He wrote also besides his Arcadia, several other Works; namely, A Defence of Poesie, a Book entituled Astrophel and Stella, with divers Songs and Sonnets in praise of his Lady, whom he celebrated under that bright Name; whom afterwards he married, that Paragon of Nature, Sir Francis Walsingham's Daughter, who impoverished himself to enrich the State; from whom he expected no more than what was above all Portions, a beautiful Wife, and a virtuous Daughter.
He also translated part of that excellent Treatise of Philip Morney du Plessis, of the Truth of Religion; and no doubt had written many other excellent Works, had not the Lamp of his Life been extinguish'd too soon; the manner whereof take as followeth:
His Unkle Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester (a man almost as much hated as his Nephew was loved) was sent over into the Low-Countries, with a well appointed Army, and large Commission, to defend the United Provinces against the Spanish Cruelty. Under him went Sir Philip Sidney, who had the Command of the cautionary Town of Flushing, and Castle of Ramekius, a Trust which he so faithfully discharged, that he turned the Envy of the Dutch Townsmen into Affection and Admiration. Not long after, some Service was to be performed nigh Zutphen in Gueiderland, where the English, through false intelligence, were mistaken in the strength of the Enemy. Sir Philip is employed next to the Chief in that Expedition; which he so discharged, that it is questionable whether his Wisdom, Industry or Valour may challenge to it self the greatest praise of the Action. And now when the triumphant Lawrels were ready to Crown his Brows, the English so near the Victory, that they touched it, ready to lay hold upon it, he was unfortunately shot in the Thigh, which is the Rendez-vouz of Nerves and Sinews, which caused a Feaver, that proved so mortal, that five and twenty days after he died of the same; the Night of whose Death was the Noon of his Age, and the exceeding Loss of Christendom.
His Body was conveyed into England, and most honourably interred in the Church of St. Paul in London; over which was fixed this Epitaph:
To recite the Commendations given him by several Authors, would of it self require a Volume; to rehearse some few not unpleasing to the Reader. The reverend Cambden writes thus; This is that Sidney, whom, as God's will was, he should be therefore born into the world even to shew unto our Age a Sample of ancient Virtues. Doctor Heylin in his Cosmography calleth him, That gallant Gentleman of whom he cannot but make honourable mention. Mr. Fuller in his Worthies thus writes of him, His homebred Abilities perfected by Travel with foreign accomplishments, and a sweet Nature, set a gloss upon both. Stow in his Annals, calleth him, a most valiant and towardly Gentleman. Speed in his Chronicle, That worthy Gentleman in whom were compleat all Virtues and Valours that could be expected to reside in man: And Sir Richard Baker gives him this Character, A man of so many excellent parts of Art and Nature, of Valour and Learning, of Wit and Magnanimity, that as he had equalled all those of former Ages, so the future will hardly be able to equal him.
Nor was this Poet forgotten by the Poets; who offered whole Hecatombs of Verses in his praise. Hear first that Kingly Poet, or Poetical King, King James the first, late Monarch of Great Britain, who thus writes,
Thus translated by the said King:
And in another place thus;
These Commendations given him by so learned a Prince, made Mr. Alexander Nevil thus to write;
Divine Du Bartus, speaking of the most Learned of the English Nation, reckoneth him as one of the chief, in these words;
Sir John Harrington in his Epigrams thus;
Mr. Owen, the Brittish Epigrammatist thus sets him forth:
I shall conclude all with these excellent Verses made by himself a little before his Death;
Next to Sir Philip Sidney, we shall add his great Friend and Associate, Sir Fulk Grevil, Lord Brook, one very eminent both for Arts and Arms; to which the genius of that time did mightily invite active Spirits. This Noble Person, for the great love he bore to Sir Philip Sidney, wrote his Life. He wrote several other Works both in Prose and Verse, some of which were Dramatick, as his Tragedies of Alaham, Mustapha, and Marcus Tallius Cicero, and others, commonly of a Political Subject; amongst which, a Posthume Work, not publish'd till within a few years, being a two-fold Treatise, the first of Monarchy, the second of Religion, in all which is observable a close mysterious and sententious way of Writing, without much regard to Elegancy of Stile, or smoothness of Verse. Another Posthume Book is also fathered upon him; namely, The Five Years of King James, or the Condition of the State of England, and the Relation it had to other Provinces, Printed in the Year 1643. But of this last Work many people are doubtful.
Now for his Abilities in the Exercise of Arms, take this instance: At such time when the French Ambassadours came over into England, to Negotiate a Marriage between the Duke of Anjou, and Queen Elizabeth, for their better entertainment, Solemn Justs were proclaimed, where the Earl of Arundel, Frederick Lord Windsor, Sir Philip Sidney, and he, were chief Challengers against all comers; in which Challenge he behaved himself so gallantly, that he won the reputation of a most valiant Knight.
Thus you see, that though Ease be the Nurse of Poesie, the Muses are also Companions to Mars, as may be exemplified in the Lives of the Earl of Surrey, Sir Philip Sidney, and this Sir Falk Grevil.
I shall only add a word or two of his death, Which was as sad as lamentable. He kept a discontented servant, who conceiving his deserts, not soon or well enough rewarded, wounded him mortally; and then (to save the Law a labour) killed himself. Verifying therein the observation, That there is none who never so much despiseth his own life, but yet is master of another mans.
This ingenious Gentleman, (in whose person shined all true Vertue and high Nobility) as he was a great friend to learning himself, so was he a great favourer of learning in others, witness his liberality to Mr. Speed the Chronologer, when finding his wide Soul was stuffed with too narrow an Occupation, gave it enlargement, as the said Author doth ingeniously confess in his description of Warwickshire, Whose Merits (saith he) to me-ward, I do acknowledge, in setting this hand free from the daily employments of a Manual Trade, and giving it full liberty thus to express the inclination of my mind, himself being the Procurer of my present Estate.
He lieth interred in Warwick Church, under a Monument of Black and White Marble, wherein he is styled, Servant to Queen Elizabeth, Counsellor to King James, and Friend to Sir Philp Sidney. He died Anno 16—. without Issue, save only those of his Brain, which will make his Name to live, when others Issue they may fail them.
This our Famous Poet, Mr. Edmond Spenser, was born in the City of London, and brought up in Pembroke-Hall in Cambridge; where he became a most excellent Scholar, but especially very happy in English Poetry, as his learned, elaborate Works do declare, which whoso shall peruse with a judicious eye, will find to have in them the very height of Poetick fancy, and though some blame his Writings for the many Chaucerisms used by him, yet to the Learned they are known not to be blemishes, but rather beauties to his Book; which, notwithstanding, (saith a learned Writer) had been more salable, if more conformed to our modern language.
His first flight in Poetry, as not thinking himself fully fledged, was in that Book of his, called The Shepherds Kalendar, applying an old Name to a new Book; It being of Eclogues fitted to each Month in the Year: of which Work hear what that worthy Knight, Sir Philip Sidney writes, whose judgment in such cases is counted infallible: The Shepherds Kalendar (saith he) hath much Poetry in his Eclogues, indeed worthy the reading, if I be not deceived; That same framing his Stile to an old rustick Language, I dare not allow, since neither Theocritus in Greek, Virgil in Latine, nor Sanazara in Italian did effect it. Afterwards he translated the Gnat, a little fragment of Virgil's excellency. Then he translated Bellay his Ruins of Rome; His most unfortunate Work was that of Mother Hubbard's Tale, giving therein offence to one in authority, who afterwards stuck on his skirts. But his main Book, and which indeed I think Envy its self cannot carp at, was his Fairy Queen, a Work of such an ingenious composure as will last as long as time endures.
Now as you have heard what esteem Sir Philip Sidney had of his Book, so you shall hear what esteem Mr. Spenser had of Sir Philip Sidney, writing thus in his Ruins of Time.
In the same his Poem of the Ruins of Time, you may see what account he makes of the World, and of the immortal Fame gotten by Poesie.
There passeth a story commonly told and believed, that Mr. Spenser presenting his Poems to Queen Elizabeth, she highly affected therewith, commanded the Lord Cecil, her Treasurer, to give him an Hundred Pound; and when the Treasurer (a good Steward of the Queen's Money) alledged, that Sum was too much for such a matter; then give him, quoth the Queen, what is reason; but was so busied, or seemed to be so, about matters of higher concernment, that Mr. Spenser received no reward: whereupon he presented this Petition in a small piece of Paper to the Queen in her progress.
This tart reflect so wrought upon the Queen, that she gave strict order (not without some check to her Treasurer) for the present payment of the hundred pounds she first intended him.
He afterwards went over into Ireland, Secretary to the Lord Gray, Lord Deputy thereof; and though that his Office under his Lord was lucrative, yet got he no Estate; Peculiari Poetis fato semper cum paupertate conflictatus est, saith the reverend Cambden; so that it fared little better with him, (than with Churchyard or Tusser before him) or with William Xiliander the German, (a most excellent Linguist, Antiquary, Philosopher, and Mathematician) who was so poor, that (as Thuanus writes) he was thought, Fami non famæ scribere.
Thriving so bad in that boggy Country, to add to his misery, he was robb'd by the Rebels of that little he had left; whereupon, in great grief, he returns into England, and falling into want, which to a noble spirit is most killing, being heartbroken, he died Anno 1598. and was honourably buried at the sole charge of Robert, first of that name Earl of Essex, on whose Monument is written this Epitaph.
Edmundus Spencer, Londinensis, Anglicorum Poetarum nostri seculi fuit Princeps, quod ejus Poemata, faventibus Musis, & victuro genio conscripta comprobant. Obiit immatura morte, Anno salutis, 1598. & prope Galfredum Chaucerum conditur, qui scoelisissime Poesin Anglicis literis primus illustravit. In quem hæc scripta sunt Epitaphia.
Hic prope Chaucerum situs est Spenserius, illiProximus ingenio, proximus ut tumulo.Hic prope Chaucerum Spensere poeta poetamConderis, & versu! quam tumulo proprior,Anglica te vivo vixit, plausitque Poesis;Nunc moritura timet, te moriente, mori.
These two last lines, for the worthiness of the Poet, are thus translated by Dr. Fuller.
A modern Author writes, that the Lord Cecil owed Mr. Spenser a grudge for some Reflections of his in Mother Hubbard's Tale, and therefore when the Queen had order'd him that Money, the Lord Treasurer said, What all this for a Song? And this he is said to have taken so much to heart, that he contracted a deep Melancholy, which soon after brought his life to a period: so apt is an ingenious spirit to resent a slighting even from the greatest persons. And thus much I must needs say of the Merit of so great a Poet, from so great a Monarch, that it is incident to the best of Poets sometimes to flatter some Royal or Noble Patron, never did any do it more to the height, or with greater art and elegance, if the highest of praises attributed to so Heroick a Princess can justly be termed flattery.
Sir John Harrington is supposed to be born in Somerset-shire, he having a fair Estate near Bath in that County. His Father, for carrying a Letter to the Lady (afterwards Queen) Elizabeth, was kept twelve months in the Tower, and made to spend a Thousand Pounds e're he could be free of that trouble. His Mother also being Servant to the Lady Elizabeth, was sequestred from her, and her Husband enjoyned not to keep company with her; so that on both sides he may be said to be very indear'd to Queen Elizabeth, who was also his Godmother, a further tye of her kindness and respects unto him.
This Sir John was bred up in Cambridge, either in Christ's or in St. John's-Colledge, under Dr. Still his Tutor. He afterwards proved one of the most ingenious Poets of our English Nation, no less noted for his Book of witty Epigrams, than his judicious Translation of Ariosto's Orlando Furioso, dedicated to the Lady Elizabeth, afterwards Queen of Bohemia.
The British Epigramatist, Mr. John Owen, in his second Book of Epigrams, thus writes to him:
And afterwards in his fourth Book, Epig. 20. concerning Envy's Genealogy; he thus complements him.
