He was learned, but this was due to the ardor with which he pursued his studies, when he was clerk to Mr.
Jeffreys, an eminent justice of the peace, and as an inmate of the mansion of the Countess of Kent, in whose fine library he was associated with the accomplished Selden.
We next find him domiciled with Sir Samuel Luke, a Presbyterian and a parliamentary soldier, in whose household he saw and noted those characteristics of the Puritans which he afterward ridiculed so severely in his great poem, a poem which he was quietly engaged in writing during the protectorate of Cromwell, in hope of the coming of a day when it could be issued to the world.
This hope was fulfilled by the Restoration.

In the new order he was appointed secretary to the Earl of Carbery, and steward of Ludlow Castle; and he also increased his frugal fortunes by marrying a widow, Mrs.
Herbert, whose means, however, were soon lost by bad investments.
HUDIBRAS .-- The only work of merit which Butler produced was _Hudibras_.
This was published in three parts: the first appeared in 1663, the second in 1664, and the third not until 1678.

Even then it was left unfinished; but as the interest in the third part seems to flag, it is probable that the author did not intend to complete it.

His death, two years later, however, settled the question.
The general idea of the poem is taken from Don Quixote.

As in that immortal work, there are two heroes.