Note 1. To which he was entitled as Poet Laureate. [back]
Note 2. The tierce was not denied, but it is said to have been further withheld, till Ben wrote a more civil request. The misgovernment of all the Stuarts often caused their exchequers to run dry; and perhaps the poet offended higher persons than he suspected, by this amusing but confident remonstrance. One can imagine the momentary perplexity and confusion of the King—Charles the First—if the verses were shown him, between his regard for his Laureate’s praises, and annoyance at his irritability. [back]
