Book V

, Canto II, St. 42,--_Edmund Spenser_.

EDMUND SPENSER, the famous English poet, was born about 1552, and died at London, January 13, or 16, 1599. Among his works are: "Amoretti," "Four Hymns," "The Shepherd's Calendar," "Astrophel," "Complaints," "Daphnaida," "Colin Clout's Come Home Again," and "The Faerie Queene," his most famous work.

If all the world and love were young, And truth in every shepherd's tongue, These pretty pleasures might me move To live with thee, and be thy love.

"The Nymph's Reply to the Passionate Shepherd,"--_Sir Walter Raleigh_.

SIR WALTER RALEIGH, the celebrated English admiral, was born at Hayes in Devonshire, in 1552, and was executed, October 29, 1618. His poems were not published until 1814, his "Miscellaneous Writings," in 1751, and his "Complete Works," in 1829.

Live or die, sink or swim.

"Edward I" (1584?),--_Peele_.

GEORGE PEELE, a famous English dramatist, was born in 1553 (?), and died in 1597 (?). He wrote: "The Arraignment of Paris," "The Chronicle History of Edward I," "The Battle of Alcazar," "The Old Wives' Tales," "David and Bethsabe," "Sir Clyomon and Sir Clamydes."

Calvin was incomparably the wisest man that ever the French Church enjoyed.

--_Richard Hooker_.

RICHARD HOOKER, one of the greatest glories of the English Church, was born in Exeter, in 1553, and died in 1600. Among his famous works may be mentioned: "Ecclesiastical Polity," "The Nature and Majesty of Law," "Scripture and the Law of Nature," "Defence of Reason," etc.

Goe to bed with the Lambe, and rise with the Larke.

"Euphues and his England,"--_John Lyly_.

JOHN LYLY, a renowned English dramatist, was born in 1554, and died in London, 1606. He is known principally by his two books, "Euphues, or the Anatomy of Wit," and "Euphues and His England."

He that loves a rosy cheek, Or a coral lip admires, Or from star-like eyes doth seek Fuel to maintain his fires,-- As old Time makes these decay, So his flames must waste away.

"Disdain Returned,"--_Thomas Carew_.

THOMAS CAREW, a noted English poet, lived about 1598-1639. He wrote numerous poems, mostly songs and odes. He also wrote a masque, "Coelum Britannicum."

Young men think old men are fools; but old men know young men are fools.

"All Fools," Act V, Sc. I,--_George Chapman_.

GEORGE CHAPMAN, a renowned English dramatist, and translator of Homer, was born in Hitchin, Hertford, 1559, and died at London, May 12, 1634. Among his comedies and tragedies are: "All Fools but the Fool," "May Day," "Bussy d'Amboise," and "The Tragedy of Charles, Duke of Byron." His version of Homer is renowned.

Though men determine, the gods do dispose; and oft times many things fall out betweene the cup and the lip.

"Perimedes the Blacksmith" (1588),--_Greene_.

ROBERT GREENE, a celebrated English dramatist, was born in Norwich, about 1560, and died in London, September 3, 1592. He wrote: "History of Orlando Furioso," "Comical History of Alphonsus, King of Aragon," "Honorable History of Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay," "The Scottish Historie of James IV," etc.; also two noted tracts, "Never Too Late," and "Greene's Groat's Worth of Wit Bought with a Million of Repentance."

Come let us kiss and part,-- Nay I have done, you get no more of me; And I am glad, yea, glad with all my heart That thus so clearly I myself can free. Shake hands forever, cancel all our vows, And when we meet at any time again, Be it not seen, on either of our brows, That we one jot of former love retain.

"Come Let Us Kiss and Part,"--_M. Drayton_.

MICHAEL DRAYTON, a noted English poet, was born near Atherstone in Warwickshire, in 1563, and died in 1631. He wrote: "The Shepherd's Garland," "Poly Olbion," his most famous work, "Sir John Oldcastle" a drama, and "Poems Lyrick and Pastorall," including the famous "Ballad of Agincourt."

Who ever loved that loved not at first sight.

"Hero and Leander,"--_Christopher Marlowe_.

CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE, a renowned English poet and dramatist, was born at Canterbury, about 1564, and was killed at Deptford, June 1, 1593. He wrote: "Tamburlaine," "The Jew of Malta," "Life and Death of Dr. Faustus," and "Edward II," his most famous work.

Do not be troubled by Saint Bernard's saying that hell is full of good intentions and wills.

