Chapter 10

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_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.

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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.

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_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_.

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_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.

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_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.

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_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.

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_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.

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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_.

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_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.

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_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.

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_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.

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_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.

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_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_.

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_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.

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_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 _Ægypt_, _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.

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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._

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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.

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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.