Chapter 2

_Robert of Glocester_ _Richard_ the Hermit _Joseph of Exeter_ _Michael Blaunpayn_ _Matthew Paris_ _William Ramsey_ _Alexander Nequam_ _Alexander Essebie_ _Robert Baston_ _Henry Bradshaw_ _Havillan_ Sir _John Gower_ _Geoffrey Chaucer_ _John Lydgate_ _John Harding_ _Robert Fabian_ _John Skelton_ _William Lilly_ Sir _Thomas More_ _Henry Howard, Earl_ of _Surry_ Sir _Thomas Wiat_ Dr. _Christopher Tye_ _John Leland _Thomas Churchyard_ _John Higgins_ _Abraham Fraunce_ _William Warner_ _Thomas Tusser_ _Thomas Stow_ _Dr. Lodge_ _Robert Greene_ _Thomas Nash_ Sir _Philip Sidney_ Sir _Fulk Grevil_ Mr. _Edmund Spenser_ Sir _John Harrington_ _John Heywood_ _Thomas Heywood_ _George Peel_ _John Lilly_ _William Wager_ _Nicholas Berton_ _Tho. Kid, Tho. Watson_, &c. Sir _Thomas Overbury_ Mr. _Michael Drayton_ _Joshua Sylvester_ Mr. _Samuel Daniel_ _George Chapman_ _Robert Baron_ _Lodowic Carlisle_ _John Ford_ _Anthony Brewer_ _Henry Glapthorn_ _John Davis_ of _Hereford_ Dr. _John Donne_ Dr. _Richard Corbet_ Mr. _Benjamin Johnson_ _Fr. Beaumont_ and _Jo. Fletcher_ _William Shakespeare_ _Christopher Marlow_ _Barton Holyday_ _Cyril Turney_ _Thomas Middleton_ _William Rowley_ _Thomas Deckar_ _John Marston_ Dr. _Jasper Main_ _James Shirley_ _Philip Massinger_ _John Webster_ _William Brown_ _Thomas Randolph_ Sir _John Beaumont_ Dr. _Philemon Holland_ _Thomas Goffe_ _Thomas Nabbes_ _Richard Broome_ _Robert Chamberlain_ _William Sampson_ _George Sandys_, Esq; Sir _John Suckling_ Mr. _William Habington_ Mr. _Francis Quarles_ Mr. _Phineas Fletcher_ Mr. _George Herbert_ Mr. _Richard Crashaw_ Mr. _William Cartwright_ Sir _Aston Cockain_ Sir _John Davis_ _Thomas May_ _Charles Aleyn_ _George Withers_ _Robert Herric_ _John Taylor_, Water Poet _Thomas Rawlins_ Mr. _Thomas Carew_ Col. _Richard Lovelace_ _Alexander Broome_ Mr. _John Cleaveland_ Sir _John Birkenhead_ Dr. _Robert Wild_ Mr. _Abraham Cowley_ Mr. _Edmond Waller_ Sir _John Denham_ Sir _William Davenant_ Sir _George Wharton_ Sir _Robert Howard_ _W. Cavendish_, _D. of Newcastle_ Sir _William Killegrew_ _John Studly_ _John Tatham_ _Thomas Jordan_ _Hugh Crompton_ _Edmund Prestwich_ _Pagan Fisher_ _Edward Shirburn_, Esq; _John Quarles_ _John Milton_ _John Ogilby_ Sir _Richard Fanshaw_ Earl of _Orrery_ _Thomas Hobbs_ Earl of _Rochester_ Mr. _Thomas Flatman_ _Martin Luellin_ _Edmond Fairfax_ _Henry King_, Bishop of _Chichester_ _Thomas Manley_ Mr. _Lewis Griffin_ _John Dauncey_ _Richard Head_ _John Philips_ Mr. _John Oldham_ Mr. _John Driden_ Mr. _Elkinah Settle_ Sir _George Etheridge_ Mr. _John Wilson_ Mr. _Thomas Shadwell_ _Thomas Stanley_, Esq; _Edward Philips_ Mr. _Thomas Sprat_ _William Smith_ Mr. _John Lacey_ Mr. _William Whicherly_ Sir _Roger L'Estrange_

* * * * *

THE LIVES Of the most Famous ENGLISH POETS,

FROM _WILLIAM_ the _Conqueror_, to these Present Times.

