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.
I do not wonder, _Coriat_, that thou hast
Over the _Alps_, through _France_, and _Savoy_, past,
Parcht on thy skin, and founder'd in thy feet,
Faint, thirsty, lousie, and didst live to see't.
Tho' these are _Roman_ sufferings, and do show
What Creatures back thou hadst, could carry so;
All I admire is thy return, and how
Thy slender pasterns could thee bear, when now
Thy observations with thy brain ingendred,
Have stufft thy massy and volumnious head
With Mountains, Abbeys, Churches, Synagogues,
Preputial Offals, and _Dutch_ Dialogues:
A burthen far more grievous than the weight
Of Wine or Sleep, more vexing then the freight
Of Fruit and Oysters, which lade many a pate,
And send folks crying home from _Billings-gate_.
No more shall man with Mortar on his head
Set forward towards _Rome_: no, Thou art bred
A terror to all Footmen, and to Porters,
And all Lay-men that will turn _Jews_ Exhorters,
To fly their conquer'd trade: Proud _England_ then
Embrace this luggage, which the man of men
Hath landed here, and change thy Welladay
Into some home-spun welcome Roundelay.
Send of this stuff thy Territories thorough,
To _Ireland_, _Wales_, and _Scottish Edenborough_;
There let this Book be read and understood,
Where is no theme, nor writer half so good.
He from a Student in, became Dean of _Christchurch_, then Bishop of
_Oxford_, being of a courteous carriage, and no destructive nature to
any who offended him, counting himself plentifully repaired with a Jest
upon him. He afterwards was advanced Bishop of _Norwich_, where he died
_Anno_ 1635.
* * * * *
Mr. _BENJAMIN JOHNSON_.
This _renowned Poet_, whose Fame surmounts all the Elogies which the
most learned Pen can bestow upon him, was born in the City of
_Westminster_, his Mother living there in _Harts-horn-lane_, near
_Charing-cross_, where she married a _Bricklayer_ for her second
Husband. He was first bred in a private School in St.
_Martin's_-Church, then in _Westminster_-School, under the learned Mr.
_Cambden_, as he himself intimates in one of his Epigrams.
_Cambden_, most reverend head, to whom I owe
All that I am in Arts, all that I know.
How nothings that, to whom my Country owes,
The great _renown_ and _name_ wherewith she goes.
Under this _learned Schoolmaster_ he attained to a good degree of
learning, and was statutably admitted in St. _John's_-Colledge in
_Cambridge_, (as many years after incorporated a honorary Member of
_Christ-Church_ in _Oxford_) here he staid but some small time, for
want of maintainance; for if there be no Oyl in the Lamp, it will soon
be extinguish'd: And now, as if he had quite laid aside all thoughts of
the University, he betook himself to the Trade of his Father-in-law;
And let not any be offended herewith, since it is more commendable to
work in a lawful Calling, then having one not to use it. He was one who
helped in the building of the new Structure of _Lincolns-Inn_, where,
having a Trowel in his hand, he had a Book in his pocket, that as his
work went forward, so his study went not backward.
But such _rare Parts_ as he had could be no more hid, than the Sun in a
serene day, some Gentlemen pitying such rare Endowments should be
buried under the rubbish of so mean a Calling, did by their bounty
manumise him freely to follow his own ingenious inclinations. Indeed
his Parts were not so ready to run of themselves, as able to answer the
spur; so that it may be truly said of him, that he had an elaborate wit
wrought out by his own industry; yet were his Repartees for the most
part very quick and smart, and which favour'd much of ingenuity, of
which I shall give you two instances.
He having been drinking in an upper room, at the _Feathers_-Tavern in
_Cheap side_, as he was coming down stairs, his foot slipping, he
caught a fall, and tumbling against a door, beat it open into a room
where some Gentlemen were drinking _Canary_; recovering his feet, he
said, _Gentlemen, since I am so luckily fallen into your company, I will
drink with you before I go_.
He used very much to frequent the _Half-Moon_-Tavern in
_Aldersgate-street_, through which was a common _Thorough fare_; he
coming late that way, one night, was denied passage, whereupon going
through the _Sun_-Tavern a little after, he said,
_Since that the_ Moon _was so unkind to make me go about,
The_ Sun _hence forth shall take my Coin, the_ Moon _shall go without_.
