THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 JOHN 
 
 BUCKINGHAM.
 
 * A 
 
 Hiftorical Aca>unt 
 
 OF THE 
 
 LIVES 
 
 AND 
 
 WRITINGS 
 
 O F 
 
 Our moft Confiderable ENGLISH 
 POETS, whether Epick, Lyrick, 
 Elegiack, Epigramatifts, tec. 
 
 LONDON, 
 
 Printed for E. C u R L L in Pater- Noftcr-Rw. 
 M.DCCXX.
 
 ; * v * m ' 
 
 *\ f\ i y *~ 
 
 :* i \ . 
 
 
 ^O 
 
 I 
 
 
 . v f v 
 
 
 I
 
 His GRACE 
 
 JO H N 
 
 Duke of Buckingham- 
 
 ^/r^Marquifs of Nor manly, 
 Earl of Mulgrave, &c. and 
 Knight of the moft Noble 
 Order of the Garter. 
 
 MY LORD, 
 
 T is an equal Honour 
 and Pleafure to me, 
 that I have this Op- 
 portunity of Prefenting to 
 Your GRACE, the Lives of our 
 A 2 moft 
 
 9C5872
 
 iv The Dedication. 
 
 molt comiderable^we/wu oets. 
 
 vj / 
 
 As the firft Volume of this 
 Work is dedicated to my Lord 
 jLanfdown, the only Nobleman 
 now living, who has written in 
 the Dramatick way; fo this 
 Performance has a fort of Right 
 to be Protected by Your Grace, 
 the Nobleman now living 
 who has moft Excell'd in the 
 other Parts of Poetry. I ex- 
 cept the two excellent Trage- 
 dies of Ctffar and Brutus, as to 
 the Dramatick, becaufe Your 
 Grace has not beeen pleafed to 
 publifh them. 
 
 To 
 soo TO y/i J srfj ,s_;A5i) _ 
 
 Horn s A
 
 The Dedication, v 
 
 To this I may add further, 
 that if all the Poets, whofe 
 Writings I have enumerated, 
 many whereof have long fince 
 feparately implor'd -Your Pro- 
 te6Hon, were yet living, they 
 would approve my Choice in 
 Addreffing to Your Grace, as 
 to the moft proper Patron for a 
 Work of this Nature: They 
 would all jointly and unani- 
 moufly truft the Decifion of 
 their Fame to Your Grace's 
 Judgment ; and Chaucer, Spen* 
 fer, and Milton would ftand 
 by the Determination of the 
 Duke of Buckingham. 
 
 A 3 You
 
 You have Flourifli'd, my 
 Lord, in the Court of our 
 Englifh Auguftus , and> in the 
 Progrefs of Poetry, come near- 
 eft to a Horace and a Virgil of 
 any of your Time : A maf- 
 terly Genius and great Excel- 
 lency are unqueftionably Your 
 Grace's Talents. As a Poet and 
 Critick, whoever has a true 
 Tafte of polite Literature, muft 
 
 own You have always ExcelFd: 
 This is univerfally allowed by 
 Perfons of very different Prin- 
 ciples, from the Great Earl of 
 Rofcommono> the loweft Judge: 
 And as Your Grace's IfTue, the 
 
 Noble
 
 Dedication, vii 
 
 Noble M^quiG. of Nwmw- 
 by, blefs'd wtfh)Lif^i\W 
 transit Your Allies toPo- 
 fterity, fo will Your W<wks, 
 the Offspring ^f , Your. Mind 
 make Your Ai^nwy Iipmor- 
 tal. -Ts u;ib 3iom y;?;i 
 
 As to> the crtbCT Great Qua- 
 lities land Krtd^yments of 
 Your. Graces) Mind,, our 
 : Couort bf Judicature 
 Honour from Vour 
 ui -Membra .<pf it : How 
 often has Your Grace's Elo- 
 quence prevailed in that An- 
 - Aflembly, and Your {in-- 
 A 4
 
 viii The Dedication. 
 
 gle Oration influenced, in an 
 Engltfh as CICERO in zRomiJh 
 Senate ? And Your Grace has 
 not only Adorn'd the important 
 Station of Prefident of the 
 Council, at an extraordinary 
 Jun6ture more than ufually 
 Honourable, but alfo very 
 much fupported the Dignity 
 of the Great Offices of Lord 
 Steward and Chamberlain of 
 the Houihold ; and by Your 
 Government in the latter, the 
 Engltfh Theatre truly Flou- 
 rifliU 
 
 Hap- 

 
 The Dedication, ix 
 
 Happily have you fhin'd ia 
 the Court and in the Camp ; 
 Your Grace's excellent Beha- 
 viour, True Magnanimity, 
 Princely Prefence, magnificent 
 Oeconomy, and uncommon 
 Judgment of Men and Things, 
 have gain'd You the greateft 
 Reputation in both : The me- 
 morable Engagement at Sold- 
 bay, during our Wars with 
 Holland, has recorded Your 
 Grace's Valour ; the Politeft 
 Court that England has known 
 hath paid You the greateft 
 Refpe6l as a Man of Gallan- 
 try
 
 x The Dedication. 
 
 try : In the late Reigns none 
 was more juftly acknmvledg'd 
 to be a foremoft Statefimn, 
 and equal to the fublimeft 
 Employments, thani His Grace 
 the Duke of B u c K i N G H:A M ; 
 and in the prefent times You 
 are defervedly admirM as a 
 moft accomplifli'd Courtier. 
 
 J ni noi : JuqoJI 
 Thefe Great Virtues..- and 
 Excellencies eminently belqng, 
 ing to Your Grace, difficult fe 
 the Task in an Addrefs of this 
 kind, and as They have; long 
 iince been better defcrib'd by 
 the Pens of thofe Gentlemen 
 
 of
 
 The Dedication, xi 
 
 of whofe Lives and Writings 
 this Work is composed, I hum- 
 bly hope You will pardon the 
 Defers, and Receive the wil- 
 ling Endeavours of him who 
 
 is, 
 
 MY LORD, 
 
 YOUR GRACE'S 
 Moft Obedient, and 
 Moft Devoted 
 Humble Servant,
 

 
 xu 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 Have little more to obferve, by 
 way of preface to this Second 
 Volume of The Lives and 
 Characters of the Englif/j 
 Poets, than to inform the Reader, that as 
 it ba& teen a Work of greater Labour and 
 'Difficulty than the rirft, Jo greater Af* 
 Jiftances have been given with relation to 
 tlx Living Authors. 
 
 By the Encouragement of fevered very 
 eminent Terfonagcs, particularly of a No* 
 bleman ofthefirfl Rank, and ttx celebrated 
 Mr. Prior, / have doite my utmoft for the 
 Honour of war Englifh Toets : And cu> a. 
 3)emonftration oj Impartiality in my Cha- 
 rafters of their Talents, in many Tlaces 
 I have infertcd Specimens of their Works , 
 
 that
 
 xiv PREFACE. 
 
 that IheReMermay-Umfelf'judge oft 
 Abilities of 'tJx fever al Authors, ly JV00 
 "from what themselves kave Written. Be? 
 Jides, ly this means the Tublick will have 
 "an agreeable Entertainment^ and the Satif* 
 fadlion of^obferying the. P r Wrefs,Qjpd lim- 
 frovement 0/0#r<pnglifh ^Poetry. 
 
 As a faithful Regifler of Fafis y I 
 have every where adventured to tell Truth* 
 in the moft favourable Serif e, as t well 0f/tht 
 Author Sj as of their Writings * y iho'jfi:o'i 
 tally I may have mentioned fome Fieces'j 
 not worthy a particular Notice, and! may 
 have omitted others <which deferve 'Place 
 in a Treatife of this Nature ; but I hope 
 all Objedions of this kind 'will vanijh 3 
 when the infinite Number of 'Poems ex- 
 tant is well confderdy fo that the left 
 Care and great e/l Diligence may look over 
 fome Thmvs, tbo* not very material to the. 
 
 J _ . .. , O. / ' -/J- W\ ~ 
 
 Subjett. 
 
 If one confderaUc Chwafler happens- to 
 refemble another in t!x following Work^ 
 tjuhere there are fo mary, Vw no more than 
 what is nalitiyd to expect | and it would be 
 
 a
 
 PREFACE. xv 
 
 45 injudicious to pretend to make that a 
 patdt, a& in a flourijhwg Garden, where 
 all forts of Fruits are brought to Maturi- 
 ty y itwoidd be ridiculous to call a Teach by 
 any other Name, on account of the QUOM* 
 lily of that kind of Fruit ; 'twould be high* 
 ly abfurd to wrong it with the Name of an 
 Apple or Crab, or, on the contrary, to give 
 a Crab tJx ^Denomination of a Teach or a 
 Jtfcctorine. 
 
 This Work hat been delay d fome time 
 for Memoirs from Terjons at a Di/lance, 
 tnd who could not be immediately advud 
 of the Undertaking ; but 1 hope the Ad" 
 vantage my TcrformMice ha* by this means 
 received, ivill alt one for the Delay in its 
 'Publication ; and a& ]ome Gentlemen were 
 late in communicating their Accounts, fo 
 that the Trefs had gone thro' that Tart 
 of the firft Alphabet which fiould have 
 related to them, I hope if they find them- 
 felves in the fccond Alphabet at the end 
 of the Book, they will at leafl be f leafed 
 with their Company. 
 
 The
 
 xvi PREFACE. 
 
 The following Introdu&ory Effay is 
 chiefly taken from Rapin, and the Wri- 
 tings of Mr. Dry den, the Duke 0f Buck- 
 ingham, Sr William Temple, and 
 others, whofe judgments may be looked up* 
 m as jlutbentick. There are fome Obfer* 
 vations of my own, 'with fever a! JlJlu* 
 fons and Similes \ and, I frcfume, iho 
 many ingenious Gentlemen may le ac~ 
 quainted with thegreateft fart of 'what 1 
 have mentioned therein, yet, fy the Me- 
 thod I have furfued, in reducing the whole 
 to fofmall an Extent, it will beofufeto 
 thofc very Terfons, and, in general, accef* 
 table to the fublick. 
 
 A N
 
 xvu 
 
 A N 
 
 Introdudory ESSAY, 
 
 O N 
 
 The RISE, PROGRESS, 
 BEAUTY, &c. of all Sorts 
 of POETRY. 
 
 S to the Rife and Antiquity of Poetry, 
 we, in many Places, read that Orpheus and 
 Eunwlphw were famous for their Poems 
 before the Trojan War , and thole who 
 date Poetry only fiom that time, are Ib far from 
 being in the right, that the beft Opinions make it 
 as old as the World it felf. 
 
 It is generally affirm 'd, that Poefy was themoft 
 antient of all artificial Literature, efpecially a- 
 mongft the Grecians : fherecidcs was the firft who 
 writ^Profe in the Greek Language, and he KvM a- 
 bout the time of Cyrm, which was ibme Hun- 
 dreds of Years after Himcr and Hcfwd; and Str.iia 
 undertakes to prove, that Prole is only an Imita- 
 tion of Poefy. 
 
 The firft Specimen of Poetry was (hewn r.\ 
 Hymn? and Prayers to the Deity, and began in
 
 xviii AnlntroduttovyEffay, c. 
 
 Wild Notes, before the Invention of Feet and 
 Meaiures : That Poefy is ftill moft fublime and 
 lafti&, where the Subjefts and Ideas are f&li- 
 gious, without which the Dignity Effential cajfnot 
 be liipported, And if we confider Poetry in! fher 
 firft Inflitution, e'er fhe became a Proflitutk to 
 Luft, Flattery, and Ambition, we lhall find her 
 giving Laws to Religion, Politicks, and Manners. 
 
 In her Cuftody was that Fountain, whence all 
 the profitable Rules for the Oeconomy of Life 
 were to be drawn : The greateft Princes form'd 
 their Courts to hers -, nor was the Divine Miftrels 
 leis courteoufly receiv'd ,in the Camp. Hence 
 Mighty Generals had the beft Inftruftions both for 
 their Conduft and Valour, and were encourag'd by 
 the Records of Antiquity, faithfully preferv'd by 
 fome Poet's Hand, to fignalize themfelves in fuch 
 famous Afts, as mould render them worthy the 
 like Praile of Pofterity. 
 
 From this it is that Alexander ', Scifio, Julius CA- 
 far, Auguftw^ and other great Peribnages, in the; 
 earlieft of Times, have been affe&ed therewith: 
 And by this the Heroes of all Ages have been 
 immortaliz'd , whereas without it perhaps we 
 ihould hardly have known there had been any fuch 
 Men, at leaft very oblcurely : And indeed Poetry 
 of all Arts is the moftperfeft; for the Perfection 
 of other Arts is limited, but this of Poefy has no 
 Bounds : So that 'tis no wonder that many Perfbns 
 fhould find fuch charming Emotions, upon read- 
 ing Virgil* and the reft of the antient Poets-, and 
 that the Pailions mould be extremely touch'd at 
 the Tragedies of Shake fpear, and fbme other of our 
 Dramatick Poets, both Antient and Modern. 
 
 The Power of Poetry is' univerlally known and 
 acknowledged, and fufficiently juftifies the Foun- 
 dation of thofe Opinions of old, which deriv'd it 
 
 from
 
 An Introductory Ejjajj &c. xix 
 
 from Divine Infpiration. And, according to OLd- 
 h*m, in his Imitation of HoraceV Aft of Poetry : 
 
 Hence Poets have been held a facred Nam* 
 And in another Place : 
 
 ferfe TVM the Language of toe Gods of old, 
 In which their fared Oracles were told. 
 
 But of late, I think, it has been moft commonly 
 quite another fort of Language. 
 
 The great Heights and "Excellency both of Poe- 
 try and Mufick, in the Opinion of Ibme of our 
 beft Authors, fell with the Roman Learning and 
 Empire, and have never fince recovered the Admi- 
 ration arid Applaules that before attended them : 
 This is moft certainly true in general , but as we 
 have had feme Mufician* of great Eminence fince 
 that time, Ib have we likewile produced Ibme lew 
 Poets which have preterv'd the Dignity ot Poeiy, 
 and amongft thole Svenfcr and Milton are the chief 
 and delervedly eftcem'd. 
 
 This Divine Art of Poetry has lately fb much 
 iuffer'd in its Reputation, by the Performances 
 Ibme who have thought themfelves inlpir'd, and 
 whole Readers too have many of them thought the 
 i '.me, that the beft Judges come ftrongly pre- 
 judicM againft any thing of this kind, a^ ucnerallv 
 cxpctling nothing but Froth and Emptinels : Anl 
 as the Poets, and their ProJuitions, now are vaftly 
 more numerous than they were in frrmer Age*?, it 
 otto be admir'd that they are lets regarded; 
 tor Poems, like beautiful \Voire-, are undoubtedly 
 moft -.-p.lu'd, where there is the greateft .Scarcity. 
 
 TIio* one thin^ may be allowM with a great 
 Inflict, as ;n Excufelbr Ibme of our 
 a a 

 
 An Introductory Eflay* Sec. 
 
 */ JJ */ * 
 
 dern Performances in Poetry, (<y/*,.) the Misfor- 
 tunes ot many of our Authors for want of the En- 
 couragement of fome Noble Mec&na* } a deteftable 
 Fate generally attends this Divine Gift , and there 
 is nothing that repuires lb much Serenity and Chear- 
 fulnefs of Spirit as Poetry. The Mind muft not 
 be overcaft with the Clouds of Melancholy and 
 Sorrow , it muft be fill'd with bright and delight- 
 ful Ideas, when it undertakes to communicate De- 
 light to others. And the Dejeftion of Spirit of 
 Ovid is eafily feen thro' the Stile of his DC Triftibtu, 
 which he wrote in his Banifhment} there being 
 very little remains of that Genius, 
 
 Qutm nee Jovis Ira, nee Ignis, 
 
 Art and Nature mutually aflift each other in the 
 Compofition of a Poet } tho 1 Art, I take it, left 
 contributes to his Perfection than Nature. One 
 may be an Orator, lays Rapin, without the natural 
 Gift of Eloquence, becauie Art may lirpply that 
 Defeft ') but no Man can be a Poet without a Ge- 
 nius -, the want of which no Art or Iiiduftry is ca- 
 pable to repair. And this Genius is that Celeftial 
 p'ire, intended by the Fable, which enlarges and 
 heightens the Soul, and makes it exprels Things 
 in the moft lofty Stile, and with the greateft Ele- 
 vation. 
 
 This Exprelfion or Language in Poetry ought 
 to have five Qualities , to be apt, clear, natural, 
 Iplendid, and numerous : It muft be apt, lb as to 
 have nothing that is impure or barbarous ^ it muft 
 be clear, that it may be intelligible '-, it is to be 
 natural, according to the Rules of Decorum and 
 good Senle, for all ftrain'd and extraordinary Ex- 
 preffions are insupportable to true Poely 9 it muft 
 be lofty and fplendid, for the common and ordina- 
 ry Terms are not proper for a Poet. And the 
 
 Lan-
 
 An Introductory Effay, Sec. xxi 
 
 Language is to be numerous to uphold that Great- 
 nels and Majefty, which ought to reign throughout 
 in Poefy. 
 
 Thele are the Qualities neceflary in Poetical Lan- 
 guage, and which make Poetry truly harmonious ; 
 and when thele are oblerv'd, a Poetick Licence is, 
 in other refpefts, very allowable. It is, as Drydcu 
 
 n^ets 
 
 oblerves, that Birthright which is deriv'd to 
 from their Great Forefathers, even from Homer 
 down to Ben. The boldeft Strokes ot Poetry, 
 when they are manag'd artfully, are thole which 
 moft delight the Reader : There is Ibmething in 
 the Genius of Poetry, too Libertine to be confm'd 
 to many Rules \ and whoever goes about to fub- 
 jeft it to fuch Conftraii:ts, oftentimes lofes both its 
 Spirit and Grace. 
 
 But however the Poet's Fancy and Wit ihould be 
 kept within due Bounds -, and there is not a greater 
 Hinderanre to the Epick or Heroick Poem, than a 
 Wit too vaft ^ for fuch will make nor hint', ex& i:i 
 thele kind of Works, whole chief Perfection is the 
 Juftnels. The greater the Wit is, and the more 
 Strength and Vigour that the Imagination has to 
 form Ideas in Poetry, the more Difcretion and 
 Judgment is requifite to moderate that Heat, and 
 govern its natural Fury : Like luxuriant Plants, it 
 requires a great deal of Pruning. And in Poetry ir 
 is equally happy to forbear (peaking all one thinks, 
 and^to leave ibmething for others to employ their 
 Thoughts upon :, as in Profpefts thole are beft a-..! 
 moft pleafiug, which leave us room to pucls more 1 
 than the Eye candifcover. 
 
 For an Author to leave a thiiic; when it is v 
 to flop regularly where he ought to flop, fhr 
 an accomplifhM Genius } but very few befules Ho- 
 mer and Vergil have been Matters of this Dilcretion 
 For want of this Judgment, in our amorous Poems. 
 
 a 3 0!>
 
 xxii An Introductory Efjay* 
 
 iS JJ +/ S 
 
 Obicenity has oftentimes prevail'd : Tho' it is not 
 in this Senfe that Poetry is always laid to be a. kind 
 of Painting -, it is not the Pifture of rhe Poet, but 
 of Things and Perfbns imagin'd by him. He may 
 be in his own Practice and Difpofition a Philolb- 
 pher, fays Cowley^ and yet fpeak fbmetimes with the 
 Sofcneis of an amorous Sappho. 
 
 THis, I think, is generally allow'd ^ and as a 
 Painter draws Faces by their Features, Ib the Poet 
 reprelents the Minds of Men by their Manners, tlje 
 moft Sovereign Rule for treating of which, is to 
 copy them after Nature:, to exhibit every Perfon 
 in his proper Character. And the Paflions give no 
 lefs Grace to Poetry, than the Manners, for they 
 are, as it were, the Soul and Life of it, when the 
 Poet has found the Arc to make them move by their 
 7-iaturai Springs , but both thele are extremely dif- 
 ficult to be delcrib'd. 
 
 Of all ibrts of Poetry, the Epick Poem is the 
 moft noble , it is the greateft Work that human 
 Wit is capable of, and proper only for the fub- 
 iimeft Subjects : It requires a vaft Capacity, all 
 the Elevation of the moft exalted Genius, a great 
 Fancy, Heat of Imagination, and Sobriety of Rea- 
 ibn: A judgment Iblid, and Diicernment exqui- 
 fite. The Images muft be ftrong and lively, 
 and the Frame or Fabrick ought to have ibme- 
 thing both fublime and juft, amazing and agree- 
 able. There muft be a great Agitation of Mind to 
 invent, a great Calm to judge and correct :, and to 
 work up this Metal into an excellent Figure, there 
 ihould be employed the Fire, the Hammer, the 
 ChiiTel, and the File. 
 
 Next to the Epick Poem, is the .Phidarick Ode, 
 which oimht likewiie to have much Nobleness of 
 rhoughtjElcvat -ion.nnd Traniport : And it requires, 
 to flifhtln all the MHeiiv of its Cliarafter, an exalte^l 
 
 Wit,
 
 An Introduftory Effay, &c. xxiii 
 
 Wit, a daring Fancy, and an Expreflion noble and 
 iparkling, yet pure and correct. It allows, (in the 
 Englift Language,) more Latitude than any other 
 Poem ^ but the Ear muft prefide and direft the 
 Judgment to the Choice of Numbers ; Without 
 the Nicety of this, the Harmony of Pindarick 
 Verfe can never be compleat } the Cadency of one 
 Line ought to be a Rule for that of the next; 
 and the Sound of the former muft flide gently into 
 that which follows, without leaping from one Ex- 
 treme into another. This Poem has been i;itro- 
 duc'd into our Language by the happy Genius of 
 Mr. Cowlcy, and is fit for great and noble Subjects, 
 foch as are boundlels as its own Numbers- 
 
 Satire is very different from either of th Poems 
 aforementioned, the chief Defign of it being to 
 find fault : And this is the eafieft kind of Wit. A 
 little Wit, and a great deal of Ill-Nature, will 
 qualify a Man for a Satiriftj but the Create ft Ii> 
 ftance of Wit and Judgment is to Commend well. 
 TheSharpnefs of Satire oftentimes proceeds not lo 
 much from Wit as from Choler , and human Frail- 
 ty muft be nicely unfolded, to diftinguiih a Satirift 
 from a Scold. Rtpin remarks, that the prir.cipal 
 end of Satire, is to inftruft the People by difcre- 
 diting Vice, and making it ridiculous ; and the 
 Iporting of Wit has frequently a greater Effeft than 
 theftrongeft Reafbaing and moft lententious Dil 1 
 courfes: But it is very often like a SworJ in 
 the Hands of a Madman, who runs a-tilt at all 
 manner of Peribns : And that fort of Satire which 
 we call Lampoon, wherein the weaker Sex is the 
 moft ordinary Theme, is a very dangerous and 
 unlawful Weapon. Among ft the Antients, Horace, 
 exercis'd h^ Gesture in Jcft and Merriment } mid 
 wrote his Satire in a more lerious St; 
 
 a 4 TV
 
 XXIV 
 
 The Elegy ( fays Rapin) by the quality of its Na- 
 ture, is deftin'd to Tears and Complaints j and 
 therefore ought to beof a doleful Character, which 
 it always bore in its ftrft Inftitution. But after- 
 wards it was ufed in Subjects of Tendernefs, as in 
 Love-Matters, and the like. The Latins have been 
 mo r: iuccefsful in this Poem than the Greeks, and, 
 amorigit them thofe who have writ Elegy beft, are 
 Tihu'lus, Propcrtius, and Ovid. This Poem ihould 
 not only have every Couplet fill'd with Fancy, but 
 have an exact Coherence, and rife Step by Step to 
 the moft elevated height of Poetry, otherwife 'tis 
 o.ily Epigram. 
 
 Epigram is the leaft confiderable of all the Works 
 in Verle that Antiquity hath produced } and yet it 
 has its Beauty, which confifts either in a delicate 
 Turn upon fbme fharp Hit of Fancy or Wit, or 
 upon fbme lucky word. The Greek Epigram runs 
 upon the Turn of a Thought that is natural, but 
 fine and fubtle. And the Latin Epigram endea- 
 vours to furprize the Mind by fbme nipping word, 
 which is call'd a Point ; but this latter is efteem'd a 
 ftlfeTafte : And Catullttfs clofing a natural Thought 
 within a delicate Turn of Words, and the Sim- 
 plicity of a very fbft Expreffion, is by moft Per- 
 fens judg'd preferable to Martial. This fort of 
 Poetry does not generally reach above the Stature 
 oT two, four, or fix Lines, tho j fome of Martial's 
 beft Pieces are longer :, and an Epigram, unlefs it be 
 admirable, is little worth. 
 
 After Epigram, I am to examine into the Na- 
 ture of Paftoral and Songs. Paftoral was the moft 
 antient kind of Poetry , and firft began among Shep- 
 herds as they fed their Flocks. It being an Image 
 o the Life of Shepherds, the matter is low : Its 
 Bufinels is to defcribe the Loves, the Sports, the 
 Difputes, the Intrigues, the Paflior.s, the Adven- 
 tures,
 
 'jfri Introdu&wy Effay, &c. xxv 
 
 tures, and .ill the little Affairs of Shepherds ; fa 
 that its Character ought to be fimple, the Wit 
 eafy, and the Expreffion common. The Manners 
 are to be innocent, the Language pure, the Verfe 
 flowing, and it muft have nothing exquifite, unlefs it 
 be in Paftoral Elegy. The Models to be proposM 
 to write well in this fort of Poetry, are Theocritus 
 and Yirqil. 
 
 Songty and all fmall Works of Poetrf, require 
 that they be natural and delicate. A word may 
 be delicate feveral ways , either by a fiibtle Equi- 
 vocation, which contains in it a Myftery , or by a 
 hidden Meaning, which (peaks all out, while it 
 pretends to lay nothing *, or by fbme fierce and bold 
 Stroke under modeft Terms -, or by fomething 
 brisk and pleafant under a ferious Air -, or by fbme 
 fine Thoughts, under a fimple and homely Exprefc 
 fion. In this Poem frhe Thoughts are to be enfy, 
 the Fancy high, and the Words, tho" hard wrought, 
 fhould ieem to fall by Chance, which is a Beauty 
 in all Poetry. 
 
 1 (hall finifh my fhort EfTay with Burlefque Poe- 
 try, Tranflations, and Criticifm. As to Burlefae 
 Poetry, the Grace and Beauties of it chiefly confift 
 in a Difproportion between the Stile in which we 
 fpeak of a thing, and its true Idea } but good Senie 
 and Manners ought to be preferv'd, or it finks to 
 Buffoonry. What has corrupted our modern Poef^ 
 is that Ridicule which we find in this fort of Wri- 
 ting, as if nothing pleas'd but what provokes our 
 Laughter. This Cuftom of Raillery and Ridicul- 
 ing is very pernicious, not only to all Poetry, but 
 indeed to all Virtue , and 'tis a very poor, tho* 
 common Pretence to Merit, to make it appear by 
 the Errors of others. 
 
 A TrtnJUtor of Poetry, ought to be a nice Cri- 
 tick in his Mother-Tongue, before he attempts to 
 tranfiate a foreign Language. Neither is it fuffi- 
 
 cier.t
 
 xxvi An Introductory Effay, Se 
 
 cient that he be able to judge of Words and Stile ; 
 but he muft be a Mafter of them too and Poetical 
 JMumb r is: He muft perfectly underftand his Au- 
 thor's Tongue, and ablblutely command his own. 
 He is to keep ftill a foot and entire the Author's 
 true genuine Senle, with the main Defign he drives 
 at, and to maintain the Character of his Author \ 
 but it is not a Tranflator's Bufinels alone to tran- 
 flate Language into Language, but Poely into Poe- 
 iy , and there are certain Graces and Happinefles 
 peculiar tc every Language, that give Life and 
 Energy to the words, without which there will 
 remain nothing but a Caput Mortuum. 
 
 In reipeft to Criticifm, the Office of a Critick, in 
 former times, confifted in a Defence of Poetry , it 
 was the Bufmels of Criticks to illuftrate obfcure 
 Beauties -, to place Ibme Paflages in a better Light, 
 to redeem others from malicious Interpretations : 
 To help out an Author's Modefty, and ihield him 
 from the Ill-Nature of thole Perlbns who unjuftly 
 iet up for Cerilbrs ; but in this Age they, for the 
 moft part, think it their principal Bulinels to find 
 fault. Criticilm, as 'twas firfl: inftituted by Ari- 
 flotle, was meant a Standard of judging well. The 
 chiefeft part of which is to obferve thole Excel- 
 lencies, which fhould delight a realbnable Reader. 
 If the Defign, the Conduft, the Thoughts, and 
 the Expreffions of a Poem, be generally fuch as 
 proceed from a true Genius of Poetry , the Critick 
 ought to pals his Judgment in favour of the Au- 
 thor. 'Tis malicious to cavil at Irnall. Failings, 
 from which the Greateft (land not exempted- 
 And Horace gives it as a Rule, 
 
 - Non ubi plura nitent in Carmina^ paucis 
 Ojfcndl Maculifj qua* ant incuria fudit y 
 Aut humana parum cwit fattura ..... 
 :i li |0: THE
 
 THE 
 
 NAMES 
 
 O F T H E 
 
 AUTHORS- 
 
 A. 
 
 LleynfCharles; 
 pau;. i 
 
 Addifbn (Jo- 
 feph (Efa) 
 
 243 
 
 Amhurft (Nicholas.) 287 
 
 Atterbury (Dr. Francis; 
 
 Bifiop of Rochefter. 2 
 
 Ayloffe (John.; 3 
 
 -t- 
 
 -t- 
 
 B. 
 
 BAfton (Robert.; 4 
 Beaumont (Sir John.) 
 ibid. 
 Beaumont (Trancis.) 5 
 
 Beaumont (Dr.) 7 
 
 Beckingham ( Charles.) 
 
 283 
 
 Birkenhcad (5> Joh;:.) 8 
 Blackinore (5/>- Richard.) 
 
 9 
 
 Blaunpain (Michael.) i it 
 Bowden (Mr.) 289 
 Bowles (William.) 12 
 Boyle (Charles) Ejfe 292 
 Bradfhaw (Henry) 13 
 Breton (Nicholas.) ibid. 
 Broome (Alexander.) 14 
 Broome (John.) 15 
 
 Brown (Tom.) ibid. 
 Budge 1 (Euftace) Efa 
 289 
 
 Bulklcy (John) Efa 325 
 ButJer
 
 The NAMES 0ftbe A u T H o R 
 
 Butler (Samuel) .19 
 Buclceridge (Bainbrig) 
 
 C. 
 
 GArew (Thomas) /f, 
 22 
 
 Cavendifh ( William ) 
 o Devonihire. 
 
 *3 
 
 Caufton (Peter.) 289 
 
 Centlivre (Mrs.) 290 
 CHAUCER. 26 
 
 Cheek (Thomas) Efy 30 
 Chetwood (Dr.} 31 
 Churchyard (Tho.) ib. 
 Chudleigh (Lady.) 290 
 Chute (Mr.} 
 Cleave (Charles.) 
 Cleveland (John.) 
 Cob (Samuel) 
 Codrington (Col.) 
 Congreve (William.) Eft, 
 
 248 
 
 Corbet (Dr. Richard) Bi- 
 
 fhop of Oxford. 37 
 
 Cowley (Abraham) Efa 
 
 250 
 
 Crafhaw (Richard.) 38 
 Creech (Thomas.) ibid. 
 Crifp (Henry.) 292 
 Crompton (Hugh.) 39 
 Croxal (Mr.} 40 
 
 Cutts (Lord} 292 
 
 ibid. 
 291 
 
 33 
 
 36 
 
 291 
 
 D. j 
 
 DAniel (Samuel.) 253 
 Daniel (Reverend 
 
 Mr.) 293 
 
 Davis (Sir John.) 41 
 Dawes (Sir William) 
 
 jArchbiJhsp ofYork. ibu 
 Denham (Sir John.) 254 
 Dennis (John.) 257 
 Diaper (Mr.) 43 
 
 Dillon (Wentworth) Earl 
 
 of Rofcomon. ibid. 
 Donne ( Dr. John. ) 46 
 Drayton (Michael.,) 49 
 Dry den ( John) Eft, 261 
 Duke (Mr.) 50 
 
 ESfebie Alexander.) 
 5i 
 Etherege (Sir George.) 
 
 Eufcien (Mr.) 
 Exeter (Jofeph 
 
 5 1 
 53 
 
 F. 
 
 FAbian (Robert.) 53 
 Farquhar (George.; 
 294 
 
 Fairfax fEdmond.) 54 
 Fenton
 
 Th* N A M E s of 
 
 Fcnton (Mr.) 55 
 
 Finch (Mrs.) ibid. 
 Flatman (Thomas) 
 
 Fletcher (Thineas.) ibid. 
 Fletcher (Gil*-) S7 
 Fletcher fGeorgeJ ibid. 
 France (Abraham.) ibid. 
 Fowke (Mrs.) 326 
 
 G. 
 
 GArdiuer (A/r.) 295 
 Garth (Sir . bamu- 
 
 el. 58 
 
 Gay (John.) 60 
 
 Glocefter (Robert of.) 62 
 Godolphin ('Sidney; late 
 
 Earl of. 63 
 
 Cold (-Robert.) 65 
 
 Cower f&> John.) 66 
 Gower (John.; tfg 
 
 Granviile ^George) Lord 
 
 Lanfdown. 266 
 
 C riffin (Lew is.) 2 96 
 
 H 
 
 A&& & 
 
 H. 
 Amond fAnthonyj 
 
 Hampden 
 
 297 
 Harcourt fSimon) gfa 
 
 ibid. 
 Harding (John) Efa 68 
 
 ibt AUTHOR s. 
 Harrington (Sir John.j 
 
 70 
 
 Harrifon (WilKam) Efa 
 
 ibid. 
 
 Harvey (Stephen; Efq\ 
 
 Havillan. 72 
 
 Henley (John.) ibid. 
 Herbert (George.) 73 
 Hermit (Richard the.) 74 
 Higgins (John.) ibid. 
 Hill f Aron.; 298 
 
 Holdfworth ( Edward.'J 
 ibid. 
 
 Hopkins (Charles.) 7 
 How (John) Efa 29 
 Howard (Henry) Earl of 
 Surrey. 76 
 
 Howard (Sir Robert.) 79 
 Hughes (John) Efo 80 
 
 3*7 
 Hughes Jabez. 85 
 
 JAckfbn (Mr.) 300 
 
 Jacob C^/rJ 299 
 
 Jeffenes (Lord.) 315 
 
 Johnibn (Ben.) 271 
 
 K 
 
 Enn CIV.; A^ o/ 
 Bath and Wclb^- 
 
 !-> V. 301 
 
 King
 
 The 
 
 E s 
 
 King (Dr. Henry) Bijkop 
 
 0/Chichefter. . 85 
 
 King (Dr. William.) 87 
 
 L. 
 
 Eland (John.) 89 
 
 Lilly ( William. jib. 
 
 Lodge (Dr. Thomas.) 91 
 Lovelace (Colonel.) 9* 
 Lueliin (Martin.) ibid. 
 Lydgate ("John.) 93 
 
 AUTHORS! 
 
 O. 
 
 OLdham (John.jiio 
 Oldmixon (John.) 
 303 
 
 Otway (Thomas.) 275 
 
 Overbury (Sir Thomas. 
 
 125 
 
 Owen (John.) 127 
 
 M 
 
 M. 
 
 Anwaring 
 thur) 
 
 ir.p8 
 
 Milton (John.) 100 
 Molefwordi \Mrs.) 106 
 Montague (Charles) Earl 
 of Halifax. 109 
 
 More (Sir Thomas J 1 14 
 
 N. 
 
 NEquam ( Alexan- 
 der.) 116 
 Kewcomb ( Thomas. ) 
 118 
 
 Nevil (Mr) ^302 
 
 ris CJohnJ ibid, 
 
 P. 
 
 PAck (Major) 128 
 Paris (Matthew.) 
 131 
 
 Parnel (Mr.} 132 
 
 Patrick (Dr.) 3*7 
 
 Philips (Edward.) 133 
 Philips (John.) ibid. 
 Philips ("John.;. 134 
 Philips (Ambrole.) 139 
 Pomfret (Mr.) 140,328 
 Pope (Alexander.) 145 
 Pope (Dr. Walter.) 304 
 Prior (Matthew) %i 52 
 Purney (Mr.) 304 
 
 Q: 
 
 QUarles C Francis. ) 
 Efa 
 Quarles (John.)
 
 Jlx NAMES of tfa AUTHO 
 
 % 
 
 R. 
 
 RAmfcy (William.) 
 168 
 
 Randolph (Thomas J 169 
 Ratcliff (Captain.) 170 
 Reynardlbn (Mr.) 171 
 Reynolds (Mr.} 304 
 Ridout \_Mr.~\ 305 
 
 Ruflel [David.] i 
 Rowe [JXicholas] Eft; 
 2-6 
 
 s. 
 
 SAclieverell [Dr.] 
 Sackville [Charles 
 Cranfteld]rfr/ o/Dorv 
 fetand Middle lex. 1-^3 
 Sandys [George] Efa 
 
 St. John [Henry] Lord 
 
 Bollingbrokc. 306 
 
 Savill [Henry] Eft: ib. 
 
 Scroop [Sir Car.] 176 
 
 Sewell[George.] 1 77,328 
 
 Shakefpear [William.] 
 
 280 
 
 Sheffield [John] Duke of 
 
 Buckinghamshire, c^c. 
 
 179 
 
 Shepherd [ 5*> Fleet- 
 
 l8a 
 
 Shippen [William] Efy 
 306 
 
 Sidley[S*rCh;u-!--.]i$4 
 Sidney [5/V Philip.] iS6 
 Singer [A/r/.] 189 
 
 Skekon [John.] 190 
 Sraalridge [Dr. George] 
 
 Bifliop of Briftol. 1 91 
 Soraers [John] Lord.*?* 
 Speed [Dr.] 307 
 
 Sprat [Dr. Thomas] 
 
 flop of R ochefter. 1 94 
 
 Sl'ENSEK. 195 
 
 Stafford [A/r.] 204 
 
 Stanley [Thomas] Efa 
 
 ibid. 
 
 Stepney [George] 
 
 Steele C&> Richard.]207 
 Stoneftreet [A/r.] 
 Buckling [S;V John.] 20^ 
 Swift [Dr.] ibid. 
 
 Sylveftci -Johi:.] 209; 
 
 T. 
 
 TAteham[John.]2io 
 Tate [A/r.] 282 
 Taylor [John.] 210 
 Theobald [Lewis.] 21 1 
 Tickell [Thomas] Efa 
 
 Toland [.1/r.] | S 
 
 Tooke [Charles.] ibid. 
 Trupp [Jofcph.] 
 
 Tuffer
 
 The NAMES oftloe AUTHORS. 
 
 (Thomas J 215 Watts (Mr.) 
 Tutchin' C JohnJ Efy 309 Welfted (Mr.) ibid. 
 Tye (J>. Chriftopher.) Wharton (Sir George.; 
 
 228 
 
 Wharton (Mrs.) 310 
 Wiat (S/r Thomas.) 229 
 Wilmot (John; Earl of 
 V. Rochefter. 230 
 
 liters (George; lite Withers (George.; 236 
 Duke of Buckin- Woofley ^Robert; 15^- 
 gham. 21^. 237 
 
 Wotton (Sir Henry.) 3 1 o 
 Wycherley ( William ; 
 284 
 
 V 
 
 W 
 
 mun 
 
 W. 
 
 Waller 
 
 ( Ed- 
 
 220 
 
 Ward Cjames; 
 Ward (Edward.) 
 Ward ^Thomas.; 
 
 22$ 
 ibid. 
 
 310 
 226 
 
 Y. 
 
 ' AldenC Pr.Thomas. ) 
 
 238 
 
 Young (I?r. Edward.; 
 241 
 
 Y 
 
 I HE
 
 THE 
 
 LIVES 
 
 AND 
 
 CHARACTERS 
 
 O F T H E 
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 
 
 A. 
 
 Mr. CHARLES ALEYN. 
 
 Poet, who flouri/h'd in the Reign of 
 the Glorious Queen /txforfc, and of her 
 Succeflbr King Jtmes I. He had a great 
 
 Genius for Poetry , having writ two 
 
 Pieces very much applauded in thole Days. 
 
 I. The Life of Kinf Henry the Seventh, with the 
 Btttel of Bofworth j in Heroick Verle. 
 
 II. The Battle of Creify and Poiftiers. 
 
 That he was Matter of good Thoughts in his* 
 Writings, appears by the following Couplet from 
 his Life of King Henry: 
 
 B Mm
 
 The Lives and Charaders of tbs 
 
 Man and Money , a mutual Faljkood flow, 
 Man makes faffe Money, Money makes Man fo 
 
 And in his Battle of Creffy, are theft Lines : 
 
 7 hey fwcllrrith Love who are with Valour filf 
 And. Venus' Do ues may In a Head-yiecc build. 
 
 FRANCIS ATT E.R BURY D- D. Dean of 
 
 Weftwwjter and Bilhop of Rochefter. 
 
 
 
 TH I S excellent Prelate, is the Son of the Reve- 
 rend Dr. ATTERBURY, late Reftor of Milton, 
 near Ncwyort-Pagnd in Buckinghamshire. He was 
 bred at fFc/??;;///^?r-School, and from thence elefted 
 (with the taireil Promifes of the Great Man he has 
 iiiice made) to Chrift-Churcb College in Oxford^ 
 where he accomplifh'd himfelf in the moft Polite 
 Literature, and gain'd the greateft Reputation as an 
 Orator and Divine- He was very much Courted and 
 AdmirM by the polite ft Per ions of the Uniyerfity on 
 Account of his uncommon Abilities. His firft Pre- 
 ferments were thoie of Lecturer of St. Brides, and 
 Preacher of Bridewell, London- Afterwards he was 
 Chaplain to the Rolls } then Canon P^efidentiary of 
 Exeter, and Arch-Deacon ofTotncfs: After this he 
 was Dean 01 Cs.rtijle, and preferred to the Deanery 
 of Cbrift-Church, in Oxford', and in the Year 1713. 
 he was made Dean of Wcftminftcr, and Bifhop of 
 Raclxftcr. In his youncer Years, before he had any 
 Dignity confer 'd oa him in the Church, he \vrote
 
 E N G L I S H P O E T S. 4 
 
 feveral fine Pieces of Latin Poetry, amongft which, 
 his elegant Tranflation of Mr. DR Y DEN'S Abftlom 
 and Achitophel is defcrvedly celebrated. 
 
 Among his Englifh Performances, the follow-' 
 ing Epigram on a Lady's Fan, is worthy of the 
 higheft efteem. 
 
 Flavia the leafl And flight eft Toy 
 
 Can with refftlefs An employ : 
 
 This Fan, in meaner Hands would f>roV& 
 
 An Engine of fmall Force in Love , 
 
 Tftfic with graceful Air and Mitn 9 
 
 Not to be told, orfafely feen, 
 
 Diretts its wanton Motion fa 
 
 That it Wounds more than Cupid'/ Row :> 
 
 Gives Coolnefs to the Matchlcfs Dame, 
 
 To crfry other Breaft a Flame. 
 
 Caftatn JOHN AYLOFFE. 
 
 THIS Gentleman was Educated at Trinity-Cofleffg 
 in Cambridge. He was a Man of Wit and 
 Humour, which carried his Inclinations to Poetry. 
 He has publifh'd feveral valuable fmall Pieces in 
 the Mifcellanies, among which, one intitled, 
 MARY i ; L'S Ghost, is very much admir'd. 
 
 
 L-'v) 
 
 B 2 B.
 
 4 The Lives and Cara&ers of tie 
 
 B. 
 
 Mr. ROBERTJBASTON. 
 
 THIS Poet was born at, or near, the Town o 
 Nottingham. He was bred a Carmelite Friar, 
 at Scarborough in Torkjhire, and- fo great was his 
 Fame in Poetry, that King Edward the Second, in 
 his Scotifh Expedition, thought him worthy to Im- 
 mortalize his Heroick Aft ions \ But the Chance of 
 War at length giving the Advantage to Robert 
 Bruce, who then laid claim to the Crown of Scotland, 
 he was oblig'd by Torments to Change his Note. 
 He wrote one Poem, viz.. 
 
 De Bella Strivilcvfi, which was publinYd in a Vo- 
 lume of other Poems on various Subjeds. 
 
 Sir JOHN BEAUMONT, 'Baronet. 
 
 excellent Poet, whoHivM injthe Reign of 
 _ King Richard the Thira , when, ( fuch is the 
 itaftrophe of fbme of our JLnglifr Monarchs ) two 
 hopeful Princes were inhumanly murther'd by the 
 Ufurper Richard, but the Tragedy of his Reign was 
 compleated in his own ignominious Death, at the 
 Battle of Bofworth. Sir John was juftly ftil'd one of 
 the Chief of the great Souls of Poetical Numbers \ 
 "He was fill'd with Phoebeav Fire ^ and he wrote, be- 
 
 fides 
 
 i wrote of\
 
 ENGLISH POET S.~ 5 
 
 fides feveral other Pieces, A Poem on Bofworth Field, 
 which the following Lines demonftrate to be an ad- 
 mirable Performance. 
 
 Here valiant Oxford, and fierce Norfolk meet - 7 
 And. with their Spears each other rudely greet : 
 About the Atr the fining Pieces play, 
 Then on their Swords their Noble Hands they lay. 
 And Norfolk firft a Blow dircttly guides, 
 To Oxford'; Head, which from his Helmet flidcs 
 Vpm his Arm, and biting through the Steel, 
 Inflitti a Wound, which Vere dijdains to feel. 
 But lifts his Faulcheon with a threatening Grace, 
 And hews the Beaver off from Howard'* Face j 
 This being done, he with companion charmed 
 Retires, afhamd to ftrikc a Man difarm'd. 
 But flrf.it a deadly Shaft fent from a Bow, 
 Whofe Mafter, tho^ far off, the Duke could know : 
 Vntimely brought this Combat to an end, 
 And pierced the Brains of Richard'/ con]} ant Friend. 
 When Oxford faw him fink, his noble Soul, 
 Was full of Grief, which made him thus condole. 
 Farewel, true Knight, to whom no coflly Grave 
 Can give due Honour, would my Tears might favc 
 Thofe Streams of Blood, deferring to be fpilt 
 In better Service, had not Richard'* Guilt 
 Such heavy Weight upon his Fortune laid, 
 Thy Glorious Venues had his Sins outweighed. 
 
 FRANCIS BEAUMONT, Gent. 
 
 THE Volume of Poems, Printed in the Year, 
 1653. written by this Great young Man, 
 are for Performances of that time very en- 
 tertaining, and carry with them a Strength of 
 B 3 Judg-
 
 6 The JLives and CharaQers of the 
 
 Judgment as well as Wit : I muft confefs I was well 
 pleas'd in perilling them very lately, and I doubt 
 not but a particular Account of them will be accept- 
 able to the publick. They are as follow, 
 
 i. SALMACIS and HERMAPHRODITUS: Or, 
 the Hermaphrodite. This is taken from Ovid's Me- 
 our Author thus Defcribes the Nymph* 
 
 So fair fie vw y offuch a plea/ing Grace, 
 Softrait a Body, andfofweet a Face ; 
 So f oft a Hand, fo white a lovely Breaft, 
 So fair a Check, fo well in all the reft ; 
 That Jupiter would Revel in her Bower, 
 Were he to caft again, his Golden ficxver* 
 
 II. The Remedy of Love. 
 
 III. Elegies on the Lady Markham, cfo 
 
 IV. The Charm. 
 
 V. The Glance. 
 
 VI. The Indifferent- 
 
 VII. The Examination of his ftfiftrefs. 
 VIII- To the Mutable Fair. 
 
 IX. Of Loving at Fir ft Sight. 
 
 X. Eternity of Love. Some of thefe fmall Pieces, 
 are Sonnets, in one of which, is this Stanza. 
 
 Like a Ring without a Finger 
 
 Or a Bell without a Ringer ; 
 
 Like a Ship which nc\r is Rig'd 
 
 Or a Mine that's never Diggd j 
 
 Like a Wound without a Tent, 
 
 Or Civet Box which has no Scent ; 
 Juft fuch as thefe may foe be faid 
 That Lives, nier Loves, but dies a Maid- 
 
 Mr.
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 7 
 
 Mr. Beaumont likewife writ a Poem caird the 
 ffonffl Man\ Fortune. A Letter to B E N. JOHNSON. 
 and, We Good Fellow , A Song on Ale. 
 
 The Reverend 'Dr. JOSEPH B . AIM NT. 
 
 THIS I -earned Perfon was King's ProfcfTor of 
 Divinity, and Matter of St. Pew's College 
 in Cambridge. He has given the Pnblick an invalua- 
 ble Work, inritlcd, PSYCHE or Loves Myftery, in 
 Twenty Four Cantos : Difplaying the Interceurfc 
 betwixt Chrift and the Soul. Folio. 
 
 The Occafion and Dcfign of this celebrated Piece, 
 
 the Author thus recites in his Preface, " The Tur- 
 
 " bulencc of thefc Times * having deprived me of 
 
 u my wonted Accommodations of Study , Idelibe- 
 
 ' rated, for the avoiding ofmeer Idlcnefs, what Task 
 
 c I might lafelieft prefume upon, without the Soci- 
 
 4 ety of Books: and concluded ufon Comvofing this 
 
 <c Poem. In which I endeavour to reprefent a Soul 
 
 led by Divine Grace, and her Guardiw Angel, (in 
 
 .nt Devotion,) through the difficult Tempta- 
 
 a tions and Aifaults of Lujt, of Pride^ of Herefy, of 
 
 " Perjecution, and of Spiritual Dcreliiliom^ to a holy 
 
 u and happy Departure from Temporal Life, to Hea- 
 
 " venly Felicity : Difplaying by the way, the MA$n*> 
 
 " I'm Chrijli, his Incarnation and Nativity^ his Flight 
 
 " into tA^gipt, his Faftir.g and Temptation, his chief 
 
 te Miracles, his He ing Sold and Betrayed, his In ft it n- 
 
 " tionof the Holy Euchsrtft, his Pajjion, \\isRcfurrefti- 
 
 1 c/:and Aftenfion; which were his mighty Tcfti- 
 
 u monies of his Love to the Soul. My deftre is, That 
 
 * this Book may prompt better Wits to believe, that 
 
 " a Divine Tneme is as capable and happy a Subjed 
 
 The Grand Rebellion. 
 
 B 4 ?pf
 
 8 The Lives and Chara&ers of the 
 
 c of Poetical Ornament:, as any Pagan or Human Dc- 
 " vice whatfoever. Which if I can obtain, and (in- 
 " to the Bargain,) Charm my Readers into any true 
 " Degree of Devotion, I Ihall be bold to hope that I 
 " have partly reached my proofed Mark , and not 
 * c continued meerly Idle. 
 
 A Second Edition of this Poem, carefully Corre- 
 &ed throughout, by the Author, with the Addi- 
 tion of Four new Cantos never before Printed, was 
 Publifh'd at Cambridge, in the Year 1702. by his Son 
 Charles E.eaumont , M. A. Fellow of St. Peter's 
 College, to which Society, he informs us-, " his Father 
 c left by Will, all his Latin Works, both Critical 
 c and Polemical, which not having fufficient leifure, 
 c nor Health of Body, to revife and examine, ac- 
 " cording to his wonted Modeily, ftridly forbad 
 e the Printing any of them. To this Edition, the 
 c Reverend Dr. Samuel Woodford, has prefixed a 
 :c long and Ingenious Copy of Verfes made in 
 " mory of the Deceas'4 Author. 
 
 Sir JOHJT BERKENHEAD. 
 
 TH Eiledfaft Adherence of this Gentleman to 
 the Royal C*iufc, procured him the Title of 
 the Loyal Poet. And tho' the Reward of his Loyalty 
 was the irioft fevere Imprifonment, yet his Princi- 
 ples were immoveable, in all Changes of Fortune. 
 
 Among his other Pieces, the Poem Intitled M E R- 
 c o R i u s A u L i c u s, win do him Immortal Ho- 
 nour, which a Writer of that time thus juftly cele- 
 brates, 
 
 Whllf;
 
 E N G L I S H P O E T S. 9 
 
 Whitft Lawrel Sprig?, another's ffeadjhdl Crown^ 
 the whole Grove, may ft challenge as thy own. 
 
 This worthy Patriot livM to fee the R E s T A u- 
 RATION, and had not only that Happinefs, but 
 likewife, to he a Spectator of the deferv'd Execution 
 of fbme of thofe Rebels who had fb bafely confpir'd 
 to take away his Life, and whom he had fo truly 
 delineated in his admirable Poem above-mention'd. 
 
 Sir R I C H A R D B L A C K M O R E, 
 
 r I THIS Gentleman, now Living, is Delcendcd 
 X from a good Family in Dorfetjlrire, but was 
 born at Corfliam in \Viltfnre. He is the Son of Mr. 
 Robert Blackmorc , an Atorney at Law, who E- 
 ducated him firft at a Country School ^ from whence 
 in the Thirteenth Year of his Age, he was removed 
 to \Vcjlminfter, and in a fhort time after fent to the 
 Univerfity oi Oxford, and cnter'd a Commoner of St. 
 Edmonds H.tll \ where he continu'd upwards of 
 thirteen Years. He then Travell'd into Italy, and 
 at the Univerfity of Padua, took his Doctor's Degree 
 in Phyfick ; and having fcen a great part of France, 
 Germany and the Low Countries, after he had been 
 abroad two years and a half, he rcturn'd to EngUnd. 
 Coming to London, he cnter'd upon the practice of 
 Phylick, and not long after, he was cholen Fellow 
 of the Royal College of Phyficians by the Charter of 
 King 1xmes the fecond. He was faornPhyftcian in Or- 
 dinary to King WUll.im, in 1697. was honoured 
 
 by
 
 io The Lives and Cha rafters of the 
 
 by that Prince with a Gold Medal and Chain, and 
 was likewife Knighted by him. Upon Queen 
 Anne\ Acceflion to the Throne, he was appoint- 
 ed one of her Phyfician\ and continued fo for fome 
 time. Sir Richard is an Excellent Phyfician, and 
 a good Poet : A Man of great Learning, good Man* 
 ners, and extenfive Humanity, he has oblig'd the 
 World with the following Pieces. 
 
 I. Prince A R T H uju An fferoick Poem, in Tea 
 Books. Folio, printed firft 1695, afterwards in 
 Duodecimo, 1715- 
 
 II. King ARTHUR.^ Heroick Poem, in Twelve 
 Books. Fol. Printed 1697. This Poem is Corrected 
 and Revifed for another Impreflion. 
 
 III. A Paraph-safe on JOB, and the Songs of M. OSES, 
 DEBORAH", &c. Fol. firft printed 1700. after- 
 wards in Duodecimo, 1716. 
 
 IV. A Satire upon Wit. Folio, 1 700. This Piece 
 made a great noife, and roirzM the fpleen of the 
 Modern Writers. 
 
 V. A Hymn to the Light of the World, with the 
 CARTONS of RAPHAEL URBIN. Fol. Printed in 
 the Year 1703. 
 
 VI. EL i x A. An Heroic}:. Poem, in Ten Books. Foliq t 
 1 705. This Piece is likewife Corrected and Revis'd 
 for another Impreffion. 
 
 VII. Advice to the Poets. A Poem on the Duke 
 of Mar [borough's Victories. Fol. 1706. 
 
 VIII. The Kit-Cats, A Poem. Fol. 1 708. 
 
 IX. Inftruttions ^VANDERBANK- A Sequel to 
 the Advice to the Poets. Fol. 1709. 
 
 X. The Nature of Man. A Poem, in Three Books. 
 $vo 9 171 i. 
 
 XL CUE-
 
 ENGLISH POETS. n 
 
 XI. CKEAT10N 3 A Philosophical Poem. Demon- 
 ftrating the Exiftence and Providence of a God, ia 
 Seven Books, 8w. Ftrft printed 1 7 1 2. and printed 
 twice fince in Duodecimo. 
 
 Mr. Dennis fpeaking of this Piece, * fays, " We 
 liave lately been Entertain'd and Inflrufted by an 
 " Admirable Philollphical Poem, which has Cy % . 
 " qualPd that of Lucretius, iiTflTe Beauty of it's Vnr ^ 
 cc lif.cition, and infinitely furpafs'd it, in the Solidi- 
 dity and Strength of it's Reafoning. 
 
 XII. -Ejfys upon federal Subjects, in Two Volumes, 
 Ftw. Printed in 1716 and 171 7. In the Year 1718 was 
 printed, A Collection of Poems on various Subjects. Con- 
 taining all the fmall Pieces above-mcntion'd, with fe- 
 vcral never before Publilh'd, viz.. i . C R E M E s. A 
 Satire, written in the late Reign. 2. T9&tory of Don 
 CARLOS Prince of Spain. 3. An Ode to the Creator. 
 4. A Hymn to the facred Spirit. ^. On Repentance. 6. 
 On Retirement, crc. Sir Richard has now by him in 
 Manufcript, ready for the Prci". 
 
 I- /ELFRED. An Heroick Poem in Twelve Books. 
 II. A New Version of the PSALMS. 
 
 Mr. MICHAEL BLAUNPAIN. 
 
 A Gentleman born in Ornvi/, who for the 
 Defence of his Native Country was Styl'd the 
 Cornijh Poet. He was fbme time at Oxford, but go- 
 ing, into France, he Complcated his Studies at Paris. 
 Camden oftcii quotes him in his Remains, which 
 Jhews he was a Perfon of no inconfiderablc Fame 5 
 
 5cc ; hjs Kcnurks upon Mr. T ;t's HOME R. 
 
 and
 
 is The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 and when Cornwal was traduc'd by Henry of Norman- 
 dy, chief Poet to King Henry theThird,as a contempt- 
 able and unprofitable Country, lie anfwerM him in 
 a Latin Poem wherein are theie Lines, which I give 
 you as a Specimen of his Works. 
 
 Non opus eft utopus numerTquibus eft opulent a, 
 Et per quas inopes fuftentat non ope lent a, 
 Pifcibus & Stanno rmfyuam tarn fertiiis ora. 
 
 And he Concludes with this Exhortation to his 
 Countrymen. 
 
 Quid nos deterret ? Sifirmiter in pede ft emus, 
 Fraus in nos fuperat, nihil eft quod nonfuperemus- 
 
 All of them thus Tranflated. 
 
 We need not number up her wealthy ft ore, 
 IVherewith this helpful Land relieves her poor^ 
 No Sea fo full' of Fiji), ofltn, nofiiore. 
 
 What jbould us fright, if firmly we do ft and ? 
 Bar Fraud, and then no Force can us command* 
 
 Mr. WILLIAM BOWLES. 
 
 THIS Gentleman was Fellow of Kings College, 
 in Cambridge, where he wrote the following 
 Toems and 'Translations. 
 
 I. A 'Poem on the Death of King CHARLES the 
 Second, 
 
 II. Phar-
 
 ENGLISH POETS. ij 
 
 II. PHARM ACEUTRI A, or the Inchantrefs. From 
 Tlxocritus. 
 
 III. Tfo Reapers. The Tenth Uyllium of Thco* 
 critus. 
 
 IV. The Complaint of ARIADNE. Out of Catul- 
 lus. 
 
 V. PROTEUS, being the fourth Eclogue of 
 Sannazjirius. 
 
 VI. S A P P H o s'j 0<fe, from Longinus. 
 
 A/r. HENRY BRADSHAW. 
 
 TH I S Poet Mr. Winftanly tells us, flourifh'd ac- 
 tording to Ibme Accounts, about the Year 
 1346, And by others, not 'till above a Century 
 after. He was born in the City of Chcfter, and bred 
 a Benedittinc Monk, in the Monaftery of St. Wer- 
 burg. Bale gives him great Commendation , and 
 fpcaking of that Age, fays, He was the Diamond in 
 the Ring. He wrote a Poem call'd, 
 
 The Life of St. Werburg ^ efteem'd an Excellent 
 Chronicle, rho' he follow'd therein thofe Authors 
 who think it the grcateft Glory of a Nation to fetch 
 their Original from Times but of Mind. 
 
 Mr. NICHOLAS BRETON. 
 
 A Writer of Paftoral- Sonnets, and Madrigals, 
 in which kind of Poefic we may cafily con- 
 clude heexccird ^ his Works being collected with 
 thofe of feveral other Contemporary Emulators of 
 
 fycnfer
 
 14 The Lives and Chara&ers of the 
 
 fyenfer and Sir Philip Sidney, in a Volume of Odes of 
 tne chief Sonneteers of that Age. He wrote alfo the 
 two following Poems - 
 
 I. Wits private Wealth. 
 
 II. The Courtier and the Countryman. In this laft, 
 fpeakingof Vertue, he has thefe Lines ; 
 
 There is afecret few do know, 
 
 And doth in facial places grow, 
 
 A rich Man's Praife, a poor Mans Wealth, 
 
 A weak Man's Strength, a fick Maris Health, 
 
 A Lady's Beauty, a Lord's Blifs, 
 
 A matchlefs Jewel where it is ; 
 
 And makes, where it is truly feen, 
 
 A Gracious King) and Glorious Queen. 
 
 Mr. ALEXANDER BROOM E. 
 
 AUTHOR of moft of the Songs which on the 
 fide of the Royalifts, came forth during the 
 time of the Rump, and Oliver's Ufurpation. He 
 wrote in a Jovial Strain , and his performances 
 were often Sung by the Sons of Mirth and Bacchus* 
 One of his Songs begins thus : 
 
 Come, come, let us Drink, 
 'Tis in vain for to Think, 
 
 Like Fools on Grief or Sadnefs \ 
 Let our Money now fly, 
 And our Sorrows jhall die, 
 All Worldly Care is Madnefs. 
 
 Thi
 
 ENGLISH POETS." 15 
 
 The Reverend Mr. JOHN BROOM E. 
 
 A Young Gentleman now living, Educated at 
 ,/V St. John's College in Cambridge, Author of 
 feveral good Copies of Verfes in Mijceilanics, viz* 
 
 I. Courage in Love. 
 
 II. Poverty and Poetry. 
 
 III. The Speech of the Goddefs Philofophy. From 
 Boetius. 
 
 IV. ORPHEUS. From Boetius. 
 
 V. A Paraphrafe on part of the 68th Pfalm. 
 
 VI. ASTROPHEL W D A P H N i s. A Pa- 
 ftoral. 
 
 VII. The Coy. A Sonnet. 
 
 Mr. THOMAS BROWN. 
 
 THIS Poet, forHumourexcell'dallof his Time, 
 and many of his Writings, particularly his Dia- 
 logues, arc Originals, which few Perfbns can Copy. 
 He was the Son of a confiderable Farmer ofShifrel in 
 Shroffhire } and Educated at Newport School, in that 
 County, under the Reverend and Learned Dr Ed- 
 vards, a Gentleman who has Qualified a great ma- 
 ny Perfonages of Diftin&ion for the Univcrfity, 
 particularly the Lord Chancellor Parker, the Lord 
 Gore and others. Here he attain'd a perfect know- 
 ledge in the Latin and Greek Languages, and his 
 Excrcifes were generally fp Excellently perform'd, 
 that his Maftcr was furpriz'd and fill'd with Admi- 
 
 ration,
 
 i6 The Lives and Chara&ers of He 
 
 ration. From Newport School he remov'd to C/;n/?- 
 Church College, in Oxford, and Diftinguifh'd himfelf 
 there for his great Learning, ready Wit, and un- 
 common Genius : But the Difadvantages of a nar- 
 row Fortune, and fome little Irregularities would 
 not fuffer him to continue long at the Univeriity. 
 Upon his coming to London, he fbon became ac- 
 quainted with the Wits of the Town } for he was a 
 Facetious and Excellent Companion, tho' withal 
 fbmetimes very Satirical, and what is too common 
 with Great Wits, his belt Friends could not efcape 
 his Lampoons. Towards the latter part of his Life, 
 I am inform'd he was in favour with the Earl of 
 Dorfety who invited him to Dirtner on a Chiftmas- 
 Day, with Mr. Dry den and fome other Gentlemen, 
 famous for Learning and Ingenuity (according to 
 his Lordfhip's ufual Ciiftom) when Mr Brown, to his 
 agreeable furprize found a Bank Note of 50 /. un- 
 der his Plate, and Mr. Dryden at the fame time was 
 prefented with another of an ioo/. Adtions of thi 
 Nature, were very common and peculiar to thisGreat 
 and Generous Spirited Nobleman. Mr. Brown wrote 
 a great many pieces in Verfe and Profe, but the latter 
 are moft Numerous and indeed the befl part of his 
 Works. The firft piece which made him known to 
 the Town, was an^Account of the Converfion of 
 Mr. Bays j, in a Dialogue, which met with very great 
 Applaufe. The chief Beauty of his Writings is 
 Humorous Satire, with an agreeable mixture of Wit 
 and Learning , but he has not always the greateft 
 Delicacy. The moft confiderable of his Poems are. 
 
 I. "The BEAUTIES. T0 A R M i D A. 
 
 II. A Satire againft Woman. To a Lady who let a 
 fine Gentlemen die for Love of her. 
 
 III. A Satire upon Marriage. 
 
 VI. A 
 
 i
 
 ENGLISH POETS." 17 
 
 IV. A Satire upon the French King, on the Peace of 
 Refwick. Being committed to Prifon for this Piece, 
 lie wrote a famous Petition to the Lords of the 
 Council, which procured his Enlargement. 
 
 V. A Satire upon an Ignorant Quack. 
 
 VI. "The Temperate Epicure, written in French by 
 Monfeur Vela Fontaine, imitated in Englifj. 
 
 VII. 'The Highlander. A Satire, which ends with 
 this judicious and fevcre Simile, 
 
 So Rogues miftaking Scandal to be Fame, 
 
 Deem that their Honour others think their Shame. 
 
 VIII. A Curt for Cuckoldom. A Tale from Boc- 
 cace. 
 
 IX. An Elegy in Memory of the Gallant Lord Vif- 
 count DUNDEE. 
 
 X. Tlx Mourning Poet in Confinement. Calculated 
 for the Meridian of the King's- Bench, Marfialfea, 
 and the Fleet. 
 
 XI. A Af arch for the Devil. 
 
 XII. The Libertine. 
 
 XIII. Friendfoip. A Poem. 
 
 XIV. On Ffawcrs in a Ladies Bofom* Wherein 
 are the following Lines. 
 
 Behold the Promised Land where Pleasures flow ! 
 See bow the Afilk-whitc Hills do gently rife, 
 
 And beat the Silken Skies ', 
 Behold the f r .tlley fpread with Flowers below ! 
 Other Dtfcovcries Fate let me notfoarc ; 
 
 As I find out may f Inhabit there. 
 Tell, tell me why, thvu fruitful Virgin Brcaft, 
 Wvy jliwld fo gwd A foil He unpoffcft ? 
 
 C Surety
 
 x 8 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 Surely fame Champion in the Caufc of Love, 
 
 Has Languid here more weary of the fight, 
 
 Ttoan Vancjuiflfd quite \ 
 While the foft God took pity from above, 
 j4nd thinking to Reward his fervice welly 
 Bid him grow there ^ where he fo nobly fell. 
 
 There are feveral other fmall Pieces of Poetry a- 
 mong his Works -, viz.. Tranilations from OviJ, 
 Horace, Martial's Epigrams, Fables, &c. Sorcri* 
 Ormondlana ; an admirable Latin Poem, upon The 
 Recovery of the Duke of Ormond : Some Satirical pie- 
 ces on Sir Richard Blackmore, and others , w herei n 
 he has carried his Reflections to a very great height. 
 His whole Works, confiding of Dialogues, Eflays, 
 Declamations, Satires, Letters from The Dead to the 
 Living, Tranilations, Amufements, crc. Are prin- 
 ted in Four Volumes, i imo. 
 
 He died in the Year i7<a^ And lies Interred in 
 the Cloyiler ofWeffiminfter-Abkey y near the Remains 
 of Mrs. Behn, with whom he was very intimate in 
 his Life time : And Dr. Drake wrote the following 
 Infcription for a Monument which was intended to 
 have been Ere&ed to his Memory. 
 
 Juxta dcpofttt funt Reliqui<& 
 
 THOM.& BROWN, 
 
 Poctd inter cclcberrimos non yoftremi, 
 
 Quorum plerifque Jngenio, cum non cedcret- 
 
 Varia EruAitione lowge, pr^ftitit. 
 
 Vlventi Natura multum indulfit, 
 
 Fortund parum* 
 Livon & Injvriis Malevolorum, quos livens expertus eft 3 
 
 Ipfa nee mors eripuit. 
 
 Luxuriantis rent Ingenli, 
 
 Scurrorum Juridice panas dcdlt^
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 19 
 
 quod Aferito, fed quod immune. 
 DiAlogorum Conditor miraf, 
 Ltfidljinti ccMpluresreliquitfalibuSifacetHfque refcrtos. 
 
 Quin & Poematia C- Epiftolas ', 
 Eevutfcul* quidcnj) fed qu* Indclcvi Author Is rcdolcant. 
 
 P.rri. Afuptrum Indulgent ia 
 
 T*im Lariis, tju.tm Britannis fatniliaris : 
 
 Hunc fruclum retulit unicum 
 
 Cultor fororum cgrcglus ; 
 Quod ob (arum fautoribus hone ft e rfpofiats 
 
 Inter Concclebres rcquiefcat. 
 
 AgroStaffordtenfiorlutidus^obiit. \6 Dicjunii An> 1704. 
 A\fi Lector, Ingenio aflequcrc, Fortune antcverte* 
 
 . SAMUEL BUTLER. 
 
 A UTHOR of the Inimitable 
 JV was born at Strenflum in Worcefterfnrc, in he 
 Year 1612. His l-'athcr was a Farmer, \vhohiJ 
 fome fmall Eftatc of his owu, but Rental a much 
 greater of the Lofd of the Manor. He Educated 
 his Son at the Free School of iVorccftcr, where he 
 became an Excellent Scholar, and afterwards was 
 fbmc little time at theUniverfity of Cambridge ^ 
 hut was never Matriculated into thatUnivcrfity, his 
 Father's Abilities not being fuffkient to bear the 
 charge of an Academical Education , fo that our 
 Author returned loon into his Native Country, and 
 became Clerk to one Mr. Jffreys oiEr?s-Croom y an 
 Eminent | nil ice of the Peace for that County, with 
 whom he lived fomcYcjis in an eafy and nocon- 
 tcmpriblc Service. He was after this, Recom- 
 mended to that great Encouragcrof Learning, FH- 
 
 C 2
 
 20 The Lives and Ca rafters of the 
 
 zjbeth Countefs of Kent, where he had not only the 
 opportunity of Confnlting the molt valuable Books, 
 butConverfmgalfowith the great Mr. Sclden. But his 
 Loyal Poem, he Compofed in theScrvice of Sir Samud 
 Luke, of Bedfordshire, a Commander under Olive? 
 Cromwell, where he had an opportunity of knowing 
 thofe Living Characters of Rebellion, Nonfenfe and 
 Hypocrify, which he fo lively and pathetically ex- 
 pofes throughout the whole Work. Upon the 
 Reftauration of King Charles the Second, tho' his 
 Poem did the greateft Service to the Royal Canfe, 
 and Intitled him to the belt Preferment, yet he was 
 neglected, and the more fb on Account of his great 
 Modefty : but at length Ridard'Eart ofCarbury, 
 Lord Prefident of the Principality of IVales, made 
 hrm his Secretary, and alfo Steward of Ludlow-Cafrle, 
 About this time he Married one Mrs. Herbert, a 
 Gentlewoman of a very good Family, who had a 
 plentiful Fortune, but being put out on ill Securities, 
 inc. ft of it was unfortunately loft. , He is reported 
 to to.ve been Secretary to the Duke of Buckingham, 
 wheh he was Chancellor of Cambridge, but whether 
 tfrst be true or no, 'tis certain the Duke had a great 
 kindnefs for him, and was often a BenefaAor. But 
 no Man was a more Generous Friend to him than 
 that Mzcenas^ the late Earl of Dorset. In fine, the 
 Integrity of his Life, the Acutenefs of his Wit, and 
 eafmefs of his Converfation, had rendered him molt 
 acceptable to all Men } yet he prudently avoided 
 Multiplicity of Acquaintance, and wifely chofe 
 fuch only, whom his difcerning Judgment could di- 
 ftinguifh, (as Mr. Gmlcy excellently exprefieth it) 
 From the Great Vulgar or the Small. 
 
 O 
 
 And having thus lived to a good Old Age, ad- 
 mired by all, tho' Perfonally known to few, he depar- 
 ted this Life, in the Year 1680. And was Buried at 
 the Charge of his good Friend Mr. Lowville, at the 
 
 Weft
 
 ENGLISH POETS- 21 
 
 Weft End of the Church-Yard of St. Paul's Covcnt- 
 d.i.-dcrt, where he lies without any Memorial, and 
 it is a National Scandal upon us that (as Sir Samuel 
 <i\mh has remarked upon another occafion * ) 
 " There now wants a poor Square Foot of Stone, 
 " to (how where the Afhes of one of the greateft 
 " Poets that ever was upon Earth, are depofited. 
 
 For as Mr. Dennis *f- has judicioufly obferved, 
 " Mr. Butler was a whole Species of Poets in One, 
 " admirable in a Manner in which no one clfe has 
 u been tolerable : A Manner which began and en* 
 " ded in him i in which he knew no Guide, and 
 " has found no Followers. 
 
 In Jufticc to the Pubttck, it is thought proper in 
 this Place to declare, that all the Manufcripts Mr. 
 flutter left behind him are now in the Cuftody of 
 Mr. Longi'Me, (among which, the molt Confiderable, 
 is one landed, Tk Hiftoryof Learning Written after 
 the Manner of Hudibras ) and that not one Line 
 of thofe Poems lately publimed under his Name is 
 Genuine. 
 
 BAINBRIGG BUCKERIDGE, Efq- 9 
 
 A Gentleman now living, bred at Oxford, and 
 dcfigncd for the Study of Phyilck : but 
 his Genius leading him to Drawing and Painting, 
 he Travelled in his Younger Years ; and in Holland, 
 and other foreign Parts, made Jbmc Progrefs in 
 that curious Art, which has been his chief Amufc- 
 ment in a Country Retirement; and next to that, 
 liis Inclinations have led him to Poetry. In the late 
 '., he had fbmc Employments under his Grace 
 the Duke of BucJurtfhtmfljirc, with whom he has al- 
 
 * Preface to Ov:d'* Mtt<nnirj>b. 
 
 \ Sec, hi> Remarks upon Mr. P^r's H-m.-r. p. 6, 
 
 C 3 ways
 
 22 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 ways been in favour. He has writ the follow- 
 ing Poems 
 
 I. A Letter to Senior Verrio, at Hampton-Court, 
 upon a Sketch drawn by him of the Battle of Blen- 
 heim, defigned to have been Painted at the Duke of 
 Marlborouglh Houfe in llfatdjtock-P&k' 
 
 II. To Sir Godfrey Kneller upon the Death of 
 Mr. Drydon, Printed among others, upon that 
 Occafion. 
 
 III. To the Duke of Buckingham, upon his Houfe 
 and Collection of Pi&ures in St. James's Park, where- 
 in he pays this jnll Compliment to his Grace. 
 
 "Under this Roof ParnalTus' Sons flixll meet, 
 And c-'Jry Science all her Sifters greet. 
 
 IV 7 . To a Lady of Quality upon her intended 
 Voyage into Turkey : falily attributed to Sir WlllUm 
 Trumbal. 
 
