James Shirley

the most noted drammatick Poet of his time, did make his first entry on the stage of this transitory world in, or near, the Parish ((*))((*)) So I have been informed by his Son, the Butler of Furnivals inn in Holbourn, near London. of S. Mary Wool-church (where the Stocks [•] market now is) within the City of London, was descended from the Shirleys of Sussex or Warwickshire, as by his Arms (if he had right to them) painted over his picture hanging in the School-gallery at Oxon, appears, educated in Grammar learning in Merchant Taylors School and transplanted thence to S. Johns Coll. but in what condition he lived there, whether in that of a Servitour, Batler, or Commoner, I cannot yet find. At the same time Dr. Will. Laud presiding that house, he had a very great affection for him, especially for the pregnant parts that were visible in him, but then having a broad or large mole upon his left cheek, which some esteemed a deformity, that worthy Doctor would often tell him that he was an unfit Person to take the sacred function upon him, and should never have his consent so to do. Afterwards leaving this University without a degree, he went to Cambridge, where I presume he took those in Arts: so that soon after entring into holy Orders, he became a Minister of God’s word in, or near to, S. Albans in Hertfordshire. But being then unsetled in his mind, he changed his Religion for that of Rome, left his Living and taught a Grammar School in the said Town of S. Alban; which employment also he finding uneasie to him, he retired to the Metropolis, lived in Greys inn, and set up for a play-maker and gained not only a considerable livelyhood, but also very great respect and encouragement from Persons of quality, especially from Henrietta Maria the Queen Consort, who made him her servant. When the rebellion broke out, and he thereupon forced to leave London, and so consequently his Wife and Children, (who afterwards were put to their shifts) he was invited by his most noble Patron William Earl (afterwards Marquess and Duke) of Newcastle to take his fortune with him in the wars, for that Count had engaged him so much by his generous liberality towards him, that he thought he could not do a worthier act, than to serve him, and so consequently his Prince. After the Kings cause declined he retired obscurely to London, where, among other of his noted friends, he found Tho. Stanley Esq. who exhibited to him for the present. Afterwards following his old trade of teaching School, which was mostly in the White Fryers, he not only gained a comfortable subsistance (for the acting of plays was then silenced) but educated many ingenious youths, who afterwards proved most eminent in divers faculties. After his Majesties return to his Kingdoms, several of his plays which he before had made, were acted with good applause, but what office or employ he had confer’d upon him after all his sufferings, I cannot now justly tell. His works are these.

The Wedding: A comedy. Lond. 1629. qu.

Grateful Servant, com. Lond. 1630. qu.

Love tricks: or the School of Complements—Pr. 1631. oct.

Changes, or Love in a maze, com.—Pr. 1632. qu.

The triumph of peace. A mask presented by the four houses or inns of Court before the K. and Qu. in the Banquetting house at Whitehall, 3 Feb. 1633—Printed several times within the compass of one year.

The last of these was dedicated to Will. Prynne then a Prisoner for high misdemeanors.

Maides revenge, trag.—Print. at the same place 1639. qu.

S. Patrick for Ireland: The first part. A History. Lond. 1640. qu.

The last was also printed at the same place 1667. qu.

Poems, &c.—Lond. 1646. oct. with his picture before them.

Narcissus, or the self-lover. Lond. 1646. oct. Poetry.

Via ad Latinam Linguam complanata, &c. Lond. 1649 oct. Written in English, and dedicated in fine language to William Son of Philip Lord Herbert. Before this book are several copies of verses in praise of the Author, made by the Poets of that time, among whom is Edward Sherburne Esq.

The first five were acted at the private house in Black Friers, the last was never acted. They have the picture of the author before them, as before his Poems, and tho not like to it, yet it most resembles that in the School-gallery.

Manuductio: or, a leading of Children by the hand to to the Lat. tongue, by a short vocabulary, and familiar formes of speaking, in Engl. and Lat. Lond. 1656. octavo.