His constant humour was to sit silent in learned Company, and suck in
(besides Wine) their several Humours into his observation; what was
_Ore_ in others, he was able to refine unto himself.
He was one, and the chief of them, in ushering forth the Book of
_Coriats Crudities_, writing not only a Character of the Author, an
explanation of his Frontispiece, but also an Acrostick upon his Name,
which for the sutableness of it, (tho' we have written something of
others mock Verses) we shall here insert it.
T_ry and trust_ Roger, _was the word, but now_
H_onest_ Tom Tell-troth _puts down_ Roger, How?
O_f travel he discourseth so at large_,
M_arry he sets it out at his own charge_;
A_nd therein (which is worth his valour, too)_
S_hews he dare more than_ Paul's _Church-yard durst do._
C_ome forth thou bonny bouncing Book then, daughter_
O_f_ Tom of Odcombe, _that odd jovial Author_,
R_ather his son I should have call'd thee, why_?
Y_es thou wert born out of his travelling thigh_
A_s well as from his brains, and claim'st thereby_
T_o be his_ Bacchus _as his_ Pallas: _he_
E_ver his Thighs_ Male _then and his Brains_ She.
He was paramount in the Dramatick part of Poetry, and taught the Stage
an exact conformity to the Laws of Comedians, being accounted the most
learned, judicious, and correct of them all, and the more to be admired
for being so, for that neither the height of natural parts, for he was
no _Shakespear_, nor the cost of extraordinary education, but his own
proper industry, and addiction to Books, advanced him to this
perfection. He wrote fifty Plays in all, whereof fifteen Comedies,
three Tragedies, the rest Masques and Entertainments. His Comedies
were, _The Alchimist_, _Bartholomew Fair_, _Cynthia's Revels_, _Caseis
alter'd_, _The Devil is an Ass_, _Every Man in his humour, every Man
out of his humour_, _The Fox_, _Magnetick Lady_, _New Inn_,
_Poetaster_, _Staple of News_, _Sad Shepherd, Silent Woman_, and _A
Tale of a Tub_. His Tragedies were, _Cateline's Conspiracy, Mortimer's
Fall_, and _Seianus_. His Masques and Entertainments, too long here to
write, were thirty and two, besides a Comedy of _East-ward, hoe_? in
which he was partner with _Chapman_.
These his Plays were above the vulgar capacity, (which are onely
tickled with down-right obscenity) and took not so well at the first
_stroke_, as at the _rebound_, when beheld the second time, yea, they
will endure reading, and that with due commendation, so long as either
ingenuity or learning are fashionable in our Nation. And although all
his Plays may endure the test, yet in three of his Comedies, namely,
_The Fox, Alchymist_, and _Silent Woman_, he may be compared in the
judgment of the learned men, for _decorum, language_ and
_well-humouring_ parts, as well with the chief of the ancient _Greek_
and _Latine_ Comedians, as the prime of modern _Italians_, who have
been judged the best of _Europe_ for a happy vein in Comedies; nor is
his _Bartholomew Fair_ much short of them. As for his other Comedies,
_Staple of News, Devil's an Ass_, and the rest, if they be not so
sprightful and vigorous as his first pieces, all that are old will, and
all that desire to be old, should excuse him therein; and therefore let
the Name of _Ben Johnson_ sheild them against whoever shall think fit
to be severe in censure against them. Truth is, his Tragedies, _Seianus
and Cateline_ seem to have in them more of an artificial and inflate,
than of a pathetical and naturally Tragick height; yet do they every
one of them far excel any of the _English_ ones that were writ before
him; so that he may be truly said to be the first reformer of the
_English_ Stage, as he himself more truly than modestly writes in his
commendatory Verses of his Servants _Richard Broom_'s Comedy of the
_Northern Lass_.
Which you have justly gained from the Stage,
By observation of those Comick Laws,
Which I, your Master, first did teach the Age.
In the rest of his Poetry, (for he is not wholly Dramatick) as his
_Underwoods_, _Epigrams_, &c. he is sometimes bold and strenuous,
sometimes Magisterial, sometimes lepid and full enough of conceit, and
sometimes a man as other men are.
