Note 426 — QUARRELS OF AUTHORS; (continued 5)

Martin was a protégé of this Dame Lawson. There appear to have been few political conspiracies without a woman, whenever religion forms a part. This dame is thus noticed in the mock epitaphs on Martin’s funeral—

“Away with silk, for I will mourn in sacke; Martin is dead, our new sect goes to wrack. Come, gossips mine, put finger in the eie, He made us laugh, but now must make us crie.” Dame Lawson.

“Sir Jeffrie’s Ale-tub” alludes to two knights who were ruinously fined, and hardly escaped with life, for their patronage of Martin.