Now as his Prose was very useful, so was his Poetry as much delightful; writing a Chronicle of our _English_ Kings from _Brute_ to King _Edward_ the Fourth, and that in _English_ Verse; for which he was accounted one cf the chiefest Poets of his time; being so exactly done, that by it Dr. _Fuller_ adjudges him to have drunk as deep a draught of _Helicon_ as any in his Age: And another saying, that by the fame he deservedly claimed a Seat amongst the chiefest of the Poetical Writers. But to give you the better view of his Poetical Abilities, I shall present you with some of his Chronicle-Verse, concerning the sumptuous Houshold kept by King _Richard_ the Second, _cap._ 193. Truly I herd Robert Ireleffe say, Clarke of the Green-cloth, and that to the houshold Came every daye, forth most part alway Ten thousand folke, by his Messes told, That followed the hous aye as thei wold. And in the Kechin, three hundred Seruitours, And in eche Office many Occupiours. And Ladies faire, with their Gentleweomen Chamberers also and Lauenders, Three hundred of theim were occupied then; There was great pride emong the Officers, And of all men far passing their compeers; Of rich arraye, and much more costeus, Then was before, or sith, and more precious, &c. This our Poet _Harding_ was living _Anno_ 1461. being then very aged; and is judged to have survived not long after. * * * * * _ROBERT FABIAN_. _Robert Fabian_ was born and bred in _London_ as witnesseth _Bale_ and _Pits_; becoming one of the Rulers thereof, being chosen Sheriff, _Anno_ 1493. He spent his time which he had spare from publick Employments, for the benefit of posterity; writing two large Chronicles: the one from _Brute_ to the Death of King _Henry_ the Second; the other, from the First of King _Richard_, to the Death of _Henry_ the Seventh. He was (saith my Author) of a merry disposition, and used to entertain his Guests as well with good Discourse as good Victuals: He bent his Mind much to the Study of Poetry; which according to those times, passed for currant. Take a touch of his Abilities in the Prologue to the second Volume of his Chronicle of _England_ and _France_. Now would I fayne, In words playne, Some Honour sayne, And bring to mynde; Of that auncient Cytye, That so goodly is to se, And full true ever hath be, And also full kynde, To Prince and Kynge That hath borne just rulynge, Syn the first winnynge of this Hand by _Brute_. So that in great honour By passynge of many a showre, It hath euer borne the flowre; And laudable _Brute_, &c. These Verses were made for the Honour of _London_; which he calleth _Ryme Dogerel_, and at the latter end thereof, excuseth himself to the Reader in these words: