It is somewhat singular that Thomas Newton,[33] the famous Cheshire poet, who sang the glories of Essex and Drake in Latin verse, should have remained silent upon the daring deeds of his quondam friend and neighbour, Sir Urian Legh, leaving the “Water Poet,” John Taylor, to record in rhyme the virtues of the hero of Cadiz. Taylor was a guest at Adlington some time before the close of the century, and in his “Pennilesse Pilgrimage” describes the reception he met in a manner that recalls Ben Jonson’s lines in praise of the daily hospitalities at Penshurst:— This weary day, when I had almost past, I came vnto Sir Urian Legh’s at last. At _Adlington_, neer _Macksfield_, he doth dwell, Belou’d, respected, and reputed well. Through his great loue, my stay with him was fixt, From Thursday night till noone on Monday next. At his own table I did daily eate, Whereat may be suppos’d did want no meate. He would have giu’n me gold or siluer either, But I with many thankes receiued neither. And thus much without flattery I dare sweare, He is a knight beloued farre and neere. First, he’s beloued of his God aboue, (Which loue he loues to keep beyond all loue), Next with a wife and children he is blest, Each hauing God’s feare planted in their brest. With faire Demaines, Reuennue of good Lands, He’s fairely blest by the Almightie’s hands. And as he’s happy in these outward things, So from his inward mind continuall springs Fruits of deuotion, deedes of Piety, Good hospitable workes of Charity; Iust in his Actions, constant in his word, And one that wonne his honour with the sword. He’s no Carranto, Cap’ring, Carpet Knight, But he knowes when and how to speake and fight. I cannot flatter him, say what I can, He’s euery way a compleat Gentleman. I write not this for what he did to me, But what mine eares and eyes did heare and see, Nor doe I pen this to enlarge his fame, But to make others imitate the same. For like a Trumpet were I pleased to blow, I would his worthy worth more amply show, But I already feare haue beene too bold, And craue his pardon, me excusd to hold. Thanks to his Sonnes and seruants euery one, Both males and females all, excepting none. [Note 33: Thomas Newton, before his removal into Essex, resided at Park House, in Butley, little more than a mile distant from Adlington. His mother, Alice Newton, in her will, dated December 22, 1597, leaves “one spurill ryall or XVs. in money to each of the right worshipful Thomas Legh, of Adlington, and Sybell, his wife,” the testatrix’s “worshipful good frendes;” and she also appoints “the right worshipful Thomas Legh, of Adlington aforesaid, Esquire,” overseer, earnestly entreating him to assist and direct her executors.]