[36] In his will he suggested this epitaph to be put over his grave: “Hic jacet hujus sententiæ primus auctor, Disputandi Pruritus Ecclesiæ Scabies.”
[37] Izaak Walton, b. 1593; d. 1683.
[38] Statements about George Herbert, in the matter of the Melville controversy, are specially to be doubted. Of Ben Jonson he says: “He lived with a woman that governed him, near Westminster Abbey, and neither he nor she took much care for next week, and would be sure not to want wine; of which he usually took too much before he went to bed, if not oftener and sooner”—all which shows a pretty accessibility to gossip.
[39] Overbury, b. 1581; d. 1613 (poisoned in London Tower). Rimbault’s Life, 1856; also Strahan’s Biographical Dictionary, 1784.
[40] George Herbert, b. 1593; d. 1633. The edition of his poems referred to is that of Bell & Daldy, London, 1861. Walton’s Life of him is delightful; but one who desires the whole story should not fail of reading Dr. Grosart’s essay, prefatory to the works of George Herbert, in the Fuller Worthies’ Library, London, 1874.
[41] Robert Herrick b. (or at least baptized) 1591; d. 1674. The fullest edition of his works is that edited by Dr. Grosart, and published by Chatto & Windus, London, 1876.
[42] Dr. Grosart objects that most portraits are too gross: I am content if comparison be made only with the engraving authorized by Dr. Grosart, and authenticated by his careful investigation and a warm admiration for his subject.
[43] Herrick is not an example of this; but Herbert is; so is Overbury with his “Wife;” so is Vaughan; so is Browne.
“Religion stands on tiptoe in our land