It happened that whilest the said Sir John repaired often to an Ordinary in Bath, a Female attendress at the Table, neglecting other Gentlemen, which sat higher, and were of greater Estates, applied herself wholly to him, accommodating him with all necessaries, and preventing his asking any thing with her officiousness. She being demanded by him, the reason of her so careful waiting on him? I understand (said she) you are a very witty man, and if I should displease you in any thing, I fear you would make an Epigram of me.
Sir John frequenting often the Lady Robert's House, his Wives Mother, where they used to go to dinner extraordinary late, a Child of his being there then, said Grace, which was that of the Primmer, Thou givest them Meat in due season; Hold, said Sir John to the Child, you ought not to lie unto God, for here we never have our Meat in due season. This Jest he afterwards turned into an Epigram, directing it to his Wife, and concluding it thus:
A Posthume Book of his came forth, as an addition to Bishop Godwin's Catalogue of Bishops, wherein (saith Dr. Fuller) besides mistakes, some tart reflections in Uxaratos Episcopos, might well have been spared. In a word (saith he) he was a Poet in all things, save in his wealth, leaving a fair Estate to a learned and religious Son, and died about the middle of the Reign of King James.
This John Heywood was one of the first writers of English Plays, contemporary with the Authors of Gammar Gurton's Needle, and Tom Tyler and his Wife, as may appear by the Titles of his Interludes; viz. The Play of Love; Play of of the Weather; Play between Johan the Husband, and Tib his Wife; Play between the Pardoner and the Fryer, and the Curate and Neighbour Prat; Play of Gentleness and Nobility, in two parts. Besides these he wrote two Comedies, the Pinner of Wakefield, and Philotas Scotch. There was of this Name, in King Henry the Eighth's Reign, an Epigramatist, who, saith the Author of the Art of English Poetry, for the mirth and quickness of his conceits, more than any good learning was in him, came to be well benefited by the King.
Thomas Heywood was a greater Benefactor to the Stage than his Namesake, John Heywood, aforesaid, he having (as you may read in an Epistle to a Play of his, called, The English Travellers) had an entire hand, or at least a main finger in the writing of 220 of them. And no doubt but he took great pains therein, for it is said, that he not only Acted himself almost every day, but also wrote each day a Sheet; and that he might lose no time, many of his Plays were composed in the Tavern, on the back-side of Tavern Bills; which may be an occasion that so many of them are lost, for of those 220. mentioned before, we find but 25. of them Printed, viz. The Brazen Age; Challenge for Beauty; The English Travellers; The first and second part of Edward the Fourth; The first and second part of Queen Elizabeth's Troubles; Fair Maid of the West, first and second part; Fortune by Land and Sea; Fair Maid of the Exchange; Maidenhead well lost; Royal King and Loyal Subject; Woman kill'd with kindess; Wise Woman of Hogsdon, Comedies. Four London Prentices; The Golden Age; The Iron Age, first and second part; Robert Earl of Huntington's downfal Robert Earl of Huntington's death; The Silver Age; Dutchess of Suffolk, Histories; And Loves Mistress, a Mask. And, as if the Name of Heywood were destinated to the Stage, there was also one Jasper Heywood, who wrote three Tragedies, namely, Hercules Furiens, Thyestes, and Troas. Also, in my time I knew one Matthew Heywood; who wrote a Comedy, called The Changling, that should have been acted at Audley-end House, but, by I know not what accident was prevented.
George Peel, a somewhat antiquated English Bard of Queen Elizabeth's date, some remnants of whose pretty pastoral Poetry we have extant in a Collection, entituled, England's Helicon. He also contributed to the Stage three Plays, Edward the first, a History; Alphonsus, Emperour of Germany, a Tragedy; and David and Bathsabe a Tragi-Comedy; which no doubt in the time he wrote passed with good applause.
John Lilly, a famous Poet for the State in his time, as by the Works which he left appears, being in great esteem in his time, and acted then with great applause of the Vulgar, as such things which they understood, and composed chiefly to make them merry. Yet so much prized as they were Printed together in one Volume, namely, Endymion, Alexander and Campasoe, Galatea, Midas, Mother Boniby, Maids Metamorphosis, Sapho and Phao, Woman in the Moon, Comedies; and another Play called A Warning for fair Women; all which declare the great pains he took, and the esteem which he had in that Age.
