George Withers (1588-1667).
[1264]Mr. George Withers (vide A. Wood's Antiq. Oxon.) was borne at Bentworth, near Alton, in Hantshire, on the eleaventh of June, 1588.
He maried Elizabeth, eldest daughter of H. Emerson, of South Lambeth, in com. Surrey, esqre, whose ancestors lye entombed in the choeur of St. Savior's, Southwark, neer the monument of bishop Andrewes, with a statue of white marble. She was a great witt, and would write in verse too.
He was of <Magdalen College> in Oxford. He would make verses as fast as he could write them. And though he was an easie rymer, and no good poet, he was a good vates. He had a strange sagacity and foresight into mundane affaires.
He was an early observator of Quicquid agunt homines; his witt was satyricall. I thinke the first thing he wrote was 'Abuses whipt and stript,' for which he was committed prisoner to ...[1265] (I beleeve, Newgate). I believe 'twas tempore Jacobi regis. He was a captain in the Parliament army, and the Parliament gave him for his service Mr. John Denham's estate at Egham, in Surrey. The motto of his colours was, Pro Rege, Lege, Grege.
After the restauration of his majestie he was imprisoned in the Tower about three quarters of a yeare. He died the 2d of May, 1667, and lieth interred within the east dore of the Savoy church, where he dyed. He was pupill to bishop <John> Warner, of Rochester.
[1266]George Wythers, poet:—vide memorandum 1673 + μ de G. W.[1267]