His manner of studie was thus: he wore a long quilt cap, which came, 2 or 3, at least, inches, over his eies, which served him as an umbrella to defend his eies from the light. About every 3 houres his man was to bring him a roll and a pott of ale[LXIV.] to refocillate his wasted spirits. So he studied and dranke, and munched some bread: and this maintained him till night; and then he made a good supper. Now he did well not to dine, which breakes of one's fancy, which will not presently be regained: and 'tis with invention as a flux—when once it is flowing, it runnes amaine; if it is checked, flowes but guttim: and the like for perspiration—check it, and 'tis spoyled.
[LXIV.] Goclenius[753], professor at ... in Germany did better; he kept bottles of good Rhenish wine in his studie, and, when his spirits wasted, dranke a good rummer of it.
Thou that with ale, or viler liquors,
Didst inspire Wythers, Prinne, and Vicars[LXV.],
And teach, though it were in despight
Of nature and the starres, to write,
&c.
Hudibras: part 1st.
[LXV.] Was one of the assembly and tryers.
He was burghesse of the citie of Bath, before and since the king's restauration. He was also Keeper of the Records in the Tower of London.
He endured severall imprisonments for the king's cause, and was (really) very instrumentall in his restauracion.
..., upon the opening of the Parliament, viz. letting in the secluded members, he girt on his old long rustie sword (longer then ordinary). Sir William Waller marching behind him (as he went to the Howse), W. Prynne's long sword ranne between Sir William's short legges, and threw him downe, which caused laughter.
He was of a strange Saturnine complexion. Sir C. W.[754] sayd once, that he had the countenance of a witch.