This worthy Knight is termed by the Name of the Elder, to distinguish
him from Sir _Thomas Wiat_ the raiser of the Rebellion in the time of
Queen _Mary_, and was born at _Allington_ Castle in the County of
_Kent_; which afterwards he repaired with most beautiful Buildings. He
was a Person of great esteem and reputation in the Reign of King
_Henry_ the _8th._ with whom, for his honesty and singular parts, he
was in high favour. Which nevertheless he had like to have lost about
the Business of Queen _Anne Bullein_; but by his Innocency, Industry
and Prudence, he extricated himself.

He was one of admirable ingenuity, and truly answer'd his Anagram,
_Wiat_, a Wit, the judicious Mr. _Cambden_ saith he was.

_Eques Auratus splendide doctus_.

And though he be not taken notice of by _Bale_ nor _Pits_, yet for his
admirable Translation of _David's_ Psalms into _English_ Meeter, and
other Poetical Writings, _Leland_ forbears not to compare him to
_Dante_ and _Petrarch_, by giving him this large commendation.

_Bella suum merito jactet_ Florentia Dantem
_Regia_ Petrarchæ _carmina_ Roma _probat_,
_His non inferior Patrio Sermone_ Viattus
_Eloquii secum qui decus omne tulit_.

Let _Florence_ fair her _Dantes_ justly boast,
And royal _Rome_ her _Petrarchs_ number'd feet,
In _English Wiat_ both of them doth coast: