s -.Mir CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY FROM Cornell University Library The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924095279943 THE Brttisi) iSibliosraplier. SIR EGERTON BRYDGES, K. J. VOLUME I. LONDON: PRINTED FOR R. TRIPHOOK, 37, ST. JAMES's STREET, BY T. BENSLEY, BOLT COURT, FLEET STREET. 1810. DIGESTED TABL?. OF CONTENTS. ARRANGED CHUONOLOGICALLY. The Articles having thl« mark -f- prefixed may be found In the Notes, POETRY. Psge fierce Plowman, MSS. of 443 Therfytes, an enterlude in rhyme, qto, n. d lyz Tye's AcSls of the Apoftles, 8to. 1553 1-... 461 Jacke Jugler, an enteilude In rhyme, 410. n. d. Copland « 398 "f Surrey*G certain books of Virgil, 1557 483 S. Shacklock's Impii Cujufdam Epigrammatis, 4t9. 1^65 , 2} Arbor of Amitlc by T. Howqll, i2mo. 1568 105 Lamentation for Dr. Juell, 1571 ^69 ■f E. Hake's Commemoration of Q;_Elizabeth, 157J 333 Blenerhaffet's Mirror for Magiftrates, 1378 485 Byrd's Mufical Airs, [589 s6% R. Carew's Godfrey of Bulloign, 410. 1394 30 Morley's Mufical Airs, 410. 1394 34* ' '397 344 Sjbie's Filhermaii's Tale, 410. 1395 4*^ ■■— Flora's Fortune, 4to. 1395 497 Ludus Scacchiae, by G. B. 4to. 1397 38Z H. Petowc's Philochafander and Elanira, 410. 1399 2 '4 Tears of the Beloved by I. M. 410. 1 600 380 Mary Magdalen's Lamentations, 4to. 1 60 r 3 S i Harbert's Prop.iecy of Ca i- alladei, 410. 1604 299 Dolarny's Primrofc, 410. 1 606 135 Barlty-Break, or a Warning for Wantons, 410. 1637 6^ S. Rowland's Democritus, or Doftor Merriman, 4to. 1607 161 Wcelkes's Mufical Airs, 1608 34S Armin's Italian Ta lor and his Boy, 410. 1609 , 384 S. Rowland's More Knaues yc", 4to. n. d , 348 Leighton's Tears, 4to. iSij 377 Gorges's Lucan's Pharfalia, 1614 ■• 45- Legend of Q^^Mary, MS. n. d 349 W. Fennor's Defcriftions, 16 16 346 Niccolls's London's Artillery, 4to. 1616 36^ f Robert Anton's Philofopher's Satyrs, 4to. 1616...:. 532. Houfe of Correftion, by I, H. izmo. 1619 44.2 Defcription of Love, Svo, iS;o , , ., , 440 b Haj:.ho'f ;'s viil CONTENTS. Page Hagthorpe's Divine Meditations, 8vo. i6;2 23S ■ Vifiones Renim, 1623 '* •J- May's Luean's Pharfdlia, 1627 3 --Reignof Edw. III. Svo. 1634 503 Tho. Heywood's Dialogues, &c. i6mo. 1637 45° Shakfpeare's Poems, 1640 ^71 Affizes of ParnaflTjs, 410. 1645 i'i ■f C. W. Mercer's Anglia Speculum, 410 . 1646 5^4 S. Shepherd's Times Dlspluyed, 410. 1 646 52' •f F. Beaumont's Poems, &vo. 1653 5^3 Lawcs's Ayres, Folio, 1653 205 . fecond Book, Fel. 1655 5;o Ayres, Fol. 1658 554 Wilfon's Ayres, Fol. 1659 211 The Anglers, in Eight Dialogues, in verfe, 32mo. 175S 27- Mrs. H. Tighe's P/j-che, i8c3, i6l ROMANCES. Hlftory of Valentine and Otfon, printed by Copland 449 — — lad edition, 1696 470 Aflertion of Prince Arthur, 410. 1582 109 Ancient Order of Prince Arthur and his Knights, 410. 1583 Uj Hiftory of Palmendos, 4to. 1589 225 ^ — Prince Arthur, King of Britain, 4to. 1634 43 Falmerin of England, 4to, 1639 ] 3 5 D'Oliva, 1637 ill. . 2d Part of Do 136 Old Englilh Romances, account of fevcral 6 1 Account of the St, Graal. ,. 117 MISCELLANEOUS. Little book on the Peftilence, Imprinted by ^achlinia, 4to. n,d •..• 15J Defcriptiott of a Ch,ild born at Coventry, Impiinted by W. Copland, u. d 224 ritzherbert's Huftandry, 410. 11. d iS Book of Surveying, 410. 1553 Je H. Stalbrydges's Epiftle Exhortatory, i2mo 240 Xuther's Sermon, i6mo. 1548 504 Orders of the City of London on Rogues, Imprinted by Singleton, qto. 11. d... 372 Compoft of Ptholomeus Prince of Aftronomy, 8vo. ji. d 67 Tuffer's Hulbandry, various editions of. 286 Kovfls from Painter's Palace of Pleafurc, 156; 170, 261, 359 Exhortation to Englilh Subje£b, Printed by lohnes, 11. d 303 Roger Edwaras's Pfalffi? and Prayers, i6mo, 1570 i:^ Defcription CONTENTS. is Befcription of London, 1575, MS 539 Letter from Ferrara on Earthquakes, Printed for Purfoot, 1 6mo. 11. d 270 Barnaby Riche's Alarm to England, 1578 '. 508 Andreas's Sermons, i6mo. Printed by Waldegrave 268 R. Robinfon's Harmony of K. David's Hjrp, 410. 1^83 466 E. Bering's Lcfture, i6mo. 1581 70 — Sermon, i6mo. 1584 260 566 Peter's Fall, a Sermon, i6mo. 1585 416 Brief Treatife containing an Almanack, 8vo. 1586 397 L. Lloyd's Pilgrimage of Princes, 4to. 1585 335 I. Browne's Merchants Avizo, 410. 15S9 460 Henrj Cheeke's Tragedy of Freewill, 4to. 11. d. or p. n. . , -, 362 Lea's Anfwer to the Vntruths about the Spanifli Unvafion, 410. 1589 370 Hichcock's Quinteffencc of Wit, 4to. 1590 157 Thomas Lodge's Catharos, 4to. 1591 ^57 Fearful effefts of two Comets by Simon Smell-kjiave, 4to. n. d 375 ■f G. Peele's Defcenfus Aftraese, pr. for Wright, n. d 33 ^ Martin Mar-Sixtvs, 4to, 1 59 2 .' 39 + Difcourfe vpon the eftate of France, 4to. 1^92 491 Quell of Enquiry on the Tripe Wife, 4to. 1595 "^4 Bridling, &c. of a Hampfliire Churl, 410. 1595 412 Racfter's Book of the Seven Planets, 410. 1598 •" 543 Polimanteia, 4to. IS95 274 Treatife on the ufe of Archery, 410. 1596 448 E. Topfell'a Time's Lamentation, 4to. 1599 5^° Pill to purge Melancholy, 4to. 1599 149 Miferies of Mavillia, 4to. n. d 353 N. Breton's Dialogue between three Philofophers, 410. 3603 45 8 ^ Gallant Caualiero Dick Bowyer, 410. 1605 49 J Pafquil's Jefts with Mother Bunch's Merriment, 410. 1 609 41 Arraignment of John Selrnan, 410. 1612 537 ■j- T>vo Wife Men and all the reft Fools, 4to. 1619 515 Hiftory of Friar Rufli, 4to. 1620 , 384 ■J- Melton's Aftrologafter, qto. 1620 531 Bilhop of London's Legacy, 4to. 1624. 506 - Sermon, 410. 1621 ii- Hagthorpe's Difcourfe of the Navy, 4to. 162J 236 D. Lupton's Emblems of Rarities, i6mo. 1636 464 ■ Proteftant Divines, i2mo. 1637 4^9 Read and Wonder, a Dramatic Dialogue, 4to. 1 64 1 538 ■f John Taylor's Mercurius Aquaticus, 4to. 1643 520 ■{• I — No Mercurius Aulicus, 4ta. 1644 521 J-awren«e's Communion and War with Angels, 410, 1 646. , ,,.,,.,. 352 ■f Ropt X CONTENTS. •f- Rope for Pol, or a hue and cry after Marchmont Nedham, 4to. j66o.... Si4 Standfaft's Little HandfuU of Cordial Comforts, 24010. 166^ 7° — Caveat againft Seducers, 24mo. 1 664 7 * Salgado's Confeffion of Faith, 410. 1681 37° f Cromwelliana, fo. 181O 5' Obituary 57^ BIOGRAPHY. Life of George Wither I — George Gafcolgne, •• 75 Sir Philip Sydney 81, 290 — — — Lord V:il;a t.. 177 — — Thomas Sacliville, Earl of Dorfet 29^ Sir Thomas Wyat 401 BIBLIOGRAPHIANA. Blt'li.nhei-a Ciiaci 27 Chronological Lift of Works of Geo. Wither i79j ^0^, 417 C.italogue Raifonne of Hearne's pieces 241, 385 I do herely certify that the follniving is a correct statement of the number of copies printed of the un-. dermentloned luorks. British Bibliographer, Octavo, 250 copies. Paradise OF Dainty Devises, Octavo, 250. Quarto, 120 copies. Tusser's Hundred Points op Husbandry, Octavo, 250. Quarto^ 120 copies. T. BENSLEY. Bolt Court, 20th Dec. 1810. »»ITISH L,oi> d'Ls I J Jie whose injiintjiiuse. htijimn 'T'o hniuc dn- W OL-ld /?c/wy' Vi-ares sti/r/ him .U:\n \ 'ihouqh prnise //e slciqf^tiiJsL-onu-s ionidlt^^lsHxiiies Bf'iTif fnuins or n/iini()n pfi/'r ^T)'"/iS , Yeffeiv by (jovil men /'tiiii- l>iiu' mere (i^'fi-rii a \~l?us{iiH joc S£(^ per/nr/s,' Uih/i' iCL'iiu'iiie('~i/i/TS[){A-MiLiucni7^ /iiii/i'(> ■ffiiit' 'r„/'f,,/i,;-/n.^-i/n-^/rf,i,r,;-f.<-j.Jii/, ifi.'.i fyX.Trip/io,i/.- S.'J,7mes:.- o7r Irittef) JSibliojprapIjer. N°I. Art. I. Account of ike Life and Writings of George Wither. There is scarcely a name more known among the readers of old English poetry than that of Gborge Wither; yet the few particulars of his life, which our various books of biography furnish regarding him, may all, I think, be found in Anthony Wood. The best chance of any new information would be opened by a careful perusal of his multifarious publications. But who has the patience or the opportunity to perform such a task ? A complete collection of his works is perhaps no where to be found. If some of them are common, some are unusually scarce. The venom of party, and the spleen of Pope, who preferred pilfering from obsolete poets to reviving their memories, long threw the veil of contempt over the productions of Wither. The notice of Dr. Percy, followed up by those investigations into the literature of our ancestors, which have been the growing fashion of the age, have gradually produced such a cu- riosity regarding this writer, and such a strong suspicion of injustice done to him, that I trust, some further examination of his character and writings will not be un- acceptable at this time to the public. George Wither was born at Bentworth, near Alton iti Hampshire, June ii, 1588. He was son of George Wither of Bentworth, the first son, by a second venter, of Wither of Manydowne near Wotton St. Lawrence in that county, at which seat Mr. Bigg Wither, the heir, (not the heir male, but the heir female who has taken VOL. I. B the the name) still resides;* and of which another branch, long seated at Hall Place in ihe adjoining parish of Dea^e, * is represented by Wither Bramstone, Esq. who resides there. The poet speil ■ of " his Bentworih's beechy sIip.:!o\vs" in the pro^miui.. i.o his •' Alusei Strict and IVji'ptr ■\- He was educated under John Greaves of Colemore, a celebrated schoolmaster of those parts. In the Epigrams annexed to the poem already mentioned, first published 1613, at his age of 2^, is the following " To his School-maHer, Master John Greaves, " If ever I do -wish I may be rich, (As oft perhaps such idle breath I spend,) I d(i it not for any thing so much. As for to have wherewith to pay my friend. For trust me, there is nothing grieves me more Than this; that 1 should still much kindness take. And have a fortune to my mind so poor, That, though [ would, amends T cannot make: Yet for to be as thankful as I may; Sith iny estate no better means afford ; What I in deeds receive, I do repay In willingness, in thanks, and gentle words. Then though your love doth wtll deserve to have Belter requitals than are in my power; Knowing you'll nothing ultra posse crave. Here I have brought you some essays of our. You may think m.uch perhaps, sith there's so many Learn'd Graduates that have your pupils been, I, who am none, and more unfit than any. Should first presume in pulpit to be seen. But you do know those horses in the team. That with their work are ablest to go through. Seldom so forward as blind Bayard seem. Or give so many twitches to the plough. And so, though they may better, their intent Is not perb-'ps for to he fonls in print." In 1604. or thereabouts, Wither was sent to Magda- len College. Oxford, under the tuition of John Warner, afterwards Bishop of Rochester, iiere he has himself •* See " The Topographer," iv. ^zz, and '< Topographical Miscellanies." -f- See it in Cens. Lit. 11. 194. EfiveiJ given a full account of his proficiency and his pursuits in the prooemium ah-eady mentioned. He says he found the art of logic, to which his studies were direcied, first dull and unintelligible; but at the moment it begun all at once to unfold its mysteries to him, he was called home " to hold the plough." He laments that thus by fate's appointment he was obliged to forsake " the Para- dise of England:" " there," says he, " There all my sweetest hopes I left, and went In quest of Care, Despair, and Discontent." After he had stayed some time in his own country, certain malicious advisers, under the cloak of friendship, pretending that nothing was to be got by learning, en- deavoured to persuade his father to put him to some me- chanic trade. But he, aware of their hollowness, and finding that country occupations were not fitted to his genius, determined, on some slight gleam of hope, to try his fortune at court, and therefore " forsook again The shady grove, and the sweet open plain," and entered himself a member of Lincoln's Inn. Now the world opened on him in characters so different from his expectations, that, having been probably edu- cated in puritanical principles, he felt that disgust which perhaps made him a satirist for life. The first thing, which appeared to fill him with dislike and anger, was the gross flattery and servility which seemed necessary to his advancement. If however his manners did not procure him favour with the courtiers, his talents obtained him the acquaintance and friendship of many men of genius. William Browne, the pastoral poet, who was of the Inner Temple, was an early familiar of his. And some of his verses having got abroad, began to procure the name of a poet for himself. His Philarete's Complaint, &c. formed a part of his Juvenilia, which are said to have been his earliest compositions. I know not the date of the earliest edition of these. There was an edition, as it seems, with many additions, in 1633. There was also an edition in 1622. He also wrote Elegies on thp death of Prince Hprvj 1613. ^ 2 Iq In 1613 first appeared his celebrated Satires, entitled Aluses Stript and Whipt. The reign of King James was not propitious to the higher orders of poetry. All those bold features, which nourished the romantic energies of the age of his prede- cessor, had been suppressed by the selfish pusillanimity and pedantic policy of this inglorious monarch. Loving flattery and a base kind of Luxurious ease, he was insen- sible to the ambitions of a gallant spirit, and preferred the cold and barren subtleties of scholastic learning to the breathing eloquence of those who were really inspired by the Muse. Poetical composition therefore soon as- sumed a new character. Its exertions were now overlaid bv learning; and the strange conceits of metaphysical wit took place of the creations of a pure and unsophisti- cated fancy. It was thus that Donne wasted in the pro- duction of unprofitable and short-lived fruit the powers of a most acute and brilliant mind. It was thus that Phineas Fletcher threw away upon an unmanageable subject the warbiings of a copious and pathetic imagination. The understanding was more exercised in the ingenious dis- tortion of artifir:ial >-tores, than the faculties which mark the poet in pouring forth the visions ol natural fictioi^. Such scenes as youthful poets dream, On summer eve, by haunted stream, were now deemed insioid. The Fairy Fables of Gorgeous Chivalry were thought too rude and boisterous, and too unphH-)bophical for the erudite ear of the book-learned king! As writers of verse now brought their compositions nearer to the nature of prose, the epoch was favourable to the satirical cla^^s, for which so much food was furnished bv the motlty and \icious manners of the nation. Wither therefore, bursting with indignation at the view of society which presented itself to his young mind, took this opportunity to indulge in a sort of publication, to which the |)rosaic taste of the times was well adapted; but he disdained, a\id perhaps felt himself unqualified, to u>e th:U glitter of false ornament, which was now sub- stituted for the true decorations of the Muse. " I have slrived," says he,* " to be as plain as a pack-saddle.'"-— * Piefaceto " Abiiset Stript and Whipt." " Though " Though you understand them not, yet because you see this wants some fine phrases and flourishes, as you find other mens writings stuffed withal, perhaps you will judge me unlearned." — ■" Yet I could with ease have amended it ; for it cost me, I protest, more labour to ob- serve this plainness, than if I had more poetically trimmed it." In the Abuses Stript and Whipt Wither is indeed ex- cessively plain, and excessively severe. These Satires gave such offence that he was committed to the Mar- shalsea, where he continued several months. To these there is a copy of commendatory verses, signed Th. C. fprolahly his friend Th. Cranley,) which deserves in- sertion. " To the Impartial Author. " Geokge, I did ever think thy faithful breast Contain'd a mind beyond the common sortj Thy verj- look an honest heart express'd. And seem'd an aweful mildness to import. Poets may vaunt of smooth, and lofty strains j Thine with thy subject fitly doth agree : But then thy Muse a better praise obtains. For whilst the greatest but Time pleasers be. Thou unappall'd and freely, speak'st the truth Not any one for fear or lucre sparing : A virtue rare in age, more rare in youth; Another Cato, but I think more daring. Well mayst thou speed in these tempestuous times ! \Thou soon beginst to make tlie world thy foe: Yet I so well do like thy honest rhymes. That I could wish all poets would write so. For thou the way of truth so rightly tend'st, I hold them double prais'd, whom thou commendst. Thy dear friend, Th. C." The poet, at the commencement of the Second Book of these Satires, has the following prayer. " Frecatio. " Thou, that createdst all things in a week. Great God ! whose favour I do only seek. E'en thou, by whose sweet Inspiration I undertook this Observation, O grant, I pray, sith thou hast deign'd to show Thy servant that whiqh thousands do not know, B 3 That That this my noting of man's humorous passion May work within me such an alteration, I may be for my past offences forry. And lead a life to thy eternal glory. Let not Ambition, nor a foul Desire, Nor Hate, nor Envy set my heart on fire; Revenge, nor Cboler, no, nor Jealousy; And kt'ep me from Despair and Cruelty: Fond hope expelj and I besfech thee, bless My soul from fear, and too much heaviness. Tiv.t give rae special grace to shun the vice 1'hat is so common; beastly Avarice: Yea, grant ine power I not only know. But fly those evils, that from Passion How. Moreover, now inspire my soul with Art, And grant me thy assistance to impart The rest of man's ill customs yet remaining, ^ind their vain humours; that, by my explaining, Ihey m:iy perceive how odious I can make them, , Blush at the reading, and at last forsake them. So let my Muse in this, and things to come, Sing to thy glory. Lord, or else be dumb." In the third Satire of the Second Book, entitled IVeak- ness, the fo!lowii)g lines occur. ■ " Though it be disgrac'd thro' ignorance. The generous will Poetry advance. As the most antique science that is found. And that which hath been the first root and ground Of every art; yea, that which only brings Content; and bath been the delight of Kings. Great James our King both loves and lives a poet, (His books now extant do directly show it) And that shall add unto his worthy name A better glory, and a greater fame. Than Britain's Monarchy; for few but he, I think, will both a King and poet be; And for the last, although some fools debase it, I'm in the mind that angels do embrace it: And though God give 't here but in part to some. All shall have 't perfect in the world to come. This in defence of Poesy to say I am compell'd, because that at this day Weakness and Ignorance hath wrong'd it sore ; But what need any man therein speak moxc Thaa Than divine Sidney hath already done ? For whooa, though he deceas'd ere 1 begun, I have oft sighed, and bewail'd my fate. That- brought me forth so many years too late To view that Worthy ! And now think not you, Daniell, Drayton, Jonson, Chapman, how 1 long to see you with your fellow Peers j Sylvester matchless, glory of these years j 1 hitherto have only heard your fames; And know you yet but by your works and names ; The little time I yet on earth have spent, ''V^ould not allow me any more content. I long to know you better; that's the truth ; I am in hope you'll not disdain my youth. For know, you Muses darlings, I'll not crave A fellowship amongst you for to have: no ! for though my ever willing heart Have vow'd to love and praise you and your art. And though that I your style do now assume, 1 do not, nor I will not so presume; 1 claim not that too worthy name of poet j It is not yet deserv'd by me, I know it: Grant me, I may but on your iMuses tend. And be enroll'd their servant, and their friend; And if desert hereafter worthy make me. Then for a Fellow, if it please you, take me." la 1 615, he published The Shepheards Hunting: Being Certain Eglogues written during the time of the author's imprisonment in the Marshalsea. Which book. Wood observes, is said to contain more of poetical fancy, than any other of his writings. Long extracts from it have already been given in the first volume of the Cen- SURA LiTERARiA. The fourth Eclogue is a dialogue between Willy (BrowneJ and Roget (WitherJ on the subject of his confinement. In this Roget says, " Never did the Nine impart The sweet secrets of their art Unto any that did scorn We should see their favours worn. Therefore tmto those that say Where they pleas'd to sing a lay. They could do 't, and will not, tbo' J This I speak; for this I know; B 4 , Non« 8 Kone e'er drunk the Thespian spring. And knew how, but he did sing. For that once infus'd in man. Makes him shew 't, do what he can : Nay those that do only sip. Or but e'en their fingers dip In that sacred fount, poor elves. Of that brood will shew themselves; Yea, in hope to get them fame They will speak, tho' to their shame. Lft those then at thee repine, That by their wits measiire thine.'' In the Third Eclogue is this " Sonnet. " I that erst while the world's sweet air did draw^ Grac'd by the fairest ever mortal saw. Now, closely pent with walls of ruthless stone. Consume my days and nights and all alone. When I was wont to sing of Shepherds loves. My walks were fields and downs, and hills and groves j But now, alas, so strict is my hard doom, Fields, downs, hills, groves, and all 's but one poor room. Each morn, as soon as daylight did appear. With Nature's musip birds would charm mine ear; Which now, instead of their melodious strains. Hears rattling shackles, gyves, and boltsj and chains. But tho' that all the world's delight forsake me, I have a Muse, and she shall music make me; Whose airy notes, in spite of closest cages. Shall give content to me, and after-ages. Nor do I pass for all this outward ill; My heart's the same, and undejected still ; And which is more than some in freedom win, I have true rest, and peace, and joy within. And then my mind, that spite of prison's free. Whene'er she pleases, any where can be; She's in an hour in France, Rome, Turkey, Spainj In earth, in hell, in heaven, and here again. Yet there's another comfort in my woe ; My cause is spread; and all the world doth know. My fault's no more, but speaking truth and reason. Nor debt, nor theft, nor murder, rape, or treason. Nor Not shall my foes with all their might and pcn-er Wipe out their shame, nor yet this fame of our: Which when they finct, they shall my suit envy. Till they grow lean and sick and mad, and die. Then though my body here in prison rot. And ray poor Satires seem awhile forgot j Yet when both fame and life have left those men, My verse, and I'll revive and live again. So thus enclos'd, I bear affliction's load ; But with more true content than some abroad; For whilst their thoughts do feel my Scourge's sting. In bands I'll leap, and dance, and laugh, and sing." When in prison he not only also wrote but published his Satire to the King, 1614, which Mr. Gilchrist thinks might have procured his release; but which seems rather a justification than an excuse. Mr. Ellis has given several extracts from the Phila- rete, which are very elegant, and possess a true poetical vein; and Mr. Gilchrist has given others in the Gent. Mag. Vol. LXX. p. 1150, 8cc. An account of his Translation from Nemesius — of Britain's Remembrancer — of Haleluiah, or Britain's Second Remembrancer — of What Peace to the Wicked — of Opobalsamum Anglicanvm — oi Amygdala Britannica — ajidof CarmenExpfjstulatorinm — has already been given in theCfiNSURALiTERARiA. In the Haleluiah, wh\ch consists of peniientia! hymns, spiritual songs, &c. there is great merit; and several poetical passages have been pointed out in Britain's Remembrancer. Indeed this copious author continued from this time to write and publish both poetry and prose without inter- mission till the day of his death, which vet was at a great distance. Wood remarks, with more correctness of judg- ment and expression, than he usually attains, that our poet was now cried up, " especially by the Puritan party, for his profuse pouring forth of English rhyme," which abundant facility has tempted him into an excess that has totally buried the select effusions of bis happier moments. Such a superfluity of easy but flat and insipid narrative, and trite prosaic remarks, scarce any writer has been guilty of. On, his pen appears, in general, to have ran without the smallest eflbrt at eAcellencej and therefore subjected 10 subjected tilm too justly to Wood's stigma of being a scribbler. But let it be observed, that this was the fault of his will, and not of his genius. When the examples of real poetry, which he has given, are selected from his multitudinous rhymes, they are in point both of quality and quantity sutiicieiit to stamp his fame. A man of fenius may ofitn or even jrenerally write bad poetry; ut he, who has not a geiiius, can on no occasion write good poetry. Wither's Eclogues strike me to be far su- perior in ease, spirit, elegance, and pure fancy, to his friend W. Browne's Pastorals, which yet have had the good fortune to have their merit generally allowed. Another active cause of the depression of Wither's reputation was the violent party spirit, by which a large portion of his works was dictated and degraded. To be a writer for a party, nay for a furious faction, was unbe^ coming the dignity of the Muse. The false fire of po- litical enthusiasr is very different from the genuine flame of the poet. The vile dissensions of sects struggling for power; their misrepresentations, and falsehoods; their malignity, intrigues and tricks, are subjects so little fitted to employ the sacred machinery of verse, that they almost always debase the mind that is occupied in them; and ttiake such an incongruous mixture as to render both ridiculous. Had poor Wither's party been finally triumphant, his political rhymes would, after the occasion was past, have sunk his fame. But unfortunately for him, he lived to see that, which for a time had prevailed as victorious patriotism, sunk under the censure and penalties of trea- son. Then it was that the party zeal, which had hitherto gilded with a false lustre the poetical defects of his rhymes, accelerated the disgrace of perverted genius by the infamy attached to political crime. Wither had many years before incurred the mortifica- tion of a pretended rivalry from that well-meaning, but dull and almost illiterate versifier, John Taylor, the Water-Poet. He " began veiy early," says Wood, " being precisely educated from his childhood, to express and publish those conceptions which the affections and inclinations to youth had av;akened in him, endeavouring to season them with morality and piety, as subjects of that II that nature are capable of, suiting them to ihe capacities of young men, who delight lo see their own natural pas- sions represented as 'twere in a glass; wherein they not only meet with some better things than they looked for, but with such notions also therewith mixed, as insinuated into their hearts that seasoning, which made them much delighted with his poems, and rendered him so generally known, that thousands, especially such youths, that were puritanically educated, were desirous to peruse his future writings, and to take better heed of that, whereof else perhaps they had taken little or no notice, while others of generous education and more solid parts, looked upon them as the effects of a crazed brain, and esteemed Taylor the Water-Poet a fit match for him, with his wild and wandering rhymes." In 1639 Wither was a Captain of Horse in the expe- dition against the Scots, and Quarter Master General of his Regiment, und^r the Earl of Arundel. But as soon as the Civil Wars broke out in 1642, he sold his estate to raise a troop of horse for the Parliament; and soon afterwards rose to the rank of Major; but being taken prisoner by the Royalists, " Sir John Denham, the poet," (savs Wood) "some of whose estate at Egham in Surry Wither had got into his clutches, desired his Majesty not to hang him, because so long as Wither lived, Denham would not be accounted the worst poet in England. About tl:\at time he was constituted by the said Long Parliament a Justice of Peace in Quorum for Hampshire, Surry, and Essex, which office he kept six years, and afterwards was made by Oliver, Major Gene- ral of air the Horse and Foot in the County of Surry, in which employment he licked his fingers sufficiently, gainina; thereby a great odium from the generous Loy- ahst."" At the Restoration, 1660, the spoils which he had amassed from the adherents of the King, and from the church, were taken from him. His principles, and especially a libel which he had dispersed and which was deemed seditious, rendered him obt.oxious to the new government; and he was now committed to Newgate; and afterwards by order of the House of Commons was sent close prisoner to the Tower, to be debarred of pen, ink, and paper. 13 paper, about the same time (24 March, i65i-a,) an impeachment was ordered to be drawn up against him. In this confinement he continued three years and more; and here he wrote several things* by connivance of the keeper, of which some were afterwards published ; "yet never/' aods Wood, " could refrain from shewing himself a Presbyterian satirist." " At length," concludes his biographer, " having lived to the atre of 79 years, mostly spent in a rambling and unsettled condition," he died May 2, 1667 ; and his body was buried between the east door and south end of the Savoy church in the Strand, London. f It seems not to be very easy to reconcile the pure senti- ments of pastoral content, expressed in many of the poems, especially the early poems, of Wither, with that restless ambition, which plunged him through a long life into constant contentions of the most unquiet, question- able, and dangerous kind. Perhaps his keen desire of distinction made him more than commonly sensible of neglect and disappointment; and therefore after the first acute sufferings of his ])assions taught him how to appre- ciate the blessings of that solitude, which brought with it silence and peace. Yet as soon as this blessing grew stale from enjoyment, and the pains, but not the pleasures, of bustle and activity were forgotten, his fiery temper and unextinguished love of notice again urged him into the fields of contest, to mingle with the turbulent spirits of the time. None perhaps are so touched with the charms of Nature, as they, who have an eye for rural beauty, are, when they first emerge upon them, after having been long confined to the dirt, clamour, and loaded air of a populous city. Hence the very contrast of Wither's al- ternate occupations might give an additional zest to his enjoyment of the delights of hills, valleys, meadows, and woods. The following appreciation of Wither's poetic merits was written by the late Alexander Dalrymple, Esq. (brother to Lord Hailes of Session) and printed iu • One of these, he tells us, was scrawled on a trencher with red chalk ! •f One Mr. George Wither of Winchester, and Katherine Chester of Woolvesley near Winchester," were married at the church of Crundal, Hants, (near FarBham, Surry) Aug. 8, 1657. See « Topographical Miscellanies," t«k luco. ^785, 13 1785, with extracts from his "Juvenilia:" the whole of which he recommended to republication, and reo-retted that his own avocations as Hydrographer to the East- India Company, &c. did not admit him to undertake it. " If poetry be the power of commanding the imagination, conveyed in measure and expressive epithets, \\'ither was truly a poet. Prrliaps there is no whereto be found a greater va- riety of Ervgli^h measire than in his writings, (Shakspeare ex- cepted) more energy of thought, or njore frequent developc- ment of (he delicate hlsTients of the human heart. " Wither s pen flows as freely with becoming praise, as biting satire; and was always employed in the cause of virtue: there is in his works uncommon strength of mind, and peculi- arity of tliought, often most hsppily exprest. " One modern versilier complained that Wither"s verse was rough: on the ■•]thcr bind, a lady, who is mistress of all the modulation ot sv. ect suund;, admired how the lines run into csch other with he beauty o! biank verse, without losing the spirit of the lyric measure. Attention to the old English poets will clearly shew, that ihere was a greater variety admitted, in pronunciuior. ar.d accent, than is allowed in modern versifica- tion. The ear which cannot conform itself to the ancient practice, but is bound in the silken traces of modern verse, may be offended someti.r.rs w'th the early poets; and in every reader it will require a habit and use, before the ear attains the complete practice, without which many lines will appear prosaic. Words also become obsolete; or what is worse, ap- propriated to vulgar ideas only : such will ever be a stumbling- block to a reader without genius, " Mere versifiers frequently call themselves poets; but the recital of common ideas, in however flowing language, can never, with propriety, be styled poetry: nor does the most exact descripr ion of nature, of man, or manners, deserve the name, unle.>.s that description raises in the imagination some idea not expressed; and if it does, nothing can be £o trivial as not to give pleasure to a mind of quick conception. An apf example occurs in " The Shepherd's Hunting." " I with wonder heard thee sing At our last year's revelling: Yea, I saw the lasses cling Eound about thee in a ring; Ai, if each one jealous were. Any but herself should hear." «' The art of assigning a fanciful re^spn for an ordinary action. 14 action, is the soul of poetry ; we can here imagine the counte- nances of the encircling auditory. The imagination must ever be the poet's commentator, and its scope is universal j embracing the world of ideas as well as forms. It may happen that a man shall be so destitute of imagination, as to have no relish for true poetrj', and prefer mellifluous verses; but the want of sight does not prove that there are no colours in the rain- bow. They who are satisfied, for pleased none can be, with the flowing lines of those modern versifiers, who Lave fewer ideas, of their own, than the learned pig, are not .the people for whom the repast of Wither's poems is adapted. Lovers of natural thought and sentiment will be pleased at being brought to acquaintance with Wither: but to enable them to judge for themselves wps the intention of the specimens which follow. They are taken from different poems, to convey to those who are ignorant of the poet, an idea of what they may expect: but scarce any of these quotations are complete; the intention of them being to raise, and not lo satisfy curiosity. " In some of his latter pieces. Wither has given up the reins to enthusiasm, and is rather to be considered as display- ing himself in the character of a prophet, than a poet: neither these, nor his political poems come within the intention of this publication; although many fine things are interspersed in bis Halduiah, Campo-Musce, and in his other pieces not here recited : in the Halctuiah there are some things, perhaps, no where to be surpassed. "Withei's prophetical and political poems seem to have teen the true cause of that depreciation of his merit which we find broached by his contemporaries, and retailed in subse- quent writers. " Swift has stigmatized Wither in his ' Battle of the Books ;' * but as Dryden is joined with him, the opprobrium falls on the critic and not on the poet ; for it is too absurd to bs allowed, in the candour of criticism, that condemnation should be past on Alexander's feast, the Origin of Harmony, or Absalom and Achitophel, because their author, in his plays published much trash, that has been so justly ridiculed by tlie ' Rehearsal.' The value of poets must be tried by the same standard as the metallic ores ; by the proportion of the finer metal to the dross : and in the aggregate masSj a grain of pure gold is of more value than a pound of lead, • So have Butler and Flecknoe, and many later minor wits and secon'I- hani sntii^sts : against wh^se trite censures see a liberal caiitattnletti in Gent, Jilar. Vol. LXV. p. 754, and just commendation bestowed on the poet's srisoQ-cclogues, in Vol. LXX. p. 1 149. ' " Wither 15 " Wither having been actively concerned in the Ci-vil Wars, his character as a poet, as well as a man, is stigmatized in the true spirit of party-rage: a stronger testimony cannot be given of this blindness of prejudice, than the vile Grub-street, Taylor, the Water poet, bein^ set in competition to Wither: we have now little concern with Wither's personal character, but candour will hesiiate to join in condemnation of the man, wiaen the poet is s(j unjusrly arraigned; more especially as he was repeatpdly thrown in prison for his Satires, and the last time confined in Newgate, at about seventy years of age, for a MS. general safue, seized in his ov/n possession, and con- strued into a libel against the House of Commons, without hearing his defence, but garbhng his MS. to find exceptionable pa^'ts. This and al! his other Satires were general. Thank God, the Kevolulion has banished, from this country,,the op- pression of such tjrannical power! and, it is to be hoped, we shall never be so wanting to ourselves as to bring it forth again from its lurking-piace, by giving the trial by juries out of our own hands into those of any judges whatever : if a jury cives an improper veniict it is confined to the single case only, but the deierminatidii of judgrs, whether in the House of Parliament or on the bench, is made a precedent of injustice. " According to Pope, there is more otfencr iu general thaij in persoujl satire — 'The fewer still you name, you wound the more. Bond is but one, but Harpax is a score.' " It is not wonderful that profligate individuals should re- gent general satire, but that there should be such prostitution and perversion of public justice to punish it as an offence, is beyond credibility; if the evidence was not uncontrovertible. " General satires are moral essays, which come home (as Lord Bacon expresses it) to every man's heart and bosom ; and although they admit fewer poetical ideas, than almost any other species of writing, still Wither has introduced much poetical imagery into his satires. They are written in rhime, in heroic verse of ten syllables ; and Wither's verse will gain jnore by being compared with Donne, bis immediate prede- cessor, than it will lose by a comparison with Dryden or Pope; although Wither's " Juvenilia" were published several years |)efore Dryden was born, " Pope has said, ■ ' Dryden taught to join The varying verse, the full resounding line. The long majestic march, an4 energy divine :' but i5 but the claim of having first deserved this character, must be granted to Wither ; although it be allowed he, more even than Dryden, ' wanted; or forgot,' What Pope calls ' The last and greatest art, the art to blot.' The following Epitaph upon /tiTw^eZ/" occurs in Wither's "Memorandum lo London," 1665, 8vo. and may suitably accompany his biographical Memoir. " The Author's Epitaph, composed hy himself upon a common fame of his being dead and buried. " By way of Epitapkj (bus s id George Wither, when Fame voic'd him dead. If I did scape ibe dooms of those Whose heads & limbs fed rats & crows. And was not thrown into the fire Or water, when breath did expire; Then here (or somewhere else) my bones Lie raked up with earth & stones. My life was not too long nor short. Nor without good and ill report; And profited as many waies I was by scandals, as by praise: Great foes I had, & very many ; Friends too a few, as kind as any. And seldome felt their earthly hell. Who love and are not lov'd as well. A Wifo I had, as fit for me As any one alive could be; Yea, as if God out of each other Had made us to be joyn'd together: And, whilst she lives, what ere is said Of my death, I am but half dead. Beside the i«ue of my brain, I had six children, whereof twain Did live when we divided were. And I, alive, was buried here. When portions I had none to give, God gave them (as I did believe He woii'd) a means, whereby to live: Which is here mentioned, to this end. That others may on him depend. I prij'd 17 I priz'd no honours, bought or sold. Nor wish'd for youth when I was oldj But what each age, place and degree. Might best become, best pleased me. I coveted nor ease nor wealth, No, not enjoyment of my health. Ought further than it had relation To God's praise, and my soul's salvation. When I seem'd rich, 1 wanted more Then e'rel did when deemed ^oor.- And when in body most confin'd. Enjoy 'd most freedom in my mind. I was not factious or seditious. Though thereof many were suspicion;, Because I humor'd not the limes In follies, and destruciive crimes. In things that good or eziil were, 1 had abundantly my share; And never wish'd to change my lot For what another man had gotj Or that, in any time or place. My birth had been, save where it wa5. So wise, I was not to be mad, Though much opprest; or to be sad When my relations did conceive I had exceeding cause to grieve: For God, in season still supplide Those needful things the world denide. Disposing ev'ry thing so well To my content, what me befel, That thankful praise to him was due. And will be, for what shall ensue. I sold not honesty, to buy A formal garbe of sanctity; Nor to hate any was inclin'd, Because they were not of my mind; Nor fear'd to publish truths in season. Though termed heresie and treason: But spake what I conceiv'd might tend To benefit both foe and friend : And if in love they seem'd sincere. With their infirmities could bear. I practis'd what I did beleive. And pinned upon no man's sleeve My faith or conscience; for there's none Judg'd, by what other men have done, c My i8 My sins were great, and numerous grown; My righteousness was not naine own. Yet more prevail'd by grace divine. Then if it had been wholly mine. I loved all men, feared none Except myself, and God alone: And, when I knew him, did not make Esteem of ought, but for his sake. On Him in life-time I depended, By death are all my troubles ended. And I shall live again, ev'n here. When my Redeemer doth appear: Which (by what I have seen and heard) I know, will not be long defer'd; Nor that reign, here on earth, among His saints, which they have look'd for long. Nor oft, nor much desire had I, Long time to live, or soon to diej But did the work I had to do. As I enabled was thereto : Then, whether it seem'd good or ill. Left that, and all things, to God's willj And when this mind is not in me. That I am dead, assured be. Do, reader, what I have well done : What I have err'd in, learn to shun : And, when I must'no more appear. Let this be thy Remembrancer /" * Akt.1I. ^ Hera hegynneth a newe trade or ireatyse moost profytahle for all hiishandemen : and very f rut ef nil for all other persons to rede. [Wood cut of a man at plow with oxen, a boy driving ; the country hilly ; within the square at the top " Husbandrye." Col.] f\ Thus endeth ihe boke of hushandrie. Im- prinisd at London in Flelestrete by Rycharde Pyn- son printer vnto the kynges noble grace: With priui- lege to hym graunted by our sayd souerayne lorde the hynge. ^to. 68 leaves. " Fitzherbert's Husbandry" is a work universally known, though the existence of a copy of the first edition • The writer of this article is just in^orme' that a gentleman of Bristol haa undertaken a selection from Wither's poems; in 3 vols. 8vo. of which ivvo.are already pointed. It will be preceded by a memoir, and a portrait. has- 19 has long been considered doubtful. It is usually attributed to Sir Anthony Fitzherbc-rt, with a hesitation accompa- nied by a conjecture, that it might be the performance of his brother John; a conjecture which gathers some ad- ditional strength from the circumstance of Pynson having first printed it in 1523, the same year Sir Anthony F. was made one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas; when it is not likely he would be employed in printing works not attached to the profession. The copies of this and following article ai^e in the possession of Mr. Heber. At the back of the title "■ ^ Prologus. Sit ista questio. This is the questyon. Wher vnto is euery man ordayned J and as Job sayth. Homo nasciiur ad laborem sicut auis ad volandum. That is to say, a man is ordeyned & borne to do labour : as a byrde is ordayned to flee. And the apostle sayth. Qui no laborat no" ma~ducet, debet enim i obsequio dei laborare q'= de bonis eius vult ma*"- ducare. And he ought to labour & do goddes warkes that wyll ete of his goodes or gyftes. The which is an harde text after the literall sence. For by that letter the kynge, the queue, nor all other lordes spirituall and temporall shulde nat ete without they shulde labour. The which were vn- cumly & nat conuenyent for such estates to labour, but who that redeth in the boke of the moralyties of the chesse shall iherby perceyue; that euery man from the hyest degre to the lowest is set and ordeyned to haue labour and occupacynn. And that boke is deuyded in vii degrees, that is to say. The kynge, the queue, the bysshopes, the knyghtes, the iuges, and the yoman. In the whiche boke is shewed theyr degres, theyr auctorities, theyr warkes and occupacyons, what they ought to do. And they so doyng and executing their auctoryties warkes and occupacyons, haue a wonders great study and labour. Of the whiche auctorities occupacyons & warkes were at thiii tym'^. to longe to wrytei Whet fore I remytte that boke as myne auctour therof. The which boke were necessary to be knowen of euery degre, that that they myght do and order themjelfe accordyng to the same. And in somoch the yomen in the sayd moralities and game of the chesse beset before to labour defende &■ meyntayne all the other hyer estates. The which . yomen represent the confen people, as husbandes & labourers, therfore 1 purpose to speke fyrst of husbandry. ^ I'inis. The chapters or sections are not numbered. A de- scription of the plough and management; of sowing, c 2 weeding, zo vceed'mg, and reaping; directions concerning sheep; that " a gode horse hath iiiii properties, that is to say, two of a man, two of a bauson or a badger four of a lyon, nyne of ail oxe, nyne of an hare, nyne of a foxe, nyne of an asse and ten of a woman ;" * their diseases ; grafting of trees and other lessons of husbandry; concluding with moral and religious recommendations, is a brief epitome of the contents. J. H. Art. III. ^ Here begynnetk a ryght frutefull onaier : and hath to name, the Lake of surueye'mg and improU7netcs. /^to. 64 leaves. The title is over a square wood-cut, having a detached border, representing a room with door and casement and chequered floor; a person, seated at a low desk, inlaid, apparently speaking to a man of lesser rank who has brought a present. On the back of the title^age, wood- cut of a room with three figures, a man and woman of some dignity in conversation seated on two chairs closely joined, the third a page delivering some message. Then follows the table. Another wood-cut of three persons, one at a desk drawing, a book open above him ; and a youth in the act of obedience and speaking to a senior master. On the same page follows, " ^ Tho. Berthelet to the reders of this lylell loke. " Rede this boke, with the other of husbandry. And ye shall fyude them very profy table. Good, behouefull, and moche necessary, Ti/ my mynde they be right commendable. It is nat a iest, a tale, nor a fable: It is suche mater (ye may beleue me) As noble clerkes wrote, in olde antiquyte-. The worthy Caton, that excellent romayne. Columella, Varro, and Vergilius, Of husbandrie to write, had in no disdayne, * This is extending the numeration of Juliana Barnes 5 who says " a good hoi'.^ sholiJe h.iuc xv piopryfres and conoyc~ons ; thai is to wjte, tine of a inaiijthie of a v/oman, thre of a foxe, thre of an h.re, and ihre of an asbe." Nor Nor many other eloquent and firaous, Thought it nat a thvnge inglorious. Such mater to write, wherby they mign auaace The co~mon welthe, and theyr countre enhaunce. But in our dayes, some are blynded so with folly That the[y] count husbandrie but a thing right vyle; Some had leauer write of loue, ye of baudry Than to so good a mater tourne their style ; Fonde pleasure and pride do them so begyle. That slouthe wandreth about in euery way. And grjod busynesse is fallyng in decay. Yet neuerthelesse, good labour to call agayne. In welthy busynesse, men to exercyse. This worthy man, nobly hath done his payne, I meane hym that thc;e sayde bokes dyd deuyse. He sheweth to hnsbandes, in right fruteful wyse. The manyfolde good thynges, in brefe sentence Wh'che he hath well proued by long experycnce. And this I leaue hym, in his good wyll fe mynde. That he beareih, vnto the publyke weale, Wolde god noblrmeii, coude in their hertes fynde After suche forme, for the co~mons helth to deale. It is a true token, of hyghe loue and zeale ; Whan he so delyteth and taketh pleasure By his busy labour mens welth to procure. Finis." In " the prologue of the aulhour for the declaracyon of this present treatysc," the subject of the former one is thus continued. "Of late by experyence, T contryued, compyled, and made a treatise for tlie same poore fermcrs and lena^tes, and called it the boke of Husbandrie, the wliiche raesemed was very neces- sary tor husbande men that vse tyllage, & for many other of dyuer-i degrees and occupacyons. And where as in the pro- logue of the sayd boke I demaunded and asked a questyon, and that was this, Whervnto is euery man ordayned as playnely it dothe appere in the prologue of the same. In lyke maner in the prologue of this treatise, y^. whiche I entende by the suf- frau~ce and helpe ot our lorde Jesu, to contryue, compyle, and make to the profyte of all noble men and women bothe spyri- tuall & temporall, I demaunde another quoHtyon and that is thi-., Howe & by what maner do all these great estates and noble men and women lyue and maynteyne their honour and degre.> And in myne opinyon (heir honour and degree is V'pholden and raaynteyned by reason of their rentes, issues, c 3 rcuenews. reuencwes, and pvofytes that come of their maners, lord- shippcs, landes & tenenientes to them belongyng. Than it is necessarye to be knowen, howe all these maners, lord- ships, landes, & tenements ibulde be exte"ded, surueyed, butted, bou'ded, and valued in euery parte: that the said es- tates shulde nat be disceyued, defrauded, nor disheryted of their possessyons, rentes, customes, and seruyces, the whiche they haue to the~ reserued, for maynteynaunce of tlieir estates and degrees. And y'. there be no parcell therof lost nor im- beselde, and than may the lorde of ye. sayd maners, lordship- pes landes and tenementes, haue parfyte knowledge where the lande lyeth. What euery parcell is worthe, and who is his freholders, copyeholders, customarye tenaunte, or tenaunt at his wyll. And what rentes, customes and seruice he ought to haue of them, with many mo artycles, as here after shalbe de- clared." The work is divided into forty-one chapters, wiih various regulations and suggestions for the improvement of estates. Forms of homage, oaths, &c. and concludes with a repetition of the last described cut which precedes the following lines. " ^ The Aiiihour. " Go thou lytell queare with due reuerencc. And with an humble hert, reco~meiide me To all those, that of their bcniuolence Thys lytell treatyse dothe rede, here, or se, Wherwith I pray them, contented to be. And to amende it, in places behouable. Where as I haue iauted, or be culpable. For herde it is, a man to attayne To make a thyng perfyte, at the first syght. But whan it is reed, and well ouer seyne, Fautes raaye be founde, that neuer came to lyght, Thoughe the maker haue do his dilygence & might, Prayeng them to take it, as 1 haue entended. And to forgyue me, if that I haue offended. Finis," ^ Thus endeih this lytell treatyse, named the lake of Sur- ueyeng and of improumentes. Imprinted at London injlete slrete by Rycharde Pynson, printer to the kynges noble grace. The yere of our lorde god M D xiiii, the xv day of July. Cum priuilegio a rege indulto." On the last page the printer's device, N" 5 of Herbert's Ijst^ p. 242. J. H. Art. 23 Art. IV. hnp'ii cvivsdam Epigrammatis qvod edidit Richardus Shaklockus in mortem Cuthherti Scoti, qnondd" prcesulis Cestrensis Apomaxis. T/iojna Dranta Cantahrigiensi azithore. Also certayne of t lie speciall articles of the Epi.gr amme, refuted in Enghjshe by T. D. Cressit victoria victis. Perused and alloijued accordyng to the Queues Maiesiies In- iunctions. Londini, in adibus Tlioma Marshi. M. D.LXF. 4to. 18 leaves. The only information respecting this rare article to be found in the Typographical Antiquities, and Warton, was derived from the following short and erroneous entry jn the Stationer's books. "An epigrame of the death of Cuthberte Shotte so~me tyme bcsshoppe of Chester, by Roger Shacklocke, and replyed agaynste by Tho. Drant." Rit^on, upon this authority, gives the name of Roger Shacklock, as an English poet. This compilation appears to have been formed by Drant, (who was a grave divine of the protestant per- suasion,) as an attack upon Shacklock,. (an advocate in support of the catholic cause,) for the epitaph upon Cuthbert 'Scot, designed bishop of Chester, but deposed by Queen Elizabeth, and who had died a fugitive. It commences with " ccetvi psevdo catholicorum Anglou- aniensum pias conscientia; testimonium," in prose, sig- nature " Thomas Dranta." Then " Epitaphivm in mortem Cuthbtrti Scoti quondam episcopi Cestrensis," by " R. Shakelocke," and " Apomaxis eiusdem," by " T. Dr-anta," with several smaller pieces, also in Latin verse. The English portion has a prose introduction by Drant. " An Epigrarame vppon the death of Cuthbert Scotte, sometyme Byshop of \\ est Chester, deuisedby Richarde Shake- lecke, translated by an vncertayn author, and replied against by Thomas Drant. To the Englyshe Louanistes, the Pope his suppliantes. Many were the vauntes, and passing were the wordes, that were bruted in commc~dation and maintenaunce of this so littell, but learned an Englysshe Poesye : It doth argue (I right willingly confesse) the inditer therof to be a prety ordinarie sraatterer: not so lettred a workman, but if that he will to much abuse his brayne in bolstering of falshode, he c 4 may 54 mny haply liane to doo with his superiour, in assistyng the truth. Small is the relief that is not welcome to the hungry : smalle is ihatbootie, thatscapcth thenedy warrioure: small and sclender (god wot) is that kynde of argument, which you pa- pistes, and yours, vse to reiect. Yea, not so muche as those verses, but (hey were thought to be a stedy fortresse and stout bulwarke to the safe preseruation of your religion. This for- tresse certes I was most vn willy ng to assault: but pardon me, I beseche you, the iniquitie of the place, and the easy hope concey ued of victory, were my chieiest inductions to lay to the battrye. A thyng you wyll say more then boldly begun, sq vncurteously to encounter wilh your raaister Shaklocke, and as I expounde it, no whit at allof boldnes respectyng the fact, and considering the person. Boldnes and mipudency (if 1 were vncurt'=ous) I would say to be qualities vn to you papists natu- rally incide"t : whose stable kepers and raskalls are sq muclie in their owne fauours planted : that they will not lifte penne agaynst any lesse personage than our renoumed prelates and jnost reuerende fathers. ..... Embrace the one of these two counsels, whiche shal seme vnto you the rather : eyther to chaunge yourreligion3,yf youmyndeamongestvs toprofite with yourepennes; eyther to spareyourpennes, if you mynde to per- sist in that your disguised religion. Farewell, the xxv of May, from S. Johns Colledge in Cambridge. Yours to wishe your amendement in Christ Thomas Draut." The high character and popularity which the transla- tion appears, by this address to have obtained, is an in- ducement to give a longer extract than may be usually expected from matters confined to theological controversy. The niimber of lines in the translation are the same as the original, 102, and entitled f' /InEpitaphe vpon the death of CuthlertScotte, whilom Bishop of Chester, deuisedhy Richard Shakhcke, and translated into Evglyshe by an vncertayne Auihour, " Whilst heresy the hound of hell, the gnglyshe harts diil tcare. And :pred her poyson perillouslyin places farre und neare. Whilst good religious Kien it rackt, and holy hodscs rent, And caught into her clynkyng chaynes the good and innocent, Whilst eucry thing it did displace, and hcaucn with earth confou"d. And leddc the e.^sy way to synne, to geue our soule a wound. Then Cutbert Scot of Brilon blou'^l, a newe sprong starre indede. At Chester very painfully his laithiull flocke dyd fede. But hejesy not yet content, wyth bloud which she had shedde, Be^anjto spoyle thunspot:ed shepe, which this good sheparrffed. This ihepard waned against the wolfc, & to his charge he stande. When he mi^ht well haue toke his fete, he toke him to his ha de. ' ■ ■ |/itfc ^5 With reason he doth pleade his cause, she mesures all with m'^ht. Reply doth he, deny doth she, and thus they long do fyghL Farre better learned the byshop was, bulerr>:u. dyd excel]. By force, and by the peoples voice she bare away the bdl. For settyng foorth to waueryng v/Its, with ;y».s her forged ware, Inueigled soonelyght credite heads, to fall into her snure, Lyke as a drabbe or strumpet, which a matroi.e chast would ceme. Doth fayne her face, & line her luke, j^. chast her men m:.y deme> O heresy ;o full of fraude, an ape I may thee calle, Inlfor^yng truthc, thy sugred cups are myxt with bytter gall. Through thy deceit, Fiance famous Is wyth false & v,ju'(-led lies. Alack the day, besprent and staynd withuiood of noble Guyse. Through thy deceit, a ra^-yng rout which dwelt In Andwarptown , With stones did aide an hcretike & thwackt y^. Mar^raues dowa- The cittie feared lea:t in thy broyle thou shouldest her betray. And least \nto the gredy doggL-s, she should become a pay, But myghty Joue dyd put his handc, betyme to quench the fiame. And sent the people v\hich wer mad home to their houses tame. Wei golden Andwerpe, ta^ce thou hede, be circJ'sj-ect and waight. For with thy goodes all heresy intendes har ships to rraight. Let En^lafid now whicheis a ieste in all the woride so wyde, T<;ach ihee what maner faut it is, from Romayn fayth to slyde. Dothe not there crepe so mai'y sectts and no man d^ire them bl.une. As there be fyshes in the Thames, a floud of noble fame Ay me promotions of great pryse dochaunce to tryflyng boyes. All pulplrs places for them be, to vttcr out their tcyts. And whylst she byds the bjblylyng boys to pr.:t le what they wyll. She wylls old men to locke theyr lypps, and lyue in S) leuce styll. Whilst onely Britayn brutyshiy on Onely fayth ukes hoMe, Fayr wordb in dede do giui" som heat, good works do qujkefor cold# In brefe to speake, whilst holy tbyngs itchangeth forprophane. An angle of all heresy, oux A ngl'ui, dothe reniayne. Butnov/ my muse thou dost begyn wide from thy mark torunne. . ,. ,, ^^ A reply hy Thomas Dranf, 9^ whilst raging Rome that ruthfull rocke, yt. re''t & sunk ye, sales. And bratt ye. barge of iriTdles faith Zc iVaight her ficete \vf. tales ; Whilst taies wer taughc for tiujty truth, & tr^d'-" truth did shrir.k, Whil t painted pope our ho!y syre, dyd gcue vs errours drinke : Whilst errorhad through Britain land his mysty md"d Whilom there was In Nazareth a sheparde of great fame, Notearth ca" hold, nor heauens can shroud, y^. procesof his name. There is of his a pamphlet pende, a pamphlet of great price, He telthe what feode, 8c who shuld fede, and how diseases ryse. If thou or thyn by words of his canst prouu that pastors strange, Permiited are to rule our co&tes, and here as lordes to raunge : In worde of prince we promise thee, v/e v/Al hym not resyst. Let Corydon c;ist on Hjs curres, and byte where as he lyst. Bothe parties condescended iho: the Judges, tyme, and place. Assigned were, and those assignde that should debate the case. Eche herdma''left as then his charge, no shepefold had his guide, Bothe more or lesse to Lon*ion straight to se the matches tride. Vp was the golden tressed sonne, come was the daisment day, That pri"'ce w*. pope shuld '.ta'd in plea, which shuld un shepe bear sway. Great was y"^. worthy audience, yc, judges sage & gr.'ue. The parties fully priuilcged the scriptures for to raue, Slepte to the barre a noble route as chalengers of myght, Wf. wepo' whet of scriptures sharp, to win their souerains right. No pope, no popyshe champion, no Scot gaue onset there, Theyr wrangling argued ignorance their cauills argued feare. Then truth that lo''g exiled was, whe" murtherd wer her knights, Exityng feaie put forth her head, & neer no most menb sights : The pi'incesse doth her well entrente, the people her Imbrace, And now they rue that eu-r erst they pleasurde in that face. That face y*^. fained Romi-h fnce, whose Irames of glorious hue. Do yet bcwitche the wicked world, apjjarant styll for true. Ah Fra''ce to fond & blynd w^^. toys thou mightst by this haue seen. But that duke Guyse (disguised deuil) did so 'edimme thyn eien. Alack with bloud of barons bold how purpled was thy soyle, For amours of an apyshe hoojewas kyndled all that broyle. But let him dye embrued with blood, y"^. such dissention brewde: A noble paterne for the rest, how they becom^ so lewde. And Andwarpe if the case so stode, that Juu'.- would now bewray His wil to the by preachers monthes, O Andwarpe doo not stay : 1 wis those preachers be not dogs that bark te fy 11 yc, panche. The poet raues whose fr^t\ke souh no vain of words ca" stawch. No golden Andwerpe, no of truth they soke no gold of thyne, A cheat of thanks for popysh priests to cram their proUing pine. Let England now a flouryng land to peace and blysse afiTyde, Teach thee, what extreme ruth it is, in Romysh leage to abide, The princesse of such perfect skil, the pieres stand in sueh steade. That sect nor scisme can sooner crepe, than nipped is her head : Sects crepe (quod Shaklock) vncontrold : lo shitle Shaklocklo: She blames, they blame, & yet vnblamd, go folish Shaklock go. The prince she anchors ful on Christ, we stray not in yc stream, Her faith to Christ, our faith to both, hath wroght a passixTg realm, O happy days, promotions now fail not to tryflyng boyes, Nor pulpits serue not shaued syres, there to vnlode their toys. Both old &. yongof fyled tongue, and of surpassyng lore; Are lymited to preache in prease the scriptures, and no more " This parodial reply exceeds the epitaph in length by several lines; it is succeeded by two short pieces ''to the vnknovven translator of Shacklockes verses/' and " Shack- locks Portugale/' On the last page a short piece in Latin. J. H. Art, 27 Art. V. Billiotheca Critica: Opinions of the Learned on the most celelrated Books & Authors, ancient and, modern; comprehending the siiljects of general science & universal erudition* Such was the title to an extensive compilation pro- jected many years ago by an ingenious young man trained to the law, but led astray by a taste for the belles lettres. His work had received the approbation of the lale Dr. Gregory, Dr. Lake, &.c. and v/as offered to Mr. George Sael, bookseller in the Strand, for forty guineas. Sael proposed to give him half that sum, and half of all the profits and proceeds of the publicaiion. The compiler demurred on the occasion, and soon aft^r was reported to have take \ himself and his manuscript to America, Not having heardpf either since, it is probable that both may have become extinct; and it therefore may not be un- suitable to the plan of the Bibliographer to record the head> of this literary projection, so far as related to the poetical department. Introduction. Chapter I. Epic Poesy, Horner^ Lucan, \'irgil, Camoens, Milton, Apollonius RhodiuSj Spenser, Boccacio, Ariosto, Glover, Tasso, Statius, Dante, _ Ossian, Dramatic Poesy, Mfiiander, Chapter II. Greek /E-^npid", T-. .- » S bophecles, Dramatists. 1 a^.*^ , , Latin J Plautus, Dramat. \ Terence, Racine, Cornei!le, Mol'ere, French Dramatists Italian f Ariosto, Dramat. ]_ la' so, Spanish, Lope de Vega. Aristophanes. Accius. Voltaire, Crebillon, Cresset. Metastatio. English Dramatists. Beaumont & Fletcher, Young, Addison, Steele, f ' Proposals were circulated with this tit'c, by Alien and West of Paternoster Row, and a dedication was purposed to Sir John St. Aubvn, B.it. " by his ap- probation." ' Euglibh 28 /'Smith, English J Congreve, Dramatists. "S Sheridan, LMurphy, Chapter Archilochus, Pindar, Sappho, Rowe, Hughes, Colman, Thomson. Lykic Poesy. Menzini Anacreon, Horace, Casimir, Alcaeus, Stesichorus, Buchanan, Gray, Callimachus, Propertius, Tibullus, Ovid, Catullus, Theocritus, Moschusj Bion, Virgil, Spenser, Lucretius, Virgil, Hesiod, Horace, Vida, ^sop, Ovid, Chaucer, Hawes, Juvenal, Persius, Horace, Lucilius, III Smith, Mason, Rousseau, Warton, De la Motte, Anna Seward, Malherbe, Yalden, Cresset, Watts, Grainger, Dryden, Akenside, Collins, Beattie, Petrarch, Lomonozof. Fulvio Testi Chapter IV. Elegiac Poesy. Alcraou, Tickell, Hammond, Milton, Smith, Dryden, Hurdis, Scott, Chapter V. Pastoral Poesy. Tasso, Gesner, A. Phillips, Guarini, Pope, A. Ramsay, -Fontenelle, Shenstone, Chapter VI. Didactic Poesy. Aratus, Somerville^ Oppian, Pope, J. Philips, Boileau, Akenside, Manilius, Armstrong, Mason, Chapter VII. P'abulistic. (Dunbar, La Fontaine, Dryden, Phaedrus, Boyardo, Prior. Chapter VIII. Boileau, Wyat, Hall, Satihical. Butler, Oldham, Young. Chaf- 29 1 Chapter IX. Sonnets. Petrarch, Surrey, ^ Milton, • Camoens. Chapter X. Eficrammatic. Catullus, Martial. Chapter XI. Miscellaneous. Sect. i. Incidental and Characteristic Sketches. Chaucer, Collins, Cowley, Lydgate, Dryden, Spenser, Chatterton, Addison, Philips, Dunbar, Parnell, Waller, G. Douglas, Prior, Marot, Lyndsay, Cowper, Smith. Savage, Hayley, Sect. ii. Modern Latin Poets. Buchanan, Milton, Philips, Brome, Cowley, Pitcairn, Gray, Fracastorius, Musa"Anglican3. Grotius, Sect. Comus, Milton. L' Allegro, Ibid. II Penseroso, Ibid. Cooper's-Hill, Denhatn. The Wanderer, Savage. Castle of Indolence, Thomson. Night Thoughts, Young. The Campaign, Addison. Calendar of Shepherds,Spenser, Annus Mirabilis, Dryden. Sect. iv. Chap. XII. Moral and descriptive. Religio Laici, Ibid. The Seasons, Thomson. The Traveller, Goldsmith. London, Dr. Johnson. Deity, Boyce. The Chronicle, Cowley. Creation, Blackmore. DavideiSj Cowley. Hermit, Parnell. Blenheim, J. Philips. Miscellaneous Observations. Cabinet pieces of Poesx. Ode by Chatterton. " O sing me," &-c. Elegy on Guillen Peraza, Letters of Lit. Description of May, Gawen Douglas, Romaunt de la rose. Indian song. Letters of Lit. Palace of Honour, G. Douglas. Invocation to the stars, Cowper. Ode to Ella, Chatterton. Ode by Casimir, translated by Watts. The 30 The Grave, Blair. Dies Irx, dies ilia, A. Phillips. Anacreons Dove. Sparrow of Catullus. Edwin-.and Angelina, Goldsmith, Spring, Aiituran, JVIorning, Chatterton's Rowley, Oh, tu severij &c. ode. Gray. Cecilia's Day, ode, Dryden. Vital Spark, &c. ode. Pope. Elegy in a Country Churchyard, Gray. Ad suam Testudinem, Casimir. Danae, Simonides. Epistle to Abelard, Pope. Messiah, Ibid. Experience, Dunbar. Charm to Sleep, W. Browne. Induction to Mir. for Mag. Sackville. Nutbrown Maid. Hymn to Ceres. Ode to the Passions, Collins. Love, Chaucer. Palace of Sleep, Statins. Epiihalamium, Claudian. Kight, Dryden. Spring, Canticles. Scene from Tempest, Shakspeare. Ode from Mourning Bride, Congreve." Every reader who is conversant with ancient and modern poetry, in the dead and living languages, will probably feel inclined to add some articles to this copious list, and to subtract others. Such however must be the case with every selection : even though its component parts were ballotted in by a convocation of poets and critics. T. P. Art. VI. Godfrey of Bvlloigne, or the Recouerie of Hiervsalem. An Heroicall poeme, ivriiteii in Italian ly Seig. Torquaio Tasio, and translated into English ly R. C. Esquire : and now the first part containing fine Cantos, Imprinted in loth Languages. London, imprinted ly lohn JVindet for Christopher Hunt of Exceter, 1594. 4/0. pp. 235. The ahove initials are properly assiened by Ritson to Richard Carew, author of " the Survey of Cornwall;" whom SI ■whom Camden describes as "innobled no less In regard of his parentage and descent, than for his ' virtue and learning."* Wood as well records him " a religious and ingenious man, learned, eloquent, liberal, stout, hones't, and well skilled in several languages;" but wiihal, may be added, a harsh, if not an indifferent versifier. One ex- cuse arises from -the slavish and vain attempt of rendering the original of Tasso nearly line for line, which occasioned the adoption of mean and puerile sentences and created many false and unwarrantable rhimes. Wood does not appear to have known of the present work, yet he has noticed in the same year, 1594, a translation also from the Italian,, of Huarte's "Examination of Men's Wits," and observes " I have been informed by some persons, was mostly, if not all, performed by Thomas Carew his father; yet Richard's name is set to it." The initials only are set to it. Richard was born 1555, and died in 1620. " To the Reader. Gentlemen, let it be lawfull for me with 3'OLir Icaues to trouble you a little : it was my gcjod hap of late to get into my ha~ds an English translated copie of Seig. Tasso Hierusalem, dorie (as 1 was informed) by a gentlema" of good sort Sr qualitie, and many waies commended vnto me for a worke of singular worth, & ezcellencie : whereupon, by the aduise, or rather at the instance of some of my best friends, I determined to send it to the presse Notwithstanding the perswasions of some that would faine haue preuailed with me: I resolued (at the motion no doubt of some rare excellent spirit, that knew and foresaw this to be the readiest meanes to draw him to publish some of his many most excellent labours) togoc on with what I had begunne. Now wheras I thought you should haue had all together, I must pray you to accept of the fiue first Songes : for it hath pleased the excellent doer of them) for certaine causes to himselfe best knowne) to com- mand a stale of the rest till the sotamer. In that which is done, I haue caused the Italian to be printed together with the English and thereby the learned reader shall see to how strict a course the translator had tyed himselfe in the whole work,, vsurping as little liberty as any whatsoeuer, that euer wrote with any commendations. From Exeter, the last of Februarie, 1594. Yours C. H." f Armidd'i * Athen. Oxon. Vol. I. Col. 452. -j- Christopher Hunt, the printer, who served hia time to Thomas Man, ai 3- Armlda's search of Godfrey, from the fourth Canto. " The faire Armida priding in her hew. And in th* endowments of her sexe and age. This charge takes on her, and as eu'ning drew. Doth part, and to close wayes her steps engage: Stout harts she hopes, and arm'd hands to siibdew With her tresses, and wenches equippage : But of her parting diuers tales are spred By set deuice t'arauze the peoples hed. Within few da3'es this Dame her iourney ends, There where the Frankes their large pauillions sprej. Whose bewtie rare at /lis * apparence lends Babbling lo tongues and eyes a gazing led : As when some starre or coraete strange ascends. And in cleere day through sky his beames doth shed : They flocke in pkimps this pilgrim faire to vew. And to be wizde what cause her thither drew. Not Argos, Cyprus, Delos, ere present, Palernes of shape, or bewtie, could so deere. Gold are her lockes, which in white shadow pent. Eft do but glimpse, eft all disci osde appeare. As when new clensde we see the element. Sometimes the sun shines through white cloud vnclecrc. Sometimes fro" cloud out gone his raies more bright. He sheads abroad dubling of day the light. The winde new crisples makes in her loose haire. Which nature selfe to waues recrispe.lled. Her sparing looke a coy regard doth beare. And loues treasures, and hers vp wympelled, Sweete roses colour in that visage faire. With yuorle is sperst and nningelled, But in her mouth, whence breath of loue out goes. Buddy alone and single bloomes the rose. Her bosome faire musters hisf naked snow. Whence fire of loue is nourisht and reuiues. Her pappes bitter vnripe, in part doe show. And part th' enuious weed from sight depriues: Enuious, but though it close passage so To eyes, loues thought vnstaid yet farder striues : name substituted for that of Hunt in some copies of the work without date. i-U-.scji notiv-es copies having " less martei in the title," jirinted for Hunt. * Her. -)- Sic. Which 33 ■Which outward bewty taking not for pay, Eu'n to his secrets hid endeeres a way. As through water, or christall sound, the ray tasseth, and it deuides or parteth not. So piercing through her closed robe a way. His daring thought to part forbodden got. It roarneth there, there true it doth suruay Of so great marualles, part by part, the pkt: Then to desire it tels, and it discriues. And in his breast the flames more quiclce reuiues. Eyed and praysd Armida past the while Through the desirefuU troupes, and wist it well, But maiies no show, though in her heart she smile. And tliere deseignes of spoiles and conquests swell. As this some guide she craues w ith doubtfull stile. To her safe conduct to the Coronel : Eustace her meetes, who claymes a brother-hed In him, that chiefe those armed forces led. As fly at flame, so hf about turned At the brightnes of this bewtie deuine, And neere thosfe lights to view he coueted. Whom modest fashion sweetly can encline. And cought great flame, and close it fostered. As neered tinder doth the sparckle shrine; And to her sayd; for hart and hardiment The heat of yeares, and loue vnto him lent. Lady, if you at least so base a name Beseeme, who nothing earthly represent, * Nor euer skyes on daughter of Adame, Of their faire light so large a treasure spent, What ist vou seeke? whence is it that you came? What fortune yours or ours you hither bent? Make me know who you are, make me not misse To yeeld you right, and do what reason is. Your prayse too loftie mounts, she answering sayth. Nor to such height our merit can arriue: You see one. Sir, not subiect sole to death. But dead to ioy, onely to woe aliue : My hard mis-hap me hither carryeth, A pilgrim mayden poore and fugitiue: I seeke good Godfrey, and in him afFy, Such fame about doth of his bountie fly. Doe you to Captaine mine accesse obtaine. If kinde and courteous (as you seeme) you be. That to the one the t'other brothers paiue voi,. J. D Yoa 34 You guids, and him entreat tis meete, quoth he, Faire maide you haue not made recourse in vaine. Nor in the meanest grace he holdeth me ; At your best liking all is yours to spend. What so his Scepter, or my sword may frend. He ends, and guides her where good Bulleyn staid Twixt worthies great, stolnc from the vulgar was. Lowly she bendeth "^ J.H. Art. VII. ^ Quest of Enquirie by ivomen to know. Whether the Tripe wife were trimmed hy Doll yea or -no. Gathered by Oliuer Oat-meale. Imprinted at London hy T. G. and are to he sold i?2 Paules Church-yard. 1595. ifto. 15 leaves. A rich widow that sold tripe, marrying a Grocer, re- sident on London-bridge, to the mortifying disappoint- ment of several other suitors, seems to have occasioned this humoursome but rather indelicate libel : It begins abruptly, " Oliuer, if your name be Oliuer, by your leaue a cast, for I must shoue in belweene the doore and the wal, that is shuffle a letter in betweene your title and Pamphlet : which letter was directed to be left at the two fooles at London-bridge; and for my hart I cannot finde the signe. Now since your pamphlet lackes both a pistle and a patrone, I thinke this letter wil fit ye for either, and by wandring among manie, happen atlength into the right owner's hands. It foUowes at auenture — To Simon Huff-inuff, the terrible Book-tearer, l^ furious defacer of the Tripe-n.viues effigies : peace offered tviih caf and knee, tt fre- serue all papers from like extremetie." The epistle is subscribed " Yours to vse, when ye know how to vse your selfe. D.D." To this succeeds, " An Eglogiie, louingly begun and vnluckely ended, be- tweene the Tripe ivife, and Trickes her husband, " TKICKES. " Set we sweete sowce-wife on this fraile of figs. Despite of those that doo our fortunes bate: letting ^5 lestihg at vs with ballads and with ligs^ Enough to make kinde loue unkinde debate. And while we carroll of our discontent^ With strained notes, like scritch owles yrkesome crie^ The roaring riuer vnto our lament Shall lend her lowd confused harmonie. TRlPE-WIFE. Ah A'ere we seated in a sowce-tubs shade, Ouer our heads of tripes a canopie : Kemembrance of my past ioy-tbriuing trade. Would somewhat ease my present miserie. But since I trotted from niy trotter stall. And figd about from neates feete neatly drest : I fi'nde no pleasure nor content at all. But Hue disdain'd, despisde, abusde, distrest, £The dispute is thus concluded] TEIPE-WIFE. What doost thou cursse my trade ? be this thy paine : Bun booties madding, rauing vp and downe : All helplcsly gainst iygging rymes Complaine, Let etlerie ballad-singer beare thee downe. TRICKES. Saist thou me so, thou Tripe, thou hated scorne ? Goe swill thy sowse-tubs, loathed pudding-wife: My brother Huf-snuf and myselfe haue sworne. Spite of thy eares to lead a pleasant life. With this they part ; and so the Eglogue endedy Tripe was with Trickes, and Trickes with Tripe offended." " A Quest of enquirie of twelue good, honest, and substan- tial! women, vpon examination of certaine persons," is ad- dressed to " Neighbour Nicholson," (the husb:ind). Upon the orderly proceeding of the quest, " I drew foorth (says the author) my writing tables,* and getting close into a corner, noted downe euery thing so neere as I could ■, which now writ- ten more at large, then in so small a roome I could comprise, I have sent ye by my seruant William." The questions to be asked are eight, and the last, " Whether the Capon or Turkic (by any of their knowledge) was sent to the King and Queene, of Faires or no?" Margaret, the daughter, when examined. • Thii appiars to confirm the using tables being a Common practice in Shalcespeare's time.— Rsed^ Sh. Vol. iviii. p. 88. B 2 say;^ 3<5 says, " Neuer I tliinke was widdowe so washt in sack, sugar; and^ good drinkes,* I warrant there are some that yet sit and thinke on their lauish expences, for my mother was outwardly kinde to all, but inwardly euclined to thinke well of no one As for sending the Capon and Turkic to the King and Queene of Fayries, thats best knowne to Doll and my mother, for the matche was closely made betweene themselues, and w^hether on any such condition or no, 1 am not able to say : but sure I am our maid caried them with her, and deliuered them to the woman, ere they came halfe way to the king of Fayries house, for they say his dwelling is at Paddington, and the maide was discharged of her burthen in high Holborne." Mother Mes- singham and others, not described, having been examined, the- jury write on the bill Ignoramus; and sentence the widow " should thence be sent to London bridge, and there bje ma- ried. . . . Lord how glad was I, when I heard the game go on your side, when I remembyed what a tall seruitor you had beene all her wooing time for her : your bard fortune at M. Graces, where you had so slender entertainment, how you walkt in your jerkin and tawney veluet hose, to view M. Hub- bards hoppeSj when by that meanes you got a bidding to din- ner,^ yea euen the best place at the board, namely, to sit iusf before your louing mistresse. . . . Thus baue I sent ye all the proceedings of the Jurie, and therewith (according to your request) my opinion of that blessed night, when you made such passage to the purpose, as the next morning you had the fruition of all your labours, I n;eane the garland of your brid- ing day, to the disgrace of al the other suters, and your owne cternajl commendaiion for euer. But first I pray ye read this Dittie, which was deuised by a dere friend of yours. Master leffray Kexov, in defence of your wife so much wrongd, and in applauding of your rare conquest, the like being neuer heard of since the great Conquest. "■ A liggefor the 'BaUail-mo?igers to sing fresh and fasting, next their hearts euerie morning, in sted of a neiu hunts-vpf\ to giue a good morroiv to the Tripe-tvife. " O neighbour Tripewife, my heart is- full of woe: • Reed's Sh. Vol. II. p. 308. f Hunts-up. To the iiodces collected in the Censura, Yol. X. p. j6i. raiT be added one from the " life jHd death of the Piper of Kilbarchan." " Noiv who sh.iU ])lay, the day it da-ws f Or hunt u should iumble with you so. 1 that am your poore neighbour, had rather spent a crowne. Than haue ye thus defamed by boyes about the towne. Abroad in euerie cornerj the ballads doo report. That you were trimd vnwomanly, and in most shamefull sort, 'Sij standing on a Triaet, to heare what she could say : She lopt ye of a louers locke, and carried it away. Alas were you so simple, to suffer such a thing ; Your owne maids sit and mocke ye, and euerie where doth ring, The trimming of the Tripe wife, it makes me in a rage : And doubt least that the players will sing it on the stage. I am sorrie for your husband, alacke good honest man; He walkes about, yet mends not, but looketh pale and wan : That where before he vaunted, the conquest he hath got. He sits now in a raammering, as one that mindes it not, A number doo imagine, that he repents his marriage. And gladly to the shambles, would send ye with your carriage : For all the carts of houshold-stuffe, that came to London bridge, Nerc pleasd him so, as this one greefe doth rub him on the ridge. Jf gold bring such a hart-breake. He none 1 thanke ye I : Tis shame it should be spoken, and if it be a lie. D 3 But 38 But would he be aduisde bj me, if it be true or no; I would turne her to her Tripes againe, and let all matters go. I. K. Finis. "■ Now all good Ladds, to whose reading this present Jigge ^ shall come, I would not haue ye mistake my meaning in the song, that ye should goe about the streetes singing it, or chaunt it at her-doore, ere she be vp in a morning. No, God forbid, that would but breed donK-sticall disquietnesse, . . . Therelore I pray ye conceit it after my owne entending, that is^ a sorrciwfull sonnet for euery friend of his to meditate on, least their fortunes should prooue so monstrous as his, and they run into petill of hanging themselues, vpon so extraordinarie a conclusion. " Heerc followeth the rare atchieuement of the wid.'owe, from her house behinde the Shanables, how she was conueyed thence to London Bridge, and made a Bride vpon a very short warning. Yea marie Sir, now ye come to the matter I long to heare of, by reason of the diuers reports bruted abroad there- of". . . Probably the reader will begin to consider there is nearly enough of the widow, but the writer was a forerunner of Baxter in dealing in last words ; f ur pages further introduce " certaine reports spread abroad of the Tripe-wife and her late married husband, whereby if they be slaandred .)r no, let them- selues be their own Judges Good people, beware of wooers promises, they are like the musique of a Taber and Pipe : the pipe sings golde, gifts, and manie gay things ; but perfourmance moralized in the Taber, still beares the burden of I doubt it, I doubt it : which in my conceipt is a verie pitifull bearing I heare how you [Oatmeal addresses the whole to the husband] goe bragging about, breathing forth horrible thundring threates, because certain bookes and ballads are printed of the Tripe- wife: ye said ye had the tricke to cfUt-face all the wooers, and so yee would cuer dare all the Printers : yea beknaue your betters, calling them at your owne pleasure, and then turn your tung to your taile when you haue done. Whatman? it will not snowe alwaies, neither can you, or the bestteuaunt yee haue, beaie downe Paulas Church-yard. Rather win them with kindnes, for extreroetie auayles not, they know yee for a man and no more, and will care for ye as a man and no more. .... Yet it sufficeth that ye haue wonne the spurres, from them all, and therefore let me adde these, as appendixes vnto your armes. A -Qhitterling rampant in a field sowsant, two haggas puddings for the supporters, a Neatcs foote cleanly washt 39 washt fixed an your crcastj and a faire scrapde tripe to couer all for the mantle. So witli my hartie commendations to your good bed feliowe and your selfe, with all the rest of my ap- prooued frends, I bid yea heartely farewell, this 2 of Aprile, 1595. By him that is more yours than his owne, " Oliuer Oat-meale." A short postscript concludes this " terrible matter against Nichol ISIeates-fdote, and Huff Snuffe his neigh- bor. Farewell till within this fortnight, by which time we shall either be all frends, or make our fude endlesse. Finis." J. H. Art. VIII. Martin Mar-sixivs. A second replie against the defensorij and apology of Sixtus the pift late Pope of Rome, defending the execrable fact of the lacoline Frier, vpcn the person of Henry the Third, late King of France, to be lath commendable, admirable, and meritorious. Wherein the saide apo- logy is faithfully translated, directly answered, and fully satisfied. Let God be Judge betwixt thee and me. Genes. 