 This Gentleman has alib writ icveral ot the 
 Lives in the En^iifh-School of Painters : Annexed 
 to Mr. Savage's Tranilation of Du Pile's Hiftory of 
 fainting : And Tranflated a Novel Irom the Spa- 
 nrj of the famous CervaaHtes. 
 
 C. 
 
 THOMAS CAREW, Efytiire. 
 
 THIS Gentleman was the Author of feveral 
 Love Poems which met with Approbation, 
 but he is very Wanton in fome of them, 
 and has carried his Flights to an Extravagancy. 
 The Chief of his Poems, are, 
 
 I The
 
 ENGLISH POET?. 2 j 
 
 I. The Cruel Miftrefs. 
 
 II. Ivgrateful Beauty. An excellent Piece. 
 
 III. Bo [chiefs in Love. 
 
 IV. The Kjpture. This is a very airy Piece, but 
 exceedingly well wrote. 
 
 AW* W i L r. i AM CAVENDISH, 
 of Dcvonfhire. 
 
 THIS Nobleman was defcendcd from a very 
 ancient Family, that firft fettled at Caven- 
 djflj in Suffolk. John de Cavendifli was one of 
 the Juflieesof the King's Bench Annj. 39 Edward 
 the Third. And of this Family was that glorious 
 Seaman Captain Thomas Cttvcndifij who finifhcd his 
 Expedition, round the World, in the Year 1588. 
 Sir William Cttvendifl) of Ch.ttfwth in the County of 
 Derby, was Trcafurcr of the Chamber, and One of 
 tiu t'rivy Council to King Henry the Eighth. And 
 hit Son made Earl of Devonfljir'c by King y.tmcs the 
 Firft. ll'i/lmm, theThinl Enrlof Deven]ltire (to whom 
 Mr. Hvbbes was Tutor) Married Elizabeth Daugh- 
 ter of William Cecil, Earl of Salisbury, by whom he 
 \md\ffucWiJli<trnC4vevdiJl), late Duke of Pcvonjhire, 
 and Colonel Clwlcs Crjendfo, a Man of great Va- 
 lour, and Ijoyalty to King Charles the Firft, in 
 whole Service he was Slain. His Grace had con- 
 ferred on him the Title of Duke by King \VMiam 
 the Third, on Account of his early Zeal in con- 
 certing Mcafurcs for effecting the Revolution, 1688. 
 He was Lord Steward of the Houfhokl to that 
 Prince, and Queen Afary, and Lord High Steward 
 of Englwd at their Coronation , which Honour he 
 C 4 Jikcwifc
 
 54 The Lives and Chara&ers fthe 
 
 likewife had on the Coronation of her late Majefty 
 Queen Anne. *" In every Publick Station, the Duke 
 " at all times was firm to the True Interefts of 
 " the Crown, the legal Eftablifhment of the Church, 
 t the antient Privileges of the Peers, the Funda- 
 " mental Rights of the Commons, the equal Ba- 
 1 lance of Europe, and the Original Liberties of 
 :< Mankind. He was a Perfon of Univerfal Ac- 
 c * complilhments } He had great Skill in Languages, 
 u was an excellent Hiftorian and an Admirable 
 " Poet } he had a fine hand in MuGck, and an Ele- 
 " gant Tafte in Painting, and all the Polite Arts. 
 " He Travelled abroad in his Younger Years, under 
 " the care of Dr. KUligrew, who gave him a juft 
 " and true Relifh in all the Refinements of ienlc and 
 " Wit.He was a Poet,not by Genius only,but by Lear- 
 " ning and Judgment, The Lord Rofcomon made 
 " him a conftant Revifer of his Immortal Lines ( 
 tc His Lordfhip's Pieces, are the following i//*,. 
 
 I. Poema eft Pi&ura Loquens. An Ode on the 
 Death of Queen Mary. This Piece Mr. Dryden is 
 faid to have preferred above all that was written 
 on that occafion. It begins thus, 
 Long our divided ftate. 
 
 Hung in the Ballance of a doubtful Fate^ 
 When one bright Nymph the gathering Cfouds. difpelfdy 
 
 And all the Griefs of Albion heal'd 
 
 Her the Vnited Land obefd, 
 
 No more to Jealoujie inclined, 
 Nor fearing Porfr rvithfo murh Virtue jolnd ', 
 She knew her Task, and nicely underftoad 
 
 To what Intention Kings are made } 
 Not for their Own, but for their People's Good. 
 7 TwM that prevailing Argument alone 
 Determined her to fill the vacant "Throne : 
 
 . 17 i ; i8<5, | Funeral Scrmon ; p. 17 2..
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 2$ 
 
 And yer with fadnefs fre beheld 
 
 A Crown devolving on her Head, 
 By the Exceffes of a Prince ml fled ', 
 
 When by her Royal Birth compelled, 
 To wh.it her God, and what her Country claim d, 
 
 Tho^by afervile Faction bUnid, 
 
 HOVP graceful were the Tears fie fie d ! 
 
 And concludes with thefe Lines, 
 
 Oh hadjhe longer (laid, 
 Isfs fipifily to her Native Heaven retired ! 
 Yor her the Harps of Albion had been Strung , 
 The tuneful Nine could never have afpir'd 
 To a more lofty and Immortal Song. 
 
 II. An Allufion to the Bifiop of Cambray'j Supple* 
 ntent to Homer. This excellent Poem begins with 
 thcfe Lines, 
 
 Cnmbray youfet, when Heavenly Love JOK write', 
 
 The noble ft Image in the cleareft Lirht ! 
 
 A Love, by nofelf Intereft dcbai'd, 
 
 But on th y Almighty's high Pcrfcttion placed I 
 
 A Love, in which true Piety confifts, j( 
 
 That Soars to Heavn without the help of Priefts f 
 
 And afterwards fpcakingof Virtue, 
 
 There is in Virtue fur e a hidden Ch.irtn, 
 To force Ejhem, and Envy to Difarm. 
 
 He concludes with the Character of her late Ma jelly, 
 
 ffcrt Anna reigns, a Queen by Heaven be 
 To right the Injured andfubdue tlx Proud
 
 26 The Lives and Cha rafters of the 
 
 As Rome of old gave Liberty to Greece 
 Anna th* invaded finking Empire frees. 
 
 * Allies Her Faith, Her Power the French proclaim, 
 Piety tti Opprefs'dj the World her Fame. 
 
 After a fevere Indifpofition,this great Pcrfondicd 
 oh the 1 8th of Auguft 1707. in Devonflnrc-Houfe, 
 Plckadllle in the Sixty Seventh Year of his Age : 
 And as it was his greateft Ambition to Love and 
 ferve good Princes, he himfelf ordered the follow- 
 ing fhort Infcription for his Monument. 
 
 WiLLifeLMus Dux DEVON. 
 BONO RUM PRINCIPUM FIDEL is SUBDITUS, 
 
 ET INVISUSTYRANNIS. 
 
 William Duke of Devonflnre, 
 
 A faithful Subjeft of Good Princes, 
 
 A Hater of Tyrants, and hated by them. 
 
 Sir GEOFFRY CHAUCER. 
 
 HP H R Father of the Englifh Poets, and HOMER 
 -L of our Nation, has the honour to have Three 
 Places contend for his Birth : Leland is of Opinion 
 he was born in Bcrkfiire ; Mr. Camden affirms, 
 Dunington-Ctiftle, near Nembury, to be his ancient In- 
 heritance ; and another Writer is pofitive that he was 
 born at Woodftock in Oxfardfbitej and that his Father, 
 who was a Knight, lived in that County. But the 
 Author of his Life, printed in the Year 1602, fup- 
 pofes him to be born in London, by his own Words 
 'in The Teftament of Love, where he fays, The City of 
 London is very dear to him in which he was forth grown , 
 ^*- Wi* Education^ he owed to both theUniverli* 
 
 ties,
 
 E N C L I S H P O E T ?. 27 
 
 tic<;, Oxford and Cambridge ; where he became an 
 able Logician, a great Philofophcr, a good Divine, 
 a skilful Mathematician, and an excellent Poet \ the 
 College of Mtrton in Oxford, is fnppofcd to be his 
 favourite College, at which he longed redded. But 
 his Learning received Pcrfe&ion, by his Travels into 
 France and FUnders, where he employed much of his 
 Time in his younger Years. About the latter end 
 of the Reign of King Richard the Second, he flou- 
 rifhed in Fmnce, and by his diligent Exercifcs in Li- 
 terature, was there held in great Eftecm. After his 
 return to England, he frequented the Court, and 
 applied himfclf for fome time to the ftudy of the 
 Law, whereby he became acquainted with Mr. Johtt 
 , his learned Contemporary, and Friend. His 
 liberal Education at thcVnivcrlitics, and his Im- 
 provements in foreign-Countries, rendered him both 
 fit for the Court at home, and alfo for thegreatcft 
 Employments abroad } but it does not appear that 
 lie had any other Preferment than that of Poet Lau- 
 reat in the Reigns of Henry the Fourth, and Htnry 
 the Fifth. This he obtained by the Interelt of John 
 ofCaunty the great Earl of L.wcaftcr, ( to whom he 
 was allied by Marriage) and Knighted upon 
 that occafion. He wore the Bays with the grcatcft 
 ; nir, and brought his Poft into Reputation 
 which, 'tis to be regretted, can be laid but by fe* 
 
 5 Succcllbrs. 
 
 borne Authors, for the fwcetncfs of his Poetry, 
 com'i 1 loStffichorm ; and asCethcgus was called, 
 
 , foCaaufcr may be cftccmed the Sinews 
 of Eloquence, and the very Life of all Mirth and 
 IMeufaniry in Writing. He had one Excellency 
 above all other Poets, and wherein, none, Imcc 
 his i'.:nc, but the famous Shtktfpear, has come near 
 him, -.'li.. Such a lively Dcfcription of Perfons and 
 Things, that it fccms to furpafs Imagination, and 
 
 you
 
 2 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 you fee every thing before your Eyes, which you 
 only Read : And herein his Canterbury Tales are moft 
 valued and eiteemed. 
 
 Sir Henry Savile, lays that Chaucer was the Chief 
 of our Englifh Poets, and that he had a iharp Judg- 
 ment, and a pleafant Wit. 
 
 Mr. Spenfer in his Fairy Queen calls him the moll 
 Renowned Poet, and his Writings the Works of 
 Heavenly Wit. 
 
 Sir Philip Sidney in his Defence of Poefie, gives 
 him this Character \ Chaucer undoubtedly did excel- 
 lently in his Troilus and Crelcid, of whom truly I 
 know not -whether to Marvel more, either that He in 
 that mifty time could fee fo clearly, or We in this clear 
 Age waikfo flumblingly after him 
 
 Agreeable to this are the following Verfes, writ- 
 ten by Sir John Denham ; 
 
 Old Chaucer, like the Morning Star, 
 To us difcovers Day from far ', 
 His Light thofe Aiifts and 
 Which our dark Nation long involved j 
 But he, defcending to thejhades, 
 ' Darknefs again the Age invades. 
 
 He was the Cicero of the Age , and his Authority 
 held in as great Eftimation, by many Writers, as 
 thole celebrated Grecians, Sophocles or Euripides , and 
 Sir Richard Baker in the Reign of Edroard the 
 Third} fpeakingof the place of Chaucer's Nativity; 
 fays, " That, he found a Mufe in the Groves of 
 * c Woodftock, equally fweet to that of the Ancients 
 cc upon the Banks of Helicon. Camden likewile tak- 
 ing notice of the Birth place of Chaucer, concludes 
 thus } of -whom, in my opinion may be truly faid, that 
 which an Italian Poet once apply'd to Homer. 
 
 Hie
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 
 
 ..... <*-Hic ilk eft, CUJM de gurgite facro 
 Combibit arcanos vatum omnis turbo, furores. 
 
 19 
 
 Chaucer was one of the firft Refiners of 
 Language, which in his time was very rude and 
 barren : And till the Reign of King Henry the 
 Eighth, there was fcarce any Man regarded ou* 
 Language but Chaucer, but by fome of his Poetry it 
 began then to raife it felf, and to (bund tolerably 
 well: In the refining of our Tongue, he followed 
 the Example of Dames and Petrarch, who had done 
 the fame to the It*H+ Language, Alan** from the 
 French, and Johannes Mea for the Spaniflj : Neither 
 was Chaucer inferior to any of them in his Perfor- 
 mance, and England is obliged to him, as Leland ob- 
 ferves in thefe Lines : 
 
 Anglia Chaucerum veneratur noftra Poet am 5 
 Cui venerit debet Patria Lingua fuas. 
 
 He died in the Year 1400 after he had lived above 
 Seventy two Years ; and lies buried in Weftminfter- 
 Abby, with the following Infcription : 
 
 Qui fuit Anglorum vates ter maximus olim, 
 Galfridus Chaucer, condltur hoc Tumulo. 
 Annum ft c^utrM Domini, fi tempora Afortit, 
 Ecce nottfubfunt, qut tibi cunfta not ant ; 
 
 25 O&obris, 1400. 
 t/f.rumnarum requies Mors. 
 Nicolaus Brigham hot fecit Mufarum nomine 
 
 On
 
 30 The Lives and Characters of the 
 On the Ledge of the Tomb were thefe Verfes -, 
 
 Si rogitas (JIM eram, forfan Te Fama docebit, 
 Ouodfi Fama ncgat, Afundi quia Glori 
 Monuments Itge. 
 
 The Epitaph firft defigned for his Grave-ftone 
 
 was, 
 
 Galfridus Chaucer, Vatcs & Fama Pocfis, 
 ktfc Sacra fum Tumulatws humo. 
 
 The Works of this celeb jjtejL Poet, were firfl: 
 printed in the Reign of King !?7ry the Sixth, and 
 publilhed by Mr. William Caxtan, an ingenious Per- 
 ibn, (a Mercer) who firfb brought the art of Prin- 
 ting into England. They were afterwards Printed 
 with Additions in the Reign of Henry the Eighth, 
 by William Thinne, Eiq* 7 In Queen Elizabeth's Reign, 
 they were again Reprinted, with Corrections by 
 Mr. John Story i and there is lately publiflicd a very 
 beautiful Edition of allC/j;z#crrsWorks,adorned with 
 fine Sculptures, printed in a large Volume in Folio, 
 with many Additions from Original Manulcripts, 
 left ready for the Prcis by the late ingeniousMr. John 
 Vrry, Student of Chrift-Church College in Oxford. 
 
 THOMAS CHEEK, Efyuire. 
 
 THIS Gentleman was defcended from a very 
 ancient Family, one of his Anceltors , be- 
 ing Tutor to King Edward the Sixth. He was 
 ed ucated at Oncers-College in Cambridge, and was 
 a Perfon of a great deal of ready Wit, and an ex- 
 cellent
 
 ENGLISH P o F. T s^ ji 
 
 ccllcnt Companion. He is mentioned here, on ac- 
 count of his affifting Dr. Garth in his Difpenfary, and 
 jbmc fmall Pieces of Poetry, which he publifhed in 
 Mifccllanics. 
 
 KNIGHTLY C H E T w o o D. 7). *D. 
 
 THIS Gentleman was bred at Eton School, 
 from whence he removed to King's College, in 
 Cambridge, for the Compleating his Education. He 
 is Dean of Glocefter, and was nominated to the Bi- 
 fhoprickof#ni/M, fiy^fcing James, but that Prince 
 quitted the Kingdom before his Election pafTed the 
 Seals : and he lays Claim to an Antient Barony and 
 Seat in the Houfe of Lords by Birth. He has wrote 
 the following Pccms. 
 
 I. On the Marriage of tlx Lady M.\R\' with the Prince 
 0f Orange. 
 
 II. An Ode in Imitation of PINDAR. On the 
 Death of the Right Honourable Thomas Earl of 
 
 III. On the Death of his Grace , r/# late Duke of 
 Ormond. Anno 1687. 
 
 IV. 77* parting of H E C T O R, with his Princefs 
 A s D R o M A c H E. When he went upon his laft 
 Expedition, in which he was Slain by Achilles. Dono 
 from the Greek of Homer, Iliad 6. &c. 
 
 Mr. THOMAS CHURCHYARD. 
 
 A Poet who lived in the beginning of the Rciffn 
 of Queen Elizabeth. He was born in the 
 Town of Shrewsbury, and Dcfccndcd from Wealthy 
 Parents. He was equally addi&cd to Arts and Arms, 
 
 having
 
 32 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 havingferved under thatRenown'd Captain Sir Willi- 
 am Drury, in Scotland, and feveral other Comman- 
 ders beyond Sea, as appears by his own Lines in his 
 Tragical Piece, called the Unhappy Marts Life. 
 
 Full Thirty Tears, both Court and Wars I tryde } 
 And, ftill I fought acquaintance with the be ft, 
 Andferv'd the State, and did fuch hap abide 
 As might befall, and Fortune fent the reft. 
 
 But it feems he got little by the Camp, or the 
 Court, as he Declares afterwards, 
 
 for tho 9 / did my Credit ftill increafe 
 
 I got no Wealth by Wars^ neyet by Peace. 
 
 He not only lived, but died Poor, {Ann. 1 570.) 
 the Common Fate of a Poetical Genius. His 
 Works were efteemed well done for that Age, 
 they are as follow, 
 
 I. The Siege o/Leith. 
 
 II. A Farewel to the World. 
 
 III. A feigned Fancy of the Spider and the Gout. 
 
 IV. A Doleful Dijcourfe of a Lady, and a Knight. 
 
 V. The In-rode into Scotland. By Sir William Drury. 
 
 VI. Sir SIMON B u R L E i G H'J Tragedy. 
 
 VII. A Tragical Difcourfe of the Unhappy Mads Life. 
 
 VIII. A Difcourfe of Venue. 
 
 IX. CHURCHYARD'* Dream. 
 
 X. A Tale of a Fryar, and a Shoemaker's Wife. 
 
 XI. The Siege o/Edinborough Caftle. 
 
 XII. Queen EL i x A B E T H'J Reception into Briftol. 
 Thefe Twelve Pieces were called Churchyard's Chips; 
 
 and Dedicated to Sir Chriftopher Hat ton. He alfo writ 
 the Falls of Jane Shore, and Cardinal Wolfey. In 
 Camden's Remains. He has this Epitaph, 
 
 Come Ale&o, lend me thy Torch, 
 To find a Churchyard in a Church-Porch j 
 Poverty and Poetry his Tomb doth inclofe, 
 Wherefore good Neighbour i be merry in Profe.
 
 E N G L I S H P O E T S. 
 
 Mr. JOHN CLEVELAND. 
 
 AN Eminent Poet, the Son of a Reverend and 
 Learned Clergyman-, his Father beingRe&or 
 of Hiacklcy, in Lekeflcrfnre^ where he was Born, 
 and Educated under Mr. Richard Vims, a School- 
 Mafler of great Reputation, who perfected him in 
 the Latin and Greek Languages. From a tender Fa- 
 ther, and a Learned School-Mailer, he was removed 
 to Chrips College m Cambridge, and Diftinguifhing 
 himfclf by his Excellent Oratory, he was preferred 
 to a Fellow (hip in St. Jo'^s College, where he con- 
 tinued above the fpace of Nine Years, the Delight 
 and Ornament of that Society. Afterwards he was 
 made Rhctorick-Rcader, and performed thi-^ Office 
 with fuch extraordinary Applaufe, thai on his Pro- 
 nouncing an Oration, AddrefTed to the Pious King 
 Charles the Firft, His Majcfty fent for him, gave 
 him his Hand to Kifc, and (with great Exprcflions 
 of Kinilnefs) Ordered a Copy to he Tranfmitted to 
 him. Dr. Fuller gives him the Chu ruder of " a ge- 
 " neral Artiir, pure Latinill, Ex^uilitc Orator, 
 " and Excellent Poet, His Stile was Mailulinc, his 
 " Epiftlcs Pregnant with Metaphors , his lofty 
 icy fecmed to ftride from the top of oneMoun- 
 ' tain to another , thereby making to it felf a 
 " conftant level of continued Elevation. All his 
 : Poems arc incomparable, fo rhat to praile one, 
 11 were to Detract from the reft. His Poetry in 
 the time of the Civil Wars, began fuft to be E- 
 ttccmcd, Iwth for its Admirable Wit, and the very 
 rcat 7cal he cxprcflld for the King's Caufe, 
 in which he appeared the great Champion againft 
 the Prfjbyttrittti. He Ihined with equal Light 
 
 D and
 
 ?4- The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 and Influence , until the Grand Rebellion began 
 to Urivizard it fdf; of which no Man had more 
 Sagacious Prognoflicks, for when Oliver Cromwell 
 was Elected Member of Parliament for Cambridge, 
 he faid with much PaMionate Zeal , That fwgle 
 Vote which carried his Elcttion , ruined both Chur.ch 
 and Kingdom : And no fboner did this Harpey 
 (as Mr. IVinflanlcy calls him) appear in the Univerfi- 
 ty, but he made good what was Predicted of him, and 
 turned out Mr. Cleveland with feveral others 
 for their Loyalty. Being now expelled the College, 
 he attended the Camp at Oxford, and gave the fame 
 Luflre to that Univerfity during his flay there, 
 as he had done at Cambridge. Here he wrote feveral 
 Poems in Commendation of Loyalty, and exerted 
 the Satyrift on the Rebels. From Oxford his next 
 Stage was to the Garrifon of Newark, where he was 
 Judge Advocate, until the Surrender of that place 
 by the King's Command. Here he likewife Pre- 
 dicted his Sovereign's Fate before his Surrendering 
 himfelf into the Hands of the Scots, and forefaw the 
 Pieces of Silver pay ing upon the Banks of Twede, to 
 be the price of his Royal Mailers Blood. Thence 
 he followed DidrelTed Loyalty, which terminated in 
 a long Imprifbnment at Yarmouth, but at lafl on 
 fending an Addrefs to Oliver Cromwell, by the Ex- 
 cellency of his Reafoning, without Injuring his Con- 
 fcience, or betraying his Caufe, he obtained his Li- 
 berty } and afterwards fettled at Grays-Inn, but he 
 had not been there long,before he was feized with a 
 Fever, which deprived the World of one of the 
 Created Men of the Age. He died the 2$th o 
 
 pril, 1558. and was Buried at College- H "ill Church, 
 nis Dear Friend Dr. John Pe&rfon (afterwards Lord 
 Bifhop afCheftcr) Preached his Funeral Sermon. 
 
 The molt remarkable Pieces wrote by this Cele- 
 brated Gentleman, were the following, (viz.-) 
 
 S M E C-
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 2$ 
 
 1 > \i E c T v M M u s. Or, The Club- Divines. 
 II. R TJ r F. R T i s M u s. In Praife of Prince Rupert. 
 HI. Zlegy on Dr. Laud Arch-Biflwp of Canterbury. 
 In thcfe two lafir, lie (hewed his Excellency at Pane- 
 
 IV. Tkvtixt 4ffenMy, 
 
 V. The London Diurnal. 
 
 VI. The Committee Al*m 
 \'II. The Rebel Scot. 
 
 VIII. The Scots Apfflacy. In thefc Five Poems^ 
 he defer i bed Rebellion in fuch lively Colours, that 
 Mr. M r mftanlcy tells us, he (truck each Traytor to a 
 Palcnefs, beyond that of any Loyal Corps that had 
 bled by them. 
 
 IX. The King's Difguife ; A Prophetical Poem 
 on the Sufferings of the Royal Martyr. 
 
 X. The Hermaphrodite. An Excellent Poem, infert- 
 ct\ by mi flake cmono, Mr. Rudolph's Works. 
 
 In a Copy of Vcrfcs Printed before Mr. Cleveland's 
 Poems, there arc thefe Lines in his Praife. 
 
 Cleveland again hit fared Head does raife, 
 
 the Duft Crowned with Immortal Btys, 
 .nth Fcrfes Armd, that wee did fright 
 LycambeV Daughters from the hated Light j 
 Sfts his bold Foot on Reformation's Neck, 
 And Triumphs o'er the vanquiflfd Monfter Smec t % 
 Th.it Hydra v>ho{~e proud Heads did fo increafe y 
 Th.it if dcfer-Sd no Icfs an Hercules. 
 .r, this is he, who in Foetick Rage, 
 With Scorpions Ufifd the Afadncfs of the Age. 
 
 And his fcvcrc Diftich upon the Scotch , will nc- 
 c forgotten, 
 
 Cain been Scot, Gad had reversed his 
 it fent him voand'fin^ but confitfd him Ihme. 
 D 2 Mr.
 
 3 6 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 Mr. SAMUEL COBB, 
 
 ASfiftrTy-Maflrr of the Grammar-Sctef of 
 C,}rift'sH<i f fital y where he was him fell Edu- 
 . --.nd from whence he was Elected to "Tri- 
 nity College in Cambridge, and took the Degree 
 of Mdfter of Arts ihere. He was a Man of found 
 } . map, ready Wit, and good Humour, and 
 his Obfervations upon Virgil^ fhew that he was 
 well acquainted with that Poet. He died at London, 
 in the Year T 7 1 3. And lies Interred in the Qoyfter 
 of ChriJPs /fofpital. Befides a Colledion of Poems, 
 Publiihed by hin^felf, in Octavo, 1700. Ke has 
 writ the following Pieces. 
 
 I. The Female Reign. An Ode, Alluding to the 
 Fourteenth Ode of the Fourth Book of Horace. This 
 piece fets forth the Happinefs of England in the be- 
 ginning of the Reign of Queen Anne^ and comes 
 clofer to the fineft Traniitions and Returns of 
 findar to the Subjed , than any Poem I have , 
 ieen in our Language. 
 
 II. The Millers- Tale, from Chancery I nfcribed to 
 Nicholas Row, Efq-, 
 
 III. The Moufe-Trap. A Poem, made Eaglifi from 
 Mr. ffoldfporttfs Latin Original. 
 
 IV. The Oak and the Briar. A Tale. 
 
 He Hkewife joined with Mr. Rom in the Tranfla- 
 tion of Quillet's Calliptdia , and a (lifted Mr. Oz.ell in 
 the Tranilation ofSoileaus Lutrin, &c. 
 
 Dr.
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 37 
 
 7)r. RICHARD CORBET, Bifhop of 
 Ox/W. 
 
 A Perron of fingular Wit, and an doquent 
 Preacher : He was born at /;iw/ in Surrey -, 
 and being thence fent to the Univerlity ofOv-^W, 
 he from a Student, became Dean of Chrtft Church 
 College, then Bifhop of Oxford, and afterwards 
 upon rhe Tvanflation of Bifhop Wkitt to Ely. He 
 wa<; Elected to the Bifhoprick of JVinwcfc, 1632. He 
 was a Famous Poet in his Vouch, and one of thofe 
 Celebrated Pcrpjns who with Ben. Jehnfen, Sirjjhtt 
 H*rrito)i) Dr. Donnt, Mr. Drtyton aad others, 
 wrote k Commendatory Verfes,on Tom. Coriar's 
 Cru. He likcwifc v/rote , amongft other 
 
 Poems, 
 
 1- Iter Rorealf. A facetious Piece, much com- 
 mended, and which fufficicntly (hewed the Effects 
 of his Juvenile Fancy. Dv. Wild wrote a Poem likc- 
 wifc under this Title, upon General Monk's March 
 oul of ScotUnd, in order to his Majcitics Rcfta- 
 ration. 
 
 II. A Poem. On the Death of the Earl of Dorfet. 
 
 III. An Elegy on the Lord WILLIAM HOWARD, 
 e/Effinghaai, 1615. He died at Norwich, after ha- 
 ving been Bifhop of that See, but three years, and 
 lies Interred in the Cathedral there, with the fol- 
 lowing Infcription on his Grave Stone. 
 
 RlCHARDUS CoftBET, Thcologit. 
 
 Fcdcfi* CtthedralisChrifti Oxonitnfs Primxm 
 fndc Dcc.inus, t. \tnde Epifcopus, illinc hucTrauflatus 
 Et bine in Cor/zwi, Jul. 28. Ann. 1635.
 
 38 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 .V-'l 
 
 Mr. RICHARD CRASHAW. 
 
 A Divine Poet of the laft Age. He was Edu- 
 cated at Cambridge, and was fir ft Fellow 
 of Pembroke- Hall, in that Univeriity, and afterwards 
 of St. Peter's College. He delighted in Religious 
 Solitude, and was a Lover of a Reclufe Life, which 
 occafioned him to employ much of his Time, and to 
 Lodge many Nights under Tertulliarfs Roof of An- 
 gels, in S t. jMary's Church ill 'Cambridge. At 
 length he turned Roman Catholick, and Travelled in- 
 to jfafo, where at the fo Zealouily frequented Place, 
 the Chappel of our Lady of Lorrefto, he fpent the re- 
 mainder of his Life in Divine Contemplation. His 
 Poems confift of Three Parts.- 
 
 I. Steps to the Temple, being for the moft part E- 
 pigrams upon feveral Paflages of the New Tefta- 
 inent. 
 
 II. Tins. Delights of the Afufes, or Poems upon feve- 
 ral Occafians. both Englifiznd Ltfin, which fiiew 
 the Author to be of a very pregnant Fancy. 
 
 III. Carmen de wftro, being Hymns and other 
 Sacred Poems, Dedicated to the Countcfs of Den- 
 beigh- 
 
 Mr. THOMAS C R E E c i-i. 
 
 TH I S Lea r n ed Clergy m a n w a s bor n near $Ar- 
 burn in Dorfetfolre, and bred up at the Free 
 School in that Town under Mr. Car^&niw.tMa'n 
 
 o ^ 
 
 of
 
 ENGLISH POET?. 39 
 
 of Eminent Character, to whom in Gratitude lie In- 
 flribcs one of the Idyiliums of Theocritus, that he 
 Transited : I'ur iiis Invents Circnmilances not be- 
 Mlicicnt to fupport him in a Liberal Education, 
 ifpohtion' and Capacity for Learning, raifcd 
 him a Patron in Colonel Strangeways, whofe Gencro- 
 lity fnpplied that I), 1 his Gentleman fent 
 
 him toll r adl)*m College in Oxford, where he was 
 admitted a' Scholar on the Foundation, and Pub- 
 iifhing his Translation of Lucretius, when very 
 Young, the great Reputation he gained by that Per* 
 foimmuc, Recommended him to All-Souls College, 
 \\ huv he was Elected Fellow. He was a Man of 
 lent Parts, found Judgment, and perfectly 
 Mailer of the Greckand Latin Languages j but na- 
 turally of a Morofe Temper, and too apt to defpife 
 the Underftandings and Performances of others. 
 This made him left cftccmed than his great Merit 
 deferved : And his Refentments on this Account, 
 frequently engaged him in thofe Heats and Difputes 
 \vhich in the end proved fatal to him. He was pre- 
 fentcd by the College to the Living of Welling in 
 tfmfordfnre, but before he left Oxford, (the Caufe 
 unknown) he unfortunately made away himfelf in 
 the Year 1701. 
 
 Bcfidcs his Tranflations of Lucretnu, Thcocritm 
 and Horace, he has done Ibmc of f^giCs Eclogues, 
 and xvui.il's Satires. 
 
 Mr. 1 1 U G H C R O M P T O N f 
 
 A Gentleman well Educated, tho* but of a finall 
 Fortune ; in the Reign of King Charles the 
 J irll. His Ncccflitics obliged him to Commence 
 Author, by which he fublifted very well for a time, 
 P 4 but
 
 40 The Lives and, Carafters of the 
 
 but at length he Experienced that Pegaffus was a 
 Jade. In the latter part of his Lite, he went over 
 into Ireland, where he continued for fome time, but 
 before he left England, he Publifhed a Volume of 
 Poems Intitled, 
 
 P i H R i D K s, or The Mvfes Mount. In thefe Poems, 
 Mr. Wir.flanley tells us, there appears great Brisk- 
 nefs, and a good turn of Thought, 
 
 m 
 
 The Reverend Mr. C R o x A L L. 
 
 A Young Gentleman now living, whole Father 
 was Minifter of/HampujQnyon Thames, where 
 
 he was born. He was Educated at Eton, and from 
 thence Elected to the Univerfity of Cambridge, and 
 is now Houfe Chaplain of the Royal Palace oi Ham- 
 pton-Court. The firft Poetical Pieces he Publifhed, 
 were under a fictitious Character, viz. 
 
 I. Two Original C A N T os of Spenfer - 7 Being Sa- 
 tires on the Earl of Oxford's Adminiflration. 
 
 II. An ODE humbly Infer j hed to the King, occafi- 
 on'd by his Majefty's mofb Aufpicious SuccefTion 
 gnd Arrival. Written in the Stanza and Meafure 
 of Spenfer. 
 
 III. The VISION. A Poem. 
 
 IV. Translations from O v i D'S Mctamorphofes, vi^.. 
 The VI. Book, The Story of Nifus and Scylla, The 
 Labyrinth, and Dfdaltts and Icarus, from the VIII. 
 Book, part of the Fable of Cy^riffus, from the X, 
 Book, moil part of the XI. Book, and the Funeral 
 of Afcmnon from the XIII. Book. 
 
 D. Sir
 
 ENGLISH POET?. 41 
 
 D. 
 
 i 
 Sir JOHN DAVIS 
 
 A T T ORNEY Gcneral to Queen 
 j\_ with whom he was in great Favour, and 
 alfo her Succcftbr King James the Firft. In his 
 Younger Years, he applied himfelf to the Study of 
 Poetry, 'ti 1 ' he found his Imerefr. point him another 
 way, and rl-.oii he took up with the Laborious Stu- 
 dies of the Istw. He wrote an Excellent Poem In- 
 titted, 
 
 The Original N.ttre, and Immortality of the SouL 
 It is wrirren in Alt n ne Khimc, was firft Publiflied 
 in 1^92. and four Years ago Revived by Mr. Tatf, 
 at the de fire of the late Earl of Dorfct, to whom 
 he Dedicated it. A Third Edition of it was Prin- 
 ted, 1715. 
 
 Mr. Winfttnlty afcribcs to this Gentleman feveral 
 other Pocms,(t//^.)v4 Mctafhrafc on fever At of David's 
 ^ Nofce Te ipfim , Ocheftra, &c. 
 
 Sir W i L L i A M D A \v n s , 'Bart. Arch- 
 Bifhop of York. 
 
 THIS Reverend Prelate is Defccnded from an 
 Ancient and Honourable Family in the Coun- 
 ty ofEflex. He was Educated at Merchant Taylor's 
 School, tendon; and from thence Elected to St. 
 Johas College in Oxford -, of which he was after- 
 
 wards
 
 42 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 wards Fellow. He was the Youngeft of Four Bro- 
 thers, all which dying Young, (two of them be- 
 ing loft in a Sea Engagement) the Title andEftate of 
 the Family fell to him , fo that as foon as he had 
 taken his Firft Degree in Arts, he Refigned his Fel- 
 lowlhip, and left Oxford, but Ibme time afterwards 
 he entered into Holy Orders. As he is Defcended 
 from a Great and Ancient Family, fb he is the great- 
 eft Ornament of it. The Divine, the Gentleman, 
 and the Chriftian, are happily Centered in his Lord- 
 Ihip, and mine with equal Luftre. He is a very 
 Popular and Excellent Preacher , his Piety is Great 
 and Confpicuous , his Charity and Benevolence 
 equalled by few, and his good Nature and Humanity 
 the molt extenfive. Thefe great Qualities have 
 deiervedly gained him the higheft Reputation : and 
 before his Promotion to the Mitre, he was Matter 
 of Katharine-Hall in Cambridge, Chaplain to the late 
 Q;.ieen, and .Dean of Boding. In the Year 1 708. he 
 was Confecrated Bifhop of Cheftcr, and in 17 13. 
 Tranflated to the Arch-Bifhoprick of Tork. While he 
 was at the Univerfity, before he went into Orders, 
 he wrote, "The Anatomy ofAtheifm. A Po K M, Dedi- 
 cated to the Honourable Sir George Darcy, Bart. 
 Printed in the Year 1701. 8w. The Defign of this 
 Excellent Piece his Lordmip declares in the Preface, 
 is to expofe the Folly of thofe Men who arc arrived to 
 that Pitch of Impudence and Profanenefs, that they think 
 it a Piece of Wit to deny the Being of a Gcd, and to laugh 
 *t that which they cannot argue again ft. Such Perfbns 
 being well defcribed in the following Lines. 
 
 See then our Atheift all the World oppofe, 
 And like Dra wean fir make all Men his Foes. 
 See with what faucy Pride he does pretend, 
 wlfcr Father's Notions to amend,
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 43 
 
 Huffs Plutarch, Plato, Pliny, Seneca, 
 And bids run Cicero hitnfelfgive tray, 
 Tells All the \Vorld they follow a falfe Light, 
 A>td he alone of (ill Mankind is right. 
 Thus, like a Af.ul<n.:n, who when all alone , 
 Thinks bimfelf King, and evry Chair a. Throne, 
 Drunk with Conceit and Fooliflj Impudence^ 
 He prides himfelfin his abounding Scnfe. 
 
 The Reverend Mr. JOHN DIAPER. 
 
 TH I S Gentleman joined with Mr. Row, in 
 the Tranflation of Quillet's Calliptdia. He was 
 bred at Baliel College, Oxfor% and had a fine Poetical 
 Genius. About the Year 17 15. he entered into 
 holy Orders, and Died in a Country Curacy , Anno 
 1717. in the 29th Year of his Age. 
 
 rlie above-mentioned Tranflation, he has 
 Publifhed the following Poems. 
 
 J. NEREIDES: Or, Sea Eclogue s, 8ra. 
 H. DRYAD r s : Or, The Nymph's Prophecy. Fol. 
 He left behind him in Mannllripr, OPTMAS'S 
 frilieutics. The Three firft Books , Tranflatcd 
 from the Greek. 
 
 WE XT WORTH DILLON, Earl of 
 
 Rofcomon. 
 
 THIS Koblc Lord was Defccndcd from a very 
 Ancient Family, in the Kingdom of Ireland. 
 He was Son ofj.wies Dillon, End of Rofcomon, who 
 was reclaimed from the Superflition of the Rotnijh 
 Church, by the Learned and Pious Archbifhop Vflter. 
 His Mutation extended to all kinds of polite Lite- 
 
 rature
 
 *44- The Lives and Chara&ers of tie 
 
 ture. He was fome time at Oxford, took the De- 
 grees in Arts, and was nominated to be created 
 Do&or of Law, in the Year 1683. His rare Accom- 
 plifhments and genteel Behaviour, brought him into 
 the greateft Reputation in the Reign of King Charles 
 the Second, an Age diitinguimed for Gallantry and 
 Politenels. He was a Nobleman of uncommon 
 Wit, and what is very much to be admired, but 
 leldom met with, his Wit did not exceed his good 
 Itfature. To fpeak of him as a Gentleman and a 
 Poet, would be to enumerate all the good Qualities 
 which the beft of either, ever enjoyed. In thefe 
 States, tho' he never courted, yet he had the Ap- 
 plaufe of all the knowing and judicious Men of his 
 Time. He well merited the Commendations of 
 Mr. Waller , Mr. Dry den, and other famous Wits, 
 which were oftentimes inferior to his Defert. He 
 was Captain of the Band of Pensioners "to King 
 Charles the Second, and on th^ Marriage of 
 ^fcmttDuke of York, with Jofepha jMarta, vhe Prin- 
 cefs of Modena, he was made Matter of the tlorfe 
 to that Princefs \ in both which Places he continued 
 to the time of his Death. He: died at his Houfe 
 near St. James's Palace, in the Year 1684. and was 
 interred in Weftminfter Abbey. His Lordihip's Ge- 
 nuine Works are as follow, 
 
 I. An Ejfay on Translated Verfe. This excellent 
 Piece is introduced with fever 'al Copies of Verfes by 
 Mr. Dryden, Dean Chetmod, and others. My Lord 
 {eems to have taken the hint of this Poem, from 
 the Duke of Buckingham's ElTay on Poetry. His 
 Concludes with thefe Lines, 
 
 Q may I live to Hall the Gloriow Day, 
 
 loud P jeans through the crowded Way,
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 
 
 When i.J Triumphant State , the Britifh Mufc, 
 True to her [elf, fiall barb'rous Aid refufe, 
 And in the Roman Majcjly appear, 
 Which none know better, and none come fo nearl 
 
 II. A Paraphrafe on the iqftth Pfalm. 
 
 III. SII.HNUS. Being Virgrfs Sixth Eclogue > 
 Tranflated. 
 
 IV. ODK upon Solitude. 
 
 V. The 22dO D E of the Firft Book, and the 6th ODH 
 of the Third Book of Horace. 
 
 VI. On Mr. D R Y D E N'J Religio Laid. 
 
 VII. The Dves.m. 
 
 VIII. The Grove. Being a Tranflation of Part of 
 the 5th Scene, of the id Aft in Gu*rin?s Pa- 
 Jlor Fldo. 
 
 IX. The Ghoft of the Old Houfe of Commons, to the 
 New One, appoTnted to meet at Oxford. 
 
 X. O.i the Death of a Lady's Dog. 
 
 X! /' ; -!offue fpoken to the Duke of York, at Edin- 
 burgh. Mlo. A Prologue and Epilogue to Ta>o of 
 * 
 
 XII. On the D>iy of Judgment. 
 
 XIII. Ross'jC?^/. 
 
 XlrV. HORACE'; Art of Poetry. Tranjlated. I can- 
 not omit in this Place, my Lord's excellent Verfion 
 of the (c Lines, V\ Pittura, Poefs, &c. 
 
 Poems, like Pitfures, are of different Sorts, 
 Some better at a Diftance, others Near, 
 Some h-jc the Dark, feme chufe the clcarcft Light, 
 And boldly Challenge the moft piercing Eye, 
 Some Pletfefor Once, fimc will for Ever Pleafe. 
 
 Air.
 
 46 The Lives and Chara&ers of the 
 
 Mr. Dryden in his Commendatory Copy of Verfes 
 has thefe Lines, 
 
 "The Mufes Empire if reftoSd again, 
 
 In CharlesV Reign, and by RofcommonV Pen. 
 
 And Mr. Pope in his EJfay upon Critic! fm, declares, 
 that, 
 
 To kirn the Wit o/Greece and Rome was foown, 
 And ev'ry Author's Merit hut hit own. 
 
 JOHN DONNE, *D. T). 
 
 THIS learned Divine, admired for his Great 
 Wit, was born in London, in the Year IS73- 
 He was deicended from a very good Family in Wtffrj, 
 and had Parents capable of giving him the bell 
 Education, which they did } for at Nine Years of 
 Age he was fent to Hart-Hall in Oxford, having at- 
 tained beiides the Latin and Greek, a knowledge in 
 the French Tongue. Here he became acquainted 
 with that great Matter of Language and Art, Sir 
 Henry Wotton, with whom he contracted a lafting 
 Friendfhip. From Oxford he was Tranfplanted to 
 the Univerfity of Cambridge, where he made great 
 Improvements in his Literature. Coming from 
 thence to London, he was entered of the Society of 
 Lincoln's-Jrm , and applied himfelf to the ftudy 
 of the Law, but even here, he chiefly employed 
 his time in accomplilhing himfelf with the politer 
 kinds of Learning. He foon Enjoyed the belt 
 Converfation in Town, to whom the acutenefs of 
 
 his
 
 ENGLISH POET?. 47 
 
 his Wit, and the natural gaiety of his Temper, 
 loon rendered him highly acceptable : la which 
 (late of Life, he compofcd moft of his Love-Poems. 
 His Father Dying and leaving him a pretty hand- 
 fme Fortune, he Travelled into Italy, Spain and 
 other Foreign Countries, where he acquired a per- 
 fection in thofe Languages, and returned Home 
 with many life-fill Obfervations. Being now quali- 
 fied for the grcatelt Employments, he was made 
 Secretary to the Lord Elfmere, Keeper of the Great 
 Seal ; in whole Service he became enamoured with 
 the Lady Elfmcrc^ Niece, Daughter to Sir George 
 Moor, Chanccller of the Garter, and Lieutenant 
 of the Tower, who greatly oppofed this Match; 
 Yet notwithftanding they were privately Married: 
 Which exafperated Sir George to fuch a degree, that 
 he prevailed on the Ixml Elfmere to Difcharge him 
 from his Service, and foon after caft him into Prilbn. 
 But Mr. Dome had not been long confined before 
 he found means, by the afliftance of his Kinfman 
 Sir f rands \Voo\lcy, to facilitate his Enlargement, 
 and a Reconciliation between him and Sir George 
 Moor, Enfuinc, he was rcftored to his former Poll. 
 Now he was fought after by Men of the bed Learn- 
 ing more than ever, and his Company very much 
 dclircd by the Nobility and Foreign Embafladors, 
 who were cxtrcamly fond of his Acquaintance. At 
 laft, at King %tmes'$ Requcft, he applied himfelf to 
 the Itudy of Divinity, and Entered into Holy Or- 
 ders : Whereupon, his Majcfty firfV made him 
 Preacher of Lincoln's- Inn, and he was afterwards 
 advanced to the Deanery of St. Paul's; thus from 
 an Eminent Poet he became a much more Eminent 
 Divine. He Died the 3ift of Afjrch 1631. and 
 was buried in St. Paul's Church with great Solem- 
 nity, attended by many Perfons of Quality. 
 
 Dr.
 
 48 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 Dr King Bifhop of Cb;chcfter y who was his 
 Executor, Efeded a Monument to his Memory^ 
 with this Infcription. 
 
 JOHANNES DONNE, S. T. P. 
 Toftvaria StudU, quibus ab Anni- tenerrimis fidellter^ 
 
 Nee wftlicitCT) i:<iitb:tif- 
 
 Jnftinttu & impulfu Spirant fa&fti, monltu & hortatu 
 
 Regis Jacobi Ordtnes Sacrcs Amylcxus 
 
 Anno fui Je'u 1614. & \UA ssEtaiis 42. 
 
 Decanatu hujus Ecclefia, indutus 27. Novembris 1621. 
 
 Exutm morte ultimo die Marti j 1631. 
 
 //<V, licet in Occiduo Clnere, afpicet Eum y 
 
 Cujm Nomen eft Orient. 
 
 A New Edition of his Poems was printed in the 
 Year 1 7 19. With feveral Elegies upon his Death> 
 one of which Copies, figned HI K. has this Admira- 
 ble Conclufion. 
 
 / do not like the Office Nor is' V fit 
 "Tljou, who didft lend our Age fuch Sums of Wit^ 
 Shouldft now re-borrow from her Bankrupt Mine 
 That Ore to Bury Thee^ which once was Thine } 
 Rather ftill leave us in thy Debt - 7 and know 
 Exalted Soul, more Glory 'tis to Owe 
 Unto thy Hearfe, what we can never Pay, 
 Than with Embajed Coin thofe Rites defray. 
 Commit we then, Thee to thyfelf: Nor blame 
 Our drooping loves, which thiu to thy own Fame 
 Leave thee Executor : fince y but thy own, 
 No Pen could do thee Jufticc, nor Bays Crown 
 Thy vaft Defert : Save that, we nothing can- 
 Depute , to be thy Aftes Guardian. 
 So Jewellers no An or Metal truft 
 To form the Diamond, but the Diamonds Duft. 
 
 Mr.
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 49 
 
 A Poet, Mr. IVinftanley tells us, who had Drank 
 as deep of Helicon, as any of his time. He 
 was born at Athelfton in iVa-nrickflnrc } and was a 
 Peribn of a Pious temper, his Confidence having 
 always the Command of his Fancy, which is no 
 ilnall Commendation to one of a Poetical Genius. 
 He likewife lived very temperate and regular, 
 (which is no lefs to he admired) and his Converfa- 
 tion was the moft inoffenfive.He had the Reputation 
 of being little inferior, if not in fome Inftanccs 
 equal to Spenfcr, or Sir Philip Sidney. His Works 
 arc the following : 
 
 I.POL Y-O L B i o N, Being a Defcription of Eng- 
 land. 
 
 II. The Hiftory of the Borons Wars. 
 
 III. England's Heroicul Epijltcs. Thefe were fa 
 well received, that they Entitled him to the ap- 
 pellation of the EngHfo-Ovid. 
 
 IV. Legends (/ROBERT Duke of Normandy. 
 
 V. MATILDA. 
 
 VI. PIERCE GAVESTON. 
 
 VII. The Idea. 
 
 Mil. The Nymphs and Slxphcrtlf. 
 
 IX. The Court of Fayrifs 
 
 He lies interred in \Vcftminftcr~Abbcy, near the 
 South Door, by thofe two Eminent Poets Chaucer 
 and Spenfcr, with this Infcription. 
 
 MICRAEL DRA1TON, Efairc, a Me. 
 morable Pott of his Age, Exch.wgcd his Laurel for A 
 Croyn of Glory. 1631. 
 
 E J),, 
 
 -
 
 5'o The Lives and Chara&ers of thf 
 
 Do, pious Marble, let thy Reader know 
 What they and what their Children owe 
 To Draiton'j Name,, whofe Sacred Dttj? 
 
 We recommend unto thy Truft. 
 Protett his Memory, and preferve his Story,, 
 Remain a laping Monument of his Glory. 
 And when thy Ruins fall difclaim 
 
 To be the Treasurer of his Name, 
 His Name, that cannot fade', fall he 
 An everlaft ing Monument to Thee- 
 
 The Reverend Mr. RICHARD D u K E.< 
 
 XH I S Gentleman, the Son of an Eminent CF- 
 tteen of London, was Educated at Wcftminflsr 
 School, and from thence Eleded to Trinity College 
 in Cambridge. He was fbme time Tutor to the Duke 
 of Richmond. Her late Majefty Queen Anne no- 
 minated Him one of her Chaplains, and in the year 
 1713^ preferred him to the Living of Wltney inOxford- 
 foirci wotth above 500 /. per Annum, which he diet 
 not long enjoy, Dying about two Years after. 
 
 His Poetical Works were Collected together (and 
 Publifhed with the Earl of Roftomon's) in the Year 
 1717. 8vo, Confuting of Tranflations from Theocri- 
 tus, Horace, Juvenal, O.bid, and Virgil. With Co- 
 pies of Verfes to his Friends, Mr. Dry den, Mr. 
 Waller, Mr. Creeeh, Mr. Otway, frc. Allb fbme Oc- 
 cafional Poems on State Affairs, one of which In- 
 titled the REVIEW, The Editor informs us, 
 a He wrote a little after the Publilhing Mr. Dry- 
 " dens ABSALOM and A c H i T o p H;E L, ^ he was 
 ^ perfwaded to undertake it by Mr. Sheridan, then 
 
 " Seci'e-
 
 ENGLISH. .POETS. 5 f 
 
 *< Secretary to the Duke of Tork } but Mr. Duke 
 
 <c finding thatGenttcman defigned romake ufeof his 
 
 cc Pert to vent his Spledn againfl feveral Perfbns at 
 
 " Court, that were of another Party, than that he 
 
 " was engaged in, broke off proceeding in it, and 
 
 " left it (impcrfedr) as it is now Printed. 
 
 E. 
 
 Mr. ALEXANDER ESSEBIE. 
 
 i 
 
 H I S Poet flonrifhed in the Reign of King 
 -L Henry the Third. 1220. The lace of his 
 Nativity is uncertain -, fome Writers fay, he was 
 born in Staffordshire , others tell us Somerfetjhirt 
 gave him Birth. He was efteemed one of the chief* 
 of the Englifh Poets and Orators of his Time , and 
 for his great Learning, was made Prior of Effcby 
 ' Caftle, belonging to the Aitguftincs. His Works 
 arc, 
 
 I. Chriftidn Fcftivals. Written in Imitation of 
 Ovid de Fsftis \ fetting a Copy therein to Baptift* 
 M.mtuAn. 
 
 II. T\)e Hiftory of the Bible. An Heroick Poem, 
 Wiittcn in Imitation of the Stile of Virgil. 
 
 Mr. E u s D E N, Toet Laureat. 
 
 THIS Gentleman fuccceded the late Ingeni- 
 ous Mr. Rowe. He is Defccnded fronra 
 good Family in the Kingdom of Ireland, hue 
 ! Edocatd at Trinity College m Cambridge. He 
 E 2 was
 
 $2 The Lives and Cha rafters of the 
 
 was Honoured with the Encouragement of that 
 great Patron and Poet, the late Earl offftliftx, to 
 whom in one of his Pieces, he tells us., he paid the 
 firft Produces of his Mufe. His prefent Patron is 
 the Duke of Ne w-Caftle , who preferred him to 
 the Bays. The chief of his Poetical Writings are 
 the following, (viz,.') 
 
 I. To the Lord HALIFAX- Occafioned by Tran^ 
 flating into Latin, His Lordfiifs Poem on the Battle of 
 the Boyne. 
 
 II. On the Duke of M A R i B o R o u G H'J Vittory at 
 Audenard. 
 
 III. On the King's Acceftwn to the Throne*' 
 
 IV. To the Reverend Dr. B E N T L E Y, on the ope- 
 ning of Trinity College Chappel Cambridge. 
 
 V. On a Lady -who is the moft Beautiful and Witty 
 when fie is Angry. This Poem begins with thefe 
 Lines, 
 
 Long had I known the fofr, inehanting Wiles, 
 Which Cupid Trattifed in Anrelia'j Smiles. 
 'Till by Degrees, like the famed Atian taught, 
 Safely I drank the fweet, tho Pay? nous Draught. 
 Love vexed to lee his Favours vainly flown, 
 The peevijh Urchin Mufthered with a Frown. 
 
 VI. The Court of V E N u s. From Claudian. 
 
 VII. The Speech of P L u t o to P R o s E K p i N E. 
 
 VIII. HERO and LEA-$IVER. Tra nfla ted front 
 the Greek of M u s .a- u s. This piece is well done. 
 It begins thus, 
 
 Singy Mufe, the confcious Torch, vohofe N'ghtly Flame , 
 ( The finning Signal of a brighter Dame ) 
 Thro' tracklefs Waves the boU Leander led, 
 To taftc the Dangerous Joys of Hero's Bed : 
 Sing the ftofn Blifs in gloomy Shades concealed, 
 Afid never to the btufoiw Morn revealed. 
 
 IX. Ot
 
 ENGLISH POET?. $} 
 
 IX. On the Marriage of the Duke ofNcw-Caltle 
 with the Lady G o D o L p H i N. This Poem procured 
 him the Place of Laureat. 
 
 X- The Lord R o s c o M o N'S ESSAY on Tranjlated 
 Vtrft. Done into Latin. 
 
 JOSEPH of EXETER. 
 
 N Antient Poet, fo called, from the Place of 
 ^ ^ his Nativity. He was Stilcd the Golden Po- 
 et ofa Leaden A. He flourifhed in the Reign of 
 King Richard the Fir (I , and Accompanied that 
 Prince in his Expedition to the Holy Land, celebra- 
 ing his Warlike Adions in a Poem entituled, AN- 
 T ioc HE A. He was by King John 3 preferred for 
 his -great Defcrts , to be Archbifbop of Bourdcaux, 
 about the Year i 2*0. He alfo wrote, 
 
 De Bella Trojano ; An Hcroick Poem, in Six Books. 
 Mr.Camdcn tells us, this piece was only the Verfion 
 
 />f Dares PhrygitUyTran Hated into Latin Verfe ^ but 
 was fo well received abroad, that in Holland it was 
 printed under the Name of Cornelius Nepos, to the 
 great injuftice of our famous Country Man. 
 
 Mr. ROBERT FABIAN. 
 
 TH I S Gentleman was born and bred in the 
 CityofLow^ow, and at length made Sheriff 
 thereof j to which OiCce he was Elefted Anno 1493, 
 
 3 and
 
 54 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 and laftly chofen Alderman. He was a Perfbn of 
 a Volatile temper, and very facetious in Converfa- 
 tion, entertaining his Guefts .more agreeably with 
 his turns of Wit, than his Eatables, tho' his Feafts 
 were remarkably Sumptuous. He bent his MincJ. 
 much to the Study of Poetry, and Hiftory, Compo- , 
 iing two large Chronicles in Verfe, the one from 
 Brute to the Death of King Henry the Second, the 
 other from the Firft of King Richard, to the Death - 
 of .Henry the Seventh. Of his Poetry, his Verfes 
 made for the Honour of the City, were moftly 
 efteemed. He died at London, Anno 1511, and was 
 buried at St. MichaePs Church in Cornhill. 
 
 3ir John Suckling, in the Conteft between the Po- 
 ets, for the Bays, makes Apollo merrily adjudge it to 
 8n Alderman of London. Thus,, 
 
 He Openly declared, that the fyeft Sign 
 Of good Store of Wit's to have good ftore o/Coin, 
 And -without a Syllable more or lefsfald, 
 The Laurel He put on the Alderman'.; Head. 
 
 Mr. EDMUND FAIRFAX. 
 
 /'\ ' ^ : '"I 
 
 A N Elegant Poetj in the Reign of King Charles 
 Ji\, the Firft, who befides feveral Productions > 
 of his ovyn Genius, which have pafled in the World 
 with a general Applaufe, has given us an Excellent 
 Tranflation of, 
 
 GODFREY of Eologne, an Kcroick Poem, from 
 T*ffo, Stiled the Prince of Italian Poets.
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 5 $ 
 
 yc 
 
 '>> 
 
 Mr. F F N T o N. 
 
 \ Gerrtlemnn now living, born at SMton near 
 JT\ Ne-v-Cttftle, Under Line, in Staffordfnre. He ' 
 was "Educated at Jefus College in Cambridge, and is at 
 prefent Secretary to the Right Honourable Charles 
 Earl of Orrery. He has lately obliged the World 
 with a Volume of Excellent Poems, Dedicated to 
 his I.ord'fhrp. The chief whereof are, 
 
 I. Art ODE to the S u N. 
 
 II. Part of the i+th Chapter of ISAIAH, Par* 
 phra/ed. 
 
 III. An Epiftlc to Mr. SOUTHERN. Containing 
 Characters of our Englifj Poets. 
 
 iV. The Xlth Book of H o M E R'J Odyffes , Tran- 
 fiatcd. 
 
 \'. A Paftoral on the Death of the Ute Murcjuifi , of 
 
 VI. An Epijlle to THOMAS LAMBARD, 
 
 VII. Thtfar N u v, A Tale. This piece has a 
 great deal of Humour in it. 
 
 Mil. The Widow W i L E, A Tale. 
 
 IX. -^ 7W* m r/* manner of C H A u c E R. This 
 foem is very Entertaining. 
 
 X- CUPID and H Y M E s. Sappho to Phaon, 
 -and fcvcral other Tranflations. 
 
 Honourable Mrs. FINCH. 
 
 A Lady of the Noble Family of the Earl of Not~ 
 tinghtm , who has writ (evcral fmall 
 Pieces of Voctry, which are defervedly admired, 
 
 4 I. A*
 
 ^6 The Lives and Charafters of the 
 
 I. An Epiftle to the Honourable Mrs. T H Y N N E. 
 
 II. An Invocation to the Southern Winds. Inlcribed to 
 the Earl of Winckelfea. 
 
 Ill Jfhe Fall of C s. s A R. 
 
 THOMAS FLATMAN 
 
 ABarifter at Law, of the Middle-Temple } 
 He was a Gentleman of Eminence in his Pro- 
 feflion, and likewife equally ingenious in the Two 
 Noble Arts of Painting and Poetry : which he 
 made ufeof only for his own private Entertainment. 
 
 The Excellent Collection of Poems written by him, 
 confift chiefly of Pindaric Odes, Songs , and Son- 
 nets. The 3^ Edit. 8w. Printed in the Year 1682. 
 
 Mr. PHINEAS FLETCHER. 
 
 Divine Spirit of Poefie feems to be Heredi- 
 Jl tary in his Family, for this Gentleman, was 
 not only the Son of a Poet, but Brother to Two 
 eminent Poets, in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth -, 
 His Father Giles Fletcher, Elq^ was Dodor of Laws 
 and fent Ambaflador to jtiufcwy\ our Author was 
 Educated at fcngs*CoBtge in Cambridge, where he. 
 became Fellow, and acquired a very great Reputa- 
 tion. His Poetical Performances are intitled, Plf- 
 catory Eclogues, but the chief Piece written by him, 
 was The Purple Ijland, a Poem, very much efteemed, 
 
 and Scarce, wherein are thp following Lines : % 
 
 .; ' ' .
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 57 
 
 1 
 
 Thrice happy w.-is the Worlds fir ft- Infancy, 
 Nor knowing yet, nor curious ill to know : 
 Joy without Grief, Love without Jealoufy ; 
 None felt hard labour, or the frvcating Plough : 
 The willing Earth brought Tribute to her King 
 
 And in another place, fpeaking of Covetoufnefs. 
 
 
 Pain Men, too fondly wife, whophugh the Seas^ 
 With Dangerous Pains another Earth to find : 
 Adding new Worlds to tti old, and Scorning eafe, 
 The Earth's vaft Limits 'dally more 'Unbind ! 
 The Aged World tho 1 now it falling Jliows, 
 And haftes tofet, yet ft ill in Dying gtows, 
 Whole Lives are fpent to Win what one Death's hour 
 
 [w/ hfe. 
 
 His Brother Giles Fletcher, wrote a Poem called 
 Chri It's f/ffory; when he was only Batchelor of Arts: 
 And his other Brother George Fletcher, was Author 
 of a Poem entitled , Chrift's Pi&ory and Triumph 
 over -, And after Death : both of them very much 
 Commended. 
 
 Mr. ABRAHAM FRAVNCE. 
 
 THIS Poet imitated Latin Meaftre in Englijb 
 vcrfc, but 'tis no wonder he is followed by fb 
 few, fincc it by no means becomes either the En- 
 glifli, or any other Modern Language. He wrote 
 ^ Paftoralintltled, The Countefs of Pembroke's IVY 
 
 CHURCH,
 
 5? The Lives and Char-afters of the 
 
 CHURCH. AJlb the Conntefs of P 
 EfaANUEL} A Pciem on The Nativity, Pajfum, 
 Burial, 'and Refurre&ion of G H R i s T. ' With -ti- 
 tainPfalms of D A v i D, all in EngUfi- Hexameters j 
 andlikewife began a Translation of H E L i o D o- 
 R tj's's E T H i o p i c K Hiftory, in : tlie fame kind 
 of Verfe. He died about the beginning of the 
 Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 
 
 G. 
 
 . i . , -' * : ' ' -' 
 
 Sir SAMUEL QARTH, Kjtt. M. 1). 
 
 TH I S Gentleman was delcended of a very 
 good Family in Torkfure. After he had fi- 
 nifhed his School Education, he removed; 
 to St. Peter's College in the Univerfity ot Cambridge, 
 where he compleated his^ Studies in the Art of Phyr 
 fick. He has juftly merited the Reputation of one 
 of the befl Poets of his Time, by his admirable 1 -' 
 Poem, The DISPENSARY. '-'A Judicious writer 
 * obferves, that ^this: Work hath loft and gained in : eve~ 
 ry Edition. Almoft every thing (fays hej that Sir Sa- 
 muel left out was a Robbery from the Publick : Every 
 thing he added hath been an Embelltjhment to his 1 
 Poem. 'He was an Excellent Phyfician, Affable ' 
 and Courteous in his Behaviour , and never ! 
 better pleafed than in doing good Offices, either 
 to Friends or Strangers, who required his Air 
 fiftance. 
 
 * See Major pace's Mifcejlanics. -id Edition- ?wp, j>a 
 
 {3efides t
 
 E N G L I S H P O F. T c. 59 
 
 Bcfidcs his Difpenfary, he has publifhcd the fol- 
 lowing Pieces, 
 
 I. CLAREMONT. A Poem Infcribed to the 
 Duke of Newcaflle. 
 
 II. To the Lady Berkeley, with O v i D'S Epiflles. 
 
 III. To the Earl of Burlington, rvith O v i D'S Art 
 of Love. 
 
 IV. The Fourteenth Book of OVID'S Metamorphofes 
 Translated. 
 
 V. Three Prologues, i . Defigned for Mr. Rove's T A- 
 M E R L A N E. 2. j4t rhe opening of the Tlxatre in the 
 Hay-Marker. 3. At a Mufick- Meet ing. Al(b, An 
 Epilogue to Mr. Addifon's C A T o. 
 
 VI. Verfcstotkc E^r/ofGodolphin. 
 
 VII. Two Orations fpoktn at the College of Physicians. 
 i . On the Faculty. 2. On the Death of Mr. Drydcn. 
 
 He d red Jan. 1 8f h 171 8 1 9. and was Buried on 
 the 22<iof the-fame Month, in the Church of H*r- 
 rofp on the ///'//, in the V'ault there built by him for 
 the Interment of his Family. 
 
 Thcfc Lines in the Difpenfary t on Death, ajre 
 Inimitable. 
 
 to the Vulgar, Death too h.tifi appears ? 
 The I/I we feel is only in our Fears. 
 
 To Die, is landing on fome filent Shore, " 
 
 Where Billows never break, nor Tempers roar j 
 
 / ire// roe feel the frtendly ftroke, V M o\e . 
 The Wife thro* Thought, th* 'infults of Death defe , 
 The Fools, Thro* hlejs'd Injen/ibility. 
 Tn what the Guilty fear , the Tious crave ^ 
 Sought by the Wretch, and Vanquifid by the Bravt. 
 It eafet Lovers, fets the Captive free j 
 AtiA, tho* a Tyrant, offers Liberty. 
 
 Mr.
 
 60 The Lives and Chara&ers of the 
 
 
 Mr. JOHN GAY. 
 
 TO this Gentleman we are obliged for the fol- 
 lowing Poems, viz.. 
 
 I. The Shepherd's WEEK, in fix Paftorals. T. 
 The Squabble j 2. The Ditty ; 3. 7 he Dumps j 4. The 
 Spell , 5. The Dirge; 6. The Flights. 
 
 II. The Fan. A Poem, in Three Books. 
 
 III. PANTHEA. A Poem. 
 
 IV. A R A M i N T A. A Town Eclogue. 
 
 V. Rural Sports. A Poem infcribed to Mr. Pope. 
 
 VI. A journey to Exeter. 
 
 VII. A Letter to a, Lady, on the Arrival of the 
 Prince of Wales. 
 
 VIII. TRIVIA; Or, The Art of walking the 
 Streets of London. The Epifbde of the Invention 
 of Pattens, which concludes the firft Book of this 
 Poem, is very Entertaining, viz.. 
 
 Where Lincoln wide extends her fenny foil, 
 'A goodly yeoman liv*d grown white with toil j 
 - One only daughter hie ft his nuptial bed, 
 Who from her infant hand the poultry fed : 
 jfrfartha (her careful mother's name) foe bore, 
 But now her careful mother was ne more. 
 
 Whilft on her Father's knee the damfel ptay'd, 
 Patty he fondly called the fmiling maid , 
 AS years increased, her ruddy beauty grew, 
 And Patty' f fame oer all the village flew. 
 
 Soon
 
 E N G L I S U P O E r S. 6l 
 
 Soon as the blujhing morning warms the skies, 
 And in the doubtful day the woodcock >flies t 
 Her cleanly fail the pretty hufwife hears, 
 Andfinging to the di ft ant field repairs : 
 And. when the plains with evening dews arefpread, 
 Tlx milky burthen fmoaks upon her head. 
 Deep, thro* a miry lane fie ptck'd her way, 
 Above her ankle rofe the chalky clay. 
 
 Vulcan by chance the bloomy maiden fpies^ 
 With innocence and beauty in her eyes, 
 Hefaw, he lorfd , for yet he ne'er had known 
 Sweet innocence and beauty met in one. 
 Ah Afulciber ! recal thy nuptial vows, 
 Think on the graces of thy Paphian fpouff, 
 Think how her eyes dart inexhaufted charms, 
 And canft thou leave her bed for Patty's arms f 
 
 The Lemnian pow'r forfakes the realms above, 
 His bofom glowing with terreftrial love. 
 Far in the lane, a lonely hut he found, 
 No tenant ventured on th* vnwholfome ground. 
 Here fmoaks his forge, he bares his/inewy arm, 
 And early ftrokes the founding anvil warm , 
 Around his (hop the ftcely fparkles flew. 
 As for the freed he {hap d the bending jhoe. 
 
 When blue-eyd Patty near his window 
 His anvil reft s, his forge forgets to flame. 
 To hear his foot hing tales, fie feigns delays ', 
 What Woman can rcfift the font of praife t 
 
 At firftfhe coyly ev'ry kifs withstood, 
 And all her cheek was fluflfd with modeft blood 
 With headlefs nails he now furrounds her jhoes, 
 Tofave her Jleps from rains and piercing dews j
 
 62 . The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 She lilid hisfootlnng tales, his prefects wore, " 
 And granted kiffcs, but would grant no more. 
 Tet winter chill d her fier, with cold foe pines, 
 And. on her cheek the fading rofe declines } ; 
 Ah more her humid eyes their lustre boasT; 
 And in hoarfe founds her melting voice is loft. 
 
 "This Vulcan f aw, and in his henivnly though tj 
 'A new machine mechanick fancy wrought , 
 'Above the mire herfhelter'dfteps to raife, 
 And bare.berfafely through the wintry ways* 
 Strait the new engine on his anvil glorvs y 
 And the .pale virgin on the Patten rofe. 
 No more her lungs are foook with dropping rheums j 
 . And on her cheek reviving beauty blooms. 
 The God obtained his fuit, though flattery fail, 
 Prefents with female virtue muft ' prevail* 
 The Patten now fupports each 'frugal dame, 
 Which from the blue-efd Patty takes the name* 
 
 Befides theft Poems, Mr. Gay has given us a Ce-< 
 lebrated Ballad called Sweet W i L L i A MV Farewel 
 to Black-ey'dSufan, and like wife Tranflated the Story 
 ofArachne,&c.from O v i D'S Ibtetamorphdfa. For his 
 Dramatick pieces,See the Poetical Regifter, p^- 1 14. 
 
 ROBERTA Glocefter- 
 
 
 A Monk of that City, and the moft Ancient 
 Poet I find in the Records of our Englijh 
 Hiftory , he flpurifhed in the Reign of King Henry 
 the Second. Mr. Camden had a great efteem for 
 him, and quotes divers of his old Englifh Rhirnes 
 in Praife of his Native Country} but Mr. Selden 
 and other Antiquaries valued him more for his Hi- 
 
 . r^ r . .
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 6j 
 
 ftory than his Poetry, for a Specimen of the latter, 
 uke the following Lines, 
 
 A Kynge there was in Brutayne DONWALLO WAS his 
 Staleworth and hardy, a Man of grete Fam : [_Nam 
 He ordeynedfurftyatTheevesyat to Temple flowenwer, 
 JVo Men irer fo hardy to do hem defpit ther } 
 That hath he moche fitch yhold, as hit hegonne tho 9 
 Hely Chyrth if holdethyut, and mle ever mo. 
 
 He lived to a good old Age, and died about the 
 beginning of the Reign of King John. 
 
 . J 
 
 The Right Honourable Si D N E Y Earl of 
 
 GODOLPHIN. 
 
 HIS Excellent Nobleman, was defended of 
 L an Ancient Family of that Name, in the 
 County of Cormval, fcatcd there long before the 
 Conqueft. He was Grandfon to Sir William Godol- 
 fhin, and Son of Sir Francis, who Married Doroihy 
 Daughter to Sir Henry Berkeley, Knight, and had be- 
 flowed on him a very liberal Education. In the 
 Year 1661. he wasehofe Burgefs to ierve in Parlia- 
 ment for Helfon in Comvpal, and fo for (everal Par- 
 liaments aiterwards. He was twice EmbaiTador to 
 Hollavd, and one of the Lords of the Treafury; 
 and Principal Secretary of State in the time of 
 Charles the Second. And alfo in the fame Reign, 
 made Firft Commiflloncr of the Treafury, and Lord 
 Mphin of Rialton. In the firft Year of King 
 James the Second : He was made Lord Chamber- 
 Iain, and again CommiflTioner of the Treafury. He 
 n of the Privy Council to King IVilliam, and four 
 
 times
 
 64 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 times one of the Lords Juftices , during 
 King's Ablence beyond Sea. And in- the Reign 
 of Queen Anne, he was made Lord high Treafurer 
 of England^ which Important poft he held above 
 eight Years , he was likewife Created Vifcount Ri- 
 alton and Earl of Godolphin by her Majefty, and 
 made Knight of the moft noble Order of the Gar- 
 ter. His Lordfhip was an able Minifter, a great 
 Statefmam , and an Eligant Poet.. The follow- 
 ing pieces appear under his Name in the Mifcel- 
 lanies. 
 
 I. C u P i D'J paftime. 
 
 II. The Paffion of D i D o for JE N E A s. Tran- 
 flated from the Fourth Book of Virgil. 
 
 III. A Fable of the Beafts fak of the Plague. 
 
 IV. An Anfw.fr to Mr- Waller^ Poem upon the Storm 
 and Death of Oliver Cromwell- Beginning thus, 
 
 We muft refign Heaven his great Soul does claim, 
 Inftorms as loud M his Immortal Fame , 
 flis dying Groans, his laft Breath jkakcs our Ifle y 
 And Trees uncut fall for his Funeral file. 
 
 Which are thus inverted by my Lord Godolphin* 
 
 *Tis weil ffe^sgone, (O ! had he never been) 
 Hurry 'd in Storms loud as his crying Sin. 
 The Pine , the Oak, fell proftrate for his Vrn y 
 That with his Soul, his Body too might burn. 
 Winds pluckt up Roots? and the fixt Ceders move 
 Roaring for Vengeance to the Heavn* above. 
 
 Thefe Pieces my Lord wrote in his Younger 
 Years. His Lordlhip retiring from Publick Affairs, 
 died of the Stone, with which he had been many 
 Years afflicted, at the Duke of Madborough's Seat 
 
 near
 
 E N G L I S H P O E T S. 6$ 
 
 near St. Albums, on the 15^ of September, 1712. in 
 the 68r/j Year of his Age ; and was Interred on the 
 Sr/; of Ottober in Wtftmmjbr Abbey. 
 
 ROBERT GOULD. 
 
 TH E Poetical Works of this Author were 
 Publilhcd about a Year after his Death, 
 jlnno 1 709. In two Volumes 8-w, and Dedicated by 
 liis Widow to the Earl of Abingdon. Confiftine; of 
 Songs, Love Vcrfes, Epiftles of Friendfhip, Mi 
 cellanies, Hymeneals, Lucinals, Funeral Elegies, 
 and Eclogues, Divine Poems, Satires and Pinda- 
 tick Odes. 
 
 " His Writings tho' of fcvcral kinds, the Editor 
 " obferves,arc alike fitted to theSubjeft he treats of, 
 u and the way he chufes to handle it in, but efpeci- 
 
 ' cially his Satires, in which his main Talent lay, 
 " are every where fharp and poignant, which is 
 t{ the more to be admired, as proceeding from Ib 
 
 c fmooth, fo fweet, and fo every way agreeable 
 <{ a Temper. He fcems to have writ with the Soli- 
 <c dity of Virgil^ theSprightlinefsof Horact^and the 
 < 1 artncfs of Jmenal , tho' he knew no more of 
 <{ rhofe happy Originals than whathemet with in 
 " their feveral Tranflations. 
 
 1 he firft Poem Mr Gould Publilhed, and which 
 made him known by its Popularity , was that Ind- 
 tied, LOVE given over : Or, A Satire againft W o- 
 M A N. This Piece met with many Antagonifts, 
 but Sold many Imprcffions : tho' for a Specimen of 
 liis Vein of Satire, 1 think the following Lines are 
 Ibme of the jufteft and bed he ever writ, 
 
 F tf*
 
 66 The Lives Mid Characters of tie 
 
 'The Strumpet, mho by Proflitution Lives, 
 And, in that Court, but curs'd location 'T 
 All Arts muft try, and all her Snares muft- lay, 
 With Pleafures /often, and with [miles betray ', 
 JY0IP chill her Lover with a fore d Difdain, 
 And when he can no longer bear the Pain, 
 Look pleased, and warm him into Luft again : 
 While he by choice, diffblving in her Arms, 
 
 a IViflj, or Hope, beyond her Charms. 
 