* * * * *

_The Life of ROBERT of Glocester._

We will begin first with _Robert_ of _Glocester_, so called, because a Monk of that City, who flourisht about the Reign of King _Henry_ the Second; much esteemed by Mr. _Cambden_, who quotes divers of his old _English_ Rhythms in praise of his Native Country, _England_. Some (who consider not the Learning of those times) term him a Rhymer, whilst others more courteously call him a Poet: Indeed his Language is such, that he is dumb in effect, to the Readers of our Age, without an Interpreter; which that ye may the better perceive, hear these his Verses of _Mulmutius Dunwallo_, in the very same Language he wrote them.

A Kynge there was in Brutayne Donwallo was his Nam, Staleworth and hardy, a man of grete Fam: He ordeyned furst yat theeues yat to Temple flowen wer, No men wer so hardy to do hem despit ther; That hath he moche such yhold, as hit begonne tho, Hely Chyrch it holdeth yut, and wole ever mo.

Antiquaries (amongst whom Mr. _Selden_) more value him for his History than Poetry, his Lines being neither strong nor smooth, yet much informing in those things wherein he wrote; whereof to give you a taste of the first planting Religion in this Land by King _Lucius_,

Lucie Cocles Son after him Kynge was, To fore hym in Engelonde Chrestendom non was, For he hurde ofte miracles at Rome, And in meny another stede, yat thurgh Christene men come, He wildnede anon in hys herte to fonge Chrystendom. Therefor Messagers with good Letters he nom, That to the Pape Eleutherie hastelyche wende; And yat he to hym and his menne expondem sende, And yat he might seruy God wilned muche thereto, And seyd he wald noght be glader hyt were ydo.

This _English_ Rhymer or Poet, which you will have it to be, is said to have lived whilst he was a very old man, and to have died about the beginning of the Reign of King _John_.

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_RICHARD the Hermit_.

Contemporary with _Robert_ of _Glocester_, was one _Richard_, a Religious Hermit, whose Manuscripts were a while ago (and for ought I know, are still) kept in _Exeter_-Library, although _Exeter_-House in the _Strand_, is converted now into an Exchange: This Religious Hermit studied much in converting the Church-Service into _English_ Verse; of which we shall give you an Essay in part of the _Te Deum_, and part of the _Magnificat_,

Te Deum.

We heryen ye God, we knowlechen ye Lord: All ye erye worships ye everlasting fader: Alle Aungels in hevens, and alle ye pours in yis world, Cherubin and Seraphin cryen by voyce to ye unstyntyng.

Magnificat.

My Soul worschips the Louerd, and my Gott joyed in God my hele For he lokyd ye mekenes of hys hondemayden: So for iken of yat blissefulle schall sey me all generacjouns; For he has don to me grete thingis yat mercy is, and his nam hely.

He likewise translated all the Psalms of _David_, as also the _Collects, Epistles_ and _Gospels_ for the whole year, together with the _Pater Noster_ and _Creed_; though there was then another _Pater Noster_ and _Creed_ used in the Church, sent into _England_ by _Adrian_ the Fourth, Pope of _Rome_, an _Englishman_, the Son of _Robert Breakspeare_ of _Abbots Langley_ in _Hertfordshire_, unto King _Henry_ the Second; which (for variety sake) we shall give you as followeth:

Pater Noster.

Ure fader in hevene riche, Thi nom be haliid everliche, Thou bring us to thi michilblisce, Thi wil to wirche thu us wille, Als hit is in hevene ido Ever in erth ben hit also, That heli bred that lastyth ay, Thou sende hious this ilke day, Forgiv ous al that we hauith don, Als we forgiu och oder mon, He let ous falle in no founding, Ak seilde ous fro the foul thing. Amen.

The Creed.

