North-Riding in _Bulmore-Wapentake_ in _Yorkshire_. He was bred in
_London_ a Student of the Laws, but having a plentiful Estate, and
prizing his pleasure above his profit, he quitted Pleading to follow
Poetry, being the first refiner of our _English_ Tongue, effecting
much, but endeavouring more therein, as you may perceive by the
difference of his Language, with that of _Robert of Glocester_, who
lived in the time of King _Richard_ the First, which notwithstanding
was accounted very good in those days.

This our _Gower_ was contemporary with the famous Poet _Geoffry
Chaucer_, both excellently learned, both great friends together, and
both alike endeavour'd themselves and employed their time for the
benefit of their Country. And what an account _Chaucer_ had of this our
_Gower_ and of his Parts, that which he wrote in the end of his Work,
entituled _Troilus & Cressida_, do sufficiently testifie, where he
saith,

O marvel, _Gower_, this Book I direct
To thee, and to the Philosophical _Strode_.
To vouchsafe, there need is, to correct
Of your benignitees and zeles good.

_Bale_ makes him _Equitem Auratum & Poetam Laureatum_, proving both
from his Ornaments on his Monumental Statue in St. _Mary Overies
Southwark_. Yet he appeareth there neither _laureated_ nor _hederated_
Poet, (except the leaves of the Bays and Ivy be wither'd to nothing,
since the erection of the Tomb) but only _rosated_, having a Chaplet of
four Roses about his Head, yet was he in great respect both with King
_Henry_ the Fourth, and King _Richard_ the Second, at whose request he
wrote his Book called _Confessio Amantis_, as he relateth in his