George Wither

Son of George Wither, the first Son by a second venter, of the house of Wither of Manydowne near to Wotton S. Laurence in Hampshire, was born at Bentworth near Alton in the said County, on the eleventh day of June 1588, (30 Eliz.) educated in Gram. learning under the noted School-master of those parts called Joh. Greaves of Colemore, sent to Magd. Coll. in the year 1604 or thereabouts, where being put under the tuition of Joh. Warner, (afterwards B. of Roch.) whom, if I mistake not, he serv’d, made some proficiency ((a))((a)) See in the beginning of our Authors book intit. Abuses whipt and stript, and there you’ll find an account of himself while he studied in the Univ. of Oxon. with much ado in academical learning; but his genie being addicted to things more trivial, was taken home after he had spent about three years in the said house, and thence sent to one of the Inns of Chancery in London, and afterwards to Lincolns Inn, to obtain knowledge in the municipal Law. But still his genie hanging after things more smooth and delightful, he did, at length, make himself known to the world (after he had taken several rambles therein) by certain Specimens of Poetry; which being dispersed in several hands, became shortly after a publick Author, and much admired by some in that age for his quick advancement in that faculty. But so it was, that he shewing himself too busie and satyrical in his Abuses stript and whipt, was committed Prisoner to the Marshalsea, where continuing several months, was then more cried up, especially by the puritanical Party, for his profuse powring forth of English rime, and more afterwards by the vulgar sort of people for his prophetical Poetry, in regard that many things were fancied by them to come to pass, which he pretended to predict. In 1639 he was a Captain of Horse in the Expedition against the Scots, and Quarter-master Gen. of the Regiment wherein he was Captain, viz. of that Regiment of, o [•] next under, the Earl of Arundel, General of the Forces in the said expedition. But this our Author, who was always from his youth puritannically affected, (sufficiently evidenced in his Satyrs) sided with the Presb. in the beginning of the Civil Wars rais’d by them an. 1642, became an enemy to the King and Regality, sold the estate he had, and with the moneys received for it, rais’d a Troop of Horse for the Parliament, was made a Captain and soon after a Major, having this motto on his Colours, Pro Rege, Lege, Grege: but being taken prisoner by the Cavaliers, Sir Jo. Denham the Poet (some of whose land at Egham in Surry Wither had got into his clutches) desired his Majesty not to hang him, because that so long as Wither lived, Denham would not be accounted the worst Poet in England. About that time he was constituted by the said Long Parliament a Justice of Peace in Quorum for Hampshire, Surrey, and Essex, (which office he kept 16 years) and afterwards was made by Oliver Major Gen. of all the Horse and Foot in the County of Surrey, in which employment he licked his fingers sufficiently, gaining thereby a great Odium from the generous Royalist. After the Kings Restauration in 1660, he lost all the lands that had belonged to Royalists and Bishops, which he before had either bought, or had confer’d upon him for the love and zeal he had to the blessed Cause. And being then look’d upon as a dangerous person to the King and State, especially for a scandalous and seditious libel that he had then dispersed, was committed Prisoner to Newgate; and afterwards, upon his own confession, and the oaths of two persons, that he was the Author of it, he, by order of the H. of Commons, was sent in custody, and committed close prisoner to the Tower of London, to be debarr’d Pen, Ink, and Paper, and about the same time (24 of March 1661/2) an Impeachment was ordered to be drawn up against him. In both which Prisons he continued three years and more, wrot several things by the connivance of the Keeper, of which some were afterwards made publick, yet could never refrain from shewing himself a Presbyterian Satyrist. He began very early, being precisely educated from his childhood, to express and publish those conceptions, which the affections and inclinations to youth had awakened in him, endeavouring to season them with morality and piety, as subjects of that nature are capable of; suiting them to the capacities of young-men, who delight to see their own natural passions, represented as ’twere in a glass; wherein they not only meet with some better things than they looked for, but with such notions also therewith mixed, as insinuated into their hearts that seasoning which made them much delighted with his Poems, and rendred him so generally known, that thousands, especially such youths that were puritannically educated, were desirous to peruse his future writings, and to take better heed of that, whereof else perhaps they had taken little or no notice, while others of generous education, and of more solid parts, looked upon them as the effects of a crazed brain, and esteemed Taylor the Water-Poet a fit match for him with his wild and rambling rimes. The things that he hath written and published are very many, accounted by the generality of Scholars meer scribbles, and the fancies of a conceited and confident, if not enthusiastical, mind. The titles of them follow.

These four were called his Juvenilia, and tho the original MS. of them was lost, yet they were recovered and printed more than once.

Prince Henries obsequies: or, mournful elegies upon his death. Lond. 1612. and 1622. oct.

A supposed interlocution betw. the ghost of Pr. Hen. and Great Britaine.—Printed with the former.

