Dead in this World, living above the Sky,
Intomb'd within this Urn doth _Lydgate_ lie;
In former time fam'd for his Poetry,
All over _England_.

* * * * *




_JOHN HARDING_.


_John Harding_, our Famous _English_ Chronologer, was born (saith
_Bale_) in the Northern parts, and most likely in _Yorkshire_, being an
Esquire of an eminent Parentage. He was a man equally addicted to Arms
and Arts, spending his Youth in the one, and his Age in the other: His
first Military Employment was under _Robert Umfreuil_, Governor of
_Roxborough_-Castle, where he did good Service against the _Scots_.
Afterwards he followed the Standard of King _Edward_ the Fourth, to
whom he valiantly and faithfully adhered, not only in the Sun-shine of
his Prosperity, but also in his deepest Distress.

But what endeared him the most to his Favour, and was indeed the
Masterpiece of his Service, was his adventuring into _Scotland_; a
desperate Attempt, and performed not without the manifest hazarding of
his Life; where he so cunningly demeaned himself, and insinuated
himself so far into their Favour, as he got a sight of their Records
and Original Letters; a Copy of which he brought with him to _England_,
and presented the same to King _Edward_ the Fourth: Out of these he