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.

Try and trust Roger, was the word, but now Honest Tom Tell-troth puts down Roger, How? Of travel he discourseth so at large, Marry he sets it out at his own charge; And therein (which is worth his valour, too) Shews he dare more than Paul's Church-yard durst do.

Come forth thou bonny bouncing Book then, daughter Of Tom of Odcombe, that odd jovial Author, Rather his son I should have call'd thee, why? Yes thou wert born out of his travelling thigh As well as from his brains, and claim'st thereby To be his Bacchus as his Pallas: he Ever 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.

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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 8d. 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.