16. [Device of Orwin the printer of two hands clasping, &c.] At London printed for Thomas Woodcock, and are to be sold at his shop in Paules Church-yard, at the signe of the Black Bear, 1592. Herbert says 159 1. 4to. 23 leaves. It wojjJd lighten the task of bibliographical research, if the voluminous works of theological disputants might be left in a heap silently to moulder as a mass of incohe- rent dulness; but the cock raked up the diamond in the dunghill, and the labour must be continued. The pre- face of this little work rescues it from the general obloquy; where, in addition to a characteristic sketch of the pro- ductions of the press at that period, the attack on a then popular writer renders it valuable to every reader that feels interested in tracing contempary notices of the unfortu- nate and too imprudent Robert Green. It is inscribed " To the right worshipful and vertuous Gentleman, Master Edmund Bowyar,, Esquier, the Author {lereof wishcth peace and wealth, with aboundance of all spirituaU fclicitie, .;.... D -t Loath 40 Loath I was to display my sel^e to the world; but for that I hope to daunce vnder amaske, and bluster out like the winde, which though euery man heareth, yet none can ill sight descrie, I was content for once to become odious, that is, to speake in print, that such as vse to carpe at thoy know not what, may for once likewise condemne they know not whonie; and yet I doo not so accuse the rrailtrs, as if all writers were faultles, for why ? we liue in a printing age, wherein there is no man either so v^inely, or factiously, or filthily disposed, but there arc crept out of all sorts vnauthorized authors, to fill and fit hi« humor j and if a mans deuotion serue him not to goe to the church of God, he neede but repayre to a Stationers shop and reade a sermon of the diuels : I loath to speake it, euery red-nosed rimester is an author, euery drunken mans dreame is a booke, and he whose talent of little wit is hardly worth a farthing, yet layeth about him so outragiously, as if all Helicoii had run through his pen; in a word, scarce a cat can looke out of 5 gutter, but outstartg a halfepeny Chronicler, and presently a proffer neiv ballet of a strange sight is endited : What publish- ing of friiiolous and scurrilous prognostications ? as if Will Sommers were againe reuiued : what counterfeiting and cogr ging of prodigious and fabulous monsters? as if they labored to exceede the poet in his Metamorphosis; what lasciuious, vn- honest, and amorous discourses, such as Augustus in a heathen common wealth could neuer tolerate, and yet they shame not to subscribe. By a graduate in Cambridge; In Artibus Magister; as if men should iudge of the fruites of Art by the ragges and parings of wit, and endite the Vniuersities, as not onely gccesr »ary to their vanitie, but nurses of bawdry; we would the world should know, that howsoeuer those places haue power to create a Master of Artes, yet the art of loue is none of the seauen ; and be it true that Honos alit artes, yet small honor is it to be honored for sucli artes, nor shal he carry the price that seasoneth his profit with such a sweete ; It is the complaint of our age, that men are wanton and sick of wit, with which (as with a Icathsome potion in the stomack) they are neuer well till all be put. They are the Pharisees of our time, they write al, & speak al, and do al, vt audiantur ab hominibus ; or to tel a plaine truth plainely, it is with our hackney authors, as with Oyster-wiues, they care not how sweetely, but how loudely they cry, and co~ming abroad^ they are receaaed as vnsauory wares, men are faine to stop their noses, anderie; Fie vpon this wit ; thus affecting to bee famous, they become notorious, that it may be saide of them as of the Sophisters at Athens, dutn •volunt haleri celebriter docti, innotescunt iruigniier asinini : k when with shame they see their folly, they are faine to ptit; 41 on a mourning garrnent, and crie, Farwell.* If any man bee of a dainty and curious eare, I shall desire him to repayre to those authors; euery man hath not a perle-mjnt, a fish mint, nor 9. bird-mint in his braine, all are not licensed to create new Stones, new fowles, new serpents, to coyne new creatures ; for piy selfe, I know I shall be eloquent enough, I shal be an orator good enough if I can perswade, which to be the end and pur- pose of my heart, he knoweth who knoweth my heart , Your Worships in all duety. R. W." Then follows " The Oration of Sixtus the V. as it was yttered in the consistory at Rome. Anno. 1589, Septem- ber ii;" and the author's " reply against the former ?pologie." J. H. Art. TX. Pasqvils Tests, mixed with Mother Bunches Merriments. Whereunto is added a Bakers doozen of Guiles. Very prettie and pleasant, to driue away the iediousuesse of a Winters Evening. Newly corrected with new additions. London printed for lo/i.n Browne, and are to he sold at his shop in Saint Dunstones Church yard, in Fleetesireete. 1609. 4^0. 26 leaves. Wit, like farnily plate, appears new modelled for each succeeding generation. As the massy tankard of th^ *' great belgrand-father," after various transmigrations, dwindles into the lesser but also serviceable vehicle of a, modem pap-spoon, so an ancient witticism, by descrip- tion and tedious pro and con, occupying two quartq f)ages, becomes at length solved into a sentence of a few ines. This collection has been moulded in various shapes, and most of the stories well knowi^ to the genera^ reader. The first is the wrangle between the blind mart and lame one on finding an oyster, adjusted by the lawyer who " drew forth his rusty whittle," and distributes th^ shells. Several pieces had a Pasquil title about the time this was printed. An earlier edition is without the gulls, and that portion may be occasionally fourid distiiypW » From this sentence Green's " mourning garment," &e. and '-' fareweH t9 F;;lly," appear the same pulilication, W^rton 43 Warton notices a copy, and of the whole, dated 1627. — ■ The following is a sufficient specimen. " Of one that lost his purse: " A Countrey man comming vp to the tearmc, by mijfor- ♦une lost his purse; and because the sumrae was great, he set vp bilks in diucrs places of London, that if any man had found such a purse, and would restore it againc, he should haue very well for his paines. A gentleman of the Inner Temple, wrote vnder one of his billes, that he should come to his Chamber, and did write where. So when he came to the place, the gentleman asked hira, first, what was in his purse ? Secondly, what countrey-man he was ? and thirdly, what was his name? Sir, quoth he, twenty pound was in my purse. I am halfe a Welshman, and John vp lanken is my name. lohn vp lanken, quoth the Gentleman, I am glad I know thy name: for so long as 1 liue thou nor none of thy name, shall haue my purse to keepe ; and so farewell gentle lohn vp lanken." " A tale of a merry Christmas Carroll, sung ly women, " There was sometime an old knight, who being disposed to make himselfe rnerry, in a Christmas time, sent for many of his tenants, and poore neighbors, with their wines, to dinner : when having made meat to be set on the table, would suffer no man to dirinkc, till he that was master ouer his wife, should sing a Carroll, to excuse all the company : Great nicenessc there was, who should bee the Musician, now the Cuckow time was so farre off. Yet with much adoe, looking one vpon another, after a dry hemme or two, a dreaming companion drew out as much as hec durst, towards an ill-fashioned ditty. When hauing made an end, to the great comfort of the be- holders, at last it came to the womens table, where likewise commandment was giuen, that there should no drinke be touched, till she that was master ouer her husband had sung a Christmas Carroll ; whereupon they fell all to such a singing, that there was neuer heard such a catterwalling peece of mu- licke. Whereat the Knight laughed heartely, that it did hira halfe as rauche good as a corner of his Christmas pie." " The fourth Gull vpon a wager to hang himselfe. " Vpon a time, I haue forgotten when, in a place out of minde, met a company of good fellowes, which beeing likely to bee some Inne, while the people were all set at dinner, came in an old rich farmer of the countrey, who being well lyned in his purse, and therefore might haue the merier heart, wai .45 w?s so full of talke at dinner, that scarce any man else was heard at the table. Which aScholIer sitting among them, well obseruing, and withall seeing him well tickled in the head with . the good drinke, vpon the sudden fell into this speech with him: Honest man, I pray you pardon roe, if I say any thing that may offend you ; I am sorie tp see the cuil that is towards you : You haue been very mery, but 1 feare, you will neuer be so againe in this cempany; for I see in your eyes a spirit of madnesse, which will very speedily bring you to your vnhappy ende : for indeedc, within this houre you will hang you rselfe in the stable vpon one of the great beames, and that I will lay a good wager, either with'you, or any of this company. The olde man much moued at this speech, and yet noting his gra- nitic, told him, that hee was sorie to see a Scbollerhaue so mucli learning, and so little wit: but my friend (quod he) if you haue any money in your purse, )on shall be rid of it, when you will vpon that wager. Whercvpon ihe Scholler gaue him lea shillinge, and told him, that if he did not hang himselfe, within an houre after, and first come into the house, and ask"" for- giuenesse of all the house, he should giuc him but ten pdunds for it. The farmer tooke the money, called in for wine and pugar, and made merry withall. At the h^ures -nd, he came to take his leaue of the Scholler, and his company, who told him, that he must pay ten pounds, f )r that he had not hanged himselfe. At which words, he finding the deceit, confessed hi» ignorance, payed for the good cheere, and trebling the Schollers money, like a true Gull, got him home againe." J. H. Art. X. The most ancient and famovs History of tlie renowned Prince Arthvr, Ki?ig oj Britaine; wherein is declared his Life and Death, with all his glorious hattniles against the Saxons, Saracens, and Pagans, which (for the honour of his couniryj he most worthily atchieued. As also, all the nolle UQts and heroicke deeds of his valiant Knights of the Rovnd Table. Newly refined, and published for the delight and profit of the Reader. — London, printed ly William Stanshy ,for lacolBloome, 1634. — Small d^to. —[No paging, but running to sig. I i, 4, accompanied with a very rude wood cut of Arthur and his knights, many 44 (many of whom are named above and beneath the cut) sitting at the round table. Second and third parts, with title pages varying from the first, and from each other, by containing the words, second part and third part, respectively: and with similar frontis- pieces. — The second part contains sig. Rt 2; and the third part, sig. P p 4.] In the developcment of the character, and in the in- vestiajation of the customs of our ancestors, we derive much assistance from an acquaintance with the amuse- ments which employed their careless hours; while un- occupied with plans of ambition, and free from the . apprehensions of meditated attack, the illiterate Baron found sufficient resource for the day in the pursuit of the chace, and shortened the length of the night by uniting the pleasures of the table, with the recitations of the minstrel; both partook of the same character; the Hunt was no bad imitation of the foray; * and the song of the Jongleur kept alive the spark of enterprise, by the continued repetition of chivalric achievements. These amusements, however, must necessarily have been con- fined to the wealthy and the noble, since the remune- ration of the minstrel was of too extensive a nature to have accorded with limited means. Three parishes in Gloucestershire were appropriated by William the Con- queror to the support of his minstrcl.f The recitations of the minstrel appear to have been chiefly of a roman- tic cast, more particularly from the period when the in - troduction of the Eastern fictions, " coinciding with the reigning manners, and perpetually kept up and improved in the tales of Troubadours and Minstrels, formed the ground-work of that species of fabulous narrative called Romance." — (Warton's Diss~non the Origin of Romantic * I am not, perhaps, justified in applying this term to the ravages of the ea ly feudal baron, but no other phrase seems so well adapted to express the seiise I would give. -|- " The same day Therle of Foi» gave to harauldes and minstrelles the simiiic of t'yue hundred franlies : and gave to the Duke of Tourayn's min- strelles gowns of cloth of gold, furred with ermyns, valued at two handled franlis. ' Froiss»rt's Chronicle, edit. 1^25. Booke Ui. ch. xxxi. Fiction 45 Fiction in Europe, vol. i. Diss'n i.) — The pleasures cJe- rived from the recital of romances, although confined ta the great for s.everal centuries, were, by the introductioa of printing, afforded a wider range; and the great mass of readers were benefited by a more familar acquaint- ance with those fascinating scenes of extravagar.ee and fiction. Some of the earliest productions of Caxtun and de V/orde were prose versions of the old metrical ta]es| and by a reference to Herbert, v«'e see, that even after the Reformation had deluged the press with the \vr;ing- lings of theological polemics, no inconsiderable em- ployment of the printer arose from the multiplication of romances, many of whicii are now only known by tradition. The wondrous acts narrated in the ro- mance, its splendid scenery, and the frequent suc- cesses of human prowess over the st.'Cngth of diabolical agency, offered, to an illiterate population, unacquainted with the more polished models of classic elegance, a never-failing source of amusement and study. Not- withstanding- the introduction of more varied readinc, toward the middle of the sixteenth century, the volui.its of chivalry retained their hold on popular favour uiit.' a very late period of the succeeding century, when the itv provement of taste, and more familar acquainia:ice v/iit classic lore eventually expelled the magician and li,'; tournament from the hall of the mansion, to the ^i ' : of the collector. One of the earliest and inost ;astiy favoured of these now neglected works, was thai inder review: it carried with it, in addition to its interesiin'- narrative, a certain degree of authenticity in the opioioa of our forefathers, who listened to, and peru.-ed, the work containing the deeds of Arthur and his knights, with twofold interest; first, as it amused the hour of in- dolence, and secondly, as bearing with it the authority ©f a chronicle. Alanus de Insulis, born iu 11C9, in- forms us that "if any was heard in Bretagae, to deny that.Arthur was then alive, he would be stoned." Warton, in his Hist, of Eng. Poetry, vol, i. 252. says, that in the reign of Edward the llld. " the fame of king Arthur was still kept alive, and continued to be an object of veneration long afterwards; and however idle and ridiculous the fables of the Round Table may appear A6 at pfesent, they were then, not only universally known,- but firmly believed."* The general acquaintance with the romance containing this British hero's achievements was fuch, as to call down the lively indignation of a very learned, though puritanical writer, who shortly after the Keformation, writes thus: '^ In our forefathers time, when papistrie, as a standing poole, couered and ouer- floued all England, few bookes were red in our toong, sauing certayne bookes of chivalrle, as they sayd for pastime and pleasure, which, as some say, were made in monasteries by idle monkes or wanton channons: as one far example, Morte Arthur, the whole pleasure of ■which booke standeth in two specyall poyntes, in open mans slaghter and bolde bawdrie; in which booke, those be counted the noblest knights that doe kill most men without any quarrel!, and commit fowlest adoultries by sutlest shifts : as, Syr Lancelote with the wife of King Arthure, his maister: Syr Tristram with the wife of King Marke, his uncle: Syr Lamerocke with the wife of King Lote, that was his own Kunte. This is good stuffe for wise men to laughe at, or honest men to take pleasure at. Yet I knowe when God's Bible was ba- nished the court and Morte Arthure receaved into ihe princes chamber, what toyes the dayly reading of such a booke may worke in the will of a yong jentle- man, or a yong maide, that liveth wekheiy and idlely, wise men can judge, and honest men do pittie." [As-^ cham's Schoolemaster, 1589. f. 25. Ascham was not * A passage in the inimitable satire of Cervantes, proves the very general popularity of Arthur and his knights in other parts of Europe, as well as con- firms what I have said above, respefting the credence given by his countrymen to the tales of his deeds. *' Have you not read, Sir,'' answered Don Quixotte, '' the annals and histories or England, wherein are recorded the famous exploits of King Ar- thur, whom, in oar Castilian tongue, we pei-petually call King Artas ; of whom there goes an old tradition, and a common one, all over that kingdom of Great Britain, that this King did not die, but that, by magic art, he was turned into a raven ; and that in process of time, he shall reigil again and recover his kingdom and sceptre j for which reason it cannot be proved, that from that time to this, any Englishman hath killed a raven ? Now in this good King's time was insciruted" that famous order of the Knights of the Round Table 5 and the amours therein related of Sir Lancelot of the Lake, with the Q^icen Ginebra, passed exactly as they are recorded; which gave birth to that well-known ballad, so cried up here in Spain, of " Never was knight by ladies so well served, as was Sir Lancelot when he came from Bri- tain," with the rest of that sweet and charming recital of his amours and . .exploits." Dm Quixotte, vsl. i, ch, xiii, Juri'.s" Tun.iUtwn. the 4; the only scholar employed in the education of you'th, who beheld with affright the popularity of the Mort Arthur; Francis Meres in his Wit's Commonwealth, 1598,^ a68, says " As the Lord de la Nouue in the sixe discourse of his politike and military discourses censureth ef the bookes of Amadis de Gaule, which he saith are no less hurtfull to youth, than the workes of Machiaveli, to age; so these bookes are accordingly to be censured of, whose names follow; Bevis of Hampton, Guy of Warwicke, Arthur of the Round Table, Sec." In oppo- sition to this censure however, which savors much of puritanism, I with pleasure cite the following passage from Mr. Ritson's Dissertation on Romance and Min- strelsy, vol. i. p. 145. " It is no slight honour to an- cient romance, that so late as the seventeenth century, when it was become superannuated and obsolete, the expansive and enlightened mind of our British Homer was enraptured with the study, as is manifested, by fre- quent and happy illusions, in his two (principal poehis : — " And what resounds In fable or romance of Uther's son, Begirt with British and Armoric knights," &c. — Paradise Lost, B. i. v. 579. And see Par. Reg. B. id. v. 336. " He had even meditated a metrical romance, or epick poem, upon the story of Arthur." That the study of our old romances did not appear to the immor- tal Milton, fraught with such dangerous consequences as Ascham and Meres supposed, is further evident from his saying, " Next, I betook me among those lofty fables and romances, which recount, in sublime cantos, the deeds of knighthood. So that even these books, proved to me so many enticements to the love and sted- fast observation of virtue." Toland's Life, p. 35.* The prose romance of the Mort Arthur, of which this work before us is a transcript, was, according to War- ton, " much or most of it taken from the old French romance of Lancelot, translated from Latin into French, at the command of one of our Henries." * Dr. Newton, however, in his edition of Milton, censures our poet's pas- sion for reading Romance. From 48 t^rom internal evidence, I should imagine it to have been a compilation from several different romances, ra- ther than a translation of one individually. The acts of Lancelot form but a portion of the body of the book, in which are related the histories of various other knights, and also the achievements of the Saint Greall. There were various different romances on the subject of Arthur at a very early period, most, if hot all of them founded on the basis airorded by Geffrey of Mon- mouth, " to whose strange chronicle we owe," says Mr. Ellis, " the first outline of our earliest and best romances," From the Prologue to the work by Caxton, it appears, I think, to have been a compilation merely, as he says, " the said noble gentleman instantly re- quired me to imprint the historic of the said noble King and conqueror. King Arthur, and of his' knights, with the historic of the Sancgreall, and of the death and end- ing of the said King Arthur." — " And many noble vo- lumes be made of him and his noble knights, in French, the which I have scene and read beyond the sea, which. be not had in our maternal! tongue. But in Welsh* be many, and also in French, and some in English, but no where nigh all. Wherefore, such as have beene late briefly drawen out into English, I have after my simple cunning, that God hath sent me, under the fauour and connection of all noble Lords and gentlemen enterprised to imprint a booke of the noble histories of the said King Arthur, and of certaine of his knights, after a copy unto me delivered. Which copy Sir Thoma^ Malory tooke out of certaine bookes in French, and reduced it into English. "t Of the translation and compiler of the Morte Arthur, little, I believe, is known ; Hollingshead, who, although not always inimical to legendary tales, does not appear to have had much of the fashionable taste for romances of chivalry, mentions, -among the learned men that lived * Malory, the translator, was a Welshman. -^ The testimony of a modErn writer of considerable celebrity, adds strength to this opinion ; he 9y Mr. Gyffbrd ia a note on the Virgin Martyr; Massingei's '\.orks, Vul. I. p. 104. It was a popular pastime in the reign of James the Fir^t, and mighd aitciwdnls become neglected from the fasridious censure of the puritans. Thus, as a correspond- ent obseives, in "an Eclogue on the Palilia and noble assemblies r^'viewcd on Cotswoid Hills by Mr. RouC. Dover, by Thomas Randall;''* one of the charac- ters says, '* Some melancholy swaines, about haue gone. To teach all zeale, their -owne complection, Choler, they will arlmit, ^umetimes, I see ; But fleagme, ^nd sangvine, no religions bee ; These te.ich that dauncing is a Jezabell, i^nd Barhy-breake, the ready way to hell, y The morrice, idolis ; Whitson ales can bee But profane reliques of a jubilee." • Annalia Dubiensla, 1636, c. 3^ Art. XIII. The Compost of Piholomeus Prince of Astronomy e: verye necessarye^ vtile, and profy table for all sziclwy as desyre the knowledge of the science of Astronomy e. [Wood cut, see Herbert, 365. CoL] Imprinted at London in Saint Brydes Churchy arde : F % oner 68 ouer agaynst the North duore of the Church, ly Thomas ColwelL n. d. 8vo. folded in eight, extends to N iiij. Although Herbert has accurately described a different edition, p. 365, some reader may possess a portion of " the properties of mercury." He may " loue well to preache, to speake fayre rethoryke language, and to talke of phylosophy and geometry . . shall loue well wrytynge and to read euer in straunge bookes, and to caste ac- comptes of great noinbrcs, and shall be a great maker of balades, songes, meters, and rymcs . . shall be per- fite in the arte of musick and loue it," and when in good health, that is to "play gladly in the feeldes and gardens to take the sweet ayre, and sport in the me- dowes by water sydes," still contemplate the progress of life in the following old and ofien-varied description, and moralize on the brief eventful history. " Here foloweth to shewe how a man chaungeth xij times, euen as the xij monthes doth. — He must take the first vi yere for Janiuere, the which is of no vertue nor strength, at that season nothinge on the earth groweth. Soman, after that he is borne, till hee bee vi yeare of age, is with litle or no wittc, strength, or conning, and maye doo litle or nothinge that commeth to any profite. — Than commeth Feueriere, & than the dayes longeth, and the sonne is more hoter, than the feldes begin to waxe greene ; so the other vi yeare til he come to xii, the childe beginneth to grow bigger, and is apt to lerne such thinges as is taught him. — Than commeth the month of March, in whiche the labourer soweth the earth, and planteth trees, and edifieth howses ; the childe in these vi yeares waxelh bygge to lerne doctrine and science, and to be fayre and pleasaunte and louyng, for than he is xviii yeres of age. — Than commeth Apryl that- the earth and the trees is couercd with greene flowers, and in euery partye goods encreaseth habundantly. Than commeth the yonge man to gather the swete flowers of hardines, but than beware that the colde windes, and stormes of vices, beate not downe the flowers of good maners, that should bringe man to honour, for than is he xxiiii yeare of age. — Than com- meth Maye, that is both fayre and pleasaunt, for than byrdes singe in woddes and forestes nyghte and daye, the sonne »hineth hote; as than man is most lusty, mighty, and of delyuer strength, and teeketh playes, sportes, and manly pastimes. , 69 pastlmeS;, for than is he full xxx yeares of age. — Than com- meth June, and than is the sonnc at the hyghest in his mc- ridionall, he may ascend no higher in his slacion. His gle- mering golden beames rypeth the coroe, and than man is xxxvi yeare he may ascende no more, for the natare hath gyuen them courage and strength at the full, and rypeth the seedes of pcrfyte vnderstandynge. — Than conTeth July that ©ur fruytes be set on sonnynge, and our come a hardenynge, but than the sonne begin~eth a lytell for to descend downwards. So than man goeth from youthe, towarde aege, and begynnelh for to acfjuaynt hym with sadnes, for than he is come to xlii yeare. — After that than commeth August, than wee ga- ther in oure eorne, and also the fruytes of the earth. And than ma~ doth his diligence to gather for to fynde hym selfe, to mayntayne his wyfe, chyldren, and his houshold whan aege com eth on hym, and than after that vi yeare, he is xlviii yeare of aege.'^Than commeth Septembre, that wynes be made and the fruytes of the trees be gathered, and than ti erewithall he doth freshly begyn to garnysshe his howse, and make prouysion of nedefull thynges, for to lyue within wynter, whiche draweth verye nearcj and than man is in his most stedfast and couetous estate, prosperous in wysdome, purposyngc to gather and kepe asmosche as shulde bee suf- ficient for him in his aege, whan he mayc gather no more^ and than is he liiii yeare of aege. — And than commeth Oc- tobre, that all is into the foresayde howse gathered, both corne and also other maner of fruites j and also the labourers plowe and sowe newesedes on the earth for the yeare to come, and than he that nought soweth nought gathereth. And than in these vi yere a man shall take himselfc vnto God for to doo penaunce and good workes, and than the benefites the yeare after his death he may gather, and haue spirituall profite, and fhan man is fully the terme of Ix yeares. — Than commeth Nouember, that the dayes be very shorte and the sonne in maner geueth but litell heate, and the trees losen thyr leues, the feldes that were grene, loketh hoore and grayej than all maner of herbes ben hyd in the grounde, and than appeareth no flowers. And than winter is come that the man bath vnderstandinge of age, and hath lost his kindly hete and strength; his teeth begyn to rot and to fayle hym; and than hath he lytle hope of long life, but desireth to come to the life euerlastingc. And these vi yeres make him Ixvi yeare of age. — Than last commeth December full of colde with frosts and snowes, with great wyndes and stormy wethers, that a ma~ may not labour nor nought. The sonne is than the lowest that it may descende. Than the trees and the earth be hyd F3 in in siiowe, than it is good to hold them nie tlie fyre. and tp spend the goods that they gat in sommer. For than man be- ginneth to waxe croked and feble, couchhige and spittinge, and lothsoiTi;, and than he loseth his partite vnderstandynge, and his heyres desire his death. And these vi yeare maketh hym full Ixxii yeares. And if he line any longer, it is by his good guydinge and dietinge in his youth. How be it, it is possible that a man maye Hue till he be C yeare of age, but there be but fevve that lyueth so long, tyl they com to a C yere of age. — Wherfore Plholomeus sayth moreouer, that of lyuynge or dyenge, the hcauenly bodyes may stegre a man both to good and euill, without doubt it is so. But yet maye man withstande it by his owne free wyll, to do what he wyll by hymselfe good or bad euermore. And aboute the whiche inclin-ition is the might and will of God that longeth the lyfe of ma" by his goodnes, or to make short by justyce." Art. XIV. A Lecture or Exposition vpon a part of the fifth chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrues Set forth as it was read in Paules church in London, the 6 of December I ^j 9,. By Edward Dering. Given for a New yeere' s gift, to the Godlie in London and else- tvhere. Perzised and allowed by authoriiie. Im- printed at London, by lehn Charleivood, 1581. Six- ieens, 24 leaves. An epistle " to his verie louing friend maister M. F." is prefixed and dated the 26th of December 1572. The te.xt is Heb. v. 7, 8, 9. This work was extended to " XXVII Lectures or redinges vpon part of the Epistle written to the Hebrues set forth as they were read in Paules church in London, by Edward Deringe, Ba- chelour of Diuinitie. Newly imprinted." n. d. again 1576, by Harrison. * * Art, XV. A Little Handfull of Cordial Conforts scattered thorowout several answers to certain ques- tions and objections following, by Richard Standfast, Mr. of Arts and Rector of Christ church in Bristol. Believe and Live. The fourth edition. London, printed by T. Mabb, and are to be sold by Ed- ward Thomas, at the Adam and Eve, in Little Bri- tain, 1665. Ap>.t. 71 Art. XVI. A Caveat against Seducers, as it was preached by Richard Standfast, Master of Arts, and Rector of Christ Church in Bristol ; whereunto are annexed. The Blind Man's Meditations, by the same authour. London, printed by T. Mabb,for Edward Thomas, at the Adam and Eve, in Little Britain 1664. %,^mo. The above two are bound together, and my motive in noticing it, is to introduce ihe author as a poet. The Blind M^n's Meditations are several pieces of poetry, from which I select the two following. " The Complaint of a Sinner, " Ah m3 ! What a wretch should I be. Should I suffer what I see That my sins do require ! There be none of them so small. Which for vengeance do not call. And for bitternest and gall. Loss of body, soul, and all In the pit of woe and thrall. 'Tis no less than endless fire. That in justice is their hire. Sin, Sin, With my life did begin. And I have lived therein All my daies heretofore! Sins of heart, head, hand and tongue. Through my life all along, Like a thread have they run, Binding me to be undone; Many and great are they grown, And if justice scan the score, I must perish evermore. Poor I ; Whither now shall I fly To be set at liberty, From this depth of misery? 'Tis not sea, 'tis not shoar 'Tis not all the Indian o're, 'Tis not Rome with all her store. That hath salve to cure my sore Oneh' One can me restore, f4 To 73 To that altar 1 will fly, There I'le live, there I'le dye. Save,' Save, Mercy, Lord, do I crave, Olheriefuge, none I navej Bill iliy mercy to implore; O look upon me through that side, Wliiclr ihe spear mad' so wide, Look on me through hiai that died. Arid f r sin crucified •Grant his wounds my sins may hide. And his hlood cross my score. And 1 ask but one thing more. Grace, Grace, In my heart do thou place. That 1 may run the race. Which thy laws do require. Give me. Lord, I humbly sue, Grace to know, grace to do, Grace that may me so renew. And confirm, and perfisct too. That, when death shall claim his due; Grace in glorj may expire. This is all mj desire." ''An Epitaph. " Life leads to death, so nature saithj Death is the way to Life, so Faith : Then let us think of both, say I, He that desires to live, must dye." I have nothing to add conceming the author, but the following intormation, which 1 have taken from an inscription to the memory of his great grandson in Marypori church, Bristol. Richard Standfast, M.A. Chaplain in ordinary to Charles I who, on account of his inviolable loyalty to the King, and firm attachment to the church, was for 14 years deposed, but on the Restoration, restored to his benefice and promoted to the dignity of a prebendary of the cathedral church of this city, where, notwith- standing a total privation of sight^ he continued to dis- charge the duties of each province as an able, diligent, and orthodox divine. J. F. Bristol, Art. 73 otg^£4S£o/^ TAM MARTI OVAM MERCVRlOr- Art. XVII. A brief Memoir of Giorge Gascoigne, with a complete List of his Works. More than seventy years ago, Mrs. Cooper, in her Muses Library, recalled the public notice to the poetry of George Gascoigne. Dr. Percy, Mr. Warton, R4r. Headley, and Mr. Ellis, have all since contributed to revive his fame. Mr. Gilchrist has also given an original memoir of him in the first volume of Censcra Litekaria, p. no. I am fearful' 74 fearful that I ran add nothing new to these accounts; but it is proper to say something of the author before a list of his works, which, it it is presumed, will be found more perfect than any hitherto given. This poet is said to have been descended from an ancient and noble family in E",ssex, which must therefore be taken to have been a branch of the eminent Yorkshire house of that name. Mr. Gilchrist however doubts whether Essex can in truth claim the honour of his birth, as he speaks of having " stale his Englishe in Westmer- land." It is now ascertained (by the appropriation of the life written by George Whetstone,) that he died at Stam- ford in Lincolnshire, Oct. 7, 1577, at which time it is probable, that if he was not very old, he was at least a middle-aged man; as Mr. Ellis rerriarks that he mentions " his crooked age and hoary hairs." On the other hand, as he took a Captain's commission in Holland under William, Prince of Orange, in 1572, a presumption arises, that he had not at that time outlived the vigour of life.® Our poet having been educated at Carjibridge chiefly, (if not exclusively) afterwards removed to Gray's Inn to pursue the law; hut, as is generally the case with men of a lively imagination, found that study too dull for him. The splendors of the court were better suited to his taste, though not to his finances. Here he exhausted his patrimony; and having resolved to seek his fortune abroad, embarked on March 19, 1572, at; Gravesend for Holland. In this voyage he narrowly escaped shipwreck; bat having at length reached the land in safety, obtained the military employment, which I have already men- tioned. In this occupation he distinguished himself at the siege of Middleburgh; for which he received an handsome present and promises of future promotion from the Prince. But he was soon surprised by the Spaniards, and taken prisoner near the walls of Leyden. He did not however during this active life discard the * It h to be lamented tliat while the numerous genealogical records of the ■ Heralds College pieserve the births, deaths, and connections, of thousands of insignificant people, tliey should furnish no notices regarding such men as Spenstr and Gasco.gnc, to link them with their ancestors; or particularize any circumstance of their own lives. Yet it has been argued wosr sagaciously that the silence of the Heralds is a proof of oiscuritj .' ! Edmund Spenser and O'-nrje G.tscoigne were no doubt very ehs-otirt men ! ! .'.' Muse Muse. For here he is said to have written in his winter quarters his poem entitled Ihe Fruits of IJ^ar, under the patronage of Lord Grey of Wilton, * from whom he professes to have received many signal favours. He was released from his imprisonment at the end of four months and sent back to England. On his return he is reported to have again fixed his residence at Gray's Inn, wiiere he was in high esteem among the wits of the age, for his talents in amatory poetry, and his skill in dra- matic compositions, as well as for his elegant translations both from the ancient and modern languages. In 1575 he retired to his " poore house" at Wahham- stow ; and there collected and published his poems. But it does not seem that he had totally forsaken the court; for in this year he wrote an account of "'77ie Princely Pleasures at Kenilworth." He did not enjoy his retirement long, as is evident from *' A remembrance of the wel-imployed life and godly end of George Gaskoigne, Esquire, who deceassed at Stalmford in Lincolnshire, the']th of October, i^'j'j: the reporte of Geo. Whetstone, Gent. An eye-witnes of his godly and charitable end in this world. London, printed for Edivard Jggas," \ &c. which unique pub- lication was lately bought by Mr. Malone from the curious library of Mr. Voight; and on examination proves the person commemorated to have been our poet. Some good specimens of Gascoigne's poetry have been given in the last volume of Censura Literari.'\, in the article on Hunting, extracted from Turberville. Puttenham's praise of him " for a good metre and a plentiful vein," is very correct. His poems are elegant, smooth, and harmonious; copious in sentiment and dic- tion; and anim.ated by an easy and abundant, though not a sublime, fancy. Yet with all this, he is not free from antithesis and conceit; and seems sometimes to affect a kind of courtier- like prettiness. Many specimens prove, that in moral and didactic poetry, he was capable of reaching considerable excellence. There is much ingenious delicacy in the followino little piece, which has been given by Mrs. Cooper. One of the patrons of Spenser. f SeeCEjjs. Lit. IV. 218. '« The 76 '■' The Arraignment of a Loucr. 1. •' At Beauty's bar as I did stand, When false Suspect accused me, George! quoth the Judge, hold up thy hand; Thou art arralgn'd of Flattery! Tell therrfore how thou wilt be tried! Whose judgement here wilt thou abide ? 2. My Lord^ quoth I, this Lady here. Whom I esteem above the rest. Doth know my guilt, if any were: Wherefore her doom doth please me best ; Let her be judge and juror both. To try me guiltless by my oath. 3. Quoth Beauty ; no, it fitteth not A I'rince herself to judge the cause: Will is our Justice, well you wot. Appointed to discuss our laws. If you will guiltless seem to go, God and your country quit you so I 4, Then Craft, the cryer, call'd a quest Of whom was Falsehood foremost feere : A pack of Pickthanks were the rest, Which came false witness for to bear. The Jury such ; the Judge unjust. Sentence was said, I should be trust. 5. Jealous the jailer bound me fast To hear the verdict of the bill : George, quoth the Judge, now thou art cast. Thou must go hence to Heavy Hillj And there be hangd all but the head. God rest thy soul, when thou art dead. 6. Down fell I then upon the knee. All flat before Dame Beauty's face^ And cried, good Lady, pardon me. Who here appeal unto your Grace , You know, if I have been untrue. It was in too much praising you. 7. And 7/ 7. And tho' this judge do make such haste To shed with shame my guiltless blood. Yet let your pity first be plac'd To save the man that meant you good. So shall you shew yourself a Queen, And I may be your Servant seen. 8. Quoth Beauty, well, because I guess What thou dost mean henceforth to be. Although thy faults deserve no less. Than Justice here hath judged thee. Wilt thou be bound to stint all strife And be true prisoner all thy life ? 9- Yea, Madam, quoth I, that I shall; Lo, Faith and Truth my sureties ! Why then, quoth she, come when I call ; I ask no better warrantise. Thus am I Beauty's bounden thrall. At her command when she doth call." Mr. Ellis, in his general character of the poetry of this reign, very justly remarks, " that the lyrical compo- sitions of this time are so far from being usually marked with a faulty negligence, that excess of ornament and laboured affectation are their characteristic blemishes. Such as are free from conceit and antithesis are, in gene- ral, exquisitely polished, and may safely be compared with the most elegant and finished specimens of modern poetry." Of these observations the above little piece is not a very inapposite exhibition, as perhaps it may be deemed to contain a mixture both of the beauties and faults, which they allude to. List of Works of George Gascoigne. A hundreth sundrie flowres bound vp in one small posie. Gathered partely (by translation) in the fyne outlandish gar- dins of Euripides, Ouid, Petrarke, Ariosto, and others: and pardy by inuention, out of our owne fruitefull orchardes in England : yelding sundrie sweete sauours of tragical, comical, and morall discourses, bothe pleasaunte and profitable to the well smellyng noses of learned readers. Meritum petere, graue. At London, Imprinted for Richarde Smith, n. d. [1572.J [In this collection was inserted] Svpposes, a comedic, writ- tea 78 ten in the Italian tongue by Ariosto, englished by George &,-.c jig'ic- ofli'-eie'^ inne, Esquire, and there presented 15(-6;* [dnd] locasta, a tragedie wiiiten in Grreke b}' Euripides, tran- slated and digi-sied into acte by George Gascoigne and Francis Kiiiwclmaish of.Greies innc and there by them presented in ]5(j6'. 'I he poMes of George Gascoigne, Esquire. Corrected, per- fer;cd, rind augmented by ihe author, 15/5. Tam mart! quam Marcurio. Pnprinted by HenrieBinneman for Richard Smith. Ihese-. bookes are to be sold at the North-west dore of St. Panics Church. The Glasse of Gouernement. A tragicall comedie so i n- tiluled bj'cause therein are handled aswell the revvardes for ' \ertu''s, as also the punishment for vices. Done by George Gascoigne, Esquier 1575. Blc^i.ed are they that feare the Lorde, their children, shalbe as the branches of oliue trees rounde about their table. Seen and allowed, according to the order appointed in the Queenes Majesties injunctions. Im- printed at London for C. Barker. [Col.] Imprinted at Lon- don by H. M. for Christopher Barker at the signe of the Grasse hopper in Paules Churchyarde, Anno Domini, 1755. [Another edition in, the same year appears to vary in the colophon. Her. 1803.] The Hermit's tale, at Woodstock, 1575, From the British Museum, Royal MSS. 18. A. XLVIIl. [Printed in the first volume of Queen Elizabeth's Progresses, by Mr. Nichols.] The Princely Pleasures, at the Courte at Kenelwoorth : -that is to saye, the copies of all such verses, proses, or poetical in- ventions, and other devices of Pleasure^ as were then devised, and presented by sundry Gentlemen, before the Queenes Ma- jestic, in the yeare 1575, Imprinted at London by Rychard Jhones, and are to be sold without Newgate, over against Saint Sepulchres Church, 1576- [Reprinted with the Progresses, Vol. I.] A delicate diet for dalntie mouthde Droonkardes. Wherein the fowle abuse of common Carowsing, and Quaffing with hartie draughtes, is honestlie admonished. By George Gas- coyne, Esquier. Tam, Marti quam Mercurio. Imprinted at London by Richard Jhones, Aug. 22, J 576. [The only copy known of this tract belonged to the late George SteevenSj who, with his usual urbanity, permitted Mr. Waldron to reprint it for the Literary Museum, 17S9. Steevens's copy is now in the possession of Mr. Heber.] The Droomme of Domesday. Wherin the frailties and * The Supposes was icpuntetl in Hawk-ins's Origin of tlie EngUsti Drama, Vol.11. 19 miseries of mans life^ are lyvely portrayed and learnedly set forth. Deuided 35 appearctii in the pr-ge next following. Translated and collected by George Gascoigne, Eii_|U)'er. Tarn Marti quam Mercurio. imprinted at London for Gubriell Cawood: dwelling in Pauks Churchyard, at the signe of the Holy Ghost, 157&. A DiscovrhC of a Discouerie for a new passage to Cathaia, written by Sir Humfrey Gilbert, Knight, 15/0, [iias a preface by Gascoigne. Herbert, 1041.] The whole woorkes of George Gascoigne, E-quyre : newlye compyled into one volume, that is to say : His Flower^, Hearbes, Weedes, the Fruites of Warre, the Comedie called Supposes, the Tragedie of lucasta, the Steel glasse, the com- plaint of Phylomeue, the Story of Ferdinando leronimi and the pleasure at Kenelworth Castle. London, Iraprirted by Abel leffes, dwelling in the Fore streete, without Creeplegate, necre vnto Grubstreete, IS87. [As this edition forms the completest collection of Gas- coigne's pieces, an enumeration of the usual contents may be acceptable.] , Prefixed to the volume are three epistles '' to the reuerend Deuines;" then "'to al young Gentlemen," and "to the readers generally." Eleven" pieces of English poetry in com- mendation by T[homas] B[astard] ; E. C; M. C ; R. S; T[homas] Ch[urchyard] ; G[eorge W[hetstone] ; P. B; A. W; L B; I. D; and Richard Smith. Then M. A; Peru- gins a ilittori; I de B and lecteurs ; H. 2.1; in poenaata, &c. the like B. C ; K. D ; eiusdem de eodem ; P. \V ; G. H j and E. H. On last page new title, of 1. Flowers, Tam, &c. In this diuision are conteyned [twenty eight pieces.] 2. The Fruites of Warre written vpon this Theame Dulccs Eellum inexpertis; and it was written by peece meale at sundry tymes as the authour had vacant leysures from seruice being begunne at Delfe in Holland, and dyrected to the ryght Honble the Lord Greye of Wylton, as appeareth by the epistle dedi- catory ne.xt following. 3. Hearbes. Tam, &c. In this diuision are contC}'ned [twenty pieces,] 4. Weedes. Tam, &c. In this diuision are conteyned [thirteen pieces.] * * Tanner describes Gascojgne's pieces as published ia two voIu.Ties, i^ySi .ind 1587, which appears a mistake. I believe the description should be 1572 and 1575. The poems are evidently to bind in two volumes, and perhaps the title of 1^75 was intended for the second volume. Of the abo\re numbers i and 2 regularly page to 160, and in 3 and 4 the paging begins a second time, and runs to 296. The other pieces are not paged. Probably, on close examina- tion of each collection, it would prove by the type some of the pieces have never extended beyond one edition, 5 A 8o b. A briefe rehearsal], or rather a true copie of as much as was presented before her maiesties at Kenelworth, during her last aboadc theee, * as followeth [Head title] 6. Certaine notes of instrucdon, the making of verse or rime in English. [Head title, prose] 7. The Steele Glas. A satyre compiled by George Gas- coi<^ne, Esquiere. Together with the Complainte of Phylo- meiie, an elegie, deuised by the same author, [Printer's de- vice of a bell, with raotto, " Prase the Lorde with harpe and songe."] A I. Imprinted Ano. 1567. [Second title.] The Steele Gla« A satyre co piled by George Gascoigne, Esquiie. Togither with the Complainte of Phylomcne, an eleg;e, deuised by ihe author, Tarn, &c. [Device ot Time drawing of Truth from the cavern, with the motto round it, " Occulta Veritas tempere patet."t] Printed for Richard Smith. No date. [At the back ofthis title, is a wood-cut of the author, a copy of which is given with the present article.:|:] 8. The Complaynt of Phylomene, an elegye, compyled by George Gascoigne, Esquire.;- Tarn, &c. Imprinted at London, by Henrie Binneman, for Richards Smith. ^n»iO Domini, 15/6. g. The Glasse of Gouernment. [Ut sup.] 10. The Droomme of Doomes Day. [Ul si.ip.]|| The Grief of Joy : being certain elegies, wherein the doubt- ful delights of man's life are displayed. [M. S. Tanner §] The Wyll of the Devyll, with his ten detestable Com- maundementes. By Geo. Gascoigne. Imprinted by Rich, Ihones. [No date. Bib. Beauclerkiana.] Commendatory Verses, prefixed to " Cardanus Comforte," 1576; bctore Turbervile's booke of Hunting, " in the com- mendation of the noble Arte of Venerie, 1575 ■" and Holly- band's French Littleton, I5g3. " G. Gaske," subscribed to " A Description of the World," in the latest edition of " The Paradice of Daintie Deuises," 1600, was considered by Mr. Reed as the signature of this writer; but see Ritson's Bib. Poetica, p. 218. ' Sic. ■f This device has been engraved as a head- piece for vol. ii. book 3. of Dr. Percy s Reliques of Ancient Poetry. ^ This was cut for Mr. Stace, Scotland Yard, who possesses an unusually fine copy of Guscoigne's poems. [I The whole of the poetical works o^ Gascoigne are inserted in the forth- coming editijn oFthe English Poets, by Mr. A. Chalmers. § Now in the British Museum. The other pieces mentioned by this virriter, which do not appear in the above list, are minor pieces, printed in the general divi..on3 of Flowers, Herbs, and Weeds T. Benfley, Printer, S«U Court, Fleet Streut, LoiH-in.. 38ritt0|) liblioarapfjer^ N° II. Art. I. Memoir of Sir Philip Sidney. Vv HEN the late Lord Orford represented the glorious Sir Philip Sydney as " an astonishing object of tempo- rary admiration," he called forth a feeling of indigna- tion from all enlightened and generous minds, which has been rather increased than diminished by the lapse of years since he ventured an assertion so unpropitious to his own reputation. The man, who could combine with so brilliant a genius *uch an heroic spirit and such incomparable virtues of the heart, and exhibit all these in their full splendoui within the short space of a life which did not extend to two-and thirty complete years, must be deemed the just wonder, not only of his own, but of every age. Memorials of Sir Philip Sydney may be found in most of our Biographical collections. A short life of him was Avritten by his friend Fulke Greville, Lord Brooke ; Ar- thur Collins, in the Memoirs of the family prefixed to the Sydney Letters, * has with great diligence and accuracy brought together a minute account of this great ornament of chivalry; and Dr. Zouch, the amiable editor of Wal- ton's Lives, has added to the grace:? of a lettered old age " Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Sir Philip Syd- ney," printed at YorK in one vol. 410. i8c8. As ihe public therefore has been so lately gratified with the leading particulars of this subject, it will be the less ne- cessary, and even less proper to repeat many facts, while indulgence may be allowed to a. few remarks naturally * In 2 vois. fol, 174,6, VOL. I, G springing 8z springing from so delightful and fertile an object of con- templation. Sir Philip Sydney was born at the noble family man- sion at Penshurst in West Kent, on Nov. 29, 1554- His father was the famous Sir Henry Sydney, the able Lord President of Wales and Lord Deputy of Ireland, of whom an ample account may be found in the fourth vol. of the lately reprinted edition of Holinshead's Chronicles. His mother wis the daughter of the powerful John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, too well known in the annals of K. Edw. VL Sir William Sydney, the grandfather,* was Tutor, Chamberlain, and Steward of the Household to K. Edw. VL from the time of his birth to his coro- nation ; and was son of Nicholas Sydney by Anne daugh- ter to Sir William Brandon, f and aunt to Charles Bran- don Duke of Suffolk. He was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, where he continued till he was seventeen years of age. He then obtained from Q.Elizabeth a license dated May 25, 1573, to travel abroad for two years, to, obtain the knov./ledge of foreign languages. In these travels. Lord Brooke relates, that though so young he gained reverence among the chief learned men abroad. And K. Charles IX. of France was so taken with his deportment and extraordinary merits, that he made him one of the Gentlemen of his Chamber. Dr. Zouch however remarks, that this has been considered as an insidious artifice to conceal the de- sign, then formed, of destroying the Protestants; for he had not held his office a fortnight, when he had to behold the dreadful massacre of the Huguenots, which filled all Europe with horror. He himself escaped by being in the house of Sir Francis Walsingham, the x\mbassador. From Paris he travelled through Lorrain, and by Stras- burgh and Heidelburgh to Frankfort. At the last place he became acquainted with the famous Hubert Languet, Minister of the Elector of Saxony, who was so taken viiith his behaviour and deportment, that Lord Brooke says, " he quitted his several functions, and became a nurse of * His wife wcs daughter of Sir Hugh Pakenham. ■J- By ElJz, d.iughtei' of Sir Robert WingJield, by Eliz. daughter of Sir Robert Gousell, by Eliz. daughter and heir of Sir John Fitzaiian, descended in the female line from both the Kings of Scotland and England. knowledge 83 knowledge to this hopeful young gentleman 5 and without any other hire or motive, than their sympathy of affec- tions, he accompanied him in the whole course of his three years travel." In 1573, he removed to Vienna, where he stayed till September, and then went into Hungary, and from thence into Italy, where he continued all the winter. Most of the summer, 1574, he spent in Germany; and the next spring he returned by Frankfort, Heidelburg, and Antwerp, home to Eiigland, where he arrived about May 1575. In 1576, when not much more than one and twenty 3'ears of age, he was sent by the Queen to the Emperor Rodolph, to condole with him on the death of Maxi- milian, in which high employment he gained great credit. The next year, on his return to England, he had an op- portunity of becoming acquainted with Don John of Austria, and William Prince of Orange. In T579 he opposed the Queen's marriage with the Duke of Anjou. " In this freedom," says Lord Brooke, " even while the greatest spirits and estates seemed hood- winked or blind, and the inferior sort of men made cap- tive by Hope, Fear, or Ignorance, did he enjoy the free- dom of his thoughts with all recreations worthy of him." His mighty spirit and warm temper jealous of his honour, on which he could not bear the least intrench- mentj was particularly exhibited at this time in a quarrel with Edward Vere, Earl of Oxford, himself a man of genius and a poet, but of an equivocal moral character. There are two reasons why I shall give this story at length in this place, and in the very words of Collins. It not only illustrates Sir Philip's noble feelings of fortitude and independence, but it brings into full view another Elizabethan author, * and a considerable contribuior to The * It seems that Lord Oxford was a great coxjomb. In Todd's Life of Spemcr (Works, Vol. I.) is the following passage: '* Harvey's Encomium Lauri is followed by what he calls Speculum Tuscanhmi, in other words, a re- preseiitition of the Earl of Oxford, as Nash assures us, and as it was believed by others ; although Harvey protests on finding that " a company of special good fellowes would needes forsooth very courtly persuade that the Mirrour of Tutcanhmo was palpably intended against hiin," he never meant to dishonour that nobleman with the least prejudicial word of his tongue, or pen; and ac- knowledges his obligations to him while at Christ's College. The Mi.rour, to c s whomsoever 84 The Paradise of Dainly Denises. It also proves the disgusting heighth to which the claims of aristocratlcal Erivileges were at that time carried, and even supported y the sovereign. It must appear astonishing to the pre- sent day, that an Earl of Oxford himself should thus pre- sume to treat a man of the birth and qualities of Sir Philip Sydney I " In this freedom of heart," says Collins, "■' being one day at tennis, Edward Vere, Earl of Oxford, a peer, born great, and greater by alliance (having married a daughter of the great Cecil) and superlative in the Queen's favour, abruptly came into the tennis court, and forgot to entreat that, which he could not legally command. And finding this unrespectiveness in himself (though a great Lord) not respected by Sir Philip Sidney, he grew to expostulate more roughly. The returns of which still coming to a heart, that understood what was due to itself, and what it owed to others, seemed through the mists of my Lord's passions, swoln with the wind of his faction then reigning, to provoke in yielding. Whereby the less amaze- ment, or confusion of tlioaghts, he stirred up in Sir Philip Sid- ney, the more shadows this great Lord's own mind was pos- sessed with, till at last with rage (which is ever ill disciplined) he commands them to depart the court. To this Sir Philip coolly answers his Lordship, that had he expressed desire, in milder characters, perchance he might have led out those that he should now find, would not be driven out with any scourge of fury. This answer (like a bellows) blowing up the sparks, of already kindled anger, made my Lord scornfully call Sir Philip by the name of puppy- In which progress of heat, as the tempest grew more and more vehement within, so did their hearts breathe out their perturbation in a more loud and shrill accent. The French Commissioners had that day audience in those private galleries, whose windows look into the tennis whomsoever the application belongs, represents a curious description of a per- son, whom, to adopt the i)hjase of Shaksi'jeare, we must suppose, '' the glass of iashion" in those days, according to the Italian style, " a not)leman," says Nash, adopting the phrases of Harvey, distinguished by " new-fishioned ap- parell and Tuscinish gestures, cringing side neclce, eyes glauncing, fisnomie smirliingj" and again, speaking of these letters to Spenser, he names the Earl of Oxford expressly: Harvey "came verie short but yet sharpe iippon my Ltird of Oxford in ^ rattling bundle of English hexameters." L'fo of S tenser, p. xliii. More particulars of Lord Oxford may be found in ^* Memoirs of K. James's Peers," and in the second vol. " of ParK't Royal and Noble Authors," wliere the story of his ill usage of his first wife Anne, (laughter of Lord Bur- leigh, may be read. He died aged scarcely more than sixty, June 14, 1604. See CoUins's Nolile Families, p. 266. court. 85 Court, They all instantly drew to this tumult, every sort of quarrels sorting well with their humourj but especially thisj which Sir Philip perceiving, and rising with inward strength, by the prospect of a mighty faction against him, asked my Lord with a !oud voice, that which he heard clearly enough before. Who like an echo (that still multiplies by reflections) repeated this epithet of puppy the second time. Sir Philip re- solving, in one answer to conclude both the attentive hearers and passionate actoi , gave my Lord the lye, impossible as he averred to be retorted, in respect, all the world knows, puppys are gotten ly dogs, and children ly men. Hereupon those glo- rious inequalities of fortune in his Lordship, were put to a kind of pause, by a precious inequality of nature in this gen- tleman. So that they both stood silent a while, like a dumb shew in a tragedy : till Sir Philip sensible of his own wrong, and the foreign and factious spirits that attended, and yet even in this question between him and his superior, tender of his country's honour; with some words of sharp accent he led the way abruptly out of the tennis court; as if so unexpected an accident were not fit to be decided further in that place. Whereof the great Lord, construing it in a wrong sense, con- tinues his play, without any advantage of reputation ; as by the standard of humours in those times it was conceived. "A day Sir Philip remains in suspense, wheii hearing nothing of, or from this Lord, he sends a gentleman of worth to awake him out of his trance : this stirred up a-resolution in his Lord- ship to send Sir Philip a challenge. , But these thoughts in the great Lord wandered so long between glory, anger, and ine- quality of state, as the Lords of her Majesty's Councel took notice of the differences, commanded peace, and laboured a reconciliation between them. Yet needlessly in one respect, and bootlessly in another. The great Lord being, as it should seem, either not hasty to adventure many inequalities against one, or inwardly satisfied with the progress of his own acts. But Sir Philip was on the other side confident, that he neither had, nor would lose, or let fall any thing of his right; which her Majesty's council quickly perceiving, recommended this work to herself. " The Queen, who saw that by the loss or disgrace of either she would gain nothing, presently undertakes Sir Philip, and lays before him the difference in degree between earls and gentlemen; the respect inferiors owed to their superiors; and the necessity in princes to maintain their oiyn creations, as degrees descending between the people's licentiousness and the anointed sovereignty of crowns; how the gentleman's neglect of the nobility taught the peasant to insult upon both. Where- G 3 mito 86 unto Sir Philip, with such reverence as became him, replied: first, that place was never intended for privilege to wrong, witness Lerself, who, how sovereign soever she were, by throne, birth^ education, and nature j yet was she content to cast her own afFections into the same mould her subjects did, and govern all her rights by the laws. Again he besought her Majesty to consider. That, although he were a great Lord by birth, alliance, and grace, yet he was ho Lord over him; and therefore the difference of degrees between free men, conld not challenge any other homage than precedency. And by her father's acts (to make a princely wisdom become the more fa- miliar) he instanced the government of King Henry the Eighth, who gave the gentry free and safe appeal to his feet against the oppression of the grandees; and found it wisdom by the stronger corporation in number to keep down the greater in power : inferring else, that if they should unite, the overgrown might be tempted by still coveting more, to fall, as the angels didj by affecting equality with their Maker. These truths did not displease the Queen, though he did not obey her com- mands. " Whereupon the same year he retired from court, and in that summer, 3 580, it is conceived he wrote the eloquent and entertaining romance called Arcadia, whereof there have been printed fourteen editions; which he dedicated to bis sister the Countess of Pembroke; and there is a room at Wilton, the lower pannels whereof are finely painted with representa- tions of the stories mentioned therein." Notwithstanding this quarrel with Lord Oxford, he appears, either immediately afterwards, or about this time, to have been engaged on the same side with him in a public exhibition of heroism. For Sir Wm. Seagar re- cords, that in 1580 a challenge to a Tournament having been brought before her Majesty by the Earl of Arundel and his assistant Sir Wm. Drury, against all Comers, the Defenders were the Earl of Oxford, the Lord Wind- sor, Sir Philip Sydney, and others; and the prize vi'as given by her Majesty to the Earl of Oxford. * About this time Sir Philip represented the County of Kent in parliament, and took an active part in the business of the House. In 1581 he attended, with his uncle the Earl of Leicester and others, the Di ke of Anjou to Antwerp on his depar- » Honor Military and Civil, p. 194. til re 8; ture from England. AndJan. 13, 1583, was knighted as pro That therewith my song is broken." " Song. " Go, my flock, go, get you hence, Seek a better place of feeding. Where j6n may have some defence Fro' the storms in my breast breeding. And showers from mine eyes proceeding. Leave a wretch in whom all woe Can abide to keep no measure ; Merry flock, such one forego. Unto whom mirth is displeasure Only rich in mischief's treasure. Yet, alas, before you go. Hear your woeful master's story. Which to stones I else would show : Sorrow only then hath glory. When, 'tis excellently sorry. Stella, fiercest shepherdess. Fiercest, but yet fairest ever j Stella, (whom O heavens do bless, Tho' against me she persever, Tho' I bliss inherit never,) Stella hath refused me, Stella, who more love hath proved In this caitiff heart to be. Than can in good ewes be moved Towards lambkins best beloved. Stella hath refused me, Astrophel, that so ^ell served In this pleasant spring must see. While in pride flowers be preserved< Himself only winter- sterved. Why, alas, doth she then swear. That she loveth me so dearly. Seeing me so long to bear Coals of love, that burn so clearly; And yet leave me helpless merely ? Is that love? Forsooth I trow. If I saw my good dog grieved. And a help for him did know. My love should not be believed, But he were by me relieved. H 4 Noj I04 No; she hates me, well away. Feigning love, somewhat to please me: For she knows, if she display All her hate, death soon would sieze me. And of hideous torments ease me. Then adieu, dear flock, adieu: But alas, if in your straying Heavenly Stella meet with you. Tell her in your piteous blaying. Her poor slave's unjust decaying." " Anacreontics. From the Arcadia. " My Muse, what ails this ardour To blase my only secrets? Alas, it is no glory To sing my own decay 'd state ! Alas, it is no comfort To speak without an answer. Alas, it is no wisdom To shew the wound without cure. My Muse, what ails this ardour ? ' Mine eyes be dim, my limbs shake} My voice is hoarse, my throat scorch'd j My tongue to this my roof cleaves ; My fancy amaz'd, my thought dull'd. My heart doth ach, my life faints. My soul begins to take leave. So great a passion all feel To think a sore so deadly I should so rashly rip up. My Muse, what ails this ardour? If that to sing thou art bent Go sing the fall of Old Thebes, The wars of ugly Centaurs, The life, the death of Hector j So may the song be famous. Or if to love thou art bent. Recount the rape of Europe, Adonis' end, Venus' net; The sleepy kiss the Moon stale : So may thy song be pleasant. My Muse, what ails this ardour. To blase ray only secrets ? Wherein do only flourish The sorry fruits of anguish. The I05 The song thereof a last will. The tunes be cries ; the words plaints ; The singer is the song's theme. Wherein no ear can have joy. Nor eye receive due object, Ne pleasure here, ne fame get. My Muse, what ails this ardour ? Alas, she sailh, I am thine; So are thy pains, my pains too. Thy heated heart my seat is. Wherein I burn, thy breath is ■ My voice, too hot to keep in j Besides lo here the author Of all thy harms : lo, here she. That only can redress thee ; Of her will I demand help. My Muse, I yield, my Muse sing. But all thy song herein knit. The life we lead is all love : The love we hold is all death; Nor ought I crave to feed life. Nor ought I seek to shun death ; But only that my Goddess My life my death do count hers." As the present article has already run to too great a length, and as the portrait intended to accompany it, has been delayed, I shall reserve the conclusion of it for another Number. Aug. 27, 1809. Art. II. The Arhor ofAmitie; wherin is comprised plea- sant poems and pretie poesies, set foorth hy Thomas Howell, Gentleman. Anno 1568. Imprinted at London by Henry Denham, dwelling in Paternoster- Rowe, at the signe of the Starve, pp. 104. i2mo. The Bodleian library is believed to possess an unique copy of this volume, which is dedicated "to the ryght noble and most vertuous Lady, the Lady Anne* Talbot," in prose and verse ; and under a wood-cut of a Talbot, preceding the poems, this family compliment is added: * Anne, daughter of William Earl of Pembroke, who married Francis Lord Talbot, the eldest son «f George Earl of Shrewsbury. "The io6 " The Talbot true that is. And still hath so remaynde, Lost never noblenesse By sprinck of spot distaynde : On such a fixed fayth This trustic Talbot stayth." The poet's friend (John Keeper, student) says of him, " Small gaines at first yong trees doe yeelde, lowe things youth handleth right; Of matter small the poets young at first began to write : • As Horace first his trifling toyes in booke did place and plat; And Virgil's youth occasion tooke to praise the sielie gnat. But length of lyfe shall Howell holde on stronger stem to stay : By cunning skill of setled braunch to beare the bell away. — Again — Him I doe judge Apolloes impe, and eke our Chaucer's peare. — f Then hope I well my Ho to pile, some greater woorke to see : O pittie tis this golden Muse should, vade and die with thee. Adewe, good friends, yee readers right, maintaine this braunch now shute; Then will he spring in time fiall trim, to yeelde you larger fruite." The volume in manner and matter much resembles Turbervile's medley of epitaphs and sonnets; and the shortest poems therefore may be regarded as the best. •• *' To one who after death would leave his livelie picture, " To leave behinde a picture fine to see, Jt may small time well stande in steede for thee: But picture faire of noble actes of minde. That farre excelles to learne to leave behinde. Which will maintaine a noble name for aye. As Tulli's tongue & Caesar's actes can saye. As Chauser shewes, & eke our morall Gowre, With thousands more, whose fame shall stil endure." '* Ta 107 <' To one that matcht with a frowarde Woman. " To get good Wife 'tis harde, sayth Cheremon; 'Tis better burie two then marrie one. Who marrie will, his hart will sone be spent. And after that he will also repent. A necessarie yll the Wyfe they call, But this is worst, it is perpetuall. Wherefore, my friende, thou dost me warie make Whome I to Wife & daylie mate shall take." ^^ An Epitaph made uppon the death of the Rt. .Hon. the Lady Garirid,* late Couniesse of Shrewislurie. " She of grace the garlande gay in goodly giftes did weare. Whose flowres do now, in children wise, of Talbot's line appeere : Of Rutlande's race she noblie sprang, and Hnkt with peerlesse pearle. Of Shrewisburie who bare the name, a noble worthy Earle: Whom she hath left behinde among the blessed branches fine. The working imps that sprang of them as of a vertuous vine." The following love-suit is curiouSj fronr being written in the Somersetshire dialect. " Jacke showes his qualities and great good will (• Jone. " Mine owne sweet Jone, let me not mone, no more I thee require; But as I crave, so let me have the thing I doe desire. And ich shall still, even at thy will, be readie at thy hande. To fling, to spring, & run neat ring, whilst ich am able stande. With cap & knee ich will serve thee, what should ich more declare; * Gertrude Manners, eldest daughter to Thomas first Earl of Rutland, and wife to George, sixth Earl of Shrewsbury, by whom she. left issue four sons and three daughters. The date of her decease is not given by Collins, or by Lodge, who speaks of heriii the Introduction to his valuuble lllostrations of British History. Thy io8 Thy minde to please, & bodie ease, is onely all my care. Though ich am not zo zeemlie chwot, as bene the courtnoles gayj Yet chave a flaile, that will not faile to thrashe both night & day. And nor manhood, charn zurc cham good, vor all our towne can zay — How stout ich stood with Robart Whood, when Baldoone voke vetcht may. And eke ich pas, both more and las, in dauncing Dountoones rounde : To trip, to skip, and handle a whip, cham zure my peers not vound. To.cloute a shooe, ich ma tell you, veowe cunning;ire there bee: And eke to theatch, wheare can je veatch another like to mee. In husbandry, ich am truely . ycounted to excell : Yee, & ich can, if neede be than, waight at the table well. For once ich went, up into Kent, with the headman of our towne: Where ich did waite at everye baite, before my lorde of May. No countrie man there is that can teach me, tho I doe zay : And, further more, thou knowestgay store of good will fall to mee; Vor Vather zed, when he is dead that all mine owne shall bee. Both calfe & cowe, & our great zowe, that viftene pigges did varro* Even at one tyme, shall then be mine, and eke our newe wheelbarro. Beside all this, ich shall not mis of red ones to have store. That aawe no zunne, nor yet the moone, of yeres cham zewer a score. And all, my Jone, shalt thou alone at thy commaundment have ; If thou wilt let me friscoles vet, in place where ich doe crave." * FaiTOw. Several lop Several of the poems are addressed to his friends, one to D. M. one to T. A. More than one to his friend J. K. (John Keeper.) See' Warton, Hist. iii. 418. A farewell to his friend T. Hooper. And the volume thus concludes with verses by Frauncis Flower, in commen- dation of the authour.* " As pamphlets for repast present good will of writers parte; So poems prove, & poesies praise, a well good wylling hart. How due desart by just desire reward may truely crave. The readers may consenting gree, if Howell prayses have." Another publication by T. Howell is noticed in Cen- SURA LiTERARiA, Vol. IV. p. 217. Of the author I find no mention in theMSS. of Aubrey or Wood. T. P. Oxford, July 29. A_RT. HI. A Learned and True Assertion of the original Life, Actes and death of the most Nolle, f^aliant, and Renoumed Piince Arthure, King of great Briitaine. Who succeeding his father Vlher Fendragon, and right jiolily gouerning this Land sixe and twentie yeares, then dyed of a mortall wounde receyued in hattell, together with victory ouer his enemies. As appeareth Cap. 9. And was buried at Glastonbury. Cap. 12. An. 543. Collected and written of late yeares in lattln, hj the learned English Antiguarie of worthy memory John Leyland. Newly translated into English by Richard Robinson Citizen of London. Anno Domini. 1582. Vbique [the flower de luce] Florescil. London, Imprinted by lohn Wolfe, dwelling in Distaffe Lane, ouer against the Signe of the Castcll. 1582. qto. Richard-Robinson was, probablj', early in life a ser- vant in the household of the Earl of Shrewsbury at Sheffield castle, and one of the domestic centinels em- ployed there to guard the ill-fated Queen of Scots. His night-watches produced a dull metrical com])ilation, as «' The Rewarde of Wickednesse" printed about the ' ^either Keeper nor Flower occur, as veisemen, in Ritson's Bibl. Poetica. year no year i574» * but which he afterwards either forgot, or intentionally omitted, in a manuscript list of works in his own hand-writing, and now in the British Museum. That manuscript must have been written at various times, from the year 1599 to 1603. Intended originally for Royal inspection, it is first addressed to Q. Elizabeth, and afterwards altered to suit her successor. It consists of a folio, extending to seventy-nine closely written pages, and the narrow margins transversely filled with various quotations. The whole bears the usual character of his compositions; every sentence gathering shreds -of the sacred writings, and otherwise garnished from Ovid, Tibullus, See. forming a compilation of useless pedantry and misplaced piety. By attempting to give a list of all his printed works, a detail is formed of what good benefactors he had for maintenance of his poor study and pen, and what hindrance he otherwise suffered from 1576 to 1602, a period of twenty-six years. It is noticeable that the narrative commences two years after the " Rewarde for JVickednesse" appeared, and he might not wish to revive the record of servitude engrafted in that title, as about 1576 he obtained, or assumed, what his pride often re- peated, the distinction of " Citizen of London," t In that year he seem§ to have commenced author by profession, and besides the " Epitome of a Common Wealth" from Patritius, there appeared " Certeyn select History es for Christian Recreation oute of hatin prose into English verse, with theyre severall and apte tunes.'' TS link .the domestic of the Earl of Shrewsbury with our' author, in addition to similarity of name and composition, anolher connecting fact 1 consider to occur in some lines prefixed to ihe. Reward of Wickednesse,fihtxehy K^\chs.xdi Smith, clerk, extols " this Robinson the riibi red," al- luding to " Robinson's Ruby, an historicall fiction, translated oute of Latin prose into English verse, with the prayer of the moste Christian poet Ausonius." Printed by Charlewood, Barbican, 1577. For the dedi- cation he received two French crowns, and " made benefit of twenty-five bookes mo." * Vide article by Mr. Park, Cike. Lit. Vol. IV. p. 36. ., f How he obtained this civic honour does not appear. Neither purchase or servitude seem probable. His birth-place is alluded to when describing Robin Hood's May game as he ' " " reniembreth of a childe in contreyc native mine." In ili In 1577 also appeared the translation of the Gesta Bomanorum, the only popular work he published, which passed the first six editions during his life-time.* The list of his works is too voluminous to follow dis- tinctly. With the record of literary labour a few perso- nal anecdotes are occasionally blended, and the detail un- wittingly forms a melancholy memorial of the precarious source of existence which a man of letters, depending on his pen, of necessity resorted to at that period. Uncertain bounty of individuals for dedications, often new vamped as opportunity suffered, and always liberally paid for by vjs. viijd or xs. with the chance sale of a few copies of a work, thrust upon the purchaser by the needy and con- tinued urgency of the author, was the principal and too often only hope of Robinson. For several years he chiefly relied on " a proceeding in the Harmony of King David's Harp," printed oc- casionally in five parts. The.t^iird part he dedicated, without permission, to Elizabeth, and formed sanguine expectations of partaking the royal munificence. He presented a copy to her Majesty as going to the chapel in the morning at Richmond on the first of November, 1595 (the winter, as'he describes it, before that summer when she sent the navy to Cadiz), and which proved a , vain expedient to excite commiseration. , Doctor Csesar, Master of the Requests, he tells the Queen, returned for answer; "Your Maiesty thancked me for my good will; your Highnes was glad yow had a subiect coulde do so well, and that I deserved commendations. But for any .gratification for any suche labour, youre Maiesty was not jn mynde as then to bestow any suche relief vppon meej for your Highnes (as bee sayde) had/Care of the chargeable voyage to come of releving your nedy soldyers and re- quyting of theyre paynes. Fynally youre Highnes sett nie not on worck and therefore you were not to pay me any wages f Herewith (he continues) I departed from yo^ Highnes court at Richmond pacyently as a poore man before, but i)ow, by this meanes, become a poorer." * See account of Gesta Romanorum in Illustrations of Shakspeaie by Mr. Douce, Vol. II. p. 423. ■f The Queen probably was well acijuainted with his w rks. Dr. Fafmer possessed a copy of The jiistrtion, having the Royal aiais on the binding. Poverty 112 Poverty, long habituated to expect refusals, feels little mortification at remarking a groundless subterfuge, but the denial of ten, or as royal bounty, twenty shillings, from the fear of impoverishing an English armament, is in character for a Queen whose " vanity lay more in shining by her own learning, than in encouraging men of genius by her liberality.,"* Let it be hoped the sting of neglect and disappointment to a man that always uttered praises and combated difficulties with a text of scripture, would lose its poignancy in the calm doctrines of piety and resignation. Without repining he r^ounts the inconveniences then experienced as more than he ever felt since he could handle a pen, and for the next six months found bare support in his own labour, uttering of books, and bounty of friends. " All (he says) was litle ynough, and bee to litle to meynteyne mee,' my wyfe, and one pore chylde, with meate, drincke, lynnen, wollcn, rent and necessaryes, even very meanely : so as before youre Maiestyes Royall Navy went to Cadiz, in June followyng, 1596, I (still wanting my sayd rele^f), had solde away certeyne of my howsehould moveables, pawned away dyverse good bookes oute of my chest, alisd my very gowne from my back; yea, and (within two years after) was constrayned to sell away the verv lease of my house, wherein T then dwelt, in Harp Alley, in Shoe- lane, for the rent due to the landlord at Micha's 1598." Indigence was not the only difficulty to encounter; he found another, equally formidable, in the never conquered hydra, popular clamour. Of the prejudicial circum- stance involving him in a. bickering contest with the city 'prentices, he makes a long and tedious recital. f Having visited * Hume. I f This part has a separate title', consisting of the following lines, central ef an incredible number of passages selected from the Bible. *< Mercvry marr larr, malice Scovrge and make peace : or a Messenger of consolation to truthe and Innocepcy But of shame & confusion to fiilshood & Forgery : from August 1593 to May this yeare 1603. Discovering and detecting a forge of false devyse. In Fleet street of London founded and framed: At y'. shopp of shame by the lewde Apprentyce, (Of Rob. Griffith a scrivener) Rich. Veale so named. Ana 113 visited the chambers of a gentleman in Cliffords Inn, to sell his books, a cloak was shortly afterwards missed, ' when the owner following, cried " hold him, hold him," and upon obtaining the cloak gave the unfortunate author a box on the ear and let him depart. From this fabri- cated tale of slander his ears were continually saluted by a cry from the prentices of " hold him, hold him." Falsehood is easily disseminated and spreads rapidly. This story is supposed to have spread through " moste pishes, streetes, lanes, howses, and shoppes, but moste horribly at the conduit in the city :" a circle so extensive that it may be considered rather enlarged by the fretted passions of the narrator. That the process of time did not abate the annoyance is certain, neither did appli- cation to the spiritual pastors of the parish, and temporal magistrates in successive Lord Mayors, obtain more than a slight and ineffsctual interference. * The fate of the " sclaunderus prentice," was similar to his calumny. Having in 1599 taken five pounds from his master's desk, whieh he lost or consumed at the revels in the Inner Temple, he was turned out of service, and con- tinuing gaming and drinking ; about three years afterwards he fell to some worse action, when " a warrant was sent by a pursyphant to apprehend him, but not beyng found, heefled (as Some thincke) to the Brill." An interlineation, that might be made at some later period, records the child dying of a consumption from want of succour and maintenance: and the father made several unsuccessful applications to obtain the tenantcy And by this evill example so suffered lykewyse, Teim ycaies growir to malice & mischief vntamed: From shopp to howse corru, ting chylde & apprentyce. Whose piiren's & masters they here make assharaed. So as this false forge and shonp of shames practiz, Not punished, disciplined, nor rightly yet reclamed, Gods dishonor & pore mans wrong for iuat reveng cryes On falshood and his followers w^^. have truth defamed." • Churchyard might allude to this report when he says, " Richard Robin- son, a man more debased by many then he merits of any, so good pans are there in the man." Dedication to " a trve discovrse historioaH of the svc- ceeding Governbvrs in the Netherlands," from Metcranus, i6oz. In this work, and probably in some others, they were jointly concerned. Robinson Stiles Churchyard her Majesty's " Capteyn, Poet and Esqr." YOL. I. I of ZI4 of one of the " twelue Allmose Rowmes at Wcst- minstfer," in the disposition of the Queen. Robinson's pieces are chiefly upon pious subjects, and in number exceed twenty, all of them scarce, and seve- ral unknown : others were planned but probably not com- pleted. As a translator his labour was nearly unceasing, and his confined genius probably discovered that, as the more lucrative, and easy progress to the press. His lan- guage and style is sufficiently developed in the course of this and the following article. The author's list is divided into three columns, con- taining the titles, allowance and printing, patrons and benevolences. There is entered of 1582 " The learned English Antiquary John Leylandes Assertio Arthvrii quondam Regis Anglise: by mee translated out of Latin into English, with the annotations of Mr. Stephen Bat- man pson ofNewington Butts.