In the writing of this Mans Life, we shall make use of Dr. Fuller in his England's Worthies, who saith, that he was the greatest Master of the Pen that England in his Age beheld; for,
1. Fast writing; so incredible his expedition.
2. Fair writing; some minutes consultation being required to decide whether his Lines were written or printed.
3. Close writing; a Mystery which to do well, few attain unto.
4. Various writing; Secretary, Roman, Court and Text.
The Poetical Fiction of Briareus the Giant, who had an hundred hands, found a Moral in him, who could so cunningly and copiously disguise his aforesaid elemental hands, that by mixing, he could make them appear an hundred; and if not so many sorts, so many degrees of writing. He had also many pretty excursions into Poetry, and could flourish Matters as well as Letters, with his Fancy as well as with his Pen. Take a taste of his Abilities in those Verses of his before Coriat's Crudities, being called the Odcombian Banquet, wherein the whole Club of Wits in that Age joyned together, to write Mock-commendatory Verses in Praise-dispraise of his Book.
If Art that oft the Learn'd hath stammer'd,
In one Iron Head-piece (yet no Hammer-Lead)
May (joyn'd with Nature) hit Fame on the Cocks-comb,
Then 'tis that Head-piece that is crown'd with Odcomb
For he, hard Head (and hard, sith like a Whet-stone)
It gives Wits edge, and draws them too like Jet-stone)
Is Caput Mundi for a world of School-tricks,