Abuses stript and whipt: or, satyrical essays, in two books. Lond. 1613. 14.15. and 22. in oct.

Satyr written to the King (Jam. 1.) when he was prisoner in the Marshalsea for his first book. Lond. 1614. 15. 22. in oct. Which first book is the same, I suppose, with Abuses whipt and stript, which stands first in the six of his poetical pieces that he published in 1622, of which the said Satyr is one, intit. in the first edit. A Satyr dedicated to his most excellent Majesty.

Eglogues. Lond. 1614. oct. at the end of The Sheppards pipe, written by Will. Browne of the Inner Temple, to whom one of the said Egl. is dedicated.

The Sheppards hunting: being certain Eglogues made during the time of the Authors imprisonment in the Marshalsea. Lond. 1615 and 22. oct. Which book, as ’tis said, contains more of poetical fancy than any other of his writings.

Preparation to the psalter. Lond. 1619. in a thin fol. in prose.

Soliloquy: or, the Authors preparation of himself unto the study and use of the psalter.—This, written in verse, is printed at the end of Prep, of the psal.

Hymne of thanksgiving after sickness.—This also is printed with it.

Fidelia; a Poem. Lond. 1619. sec. edit. and 22. oct.

Exercises on the first psalme, both in prose and verse. Lond. 1620. oct.

Withers motto. Nec habeo, nec careo, nec curo. Nor have I, nor want I, nor care I. Lond. 1618. and 21. in oct. written in verse, and dedicated to any body. Whereupon Joh. Taylor a Water poet came out with a book intit. Taylors motto. Et habeo, & careo, & curo. I have, I want, I care. Lond. 1621. oct. dedic. to every body. This Joh. Taylor was born in the City of Glocester, went to school there, and having got into his Accidence, was bound an Apprentice to a Waterman in London, which, tho a laborious employment, yet such was his prodigious genie to Poetry, that he wrot very many things in that faculty, that made great sport in their time, and were most of them esteemed worthy to be remitted into a large folio. Had he had learning bestowed on him according to his natural parts, which were excellent, he might have equalled, if not excelled, many who claim a great share in the temple of the muses. Upon the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1642, he left London, retired to Oxon, (where ha was much esteemed by the Court and poor remnant of Scholars for his facetious company) kept a common Victualling-house, and did great service for the royal Cause, by writing bitter Pasquils against the Roundheads. After the Garrison of Oxon was surrendred, he retired to Westminster, kept a publick house in Phenix Alley near Long-Acre, and continued constant in his loyalty to the King. After whose murder, he set up a sign over his door of a Mourning Crown; but that being esteem’d malignant, he pulled it down, and hung up his own picture, under which were these Verses written,

There’s many a head stands for a signe,

Then, gentle Reader, why not mine?

On the other side.

Though I deserve not, I desire

The laurel wreath, the Poets hire.

Epithalamia: or, nuptial Poems upon the most blessed and happy Marriage between Frederick the 5. Count Palatine of the Rhine, and Princess Elizabeth sole daughter of K. James. Lond. 1622. oct.

Canonical Hymnes and Songs.

Hymnes and Songs of the Church. Lond. in tw.

Songs of Moses and other Hymnes of the old Test.

The scholars Purgatory, discovered in the Stationers Commonwealth, and described in a discourse apologetical, as well for the publick advantage of the Church, the State, and whole Commonwealth of England, as for the remedy of private injuries.—Where, or when printed, it appears not. ’Tis written in prose, and printed in octavo.

Britains remembrancer, containing a narration of the Plague lately past, a declaration of mischiefs present, and a prediction of Judgments to come, &c. Lond. 1628. oct. Written in verse 1625.

Psalmes of David in lyrick verse illustrated. Lond. 1632. oct. or tw.

Prophecy of our present calamity, and (except we repent) future misery.—Written 1628.

Emblems illustrated: or, a collection of Emblems antient and modern. Quickned with metrical illustrations, both moral and divine: and disposed into lotteries, that instruction and good counsel may be fathered by an honest and pleasant recreation, in 4 books. Lond. 1634. 35. fol.

Apology to the Lords of the Council, in justification of the reproof of Vices in his poems.

Discourse concerning the plantations of Ulster in Ireland, with pre-conjectures of what consequences would probably ensue.—Printed in prose.

Meditations on the ten Commandments.—Printed in verse with sculptures. This was lately published again under this title, Divine Poems (by way of paraphrase) on the ten Commandments: illustrated with 12 Copper plates; shewing how personal punishments have been inflicted, &c. Lond. 1688. oct.

Haleluiah: or, Britains second Remembrancer, bringing to remembrance, (in praisful and penitential Hymns, spiritual Songs, and moral Odes) Meditations, advancing the glory of God, &c. composed in a threefold Volume. The first contains Hymns occasional. 2. Hymns temporary. 3. Hymns personal, &c. Lond. 1641. in tw.