* — Pcrvsed and allowed by the Wardens of y^- Stacyoners, 8c printed by lohn Wolfe, then Clerck to the Stacyoners, t in Pawles Church yarde : yt conteyned 14 sheetes printed. — Dedi- cated to the R. Honorable L. Arthure Gray, Baron of Wilton (then her Maiestyes LeevetenantGenerall in Ire- land), who gave me here in London x'. AUso to the R. Honorable S^ Henry Sydney, knight, her Maiestyes preeside't in Wales, J who gave mee here allso for his booke 6^ 8''. and dedicated allso to Mr. Thomas Smyth thefe customer for her Maiesty in the porte of London, who gave me for his booke 6^ Besydes 35 bookes w~ch I made my benefit of at least xP." At the back of the title, " Insignia Illustrium Patronorum, huius opusculi sclecto- rum." Arms, then the Epistle Dedicatory, inscribed to Lord Arthvre Gray, Sir Henry Sidney, Knight, M. Thomas Smith, Esquire; " & to the Worshipfull Societie of Archers in Lon- don yearely celebrating the renourred memorie of the magnifi- cent Prince Arthvre & his Knightly Order of the Round Table There were neuer Brittaines wanting of excellent learn- • Translator of Bartholomeus de proprietatibus rerum. ■f- This varies from Herbert's extriicts from the Stationer's books, whereby Wolfe appears to have acted only as beadle from April 1587. J Father of Sir Philip S. For a dedication to MeUncthon's prayers "Mr. f hilip Sydney, Zif." gave him four angels, and his fether s*. ing 1^5 ing and exquisite knowledge to leaue with carefull diligence and credible commendation tiie progenia, life, prowesse, pros- perities and triumphant victories of our said auncient Artliure. worthely publisiied vnto the worlde. *. . . Many artizans, as learned Gildas, William of Malmsbury, Nennius, Diuionenses, Grain's, losephus, Geoffrey of Munmuth, Siluester Giraldus, &c. performed their worthie workmanshippes in our Arthur Maur (to vse the Brittaine phrase:) euen one English Leyland for his learned laboure laudable, hath perfectly polished him in all poyntes. Chusing a cheefe & most perspicuouse, a valiant and most victoriouse, a couragiouse and most conquer- onse, a religiouse and most redoubted Royall soveiaigne King Henry the eight, as sole supreme patron and protector thereof against the cankered currish kinde of caueling carpers: bycause his elder brother being named Arthure, he himselfe a most christian King for all heroicall vertues commendable, the rather seemed to fauour and further the aduancement of the fame of his most renoumed auncestor this same our ancient Arthure and the knightly traine of his rounde table. Hereupon by patent of his princely prerogatiue ordayned, graunted, and confirmed hee, vrito this honorable Citie of London, free elec- tio~of a Chieftaine and of Citizens representing the memory of that magnificent King Arthure, and the Knightes of the same order, which should for the maintenance of shooting onely, meete together once a yeare, with solemne and friendly celebration thereof Your Honourable Lordships and wor- thie Worships most humble and faithfull poore Orator, Richard Robbinson, Citizen of London." "I. L. ad candidos Lectores,'' eight lines, with translation. Authors " whose testimonies this present booke vseth," con- sisting of eleven foraine and thirty Brittaine. " Certaine memorable notes inserted into this assertion since the translation thereof. .... First by conference with Master Steuen Batman, a learned preacher and friendlie fauourer of vertue and learning, touching the praise worthie progenia of this K. Arthure, he gaue me this assured knowledge on this tnaiier taken out of his auncient re'cords written at Aualonia. " Verses found in certaine Cronicles, wherein were discourses had of Aruiragus king of Brittaine forty-five years after the natiuitie of Christe Moreouer he shewed me out of his auncient records the interchaunges of King Arthures armes which hee gaue in three chiefes, from the first to the third j ' " Honest King Arthur will neuer displeasea souldier." Sidney's Defence of Poesie. I 2 viz. ii6 viz. His first arraes he bare in a shield gules, (red), three ser- pentes. Or. (gold). His second hee bare in a shield Vert, (greene), a plaine crossargent : in chiefe the figure of the Virgin Marie with Christe in her armes. His third and last in a shield azure (blew), three c[r]ownes. Or (gold). " But after knowledge of these seuerall armes I had intelli- gence of a certaine French booke, wherein he is reported to haue giuen in a shielde Azure (blew) 13 crownes, Or. gold. This booke beeing in an English mans handes I was not so de- sirous to see it, but he as willingly shewed it & lent it me. There was in it portracted both the seuerall names, shicldes, and seuerall armes in colours also depainted of all K. Arthures knightes, and vnder euery one the commendation due vnto him by his cheualrie. Which because the engauing of their armes was very chargeable, & the circumstance of matter more then Pcoulde in so shorte time publish in the English tongue, I was enforced to content me with this briefe collection con- cerning K. Arthure, and with the names of sixteen kings, [ex- clusive of K. Arthur] one' duke, and 149 [should be J 50] knights, so many as were therin printed. * [Here follows the enumeration, \ * By an error of the press In repeating a number, the list appears to have only 149 knights. As the deeds of these doughty heroes of romance and chivalry continue to awaken interest, their names may be csnsidered amiising. " Kmgcs. Le Roy Meliadus : Le Roy Ban de Benock : Le Roy Boort de Gauues : Le Roy Karados : Le Roy Lac : Le Roy de Clares : Le Roy Vrien : Le Roy Lottho de Orchany : Le Roy Ryon ; Le Roy Pelinor ; Le Roy Bau- itmagus, de Gorre : Le Roy Pharamondo : Le Roy Galganoys de Norgalles : Le Roy Aguisant d' Escosse : Le Roy Malaijuin' d' outre Ics marches de Gal- lounne : Le Roy Claudias. «' [Duke.'\ Le Duke de Clarena. " Knightes. Messier Lancelot du Lac i Boort de Gauues : Gawain d'Or- ehany : Messier Tristran de Lyonnoys : Lyoner de Gauues : Helias le Blanc : Hector des Mares: Bliomberjs de Gauues : Galiefriet: Keux le Scneschall: Messier Yuaine ; Bruor le Noir : Baudoyer le Cor.estable : Agruall de Galles : Segurades: Patris le Hardy : Esclabbr le Messoniez : Saph;ir le Mescognieu : Sagremorlc desree: Gyrou leCurtoys: Seguram leBrun : Gaki^jult le Blanc: Le Morhclt de Ireland : Danayn -le Roux : Amilari de Sessougne" : Brallain : Brallain que Ion disoit le Cheualier an duex crpees: Gallchaulte : Lamorat de Lysthenoys : Brunor de Gauues : Le bon Cheualier de Koigalles : Henry de Ryuell: Messier Gullat : Gucherres : Aggrauaine le OrguiUeux : Mordrecde Orchany : Gyrfflet : Dodvnel le Sauaige : Yuain le Auoutre : Ozementcoeur hardy: Gualegantine le Galloys. Gaherriet de Lemball : Mador de la porte : Bamersle forcene : Dynadara de Estrangor : Herret le filz de lac: Artus le petit: Cinglant Rochmont: Artus lesbloy : Gualiegrcnant de Windczores : Kandelis : Merangis des portz : Gauuainele franc: Gnades le fort: Pharas le Noir : Pharas le Roux lambegues le Gariuloys : Taulas de la mountaine : Abandam le fortune : Damatha de folime"t: Amand le bel lousteur : Ganesmor le Noir : Arphin le Dire : Arconstant Ic adures : Le Beau Courant : Le laid hardy: Andelis le Roix serre~ ; Bruyant des Isles : Ozenall deEffrangei: Ls Cheualier 117 eTmnaeration, concluding with an acknowledgment of the help of Stow and Cambden for interpretation of names of places, J which neither Master Leyland the collector of this assertion had expounded perfectlie, neither I my selfc the translator could otherwise of my selfe haue perfourmed." Leyland's work is generally known. Anxious to pre- serve the fame of one of our greatest heroes of antiquity, and prove the existence of Arthur beyond the doubt of fable, he collected all the accounts, historical and narra- tive, from the best existing authorities, in order to con- fute the allegations of " William Paruuis, and Polydorus Vergilius." Hearne reprinted the Assertio Arthvrii ia the Collectanea, Vol. V. The translation is divided into seyenteen chapters, from which the following extracts form part of the outline of the romance, already so ably described in our precediug pages. Chap. 1. The assertion of K. Arthur, " the chiefcst orna- ment of Britayne and the onely myracle of his time." To give " Arthures originall euen from the very egge," the story of' Igerna, the wife of Gorloys the Gouernour of Come wall, " a woman no doubt of most louely feature, but of an improbate or vitious chastitie," is related; by whom Vther, surnamed Pendragon, " so called foi' his serpentine or subtile wisedorae, * in lust had Arthur, " together with a beautiful! virgin named Cheual'rer de Esther : Le Vailet de Gluyn : Heroys le ioyeux : Fergus du blanc lien: Lot Ic coureur : Meliadus del Espinoy : Meliadus annoir teync of the Bishopsgate warde and Broad strete warde; then a good man (1588} now prisoner in the Tower syncs February 1601." Robinson. fooiman ^35 footman was to be provided with " halberd or caliuer," and the horseman with " staffe and a case of dagges."* The usefulness of the art is strongly contended for in the Discourses of Sir lohn Smythe, Knight, who accuses military men of making " vaine and friuolous obiections against Archerie to suppresse and extinguish the exercise and seruiceable vse of long-bowes;" t but at that period it may be considered as onely followed for amusement. K. James, in the Instructions to his Son, (1603) enume- rates it among the exercises to be used moderately, not making a craft of them as "running, leaping, wrastling, fencing, dauncing & playing at the caitche or tennise, archery, palle maille, & such like other faire & pleasant field games." Cleland who enlarged on the work of the monarch, in the " Noble Institutions," speaks only of the " pastime of Shooting." This subject will be re- sumed in a future article. J. H. Art. V. The First Pari of the no lesse rare then ex- cellent and stately History of the famous and fortu- nate Prince Palmerin of England. Declaring the lirth of him, and Prince Florian du Desart his brother, in the Forest of Great Britaine: the course of their Hues afterward in pur suing Knightly adventures and performing incomparalle deeds of Chivalry. Wherein Gentlemen may find choise of sweet inven-^ tions, and Gentlewomen be satisfied in courtly expec- tations. Translated out of French, by A\nthony'] M[^unday'\ one of the Messengers of her Majestie's Chamber. Patere aut alstine. London : Printed by Ber. Alsop and Tho. Fawcett, dwelling in Grulf street neere the lower Pumpe. 1639. Second Part with a similar title-page and date, both in b. I. Small 410, The First Part runs to D d 8— the Second to F f 3. Art. VI. Palmerin D'Oliva. The First Part : shew- ing the Mirrour of Nobilitie, the Map of Honour, • Cens. Lit. Vol. VII. p. 240. \ A great portion of this performance is inserted in the " B jwmsn' t K. 4 Anakmt 1^6 Anatomie of rare Fortunes, Hero'icalV presidents of Loue, wonder of Chivalrie, and the most accom- plished F-^;iight in all perfection. Presenting to nolle miiids, llieir courtly desire, to Gentiles their expet- taiions, and to the inferiour sort, how to imitate their vertues: handled with modestie to shun offence yet delightfuU for Recreation. Written in Spanish, Italian, and French : a?id from them turned into English, hy J[[nthony] M{unday'], one of the Mes- sengers of his Majesties Chamber. Patere ^ alsline. London:- Printed for B. Alsop and T. Faivcet, dwell- ing in Grub street neere the lower Pumpe. 1637. Palmerin D'Oliva. The Second Part: of the Honour- able Historic of Palmerin D'Oliva. Continuing his rare fortunes, K?iightly deeds of Chiualry, happy successe in loue, and how he was crowned Emperour of Constantinople. Herei7i is likewise concluded the variable troubles of the Prince Trineus, and faire Agriola the Kings daughter of England : with their fortunate Marriage. Translated, &c. Both parts, I. I. Small 4c3 it as his own, and educates it, until his lofty blood aspiring to knightly deeds, he is led from his supposed father's habitations by an accident, and commences his career of renown. - His sorrowing mother at length yields a reluctant consent to the applications of her parents, and weds Ta- risius, whom she accompanies into Hungary. Palme- rin, born to be admired, becomes the object of affec- tion to Laurana, daujjhter of the Duke of Durace: this passion is mutual, and the knight gives way to it without resistance, and encourages it in the lady, until warned in a dream of his dwarfs that to another damsell his vows are fated. This dream is of a singular nature, and from the fright into which it put the innocent squire, reminds us of the unhappy situation of Sancho, whose personal sufferings were destined to remove the enchant- ment of Dulcinea, an object certainly in which, although his master was materially concerned, the rib-roasted Panga had no interest whatever. Fate now leads the way to the court of the Emperor of Almaigne, where his daughter, the future wife of Palmerin, resides. His introduction to the court is a splendid one, as he overpowers an enchanted knight who had been gifted with the privilege of never being overcome in fight but by one possessina; an enchantment oi superior force. This wretched conjuror, notwithstanding, is defeated by a greater conjuror than himself, and his " charmed life" falls before the blade of our hero. • The Emperour, re- joicing in the fall of his hitherto invincible foe, calls Pal- merin before him. " So went Palmerin to the Emperour, who calling him to him, said ; my noble friend, I shall make knowne to you what hath been concluded in your absence. The ladyes of the court haue been so long lockt in, for feare of the enchanted Knight whom you haue slaiiie, as tbey haue desired to progresse a litle, for which cause, and to pleasure them I haue thus determined; two leagues hence haue I a goodly castle, enuironed with woods 144 woods and pleasant meadowes ; there may wee hunt the wilde hart, and bore, with other pastimes : but now haue I caused scaffolds & other prouision to be made there for a Tourney, and forty knights will 1 appoint in this action, tc-nne against tenne, and the first conquerours shall keepe the field against tenne other, that shall reuenge the tenne vanquished ; so having all jousted, they shall fight at Barryers, with * rebated swords, and the brauest champion shall haue a rich jewel!, which the Empresse hath prouided for that purpose: now would I haue you one of the ten challengers, and iry nephew Ganerino, en the defendants side: for him doo I esteerae one of the best knights of my courte: will you not doo thus much at my request ? God forbidde (said Palraerinj that I should re- fuse any thing you please to command." Pdrt I. I. 7. Ill this jousting, as we may imagine, Palmerin conquers all the other knights and obtains the prize; after which " the tabells being couered, the Emperour, and all the knights of the Tourney sate down to meat : where much talk was spent as .concerning the successe on all sides, but Palirteiin and Polynarda had enough to doe to. view each oihtr, their eyes, doing their office, and carrying between them the message of their passions, yet so dis- creetly shaddowed, as none could perceive them. Supper ended, the knights and ladies went to dancing, and after- wards to their chambers, because the Emperour com- manded the next day another tournament."t Parti. K. a. In a subsequent part we find England and the acts of Englishmen forming a considerable part of the narrative, in - '* one who never feels The wanton stings Sc motions of the sense j But doth rel?i te and hlur.t his natural edge With profits of the mind." Measuie for Measure, Act i. sc. 5. In the reign of Hen. W, certain gentlemen calling them'selves ** servants of the Lady Maiie," offered to keep the course at Greenwich, and to run courses against all comers for six days. On tie third day, to strike eight strokes with su'oides rebated, and foure more for the suke of an aduersary's mistress.'* On the finj^ day to fight on foot with speares rebated. (MSS. Harl. apud Strutt.), •f Of the fidelity of this portrait of ancient manners we may judge from the eounteipart given by Froissart, in speaking of the lejoicings aiade on the entry of Isabel cf Bavaria into Paris — he says " These iustcs contynued tyll it was nyght ; tlian they departed & the ladyrs brought to their lodgynges. The kynge with his company \.as brought to his lodgynge of Saynt Pole, and there was a supper for the ladyes with suche haboundance that it were haide to re- cords 145 in which the latter appear in an honourable point of view, and indeed the character of our countrymen for chivalric virtues was very early a subject of admiration on the continent. St. Palaye repeatedly bears testimony to this fact, and towards the conclusion of his treatise on Ancient Chivalry, having enumerated ihe virtues which in the first years of chivalry, were the foundation of its glory, he says (" and for which, in the good old times, the English were no less renouned)." Numbers obtained not success in their attacks on Pal- merin, more than individuals; whether they charged him in a body, or run singly their courses against him, his usual force and skill enabled him to baffle their as- saults, and send them grovelling to the earth — having discovered Hermes one of his friends in the custody of tweh'e knights, belonging to the Duke of Gaul, he at- tacked them all without delay, and speedily maimed, dis- comfited, and overcame them : and then, in compliance with the customs of knighthood, disposed df their horses; and coming to Hermes said " What doo you Sir Knight? Why take you not the best horse among all the dozen? That shall I, sir, seeing you command me. *' Hermes, mounting on horseback, commanded his squire to take a fresh one for him likewise, and so they rode on together rejoicing at this good fortune" We learn from St. Palaye that to settk exactly, and to lace the helmet on the head was an art which demanded much skill, and in- deed of which the necessity must be very obvious.* We are repeatedly informed, that Palmerin clasped his hel- met, not meaning thereby that he put it on his head, but . that cordc it and the feest iind reuell with syngyngc and daunsyng till the nexte mornyngc the sonuc rysinge." Froissart's Chronicle, Lord Berner/s Translation, 1^25, Vol II. fol. 175. • Carelessness in this partiKuJaf has been more than once attended with iatal tffccts : owing to neglect in fastening his v'sor securely Henry the Second of France lost his lite, as did Aymer de Valence Earl of Pembroke. Our Hei .-y the Eighth ne-;riy suffered sever'rly, fiom his inattention to this point. ** The X (fay of March the Kiug having a new hariies^e made of his own dev!s:r and fashion, such as no armorer before that time lud scene, thought to assay the same at the tilte,and appointed a lustes to serve him. On foote v/ere appointed the Lorde Marques Dorset and the Erie of Surrey. The King came to one ende ■bf the tllte, and the Duke ofSuffolk to the other: then a gentleman sjyd to the Duke, s:r the King is come to the tilte's ende— I see him not, sayd th« veL. J. L Duke 146 that the joints of the visor were carefully fastened ere he ventured on his coarse. The Turks, as is usual in our old romances, occupy a prominent situation ; sometimes unmerciful, sometimes benevolent, but always abused, and never fortunate The fair princess of England with her husband Trineus (whose misfortunes are mentioned in the title page of the recond part) unluckily become prisoners to Olimael, an autho- rized freebooter; he tenders the lady to the Turkish soldan, who retains her in his seraglio, until death frees her from his power. " Olimael, in consideration of his noble 'present, was created High *Admyrall of the Mediterranean Sea, and furnished with greater store of •j- foystes and galleyes than he had before." Pt. ii. c. i. As the history advances towards a conclusion, that is to say, when the writer's imagination can no longer eke out a tournament or a brawl, it becomes necessary to unite the long separated Florendos and Griana, and thus re- move the blot from the shield of Sir Palmerin : the ar- Duke on my faith, for my head piece taketh fiom me my sight. With these wordes, God knoaeth by what chaunce the King had his speare delivered him by the Lorc'e Msrques, the uiser of his head-peece being up, and not downe nor fastened, 50 that his face was cleane naked. Then the gcntle]nan sayde to the Duke, sir the Kin J comnjctb, then the Duke set forwarde and charged his speare, and the Kins, likcwis : unadvisedly set toward the Duke: the people perceiiin^ the Kin_,es face bare, cryed hold, holde, the Duke neyther sav nor heard, and whether ihc K'ng remeinbred that his visar was up or no, fewe could tell ; alas whL^t sjyiow was it to the people when thev saw the spleteis of the Dukes s,"e3re strike on the Kinges hedpecce; for on a sueitie the Duke strake the King on the brcv. e right under the defence of the headpece on the very cay.e, scull, cr baiseii-t pece wherv:ito tl;e tarbet for power or defence is charr.eld, to wh'ch cayfe or bagsenet neuer armorer taketh heede, for it is euei*- more couered with the visar, biirhet and volant pece, and so that ptce is so de- fentied that its of no charge. But when the speare on that place lighted it was great ieopardie of dca:h, insomuch that the face was bare, for the Dukes speare brake all to shyueis, and bare the K'nges visar or barbet so farre backe by the counterbiiffe that all the Kinges head pece was full of splcters."— Grafton's Chronicle, fol. Iio,^, * From the Syrian Emir, a prince, and trie Greek a>r- aXof, the sea— a phrase first introduced by the Emperors of Constantinople. \ The foyst, from a passage in Gralton (where indeed the phiase is often used) I conceive it to be a vessel drawing little water. "Then six archers which k'l t the watch Iblbwed Prior John to the sea, and shot so fast, that they bea; the Galimen from the shore, and Pryor John himselfe waded to hi^ foyst, and the Englishmen went into the water, but they were put backe with pikes or el e they had entred the foyst." Grafton's Chronicle, fol. icoS. Jn Sarretl's AUearie, it is called " a light and swift shinpe," and in Mimhev/i (Spaaisi D/cf/oKa/j a " little pinnase. " rangemcnts 1 '47 rangements for this are miserably formed : Florendos, after whining so many years over his lost Griana, at length de- termines to go to Hungary to see her; he obtains, by fabricating a tissue of lies, an interview with the Queen in her apartments, in the course of which the unfortu- nate Tarisius enters; finding her talking with strangers, he demands the reason of so indecorous a proceeding: the rudeness of this inquiry is intolerable, and is re- uited, as no doubt it deserved, with a' blow from the agger of Florendos, who effectually stops the King's curiosity.— ^In the tumult which ensues, the Prince and the Queen are on the point of being torn to pieces, but, by dint of the foulest falsehoods, they induce an old friend, the Duke of Pera, to remit them for judgment to Constantinople. It is but justice to the authoress to say, that throughout the whole of this transaction she is con- sistent in taking leave altogether of common honour and morality, for, after Palmerin has delivered the Prince and Griana, by slaying their accusers in combat, the submis- sive widow marries, to the great joy of all parties, the base assassin of her unoffending husband ! — Palmerin makes an honest woman of Polynarda, the daughter of the Em- peror of Almaigne, and mounts the throne of Constan- tinople. Whether it be so in the original, or whether it be from partiality to his country in the translation, I know not, but the daughter of the King of England is almost the only woman of rank, throughout the history, who has patience to wait for the offices of the church, ere she makes her lover happy. Of the two pieces of poetry contained in the Second Part, I extract the second, as the best : neither are men- tioned by Ritson, in his enumeration of Munday's poeti- cal productions in the Bibliographia Poetica ; in which perhaps he has consulted Munday's credit, as their merit would not add a single sprig of bays to the wreath even of the city-laureat. " The Ditt'ie sung ly Aurecinda to the Prince Trineus, " The God of Warre, fierce, sterne and rigorous. When he beheld faire Venus heavenly beauty. Made small account of her disloyalty. But suddenly became full amorous. I. 2 Beautic 148 . Beautie had then her power vigorous. Changing rough lookes to sweetest secresic. But he J. love incens'd with cruelty. Doth not regard my torments languorous. Why should I then pursue that stubborne minde. That with excuses kils my hope out-right? Yet if he helpe not, death must me acquite. Oh mighty love in nature most unkinde. Thou dost constraine me to affect the man. That neither favour, love, nor kindnesse can. What have I said? the Knight of my desire. Is meere divine, & furthest from compare: Whose eagle's eyes csn well discerne my care. And vhh sweet pitie's drops allay'this fire. The little god hath made him gracious. His mother milde, to me the ladies smart: That shines hi-; lovely image in her heart. Then lo dwpaire beseemes no vertuous. Regard sv.'eet friend the passions of thy friend. Whom God and nature hath appointed thine: Giiie Love his due, & then thou must be mine. So shall long sorrow haiie a happie end. The Persian Mayd, sav boldly thou hast wonne; ThatMonarchs, Kings, and Princes, ne're could done." It may perhops be worth while to remark, that in Partll. Chap. 3, an idea occurs, which might have af- forded ij Shikspcare the hint for that beautiful passage in Hamlet's sgliloquy, " The undiscover'd country, from whose bourn no traveller returns." Hamlet, Act iii.-Sc. I. The words in the romance are " before he took his journey wherein no creature returnelhagaie," &c. The first edition of Palmerin d'Oliva was printed in 1588; and as according to iVlr. Malone's opinion Hamlet was nfit written until 1596, this may not appear an im- probable conjecture, particularly as the passages in ques- tion possess a very remarkable similarity. Ot Palmerin of England it is unnecessary to say any thing, as through the taste and industry oiMr. .- outhey. it has been laid before the public in a corrected shape. The first ediiion, as before mentioned, was licensed to Charlvi/ood in 1580, and the last in quarto, of which I can obtain any information, was printed in 1664, and which I apprehend to have been the fourth, W. Akt. 149 Art. VII. A Pil to purge Melancholie : or a prep{&\- rative to a pvrgation: or Topping, Copping, and Capping: taking either or whether: or Mash them, and squash them, and dash them, and diddle come derrie come daw them, all together, qto, eight leaves, n. d. At the back of the title " I71 laudem implaudim. " This worthy worke may printed bee. For ought therein that I can see : For the graue Author nothing sayth Contrary to the Cathiolique faith ; Nor ought therein, that doth agree With learning, wit, or good moralltie; His od vaine. A short dedicatory epistle, inscribing " To M. Baw-waw health, with increase of mirth and merrie conceites. Maister Baw waw, as one vnkno'.vne, yet raooued through affection, as also hearing of your arriuall into England, I haue made bolde to dedicate this my simple labor vnio you, to be shrowded, shielded, and'flefended by your in- different censure, you beeing a Spirit all compoz'de of jnirth and merrie conceite: and although it may seeme but a toy, yet being read, may refrigerate your senses tossed and weeried with the tedious trauell of forraine countries, as also stirre vp a hart plunged in melancholie, and adde alacritie to a minde disposed to mirth. Thus, not knowing how I may well com- mend it, I referre it (as before) by you to be censured. Yours his blue vaine.'' The next piece commences without address, " I cannot but maligne and with dyre execrations bellow foorth the gorgonian dieresis of your late com~ensed misprision, wherby you do vnkennell your goatish affections, and let loose the firie codpeece-humor, & spaiTow-like dominations calcio- nated with the modulation of your supposed Arcadian spright- linesse, to serenize my metaphisicall partes. But I wonder how this crooknosd conceite of yours came snayling itselfe into the diurnall reuolution of your jadelike, plunging, durtie, & sca- uenger-like, sweeping & rakeing togeather the rubbish and outcast of jour herrlngcobs inuention How thou durst L 3 presume 15° presume to call my vnstayned name in question, with thy scattring papers like halfc penny gigges: but I comraaund thee by thy pumpes and pantables to desist from printing them, or I do asseuerate my oath vnto thee, that I will cause thee to be most dangcvouslic exulceraled. Hadst thou none to theorize thy halting barbarisme and wit wanting Howliglas vpon but me, and then to print it for euery trencher-waighting foolish knaue to slauer on Therefore, presently turne the hower- glasse of your determination, or looke for roddes. She that skornes thee and thy puffie stuffe : SnufFe.'' An answer follows. " I haue double dd. receiued your letter written in a fidling style: which I haue answered with a crowding spirit. ... I do perseuere in my scuruie louzie meaning, to befay & betray the world with my flattring papers like sixe pennie gigges, and to haue them printed: and to confirme my resolution, I haue sworne by ray pumpes and pantables, bootesj slippers, and shooes, it shall be performed with as much expedition as may be If you will sendrae twentie more such snufFes, they shall be answered, but how .' I will not promise yon in an Ar- cadian spirit, but rather with some Lenton relictes, or with some drunken drouzie draffie durtie dounghill stile, or scauen- ger like kind of wryting and inditing, fit for such driueliag, scribbling, sniueling, filthy, fidling, stuffe: therefore I counter- maundyou, presently to auert your heauy displeasure & indig- nation conceiued and intended against me, or looke for no fauour at my handes. He that hues thee and thy snuffie stuffe, Snipsnap." The remaining portion is ludicrously addressed " To all skorners, skoffers, mockers, iybers, and deriders : and to all foule knaues, fine knaues, faire knaues, proud knaues, prettie knaues, prating knaue^, foolish knaues, flattring knaues, flieriiig knaues, cogging knaues, deceitfull knaues, soothing knaues, smoothing knaues, dissembling knaues, maddeknaues, merrie knaues, drouzie knaues, dronken knaues, harme hatch knaues, warme watch knaues, cold catch knaues, harme watch knaues, and hanne catch knaues: and to all other inferior knaues, of what qualitie and propertie soeuer-,- togeather with all jacks, whipiackes, and skipiacks; dawes, woodcocks, pea- cocks and weather cocks : and to all and singuler flat knaues and very knaues, tapsters, tilters and ,tylers, diggers, ditchers and deiuers; plotters, workers, deuizers and contriuers of ro- garie, knauerie, and villanie: Ibng cut, short cut, jnnch cut, and plucke cut, the writer hereof seiadeth greazing and' greet- ing. ing, raking, shooueling, swapping, loading, threshing a&d sweeping} with saltingj seazoning and sauoring, powdringi spiceing and fauouring; brushing, blouzing and blazing, with blowing, fyring and flaming. " Your Letter (faire Mistris) was deliuered, and receiued, according to the direction : but being written in a loftie stile, it may lequire some extraordinary deliberation to answereyour fooliships abhomination : but because it may not seeme alto- gether to loose his grace and majestic, I thought I would hit ye, and wit yc, and scant ye and want ye, and lacke ye and lot ye, and get ye and haue ye, and lose ye. [Seven pages are occupied with a continued string of invectives, such as] Then tit ye and tip ye and tap ye, and heele ye and halt ye, and hop ye and top ye and cop ye and lip ye and lap & lop ye, and hick ye & hack ye & hew ye, and hood ye and hart ye and hind ye, and home ye and hammer ye and stammer ye, and stunnie and head yc Then crooke ye and cukold ye and come ye, and knit ye and knot ye and knag ye, and snig ye and snag ye & crag ye, and kricke ye and kracke and krancke ye, and bind ye, and fast ye & lose, and knaue ye, & crampe ye & knacke ye Then ferret ye and feare ye and fray ye, and gast vc and ghost ye and spright ye, and fetter ye and foxe ye and fright ye Then skoggin ye and skofFe ye and skorne ye and skald, and skar ye and skurfe ye and skarfe ye, and mocke ye and mop ye and mow ye, and shelter ye and shield ye, and shrowd ye and shade ye, and house ye and mow ye and mew ye [Concluding] Then pepper ye and poy- Eon ye and pearch ye, and pine ye and perish ye and paine ye, and so fret ye and frost ye and fieeze ye, and plunge ye and pardon ye & plague ye. And so fire the worlde with rattes and brattes, and sprattes and gnattes, and knottes and cords, & kogges and bobs, and noddes and oddes and hearing-cobs, aad bussardes and beares and bugges and battes, and flagges and flyes & waspes, and biirres & beeues and buffes, and bees and bawdes and butterflyes." [Without signature. The next page, which seems intended as a postscript, is given entire.] " Val. I commend me vnto you, and to your Sis. Although at this time not worthie either to be remembred or commended, because she thought that "a red hearing was not a dish daintie enough to feast so royall a guest as a commaunder, yet thinke I my stomacke eager inough at all tymes and seasons to feede vpon a poore .sprat, in her company. And although she thinkes sorrell a sauce too sweete for an asse-head; yet I thinke mus- tard & green-sauce, without suger, not sweete inough for her calues-head. So I am very well content to beare the asses bur- den on my backe for once, if she be as willing to weare L 4 the the eares, as I am pleased to stinke of the pumpe, because I am not able to endure a paire of straight leather shooes on my feete, my heeles being sore. And to requite your kindncs and goodwill, which I perceiue you beare mee, I haue sent you by this beiicT pome ditties and songes, such as I haue : and if it lie in ray p>tt't.r to gratifie you with a better thing, ye shall command me. In the meane time, I rest beholding vnto you for your curtesie shewed me at the poore widdowes house, being in your sisters conceite too homelie a roofe to entertaine so great a coramaunder : and for bidding me^ come vp asse into a higher roome, that choUericke pill of hers will easely be dy- gested with one pleasant conceit or other of Mounsier de Kempe* on Monday next at the Globe, where I would gladly meete you if your leisure will so permitte. In the meane time I bid you farewell. Finis." Either the popularity or the warfare Thomas Nash kept alive with contemporary wits might give< origin to, this epithetical medley, a poor attempt to imitate the rambling humour of that writer. The local allusions probably refer to incidents connected with his life, and the dedication is addressed to him as "Maister Baw-waw," a term used by Nash in the " Lenten stuffe, or prayse of the red herring," in the following passage. " All this may passe in the Queencs peace, and no ma~ say bo to it: but bawwaw quOth Bagshaw to that which drawlacheth behinde."t In the same dedication the " arriuall in England," is noticed, and Nash speaks of his " return from Ireland," in his Epistle Dedicatory. Such allu- sions and the '^ Arcadian sprightlinesse — Herring cobs invention — Lenlon relictes," &c. &c. fix the date of printing to 1599, °'' following year. This tract was discovered in a volume of philosophical transactions, in the immense mass belonging to the late Mr. Dalryniple, and was purchased at the sale by Mr, Heber. J. H. * " An Almond for a Parrot,'' 1589, attributed to Nash, is dedicated to the " conceited Cavalieie Monsieur du Kempe." P-.eed's Sh. Vo!. iii. p. 243. f Sec p. 59 of " Nashe's Lcntep. stuffi," 1599. This tract may be found in the- fourth volume of the FLirleian Miscellany, v/hich the valuable republi- cation by Mr. Parle making of easy refeience, further extracts appear un- necessary, one pjii.ige excepted. At p. ^2, Nash olserves " the head town in tliat Hand is Ley.tfe, in v/hich bee it knavim to all men 1 was borne, though my father spraeg from the Naahes of Herefordshire." The last word is misprinted, in Cibber'i Lives, fio^tforoihire, aafl that err^r transcribed into Berkenhout. Art. 153 Art. VITI. Dolarny's Primerose; or the first part of the passionate Hermit, wherein is expressed the lively passions of zeale and Loue, with an alluding dis- course of Valours ghost. Both pleasant who can to these prefer The tumult of the gay, or folly's roar; The Muse they know not; nor delight in her' Who can the troubled soul to rest restore. Calm contemplation: yes, I must deplore Their joyless stale, even more than his who mourns His love for ever lost; delight no more Unto i67 Unto his widowed heart indeed returns. Yet while he weeps, his soul th'.ir cold indifference spurns. Psyche straying, v. hile her knight sleeps^ is met by Vanity and Flattery; betrayed by them into the power ofAmbition^ her danger, rescue by the Knight, and battle compared. Beside the cold inhospitable lands Where suns long abseot dawn with lustre pale. Thus on his bark the bold Biscayen stands. And bids his javelin rouse the parent whale; Fear, pain, and rage at once her breath assail. The agitated ocean foams around. Lashed by the sounding ftiry of her tail. Or as she mounts the surge with frightful bound. Wide echoing to her cries the bellowing shores resound. Fierce was the contest, but at length subdued The youth exulting sees his giant foe. With wonder still the enormous limbs he viewed. Which lifeless now the waves supporting show; His starred helm, that now was first laid low. He seized as trophy of the wonderous fight. And bade the sparkling gem on Constance glow; While Psyche's eyes, soft beaming with delight. Through tears of grateful praise applaud her gallant knight. The fourth Canto draws an interesting contrtist between Sympathy and Suspicion; the journey continues, and the heroine benighted is met by Credulity, described from a. pic- ture by Apelles. It was a helpless female who exclaimed. Whose blind and aged form an ass sustained: Misshaped and timorous, of light ashamed. In darksome woods her hard-earned food she gained. And her voracious appetite maintained. Though all devouring yet unsatisfied; Nor aught of hard digestion she disdained, Whate'er was offered greedily she tried. And meanly served, as slave, whoever food supplied. Credulity seized upon by Slander, or the Blatant Beast; de- livered by the Knight who is wounded in the contest. The heroine deluded by Credulity into the castle of Suspicion; her agony at concluding she is deserted ; betrayed into the cave of Jealousy. Magick deception represents the knight in the bower of loose Delight, unarming; she descries Love. While thus she gazed, her quivering lips turn pale. Contending passions rage within her breast, M 4 Nor i68 Nor ever had s!ie known such bitter bale, Or felt by such fierce agony opprest : Oft had h(r gentle heart been sore distrest. But meekness ever has a lenient power From anguish half his keenish darts to wrest; Meekness for her had softened sorrow's hour, Those furious fiends subdued which boisterous souls devouj. For there are hearts that, like some sheltered lake. Ne'er swell with rage, nor foam with violence; Though its sweet placid calm the tempests shake. Yet will it ne'er with furious impotence Dash its rude waves against the rocky fence. Which nature placed the limits of its reign : Thrice blest! who feel the peace which flows from hencCj Whom meek-eyed gentleness can thus restrain,. Whate'er the storms of fate, with her let none complain! The knight arrives and relieves Psyche ; effect of lingering, resentment and reconciliation. The opening of the fifth Canto cannot be omitted. Delightful visions of my lonely hours! Charm of my life, and solace of my care! Oh ! would the Muse but lend proportioned powers. And give me language equal to declare The wonders ■which she bids my fancy share. When rapt in her to other v/orlds I fly. See angel forms unutterably fair, And hear the inexpressive liarn^ony. That seems to float on air, and warble through the sky. Might I the swiftly glancing scenes recall I ijright as the roseate clouds of summer's eve ; The dreams which hold my soul in willing thrall. And half my visinnary days deceive. Communicable shape might then receive. And other hearts be ravished wiih the strain; But scarce 1 seek the airy threads to weave, Wiien quick confusion mocks the fruitless paiiT, A-ud all the fairy forms are vanished from my biain. Fond dreamer! meditate thine idle song ! But let thine idle song remain unknown ; I'he verse which cheers t',y solitude, prolong; What, though it cbprra no moments but thine own. Though thy loved Psyche smile for thee alone. Still shall it yield thee pleasure, if not fame. And when escaped from tumult thou hast flown To i6g To thy dear silent hearth's enlivening flame. There shall the tranquil muse her happy votary claim ! Psyche's arrival at the palace of Chastity; an impostor known as the " knight of the bleeding heart," prevents the entrance of her companion; her plea for his admission; gates unbarred by Hymen. Hymn celebrating the various triumphs pf Chas- tity. Psyche becomes a supplicant to enter the service of Chastity; directed to continue the journey. Tempestuous Toyage ; the coast of Spleen; attack and shelter in the grotto of Patience. The sixth and last Canto commences with de- scribing the power of Love to soften adversity, and effects of ill-temper. Voyage continued. Psyche becalmed; Island of Indifference rescued by her knight and voyage concluded. Psyche reunited to'her Lover, who has attended as the armed knight, and invited by Venus to receive in heaven her apo- theosis. The poem concludes. Dreams of Delight farewell ! your charms no more Shall gild the hours of solitary gloom ! The page remains— but can the page restore The vanished bowers which Fancy taught to bloom? Ah no! her smiles no longer can illume The path ray Psyche treads no more for me; Consigned to dark oblivion's silent tomb The visionary scenes no more I see; ' Fast from the fading lines the vivid colours flee!" As a narrative poem this forms a pleasing and inte- resting performance. The legitimate stanza of Spenser is a difficult and hazardous attempt, and the slavish re- currence of the rhime too frequently baffles all the powers of genius. It may be objected that there are a: few lines of this description, where the •similarity of the conclusion scarce amounts to a rhime, and the abrupt opening of the first canto, picturing the distress of Psyche, with its continuation, at the end of the second canto, forms too long an interval. Such slight blemishes, as are imme- diately discoverable, will weigh little with the lover of the i^.Iuse, while enjoying the more general beauties, flow- ing from a brilliant imagination. Let it be hoped ihat this introduction to extended notice will assist in surmounting the causeless timidity of the writer, and that ihe fear of periodical critics will no longer keep from the public this pltai!ng production. J.H. Art. I70 Art. XIII. A merle teste, vttered ly Hannibal, t* kyng Jntioclius. [From William Pjihter's Palace of Pleasure, 1567.] " The xxj Nouell. '^ Antiochiis inakyng greate preparacion & furniture, fo in- ferre warre vpon the Romanes, decked his armie with siluer and golden ansignes and pendentes, wherein he had plentie of wagons, chariottes, and eliphantes with towers, his bande of horsemen glittered gloriouslie, with golden bridles, trappers, barbes, and suche like. The king beholdyng, in glorioils and reioysyngwise, his gaie and beautifiill armie, looked towardes Hannibal, and said. How saiest thou Hannibal.? "Thinkest thou that these thyngea be not inough and sufficiente, to matche with the Romanes.'" Hannibal mocking and deluding the cowardnesse and weake- nesse of his souldiers, cladde in those precious and costlie fur- nitures, saied. "All these thynges be inough and inough againe for the Romanes, although thei were the moste couetous men of the worlde." The kyng vnderstoode Hannibal, that he had meant of the nomber of his souldiors, and of their bra- uerie. But he meant of the praie and spoile, whiche the Ro- manes should winne and gette." " Of the bookes of Sylilla. [From the same.] " The XXV Nouell. " In aunclent chronicles these thinges appere in memorie, touchyng the bokes of Sybilla. A strange and vnknowen old woman, repaired to the Romane kyng Tarquinius Superbus, bearyng in her armes nine bookes, whiche she said were de- uine oracles, and offred them to bee solde. Tarquinius de- maunded the price. The woman asked a wonderfull some. The kyng makyng semblaunce, as though the olde woman doted, began to laiighe; Then she got fire in a chafing dishe, and burned three bookes of the nine. She asked the kyng againe, if /le would haue the sixe for that price, whereat the kyng laughed in more ample sort, saiyng, that the olde woman no doubt did dote indeede. By and by she burned other thrf, humbhe demau~dyng the kyng the like question, if he would bnye tlie reste for that price. Wherevpo~ the kyng more ea^- nestlie gaue heede to her request^ thinkyng the constant de- maundes 171 maundes of the woman not to be in valne, bought the three bookes that remained for no lesse price, then was required for the whole. Therewithal! the woman departed from Tarqui- nias, and was neuer seen after. These bokes wer kept in the capitole at Rome, wherevnto the Romanes resorted, whtT thei purposed to aske counsa'.le of the goddes. A good exampH for wise men to beware, how thei despise or neglecte auncient bokes and monumentes. Many the like in this realme haue been defaced, founde in religious houses, whiche no doubt would haue conduced greate vtUitie and profile bothe to the common wealth and countrie, if thei had been reserued and k^te, whiche bookes by the ignoraunte haue been tome and raised, to the greate grief of those that be learned, and of them that aspire to learnyng and vertue." Art. XIV. Poems: Written ly Wil. Shakespeare. Gent. Printed at London ly Tho. Cotes, and are to le sold ly lohn Benson, dwelling in St. Dunstans. Church-yard. 1640. There is a magic in Shakspeare's name, even to the "whistling," which renders it all-powerful. This volume, principally consisting of translations, which never pro- ceeded from his pen, is considered valuable,; and a com- pleat copy being seldom met vath, it has been suggested an account of the contents would be useful. Prefixed is an engraved portrait by Marshall, which Horace Walpole described as " genuine." An address to the reader, with the initials of John Benson, inviting a perusal of the lines as " serene, clear, and elegantly plain, such gentle strains as shall recreate and not perplex yonr brain, no intricate or cloudy stuff to puzzle intellect,' but perfect eloquence," Lines upon the author bv '-Leon. Digges," *and by "lohn Warren. "t Prefixes with titiefour leaves, then a new title-page, an exact copy of the above, omitting the date. The poems extending'to L folded in • For him see Ccns. Lit. vii. 318,424. ■y The lines by Warren do not appear to have been considered worth pre- serving with the other commendatory verses | rtfijied to Ri;:d's-eJit;oji. eights. 173 eights.* With L 2, a head title of " an addition of some excellent poems, to those pre''\;f^ent of renowned Shakespare; by other Gentlemen ;"t and which may be traced in the works of Jonson^ Beaumont, Herrick, and Carew; at M 4, Finis, J. H. Art. XV. A new Enierlude called Thersytes. f Tbys Enterlude folowynge, Dothe Declare howe that the greatest loesters are not the greatest doers. ^ The names of the players. Thersiles, a loster, Mulciher, a smyth Mater, a mother. Miles, a knyght. Telemachus, a childe. This rare dramatic piece may be considered as hitherto .■unknown: it is mentioned by the industrious Langbain in the Momus Triumphans, 16S8, and again in his Ac- count of the Dramatic Poets, 169 1, where he candidly adds " an interlude which I never saw," p. t;_53. Phil- lips, Winstanley, and Mears, erroneously give it to Sir Aston Cokain ; and Chetwood, who certainly never saw it, announces " Thersytes his humours and conceits, 1598," which addition Reed has noticed as " probably the offspring of this bookseller's fertile brain." Biog. Dram. V. II. p. 442. The work commences, at the back of the title, with the entry of Thersites, bearing a club, who is jnst re- turned from the siege of Troy where he lost all his har- ness, and determines on applying to Mukiber to make him new. As a specimen of the author's attempt at * Several copies contain only the second title-pa^c to L i, "which appear perfect f.om iht woru Fiais being used. Quer\ 3 if there was not a publica- tion of tte voljme ;ti that stat ;, and to;- want of sale the portrait and other additions made in 1640 ? f This audition enteied at Stationer's Hall, by Benson, Nov. 4, 16351 Malone's Supplement, Vol. I. p. 709. wit. 1/3 wit, which may rival the puns of modern comedy, the following dialogue is selected. Thersites. " I siT abyde good Mn'xiber, I pr3y j^ make me a '.idltt. Mulciber. Why Ti.enites Vait ihou inye wytte in thy h^ad, Woi^eit thou h^ua a saiiet nov.e. all the htrbes are dead? Bt./'.it tV.jt it ;: .v^t mere for a smyth To gether herbe=, and sj^lettes to medle with. Go, get the to my lojer Ver.cs, She hii h s-jlrttes yncugh for all v5 ; * I eatc rtont ruche -.^'.'etrss, for nowl waxe olde. Arid for my stoxacke thjy are verve coulde. Thersites, Nowe I praye to Jupiterthat thou d.e a cuckolde; I meane a saljet with whiche msn do tyght: Mulciber. It is a srr^ail Ldstinge of a mar.nes mighie. That hi; shoulii';, lot any nr.attr,-, F; g'lt wi:h a fewe herl/es ja a platter ; I."o jreate la.i'Je shoaHe fjlov.-e that virtoire. Thetsic-. Go'^des pas:>ioD, MukiSier, where is thy «rit & memory? I v/oios haue a saii :t made of stele. MulciUr. Whye S; r, in youre stomacke longe you ^ha'.l it fe'e. For stele is harde for to cjgest. Th£r:l:es, Mans bones and sydss, hec is worse then a beest! 1 wolde haae a saliet to were on my hed. Wh'che vndcr my cnyn, wt. a thonge red, Buckeledihjilbe: Does; th-ou yet f ar:eytie me. Muxiber. Yo'-r mynde n-,w 1 se." * who " must haue a shop made in the The smith, place," according to the stage direction; proceeds to- make a sallet, and, upon further request, an hahergyn. The last he transfers in a speech announcing to Thersi- tes, that " Yf Mj!;ierre hy'.lr; should on thy shoul'lers '.>_ht. They shall not hurte the, nor supprej^e thy n:i^nte; Yf B; jis of H.;n-,ptjR, Ccibume, aridGuj, V, ii; the issjvt, set not by them a flye: To be brierl- this harbergyn sh-.l the saue ii:the ay l.^ridt ^ciA vr.-'er. nov.e playe the I-js'ye knaue. Then he gotih i:i to his shopj.'e ag^ine, Theriiter. When I ccr.sider my shouldc-i thjt so brode vp, Vv'hen thv other partes c f rriy bodye J do beholde ; I vertly thynke that nnne in chrystentc "With me ta tr.edele c^re be so bolds : Nnw haue ..t the lyons on cot^olde! 1 wyll neyther syre for heate, nrr forcl^e. V.'bere art thou King Aithu,, & the kai^htis of the rotmd ta'/le, Co:r.e brynge forth your horses out of the sr^ble ? L?, with me to ir,.te ihey be not able. By the ma:se they had rather were a bablf. Where arte thou Gawyn the caitst!;, and C.y the crabed ? Here be a couple of knightcs, co>a aroishe a.-.d scabije J : s Rctd's Shak. Vol. XIII. p. 3^2. 174 Appere In thy likcnesse syr Libeus dlsconius, Yf thou wilt haue my clubbe lyghte on, thy hedibus i Lo, ye maye see he beareth not the face. With me to trye a biowe in thys place : Howe, syrray ! approche syr Launcelot de lake : "What, rentie ye awaie, and for feare quake ? Nowe he that did the a knigfct make. Thought reuer that thou any battaile shouldest take, Yfy" wilt not come thy self, some other of thy fclowes send. To butfailel prouoke them, them selfe let them defende j lo, for all the good that euer they se, They wyli not ones stt hande to fight with me !" The boaster threatens to stalk through London streets, 3n spite of the proctor and his men ; then, if he cannot find an antagonist, to visit the regions below and after- wards climb to heaven, to know why Peter the fisher keeps good fellows out. The smiih next makes the briggen irons, and his employer promises to remember the kindness while stars shine, women love silk, beggars Jiave lice, and cockneys are nice, &c. Mulciber's cha- racter finishes with producing a sword that will pare iron. A long dialogue between the mother and ^on ensues ; the one soothing and praying peace, the other continuing the same rant of boj.3ting. " I wyll haue battayle in wayles, or in kente, And some of the knaues I wyll all to rent : Where is the valiaunt knighte syr Isenbrase, Appeie syr I praye you dare ye not shewe your face? where is Robin John, and little hode ? Approche hyther quickely if ye thinkc it good, I wyll teache suche outUwes, wyth Chrystes curses. How they take hereafter aw aye abbotes purses.". . » . , . At length " a snaile muste appere vnto him, and hec must loke fearefully vppon the snaile/' Being put in a sweat, with fear, he attacks it first with the club and then with the sword, saying, " 1 wyll make the or I go, for to ducke, And thou were as tale a nr.an as frier tucke." The snail having drawn in her horns, he resolves to seek more deeds of chivalry.* Miles, who describes himself, on entering, as " a pore souldiour come of late fro~ Calice;" and before joins in the scene, apparently by speaking aside, comes forward to offer Ijattle, when Thersytes runs to his mother for shelter, as persecuted * This incident is evidently borrowed from the Kalendar of Shepardes. See Cli:s, Lit. Vol. VIII. p. 31. by by a thousand horsemen. Upon this secretion Miles departs, and the boaster again advances alledginghis an- tagonist had done wisely. Telemachus arrives with a letter from his father Ulisses to reqjest Thersites to ob- tain a charm from his mothc-r for the boy, as the worms do him harm, and invites him to his house, when they are to have "minstrelsy, that shall pype hankyn boby." As Ulisses was ever ready to mar Thersites, the mother refuses her assistance, an altercation of humour follows, and a curious charm is performed. It invokes <* The ccv/'ierd of Cjmertowne, with his crooked spade, Cause iroT.e th'^ ti.e wormes soone to vade : And iolye Jacke iumbler, tliat tuggleth with a horae, Cjraunte that ihy wormes soon be :^ll to torne. Good graundsyre Abraham godmother to Eue, Graunte that th's w>;;-me3 no longer this chyide greuc AU ihe courte of conscience In cockoldshyres, Tynckeis, and tabberers, typplers, tauerners, Tytty yiles, Jr\fuUeis, tuini-rs and trumpers, Tumptera, traytoures, turners and thun:ipers, Thryftlesbc, theuyshe, tS'.yf.ke and thereto thynne. The malad) e ot ths wormes cause for too blyane: The vertiie .^f the tayle of I^iKickes cow, That before Adam in parjdyse dyd lowe," &: At length Telemachus departs, and on the mother going out, there is a long speech of ribaldry, wishing her death, with an unfavourable and ni-t very delicate de- scription of her person and manners from Thersites. He concludes with threatening the knave he had seen before, when Miles re-enters, who makes a short speech '• and then he must strike at; hym, and Thersvtes muste runne awaye and leave his clubbe & sworde behynde." Some lines from Miles end the performance. The rarity of this piece has induced me to hastily form an article. It takes precedence, I believe, of the earliest specimen vet known of an interlude, unconnected with scriptural history, and will be found "to give a new period to the appearance of that spe(icsofproduction on the English stage. '! he concluding lines afBx a very extraordinary- date for its being first acted or printed, viz. between the laih and 14th of Oct. 1537. An invocation, at the end, prays favour for ihii King, Lady Jane, and the i'rince, whose birth wtis on the 12th, and, according to Hume, from Strype, the mother died within two days aftei^. These lines the liearer was to print in his heart, and they contain 176 contain the only serious allusion to the Deity in the whole piece. They conclude ** To youre rulers and parentesj be you obediente, Neuer transgressinge their lawefuU commaundemente. Be ye merye and loyfull at borde and at bedde : Imagin no traitourye againsfte youre prince and heade. * Loue God and feare him, and after him youre klnge, Whiche is as victorious as anye h lyuinge: Pi-aye for his grace with hartes ihat dothe^not fayne, that ionge he maye rule vs witlioute grefe or paine : beseche ye also that god maye saue his quene, Louely Ladle Jane^ & the prince that he liath send them betwcn, to augt^ent their ioy, and the comons fellcitie : Fare ye wei swete audience, god giaunt you al prosperitie. Amen. ^ laiprintcd at London, by John Tysdale, f and are to be solde at hys shop in the vpper ende of Lombard strete, in Alhallowes church yarde neare ViiLoo grace church." J Sept. 25, 1809. J. H. Art. XVI. yl hoke of very Godly Psalmes and prayers, dedicated to the Lady Letice, Vicountesse of Hereforde [a GrifSn passant with motto] " Geve God the Gloryenowe and evermore ." Imprinted at London, in Fletestreate, at the signe of the faucon, ly JVylliam Griffith. 1570. ibmo. pp. u8. Herbert's notice is from the Stationer's register. The epistle describes it compacted and devised as a recreation during " sickely solitarinesse," and is signed " Roger Edwardes." The psalms are in prose. * This seems to allude to the rebellion which had then recently made con- siderable head in the North. f He printed 15^0-63. J It is in quarto, and contains seventeen leaves. I have this morning se- lected it from a list of an hundred plays, of which a catalogue for sale wiil be printed during the ensuing winter. Among them will be found the Enter- lude of Jack Jugii'cr; Gammer Gurton's Needle j Earl of Huntington, both parts; Pmner of Wakefield j others by Gascoigne, Shakspeare, Deckar, Chap- man, &c. To Correspondents. The favours of the Rev. Mr. DiBDiN, and eur friend it the Museum, is€ unavoidably postponed to the next Number. T. Eenflcy, Printer, Kelt Court, Fleet Stieet, London. / //, <• I' ! y\\i ■■ II ' / . J/l- \\\ \'i 1.1 III : ITlCIrlGXAS ILiimiP Fa TJ_i;I 1Sriti0]^ BifaliosrapI)er^ N° III. Art. I- Memoir of Lord Faux. An accouut of Lord Vaux is given in the preface to the new edition of Tke Paradise of Dainty Devises : but as that will hereafter be separated from the Bibli- ographer, it is necessary to say a few words of him here, to accompany the engraved head which appeared in the last number. It is now universally admitted, -that Lord Vaiix the poet was not Nicholas, ihe first Peer, who died in X534; and it seems at length sufficiently ascertained, that the author who merits this denomination was, Thomas his^ son and heir, second Baron, who died about 1555, ra- ther than the grandson, William, third Lord Vaux, of whose pretensions some doubt has been suggested; and who died in 1595. The mistake of the name of Ni- cholas is believed to have originated with Puttenham in his jirl of Poetry. 1 Mr. Park* has observed, that it appears by a pas- sage in the prose Prologue to Sackville's Induction in the Mirror for Magistrates, that Lord Vaux had un-' dertaken to pen the history of King Edward's two sons, cruelly murdered in the Tower of London; but that It does not appear he ever executed his intention. This poet is more distinguished by morality and sentiment, ttlAn by imagery. Yet, even in the latter, his two celebrated poems of The Assault of Cupid y and * Royal and NoMc Authors, I. i^iq. VOL. I. N The 178 The Aged Lovers renunciation of Love, so well known from having long since found a place in Dr- Perry's Reliques,' are far from deficient; and the sweet and touching simplicity of the ideas, and the airy ease of the language, entitle them to high commendation. I have expressed in another place what seems to me to be the merit of those pieces by this ncbie author, which are printed in The Paradise of Dainty Deviies. He who speculates on the productions of gmius, may justly wonder that, of all men, they whose elevalec. situ- ation enables them to appreciate the value of retire- ment, and whose refined leisure gives them the best opportunity of pursuing and fixing the passing phan- toms of intellect, should have done so little in this way iri the long lapse of ages. Yet how few have there been of high rank in this country, who have even attempted to produce fruit of this kind ! And of those few, how very rarely have the attempts been successful ! It is a fair inference, that to write good poetry re- quires, in addition to native genius, some qualities to which a lofty station is unfavourable. Much artificial skill indeed, whjch can only be attained by much and continued labeur, is necessary to enable the most fer- tile mind to communicate its wealth to others ^in the form of genuine poetical composition. There are many steps between thinking poetically, and writing poetically. Lord Vaux coiild do both. With a sensibility that made him shrink from the follies, the vexatious am- bition, the crimes and dangers of the active life into which his rank had thrown him, his mind overflowed with all those plaintive reflections on frail humanity, which soften the bosom, and he joined to these stores the command of those " strokes of art," by which he could convey to others, in the most pleasing manner, a transcript of the ideas with which he himself was im- pressed. In the Aged Lover, there are two or three stanzas most delicately turned, yet of exquisite sim- plicity. That numbers of his own rank have>liyed as happily accomplished as he was, cannot reasonably be dpul;)ted. " Sec Villi I. and II. But 1/9 But as they have ^affered the flams of the muse to ex- pire selfishly within their own breasts, their memories are justly forgotten in the dust, while the soul of Lord Vaux still lives to, delight and refine us, and to drav;- down flowers of ne\v blossom on his grave. D=c. 4, 1800 Art. IL Chronological List of the Works, in verse and prose, of George Wither. Having fallen in with a bevy of Wither's pieces at a book-shop, several years ago, which led me to purchase others, and to undertake the perusal of more, I have tried to form somewhat like a Catalogue Orne of this writer's voluminous productions; and trust it may be likely lo find "fit audience though few" among the patrons of the British Bibliographer.* The follovving list is gathered chiefly from Wither's ov.'n catalogue, t from Wood's Athence, from Dal- rymple's Extracts, J from the collection of my friend Mr Hill, and from the King's pamphlets, &c. in the British Museum. T. P. 1. " Iter Hibernicum : or his Irish voyage." Verse. 2. " Iter Boreale,"a. northern joiirnev.'" Ver. 3. " Patrick's Purgatory." Ver. 4. " Philarete's Complaint." Ver. These four are mentioned by Wither as composed in his minority, and therefore may be called his Juven\lia, but were " lost in manuscript." From the term Juvk- KiLiA being applied afterwards to other pieces published by Wither in 1622 and 1633, § Wood has erroneously * An able and interesting Memoir of Wither h^s been given i:i N" [. of the present publication ; to which this bibliographical essay is (iei'gned as suTple- mental, an^ may .it least evince the persevering patience at" its contributor. ■f- Printed at the end of " Fides Angl'canse," 1660. J Extracts from Juvenilia, or Poems, by George W ither. Printed at Lon- don, 1785 : and piesented to literary friends by the late Alex. Dalrymple, Eiq. § Wither himself in 1633 described his printed works to consist of tv;o vols, j the fiTtt containing h-a Juvenilia, and the secondj his Britdin's KeiTiern- b-an. ?r. , V 2 asserted i8o asserted that the above-named " were recovered and printed more than once."* 5. "Abuses stript and whipt: or Satyricall Essayes. Divided into two bookes." Ver. (161 i,t. 161 ^5 2 edits. 1614, 1615, 1617^ 16 2, 1626, 1633, 8vo. and lamo. A satire J is annexed called "The Scourge:" with " Certaine Epigrams," addressed to several persons who were presented with this publication. Much of the writer's early history occurs in this work : and much of it is general satire. • The leading heads of its contents may be seen in Censu ra Lith- RARiA, Vol. II. p. 294.. The title might have been suggested by Marston,§ who says " I'le ^^jO you nak't, and whip you with my rimes." Scourge of Villanie, 1598. Great variations are observable in different editions. 6. '^ Prince Henrie's Obsequies; or mournefull Elegies upon his Death. With a supposed Interlocution be- * Athen. Oxon. II. 392. Wiiher numbers them among those MSS. *hich were, lost when his house was plundered, or by other tasualties: and offers the restorer ot"then:i such satis'"action as he shall reasonably demand. f This date is given (vom Dalrymple, who said in 1785 — " Mr. Herbert has a copy of * Abuses stript and whipt, '.wanting the title-page, with Wither's head, 1 6 1 1 atat ; sua: 2i4-ij8i~i6o9; so that 1 6 1 1 must refer to the publication, and not to Wither's age.'* This to some readers may appear doubtful; but it places the birth of Wither in 1590: and that luas the year of his nativity. I am therefore inclined to believe, that his Satires were not printed till 1613, (the earliest known edition) though certainly written in 161 1, as the following lines from a later production sufficiently attest- and ascertain : ** Jn s'.xteen hundred ten and one I notice took of publick crimes : With mine own faults I first begun, ObservM the changes of the times; And what God had on me bestown. Employed for the common good. Therein I sought to find mine own. Which was so oft misunderstood. That I, for being so employ 'd, Have been three times nigh quite destroyed." Wicher's Warning-piece to London, scr. 1662. Taylor, In his Aqua Musae, says that the lines under Wither's portra.t vrer* made by himself. Qu. who was Sir T. I. supposed to be ? See the Plate to No. J" 1 This Satire will remind the poetic antiquary of Hal) and Marston. § Or perhaps from a puritanical pamphlet printed in 1569, and entitled ■■' Hit Children of the ChaprA stript andtuhipU" See Warton'sHist. U!. 288. tweene iSi tweene the Ghost of Prince Henry and GreatBritaine." Ver.4to. i6ia. 8vo. 1617, 1622, 1633, This is inscribed to Robert Lord Sidney of Penshurst, in a metrical epistle dedicatory, wherein the writer de- clares that he "doth neither write for praise nor hope ot gaiue." A second dedication is addressed to the whole world in general!, and more particularly to the Isles of Great Britaine and Ireland, &c. The verses are, as the author terms them, elegiac-sonnets ;* consisting of four- teen lines each, and extending to forty-five in number. A sonnet-epitaph precedes the " Interlocution," and a " Sonnet of Death" follows it, composed in Latin rhymes, and paraphrastically translated. 7. " Epithalamia : or nuptiall poemes upon the most blessed and happy marriage betweene the high and mighty prince Frederick the fifth. Count Palatine of the Rhine, &c. and the most vertuous, gracious and thrice excellent princesse Elizabeth, sole daughter to our dread Soveraigne James, King of Great Brittaine, &c. Celebrated at Whitehall the 14 Feb. 1612-3," Ver. 4to, 1613. 8vo. 1620, i623, 1633. * Mr. Dalrymple remarked that these were so different from the common ityle of court funeral elegies, that it would be unpardonable to consign them to that oblivion which such |,ieccs generally deserre. Exir. p. 4?. One of them Is here presented as a specimen. It is addressed in a strain of dignified conso- lation to the poet's amiable patroness, Princess Elizabeth. " Eleg. 14. '• Thy Brother's well ; and would not change estates With any prince that raigns beneath the skie ; No, not with all the world's great potentates : His plumes have borne him to eternitie ! He raigns o'er Saturn now, that raign'd o'er him ; He fears no planet's dangerous aspect ; But doth above their constellations climb. And earthly joys and sorrows both neglect. We saw he had his Spring amongst us here ; He saw his Summer, but he skipt it over j And Autumn now hath ta'cn away our Deare :^ The reason's this, which we may plain discover. He shall escape (for so fehovah wills) The stormy Winter of ensuing ills." Mr. Polwhele, who probably never saw or heard of Wither's Epithalamia, has a beautiiul sonnet on the loss of an infant daughter, much in unison with the close of this elegy. N 3 In i8z In his book of Satyricall Essayes, having been deemed over cynical, Wither wrote this partly, to shew that he was not wholly inclined to that vein^ but more especially (as he professes) out of the love and duty which he owed to the personages celebrated :* and it was a tribute that the princess Elizabeth appears to have been nobly mind- ful of, when the author was under difficulties and dis- tresses. At the end of the Epithalamia are "• Certaine Epigrams concerning Marriage." These are seven in number. 8. "-(4 Satyre written f to the King's most Excellent Majestic." Ver. 8vo. 1614, 1615, 3 edits. 1616,1620, 1623, 1633. Tlie author addresses this to James I. and signs him- self his Majesty's " most loyall subject, and yet prisoner in the Marshalsey." His imprisonment there seems to have been incurred by the freedom of his poetical re- flections on some of the peers in '' Abuses stript and whipt." Yet this could not have been his first offence, since he speaks of having been relieved from the effects of a former accusation, through the condescending inter- ference of Princess Elizabeth. The present poem he terms an Apolosy for former errors, proceeding from the heat of youth: out part of it is a vindictive appeal ft> the King % from the restraint put upon his person, and part * Yet Withei's love of admonishment prevailed over the blandishings of courtly congratulation, and hence he recommends the Princess to reflect amid the splendour of a couit, ** TU but a blast, or transitorie shade, ^ Which in the turning of a hand may fade : Honours, which you yourselfe did never win, And might (had Goi> so pleas'd) another's been. And think, if shadowes have such majestie. What are the glories of eternitie." f In some copies this word •written iS altered to deJkatid. \ The following lines may more than vie with Churchill in boldness inA independency of spirit : for it should be recollected that Wither was at the time under confinement tor the licentiousness of his pen. ** Do not I know a great man's power and might. In spight of innocence, can smother right; Colour his villanies, to get esteem. And make the honest man the villain seem ? — ] know it, and the woild doth know, 'tis true ; Yet, I protest, if such a man I knevv That 1 83 part of it is a monologue conducted by the author be- tween the impulses of su,-'p]ication and disdain. Mr. Dalryniple affirms, this spirited defence had so good an effect as to get his release. Extr. p. 71. Before the poem are two introductory copies of verses '' to the mere Cour- tiers," and to "• the honest Courtiers:" both very caustic. 9. "The Skepheard's Pipe."* Ver. 8vo. 1614, 1620, 1772- In the last of these editions, this highly poetical pro- duction is assigned to Browne, the author of Britannia's Pastorals; but in the "edition of i6ao, it is given to Wither. This however would be of insufficient authority, as it is deemed a spurious impression of his works, did not Wither himself affirm, that the Shepherd's Pipe was " composed jointly by him and Mr. W. Brown. "-f- The modern reprint was taken from Mr. Warton's copy, which then had the undurable character of being an unique. At the end are two complimentary Eclogues by Chr. Brooke and Jo. Davies, both addressed to Browne. The latter is much in the imitative taste of Spenser's rustic pastorals, and little if at all inferior. In the reprint of 1772, a third is added from Wither's Shepheards Hunting. JO. " The Shepheards Hunting: Being certaine Eg- logues, written during the time of the Author's im- prisonment in the Marshalsey." Ver. 8vo. 1615, 3 edits. i6ao. 1622. 1633. These eclogues form a continuance or second part to those in the Shepherd's Pipe. They were composed as a recreation during the purgatory of imprisonment, and were published after the poet was set at liberty, by That might my country prejudice; or Theej Were he the greatest or the proudest He That breathes this day : ii so it might be found. That any geod to either might redound ; I unappalled dare, in such a case. Rip up li'.s foulest crimes before his face, Though for my l.tbour, I were sure to drop Into the mouth of ruin, without hope." • This consists of seven eclogues and pastorals, the first of which iacludei the metrical tale 'of Jonatlian, by Tbo, Occleve. See Warton'i Hist. vol. iii. -}■ Fides Anglicana, p.91. N 4 the 1 84 the persuasion of his friends: though for such reluct- ant compliance, he supposes he should be considered as one of those " who oyt of an arrogant desire of a little preposterous fame, thrust into the world every unsea- soned trifle that drops out of their unsettled brains." " Yet," (be adds) " those that know me can witness, if I were so alT; :ied, I might perhaps present the world with as many several poems as I have seen yearsj and justly make myself appear to be the author of some things that others have shamefully usurped, and made use of as their own." These passages are taken from a postscript to the reader: the work is inscribed '' to those honoured, noble, and right virtuous friends, my visit- ants in the marshalsey, &c." and has been favourably exhibited in truly poetic extracts by Mr.-Dalrvniplfe, Mr. Gilchrist,* and in Cens. Lit. i. 43. The names of the colloquists in edits. jSt^ and 1620, were Roget and Willie. Roget was afterwards altered to Philarete, and seems to have been intended for Wither, as Willy was for Browne. The title of the book, he says, was im- posed by his stationer. II. '^ Fidelia. Newly corrected and augmented," Ver. 8vo. 1619, i6ao, 162a, 1633. t This piece has a prefix from " the stationer [Geo. Norton]! to the reader," in which he represents, that it was " long since imprinted for the use of the author, to bestow on such as had voluntarily requested it in way of adventure:" it would seem, for circulation among their acquaintance, in the prospect of some pecuniary return; and perhaps to enable the versatile writer to sup- port himself with more credit or comfort during his confinement in the Marshalsea. Norton proceeds to say, that it had pleased Wither now to allow him to print and publish it for his own benefit, so long as he should, in printing of it, carefully respect his credit: and he expresses a wish that he could as well present the reader with all the rest he had been author of. This * In Gent. Mag. Ixx. 1 149. f In this editi'->n a pipsi error dates the title 1632. + Some of Wither's pieces in 1615, were printed by W. "White and by T. Enodham for Geo. Norton, who kept a shop at the signe of the Red Bull near Teniple Bar. was 1 85 was in 1619, which is the earliest date of any copy now known lo be extant : yet even then it was printed by E. G. for Tho. Walkley, and in 1620^ it was re- primed by John Beale for Walkley, with what he en- titled, '■' The Workes of Master George Wither of Lincolnj-inne, gent."* A prose argument precedes this poem, which is denominated " An Elegiacal Epis- tle of Fidelia to her unconstant Friend." Mr. Dalrym- ple terms it " most passionate and elegant:" it com- bines indeed, in many passages, the amatory elegancies of Ovid, with the genuine pathos of Pope, and far tran- scends any of those heroical epistles produced by Dray- ton, which professor Hurdis thought well enough of to republish; but its effect, as in many of Wither's jjieces, is weakened by dilatation. _ Mr. D. has reprinted firorn it numerous short selections • but the whole should be perused, to have its merits felt. Subjoined to Fi- delia, edit. 1619, are Inter Equiland. PaUnod:f and two sonnets, or rather songs,;]: which for their standard excellence have been reprinted by Dr. Percy in his Reliques. All these pieces were afterwards incorporated * These works comprise his Satyre to the King, Epithalamia, Shepherd's Pipe, Shepherd's Hunting, Fidelia, and the Christian's Armour, or Faith and prjyer ; being a metrical paraphrase upon the Creed and Lord's Prayer. In a •tutior.er's postscript to V.'i.her's Juvenilia, 1633, signed J. M. this edition is slurrf d as an " imperfect and erroneous copie, tbelisbly entitled his Works." The Juvenilii contained in addition to the above, Wither's Motto, Faire Vertue, and Epigrams, Sonnets and Epitaphs. -f- This short poem may possibly be adverted to, in his first Satire ijaioat Love. " -^— — — how coxes it now You carp at Love thus in a Satyr's vein ? Tak- heed you fill not in her haiifls again. Suje if you do, you shell in open court Be forc'd to sing a palinodia for 't." J The second of these <• shall I wasting in d.-soair," wiiich has been set to modem music, seems to have had its prototype in Browne's Britannia's Pas- torals, 1616, Book ii. A close resemblance to this has been ascribed to Sir W. Raleigh. Other parodies may be found in Heywood's History of Women, i6z4J in Beedjme's poems, 1641, reprinted in Wit a sporting, 1657: with a professtd Answer bv Ben Jonson, at the end of Certaine Epigrams, Sec. which follow a Description of Love, printed in 1620, and several times after- ward. This littic volume contains a love-sonnet, quoted by Hearnc in his notes on William of Newborough, and attributed to Wither. Ritson has re- printed it in his Ancient Songs, p. 207, By Warton it was reiscoixeived to be d parody on a song of Tavljr the vaster -poet. Sec his Companion to the Oxford Guide. into i86 into Wither's " Faire Vertue;" buf wiili not always for the better. 12. " A Preparation to the Psalter: by Geo. Wylher,' in pr. T619, folio, on a neatly engraved title plate, by Dtlaram. This volume is inscribed to Charles Prince of Wales, as the frontispiece to a greater building, which does not seem to have been completed. His plan was to divide his proposed Treatise on the Psalms of David into fifteen decades, each of which was to be " every whit as large as this Preparation," which extends to 148 folio pages. Yet such was his thirst after satire, that he tells the reader, *' if it be any pleasure to see abuses wfnpi againe, many of the Psalms will give so just occasion, that he believes his meditations on them in verse, will answer part of his desires." The present work is extended to 14 chapters of learned comment and critical disserta- tion on the author, names, order, titles, poesy, music, rhetoric, excellency, matter, form, and end of the Psalms. To which is added, "A Metrical Soliloquy; or. The Au- thor's Preparation of himself unto the Study and Use of the Psalter:" with a hymne of thanksgiving after sick- ness. Prefixed to the volume is what he terms "■ a son- net," wherein all creatures are excited to join together in praise of their almighty Creator. This I willingly transcribe: for though little more than a lyric paraphrase of the I48ih Psalm, it may compare with the modern ver- sion of Merrick,- and gain much praise from the com- parison. " Come, O come, with sacred lays Let us sound th' Almighty's praise. Hither bring, in true concent. Hearty and voice, and instrument. Let the orpharion sweet With the harp and viol meet: To your voices tune the lute. Let not tongue nor string be mute^ Nor a creature dumb be found. That hath either voice or sound. Let such things as do not live. In still musick praises give; Lowly pipe, ye worms that creep On the earth or in the deep^ Loud 18; Load aloft youT voices strain. Beasts and monsters of the main. Bir.is,, your warbling treble 5ingj Cloudij your pf'aii of thunder ringj ., Sun and moon, exalted higher. And yon, star5_, augment the quire. Come, ye sons of human race. In this chorui take yoiir place; And, amid the mortal throng. Be you roaEtT's of the song. Angels and celestial powers. Be the nobie>t teiior yours. Let in praise of God, the sound Run a never ending round : That our holy bymo may be Everlasting, as is He. From the earth's vast hollow womb. Music's deepest base sha'l come. Seas and floods, from shore to shore. Shall l!ie counter- '.enor roar. To this concert, when -sve sing. Whistling wicd.-., your descairt bring: Which may bear the sound abwe, V.'^herc the orb of fire doth move; And so climb, from sphere to sphere. Till oar song th' Almighty hear. So shall he from Heaven's high tow'r. On the earth his blessings shon'r : All this huge wide orb we see Shall otie quire, one temple be. There our voices we will rear. Till we fill it every where : And enforce the fiends that dwell In the air, to sink to hell. Then, O come : with sacred lays Let us sound th' Almighty's praise.'' 13.," Exercises upon the Jirst Psalme, both in prose and verse." 1620, 8vo. Wither, in the title page to this book, designates him- self " of the societie of Lincolnes Inne;" and inscribes his work to Sir John Smith, Knt. only son to Sir Tho- mas S. Governor of the East India Company, &c. from ■whom he had received much respect and many cour- tesies. In requital for v/hich, and as a pledge of honest affection. t88 affection, he consecrates these exercises to the service of the son : intending thus to publish the rest of the Psalms, by one or two together, until a whole decade be imprinted This s])ecimen consists of a preamble, wherein the author, person, matter, method, occasion, and use of this Psalm are pointed out: then succeed a metrical translation of the same, the several readihgs of ancient and modern interpreters, a copious exposition, meditations in verse upon the same psalm, a paraphrase upon it in prose, a prayer taken from it, and (to fill up five vacant pages of the last sheet) a metrical paraphrase upon the first eight verses of the 12th chapter of Eccle- siastes. The sublime beauty of our bible translation is not, and perhaps cannot be, heightened by verse. Oh, do not thou the [evil] time prolong! But mind him, whilst the silver cord is strong. Now, whilst the golden ewer uncras'd is found. And at the fountain-head the pitcher sound : Before the wheel be at the cistern tore. Or dust grow earth, as earth it was before ; And, from the body's quite dissolved frame. The soul returns to God, from whence it came. 14. " Exercises on (he nine Psalms, next following: in prose and verse." These Wither tells us, were all lost.* They are spoken of in a prefix to the preceding pub- lication, as then having wanted much of being finished. These nine with those on the first psalm, were probably designed to form the first decade of psalmodic exercises, announced in "A Preparation to the Psalter" 15. " IVither's M.otto.\ Nee habeo, nee careo, nee euro. • In his Fides An^l cana, p. 91. ■(• Taylor, the water-poer, in contrast to this, came out with iis motto — '* jEt habtOj et careoy et euro ; 1 bat/e^ I'waniy 1 carcj^ in 1621. ,« This Motto in my head at first I toolc, In i.Tiitation of a better book: And to good mipdi I no offence can give ^ To follow good exdmples whilst I live.'* This is complimentary to his O|,poneni, and so are other passages : nor docs i^iuch personality appear in the production. Wood therefore had no strong au- thority lur pitting them, as hedid, against each other. In i625was printed at Oxford An " Answer to Withei 's Motto, without a frontispiece : wherein Nee bebeo neojC careo j r.cc euroy are neither approved nor confuted, but modestly con? trouled 1^9 curo."\ (nor have I, nor want I, nor care I.) Ver. 8vo. (1618), i6ai, 4 edit. 16^3, 1O41. This is placed first on the list of books which Wither informs us " were composed when he was of riper years:" yet his "Satire to the King," had an earlier date of publication, and is included in the same list. He records its appearance in 1618, but I have seen no printed copy before 1621 % Mr. Dalrynnple justly terms it " a spirited poem which shews great independence of mind, and has many poetical beauties." His own appre- ciation is this : " the said motto, and the descant there- upon, may perhaps appear to some readers, a careless, rather than a serious composure, because expressed in an unusual and extravagant strain: nevertheless, it hints many good principles, which the author thought would be best insinuated in that mode: and he was not therein deceived. For, it then so well pleased, that about thirty thousand copies thereof were imprinted and published trouled or qualified." T. G. Esq. the author, addresses himself to Wither, and says — " If the worst come, we shall do no worse than lawyers, who fall out with or,e another at the Bar, and are friends whan they meet at the Temple-hall at dinner,'* The purport of this tract is to point out some contradictory passages in Wither's Motto : but the writer seems afra;d of his antagonist, and his performance is the product of insipidity. Shipman in his Cji'olina, 168', reviled Wither as a rhyming preibyterian, and trumpeter to rebellion, in hit Nic babeOf vec carroj r^ec euro. \ An engraved frontispiece, full of emblems, contains this Motto, and u whole-length of the Author, looking toward heaven, and pointing to tlic earth, with his baclc supporti;d by a pillar and his foot spurning a sphere. The adumbration of his Motto is thus unveiled: " The words Hec habeo, he dcth there bestow. And what he means doth with his finger show. Above him hover angels, and his eye He fixing, on the glorious heavens on high, (From whence a ray into his breast descends) His otlier word Nee caret, thither sends ; To intimate that he can nothing need Whom angels guard, and God himself doth it^A, By force, or sly temptations, to prevaile. Both temporal and ghostly foes assaile His naked person; but, without a wound. Their darts are broke, or back on them rebound. So ,'ith Nee euro those he entertains : And to expresse how highly he disdains The best contents the world afford him may, A globe terrestriall he doth spume away." J This date the engraved title bears : but Mr. Dalrymple infers that there miist have been an earlier edition as the plate is so much worn. Wither's own HforC of the number taken off, may account for the effect observed by Mr. D. within 190 within a few months."'*^ The descant here spoken of, forms' a triple play and disquisition upon the tripartite inotto iri his tit!e-p.it;e. He inscribes his work *' To . any body," ind taliis with Lis customary indifference as to its reception with the work!. Long as the poem is, he professes to have undcrtr;l:en it as a recreation after more serious studies, and the carelessness expressed in his motto, proceeded, he says, from an undislempered care to make iCA his actions, as near as he could, such as might be decejit, v/arrantaiile, and becoming an ho- nest man-i^ He therefore deprecates the idea, that any part of his production should be personally applied to any but himself. " My intent (he avers) was to draw the true picture of mine own heart, that my friends who knew me ontwardly,J might have some representation of my inside also : and that, if they liked the form of it, they might fashion their own minds thereunto. But my principal intention was, by recording those thoughts, to confirm mine own resolution; and to prevent such alterations, as time and infirmities may work upon me." * Fragm. Prophetlca, p. 47. ■|- The following declaration of his integrity, as a poet, is not Icss'ho- noarable to himself than spiritedly sarcastic on many liireling rhymers. , " I have no Muses, that will serve the turne At every triumph, and rejoice or mourne tjpon a minute's warning, for their hire; If with old sherry they themselves inspire. — 1 cannot at the claret sit and laugh, And then, half tipsie, write an Epitaph; — Nor, like the poetasters of the time, Go howl a doleful! Elegie in ryme, For every lord or ladyship that dies; And then perplex their heiis, to patronize That muddy poesis. Oh ! how I scorn Those raptures, which are free and nobly born, Should, fiddler-like, for entertainment scrape At strangers' windows, and go play the ape In counterfeiting passion, when there's none, &c. I cannot, for my life, my pen ro'npel Upon the praise of any man to dwcil. Unless I know, or think at least, his worth To be the same which I have blazed forth." J Of his person he says ; " I have not so much beauty to attract The eyes of I idles : neitlier have I lackt Of that proportion which doth well suffice To make me gracious in good people's eyes." This would seen) to be true from hii portraitures by Hole and Pajne. This' This was the highly laudable design of Steele in jmh- lishing his Christian Hero: but alas! he failed to fulfil it. Wither, in his o'xn estimation, did not appear to fail. 1 6. " The Songs of the Old Testament, transrated into English measures: preserving the naturall phrase and genuine sense of the holy text: and uith as little cir- cumlocution as in mod prose Translations. To every song is added a nevv and easie Tune, and a short pro- logue also; delivering the effect and use thereof, for the profit of the unlearned Reader." Pr. & ver. 8vo. ixmo. 1621. Cum privilegioetpermissu superiorum. This contains fourteen of those versions of scripture afterwards entitled " Songs of the Church." It is in- scribed to the Archbishop of Canterbury (Dr. Abbot), and all the clergy. Wither tells us in il^ tha.t he had not leapt on a sudden into this employment, but in studies of a similar nature had consumed almost the years of an apprenticeship. 17. " Faire Virtue: the Mistresse of Phil'arete. Writ- ten by Him-selfe." Ver. 8vo. 1622. 12°. 16133. Mr. Dalrymple entertained a doubt whether " Phi- larete's Complaint," called in the early editions of Abuses stript and whipt, " Aretophil's Complaint," be the same as this poem under different names. Wither has solved this doubt, in his " Fides Anglicana," by record- ing them as distinct poems. Mr. D. with less hesita- tion asserted, that Wood was demonstrably wrong, in his Athenas, concerning the contents of the Juvenilia: but Mr. D. himself was not right in this assertion. Wood had the authority of Wither for classing what he did under the term Juvenilia, and he was only wrong in limiting it to four productions lost in MS.* which he supposed (with Mr. D.) were recovered afterwards and printed. Philarete's Complaint is more likely to have resembled the epistle of Fidelia. " Faire Virtue" was undoubtedly one of Wither's early performances, as it is thus obliquely noticed in his " Satire to the King :" " I would not (could I help it) be a scorn. But (if I might) live free as I was born;, • See p. I7j, and Athen. Oxon. ii. 392. Wither fxtcndad the enutneratjoc •f his Juvenilia to thirteen pieces. Or 192 Or rather, for my mistress Vertue's sake, Faire 'y ertue : of whom most account I make."* It has all the youthful g'ow of a rich poetic mind,t eX" alted by an early admiration of female eycclience ; and was thought by Mr. Dalrymple to contain a more perfect sys- tem of female tuition dian is any where else to be found. By Mr. D. therefore it was largely extracted from. A prefatory epistle from the stationer (John Marriot) to the reader, written, as we are informed, by Wither him- self, tells us the poem was composed many years agone, and, unknown to the author, got out of his custody by an acquaintance. To prevent " imperfecter coppies" therefore, from being scattered abroad, he condescended that it might be published (by Marriot J) without his name; and his assent was conveyed in these very cha- racteristic terms. " When (said he) I first composed it, I well liked thereof, and it well enough became my yeares; but now, I neither like nor dislike it. That, therefore, it should be divulged, I desire not 5 and whe- ther it be, or whether (if it happen so) it be approved or no, I care not. For this I am sure of; howsoever it be valued, it is worth as much as I prize it at. Likely it is also, to be as beneficial to the world as the world hath been to me; and will be more than those who like it not, ever deserved at my hands." The moral object of the poem is thus forcibly described: "Here you shall find, familiarly expressed, both such Beauties as young men are most intangled withall, and the excellency also of such as are most worthy their affection : that, seeing * Again, in his "Motto." 1621 *' Faire Virtue is the lovely nymph 1 serve, Her will I follow, her commands observe." f In the midst of his poem he pays a pleasing complimentary trib«te " To that art sweet Drayton had ; And the happy swain that shall Sing Britannia's Pastorall: Aad to their's whose verse set forth Rosalind and Stella's worth." These were Browne, Lodge, and Sidney. X Yet Marriofs edition, lihe published one, has not been seen. Those of l62Z and 5633 were printed for John Grisraand. In Harwood's poems, 1793, is a copy of verses in praise of Vl^itlisr, aftsr having perused his Philarete, and returned it to the owner. Mis S y. both. ^93 both impartially set forth by hirli that \Vas capable of both, they might the better settle their love on the best," In the reprint of Wither, preparing at Bristol, doubtless the whole will appear; and may serve to verify the poet's own prediction of his posthumous celebrity: , " Future times shall happv call thee. Though thou lie neglected now : Virtue's lovers shall commend thee. And perpetual fame attend thee !" 18. " A Miscellany of Epigrams, Sonnets,* Epitaphs, and sucli other Verses as were found written with the Poeme foregoing." Printed at the end of his Faiie Virtue, in the two editions of Juvenilia. 19. " The Hyrrmes and Songs of the Church ; Divided into two parts. The first part comprehends the ca- nonicall hymnes, and such parcels of holy Scripture, as may properly be sung with some other ancient Songs and Creeds. The second part consists of spi- ritual songs, appropriated to the severall tunes and occasions observable in the Church of England, Translated and composed by G. W, and printed at London by the Assignes of George Wither, cum prir vilegio regis regali." pr. & ver. 8vo. 410. 8c I2m0i 162J. also 8vo, without date. One of these editions has an epistle dedicatory to James I. which declaies that the Hymnes, &c. were im- printed under his gracious protection, and according to his royal privilege. t Nay, he was also pleased to grant and command, that they " should be annexed to all psalm-books in English metre." Considering that James, himself, had constructed a rival version, this would seem to have been a very liberal licence. We furthjer learn, that the celebrated Orlando Gibbons had fitted tunes to this new psalmody, and (according to Wither's report) chose to make his music agreeable to * One of these, al its opening, may remind the reader of Milton't Comus. " When bright Pljcstus, at his rest, Wa5 reposed in the v.'est^ And the cheenuU Jay light gone. Drew unwelcome darkness on," &c. •)- Sea this Privilege r:prinled frcm Rymer, in Ccnsdsa Litekaria, Vol. iii. p. 21 8. VOL, I. o the 194 the matter, and what the common apprehension can be=t admit, rather than to the curious fancies of the time. Two of the editions close with " a song for the King's day," i. e. in celebration of his accession. 20. " The SchoUers Purgatory, discovered in the sta- tioners' Commonwealth, and discribed in a Discourse Anologeticallj as well for the publike advantage of the Church, the State, and the whole Common- wealth of England, as for the remedy of private in- juryes. Imprinted for the honest stationers." It would seem at a foreign press. Pr. 8vo. This has no date, but, from internal notices, must have appeared in 1625 or 6. It is addressed, in the way of argumentative petition, to the Archbishop of Canter- bury [Abbot] and to the Bishops and others, in the convocation-house assembled. At the opening of the address, the author speaks of having composed a little poem (doubtless his " Abuses Stript,") well known throughout this kingdom, wherein having glanced at some particulars, not then in season to be meddled ■withal, he unhappily fell into the displeasure of the state; and was shut up from the society of mankind, denied access to the sight of his acquaintance, and (what must have been the severest of hardships to Wither) refused the use of his pen ! " But of these usages (says the sturdy satirist) I complaine not; for they are past 1 and He that made me, made me strong enough to des- pise them," Opportunity having been afforded to justify his honest intentions, and to give his reasons for ques- tionable expressions, " I was restored (he says) to the common liberty; as I persiiade myself, with the good favour of the king, and of all those that restrayned me." Such favour was presumable at least, since the royal privilege and grant was given to Wither, for printing his " Hymnes and Songs of the Church." This grant, he further says, " passed his majesty's hand, and office after, with so much unusual favour, and such good wishes, besides expedition, that I was greatly encouraged to ingage my credit almost 300I. further thereupon, to imprint and divulge my booke, according 195- accorJing to his majesty's letters patents." But the booksellers, it seems, " those cruel bee-masters, who burne the poor Athenian bees for their honey," endea- voured not only to overthrow his grant, because he would not let them have the benefit thereof, at their own rates, but became so malapert and arrogant, as to traduce and vilify the author's licensed labours; tbou'gh being i.hemselves only " the pedlars of books, and for the most part ignorant fellows, acquainted with nothing concerning them, but their names and prices." From this selfish slander of the bibliopoles, who termed these hymnes of the church, " needless songs, popish rymes, and Wither's sonnets," the present strong and sarcas- tic appeal is made to the hierarchy. His adversaries, the book pedlars, and many zealous ministers, alledged that he had " undecently intruded upon the divine calling" of metrifying the psalter: and he, therefore, tauntingly exclaims; " 1 wonder what ' divine calling' Hopk>ins and Sternhold had more than I have, that their metrical psalraes may be allowed of, rather than my hymnes ! Surely, if to have been 'groomes of theprivie Chamber,' were sufficient to quality them ; that profession [the law] which I am of, may as well fit me for what I have undertaken; who having first lavd the foundation of my studies in one of our famous universityes [Ox- ford] have ever since builded thereon, towards the erec- tion of of such fabricks as 1 have nowe in hand." Wi- ther had spent about three years in preparing himself for this task, had been invited by some of the clergy to pursue it, and on its completion, had received the sanction of his Grace of Canterbury, (who gave order to alter one word only) and the approbation of the royal judgment in its favour. It cannot therefore excite sur- prise that he vvas severely outraged, by having his ver- sion of the Canticles stigmatised as obscene, and his hymn for St. George's day slurred as popish and super- ' stitious. Of both he enters into a copious and lawyer- like defence, nor does he spare the brotherhood of sta- tioners, either in their corporate or individual capacity. The following declaration of his own principles as a writer, will be likely to gain assent from those \\ho have perused his early works^ devoid of vulgar prejudice or popular prepossession. o 3 " Let 196 *' Let all my writings, privatly or publikly dispersed, be examined; from the first Epygram that cv;;r 1 com- posed untyll the publishing of these Hymi.e;, now tra- duced by my adversaries: and if there can be found out One lyne savouring of such a mynde as may give cause to suspect I undertook that taske without that true Chris- tian ay me which I ought to have had; or if you can have any probable testimony that throughout the course of my lyfe, or by any one scandalous act, 1 have p;iven that cause of offence as may disparage my studies, or trouble their devotions to whose use my Hymnes are ten- dered : let those thinges be layde to my charge, untyll I find meanes to disproove or wash away such impu- tations." 21. " Bntains Eememlrancer: Containing a Narration of the Plague lately past; a Declaration of the Mis- chiefs present; and a Prediction of Judgments 10 come: if repentance prevent not. It is dedicated (for the glory of God) to posteririe ; and to these times (if they please)." Yp.r. lamo. 1628. Engraved fron- tisp. Imprinted for Great Britaine. By the hand of Wither himself: as a prefatory introduction states. This, though it only passed through one edition, is a book more easily to be procured than almost any coeval publication.* The impression of it was very extra- ordinarily large; and it must have been freely pur- chased, or it could not now be so generally diffused, Wither's enthusiastic hardihood, as a vaticinal poet, is shown in his Dedication to the King, in his prose pre- monition, and poetical conclusion. f The volume was written * It seems uraccounrable therefore that Wither, in his Fragments Pro- phetica, 1669, should speak of It as " not easie to b^ gotten ;"' and yet inform us that the imprussion consisted of 4000 copies. See his Mem. to London, 1665. ■\ In this he tells hisjisaders -" I have thrice Imprisonment endur'd j close prison twice : — And, being guarded by God's providence, I lately walked through the pestilence, ^nd saw, and felt, what Nature doth abhor. To harden me, and to prepare me for This worke— and therefore neither all the graces Of kings ; nor gifts, nor honourable places. ShouK 197 written in 1625: and is referred to in his Furor Poeti- CU-. 660, as produced, though heeded not, " nigh forty yt-ATS aL'O," p. 89. For the assumption of the prophe- tic and censorial character which the poet here takes up, he certainly believed himself to have been religiously waranted ; and hence decrees perennial existence to his warning song. " What I have done is done : and 1 am eas'd And glad, how ever others will be pleas'd. — And this I know, — that nor the brutish rages Of this now present, or succeeding ages. Shall root this Poem out: but that to all Enduing times, the same continue sha)' To be perused in this land, as long As here they shall retain the English tongue !" This is uttered with the self-complacency of Horace, but from very different views. The poem has been ably appreciated, and a solution of its more poetic cantos judiciously displayed, by Mr. Spurdens, in Censura LiTERARiA, V. 17. et seq. Much of it might be pro- fitably perused by the reflecting, at this eventful crisis. 2,2, " A Prophesie of our present calamity, and (except we repent) future misery." fol. 1628. This is mentioned by Wood as printed on a single sheet in folio: and written in i6a8. Qu. if not an ab- stract from Britain's Hemembrancer ? 23. " The Psalmes of David translated into lyrick- verse, according to the scope of the original. And illustrated with a short argument and a briefe prayer, or meditation, before and after every psalme, by Geo. Wither." 1633. i2mo. This very neat little volume bespeaks itself to have been printed " in the Neatherlands," and exhibits a more elegant specimen of typography than any of Should stop my raouth : nor would I smother this, Though twenty kings had sworne that 1 should kiss The guUows for it ; lest my conscience should Torment mc more, than all men living could,-— For 1 had rather in a dungeon dwell Five years, than in my soul to feel a hell Five minutes : and so God will be my friend, I shall not care how many ] offend." o 3 Wither's 1^8 Wither's pieces which proceeded from a London press. It is inscribed " to the Majestie of the most vinuous and high-borne princesse Ehzabeth, queen of Bohemia, and countesse of the palatinate of the Rhyne," whose gra- cious favour he here thanklully acknn.vkdges, that when his own forward Muse flutter'd out ot her nest, the prin- cess obtained the preservation of his eivJangered liberty, whereby he escaped that pinioning which would have marred his flying forth for ever after. See No, 7 and 8 of the present list,, in farther explauation of th^s acknow- ledgment. It appears from his Scholler"s Purgatory (1635) ^^^^ '^^ ^'''^^ '^'^^'^ preparing a version of David's Psalms for the English lyre; " and if oar metrical transla- tion (he says) were rectified and purged from those im- perfections and escapes which the first irinslalors un- vvillingly committed in the infancy of reforrrjcmon, then the singing of psalms would he more helpful to devotion, in such manner as the reformed churches now use it." According to his present dedication, Wither was ho- noured with the gracious respect of 5amcs the First, and encouraged to finish thisTranslation of the Psalms "about the tiraeof his translation to abetter kingdom." This was in 1625. Sometime after the decease of .James, on rtr membering that he had long since vowed a pilgrimage to the Queen of Bohemia, lie seems to have travelled to her court to accomplish his vow, and to present her Highness with the first jewel he had, " which, if it were answerable to his humble affections, would be the richest ever presented to a princess." Some of the Psalms have a twofold version, for the purpose of being sung to dif- ferent tunes, and at the end is " a concluding hymnp" by Wither, on four pages.* 24- • One specimen perhaps may be endured, as the collection is not common. " PsA. 137. ** As nigh BabePs streams we sate. Full of griefs and unbefricndeti, Minding Sion's poor estate. From OLir eyes the tears descended 5 And our harps we hanged high On the willows growing nigh. For (insulting on our woe) They that had us there enthralled, Their imperious pow'r to show, For a song of Sioii called : < Cora* 199 24- " Emblems illustrated, by Geo. Wither." (on an allegorical frontispiece.) A second title runs thus: "A Collection of Emblems, ancient and modern. Quick- ened with metrical! Illustrations, both morall and di- vine ; and disposed into Lotteries : that instruction and good counsell may bee furthered by an honest and pleasant recreation." Ver. folio, 1634-5. These Emblems engraved on copper by Crispin Pass, with a Motto in Greek, Latin, or Italian, round every plate, came into the hands of Wither, it seems, about 20 years before the date' of this publication: but the verses upon them were thought so meanly of, as to occa- sion removal from the plates. Yet the workmanship of Pass having received just commendation, and a few illus- trations by Wither, havina; delighted his friends, they requested him to moralise the rest; and to this, he says, he condescended. But without seeking out the original meaning of each Emblem, he contented himself with giving such explanaiion as occurred at first sight, *o it should serve to remind the reader of some duty which he might else forget, or lead him to beware of some danger, which he might be unheedful to prevent. This pl.-^n he very creditably executed. The four divisions of thf book are inscribed to four great personages, and at the end is a device for casting lots amid the Emblems.* < Come ye captives, come, said they. Sing us now an Hebrew lay.' But, oh Lortl, whiit heart had 've, In a fcrci^n habitatii>n, To repeat oui- sony,s oi' Thee, For our spoilei-'s recreation? Ah, alas ! we cannot yet Thee, Jerusalem, forget. Oh, Jerusalem ! i'l Do not mourli (all pleasure shunning) Whilst thy v/alls defaced lie : Let my ri^ht hand lose his cunning ; And 10"- ever let my tongue To my palate .'as^ he clung." &c. This is closely vrsified in harmonious metre, of which Wither has dis- pla\ed considerable variety in his vaualile little performance. -f- This /cf^i-ry Mr. D.ilrymple s»ems to have enters. i as n distinct publi- tation. See his list. One short extract from the Emblems may favourably O 4 show ^ 5CO 25. " The Nature of Man. A learned and nsefull tract, written in Greek by Nemesius, surnamed the Philo- sopher; sometime Bishop of a city in Phoenicia, and one of the most ancient Fathers of the Church. EngUshed and devided into sections, with briefs of their principal! Contents." Pr. 12". 16^6. This translation was not made from the Greek of Ne- mesius, but from two Laiin versions which are specified in a preface to the reader. It is inscribed by Wither to his " most learned and much honoured friend, John Selden esq. ;" and dated from his " cottage, under the Beacon-hill, Farnham, May 23, 1636." This transfu- sion of the labours of a Phoenician prelate into his mo- ther tongue seems to have been undertaken in a season of philosophical leisure and retirement, which Wither but rarely enjoyed. In his epistle to Selden, he says — • " I have lately confined my selfe to my rustick habita- tion, in that part of this kingdome, which is famous for the best of those meats, wherewith the poet Martial invited his friend : Fallens fala, cum ruhenii lardo. Yet it hath not made me sn meer a Corydon, but that I relish the delicates of the Muses; and retaine some am- bition to be continued in your esteem." To be continued in the esteem of Selden, who had vouchsafed him " a friendly and a frequent familiarity," vyas an object worih show their moral deiign. It is placed below " The figure of one rolling a sto.ie up a steep hill. ** A massy mill-stone, up a tedious hiii, V^ith endless laboui- Sislphus doth rt^il, And down, when raisM aloft, it tumbleth still, To keep employed his afflicted soul • On him this task is feign'd to be impos'd, To be, though vain, perpetually assay'd ; But some there be, by no such strei^ht enclose". Who on themselves ^s endless tasks^h-iveLiul. Yea, knowing not, or without care to Icnow, I-iow thty are worn and wearied out in vain i 'i'hey plunge them.sclves into a woili of wo, To S'.'ck uncertain ease in certain pain. Yet we are bound in faith, with ho[)e and love, To roll the stone of good endeavour still As ne3r as may be to perfection's top, Though baok again it tumbis dov.n the hil 1; For then, what works had never power to do, pod, by his gr^ice, will freely bring us to." ambition; 50I ^ ambition : and there seems reason to conjecture, from the snace which intervened between the present and his subsequent publication, that Wither had cherished this amicable and honourable intercourse with the most learned philologist, critic, antiquary, herald and linguist of his time, whom Grotius crJled ' the glory of the English nation,' and whom Sir Ro!;ert Cotton, Sir Henry Spelman, Camden, Drayton, Usher, Hyde, &.c. v.erc proud to number among iricir first literary friends. 26. '• Haleluiah; or Britans second Remembrancer. Bringing to remembrance (in praisefull and poeniten- lial Hymns, spirituall Songs; and morall Odes) me- ditations advaiTcing the glory of God, in the practise of pietie and vertue, and applyed to easie Tunes, to be sung in families, hcc. Comj-osed in a three fold vo- lume by George Wither. The first contains hymns occasionall : the second, hvmns temporary ; the third, hymns personall. That all persons, according to their degrees and qualities, may at all iim.es, and upon all eminent occasions, be remembered to praise God, and to be mindfuil of their daties. ' Om W02 is pa,t; the stcond, pis;i;ig on : BcA arn the third, if this in vaui be gone." Ver. 12mo. I64I. The copie"; of this are as scarce as those of his first Remembrancer are common: yet this v.uuld seem to be the more inviting publication, from the variety of its contents ; and, according to Air. Daltymnle, " such are its poetic merits, that there are some things interspersed, which are no where, perhaps, to be surpassed." Such an assertion may be thought to border on hyperbolic praise, or overweening partiality : but of this the public will have it in their power to judge, as a selected portion of the book is preparing for reprint, bv Air. Gutch of Bristol, who is about to publish Wither's Juvenilia V. iih an ingenious biographical prefix, combining many passages respecting the Author from his own poetical (!,ita. The following four stanzas, as a brief sample of the present book, are taken from a Sunday Hymn : " Great L'.rd of time ! great King of Heav'n ! Since >\cekly thou renew'st my days. To thee shall daily thanks be giveD^ And v.eckly sjcritice of praise. This 202 This dav the Lioht, Time's eldest born. Her glorious beams did firsf d'jj'iayj And then the evening and the moin Did first otJtain the name of Day. Discretion grant mej so tc; know What Sabbath-rites thou dost require. And grace, my duty so to do. That I may keep thy law intire. Nor doing what should not be done; Nor aught omitting, fit to do; Nor over burth'ning any one With more than thou enjoin'st them to,"* &c. 37. " Campo Musa : or the field-musings of Captain George Wither, touching his military ingagement for the King and Parliament : the justnesse of the same, and the present Distractions of these Islands :" Ver. 8vo. i'6-.3. 3 edits. 1644. This poem, Wither tells U3,J was written whilst the Author was in arms for the King and Parliament, to re- unite and not divide them ; as appears by this impress in his cornet, imderthe figure of a sword and pen. Pro Rege, Lege, Grege.f It was partly composed to vindicate him- self from the aspersions of those who imputed to him a desertion of principle, relating to the royal power : and partly to evidence, that he had neither actually nor in- tentionally infringed it. In support of this, he refers to his hearty prayer made for the King, and registered in " Britain's Remembrancer:" while he thus declares his enthusiastic love of liberty, and self-devotion to the cause. * Fjagmen. Proph. 1669. p. 191. J In Frag. Proph. p. 49- ■|- The above pamph.et produced •' Taylor's ^jua Musa:, or Cacafogo Caca- dcemon : Captain George Wither wrung in the withers: be.ng a fhort lash- ing sacyre, wherein that juggling reVell is compendiously finely ferked and jerked f^r his rayiing pamphlet a;3ainst the tCing aEid State, called Campo I^usa. Printed in the fourth year of the grand re^'eilion." It seems to have been a mistaken notion of Wood and others, that Wither and Taylor were at continual variance as authors. The " Motto" of the latter contradicts this, and so does the dedication to this squib: " C'i|'t. Geo. W^yther (he says) was a m.n that 1 have these 35 years loVed and re.j ccted. because I thought him simjjiy honest; but now his hypocrisie is by hiir.self discovered, I am bold to fake my te..ve of him. H's * Campo Musse' doth declare the gentleman's loyalty, his bock called * Britain's Remembrancer,' in 7 and S cantos, do shew his art in adulation, and also what spirit of contradiction inspired his Muse " This charge is not without fou.ndat'on ; though Taylor was a red-hot Royalist " For 203 9^ ' For this T p''rt!y fight : Dot with the Kin?, Bu*. -f '.\^ tivoie rni!creant5 -.vLo seek our hann. And bis a3':-.;d name and person br'ng U'lV a-"', people, by fair shows, to charm. And er - th^y sb: il accoropli-h their intent, B) slavMg faim, thi-i- pr-r iect^ to befriend. Or 'v ''..i^on'r'ng of tie P^riiament; My /-te-t'P.-.e in tbi'; ouarrell I '.vil! spend. Or i" I m"5t ur.happih survive Tc =ee our Engii^i; hono-.ir overthro'.vn, I v.'ill not (if I rD:.y avoid it Vwp. To be a sb'^e, v.-here I did frtedo.T! o';vne : Xor. willicr'y, in any J'nd remaia In wLii.h a tyrant (call'd a Kiig, shall raigne." There i? m.ich ^f a martial spirit in the^e " Field Mui.nL's" but few apppiaches to real poetrv, or con- si 'cency. Thev art; inscribed to the earl of Ebsex, Lord- generall of the artnv ; under v/ho^e coip.tnand he says he " served f3:'.'fir"ui!v," until hi^ troop was disabled; and shall acain v.hei it is recruited. His Colonel was Middieton, " a valiant Sect," on whose left flank he led his own troop to combat. He after savs — " 3.!y quarter v.'as ihe field; my tent and bed A ••'.•ell-made barley ci.oke : the c::r,opie And curtains, which to (c er me were spread, Xo meaner than tl/e star-bi;p;u:gled skie." Wood tells u; that Cromwell made him a Major General of the horse and foot in the county of Surrey: but it does not appear ihat his rank in the army rose higher than Major. In the present tract he speaks of his Farn- ham misadventure, and affirms, " He had the Castle to his care committed, V.'ithout supp'.y of money, meat, or men. Save his haif t/oope." 28. " Se Defender do : a Shield and a Shaft against Detraction. OnposLci and drawn by Capt. George Wither: by ocia-un of scandalous rumours, touching his desertion of Furnham-castle ; and some other ma- licii aspersions." Pr. 410. 1643. On the 14th of Get. 1642, Wither, by a Committee of the the Lords and Commons for the safety of the kingdom, was appointed Captain and Commander of Farnham- castle, in the county of Surrey, and of such foot as should be put into his hands by Sir Richard Onslow, knt. and Richard Stoughton, esq. for the defence of the King, parliament, and kingdom. But his goveriuneiit was of short duration, for the Castle was ceded on the ist of Dec. to Sir '■v ijjiam Waller : and Wither says he was advised by his superiors to quit the place, and to draw away his men, ammunition, &c. T. his does not seem to have been done in a very soldier like way, and there- fore he was rumored to have deserted the place.* He here enters into a circumstantial excusationof his con- duct, which is closed with the following defiance. " Whosoever hath i-eported that I have either committed or omitted any thing through negligence, faithfulness, or want of courage; or that I have otherwise behaved myself than became, a souldier, in the ordering, keeping, or quitting Farnham-castle, or in any publike service or duty, since I took arms in defence of the King, par- liament and kingdom ; and shall not call mc to account for it, either before a councell of war, or where else it may beseem me to take notice thereof, and make an- swer for myself; that man (unless he shall heartily re- pent the scandal) is thereby injurious, as well to the publike, as to me; and, as most of my detractors and oppressors have hitherto proved, is a.foole, a coward, or a villain, or all : " When I have spoke, despights to sports are turn'dj When I am silent, my proud foes are scorn'd. 29. " Withers Remembrancer: or Extracts out of Mas- ter Withers his booke called Britain's Remembrancer. Worthy of the review and consideration of himselfe, and all other men." 8vo. 1643. An address to the reader says : " There 'flie abroad cer- taine pamphlets in the world, being Extracts of a poem written by Mr. George Withers, &c. as if there were something in them to tell the world, from the propheti- cal provisions of the Author of such things as ate now to * Taylor, in his " Aqua Musa," accuses Wither of cowardice, when h» 'oammtnieA at-tbs taking of Farnham-Castle. befall befall it. It were yet some happines? unto us, if that Author, on whom the severer sort of men look with 6ome admiration, might v/ith his book be brough t forth to let us see the just and true measure of our condition at this time, &c. But since v.e cannot for the present command him (being in a posture of narre above our power) we shall however become ma.-ter of his booke, out of which some material passages are extracted." This does not seem to have proceeded from Wither, who is spoken of as having the command of a troop of horse in the service of the Parliament ; and being quartered at Maidiione, in Kent ; " an act in the first motion and pro- gress of it, without the commands of the King, and ex- pressly against his- proclamations since^ and hath exe- cuted some things in the county, beyond the sense of his book;" for v.hich he is publicly called on to state the grounds of his proceedings in reason and conscience. The things here alluded to are likely to have been what " Se Defendendo" records, viz. his seizing, by order of Parliament, goods from the estates of malignants (in Surry, Middlesex, and Kent) to the amount of 170/. besides other property from Captain Andrews, Sheriff Denham,* &c. 8cc. In this tract Farnham garrison is mentioned as being thought a sufficient protection for the associated brigade of Kent, Surry, and Sussex. [To be continued. 2 ' T. P. Art. Ill Ayres and Dialogues, for One, Tun, and Three Voyces. By Henry Lawes, Servant to his late JWa". i7i his puhlick and private Mustek. The First Br.oke. London : Printed by T. H. for John Play- ford, aud are to 'lie sold at his shop, in the Inner Temple, near the Church Door. 1653. Fol. In the centre of the title is a fine portrait of Lawes, by William Faithorne. An ample account of this excellent composer having appeared long ago, not only in Sir John Hawkins's His- tory of Music, but in Mr. Warton's and Mr. Todd's Notes on Milton, it will not be expected that much should be said of him here. ♦ iTf^-My S . p.Sri Denham the poet, of whose facetious lenity toward Wither a pleasing anecdote is related by Anthony Wood in Ath. Oxon. ii. 392. The 3o6 The Ladies Alice and Mary, the Earl of Eridgewater's daughters,* to whom this work is dedicated, were not merely Lavves's scholars. They were his great benefac- tors during his sufferinsis for the Royal Cause, not only in the rebellion but afterwards. Milton's thirteenth Sonnet is addressed " To Mr. H. Lawes on his Airs," and will at any rale shew tne high estimation in which his contemporaries held his music. The '■' Commendatorv Verses," which follow Lawes's address " To all Understanders or Lovers of Miisick," are by *' Ed. TValler, Esquire," " Francis Finch, Es- quire," '^ Will. Barker," "T.Norton," "John Cobb," " Edward Phillips," "John Phillips," and "John Cawar- den :" several of them in a neat vein of poetry. " The Table, with the Names of those who were Authors of the Ferses," set to music, deserves the atten- tion of the reader. We shall follow it wiih a few speci- mens of the Airs themselves: including the Latin Eccho by Fuller the historian. Ariadne Page i Mr. Will. Cartivri^Iit of Christ Chu.ch, Oxrord. Am I dispis*d because you say 19 Mr. Rcbert Hericlc. Amarantha sweetand fair 15 Lol. Rt . . 23 William Eaile of Pembroke. Come my Lucasta 25 Sir Charles Lucas. Come heavy Souis 2S Dr. William Stroud, Oratour of the Univer-^ity of Oxford, ' Come, come, thcu gloiious Object. . 30 Sir William KiUigrew. Come my Sweet whilst every strain. . 32 Mr. Cartw.ight. Dearest do not now delay me 20 Mr. Henry Harrington, Son to Sir Henry fLirrington. Farewell fair Saint 10 Mr. Thomas Cary, Son to the Earle 0/ Monmouth, and of the Bedchamber to his late Majesiy. Gaze not on swanns 15 Mr. Henry Noel, Son to the L. ■ Viscount Cambden. Give me more Love or more Disdain. 21 Mr. Tho. C.irew, Gent, of the Privy Chamber, and Sewer to his late Majesty. * See Collins's Peerage {Xiw Edition, soon forthcoming) Vol. III. p. 19^, for these Ladies. Editor. He 207 He that lov^s a R.o?ie Cheek 12 Mr. Carew. 1 long to s:ag the sied^e of Troy. ... 27 Mr. John Berkenhead. If *,vli°n t^2 Sua at Noon .......... 18 ivir. Carew. I: i? no: :hj.t 1 ) .ve you hise , 2S Mr. Wa'.cn Imhre la.brymarum Larj.. 36 Mr. ThoiiLiS Fuller, Batch. DI- vinUy. Ladies who ^i'd thegiitt'ring Njon. . 35 Mr. Fr-:ncis Lenton. L-i.el/ on yonder :w.:.ling Bush %\ Mr. Waller. Love.y Ohijris throa^^ thins eyes. ., 20 Mr. Flcnr)' Reynolds. The Di>"s returrx'j 33 M:. Eeil-ce jhe^rl. Till djw I nevrr diu bsl,eve 16 Sir Thoma- !^7evilI, Ti i 1 behe.d fair Cce.ia's Face 25 Fr ncis F.nch, Esquire. 'Tis true fair Cccii^ ■ • 29 Mr. Henry B.itnu.st. Thou art so fair li. yo.ing 31 Mr. Aurei-ian Tcwr.shend- 'Tis Wine that insp-'res 32 LtI Broughitl. Two hu..dred mi'ju!::;5 are rundown , 7 Mr. B.'-ker/nej'.]. Ver,-j. re "Ires i a wrong 7 Mr. Carr.vr.^ht. Wnen thou poor Excomrounicate ... 8 Mr. Carew. When on the AlUi o* jTi/ ham! 9 l^lr. Carew. "While I 1 s^en to thy Voyce 13 Mr. WaiW. esAo) 't.iyiv,^ XT'.u^ij.^ 26 Anacreon's Ode, callM the Lute, In quel gelato c r: (TAVOLA) (last ^j divers and sundry Authors, p-'^e in the bock) Dialogues and Songs for two voyces. Distressed P'lj^r^m, aDiaiD^ue betwixt Co.danus and an Amoreit P^gs I Col. Fwncls Lovelace. Az'- . raan that mjw;s these Fields, A D-dl''2uebetwis-tTimeandaPMgrim 3 Mr. Aurelian To-;vnshend. As Ccelw rtsted jn the :'-. ade, A D.j- log-uc betwix' Cleon and Ccsiia ... 5 Mr. The. Carew. Bacchus I'acehus fill our brains 9 Mr, Townshe.Td, Go Thou Embl'm of my heart 10 Mi-. Harington, O t'l'ie Fickle StJte of L'jvers 12 Mr.Fr^r..;is Quarles. Musick thou Qj^-cnof ojui; i^ Mr. Thomas Kand jlph, of Tri- nity CoUedge, Cim::r'.dg?. Ayres and Songs for three voyces. Cjme. Chloric, hfe we to the Bower. . 16 Mr. Kenry Reynolds, ThoLigh my lorment fnr exceeds. .. 17 Mr. Hurrlngton. If my M. stress fix her eve 18 Mr. Harrington, K :e|) on your Vaile 19 Dr. Stroud. Tiiou Shedheard v;hoseintentive eye. 20 Mr. Tov/nshend. O now the certain Cause I know ... 21 Mr. C^rtwrighr. Sing Fair ClorinJj 22 Sir Wm. Davenant. Grieve not Dear Love 24 John Earle of Bristoll, L-dyes whose smooth and dainty Skin 26 Mr. Harrington. " A Complaint against Cupid, Venus redress a wrong that's done By that-yong sprightful boy thy son; He wounds, and then laughs at the sore^ Hatred itself could not do morcj 208 If I pursue, he's smal and light, Both seen at once, and out of sight; If I do fly*-" he's wing'd, and then At the firsl tep I'm caught again, est one day tboa thy selfe roay'st suffer so. Or clip the wanton's wings, or break his bow." " Disdaine returned. " He that loves a rosie check. Or a corall lip admires; Or from star-like eyes doth seek Fuell to maintain his fires. As old time makes these decay. So his flames must waste away. But a smooth and steadfast minde. Gentle thoughts and calme desires^ Hearts with equall love combin'd. Kindle never-dying fires; Where these are not I despise Lovely cheekes, or lips, or eyes, Coslia, now no tears can win My resolv'd heart to return ; I have search'd thy soul within. And find nought but pride and scorn 5 I have learn'd those arts, and now 1 Can disdai.ae as well as thou." " To his Mistress ohjectiiig his age. Am I dispis'd because you say, And I believe, that I am gray ? Know Lady you have but your day. And ni^ht will come, when men will swear Time has spilt snow upon your hail: Then whea in jour glass you seek. But find no rose-bud in your cheek. No, nor the bed to give the shew. Where such a rare carnation grew; And such a smiling tulip too. Ah ! ihen, too late, close in your chamber keeping. It will be told That you are old By those true tears y'are weeping." ''The } } 209 " The excelency of Wine. ' 'Tis wine that inspires. And queocheth Love's fires. Teaches fools how to rule a "ite; Maydes ne'r did approve it. Because those that iove it Dispise and laugh at their hate. The drinkers of beer Did ne'er yet appear In matters of any weight; 'Tis he whose designe Is quick n'd by wine That raises things to their height. Who then should it prize. For never black eyes Made wounds w-iich this could not healej Who then doth refuse To drink of this juice, , Is a foe to the Comraonweale." " An Eccho. " Imbre lachrymarum largo Genas spargo. Qua vis aurora; Deus cito Tu venito. Nunc nunc sine mora, Ora: Hoc non valet, semper oro. Semper ploro. Cor deticit dolendo; Te te aroo. Ad te clamo, Dato finem flendo endo. Peccatorum primus ego. Hoc non nego, Fateor vero: Sed tu Deus Esto mens In te solum, spero, ero : Vox pergrata satis, satis. Jam coEdam Fatis; Mortuusj vivam tamen ; yoL. I. p Hie 210 Hie cum moriorj Coelo orior, Magnum magnum hoc solamen. Amen." '■' Beauties have ye seene a Toy, Called Love, a little boy ? Almost naked, wanton^ blind, Cruell now, and then as kind: If he be amongst you say. He is Venus run-away. She that will but now discover Where this winged wag doth hover. Shall to night receive a kisse. How, or where her selfe would wish ; But who brings him to his mother. Shall have that kisse and another. Marks he hath about him plenty. You shall know him among twenty. AH his body is a fire. And his breath a flame entire. That brings shot (like lightning) in Wounds the heart but not the skin. Wings he hath which though ye clip. He will leap from lip to lip, Over liver, lips, and hearty But ne'er ^tay in any part : And if chance his arrow misses, He will shoot himselfe in kisses. He doth beare a golden bow. And a quiver hanging low. Full of arrowes that out-brave Dian's shafts; what if he have Any head more sharp than other ? With that kisse he strikes his mother. Still the fairest are his fuell. When his dales are to be cruell. Lover's hearts are all his food. And his baths their warmest blood, Nought but wounds his hands doth season. And he hates none like to reason. Trust him not, his words though sweet. Seldom with his heart do meet. All 211 All his practise is deceit. Every gift it is a bait. Not a kisse but poyson bears. And most treason in his teares. Idle minutes are his reigne, Tliem the stragler makes his gaine. By presenting maydes with toyes. And would have you think 'em joyes; 'Tis th' ambition of the elfe,. To have all childish as himselfe. If by these ye please to know him. Beauties be not nice, but show him. Though ye had a will to hide him Now I hope yee'l not abide him : Since ye hear his falser play And that hee's Venus run away." Y. S. Art. IV. Select Ayres and Dialogues for one, two, and three voyces ; to the Theorbo-Lute or Basse Viol. John Wilson, i»l r> ^ • -n/r ■ i Charles Caiman, } ^°'^'"'' '^^^'''^- Composed by Henry Lawes, -^ Gentlemen i^ Servants William Lawes, \to his late Majesty in his Nicholas Laneare, CPublick and Private Mu- William Web, J sick. and other excellent Masters of Musick, London. 1 659. Folio. The dedication of this work " To all Lovers of Vocall Musick," is signed " John Playford :" and is followed by tables of the airs, dialogues, and glees. Some of the more beautiful songs in this work have been communicated to the world by Bishop Percy and Mr. Ellis ; more particularly " Like Hermit poor" — " Take O 1 take those lips away" — " About the sweet bag of a Bee" — and " Where the Bee sucks, there suck I." The following however have great merit and are less known. P 2 "^ A 312 " A Forsaken Lover's Complaint. ■ As I walk'd forth o le summer's day. To view the meadows green and gay, A pleasant bower I espide Standing fast by a river side; And in't a maiden 1 heard cry, Alas! Alas! there's none ere lov'd as I. Then round the medow did she walk. Catching each flower by the stalk; Such flowers as in the meadow grew. The Dead mans Thumb, an bearb all blew. And as she puU'd them still cry'd she, Alas! Alas! none e' re lov'd like me. The flowers of the sweetest sents She bound about with knotty bents. And as she bound them up in bands She wept, she sigh'd, and wrung htr hands, Alas! AJasI Alas! cry'd she, Alas! none was e're lov'd like me. When she had fili'd her apron full Of such green things as she could cull. The green leaves serv'd.her for a bed. The flowers were the pi.low for her head : Then down she laid, ne'r more did speak; Alas! Alas! with love her heart did break." •' Delay ss in Love breed Danger, '■ Phillis, why should we delay, Pleasures shorter than the day ? Could we, which we never can. Stretch our lives beyond three span, Beauty like a shadow flyes, And our youth before us dyes. Or would youth and beauty stay. Love has wings, and will away, Love has swifter wings than time. Change in love too oft do's chime; Gods that never change their state,. Very oft their love and hate. Phillis to this truth we owe All the love betwixt us now- Let 213 Let not you and I require What has been our past desire j On what shepherds you have smU'd, Or what nymphs I have beguil'd. Leave it to the planets two. What we shall hereafter do. For the joy we now may prove. Take advice of present love." " To his Forsaken Mistresse. " I do confess th'art smooth and fair. And I might ha' gone neer to love thee, Had I not found the slightest prayer That lip could move had powr to move thee. But I can let thee now alone. As worthy to be lov'd by none. I do confess th'art sweet, yet find Thee such an unthr;ft of thy sweets; Thy favours are but like the wind. Which kisseth ev'ry thing it meets: And since thou canst with more than one, Th'art worthy to be kiss'd by none. The morning rose that unfouch'd stands, Arm'dwitli her briars, how sweet she smels ! But pluck'd, and sirain'd through ruder hands. Her sweet no longer with hordwels; But sent and beauty both are gone, And leaves fall from her, one by one. Such Fate e'er long will thee betide. When thou hast handled been a while. With sear flow'rs to be thrown aside; And I sha'l sigh when some will smile, To see thy love to ev'ry one. Hath brought thee to be lov'd by none." At the close of all is a short copy of verses " In praise ©f Musick," signed " W. D. Knight." " Musick miraculous rhetorich! that speakst sence Without a tongue, excellent eloquence : The love of thee in wild feasts have been known. And birds have lik'd thy notes above their own. How easie might thy erfors be escus'd, Wert thou as much beloved, as th'art abus'd : F 3 ' Yet 214 Yet although dull souls thy harmony disprove. Mine shall be iixt in what the angels love." These last verses are quoted by Walton in the Com- plete Angler, though without the author's name or initials. ♦ Y. S. Art. V. Philochasander and Elanira the fiiire Lady of Britaine. Wherein is discouered the mise- rable passions of Lone in exile, his vnspeakalle loy receaued againe intofa.uour, with the deserued guer- don of perfil loue and Constancie. Hurtfull to none, but pleasaunt and delightfull for all estates to con- template. By Henry Petoive. Dulcia non meruit qui non gustauit amara. Printed by Thomas Pur- foot. 1599. qto. 26 leaues. Dedicated by the author in three six line stanzas to " his very friend Maister John Cowper:" who is invoked in the second stanza " to descend Downe from th' iniperious rich skie threatning throwae. Of all subdewing vertue, (honours friend) And grace the roofe of my poore raansion : Herein's contain'd the house of my good-will, Like it and take it, so be landlord still." '■ Ad Inuidiam," a sonnet, by •' N. R. Gent." and " In laudem Authoris," six lines by " Henry Snelling, Gentleman." Both English. " To the quick-sighted Readers. ■ As he that lately ransom'd from the snare. Dreads still [to] venture on the selfe-same gin. So erst by folly led^ not arm'd with care, Seekt I to shun the pit I late was in. The sinke of misconceite, and error's bell. Wherein my wandring Muse downe head-long fell. (Rays'd by your fauours) she hath prunde her wings. And now her second flight sne 'gins to make. Oh doe not hurt her, though she rudely springs, tor want of skill, but rather pleasure take ; To 215 To see an vnfledg'd fowle make shift to flie. Whose Tngrowne plumes all meanes for ayd deny. Once she did ill, since when she liu'd obscure. In blacke robes mu'd within an ebon herse; No longer now she will her selfe Immure, But cancell her rude Epitaphe's* harsh verse. Blest may her second resurrection be. And in your feuours line eternallie. Your's as opportunitie will permit, H. P." '* To the fayrest Elanira," four six lines stanzas, sub- •scribed " Philochasander," is followed by "the pleasant Historie" of those person;. This is given in forty-four pages, and, from the manner of printing, apparently di- viding the poem into as many short ones of three six-line stanzas. How the author's muse had before " down head long fell," remains to be discovered : the fear of a similar fate on the " second resurrection," should have deterred him from pilfering of his predecessors. The second division presents a portion of a well-known sonnet written by Lord Surrey on the fair Geraldine. " From Tuskane came my Ladie's worthy race, Faire Florence was sometimes her auntient seate, The Westerne He whose pleasant shore doth face, Wilde Camlers cliifes did giue her liuely heate: Fostred she was with milke of Irish brest. And now in famous Britaine she doth rest. Fortune bad Chaunce, the author of my rewe. Why did you suffer hoarie aged tj'rre. To present such a Diamond to my viewe. At whose first sight, my Sun-shine did decline; Warres forren gallants wherefore did you slumber. And carelesly let slip so rare a wonder. Why did you sleepe, and did not gaze vpon her? Why did so rare a prise escape your handes ? Why did not waking Centonels cease t on her? Whose sacred lookes all earth on earth commands: Her faire of kinde, her vertues from aboue, Happy is he that can obtayne herloue. There is a familiarity in some other passages, from " The piece alluded to is unknown. + Seize. P 4 which 2l6 which I am doubtful if the Daw was content with steal- ing a single feather; though it might require a long re- search to restore all that awakens suspicion. The name of the author's rea^ mistress was probably White, and I think was an attendant on Elizabeth: at portion five, he says, " Fvll faire and white she is; and l^^hite by name. Whose white doth striue the Lillies white to staine Who may contemne the blast of blacke defamej Who in dflrke night can bring day bright againe. Day is not day, vnles her shine giue light. And when she frownes, day turnes lo gloomy night. The ruddie Rose impresseth with clere hewe, In lippes and cheekes right orient to behonld, Her sparkling eies dart foorth to worldly view:_ Such gUraering splendant raves, more bright the" gold: Her lookes the still behouldcrs eyes amazes. Dimming their sights, that on her Bewtie gazes." The hero having defeated and killed four knights, through jealousy, that attended Elanira, he is banished and complains. " Some men will thiuke as due they ought to haue, ' For their true seruice, guerdon and reward. But I intreate, and loue for loue I craue : Yet others thoogh vn'.vonhy are prefar'd. 1 beat the bush, aud others catch the bird. Reason exclaimes and sweares my hap is hard. They eate the honny, I must hold the hiue 1 sowe the seed and they must reape the corne, I wast, they win; I drawe, and ihey must driue. Theirs is the thanke, and mine the bitter scorne: I seeke, they speede: in vaine my winde is spent, I gape, they get; I pray and yet am shent. I fast, they feede : they drinke, and I still thurst; They laugh, I weepe: they ioy, I euer mourner They gaine, I loose; I onely haue the worst : They are whole, I am sicke : they cold, I burne. I would they may : I craue, they haue at will, That helpeth them, but hate my hart doth kill." The narrative is ill conducted, and the incidents im- probable. The hero, when at length beloved by the lierclne is directed to destroy " a proude Brittaine Dame, Silla," 517 Silla," who resides in a neighbouring castle. This san- guinar)' request is converted lo a general friendship. " Pbilochasander, where is such another. That can indure the sorrow he hath borne? What man is he to ayde his dearest brother. Will were* loues weary yoke, as he haihworue? Doe good to all, though you be t}ranniz'd That 'boue the spheare, your sou'es be cannoniz'd. Omne simile non est Idem." Some other pieces by Petowe, of subsequent date, are noticed in the Bibliographia Poelica. This was dis- covered in a volume of miscellaneous tracts in the second part of Dalrymplc's collection : it 15 now in the posses- sion of Mr. Heber, who will assign it a niche more in character with such a raritv. J.H. Art. Vl. ^n Account of the Saint Graal. TO THE EDITOa OF THE EEITISH EIBLIOGRAPHEK. SIS, As the Romance of Arthur has been so largely no- ticed in a former number of your valuable and enter- taining wrirk, and a; from Mr. Dibdin's accurate analysis ofCaxton's eJiiii^n of it,t the 17th book appears to con- tain 2^ chaijirjrj, devoted to the Sangreal, I conceive- the following j articular account, of this singular bubject, tran~la ed fr'.m Le Glossaire de la Langue Romane (Art. Graal) by Mon=. Roquefort, lately published at Paris, mi- be acceptable to vour readers. A few copies only of this latter work have reached this country; but it is a wcrk v. hich cannot fad to prove highly interesting and valuable lo t^i admirers of an- cient French Literature. " Graal, grea^ ; in tin \>]'. f] graa7i-,gr,'as,greaux a drinking cup; a luri;;: > ::i, a ia;ge liollow bason, fit for serving up meai, ami u jI an earthen vessel, or ter- •\Vsar. f Ame/i Typnjr. Ant^q. Vo!. I. p. 253, Ed. 1810. 2l8 rine as Borel says; when made of clay it was called aa earthen graal, when of silver it was called a silver graaZ, and when made of any other substance, the name of that substance was added to the word graal; from crater, cratera ; and not as Borel imagines from grais, because these vessels, "• adds he," are made of baked freestone. Thit. wnd grais has never been so written, but gres, grez; JVionet, under this head, " says gres, greza. kind of mountain stone; hard, gravelly, coarse grained and ruocred, fit among other uses for paving streets, and for- merly used by the Romans for paving and edging the great military roads. Tht gres is of two kinds, hard and soft ; the latter serves as rubbish for masonry, and the hard for flagging footways ; but because pots, pitch- ers, and other vases are made of gres, it does not follow that the graaux, greaux, were all made of this material. A passage in Les Assises de Jerusalem, in which men- tion is madeof the offices and officers of the kingdom, and particularly of the Seneschal, will leave no doubt concern- ing the word graal, and will decide that it is a vase, in general, of whatever substance it may be formed. Le jor dou coronement, le Seneschau pent et doit or- dener le mangier dou jour, et cement on servira celui jour en la maniere que means li semhlera et quant le Roy aura mangie doit le Senes- chau mangier, et touies les escueles et les greaus en que il aura servi le cors dou Roy dou premier mcs (service) doivent estre soues (siennesj plaine de iel viande com le cors dou Roy aura este servi celui jour. Assizes de JerusalerPj Chap, 289. We cannot suppose that Kings were served on the day of their coronation (which was that on which they displayed the greatest magnificence) with dishes and cups of freestone; neither can we imagine that they would make a present to their Seneschals of the cups and dishes of their first course if they had been of such com- mon materials, and of se little value. St. Gkaal: The vessel in which our Saviour ate the Paschal Lamb, at his last supper with his Apostles ; a vase in the shape of a chalice which served to collect the blood and water that flowed from his wouuds, and which 219 which afterwards was called holy, on account of its pri- mitive use, and the miracles wrought by it. Our ancient romance writers have made frequent mention of it, and have differed from each other as much in discussing its shape and use, as the divines of the 13th and 14th cen- turies have done respecting the wood of the true cross : if we extend this article to any length, it is not only that it may form a continuation to the learned dissertation of M. Millin, member of the Institute and conservator of the antiques of the Imperial Cabinet, on the Santo Ca- tino, (which is nothing else but the Saint Graal;) but also, because it will prove that for a length of time seve- ral cities were allowed the honour of possessing this vast: which mu5t have been an unique. Borel savs, that he wished to clear up the confusion that prevailed about the meaning of this word, and to explain whether it actually was a vessel in which the blood of Jesus Christ was received (which he sometimes calls sang real, royal, and sometimes sang agreallej , but far from dispelling our doubts, he encreases them, and is not himself very clear in his opinion of the sig- nification of this word : for my part, v. ho imagine I have pretty clearly demonstrated in the to'C/oing article what was understood by graal, I shall here give the history of the holy vase from our ancient romance writers, and afterwards prove bv an extract from the Chronicle of Louis XII. and by Jehan d'Autun, that it is no other than the Sa?ifo Catino. Joseph of .\rimathea, who was secretly a disciple of our Lord (St. Matt., c. 27. v. 37.) possessed himself of this va^e, preserved it carefully, and made use of it to collect the blood and '.vater which flowed from the wounds of Christ; according to our romance writers, he carried this va;C, called the Saint Graal, into Great Britain, and made use of it to convert the people to the faith. Robert de Bouron, Burons or Eoiron, composed, in the 13th centurv, a romance called I'r.e Su'wt Graal, in which he gives this inforro:iLion resoectmg Joseph. The day on which the Saviour of the world suffered, death was destroyed, and our life restored : on that day "there were few who believed on him ; but there was a, Knight, Knipht, named Joseph of Arimathea (a fine city in the land of Aroniat). In this city Joseph was born, but had come to Jerusalem seven years before our Lord was crucified, and had embraced the Christian faith; but did not dare to profess it for fear of the wicked Jews, He was full of wisdom, free from envy and pride, and charitable to the poor. All this goodness was in him, and of him, the first book of Psalms speaks Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the un- godly, Ps. i. V. I. This Joseph was at Jerusalem with his wife and his son, who was also named Joseph. His father's family crossed the sea to that place which is now called England, but was then called Great Britain; and crossed it without oars, in a manner of which, that he reader may comprehend and enjoy the full effect, we shall give the wordsof the original narrative, au pan de sa che- 7nise. Joseph greatly lamented the death of Jesus Christ, and determined to do him honour. Joseph had been in the house where Jesus Christ took his last supper with his apostles; he there found the plate off which the Son of God had eaten; he possessed him- self of it, carried it home, and made use of it to collect the blood which flowed from his side, and his other wounds, and this plate is called the Saint Graal. Roman dii S. Graal fol. 4 V». col. 2. MSS. de I'Eglise de Paris, No. 7. This Lucan was son of Joseph of Arimalhea, from whom was descended the great lineage by which Great Britain was first enlightened, for they brought with them the Sainct Graal, and converted the unbelievers to the faith of our Lord. Roman de Lancelot du Lac. Tom. 1. Fo. 36. Ro. col, 1. The Sainct Graal is the same as the holy vessel in the form of a chalice, which was neither of metal, nor wood, nor horn, nor bone, and in which the blood of our Lord was put. Merae Roman. Tom. 2. fol. 120. V". col. 2. The Sainct Graal is the same as the holy vessel of which we here read the history; the twelve apostles had eattii 221 eaten out of it, the lamb, on Holy Thursday ; and it was preserved in England, in a tower, built for the purpose at Corbenicy. Eoman de Pereeforest, Tom. 6. fol. 120. Vo. col, 2. Another romance unan^wevably decides, that all the ancients have understood the Sai?it Graal to be a vase which had been used to collect the blood of our Saviour at his passion. Oth'.-r romancers make Joseph of.-iri- mathea travel, and sojourn in Great Britain, where he finds a brother-in-law, named Broin or Bruns, who had twelve children whom he wished to Sf'ttle there ; he consults Joseph, who has them brought before him; eleven agree to marry; but the twelfth by no means agreed to do so, but on the contrary declared he would remain a bachelor all his Hfe, attend at the table of the Sa,nt Graal, aind preserve his virginity for our Saviour; wnen Joseph heard the child's intention, he replied, May our Lord keep thee in this mind, and much it pleaseth me that thou shouldst be a servant and minister of the holy vessel, and (because thou aspirest so earnestly to serve I grant to thee the keeping of it after my death, Roman de Tristan le Leonnois, No 6q56. fol. 1. V°- composed by Luces, Cheva- lier du Chaste! du Gat. pres de Salibieres (Salisbury.!. At length tWs vase, which three or four cities of Eng- gland imagined they possessed, was found (see Annales de Louis XII.) in I5:.2 at Genoa; whither, according to the MS. it was brought directly from the Holv Land. The following is the manner in which it is mentioned in the chapter, intituled : " How the Sainct Graal was shewn to the King at Genoa, and how it was brought there by the Genoese." " The following day, which was Monday, 29 August, the festival of the decollation of John the Baptist, the King went to hear mass in a chapel of that saint in the church of St. Laurence, which is the great cathedral church of Genoa, where, after mass was ended, he was shewn the rich emerald vessel J that is to say, the precious dish, on which our Lord Jesus Christ ate his last supper with the Apostles, and this dish Z22 dish is what is called the Sainct Graal, which, according to the common opinion at Genoa, and agreeably to what I have read, was brought there by the Genoese in the year 1 101, and was taken in the holy city of Jerusalem, in the following man- ner in the said year 1101. The Pisans, who, at that period were in a manner Kings at sea, together with the Venetians, and Genoese, crossed the sea with a great fleet and a large army, and took from the Turks and the Soldans, many cities, islands, and castles; and among the rest, ^Vutioch and Jerusalem, slew all the iniidels whom they found there, and possessed themselves of innumerable riches, and incomparable treasures. "■ After the taking of Jerusalem, a dispute arose among the conquerors about the plunder; and, because there were three competitors, they agreed, that it should be divided into three parts, viz. the lordship and domain for one; the trea- sures, furniture and riches for anetber; and the precious eme- rald dish, for the third; which things were accordingly di- vided. And because the Pisans, who then were the strong- est of the three bands, had also done more, and been at greater espence towards the said conquests, it was agreed among them, that the Pisans should have their choice of the shares, and that they should have the first of the booty; who having considered the matter, took for their part the land and lordship of Jerusalem, as the most honourable portion of the three, in token of which, they took all the great gates of the Holy City, and brought them to Pisa, where they still, remain, except tvi^o, which were taken from them by the Florentines: — but to return to our subject, all the fortresses, places and castles, were given up to them, and the possession of the lordship placed in their hands, which they maintained by force against the Soldan, for a length of time, and enjoyed peaceably; which was, and would, for ever have been to them a title of honourable praise, if the wicked wretches had not, from avarice, sold it to the Infidels as they did; and by so doing, committed so heinous a crime, that for this offence they were precluded from all grace of doing well, and from all care to improve in virtue, as well as from all power for ever, and have always continued to decline in their good name and prosperity. Now after they had thus made and taken their choice, the Venetians came next; and, covetous of wealth, seized on the gold and silver, and took precious stones, plate, jewels, cloth of gold, silk or worsted, and in short, every thing of value that they could carry away ; ex- cept only the holy vessel, which remained for the share of the Genoese, who brought it to the city of Genoa, where, te my knowledge. 223 knowledge, it now isj having seen it, as I shall relate here- after. " This most precious vessel, which I have already men- tioned, is an emerald formed and cut like a large dish, about two palms broad, which we French call spans, of siich bril- liant lustre, and so green, that all other emeralds are dark, dim, and as seem nothing when compared with it; it is, in its largest circumference at top six square palms. At the bottom of this dish is another little circle made in propor- tion to its size, and from the edge of this circle to the top of the dish are six exact squares, made to support this dish, underneath there are two handles of the same stone, large enough for a man's hand to pass throu-h, whichis a won- derful work to behold, and formed with such exquisite art that it rather seems wrought by a supernatural power, than by human hands, and so it is, according to the report of many, and the opinion of every one : For Our Lord, on the the day of his last supper, being not provided with rich dishes to eat the paschal lamb, and chusing to shew his power to mankind, miraculously formed this precious stone from vile clay. O wonderful alchymist I there never was, nor ever will be such another ! The Genoese possess this pre- cious jewel, which they value more than all the gold in the world, and indeed it is a treasure of incomparable richness, and inestimable value, and is most carefully kept in the sacristy of the great church of St. Laurence in Genoa. Croniques de Loys XII. par Jehan d' Autun Annee 1502. Fol. Ill &n2, N°9701. " The passages quoted by Borel, no less prove that it was a vase or vessel, and that when it is written sangreal or san- graal, it was meant to designate the vase of Joseph of Ari- mathea, and not as he says, the royal blood of Jesus Christ. Borel has not been aware of this, because he did not under- stand the passages, and yet those quoted by him are very clear. " Senefioit que li greaus Qui tant est beaux et precieux Que le saint sang glorieux Du Koy des Roys y fu receus, Roman de Perceval quoted ly Borel. " Un Great trestout descouvert. Same Romance, " Et puis apporta un greaux Tout plein de pierres precicuses. Same Romance. "Et 2,^4 "■Et por ce I'appelon nos graal qu'il agree as prodes homes, en cest vessel gist le sang de Jesus Christ. Roman de Merlin. Which signifies : " and therefore we call this vessel^ this vase, (because 't so pleases good men) the Saint Graal, because it contains the blood of Jesus Christ. The other passage is no less plain. " Et ils distrent, et porrons dire du vesseil que nos veimes ; et coman le clameron nos qui tant nos gree, oil qui ]y vou- dront clamer, ne metre non a nos esciens, le clameront le greal qui tant agree : et quant cil I'oyent, si dient, bien doit, avoir non cist vesseaux graax. " Which means nothing else but that they are pleased to call this vase, this vessel. Saint Graal (sanctam eraterramj because it contained the blood of Jesus Christ, that this vase, this graal pleases them much, and that it deserves to be called holy. " Rabelais who made such a jest of every thing, speaks of this pretended relique in his fifth book, chap. 10. " La' {en I'isle de Cassade) aussi nous dist estre ung flasque de sang greal chose divine et a peu de gens conniie. "■ Duchat has fallen into the same ideas and doubts as Bore], whom he quotes, and it is certain that none of the manuscripts (except the Chronicles of Louis XIL) has men- tioned of what materials ihe Saint Graal was formed. R, W. W. Art. VII. The descriplion and pycture of a chyld lorne in Couentry. ((iol.) Imprijnted at London in Flete strete at the Sygne of the Rose Garland, by mee PFyllyam Copland. A broadside with metal figured borders; beneath the title, in wood, is a back and front representation of the figure of the child. An account of its birth* is followed by a pious exhortation to the reader, and the wonderful always obtaining extensive circulation, seems a fit period * The sheet being mutilated prevents ascertaining the year it was "th« "lastedayeof June," and " iii quarters after a xi of the clocke afore" noon. The figure is naked, and reminds the beholder of Buckinger. to 355 to call the attention of the multitude to the inscrutable ways of Providence. A short extract may suffice. " The mother of the sayd chylde is not a lytel sory that it is her fortune to have suche a monstre : notwythstandyng, accordynge to our Sauyour Chryst institucio", it was brought to the churche, and there receyued baptyme, and is named Jone. God doth not send into the worlde (gentyll reader) thys wonderous and straunge sygnes that we should no rnore but woouder at them as at syghtes strange and monstrouse to be 'seen. For so shalt thou neyther satysfye the mynde and _good pleasure of God, the maker and sender of them (who dothe nothyng in vayne) nor yet be the better- for it in thy- selfe. For truly by thys outwarde corporall monslres ; whyche are seen wyth the eyes of the body wythout armes, and the legges dysplaced, nor of iuste proportion accordynge to the ryght and natural! byrth, we are taught to dyssend into oure owne breast, and there beholde wyth the eyes of our soule, what deformyte and foule mysshapennes thoroughe our owne wyckednesse,andhowe foule monsters we doo brede nourysbe and bryng foorth ; a hundered tyraes more horryble to the eyes of God, than thys is vnto manne." Art. VII. The Honorable, pleasant and rare con- ceited Historie of Palmendos. Sonne to the famous and fortunate Prince Palmerin d'Olina, Empermir of Constantinople and the Queene q/Tharsus. Tran- slated out of French hy A. M. one of the Messen- gers of her Maiesties Chamber. Potere aiit abstine. At London printed by I. C. for Simon PVatersonne, and are to he solde in Church-Yarde at the s\s^ne of the Crown. Anno Domini 1589. 4/0. b. I. fol 09. Herbert, in his Typographical Antiquities, speaks of the " Hon. Histories of Palmendos and Frimnleon of Grece sones to the famous Emperor Palmerin d'Oliuia of Constantinople : in vij partes,'" as printed in 1588 by Charlewood, p. 1105. If Herbert was correct, I should suppose the edition he mentions to have been the first, and the one now he- fore me the second: I am doubtful however, whether, VOL. I, a without 526 without an assignment, Watersonne could have been al- lowed to print in the ensuing year a work in the posses- sion of Charlewood, and which in all probability was licensed to him. In this view 1 am apt to conceive tha|t Herbert had been misinformed, and knowing well that Charlewood had printed many works of a similar descrip- tion, he attributed Palmendos to the latter instead of giving it to its lawful possessor Watersonne* There is no clue lo enable us to ascertain by whom the original (which comprises the adventures of Primaleon also) vvas written; it bears however little trace of the authoress of Palmerln d'Oliva, and in fact appears very superior to that work in vigour of thought, and fertility of invention. A passage too in fol. 70, seems to afford strong proof that this romance was the production of a different pen. " al beit shee had two sisters named Flerida and Bazilia;, (which by the author of Palmerin are named Belisa and Melicia,") &c. The popularity however of the Palme- rin d'Olivia, as general as it was undeserved, recom- mended the adoption of its relalionshipj and Palmendos rather glorying to be the base born son of an Emperour, than the legitimate offspring of undignified parents, seeks celebrity from his connection with Palmerin. Jlvito fron- det liovore. The objections to his birth however, as I stated in the laslNumber of the Bibliographee, were as little likely to interfere with his preferment in the court of Constantinople as in the closets of our ances- tors. They sought only for amusement, which they found in the extravagant fictions and entangled episode of the early romances, without seeking for probability of incident or correctness of idea. To the unlettered hind, the eccentricities of Punchinello afford more gratificatioipi than the sublimities of Shakspeare. Yet " Such were the themes of regal praise. Dear to the Bard of elder days j The songs to savage virtue dear. That won of yore the public ear! • It is however highly probable that Munday's translation was only a mu- tilated epitjme, while the work said to be printed by Charlewood was a com- plete translation of the whole original work. pre 537 Ere Polity sedate and sage Had quench'd the fires of feudal rage. Had stemm'd the torrent of eternal strife, A.nd charm'd to rest an unrelenting age." * Palmendos incurred the censure of Meres; and it is not unlikely that the puritanical Stubbes had this and other books of the same description in his contemplation when he says the " reading of wicked and ungodly bookes ^which are to the minde as meat is to the body) infect the soule, and corrupt y*. minde, hailing it to distruction; if the great mercy of God be not present." He has taxed his imagination to the utmost to characterize a firm for the manufacture and promulgation of the books so obnoxious to him. He saysf '' That woorthie Booke of Martyrs made by that famous father and excellent in- strument in God his church, Maister John Fox, so little to be accepted and all other good books little or nothing to be reuerenced; whilst other toyes fantasies and bable- ries wherof the world is ful, are suffered to be printed. Then propha~e schedules, sacraligious libels, and heth- nical pamphlets of toyes andbableries (the authors wherof may vendicate to themselves no smal commendations, at the hands of the devil for inventing the same) corrupt mens mindes, pervert good wits, allure to baudrie, induce to whordome, suppresse virtue and erect vice: which thing how should it be otherwise? for are they not in- ve~ted and excogitat by Belzebub writte" by Lucifer, ]ice~sed by Pluto, printed by Cerberus, and set a broche to sale by the infernal furies ihemselues to the poysning of the whole world." Jnatomie of Abuses. Sig. P. 7. This work commences with a Latin dedication, in twelve elegiac lines. " Fortissimo, et militias naualis Peritissimo Viro, Domino Francisco Draco Equiti Aurato." The purport of this lecommendation, signed " An- tonius Mondaius" is to compliment this celebrated navigator by supposing, that patronized by Sir Francis • T. Warton's Poems — Ode for the New Year i 787. f " This maketh the Bible, the blessed Book of God to be so lictle csteenieJ." Q 2 Drake, 558 Drake, Palmcndos may defy criiicism and opposition — Then follows a preface " To ike Courteous Reader. " Having finished this History of Palmendos, I commit the same lo thy fauourable censure. And though it bee not floo- rished foorth with borrowed phrases of eloquence, yet hope I thou wilt accept it friendly, as thou hast done heertofore my works of the like matter. To make any commendation thereof to thee, I will not, first read thy fill therein, and after judge as thou findest occasion: yet with thy wonted fauour, to en- courage me in proceeding in translation oi Primaleon, which hj the next tearme I hope will be accomplished. From ray house at Cripplegale the fifth of Februarie, ]58g. Thine in all courtesie. Anthony Munday." The first characters brought forward areBelcar ant) Tyrendos, the one the son of King Frysoll of Hungary; the latter the son of Duke Eustace of Mecoena, who were on a visit at the court of Palmerin, " that they might deserue their knighthoode at the hand of the Em- peror, the true mirrour and idea of manhoode." " The time then beeing come, that Belcar son to King Frysoll, shoulde receiue his order of knighthood, he humbly intreated the Emperor that he might enjoy it at bis hand, and Tireiidos sonne to Duke Eustace of Mecoena, desirous of the selfe s:ime honour, made like request unto his Majestic, ■whereto the good Emperor (who looued them both with sin- gular aflfection, knowing how well chiualrie woulde bee im- ployed by them) right willinglJe condiscended. — Hereupon, after they had performed the accustomed vigil), he knighted these two Piinces with great royaltie." — "The ceremonies beeing ended, they all returned to the pallace, where the newe knights beeing unarmed, * rich robes and mantles were brought them for greater honour of the feaste, which in the courte at this time exceeded." Glorious as the feats of Belcar were, subsequent to his • From the singular life of Lord Herhtrt of Cherbury, written by himself, v:t kain that so Lite as the reign of James I. similar ceremo.nies were observed at the inauguration of Knights of the Order of the Bath." There is aaother custom liliewise that " the knights the first day wear the goun of some religious order Omd this too afttr the ) eformation), and the nigkt following to be bathed." The second day the new knight was clothed in robes of crimson taftcty, and on the third he wore a gown of purple, the decorations and orna- ments of ivhich Lord H. particularizes, p. S6, 8vo. edit. 1809. knighthood, 229 knighthood, those acts of heroism fade away hefore th« more dazzling effects of the exploits of Palmendos^ to whom indeed he acts principally as a Gentleman Usher. Palmerin d'Oliva in the course of his adventures as an errant knight had become acquainted with the Queen of Tharsus, whom, being connected with her by magic aid, heleft pregnant, without being aware of the celebrity which would attach to his name as the father of Palmen- dos at a future period. This son the Queen carefully secludes in her court, where he resides perfectly ignorant of his father, and where his many noble qualities ob- tained him general esteem and affection: and he " be- came so famous through all the neyghbour marches and limitrophcs of Tarsus, as the very best woulde come to offer him theyr service." This comet was not to be confined to so small a range as his mother's kingdom, and supernatural agency is exercised to inform hmi of his actual situation. " The courte was filled with resort of nobles and others, for besiide the royall nature hee brought from his mother's wombe, according to the idea and celestial influence of his constellation, he was borne and naturally inclined to armes, which made him evernsore converse with y« most skilful! ■ that way addicted. But one day before he was armed knight, a very aged, decrepite and over-spent woman, came and sate down on a steppe in the porche of the pallace, attyred io such poore garments, as her naked flesh was scene in manie places; and there sate she trembling in such sorte, as though her soule were ready to forsake her bodie. Such as passed in and out the court, were greatly amazed hereat, and moved to pittie her case very much, so that Palmendos came himselfe to beholde her; and seeing she would vse no speeches to him, went. in againe and sate downe to dinner. Afterwarde, coming forth to walke abroade for his delight, he found her sitting there stil in the same place, Vv'herefore he called his cozin Ozalio to him, who was sonne to his unckle and tutour, saying, can we not understand what this poore olde woman would have? Ozalio as desirous as the prince, came to the olde woman, demaunding of whence she was, and if she stood in neede of anie thing? but shee, without aunswering one worde, gave him a verie frowning countenaunce, and after- ward scornefullie turned her back towards him, wherewith Ozalio somewhat offended, gave her such a spume with his foote, as she tumbled quite beside herse.ite, whereat Palmendos a 3 and 2SO and his Lordes merilie laughed; but theyr pastime was soone altered into admiration, for after the woman arose againe, she seemed of such huge deformed stature, as eache one was amazed that had beheld her before, and turning herselfe angerlie towards the prince, used these speeches. ' Ah, Pal- mendos, little regardest thou to resemble the Emperour of Constantinople ihy father, whose gentlenes and sweetnes, streicheth as wel to the meanest persons, as them that are Lordes and of great account. What gainest thou in rejoyc- ing at the iniurie doone mee by thy knight? I pray that the great imperious monarch Cupid (^quoth shee with lifting her eyes and hands to Heaven) may so cruellie wound thy hart with the love of faire Francelina, and cause thee to con- ceive such gracious thoughtes of her, as thou maist leaue this idle and delicious life thou leadest, to winne the honour that is got with paine and trauaile. So did thy father heere- tofore for the Pv'mcesse Polynai da, whom he loued so reli- giously, as with the dexteritie and strength of his bodie, he assaied to gaine y" reward which Fortune prouideth for her cheefest fauorites; whereon imperially he is now amounted, accompanied with y'= greatest felicitie, that can happen to anie one vnder this hemisphere. Leave then these wanton and courtlie surfettings wherein thy mother laboureth to con- taine thee, and nowe beginne to manage armes, which may make thy name perpetuall, and yeelde the rewardc of immor- tal glorie : for it will redound to thy great shame, beeing Sonne to so rare and invincible a knight, not this way to imitate his laborious deedes. And when I shall see thee thorowlie wrapped in the passions of lone, I will thinke my- selfe satisfied with reuenge of the dishonour, which thou bast suffered to be done to me in thy presence.' The olde woman so breaking off, immediately vanishe away, to the great terrour of all the beholders." — Chap. 5. p. l6. The remonstrances of the old woman succeeded; Pal- mendosj struggling with the fears and affections of his mother, eventually enfranchised himself from her ap- prehensions, and in search of adventures, quits her em- braces without regret. The first exploit of our hero, is to visit the grave of tv/o faithful lovers in " the Is- land of Delphos," which island, after conquering a cruel giant and- his son, he rescues from the powers of necromancy, and having given directions to erect a monastery on the spot, delivers the government to an old knight, who is to hold the reins, subject to the au- thority 231 thority of the Emperor Palmerin. The inscription rn the tomb of the lovers before mentioned, is hardly worth repeating, yet as this, with two other short poems in the course of the work appear to have escaped the research of the indefatigable Ritson, it may be worth while to give it here. '' Forbeare mine eyes more to bemone thy freend. Whose peereles venues time nor death can staine : Despise the man that thus procurde his ende. And hath (withall) his onely daughter slaine. Ah,.angrie fate, and planet most unkiiide. What more inhumaine act could you deuise: Then step betweene the hart, the eye and minde. And pierce that«vaine which could them all suffise ? But sith in life our fortune was so bad. To misse of that which we desired most : Yet nowe in death the same is freelie had. Wherefore of loue in death we make our boast." Love and glory appear to have been the sole employ- ments of the contemporaries of Palmendos, and in the intrigues which were the eternal occupation of the knights and the damsels, we not unfrequently, as in other romances of chivalry, find dwarfs entitled to a rank in the society of that period, from which their personal deformity vvonld seem to have excluded them. The daughter of the mighty Palmerin himself, condescends to employ one of these freaks of nature in carrying on a love affair (which ends without any imputation on the lady's character) with Arnedes, a Prench knight. — " Bruguell (the dwarf) ha/ing donne his endeavoure, for the concilliation oi Philocrista with his maister, re- turned immediatlie to him, whom he fqund attending in silent deuolion, to vnderstand the issue of this amo- rous stratageme, and after that the dwarff hadde worde by worde recounted all his negotiation; Arnedes was, rapt into such unspeakable joy, as hte imagined the houre happy when he mette with such an ingenious * Trucheman. Amenada on the other side, when she espied time for the purpose, interpreted so well and • According to Minsheu's " Ductor ih Linguas," thU word, derived from ;he modern Greek, and equivalent to the Turkiih word " Dragoman" means JD intirp'eUr* « 4 faithfulUv 533 faithfiiUie the intent of the prince to her illistresse Phi- locrista, as she therewith was carried into a thousand imaginations. And albeit the kuight dispayred not in his sate, but rather imagined so sweet a countenance would be inclined to mercie." Chap. i8. p. 57. — Arnedes," hke many a love-sick swain, possessed a rhyming vein, which produces the following " dittie :" " The finest gold is by the touch discern'd. The Adamant the sturdie yron drawes : The proofe heereof in loue may well be learn'd. For by these twaine I shape a louer's cause. You Madame framed of the finest goldc. Upon the touchstone of my hart is tryde ; And I composed of the yron molde. Follow the vertues that in you abide. Then sith the touch telles if the gold be pure, And rugged yron shevves the vertuous stone : Take touch, and yron both into your cure. For (Madame) they belong to you alone.. The metaphysics of love (if I may be allowed the expression) appear to have been at their height, at the period when this work was published : the fantastical nonsense of Liyly was the fashion of the court, and the jargon of his " Eupheus, and his England," can hardly be exceeded by that contained in the following passage: " But these louers could eat verie little, because they had worke enough to regard eche other; for there is nothing in the worlde more agreable to one enamoured, then to contem- plate the object of his thoughts, because loue making a breach into the bodie, and planting his siege against y^ very soule, hinders the passage of nourishing meates, and makes them feed on his louely deuises, which are such, as euery one of you that haue tasted thereof, can distinguish whether they be bitter or sweet. Hence proceedeth the pleasure conceiued by beholding, when the eye takes his course to the hart, car- rying _with it the liiieiie draught and effigies of the thing scene, making so- sound impression therof in the spirit, as nothing els maybe represented therto: in y= end this idea passing through the penetrailes and secret rayons of the sto- rinach, engraves on the hart the perfect portrait of y' thing beloued, and what morsel more delicious, what wine more plesantj or licqaor more ambrosius can one find wherewith to satisfie satisfie the soule esprised with the Irandon* ofVenuSj then the exact contemplation and secret discourse, which the spirit maketh to his onlie choise, when he beholdeth himselfe re- ciprocally beloued of her whom ^le loueth ? doubtless none at all : happily some other might be spoken of, which seeine to yeeld more content, but then they arc transitory aivd of no continuance." Ch. 21. p. 65. The most fertile genius of the modern school of hor- rors need not be ashamed to steal a hint from the cos- tume of the ghost which assailed Palmendos on his reaching the magic-defended temple of Delphos. " Palmendos sate downe on a curious piller, intending to repose himselfe till the next morning; but immedialelie he hearde such a bruite and rumour, as though the whole worlde had been in one moment assembled. Hereupon he arose, and couragiously drawing his sworde (because hee doubted some arabushe or newe charge) went directly to the sepulchre of the Duke, where hee behelde a damsell with her hayre about her cares, and all her garments soyled with blood, which very sight greeved him to the hart. This was the shaddovv and representation of the Prieste's daughter, who after shee had delivered manie bitter sighes, with a voice hol- low and trembling, thus spake — am I not more wretched and vnfortunate, then anie other under the globe of Heauer? yes, questionlesse, seeing the fatall destinies hath appointed me to endure perpetuall, cruell, and rigorous mariirdomes, for thy sake, noble Duke of Feria, the onely recorile of mine afflicted soule, for whom lone took such priuiledge on me, as I feared not to offend myself with mine owne hand. But who hath robbed me of the sworde that so suddainly made the sad execution of my life? Ah, Palmendos, thinke not to carry it away so lightlie, for that sworde is yet more neces- sary for me. With these wordes she ronne violentlie uppon him, and shooke him as if she would have tome him in peaces: at which instant there arose such a thunder and trembling of the earth, as he thought verilie the temple woulde have suncke, and the foure elements resolve and turn into their former state oi Chaos. By reason hereof the Prince coulde not continue his magnanimous and wonted vigour, but fell downe de- pryued of his understanding, as though pale death had taken possession of him. "t Chap. ix. p. 30. The * According to Minsheu a gallicism Sot Jirebrend. f This effect of fear on Palmendos militates against La7itcrius, who says " They which are of stout and hautie courage, free from all feare, seldomc tymes ^34 The endeavour to rescue Fraacllina' daughter of the Kino- of Thessaly, was^ in ihe reign of Palmerin the ob- ject of greatest consequence to the knfghts who filled his court: repeated failures by increasing the' difficulty, in- creased also the wish io surmount them; for Palmendos this wreath of glory was reserved, and after the usual course of battles followed up by enchantments, in all which he is uniformly victorious, the fair one is restored to liberty and her country, and rewards her deliverer with her hand : the possession of which however is de- layed until he shall have emancipated the aged king her father from the prison walls within which by the power of the great Turk he has been for years confined. I fear, were I to enumerate the train of frauds and cruelties by which this desirable end is attained, I should deprive our hero of all claim to either respect or esteem: it may however be alledged in justification of his conduct throughout this affair, that the parties he had to deal with were Turks, and who therefore were entitled to as little mercy or consideration from the early romance writers, as so many mad dogs. Tiie funeral ditty beneath is composed by the page of Iffida, whose father was the governor of the castle in which the King of Thessaly was confined, and who (with his whole family) falls a victim to her unsuspecting fond- ness for the dissembling Palmendos. " Dead is the bud of Beautie's cheefe delight, The fairest flower whereon the' Sunne did shine. The choyce belov'd of many a famous Knight, The pride of honour, precious and divine. The louely maid of whome the Kiraphes did sing : That Nature neuer fram'de so rare a thing. Had Paris scene this wonderous peece of art. Proud Venus had not caried beauties prize : Palla ■ and Juno would haiie stoode apart. To see. their gifts one Virgin royallize. In euerie point surpassing curious: Had Fate and Fortune bcene as gracious. tymes see any sp'rits. Authors v/rite that lions ure not feared with any btigs : for they are lull of sromacke and devoi'.Ie of fe.Tre.'