Desk, reaches the other part of his History, to Mr. Burre, which he had brought down to the times he lived in; clapping his hand on his breast, he took the other unprinted part of his Works into his hand with a sigh, saying, Ah my Friend, hath the first Part undone thee?  The second Volume shall undo no more; this ungrateful World is unworthy of it; When immediately going to the fire-side he threw it in, and set his foot on it till it was consumed.  As great a Loss to Learning as Christendom could have, or owned; for his first Volume after his death sold Thousands.

It may likewise be objected, That some of these Poets here mentioned, have been more famous in other kind of Studies than in Poetry, and therefore do not shine here as in their proper sphere of fame; but what then, shall their general knowledge debar them from a particular notice of their Abilities in this most excellent Art?  Nor have we scarce any Poet excellent in all its Species thereof; some addicting themselves most to the Epick, some to the Dramatick, some to the Lyrick, other to the Elegiack, the Epaenitick, the Bucolick, or the Epigram; under one of which all the whole circuit of Poetick Design is one way or other included.

Besides, should we have mentioned none but those who upon a strict scrutiny the Name of Poet doth belong unto, I fear me our number would fall much short of those which we have written; for as one writes, There are many that have a Fame deservedly for what they have writ, even in Poetry itself, who, if they come to the test, I question how well they would endure to open their Eagle-eyes against the Sun. But I shall wade no further in this Discourse, desiring you to accept of what is here written.

  I remain

  Yours,

  William Winstanley.

* * * * *

The Names of the Poets Mention’d in this Book.

Robert of Glocester Richard the Hermit Joseph of Exeter Michael Blaunpayn Matthew Paris William Ramsey Alexander Nequam Alexander Essebie Robert Baston Henry Bradshaw Havillan Sir John Gower Geoffrey Chaucer John Lydgate John Harding Robert Fabian John Skelton William Lilly Sir Thomas More Henry Howard, Earl of Surry Sir Thomas Wiat Dr. Christopher Tye John Leland Thomas Churchyard_ John Higgins Abraham Fraunce William Warner Thomas Tusser Thomas Stow Dr. Lodge Robert Greene Thomas Nash Sir Philip Sidney Sir Fulk Grevil Mr. Edmund Spenser Sir John Harrington John Heywood Thomas Heywood George Peel John Lilly William Wager Nicholas Berton Tho.  Kid, Tho.  Watson, &c.  Sir Thomas