uld commonly lie obscure
sometimes two Months together, the better to enjoy that great Felicity
he aimed at, by enjoying the company of the _Muses_, and then would
appear in publick, to recreate himself, and converse with his Friends;
of whom the most endeared were the Learned Doctor _Cowel_, and
Judicious Mr. _Cambden_.

And now being weary of the Troubles of the City and Court, he retired
into the Country, and turn'd Husbandman, Renting a Farm or Grange in
_Wiltshire_ nigh the _Devizes_, not so much, as it is thought, for the
hope of gains, as to enjoy the retiredness of a Country Life: How he
thrived upon it, I cannot inform my self, much less my Readers,
although no question pleasing himself therein, he attained to that
Riches he sought for, _viz._ Quiet and Contentedness; which whoso
enjoys, reapeth benefit of his labours. He left no Issue behind him but
those of his Brain, though living a good space of time with _Justina_
his wife: For his Estate, he had neither a _Bank_ of Wealth, nor _Lank_
of Want; but living in a competent contented condition, and died (as it
is conjectured) about the latter end of King _James_ I.

* * * * *

_GEORGE CHAPMAN_.

_George Chapman_ was one in his time much famed for the Fluency of his
Muse; gaining a great repute for his Translation of _Homer_ and
_Hesiod_, which in those times passed as Works done without compare;
and indeed considering he was one of the first who brake the Ice in the
Translation of such learned Authors, reading the highest conception of
their Raptures into a neat polite _English_, as gave the true meaning
of what they intended, and rendred it a style acceptable to the Reader;
considering, I say, what Age he lived in, it was very well worthy
praise; though since the Translation of _Homer_ is very far out-done by
Mr. _Ogilby_. He also continued that excellent Poem of _Hero_ and
_Leander_, begun by _Christopher Marlow_, and added very much to the
Stage in those times by his Dramatick Writings; as his _Blind Beggar_
of _Alexandria_, _All Fools_, the _Gentleman Usher_, _Humorous Days
Mirth_, _May-Day_, _Mounsieur D'Olive_, _Eastward ho_, _Two wise men,
and all the rest Fools_, _Widows Tears_, Comedies; _Bussy D' Amboys_,
_Byron's Tragedy_, _Bussy D'Amboys Revenge_, _Caesar_ and _Pompey_,
_Revenge for Honour_, Tragedies; the _Temple_, _Masque of the Middle
Temple_ and _Lincolns-Inn_ Masques; and _Byron's Conspiracy_, a
Histo