^ Ldvatenus ot Ghostes aod Spiiitts, 4to. 1572, p. 16. We must not however tiy the heroes of lomance by the touchsto:ie of nature. Vngentle ^35 Vngentle starre that domlneer'd the day, When first my Lady Mistres breath'd this aire : What angry object stood then in the way. To crosse the course that was begun so faire ? You louring heauens, why did ye oppresse: The Sainte whom you so many waies did blesse ? But wretch, why siand'st thou charging these with guilt And art thy selfe the Authour of this ill ? Thou haplesse boy thy ladies blood has spilt. Thy Maister and his seruants thou didst kill. When first thou trauail d for this trothlesse man ; Euen in that hower these miseries began. But Soueraign Loue, immortal and diuine. Whose gracious name did shaddow this abuse : Canst thou permit before thy holy eien. This hainous deede exempt from all excuse? O mightie Loue. what will thy subjects say; If foule offence goe vnreueng'd away ? * Stand not expostulating this or that While on thy back the weightie burthen lies ? Waste no more time with vaine and idle chat. But for this fault be thou a sacrifice. Faire Iffida, thy page doth fallow thee: The onely engine of this tragedie." Ch. 28, p. 87. The obstacle to Palmendos' marriage being thus re- moved, that knight discovers himself to his father Pal- merin, who, after some qualms of conscience, and dread of a scolding from his wife Polynarda for his infidelity, gladly finds in the hero, whose fame has been bruited through every coast, his own offspring. Palmendos (who has been hitherto a Pagan) is then baptized, and after- wards united to Francelina. As in a modern novel the marriage of the parties winds up the tale, and the hero and heroine lose all their interest when reduced to the forms and habits of common life. For the loan of this rare work I am indebted to the kindness of R. Heber, Esq. In Steevcns's Catalogue a copy edited in 1663 is to be found. I have not heard of any other editions than these two. W. • Thp words in italics at the beginning of the first two lines of this stanza, I have supplied oa conjecture, the original being mutllatedi Art. 2s6 Art. IX. Divine Meiitatioiis , and Elegies. By lohn Hagthorpe, Gentleman. London, prmted ly Ber- nard Alsop. 162,'i. 8vo. pp. loi. Abt. X. Fisiones Rervm. The Visions of Things, or Fours Poems. 1. Principium & Mutahilitas Re- rum. Or, the les^i.nning and Miitalilitie of all things. 2. Cursiis & Ordo rerum. Or, Art and Nature. 3. Opineo & Ratio rerum. ^ Or, Wealth and Pouer- tie. 4. Malum £55" finis rerum. Or, Sinne and Ver' tue, concluding with the last Judgement and end of all things. Wherein the Authour expresseth his iii- uention by way of Dreame. By lohn Hagthorpe, Gent. London, priiited by Bernard Alsop and are to le sold at his house in Distaffe Lane at the signe of the Dolphin, 16:23. PP- ^4^* Art. XI. [Title imperfect.] or a Discovrse of the Sea and Navigation, with some things therein coin- cident concerning Plantations. Likewise some par- ticular Remonstrances, how a Seaforce might be profitably imployed. Wherein by the way, is like- wise set downe the great commodities and victories the Portingalls, Spaniards, Dutch and others, haue gotten by Nauigalion and Plantations, in the West- Indies, and else-where. Written as a7i incourage- ment to our English Nation to affect the like, who are better prouided then any of those. By John Plag- thorpe, Gent, Qui Mare possidet, omnia possidet. Themistocles. London, printed for Nathaniel But- ter, and Nicholas Bouj-ne, 1625. qto. pp. ^g. Of the domestic history of this writer not any par- ticulars are known. That he was a " Gentleman" above is a threefold assertion, but whether that term im- plies the minor branch of an ancient family, or the de- scendant of one whose broad thumb narrowing many a yard of drapery, left wealth sufficient to found a new one^ remains with the sagacity of the reader to decide. The dedicatioBS of Hagthorpe are confined to the works they precede. He considers the reader of the first may think ^17 " it strange to see so sad matter as Meditations drest in verse; not considering how the same musick that plai'es your Spanish Pauin and Lauolto, is sometime fitted to a Lachrimoe. That (he continues) thou findst here so many kinds of verse for one continued matter, maruell not: varietie is the best preseniion for satietie. It re- sembles an instrument of many strings, from whose di- uersitie of sounds arises but one harmonie. If I haue, like a bad taylor, ill suted good bodies, I am sorie: for my purpose was to do like good Fhysitions that guild their physick to make it goe downe the better: but the lawyers have transformed me to gall and my Debtors to copper." The Visiones Rerum he dedicates to Charles Prince of Wales, and calls himself " the least and most vnfortunate of all men wrapt vp through infinite calami- ties in Cimmerian night of vnknowne obscurities Hauing (he says) of late presented your royall father with a smmhookc pf Meditations, and a suite; so, renuing the said suite, I make bold now againe to present your Grace with these most rude and most vnpolisht lines, but honest matter, and not vnfit for your contemplation, which my poore muse having wandred round the world to gather, layes downe at length at your princely feete." His Discovrse is addressed to George Duke of JBucking- ham, and says, " I may seeme to be iustly taxed of pre- sumption, in oflfring this dimme tapor of my weake ob- seruations, to the cleare sunshine of your knowledge, especially considering how much it may be thought aboue my ranck, my reach, & the strength of my low grown fortunes to meddle with the armes of Hector, or the shield ofMinerua." An address to Time, at the end of the Meditations, concludes, " Ten yeares the guiltie lawes haue from me pul'd. My Wants and Cares as much; Sicknes the rest; My best houres but from Wants and Cares aie culd — Oh, Time! must he haue least that spends thee best? Oh, Time! giue me a Time my selfe t' applie. To Vertue and to Knowledge, or to die." From these passages he appears to have been a poor Gentleman. His residence for a time is traced by the poem oi Art and Nature " written whilst he lined in the old Castle of Scarborough, standing vpon a naost high rocke 238 rffcke almost surrounded by the sea."* One of the best of his poetical pieces has been selected by Mr. Ellis for the Specimens, who considers his Muse as bearing "tes- timony to his learning and piety, but his subjects were too sublime for his genius. "f His prose is full of con- ceits and hyperbolical allusions ; the Discourse thus com- mences : " The clouds being blowne away from our Britaia splieare, and a faire hope of cleare skye appearing, my Muse hauing with more paine then profit too long trauel'd the two-topt mountaine, is tempted in this storraie, and yet calme season of a Winter Spring, to put to Sea in hope of some better for- tune. The Sayler will here perchance looke out for some waxen conceits, to pumpe fresh water out of salt, in long voyages. The curious will expect to be satisfied, whether the seas Mortmim and Herl-osum, be such as indeed their names import; or these names. Nigrum, Rulrum, Pacificum, or Glaciale ; onely imposed by accident. The gut-louing glut- ton hungers to heare news, of two hundred seuerall dishes from hence. The deepe dining philosopher would as gladly vnderstand whether the flux and reflux thereof be tnotus lo- calis, or spiritus tumescens spumoso in cnrpore. But none of these is the subiect of my present Discourse. I would shew the benefit of the sea by reason of trading and commerce; dnd the happinesse of this little He, disjoyned from the rest of the world yet vnited by commerce and nauigation." Holland is described by the following stanzas. "■ Faire Holland hadst thou England's chalky rocks. To gird thy watry waist; her healthfuU mounts With tender grasse to feed thy nibling flocks; Her pleasant groues, and chrystaline cleare founts. Most happy shouldst thou be by iust accounts. That in thine age so fresh a youth dost feele. Through flesh of Oke, and ribs of brasse and Steele. But what hath prudent mother Nature held From thee, (that she might equall shares impart Vnto her other sonnes) that's not compeld To be the guerdons of thy wit and art? ' And industry, that brings from euery part * " 1 did liue sometimes vpon the Sea-coast in the townc and Castle of Sv:arborough.'* Diicouncy p. 34. t Vol. III. p, 138. Of 339 Of euery thing the fairest and the best. Like the Arabian bird to build thy nest? Like the Arabian bird thy nest to build, With nimble wings thou fiyest for Indian sweet* And Incense which the Sabian forrests yecldj And in thy nest the goods of each Pole meets : (Which thy toes hopf-, shall serue thy funerall rites) But thou more wise, sccur'd by thy deepe skill. Dost build on wanes from fires more safe than hill." Of his ability and reasoning as a politician, the follow- ing plan, to raise " 3 or 300,000 pounds" for establish-, ing a foreign plantation, forms an amusing and suf- ficient specimen. ." Here the maine ijfejection would be, how should so great a summe be leuyed? it would be very grieuous and burthen- some to the people. At this time it cannot be denyed but it wou'id : yet in some fit oportunitie, a subsidie and fifteene would doe it. Or else it might be drawne euen from the su- perfluitie of some on ■ thi g (if it were not too much dis- f)aragement for Englanf 10 be as wise as Spaine) euen from our very RiifFes. I beleeue there be 5 or 600 thousand Gen- tlemen, Citiizens, and Yeomen in' the Kings Dominions, which doe weare two of these Ruffes yearly; (a forraine com- moditie therefore to bte restrained) the chirge of which, one with anothf-r, cannot amount to lesse then tenne shillings the peece. Now if euery such person which hath beene knowne to weare such Ruffes, should contribute the price of one of them, towards this so glorious, so pious, and so necessarie a worke, it would bring in a greater summe then is formerly named ; or, since it is true that the weare of Ruffes and Bands yras not in vse a 100 years agoe, and that many as noble nations as wee (the Polonlans and Hungarians) haue not yet receiued the fashion, the excesse of such Ruffes might be better spared, being prohibited to the meaner sort, after Spaines example, to weare oneiy Falling-bands, for one yeare onely. And if any man obiect to this, that it were disparadgement or disgrace, I pitie him: there being so many presidents (both antient and moderne) of farre stranger things. It is not like mony ex- tracted from the sweat of laborers and hirelings; nor like the excise of some countries, which extreamely pinche the bellies pf the poore : there is no subiect would be for this either colde or hungry, but many the warmer and the better fed, so farre from any lust ii.iputation of disgrace, that I dare bee boulde to aSirme 240 afiirme, it would be rather to posteritie a tnonument of eternall honour." Discourse, p. 27. J. H. Art. XII. The Epislel Exhortatorye of an Inglyslie Clirystian vnto his derely heloned coillrey of Ingland asaynst the pompouse popysh Bisshops therof as yet the true memhres of theyre fylthye father the great Antychryst of Rome. Made ly Henry Stalhrydge. Hieremie, L. Deale with hahylon as she hath de- ser2ied, for she hath set vp herselfe against the lorde, and against the holy one of Israeli. \2,mo. 36 leaves. This epistle is saiil to be *■' written from Basyle, a citie of the Heluecyans ;" it is without date or printer's name, but the type appears English.* Among other allegations against the Roman Catholics^ is their persecution of the players. " None leaue ye vnuexeda'd vntrobled. No, not so much as the poore minstrels and players of interludes, but ye are doing with them. So long as they played lyes & sange baudy songes, blasphemed God and corrupting me~s co sciences, ye neuer blamed them, but were verye well contented. But sens they persuaded the people to worship theyr Lord God a ryght accordyng to hys holie lawes & not yours, and to ac- knoledge Jesus Chryst for their onlye redemer and sauiour, without your lowsie legei-demai~s ye neuer were pleased with the ; whan they tell you, as the truth is, that your Romysh father hath played the cruell Antychryste, and you his false phy.sicions in holdyng the Christe" multitude so many hu dreth yeres in such damnable darknes of sprite without repentaunce, ye take it vnpatientlye sekyng their destruccion for it." * * * Another edition, 1^44, Herbert, i^ij. Art. 241 / Art. XIV. Catalogue Raisonne of the Works PUBLISHED BY HeARNE, To the Editor of the British Bibliographer. The attention of the public having recently been powerfully directed towards the works edited by that celebrated antiquary Thomas HEARNE,'and the letter,* as well as the printed proposals, of Mr. Bagsler, book- seller, having informed us of his intention to republish all the productions of the same antiquary, in a manner at once elegant and correct, you rnay probably have no objection to the present communication; which has, for its object, the promotion of antiquarian works in gene- ral, and the illustration, or accurate description, of those of Thomas Hearne in particular. I beg leave, however, to premise that it is far from my intention, as well as beyond my ability, to enter into a critical disquisition upon the comparative merits and demerits of these mul- tifarious puUications. My object is chiefly bibliogra- phical ; and" as such you may consider this epistle the better entitled to a nich in your periodical journal. Subjoined to the biographies of Wood, Leland, and Hearne, printed in two octavo volumes at Oxford, 177a, there is a copious, and, upon the v-zhole, minute and accurate, list of Hearne's publications. Much, how- ever, reirlains to be noticed, and to be added to this list ; and if the present attempt, which I would call a Catalogue Raisonne of the Works edited by Hearne, should be deemed in some measure to have supplied these deficiences, and to be useful at a moment when there is such an ardent and general thirst, to possess the publications of this antiquary, I shall consider myself amply remunerated for the pains and trouble it may have cost me. , One word more, Mr. Editor, by way of preliminary remark; and this relates to the laudable plan of Mr. • Gentleman's Magazine, October I8O9, Vol. LXXIX. Fait II. ViOL. J. XI , Bagste . 242 Ba^sler. Every one who has seen (and what man of literiry taste Is there who does not possess?) his elegant reprint of Wulluii's Complete /h/vler, must, while he wishes wcil to his jireseut undertaking, be ciTivinced that it will be creditably executed. For uiy own part, I will frankly confess that I have seen, and highly com- mend, the plan, or rather the reprint itself, of those vo- lumes * V hich are shortly to meet the public eve : but I would anxiously wish both the publisher and editor, again and again to reflect, how far a reijriiU of the entire U'orks of Hearne (as they are called) may be a profitable or even useftil undertaking ! — and whether the advice of the O ford editor,t and the opinion of a late learned antiquary, J may not be worth an attentive consideration upon * Ruhcrt of Gloresler's, and Peter Langtoft's Chronicles, 4 vols. Svo. The conirTion impression in meclium octavo ; a second, upon roya! octavo paper ; and a third in dcmi quarto, [with a btautiful pearl border, in red ink, round every page of this iaterj ; are each excellently well printed, or *' got up," as the technical phrase is. The number of the copies, on each paper, is very limited. ■j- *' A judicion.^ collection of the more curious papers, published by him, would be a valuable work ; but it is said, that such an underiakine; has not been carried into execution for private reasons respecting his family." Edit. iJTl. vol. i. p. 33. No e ; might it not be inferred from this pas- sage, that it would be necessary to examine the papers of Hearne, where- ever now deposited, in order to make this ripiint complete.'' J " A friend proposes, that all Mr. Thomas Hearne's works should be printed in two volumes, folio. Some of the publications are, indeed, scarce worth r' priming; but, as gentlemen will ever be (!e«irous of col- lecting them, it would be no bad scheme to reprint them together, in the mar}ner proposed; as it would both reduce the price, and make the volumes more easi y to be come at, some being now exceedingly scarce." Aiiovy- mia?ia, p. -2 73. edit. 1809, Svo. To this it may be replied, that, if " a sreat book be a great evil," a ** folio" is a much greater evil than an ** octavo ;" besides, the conve- nience of the latter size, [which has been acknowledged in the reprint of all law publications in it] is too obvious to require an argument to support 't. Ii is very well for such men as the late Dr. Pegge, and the living Professor Heyne — who, by using three or four, or even eight desks, have "ample room and verge enough" to wield their folios, — to talk thus :i*- but, ** non omnia possumus omnes " In the precec'ing passage from the " Annnymiana" I have omitted the mention fjf Dr. V* I'kin's critic,ue on Heatne's works, as inserted in his pre. face to Bishop Tanner's Uibliotheca firitannica. This critique I have read; but it is very short (being occasionally subjoined to his description of some of Hearne's pieces) and not very important. However, the " judgment" of Dr. Wilkms shall be brought forward in the course of my Catalogue Raisonn-, The opinion pronounced aponEishop Nicolsun's Historical Li- brary 343 npon this' occasion ? As to the paTtlciilar works which should be reprinted, the present is not the place to con- sider them : there can be no question about the intrinsic excellence, or the probability of the sale, of those which are forthwith to appear." Thus much only may here be added, with reference to the publication of the future volumes; that those works should first be printed which are not only very scarce, but very curious and interest- ing; and that the scattered notices of Hearne upon a particular subject, in various works published at different periods, should be brought together into one publica- tion, be the same in two, three, or more volumes. Moreover, that the errors should be corrected, the ap- pendixes, notes, and annotations thrown into their pro- per places, and, where an opportunity occurs, addi- tional information should be introduced : for, it may be said of Hearne's works, as it was by an eminent black-letter critic of Shakspeare's; ' if they are worth reading, they are worth illustrating.' It is a conviction of the importance of this mode of arranging Hearne's publications that has induced me, in forming my Catalogue Raisonne of the same, to brary, both by Hearne ami Wilkins, is a just one i and mie;ht not some- thing similar be pronounced upon the learned work to whith the latter's opinion ip prefixed? A n^w edition of Bishop Tannei's Biblioiheca Bri' tannica is, indeed, a great desideratum in literature. It may be wortli adding, that Fabricius, long ago, had expressed a wish for the republication of [-learne's pieces. In his Bilnolh. Media et Infi ^JEtatis, vol. i. 276. [edit. 1734, svo.] he s;iy3, qua; [nimirum Hearnii Opera] juiiciim excudi curanie alicjuo viro docto, esset tanto magis opera? prctium, quoniam ct diffna plcraque quae studiosorum Historise tcrantur manibus, et rarissima sunt omnia, editore hoc agente scilicet, ut paucissima taniuin singulorum exempla typis exsciibcrentur." He then briciiv notices about foui teen of Hearne's pieces that had fallen under his ob- servation. Vogt, in his CataUgiis Liirnr. RarioTum [edit. 179', Svo. p. 420] reiterates the wishes of I'abriciu^; telling us, Wiiat few modern cuUec- tors stand in need of being apprised of — ** paucis excmplaribas, nee exiguo pretio, imprimuntdr ; quo fit, ut iis scrael distractis libri immani prelio vcneant." Hearne's works are scarcely known in France. De Bure gives but a meagre and partial notice of them; and neither Four- nifr, nor Peignot, the latest and among the most active bibhographeis, hrive incorporated them in their recent works. Consult the former's Dic- linnnaire Pnrlalif de BU-Hographie, 1805, Svo. and the latter's Essai de Cu- riusiles Bib.io^raph'ui-ues, 18U4, Svo. and Billio^raphie Curndse lt-o«, Svo. The fine libraries of Gaignat, the Duke de la V.iUiere, Bore, Prince rie Soubise, Gouttard, Favier, Boutourlin, and Santunder, are quite bar- ren of our antiquary's publications. R 2 commence 244 commence it with an aecount of those volumes which treat of ^8e Mtiquitit$ of dUlaffoubui-p^ I. The History and Antiquities of Glaston- bury ; by an anonymous author who entitles it " A little Monument to the once famous abbey and borough of Glastonbury. [Or, a short specimen of the history of that ancient monastery and town, giving an account of the rise and foundation of both. To which is added, the description of the remaining ruins, and of such an abbey, as that of Glastonbury is supposed to have been : fee. &c.] From a MS. never before printed.* Oxford, printed at the Thea- tre, 1722, 8vo." [Pullished at LOS. 6d. ike small paper: 1 1. is. the large; number of the large is not specified. 151 Suhicrilers.'\ Opposite the title page there is an indifferent plate of a monk of St. Benedict, executed, I suppose, from one cf the cuts in the ' Monasticon Anglicanum :' and fac- ing page 285 are three cuts (folded); namely, i. A Prospect of Littlemore Minchery, and a view of the Nuns' dining table in the refectory: 2. The Effigies of Mr. William Smith: 3. An Inscription upon an old grave-stone, &c. These four cuts, with another of a medal o2 an ancient Earl Pembroke, introduced in • This MS. is said to be " Finisht April 3i), 1716." The author of it, who I think is called by Hearne " a worthy and pious man," [see Pref. p. l.xxxviii.] is said, " in the Bodleian Catalogue, to have been Dr. R. Rawlinson ; but Hearne says the author was certainly Charles Eyston, of E. Hendred, Berks. So that Dr. R. was only publisher." See Cough's British Topography, vol. ii. 215, The author, like R. Stephens [in his planning the division of the New Testament into veises] and Eiasmus [m meditating upon his " Morise Encomium"], seems to have been indebted to ^ journey upon horsehack, for the origin of the composition. He happens to alight at an inn; whjrre, putting up his horse, he walks into the bar or common room, for refreQimtnt, and entering into chit-chat with the landlord, hear» a long goss'ping story about the abbey of Glastonbury, in the neighbourhood of which the public-house chances to be. This excites in the author a wish to become better acquainted with the history of so extfaordiiiary a place ; and going home, he rummages the works of the " best antiquaries," fiom which he tells us his own composition is " ga- thered," broke. 545 the letter-press, p. lvii, (all of them very indifferent) are the only embellishments to the book. From page vii. to xciii. we have a copious, and rather curious, preface by Hearne, written in his vernacular tongue; being one of the very feiv which he wrote in the English language. Below,* are submitted to the reader's notice some * " Effigies on Tomh Stones. " Effigies on tombstone^ are olttn neglected, and overlooked, as if of little or no value, whereas sometimes they are exceiUntly well done, anil for that reason alone [were there no other] they ought rarefully to be preserved, John Harewcll's [Bishop of Bath and Wells, temp E. 3 ] was a very gootl one, and so were many besides, that are now quite gone. And, 'tis among such effigies, that we oughT to reclcon th^ images of cross-legged knights, as they ore called, and of some others that are to be found in some cliurches." Preface xl. " Ditto on Brass Plates. *^ I know that the putting eiiigies on brass plates is now disused, anrl another pompous custom is come in its place. But it whs continued for some time after the Reformation, as might be shewed in several instances. But I will leave particulars to future industry, Vol. xt.ui. Hearne then notices the efllgy of a IVlr. William Smith, a celebrated Oxford man, which is not noticed in either of the editions of Wood. ** RvgUteriii^ Names. Mortuary Bills. " Divers of those buried at Glastonbury, were benefactors either to the church or abbey there, and all their names were carefully and exactly registered. For this justice must be done to our ancestors before the Re- formation, as to confess, that they were men of gratitude. They thought, and very justly too, that a good deed deserved an acknowle.lgment. For that reason they had many ways of recording their friends. I he common method is book.s. But this was not sufficient. They embel- lished the sacred windows with names. Rut then they had no fulsome characters about their friends. They tVioughr such eulogiums would rather hinder than encourage benefactions. I will not insert all the ways they had of commemorating what v*ras done for them. One more, bow- ever, I will mention, and that is their Mortuary JSiUs, which contained catalogues of names, and were generally either fixed upon the sacrisiy, or else read by the curates before their Prones or short sermons. The bigger and more famous any church or chapcU was, so much the greater number of mortuary bills belonged to it, £o tliat it is inconceivable to think, what a variety there was at Glastonbury. Indeed no church or chapelt was without them. " I will not pretend to plead for prayers for the dead, or to justify any error or mistakes. But I liope, a commtraoration or mention of our dead friends and benefactors, is no crime, and that the ancients do not deserve any ill character for returning thanks to Grd for raising them such, what- ever may be said against thtm for praying for them in the separate state. Many curious gentlemen collect, among other antiquities, these mortuary bills, and I had one lately lent me by my ingenious and worthy friend, Mr. John Murray, of London. What church or chapel it belonged to, Mr. Murray cannot learn, but, from the hand, i take it to be about the time of Richard II. and since Mr. Murray [as he hath often told me] found jt in a MS. of Hilton's Scale of Perfection, that once belonged to the H a Charter 246 some extracts from this preface, which are conceived to be sufficiently striking of Hearne's peculiar manner of Charter House, before the dissolution ; it is very probable that it relatei to some benefactors of that monastery. It is written on a large octavo leaf of vellum, and contains the following words ; for the soule of Roger Houg- ton, and lone; And fcr the soule of Nicholas Yoiis^ and Margaret ; * Sir lohn Browne for the soule of Syr lohn Rudkyn, Anfl for the soule off Emmot Skyliyngton. And for the loiiie of Thomas Parl:yn and lone. And for f tho Henry Waieat. And for th'e soule of Rythard Florry and Mar,!;ere. tor the suuIk off John (_oye and \'Villiam Coye: And for the sou'e of Mayster Roger fioure. And for the soule of iviaystcT Rychard Thymmjlby. ^ Got', have mercy on these SDulc5, and of all Ciystan soulcs am npt, by any means, an enemy to reformation ; but then, I hope, wiclirpdness will not be called such. No good man, surely, will either eommcnd incratitude, or extod tbo e that are against ktiping up the memoiy of excellent persons ; rruch less \^'ill he applaud such as will not let the bones of pious men and women rest, even in the p'ace's where they had raised churches and chapcUs. 1 could here recui^nt seNtial sad Btories, and some, loo, of things that have happened within my own memory. I am not far from a place, where an eminent benelactor was forgot almost as soon as he was dead ; I am sure within a few years after his death, the cosily building he raised was puUed down, and his benefaction looked upon as just nothing. But such stories will grate." Pref. p. XLVii : Lii. *' Use of Fainted Glass IVindou-i. " What light would it give to our accounts of Glastonbury, if we could now see the v.iudows timt were there in old time, in which the history of Joseph of Ar.rnathea and his companions cc'ining thither, and settling there, was depicted ? Kay, what encouragement would it be to virtue, to find a great number of other historical passages neatly done in the glass of that pli'ce, and most carefelly preserved, till destroyed by such as stuck at no wickedness to- gratify their lu ts.' Were there no pther instances of t^ie use of such glass, the west window, that was formerly in ?t. Marie's church in the University of Oxford, were suflfi- r.ient proof, in which window was painted the whole history of King Al- fred's restoring that university, and many ancient and laudable customs were * These three words are in a later hand. f The words " soule of" ^fp wanting. I These three lipes are in a small hand of the same age, 247 of thinking and writing. Then follows the preface of the anonymous' author of the " Little Monument^" which occupies thirteen unnumbered pages ; and in which he gives us some account of the authorities that he used in its compilation.* Next comes the ' Little Monument' itself, cumprehending i6o pages. The following piece^i, as sptxilitfJ m the Oxford List before mentioned, close the volume: 1 . Fuvd tio et Jiatuta Cantar'ice Shertn^tomana; hi eccJesia cathedrsli divi Paull Lnndini. e Cod. MS. vcttii penes D. Edvardam Filaier, de EaTx Sullen in agro Caiuiano, Baro- nettura. p, l6l. 2. 'Or riott's Letter to ihc F,arl of ArUngtnn, concernivg Thet- ford From tht Or'u;in;il iu (he hands of ilie Author's Son in law, Mr. John Burman. /. 'i15. 3. Some Fr^gmems relating t'j ihe t )-itiish Antiquities, ivriifcn by old Oliver Mai/ieivs, From a MS. cori^rauni Gated by Dr. Thorpe oi Iloclji'iier. f. 'ij/. 4. Notes out of the Church Register in Thatcha7n in Berks, commumcuted by Ihoihu-. RanvHnson, Esqr. p. 'I'J'l. 5. hxiracis front the i register of llaii-'keshead in l.ancnsh, be- ginning A'. 1508. cumiiiunicated also by iho. KawluiioUj Esq. /. 280. 6. E,.' tract of a Letter, ivriiten by Jer. La-vcday, relating to ihe Megister of Bisham in Berks, p. 284. were cleared and explained by it. From this window, a controversy be-. tw^en the Doctorsi arui [Masters was d' cdcd ; namely, whether the tiias- ler were to be covered in convocations and congiei^,atitin^, and it was carried in behalf of tr.e ma'ttr-:, trom the j.iintmg in that window, in which they were represented covered in such assemblies." Pref. p. lxxi. &c. ' " I have all aUng, says he, used Protestant authorities, excepting only where I find Protestants not toncurripj, wrih Saunders, f Reyner, and Crcssy. And the reason why I prefer their stniinieiits before Protes- tants, is, because Saunders lived at the lime of the dissoluiion, being a fellow of New College in Oxfoid, in 15'is; whicti was but nine >earsat most after the dissolution of this monasteiy, and Reyner and Cicssy were both monks of ihe same order that the mcnks of Glastonbury were of, SO had better opportunities of knowing, and [in all likchhood] did know, more of the mi.tter of fact than Mr. Wood or Mr. Willjs could know." p. 5. Hi account of the Bcnetlictine Monks, the original tenants of the abbey, is briefly and prettily written in theprtface: behaving " sayd but little of them in the book itself." -|- Saunders must be a stubbed hoy, if not a man, at the dissolution of abbeys ; therefore what he reports, probably, was tiora his own know- ledge .' P 4 7. «48 7. E. Thomsit ad oprxs sive zisum tcclesiis Coventriensis . Una cum recensione aliqi'ot terrarum eccleBiarium, ab ecclesia Coventriensi alienarum. E. MSS. vet. in Bibl. Bodl. 9. De Capellano ZJrdz'crsitnth Oxoriieyjsis, i^ de sohnni ejusdem TJtiiftruiaih V.-:'nej'ictr,ru7n cchherrii,:orum Ccmmemoraiione, ex fipistolis V. doftiiS. Thorns BJ59]> "Tiy justify us in supposing that our ai;t;quary, like Erasmus, [when the latter was busied in completing hir. edition of St. Jerom, — sec Fabricins's excellent account of the labours of Er.Tsmus; Syllog. Oj'usc. HiSt. Crit. Lit. p. j,66, J7jS, 4to.] would have braved " perils af robbers, and perils of flraters" in the accompl'shment of so congenial an, undeftaking ! decayed, 550 decayed state of the mint of the realm : advising, very pro- perly, the cultivation of that branch of useful antiquities which relates to ancient coins and gems. Tu praise ot the text of his author, Hearne observes that his friend Dr. Smith, " quum Museum Ashmollanum adire solf*ret, praeter alia. Codices ibi adservatos, Joh nne^n Gl stoiiiensem iiianu versare, et curiosis oculis lustrare e re sua duxit, eleganiiam que etuim Codicis Ashmoliani laudare, qui Codex Ashniolinuus (quippK operas pretium est animadvertere) ad Bibliothecam San Gregorianam Duaci olim pertinebat, &c.' Of the intrinsic excellence of this manuscript we shall presently speak. At page lix, among the preiaiory mattei, are some Ljtes of Gerard Langbain (in Latin! relating to the MS. of John of Glastonbury, preserved in the Bodleian library. Then follows, 2. Johannh Glasioniensh Chronica, which fills the fir't volume, concluding at p. 234. The second volume '.)egu;s witn 3. Excerpta E. Richard' Bscre Tcrrario Casnohii GijsTo/ji,-nsis; concluding at page 35J. Then, according ro lh<' • o.iord Catalogue, A. Contu^iuJo Lu?riinarii seu Ccreoruni, in er<'Iesi;! Gi i = foniensi per Sacristam loci ad divinum offiiir.m exhibeudoi um. Ex cod. MS. veteri membraneo in bibliothcca CoUegu S. Iri- nitatis Cantabrigiae. p. 358. This is a vtrv curious piece of monastic antiquity. 5, Charta Ada/n't le h\r de SoTiy, Coenobio Gl.istoniensi con- cessa, de redditu quodam annuo ad sustentationem cujas- dam Cerei ac Luminaris. Ex eodem Cod. Cantabr. — p. 366. C Charia Willehm lloghelts de redditu quodam annuo, ad sus- tentandum luaiinare ecclesiae beata; Mariae Glastoniensis. p. 308. Ex eodem Codice. 7. Ea qucB devzisit frater Adam de Domerliam de bonis S. Dun- stani inThesauraria Glaslomense, A. D. 12S9. p. Solj. Ex eod. Codice. 8. Index Charturum, aliorumque id genus, ad ccsnobiura Glas- toniense spectantium tempore Johannis de lantoria, Abba- tis Glast. '[A. D. 1290.] p. 370. Ex eod. Codice Cantabr. Very curious and interesting, — Q. Henrici III. Charta de coenobio Glast. Ex eodem Cod. p. 419.* * This charter is taken from '' An ancient, fair, and very large leiger book of tKe abbey, calJed *' SeLretum Abb^tls," because, always inhu custody: it 15 in the Bodleian iibrai;, among Wood's books Lo' ght by the University." Gouglii Uritiih Tifographj, vol» ii. 2 J 8, 10, 251 10. Numerus Vihrorum Glastomemh ecclesice^ qui fuerunt de librario anno Gratise m*^. cc°.XL*'.vni^. p. 423. Ex eodem Codicc* 11. Reliquiie' sacm Glastonicnsls ecclesi^. p. 445. Ex eod. Cod. All the ensuing pieces, a& far as the Index, are comprehended in an " Appendix," 12. Dr, Charktt s Letter to Archbishop Tenison, concerning the death of Mr, Authmy a JP'oodjf /. 455. Ex Appgrapho Edvardi Burtoni, Armigeri, qui ex Autographo de- scripsit. 13. Afmcissi77il dnctizs'wn'jut liri 7homes Srnithi, S. T. P, EpstoIte^X *i^^ ^^ S. i^natii epistolarum Codice IvlS. iVIe- di ceo, • *' There is somctliinj:, says Mr. Goug>:; citrsmely [Jic^a:•esq'^e in Le- land*'5 acco'-nt oi this library, s^'hV-h he rejuesmts "^ vhe finest in E:i^[^rid, Aianor^ tlv hooks h.i.= , appej, Livy, Sa'lusi, and sjnie ct" Eede's pieces, S3 old as CO L-': us;;;es5."''" Uritnk T.y':_^/v^, kvj Vol, U- 217. S.-e also the nc);t in the s-U enuenL pa^.. Li.id.u's .j..0)i is worth subjoining: *- Sram aliquot abhincanns [^ay hr;, in his account of Milchihu s] Gitsscjuigi Somu- rotriguni, abi ant cjuiibi^iiuin siaiul et lurjuos'ssimura est t^tius msula; rostra cceiicl\n,T, ar.irtiumque longo studiorum labore fiisura, faverjCe Rlchardo Whitin^" I, ejus'crn loci uLtDatL-, rccreabjra ; rionec novas quidam cum legend! turn discendi ardor a.c iriJiamnnarec. Su])ci venit aut3m jidui il'eciti'.s cpini- one : itqqiie st-cim me contuU ad DiblioLhi^cam, non ornnibxis jjerviam, ut sacro- s^iici2*vctustutis rel.quias, quaru^a tantus ill iiu:i;ei us, quu'ilijs niilio ui.o facile Britann x. Ipco, d.li^ iitisiinie e\ultfert;m. Vix certe limen mt averam, cum >anl.qiiissimiirum libi-cru:n vel soljs co: spectjs re'igijnem,iie:cio an ^tcporem, anitr.o incute.et mco ; eaque dc; c.iu'-a pcdem [.'aulu'um s sleban. D inde, ^alutaco loci natnine, per di^b al:quot orni.eis forulcs curiosi.-sime excussi/' J)..' Scrlpi^i iltii Biitfinnicis, Vol. i, 41. Besides thi ci.is^cs mentioned by Ml. GoU;jh, there appear to have been some opu.cuLi or Pl.n/j Ari&totle, Bjetius, FompciuSj &c. Vide the Lis.ove C.ir dcguc. -j- Thisl'-teris insTfpd in the Li-c o. Wood, p. -^c,?, published as the Bcc^nd volunis tvj the work rr.rn which the .;b:ve Lst ia Ltiken. X \ hese two hitters have the follo\\i:ig intrcductoiy pass.;, e, on the reverse of page 4'o. " Good Mi. Hearne,und my trusty friend, 'ih.t-etwo le:ters, with Mr. Ledgard''s papers, you muit pi=i,e.ve most careru.ly, und piint them some time or other, tay it bee 7 ycA'es huice otherw.se put ti.em into the hand cf some trusty fi iirnd, v\ ^ wilt do mee this pisce of ju .ticc- :iijd ser- vice, T. S." " When I read thr-se lines, :a\s fthe author of the Nj-il' Me- r-ciy. of Liter ature,YQ\.\\' . 205, I thought Dr. Smith's leters were a .ort of mystery : but it w-u a ir/islake. 1 ii'.y were dated from Westiiiins er, March 5> 1708-9, and Octcb. 2^, 1709. in the fiist Dr. Smith s'j^ag, th^t the manuscript of Sa'nt lL;njtius's epistl ;, iii the library of the Great Duk'r of Tuscany, ss very incorrei t and /julty ; nnd g'lvei sevetSl ins'anccj of ii, irora th^ ccl.a'ioa of Mr. Led^ar ; in the second letter, Ur, S;n'th infjn.is A^r. Hearne, that in tfie year 1677, Dr. Pcar^c-n, Bl.hop Fell, and Dr Ll xd, jt that time Dean of Ba^^^or, proposed ta icnd hirp" into Grecc-, Ajiutolia Jud Egypt, ti) search for auuther coj y of Jt. Igna-iu^'a Episth^^, and several wojks oi- the ancient Fathers not yet tli=covered. Dut Dr. ^m^ta did nut thmk to undertake s;-:ch a journev, tor some rcarsons mentioned by hi.n. 'I ho^^e Ltfc-is *re ibhowcu by l\h. Led^iird's CuJtiUon of the Florentine *\Januscnpt of Sr. Ignatiua's 2SZ diceo, una cum V. cl. Johannis Ledgardi eadem de re ob- servationibus. pag. 45g. 14. y! supplication to Q. Mary, hy John Dee* for the Recovery and Preservation of ancient lVri*ers, and Monuments, e Coll. MSS. bmiihianis penes Edit, luitk Dee's articles on that occa- sion, pag, 490. 15. John Dee's account of his life and studies for half ^ri hundred years, p. 497. Ex iisrlem Coll. MSS, Smithiunis. 16'. Out of 'John Dee's hook, eniituleii famous and rich Disco- veries : •U'rittin in t.'ic year, 15/ J. pag. 552. 17. Kalendarium nzonaiterii de Lello capile, id est, Beauchief ex Fundatione L'aronum de Aluctcn. Ad tiJem Cod. JVIS. mihi donati a'o amico doctibs. i'licardo Graves, de IVIickle- ton, in A.gro Glocestriensi, Armig:.-ro. p. S57. 18. TlIu Copy of a I'apcr, relating 10 Jlshdovuve or Ashhury, in Berkshire, commuiucuicd hj t.r-i fncnd Mr. George Wigan, M. A. and Student rf Christ Church, p. 5Qj . 19. Fragmenfum quoddum historicum de eod. Cod. &c. vel fragmentum Hisroricum, capite & cake mutilum, sex foliis con'.taiiB, quo Poetice & Stylo Caedmoniano celebratur virtus beilica EEORTHNOthi Ealdormanni & aliorum Anglo Saxo- num, in praslio cum Danis, Angio-Saxonice, pag. 5/0. e Cod. MS. in Bibliotheca Cott. 20. Nota, ad helium de Brannoltburne pertinens e Bnweri addi- tionibus ad Joannem Fordanum penes Nobilissimum Co- mitera Oxoniensrra. p. 577- 2 1 . Indulgent ia Ahhati i^ Conventui monasterii Glastoniaisis conccssa, de utendis pileis, dum interessent Divinis. e Cod. MS. vet. in Bibl. Coll. Trin. Cantabr. — p. 579. 22. Index, p. 581. 23. Notee aliquot omissee. p. 606. Ignatius's Epiitl'S wi'-h the edition of Isaac Vosiius." At p. 486 there is an account o^ the civility of Magilabechi, tlie fumous Librarian to the Grand Duke of Tuscany. * In hi? jireface, p. xx, &:c. Hearne speiiks with rapture of the discoveiy of this curious roemoria],and the subsequent piece of bijgraphy, relating to John Dee. The whole ;s, ir.deed, singularly interesting 5 and has been almost verbally copied by me, to appear in a future edition of a recent uork. Dti/5 libraiy contained 400c volumes, and was valued by him, perha|)sexaggeratingly, at 20C0/. It was the result of forty yeais active labour in collecting, and abounded witji an.ient classics, as well as with a copious harvest of books illus- trative of the occult art. Its owner was the great cohjuier, tj'aveller, alchymist, astiologer, and scholar af the age 1 His Memorial was wi ittcn " with tears of bloody'' as he himself informs us ! Poor man ! while he was the oracle of the vulgar, he was not awaie of being the dupe of the coiu-t ! In the second volume of Mr. ZAoe'& Ar.ecdotes ef Lierature and Scjrce Books, p. 263, there is ex- tracted the advertisement to his " General and Rare Memorials pertayning to the perfect Aite of Navigation," &c. foi. 1577. 24. 253 24. Operum Hearnii Catahgus. 613. corifaining much curious additionnl matter respecting Sir Thomrii* Bodley, &c. This list of Hearne's worlis includes every thing hereafter spe- cified, and closes the second volume. 25. Appendix egrcgia ad RcUquias Bodlcianas, e Cod. MS. p. 6 12. 26. Nota de As'.crii Mtncven^is Vita Mlfredi Mcgni. p. 648. 47. ViTidkife V. cl. Henrlci BodzuelU contra Gualterum iVIoy- Icum. p. 649. 28. De iractu quodam MS. 'in Bihl. Cott. inscripto. Imposi- tions arid Taxes on the state, gathered out of Monkish Re- gisters, and Stories, from the Conquest to Hen. the 7th' p. 652. 29. The Epitaph of Mr. Thomas More, Author of the Life of Sir Thomas More, Kt. i3c.—p. 655. Thus much for a list of the pieces in these rare vo- lumes of Hearne As to the intrinsic value of the chro- nicle of John of Glastonbury, (which abridges Domerham's history, and brings it down from the year 1390 to 1400) perhaps the less that is said of it, the bet- ter it may be for its reputation. Neither Wilkins, Gough, nor Nasmith (see the last edition of that most valuable of all Bishop Tanner's publications, the Notitia Monas- tica,-f folio, 1^87, Art. xxii. Somersetshire) dwell a mo- ment * Tho^e letters, which have been also ccp'.eU by me for the forcmcntloned purpose, are, some of them, very interesting. It is delightful to observe the progress of such a work as the establishment of the Bodleian Library. ** Priiiio parva metu, mox sese attollit adauras." The invincible perseverance (" nullis fcjsiis laboribus," as Johnson said of Cav..-] and unbounded gene- rosity of Slit Thomas Bodley place him in the foremost rank of the greatest characters of his .t^e. To the credit of the times, too, it must be added, that mcst of the leading n'.blemen and literary characters coiitiibuted, by large donations, to the success of the undertaking. Sume of their contri- butions are thus recorded by Sir Thomas. My Lord of Essex ; about 300 volumes, (chiefly in folio.) My Loid Chi.rnhe-h.vjc^ 100 volumes: "all in a manner new bound; with his arms, and a great part in folio. My Lord Montacutf ;, 56 costly great volumes, in folio ; " all bought of let |inr|M'c, and fairly bound, with his arms." Sir llchert Sid/7 y-^ 102 voUmies in fclio, to the value of one hundred ponnds, being ail very ^air, and especially well boifnd, wici-i his arms." The Lord cj Norilmmleriand i iGol. The L-rd BisJiop of Ely ; 40I. Sir ITa/ter RaJtij^h; jol- Mr. Rohrl Cotton of Conington; 9 Manuscripts, of v.-hich some are !a Hebrew. Me hath also promised to augment his gift." -[" A |?ieat pc'ition of the inipressiou of this work, wlilch wai printed at til. 254 ment upon its value. Indeed, it seems evident, from the preuice to Ad.am de Domerham, that Hcarne him- self ha;l bat a poor opinion of it, and was ashamed of the eulogies under whieh he had iiFhercd it into the notice of the learned. It was r:"if^,rtunaie that he had not seea the excellent ci'.ron'.c^e of this latter monastic historian, before he ventured upon John of Glastonbury : and equally unfortunate was it lor Whar- ton, in the first volume of his Jvgl'm Sacru, p. 587, to print the corrupt text of John, under the name of that of Adam de Domcrham. But, wliatever may be the defects of the first volume of this publication, the second, as the reader mav have already had a sufFieicnt intima- tion, is singularly curious and valuable; and deserves reprinting on many accounts. Like the greater part of Hearne's works, the fruit ingrafted is generally better that! the parent stem. A sprifhtlv review of this publication appeared in the New Memoirs of Literature-. Vol. IV. p. 30C-207 ; in which the account of the relics,* said to belong to the abbey, is more minutely and sarcastically criticised than by Mr. Goujh, in his British Topography. The review the University Pr»s'., at Cambridge, for Mr. Nichols of R-d Lion Passage, ii laid to Iiave peii hed in. the fire which consumed the premises of the latter, ^ in the year iSc7. Kishop Tanner's Notltia Monasticaws.^ first published in 8vo. 1695, when its .uithor was only L^venty-two yc^ars old. A second edition, greatly enlarged by his ^t.vn labours, was published, after his decease, in 17511 folio J and the ab\ ve '■ worth its wei;;h in gold,'' w .s the third and last edition. A few p.-rt'C lart concerning t'leTanntis ['* claium et venei-abilc fiomen!"] may be foa id in Mr- Nichoh's recent publication, entitled Bishop Nicolson's Epistolary CoTrespovdtnce, Vol. 1. 57. * " A journalist m y be allowed to take notice of relics, when they are very cuiious and uncomm -n. The M,.nks of Glastonbury weie resolved to be well stored with relics of tie Apostles, and of all the most eminent s.iinls and con- fessors ; it was a pro itable contrivance. They had but few relics of the Old Testament 5 but tho e relics were very w-^U chosen. I have seen in Geimany and Ita'y very rxtra ordinary relics ; but I quickly grev/ weary of that sight. ** I shall mcnrioi but 01. e .niracle among tho^e that ^re ascribed to cruci» fixes, and images of the Holy Virgin, A certain Monk, narntd AlLSl, used to go by a venerable cruciti ■ , co\'e.ed wi^.h gold and silver, without bowing to it. But o e day he th lught lit to rn-iLc a bo.-. . The crucifix epoke to him — TiOTf too late AiLBI; nouj too late, AlLSi. Whereupon the Monk fell down and died immed ncly. 1 refer to the book these readers who desire to have a full knowledge of it. But I must not fojgct to observe, that beca'^se the abbey was situate I in a very cold place, Pope Innocent IV. gave the Monks leave to omc..,!- with the.r caps on." See the above authority, p. 203, &c. concludci , ^55 concludes with calling " Mr. Hearne an indefatigable Antiquary ;" and, among his valuable qualifications, " particularly to be commended for his great exact- ness." In a very short time after the pnblication of John of Glastonbury, Hearne put forth another more valuable and ancient performance, relating to the abbey, under the following title : '' III Adami DeDomerham Historia De Rebus Gestis Glastoniensibus. E Codice MS. perantiquo, in Biblio- theca Collegii S. Trinitatis Calitabrigiae, descrip- sit primusque in lucem pnitulit Tho. Hearnius. Oxonli. 1727. 8vo. 2 vols, f Published at il. is. the small, and al. 2s. the large paper : of which latter there appear to have been forty-eight copies. 128 sub- scribers; of whom nine subscribed for several copies.) The-;e volumes contain : (exclusively of the table of contents ) I. j^ Latin Preface of Hearne: p. ix — xxxvi : which is succeeded by an Appendix, extending to p. ciii. From this preface, we learn that Adam de Domerham improved and continued the text of William of Malmps- bury concerning the history of Glastonbury Abbey, bringing it down to the year 1290. Dr. Gale had before published Malmesbury's text (Bist. Script. Anglic. Vol. HI. p. 291. to 335), but in a very incorrect * man- ner. Domerham's text, which is most accurately f printed by Hearne, frorn a unique % MS., has been con- sidered by antiquaries as a great acquisition to the history of Glastonbury, in the period of which it treats: the author, however, does not seem to have given it the last polishing touches of his hand. Hearne's account of him is sufficiently interesting; and his preface .contains various curioMs particulars relating to literary works. Opposite, p. xxxviii. there is a plate of a mutilated in- scription upon an ancient stone. The following parti- • *' Verum GaWi editio erratis quam plurj-^isspissjs fadisqui scatet ; sicut et pluies in cudern deprehenduritur omissioiies,^' P. xv. f " Nos nihil vel mutaviinu':, vel dcprjvavimus, sed codicem MS. ea, q'j? ifcuir, fide seciiti sumus." P. xiii. J " Nin jUuJ auctorii liujus e!:'-mplar antiqijum eistareexistimo." P. ic. ticular';. 356 culars, from the Oxford list^ are comprehended in the Preface and Appendix. 1. Abbatum quorundara Ccenobil de Mushelney, in agro Somersetensi laterculus, cum Notis historicis. p. xxv. 2. An Extract of a Letter, ivrilte}i by Dr, EihuarJ Bayly, of Havant in Hainpshirc, to a friend of his about ilic Chichester Inscription, p. xxxvii. 3. Sorie Notes of the said Dr. Baily, en Mr. Gate's Copy of the Roman 1/iscription at Chichester, p XL. 4. Tl>e publisher's Discpurse concerning the Chichester Inscription, occasioned bv the Extract out of Dr. Bayly's Letter, p. XLI. 5. The Copy of a Paper (copied from a Be^ister at IVestminster, and) given to the Publisher, by the Ho?!. Benedict Leonard Calvert, Esqr, eonceniing EdvLard Eottllers leaving the mo. naile'-y at 11 cstvii'uster, in order to retire to MUburgh' s Priory, at Wenlock, of ihc Cluniach Order, p. LVI. 6. A Grant from Ili chard de Pas ton to the Abbey of Bromhohn, in Norfolk, p. Lxui. from an old Leigcr Book, pertaining to the Abbey of Eromholme, in Norfolk, and noiv (Feb. 8. 1/26.) in the hands of I\Ir. Paston fa very curious GentleauinJ of Pautley, in Gloucestershire, ivho copied this Charter from it. 7. E Statutis Collegii Novi, de libris Collegii conservandis & non alienandis. p. liv. 8. Ejc iisdem Stat, de portis & Ostiis dicti Collegii statutis temporibus claudendis & serandis. p. lxi. Q. Joannis Foxi * Epistolam ad Laurartium Humphredum, quo tempore Collegii Magdalenensis (Oxonii) bibliothecae librum de gestis ecclesiffi donavit. p. lxiv. 10. Excerpta qucedam, ad ccsnobium Itluchelneyense, in af th«e pieces which made Dr. Henry overlook the Glastonbury historians •, and the same reason may be sup- posed to account for the omission of a reference to either of them in the elegant disquisition of Mr. Milner " Uppp an antient cup, formeily be- Jongitig to the abbey of Glastonbury." Ylie ■lircfutohgia. Vol. xi. 411. * t Uetben mentions it "by Awdeley, jsBa, probabiy by Roberts, see. 10^4, under year mo (the author died ls?B) by Chirlewood, isse, and- without date. The present edition not noticed. ipirit, 26l spirit, as God did the prophet Ezechiel, and after many intol- lerable enilles, yet I shall styll say vnto you : behold, you shall see mo abhominations then these : I would first leade you to your benefices, and behold some are defyled with Impropria- tions, some with Sequestrations, some loden with pensions, some robbed of their commodities : and yet beholde more abhominations then these. Looke after this vpon your pa- trons, & loe some are 'selling theyr benefices, some farming them, some keepe them for theyr children, some guie them to boyes, some to seruingmen, & very fewe seeke after learned pastors : and yet you shall see more abhominations t'>an these. Looke vpon your ministery, and there are some of one occupation, some of another : some shake bucklers, some rutfians, some hawker* and hunters, some dicers and carders, some blinde guides, and cannot see, some dumme dogs, and will not barke : and yet a thoasand more iniqui- ties, hauc now couered the Priesthode- And yet you in the meane whyle that all these whoredomes are committed, you at whose handes God will require it, you sit styl, and are careles, and let men doo as they list. Jt toucbeth not belike your common wealth, and therfore you are well con- trnted to let all alone. The Lord increase the giftes of his hdly spirite in you, that from faith to faith, you mayc growc continually, tyl that you be zealous as good king Dauid, to uorkc his wyll. If you knowe not how to reforme this, or haue so lyttle councell (as man's heart is blynded) that you can deuise no way : aske councell at the mouth of the Lord, and his holy will sbalbe reuealed vnto. you. To reforme cuyli Patrones, your Maiestie must strengthen your lawes, that they mty rule as well hye as lowe." * * Art. XV. The Kyng of Englandes Daughter i [Fionj William Painter's Pjlace of Pleisaie, 1567] Three yonge menne hauyng fondlie consumed all that thei had, te came vene poore, whose nephewe (as he rttouined out of tnglanile into Italic, hy the waie) fill into acijuaintance wiih an abbotre whom (vpon further farailiaritie) he knewe to bee ihe K>ng of Eng- landes doughter, whiche toke him to her husbande. Afterwardes she restored his vncles to all iheir losses, and sent them home in good •>ate and rcputacion. " ^ The xxxiiij. Nouell. " There was somtime ago in Ihe citie of Florence a knight, called Sir Tebaldo, who, as some sale, was wf the house of % J Lanibcrii; 262 Lambert! : and as other affirme, of Agolanti. But leauyng the variaunce, of whether house he wa-., true it' is, that he was-in that time, a notable, riche, and wealthie knight, and had tbrtc sonnes. The firste called Lamberto ; the second, Te- baldo; and the thirde, Agolante; all faiie and goodlie chil- dren: and the eldest of them was, not xviij yeres of age. When the said SirTebaldo died, to them (aa his lawfale heires) he left all his landes and goodes. Who seyng themselfes to be veria Hche, in redie money and possessions, continued their life without gouernement, at their owne pleasures, and with- out bridle or staie, thsi began to consume th"ir goodes. Thei kepte a greate and francke hou.^.e, ar.d many Hor'^ses of greate valutf^ with Dogges, and Hauki^s, of sundi ie kindes, and con- tinuallie kept open house, giuvng liberal! gifteb, and obsem- yng diuerse cestes at Tilt and Torney, doing tliat thing, that not onelie did appertnine, and belong to geiillemenne but also that, whiche was incident to the trade and course of )oathe. Thei conlinued not longe in this order, but i heir substaunce lefte them'by their father, was verie inuche cor^sumed. And theii reu'tnues (not able to. raaintaine their expences) began to decrea'-'?, whercvpon thei were i'liiie, to ir,or;;age and. sell their inherii-aunce in suche wise, as in the ende tlu.i grew/e. to extreme pouertie. And then penurie did <_ipe~ their eyes in li!:e'sort, as before riches.se had closed them vp. For .which raus-', Laraberto vpen a daie, did call h\s otber twoo bre- tt:reri viitq hyra, and told them of what honour their father was, to what value his richesse did aiKounte, and now to what pouertie fhei wer come, through their disordinate ex- pences, giuyng them counsaill (so well as he coulde) ihst be- fore nli,'::-r;e did growe any fuither \p6" them, by .■^.■-Uyng that ■i.-hiche was left, they shoued goe their waie. ' \vhicl;ethei did. And without leaue taken of any man, or other .■.oleni'p- r^itie, thei departed' from Florence, and taried in no place, before thei wcru arriued in Englande. \Vhere taky.ng a litle i^ouse, in the citie of Lojidon, thei iiued wilh litle e.\pences, and began to leiicle out their nion'-y to vsufie, ai.d fortune was so fauorable vnip iheni, by that trade, that in fevve yeres, tli.ei had gained a verie notable some of money, whiche made them one after another, to retire againe to Florence with their fiubslaance, v.here thei redemed a greate parte of their inhe- ritaunce', and bought other lande, and ?o gsue themselues to mariagei'continewing neuertEelesse in England, their money St interest. Thei sent thither to be their factour, a yonge manne their nephewe called Alexandre. And thei three dv.tl!) rig still at Florence, began againe to forget to what miserie their 26g their inordinate expences had brought them before. And al - belt thai were charged with householde, yet thei spent out of order, and without respecte. And were of greate credite with euery Marchaunte: whose expences the money that Alexandro, many tymes did sende home, did helpe to sup- porte for certaine yeres, whiche was !ei»te out to diuerse gen- tlemen, and Barons of the countrie, vpon their castelles, ma- nours, and other reuenues, v/hertof was receiued an incre- ■ dible profite; In the meane tyme, the three brethren spent so ,largelie, that thei boi'owed money of other, fixyng all their hope from England.e.x .It chaunced contrary to the op!-- nion of al men, that warre's happened betwehe the kyng of England, and one of his sonnes, vhich bredde rauche diui- sion in that couritricy-rsome holdyn* of one part, and some of another.; by meanes whereof, all the" nra»ours and mor- gaged landesj were taken aw'-aie from Alexandro, hauyng no- thing wherevpo" .any profit-e did rise. But 'daily trustyng, that peace should be couoluded, betwene- the father and the Sonne. And that, all fhynges should- bfe surrendred, as well the principail as' the interest; he deterji>ined not to departe the CQuntrie. -, is a speech borrowed from the vse of men, hauirjg in those timts locks of hecve curled or standing <.y, that as it is the custome or air.ncr of men to count, them comly and .seeiaely wiJi their lockes, so the spisuse saith, he lacketh nothing to comiines. Not that hereby ruflians in our times shoiila beare out them selues in their curled haire, women with their haire crisped aud layd out as a seemly thing, when that is reprehended by Peter, But it 'Aas the maner then of some valiant men to goe so. Ae,aine it may bee that she meaneth, that as th'Avorlde set by thera seluts and thinke them selues comly V. itii their brodred or crisped haire, so the Spouse saith her loue wanted nothing tuset him out For thespeache (as I sayde) is allesiorical. And we see that in such figures as well forn; a bad thing as a good, a simile may be borrow'ed, as the ce.ciiiiinc; of Christ is compared to a theefe, figuratively, in the ee^spel, &c. \'aine fellowes therfore may not scoffingly main- taine their vile and v/horishe pryde by this speech, neither yet the mincing dames iheir cri:ped and broydred heere coloured V ith vnnatura.1 colours, as checking the Lorde in his worke, as one that did net fully his part in fashioning of men, but we wii adde of our uy. ne, hereof come all straunge apparell (as the prophet speak^jtli) here of come !he swynishe gorbellies, their ruffes like carte wheeles about tlieir neckes. Hereof spring that filthye abhomination men to resemble women in their long heere, and women to imitate men in their dublets, and all such thiiiees r.s the l.orde countethe an abhomination, spring of this saucely checking cf the lorde in his worke- manship, by seekiijg of new & vnnaturall formes." * * Art. XVfl. J Coppie of the letter sent from Ferrara the XT I i af Koueml/er, 1570. [Head title, Colophon.} Imprinted at London in Paules Churchyarde, at the signe 271 signe of the Lucrece, ly Thomas Purfooie. Slxteens, four leaves. - On the first page, under the title, is the second to the fifth verses from chap. 15 of St. Luke, in Latin and English. The second page has " a "trve copie of a letter," &c. where the writer describes " the great and horrible earthquakes, the ex- cessiue and vnrecouerable losses, with the greate mortalitie and death of people, the ruine and ouerthrowe of an infinite number of monasteries, pallaces and other howses, and the destruction of his graces excellencies castle. The first eartb- qtiake was on Thursday the eleventh, at ten at night, " whiche endured the space of an Aue Marie ;" on the 17"'" " the earth quaked all the whole day." Upon the whole " the earthquakes are numbred to haue bene a hundred and foure in xl houres. Yet for all these, they ceased not, but on twesdaye the xxi of the moneth in the mornyng, there were iiij other." The , weakness of the writer in assigning a reason for this desola- tion is tainted with the comnjon prejudice of ignorance and superstition. '' The Duke gaue commaunderaente, that euerye man might bake breade in their howses, whiche was a token that he began to remember his couetous and gready errour. In dede his cruell tyrannyes were the occasion of all these ruynes. Do not you thinke it a great matter that he had solde all the taxes or tributes vnto a Venetian gentleman of his name II Sforza. And none afore could bake any breade vpon a great payne without his commission : also if onedyd weare a payre of newe shoes without paying taxe or tribute he lost L. 6 Italian, & should sutler three pulles with the cord afterward, was not this a rauenons suckinge of the co~m.on peoples blpud? Marke whether God reuealed not these things to come by the Duke's Secretarye named M. John iJaptist Pigna, a very learned man, a great philosophe'-, and braue^ & conninge as- trologier : who the Sondaye before which was the xij of this presente moneth framed these woordes unto the Duke his Maister. My Lord I perceyue, that the people do greately murmure against your grace which if you redresse notl doubt (no I am sure) that this weeke will not be ended before you ■shall see verye eanhlyc and heauenlj-e tokens as might, be earthquakes : The Duke aunswered, it was toldeme that there should haue bene earthquakes in Maye pasi, and yet there was none sene. M. Secretarye without other replie sayde. God graunte tiiere happen none." About 2000 persons are calcu- lated to have been lost, and the recital ends with a list of '• castelles, churches, monasteries, chiefc pallaces, all fallen to ruyne." * * Art. Art. XVIII. The Jnglers. Eight Dialogues in Verse. Rura mihi bf rigui placeant in vallihus omnes, Flumina ainem sylvasque inglorius. London. Printed far E. Dilly. 1758. izmo. Late as this little work appeared, it is not often met with in the booksellers' shops. It consists of fifty-six pag'cs; has an Address from the Bookseller to the Reader; and is illustrated by a few notes, historical, critical, and humorous. The first Dialogue, between Candidus and Severus, is "A Defence of Angling." In the second, between Tyro and Piscator, which con- tains " Some general Rules of the Sport," we have the following " Song. " Me no pleasure shall enamour. Swimming in the drunkard's bowl y Joy that ends in strife and clamour. And in sorrow drowns the soul. Sports of mighty Nimrod's chusing. All your mischiefs I will shun; Bfokcn bones and grievous bruising. Glorious scars by hunters won. Come, thou harmless recreation. Holding out the Angler's reed; Nurse of pleasing Contemplation, By the stream my wand'rings lead. When I view the waters sliding To their goal with restless pacCj Let me think how time is gliding In his more important race. On the flow'ry border sitting I will dip my silken line : And weak fish alone outwitting. Curse all other sly design. Milky kiue, around me grazing. Woolly flocks, on distant hills. Join your notes, with mine, in praising. Him whose hand all creatures fills. Whe> When musk odours, heart-regaling, All the morning mead perfume. From the new-mown hay exhaling, I'll the fisher's wand resume. Yea, when Autumn's russet mantle Saddens the decaying year, I will fish, and I will chant, till Feeble age shall change my cheer. The Third Dialogue on " Angling for Trout," is be- tween Musaus and Simplicius. The fourth, between Garrulus and Lepidus, is on " Angling for Perch," and contains another Song. " Ye Sov'reignes of manors, in verse (Dull prose will dishonour your name) The Muse shall your triumphs rehearse. High sounding the laws of the game. The farmer your sport shall supply. Your beagles his fences shall break : But ' touch not and taste not,' you cry. The law will its talons awake. One hundred a year gives the right To challenge all Nature your own; Tell short of the sum but a mite. And your ninety-nine pounds are as none, Hare, partridge, or pheasant who eat (There's law too for filching the flood) Without a permit for his meat Five pounds shall be squeez'd from his blood. Vexations, and suits, and a jail Th' unqualified gun shall chastise : Informers, but swear to your tale And richly be paid for your lies. ' For his Majesty's service, we'll press The felon who steals but a hare; For his brats, the parish assess : All poachers and anglers, beware." Lucius and Verus are the characters of the fifth Dia- logue, and discourse upon the " Carp." In the sixth Dialogue, the characters are named lapis and Mysta. The subject is "Mixed Angling:" and VOL. I. T one 374 one passage is almost literally taken from the prose-dia- logue of Walton. It relates to the hunting of the Otter. " My fortune then injoy'd that scene of blood. Dogs, men, and horses rush'd into the flood. There, here he vents, a lucky jav'lin thrown With strenuous arm, infix'd him in the bone. He dives, he mounts again, one hardy hound Tenacious plunges with him to the ground. All disappear, all reascend from far. Redoubled clamours urge the watry war: Now fainting, panting, close pursu'd by death. To the whole worrying pack he yields his breath,'' The seventh Dialogue, in which Axylus, Musaus, and Chiron are the interlocutors, is on " Trowling for Pike." And the eighth, between Icenus and Caurus, on " Fishing for Pike with Lay-hooks." The copy from which these short extracts have been taken was pur- chased at the sale of Mr. Maddison's library. Y.S. Art. XIX. Polimanteia, or The meanes lawfull and vnlawfull, to ivdge of the Jail oj" a Common-weallh, against the friuolous and foolish coniectures of this age. JVhereinito is added, A. letter from England to her three daughters, Cambridge, Oxford, Innes of Court, and to all the r^st of her inhabitants : per- swading them to a constant vnitie of what religion so- ever they are, for the defence ofovr dread soveraigne, and nntiue cnntrxj : most requisite for this time where- in ivee now live. T/ivide, quod nequeas imitari carpere noli : I'll niii cum iutapiu mentem ocidosqueiuvat. Printed ly John Legate, Printer to the Fniversitie of Cnmlridge. J595. And are to be sold at the signe of the "unne in Pauls Church-yard in London. 4'" 10 sio-. F. f. ■?. D -J This wor!c is divided into three parts; the first Poli- manteia is on the subtleties and unlawfulness of Divina- tion ; the second, an address from England to her three Daughters] and the third, England to al! her In- habitants, 575 habitants, concluding with the speeches of Religion and Loyalty to her children. Some researches have been made by a friend to ascertain the author's name, but without success. He wasevidently a man of learning, and well acquainted with the works of contemporary writers, both foreign and domesiic. The second part of his work is too interesting from the names enumerated in the mar- gin not to be given entire. The mention of Shakespeare is two years earlier than Meres's Palladit Tamia, a cir- cumstance that has escaped the research of all the Com- mentators; although a copy of the Polimanieia was pos- sessed by Dr. Farmer, and the work is repeatedly men- tioned byOidySj in his manuscript notes on Langbaine.* This omission may be attributed to the title page which bears a character of the draff of time or local politics. It is dedicated to the unfortunate " Robert Devorax Earle of Essex and Ewe, Vicount of Hereforde," 8cc. where the author describes himself as taking " England's person, and to speake like a Common-wealth." A strain of high complimentary panegyric invokes the patrone, " Your honour (be it spoken without Envie) like England's Cedar is sprung up to pieserue with your sliadov/e, the hum- blest in all professions, from hatred's malice. The warlike and braue soldier tliinkes himselfe (and that in truth is) graced, to be tearmed but your follower. The worthy and kind pas- sionate Courtier deemes (and worthily) this his honour to be your fauourite. The sober and devout student that dispised doeth walke melancholy, takes himselfe (and not without cause (fortunate to be tearmed your schollar. Thus all relye, noble Lord, upon your favour I am readie and desi- rous to be commanded by you : then accept (noble lorde) the willing mind of him that hath nothing else : and sa)' that that alone, is absolutely sufficient to content you. Read it but, (or, if that be to much) doe but accept it, and so rest: whereof not doubting in the middest of so many signes of a schollar-respecting honour, in dutie I kisse my hand, and humbly take my leaue. Your honours in all duty most affec- tionate, W. C." A short and terse preface to the reader observes, " In the abundance of our knowledge, he that hath taken pains, stands at the courtesie of euery paltrie fellowe to be censured as it please him. In consideration whereof, wise men haue * I speak from the fransciipt nude Ij George Steevens, now in the posses- lion of Sir Egeitoii Brydjjss. T 2 decme 57^ deemed it the safest, secretly to smile, and soberly to say nothing. For my paines I much care not, I esteeme thee (Reader) as thon dost me, for (degenerous mind» intreated, grow insolent:) the daies are euill, and the argument is fit for these times- I knowe diuers haue trauailled in the same kinde, whome I but humble (with- out wronging them) to spenke vnto thy capacitie : No- bilitie * fully learned made choice to handle the same ar- guraente, and with such profoundedeepe skill performde it, as that truth taketh her selfe much bound vnto him, who made her to speake eloquently that vseth to be plaine, and false prophesies, ashamed, who so long haue usurped truths titles This I must adde further (not to accuse others, or make an Apologie for my selfe) that I neuer yet in the least syllable of the so tenrmed loosest line, meant either to modestie, pietie, chastitie, time, the muses, or kindnes to doe wrong ; neither should the surmised obiect of my muses song, or the dearest which that obiect hath, suspect in me but the least shadow of supposed iniurie : for I neither ment to make loose poe- try a true historic, or thought that wise courtesie would be so suspicious to misdeeme liim, whose thoughts long since were deuoted to grauer studies : frona whence tak- ing leisure but to pause a little, my penne grew pas- sionate, and my idle papers scattered vnawares flew abroad (I protest) not to offend any: thus I binde thee (by that credit which truth deserues) whosoeuer thou art which reads, to belceue what I haue spoken herein, and (if thou please) for my sake to accept this. And because euery Balductum f makes diuine poetrie to be but base rime, I leaue thee (sacred eloquence) to be defended by the Muccs ornaments, and such (despised) to Hue tor- < mented with endless pouertie. Farewell." — At the end ■ page of Ln Lin verses. England tcker three Daughters, Cambridge, Oxford, hnes of CuuTt,.and to all her Inhabitants, " If from the depth of intyre affection, I take vpo" Lihertieofipt:cb ^^^ '° dtale more piainely, then your honorably aug- fi:t umahcr. mented dignities will well permit; or from too feruent a loue, ouerweyingly valew you at too high a rate, per- •swade your selues (if these be my faultes) that the name of a mother hath a priueledge to excuse them both: and howsocuer a mother to her daughters, might more fitly speake in secret and not hard, yet seeing my naked • My L. Henry Howard, Margin. -f For such a coxcomb. M'r- trueth a;; Irueth desires not to shreude it selfe from my greatest enemle, I challenge those kingdomes that haue chil- dren, to be witnesse of my talke; and if either there be folly in me, for to loue so much, or fault in you to A thing not fus- deserue so little, then let the~ blame me of too blind af- sibU. fection : and accuse you of not deseruing, and so speedily from Fames book will I cancel out your praise, and re- cant my loue to a mothers shame. But if 1 (iustly fortu- nate) haue high cause to commend you, & Europe for AllEurou hmnd your sake, liath greater cause to commend mee; then to England fir may I not lawfully with a mothers loue, shew the afFec- ber daughten. *ion of a grandmother, to commend your children ? And aldiough my reuenewes are such, as I cannot giue you large patrimonies, yet from my mouth shall the whole world take notice to giup you eternal praises. The time was (and happie time may I say) when in the glorie of my age, in the prime of my youth, in the honor of my dayes, in the fame of ray desert, in the multitude of my friends, I matched with Slgebertus sometimes my louing husband ; and howsoeuer my behauiour was farre Anno Dom. 6jo. from lightnesj my manners from loosenes, and my mo- Cambridge destie from the least suspect, yet I was taken in the Z"'"'^"' " "■ corrupt mindes of some fewe, to bee too familiar with '""^' '' Cantdbrus the K. of Spayne, the supposed father of Cambridge my eldest daughter: but to excuse my selfe, (though there was no cause) I protest I was free from «uch adulterie, lawfully married to Sigebert : by him wa3 begotten my eldest daughter Cambridge: and the sus- pilio" only proceeded from this, that Cantahrus seeing me happie for so sweete a childe, was desirous to christen it, and calde it Cambridge, and after from Athens sent for some to nurse her. Then after Slgebertus death (sweete daughter sigh that he died so soone) (for lega- cies farre greater would he haue left thee) courted de- voutly, I matched at last (wearie of my widdowhood) with worthie Alfred: of bim (sweet daughter Oxford) Anno Don. Joo. was thou borae- and howsoeuer some shadowes of dis- Oxford founded, «ord haue bin betwixt you two fa thing vsually incident Cmusde untijui- to your sex) which of you might challenge the lirst ""' ''-"""*• place; yet I must needes confesse this, 1 liued long com- forted only with one childe; doubting I' (ihould haue been aged and past childbearing, and then to my per- petuall comfort (sweete Oxford) was thou borne. And •howsoeuer thy elder sister may challenge that she hath Cambridge more Jiued longer, yet ca~ she not boast that either I haue «»""'• Jpued her better, ©r that she her selfe hath deserued to T 3 be 5/8 Bnth iJ^irahk be loued better. More fmitfuU Oxford hast thou bin; Gf both r.aicb- (neither herein doe I co~raend thee) but more proudly /««. iealous (Camhridge) of thy honor hast thou been; yet both of you so deare to rae, so equally belouedj so wor- thily, accounted of, so walled with priuiledgesj so crowned with all kinde of honor^ as both (vnequall to bee compared with each other) may in the higliest tearmes bee preferred before the most famous, that Europe hath : the" striue not betwixt your selues, but both be vnite together: ioyne hands, and if famous AlexanJiia not J,lexandria, that sometime liued with high honour, who ccmfarabk. ^^^^. jjgjj^ buried in her own ashes, were flourishing, to make comparison, let her knowe that within your walles, (howsoeuer you reuere"ce hers for their age) are rnany as famous as Athanasius, many as full of leained varietie Doctors in Cam- as Clemens, and many farre more soundly religious then cridgefs' Oxford, (hem both. loyne 1 say together and striue both to grace your youngest sister (daagliter frowne not that I Thehnes of court, tearme thee youngrSst:) {daughters frowne not that I tearme her your sister:) for although she cannot bragge of the same progenie, nor hatli receiued such ample legacies from her deceased father, yet her beautie, her modestie, her owne behauiour, hath matched her with Both rn'mersitic! guch noble families, as both of you may be intertained "h^imcTofcSt ^>' ^^''' ^ ^^"^ 5'°"'' children graced with her^fauoiir.: t c inneiojcour . y^^ ^j-g ^^^fj-j growne into good yeares, grauitie befits you. But she is young, stately, courtlike, and such a one as scornfully can answer her proudest sutersj nay The mother of j^g;- children are so valiantly wise, as when my subiects f''"'"' disagree she makes them friends, when you fall out she eudefh all strife, & to whom I haue committed now in 7':f fv.,ntStr.c of my age the gouernment of al my subiects : then repine /""'■''■"''• not at her happiness, if you loye mine; wish that daylie she may growe more honourable. And howsoeuer I haue heard complaints, that she hath receiued some of your children, and cherished them so much, that she Theln,^r.ofcowt j^gt;, j^g^jg (j^g^j^ wanton, yet (daughters) the fault is ''u>\it(,TC"''r. riot hers; you your selues hauing bin ancient mothers, ihe educatio of can Well iadgc, that youth (and youth plentifullie hery'.T::b. Stored with all fauours) can hardly be restrained to a stricter course: she hath not been careles, plentifully to set before them graue and worthie mirrbors of wise so- brietie, who" if your youth would emulate, the should you causeles complaine of her kindnes: and for her, this i:arf:Al f ibe m^gt I Say (though I heare otherwise) that kindely, '"'"""■''"■ louingly, and wisely she respecteth you^ as her elder sis- ters. 279 ters. Neither can it be, (howsoeuer perhaps shee might perwade her selfe) that if I should liue to see you buried (O vnfortunate if I liue so long) that (sweete daughters) she alone could be sufficient to comfort me ; nay my age and her youth, both s6 neerely depend vpon your wel- fare, as if either yee dye (which I dare not thinke of) or be offended with vs (which I will not suppose) the" ^-^1""" of court desolate were our case, aud both of vs like to be seene "^' j!