_Et quod tentabam Scribere, Versus erat._
When his _Office_ called him, as he was of the _Kings Counsell Learned_, to charge any _Offenders_, either in _Criminals_, or _Capitals_; He was never of an _Insulting_, or _Domineering Nature_, over them; But alwayes tender Hearted, and carrying himself decently towards the _Parties_; (Though it was his Duty, to charge them home:) But yet, as one, that looked upon the _Example_, with the Eye of _Severity_; But upon the _Person_, with the Eye of _Pitty_, and Compassion. And in _Civill Businesse_, as he was _Counseller_ of _Estate_, he had the best way of _Advising_; Not engaging his _Master_, in any _Precipitate_, or _grievous_, Courses; But in _Moderate_, and _Fair_, Proceedings: The _King_, whom he served, giving him this _Testimony_; That he ever dealt, in Businesse, Suavibus Modis; _Which was the way, that was most according to his own Heart_.
Neither was He, in his time, lesse Gracious with the _Subject_, then with his _Soveraign_: He was ever Acceptable to the _House of Commons_, when He was a _Member_ thereof. Being the _Kings Atturney_, & chosen to a place, in _Parliament_, He was allowed, and dispensed with, to sit in the _House_; which was not permitted to other _Atturneys_.
And as he was a good _Servant_, to his _Master_; Being never, in 19. years Service, (as himself averred,) rebuked by the _King_, for any Thing, relating to his _Majesty_; So he was a good _Master_, to his _Servants_; And rewarded their long _Attendance_, with good _Places_, freely, when they fell into his Power. Which was the Cause, that so many young _Gentlemen_, of _Bloud_, and _Quality_, sought to list themselves, in his _Retinew_. And if he were abused, by any of them, in their _Places_; It was onely the _Errour_ of the _Goodnesse_ of his _Nature_; But the Badges of their _Indiscretions_, and _Intemperances_.
Ben Johnsons name can never be forgotten, havinge by his very good learninge, and the severity of his nature, and manners, very much reformed the Stage and indeede the English poetry it selfe; his naturall advantages were judgement to order and governe fancy, rather then excesse of fancy, his productions beinge slow and upon deliberation, yett then aboundinge with greate witt and fancy, and will lyve accordingly, and surely as he did exceedingly exalte the English language, in eloquence, propriety, and masculyne exspressions, so he was the best judge of, and fittest to prescribe rules to poetry and poetts, of any man who had lyved with or before him, or since, if M'r Cowly had not made a flight beyounde all men, with that modesty yett to own much of his to the example and learninge of Ben. Johnson: His conversation was very good and with the men of most note, and he had for many yeares an extraordinary kindnesse for M'r Hyde, till he founde he betooke himselfe to businesse, which he believed ought never to be preferred before his company: He lyved to be very old, and till the Palsy made a deepe impression upon his body and his minde.