shrewsbury. 243 



ChupvCHyard, the Poet. 



As I have fo frequently had occafion to quota 

 the writings of Churchyard, it is but proper that he 

 iliould have a place at the end of this chapter. Very 

 little is, however, known of his life. He was born 

 at Shrewfbury, a defcendant, as h^ fays himfelf, 

 "of right good race," and flouririiod in the reigns 

 of Henry VIII.,.Edwaixl VI., Mary, and Elizabeth. 

 His verfes are neither elegant nor fmooth, but they 

 are generally fuppofed to abound in faithful defcrip- 

 tion. His V/orthinefs of Wides v/as his principal 

 work, but he alfo wrote in verfe, " A Defcription 

 and Difcourfe of Paper, and the Benefit it brings, 

 with the fetting forth of a Paper Mill near Dart- 

 ford." — He died about the year 1570; and his epi- 

 taph, written by himfelf, is preferved in Camden'^ 

 Remains : 



Come Alefto, and lend me thy torch, 

 To find a Cluirchyard in a cliuich porch ; 

 Poverty and poetry liis tomb do enclofe, 

 Wherefore, good neighbours, be merry in profp. 



R 2 



