Three hundred epigrams upon three hundred proverbs, in old English character.

A fourth hundred of epigrams, printed in quarto, London 1598.

A fifth hundred of epigrams, printed in quarto, London 1598.

The Spider and Fly.  A Parable of the Spider and Fly, London 1556, in a pretty thick quarto, all in old English verse.  Before the title is the picture of John Heywood at full length, printed from a wooden cut, with a fur gown on, almost representing the fashion of that, belonging to a master of arts, but the bottom of the sleeve reach no lower than his knees; on his head is a round cap, his chin and lips are close shaved, and hath a dagger hanging to his girdle.[2]

Dr. Fuller mentions a book writ by our author,[3] entitled Monumenta Literaria, which are said to Non tam labore, condita, quam Lepore condita:  The author of English poetry, speaking of several of our old English bards, says thus of our poet.  “John Heywood for the mirth and quickness of conceit, more than any good learning that was in him, came to be well rewarded by the king.”

That the reader may judge of his epigrams, to which certainly the writer just mentioned alludes, I shall present him with one writ by him on himself.

Art thou Heywood, with thy mad merry wit?  Yea for sooth master, that name is even hit.  Art thou Heywood, that apply’s mirth more than thrift?  Yes sir, I take merry mirth, a golden gift.  Art thou Heywood, that hast made many mad plays?  Yea many plays, few good works in my days.  Art thou Heywood, that hath made men merry long?  Yea, and will, if I be made merry among.  Art thou Heywood, that would’st be made merry now?  Yes, Sir, help me to it now, I beseech you.

He died at Mechlin, in the year 1565, and was buried there, leaving behind him several children, to whom he had given liberal education, one of whom is Jasper, who afterwards made a considerable figure, and became a noted Jesuit.

[Footnote 1:  Wood Athen, Oxon.]

[Footnote 2:  Wood ubi supra.]

[Footnote 3:  Worthies of London, p. 221.]

* * * * *

GEORGE FERRARS,

Descended of an ancient family seated in Hertfordshire, was born there in a village not far from St. Alban’s about the year 1510[1].  He was a lawyer, a historian, and a poet; he received his education at the university of Oxford, but of what college he was Wood himself has not been able to discover; he removed from thence to Lincolns’-Inn, where, by a diligent application to the law, he made considerable progress in his profession, and by the patronage of that great minister Cromwell Earl of Essex, who was himself a man of astonishing abilities, he soon made a figure at the bar.  He was the menial servant of King Henry VIII.[2] and discharged his trust both in time of war and peace with great honour and gallantry, and shared that monarch’s