a respect for him, her successor still a greater, and
Prince Henry greater than his father; the prince so
valued our bard, that he made him his first Poet-Pensioner.
He was not more celebrated for his poetry, than his
extraordinary private virtues, his sobriety and sincere
attachment to the duties of religion. He was also
remarkable for his fortitude and resolution in combating
adversity: we are further told that he was perfectly
acquainted with the French, Italian, Latin, Dutch
and Spanish languages. And it is related of him,
that by endeavouring to correct the vices of the times
with too much asperity, he exposed himself to the
resentment of those in power, who signified their
displeasure, to the mortification and trouble of the
author. Our poet gained more reputation by the
translation of Du Bartas, than by any of his own compositions.
Besides his Weeks and Works, he translated several
other productions of that author, namely, Eden[2],
the Deceit, the Furies, the Handicrafts, the Ark, Babylon,
the Colonies, the Columns, the Fathers, Jonas, Urania,
Triumph of Faith, Miracle of Peace, the Vocation,
the Daw; the Captains, the Trophies, the Magnificence,
&c. also a Paradox of Odes de la Nove, Baron of Teligni
with the Quadrians of Pibeac; all which translations
were generally well received; but for his own works,
which were bound up with them, they received not,
says Winstanley, so general an approbation, as may
be seen by these verses:
We know thou dost well,
As a translator
But where things require
A genius and fire,
Not kindled before by others pains,
As often thou hast wanted brains.
In the year 1618 this author died at Middleburgh in
Zealand, aged 55 years, and had the following epitaph
made on him by his great admirer John Vicars beforementioned,
but we do not find that it was put upon his tomb-stone.
Here lies (death’s too rich prize)
the corpse interr’d
Of Joshua Sylvester Du Bartas Pier;
A man of arts best parts, to God, man,
dear;
In foremost rank of poets best preferr’d.
[Footnote 1: Athenae Oxon. p. 594.]
[Footnote 2: Winstanley, Lives of the Poets,
p. 109.]
* * * *
*
SAMUEL DANIEL
Was the son of a music master, and born near Taunton
in Somersetshire, in the year 1562. In 1579 he
was admitted a commoner in Magdalen Hall in Oxford,
where he remained about three years, and by the assistance
of an excellent tutor, made a very great proficiency
in academical learning; but his genius inclining him
more to studies of a gayer and softer kind, he quitted
the University, and applied himself to history and
poetry. His own merit, added to the recommendation
of his brother in law, (John Florio, so well known
for his Italian Dictionary) procured him the patronage
of Queen Anne, the consort of King James I. who was
pleased to confer on him the honour of being one of