The Lives of the Most Famous English Poets (1687)Winstanley, William
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The Lives of the Most Famous English Poets (1687)
Winstanley, William
Poets, English -- Biography -- Early works to 1800
And so now with _Daniel_ being delivered out of the Lyons Den, he was
courted to several places, (which contended as emulously for his abode,
as the seven _Grecian_ Cities for _Homers_ Birth;) at last he setled in
_Grays-Inn_, which when he had enobled with some short time of his
residence, an intermitting Fever seized him, whereof he dyed, on
_Thursday_ Morning, _April_ the 29. 1658. from whence his Body was
brought to _Hunsden-House_, and on _Saturday_ being _May-day_, was
buried at _Colledgehill-Church_; His dear Friend Dr. _John Pearson_
(afterwards Lord Bishop of _Chester_) preached his Funeral Sermon, who
rendred this Reason; why he cautiously declined all commending of the
Party deceased, Because such praising of him would not be adequate to
any expectation in that Auditory; seeing some, who knew him not, would
think it far above him, while those, who knew him must needs know it
far below him.
Many there were who sought to eternize their own Names by honouring
his; some by Elegies, and other Devices, amongst the rest one made this
Anagram upon his name.
_JOHN CLEAVELAND_.
_HELICONIAN DEW_.
The difficult Trifle (saith one) is rather well endeavoured, than
exactly performed. More happy were those Wits, who descanted on him and
his works in Verse, although so eminent a Poet was never interred with
fewer Elegies than he; for which we may assign two Reasons, One that at
that time the best Fancies of the _Royal Party_ were in restraint, so
that we may in part think their Muses confin'd, as well as their
Bodies. Secondly, not to do it to the heighth, were in a manner to
dispraise him. However I shall adventure to give you an instance in
two, whereof the first of Mr. _Edward Martin_ of _London_.
Ye Muses do not me deny;
I ever was your Votary.
And tell me, seeing you do daign
T'inspire and feed the hungry Brain;
With what choice Cates? With what choice Fare?
To _Cleaveland's_ fancy still repair?
Fond Man, say they, why do'st thou question thus?
Ask rather with what Nectar he feeds us.
The other by Mr. _A.B._ printed before Mr. _Cleveland's_ Works.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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