Honoria and Mammon. Lond. 1660. oct. The Scene Metropolis or New Troy, represented by young Gentlemen of quality, at a private entertainment of some Persons of honour. Before this play is a shoulder-piece of the author standing on a pedestall: And thereunto is added The Contention of Ajax and Ulisses for the armour of Achilles.

Cupid and death. A private entertainment, represented with Scenes and Musick. vocal and instrumental Lond. 1659. qu.

Triumph of beauty, a maske.

These last three I have not yet seen, and therefore I cannot tell when, or where, they were printed. He the said James Shirley was half author also of these two plays following, viz.

The other half author or partner was George Chapman a poetical writer in the raign of K. Jam. and K. Ch. 1, and not the meanest of the English Poets of his time; who dying 12 of May 1634 aged 77 years, was buried in the yard on the South side of the Church of S. Giles in the Fields near London. Over his grave near to the South wall of the Church, was soon after a monument erected, built after the way of the old Romans, by the care and charge of his beloved friend Inigo Jones the Kings Architect: whereon is engraven this, Georgius Chapmannus Poeta Homericus, Philosophus verus (etsi Christianus Poeta) plusquam celebris, &c. He hath been highly celebrated among men for his brave language in his translation of Homers Iliads, those I mean which are translated into Tessara-decasyllabons, or lines of fourteen syllables. Our author Shirley did also much assist his generous Patrone William Duke of Newcastle in the composure of certain Plays, which the Duke afterwards published; and was a Drudge for John Ogilby in his translation of Homers Iliads, and Odysses, and some of Virgils works, into English verse, with the writing of annotations on them. At length after Mr. Shirley had lived to the age of 72 years at least, in various conditions, and had seen much of the world; he, with his second Wife, Frances, were driven by the dismal conflagration that hapned in London an. 1666 from their habitation near to Fleetstreet, into the Parish of St. Giles in the Fields in Middlesex, where being in a manner overcome with affrightments, disconsolations, and other miseries occasion’d by that fire and their losses, they both died within the compass of a natural day: whereupon their bodies were buried in one grave in the yard belonging to the said Church of S. Giles on the 29 of Octob. in sixteen hundred sixty and six.1666. I find one Henry Shirley Gent. author of a play called The martyr’d Soldier. Lond. 1638. qu. Which Henry I take to be brother or near kinsman to James. As for John Ogilby, who was a prodigie in that part of learning which he profess’d, considering his education, was born in, or near to, Edenburgh in Scotland, in the month of Nov. (about the 17th day) an. 1600. His Father, who was of antient and gentile extract, had run out of his estate, and being a Prisoner in the Kings-bench could give his Son but little education at School, however the youth being very industrious obtained some knowledge in the latine Grammar, and afterwards so much money, as not only to relieve his Father and get him out of Prison, but also to bind himself an Apprentice to one Draper a Dancing master living in Greys-inn-lane in Holbourn near London: Soon after he being dextrous in that art, and by insinuation into, and complying with, his Masters customers, got so much money from them as to buy out the remaining pa [•] t of his time, and set up for himself. But so it was that he being afterwards selected from the company of Masters to be one of those that should dance when the Duke of Buckinghams great Mask was to be represented, it hapned that by his high dancing and cutting of Capers according to the then mode, he did, by a false step, sprain a vein in the inside of his leg, which ever after occasioned him to go lamish. Afterwards he taught to dance the Sisters of Sir Ralph (afterwards Lord) Hopton at Wytham in Somersetshire; where, at leisure hours he learned from that generous and accomplish’d Kt how to handle the pike and musquet, and all postures belonging to them. When Thomas Earl of Strafford became L. Lieutenant of Ireland, he was entertained by him to teach his art in his family, and having a command of his pen, as to the writing a good hand, was also employed sometimes to transcribe several matters for that most noble Count. In his family it was, that he first of all gave proof of his inclinations to Poetry, by translating some of Aesops Fables in verse, which, afterwards, when