ago) there was cut for it a Brass Plate; having on one side of it the +Pictures of King _Charles_ the First, the Earl of _Stafford_, the +Arch-Bishop of _Canterbury_, the Earl of _Darby_, the Lord _Capel_, and +Dr. _Hewit_; all six adorned with Wreaths of Lawrel. On the other side +was, _Oliver Cromwell_, _Bradshaw_, _Ireton_, _Scot_, _Harrison_, and +_Hugh Peters_, hanging in Halters: Betwixt which was placed the Earl of +_Essex_, and Mr. _Christopher Love_; upon which plate he made these +Verses. + + Bless us, what have we here! What sundry Shapes + Salute our Eyes! have Martyrs too their Apes? + Sure 'tis the War of Angels, for you'd Swear + That here stood _Michael_, and the _Dragon_ there. + _Tredescan_ is out vy'd, for we engage + Both _Heaven_ and _Hell_ in an Octavo Page. + _Martyrs_ and _Traytors_, rallied six to six, + Half fled unto _Olimpus_, half to _Styx_. + Joyn'd with two Neuters, some Condemn, some Praise, + They hang betwixt the _Halters_ and the _Bayes_; + For 'twixt _Nolls_ Torment, and Great _Charles's_ Glory, + There, there's the _Presbyterian_ purgatory. + +He died (as I am informed) at _Colcester_, about the Year of our Lord +1670. + + * * * * * + + + + +_JOHN DAUNCEY_. + + +_John Dauncey_, a true Son of _Apollo_, and _Bacchus_; was one who had +an Excellent Command of his Pen, a fluent Stile, and quick Invention: +nor did any thing come amiss to his undertaking. He wrote a compleat +History of the late times; a Chronicle of the Kingdom of _Portugal_; +the _English Lovers_, a Romance; which for Language and Contrivance, +comes not short of either of the best of French or Spanish. He +Translated a Tragi Comedy out of French, called _Nichomede_, equal in +English to the French Original; besides several other things, too long +to recite. His _English Lovers_ was Commended by divers of sound +Judgment; amongst others, Mr. _Lewis Griffin_, our forementioned Poet, +made these verses in commendations of it. + + Rich Soul of Wit and Language, thy high strains + So plunge and puzzle unrefined brains; + That their Illiterate Spirits do not know, + How much to thy Ingenious Pen they owe, + Should my presumptuous Muse attempt to raise + Trophies to thee, she might as well go blaze + Bright Planets with base Colours, or display + The Worlds Creation in a Puppet-Play. + Let this suffice, what Calumnies may chance, + To blur thy Fame, they spring from Ignorance. + + When _Old Orpheus_ drew the Beasts along, + By sweet Rhetorick of his learned Tongue, + 'Twas deafness made the Adder sin; and this + Caus'd him, who should have hum'd the Poet, hiss. + + * * * * * + + + + +_RICHARD HEAD_. + + +_Richard Head_, the Noted Author of the _English Rogue_, was a +Ministers Son, born in _Ireland_, whose Father was killed in that +horrid Rebellion in 1641. Whereupon his Mother with this her Son came +into _England_; and he having been trained up in Learning, was by the +help of some Friends, for some little time brought up in the University +of _Oxford_, in the same Colledge wherein his Father had formerly been +a Student. But means falling short, he was taken away from thence, and +bound Apprentice to a Latin Bookseller in _London_; attaining to a good +Proficiency in that Trade. But his Genius being addicted to Poetry, and +having _Venus_ for his Horoscope, e're his time were fully out, he +wrote a Piece called _Venus Cabinet Unlock'd_: Afterwards he married, +and set up for himself: But being addicted to play, a Mans Estate then +runs in _Hazard_, (for indeed that was his Game) until he had almost +thrown his Shop away. Then he betook himself to _Ireland_, his Native +Country; where he composed his _Hic & Ubique_, a noted Comedy; and +which gained him a general Esteem for the worth thereof. And coming +over into _England_, had it Printed, dedicating it to the then Duke of +_Monmouth_; But receiving no great Incouragement from his Patron, he +resolved to settle himself in the World, and to that purpose, with his +Wife took a House in _Queens-Head Alley_, near _Pater-Noster-Row_; and +for a while followed his Business, so that contrary to the Nature of a +Poet, his Pockets began to be well lined with Money: But being +bewitched to that accursed vice of Play, it went out by handfuls, as it +came in piece by piece. And now he is to seek again in the World, +whereupon he betook him to his Pen; and wrote the first part of the +_English Rogue_: which being too much smutty, would not be Licensed, so +that he was fain to refine it, and then it passed stamp. At the coming +forth of this first part, I being with him at three Cup Tavern in +_Holborn_, drinking over a glass of _Rhenish_, made these verses upon +it. + + What _Gusman_, _Buscon_, _Francion_, _Rablais_ writ, + I once applauded for most excellent Wit; + But reading thee, and thy rich Fancies store, + I now condemn what I admir'd before. + Henceforth Translations pack away, be gone, + No Rogue so well-writ as the _English_ one. + +There was afterwards three more parts added to it by him, and Mr. +_Kirkman_ with a promise of a fifth, which never came out. + +He wrote several other Books besides, as _The art of Whedling_; _The +Floating Island_; or a Voyage from _Lambethania to Ramalia_; _A +discovery of O Brazil_; _Jacksons Recantation_, _The Red Sea_, &c. +Amongst others, he had a great Fancy in Bandying against Dr. _Wild_; +(although I must confess therein over Matcht) yet fell he upon him +tooth and nail in Answer to his Letter directed to his Friend Mr. +_J.J._ upon Occasion of his Majesties Declaration for Liberty of +Conscience; concluding in this manner. + + Thus Sir you have my Story, but am Sorry + (_Taunton_ excuse) it is no better for ye, + However read it, as you Pease are shelling; + For you will find, it is not worth the telling. + Excuse this boldness, for I can't avoid + Thinking sometimes, you are but ill Imploy'd. + _Fishing for Souls_ more fit, then _frying Fish_; + That makes me throw, _Pease Shellings_ in your _Dish_. + You have a study, Books wherein to look, + How comes it then the Doctor's turn'd a Cook? + Well _Doctor Cook_, pray be advis'd hereafter + Don't make your Wife the Subject of our Laughter. + I find she's careless, and your Maid a slut, + To let you grease your _Cassock_ for your gut. + You are all three in fault, by all that's blest; + Mend you your manners first, then teach the rest. + +He was one who met with a great many Crosses and Afflictions in his +Life; and was (as I am informed) at last cast away at Sea, as he was +going to the Isle of _Wight_. + + * * * * * + + + + +_JOHN PHILLIPS_. + + +_John Philips_, the Brother of _Edward Phillips_, the Famous +Continuator of Sir _Richard Bakers_ Chronicle; and Author of _The New +World of English Words_. He was also Nephew to the before mention'd +_John Milton_, the Author of _Paradice lost_, and _Paradice Regain'd_; +so that he might be said to have Poetical Blood run in his Veins. He +was Accounted one of the exactest of Heroical Poets either of the +Ancients or Moderns, either of our own or what ever other Nation else; +having a Judicious command of Style both in Prose and Verse. But his +chiefest Vein lay in _Burlesque_, and facetious Poetry, which produc'd +that Ingenious Satyr against Hypocrites. + +He also Translated the Fifth and Sixth Books of _Virgils AEniedes_ into +English _Burlesque_; of which that we may give you a Draught of his +Method, take these few lines. + + While _Dido_ in a Bed of Fire, + A new-found way to cool desire, + Lay wrapt in Smoke, half Cole, half _Dido_, + Too late repenting Crime _Libido_, + _Monsieur AEneas_ went his waies; + For which I con him little praise, + To leave a Lady, not i'th'Mire, + But which was worser, in the Fire. + He Neuter-like, had no great aim, + To kindle or put out the flame. + He had what he would have, the Wind; + More than ten _Dido's_ to his mind. + The merry gale was all in Poop, + Which made the _Trojans_ all cry Hoop! + +He it was who wrote that Jovial Almanack of _Montelion_; besides +several other things in a serious Vein of Poetry. Nor must we forget +his Song made on the Tombs at _Westminster_; which for a witty drolling +Invention, I hold it to be past Compare, being Printed in a Book called +_The Miseries of Love and Eloquence_. + +You may reckon among these his Elegy upon our late Soveraign, and his +Anniversary to His Majesty; Composed all by Dr. _Blow_. + + * * * * * + + + + +Mr. _JOHN OLDHAM_. + + +Mr. _John Oldham_, the delight of the Muses, and glory of those last +Times; a Man utterly unknown to me but only by Works, which none can +read but with Wonder and Admiration; So Pithy his Strains, so +Sententious his Expressions, so Elegant his Oratory, so Swimming his +Language, so Smooth his Lines, in Translating out-doing the Original, +and in Invention matchless; whose praise my rude Pen is not able to +Comprehend: Take therefore a small Draught of his Perfections in a +Funeral Elegy, made by the Laureat of our Nation, Mr. _John Dryden_. + + Farewel, too little and too lately known, + Whom I began to think and call my own; + For sure our Souls were near ally'd; and thine + Cast in the same Poetick Mould with mine. + One common