Chapter 8

Of _Albions_ glorious Isle the wonders whilst I write, The sundry varying Soyls, the Pleasures infinite, Where heat kills not the cold, nor cold expells the heat, The calms too mildly small, nor winds too roughly great. Nor night doth hinder day, nor day the night doth wrong; The summer not too short, the winter not too long: What help shall I invoke to aid my Muse the while? _&c._

However, in the esteem of the more curious of these times, his Works seem to be antiquated, especially this of his _Poly-Olbion_ because of the old-fashion'd kind of Verse thereof, which seems somewhat to diminish that respect which was formerly paid to the Subject, although indeed both pleasant and elaborate, wherein he took a great deal both of study and pains; and thereupon thought worthy to be commented upon by that once walking Library of our Nation, Mr. _John Selden_: His _Barons Wars_ are done to the Life, equal to any of that Subject. His _Englands Heroical Epistles_ generally liked and received, entituling him unto the appellation of the _English Ovid_. His Legends of _Robert_ Duke of _Normandy_. _Matilda_, _Pierce Gaveston_, and _Thomas Cromwel_, all of them done to the Life. His _Idea_ expresses much Fancy and Poetry. And to such as love that Poetry, that of _Nymphs_ and _Shepherds_, his _Nymphals_, and other things of that nature, cannot be unpleasant.

To conclude, He was a Poet of a pious temper, his Conscience having always the command of his Fancy; very temperate in his Life, flow of speech, and inoffensive in company. He changed his Lawrel for a Crown of Glory, _Anno_ 1631. and was buried in _Westminster-Abbey_, near the South-door, by those two eminent Poets, _Geoffry Chaucer_ and _Edmond Spencer_, with this Epitaph made (as it is said) by Mr. _Benjamin Johnson_.

_Do, pious Marble, let thy Readers know What they, and what their Children ow To Drayton's Name, whose sacred Dust We recommend unto thy Trust_

_Protect his Memory, and preserve his Story, Remain a lasting Monument of his Glory: And when thy Ruines shall disclaim To be the Treasurer of his Name, His Name that cannot fade shall be An everlasting Monument to thee_.

* * * * *

_JOSHUA SYLVESTER_.

_Joshua Sylvester_, a very eminent Translator of his time, especially of the Divine _Du Bartus_, whose six days work of Creation, gain'd him an immortal Fame, having had many great Admirers even to these days, being usher'd into the world by the chiefest Wits of that Age; amongst others, the most accomplisht Mr. _Benjamin Johnson_ thus wrote of him.

If to admire, were to commend my Praise might then both thee, thy work and merit raise; But, as it is (the Child of Ignorance And utter stranger to all Ayr of _France_) How can I speak of thy great pains, but err; Since they can only judge that can confer? Behold! the reverend shade of _Bartus_ stands Before my thought and (in thy right) commands That to the world I publish, for him, this: _Bartus doth with thy_ English _now were his_, So well in that are his Inventions wrought, As his will now be the _Translation_ thought, Thine the Original; and _France_ shall boast No more those Maiden-Glories she hath lost.

He hath also translated several other Works of _Du Bartus_; namely, _Eden_, the _Deceipt_, the _Furies_, the _Handicrafts_, the _Ark_, _Babylon_, the _Colonies_, the _Columns_, the _Fathers_, _Jonas_, _Urania_, _Triumph of Faith_, _Miracle of Peace_, the _Vocation_, the _Fathers_, the _Daw_, the _Captains_, the _Trophies_, the _Magnificence_, &c. Also a Paradox of _Odes de la Nove_, Baron of _Teligni_, with the Quadrains of _Pibeac_; all which Translations were generally well received: but for his own Works which were bound up with them, they received not so general an approbation; as you may perceive by these Verses;

We know thou dost well As a Translator, But where things require A Genius and a Fire, Not kindled before by others pains, As often thou hast wanted Brains.

* * * * *

Mr. _SAMUEL DANIEL_.

Mr. _Daniel_ was born nigh to the Town of _Taunton_ in _Somersetshire_; his Father was a Master of Musick, and his harmonious Mind (saith Dr. _Fuller_) made an impression in his Son's Genius, who proved to be one of the Darlings of the Muses, a most excellent Poet, whose Wings of Fancy displayed the Flags of highest Invention: Carrying in his _Christian_ and _Sirname_ the Names of two holy Prophets; which, as they were Monitors to him, for avoyding Scurrility, so he qualified his Raptures to such a strain, as therein he abhorred all Debauchery and Prophaneness.

