of these times, his Works
seem to be antiquated, especially this of his _Poly-Olbion_ because of
the old-fashion'd kind of Verse thereof, which seems somewhat to
diminish that respect which was formerly paid to the Subject, although
indeed both pleasant and elaborate, wherein he took a great deal both
of study and pains; and thereupon thought worthy to be commented upon
by that once walking Library of our Nation, Mr. _John Selden_: His
_Barons Wars_ are done to the Life, equal to any of that Subject. His
_Englands Heroical Epistles_ generally liked and received, entituling
him unto the appellation of the _English Ovid_. His Legends of _Robert_
Duke of _Normandy_. _Matilda_, _Pierce Gaveston_, and _Thomas Cromwel_,
all of them done to the Life. His _Idea_ expresses much Fancy and
Poetry. And to such as love that Poetry, that of _Nymphs_ and
_Shepherds_, his _Nymphals_, and other things of that nature, cannot be
unpleasant.

To conclude, He was a Poet of a pious temper, his Conscience having
always the command of his Fancy; very temperate in his Life, flow of
speech, and inoffensive in company. He changed his Lawrel for a Crown
of Glory, _Anno_ 1631. and was buried in _Westminster-Abbey_, near the
South-door, by those two eminent Poets, _Geoffry Chaucer_ and _Edmond
Spencer_, with this Epitaph made (as it is said) by Mr. _Benjamin
Johnson_.

_Do, pious Marble, let thy Readers know
What they, and what their Children ow
To Drayton's Name, whose sacred Dust
We recommend unto thy Trust_

_Protect his Memory, and preserve his Story,
Remain a lasting Monument of his Glory:
And when thy Ruines shall disclaim
To be the Treasurer of his Name,
His Name that cannot fade shall be
An everlasting Monument to thee_.

* * * * *

_JOSHUA SYLVESTER_.

_Joshua Sylvester_, a very eminent Translator of his time, especially
of the Divine _Du Bartus_, whose six days work of Creation, gain'd him
an immortal Fame, having had many great Admirers even to these days,
being usher'd into the world by the chiefest Wits of that Age; amongst
others, the most accomplisht Mr. _Benjamin Johnson_ thus wrote of him.

If to admire, were to commend my Praise
might then both thee, thy work and merit raise;
But, as it is (the Child of Ignorance
And utter stranger to all Ayr of _France_)
How can I speak of thy great pains, but err;
Since they can