It seems the issue of his brain was more lively and lasting than the
issue of his body, having several Children, yet none living to survive
him; This he bestowed as part of an Epitaph on his eldest Son, dying an
Infant.
Rest in soft peace, and ask'd, say, Here doth lye
_Ben Johnson_ his best piece of Poetry.
But tho' the immortal Memory still lives of him in his learned Works,
yet his Body, subject to mortality, left this life, _Anno_ 1638. and
was buried about the Belfrey in the Abbey-Church at _Westminster_,
having only upon a Pavement over his Grave, this written:
_O Rare_ Ben Johnson.
Yet were not the Poets then so dull and dry, but that many expressed
their affection to his Memory in Elegies and Epitaphs; amongst which
this following may not be esteemed the worst.
The Muses fairest Light in no dark time,
The Wonder of a learned Age; the line
That none can pass: the most proportion'd Wit
To Nature; the best Judge of what was fit:
The deepest, plainest, highest, clearest Pen:
The Voyce most eccho'd by consenting men;
The Soul which answer'd best to all well said
By others; and which most requital made:
Tun'd to the highest Key of ancient _Rome_;
Returning all her Musick with her own;
In whom with Nature, Study claim'd a part,
And yet who to himself ow'd all his Art;
Here lies _Ben Johnson_, every Age will look
With sorrow here, with Wonder on his Book.
* * * * *
_FRANCIS BEAUMONT_ and _JOHN FLETCHER_.
These two joyned together, made one of the happy _Triumvirate_ (the
other two being _Johnson_ and _Shakespear_) of the chief Dramatick
Poets of our Nation, in the last foregoing Age; among whom there might
be said to be a symmetry of perfection, while each excelled in his
peculiar way: _Ben Johnson_ in his elaborate pains and knowledge of
Authors, _Shakespear_ in his pure vein of wit, and natural Poetick
height; _Fletcher_ in a Courtly Elegance and Gentile Familiarity of
Style, and withal a Wit and Invention so overflowing, that the
luxuriant Branches thereof were frequently thought convenient to be
lopt off by Mr. _Beaumont_; which two joyned together, like _Castor_
and _Pollux_, (most happy when in conjunction) raised the _English_ to
equal the _Athenian_ and _Roman_ Theaters; _Beaumont_ bringing the
Ballast of Judgment, _Fletcher_ the Sail of Phantasie, both compounding
a Poet to admiration.
These two admirable Wits wrote in all two and fifty Plays, whereof
three and forty were Comedies; namely, _Beggars Bush_, _Custom of the
Country_, _Captain Coxcomb_, _Chances_, _Cupid's Revenge_, _Double
Marriage_, _Elder Brother_, _Four Plays in one_, _Fair Maid of the
Inn_, _Honest man's Fortune_, _Humorous Lieutenant_, _Island Princess_,
_King and no King_, _Knight of the burning Pestle_, _Knight of_ Malta,
_Little_ French _Lawyer_, _Loyal Subject_, _Laws of_ Candy, _Lovers
Progress_, _Loves Cure_, _Loves Pilgrimage_, _Mad Lover_, _Maid in the
Mill_, _Monsieur_ Thomas, _Nice Valour_, _Night-Walker_, _Prophetess_,
_Pilgrim_, _Philaster, Queen of_ Corinth, _Rule a Wife and have a
Wife_, Spanish _Curate_, _Sea-Voyage_, _Scornful Lady_, _Womans Prize_,
_Women pleased_, _Wife for a Month_, _Wit at several weapons_, and a
_Winters Tale_. Also six Tragedies; _Bonduca_, the _Bloody Brother_,
_False One_, the _Maids Tragedy_, _Thiery and Theodoret_,
_Valentinian_, and _Two Noble Kinsmen_, a Tragi-Comedy, _Fair
Shepherdess_, a Pastoral; and a _Masque of_ Grays-Inn _Gentlemen_.
It is reported of them, that meeting once in a Tavern, to contrive the
rude Draught of a Tragedy, _Fletcher_ undertook to _kill the King_
therein, whose Words being over-heard by a Listner (though his Loyalty
not to be blamed herein) he was accused of High Treason, till the
Mistake soon appearing, that the Plot was only against a Dramatick and
Scenical King, all wound off in Merriment.
