JOHN WEBSTER flourished in the reign of King James the First. He was clerk of the parish of St. Andrew, Holborn, and a member of the Merchant-Taylors' Company. The times of his birth and death are unknown. From the following verses, he appears to have had the character of an illnatured critick, but whether with justice or not cannot now be determined, as none of his works of that kind are come down to posterity. 2" But h'st with him crabbed (Websterio), The play-wright, cart-wright: whether? either ho- Sit as ye woo'd be read: Lord! who woo'd know him? Was ever man so mangl'd with a Poem? See how he drawes his mouth awry of late, How he scrubs: wrings his wrests: scratches his pate; A midwife! helpe? By his braines coitus Some Centaure strange: some huge Bucephalus, 'Gildon's Lives of the Poets. 2 Notes from Black-Fryers, printed in certain Elegies. Done by sundrie excellent Wits. With Satyrs and Epigrams. 1620. 12mo. VOL. III. A |