Through the Year With Famous Authors Part 65

One inch of joy surmounts of grief a span, Because to laugh is proper to the man.

"To the Reader,"--_Francois Rabelais_.

FRANcOIS RABELAIS, the greatest of French satirists, was born at Chinon, Touraine, about 1495, and died in 1553. His fame rests upon the two works, "Gargantua," and "Pantagruel."

A chip of chance weigheth more than a pound of it.

Courtier's Life,--_Sir T. Wyatt_.

SIR THOMAS WYATT, a distinguished English poet and diplomatist, was born at Arlington Castle, Kent, in 1503, and died at Sherborne, October 11, 1542. He wrote many poems, chiefly love sonnets after the Italian manner.

Therefore, if to the goodness of nature be joined the wisdom of the teacher, in leading young wits into a right and plain way of learning; surely children kept up in G.o.d's fear, and governed by His grace, may most easily be brought well to serve G.o.d and their country, both by virtue and wisdom.

"On Gentleness in Education" (From "The Schoolmaster"),--_Roger Ascham_.

ROGER ASCHAM, a famous English scholar and prose writer, was born at Kirby Wiske, near Northallerton, in 1515, and died in London, December 30, 1568. His most noted works are: "Toxophilus," and "The Schoolmaster."

Time shall make the bushes green; Time dissolve the winter's snow; Winds be soft, and skies serene; Linnets sing their wonted strain: But again Blighted love shall never blow.

"Blighted Love" (trans., Lord Strangford), st. 3,--_Luiz de Camoens_.

LUIZ DE CAMOeNS, Portugal's greatest poet, was born at Lisbon, in 1524 or 1525, and died June 10, 1580. He is best known by "The Lusiads,"

which is considered the national epic of Portugal.

The stone that is rolling, can gather no moss, Who often removeth is sure of loss.

"Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry Lessons,"

St. 46,--_Tusser_.

THOMAS TUSSER, a noted English poet was born at Rivenhall, Ess.e.x, in 1527, and died in London about 1580. He was the author of "Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry, United to as Many of Good Housewifery," etc.

I cannot eat but little meat, My stomach is not good; But sure I think that I can drink With him that wears a hood.

"Gammer Gurton's Needle," Act. II,--_Bishop Still_.

BISHOP JOHN STILL, a celebrated English writer of comedy, was born at Grantham, in Lincolns.h.i.+re, in 1543, and died February 26, 1607. He is reputed to be the author of "A Ryght Pithy Pleasant, and Merrie Comedy, Intytuled Gammer Gurton's Needle."

I was so free with him as not to mince the matter.

"Don Quixote," The Author's Preface,--_Cervantes_.

CERVANTES, a renowned Spanish romancist, was born at Alcala de Henares in 1547, and died at Madrid, April 23, 1616. Of his many romances and stories, his fame rests entirely on his celebrated work, "Don Quixote."

Who will not mercie unto others show, How can he mercy ever hope to have?

Faerie Queene, Book V, Canto II, St. 42,--_Edmund Spenser_.

EDMUND SPENSER, the famous English poet, was born about 1552, and died at London, January 13, or 16, 1599. Among his works are: "Amoretti,"

"Four Hymns," "The Shepherd's Calendar," "Astrophel," "Complaints,"

"Daphnaida," "Colin Clout's Come Home Again," and "The Faerie Queene,"

his most famous work.

If all the world and love were young, And truth in every shepherd's tongue, These pretty pleasures might me move To live with thee, and be thy love.

"The Nymph's Reply to the Pa.s.sionate Shepherd,"--_Sir Walter Raleigh_.

SIR WALTER RALEIGH, the celebrated English admiral, was born at Hayes in Devons.h.i.+re, in 1552, and was executed, October 29, 1618. His poems were not published until 1814, his "Miscellaneous Writings," in 1751, and his "Complete Works," in 1829.

Live or die, sink or swim.

"Edward I" (1584?),--_Peele_.

GEORGE PEELE, a famous English dramatist, was born in 1553 (?), and died in 1597 (?). He wrote: "The Arraignment of Paris," "The Chronicle History of Edward I," "The Battle of Alcazar," "The Old Wives' Tales,"

"David and Bethsabe," "Sir Clyomon and Sir Clamydes."

Calvin was incomparably the wisest man that ever the French Church enjoyed.

--_Richard Hooker_.

RICHARD HOOKER, one of the greatest glories of the English Church, was born in Exeter, in 1553, and died in 1600. Among his famous works may be mentioned: "Ecclesiastical Polity," "The Nature and Majesty of Law,"

"Scripture and the Law of Nature," "Defence of Reason," etc.

Goe to bed with the Lambe, and rise with the Larke.

"Euphues and his England,"--_John Lyly_.

JOHN LYLY, a renowned English dramatist, was born in 1554, and died in London, 1606. He is known princ.i.p.ally by his two books, "Euphues, or the Anatomy of Wit," and "Euphues and His England."

He that loves a rosy cheek, Or a coral lip admires, Or from star-like eyes doth seek Fuel to maintain his fires,-- As old Time makes these decay, So his flames must waste away.

"Disdain Returned,"--_Thomas Carew_.

THOMAS CAREW, a noted English poet, lived about 1598-1639. He wrote numerous poems, mostly songs and odes. He also wrote a masque, "Coelum Britannic.u.m."