The Lives of the Most Famous English Poets (1687) by William Winstanley

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He wrote besides those airy Fancies, several other Serious Pieces; as
also a Comedy called the _Cunning Lover_.

* * * * *

_Mr. JOHN CLEVELAND_.

This eminent Poet, the Wit of our age, was born at _Hinckley_, a small
Market Town in the County of _Leicester_, where his Father was the
Reverend and Learned Minister of the place. _Fortes creantur e
fortibus_, and bred therein under Mr. _Richard Vines_ his
School-master, where he attained to a great perfection in Learning, by
choicest Elegancies in Greek and Latin, more elegantly English; so that
he may be said to have lisped wit, like an English _Bard_, and early
ripe accomplished for the University.

From a loving Father and learned School-Master, he was sent to _Christ
Colledge_ in _Cambridge_, where he proved such an exquisite Orator, and
pure Latinist, as those his Deserts preferred him to a Fellowship in
St. _Johns_. There he lived about the space of nine Years, the Delight
and Ornament of that Society; what service as well as reputation he did
it, let his excellent Orations and Epistles speak: To which the Library
oweth much of its Learning, the Chapel much of its pious Decency, and
the Colledge much of its Renown.

He was (saith Dr. _Fuller_) a general Artist, pure Latinist, exquisite
Orator, and (which was his Master-Piece) eminent Poet; whose verses in
the time of the Civil War begun to be in great request, both for their
Wit and Zeal to the King's Cause, for which indeed he appeared the
first, if not only Champion in verse against the _Presbyterian_ party.
His Epistles were pregnant with Metaphors, carrying in them a difficult
plainness, difficult at the hearing, plain at the considering thereof.
His lofty Fancy may seem to stride from the top of one Mountain to the
top of another, so making to it self a constant Level and Champian of
continued Elevations.

These his eminent parts preferr'd him to be Rhetorick Reader, which he
performed with great Applause; and indeed, what was it in which he did
not excel? This alone may suffice for his Honour, that after the
Oration which he addressed to that incomparable Prince of Blessed
Memory, _Charles_ the First; His Majesty called for him, gave him his
hand to Kiss, and (with great expressions of kindness) commanded a Copy
to be sent after him, whither he was hasting that night.

Such who have _Clevelandiz'd_, that is, endeavoured to imitate his
Masculine stile, yet could never go beyond his Poem of the
_Hermaphrodite_; which though inserted into Mr. _Randolphs_ Poems (one
of as high a tow'ring Wit as most in that age;) yet is well known to be
Mr. _Clevelands_; it being not only made after Mr. _Randolph's_ death,
but hath in it the very _vein_ and strain of Mr. _Cleveland's_ Writing,
walking from one height to another, in a constant Level of continued
Elevation. And indeed so elaborate are all his other pieces of Poetry,
as to praise one were to detract from the rest, and are not to be the
less valued by the Reader, because most studyed by the Writer: Take but
a taste of the Loftiness of his stile, in those verses of his called
_Smectymnuus_.

_Smectymnuus!_ the Goblin makes me start,
I'th'name of Rabbi _Abraham_, what art?
_Syriack?_ or _Arabick?_ or _Welsh?_ what skilt?
Ap all the Brick-layers that _Babel_ built.
Some Conjurer translate, and let me know it;
Till then 'tis fit for a _West-Saxon_ Poet.
But do the Brother-hood then play their prizes,
Like Mummers in Religion with Disguizes?
Out-brave us with a name in rank and file,
A name which if't were train'd would spread a mile;
The Saints Monopoly, the zealous Cluster,
Which like a Porcupine presents a Muster.

Thus he shined with equal Light and Influence, until that great
defection of Loyalty over-spread the Land, and Rebellion began to
unvizard it self; of which no Man had more sagacious Prognosticks, of
which take this one instance; when _Oliver Cromwell_ was in Election to
be Burgess for the Town of _Cambridge_, as he ingaged all his Friends
and Interests to oppose it; so when it was passed, he said with much
passionate zeal, _That single vote ruined both Church and Kingdom_;
such fatal events did he presage from his bloody Beak: For no sooner
did that _Harpey_ appear in the University, but he made good what was
predicted of him, and he amongst others, that were outed for their
Loyalty, was turned out of his Fellowship at St. _Johns_; out of which
Loyal Colledge was then ejected Dr. _Beal_ the Master, thirteen
Batchellors of Divinity, and fourteen Masters of Art, besides Mr.
_Cleveland_.