The doubtful Almanack: or, very suspitious presages of great calamities yet to come—Printed in one sh. in qu. but when, unless in 1641. it appears not.

Proclamation in the name of the King of Kings to all the Isles of Great Britaine.—Printed in a large oct.

Campo-Musae: or, the Field-musings touching his military engagement for the K. and Parl. Lond. 1643. 44. octavo.

Mercurius Rusticus. Print. 1643. This was written in imitation of the weekly intelligences then published, offering between jest and earnest, some particulars to consideration, relating both to Civil and Military transactions, and hinted notions then pertinent to those times, &c. The beginning of this Merc. Rust. (to distinguish Merc. Rust. written by Dr. Ryves) is this. By your leave Gentlemen, when seriousness takes not effect, perhaps trifling may, &c.

Letter of advice touching the choice of Knights Cit. and Burgesses in Parl. &c.—Printed 1644.

Vox pacifica: A voice tending to pacification of Gods wrath, and offering those propositions, or conditions; by the acceptation or performance whereof, in some good measure, a firm and continual peace may be obtained, &c. Lond. 1645. oct. in 6. Books or Cantoes.

What peace to the wicked—Pr. 1646. This, which is a Poem, is an expostulatory answer to a derisory question concerning peace.

Justiciarius justificatus. Lond. 1646. This being an apologetical discourse in English, reflecting upon Sir Rich. Onslow of Surrey Kt, and Parliam. man, arose a debate in Apr. the same year, in the H. of Commons, occasion’d by the said Sir Richard, concerning several unhandsome expressions therein against him. At length in Aug. following it was voted by them that G. Wither author thereof should pay to the said Sir R. Onslow 500 l. for damages, and that the book be burnt by the hand of the common Hangman; at which time Withers was then in prison for it and continued there about an year.

Opobalsamum Anglicanum. An English balm lately pressed out of a shrub, and spread upon these papers, for the cure of some scabs, gangrenes and cancers, endangering the body of this Commonweale, &c. Lond. 1646 in 3 sh. and an half in qu. in verse.

Amygdala Britannica: Almonds for Parrets. A dish of stone-fruit, partly shell’d and partly unshell’d: which (if crack’d, pick’d and digested) may be wholsom against those epidemick distempers of the brain, now predominant, &c.—Printed 1647 in qu. in double columes, in tw. sh. in verse.

Carmen expostulatorium—Printed 1647. This was written to prevent the engaging these nations into a second war, when the dividing of the City and Army was then by some endeavoured.

A si quis: or Quaeries, with other verses annexed—Printed 1648. Presented to the members of Parliament in their single capacities, related to the Authors particular interest.

A petition and narrative to the Parl.—Pr. 1648.

The tired petitioner—Printed in a single sheet in verse, about the same time.

Carmen Eucharisticon: A private Thank-oblation exhibited to the glory of the Lord of Hosts for the timely and wonderful deliverance vouchsafed to this Nation in the routing of a numerous army of Irish rebels before Dublin by Mich. Jones Lieut. Gen. for the Parl. of England. Lond. 1649, in one largesh. in qu. in double columns. Of which poem, and its author, several things are said by the writer of Mercurius Elencticus, numb. 19. p. 152. published 3. Sept. 1649.

Se defendendo.—Not said when printed. ’Twas an Apologie written by him in prose, to vindicate himself from such aspersions as had been injuriously, and without any probable cause cast upon him by malicious detractors.

A thankful retribution. Lond. 1649 in vers.

The British appeal, with Gods merciful replies on the behalf of the commonwealth of England contained in a brief commemorative Poem, &c. Lond. 1651. oct.

The dark lantern, containing a dim discovery, in riddles, parables, and semi-riddles, intermix’d with cautions, remembrances, and predictions, &c. Lond. 1650, 53 oct. in vers.

Poem concerning a perpetual Parliament—Printed with the Dark lantern.

A suddaine flash, on the stile of Protector.—Printed in oct.

Westrow revived: a funeral poem.—Pr. in oct.

Vaticinium casuale. Printed 1655.

Boni ominis votum. Printed 1656. This poem was occasion’d by the summoning of extraordinary Grand Juries out of the eminent Baronets, Knights, Esquires, Gentlemen, to serve in their Counties at a Summer assize, 1656.

A cause allegorically stated—Printed 1657, with an appeal therein to all impartial censurers.

Address to the members of Parl. in their single capacities—Printed 1657. a poem.

Salt upon salt; made out of certain ingenious verses upon the late storm, and the death of his Highness, &c. by which occasion is taken to offer to consideration the probable near approaching of greater stormes, and more sad consequences Lond. 1659. oct. in vers.

A bitter-sweet passion of the Soul, expressed in a Hymne to God—Printed at the end of Salt upon salt.