 Sir JOHN GOWER. 
 
 
 
 THIS Gentleman was born at Stltenham in 
 Yorkfnre, and Defcendecl of an honourable Fa- 
 mily. He was bred to the Law, but having a plen- 
 tiful Eftate, and prizing his Pleafure above his Pro- 
 fit, he quitted Pleading to follow Poetry, being the 
 firft Refiner of the Englifi Tongue. He was a 
 Man of Univerlal Learning, and not only Contem- 
 porary with, but an intimate Friend of the Famous 
 CHAUCER : and likewiie held in great Efteem 
 both by King Henry the Fourth, and King Richard 
 the Second, at whofe rcqueft he wrote his Book 
 Intitled Confeffio Amantis : And Bale makes him 
 Equitent Auratum & Poetam Laureatum, proving 
 both,fromhis Ornamentson his Monumental Statue^ 
 butSfoip in his Survey of London will not allow him 
 to be a Knight, only an Enquire. He fiourifhed be- 
 fore Chaucer, and was by ibme accounted his Matter,, 
 yet he furvived him two years, living to be quite 
 blind, and fo might more properly be termed our 
 
 * Sec the zd Vel. of his Works, fag t 51.
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 6j 
 
 omer- He diedyiwo 1402. and was buried in 
 St. Mary Ovrries Church in Southwark, on the North 
 fide, in the Chapel of St. John, where he founded a 
 Chauntry, and endowed it with an Yearly income 
 for a Map; to be daily Sung for him, as alfo an Obit 
 within the feme Church, to be kept on the Friday 
 after the Fcaft of St. Gregory. Over his Tomb, is his 
 Statue, in a habit of Purple Damask down to his 
 Feet, ('which made fome think he was a Judge in his 
 old Age) a Collar of S.S. about his Neck, and on his 
 Head a Chaplet, like a Coronet of four Rofcs: Un- 
 der his Feet the likcncfs of three Books, which he 
 Compiled, the fir ft called Speculum Meditantis^ writ- 
 ten in French, the fecond Vox Clamant is, written in 
 J.at'm , and the third Covfeffio Amantis, written iij 
 EngHfr, which laft was priirtd,by Thomas Berthelettt 
 after his Deceafc, and Dedicated to King Henry 
 the Eighth. 
 
 On the Wall over him, were Painted three Vir- 
 rins with Coronets on their Heads, one of which 
 Ruined (Charity) holding this Device, 
 
 En toy ejui csfitz. de Ditu le Pfrt, 
 oit, quigijl feus cefte pierr*. 
 
 The fecond writing, (Mercy} with this Motto. 1 
 
 O bone Jefu fait toy Mercy 
 
 , dontle corf s gift icy. 
 
 The third writing, (Pity) with this Devigr. 
 
 Pour ta pitic Jtfu regtrde, 
 met ceft atru en Sauvt garde. 
 
 f 2 And
 
 
 6$ The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 And near thefe formerly hung a Table, where^ 
 in was written, that rvhofo Prayed for the Soul of 
 JOHN. GOWER, fo oft as be did it } flmld haver 
 aM. & D. (i 500.) Days of Pardon. 
 
 Hlc jacet Joannes Gower 
 Anglorum Poeta celeberrimus, ac 
 Hulc facro Edificio Belief attor in 
 TemporibttsEdw. M- & Rich. II. 
 Jlrmigeri Scutum nihll a modo fcrt tibl 
 Reddiiit Immolutum Morti generals tributum, 
 SpirittM exutum fe gaudeat cffe folutum 
 Eft ubl virtutum Regnumfine labe Statutum, 
 
 Mr. JOHN GOWER. 
 
 A School matter, who lived at Caftle- Hen Ing- 
 ham m.EJfix, about a Century part} Au- 
 thor of a Poem called, 
 
 The Caftle Combate. A witty Piece * 3 received in 
 that Age with great Applanfe. 
 
 H. 
 
 JOHN HARDING, 
 
 OUR Famous Engllfi Chronologer, an Anci- 
 ent Poet , born as Bale conje&nres in Tork- 
 Jkire, and defcended of a very good Family. He 
 was equally addicted to Arms and Arts, fpending 
 his Youth in the one, and his Age in the other : his 
 Valour and Stedfaft Adherence to the Fortunes of 
 King Edward the Fourth, very muchendear-edjikn 
 
 "; to
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 69 
 
 to that Prince-, but what placed him higheft in his 
 Majcftics efteem, was his taxing a Journey into 
 Scotland, where by his Behaviour he fb faripifmuated 
 himfclfinto the good Graces of the Pcople ? as not on- 
 ly to get a fight of their Records, and Original Let- 
 ters , but obtained leave to Copy them, which rre 
 brought over, and prcfcnted to the King. From which 
 after wards, he Golkfted a Hiftory of the feveral Sub- 
 miffions and (acred Oaths of Fealty, openly taken 
 Ky the Kings of Scotland to the Kings of England, 
 from the Reign of King Athelftan to that Time. A 
 Work vvhicli was made much ufe of by the En- 
 Mi. He alfo wrote a Chronicle of our Englijk 
 Monarchs, from B R u T E to King EDWARD the 
 Fourth, in Verfc, a very Elaborate and Exad Piece, 
 which gained him the Reputation of one of the 
 chief Poets in his Time. He died about the Year 
 1461. To Illuftrate -his Poetical Abilities, and 
 therein give you a Specimen of pur Ancient Poetry, 
 I mall iafert fome of his Chronicle Verfe, concern- 
 ing the Magnificent Houlhold , kept by King 
 RICHARD the Second. 
 
 Truly f IxarJ. Robert IrclcfTe/^y, 
 
 CUrke of the Green-Cloth, and that to the Houflwld 
 
 "ic every daye forth mo ft part alway 
 Ten thoufand Folke, by his Afcffes tola, 
 That followed the hous aye as thei wold, 
 stud in the Kcchin, three hundred Servitours 9 
 And. in eche Office many Occupiours. 
 
 ' / .iditsfaire, with their Gentlewomen, 
 
 mberers alfo and Lauenders, 
 Three hundred of them were Occupied then ', 
 Tlxre WM great Pride among the Officers, 
 of ail Mcnj'.ir p-ifling their compeers ; 
 
 F ? Of
 
 The Lives and. Characters of the 
 
 Of Rich arraye, and much more coftotu, 
 "Then was before? or fith } and more precious. 
 
 Sir JOHNHARRINGTON. 
 
 THIS ingenious Poet, and accompliflied Gen- 
 tleman, was born near Bath in Somerfetjhirc, 
 where he had a plentiful Eftate. He was Educa- 
 ted in (CbriJPs or) St.Johrfs College Cambridge, here 
 he made a great proficiency in Learning, and was 
 very much efteemed :, Doctor Fuller allowing him to 
 be a Poet in all things except his Wealth. Queen Ell- 
 iutbetb was his Godmother, and his Father for carry- 
 ing a Letter to that Princefs (before me was Queen) 
 was Imprifbned twelve Months in the Tower : His 
 Mother alfo, being Servant to that Princefs was fe- 
 queftred from her., and his Father injoyned not to 
 keep Company with her v fo that on both fides he 
 was endeared to Queen Elizabeth. 
 
 Befides a .Volume of Epigrams, he obliged the 
 World with an Excellent Tranflation of Ariofto's 
 ORLANDO FURIOSO, Dedicated to the Lady 
 Elizabeth, afterwards Qiieen of Bohemia. 
 
 He died about the middle of the Reign of King 
 James the Firft. 
 
 WILLIAM HARRISON, Efj; 
 
 TH I S promifing young Gentleman was of 
 New College in Oxford^ where he arrived to 
 a reat Perfection in all kinds of Polite Literature, 
 
 after*
 
 ENGLISH POETS.' 71 
 
 afftwards he applied himfelftopublickBufInefs,and 
 was her late Majefty's Secretary to the Gongreft at 
 Utrecht. He was a Man of Wit and great Capacity, 
 le died in Holland, 1713. having only given us, 
 
 I. Wood/lock Park- A Poem. Infcribed to the Lord 
 Chancellor Corvper. 
 
 \\.On tin Orange Sprig JhcJt in A Lcutys Brtafi. 
 This is a very pretty piece, and much admired. 
 
 III. The Paflion of SAPPHO. With fome other 
 final! pieces, intcrfperfed in the Mifcellanies, and 
 fcvcral entertaining Papers in the T A T L H R. 
 
 STEPHEN HARVEY, 
 
 A Ban ifter of the Middle Temple. He had a 
 Ji\. Scat (I think of his FamilyJ at Betchmrth in 
 Surrey. He was a Man of Learning, and it is Praife 
 fufikicnt to him, that he wasa Favourite of that Ex- 
 .ccllent Lawyer, the Lord Chancellor Somers. He 
 iatul the Ninth Satire of Juvenal, and ihePa 
 fon of B Y B L i s from Oviefs Mctamorphofcs. V^ 
 
 In his Tranflation of Juvenal, he has thefe Excel- 
 lent Vcrfes. 
 
 'There is a Luft in MM no Cljarm can tame, 
 Of loudly Publi fling his Neighbours Shame ; 
 On Eagles Wings immortal fcandals fly. 
 While virtuous Attions arc but Born and J)ic>
 
 72 TJje Lives and Characters of the 
 
 HAVILLAN. 
 
 A Learned Poet, who flourifhed about the time 
 of Richard the Second. He wrote feveral 
 Poems very well approved of in thofe days, one 
 whereof was on the arrival of Brute, which has 
 thefe Lines, 
 
 [~ at Command^ 
 
 'The Cods did guide his Sail and Courfejhe Winds were 
 And Totnefs was the happy Shore where firft he came 
 
 [_on Land 
 
 In another place, the Author has a very good 
 Defcription of Gyants, fuppofed to be Reiident in 
 Cornwall , where he thus begins , 
 
 There Gyants whilome dwelt) whofe Clothes were Skins 
 of Beafts. 
 
 The Reverend Mr. JOHN HENLEY 
 
 SON of a Clergyman, the Vicar of Melt on- 
 bray in Leicefterfoire, dcfcended of a Devon frire 
 Family of that Kame. He was born in that Town, 
 Aug. $d 1692. and Educated at the Free-School E- 
 ftabliihed there, about the fpace of eight Years. 
 Thence he was removed to the School of Okehara 
 in Rutland, in profpeft of an Advantage annexed to 
 it in the Univerfity of Cambridge, and his flay there 
 was fomething more than a Year. At the Age of 
 Seventeen, he was admitted in St. John's College i n 
 Cambridge ^\\^i\\ the Year 1713. Commenced. Batohe? 
 
 lor
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 7$ 
 
 lor of Arts. In the Year ' 7 1 5 . at the Age of twenty 
 three he was Elected Matter of the Free-School in his 
 Native Town above mentioned , and Commenced 
 Matter of Arts in the following year.He was Ordain- 
 ed a Deacon by Bifhop \Vake ', and Prieft by Bifhop 
 Gibfoa of Lincoln : And taken by his Father into 
 
 In re of his Parifh, as his Aflittant. 
 This Gentleman has Publifhed an Excellent Poem 
 upon the Scripture Hiftory of ESTHER, inFour Books, 
 ancl a CopyofVerfes on Laughing, printed in the 
 Court- Mifccllany, Numb. 2. He was the firft Projector 
 and Undertaker of an Univerfal Grammar, in the 
 Englifi Tongue, which he begun at the Age of 27, in 
 the Year, 1719. 
 
 The Reverend A//*, GEORGE HERBERT. 
 
 TH I S Gentleman was a Younger Brother of 
 the Noble Family of the Herberts of Montvo- 
 mery, now Earls of Pembroke. A Family that fus 
 been bleft with Men of Remarkable Wifdom. He 
 was born in the Year 1593. aud Educated atWeft- 
 minjter School, from whence he was Elected to 7>/- 
 nity College in Cambridge ; and being a Perfon of 
 f,reat Wit, Lcarningj^d Eloquence, he was at 
 feflgth chofcn Univerirty Orator. He for fome tiinc 
 followed the Court, anonis great Abilities and Po- 
 haviour recommended him to the favour of 
 King James , but at laft he entered into Orders, 
 and had conferred on him the Living of Bemenan 
 near Salisbury in ll'iltfliirc, where he fpent the re- 
 mainder of his I .ife in Retirement, and the Hea- 
 venly Studies of Divine Poetry. His Works arc 
 printed i<i one Volume nw. In titled, The Temple: 
 
 Sacred
 
 74 The Lives and Cha rafters of the 
 
 Sacred Poems, and TIOM Ejaculations. Which are very 
 much admired. And in the Year 1719. was Publifhed 
 the Thirteenth Edition of them, they are Divided in- 
 to Three Parts, l. The Church-Porch. 2. The Church. 
 3. The Synagogue. And fpeaking of Poetry, in the 
 former he has this Couplet, 
 
 A Verfe may find him, who a Sermon flies, 
 And turn Delight into * Sacrifice. 
 
 RICHARD the Hermit. 
 
 A Religious Perfon , contemporary with Ro^ 
 bert of Glocefter, who Studied very much in 
 converting the Church Service into Englijh Verfe, 
 wherein he made a great Progrefs. He likewjfe 
 Tranflated all the PSALMS of David, The Col- 
 lets, Epiftles, Gofpels, dr. into Englijb Verfe. 
 He died in the middle of the Reign of King John 
 the Year 1 208. 
 
 Mr. JOHN HIGGINS. 
 
 f 
 
 i^^H 
 
 A Poet who Flourifhed about the beginning of 
 the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. He was 
 efteemed an Hiftorian of fome Repute, having had 
 the greateft hand in compiling The Hlftory of the 
 Mirrour of Magiftratcs. Which Work, fays the 
 Learned Sir Pbitip Sidney, in his Defence of Poefie, f 
 account meetly furnifocd of Beautiful Parts. e< Thejfe 
 (C Commendations as MrJFw/^/fv obferves coming 
 
 *- tr f*
 
 ENGLISH POET?. 75 
 
 " from fb worthy a Perfon, and our Author having 
 fo Principal a (hare therein, deferves a Principal 
 tf part of the Praife, (hewing in his Writings a 
 " great deal of Wifdom and Learning. 
 
 MY. CHARLES HOPKINS. 
 
 7"^ H I S Gentleman was very much efteemed 
 by Mr. Dryden, He had a fine Poetical Ge- 
 nius, efpecially in touching the p t tflum of 
 /.ove, as appears by his Hiporyof Love. (Being a 
 Connection of Select Fables from O v i iA Meta- 
 irtorpbofes*) which gained him a deferved Reputation. 
 He afterwards Publiflied The Art of Love. This piece 
 added to his Fame, and happily brought him ac- 
 quainted with the great Earl of jporfet^nd other Per- 
 rons of Diftin&ion, who were fond of his Company 
 through the agreeablenefs of his Temper, and the 
 Pkafantry of his Convcrlation. It was in his 
 Power to have made his Fortune in any Scene of 
 Life, but he was always more ready to fcrve others, 
 than mindful of his own Affairs , and by the Ex- 
 ec ifes of hard Drinking, and a too Paflionatc fond- 
 ncfs for the fair Sex ; he Died a Martyr to the Caule 
 in the -$6tb Year of his Age. 
 
 Befides the two Pieces above-mentioned, he has 
 in the Mifcellanies ftvcral Original Poems and 
 Tninflutions, viz.. 
 
 I. The Court Profyctt, an Excellent piece. 
 
 II. I-'.pijUcs to the E*rl of Dorfet, Anthony Ham- 
 rnond, Efft Mr. Congrcve, and Mr. YaJdcn, 
 
 III. Mords. 
 
 IV. Elegies fromT i B ?i L L u s. 
 
 V. A frrervcl to Poetry. All which are remarkable 
 for the Purity of their Di^ion and the Harmony 
 pt their Numbers. 
 
 HIN-
 
 j6 The Lives and Charaders of the 
 
 HENRY HOWARD Earl of Surrey, 
 
 
 
 SO N of Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk, by 
 Frances his Wife, Daughter of John Verc Earl 
 of Oxford. cc He was the firft, fays Mr. Camden, of 
 K our Engtijh Nobility that did Illuftrate his high 
 ."Birth, with the Beauty of Learning, and his 
 <e Learning with the Knowledge of divers Lan- 
 " guages, which he attained unto by 'his Travels 
 ee into Foreign Nations. In his way to Florence, 
 lie touched at the Emperour's ;Court -, where he 
 became acquainted with that Celebrated Magici- 
 an, Cornelius Agrippa, who ihe wed him the Image 
 of his Miftrefs (Geraldlnc) in a Glafs, Sick, reclir 
 ned'on her Bed and weeping for the Abfence of her 
 Lord , upon fight of which he made this Sonnet. 
 
 AH Soul, no earthly Flefli, why doft thou fade ? 
 All Gold, no earthly Drofs, -why looltft thou pale ? 
 Sicknefs, how dar*ft thou one fo fair invade ? 
 Too bafe Infirmity to work her Bale. 
 
 Heaven be diftemyeredfince foe grieved fine 5. 
 
 Never be dry thefe my fad plaintive Lines, 
 pearch thou my Spirit on her Silver Breaft, 
 And with their Pains redoubled Mufick Beatings, 
 Let them tofs thee to Worlds where all Toll rejh' 3 
 Where Blifs Is fubjett to no Fear^s defeating! ^ 
 
 Her Pralfe I tune whofe Tongue doth tune the Spheres, 
 
 And gets new Mufes in her Hearers Ears. 
 * Stars fall to fetch frejli Light from her rich Eyes, 
 Her bright Brow drives the Sun to Clouds beneath. 
 Her Hairs rcficx with red ftrakcs paints the Skies, 
 Sweet Morn and Evening dew flows from her Breath ; 
 
 Phosbe
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 77 
 
 Pliosbc rules Tidesfie my Tears Tides fort 
 In her Sick bed Love firs, and maketh Laws. 
 Her dainty Limbs Tinfel her Silk foft Sheets, 
 Her Rofe Crown d Cheeks, Eclipfe my dazjed jight. 
 O Glafs \ with too much Joy my Thoughts thou greet s y 
 Andyei thoufiero'n- me Day bur by Twilight. 
 fll Kifs the c for the kindnefs I have felt , 
 Her Lips one Kifs would unto Neftar melt. 
 
 During his flay at this Court, he Proclaimed ail 
 Univerfal Challenge to any who fhould difpute the 
 Beauty of his Miftrefs } which being accepted, as 
 he had Honourably undertaken, he as bravely per- 
 formed, and came ofTr/ftor. For this his appro- 
 ved Courage, the Duke of Florence made him large 
 offers to ftay with him, but he Generoufly refufed 
 them, intending, as he had done in Florence, to de- 
 fend the Honour of his Geraldine in all the chief 
 Cities in Italy , which Defign was fruftrated, by his 
 being fpeedify recalled into England. 
 
 However, before he left the City of Florence, he 
 vifitcd the Houfe of his MiftrclVs Nativity, and be- 
 ing conduced into the Chamber where fhe was 
 born, he writ the following Lines, 
 
 F.tir Room, the Prefence of facet Jfejuty'rfrtJf) 
 This place the Sun upon the Earth did hold y 
 When Phaeton his Chariot did mifguidc, 
 The Tovcer where Jove rain'd down himftlfin Cold. 
 Prostrate at Holy Ground Vll rcorjltip Thee, 
 Our L*dy*s Chanel henceforth be thou r.amd *, 
 f/f'-e f: it Loi'is Queen put on Mortality, 
 A .'./ with her Beauty aU the World, infirm 1 d 
 Heavens Chambers harbouring fiery Cherubinf, 
 Arc not with thec in Glory to Compare \
 
 78 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 Lightning-) it it not Light which in thee foi 
 None enter Thee ^ but ftrstit intranccd are. 
 O \ if Elizium be above the Ground, 
 Then here it if, where nought but Joy is found. 
 
 This Noble Earl was one of the chief Refiners of 
 the Engllflj Tongue, and his Poetry muft be allowed 
 for the Time he lived in, to be furprizingly fmooth 
 and beautiful. Mr. Winftanley tells us, that toge- 
 ther with his Learning, he had Wifdom, Fortitude, 
 Munificence and Affability, yet all thefe excellent 
 Qualifications, were no Protection againft the King's 
 Difpleafure, for on the 1 2th Day of December, in 
 the laft Year of the Reign of King Henry the ftth^ 
 he with his Father, upon certain furmizes of Trea- 
 fbn, were lent to the Tower of London, the one by 
 Water, the other by Land, that they migkt not 
 know of each others Commitment. On the 15?^ 
 Day of January following, the Earl was Arraigned 
 at Guild-Hall, where the greateft Crime alledged a- 
 gainft him, was, for bearing certain Arms which 
 were faid to belong to the Royal Family } yet tho' 
 Jie fully proved it his Right to bear thofe Arms, he 
 was by a Common Jury brought in Guilty, had Sen- 
 tence of Death pafled upon him, and on the 1 9th day 
 of the fame Month (nine days before the Death of 
 the King) was Beheaded on Tower-Hill, and his Bo- 
 dy Interred in the Chapel belonging to the Tower* 
 In the Reign of King James the Firft,His Corps was 
 removed by his Second Son Henry, Ear] of Northamp- 
 ton, to the Church of Framingbam in Suffolk, there 
 Depofited, and a Monument creeled to his Me- 
 mory, with this Infcription, 
 
 H E N-
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 
 
 HENRICOHOWARDO, 
 
 TH o M R Secundi Duels Norfolcix ji/;0 
 
 T H o M / tertii Patri, 
 Comiti Surrix, & Georgia mOrdinis Equiti Aur*to t 
 
 Immature Anno Salutit 1546. Aoreyto. 
 
 ft Franctlcx Vxori ejus ji//<ejohannis Cow/r/VOxoniaK 
 
 Henricus Howardus Comes Northamtonias 
 
 Filius Secundo genitus, 
 Hoc fuyremum pietatis in Parentcs , 
 y A. D. 1614. 
 
 Mr. Pope in his Wlndfor Forrcft, infcribcd to the 
 Lord Lanfdown, has the following Lines, 
 
 He re, noble Surrey felt the Sacred Rage, 
 Surrey, the Graiiville of a former Age - 7 
 Matchlefs his Pen, Victorious was his Lance ; 
 Bold in the Lifts, and Graceful in the Dance : 
 In the fame jlis.des the Cupids tvnd his Lyre, 
 To the fame Notes of Love, andfoft Defire : 
 l-'.nr Geraldine, bright objett of his Vow, 
 Thenflfd the Groves, as heavenly Myra now. 
 
 A Corred, and Beautiful Edition of the Works 
 of this Celebrated Nobleman, was re-printed by 
 Mr. Curll, in the Year 1717. 
 
 S/V R o B E R T HOWARD. 
 
 TH E Mifcellincous Poems, written by this Ho- 
 nourable Feilbn were by himfclf Collected 
 into one Volume 8-wV, among which his Duel oftbt 
 
 Stags.
 
 So The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 Stags. The Changes of Nature, from Lucretius, and 
 his Excellent Piece Againft the Fear of Death, gained 
 him no fmall Reputation. The latter, has thefc in- 
 comparable Lines. 
 
 We always foould remember Death Is fur e, 
 .* 'What grows familiar moft, we be ft endure ? 
 For Life and Death fucceed like Night and Day, 
 And wither gives Increafe, nor brings Decay. 
 Wt all muft pafs thro 1 Death's dead-Sea of Night 
 To reach the Haven of Eternal Light. 
 
 Mr. Dry den in a Copy of Verfes to this Gentle- 
 man, gives the following Character of his Poe- 
 
 try, 
 
 In your l r erfe, a Native fweetnefs dwells, 
 Which fames Compofure, and its Art fxcells, 
 Singing, no more can your foft Numbers grace, 
 Than Taint adds Charms unto a Beauteous Face. 
 
 JOHN HUGHES, 
 
 AN Ingenious Gentleman now living, whole 
 Father was a Citiien of London? of good 
 Character, Figure and Credit. He was bong at 
 Marlborough in Wiltfnrc, but from his Infancy Edu- 
 cated in London, and received the firfl Rudiments of 
 Learning at private Schools. In the earlieft Years 
 of his Youth, he was led with an equal Ardor to 
 the purfuit of the Sifter Arts of Poetry, Drawing, 
 and Mufick , but for the mofb part followed thefe 
 and other Studies of Humanity, only as agreeable 
 
 Amufe-
 
 ENGLISH POETS.* 81 
 
 Amnfements under the frequent Confinement of In- 
 difpolition and a continual Valetudinary State of 
 Health. He had for fome time, an Employment 
 in the Office of Ordnance, and was Secretary to two 
 or three Commiffions under the Great Seal, for 
 purchasing Lands for the better fccuring the Docks 
 and Harbours at Port/mouth, Chatham and Harwich. 
 In the Year 1717. the LordCinppfr, to whom he 
 was then but lately known, was pleafed" (as I have 
 been informed of his own accord, and without 
 any previous Solicitation) to make him his Secreta- 
 ry for the Commifllons of the Peace, and to Diftin- 
 guifh him with very Singular Marks of his Favour 
 and Efleem j And upon his Lordfhip's laying down 
 the Great Seal , Mr. Hughes at this Lord's 
 particular Recommendation, and with the ready 
 Concurrence of his Succeftbr was continued in the 
 fame Employment, which he now enjoys under the 
 Right Honourable the Lord Parker the prefent 
 Chancellor -, whofe affe&ion to Men of Letters is 
 well known, his Lordmip being himfelf a very 
 Learned Man. Thus we fee Merit preferred in the 
 Advancement of a Peribn whofc Abilities and Ac- 
 complimments arc fufilciently acknowledged, buc 
 not more to be admired than his winning Behavi- 
 our and extcnfivc good Nature. His Poetical Works 
 arc the following, 
 
 I. A P*iraphr.i(lical Imitation of Horace's Integer 
 fits, &c. This Piece was written when the Author 
 was very Young, and is to be fouqd in the late Col- 
 leftion of Selcd Odes of Horace, Tranflatcd by fcvc- 
 ral Hands. 
 
 II. The Triumph of Peace. A Poem, printed in 
 the Year 1698. This was written vvhilft the Author 
 was yet under Twenty Years of Age, on occafion of 
 the Peace at Refaifk. 
 
 G III. Thi
 
 2 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 III. The Court of Neptune, A Poem, printed lit 
 the Year 1700. Written on King Williams Return 
 from Holland, two Years after the Peace. 
 
 IV. The Houfe of Naflan, a Pindarick Ode. Pub- 
 lifhed on King Williams, Death, 1 702. This Poem 
 takes in the Story and Principal Characters of King 
 William's Family (according to the Manner of P/w- 
 dar, in Cek Crating his Heroes) and therefore could 
 not but be acceptable to the Lovers of that Prince. 
 
 V. An ODE in Praifc of- Mufick :, performed at 
 Stationer's Ha/lj in the Year 1-703. This with a Po- 
 em in Pralfe of Heroick I Verfa and fbme other 
 fmall pieces by the fame Hand, were Published in 
 a Collection of Poems, printed in the Year 1 709. 
 
 VI. An ODE to the Creator of the World, occafl- 
 oned by the Fragments of Orpheus, printed in the 
 Year 1713. 
 
 VII. Six Cantatas, after the Italia n Manner. Set 
 by Doctor P&puch. With a Preface concerning Reci- 
 tative Mufick. Thele were printed (with the Mu- 
 fick) without the Author's Name -, and were only 
 defignedasan Eflay (the firft in its kind) of thcfe 
 ibrt of Compositions in the Englifli Language : they 
 were made before the introducing of Italian Operas 
 on our Stage , tho' not Publi/hcd 'till after- 
 wards. 
 
 VIII. CALYPSO^?;^ TELK M A'CIIUS, An En* 
 gllfj Opera, fet to Mufick by Mr. Gattiard, after the 
 Italian Manner, and performed at the Theatre in 
 the Hay-Market, in the Year 1712. This Opera 
 met with great Oppolition by the Italian Band, but 
 notwithftanding, it had good Succefs in the perfor- 
 mance. 
 
 IX. An' ODE on the Birth-Day of her Royal High- 
 nefs the Princefs of Wales. Set to Muiick by Dr. 
 Pepuch, and performed in the Year 17 1 5. 
 
 X. A-
 
 I : . N- G L i s H POET?. ? 
 
 X. A P o 1. 1. o and D A v \i N H. A Mafquc, let by 
 }>. Pepuch, and performed at the Theatre Royul in 
 Dnrry-Lane. 
 
 XI. >4// Allnfwn to HOK *cfc's Integer \ r ,u : \ 
 fhort Poem, written on the firlt brcakmg our of the 
 Jatc Rebellion, being a Parodie or Application of 
 that On F to thofe Times. 
 
 Thcfe arc the Poetical Writings of this Gentle- 
 man , and the Pieces written by him belt received, 
 (tho' all of them found Approbation) are, The Tri- 
 umph of Peace, The Houfe o/Kailau, and his On j f' 
 the Creator of the World, the fir ft was very much 
 Applauded by the Wits and judges of that Time : 
 Nor was the Court of Ncptwe without its Praifc, 
 wherein are the following Verfcs on King H' ; , 
 crolling the Sea to Holland, which L infert to (hew 
 his happy Choice of Metaphors. 
 
 As when the Golden God that rules the D*y 
 J Drives down his fl.imhig Chariot to the >. 
 slrfd leaves the Nations \xre involvd in Niht, 
 To di\}*nt Regions he Transports his L:rrht \ 
 So William's R.i\i by t urns Tiro Nit ions cheer 
 And when he Sets to thern he Rifes here. 
 
 rvus it fit that Wiiliam'j Cioilike Mind 
 I - \.itior;s born, jlwuld be to Ont Cotifind. 
 
 In his OPE on her Royal Highncfs's Birth- 
 
 {jionounccs thefc Lines in Honour to his pre- 
 fer;; . j 
 
 O Thou with rt-Vy firtue Crvmfd, 
 
 -innia's Father and her Kin* rctroirn\l \ 
 Ti- ' tffsprtuff <rrr.<tlv bit ft, 
 
 .'{ rhro" tw extend. 
 
 \ prvp.i-T.ited Lvjire (l>i 
 et R.nturc\ /;'.'/ thy Bre.tjl ! 
 
 3 - So
 
 $4 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 So Smiles Apollo doubty Gay, 
 When in the Diamond with full Blaze, 
 He Views his own Paternal Rays, 
 And all his bright reflected Day. 
 
 To her Royal Highnefs, in the fame O D tl 
 
 Detraction from her pre fence flies ', 
 d while promifcuotu Crouds in rapture gaze, 
 Ev*n Tongues difloyal learn her Praife, 
 
 nrmring Envy fees herfmile and Dies- 
 
 Mr. Hughes^ Poems for Mufick, to do him Juftice? 
 have the propriety of being ftri&Iy contriv'd and 
 fitted for that Art , which could not have been done 
 by any one who had not Studied it. The O D E s of 
 Callimachus, Stefahorus, and Horace were not Def- 
 pried on this Account, and I fee no reafon why 
 Poetry and Harmony (which are called Sifters) 
 fhould not be made to agree. The Court of Nep~ 
 tune was particularly admired for the Verification, 
 an Art much Studied of late, but perhaps fome- 
 times to the negleft of the more Subftantial Part of 
 Poetry : Neptune in this Poem is an- Allegory repre- 
 fenting the blea, and the Heathen Mythology, in 
 this piece, may be objeded againft by fome of our 
 belt Modern Criticks, who are for Baniming the 
 Pagan Divinities entirely out of our Poetry. Boileau 
 and Sir William Temple were of another Opinion : 
 But in Epick Writings fuch Machines are not now 
 to be made ufe of, tho' a mixture may be forgiven 
 in leiTer Poems. The ODE occafioned by the Frag- 
 ments of Orpheus, was printed at the particular In- 
 ftanceof Mr. Addtfw, who took notice of it a once 
 or twice in the fyettator. 
 
 This
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 8$ 
 
 ThisGenrlcman likcwifc fome Years ago, Tran- 
 fiated Monficnr Fouteneilis Dialogues of the Dead, 
 with the Addition of two Original Dialogues-, and 
 it is remarkable that this was mentioned in the 
 Journal des Scavans at Paris, when it has not beea 
 ufual for that Paper to take any Notice of Tranfla- 
 J/ions. As for other Works in Profe, he has lately 
 Publifhed Apiece entitled Charon, or, The Ferry-Boat, 
 a Vilion } which fhe-ws a great deal of Invention, 
 and has an inft-ruftive Moral. The Author of 
 the Spectator having made mention of Mr. Hughes, 
 among other Gentlemen who were occafional Con- 
 tributors to that Work, if the Reader is Curious 
 to be informed of any particular pieces written by 
 him, lame entire Papers (befides Letters, c~c.) 
 are as follow, In Vd. 3. (Spectator) No. 210. 
 237. InfW. 5. No. 375. And \^Vol 7. No. 525- 
 537- 54i- 554- 
 
 Mr. JABEZ HUGHES. 
 
 YOUNGER Brother to Mr. John Hugha, 
 ^^ who has given thePublick three Pieces of 
 Poetry. 
 
 I. A Poem on the A/mivtrfary of King William's 
 Birth- Day. 
 
 II. A Tranflatlon ofCi. AUDI A N'S Poem, de Raptu 
 proffrpin*. This piece is performed with a great 
 deal of Spirit ^ and the Author has ftiewn himfelf 
 a Perfbn of Learning and Judgment. 
 
 III. Tht Battle of Perfeus and Phineus. From the 
 Fifth Book of QwW'sMetamorphofcs. 
 
 G \ Dr.
 
 S<5 The Liv 7 es and Chara&ers of the 
 
 K. 
 
 
 'Dr. H K N R Y KIN G Ttifiof 0f Chichefte.r. 
 
 ^ H I S Reverend Prcla te, Son of Doctor John 
 King Bifhop of London, in the Reimi of King 
 James the Firft, was born at Warn-Hall 
 near T^ims in Buckingfiamflrire , and Educated at 
 Cbrifr-Church-Collcgc in Oxford. He was a great Lo- 
 ver of Mu lick, Poetry, and other ingenious Arts } 
 of an obliging Converfation, and admired for his 
 Wit and Fancy, as well as his great Piety. In the 
 Year 1641. when Epifcopacy was linking, he was 
 advanced by King Charlet the Firft, to be Bifhop of 
 Chichefter^ it being conceiv'd the moft effectual Me- 
 thod .for the Rcftitution of this Order,to prefer Per- 
 fons not only of unblamable Lives and Eminent 
 for their Learning -, but alfo fuch as were Gene- 
 rally beloved by all diilnterefted People. The King's 
 Choice, amongR; thcfc, was very happy in this 
 great Divine, who lived a moft Religious Life, 
 and did not die 'till after his Order was Reftored, 
 At his leifure hours. he Competed his admirable 
 Vcrfion of DAVID'S Pfalms in Engl.fi Metre. 
 
 Where he died or was buried I cannot 
 learn ; but his Excellent Father, whom the Son , 
 in all things imitated, was interred in the Quire 
 of St. -p<! M/'S, with the plain, but Memorable Kpi- 
 t;;pth of R t s u H c, A M, which a noted Wit of th^t 
 Age tiius Enlarged upon. 
 
 S.ul Rdique of a b!cfpd Saul, ivbofe Tnift 
 h Sc.-,rd up faff In thk Rdigio;u Duft* 
 
 o
 
 ENGLISH P o r. T c. $7 
 
 O fio not thy low Exequies Sufpccl, 
 
 :bc cheap Arguments of our neglect. 
 *J'n\ts .'. Coimntttreled Duty that th\ dr. me 
 Ai little Pride as thmi thy fiifjbould have. 
 'Therefore thy Covering is t in humble Stone, 
 And but a Word for thy Infcription. 
 When thofe thttt l\c in the fame Earth near thcf, 
 Httt'c each his Chronicle Mid Pedigree. 
 do fc.trch the World, and when more time is font, 
 Tou mujt Cjrant his the Nobler Monument j 
 
 'c Fai th ftajids ofr him for s HcaiTc, and hath 
 r l'hc R F. s u R K F c T i o N for his Epitaph. 
 
 W 1 1. 1. i A M KING, L. L. { D. 
 
 \ Gentleman well Defended, related to the 
 
 _/\. noble Families of Clarendon and Rocheftcrjind 
 
 \vhohad a fmall Paternal Eftatc near Reading in 
 
 farkpiire. He \vas Educated as a King's Scholar 
 
 under Dr. Busby, at \Vefminfter' School , and K- 
 
 Icftcd from thence to Ch/ift-Church College in ttv- 
 
 ford. He chiefly applied himfclf to the Study of 
 
 the Civil Law, and took his Degrees regularly ; 
 
 and upon his Commencing Doctor, he went up to 
 
 the Commons, where he fbon gained a Reputation 
 
 pnd fell into good Biifincfs : but the natural Gaity 
 
 ot his Temper, and the Love of Company led him 
 
 too much into thofe Plcafurcs and Freedoms that 
 
 are inconfiftcnt with the Pradife of a Profcflion. 
 
 This in fome time occalioncd him to withdraw into 
 
 J.-ctatidy where he otfkiatcd as judge Advocate, and 
 
 \\.is well received and Countenanced by Men of the 
 
 pirft Stations in that Kingdom. Here he might 
 
 have made his Fortune, if the change of Climate 
 
 fcacl made any Alteration on his Mind, which it was 
 
 G 4 fo
 
 88 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 fb far from, that he returned back with only a few 
 Merry Poems, and Humerous Eflays. His Behavi- 
 our was always Courteous and Obliging, his Con- 
 verfation chearful, and his Wit pleafant and En- 
 tertaining. At laft he Deferted all manner of bu* 
 ilnefs, and Subfifted chiefly by his pen and the kind- 
 nefs of his Friends, (which he found too late as molt 
 Authors do, a weak fupport) and his Conftitntion, 
 being as low and Ihatter'd as his Fortunes, he died 
 in the Year 1712. in Melancholy Circumftances near 
 Ludgate. The chief of his Poems, are, 
 
 I. The An of Love. In Imitation of Ovid de Arts 
 'Amandi. 
 
 II. The Art of Cookery. In Imitation of Horacis 
 An of Poetry. This is an Excellent piece. 
 
 III. Aftle-Pye. A Poem. This piece has a great 
 deal of Humour in it. 
 
 IV. The FURMETARY. A very Innocent and 
 Harmlefs Poem, in Three Cantos. 
 
 V. ORPHEUS and EUR IDICE. A Poem. 
 
 VI. Mu L L Y of Mountown. A Poem. 
 
 Befides his Poetry,he writ feveral very Humerous 
 pieces in Profe, viz,. 
 
 I. A Journey to London in the. Tear 1698. After 
 the Ingenious Method of that made by Dr. Lifter 
 to Paris in the fame Year. 
 
 II. Animadverfons on Mr. Molefworth'j Account 
 of Denmark. 
 
 III. Dialogues of the Dead. Relating to the Con- 
 troverfie concerning the Epiftles of Phalaris. 
 
 IV. Vfeful TranfaBions. Being Satyrical Remarks 
 upon the Philofophical Tranfadions of the Royal So- 
 ciety. He was generally too fond of low Humour 
 in his Writings, which he aifeftcd out of a Natu- 
 ral Propensity to Mirth. 
 
 ' 
 
 L. Mr.
 
 ENGLISH Po F. T?. 
 
 L. 
 
 . JOHN LELAND. 
 
 Famous Antiquary and Poet. He was born 
 in London^ and flourifhcd about the Reign of 
 inf Edward, the Sixth. He wrote feveral Poems, 
 and a Volume of Epigrams well eftcemed in his Time, 
 which are the following pieces, 
 
 I. Cignea Cantio, A Gcnctklitc of Prince Edward. 
 
 II. Ntniae upon the Death of Sir Thomas Wiat. 
 This Poem has thefe Latin Verfes. 
 
 Tranftulit in noftram Davidis carmina li 
 
 Et numeros magna, reddidit arte pares* 
 Nan morietur opus terfum, fpcftablle, facrunt, 
 
 Clarlor hoc Ettma pane Viattus erit. 
 Una dies gcminos Phttuces nan dedit orbi, 
 
 Mot erit uniuSy vita fed altcrius. 
 Kara avis in t err is confetttu morte Viattus, 
 
 Houerdum htrcdem fcripferat ante fuitm. 
 Dicere nemo poteft rette periijfe Viattum, 
 
 Ingemi cujm tot Monument A figcnt. 
 
 Mr. WILLIAM LILLY. 
 
 THIS Learned Gentleman was born at 
 in Hampfrire. In his Youth he Travelled to 
 JerufiUm, and returning home, he made fbme ftay 
 at Rhodes to Study Greek. Hence he went to Rome, 
 
 where
 
 no The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 where he heard the Lectures of John Sulpitius and 
 Tomponitu Sabintu, thofe great Matters of Latin. 
 Comins; to London he was made the Firft Matter of 
 St. PauFs School, founded by Doftor John Collet, 
 with Lands to the value of 1 20 /. per An. for ever. 
 This place he commendably Difcharged for Fifteen 
 Years during which time he com poled his celebra- 
 ted Latin Grammar. He alfo writ variety of Epi- 
 grams and other Latin Verfe, as appears by the 
 Mowing Lines to Mr. ^kelton, who had let fly a 
 great deal of Satire againft Mr. Lilly in fome of his 
 Verfes. 
 
 Quid tne Sccltone/nwr* fc aperta 
 Carpis 7 vipereo potent vencno ? 
 Quid Verfa trutina meos iniqua 
 Libras ? Dicere vera num licsbit't 
 .J)oftrin&, tibi- dum parare f amain,. 
 Et DoEhtsferi ftudei Poeta, 
 Dottrinam ne habes, nee es Poeta. 
 
 Thus Translated. 
 
 Face fo bold and Teeth fofiarp, 
 Of Piper's venom, why do ft carp?^ 
 Why are my Verfes by thcc migh'd 
 Jn afalfe Scale ? May truth be faid ; 
 Whilst thou to get the more esteem, 
 J. learned Poet fain wouldst feew, 
 Skelton thou art, let atl Men how it, 
 ^either Learned, nor a Poet. 
 .''".YJZIVv! 
 
 He died of the Plague, Anno 1522, and was hu. 
 ried in St. P*fs Church, with this Epitaph on a 
 Brafs Plate fixed in the Wall by the great North. 
 Doon 
 
 GULL
 
 ENGLISH POET?, 91 
 
 G U I.I ELMO I.I I, 10, 
 
 FM'lin Schol* olim Prtccptori 
 Trhnarhy C" Agnetx Conjvffl, in Sacrat iflimo 
 
 f-fujtu Tcmpli Ctmiterio bine a ttrgo -mcnc 
 Dejlruclo conj'epultts: Georgius Lilius, hujut 
 
 Ecclcfix. Ctinoniciu, 
 Parent um Aftmoria fie confulcns, 
 TtibclUm Line ab ftmicts conferv 
 iC rcponaitlam curavit. 
 
 T)oftor THOMAS LODGE. 
 
 
 
 A Facetious Doctor of Phyfick who Flourifhcd 
 in the beginning of Queen Eliz^tbetlA 
 Kcign. He was a Man of Learning, and more 
 ood Nature than is generally to l>c found amonglt 
 the Modern Praclifcrs in the ifcuUfian Art. He 
 ^s famous at Pitftovui, Odes, and Son^s, and thg 
 amorous Sonnet is afcribcd.tp.Jum. 
 
 If I muft Difj O Let me clmfc my Djkt 
 
 Suck out my S'Jiil irith Kijfes, cruel Maid ! 
 
 In rhy Breafls Cryftul Bails embalm my Breath, 
 
 Dole it till out in Sighs when f am Lt'id; 
 
 Thy Lips on mine like Cuffing d'Uffcs CUff \ 
 
 Let our Tongues meet, atul ftrivc. as they would fling : 
 
 .(I* out my Wind with one fir <iiffbt fir ting Graft, 
 tt.ibs on my Heart keep time whiljl twu doft Sing. 
 Jnto Hewttt's Joys HOHC can fo clear Iyjjfc 9 
 jit when tljey firft jl;.;// mcdrtMc on tlxc. 
 
 Colonel
 
 92 The Lives and Charafters of the 
 
 Colonel RICHARD LOVELACE. 
 
 A Poet of the laft Age, Defcended from the 
 noble Family of the Lord Vifcount Lovelace. 
 He was a Gentleman of fine Learning, a Lover ,and a 
 Soldier, and in all thefe Accomplimments, he fb 
 far excelled, that Mr. Wlnftanley compares him to 
 the famous Sir Philip Sidney : Sir Philip, Celebrated 
 his Miftrifs under the bright Name of STELLA, 
 the Colonel fung the Lady Regent of his Affe&ions 
 by the Name of LUCASTA. His Poems were very 
 much efteemed by all Lovers of Ingenuity } and his 
 undaunted Spirit acquired him the moft Heroick 
 Character. He well dtferved what was writ on 
 Sir Philip Sidney, in an Epitaph , viz.- the Reputation 
 of, A Scholar, Soldier^ Lover, ar,d a Saint- 
 
 Mr. MARTINLU ELLIN. 
 
 THIS Gentleman was bred up a Student in 
 Chrift-Church College in Oxford, and after- 
 wards he followed the Practice of Phyfick. In his 
 Younger Years he was very much inclined to the 1 
 Delights of Poetry, when he wrote an Ingenious 
 Poem, Entituled ? 
 
 Men Miracles , this piece was received with 
 great Applaufe-, it being Publifhed at a time fays 
 Mr. Winfianley, when there was not only Cobjing 
 Preaching, but Preaching Cobjers. 
 
 Mr,
 
 ENGLISH POETS: 
 
 Mr. JOHN LYDGATE. 
 
 H E Celebrated Monk of Bury, was a Poet of 
 great Eminence. He was born in a Village 
 of the fa me Name, near St. Edmondsbury, in Suffolk, 
 and flour ifhed in the Reign of King Henry the Sixth. 
 When he had fpent fbme time in our Englifl) Uni- 
 vcrlnies, he Travelled through France and Italy, 
 where he made great Improvements, and Accom- 
 plifhed himfelf in Learning and Arts. After his 
 Return he became Tutor to many Young Noblemen, 
 and infbrudted them in fuch a Manner, as rendered 
 them Ornaments to their Country. He writ both 
 in Engtift and Latin, many Excellent Trafts, ia 
 Profc and Verte, amongft which are Odes, Satires, 
 and other Poems. He jnftly acquired the Reputa- 
 t'nn of the bcft Author of the Age, wherein he 
 lived , and if Chaucer's Works had greater Learning, 
 / M ere Superior for Language. His Poetry 
 
 is fo pure, and lo cafie, that one might miftakc 
 him fora Modern writer-, and becaufe none caa 
 fo well Dclcribe him as himfelf, I (hall here infert 
 fome of his Vcrfe?, out of the Life and Death of 
 
 I am a Monk by my Profcjfion, 
 In Bury, ctffd John Lyd?ate by my tiamt, 
 wear a Habit of Perfection ; 
 o' my Life agree not with the fame. 
 Tl:*t meddle fliould with things Spiritual, 
 At I muft now confefs unto you *IL 
 
 But
 
 94 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 But feeing that I did herein proceed 
 jit his Command "* whom I could not refufe 9 
 I humbly do befeech all thoje that read, 
 Or leifure have, this Story to perufe 
 Jf any faults therein tlxy find to-be, 
 Or Error , that committed is by me. 
 That they -will of their gent lenefs take pain, 
 "The rather to Correct and Afancl the fame^ 
 Than rafoly to condemn it with difdain, 
 For -well I wot, it if not without blame ; 
 jBecaufe I know the ferfe therein is wrong, 
 _As being fame too flwrt, and fome t-jo long, 
 for Changer, that my Mafter WAS, and. knew 
 What did belong to writing Verfe and Proff, 
 JSTe^cr (tumbled at f mall faults, nor yet did view 
 With fcornful Eye the Works and Books ofthofe, 
 That in his time did Write, nor yet would taunt, 
 At any Man, to Scare him or to Daunt. 
 
 He died near Sixty Years of Age, about the Year 
 1440. and was buried in his own Convent at Bury^ 
 having this Epitaph upon his Tomb, 
 
 Mortuw Saclo, Superis Suferftes, 
 
 Hie Jacet Lydgate tumulatus Vrna : 
 
 Qui fuit quondam Celebris Britannse 
 
 Fama Poefis. 
 
 * King Henry the Fifth. 
 
 M. An-
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 
 
 M. 
 
 ARTHUR M A N w A R i N c , 
 
 APerfon equally admired with any of his Time, 
 not only as a fine Gentleman, but a Polite 
 Wiii.r. He was born at Jghtficld m Shrepflure, in 
 the Year 1668. And Defccudcd of a very Ancient 
 Family } for we find his Anceftors in the Rolls of 
 ir/Hiam the Conqueror. In his Infancy, lie gave great 
 hopes of the Progrcfs he would make in Learning. 
 
 as Educated at the G rammar School at Shrews- 
 
 horn whence he was removed to Cbrlfl Church 
 
 College in Oxford, having Mr. Smalridge (late Bi- 
 
 ftv>p of Briftol) for his Tutor. He rclidcd at the 
 
 Umverfiiy feveral Years, and Profecuted his Stih- 
 
 great Diligence, but he took the greatest 
 
 ".re in the Clullicks, which gave him a true 
 of Poetry. From Oxford he west to Cheshire, 
 and lived fomc Time with his Uncle, Mr. fr.mcis 
 Chulmlcy a Non juror -,ajid having aDepcndance upon. 
 him,and bciir; very Youag, he gave himfelf up to his 
 Sentiments. Here he contbiucd to apply thegrcatclt 
 part of his Time to the Belie t Lcttrcs, and tornicd a 
 kind of Common-place to help him in it.Coming to 
 
 , he took to the Study of the Law (Tor which 
 lie was originally defignfed) at his Father's Houle in 
 Ffex-Strect, near thcY<v/;p/<r : But his ConftituLion 
 being ,too tender for thefc Laborious Studies, his 
 Applications P^on ccafed, as-d he fell into the Ac- 
 quaintance of Men of the full Character for Rank 
 and Wit. Now he bewail to write, and 'tis 
 
 ~ f ' M 

 
 <)6 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 faid firft Publifhed fbme Pieces againft King 
 and his Miniftry. But being afterwards introduced 
 into the Company of the Earl of Dorfet,and theDuke 
 ofSomerfet, who is Related to the Cholmley Family, 
 he conceived -'another Notion of Right and Li- 
 berty, than he had before. When he was about 
 five or fix and twenty Years of Age, his Father died 
 and left him an Eftate of about Eight hundred 
 pound a Year, but very much incumbred. After 
 this, upon the Conclufion of the Peace of Refmck, 
 he Travelled into France, and at Paris became ac- 
 quainted with the famous Monfieur Bolleau. Upon 
 his return to England, by the Intereft of the Lord 
 Halifax, and the Duke of Somerfet, he fucceeded 
 Sir Walter Young as Commifiioner of the Cuftoms ; 
 and afterwards contracting a very great Intimacy 
 with the late Lord Godolphin, then Lord Treafurer, 
 and coining very heartily into the Revolution Prin- 
 ciples, he was made Auditor ef the Impreft : And 
 in the Year 1 705. chofen a Burgefs to ferve in Par- 
 liament for Prefton in Lancashire , which Borough he 
 Reprefented in feveral Parliaments. He for many 
 Years mewed a particular regard and efteem for 
 the Celebrated Mrs. Oldfield : Her agreeable Per- 
 fbn, and fine turn of Convention had a fufficient 
 Influence to gain his Affection :, which continued 
 to the time of his Death. He died (leaving her Exe- 
 cutrix of his Will, and having Iffue by her a Son) in 
 the Year 1712. and lies Interred in the Church of 
 Chertfey in Surrey, where his Father and Grandfa- 
 ther were buried. The chief of his Poetical Works 
 are the following. 
 
 I. The frft and fecond Odes of Horace. Tran- 
 flated. 
 
 II. Characters of the Afiniftry in the Tear 1710. 
 
 III. A Fable. Ovem Lupo Commififli. 
 
 IV. The JHind and Fine. 
 
 V. Cw
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 97 
 
 V. CuPiD'sGwrr. 
 
 VI. The Southfia \Vhim. And fome other Songs 
 againft the Tory Miniftry. 
 
 Mr. MArtwuring, upon introducing the Italian 
 Opera's on the Stage, was one of the Firft that E 
 poufed it, having a refined Tafte of Mufick -, and 
 lie writ the Prologue to Camilla, which begins 
 thus, 
 
 \Vhile Martial Troops with more than Martial RagC) 
 For Auftria tlxfc for Bourbon thofe Engage : 
 Cover with Blood th* unhappy Latian Plains, 
 Jnfult their Shepherds , and opprtfs their Swains : 
 Camilla frighten d from her Native Seat* 
 Hither is Driven to beg a fafe Retreat. 
 
 He likewiie wrote the Epilogue to this Opera^ 
 and fomc Epilogues to Plays,fpoken by Mrs.0ldfitld t 
 particularly to Perolla and Izjidor* -, The Wifes Relief^ 
 Or, The Husbands Cure , And the following, defipnea 
 for the Amorous Widow , Or, The Wanton Wife 3 
 ( now firft printed from his Original Manufcript ) 
 is very pretty. 
 
 To all that Grace this Theatre to Day 
 My thanks r it > humble gratitude I pay 
 May all the i-ai -, in Life fuccefs'ul prove ; 
 And all the Me ft obtain what mft they Love : 
 But chiefly thofe , on w'w "e Important care 
 Depends the 'ut-urc Progrefs oj the War ', 
 May attfuch Men have this propitious 
 Cowjueft abroad andjuft Returns at 
 
 Jtfow, to my Spoufe (/ muft conftrain my Natvrt 
 And try henceforward to endure the Creature) 
 Come here, thou [olid Comfort of my Lift 
 Forgive the faults of thy Repenting [Fift. 
 
 H Confr,
 
 98 The Lives and Characters of tht 
 
 Confider, mine I did but juft begin ; 
 / ran the Danger., but efcqfd the Sin. 
 Andpnce the matter is fa gently ended, 
 My wa\s hereafter frail be ftr.angely mended. 
 Sure^ / tp<w Mad^ with a kind Spoufe like this, 
 To think ofivrorgingfuch a lovely Piece. 
 jBehold his Eyes fo bright, his skinfo S!cck 
 His winning Leer^ and Dinijut in his Cheek 
 Well I 'm rcfolvd : f II ft rive with- Hymen' 
 To doat upon this 'venerable Face. 
 $ut iffo blcft an 'Union cannot be 
 frnfure in one thing -we may both agree^ 
 (A, thing too common in a Married State) 
 Winch is } taeh other heartily to hate. 
 
 This Gentleman alfb writ Remarks on the Me- 
 morial of the Church of England , The H'tftory of 
 Bannibal and Hanno , The French King's promijc 
 to the Pretender :, A Defence of 'the Barrier Treaty , 
 With fome other State Tra&s in Profe. And he 
 had the greateft fhare in Writing the Paper called 
 the Medley (at its firft fcttinc up) in anfwer to the 
 
 "^ ^ *^ J. > , 
 
 Examiner. 
 
 ANDREW MARVEL 
 
 . 
 
 AKorth-Country Gentleman, of a good.Fa- 
 ipily, and Member of the long Parliament. 
 He was a Perfbn of Wit and Learning , and 
 applying himfelf to Poetical Studies , he has 
 given & World feveral Performances : what was 
 moft to bis Honour is, his being the fijil that found 
 out the Beauties of Milton. His Poems are, 
 
 I. On
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 
 
 J. Oft M i L T o s's Paradife Lost. This is an Ex- 
 cellent piece. 
 
 II. Djmffii tlx H tower. 
 
 I If. Tung Love. A Poem. 
 
 \\ . Afufick's Empire. This piece, one of the belt 
 of Mr. Afcri/rfs Writing, begins, 
 
 FirSt WAS the World AS one great Cymbal nutde, 
 Where Jarring Winds t Jafant Nature pUid. 
 AH A-fu/ick was a Solitary found, 
 To Iwllow Rocks and mumirin fountains bound. 
 
 
 made the wilder Note 
 
 V. Inttruttions to a Painter relating to the Dutch* 
 Wars. iCTtfv. 
 
 VI. Britannia and Raleigh j a Dialogue. 
 
 VII. Oceana and Britannia. 
 
 \ UI. An Historical Poem. This piece relates to 
 King Charles'* Exile and Rcftauration : being a Sa- 
 tire upon both. 
 
 IX. H o n o Y'S l r ifionfrom the Monument. 
 
 X.y4 State DiMtgue between the two Horfes at Charing- 
 Crofs and Stocks-Market. In this piece the Author 
 hns (hewn a great deal of Humour, concluding with 
 tlii> remarkable Couplet, 
 
 But wlxn will thefe things be mended ? 
 
 When the Race of the Line of the Stuarts is ended. 
 
 XI. Noftradamuf* Prophecies. 
 
 XII. Royal Re fol nt ions. 
 
 XIII. On B LOOP'S Stealing the Crown. This is 
 nn Epigram , very much Reflecting upon the 
 1'iiclb-, how juftly, I leave others to Deter- 
 mine. 
 
 n 2
 
 ioo The Lives a?id Cha rafters of the 
 
 When daring Blood, his Rent to have regain* tf, 
 'Upon the Englifh Diadem diftrairfd ', 
 He chofe the Cajfick, Surfingle and Gown, 
 The fitteft Mask for one that Robs the Crown : 
 But his Lay- Pity underneath prevailed, 
 And whilft he fav^d the Keeper's Life, he faiPd. 
 With the Priefts Veftment had he but put on 
 The Prelate's Cruelty, the Crown had gone. 
 
 Mr. JOHN MILTON. 
 
 Perfon Eminent at Home, and Famous A- 
 _ broad for his Univerfal Learning, born in 
 _ wdcn in the Year ^606. He was the Son of Mr. 
 John Milton, and a Gentleman by his Education and 
 Family, being Defcended from the MUtons of Mil- 
 ton in Oxfordflnre } but he had too much good Senfe 
 to value himfelf upon any other Qualities,than thofs 
 pf his Mind, which only he could properly Deno- 
 minate his own. His Father was by Profeffion a Seri- 
 vener, and by his great Diligence and Honefty he 
 got a competentEftate in a finall Time,which made 
 himamends for the Patrimony he was Diverted of,. 
 Upon the embracing the Proteftant Religion, for on 
 that Account he was Disinherited by hisbigotted Pa- 
 rents. Our Author (Deflined to be a Scholar) part- 
 ly under Domeftick Teachers, and partly under 
 Dr. Gill, the chief Matter of St. TW's School, foou 
 made an incredible Progrefs in all forts of Leari> 
 ing. At Fifteen Years of Age, he was fent to 
 Chrijfs College in Cambridge, and before he had 
 been there a Year, he gave feveral Proofs of his 
 early Genius for Poetry : tie firft Tranflatcd fome 
 
 of
 
 ENGLISH POET?. 101 
 
 rf the Pfalms into Englifo Verfc -, in bis Seventeenth 
 Year he wrote a Latin Elegy, On the Death of the 
 Bifljopof Winchcfter, and feveral other Excellent 
 Poems of that kind } 'twasthen alfo,he Compofed his 
 fine Poem On the Gun-PoTVfler-Treafor:,w\\}C\\ with the 
 reft of his juvenile Pieces, fhew him to have been a 
 Ma-n almoft in his Infancy, and that thefe Poems are 
 exceedingly above rhe ordinary Capacity of that 
 Age. He continued in the Univerfity of Cambridge 
 feven Years, where he took the Degree of Ma Her 
 of Arts, and livd with great Reputation. Af- 
 ter this, he for feveval Years attended his Father, 
 in a Country Retirement, at Horton near Colebrook 
 in Bertfliire, and at his Icifure pemfed all the Greek 
 and Latin Writers , Direrting himfelf in the inter- 
 ralsofhis Studies, with the Mar he ma ticks and 
 Mufick, which gave him extraordinary Delight. 
 Upon the Death of his Mother, with his Father's 
 Approbation, he Travelled abroad. Firft he pro- 
 ceeded to Frame, having an Elegant Letter of Di- 
 rection from Sir Henry Wottm \ and being Arrived 
 it Paris, he was received with great Marks of E- 
 ftecm by the Engltjh Envoy there , who Re- 
 commended him to the Famous (Jroiitu then Em- 
 baflador from Chriftin* Q^cen of Sweden at the 
 French Court. From hence he parted for Italy, and 
 ftaid about two Months at the City of Horwrtr, 
 which he infinitely admired for the Politenefs of 
 the Language, and Civility of the Inhabitants. 
 Leaving; Florence, he took his Tour to Rome, where 
 he continued about the lame fpacc as he had done 
 at FlorcTKi, te view the Remains of that Famous Ci- 
 ty, once the Miftrcfs of the World. Here he be- 
 came acquainted with the Celebrated LUCM Holftc~ 
 ntus the Vatican Librarian, who ufed him very Cour- 
 teoufly, and readily mewed him all the Greek Au- 
 thors under his Care : For theft Favours, Afiltm 
 H 3 after-
 
 102 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 afterwards wrote to him from Florence the Ninth of 
 his familiar Letters. At Rome and Florence he con* 
 trafted an intimacy with feveral very great and e- 
 minent Men, particularly Carolo Dati (a Noble- 
 man to whom he writ the tenth of his Familiar E- 
 piflles) Giovanni Battiffa JManfo, Marquis of Villa, 
 Patron to the great PoetTaffi, tht&oetGiovanki 
 and the Famous Selvag^i, who wrote him 
 
 
 the following Diftich. 
 
 Gric'sa Mw/ridem, jattct fibi Roma Maron&m : 
 Anglia Miltonum jactat utrique parem. 
 
 i' extolled him for writing corrcclly in Greek, 
 and Italian. He was" now preparing to pafs 
 over into Sicily and Greece, but the fatal News of a 
 Civil War beginning in his own Country put a ftop 
 to his farther Travels. On his Return to England 
 he touched again at Fhrcnce , and from thence 
 came through Venice, Milan, Geneva, &c. "He Ar- 
 rived about the time that King Charles the Firft 
 niade his Second unfiiccefsful Expedition againft the 
 Scots -., and hiring a handfbme Lodging 'in the City, 
 he now undertook the care of Educating his Sifters 
 Sons, with fome other young Gentlemen belonging 
 to his intimate Friends. Ac this time he likewile 
 conceived the Plan of an Epick Poem, and declared 
 Jiis Ambition of performing fbmething in his Native 
 Language, that might perpetuate his Name in thefe 
 Iflands, tho' he fhould be the more obfcure and in- 
 glorious by it to the reft of the World. He then 
 deliencd it for "The Warlike Attions of the eld Bri- 
 tKUjMlrtttg and particularly of King Arthur, but 
 his Excellent Pen w as reilrved for a more noble 
 Snbjed, In the Year 1641. he Publiihed two Books 
 of $.c for motion. Thefe were followed with feveral 
 Admirable Works in Frofc, especially rela- 
 ting
 
 K N- r, 1. 1 : H POET ?, joj 
 
 tine to the Church ; wherein he oppos'd the Great 
 ttifhop Vfitr , and feme other famous Divines: 
 and on PuMifhing his Tfn:\ of h'i?/*s attdlMnrifl+'ates, 
 \vhich fhcw'd not onlv the Excellency of his Stile 
 and Canary, but allo his Affection to the good 
 okl Caufc, lie was made Secretary to the Council of 
 State, for nil Foreign' A H'urs -(then negotiated in 
 tfic ,4ri Tongue) and at length Latin Secretary. 
 to the PiQteclor Cromwell 
 
 hut what nwde the mo(r noife, and WOT the grea- 
 ttft.ii and tor Liberty, was his Dtfenfio pro Popnlo An- 
 glic.ti!0j inanfwer to the Defcufio -Regi*, of the fa- 
 ruous Stltfcifius a Profeflbr of the b'ni verify of Lei- 
 den in H)lUnd\ In this Gontroverfie he had very 
 much the Advantage of his Antagonift, ^nd as a 
 Re^yard for liis Performance he was prtfcntcd wkh 
 a Thouland pounds, by the Council of State. Ohe 
 of his lift pieces before the Keftorarion xvns irKi- 
 tled,Tk ready way to Kf^blifi) tfre* Comrr.r!-W:.-'.hb 1 
 and the F.xcdtmce therfof cemprfd with the 1 
 niencies and Danger $ of reddrriittkig K'kffkif in il'is AT.r- 
 tion : Th if Book was vcrv ira;.h ..dinired by tic ()- 
 livertMi party, but King Cto*rtn i> ; to Itirfd, 
 
 Mr. M&ten was did harmed from hiOHV:e of L*tin 
 Secretary, and obliged ro abfojfid 'ti 1 the Ad of 
 Oblivion paifed. Itwasti part of his Life 
 
 before he wrote his ParaMfe Lojt, when he had fnf- 
 Ticient leifure to proftcutc and tinilh it, but he at 
 firft intended this Work to be only a Tragedy. He 
 was thrice Married , his firft Wife was Mary the 
 Daughter of Richard 1'owel of ForrefthM in Oxford- 
 y?;/rf, Elq-, his fecond, C.ttharfae the Daughter of 
 Captainfl&fc&wtof Hackmy t and the third Eli*.-t- 
 hcth Daughter to Mr. MinfHtt, oiChtfljirc. We ob- 
 tained a Divorce from his fir ft Wife, but a Recon- 
 ciliation after wards happening he hud feveral 
 Children by her. lie was never very healthy, nor 
 H 4 over-
 
 104 Th* Lives and Chara&ers of the 
 
 over-much fickly , and the Diftemper moft preva- 
 lent upon him, was the Gout, of which he died in 
 the Year 1 6 74. He lies interred in the Chancel of 
 St. die's Church near Cripplegate. 
 
 Anthony Wood, in the firft Volume of his Athene 
 Oxonienfes, gives Milton the following Character. 
 He was a Perfon (fays this Author) of Wonderful 
 parts, of a very Sharp, Biting and Satirical Wit ; 
 a Great Philolbpher and Hiftorian^ an Excellent 
 Poet, Latinifty Grecian and Hebrician , and a good 
 Mathematician and Mufician. He was deprived of 
 his Sight before he perfected his Paradife Loft, if 
 not at the time he begun it , and his blindnefs he 
 has thus inimitably Defcribed, 
 
 #, holy Light', Offspring -of Heaven Firft-born y 
 Or of t W Eternal coeternal Beam, 
 JMay I exprefs Thee wnblam'd ? Since God is Light, 
 And never but in unapproached Light 
 Dwelt from Eternity, dwelt then in Thee 
 Bright Effluence of bright EJfince increate, 
 Or hear* ft thou rather pure ethereal Stream, 
 Whofe Fountain whofliall tell ? Before the Sun, . 
 Before the Heavens thou voirt ; and at the voice 
 Oj God, as with a Mantle^ didft inveft 
 The rifing IVorld of Waters dark and dee f, 
 Won from the void andformlefs Infinite* 
 Thee I revifit now with balder Wing } 
 Efcap'd the aitygian Pool, tM long detained 
 In that obfcure Sojourn j while in my flight 
 (Thro* utter and thro' middle Darknefs born) 
 / Sung of Chaos and Eternal Night, 
 Twght by the Heavenly Mufe to venture down 
 The Dark Dtfcent^ and up to reafcend 
 Tbo hard and rare. Thee I revifit fafc, 
 And jeel thy Soveraign vital Lamp ', but Thau 
 
 Zcvifift
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 10$ 
 
 Revifitft not thefc E\es that roll in vam 
 To find thy piercing Fay, and find no dawn : 
 So thick A drop ferene hat queactfd their Orbs 
 Or dint Suffufion veiCd \ Tet not the more 
 Ceafe I to rounder TPJ*^ the Afufes haunt 
 Clear Spring, or jhady Grove, or Sunny Hill, 
 Smit with the Love f$*crcd $jn% ; but chief, 
 Thee, Sion, and thy ft 'Wry Brooks beneath 
 That HM/IJ thy hallow* J Feet, and warbling flow^ , 
 fJtghtly Iviflt. No- fumetimes forget 
 Thofc other Two equalled with me in F.ttc 
 ( So were I e quell A with them in Renown) 
 Blind Thamyris and blind Maeonidcs, 
 And Tirefias and Phineus, Prophfts Old. 
 Then feed on Thoughts that voluntary move 
 Harmonium Numbers ; as the Wakeful Bird 
 Singi darkling^ and in (kadicft Coverts hid, 
 Tunes her No&urnal Note. Thtu with the Tear 
 Seafons return^ but not to me returns 
 &ay, or the fweet approach of Erfn, or Aforn, 
 Or fight of vernal Bloom, or Summers Rofe, 
 Or Flocks or Herds, or Human faae Divine : 
 But Cloud inftead, and cver-during Dark 
 Surrounds me y from the chearful ways of Men 
 Cut ojf; and, for the Book of Knowledge fair. 
 Presented with an 'Univerfal Blank 
 Of Nature's Works to me expungd and raz?d 9 
 Ano\ Wisdom at one Entrance quite jhut out. 
 So much the rather, thou Celeftial Light, 
 Shine inward, and the Mind thro 1 all her Powers 
 Jrr.idiat : There plant Eyes, all mift from thence 
 Purge and Difperfe, that I may fee and tell 
 Of Things invifible to Mortal Sight. 
 
 Mr. Dryden allows that Miltons Thoughts arc 
 Elevated, his Words founding, and that no Man 
 ib happily Copied the manner of Homer , or Ip 
 
 Copi-
 
 io6 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 Copioufly Tranllated his Greclfms , and the Latfo 
 Elegancies of Virgil. His Defcription of the fan- 
 d&monlum, Battle of the Angels, and Digrefllan of 
 Light, as well as The Creation of the [fV/^/inhis P'*~ 
 radife Loft, are all inimitable pieces $ tho' Mr. 
 Dryden will 'not allow his Subject to be that of an 
 Heroick Poem, properly fo called ; becaufe the E- 
 ventisnot profperous (but lolingour Happineft) 
 like that of all other Heroick Works. His Dcfcrif- 
 tion of Sampfon'j Death, and the fevere Satire on\Vo- 
 man, in his Difconrfe with Dalilah, are of a piece 
 with his other Writings , and to fay nothing; of his 
 Taradice Regained, his Poems on Mirth and Mel. in - 
 cholly ', An Elegy on his Friend that was Drowned y and 
 particularly a Fragment of the paffion, are incompara- 
 ble : He was the fulleft and loftielt Poet we ever 
 had, and cartie up to that--->Ww/j divlnlor atque os 
 et Sotiaturum Defcribed by Horace . 
 
 - , , \fc 
 
 t<> 
 
 _ _ _ .0 
 
 Mrs. M o L E s w o R T H. 
 
 THIS Lady was the Daughter of the. Right 
 Honourable the Lord Molefwonh, a Noble- 
 man of Ireland, who is a Perfon of the Create ft 
 Abilities, and Employs them in the fervice of his 
 Country : Pie is a zealous aflerter of the Proteftant 
 Intereft, and his incomparable Pen has been often- 
 times ufed in the Caufeof Liberty. The pieces writ- 
 tin by his ingenious Daughter, are Pubiifned un- 
 der the Titleof M A R i N D A. Poems and Tranflati- 
 onsupon feveral Occafions-, with a Dedication to 
 her Royal Highnels the Princcfs of \Valc s, written 
 by his Lordfhip. This Dedication is very much 
 admired for its Excellent Character qf the Princefs \
 
 
 ENGLISH P o F' T . 107 
 
 and the Poems andTran nations, which fhcw the true 
 Spirit and Numbers of Poetry, a Delicacy of Turns, 
 and juftnefs of thought and expreflion, having the 
 Approbation of her Royal Highnefs, ftand fuffd- 
 ently Recommended in the Records of Fame. The 
 thief of tlicfe are, 
 
 I. Runaway Love. A Tranflation from T*iffi. In 
 this piece Vtntu having loft Cupid, offers this- 
 Reward for his Apprehcnlion. 
 
 And be that finds tkt Boy frail have 
 
 The fan eft A"//i / eitcrgavf ; 
 
 Rut he that brings hi in to my Arms . K . 
 
 Shall At after be of all my Charms. ----- 
 
 II. An Eclogue, in return to a Tdcfcnt ly a Friend* 
 TbUisan Excellent [>ircc. 
 
 III. Mifye of the Tirtues againft' Lwc. From 
 Cuttrini. 
 
 IV. Human Frailty.. 
 \ . On Providence- 
 
 VI. The Timerous Lover. From Guarini. 
 
 VII. A Tranflation of part of the Fifth 'Scene, of the 
 Second Act of Paibor-Fido. 
 
 \ 111. A Paftoral Dialogue. From tliC Sftnifi. 
 IX- On a Lady's Statue in Marble. 
 
 X. Sotietto. From Guarini. 
 
 XI. Cwuont. From Petrarch. 
 
 thus 
 
 XII. An Etiftlc to Marinda. This Poem begins 
 us, ' 
 
 A juft Appl<*ufe, and an Immortal Name 
 h the true Objetl of the Poet's aim \ 
 In qutft of this they boldly quit the Shore , 
 And Dangerous Seas aiia unknown Lan 
 In the whole flan their fntcreft has no 
 
 duds oj Fortune are beneath tbcirCttrt)
 
 io8 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 They on the fmoke ofpublick fncenfe live, 
 
 Look down on Wealth, and think it mean to thrive, 
 
 XHI. To Marinda. A Puerperium. 
 
 XIV. Canzone of Monfignior Delia Cafa. 
 
 XV. A Dialogue between Luanda and Strcphon, 
 on a Butter-Fly that revived before the Fire, and 
 afterwards flew into it and was burnt. 
 
 XVI. An Ode on the late Queen's Birth-Day. 
 
 XVII. On fght of the prefent Emprefs of Ger- 
 many. 
 
 XVIII. Madrigals in Imitation of the Italian. 
 
 XIX. A Translation from Taflb. Gierufalemrne 
 Liberata. 
 
 XX. Vpon Orpheus and Euridice. From the 
 Spanifk. 
 
 XXI. MOCOLI. A Poem, Addrefled to Colo- 
 nel Richard Molefwortb, at the Camp at Pratz, del 
 Key, in Catalonia. Anno\"jii. 
 
 This Lady likewife writ feveral Excellent ^pi- 
 grams. One whereof to Cloe. 
 
 Cloe her Gojfips entertains 
 With Stories of her Chi Id- Bed pains, 
 And fiercely againft Hymen raits ', 
 JSut HymenV not fo much to blame : 
 She knows, unlefs her Memory fails, 
 g?er(he was Wed, 'twas much the fame. 
 
 And the following Epitaph on a Gallant Lady, 
 was written by her. 
 
 OV this Marble drop a Tear, 
 Here lies fair Rofalinde, 
 
 AH Mankind was yleafed with her, 
 Andjhe with all Mankind. 
 
 - Thefe Poems were publiflicd after her Death, 
 
 TV
 
 ENGLISH POET si 109 
 
 The Right Honourable CHARLES MON- 
 TAGUE, Earl of Halifax. 
 