And now being forced from the Colledge, he betook himself to the Camp,
and particularly to _Oxford_ the Head quarter of it, as the most proper
and proportionate Sphere for his Wit, Learning, and Loyalty; and added
no small Lustre to that famous University, with which it shined before.

Here he managed his Pen as the highest Panegyrist (witness his
_Rupertismus_, his Elegy on the Bishop of _Canterbury_, &c.) on the one
side to draw out all good inclinations to vertue: and the smartist
Satyrist, exemplifi'd in the _Rebel Scot_, the _Scots Apostacy_, which
he presented with such a Satyrical Fury, that the whole Nation fares
the worse for it, lying under a most grievous Poetical Censure. Such
also were his Poem of _The mixt Assembly_, his Character of a _London_
Diurnal, and a _Committee-Man_; Blows that shakes triumphing Rebellion,
reaching the Souls of those not to be reached by Law or Power, striking
each Traytor to a Paleness, beyond that of any Loyal Corps, that bled
by them; such Characters being as indelible as Guilt stabs beyond
Death.

From _Oxford_, his next stage was the Garrison of _Newark_, where he
was Judge Advocate until the Surrender thereof; and by an excellent
temperature of both, was a just and prudent Judge for the King, and a
faithful Advocate for the Country. Here he drew up that excellent
Answer and Rejoynder to a Parliament Officer, who had sent him a Letter
by occasion of one _Hill_, that had deserted their side, and brought
with him to _Newark_ the sum of 133 _l._ and 8_d._ I shall only give
you part of Mr. _Clevelands_ Answer to his first Letter, by which you
may give an Estimate of the rest.

Sixthly, _Beloved it is so, that our Brother and fellow-Labourer in the
Gospel is Start aside; then this may serve for an use of instruction,
not to trust in Man, or in the Son of Man. Did not_ Demas _leave_ Paul,
_did not_ Onesimus _run from his Master_ Philemon? _Also this should
teach us to employ our Talents, and not to lay them up in a Napkin_;
_had it been done among the Cavaliers, it had been just, then the_
Israelite _had spoiled the_ AEgyptian: _but for_ Simeon _to plunder_
Levi, _that_--that--_&c._

This famous Garrison was maintained with much courage and resolution
against the Besiegers, and not surrendred but by the King's special
Command, when first he had surrendred himself into the hands of the
_Scots_; in which action of that Royal Martyr, we may conclude our
_Cleveland Vates,_ both Poet and Prophet: For besides his passionate
resentment of it in that excellent Poem, _The Kings disguise_; upon
some private intelligence, three days before the King reached them, he
foresaw the pieces of Silver paying upon the banks of _Tweed_, and that
they were the price of his Sovereigns Blood, and predicted the Tragical
events.

Thenceforth he followed the fate of distressed Loyalty, subject to the
Malice and Vengeance of every Fanatick Spirit, which seldom terminates
but in a Goal, which befel this learned Person, being long imprisoned
at _Yarmouth_: where living in a lingering Condition, and having small
hopes of coming out, he composed an Address to that Idol at
_White-Hall, Oliver Cromwell_, written with such Tow'ring Language, and
so much gallant Reason, as looked bigger than his Highness, shrinking
before the Majesty of his Pen, as _Felix_ trembled before _Paul_. So
obtaining his Liberty, not by a servile Submission, but rather a
constrained Violence, neither injuring his Conscience, nor betraying
his Cause.

