Arthour Johnson, bookseller, in Paule's Churchyarde, the
ordinarie sume of tenn pounds, and that with as much sceleritie as you
maye." He also indulges in the natural wish that his college bills
"had leaden wings and tortice feet." This was in 1617. The young man's
patrimony, whatever it may have been, had dwindled, and he confesses to
"many a throe and pinches of the purse." For the moment, at least, his
prospects were not flattering.
Robert Herrick's means of livelihood, when in 1620 he quitted the
university and went up to London, are conjectural. It is clear that he
was not without some resources, since he did not starve to death on his
wits before he discovered a patron in the Earl of Pembroke. In the court
circle Herrick also unearthed humbler, but perhaps not less useful,
allies in the persons of Edward Norgate, clerk of the signet, and Master
John Crofts, cup-bearer to the king. Through the two New Year anthems,
honored by the music of Henry Lawes, his Majesty's organist at
Westminster, it is more than possible that Herrick was brought to the
personal notice of Charles and Henrietta Maria.
Pages:
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138