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

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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 _Musaeus_
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 _AEgypt_, _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

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