And so now with _Daniel_ being delivered out of the Lyons Den, he was
courted to several places, (which contended as emulously for his abode,
as the seven _Grecian_ Cities for _Homers_ Birth;) at last he setled in
_Grays-Inn_, which when he had enobled with some short time of his
residence, an intermitting Fever seized him, whereof he dyed, on
_Thursday_ Morning, _April_ the 29. 1658. from whence his Body was
brought to _Hunsden-House_, and on _Saturday_ being _May-day_, was
buried at _Colledgehill-Church_; His dear Friend Dr. _John Pearson_
(afterwards Lord Bishop of _Chester_) preached his Funeral Sermon, who
rendred this Reason; why he cautiously declined all commending of the
Party deceased, Because such praising of him would not be adequate to
any expectation in that Auditory; seeing some, who knew him not, would
think it far above him, while those, who knew him must needs know it
far below him.

Many there were who sought to eternize their own Names by honouring
his; some by Elegies, and other Devices, amongst the rest one made this
Anagram upon his name.

_JOHN CLEAVELAND_.

_HELICONIAN DEW_.

The difficult Trifle (saith one) is rather well endeavoured, than
exactly performed. More happy were those Wits, who descanted on him and
his works in Verse, although so eminent a Poet was never interred with
fewer Elegies than he; for which we may assign two Reasons, One that at
that time the best Fancies of the _Royal Party_ were in restraint, so
that we may in part think their Muses confin'd, as well as their
Bodies. Secondly, not to do it to the heighth, were in a manner to
dispraise him. However I shall adventure to give you an instance in
two, whereof the first of Mr. _Edward Martin_ of _London_.

Ye Muses do not me deny;
I ever was your Votary.
And tell me, seeing you do daign
T'inspire and feed the hungry Brain;
With what choice Cates? With what choice Fare?
To _Cleaveland's_ fancy still repair?
Fond Man, say they, why do'st thou question thus?
Ask rather with what Nectar he feeds us.

The other by Mr. _A.B._ printed before Mr. _Cleveland's_ Works.

_Cleaveland_ again his sacred head doth raise,
Even in the dust crown'd with immortal Bayes,
Again with verses arm'd that once did fright
_Lycambe's_ Daughters from the hated Light,
Sets his bold foot on Reformations neck,
And triumphs o'er the vanquisht Monster _Smec_;
That _Hydra_ whose proud heads did so encrease,
That it deserv'd no less an _Hercules_.
This, this is he who in Poetick Rage,
With Scorpions lash'd the Madness of the age;
Who durst the fashions of the times despise,
And be a Wit when all Mankind grew wise.
When formal Beards at Twenty one were seen,
And men grew Old almost as soon as Men:
Who in those daies when reason, wit, and sence
Were by the Zealots grave Impertinence
_Ycliped_ Folly, and in Ve-ri-ty
Did savour rankly of Carnality.
When each notch'd Prentice might a Poet prove.
For warbling through the Nose a Hymn of Love,
When sage _George Withers_ and grave _William Prin_,
Himself might for a Poets share put in:
Yet then could write with so much art and skill,
That _Rome_ might envy his Satyrick Quill;
And crabbed _Persins_ his hard lines give ore,
And in disdain beat his brown Desk no more.
How I admire the _Cleaveland_! when I weigh
Thy close-wrought Sense, and every line survey!
They are not like those things which some compose,
Who in a maze of Words the Sense do lose.
Who spin one thought into so long a thread,
And beat their Wit we thin to make it spread;
Till 'tis too fine for our weak eyes to find,
And dwindles into Nothing in the end.
No; they'r above the Genius of this Age,
Each word of thine swells pregnant with a Page.
Then why do some Mens nicer ears complain,
Of the uneven Harshness of thy strain?
Preferring to the vigour of thy Muse
Some smooth weak Rhymer, that so gently flowes,
That Ladies may his easy strains admire,
And melt like Wax before the softning fire.
Let such to Women write, you write to Men;
We study thee, when we but play with them.

* * * * *

Sir _JOHN BERKENHEAD_.

Sir _John Berkenhead_ was a Gentleman, whose Worth and deserts were too
high for me to delineate. He was a constant Assertor of his Majesties
Cause in its lowest Condition, painting the Rebels forth to the life in
his _Mercurius Aulicus_ and other Writings; his _Zany Brittanicus_ who
wrote against him, being no more his Equal, than a Dwarf to a Gyant, or
the goodness of his cause to that of the Kings; for this his Loyalty he
suffered several Imprisonments, yet always constant to his first
Principles. His skill in Poetry was such, that one thus writes of him.