"Spiritual Letters," Letter xii,--_Francis De Sales_.

SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES, a famous French ecclesiastic and devotional writer, was born in 1567, and died in 1622. He wrote: "Introduction to the Devout Life," "A Treatise on the Love of God," etc. He founded the Order of the Visitation.

The world's a stage on which all parts are played.

"A Game of Chess," Act. V, Sc. i,--_Thomas Middleton_.

THOMAS MIDDLETON, a noted English dramatist, was born about 1570, and died in 1627. He produced, "A Game of Chess," and with William Rowley, "A Fair Quarrel," "The Changeling," "The Spanish Gipsy," etc.

To add to golden numbers golden numbers.

"Patient Grissell,"--_Thomas Dekker_.

THOMAS DEKKER, a famous English dramatist, was born in London, about 1570, and died after 1637. Among his plays are: "The Shoemaker's Holiday," and "Old Fortunatus." He also wrote: "The Wonderful Year," "The Bachelor's Banquet," etc.

I loved thee once, I'll love no more, Thine be the grief as is the blame; Thou art not what thou wast before, What reason I should be the same? He that can love unloved again, Hath better store of love than brain: God send me love my debts to pay, While unthrifts fool their love away.

"Woman's Inconstancy," St. I,--_Sir R. Ayton_.

SIR ROBERT AYTON, a notable Scottish poet, was born in his father's castle of Kinaldie in 1570, and died in London in February, 1638. Ayton is supposed to have been the author of "Auld Lang Syne," which was remodeled by Burns.

Drink to me only with thine eyes, And I will pledge with mine; Or leave a kiss but in the cup, And I'll not look for wine.

"The Forest: To Celia,"--_Ben Jonson_.

BEN JONSON, a celebrated English dramatist, was born in London, in 1572 or 1573, and died August 6, 1637. He wrote two famous comedies, "Every Man in His Humour," and "Every Man Out of His Humour," and numerous poems.

Reason is our soul's left hand, Faith her right.

"To the Countess of Bedford," St. 7,--_John Donne_.

JOHN DONNE, a famous English poet and clergyman, was born in London, in 1573, and died March 31, 1631. His famous "Satires" won for him great fame. A collection of his sermons were published in 1897.

As it fell upon a day In the merry month of May, Sitting in a pleasant shade Which a grove of myrtles made.

Address to the Nightingale,--_Richard Barnfield_.

RICHARD BARNFIELD, a noted English poet, was baptized at Norbury, Staffordshire, June 13, 1574, and died in 1627. He wrote: "The Affectionate Shepherd," "Cynthia, with Certain Sonnets," "The Encomion of Lady Pecunia," "The Passionate Pilgrim," etc.

Seven cities warred for Homer being dead, Who living had no roofe to shrowd his head.

"Hierarchie of the Blessed Angells,"--_Thomas Heywood_.

THOMAS HEYWOOD, a famous English dramatic poet, was born in Lincolnshire (?), about 1575, and died in London (?), 1650 (?). Of all his poetry and prose his fame rests upon "A Woman Killed with Kindness," "The Wise Woman of Hogsdon," "Love's Mistress," etc.

Death hath a thousand doors to let out life.

"A Very Woman," Act V, Sc. 4,--_Philip Massinger_.

PHILIP MASSINGER, a celebrated English dramatist, was born at Salisbury, in 1583, and died at the Bankside, Southwark, March, 1640. Among his famous plays are: "The Duke of Milan," "The Fatal Dowry," "A New Way to Pay Old Debts," "A City Madam," "A Very Woman," etc.

It is always good When a man has two irons in the fire.

"The Faithful Friends," Act I, Sc. 2,--_Francis Beaumont_.

FRANCIS BEAUMONT, a renowned English dramatist, was born in 1584, at Grace-Dieu, Leicestershire, and died in London, March 6, 1616. He has always been associated with John Fletcher, and together they wrote many famous plays, among them: "The Coxcomb," "King and No King," "The Faithful Friends," "Philaster," "The Maid's Tragedy," "The Knight of the Burning Pestle," and "The Scornful Lady."

Diamond cut diamond.

"The Lover's Melancholy," Act I, Sc. I,--_John Ford_.

JOHN FORD, a famous English dramatist, was baptized at Islington in Devon, April 17, 1586, and died about 1640. His best plays are: "The Lover's Melancholy," "The Broken Heart," and "Love's Sacrifice."

Be wisely worldly, be not worldly wise.

"Emblems,"