Through the Year With Famous Authors Part 66

Young men think old men are fools; but old men know young men are fools.

"All Fools," Act V, Sc. I,--_George Chapman_.

GEORGE CHAPMAN, a renowned English dramatist, and translator of Homer, was born in Hitchin, Hertford, 1559, and died at London, May 12, 1634.

Among his comedies and tragedies are: "All Fools but the Fool," "May Day," "Bussy d'Amboise," and "The Tragedy of Charles, Duke of Byron."

His version of Homer is renowned.

Though men determine, the G.o.ds do dispose; and oft times many things fall out betweene the cup and the lip.

"Perimedes the Blacksmith" (1588),--_Greene_.

ROBERT GREENE, a celebrated English dramatist, was born in Norwich, about 1560, and died in London, September 3, 1592. He wrote: "History of Orlando Furioso," "Comical History of Alphonsus, King of Aragon,"

"Honorable History of Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay," "The Scottish Historie of James IV," etc.; also two noted tracts, "Never Too Late,"

and "Greene's Groat's Worth of Wit Bought with a Million of Repentance."

Come let us kiss and part,-- Nay I have done, you get no more of me; And I am glad, yea, glad with all my heart That thus so clearly I myself can free.

Shake hands forever, cancel all our vows, And when we meet at any time again, Be it not seen, on either of our brows, That we one jot of former love retain.

"Come Let Us Kiss and Part,"--_M. Drayton_.

MICHAEL DRAYTON, a noted English poet, was born near Atherstone in Warwicks.h.i.+re, in 1563, and died in 1631. He wrote: "The Shepherd's Garland," "Poly Olbion," his most famous work, "Sir John Oldcastle" a drama, and "Poems Lyrick and Pastorall," including the famous "Ballad of Agincourt."

Who ever loved that loved not at first sight.

"Hero and Leander,"--_Christopher Marlowe_.

CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE, a renowned English poet and dramatist, was born at Canterbury, about 1564, and was killed at Deptford, June 1, 1593. He wrote: "Tamburlaine," "The Jew of Malta," "Life and Death of Dr.

Faustus," and "Edward II," his most famous work.

Do not be troubled by Saint Bernard's saying that h.e.l.l is full of good intentions and wills.

"Spiritual Letters," Letter xii,--_Francis De Sales_.

SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES, a famous French ecclesiastic and devotional writer, was born in 1567, and died in 1622. He wrote: "Introduction to the Devout Life," "A Treatise on the Love of G.o.d," etc. He founded the Order of the Visitation.

The world's a stage on which all parts are played.

"A Game of Chess," Act. V, Sc. i,--_Thomas Middleton_.

THOMAS MIDDLETON, a noted English dramatist, was born about 1570, and died in 1627. He produced, "A Game of Chess," and with William Rowley, "A Fair Quarrel," "The Changeling," "The Spanish Gipsy," etc.

To add to golden numbers golden numbers.

"Patient Grissell,"--_Thomas Dekker_.

THOMAS DEKKER, a famous English dramatist, was born in London, about 1570, and died after 1637. Among his plays are: "The Shoemaker's Holiday," and "Old Fortunatus." He also wrote: "The Wonderful Year,"

"The Bachelor's Banquet," etc.

I loved thee once, I'll love no more, Thine be the grief as is the blame; Thou art not what thou wast before, What reason I should be the same?

He that can love unloved again, Hath better store of love than brain: G.o.d send me love my debts to pay, While unthrifts fool their love away.

"Woman's Inconstancy," St. I,--_Sir R. Ayton_.

SIR ROBERT AYTON, a notable Scottish poet, was born in his father's castle of Kinaldie in 1570, and died in London in February, 1638. Ayton is supposed to have been the author of "Auld Lang Syne," which was remodeled by Burns.

Drink to me only with thine eyes, And I will pledge with mine; Or leave a kiss but in the cup, And I'll not look for wine.

"The Forest: To Celia,"--_Ben Jonson_.

BEN JONSON, a celebrated English dramatist, was born in London, in 1572 or 1573, and died August 6, 1637. He wrote two famous comedies, "Every Man in His Humour," and "Every Man Out of His Humour," and numerous poems.

Reason is our soul's left hand, Faith her right.

"To the Countess of Bedford," St. 7,--_John Donne_.

JOHN DONNE, a famous English poet and clergyman, was born in London, in 1573, and died March 31, 1631. His famous "Satires" won for him great fame. A collection of his sermons were published in 1897.

As it fell upon a day In the merry month of May, Sitting in a pleasant shade Which a grove of myrtles made.

Address to the Nightingale,--_Richard Barnfield_.

RICHARD BARNFIELD, a noted English poet, was baptized at Norbury, Staffords.h.i.+re, June 13, 1574, and died in 1627. He wrote: "The Affectionate Shepherd," "Cynthia, with Certain Sonnets," "The Encomion of Lady Pecunia," "The Pa.s.sionate Pilgrim," etc.

Seven cities warred for Homer being dead, Who living had no roofe to shrowd his head.

"Hierarchie of the Blessed Angells,"--_Thomas Heywood_.

THOMAS HEYWOOD, a famous English dramatic poet, was born in Lincolns.h.i.+re (?), about 1575, and died in London (?), 1650 (?). Of all his poetry and prose his fame rests upon "A Woman Killed with Kindness," "The Wise Woman of Hogsdon," "Love's Mistress," etc.

Death hath a thousand doors to let out life.

"A Very Woman," Act V, Sc. 4,--_Philip Ma.s.singer_.

PHILIP Ma.s.sINGER, a celebrated English dramatist, was born at Salisbury, in 1583, and died at the Bankside, Southwark, March, 1640. Among his famous plays are: "The Duke of Milan," "The Fatal Dowry," "A New Way to Pay Old Debts," "A City Madam," "A Very Woman," etc.

It is always good When a man has two irons in the fire.