"From poems and workes of these noble personages extant:
- Edward, Earle of Oxenford.
- Ferdinando, Earle of Derby.
- Sir Walter Raleigh.
- Sir Edward Dyer.
- Fulke Grevile, Esq.
- Sir John Harrington.
"From divers essayes of their poetrie; some extant among other honourable personages writings, some from private labours and translations.
- Edmund Spencer.
- Henry Constable, Esq.
- Samuel Daniell.
- Thomas Lodge, Doctor of Physicke.
- Thomas Watson.
- Michaell Drayton.
- John Davies.
- Thomas Hudson.
- Henrie Locke, Esq.
- John Marstone.
- Chr. Marlowe.
- Benjn. Johnson.
- William Shakspeare.
- Thomas Churchyard, Esq.
- Tho. Nash.
- Tho. Kidde.
- Geo. Peele.
- Robert Greene.
- Josuah Sylvester.
- Nicolas Breton.
- Gervase Markham.
- Thomas Storer.
- Robert Wilmot.
- Chr. Middleton.
- Richard Barnefield.
"These being moderne and extant poets, that have lived together, from many of their extant workes, and some kept in private.
- Thomas Norton, Esq.
- George Gascoigne, Esq.
- Frauncis Hindlemarsh, Esq.
- Thomas Atchelow.
- George Whetstones.
"These being deceased, have left divers extant labours, and many more held back from publishing, which for the most part have been perused, and their due right here given them in the Muses Garden.
"Besides, what excellent sentences have been in any presented Tragedie, Historie, Pastorall, or Comedie, they have been likewise gathered, and are here inserted in their proper places."[727:A]
It will be perceived that eleven poets are here enumerated, who had no share in England's Parnassus; and it may be worth while to remark, that, among the verses prefixed in praise of the book, are some lines by R. Hathway, whom Mr. Malone conjectures to have been the kinsman of Ann Hathaway, the wife of our immortal bard.[727:B]