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Sir _JOHN HARRINGTON_.

Sir _John Harrington_ is supposed to be born in _Somerset-shire_, he
having a fair Estate near _Bath_ in that County. His Father, for
carrying a Letter to the Lady (afterwards Queen) _Elizabeth_, was kept
twelve months in the _Tower_, and made to spend a Thousand Pounds e're
he could be free of that trouble. His Mother also being Servant to the
Lady _Elizabeth_, was sequestred from her, and her Husband enjoyned not
to keep company with her; so that on both sides he may be said to be
very indear'd to Queen _Elizabeth_, who was also his Godmother, a
further tye of her kindness and respects unto him.

This Sir _John_ was bred up in _Cambridge_, either in _Christ_'s or in
St. _John_'s-Colledge, under Dr. _Still_ his Tutor. He afterwards
proved one of the most ingenious Poets of our _English_ Nation, no less
noted for his Book of witty Epigrams, than his judicious Translation of
_Ariosto's Orlando Furioso_, dedicated to the Lady _Elizabeth_,
afterwards Queen of _Bohemia_.

The _British_ Epigramatist, Mr. _John Owen_, in his second Book of
Epigrams, thus writes to him:

A Poet mean I am, yet of the Troop,
Though thou art not, yet better thou canst do't.

And afterwards in his fourth Book, _Epig._ 20. concerning Envy's
Genealogy; he thus complements him.

Fair Vertue, foul-mouth'd Envy breeds, and feeds;
From Vertue only this foul Vice proceeds;
Wonder not that I this to you indite,
'Gainst your rare Vertues, Envy bends her spite.

It happened that whilest the said Sir _John_ repaired often to an
Ordinary in _Bath_, a Female attendress at the Table, neglecting other
Gentlemen, which sat higher, and were of greater Estates, applied
herself wholly to him, accommodating him with all necessaries, and
preventing his asking any thing with her officiousness. She being
demanded by him, the reason of her so careful waiting on him? _I
understand_ (said she) _you are a very witty man, and if I should
displease you in any thing, I fear you would make an Epigram of me._

Sir _John_ frequenting often the Lady _Robert_'s House, his Wives
Mother, where they used to go to dinner extraordinary late, a Child of
his being there then, said _Grace_, which was that of the _Primmer,
Thou givest them Meat in due season_; Hold, said Sir _John_ to the
Child, you ought not to lie unto God, for here we never have our Meat
in due season. This Jest he afterwards turned i