John Reinolds

, the most noted Epigrammatist next to Joh. Owen and Sir Jo. Harrington of his time, received his first being in this world at Tuddington in Bedfordshire, was elected Probationer of New coll. from Wykeham’s School near to Winchester, in 1600. and two years after was admitted Perpetual fellow, being then noted for a good Grecian, Orator, and Poet. Afterwards he took the degree of Bach. of the Civil Law, and wrote and published,

Disticha classis Epigrammatum, sive carminum inscriptorum. Centuriae duae. The first part was printed at Oxon 1611. in oct. and containes an 110. Epigrams concerning the British and English Kings, each Epigarm consisting but of two Verses. The other part was printed at the same place in 1612. in oct. Besides which Epigrams, he hath much of his Poetry printed in divers books, particularly in that made by certain fellows of New coll. on the death of Ralph Warcup, Esq an. 1605, wherein he flourishes in his Greek Poetry. He ended his days in the prime of his years in sixteen hundred and fourteen, and was buried, 1614 as it seems, in New coll Cloyster. I find another of both his names and equal almost in time with him, who was born within the City of Excester, and by the books that he published, had gained a famous name among the vulgar Scholars, Gentlemen, and Women of love and mode. The titles of them are (1) The triumphs of Gods revenge, against the crying and execrable sin of Murder, &c. Lond. 1621. qu. the first book. Five more came out afterwards at several times, mostly taken from French printed copies, which he had gathered in his Travels into France. All the six books, were printed at London in one fol. 1635. and several times after. At length the sixth edition being adorned with Cuts, was published at Lond. 1679. fol. by Sam. Pordage of Lincolns Inn, Son of Joh. Pordage Rector of Bradfield in Berks. and formerly Head Steward of the lands to old Philip Earl of Pembroke. (2) Gods revenge against the abominable sin of Adultery, containing ten several Histories. Lond. 1679. fol. This being never printed before, was illustrated with Cuts, and published by the said Sam. Pordage with the former book. (3) The flower of fidelity: Displaying in a continuate history, the various adventures of three foraigne Princes. Lond. 1650. oct. Dedicated to his Father-in-law Rich. Waltham Esq Justice of Peace of Devon. and other things which I have not yet seen. Among the translations that he hath made from French into English is A Treatise of the Court, written by Monsieur de Refuges, and by the Translator dedicated to Prince Charles, afterwards K. Ch. 1. Whether the said John Reynolds was ever a Student in Oxon, I cannot in my searches yet find. However some of the Antients of Exeter coll. who knew the man, have averred it several times, that he had received some Accademical education, but before he could take a degree, was call’d away to travel into France. He was living in the times of Usurpation, but whether in those of the restauration of K. Ch. 2. I cannot tell.