I Beleeve in God fader almigty, shipper of heven and erth, And in Jhesus Crist his onle thi son vre Louerd, That is iuange thurch the hooli Ghost, bore of Mary Maiden, Tholede pine undyr Pounce Pilate, pitcht on rode tre, dead and yburiid. Litcht into helle, the thridde day fro death arose, Steich into hevene, sit on his fader richt hand God Almichty, Then is cominde to deme the quikke and the dede, I beleve in ye hooli Gost, Alle hooli Chirche, None of alle hallouen forgivenis of sine, Fleiss uprising, Lif withuten end. Amen.

When this _Richard_ the Hermit died, we cannot find, but conjecture it to be about the middle of the Reign of King _John_, about the year 1208.

* * * * *

_JOSEPH_ of _Exeter_.

_Joseph of Exeter_ was born at the City of _Exeter_ in _Devonshire_, he was also sirnamed _Iscanus_, from the River _Isk_, now called _Esk_, which running by that City, gave it formerly the denomination of _Isca_. This _Joseph_ (faith my Author) was _a Golden Poet in a Leaden Age_, so terse and elegant were his Conceits and Expressions. In his younger years he accompanied King _Richard_ the First, in his Expedition into the _Holy Land_, by which means he had the better advantage to celebrate, as he did, the Acts of that warlike Prince, in a Poem, entituled _Antiochea_. He also wrote six Books _De Bello Trojano_, in Heroick Verse, which, as the learned _Cambden_ well observes, was no other then that Version of _Dares Phyrgius_ into _Latine_ Verse. Yet so well was it excepted, that the _Dutchmen_ not long since Printed it under the name of _Cornelius Nepos_, an Author who lived in the time of _Tully_, and wrote many excellent pieces in Poetry, but upon a strict view of all his Works, not any such doth appear amongst them; they therefore do this _Joseph_ great wrong in depriving him the honour of his own Works. He was afterwards, for his deserts, preferred to be Arch-bishop of _Burdeaux_, in the time of King _John_, about the year 1210.

* * * * *

_MICHAEL BLAUNPAYN_.

This _Michael Blaunpayn_, otherwise sirnamed the _Cornish_ Poet, or the Rymer, was born in _Cornwall_, and bred in _Oxford_ and _Paris_, where he attained to a good proficiency in Learning, being of great fame and estimation in his time, out of whose Rymes for merry _England_ as _Cambden_ calls them, he quotes several passages in that most excellent Book of his _Remains_. It hapned one _Henry_ of _Normandy_, chief Poet to our _Henry_ the Third, had traduced _Cornwall_, as an inconsiderable Country, cast out by Nature in contempt into a corner of the land. Our _Michael_ could not endure this Affront, but, full of Poetical fury, falls upon the Libeller; take a tast (little thereof will go far) of his strains.

_Non opus est ut opus numere quibus est opulenta, Et per quas inopes sustentat non ope lenta, Piscibus & stanno nusquam tam fertilis ora_.

We need not number up her wealthy store, Wherewith this helpful Lands relieves her poor, No Sea so full of Filh, of Tin, no shore.

Then, in a triumphant manner, he concludeth all with this Exhortation to his Countrymen:

_Quid nos deterret? si firmiter in pede stemus, Fraus ni nos superat, nihil est quod non superemus._

What should us fright, if firmly we do stand? Bar fraud, and then no force can us command.

Yet his Pen was not so lushious in praising, but, when he listed, it was as bitter in railing, witness this his Satyrical Character of his aforesaid Antagonist.

_Est tibi gamba capri, crus passeris, & latus Apri, Os leporis, catuli nasus, dens & gena Muli, Frons vetulæ, tauricaput, & color undique Mauri, His argumentis quibus est argutia Mentis, Quod non a Monstro differs, satis hic tibi monstro._

Gamb'd like a Goat, Sparrow-thigh'd, sides as a Boar, Hare-mouth'd, Dog-nos'd, like Mule thy teeth and chin, Brow'd as old wife, Bull headed, black as a _More_, If such without, then what are you within? By these my signs the wife will easily conster, How little thou does differ from a Monster.

This _Michael_ flourished in the time of King _John_, and _Henry_ the Third.

* * * * *

_MATTHEW PARIS_.

