THE

POETICAL WORKS

OF

THOMAS CARE W,

SEWER IN ORDINARY TO CHARLES THE FIRST.

LONDON:

H. G. CLARKE AND CO., 66, OLD BAILEY

MEMOIR.

TIME has left but few memorials of this once celebrated Poet. The year 1589 has been assigned as that in which Thomas Carew first entered upon this breathing world. He was descended from an ancient and honourable family in the county of Gloucester, a branch of the still older family of the same name in Devon. His education was liberal, and his youth spent amidst all the advantages which arise from an early intercourse with polished and literary society-His elder Brother Sir Matthew Carew, was a Royalist, and fought and suffered in the cause of the unfortunate Charles.

The object of this memoir completed his education at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, which he left without taking a degree. He then travelled for several years upon the Continent, and afterwards returning to England, by the influence of his brother Sir Matthew, he received an appointment as gentleman of the privy chamber in the court of Charles. With this monarch Carew, it is said, was a great favourite, who esteemed him as one of the best wits of his age.

The elegant manners and literary attainments of Carew, not only received the approbation of the king, but speedily introduced him to a wide circle of illustrious acquaintance. Amongst these were Suckling, Ben Jonson, and the great Lord Clarendon, who survived him, and thus records his opinion of the poet: "He was a person of a pleasant and facetious wit, and made