Poetick frenzie, occasion’d by Gen. Monks restoring the Parliament.—Printed in a large oct.

Speculum speculativum: or, a considering glass; being an inspection into the present and late sad conditions of these nations, &c. Lond. 1660. oct. poem.

Glimmerings discovered, of what will probably ensue hereafter—Printed with the former. ’Tis a Poem.

Postscript in answer to some cavilling objections made against the Author of this considering glass, since the composing thereof—Printed also with the former.

Fides Anglicana: or, a plea for the publick faith of these nations, lately pawned, forfeited, and violated by some of their former Trustees, to the rendring it as infamous, as Fides punica was heretofore, &c. Lond. 1660. oct. prose.

Triple paradox, affixed to a counter-mure raised against the furious batteries of restraint, slander, and poverty, &c. Lond. 1661. oct. poem.

Crums and scraps lately found in a Prisoners basket in Newgate. Lond. 1661. oct. poem.

Metrical paraphrase on the Lords Prayer—Printed 1665. 1688. oct. vers.

Memorandum to London, occasion’d by the pestilence in the year 1665.—Pr. in oct. a poem.

Sigh for the pitchers, with three private meditations. Lond. 1666. oct.

Fragmenta prophetica: or, his remains, being a collection of the several predictions dispersed throughout his works. Lond. 1669 oct. Before which is his picture in armour, and his head bare, adorn’d with a wreath of Laurel.

An interjection, being a sudden ejaculation cast in at the collecting of Fragm. proph.

Metrical paraphrase on the Creed. Lond. 1688. oct. vers. ’Tis at the end of the 2d edit. of the Paraphrase on the 10 Com. before mention’d.

Besides all these which I have mostly seen and perused, are many others which I have not seen, only their trite and imperfect titles, as they follow (1) The Scourge. (2) The Mistress of Philarete. (3) Vaticinium poeticum. All these written in verse, and the last reprinted in Fragm. Proph. (4) Caveat Emptor. in prose. (5) Britains Genius. Pr. in oct. (6) Carm. Ternarium semicynium. ver. (7) Speech without door. (8) His Disclaimer. These two last are in prose. (9) Know thy self. ver. (10) The Delinquents purgation. prose. (11) Sinners confession. vers. (12) A cordial confection, &c. prose. (13) Verses to the individual members of Parliament. (14) Epistolium vagum prosau-metricum. (15) Furor poeticus. (16) Three grains of Frankincense. (17) The Protector. The three last are in vers. (18) Epistle to the three Nations. (19) Epistle at random. Pr. in qu. (20) Ecchoes from the sixth trumpet reverberated, by a review of neglected remembrances. Pr. in oct. &c.

Besides these 20 pieces and others, which were printed, were many others of his composition which were not, as (1) Exercises on the nine Psalmes, next following the first. These, which he intended to add to the Exercises on the first psalme (printed 1620) were lost, and could never be recovered, (2) Treatise of antient Hieroglyphicks, with their various significations. Lost. (3) Persuit of happiness, being a character of the extravagancy of the authors affections and passions in his youth. Written in prose. (4) Riddles, Songs, Epigrams. (5) The Dutchess, in vers. (6) Domestick devotions, prose. (7) Funeral Elegie. (8) Tract of usury, &c. prose. (9) The confession of his faith, both in fundamentals, and in relation to most points controverted by men of several judgments in religion. (10) Precatory meditation and soliloquy with God, on the behalf of his children and their posterity, if they have any. (11) Discourse to a friend touching the consolations in close imprisonment. (12) Familiar Epistles. (13) The true state of the cause between the King and Parl. Wr. in prose. (14) Declaration in the Person of Oliver Cromwell, given into his own hand, and tending to the settlement of such a government as he never intended. Wr. in prose. (15) Private address to Oliver, offering things pertinent to his consideration. This written in prose and verse, was sealed up and given into his hands. (16) Addr. to Oliver for the third of Sept. 1658. Given also into his own hands. (17) Addr. to Rich. Cromwell: Given into his own hands. These four last things contained the duties and failings of Ol. and Richard, and forewarnings of what soon after came to pass. There also goes about in Ms. his Poem of the History of the pestilence, or proceedings of justice and mercy, being the same, I suppose, which I have before mention’d. He hath also translated from Greek into English, with the help only of two copies, The nature of man, printed 1636 in tw. Written originally by Nemesius. At length after this our author George Wither had lived to the age of 79 years, mostly spent in a rambling and unsetled condition, concluded this life on the second day of May in sixteen hundred sixty and seven:1667. Whereupon his body was buried between the east door and south end of the Church, (which stands north and south) belonging to the Savoy Hospital in the Strand near London. One George Wither was a Dignitary in the Church and a Writer, before the former George was born, as I have told you in the Fasti an. 1565, but what relation there was between them, I cannot tell.