^^' ^f W ruinous. Account of them then (daughter) as your elder ■^,^^"^;j^"^j^'' sisters, and howsoeuer you are youthful and full of fauour, yet they are aged & full of honour: and though it be the part of a mother equally to respect you all three, yet at my husbands sute (hee liuitig) I so be- queathed mine honour vnto them two, as the stay of our ■y«'«triiues th* house remaineth in them onely. Then I intreate thee ^'"■^ "/«'«»''■ (daughter) by the loue which thou bearest to mine in- habitants : by the care which thou hast of thy owne safety : and lastly by the daetie which thou owest to me thy mother, in all respects to fauour thy sisters honour: in all causes chiefely to intend their good : and to binde those with a sacred vowe, wIk) are thy posteritie to seeke their glorie whilst the world endureth. Stately Greece, who sometimes was famous ouer aKthe world, had long since beene buried in the eternall nighte of darke for- getfulnes, if her daughter yithens had not lincked her •^''*'M' children in marriage, with the greatest families in all Europe : and renowned Florence (daughters giue mee leaue to aduaunce your petegree) (not halfe so nobly descended as you are) being begotten by SiLla his soul- Ante adue'tum diers, a Pagan, borne in the dayes of infidelitie, had ^^"^^ 9o- neuer been reputed as the flower of Jtalie, if laureat Petrarch, Dantes, Accursius, Aretin, and lastly, the fa- Cosmus Medku. mous Duke had not made her indeard to the most re- Tiowned in all Greece. And Padivay eternizing the Pad-way. riuer Po, had been long since in the middest of her dis- tresses, rased out of famous memories, if 'Rome Hue- making U.u'ce had not beene noted to descend from her. Litiic. Then flouiM (ktnde daughters) all vnited in that man- ner, thai fhe world may knowe your posteritie to bee so A baffle vniov, linckt togeflier, as that my loue cannot bee greater to you all, then all the worlde may see that yours is amongst yourselues: Cambridge thou once like the Queene of the Amaxons, for my honour accepted the proude chal- lenge of the i?07nora Champion ; and thy children haue .Cam^,on. often since so valiantly withstoode their learned foes, as Rome can neither aduance her Bellarviin : Louan her Co,:fated by D. T 4 Stapkton, JVhuahr. z8q Confuted by D. Stophton, (iiajr mine by right) Rhemes their margent: Fu/ke. or the proudest of them all, say, they haue dared mee, and I haue not answered : nay thy other sister hath been numfreyRcimlds go forward in that kinde, as the woundes shee made are not yet cured. And if at home any base pesant, not yalewing thy worth vpon presumption shall do you wrong, either hardly intreating your children, denying them their names of honour, defrauding them of their ^'"■'"'''' ^'''''" land : detracting from their fame; your youngest sister Law must 'cut' ^^^' ^^ ^° incensed with it, as humbling their pride, she these off. shall cause them to repent their boldnes: and think ~ daughters, I intend not to see you want, for no sooner ■will I heare that you are distressed, but my nobilitic ^ tiuKg often i\ii\\ redresse your wrong; ray citizens shall relieue your want; and my souldiers shall procure your peace. And Your to-wmmeti. for your scoulding neighbours, vouchsafe not daughters to contend with them ; humble not my honour so lowe, as to mate it with such meane Knights, Paris, wise was tby Japhets progenie, who made thy Sequan to parte thy towne and thee. And great Charles, thou wert great in this, to foresee an vniuersitie and a towne, could not M^ell agree: my youngest daughter, it was thy case, to haue one of thy children vndeseruedly endangered by thy ^y'"}"' ^""'h often relieued neighbours. But as the escellencie of the 'lane """'■^ obiect corrupts the sence: and lyons are neuer so furious, as at the sight of a red colour: nor the elephants so vn- ruly, as at the shewe of the mulberie: so ray ignorant inhabitants, are no where so rude, as placed so neare a ^''"' sunne; my lyons are no where so furious, as seeing your scarlet gowns, nor my elephants so vnruly, as tasting of your powrefull and poyson killing mulberies. I would exhort you in more ample tearmes, but that I knowc your patience, and control them in a sharper manner, but that I see their furie: betake your selues to more ^j""'-^'""^ ^^" high atch!eueme~ts. Let your aged sit downe, and rest them in honours chayre; set your children to write triumphing songs for their mothers victorie: shew your quick discerning eyesight in these deceining times. Let the worlde see, that amongst your children, wit hath fruitefully growne, in this vntimely, niggardly' blasting R^j/li'ig asses, age : wherein though blackemouthed enuie repine at Yj'jrgmen should euery choyce conceit, tearming it either time or wit, or ■write and hure both idlelie imployed, yet my true discernement and a thcmseiu,.! m mothers loue, makes mee tearme them natures works, smalUr metiers. , . , . • n ■ ■ , . . made with a comparmg pride, in these latter times to shew their excellencie: yet follow not so farre tlie con- eeited :?8i ceLted imitation of former time, to talce trifles for subr iectes to work vpon, as therein njeaning to make art wondered at that worke of nothing. Thousands of obt iects might bee found out, wherein your high spirited muse might flie an vnmatched pitchy & Phqsnix-like fire her selfe into immortall ashes by tlie sunne. So onely without compare, eternallie should you liue : for in your children shall the loue-writing muse of diuine Sydnay, and the pure flowing streame of Chrystallin Spenser sw- uiue onely : write then of Elizas raigne, a taske onely jjgf tashfor, meete for so rare a pen : it js easie to giue immortalitie the f nest schtlUr. to an euer-liuing Empresse : or if this bee matterj which the basenes of these worthlesse times would hardlie pre- fer before trifles, (a thing sufiicie't to accuse this age of treason) then take a tragicke stile, & mourne for the trulie Hon. Ferdinandos death : whom though scattered The late mortbj, teares haue honoured in some few sonnets, yet he is a Etrk cf Darhn trueworthie obiect of euerlasting mourning for the sacred '^*'' died Aprd, Muses: who languishing with late sorrow for the fathers 5^93- death, want strength and leasure to weepe for the sonnes lamTtcd. eclipse: honour him sweete daughters children, viho Who died Se-ft, lining honoured you: and control with the muses pen iJ93- the repining fates, so farre as giue him immortalitie, and cause him liue to despight them. Thus wept you for Cantabriiia fSmous Sydnay, my braue soldier : and men Hon. are lachrimse. onely fit to be mourned for by your Muses: which if being made sorrowfuU they require larger matter to mourne for. Then name but Hatton, the Muses fauo- sir Christopher rite: the churches musick : learnings patron, iny ones Hatton L.Ckan- poore Hands ornament; the courtiers grace, the schollars telor of England. countenance, and the guardes captaine. Thames I dare auouch wil become teares: the sweetest perfumes of the court will bee sad sighes: euerie action shall accent griefe; honor and eternitie shall striue to make his tombe, and after curious skill and infinite cost, ingraue this with golden letters. Minus mertto : the fainting hind yutimely Aurea puluereis, chasde shall trip towards heauen, and tandem si shall be pisestantjetcma venues mot. Or if sad melancholic (daughters) displease caducis. your Muses (a thing well agreeing with my age) then take the course to canonize your pwne writers, that not euery bald ballader to the preiudice of art, may passe j ,hing ft onely currant with a poets name, but tha^ they onely may bee « le done by the. reputed Hon. by that tearme, that shall liue priuiledged vnder your pennes : for not pxtc\%e.AristaTchus, or aged censoring Cato, might challenge greater priuiledge of trueth, then your free toongd and vn-aw-bound skill: I speake. 582 speake this (daughters) not to that ende to make your children like ttie peremptory criticks of this age, but to diswade you from the fault of the common people, the cruel mislike of your owne, and the intotlerable flatterie of strangers wits. And if this or such like be not matter, wherein your deare cherished muse may Justly dehte it Of thewarres in selfe, and sweetely please others, then sing of warres, and •'^''""'"cn''""*' of learned valour: of Mineruas foe-danting shield: of ""• iS • Mor^-conquerirg honor: of the courts loadstarre: of JnFmunce. Englands Scjpjo : of France his ayde: ofyamM glorie: of the Muses eldest sonne : of arts ornament: of vertues The tueiy-whcre miracle: of religions champion: of thrise honorable, & hekuid Earle of worthilie - worthie - honored-noble - Essex. (Daughter t hsicK. Cambridge) he was sometimes thy care, thou now art InTnn.tie Co!- become his; bee proud that thou gauest sucke to so if'. /-.i braue a man; and assure thy selfe (yet slacke not to jI patron cf tke ' ■;. ,. , •' , .,, yniutnities, c«i/ honor him) that hee will wUlinglie bestowe that niilke the Inres of court, (which is now made bloud) with interest in thy quarel; howsoeuer slack not, but write; sleepe not, but sing: let your mornings muse like Jurora blushing march her equipage, in her stateliest buskind poetrie. I know Siueet Master Cambridge howsoeuer now old, thou hast some young, Camfio, bid them be chast, yet suffer them to be wittie; let them be soundly learned, yet suffer them to be gentlemanlike Britton. Percie. qualified: Oxford thou hast many, and they are able to Willoh'ie. sing sweetly when it please thee. And thou youngest of '^."'""•j}' '^'-fW three, either in hexameter English, thou art curious Master Dams of . ' ii^r-i, L. I. Di ayton. {"^^ 'hat thou leamcdst of my daughter CambridgeJ or LearnedM.l^Lt. in any other kinde thou art so wisely merrie, as my selfe (though olde) am often delighted with thy musick, tune thy sweet strings, & sing what please thee. Now me Balladmakeri, thinks I begin to smile, to see how these smaller lights (who not altogether vnworthily were set vp to expel darknes) blushinglie hide themselues at the suns appeare. A ivtrk hc-wso- Thtn should not tragicke Gamier haue his poore Cor- ever not respected velia Stand naked vpon euery poste: then should not ye! cxcellemly times complaint delude with so good a title : then should dore t.y Th. tiid. j^^j ^j^^ Paradise of daintic deuises bee a packet of balde Hut ly the greedy rirties: then should not Zepheria, Cephalus and Procris printers so m^de (workes 1 dispraise not) like water me plucke euery P"^"'J"' ''"" passinger by the sleeue : then euery braineles toy should temt.ed. " ' '^°' vsurpe the nam^ of poetrie: then should not the KcT fu-rt I e Muses in their tinsell habit be so basely h.tndled by iiermed ryme. cueiy rough swaiuc: then should not loues liumourso tyrannise ouer the chast virgines: the" should honor be mournd for in better tearms. Cambridge make tby two 283 two childre" fre'ds, thou hast been vnkinde vnto the one to weane him before his time; & too fond vpon B. ffii^y, m. the other to keepe him so long vvithont preferment, the Na h. one is ancient, & of much reading, the other is young but ful of wit: tell them both thou bred the~, and brought Doctores liberl the" vp; bid tlic ancient forbeare to offer wrong; tel the sunto. yonger he shall suffer none : bid him that is free by law, ^'*'/'^/C/f^' ^ think it a shame to be entangled in small matters : but TcUUr toimM tell the other, he must leaue to meditate reuenge, for his against. aduersarie (and let that suflSce for al reuenge) (to learn ■ Great fittie. ings iniurie) lies vnregarded. And daughter (but I list not chide thee) I heare thou art in preferring growne too partiall: thou louest sinisterly thy selfe, and hast For fellomihip. quite forgotten me thy mother; it is thy sisters fault, as well a&'thine, you both of you preferre such into your priuat fauours, grace them with degrees, giue ihe Many graJuats places; (but I will say nothing because strangers heaie '"'""^" /"■ '*' me) who of all other are most vnmeete to do me good : """"'" ^'""'''^^ nay, that which doth vexe me more, you say all herein you are mother like: what? haue I jn-efsrd to digmt'ie Lamintalhzvlien in the common wealth, such as the world in true esti- 'f '* io-» «i"h- mate, haue thought vnmeete? haue I relied vpon them, """ '^''' '"" as vpon Atlas shoulders, who were vnmeete for so great a burden? haue I euer ventured my selfe in the fielde vnder their ensignes, who were reputed cowards ? did I E^iglands great euer imploy in forraine matters, such as were vnfit fox "" "[''l't'J""'"S priuate causes? nay, I protest for these 36. yeres 1 haue ^'^ ''m'-"'- alwayes cared to take them nearest into my fauour, who "^^^ "gl" Hom- were best acquainted with wisdomes secret. I relied ''''^''^-^ ■''■'/ '^' vpon those in my peace, who Nestor-Wks, were wise to ^Valiant'^aumre preuent warre: I trusted to those in my warres, who Learned Emba's, //ecfor-like were valiant to procure ray peace : I sent sadon. Hen. such into forraine countries, as birth made Hon. ex- J^arijy. perience wise ; education learned : these haue beene my honors : and if I haue faultes (children) they proceede from you. But I am loath to doe you the least wrong : F'mua-sitia not tt and to charge you with vnkindnes in my last age: for ie contro/d i>y vnlesse I haue euer doted (a thing easie in so great aloue) "'^''>' '"^'^'"''- France my sister (for I will begin with her) cannot so "'^'' much brag of Paris, Orleanie, Lyons, Rhemes, or the Tkc Fjiiuenities proudest of al her children : as I may iustly of you ?/ P'"""" mt three. Germanie hath painefull Basill, and pleasant |,"^''' '°'""''' populous Franchefort : where Ceres, Bacchus, the Naiades pomda \ go & Dryades do march together, & yet these too mesne to FcuJed 1,06! compare with you. I passe by Jtalies of-spring, who of ■d'"-' 1457. long time hath caried her selfe with excessiue pride. Ritch Venice, with her 400. bridges: great Millayn, proud 2S4 TcKiHgHinryZ, The Paphls dili- ^ent to gaiue English ttudets* All tbinlce they haue more reason to be richer then schoUen. An vntrulh. ^nglandi chiefs care is ofharn- inrr. Sciollers must Uarve patience. M. ALhiaster. Spenser and ethers. Lylia chuded, ivh'.se ieares are making. All pretiie suorthy Lucrecia Sweet Shsk- proude Genua, fertill Bemonia, auncieiit Rauema, noblie honorable Naples, (once Parthinope:J holy Rome, and faire Florence. Thus they were tearmed long since, but now vnequall to compare with you : Salernitana some- times could giue counsell, when she shewed her care and skil to my deare Henri/, but now cbscurelie shee ■ lieth desolate : you may passe these farre, & without presumption compare with Toledo, Spaynes Nauell: with Fienna fearefull to the Turkes : yea are talkt of euery wheie, and falselle Rome goelh aboute to intice your childreUj offering them kingdomes to forsake you : (daughters) spare not, take what I haue and bestowe vpon tbem : let them not whilst 1 liue, forsake you for want ofliuing: my wealth and possessions that I haue, are intended chiefelie to your good : and howsoeuer either the base cormerant, or the poore citie-vsiirer, or the wanton spend-thrift, take themselues to haue more interest in my substance than you haue, yet they vsurpe vpon my kindenes, and make mee beleeue, that the two staies of my age (you my childreii for peace, and my souldiers for warre) haue both enough : I haue made lawes to augment your reuenewes by ynur rent corne: I prouided lately for my souldiers, whe~ they were in want: credit mee children, my care is of youonelyj for vnlesse you direct them, their plcntie is dangerous to breed rebellion : their force is doubtful! to make them disobedient: their honor likely to grow tyrrannous, and what soeuer they inioy without you, to bee dangerous to the common wealth. Let your children (daughters) content the"selues : leaueto repine at baser fortunes : let them be perswaded of this, that fame shall be their serr uant, honour shall bee their subiect, glory shalbe their crown, eternitie their inheritance : (then indeared wit decking admired daughters) write and let the worlde knowe that heauens harmonic is no musicke, in respect of your sweete, and well arte-tuned strings: that Italian Ariosto did but shadowe the meanest part of thy muse, that Tassos Godfrey is not worthie to make compare with your truelie eternizing Elizas stile : let France-ad- mired Bellaw, and courtlike amarous Ronsard confesse that there be of your children, that in these latter times haue farre surpassed them. Let diuine iar^os^e eternally praise worthie for his weeks worke, say the best thinges were made first : let other countries (swpet Cambridge) enuie^ (yet admire) my Virgil, thy petrarch, diuine Spenser. And vnlesse I erre, (a thing easie in such simplicjtie) deluded by dearlie beloued Delia, and fortu- natelie 385 natelie fortunate Cleopara; Oxford thou maist exioW 'peare. Eloquent thy courte-deare-verse happie Danidl, whose sweete re- ^""'o"- fined muse, in contracted shape, were sufficient amongst jir""'" ■f'^^"""' men, to game pardon of the sinne to tlosemond, pittie to so zuellg/aced distressed Cleopatra, and euerliuine praise to her \omng Amhomt deseru- JDelia : register your childrens petegree in fames fore- "^ mnnndl head, so may you fill volumes with Chausers praise, f't'j' /'"" '^' with Lydgate, the Scottish Knight, and such like, whose Lal/'wholik"" vnrefined tongues farre shorte of the excellencie of this Corima cJte- age, wrote sin.plie and purelie as the times weare. And ding luithPinda. when base and iniurious trades, the sworne enemies {o''"\'^'>s oft mc- learnings eternitie ^a thing vsuall) shall haiie devoured ^™"^' ,*'' them, either with the fretting cancker worme of mouldie Matilda '^homr- time: with Arabian spicerie : with english honme : aily honoured iy with outlandish butter (matters of imployment for the " ''^'" " -P« • aged dayes of our late authors) yet that then such (if -Oww. you thinke them worthie) in despite of base grosers, (whome I charge vpon paine of learnings ctirse, not to Pfocui hinc, handle a leafe of mine) may liue by your meanes, cano- P™^"^. 't^ nized in learnings catalogue. I am loath to bee too '"^° ""'* long in my aduisements to you (wise daughters:) and therefore heere I period them, wishing you (if neede bee) to make mine apologia: Bot that T fainte to main- England to be taine the least parte of my credit, against any male-con- defended by tented selfe-conceited, vnregarded malicious subiect, but "''°''^'- that Europe i«i this age, delited onelie with thinges per- sonal!, shall not bring mee vpon the theater in matter of such designements, to stand (against my owne inhabit- ants) to the fauourable courtesie of their wise censors. Daughters followe their counsell, and honour such as I Your learned haue for wisedome loued, for yeares and authoritie ap- docton. pointed to rule ouer you: let not your younger children despise their aged brethren, loue them as becommeth Cterhbycur mothers, and I will send for them in conuenient time (as>°"'*" their grandmother) to gouerne my comnaon weahh. The fault of And because shee shall not thinke I neglect her, reade ^'"'"crsiries. what 1 haue written to mine inhabitants in her behalfe: iadge how I stand affectionate; God graunt you may all followe my aduise, so shall I finde you trustie, and you me to be moste louing: then shall the world fcare mee, for such worthie children: and enuie you for so kinde a mother. But heere (children) I must ende with you, snd speake to the rest of my wise inhabitants. J. IT. Art. 2S6 Art. XX. A hundretli good poinles of huslandrie. A hundretli n^ood pointes of good husbandry : maintaineth good household, with huswifry. Housekeeping and hushandry, if it be good: must love one another, as cousinnes in blood. The xv'ife to, must husband as well as the mail : or fare w el thy husbandry, doe what thou can. A new edition of our earliest English didactic poet^ Tusser, has been announced by the Rev. Dr. Mavor: of whose work the following account was long since pre- pared, and may assist in. completing the undertaking. Bioajraphical notices from Fuller and Wartonj are in- serted in the Theatrutn Poetarum, 1800, p. 91. They are gathered from his poems, and principally an amplifi- cation of the history written by himself in verse. Warton has a slight inconsistency, stating he was born at Riven- hall, Essex, "about the year 1523," and that " he died very aged at London in 1580."* In one of Tusser's poems " may be traced the popular stanza which attained to such celebrity in the pastoral ballads of Shenstone." f Scarce any old poet obtained more favourable reception from the public: above twelve editions of the Points of Husbandry appeared within the first fifty years, and afterwards many others were printed. The trite proverbial sentences, houshold words, and accurate description of manners and customs, exhibit much simplicity and give a just and characteristical idea of the country pursuits and fashions marked through a life of many various callings. Some books become heir looms from value, and Tusser's work, for useful information in every department of agriculture, together with its quaint and amusing ob- servations perhaps passed the copies from father to son till they crumbled away in the bare shifting the, pages, and the moulderng relic only lost its value by the casual nmtilation of time. Of early dates few remain, and every edition obtains a respectable price at the book auctions. The above title of the first edition is correctly givenj from the only copy known in the British Museum. It » Hist. Eng. Po. "'ol. HI. p. 198-9. f Kition's Bibi. Poeticj, p. 374, J Tlicre' re vaiies from tha Jae.detes of Literature, Vol. I. p. i^1^ Vol. 11. p. 75. forms 38; forms a quarto tract of thirteen leaves, and contains the Author's Epistle to Lord William Paget; " a hundreth good pointes of husbandrie," in 109 quatrains^* divided for the twelve months, in irregular portions, commencing with August ; and a sonnet and the following poem concludes the volume : Thinges thriftie, that teacheth the thriuing to thriue : teach timely to trauas, the thing that thou triue. Transferring thy toyle, to tlie times truely tought ; that teacheth the temperauncCj to temper thy thought. To temper thy trauaile, to tarrye the tide : this teacheth the thriftnes, twenty times tride. Thinke truely to trauaile, that thinkest to thee: the trade that thy teacher taught truely to the : Take thankfully thinges, thanking tenderly those : that teacheth thee thriftly, thy time to transpose. The trouth teached two times, teache thou two times ten: this trade thou that takest, take thrift to the then. Imprinted at London :inflete strete, within Temple barre, at the sygne of the hand and starre, by Richard Tottell, the third day of February, An. 1557. Cum priuilegio ad impri- mendum solum." 1561. Thomas Hacket had license for " a dyalogue of wyuynge & thryuynge of Tusshers, with ij lessons for olde and yonge." Herbert, 899. A dialogue so entitled may be found in later editions, though Ritson considered it " apparently a different work." 1562. An edition of this date rests on the slender au- thority of John King's Sale Catalogue. Bib. Poetica, P- 37a- 1570. " A hundreth good points of husbandry, lately maried unto a hundreth good poyats oF huswifery : newly corrected and amplified with divers proper lessons for housholders, &c. set foorth by Thomas Tusser, Gentle- man, servant to the Right Hon. Lorde Paget," printed by Tottyl. 1573. Same printer as " Flue hundreth points, of good husbandry vnited to as many of good huswiferie, first deuised, & nowe lately augmented with diuers ap- proued lessons concerning hopps & gardening and other nedeful matters, together with an j^.bstract before euery moneth conteiling the whole effect of the sayd moncth, with a table & a preface in the beginning, both neces- * There is an omission in the numbcrirg for two p.'ges at Ci C ii. ?arv 588 sary to be reade for the better vnderstanding of the boofetf. Set forth." &c. 1577. Again, by Richard Tottell ; Ritsori, says Denham. 1580. When title altered to " Five hundred pointes of good husbandrie as well for the champioDj or open countrie, as also for the Woodland or senerall : mixed in euerie month withHuswiferie, ouer and besides the book of Huswiferie, corrected, better ordered, and newly aug- mented to a fourth part more, and with diuers other les- sons, as a diet for the former, of the properties of winds, planets, hops, herbes, bees, and approoued remedies for sheepe and cattle, with many other matters both profit- able and not vnpleasant for the reader. Also a table of husbandrie at the beginninge of this booke: and another of huswiferie at the end : for the better and easier find- ing of any matter conteined in the same. Newly set forth by Thomas Tusser, Gentleman, seruant to the Honorable Lorde Paget of Beaudesert. Imprinted at London by Henrie Denham, dwelling in Paternoster- Row, at the signe of the Starre, 1580. Col. Imprinted (ut supraj signe of the Starre, being the assigne of Wil- liam Seres." 1585, 1586, both by Denham. 1590, by the assignees of Seres* 1593, by Yardley. 1597, by Peter Short, 1599, again byShort. Also by Waldegrave in Scotland. 1604, for Company of Stationers. 1610, probably the same. J630, see N" 5464, stock of Collins, bookseller, de- ceased. Sold by Mr. King, Nov. 180 1, perhaps it was 1638, which T have seen. 1673, " Printed by T. R. 8c M. D. for Company of Stationers." In this edition the fourth stanza of " Aleson how, &;c." back of title, is primed twice. 1692, Bibtiotheca Farmeriana, N° 7349. 1710, "Tusser Redivivus, Sec." with notes. Published in twelve monthly numbers, by Daniel Hilman, * a Surveyor, of Epsom, Surrey. 1744, same reprinted. The last two are in octavo, the others quarto- J. H. • See Ci-.KS, Lit. II, p. x8^. Printed by T Icrflcy, Bolt tcur:. Fleet ?uccc, ilondon. 38rtti0|) 58it)lioatap!ier. N° IV. ^ Memoir of Sir Philip Sydney. [concluded fROM N° II. P. 105.] ' 1 HOUGH there are many who deem the attempted distinction between great talents and genius to be a fanciful refinement, I cannot but consider Sir Philip Sydney with all his wonderful assemblage of excellencies to have possessed more of the former than of the latter. In poetry, praise-worthy as he was, he was far inferior to his countryman and neighbour Sackville, Lord Buck- hurst, whose imagination more picturesque, more solemn, more elevated, and more pathetic, exceeded in some re- spects even the force of Spenser, whom he preceded. Sydney, displays more of the artifices, and less of the in- spiration of poetry. * His command of language, and * Hume says well, " tlie principles of everj' passion, and of every senrimtnt, are in ev^ry man ; and when touched properly, they rise to life, and warm the heart, and convey that satisfaction by which a work of genius is distinguished from the adulterate beauties of a capricious wit and fancy." There is a passage in a charjctei of the late Mr. Fox as an ora- tor, (supposed to be written by Sir Jnmes Mackintosh) v/hich de- sciibes excellently real poets. " He forgot himself, and every thing around him. He thought only of his subject, his genius warmed, and kindled, as he \v..-nt on. He dirted fire into his audipnce. • Torrents of iTpetuoMs ,ind irresistible coquence swept along- their feelings and convi^.tion." Parr^s Characters of Fox, I. 163. VOL. I. u the the variety of his ideas are conspicuous. His mind ex- hibits an astonishing fund of acquired wealth: but images themselves never seem to overcome him with all the power of actual presence. The ingenuity of his facul- ties supplies him with a lively substitute; but it is not vivid, like the reality. Let me only take four stanzas of Sackville's In- duction by way of proof, " Stanza 32. " And first within the porch and jaws of Hell Sat Deep Remorse of Conscience, all besprent With tears; and to herself oft would she tell Her wretchedness^ and cursing never stent To sob and sigh; but ever thus lament. With thoughtful care, as she that all in vain Would wear and waste continually in pain. 33. Her eyes unstedfast rolling here and there, Wbirl'd on each place, as place that vengeance brought, So was her mind continually in fear, Toss'd and tormented with the tedious thought Of those detested crimes^ which she had wrought; With dreadful chear, and Idoks thrown to the sky. Wishing for death, and yet she could not die, 34, Next saw we Dread; all trembling how he shook. With foot uncertain profFer'd here and there ; Benumb'd of speech, and with a ghastly look Search'd every place, all pale and dead for fear. His cap borne up with staring of his hair, Stoin'd and amaz'd at his own shade for dread,* And fearing greater dangers than was need, * _ Collins had this probably in his mind, when he wrote the fol- lowing noble stanza in the Ode to the Passions. " Next Fear his hand its skill to try Amid the chords bewilder'd laid. And back recoil'd, he knew not why, E'en at the sound himself had made." 35. And 29 i 35. And next, within the entry of this lake. Sat fell Revenge, gnashing her teeth for ire. Devising means how she may vengeance take. Never in rest till she have her desire; But frets within so far forth with the fire * Of wreaking flames that now determines she. To die by death, or veng'd by death to be." Here are, (to use Sir Philip's own words in his ex- cellent Defence of PoesieJ, " vices and passions so in their own natural states laid to the view, that we seem not to heai- of them, but clearly to see through them." And it must be confessed that there is nothing of the same, kind in the verses of the amiable and accomplished critic himself. It is probable that the variety of Sydney's attainments tended to modify, distract, and weaken the force of any single faculty. I am perfectly convinced that he who would reach excellence in poetry, should not only be en- dowed by nature with the peculiar gift, but should give himself up exclusively to that one art. It is true that Sackville afterwards became a statesman; but we know, that from the time he became so, he wrote no more poetry. We do not know, that up to that time, he culti- vated any other talent than that su'blime one, on which his fame is founded. We are ignorant of his excellence as a statesman: we are sure that in that respect he was at' least inferior to many of his coteniporaries. But who could have equalled him in the divine gift, which he chose to neglect, and forego, for more worldly accomplishments? There must have been something unfortunate, or some- thing (if I may be forgiven the expression) base in this new destination ! The heart that preferred the servile trappings of a courtier, the baubles of coronets, and the wages of places and pensions, to the fame and exquisite enjoyments of a poet in possession not merely of rufal competence but of rural grandeur, — the independent lord of mansions, and parks, and woods, and streams — must have had something mingled with all its fire and all its vivid sensibility which calls for extreme pity, if not con- tempt. The same blame is not imputable to Sydney. Nature u 3 had 2g2 had constituted him of other and more varied materials. His astonishing assemblage of talents was more fitted to shine in the numerous complicated situations of active life. In him alternaie intercourse with mankind and re- tirement, fed, cherished, and brightened into flame his opposite talents. His Arcadia is full of axioms and sen- timents, which exhibit such a mixture of speculative and practical wisdom^ as must fill the patient and intelligent reader with admiration. At that period the mere accom- plishments of the body must have consumed no incon- siderable portion of the day. To this we may add the great sacrifice of time required by the parade of a fantas- tic though glorious court. Then let us recollect how much must have been consigned to the acquisition of languages, to his travels, and employments of state; and shall we not clow with esteem and wonder at the intel- lectual fruits which he found' leisure to leave behind him ? But what are mere mental excellencies, uncombined with those of the heart? (even if they could exist without them, which, in th-e highest degree, they surely cannot!) Sydney is recorded to have possessed every gentle, and every generous quality of the bosom. Bold as a lion, yet tender as pity itself; bountiful, yet not in- discreet; profuse to others, yet sparing to himself; full of religions hope and awe, yet trembling with delight at all the virtuous pleasures of this world; fond therefore of life, " yet not afraid to die," the eminent charms of his disposition and personal conduct kept pace with those of his head. It is a singular coincidence that Kent should have pro- duced, or at least have been inhabited by both these great men * (Sydney and Sackvillef) at the same time; they lived near each other in West-Kent; and both their * It is memorable that two of our Dukes, Dorset and Norfolk, derive their honours as direct male heirs from two of our great poets, Sackville and Lord Surrey. t The mother of Sackville was daughter of Sir John Bridges, a i-emote branch of the Chandos family. From the aunt of Syd- ney, (as from the sister of Surrey, and the patroness of Spenser and Milton) the v^riter of this memcir is proud of boasting a descent. magnificent 293 magnificent mansions still remain. They are both well- known. And I have visited them with emoiions, which T wish I had powers of language to describe. Of Pensliurst, where Sydney was bori), there is a curious engraving by Vertiie, inserted in the tirst volume of Has- ted's History of the County, fts rude grandeur, its im- mense hall, its castellated form, its numerous apart- ments, well accord with the images of chivalry, which/ the memory of Sydney inspires. Mrs. Charlotte Smith has written a plaintive Sonnet on visiting this place, which is worthy of insertion here. " Sonnet. " Ye towers sublime, deserted now and drear, Tfe woods, deep sighing to the hollow blast. The Musing Wanderer loves to linger near, While History points to all your glories past: And startling from their haunts the timid deer. To trace the walks obscur'd by matted fern, Which Waller's soothing lyre were wont to hear. But where now clnmonrs the discordant heron! * The spoiling hand of Time may overturn These lofty battlements, and quite deface The fading canvas, whence we love to learn Sydney's keen look, and Sacharissa's grace; But fame and beauty still defy decay, Sav'd by th' historic page — the poet's tender lay r'-j* The * " In the park at Penshurst is an heronry. The house is at present uninhabited, and the windows of the galleries and other rooms, in which there are many invaluable pictures, are never opened, but when strangers visit it." Mrs. Smith s note. t I presume to subjoin in a note a poem of my own on the same subject. Sonnet written at Penshurst, 1795. Behold thy triumphs. Time! what silence reigns Along these lofty and majestic walls! Ah, where aie regal Sydney's * pompous trains? Where Philip's tuneful- lyre, f whose dying falls * Sir Henry Sydney, Lord President of the Marches, who kept his court at Ludlow Castle.^ t Sir Philip Sydney's Arcadia. u 3 Could 294 The mansion is now, I fear, deserted. It belongs to a descendant and heir (by the female line) of the f'amiljr, who has taken the name of Sydney. He returned to it for some years with a spirit becoming his birth. But the cruel operation of the Assessed 'i'axes* upon sitch antient establishments has probably been the cause of his leaving it again. They who are smitten with the love of liberty, and idolize its martyr, will recollect that this was also the scene of the early years of Sir Philip's great nephew, Au'crnon Sydney, a man of a sterner temper and more philosophic turn, who never drank of the stream of the Muses, but wrapped himself in the mantle of the an- cient Republicans, and steeled his soul to the severest trials of political virtue. I daily behold some of the ef- fects of his adversity, and wander in woods which were the sacrifice to his scorn of courtly dependence! They will probably pass from me too, as they did from hirri, because I have been unable to bend my mind to flattery and intrigue ' Let the reader excuse me, if I have dwelt too long and too fondly on this subject, when he is told that some of my earliest associations have been blended Could melt the yielding nymphs, and love-sick swains? Ah, where the undaunted figure that appalls E'en heroes? where the lute, that on the plains The bending trees* round Sacharissa calls? And are they fled > their day's for ever past ! Heroes and poets moulder in the earth! No sound is heard but of the w ailing blast, Througli the lone rooms, where echoed crowded Mirth! Yet on their 'semblance Melancholy pores, And all the faded splendour soon restores! Poems, 1S07, iimo.i^th Edit, * Among the praise-worthy abts of Mr. Pitt, the Commutation Ta.v certainly cannot be numbered. It was a gross, and I must add, corrupt sacrifice of the ancient landed interest to the com- mercial, to which on all occasions that great minister was top much bent. In truth it was a douceur to the East India Com- pany, On w!;o?e shoulders he rose into power. The principle of the Assessed Taxes is bad; but the worst of them all is the 'Window-Tax! Alluding to Waller's lines written at Penshurst. with ^95 •with affection and reverence for the fame of the Syd- neys ! * Knowle, the seat of Sackville, and now of his descen- dant, the Duke of Dorset, though restored with all the freshness of modern art, retains the character and form of its Elizabethan splendour. The visitor may behold the same walls, and walk in the same apartments, which witnessed the inspiration of him, who composed The In- duction, and the Legend of the Duke of Buckingham ! He may sit under the same oaks, and behold, arrayed in all the beauty of art, the same delightful scenery, which cherished the day-dreams of the glowing poet ! Perchance he may behold the same shadowy beings glancing through the shades, and exhibiting themselves in all their pictu- resque attitudes to his entranced fancy 1 It is well, how- ever, if he do not hear a scream or two intermixed from the frighted Dryads and Hamadryads, should some late reports be true! ^ Memoir of Thomas Sackville, Lord Buckhurst, and Earl of Dorset. Having said so much of Thomas^ Sackville, Lord Buckhurst, (and afterwards Earl of Dorset) in the me- moir of Sir Philip Sydney, I am tempted to follow that article by another containing such further particulars of that great poet, as shall complete a short account of him. ' He was born at Withyam, in Sussex, in 1527, the son of Sir Richard Sackville, who died 1566, by Wini- fred Brydges, (afterwards Marchioness of Winchester) and grandson of John Sackville, Esq. who died 1557, by Anne Boleyne, sister of Thomas Boleyne, Earl of Wilt- shire, (aunt of George Viscount Rochford, the poet) and great grandson of Richard Sackville, Esq. who died 1 524, by Isabel, daughter of John Digges of Digges's place, * The writer's mother was born at Penshurst, the Sydneys being her near relations, U 4 in zg6 in Barham, Kent, (of a family which for many suc- teedintr cenerations produced men of learning and genius.) He gave early proofs of his extraordinary talents, and dibtinguished himself both at Oxford and Cambridge as a Latin and English poet. At the age of thirty, 4 and _5 Philip and Mary, he was in his father's life time elected Representative for the County of Kent; and in 5 Eliz. 1563, for the County of Buckingham. In this last year, (1563; when he was thirtv-six years old, his celebrated Induction and Legend of Henry Duke of Buckingham, were first published in \\\i^ Second Part, then first annexed to the Second Edition o( Baldwin's Mirror for JMagislrates,* of which the First Part first appeared in 1559, though AVarton has erroneously as- serted that Sackville's production, and indeed the whole Second Fart, was published with the K'«/ Edition: an assertion iTom whence it is fair lo infer that the elegant critic never saw the first edition. It is probjble that S:;ckville h.id engaged in the under- taking of the work oiigina'lv upon a plan afterwards de- parted from, and that when this departure was deemed necessary, he resolved to pursue bv Iv.mself a scheme of his own; on which account' he declined a share in the first publication. Afteru ards perhaps being diverted by other employments from the completion of his own idea, he suffered the portion which he had already executed, to appear in ihc Second Fart in 156-, though it interrupted the unity of its plan. It is thus that I understand the following passages in the Prologue to his Induction. " I have liere ibe Duke of Buckingham, Kin^ Richarde's chyefe iustrumeutj wrytttn by Mayster Thomas Sackville." " Read ir, we pray you," said they. " Witli a good wyl, qnotli I: but fyr?t you ^hall heare his Pref.-ice or Induction." " Hath be made a Preface, quoth one? What meaneth he thereby, seeing none other hath ustd the like order?" " I vvyl tell vou the cause thertof, quoth 1, which is thys. After that he understoode that some ot the counsayle would not suffer the booke to be printed in such order as we had * A new edition of this valuable work of our ancient poetry is in the press. agreed ^91 agreed and determined, he purposed with himselfe to have gotten at my handes al the tragedies, that were before the Dnke of Buckingham's, which he would have preserved in one volume. And from that time back waid, e\en to the time of William the Conqueror, he determined to continue and perfect all the story him^elfe in such order as L}dgate, following Bocha's, had already used. And therefore to make a mecte In- duction into the matter, he devised tbi'i pfe-.ye : which in my judgement is so wel penned that! would not have any verse thereof left out of our volume." In all the other Legends the relators in turn personate a character of one of the Great Unfortunate, and the sto- ries are all connected by being related to the Silent Person of the Assemblyj who is like the Chorus in the Greek Tragedies, or the Host in Chaucer's Canterbury Talp.s. But in Sackville's plan the scene is laid in hell, and the unfortunate princes appear to him in succession, and utter their respective complaints at the gates of elvsium under the guidance ofSoRnovv.* Immediately after the time of this publication, he travelled into foreign parts, and was for a time a prisoner in Rome. He appears to have returned to England on the death of his father, 1566, and the following year was knighted, and the same day, (June 8, 1567}, made a Peer, by the title of Lord Buckhurst, 0/ Bvcklmrst in Sussex. In 14th Eliz he was employed in an embassy to Charles IX. of France ; and the same year « as one of the Peers who sat on the trial of Thomas Duke of Norfolk. In 1586 he was made choice of to impart to the unhappy Queen of Scots the confirmation of the parliament to the sentence passed on her. In 1588 he went Ambassador to the United States, to settle the differences between thein and the Earl of Lei- cester. But in the management of this difficult aflair, the ascendancy of that favourite over the Queen so far prevailed for a timC; as to produce her Majesty's dis- pleasure on his return, which was followed by the con- finement of Lord Buckhurst to his house for more than nine months. The next year, however, he regained his Warton, III. zio. Sovereign's 398 Sovereign's favour; and was elected into the Order of the Garter. In the same year he sat on the trial of Philip Earl of Arundel. He succeeded Sir Christopher Hatton in the Chancellorship of the University of Ox- ford, 1591. On the death of Lord Burleigh, 41 Eliz. he was ap- pointed Lord High Treasurer of Engla?id; and was constituted Lord High Stetcard on the trial of the Earl of Essex. King James on his accession renewed his patent of Lord High Treasurer for life, which passed the Seals April 17 ; and on March 13th of the following year, 1614, he was created Earl of Dorset. His Lordship died at the Council-Table at Whitehall, April 19, 1608, set. 81. " My Lord of Buckhurst," says Naunton, " was of the noble house of Sacliville, and of the Queen's consanguinity. His father was Sir Richard Sackville, or, as the Queen then called him Fill Sack, by i-eason of his great wealth, and the vast patrimony which he left to this his son, whereof he spent in his youth the best part, until the Queen, by her frequent admonitions, divested the torrent of his profusion. He was a very fine gentleman of person and endowments, both of art and nature; but without measure magnificent, till on the turn of his humour and the allay that his years and good counsels had wrought upon those immoderate courses of his youth, and that height of spirit inherent in his house: and then did the Queen, as a" most judicious and indulgent Prince, when she saw the man grow stayed and settled, give him her assistance, and advanced him to the Treasurership, where he made amends to his house for his mis-spent time, both in the in- creasement of estate and honour, which tlie Queen conferred on him, together with an opportunity to remake himself; and thereby to shew that this was a child that should have a share in her grace, and a taste of her bounty. " They much commend his elocution, but more the excel- lency of his pen; for he was a scholar, and a person of a quick dispatch (faculties that yet run in the blood;) and they say of him ' that his secretaries did little for him, by the way of in- ditement, wherein they could seldom please him, he was so facete and choice in his phrase and stile; and for his dispatches and the content he gave to suitors, he had a decorum seldom since put in practice, for he had of his attendants, (that took , into ^99 into roll) the names of all suitors, with the date of their first addresses; and these, in their order, had hearing; so that a fresh man could not leap over his head, that was of a more ancient edition, except in the urgent affairs of state. " I find not that lie was any way ensnared in the factions of the court, which were, all his times, strong and in every man's note; the Howards and the Cecils on the one part, my Lord of Essex, &c. on the other part: for he held the staff of the Trea- sury fast in his hands, which once in the year made them all beholden to him. And the truth is, (as he was a wise man and a stout) he had no good reason to be a partaker, for he stood sure in blood and in grace, and was wholly intentive to the Queen's service; and such were his abilities that she re- ceived assiduous proofs of his sufficiency; and it hath been thought that she might have more cunning instruments, but none of a more strong judgment and confidence in his ways, which are symptoms of magnanimity and fidelity; whereunto methinks his motto hath some kind of reference, ' Aut nun- quam tcntes, aut perfice;' as though he would have charactered in a word, the genius of his house, or expressed somewhat of an higher inclination than lay within his compass."* % ji Prophesie of Cadwallader, last King of the Britaines: Containing a Comparison of the English Kings, with many worthy Romanes, from William Rupis, till Henry the fift. Henry the fft, his life and death. Foure Battels hetweene the two Houses of Yorke and Lancanster. The Field of Banhery. The losse of Elizabeth. The praise of King lames, yind lastly a Poeme to the yong Prince. London, printed by Thomas Creede, for Roger lackson, and are to be solde at his shop in Fleet streete, ouer against the Conduit. 1604. Extends to I in fours. This poetical summary of the battles and principal events in the lives of English kings, is preceded by a dedication, in verse, addressed to Sir Philip Herbert subscribed " the admirer of your verities, whose life is denoted to your lone. William Harbert." The same name occurs in the year 1 586, (see Typographical An- tiquities, p. 1226) and Ritson, in the Bibliographia * Naunten's Fragmenta Regalia, Poetica, 300 Poeiica, considers it was the same person. * But this is, at least, very doubtful, as in a second address to Sir Philip Hariert, prefixed to the " poeme to the yong Prince," the last in the present work, the author says : " These Poems which iny infant labours send As messengers of dalie to lliiiie cares, ■ Are of small value, but if nature bend Some perfect dayes U) my vnripened yeares. My pen shall vse a more judicious vaine, And sing thy glory in a higher straine." Again, " To thee iudicious reader do I send These fruites of youth. ..." An author that had been writing for eighteen years would not plead his infant labours to disarm criticism. He was a companion to the young Prince, whom he appears to have then served a twelvemonth by the com- mencement of his poem : " The lotted seruant to thy infant age. Thrice glorious issue of a gracious King, Least that her twelue-monthes feareful tapynage. Ingratitude suspect to thee should bring, Me, though vnworthy, chose ihy prayae to sing.'' There is a similarity in the author's plan to the poem of the Civil Wars between the two houses of Lancaster and York, by Daniel J' to whom he introduces a compliment at the end of his own account of the same subject : ' " If Homer liu'd and dwelt in Castaiie, And doily tasted of Parnassus well, Jnspirde with furious sacred poesie. Yet would he not our Virgil's worth exccll, "Whose Paeans did these fierce massacres tell. Delia is prais'd with thy allpraysing hand: No wonder, for thou dwelst in Delos land." Cadwallader, who is one of the train of heroes follow- ing the chariot of Fortune on the banks ot Isis, drops a * As the work referred to is mentioned by Ritson it may be considered to have been poetical. From the too concise plan of the Typographical Antiquities it is not always certain what is the nature of the work noticed; a circumstance that will, no doubt, be amended in the future volumes of Mr. Dibdin's he?i\ii\{u\ Edition, if we judge fiom the copiousness and excellence of the volume already published. Editor. " faire 301 " faire booke, clad in a golden case." This the author having read and returned, posts to his study " resolu'd for to relate In poetry the things mine ej'es did see. Which was the vncertainety of humane state; To paint the things aright with equitie, I did implore the ayde of memorie, Which she denide; Oh worthies pardon mee. If ought I write amisse which you shall see." As a production of youth there are some passages that might lead to the expectation of better things from the same pen. The occasional harshness of the measure and feeblenessof lines, where recorditigthe historic fact, prac- tice would have overcome, and to " say it is meane," he argues is commendation, adding " I'd haue it meane, because I meane to mend." At the field of Banhery the orations of the different leaders to their men, are introduced by the following re- flections on the necessity of the subject taking the field in defence of the monarch. " Thus while these royall but disloyall Peeres, Maugre reuenge to him that knew not feare, Vnnumbred bands of men and swarmes appeares In North and South, East, West, yea euery where. They throw away their coats and corslets weare : Wiues, maids, and orphants eyes are stuft with teares, And cannot see the spades trausform'd to speares. The shepheards hooke is made a souldiers pike. Whose weather-beaten hands must learne aright His speare to traile, and with his sword to strike Vpon the plumed beauer of a knight. None must be sparde by warres impartiall might. If euery soldier were a King, what then ? Princes should die as fast as other men. The senator must leaue his skarlet gowre. And keepe him in some turret of defeiice: When warres once flourish, Justice must goe downe: Lawes to correct, is lawlesse warn-s pr? tctice : Valure doth greue to see ili gotten pn, :e. To see a mm without deserts to rise. Makes warrc such men, not lustice to despise. 303 You that in peace by vse of golden hoords Your dunghill race to Barons did erect: You that by English phrase and chosen woords Make heauens enuy your toplesse architect. Your angels cannot you from warres protect. The camp and court in manners different are, "Words may in peace, but dfeeds preuaile in warre. For robes of honour furr'dwithMiniuere You must haue brest-piates of well-tempred Steele, And on your aged heads strong helmets weare ; All states must turne when Fortune turnes her wheele, That man which pleasure tastes must sorrow feele : Who sees the wracke of lAightie empery. He loues his life too well that will not dye. When Kings must fight, shall subiects Hue in peace ? What coward is of such a crauant race, That loues not honor more than idle ease ? Great Romane I applaud thy worthy phrase. To Hue with shame, is worse than dye with praise. All which haue being alwaies cannot bee. For thing corrupt must die, and so must wee." Another specimen may be selected from his eulogy of King James, where he attempts to harness four poets in yoke to the monarch's coach of glory: yet concluding the monarch alone could sing his own praises. " Mars extold Augustus peacefull dales. The liricke poet sung Mecenas fame : Ennius did Scipio AfFricanus praise. If all they liu'd and saw thy sacred name, Each verse they made should sure containe the same. But if they reade thy gift, oh princely worke!* For shame they would in vntrode desarts lurke. If England's load starre, piide of poesie, f Could the firme centers regiment transpearse: And formalize his peerlesse ingeny. Thy all-surpassing vertues to rehearse, A princely matter fitts a princely verse : Yet were his wit too weake thy deeds to praise. Which brought vs ioyes, in our most mournful) daies. Could Lidgat passe the tower of Proserpine, And like 'to Virbius Hue a double age, Penning thy trophies in a golden shrine, '' Basilicon Doron. f Chaucer, so called by M. Camden. Yet 3^3 Yet could he not thy merits equipage, Admiring most would vse a tapiaage : Bocchas and Gowre, the Virgils of their time. Could not vnfold thy prayse in antique rime. If these foure poets liu'd like lions foure. They should thy famous coach of glory drawe From Virtue's temple, to true honours towre : Each should a kingdorae haue, thy foes should know Thy might, and feare their finall ouerthrow : But what should muses sing ? the world doth see. And seeing feares vnited Britany. Still liuing Sidney, Caesar of our land. Whose neuer daunted valure, princely minde, Imbellished with art and conquests hand. Did expleiten his high aspiring kinde, (An eagle hart in crowes we cannot tinde:) If thou couldst Hue and purchase Orpheus quill. Our monarches merits would exceed thy skill. Albions Mceonian, Homer, nature's pride, Spenser, the Muses sonne and sole delight j If thou couldst through Dianas kingdome glide^ Passing the palace of infernall night, (The sentinels that keepes thee from the light) Yet couldst thou not his retchlesse worth comprise. Whose minde containes a thousand purities. What fatall chance is this, and lucklesse fate. That none can aptly sing thy glorious prayse. And tell the happiness of England's state, O barren time, and temporizing dayes, Fowle Ignorance on sacred Learning prayes. But now I doe a Diapazon see. None but thy selfe (great King) can sing of thee." J.H. ^ [The royall arms in the garttr, surmounted by the crown, central of the initials E. R. blooming letters.] ^n Exhortacion to all English Suhiects, to ioine for the defence of Queene Elzialeth, and their natiue country. Printed ly Richard lohnes. n. d. qto. 4 leaves. An anonymous poem, consisting of ninety-eight lines, written under an expected attack of a foreign enemy: probably, upon the first rumour of the Spanish Armada. «' What 304 " What should vs daunt one iot: or make vs be dismaid, Let neuer threats of foreine foes make Englisli men afraid: Looke backe to ancient writ of valiant enterprize; And see with how great foiles their foes your elders did agrize. The French haue often found the force of English harts, The Spaniards (if they call torninde) haUe felt thereof their parti. The Scot can make no boast of many ouerthrowes, The stories tell in most attcr.ipts, these b re away the blowes. We that haiie then so oft, beci^e vsde to victories, Shall we now doubt for to subdue, snch deadly enemies? Nay rather think we sure, that snch their plagues forepast, To deale with vs within this isle, will make them soreagast: I trust as of our realnic, euen so they shall vs see, Of one allegeance, of one ^e.^rt and firme fidelitie. Behold the wofuU stare, our neighbours stand still in. By cloaked craft, and show of sooth, their sorrowes did b^gin. What traines by tyrants fride, what store of guiltlesse blood, Euen from the harts of innocents, was shed with cruel mood. No faith, no truth, no law, nor naturall loue tooke place, O cursed Caincs! O cruel! facts! O deadly wofuU case! Those that did nothing doubt, defended for to bee. Doe no>v with bitter teares lament, their heauie haps you see: Their land and riches great, confiscate to the spoile, That they & theirs in manieyeares, haue woon with painful toile. And shall we thinlce to find more courtesie then those. If we permit and not «!th5tand the force of forrein: foes? Nay rather this deceit may driue vs for to dread. And of such like most subtill slight, to take most carefull heede. Our foes like friends, will faine to come for our soules health, But God doth know their foul prentense: they shoot but at our With losse of life to all, let each him selfe assure, [wealth. The protestant and papiit boih, like torment shall indure. In histories w-e read (each wight take heed therefore,) The traitor to his country soile is neuer trusted more: No, not by such as wan the gole by hi; deceit, Who rather cuts him off before he worke a second skit Our Queene hath courage stout, hir subiects to defend, Her people haue as willing rnindes, their goods and life to spend. The cause is chiefly God's, w!;pm euer his elect, Have found most ready from their foes, to shield them & protect: Examples manifold for proofe h?ereof most strong, I might allerige ; but some peihaps would think the work too Let thys therefore suffice, and let us firmely trust, [long. God neuer did, nor neuer will, forget them thatbeiust. Let each repent in hart, and mend that is amisse, T' en God no doubt our cheife defence, will take vs to be his : Who grant vs all V agree, our countr e to defend, And to vouchsafe into our harts, his holv spirit to send. That Wff m.iy grace obtane, by his most gratious will. Let enery well disposed wight, crie out vnto him still : Looke Lord ®n Engl.ind's state, we humbly pray the-, then. And grant that each true English hart consent to say. Amen."' J.H. 305 % Chronological Last of the Works, in verse and prose, of George Wither. [continued fkom r. 205.] 30. " Mercurius Rusticus: or a Coun trey Messenger. Informing divers things worthy to be taken notice of, for the furtherance 01 those proceedings which con- cerne the publique peace and safety." Pr. 4.to. 1643. This is mentioned in Wither's own list, and is de- scribed by hiraself and Wood as written in imitation of the Weekjy Intelligencers then published; " offering, between jest and earnest, some particulars to considera- tion, relating both to civil and military transactions, and hinted notions then pertinent to those times." Wood has also cited its commencement, to distinguish it from the well known Mercurius Rusticus of Dr. Ryves : yet I do not trace such a title, under the above year, in Mr. Chalmers's extensive chronological list of newspapers, from the epoch of the civil wars;* several of which are thus glanced at by Wither. " Though I am not so witty as my friend Brilannicus,\ nor bring you narratives that so well deserve the whetstone as Monsieur Aulicus,X nor come so furnished with novelties as Master Civicus, nor so supply'd with passages as the Weekly Intelligencer, nor am at leisure to sum up all occurrences as the Ac- comptant, nor so large in promises as the Scout, the In- former, and the rest of your diligent Mercuries; nor so impudent as to aver I present you with nothing but truth; yet I have brought you that, with which you may perhaps be for once well contented to read or hear," &c.§ 31. '• The Speech without Doore,\\ delivered July 9, * See Appendix to the Life of Ruddiraan. It occurs, I since find, in theBritishMuseumamongthe King's pamphlets, No. ijo. t i. e. Marchemont Nedham. X Sir John Birkenhead. § At the close he says — '' If you will ever hear of me in this kind again (whi-.h I will nat promise) it shall be but once more, as occaiion is offered ; and I will be Mercurius Sublimatus, at least, above the clouds." No reappearance seems to have taken place. II In 1646 was published " The Speech without Doores, de- fended without reason: or a Vindication of the Parliament's honour: in a rejoynder to three pamphlets published in defenfce of M. Chaloner's Speech." 4to. This again was retorted upon in " Twelve Resolves, &c. or a sharpe reproofe to a rejoynder," Arc. TOL. I. X 1644. 'So6 1644; in the absence of the Speaker, and in the hear- ing of above 0000003 persons then present, who unanimously consented to all propositions therein con- tained, and voted the same fit to be further divulged, as very pertinent to the publike welfare." Fr. 4to. 1644. This Wither, in his Fragmenta Prophetica, professes he had quite lost. But a copy of it occurs among the King's pamphlets, and a MS. note of the time bespeaks it to be written by " Geo. Wither, P. haureate" a title that seems to have had no self assumption but in the portrait prefixed to his " Remains." This tract is printed without the author's name, and exhibits fourteen propo- sitions, not very remarkable for their mildness; since they lend to induce a strict execution of martial disci- pline, and an immediate " sequestration of the property of all delinquents," i.e. opposers of the parliamentary, or (as he terms it) our party — " toward the raising of sup- plies for disabling our enemies, and for the ease and encouragement oi onx friends ." That his proposals were intended also for his own advantage, he thus obliquely reveals, " I served the republique in a militarie capacity, so long as i had wherewithall to serve it in that kind, and kept my horses till they had twice eaten out their heads: in hope to be some way re-inabled for the like imploy- mcnt." This pamphlet of seven leaves was presented to the members at the door of the House of Commons. yi. " Letters of Advice, touching the choice of Knights and Burgesses." Pr. 4to. 1644. The?e Letters, or nuher Letter and Postscript, are superscribed '' to the hon. Citie-s and Counties of Lon- don, Westminster, Surry and Southampton, (to whom I am especially obliged) and to all other the hon. and worshipful! Counties and Corporations, throughout the kingdome of England and dominion of Wales, to whom the choice of Knights and Burgesses for Parliament doth appertain." The Electors are then advised to avoid the choice of such representatives as the following: "Men over-lavish in speaking, notorious gamesters, men ex- tremely addicted to hunting or hawking, the household Servants or obliged dependents on peers, courtiers depend- ing so; ing merely on the king's or queen's favour, men evidently ambitious or covetous, or enslaved to wantonness, or su- perlatively proud, or immoderately addicted to popularity, or of a vicious conversation, irreligious or superstitious, or male-contents; no children under age, no monopolists or extorters of ship, or coat and conduct money, no outlaws, nor men who make means to have themselves chosen." 'I'hese negative qualifications for obtaining seats in Parliament would perhaps have gone near to the exclusion of sitting members, had the cxpurgatory ad- vice of Wither been adopted. To counteract undue in- fluence, he further proposes, that the friends of can- didates shall not intermeddle in their elections, that no banquets or entertainments shall be given, and that, afier the qualified persons are agreed upon, the final determi- nation shall be made by lots. This has been re-suggested by modern advocates for reform. He closes by observ- ing— " So wicked, or so good, we are not grown. To hear that said, which must ere long be known : Nor will self-love take warning, care, or heed. By what is past, to help what may succeed." 33. " Vox Pa-cifica: a- voice tending to the pacification of God's wrath; and offL-ring those propositions, or conditions, by the acceptation and performance whereof, in some good measure a firme and continuing peace may be obtained. It is directed to the King, Parliaments, and people of these Hands, by Geo. Wither, Esq. fa Commander in this War) heretofore their unheeded Remembrancer of plagues and de- liverances past; and their timely Forewarner of the judgments now come." Ver. 8vo. 1645. On the back of the title is explained the meaning of the frontispiece, which comprehends a map of England, Scotland and Ireland; over which is held from the clouds a flag of truce, with the motto Par Vobis, and a triimpet sounding a parley. These new signs are professedly hung forth, that this besotted nation might heed the season of its visitation, and make its practices conform to its known duties. But for such endeavours in his own day he was reputed a mad fellow, and his words, he tells us, X 2 were 3o8 were no more regarded, than if a dog had barked, or a cat had mewed. Yet to give his book the chance of being known, he addresses it to the King, Parliament, and people of these British isles; not to crave favour or court patronage, "but that the voice may reach them of their despised remembrancer." The four books, or cantos, of which this long poem consists, were extended by its author to six: but two were held back, to be hereafter published as there should be cause. The bold tenor of this romantic and austere remonstrance could not pos- sibly afford encouragement to any continuation: but is more likely to have endangered his person, and to have rendered his condition perilous, by his severe attacks both upon Commoners and Lords. Nor does he spare the King himself in this comprehensive philippic, e. g. " Let him repent his having long attempted His loving people to enslave and grieve : For he from vengeance will not be exempteti, By pleading an usurp'd prerogative. Let him repent the corering his intents With protestations and religious shows: Since these are made such thread-bare compliments, That every one almost their meaning knows. Nor let him longer foole himself to think The world perceives not what his projects be: For he is blind, or wilfully doth wink. Who cannot at a hundred loop holes see. That many years before this war began. He purposed the course he now doth run," 34. " The Great Assizes holden in Parnassus by Apollo, and his Assessours. At which Sessions are arraigned Merrurius Britannicus, Aulicus, Civicus, the Scout, &c," Ver. 4to. 1645. These, with many other, were diufnals, or newspapers of the day; and are here convened before a jury of English poets, with George Wither as foreman, who dis- misses them with various verdicts, from which some are reprieved by Apollo. Mercurius Britannicus had taken exception to Wither as a juryman, but Apollo informs him: " Engag"d is honest Withers: — for his impartial pen Pid rather gross aluses tas than men." Thi« I I I I I H 309 This is very true, and may have led Mr. Dalrymplcj from ils candour, to assign the tract itself to VVither, though not registered as such by the poet or his bio- graphers. 35. " What peace to the Wicked? Or, an expostulatorie Answer to a Derisorie Question, lately made con- cerning Peace. By a Free-man, ihougli a prisoner." Ver. 4to. 1646.* In the title is added — " The author spares his name: not that he dares not To let you know it; but, because he cares not." This is in short couplets, extends to eight pages, and concludes with the following lines: " A spaniel beaten, at your foot will lie ; An English mastive at your face will flie. Take this, and consider of it till more comes." Most of it is reprinted in the Remains of Wither, 1669, because at that time he tells us, it could not easily je procured. In this piece he attributes to the faction, avarice, and pride of the Clergy, the origin and continu- ance of this Island's civil dissentions in 1646, when, as Butler satirically informs us — " Civil dudgeon first grew high. And men fell out, tbey knew not why." 36. " Major Wither' s Disclaimer: being a disavow- ment of a late paper, entituled ' The Doubtfull Alma- nack :' t lately published in the name of the said Major Wither." Pr. 410. 1646. One sheet. The Major terms his masked adversary "an almanack- maker, who usurps the name of George Wither, and is likely to be as welt a fatherer as a presager of the calami- ties which his prognostication saith are yet to ensue." Wither closes, as frequently, in verse; still disowning * See Cens. Lit. Vol.V. p. 383. t " The Doubtfull Almanack : or a very suspitious presage of great Calamities yet to ensue. By G. Wither." ^.to. 164.6. This tract chiefly consists of an historical parallel of the king and par- liament with that of David and Absalom ; wherein, as Wither says, he " confounds and puzzles you in the allegory with an ap- plication thereof to sectaries and schismaticks.'' X 0, the 3IO the spurious issue of another's pen, and avowing his- fearlessness of acknowledging his own : " This bratj to him that got it, I return; Or to the parish where the same was born ; Lest half the misbegotten in the town. To find a father, at my door be thrown; Or lest they shame me, or may me constrain To father more than I can well maintain. I am not so reserved as to make (As this man did) a Doultfull Almanack Of that, which might be certainly foretold. If they, whom it concerns regard it would ; Nor will I do it, though I shall be sure Of such requital while my days endure." ' 37. " Justitiarius Justificatus : the Justice justified. Being an Apologeticall Remonstrance delivered to the honourable Commissioners of the Great Seale, by George Wither, Esq. and occasioned by Sir Richard Onslow, Knt. with some others, who moved to have him put out of the Commission of the peace in Surrey. In which private defence many things are expressed, verie pertinent to publike consideration, and to the vindication of the Subject in generall, and of Magis- trates in particular." Pr. 4to. 1646. 2 sheets. In this tart and libellous remonstrance Wither asserts it was his ill fortune, without his own seeking or desire, to be made a Commissioner for the peace and goal de- livery in Surrey, since the beginning of the war; and he accepted the office, because he thought his education in the University and Inns of Court, made him no less capable of it, than some other of his fellow-commis- sioners; and because, ever since his youth, he had been an acceptable companion to many hoble and honourable persons, which would render him, as he conceived, " a Commissioner without contempt." But instead of what he thus hoped, that which he had not feared came to pass, for Sir Richard Onslow and some of his friends in Surrey " found it pertinent to the establishing of their designs or government there, that he should be thrust out of the Commission." He then goes much at length into a persona! vindication of his character, and says that HI the execution of his office as a magistrate, " he neither denied. 311 denied, delayed, nor perverted justice, nor put any man to so much cost for it, as the expense of one clerk's feej because he dispatched ail businesses with his own hand.'"' Justice Lamb, the Major Sturgeon of Foote, did the same, during his residence at Ea^t Acton. Wither after- wards adverts to his Farnham affair, and avers that the commission which constituted him Governor of that place was so drawn up, that what he seemed to be, he was not : and this delusion, with others, he roundly ascribes to Sir Richard Onslow's " perpetuity of malice." He still terms himself '' an humble servant to the Muses," and hopes there is no man so foolish as to think him a disparagement to the Commission of peace, because he had the title of a Poet: " for King James preferred a wreath of laurell (the poet's crown) before his golden diadem, as appears by some of his coins and medafe : yea, that title hath been, by the learned, reputed an honour even to Solomon and David; the translation of whose holy Songs and Psalmes, ly me, into lyrick num- bers, haih been a means so to sanctify my poesie for divine uses, that this faculty will not now render me despicable, but among barbarians; and how they esteem of me, I care not." Sir Eichard Onslow was outraged by the personal acrimony betrayed in this tract, appealed to the parlia- ment respecting it, as a breach of privilege against one of its members, and obtained a vote of the house that the pamphlet be burnt by the hangman, and its author fined, and imprisoned until payment was made. But the same parliament, says Wither, " upon better consideration, having .'ilso made trial of the author's patience in suffer- ing about the space of a whole year, discharged him both from the said fine and imprisonment, without his pe- titioning or mediation for it. For at that time (by God's providence) his friends had a seasonable opportunity to move on his behalf; there being a considerable number then present, who were jealous to do justice and dis- charge the trust reposed in them by their electors."* 38. *' Opohalsamum Anglicanum : an Englishe balme lately pressed out of a shrub, and spread upon these • Fragm. Proph. p. 131. I 4 papers. papers, for the cure of some scabs, gangreeves, and cancers, indangering the bodie of this Common- wealth: and to whom it is now tendred by the well affected English, in a double speech, disjunctively delivered, by one of their fellowship, both to the faith- full and malignant members of the representative body of this kingdome. Penned by the author of Britain's Remembrancer, George Wither, Esq." \"er. 410. 1646.* This is a long inflammatory piece of argumentative versification, written with his accustomed heedlessness of senatorial rebuke, or legal persecution, and has been well described in Cens. Lit. VI. 42. A factitious address of the printer, declares, in a political protest, that Wither "is neither for or against the Presbyterians, Indepen- dents, Scots, English, King, Parliament, members, or people, more or less, than according as he, in his judg- ment and conscience, thinks it may conduce to the wrong or right way, from or toward the truth of God, and the peace of the kingdom." In an Apology for " Vox Vulgi," i66i, he says " My poem stiled Opolahamum, Though more oiFensive than ruy last to some, * A sharp replication to some of the leading contents in Wither's apologetical offering, for his military misconduct, was published in 1646, under the titic of «' A Letter sent to George Wither, poetica licentia, Esquire, by a plain dealing Friend of his, to prevent his future pseudoo;raphy. Printed by Benevol; Typographus, sometimes Printer to the said Master Wither. Published for the better information of such who by his perpetuall icribling have been screwed into an opinion of his worth and good affection to the publick 1 and are to be sold by the cryers of ' new, new, new and true newes,' in all the streets of London." 410. The tracts here particularly noticed are Campo Musa, Se Defendeiido, Justiciarius justificatu! , and Opobalsamum Anglicanum, which i» re- commended to be more truly called Fenaium Diaboliciim. la the first paragraph this accuser terms himself " an old acquaintance: for so (he proceeds) give nie leave to tearmejoa, having not been till of late much estranged from you since you lived in the bishop- rick of Durham, when she lived there also which now is your wife, "but then wife to a poore man in London, who by report perished for want of bread." This assertion, which neither is sanctioned by Wither's own narratives, ncr by the accounts of Aubrey, leaves but little hope of accurate representation in the remainder of the pamnhlet, which is abvuiJantly scurrilous. The 3^3 The Commons (named the Long Parliament) Did wink at^ without show of discontent." 39. " Jmygdala Britannica: Almonds for Parrets. A dish of stone fruit, partly shel'd and partly unshel'd: which (if crack'd, pick'd, and well digested) may be wholsome against those epidemick distempers of the brain, now predominant; and prevent some malignant ~ diseases likely to ensue. Composed heretofore by a well-knowne moderne Author: and now published ac- cording to a copie found written with his own hand." Ver. 4to. 1647. Much in the manner of his Opolalsamum, though rather more in the soothsaying strain, mingled with the " Babylonish dialect" of mysticism, and concluding with chronogramic opacity. In the following passage, however, the author speaks out pretty plain. " A time draws near, in which you may. As you shall please, the chess-men play ; Remove, confine, undo, or take. Dispose, depose, undo, or make Pawn, rook, knight, bishop, queen, or krag, And act your wills in every thing. But if that time let slip you shall. For yesterday in vain you call." 40. " Carmen Expostulatorium : or a timely Expostu- lation with those, both of the city of London and the present Armie, who have either endeavoured to ingage these kingdomes in a second warre, or neglected the prevention thereof. Intended for averting (if it may be possible) of that general! destruction thereby threatened : and to that purpose, hastily (upon the immergent occasion) published lay George VVither." Ver. 4to. 1647. In this Wither inquires — "Have you crack'd alhmy Almonds?" a\\\id\vig to the tract preceding. This Ex- postulation is conceived to have issued from the press about August 1647 '• ^s the " emergent occasion" must ' have beery the approach of Fairfax and his army to the metropolis; and the arrival of a military detachment under the command of Rainsborough and Hewson at Southwark. See Cens. Lit. VI. 274. It was pro- fessedly written to prevent a second civil war, when a di- vision 3H vision of the city and army " was by some endeavoured, and likely to be effected." 41. " A single Si Quis, * and a quadruple Quere: with the occasions of them. Presented to the Members of the honorable House of Commons, touching a pe- tition : with certain Verses annexed, and lately layd at their feet in the said House of Commons, by Major G. W," _4to. [1648.] 2 leaves. This begins with a reference to Cromwell's victory over the Scots at Preston, in Lancashire, under Duke Hamilton, on Aug. 17, 1648. f " That day in which victorious Cromwell sent His first cr_^'ess (to your great wonderment) Of Hamilton's defeat — which, whilst a Scot Shall be remembred, will not be forgot : Ev'n on that day, before your feet I spread A sad Petition, humbly prefaced By these ensuing lines — ' He that is prostrate on ths floor." &c. • It was presented to the Members of Parliament in their single capacities, related to the author's particular interests, and was composed in an unusual mode, in hope it might have inclined some of them to introduce it to the notice of the rest: but without effect. The new mode seems to consist in a greater variety of measure. 43. " The (rue stale of the cause betwixt the King and Parliament." Mislaid or lost, says Wilher's own list. 43. " Prosopopceia Britanica: Britan's Genius, or Good-Angel, personated; reasoning' and advising, touching the Games now playing, and the Adventures now at hazard in these Islarids: and presaging, also, some future things, not unlikely to come to passe. Discovered by Terrse. Filius (a well knowne Lover of the publike peace) when the begetting of a national Quarrell was first feared. Expressed in two Sections ' or readings, &c." Ver. 8vo. 1648. • Weaver, in his Life and Deatli of Sir John Oldcastle, 1609, says — " Set up a Si !iuis, give intelligence," &cc. A Si ^is was formerly a term for what vi'e now call a handbill. Si qitis inve- nerit, &c. t Milton has a striking allusion to the same event, in his sonnet " to the Lord-Geaeral Cromwell." Metrical 3^S Metrical addresses are prefixed to "the meeke in- genuous and to the scornfuSly censorious reader." From the latter it appears that the MS. was prepared eight months before its appearance in print: for truth, he says, geib licence hardly; and the press was not then at his disposure. He adds — "■ Read, if you list; but ■who compos'd the same Inquire not : for, although to shew bis name He never was zirsxA, it sutes not now With his designe that he should tell it you." For an explicit avowal of his name there was indeed little occasion, as the whole tract is but an echo of his os\n style and sentiments, which were not likely to be mistaken, and which he never affected to disguise. This poem, which runs on to no pages, and his " Re- membrancer," of much greater extent, are cited by Wither in his later works,* as though they were very favourite performances. The labour bestowed on each might have contributed to make them so. Both have many striking passages and several pojtic personifications. Among the latter is an impersonation of Britain^ which thus begins : " Upon my couch, there silently surveyings With Contemplation's eyes, the sick estate Of these three kingdoms and their likely fate ; My rambling fancy (which was newly come. From whence I know not) brought into the room A reverend person, who upon him wore A sea-green mantle, ^vhich was^wrought all o'er With silver wavings (well resembling those Which cnrl the ocean, when a strong gale blows) And had a verge, or bordering, imbost Of rocrc-work, like the cliffs that guard o::r coast, Rais'd with white saphirs, looking o'er a strand Bestrow'd with orient pearls and golden sand." The whole poem consists of an apostrophic addresi from the Genius of Britain, which touches upon almost all that relates to the politics of the kingdom, contains a • Particularly in "Fides Anglicana," p. 55, and " Furor Poeticus," p. 30, where part of his presage of a King unkinging himself is introduced. remarkable 5i6- remarkable presage at p.'99, * and closes with verses to the parliament, and others obliquely directed to Charles I. " Aliquid ex improviso. " The Author will not now this poem send Unto the Kins;; because it may offend : But if to give it he had lawful! way. He down would kneel, and thus would humbly say : — Dear Sir, be pleased to^ peruse this book With undistempei-'d heart and gracious look; And though some passages may harsh appear, Read out with patience what is written here : — And I iiave hope you shall receive by me A wholsome pill, although it bitter be." 44. " Verses presented to several Members of the House of Commons, repairing thither the 23d of December, 1648; being the next day after their Humiliation. With an iaiprinied petitioner thereto aimexed." The humiliation here spoken of, was a public and national fast. The Verses are an appeal to the justice of the House. The Petition contains a financial statement of his pecuniary concerns as they related to the state, and to the committee of public accompts. 