_Matthew Paris_ is acknowledged by all to be an _Englishman_ saving only one or two wrangling Writers, who deserve to be arraigned of Felony for robbing our Country of its due; and no doubt _Cambridgeshire_ was the County made happy by his birth, where the Name and Family of _Paris_ is right ancient, even long before they were setled therein at _Hildersham_, wherein they still flourish, though much impaired for their Loyalty in the late times of Rebellion.

He was bred a Monk of St. _Albans_, living in that loose Age a very strict and severe life, never less idle than when he was alone; spending those hours, reserved from Devotion, in the sweet delights of Poetry, and laborious study of History, in both which he excelled all his Contemporaries: His skill also was excellent in Oratory and Divinity, as also in such manual Arts as lie in the Suburbs of the liberal Sciences, Painting, Graving, _&c._ so that we might sooner reckon up those things wherein he had no skill, as those wherein he was skilled: But his _Genius_ chiefly disposed him for the writing of Histories, writing a large Chronicle with great Commendations from the _Norman_ Conquest to the Year of our Lord 1250. where he concludes with this Distich:

_Sifte tui metas studij_, Matthæe, _quietas_ _Nec ventura petas, quæ postera proferat atas._

Matthew, here cease thy Pen in peace, and study on no more, Nor do thou rome at things to come, what next Age hath in store.

Yet, notwithstanding this resolution, he afterwards resumed that Work, continuing it to the Year 1259. a History impartially and judicially written, neither flattering any for their Greatness, nor sparing others for their Vices, no not so much as those of his own Profession; yet though he had sharp Nails, he had clean Hands, strict in his own, as well as linking at the loose conversation of others, and for his eminent austerity, was imployed by Pope _Innocent_ the Fourth, not only to visit the Monks in the Diocess of _Norwich_ but also was sent by him into _Norway_, to reform the Discipline in _Holui_, a fair Covent therein, but much corrupted.

His History was set forth with all integrity about a hundred years ago, by his namesake, _Matthew Parker_, (though some asperse it with a suspition of forgery) and afterwards in a latter and more exact Edition, by the care and industry of Doctor _William Wats_, and is at this present in great esteem amongst learned men.

* * * * *

_WILLIAM RAMSEY_.

This _William Ramsey_ was born in _Huntingtonshire_, a County famous for the richest _Benedictines_ Abbey in _England_; yet here he would not stay, but went to _Crowland_, where he prospered so well, that he became Abbot thereof. _Bale_ saith he was a _Natural Poet_, and therefore no wonder if fault be found in the Feet of his Verses; but by his leave, he was also a good Scholar, and Arithmetician enough to make his Verse run in right Numbers.

This _William_ wrote the Lives of St. _Guthlake_, St. _Neots_, St. _Edmond_ the King, and divers others, all in Verse, which no doubt were very acceptable and praise-worthy in those times; but the greatest wonder of him, and which may seem a wonder indeed, was, that being a Poet, he paid the vast Debts of others, even forty thousand Marks for the engagement of his Covent, and all within the compass of eighteen Months, wherein he was Abbot of _Crowland_. This was a vast Sum in that Age, and would render it altogether incredible for a Poet to do, but that we find he had therein the assistance of King _Henry_ the Second; who, to expiate the Blood of _Becket_, was contented to be melted into Coyn, and was prodigiously bountiful to many Churches as well as to this. He died about the year 1180.

* * * * *

_ALEXANDER NEQUAM_.

_Alexander Nequam_, the learnedest _Englishman_ of his Age, was born at St. _Albans_ in _Hartfordshire_: His Name in _English_ signifies _Bad_, which caused many, who thought themselves wondrous witty in making Jests, (which indeed made themselves) to pass several Jokes on his Sirname, whereof take this one instance: _Nequam_ had a mind to become a Monk in St. _Albans_, the Town of his Nativity, and thus Laconically wrote for leave to the Abbot thereof;

_Si vis, veniam, sin autem, tu autem_.

To whom the Abbot returned,

_Si bonus sis, venias, si nequam, nequaquam_.

Whereupon for the future, to avoid the occasion of such Jokes, he altered his Name from _Nequam_, to _Neckam_.

