Who, to upbraid the sloth of this our time,
Durst valour make, almost, but not a crime.
Which deed I know not, whether were more high,
Or, though more happy, it to justify

Against thy fortune; when no foe, that day,
Could conquer thee, but chance, who did betray.
Love thy great loss, which a renown hath won,
To live when Broeck not stands, nor Roor doth run:

a part in the Rebellion. Sir Henry was also a very distinguished character as a statesman and soldier. He had been master of the Jewel Office to Elizabeth, was made a knight of the Bath at the creation of prince Henry, and soon after lord deputy of Ireland. The intimacy of Jonson with this family (for he was much endeared to the son as well as father) is not a little to his credit; but, indeed, this great poet, who is represented by Steevens and his followers as little better than an obscure garretteer, lived on terms of honourable familiarity with all the genius, worth, and rank of his age.

"The castle and river (Jonson says) near where he was taken." It appears from a letter of sir Thomas Edmonds (resident Ambassador with the Archduke, at Brussels) that while Spinola was engaged in securing the passage of the Roer by the erection of a battery, an attempt was made to surprise the covering party by count Maurice. The action was short but severe, and in the end, the count was obliged to retreat. Some officers of rank fell on each side, and Spinola made some prisoners, "among whom," sir Thomas says, "were certain English gentlemen, whereof the principal are sir Henry Carey, and Mr. Radcliffe, brother to sir John Radcliffe, (and to Margaret,) and one captain Pigot." Winwood's Mem. vol. ii. 145. This letter is dated 21st October, 1605; and the action took place a few days before.

The capture of sir Henry Carey seems to have been viewed by the Spanish court as a matter of considerable moment, and it required all the influence of Cecil, and all the dexterity of sir Charles Cornwallis, our ambassador at Madrid, to procure his release. "In conclusion," sir Charles writes to the earl of Salisbury, "I moved him (the duke of Lerma) for sir Henry Carey; saying I was thereunto sollicited by the entreatie of many honourable personages that wished well to the state; and by some fair ladies, whom I knew his Excellencie would be apt to favour. I delivered his valuable estate, and the hard course taken against him. And lastly told what between the Conde de Villa Longa and me, had been agreed to be done in his favour, whereat he smyled, and desired he

Love honours, which of best example be,
When they cost dearest, and are done most free.
Though every fortitude deserves applause,
It may be much, or little, in the cause.
He's valiant'st, that dares fight, and not for pay;
That virtuous is, when the reward's away.

LXVII.

TO THOMAS EARL OF SUFFOLK.2

INCE men have left to do praiseworthy things, Most think all praises flatteries: but truth brings

men,

That sound and that authority with her name,
As, to be raised by her, is only fame.
Stand high, then, Howard, high in eyes of
High in thy blood, thy place; but highest then,
When, in men's wishes, so thy virtues wrought,
As all thy honours were by them first sought:
And though design'd to be the same thou art,
Before thou wert it, in each good man's heart.
Which, by no less confirm'd, than thy king's choice,
Proves that is God's, which was the people's voice.

might be put in further memorie of it, which by God's grace shall not be omitted." " This was in June, 1606; but it required yet many conferences before his liberty was procured.

2 To Thomas earl of Suffolk.] He was so created by James I. in 1603, and bore several great offices of state. In the 12th year of the same king, he was constituted lord high treasurer; and it is not improbable but this epigram was addressed to him on his promotion to that high station. WHAL.

The epigram has a much earlier date than Whalley assigns it. It was probably written upon his accession to the title of Suffolk, when he was also appointed lord chamberlain.

LXVIII.

ON PLAYWRIGHT.

LAYWRIGHT convict of public wrongs to

men,

Takes private beatings, and begins again. Two kinds of valour he doth shew at once; Active in's brain, and passive in his bones.

LXIX.

TO PERTINAX COB.

OB, thou nor soldier, thief, nor fencer art,
Yet by thy weapon liv'st! thou hast one good
part.

LXX.

TO WILLIAM ROE.

HEN nature bids us leave to live, 'tis late Then to begin, my Roe! He makes a state In life, that can employ it; and takes hold On the true causes, ere they grow too old. Delay is bad, doubt worse, depending worst; Each best day of our life escapes us, first :3

3 Each best day of our life escapes us first.] From Virgil : Optima quæque dies miseris mortalibus ævi Prima fugit."

William Roe was probably the brother of the person to whose memory the epigrams at pp. 158, 160, and 161 are consecrated. I have already remarked on the solemn tone which the poet assumes in all his addresses to this family.

Then, since we, more than many, these truths know; Though life be short, let us not make it so.

LXXI.

ON COURT PARROT.

O pluck down mine, Poll sets up new wits still;
Still 'tis his luck to praise me 'gainst his will.

LXXII.

TO COURTLING.

GRIEVE not, Courtling, thou art started up
A chamber-critic, and doth dine, and sup
At madam's table, where thou mak'st all wit

Go high, or low, as thou wilt value it.
'Tis not thy judgment breeds thy prejudice,
Thy person only, Courtling, is the vice.

LXXIII.

TO FINE GRAND.1

HAT is't, Fine Grand, makes thee my friendship fly,

Or take an Epigram so fearfully,

As 'twere a challenge, or a borrower's letter?
The world must know your greatness is my
Imprimis, Grand, you owe me for a jest
I lent you, on mere acquaintance, at a feast.

debtor.

4 Randolph has imitated this Epigram in his Pedlar; a forgotten piece, from which Dodsley took the plot, and something more than the plot, of his Toy-shop.

Item, a tale or two some fortnight after;

That yet maintains you, and your house in laughter.
Item, the Babylonian song you sing;

Item, a fair Greek poesy for a ring,
With which a learned madam you bely.
Item, a charm surrounding fearfully
Your partie-per-pale picture, one half drawn
In solemn cyprus, th' other cobweb lawn.
Item, a gulling imprese for you, at tilt.
Item, your mistress' anagram, in your hilt.
Item, your own, sew'd in your mistress' smock.
Item, an epitaph on my lord's cock,

In most vile verses, and cost me more pain,
Than had I made 'em good, to fit

your vein. Forty things more, dear Grand, which you know true, For which, or pay me quickly', or I'll pay you.

LXXIV.

TO THOMAS LORD CHANCELLOR EGERTON.

HILST thy weigh'd judgments, Egerton, I hear,

And know thee then a judge, not of one year; Whilst I behold thee live with purest hands; That no affection in thy voice commands; That still thou'rt present to the better cause; And no less wise than skilful in the laws; Whilst thou art certain to thy words, once gone, As is thy conscience, which is always one : The Virgin, long since fled from earth, I see, To our times return'd, hath made her heaven in thee."

5 The Virgin, long since fled from earth, I see,

To our times return'd, hath made her heaven in thee.] This is high praise; but it is not bestowed at random; and it comes from one who knew and judged him well.

This great man was the natural son of sir Richard Egerton, of