He was before _Chaucer_, as born and flourishing before him, (yea, by some accounted his Master) yet was he after _Chaucer_, as surviving him two years, living to be stark blind, and so more properly termed our _English Homer_. His death happened _Anno_ 1402. and was buried at St. _Mary Overies_ in _Southwark_, on the North side of the said Church, in the Chappel of St. _John_, where he founded a Chauntry, and left Means for a Mass, (such was the Religion of those times) to be daily sung for him, as also an _Obit_ within the same Church to be kept on Friday after the Feast of St. _Gregory_. He lieth under a Tomb of stone, with his Image also of stone over him, the hair of his head auburn long to his shoulders, but curling up, and a small forked beard; on his head a Chaplet, like a Coronet of four Roses; an habit of purple, damasked down to his feet, a Collar of Esses of Gold about his neck, which being proper to places of Judicature, makes some think he was a Judge in his old age. Under his feet the likeness of three Books, which he compiled, the first named _Speculum Meditantis_, written in _French_: the second, _Vox Clamantis_, penned in _Latine_: the third, _Confessio Amantis_, written in _English_, which was Printed by _Thomas Berthelette_, and by him dedicated to King _Henry_ the Eighth, of which I have one by me at this present. His _Vox Clamantis_ with his _Cronica Tripartita_, and other Works both in _Latine_ and _French_, _Stow_ saith he had in his possession, but his _Speculum Meditantis_ he never saw, but heard thereof to be in _Kent_. Besides, on the Wall where he lieth, there was painted three Virgins crowned, one of which was named _Charity_, holding this device, _En toy qui es fitz de Dieu le Pere, Sauue soit, qui gist sours cest pierre._ The second Writing _Mercy_, with this Decree, _O bone Jesu fait ta mercy_, _Al' ame, dont le corps gisticy._ The third Writing _Pity_, with this device, _Pour ta pite Jesu regarde, Et met cest a me en sauue garde._ And thereby formerly hung a Table, wherein was written, That whoso prayed for the Soul of _John Gower_, so oft as he did it, should have a M. and D. days of pardon. His Arms were in a Field Argent, on a Cheveron Azure, three Leopards heads gold, their tongues Gules, two Angels supporters, on the Crest a Talbot. His Epitaph. _Armigeri Scultum nihil a modo fert sibi tutum, Reddidit immolutum morti generale tributum, Spiritus exutum se gaudeat esse solutum Est ubi virtutum Regnum sine labe statutum_. All I shall add is this, That about fifty years ago there lived at _Castle-Heningham_ in _Essex_, a School-master named _John Gower_, who wrote a witty Poem, called _the Castle Combate_, which was received in that Age with great applause. * * * * * _GEOFFERY CHAUCER_.