Volume 1

Athenae Oxonienses : An exact history of all the writers and bishops who have had their education in the University of Oxford. To which are added the fasti, or annals of the said University / By Anthony A. Wood.

  • Anthony Wood
Date:
1813-20
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Athenae Oxonienses : An exact history of all the writers and bishops who have had their education in the University of Oxford. To which are added the fasti, or annals of the said University / By Anthony A. Wood. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    of North Mims, near St. Albans, in Hertfordshire, appears to admit of some doubt, for although Bale speaks positively as to his having been a citizen, other writers are as decided for the latter place, and Peachamwho was a native of North Mims, says that our author certainly had posses- sions and lived there. Sir Thomas More was his neighbour, and hence the intimacy between them. It has been even said that sir Thomas assisted Hey wood in the composition of his epigrams*. Sir John Harrington informs us, that he was once in great danger of his life from having of- fended Edward the Sixth, but that he escaped hanging with his mirth'', the king fancying that one who wrote such harmless verses could not have any really evil designs against his proceed- ings, and ' therefore, at the solicitation of a gen- tleman of the chamber, pardoned his cxime. Heywood's Works, as the title calls them, al- though they consist only of his Dialogue and Epigrams, were printed in 1562,1566,1576, 1587, and in 1598^ 4to. But Oldys'^has preserved the titles of two other productions notbefore discovered. 1. A Brefe Balet, touching the traijterous takynge of Scarborow Castle. Printed on a large sheet in two columns, by Thomas Powel. This is preserved among Dyson's collections in the library of the society of antiquaries. 2. A Balade of the Meeting and Marriage of the King and Queene's Highness. Printed by Will. Ryddell, on a large half sheet. In the British museum are his, 3. Poetical Dialogue concerning witty (i. e. wise and witless.) MS. Harl. 367, fol. 110. 4. A Description of a most noble Ladye advewed 5y John Hej/woode. MS. Harl. 1703, fol. 108. Ihis is a poetical portrait of queen Mary, and has been printed entire by Park in his edition of Walpole's Roi/aland Noble Authors, vol. i. p. 80. Camden, who terms Heywood ' the great epi- grammatist,' has preserved some of his Avise speeches, or rather his merry sayings, that do him credit. The following are not without wit, and are infinitely less disgusting than this species of composition generally was at this early period, from its licentiousness. ' When queen Mary told this Heywood that the priests must forgoe their wives; he merrily answered. Your grace must allow them lemans then, for the clergy cannot live without sauce. ' When he saw one riding that bare a wanton behind him, he said; In good faith, sir, I would say that your horse were overloaden, if I did not f)erceive the gentlewoman you carry were very ight'.' 'Compleat Gentleman, edit. 1661, p. 95.] Dodsle^'s Old Flays, by Reed, edit. 1780, vol. i. p. 43.] Metamorphosis of Ajax, 1596, p. 25.] Censura Literuria, xi. 115.] [MS. additions to Langbaine's Dramatic Poets, in the British aiiiseiim.] ' [Camden's Remaincs, edit. 1637, page 287.] As sufficient extracts from Heywood's works will be found in Warton's Hist, of Eng. Poetry, vol. iii. 87, I conclude with the following epi- grams ^. Of birds and birders. 40. Better one bird in the hand, than ten in the wood: Better for birders, but for birds not so good. A lord's hart and a begger's purse. 47. There is nothing in this world that agreeth woorse, Then doth a lord's hart and a begger's purse; And 3'et as ill as those two doe agree. Thou canst not bring them asunder to be. Of testons. 63. Testons be gon to Oxford, God bee their speed, To study in Brasen nose, there to proceede. Of redde testons. 64. These testons looke red ; how lyke you the same: 'Tis a token of grace, they blush for shame. Of Heywood. 100. Art thou Heywood with thy mad mery witt.? Yea forsooth, maister, that same is euen hit. Art thou Heywood that applyeth mirth more then thrift ? Yes, sir, I take mery mirth a golden gift. Art thou Heywood that hath made many mad playes ? Yea many playes, few good woorkes in all my dayes. Art thou Heywood that hath made men mery long ? Yea, and will if I be made mery among. Art thou Heywood that would be made mery now? Yes, sir, help me to it now I beseech you.] THOMAS HOBY of Bysham near to Maiden- head in Berks, son of Will. Hoby of Leominster commonly called Lemster in Herefordshire, was born, as I conceive, in Herefordshire, and after he had spent some time among the Oxonian muses he went beyond the seas, lived in France, Italy, and other countries several years, became a perfect master of the languages there spoken, and at length returned a compleat gentleman, well furnished with learning, and for a time settled at Bysham. Afterwards being introduced into the court, he became so much esteemed by qu. Eli- zabeth, that she not only conferr'd the honour of knighthood upon him, but sent him ambassador to the French king, an. 1565 or thereabouts; ^ [Heywood was held for epigrams the best What time old Church-yard dealt in verse and prose, But fashions since are growne out of request. As bombast-dublets, bases, and round hose. Or as your lady, may it now be saide. That looks lesse louely then her chambermaid. The Mastive, or young Wlielpe of the Old Dogge. Epi~- grams and Satyrs. 4to. Lond. no date. ] 3 [Baker affirms that he was of St. John's coll. Cam- bridge, and refers to the matriculations in that university, an, 1545.]