Satyrical Essayes, Characters, and others: or accurate and quick Descriptions, fitted to the life of their subjects. [By] John Stephens. London, printed by Nic. Okes, and are to be sold by Roger Barnes, at his shop in St. Dunstane's Churchyard. 1615. In the same year this book reappeared with the following title. Essayes and Characters, ironical and instructive. The second impression. With a new Satyre, in defence of common Lawyers, mixt with reproofe against their common Enemy. With many new Characters, and divers other things added: and every thing amended. Expedit castigare, male dicere non licet neque juvat: affert enim male dictum vel male dicenti pœnitentiam vel vituperationem.Jul. Scalig. de Subtil. By John Stephens the yonger, of Lincolne's Inne, Gent. London, printed by E. Allde for Phillip Knight, and are to be solde at his shop in Chancery-lane over against the Rowles. 1615. Small 8vo. pp. 540. THESE are not different titles merely, as many books exhibit, but different editions: and in the later of them were added many preliminary pages in prose and verse, the new Satire mentioned in the title-page, and seven Characters. A new dedication was also prefixed, though addressed, like the former, to the author's "worthy and worshipfull and honored friend, Thomas Turnor, Esq." Both in the satirical Essays and prose Characters there is much discriminating observation and sarcastic pith, though sometimes rather coarsely clad. The following passage would seem to allude to Ruggle's Latin play of Ignoramus, performed at Cambridge before King James in March, 1614-15.* It was a severe attack both upon Law and Lawyers, for which Stephens, doubtless, professionally felt. It hath been tolde, Sound wits are modest, shallow wits are bolde; Of some, should all the Law and Lawyers baite. A list of the characters in that Comedy, and of those who personated them, is given in Granger's Biog. Hist. ii. 18. Under a colour'd trick, and wisely draw That honour to yourselves which follows them. &c. A very short extract from a prose Character shall conclude. "An honest Lawyer Is a precious diamond set in pure gold: the one gives glory to the other; and, being divided, they be lesse valuable. He knows Law to be the mistris of man, and yet he makes Honesty the mistris of the Law. He hath as much leasure to dispute with Conscience in the most busie Terme, as in the deadest Vacation. He railes not against the vices of his profession, but makes his profession commendable by his owne practise of vertue. He may well be a president to the best physicians, for he undertakes no cure when he perceives it inclining to be desperate. He makes the cause, and not his client, the object of his labour. He hath no leasure to protract time, or save his client's opinion with jests premeditated, or windy inferences. He owes so much worship to desert and innocence, that he can as faithfully applaud sufficient worth, as not insult over, or exclaime against, dull ignorance. He dares know and professe, in spight of potency: hee dares be rich and honest, in despight of custome." " Cynthia's Revenge, or Mænander's Extasy," a tragedy, by this author, was published in 1613; and is spoken of in Biogr. Dram. as distinguished for being one of the longest and most tedious dramatic pieces ever written. Three copies of commendatory verses, signed Jo. Stephens, were printed with Fitzgeoffrey's Satyricall Epigrams in 1620. ག 3 T VOL. IV. Parnassus Biceps: or severall choice pieces of Poetry, composed by the best Wits that were in both Uniuersities, before their Dissolution. With an Epistle in the behalfe of those now doubly secluded and sequestered Members, by one who himselfe is none. London, printed for George Eversden, at the signe of the Maiden-head in St. Pauls church-yard. 1656. Small 8vo. pp. 180. THESE leaves are said to present the reader with some few drops from that ocean of wit which flowed from the two Universities: they flowed however in such channels as are best calculated for silent return to any attributed source. ORIGINAL VERSES BY SIR ARTHUR GORGES, KNIGHT. "Sir Arthur Gorges, says Mr. Todd,* has hitherto been recorded as a man of genius, without a proof of • In his account of the Life of Spenser, p. lxxxviii, the assertion. I am happy to add his name to the list of English poets." A sonnet by him, taken from a MS. in the Marquis of Stafford's collection, is printed by Mr. Todd as a specimen of the Knight's talents and modesty. Spenser spoke of him as a lover of learning and virtue; and Churchyard registers him with Sir Walter Raleigh and others of his honourable friends. It appears from Dr. Birch's Life of Prince Henry, that he married Lady Elizabeth Clinton, daughter of Henry Earl of Lincoln. Two of his letters are printed in that Life. The following verses by Sir Arthur occur in the presentation-copy of a highly decorated MS. on five folios, addressed to James the First, his Queen, &c. and preserved in Bibl. Reg. 18 A. xlvii. To the Kinges Majestie. When Time our styled yeare did end, That Time chaunge not your royall race Till Time no more shalbe. Most humble and loyall, |