he came to understand latin better, and had communicated them to several Scholars, he made publick: And being then one of the Troop of Guard belonging to his Lord, he composed in English verse a witty thing entit. The character of a Trooper. About that time he became, by the favour of the said Lord, Master of the Revels in the Kingdom of Ireland, built a little Theater to act plays in, in S. Warburghs-street in Dublin, and was then and there valued by all ingenious men for his great industry in promoting morality and ingenuity: But the rebellion breaking out soon after in that Kingdom, he lost all, and was several times in jeopardy of his life, particularly when he had like to be blown up by gunpowder in the Castle of Refernam near Dublin. Much about the time that the war was terminated in England, he left Ireland, and in his return being wreckt at Sea, went to London in a poor condition. Thence, after some short stay, he footed it to Cambridge, where his great industry and greater love to learning being discovered, was encouraged by several Scholars there, who, in compliance to his zeal, resolved his many doubts put to them, and in fine made him so great a Master of the Latine tongue that he translated The works of Pub. Virgil Maro, which he published with his picture before them in a large oct.—Lond. 1649. 50. and dedicated them to his most noble Patron William Marquess of Hertford, and thereupon obtained a considerable sum of money in his pocket. At that time living in London, Aesop the Prince of Mythologists became his quarry, descanted on his plain song and paraphras’d his short and pithy sayings, whereby he rais’d his voice to such an heigth that he took the degree among the Minor Poets, after the publication of that author with this title: Fables of Aesop paraphrased in verse and adorn’d with sculptures. Lond. 1651. qu. In commendation of which Sir Will. D’avenant then a Prisoner in the Tower, and Jam. Shirley made verses. Hitherto his translation of Virgil continuing in a mean oct, he printed it in a royal folio with this title The works of Publius Virgilius Maro, translated, adorn’d with sculpture and illustrated with annotations. Lond. 1654. It was the fairest Edition that till then the English Press ever produced, and hath his picture before it also, as most of the books which he published have. The said sculpture and the very same cuts, were also by him put into the bare Latin Edition of that author, without annotations, which was by him published at London in 1658, in a large fol. He also published the said author with sculpture and annotations in a large oct.—Lond. 1675. and 85. Which was much bought up by young Scholars and Gentlemen, such who could not spare money to purchase the folio, that being reserved for libraries and the Nobility. By the publication, with annotations, of that most noble author, Mr. Ogilby obtained the reputation of a good translator, a faithful interpreter, and of one that had dabled well in anothers Helicon. About that time, viz. 1654, he, by his great and unwearied diligence accompanied with an unsatiable desire of obtaining knowledge, did learn the Greek tongue of one of his Country-men called David Whitford at that time Usher to Jam. Shirley before mention’d: And being in a manner Master of it, he put out Homer his Iliads translated, adorn’d with sculpture, and illustrated with annotations, Lond. 1660. fol. This author, the King of Pernassus, being by him performed with great cost and labour was by him dedicated to his most gracious Majesty K. Ch. 2. In the same year he put out The Holy Bible, according to the translation set forth by special command of K. Jam. 1. with the Liturgy and Articles of the Church of England, with chorographical sculpture. This was printed at Cambr. in a large fol. and on very large paper. In the beginning of the year following he received orders from the Commissioners for the solemnity of his Maj. Coronation, for the conduct of the poetical part thereof, as Speeches, Emblems, Mottoes and Inscriptions, and thereupon drew up for the present The relation of his Majesties entertainment passing through the City of London, to his Coronation: with a description of the triumphal Arches, and solemnity. Lond. 1661. in 10. sh. in fol. This I say was put out for the present, but by command from his Majesty, the author did, with most admirable sculpture, and speeches at large, publish it soon after in a royal folio; and it hath been much made use of in succeeding coronations. About the same time (1662) he went into Ireland, being then by pattent