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;