Whil'st Lawrel sprigs anothers head shall Crown,
Thou the whole Grove mayst challenge as thy Own.

He survived to see his Majesties happy Restoration, and some of them
hanged who used their best endeavor to do the same by him. As for his
learned Writings, those who are ignorant of them, must plead ignorance
both to Wit and Learning.

* * * * *

Dr. _ROBERT WILD_.

He was one, and not of the meanest of the Poetical Cassock, being in
some sort a kind of an _Anti-Cleaveland_, writing as high, and standing
up as stifly for the _Presbyterians_, as ever _Cleaveland_ did against
them: But that which most recommended him to publick fame, was his
_Iter Roreale_, the same in Title though not in Argument, with that
little, but much commended Poem of Dr. _Corbets_ mentioned before. This
being upon General _Monk's_ Journey out of _Scotland_, in order to his
Majesties Restoration, and is indeed the Cream and flower of all his
Works, and look't upon for a lofty and conceited Stile. His other
things are for the most part of a tepid and facetious nature,
reflecting on others, who as sharply retorted upon him, for he that
throwes stones at other, 'tis ten to one but is hit with a stone
himself; one of them playing upon his red face thus. I _like the Man
that carries in his Face,_ _the tincture of that bloody banner he
fights under, and would not have any Mans countenance, prove so much an
Hypocrite to cross a French Proverb._

His Nose plainly proves,
What pottage he loves.

Hear one of their reflections upon him, on his humble thanks, for his
Majesties Declaration for Liberty of Confidence.

When first the _Hawkers_ bawl'd 'ith' streets _Wild_'s name,
A lickerish longing to my Pallat came;
A feast of Wit I look't for, but, alass!
The meat smelt strong, and too much _Sawce_ there was, _&c._

Indeed his strain, had it been fitted to a right key, might have
equal'd the chiefest of his age.

* * * * *

Mr. _ABRAHAM COWLEY_.

This Gentleman was one, who may well be stil'd the glory of our
Nation, both of the present and past ages, whole early Muse began to
dawn at the Thirteenth year of his age, being then a Scholar at
_Westminster_-School which produc'd two little Poems, the one called
_Antonius_ and _Melida_, the other _Pyramus_ and _Thisbe_; discovering
in them a maturity of Sence far above the years that writ them; shewing
by these his early Fruits, what in time his stock of worth would come
to. And indeed Fame was not deceived in him of its Expectation, he
having built a lasting Monument of his worth to posterity, in that
compleat Volume of his Works, divided into four parts: His Mistress,
being the amorous Prolusions of his youthful Muse; his Miscelanies, or
Poems of various arguments; his most admired Heroick Poem _Davideis_,
the first Books whereof he compos'd while but a young Student at
_Trinity_-Colledge in _Cambridge_; and lastly, that is, in order of
time though not of place, his _Pindaric Odes_, so call'd from the
Measure, in which he translated the first _Ithmian_ and _Nemean Odes_,
where as the form of those _Odes_ in the _Original_ is very different,
yet so well were they approved by succeeding Authors, that our primest
Wits have hitherto driven a notable Trade in _Pindaric Odes_. But
besides these his _English_ Poems, there is extant of his writing a
Latine Volume by it self, containing a Poem of Herbs and Plants: Also
he Translated two Books of his _Davideis_ into Latine Verse, which is
in the large Volume amongst the rest of his Works.

* * * * *

Mr. _EDMOND WALLER_.

This Gentleman is one of the most fam'd Poets, and that not
undeservedly of the present age, excelling in the charming Sweets of
his Lyrick Odes, or amorous Sonnets, as also in his other occasional
Poems both smooth and strenuous, rich of Conceit, and eloquently
adorned with proper Similies: view his abilities in this Poem of his,
concerning the Puissance of our Navies, and the _English_ Dominion at
Sea.

