There also flourish’d about the same time Thomas Watson, a contemporary immitater of Sir Philip Sidney, as also Tho.  Hudson, Joh.  Markham, Tho.  Achelly, Joh.  Weever, Ch.  Middleton, Geo. Turbervile, Hen.  Constable, with some others, especially one John Lane, whose Works though much better meriting than many that are in print, yet notwithstanding had the ill fate to be unpublish’d, but they are all still reserved in Manuscript, namely, his Poetical Vision, his Alarm to the Poets his Twelve Months, his Guy of Warwick, a Heroick Poem; and lastly, his Supplement to Chaucer’s Squires Tale.

* * * * *

Sir THOMAS OVERBURY.

Sir Thomas Overbury, a Knight and Wit, was Son to Sir Nicholas Overbury of Burton in Glocester-shire, one of the Judges of the Marches; who, to his natural propension of ingenuity, had the addition of good Education, being bred up first in Oxford, afterwards, for a while a Student of the Law in the Middle Temple; soon after he cast Anchor at Court, the Haven of Hope for all aspiring Spirits; afterwards travell’d into France, where having been some time, he returned again, and was entertained into the respects of Sir Rob.  Carre, one who was newly initiated a Favourite to King James; where, by his wise carriage, he purchased to himself not only the good affection and respect of Sir Robert, but also of divers other eminent persons.

During his abode with Sir Robert Carre, he composed that excellent Poem of his, entituled, A Wife; which, for the excellency thereof, the Author of the Epistle to the Reader, prefixed before his Book, thus writes, Had such a Poem been extant among the ancient Romans, altho’ they wanted our easie conservation of Wit by Printing, they would have committed it to Brass, lest injurious time might deprive it of due eternity.  Nor was his Poem of A Wife not only done to the life, but also those Characters which he wrote, to this day not out-witted by any.

But to return from the Work to the Workman; Mr. Overbury is by the King knighted, and Sir Rob.  Carre made a Viscount, and such a reciprocal Love pass’d betwixt them, that it was questionable, whether the Viscount were more in favour with King James, or Sir Thomas Overbury in the favour of the Viscount?  But what estate on earth is so firm, that is not changeable, or what friendship is so constant, that is not dissolvable?  Who would imagine this Viscount should be instrumental to his death, who had done him so faithful service, and to whom he had embosom’d his most secret thoughts?  Yet so it was, for Sir Thomas, out of an unfeigned affection which he bare to the Viscount, diswaded him from a motion of a Marriage which was propounded