RANDOLPH, THOMAS, an eminent English poet in the 17th century, was born in Northamptonshire 1605. He was educated at Westminster and Cambridge, and very early distinguished for his excellent genius; for at about nine or ten years of age he wrote the History of the Incarnation of our Saviour in verse. His subsequent writings established his character, and gained him the esteem and friendship of some of the greatest men of that age, particularly of Ben Johnson, who adopted him one of his sons in the mutes. He died in 1634, and was honourably interred. He wrote, 1. The Muses Looking-glass, a comedy. 2. Amyntas, or the Impossible Dowry, a pastoral, acted before the king and queen. 3. Asilippus, or the Joyful Philosopher. 4. The Con-
ceited Pedlar. 5. The Jealous Lovers, a comedy. 6. Random
Hey for Honesty, down with Knavery, a comedy; and
several poems.