quibus preces Ecclesiasticae ritusque sacrorum continentur, multas fuisse inspersas confusas∣que fabulas & commenta: Addam nonnunquam in Templis reliquias dabias, prophana Corpora pro sanctorum (qui cum Christo in coelo regnant) exuviis sacris fuisse proposita. Est enim miserum negare non posse, quid sit turpe confiteri; at nescio quo pacto fictis saepe fabulis, & prae posteris mendaciorum nugis, populus magis quam veritate ac synceritate capitur, ea est mentis nostrae inanitas, has sordes, ubi semel irrepserunt in Ecclesiam sacrorum ritus libros Ecclesiasticos, nobis fortassis dormientibus, attrectare nemo audet, mutive nemo, ne impietatis suspicionem commoreat, scilicet, & Religioni adversarius esse videatur.
Nor hath our Land been altogether barren of Historians since the Reformation, having yielded some of as tall parts, and large performances, as any Nation in Christendome.
Besides these, we have adventured to adde such as have been eminent in Poetry, which may not unfitly be termed the binding of Proselites good behaviour, tying it to the strict observation of time and measure.
Amongst these, some are additioned with the Title of Laureat, though I must con∣sess, I could never find the root whence their Bays did grow in England, as to any so∣lemn institution thereof in our Nation. Indeed, I read of Petrarch, (the pre-coeta∣nean of our Chaucer) that he was crowned with a Laurel, in the Capitol, by the Se∣nate of Rome, Anno 1341. as also that Frederic the third Emperour of Germany, gave the Laurel to Conradus Celtes, and since the Count Palatines of the Empire claime the priviledge, solemnly to invest Poets with the Bays.
The branches hereof, in all ages have been accounted honourable, in so much that King James in some sort, wav'd his crown (in the two and twenty-shilling-pieces) to wear the Laurel in his new twenty-shilling-pieces. On the same token, that a wag passed this jeast thereon, That Poets being always poor, Bays were rather the embleme of wit then wealth, since King James no sooner began to wear them, but presently he fell two shillings in the pound in publique valuation.
As for our English Poets, some have assumed that style unto themselves, as John Kay in his Dedication of The Seige of Rhodes to King Edward the fourth, subscribing himself his humble Poet Laureat. Others have in complement given the title to such persons as were eminent in that Faculty, and nothing more usuall then to see their pictures before their Books, and Statues on their Tombs, ornamented accordingly. However, all this is done by civil courtesie, or common custome, no ceremonious crea∣tion in Court or University. I write not this, as if I grudged to Poets a whole grove of Laurel, much less a sprig to incircle their heads, but because I would not have any specious untruth imposed on the Readers belief.
Yet want there not those, who do confidently averr that there is always a Laureat Poet in England, and but one at a time, the Laurel importing Conquest and Sove∣reignty, and so by consequence soleness in that faculty; and that there hath been a con∣stant succession of them at Court, who beside their salary from the King, were yearly to have a tun of win, as very essential to the heightning of fancy. This last I conceive founded, on what we find given to Geffery Chaucer,
Vigesimo secundo anno Richardi secundi concessum Galfrido Chaucer unum dolium vini per annum durante vitâ, in portu Civitatis London, per manus capitalis pincernae nostri.
But Chaucer, besides his poetical accomplishments, did the King service both in war and peace, as Souldier and Embassadour, in reward whereof, this and many other boons were bestow'd upon him.