George Peele

was, if I mistake not, a Devonian born, whence being sent to Broadgates hall, was after some time, made Student of Ch. Ch. 1573. or thereabouts, where going through the several forms of Logic and Philosophy, took the degrees in Arts, that of Master being compleated 1579. At which time, as he was esteemed a most noted Poet in the University, so afterwards in the Metropolis, where he knew also what belonged to the Stage part as well as any there. His Comedies and Tragedies were often acted with great applause, and did endure reading, with due commendation, many years after their author’s death. Those that I have seen are only these following.

The sinking of Q. Elinor at Charing-cross, and of her rising again at Potters-Hith, now named Queen-Hith. Lond. 1593. qu. This, and a Ballad of the same subject, are now usually sold by Ballad-singers or Ballad-mongers.

The love of K. David and fair Bethsheba, with the Tragedy of Absalon, &c. Lond. 1599. qu.

Alphonsus Emperor of Germany, Trag.—Besides these Plays, he hath several Poems extant, as that entit.

A farewel to Sir Joh. Norrys and Sir Fr. Drake. Lond. in qu. and some remnants of Pastoral Poetry extant in a collection intit. Englands Helicon, but such I have not yet seen, nor his book of Jests or Clinches, which at length was sold on the stalls of Ballad-mongers. This person was living,Clar. 1599. in his middle age, in the latter end of Q. Elizabeth, but when, or where he dyed I cannot tell; for so it is, and always hath been, that most Poets dye poor, and consequently obscurely, and a hard matter it is to trace them to their Graves.