45. "The tired petitioner:" Printed about the same time, on a single sheet. He heavily complains in this, of the tardiness of re- Of which the following is the commencement. " When here a Scot shall think his throne to set Above the circle of a British king ; H« shall a dateless Parliament beget. From whence a dreadfull armed brood shall spring,. That ofF-spring shall beget a wild confusion. Confusion shall an anarchy beget. That anarchy shall bring forth in conclusion, A creature which you have no name for yet. That creature shall conceive a sickly state. Which will an Aristocracie produce : The many-headed Beast, not liking that. To raise Deraocracie shall ratlser chuse: And then Democracy's production shall A moone-calt'e be, which some a mole do call." dress, B^7 dress, which attended his former petition, from the want of qualifying gifts or powerful relations: and adds — " He that hath naoney to promote his ends Needs neither strain his wits, nor tire his friends: He that hath friends his matters to contrive. May, though he have not wit nor money, live : He that hath -"vit, and wants the other twain, May live, but not without some want and pain." 46. Carmen Euckaristicon: a private Thank-Oblation, exhibited to the glory of the Lord of Hosts, for the timely and wonderfull deliverance vouchsafed to this nation, in the routing of a numerous Army of Irish Rebells before Dublin, by the sword of his valiant servant, Michael Jones, Lieutenant-General for the Parliament of England." Ver. 4to. 1649. four leaves. Jones, at first a lawyer, became Parliamentary Gover- nor of Dublin, and this routing took place on the second of August, 1649, by a sortie from the garrison against the advanced posts of the Marquis of Ormond: and " Whilst Ormond and while Taaf In their tents did game and quaff, (At our sad condition laugh) And of captives predispos'd : Theri, that arm, which they despis'd. Suddenly their camp surpriz'd. And the snares which they devis'd For our feet, their own inclos'd." In this stanza, and in double columns, Wither pro- ceeds through six quarto pages to celebrate the exultant event which gave rise to this profanation of the term Carmen Euckaristicon. 47. '■^ A thankful retrilution." Ver. 1649.* This, says Wither, f was written to express the author's gratitude to some few Members of Parliament, who without his seeking, had propounded an expedient whereby to satisfy his just demands. This seems to have been the grant of some office in the Court of Chancery, * The following is pointed out by Mr. H. Ellis as likely to be by Wither, but the tract has not been met with : " An Al- larum from Heaven, or a Memento to the great Councell and Magistrates of England, &c. By G. W. a cordial Lover of the peace of England." 410. 16/J9. t In his Fragm. Prophetica, 1669, p. log. which 3i8 which however he did not obtain.* But he comforts himself, as usual, by the high commission he believed himself to have derived from divine authority. " I covet not the place propos'd for me: For in these lies I haiC already had A place more honourable (though not made So much account of) than 'tis to supply The greatest office in your Chancery : J have been honour'd to draw rip records For him that's King of Kings, and Lord of Lords! To be unto this isle Remembrancer, And, as it were, a publick Register To that supream, high, and most awful court. From whence proceeds no sentence, no report. No order or injunction, no decree. Edicts or dooms, but such as righteous be." 48. " The British Appeal: with God's merciful replies on the behalf of the Commonwealth of England: contained in a brief commemorative poem, &c." 8vo. 1651. This is recorded by himself and Wood, who has given the title as above. The tract itself I have not seen, nor has Wither transmitted any extract from it in his " Re- mains." 49. " A timelie Caution ; comprehended in thirty-seven double trimeters. Occasioned by a late rumour of an intention suddenly to adjourn this Parliament: and superscribed to those whome it most concerns, Sept. 10, 165a, by G. W. a faithful servant to this Republick." Ver. 410. 4 leaves. Thetitle sufficiently points out the purport of this tract. In a Postscript the author speaks of his publication as " Wither'd leaves," which is one of his favourite inuendos. * In lieu of this, perhaps, he was appointed one of the Com- ■missioners for levying assessments in support of the army in the County of Surrey; as appears from the Usurpation Acts, 1649 and 1650. Mr. Lloyd possesses a MS. certificate attested by Wither, while acting under the above commission, Dec. 10, 1651, and bearing to be " The report of Coll. John Humphreyes and Major George Wither, touching the demands and accounts of Mr. Rene Augier, made upon a reference to them, by the committee for sale of the King's goods." M. Augier had acted as an agent in France, for the King and Parliament. 3^9 5o. " A Declaration in the person of Oliver Cromwell; given into his own hand, and tending to the settling of such a Government as he never intended." Thus described in Wither's own list: as is the fol- lowing. ^i."A private Address to the said Oliver, in prose and verse, offering things pertinent to his considera- tion into his own hand sealed up." 52. " The dark Lantern: containing a Dim Discoverie, in riddles, parables, and semi-riddles, intermixt with cautions, remembrances and predictions; as they were promiscuously and immethodically represented to their Author in'his solitary musings, the third of No- vember, 1652, about midnight. Whereunto is an- nexed a Poem, concerning a perpetuall Parliament." Ver. 8vo. 165a.* 1653. In a prefix to this production. Wither expresses his disappointment that it was delayed (by his being absent) from appearing three months before; whereby, it came too late for effecting its intended purpose. He consoles himself, however, by reflecting — '' it will be useful to some other ends : at least to testifie to the world that what is now come to pasbc was foreseen, and endeavours used for prevention thereof, which might probably have had good success, if contempt of many forewarnings had not hindered the same: it may be, to make way for the accomplishment of somewhat fore-declared in my " Britain's Genius;" in which poem I laboured as much in vain to reduce tlie late King to make use of that means which would have effected his restoration, as I have hereby done to preserve the Parliament." Wither had croaked so' long, it seems, that his raven voice was not regarded. In this poem he is enigmatically obscure, and he assigns for it a prudential reason. " The times are dangerous, and I am told (By that which is my guide) I should not bold Beyond discretion be; which makes me talk In riddles, and with this dark lantern walk." • This edition, in 1652, is mentioned by Dalrymple as in the posscE:itn oi [lerbeit, arZ/ioa/ the " Perpetuall Parliament." The 320 The office of National Rememlrancer* he here claims with as much pertinacity as if it had been granted to him by letters patent. In the " Perpetuall Parliament," being the result of a contemplative vision, he offers a project for building a new House of Commons at White- hall; the members of which were to wear a senatorial robe, or toga, with a collar, on which the British isles should be enamelled : the Parliament to be annual, and the speaker to be changed every month ; all undue in- fluence in elections to be followed by exile, and all pecu- lations or bribery in public offices to be punished with death. Instead of a general election, a twelfth part of the representatives of England and Wales to be chosen each month in the year, and this continuity of returns for each shire and borough, was to constitute a perpetuity of Parliament, liable to no dissolution. * In the following paragraph he relates the perils and pains he had undergone in this thankless occupation. " For (as it iiy my journall-books appears) Somewhat above the term of forty years I have been on the hills of contemplation, A voluntary watchman for this nation, I oft, when none to second me I knevr. In times of greatest danger sto:-d perdue. I oft was pris'ner took, and did enlarge My self, at all times, at my proper charge. I, more than once, to 'scape my foes made shift j With nothing but my life and raiment left ; And have persuaded been (ev'n ever since I rcacht the years of ripe intelligence) That (next unto h'S service) God, in chief Gave me my being, faculties, and life. To serve my country, and to have an eye On those wiio hindred her prosperity: And to imploy my studies, and my wit. In searching cut what might advantage it. Though no man should regard it; yea.-though still I injuries receiv'd for ray good will." The comparison of himself to a by-stander on a neighbouring hill, vi'ho having observed the confused engagement of two great armies, informs one of them what should be done to win the day, and gets contemntd and perhaps wounded for his pains, is apposite and forcible. So is the simile of a storm-tost vessel to the shattered wreck of state. The parable of a home-bred lion, he says, wat interpreted to bear relation to Cromwell, who bore a white lion for his arms. See Remains, p. 64.. " Tbut 3«i " Thus, as the Thames doth still continue one. And i» the self-same river, though there run A new supply of waters ev'ry day Along the channel} so, continue may This Parliament, by annual supply, To be the self-same everlastingly." 53. " Westrow Revived. A funerall poem without fic- tion: Composed by George Wither, Esq.; that God may be glorified in his saints: that the memory of Thomas Westrow, Esq. may be preserved) and that others, by his exemplary life and death, may be drawn to imitation of his vertues." Ver. i2mo. 1653. Such a tribute of personal attention as the present, was rarely offered by Wither; but to Westrow he had been under great pecuniary obligations, and as no re- payment was expected by his friend, he gratefully raised this poetic structure to his remembrance. * Westrow, it would seem, was a person of property in Kent, and though a commonwealth-man, had never accepted gift, place, or office from the governing powers. Yet Walker, in his " History of Independency," numbered him Jn the list of those who enriched themselves from poor es- tates and a low degree: f but this, says Whither, reflects disgrace only upon that " lier's face." The poet's own history, J and that of the times, are continually inter- woven • His plea for doing this is feelingly urged : " If David, in a funeral song, preserv'd The memory of that which well deserv'd, In wicked Saul, his foe: why may not I Seek to preserve a good man's memory ? Why may not I with warranty commend The matchless love of my deceased Friend ? Why may not I, a= fully as I can. Illustrate my beloved Jonathan ?" t Walker.in 1 648, declared that Thomas Westrow was nothing worth, until he became a " Capttan and a. parliament-man: when he got the Bishop of Worcester's manor of Hartlerow; which proved he had two good and beneficial offices." He was also marked in Walker's list, as illegally elected, and unduly returned, to serve in parliament. X The sufferings of himself and family, from sickness and penury, is circumstantially described ; and hi« deliverance from VOL, 1. V the 332 woven with his main subject, as in most of his produc- tions: and these become to modern readers the most interesting portion of his literary remains. His apology for such digressions assimilates with that of Cowper, in Book VI. of The Task. " My Muse oft times, when she is on her wings. Wheels from her game to unexpected things Which come to view ; and thereby more hath won Sometimes, than if aside she had not gone." the latter, by the bounty of Westrow, is happily depicled: but the extent of this narrative piecludes more than a few extracts. " The late intestine wars, which with a flood Of miseries, and with a sea of blood, Oreflow'd these nations, (like a raging torrent Which bears down all with an impetuous current) Brake in, ev'n at first rising, where then lay My chief estate, and swept it all away. — To add yet further to my great affliction,"!, God, with a sickness (spreading forth infections) Visits my house, and drove all those from thence Who were some comfort to my indigence. My Children were all sick of that disesse : Their single keeper, to her little ease, Was their sad Mother; whilst, as sad as she, I sought whereby they might supported be. And we, who saved were awhile before With sixteen household- servants^ sometimes more, Had then but one boy, who sick also lay, And one poor woman, hired by the day. — Only this hope remain'd, that God had sent A sickness, which by death would wants prevent. Or give us by his own hand some repair: For of his love I never shall despair. In this good hope, the world's neglect I scorn'd, And my petitions into prayers turn'd. Directed unto Him, who only knew My wants and what was likely to ensue — And as a lover, thinking (in a dream) He hears his best Beloved calling him, Starts up in haste, and runneth out to meet The voice that calls him, ere he find his feet. And goes he knows not whither: so, with me It far'd Thus elated with hope, he walks forth, meets ihe friend whose toss he now deplores, and who then was so touched with his dis- tress as to present him with 26I. and sometime afterwards with donations to t^e amount of 5C0I. His 323 His animated assertion of the Muses' gifted power is creditable to his own poetic talent. " The Mu=e3, in times past, so awfull were. That they made kings to fawn, and tyrants fear; The vulgar they made hereto ; heroes, gods : Drew trees and beasts out of the salvage woods To follow them. That is, they drew together Blockish and brutish men, as rude 3s either Wild plants or beasts, and them allur'd uoto W^hat reasonable creatures ought to do. There was a time, when princes did contend In poetry, and poets to befriend: And when the one shall consecrate his Muse True piety and virtue to infuse. And men in piv.er by righteousness maintain Their dignity, it shall be so again." 54. " To the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland. The htimble petition of George Wither, Esq." folio. Single sheet. (Jan. .651.) This sets forth, that in consideration of money due to the petitioner above eleven years, and formerly made payable by several orders of parliament, it was provided in the fir^t act for sale of estates forfeited for Treason, the Trustees should sell to this Petitioner ijcl. per annum, out of the estate of John Denham, Esq. out of the manor of Little Horsley in Essex. The trustees did this, and by the same deed sold also to him the rest of the said manor for 1645I. 4s. gA. which was paid for accord- ing to contract, and himself put into possession by the sheriff. Yet, nevertheless, some of the said trustees (when this petitioner had expended great sums upon the pre- mises,) did stop his rents and reconvey that to another which they had formerly sold to him. After which, for a pretended incumbrance charged upon the said manor and claimed by one Thomas Offly, Esq. the petitioner was ejected out of his whole purchase, and his family left destitute of a habitation in the winter among ma- liciously malignant strangers, above iod miles from his other possessions. He therefore prays to be restored again to what he had purchased, without waste made, and his damages repaired, &c. &c. Y 2 SS- 3*4 55- " Vaticinium Cauniale. A rapture occasioned by the late miraculous Deliverance of his Highnesse the Lord Protector from a desperate danger. With a nove- rint universi in the close." Ver. 410. 1654-5, (Oct. *4.) Though composed when Cromwell was in the plenitude of his protectoral power, yet the present is not less freighted with cautionary admonition and solemn denun- ciation than some of Wither's earlier pieces. The oc- casion on which it was specially put forth was that of Cromwell's having usurped the place of coachman to his secretary Thurlow, whom he overset in Hyde Park. This circumstance, and the boyishness of it, Wither has employed some poetical as well as political artifice to gild over, by reminding his readers of the Olympic pastimes. " For 'twas not judged an unprincely game To drive a chariot, when th' Olympian fame Was thirsted after: and when on that hill Kings, v\ith their equals, therein sliew'd their skill. And wrapt in clouds, rais'd by their horses' heels, And thunderings from their furious chariot wheels, Were emulous the high-priz'd wreaths to wear Belonging to the skilfull'st charioteer." &c. This is a very far-strained apology for the witlesi frolic of Oliver, to whom he afterwards declares, that if h« shall abuse his power. the people to oppress. Or leave them unreliev'd in their distress, So that they must be forc'd to cry and call To God for help: God hear and help them shall: — Avenge their cause, call thee accompt to give. Of all those favours which thou didst receive: (Of that late mercy too, among the rest. Which hath occasion'd what is here exprest) And with much indignation cast thee down. When to its height thy confidence is grown." 56. " The Protector. A poem briefly illustrating the supereminency of that dignity: and rationally de- monstrating, that the title of Protector, providentially conferred upon the supreme Governour of the British Republike, is the most honorable of all Titles, and that — which 325 which probably promiseth most propitiousness to these nations: if our sins and divisions prevent it not." Ver. 8vo. 1653.* " To the high and mighiy Oliver, by the grace of God, of the Common-weakh of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, with the isles and dominions thereof. Imperial ProtiiCtor; as also, Catholicke Defender of the oppressed saints throughout the world; George Wither humbly offers this Illusiration of that superemi- nent Title." For this address the author expected to have the guilt of flattery imputed to him ; but he braves this and every other imputation, from an express belief that this new Title was heaven-derived, as was his of a national rememlrancer. " At least, I do lelieve that I was born To act this part; and will, till I return To Him that sent me : leaving the success To Providence, which gets advantages By disadvantage : and oft makes our gains The greatest, when most think we lo^e our pains." His adulation to Cromwell is soon turned into sage counsel, whence he refers his judgment, his discretion, and his will, to form such resolutions as may best give assurance of a permanent settlement of peace; at the same time he wishes him to discriminate among his parliamentary supporters, " Who gives good counsel, who bad things infuses. Who speaks his conscience, who his trust abuses. Who strives to build up truth, who pulls it down. Who neither stoops to smiles, nor fears a frown; Who flatters, who is fickle, who is stout. Who fittest for the work you are about." After an Epistle Dedicatory of six pages, and an ad- dress to the readers t of four, his poem of the "Protec- tor" • A MS. note to a copy of this date in the British Museum, •ays " a second impression enlarged" was published in August 1656. t In this he repeats his declaration •' With an intent To serve as well the Kiag as parliament , I put on arras : and as sincerely sought His good as theirs, beneath whose flag I fought, y 3 -Till S26 tor" extends to forty-two pages more. A " recal to the reader,"* on eight pages, closes this publication. Wither enters into a very diffuse panegyric on the style and title of Protector, as being most happy; while he prescribes rules for its becoming most appropriate also; but at the same time delivers the following ennobling sentiments on the inanity of titular exaltations. "■ A Title giveth no essential famej It is the man that dignifies the name. An honourable title is confest To be a fair eagagement, or at best An useful pledge, and some memento too Of what the owner is oblig'd to do; But, of itselfj on him that fills the place Of power, it doth confer nor worth nor grace. It is an ornament that priz'd should be. And also that which may in some degree Illustrate him that wears it; if he frame His actions answerable to the same. According to the purposes of those Who did on him the sovereignty impose. 'Till I, betwixt the-n, nigh destroy'd became; And then perceiving they were both to blame. Left off the quarrel, unto Him that knew Which best deserv'd, and what to both was due." • In this he tells the suspicious or incredulous reader, " If for my sole advantage thou believe I publish this; thy thinkings thee deceive: Nor profit or protection, peace or praise, Do I obtain, or look for, in these days. — What patronage have I yet thereby gain'd, Through which my cause or person is sustained? What favours am I likely to obtain. Who flatter not the proud, nor sooth the vain? — For my ambition is — to live and die Henceforth unheeded ; and, retir'd, to lie Where I, a little while, without annoy, Myself, with my relations, may enjoy; And then resign my place to him that must Supply it, when I slumber in the dust: And though I nothing hwue, rest quiet there. Where I shall also neither nuant nor cart." This closing couplet has allusions to his " Motto," of which a copy occurs in the British Museum without printer's or publisher's name, dated i6ii. The- The basis of true supreme honour standi Not upon absolute^ but just commands. A prince doth his pre-eminence receive From virtue, not from bis appellative. And righteousness adds more to his renown Than conquest, title, scepter, and a crown." 57. " Borai Ominis Fotum: * a good Omen to the next Parliament: expressed vipon occasion of those extra- ordinary Grand Juries lately summoned out of the most eminent Baronets, Knights, Esquires, and Gentlemen, in some Counties to serve at the Summer Assizes this year 1656. By a faithful servant to this Republick." Ver. 4to. four leaves, (1656, July.) Inserted by Wither in his " Remains," 1669, with- out abbreviation : and was occasioned by the title fully staled. The author's intention was to combine these county-jurors into one fellowship of interest for the com- mon peace and public safety, " that discords into sympa- thies might grow." His verses however, on this oc- casion, do not rise nearer the tone of poetry than those in Moore's Almanack and other astrological formularies, as the following specimen may shew. " Good speed to this republick, and encrease Of happiness to those who seek her peace ! Sad things are threatened, and a lowring sky Seems to portend great storms are drawing nigh. But look above them, and good courage take ; The sun still shines although the clouds be black ; And beamings through their darkest parts appear Whereby discernable good omens are. With symptoms of the blessing we expect. If we ourselves obstruct not their effect,' And turn them Xo ill signs : which, to prevent. That which yet follows gives a needful hint. This year is likely to be critical About the time in which the leaves will fallj And if conjectures may be builded on. We, from what's acted with what's left undone SpelI'd both together, somewhat may deduce To teach us what ere long will be in use." • A MS. note in the Museum copy adds — " By George Wither, Master of the Statute Office, given him by the Lord Protector lately." Hence one clue to his protectoral attachment. Y 4 58. 3^8 58. "A sudda'in Flash, timely discovering some reasons wherefore the stile of Protector should not be deserted by these Nations : with some other things by them very considerable. It was first made visible the fourth day after the Author heard it reported that the Lord Protector had waved the title of King. By Britain's Remembrancer," &c. Ver. 8vo. 1657. (Oct. 7.) This is inscribed to his Hiehness the Protector, with an assurance that it flowed from Providence " and not from any carnal influence." Much difference, it seems, prevailed among his vassals about the titular distinction that Cromwell was inclined to assume, and Wither takes the liberty, though not magisterially, to recora« mend the following: — " Soveraign Protector, or Protec- tor Imperial of the Commonwealth of Great Britain, King of England, Scotland, and Ireland, with the Islands, Territories, and Dominions, to them belonging." At the end of his Flash, the poet adds a Spark of his versifi- cation : this is in the very spirit of Taylor the Water- Poet. Then follows a few vacant pages which are filled by a copy of verses, wherewith he lately enclosed two petitions to' the Parliament: and then is super-added 59. " A cause allegoric ally stated: with an Appeal therein to all impartial Censurers." 1657. This (says Wither)* was published, among other things, during Oliver Cromwell's reign. It may be gathered from an extract given, that the allegory con- sisted in comparing England 10 a goodly ship in great hazard and himself to an old man aboard, who had heen favoured with " a faculty to see things in the dark:" but whose sharp second-sightedness was unheeded and de- rided. 60. " An Address to the Members of Parliament in their single Capacities." Ver. 1657. Wither having made use of such individual addresses as this, during the sitting of the long parliament, was in- duced to practise similar expedients during those parlia- ments which were convened by Cromwell and his suc- • Fragmenta Prophetica, p. 159. cesser. 5^9 cesser. This was one left at their doors and superscribed " To that Member of Parliament who shall take up this paper." It is in verse of this texture. " Of useful plants we should have as much care As from the good com to weed out a tare." Wither complains that this was tendered, like his other papers, without success : whence he infer*, the evil of the times will better appear to glorify divine justice. 6i. " The Sinner's Confession: or the product of a pri- vate humiliation." 1658 org. (See Furor Poeticus, p. 42.) 62. " A private Address for the third day of Sept. 1658." The day of Oliver Cromwell's decease. 63. " Another Address given to Richard Cromwell'i own hands." This and the preceding are in Wither's own list, and are described to have been " private remembrances both of duties and failings, with forewarnings of what is since come to pass." They were not printed. 64. " The Petition and Narrative of George Wither, Esq. concerning his many grievances and long suffer- ings. With a preceding Addresse made to the honour- able Members of Parliament in their single capacities, to incline them to a speedy Consideration of his case in Parliament. Hodie nobis, eras vobis." 4to. four leaves. (1658 fir 9.) The first page of this in verse, the rest in prose: and is only a more detailed statement of his "Petition to the Parliament. See N° 54. 65. " Salt upon Salt : * made out of certain ingeniou* • This title is thus illustrated by himself, at p. 49. " This Salt, made out of Salt, I took occasion To boil up, for the service of my nation To this height, as conceiving it was meet To keep what's yet unputrified sweet ; And some corrupted humours to expel, &c." verset 33° verses upon the late storm, and the death of his High- ness ensuing. By which contemplative object, occa- sion is taken to offer to cons.ideraiion the probable n6er approaching of greater storms, and more sad conse- quences." Ver. 8vo. 1658-9. " Salt seasons all thhigs, saving onely those Which must feed tishes, maggots, dogs, and crows. Read it, and heed it : for you need it, and so God speed it." Wither thus reveals his purpose, in an address to the reader before this tract. " When I began to know the world and man, I made records of what I found them then j Continuing ever since to take good heed How they stipod still, went back, or did proceed; Till of my scale of time, pscending heav'n. The round I stand on, maketh ten times seven : And being likely now, ere long, to leave them, A. memorandum I intend to give them Of what this day they do appear to me. As also, what they may hereafter be." In conclusion he tells the reader — " Last year I sent a Flash, which is let pass Unheeded, as a thing that never was: Now follows the report, or clap of thunder, Which have been seen and heard thus far asunder. To give the longer warning, &c." This warning is penned in the usual desultory and rambling style or Wither's political poetry, with inter- mingled passages of great strength and force. An Epi- taph on Croiriwell contains a very partial eulogium on his character, and the succession of his son Richard is hailed as that of a man of peace, " Although he brings not such appearance* Either for his or our advantages. As did his Predecessor; Yet he proceeds to augur of this unpromising and imbecile governor, " If to God's ends he quadrates his desire. He shall become far greater than his Sire : He shall do nobler things than ere he did. More he shall conquer than be conquered. — Our 33^ Our chief oppressers he will cause to be Their own destruction, and so set us free." This tract is closed with Sarcasmus jEnigmaticus, or a riddle to his friendly censurers, and " a bitter-sweet passion of the soul, expressed in a Hymne to God" — containing twelve stanzas. 66. '■^ Ephtolium-vagum-pTosa-metricum : or an Epistle* at randome, in prose and metre. To he delivered to all whom it may concern: but was first intended only for two or three of the Author's friends in authority (if he hath so many left) to mediate in Parliament the redresses of his destructive grievances : in the ex- pression whereof, many particulars of public concern- ment are interwoven, &c. The author is George Wither, Esq. who, in writing this address, being transported beyond the sense of his personal sufferings, discovers by a poetical rapture, that whereon the peace of these nations depends : and what is, and what will be, their sad condition ; as also, what new purgatories and fiery tryals they are likely to pass, if God's mercy prevents not; which that they may endeavour to obtain, their old Remembrancer gives them once more 'a Fore- warning: resolving this shall be his last time of sounding them an alarm." Pr. and Ver. 410. 1659. Wither's resolution to leave off writing was, like that formed by many who have once felt the cacoethes scri- lendi, very evanescent. But he was probably in earnest when he laid down his pen, as he seems to have exhausted his own patience, by the bulk of this (as himself terms it) wanderingEpistle, which comprehends a particular statement of his pecuniary concerns with the Common- wealth, and a diffiise comment on its injustice, which urges him to say — " Charles Stuart vi-ere better stay at Bruxells then come hither, though Spain, France, and the Emperour should assist him." Wither's Narrative • This Epistle has a P.S. to Mr.R. Hamon, merchant, primed at the end of Furor Poeticus, 1660, in which Wither tells us " That Letter, which to you I lately sent On Second rupture of this Parliament, I am inform'd, by some this censure had, Tbat doubtless when I wrote it I was mad." and and Petition to Parliament, are inserted in the present publicationi 67. " A Cordial of Confection, to strengthen their hearts whose courage begins to fail, by the Armies late dis- solving the Parliament. It is wrapt up in an episto- lary discourse, occasionally written to Mr. Ro. Harnon, merchant, by Geo. Wither, Esq. about a week after the said parliament was dissolv'd: and is thus com- municated by a copy thereof, as very pertinent to these distracted Times, and tending to preservation of the common peace. For (other things of public con- cernment being interwoven) it truly states the People's cause, in plain expressions suitable to the vulgar ca- pacities, and frees it from many scandals. It contains an Expedient, hitherto not heeded, or neglected, whereby Charles Stuart may be settled in peace, if he please: whereby we may have a better Parliament than we lost, or ever had: whereby our Armies may be kept constant to order, whilst they are needful, and in a short time quite disbanded : whereby the People's just freedoms may be recovered and perpetuated: whereby not only these nations, but all Christendome also, may be established in a righteous peace: and it hath neither destructive inlet, outlet, or false bottom." Pr. 4to. 1659. This title is only a type of the tract, which is very long and very fanatical. He charges Cromwell with having apostatized from his resolution, and affirms that Charles Stuart had no more legal right to these Islands, than himself had to France and Spain. His Expedient, or grand Catholicon for restoring Peace, has for its ex- cellent basis Christian charity, national union, self- government, individual content, and personal good will. * T. P. [To be continued.] * An anecdote of hiraself states, tliat when the King was at Oxford, he received two Letters from Lord Butler, which engaged to settle half of his estate upon Wither, and that it should be but »n earnest of a far greater gratitude in future from the king, if he would come over to him. This offer was rejected: and the doughty republican says he did not repent it, though his ad- herence to the parliament had exposed himself and family to scorn aad poverty, as well as other injuries. n* S33 % The Pilgrimage of Princes, newly published hy Lodo- wicke Lloid, Esquier, one of her Maiesties Sergeantes at Arrnes. Imprinted at London ly lohn PVolfe. 1586. qto. Lodowick Lloyd * flourished as a writer through the greater portion of the reign of Elizabeth, and several of his pieces appear to have been well received by the pub- lic, and repeatedly printed. A list of the whole may be found prefixed to The Paradise of Daintie Deuices, (p. xix.)' ^" ^^^^ collection he has only an Epitaph upon the death of Sir Edward Saunders. Lloyd, in his Ditty, to the Queen, announced at the end of that list, followed the language of the age, and the laboured exaltation of his royal mistress to the pinnacle of perfec- tion, bv comparison, was not more gross flattery than she uniformly received from contemporary writers. In 1575 Edward Hake gives her divine origin. " Of f5eshe, the feeblest sexe by kinde: Of facK not lunoes feere: But mvlde Susanna in her Jookes And Hester in her cheere. The work is thine, tis thine, lehoue : fso iote begonne by man : Thou fram'dst l;er onely for thy praise : By thee her dayes began." f • Or Lhuyd ; he also used the synonimy of Flood, probib'v in imitation of the anagrams then occasionally adopted. The present volume contains an instance of one of those shallow conceits; which, as they perplex, are seldom worth the trouble of unravel- ling. Dolarney^s Primros2 (see p. 15^) is, in the first word, a transposition of the author's name, and the whole imports Rny- Hold's FIRST FLOWER. An explanation pointed out by ? s';itle- man, to whose pen the world is indebted for an excellent " Tna- tise on the Law of Merchanf s Ships, and Seamen," 1802, 1S04., 1S08. •J- A commemoration of the most prosperous and peaceable rairne of cur gratious and deere Soueraigne Lady Elizabeth by the grace of God of England, Fraunce and Irelande, Siueene, £ff . Noiu ne'wly setfoortb this xniii day ofNouember, beyng the first day of the xi)iii,yeere of her Maiesties sayd Raigne. By hdiu. Hake, Gent. Imprinted at London, by William Hoav for Richard lohncs divejlynge nxAtbout Nemgate, ouer against S. Sepulcbers Church, n. d. iirno. extends to C iiii. Deborab. 334 Deborah, Judith and Esther, are usually introduceil like ordinary handmaids. At Norwich, in 1578, they were made characters in the pageant by Henry Golding- ham, M. A. to severally address the Queen; and in a ditty Jove calls upon Diana, Ceres, Prudence, and Mi- nerva, to leave off their " pugred strife. In equall place I haue assignde you all : A soueraigne wight there is that beareth life. Id whose sweete hart I h;iue inclosde you all-: Of England soyle she is the soueraigne Queenej Your vigors theie do florish fresh and greene."* Another writer exceeds this verbose adulation in both prose and verse. " Whoso had seene hir Majestie, I say not, that he should have seene an angrie Mars, a lalius Caesar, or Charlcmaine, for all this is winde in comparison of hir : but he should have seene a Deborah, a Hester, a Ruth, and a ludith, and finally he should have seene a valour second to none." Again, " it thou didst consider the valor of the Queenes Majestic, hir courage and grcatnes; thou wouldest not dare to publish such falshoods. And knowe that it is such and so much, that, for not being able to utter it I thinke it belter to keep it silent, then to come short therein : for that I should need for such a purpose, not one angelicall toong, but a thousand. To compare her with Hester for humilitie; in compassion to an Abigail; in prudcncie and valor to a Debora; and in courage to a ludith. Notwithstanding of that little light vvhich I have gotten of hir valor, I will make you partaker, and so ac- cept of these poore verses made with a greater love and good will, than with knowledge or art. " Sonet. " Great Elizabeth, whose fame at this day From th'one to th'other poale, is spred so and knowne, • The ioyf'vll Receyuing of the ^eenes most excellent Maiestie inti hir Hignnesse citie of Nor'wich : The things done in the time of hir abode there, and the dolor of the Cilie at hir departure. U^herein are set do'wne diuers Orations in Latine, fronounced to her Highnesse by Sir Robert IP^cod, Knight, no-zii Maior of the same Citie, and others : and certaine also deliuered to hir Maiestie in 'writing : euery of the turned into English. At London mprinted by Henrie Bynneman. n. d. qto. extends to G. iiii. Reprinted in Sueen Elizabeth''t Progresses. By 335 By having incountred fierce Mars in his way. That now not a God, his Godhead is flowen. The glorious deeds which the world had raised To the highest roome, when viewing thy acts ; Start backe and gave place, as things all amazed, Vndoing the done, and hiding their facts. To say that thou doest surpasse and excell All the whole world; thy battels and deeds Do say now the same, thy standerds it tell : To search for antiquities, which proove now but weeds. Is for to go warme us by smoke of wet sirawe. Thou winnest more glorie than yet any sawe."* George Peele personated her as Astr^a. f , " Our faire Astrefea, our Pandora faire. Our faire Eliza, or Zabeta faire. Sweet Cynthia's darling, beauteous Cyprias peere : As deere to England and true English heartes, As Pompey to the Citizens of Rome: As merciful as Caesar in his might : As mightie as ihe Macedonian king. Or Troian Hf-cior, terror to the Greekes." J The author of the Polimaiiteia, (1595) calls her " a Queene matchles, in whome honors vnsteined pure die hath set foorth such liuely colours, as enemies must and doe feare : friends ought and should loue: whome the age now present must admire, and the time following still praising, wonder at : more courteous then the churle-sauing Abigail : more courtly then the friendes honoring Hester: more valiant then prince- killing Judith : who, blessing me [England] by her meanes with a plentious peace & beautifying her courte with eternall praise hath made both to bee enuies marke in her enemies eye, the shadowing Cedar to her distressed friends and the force conquering sworde to her professed foes." § • An Ansiver to the rutr'Vthes published and prmted in Spaine, 1589. See p. 370 of this Number. t So did Sir John Davis, in his acrostical hymns. I Descensus Astraa. The Device of a Pageant home before M. ff^iltiam IVeh, Lord Maior of the C'ilie of London on the day he tooke his oath, beeing the zg of October, 1591. IVhere'unto is annexed A Speech deliuered by one clad like a Sea Nymph, 'who presented a Finesse on the tuater brc.uely rigd and mand, to the Lord Maior, at the time he tooke Barge to go to li'estminster. Done by G. Feele, Mais ter of Arts, Ox- ford. Printed for IVilliam H'right. qto. four leaves. § Vide Polimanteia. England to all her inhiibitants. These These courtly comfits were scattered round even when Elizabeth stood on the brink of the grave. The triumphs ofOriana, a collection of Madrigals, published by Tho- mas Morley, in 1601, extols her "angel face" and all the blandishments of the " Virgin Queen" attended by " a thousand graces." " Fair Ciiherea presents her doues, sweet Minerva singcth, Joue brings ji crown, a garland Juno bringeth : Fame summoned each celestial power To bring their gifts to Orianae's bower. Then sang the shepherds and nymphs of Diana, Long hue faire Oriana.'' * Another delineation of the character of Elizabeth, drawn in the best manner of its author, (Nicholas Breton), which could have scarcely issued from the press at the time of her decease, may serve to conclude this exordium. " If shee bee Queene I say not only with Antonio^ God preserue her, by knowing such a queene in a little; but I may sav ?, greatly blessed Ilande, whome accordini; to the excellen- cie of her nature the heaue~.>, haue worthily named Bazile thea :f I say such a Queen as, not the greatest mouarchie in the worlde hath the like, to loue and honour. Let me say this much in her due, that what dignitie soever may be iustly giuen vnto man aboue all other creatures, that, and much mnre may be giuen vnto her Maiestie, aboue all other: who in all the iudgements of the worthiest wittes on the earth, is wor- thily held, not only the grace of all her court, but vnder hea- uen the verie glorie of her kingdome : whose patience in all trouble, whose temper in all passion, whose bountie to the well deseruing, and justice ouer the obstinate, whose mercy to the offendant, and loue to the vertuous: whose beautie in nature, whose wisedome in iudgement, whose niagnanimitie in daungers and constancy in religion, whose prouidence in care and resolution in performance, makes her the true figure of the Phoenix, and the worthy honoured wonder of the world : whose praises so farre passe the reach of humane reason tojset downe, that admiration may rather contemplate, then conceit expresse them: for while the wise serue, the vertuous loue, the valiant feare, and the mightie admire. What can be said ? but that since in the dignitie of humane nature she is the worthy • Further specimen in CensOra, Vol. IX. p. t. t Elizabcttia, ' wonder ?,Z7 wonderof hcT dajes; let her subiects euer pray that in the euer wonder of the world, she may Hue the blessed Maiestie of her kingdome, and be perswaded that where the vertue of beaiitie, and beautie of vertue, the mercy of Justice, and care of iudgement in the eye of Grace, the heart of Truth and the hand of Bou'-.tie makes that Angell of a woman which prooues the glory of a creature. Let the Phcenix be drawne from her spirit and the dignitie of man in this worlde vnder heauen from her Maiestie: whom the Chronicles of neuer ending ages, may eternize for the most gratious Qu'ene of the world; of which Truth, while Enny is eating of her snaky haires witli anger to heare of, Fame joyfully soundeth her name in eternell tryumph. But least I blot my paper, in seeking to shewe a faire hand and abridge much of her worth, in so litle touching the wonder of her worthinesse, I wil only leaue princes to ad- mire her, the vertuous to loue her, the honourable to attend her, the learned to commend her, the deuout to pray for her, that God, who by his Almightie power for the good of her kingdome did in her seate of Maiestie place her, w 11 so in his glorious mercy, in the same euer prefierue her, that while the whole world is full of her worthy fame, her subiects may icy to behold the Maiestie of her person: and wliile the greatest part of the woride doth admire her, the heart o; Eiiglande may euer ioy to enioy her : to which prayer I hjpe he liues not so vnworthily borne, that will notioyfully say. Amen." * Lloyd was not deficient in his labours. Having gathered a goodly set of dames from ancient history, he next scaled the heaven of mythology to pilfer from the creations of fable, apposite characters, and mingled the whole as shadows to form a back ground for displaying with greater brilliance his royal Mistress. The bead-roll of names, in the following rhimes, misrht be serviceable to con over by the ancient beldame left to exhibit the deserted mansion, who commences a description at the statue of Diana, placed in the vestibule, and ends with the leaden Mermaid that spouts water in the grotto. This Ditty appears to have been licensed to Richard Jones the i^th of August, 1579, as " A Ballad of Brit- tishe Sidanen, applied bv a courtier to the praise of the Quene :" and the probability is suggested by Ritsoii of its • A Dialogue full of pitke and pleasure, btiivcen three Th>'o:c}:hirs, &c. 1603. VOL. I. z author 538 *Qthor being Pattenham. * It is now given from a manuscript collection of poems in my possession. *'ADittie to the tune ofWelshe Sydanen,f made to iht Queenes maj.' Eliz. ly Lodov. Lloyd. " Flee stately Juno Samos fro, from Delos straight Diana go; Minerva Athens must forsake, Sy4»nen Queen your seat must take S Sidan'n conquers kinges with quill; S.dani-n governs states at will ; Siilancn feiires her foes with pen ; With peas Sidancn conquers men. Sibilla must from Cuma flee ; in Egipt Isis majr not be ; Thy Troian seat Cassandra shun ; iliy fame from Grece Penelope iS won J With Judithes sworde, with Debores mace, Sidanen sittes in sacred place; With Graces three, with Muses nyne, Sydanen doth like Phebus shine. Lett Lucrece lurke, lett Helene blushe; Atlanta kneel on knee to this; Lett Sapho serve, lett Dido yelde; Sidanen wynes the fame in fields. In Rome Cornelia bare the belle, Sidanen doth Cornelia excetle; In Ethiope floorisht S-oaes* fame, Sidanen farr suimountes the same. Through Afrike spreJd Zenobias name; all Asia range Semiramis fame; In Scitbia soile by bluddy blade, Tomiris queen great conquest made : Sidanen, crwell Centaures kilde ; Sidanen, Synors sleight hath spUde : Sidanen, clcr.sde Augeas stall Sidanen, |wrou£iit JStymphalides all. < On »eas doth Neptune serve her beck; on earth doth Eolus tend her check In field doth M.'rs her fame defend, in skies dcth Jove her state comeude. The Sone, the mone, the starres confesse Sidanen must the skies possesse ; Earth, water, fire, and also aire With Eccho, sownde Sidanen faire. In woodes the Dryades dawnce for ioye ; on hilles the Oriade s skippes so toye In fieldes the Fawnes and Satyrs plale; on flttdds the Nayades thus do sale; Sidanen fedd on Pallas papp, Sidanen lulde in Junos lapp ; Sidanen taught in Vestas towre ; Sidanen nurst in Venus bowre. * Bibl, Poetica, p. 304., note. •f- In XheGclJen fleece, 1626, by William Vaughan, i« a dis- JoguB , where Skelton tells Saint David, " Thy song some Welsh Sidanens lone May gaine to thy desire." X Sic. Wi* 339 With godds Pandora is her name : with men Pamphila U the same, Eche where she is Pausophia atalld, in Bryttain she Sidanen caald : From Brutus stemme, from Dardan line, Sidanen is a Phenix fine; From Cambers soile, from Hector's seed, Sidanen princely doth exceed. The eagles youth I wishe this Queen. Acanthus like to floorishe green. As serpents old io cast their skin, so she being old may yooge begin: [n ioyfull dales with Nestors yeres, 1 wishe to her and to her peetes. That when Sidanen dieth I crave Mausolus tombe that she maye have. Finis." " The Pilgrimage of Princes, penned out of sundry Greeke and Latine aucthours," was printed by William Jones, without date, probably the same as mentioned by Ritson in 1573 — again, 1586, by W. White, 1607, and revived by R. C. M.A. 1653. The prefixes are accu- rately noticed in Herbert, p. 1318, and therefore now omitted; but " The Pilgrimage of Queens," in Alexan- drines, mentioned there as at the end of the present volume, I have never seen. * This work is divided under various heads; it displays a great extent of reading and proof of the industry of the author. The following pas- sage will serve as a specimen of his manner and pro^e. " Of the first leginning of shauing, and of the vse thereof, with much making of the hears of the head, " The Lacedemonians were woont to excell all other na- tions in letting their heires of their headcs and beardes to growe, as an ornament and comely setting foorth of man. Wherefore Licurgus dyd defend the same, saying that as the heyres of the head were comely and seemelye vnto bewti/ull menne : so were they a terrour and a fearefull sight vpon the -deformed man for the enimies to look vnto. Nicander there- fore beeyng deraaunded why the Lacedemonians and the people of Sparta did so esteeme theyr beardes and hearie lockes of haires vpon theyr beades : he sayd, because it is a moste natu- rall garment, & most comely vnto man to haiie that which is best in sight and least in charges. The auntiecit Greekes and • Having inspected several copies, I suppose it was not printed after the |irst edition. z 2 specially 540 specially the people of Athens ns soone as anie was once p^st fourteene yeeres o( age had a customeand law that they should be brought vnio Di Iphos to offer tbeyr fayre haires, their gay and friseling bushes of their head vnio Apolln as a sacrifice of their first fruit and a piwn or pledge of their homage to God Apollo. So much esteemed they theyr haires, that they thought notliing to be so acceptable vnto Apollo, as that whiche was nioste grateful vnto the". The Thracians likewise had such regard vnto their haire of their heades that they kemed it, and decked it vpo'ii their forehead with curling knots vpon long haires so that their chiefe care & studie was to trimme those •which they esteemed most. In India the subiectes in all thiiiges obayed theyr prynce and the lawes but in shauing their haire-, which by no meanes they woulde agree vnto. The Argiues loued so well their haires that being co'uicted bj the Lacedemonians at Tiria, they shaued their haires, bewayled & wept their misfortune so much, ihat they vowed neuer to let tlieir haires growe before thev woulde recouer auaine Tiria. The Greekes honored their long hjires a'^d so e'teemed their beardes that Hnmer was woonte to call them Carecomoontas, that is to sav, £;yre haired. It shoulde seeme that the Mace- donians made too much of their haires & beards, for at what time Alexander tie great had gathered all his power and force to take his conquest in hand being demaunded of his souldiers wheriier in them any thing were to bee amended; the wise prince coniidering the rreat hurt and inconuenience that shoulde happen chiefly in warres vnto ihoje that were long hailed or long Or-arded ; and againe being loth to oiTend his SouUhours, for ihat l)e knew well they much esteemed their beai'des; hee smiling meriiy spake : I see no want in you nor no vntowardnesse but I wishe your beardes and long haires ■were at home vntill your returne. They meruayling much at his request Parmenio aunswered and sayde : that the Macedo- nians wot H'lt what you meane thereby. Then Alexander perceyuing that his soldiours were angry for his desire and ■wishe, sayd, because long haire is dau~gerous and specially amongst the eoimies ; there is no better holde then by beardes pr haires. But it seemed that they had rather to be conquered like men in their beards then to be c6"querers hUe boics with- out beaids. As for the Roraa~nes, haires delighted them so wuch that there was no shauing scene, no Barbers kuowne vntil Pu. Ticinius brought certaine Barbers out of Sicilia vnto Rome. But for the space of foure hundred and foure and fifty yeares, Rome nourished their long haire before as that which they best delighted in for the time. Affricanus was the first that 341 that euer delighted in barbers, and next vnto him was Augus- tus Caesar^ successour to luliiu Caesar At what time Aristippus was brought vnto Sinius house the Phrigian, which was so dressed with doth of Arras & pretic-.is hangings that the very flowers so gorgioubly sbined ihat hee coulde not fiade in the house a place to spitte without ?onie offence he spit ia his handenapkin, and thrue it into Simus face, who was all bearded : hee being angiie therewith demaunded the canse ■why hee so little esteemed hinn: for that, savd Aristippus, that I sawe not in all the house so foule a place a=: that which shoulde haue been most cleane, meaninge hys beardej ani though it was merilye done of Aristippus, yet it was not so merily thought of Simus, which more esteemed his bearde than Aristippus esteemed all hi-i pretious clothes, and golden hang- ings. The like did leronimus, surnamed Rhetus, make of his bearde : for when I see, sayd hee, my beard, than I know right well that I am a man and not a wo:nan; and then knowing njyself to bee a man, I am ashamed to doe any thinge lyke a woman, eyther in woorde or deede. Much more might bee here alleaged for the auctorities of beard-rs and for Citeemiug of long haire, for there is no country be it e'lf-r so ciuill, but it is addicted vnto some peculiar qualities, neither is there any man bee hee euer so wise, but doth glory in one thing more then in another: as the wi=e man in his \visedon]e, the learned man in his knowledge, the ignorant msn in his folly, the proude man in his person, the selfe louer in some place more than in other, either in his face, body, legge, middle, foote, yea in hande and haire; and special'y many do make much account of their bearde, kembing, decking, handling and sett- ing it in order alwayes. But because people are iputable and full of chaunge and that time altereth all things wet will no further proceede in this, though me-n may missiudge of ohers concerning their long hairesand beardes : jet I say iudgernent is not safe in this po\nt, for it may bee that they preferre the rusty rude countrey poet Ht-siodus before the warlike and elo- quent Homer as Panis king of Calcides, or as Midas did iudge Pan the piper before Apollo the god of musicke. Hard is it to iudge of men, whether the bearded man, or the beardlesse man is to be preferred, the long haire or the short haire to bee es- teemed: for vnder straunge habile lurcke hidden qualities, for vuder a ragged cloake (as the Greeke prouerb is) lyeth wis- dome as secretly, as vnder a veluet gowne. " J. H. Old 543 ^ Old Musical Airs. "■ Aprill is in my Mistris' face. And July in hir eyes hath place : Within hir bosome is Septernber, But in hir heart a cold December. y- In dewe of roses steeping Hirlouely cheekes, Lycoris thus satt weeping: Ah Dorus fake, that hast my hart bereft me. And now vnkiiid hast left mee : [thee? Heare, alas! Oheare! ay mee cannot my bewty moue Pitty then, pitty mee, because I loue thee : Ay mee, thou skorn'st the more I pray thee. And this thou doest to slaie me : Ah, then doe kill me, and vaunt thee : Yet my ghost still shall haunt thee, iij. Now is the gentle season freshly flowring. To sing and play, and daunce while May endureth : And woo and wed toe, that sweet delight procuretht iv. The fields abroad with spangled flowres are guilded. The meades are mantled and closes. In May each bush arayed and sweet wild roses j The Nightingale hir bowre bath gayly builded : And full of kindely lust, and loues inspiring, I loue, I loue, (she sings), hark, her mate desiring. V. Come louers follow me and leaue this weeping. See where the lonely little God sweetly lies a sleeping : Soft then, softly for feare wee wake him. And to his bowe he take himj • ' Madrigalls tofo'vre -vojces neivly published by Thomas MorUj.^ The first booke. In London hy Thomas Est in Alder s^ate street at thi signe of the black horse. M.D.X.C.l.K Cantus. 4te. Contains twenty songs. Otben 343 O then if he but spie vs. Whether shall we then flye vs. And if be come vpon vs. Out, well a-way ; then are we woe-begone vs : Hence then, away ; follow mee, dispatch vs. And that a pace, ere he wake, for feare bee catch rs. O sweet, alas! what say you ? ay me that face discloses. The scarlet blu-h of sweet vermillion roses : And yet, alas ! I know not, if such a crimson staining. Be for loue, be fur loue, or disdaining : But if of loue it grows not, bee it disdain conceiued. To see vs of loue's fruits so long bereued. Hark, iolly shepheards hark ; hark yon yon lusty ringing; Hark, how cheerfally the bells daunce, the whilst the lads are springing : Goo then, why sit wee heere thus delaying. And all you merry lads and merry wanton lasse* playing: How gayly Flora leads it. And sweetly treads it : The woods and groves they ring lowdly resounding. With Eccho sweet rebounding. viii. Hoe^who come here, all alone withbagpiping and drumming? O, the Morris tis 1 see, tis the Moris daunce a co.Tiing. Come ladies, come away, come, 1 say ; O come quickly : And see a bout how trim, how trim they daunce & trickly : Hey, ther again ; hey ho, ther again j howthebells they shake it! Now, for our town, hey ho! now for our town ther and take it. Soft a while, not away so fast, they melt them : [them. Piper, be hang'd awhile ! knaue, looke the dauncers swelt Out ther, you come to far, to far you come ; I sa> in : Thergiue the hobby-horse more room to play, to play in. is. Dye now my heart from thy delight exiled. Thy loue is dead, and all our hope beguiled : O Death, vnkind and cruel). To rob the world of that hir fairest iewell : Now shoot at me and spare not. Kill me, I care not; 2 4 Thiake 344 Think not, o Death, thy dart shall pain tne, Whyshouldst thou here against mywill retain mce? O heare a dolfoU wretches crying. Or I dye for want of dying. X. Say gentle nymphs that tread these mountains, Wliilst sweetly you sit playing. Saw you my sweet Daphne straying. Along your cristall fountains ? If you chance to meet hir, Kisse hir, and kindly greet hir : Then these sweet garlands t:ike hir. And say from me, I never will forsake hir. xi.* Lady, let me behold euer your beauty. And seeke yea not from me so to estrang it, Since time to come may chang it. xij. Fine dainty girle delightsome, You be my Loadstarre lightsome; To you my hart ay turneth. When in the tempest of fierce loue it burneth. xiij. White lillies be her cheeks and shamfast roses; Her eyes two comets blazing. Come down from lieauen with beauties grace amazing. xiv.t My hart why hast thou taken And forgot, and forsaken, * Canx,onets, or little short songs to Fo'vre 'voyces : cekctsd cut of the best and approued Italian Authors. By Thomas Morlej, Gent, of her Maiesties Chappell. Alt'vs. Imprinted at London by Peter Short, divelling on Bredstreet hill, at the signe of the Star, fif are there to be sold. 1597. Title in the centre of a border, with figures of mo- rality, used, I believe; for Queen Elizabeth's prayers. Dedicated by Morley " to the worshipfvU Maister Henrie Tapsfield, Citizen and Grocer, of the Cittie of London f hartily intreat you to accept these poore Canzonets, by me collected from diuers excel- lent Italian Authours,j for the honest recreation of yourselfe and others." t This and xv have the name of Thomas Morley prefixed as author. Thou 345 Thou doest it least inspired With his inclosed frames, thy hart be fired. xr. Still it flieth. Yet my hart neuer dieth Ah that my louc hath not some mortall firing. And that no stormes may quench his hart inspiring; Weary and windles running, Wounded euen as a Deare in forest chased ; Such are my senses changing, Restles as in a wood, I stand amazed : But when I think of thee what thou hast spoken. By gift of hand and hart, there faith is broken. xvii.* Long hath my loue bene kept from my delighling. And with her absence lingriag so compelled. Increase my griefe because shee hatli rebelled : All my sweet requesting I'le loue no more, but tall to deepe detesting. xviii. Pearle, chrlstal, gold and ruby. Are sacred gifts too base for such as you be : Nature in thee her graces so firmly planted. Whose loue thou hast not wanted : O faire Eudora, star of heauens lightness Faire fixed there thou shinst most orient brightness. xix. Cease shepherds cease I pray you, [you : For Corydon you neede not moue, who minds not to denay When apples, pearcs, and cbesnuti be a ripening Hele giue vs leaue to daunce and here tiie p.ping. XX. Kisse me mine only Jewell, swathele roe so that I run a gasping. Die in your white armes and yourlouely clasping. * Published by Morley afterwards in a du;t as his own, though here given to Felice AuL.ij. xxi. 34^ XXI. * Come, come let's begin to reuel 't out. And tread the hilles and dales about; That hilles, and dales, and woodes, may sound An eccho to this warbling round. Lads merry bee with musicke sweete. And Fairies trip it with your feet j Pan's pipe is dull, a better straine Doth stretch itselfe to please your vaine, xxii. Vpon a hill the bonny boy Sweet Thirsis sweetly plaid. And calde his lambes their maisters icy. And more hee would haue said : But loue that giues the louers wings. Withdrew his mind from other things His pipe and he could not agree. For Milla was his note, This silly pipe could neuer get, This louely name by rote: With that they both fell in a sound. He fell asleepe, his pipe to ground, xxiij. The Ape, the Monkey and Baboone did meetc. And, breaking of their fast in Fryday street. Two of them sware together solemnly In their three natures was a simpathie ; Nay, quoth Baboon, I do deny that straine, I haue more knauery in me then you twaine. Why, quoth the Ape, I haue a horse at will. In Parris Garden for ta write on still. And there shew trickes : Tush! quoth the Monkey, I For better trickes in great mens houses lie : Tush, quoth Baboone, when men do knowe I come For sport, from city, country, they will runne. • 'Tenor. Ayeres or Fhantasiicke Spirites, for three 'voices ; made end neivly published hy Thomas IFeelkes, Gentleman of his Majesties Chappell, BUchetar of Musicke, and Organest of the Cathedral Church of Chichester. London, printed by IViUiani Barky, and are to be solde at his shoppe in Gracious street. 1608. Cum, Priuilegio. Dedicated to " Edward L. Denny, Baron of Wakharo," and contains xxvi Songs, xxiv. 347 xxir. Lord when I thinke What a paltry thing. Is a gloue, oi a ring. Or a top of a fan to brag of. And how much a Noddy Will triumph in a buske point. Snatch with the tagge of; Then I say. Well fare him that hath euer vsed close play. And when I see. What a pittifull grace. Hath a frowne in the face. Or a no, in the lips of a Lady : And when I had wist. She would bee kist. When she away did go with hey hoe, I end so, Neuer trust any woman more then you know. XXV. Strike it vp Tabor And pipe vs a fauour. Thou shaltbe wdl paid for thy labotu'j I meane to spend my shoe sole To dance about the May pole; I will be blithe and briske. Leap and skip, hop and trip, Tnme about, in the rout, Vntill [my] very weary ioyntes can scarce frbke. Lusty Dicke Hopkin, Lay on with thy napkin. The stiching cost me but a dodkin. The Morris were halfe vndone, Wert it not for Martin of Compton: O well said liging Alee, Tritty Gill, stand you still. Dapper lacke, meanes to smacke.; How now, fie, fie, fie, you dance false. xxvi. Ha ha, ha ha ! this worlde doth passe most merrily lie beesworne, For 348 For many an honest Indian Asse goes for a Vnicorne : Farra diddle deyno. This is idle fyno, Tygh hygh, tygh hygh ! O sweet delightj he tickles this age that can. Call TuUiae's Ape a Marmasyte, and Ledaes goose a swan. Farra, &c. So so, so so, fine english dayes, for false play is no reproch; For he that doth the Cochman prayse, may safely vse the coch. Farra, &c. xxvii. Since Roben Hood, maid Marian, And little lohn are gone, aj The hobby horse was quite forgot. When Kempe did daunce a lone, a; He did labour, after the tabor. For to dance ; then into France, He took paines to skip it; In hope of gaines he did trip it On the toe : Diddle, Diddle Doe, xxviii. As deadly serpents lurking So enuy lyeth working. Still to disgrace those men Which do striue by vertues fame. To augment their height of name. By labour, art, and pen. But let all carping Momi, . And idle foolish Zoili, What so ere they will report, I put my selfe in venture To iudgements learned censure. And men of better sort. The Nightingall the organ of delight. The nimble Lark, the Blackbird, and the Thrush; And all the pretty choristers of flight, That chant their musicke notes in euery bush : Let them no more contend who shal excell, The Coockoo is the bird that beares the bell. XXX. ^49 XXX. A remembrance of my friend, M. Thomas Morlej, Death hath depriued mee of raj dearest friend. My dearest friend is dead and laid in gra ae ; In graue he rests, untill the world shall end. As end must all things haue. All things must haue an end that nature wrought. Must vnto dust be brought." J. H. ll The Legend of Mary, Queen of Scots, with other Poems. M.3. 410. 5a leaves. Of this volume, much research has not enabled me to discover the author, nor do I believe it has ever been printed. As some of the correspondents to the British Bibliographer may probably possess information oa the subject, I am inclined to describe its contents. The Legend of Mary forms the first piece in the col- lection, and is comprised in 186 seven-line stanzas: the commencement 'f Baldwyn awake, thie penn hathe slept to longe, Ferris is dead, slate cares staie Sackvills ease, TheesC) latter wifts iJelighte in pleasante songe. Or loving says w'li. male thtire m". please My ruthfull state breeds no remorse in theise. For as my lifFe was still opreste by fate. So after Deathe my name seems out of date." Page 67, three four- line stanzas. " Thou god (hat guids bothe heaven and earths On whom we all drpende, / Preserve our Queene in perfect healthe. And her from harms d^tende." Page 68, a Prayer for the Queen, five four-line stan- zas. " Bowe downe thie heavenlye eyes o Lorde, Bowe downe thie eare alsoe, And haiken to the voice of them Whose sinns do overflowe." Page 350 Page 69, nine four-line stanzas. " Like as the guiltye prisoner standes Before the iudge so tried With quakinge breathe and shivcringe loynei His iudgements to abide." Page 71, by Hunnis, see further on. Page 7 a, twelve lines. " O lesu meeke, O lesu sweetc." Page 73, sixteen lines, " Howe ioyfull and how glad a thinge it is for vs to be Each one w^'' other linckte in love and knitt in vnitye." Page 74, thirty lines. " Give eare o Lorde to heare. My heavye carefull cryes And lett my v?ofulJ plaints ascende Above the starrye skies." Page 75 " defuncio carceris." " A prison is a place of care, a graue for men aliue ; A touchstone for to trie a friende, a place to make men thrive. Tho. Wek." Page 77, commences sixty-one six line stanzas. " Frome silent nyghte trewe regestere of wooes, Frome sadest sovle consvmed w'h depest syne Frome harte quyte rent w "^ sigthes and heauie gron?s My wofull soule wof'uU work begynes And to the world bringes tunes of deep dyspayre Sovnding notte elles but sorrowe grivefe and care. Sorrowe to see my sorrowes casse augmented And yet leesse sorrowe full were my sorrowes more Greve y' my gryfe was not w'"" greefe p''vented For grefe it is mvste ease my greved sore Thuse greefe and sorrowe care but how to grefe For griife it is y' must my cares releve. The wovndes freshe bledinge must be stancht w"' tear«s Teares canne not come vnlesse some greefe xced GryfFe comes to slake w^*" doth increase my feares Leaste y' for wannte of helpe I still should bleed Do 35 f^ Do what I cane to lengthn my lyfFes breth Yff teares be wantinge I shall bleed to death." The whole concludes with (from the loss of a leaf) ao imperfect French poem. " Traicte de dame Anne Boullatn iadis Royne d'Aogleterre par ung gentillorae fran5oys 1601." At the end, on a blank leaf, appears, " Thomas Wenman, Bonus Homo, Timens Devm. I. H, S Maria 1601. Londini datum die 10 lully." This name is also subscribed to many of the shorter poems, bat he could, I think, only have been the tran- scriber; for at page 71 is a piece signed, Amen. Tho. Wenman, which piece is also to be found in the Para- dise of day 11 tie deuises, 4th Edit. 1580. See Brvdgks's Edition, 1810, p. 97; the ai>thor is there M[aisterj Hunnis. This manuscript is, with a few exceptions, free from punctuation, and the opening poem evidently appears to have been intended for insertion in the Mirror for Illa- gistratei ; any long specimens will be superfluous, as through the kindness of the proprietor (Mr. M. Frj'cr of Bristol) I am preparing the whole for publication.* Any commanication therefore, from the readers of the Bbitish Bibliographeu, which may be of advan- tage in editing the work, will be considered a favour, and can be sent under cover to Messrs. Longman, Hurst, and Co. As i intend to be very copious in an account of the Mirror for Magistrates, its several editions, and numerous imitations, gentlemen who are in possession of any recondite information on these subjects, will much pblige me by a communication. Bristol, 1810. J. F. • The Legend of Mary Queen of Scots, edited from the above MS. by John Fry, is proposed tc be published in June, in one vol. Demy Octavo. Editor. A Treatise 252 5[ A Treatise of our Communion (S Warre with Angells. By Henry Lawrence, &c. [Title defaced]. 410. 1646. 199 pages. I am led to notice this book from the circumstance of Warton having been unacquainted with it.* Henry Lawrence is the person to whom Milton addressed hij 30th Sonnet, in a note to which Warton says " Of the virtuous son nothing has transpired ;" but this work re- mains evidence against that assertion. A single extract will suffice, in which he proves " That Angels are sub- stances, and do really exist." " These excellent creatures are true substances, and doe really exist, contrary to the opinion of the Saduces, that de- nied Angells and Spirits, that is, that thought by the name of Angells was meant nothuig but good or ill inspirations, or mo- tions, or els the wonders and appciritions which were wrought by God; but nothing is more absurd than this, for " First they were created, therefore they were substanceJ and not accidents in another subject. " 2. They are endowed with understanding and will, by virtue of which they were capable of sinning, and departing from the truth, of obeying, or standing out against God. " 3. From their office they appeare before God, they serve God, wee are commaunded to make them our patternes, they come to us, admonish us of Gods will, they teach, protect, and comfort us. " From their apparitions and services, they appeared often to the Fathers, they wrastled with lacob, eate with Abraham, carry the elect into Abraham's bosome, they gather the dead at the day of judgement, and wee shall be like the Angells; also Christ was said not to take upon him the nature of Angells, and Paul chargeth Tymothy before Christ and the elect Angells, and Christ is said to 1 -ue a name giuen him above the Angells: lastly, to giue a ground out of philosophy, Ari- stotle saith that to the perfection of the world it is necessary that there should be three sr 'ts of substances, invisible, visible, and partly invisible and partly visible, as if hee had hit (as indeed hee did) on Gods creation : the second are the heavens and elements, snd compositions out of them, the last are men, which have an invisible soule, and a visible body, and hold the middle, the first therefore must be the Angells: ifyouaskeas • It is referred to by Mr. Todd. See Milton's Works, Edit. 3801, Vol. V. p. 49Z. Editor. an 353 an appendix to this, whether the Angells have bodies, or arc altogether incorporall, it is a question controvtrted between the Philosophers, the Schoolmen, and the Fathers; the Platoniste would have them have bodies, to which many of the Fathers adhere; Aristotle and the Schoolmen would have them alto- gether incorporall ; the reasons on both sides are not unworthy considering, if one would amuse themselves in that, out of which the Scripture gives no issue. I will not trouble you with it, onely this, its safe to say, that they are not essences so simple as they are altogether uncapable of composition; it is onely proper to God to have his being and essence or substance the same." The dedication is "to my most deare and most honour'd Mother, the Lady Lawrence," and contains allusions to the Civil Wars ; it is not unlikely that he was assisted in the work by his friend Milton, especially as it is upon a subject which interested greatly the mind of oijr British Homer. Bristol, 1810. J, F. •r The Miseries of Mauillia the most vnfor lunate lady that euer lined by iV[icholas] fi[reton], Gsnt. ^to, no date. b.1. The title to this very rarely occurrinjr production of Nicholas Breton's pen is given from a MS. note of Dr. Wright, in the possession of my friend Mr. Hasle- wooD. The Doctor appears to have contemplated a dictionary of early English phrases, and amongst other selections of uncommon words had noted down several as extracted from a work under the above title. If he were correct in the notice he has afforded, and if reliance can be placed on two other sources of information relatire to this tract, (which I shall hereafter mention) we have an addijionalcauseofregret,orcongratulation, that, notwith- standing repeated reprints, either unceasing approbation feeding on, and destroying its source of gratification, or on the other hand neglect and contempt, have removed to a distance from our grasp one other of the multitudinous effusions of Breton's prolific brain. VOL. I. A A Dr. BS4- Dr. Wright's copy (or at least that which he refers ti> as above) appears to have been without date : and he speaks of it as a separate and independent work. In this, however, I apprehend he is incorrect ; as from the in- formation afforded by Ritson, from Mr. Steevens's MS. list of Breton's works, it must have formed a portion only of " The Will of Wit," (in which several other tracts were comprised) printed in the year 1597. I find in Dr. Farmer's Catalogue, lot 57 10, " Breton's Will of Wit, Wit's Will, or Wil's Wit, chuse you whether, hnp ly Creede, 1606 — The Miseries of Mauil- lia, by the same, 1606 — The praise of virtuous Ladies, 1606" — and which lot was purchased by Mr.Forster. In Mr. Forster's sale the same article (as I imagine) occurs at lot 147, under the title of "•Breton (Nich) Wil of Wit — Witts' Will, or Wil's Wit, chuse yeu whether, b. 1. 4to. 160&" — and vi^hich, although it does not men- tion any other titles, seems, from the price given for it, to have been the article in question. The copy now before me, from its imperfection, (for it wants the title and the five succeeding leaves) adds little to elucidate; Herbert also is silent; but as my copy, although imperfect, possesses the signatures of double letters, I have little doubt but that, according to Ritson's account of the work, it was printed together with several other small pieces, which, although honoured with sepa- rate title pages, were but succeeding links of the originally formed chain. It is a very thin memoir, written in the first person, and although meagre in its incident is, in some degree, deserving of notice, as it varies much from the then fashionable romance, and gives a date to the commence- ment of the pedigree of the modern novel. It grafts the mawkish fig on the rough but not unpalateable crab tree. From the imperfection, abovementioned, Ifind nothing 'of the heroine's parentage, and but little of her early misfortunes. She is towards the end of her first misery a servant to a sempstress and laundress, from whose whims, caprice, and cruelty, she is a continual suf- ferer. " And 355 " And thus continued I, seelie wenche, in this miserie, till it pleased God to graunt niee deiiaerance by this blessed meane. The towne was besieged, the walles were scaled, the souldiours entred, slewe a number, some they ransommed. This poore lawndresse I saued the life of, by my humble suite to the captaines: which being my countrey men, and knowing my pa- rentage, hearing my tale of her kindnesse (not as I tell it now) but otherwise to their content, graunted her life, and with a hundreth crounes, sent her by water away, with a poore fisher- man, with commaunderaent vpon palne of death -to see her safely conducted to the cheife citie, that she desired to goe too. Thus was I now rid of my first miseries, in my time of infancie, which continued with me for the space of three yeares and upwards." Mauillia, having got rid of her old plague, now be- comes the captain's laundress '•' to mend his ruffes, to draw vp a brack, or a broken stitch." In modern times the tongue of slander might have been busy with our heroine's fame, particularly as she appears to have been an inmate of the captain's abode; but at that period, probably, captains were better employed than in the seduc- tion of their sempstresses, especially of so devout a damsel as Mauillia; who, when she had done with her needle, " would to her booke, which both pleased God, and the captain liked very well off." This habit of reading pleased (or displeased) the captain so much that he at length dismisses his laundress, unJer the conduct of his page, and two or three gallant gentlemen, into the coun.ry with a letter to her father's brother. In this journey her second misery occurs; the escort appointed for her safeguard by her kind protector, is at- tacked by a party of the enemy : the issue of the conflict between these parties is fatal to her protector; ; and she is left to depend on the page for succour and support. She finds, however, no mean assistr.nce from her youthful guard: he at least keeps up her spirits, although famine stares her in the face. At length " Wee espifd comming towards vs a cowe, which had a goodly vdder, to whome wee came nearer and neerer, pray- ing God that shee would stand siiil, til wee had gotten of her milke, to comfort ourselves withall: and (as God would) the poore beast made no haste away, but seemed glad to bee A A 2 milked. 