hine,
Or parallel my Valentine.

Th' Italians they are coy and quaint.
But they grosly daub and paint;
The Spanish kind, and apt to please,
But fav'ring of the same disease:
Of Dutch and French some few are comely,
The French are light, the Dutch are homely.
Let Tagus, Po, the Loire and Rhine
Then veil unto my Valentine.

Footnotes:
1. Langbaine's Lives of the Poets.
2. Athen. Oxon. p. 281. vol. ii.
3. Bad rhimes were uncommon with the poets of Howel's time.

* * * * *

Sir RICHARD FANSHAW

Was the youngest, and tenth son of Sir Henry Fanshaw of Ware-park in
Hertfordshire; he was born in the year 1607, and was initiated in
learning by the famous Thomas Farnaby. He afterwards compleated his
studies in the university of Cambridge, and from thence went to travel
into foreign countries, by which means he became a very accomplished
gentleman. In 1635 he was patronized by King Charles I. on account of
his early and promising abilities; he took him into his service, and
appointed him resident at the court of Spain[1]. During his embassy
there, his chief business was, to demand reparation and punishment of
some free-booters, who had taken ships from the English, and to
endeavour the restoration of amity, trade and commerce.

When the civil war broke out, he returned to England, having
accomplished the purposes of his embassy abroad, and attached himself
with the utmost zeal to the Royal Standard; and during those
calamitous times was intrusted with many important matters of state.

In 1644, attending the court at Oxford, the degree of Doctor of Civil
Laws was conferred upon him[2], and the reputation of his parts every
day increasing, he was thought a proper person to be secretary to
Charles, Prince of Wales, whom he attended into the Western parts of
England, and from thence into the Isles of Scilly and Jersey.

In 1648 he was appointed treasurer of the navy, under the command of
Prince Rupert, in which office he continued till the year 1650, when
he was created a baronet by King Charles II. and sent envoy
extraordinary to the court of Spain. Being recalled thence into
Scotland, where the King then was, he served there in quality of
secretary of state, to the satisfaction of all parties,
notwithstanding he refused to take the covenant engagements, which
Charles II. forced by the importunity of the Presbyterians, e