Chapter 11

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 Cæsar_: 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 Musæ_, _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.