yet both in language and numbers it is
much inferior, as much as it is reasonable to suppose the genius of
Harrington was below that of Spenser.

Mrs. Cooper remarks, that the whole poem of Orlando is a tedious
medley of unnatural characters, and improbable events, and that the
author's patron, Cardinal Hippolito De Este, had some reason for that
severe question. Where the devil, Signior Ludovico, did you pick up
all these damned lies? The genius of Ariosto seems infinitely more
fit for satire than heroic poetry; and some are of opinion, that had
Harrington wrote nothing but epigrams, he had been more in his own
way.

We cannot certainly fix the time that Sir John died, but it is
reasonable to suppose that it was about the middle, or rather towards
the latter end of James I's reign. I shall subjoin an epigram of his
as a specimen of his poetry.

IN CORNUTUM.

What curl'd pate youth is he that sitteth there,
So near thy wife, and whispers in her eare,
And takes her hand in his, and soft doth wring her.
Sliding his ring still up and down her finger?
Sir, 'tis a proctor, seen in both the lawes,
Retain'd by her in some important cause;
Prompt and discreet both in his speech and action,
And doth her business with great satisfaction.
And think'st thou so? a horn-plague on thy head!
Art thou so-like a fool, and wittol led,
To think he doth the bus'ness of thy wife?
He doth thy bus'ness, I dare lay my life.

[Footnote 1: Muses Library, p. 296.]

[Footnote 2: Ubi supra.]

* * * * *

THOMAS DECKER,

A poet who lived in the reign of King James I. and as he was
cotemporary with Ben Johnson, so he became more eminent by having a
quarrel with that great man, than by all his works. Decker was but an
indifferent poet, yet even in those days he wanted not his admirers;
he had also friends among the poets; one of whom, Mr. Richard Brome,
always called him Father; but it is the misfortune of little wits,
that their admirers are as inconsiderable as themselves, for Brome's
applauses confer no great honour on those who enjoy them. Our author
joined with Webster in writing three plays, and with Rowley and Ford
in another; and Langbaine asserts, that these plays in which he only
contributed a part, far exceed those of his own composition. He has
been concerned in eleven plays, eight whereof are of his own writing,
of all which I shall give an account in their alphabe