 TH I S Great Nobleman , was fourth Son 
 to the Honourable George Montague, Efa of 
 Horton in the County of Northampton, whole Father 
 was Henry the Firft Earl of Manchefter. He vtd9 
 born in the Year 1661. and Icarce five Years 
 of Age before he (hewed fnch tokens of a pregnant 
 Genius, that he was the Admiration of all that came 
 near him. After he had gone through the Firfb 
 Rudiments of Learning, he was fent to Weftminfter 
 School, and Elefted King's Scholar there with great 
 Applaufe. From thence he removed to Trinity 
 College, Cambridge, but {boner than otherways in 
 would have happened to Accompany his Friend 
 Mr. George Stepney. Here by the Care of his Kinf- 
 man Dr. John Mantague (now Dean ot Durham) and 
 a very polite Tutor, he was early taken notice of 
 for his great progrcfs in his Exercifes, and Know- 
 ledge of all Claflical Authors ; and while he out- 
 fliined his Contemporaries in Logickand Ethicks, 
 he gave the greateft Proofs of his Advances in the 
 Art of Poetry and Oratory. Upon the Death 
 of King Charles the Second, the Heads of Colle- 
 ges, Fellows, Scholars, &c. writ Copies of Verfes, 
 according to the Ancient Cuftom, as a Condolence 
 and Congratulation to King James the Second his 
 Succcflbr i and herein Mr. Montague had an oppor- 
 tunity of Difplaying, his great Genius, which he 
 did fo fuccefsfully, that he was Diftinguifhed by an 
 Invitation to Town, from the late Earl of Dorfet 
 AfutMefix. Accordingly he came to London^ 
 
 and
 
 j i a The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 and fbon encrealed his Reputation by new Acquifl- 
 tiqns of Fame ; firft in writing a gain ft Popery, 
 particularly his City Mo-ufe, and Country Mnfe (in. 
 Conjunction with Mr. Prior} in anfwer to Mr Dry- 
 dens Hind and f anther. On the Abdication of King/ 
 James, he was chofen one of the Members of the 
 Convention, that Declared the Throne vacant, 
 whereupon the Prince and Princefs of Orange were 
 made King and Queen of England, &c. Now the 
 Earl of Dorfet who had been early in going into 
 Meafures for bringing about the Revolution,, was 
 made Lorfr Chamberlain, and he recommended Mr. 
 Montague to the King, who immediately allowed 
 him a Penfion of five hundred pounds a Year. After 
 ibme time, and he had fhewn his great Abilities in 
 the Senate, he was made one of the Commiflioners 
 of the Trcafury by King William, and foon after 
 Chancellor of the Exchequer: and it inuft not be 
 forgotten that the bringing about that great Work, 
 the Recoining of our Money , was owing to 
 his Wife and Prudent Management. In the Year 
 1698. he was made Firft Commiflioner of the Trea- 
 fury, and one of the Lord s-Ju ft ices of England, du- 
 ring the King's Abfence in Holland, and the Year 
 following Created Baron of Halifax. But before his 
 promotion he had conferred on him the Place of Au- 
 ditor of the Exchequer, to fupply the vacancy, by the 
 Death of Sir Rvliert Howard, and Sidney Lord Godol- 
 phin fucceeded him in theTreafury.In the late Reign, 
 he was nominated one of the Commiflioners for a 
 Union with Scotland, and ontheDcmife oftheQueen, 
 made one of the Lords of the Regency in his 
 Majefties Abfence from his Kingdoms :, and when 
 his Majefty had taken Poileflion of his Throne, he 
 appointed him Firft Commiflioner of the Treafury, 
 Created him Earl of Halifax, and made him Knight 
 of the Garter. He wasaPerfonof the moft win- 
 ning 
 -
 
 ENGLISH POETS. in 
 
 ning Eloquence in Publick Aflemblies ; in private, 
 the'Ufe and Genius of Converfation, animated 
 with tlit- Strength of Rcafon, and all the Imbelliftv- 
 mcnts of Wit i and 'tis owing to his Example, that 
 the Man of Wit has turned himfelf to be a Man of 
 Hulmefs. His Loidfhip's excellent Poems are, the 
 following, 
 
 I. A Poem on the Death of his rnoft Sacred Afajcfty 
 King Charles the Second. In this piece> fpeaking of 
 the Majeftical Perfon and peaceable Difpofition of 
 King Charles, his Lordfhip has thcfe Lines, 
 
 *Tis lefs to Conquer , than make Wars to Ccafe, 
 And. without Fighting, awe the World to peace. 
 
 II. An Ode on the Afarriage of Her Royal Highnefs 
 tlye Prince fs Anne, and Prince George of Den- 
 mark. 
 
 III. An Epiftlc to the right Honourable Charles 
 Earl of Dorfet and Middlefex.Occafioned by his Ma- 
 jcfties ViAory in Ireland- In this Excellent Pom, 
 rny lx>rd, has thcfe Verfes in Compliment to King 
 William. 
 
 ()' \ Dorfct ! / am raised \ fmaJion Fire I 
 And, if my Strength could anfwer my Defire, 
 In Speaking' Paint this Figure jlwuld be fcen t 
 Like Jove his Grandeur, and like Mars his Alien j 
 And Gods Defc ending fiovld adorn the St^ne. 
 See fee ! Vpon tht Bank o/Boync he ftands 9 . 
 By his^oypu view adjuring his Commands j 
 Calm and Serene the Armed Coaft Surveys 
 And, .in cool Tto ughts, the different Chances neighs 
 Ti.enfir'd with i'.wic, and eager of Renown, 
 end the War. - 
 
 Mr.
 
 112 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 Mr. Addifon wrote a Copy of Verfes td his 
 Lordfhip, on his writing this Poem, which Jias 
 thefe Lines, 
 
 And all the Heroe in full Glory fol 
 We fee his Army fit in juft array, 
 And Boyne's dyd Waves run Purple to the &a. 
 
 IV. The Hind and the Panther, Tranfverfed to thd 
 Country Moufe and the City Moufe. Mr. Prior affifted 
 in this Satire, as I have already obferved : It 
 has a great deal of Humour, and my Lord takes 
 notice in his Preface, that it is as eafie to imagine 
 Two Mice bilking a Hackney Coachman, and Tup- 
 ping at the Devil , as to fuppofe a Hind entertain- 
 ing the Panther at a Hermit's Cell, diJcufling the 
 greateft Myfteries of Religion. It begins thus, 
 
 A Milk white Moufe immortal and unchanged, 
 Fed onfoft Cheefe, and o'er the Dairy rangd; 
 Without unfitted *, innocent within, 
 She fear'd no Danger, for foe knew no Ginn* 
 
 V. 77* Man of Honour. An admirable Poem j 
 which has the following excellent Lines. 
 
 all the Threats or Favours of a Crown, 
 A Prince's \Vhifper, or a, Tyrant's Frown y 
 Can awe the Spirit, or allure the Mind 
 Of him who toftritt Honour is inclind. 
 Tho' all the Pomp and Pie a fur e that does wait 
 On publick Places and affairs of State, 
 Should fondly Court him to he hafe and great : 
 With even Paffions and with fettled Face, 
 ffc would remove the Harlot's ftlfc Embrtcc. 
 
 2V
 
 ENGLISH POETS. II J 
 
 TV all the Storms and Tempers jhould arife, 
 That Church- Magicians in their Cells devife, 
 .And from their jettltd Btfis Nations tear, 
 He would unmovd the mighty ruin bear j 
 Secure in Linocencc, contemn them all, 
 And, decently array d in Honour, fall. 
 Honour, that fp ark of the Ccleflial Fire, 
 That above Nature makes Mankind afpirty 
 Ennobles the rude Paflions of our Frame 
 With Thirjt of Glory, and Defire of Fame ', 
 The richefl Treafure of a generous Breafl, 
 That gives the Stamp and Standard to the reft. 
 Wit, Strength, and Courage are wild dangerous Forcf 3 
 Vnlefs this Jo ft en and direct their Courfe. 
 Of Honour, Men at firft, like Women nice, 
 Raifc Maiden forties at unprattis'd V"icc ; 
 Tlxir modeft Nature curbs the ftrugling Flame, 
 x4ndftifles what they wifh to aft: with flume : 
 But once th:s Fence thrown down, when they perceive^ 
 That they may tafte forbidden Fruit and live ; 
 They ft op not here thtir Courfe, but fafely in, 
 Crow Strong, Luxuriant, and bold in Sin ; 
 True to no Principles, prcfs forward Rill, 
 only bound by Appetite their Will; 
 
 Now fawn and flatter while thu fide prevails , 
 BvfJIfift with eifry veering Blaft their Sails. 
 On higher Springs true Men of Honour mo-je, 
 Free is tlxir fervicc, and unbought their Love : 
 \V\)cn Danger calls, and Honour leads tlje w*ty 9 
 Wrfh Joy theyfolllJL and with Pride obey. 
 
 This excellent PcBbn died the i^thofMay 1715. 
 Univcrfally LamentM-, and lies interred inGc- 
 .neral ^fonk'* Vault*n Weflmmfer-Abbey. 
 
 To
 
 H4 The- Lives and Characters of the 
 
 To do Juftice to his Lordfhip and his Family, I 
 fliall Conclude my Account of him with this re- 
 markable Paragraph of the Preamble to his Patent, 
 on his Promotion to Peerage, in the Reign of King 
 William. It begins thus, 
 
 Si ab antiqvijfima Procerum Familia fplendorem deri- 
 vare Honeltum } fi Rebut afe Putchre gcslis inclare fee- 
 re, Gloriofumcenjeatur; utroque hoc nomine Singulars 
 mftr& s^flimationi fefe commendat pr&dilettus & per- 
 quam Fidelis Confliaritu Nofter, CAROL us MONTA- 
 GUE Armiger : Ilia, Domo orttts, qu<te Tres Comites, 
 & otto fimul altering of dims Senatores in Imperil noftri 
 Decus & fubfidium Fdici ubertate firffecit : Jills virtuti- 
 bus ornatus quibus nullum Honoris Incrementum aut bonus 
 Civis invideatj aut <^^uus Princeps non ultra offerat. 
 
 Sir THOMAS MORE. 
 
 A Gentleman admired for his Wit, Learning 
 and Great Wifdom in the Reign of King 
 Henry the Eighth. He was Son to Sir John More, 
 Knight, one of the Juftices of the King's-Bench, 
 and was born in London, the Year 1480. He was 
 Educated fir ft in the Family of Archbifhop Morton, 
 and afterwards in Canterbury College Oxford , from 
 whence he came to New-Inn, London, to fludy the 
 Law, and from that Society he removed to Lincolns 
 Inn. Here he had not been long before he was 
 made double Reader, and fbon after he had 
 given him the place of Judge of the Sheriffs 
 Court London. He was Knighted by King Henry 
 
 the
 
 ENGLISH POET?. 115 
 
 the Eighth, then made Chancellor of the Dutchy of 
 Lancaftrr, and hftly, Lord Chancellcr of England, 
 which High poft he filled with Great Honour and 
 Reputation. He was a Perfon of Great Integrity, 
 and fuch was his Excellency that 'tis difficult to 
 Determine whether the Lawyer or the Stateflnan 
 xvas moft confpicuous. He was a moft Accomplifhed 
 AmbafTador, and his Acquaintance fought by the 
 moft learned Foreigners. His Mafter King Hen- 
 ry fent him in an Embafly to the Emperor 
 of Germany^ where before he delivered it, he 
 commanded one of his Servants to fill him a Beer 
 Glafs of Wine, which he Drank off} and after- 
 wards repeated, at the fame time directing his Ser- 
 vant to bring him a third , the Servant knowing 
 his Mailer 7 * ufual Temperance, at firft refufed to 
 fill him another, being under a concern for his Be- 
 haviour, but on a fecond Command of Sir Thomas, 
 he did it-, which being Drank, he then made his 
 immediate Addrefs to the Emperor, and delivered 
 his Oration in Latin like one infpircd, to the very 
 great Admiration of all the Auditors : This I men- 
 tion to (hew the influence of Wine. But at laft 
 this Great Man fell into the King's Difplcafurc 
 (which was a common thing in this Reign) touch- 
 ing the Divorce of Queen Catharine, and for refil- 
 ling to take the Oath of Supremacy *, for which he 
 was committed to the Tower , and afterwards Be* 
 headed on TenYr- MY/, ^^7^1535. He was buried 
 atC/*//M, under a plain Monument. The Books 
 written by this Gentleman were many, amonglt 
 \vhich there is fomc Poetry \ but what bore the 
 Cireatelt Character of all his Writings was his, 
 
 Vtopi*, a piece of Great Fancy and Invention, 
 
 tho' Written in Profe ; It is the Idea of a Complcat 
 
 Common- Wealth in an imaginary lltond, (but prc- 
 
 i 2 tended
 
 n6 The Lives and Cha rafters of the 
 
 tended to be lately difcovered in America) fo exa$- 
 ly Counterfeited, that many Perfons on the Read- 
 ing it, eafily miftook it for real Truth, and feveral 
 very Learned and Zealous Divines were defirous of 
 being Tranfported thither, to inftruft the People 
 ip the true Religion, whofe Manners they fo well 
 liked. Mrs. Manley feems to have taken the Hint 
 for her Atalantis from this piece, tho' fhe has diffe- 
 rently handled her Subjeft. 
 
 Mr. Owen the Epigramatift comparing Sir 'Tho- 
 mas Moris Vtopia, with Mercuriut Britannictt*, has 
 this Couplet, 
 
 More foevfd the be(l y the worft World's Jherfd by thee : 
 Thou jlxw'ft what #, and he foows what ftould be. 
 
 N. 
 
 Mr. ALEXANDER NEQ.UA M. 
 
 AN Ancient Poet, who Flourilhed in the 
 Reign of King John. He was born at St. 
 Allans in Henfordfoirt^ and having a Liberal Edu- 
 cation beftowed upon him, he became one of the 
 moft Learned Men of the Age wherein he lived. 
 His Knowledge in Arts and Sciences, made him 
 Famous throughout England , France and Italy^ 
 which with his Great Wit, acquired him the Title 
 of Miraculum ingenil. He was Hkewife an Excel- 
 lent Divine, and an Admirable Poet in thofe Days. 
 He was made Canon of Exeter , and fome Writers 
 tell us, he was preferred to the Abbotfliip of Glo- 
 cefier : But certain it is, he was Abbot of St. MA- 
 
 rics
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 117 
 
 in Cirencefter. at the time of his Death. He 
 iud an inclination to Income a Monk in St. 
 Albans^ the place of his Nativity, and thus merrily 
 wrote to the Abbot for Ad million , 
 
 Si vis, vcniam, fin autcm, tu nut cm. 
 
 To which the Abbot anfwercd, 
 5; bonus fis 9 venUt) fi ncquam, ncquaquaW' . 
 
 Whereupon it was Hi id, to avoid fuch Jokes 
 for the future, he altered his Name from Nequam, 
 to Ncckam.. 
 
 Bifhop GWn/w, in his Account of the Bifhops of 
 Lincoln, makes mention of a PafTage of Wit between 
 him and Philip Kcpington, then Bifhop of that Diocefs, 
 the latter fending Nequam thcfe Lines. 
 
 Et niger & Nftjuam cunt fts co^iomine 
 Nigrior effe potcs, Ncepuor efc nequis. 
 
 frtb black itnd \><id, whilfl ba4 the N*mc to 
 Rlnckcr thou mayfly but worfc thou canft not be. 
 
 To which Neejuam Replied. 
 
 Phi notafaoris, Lyppus indus omnifont horii, 
 Phi mabu, &" Lippus, totus m.\\M ergo Phtlipput. 
 
 Stinks *rc branded with * Phi, 
 Lippus Latin for blear-Eye, 
 Phi >tnd Liflu* b.td as cither, 
 1 hen Philip pus worfc together. 
 
 This
 
 n8 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 This Toet wrote many excellent Pieces, and in 
 his Elegy on Conftantine the Great, are thele Ver- 
 
 From Colchefter there rofe a Star, 
 The Rays whereof gave Gloriow Light, 
 Throughout the World, in Climates far, 
 Great Conftantine, Rennet Emperor bright. 
 
 Our Writers of Antiquity differ in their Accounts 
 of the Place of Interment of this Poet , fome fay he 
 
 was buried at IVorcefter, with this Epitaph, 
 
 
 
 Eclipfim patitur fapientia, fol fepelitur, 
 Cut fi par unit*, minus effet flebite funM ; 
 VIY bene difcretttf, & in omni more facet us, 
 Dittus erat Nequam, vitam duxit tamen tquanj. 
 
 Others tell us he was Interfd at St. Albans, with 
 the Epitaph following, 
 
 Alexander, cognomcnto Nequam, Abbas Cirence- 
 rix, -Literarum Scientia, citrus, Obiit Anno Dom. 
 1217. Lit. Dom. C. prid. Cal. Feb. & Sepultus erat apud 
 Fanum S. Albani, cujus Anims. Proyitietur 
 Amen. 
 
 The Reverend A//. THOMAS N E w c p M E. 
 
 THIS Gentleman is the Son of a worthy Cler- 
 gyman now Living,in Herefordfoire^nd. Great 
 Grandfon, by the Defcent on his Mothers fide to 
 the famous Spcnfcr-. He was Educated at Corpus 
 
 Cbrijli
 
 ENGLISH POET?. 
 
 Chrifti College in Oxford, where he took the De- 
 gree of Matter of Arts : And he is now Chaplain to 
 rhe Duke of Richmond, and Benefited near the Seat 
 of that Noble Lord in Suffex. He is a Man of Wit 
 and Learning, and an Excellent Poet. Some of the 
 pieces written by him are, 
 
 I. Bibliothcca. A Satyrical Poem, occasioned by 
 the fight of a Modern Library. 
 
 II. TO he; late Majcfty Queen Anne, upon the Peace 
 at Utrecht. This is a very good Poem. 
 
 HI. An Ode to the Memory of Mr. Rowe. 
 IV- An Ode Sacred to the Memory of the Count cfs of 
 Berkeley, which begins with this Simile. 
 
 A s Rofes in their early Bloom, 
 
 Their Incenfc \Vafte, and Glories hide, 
 
 And to that Morning owe their Doom, 
 Which promised to enlarge their Pride: 
 
 So lovely to our ra-j'tffd fight, 
 
 Thy Reams, fair Nymph, all Nature chear'd } 
 Ano\, opening juji their infant Light, 
 
 Surprized the World, and difappcar'J. 
 
 To this Gentleman we arc likewifc Indebted for 
 fcvcral of the Tranflation? of Mr. Mdifons Latin 
 Poems, and Mr. FhtlipSs ODE to 'Henry St. 
 John, Efqi 
 
 J 4 O. Mr.
 
 120 The Lives and Characters of tie 
 ********* *********************** ***** 
 
 o. 
 
 Mr. JOHN O L D H A M. 
 
 . ' 
 
 TH E ingenious Mr.Oldkam, the Glory of 
 the laft Age, was the Son of a Non-Con- 
 formift-Minifter , and born at Shipton in 
 Glocefterfiire, in the Year 1653. He was Educated 
 firft in a private School, from whence he was lent 
 to St. EdmoncTs flail in Oxford^ where he made a 
 Great Progrefs in Polite Learning. Coming thence 
 to London, he foon gained the Reputation of a Ce- 
 lebrated Poet j but , yet it may be prefumed 
 he did not at nrft meet with the Encouragement 
 he expected, from one of his Satires, where lie 
 makes Spw/tr'sGhoft fpeak to him,di-flliading him 
 from the Study of Poetry, for tho 3 he mould write 
 never fo well. 
 
 Wliat Scipio, what Maecenas woiddft thou find j 
 What Sidney now to thy great projetts kind ? 
 
 He was afterwards introduced to the Patronage 
 of the Earl of Kingfouc , with whom he lived 
 very Reputably to the time of his Death. His 
 Satires are fome of the fevereft, and beft in 
 the Engltft Language, tho' Ipmetimes he has ta- 
 ken Great Liberties , and his other Poetry is Ex- 
 cellent : a Great Genius and much Learning mines 
 thro' all his Works, and he was at Invention Match- 
 lefs. His Poems are publifiied in three Books, 
 Printed at three feveral times, and to thefe are ad- 
 ded his Remains. The
 
 ENGLISH POET?. 121 
 
 The Firft Book contains, His Satires upon the Jcfu- 
 itSy againft Virtue^ &C. 
 
 The Second Book, Horace's Art of Poetry Imitated 
 in Englifh, an Excellent pipcc. B i o N. A Pajlo- 
 raly in Imitation of the Gretk of Mofchus, On The 
 Death of the Earl of Rochcftcr j and . Tcveral Imita- 
 tions of, (andParaphrafes upon) Horace, fkc. 
 
 And the Third Book, has Msnficur Boileau'j S.t- 
 tire itpon M>vi y Imitated ^ DAJVID'S Lamentation for 
 the Death o/Saul andjonathw, Paraphrafed ^ ASatire 
 vpoa Nobility } concerning Poetry , The Dream j 'The 
 
 y 
 
 His Remains are, A Poem vomthe Marriage of the 
 Prince of Orange with the Lady Mary ; Counterpart 
 fa the Satire agatnfi Venue y With fome other fmall 
 Religious pieces. 
 
 To give you a Specimen of his Satirical Work?. 
 I Hull here infert fome of his Lines, out of his 54- 
 tire ufon 4 \Voman t who had injured his Friend. 
 
 Hot Luft light on her y and the Plague of PriJc 
 On that, this ever fcorndy as that denied : 
 Achy Anguifiy Horrory Grief, Diflwnourj Slja 
 Purfue at once her Body, Soul and Fame : 
 Canker s y and V leers eat hery ''till foe be y 
 Shund like Infection, loattfd like Infamy : 
 Pl.igud foy 'till fie think Damning a Releafit y 
 And hurtjbly fray to go to Hell for Eaft. 
 
 His Satire on his Printer, Pen. Money who had 
 Printed one of his Poems mangled, is very extra- 
 ordinary i and in one of his Satires arainll the Jefu- 
 its, he has thcfc excellent Lines, on" Impudence.
 
 122 The Lives and Chara&ers of the 
 
 Get that great Gift and Talent Impudence, 
 jdccomplijtfd Mankind's higheft Excellence ', 
 y Tts that prefers, 'tis that alone makes great, 
 Confers alone Wealth, Titles, and Eft ate \ 
 Gains place at Court, can make a Fool a Peer, -} 
 An Afs a Bijhop \ can vile Blockheads rear 
 To wear red Hats, and Jit in Porptfry Chair : 3 
 
 ^Tis Learning, Parts and Skill, andVPit and Senfje, 9 . . 
 Worth, Merit, Honour, Virtue, Innocence. 
 
 He was a Man of Pleafure, notwithftanding his 
 Satire on Woman, as appears by his Poems on Love, 
 which are admirable; and to mow that he was a 
 gay Bottle Companion, I fhall ^ive you fome of his 
 Verfes on the Drinking Bowl, from his Ode o 
 jy Paraphrafed. 
 
 Make me a Bowl, a mighty Bowl ! 
 
 Large <i$ my capacious Soul ! 
 
 Vaft at my Thirft M ! Let it have 
 
 Depth enough to be my Grave \ MO 
 
 / mean, the Grave of all my Care, 
 
 For I intend to bury't there. 
 
 Let it of Silver fafhiond be. 
 
 Worthy of Wine, worthy of me : 
 
 Tet draw no foapes of Armour there, 
 
 No Cask, nor Shield, nor Sword, nor Spear j 
 
 Nor Wars of Thebes, nor Wars 0/Troy, 
 
 Nor any other partial Toy: 
 
 For what do I vain Armour prizje, 
 
 Who mind, not fuch rough Exercife ? 
 
 But gentler Sieges, fofter Wars, 
 
 Fights that caufe no Wounds nor Scars, 
 
 I'll have no Battles on my Plate, 
 
 Left fight of them fauld Broils create ; 
 
 .
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 12 j 
 
 Left that provoke to Quarrels too, 
 
 Which Wine it (elf enough can do. 
 
 J)raw me no Constellations there, 
 
 No Ram, nor Bull, nor Dog, nor Bear j 
 
 Nor any of that Mori ft row fry, 
 
 Of Animal* that flock the Sky ; 
 
 For what are Stars to my Defign ? 
 
 Stars, -which I, rvhen Drunk outjhine. 
 
 I want no Polc-ftar on the Brink, 
 
 To guide in the wide Sea of Drink ', 
 
 But would forever there be tofs'd, 
 
 And. wijh no Haven, feek no Coast. 
 
 Tet, gentle Artist, if thoult try 
 
 Thy skill ; then draw me, (let me fee) 
 
 Draw me fir ft afprcaditig Pine, 
 
 Af.tke its Arms the Bowl entwine. 
 
 Jjet it's Boughs o'erfpread above 
 
 Scenes of Drinking, Scenes of Love. 
 
 Draw next the Patron of that Tree, 
 
 Draw Bacchus, and foft Cupid by : 
 
 Draw them both in toping fiapes \ 
 
 Their Temples Crowned with Culftcr'd Grapts : 
 
 Afuke them lean against the Cup, 
 
 As 'twere to keep their Figures up : 
 
 And when their reeling Forms I view, 
 
 Til think them Drunk, and be fo too. 
 
 The only Verfes I have farther to take notice of, 
 are his Lines on Wifdom, which are Inimitable. 
 
 Wifdom? s an Evennefs of Soul 
 
 A ft eddy Temper which no Cares C<mtroul t 
 No Paflions ruffle, no Defires inflame ; 
 Still ConfMit to it fdf, andftill the fame. 
 
 This
 
 124 The Lives and Chara&ers of the 
 
 This Excellent Poet died in the Houfeofthe 
 Earl ofKingfton at Holme plcrpont-, in the Year 1683. 
 and was buried in the Church there, with this Jn- 
 fcription on his Monument. 
 
 Ai. S. Joh. Old ham Poet*, quo nemo facro furore 
 flenior, nemo rebus fubli ntior, .aut Verbis felicius audax ; 
 Cujus fftntam omni <zvo propria fatis confecrabunt Carmina. 
 Quern inter primos honoratijfimi Gulielmi Comitis de 
 Kingftone Patronifui Amplexus Fariolis correptum^he u- 
 nimis immature Mars rapuit, cr in Cceleftem tranftulit 
 Chorum. Natus apud Shipton in Agro Gloceflrenfi, in 
 Aula Stntti Edniundi OxonU Graduatus. Obii die 
 Decembris nono Anno Dom. 1683. <istatis 30. 
 
 " 
 
 The Great fteem Mr. Dryden had for this Gen- 
 tleman, is particularly expreft in the following 
 Copy of Verfes he wrote to his Memory. 
 
 Farervcl, too little and too lately known, 
 
 Wlwm I began, to think and coil my awn } 
 
 For fur e our Souls were near aliyd \ and thine 
 
 Caftin the fame Poetick mould with mine. 
 
 One Common Note on either Lyre didftrile, 
 
 And Knaves and Fools vpere both abhorred alike 
 
 To the fame Goal did both our Studies drive, 
 
 The last fet out, the foonesl did arrive. 
 
 Thus Nifus fell upon the Jlippery place. 
 
 While his young Friend perform d and rpon the Rqcp 
 
 O early ripe ! to thy abundant Store 
 
 What could advancing Age have added more ? 
 
 Jt might (what Nature never gives the Young) 
 
 Have tauvht the Numbers of thy Native Tongue. 
 
 But Satire needs nn thofe } and Wit willflnne 
 
 Through the harfli Cadence of a rugged Line.
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 125 
 
 A node Error, and but feldom made, 
 
 cts are by too much force betrayed. 
 Generous Fruits, tin gather d e\e their prime, 
 Still Jl)cw*d a Quickie fs i and maturing time 
 But mellows what we write to the dull fweets ofRhime.^ 
 Once more, Hail and Farewel ', Farewl thou Toung, 
 Hut ah toofwrt, Marcellus of our Tongue ; 
 Thy Brow's with Ivy, and with Laurels bound j 
 But Fate and Gloomy Night encompafs thee around. 
 
 Sir T H O M A S O V E R B U R Y. 
 
 A Courtier, and a Great Wit in the Reign of 
 j\ \\inz James the Firft. He was Son of Sir 
 Nicholas O-jcrbury of Burton in Glocefterflrire, one of 
 the Judges of the Marches, and was Educated at 
 the Univcrfity of Oxford. From Oxford he removed 
 to the Middle Temple London, where he ftudied 
 the Law fomc rime -, afterwards he Travelled into 
 France j and came Home an accomplifhed Gentle- 
 man. Soon after hi<; return, he followed the Court, 
 as the fitted place for the Kxcrcife of his great A- 
 bilitics-, here he grew acquainted with Sir Robert 
 Cam ) one who was newly initiated a Favourite to 
 Ki:i;; "fames, and by his prudent Behaviour and 
 Recommendatory Qualities, he was early in the 
 good Graces not only of Sir Robert, but alfo of fcvc- 
 ral other Eminent Pcrfbns : which being taken 
 notice of by the Kin^, he was Knighted -, and Sir 
 Robert made Earl of Sower fit. Now the Recipro- 
 cal Friend (hip of thcfc two Gentlemen was more 
 firmly united than ever, and as their AfTcftion 
 Encreafed for each other, Ib did they both rife 
 more and more in Favour with the Prince: But
 
 1 26 The Lives and Charafters of the 
 
 fo great is the inftability of all )Hurnan|Eies/of 
 Friendfhip, that now it was not long Sefore my 
 Lord to whom Sir Thorns had without referve un- 
 bofbmed himfelf, became an Inftrument of his 
 Death } and only for his fincere Difuafions of his 
 Marriage with the Lady Frances Howard, who was 
 then lately Divorced from the Earl of EJfcx. This 
 advice, with the influence of fatal Beauty, and the 
 Countefs's perfuit of Revenge, occafioned the 
 Murder of Sir Thomas. But to make way for do- 
 ing it with impunity, his Lordfhip procured Sir 
 Thomas to be Nominated by the King Embaflador 
 to the Czar of Mufcovy, and at the fame time per* 
 fuaded him to decline the Employment, as being 
 no better than an Honourable Grave. This dou- 
 ble Intrigue of the Statefman, and which fhews 
 what Courtiers are capable of doing, had its fuccefs, 
 forSirTfow^ following the Council, this matter 
 terminated in his Commitment to the Tower. Now 
 his former Friend and the Counteis had an oppor- 
 tunity for perpetrating their Defigns } and by 
 the Affiftance of one Mrs. Turner, Richard Wetton, 
 James Franklin a Phyfician, and Sir Gervas Hehif, 
 Lieutenant of the Tower, who were all drawn into 
 the Confpiracy, he was poifbned with a Clyfter, 
 of which he died the next day after the taking it. 
 After he was Dead the Confpirators, to load Sir 
 Thomas with Infamy, and take off all Sufpicioa of 
 his violent Death, gave out that he died of the 
 French Pox, there being, fbme Blifters and Blotches 
 on his Body, which the poifon had thrown out. 
 But, as the Crimes of Blood feldom go unpunifhed, 
 ilifpitions grew notwithstanding, and encreafing, 
 Wcfton was taken up and Examined, who confefling 
 the whole matter, he was Executed at Tyburn, as 
 were like wife Mrs. Turner, Franklin, and Sir Gerv.tt 
 Hehis , but the Earl ofSomerfct, and his Countefs, 
 tho' Condemn'd, were both pardoned. This
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 127 
 
 (Thitis the belt Account I can give of the Life 
 and Tragical Death of this ingenious Gentleman j 
 who in his Younger Days writ an excellent Poem, 
 entitled A IVife; a piece very much admired 
 for its Great Wit and Fancy, and the Author 
 will live in this Poem, tho' by a Wife he fell a Sa- 
 crifice, as iscxprefs'd by thefe Verfes, under his 
 Picture. 
 
 A Alans be(l Fortune, or his Word's a. Wife : 
 Tet I that knew no Marriage, Peace, nor ftrifc, 
 Live by a good, by a. bad one t Loft my Life. 
 
 The following Epitaph was written by him- 
 (elf during his laft Sicknefs. 
 
 Now meafurd out my Days, 'tis here 1 reft , 
 That is my Body, but my Soul, his Gueft y 
 Is hence ajcended, whither neither Time, 
 Nr Faith, nor Hope, but only Love can clime \ 
 \Vhcrc being now enlightened flic does know 
 The truth of all things which are talked below. 
 
 Only this Ditft fiaJl here in pawn remain', 
 
 Th.it when t\>c H r irld di/fihcs, fhc^tt come again. 
 
 Mr. JOHN OWEN. 
 
 A Famous Epigramatifl, born in Casrnaruon- 
 fljire. He was Educated at Wickham School, 
 uuiiuttcd perpetual Fellow of New College in Oxford, 
 and in the Year 1 590. took the Degree of Batchclor 
 of Chil-L*w. He afterwards became School-Matter 
 
 at
 
 128 The Lives and Chara&ers of the 
 
 at Trylegb near Monmoutb, and at Warwick, in the 
 School founded by King //wry the Eighth. He 
 was a Perfon eminently endowed, but efpecially 
 with a Vein of Poefie. He was attended with Po- 
 verty, the ufual Companion of Poets, but fupplied 
 by his Countryman and Kinfhian, Dr. John Williams 
 Bi/hop of Lincoln , and Lord Keeper. His Latin E- 
 pigvams are much efteemed beyond Sea, amongft 
 the Learned, but were put into the Index Expurga- 
 torius, .by the Church of Rome, on Account of the 
 two following Verfes. 
 
 An Petrusfuerit Rom<s y fub Judice Lis eft : 
 Simonem Rom A nemo fuiflt ntgrt. 
 
 And upon the fame Account an Uncle of his, 
 from whom he expe&ed great Legacies, ftruck 
 him out of his Will. He died in 1623. and was bu- 
 ried in St- PauFs Church, London , at the charge of 
 Bimop Williams aforementioned, who Ere&ed a 
 Monument over him, with an Infcription which 
 begins thus, 
 
 Parvatibiftatua eft, quid parvaftatura, Supellex 
 farva, volat parvus vtajrna per Or a, Liber. 
 
 P. 
 
 Major RICHARDSON PACK. 
 
 THIS Gentleman is the Son of John Pack, of 
 Stoke- Aft, in Suffolk, Efq^ who in the Year 
 1697. was High Sheriff of that County. His 
 Mother was one of the Daughters and Coheirs of 
 
 Robert
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 129 
 
 Mr. Robert Richardfon, of Tudah in the County Pa- 
 latine of Durham, a Gentleman of good Extra- 
 ftion, and well Ally'd in the North of England. 
 The firft Tafte that was given him of Letters (af- 
 ter he had been kept a Year or two, but much to 
 his Prejudice, with a Country School-mafterj wVis 
 at Merchant-Taylors School. From thence he was 
 remov'd , between fifteen and fixteen Years of 
 Age, to St. Johns College in Oxford. About Eigh- 
 teen his Father enterM him or" the Middle "Temple, 
 and fix'd him in Chambers there, defining him 
 for the Profefiion of the Law : And by the peculiar 
 Grace of the Treafurer and Benchers of that Ho- 
 nourable Society, he was at Eight Terms Standing, 
 admitted Barrifter, when he was little more than 
 Twenty Years Old. But a Sedentary Lite agree- 
 ing as ill with his Health, as a Formal one luited 
 at that time with his Inclinations, h did not long 
 purfue thole Studies j and after (bme little Ramb- 
 ling in his Thoughts, he at length determin'd his 
 View to the Army, where he flatter'd hlmlelf to 
 meet with Scenes of more Freedom as well as A- 
 ftion. H is ft rlt Command was that of a Company 
 of Foot, in Al 'arch 1705. In November 1710, the 
 Regiment in which he iervM, was one of thole- 
 two of Englijli Foot that were with the MarihaT 
 Starembcrg, at the Battle of VtlU Viciofa, the Dnv 
 after General St,whope and the Troops under his 
 Command were taken at Brifhucga } where the Ma-< 
 jor being KilVd and he the eldeft Captain, and up-* 
 on the Spot, His Grace the Duke of Ar^ylt cor.- 
 firm'd his Preteniious to that Vacancy, by his Com- 
 miflion, Immediately on his arrival in 5/>4/. lc 
 was that Occalion which rirft introduc'dour Authot 1 
 to the good Fortune of being known to that truly 
 Noble and Excellent Perlon,\vith whofe Protection 
 ajid Patronage he has ever fu.ce been Honoured* 
 K Thg
 
 130 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 The Ambition he had to celebrate his Heroic Ver- 
 tues, at a time when it was grown Popular to tra- 
 duce them, and his Defire of expreffing in fbme 
 meafure his Gratitude for the many Marks he 
 had receiv'd or his Grace's Favour, gave Birth 
 to the beft of his Performances he has oblig'd 
 the World with. What other Pieces he has 
 writ in Verfe, are for the moft part the unla- 
 bour'd Refult of Friendfhip or Love, and the A- 
 mufement of thole few fblitary Intervals in a 
 Life that ieldom wanted either ferious Bufineis, 
 or focial Pleafures, of one kind or other, en- 
 tirely to fill up the Circle. They are all pub- 
 lifh'd in one Volume together, with a Tranfla- 
 tion of the Life of Atticus, from Cornelius Nepos : 
 And tho' very lately Printed, they have already 
 Ibid two Impreffions} the moft considerable of 
 them, are the following. 
 
 I. To his Grace the Duke of Argyle. 
 
 II. On Friend/hip. To the Honourable Colo- 
 nel William Stanhope. 
 
 III. To Mr. Addifon, occaiion'd by the News 
 of the Viftory obtained over the Rebels in 
 Scotland, by his Grace the Duke of Argylt* 
 
 IV. To the Lady Katberine Manners. 
 
 V. The Lover's Parting. 
 
 VI. The Retreat. 
 
 VII. An Epijtle from a Half-Pay Officer in the 
 Country, to \)is Friend in Town. 
 
 VIII. Upon Religious Solitude. Occafion'd by 
 reading the Inlcription on the Tomb of Cafimir, 
 King of Poland, who abdicated his Crown, and 
 Ipent the Remainder of his Life in the Abbey 
 of St. Gcrmainc, near P<xris, where he lies Interr'd. 
 
 IX. A Pa/lora!) in Imitation of Viroifs fecond 
 Eclogue. 
 
 a X. The
 
 ENGLISH POETS* 131 
 
 X. The 2d, zd, and +th Elegies i:i the fourth 
 Book of Tibullus. 
 
 XL Elegy- Sylvia to Amintor : An admirabla 
 Imitation of Ovid } wherein Syhi* after fhe is 
 Enjoy'd, gives this Advice to her Sex. 
 
 Truft not the (light Defence of Female Pride, 
 Nor in your boaftcd Honour much Confide , 
 So ftitt the Motion, and fo fmooth the DAK, 
 It ftcals vnfelt inti) the heedlfft Heart. 
 
 XII. An Excellent Prologue to the Tragedy 
 of Sir Walter Raleigh , and an Epilogue to Mr. 
 Southern's Spartan Dame, very much admir'd. In 
 the former are theie Lines on Ambition. 
 
 is a A ft ft reft few enjoy ! 
 Falfe to our Hopes, and to our tt r ifl}rs Coy ; 
 The Bold fie baffles, and defeats the Strong j 
 j4nd all are ruined who purfuc her lon^ \ 
 Yet fo bewitching are her F.ttal Charms, 
 We think it Hcatfn to dye within her Arms. 
 
 All thefe Pieces with a fmall Poem entitulcd Re- 
 ligion and Philofophy, which 1 have lately feen in 
 Manufcript, demonftrate the Author to be a polite 
 Writer } a Man of Wit and Galhniry. 
 
 Mv 
 
 Mr. MATTHEW PARIS. 
 
 S ancient Hiftorian and Poet, Mr.ffin- 
 X ft*ntly tells us, was born mC.tmkridjcfa-ie 
 where the Name and Family of Pint i 
 great Antiquity, though fome Writers will 
 allow England to huve the Honour of liis Birth. 
 He was bred a Monk of St. Mans, and 
 
 K 2 lev
 
 The Lives and Chambers of the 
 
 loafe Age, liv'd a very ftrift and fevere Life-, 
 infomuch that, for his eminent Aufterity, Pope 
 Innocent the Fourth, imploy'd him to Vilit the 
 Monks in the Dioceis of Norwich, and allb fent 
 him into Norway to reform the Difcipline of a 
 Convent there, which had been much corrup- 
 ted. He employ'd his Hours referv'd from De- 
 votion, in the Delights of the Mufes, and the 
 more laborious Studies of Hiftory. As a Poet 
 and Hiftorian, he excelfd all his Contempora- 
 ries } nor was he leis efteem'd as an Orator and 
 Divine : He well underftood all Arts and Scien- 
 ces, and of Painting and Engraving, in many 
 inftances, he fliew'd himfelf a Mafter. Thele 
 Accomplifhments acquired him the greateft 
 Fame', but his chief applications being to Hi- 
 ftory, he writ a large Chronicle from the Nor- 
 man Conqueft to the Year 1259^ a Work im- 
 partially and judicially written, neither flatter- 
 ing Greatnefs, nor fparing any for their Vices. 
 This Hiftory was very much commended when 
 it was wrote ; and is ftill in Efteem with 
 learned Men. He concludes it with thele Lines : 
 
 Sifte tul mctas Studii, Matthaee quietas. 
 Nee Centura fetas, qu<e yoftera proferat at as. 
 
 .*. .*, .*. A .% 41* & .$ * &:$, ^ -f- * & * * * $ 
 
 (U>*i*3.btSi3Ci>JW4S53.3US9tS3cS>eiiO C*sJCjUt3WA3til3t3BJtuJtASJtisJ CjjJUiJ 
 
 Mr. P A R N E L. 
 
 THIS Gentleman is Arch-Deacon of 
 in the Kingdom of Ireland,, and an Acquain- 
 tance of Mr. Pope's. He has Writ and Tranfla- 
 ted feveral Pieces of Poetry. 
 I. A Hymn on Contemplation, 
 IJ. An Anacreontk'k. 
 
 III. A
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 135 
 
 III. A Tranflation of Homers B.'tr.'.comyGm.*- 
 Or, the Battle of the Frogs and Mice. To 
 which is prefix'd, the Life of Zoilus> levell'd at 
 Mr. Dennis. 
 
 Mr. EDWARD PHILIPS. 
 
 AN Author in the laft Age of good Reputa- 
 tion. He continued Sir Richard Baker's 
 Chronicle, and therein ihevved himlelf a Man of 
 Learning and Judgment. And befides this, he 
 wrote Poems on feveral Occafions, collected into 
 a Volume. 
 
 Mr. JOHN PHILIPS. 
 
 THIS Gentleman was Brother to the afbre- 
 mention'd Mr. Edward Philips, and Ne- 
 phew to the Immortal Milton ; Ib that he might 
 be laid to have Poetical Blood run in his Veins. 
 He was an exact Poet, and Matter of an excel- 
 lent Style, which fliin'd through his Works in 
 Prole and Verie : But his Talents lay moftly to 
 Burlelque Poetry. His Pieces are, 
 
 I. A Satyr againft Hypocrites. This is a very 
 ingenious Performance. 
 
 II- The Almanack of jifonuiim \ a very face- 
 tious and entertaining Piece. 
 
 III. A Song upon the Tombs at Weftminfter. 
 
 He likewile wrote feveral other Songs, all let 
 
 toMufick by Doftor Btw, and tome Viecc^ in 
 
 a ferious Vein of Poetry, well approv'd : And 
 
 to Ihew his Learning, he Tranllated the fifth 
 
 K 3 nd
 
 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 and fixth Books of VirgiVs ^neids into Englifo 
 Burlefque, in which are the following Varies. 
 
 While Dido In a Bed of Fire, 
 
 A neiv found Way to cool Defirc, 
 
 Lay wrapt in Smoke, half Coal, half Dido, 
 
 Too late relenting Crime Libido : 
 
 JMwficur jEneas we nt his Ways j 
 
 And. meriting but little Praife, 
 
 To leave the Fair, not in the Afire, 
 
 But, which is worfe, in burning Fire. 
 
 He Neuter-like, had no great Aim, 
 
 To kindle or put out the Flame. 
 
 Mr. JOH-N PHILIPS. 
 
 A Poet of .this Age, who died a few Years.ago. 
 He was the Son of Dr. Stephen Philips, Arch- 
 deacon of Salop, and born at Bramptan in Oxfordflrire t 
 in the Year 1676. After he was well grounded 
 in Grammar Learning, he was lent to Winchefler 
 School, where he made himlelf Mafter of the La- 
 tin and Greek Languages. With this Foundation 
 of Literature, he was removed to Chrift-Church 
 College in Oxford. Here he grew luperior to 
 moft of his Contemporaries , and following the 
 natural Beat of his Genius, befides other valuable 
 Authors, he became acquainted with Milton, whom 
 he fiudied with Application, and traced him in 
 all his fucceisful Tranftatinns from the Ancients. 
 As to his private Character, he was beloved by- 
 all that knew him, and admired by thole who did 
 not , ibmewhat reierved and lilent among Stran- 
 gers, but familiar and eafy with his Friends : In 
 which Number may be reckoned Ibme of the beft 
 
 and
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 135 
 
 and politeft Men of the Univerfity, but particu- 
 larly Mr. Edmund Smith. Thele two often com- 
 municated their Thoughts to each other, and as 
 their Thoughts lay the lame Way, much to their 
 mutual Satisfaction and Improvement. Coming 
 to London, he was perfwaded by fome great Per- 
 ibns, to write upon the Battle or" Blenheim, which 
 he performed Ib well, that it brought him into 
 Favour with the Earl of Oxford, at that time 
 Lord Treasurer of England, and my Lord Boiling- 
 broke, Secretary of State , but his Modefty and 
 humble Opinion of himfelf was fb great, that he 
 always endeavoured to difguife and conceal his 
 good Qualities in Converfation with them and 
 others. His excellent Compofitions are the fol- 
 lowing, (viz.-) 
 
 I. The Splendid Shilling ; efteemed the fineft Bur- 
 lelque Poem in the Britifo Language, and handled 
 in a Manner quite different from what had been 
 made Ufe of by any Author of our own, or other 
 Nations. This Poem gained him an univerial 
 Applauie. 
 
 II. Blenheim, a Poem , here he has mewn a 
 fublime and nervous Stile, proper to a lerious and 
 heroick Subject. 
 
 From low and abjcft Themes the growling ftfufc 
 Now mounts Serial, to fing of Arms 
 Triumphant, and emblaze the Martial j4fts 
 Of Britain'/ Hero j 
 
 The Exordium of this Piece if a juft Allufion 
 to the Beginning of the vncid of firgil, and that 
 of Sprcrr's fairy Queen. 
 
 III. Cyder, a Poem. This Piece is foun- 
 ded upoa the Model of VtrgiCs Ccorgich, and 
 
 K 4 comes
 
 196 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 comes the neareft of any other to that admirable 
 Poem. There is an infinite Variety in this Poem, 
 and the philofbphical Touches are furprizing : 
 He was a paflionate Admirer of Nature, and in 
 his Delcription of the Philofbpher's Retirement., 
 he has thefe Lines. 
 
 "He to his Labour hies 
 Gladfome, intent on fomcwhat that may eafe 
 'Unhealthy Mortals, And with curious Search 
 Examines all the Properties of Herbs, 
 Fojfils, and Minerals, that th* emboweled Earth 
 DifpUySy if by his Induflry he can 
 Benefit Human Race 
 
 This Poem was tranflated into Italian by a 
 Nobleman of Florence. 
 
 IV. A Latin Ode, inlcribed to the Lord Boiling- 
 broke. The Style in this Piece is pure and ele- 
 jiant, the Subjeft of a mixt Nature, refembling 
 the fublime Spirit, and gay facetious Humour of 
 Horace. 
 
 Thele are all the Pieces written by this Author, 
 and being in Blank Verfe, fbme injudicious Per- 
 Ibns wiihed them to be in Rhyme, particularly 
 his Cyder. His Friends tell us, that he intended 
 to write a Poem upon the Refurreftion, and the 
 Day of Judgment, in which there is no doubt 
 but he would have excelled :, and of this Opinion 
 was Mr. Smith, who, in a Poem upon his Death, 
 has thele Veries on that Occafion : 
 
 Oh .' had relenting Heaven prolonged his Days, 
 The toviring Bard had fung in nobler Lays, 
 How the laji Trumpet wakes the lazy Dead, 
 
 aints aloft the Crofs triumphant fpre ad '-, 
 
 How
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 137 
 
 Howofning Heavens their happy Regions (hew, 
 jfnd yawning Gulphs with flaming Vengeance 
 
 glow, f 
 
 ^And Saints rejoice above, and Sinners howl below. * 
 Well might he fing the Day he cou'd not fear, 
 And paint the Glories he was fur e to wear. 
 
 Mr. Philips, after a long and Ungring Sicknefs, 
 attended with an Afthma, and having removed to 
 the Bath y by the Advice of his Phyficians, with- 
 out Recovery, died at Hereford the i 5th of Fe- 
 bruary 1 708. and, as the ingenious Writer of his 
 Life has obferved, he Ihewed an Example that 
 a good Poet and a good Man are not Names al- 
 ways inconfiftent. 
 
 He was interred in the Cathedral Church of 
 Hereford, and the following Infcription is upon 
 his Grave-flone. 
 
 JOHANNES PHILIPS. 
 Obijt \ 5 die Feb. Anno( Dom. 1 708. 
 
 Cvjus ( vGtat.fuA 32. 
 Offa/i requtras, hone Vrnxm infpice, 
 S Ingenium nefcias, ipfius Opera confute, 
 Si Tumvlum defideras, Templunt adi Weftmonajlericnfc, 
 Qualis quantufque vir fuerit, 
 Dicat elegant ilia & pr&lara 
 Qut, Cenotaphium ibi decorat - 
 
 Jnfcriptio. 
 Quam interim erga Cognates pius & ofliciofus, 
 
 Teftetur hot faxum 
 
 A Maria Philips Matre ipfius fientiflima, 
 Dile&i Filii Mcmori* non fine Lacrymis dicatum. 
 
 The Monument referred to at Wefminffier, in 
 this Inicription, ftands between thole 01 Chaucer and 
 Drayton, and was ere&ed to his Memory by Sir 
 
 Simon
 
 138 The, Lives and Cliara&ers of 
 
 Simon ffarcvurt, late Lord Chancellor. Th* Epi- 
 taph was writ by Dr. Friend. 
 
 Herefordi& conduntur OJfit, 
 
 Hoc in Delubro ftatuitur Imago, 
 
 Eritanniam omnem pervagatur Fama 
 
 JOHANNIS PHILIPS: 
 Qui viris bonis dottifa juxta charut, 
 
 Immortals fuum Ingenium, 
 Eruditione multiplici excultum^ 
 
 Mlro animi Candore, 
 Eximia morum fimplicitate 9 
 
 Honeftavit. 
 
 Litter arum amaniorwn fttint, 
 Quam Wintonid fuer fentire cceperat y 
 Inter t^Zdis Chrifti Alumnos juffiter explevit, 
 
 Jnillo Mufaum Domicilio 
 Pr&claris *Jmulorum ftudiis excitatus, 
 Optimi s fcribendi JWagiftris femper intentus, 
 
 Carmina fermone Patrio compofuit 
 A Grxcis Latiniffr fontibus f elicit er deduftttj 
 Atticis Romanifcfr auribus omnino Aigna y 
 Verfuum qnippe Harmoniam 
 
 Rtytbmo dedicerat. 
 
 Antiopto illo ) libero, multiformi 
 
 Ad res ipfas apto pwrfus, & attemperato, 
 
 ]$on Numeric in eundem fere orbem redeuntibus, 
 
 Non Claufulwumfiiniliter cadentiumfono 
 
 Met'tri : 
 Vni in hoc laudis genere, Afiltono fecundut, 
 
 Primoq, pane par. 
 Ret feu T'enuesy feu Grandes, feu Mediocre* 
 
 Ornandas fumferat, 
 Nuffjjuanij non quod decuit, 
 Et vidit, & ajftcutus eftj 
 Egregius, quocunquz ftylum veteret, 
 * Author , & jModorumA nifex.
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 139 
 
 Fas fit Huicj 
 
 r jiufo licet A tua Metrorum tfgc difcedere 
 Poefis Anglican* Pater, atque Conditor Chaucere 
 
 Alterum tibi latus claudere, 
 
 V&um certe Cineres, tuos undiqye ftipantivm 
 
 Non dedecebit Chorum. 
 
 Simon Harcourt Miles, 
 
 Viri bene de fe, deque Llteris meritl, 
 
 Quoad viveret, Fautor y 
 
 Poft Obitum fie memar y 
 
 Hoc itti Saxum poni voluit. 
 
 J. Philips, Stephani, S. 7*. P. Arckidiaconi. 
 Salop' Filius natus eft Bamptoniae 
 Jn agro Oxon. Dec. 30. 1676. 
 Obijt Herefordiae, Febr. 15. 1708. 
 
 AMBROSE PHILIPS, Efq^ 
 
 THIS Gentleman, who is one of the Wits 
 at Buttons, and at this time writes an En- 
 tertaining Paper call'd , The Free-Thinker , has, 
 befides his Paftorals, given us the following 
 Poems. 
 
 I. An Epiftle to a Friend, who dcfir'd him 
 to write on the Death of King William. 
 
 II. An fipiftle to Mr. Secretary Craggs, at 
 Hampton-Court. 
 
 III. Upon the Toafts of the Hanover Club. 
 
 Thefe, the chofcn Beauties of our IJlt, 
 Propitious on the Caufe of Freedom Smile, 
 The raft Pretender'/ Hopes vpe may dcfpife, 
 And truft Britannia'; Safety to their Eyes. 
 
 IV. Upon
 
 140 The Lives and Chara&ers of tie 
 
 IV. Upon a Company of bad Dancers to good 
 Mufick. This is an Excellent Epigram. 
 
 How ill the Met Ion with the Mufick fuits ! 
 So Orpheus Fidled, and fo Danc'd the Brutes. 
 
 His Paftorals, fix in Number are efteemed Jbme 
 of the beft Pieces of the kind this Age has pro- 
 duc'd. The firft Paftoral begins with thele Lines. 
 
 * * 
 
 If TPf, Dorfet, quit the City Throng 
 70 Meditate In Shades the Rural Song 
 By your Commands ; be prcfent : And y 0, bring 
 The Mufe dong ! The Mufe to you fliali Sing. 
 Begin A Shepherd Boy one Evening fair, 
 As We fern Winds bad cooFd the fultry Air j 
 When as his Sheep within tbe<r Fold were pent 3 
 Thus i lain d him of his dreary Difcontent j 
 So pitiful, that ail the Starry Throng 
 Attentive feenid to hear his mournful Song* " 
 
 The Reverend Mr. P o M F R E T. 
 
 / A Learned Divine, Son of an eminent Attor- 
 _/X ne 7 ^ Law, of Newport- Pagne I in Bucking" 
 hamfliire. He was Educated at the Univerfity. of 
 Cambridge, where he took the Degree ot Mafter of 
 Arts. He had leyeral Preferments in the Church, 
 one of which \vns in Bedfordshire. He was a Per Ion 
 of a ^r eat Poetical Genius,an excellent Scholar, and 
 an admirable Poet : He was a little referv'd in his 
 Temper i and as he has happily defcrib'd Retire- 
 ment in his Poem calVd T'bc Choice, ib an agreeable 
 Solitude was truly hi* Choice. He died Young, in 
 the Year 1709. The chief of his Poems are, 
 
 I. The
 
 ENGLISH P o t T s. 141 
 
 I. The Choice, a Poem. This Piece is writ in 
 a very eafy familiar Style, adapted to all Capaci- 
 ties ; and for itsVariety, is efteera'd the be ft Poem 
 we have on the Subjeft ', but Part of it is bor- 
 row'd from Cowley. 
 
 II. Love Triumphant wer Reafon. This is a Vi- 
 fion, and has an admirable Delcriprion of the 
 Temple of Love, and the miserable ConicqiiL 
 attending it. 
 
 III. Cruelty and Luft y an Epiftolxry Etfy. Occa- 
 fion'd by the Barbarity of Kirke t a Commander in 
 the Wejtcrn Rebellion, who debauched a Young La- 
 dy, with a Promile to lave her Husbr-nd's Life, 
 but hang'd him the next Morning. 
 
 IV. Voon the Divine Attributes. A Pindaric Ef- 
 iay. Divided into leveral Heads, viz* Unity, 
 Eternity, Power, Wilclom, Providence, Omr.i- 
 prefence, Immutability, Juftice, and Goodnds. 
 
 V. A Profpett of Death. A Pindaric EfTay. Thii 
 is an excellent Piece, being preferable to any other 
 of Mr. Pomfref* Performances. 
 
 VL On the General Conflagration y and enfuing Judg- 
 ment. Theie Poems, with his Epiftle to Delt.t, 
 and (bme other fhort Pieces, are colloiled into a 
 Imall Volume, and have lold leveral Impivflions: 
 And as the Choice is univerlally aJmir'd tor its greac 
 Variety and Popularity, tho' it be not the beft 
 of this Author's Writings, 1 {hall here infeit the 
 greateft Part of that Poem. 
 
 If Heaven the grateful Liberty vtoud t ^/:r, 
 That / mivht chufe my Afttbod ho* to Lire ; 
 And all thofe Hours profitious F*tt fl)ud Und, 
 In blifsful Eafe and Satis faft ion fpend : 
 Near forne fair Tovnt Vd h*vc a private Seat, 
 Built wiform 9 not Little, nor too Great :
 
 142 The Lives and Chara&ers of the 
 
 Better, if on a rifing Ground it flood , 
 Fields on this Side, on that a neighboring Wood- 
 Jt Jhou'd within no other things contain, 
 But what were ufeful, necejfary, plain. 
 A little Garden, grateful to the Eye, 
 And, a cool Rivulet run murmuring by, 
 On whofe delicious Banks A ftately Row 
 Of jhady Limes, or Sycamores jhou^'l grow . 
 At th" 1 End of which a ftlent Study placed, 
 Should be with all the nobleft Authors grac'd. 
 Jn fome of thefe, as fancy {hou'd advife, 
 Vd always take my Morning Exercife : 
 For fure no Minutes bring us more Content, 
 Than thofe in pleafing, ufeful Studies fpent. 
 
 fd have a clear, and competent Eft ate, 
 That I m'ff'rt Uve Genteelly, but not Great : 
 As much as I cou'd moderately fpend, 
 A little more fometimes foblige a Friend : 
 Wor jhou y d the Sons of Poverty repine 
 Too much at Fortune, they fhould tafte of mine* 
 A frugal Plenty jhoud my Table fpread ~ 7 
 With Healthy, not Luxurious Dijhesfed : 
 Enough to fatisfy, and fomething more 
 To feed the Stranger, and the Neighboring Poor. 
 Strong Meat indulges Vice, and pamfring Food 
 Creates Difeafes, and inflames the Blood : 
 But what's fufficient to make Nature ftrong. 
 And the bright Lamp of Life continue long, 
 fd freely take, and as I did pcffefs, 
 The bounteous Author of my Plenty blefs. 
 
 rd have a little Vault, but always ftor'd 
 With the be ft Wines each Vintage coud afford. 
 Wine whets the Wit, improves if native Force, 
 And gives a pleafant Flavour to Difcourfe : 
 By making all our Spirits Debonair, 
 Throws off the Lees, the Sediment of Care, 
 
 That
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 143 
 
 That Life might be more comfortable yet, 
 And, all my Joys refined, fine ere, and great ; 
 fd chuff two Friends, whofe Company wou'd be 
 A great Advance to my Felicity : 
 Wellborn, of Humours fuited to my own ; 
 Difcreet, and Men, At well as Books, have known i 
 Brave, generous, witty, and exactly free 
 from loofe Behaviour, or Formality. 
 Airy and prudent, merry, but not light ; 
 Quick in difcerning, and in judging right : 
 Secret jhould be, and faithful to their Truft \ 
 In Reasoning cool, ftrong, temperate and juft ; 
 Obliging, open, without huffing, brave ', 
 Brisk in gay talking, and in fiber, grave ; 
 Clofe in Difpute, but not Tenacious, try*d 
 Byfolid Reafon, and let that decide : 
 Not prone to Lup, Revenge, or envious Hate ; 
 Nor bufy Medlars with Intrigues of State : 
 Strangers to Slander, andfworn Foes to Spight : 
 Not quarrelfome, but flout enough to fight. 
 
 Woud bounteous Heaven once more indulge* fd 
 
 9 * 
 
 chufe 
 
 (For who wou'dfo much SatisfaRion lofe, 
 As witty Nymphs in Conversation give) 
 
 fa 
 
 me obliging mode ft Fair to live , 
 For there's that Sweetnefs in a Female Mind, 
 Which in a Man's we cannot hope to find : 
 That by a fecret, but a powerful An, ">' 
 
 Winds up the Springs of Life, and doe's impart > 
 Frejb Vital Heat to the transported Heart. j 
 rd have her Reafon all her Paflions fway* 
 Eafy in Company, in private Gay : 
 Coy to a Fop, to the dcferving Frer, 
 Still confront to her fctf, and juft to me. 
 A Soul Jta jhoud have for great A^ions ft ', 
 Prudence and Wifdom to direct her Wit - 
 
 Csuragi
 
 144 '&>* Li ves an d Characters of the 
 
 Courage to look bold Danger in the Face, 
 
 No Fear, but only to be Proud, or Bafe : 
 
 Quick to Advife, by an Emergence preft, 
 
 To give good Counfel, or to take the beft. 
 
 Td have t\? Expreffion of her Thoughts be fuch, 
 
 She might not feem referv'd, nor talk too much j 
 
 That jhews a want of Judgment, and of Senfe: 
 
 Jbfore than Enough if but Impertinence. 
 
 Her Condutt regular, her Mirth refind, 
 
 Civil to Strangers, to her Neighbours kind : 
 
 Averse to Vanity, Revenge, and Tride, 
 
 In all the Methods of Deceit untrfd : 
 
 So Faithful to her Friend, and good to all, 
 
 No Cenfure might upon her Actions fall : 
 
 Then worfd ev*n Envy be compelled to fay, 
 
 She goes the leaft of Womankind aflray. 
 
 To this Fair Creature Vd fometimes retire. 
 Her Conversation tvoud new Joys infpire } 
 Give Life an Edge fo keen, no furly Care "} 
 Wotfd venture to affault my Soul, or dare > 
 Near my Retreat to hide one ftcret Snare. J 
 But fo divine, fo noble a Repaft 
 rd feldom, and with Moderation tafte. 
 For higheft Cordials all their Virtue loofe, 
 y a too frequent, and too bold an Vfe : 
 And what woud chear the Spirits in Diftrefs 
 Ruins our Health, when taken to Excefs. 
 
 If Heav'n a Date of many Tears wou'd give, 
 Thus rd in Pleafure, Eafe, and Plenty Live , 
 And as 1 near approached the Verge of Life, 
 Some kind Relation, (for Vd have no Wife) 
 Should take upon him all my Worldly Care, 
 While I did for a better State prepare. 
 'fhen Vd not be with any Trouble vex*d, 
 Nor have the Evening of my Days perplex'4 9 
 But by a filent, and a peaceful Death, 
 Without a Sigh, refign my j4ged Breath :
 
 ENGLISH P o E T ?. H5 
 
 Jnd when committed to the Duft, Vd / 
 
 Few Tears, but friendly, droyt into my Grave* 
 
 Then wou d my Exit fo prr,pltiow he, 
 
 AH Men woiSd wifli to Live and Die like me. 
 
 Hfcg/fr. ..-lh..fe/\hAtfcfe 
 
 -i ^AJtHtf^^X^'UlU **'\?V^fWJ-*- r *--T^J-*-^ 'tXJ > w 
 
 jtfr. ALEXANDER POPL. 
 
 THIS excellent Poet, whbfe Fame exceeds not 
 Merit, was born in London, tlv Year 
 1688. His Parents being of the Roman Carho- 
 lick Perfaafion, educated him by a private. Tu- 
 tor, of whom he learned Lain and Greek ; 
 and the fame time, fie palled through ibme Se- 
 minaries, with little Improvement, till twelve 
 Years of Age, alter which, I have been informed, 
 he perfected his Studies by hi own Indulrrv } 
 and Ib confiderable a Progrels he made therein, 
 as to be diffidently qualified for that great: Un- 
 dertaking, the Translation of Homer. The cJe- 
 brated Mr. Addifon has declared to the Publick, 
 if Mr. pjpe lliould die, and leave his Tran- 
 flation unfinished, there would be found no 
 SuccelTo. ic. There appears r.ot 
 
 only gre.it Eale but Strength in his Compofitions - 7 
 his Numbers flow with great Facility, and his 
 Thoughts are fubllme , thefe with a ready \Vitr, 
 quick Fa: 1 good Judgment, liave deierved- 
 
 ly gained Jiim a Keput.ition equal to a::y of this 
 Almoft all his Pieces are univerfiilly ap- 
 plauded, and, tlu) 1 lome few of them have 
 cavilled at by the Critic ks, what can Criticilms 
 avail when the great Sheffield a farts his Work ? 
 A Name which aUn.e would lecure him Immor- 
 tality. An-1, as Mr. /Vwr oblerires, in his 
 or, the Progrefs of the Mind.
 
 146 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 Happy the Poet, blefs'd the Lays, 
 'Which Buckingham hat deign d topraife* 
 
 His private Character is the beft, being lurnm'd 
 up in a .good Companion and a firm Friend : His 
 Talents are rightly applied, in induftrious Endea- 
 vours to illuftrate Merit : It is not in his Nature 
 to debafe Poetry with Flattery, (a Pra&ice too 
 incident to great Writers) and he is always the 
 fame. He has obliged the World with the fol- 
 lowing Performances. 
 
 I. Paftorals, with a Diicourle on Paftorals j 
 written in the Year 1704, when the* Author was 
 but Sixteen Years old. Thefe Pailorals are four 
 In Number, alluding to the four Sealbns of the 
 Year -, And they are excellently well done, 
 elpecially for a Poet of fb youthful an Age. 
 
 II. Mejfiah, a lacred Eclogue, in Imitation of 
 Virgil's Poflio. In this Piece there are thefe Lines 
 on the coming of our Saviour - 7 
 
 Lo ! Earth receives him from the bending Skies ! 
 Sink down ye Mountains, and ye tallies rife : 
 With Heads declined, ye Cedars, Homage pay ; 
 Be fmooth ye Rocks, ye rapid Floods give way ; 
 The Saviour comes ! by ancient Bards foretold 
 
 III. Windfor Foreft, to the Right Honourable 
 George Lord Lanfdown. This Poem chiefly confifts 
 of Vural Defcription, the Sports and Exerciles 
 belonging to a Country Life, Hunting, Filhing, 
 &c. intermixed with curious Hiftory, fine Al- 
 lufions and Similies. In the Beginning are thele 
 Verfes to my Lord Lanfdown j 
 
 Granville
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 147 
 
 Granville commands, your Aid, O JMufes, bring! 
 What Mufc for Granville can refufe to fag ? 
 
 IV. An Ejfay on Criticifm. This Piece is juftly 
 admired for its great Wit, beautiful Turns, Varie- 
 ty of Metaphors, and Oblervations on Poetry and 
 Criticifm : It begins with thele Lines -, 
 
 'Ttf hard to fay, if greater want of Skill 
 Appear in Writing, or in Judging ill , 
 But, of the tiro, lefs dang row is th* Offence 
 To tire our Patience^ than mislead our Senfe. 
 Sime few in that, hut Numbers err in this, 
 Ten Cenfure wrong for one who writes tmifi. 
 
 And in another Place the Author hag thele 
 Verles on Wit. 
 
 True Wit it Nature to Advantage drefid, 
 What oft TOM thought, but ne'er fo wrll cjcf 
 Something, whofe Truth convinced at Sight we find, 
 That give sw back the Image of our Mind. 
 As Shades tnore fweetly recommend the Light, 
 So mode ft Plainntfs fets of fprightly Wit : 
 For Works may have more Wit than does 'em good, 
 As Bodies perifl) through Excefs of Blood. 
 And true Exprejfion like th* unchanging Sun, *>' 
 Clears and improves whatever it Jinn es upon, ;> 
 It gilds all Objects, but it alters none. j 
 
 V. The Rape of the Lock : A Poem, in five 
 Canto's. This Piece has a great deal of Fancy and 
 fine Humour ; it was writ to expofe the little un- 
 guarded Follies of the Fair bex. The Paffege- are 
 Cibulous, and the Machines railed on the Founda- 
 
 L i ti<?a
 
 148 The. Lives and Characters of the 
 
 tion of the Roficrucian Doftrine of Spirits , accor- 
 ding to which, the four Elements are fuppofed to 
 be inhabited by Sylphs, Gnomes, Nymphs and Sa- 
 lamanders. The Poem begins with a Vifion, and 
 ends with an agreeable Transformation. The Lock 
 is taken from the Lady's Neck, and the Fair One 
 thus bewails the Lois of it :, 
 
 Ob ! hadft than, cruel , been content tofiez.e 
 Hair's lefs in fight, or any Hairs but thefe. 
 
 Thefe Lines being thought a little ludicrous by 
 the Fair Sex, and cenfured by Ibme of them, an 
 ingenious Gentleman has this Couplet in Vindica- 
 tion of the Author : 
 
 Who cenfure mo ft, more f redout Hairs would lofe, 
 To have the Rape recorded by his Mufe. 
 
 VI. The Temple of fame. A Poem full 'of In- 
 vention, deicribing the Addreffes of all Sorts of 
 Perlbns to the Goddefs, wherein the Learned are 
 firff brought in, in this Manner j 
 
 Firft at the Shrine the learned World appear, 
 jlnd to the Goddefs thw prefer their Trayr : 
 Long have we fought ? inftrutt and pie a fe Mankind, 
 With Studies pale, with Midnight Vigils blind 3 
 ^Byt thank 7 d by few, rewarded yet by none, 
 We here appeal to thy fuperior Throne: 
 On Wit and Learning the juft Prize beftow, 
 For Fame ^ all we mufl expctt below. 
 
 The Hint of this Piece was taken from Chau- 
 ccr'S Houfe of Fame } but the Defign is entirely 
 altered, the Defcriptions and moft of the Thoughts 
 being perfeftly new. 
 
 VII. January
 
 ENGLISH POTTS. 149 
 
 VII. January and May } or, The Mrrc'.xmt J s Tale, 
 from Chaucer. The Theme is an old Knight mar- 
 ried to a young I.ady, who has an amorous In- 
 trigue with his 'Squire. The Poet makes the 
 aged Knight pronounce thele Lir.es to recommend 
 
 .hlmfelf to the Lady. 
 
 Tl)'ni\ not my Virtue lofl, r/V Time has fie d 
 
 Thefe rev'rend Honours on my ho+try Hrad , 
 
 Thus Tree sore crowned with Blcffoms white t u Snow, 
 
 The vital Sap then rising from below : 
 
 Old as I am, my lufty Limbs Appear 
 
 Like Winter Greens, that fourth all the }V. 
 
 VIII. The Wife of Bath, from Clw.cer. An Em- 
 blem of Matrimony, dilplayed- in the Tale of" a 
 Woman who had five Husbands, it begins thus : 
 
 Behold the Woes of matrimonial Life, 
 And hear with Reverence an experienced Wife '. 
 To dear-bought Wifdom give tie Credit d: 
 t for once 3 aWuMJii ttlls yru 
 
 
 IX. Sapho to Phaorr, from Oi-id. 
 
 X. VcrtumriHS and Pomona, from the 14111 Book 
 of Of/Ws Afetamorphofes. 
 
 XI. The Fable of Dryope : From the Ninth 
 Book of Ow'^'s Afetamorphofes. 
 
 XII. The firft Book of Statim his Tfokw, tran- 
 flated in the Year 1 703. 
 
 XIII. Part of the 1 3th Book of Homer's Ofafis. 
 
 XIV. The Gardens of Jttcinom, from the 7th 
 Book of Homer\ Odyffes. 
 
 XV. Ode forMufick on St. Cecilia's Day. 
 
 XVI. Two Chorus's to the Tragedy of Brutut, 
 not yet publick ^ one of Athenians, and the other 
 of Youths and Virgins. 
 
 L 3 XVII,
 
 150 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 XVII. Verfes to the Memory of an unfortunate 
 Lady. 
 
 XVIII. To Mr. JeYv#, with Mr. Frefnoy's Art of 
 Painting, translated by Mr. Dryden. 
 
 XIX. To a young Lady with the Works of 
 Vciture. 
 
 XX. On a Fan of the Author's Defign, in which 
 was painted the Story of Cepbalus and Protris, with 
 the Motto Aura. veni 
 
 XXI. On Silence } in Imitation of the Style of 
 the late E. of K. 
 
 XXII. An Epitaph. 
 
 XXIII- Prologue to Mr. Addifon\ Tragedy of 
 Cato. This is one of the beft Prologues in the En- 
 glifo Language, and perfectly agreeable to the ce- 
 lebrated Piece to which it is prefix'd. It begins, 
 
 To wake the Soul by tender Strokes of Art, 
 To raife the Genittf, Mid to mend the Heart ; 
 To make Mankind , in con] clous Virtue bold, 
 Live o'er c*ch Scene, and be what they behold : 
 For this the Tragick Mufe firft trod the StAgt** 
 
 And lower are thele Lines ; 
 
 While Cato gives hit little Senate Laws, 
 What Bofom beats not in his Country's Caufe ? 
 
 XXIV. Epilogue to Jane Shore. 
 
 XXV. Occafioned by fomeVerfes of his Grace 
 the Duke of Buckingham. 
 
 XXVI. Eloifa to AbeUrd. The Poet has touched 
 the Paffion of Love very finely in this Poem, 
 where he caufes Eloifa (in a Convent) thus to ex- 
 prels her lelf.
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 151 
 
 IVhat Scenes appear wbcrc'ir I turn my View, 
 The dear Ideas, where I fly, purfue, 
 Rife in the Grove, before the Jilt or rife, 
 Stain all rny Soul, and wanton in my Eyes ! 
 Iwafte the Matin Lamp in Sighs for thee, 
 Thy Image fleals between tny God and me : 
 Thy Voice / fe e m in ev'ry Hymn to hear, 
 With ev*ry Bead I drop too Soft a Tear. 
 When from the Cenfer Clouds of Fragrance roll, 
 Andfwelling Organs lift the rifi,:r Soul ; 
 One Thought of thee puts all the Pomp to flight, 
 Pritfls, Tapers, Temples, fwim before my Sight. 
 In Seat of Flame my plunging Soul u drown d y 
 IVhile Altars hl.tz.e, and Angels tremble round. 
 
 And, in another Place, are thele Verfes. 
 
 Oh happy State ! when Souls each other draw, 
 When Love is Liberty, and Nature Law. 
 
 All thele Pieces are lately publilhed in o:ie Vo- 
 lume, Folio, and in Quarto, at London ^ and lo 
 great are their Fame in foreign Countries, that 
 they have been Re-printed in O&tvo, both in Hol- 
 land and IreLtnd. 
 
 XXVII. Homers Iliad, tranflated in fix Vo- 
 lumes, Folio, printed for Bernard Lintott. This is 
 nn excellent Tranflation ; and to fliew that Mr. 
 Pope has Fire and Spirit equal to this important 
 Undertaking, 1 ihall conclude with Ibme of his 
 Lines delcribing the Co.;fufiou of a Battel. 
 
 Now ShieU with Shield, with Helmet Hdmtt 
 
 chid, 
 
 To Armour Armour, L/\ncc to Lance opposed: 
 Hoft againft Hoft with /?j.r/.;ir> <-]u.i.irons drew j 
 The founding D.trts in Iron Twpcfts flew : 
 L 4
 
 1 5 2 The. Lives and Characters of the 
 
 P r tttors and vatiquiflfd join promifcuous Cries, 
 And, frilling Ghauts and dying Groans arife : 
 With flr earning Blood the fltpfry Fields are 
 j4nd-jjl<*ugbter*d Heroes fwelt the dreadful "Tide. 
 J>s Torrents roll, increased by numerous Rills, 
 With Rage impetuous down their ecchoing Hills j 
 JJrtJJj to the yalesy find poured along the Plain, 
 Rr.ftr thro* a Thoufand Channels to the 'Main j 
 The diftant Shepherd trembling hear? the Sound , 
 So mix both Hofts, and fo their Cries rebound. 
 
 The Horfe and Foot in mingled Deaths unite, 
 jlrid Groans of Slaughter mix with Shouts of fight', 
 J-IurVd from their Cars the br av e ft Chiefs are ki IP d, 
 And Rage and Death and Carnage load the Field. 
 
 This Tranflation has an admirable Preface, 
 which fhews the Author ; excellent in Profe as 
 well as Verfe. He finifh'd this great Work in 
 the Year, 1720. It is alib Reprinted in Holland. 
 
 % : * A -t- # * * & A : * * * ^ * S & : * 
 
 - 
 
 A Poet likewife now living, of the greateft 
 Eminence. He is the Son or Mr. George 
 Priory Citizen of London ; who dying while he was 
 very young, left him to the Care of his Un- 
 cle, which prov'd Paternal, as Mr. Prior through 
 the Courfe of his Life has always acknowledged- 
 with the greateft Gratitude. He was bred at Wefl- 
 minfter School, where, as7)r. Sprat fays of Mr.'Coir- 
 ley, he early obtained and increafed the noble Ge- 
 inas peculiar to tliat Place. He was thence remo- 
 ved to St. John's College in Cambridge 9 of which 
 
 Society
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 153 
 
 Society foon after he had taken the Degree of Bat- 
 c he lor of Arts, he was made Fellow, and retains the 
 fume Honour to this Day. He wrote leveral Copies 
 of Veries when very Young, as appears by the 
 tirft in his Printed Poems. In the Reign of King 
 y.tmcs II. jointly with Mr. Montague, iince Earl or" 
 Halifax, he wrote the Poem called, The City Movfe 
 and Country Afoufe, in Anfwer to the famous Hind 
 and Panther of Mr. Dryden. Upon the Revolution 
 he was brought to Court by the late Earl of Dor- 
 fa, that great Patron of all polite Learning, by 
 whom from his Infancy lie was beloved and encou- 
 
 l, and as he grew up to Manhood, had a great 
 Share in his Intimacy and Friendfhip. Under this 
 noble Lord's Patronage he enterVi into publick Bu- 
 finefi, and was ftrjft made Secretary to their Maje- 
 fties King William and Queen Mary at the Congrels 
 at the Hague, m 1690, the late Earl of Berkeley 
 being their Majeflies Plenipotentiary there. He 
 was thence appointed Secretary of the Embafly 
 to the prelent Earl of Pembroke, the late Earlofjfcr- 
 fey, and Sir Jofcph Wittiamfon, Ambalfadors at the 
 Peace of Refoick [ -, was likewile Secretary to the 
 two fucceeding Emba/lics in France -, thote of the 
 late Earls of PunUnd and Jrrfey. He was Secre- 
 tary of State in the Kingdom of IrcUnd, then one 
 of the Lords Commiflioners of Trade and Plan- 
 radons, and by her late Mujcfly made one of the 
 Commiffioners of the Cuftoms, and her Majefty's 
 Plenipotentiary Minifter in France, 1711. So that 
 
 4 into publick Bufmefs very young, and having 
 continued therein for Seven and Twenty Years, his 
 Poetry (to ufe his own Words in his Preface to his 
 Posms; was only the Produft of his leifure Hours, 
 
 who 
 
 f- Many Memorials of bis drwir.'' :< Vide Bwls of 
 Treaty,
 
 154 Tb e Lives and Characters of tbe 
 
 who had Bufinels enough upon his Hands, and was 
 only a Poet by Accident. In all his Employments 
 he has acquitted himfelf with great Fidelity, 
 and furEciently (hewn, his uncommon Abilities, to 
 whichhisfine Lea ruing hath not a little contributed. 
 Tho' ufed to a Court, he is unskill'd in Flattery, 
 and averfe to Grandeur. His Sincerity is very ex- 
 traordinary , and as his Generofay and Good-na- 
 ture are the moft ex^enfive, fb are his Princi- 
 ples of Humanity. For his Talents, he is a Man 
 6f great Wit and Vivacity , admirable at Inventi- 
 on. His Thoughts are new and pleating, and hap- 
 pily work'd up: His Tales are inimitable-, his Lines 
 cafy and harmonious, and a Mafterly Judgment is 
 diicovernble in all his Performances. Upon the 
 whole, he is the Cowley of this Age. The Pieces 
 written by this Gentleman are, 
 
 I. An Ode on Exodus iii. 14. I Am that I am. 
 Written in 1 688, as an Exercife at St. John's Col- 
 leae Cambridge. This is an admirable Piece, and a 
 difeerning Eye might in this alone have ieen the 
 Promifes of a Solomon. 
 
 II. To the Counters of Exeter flaying on the 
 Lute. In this Piece the Poet Ipeaking of the Beau- 
 ty of this Lady, and her great Influence by her 
 Qualifications, has this excellent Simile. 
 
 Tloe Perfians thits firft gazing on the Sun, 
 jidmir'd him high'*tWM ptac^dj how bright it front , 
 
 But. as his Pow'r was known* their Thoughts were 
 ' A 
 
 rats 
 
 j4rtdfoon they worfri^d what at firft they p 
 
 III. On the Pitturc of Seneca dying in A Bath, 
 ty Jordan. At the Right Honourable the Earl 
 of ExeteSs at BurUigh-H-oufe* 
 
 IV. An Ode. This Piece " it-eras to be writ to the 
 Author's Miftrefs. It begins thus : While
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 155 
 
 le blooming Touth, and gay Delight 
 Sit on thy rofy Cheeks confeft, 
 77;0 haft, my Dear, undoubted Right 
 
 70 triumph o'er this deftiri*d Breaft. 
 My Reafon bends to what thy Eyes ordain j 
 For I was born to Love, and thou to Reign 
 
 V. An Epiftle to fleetwood Shepherd, E% This 
 is a very humorous Piece \ it has finely expos'd 
 our Modern Poets, Criticilm, and the Manner of 
 forming of Poems. 
 
 VI. To the Countefs of Dorfet. Written in her 
 Milton. 
 
 VII. To the Lady Ditrjlcy on the fame Sub- 
 ject. 
 
 Both thele Pieces are very much admir'd. In 
 the firft, to tke Lady Dorfet, ( Ipeaking of Eve in 
 the Creation ) the Author has thele Lines : 
 
 TWTS, the beft Copy of th* Original Face, 
 Whofe Beauty wot to furnifi all the RMC 
 
 And in the tail to the Lady Durfley. 
 
 With Virtue ftrong asvours had Eve been arm*d, 
 In -vain the fruit had bluflfd, or Serpent charmed : 
 Nor had our Blifs by Penitence been bought j 
 Nor had frail Adam fallen, nor Milton -mote. 
 
 VIII. To the Lord Buckhurft very young, play- 
 ing with a Cat. 
 
 IX. The Defpairing Shepherd. 
 
 X. To the Honourable Charles Montague, Elq; 
 
 XI. Hymn to the Sux. Set by Dr. Puree t, and 
 fung before their Majefties on Nero-Tear's- Day, 
 1694. This excellent Piece begins, 
 
 Light
 
 j*)6 The Lives, and Characters of the 
 
 Light of the World, and Ruler of the Tew, 
 With happy Speed begin thy great Career ; 
 .And, M than do* ft thy radiant Jaurnies run 
 Thro 1 tifry diftant Climate own, 
 That in- fair Albion thoU haft feen 
 The gxeateft Prince, the brighteft Queen, 
 That ever favd a Land, or bleft a Throne, 
 Since fifft. tl?y Reams were > fpread, or genial 
 f(rwtT das known. 
 . 
 
 XII. The Ladies Looking-Glafs. 
 MI. Ta'Mrs. Eighth. Singer, on her Paftoral 
 call'd Love_ and Friendship. 
 
 - XIV. Seeing the Duke of Ohnond's Piftare''at 
 Sir Godfrey Kneller's. Thefe Verles deicribe the. 
 duke of Onwflw^'s.gloriousr Behaviour at 'the Bat- 
 tel of Landen. 
 
 XV. Celia to Damov 
 
 XVI. An Ode. Prefented to King William on 
 his Majefty's Arrival'm Holland, after the Queen's 
 Death, 1695. The Poet fets out thus : 
 
 Tomb, ( fad fared. Place !) 
 The Virtues frail their Vigils keep : 
 And ei/ry Afafe, and ev'ry Grace 
 In folemn State frail' ever weep. 
 
 . 
 
 The. future, piotu, mournful 1W, 
 Oft M the rolling Tears return, 
 With fragrant Wreaths, and flawing Hair, 
 Shall 'uifit her diftinguifr'd Urn. 
 
 for her the Wife and. Great frail mourn :, 
 When late Records her Deeds repeat : 
 jlges to come, and Men -unborn 
 
 Shall foh her Name, ajid Itkfs her Fate. 
 
 XVII. In
 
 ENGLISH POET.?. 157 
 
 XVII. In Imitation of Anacretn. 
 
 XVIII. On the taking of Namur. 
 
 XIX. A Poem prefented to the Kirg at his Arri- 
 val in Holland, after the Ditcovery of the Confp: ra- 
 cy. 1696. 
 
 XX. ToOtfWeepir.p:. 
 
 XXI. To Mr. fl \.-.OJc. 
 
 XXII. Love Difarrnd. In this Piece, the Pee: 
 makes Cupid fleep on Cloe 's Breaft, where ite t 
 him Prilbner, and for his Releafement obtai; 
 Bow and Dart, with which ihe wounds Mankind. 
 
 XXIII. Cupid and G'wwcdc. 
 
 XXIV. Cupid Miftaken. 
 
 XXV. Vcrttu .Miftaken. 
 
 XXVI. Tne Dove a Poem. In this Poem, fir- 
 ma having loft her favourite Dove,- lends Cupid to 
 make a Search for k:, who repairing to Cloe, exa- 
 mines her in Bed, and below her Boibm he 
 
 the Feathers of the Dove, as i.s thus exprertei in the 
 laft b'tanza. 
 
 O ! whitbtr do thofe Fingers rove, 
 
 Cries Cloe, ireAch y rotts 'Urchin, whither ? 
 
 () \'ei;us ! jflmft find the Dove, 
 Says He , 'for here I touch /;,v R.A ; 
 
 XXVII. A Lover's Anger. 
 
 XXVIII. Mercury and Cvptd. 
 
 XXIX. On Beauty, a Kiddle. 
 
 XXX. TheQue{tiontoL/7<fr.r Ar.dher Reply . 
 
 XXXI. The Garland.' 
 
 X XXII. Cloe Jealous. And an Anfwer to it. 
 
 '.XIII. PdUs tt. An Epigram. l r er.tu 
 
 naked meeting pdLu clad in ihining Armour , 
 boafts how potent ihe ihould be if thus drafted, 
 to which FMLu anfweis, 
 
 rh,n
 
 158 The Lives and Charaders of the 
 
 Thou to beflrong muft put ojf every Drefs: 
 Thy only Armour is thy Nakednefs : 
 And, more than once, (or thou art much betyd) 
 By Mars himfelfthat Armour bos been try*d. 
 
 XXXIV. To a young Gentleman in Love. A 
 Tale. This Tale has a very good Moral : And 
 begins, 
 
 from publick Noife and fattiowt Strife ', 
 from all the bufy Ills of Life, 
 Take me, my Cloe, to thy Breafl j 
 And lull my wearied Soul to Reft : 
 For ever, in this humble Cell, 
 Let thee and f, my Fair one, dwell ; 
 None enter elfe, but Love and He 
 
 Shall bar the Door, and keep the Key* 
 
 To fainted Roofs, and jhining Syircs 
 (Unsafy Seats of high Dejires) 
 Let the unthinking many croud, 
 Ithat dare be Covetotts and Proud } 
 In Golden Bondage let them Wait, 
 And Barter Happinefs for State : 
 But Oh ! My Cloe, when thy Swam 
 Dejires to fee a Court again , 
 May Heav'n around this deftirfd Head 
 The choicefl of his Curfesjhed : 
 TQ fum up all the Rage of Fate, "^ 
 
 In the two things I &e ad and hate, > 
 
 May* ft thou be Falfe, and I be Grtat. J> 
 
 XXXV. An Englifh Padlock. The Author fixes 
 the Padlock on the Mind. 
 
 XXX VI. Hans Carvel. This is a Tale of great 
 Humour. 
 
 XXXVII.
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 159 
 
 XXX VII. Paulo Purganti and his Wife : An ho- 
 ueft, but a fimple Pair. Pctuh P urgent i is a Phvfi- 
 cian, who having married a young Wife, is not able 
 to go through the repeated Duty defired by 
 her, whereupon he pretends fhe is fick, and that 
 'tis Poyfon to her. 
 
 y in your Waters ? are you mad ! 
 Why Poyj'on v& not half fo bad, 
 /'// do it - > * Bur I give you Warning : 
 You'll die loefre to Af arrow Morning. 
 '77* kind, my Dear, what you advife, 
 Tine Lady with a Sigh replies : 
 But Life, you know, at be ft is Pain, 
 And. Death it what we foould difdain. 
 So do it therefore . n and adieu, 
 For I will die for lwe of you. - 
 Let other Wives by Death befcar'd, 
 But, to my Comfort, fm prepar d. 
 
 ^ XXX VIII. rhe Ladle, a Tale. This Tale, which 
 ieems low and trivial in the Wiih for a Silver 
 Ladle, the Husband's v/lfhiug it fixed in the 
 WomiihV Hiirk-fide, and afterwards wilhing ic out 
 again ; has an excelleiit Moral in the natural Pro- 
 penfity of Mankind, to defire Icuflb8th|ng they have 
 not, and which they dou't know whac to Jo with 
 when obtained. 
 
 That fomething if we could 
 Would foon create a future fain : 
 And. to the Cojinfrom the Cradle, 
 TuaBa Wijh, and alt a 
 
 XXXIX. Verfes written in the Beginning of Aft- 
 leray's Hiftory of prance. 
 
 XL. A
 
 160 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 XL. A PafTage in the MOYI& Encomium of Eraf- 
 VMM imitated. 
 
 XLI. To Dr. Sherlock, on his Practical Difcourie 
 concerning Death. 
 
 XLI1. Carmen Secular e, for the Year 1 700. To the 
 King. This is an excellent Poem, and very much 
 in Praile of King William. The Reverend Mr. 
 Tho. Dibben has given the World an admirableTran- 
 flation of this Piece in Latin, which Mr. prior him- 
 ielf owns comes up to the Original. This learned 
 and ingenious Gentleman was bred up in Trinity Col- 
 lege, Cambridge, and is now Reftor of Fontmel in the 
 County of D orfet. He is likewife Chaplain to the 
 Lord Bifhop of London, and attended his Lordihip 
 at the Congress tt Utrecht in the Year 1711. 
 
 XL1II. An Ode infer ibed to the Honourable Col- 
 lonel George Villiers, drowned in the River Piava 
 1703. This Ode is extremely moving, and con- 
 eludes with this Requeft jrf the Perlbn who fliould 
 find the Corps. 
 
 Who eer thou art, whom Choice or Sus^neff leads 
 To this fad River, or the neighboring Meads ; 
 Jf thou may* ft happen on the dreary Shores 
 To find the Objeft which this Verfe deplores ', 
 Cleanfe the pale Corps with a religious Hand 
 from the polluting Weed and common Sand j 
 Lay the dead Hero graceful in a Grave, 
 (The only Honour he can now receive) 
 jind fragrant Mould upon his Body throw, ~> 
 And plant the Warrior Laurel o'er his SroW , S 
 Light lie the Earth, and flourish green the Bough, j 
 
 So when by the fame Sentence breathlefs thou 
 j4nd palefialt lie, as what thou burieft now ; 
 
 ,, 
 
 May
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 161 
 
 May fame kind Friend the piteous Objefl fee, 
 And equal Rites perform to That which once rr.tf 
 Thee. 
 
 XLIV. Prologue fpoken at Court before the 
 Queen, on her Majefty's Birth-Day 1704. 
 
 XLV. A Letter to Monfieur Boileau Defpreaux, 
 occafioned by the Victory at Blenheim 1 704. 
 
 XLVI. For the Plan of a Fountain, on which is 
 the Effigies of Queen Anne on a triumphal Arch, 
 the Figure of the Duke of Afjrlborough beneath, 
 and the chief Rivers of the World round the whole 
 Work. 
 
 XLVII. The Chamelion. 
 
 XLVIH. A Simile. This is a Comparison of 
 fbme Poets to Squirrels in a rowling Cage, ever 
 afpiring, but always low. 
 
 XLIX. Epigrams, one whereof on a Poet's be- 
 ing called a Fool. 
 
 ft s, every Poet is A Fool : 
 
 By Demonftration Ned can flnw it : 
 
 Happy, could Ned'* inverted Rule 
 Prove every Fool to be a Poet. 
 
 L. The Nut-bromt Maid. A Poem written three 
 hundred Years fince. 
 
 1.1. Henry and Emma, a Poem upon the Model 
 of the Nut-brown Maid. This Poem finely il- 
 luftrates the Conftancy of Love in the fovereft 
 Tryal. 
 
 1.11. An Ode humbly infcribed to Queen Anne, 
 on the glorious Succels ot her Ma jelly's Arms 
 1706, written in Imitation of Spencer's Style. Mr. 
 Prior has made Horde's fourth Ode in the fourth 
 Book (where he wrote in Praife of Drufus after 
 his Expedition into Germany, and of ^w^w/tt/up- 
 
 M on
 
 1 62 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 on his happy Choice of that General) his Pattern 
 in this Piece, and has fhewn a great Excellency 
 throughout. 
 
 LIII. Cantata, let by Monfieur Gdliard. 
 
 LIV. A true Maid. 
 
 LV. A reaibnable Affliction. 
 
 LVI. Philips Age. 
 
 LVII. A Critical Moment. This was a fatal 
 Minute. 
 
 How capricious were Nature and Art to poor Nell? 
 She was painting her Cheeks at the timeherNofe fell* 
 
 LVIII. An Epigram written to the Duke de 
 Noailles. 
 
 LIX. The Thief to the Cordelier. This Piece has 
 a great deal of Humour. 
 
 LX. An Epitaph, containing a very natural De- 
 fer iption of an eafy indolent Life. 
 
 LXI. To the Right Honourable Mr. Harley, in 
 Imitation of Horace, Lib. T . Epift- 9. 
 
 LXII. To Mr. Harley, wounded by Gulfcard, 
 1711, an Ode. 
 
 LXIH. Earl Robert's Mice. A famous Tale, in 
 Chancels Style- 
 
 LXIV. On Sufanna and the two Elders, in the 
 fame Style. 
 
 LXV. To the Lady Elizabeth Harley , fince 
 Marchionefs of Carmarthen, on a Column of her 
 Drawing. 
 
 LXVI. Protogenes and Ayelles. 
 
 LXVII. For the Author's own Tomb -Stone: 
 An excellent Epigram. 
 
 LXVIII. (jualterus Danlftonus ad Arnicas, imitated. 
 
 LXIX. The firft Hymn of Ca'limachus to Jupiter. 
 
 LXX. The feco.nd Hymn of Cattimachus to A- 
 fllo. 
 
 LXXI.
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 163 
 
 LXXI. Charity: A Paraphrale on the i3th 
 Chapter of the ftrft Epiftle to the Corinthians. This 
 is an admirable Piece. 
 
 LXXII. Written in Montaignfs ElTuys, given to 
 die Duke of Slirewsbuy in France, after the Peace, 
 1713. 
 
 LXXIII. An Epiflle, defiring the Queen's Pi- 
 fture. Written at Paris, 1714. 
 
 LXXIV. Alma , or, the Progrefs of the Mind* 
 In three Canto's. This Poem has an infinite Variety 
 of Invention. 
 
 LXXV. Solomon, on the Vanity of the World. 
 A Poem in three Books : The firft Book on Know- 
 ledge, the lecond Pleafure, and the third oa Power* 
 This lublime and incomparable Poem begins ihus j 
 
 Te Sons of Men, rvithjuft Regard attend, 
 Obfervc the Preacher, and. believe the Friend, 
 Whofeferious Afufe infpires him to explain, 
 That all we aft, and all we think is vaint 
 That in this Pilgrimage of fevcnty Years, 
 OVr Rocks of Perils, and thro' f^ales of Tears 
 Deftin'd to march, our doubtful Steps we tend, 
 Ttr'd of the Toil, yet fearful of its End : 
 Tliat from the IVomb -we take our fatal Shares 
 Of Follies, Paflions, Labour s y Tumults, Cares } ' 
 And at Abroach of Death fodl only know 
 Te Truths, which from thefe penpve Numbers 
 
 ^ fl, 
 TUM we purfuefalfe Joy, andfufer real Woe. 
 
 After an Enquiry into, and an excellent De- 
 icription of the various Operations and Eifccb of 
 Nature, the Syftem of the Heavens, eS;. and not 
 being rully infonned of them, the Jirft Book con- 
 cludes i 
 
 M 2 ffoi9
 
 164 The Lives and Chara&ers of 'the 
 
 flow narrow Limits were to Wifdomgi'Sn ? 
 Earth foe furveys : She thence would meafure 
 
 Heav'n : 
 
 Thro' lUifts obfcure, now Wings her tedious way \ 
 Now wanders dat.Fd with too bright a, Day j 
 And from the Summit of apathlefs Coaft 
 Sees INFINITE, and in that Sight is loft. 
 
 In the lecond Book the Uncertainty, Difap- 
 pointments and Vexation attending Pleaiure in 
 general are admirably defcribed :, and in the Cha- 
 rafter of Solomon is fufficiently jfhevvn, that no- 
 thing debates Majefty, (or indeed any ManJ more 
 than an ungovernable Paifion. 
 
 When thus the gathered Storms of wretched Love 
 In tnyfwoin Bofom^ with long War had ftrove ; 
 At length they broke their Bounds } at length their 
 
 Force 
 
 Sore down whatever met its ftronger Courfe : 
 Laid all the civil Bonds of Manhood wafte. 
 And fcatter'd Ruin as the Torrent pafs d. 
 So from the Hills , when fwelling Rain *- 
 
 The third Book, which takes particular Notice 
 of the Trouble and Inftability of Greatneis and 
 Power, confide rs Man through the leveral Stages 
 and Conditions of Life, and has fine Reasoning 
 upon Life and Death. On the laft there are thele 
 Lines, 
 
 Cure of the Mifer^s Wifh, and Coward's Fear, 
 Death onlyfoews / what we knew WM near. 
 ' With Courage therefore view the pointed Hour ; 
 Dread not Death's Anger , but expeft its Pcw'r ; 
 
 Nor
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 165 
 
 2for NMure's L.ITV with fruit/eft Sorrow mourn j 
 But Me, O mortal Mart ! for thou waft burn. 
 
 In another Place -, 
 
 Joyotu of Life, but not afraid to die. 
 And farther, 1 the Poet has thefe Simile's on Life. 
 
 As Smoke that rifes from the kindling Fires 
 Jsfeen this Moment, and the next expires : 
 As empty Clouds by rifing Winds are toft. 
 Their fleeting Forms no fooner found than loft : 
 So van: fie s our State , fo pafs our Days j 
 So Life but opens now, and novo decays : 
 Te Cradle and the Tomb, alas ! fo nigh ? 
 To live if fcarce diftingui^dfrom to die. 
 
 Solomon at length finding human Reafbn too 
 imperfect to relblve his Doubts, relating to Death 
 and a future being, has Recourle to Religion, which 
 ends this Poem. 
 
 All thcfo excel lent Poems, with fome other finall 
 Pieces, are lately publiihed in one large Volume, 
 Folio, with a Dedication to the Earl of Dorfet 
 and Middle fex, which, I may venture to lay, is 
 the beft that ever was writ in the EngHjh Tongue. 
 
 M 3 0- FRAX-
 
 166 The Lives and Charaders of the 
 
 FRANCIS Qu A R L ES , Efq- y 
 
 * I ^ H E Life of this Gentleman I have written in 
 JL my firft Volume of the Lives of the Poets, 
 fo that my Bufmels in this place is to give Ibme 
 Account, tho'ftiort, of his Poetical Writings, not 
 Dramatick :, which I ftiall do as follows. 
 
 I. The Hiftory ofSampfon done into Verfe. 
 
 II. The Hiftory of Jonah. 
 
 III. Oijob Militant, a Piece much commended. 
 
 IV. The Hiftory ofEfther. 
 
 V. Songs of Sion. 
 
 VI. Sw?s Elegies. All thele are writ in a lofty 
 Strain. 
 
 VII. Argilm and Partbenia, This Piece is moft- 
 ly taken from Sir Philip Sidneys Arcadia. 
 
 VIII. Epigrams, Emblems, &c. 
 
 He was Cotemporary with Mr. PUtteas Fletcher, 
 that Divine Poet, and great Philofopher ^ on whofe 
 Excellent Pcem entitled the Purple IJland , he 
 wrote thefe Verfes, .comparing Man's Frame to a 
 Building. 
 
 Mans Body like a ffoufe, hi* greater Bones 
 Are the main Timber } and the lejfer ones 
 Are only Splints : His Ribs like Laths daub'd oer 
 Plaifterd with* Flfjh and Blood : His Afauttfs the 
 
 Door y 
 
 His Throat's the narrow Entry, and his Heart 
 Is the ire At Chamber, full of curious Art ;
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 167 
 
 His Midriff makes a large Partition Wall^ 
 ""Twist the great Chamber, and the fp.icious HMh 
 Hit Stomach is the Kit chin , where the Jwctt 
 h often but halffod for want of Heat : 
 //;> Spleens a Vcftd, Nature does ullot 
 To take the Scum that rifts from the Pot : 
 Ha Lwgs are like the Bellows, that refpii-e 
 In M/Vy Office , quickning every Fire : 
 His Nofc the Chimney is, whereby are vented 
 Such Fumes as with the Bellows are augmented : 
 His Borvels make the Sink, his Parts to drain 
 Ail noifom Filth, And keep the Kitchen clean : 
 His Eyes are Cnftal Windows, clear and bright ; 
 Let in the Objctt, and let out the Liglt. 
 Jlnd as f /; Timber is or great, orfms.ll, 
 Or ft rang, or weak, 'tis apt to ft and or faR : 
 Tet if the like tic ft Building Jometimes known- 
 To fall by obuiow Chances ; overthrown 
 Oft times by Tcmprfls ' 
 
 This Poet Flour ifliM in the beginning of the 
 Reign of King J.IMCS the Firft. 
 
 AA & * &&&&,&&&& 
 
 Mr. JOHN CLu A R L E s. 
 
 
 
 SO N to Francis Qu.irles, Elq^ and his Father's 
 Gem'us was not only infos'd into him, but his 
 Ibund Principles of Loyalty. He was addiftedto 
 Arms as well as Arts, being a Captain in the King's 
 Army, but on the Grand Rebellion Loyalty fur- 
 feringin Eclipfe, he came up to London, and there 
 continued 'till the ?reat Sicknefs prevailed, which, 
 amongft vaft Numbers of others, fwep: him away. 
 His Poetical Pieces are, 
 
 M 4 I. Au
 
 1 68 The Lives and Characters of tie 
 
 I. An Excellent Elegy on the Lord Capell. 
 
 II. A Curfe on the Enemies of Peace, a very 
 Loyal Poem, concluding with this Line, 
 
 Who loves not Peace, in Peace (ball never Die. 
 
 R. 
 
 jlfr. WILLIAM RAMSEY. 
 
 A Poet in the Reign of King //wry the Second. 
 He was Born in Hvntlngton$ir'e 9 in which 
 Couiity flourifhed the richeft Benedictines Abbey in 
 Englandjcho 1 he did not fettle here, but removed to 
 Cy0n?/<W,where Prolperity attending him,he loon be- 
 came Abbot. He was a Man of great naturalt Parts, 
 a fine Scholar, and good Mathematician : And what 
 35 moft worthy OMervation in his Life (and very 
 much Ib, considering him a Poet) was his accumu- 
 lating great Wealth, and thereout difcharging 
 Forty Thouland Marks the Debt of others, for 
 which his Convent was engaged. This was an im- 
 menfe Sum in that Age, but 'twas reported he had 
 the Affiftance of King Henry , who to expiate the 
 Blood ofBecketjwas very bountiful to many Church- 
 es. He died about the Year 1 1 80, and in his Life- 
 time wrote 
 
 I. The Life of St. Edmond the King. 
 
 II. Of Sc. Guthlakc. 
 
 III. St. tfcots j all in Verfe. 
 
 Mr'.
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 169 
 
 Mr. THOMASRANDOLPH. 
 
 r~Tp H E minuteft particulars of this ingeni- 
 J_ ous Gentleman's Life cannot be otherwife 
 than entertaining, as he was a Favourite of the 
 great Ben. Johnfon \ for which reafbn, I ftiall add to 
 what I have mentioned of him in the Poetical Re- 
 giftcr , that his extraordinary Indulgence to the 
 too liberal Converfe with the Multitude of his Ap- 
 plauders, drawing him to an immoderate way of 
 Living, by the Influence of Bacchw, there hap- 
 pened on a time fbme Words to pafs between 
 him and another Gentleman ^ which at length 
 grew Ib high , that the Gentleman drew his 
 Sword, and cut off Mr. Randolph's little Finger, 
 whereupon he Extempore, and with his ufual good 
 Humour, made this Couplet. 
 
 A Finger's Loft, Ifpeak it not in Sport, 
 Will make * Verfe A Foot *t leaf too fiort. 
 
 After this, during his Stay in London, when his 
 Circumftances were very low, he refblved a Vifit 
 to Ben. Johnfon, and the reft of the famous Wits 
 of his time, which he was informed ufed to aflbci- 
 ate, and keepa Club together at the DevilTavcrnnczr 
 Temple-Bar. Accordingly he repaired thithei'jbut be- 
 ing dejefted through his want of Money ,he had not 
 alfurance to venture into the Room where Ben. and 
 his Companions were aflembled, but peeped in at 
 them, whereupon Ben. Johnfon^ quick Eye fbon 
 dilcovcred him, and he immediately laid John Bo- 
 peep come in, and by that Encouragement he pre- 
 fumed to approach the Company, where he was 
 
 well
 
 170 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 well received ; tho' they began to make Verles on 
 the Meanneis of his Habit, and asked him if he 
 could not Rhime,at the fame time requiring him to 
 call for his Bottle ; to which, there being four of 
 them, he thus aniwered, 
 
 i 
 / John Bo-peep, to you four Sheep, 
 
 With each on \H* good Fleece, 
 Jfthat yo-u are willing, to give me five Shitting, 
 'Tis Fifteen-pence a piece. 
 
 By Jelus, quoth Ben. Johnfon (his ufual Oath) I 
 believe this is my Son Randolph, which being made 
 known to them, he met with a very friendly En- 
 tertainment, and Ben. ever after called him his Son. 
 
 His Poems published after his Death, and uih- 
 ered into the World by the greateft Wits of thole 
 times, patted the Teft with general Applaufe, and 
 have bore leveral Impreffions , amongft which 
 were moft efteemed, the two following Pieces, viz.. 
 
 I. The Cambridge Duns, a very facetious enter- 
 taining Performance. 
 
 II. His Parley with his empty Purie j a Piece 
 admir'd for its Humour. 
 
 Captain ALEXANDER RATCLIFF. 
 
 AK Officer of the Army, devoted to Parnajfa. 
 He was a Man of a ftrong propenfity to Mirth 
 and Plealure, as generally moft of our Military 
 Gentlemen are. He wrote merrily in all his Per- 
 formances, and the chief of his Works are, 
 
 I. The Ramble. 
 
 II. A.CjR to the Gx.trd by a Drum. 
 
 III. News
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 171 
 
 III. News from ffett. All thefe Pieces have a 
 great deal of low Humour. 
 
 Mr. REYNARDSON. 
 
 A Young Gentleman Educated at Baliol Col- 
 lege in Oxford, he Studied Phyfick for Ibme 
 time at Ley4en t where I am informed he took a 
 Doftor's Degree. He is the Son of an eminent 
 Twkty Merchant formerly of London , but now 
 Collector of the Cuftoras at Briftol. His Pieces are, 
 
 I. The Stage. A Poem. This Piece after a ge- 
 neral Defcription of the Progrels of the Stage, gives 
 particular Characters of our moft celebrated Poets 
 and A&ors. 
 
 II. An Ode on Divine VtngtAnct. This is an ex- 
 cellent Poem. 
 
 This Author, in his Poem on the Stage, taking 
 notice of Foreigners being formerly rejected , but 
 of late very much carels'd, has this Similie with 
 relation to the French. 
 
 So frogs by French-men are M Dtintits Sterid y 
 And what JVM Egypt'* TUgue it France'* food. 
 
 S. 
 
 HENRY S ACHEVEREL L, D. D. 
 
 THIS famous Divine was born at 
 rough in Wittfhire. He is a younger Son of 
 the Reverend Mr. Sachevcretl Minifter of that 
 Place y a Gentleman of great Character nnd E- 
 
 fteem
 
 174 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 and Lord Chamberlain of the Houlhold to King 
 William the Third, by whom he was created Earl 
 ofMidMefcx, and made Knight of the Garter. He 
 was the Wonder and Delight of all that knew him, 
 and the great Mec&nas of the laft Age. As Mr. 
 Prior has oblerv'd, a Thouland Ornaments and 
 Graces met in the Compofition of this great Man , 
 and contributed to make him univerfally belov'd 
 and efteem'd. While the Greatnefs of his Mien 
 infbrm'd Men, they were approaching the Noble- 
 man, the Sweetnefs of it invited them to come 
 nearer to the Patron. His Behaviour was eafy and 
 courteous to all, but diftinguim'd, and adapted 
 to each Man in particular according to his Station 
 and Quality. .His Wit was abundant, noble, bold : 
 And his extraordinary Genius was accompanied 
 with a true Judgment in all kinds of Learning. This 
 occafion'd the moft eminent Matters in their feve- 
 ral ways to appeal to his Determination, as Waller, 
 Dryden, Butler, &c. His Thoughts were always 
 new , and the Expreflion of them very happy. 
 His Satyr indeed is Ib leverely pointed, that in it 
 he appears, what the Lord Rochefter lays he was j 
 
 The beftgood Man, with the worft natur'd Mufe. 
 
 He was very fliarp in his Reflections, but never 
 in the wrong Place. His Darts were lure to 
 wound ; but they were fure to hit none but thoie 
 whofe Follies gave him very fair Aim. Mr. Dryden 
 iayshis Lordihip excell'd all others in the leveral 
 Parts of Poetry he had undertaken : And he was 
 not only an excellent Poet himfelf, but he knew 
 how to fet a Value upon the ingenious Performan- 
 ces of others, and to encourage them according to 
 their Merit. His Generolity was beyond all Ex- 
 ample. He was the Support of all the Poets of 
 
 his
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 175 
 
 his Time : And 'twas he that recommended the 
 Late Lord Halifax to Kine; William 9 promoted 
 Mr. Prior, preferr'd Mr. AfMmvarin^ Mr. Stepney 
 and many others who have made no inconiiderable 
 Figure in Publick Employment's. His l.ordlhip 
 liv'd to a fair Age, and died very much lamented 
 at his Seat SLtWithenham near Buckhurft in Suflex. He 
 Honoured the World with the following Poems. 
 
 I. To the Counted of Dorcheflcr, Miftreis to 
 King Jamet II. Tiiis is a fhort, but very fcvere 
 Satyr. 
 
 II. The moft eminent Ninnies , a Satyr upon King 
 Jtmcs's Courtiers , wherein tlie fair Sex have alfb 
 a large Share of hisLordfhip's pointed'Refleftions. 
 
 III. To a Perfbn of Honour, upon his Incompa- 
 rable Incomprehenfible Poem : The Britifi Princes, 
 an Heroick Poem, Written by the Honourable 
 Edward Howard, Elq;. 
 
 IV. Madam AJMntcnon's Advice to the French 
 King. 
 
 V- Knotting, a Poem. And ibme other fraall 
 Pieces. 
 
 OOOOOOOOOCOOOOOOOvOOOO 
 GEORGE SANDYS, 
 
 SON of Dr. Sand\<, Archbifttop of Tork; and a 
 divine Poet and elegant Tranilator in the laft 
 Age, who oblig'd the Publick with an Admirable 
 Tranflation of Ovid's MtT.imoryhofei. lie Eu- 
 glifh'd Ovid's Verfes on Fame, 
 
 Jamque Opu exejri: Quid nee Jovis irA y ntc 
 ignes, 
 
 Necpotcritferrum, ntc tdtx thtlcre vetujhif, &J. 
 
 Thtti,
 
 i-j6 The Lives and Characters of the 
 Thus, 
 
 And, now the Work is ended, -which Jove'j 
 Nor Fire, nor Sword, jhall raz,e, nor eating Age, 
 Come when it will my Death's uncertain Hour, 
 Which only of my Body hath a Pow'r : 
 Tetjhall my better part tranfcend the Sky, 
 And my Immortal Name ft all never dye : 
 For where feeder the Roman Eagles fpread 
 Their Conquering Wings, IJhall of all be read. 
 And if we Prophets can J?r ef ages give y 
 Jin my Fame eternally jhalt Live. 
 
 Horace, Martial, Lucan, and other ancient Poets 
 have Lines to the lame purpofe , as have likewife 
 ibme of our Modern Bards } (tho' with lefi Right ) 
 which makes good the Motto. 
 
 Marmora Masonij vincunt Monument A LibelU ' 7 
 
 Plvitur ingenio^ > ' 
 
 Mr. Addifon, Mr. Pope, Mr. Sewel, and feveral 
 other Ingenious Gentlemen have lately given us an 
 excellent Tranflation of Ovid's Metamorphofes. 
 
 The other Works of Mr. Sandys, are his Para- 
 phrale on the Book of Job, Pfalms, Ecclefiaftes, &c. 
 
 Sir C A R S c R o o P. 
 
 THIS Gentleman was an intimate of the late 
 Lord Dorfeis , and famous for his Wit. He 
 was defcended from a very good Family in Not- 
 tinghamfnre , and in his Younger Years he gave 
 the Publick a Poem call'd, 
 
 The Parting ofSlreno and Diatia' 7 and Ibme other 
 Pieces, in the Milcellanies. 
 
 Mr. GIORGI
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 
 
 Mr. GEORGE SEW EL. 
 
 AN ingenious Gentleman now living. He is 
 the eldeft Son of Mr. Jolm Send, Treaiu- 
 rer and Chapter-Clerk of the College of Windfcr, 
 where our Poet was born. He was educated at 
 Eaton School, and afterwards lent to the Univer- 
 Cty of Cambridge, and at Pcter-Houfe College he 
 took the Degree of Batchelor of Phyfick. Gon> 
 ing to London , he has practised as a Phyfician fbme 
 years , bat his Inclinations running ftrong for Poetry, 
 he has given the World leveral Performances ve- 
 ry much applauded. He is a Man of Wit, Learn- 
 ing, and good judgment } and befides his excellent 
 Tragedy of Sir Walter Raleigh, his Poems are the 
 following, (v/^.) 
 
 I. To his Grace the Duke of Marlborongh, up- 
 on his going into Germany, Anno 1712. This 
 Poem begins thus : 
 
 Co, mighty Prince, and, thofe great Nation* fee, 
 Which thy victorious Arms before made free ; 
 f?*tp that famd Column, where thy Name engrail, 
 Sliall tell their Children who their Empire Md. 
 Point out that Marble, where thy Worth is fawn 
 To every grateful Country, but thy own. 
 
 II. Upon hisMajefty's Accefiion, inlcribM to 
 his Grace the Duke of Afarlborough. 
 
 III. Verfes to her Royal Highnefs the Princels, 
 on the Death of the young Prince. 
 
 N IV /I
 
 178 The Lives And Chara&ers of the 
 
 IV. A Deicription of the Field of Battel, af- 
 ter Ctfttr was Conqueror at Pbarfalia. From the 
 feventh Book of Lucan. 
 
 V. Tranflations from Lucan, occafionM by the 
 Tragedy of Cato. 
 
 VI. The fifth Elegy of the firft Book of Catul- 
 hs. To Delia. 
 
 VII. An Apology for loving a Widow. 
 
 VIII. The tifthPfalm paraphras'd. 
 
 IX. A Letter to Mr. ThornkM, written from 
 Hampftead. 
 
 X. Upon Mr. Addifarfs Cato. 
 
 XL An Epiftle to Mr. Addifon, on the Death 
 of the Earl of Hallifax. This is an excellent 
 Poem } it begins, 
 
 And flail Great Halifax refgn to 
 And not one Bard upon bis Afoes wait ? 
 Or is with him all Inffiration fled, 
 And lie the Mufes with their Patron dead ? 
 Convince us, Add! Ion, his Spirit reigns, 
 Breathinv again in thy immortal Strains : 
 
 O v -/ 
 
 To thee the liJFning World impartial bends, 
 Since Halifax and Envy now are Friends. 
 
 XII. Cupid's Proclamation : A Poem. 
 
 This Gentleman aflifted Mr. Rotve in his Tran 
 flation of Callipcedia , and he was one of the Tran 
 flators of Mr. Addtfarfs Latin Poems. 
 
 
 The
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 
 
 The Right Noble JOHN SHEFFIELD, 
 Duke of Bucking ha mfh ire, Mrirquifs of 
 ^ornunby. Earl of Mulgrave 3 &c. 
 
 THIS illuftrious Nobleman, the greateft Ho- 
 nour to his Country, and the MecosnM of 
 this Age, is delcended from Sir Robert Sheffield 
 Knight, who lived in the time of King Henry III. 
 Robert, Son of the laid Sir Robert, was likewife 
 Knighted by King Edward 1. and in Right of his 
 Wife Genet, eldeft Daughter and Coheir to Mex- 
 Mider Lownde Elq-, became Lord of the Manner of 
 Botterwick in the County of Lincoln. Robert, Grand- 
 Ion of the laft nam'd Sir Robert Sheffield, was Fa- 
 ther of another Robert, who marry'd a Daughter 
 of Sir ThotnM St aunt on of the County ofTork, and 
 by her had Robert Sheffield Efy his Son and Heir : 
 which Robert had Iflue, Sir Robert Sheffield, who, in 
 the Reign of King Henry VII. was Speaker of the 
 Houle of Commons. Sir Robert,by Helen, Daugh- 
 ter and Heir to Sir John Delves, had IfTue Robert 
 Sheffield, Father of Edmund Sheffield, advauc'd to 
 the Dignity of Baron of Botterwick in the firft 
 Year of Edvpjtrd VI. This Edmund marry'd Anne, 
 Daughter of Jalm Vtrc the fixth Earl of Oxford, 
 and by her left Iflue John his Son and Heir : He 
 was a Nobleman of great Loyalty and Valour, 
 but was unfortunately ilain by Rebels upon the 
 Infurre&ionof the Commons in Norfolk. John his 
 Son, by DovpgUs Daughter to Willitm Lord Howard 
 of f.$rto\)*.m, had a Son likewile nam'd Edmund t 
 made Knight of the Garter by Queen Elizabeth, 
 
 N 2 and
 
 178 The Lives And Characters of the 
 
 IV. A Deicription of the Field of Battel, af- 
 ter Cfftar was Conqueror at Pharfalia. From the 
 leventh Book of Luc an. 
 
 V. Tranflations from Lucan, occafion'd by the 
 Tragedy of Cato. 
 
 VI. The fifth Elegy of the firft Book of Catul- 
 IjiS. To Delia.. 
 
 VII. An Apology for loving a Widow. 
 
 VIII. The tifthPfalm paraphras'd. 
 
 IX. A Letter to Mr. Thornhill, written from 
 Hampftead. 
 
 X. Upon Mr. Addifon's Cato. 
 
 XL An Epiftle to Mr. Addijon, on the Death 
 of the Earl of Halllfax. This is an excellent 
 Poem } it begins, 
 
 And fiall Great Halifax refign to Fate, 
 And not one Bard upon his Afoes wait ? 
 Or is with him all Infyiration fled, 
 And, lie the Mufes with their Patron dead ? 
 Convince us, Addilbn, his Spirit reigns^ 
 Breathing again in thy immortal Strains : 
 To thee the limning World impartial bends, 
 Since Halifax and Envy now arc Friends. 
 
 XII. Cupid's Proclamation : A Poem. 
 
 This Gentleman affifted Mr. Rowe in his Tran- 
 flation of Callipcsdia , and he was one of the Tran- 
 flators of Mr. Addtforfs Latin Poems. 
 
 
 The
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 
 
 
 The Right Noble JOHN SHEFFIELD, 
 Dwfo of Buckinghamfhire, Mnrqnijs of 
 ^Normanby, Ear/ of Mul grave, (Jr. 
 
 THIS illuftrious Nobleman, the greateft Ho- 
 nour to his Country, and the Mecaenat of 
 this Age, is descended from Sir Robert Sheffield 
 Knight, who lived in the time of King Henry III. 
 Robert, Son of the laid Sir Robert, was likewife 
 Knighted by King Edward 1. and in Right of his 
 Wife Genet , eldeft Daughter and Coheir to Alex- 
 under Lownde Elq-, became Lord of the Manner of 
 Sotterwick in the County of Lincoln. Robert, Grand- 
 Ion of the laft nam'd Sir Robert Sheffield, was Fa- 
 ther of another Robert, who marry'd a Daughter 
 of Sir ThotnM Staunton of the County of Turk, and 
 by her had Robert Sheffield E% his Son and Heir : 
 which Robert had Iflue, Sir Robert Sheffield, who, in 
 the Reign of King Henry VII. was Speaker of the 
 Houle of Commons. Sir Robert, by Helen, Daugh- 
 ter and Heir to Sir John Delves, had I flue Robert 
 Sheffield, Father of Edmund Sheffield, advauc'd to 
 the Dignity of Baron of Botterwick in the firft 
 Year of Edwutrd VI. This Edmund marry'd Anne, 
 Daughter of John l r tre the fixth Earl of Oxford, 
 and by her left I flue John his Son and Heir : He 
 was a Nobleman of great Loyalty and Valour, 
 but was unfortunately flain by Rebels upon the 
 Inlurreftionof the Commons in Norfolk. John his 
 Son, by Dowgltt Daughter to WilliamLord Harvard 
 of Effingljtm, had a Son likewiie nam'd Edmund, 
 made Knighc of the Garter by Queen Elizabeth, 
 
 N 2 and
 
 i8o The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 and created Earl of Aiulgrave by King Charles L 
 and he had Iffue fix Sons ;, but all dying young, 
 he was fucceeded by Edmund his Grand ion. This 
 Edmund marrying Elizabeth, Daughter to Lionel 
 Earl of Afeddleftx^ Lord Treafurer to King James 
 the Firft, had by her John, the now living Or- 
 nament of this noble Family ^ who haying tra- 
 vell'd abroad in France and Italy for fbme time, 
 was ^during the Dutch .Wars) .a Volunteer with 
 the Earl of Offery, in that bloody Engagement at 
 Soldbay, and behav'd himfelf fo gallantly, that he 
 had immediately given him the Command of the 
 Royal Catherine, a Firft-Rate Ship : But his Royal 
 Highnefs the Duke of Tork y under whom he lerv'd, 
 being forc'd to quit the Sea after that Summer 
 was over, on account of his Religion, this Lord 
 had firft a new-raisM .Regiment given him, and 
 fbon after an old one, call'd the Holland Regiment ^ 
 his new one and that being incorporated, it became 
 to have twenty four Companies, and fb continu'd 
 all that Butch War. 
 
 Afterwards he was in favour enough to be made 
 a Lord of the Bed-Chamber, and Knight of the 
 Garter , and when the Duke of Monmouth loft all 
 his Commands, fucceeded him in the Government 
 of Hutt : All which Imployments he kept for ma- 
 ny Years, till he was made Lord Chamberlain. 
 And it mould not be forgotten, that during his 
 remaining in the Army, he went leveral times ei- 
 ther to the Dutch or the French, according as Eng- 
 land engag'd in thofe Quarrels } and when Tangier 
 was befieg'd by the Moors, he, by his own Re- 
 queft, obtain'd the commanding a Detatchment 
 thither of two thoufand five hundred of our beft 
 Troops } which, tho' tranfported with much Dif- 
 ficulty and extraordinary Hafte, not arriving till 
 juft after the Siege was rais'd, and a' Truce made 
 
 for
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 181 
 
 for five Months, with a Prolpeft of future Peace, 
 his Lord fh ip returi:'d with fuch a furprizing Ac- 
 count, fign'd by a II the Officers there, of its being 
 not tenable (by the Mcors being improved in Can- 
 non) and coiiieque; tly of the Kind's having been 
 deceived in expending five hundred thoufand 
 Pounds to make a Mole there, that it was thought 
 fit to be all blown up at laft. 
 
 When the Revolution happen'd, his Lordfhip, 
 tho' not in any way contributing to it, was Ib kind- 
 ly us'd, and fuch an Opinion had King William of 
 his great Merit, that, after King Jarnefs Death, 
 he made him of his Cabinet-Council, and a Mar- 
 quils, with a Penfion of 3000 /. a year. Upon 
 the Death of King Witttm, the firft Minifters of 
 Queen Anne were the Duke of Marlborough) the 
 Earl of Godolphin, the Earl of Nottingham, the 
 Earl of Rickffttr. and this noble Lold, whom thac 
 Princels macfe-Duke of Bitckinghamjhir*, and Lord 
 Keeper of the Privy Seal, with a Penfioa added 
 to it ^ which, on (bme Change in Affairs, he could 
 not be prevail'd with to continue, even with Or- 
 fers of greater Favours. But in the Year 1710. 
 he was made firft Lord Steward, and afterwards 
 Prefident of the Council : This important Place 
 he kept till the Queen's Death, and conlequently 
 had the greateft Poft in tho Regency. 
 
 HisLordihip'sValour has been liifficiently prov'd, 
 and his other Abilities are not confin'd to Letters 
 only, and the iMicouragement of Learning , for 
 in him we fee the moft accomplished Nobleman, 
 the excel lent Poet, the ihining Orator, the polite 
 Courtier, and mod confummate Statelman, at- 
 tended with the utmoft Honour and Generality : 
 He has adoni'd the high Station of Prefident of 
 the Council more than once, and acquitted him- 
 thcrei.i with that Grace and Fidelity, as to 
 N 3 bo
 
 182 The Lives and Charafters of tie 
 
 be thought worthy imitation by his greateft Suc- 
 ceflbrs. 
 
 This great Per Ion (befides two excellent Tra- 
 gedies in Blank Verfe, which, tho' never fb much 
 importun'd, yet he has not fuffer'd to be afted) 
 has honour'd the World with the following Poems, 
 
 I. An Effay on Poetry. My Lord, in this admi- 
 rable Poem, has not only fhewn his very great 
 Wit, but, as Mr. Pope obferves, reftor'd Wits 
 fundamental Laws, it containing the beft Rules for 
 Poetry of any Piece written in the Englijh Lan- 
 guage ^ and my Lord of Rofcemmon's Effay on tran- 
 Jlated farfe, in compliment to the Duke of Buc- 
 kingham, begins, 
 
 floppy that Author, whofe correft * Effay 
 Repairs fo well our old Horatian way. 
 
 II. An Ode of Brutus, in anlwer to that of the 
 famous Cnwfey, and no way inferior to it. 
 
 III. A Poem in praife of Hobbs. 
 
 IV. The Temfle.of Death. This is an admirable 
 Piece. 
 
 V. The Rapture, an excellent Poem. 
 
 VL The Happy A7/k,mifprinted as being written 
 by the Earl ot Rochefter ^ with feveral Copies of 
 Love-Verfes Ipread up and down in the Mifcella- 
 nies, without his Lordfhys Permiflion, under the 
 Names of Earl of Mulgrave and Marquils of Nor- 
 xianby. His Eifay on Poetry begins thus : 
 
 Of Things in which Mankind docs moft excel, 
 Nature" 1 * chief Mafter-Piece i$ writing well \ 
 And of all forts of Writings, none there are 
 That can the leaf: with Poetry compare : 
 
 * Effatf on Poetry. 
 
 No
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 183 
 
 No kind of Work requires fo nice a Touch, 
 And if weft finiflfd nothing jhines fo much '. 
 But Heaven forbid we (Iwuld be fo profane, 
 To grace the Vulgar with that facred Name* 
 'Tis not a Flajh of Fancy, which fometimes 
 DazJLir.g our Minds, fcts off the fight eft Rhymes', 
 Bright as a Blaz,e, hut in a Moment done } 
 True Wtt it everlafting like the Sun : 
 Which tho* fometimfs behind A Cloud rff/rV, 
 Breaks out Again, and is by all admired. 
 Number and Rhyme, and that harmonious Sound, 
 Which never does the Ear with Harflmefi wound 3 
 Are neceffury, yet but vulgar Arts ', 
 For all in vain thefe fuperficial Parts, 
 Contribute to the Structure of t\)t whole 
 Without a Genius too, for that's the Soul j 
 A Spirit which infpires the Work throughout, 
 As that of Nature moves the World about ; 
 A Heat which glows in every Word that's writ, 
 'TV* ffmetfring of Divine, and more than Wit ; 
 It fclf unfeen, yet all things by it fiown, 
 Defer ibing *'l Men, but defer itfd by none. 
 
 I am inform 'd allb, that my Lord of late has 
 written in Prole, equal to his Compofitions of 
 Poetry, two Dialogues of the Dead ; one of them 
 between Afabontet^nd the Duke oi'Guife about Re- 
 ligion, the other beMKa Aiguftfu Cxjar and Car- 
 dir.al Richlieu of Politicks : A Satyr ical Feaft of the 
 Gods, in imitation of Julian j and his excellent 
 Chtrttter of King Charles //. got into Print, with- 
 ou t his Leave, about five and twenty Years ago. 
 
 N 4
 
 1 84 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 Sir FLEETWOOD SHEPHERD. 
 
 Very ingenious Gentletnan, who has oblig'd 
 us vv i tn f rae Pieces of Poetry. He was Son 
 of William Shepherd, of Great Rorvlright, in the 
 County of Oxford, Efq*, and was born in the Year 
 163^4. He ftudied for Ibme time at Oxford, and af- 
 terwards liv'd with the late Lord Dorfe t, to whom 
 he was a conftant Companion and Friend. He was 
 a Man of a great deal of Wit, commonly extem- 
 pore and particular, and he had a fine way of Wri- 
 ting, which was both careleis and new. The chief 
 of his Performances was, 
 
 The Count efs. of Dorfet'j Petition to the late Queen 
 Mary for Chocolate, a very pretty out of the way 
 Piece. He died of an Apoplexy at his Seat at 
 Rowlright aforefdid, the 6th of September, 1698. 
 and lies interr'd ia the Chancel of the Church 
 there, without any Memorial. 
 
 $$$3^ 
 
 Sir C A R'L E S S I DL E Y. 
 
 THIS accomplifh'd Gentleman was defended 
 from a very great and antient Family ieated 
 in the County of Kent. He was Father to the 
 Counted of Dorcbefter , and his Lady, being a Ro- 
 man Catholick, parted xvith him when he was very 
 young. He appear'd in publick about the Year 
 1*563, when the Court of KingCZur/fj the Second 
 was in its full Splendor, and there were Men of 
 iuch Perfections in Wit, Senle, and Learning, and 
 that among fome of the higheft Rank, as no Age 
 of the EngHft Court had ever feen before. He was 
 
 a
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 185 
 
 a Man celebrated for Wit and Gallantry, and high- 
 ly applauded in all Conventions. It happened by 
 him in refpeft of the King, as is laid of the fa- 
 mous Cardinal Richlicu, that they who recom- 
 mended him to his Majefty thereby fupplanted 
 themfelves, and afterwards envied him. He had 
 a mafterly Genius in Poetry, an exuberant Fancy, 
 and a Happinels beyond moft Men in exprefling 
 himlelf. In all he wrote, we find nothing inde- 
 cent or obtcene, tho' that was the fafhionable Vice 
 of the Poets in thole Days. In the molt wanton of 
 his Verles he is mannerly and modeft, yet in words 
 inimitably loft, and Expreffions extremely pa/Iio- 
 nace. He not only out-did, but out-liv'd moft of 
 his Contemporaries i tho' hediflik'd the Town as 
 he grew into Years, elpecially after King Giarlts 
 the Second's Death. At the Revolution, he ap- 
 pear'd warm on the fide of King William, particu- 
 larly in voting the Throne vacant, and filling it 
 up : Upon which, it was laid, he pafled that bit- 
 ter Jeft upon King James, viz. Th.it he w.ts even with 
 that Prince in point of Civility : F)r as he made kis 
 Daughter a Count efs, fo he had helped to make his 
 Daughter a Queen. He liv'd to the beginning of 
 Queen Anne's Reign, and died at about the Age of 
 ninety, the Gaiety of his Wit and Humour con- 
 tinuing to the laft. His Poems arc, 
 
 I. A Dialogue between Amintas and Celia. 
 
 II. The Plat onick. 
 
 III. The Indifference. This Poem fhews that a 
 Coldnels in Love lufficiently effefts a Cure of the 
 Paflion. 
 
 IV. Conftattcy. 
 
 V. The Subntiflion. 
 
 VI. To Cclia, and leveral other fmall Love- 
 Pieces. 
 
 Sir
 
 1 86 The Lives and Chara&ers of the 
 
 Sir Charles, in his Poem called the Indifference, 
 has thefe Verfes j 
 
 /# lofing me, provd Nymph, you lofe 
 The humbleft Slave your Beauty knows j 
 In losing you, I but thow down 
 A cruel Tyrant from her Throne. 
 
 This Gentleman likewife tranflated feveral Pieces 
 from Virgil, Horace, and other ancient Poets. 
 
 Sir PHILIP SIDNEY- 
 
 A Gentleman of immortal Fame for Arts and 
 Arms, and the Glory of the Englifa Nation, 
 in a Reign which was only worthy of him, that of 
 the Great Queen Elizabeth.. He was Son of Sir 
 Henry Sidney, leveral times Lord Lieutenant of Ire- 
 land, and was born at Penflmrft in the County of 
 Kent, in the Year 1554. He had his Education at 
 ChrifFf-Church College in Oxford, where he excel I'd 
 all his Cotemporaries for polite Literature, and 
 was the greateft Honour to the Univerfity. From 
 hence he was invited to Court, by his Uncle Ro- 
 bert Dudley Earl of Leiceflcr, who married his 
 Mother's Sifter -, whereupon he quitted his Aca- 
 demical Life, and, coming to London, he apply'd 
 himfelf to the Bufmefs of the State. Here he 
 loon became the glorious Star of his Family : His 
 exquifite Learning and fine Parts fo endear'd him 
 to Queen Elizabeth, that fhe lent him upon a very 
 important EmbafTy to the Emperor of Germany } 
 and by his Travels he became renown'd through- 
 out Europe. He was the Admiration of all Coun- 
 
 tries,
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 187 
 
 tries, and unequalled Abroad as well as at Home ; 
 which, as fbme Authors tell us, occaikm'd his be- 
 ing put in Eleftion for the Kingdom of Poland. 
 He return'd from his EmbafTy with unufual Ho- 
 nour and Reputation, and his great Virtue, excel- 
 lent Wit, and fweet Temper, did not more re- 
 commend him to the ArYeftion of Mankind, than 
 his great Courage and Conduft proclaimed his 
 Fame amongft the Heroes of his time. During 
 the Dutch Wars, he was made Governor of Flufi- 
 ing ; but at length in an Action before Zutphcn, in 
 the midft of Vidtory, he was unfortunately wound- 
 ed in the Thigh, whereof he died Ibme Days af- 
 ter. This fatal Skirmifh happen'd in the Year 
 1585. and took off the fineft Gentleman in the 
 World in his Prime. His Behaviour was fuch, 
 that 'tis queftionable whether his Wifclom, In- 
 duftry, or Valour may challenge to it felf the grea- 
 teft Praile and Commendation ; and all Cfaiftendom 
 had a Lois in his Fall Nat. Lee, in his Dedica- 
 tion to Ctfar Borgia, fays, Sir Philip Sidney was fb 
 extravagantly great, that he refus'd to be a King. 
 He was at once a Cafar and a Pirgil, the leading 
 Soldier, and the foremoft Poet. He obliged the 
 World with the following Pieces, v/t. 
 
 I. Hts Arcadia, an incomparable Romance, de- 
 dicated to his Sifter the Countels of Pembroke. 
 This Piece, befides the moft entertaining No- 
 vels, and Intrigues, has in it all the Strains of 
 Poetry, and fhews a very great Genius in the Au- 
 thor. 
 
 II. AJlrophcl and Stella. This Work contains fe- 
 veral Poems and Songs in Praile of his Lady, whom 
 he celebrated under the bright Name of SttlU ; fhe 
 was Daughter to the Great Sir Francis Walpngbam. 
 
 III. A Defence of Poefy , a very good Piece in 
 thofe Days. He alfo translated pare of that ex- 
 cellent
 
 1 88 The Lives and Chara&ers oftht 
 
 cellent Treatife of Philip Morney du Plcflis, of the 
 Truth of the Chriftian Religion. 
 
 He was noc fb fond of his Arcadia, as the Bi- 
 fliop of Heliodorus was of his amorous Book ; for a 
 JittJe before his Death he dcfir'd an intimate Friend 
 of his to burn it , but what Anlwer his Friend 
 made is uncertain : However, this gave the Sub- 
 jeft for the following Latin Epigram : 
 
 fyfe titam moriens (fed Conjuge Tefte ) jubeba* 
 
 Arcadiam S&vis ignibuf ejfe Cibum : 
 Si meruit Mortem, quia Flammam accendit Amoru 9 
 
 Mergi, non Uri, debuit ifte Liber. 
 Jn librum qu&cunft cadat Sententia : Null* 
 
 Debuit Ingenium morte perire tuum. 
 
 In his laft Agonies, when his Friends were about 
 him, and expreis'd the greateft Sorrow at his ap- 
 proaching Fate, taking notice of his quitting Life 
 for eternal Happinels, he macte thele Lines : 
 
 Why mourn you thtts y my Parents, friends, and Kin ? 
 Lament ye when I lofe, not when I win. 
 
 His Body was brought over from Holland to 
 England, and interr'd with great Solemnity in St. 
 Paul's Church London. There was an Epitaph on 
 his Tomb, the Contents of which was, that Eng- 
 land, had his Body, the Netherlands his Blood. 
 
 Tloe Heavens have his Soul, the Arts his Fame ; 
 AH Soldiers flare his Grief, and the World his good 
 
 . (Name. 
 
 King James the Firft wrote thefe Latin Verles on 
 the Death of this Gallant and Accomplifli'd Gen- 
 tkman. 
 
 Armipotent
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 189 
 
 j4rmipotens cui jus in fortia peftor* Mavors, 
 Tu Dea fjuat cerebrum perrumperc dign* totautit, 
 Tuque adco \)\]ug& proles Latonia rupis 
 Gloria^ decidu civgunt ejutm collihus xrtes, 
 Due tecum, C?" querela bidlvjei funera voce 
 PLwgitc *, nam vrfter fuerat Sidnxus alumtitt*, 
 Quid genut, & Pr oaves, & Spem, Florcmfr Ju, 
 
 (vent<e, 
 
 Immaturo ohitu raptum fine fine retexo ? 
 Heu fruftra queror ? hcu rapuit Mori omnia fe- 
 
 (cuwj 
 
 Et mini ex t/tnto nunc eft flcroe fuperftrt, 
 Pneterquam Decut & Nomtn vinute paratum, 
 Dottaque Sidneas tefiantia Carmina laudes. 
 
 Thele Lines of Majefty, tho' a great Honour to 
 his Memory, did not exceed his Merit : And Sir 
 John Harrington made this Epigram upon Occafion 
 of them: " 
 
 If that be true, the letter Provfrh fayf, 
 Laudari a Laudntis it moft Prtift : 
 Sidney, thy Works are in fame"* s Rookt enrolTdj 
 By Princes Pens t which have thy ARs extolCd 
 Whereby thy N.ime JhaU Ufl to cndlefs 
 
 Mrs. ELIZABETH SINGER. 
 
 AN ingenious Lady now living : She is the 
 Daughter of a confiderablc Clothier of 
 Frame in Somcrfctfiire, and fince the Writing moft of 
 her Poems, fhe lias been married to Dr. &we an 
 eminent Phyficiau $ but is now a Widow, she is 
 
 a
 
 I po The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 a Woman of great Religion, and retir'd from the 
 World } and having formerly ftudied very much, 
 particularly Poetry, by the Encouragement of the 
 .Lady Weymoutb of Long-Leaf, and the Lady W'm- 
 chelfea, ihe has writ leveral Pieces very well re- 
 ceiv'd the chief whereof are the following : 
 
 I. A Paftoral on the Nativity of ovr Saviour } in 
 imitation of an Italian Paftoral. This is an excel* 
 lent Poem. 
 
 II. In Praife of Memory. 
 
 III. Tajfi'sjerufalem, Book the fourth en glifh'd. 
 
 IV. The Vifion , a Piece of great Fancy. 
 
 V. The Creation. This is a very good Poem, and 
 it concludes Ibmething like Sir Richard Blackmore's 
 Poem of the lame Name : 
 
 Hail ! mighty Maker of the Vniverfe ! 
 My Song jhall ftill thy glorious Deeds rehearfc : 
 Thy Praife , whatever Subjeft others chufe, 
 Shall be the lofty Theme of my afpiring Muje. 
 
 VI. Love and Friendfhip, a Paftoral. This Piece 
 is very much commended, in a Copy of Verfe* to 
 the Author, by Mr. Prior. 
 
 Mr. JOHN SKELTON. 
 
 THIS Poet was born at Dis, a fmall Town in 
 Norfolk, and had beftow'd on him a good 
 Education. He compleated his Studies at the 
 Univerfity of Oxford, where, according to Bale, 
 he took the Degree of Doftor in Divinity } but 
 this feems to be a Miftake : Certain it is, he was 
 in Prieft's Orders, and Reftor of Dis, the Place of 
 
 his
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 191 
 
 his Nativity. As he perpetually opposed the Or- 
 der of Dominicans, for this and Ibme other Errors, 
 being married, or at leaft keeping a Concubine, 
 he fell under the Cenfure of Dr. Richard Nykke Ri- 
 fhop ot Norwich , tho' this was not lo fatal to him 
 us the Profccution of Cardinal Woolfcy, whom he 
 had bkterly revil'd in feveral of his Writings. 
 The Cardinal, who had fo little Charity as never 
 to forgive an Injury, purfu'd his Relentment to 
 that Extremity, that he was forc'd to fly for 
 .Sanftuary to Wtfminflcr, where notwithstanding 
 the violent Proceedings of his powerful Adverfa- 
 ry, he grew in great Favour with Abbot IJlip ^ 
 but he did not lurvive the Cardinal, nor his Con- 
 finement : for he died in Reftraint, about a Year 
 before the Fall of that Prelate. Whether 
 he was Poet Laureat to King Henry the Eighth, 
 as Bale and fome others flile him, is uncertain -, 
 if he held that Place, as probably he might, it is 
 reaibnable to luppole it muft be before Cardinal 
 JVotlfty was advanced in Power. During his Re* 
 ftraint, either to amufe his Solitude, or at the Re- 
 c[ueft Of the Abbot, he adorn'd the Monuments of 
 leveral great Perlbnages in Wej1minftcr-j4bbcy with 
 Tables and Epitaphs } as thole of Sigcbert the 
 Saxon, HcnryV\\. Chaucer, and Others j Ibme of 
 which ftill remain, tho' moft of them were de- 
 ftroy'd in the grand Rebellion. As to his Tem- 
 per, if we may judiie by his Writings, it was ve- 
 ry jocofe, but an ill-natur'd Wit attending it, 
 which prov'd very much to his Prejudice. This 
 brought upon him the Hatred and 111-Will of fe- 
 veral learned Men of his time, among which was 
 Mr. Lilly the tamous Grammarian } againft whom 
 our Skelton had writ a fevere Satire, which Lilly 
 anfwer'd in as ftiarp a manner , and indeed he was 
 generally call'd the Dcmocritus and Lucian of
 
 192 The Lives ^W Characters of the 
 
 Und. But as his great Learning puffed him up to 
 intuit feveral of his Contemporaries, Ib in a great 
 meaiure it skreen'd him from their Relentments ; 
 tor altho' thefe Poetical Feuds and Differences 
 were carry M to a great height, he was always 
 efteem'd by the moft learned Men of that Age, 
 both at Home and Abroad ; and Erafmus, that 
 great Mafter of Wit, and Reftorer of Learning, 
 writing of Skelton to King Henry VIII. calls him, 
 Britanniarum Literarutn Lumen ac Decus. The chief 
 of his Performances are, 
 
 I. On the Death of King Henry the Fourth. 
 
 II. Speak Parrot. 
 
 III. Beware the Hawk. 
 
 IV. The Tunning of Elianor Rumming. This 
 Piece has been lately reprinted. His Stile in his 
 Poetry is loofe and rambling-, and his Meaiure of 
 Verle a little uneven. 
 
 He dy'd in Sanctuary at Weft*ninfler y in the lift 
 Year of Henry VIII. and was bury'd in St. Margn- 
 m's Church, with this Inlcription upon his Tomb. 
 
 Johannes Skeltonut vttes Plerius kic fitus eft, 
 Ammcim egit (ejecif) xxi. Junii, A. D. 1 529. 
 
 Dr. G E O R G E S M AL LR I D G E, Ue Bijhop 
 of Briftol. 
 
 A Very pious and learned Prelate, born in the 
 City of LitchfieU in Staffordshire, and edu- 
 cated as a King's Scholar under Dr. Busby at Weft- 
 inittfter School*, from whence he was elected to 
 Chrifl-Church College in Oxford. Here he became 
 arc excellent Latin Poet, and was very much ad- 
 
 mir'd
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 193 
 
 mlr'd for his great Learning, obliging Con varia- 
 tion, and exemplary Piety. He was Regius-Pro- 
 feflbr in Divinity at Oxford : And as to his Pre- 
 ferments in the Church, he .was firft nwle Ca- 
 non of Chrift-Church, afterwards Dean of Carlifte, 
 and Bifhop of Briftol, and Dean of Chrift-Church. 
 He was likewife Lord Almoner to her late Maje- 
 fty Queen Anne, and alfb to his prelent Majefty 
 for fbme time after his Acce/fion to the Throne. 
 He has writ feveral Latin Poems, efpecially the 
 following : 
 
 On the Death of Queen Anne, and the Acceflion of 
 Kixg George , a Poem, tranflated by an eminent 
 Hand. This is an admirable Piece -, but what 
 gain'd him the greateft Reputation was his Auttio 
 DaTJafutna, a Latin Poem defign'd for a publick 
 Performance at an Aft on the Theatre, efteem'd 
 the moft finifti'd Piece of the kind that had been 
 produc'd in that Univerfity. 
 
 JOHN Lord SOMERS. 
 
 THIS excellent Lawyer, and great Statef- 
 man, was not only a:i Encourager of Poetry, 
 but a Poet himielf in his younger Years, before 
 he was advanc'd to the important Truft of Lord 
 Keeper of the Great Seal of England, when he 
 wrote fome Poems, which were very well receiv'd 
 by the Publick , the moft remarkable whereof \< 3 
 ' Satire to his /i////f, a famous Piece. 
 
 O Dr.
 
 194 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 Dr. THOMAS SPRAT, late Blfnf of 
 Rochefter. 
 
 THIS eminent Divine, and celebrated Poet, 
 was the Son of a Country Clergyman, and, 
 in the time of the Great Rebellion, admitted on 
 the Foundation of W^taw-College in Oxford^ un- 
 der that great Genius Dr. Wilkins, afterwards Bi- 
 fhop of Chefter ; having the Lord Wilmot, after Earl 
 of Rochefter, his Fellow-Collegiate and Friend ; 
 and there appear'd an Emulation in the Juvenile 
 Writings of thele two Gentlemen, for they kept up 
 a kind of Rivalry in Wit between them. He loon 
 diftinguifh'd himlelf by his great Parts and Learn- 
 ing, and made his Character early known to the 
 World, by publishing young his Plague of Athens : 
 but his Commendatory Ode in praife of Mr. Cowley, 
 very much increas'd his Reputation. This brought 
 him acquainted with that Gentleman, who lik'd 
 him and his Complement Ib well, that he moft 
 effectually recommended him to the Patronage of 
 the late Duke of Buckingham, his great Benefaftor. 
 His Grace immediately receiv'd him as his Chap- 
 lain, and took him into his Intimacy and Friend- 
 fliip ; and King Charles the Second, who delighted 
 in his Conversion, loon made him Dean of Weft- 
 minfter, and Biihop of Rochefter. He was of a 
 moft graceful Perlbn, and in his Behaviour a com- 
 pleat and accomplifli'd Gentleman. He was a 
 great Refiner of our Englifi Language} and in 
 Gratitude to Mr. Cowley , he wrote an incomparable 
 Life of him before his Works. His Poems are the 
 following : 
 
 I. A
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 195 
 
 I. A Pindxrick Ode, written when he prefented 
 Covley's Poems to Wadham College. 
 
 II. On his Mi/trefs drovond. 
 
 III. To the Memory of the Lord Proteftor Crom- 
 well 
 
 IV. The Plague of Athens, tranflateei. This 
 Plague was fifft defcrib'd in Greek by Tnucydidtt ^ 
 and then in Latin by Lucretitu. In the English 
 Tranflation by Dr. Sprat, are thefe Lines : 
 
 The Afric Defarts ftraight were double De fort t grown : 
 The rav'notu Beafts were left tlonc, 
 The runout Beafts then ftrjl began, 
 
 To pity their old Erf my Man, 
 And blorrfd the Plague for what they would themfehes 
 
 (have done* 
 
 Mr. EDMUND SPENSER. 
 
 A Poet of the greaceft Reputation, who liv'd 
 in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth \ an Age 
 remarkable for producing eminent Genius's of ve- 
 ry different kinds. He was born in London, and 
 educated at Pembroke- Hail in Cambridge ; where he 
 arriv'd to be an excellent Scholar, and flood for a 
 FeHowfhip i:i competition with Mr. Andrew, af- 
 terwards Bifhop of Winchefer j but loofing it, 
 this Di (appointment, with the Narrowr.efi of his 
 Circumftances, forc'd him from the Univerfity. 
 After this he took up his Relidence for ibmetime 
 with Ibme Friends in the North, where he fell in 
 love with his Rofalind, whom he Ib finely cele- 
 brates in his Paftoral Poems. On his coming to 
 Town, he foon grew acquainted with the famous 
 Sir Philip Sidney, his great Frien4 and Patron ; 
 
 O a who
 
 196 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 who was then in the higheft Reputation for his 
 Wir, Gallantry, and polite Accomplishments. 
 The Story of his commencing Acquaintance with 
 this univerfally admir'd Gentleman, runs thus : It 
 is laid, that being a Stranger to Sir Philip, after 
 he had begun to write his Fairy-Queen, he took Oc- 
 cafion to go to Leicefter-Houfe, and to introduce 
 himfelf, by fending in to Sir Philip Sidney a Copy 
 of the ninth Canto of the firft Book of that Poem. 
 Sir Philip, after he had read Ibme Stanza's, being 
 much furpriz'd with his Defcription of Defpair, and 
 in an unufual kind of Transport on the Dilcovery 
 of lb great and uncommon a Genius, turn'd to 
 his Steward, and bid him give the Peribn that 
 brought thole Verles Fifty Pounds , but upon read- 
 ing the next Stanza, he order'd the Sum to be 
 doubled , and reading one Stanza more, Sir Philip 
 increafed his Bounty to Two Hundred Pounds, ana 
 commanded his Steward to give it immediately, 
 left, as he read further, he might be tempted to 
 give away his whole Eftate. By Sir Philip's means 
 he was made known and receiv'd at Court : In the 
 Year 1579. he was fent abroad by the Earl of 
 Leicefler, and afterwards recommended to the 
 Lord Grey as Secretary, who 'was chofen Deputy of 
 Ireland. Here 'tis reported he writ the greateft 
 part of his Fairy Queen ; but his firft Attempt in 
 Poetry, and which gain'd him a general Efteem, 
 was his Shepherd's Calendar. It was about this time 
 he contracted an intimate Friendship with the 
 great and learned Sir Walter Raleigh, who was then 
 a Captain under the Lord Grey in Ireland } his Son- 
 nets were a kind of fhort Hiftory of the Progreis 
 of a new Amour, which terminated in Marriage, 
 and gave occafion to an excellent Epithalamium : 
 Now tho' he pafs'd his Life for Ibme time very ie- 
 
 renely, yet a Train of Misfortunes puriu'd him } 
 
 . j . i 
 
 and
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 197 
 
 and in the Rebellion of the Earl of Dcfmottd, he 
 was plunder'd of his Eftate. This obliged him to 
 return to England, where his Afflictions were very 
 much augmented by the Death of his generous 
 Friend Sir Philip Sidney. He was at length reducM 
 to Poverty, a Pate which generally follows Poets 
 
 of Eminence Pcculiari Poetis fato fcmper cum 
 
 Paupcrtatc conflittatus eft .whereupon he addrefs'd 
 
 himfelf to his great Miftrefs Queen Elizabeth 
 (to whom he was Poet Laureat, but for fbme 
 time without the Penfion) prefenting her with 
 fbme Poems ; with which fhe was lb well plea- 
 led, that ihe order'd him a very confiderable 
 Gratuity } but the noble Bounty intended was 
 abridged to One Hundred Pounds by the Manage- 
 ment of the Lord Treafurer Burlci?h y who con- 
 ceivM a Hatred of him for fbme Reflexions which 
 he apprehended were made on him by Mr. Spenfcr, 
 in his Mother Hubberd'j Tale } for which reafon he 
 is faid to have intercepted the Queen's Favour to 
 this unfortunate and ingenious Man. 
 
