works must have flourished in the reigns of James and Charles the First: but the precise time of his birth and death are not known. He wrote two dramatic pieces in conjunction with Marlow and Decker, and published six of his own; among which the Parliament of Bees is numbered in the old catalogues; but with little propriety, since it consists of what never could be adapted for theatrical representation,-a succession of twelve satirical colloquies in rhyme, without any continuity of character. The book is inscribed "To the worthy gentleman Mr. George Butler, professor of the arts liberal, and true patron of neglected poesie:" the following is perhaps its fairest specimen. "The Booke to the Reader. "In my commission I am charg'd to greet I had rather fall into a beadle's hands That reads, and with his reading understands, A writer's credit; and wrong'd poesie, Like a rich diamond dropt into the sea, Is by him lost for ever. Quite through read me, For For my next heire, who with poetick breath If so; I wish my epitaph may be T. P. ART. XXV. The true and perfecte Newes of the woorthy and valiaunt exploytes, performed and doone by that valiant knight Syr Frauncis Drake: not only at Sancto Domingo and Carthagena, but also nowe at Cales and uppon the coast of Spayne. 1587. Printed at London by J. Charlewood for T. Hackett. Colophon: Finis quoth Thomas Greepe. Greepe, in his epistle dedicatory to George Clifford, Earl of Cumberland, speaks of himself as a rude countryman, brought up many years in husbandry; and therefore possessing more knowledge in culturing of land than in describing the conquests of countries. A plain narration adapted to the vulgar sort of people, was what he designed, and this he evidently accomplished. The following is his matter-of-fact report of the English squadron. The Bonaventure, a shyp royall, J 3 The The Primrose next, vice-admirall A valiant captayne, ware and wise. A short letter is subjoined from Sir F. Drake, to his very good friend, Mr. John Fox, preacher of the Word of God: Dated "from aboord her Majesties good ship the Elizabeth Bonaventure." ART. XXVI. A Skeltonical Salutation Or condigne gratulation, And just vexation Of the Spanish nation; That in a bravado, Spent many a Crusado, In setting forthe an Armado Imprinted at London for Toby Cooke. 1589. 4to. Such Such is the title to this national pasquinade, in commemoration of the failure of Spain by her invincible naval armament. The iteration of metre is all that approaches in it to the style of Skelton; as the commencement may serve to shew. O King of Spaine! Is it not a paine To thy heart and braine, And every vaine, To see thy traine For to sustaine, The world's disdaine; Which despise As toies and lies, With shoutes and cries, Thy enterprise; As fitter for pies And butter-flies Then men so wise? O waspish King! Where's now thy sting, Who every way Thee vexe and pay, And beare the sway By night and day, And every fray? O pufte with pride! What foolish guide Made thee provide This land so wide, From side to side; And then untride Away to slide, And not to abide; But all in a ring Away to fling?" &c. T. P. ART. XXVII. Barclay his Argenis, or the Loves of Poliarchus and Argenis, faithfully translated out of Latin into English by Kingsmill Long, Esq. The second edition, beautified with pictures, Together with a Key præfixed to unlock the whole story. London. Printed for Henry Seile at the signe of the Tygres Head in Fleetstreet neere the Conduit 1636. Sm. 410. pp. 719. This volume is adorned by a print of Barclay, natus 26 Jan. 1582, obiit 12 Aug. 1621-peaked beard, and whiskers; hair turned up from the forehead; a ruff flying off from the shoulders, and flower'd vest. "D. du Monstier pinx. C. Melton sculp." "Gente Caledonius, Gallus natalibus hic est, Romam Romano qui docet ore loqui." H. GROTIUS. M. P. John |