note on either Lyre did strike, + And Knaves and Fools we both abhorr'd alike: + To the same Goal did both our Studies drive, + The last set out the soonest did arrive. + Thus _Nisus_ fell upon the Slippery place, + While his young Friend perform'd and won the race. + O early ripe! to thy abundant store, + What could advancing age have added more? + It might (what Nature never gives the young) + Have taught the numbers of thy Native Tongue. + But Satyr needs not those, and wit will shine + Through the harsh cadence of a rugged line, + A noble error, and but seldom made, + When Poets are by too much force betray'd. + Thy generous Fruits, though gather'd e're their Prime, + Still shew'd a quickness; and maturing time; + But Mellows what we write to the dull sweets of Rhime. + Once more, hail and farwel, farwel thou young, + But all too short _Marcellus_ of our Tongue; + Thy brows with Ivy, and with Lawrels bound; + But flat and gloomy Night encompass thee around. + +This wittily learned Gentleman was of _Edmund-Hall_ in _Oxford_, and +dyed in the Earl of _Kingston's_ Family in the prime of his Years; +whose life had it been lengthened, might have produced as large a +Volume of learned Works, as any this latter Age have brought forth. + + * * * * * + + + + +And thus have we given you an Account of all the most Eminent _English_ +Poets that have come to our knowledge; although we question not but +many and those well deserving have slipped our Pen; which if these our +Labours shall come to a Second Impression, as we question nothing to +the contrary, we shall endeavour to do them right. In the mean time we +shall give you a short Account of some of the most eminent that are now +(or at least thought by us so to be) living at this time, and so +conclude, beginning first with + + + + +_Mr. JOHN DRIDEN._ + + +Poet Laureat and Historiographer to his Royal Majesty; whose Poetry +hath passed the World with the greatest Approbation and acceptance that +may be, especially what he hath written of Dramatick, _viz._ _The +Maiden Queen_; _The Wild Gallant_; _The Mock Astrologer_; _Marriage +Ala-mode_; _The Amorous Old Woman_; and _The Assignation_, Comedies; +_Tyranick Love_; and _Amboyna_, Tragedies; and _The Indian Emperor_; +and two Parts of the Conquests of _Granada_; Historical Drama's. +Besides several other Pieces, which speak their own worth, more than +any Commendations my Pen can bestow upon them. + + * * * * * + + + + +Mr. _ELKUNAH SETTLE_. + + +An Ingenious Person, who besides his other Works hath contributed to +the Stage two Tragedies, _viz._ _Cambises_, and _The Empress of +Morrocco_, which notwithstanding the severe censure of some, may +deservedly pass with good Approbation. + + * * * * * + + + + +Sir _GEORGE ETHERIDGE_. + + +The Author of Two Comedies, _viz. Love in a Tub_; and _She Would if she +Could_; which for pleasant Wit, and no bad Oeconemy, are judged not +unworthy the applause they have met with. + + * * * * * + + + + +Mr. _JOHN WILSON_. + + +The noted Author of that so Celebrated a Comedy entituled _The Cheats_; +which hath passed the Stage and Press with so general an applause, also +another Comedy called _The Projectors_ and the Tragedy of _Andronicus +Commenius_. + + * * * * * + + + + +Mr. _THOMAS SHADWELL_. + + +One whose Pen hath deserved well of the Stage, not only for the number +of the Plays which he hath writ; but also for the sweet Language and +Contrivance of them. His Comedies are, _The Humorist_; _The Sullen +Lovers_; _Epsom Wells_, &c. Besides his _Royal Shepherdess_, a Pastoral +Tragi-Comedy; and his Tragedy of _Psyche_, or rather Tragical _Opera_, +as vying with the _Opera's_ of _Italy_, in the Pomp of Scenes, +Marchinry and Musical performance. + + * * * * * + + + + +_THOMAS STANLEY_. + + +_Thomas Stanley_ Esquire, of _Cumberlo Green_ in _Hartfordshire_; a +general Scholar, one well known both in Philosophy, History, and +Poetry. Witness his learned Edition of _AEschylus_, and his lives of the +Philosophers; But for that which we take the most notice of him here, +his smooth Air and gentile Spirit in Poetry; which appears not only in +his own Genuine Poems, but also from what he hath so well Translated +out of Ancient Greek, and Modern Italian, Spanish, and French Poets; So +that we may well conclude him to be both the Glory and Admiration of +his time. + + * * * * * + + + + +_EDWARD PHILLIPS_. + + +_Edward Phillips_ Brother to _John Phillips_ aforesaid, the Judicious +Continuator of Sir _Richard Bakers_ Chronicle; which will make his name +Famous to Posterity, no less than his Genuine Poems