This William Wager is most famous for an Interlude which he wrote, called Tom Tyler and his Wife, which passed with such general applause that it was reprinted in the year 1661. and has been Acted divers times by private persons; the chief Argument whereof is, Tyler his marrying to a Shrew, which, that you may the better understand, take it in the Author's own words, speaking in the person of Tom Tyler.
He wrote also two Comedies, The Tryal of Chivalry, and The longer thou livest, the more Fool thou art.
Nicholas Breton, a writer of Pastoral Sonnets, Canzons, and Madrigals, in which kind of writing he keeps company with several other contemporary Emulators of Spencer and Sir Philip Sidney, in a publish'd Collection of several Odes of the chief Sonneters of that Age. He wrote also several other Books, whereof two I have by me, Wits Private Wealth, and another called The Courtier and the Country-man, in which last, speaking of Vertue, he hath these Verses:
Thomas Kid, a writer that seems to have been of pretty good esteem for versifying in former times, being quoted among some of the more fam'd Poets, as Spencer, Drayton, Daniel, Lodge &C. with whom he was either contemporary, or not much later: There is particularly remembred his Tragedy, Cornelia.
There also flourish'd about the same time Thomas Watson, a contemporary immitater of Sir Philip Sidney, as also Tho. Hudson, Joh. Markham, Tho. Achelly, Joh. Weever, Ch. Middleton, Geo. Turbervile, Hen. Constable, with some others, especially one John Lane, whose Works though much better meriting than many that are in print, yet notwithstanding had the ill fate to be unpublish'd, but they are all still reserved in Manuscript, namely, his Poetical Vision, his Alarm to the Poets his Twelve Months, his Guy of Warwick, a Heroick Poem; and lastly, his Supplement to Chaucer's Squires Tale.
Sir Thomas Overbury, a Knight and Wit, was Son to Sir Nicholas Overbury of Burton in Glocester-shire, one of the Judges of the Marches; who, to his natural propension of ingenuity, had the addition of good Education, being bred up first in Oxford, afterwards, for a while a Student of the Law in the Middle Temple; soon after he cast Anchor at Court, the Haven of Hope for all aspiring Spirits; afterwards travell'd into France, where having been some time, he returned again, and was entertained into the respects of Sir Rob. Carre, one who was newly initiated a Favourite to King James; where, by his wise carriage, he purchased to himself not only the good affection and respect of Sir Robert, but also of divers other eminent persons.
During his abode with Sir Robert Carre, he composed that excellent Poem of his, entituled, A Wife; which, for the excellency thereof, the Author of the Epistle to the Reader, prefixed before his Book, thus writes, Had such a Poem been extant among the ancient Romans, altho' they wanted our easie conservation of Wit by Printing, they would have committed it to Brass, lest injurious time might deprive it of due eternity. Nor was his Poem of A Wife not only done to the life, but also those Characters which he wrote, to this day not out-witted by any.
But to return from the Work to the Workman; Mr. Overbury is by the King knighted, and Sir Rob. Carre made a Viscount, and such a reciprocal Love pass'd betwixt them, that it was questionable, whether the Viscount were more in favour with King James, or Sir Thomas Overbury in the favour of the Viscount? But what estate on earth is so firm, that is not changeable, or what friendship is so constant, that is not dissolvable? Who would imagine this Viscount should be instrumental to his death, who had done him so faithful service, and to whom he had embosom'd his most secret thoughts? Yet so it was, for Sir Thomas, out of an unfeigned affection which he bare to the Viscount, diswaded him from a motion of a Marriage which was propounded betwixt him and the Lady Francis Howard, who was lately divorced from the Earl of Essex, as a Match neither for his credit here, nor comfort hereafter. This Counsel, though it proceeded from an unfeigned love in Sir Thomas, yet where Beauty commands, all discretion being sequestred, created in the Viscount a hatred towards him; and in the Countess the fury of a woman, a desire of revenge, who perswaded the Viscount, That it was not possible that ever she should endure those injuries, or hope for any prosperity so long as he lived; That she wondred how he could be so familiar, so much affected to his man Overbury; that without him he could do nothing, as it were making him his right hand, seeing he being newly grown into the Kings favour, and depending wholly upon his greatness, must expect to be clouded if not ruined, when his servant that knew his secrets should come to preferment. The Viscount, apt enough of his own inclination to revenge, being thus further exasperated by the Countess, they joyntly resolve upon his death, and soon a fit opportunity came to their hands. He being by King James (and as it is thought by the Viscount's Counsel) nominated to be sent Embassador to the Emperor of Russia, was by the said Viscount, whom he especially trusted, persuaded to decline the employment, as no better than an honourable Grave; Better lie some days in the Tower, than more months in a worse Prison; a Ship by Sea, and a barbarous cold Country by Land. You are now (Said he) in credit at home, and have made tryal of the dangers of travel, why then should you hazard all upon uncertainties, being already in possession of that you can probably expect by these means; promising him, that within a small time he would so work with the King, that he should have a good of opinion him. But he (saith Dr. Fuller) who willingly goes into a Prison out of hope to come easily out of it, may stay therein so long till he be too late convinced of his error.
And now having him in the place where they would, their next study to secure their revenge, was closely to make him away; which they concluded to be by poyson. To this end, they consult with one Mrs. Turner (the first inventer of that horrid Garb of yellow Ruffs and Cuffs, and in which Garb she was after hanged) she having acquaintance with one James Franklin, a man skilled for that purpose, agreed with him to provide that which should not kill presently, but cause one to languish away by degrees, a little and a little. Sir Gervas Yelvis, Lieutenant of the Tower, being drawn into the Conspiracy, admits one Weston, Mrs. Turners man, who under pretence of waiting upon Sir Thomas, was to act the horrid Tragedy. The Plot thus continued, Franklin buyes certain Poysons, viz. Sosater, white Arsenic, Mercury sublimate, Cantharides, red Mercury, with three or four other deadly Ingredients, which he delivered to Weston, with instructions how to use them. Weston, (an apt Scholar in the Devil's School) tempers them in his Broth and Meat, increasing or diminishing their strength according as he saw him affected. Besides these, poyson'd Tarts & Jellies are sent him by the Viscount. Nay, they poysoned his very Salt, Sauce, Meat and Drink; but being of a very strong Constitution, he held out still: At last they effected their work by a poysoned Clyster which they administed unto him, so that the next day he died thereof; and because there were some Blisters and ugly Botches on his Body, the Conspirators gave it out he died of the French Pox.
Thus by the Malice of a Woman this worthy Knight was murdered, who yet still lives in that witty Poem of his, entituled, a Wife; as is well expressed by these Verses under his Picture.
But God, who seldom suffers Murder to go unrevenged, revealed the same; for notwithstanding what the Conspirators had given out, Suspitions grew high that Sir Thomas was poysoned: Whereupon We port is examined by the Lord Cook, who at first flatly denied the same; but being perswaded by the Bishop of London, he tells all: How Mrs. Turner and the Countess came acquainted; what relation she had to Witches, Sorcerers and Conjurers; and discovers all those who had any hand in it: whereupon they were all apprehended; some sent to the Tower, others to Newgate. Having thus confessed, being convicted according to course of Law, he was hanged at Tyburn; after him Mrs. Turner, after her Franklin, then Sir Gervas Yelvis, upon their several Arraignments, were found guilty, and executed. Some of them died very penitent: The Earl and his Countess were both condemned, but through the King's gracious Pardon had their Lives saved, but were never admitted to the Favour of the Court.
We shall conclude all with this his Epitaph written by himself.
Mr. Drayton, one who had drunk as deep a Draught at Helicon as any in his time, was born at Athelston in Warwickshire, as appeareth in his Poetical Address thereunto, Poly-Olbion, Song 13. p. 213.
He was in his time for fame and renown in Poetry, not much inferior, if not equal to Mr. Spencer, or Sir Philip Sidney himself. Take a taste of the sprightfulness of his Muse, out of his Poly-Olbion, speaking of his native County Warwickshire.