, that Somerset was privy
to a secret of the King's, which if it had been revealed, would have
produced the strangest consternation in the kingdom that ever was
known, and drawn down infamy upon his majesty for ever; but as nothing
can be ascertained concerning it, it might seem unfair to impute to
this silly Prince more faults than he perhaps committed: It is certain
he was the slave of his favourites, and not the most shocking crime
in them, it seems, could entirely alienate his affections, and it is
doubtful whether the saving of Somerset or the execution of Raleigh
reflects most disgrace upon his reign. Some have said, that the body
of Sir Thomas Overbury was thrown into an obscure pit; but Wood, says
it appears from the Tower registers, that it was interred in the
chapel; which seems more probable. There is an epitaph which
Winstanley has preserved, written by our author upon himself, which I
shall here insert, as it serves to illustrate his versification.

The span of my days measured here I rest,
That is, my body; but my soul, his guest
Is hence ascended, whither, neither time,
Nor faith, nor hope, but only love can climb,
Where being new enlightened, she doth know
The truth, of all men argue of below:
Only this dust, doth here in pawn remain,
That when the world dissolves, she come again.

The works of Overbury besides his Wife, which is reckoned the wittiest
and most finished of all, are, first Characters, or witty descriptions
of the prophesies of sundry persons. This piece has relation to some
characters of his own time, which can afford little satisfaction to a
modern reader.

Second, The Remedy of Love in two parts, a poem 1620, Octavo, 2s.

Third, Observations in his Travels, on the State. of the seventeen
Provinces, as they stood anno 1609.

Fourth, Observations on the Provinces united, and the state of France,
printed London 1631.

Sir Thomas was about 32 years old when he was murthered, and is said
to have possessed an accuteness, and strength of parts that was
astonishing; and some have related that he was proud of his abilities,
and over-bearing in company; but as there is no good authority for the
assertion, it is more agreeable to candour to believe him the amiable
knight Winstanley draws him; as it seldom happens that a soul formed
for the noble quality of friendship is haughty and insolent. There is
a tragedy of Sir Thomas Overbury wrote by the late Richard Savage, son
of