The Lives of the Poets of Great Britain and Ireland | Page 6

is civil, as the action of David flying from
his son Absolom; or of Joseph sold by his brethren, advanced by
Pharaoh to the government of Egypt, and that dignity adored by, and
made known unto his brethren. Of which argument is Sophompaneas,
written by Hugo Grotius, embassador from the Queen of Sweden to the
King of France; which tragedy, I suppose, may be set for a pattern to
him, that would handle an argument from the holy scriptures." This is
the opinion of Vossius, and with him all must agree who admire the
truly admirable Samson Agonistes of Milton.
As we have frequently mentioned Grotius, the short account of so great
a man, which is inserted in Langbaine, will not be unpleasing to the
reader.

"Hugo Grotius, says he, was an honour to his country: he was born in
the year 1583, and will be famous to posterity, in regard of those many
excellent pieces he has published. In some of his writings he defended
Arminianism, for which he suffered imprisonment in the castle of
Louverstein, in the year 1618; at which time his associate Barnevelt
lost his head on the same account. Afterwards Grotius escaped out of
prison, by means of Maria Reigersberg his wife, and fled into Flanders;
and thence into France, where he was kindly received by Lewis XIII.
He died at Rostock in Mecclebourg, Sept. 1, 1645. His life is written at
large by Melchoir Adamus, in Latin."
As to our outhor's [sic] translation, which is in heroic verse, it is much
commended by verses from four of his friends.
He also translated Grotius's consolatory oration to his father, with
epitaphs; and also his Catechism into English verse.
Mr. Goldsmith died at Ashton in Northamptonshire, in September 1655,
and was buried there, leaving behind him an only daughter named
Katherine, afterwards the wife of Sir Henry Dacres.
Footnote: 1. Wood Athen. Oxon. v. 2. p. 194.
* * * * *

JOHN CLEVELAND,
Was the son of a vicar of Hinkley, in Leicestershire, where he was born,
and received his grammatical education, under one Mr. Richard Vines,
a zealous Puritan. After he had compleated his school education, he
was sent to Christ's College in Cambridge, and in a short time
distinguishing himself for his knowledge of the Latin tongue, and for
Oratory, he was preferred to a fellowship in St. John's-College, in the
said university. He continued there about nine years, and made during
that time some successful attempts in poetry. At length, upon the
eruption of the civil war, he was the first who espoused the Royal cause
in verse, against the Presbyterians, who persecuted him in their turn

with more solid severity; for he was ejected, as soon as the reins of
power were in their hands. Dr. Fuller bestows upon our author the most
lavish panegyric: He was (says he) a general artist, pure latinist, an
exquisite orator, and what was his masterpiece, an eminent poet. Dr.
Fuller thus characterizes him, but as Cleveland has not left remains
behind him sufficient to convey to posterity so high an idea of his merit,
it may be supposed that the Doctor spoke thus in his favour, meerly on
account of their agreement in political principles. He addressed an
oration, says Winstanley, to Charles I. who was so well pleased with it,
that he sent for him, and gave him his hand to kiss, with great
expressions of kindness. When Oliver Cromwell was in election to be
member for the town of Cambridge, as he engaged all his friends and
interests to oppose it; so when it was carried but by one vote, he cried
out with much passion, that, that single vote had ruined church and
kingdom[1], such fatal events did he presage from the success of Oliver.
Mr. Cleveland was no sooner forced from the College, by the
prevalence of the Parliament's interest, but he betook himself to the
camp, and particularly to Oxford the head quarters of it, as the most
proper sphere for his wit, learning and loyalty. Here he began a paper
war with the opposite party, and wrote some smart satires against the
Rebels, especially the Scots. His poem called the Mixt Assembly; his
character of a London Diurnal, and a Committee-man, are thought to
contain the true spirit of satire, and a just representation of the general
confusion of the times. From Oxford he went to the garrison of Newark,
where he acted as judge advocate till that garrison was surrendered, and
by an excellent temperature, of both, says Winstanley, he was a just and
prudent judge for the King, and a faithful advocate for the Country.
Here he drew up a bantering answer and rejoinder to a Parliament
officer, who had written to him on account of one