Speake of a man soe kinde, soe courteous,
So free and every waie magnanimous,
That storie told at large heere doe you see,
Epitomiz’d in briefe: Covell was hee.
He is represented standing, with hands clasped in prayer; a long robe, open in front, disclosing his tall military jack-boots.
A GOOD-FELLOW GAOLER
No merrier fellow than the good Covell ever presided over dungeon and little-ease. Prisoners who were fortunate enough to be consigned to Lancaster Castle used it as a country house; and, so that they fairly gave their parole to return, went and came very much as they pleased. Some of them, that is to say. Popish recusants were sure of the best attention, and the Bishop of Carlisle, writing with some heat upon the subject, declared “they have liberty to go when and whither they list; to hunt, hawk, and go to horse-races.” Enjoying life himself, Covell was kindly disposed to others of like temperament. To Burton, however, one of the Puritans who was sent to Lancaster Castle to have his ears cropped, this high-spirited Governor was a “beastly man.”
“Drunken Barnaby” was not of that opinion. Doubtless the two drank many a noggin together; Barnaby writing him down—
A Jaylor ripe and mellow
The world hath not suche a fellow.