From these lines, therefore, written nearly 50 years after the
publication of his former works in 1602, when we may reasonably suppose
he could not have been under 20, it is certain that Basse was then well
stricken in years; and the probability is, that he died very shortly
afterwards, and that this was the reason of the non-publication of his
poems. It is possible that a search into the registers at Thame or that
neighbourhood, or in the court at Oxford, might settle this point, and
also furnish some further information concerning his family and
connections. Cole mentions that a person of both his names was admitted
a sizar in Emanuel College, Cambridge, in 1629, of Suffolk, and took his
degree of B.A. in 1632 and M.A. in 1636. But this was too modern a date
for our poet, and might possibly be his son.

I have been informed that in Winchester College library, in a 4to.
volume, there are some poems by Mr. William Basse; but the title of the
volume I have not been able to obtain.

Mr. Collier concludes his remarks, with a supposition that Basse "was a
musical composer, as well as writer of verses." I believe Mr. C. to be
right in this notion, from a passage which I find in the commencement of
the 2nd Part of "The Youth in the Boat," where, alluding to "sweete
Calliope," he remarks:--

"A Muse to whom in former dayes
I was extremely bound,
When I did sing in _Musiques_ prayse,
And _Voyces_ heau'nly sound."

And from the circumstance also of one of the Ballads in the Roxburghe