Nor was he only one of the inspired Train of _Phoebus_, but also a most judicious Historian, witness his Lives of our _English_ Kings since the Conquest, until King _Edward_ the Third, wherein he hath the happiness to reconcile brevity with clearness, qualities of great distance in other Authors; and had he continued to these times, no doubt it had been a Work incomparable: Of which his Undertaking, Dr. _Heylin_ in the Preface to his _Cosmography_, gives this Character, speaking of the chiefest Historians of this Nation; _And to end the Bed-roll_ (says he) _half the Story of this Realm done by Mr._ Daniel, _of which I believe that which himself saith of it in his Epistle to the Reader, that there was never brought together more of the Main_. Which Work is since commendably continued (but not with equal quickness and judgment,) by Mr. _Truffel_.

As for his Poems so universally received, the first in esteem is, that Heroical one of the Civil Wars between the two Houses of _York_ and _Lancaster_; of which the elaborate Mr. _Speed_, in his Reign of _Richard_ the Second, thus writes: _The Seeds_ (saith he) _of those fearful Calamities, a flourishing Writer of our Age_ (speaking of Mr. _Daniel_) _willing nearly to have imitated_ Lucan, _as he is indeed called our_ English Lucan, _doth not unfortunately express, tho' he might rather have said he wept them, than sung them; but indeed so to sing them, is to weep them._

I sing the Civil Wars, tumultuous Broils And bloody Factions of a mighty Land, Whose people haughty, proud with foreign spoyls; Upon their selves turn back their conquering hand

While Kin their Kin, Brother the Brother foils, Like Ensigns, all against like Ensigns stand: Bows against Bows, a Crown against a Crown, While all pretending right, all right throw down

Take one Taste more of his Poetry, in his sixth Book of that Heroical Poem, speaking of the Miseries of Civil War.

So wretched is this execrable War, This civil Sword, wherein though all we see be foul, and all things miserable are, Yet most of all is even the Victory; Which is, not only the extream Ruiner of others, but her own Calamity; Where who obtains, cannot what he would do: Their power hath part that holp him thereunto.

Next, take notice of his _Musophilus_, or general Defence of Learning, Dedicated to Sir _Fulk Greuil_; his Letter of _Octovia_ to _Marcus Antonius_, his Complaint of _Rosamond_ his _Panegyrick_, _Delia_, _&c._ Besides his _Dramatick_ Pieces; as his Tragedy of _Philotus_ and _Cleopatra_; _Hymenis Triumph_, and the _Queens Arcadia_, a Pastoral; being all of them of such worth, that they were well accepted by the choicest Judgments of those Times, and do yet remain in good esteem, as by their often Impressions may appear.

This our Poet's deserts preferr'd him to be a Servant in ordinary to Queen _Anne_, the most illustrious wife of King _James_ I. who allowed him a fair Salary, such as enabled him to keep a handsom Gardenhouse in _Old-street_ nigh _London_, where he would commonly lie obscure sometimes two Months together, the better to enjoy that great Felicity he aimed at, by enjoying the company of the _Muses_, and then would appear in publick, to recreate himself, and converse with his Friends; of whom the most endeared were the Learned Doctor _Cowel_, and Judicious Mr. _Cambden_.

And now being weary of the Troubles of the City and Court, he retired into the Country, and turn'd Husbandman, Renting a Farm or Grange in _Wiltshire_ nigh the _Devizes_, not so much, as it is thought, for the hope of gains, as to enjoy the retiredness of a Country Life: How he thrived upon it, I cannot inform my self, much less my Readers, although no question pleasing himself therein, he attained to that Riches he sought for, _viz._ Quiet and Contentedness; which whoso enjoys, reapeth benefit of his labours. He left no Issue behind him but those of his Brain, though living a good space of time with _Justina_ his wife: For his Estate, he had neither a _Bank_ of Wealth, nor _Lank_ of Want; but living in a competent contented condition, and died (as it is conjectured) about the latter end of King _James_ I.

* * * * *

_GEORGE CHAPMAN_.

_George Chapman_ was one in his time much famed for the Fluency of his Muse; gaining a great repute for his Translation of _Homer_ and _Hesiod_, which in those times passed as Works done without compare; and indeed considering he was one of the first who brake the Ice in the Translation of such learned Authors, reading the highest conception of their Raptures into a neat polite _English_, as gave the true meaning of what they intended, and rendred it a style acceptable to the Reader; considering, I say, what Age he lived in, it was very well worthy praise; though since the Translation of _Homer_ is very far out-done by Mr. _Ogilby_. He also continued that excellent Poem of _Hero_ and _Leander_, begun by _Christopher Marlow_, and added very much to the Stage in those times by his Dramatick Writings; as his _Blind Beggar_ of _Alexandria_, _All Fools_, the _Gentleman Usher_, _Humorous Days Mirth_, _May-Day_, _Mounsieur D'Olive_, _Eastward ho_, _Two wise men, and all the rest Fools_, _Widows Tears_, Comedies; _Bussy D' Amboys_, _Byron's Tragedy_, _Bussy D'Amboys Revenge_, _Cæsar_ and _Pompey_, _Revenge for Honour_, Tragedies; the _Temple_, _Masque of the Middle Temple_ and _Lincolns-Inn_ Masques; and _Byron's Conspiracy_, a History; in all seventeen.

* * * * *

_ROBERT BARON_.

Of this _Robert Baron_, we can recover nothing, save only those Dramatick Pieces which he wrote to the Stage, and which no doubt passed with good applause in those times. Of these are remembred his _Don Quixot_, or _the Knight of the Ill-favoured Countenance_, a Comedy; _Gripus_ and _Hegia_, a Pastoral; _Deorum Dona_, _Dick Scorner_, _Destruction of Jerusalem_, _the Marriage of Wit and Science_, Masques and Interludes; and _Myrza_, a Tragedy.

* * * * *

_LODOVIC CARLISLE_.

To Mr. _Robert Baron_ we may add _Lodovic Carlisle_, as much about the same time, and of like equal esteem; having written some not yet totally forgotten Plays, _viz._ _Arviragus_ and _Felicia_, in two parts; _the deserving Favorite_, _the Fool would be a Favorite_, or _the deserving Lover_, Tragi-Comedies; _Marius_ and _Scylla_, and _Osmond the Great Turk_, or _the Noble Servant_, Tragedies; all which shew him (though not a Master) yet a great Retainer to the Muses.

* * * * *

_JOHN FORD_.

To these we may add _John Ford_, a Dramatick Writer likewise of those times; very beneficial to the _Red-Bull_ and _Fortune_-Play-houses; as may appear by these Plays which he wrote, _viz._ _The Fancies_, _Ladies Tryal_, Comedies; _the broken Heart_; _Lovers Melancholy_, _Loves Sacrifice_, _'tis pity she's a Whore_, Tragedies; _Perkin Warbeck_, a History; and an Associate with _Rowley_ and _Deckar_ in a Tragi-Comedy called _The Witch_ of _Edmonton_.

* * * * *

_ANTHONY BREWER_.

_Anthony Brewer_ was also one who in his time contributed very much towards the _English_ Stage by his Dramatick Writings; especially in that noted one of his, entituled, _Lingua_; which (as it is reported) being once acted in _Cambridge_, the late Usurper _Cromwel_ had therein the Part of _Tactus_, the Substance of the Play being a Contention among the Senses for a Crown, which _Lingua_, who would have made up a sixth Sense, had laid for them to find; having this Inscription;

_Which of the five that doth deserve it best, Shall have his Temples with this Coronet blest._

This Mock-contention for a Crown, is said to swell his Ambition so high, that afterwards he contended for it in earnest, heading such a notable Rebellion, as had almost ruined three flourishing Kingdoms.

But to return to Mr. _Brewer_; Besides this _Lingua_, he wrote _Loves Loadstone_, and _the Countrey-Girl_, Comedies; _the Love-sick King_, and _Landagartha_, Tragi-Comedies, and _Loves Dominion_, a Pastoral.

* * * * *

_HENRY GLAPTHORN_.

_Henry Glapthorn_ was one well deserving of the _English_, being one of the chiefest Dramatick Writers of this Age; deservingly commendable not so much for the quantity as the quality of his Plays; being his _Hollander_, _Ladies Priviledge_, and _Wit in a Constable_, Comedies; his _Argalus_ and _Parthenia_, a Pastoral; and _Alberus Wailestein_, a Tragedy; in which Tragedy these Lines are much commended.

