This famous Antiquary, Mr. _John Leland_, flourish'd in the year 1546. about the beginning of the Reign of King _Edward_ the Sixth, and was born by most probable conjecture at _London_. He wrote, among many other Volumes, several Books of Epigrams, his _Cigneo Cantio_, a Genethliac of Prince _Edward_, _Naniae_ upon the death of Sir _Thomas Wiat_, out of which we shall present you with these Verses: _Transtulit in nostram_ Davidis _carmina linguam, Et numeros magna reddidit arte pares. Non morietur opus tersum, spectabile sacrum, Clarior hac fama parte_ Viattus _erit. Una dies geminos Phoenices non dedit orbi, Mors erit unius, vita sed alterius. Rara avis in terris confectus morte_ Viattus, Houerdum _haeredem scripserat ante suum. Dicere nemo potest recte periisse_ Viattum, _Ingenii cujus tot monimenta vigent_. He wrote also several other things both in Prose and Verse, to his great fame and commendation. * * * * * _THOMAS CHURCHYARD_. _Thomas Churchyard_ was born in the Town of _Shrewsbury_, as himself doth affirm in his Book made in Verse of the _Worthiness of Wales_, taking _Shropshire_ within the compass, (to use his own Expression) _Wales_ the _Park_, and the _Marches_ the _Pale_ thereof. He was one equally addicted to Arts and Arms, serving under that renowned Captain Sir _William Drury_, in a rode he made into _Scotland_, as also under several other Commanders beyond Sea, as he declares in his _Tragical Discourse of the Unhappy Mans Life_, saying, Full thirty years both Court and Wars I tryde, And still I sought acquaintance with the best, And served the State, and did such hap abide As might befal, and Fortune sent the rest, When Drum did sound, I was a Soldier prest To Sea or Land, as Princes quarrel stood, And for the same full oft I lost my blood. But it seems he got little by the Wars but blows, as he declares himself a little after. But God he knows, my gain was small I weene, For though I did my credit still encrease, I got no wealth by wars, ne yet by peace. Yet it seems he was born of wealthy friends, and had an Estate left unto him, as in the same Work he doth declare. So born I was to House and Land by right, But in a Bag to Court I brought the same, From _Shrewsbury_-Town, a seat of ancient fame. Some conceive him to be as much beneath a Poet as above a Rymer, yet who so shall consider the time he wrote in, _viz._ the beginning of the Reign of Queen _Elizabeth_, shall find his Verses to go abreast with the best of that Age. His Works, such as I have seen and have now in custody, are as followeth: