Plus esitare dum paro, DE SKELTONO VATE ET SACERDOTE. Skeltonus gravidam reddebat forte puellam, The above humourous anecdote is also related in Skelton's Jests, a book so very scarce, that I never heard of but one copy, which is in the possession of Mr. Heber. This copy of Parkhurst, in the possession of Mr. Douce, was given by the author to "Thomas Buttes," who has written in it the following curious Acrostic on his own name: T-he longer lyfe that man on earth enjoyes, B-eware, therefore, O wretched sinfull Wight Thomas Buttes havyng the first letter of everie lyne begynnyng with a letter of his name. The reader who wishes for farther particulars of Parkhurst and his book, may consult Herbert's Ames, vol. 1. p. 656. Warton's History of English Poetry, vol. 111. p. 432. Wood's Athenæ Oxonienses, vol. 1. p. 179. Parkhurst's work is also quoted in Boys's tenth Sermon after Trinity, p. 447. ROWLANDE ROWLANDE BROUGHTON. THIS personage adds another name to the Catalogue of English Poets. I do not find him any where mentioned, and yet he was the author of other productions than this about to be described. At least it may be so presumed from the following stanza in the commencement of this poem. What hath bewitched late thy powers, Whiche thou wast wont to use, Of thy acquainted muse. I give the title page of this poem. "A BRIEFE DISCOURSE OF THE LYFE AND DEATH OF THE LATE RIGHT HIGH AND HONORABLE SIR WILLIAM PAWLET, Knight, Lord Saint John, Erle of Wilshire, Marques of Winchester, Knight of the honorable Order of the Garter, one of the Queenes Majesties Privie Counsel, and Lorde Highe Treasurer of Englande. Which deceased the tenth day of Marche, Anno 1571, and was buried at Basing the 28 day of Aprill. Anno. MDLXXII. Printed Printed at London by Richard Johnes. SPECIMEN. I am content to bend my pen, In rurall ryme to paynte The tale that thou haste toulde to me, And wyll denie in hermonie I bet the playne songe, no whit els To set in partes the learned must, And let them descant who so list, Thou toldest me of his vertuous lyfe In many an enterprise. How styll by friendship he dyd seeke His foes his friends to make; And their redoubled shames came on, As they dyd brew to bake. &c. &c. JO. JO. DAVORS. PERHAPS there does not exist in the circle of English Literature a rarer book than this which I am about to describe. It is quoted no where but by Isaac Walton, in his Complete Angler, where it is ascribed to Jo. Davors, esq. Of this person I can no where find any account. He has even escaped the indefatigable penetration and industry of Ritson. The book is so rare that Sir John Hawkins confesses he could never procure a sight of it. My friend Mr. Douce had given me the opportunity of describing it, when I afterwards. found a less perfect copy in the British Museum. "THE SECRETS OF ANGLING. TEACHING The choicest tooles, baits and seasons for the taking of any fish, in pond or river, practised, and familiarly opened in three Bookes. By J. D. Esquire. Augmented with many approved experiments, by W. Lauson. London. Printed by T. H. for John Harison, and are to be sold by Francis Coles, at his Shop in the Old Bayly. 1652." As |