made Master of the Revels there, after Sir Will. D’avenant had made some strugling for that place: And at Dublin he built a noble Theater, which cost him about 2000 l, the former being ruined in the troubles. Afterwards he put out Homer his Odysses translated, adorned with sculpture and illustrated with annotations Lond. 1665. fol. dedicated to his most noble Lord James Duke of Ormonde L. Lieutenant of Ireland. He then a second time betook himself to Aesop, became a Mythologist and not only paraphrased it, but was a designer of his own, or new, Fables therein. This was called the second Vol. being adorned with most admirable cuts and printed at Lond. 1665. fol. having been by him performed, during his retirement, in the time of sickness, at Kingston upon Thames. This author was afterwards published in lesser volumes with this title The Fables of Aesop, paraphrased in verse, adorned with sculptures, and illustrated with annotations. Lond. 1673. 74. in two vol. in oct. The next things that he composed were The Ephesian Matron, and The Roman Slave, two heroick poems dedicated to Thomas Earl of Ossory: And altho a second part met with a fate not common, yet it was esteemed equal with the former. Afterwards he wrot Carolies an Epick poem, in 12. books, so called from our miracle of Heroes K. Ch. 1. being the best pattern of true prudence, valour and christian piety. This was utterly lost in the grand conflagration that hapned in London, in the beginning of Sept. 1666, when then the habitation of our author Ogilby in the White friers near Fleet-street was burnt, and he himself undone, having but 5 l. left to begin the world again. But so it was that he had such an excellent invention and prudential wit, and was Master of so good addresses, that when he had nothing to live on, he could not only shift handsomly, but would make such rational proposals which were embraced by rich and great men, that in short time he would obtain an estate again. He never failed in what he undertook, but by his great industry and prudence went through it with profit and honor to himself. Soon after the said conflagration he had his house in the White friers before mention’d rebuilt, set up a Printing-house therein, employed able workmen, became his Majesties Cosmographer, and Geographick Printer, and by proposals printed several books that he and his Assistants had translated and collected as (1) An Embassy from New Batavia to the Emperor of China, &c. Lond. 1669. fol. adorned with Maps, prospects and various sculptures, as all the books following which he published were (2) Description of Africa, &c. Lond. 1670. fol. This is the first part of his English Atlas. (3) Descript. of America, &c. Lond. 1671. fol. This is the second (4) Atlas Japanensis: Being remarkable addresses by way of Embassie from the East India Company of the Unital Provinces, to the Emperour of Japan, &c. Lond. 1670. fol. (5) Atlas Chinensis: Being the second part of a relation of remarkable passages in two Embassies from the East India Company of the Un. Prov. to the Viceroy of Simlamong, &c. Lond. 1671. fol. (6) Asia, the first part; being an accurate description of Persia, and the several Provinces thereof, &c. Lond. 1673. 74. fol. The 2d part the author did not live to finish; however this is looked upon as another part of the English Atlas (7) Description of Europe, not finished by the Author who intended it to be the fourth part of the Engl. Atlas. (8) Britannia. An Historical and Geographical description of Britanie, &c. The first part fol. All which are printed on imperial paper, adorned with maps, and most curious sculptures, and were carried on and sold by way of standing Lotteries. There also goes under his name, A pocket book of Roades in England, and a new map of the City of London, as it is new built, &c. Printed in one sheet of large paper. He also and Will. Morgan made A new and accurate Map of the City of London distinct from Westminster and Southwark, &c. which is six foot long and six foot deep, with a long narrow book to describe the places therein, as also A Map of London, Westminster, and Southwark, and A survey of Essex with the roads therein exactly measured, &c. At length Mr. Ogilby having lived to a fair age, gave way to fate on the fourth day of Sept. 1676. and was buried in the Vault under part of the Church of S. Bride alias Bridget in London: At which time many Persons of great knowledg usually said that had he been carefully educated, when a young man, in an University, might have proved the ornament and glory of the Scotch Nation.