Lords of the Worlds great Wast, the Ocean, we
Whole Forrests send to reign upon the Sea;
And every Coast may trouble or relieve,
But none can visit us without our leave;
Angels and we have this Prerogative,
That none can at our happy Seat arrive,
While we descend at pleasure to invade
The bad with Vengeance, or the good to aid:
Our little world the image of the great,
Like that amidst the boundless Ocean set,
Of her own growth has all that Nature craves,
And all that's rare as Tribute from the waves.
_As AEgypt_ does not on the Clouds rely,
But to her _Nyle_ owes more then to the sky;
So what our Earth, and what our Heaven denies,
Our ever constant friend, the Sea supplies.
The tast of hot _Arabia's_ Spice we know,
Free from the Scorching Sun that makes it grow;
Without the worm, in _Persian_ Silks we shine,
And without Planting drink of every Vine;
To dig for wealth we weary not our limbs,
Gold, though the heaviest metal, hither swims.
Ours is the Harvest where the _Indians_ mow,
We plough the deep, and reap what others Sow.

I shall only add two lines more of his, quoted by several Authors.

All that the Angels do above,
Is that they sing; and that they love.

In sum, this our Poet was not Inferior to _Carew_, _Lovelace_, nor any
of those who were accounted the brightest Stars in the Firmament of
Poetry.

* * * * *

Sir _JOHN DENHAM_.

Sir _John Denham_ was a Gentleman, who to his other Honors had this
added; that he was one of the Chief of the _Delphick Quire_, and for
his Writings worthy to be Crowned with a wreath of Stars. The
excellency of his Poetry may be seen in his _Coopers Hill_, which
whosoever shall deny, may be accounted no Friends to the Muses: His
Tragedy of the _Sophy_, is equal to any of the Chiefest Authors, which
with his other Works bound together in one Volume, will make his name
Famous to all Posterity.

* * * * *

Sir _WILLIAM DAVENANT_.

Sir _William Davenant_, may be accounted one of the Chiefest of
_Apollo's_ Sons, for the great Fluency of his Wit and Fancy: Especially
his _Gondibert_, the Crown of all his other Writings; to which Mr.
_Hobbs_ of _Malmsbury_ wrote a Preface, wherein he extolleth him to the
Skyes; wherein no wonder (sayes one) if Compliment and Friendly
Compliance do a little biass and over-sway Judgment. He also wrote a
Poem entituled _Madagascur_, also a _Farrago_ of his Juvenile, and
other Miscelaneous Pieces: But his Chiefest matter was what he wrote
for the _English_ Stage, of which was four Comedies, _viz._ _Love and
Honour_, _The Man is the Master_; _The Platonick Lovers_; and _The
Wits_. Three Tragedies; _Albovine_, _The Cruel Brother_, and _The
unfortunate Lovers_. Two Tragi-Comedies, the _Just Italian_; and the
_Lost Lady_. And Six Masques, _viz._ _Brittania Triumphans_; _The
Cruelty of the_ Spaniards _in_ Peru; _Drakes_ History First Part;
_Siege of Rhodes_ in two Parts, and _The temple of Love_; Besides his
Musical Drama's, when the usual Playes were not suffered to be Acted,
whereof he was the first Reviver and Improver by painted Scenes after
his Majesties Restoration; erecting a new Company of Actors, under the
Patronage of the Duke of _York_.

Now this our Poet, as he was a Wit himself, so did several of the Wits
play upon him; amongst others Sir _John Suckling_ in his Session of the
Poets hath these Verses.

_Will Davenant_ asham'd of a Foolish mischance
That he had got lately Travelling into _France_;
Modestly hoped the Handsomness of's Muse,
Might any Deformity about him excuse.

And

Surely the Company would have been content,
If they could have found any President;
But in all their Records either in Verse or Prose,
There was not one Laureat without a Nose.

His Works since his Death have been fairly Published in a large Volume;
to which I refer my Reader.

* * * * *

Sir _GEORGE WHARTON_.

