Shakspeare and His Times [Vol. 1 of 2] / Including the Biography of the Poet; criticisms on his genius and writings; a new chronology of his plays; a disquisition on the on the object of his sonnets; and a history of the manners, customs, and amusements, superstitions, poetry, and elegant literature of his age

by Nathan Drake

[679:B] Ritson remarks,—"This is probably the poem alluded to in the Midsummer-Night's Dream:—

"Not Shafalus to Procrus was so true,

As Shafalus to Procrus, I to you."

Page 170.

[680:A] That Wittes Pilgrimage was written before 1614, is evident from its being alluded to in his Scourge for Paper-Persecutors: annexed to the Scourge of Folly, printed in this year.

[680:B] Beside these productions here enumerated, Davies published, in 1617, "Wits Bedlam," 8vo.; containing not less than 400 Epigrams, and about 80 Epitaphs. This writer usually designated himself by the title of John Davies of Hereford,—See Censura Literaria, vols. i. ii. v. vi. Brit. Bibliographer, No. VIII, Beloe's Anecdotes, vol. ii., and Wood's Athenæ Oxon. vol. i. p. 445. He also wrote The Holy Rood, or Christ's Crosse, 1609.

[680:C] These poetical brothers published their poems with the above title, in a valuable Collection of Metrical Miscellanies, called "A Poetical Rapsodie," 1602, which will be noticed hereafter. They are introduced in the Table as being the principal contributors, and as distinguishing their pieces by a separate title or division.

[681:A] This writer was the most popular ballad-maker of his day; he was by trade a silk-weaver, and the compiler of various Garlands, under the titles of "The Garland of Good Will;" "The Garland of Delight," &c. &c. Nash, in his "Have with you to Saffron-Walden," 1596, says, that "his muse from the first peeping forth, hath stood at livery at an alehouse wispe, never exceeding a penny a quart day nor night; and this deere yeare, together with the silencing of his looms, scarce that; he being constrained to betake himself to carded ale: whence it proceedeth, that since Candlemas, or his jigge of John for the King, not one merrie dittie will come from him, but The thunder-bolt against swearers, Repent England repent, and The strange judgements of God."

[681:B] Drant was a copious Latin Poet, having published two miscellanies under the titles of Sylva, and Poemata Varia.

[681:C] A quotation from one of the songs or ballads of this drunken rhymer, is to be found in Much Ado about Nothing, (Reed's Shakspeare, vol. vi. p. 196.) commencing