35^ milked, her vdJer was so full ; well, thanked be God, here wee sped well. For in steede of a paj'le, I tooke my hatte, and th.ugh shee was the first cowe that ener I milked, yet I fell too it so handsomely, that I got my hatte full : out of which, fint my selfe, and then the page, drunke so heartily, that it suf- ficed us for that day, and that wee left in the hatte, serued vs till the next daye at night. When the poore page laying him downe vppon abankeside, to takealittlerest, beeingheauie with great wearinesse, forgotte to looke to his little *dagge that bee had vnder his gyrdle, the spring wherof, being started vp, and hee leaning on it, made it of it selfe discharge a bullet into his right hippe, so that he was not able to rise alone, but laye in such torments, as that I was ready to swounde with .suddaine greefe to behold him. But the httle wretche bearing a better heart than his poore mistresse, made little bones at it." B b 4. From this accident the unfortunate page only re- covered to fall a sacrifice to the fangs of a wild boar, but which he requited with a shot from his pistol. The wound inflicted by the tusks of this savage monster was followed by death, and the wretched Mauillia, deprived of her guardian, after finding refuge with an honest shep- herd, undergoes her fourth misery, on her new protec- tor's death. Theaccusatlon of the relations of the shepherd, corrobo- rated by the falsehood of a servant, throw her into prison: which, in the days of either Elizabeth or James the First, seems to have been under much the same regulation as prisons of the present day.f " This onely I will recite, the filthy ayre of the place, pes- tered with infectious persons, the losse of light, (the comfort of the minde) in so darke a hole, as one could scarce see one * A small pistol, called "dagge," according to Minsheu, from being first used by the Dacians. f The fidelity of Goldsmith's pencil may be relied on. " I walked down to the common prison, where I could enjoy more air and room. But I was not long there, when the execrations, lewdness, and brutality, that invaded on every side, drove me back to my apartment again. Here I sat for some time pondering upon the strange infatuation of wretches, who, finding all mankind in open arms against them, were, however, labouring to make them- selves a future and tremendous enemy." Ficar of Wakefield, ch. 27. another; ZS7 another, the harde lodging vpon the bare earth: the hearing of songs, laughings, and ether tokens of myrth of passengers that went by the doore, that lined at libeitie: the hunger and thyrst so great, and re^eefe so little, and, last of all, the com- panie of such wretched and accursed creatures, as iti their criniinall offences had passed the bounds of Cliristianitie: such vile behauiour among them, such blaspheming of God, Such cursing of the worlde, such desperate inuentions, such filthy complexions, and such beastly condition^, such sighing on one side, and sobbing on the other : such weeping, such wayling, such wringing of handes, End sometimes such terrible cryes, as were inouc;h to pearce through the walles, or at the least, breake the hearts of them thatwere within them : oh most miserable life." At the usual period of gaol delivery, the wretched Ma- uillia is brought to trial, which, from an unexampled instance of remorse in her accusers, ends most favourably for her character and future prospects. She becomes ari inmate with her former enemy, but now fast friend, the old shepherd's daughter, under whose roof sb& is ad- dressed by various suitors: one of these is young and amiable; another old and disgusting; it is needless to conjecture upon which her favour shines. The fortunate lover is advertised, without much delicacy, bv his mis- tress, of his good fortune, and spite of the jealousy and opposition of his less favoured rival, leads the fair suf- ferer to the altar. Here, acording to the novel system, our heroine's trials should have a termination; but the author wishing to excite still fi.riher the pitv of his read- ers, hits upon a singular expedient for the purpose. The discarded lover, not putting tamely up with his dismissal, waylayed the now happy pair as they were " walking abroade one day, into a flclde, a pretie way from their house, to see certaine sheepe of theirs." Un- prepared and unprolected, assailed by an armed host, and exposed to the rage of a disappointed lover, what favour could be expected ? as might be supposed, the husband becomes the first object of assault; his prayers and in- treaties are vain; in vain, he says, " Let my wiues great bellie mooue you to compassion, and let my humilitie perswade your clemencie." Such an appeal was ill- judged. The anger of the old dotard was not lessened by ^ A A 3 the 35^ the jilea, but he turns to Mauillia to know "what she can say for herselfe." Female eloquence is seldom alto- gether exerted in \'ain: the supplications of the heroine are not devoid of success; they mollify the obduracy of her aged persecutor, who thus offers terms' of coocilia- tion. " Well Dame (quoth bee) I promise thee, thou hast turned mee from my wicked deuise: some revenge I will have of thee, vea not such as I entended. Therefore chuse whether thou wilt loose thy husband, or thy nose, the one is a disgrace to thy face, the other a discontent to thy ininde : chuse which thou wilt, for one of them I will see before I goej and make haste, for I may not tarrie." Manilla was not anxious to lose either her husband or her nose; and if compelled to make a voluntary election, our regard for our heroine might perhaps have been les- sened. Breton avoids the dilemma, instead of meeting it; the old man apparently remits the punishment, on condition of receiving a kiss. " I, with teares in mine eyes," quoth Mauillia, " leaping in for ioy of this good promise, ranne to him, and takmg him about the necke to kisse him, the cankred olde villaine (with the ill- fauoured teeth that bee had) bitte off my nose, and so with two villaines like himselfe away he ffoes." So bru- tal an offence met with the deserved remuneration; the husband afterwards " met with this olde miser, and not being able to brooke the sight of him, suddainly ran to him, and with his dagger slew him." Thus terminated the " Miseries of Mauillia," on which alone had Nicholas Breton founded his fame, it would hardly have survived to the present time. The incidents are scantily supplied, and, though unnatural, are not sufficiently so to be wild, nor does the management of them discover either imagination or judgment. There are no flowers of poetry interspersed in this wilderness of weeds. W. TimocUa 359 ^ Timoclia of Theles. [From Painter's Palace of Pleasure, Vol. II. 1567.] Timoclia, a gentlewoman of Thebes, vnderstanding the coueteous desire of a Thracian Knight that had abused hir and pro- mised hir mariage, rather for hir goodes than loue, well ac- quited hir self from his falshode. " «ir The Third Nouel. " Q-vintus Curtius, that notable historiographer, remem- bring the stoute facte of this Thebane gentlewoman, amongs other the gestes and factes of Alexander the Great, I haue deemed it not altogether vnfit for this place, to reueale the fine and notable poUicie deuised by hir, to rid hir selfe from a couetous caitife of the Thracian kinde, who for lucre rather than loue, for gaine than gratitude, promised golden hilles to this distressed poore gentlewoman. But she in the ende paying him his well deserued hire, was hked and praised of Alexander for hir adue~turous fact, being not one of the least vertues that shined in him, before he giewe to excessiue abuse. But bi- cause Plutarch in his treatise ZJe claris mulieribus, more at large recounteth this historic, 1 haue thought good almost (ver-- batimj to follow him. Theagenes, a gentleman of Theles, ioyning himselfe ■w\\h Epamlnondas iiudi Pelopopidas, and with other noble men, for preseruaiion of their common wealth, in the battaile fought at Cheroncsa, for deliuerie of their coutry of Greece, was slain in the chace of his enimies, as he pursued one of the chiefe of his aduersavies, y^. sanie crying out vnto him : whether dost thou pursue vs Theagenes? eueu to Mace- donia, answered he. This gentleman thus slaine had a sister, whose vertue & neerenesse of kin by noble deedes, she well witnessed, although she was not well able to manifest hir ver- tue, for the aduersitie of the time, but by pacient sufferance of the com~on calamities. For after Alexander had wonne the citie of Thebes, the souldiers, greedie of spoile, running vp and down the citie, euery of them chancing vpon such bootie as fortune ofFred them, itchaunced that a captain of the Thracian horsmen (a barbarous and wicked wretch) happened vpon the house of Timocha, who somewhat neere the King both in name and kinne, in maners and condition, was greatly different from him. He neither regarding the noble house, nene yet the chas- titie of hir forepassed life, vpon a time after supper, glutted & swelled with abundance of wine, caused Timoclia forcibly to be haled to his dronken couche : and not co'tented with the A A 4 forced 360 forced wrong, as they were in talke together^ diligently de-» mauiided of hir, if she had in no place hidden any gold or siluer, and partly by ihreates, and partely by promise to kepc hir as his wife, endeuoured to get that he desired. But she being of redy witte, taking th?t offred occasion of hir aduer- savie : ' 1 would to God (sayd she) that it had bene my lucke to haue died before this night, rather than to hue. For hitherto haue 1 kept my bodie free and vntouched from all despite and villanie, vr till vnluckie fate forced me to yeld to thy disordi- natc lust: but sith my hap is such, why shonld I conceale those thyngs that be thyrie owne, thou being mine only tutor, lorde, and hu'band, (as thou sayst) when the gods shal please to bring the same to passe. For by thy will and pleasure muste I vnhappie Thelane wench be ruled and gouerned. Eche van- quished wight must subdue their will and minde to their lord & victor: 1 being thy slauij and prisoner, must nedes by humble meanes, yelde vp my selfe to the vnsaciate hest of thy puissatrt heart. What shall let me to disclose the pray that thou desirebt, that we both, if thy mind be such, may rather ioy the same, than the soilic filth of stinking earth shoulde dcuoiire such spoile, which for feare and hope of future for- tune, 1 buried in the bowels of the same. Then marke my wordes, and beare them well in mynde, sith lot hath wrought me this mishap. I hauing plentie of royned siluer, and of fyned gold no little store besides such jewels, as belong to the setting forth of the grace of woman's beautie, of vakire and price inestimable: when I saw this city brought to such dis- tresse as vnpossible to be s.qued fro~ taking, al the samel threw away, or more truly to say, I whelmed altogether in a dry ditch, void of water, which my fact fewe or none did knows. The pitte is couered with a litle couer aboue, and. thickly round about beset with bushes and thonoes. These goooes will make thee a welthy personage, none in all the campe to bee com- •pared to thee, the riches and value wherof will witnesse our former fortune, and the state of our gorgeous and stately house. All these doe I bequeath to thee, as on whome I thinke them wej bestowed.' " Ihis greedie lecher, laughing to him self for this sodaiae praie, and thinking that his ladie faste holden within his bar- barous amies had tolde him truth, routed in his filthie couch till the day had discouered y'. morning light, then gaping for his hoped gaine, he rose & prayed hir to tell the place that he might recouer the same. She then brought him into hir garr den, the dore whereof she commaunded to be shutte, thatnone might enter. He in his hose and doublet, went dovi'nc to the bottom S6i bottom of the pit. When Timoclia perceiued him downe she beckned fcr certr.in of hir maids, & she rolled downs diuers great stones with hir own ha~ds, which of purpose she had caused !■; ';e placrd there, and coirn.aunded hirmaides to tumble co>..ne the like. By which nieanes she killed that lecherous and couetons vilaine, tnat rather carked to sacisfie his desire, than coueted to obserue his promysed faith. Which afterwardes being knowen to ti..i Alucedonians, they haled his bodie out of the pit. For ALexana'er had made proclamation that none should dare to kill any Thebane, and therfore appre- he"ding Timoclia, they brought hir to y=. King, accusing hir for doing of that murder; who by hircountenaunce and stature of bodic, and by hir behaiiiour and grauitie of maners, beheld in hir the verie image of gentle kinde. And first of al, he asked hir what she was. To whom boldly with consta"t cheere, she stouteiy answered : ' Theagenes was my brother (sayd she) who, beeing a valiant captaine, & fighting against you for the common safegard of the Greekes was slaine at Chcsrona:a, that we might not sustain and proue ye. miseries, wherwith we be now oppressed. But I rather than to sutfer violence vnworthie of cuve race & stock, am in your maies- ties presence brought ready to refuse no death : for better it were for rce to die, than feele such anotLer ryght, except thou commau~de the contrary.' These v. urd ; ■ ^, e vrte-ed in such., rufull plight, as the slanders by coulde not' lorbeate to weepe," But Alexander saying, that he not onely pitied the v/rman en- dewed with so noble witte, but much more ^^•o^.dred at hir ver- tue and wisedcme, com:r^au~ded the princes of his armie, to foresee no wrong or violence to be done to the gentlewoman. Hegaue order also, that Timc:.'7a and all hir kinre, should be garded and defended Irom slaughter or other wro~gs. What say y= (good ladies) to the heart of this noble gentlewonia", that durst be so bold lo stone this caitife wretch to death, &: for wrong done lo hir bodie till that time vntouched, to wrong the corps of him that sauoured of no gentle kinde; who rather for earthly mucke, than for loue of such a pleasant prisoner, exchanged loue for golde? But note hereby what force the puritie of niinde vnwilling of beastly lust doth carie in itself: a simple woman voide of helpe, not backed with defence of husbandes aide, doeth bring a mightie captaine, a strong and loftie lubber, to enter into a raue, and when she sawe hir best advauntage, thacked him with stones, vntill he groned forth his grisly ghoste. Suche is the might and prowesse of ch^stitie. Iso charge too burdenous or weightie for such a vertue, no enterprise too harde for a mynde so pure and eleane." \y_ s^- ^[ Accrtayne Tragedle wrytienfyj'st in Italian, by F[ran- ciscus] JV['igerJ 5[o5sentinus,] entituled Freewyl,and translated into Englislie, by Henry Clieeke. n. d. or p. n. qto, pp. 211. The early collectors of English plays must have con- sidered number material and not matter, otherwise the tragedy of Freewyl would never have been classed among theatrical pieces. It is dedicatiid by the translator to " the Lady Cheynie of Toddington," whose shield, with nineteen coats of arms, and motto, on a garter beneath, *' Penses a Bien ;" is on the back of the title. This lady is extolled for her reading, virtue, good deserts, and strong profession in the true religion. Matters that added to benefits conferred on the translator, and her ab- horrence of " vayne superstition of wicked papistrie," made him nothing suspect her " good acceptyng of this booke, wherein is set foorth in manner of a Tragedie, the deuylishe deuise of the Popishe religion,* whiche pretendeth holynesse onely for gayne, and treadeth Christe vnder foote, to set vp wicked mammon." A short address to the reader, by the same hand, tells him, *' tber be many things pretily touched in this Tragedie, whiche without deliberate reading wil slightly be passed ouer, and so neither the wittie deuise of the aucthour wcl conceiued nor the good fruit of the booke profitably gathered." " The Argument. Freewyll, the sonne of Ladye Reason, and Lady IVyll, and prince ot the prouince of Humane opera- tions, was brought by meanes of the schoolemen to dwell in Eome : where beyng made by the Pope both a christian, ■papist, and also a moste puissaunt kyng, he receiueJ at his holynesse handes the kyngdonie of good workes. Afterwardes, being thought worthy by the meanes of maister Vnlaivful Jcte, the maister of his housholde, to matche with Lady Gratia de Congruo, he begat of her Lady Gratia de Condigno. * Though Langbain mentions this p!ny, Coxeter appears to be the only person that saw it. He added as part of the title, the above words in italics, with an &c. (see Baker's Companion to the Playhouse, Art. Freewyl,) a circumstance' which may mislead' the coUettor to expect to find two editions, which is not probable, • And 3^3 And thus both he and his familie liued a long time most hap- pyly iu this kingdome, gathering out of it great summes of mony by way of custome, for merite. At the length vnder- standing by certayne letters, whiche doctor Ecchius brought hym from kyng Ferdinande, that a certayne rebellion was raysed by diuers of his subiectes, he laboured with the Pope, that some good prouision myght be had tor this disorder. But whyles they are about this proaisid", Lady Grace iustifying beyng sent downe by God fn Yet can it not their diligence beguile, Base sloath th' industrious nation cannot wrong. Laborious practise makes weake people strong : TOL, I. B B Vp 370 Vp then for shame in vertue to stand still And not goe one, bath bene esteem'd for ill; But to decline from good is worse then naught. By light of ancient times let vs be taught Old custoraes and good orders to I'enew J. H, ^ An Answer to the vntrvthes, pvhlisked and printed in Spaiue, in glorie of their svpposed Victoria at- chieued against our English Navie, and the Right Honorable Charles Lord Howard, Lord High Admi- ral of England, &c. Sir Fra?icis Drake, and the rest of the Nobles and Gentlemen^ Captaines, and Soldiers of our said Navie. First written and published in Spanish. By a Spanish Gentleman, who came hither out of the Lowe Countries from the service of the Prince of Parma, ivith his luife andfamilie, since the overthrowe of the Spanish Armada, forsaking both his countrie and Romish religion; as by this Treatise fagainst the barbarous impietie of the Spaniards; and dedicated to the QueeJies most excellent Majes- tie) may appeere Faithfully translated by I. [ames] L. [ea] London: Printed by lohn Jackso7i, for Tho- mas Cadman. 1589. 410. pp. ^6. Introduction, 4 leaves. Back of the title a few lines, as "England to hir Queen," by the author (translated), who has a dedica- tion addressed to her; and some lines from " England to hir Admiral!," signed by the translator, whose epistle to the same person fellows. Another page of poetry to the Queen; concludes the introduction. Taking the Admiral — death of Drake — mutiny of the " raw soldiers," encamped between Dover and Margate — destruction of English fleet — arrival of the Armada in an harbour of Scotland, and the Scots taking up arms against England, are the principal reports ridiculed in this tract. Spaine is accused of commemorating victories " in worldly sports; as maskings, dauncings with bels, hurling of canes, launcing 371 launcing ofbuls^ lusts and torneis;" while England, cri ob* taining the victory " by the commandement of hir Majestic^ Was imploied in spirituall plaies; wherein was nothing els re- presented than thanks-giving to God, singing of psalms, and preaching the gospell, and to this spirituall exercise all, both small and great, poore and rich, and this endured for cer- taine daies, and at the length the Queenes sacred Majestic, ac- companied with the nobles, as Earles, Lords, Barons, Knights, and Gentlemen of the land, came unto the church of Saint Paule, where she w.'is received of the Bishops and other Ministers j in whose presence, with great reverence, solemnitie, and devo- tion, there was giving of thanks to God, preaching, the divine word, & singing sundry psalms." Some Sonnets, and two " Songs of Christovall Bravo of Cordova, blinde of bodie and soule, in praise of the victorie," with their ansvi^ers, are interspersed through the work, which concUides with " a Song in the praise of the English Nobilitie." A verbal translation, and another of " the translator to the same effect," are given. From the last the following stanzas are selected. " On sodaine gap haught Howard* presse in place: His argent lion couched at his feete: Oft lookt he backe, and from his honored face. The trickling teares dropt downe, so ambar sweete. That faire Elisa viewing of his will, Avowd, my Howard will Ufe faithfuU still; Seymorf the chieftaine next supplied his roume, A wreath of bale his temples did adorne. His arme to war Minerva first did dombe. His pen by proofe brought forraine stiles in scorne, Phoebus so shine upon his courage now. As each his skill and poems do allow. What neede T write of Brooke, or Gor^w praise. Of Hatton's will, of Dudley's skill in armes. Of Gerard's hope, of Cicii's haaght assaies. Of Darde's power, of Harvie's hot alarmes. Of Rawleigh's art, of Caries skill in lance : Of haught Horatios stately checks of chance. * * L. Thomas. Margin. + L. Henrle. Mar. X M. Henrie Brooke; M. Gorge; Sir William Hatton; L. Dudley; M.Gerard; Sir Thomas Cicill ; M. Darcie 5 M- R. Har- vie; Sir Walter Rawleigh; M. Robart Caris. Mar. 3 b's From From foorth the Oxens * tract, to courtly state, I see the treasure of all science come : Whose pen of yore, the Muses still did mate, Whose sword is now unsheathd to follow drumbe, Parnassus knowes my poet by his looke, Charles Blunt, the pride of war, and friend of booke." J. H. ^ [Wood-cut, city arms.] Orders appointed to he executed in the Ciltie of London, for setting roges and idle persons to 'wurke, and fur releefe of the poore. Pronerhes \6 [n)isp. 19, v. 17.] He that liath pittie vpon the poore lendeth vnti the Lord: and looke ivliat hee layeth out, it shall lee payd him againe. Psalme 6r. [mi'^p. 41, v. i. j Blessed is the man- that prouidetli. for the sicke and needy: the Lorde shall deliiier him in the time of trouble, y.t London printed by Hugh Singleton, dvvtlling in Smith fields, at the signe of the Golden Titnne. [The Printer's rebus, sie Her.] qto. n. d. 8 leaves. Under these orders, sixtv-six in number, vagrants were to be " recciucd into Bridewell, and there kept with thin diet." Should they " haue yong children vpon their hands and vpon examination none shalbe found which by law ought to finde ibem, the same children shalbe sent to Christes Hospital." The Inquest to en- quire for " suspect persons which jyue disorderly or sus- piciously, or spend their time at bowling allies, playes, and other places vnthriflily." Many of the orders are for better internal regulation of Bridewell. The following- may amuse. "■ 61. For helpe of the hospitals & parithes in this charge all churchwardens 8r collectors for t};e poore be strayghtly charged to execale the lawe against such as come not to church, against al persons without exception, and specially • Oxford: Sir Charles Blunt. Mar. [Earl of Devonshire, on whom Ford published an elegiac p-.cm in 1604., as did Daniel.] again&t 373 against sncli as while thay ought to be at diiiine seruice, doo spend their time and their money lewdly in haunting of pL;ies, and other idle and wycked pastiui'-s and exercises. "■ 62. For as much as the playing of entqrludes, & the re- sort to the same are very daungerous for the infection of the plague, whereby infinite burdens and losses to the citty may increase, and are very hurtfuU in corruption of youth with in- continence & lewdnes, and also great wasting both of the time and thrift of many poore people and great prouoking of the wrath of God the ground of all plagues, i^reat withdia'.ving of the people from publique prayer & froni the seruice of God : and daily cryed out against by the preachers of the word of God: therefore it is ordered that all such enterludes in pub- lique places, and the resort to the same, shall wholy be pro- hibited as vngodly, and humble sute be made to the Lords that lyke prohibition he in places neere vnio the citti>?. " 66. That the preachers be moued at the sermons at the Crosse & other conuenitnt limes, specially in the terme time, & that other good notorious meanes be vsed, to require both citizens, artificers, and other, and also all'farmers and other for husbandry, ani gentlemen and other for their kitchins & other seruic-s, to take seruants and children both out of Bridewell & Christs Hospitall at their pleasures, with declaration what a charitable deed it shalbe not onely for the releefe of those whom they shall so lake into seruice but also of multitudes of other thtt shall from time to lim; bi-: taken into the hospitals in their places, and so be preserued from perishing, with offer also that they shall haus them conueniently apparelled & bound with them for any competent number of yeeres, with further declaration that many of them be of toward quallities in read- yng, wryting, grammer, and musike." J. H. % FearefuU and lamentalle effects of two dangerous Comets, which shall appeare\n the yeere of our Lord, I ryi the 25 of March. Whersin both man andwoinan shall find theyr naturall inclination, and accidentall or necessurie mischiefes. By Simon smel-knaue, sludient in good Jeloivship. [An astronomical calcu- latioii, ior]^Tu'e!ue a clocke at midnight. At London, printed by I. C. for lohn Busbie. qto. 18 leaves. E B 3 A local ,374 A local trifle, wherein the author attempt!,by abantei- Ing vein of humour, to ridicule and laugh at the follies of the times. " The Epistle to the Reader" ends " yours in a pottle of the best at apy time. Simon smell- k'naue." A Poem succeeds by " Martin Merry-mate, in prayse of the author. Of woouders great. He dooth intreat. That wrote this booke : Who seekes his name. That made the same. He may goe looke. Ifanystriue, For te contriue. More toyes in one : For all these sturres. He yeeldes the Spurres, And will haue none For mincing vaynes And curious braynes. When all is done; Thers nothing lets But they with nets. May catch the Moone. And if they happe. Within thir trappe. To catch the same: If she say this, I iudge amisse. Let me haue blame." "' The daungerous influence and operation of the first Comet, which shall appeare in the West, in the yeere of our JiOrde 15Q1 the 25 of March. . . . The three extended bearaes, which to ye. Northwest shall appeare most bright, foresbew, that in those countries, such as haue most gold, shall have least grace : and gentlemen that haue solde lande for paper, shall buy penury with repentance. Some that meane well, shall fare worse, and hee that hath no credit shall haue lesse com- moditie. Sargiants this yeere shall be gentlemen, for those that feare them will flee them, and since long mace is so costly poore men haue forsvvorne mace in their caudles. The haber- dashers by natural operation of this Comet are fortunate, fw plde hattes new trimd shall not last long, & harpe shillings shall not passe for twelue pence. Such as are cholerick shall not want woe, and they that want money may fast on fridaies by statute. Men that are studious (according to the opinion of Befis") are fortunate if they list, for if they reade that which is good a poore man may buy three ballets for a halfe penny. . . Taylors by this meanes shall haue more conscience, for where they were wont to steale but one quarter of a cloak, they shall haue due commission to nick their customers in the lace, and take ^75 teke more then enough for the newe fashion sake beside theyr old fees, Poets and players shall be kinges by this meanes, tor the one may lye by authoritie, the others cogge without con- trole : the one as necessary in a commonweale as a candle in a strawbed, the oiher as famous in idlenes, as dissolute in liuing : blest in their marriages for . communitie, holding Aristotle*? axiome for authenticall : Bonum quo communius, eo melius. And thus much for the first true and methodicall explanatioii of this comet's operation in these inferiour parts wherin I would aduise old men to looke with spectacles, least if tliey find ouer many wise lines they were blinJe with reading." " The subtill, secrete and delightful influence of the Crinite Comet, which shall appeare at West and by North, after twelue of the clock at midnight, or els neuer, to all sorts of maried folke, especially the 25 of March 15gt But, alas, whither am I carried, leauing the greatest wonders vnreckoned and re- lying on the lesse. There shall be great contention this year, by reason of thi'^ sinister influence, betweene souldiours and archers, if the fray be not decided at a potte of ale and a blacke pudding : for some shal maintaine that a Turke can be hit at tweluescore pricks in Finisbury fields, ergo, the bowe and ehafis wjnne Granada. Other shal say that a potgun is a perillous weapon at a raudwall, and an enenny to the painters worke. Among the controuersies Cupid beeing an archer, shall decide the doubt, proouing that archerie is heaueniy, for in meditation thereof he hath lost his eyes. Oh gentle fellow souldiours then leaue your controuersies if you loue a woman ; fori will prooue it that a uiinspie is better than a muskette, and he that dare gsine-say mee, let him meete me at the Woolsacke with acace of pewter spoones.and I wil aunswer it. And if I say not that a gun is the better weapon he shal neuer be bound to serue with bow and arrowes while he liucth 3f not three dayes after the ryse yet one day after the set of this Comet men shall catch hares with tabers, and the swetting sicknes' shall so raigne that those which run foure score myle a foote on a winters day shall haue a sore thirst about seauen a clocke in the euening. Such as are inclined to the dropsy may be cured if the phisitions know how : and if there be no great store of tempests, two halfe penny loues shall be solde for a penny in White Chappeli. Chaucer's bookes shall this yeere, prooue more witty then euer they were, for there shall so many suddayne, or rather sodden wittes steppe abroad, that a flea shall not frisk foorth vnlesse they comment on her." " The naturall inclynation, and accidentall mischiefts, that may or can happen to man or woman, as farre as I know or E B 4 gesse 3/6' gesse by these Comets:" is given in verse descriptive of tlia planets Saturn, Jupiter, &c. with comments in prose, and concludes with an " Epilogue. As I was finishing this worke, an oyster wife tooke exception against mee, and cald me knaue, because medling with sixe of the planets, I had forgot Sol, vnder which shee was borne. And laying downe sixe plaise to two pence, swore by her left legge, that Sundaie was the best day in all the weeke; and thereupon shee laide her wager : Munc'ay, quoth I, woman During this contention a costermonger, (a man of good conscience I warrant him) culte nie a fine pippin in tlie middest, and saide, my freendes cease your strife, heere are the tenne precepts to be obserued in the arte of scolcing : therelore let not the cobler wade aboue his slipper. The cobler aboue his slipper, said CLulh, hee is a knaue that made this prouerbe (qunth hee) for I will cutte and sow a Spanish pantofflu, with the proudest he in Westminster. Heereuppon to ende this conlrouersie, we fell all foure into the three Tunnes in Newgate-market, where batling our pence with the good-wiues pliiise, we made a iolly commicall ende of a haughtie conirtuersie. Good freendes you that want your dinner this Lent, I wish you light on such a commi- call fray. And so valete, W facete, is' felici'.er. Finis." '^ A Confession of Faith of lames Salgado, a Spaniard, and sometimes a Priest in the Church of Rome. Dedicated to the University of Oorford. With an Account of his Life and Sufferings hy the Romish party., since he forsook the Romish Religioji. London: Printed for fFilliam Marshall, at the Bible m New- gate street. 1681 pa. 16. 410. " To all and singular members of the University of Oxfoid, to the Reverend, and most Excellent Mr. Vicechancellour, to the Reverend and Eminent Heads of Colledges. And to the Worthy Fellows of the same, lames Salgado, a Spaniard, wisheth felicity both temporal and eternal." " I should be very injurious to your bounty liberally bestowed upon me j O ye men, every one famous according to his title and degree, unless ac- cording to the old custom of the Romans, I should crown that fountain with laurel, from whence J drew water: for 'tis a great sign of inhumanity, to receive a benefit, and not to re- turn it again." " The' Z17 " The Heliotrope must conform itself according to the suns motion; because as it cannot avoid it's liglnt, so it ought not to decline its influence. But this acteth so effectually upon jt, that it is forced to turn its head to the course of the sun." " You have relieved my raysery, O ye Gentlemen of the University, and that so effectually, that you ha\ e invited me to a publick acknowledgement of your benevolence toward me; which I am now willing to do, lest by any longer delay, this f^ood purpose of mine should lose its reward." " This little book therefore I lay before your feet, expecting what censure you'll please to bestow upon it." Following the Dedication is his Confession of Faith, after which comes " An Account of my Life and Suf- ferings," from which we learn, that he, doubting the es- sentials of the Romish religion, left his native country, hoping for greater freedom of speech at Paris, but there hcing equally disappointed, went to Charenton where his doubts were confirmed, and was admitted into the Re- formed Church (in i65o). From thence he proceeded to the Plague, and after a short time returned to Paris, but the Queen of France being a Spaniard caused him to be sent back to Spain and imprisoned in the inquisition in the province of Estremadura, and the city of Laredo; where after l\ing there a year he made his escape, but having got as far asOrigucla, was seized by the friars of his own order and sent into Rlurcia, '•' where I lay five years in prison, having neither books, nor society, except of tormenting priests." At the expiration of that period they sentenced him to the galleys, but in a year's time havinga leprosy he was removed to the hospital at Murcia, from whence having made his escape he staid about a yearatLyons, and finally established himself inllingland. In the Cevsura Literaria, Vol. IIL p. 209, is noticed another publication of Saigado's, entituled " 1 lie Man- ners and Customs of the principal nations of Europe. Gathered together by the particular observations of James Salaado, a Spaniard, in his Travels thro-ugh those Countries; and translated into English by the Authors care. Juno 1684. London, printed by T. Snow- den, for the Author. 1684." pp.4. Folio. Bristol, IS 10, J. F. The 57^ ll Tke Tec/res or Lamentations of a sorrow full Soule. Set fonrlkhy Sir IVilliam Leighton Knight, one of his JMaiesties Honorahle Band of Peniioners. At Lor^don printed hy Ralph Blower. Juno Dom. 1613. 4to. pp. i«89, without Introduction. To Sir William Leighton is attributed a commen- datory sonnet before Allison's collection of " the Fsalmf5 of Dauid, in metre," 1599, * as also Virtue Triumphant or a liuely description of the four Cardinal Virtues, 1603. t The present work has, at the back of the title, " A Declaration by the author to the religious and de- uoute," wherein he says, " if thou art not skilfull in rnusicke, then mayest thou read them or sing them in the common and ordinarie tunes beseeming such a sub- ject: but for them who either delight in melodious har- monies, or else are themselues skilfull in pricksong, I in- tend, God willing, likewise to divuldge very speadely in print, some sweete musicall ayres and tunable accents whereof some of the plainest sort are mine ownc ayres, and the rest are done by expert and fatnous learned men in that science and facultie." Addresses to the reader, in prose and verse, are succeeded by commendatory effu- sions of the i^nglish Muse from Ed. Cooke; In laudem authoris &; presentis operis sui, Antonii Dyat Arm. To. Layfeildc3 Ar. Hopton; Luke lones; and " In, laudem Authoris. " This is the second time thou hast appear'd In pablick print, wel wiiiing worthy knight; First thy Triumphant Verlue highly rear'd Thy i'ame,- aboue our moderne poets Hight. For why? those lines (in serious wi-jC I write) Do with such general! learning richly shine. As if some blessed or coelestiall spright, P.jssfssed had that heart and soule of thine: But in this second worke, much more diaine. Thy Lamentaiions woefully connposed, * Hnwkins, Hist, of Music, Vol. iii. p. 524. t Ath. Ox. Vol. i. Fasti Col. 51. Thou Z19 Thou dost thy thoughts in such low verse combine. As wondrous skill thou hast in thetn disclosed ; That men may see thou canst wriie high or low. In both so well as none thy worth can show. loHN Lepton." However this panegyrist did " in serious wise write," the author's muse will now find few readers to consider his productions " divine," or displaying " wondrous skill." His " low verse" consists of a plain language, well fitting the most ordinary capacity, and his subject such as proves too commonly the result of a familiar ac- quaintance with scripture with an over-strained devotion. He dedicated it to Prince Charles. For a specimen the following imitation of the 150th Psalm is taken, rather for singularity than merit. " A thankesgiuing to God with magnifying of his holy name vpon all instruments. 1. Yeeld unto God the Lord on high. Praise in the cloudes & firmament; With heauens & earth's sweet harmony. And tunes which are from motions sent. 2. His laudebe with the stately sound. Of trumpets blast vnto the skye: Let harpe and organes foorth be found With flute and timbrell magnifie. 3. Praise him with Simballs, loud Simballs, With instruments were vs'd by Jewes : With Sy/ons, crowdes & virginalls. To sing his praise do not refuse. 4. Praise him vpon the claricoales. The Lute and Simfonie; With dulsemers and the regalls, Sweete Siitrons melody. 5. Wnh Drumes & Fife & shrillest shalnies. With gittron and bandore ; With the Theorba sing you psalmes. And Cornets euermore. 6. With vialls and recorders sing. The praises of the Lordj With crouncorns musicke laud the king Of kings, with one accord. 7. With shackbuts noate that pierce the skies, With pipe and taberret j What s8o Wliat tunes by reedes or canes arise. Do not his praise forget. S. Let eue'ry thing that yeeldeth sound. By land or eke by seaj The birds in aire or beasts on groundj , SingyeOj lii^ praise alway. p. All instruments deuis'd by art. All lining thiii_,s by nature: Praise yee the Lord wii.h ioyfuU heart. Of all the world creatcur," J, II. ^ The Teares of the Beloved: or the Lamentation of Saint lohn, covcerniiig the death and passion of Christ lesus our Sauioiir. By /, M. Imprinted at London by Simon Stafford: and are to he ^old lij lohn Browne, at the signe of the Bible, in Fkele-streete. 1600. qto. 20 leaves. From the compilafions upon husbandry, and other field pursuits, the name of Jar\is, or Gervase, Maikham, cannot be unknown to the reader. His muse has not attained much celebrity, and the subject of the present work was one where few writers have succeeded. Ly the Address " to the Christian KeadLT," a continuation ap- pears to have been intend^-d. " 1 offer thee my harsh and \ntuned muse, which being as my talent is, slender and simple^ so accompt of the first part, that 1 may not be discomfited in the second." The poem thus com- mences : " Ihon first and last, author and cause of all. That wast with God, before these v.'orlds were made. Thou perfect good, .. honi I God's word will call. Most soneraigne grace do with thy grace me trade. That from thy faiiors, as froii] lountaine rare. In flowing sort, I may thy selfe declare, Euen in thy might, thou art beyond esteeme : For this wide world, thou art the chiefest king: For heauen's high head, the angels all thee deeme, Witliin thy cliurch thy saints thy prayses sing. Vnto my soule, thou art the chiefe of choyce; Life of my life, I must in thee reioyce. Now 38. Now that I leane upon thy sacred brest. In thee I ioy, sweete Sauioiir of mankind: Hauen of health, succour to soules opprest, ■ Oceans of ease, in thee the poore shall finde: For broken he^rt, pyning away with griefCj Sorrowing for sinne, findeth in thee reliefe. Fly foorth, my soule. for sure this word diuine, Hath power on thee, to call thee backe againej Vnseene thou art, mv body doth thse shrine, Bodilesse, and imtnortall, subiect to ioy or paine : To none more like, then to that hidden grace The godhead hath, which Sathait would deface.' J.H. ^ Marie Magdalens Lamentations for the losse of her Master lesvs. Disce mori mundo vivere disce Deo. London, printed by Jdam Islip for Edward White, and are to be sold at his shop, dwelling at the little North dors of Vaules, at the signe of the Gun. 1601. qto. 27 leaves. From the continuity of subject, similarity of title and numbers, and being published in the following year, there is strong reason to presume this is the second part an- nounced in the address noticed in the pieceding article. Against this internal evidence may be urged the want of Markham's initials, difference in the printer, and that it is not inserted in Ritson's list. " The Preface to Marie Magdalens Lamentations," is in verse, and the author, descanting upon the subject of his work through four pages, forbears to speak in the first person, except a slight notice in the last stanza, which neither supports nor con- futes the above suggestion. " If you will deyne with favour to peruse Maries memoriall of her sad lament. Exciting Collin in his graver Muse, To tell the manner of her hearts repent: My gaine is great, my guerdon grantedis. Let Marie's plaints plead pardon for amisse." The Lamentations are seven in number, from subjects at .^0 1, at the fcomb of our Saviour, and the conclusion, when h^ met them, saying, " All Haile." '^ Oh mild physician, how Well didst thou know Thy conosive so sharp did greeve my wound,, "Which did by ignorance, not eitour grow. Therefore no sooner felt but lielpc was found: Thy linfitive appli'de, did ease my paine, 'for though thou did forbid, twas no restraine. And now to shew diat thy deniall late Was but a checke to my unsetled faith. And no reiecting of my fault with hate Thou letst me wash thy feet in my teare bath : I kisse them too, the scales of our redemption^) My love renewed with endlesse consolation. Thus hast thou. Lord, full finished my teares. Assured my hopes, contented my desire, Repaid my loves, extirped quite my feares, Perfected ioyes with all that heart requires: And made the period of expiring greefes,. The preamble to ever fresh relecfes. How merciful a father art thou. Lord, To poore forsaken orphans in distresse. How soft a iudge, that iudgement doth afford With mildest grace, to sinners comfortlesse ? How sure a friend unto a syncere louer. Whose pure and faithfull lone doth alter never? Thou then that art with diligence prepar'd. Going with speed standing with hopes lift hie, Humbling thy heart, thy haughtie will impar'd. If thou with Marie none but Christ would see, Himselfe will to thy teares an answere give. And his owne words assure thee he doth line : TJiat sweetly he, vnto thee l-eing showne, To others thou maist run, and make him known.' t' J.H. ^ t) Ludus ScacchicB: Chesse-play. A Game, loth plea- sant, luittie, and politicke: with certain Iriefe in- structions therevnto belonging; Translated out of the Italian into the English tongue. Containing also therein, Aprety and pleasant Foeme of a luhole Game played at Chesse. Written ly G. B. Printed at London 383 London ly H. lackson, dwelling leneath ih-? Conduite in Fleet street. 1597. 410. 24 leaves. The Address to the Reader^ considers " most men are giuen rather to play than to studie and trauell," and " this game, or kingly pastime, is not oneiy void of craft, fraud, and guile, swearing, staring, impatience, fretting, and falling out, but also breedeth in the players, a certaine study, \vit, pollicie, forecast and memorie, not onely in the phy thereof but also in actions of publike gouerneraent, both in peace and warre." In " the Chesse play, the first principle is to know the peeces, to wit, the names, the number, and the saate of euery one. As for the fashion of the peeces, that is according to the fantasie of the workman that makes them after this manor : Some njake them like men,wherof the King is the highest, and the Queene (which some name Amazon) is the next, both twoo crowned. The bishops some name Alpbius, some fooles, some archers, being placed next to the King and Queene. The Knights some call horsemen, and they are men on horse backe. The rookes some call elephants, carrying towers vpon their backes and men within the towers. The pawnes some doe call footemen, and they are souldiours on foote, carrying (some of them) pikes, and othersome harquebushes, othersome halberdes, and othersome the iaueline or target. Our English Chessemen are commonly made nothing like to these foresaide fashions : to wit, the King is made the highest or longest, the Queen is longest next vnto him. The bishop is made with a sharp top, and clouen in the mids, not much vnlike to a bishop's miter. The Knight haih his top cut aslope as though he were dubbed Kuight. The rook is made likest to the King and Queene but that he is not so long. The pawnes be made the smalest and least of all, and thereby they may best b; knowen." * This is followed with the manner of playing the game, and a delineation of " the checker or chesse boorde." The poem " Scacchia Lvdus" extends to thirty pages, enumerating most of the heathen deities who visit Oceanus on his marriage with Tellus. Oceanus causes the board to be produced "that hangd vpon a wall," and a game is played between Apollo and Mercury, which is * The curious reader maybe satisfactorily referred to Mr. Dib- din's account of the Game andplaye of the Cbessc, printed by Cax- ton jwhxh is amplified with hjis usual industry, by notes, together with spirited - wood cuts, describing the Pieces and Pawns. Sec Typographical Aniiiputie!, Vol. I, Ed, iSio, p. 18 et seq. fulir 3^4 full)' described bv the poet. Mercury, who proves the victor, travelHng long afterwards in Italy, meets a.Sereian nymph, and for her curtesy and amorous favours withall, Of her name Scacchis Scacchia this play at Chesse did call: And that this God in meroorie the Lasse might longer hane, A Boxen chesse boord gilded round vnto thegerle he gaue. And taught her cunning in the same, to play the game by arte. Which after to the countrey swaines this Lady did imparte : Who taught their late posteritie tovse this kinde of play, A game of great antiquitie still vsed at this day." * J. H. Tl The Histor'te of Frier Rvsk: how he came to a house of Religio7i to seeke seruice, and leing entertained by the Priour, wasjirst made vnder Cooke. Being full of pleasant rnirth and delight for young people. [Wood cut of Rush offering himself for service to the Prior at the arched door of the Convent.] Imprinted at Lon- don hj Edw. All-de, dwelling neere Christ-Church 162,0. 410. Extends to E 4. ^ The Italian Taylor and his Boy. [Wood cut] By Rolert Armln, Seruant to the Ki?igs most excellent Maiestie. Res est solliciti plena timoris amor. Jt London printed for T. P. 1609. 4to. Extends to H 3. Little of either of these tracts is known. Friar Rush, printed by Allde in 1626, is in the Marquis o£StafFord's collection if and Mr. Malone has noticed an entrv at Stationer's Hall of "■ a book called Phantasm the Italian Taylor and his Boy^ made by Mr. Armin, servant to his Majesty." J Both are reprinting. J. H. • _W. E. by misprint at the end of the poem : the initials, as in. the title, are afterwards twice given. It will shortly be reprinted, f Anecdotes of Literature, VoL i. p. 24.8. I Reed's Shakspeare, Vol. iii. p. 259. Cataloguk 3^S % Catalogue Raisonne op the Works pub- lished BY HeARNE. \_Continued jTom p. 260] In pursuance of the plan laid down in my last com- munication, I proceed with an account of those works published by Hearne .which relate to Biography : I. TrtE Life of Alfred the Great; by Sir John Spelman, Kt. Published from the Original MS. in the Bodleian Libraryj with considerable Additions, and several Historical Remarks. Oxoniij e Theatro Shel- doniano 1709, 8vo. This is one of the commonest of Hearne's publications, and contains very little deserving of a particular notice. It is dedicated to the Prince of Wales ; and the following specimen of the Editor's English composition may be thought to possess a fire and spirit not very usual in his vernacular lucubrations. " To the Prince, " SIR, " I here present unto your Highness a repaired image of one of your ancestors. Not according to the perfeclrlifc and beauty: for it was never so well taken. Nor is it one, that to the best advantage renders what those traces of his pourtrait [which to this day preserve his resemblance to us] do seem they should express. For they having, for the most part, been the accidental touches of divers hands, and never put together before, they have neither been able to save themselves entire from the violence of time; neither does that, which remains of them,' '■''hold one and the same air of expression. So the, pieces we have being mangled, and wanting the joints and edges wherewith they should agree among themselves, they seem rather the rubbish of a broken statue, than the whole parts of a perfect image. But, Sir, he was of that merit, that even the dust of his feet was not unworthy the collecting, nor did the most venerable of all the Roman ashes deserve a more sacred urn." The Author's Dedication. VOL. I, C C It 386 It would appear, from the following excerpt, that Hearne had got into some trouble from prefixing a plate of Alfred's portrait; the genuineness and value of which are defended by him with a pertinacity that cannot fail to excite a smile with every well-versed antiquary. " Liber hie ut supprimeretur curavit iiiimicus quidem, propter barbam scilicet in Alfred! Magni icone ad initium H- bri conspecta. Sed quum base icon tumVice-Cancellario, turn et Magno Aldrichio, aliisque judicibus summis, vehetnentissime placeret [quippe qui exploratissimum habserunt, omnium, quas ^IfrediMagni habemusiconumlonge optimam esse, ipsiusque ingenium moresque pro seculo accuratissime exprimere] tam mihi, quam et bibliopolae, exemplaria divulgandi licentia tan- dem concessa est. Academije quoque amicis pergrata esse acce- pimus,quaedeantiqui(ateejusdemAcademiaelitterisconsignavi, ubi et notavi, sermonem, quern cuiu doctissimo Camdeno de clausula in Asserio Menevensi perquam insigni habuit vir cl: Brianus Twynus, nunc in Bibliotheca collegii Corporis Christi Oxonii videndum esse, id quod jam antea inDuctore Historico animadverteram. JNunquam tamen vel asserui, vel etiam innui sermonem hunc me illrc vidisse. Proinde arridebis forsitan leviter, quum audieris, non deesse, qui publice docueriiit, se a me ipso certiores factos fuisse, memet dim in Bibliotheca, quam dixi, conspexisse : id quod falsissimum esse palam tester. Ne que absonum monere, Asserii exemplar, quo usus est Cam- denus, ceteris omnibus cjusdem auctoris exemplaribus, vel tunc vel etiam nunc extanstibus, praestitisse. Adeo ut deplo* randum sit, quantivis preiii monumentum penitus tandem per- didisse Academiae nostras hostes, invidia nescio qua tabes- centes." JoHANNis Glastoniensis ChronicoTt : vol. ii. 64&. II. TiTI LlVII FORO-JULIENSIS VlTA HeNKICI QuiNTi regis Anglias [pp. 95.] Accedit Sylloge Epistolarum, a variis Anglise principibus Scriptarum e Codicibus calamo exaratis descripsit ediditque [p. 99 to p. ai6] Thomas Hearnius, Appendicem etiam, notasque subjecit. Oxon. e Th. Sheld. 1716. 8vo. [100 subscrilers; 46 copies upon large paper.'] The most valuable and amusing part of this volume is the collection of letters, which are cxxii in number; and of vyhich (from page xvii to p. xxv) Hearne has given a list of the writers. These letters were taken from the collection 387 -Collection of Dr. Smith, whose testimony is thus prefixed to them: " As to what concernes the letter of K. Henry VIIT. to Anne Bolen, the copyes of which I desired yoa to procure, jou may acquaint your friend at York that if I were mastir cf those papers as hee is, nothing should come into that collection of Fragmenta Regaha, which you know I have now by mee, and am adding to continually, which entrenches upon the rules of modesty or decency, by any smutty expression or impure phrensy, or any thing of that nature, tho' never so remote, that raighl: be perverted, and made use of to so vile a purpose. However I should be willing to have the satisfaction (or dis- satisfaction rather) of seeing* them and reading them, that I may be the better able to condemne the obscenity of them, and thereby expose the base disingennity of the great men at Rome for one hundred & fifty years together, who tbinkesuch stuffe lit & worthy to bee preserved in the archives of the Vatican Library, as a great curiosity and treasure: making no allow- ances for the vaine extravagances of a wanton amorous Prince to his mistresse, whom he could no way by his flatteryes and excesses corrupt." The supplemental part has the following heads. 1. K. Henry VtJis. Proclamation for the apfrehension of Sir John Oldcastle, after he ivas taken, up to London, e MS. in turri itidem Lond. 2. The ivritfoT bringing the said Sir Join Oldcastle, after he -was taken, up to London, e MS. in turri itidem Loud. p. 218, 219. 3. Certain sentences, being the dying words of King James the first, as they are ivritien at the en.i of a common Prayer in St. Johns Coll. Library Oxon. heing ane of the Books given to that ^lace by Sir William Paddy, p. 221 to 230. Advertisement at the end. [including ' Notse.'] We have now to notice another ancient piece of regal biography relating to the same monarch. III. Thom/e De Elmham vita et gesta Henrici QuiNTi Anglorum Regis; e Codicibus MSS. vetustis • Dr. Smith afterwards got an exact copy of them, which I have amongst his MSS. Num. xcvii; but I have, for the same rea- sons made use by the Doctor, thought them very unfit for this col- lection. Hearne. c c a descripsit. 388 descripsit, et primus luci publicsB dedit Tho. Hear- nius. Oxon. e Th. Sheld. 1727. 8vo. [About 45 copies upon large paper — at il. is. — " in gratiam scilicet virorum in libris nitidis colligendis admodum curiosorum," as Hearne neatly remarks.] From the preface I extract the following sentiments of the editor concerning Tyrrell and Burnet. " James Tyrrell. " — — ^ Nee quidem hoc ipse Jacobus Tyrellus [is qui de rebus nostris historicis grandia aliquot volumina satis dili- genter, sed minus accurate, quippe in quo desideres judicium, contexuit ediditque] denegassct &c." p. xvi. Cerie inter easdem latet volumen magnum a Tyrello consignatum, Historiae nostrae Anglicanae, nondum typis excusum, et quidem luce forte indignum. Ejusdem sane partem ipso vivente auctore vidi acperlegi, monuiquedemultis, quae vel commutanda, vel prorsus eximenda esse duxerim, ut- pote neque veritati, neque hominum proborum judicio, con- sentanea. Itaque valde errant illi, qui ejusmodi libris historiae veritatem petunt. Et tamen faciunt hoc non pauci, viri aiio- quin acutissimi ingenii. p. xvii. xviii. '' Gillert Burnet. " Sed, quod pace eorum dixerim, hoc parte non tantum Saturfltas lemas lippiunt [quod eequo animo nequaquam feren- dum} in errores summos ducunt; baud aliter atque fecit illb, qui nuper aevi sui historiam memorise prodldisse obtendit, in qua tamen fabellas mendaciaque pro vera historia studiosc venditavit. Imo BEfya/^Eiv, quod in proverbio est [ab Anti- phane Bergaeo, qui multa in libros retulit mendacia, orto] rec- lissime diceretur, quippe qui nihil fere dixit veri," p. xviii. Hearne proceeds to abuse Burnet in a very acrimonious style. The explanatory part of this very rare and curious volume is thus particularly set forth : 1. He Thonm &" Johanne de Elmham, cosnobii de Lenton Prioribus, Georgi Hornesii, viri pereruditi annotatio, ad fidem monumentorum veterum in Tuni Londinen.si. p. 347. 3. Hen. V. Pneeftum de temforibus Priorattis deS. Claro, ordi- nis C'-uniamensis, in dioecesi Menevensi, Johanni "Weston, a Thoma 389 Thoma Elmham in Priorem ejusdem Praefecto, restituendis. p. 346. a Rymero. 3. QuereTTwma Magislri Johannis 5o«7£ri(?/, Phisici Domini Hen. Regis Sexti, de ingratitudine Universitatis Cantabrigiae & specialiter contra supremos Socios Collegii Regis, sue medio fundati. Anctore Gulielmo Worcester sive Botioner. pag. 347. E. Bibl. Cott. Jul. 4. vim. 43. 4. V. amichsiml Thomte Bakeri de Joharme Somerseio Ohserva- tiones, in quibus observationibus & notae quacdam, lucu- lentae simul & exiraiae, de Edmundo Castello habentur. p. 351. 5. The siege ofHarflet, and Batayl of Agencourt, by K. Hen. 5. p. 359. E. Bibl. Cott. Vitellius. D. XII. 11. Fol. 214. This has Been reprinted very carefully by Mr. Evans in his recent edition of his father's collection of Old Ballads; a publi- cation, equally distinguished for the poetical taste and acumen of its present ingenious editor. 6. Annotatio quadarrr, unde constat, Auctorem nostrum Thomam Elmham fuisse, e duobus Codicibus MSS, Vita metricae Hen. V. in Bibl. Cott. p. 375. 7. Specimen bre-ue vitce metricee Hen. V. fer Thomam de Wm- ham. Ex Epistola, ad Editorem a cl. Anstisio data, p 370- 8. Vrologus in Thomce de Elmham Cronica Regum nobilium Angliae. p. 377. e Cod MS. in Bibl. Cott. Claud. E. VI. 1. 9. Instrumentum illudipum, cujus vi Arcbidiaconatum Wel- lensem in manus Hen. VIII. resignavit Polydorus Virgilius, Dec. 24. An. Dom. mdxlvi. 38 H. VIII. p. 284. 10. Anna Cherry, Gulielmi Cherry uxoris, Epitaphium. p. 388. 31. Caroli du Fresnii Virimaximi Efjtafhium. p. 389. 12.* Various readings in a Copy of Sir Jo/m Perroi's Will, sent me since I published his Will in Camden s Elitabetha. f.4l2. 13. With Tristram Ecclesione's Narrative, relating to the said Sir John. p. 414. 14. Fragmentum quodiam admodum egregium, ad clvitatem Oxoniensem pertinens. p. 418. 15. A very remarkable note from the 'Register of St. Martin s Parish, Leicester, concerning the marriage of Sir Thomas Hisby, naturally deaf & dumb, with Ursula Russet, Feb. 5, 18th Eliz. p. 423. 16. Aliud Specimen -vit'cE metricae Hen. V. per Thomam Elm- iam. p 426. 17. Edmundi Castelli Efilaj>hium. f. 427- * From page 407 to the end — ^is "Operum Nostrorum hactenus impressorum Catalogus;'' in which all-these ensuing pieces are incorporated, in the usually digressive style of Hearne. The Cata- logue, however, is a very particular one. c c 3 The 390 The following, from this latter head, may not be un acceptable: as it relates to so great a'man as Castell. " Since you riesire [from T. Baker to Hearne] some account of Dr. Edm Castle, I send yon a short one, &c. &c. But wh'.t is become of the translation into Latin of Abulpheda's GeogMfhy [made by Mr. ^'arauel Clarke of Oxford, and was in Dr. Castle's hands] I cannot say; I doubt it is lost, or was not i nown by the words of ihe will," &c. p. 356. Hearne thus apologises for inserting, at the latter end of bis book, the information he received concerning the inscription upon Castell's tomb. The passage has con- siderable point and vigour: "Quanrivis panllo seriils devenerit, ne tamen pereat, hie tan- dem profero. Meque rtiam edere, et probabunt forsitan eru- diii et gaudcbunt. Mihimet ipsi saltern ea de re gratulor, quod exploratissiroura liabeam, me idcirico natum esse, non tantura ut proficiam, sed ut prosim. Nee me quidem ulla res delectare solet, licet eximia sit et salntaris, quam mihi uni sciturus sim. Haec vanus non scribo. Utinam omnes alii idem sentiant." p. 42/. The next volume of Regal Biography is more interest- ing to the general reader than either of the preceding; and shall be described, therefore, with greater minute- ness. The extracts, in the notes, have been taken with great care, and will be found both curious and amusing. IV. HisTORiA ViT^ ET Regni Ri ardi II. An- glise Regis; a Monacho quodam de Evesham consig- nata, e duobus Codicibus MSS. in Bibl. Cott. nunc primus edidit Tho. Hearnius. e Th. Sheld 1739 8vo. [130 Subscribers; 45 copies upon large paper at il. 15. sma'l paper, los. 6d.] The pieces contained in this volume are thus enume- rated : 1 . CoTitenta. 2. Preefatio* vii. xxxvii. * "Jam si forte quaeras, quisnam fuerit historise hujusce auctor, vel quonam nomine insignitus, illud profecto me latet. Monachum fuisse Eveshamensum ex utroque constat Codice. Quhi quod et hoc idem ipso histc-ise contextu itidem patet? Cogitaram de Jose- pho Monacho Eveshamensi, cujus raentionem feci ad finem Volu- minis II. Itinerari Leiandi. Sed is profecto longe recentior erat, ^uam ut pro nostro habeatur. p. xii. 3. 39^ > 3- FtlaRkardi, p. 1. 2l6. At pages 212, 214, &c. are some curious specimens of the English language spoken at this period. 4- John Ross's historical account of the Eark of Warwick, from an ancient MS. in the hands of Fho. Ward, of Warwick, Esqr. p. 217. 5. The last Will and Testament of Richard Beauchamp, ILarle of War-wick and Aumarle. From a: Copy co?amur,icatcd by the said Thomas Ward, Esq. p 240. 6. Johannis Berebloci (Collegii Exoniensis socii) Commentarll sive Ep/iemeree Actiones rerum illustrium Oxonii gestarum in advcntu serenissimae Principis Elizabethae, A. U. 1565. e Cod. MS. Editori donato, a Thoma Wardo, de Warwico, Arraigero. p. 251. 7. Sir Richard Jf^nn's Account of the Journey of Prince Charles's ser-vants* into Spain, in the year 1613 . From a MS . gi-ven to the Publisher, hy Dr. Mead. p. 297. This "^ Account of,a,Journe7 into Spain, was given by the Honourable Sir Richard Wynn, of Gwydir, Baronetj then one of the Gentlemen of the Privie Chamber to his Highness Charles Prince of Wales, afterwards Treasurer to his Queene, when he became King of England. Transcribed from the Original Manuscript, written with his own hand, now in the hands of Dr. Robert Foulks, of Llanbedr. July the 8th^ 1714." ' £eueath are some interesting extracts from the same, f e. • " "The Names of the Principall of them luere asfollovjeth. Master of the Horse, - The Ld. Andover Gentlemen Usher Master of the Ward, - TheLd.Compton of the Prince, Comptroller, - - - The Lord Gary, Mr. Newton, Secretary, . - . . Sir F. Cottingharn, Mr. Young, Querie Gent, of the Bedchamber, Sir Robert Carr. Mr. Tirwhitt. 'Sir William Howard, Five Groomeg Sir Edmond Verney, of the Bed- Sir William Croftes, chamber. Sir Richard Wynn, Three Pages, Mr. Ralph Clare, Two Chaplains. Mr. John Sandilaus, Mr. Charles Glemham, .Mr. Francis Carew. Gentleman Usher of the Privie Chamber, Sir John North." t " Here let me not forget a passage, that happened between the Prince and a Spaniard in this village. His Highnesse being arrived v?ith my Lord Marques at the ir.ne, up comes to them (out c c 4 of Gentlemen of the Privie Chamber. 392 8, ALetterfrom Mr. Edtvard Lhuyd to Dr. Smith, relating to Joiefhus Bmeshamcnsu , together •with t-wo Specimens of the said Josephus. E Cod. MS. penes Editorera. p. 342. of a coach that stay'd at the door) two Spapiards, who having sa- luted them, told them, they had received many courtesies in England, and understanding they wt-re of those parts, and strangers here, they offered to serve them in any thing they could. The Prince thanked them, and then falling into divers discourses; the Spaniards told them, what a number of handsome women they had seen in England, naming the Lady Somerset, the Lady Salis- bury, the Lady Windsor, and divers others. The Prince then told them, that he had seen one of the handsomest ladyes in the world, a Spaniard, that was wife to an ambassador's sonne, that was then in England, ' but,' said the Prince, ' she had the most jealous coxcomb in the world to her husband, a very long ear'd asse, such a thing as deserved not to be master ofsuch a beauty.' The one of them stood blank awhile, and after he had mused a time, he answered, that he knew them both very well, and that they lived as happyly together as any couple did. Passe at last over that discourse they did, and very inquisitive they were to know their lodging at Madrid, and their names. They answered, they were brothers, their names Smyth, their lodgings at the ex- traordinary Ambassador's the Earl of Bristol's. So they took their leaves of them, but with farr more sullen countenances then they came. The Prince observed it, and marvelled what might be the cause, but thinking of their journey, drove that conceit quickly out of their heads. The next morning after they came to Madrid, before they were ready, one brings them word up to their lodgings, that two Spanish gentlemen desired to speak' with them. They wondering who they might be,' sent for them up, when they found they were those that they met by the way. The Spaniards, as they came up stairs, had notice who the Prince was^ Then entring the room, desired Pardon for not being more ser- viceable when they met him, but they hoped their not knowing him was a sufficient excuse. The Prince thanked them, and used them very courteously. leaving talked of divers things, and being ready to part, the one steps to the Prince, and told him « I, came with an intention to let you know, that I was husband to that lady, you had so commended by the way, and came with an in- tention to have had right done pie for the ill language you then bestowed upon me, but knowing who you are, I am confident, you have all this by relation, and not of your own knowledge.' The Prince blushed and sayd, ■ It's true I have been told so, but since I have had thus much knowledg, I will be ready to justifie the contrary.' The other Spaniard, his companion, that had heard the day afore all the discourse, smiles and daps his fellow on the back, and sayes, • This is the asse with the long cares, that was so jealous of a fair lady' — so all ended in a comedy, and so they parted." &c. p. 324, 326. «'Up 393 . Tryvytlam iive Treerytham de laude Untversitath OxonieB. c Cod. MS. veteri penes Rogerum Galeum, Armigerum. p. 344. 10. — — — " Up wee went to the Prince, whom wee found at din- ner, attended by some of his own servants, and some Spaniards, who wee found glad to see us, and wee much revived with the kissing of his hand Wee found him and the Marques [afterwards, Duke of Buckingham] in Spanish habits, such an attire as will make the handsomest man living look like another thing. About three in the afternoon, the Prince, as usually he is wont, went down into the garden, such a one as hardly deserves the name. So tiasty and so ill favouredly kept, that a farmer in England would be ashamed of such another. Yet this he must walk in, or mew himself up in two little roomes all day long. Over against the 'court gate, some twelve score oiF, stands a very fair stable, that hath in it some three score horse, the handsomest I have seen, of so many together. Above it a goodly armory, well furnished. To- wards the evening I went to my Lord of BristoU's, to wayt upon my Lady, and in my return through one street I met at least five hundred coaches; most of them had all women in, going into the fields (as they usually do about that time of the day) to take the aire. Of all these women, I dare take my oath, there was not one unpainted ; so visibly, that you would think they rather wore vizards, than their own faces. Whether they be handsome or no, I cannot tell, unlesse they did unmask; yet a great number of them have excellent eyes and teeth. The boldest women in the world. For as I past along, numbers of them call'd and becon'd to me. Whether their impudence or my habit was the cause of it, I can- not tell. I saw more good horses under saddles, foot clothes, and in coaches, th»n ever I saw in all my life. " Thus did I passe our first daye's being there, and at night did return to the Duke's pallace to our lodging, where, by the way, there were so many chamber pots and close-stooles emptied in the street, that did almost poison us. For the usual custome there is, that at eleven at night, every one empties those things in tht street, and by tenne the next day, it's so dried up, as if there were no such thing. Being desirous to know why so beastly a cus- tome is suffered, they say, it's a thing prescribed by their phy- sicians. For they liold the aire to be so piercing and subtle, that this kind of corrupting it with these ill vapours keepes it in good temper. Notwithstanding all these ill smells, yet a plague is not a thing known in this town." p. 328. 9. " Within two dayes after wee saw a play acted before the King and Queen, in an indifferent fair roome, where there was hung up a cloth of state, and under it fine chaires. There- was a square . railed in with a bench, which was all round about covered with Turky carpets, which to the stage side cover'd the ground two vardes from the formes. The company, that came to see the comedji 394 10. T/ie Contents or Arguments of John Ross's book (In the CottO' nian Library) of the story of Richard Beauchamp, Earl of War- •wick. Froin u MS. of Sir IViUiam Dugdale, in Museo Ashmol. Oxon. pag. 359. n. comedy, wf re few, besides the English» although there were no dif- ficulty in getting in. But the reason was, as I conceived, because there aie none :iJmitted to sit, no not the grandees, who may stand by covered between the formes and the walls. The plaj'erj themselves consist of m.a 3nd women. The men are indifferent actors, bat the women are very good, and become themselves far better then any that ever I saw act those pirts, and far handsomer then any women I sa'v. To say the tui'h, they are the onely cause their playes are so much frequented. After some time's expect- ance, enter the Queen's ladyes by two and two, and set themselves down upon the carpets, that lay spread upon the ground. There were some sixteen in number of them. Handsome I cannot say any of them was, but painted more (if it were possible) then the ordinary wOT.en, not one of tiiem free from it, though some of them were not thirteen yeare old. Rich enough they were in clothes, although not over costly. To fill tliose fine chaires set, then came the King and Queen, the Prince of Wales, Don Carlo, and the young Caidinal, the King's brothers. First sat the Queen in the midst, the Prince on her right hand, and the King on her left, Don Carlo sitting next the Prince, and the Cardinal next the King. All. the three brothers (were they no Princes) are very handsome young gentlemen. The Queen has a lovely brown face through her vizard, for she doth paint as thick and as palpable as any of her women. The play being ended, the Ladyes by twoamj two, hand in hand, go within three paces of the Queen, and there make low courchees, and so sally out all afore her. All thewomen's rufis are of a deep wachet. They weare high chopeens, and hoopes about their skirts. These women are so cloistered up (and they need not) that they see not men at all, but at these times in publick, where they dire not speak to any. The better sort of women are much carried up and down in chaires of velvet by two footmen. In aU places of the world, there be not so many that walk in the streetes, converse, and eate in spectacles, as in thif town. You cannot meete tenne, but you shall finde one of them with a pair of glasse eyes." p. 330-1. After reading this singular account, I naturally turned to that exhausthss and invaluable repertory of historical information, Rushivorlh^s Collections, Vol. I. p. 76 : where I found Charles's Tisit to Spain described in the usually particular and animated style of the author — "And now behold (commences he) a strange ad- venture and enterprise! The Prince and the Marquis of Bucking- ham, accompanied with Cottington andEndimion Porter, post in disguise to Spaine to accelerate this marriage. The 17 of February they went privately from court, and the next day came to Dover, where 395 11. PrtTlce Charles i Jmirney into Spain. From Sir SltnoTzds jyEiues Life, ivritlen by himself ^ and rwui preserved in the Harleyan Library, p. 3/1. 12. The ^scMefs occasioned hy George Villars, Duie of Bucking' ham, "with an account of his Death* from the said Life of Sir Simonds D'lEives in the Harleyan Library, p. 372. 13. The most exquisite beauty of the D. of Buckingham, ^ from the same MS. /. 384. where they imbarqued for Boloign, and from thence rode post to Paris, where they made some stop. The Prince, shadoiued under a bushy peruque, beheld the splendor of that court, and had a full view of the Princess Henrietta Mari?, who was afterwards his royal consort," &c. When Charles arrived at Madrid, "a gene- ral pardon was published; the prisons were opened, and hundreds of officers were set at liberty; and" (what is curious enough!) " a late proclamation against excess in apparel tvas re-uoked T^ &c. p. 77, edit. i622. • Buckingham's death is thus described. " Aug. 23, being Saturday, the Duke having eaten his breakfast betweene eight and nine of the clocke in the morning, in one Mr. Mason's howsein Portsmouth, hee was then hasting away to the King, who lay at Reswicke, some five m.les distant, :o have some speedie conference with him. Being come [to] the further parte of the entrie, lead- ing out of the parlour into the hall of the howse, hee had there some conference with Sir Thomas Frier, Knight, a Colonell, and Jtooping downe in taking his leave of him, John Felton, gentle- man, having watched his opportunitie, thrust a long knife with a white halft, hee had secretiie about him, with great strength and violence into his breast under his left papp, cutting the diaphragms and lungs, and peircing the verie heart it selfe. The Duke having received the stroake, instantlie clapping his right hande on his sworde hilts, cried out, God s luounds, the •villaine bath killed me!" f The greater part of which is as follows : «' After this [tilting, in presence of the French Embassadour Cadmet and divers French Lordes that came with him, in the Tiltyard over against White- hall, on Monday Jan. 8, 1620-1] most of the Tilters, excepting the Prince [Prince Charles,] went upp to the French Lordes, in a large upper roome of the house; standing at the lower end of the Tiltyard, and I, crowding in after them, and seeing the Marquesse of Buckingham discoursing with two or three French Monsicurs, joined to them, and most earnestlie viewed him for about halfe an howre's space at the least, which I had opportunitie the more easilie to accomplish, because hee stood all that time hee talked bareheaded. 1 saw everie thing in him full of delicacie and han- Jome features, yea his hande and face seemed the moore ac- coraplisht, because the French Monsieurs, that had invested him, wccre verie swarthie hard favoured men." 14. 39^ 14. T/ie fall anil great -vices of Sir Francis Bacon, Viscount of Saint Alban, from the same MS. J>. 385, 15. De Joanne Ificklefo 'hypocritica* f.ZSQ. 16. De Pseudo-Epscofis quibusdam e Registr. liens Arundell. p. 390. 17. Mandatum Domino (Thamm Arundell Episcopo EliensiJ di- rectum, ad orandum pro Doraino (Henrico Spencero Jlpis,. copo) Norwicensi & Exercitu suo transeuntibus in Cruciata contra Antipapam, et sibi adhaerentes. Ap. 1333. E Regist. Eliens, Arundell. p. 3g3. 18. John Fordhanis Admission to the Bishoprici of Ely, (being pretty remarkable) with the oath which he then took, Sep. 27, 1388. E Registro Eliens. Fordham. p. 397. 19. Anote relating to St. Mary's Ch. at Cambridge, p. 400. 20. A Letter of Prince Charles, afterwards K. Ch. I. (copied from the Original) to the Duke of Buckingham, without date. p. 204. t * From Anthony Wood. " Jun cia dclxxii. With Dr. I. Fell in his lodgings in Ch. Ch. Wee were then looking over and correcting the story of loh. Wyclevc, in Hist, et Antiq. Univ. Oxen, before it was to be wrought off from the press. He then told me, that " lo. Wycleve was a grand dissembler, a man of little conscience, and what he did as to religion was more out of vaine glory, and to obtaine unto him a name, than out of honestie, &c. or that effect." ■\ " The Letter (which is without date) relates to some Lady» with whom an intrigue was carrying on in behalf of the Prince, with whom the Prince confesseth he had been once. I know not Vifell the mystery (adds Hearne) but surely Buckingham was the cause, and no doubt he is highly to be blamed for it. The Letter is as follows: " Steenie, " T have nothing now to wryte to you, but to give you thankes both for the good countell ye gave me, and for the event of it. The King gave mee a good sharpe potion, but you tooke away the woikiiig of it, by the well relished comfites ye sent after it. I have met with the parlie, that must not be named, once alreddie: and the cuUor of wry ting this letter shall make me meete with her on Saterday, although it is written the day being Thursday. So assuring you that the busines goes safelie onn, I rest. Tour constant loi>ing Frend, Charles. I hope ye will not shew the King this letter, but put it in the safe custodie of Mister Vulcan." 21 397 21. Edmund W indham J of Keitesford, in the County of Somerset, his account of the apparition that appeared to George Vil- lars, Duke of Buckingham, p. 405. 22. Index, /.410. 23. Operum Catahgus. p. 432. 24. A Note relating to Agas's Mat. of Oxford, and to Nich. Harpsfield's Life of Sir Thomas More. p. 436, &c. Exclusively of the particulars in this volume relating to Richard TI, there will be found some valuable ad- ditional matter, upon the same subject, in the second volume of Walter de Hemingford; from p. 453 to 477. In the next number of the British Bibliographer I purpose to complete the account of the publications of Hearne relating to Biography. The ensuing numbers w^ill contain the remaining pieces of this sedulous antiquary. T. F. D. Kensington, March 10, 1810. ^ A brief e treatise conteyningmanie proper Tables and easie Rules, verye necessarye and needef till, for the vse and commoditie of all people, collected out of certaine learned mens workes. The contentes whereof, the page that follow eth dooth expresse. Newlie setfoorik aiid alowed accordiiig to the Queenes maiesiies Iniunc- tio/is. Imprinted at London ly lohn Walley. 1585. Oct. 56 leaves. This brief treatise is virtually an almanack. At the back of the title are the lines in circle, the " south lyne" forming the point. In addition to the calendar, rules for the terms, computation, years of Sovereigns, tides, fairs, &c. The date 1585 is later than any work printed by lohn Walley, mentioned in Herbert; who notices one edition of the treatise as without date. It was probably first printed fourteen years earlier, as several answers to questions on leases, are calculated to "this present yeere of our Lord, 1571." * * A neut 398 ^ A new Enierlued for Chyldren to playe, named Jacke Jugeler, loth wytte, and very play sent. Newly Imprented. The players 7iames. Mayster Boungrace, A galant. Dame Coye A Gentelwoman. Jacke Jugler, The vyce. Jenkin Careaway, A Lackey, Ales trype and go, A mayd. [Wood-cut of) D. Coi, Bougrace, Jacke Jugler. The Prologue is in twelve seven-line stanzas, provintr that the mind of man requires honest mirth and pastime, that it was well allowed of by Cato, Plutarke, Socrates, Plato, and Cicero Tullius; " and for that purpose onlye this maker did it write, taking the ground therof out of Plautus first com^edie." This address concludes with the usual appeal of submission and deference to the spec- tators, and their indulgence prayed as well for the players as the piece. As the right of an audience to dictate laws to thetheatrehas been lately very inconsistently doubted,! shall give the author's words as a specimen in what man- ner the actors addressed the public two hundred and fifty years ago. " wherefore yf ye wyl not sowrelie your broues bende. At suche a fantasticall conceite as this; But can be content to heare and see the ende, I well go shew the players what your pleasure is. Which to wait vpon you I know bee redie or this: I woll goo sende them hither in too your presence, Desiryng that they may haue quiet audience." The performance commences vnih a long speech by *' Jake Jugler " Our lord of heuen and swete sainte Ihone Rest you raerye my maisters euerychone ; And I praye to Christ and swete saint Steuen, Send you all many a good euine ; And you to syr, and you, and you also, Good euine to you an hundered times & a thousand mo." After this familiar introduction he describes his inten- tion to " playe a iugling cast," and the object is Jen- kine Careawaie, the page of Boungrace. The period of time is that of the representation, and Boungrace having directed 299 directed Jenkin to bring his mistress where he should sup, the lacquey loiters by the way: playing at bucklers^ snatching apples from a fruiterer's wife, and losing money at dice. Jack Juggler having been watching his foot- steps, after reporting these events, continues *' This garments, cape and all other geare, That now you see apon me here, I haue doon oon, all lyke vnto his. For the nons and my purpose is To make Jenkine byliue, iF 1 can, That he is not himselfe, but another man.'' On the arrival of the page a conversation of some humour arises, until by minute relation of the tricks he has been playing since he parted from his master, together with the addition of some blows, the unfortunate Care- away considers his mischievous antagonist " euen I myne owne selfe," and at length beseeches, " yf I be found in any place too bringe me to me againe." His troubles do not end here. More stripes fall to his lot • from his mistress Dame Coy, who also directs his master Boungrace to " joU his bed to a post, and fauoure your fyste," while the unfortunate sufferer in vain relates to each the tale of the " other I." An Epilogue of ten stanzas concludes " you sawe right now, by example playne. An other felowe being a counterfeat page. Brought the gentylman's seruaunt out of his brayne. And made him graunt yt. himselfe was fallen in dotage, Baryng him selfe in hand that he dyd rage And when he could not bryng that to passe by reason. He made him graunt it and saye by compulsion. Therfore happy are they that can beware Into whose handes they fall by any su he chaunce. Which if they do, they hardly escape care, Treble, miserye, and wofull greuaunce: And thus I make an end, committing you to his gidau'ce That made & redemed vs al, and to you yt be now here, I praye God graunt, and send many a good newe yere. Finis. % Imprinted at London in Lothbury by me Wyliyam Copland.''* The above short account of an enterlude, of which the existence has long appeared doubtful, proves the Me- nsechmi of Plautus, on which the Comedy of Errors, by * Entered in the Stationers' books 1562-3. Shakspeare, 400 Shakspeare, is founded, was, in part at least, kiiown at a very early period upon the English stage. In consider- ing the character of Jack Jugier, as the Vice, it will be found to sustain very little, if any, of the sketch drawn in the elaborate disquisition by the commentators upon that subject.* In the present performance he resembles more the arch-knave Mercury when attending Jove, as the false Sosia, in the play of Amphitryon, f than the ludi- crous buffoon which- is supposed to have been introduced in the early drama to amuse the audience. The wood- cut represents him, inconsistently with a beard, and using a mincing step; but I have some reason (which will be more fully assigned In another place) to believe that figure was only a casual adoption by the printer, and not intended as a faithful portrait. J. H. Literary intelligence. The library wherein the interludes of Thersytes and Jack Jugier were discovered contained many others of the rarest pieces of the early drama. To the names men- tioned in the note at p. 176, may be added Edwards, Green and Chettle; and, amongst the anonymous, may be noticed " the pleasaunt and fine conceited Comoedie of two Italian Gentlemen with (he merie deuices of Captain Crack-stone.'" The whole of the dramatic pieces have been purchased at a very considerable sum to assist in completing an enlarged edition of Old Plays, which has been preparing for the press for some time past. The loan of any of the Triumphs, scarce dramatic pieces, or copies of Hawkins or Dodsley, containing manuscript notes, would be esteemed a favour, and proper care taken in transcribing. Address to the Editors of the Old Plays, at Mr. Triphook's, 37, St. James's Street. • Reed's Shak. Vol. xiv. p. jz8. f Dryden's Amphitryon, Act ii. Sc. i. T, Eensley, Pi-inter^ Soil Conit, Fleet ttrset, London. 'ft ^titislf 98ibltosrap5er. N" V. % Memoir of Sir Thomas Wyat, the Poet. Sir Thomas Wyat was born at the seat of his father. Sir Henry Wyat, at Allington Castle, near Maidstone in Kent, in 1503 5 which seat Sir Henry, who was of a Yorkshire faniily, had purchased of John Brent in 8 Hen. Vn.* It is singular that Kent had the felicity of producing, in the same century, some of the greatest men, who have adorned the British annals, for their genius and literature. I need only mention Sir Philip Sydney; Thomas Sack- ville. Lord Buckhurst, (who though borajust across the borders at Buckhurst in Sussex, yet having his principal Seatj and estates there, may be fairly reckoned;) and Sir Henry Wotton, f * It had previously for many ages belonged to the great family of Cobhara. f I must not mention Heralds and Antiquaries after poets, ex- cept longo inter'vallo ; but it is worthy observation, that this county seems to have given origin to some of the earliest and hiost eminent — Francis Thinne, Robert Glover, Thomas Milles, and John Philipot, — William Lambard, and William Somner.— In the state were Dean Nicholas Watton, Sir Henry Sydney, and Sir Francis Walsingham. VOL. I. D D Sir 402 Sir Henry Wyat, the father, had suffered for his loy- alty to the house of Lanca?ter, and been imprisoned in the Tower, in the reign of Rich. HI. for which K. Hen. Vn. on his accession, knighted him, and made him a privy ciunsellor. By that monarch, he was intTasted to conduct to- the Tower, the unfortunate Edmund De La Pole, Earl of Suffolk. He was continued of the council by K. Hen. vn. and, either by the father or son, appointed master of the Jewel Office.* At the coronation of Q. Anne Boleyn, his son per- formed for him the office of K.werer; from whence Lord Orford conjectures, that he was himself at that time loo aged to attend such a ceremony. His descendant, Mr. Wyat, of Charter-house Square, told Vertue, that it was a tradition in the family, that when Sir Henry was prisoner in the Tower, he was pre- served from being starved by his cat, who brought him a pigeon, t His wife was Anne daughter of Thomas Skinner, Esq. of Surry. Sir • Mr. Wise shewed to the /inriquarian Society, iir 17-34," A 'vetve and 'Accowptes of all and singular the Kinges Jenuelles, stone, ■perle,f late of gold and ofsil'ver,in the custody and kepynge of SirHe?iry ay at. Moist er of the Kinges Jeiuelles, as 'well touching all ande-very farcellis by him receyved to the Kinges use and issuinge out of the same, as also such plate as in charge of such officers of the Kinges most honour- able householde, and other by indenture, and the true poix and ivaight of e'very parcel of the same, taken by the Rt. Re'vd. Father in God, John Archbp. of Armachan, Maister 'Thomas Magnus, Archdea- con of Est. riding, and Sir IVm. Kingston, Kt. deputed Commissioners by the Kinges Highness, for the same purpose the j ^th daye of February, the xiiyear of our Sonieraine Lorde, Kinge Henry the yill." . A siini- Jar account by Sir Anthony Aucher, Master also of the Jewel Office in the same reign, is in the possession of Edward Taylor, Esq. of Bifrons in Kent, M. P. in right of his wife, who is one of the heirs of that family. _t Sir Thomas Wyat, (the Poet's son by Elizabeth daughter of Sir Thomas Brooke, Lord Cobham,) was executed for the rebel- lion which goes by his name, 11 April, i Q^ Mary. He married Jane, daughter and cqheir of Sir William Haute, of Bishop's- bourne, co. Kent ; by whom he had a son and heir, George Wyat, Esq. who waj restored in blood ; and succeeded his mother in the 403 Sir Thomas Wyat, their son and heir, was educated at St. John's College Cambridge. He then travelled prin- cipally to Italy, whence he derived his most splendid ac- complishments. For " he was one of the first," says Lord Orford, '* who introduced the numbers used bv the poets of that country into his own. That he had diunk the manor and abbey of Boxley, near Maidstone in Kfent. He died 1624, leaving by Jane, daughter of Sir Thomas Finch, of Eastwetl, Co. K»nt, 'Sir Francis Wyat, of Boxley, Kt. who was twice Governor of Virginia ; and died Aug. 24, 1644, leaving,- by Margaret sister of George Sandys, the poet, adaughrer Elieabeth, married to Thomas Boswell, of Little Mote in Eynsford, Co. Kent, Esq. and two sons, Henry and Edwyn. Henry, the eldest, leftadaughter and heir. Jane wife of Sir Edward Duke of Ccssi'.g- ton, Co Kent, Kt. (whose daughter and heir Frances mrrritd Sir Thomas S'elyard, Birt. whose son and heir Sir Thomas Selyard, Bt. left two daughters hi? coheirs.) Edwyn Wyat, Esq. succeeded his brother Henry, at Boxley, as heii" male. He was jnadc a Ser- jeant at law 1684., was Recorder of Maidstone and Canterbilry, Chief Justice of Curmirthen, Pembroke, and Cardigan, and M P. for Maidstone. He died Dec. 7, ivr^., aet 85, leaving, by Frances, daughter and coheir of Tl^omas Crispe, ot Qn^ekes in the isic of Thanet, Esq. several sons and daughters. Edwyn Wyat, Esq. his eldest son died before him, without issue. His 2d son, Francis Wyat, Esq. succeeded him at Boxley, where he died without issue ; and was succeeded by his only surviving brother, Richard Wyat, Esq who died possessed of it in Dec. 1753, aged nearly 80. Leaving no issue, he devised his estate to R-jbert .Marsham, second Lord Romney, great grandson of his aunt Elizabeth Be^vile, whose dau;_,hter and heir, Margaret, married Sir Robert Marsham, Bart, Hasted- s Kent, II. 1*5, i^6. Lord OrforJ s;r, s, " Vertue was acquainted with a Mr. Wyat, who lived in Ch.iitfrhouie Square, and was the representative descendant of that respectable family. In 1721, and at othertiiv.es, Vertue saw at that gentle- man's house portraits ot his ancestors for seven descents, and other pictures and ancient curiosities. Among the rtst, were heads of Sir Thomas Wyat and of Anne B.ileyn, in rounds, on board; of George Wyat, the son of the younger Sir Thomas ; of Sir Frances Wyat by Isaac Oliver;' and of Edmund Wyat, