Chapter II: Part 2

His Education, as _Leland_ writes, was in both the Universities of _Oxford_ and _Cambridge_, as appeareth by his own words, in his Book Entituled _The Court of Love_: And in _Oxford_ by all likelihood, in _Canterbury_ or in _Merton_ Colledge, improving his Time in the University, he became a witty Logician, a sweet Rhetorician, a grave Philosopher, a holy Divine, a skilful Mathematician, and a pleasant Poet; of whom, for the Sweetness of his Poetry, may be said that which is reported of _Stesichorus_; and as _Cethegus_ was called _Suadae Medulla_, so may _Chaucer_ be rightly called the Pith and Sinews of Eloquence, and the very Life it self of all Mirth and pleasant Writing. Besides, one Gift he had above other Authors, and that is, by the Excellencies of his Descriptions to possess his Readers with a stronger imagination of seeing that done before their eyes which they read, than any other that ever writ in any Tongue. But above all, his Book of _Canterbury-Tales_, is most recommended to Posterity, which he maketh to be spoken by certain Pilgrims who lay at the _Tabard_-Inn in _Southwark_ as he declareth in the beginning of his said Book.

It befell in that season, on a day,
In Southwark, at the Tabert as I lay,
Ready to wend on my pilgrimage
To Canterbury, with full devout courage;
That night was comen into the Hosterie,
Well nine and twenty in a companie,
Of sundry folke, by adventure yfall
In fellowship, and Pilgrims were they all,
That toward Canterbury woulden ride;
The Stables and Chambers weren wide,
And well wee were eased at the best, &c.

By his Travel also in _France_ and _Flanders_, where he spent much time in his young years, but more in the latter end of the Reign of King _Richard_ the Second; he attained to a great perfection in all kind of Learning, as _Bale_ and _Leland_ report of him: _Circa postremos_ Richardi _Secundi annos_, Galliis _floruit, magnamque illic ex assidua in Literis exercitatione gloriam sibi comparavit. Domum reversus Forum_ Londinense; _& Collegia_ Leguleiorum, _qui ibidem Patria Jura interpretantur frequentavit_, &c. About the latter end of King _Richard_ the Second's Days, he flourished in _France_, and got himself into high esteem there by his diligent exercise in Learning: After his return home, he frequented the Court at _London_, and the Colledges of the _Lawyers_, which there interpreted the Laws of the Land. Amongst whom was _John Gower_, his great familiar Friend, whose Life we wrote before. This _Gower_, in his Book entituled _Confessio Amantis_, termeth _Chaucer_ a worthy Poet, and maketh him as it were the Judge of his Works.

This our _Chaucer_ had always an earnest desire to enrich and beautifie our _English_ Tongue, which in those days was very rude and barren; and this he did, following the example of _Dantes_ and _Petrarch_. who had done the same for the _Italian_ Tongue, _Alanus_ for the _French_, and _Johannes Mea_ for the _Spanish_: Neither was _Chaucer_ inferior to any of them in the performance hereof; and _England_ in this respect is much beholding to him; as _Leland_ well noteth:

_Anglia_ Chaucerum _veneratur nostra Poetam_;
_Cui veneris debet Patria Lingua suas_.

Our _England_ honoureth _Chaucer_ Poet, as principal;
To whom her Country-Tongue doth owe her Beauties all.

He departed out of this world the _25th._ day of _October_ 1400, after he had lived about seventy two years. Thus writeth _Bale_ out of _Leland, Chaucerus ad Canos devenit, sensitque Senectutem morbum esse_; _& dum Causas suas_ Londini _curaret_, &c. _Chaucer_ lived till he was an old man, and found old Age to be grievous; and whilst he followed his Causes at _London_, he died, and was buried at _Westminster_.

The old Verses which were written on his Grave at the first, were these;

Galfridus Chaucer, _Vates & Fama Poesis,
Maternae haec sacra sum tumulatus humo_.

_Thomas Occleue_, or _Okelefe_, of the Office of the Privy Seal, sometime Chaucer's Scholar, for the love he bore to the said _Geoffrey_ his Master, caused his Picture to be truly drawn in his Book, _De Regimine Principis_, dedicated to _Henry_ the Fifth; according to which, that his Picture drawn upon his Monument was made, as also the Monument it self, at the Cost and Charges of _Nicolas Brigham_ Gentleman, _Anno_ 1555. who buried his Daughter _Rachel_, a Child of four years of Age, near to the Tomb of this old Poet, the _21th_. of _June_ 1557. Such was his Love to the Muses; and on his Tomb these Verses were inscribed:

_Qui fuit_ Anglorum _Vates ter maximus olim_,
Galfridus Chaucer, _conditur hoc Tumulo,
Annum si quaeras Domini, si tempora Mortis,
Ecce notae subsunt, quae tibi cuncta notant_;
25 Octobris 1400.
_AErumnarum requies Mors_.
N. Brigham _hos fecit Musarum nomine sumptus_.

About the Ledge of the Tomb these Verses were written;

_Si rogitas quis eram, forsante Fama docebit,
Quod si Fama negat, Mundi quia Gloria transit,
Haec Monumenta lege_.

The foresaid _Thomas Occleve_, under the Picture of _Chaucer_, had these Verses:

Although his Life be queint, the resemblance
Of him that hath in me so fresh liveliness,
That to put other men in remembrance
Of his Person I have here the likeness
Do make, to the end in Soothfastness,
That they that of him have lost thought and mind,
By this peniture may again him find.

In his foresaid Book, _De Regimine Principis_, he thus writes of him:

But welaway is mine heart wo,
That the honour of _English_ Tongue is dead;
Of which I wont was counsaile haue and reed:
O Master dere, and Fadre reuerent:
My Master _Chaucer_ Floure of Eloquence,
Mirror of fructuous entendement:
O vniuersal fadre of Science:
Alas that thou thine excellent Prudence
In thy Bed mortal mightest not bequeath.
What eyl'd Death, alas why would she the fle?
O Death, thou didst not harm singler in slaughter of him,
But all the Land it smerteth;
But natheless yet hast thou no power his name flee,
But his vertue afterteth
Unslain fro thee; which ay us lifely herteth,
With Books of his ornat enditing,
That is to all this Land enlumining.

In another place of his said Book, he writes thus;

Alas my worthy Maister honourable,
This Land's very Treasure and Richess!
Death by thy Death hath harm irreparable
Unto us done: her vengeable duress
Dispoiled hath this Land of the sweetness
Of Rhetorige; for unto _Tullius_
Was never man so like among us:
Also who was here in Philosophy
To _Aristotle_, in our Tongue, but thee?
The Steps of _Virgil_ in Poesie,
Thou suedst eken men know well enough,
What combre world that thee my Master slough
Would I slaine were.

_John Lidgate_ likewise in his Prologue of _Bocchas_, of the _Fall of Princes_, by him translated, saith thus in his Commendation:

My Master _Chaucer_, with his fresh Comedies,
Is dead alas, chief Poet of _Brittaine_,
That whilom made full pitous Tradgedies,
The faule of Princes he did complaine,
As he that was of making Soveraine;
Whom all this Land should of right preferre
Sith of our Language he was the load-sterre.

Also in his Book which he writeth of the Birth of the Virgin _Mary_, he hath these Verses.

And eke my Master _Chaucer_ now is in grave,
The noble Rhetore, Poet of _Britaine_,
That worthy was the Laurel to have
Of Poetry, and the Palm attaine,
That made first to distill and raine
The Gold dew drops of Speech and Eloquence,
Into our Tongue through his Eloquence.

That excellent and learned _Scottish_ Poet _Gawyne Dowglas_ Bishop of _Dunkeld_, in the Preface of _Virgil's Eneados_ turned into _Scottish_ Verse, doth thus speak of _Chaucer_;

Venerable _Chaucer_, principal Poet without pere,
Heavenly Trumpet, orloge, and regulere,
In Eloquence, Baulme, Conduct, and Dyal,
Milkie Fountaine, Cleare Strand, and Rose Ryal,
Of fresh endite through _Albion_ Island brayed
In his Legend of Noble Ladies fayed.

And as for men of latter time, Mr._Ascham_ and Mr. _Spenser_ have delivered most worthy Testimonies of their approving of him. Mr._Ascham_, in one place calleth him _English Homer_, and makes no doubt to say, that he valueth his Authority of as high estimation as he did either _Sophocles_ or _Euripides_ in _Greek_. And in another place, where he declareth his Opinion of _English_ Versifying, he useth these Words; Chaucer _and_ Petrark _those two worthy Wits, deserve just praise_. And last of all, in his Discourse of _Germany_, he putteth him nothing behind either _Thucydides_ or _Homer_, for his lively Descriptions of Site of Places, and Nature of Persons, both in outward Shape of Body, and inward Disposition of Mind; adding this withal, That not the proudest that hath written in any Tongue whatsoever, for his time hath outstript him.

Mr. _Spenser_ in his first Eglogue of his _Shepherds Kalendar_, calleth him _Tityrus_, the God of Shepherds, comparing him to the worthiness of the _Roman Tityrus, Virgil_. In his _Fairy Queen_, in his Discourse of Friendship, as thinking himself most worthy to be _Chaucer_'s friend, for his like natural disposition that _Chaucer_ had; he writes, That none that lived with him, nor none that came after him, durst presume to revive _Chaucer_'s lost labours in that imperfect Tale of the Squire, but only himself: which he had not done, had he not felt (as he saith) the infusion of _Chaucer_'s own sweet Spirit surviving within him. And a little before, he calls him the most Renowned and Heroical Poet, and his Writings the Works of Heavenly Wit; concluding his commendation in this manner:

_Dan Chaucer_ well of _English_ undefiled,
On Fames eternal Bead-roll worthy to be filed;
I follow here the footing of thy feet,
That with thy meaning so I may the rather meet.

Mr. _Cambden_, reaching one hand to Mr. _Ascham_, and the other to Mr. _Spenser_, and so drawing them together, uttereth of him these words, _De_ Homero _nostro_ Anglico _illud vere asseram, quod de_ Homero _eruditus ille_ Italus _dixit_.

----_Hic ille est, cujus de gurgite sacro,
Combibit arcanos vatum omnis turba furores._

The deservingly honoured Sir _Philip Sidney_, in his _Defence of Poesie_, thus writeth of him, Chaucer _undoubtedly did excellently in his_ Troylus _and_ Crescid, _of whom truly I know not whether to marvel more, either that he in that misty time could see so clearly or we in this clear age walk so stumblingly after him._ And Doctor _Heylin_, in his elaborate Description of the World, ranketh him in the first place of our chiefest Poets. Seeing therefore that both old and new Writers have carried this reverend conceit of him, and openly declared the same by writing, let us conclude with _Horace_ in the eighth Ode of his fourth Book;

_Dignum Laudi causa vetut mori_.

The Works of this famous Poet, were partly published in Print by _William Caxton_, Mercer, that first brought the incomparable Art of Printing into _England_, which was in the Reign of King _Henry_ the Sixth. Afterward encreased by _William Thinne_, Esq; in the time of King _Henry_ the Eighth. Afterwards, in the year 1561. in the Reign of Queen _Elizabeth_, Corrected and Encreased by _John Stow_; And a fourth time, with many Amendments, and an Explanation of the old and obscure Words, by Mr. _Thomas Speight_, in _Anna_ 1597. Yet is he said to have written many considerable Poems, which are not in his publish'd Works, besides the _Squires Tale_, which is said to be compleat in _Arundel-house_ Library.

* * * * *

_JOHN LYDGATE_.

_John Lydgate_ was born in a Village of the same name, not far off St. _Edmondsbury_, a Village (saith _Cambden_) though small, yet in this respect not to be passed over in silence, because it brought into the World _John Lydgate_ the Monk, whose Wit may seem to have been framed and fashioned by the very Muses themselves: so brightly reshine in his _English_ Verses, all the pleasant graces and elegancy of Speech, according to that Age. After some time spent in our _English_ Universities, he travelled through _France_ and _Italy_, improving his time to his great accomplishment, in learning the Languages and Arts; _Erat autem non solum elegans Poeta, & Rhetor disertus, verum etiam Mathematicus expertus, Philosophus acutus, & Theologus non contemnendus_: he was not only an elegant Poet, and an eloquent Rhetorician, but also an expert Mathematician, an acute Philosopher, and no mean Divine, saith _Pitseus_. After his return, he became Tutor to many Noblemens Sons, and both in Prose and Poetry was the best Author of his Age, for if _Chaucer's_ Coin were of greater Weight for deeper Learning, _Lydgate's_ was of a more refined Stantard for purer Language; so that one might mistake him for a modern Writer. But because none can so well describe him as himself, take an Essay of his Verses, out of his _Life and Death of_ Hector, _pag._ 316 and 317.

I am a Monk by my profession,
In _Berry_, call'd _John Lydgate_ by my name,
And wear a habit of perfection;
(Although my life agree not with the same)
That meddle should with things spiritual,
As I must needs confess unto you all.

But seeing that I did herein proceed
[A]At his command, whom I could not refuse,
I humbly do beseech all those that read,
Or leisure have, this story to peruse,
If any fault therein they find to be,
Or error, that committed is by me;

That they will of their gentleness take pain,
The rather to correct and mend the same,
Than rashly to condemn it with disdain,
For well I wot it is not without blame,
Because I know the Verse therein is wrong,
As being some too short and some too long.

For _Chaucer_, that my Master was, and knew
What did belong to writing Verse and Prose,
Ne're stumbled at small faults, nor yet did view
With scornful eye the Works and Books of those
That in his time did write, nor yet would taunt
At any man, to fear him or to daunt.

[Footnote A: _Hen._ 5.]

Now if you would know further of him, hear him in his Prologue to the Story of _Thebes_, a Tale (as his Fiction is) which (or some other) he was constrained to tell, at the command of mine Host of the _Tabard_ in _Southwark_, whom he found in _Canterbury_, with the rest of the Pilgrims which went to visit Saint _Thomas_ shrine.

This Story was first written in _Latine_ by _Geoffry Chaucer_, and translated by _Lydgate_ into _English_ Verse, but of the Prologue of his own making, so much as concerns himself, thus:

----While that the Pilgrims lay
At _Canterbury_, well lodged one and all,
I not in sooth what I may it call,
Hap or fortune, in conclusioun,
That me befell to enter into the Toun,
The holy Sainte plainly to visite,
After my sicknesse, vows to acquite.
In a Cope of blacke, and not of greene,
On a Palfrey slender, long, and lene,
With rusty Bridle, made not for the sale,
My man to forne with a voyd Male,
That by Fortune tooke my Inne anone
Where the Pilgrimes were lodged everichone,
The same time her governour the host
Stonding in Hall, full of wind and bost,
Liche to a man wonder sterne and fers,
Which spake to me, and said anon Dan _Pers_,
Dan _Dominick_, Dan _Godfray_, or _Clement_,
Ye be welcome newly into _Kent_:
Thogh your bridle have nother boos ne bell;
Beseeching you, that ye will tell
First of your name, and what cuntre
Without more shortly that ye be,
That looke so pale, all devoid of bloud,
Upon your head a wonder thred-bare Hood,
Well arrayed for to ride late:
I answered my Name was _Lydgate_
Monke of _Bury_, me fifty yeare of age,
Come to this Town to do my Pilgrimage
As I have hight, I have thereof no shame:
Dan _John_ (quoth he) well brouke ye your name,
Thogh ye be sole, beeth right glad and light,
Praying you to soupe with us this night;
And ye shall have made at your devis,
A great Pudding, or a round hagis,
A _Franche_ Moile, a Tanse, or a Froise,
To been a Monk slender is your [A]coise,
Ye have been sick I dare mine head assure,
Or let feed in a faint pasture.
Lift up your head, be glad, take no sorrow,
And ye should ride home with us to morrow,
I say, when ye rested have your fill.
After supper, sleep will doen none ill,
Wrap well your head, clothes round about,
Strong nottie Ale will make a man to rout;
Take a Pillow, that ye lye not low;
If nede be, spare not to blow;
To hold wind, by mine opinion,
Will engender colles passion,
And make men to greven on her [B]rops,
When they have filled her maws and her crops;
But toward night, eate some Fennell rede,
Annis, Commin, or Coriander-seed,
And like as I have power and might,
I charge you rise not at midnight,
Thogh it be so the Moon shine clere,
I will my self be your [C]Orlogere,
To morrow early, when I see my time,
For we will forth parcel afore prime,
Accompanie [D]parde shall do you good.

[Footnote A: Countenance.]

[Footnote B: Guts.]

[Footnote C: Clock.]

[Footnote D: Verily.]

But I have digressed too far: To return therefore unto _Lydgate_. _Scripsit partim Anglice, partim Latine; partim Prosa, partim Versu Libros numero plures, eruditione politissimos_. He writ (saith my Author) partly _English_, partly _Latine_; partly in Prose, and partly in Verse, many exquisite learned Books, saith _Pitseus_, which are mentioned by him and _Bale_, as also in the latter end of _Chaucer's_ Works; the last Edition, amongst which are _Eglogues_, _Odes_, _Satyrs_, and other Poems. He flourished in the Reign of _Henry_ the Sixth, and departed this world (aged about 60 years) _circiter_ An. 1440. and was buried in his own Convent at _Bury_, with this Epitaph,

_Mortuus saeclo, superis Superstes,
Hic jacet_ Lydgate _tumulaetus Urna:
Qui fuit quondam celebris_ Britannae
_Fama Poesis_.

Dead in this World, living above the Sky,
Intomb'd within this Urn doth _Lydgate_ lie;
In former time fam'd for his Poetry,
All over _England_.

* * * * *

_JOHN HARDING_.

_John Harding_, our Famous _English_ Chronologer, was born (saith _Bale_) in the Northern parts, and most likely in _Yorkshire_, being an Esquire of an eminent Parentage. He was a man equally addicted to Arms and Arts, spending his Youth in the one, and his Age in the other: His first Military Employment was under _Robert Umfreuil_, Governor of _Roxborough_-Castle, where he did good Service against the _Scots_. Afterwards he followed the Standard of King _Edward_ the Fourth, to whom he valiantly and faithfully adhered, not only in the Sun-shine of his Prosperity, but also in his deepest Distress.

But what endeared him the most to his Favour, and was indeed the Masterpiece of his Service, was his adventuring into _Scotland_; a desperate Attempt, and performed not without the manifest hazarding of his Life; where he so cunningly demeaned himself, and insinuated himself so far into their Favour, as he got a sight of their Records and Original Letters; a Copy of which he brought with him to _England_, and presented the same to King _Edward_ the Fourth: Out of these he collected a History of the several Submissions, and sacred Oaths of Fealty openly taken from the time of King _Athelstane_, by the Kings of _Scotland_; to the Kings of _England_, for the Crown of _Scotland_; a Work which was afterwards made much use of by the _English_; although the _Scotch_ Historians stickle with might and main, that such Homage was performed only for the County of _Cumberland_, and some parcel of Land their Kings had in _England_ South of _Tweed_.

Now as his Prose was very useful, so was his Poetry as much delightful; writing a Chronicle of our _English_ Kings from _Brute_ to King _Edward_ the Fourth, and that in _English_ Verse; for which he was accounted one cf the chiefest Poets of his time; being so exactly done, that by it Dr. _Fuller_ adjudges him to have drunk as deep a draught of _Helicon_ as any in his Age: And another saying, that by the fame he deservedly claimed a Seat amongst the chiefest of the Poetical Writers.

But to give you the better view of his Poetical Abilities, I shall present you with some of his Chronicle-Verse, concerning the sumptuous Houshold kept by King _Richard_ the Second, _cap._ 193.

Truly I herd Robert Ireleffe say,
Clarke of the Green-cloth, and that to the houshold
Came every daye, forth most part alway
Ten thousand folke, by his Messes told,
That followed the hous aye as thei wold.
And in the Kechin, three hundred Seruitours,
And in eche Office many Occupiours.

And Ladies faire, with their Gentleweomen
Chamberers also and Lauenders,
Three hundred of theim were occupied then;
There was great pride emong the Officers,
And of all men far passing their compeers;
Of rich arraye, and much more costeus,
Then was before, or sith, and more precious, &c.

This our Poet _Harding_ was living _Anno_ 1461. being then very aged; and is judged to have survived not long after.

* * * * *

_ROBERT FABIAN_.

_Robert Fabian_ was born and bred in _London_ as witnesseth _Bale_ and _Pits_; becoming one of the Rulers thereof, being chosen Sheriff, _Anno_ 1493. He spent his time which he had spare from publick Employments, for the benefit of posterity; writing two large Chronicles: the one from _Brute_ to the Death of King _Henry_ the Second; the other, from the First of King _Richard_, to the Death of _Henry_ the Seventh. He was (saith my Author) of a merry disposition, and used to entertain his Guests as well with good Discourse as good Victuals: He bent his Mind much to the Study of Poetry; which according to those times, passed for currant. Take a touch of his Abilities in the Prologue to the second Volume of his Chronicle of _England_ and _France_.

Now would I fayne,
In words playne,
Some Honour sayne,
And bring to mynde;
Of that auncient Cytye,
That so goodly is to se,
And full true ever hath be,
And also full kynde,
To Prince and Kynge
That hath borne just rulynge,
Syn the first winnynge
of this Hand by _Brute_.
So that in great honour
By passynge of many a showre,
It hath euer borne the flowre;
And laudable _Brute_, &c.

These Verses were made for the Honour of _London_; which he calleth _Ryme Dogerel_, and at the latter end thereof, excuseth himself to the Reader in these words:

Who so him lyketh these Versys to rede,
With favour I pray he will theym spell;
Let not the rudenes of theym hym lede
For to dispraue thys Ryme Dogerell:
Some part of the honour it doth you tell
Of this old Cytye _Troynouant_;
But not thereof the halfe dell;
Connyng in the Maker is so adaunt:
But though he had the Eloquence
Of _Tully_, and the Moralytye
Of _Seneck_, and the Influence
Of the swyte sugred _Armony_,
Or that faire Ladye _Caliope_,
Yet had he not connyng perfyght,
This Citye to prayse in eche degre
As that shulde duely aske by ryght.

Sir _John Suckling_, a prime Wit of his Age, in the Contest betwixt the Poets for the Lawrel, maketh _Apollo_ to adjudge it to an Alderman of _London_; in these words;

He openly declar'd it was the best sign
Of good store of Wit, to have good store of Coyne,
And without a syllable more or less said,
He put the Lawrel on the Alderman's Head.

But had the Scene of this Competition been laid a hundred and fifty years ago, and the same remitted to the Umpirage of _Apollo_, in sober sadness he would have given the Lawrel to this our Alderman.

He died at _London_, Anno 1511, and was buried at St. _Michael's_ Church in _Cornhil_, with this Epitaph;

_Like as the Day his Course doth consume,
And the new Morrow springeth again as fast;
So Man and Woman by Natures custom
This Life do pass; at last in Earth are cast,
In Joy and Sorrow, which here their Time do wast,
Never in one state, but in course transitory,
So full of change is of the World the Glory_.

Dr. _Fuller_ observeth, That none hath worse Poetry than Poets on their Monuments; certainly there is no Rule without Exceptions; he himself instancing to the contrary in his _England's Worthies_, by Mr. _Drayton's_ Epitaph, and several others.

* * * * *

_JOHN SKELTON_.

_John Skelton_, the Poet Laureat in his Age, tho' now accounted only a Rhymer, is supposed to have been born in _Norfolke_, there being an ancient Family of that Name therein; and to make it the more probable, he himself was Beneficed therein at _Dis_ in that County. That he was Learned, we need go no further than to _Erasmus_ for a Testimony; who, in his Letter to King _Henry_ the Eighth, stileth him, _Britanicarum Literarum Lumen & Decus_. Indeed he had Scholarship enough, and Wit too much: _Ejus Sermo_ (saith _Pitz._) _salsus in mordacem, risus in opprobrium, jocus in amaritudinem_. Whoso reads him, will find he hath a miserable, loose, rambling Style, and galloping measure of Verse: yet were good poets so scarce in his Age, that he had the good fortune to be chosen Poet Laureat, as he stiles himself in his Works, _The Kings Orator, and Poet Laureat_.

His chief Works, as many as can be collected, and that out of an old Printed Book, are these; _Philip Sparrow_, _Speak Parrot_, _The Death of King_ Edward _the Fourth_, _A Treatise of the_ Scots, _Ware the Hawk_, _The Tunning of_ Elianer Rumpkin: In many of which, following the humor of the ancientest of our Modern Poets, he takes a Poetical Liberty of being Satyrical upon the Clergy, as brought him under the Lash of Cardinal _Woolsey_, who so persecuted him, that he was forced to take Sanctuary at _Westminster_, where Abbot _Islip_ used him with much respect. In this Restraint he died, _June_ 21, 1529. and was buried in St. _Margaret's_ Chappel, with this Epitaph;

_J. Sceltanus Vates Pierius hic situs est_.

We must not forget, how being charg'd by some on his Death-bed for begetting many Children on a Concubine which he kept, he protested, that in his Conscience he kept her in the notion of a Wife, though such his cowardliness, that he would rather confess Adultery, than own Marriage, the most punishable at that time.

* * * * *

_WILLIAM LILLIE_.

To this _John Scelton_, we shall next present you with the Life of his Contemporary and great Antagonist _William Lillie_, born at _Odiham_, a great Market-Town in _Hantshire_; who to better his knowledge, in his youth travelled to the City of _Jerusalem_, where having satisfied his curiosity in beholding those sacred places where on our Saviour trode when he was upon the Earth; he returned homewards, making some stay at _Rhodes_, to study _Greek_. Hence he went to _Rome_, where he heard _John Sulpitius_ and _Pomponius Sabinus_, great Masters of _Latine_ in those days. At his return home, Doctor _John Collet_ had new builded a fair School at the East-end of St. _Paul_'s, for 153 poor mens Children, to be taught free in the same School; for which he appointed a Master, an Usher, and a Chaplain, with large Stipends for ever; committing the oversight thereof to the Masters, Wardens and Assistants of the _Mercers_ in _London_, because he was Son to _Henry Collet_ Mercer, sometime Major; leaving for the Maintenance thereof, Lands to the yearly value of 120_l_. or better; making this _William Lilly_ first Master thereof; which Place he commendably discharg'd for 15 years. During which time he made his _Latine_ Grammar, the Oracle of Free Schools of _England_, and other Grammatical Works. He is said also by _Bale_, to have written Epigrams, and other Poetry of various Subjects in various _Latine_ Verse, though scarce any of them (unless it be his _Grammar_) now extant, only Mr. _Stow_ makes mention of an Epitaph made by him, and graven on a fair Tomb, in the midst of the Chancel of St. _Paul_'s in _London_ containing these Words;

_Inclyta_ Joannes Londini _Gloria gentis,
Is tibi qui quondam_ Paule _Decanus erat,
Qui toties magno resonabat pectore Christum,
Doctor & Interpres fidus Evangelij:
Qui mores hominum multum sermone disertae
Formarat, vitae sed probitate magis:
Quique Scholam struxit celebrem cognomine_ Jesu,
_Hac dormit tectus membra_ Coletus _humo_.

_Floruit sub_ Henrico 7. & Henrico 8.
_Reg. Obiit_ An. Dom. 1519.

_Disce mori Mundo, vivere disce Deo_.

_John Skelton_ (whom we mentioned before) whose Writings were for the most part Satyrical, mixing store of Gall and Copperas in his Ink, having fell foul upon Mr. _Lilly_ in some of his Verses, _Lilly_ return'd him this biting Answer;

_Quid me_ Sceltone _fronte sic aperta
Carpis, vipereo potens veneno?
Quid Versus trutina, meos iniqua
Libras? Dicere vera num licebit?
Doctrinae, tibi dum parare famam,
Et doctus fieri studes Poeta,
Doctrinam ne habes, nec es Poeta_.

With Face so bold, and Teeth so sharp,
Of Viper's venom, why dost carp?
Why are my Verses by thee weigh'd
In a false Scale? May Truth be said;
Whilst thou to get the more esteem,
_A Learned Poet_ fain wouldst seem,
_Skelton_, thou art, let all men know it,
Neither Learned, nor a Poet.

He died of the Plague, _Anno_ 1522, and was buried in St. _Paul's_, with this Epitaph on a Brass Plate, fixed in the Wall by the great North-Door:

Gulielmo Lilio, _Pauliae Scholae olim Praeceptori primario, &_
Agnetae _Conjugi, in sacratissimo hujus Templi Coemiterio hinc a
tergo nunc destructo consepultis_; Georgius Lilius, _hujus
Ecclesiae Canonicus, Parentum Memoriae pie consulens, Tabellam hanc
ab amicis conservatam, hic reponendam curavit._

* * * * *

_Sir THOMAS MORE_.

Sir _Thomas More_, a great Credit and Ornament in his Time, of the _English_ Nation, and with whom the Learned'st Foreigners of that Age, were proud to have correspondence, for his wit and excellent parts, was born in _Milk-street_, London. _Anno Dom._ 1480. Son to Sir _John More_, Knight, and one of the Justices of the _Kings Bench_.

He was bred first in the Family of Archbishop _Morton_, then in _Canterbury_-Colledge in _Oxford_; afterwards removed to an Inn of _Chancery_ in _London_, called _New-Inn_, and from thence to _Lincolns-Inn_; where he became a double Reader. Next, his Worth preferred him to be Judge in the Sheriff of _London's_, Court, though at the same time a Pleader in others; and so upright was he therein, that he never undertook any Cause but what appeared just to his Conscience, nor never took Fee of Widow, Orphan, or poor Person.

King _Henry_ the Eighth coming to the Crown, first Knighted him, then made him Chancellor of the Duchy of _Lancaster_, and not long after L. Chancellor of _England_, in which place he demeaned himself with great integrity, and with no less expedition; so that it is said, at one time he had cleared all Suits depending on that Court: whereupon, one thus versified on him,

When _More_ some years had Chancellor been,
No more Suits did remain;
The same shall never more be seen,
Till _More_ be there again.

He was of such excellency of Wit and Wisdom, that he was able to make his Fortune good in whatsoever he undertook: and to this purpose it is reported of him, that when he was sent Ambassador by his Master _Henry_ the Eighth into _Germany_, before he deliver'd his Embassage to the Emperor, he bid one of his Servants to fill him a Beer-glass of Wine, which he drunk off twice; commanding his Servant to bring him a third; he knowing Sir _Thomas More_'s Temperance, that he was not used to drink, at first refused to fill him another; telling Sir _Thomas_ of the weight of his Employment: but he commanding it, and his Servant not daring to deny him, he drank off the third, and then made his immediate address to the Emperor, and spake his Oration in _Latine_, to the admiration of all the Auditors. Afterwards Sir _Thomas_ merrily asking his Man what he thought of his Speech? he said, that he deserved to govern three parts of the World, and he believed if he had drunk the other Glass, the Elegancy of his Language might have purchased the other part of the World.

Being once at _Bruges_ in _Flanders_, an arrogant Fellow had set up a _Thesis_, that he would answer any Question could be propounded unto him in what Art soever. Of whom, when Sir _Thomas More_ heard, he laughed, and made this Question to be put up for him to answer; Whether _Averia capta in Withernamia sunt irreplegibilia_? Adding, That there was an _Englishman_ that would dispute thereof with him. This bragging _Thraso_, not so much as understanding the Terms of our Common Law, knew not what to answer to it, and so became ridiculous to the whole City for his presumptuous bragging.

Many were the Books which he wrote; amongst whom his _Utopia_ beareth the Bell; which though not written in Verse, yet in regard of the great Fancy and Invention thereof, may well pass for a Poem, it being the _Idea_ of a compleat Commonwealth in an Imaginary Island (but pretended to be lately discovered in _America_) and that so lively counterfeited, that many at the reading thereof, mistook it for a real Truth: insomuch that many great Learned men, as _Budeus_, and _Johannes Paludanus_ upon a fervent zeal, wished that some excellent Divines might be sent thither to preach Christ's Gospel: yea, there were here amongst us at home, sundry good Men, and learned Divines, very desirous to undertake the Voyage, to bring the People to the Faith of Christ, whose Manners they did so well like.

Mr. Owen, the _Brittish_ Epigrammatist, on this Book of _Utopia_, writeth thus;

More's _Utopia_ and _Mercurius Britanicus_.

_More_ shew'd the best, the worst World's shew'd by the:
Thou shew'st what is, and he shews what should be.

But at last he fell into the King's displeasure, touching the Divorce of Queen _Katherine_, and for refusing to take the Oath of Supremacy; for which he was committed to the Tower, and afterwards beheaded on _Tower-Hill_, July 6, 1635, and buried at _Chelsey_ under a plain Monument.

Those who desire to be further informed of this Learned Knight, let them read my Book of _England's Worthies_, where his Life is set forth more at large.

* * * * *

_HENRY HOWARD_ Earl of _Surrey_.

This Honourable Earl was Son to _Thomas Howard_ Duke of _Norfolk_, and _Frances_ his Wife, the Daughter of _John Vere_ Earl of _Oxford_. He was (saith _Cambden_) the first of our _English_ Nobility that did illustrate his high Birth with the Beauty of Learning, and his Learning with the knowledge of divers Languages, which he attained unto by his Travels into foreign Nations; so that he deservedly had the particular Fame of Learning, Wit and Poetical Fancy.

Our famous Poet _Drayton_, in his _England's Heroical Epistles_, writing of this Noble Earl, thus says of him;

The Earl of _Surrey_, that renowned Lord,
Th'old _English_ Glory bravely that restor'd,
That Prince and Poet (a Name more divine)
Falling in Love with Beauteous _Geraldine_,
Of the _Geraldi_, which derive their Name
From _Florence_; whether to advance her Fame,
He travels, and in publick Justs maintain'd
Her Beauty peerless, which by Arms he gain'd.

In his way to _Florence_, he touch'd at the Emperor's Court; where he fell in acquaintance with the great Learned _Cornelius Agrippa_, so famous for Magick, who shewed him the Image of his _Geraldine_ in a Glass, sick, weeping on her Bed, and resolved all into devout Religion for the absence of her Lord; upon sight of which, he made this Sonnet.

All Soul, no earthly Flesh, why dost thou fade?
All Gold, no earthly Dross, why look'st thou pale?
Sickness, how dar'st thou one so fair invade?
Too base Infirmity to work her Bale.
Heaven be distempered since she grieved pines,
Never be dry these my sad plantive Lines.

Pearch thou my Spirit on her Silver Breasts,
And with their pains redoubled Musick beatings,
Let them toss thee to world where all toil rests,
Where Bliss is subject to no Fear's defeatings;
Her Praise I tune whose Tongue doth tune the Sphears,
And gets new Muses in her Hearers Ears.

Stars fall to fetch fresh light from her rich eyes,
Her bright Brow drives the Sun to Clouds beneath.
Her Hairs reflex with red strakes paints the Skies,
Sweet Morn and Evening dew flows from her breath:
_Phoebe_ rules Tides, she my Tears tides forth draws,
In her sick-Bed Love sits, and maketh Laws.

Her dainty Limbs tinsel her Silk soft Sheets,
Her Rose-crown'd Cheeks eclipse my dazled sight.
O Glass! with too much joy my thoughts thou greets,
And yet thou shew'st me day but by twilight.
Ile kiss thee for the kindness I have felt,
Her Lips one Kiss would unto _Nectar_ melt.

From the Emperor's Court he went to the City of _Florence_, the Pride and Glory of _Italy_, in which City his _Geraldine_ was born, never ceasing till he came to the House of her Nativity; and being shewn the Chamber her clear Sun-beams first thrust themselves in this cloud of Flesh, he was transported with an Extasie of Joy, his Mouth overflow'd with _Magnificats_, his Tongue thrust the Stars out of Heaven, and eclipsed the Sun and Moon with Comparisons of his _Geraldine_, and in praise of the Chamber that was so illuminatively honoured with her Radiant Conception, he penned this Sonnet:

Fair Room, the presence of sweet Beauties pride,
This place the Sun upon the Earth did hold,
When _Phaeton_ his Chariot did misguide,
The Tower where _Jove_ rain'd down himself in Gold,
Prostrate as holy ground Ile worship thee.
Our _Ladies Chappel_ henceforth be thou nam'd;
Here first _Loves Queen_ put on Mortality,
And with her Beauty all the world inflam'd.
Heaven's Chambers harbouring fiery Cherubins,
Are not with thee in Glory to compare.
Lightning, it is not Light which in thee mines,
None enter thee but streight entranced are.
O! if _Elizium_ be above the ground,
Then here it is, where nought but Joy is found.

That the City of _Florence_ was the ancient Seat of her Family, he himself intimates in one of his Sonnets: thus;

From _Tuscan_ came my Ladies worthy Race;
Fair _Florence_ was sometimes her ancient Seat,
The Weltern Isle, whose pleasant Shoar doth face,
Whilst _Camber's_ Cliffs did give her lively heat.

In the Duke of _Florence's_ Court he published a proud Challenge against all Comers, whether _Christians_, _Turks_, _Canibals_, _Jews_, or _Saracens_, in defence of his _Geraldines_ Beauty. This Challenge was the more mildly accepted, in regard she whom he defended, was a Town-born Child of that City; or else the Pride of the _Italian_ would have prevented him ere he should have come to perform it. The Duke of _Florence_ nevertheless sent for him, and demanded him of his Estate, and the reason that drew him thereto; which when he was advertiz'd of to the full, he granteth all Countries whatsoever, as well Enemies and Outlaws, as Friends and Confederates, free access and regress into his Dominions immolested, until the Trial were ended.

This Challenge, as he manfully undertook, so he as valiantly performed; as Mr. _Drayton_ describes it in his Letter to the Lady _Geraldine_.

The shiver'd Staves here for thy Beauty broke,
With fierce encounters past at every shock,
When stormy Courses answer'd Cuff for Cuff,
Denting proud Beavers with the Counter-buff;
Which when each manly valiant Arm essays,
After so many brave triumphant days,
The glorious Prize upon my Lance I bare,
By Herald's Voyce proclaim'd to be thy share.

The Duke of _Florence_ for his approved Valour, offered him large Proffers to stay with him; which he refused: intending, as he had done in _Florence_, to proceed through all the chief Cities in _Italy_; but this his Purpose was frustrated, by Letters sent to him from his Master King _Henry_ the _8th._ which commanded him to return as speedily as possibly he could into _England_.

Our famous _English_ Antiquary _John Leland_, speaking much in the praise of Sir _Thomas Wiat_ the Elder, as well for his Learning, as other excellent Qualities, meet for a man of his Calling; calls this Earl the conscript enrolled Heir of the said Sir _Thomas Wiat_: writing to him in these words;

_Accipe Regnorum Comes illustrissime Carmen,
Quo mea Musa tuum laudavit moesta Viallum_.

And again, in another place,

_Perge_, Houerde, _tuum virtute referre Viallum,
Dicerisque tuae clarissima Gloria stirpis_.

A certain Treatise called _The Art of_ English _Poetry_, alledges, _That Sir_ Thomas Wiat _the Elder, and_ Henry _Earl of_ Surrey _were the two Chieftains, who having travelled into_ Italy, _and there tasted the sweet and stately Measures and Style of the_ Italian _Poesie, greatly polished our rude and homely manner of vulgar Poesie from what it had been before; and may therefore justly be shewed to be the Reformers of our_ English _Meeter and Style_.

I shall only add an Epitaph made by this Noble Earl on Sir _Anthony Denny_, Knight (a Gentleman whom King _Henry_ the _8th._ greatly affected) and then come to speak of his Death.

Death and the King did as it were contend,
Which of them two bare _Denny_ greatest Love;
The King to shew his Love, gan far extend,
Did him advance his Betters far above:
Near Place, much Wealth, great Honour eke him gave,
To make it known what Power great Princes have.

But when Death came with his triumphant Gift,
From worldly Cark he quit his wearied Ghost,
Free from the Corps, and streight to Heaven it lift,
Now deem that can who did for _Denny_ most;
The King gave Wealth, but fading and unsure,
Death brought him Bliss that ever shall endure.

But to return, this Earl had together with his Learning, Wisdom, Fortitude, Munificence, and Affability; yet all these good and excellent parts were no protection against the King's Displeasure; for upon the _12th_ of _December_, the last of King _Henry_ the _8th._ he, with his Father _Thomas_ Duke of _Norfolk_, upon certain surmises of Treason, were committed to the Tower of _London_, the one by Water, the other by Land; so that the one knew not of the others Apprehension: The _15th._ day of _January_ next following, he was arraigned at Guildhall, _London_, where the greatest matter alledged against him, was, for bearing certain Arms that were said belonged to the King and Prince; the bearing whereof he justified. To be short, (for so they were with him) he was found guilty by twelve common Juriars, had Judgment of Death; and upon the _19th_ day of the said Month (nine days before the Death of the said King _Henry_, was beheaded at _Tower-Hill_) He was at first interred in the Chappel of the Tower, and afterwards, in the Reign of King _James_, his Remainders of Ashes and Bones were removed to _Framingham_ in _Suffolk_, by his second Son _Henry_ Earl of _Northampton_, where in the Church they were interred, with this Epitaph;

Henrico Howardo, Thomae _Secundi Ducis_ Norfolciae _filio
primogenito_, Thomae _tertij Patri, Comiti_ Surriae, _&
Georgiani Ordinis Equiti Aurato, immature Anno Salutis 1546,
abrepto. Et_ Francisae _Uxori ejus, filiae_ Johannis
_Comitis_ Oxoniae. Henricus Howardus _Comes_
Northhamptoniae, _filius secundo genitus, hoc supremum Pietatis in
Parentes Monumentum posuit_, A.D. 1614.

* * * * *

Sir _THOMAS WIAT_ the Elder.

This worthy Knight is termed by the Name of the Elder, to distinguish him from Sir _Thomas Wiat_ the raiser of the Rebellion in the time of Queen _Mary_, and was born at _Allington_ Castle in the County of _Kent_; which afterwards he repaired with most beautiful Buildings. He was a Person of great esteem and reputation in the Reign of King _Henry_ the _8th._ with whom, for his honesty and singular parts, he was in high favour. Which nevertheless he had like to have lost about the Business of Queen _Anne Bullein_; but by his Innocency, Industry and Prudence, he extricated himself.

He was one of admirable ingenuity, and truly answer'd his Anagram, _Wiat_, a Wit, the judicious Mr. _Cambden_ saith he was.

_Eques Auratus splendide doctus_.

And though he be not taken notice of by _Bale_ nor _Pits_, yet for his admirable Translation of _David's_ Psalms into _English_ Meeter, and other Poetical Writings, _Leland_ forbears not to compare him to _Dante_ and _Petrarch_, by giving him this large commendation.

_Bella suum merito jactet_ Florentia Dantem
_Regia_ Petrarchae _carmina_ Roma _probat_,
_His non inferior Patrio Sermone_ Viattus
_Eloquii secum qui decus omne tulit_.

Let _Florence_ fair her _Dantes_ justly boast,
And royal _Rome_ her _Petrarchs_ number'd feet,
In _English Wiat_ both of them doth coast:
In whom all graceful eloquence doth meet.

The renowned Earl of _Surrey_ in an _Encomium_ upon his Translation of _David's_ Psalms, thus writes of him,

What holy Grave, what worthy Sepulcher,
To _Wiat's_ Psalms shall Christians purchase then?

And afterward, upon his death, the said Earl writeth thus:

What Vertues rare were temper'd in thy brest?
Honour that _England_ such a Jewel bred,
And kiss the ground whereas thy Corps did rest, _&c._

This worthy Knight being sent Ambassador by King _Henry_ the Eighth to _Charles_ the Fifth Emperor, then residing in _Spain_, died of the Pestilence in the West Country, before he could take Shipping, _Anno_ 1541.

* * * * *

Dr. _CHRISTOPHER TYE_.

In the writing this Doctors Life, we shall principally make use for Directions of Mr. _Fuller_, in his _England's Worthies_, fol. 244. He flourished (saith he) in the Reign of King _Henry_ the Eighth, and King _Edward_ the Sixth, to whom he was one of the Gentlemen of their Chappel, and probably the Organist. Musick, which received a grievous wound in _England_ at the dissolution of Abbeys, was much beholding to him for her recovery; such was his excellent Skill and Piety, that he kept it up in Credit at Court, and in all Cathedrals during his life: He translated _the Acts of the Apostles_ into Verse, and let us take a tast his Poetry.

In the former Treatise to thee,
dear friend _Theophilus_,
I have written the veritie
of the Lord Christ Jesus,

Which he to do and eke to teach,
began until the day;
In which the Spirit up did him fetch
to dwell above for aye.

After that he had power to do
even by the Holy Ghost:
Commandements then he gave unto
his chosen least and most.

To whom also himself did shew
from death thus to revive;
By tokens plain unto his few
even forty days alive.

Speaking of God's kingdom with heart
chusing together them,
Commanding them not to depart
from that _Jerusalem_.