 As the moil elegant Minds have the quickeft 
 Scnfe of ill Treatment from the Great and Power- 
 ful, who fhould countenance and protett them, it 
 is no wonder that this Misfortune made a deep 
 Impreflion on our Author's Spirit : And we find 
 him, in many Parts of his Works, complaining of 
 fb hard and undeferved Ufage, efpecially in a Poem 
 calVd, The Ruins of Tune } where he has thefe 
 Lines : 
 
 O let not thofe, of whom the Afufe it fcornd, 
 Al'wt 9r dead be ly the Afufc tdornd. 
 
 The Lines fuppos'd to give Offence to the Lord 
 Treafurer (in his Mother Hubberd*/ TWO are f ^ e 
 
 O 3 lollwi;;g.
 
 198 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 following, which describe Dependence on Court* 
 Favour, 
 
 Full little knoweft thou, that haft not trfd, 
 
 What Hell it is, in fuing long to bide, 
 
 To lofe good Days, that might be better fpent^ 
 
 TO wafte long Nights in pcnfive Difc&ntent 
 
 TJ fyeed To-day, to be put back To-morrow, 
 
 To feed on Hope, to pine with Fear and Sorrow ; 
 
 To have thy Prince's Grace, yet want her Peers j 
 
 To have thy asking, yet wait many Tears : 
 
 To fret thy Soul with Crojfes and with Cares, 
 
 To eat thy Heart thro' comfortlefs Defpairs 5 
 
 To fawn, to crouch, to wait, to ride, to run. 
 
 To fpend, to give, to want, to be undone. 
 
 Thefe are the Verles objefted againft by the Lord 
 Burlcigh. 
 
 And as the ingenious Mr. Hughes obferves, in his 
 Life of this Poet, even the Sighs of a miferable 
 Man are fometimes refented as an Affront by him 
 that is the Occaiion of them. Spenfer furviv'd his 
 generous Patron about twelve Years, but fpent the 
 latter part of that time with much Grief of 
 Heart, under the Disappointment of a broken For- 
 tune. He died the fame Year with his potent Ad- 
 verlary the Lord Surleigh, which was in 1 598. 
 
 He was the firft of our Engliflj Poets that brought 
 Heroick Poeiy to any Perfection ', and Dryden fays, 
 the English have only to boaft of Spenfer and Milton 
 in Heroick Poetry. 
 
 His F^lry Queen, for great Invention and Poe- 
 tick Height, is judg'd little inferiour, if not equal 
 to the chief of the antient Greeks and Latins. He 
 had a large Spirit, a iliarp Judgment, and a Ge- 
 nius beyond any that have writ fince Virgil j his 
 Flights of Fancy are noble, and his Execution ex- 
 
 celle.it j
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 199 
 
 eellent \ but Ibmetimes his Judgment is overborne 
 by the Torrent of his Imagination, and he feemM 
 to want a true Idea and Uniformity , tho 1 what- 
 ever Fault this may be, he endows all his Heroes 
 with fome moral Virtue ftho* in a romantick Sto- 
 ry) and makes Inftruftion the Subjeft of his Epick 
 Poem, which is very much for his Praife. The 
 Original of every Chara&er was living in the 
 Court of Queen Elizabeth, when he writ his Fairy 
 Queen , and he attributed to each of them that 
 Virtue which he thought was moft confpicuous in 
 them. The feveral Books in this Poem appear ra- 
 ther like fb many feveral Poems, than one entire 
 Fable *, each of them has his peculiar Knight, and 
 is independent of the reft. His Figures and Si- 
 miles, which occur almoft in every Page, are ex- 
 tremely beautiful and furprizing ; particularly the 
 following, being an Image of Strength, in ftrikinga' 
 Club into the Ground. 
 
 A* when Almighty Jove, in wrathful Mood, 
 To wreak the Guilt of mortal Sins is bent, 
 Hurls forth his thund'ring Dart with deadly Food, 
 EnrolTA in Flames and jmouldring Drcarimcnt, 
 Thro\rivcn Clouds and milt en Firmament 
 The fierce three-forked Engine making way, 
 Both lofty Tow\s and highcft Trees hath rent, 
 And all that might hit Angry Paffage ftay, 
 And footing in the Earthy cafts up a Mount of Clay. 
 Hit boifterow Club fo bury'd in the Ground, 
 He could not rear en up again. 
 
 And alfo that of the Giant's Fall, 
 
 That down he tumbled at an aged Tree, 
 High c f rowing on t\te Top of rocky Clift ; 
 Whoft Heart-firings with keen Steel nigk hewtn b
 
 200 The Lives and Charaders of the 
 
 The mighty Trunk, half-rent with ragged Rift, 
 Doth rolladown the Rocks, and fall with fearful Drift 
 
 
 
 His Simile on the Old Man, almoft wafted away 
 with Study, is excellent j 
 
 With fnowy Locks adown his Shoulder fpread, 
 As hoary Fro ft with Spangles doth attire 
 Tae mojfy Branches of an Oak half-dead. 
 
 I cannot omit in this Place inferring Ibme of Spen- 
 fer 7 s Lines, from his Deicription and Speech of 
 Dcfpair, in' the ninth Canto of his Fairy Queen, fb 
 much applauded by Sir Philip Sidney. Defcribing 
 the Cave of Defpair, he has thefe Lines : 
 
 <Low, underneath a craggy Clift, 
 Dark, doleful, dreary, like a greedy Grave, 
 That ftill for Carrion Carcajfes doth crave : 
 On Top whereof there dwelt the ghajtly Owl, 
 Shrieking his baleful Note, which ever dravt 
 Far from that haunt all other chearful Fowl ', 
 And all about it wandYwgGhofts did wail and howl. 
 
 That darkfome Cave they Enter, where they find 
 That curfcd Man, low fitting on the Ground, 
 Mu/tng full fadly in his fullen Mind ; 
 His greafy Locks, long growen, and unbound, 
 Diforder d hung about his Shoulders round, 
 And hid his Face } through which his hollow Eyne 
 Looked deadly dull, and flared as aftourfd ; 
 His raw-bone Cheeks, through Penury and Pine, 
 Were fsrunk into hi< J*W, &* he did never dine. 
 
 'rtVi-.rv.i v.\ .twwkv.. 
 w:.^.-iV % 
 
 > o
 
 Euc L i s H POETS. 
 
 His Garment, nought but many ragged Clouts, 
 With Thorns together pinnd and patched WM, 
 The which his naked Sides he wrap y d about f ; 
 And him be/ide there lay upon the Grafs 
 A dreary Corfe, vehojc Life away did pafs, 
 AH wallowed in his own yet Luke-warm Bloody 
 That from hit Wound yet Welled frefh alas $ 
 In which a rufty Knife faft-fixcd flood, 
 And made an open Paffage for the gushing flood. 
 
 Which piteout Spectacle, approving true 
 The woful Tale that Trevilan had told, 
 When at the gentle Redcrols Knight did view, 
 With fiery Zeal he burnt in Courage bold, 
 Him to avenge, before hit Blood were cold : 
 And to the Villain faid ', Thou damned Wight, 
 The Author of thu Foci, we here behold, 
 What Juflice can but judge againft thee right, 
 With thine own Blotd to price his Blood, here jhed in 
 
 (Sight. 
 
 What frantick Fit (quoth he) hath thtu diftraugbt 
 Thet, fooltjl) Man, fo rajh a Doom to gi.ve f 
 What Juftice ever other Judgment taught, 
 Hut he jkoulel die, who merits not to live * 
 None elfe to Death this Man defpairing drive, 
 But hit own guilty Mind deferring Death. 
 Js then unjuft to each his Due to give ? 
 Or let him die, that loatheth living Breath ? 
 Or let him die at eafe, that livcth here uneath ? 
 
 Who travels by the weary wandering way, 
 To come unto his wified Home in hafte, 
 And meets a Flood that doth his Paffage flay, 
 Js not great Grace to help him over paft, 
 Or free his Ftet, that in the Afire flick fafi
 
 2O2 The Lives and Characters oft.he 
 
 Moft envious Man that grieves at Neighbour* s goocfy 
 And fond, that joy eft in the Woe thou haft, 
 Why will not let him pafs, that long hath flood 
 Vpon the Bank, yet wilt thyfelf not pafs the Flood .* 
 
 .ffe there does now enjoy eternal Reft 
 And happy Eafe, which thou doft want and crave, 
 And further from it daily wandereft : 
 What if fane little Pain the Paffage have, 
 That makes frail Flefh to fear the hitter Wave ? 
 Is not fljort Pain well born, that brings long Eafe t 
 And lays the SouKto Jleep in quiet Grave ? ' 
 Sleep after Toil, Port after ftormy Seat, 
 Eafe after War, Death after Life, does greatly pleafe. 
 
 The firft Edition of the Fairy Queen was pub- 
 lifh'd and corrected by Spenfer himlelf, with leveral 
 Copies of Verles to the Author ; and Verles of 
 the Author to moft of the Nobility in Queen Eli- 
 z.abetWs Court, about two Years before his Death j 
 and the Title of his Poem is, The Faerie Queene ; 
 difpos^d into twelve Books, fashioning twelve moral Vir- 
 tues. London, Printed for William Ponfonhie, 1 596. 
 
 Beiides thole Pieces of Mr. SpenfiSs, which have 
 been preferv'd, he writ leveral others, viz.. Nine 
 Comedies, in imitation of the Comedies of his ad- 
 xnir'd Ariofto, infcrib'd with the Name of the 
 Nine Mufes \ the Dying Pelicane ; Court of Cupid ^ 
 Hell of Lovers , Epithalamium Thamefis, and Ibme o- 
 thers, with a Treatile in Prole, call'd, The Eng- 
 lilh Poet. All his Pieces mow a prodigious Ge- 
 nius, and tho' in his Verification he is not always 
 equal to himlelf, yet he is liiperior to all his Con- 
 temporaries. And as for his Fairy Queen^ tho' it 
 was never taken to be a perfeft Poem, yet it was 
 from the beginning allow'd to be admirable. 
 
 This
 
 EicctiSH POETS* 203 
 
 This Great Poet was bury'd in Weflminfter- Abbey, 
 near tbeRemains ofGcoffry Chauce r,as he had defir'd. 
 His Oblequies were attended by the Poets of that 
 time, and many others, who paid the laft Honours 
 to his Memory. Several Copies of Verfes were 
 thrown after him into his Grave ; and his Monu- 
 ment was erefted at the Charge of the famous R o- 
 bert Devereux, the unfortunate Earl of Effex : But 
 the Inlcription on the Tombftone is not to be de- 
 pended upon, with reipeft to his Birth and the 
 time of his Dying * , and in a Latin Treatife, de- 
 fcribing the Monuments of Weftminjler in the Year 
 itfoo, fiippos'dto be publifhM by Mr.Camdett, it 
 is as follows : 
 
 Edmundus Spenler, Londinenfu y Anglicorum foe- 
 tarum noftri feculi fuit Princeps, quad ejuf Poemctta^ 
 ftvcntibus Afafis & vitturo Genio confcripta t compro^ 
 If ant. Obiit immatura msrte y Anno Salutis, 1598. 
 & propc Galfredum Chaucerum corrdttw y ^ui ftli- 
 ciflime Poefin Anglicis Literts frimus ittuftrtvit. h 
 quern h*c fcrifta funt EpitaphiA. 
 
 Hie prope Chaucerum fitut efl Spenlerius iOi 
 Proximtu Jngcnio, proximtu ut T'umulo. 
 
 Hie prope Chaucerum Spenfere Poet 4 Poet am 
 Conderis, & verfu quam Tumult proprior $ 
 
 i te vivo, vixit plaufitq; Poefis, 
 Nunc moritur* timet, te moriente, Mori. 
 
 ' r 
 
 The late Mr. Hughes has given the Publick a cor- 
 reft Edition of all Spenfer's Works in fix Vo- 
 lumes, Duodecimo \ to which he has prefix'd (bc- 
 fides the Life of Mr. Spenfer) An Eff*y on Allegorical 
 
 * See Mr. Hughcrt Life of Spenfer, lefvc
 
 204 The Lives and Characters of tbe 
 
 Poetry, &c. with Remarks on the Fairy Queen, The 
 Shepherd's Calendar, and the other Writings of this 
 Poet. 
 
 JWr. STAFFORD. 
 
 A Great Friend of Mr. Dryderfs and Colonel 
 Sackvil, of the Family of. the Lord Dorfet. 
 He tranflated the following Pieces. 
 
 I. The eight and tenth Eclogues of Virgil 9 a- 
 mongft Mr. Dryden and others. 
 
 II. Epifbde on the Death of Camilla, from the 
 eleventh Book of Virgil's *Jneids. 
 
 Hi. The eighth Satire of the firft Bookof/f^ 
 race. 
 
 J . -,,.,^,, 
 
 Tun A* A<; 9 r A XT T T V FA- 
 
 1HOMA3 OTANLtY. 77 
 
 /-,? 1 /- f / /- rr 
 
 Gentleman, born at Cumberlo-Gretn in Jfert- 
 forjjhirey the Seat of his Family. He had 
 the Reputation of a general Scholar, a Philoib- 
 pher, Hiftorian, and Poet. He was a great Tran- 
 ilator of the antient Greek, and modern Italian, 
 Spanifty and French Poets } and gave the World a 
 Tranflation of the Tragedies of /F s c H Y L u s, 
 which was efteem'd well done in the laft Age. 
 
 He likewife wrote the Lives of the Philofbphers, 
 and publifh'd a Volume of Poems in the Year one 
 thouland fix hundred fifty one } which, befides ma- 
 ny excellent occafional Pieces, contains leveral 
 Tranflatbns -, particularly the Works of Anacreon, 
 lon, and Moftetu, with a Platomck Difcourfe upon 
 
 Love;
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 205 
 
 Love i and two Novels : I. The Prince. II. The 
 Cyprian Virgin. 
 
 GEORGE STEPNEY, 
 
 TH I.S Gentleman was descended from the 
 Family of the Stepney's in Pembrokejhire, buC 
 born \nWeflminfter in th* Year 1663. For his 
 Education he was firft fent to Weftminfter-School, 
 and, after having made a good Progrefs in Litera- 
 ture there, he was remov'd to Trinity-College in 
 Cambridge, where he was Cotemporary with Charles 
 Montague E% afterwards Lord Halifax : And be- 
 ing of the fame College with him, a very great 
 Friendship was contrafted between them. He was 
 invited from the Univeriity to Town, with Mr. 
 Montague, by the late Earl of Dorfet } and fbon 
 receiv'd the Applaufes of all polite Gentlemen 
 for his uncommon Learning, extraordinary Wit, 
 engaging Conversion, and great Experience in 
 political Affairs. His excellent Qualifications and 
 great Merit at length recommended him to the 
 Favour of King William, who lent him, in the 
 Quality of Envoy, to the Eleftor of Brandenburg]) 
 in the Year 1692. to the Imperial Court in 1693. 
 to the Eleftor of Saxony in 1694. to the Eleftors 
 of Mayence, Cologne, &c. and the Congrels at 
 Frankfort in 1696. In the Year 1697. he was made 
 one of the Commifiioners of Trade, and in 1698. 
 lent a lecond time Envoy to the Elector of Bran- 
 denburgh, to the King of Ptl.mei in 1699. and a- 
 gain to the Emperor. in 1701. and in 1706. the 
 late Queen lent him Envoy to the States-General. 
 He was very happy and fuccelsliil in a!) hi? Negotia- 
 tions
 
 206 The Lives and Ohara&erg of the 
 
 tions, which occafion'd a conftant Employment in 
 the moft weighty Affairs. At his leifiire Hours 
 he wrote fbme Pieces of Poetry, which are very 
 much admir'd for the Politenefs and Elegancy of 
 his Stile, as well as his great Wit. They are, 
 
 I. A Poem to King James the Second, on the Death 
 of King Charles the Second. 
 
 II. An Epiftlc to Charles Montague Efa (fince 
 Lord Halifax) on his Majefty's Voyage to Holland. 
 
 III. To the Earl of Carlilfle, upon the Death of his 
 Son. 
 
 IV. The Auftrian Eagle. 
 
 V. The Nature of Dreams. 
 
 VI. A Poem dedicated to the Memory of Queen 
 Mary. 
 
 He died at Chelfe* in the Year 1707. and was 
 bury'd in Wcftminfter- Abbey, where a fine Monu- 
 ment is erefted over him, with the following In- 
 fcription, on the Pedeftal. 
 
 H.S.E. 
 Georgius Stepneius, Armiger y 
 
 Ob Jngenii acum*n y 
 Literarum Scientiam 9 
 Morum Suavitatemy 
 
 Rerum Vfum 
 Virorum Antfliflimorum Confvetudinem, 
 
 Lingut Styli M Vitt Elcgantiam, 
 Pntclara Offici* cum Britanni* turn 
 
 Prtftita, 
 
 SUA At ate multum celebrattu, 
 Ayud pofteros femper cclebrtmdtu \ 
 
 Plurimat Legationes obiit 
 
 Ea Fide, Diligentia, ac Felicitate, 
 
 Vt Auguftiflimorum Principum 
 
 (Silielmi d- Annx
 
 ENGLISH P o E t * 207 
 
 Sfem in itto rtpofitam 
 
 Nunquam fcfclUrit, 
 
 fftudraro fupcravit. 
 
 Poft longum honorum Curfum 
 
 Brevi Tcmporis Spatio confcflum, 
 
 Cum Nature p*rv* Fama fatts vixcrat 
 
 Arrimam ad altiora afpir ant cm placid* ejfluvit. 
 
 On the Left Hand. 
 
 (7.S. 
 
 Ex Equcftri Ftmilia Stepneiorum, 
 DC Pendegraft, in Comitatu 
 Pembrochienfi Oriundus, 
 
 4fttjf/?, AD. i<56. 
 Eleftus in Collegium 
 i Petri Weftmouaft. A. 1676. 
 San ft i Trinitatis Cantab. 1682. 
 Confiliariorum quihus Commcrcii 
 
 Cvra Commijja eft 1697. 
 Chelfeix mortuvs y Cr Comitantt 
 
 Afagn* Procerum 
 Frcqventi* hue elatus, 1 707. 
 
 On Che right Hand is a particular Account of all his 
 Employments abroad. 
 
 Sir RICHARD STEEL E. 
 
 THIS ingenious Gentleman, befides his ex- 
 cellent Plays, has eiveu us Ibme Poe- 
 tical Writings, which defirve Notice in this 
 Place, tho* they are few in Number, and gene- 
 rally efteemM, not the beft of his Performan- 
 ces y but all Perlbus allow there is good Senfe 
 
 through-
 
 2o8 The Lives and Chara&ers of the 
 
 throughout, and Ibme of the Wit natural to Sir 
 Richard Steele. They are, 
 
 I. An Imitation of Horace'* fixth Ode, apply'd 
 to the Duke of Afarlbarough. 
 
 II. The Procefllon, a Poem on the Funeral of Queen 
 Mary } written in the Year 1695. This Piece ex- 
 preffes the univerfal Concern of the Nation for the 
 Lois of this incomparable Princeis. 
 
 III. To Mr. Congreve, occafion'd by his Comedy, 
 call'd, The Way of the World. 
 
 5/VJoHN SUCKLING* , 
 
 :\\ 
 
 ' \ M O N G S T the Poems written by this ex- 
 jfx cellent Perfbn, and bound up with his Plays, 
 are the following Pieces very much applauded. 
 
 I. A Sejfion of the Poets. This Piece has a great 
 deal of diverting Humour, at the Expence of the 
 Contenders for the Bays, and is often referred to in 
 this Work. 
 
 II. On Fruition, an excellent Poem, and Ibme ci- 
 thers. -. H ;o^A i^.hi^ ** 
 
 & 
 Dr. JONATHAN SWIFT. 
 
 A Clergyman, now living, of great Wit. He 
 
 was born in the Kingdom of Ireland, 
 lifi Parents, and educated in Tr/wfy-College near 
 Dublin. He left Ireland as fbon as he had taken 
 Orders, and coming into England, I am inform'd, 
 he was fbme time entertained by the famous Sii 
 "Ham Temple. He was then receiv'd into the 
 
 Family 
 ^ * ~ ,
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 109 
 
 Family of the late Earl of Berkeley, in the Quality 
 of a Chaplain ; and attended his Lordfhip at the 
 time he was one of the Lords Juftices of Ireland. 
 After this, I have been told, he was intimate with 
 the late Lord Halifax , but on the Turn of Aifairs, 
 my Lord Oxford drew him into his Intereft, when 
 he wasconcernM in writing the famous State-Paper, 
 call'd, The Examiner. He has fince been preter'd 
 to the Deanery of St. Patrick's in Ireland, which 
 he holds, with one of the beft Livings in that 
 Kingdom. 
 
 His Baucis and Philetnon -, imitated from the 
 eighth Book of Ovid, is a Piece celebrated for its 
 Humour-, and his Writings in general are too well 
 Icnown to pretend to give a Chara&er of them. 
 
 Mr. JOSHUA SYLVESTER. 
 
 A Very eminent Tranflator in the Reign of 
 King James the Firft. He translated leve- 
 ral Works of the Divine DuBartut, particularly, 
 Eden, the Ark, the Fathers, Jonat, Babylon, the Tri- 
 umph of faith, &c. and The fix Days Work of the 
 Creation eain'd him a great deal of Fame, having 
 many Admirers, and being ufher'd into the World 
 by the greateft Wits of that Age : Amongft others, 
 tne immortal Ben Johnfon thus wrote to him : 
 
 If to Admire were to Commend, my Praife 
 Might then both thee, thy Work, and Merit raife ; 
 But at it is, how can I Jpeak, but err, 
 Since they can only judge that can confer ? 
 Behold ! the Reverend Shade of Bartus ftandt 
 Before my Thought, and (in thy Right) commands 
 P
 
 The Lives and CTiarafters of the 
 
 That to the World I publifo for him this : 
 Bartus doth wifli the Englifh now were his, 
 So well in that are his Intentions wrought^ 
 j4s his will now be the Tranjlation thought, 
 Thine the Original ; and France Jhall boaft 
 No more thofe Maiden Glories foe has loft. 
 
 IT 
 
 _,J -,*ftS l 
 
 M-. JOHN TAT EH AM. 
 
 , 
 
 A Poet in the Reign of King Charles the Firft, 
 who writ a Volume of Poems, entitled, 
 Fancy's Theatre , thefe Poems have leveral Co- 
 pies of Verfes in their Commendation. 
 
 Mr. JOHN TAYLOR. 
 
 THIS Poet was born in Glocefterjhire, and he 
 was a Perlbn of very good natural Parts, but 
 of a frnall ihare of Learning, having, in the Pro- 
 grefs of Letters, gone very little beyond his Ac- 
 cidence, as we may colled from one of his Pieces, 
 where he lays, 
 
 s.Vi v '.i\l 
 
 / muft confers I do want Eloquence ,* 
 And never fcarce did learn my Accidence ; 
 For having got from Poffum to Poflet, 
 / there wa>s grami'dj could no further get.
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 2H 
 
 He wrote Tome Pieces, dedicated to King James 
 and King Charles the Firft, and by them well ac- 
 cepted, confidering his Education , but it is to be 
 confider'd, that Poetry, in former times, when 
 there was lels of it, was more encouraged and re- 
 garded than inthis Age,when the World is Ib much 
 loaded with it. He for Ibme time kept a puMick 
 Houle near Long-acre, and, upon the Murder of 
 King Charles the Firft, fet up the Sign of the 
 Mourning Crorvn , but this open Piece of Loyalty 
 was counted malignant in thole Days, and being 
 oblig'd to pull down his Sign, he hung up his own 
 Pifture in the ftead of it, with thele Lines under- 
 neath, 
 
 Kings Heads are hung up for a S/gw, 
 And many a. Saint s, then why not mine ? 
 
 -'. l '.' p/r^n'j c.i -jd t>">ii'j fhtt/iv 
 
 He died about the Year 1(554. having fpent the 
 latter part of his Life in Mirth and Jollity. 
 
 Mr. LEWIS THEOBALD. 
 
 THIS Gentleman, befides his Dramatick 
 Works, has given us leveral Poems and 
 Trahflations, which have met with Approbation. 
 They chief of them are, 
 
 I. The Cave of Poverty, an excellent Poenl. 
 
 II. A Poem on the' Death of Ojiccn Anne. 
 
 III. Tranflations from Ovis Metamofphofes, 
 &c. \ am inform'd this Gentleman has a Brother, 
 who has lately publiftYd a fmall Milcelbny ot^ 
 Poems , but as I have net feen k, I cai;nct pre- 
 tend to giveany Account of them. 
 
 P i THOMAI
 
 1 1 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 THOMAS TICKELL, 
 
 Gentleman of Merit, now living. He is 
 Son to the late Reverend Mr. Richard Tickell, 
 a Clergyman well preferr'd in the North of Eng- 
 land. He was educated at gweeVCollege, Ox- 
 ford, of which he is at this time Fellow ; and 
 from thence he wrote an excellent Copy of Verles 
 to Mr. Addifon, upon his Rofamond an Opera, 
 which firft made him known to the World, and 
 recommended him to the Favour of that Gentle- 
 man. On Mr. Addiforfs Promotion to be Secreta- 
 ry of State, he appointed him Under-Secretary, 
 which Place he now enjoys under the Right Ho- 
 nourable Mr. Secretary Craiggs. He has oblig'd the 
 Publick with feveral fine Poems and Tranflations. 
 
 I. To his Excellency the Lord Privy Seal, on the Prof- 
 fttt of Peace. This Poem has had fix Editions. 
 
 II. An Imitation of the Prophecy of Nereus. This 
 Piece found likewife very good Succels. 
 
 III. On an Original Painting of King Charles /. 
 taken at the time of his Trial. 
 
 IV. A Fragment of a Poem on Hunting. 
 
 V. A Defection of the Phoenix : Tranflated from 
 Claudlan- 
 
 Jn utmoft Ocean lies a lovely Iflf, 
 Where Spring ftill blooms, Mid Greens for ever 
 
 (fmile $ 
 
 In thefe foft Shades, unpreft by human Feet, 
 The happy Phoenix keeps his balmy Seat 
 Far from the World* 
 
 The
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 
 
 The three Performances laft mentioned are pub- 
 lilh'd in the Milcellanies, as alfo fome other fmall 
 Copies of Verfes, written by this Author. 
 
 VI. An Epiftle from a Lady in England to a Gen" 
 tleman at Avignon. This Poem has fold five Edi- 
 tions. 
 
 VII. An Ode to the Lord Stanhope, on his go- 
 ing to France to make Propofals of Peace with 
 Spain. This has had two Editions. 
 
 VIII. Part of the fourth Book of Lucan tranjlated. 
 This Piece is inlerted in the Milcellanies. 
 
 . IX. Tnc frft Iliad of Homer tranjlated. This 
 Tranflation, and that by Mr. Pope were made pub- 
 lick at the lame time, and both their Performances 
 are extremely well done. It could be wifh'd that 
 this Gentleman would tranflate his Odyffes, pur- 
 luant to his Intentions mention'd in his Preface. 
 
 The Reverend Mr. JOSEPH TRAP p. 
 
 THIS Gentleman islecondSon to the Reve- 
 rend Mr. Jofeph Trapp, Rettor of Cherirgton 
 in Gloucejl erf Vire , at which Place he was born. 
 His firft Rudiments of Learning he had under his 
 Father, and at private Schools, from whence he 
 went for Ibme time to New-Colltgc School in Ox- 
 ford ^ and removing from thence, was, for many 
 Years, Scholar and Fellow of W*dh*m-ColUgc in 
 the lame Univerfity, where he took the Degree 
 of Matter of Arts. At Oxford he was unanimoufly 
 cholen Profeflbr of Poetry in the Year 1 708. be- 
 ing the firft of the kind, and is lucceeded in that 
 Office (which can be held but for ten Years) by 
 P 3 Mr.
 
 214 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 Mr. Thomas IVharton, Fellow of Magdalen-College . 
 This Poetry-Lecture was founded by Dr. Henry 
 Birkhead, formerly Fellow of All-Souls. As to 
 what he has publifli'd under his own Name, his 
 Pieces are the following, viz.. 
 
 I. A Poem upon the lamented Death of his Highneff 
 the Duke of Gloucefter. 
 
 II. A Poem on the Death of King William. Both 
 thele Pieces are very well writ, and contain at 
 great variety of Poetry. 
 
 III. To the Queeny on the Death of his Royal ffigh- 
 nefs Prince Georo;e of Denmark. 
 
 _ ^ 
 
 Iv. A Poem upon the Death of Queen Anne. 
 
 V. A Paraphrafe upm the I o^th Pfalm. 
 
 VI. The Dcfcription of the Prodigies which attended 
 the Death of Julius Caefar , translated into Blank 
 Verfe, from the latter end of the firft Book of 
 Virgifa Georgicks. 
 
 VII. The Story of Phaeton, an excellent Tranila- 
 tion, from the firft and lecond Books of Ovid's 
 iMetamorphofes. 
 
 VIII. TheLcve of Callus , tranflated from.Kfr- 
 gifs tenth Eclogue. 
 
 IX . A Copy of fcrfcs upon the Duke of Beaufqrt'jr 
 Seat at Badmington in Glocefterfhire. 
 
 X. Th'e t&nsi* of Virgil, tranflated into Blank 
 Verfe, with large Notes and Observations \ in two 
 Volumes. 
 
 Befides thefe, Mr. Trapp has one Latin Poem in 
 the Muf* Anglican.*, and his Prdcftiones Poetic* pub- 
 lifh'd in three Volumes, duodecimo. 
 
 V > - . . ;;;:;-i i |3?l ' jiii 
 
 -.,fr ,;?c oi 
 
 i;iJ ' . V ?.;i U 
 
 ;i tKi"/ scff 
 
 -"4 . . .iytoui P,; t k i 
 
 ioi :. >>Mw) 
 
 .1^1
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 215 
 
 AN antient Poet, born at Riven-Hall in Efex. 
 His Father, who defign'd him for a Mufician, 
 plac'd him firft to Wa&ivgford School, and from 
 thence he was lent to learn Mufick at St. Paulas \ 
 and having attained fbme Skill in that Art, he was 
 after wards lent to 4ra-School, to compleat him- 
 felf in the Latin Tongue, from whence he remov'd 
 to Trinity- Hail in Cambridge -, but being there vifited 
 with extreme Sickneft, he was oblig'd very loon 
 to quit the Univerfity. After the Recovery of his 
 Health, he foltow'd the Court, and liv'd fome 
 Years in the family of the Lord paget : But not 
 meeting with the Encouragement he expefted, he 
 left the Town, and retir'd into Suffolk, where he 
 Rented a Farm, and applyM himtelf to Husban- 
 dry : After this he was a Singing-Man at Norwich, 
 and was fucceflively a Mufician, School-mafter, 
 Husbandman, and Poet } but had little Prosperity 
 in either of his Stations : So that he might lay 
 with the Poet: 
 
 i* fum minor ipfc meis. 
 
 9 . -* * w * A ^^ 
 
 He flourifh'd in the Reign of King Edward the 
 Sixth, and at laft diedinLfl^w, Armo 1580. He 
 was bury'd at St. Mittrtf* Church in the Poultrey. 
 
 ' ;';
 
 2i 6 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 ^.CHRISTOPHER TYE. 
 
 THIS Poet liv'd in the Reigns of King/fcw- 
 ry VIII. and Edward VI. to which laft he was 
 one of the Gentlemen of the Chappel, and proba- 
 bly Organift, he being bred up to Mufick. Upon 
 the Diffolution of the Abbies, when Church-Mu- 
 fick receiv'd a very great Wound in England, he 
 was its principal Support, and by his great Skill 
 and Diligence, he kept it in good Credit at Court, 
 and in all Cathedrals durine his Life. He tran- 
 flated, 
 
 The Atts of the Apoftles into Ver[e y and let part 
 of it to Mufick, which he dedicated to King Ed- 
 ward VI. a little before his Death. 
 
 GEORGE VILLERS, late Duke of 
 Buckingham. 
 
 THIS incomparable Nobleman was Son of 
 George Villien^ the Great Duke of Buckingham, 
 who was ftabb'd by Felton, and descended from a 
 Family of great Antiquity (originally of French 
 Extraction) Jeated 4t Jbooksky in Lcicefterjhire. He 
 was bred up with the politelt Prince that ever lat 
 upon the Ev^Ufi Throne, and was the greateft Or- 
 
 nament
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 217 
 
 nament of his Court. In his Perfbn he was a very 
 fine Gentleman, and his Converfation was eafy and 
 charming*, lerious when Occafion required it, tho' 
 generally facetious, and turning upon Mirth. He 
 had a Genius that fitted him for the higheft Pofts in 
 the Government ^ but Pleafure, which was his pre- 
 dominant Paflion, made him ridicule all manner of 
 Buiinefs , and by a negleft of himfelf and his Af- 
 fairs, he very much fuffer'd in his Eftate. He 
 was very ferviceable in the Royal Caufe, and ven- 
 tur'd himfelf freely for his Prince, whom he ac- 
 company 'd in the fatal Battle of Worcefttr. After- 
 wards he attended King Charles the Second in his 
 Exile, and at the Restoration he found himielf po 
 fefled of one of the moft confiderable Eftates in 
 the Kingdom : He was likewile made Mafter of 
 the Horfe to the King , but as he affefted Magnifi- 
 cence beyond his Fortune, tho' fo great, his Patri- 
 mony fenfibly decay'd. In the midft of his Gran- 
 deur, he was lent Embaflador to the King of France, 
 to break the Triple League ; and the French King 
 knowing him tobeamoft accomplim'd Nobleman, 
 and un homme Ac plaifir t prepared an Entertainment 
 for him, that might have befitted the Magnificence 
 of the greateft Emperor. In the latter part of his 
 Life, having been guilty of Ibme irregular Con- 
 duft at Court, he retir'd into Torkjhirf, where he 
 died. His Grace's excel lent Compofitions are, 
 
 I. A Pindarick Poem, on tht Death of the Lord 
 Fairfax. 
 
 II. Advice to 4 Painter, to draw my Lord A. ton, 
 Grand Minifter of State. This is a levere Satire, 
 and begins with thele Lines : 
 
 Flrft draw an arrant Fop, from Top to Toe, 
 Whoft very Looks, at firjl fight, flew him fo: 
 
 Give
 
 2i8 The Lives and Characters oftfa 
 
 Give him a mean fraud Garb, which fuits DifgrAce, 
 A pert dull Grin, a black Patch crofi his Face \ 
 Two goggle Eyes, fo clear, tho' very dead, 
 That one may fee thro' them quite thro* his Head. 
 Let every Nod of his, and fubtile Wink, 
 Declare the Fool would Talk, but cannot Think. 
 
 III. Timon. A Satire on feveral Plays. My 
 I.ord Rochefter affifted in the Compolure of this 
 Piece. 
 
 IV. A Confolatory Epiftle to Captain Julian, the 
 #fufes Newfmonger. 
 
 V. A Familiar Epiftle to Julian, Secretary to the 
 Mufes. 
 
 VI. Vpon the Monument 
 
 VII. Vpon the Jnfl ailment of the Duke of New-' 
 caftle. 
 
 VIII. The Rump-Parliament : A Satir*. 
 
 IX. To his Miftrefs. 
 
 X. The Loft Miftrefs. 
 
 XI. A Defcription of Fortune. This is an excel- 
 lent Piece -, it begins, 
 
 . ( . * 
 
 Fortune, made up of Joys and Impudence, m^ 
 Thou common Jade, that haft not common Senfe ! 
 But fond of Bus'nefs, infolently dares 
 pretend to rule, and fpoil the Worlds Ajfairs. 
 She fluttering up and down, her Favours throws "V 
 On the next met, not minding what foe does, > 
 
 Nor why, or whom foe helps or injures knows. Jf, 
 Sometimes foe fmiles, then like a Fury ravtf t 
 And feldom truly loves hut Fools or Knaves. 
 
 .11 dlddt /iuiyx anigacf ba4 
 
 "tj Jlfr.
 
 POETS. 219 
 
 w. 
 
 , W A L D R E N. 
 
 Gentleman defended from an antient Family 
 in the frPV/? of Evrltnd, and born near Exc- 
 ttr in Dtvonjhire, Sit whtcn Place he had his Educa- 
 tion. From Exetcr-Schoo[ ha remov'd to Oxford, 
 being firft admitted a Commoner of xon-Co\- 
 lege, and afterward* cleared Fellow of All-Souh 
 College in the lame Umverfity. Here he apply'd 
 himlelf 4 to the Study of Phyiick, for fome time, 
 nd afterwards went down to Exeter, where he 
 pra&is'd with good Reputation in that Faculty. 
 Upon the Death of th Honourable Dr. Leopold 
 pintlt, late Head of AH-Sovls C^e Oxford, his 
 Friends fent for him up out of the Weft, in order 
 to fiicceed in that Head (hip -, but by the Jour- 
 ney, he contracted fuch an Indifpofition, as occa- 
 fion'd his Death in a fw Days ; and he lies bury'd 
 in the outward Chappel belonging to that Society. 
 H* was a well-bred c^nteel Man, the moft agreea- 
 ble Conversion, very polke in his Compofitions, 
 and peculiarly happy in the Expreffion of his 
 Thoughts. The Wt$ Country Gentleman mention 
 him with great Efteem, nd his Kame and Cha- 
 rafter are very much relpefted in the Univerfity. 
 There are leveral Poetical Performances of his in 
 the Oxford and Cambridge Mifcellany , amongft 
 which the chief are, 
 
 L Efy upon Death, an excellent Piece. 
 II. A Poem on SP, Stephen'* Day, 
 
 EDMUND
 
 220 The Lives and Characters of tbe 
 
 EDMUND WALLER, Efa 
 
 TH E Life and Character of this excellent Poet 
 I have writ in the former part qf this Work ', 
 ib that I mall Jiere make it my Bufinefs to take no- 
 tice of his admirable Poems only, which are all of 
 them highly worthy Imitation. 
 
 I. To King Charles t he Firfl on his Navy . Written 
 in the Year 1 626, This Poem begins ; 
 
 
 
 Where-e^er thy Navy fyreads her Canvas Wings, 
 Homage to thee, and Peace to all jhe brings. 
 
 ' : 
 
 II. Jnftruttions to a Painter for drawing the Pojhtre 
 and Progrefs of his Majeftys Forces at Sea, and the 
 Battel and Viftory obtained over the Dutch, 1665. 
 
 III. On the War with Spain, and Fight at Sea by Ge* 
 neral Montague, in the Year 1 656. In this Poem 
 there are thefe excellent Lines : rii ; 
 
 srf ,vsrr 
 
 The Squadrons foon begin the Tragick Play, 
 And with their fmoaky Cannon banifh Day : 
 Night, Horror, Slaughter, ivith Confufion meet, 
 And in their fable Arms embrace the Fleet : 
 THro* yielding Planks the angry Bullets fly, 
 And of one Wound hundred s together die : 
 $orn under different Stars, one Fate they have^\:^ 
 The Ship their Coffin, and the Sea their Crave. 
 
 
 , IV. The Battel of the Summer IJlands : In three 
 Canto's. In the firft Canto are thefe Verles to Sa- 
 ehariffa. 
 
 o
 
 ENGI- i s H POETS. 
 
 O ! how I long my carelefs Limbs to lay 
 Under the Plantane's Shade , and all the Day 
 With amorous Airs my Fancy entertain, 
 Invoke the Mufes, and improve my Vein ! 
 There while I fag, if gentle Love be by, 
 That times my Lute, and winds the Strings fo higb 9 
 With the fweet Sound of Sacharifla'j Name, 
 m make the UJFniug Savages grow tame. 
 
 V. To the Queen, a Poem ; which very much 
 fliews the Author's Art of Praifing. 
 
 VI. To the Queen-Mother of France, upon her 
 landing in the Tear 16*38. 
 
 V1L Upon the Death of Oliver Cromwell 
 
 VIII. To King Charles the Second, on his happy Re- 
 ft oration : Both thefe laft are admirable Poems. 
 
 IX. On the Lady Mary, Princefs of Orange. 
 
 X. On my Lady Dorothy Sidney'/ Pitture. This 
 Lady was his famous Sachariffa. 
 
 XI. ToVandike. 
 
 XII. The Story tf Phaebus and Daphne apply d. 
 This is one of the moft gallant and beft-turn'd 
 Copies of Verles in the English Tongue : And the 
 Application is to himlelf and Sachariffa, elpecially 
 where the Succels of his Love is painted in thele 
 Lines : 
 
 Thyrfis, a Youth of the infpired Train, 
 
 Fair Sacharifla lov'd, but lov'd in vain. 
 
 All but the Nymph, that fl)twld redrefs hisWrong, 
 
 Attend his Pajjion, and approve his Song : 
 
 Like Phxbus thus, acquiring unfought Praife, 
 
 He catch'd at Love, and fill'd hit Arms with Bays. 
 
 XIII. To the Countefs of Carlifle in Mourning. 
 
 XIV. To my Lord Falkland. 
 
 XV. T.
 
 222 The Lives &nd Ghara&erS of the 
 
 XV. To my Lord Leicefter. 
 
 XVI. To. the Lord Northumberland, m thelDeafh 
 of bit Lady. 
 
 XVII. Vpott Ben. Johnfon. 
 
 XVIII. To Sir William 1 D'Avenant, upon Us two 
 firft Books of his Gondibert. 
 
 XIX. Vpon the Earl of Rolcammon'j Translation 
 of Horace, De Arte Poetica. 
 
 XX. To Mr. Evelyn, upon the Truncation of Lu- 
 cretius. 
 
 XXI. A la Made. 
 
 XXII. On my Lady Ifabetla playing oft the Lute. 
 XXIH. To my Lady Morton on New-Tear* Day} 
 
 1550. 
 
 XXIV. To Amoret ami Phillisi Mr. Wallft has 
 imitated Anacreon very happily in thde Places, 
 
 where he begins : 
 
 ? < f ;VA y? 
 
 
 
 Phillis, why Jhould Te delay 
 Tleafuris jhorter thati the Day ? 
 Coud we (which we never can) 
 Stretch our Lives beyond their SpA# T 
 Beauty like a Shadow fllt\ 
 And our Touth before us dtes 
 Or woud Touth and Beauty ftty, 
 Love hat Wings, and will away. 
 
 In another Place, fpeaking of Love, he has theft 
 Lines : 
 
 , I '' *' \ \ \ ' \ 'T- .'.',"> 
 
 i fc> 'jci iu4 ,l> 'Sol jiitnKn; ', t\i^ 
 All that the Artgels do above, 
 Is that they far, and' that they 
 
 J 
 
 X3CV. On a Girdle. 
 
 XXVI. The Trifle-Combat. This Piece defcribes 
 the meeting of the Dutchefs of Mazarine with the 
 Dutchefies ofPertfmoittlf-mA Cltavtland. 
 
 XXVIL
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 
 
 XXVII. To a Friend, on the different Succcfs of thftr 
 This Piece ends with thefe Ver fes : 
 
 So like the Chances are of Love and War, 
 That they alone in this diftingitifl? d arc : 
 In Love the Vlttors from the fanquijli'd fly, 
 They fly that wound) and they Purfue that Die. 
 
 XXVHI. Of Divine Love, in fix Canto's. 
 
 Mr. Waller likewife wrote Ibrae other Divine 
 Poems, and a great many other final! Pieces \ and 
 he is every where happy in fine Metaphors and 
 beautiful Similes. 
 
 I fhall finifli my Account of him, with his ex- 
 cellent Lines on Weftminfter-Abbey, in his Poem 
 ca\Yd St. James's Park. 
 
 from hence we may that antique Pile beheld, 
 IVhere Royal Heads receive the. facred Cold ', 
 It gives them Crowns, and does their jjfljes keep, 
 There made like Cods 9 like Mortals there they flctf: 
 Making the Circtt of their Reign conpUat, 
 Thofe Suns of Empire, where they Rife they Set. 
 
 
 WILLIAM WALSH 
 
 A Worccferfrire Gentleman, educated at the 
 J~\. Univerfity oi" Oxford. He was a very lear- 
 ned and judicious Man, and by his particular Ap- 
 plication to the Studies of the Mufes, became a 
 good Poet, and an excellent Critick. He was cho- 
 ien Knight of the Shire for the County of Wor- 
 cefter, in leveral Parliaments, and made Gentle- 
 man of the Horle to King William and Queen Ma- 
 ry under the Duke of Somerht. He writ, 
 
 I. Th;
 
 224 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 I. The Golden Age Re ft or* d, an Imitation of the 
 fourth Eclogue of Vergil ; a famous State-Poem, 
 publifh'd a little after King William's Death. 
 
 II. Horace, Lib. 3. Ode 3. imitated. 
 
 III. Love-Poems, Paftoral Eclogues, &c. wherein 
 the Paffion of Love is admirably defcrib'd. 
 
 He has likewife a Collection of Letters amo- 
 rous and gallant, bound with his Poetry, which are 
 full of Wit and Humour. His firft Poem in his 
 Mifcellany is to his Book, and begins thus : 
 
 Go y little Book, and to the World impart 
 The faithful Image of an arrfrout Heart : 
 Thofe who Love's dear deluding Tains have known, 
 Mayinmy fatal Stories read their own. 
 
 He has this Epigram to Chloe : 
 
 Chloe, new-married, looks on Man no more,* 
 Why then 'tis plain for what jhe looRd before* 
 
 Mr. Pope, in his Ejjay on Criticifm, has thefe com- 
 mendatory Lines on Mr. Walfh j 
 
 Walfli, the Mufe's Judge and Friend, 
 Who juftly knew to blame, or to commend \ 
 To failings mild, but zealous for Defert } 
 He had the clearejt Head, and the pncereft Heart*. 
 
 Befides his Poetry and Letters, this Author wrote 
 an ingenious Piece in Profe, call'd, ^E.fculafius, or 
 The Hofpital of Fools j a Dialogue after the manner 
 of Lucian. 
 
 Mr.
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 225 
 
 Mr. JAMES WARD. 
 
 A Gentleman, ot the Roman Catholick Reli- 
 gion, who has given us fbme Pieces of Poe- 
 try, which have been very well receivM, and 
 fhew him to be a Perfon of Wit. They are, 
 
 I. Phanix-Parlt. This Piece begins thus : 
 
 Shall Cooper VHill Majeftick rife in Rhyme, 
 Strong M its Bafis, M its Brow fublime ? 
 Shall Windfor-F<wr/? win immortal Pr*ife y 
 It ftlf out-lafting in its Poet's Lays ; 
 And. Thou, O Phcfnix-Parky remain fo long 
 Vnknovon to Fame, *nd unadornd in Song. 
 
 II. Imitation of Horace, &c. 
 
 Mr. EDWARD WARD. 
 
 A Very voluminous Poet, and an Imitator of 
 the famous Butler. Of late Years he has 
 kept a publick Houfe in the City (but in a gen- 
 teel way) and with his Wit, Humour, and 
 good Liquor has afforded his Guefls a plealurable 
 Entertainment^ efpecially the High-Church Par- 
 ty, which is composed of Men of his Principle*, 
 and to whom he is very much obliged for their 
 conftant Relbrt. The chief of his Pieces are, 
 I. tfudibrM Rtdhivut. a Political Poem. 
 
 11 DOM
 
 226 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 II. Don Quixote, done into Hudibraflick Verfe. 
 
 III. Ecclefa & Faftio j a Dialogue between Bovt- 
 Stecple Dragon, and the Exchange Graihopper. 
 
 IV. A Ramble thro' the Heavens j or, the Revels 
 of the Gods, ere. 
 
 V. The Cavalcade, a Poem. 
 
 VI. Marriage Dialogues, or a Poetical Peep into 
 the State of Matrimony. 
 
 VII. A Trip to Jamaica, cr. 
 
 VIII. Sot's Paradife , or, the Humours of A Darby 
 jilehoufe. 
 
 IX. Battel without Bloodjhed ; or, Military Di 
 cipline Buffoon'd. On the Train'd Bands. Cum 
 multis aliis, to the Bulk of five Volumes, oftavo. 
 But the Author is beft known by his London Spy, a 
 famous Piece in Prole. 
 
 . WILLIAM WARNER. 
 
 THIS Poet flouriih'd in the Reign of Queen 
 Elizabeth, and I know nothing of him, but 
 that he wrote a Poem, call'd, Albion's England. 
 It is Hiftorical, and deduc'd from the peopling of 
 the Earth by the Sons of Noah, bringing his Hif- 
 tory fuccinftly to the Siege of Troy, from thence 
 to the coming of Brute into this Ifland and Ib 
 down, touching upon the moft important Matters, 
 to the Conqueft of England by William Duke of 
 Normandy , and from his time the publick Affairs 
 to the beginning of the Reign of Queen EHzA- 
 bcth. It is writ in the old-fafhion'd kind of ieven- 
 footed Verle*, and begins thus, 
 
 / tell
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 227 
 
 1 tell of Things done long ago, of many Things in few, 
 And. chiefly of this Clime of ours, the Accidents pur- 
 
 (1*5 
 
 Thou high Dire ft or of the fame, aflifl my artltfs Pen, 
 To write the Jefts ofBmtonsftwt, and Arts of Eng- 
 
 (lifhmen; 
 
 JyJre ifc'ft Jft Jri &&'^-^J 
 
 Mr. WATTS. 
 
 ANonconformift Minifter, and ingenious Man 
 now living, Author of a Volume of Poems 
 very much commended j particularly his Pieces 
 on, 
 
 Friendfiif, which are excellent. 
 
 Mr. WELSTED. 
 
 / 
 
 A Gentleman now living, delcended from a 
 good Family in Leiccftcrflrire y and educated 
 at Wcftminfter-School. He hath for fbme time ap- 
 plyMhimtelf to Poetical Studies, tho* he hasob- 
 ligM us with but few Performances. His Patron, 
 1 take it, is the Duke of Newcaftle, who is a great 
 Encourager of polite Literature. The Free- 
 Thinker has mentioned him with a great deal of 
 Honour, but perhaps not more than he deferves. 
 His Poetical Writings are the following, Cwz..) 
 
 I. To the Earl of Clare, on his being created Dule 
 of Newcaftle. This is a very good Poem. 
 
 II. Tht Triumvirate \ or a Letter from Palemon 
 to Celi'i, from the Bath. 
 
 Q. a III. A
 
 2i 8 The Lives and Charaders of the 
 
 III. A Letter to his Grace the Duke of Chandois ; 
 lately publifh'd. 
 
 IV. To the Duke of Buckingham, on his EJfiy on 
 Poetry. 
 
 V. Several fmall Love-Poems in the Free-Thinker. 
 He has alfb tranflated Longings Treatife De Sub- 
 
 iimitate. 
 
 Sir GEORGE WHARTON. 
 
 TH I S Gentleman was famous for his Loyalty 
 to King Charles the Firft. He was a good 
 Soldier, and an excellent Poet, and exerted both 
 his Pen and his Sword in the Caufe of his Royal 
 Mafter. He rais'd a Troop of Horle for the King 
 nt his own Expence, and approv'd himlelf, at the 
 Head of it, a Man of true Valour : But Rebellion 
 meeting Succels, he was forc'd to give way to it, 
 and at length was caft into Prifbn } and he found 
 the greater Severity, on Account of a Satire he 
 wrote upon the Enemies of the Royal Caule, 
 which was fq biting, that they could not forgive 
 him. His Sufferings continu'd till the coming in 
 of King Charles the Second, when the Reftoration 
 of that Prince reftor'd him to his Liberty, and his 
 former Services entitled him to an honourable Pre- 
 ferment, which he had conferr'd on him, and made 
 him happy the remainder of his Life. His Poems 
 were publinYd together in a Volume, Anno 1683. 
 anong which is the Satire above-mention'd, call'd, 
 EhnBnchtu -, an excellent Piece, containing the 
 fevereft Reflections on the Oppolers of the pious 
 Monarch. 
 
 Sir
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 
 
 5/r T H o M A s W i AT. 
 
 AS Fulk Grevlle, Lord Brook, thought his 
 Friend/hip to Sir Philip Sidney fuch an Ho- 
 nour to him, that he had it infertect in his Monu- 
 mental Inlcription ^ Ib it is fufficient Reputation 
 to this Gentleman to be amongft the Number of 
 the Friends of Hemy Howard, the Great Earl of 
 Surrey. He was born at AUington-Ctftlc in the 
 County of Kent, the Seat of his Family , which 
 afterwards he repaired with magnificent Buildings, 
 tit for the Reception of one of his noble Spirit, 
 and refin'd Tafte of Life , which were more fupe- 
 rior to his Anceftors, than his (lately Manfion, by 
 the coftly Reparations, exceeded the former an- 
 tient Strufture. He was in high Favour with King 
 Henry the Eighth, who was a great Admirer of 
 his extraordinary Qualities ; but in the Affhir of 
 Ame Sullen he was involved in Ibme Difficulties, 
 and had like to have felt the weight of the King's 
 Dilpleafure } tho' from this he extricated himlelf^ 
 by his Innocence, Prudence, and Induftry. He 
 travell'd into Italy with the Earl of Surrey, and 
 there tafted the ftately Meafure and Stile of the 
 /T4/MH Poefy, and returning, greatly polifli'd our 
 rude and homely manner of writing. At laft he 
 was fent Ambaflador by Henry VIII. to Charles V- 
 Emperor of Germany, then refiding in Spain ; but 
 died of thePeftilence in theWr/? Country before 
 he could take Shipping, Anno 1541. He was call'd 
 Sir Thoma* Witt the Elder, to diftinguifti him 
 from Sir ThowM Wiat, the Railer of the Rebellion 
 in the time of Queen Mary. He tranflated D r- 
 
 Q. 3 vlti
 
 250 The Lives and Chara&ers of the 
 
 ^Id's Pfalms into Englifr Meeter -, and Leland com- 
 pares him to Dante and Petrarch j 
 
 Bella fuum merito jaftet Florentia Dantem 
 Regia Petrarchce carmina Roma probat, 
 
 Hi* non inferior Patrlo Sermonc Viattus, 
 Eloquii feciim qui decus omne tulit. 
 
 Upon the Death of Sir Thomas Witt, the Earl of 
 Surrey wrote thus : 
 
 
 Thy Fame, Great Wiat, flail by all be read ; 
 What Venues rare -were temper d in thy Breaft ? 
 fionour that England fuch a Jewel bred, 
 And kifs the Ground whereon thy Corps did reft. 
 
 fcoif&9 * C>!foJ <L3/.<i5 ftc 
 
 JOHNWILMOT, Eerl of Rochefter. 
 
 THIS ihining Nobleman was the Son of 
 Henry Earl of Rochefter , vvhofe Fame, for 
 Loyalty and Valour, equalFd his Son's for his fur- 
 prizing Wit and Genius. He was born at Dichley, 
 near Woodjfock, in Otcfordjhire, in the Year 1648. 
 and educated in Wadham-College, Oxford, under 
 the Tuition of Dr. Blavdford, afterwards fucceffive- 
 ly Bifhop of Oxford and Worceftcr. He was a Per- 
 ibn of moft excellent Parts and great Learning, 
 being thorowly acquainted with all Claflick Au- 
 thors, both Greek and lain. He early fuck'd in 
 thofc Perfe&ions of Wit, Eloquence, and Poetry, 
 which made him the Wonder of the Age wherein 
 lie liv'd. In all his Cpmpofures there is fbmething 
 peculiarly Great and New, ^ and tho' he has lent 
 to many, he has borrow'd of none : Hor was Jie 
 
 deficient
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 231 
 
 deficient in his other perfbnal Accompli/hments* 
 which were very much improved by his Travels i 
 for in all the Qualifications of a Gentleman for the 
 Court or the Country, he was univerfally known, 
 and acknowledged to be a very great Mafter -, but 
 the natural Tendency of his Temper unhappily 
 inclin'd him to Excefles of Pleafure and Wan- 
 tonneis. He had a ftrange Vivacity of Thought, 
 and Vigour of Expreffion } his Style was clear and 
 ftrong, and his Figures very lively, and few Men 
 ever had a bolder Flight of Fancy, more fteddily 
 govern'd by Judgment than his Lordihip. He laid 
 out his Wit very freely in Libels and Satires, in 
 which he had a peculiar Talent of mixing his 
 Wit with his Malice, and fitting both with fuch 
 apt words, that Men were tempted to be p leafed 
 with them. From thence his Compofitious came 
 to be eaiily known, few or none having fuch an 
 artful way of tempering thele together as he had : 
 And his Satire he always defended, by alledging 
 there were ibme Perfons that could not be kept in 
 Order, or admonilh'd, but in this way. His Poe- 
 try has eminently diflmguim'd it felf from that of 
 other Men, by a thoufand irrefiftable Beauties : 
 'Twas all Original, like himlelf ; the Excellencies 
 are many and mafterly, and the Faults few and in- 
 confiderable , and thole it has are of the kind, which 
 Horace lays, can never offend. 
 
 i <QuM tut incuritt futtit ; 
 Aut humatui parum cavit Natura. 
 
 But in his Choice of Subjefts,he frequently bordered 
 on Oblcenity. He would often retire into the 
 Country, and be for Ibme Months wholly employed 
 in Study, or the Sallies of his Wit : His Studies were 
 
 (1 4 divided
 
 232, The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 divided between the comical and witty Writings of 
 the Antients and Moderns, the Roman Authors, 
 Books of Hi/lory and Phyflck } and Boileau a- 
 mong the French, and Cowley among the Englijh 
 Wits, werethofe he admir'd moft. Nature had 
 fitted him for great Things, and his Knowledge 
 and Oblervation qualified him to have been one of 
 the moft extraordinary Men England has produc'd : 
 But Death took him off in the three and thirtieth 
 Year of his Age. He died in the Ranger's-Lodge 
 in Woodftock-Park, on the 25th of Ja/y, 1680. of a 
 lingring Dileale (which was attended with great 
 Marks of Repentance for his Vices and Extrava- 
 gancies) and was bury'd in a Vault under the 
 North Ifle joining to Spellesbury Church in Oxford- 
 fare. The chief of his incomparable Poems are 
 the following : 
 
 I. A Satire tgainft Man; an inimitable Piece, 
 and the fevereft Satire that ever was penn'd. 
 
 II. Horace's tenth Satire of the firft Book imitated. 
 This Poem laihes Mr. Dryden and ieveral of the 
 top Poets of his time. 
 
 III. A Satire upon the Times. 
 
 IV. Satire on the King, for which he was bamm'd 
 the Court, and afterwards let up in Tower-ftreet 
 for an Italian Mountebank -, which occafion'd his 
 famous Speech of Alexander Bendo, 
 
 V. Tunbridgc-WcHs, a Satire- 
 
 VI. Bath Intrigues. 
 
 VII. The yaung Statesman, a Satire- 
 
 VIII. A Satire again jl: Marriage. 
 
 IX. A Scflion of the Posts. This is a comical Sa- 
 tire on the Dramatick Poets. 
 
 X. The Rehear fal, a Satire. 
 
 XI. A Peftnce of Satire. This Poem begins,
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 233 
 
 They took fo bold a freedom with the Age, 
 That there MOM f caret a Knave or Fool in Town 
 Of any Note, but had his Pifture frown. 
 
 And in his Anfwer to the Defence of Satire, writ- 
 ten by Sir C. & he has thefe Lines : 
 
 Satire if of Divint Authority, 
 
 For Cod made one of Man, when he made Thee. 
 
 XII. On the Death of Mr. Greenhill, the famom 
 Pointer. 
 
 XIII. Vpon Nothing, an excellent Piece. 
 
 XIV. The Perfetl Enjoyment. 
 
 XV. The Difaff ointment. 
 
 XVI. T he Virgin s Defre. 
 
 XVII. Et Cttera. 
 
 XVIII. To his Miftrefs. 
 
 XIX. On a falfe Mifrefs. 
 
 XX. An Extempore, upon receiving a Fall at 
 Whitehall-Gate, by attempting to falute the Dut- 
 chefs of Cleavelar.d, as ihe was ftepping out of her 
 Chariot. 
 
 There are feveral other Poems of this celebrated 
 Nobleman's, and, as a certain Author has already 
 obferv'd, to trace and fingle out the feveral Graces, 
 may be a Task as difficult, as to defcribe to * 
 Lover the Lines and Features of his Miftrefs's 
 Face : However, I fhall inlert lome of his Verfes 
 from his Satirt on Man, to ihew his prodigious 
 Spirit. 
 
 Wtrt I (who, to my C/r, already am 
 
 On$ of thofe ftrange prodigious Creatures Man)
 
 234 The Lives and Chambers of tbe 
 
 A Spirit free to chufe for my own Share, TT" 
 
 What Cafe ofFlejh and Blood Vd pleafetoweetr ^ S* 
 rd he a Dog, a Monkey, or a Bear .? ( jf 
 
 Or any thing but that -vain Animal, 
 Who it Jo proud of being rational. 
 The Senfes are toogrofs, and he'll contrive 
 A Sixth to contradict the other Five : 
 And before certain Inftincl will prefer 
 Reafon, which fifty times for one does erf \ 
 JReafon, an Ignis Fatuus in the Mind, 
 Which, leaving Light of Nature, Senfe, behind. 
 Pathlefs, and dang rout wancfring Ways it takes, 
 Thro* Errors fenny Begs, and thorny Brakes : 
 While the m'fguided Follower climbs, with Pain, 
 Mountains of Whimfeys heafd in his own Brain ; 
 Stumbling, from Thought t* Thought, falls headlong 
 
 (down 
 
 Into Doubts boundlefs Sea, where, like to drown 9 
 JSoohbear him wp a while, and make him try 
 To fwim with Bladders of Philofophy ; 
 In hopes ftill to overtake th 1 efcaping Light, 
 Till fpent, it leaves him to eternal Night. 
 Huddled in Dirt the reafning Engine lies, 
 Who was fo proud, fo witty, and fo wife : 
 Pride drew him in, at Cheats their Bubble 
 And made him venture to become a Wretch ' 
 His Wifaom did his ffapptnefs deftroy, 
 Aiming to know what World he Jhould enjoy : 
 And Wit WM his vain frivolous Pretence 
 Of ^leafing others at his own Exyence : 
 For Win are treated juft like Common Whores, 
 Firft they're enjoy* d, and then kiclid out of Doors. 
 Women and Men of Wit are d*nrouf Tools, 
 And ever fatal to admiring Fools. 
 
 Thofc Creatures are the wifeft, who attain, 
 Hy fureft Means, the Ends at which they aim : 
 
 if
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 235 
 
 Jf therefore Jowler finds and kills hU Hare y 
 fetter than Meers fupplies Committee-Chair ; 
 Tho* one 's a State/man, Mother but a Hound, 
 Jowler in Juftice would be wifer found. 
 
 Birds feed on Birds, Beafts on each other prey, 
 JJuf favage Man alone does Man betray : 
 freffd by tfeceffity, they kiB for Food ', 
 Man undoes Man, to do himfelf no Good. 
 With Teeth and Claws by Nature arm'd, they hunt 
 Nature's Mowmct, to fupfly their Want : 
 But Man with Snules, Embraces, Friendfhip,Praiff, 
 Inhumanely hit Fellow's Life betrays \ 
 With voluntary Pains works his Diftrefs t 
 Not thro 9 Neceflity, but Wantonncfs : 
 The Good he afts, the Ills he does endure, 
 'Ttf all for Fear, to make himfelf fecurt . 
 Merely for Safety, after Fame rve thirft ; 
 For all Men would be Cowards if they durft. 
 Jlnd fionefty's again ft all common Senjf t 
 Men muft be Knaves, *tit in their own Defenct ; 
 Nor can weak Truth your Refutation fave. 
 The Knaves will all confpire to call you Knave ; 
 Long Jhati he live infulted Vr, opfrefs'd. 
 Who dares be left a, Villain than the reft. 
 
 Take him out of Satire, he was likewile excellent, 
 as appears by thefe Lines of his Lordihip's on 
 Love: 
 
 Love, the moft gen rout Paffion of the Mind, 
 The fofteft Refuge Innocence can find : 
 The fafe Director of unguided Touth, 
 Fraught with kind Wishes, and fecwd by Truth : 
 This Cordial Drop Heavn in our Cup has thrown, 
 To make the naufeoHt Draught of Life go down. 
 
 My
 
 236 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 My Lords Satire on Man was anfwer'd fatirically 
 b Dr. P - 
 
 Mr. GEORGE WITHERS. 
 
 A Poet, born in Hamyftire, who flouriih'd in 
 the Reign of King Charles the Second. He 
 was very much of the Temper of Ibme of our 
 modern Poets and Pamphleteers, who are never 
 better pleas'd than when their Pens are employ'd 
 in iatirizing the Government. He pretended to 
 great Zeal againft the Vices of the Times, and 
 did not flick to abuie the greateft Perlbnages in 
 Power } which brought upon him frequent Impri- 
 Ibnments, but to little purpole j for his opirit of 
 Contradition remain'd to the laft. His Poetical 
 Performances were the following, viz.. 
 L The Songs of Moles. 
 
 II. Britain's Remembrancer. 
 
 III. Abufes ftript and whip. 
 
 IV. Philaret. 
 
 V. Campo Afuft. 
 
 VI. Opo-Balfamum. 
 
 VII. The two Pitchers, &c. 
 
 . 
 
 ROB ERT 
 
 \ r '^3 <#-; :.*( Vr^' 
 V . '. 1 " ft 
 
 .
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 237 
 
 ROBERT WOOSLET 
 
 SON of Sir Charles Woojley of Staffordshire , who 
 flood up for the Parliament, in the time of 
 the unhappy Troubles of King Charles the Ift, and 
 for his Services was made one of Cromwell's Lords. 
 He was a younger Brother, and being in favour 
 with King William, about the Year 1693. was lent 
 Envoy to Brugels. He was a Man very much ad- 
 difted to Plealurej and he writ fbme Pieces of 
 Poetry. 
 
 I. On the Prince of Orange'/ coming to England 
 with an Army to Reftore the Government. 
 
 II. Cafe's Anfocr to Labianus, when he advis'd 
 him to confult the Oracle of Jupiter Ammon. 
 
 III. vf-neM, his meeting with Dido in the Elyzian 
 fields. Trantiated from the fixth Book of rirril's 
 
 This was the Gentleman as wrote the extraordi- 
 nary Preface to my 1 ord Rochefttr's Vai<ntim*n. 
 
 Y.
 
 238 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 Y. 
 
 THOMAS YAI.DEN, D.D. 
 
 K eminent Divine, now living, born in the 
 I City of Exon, and the youngeft of fix Sons 
 
 of Mr. John Talden of Suffex. He <was educated 
 in the Grammar-School belonging to Magdalen- 
 College in Oxford. In the Year 1690. he was ad- 
 mitted a Commoner of Magdale -Hall, under that 
 excellent Tutor and great Matter of Logick Mr. 
 John Pullen ', and the following Year he was Scholar 
 of Magdalen-{jo\\e$' Here he became a Fellow- 
 Pupil with the celebrated Mr. Addifon and Dr.//f~ 
 ry Sacheverd, and early contracted a particular In- 
 timacy and Friendfhip with thofe two Gentlemen. 
 This Academical Affeftion, 1 am inform'd, the 
 late Mr. Secretary Addifon prelerv'd, not only 
 Abroad in his Travels, but allb on his Advance- 
 ment to his confiderable Employments at Home, 
 and kept the lame eafy and free Correipondence 
 with him to the very laft, as when their Fortunes 
 were more on a Level. The Year 1700. he was 
 admitted actual and perpetual Fellow of Magdalen* 
 College, and qualify'd himlelf the next Year, by 
 taking Orders, as the Founder's Statutes require. 
 After his Admiffion, he receiv'd two publick 
 Marks of Favour from that Society : The firft 
 was a Pre(entation to a Living in Warwickfrire y con- 
 fiftent with his Fellowfhip } and the other his 
 being elefted Moral Philolbphy-Reader, an Office 
 for Life, endowed with a handlbme Stipend, and 
 
 peculiar
 
 ENG LISH POETS. 239 
 
 peculiar Privileges. In 1706. he was rtceiv'd in- 
 to the Family of his Noble and kind Patron the 
 late Duke of Beaufort \ with whom he was in 
 great Favour, having in many Inftances experienc'd 
 his Bounty and Generality. In the folbwing Year 
 he compleated his Academical Degrees, by pro- 
 ceedii^uDQftQr in Divinity : He preferred to the 
 5oaet^^fteif*V3un^W *!hire at full length, 
 which now hangs up in the publick Hall , and af- 
 terwards he delivered in to the Prefident a volun- 
 tary Refignation of his Fellowfhip and Moral Phi- 
 lofophy-Lefture. He is at prefent Reftor of 
 Chalton and Clcanvillc, two adjoining Towns and 
 Rectories in Hampshire. He has Prebends, or fine 
 Cures, the Deans, Hains, and Pendles in the Coun- 
 ty of Devon \ and he was elefted, by the Prefident 
 and Governors of Bridewell, Preacher of that Hof- 
 pital, upon the Refignation of Francis prelent Lord 
 Bifhop ofRochcjler. His Relidence in a noble Family 
 recommended him to the Acquaintance of many of 
 the beft Quality and Character in the Kingdom ; 
 and by his chearful Temper, pleafing and inftruc- 
 tive Converlation, extermve Learning, and good 
 Manners, he has retained their Friendlhip and E- 
 ileera. His Poetical Works, in Englifo Verle, are, 
 L A Pindaric k Ode, presented to King WiUitm 
 on taking Ntmur. 
 
 II. The Temple of Fame. A Poem on the Death 
 of the Duke of Clocefter. 
 
 III. On the late Queen's dcceflion to the Throne : 
 A Poem. Thele three are all excellent Pieces. 
 
 IV. vfof at Court : Or, State-Fables. 
 
 V. An Ejfa on the Char&cr of Sir William Afli- 
 ton -, a Poem. 
 
 VI. On the Mines of Sir Carbcry Price: A Poem 
 occafion'd by the Mine- Adventure Company. 
 
 VII. On
 
 240 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 VII. On the Death of Mr. John Partridge, Pre- 
 fcjfor in Leather and Aerology. 
 
 VIII. To Mr. Watlbn, on his Epbcmeris of theCe- 
 Itftial Motions, prelented to her late Majefiy. 
 
 XL Againft immoderate Grief. 
 
 X. The Force of Jealoufy. 
 
 XI. An Ode for St. Cecilia'* Day, 1693. com- 
 pos'd by Dr. Purcel-fa*****^ J<r '+*&***+? 
 
 XII. A Hymn to the Morning, in Praife of Light : 
 An Ode. This Piece has the following admirable 
 Lines : 
 
 Parent of Day ! whofe beauteous Seams of Light 
 Spring from the darkfome Womb of Night, 
 And ^midft their native Horrors jhow 
 
 Like Gems adorning of the Negro's Brow. 
 
 Not Heaven 's fair Bow can equal Thee, 
 In ail its gaudy Drapery : 
 
 Thou firft EJfay of Light, and Pledge of Day ! 
 
 Rival of Shade ! Eternal Spring ! Still Gay ! 
 From thy bright unexltaufted Womb 
 
 Tine beauteous Race of Days and Seafons come. 
 Thy Beauty Ages cannot wrong, 
 But, 'fate of Time, thou'rt ever young. 
 
 Thou art alone Heavens mode ft Virgin Light, 
 
 Whofe Face a Veil ofBlujhes hides from humane Sight* 
 
 At thy Approach, Nature erects her Head j 
 The fmiling Vniverfe is glad ; 
 The drowjy Earth and Seas awake, 
 
 And from thy Beams new Life and Vigour take. 
 When thy more chearful Rays appear, 
 Ev'n Guilt and Women ceafe to fear : 
 
 Horror, Defpair, and all the Sons of Night, 
 
 Retire before thy Beams, and take their hafty Flight. 
 Thou rifeft in the fragrant Eaft, 
 
 Like the fair Phoenix from her balmy Neft } 
 
 But
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 241 
 
 But vet thy fading Glories foon decay , 
 Thing's but * momentary Stay ; 
 TOO fdo thourt rwifid from our Sight , 
 Borne down the Stream of Day, And overwhelm''*! with 
 
 (Light. 
 
 "Thy Beams to thy own Ruin hope, 
 Theyre frarnd too exc/ui/itc to lafl : 
 Thine is agtoriow, but a (Ijort-liv d State ; 
 
 f f* r * B irt b fiwld yi*ld fo foon to Fate. 
 
 Befides thefe Pieccs,this Gentleman has tranflated 
 the fecond Book of Ovid's Art of Love (the fir ft 
 and third Books being done by Mr. Congrevc and 
 Mr. Drydcn) with feveral other occafional Poems, 
 and Tranflations, publilh'd in the third, fourth, 
 and fifth Volumes of Tonfons Mifcellanies. The 
 Medicin, a Tale in the fecond Volume of Tat- 
 lers y and Mr. Patridge'* Appeal to the learned 
 World^ or n further Account of the manner of his Death, 
 in Prole. 
 
 
 Dr. EDWARD YOUNG- 
 
 SON of the Reverend Dr. Young, late Dean of 
 Sitlxbury ; who being Chaplain and Cleric of 
 the Clolet to the late Queen, her Majefty ho- 
 nour'd him with '(landing Godmother to this our 
 Poet. He was bred at All-Souls College in Oxford, 
 of which he was ibme time Fellow \ and he has 
 lately had conferred on him the Degree of Uoftor 
 of Laws. He has writ the following Pieces of 
 Poetry. 
 
 I. A Poem on th: Laft Day ; in three Bdoks, de- 
 dicated to Queen Anne. This isan excellent f oem. 
 
 II. Tlx
 
 242, The Lives and Characters of tie 
 
 II. The Force of Religion , or Van(\ui^d Love. II- 
 luftrated in the Hiftory of the Lady Jane Grey. A 
 Poem in two Books ; and likewile an admirable 
 Piece. 
 