His admirable knowledge in good Arts, made him famous throughout _England_, _France_, _Italy_, yea and the whole World, and that with incredible admiration, that he was called _Miraculum ingenij_, the Wonder and Miracle of Wit and Sapience. He was an exact Philosopher, and excellent Divine, an accurate Rhetorician, and an admirable Poet, as did appear by many his Writings which he left to posterity, some of which are mentioned by _Bale_.

That he was born at St. _Albans_, appears by a certain passage in one of his _Latine_ Poems, cited by Mr. _Cambden_, and thus Englished by his Translatour, Doctor _Holland_.

_This is the place that knowledge took of my Nativity, My happy Years, my Days also of Mirth and Jollity. This Place my Childhood trained up in all Arts liberal, And laid the ground-work of my Name, and skill Poetical. This Place great and renowned Clerks into the World hath sent; For Martyr bless'd, for Nation, for Sight, all excellent. A troop here of Religious Men serve Christ both night and day, In Holy Warfare, taking pains duly to watch and pray._

He is thought by some, saith _Bale_, to have been a Canon Regular, and to have been preferred to the Abbotship of _Glocester_, as the Continuater of _Robert of Glocester_ will have it.

And Master Alisander that Chanon was er Imaked was of Gloucestre Abbot thulk yer. Viz. 7 Reg. Regis _Johannis_.

But this may be understood of _Alexander Theologus_, who was contempory with him: and was Abbot of St. _Maries_ in _Cirencester_ at the time of his death.

Bishop _Godwin_, in his Catalogue of the Bishops of _Lincoln_, maketh mention of a passage of wit betwixt him and _Phillip Repington_ Bishop of _Lincoln_, the latter sending the Challenge.

_Et niger & Nequam cum sis cognomine Nequam, Nigrior esse potes, Nequior esse nequis_.

Both black and bad, whilest _Bad_ the name to thee, Blacker thou may'st, but worse thou canst not be.

To whom _Nequam_ rejoyned,

Phi _not a foetoris_, Lippus _malus omnibus horis_, Phi _malus_ & Lippus, _totus malus ergo_ Philippus.

Stinks are branded with a _Phi, Lippus_ Latin for blear-eye, _Phi_ and _Lippus_ bad as either, then _Philippus_ worse together.

A Monk of St. _Albans_ made this Hexameter allusively to his Name:

_Dictus erat_ Nequam, _vitam duxit tamen aquam_.

The Elogy he bestoweth on that most Christian Emperor _Constantine_ the Great, must not be forgot:

From _Colchester_ there rose a Star, The Rays whereof gave Glorious Light Throughout the world in Climates far, Great _Constantine, Romes_ Emperor bright.

He was (saith one) Canon of _Exeter_, and (upon what occasion is not known,) came to be buried at _Worcester_, with this Epitaph,

_Eclipsim patitur Sapientia, Sol sepelitur, Cui si par unus, minus esset flebile funus; Vir bene discretus, & in omni more facetus, Dictus erat_ Nequam, _vitam duxit tamen æquam_.

Wisdom's eclips'd, Sky of the Sun bereft; Yet less the loss if like alive were left; A man discreet, in matters debonair, Bad Name, black Face, but Carriage good and fair.

Yet others say he was buried at St. _Albans_ (where he found repulse when living, but repose when dead) with this Epitaph,

Alexander, _cognomento_ Nequam, _Abbas_ Cirecestriæ, _Literarum scientia clarus, obiit Anno Dom._ 1217. _Lit. Dom. C. prid. Cal. Feb. & sepultus erat apud Fanum S._ Albani, _sujus Animæ propitietur altissimus_, Amen.

* * * * *

_ALEXANDER ESSEBIE_.

This _Alexander_ was born in _Staffordshire_, say some; in _Somersetshire_, say others; for which, each County might strive as being a Jewel worth the owning, being reckoned among the chief of _English_ Poets and Orators of that Age. He in imitation of _Ovid de Fastis_, put our Christian Festivals into Verse, setting a Copy therein to _Baptista Mantuan_. Then leaving _Ovid_, he aspired to _Virgil_, and wrote the History of the Bible, (with the Lives of some Saints,) in an Heroical Poem, which he performed even to admiration; and though he fell short in part of _Virgil_'s lofty style, yet went he beyond himself therein. He afterward became Prior of _Esseby-Abbey_, belonging to the _Augustines_, and flourished under King _Henry_ the Third, _Anno Dom._ 1220.

