[XL.] Virgil, 8vo; Aesop, in 4to, next.—MS. Aubr. 7, fol. 20.
After he had translated Virgil, he learned Greeke[XLI.] of Mr. Whitfield[444], a Scotch bishop's son, and grew so great a proficient in it that he fell-to to translate Homer's Iliads, 1660.
[XLI.] Mr. Ogilby learnt Greeke in 1653.—MS. Aubr. 23, fol. 121v.
Next, as if by a prophetique spirit, foreseeing the restauration of King Charles IId, and also the want there might be of Church Bibles, he[445]printed the fairest impression, and the most correct of English Bibles, in royall and imperiall paper, that ever was yet donne.
He printed and published his majestie's entertainment at his coronation, in folio with cutts, 1662.
The same yeare (1662) he went into Ireland again, being then, by patent (before, but by warrant) master of the revells, having disputed his right with Sir William Davenant, who had gott a graunt, and built a noble theatre at Dublin, which cost 2000 li., the former being ruined[446] in the troubles.
His Odysses came out in 1665. People did then suspect, or would not beleeve that 'twas he was the author of the paraphrase upon Æsop, and to convince them he published a 2d volume, which he calles his Æsopiques, which[447] he did during the sicknesse, in his retirement at Kingston upon Thames, after he had published Homer's Iliads and Odysses.
His History of China, in fol., anno ... (before the fire); then his History of Japan.
The generall and dreadfull conflagration burn't all that he had, that he was faine to begin the world again, being then at best worth 5 li.
He had such an excellent inventive and prudentiall witt, and master of so good addresse, that when he was undon he could not only shift handsomely (which is a great mastery[448]), but he would make such rationall proposalls that would be embraced by rich and great men, that in a short time he could gaine a good estate again, and never failed in any thing he ever undertooke but allwayes went through with profits and honour[449].