The lives of the most famous English poets, or, The honour of Parnassus in a brief essay of the works and writings of above two hundred of them, from the time of K. William the Conqueror to the reign of His present Majesty, King James II / written by William Winstanley, author of The English worthies ...

JOHN TAYLOR the Water-Poet.

SOme perhaps may think this Person unworthy to be ranked amongst those Sons of Apollo whom we mentioned before; but to them we shall answer. That had he had Learning according to his natural Parts, he might have equal'd, if not exceeded, many who claim a great share in the Temple of the Muses. Indeed, for ought I can understand, he never learned no further then▪ his Accidence, as we may learn from his own Words in one of his Books.

I must confess do want Eloquence, And never Scarce did learn my Accidence; For having got from Possum to Posset, I there was gravel'd, could no further get

He was born in Glocester-shire, where he went to School with one Green; who, as John Taylor saith, loved new Milk so well, that to be sure to have it new, he went to the Market to buy a Cow; but his Eyes being Dim, he cheapned a Bull, and

asking the price of the Beast, the Owner and he agreed; and driving it home, would have his Maid to Milk it, which she attempting to do, could find no Teats: and whilst the Maid and her Master were arguing the matter, the Bull very fairly pist into the pall; whereupon his Scholar John Taylor wrote these Verses.

Our Master Green was over-seen In buying of a Bull, For when the Maid did mean to milk, He pist the Pail half full.

He was afterwards bound Apprentice to a Wa∣terman of London, a Laborious Trade: and yet though it be said, that Ease is the Nurse of Poetry, yet did he not only follow his Calling, but also plyed his Writings, which in time produced a∣bove fourscore Books, which I have seen; besides several others unknow to me; some of which were dedicated to King James, and King Charles the First, and by them well accepted, considering the meanness of his Education to produce works of Ingenuity. He afterwards kept a Publick House in Phoenix Alley by Long-Acre, continuing very con∣stant in his Loyalty to the King, upon whose doleful Murther he set up the Sign of the Mourn∣ing Crown; but that being counted Malignant in those times of Rebellion, he pulled down that, and hung up his own Picture, under which were writ these two lines.

There's many a King's Head hang'd up for a Sign, And many a Saint's Head too, then why not Mine?

He dyed about the Year 1654. upon whom one bestowed this Epitaph.

Here lies the Water-Poet, honest John, Who rowed on the Streams of Helicon; Where having many Rocks and dangers past, He at the Haven of Heaven arriv'd at last.