ell short in part of _Virgil_'s lofty style, yet went he beyond
himself therein. He afterward became Prior of _Esseby-Abbey_, belonging
to the _Augustines_, and flourished under King _Henry_ the Third, _Anno
Dom._ 1220.

* * * * *

_ROBERT BASTON_.

_Robert Baston_ was born not far from _Nottingham_, and bred a
_Carmelite_ Frier at _Scarborough_ in _Yorkshire_: He was of such great
Fame in Poetry, that King _Edward_ the Second, in his _Scotish_
Expedition pitcht upon him to be the Celebrater of his Heroick Acts;
when being taken Prisoner by the _Scots_, he was forced by Torments to
change his Note, and represent all things to the advantage of _Robert
Bruce_, who then claimed the Crown of _Scotland_: This Task he
undertook full sore against his will, as he thus intimates in the two
first Lines.

In dreery Verse my Rymes I make,
Bewailing whilest such Theme I take.

Besides his Poem _De Belle Strivilensi_, there was published of his
writing a Book of Tragedies, with other Poems of various Subjects.

* * * * *

_HENRY BRADSHAW_.

_Henry Bradshaw_ was born in the City of _Chester_, and bred a
_Benedictine_ Monk in the Monastery of _St. Werburg_; the Life of which
Saint he wrote in Verse, as also (saith my Author) a no bad Chronicle,
though following therein those Authors, who think it the greatest Glory
of a Nation to fetch their Original from times out of mind. Take a
Taste of his Poetry in what he wrote concerning the Original of the
City of _Chester_, in these words;

The Founder of this City, as saith _Polychronicon_,
Was _Leon Gawer_, a mighty strong Gyant,
Which builded Caves and Dungeons many a one,
No goodly Building, ne proper, ne pleasant.

But King _Leir_, a _Britain_ fine and valiant,
Was Founder of _Chester_ by pleasant Building,
And was named _Guer Leir_ by the King.

These Lines, considering the Age he lived in, (which _Arnoldus Vion_
saith, was about the Year 1346.) may pass with some praise, but others
say he flourished a Century of years afterwards, _viz._ 1513. which if
so, they are hardly to be excused, Poetry being in that time much
refined; but whensoever he lived, _Bale_ saith, he was (the Diamond in
the Ring) _Pro ea ipsa aetate, admodum pius_.

* * * * *

_HAVILLAN_.

Should we forget the learned _Havillan_, our Book would be thought to
be im