, surpass'd all arts,
That ever were before or since the flood.

And when their reason's eye was sharp and clear,
And (as an eagle can behold the sun)
Cou'd have approach'd th' eternal light as near,
As th' intellectual Angels could have done.

Even then, to them the spirit of lyes suggests,
That they were blind because they saw not ill;
And breath'd into their incorrupted breasts
A curious wish, which did corrupt their will.

[Footnote 1: Muses library p. 332.]

* * * * *

THOMAS GOFF.

A Gentleman who flourished in the reign of King James I. He was born
in Essex, towards the latter end of Queen Elizabeth's reign, about the
year 1592. In his youth he was sent to Westminster-school, and at
the age of eighteen, he was entered student of Christ's-college in
Oxford[1]. Being an industrious scholar, says Langbaine, he arrived to
be a good poet, a skilful orator, and an excellent preacher. In the
year 1623 he was made batchelor of divinity, and preferred to a living
in Surry called East-Clanden: there he married a wife who proved as
great a plague to him as a shrew could be; she was a true Xantippe
to our ecclesiastical Socrates, and gave him daily opportunities of
puting his patience to the proof; and it is believed by some, that
this domestic scourge shortened his days. He was buried at his own
parish church at Clanden, the 27th of July, 1627. He writ several
pieces on different subjects, amongst which are reckoned five plays.
Careless Shepherdess, a Tragi-comedy, acted before the King and Queen
at Salisbury court with great applause. Printed in 4to,1656, with an
Alphabetical Catalogue of all such plays as ever were to that time
published. 2. Courageous Turk, or Amurath I. a Tragedy, acted by the
students of Christ-church in Oxford, printed in 8vo, London 1656.
For the plot consult Knolles's History of the Turks. 3. Orcites, a
Tragedy, acted by the students of Christ's-church in Oxford, printed
in 8vo, London 1656. 4. Raging Turk, or Bajazet II. a tragedy acted
by the students in Christ's-church in Oxford, printed in 8vo. London
1656. This play was written with the two foregoing tragedies, when the
author was master of arts, and student of Christ's-church, but not
printed till after his decease. 5. Selinus, Emperor of the Turks, a
Tragedy, printed in 4to, London 1638. This play in all probability was
never exhibited, because it is not divided into acts. The auth