And afterwards in his fourth Book, _Epig._ 20. concerning Envy's Genealogy; he thus complements him. Fair Vertue, foul-mouth'd Envy breeds, and feeds; From Vertue only this foul Vice proceeds; Wonder not that I this to you indite, 'Gainst your rare Vertues, Envy bends her spite. It happened that whilest the said Sir _John_ repaired often to an Ordinary in _Bath_, a Female attendress at the Table, neglecting other Gentlemen, which sat higher, and were of greater Estates, applied herself wholly to him, accommodating him with all necessaries, and preventing his asking any thing with her officiousness. She being demanded by him, the reason of her so careful waiting on him? _I understand_ (said she) _you are a very witty man, and if I should displease you in any thing, I fear you would make an Epigram of me._ Sir _John_ frequenting often the Lady _Robert_'s House, his Wives Mother, where they used to go to dinner extraordinary late, a Child of his being there then, said _Grace_, which was that of the _Primmer, Thou givest them Meat in due season_; Hold, said Sir _John_ to the Child, you ought not to lie unto God, for here we never have our Meat in due season. This Jest he afterwards turned into an Epigram, directing it to his Wife, and concluding it thus: Now if your Mother angry be for this, Then you must reconcile us with a kiss. A Posthume Book of his came forth, as an addition to Bishop _Godwin's Catalogue of Bishops_, wherein (saith Dr. _Fuller_) besides mistakes, some tart reflections in _Uxaratos Episcopos_, might well have been spared. In a word (saith he) he was a Poet in all things, save in his wealth, leaving a fair Estate to a learned and religious Son, and died about the middle of the Reign of King _James_. * * * * * _JOHN HEYWOOD_. This _John Heywood_ was one of the first writers of _English_ Plays, contemporary with the Authors of _Gammar Gurton's Needle_, and _Tom Tyler and his Wife_, as may appear by the Titles of his Interludes; _viz._ The Play of Love; Play of the Weather; Play between _Johan_ the Husband, and _Tib_ his Wife; Play between the Pardoner and the Fryer, and the Curate and Neighbour _Prat_; Play of Gentleness and Nobility, in two parts. Besides these he wrote two Comedies, the _Pinner of Wakefield_, and _Philotas_ _Scotch_. There was of this Name, in King _Henry_ the Eighth's Reign, an Epigramatist, _who_, saith the Author of the Art of _English_ Poetry, _for the mirth and quickness of his conceits, more than any good learning was in him, came to be well benefited by the King._ * * * * * _THOMAS HEYWOOD_.