P. [83]. Upon a Cloak lent him by Mr. J. Ridsley.
I do not know who Mr. Ridsley was. On the references to Vaughan's "juggling fate of soldiery" in this poem, see the Biographical Note (vol. ii., p. xxviii).
craggy Biston, and the fatal Dee. Chester stands, of course, on the Dee, which is "fatal" as the scene of disasters to the Royalist cause. Dr. Grosart explains Biston as "Bishton (or Bishopstone) in Monmouthshire," and adds, "'Craggie Biston' refers, no doubt, to certain caves there. The Poet's school-boy rambles from Llangattock doubtless included Bishton." I think that Biston is clearly Beeston Castle, one of the outlying defences of Chester, which played a considerable part in the siege. It surrendered on November 5, 1645, and the small garrison was permitted to march to Denbigh (J. R. Phillips, The Civil War in Wales and the Marshes, vol. i., p. 343).
Micro-cosmography, the world represented on a small scale in man. Vaughan means that he had as many lines on him as a map.
Speed's Old Britons. John Speed (1555-1629) published his History of Great Britain in 1614.
King Harry's Chapel at Westminster, with its tombs, was already one of the sights of London.
Brownist. The Brownists were the religious followers of Robert Browne (c. 1550-c. 1633); they were afterwards known as Independents or Congregationalists.
P. [86]. Upon Mr. Fletcher's Plays.
The first folio edition of Beaumont and Fletcher's Comedies and Tragedies was published in 1647. Vaughan's lines are not, however, amongst the commendatory verses there given.
Field's or Swansted's overthrow. Nathaniel Field and Eliard Swanston, who appears to be meant by Swansted, were well-known actors. They were both members of the King's Company about 1633.