He was one was a good Souldier, Famous Mathematician, and an excellent
Poet; alwayes Loyal to his Prince: For whose Service he raised a Troop
of Horse at his own Charge, of which he became Captain himself; and
with much Gallantry and Resolution behaved himself. Nor was he less
serviceable to the Royal Cause with his Pen, of which he was a resolute
Assertor: Suffering very much by Imprisonment, even to the apparent
hazard of his Life. He having so Satyrically wounded them in his
_Elenctichus_, as left indelible Characters of Infamy upon their
Actions. His Excellent Works collected into one Volume, and Published
in the Year, 1683. By the Ingenious Mr. _Gadbury_, are a sufficient
Testimony of his Learning, Ingenuity and Loyalty; to which I refer the
Reader.

In sum, as he participated of his Masters Sufferings; So did he enjoy
the Benefit of his Restoration, having given him a Place of great Honor
and Profit, with which he lived in Credit and Reputation all the days
of his Life.

* * * * *

_Sir ROBERT HOWARD_.

Sir _Robert Howard_, of the Noble Family of the Earls of _Berk-shire_,
a Name so reverenced, as it had Six Earls at one time of that Name.
This Noble Person to his other Abilities, which Capacitated him for a
Principal Office in his Majesties Exchequer; attained to a considerable
Fame by his Poetical Works: Especially for what he hath written to the
Stage, _viz_. The _Blind Lady_; _The Committee_; and _The Surprizal_,
Comedies; The _Great Favorite_, and _The Vestal Virgin_, Tragedies;
_Inforc'd Marriage_, a Tragi-Comedy, and _The Indian Queen_ a Dramatick
History.

* * * * *

_WILLIAM CAVENDISH_
Duke of _New-Castle_

This Honourable Person, for his eminent Services to his Prince and
Country, preferred from Earl to Duke of _New-Castle_; was a Person
equally addicted both to Arms and Arts, which will eternize his Name to
all Posterity, so long as Learning, Loyalty, and Valour shall be in
Fashion. He wrote a splendid Treatise of the Art of Horsemanship, in
which his Experience was no less than his Delight; as also two
Comedies, _The Variety_, and the _Country Captain_. Nor was his
Dutchess no less busied in those ravishing Delights of Poetry, leaving
to Posterity in Print three ample Volumes of Her studious Endeavors;
one of Orations, the second of Philosophical Notions and Discourses,
and the third of Dramatick and other kinds of Poetry, of which five
Comedies, _viz._ _The Bridalls_; _Blazing World_; _Covent of Pleasure_;
_the Presence_; and _The Sociable Companions, or Female Wits_.

* * * * *

Sir _WILLIAM KILLIGREW_.

Sir _William Killigrew_ was one whose Wings of Fancy displayed as high
Invention, as most of the Sons of _Phoebus_ of his time; contributing
to the Stage five Playes, _viz._ _Ormardes_, _The Princess, or Love
at first sight_; _Selindra_, and _The Seige_ of _Urbin_,
Tragi-Comedies; and a Comedy called _Pandora_. To whom we may joyn Mr.
_Thomas Killigrew_, who also wrote five Plays, _viz._ _The Parsons
Wedding_; and _Thomaso, or the Wanderer_, Comedies; the _Pilgrim_ a
Tragedy; and _Clarasilla_, and _The Prisoners_, Tragi-Comedies.

* * * * *

_JOHN STUDLEY_.

Was one who besides other things which he wrote, contributed to the
Stage four Tragedies, _viz._ _Agamemnon_, _Hyppolitus_, _Hercules
Oetes_, and _Medea_, and therefore thought worthy to have a Place
amongst the rest of our _English_ Poets.

* * * * *

_JOHN TATHAM_.

_John Tatham_ was one, whose Muse began to bud with his Youth, which
produced early Blossomes, of not altogether Contemptible Poetry, in a
Collection of Poems entituled _Fancys Theater_; which was usher'd into
the World by divers of the Chief Wits of that age. He was afterwards
City Poet, making those Speeches and Representations used at the Lord
Mayors show, and other Publick Meetings. He also contributed to the
Stage four plays, _viz_. The _Scots Fegaries_ and _The Rump, or Mirror
of the late times_, Comedies; the _Distracted State_, a Tragedy, and
_Love crowns the End_; a Tragy-Comedy. Here a tast of his juvenile wit
in his _Fancys Theater_ speaking in the Person of _Momus_.

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