Yet were not these two Poets so conjoyned, but that each of them did
several Pieces by themselves, Mr. _Beaumont_, besides other Works,
wrote a Poem, entituled, _Salmacis_ and _Hermaphroditus_, a Fable taken
out of _Ovid's Metamorphosis_; and Mr. _Fletcher_ surviving Mr.
_Beamont_, wrote good Comedies of himself; so that it could not be laid
to his Charge what _Ajax_ doth to _Ulysses_;
_Nihil hic_ Diomede _remoto_,
When _Diomedes_ was gone,
He could do nought alone.
Though some think them inferior to the former, and no wonder if a
single thread was not so strong as a twisted one, Mr. _Fletcher_ (as it
is said) died in _London_ of the Plague, in the first year of King
_Charles_ the First, 1625.
* * * * *
_WILLIAM SHAKESPEAR_.
This eminent Poet, the Glory of the _English_ Stage (and so much the
more eminent, that he gained great applause and commendation, when able
Wits were his Contemporaries) was born at _Stratford_ upon _Avon_ in
_Warwickshire_, and is the highest honour that Town can boast of. He
was one of the _Triumvirate_, who from Actors, became Makers of
Comedies and Tragedies, _viz. Christopher Marlow_ before him, and Mr.
_John Lacy_, since his time, and one in whom three eminent Poets may
seem in some sort to be compounded, 1. _Martial_, in the warlike sound
of his Sirname, _Hastivibrans_, or _Shakespear_; whence some have
supposed him of military extraction. 2. _Ovid_, the most natural and
witty of all Poets; and hence it was that Queen _Elizabeth_ coming into
a Grammar-School, made this extemporary Verse.
_Persius_ a Crab-staff, Bawdy _Martial_, _Ovid_ a fine Wag.
3. _Plautus_, a most exact Comedian, and yet never any Scholar, as our
_Shakespear_ (if alive) would confess himself; but by keeping company
with Learned persons, and conversing with jocular Wits, whereto he was
naturally inclin'd, he became so famously witty, or wittily famous,
that by his own industry, without the help of Learning, he attained to
an extraordinary height in all strains of Dramatick Poetry, especially
in the Comick part, wherein we may say he outwent himself; yet was he
not so much given to Festivity, but that he could (when so disposed) be
solemn and serious; so that _Heraclitus_ himself might afford to smile
at his Comedies, they were so merry, and _Democritus_ scarce forbear to
sigh at his Tragedies, they were so mournful.
Nor were his Studies altogether confined to the Stage, but had
excursions into other kinds of Poetry, witness his Poem of the _Rape of
Lucrece_, and that of _Venus and Adonis_; wherein, to give you a taste
of the loftiness of his Style, we shall insert some few Lines of the
beginning of the latter.
Even as the Sun with purple-colour'd face
Had tane his last leave of the weeping Morn,
Rose-cheek'd _Adonis_ hy'd him to the Chase,
Hunting he lov'd, but Love he laught to scorn.
Sick thoughted _Venus_ makes amain unto him,
And like a bold-fac'd Suiter 'gins to woo him.
Thrive fairer than my self (thus she begins)
The fields chief flower, sweet above compare,
Stain to all Nymphs, more lovely than a man;
More white and red than Doves or Roses are:
Nature that made thee with herself at strife,
Says that the world hath ending with thy life, &c
He was an eminent instance of the truth of that Rule, _Poeta non fit,
sed nascitur_; one is not made, but born a Poet; so that as _Cornish
Diamonds_ are not polished by any Lapidary, but are pointed and
smoothed even as they are taken out of the Earth, so Nature itself was
all the Art which was used on him.
