ntry, to that of his religion: For he entered into a voluntary
exile, and settled at Mechlin in Brabant.

The Play called the Four P's being a new and and merry interlude of
a Palmer, Pardoner, Poticary, and Pedler--printed in an old English
character in quarto, has in the title page the pictures of four men in
old-fashioned habits, wrought off, from a wooden cut. He has likewise
writ the following interludes.

Between John the Husband and Tib the Wife.
Between the Pardoner and the Fryer, the Curate
and neighbouring Pratt.
Play of Gentleness and Nobility, in two parts.
The Pindar of Wakefield, a comedy.
Philotas Scotch, a comedy.

This author also wrote a dialogue, containing the number in effect of
all the proverbs in the English tongue, compact in a matter concerning
two manner of marriages. London 1547, and 1598, in two parts in
quarto, all writ in old English verse, and printed in an English
character.

Three hundred epigrams upon three hundred proverbs, in old English
character.

A fourth hundred of epigrams, printed in quarto, London 1598.

A fifth hundred of epigrams, printed in quarto, London 1598.

The Spider and Fly. A Parable of the Spider and Fly, London 1556, in a
pretty thick quarto, all in old English verse. Before the title is the
picture of John Heywood at full length, printed from a wooden cut,
with a fur gown on, almost representing the fashion of that, belonging
to a master of arts, but the bottom of the sleeve reach no lower than
his knees; on his head is a round cap, his chin and lips are close
shaved, and hath a dagger hanging to his girdle.[2]

Dr. Fuller mentions a book writ by our author,[3] entitled Monumenta
Literaria, which are said to Non tam labore, condita, quam Lepore
condita: The author of English poetry, speaking of several of our old
English bards, says thus of our poet. "John Heywood for the mirth and
quickness of conceit, more than any good learning that was in him,
came to be well rewarded by the king."

That the reader may judge of his epigrams, to which certainly the
writer just mentioned alludes, I shall present him with one writ by
him on himself.

Art thou Heywood, with thy mad merry wit?
Yea for sooth master, that name is even hit.
Art thou Heywood, that apply's mirth more than
thrift?
Yes sir, I take merry mirth, a golden gift.
Art thou Heywood, that hast made many mad
plays?
Yea many plays, few good works in my days.
Art thou