I sing the Civil Wars, tumultuous Broils And bloody Factions of a mighty Land, Whose people haughty, proud with foreign spoyls; Upon their selves turn back their conquering hand While Kin their Kin, Brother the Brother foils, Like Ensigns, all against like Ensigns stand: Bows against Bows, a Crown against a Crown, While all pretending right, all right throw down Take one Taste more of his Poetry, in his sixth Book of that Heroical Poem, speaking of the Miseries of Civil War. So wretched is this execrable War, This civil Sword, wherein though all we see be foul, and all things miserable are, Yet most of all is even the Victory; Which is, not only the extream Ruiner of others, but her own Calamity; Where who obtains, cannot what he would do: Their power hath part that holp him thereunto. Next, take notice of his _Musophilus_, or general Defence of Learning, Dedicated to Sir _Fulk Greuil_; his Letter of _Octovia_ to _Marcus Antonius_, his Complaint of _Rosamond_ his _Panegyrick_, _Delia_, _&c._ Besides his _Dramatick_ Pieces; as his Tragedy of _Philotus_ and _Cleopatra_; _Hymenis Triumph_, and the _Queens Arcadia_, a Pastoral; being all of them of such worth, that they were well accepted by the choicest Judgments of those Times, and do yet remain in good esteem, as by their often Impressions may appear. This our Poet's deserts preferr'd him to be a Servant in ordinary to Queen _Anne_, the most illustrious wife of King _James_ I. who allowed him a fair Salary, such as enabled him to keep a handsom Gardenhouse in _Old-street_ nigh _London_, where he would commonly lie obscure sometimes two Months together, the better to enjoy that great Felicity he aimed at, by enjoying the company of the _Muses_, and then would appear in publick, to recreate himself, and converse with his Friends; of whom the most endeared were the Learned Doctor _Cowel_, and Judicious Mr. _Cambden_. And now being weary of the Troubles of the City and Court, he retired into the Country, and turn'd Husbandman, Renting a Farm or Grange in _Wiltshire_ nigh the _Devizes_, not so much, as it is thought, for the hope of gains, as to enjoy the retiredness of a Country Life: How he thrived upon it, I cannot inform my self, much less my Readers, although no question pleasing himself therein, he attained to that Riches he sought for, _viz._ Quiet and Contentedness; which whoso enjoys, reapeth benefit of his labours. He left no Issue behind him but those of his Brain, though living a good space of time with _Justina_ his wife: For his Estate, he had neither a _Bank_ of Wealth, nor _Lank_ of Want; but living in a competent contented condition, and died (as it is conjectured) about the latter end of King _James_ I. * * * * * _GEORGE CHAPMAN_.