_This Law the Heavens inviolably keep, Their Justice well may slumber, but ne'er sleep,_

* * * * *

_JOHN DAVIS_ of _Hereford_.

In the writing of this Mans Life, we shall make use of Dr. _Fuller_ in his _England_'s _Worthies_, who saith, that he was the greatest Master of the Pen that _England_ in his Age beheld; for,

1. _Fast writing_; so incredible his expedition.

2. _Fair writing_; some minutes consultation being required to decide whether his Lines were written or printed.

3. _Close writing_; a Mystery which to do well, few attain unto.

4. _Various writing_; _Secretary, Roman, Court_ and _Text_.

The Poetical Fiction of _Briareus_ the Giant, who had an hundred hands, found a Moral in him, who could so cunningly and copiously disguise his aforesaid elemental hands, that by mixing, he could make them appear an hundred; and if not so many sorts, so many degrees of writing. He had also many pretty excursions into Poetry, and could flourish Matters as well as Letters, with his Fancy as well as with his Pen. Take a taste of his Abilities in those Verses of his before _Coriat's Crudities_, being called the _Odcombian Banquet_, wherein the whole Club of Wits in that Age joyned together, to write Mock-commendatory Verses in _Praise-dispraise_ of his Book.

_If Art that oft the Learn'd hath stammer'd, In one Iron Head-piece (yet no Hammer-Lead) May (joyn'd with Nature) hit Fame on the Cocks-comb, Then 'tis that Head-piece that is crown'd with_ Odcomb _For he, hard_ Head (_and_ hard, _sith like a_ Whet-stone) _It gives_ Wits _edge, and draws them too like_ Jet-stone) _Is_ Caput Mundi _for a world of School-tricks, And is not ignorant in the learned'st--tricks H'hath seen much more than much, I assure ye, And will see_ New-Troy, Bethlem, _and_ Old-Jury _Meanwhile (to give a taste of his first travel, With streams of Rhetorick that get golden Gravel) He tells how he to_ Venice _once did wander; From whence he came more witty than a Gander: Whereby he makes relations of such wonders, That_ Truth _therein doth lighten, while_ Art _thunders, All Tongues fled to him that at_ Babel _swerved, Left they for want of warm months might have starved, Where they do revel in such passing measure, (Especially the_ Greek, _wherein's his pleasure.) That (jovially) so_ Greek _he takes the guard of, That he's the merriest_ Greek _that ere was heard of; For he as 'twere his Mothers twittle twattle, (That's Mother-tongue) the_ Greek _can prittle prattle. Nay, of that Tongue he so hath got the Body, That he sports with it at_ Ruffe, Gleek _or_ Noddy, _&c._

He died at _London_ in the midst of the Reign of King _James_ I. and lieth buried in St. _Giles_ in the Fields.

* * * * *

Doctor _JOHN DONNE_.

This pleasant Poet, painful Preacher, and pious Person, was born in _London_, of wealthy Parents, who took such care of his Education, that at nine years of Age he was sent to study at _Hart-Hall_ in _Oxford_, having besides the _Latine_ and _Greek_, attained to a knowledge in the _French_ Tongue. Here he fell into acquaintance with that great Master of Language and Art, Sir _Henry Wootton_; betwixt whom was such Friendship contracted, that nothing but Death could force the separation.

From _Oxford_ he was transplanted to _Cambridge_, where he much improved his Study, and from thence placed at _Lincolns Inn_, when his Father dying, and leaving him three thousand pound in ready Money; he having a youthful desire to travel, went over with the Earl of _Essex_ to _Cales_; where having seen the issue of this Expedition, he left them and went into _Italy_, and from thence into _Spain_, where by his industry he attained to a perfection in their Languages, and returned home with many useful Observations of those Countries, and their Laws and Government.

These his Abilities, upon his Return, preferred him to be Secretary to the Lord _Elsmore_, Keeper of the Great Seal; in whose Service he fell in Love with a young Gentlewoman who lived in that Family, Neece to the Lady _Elsmore_, and Daughter to Sir _George Moor_, Chancellor of the Garter, and Lieutenant of the Tower, who greatly opposed this Match; yet notwithstanding they were privately married: which so exasperated Sir _George Moor_, that he procured the Lord _Elsmore_ to discharge him of his Secretariship, and never left prosecuting him till he had cast him into Prison, as also his two Friends who had married him, and gave him his Wife in Marriage.

But Mr._Donne_ had not been long there before he found means to get out, as also enlargement for his two Friends, and soon after through the mediation of some able persons, a reconciliation was made, and he receiving a Portion with his Wife, and having help of divers friends, they lived very comfortably together; And now was he frequently visited by men of greatest learning and judgment in this Kingdom; his company desired by the Nobility, and extreamly affected by the Gentry: His friendship was sought for of most foreign Embassadors, and his acquaintance entreated by many other strangers, whose learning or employment occasioned their stay in this _Kingdom_. In which state of life he composed his _more brisk_ and _youthful Poems_; in which he was so happy, as if Nature with all her varieties had been made to exercise his _great Wit_ and _Fancy_; Nor did he leave it off in his _old age_, as is witnessed by many of his _divine Sonnets_, and other _high, holy_ and _harmonious Composures_, under his _Effigies_ in these following Verses to his Printed Poems, one most ingeniously expresses.

_This was for youth, strength, mirth, and wit, the time Most count their golden age, but 'twas not thine: Thine was thy later years, so much refin´d, From youths dross, mirth, and wit, as thy pure mind, Thought, like the Angels, nothing but the praise Of thy Creator in those last best days. Witness this Book, thy Emblem, which begins With love, but ends with sighs and tears for sins_.

At last, by King _James's_ his command, or rather earnest persuasion, setting himself to the study of _Theology_, and into _holy Orders_, he was first made a Preacher of _Lincoln's-Inn_, afterwards advanc'd to be Dean of _Pauls_, and as of an eminent Poet he became a much more eminent Preacher, so he rather improved then relinquisht his Poetical fancy, only con converting it from _humane and worldly_ to _divine and heavenly Subjects_; witness this Hymn made in the time of his sickness.

_A Hymn to God the Father_.

Wilt thou forgive that sin where I begun, Which was my sin, tho' it were done before? Wilt thou forgive that sin through which I run, And do run still, tho' still I do deplore? When thou hast done, thou hast not done, For I have more.

Wilt thou forgive that sin which I have won Others to sin, and made my sin their door? Wilt thou forgive that sin, which I did shun A year or two, but wallowed in a score? When thou hast done, thou hast not done, For I have more.

I have a sin of fear, that when I have spun My last thrid, I shall perish on the shore; But swear by thy self, that at my death thy son Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore; And having done that, thou hast done, I ask no more.

He died _March_ 31. _Anno_ 1631. and was buried in St. _Paul's_-Church, attended by many persons of Nobility and Eminency. After his burial, some mournful friends repaired, and as _Alexander_ the great did to the Grave of the most famous _Achilles_, so they strewed his with curious and costly flowers. Nor was this (tho' not usual) all the honour done to his reverend ashes; for some person (unknown) to perpetuate his memory, sent to his Executors, Dr. _King_, and Dr. _Momford_, an 100 _Marks_ towards the making of a _Monument_ for him; which they faithfully performed, it being as lively a representation as in dead Marble could be made of him, tho' since by that merciless Fire in 1666. it be quite ruined.

I shall conclude all with these Verses, made to the Memory of this reverend person.

He that would write an Epitaph for thee, And do it well, must first begin to be Such as thou wert; for none can truly know Thy worth, thy life, but he that lived so. He must have wit to spare, and to hurl down, Enough to keep the Gallants of the Town. He must have learning plenty, both the Laws Civil and Common, to judge any Cause; Divinity great store above the rest, None of the worst Edition, but the best: He must have Language, Travel, all the Arts; Judgment to use, or else he wants thy parts: He must have friends the highest, able to do, Such as _Mæcenas_ and _Augustus_ too; He must have such a sickness, such a death, Or else his vain descriptions come beneath: He must unto all good men be a friend, And (like to thee) must make a pious end.

* * * * *

Dr. _RICHARD CORBET_.

This reverend Doctor was born at _Ewel_ in _Surrey_; a witty Poet in his youth, witness his _Iter Boreale_, and other _facetious Poems_, which were the effects of his juvenal fancy; He was also one of those celebrated Wits, which with Mr. _Benjamin Johnson_, Mr. _Whitaker_, Sir _Joh. Harrington_, Dr. _Donne_, Mr. _Drayton_, Mr. _Davis_, whom I mentioned before, and several others, wrote those mock commendatory Verses on _Coriats Crudities_; which, because the Book is scarce, and very few have seen it, I shall give you them as they are recited in the Book.