Wild, Robert
, a nonconformist divine, poet, and
wit, was born at St. Ives in Huntingdonshire in 1609, and
was educated at the university of Cambridge. In 1642 he
| was created bachelor of divinity at Oxford, and, probably
had the degree of doctor there also, as he was generally
called Dr. Wild. In 1646 he was appointed rector of
Aynho in Northamptonshire, in the room of Dr. Longman,
ejected by the parliamentary visitors; and on this occasion Calamy’s editor gives us one of his witticisms. He
and another divine had preached for the living, and Wild
being asked whether he or his competitor had got it, he
answered “We have divided it; I have got the Ay, and
he the No.” Wood says he was “a fat, jolly, and boon
presbyterian,” but Calamy asserts that those who knew
him commended him not only for his facetiousness, but
also his strict temperance and sobriety; and he was serious,
where seriousness was wanted. He was ejected from
Aynho at the restoration. He died at Oundle, in Northamptonshire in 1679, aged seventy. His works afford a
curious mixture. 1. “The tragedy of Christopher Love
at Tower-hill,” Lond. 1660, a poem in one sheet 4to.
2. “Iter Boreaie, attempting something upon the successful and matchless march of the L Gen. George Monk
from Scotland to London,” ibid. 1660, 4to, in ridicule of
the republican party. This was at that time a favourite
subject, and Wood mentions three other Iter Borealt’s by
Eades, Corbet, and Master. 3. “A poem on the imprisonment of Mr. Edmund Calamy in Newgate,” 1662,
printed on a broad sheet, which produced two similar broadsheets in answer, the one “Antiboreale, an answer to a
lewd piece of poetry upon Mr. Calamy, &c.” the other
“Hudibras on Calamy’s imprisonment and Wild’s poetry.”
These, with his Iter Boreaie, and other pieces of a similar
cast and very indifferent poetry, but with occasional
flashes of genuine humour, were published together in
1668 and 1670. Wood mentions “The Benefice, a comedy,” written in his younger years, but not printed till
1689. Wood adds, that there “had like to have been” a
poetical war between Wild and Flaxman, but how it terminated he knows not. Wild had the misfortune to have
some of his poems printed along with some of lord Rochester’s. He has a few serrrjons extant. 1
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Works found by this author (or others with similar names) in the Early English Books Online Collection:
Prophecies of the Rev. Christopher Love: who was beheaded on Tower-Hill, London, on the twenty-second day of August 1651. : And his last words on the scaffold.Prophecies of the Reverend Christopher Love by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
Alas poore scholler, whither wilt thou goe: or Strange altrations which at this time be there's many did thinke they never should see. To the tune of, Halloo my fancy, &c. (1641) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
The tragedy of Christopher Love at TowerHill, August 22, 1651 (1651) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
The incomparable poem Gondibert vindicated from the wit-combats of four esquires, Clinias, Dametas, Sancho, and Jack Pudding (1655) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
The arraignment of a sinner at the bar of divine justice delivered in a sermon in St. Maries Church at Oxford, March the 5. 1655 before the Right Honourable, the Judges of Assize, &c. / by Robert Wilde ... (1656) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
An essay to a continuation of Iter boreale; attempting something upon the happy influence, which that seasonable and successefull march of the Lord Generall Monck out of the North, had upon the arts and sciences. By a lover of learning. (1660) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
Iter boreale Attempting somthing upon the successful and matchless march of the Lord Generall George Monck, from Scotland, to London, the last winter, &c. Veni, vidi, vici. By a rural pen. (1660) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
A poem upon the imprisonment of Mr. Calamy in Newgate. By Robert Wild, D.D. author of the late Iter Boreale. (1663) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
The recantation of a penitent Proteus; or, the changling as it was acted with good applause in St. Maries in Cambridge, and St. Pauls in London, 1663. The first part. To the tune of the second part, and by the same hand. To which is added, The poring doctor, or the gross mistake of a reverend son of the church, in bowing at the name of Judas, at St. Pauls, Novemb. 5. 1663. (1663) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
An essay upon the victory obtained by His Royal Highness the Duke of York, against the Dutch, upon June 3, 1655 by the author of Iter Boreale. (1663) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
A gratulatory verse upon our late glorious victory over the Dutch by the author of Iter Boreale. (1665) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
The grateful non-conformist; or A return of thanks to Sir John Baber Knight, and Doctor of Physick who sent the author ten crowns (1665) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
The loyal nonconformist; or, An account what he dare swear, and vvhat not. (1666) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
On the death of Mr Calamy, not known to the author of a long time after. (1667) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
On the death of Mr Calamy, not known to the author of a long time after. (1667) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
A friendly debate betwixt two neighbours, the one a conformist, the other a non-conformist about several weighty matters / published for the benefit of this city, by a lover of it, and of pure religion.Friendly debate between a conformist and a non-conformist (1668) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
An ingenious contention, by way of letter, between Mr. Wanly, a son of the Church; & Dr. Wild, a nonconformist. (1668) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
Iter boreale with large additions of several other poems : being an exact collection of all hitherto extant : never before published together / the author R. Wild. (1668) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
A continuation of the Friendly debate by the same author. (1669) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
Upon the rebuilding the city the right honourable the Lord Mayor, and the noble company of bachelors dining with him, May 5th. 1669. (1669) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
The loyal non-conformist, or, An account what he dare swear, and what not. (1670) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
Upon the rebuilding the city [t]he right honourable the lord mayor, and the [n]oble company of batchelors dining with him, May 5th, 1669. (1670) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
Dr Wild's humble thanks for His Majesties gracious declaration for liberty of conscience, March 15. 1672. (1672) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
The poor distressed people of Holland their humble thanks and acknowledgement for His Majesties gracious favours profer'd them in his late declaration (1672) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
A panegyrique humbly addrest to the Kings Most Excellent Majesty on his auspicious meeting his two houses of Parliament, February the 4th, 5th 1672/3 : and his most gratious speech there delivered on that occasion / by R.W. (1673) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
An exclamation against popery, or, A broad-side against Rome occasioned by His Majesties last gracious speech, when he was pleas'd to express his willingness to maintain the truly antient Protestant religion / by R.W. (1678) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
Oliver Cromwells ghost, or, Old Noll newly revived (1678) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
Thrēnodē, or Englands passing-bell (1679) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
Dr. Wild's poem. In nova fert animus, &c, or, A new song to an old friend from an old poet, upon the hopeful new Parliament. (1679) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
Rome rhym'd to death being a collection of choice poems, in two parts / written by the E. of R., Dr. Wild, and others of the best modern wits. (1683) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.
The benefice a comedy / by R.W. D.D., author of Iter Boreale, written in his younger days, now made publick for promoting innocent mirth. (1689) by Wild, Robert, 1609-1679.