* * * * *

_ROBERT BASTON_.

_Robert Baston_ was born not far from _Nottingham_, and bred a _Carmelite_ Frier at _Scarborough_ in _Yorkshire_: He was of such great Fame in Poetry, that King _Edward_ the Second, in his _Scotish_ Expedition pitcht upon him to be the Celebrater of his Heroick Acts; when being taken Prisoner by the _Scots_, he was forced by Torments to change his Note, and represent all things to the advantage of _Robert Bruce_, who then claimed the Crown of _Scotland_: This Task he undertook full sore against his will, as he thus intimates in the two first Lines.

In dreery Verse my Rymes I make, Bewailing whilest such Theme I take.

Besides his Poem _De Belle Strivilensi_, there was published of his writing a Book of Tragedies, with other Poems of various Subjects.

* * * * *

_HENRY BRADSHAW_.

_Henry Bradshaw_ was born in the City of _Chester_, and bred a _Benedictine_ Monk in the Monastery of _St. Werburg_; the Life of which Saint he wrote in Verse, as also (saith my Author) a no bad Chronicle, though following therein those Authors, who think it the greatest Glory of a Nation to fetch their Original from times out of mind. Take a Taste of his Poetry in what he wrote concerning the Original of the City of _Chester_, in these words;

The Founder of this City, as saith _Polychronicon_, Was _Leon Gawer_, a mighty strong Gyant, Which builded Caves and Dungeons many a one, No goodly Building, ne proper, ne pleasant.

But King _Leir_, a _Britain_ fine and valiant, Was Founder of _Chester_ by pleasant Building, And was named _Guer Leir_ by the King.

These Lines, considering the Age he lived in, (which _Arnoldus Vion_ saith, was about the Year 1346.) may pass with some praise, but others say he flourished a Century of years afterwards, _viz._ 1513. which if so, they are hardly to be excused, Poetry being in that time much refined; but whensoever he lived, _Bale_ saith, he was (the Diamond in the Ring) _Pro ea ipsa ætate, admodum pius_.

* * * * *

_HAVILLAN_.

Should we forget the learned _Havillan_, our Book would be thought to be imperfect, so terse and fluent was his Verse, of which we shall give you two Examples, the one out of Mr. _John Speed_ his Description of _Devonshire_, speaking of the arrival of _Brute_.

The God's did guide his Sail and Course, the Winds were at command, And _Totness_ was the happy shore where first he came on land.

The other out of Mr. _Weever_ his Funeral Monuments in the Parish of St. _Aldermanbury_ in _London_, speaking of _Cornwal_.

There Gyants whilome dwelt, whose Clothes were skins of Beasts; Whose Drink was Blood; Whose Cups, to serve for use at Feasts, Were made of hollow Wood; Whose Beds were bushy Thorns; And Lodgings rocky Caves, to shelter them from Storms; Their Chambers craggy Rocks; their Hunting found them Meat. To vanquish and to kill, to them was pleasure great. Their violence was rule; with rage and fury led, They rusht into the fight, and fought hand over head. Their Bodies were interr'd behind some bush or brake, To bear such monstrous Wights, the earth did grone and quake. These pestred most the Western Tract; more fear made thee agast, O _Cornwall_, utmost door that art to let in _Zephyrus_ blast.

* * * * *

_JOHN GOWER_.

_John Gower_, whom some make to be a Knight, though _Stow_, in his _survey of London_, unknighteth him, and saith he was only an Esquire; however he was born of a knightly Family, at _Stitenham_ in the North-Riding in _Bulmore-Wapentake_ in _Yorkshire_. He was bred in _London_ a Student of the Laws, but having a plentiful Estate, and prizing his pleasure above his profit, he quitted Pleading to follow Poetry, being the first refiner of our _English_ Tongue, effecting much, but endeavouring more therein, as you may perceive by the difference of his Language, with that of _Robert of Glocester_, who lived in the time of King _Richard_ the First, which notwithstanding was accounted very good in those days.