 III. A Parapbrafe upon Job. This is God's Speech 
 to Job in the Extremity of his Affliftion. 
 
 IV. On Michael Angelo'j painting the Crucifixion. 
 
 V. An Eyiftle to the Right Honourable the Lord 
 LanfHown. 
 
 VI. On the late Queens Death, and hu Majeftfs 
 Accefllon. Inicrib'd to Mr. Addifon. 
 
 VII. To Mr. Tickell on the Death of Mr. Addi- 
 ibn. His Poem on the Laft Day begins thus : 
 
 While others Sing the Fortune of the Great, 
 Empire and Arms, and all the Pomp of State ', 
 With Britain'^ Hero fet their Souls on fire, 
 And grow Immortal at his Deeds infpire ', 
 I draw a deeper Scene : A Scene that yields 
 A louder Trumpet, and more dreadful Fields ; 
 The World alarm d, both Earth and Heetvn oer- 
 
 (thrown, 
 
 And gaffing Nature's loft tremendous Groan , 
 Death** ancient Scepter broke, the teeming Tomb, 
 The righteous Judge, and Mans Eternal Doom. 
 
 This Author has alfo writ a Tragedy, call'd Bufiris, 
 lately afted at the Theatre-Royal. 
 
 AN
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 
 
 , 
 
 A N 
 
 ACCOUNT 
 
 O F T H E 
 
 WRITINGS 
 
 O F 
 
 Our Dramatick Poets, out of 
 the Dramatick way. 
 
 JOSEPH ADDISON Eft j 
 
 O the Account of this celebrated Per- 
 Ion, I am to add, that he has lately 
 refig,M\l to Fate, and left a very greuc 
 Example to the World of an excel- 
 lent Poet, and a good Man. lit was 
 ' 
 
 fbmc timefince marry'd to the Countels 
 
 R 2 
 
 and
 
 ?44 Tke Lives and Characters of tbe 
 
 and Holland, a beautiful and virtuous Lady, one who 
 can well diflinguifh Merit, and generoufly prefer 
 the Gifts of the Mind to all other Confiderations 7 
 and herein ftie was not miftaken in her Choice of 
 Mr. Addifon. He made a moft affectionate Hut- 
 band to his Lady, and his Relpeft to her Quality 
 equalled his Love, fb that every thing contributed 
 to her Felicity. He dy'd, very much lamented, 
 the 1 7th Day of June, 1718. in the forty eighth 
 Year of his Age, at Holland-Houfe near Kenfington ; 
 and was interr'd in We ftminfrtr- Abbey. His Latin 
 and Englifo Poems are the following : 
 
 I. Pax Gulielmi Aufpiciis Europe reddita : The 
 Peace ot JRefwick. Dedicated to the late Earl of 
 Halifax. This is an incomparable Piece ', the 
 Images are cholen with nice Judgment, and work'd 
 up with great Delicacy of Imagination ; and every 
 thing ftrikes at the firft View. 
 
 II. Rffvrrtftif delineate ad Altare Coll. M*gd. Oxon* 
 This is a very mafterly Performance, and the fineft 
 -Sketch of the Refurreftion that any Age or Lan- 
 guage has produced. It begins : 
 
 Egregios fuel trafttu, calamique labor cs, 
 Surgentefcjue hominum format, ardentiaque Ora 
 Judicis, & Simulacra modis pallentia miris, 
 Terribilcm vifu pompam, 7u Carmina Afufa 
 Tande novo, vatique facros actende Furores. 
 
 III. Ad Irifigniflimum Virum D. Tho. Burnettum, 
 CACTA TheorU Telluris Autorem, In this Ode the 
 C onflagration by Fire is thus exprels'd, in the Tran- 
 
 flation : 
 
 , \*~* - 
 
 And non> the kindling Orbs on high 
 AH Natures mournful End proclaim j 
 
 Wken thy great Work (alas !) muft die, 
 And jeed the rich victorious Flame ', 
 
 Sivt
 
 ENGLISH POETS, 24- 
 
 Give Vigour to the wafting Fire, 
 And with the World too joon expire. 
 
 IV. At D. D, Hannes, Infigniflimum Mcdicum or- 
 Poctam. This Ode has the following excellent 
 Lines to Dr. Hannes. 
 
 One certain F*ite by Heaven decreed, 
 In fpite of thee we all muft try 
 
 Thou too fljalt with pale Horror fee 
 The fabled Gh)fts that glare bekw, 
 
 Which to the Shades, rcftraind by T'hee, 
 In thinner Shoals descending, flow \ 
 
 And Death, whofe Pow'r yw now defy, 
 
 Shall bo aft, her Conqueror can die. 
 
 V. Earometri Defcriptio j a fine Philolbphical 
 Poem. 
 
 VI. Sphtrifttrium. The Bowline-Green. This 
 Poem contains an admirable Description of the 
 Diver fion of Bowline;, &c. 
 
 VII. Machine G eft icul antes. The Puppst-Show. 
 
 VIII. ny rMAIO-TEP ANO-MAXIA, fi- 
 ve Prtkum inter Fygmtos & Grues commijJuTn. This 
 Piece and the Puppet-Show are of the Mock Heroick 
 Kind of Poetry, and extremely diverting ; the 
 Humour is fine, and tho' the Subjefts are mean 
 and trivial, they are rais'd by a Pomp of Verfe, 
 Metaphors, ana Similes drawn from things of a 
 higher Clals, and fuchasare well luited to convey 
 Ideas of Greatnefs to the Mind. 
 
 IX. Differtatio de Inftgnioribus Romanorum Poetif. 
 Thete are all Mr. Addifons Latin Pieces, and they 
 are lately tranflated by feveral Hands, His Eng~ 
 lift Works are as follow. 
 
 X- A Poem to his Majefty King William ///. Pre- 
 fentcd to the Lord Keeper Somers in the Te*r 1695. 
 
 R 3 Thij
 
 246 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 This was Mr. Addifons firft Attempt in 
 Verfe, of a publick Nature, and it was very much 
 applauded. 
 
 XI. A Letter from Italy, to the Right Honourable 
 Charles Lord Halifax, in the Tear 1701. This 
 Poem has thele admirable Lines on Liberty : 
 
 O Liberty ! thou Goddefs Heavenly bright, 
 Profufe of Blifs, and pregnant with Delight, 
 Eternal Pleasures in thy Prefence reign, 
 And failing Plenty leads thy wanton 7 'rain ! 
 Eaid of her Load, Subjection grows more light. 
 And Poverty looks chcarful in thy Sight ; 
 Tnou malt ft the gloomy Face of Nature gay, 
 Civ' ft Beauty to the Sin, and Pleafure to the Day. 
 
 Thee, Goddefs, Thee Britannia'* Ifle /tdores ; 
 f-Jow has jljf oft exhaufted all her Stores, 
 How oft in Fields of Death thy Prefence fought ; 
 Her thinks the mighty Prize too dearly bought. 
 
 XII. The Campaign. A Poem. To his Grace the 
 Duke of Marlborough. This is an excellent Piece, 
 the beft of Mr Addt 'fen's Performances in Englifo 
 Poetry. His Similes in this Poem are ' fur- 
 prizingly beautiful, particularly the following, 
 afrer a Defcription of: the Duke of iMarlborougtfs 
 giving ledate Orders in the Heat of Battle. 
 
 ! 
 
 InfpiSd rfputyd Battalions to engage, 
 And taught the doubtful Battel where to rage. 
 So when an Angel, by Divine Command, 
 With rifing Tempers flakes a guilty Land -, 
 Such as of lac o\r pale Britannia yaft, 
 Cc.lm and fen nehc drives the furious Blaft 
 And plea^d ttf Jllm>gkty ) s Orders to perform, 
 Rides in the lYklrlvin /, a**d direcTs the Storm. 
 
 *. 
 
 XIII.
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 
 
 XIII. An Account of the Greatefl En^li/h Poets. 
 To Mr. H. S. This Poem contains ChVafters of 
 Chaucer, Spenfer, Cowley, Milton, Waller y Dry den 
 Lord Halifax, &c. 
 
 XIV. To Mr. Dryden. A Poem. 
 
 XV. An Ode for St. Cecilia' s Day. The xvords 
 of this Piece are extremely fine, well adapted to 
 the Day, and exa&ly fitted for Mufick. 
 
 XVI. ////row's Stile imitated, in a Translation of A 
 Story out of the third #neid. 
 
 XVII. A Translation of all VirgiP* fourth Geor- 
 gick, except the Story of Arifteus. 
 
 XVIII. Ovid's Afetamorphofes, the fecond and 
 third Books, and part of the fourth. 
 
 XIX. On the Lady Manchefter. 
 
 XX. To her Royal Highnefs the Prince fs of Wales, 
 with the Tragedy of Cato. 
 
 XXI. To Sir Godfrey Kneller, on his Afajefty's 
 Picture. This is an admirable Poem ; and the Au- 
 thor thus writes to Kneller : 
 
 The Magick of thy Art calls forth 
 His fecret Soul and hidden Worth, 
 His Probity and Mildnefs from 
 His Care of Friends, and. Scorn of Foes: 
 In M/Vv Stroke, in evry Lint, 
 Does fame exalted Virtue jhinf, 
 And Alb'on'j Happinefs we trace 
 Thro* all th' Features of his Face. 
 
 Thou haft in Robes of State array 'd, 
 The Kings of half an Age difplay d. ' 
 
 O may fantd Brunlwick be the laft, 
 (Though Heaven Jhould with my Wiflt agree, 
 And long preferve thy Art in Thee) 
 The Loft, the Happiefl Britilh King, 
 \Vhom Thou fxdt faint, or I fljall firtg. 
 
 R 4 The
 
 248 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 The laft Lines of this Poem were very prophetick 
 with relation to himlelf. Thele are all the Works 
 of Mr. Addifon, belides his Rofitmmd, and Cato 
 Remarks upon feveral farts of Italy in his Travels $ 
 Tatlers, Spectators, &c. And two Pieces in Profe, 
 publifh'd fince his Death, one a Treatife upon Me- 
 dais, and another upon the Chriftian Religion. His 
 Works are printed in three Volumes, qto. 
 
 c. 
 
 WILLIAM CONGREVE Efq; 
 
 THE ingenious Mr.Cwgriw, befides his ex- 
 cellent Dramatick Works, has oblig'd the 
 Publick with the following Poems and Tranflations. 
 
 I. An Fpiftle to the Right Honourable Charles Lord 
 Halifax, &c. In this Poem the Author has thefe 
 Veries to his Lordfhip : 
 
 O had your Genius been to Leifure born^ 
 And not more bound to Aid us, than Adorn I 
 Albion in Verfe with antient Greece had vy'd, 
 And gain d alone a Fame, which, there, fevcn State* 
 
 (divide. 
 
 II. The Mourning- JMufe of Alexis, A P aft oral '-, 
 lamenting the Death of Queen Mary. This. Piece 
 concludes with thele admirable Lines : 
 
 See where Paftora lies it fpreads around, 
 Shewing alt radrant bright the fared Ground ; 
 While from her Tomb, behold a Flame afcends 
 Of whitejl Fire, yhofc Flight to Heavn extends / 
 
 On
 
 ENGLISH POET-. 249 
 
 Ott flaky Wings it mounts, and quick as Sigljt 
 Cuts thro* the yielding Air, with Rays of Light, 
 'fill the blue firmament at laft it gains, 
 And, fixing there, a glorious Star remains : 
 Fair eft- it fliines of all that light the Skies, 
 As once on Earth were feen PASTORAL 
 
 (Eyes. 
 
 III. To the King, on the taking of Namur. 
 
 IV. A Pindaritjue Ode on t he Pittories of the Duke 
 of Marlborough, humbly offer d to Queen Anne. 
 This is an excellent Piece, and the Author's Di 
 courie on Pindarique Ode, fliews him to be per- 
 fectly accomplifh'd in this way of writing. 
 
 V. To the Right Honourable the Earl of Godol- 
 phin, Lord High Treafurer of Great Britain. Pin- 
 darique Ode. 
 
 VI. The Tears of Amaryllis for Amyntas. A 
 Tajloral on the Death of the Marquijs of Blandford. 
 
 VII. The Birth of the Mufe. To the Lord Hali- 
 fax. This is an excellent Poem. 
 
 VIII. Of Plea/ing j an Epiftle to Sir Richard Tem- 
 ple. 
 
 IX. To Sir Godfrey Kneller, occafwnd by L- y s 
 Pifture. He has this Couplet in compliment to 
 Sir Godfrey : 
 
 Thy lively Pi&ures, when once brought to view, 
 At once they're known, and feem to know tu toe. 
 
 X. To Mr. Dryden, on his Tranflation of Perfius. 
 
 XI. T Sletf. Elegy. 
 
 XII. Fpitafh upon Robert Huntington, Eftj-, *nd 
 Robert his Son. 
 
 XIH. To Cynthia, weeping. 
 
 XIV. To a Candle. This is a Simile relating to 
 
 Man's Life, <frc. 
 
 XV
 
 250 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 XV. Amoret. 
 
 XVI. Doris. This Piece contains a fine Charac- 
 ter of a Libertine Lady of Quality. 
 
 XVII. On Mrs. Arabella Hunt, Singing. 
 
 XVIII. A Hymn to Harmony. 
 XIX- The Reconciliation. 
 
 XX. Priam'* Lamentation and Petition to Achilles 
 for the Body of his Son Heftor. 
 
 XXJ. Homer'* Hymn to Venus. Translated into 
 Englifh Verfe. This efteem'd is a very juft and 
 excellent Tranflation. 
 
 XXII. An Imitation of Horace, Ode 9, e^c. 
 
 XXIII. The eleventh Satire of Juvenal. 
 
 XXIV. Ovid 1 * third Book of the An of Love, 
 Translated into Englifh Verfe. With leveral other 
 frrmll Pieces publifh'd in the third Volume of his 
 Works. Ovid (Publius Ovldlus Nafo) was born at 
 Sulmoj about twenty Miles diftant from Rome, in 
 the fecond Year of the 1 84th Olympiad, one and 
 forty Years before thrift. He fpent his Youth in 
 the Studies of the Law, and coming to Rome, he 
 was once in great Favour with Auguftus ; but for 
 fbme Freedom with his Daughter Julia, he ba- 
 D'fh'd him to Pont us, at fifty Years of Age ; where, 
 after eight Years and fbme Months, he died. He 
 was a Poet of excelling Wit, and \ great Learning, 
 and in his Works appears great Sweetnefs. 
 
 
 Mr. ABRAHAM COWLEY. 
 
 I **jtt ^Mk 
 
 THE Life of this admirable Poet, with a 
 ,<tyort Character of his Talents in general, 
 being mferted in my firft Volume of this Work, I 
 ihall here defcend to feme Particulars, for the 
 
 Com-
 
 LISH POETS. 
 
 Compleature of the Account of our Englif} Pindar, 
 Dr. Sprat, late Bifhop of Rocheftcr, in his Life of 
 Mr. Cowley, tells us, he underftood exceeding well 
 the Variety and Power of Poetical Numbers, and 
 praftis'd them with great Happinefs. If his 
 Verfes in fbme Places leem not Ib loft and flowing 
 as (brae would have them, it was his Choice, not 
 his Fault. He knew that in diverting Mens Minds, 
 there fhould be the fame Variety obfervM, as in 
 the Profpefts of their Eyes j where a Rock, a 
 Precipice, or a rifing Wave, is often more de- 
 lightful than a fmooth even Ground, or a calm Sea. 
 His Invention was great and powerful, and the Va- 
 riety of Arguments, that he has managed, is Ib 
 large, that there is fcarce any Particular of all the 
 Paffions of Men, or Works of Nature and Provi- 
 dence, which he has pafs'd by undelcrib'd ^ and 
 in all he obferves the Rules of Decency, a due 
 Figure of Speech, and a proper Meafure of Wit. 
 He had a pet feft Mattery in both the Languages in 
 which he writ. He exccll'd both in Prole andVerfe \ 
 and both together have that Perfection, which 
 is commended by Ibme of the ar.ticnt Writers, 
 above all others, that they are very obvious to thr.- 
 Conception, but moft difficult in the Imitation, lu 
 his Latin Poems, he has exprefs'd to Admiration 
 all the Numbers of Verles, and Figures ot Po*^ 
 that are Icatter'd up and down among the An- 
 tients: This is the more extraordinary, in uhatit 
 was never yet perfbrm'd by any lingle Poet of the 
 antient Romans themlelves. And he imitated Pm- 
 dar in Englifi, without the Danger that Horace 
 prefogM to the Man who Ihould dare to a::rempt 
 it. His Works, when they were firft printed, 
 were divided into four Parts, viz.. 
 
 I. His Miflrefs , which delcribes the Pa/fion of 
 Love more lively, and fhews the prodiuious Wit 
 
 of
 
 252 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 of the Author, beyond any Poetry ever printed 
 in the EngHJh Tongue. 
 
 II. His fififcellaneous Works j or, Poems on feve-ral 
 Occapons : which are allb incomparable. 
 
 III. Davideis, an Heroick Poem. This Divine 
 Piece has a Greatnels of Spirit, and Sublimity of 
 Thought rarely to be met with j and tho'Mr. Ri- 
 mer would not allow the Troubles of David to be a 
 Title or Matter proper for an Heroick Poem, yet 
 he lays, there is Ibmething of a more fine, more 
 free, and more noble Air in Cowlefo Davideis 3 
 than in the Hierufalem of Taffb. 
 
 IV. His Pindarique Odes, excellent, beyond all 
 others written of his time or fince. 
 
 He likewile wrote a Volume of Latin Poems, 
 and tranflated two Books of his Davideis into La- 
 tin Verfe. Mr. Flatman tells us, Cowley, as Af olio's 
 Columbus, found out new worlds of Poetry, and has 
 thele Lines upon him, 
 
 He y like an Eagle, foar'd 
 
 To feiz.e his noble Prey ; 
 Tety as a Dove's, his Soul was foft, 
 
 Calm M the Night, but bright M Day. 
 
 
 sM 
 / r : 
 
 f '" 

 
 ENGLISH POET?. 253 
 
 D. 
 
 . SAMUEL DANIEL. 
 
 THIS Gentleman's Life you'll find in my 
 Poetical Register j his Father was an emi- 
 nent Mafter of Mufick, and his harmonious Mind 
 made Ib great an Imprefiion on his Son's Ge- 
 nius, that he pror'd to be one of the Darlings of 
 the Mules, an excellent Poet. His Poems were 
 univerlally received, the chief whereof are the 
 following : 
 
 I. The Civil Wars between the two Houfes of York 
 ^nd Lancafter } an Heroick Poem. 
 
 H. Mufophiltu i or a general Defence of Learning. 
 Dedicated to Sir fulk Grevil. 
 
 III. A Letter from Oftavia to Marcus Antonius. 
 
 IV. Complaint of Rofamond. 
 
 V. HisPanegyrick, Delia, Sec. The firft in E- 
 fteem is the firft mention'd, viz,. The Civil Wars be- 
 tween the Houfes of York and Lancafter, which be- 
 gins thus : 
 
 / fing the Civil Wars, tumultuoiu Broils, 
 And bloody Factions of a mighty Land, 
 Whoft People haughty, fraud with foreign Sprits, 
 Upon their fflve* turnback their conqntring Hand. 
 \v\)ile Kin their Kin, Brother the Brother foils, 
 Like Enfigns, all again ft like En/igns ft atid :
 
 254 Th* Lives and Characters of tie 
 
 Soros aga'wft Sows, a Crown agtinft a Crown, 
 While all fret ending Right, all Right arc throwing 
 
 (down. 
 
 He flourifh'd in the time of King James the Firft, 
 and dy'd about the latter end of that Reign. 
 
 Sir JOHN DENHAM* 
 
 N incomparable Poet, whofe Virtue and Me- 
 _ mory will ever be as dear to all Lovers of Po- 
 etry, as his Per fbn was to Majefty, viz.. K- Charles 
 the Firfl and Second. His Elegy on Mr. Cowley ren- 
 der'd his Name famous to Pofterity ; and his Coo- 
 fer J s-Hill has gain'd him Immortal Fame. The fol- 
 lowing Lines in this Poem, on Hunting the Stag, are 
 inimitable. 
 
 ; 
 
 At length the great and unexpected Sound 
 
 Of Dogs and Men his wakeful Ears does wound : "" 
 
 Roui'd with the Noife, he fcarce believes his Ear, 
 
 Willing to think t\? Jllufon of his Fear 
 
 Had giv'n this falfe Alarm : But ftrait his View 
 
 Confirms that more than aft he fears is true. 
 
 Betray d in all his Strength, the Wood befet y 
 
 Aft Instruments, all Arts of Ruin met j 
 
 He calls to mind his Strength, and then his Sped j 
 
 His winged Heels, and then his armed Head : 
 
 With thofe i avoid, with this his Fate to meet, 
 
 But Fear prevails, and bids him trufi his Feet. 
 
 So faft he flies, that his reviewing Eye 
 
 Has loft the Chacers, and his Ears the Cry : 
 
 Exulting, ''till he finds their noble Senfe 
 
 Their difproportion'el Speed does recommence j
 
 ENC LISH POETS. 255 
 
 Then curfes his confpiring Feet, whife Scent 
 Betray that Safety which their Swiftncfs lent. 
 Next tries his Friends j among ft thi bafcr Herd, 
 Where lie fo lately was obeyed and feared, 
 His Safety fecks : The Herd, unkindly wife, 
 Or chaces him from thence, or from him fi ies : 
 Like a declining Statefman, left forlorn 
 To his Friend's Pity, and Furfuer's Scorn , 
 With frame remembers, when hlmfelf was one 
 Of the fame Herd, himfclf the fame had done. 
 Then to the Coverts, and the confcious Groves, 
 The Scenes of his pajl Triumphs and his Loves j 
 Sadly purveying where he ranged alone, 
 Prince of the Soil, and all the Herd his own , 
 And, like a bold Knight-Errant, did proclaim 
 Combat to all, and bore away the Dame. 
 And. taught the Woods to Eccho to the Stream, 
 His dreadful Challenge, and Ins claflring Beam : 
 Tet faintly now declines the fatal Strife ', 
 So much his Love wot dearer than his Life ! 
 Now eifry Leaf, and ev'ry moving Breath, 
 Prefents a Foe, and ev'ry Foe a Death. 
 Weary W, forfaken, and purfud, at laft 
 All Safety in Defpair of Safety placed, 
 Courage he thence re fumes, refolv'd to bear 
 All their Afaules, fince 'tit in v.iin to fear. 
 And now too IMC he wifics for the Fight, 
 That Strength he wafted in ignoble Flight : 
 But when he fees the eager Chace renew d, 
 Himfclf by Dogs, the Dc^s by Men purfu'd ; 
 He ftrait revokes his bold Refolve, and more 
 Repents his Courage than his Fear before ', 
 Finds that uncertain Ways unj.ifeft are, 
 And Doubt a greater A fi [chief than Dfffair. 
 Then to the Stream,when neither Friends, nor Force^ 
 Nor Speed, nor Art *;v?;7, he jhipts his Courfe ', 
 
 Thinkt
 
 256 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 'Thinks not their Rage fo deffrate to ejfay 
 An Element more mercilefs than they : 
 But fearlefs they purfue, nor can the Flood 
 Quench their dire Thirft ; alas \ they thtrft for 
 
 (Blood. 
 
 As towards a Sh ip the Oar finn*d Galleys ply, 
 Which wanting Sea to ride, or Wind to fly. 
 Stands but to fall revenged on thofe that dare 
 Tempt the laft Fury of expreme Defpair. 
 So fares the Stag among th* inraged Hounds, 
 JRepel Is their Force, and Wounds returns for Wounds: 
 But vains his Strife, at laft refigns his Bloody 
 And ftains the Chryftal with a Purple Flood. 
 
 In the lame Poem, his Lines on the Thames vaftly 
 furpafs all Defcriptions of Rivers, either of the 
 Antient or Modern Poets of our own, or any o- 
 ther Nation j they are, 
 
 Thames, the moft lovd. of all the Oceans Sons 
 
 By his old Sire, to his Embraces runs '-, 
 
 Hafting to pay his Tribute to the Sea, 
 
 Like mortal Life to meet Eternity. 
 
 Tho with thofe Streams he no Refemblancehalct, 
 
 Whofc Foam is Amber, and their Gravel Gold j 
 
 His genuine and lefs guilty Wealth t* explore : 
 
 Search not the Bottom, but furvey his Shore >' 
 
 O^er which he kindly fpreads his fpacious Wing, 
 
 And hatches Plenty for th* enfuing Spring j 
 
 Nor then deftroys it with too fond * Stay, 
 
 Like Mothers who their Children overlay : 
 
 Nor with a fudden and impetuous Wave, 
 
 Like Kings profufe, refumes the Wealth he gave : 
 
 No unexpected Inundations fpoil 
 
 The JVfower*s Hopes, nor mock the Ploughman's Toil ' 7 
 
 But, God-like, his unwetry'd Bounty flows, 
 
 Fir ft loves to do, then loves the Good he does- 
 
 Ntr
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 257 
 
 arc hu Blcfflngs to bis Banks conpnd, 
 But free and common, at the Sea or Wind j 
 When he, to boaft or to difpcnfe hit Stores, 
 Full of the "Tribute of his grateful Shores, 
 Vifits the World, and, in his flying Towers, 
 Brings Home to ru, and m.ikes both Indies curt. 
 O could 1 flow like thee, and make tljy Stream 
 JMy great Example, as it is my Theme ! 
 Two' deep, yet clear \ tho 1 gentle , yet not dull -, 
 Strong without Rage, without Overflowing, full j 
 Hcnvn her Eridanus no more (hall boaft, 
 \Vbofe Fame's in thine, like lefler Currents, loft : 
 Thy nobler Streams fijtll vifit Jove's Abodes, 
 To jhine among the Surf, and bathe the Gods. 
 
 The Simile of the Thames running to the Sea, 
 to Man's Life meeting Eternity, is the fineft that 
 ever was, for its prodigious Strength and religious 
 Application , and the many other Allufions and 
 Similies have their Beauties and Excellencies diffi- 
 cult to be delcrib'd. The Life of this celebrated 
 Poet is written in my firft Volume of this Work. 
 
 Mr. JOHN DENNIS. 
 
 IF 1 did not allow this Gentleman to b a aood 
 Poet, and the greatoft Critick of this Auc, 1 
 ihould be wanting in Juftice to his Character. In 
 h\$Groundtof Cntici/m, he obferves, that the an- 
 rient Poets deriv'd that Advantage which they 
 have over the Mo-iorr.s, to the couftituting their 
 Subjects after a Religious manner , and he proves 
 from the Precepts of Lonoinus, tho' that Author 
 did not make the Diicovery, that the greateft Sub- 
 
 S iirauy
 
 a 5 8 , The Lives ^n^Charaders of the 
 
 limity is to be deriv'd from Religious Ideas. He is 
 of Opinion, that one of the principal Realbns that 
 has made the modern Poetry Ib contemptible, is, 
 that by divefting it ielf of Religion, it is fallen 
 from its Dignity, and its original Nature and Ex- 
 cellence , and from the greateft Production of the 
 Mind of Man, is dwindled to an extravagant and 
 vain Amuiement. Thele Reflections are very 
 much tor the ^Reputation of the Author } and in 
 another Place, fpeaking of Subjects for Poetry, 
 There are fbme Perfbns (fays he) mov'd by Love, 
 and are not touch'd by Ambition :, others are ani- 
 mated by Ambition, and only laugh at Love : Some 
 arepleas'd with a brave Revenge, others with a 
 generous Contempt of Injuries } but the Eternal 
 Power, and infinite Knowledge of God, the Won- 
 ders of the Creation, and the beautiful Brightnels 
 of Virtue, make a powerful Impreflion on all. 
 Mr. Dennis is very fond of Milton? a certain De- 
 monftration of his found Judgment, and in his 
 Blank Verfe he has come neareft that lublime Poet 
 of any of his Cotemporaries. His Poems are the 
 following. 
 
 I. Vpon our Vittory At Sea, and burning the French 
 Fleet at La. Hogue i/z 1 692. This Poem is writ in 
 Rhyme, and, after an admirable Defcription of the 
 Enemy's Fleet fhatter'd and deftroy'd, the Author 
 has this Simile. 
 
 Tbtet a large Row of Oaks does long remain 
 'The Ornament and Shelter of the Plain : 
 With their afpring Heads they reach the Sty, _ 
 Their huge extended Arms the Winds defy '-, (^ 
 TbeTempeft fees their Strength) and fight^ and C 
 
 (jaffes by : 
 
 When Jove, concern d that they fo high afpire, 
 Amongft them fends his own Revenging Fire : 
 
 Which
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 259 
 
 Which does with difmal Havoc k on them faff, 
 Sums fame, and tears up feme, but rends them Ml: 
 From their dead Trunks their mangled Arms are 
 
 (torn, 
 
 And from their Heads their fcattcSd Glories born : 
 Upon the Heath they blaftcdftand, and bare , 
 And thofe, wlwm once theyjhclter'd, now they fcare. 
 
 II. A Pindarick Ode on the King : Written in the 
 Tear 1691. occafiond by the Vittory of Aghrim. 
 
 III. To Mr. Dryden, upon his Tranjlation of the Third 
 Book of VirjgiT* Georgicks. This is an excellent 
 Pindarick, and begins thus : 
 
 While mourning with expanded Wings, 
 The Mantuan Swan unbounded Heaven explores ; 
 While with Seraphick Sounds he towring fings, 
 Till to Divinity he foars , 
 
 Mankind ft Ands wone? ring At his Flight- 
 
 IV. Part of the Te Deum parapijraj''d, in Finda- 
 rick Veric. 
 
 V. The Court of Death : A Pindarick Poem t dcdlc.i- 
 ted to the Memory of her moft facrcd Afajcfty Queen 
 Mary. This is a very good Piece :, it has thele 
 Lines on Death : 
 
 Thou, whofe impartial Scepter injures none y 
 The juftejt Potentate th*it fills a Throne, 
 
 ;remely Jvft, and merciful alone : 
 Who ft and* ft with Arms extended to embrace 
 
 The Wretches^ that in Thre their vtmoft Refuse plsce $ 
 And turn 1 ft proud Monarch* with an Iron Mt><*y, 
 Whom foon or late the Imperial Slants obey. 
 
 VI. The Paflion of Byblis , made Englifh from the 
 ninth Book of Otid'/ Metamorpholes. 
 
 S 2 VIL The
 
 rfo The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 VII. The Monument : A Poem facred to the Immor- 
 tal Memory of King William the Third. Dedicated to 
 William Duke of Devonshire. 
 
 VIII. A Poem on the Battel of Blenheim, dedicated 
 to Queen Anne. This is the chief of Mr. Dennis's 
 Performances, and is indeed an admirable Poem. 
 The following Lines in it, in my Opinion, are very 
 near upon an Equality with Milton, and they are 
 wrote after the manner of his Hymn to the Creator. 
 
 Begin my Soul, and ftrikc the living Lyre ! 
 
 Join ye delivered Nations in the Song \ 
 
 Tour Voices ye delivered Nations join ! 
 
 All your harmonious Inftruments unite. 
 
 And thou, Great Queen, the Glory of thy Sex, 
 
 The Prop and Glory of the noble ft IJle ; 
 
 On whom e'en William looks admiring down- 
 
 Gerraania ! raife thy tuneful foice to Heaven ; 
 Let thy fierce Eagle towering to the Skies, 
 In Thunder bear thy Maker's Praife to Heatfn, 
 Who has for thee performed amazing things, 
 Which but to hope had been Prefumption thought-- 
 
 And thou too with thy Maker's Praife refound, 
 Thou Field of Blenheim, once obfcure, accurft, 
 But now Great Blenheim'.! happy gloriottt Field ! 
 Thou who wert charmed with the tranfporting Sight, 
 Who fan? ft the Godlike Men, the Godlike Deed, 
 Who faw'ft them thundering in the fierce Purfuit, 
 While Danube, rifing with revenging Flood, 
 Swallowed whole Legions with a hideous Roar : 
 Immortal Blenheim ! pre-ordained by Fate 
 To be the blifsful Spot that frees the World , 
 Raife to the ravijli'd Skies thy thundering Voice, 
 And for thy mighty Blifs thy Maker pratfe ; 
 For thou to all Posterity art bleft :
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 261 
 
 Bit ft above alt the hcauteow Fields, o'er which 
 The winding Danube curls his amoron* Arms, 
 No length of Days thy Glory fliall deface, 
 Nor ever Darknefs of the Night obfcure. 
 
 IX. On the Battel of Ramellies. A Poem, in five 
 Books, dedicated to Charles Lord Halifax. The Au- 
 thor in this Piece, delcribing the Death of Colo- 
 nel Bringfield remounting the Duke of Marlbo~ 
 rough, has thefe Verles : 
 
 Marlb'rough remounted, feels the Joys offfeav j n, 
 The Wlfdom and the Force of Gods He feels : 
 And now he leads the Routing Squadrons on. .. -. 
 
 X. On the Acceflion of King George to the Britifh 
 Throne. 
 
 Mr. Dennis, in all his Writings, is a zealous De- 
 fender of Liberty ; and, in his Military Poems, 
 there appears great Spirit, and Thoughts very 
 beautiful. He has written, befides his Poetry, An 
 Effay on Publick Spirit, and leveral other learned 
 Trafts in Prole j and a Colleftion of Ltttcrs very 
 much admir'd. 
 
 JOHN DRYDEN, 
 
 THERE remains nothing to be laid of this 
 excellent Poet, after his Life, and the in- 
 comparable Character of him and his Talents, by 
 the ingenious Mr.Congrevejn my Poetical Rigifljrjbut 
 to give fbme Account of his many admirable Perfor- 
 
 S 3 ma
 
 262 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 maiices out of the Dramatick way. The moft con-* 
 fiderable of them are, 
 
 I. Mack-Flechoe. This is a fevere Satire on 
 Mr. Shadwel and Ibme other Poets. 
 
 II. Abfalom and Achitophel. This inimitable Po- 
 em was writ by Mr. Dryden at the Requeft of 
 King Charles the Second : It contains Satyrical 
 Characters of the moft confiderable Perlbns then 
 at Court-, particularly the Duke of Monmouthy 
 Lord Shajiesbury, the late Duke of fycUnghtm, &c, 
 }t begins thus : 
 
 In pious 7'imes, e'er Trleftcraft did \>egm y 
 
 Before Polygamy was made /t Sin } 
 
 Wktn Man on many rmdtiplyd hi* Kind, 
 
 E^er Qtie to one was curfedly cenfind : 
 
 Whsn Nature prompted, and no LAW deny*d 
 
 Tntnifcuous IJfc of Concubine and Bride : 
 
 Th;n Krael'j Aionarch^afier Heavens own Heart 
 
 III. 'The Afcdal. A Satire againft Sedition* 
 
 IV. Herolck Stands on Oliver Cromwel : Written. 
 After his Funeral. 
 
 V. Aftr&a Redux : A Pocrn on the happy Reparation 
 and Return of his Sacred Afajefty King Charles the 
 Second- This is an incomparable Piece. 
 
 VI. To his Sacred Majefty Charles the Second on his 
 Coronation. 
 
 VII. To the Lord Chancellor Hyde, presented on 
 New -Tear's !><*y, 1662. 
 
 VIIL Rellglo Laid -, or, a Layman s Faith, an ex- 
 cellent Poem. The Earl of Rofcommon very much 
 commends this Piece, in a Copy of Verfes to the 
 Author. 
 
 IX. Annas Mlrabllis : The Tear of Wonders, \666. 
 An Hiftorical Poem. This Piece is written upon a 
 very Heroick Subjeft , the Poet having defer ib'd 
 
 the
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 263 
 
 the Motives, Beginning, Progrels and Succefles of 
 a moft juft and neceiTary War, and i a it the Care 
 and Prudence ot the Kine, the Conduft and Va- 
 Jour of his Generals, Admiral, e^c. It is cora- 
 poled in alternate Verle, and in Stanza's of Quar- 
 tains like Sir William Davenant^s Gondibert. 
 
 X. Threnodi* Auguftdis : A Funeral Pindar ick Poem 
 facred to the ha^y Memory of King Charles //. 
 
 XI. To Sir Godfrey Kneller. This Piece has a 
 very great Compliment to Sir Godfrey, and his Art. 
 
 XII. Boileaus Art of Poetry. Made Englifh by 
 Sir William Soame, Revised and Altered. 
 
 XIII. The Hind and the Panther. A Poem, h 
 three Parts. This is the famous Piece written in 
 the Reign of King James the Second, which made 
 ib much Noife, and was anfwer'd by the late Lord 
 Halifax and Mr. Prior, in the City-Moufe and Coun- 
 try- Afoufc. 
 
 XIV- Eleanor a : A 'Panegyrical Poem. Dedicated 
 
 of 
 
 to the Memory of the Count ejs of Abingdon. 
 
 XV. Upon the Death of the Earl of Dundee. 
 
 XVI. To Sir Robert Howard, on hU excellent 
 Poems. 
 
 XVII. Veni Creator Spiritus, translated in Para- 
 fhrafe. 
 
 XVIII. Horat.Ode 3. lib. i. infcriHd to theEal 
 of Rolcomon, on hu intended Voyage to Ireland. 
 
 XIX. The Speech of Venus to Vulcan. 
 
 XX. Tranflations from Lucretius. 
 
 XXI. Daphnis. From Theocritus, Idyll. !? 
 
 XXII. Perfius translated. Translation! from Juve- 
 nal, Virgil, &c. Virgl (Publius VirgUins Maro) 
 the Prince of the Latin Heroick Poets, was the Son 
 of Mart, a Potter, born in the third Year of the 
 177th Olympiad, about 67 Years before Chrift, at 
 
 a Village not far horn Mantua, whence he 
 , The Mantuan S\w. He dy\i at 
 S 4
 
 264 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 fa , a City in Italy, the lecond Year of the ipoth 
 Olympiad, in the 5 ift Year of his Age. 
 
 Mr. Dry den was the raoft elegant Tranflator of 
 Poetry that any Age has produc'd : His Works fuf-- 
 ficiently ftew what our Language is capable of} and 
 to give Specimens of his Beauties, would be endlels, 
 he has fb many Excellencies, and was fucli a uni- 
 verfal Writer , I fhall therefore conclude with 
 dr. Dennis 's admirable Ode to him, upon his Tran- 
 flationofthe third Book of 
 
 Sometimes of humble rural Things, 
 Thy Mufc, which keeps great Maroftillin Sight , 
 In middle Air with varied Numbers fings, 
 
 j4nd fometimes her fonorow Flight 
 
 To Heavn fublimely wings : 
 But firft takes time with JVfajefty to rife, 
 
 Then without Pride, divinely great , 
 She mounts her Native Skies , 
 
 j4nd) Goddefs-li\e y retains her State, 
 
 When down again foe flies : 
 Commands which Judgment give, foe Jlill obeys, 
 
 Both to deyrefs her Flight and raije. 
 
 Thm Mercury from Heatfn defcends, 
 \And to this V rider-World his Journey bends., 
 
 When Jove his dread Command has gitfn j 
 JSut, ftill defcendiKg, Dignity maintains, 
 jAs much a God upon our humble Plains, 
 As when he towring reafcends to Heavn- 
 
 But when thy Goddtfs takes her Flight, 
 With fuch a Majefty, to fuch a Height, 
 As can alone fuffice to prove, 
 That foe descends from mighty Jove ', 
 Cods I how thy Thought] then rife, and fotr, and 
 
 (fiine ! 
 Spirit animates each J^ine : 
 
 Each
 
 EUGIISH POETS. 26$ 
 
 Etch with bright Flame that fires our Souls is 
 
 (crownd, 
 Each has Aftignificence of Sound, 
 
 And Harmony Divine. 
 Thus the firft Orbs, in thtir high Rounds, 
 
 With pining Pomp advance, 
 jind to their own Celeftial Sounds 
 
 Majeftically dance : 
 On with eternal Symphony thty roll, 
 Each turned in its hartnonious Courfe, 
 each inform d by the prodigitus force 
 Of an Empyreal Soul. 
 
 E. 
 
 Sir GEORGE ETHEREGE. 
 
 S the Publick arc oblig'd to this ingenious 
 Gentleman for three excellent Comedies; 
 are we allb for feverai Poems publifhM in the 
 JlfifceUanies : They are the following : 
 
 I. The Farfaken Miftrefs. A Dialogue. 
 
 II. The Divided Heart. A Love Poem. 
 
 III. yoiturc'sUrania. 
 
 IV. TV 4 young Lady. 
 
 V. To Sylvia. This Poem concludes with thefe 
 Verfes : 
 
 The defp\ate Lover can hope no Redrefs, 
 Where Beauty, and Rigour, are both in Exceft j 
 In Sylvia they meet, jo unhappy am /, 
 [Vhefets her mujl love, and who loves her tnvft die. 
 
 VI. Tbt
 
 Tloe Lives and Characters of the 
 
 VI. The fmperfeft Enjoyment. In this Poeffi are 
 thefe amorous Lines j 
 
 Her Eyes the Rudenefs of her Artns excufe, 
 Whilft thofe accent what thefe feem to refufe : 
 To eafe my Pajfion, and to make me bleft, 
 Tib' obliging Smock falls from her whiter Breafl : 
 Then with her lovely Hands foe does conceal 
 Thofe Wonders, Chance fo kindly did reveal -, 
 In vain, alas ! her nimble fingers ftrove 
 To foield her Beauties from my greedy Love , 
 Guarding her Breafts, her Lips foe did expofe t 
 To fave a Lilly, foe muft lofe a Rofe : 
 Sighing, at length her Force fhe does recal, 
 For fence I muft have part, foe' II give me all. 
 Her Arms the joyful Conqueror embrace*- 
 
 
 G. 
 
 . 
 
 Tke Right Honourable GEORGE GRAN- 
 V I L L E, Lord Lanfdowne. 
 
 TH E Works of this celebrated Nobleman 
 are univerfally admir'd, for their luperiour 
 Merit, and uncornmon Excellence ^ an Elegancy 
 of Stile, harmonious NumberSj and beautiful Si- 
 miles and Metaphors. His Lordfhip. by his Wri- 
 tings, has fhewn himfelf a Perfon of Wit and Gal- 
 lantry, a fine Gentleman, and an admirable Poet ^ 
 and, ^s a Patron, he is equal to the Greateft. The 
 chief of his Lordihip's Pieces., not Dramatick, are 
 the following, w^. 
 
 I. Oft
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 267 
 
 I. On the Earl of Peterborough'* Negotiation of 
 the Marriage between his Royal Higlmefs the Duke of 
 York (afterwards King James) and the Princefs of 
 Modena. 
 
 II. Spoken by the j4*thr, being but twelve Tears of 
 Age, t a her Royal Highnefs the Dut chefs of York, at 
 Trinity -College in Cambridge. 
 
 III. To t lie King, in the prft Year of his Majeflys 
 Reign. 
 
 IV. To Mr. Waller. In this ftiort Copy of Ver- 
 les ray Lord has this Compliment 'on Mr. Waller ^ 
 and the King and Queen he celebrates. 
 
 Age s to come JbaR fcorn the Powers of old, 
 Whtn in thy Ferfe of Greater Gads they're told.* 
 Our beauteous Queen, and martial Monarch's Name, 
 For Jove and Juno frail be plac'd by Fame : 
 Thy Charles, for KeptuneJkdt the Seas command t 
 And, Sachariila frail for Venus ft and \ 
 Greece frail no longer boaft, nor haughty Rome, 
 But think from Britain all the Gods did come. 
 
 V. To the Immortal Memory of Mr. Waller, upon 
 his Death. 
 
 VI. To Dr. Garth in his Sicknefs. This Piece does 
 the Dottor a great deal of Honour. 
 
 VII. To Mr. Dryden, on his excellent Tranflations. 
 
 VIII. An Ejfey upon unnatural Flights in Poetry. 
 
 IX. T^Myra. His l.ordfhip has a great many 
 Pieces in praile of Myra \ and the Paflion of Love 
 is fo nicely touch'd in them all, that 'tis impo/fible 
 for any Perfon, not impotent, to read them with- 
 out Rapture, His firft Piece begins thus : 
 
 Tune y tune thy Lyre : Begin my Mufc, 
 What Nympfe ? what Queen ? what Goddefs jhatt 
 
 (we chufe ?
 
 268 The Lives and Charafters of the 
 
 Whofe Praifes fing ? what Charmer's Name 
 Tranfmit Immortal down to FarneJ^ 
 Strike, Strike thy Strings } let Echo takt the Sound r 
 And bear it far to all the Mountains round : 
 Pindus again (hall hear, again rejoice, 
 And Hsemus too, M when th* enchanting Voice 
 
 Of tuneful Orpheus charmed the Grove, 
 Taught Oaks to dance, and made the Cedars move. 
 Then Jing my Muft, let Myra be our Theme 
 
 X. To Myra. The Inchantment. / Imitation of 
 the Pharmacentria of Theocritus. 
 
 XL The Difcovery. To the Countefs of N * 
 
 XII. To my Lady Hyde. 
 
 XIII. Verjes under the Dut chefs of BoltcnV Jtfame, 
 upon a Drinking'Glafs. 
 
 XIV* A Morning-Hymn to her Grace the Dut chefs 
 of Hamilton. 
 
 XV. The progrefs of Beauty. This excellent Poem 
 traces Beauty from the moft diftant Climates, and 
 moft early Times, to Great Britain, and the Reign 
 of King James the Second, and ends with the La- 
 dies of the Court. 
 
 XVI. Love } a Poem. 
 
 XVII. To Phyllis drinking. This Piee has the 
 following Verfes : 
 
 While Phyllis is drinking, Love and Wine in Al- 
 
 (liance, 
 
 With Forces united bid re/iftlefs Defiance ; 
 By the Touch of her Lips the Wine fparkles higher. 
 And her Eyes, by her drinking, redouble their Fire. 
 
 Her Cheeksgrow the brightcr,recruiting their Colour, 
 AS Flower sby fpr inki 'ing revive with f reft Odour j 
 
 m
 
 EN GLISH POETS. 269 
 
 ffttDart dipt in Wine, Love wounds beyond curing, 
 And the Liquor, like Oil, makes the Flame more 
 
 (enduring. 
 
 By Cordials of Wine, Love is kept from expiring, 
 And our Mirth is enliven d by Love and Defiring, 
 Relieving each other, the Pleafure is lofting, 
 And we never are tloy'd, yet are ever a tafting. 
 
 Then Phyllis begin, let our Raptures abound, 
 And a Kifs and a Glafs be ftiu going round - 7 
 Our Joys are Immortal, while thus we remove 
 From Love to the Bottle, from tlx Bottle to Love* 
 
 XVIIi. To Celia. 
 
 XIX. Vpon a Hearing in the Houfe of Lords, of 4 
 Caufe between her Grace the Dutchejs of GraftOn, and 
 the Lord Chief Jujlict. 
 
 XX. To an unknown Lady, who had lent his Lord- 
 Jhip a Copy of Verfes on his Retiring into the 
 Country. The Lady begins tlius, 
 
 Why Granville, is thy Life confined ~> 
 
 To Shades ? Thou whom the Gods defyn'd > 
 
 In publick, to da Credit to Mankind \ .> 
 
 Why jleeps the noble Ardour of thy Blood, 
 
 Which from thy Anccftors fo many Ages p*ft, 
 From RoUo down to Bevil flowed, 
 And then appeared again tit I aft 
 In Thee, when thy victorious * Lance 
 
 Btre the difputeU Pri^e from all the Touths <?/FraiiCC ? 
 So lov'd and pntis'd, wlwm ,r// admire, 
 
 Why, wly jhould you from Courts or Gimps retire ? 
 
 My Lord's incomparable Anlvver to the Lady, was 
 the following : 
 
 
 * At 4 Ggroufd at Paris, in tb: Tear
 
 a 70 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 Whoever Thou art, who temp? ft mfuch a Strain, 
 Sweet is thy Syren Song, but Jung in vain : 
 When the Winds rage, and loud the Billows roar, 
 What Fool willtruft the Sea, and quit the Shore ? ' 
 Early and vain into the World I came, 
 Big with falfe Hopes, and eager after Fame ; 
 'Till looking round me, ier the Race began, 
 Madmen and giddy Fools were all that ran : 
 Reclaimed betimes, I from tht Lift retire. 
 And thank the Gods who my Retreat infpire. 
 Survey the World, and, with impartial Eyes, 
 Consider, and examine, all who rife ; 
 Weigh all their Actions, and their treacherou* Ends^ 
 How Greatnefs grows, and by what Steps afcends* 
 What Murders, Treafons, Perjuries, Deceit, 
 How manj fait, to make one Monfter great. 
 Worfdyou command ? Have Fortune in your Pow*r? 
 Hug whom you flab, and fmile when you devour; 
 Be bloody, falfe, flatter, forfwear, and Iye 9 
 Turn Pander, Pathick, Parafite, or Spy, 
 Such thriving Arts may your wiflfd purpofe bring. 
 At leaft a General be* -perhaps a King. 
 Fortune we moft unjuftly partial call, 
 A Miftrefs free, who bids alike to all ', 
 But on fuch Terms as only fuit the Bafe 9 
 Honour denies, and founs the foul Embrace 
 The hone ft Man, who ftarves, and if undone, 
 Not Fortune, but his Virtue, keeps him down. 
 Had Cato bent beneath the conquering Caufe, 
 He might have liv'd to give new Senates Laws : 
 But on vile Terms difdaining to be Great, 
 He periflfd by his Choice, and not his Fate : 
 Honour and Life ttf Vfurper bids, and all 
 That vain miftaken Men good Fortune call , 
 Virtue forbids, and fets before his Eyes 
 An hone ft Death, which he accept s, wddies. 
 
 O
 
 ENGLISH POETS* 27 
 
 O glorious Resolution ! Nohl-e Pride ! 
 More honour A than the Tyrant liv'd, he dyd 
 More praiid, more Irifd, more envftsl in his Doom, 
 Than Caefar trampling on the Rights of Rome. 
 The Vinuttu nothing fear, bat Life *Hth Shame, 
 Jlnd Death's a pie aj ant Road, thM leads to Fame. 
 On Bones and Scraps let me be always fed, "Y 
 
 My Limbs uncovered, and exposed my fffad S> 
 To bleakeft Colds, a Kernel be my Bed . j^ 
 
 Tins, and all other Martyrdom, for thee 
 Stems glorious all, tlrrice beavteow Honefty / 
 Te great Dijhtrbers, who in errdlefs Noife, 
 In Blood and Horror feek unnatural Joys ; 
 For what is all this Buftle, bur to four* 
 Thofe Thoughts, with which you 'dare not. bt alone ? 
 As Men in Mifery, omrcfid with Care, 
 Strk, in the Raft of \Vtnc, to drown Defjrair. 
 
 Let others fight, and eat their Bread in Blood t 
 Not caring if tht Catrfc be bad or good -, 
 Or cringe in Courts, defending on the Hods 
 Of ftrutting Pigmies, who would pafs for Gods : 
 for mt^ unpra&is'd in the Carrier'* SWw/, 
 \ r o loath a Knave, and tremble at a Fool. 
 \Vh>it can I hope in Cytrts ? or how fucceed ? "V 
 Tygers and Wolves /&// ;';; the Ocean breed ; S> 
 The Whale and Dolphin in the Fcrcft feed -, .> , 
 And every Element exchange its Kind, 
 When tljrivine &onefty it* Courts we find. 
 
 Happy the Afan t of Mortals happicft he, 
 Whofe <\wtt Mind frm VMH Defires is free ', 
 
 >m ncitlxr Hopis deceive, nor Fears torment, 
 But lives ^ at Peace within himfelf, content : 
 //. Thought, or Ail, mco-ml'l! to none 
 But to hintjflfi and to his God alone . 
 O Svtetuejt of Content .' SerApwckJiy I 
 llljtfb nothing waits, *}:A nothing dtn defray. 
 
 :. . 
 
 Jl'hert
 
 if i The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 Where dwells this Peace, this Freedom of the 
 
 (Mind ? 
 
 Where but in Shades remote from human Kind -, 
 In flow } ry Vale sphere Nymyhs and Shepherds meet, 
 Sut never comes within the Palace-Gate. 
 Farewel then Cities, Camps, and Courts, farewel, 
 Welcome ye Groves, here let me ever dwell ; 
 From Care, from Bufmefs, and Mankind, remove^ 
 w4# but the Mufes, and inffiring Love. 
 How fweet the Morn ! How quiet is the Night ! 
 How calm the Evening ! And, the Day how bright ! 
 From hence, as from a Hill, I view below 
 The croudedWorld,which like fame Wood doesjhoiv, 
 Where fev'ral Wand'rers travel Day and Night 
 By fever al Ways, and none are in the right. 
 
 This Noble Author has likewise writ fereral o- 
 ther Pieces, very much applauded} and, upon 
 the whole, I may fay, he is at leaft a lecond 
 Waller. 
 
 BEN JOHNSON- 
 
 IT is generally allow'd, that this Great Man 
 was the moft Learned, Judicious, and Correft 
 of all the Englijh Dramatick Poets , and he was the 
 more to be admir'd for being ib, for that neither 
 the Height of natural Parts, nor the Coft of ex- 
 traordinary Education, but his own Induftry, and 
 Application to Books, advanced him to this Per- 
 fe&ion. Befides his numerous Produ&ions for the
 
 ENGLISH Po ETS-. 27$ 
 
 Stage, fame -\- whereof equal the chief of the an- 
 cient Greek and Latin Poets, he has writ a Volume 
 of Epigrams, Poems, &c. dedicated to the Earl 
 of Pembroke, which he calls in his Dedication his 
 Riper Studies : And Mx.\Vinftanlcy tells us, in his 
 Poetry not Dramatick, he is Ibmetimes very bold 
 and ftrerraous, foraetimes magifteria], JJnd often- 
 times full of Fancy. He begins to the Reader 
 thus: 
 
 Pray thee, take care, that tttlCft rny Book in H.ind, 
 To re ad it well , th.u is, to under ft and. 
 
 The next Epigram he writes on his fioolc, and 
 then proceeds to his Booldeller : 
 
 Thou, that mak" ft Gain thy End, 
 
 CMC ft a. Book good, or bad, as it does fell, 
 
 1)fc mine not fo. 
 
 Then he has an Epigram to King Janes, which be- 
 
 gins : 
 
 //<m, be ft of Kings, doft ri*>u a Sceffer bear ? 
 HWy beft of Poets, doft thou Laurel wear ! 
 
 A Lord having endeavour 'd to reproach Btn with 
 the Name of Poet, he wrote to him by the Name 
 of my Lord Ignorant. 
 
 Thou calf ft me Poet, M a Term of Shame, 
 But I have my Revenge ntade in thy Name* 
 
 The lifue of his Brain was more Lifting th;m 
 that of his Body, he having Icveral Giildrcn, yet 
 
 f Ibe Fox, Alchymiftj <</ Sijcnt Woman. 
 
 T noil 2
 
 274 The Lives and Chara&ers of ike 
 
 none living, to lurvive him , and this he made 
 as 1 part of an Epitaph on his eldeft Son : 
 
 Reft in foft Peace, and <tttfd,fay, Here doth lie 
 Ben. Johnfbn his beft Piece of Poetry. 
 
 To Madim Would-be, a barren Lady, Ben. writes 
 thus: 
 
 What fiould the Caufe be ? Oh ! you live at* Court ? 
 And, there's both Lofs of Time, and Lofs of Sport 
 In a great Betty. Write then on thy Womb j 
 Of the not born, yet buried, hereof the Tomb. 
 
 His Epigrams are numerous, and to thele are fub- 
 join'd. 
 
 I. A Poem, call'd, The Voyage. 
 
 II. The Fort 'ft, a Poem divided into many Parts, 
 on various Subjects. 
 
 III. A Panegyre on the Entrance of King James the 
 Fir ft, to his fir ft Sejfion of Parliament in this Kingdom, 
 in the Tear 1603. 
 
 IV. To Heaven. 
 
 V. Rules for the Tavern- Academy, &c. And o- 
 yer the Door of the Apollo, he writ thele Lines : 
 
 Welcome all that lead or follow 
 
 To the Oracle of Apollo 
 
 Ale and Been no good can mean w, 
 
 Wine it is the Milk of Venus, 
 
 And the Poet's Horje accounted ; 
 
 Ply it, and you all are mounted. 
 
 J Tis the true Plsebeian Liquor, 
 
 Che ars the Brains, makes Wit the quicker. 
 
 Pays all Debts, cures all Difeafes, 
 
 And at once three Senfes pleafes. 
 
 
 Wttomi
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 275 
 
 Welcome all that lead or follow 
 To the Oracle of Apollo 
 
 Ken Jikewile wrote a very diverting Soig on the 
 DeviCs Arfe in Peak. 
 
 Mr. Cartreright and the Lord Falkland writ ex- 
 cellent Copies of Verfes on Be n Johnfons Death. 
 
 o. 
 
 ;\j 
 
 .Mr. THOMAS Or WAY. 
 
 Life of this admirable Poet, you'll find 
 X in my Poetical Rcgiftcr, with an Account ot 
 his Plays -, and befides thele, he has oblig'd the 
 World with the following Poems, viz* 
 
 I. The Inchant meat. 
 
 II. On Enjoyment ; an excellent Piece. 
 
 III. The PoeSt Complaint of bit Afufe. An Ode. 
 This Piece is a levere Satire on himfclf for in- 
 dulging his Poetical Genius, and was very tamous 
 at the time it was wrote. 
 
 IV. Windfor-C*ftle t in a Monument to A'i Charles 
 the Second. This Poem is dedicated to the Immor- 
 tal Fame of King Chiles the Second, of Ever- 
 Blefied Memory : And to the Sacred Majefty of 
 the raoft Auguft and Mighty Prince James the Se- 
 cond, now, by the Grace of God, King of ing" 
 land, &c* 
 
 V. The \6tbOde of the fecond Book of Horace, 
 tratiJLaed. Mx.Otway has theie Lines on the frft 
 5;.:.v of uV-.'M'-.- 
 
 3C90J O r. ' \ . 'I 
 
 T a
 
 The Lives and Charaders of the 
 
 Why fiould dull Law rule Nature, who firft made 
 That Law, by which her felf is now betray'd ? 
 E'er Mans Corruptions made him Wretched, he 
 Was born moft noble, who was born moft free .' 
 Each of himfelf was Lord ; and unconfirfd 
 Obeyd the Dittates of his Godlike Afind* 
 Law was an Innovation brought in face, ~j 
 
 When Fools began to love Obedience, S 
 
 And call their Slavery Safety and Defence. 
 Why jbould it be a Stain then on my Blood> 
 
 M\ t 
 
 NICHOLAS ROWE, Efq; 
 
 TO this Gentleman's Life, I may further 
 add, * that when he had juft got to be eafy 
 in his Fortune, and was in a fair way to make it 
 better, Death Iwept him away, and in him de- 
 priv'd the World of one of the beft of Men, as 
 well as one of the beft Genius's of the Age. He 
 dy'd like a Chripian and a Philofopher, in Charity 
 with all Mankind, and with an abfolute Refigna- 
 tion to the Will of God. He kept up his good 
 Humour to the laft> and took leave of his Wife 
 and Friends, immediately before his laft Agony, 
 with the lame Tranquillity of Mind, and the lame 
 Indifference for Life, as tho' he had been taking 
 but a Ihort Journey. So that his laft Moments 
 
 * See Dr. WellwoodV frefacs to Lucan.
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 277 
 
 confirm'd the Juftnels of his Thoughts, in thefe 
 excellent Lines in his Tamerlane, Ipeaking of Death's 
 dari Shades, 
 
 Seem, at we journey on, to lofe their Horror -, 
 At near Abroach the Afonfters, farm A by Fear 9 
 Arc vanijh'd all, and leave the Profpecl clear. 
 
 He dy'd the 6th Day of December, 1718. in the 
 4$th Year of his Age, and was bury'd the i pth of 
 the lame Month in Wt ftminfter- Abbey , in the Ifle 
 where many of our Englijh Poets are interr'd, fl- 
 yer againft Chaucer ; his Corps being attended by a 
 ieleft Number of his Friends, and the Dean and 
 Choir officiating at die Funeral. Befides his Dra- 
 matick Works, he has written, 
 
 I. A Poem on the Duke of Marlbarough'j fiftoritt* 
 This is an excellent Piece. 
 
 II. An Odt for the New Tear 1717. 
 
 III. PythagoraSs Golden Verfes. Done from th* 
 Greek. Jnjerted in the Translation of Dacier'j Life of 
 that Pbilofopher. 
 
 IV. Poems on ftveral Occafuns. 
 
 V. His Tranjlafion of Callipocdia. 
 
 VI. Lucon's Pharfalia. Tranflated into Englifh 
 Verfe^ vith Notes. Publif'd by Dr. Wellwood (ac- 
 cording to Mr. Rovot\ Requeft in his Sicknefi) 
 jhortly after hu Deceafe. Dedicated to the King by his 
 Widow, at his Defire, Folio. This Poet was a great 
 Lover of Liberty, which inclin'd him to the Tran- 
 flation of Lucan -, and to give you a Tafte of his 
 handling that Subjeft, I (Kail nere inlcrt Ibme of 
 his Verles from this Performance. In one place 
 Cato animates his Forces, with this ihoit Speech, 
 for Liberty and Virtue. 
 
 T 3
 
 278 The Lives and Characters cf the 
 
 Fellows in Arms I whofe Blifs, whofe ckiefeft Good 
 Js Rome'* Defence, and Freedom bought with 
 
 (Blood i 
 
 Tou, who to die with Liberty, from far 
 Have followed Cato in this fatal War, 
 Be now for Vn t lie's noble ft Task 
 
 Virtue, that fcorns on Cowards Terms to pleafc, 
 
 Or cheaply to be bought, or won with Eafe \ 
 
 But then, foe Joys, then fmilesupon her State, "V 
 
 Then faireft to her felf y then moft comyleat, V 
 
 When glorious Danger makes her truly Great. J 
 
 So Libya'.; Plains alone Jhallwipc away 
 
 The foul Dishonours of PharfaliaV Day ; 
 
 So frail your Courage now, tranjcend that Fear : 
 
 2*0# fled with Glory there, to conquer here. 
 
 Tompcys parting with his Wife Cornelia, in the fifth 
 Book, is extremely moving , and his laft Speech, 
 at the Head of his Soldiers, before his engag- 
 ing with and Defeat by C<efar, in the* feventh 
 Book, is excellent , where he thus begins : 
 
 The Time to eafe your groaning Country $ Tain, 
 Which long your eager Valour fought in vain j 
 . The great deciding Hour at length is come, 
 " To end the Strivings of diftrafted Rome : 
 for this one Uft Effort exert your Pow'r, 
 Strike Home to Day, and all your Toils are o'er. 
 Let none the favoring Gods Afrftancc fear, 
 They always make the jufter Caufe their Care. 
 The flying Dart to Cxiar frail they guide, 
 Ar.d point the Sword at his devoted Side : 
 Qur injured Laws faallbe on him made good. 
 And Liberty eftabiiftid in his Blood. 
 
 Ceitd
 
 E N G LI s H POETS. 
 
 Cou'd Hcav'n, in Violence of Wrath, ordain 
 The World to groan beneath aTyr ant 1 s Reign ; 
 It had not fpar'd your Pompey'* Head fo long> 
 Nor lengthen d ottf my Age to fee the Wrong. 
 All me can tpi/fo for, to fecvre Succefs, 
 With large Advantage, here, our Arms poflefs : 
 See, in the Ranks of ev'ry common Band, 
 Wlxre Rome'/ illujlriow Names for Soldiers ft and. 
 Cou'd the great Dead revifit Life again, 
 For M, once more, the Decii woud be (lain j 
 The Curii, and Camilli, might roe boafl, 
 Proud to be mingled in this nobleft ffoft 
 Think, from the Summit of the Roman Wall, 
 Tou hear our loud-lamenting Matrons call -, 
 Think with what Tears, what lifted Hands theyfue y 
 And place their loft their only Hope sin you. 
 Imagine kneeling Age before you fpread, 
 Each hoary Reverend Afajejtick Head ; 
 Imagine Rome herfelf your Aid implored, 
 To Jtvc her from a proud impcriotu Lord. 
 Think how the prefent Age, how that to come, 
 Wliat Multitude i from you expeft their Doom : 
 On your Sufcefs dependant all rely, 
 Thefe to be born in Freedom, thofe to die. 
 Think you behold (were fueh* Pofturemeet) 
 E'en me, your Pompey, proftrate of your Feet. 
 My ftlf, my Wife, my Sons, a fuppliant Band, 
 From you our Lives and Liberties demand $ 
 Or conquer you, or I to Exile born, 
 My lap diflionourable Years jhaU mourn 
 Tour long Reproach,and my proud Father's Scorn 
 From Bonds, from Infamy, your General fave, 
 
 1 
 
 , yo 
 fcc 
 
 Nor let this hoary Head defccnd to Earth a Slave. 
 
 Thus, win le he fpoke, the faithful Legions round, 
 Strait at the fatal Signal* . . 
 
 T 4 Mr.
 
 s8p The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 Mr. May likewile tranflated Lucan, and publifti'd 
 it Li eight Books, in the Year 1635. but his Per- 
 formance does not reach the Spirjt or Senfe 
 of Lucan. The. Language and Verification are 
 yet worfe, and fall infinitely fhort of the lofty 
 Numbers and Propriety of Expreflion, in which 
 Mr. Rowe excels. 
 
 Mr. Rowe wrote the Life of Shafajpear, prefix'd 
 to his Works } ibme Account of Monfieur Boi- 
 Isau and his Writings, annex'd to the Tranilation 
 of the Lutrin , and an Effay concerning the manner ef 
 Living rrirh Great Men , written in imitation of 
 Monficur Bruyere, and inferted in the Tranflation. 
 of his Works j all done in Profe. 
 
 s. 
 
 Mr. WILLIAM SHAKESPEAR. 
 
 . 
 
 
 IN this Place it will be expefted for me to give 
 .Ibme Account of the Poems writ by the Im- 
 JDortal Shakefpear ^ which, tho' inferior to his 
 Dramatick Performances, yet have they nume- 
 rous Beauties. They are, 
 
 I. Venus and Adonis, dedicated to his Great Pa- 
 tron the EarL of Southampton. This Poem has 
 been very much admir'd } and there are a great 
 
 many very good and incomparable Lines in it. 
 
 II. Tarquin^W Lucrece. This Piece is not e- 
 fteem'd fb well done as the former ^ but it has ibme 
 admirable Verier, fuch as the following, delpribino: 
 
 the
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 281 
 
 the particular Beauties of Lucrece, view'd by the 
 Ravifher Tarquin : 
 
 Her lilly Hand her rofy Clxeks lies under y 
 Cozening the Pillow of A lawful Kifs ; 
 Which therefore angry, feems to part in fundcr 
 Swelling on either Side to want his Blifs. 
 
 ^ III. Mars and Venus. In this Poem is defcrib'd 
 fvlcans Net, and his iecuring Mars and Vcmu in an 
 amorous Pofture, and thus expofing them to the 
 Gods. 
 
 He calls the Gods, the Lovers naked fprall, 
 And cannot rife j the Queen of Love jhows all. 
 
 IV. The amorous Epiflle of Paris to Helen. 
 
 V. Helen to Paris. 
 
 VI. The Tale of Cephalus and Procris." 
 
 VII. Achilles^ Concealment of his Sex in the Court 
 of Lycomedes. 
 
 VIII. A Lover s Complaint. 
 
 IX. The Paffionate Shepherd. 
 
 X. Cupid'/ Treachery : And feveral other fmall 
 Mifcellaneous Poems, particularly on the Subjeft 
 of Love , which, with its Effefts, are often happily 
 touch'd. In one Place he has thele Verles : 
 
 Take, O t take thofe Lips away, 
 
 That fo foeetly were forfiporn 
 And thofe Eyes, the Break of Day, 
 
 Lights which do mijlead the Morn. 
 
 Hide, O \ hide thofe Hills of Snow 9 ^ ..*, 
 
 Which thy frozjn Bofom bears, 
 Qn whofe Tots the Pinks that grow, 
 
 Art of thofe that April wtarj. 
 
 Amongft
 
 282. The Lives and Characters of tie 
 
 Amongft his Love-Poems, are many Epigramsj 
 perfeft in their kind -, and which have a peculiar 
 Excellence natural to this Great Man. 
 
 T. 
 
 NAHUM TATE, Efy 
 
 TH I S Poet liv'd to write the firft Birth- 
 Day Song after the Accefiion of his pre- 
 ient Majefty King George ; which, tho' he was 
 in a dejefted Condition (occafion'd by the worft 
 Circumftances) he performed with a great deal of 
 Spirit ^ and his Poem on the Death of Queen Anne, 
 was not only one of the laft, but the beft he ever 
 writ. His Pieces are, 
 
 I. The fecond Part of Ablalom and Achitophel. 
 Mr. Dryden aflifted in this Piece, he being himlelf 
 preis'd to write it ; but declin'd the Task, and en- 
 courag'd Mr. Tate in the Performance. 
 
 II. The Rife and Progrefs of Prieflcraft. 
 
 III. Syphilis : or a Poetical Hlflory of the French 
 Dlfeafe. 
 
 IV. Jeptha'j^nr. 
 
 V. Maufoleum : A Poem on the Death of Queen 
 Mary. 
 
 VI. In Memory of his Grace the Illuftriotu Duke of 
 Ormond, and the Earl of OfTory. A Paftoral. 
 
 VII. An Elegy on the Death of the Countefs of Dor- 
 let. 
 
 VIII. On the Death of the late Queen, and Accejjton 
 tf hu Afwfty to the Throne. 
 
 IX. Mif-
 
 ENGLISH POETS. 283 
 
 IX. Mifcellanca Sacra, poems on Divine and Mo- 
 ral Subjects. 
 
 Mr. Tote likewife writ feveral other Elegiacal 
 Poems *, amongft which that on the Death of Sir 
 George Treby was very much applauded. He allb 
 gave the Publick a great many Tranflations from 
 Ovid, Horace, Juvenal, Virgil, &c. 
 
 His Song on his Majefty^ Birth-Day has the fol- 
 lowing Stanza's. 
 
 Kings, that make the Publick Good their Care, 
 
 Advance in Dignity and State, 
 
 Their Rife no Envy can create ', 
 Their Subjects in the Princely Grandure Jhare : 
 for, like the Sun, the higher they afcend, 
 The farther their indulgent Beams extend. 
 
 i ., ;'.-. 
 
 Tet long before our Royal Sun 
 His dcftind Courfe hat run, 
 Were bleft to fee a Gloriotu Heir, 
 That jhall the mighty Lofs repair ; 
 When he that Blazes now, Jhall this low Sphere refign, 
 In * fultlimer Orb eternally to fliint. 
 
 A Cynthia too, adorn d with every Grace, 
 
 Of Perfon and of Mind , 
 And hajpy in a Starry Race 
 Of that Aufyicious hind, 
 
 At joyfully preface 
 
 No want tf Royal Heirs in any future Age. 
 
 jMti? <'". 
 C H O R V S. 
 
 Honour'd with the Beft of 'Kings, 
 
 And a Set of Lovely Springs, 
 
 From the Royal Fountain flowing, 
 Lovely Streams, and ever growing, 
 
 Happy
 
 284 The Lives and Characters &f the 
 
 Happy Britain, paft exprefling, 
 Only learn to prize the Blefling. 
 
 W 
 
 Tf 
 
 WILLIAM WHYCHERLEY 
 
 ingenious Gentleman publilh'd a Vo- 
 JL lume of Poems in Folio ^ but he thereby ra- 
 ther leflenM his Fame, than increas'd it } tho' he 
 tells you, in the Poftfcript to his Preface^ that 
 they were written at a time, when 'twas not ib 
 much his Head's Occafion to write, as b,is Pockets , 
 when he delign'd his Works fhould have made him 
 live, and not he to have made them live } and that 
 he wrote not to give Pains to his Mind, but to eafe 
 it from Pains ; to play the Fool with ridiculous 
 Thoughts, rather than run mad with anxious 
 ones. He has a Satirical Preface to his Criticks, 
 xvho were fiich before they were his Readers : He 
 begins ; " To you, T lay, you Anti-Wits, I direft 
 *< my Difcourfe ^ who, like Gamefters ante manum, 
 tc venture your little Stocks of Wit or Credit in 
 " Parnajfas, but to deprive others of theirs, tho' 
 " you have no other Ibrt of Wit, but what you 
 " firft borrow, or purloin, from the bold Pufhers 
 ft for Fame, the Scribblers, your adventurous Be- 
 " nefaftors -, whom you, like Rooks at Play (when 
 <c youhave got all you can by them) attack and 
 c ~ pufti with their own Coin and Stores of Senle j 
 ** ib, like the other Rooks, live on the Deftruc- 
 " tion of your beft Friends and Maintainers ; and 
 * : upon gutting a Book ? as the Midnight Judica- 
 
 " ture
 
 ENGLISH POET?. 285 
 
 " ture do upon gutting a Houle." His Preface is 
 long, and full of Wit and pointed Satire againft the 
 Criticks ; and he has a Dedication to the greateft 
 Friend of the Mules, Vanity : which ends with * 
 Satire on hiralelf, and his large Work. 
 
 And outward Greafnefs does confefs, 
 Afoft often, inward Emptinefs, 
 And. great Books, as great Heads (we know) 
 Contain lefs, as they make more Show. 
 
 To his Bookfeller, who defir'd his Pifture before 
 his Book, he has thele Lines : 
 
 . 
 
 To jkow this Book, my Writing Att and Dted, 
 . Tou'd have me to it put my Mark or Head. 
 
 Of Love he writes thus : 
 
 ". & t*l*V A 
 
 // Love's a Stifling (as it U) you fay, 
 We for it ought not then to pay, but pray ^ 
 Since JllcfingSy at they go for more Divine, 
 Should more be gautd by Pray\,orPraifejhan Coin. 
 
 This Defcription of Love 1 take to be very good : 
 
 Know, Love is not by Precept taught t 
 Nor what it '/, can Reajon prove. 
 
 Above Exprejjion, above Thought, 
 Inftinft, by which our Seiifcs move \ 
 
 Which, by Denying, is confcffd, 
 
 And oft exprefs'd by Dumbncfs beft. 
 
 He has thefe Lines on a Lady's Pofteriors, which lie 
 difcoverM OD her falling over a Stile : 
 
 My
 
 The Lives and Characters of tfa 
 
 My Heart held out againft your Face and Eyes, 
 But cou'dno more^tgainft your Breech andTkighs, 
 Which they both took, and wounded, hy Surprizj ^ 
 Who did (mfaatny till then, injimbufhlie 
 
 For my poor ife, at leaft my Liberty ; 
 
 So fecret Enemies more Aft/chief do, 
 
 The left fill they, their Porfr to do it, fltow. 
 
 By that <Aflaflinate my Life's, betrayed 
 
 Mr. Wycherley, in his Poems, is very fatirical on 
 Courtiers, efpecially in his Praife of Ignorance, de- 
 dicated to the Court ; and his Heroick Eyiftle, to the 
 Honour of Pimps and Pimping, dedicated to the 
 Court, and written at a time when luch were moft 
 confiderable there. And Ipeaking of Wit recom- 
 mending a Perfon, he has thele Verles : 
 
 To Court, to gain Jbfens, Womens Favour, go, 
 Be fure no more Wit than they have tojhory ; 
 Since each Sex fears Men moft, of the moft Wit, 
 Will fuch into their Secrets leaft admit, 
 For fear of their difcovering their Shame, "V 
 Avoid their Courtjhip, but to 'fcape their Blame, > 
 Andftill their Pleafure lofe, to keep their Fame, j 
 
 This Gentleman, at the end of his humourous 
 Preface and Contents, has a very particular Errata j 
 and, in general, Errant the whole Book. 
 
 " 
 
 MODERN 
 
 <
 
 287 
 
 MODERN 
 
 ENGLISH POETS; 
 
 AND 
 
 AUTHORS 
 
 O F 
 
 SING LE PIECES. 
 
 A. 
 
