De Conjugii Dignitate.

De Amoris Varietate.

* * * * *


JOHN LYDGATE,

Commonly called the monk of Bury, because a native of that place. He
was another disciple and admirer of Chaucer, and it must be owned far
excelled his master, in the article of versification. After sometime
spent in our English universities, he travelled thro' France and
Italy, improving his time to the accomplishment of learning the
languages and arts. Pitseus says, he was not only an elegant poet, and
an eloquent rhetorician, but also an expert mathematician, an acute
philosopher, and no mean divine. His verses were so very smooth, and
indeed to a modern ear they appear so, that it was said of him by his
contemporaries, that his wit was framed and fashioned by the Muses
themselves. After his return from France and Italy, he became tutor
to many noblemen's sons, and for his excellent endowments was much
esteemed and reverenced by them. He writ a poem called the Life
and Death of Hector, from which I shall give a specimen of his
versification.

I am a monk by my profession
In Bury, called John Lydgate by my name,
And wear a habit of perfection;
(Although my life agree not with the same)
That meddle should with things spiritual,