A CURIOSITY OF LITERATURE.
John Heywood, the playwright and epigrammatist, was patronized by Henry VIII. and Elizabeth. "What the 'Faery Queen,'" says Warton, "could not procure for Spenser from the penurious Elizabeth and her precise ministers, Heywood gained by puns and conceits." The object of one of his books, as disclosed by the title-page, is singular: "A Dialogue, containing in effect the Number of all the Proverbs in the English Tongue, compact in a Matter concerning Two Marriages."
When the Marquis of Winchester, Lord High Treasurer, was presented with a copy of this book by the author, he inquired what it contained, and being answered, "All the proverbs in English," replied, "What! all? No, no. 'Bate me an ace, quoth Bolton'"—a form of speech once much in vogue. "By my faith," said Heywood, "that is not in."
It happened that the marquis casually uttered the only proverb not in the book.
Camden mentions an interview of Heywood with Queen Mary, at which her Majesty inquired what wind blew him to court. He answered, "Two, specially—the one to see your Majesty."
"We thank you for that," said the Queen; "but I pray you, what is the other?"
"That your Grace," said he, "might see me."
The curious work on proverbs is in rhyme, and contains many sayings that are now forgotten, as well as allusions to superstitions still remaining.