But still to wait on the promise
of his Father the Lord,
Of which you have heard me e're this
unto you make record.

Pass we now (saith he) from his Poetry, (being Musick in words) to his Musick, (being Poetry in sounds) who set an excellent Composition of Musick in four parts, to the several Chapters of his aforenamed Poetry, dedicating the same to King _Edward_ the Sixth, a little before his death, and Printed it _Anno Dom._ 1353. He also did Compose many excellent _Services_ and _Anthems_ of four and five parts, which were used in Cathedrals many years after his death, the certain date whereof we cannot attain to.

* * * * *

_JOHN LELAND_.

This famous Antiquary, Mr. _John Leland_, flourish'd in the year 1546. about the beginning of the Reign of King _Edward_ the Sixth, and was born by most probable conjecture at _London_. He wrote, among many other Volumes, several Books of Epigrams, his _Cigneo Cantio_, a Genethliac of Prince _Edward_, _Naniae_ upon the death of Sir _Thomas Wiat_, out of which we shall present you with these Verses:

_Transtulit in nostram_ Davidis _carmina linguam,
Et numeros magna reddidit arte pares.
Non morietur opus tersum, spectabile sacrum,
Clarior hac fama parte_ Viattus _erit.
Una dies geminos Phoenices non dedit orbi,
Mors erit unius, vita sed alterius.
Rara avis in terris confectus morte_ Viattus,
Houerdum _haeredem scripserat ante suum.
Dicere nemo potest recte periisse_ Viattum,
_Ingenii cujus tot monimenta vigent_.

He wrote also several other things both in Prose and Verse, to his great fame and commendation.

* * * * *

_THOMAS CHURCHYARD_.

_Thomas Churchyard_ was born in the Town of _Shrewsbury_, as himself doth affirm in his Book made in Verse of the _Worthiness of Wales_, taking _Shropshire_ within the compass, (to use his own Expression) _Wales_ the _Park_, and the _Marches_ the _Pale_ thereof. He was one equally addicted to Arts and Arms, serving under that renowned Captain Sir _William Drury_, in a rode he made into _Scotland_, as also under several other Commanders beyond Sea, as he declares in his _Tragical Discourse of the Unhappy Mans Life_, saying,

Full thirty years both Court and Wars I tryde,
And still I sought acquaintance with the best,
And served the State, and did such hap abide
As might befal, and Fortune sent the rest,
When Drum did sound, I was a Soldier prest
To Sea or Land, as Princes quarrel stood,
And for the same full oft I lost my blood.

But it seems he got little by the Wars but blows, as he declares himself a little after.

But God he knows, my gain was small I weene,
For though I did my credit still encrease,
I got no wealth by wars, ne yet by peace.

Yet it seems he was born of wealthy friends, and had an Estate left unto him, as in the same Work he doth declare.

So born I was to House and Land by right,
But in a Bag to Court I brought the same,
From _Shrewsbury_-Town, a seat of ancient fame.

Some conceive him to be as much beneath a Poet as above a Rymer, yet who so shall consider the time he wrote in, _viz._ the beginning of the Reign of Queen _Elizabeth_, shall find his Verses to go abreast with the best of that Age. His Works, such as I have seen and have now in custody, are as followeth:

_The Siege of_ Leith.
_A Farewel to the World_.
_A feigned Fancy of the Spider and the Goat_.
_A doleful Discourse of a Lady and a Knight_.
_The Road into_ Scotland, _by Sir_ William Drury.
_Sir_ Simon Burley'_s Tragedy_.
_A Tragical Discourse of the Vnhappy Mans Life_.
_A Discourse of Vertue_.
Churchyard'_s Dream_.
_A Tale of a Fryar and a Shoomaker's wife_.
_The Siege of_ Edenborough-_Castle_.
_Queen_ Elizabeth'_s Reception into_ Bristol.

These Twelve several Treatises he bound together, calling them _Church-yard's Chips_, and dedicated them to Sir _Christopher Hatton_. He also wrote the Falls of _Shore_'s Wife and of Cardinal _Wolsey_; which are inserted into the Book of _the Mirrour for Magistrates_. Thus, like a stone, did he trundle about, but never gather'd any Moss, dying but poor, as may be seen by his Epitaph in Mr. _Cambden's Remains_, which runs thus;

Come _Alecto_, lend me thy Torch,
To find a _Church-yard_ in a Church-porch:
_Poverty_ and _Poetry_ his Tomb doth enclose,
Wherefore good Neighbours be merry in prose.

His death, according to the most probable conjecture, may be presumed about the eleventh year of the Queen's Reign, _Anno Dom._ 1570.

* * * * *

_JOHN HIGGINS_.

_John Higgins_ was one of the chief of them who compiled the History of _the Mirrour of Magistrates_, associated with Mr. _Baldwin_, Mr. _Ferrers_, _Thomas Churchyard_, and several others, of which Book Sir _Philip Sidney_ thus writes in his _Defence of Poesie_, _I account the_ Mirrour of Magistrates _meetly furnished of beautiful parts_. These Commendations coming from so worthy a person, our _Higgins_ having so principal a share therein, deserves a principal part of the praise. And how well his deservings were, take an essay of his Poetry in his induction to the Book.

When Summer sweet with all her pleasures past,
And leaves began to leave the shady tree,
The Winter cold encreased on full fast,
And time of year to sadness moved me:
For moisty blasts not half so mirthful be,
As sweet _Aurora_ brings in Spring-time fair,
Our joys they dim as Winter damps the air.

The Nights began to grow to length apace,
Sir _Phoebus_ to th'Antartique 'gan to fare:
From _Libra_'s lance, to the _Crab_ he took his race
Beneath the Line, to lend of light a share.
For then with us the days more darkish are,
More short, cold, moist, and stormy, cloudy, clit,
For sadness more than mirths or pleasures fit.

Devising then what Books were best to read,
Both for that time, and sentence grave also,
For conference of friend to stand in stead,
When I my faithful friend was parted fro;
I gat me strait the Printers shops unto,
To seek some Work of price I surely ment,
That might alone my careful mind content.

And then he declareth how there he found the first part of this Mirrour for Magistrates, which yet took beginning from the time of King _Richard_ the Second; But he knowing many Examples of famous persons before _William_ the Conquerour, which were wholly omitted, he set upon the Work, and beginning from _Brute_, continued it to _Aurelius Bassianus Caracalla_ Emperour of _Rome_, about the year of Christ 209. shewing in his Writings a great deal of Wisdom and Learning. He flourished about the beginning of the Reign of Queen _Elizabeth_.

* * * * *

_ABRAHAM FRAUNCE_.