upon several +occasions, in which he comes not far short of his Spritely Brother. + + * * * * * + + + + +Mr. _THOMAS SPRAT_. + + +Mr. _Thomas Sprat_, whose judicious History of the _Royal Society_, for +the Smoothness of the Stile, and exactness of the Method, deserveth +high Commendations; He hath also writ in Verse a very applauded, tho +little Poem, entitled _The Plague of_ Athens. + + * * * * * + + + + +_WILLIAM SMITH_. + + +_William Smith_ the Author of a Tragedy entituled _Hieronymo_; as also +_The Hector of Germany_. + + * * * * * + + + + +Mr. _JOHN LACEY_. + + +Mr. _John Lacy_, one of the noted'st Wits of these Times, who as +_William Shakespeare_ and _Christopher Marlow_ before him, rose from an +Actor to be an Author to the Stage, having written two ingenious +Comical Pieces, _viz._ _Monsieur Ragou_, and _the Dumb Lady_. + + * * * * * + + + + +Mr. _WILLIAM WHICHERLY_. + + +Mr. _William Whicherly_, a Gentleman of the Inner _Temple_, who besides +his other learned Works, hath contributed largely to the Stage, in his +Comedies of _Love in a Wood_, _The Gentleman Dancing-Master_, _The +Country Wife_, &c. + + * * * * * + + + + +Sir _ROGER L'ESTRANGE_. + + +And so we have reckoned up all the most Eminent Poets which have come +to our knowledge, craving pardon for those we have omitted. We shall +conclude all with Sir _Roger L'Strange_, one whose Pen was never idle +in asserting the Royal Cause, as well before the King's Restoration, +against his open Enemies, as since that time against his Feigned +Friends. Those who shall consider the Number and Greatness of his +Books, will admire he should ever write so many, and those who have +Read them, considering the Stile and Method they are writ in, will more +admire he should Write so well. And because some people may imagine his +Works not to be so many as he hath written, we will give you a +Catalogue of as many as we can remember of them. + + _Collections In Defence of the King._ + _Tolleration Discussed._ + _Relapsed Apostate._ + _Apology for Protestants._ + Richard _against_ Baxter. + _Tyranny and Popery._ + _Growth of Knavery._ + _Reformed Catholique._ + _Free-born Subjects._ + _The Case Put_. + _Seasonable Memorials._ + _Answer to the Appeal._ + _No Papist._ + _The Shammer Shamm'd._ + _Account Cleared._ + _Reformation Reformed._ + _Dissenters Sayings in Two Parts._ + _Notes on_ Colledge. + _Citizen and Bumkin in Two Parts._ + _Further Discovery of the Plot._ + _Discovery on Discovery._ + _Narrative of the Plot._ + Zekiel _and_ Ephraim. + _Appeal to the King and Parliament._ + _Papist in Masquerade._ + _Answer to the Second Character of a Popish Successor._ + +These Twenty Six, with divers others, he writ in Quarto; Besides which +he wrote divers others, _viz._ + + _The History of the Plot, in_ Folio. + Quevedo's _Visions Englished_, Octavo. + Erasmus's _Coloquies Eng._. Oct. + Seneca's _Morals_, Oct. + Cicero's _Offices in English_. + _The Guide to Eternity_, _in_ Twelves. + _Five Love Letters from a Nun to a Cave_, &c. + _The Holy Cheat._ + _Caveat to the Cavaliers._ + _Plea for the Caveat and the Author._ + +Besides his indefatigable pains taken in writing the _Observator_, a +Work, which for Vindicating the Royal Interest, and undeceiving the +People, considering the corruption of the Times, of as great use and +behoof as may be, mens minds having been before so poysoned by +Fanatical Principles, that it is almost an _Herculean_ Work to reduce +them again by Reason, or as we may more properly say, to Reason. Of +which useful Work he hath done already Two large Volumes, and a Third +almost compleated, his Pen being never weary in Service of his Country. + +But should I go about to enumerate all the Works of this worthy +Gentleman, I should run my self into an irrecoverable Labyrinth. Nor is +he less happy in his Verse than Prose, which for Elegancy of Language, +and quickness of Invention, deservedly entitles him to the honour of a +Poet; and therefore I shall forbear to write more of him, since what I +can do upon that account, comes infinitely far short of his deservings. + + +_FINIS._ + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lives of the Most Famous English +Poets (1687), by William Winstanley + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOST FAMOUS ENGLISH POETS *** + +***** This file should be named 15461.txt or 15461.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/4/6/15461/ + +Produced by David Starner, Leonard Johnson and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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