 . ' ' 
 Mr. NICHOLAS AMHURST, 
 
 YOUNG Gentleman of St. _ 
 College, Oxford. He has a great deal 
 of fprightly Wit, and Poetical Fire \ 
 and by the Poems he has publifh'd, 
 promiies to be a confiderable Writer. 
 The Pieces under his Name are, 
 
 I. An Epiftlc from the Prince ft Sobieski to the Crc- 
 I'tlier de Sr. George. This Poem has the following 
 Lines, defcribing the Paflion of LoVc. 
 
 Rtleirt*
 
 The Lives and Chara&ers of the 
 
 Retentlefs Walls and Bolts obftrutt my Way, 
 And Guards as fenflefs and as deaf at they 
 Or to my James t hro* Whirlwinds I would go. 
 Thro" burning Defarts, and o'er Alpj of Snow, 
 Tafs fpaciotts roaring Oceans undifmay d, 
 And think the mighty Dangers well repaid. 
 
 II. The Proteftant Sejjion. A State Poem, in- 
 Icrib'd to Earl Stanhope . 
 
 III. To the Memory of Mr. Rowe f A Pdeffl. 
 This Gentleman tranllated The Refurrettion ) and 
 
 fome other of Mr. Addifons Latin Pieces. 
 
 Mr. CHARLES BECK ING HAM. 
 
 A Young Gentleman likewile of a promiiiiig 
 Genius, who befides his Tragedies of Scipie 
 Africanus, and Henry the Fourth of France, has gi- 
 ven us two Pieces : 
 
 I. ChrijPi Sufferings, a Tranflation from the Latin 
 of Rapin. Dedicated to the Afchbifliop of York. 
 
 II. A Poem on the Death of N. Rowe Efq, This is 
 a very good Piece, it concludes with thefe Lines : 
 
 Still, facred Shade, thy Writings {hall be ready 
 Till even Arts are with their Founders dead : 
 Whilfi Friendship burns within a faithful Breaf, 
 Thy Name be cheriffd, and thy Worth confefs'd 5 
 Oblivion is the common mortal Doom, 
 Sut thou ft/tit Live, when Dead, and Flourish in the 
 
 (Tomb. 
 Mr*
 
 Modern ENGLISH POETS. 289 
 
 >&&&>&&>& ' *:&& 
 . A/r. BOWDEN. 
 
 THIS Gentleman has given the Pfcblick a- 
 Poem on a very iublime Subject. 
 A Hymn to the Redeemer of the World, c. 
 
 EUSTACE BUDGELL 
 
 A Relation of the late Mr. Addifon, who 
 had conferred on him feveral confide rabJe 
 publick Employments in the King Jom of Ireland. 
 He is a very ingenious Gentleman, and has writ 
 fbme excellent Epilogues to Plays, and allb one 
 imall Pieces Z^vr, which is very pretty. 
 
 C. 
 
 
 . 
 Mr. PETER CAUSTON. 
 
 JL 
 
 THIS Gentleman was by Profeffion a Mercer, 
 and being a Peribn fcddi&ed to Pleasure, he 
 often frequented Places of publick Retort } parti- 
 cularly Tunbriifag, Epfcm, c^cc. And this gave Birth 
 to a Poem of:his, calfd, 
 Tunbridgalia v w, the Humovrt rf Turibridge. 
 
 U Mrs.
 
 290 The Lives and Chara&crs of tke 
 
 Mrs. CENTLIVRI. 
 
 THIS ingenious Gentlewoman, befides her 
 many Entertaining Plays, has given us the 
 following Pieces of Poetry. 
 
 I. An Epiftle from a Lady of Great Britain to the 
 King of Sweden, on the intended Invajton. This 
 Piece was anfwer'd by Mrs. Davis, but her Perfor- 
 mance was very inferiour to Mrs. Ccntlivrfs. 
 
 II. A Pa/lord, on the Death of Mr. Rowe* 
 
 The Lad) CHUDLEIGH. 
 
 A Lady who has oblig'd the World with a 
 fmall Volume of Poems lately publiih'd, and 
 The Song of the three Children paraphras'tl. 
 
 Mr. CHUTE. 
 
 A Young Gentleman, deicendedof a good Fa- 
 mily, bred to the Law, and at this time 
 of the Middle Tcmplt. He is Author of the fol- 
 lowing Poem. 
 
 Beauty and firtue, a Poem on the Death of the 
 Countefs of Sunderland. This is an excellent Per- 
 formance for a young Poet, it has theie admirable 
 Lines : 
 
 21*
 
 Modern ENGLISH P o k T s. 291 
 
 ti Virtue, tho* from Death it cannot fi-vt, 
 Prepares and fits vs to embrace the Grave, 
 Protrafts our Views, and opens to the Sight 
 A diftant Profpeft full of new Delight : 
 Eager to graft the tempting Prize, the Soul 
 
 Smiles at the Gulph between, Mid rufljes to the Coal. 
 
 J 
 
 .*. -t * * -t- $L * * * * * * -t- 
 
 uiu db y3*OJJ IMS &a ut> uj oo u*J LOO t^o uu J UAJ tiu; 
 
 . CHARLES CLEEVE. 
 
 A Poet of the laft Age, who wrif a Volume of 
 Poems, dedicated to the Lord Churd^ll, now 
 Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 t. an 
 
 Colonel CODRINGTON. 
 
 
 ;S "Gentleman was of the firft Rank for 
 ^ Wit and GaHantry, He was educated ac 
 All-Soul* College in the Univerfity of Oxford, to 
 which he left large Donations by his Will, elpe- 
 cially for the building of a new Library. He was 
 many Years Governor of the Leeward- Jfltnds, where 
 he dy'd j but was bury'd at Oxford. He is raen- 
 tion'dhereoa Account offome imall Pieces of Poe- 
 try , among which is an Epilogue to Mr. Southerns 
 Tragedy, call'd, The Fate o/Capun, which has 
 
 thele Verfcs : 
 
 ci srrwci >;. '- '. 44 
 
 H'ii'ct fill are \Vivts, and \:t that win be biting, 
 Muft not think Cuckoldom dtferves a Kitting. 
 What if the gentle Creature had been biffing, 
 Nothing the good Man marry 1 d for wo* mijjlng. 
 
 U 2
 
 2*2 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 Had he the Secret of his Birth-Right known. 
 'Ttf odds the faithful Jlnnals wou'd haveffiottn, 
 The Wives of half his Race more lucky than hit 
 
 own. 
 
 The Honourable Charles Boyle E% wrote a Pro- 
 logue to this Play. 
 
 Mr. HENRY Cfcisp. 
 
 THIS Author was Fellow of Kings-College, 
 Cambridge. He wrote leveral Pieces of Poetry. 
 
 I. Lesbia's Sparrow, out ot" CatuHta. 
 
 II. On -his Imperiotu Afiftrefs y from Propertius. 
 
 III. On his Perjured A&fifefs, from O&#1 
 
 IV. Duelling a Poem. 
 
 *' 
 
 the Lord CUTTS. 
 
 A Hero, and Poet, who oblig'd us with an ex- 
 cellent Poem on the Death of Queen Mary. 
 It begins thus : 
 
 She's gone ! the Beauty of our Ife is fled, 
 Our Joy cut off, the Great Maria dead : 
 We faint beneath the Stroke : But weep no more, 
 Waft not our Sorrow to a foreign Shore ; 
 Left Albion'/ Enemies, with impiont Breath, 
 
 Profane our Sighs, and triumph in her Death. 
 
 j & * i 
 
 ' ^ >4i 
 
 fc
 
 Modern ENGLISH POETS. 293 
 
 : - 
 
 Tkt Rewind Ms. DANIEL. 
 
 UTHOR of a Divine Poem, callM Co* 
 the Creator. 
 
 Mr, DANIEL DE FOE 
 
 Author was formerly a Hofier, but 
 face he has been one of the moft enterpri- 
 zing Pamphleteers this Age has produc'd -, fome 
 Parts of his Life his Inclinations have led him to 
 Poetry, which has thrown into the World two 
 Pieces very much adrair'd by fbme Periods, viz.. 
 
 I. The True-Born Englishman. This is a biting 
 Satire, and Ibid many Impre/fions j but his De- 
 Icriptions are generally very low. 
 
 II. Jure Divino, a Poem of confiderable Bulk in 
 Folio. 
 
 U 9 F,
 
 2 94 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 R 
 
 Mr. G E o R G fc .F A R Q. u H A R. 
 
 THE late Mr. Farquhar, m a fmall Piece 
 written in Prole, entitled, The Picture, gives 
 the following Delcription of himlelf : <c My Out- 
 " fide (fays he) is neither better nor worie than 
 ' my Creator made it, and the Piece being drawn 
 " by fb great an Aitift, 'twould be Preemption. 
 < to fay there were maiiy Strokes amifs. I have a 
 c .Body qualify 'd to anfwer all the Ends of its Cre- 
 cc tion, and that's fufficient. 1 have very little 
 " Eftate, but what lies under the Circumference 
 " of my Hat , and iliould I by any Milchance come 
 " toioie my Head, I fhould not be worth a Groat. 1 ' 
 This is a Specimen of his Humour out of the Dra- 
 matick way, and befides ' his Comedies, he has writ 
 ieverai fmall Poems, viz.. 
 
 I. On 'the Death of General. Schomberg, kilPtl at 
 the -Bjttcl of the Boyne ^ a Pindarick. 
 
 II. The Lever's Night a Poem. 
 
 III. Epilogue fpoke by Mr. Wilks, At hi* firft j4p- 
 peurance upon the Engliih Stage. This Piece, to- 
 wards the Conclufion, has theie Verles j 
 
 Void of Offence, tho* not from Cenfure free, 
 J left a diftant Ifle too kind to me. 
 Loaded irith Fwours Iw*u forced away, 
 Becuufc rd not accept what / coud never pay. 
 Twe I could fltdfe, but there my Fame muft er.d- 
 
 Thefe
 
 Modern ENGLISH POETS. 
 
 Thefe Pieces are printed with his Letters and E* 1 
 lays, which are as full of Humour, and Entertaining, 
 as his Performances for the Stage. 
 
 
 G. 
 
 The Reverend Mr. JAMES GARDINER. 
 
 THIS learned and ingenious Clergyman is the 
 eldeft Son of the Reverend Dr. James Gardi- 
 ner, late Bimop of Lincoln. He was born in Weftmin- 
 fier in the Year 1 678. and after he had gone thro* 
 his School- Learning, he was remov'd to Emanuel- 
 College in Cambridge, into which Society lie was ad- 
 mitted in 1 694. Here he continued till he took his 
 Degree of Batchellor of Arts : Soon after which, 
 removing to Jeftu-College in the lame Univerfity, 
 he had conferred on him a Feltowihip, and was 
 made Matter of Arts : During his Refidence at 
 Cambridge, he was very a/fiduous in his Studies, and 
 by a frequent Perulal of the Claflicks, the Beauty 
 of thole Originals gave his Inclinations a Turn to 
 Poetry. He has writ feveral Copies of Verles, both 
 Latin and Englift, publifh'd in the Miicelfanies, 
 Ibme with, and Ibme without a Name} and before 
 his leaving the Univerfity, he obligM the World 
 with a Tranflation of Kapin of Gardens, the firft 
 Edition whereof very much fuffer'd by a hafty Pub- 
 lication ; but the fecoad Impreffion (printed ia 
 1717.) is Ib excellently well done, that the Au- 
 thor has fhewn himfelf to be a Perlbn ot great 
 Learning and Judgment, and an admirable Poet. 
 This Piece he firft wrote, and permitted to appear 
 U 4 unfinilh'd,
 
 ?$6 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 unfiriifti'd, as a Farewel to the Mufes, upon his en- 
 tering into Holy Orders, and accepting of the 
 Subdeanery of Lincoln, in the Year 1705.. A- 
 mongft his other Performances, the moft celebrated 
 little Piece, for the Juftnefs of the Compofure, is 
 a Charafter of his Father (in three Stanza's) in 
 the middle of a Latin Epitaph, never printed, 
 but engraven upon a white Marble Tombftone } 
 where, after a PraetatorjrStanza to the Reader, he 
 adds ; 
 
 l r cra ft Cordi eft Pietas- Hdefq; - 
 
 Si Pudsr prifcuS) ylacidufque AfentU 
 
 Candor . antiquos -imitare Meres 
 
 * f ~ 
 
 ' G ardinerumq\ * 
 
 >> ! '-n ' ' r ' 
 
 Out diu Patrum <s,m.ulus otttmorum 
 >- .1 ., .../-_'_.. 
 Legions 'Vii/s.^ .St.uattJ^ Sanctis, 
 
 Duxit Exemplar, fpecimctufi primi 
 
 Rstulit <tvi. 
 
 fr.ofyerA Peclus bcnc preparatum 
 Res rue adverfo poterunt movere ; 
 Se parcm femptr foictterify 
 
 GeSit Amicum. 
 
 -* 5 - -. ' ' - - 
 
 cA.,- *3Kf*. Q<^3O tyy QCWO ^jiQ-C^Q^^Gi^^Q^JMi WA 
 
 ^ ^tsy KZJr - ~ " ^ * -^ * ' f^y sy i^v i^y 
 
 ' 
 
 The Reverend Mr. LEWIS G R i F p t N. 
 
 . 
 
 \. Gentleman born in Rutlandfitre, and educated 
 jf~V .in the Univeriity of Cambridge. He made 
 fah excellent Preacher, and after lome time he was 
 $referr'd to the Reftory of St. George's Church in 
 Sri&hwark i from whence he was remov'd to Col- 
 x'hcfrer iii {fcx^ where he liv"d during the whole 
 time that a great Peftilence rag'd in that' Town ; 
 aoi he dy 'd there about the Year 1070. He wrote 
 two. Toems, well #eem\l in the laft Age- 
 
 /: g bij'K C 9lov..y fliBoiii ' 
 ,;u A U ^ Tfc
 
 Modern EN o 1 1 s H POETS. 29-7 
 
 I. The Presbyterian Bramble , a Poem in Defence 
 of the King and the Church. 
 
 II. The Dottrine of the Afs. This Piece has the 
 two follow ing Lines : 
 
 DeviCs Pretences always were Divine j 
 A Knave may have an Angel for his Sign. 
 
 I H ' I 
 
 JOHN HAMPDEN Efq, 
 
 THIS Gentleman, who was defended from a 
 Family of Patriots for Liberty, has oblig'd 
 the World with one Poetical Performance, call'd, 
 
 The Rifing-Sun. A Poem upon Queen Mary'j Birth- 
 Day. 
 
 The Honourable SIMON HARCOURT Efq > 
 
 - 
 
 SO N to that excellent Lawyer, and great Ora- 
 tor, the late Lord Chancel tor Har court. When 
 he was at Oxford, he wrote a Poem 
 
 To the Queen, on her coming to Chrift-churcb Col- 
 lege. 
 
 ( 9v>nM*i^.*i 
 K
 
 29& The Lives and Characters of tbe 
 
 Mr- A R o N HILL. 
 
 A Poet and Projector, Son of an Attorney at 
 Law, who, has given us feveral Poems. 
 I. Tk Nortlxrn Star. This Piece was writ in 
 compliment to the Czar of Afufcovy. 
 
 U. Gideon : An Heroick Poem j and ibme other 
 Pieces. 
 
 Mr, EDWARD HOLDS WORTH. 
 
 . 
 
 SON of the Reverend Mr.rbmut Holdfworih, 
 Reftor of the Parilh of North Stoneham near to 
 Southampton. He. was educated at Afagdalen-Co\- 
 lege in Oxford.^ ^nd has acquired immortal Fame by 
 one Piece of Latin Poetry, viz.. 
 
 , or the Moufc-Trap. A levere Satire 
 
 on the \Velfomen. 
 
 T 
 
 
 
 
 JOHN How Efq; 
 
 . 
 
 is the famous Gentleman which made iuch 
 a Figure in the Houfe of Commons in the 
 Reign of King William. He was defcended from a 
 very antient Family in Glocefterjkire, and chofen 
 Knight of the Shire for that County in feveral Par- 
 liaments. Ke was Paymafter of the Guards and 
 s 3 and he wrote, 
 
 I. Art
 
 Modern ENGLISH POETS. 299 
 
 I. An Ode, in imitation of Quid Bellicofus Can- 
 taber, &c. Hor. Od. 1 1 . Lib. 2. 
 
 II. A Panegyrick on King William. Tfcis Piece 
 ends with thele Lines : 
 
 Rebels (like Witches) having fignd the RoUt, 
 " * fcruc their Mafter, t ho they damn their Souls. 
 
 A A A & A A .!-:. 
 
 
 
 
 Mr. G. JACOB. 
 
 AN Author bred to the Law, who, between his 
 more laborious Studies has Diverted himfelf 
 with Poetry. He is a great Admirer of Poets and 
 their Works, which has occafion'd him Ibmetimes 
 to try his Genius that way : And the chief of his 
 Performances are, 
 
 I. A Journey to Bath *nd Briftol, &c. with a 
 Poera calfd, The Fair Innocent, and feveral Ltrv** 
 Pitms. The fecond Edition. 
 
 II. A Mitcellany of Poems, beginning with the 
 Court-Beauties \ Cupid's Fcftiv*l y or the Battel of the 
 Gods ; ibt Coitntry-Revtl) a Paftorat, and ending with 
 Ibme Tranflations from Horace } Rtftint vives Li- 
 
 III. A fecond Mifcelfeny, calfd, The Lover's 
 Afifcellany , confifting of Poems on leveral Occa- 
 fions, Amorous and Gallant : With a Poem, Rur.iL 
 and Political, &c. 
 
 IV. A Poem on the Reconciliation between hit A(*- 
 jefy and kit Royal Highttefs the Princt of Wales. 
 
 This
 
 300 The Lives and Chambers of ike 
 
 This Gentleman has writ in Prole (befides thcfe 
 two Volumes of Tht Lives of the Poets) a finall 
 Volume of PJfys relating to the Condutt of Life j an 
 EJfay on tke Vfefulnefs of -writing Criticifm, and the 
 Qualification of -Authors ', on Juftice and Equity \ and a 
 threat many Law-Books, as the Accomyliffd Con- 
 veyancer, three Volumes } Modern Juftice, Lex Con- 
 ftit-utionisy &c. fome of which have Ibid leveral 
 Impreflions. 
 
 A fhort Account of the Life of this Author 
 you'll find in the Poetical Regifter, pag. 318. He has 
 by him a Poem of his writing, in Manulcript, en- 
 titled Human ffappinefs, ^hich begins with thele 
 Lines : 
 
 v [ .O 
 
 Awake, my Afufc, in Strains melodious Jbow 
 T'he variew "Tracks to Happinefshelow } 
 The doubtful Paths which all Mankind muft tread 
 
 Mr. JACKSON. 
 
 . ;... -. 
 
 "pHI'S Gentleman isMafier of Arts, and, if I 
 A irn'ftake. Tiot, had his Education at Oxford. 
 In the Oxford and Cambridge Mifcellany, thefe two 
 Poems are alcrib'd to him. 
 
 I. Loves Conaueft. In this Piece the Author thus 
 bewails the Ablence of his Miftrels : 
 
 .TO .'m.h 
 
 With Grief her Abfence kills me too ! 
 I drot>$, J pine when jhe^s away ^ 
 As tender Plwts in Winter do, 
 'That want the Suns reviving Ray. 
 
 ~.'V..'\ *b- 
 
 !I. A Poetical Efay on CartefiusV Principle ; of Phi- 
 . pjy ; I think, therefore I am. 
 
 \.
 
 Modern ENGLISH POETS. 301 
 
 K 
 
 Dotfot K. ..\/, 
 
 \ Gentleman, Author of a Piece, which ihews 
 
 a great Nicety of Subjeft, 
 A Poem upon Marriage. 
 
 Dr. KENN, Bijhop of Bath am* Wells, - , 
 Deprived. 
 
 A Very pious and learned Divine, who refus'd 
 _ the Oaths to King William. He was a Man 
 very much refpefted by all that knew him, parti- 
 cularly thole of his own -Principles. He retired 
 from the World with great Contentment, and 
 fpent a good part of his Lite with the late Lord 
 Weymouth, at Long-Leaf^ near frotne in Somerfct- 
 ftire ; where he liv'd in great Efteem, and dy'd in 
 that Family. He wrote fome Volumes of 
 
 Potmt on Divine And Mornl Subjettt, Hynwt, &c. 
 
 > A K Hot .5A/L Vts^^.^X V\T 
 
 . 
 
 J[ A
 
 301 The Livfes and Characters of the 
 
 
 M. 
 
 Mr. MANNING. 
 
 . 
 
 AL L as I know of this Gentleman is, that in 
 the State-Poems one Piece is attributed to 
 him, call'd, 
 
 Greenwich-Hill } a Poem, written in imitation of 
 Sir John Denham's Cooper's- Hill. 
 
 N. 
 
 Mr. NEVII: 
 
 kift 
 
 AUTROR of a Piece, entitled, 
 Hottand i a Poem containing a great deal of 
 low Humour, and defcribing the various Cuftoms, 
 &c. of the Dutch Nation. 
 
 The Reverend Mr. JOHN NORRI& 
 
 RECTOR of Benterton, near Salisbury, in 
 Wilts, and Author of the following Poems. 
 
 I. A Pinttarick Ode on the Paffion of our Saviour- 
 
 II. Tloe Confummation. A Divine Poem. 
 
 III. The 1 39 Pfalm Paraphrased. 
 
 0.
 
 Modem ENGLISH POETS. 503 
 
 v-/ 
 
 Mr. JOHN OLDM IXON. 
 
 THIS Gentleman, befides his Dramatick Works, 
 has writ a Volume of Poetry, conMing of 
 Heroicd Epijtlcs, &c. Ibrae whereof are very well 
 done. 
 
 
 Mr. W i Li i AM 
 
 THIS Gentleman was educated at 
 College in Oxford, ^ where lie took the De- 
 gree of Batchellor of Arts. He wrote the fol- 
 lowing Piece : 
 
 A PituUrick Odf t fared to tht Memory of her lute 
 wf exctllent Aitjefly Queen Anne. 
 

 
 364 The. Lives and Charaders of the 
 
 Dr. WALTER POPE. 
 
 APhyfician of Salisbury, Author of a Piece, 
 call'd, 
 
 The Salisbury Ballad : A Poem which has a great 
 deal of Humour, particularly on building the Stee- 
 ple, &c. with learned and critical Notes. 
 
 Mr. PURNEY. 
 
 " 
 
 _ 
 
 THIS Gentleman has lately taken Orders ; he 
 is Author of the following Pieces. 
 
 I. Pajlorals, after the fimple manner of Theocri- 
 tut. The firft entitled, Love and Innocence j and 
 the other, The Tender Shepherdefs. JT 
 
 II. The Chevalier de St. George. This Piece is 
 writ in an extraordinary Stile. 
 
 R. 
 
 Mr- REYNOLDS. 
 
 A Gentleman, who has writ a Poem, entitled, 
 Death's Vifwn. The Author defires fome 
 Spirit to inform him what 'tis to die. tfr. 
 
 Mr.
 
 Modern ENGLISH POECTS. 305 
 
 Mr. R i D o u T. 
 
 
 
 THIS Author is by Profeflion a Chirurjieon, 
 and has a good Charafter in his Bufir.els. 
 He is a Man of Wit and Learning, and has lately 
 publifh'd, 
 
 A fmall Volume of Poems and Tranflations, de- 
 dicated to the Princels ofWulcs. In this Colle&ion 
 he has a Poem to Sir Richard Blackmore, on his Crc- 
 ttion. 
 
 Mr. DAVID RUSSEL. 
 
 ANonjuror, now living, educated at ^,,n, f ,j,- 
 ty College \n Oxford, Author of the two fol- 
 lowing Poems. 
 
 I. The Loves of Hero and Leander. Transited 
 frtm the Greek of Mufeus. 
 
 II. The IwpfacLrment, * SrMC~Focm ', writ on Dr.Sa- 
 
 ,,,. ...!>. frftl. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Hei:ry
 
 506 The Lives and Charaders of the 
 
 S. 
 
 . o 
 HENRY ST. JOHNM? Lord Bollw&brote. 
 
 A Statesman and Poet, Author of 
 A Pbtdarique Ode, in Honour of Almahide 
 
 the Afues. 
 
 HENRY SAVILL 
 
 THIS Gentleman, has written a Piece, call'd, 
 The Duel: A Poem. This Poem is chiefly on 
 Tilting with a beautiful Lady. 
 
 WILLIAM SHIPPEN 
 
 THIS Gentleman is Member of Parliament 
 for Saltajh in Coriwttt. He is a famous Spea- 
 ker in the Houle of Commons, and not only an 
 excellent Orator, but a good Poet. He has pub- 
 liih'd two Pieces. 
 
 I. FaRion Difplay'd : A Satire on the Whigs. 
 
 II. Moderation Difplafd : A State Poem. 
 
 The firft Poem, taking notice of the Death of the 
 Duke ofGloweftcr, concludes with this Simile. 
 
 So by the Courfe of the revolving Sphertr 9 ~ 
 . Whene'er a neTV~dtfcwer > d Star off ears \
 
 Modern ENGLISH POETS. 307 
 
 omersy roith Pleafure and Amaz.c, 
 the Infant Luminary gazjt. 
 They find their Heorfn inlxrgd, and wait from 
 
 (thence, 
 
 Some bleft, font more than common Influence 
 But fuddcnly, alas ! the fleeting Light 
 Retiring, leaves their Hopes involv'd in endlcfs 
 
 (Night 
 
 i' i'^' m'n'tf iTitfi rg'n'n'i liWu jj J5i 
 
 Dr. SPEED. 
 
 ADoftorof Phyfickof Southampton, who writ a 
 very Humerous Diverting Poem, entitled, 
 Batt upon Batt. To the Laud and Praife of Bartho- 
 lomew Kempfter, Clerk, poet, /fad Cutler, of Holy- 
 Roods in Southampton. This Piece begins thus : 
 
 fta2! O had J! Batt, tly Face 
 
 Cfuld I betune the Flock mth fuch faeet Note, 
 Could I with e<pud Metre Hopkins fit, 
 Oar famotu Sternhold in hu Vcrft outwit ; 
 Then would J venture r* fet forth thy Praife, 
 And rob Church-Pews to crown thy Head with B.tys* 
 
 Lower the Poet fpeaking of Afollo and l r ulcan : 
 
 -.gjyj v 
 Now Batt does ail that both thefe Cods could dy, 
 
 Hammers out Ptrfcs, and h.trd Iron too. 
 
 To foeath ftrong Senfe in mctjphorick Words, 
 
 It but the making Scabbards for hu Sword's. 
 
 Mr.
 
 308 The Lives and Characters of the 
 
 Mr. STON E STREET. 
 
 AUTHOR of two Poems, 
 I. Againft the Fear of Death : An Ode." 
 , II. The Story of Ants changed to Men : from the 
 7th Book of Ovid'j Metamorphoies. 
 
 ' np 
 
 JL 
 
 Mr. TOL AND. <%fiio 
 
 THIS eminent Pamphleteer, and Dealer in 
 Controverfyj ibmetime iince wrote a Poem, 
 ' 
 
 , 
 Clito : on the Force of Eloquence. 
 
 r ^ 
 
 Mr. CHARLES TOOKE- 
 
 ! 
 
 A Gentleman, I think, jiow living, who has 
 writ leveral entertaining Poems interlpers'd 
 in the Milcellanies j the chief of them are the fol- 
 lowing : 
 
 I. To the Right Honourable Sir George Rook, Vice- 
 [Admiral of England, at bis Return from his Gloria** 
 Enterprise near Vigo, 1 702. This is a very good 
 Poem, and Ipeaking of Sir George's Fame in general, 
 he liipplies Particulars with this Couplet : 
 " "
 
 Modern ENGLISH POETS. 307 
 
 Virtue, like folid Gold, fecufely flnnct, 
 Nor needs the gaudy Varnifli of our Lines. 
 
 II. A Poem, in Imitation of the l$d Od-: of Ana- 
 creon, on Gold to a Mlfer. 
 
 III. Part of the fourteenth Book of Homer. In 
 this is delcrib'd the Contrivance of Juno to lull Ju- 
 fiter to Sleep, that Neptune the mean time might 
 aifift the Grecians. 
 
 IV. To Lesbia. 
 
 V. The Stolen Klfs. 
 
 VI. TbcWcdding-Nigbt. 
 
 VII. The State of Natit'e. A Poem. 
 
 JOHN TUT CHIN Efo 
 
 / \ Gentleman feverely us'd by the Lord Chief 
 jfX Juftice Jfffcrics, for writing a Political Piece 
 at the time of MonmoutlSs Rebellion : His Sen- 
 tence was fb very uncommon, and fb rigoroufly 
 executed, that he petitioned King James to be 
 hang'd. After the abdicating of that Prince, he 
 wrote the Ohfervator, in Defence of the Revolution, 
 which enrag'd his Enemies to a great Degree. At 
 laft he was affaulted in the Night, and his Trage- 
 dy compleated in a barbarous Affeflination. He 
 wrote the following Pieccs^t' Poetry : 
 
 I. T*^Britim Afufc. A Satire, expofing Tyran- 
 ny, on all the Poems and Elegies written upon the 
 Death of King James. 
 
 II. The Earthquake of Jamaica : A Poem. 
 
 III. The Foreigners: A Poem. The True-Born 
 Englishman was occafion'd by this Piece. 
 
 X 3 W.
 
 - The Lives and Chara&er s. 
 
 W. 
 
 
 Mr. THOMAS WARD. 
 
 . 
 
 A RomifliPrieft, Author of a Poem, call'd, 
 jfjL England's Reformation, from the time of King 
 Henry V1IL to the end of Gates'* Plot. In four 
 Canto's. 
 
 * 
 
 Mrs, WHARTON. 
 
 i 
 
 Lady of excelling Wk andSenfe, who be- 
 J*~Y. fides feveral fmall Poems, has written, 
 The Lamentation of Jeremiah. 
 
 5/> HENRY WOTTON. 
 
 r~T*VHIS celebrated Gentleman, lb well knows 
 JL in the laft Age, has given us one "Imall Piec 
 
 of Poetry very much commended, entitled, 
 . A Charter of a H<tf>fy Life. 
 
 
 
 ' 
 
 POEMS
 
 POEMS 
 
 Written by 
 
 Anonymous Authors. 
 
 
 A. 
 
 DAM PwV. This Piece was writ- 
 ten by the Author of the Poems on 
 the Sf I cen. Lady W. 
 
 1L The Addrtfs, 1704. A State- 
 Poem. 
 
 III. Advice to * Printer, upon the Defeat of the Re- 
 j in the Weft, And the Execution of the Duke of 
 
 Monmouth. 
 
 IV. ibp4f T v unbridge } or feleft Fdlcs in Vcrfe. 
 Some whereof on St4te-4ffMrs. 
 
 V. Amor omnibus idem *, or rhe Force of Lou in 
 nil CreMures \ from Virgil'* Georgicks. 
 
 VI. The dnniverfary (firji) of the Government vn- 
 der Oliver Cromxvel). 
 
 X 4 
 
 VII. Art
 
 5'ii POEMS written ly Anonymous AUTHORS^ 
 VII. The Audience. A State-Poem. 
 
 B 
 
 -. /r , 
 
 Acchanalia : or, a D$fcriptlo* of <$ tfrunken Glub. 
 This Poem has a great deal of Humour. 
 II. Bajazet to Gloriana, ^p<? 1683. 
 HI. T be Battel-Royal i a Dream. 
 
 IV. The Beau. 
 
 V. Bwiuy and M&fick, Both of the fe have power- 
 fu^lmms. l gj. 
 
 VI. On a Blufi. 
 
 'Vil S*rire-agM*ft Rrandy.-, . 
 i-VIif. -ffkei rawiy%ifrofs\Comtlaint. This .i? a 
 Ballad made on Dr. 5 - 1. 
 IX. The Brazen Head. 
 X. 
 
 G. 
 
 . 
 
 
 
 \.f^vfafs Gbafl 
 \^l II. The Caprice. By Mr. 
 
 A State Poem. 
 
 III. T'k Celebrated Beauties. An excellent Poem, 
 occafion'd upon the Author's being fufpefted of 
 writing the Britifly Court. ' 
 
 IV. Charge to the Grand Inqueft of Eiigland, Anno 
 '\ 674. This Piece very, much expofes the Padia- 
 ment : It has the ie. Lines, 
 
 Thiu
 
 POIMS wittenby'Awnymoii! AUTHORS: 3 T 5 
 
 en your Prayer,tho' not your Pri 
 Tour Purfes grown as empty at your Pates, 
 time to fend you home to your Eftates* 
 
 V. T\x Church-Scuffle , An Heroick Poem, in four 
 Cantos. Shewing the Folly, Foppery, Luxury, 
 Lazinefi, Pride, Ambition, and Contention of the 
 Romifh Clergy. Taken Chiefly from Boileaus Lu- 
 trin. Dedicated to the Earl of Mulgr*ve by Mr. 
 Crowne. 
 
 VI. Clarendons ffoufe-lVarming. A State- Poem. 
 
 VII. The Combat. 
 
 VIII. The Convert. 
 
 IX- The Convocation : A Poem, in five Cantos. 
 This Piece is a Satire upon the High-Church Cler- 
 gy, and all the Writers who employ'd their Pens 
 againft the Biihop of Bangor. 
 
 X. To 4 Coquet Beauty. This Piece is afcrib'd to 
 the Duke of B 
 
 XI. The Court of Love. A Tale from Cbtuper. 
 
 XII. CuDuCs Review. The Poet, in this Piec, 
 brings moii of the Ladies of the Court on the Stage. 
 
 XIII. Cure for the Green-Sicknefs. 
 
 Sht cryd, in ttf height of Joy, \ Pm undone Iff 
 O kill me,ffiick me, flick me , kill me tjuitt/ny Dttt. 
 
 A 
 XIV. Tht Curfc. A State Poem. 
 
 \ .' 
 
 
 D. 
 
 "b f .X 

 
 3 14 POEMS written by Anonymous AUTHORS; 
 
 D. 
 
 I'1T\ Anger fields Chof, to Jeflfenes. 
 . A^/ II. Delia. A Paftoral Efclogue, lament- 
 ing the Death of the beautiful Mrs. Tem^efl. It 
 begins : 
 
 ' 
 
 Ye gentle Swains ! who yajsyow Days and Ntgkts 
 Jn Love's pncere and innocent Delicts \ 
 Te, tender Virgins, who with Pride difplay 
 Tour BcautJ* Splendor y and extend your Sway ! 
 Lament with me ! with me your Sorrows join ! 
 And mingle your united Tears with mine ! 
 
 Delia, the Queen of Love, let al 
 Delia, f he Queen of Beauty, rtow no more* 
 
 III. The Deponents. A State Poem, on the Pre- 
 tenderjs Birth. 
 
 \V&befcripionof Hell. 
 
 V. A Defcrift-itn of the Tombs in Weftminfter- 
 Abbcy. This Piece is fall of diverting Humotir. 
 
 VI. Defire. A Pindarick. 
 
 VII. A Dialogue betwten Father Petre arid -tht 
 Devil. 
 
 VIII. The Diffolution. A State Poem. 
 
 IX. Dr. Wild'* Ghoft. On King James'^ Declara- 
 tion for Liberty of Conscience. 
 
 i X- The Dog in the Wheel. A Satire, 1 705. 
 
 XL The Dream of the Cabal. A Prophetick Sa- 
 tire, 1672. 
 
 XII. On the
 
 _ 
 
 POEMS written fa) Anonymous AUTHORS. 5 1 j 
 
 S E. 
 
 1.&IR Edmunbury Godfrey'* 
 L) II. The Elevation. A Divine Poem. 
 
 III. EpiftU from Rofamond to Henry. An excel- 
 lent Piece, written by a Lady. 
 
 IV. Epiflle to Climene. By Mr. R. 
 
 V. An Epiflle to the Chevalier de St. George. By 
 r.A.} This Piece is writ with a great deal of Spirit. 
 
 VI. An Epiftte from his Holincjs the Pope to the Re- 
 verend Dr. Snape. 
 
 VII. Epithalamium en the Marriage of Palladius 
 Aid Celenna. From Claudian. 
 
 VIII. Eucharifticon. A Poem on t he f of -Day of St. 
 Simon and Jude. *. 
 
 IX. An Evening Thought. A Philofophical Potm. 
 Written by W. S. Efy Barrijler at Law. 
 
 F. 
 
 I. A F*ble onK.W.ly the L. . -r/ J t- This 
 jfjL is one of t//op's Tales leverely apply'd. 
 
 II. Fable of the Pot and the Kettle. Adapted to 
 the two Parties of Whig and Tory. 
 
 III. The Fart : A Poem. Mr. Durfcy has writ a 
 humorous Song on this Subjeft. 
 
 IV. The Fancy : Or, the Duke of York'/ Uf Fare- 
 
 
 
 V. Farewet
 
 3i 6 POEMS written by Anonymous 
 
 V. f Are-cod to the Church of England. 
 
 VI. Upon the French King. A Satire. 
 
 VII. The Friend. A Poem. By J. D. Efq; 
 
 vr. 
 
 I.*"p/:/E Geldivgof the Devil. A merry Tale. 
 
 *- 11. JT he Giants Wars, out of a Greek Frag- 
 ment. By Dr. B 
 . III. Ghofi of King Charles the Second. 
 
 IV. Gbojt of Rochefter, addrcfs y d to Julian, -Se- 
 cretary of the Mufcs. 
 
 V. The Golden Age. From the 'fourth Eclogue of 
 
 X T* ! 
 
 Virgil. 
 
 VI. 7l?e G"o/^ ^e Revtrfd'. Beth State-Poems. 
 The firft in favour of the Tories, and the laft of 
 the Whigs. 
 
 VII. Vf on the Gout. 
 
 H 
 
 I-.TTArr 
 
 JiJi H. 
 
 111. rfcc 
 
 Arry Care'j laf \Vitl and TC ft ament, 
 ' Hieroglyphick. ' 
 
 Hobgoblin. 
 
 IV. The Husband. Written by a Lady. 
 
 V. The Hoop-Petticoat. AirHeroi-comical Poem, 
 in two Books. By Mr. Jo/r/?/j (?xy. 
 
 VI. Howiiftow- Heath. A batire upon King 
 James's Army, 1686". 
 
 VIJ. Hymn to Venus, from the Greek of Sapho. 
 
 VIII. yf
 
 POEMS written Iq Anonymous AUTHORS! 317 
 
 VIII. A Hymn to the three Eaftern Mai y Coring 
 our Saviour at h& tftthity^ guided by the Star. 
 
 IX. Hymn on Heaven. 
 
 j. 
 
 Jovial Tinker. 
 II. The Jubilie Necklace. A Satire. 
 
 III. St. Julian'; Prayer. A Tale in La Fontain 
 imitated. 
 
 IV. Juftice in Mafyucrade. 
 
 K. 
 
 K V 1 ' 
 
 tiM' 
 
 11. To the JKiHfr from the 
 III. Kifct. A Poem. 
 
 L. 
 
 
 // 
 
 H 7*fc Lour cat. This is a very (evere 'Sa- 
 tire on Mr. Drydtn ^ particularly upon account of 
 his changing his Religion. 
 
 III. The Leather-Bottle. 
 
 IV. A new Litany. This is a State-Poem, it be- 
 gins with tbeie I lues : 
 
 
 .
 
 3i 8 POEMS written by Anonymous AUTHORS: 
 
 front all the Women We have Whored ; 
 from being bound to keep our Word, 
 From Civil Broils, and Foreign Sword, 
 
 Libera nos Domine. 
 
 V. Love and Folly. Thefe Teem to be agreeably 
 coupled. 
 
 VI. Love*?' Martyr. 
 
 VII. Love's Relief. 
 
 VIII. The Lover's Prayer. 
 
 IX. The Lover's Sejfion. In Imitation of Sir John 
 Suckling'/ Sijfion of the Poets. 
 
 M. 
 
 -.- 
 
 1.11 >f"Ars flript of hit Armour. 
 
 .i\jL II. To one who twice ventured to marry. This 
 fiece is a little ievere on the Female Sex. It be- 
 gins : 
 
 The Husbands the Pilot, the Wife if the Ocean, 
 He always in Danger, Jhe always in Motion 5 
 jAnd be that in Wedlock twice hazards his Carcafs 9 
 Twice ventures thi Drowning, and Faith that's a 
 
 (hard Cafe. 
 
 III. To Mecsenas. Horace, lib. 2. Ode 1 2. 
 
 IV. The Metamorpbofes. A State Poem. 
 
 V. Midfummer-Moon j or, the Liveryman's Com* 
 plaint. A State Poem. 
 
 VI. The Mraclt. This is a merry Piece on the 
 Birth of the pretended Prince of Walcf. 
 
 VII. The
 
 PoiM5 r&itten by Anonymous AUTHORS. 319 
 
 VII. The Mock* Mourners. A Satire, by way of 
 Elegy, on King William. 
 
 VIII. On Mupck. A Poem. 
 
 N. 
 
 - - 
 
 - 
 Kigbtingd in Spring. 
 
 Nature of Women. See Letter W. 
 
 o 
 
 II. Occafunai Conformity. A State Poem. 
 
 III. Ottober, * Poem. This Piece is well done, 
 and the Author teems to have taken his Hint from 
 Mr. Philip's Cyder. 
 
 IV. On Oliver'* Porter in Bedlam. 
 
 V. Ovid in Af*fcjuer<ule \ being a BurlelquePoem 
 upon the 1 3th Book of his Metamorphofes ; con- 
 taining the celebrated Speeches of /f;*x xfidfytyfes. 
 Defign'd for the Entertainment ot thole who had 
 rather Laugh and be Merry, than be Merry and 
 Wife. 
 
 VI. Tin Oxford/hire Nine. This Poem is a Sa- 
 tire on the Parliament Tuckers. 
 
 p
 
 gib POEMS written by Anonymous AUTHOR s^ 
 
 P. 
 
 I.TJAckington'; Pound. 
 JL II. Pandora'* Box. A Poem on SnufE, 
 
 III. The Paradox. A State-Poem. 
 
 IV. The Parallel, 1682. 
 
 V. The Parliament*Houfc to be Let. A State- 
 Poem, 1678. 
 
 VI. The Parforfs Daughter. A Tale, written hy 
 Mr. C.W. 
 
 VII. The Patriots , A Poem. 
 
 VIII. The Penf oners.- 
 
 IX. The Pitture. This Piece contains Inftruc- 
 tions for drawing a Venus. 
 
 X. Poetry, its Cure. This Poem ends with this 
 Couplet : 
 
 Seven wealthy Towns contend for Homer de ad, 
 Thro* which the living Homer begd his Bread. 
 
 XI. The Prodigal. qu 
 
 XII. On Purgatory. A Poem. 
 
 R. 
 
 Rape of the Smock, an fftroic-Coniical Poem y 
 i n two Books. By Mr. G. J. 
 II. Reformation of Manners. A Satire- 
 Ill. The Rclapfe. A Poem. 
 
 IV- The
 
 POEMS written by Anonymous AUTHORS. 321 
 
 IV. The Re/jgnation. 
 
 IV. The River Kile, from the tenth Book of Lu- 
 can'j Pharfclia. By Mr. H - 
 
 V. The Rival Mufes, 1701. This Piece contains 
 Characters of moft of the Poets, at the time it 
 was written. 
 
 VI. The Roundheads. A Poem. 
 
 VII. The Royal Bufs. This is on King Charles 
 and his Miftrelfes. 
 
 VIII. The Royal Game. A State Poem. 
 
 IX The Royal Gamejlers. The Game play'd be- 
 tween moft of the Princes in Europe. 
 X. The Royal Ramble, 1697. 
 
 
 ITT1 H t Salisbury Ghofi. 
 
 JL !! Seraphick Love. A Divine Poem- 
 
 III. The Seffun of the Poets. This is an Imitation 
 of Sir John Suckling, writ fince his time. 
 
 IV. The Sigh. A Poem. 
 
 V. The Smock-Race. 
 
 VI. Spring. A Poem. 
 
 VII. Stafford's Ghoft. A State-Poem. 
 
 VIII. The State fman^s Almanack. A very merry 
 Piece. 
 
 IX. The Story of Erminia, tranjlated from Taflb'j 
 Jemfclem. InfcriVd to the Lady Weytnouth. 
 
 X. Strephon's Revenge. A Satire.
 
 322 POEMS written by Anonymous AUTHOR si 
 
 T. 
 
 and Tullia. A State Poem. 
 II. Thought : A Poem. This Piece has the 
 following Stanza on Thought : 
 " * 
 
 
 
 Hermit's Solace in bis Celt, 
 The Fire that warms the Poet's Brain 5 
 The Lover's Heaven or his Hell, 
 The Madman's Sport, the Wifematfs Pain. 
 
 .-^ **.'.-.' -V^-v fe-ti 4 
 
 III. The Toafters. Thefe ivere of the Kk-KaC 
 Club, on all the celebrated Ladies at Court, &c. 
 
 IV. On a Tobacco-Box. * 
 
 V. The Toilet, A Poem on the Court-Ladies. 
 
 VI. The Town-j4jfemblies. A Satire. By Mr. G. % 
 
 VII. The Town-Life. 
 
 VIII 'The Tribe of Levi. This is a bitter Satire 
 on the Priefts. 
 
 IX. The Trimmer. 
 
 X. The Triumph of Love. 
 
 XI. The Tunbridge Prodigy. 
 
 XII. The Twin-Shams. A famous State-Poem on 
 Monarchy and the Church, ridiculing the popular 
 Gry and proftituted Ufe of thole Words. 
 
 XIII. On Tyburn. A Poem. 
 
 V.
 
 POIMS written by Anonymous AUTHORS. 323 
 
 V. 
 
 I.T TEnus L*crymas 
 V II- The npon. A State Poem. 
 
 III. Vox & Lachrymx Anglorum : or, the EngHfli- 
 >nan'.f Complaint, Anno 1 667, 
 
 IV. Voyage to the Eaft-lndies. 
 
 w. 
 
 ~ 
 This Piece 
 
 I. rip// E Wandering Beauty. 
 
 J^ PI. ^^y to Heaved ifi a String 
 was writ to explode Mr. Mgifo Artumtnt. 
 
 III. The Wip. A Poem. 
 
 IV. Woman All in Att; This is an excellent Po- 
 em , and after a Delcription of the Creation, and 
 Adam's Defire of a Partner, which at laft is granted^ 
 are thele Verfes : 
 
 y the choice Keferve of God iA)ove % 
 Thf large ft Jnftance of hit Povir and, Lwc \ 
 Woman, that can each Soul mth Love iufpire, "> 
 The welcome Mover of th*r pte<ifi:g Fire , ^* 
 
 Woman t the happy Centre of DC fire. J 
 
 And lower, when Adam awakes, and lees Eve : 
 
 Htt now furpriz^d at n>/;.tf he thinks Divine- 
 Such Charms he fjrv y that rvharfoScr foe froVd ) 
 He had been more th.in MMI^ had he not Ln-Jd. 
 
 Y 2 V- \\ r omant
 
 3 24 POEMS written ly Anonymous AUTHORS. 
 
 V. Woman's Nature, from the fourth Eclogue of 
 Mantuan. This is a very fevere Satire on the Fair 
 Sex, andlprefume the original Author had very 
 much fuffer'd by ibme Woman he had Marry 'd *, by 
 thefe extraordinary Lines, with which the Poem 
 begins : 
 
 Woman, that Slave to her own Appetite, 
 That does in nothing Juft or Good delight : 
 In vain would Man prefcribe Laws to the Fool, 
 Whofe Cruelty and Pride's her only Rule ; 
 Who ne'er considers what is Wrong or Right, 
 But all fie does is pure Dejign and Spite. 
 When fit fiould Run, fie*s apefl to ft pill, 
 Ready to fly to contradict your Will : 
 Her Temper fo extravagant we find, 
 She hates, or is moft troublejomely kind, 
 Worfd fie be grave, fie then looks like a Devil, 
 And. like a Fool, or Whore, when fic'd be Civil \ 
 Cui fmile , or weep, be foolifi, or feem wife, 
 Or any thing, fo fie may Tyrannize. 
 What fie -will now, anon fie will not do -, 
 Had rather crofs herfelf, than not crofs you. 
 
 This Piece is more biting as it proceeds ; and it 
 is as heavy upon Woman, as Rochester's Satire upon 
 Man, tho' not Writ with the fame Spirit. 
 
 N. B. Thele anonymous Poems, are chiefly to 
 be found in Dryderfs Mifcellanies ^ the State-Poems 
 Sir R. Steel'* Poetical Mifcellanies j Oxford and 
 bridge ^fifcettany, & c. 
 
 Addenda
 
 Addenda & Corrigenda. 
 
 Air. NICHOLAS AMHURST. 
 
 INGE the Printing off my Account 
 of this Gentleman, he has Publifhed a 
 Collection of Poems on feveral Occa- 
 fions, beginning with. 
 The MofaicAl Creation \ Deftrvftion of Pharaoh in 
 
 the Red-Sea ^ on the Death of Mr. Addifbn, Imita- 
 
 tions of Catullus, &c. 
 
 JOHN BULK LEY Efa 
 
 AUTHO'R of the Letters to the Reverend 
 Dr. Clarke, on Liberty and Neccfftry ^ and late 
 of Clare-Hall in Cambridge. He was a very inge- 
 nious Gentleman, and has written a Poem, call'd, 
 
 The Laft Day. In Blank Verle, contain'd in 
 twelve Books. 
 
 Mr. C o N c R E v E. 
 
 IHIS Gentleman has lately oblig'd us with 
 _ two Tales from Fontaine r entitled, 
 
 I. The Impoflible Thing. 
 
 II. The Man that loft bis Heifer. 
 
 Mr. DART. 
 
 Gentleman, who has siven us a Tranflation 
 of the Works of TIBVLLVS. 
 
 Y 3 Mrs.
 
 a 6 Addenda ]$ Corrigenda. 
 
 o 
 
 . MARTHA FOWKE. 
 
 AN accomplifh'd Young Lady now living. Her 
 Poetical Works,have been generally publifh'd 
 under the Name of Clio , and the moft of them that 
 have appear'd together, are contain'd in a fmall 
 Volume Entitled theEpifiles o/Clio WStrephon. A 
 few excellent Copies are to be met with in the 
 Ingenious Mr. Hammond's Mifcellany, the chief 
 whereof, addrefs'd to Him, ihe calls Clio's Pifture. 
 
 By the Pieces this Lady has written, {he Teems to 
 bepoflefs'd of Inch a Genius, as would well Enable her 
 to fhew her lelf no lefs an Ornament to the Britifh, 
 than Madam Dacler is to the French Nation. 
 
 AKTHONY HAMMOND 
 
 \ Gentleman defcended from a good Fami- 
 Ji\_ ly, of ScmerjliAm-Place, in theCounty of 
 Hutivgdon* He has long firice, by his great El- 
 oquence, diftinguifh'd himlelf in the Houfe of 
 Commons , and his Merit has recommended him 
 to very confiderable publick Employments ^ parti- 
 cularly that of being one of the Commiflioners of 
 the Royal Navy, c~c. His Charader is juftly de- 
 Icrib'd by the ingenious Mr. Southern, * <c IfGene- 
 " rofity, (lays he) withFriendiliip, Learning with 
 c .;ir-ibund Senie P True Wit and Humour with good 
 cc Nature, be Accomplifliments to qualify a Gen- 
 " tieman for a Patron, lam fure I have hit right in. 
 " Mr. Hammond." 
 
 * S?s The Jnnoctnt Jdulttn\ Dedicated to Mr. Hammond. 
 
 Tie
 
 A {Jatda I? Corrigenda. 3:7 
 
 He has juft now oblig'd the Publick with a Mif- 
 cettany of Original Poems by the moft Eminent Hand?, 
 in which Himfelf has no fmall Share. As to his 
 own Pieces, he acknowledges, in his Preface, that 
 they were written at very different Times, and are 
 now Own'd by him, left hereafter they fhould be 
 alcrib'd to other Perfons to their Prejudice ; As the 
 ODE ON SOL 1TV D E has lately been in wrong 
 to the Earl of Rofcommm^ and as fbme of the reft 
 have been to others. 
 
 JOHN HUGHES 
 
 MR. John Hughes dy'd the 1 7th Day of February 
 laft, of a lingring Dileale, very much la- 
 mented } and 'twas remarkable, that he expired the 
 very Night his Play, call'd, The Siege of Damalcus, 
 which has iiicomparable Lines in it on Death, was 
 firft atted with great Approbation. He left behind 
 him the beft Character , that of an ingenious, mo- 
 deft, inoffenfive Man. He was bury'd in St. An- 
 drew's Church, Holboum, with great Privacy, at 
 his own Requeft. There have been publifh'd of his, 
 fince his Death, the following Pieces. 
 
 I. The Ecftafy. An Ode. This is an excellent 
 Performance. 
 
 II. A Monumental Ode to tlx Memory of Mrs. Eli- 
 zabeth Hughes. 
 
 . JVJoLES WORTH. 
 Wife of George 
 Y 4 Dr. 
 
 ""THIS Lady dy'd the Wife of George *fonk Elq-,
 
 Addenda Iff Corrigenda. 
 
 Dr. PATRICK, 
 
 A Learned Divine, late Lord Bifhop of Ely. 
 There has been publifli'd, fmce his Death, 
 of his Lordfhip's Writing, a Volume of Poems, 
 On Divine and Moral Subjefts. 
 
 Mr. P O M F R E T. 
 
 OMttted in this Gentleman's Account, a Poem, 
 entitled, 
 
 Reafin. A Satire. Written and Printed in the 
 Year ,1700. occafion'd by the Trinitarian Contro- 
 verfy then on foot. 
 
 jiff. PRIOR. 
 
 HpHIS celebrated Poet has lately publifhM a 
 A fmall Piece, call'd, 
 The Onverfation. A Tale. 
 
 Mr. S E w E L L. 
 
 OMitted in the Account of this Gentleman, a 
 Mifcellany of Poems, viz.. On Conscience \ 
 Beauty , The Fjrce of ftfufick ; Song of Troilus, Crc. 
 Dedicated to the Duke of Newcaflle. 
 
 Dr. SMALR V IDGE, late Bifhip ^Briftol. 
 
 HPHIS eminent Divine and Poet, dy'd at Chrift- 
 
 J- Church College in Oxford, on the 27th day of, 
 
 Srftcmher 3 1719. and was interr'd in Wcftmlnftcr- 
 
 INDEX
 
 O F T H E 
 
 Moft Celebrated POEMS, 
 
 A. 
 
 Bfalom and Achi- 
 tophel. pag.262, 
 282 
 
 Adam Pot '^.3 1 1 
 meeting 
 
 Dido in the EKzian 
 
 237 
 
 a/ Cburf. 239 
 
 at Tu nbridge. 3 1 1 
 Albion'; England. 226 
 
 Alma, or tbc Progrtft of the 
 
 Mind. 163 
 
 Almanack fMontmelion.i33 
 Amor omnibus idem. 3 1 1 
 Amorct to Phillts. 222 
 
 Anatomy of At b: if m. 42 
 Anaiverfarjf. 3 1 1 
 
 Annus Mirabilis, tlx Tear of 
 
 Wondtn. 262 
 
 Argalu$o^Parthcnia. 166 
 Art of Cookery. 
 Art of Love. 75, 8 
 
 Aftrea Redux. 262 
 
 Aftrophcld/n/Daphnis. 15 
 
 Aftrophcl am/ Stella. 187 
 
 Audifnte. 312 
 
 Auftrian Eagle. 206 
 
 B, 
 
 BAccba*alia. 312 
 
 Bajazet to Gloria na. ib. 
 Jiattlf Royal. ibid. 
 
 Battle o/Crcfly and Poiftien, 
 
 f 
 
 Battle of Blenheim. 260 
 Rattle of Ramellies. 261 
 Xattlc of the Summer IQiods. 
 
 220 
 
 Batt upon Batt. 307 
 
 Baucis and Philemon. 209 
 Beau. 312 
 
 EC outlet, \6 
 
 Bcautj ami Mvftt. 32 
 
 Beauty
 
 The INDEX. 
 
 -7?*ettrfy and. Virtue. 
 JBibliotfoca. 
 
 290 
 119 
 121 
 
 Jtirtb of the Mufe. 249 
 
 Blenheim. 135 
 
 Blood' .f jlealing ths Crown. 99 
 Bofworth-Field. 5 
 
 JBovoliiig-Green. 245 
 
 Brawny Bijkty's Complaint. ^ 12 
 JBra^en Head. ibid. 
 
 Eritifh AJjfe. 309 
 
 Brutus. 3 1 2 
 
 C. 
 
 C&kfsGhoft. 312 
 
 CallipsedLt ttanjlated. 
 
 2 77 
 Cambridge Z>j-. 170 
 
 Canpiign. 246 
 
 Canterbury Tafcf. 28 
 
 Caprice. 312 
 
 Carmen fccuhre. 160 
 
 Carmen in obitum,&c. 173 
 
 Cajlh-Combat. 68 
 
 Catullus tranflated. 326 
 
 Cavalcade. 226 
 
 Cove of Poverty. 211 
 
 Celebrated Beauties. 312 
 
 Cepha 1 us rfJ Proa-is. 281 
 Charge to tbs Grand ln<ju:ft of 
 
 England. 312 
 
 Charity. 163 
 
 Charm. 6 
 
 Cfavalier de St. George. 304 
 
 Choice. 141 
 
 C/jr/y?V Sufferings. 288 
 
 Cbrift's Vittory. 57 
 
 Cburclj-Scuffle. 313 
 
 Church-yard's Dream. 3 2 
 
 Cr<jea Cantio. 89 
 Citj-Mouft and Country-Meufe. 
 
 112 
 
 Clarendon'.* 
 
 Claremont. 59 
 
 Clio'* Epiftks . 326 
 
 Clito. 308 
 
 Combat. 313 
 
 Cowmittee-Man. 35 
 
 Conflagration. 141 
 
 Consummation. 3 2 
 
 Converfation 328 
 
 Convert. 3*3 
 
 Convocation*- -* -ibid. 
 
 Coopert-HiU. '254 
 
 Coquer Beauty. 313 
 
 Countefs of Pembroke'* Ay- 
 Church'. 57 
 
 Countefs of Dorfet'j Petition. 
 
 184 
 
 Court-Beauties. . -, r 2 99 
 Court of 'Death; . \ ; > 259 
 Cor<rf of Fairies. 49 
 
 Court of Love. 3 J 3 
 
 G?r t^f Neptune. 82 
 
 Cort of Venus. 5 2 
 
 Court-Proffet^. 75 
 
 Creation. 1 1 
 
 Critic.%1 Minute. 162 
 
 Gupid'j Cowrf. 97 
 
 CupidV Proclamation. 17^ 
 Cupie'f Review. 313 
 
 Cupid 's Feflival. 299 
 
 Cupid'i Treachery. 281 
 
 fo/ t*6c? Greeti'S'ickntfs, 
 
 313 
 168,313 
 
 J35 
 
 **eCDQ.*, 
 
 .313 
 
 D. 
 
 DAvideis. 2^2 
 
 Death's Vjfon. 304 
 
 De Bello Trajino. 53 
 
 Delights of the Mufis. 38 
 
 Deponents. 314 
 Description 'of the Tombs in 
 
 Weftminfter-Abbey. ibid. 
 
 Dtfcription of Hell. ' ibid.
 
 The INDEX. 
 
 Defire. 
 
 Difcoverj. 
 
 Disappointment. 
 
 Difpfnfary. 
 
 Dijfblution. 
 
 Divine Attributes* 
 
 Divine Love* 
 
 f the Ms. 
 fl. 
 
 ibid. 
 268 
 223 
 5^ 
 3H 
 141 
 223 
 297 
 
 Dr. Wild'* Gboj f . 
 
 Dog in the Wheel. ibid. 
 Don Carlos Prince of Spain. 1 1 
 
 Doris. 250 
 
 Dove. 157 
 
 Dream. 121 
 
 DryadiS. 43 
 
 Dryden'j Satire to bis Mufe. 
 193 
 
 Duel. 306 
 
 Duel of tbe Stags. 79 
 
 Duelling. 292 
 
 ZMro/Marlborough'j Victo- 
 ries. 277 
 
 
 E. 
 
 Arl Robert'* Mice. 162 
 Etflaey. 327 
 
 ^>Vr Edraundbury Godfrey '; 
 Gbofl. 315 
 
 Elevation. ibid. 
 
 Eliza. 10 
 
 Eloifa fo Abelard. 150 
 
 on Coiiftantine the 
 (treat. 1 1 8 
 
 /<fy, Silvia to Amintor. 131 
 ElcnOichus. 228 
 
 England'* Herohal Epiflks.w 
 Engla nd 's Reformation. 3 1 o 
 Englifh Padfak. 158 
 
 Epijllc to the Earl of Dor let 
 antl Middlcfex* 1 1 1 
 
 Epijllc to tb< Earl of Halifax. 
 206, 248 
 
 to my lord LanlUown. 
 242 
 
 Epifll* to Mr. Addifon. 178 
 Epijilc to the Duke of Clan- 
 
 ilois. 228 
 
 Epiflli to tbi Dale o/Bucking- 
 
 ham. ibid. 
 
 Epiflle from Rofamond to 
 
 Henr>'. 3 1 5 
 
 Epiflle from a Lady In Eng- 
 
 land, to a Gentleman at A- 
 
 vignon. 21 j 
 
 Epiflli from a Lady of Great 
 
 Britain to tbi A'/'/g of Swe- 
 
 den. 290 
 
 Epiflle to tk Chevalier de St. 
 
 George. 315 
 
 Epiflle from the Printef* So- 
 
 6teski to the Chevalier de St. 
 
 George. 287 
 
 Epijtle from tbi Pofe to Dr. 
 
 Snape. 315 
 
 Epiflle to Julian Secretary of 
 
 the Mufe s. 218 
 
 EpithalamiumThamefis. 202 
 Epithalamiumo/j tbeMarriafic 
 
 of Palladia-, and Cek-riru. 
 
 3'5 
 
 fjjai on To: try. 182 
 
 Effay en translated Verfe. 44 
 on Critiiifm* 147 
 
 on unnatural flights in 
 Poetry. 267 
 
 Effay upon Death. 2 1 9. 
 
 Either. 71 
 
 Fuibariflicon. , 315 
 
 Evening-Thought* ibid. 
 
 F. 
 
 Able cf the Pot anJ Kettk. 
 
 fatlion Difplafd. 
 fair Innocent. 
 fair Nun. 
 fairy 
 
 306 
 299 
 
 5S 
 196,200
 
 Fancy's Tbettt re. . 
 larewel to the Church. 
 female Reign. 
 force of Jealoufy. 
 Force of Mufick. 
 force of Religion, or vanqutjh'd' 
 Lovz, , 242 
 
 foreigners. 309 
 
 for eft. 274 
 
 fortune. 218 
 
 friend. 316 
 
 friendship. 17, 130 
 
 fruition. 108 
 
 G. 
 
 Elding of the Devil. 316 
 f Geratdine. 76 
 
 o/K# Charles 11. 316 
 o/ Rochefter. ibid. 
 Giant's Wars. 316 
 
 Gideon, or Reflor^tien of If- 
 rael. 298 
 
 Girdle. 222 
 
 <Jo^ ffc Creator. 293 
 
 Godfrey o/ Bologne. 54 
 Golden Age. 3 1 6 
 
 Goldtn, -Age Reversed. ibid. 
 Golden Jgs Reflor W. 224 
 Greenwich-Hill. 302 
 
 Grove. 45 
 
 Gunpowder Treafon. 101 
 
 H. 
 
 H A ns Carvel. 158 
 
 Happy Night. 182 
 
 'Htyft Life. 310 
 Harrv Care's fcy? if/fl arf 
 
 Itftament. 316 
 
 Henry d^ Emma. 161 
 
 Hermapbr odite. 3 5 
 
 Hero t*td Lea nder. 52 
 
 Heroifk Virtue. 82 
 
 Hertick Epifiles. 303 
 
 Heroielt Epiftle in Honour of 
 Pintps. 286 
 
 Hieroglyphic^.^ 316 
 
 Highlander. 1 7 
 
 Hrrf <^ Panther. 263 
 
 Jf -r^ory o/ ^*e J5/5/?. 5 r 
 
 Hobgoblin. 316 
 
 Holland, 302 
 
 Homer tranflated. 151 
 
 Jfoo/> Petticoat. 316 
 
 Horace translated. 39 
 
 Horace 5 ^ ^4rf o/ Poetry. 45 
 o/ Naflau. 82 
 
 Hudibras. 19 
 
 Human Happinefs. 300 
 
 Husband. , ,316 
 
 fe >y. 155 
 
 n to the Morning. 240 
 ^o the Light oftbeWorld. 
 10 
 
 to the Redeemer of the 
 World. 289 
 
 Hymn to Heaven. 3 1 J 
 
 Hymn on Contemplation. 132 
 Hymn to Harmony. 250 
 
 to Venqs. 250, 316 
 
 JAnuary 
 Te 
 
 ^May, 
 J^w. 
 
 TepthaV 
 Job. 
 Jonah. 
 
 Jmpeachment. 
 Imperious Miflrefs< 
 Iter Boreale. 
 *$?. Julia nV Prayer. 
 Judgment of Venus. 
 Jure Divino. 
 ' in Mafyuerade* 
 
 149 
 282 
 166 
 ibid. 
 305 
 292 
 
 37 
 317 
 326 
 293 
 317 
 
 ?i 
 
 King
 
 The INDEX. 
 
 K. 
 
 TT' fa Arthur. 10 
 J^ King James'f Declara- 
 tion. 3 1 7 
 Ki$es. ibid. 
 Kit-Cats. 10 
 
 L-Affc. 159 
 
 * o/" Pleafurc. 317 
 Ladies Look ing-G lafs. 156 
 Lamentation of Jeremiah. 3 10 
 Lafl-Daj. 241, 325 
 
 Lour eat. 317 
 
 2//,r <>/#. Edmund. i<58 
 jL//f <W Z?wf-6 o/ Heftor. 93 
 iije o/ K/n^ Henry Vll. i 
 Xif,y. 3'7 
 
 i<w. 268 
 
 Love and friendship. 190 
 10ve Triumphant over Reafon. 
 141 
 Love Difarm'd. 157 
 
 and folly. 3 1 ^ 
 
 .Love's Martyr. ibid. 
 
 Xn's Rr//>/. ibid. 
 
 .lot* 's Conauefl. 300 
 low o/ Hero <^ Leandcr. 
 305 
 
 lover's Mijtelltnj. 299 
 
 Xourr's Night. ' 294 
 
 lovrr's Parting. 130 
 
 Lover's Prayer. 318 
 
 Lover's Sejjion. ibid. 
 
 Lucan Tranflated. 277 
 
 Lucretius. 39 
 
 M. 
 
 MAck Flecknoe. 262 
 
 MM o/ Honour. 1 12 
 
 Marinda. 106 
 
 Mars ai/ Venus. 281 
 Mars /?r/j>f o/A/j Armour.^ iS 
 
 Marvel'* CJAq/?. 3 
 MaufoltuMy on the Death of 
 
 Queen Man*. 282 
 
 Mecenas. 3 1 * 
 
 Medal. 262 
 
 Meffiab. H<5 
 
 Metamorphefes. 3 l _^ 
 
 Midfummer Mow. ibi<l 
 
 ^J/ifcr's To/?. 36 
 
 Miracle. 3 lS 
 
 Mirth and Melancbofy. 106 
 
 MifceUanca Sacra. 285 
 
 Miflrefs. 251 
 
 Mock-Mourners. 319 
 
 Moderation Dijplaj'd. 306 
 
 Monument. 260 
 
 Mofaical Creation. 32<j 
 Mourning Mufe of flexes. 24^ 
 
 Mourning Poet. 17 
 
 Mufcipula. 29* 
 
 JWr^i t's Empire. 99 
 
 Mufes Mount. 4& 
 
 Myra. 267 
 
 N~^ ,/4/tt/r / Dreanx* 206 
 'Nature of Man. 10 
 
 Nature of Woman. 324 
 
 Nereides. 4J 
 
 Night ingal. 319 
 
 Ninnies. 17^ 
 
 Northern Star. 298 
 
 Nothing. 23? 
 
 161 
 O.
 
 The INDEX. 
 
 O; 
 
 OObfture Prince. 319 
 Oceana and Britannia. 
 
 99 
 
 Occasional Conformity. 319 
 Oaober. ibid. 
 
 Ode to the Creator. 82 
 
 Ode in Praife ofMuficl. ibid. 
 Ode for St. Cecilia s Day. 240 
 Ode of Brutus. 182 
 
 Ode on Divine Vengance. 171 
 Ode on Exodus 3d. 154 
 
 Ode on Solitude. 45 
 
 Ode to the Sun. 55 
 
 Ode on the Vi&orifs of the D. 
 ofMarlborough. 249 
 
 Ordinal Nature of the Soul. 41 
 Orpheus. 15 
 
 O v id in Mafyuerade. 316 
 Ovid Tranflated. 175 250 
 
 P. 
 
 P Alias and Venus. 157 
 Pandora'* Box. 320 
 
 Paradift Loft. 104 
 
 Para&fe Regained. ic6 
 
 Paris fo Helen. 281 
 
 Parliament Houfe to be Let. 3 20 
 Parfon's Daughter. ibid. 
 
 Parting of Heftor with An- 
 dromache. 31. 
 
 of Sappho. 71 
 
 - ^offyblis. 259 
 Paftorals, Alluding to the four 
 
 Seafons. 146 
 
 Patriots. 320 
 
 Paulo Purganti. 159 
 
 Peace o/Refwick. 244 
 
 Penfioners. 3 20 
 
 Per/eff Enjoyments. 233 
 
 Phaebus a^ Daphne. 221 
 Phaenix Park. 225 
 
 Pharaoh Deflrofd in the Red 
 Sea. 325 
 
 P/tfrce Gavzflon. 49 
 
 Pitture. 320 
 
 Platonic*. 185 
 
 P/.^e o/ Athens. 1 9 <5 
 
 Poema eft Piftura Loquens. 
 
 . 
 Complaint to his Mufe. 
 
 y, it's Cure. 320 
 
 Poly-Albion* 49 
 
 Praife of Ignorance. 286 
 
 Presbyterian Bramble. 297 
 
 Pr/'ce Arthur. 10 
 
 Proceffion. 208 
 Progress of Beauty. 
 
 Prophecy of Nereus. 2 1 2 
 
 Profpefl: of Peace. ibid. 
 
 Profpeil of Death. 141 
 
 Proteftant Seffion. -288 
 
 Proteus. 1 3 
 Pfyche, or Love's Myftery. 7 
 
 Puppet-fare. 245 
 
 Purpatory. 3 2O 
 
 
 Amble. 
 
 R. 
 
 1 70 
 
 226 
 
 Raps of the Lock. 147 
 
 jRope of f -6e Smock. 3 20 
 
 Rapture. 182 
 
 fitfp/' of Gardens Tranjlated. 
 295 
 
 J?ea/o. 328 
 
 Reconciliation. 299 
 
 Reformation of Manners. 320 
 Rslapfe. ibid. 
 
 ReligioLaici. 262 
 
 Religion and Pbilofopfy. 131
 
 The I N D E X. 
 
 Religious Solitude. 
 Remedy of Love. 
 Refignation. 
 Rtfurreftion* 
 
 Rife of Pritflcraft. 
 
 130 
 6 
 
 321 
 
 244 
 
 
 
 flrwr Nile. 321 
 
 Rival Mufes. . ibid. 
 
 Rtundfeadf. ibid. 
 
 Rojal Puff. . 321 
 
 Rojal Game. . ?* ibid. 
 
 Roial Ramble. ibid. 
 
 Ruins of Time.. . &,", 19^ 
 Rides for Tavern Acadeny*lj^ 
 
 Runaway LOT*. 107 
 
 S. 
 
 T. JamesV Par*. 223 
 Salisbury Ballad. 304 
 macis & HermaphroditUb. 5 
 Sampfon. i ' 
 
 ^Vf//Vf again ft Man* t 2 ; - 
 JVtf/Vr againfl Woman. 16^*324 
 Satire againfl Marriage. 2^2 
 5!*f/rf again/I Virtue" 
 Satire again/} Hrpocrify. 
 Satire upon the jefuits. 
 Satire upon Nobilitj. 
 Satire upon Wit. 
 Scots dpoflarj. 
 Strapbick Love. 
 Sefflons of the Poets. 208, 
 Shepherd's Calendar. 196 
 
 Shepherd's If 'eel . 6q 
 
 321 
 
 45 
 
 35 
 
 Raft. 3 2 1 
 
 Solomon. 163 
 
 Son? of the Three Children.'!^ 
 Song o/Troilus. 328 
 
 Speech of Pluto to Profeqnnc. 
 
 121 
 133 
 121 
 
 ibid. 
 
 321 
 
 Silenut. 
 
 321 
 
 State Dialogue &c. 99 
 
 Statefmans Almanack. 321 
 Stella. 92 
 
 Stolen. Ki ft. 309 
 
 Story ef EnninLi. 321 
 
 Strcphons Re-ctngc. ibid 
 Suianai and tlje Two Elders* 
 162 
 &r>, or Hiflorjofthe Freact 
 
 T. 
 
 TArquinWLucrece.2So 
 Tarquin <j^/Tullia.322 
 Twrj ofAmary llisyi/ Amyntasj 
 
 24* 
 Zrrpfc. 7 : 
 
 148, 239 
 182 
 322 
 
 .- - 
 
 ,nm 
 
 M//. 
 
 Toa/hrs. 322 
 
 Toilet. ibid. 
 
 TOIP/J Ajjemblics. ibid. 
 
 Tor>;) jL/'/c-. ibid. 
 
 Tr/^e c/ Levi. ibid. 
 
 Tritftff: . ibid. 
 
 Triumph n-JLove. ibid. 
 
 Triumph if Peace. bt 
 
 Triutmfratf. 227 
 
 ;/wi/? 
 . 
 Troilus 4p</ Crdtida* 2S 
 
 2r<r 4or Englishman. 295 
 Tunbridgalia. 2^9 
 
 Tunbridi^e Prodigy. 322 
 Tunbridgc If 'ell). 2^2 
 
 Taming o/Elianor Ruciminj;. 
 192
 
 The INDEX. 
 
 Two Pitchers. 
 Tyburn. 
 
 236 
 322 
 
 ~eJ?JtSWtKO 
 
 V. 
 
 VEnus and Adonis. 280 
 Venus Lacrymans 323 
 Virgin** Defire. 233 
 
 Vifion* 4 3 2 3 
 
 Voiture's Urania. 265 
 
 Vox & Lachrymae Anglorum. 
 323 
 
 Voyage. 274 
 
 Voyage to the Eaft-Indies. 923 
 
 W. 
 
 WAndring Beauty '; 323 
 Wars between Houfes 
 0/Yorkaw^Lancafter. 253 
 Way to Heaven in a String'^i"^ 
 Wedding Night. 309 
 
 Widows Wile. 55 
 
 Wife. 127 
 
 Wife of Bath. 149 
 
 Windfor fitf?/?. 146 
 
 275 
 323 
 
 7* 
 323 
 
 3*4 
 
 Wijh. 
 Woodftock Park. 
 Woman M in Att. 
 
 FINIS.
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 page 4. Line 15. dtU who liv'd in, and Rt*d vrroteof the Refgfi 
 of, +r. P. 40. 1. 11. for Hampton, r. Walton, p. 63. 1. 8. 
 for Edw. m. r. Edw. III. p. 82. 1. 12. Heroick Verfe, r. Hero- 
 ick Virtue, p. 89. 1. 6. r. in, which are. p. 126. 1. i. tor Hu- 
 manities, r. Human cies. p."i78J. 6. for Catullus, r. Tibullu*. p. 
 218, L 22. for Joys, r. Toys. p. 293. 1. 8. Parts, r. Pare.
 
 if 
 
 31 'H 
 
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