He was so great a Benefactor to the Stage, that he wrote of himself
eight and forty Plays; whereof 18 Comedies, _viz._ _As you like it_,
_All's well that ends well_, _A Comedy of Errors_, _Gentleman of_
Verona, _Loves Labour lost_, London _Prodigal_, _Merry Wives of_
Windsor, _Measure for measure_, _Much ado about Nothing_, _Midsummer
Nights Dream_, _Merchant of_ Venice, _Merry Devil of_ Edmonton,
_Mucedorus, the Puritan Widow_, _the Tempest_, _Twelf-Night_, or _what
you will_, _the taming of the Shrew_, and _a winters Tale_. Fourteen
Tragedies, _viz._ _Anthony and Cleopatra_, _Coriolanus_, _Cymbeline_,
_Hamlet_, _Julius Cæsar_, _Lorrino_, _Leir and his three Daughters_,
_Mackbeth_, _Othello the Moor of_ Venice, _Romeo and Juliet_, _Troylus
and Cressida_, _Tymon of_ Athens, _Titus Andronicus_, and _the
Yorkshire Tragedy_. Also fifteen Histories, _viz._ Cromwel's _History_,
_Henry_ 4. in two parts, _Henry_ 5. _Henry_ 6. in three parts, _Henry_
8. _John King of_ England, in three parts, _Pericles Prince of_ Tyre,
_Richard_ 2. _Richard_ 3. and _Oldrastes Life and Death_. Also _the
Arraignment of Paris_, a Pastoral.
Many were the Wit-combats betwixt him and _Ben Johnson_, which two we
may compare to a _Spanish great Gallion_, and an _English Man of war_:
Mr. _Johnson_, (like the former) was built far higher in Learning,
solid, but slow in his performances; _Shakespear_, with the _English
Man of war_, lesser in Bulk, but lighter in sayling, could turn with
all Tides, tack about, and take advantage of all Winds, by the
quickness of his Wit and Invention. His History of _Henry_ the Fourth
is very much commended by some, as being full of sublime Wit, and as
much condemned by others, for making Sir _John Falstaffe_ the property
of Pleasure for Prince _Henry_ to abuse, as one that was a _Thrasonical
Puff_, and emblem of mock Valour; though indeed he was a man of Arms
every inch of him, and as valiant as any his Age, being for his
Martial Prowess made Knight of the Garter by King _Henry_ the 6th.
This our famous Comedian died _An. Dom_. 16--and was buried at
_Stratford_ upon _Avon_, the Town of his Nativity; upon whom one hath
bestowed this Epitaph, though more proper had he been buried in
_Westminster Abbey_.
Renowned _Spencer_, lie a thought more nigh
To learned _Chaucer_, and rare _Beaumont_ lie
A little nearer _Spencer_ to make room
For _Shakespear_, in your threefold, fourfold Tomb,
To lodge all four in one Bed make a shift
Until Doomsday, for hardly will a fifth
Betwixt this day and that, by Fates be slain
For whom your Curtains may be drawn again.
If your precedency in Death do bar
A fourth place in your sacred Sepulcher,
Under this sacred Marble of thine own,
Sleep rare Tragedian _Shakespear_! sleep alone,
Thy unmolested Peace in an unshar'd Cave,
Possess as Lord, not Tenant of thy Grave,
That unto us, and others it may be
Honour hereafter to be laid by thee.
* * * * *
_CHRISTOPHER MARLOW_.
_Christopher Marlow_ was (as we said) not only contemporary with
_William Shakespear_, but also, like him, rose from an Actor, to
be a maker of Comedies and Tragedies, yet was he much inferior to
_Shakespear_ not only in the number of his Plays, but also in the
elegancy of his Style. His Pen was chiefly employ'd in Tragedies;
namely, his _Tamberlain_ the first and second Part, _Edward_ the
Second, _Lust's Dominion_, or _the Lascivious Queen_, the _Massacre of_
Paris, his _Jew of_ Malta, a Tragi-comedy, and his Tragedy of _Dido_,
in which he was joyned with _Nash_. But none made such a great Noise as
his Comedy of _Doctor Faustus_ with his Devils, and such like tragical
Sport, which pleased much the humors of the Vulgar. He also begun a
Poem of _Hero_ and _Leander_; wherein he seemed to have a resemblance
of that clear and unsophisticated Wit which was natural to _Musæus_
that incomparable Poet. This Poem being left unfinished by _Marlow_ who
in some riotous Fray came to an untimely and violent end, was thought
worthy of the finishing hand of _Chapman_, as we intimated before; in
the performance whereof, nevertheless he fell short of the Spirit and
Invention with which it was begun.
* * * * *
_BARTON HOLYDAY_.
_Barton Holyday_, an old Student of _Christ-Church_ in _Oxford_, who
besides his Translation of _Juvenal_ with elaborate Notes, writ several
other things in _English_ Verse, rather learned than elegant; and
particularly a Comedy, called _The Marriage of the Arts_: Out of which,
to shew you his fluent (but too Satyrical Style) take these Verses made
by him to be spoken by _Pocta_, as an Execration against Women.
O Women, Witches, Fayries, Devils,
The impure extract of a world of Evils;
Natures great Errour, the Obliquity
Of the Gods Wisdom; and th'Anomaly
From all that's good; Ile curse you all below
The Center, and if I could, then further throw
Your cursed heads, and if any should gain
A place in Heaven, Ile rhyme 'em down again
To a worse Ruine, _&c._
* * * * *
_CYRIL TURNER_.
_Cyril Turner_ was one who got a Name amongst the Poets, by writing of
two old Tragedies, the _Athei'st's Tragedy_, and the _Revenger's
Tragedy_; which two Tragedies, saith one,
His Fame unto that Pitch so only raised,
As not to be despised, nor too much prais'd.
* * * * *
_THOMAS MIDLETON_.
_Thomas Midleton_ was one who by his Industry added very much to the
_English_ Stage, being a copious Writer of Dramatick Poetry. He was
Contemporary with _Johnson_ and _Fletcher_ and tho' not of equal Repute
with them, yet were well accepted of those times such Plays as he
wrote; namely, _Blurt Mr. Constable, the chaste Maid in Cheapside, Your
fine Gallants, Family of Love, More Dissemblers than Women_, the _Game
at Chess,_ the _Mayor of_ Quinborough, _a mad world my Masters,
Michaelmas Term, No Wit like a womans_, the _Roaring Girl, any thing
for a quiet Life_, the _Phenix_ and _a new Trick to catch the old
one_, Comedies; _The world toss'd at Tennis_, and _the Inner Temple_,
Masques; and _Women beware Women_, a Tragedy. Besides what, he was an
Associate with _William Rowley_ in several Comedies and Tragi-Comedies;
as, _the Spanish Gypsies, the Changeling, the Old Law, the fair
Quarrel, the Widow_: Of all which, his _Michaelmas Term_ is highly
applauded both for the plot and neatness of the style.
* * * * *
_WILLIAM ROWLEY_.
_William Rowley_ was likewise a great Benefactor to the _English_
Stage, not only in those Plays mentioned before with _Thomas Midleton_,
but also what he wrote alone; as, _A Woman never vext_ a Comedy; _A
Match at Midnight_, and _All's lost by Lust_, Tragedies; and joyn'd
with _Webster_, two Comedies, _The Thracian wonder_, and _A Cure for a
Cuckold_, with _Shakespere, The Birth of_ Merlin, a Tragi-Comedy; and
_The Travels of the three_ English _Brothers_, a History, wherein he
was joyn'd with _Day_ and _Wilkins_.
* * * * *
_THOMAS DECKER_.
_Thomas Decker_, a great pains-taker in the Dramatick strain, and as
highly conceited of those pains he took; a high-flyer in wit, even
against _Ben Johnson_ himself, in his Comedy, call'd, _The untrussing
of the humorous Poet_. Besides which he wrote also, _The Honest Whore_,
in two Parts; _Fortunatus; If this ben't a good Play the Devil's in't;
Match me in_ London; _The Wonder of a Kingdom; The Whore of_ Babylon,
all of them Comedies. He was also an associate with _John Webster_ in
several well entertain'd Plays, _viz. Northward, hoe? The Noble
Stranger; New trick to cheat the Devil; Westward, hoe? The Weakest goes
to the Wall_; And _A Woman will have her will_: As also with _Rowley_
and _Ford_ in _the Witch of Edmunton_, a Tragi-Comedy; And also _Wiat's
History_ with _Webster_.
* * * * *
_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.
* * * * *
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.
* * * * *
_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_.
* * * * *
_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.
* * * * *
_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.
* * * * *
_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.
* * * * *
_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.
* * * * *
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_.
* * * * *
_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.
* * * * *
_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.
* * * * *
_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.
* * * * *
_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.
* * * * *
_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_.
* * * * *
_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.
* * * * *
_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