[1259]John, earl of Rochester[CS]:—he went to schoole at <Burford>; was of Wadham College, Oxford; I suppose, had been in France.
About 18, he stole his lady, <Elizabeth> Malet, a daughter and heir, a great fortune; for which I remember I sawe him a prisoner in the Tower about 1662.
His youthly spirit and oppulent fortune did sometimes make him doe extravagant actions, but in the country he was generally civill enough. He was wont to say that when he came to Brentford the devill entred into him and never left him till he came into the country again to Alderbury or Woodstock.
He was raunger of Woodstock-parke and lived often at the lodge at the west end, a very delightfull place and noble prospect westwards. Here his lordship had severall lascivious pictures drawen.
His lordship read all manner of bookes. Mr. Andrew Marvell, who was a good judge of witt, was wont to say that he was the best English satyrist and had the right veine. 'Twas pitty death tooke him off so soon.
In his last sicknesse he was exceedingly paenitent and wrote a lettre of his repentance to Dr. Burnet, which is printed.
He sent for all his servants, even the piggard-boy, to come and heare his palinode[1260]. He dyed at Woodstock-parke, 26 July, 1680; and buried at Spilsbury in the same countie, Aug. 9 following.
His immature death putts me in mind of these verses of Propertius:—
Vere novo primoque in aetatis flore juventae,
Ceu rosa virgineo pollice carpta, jaces.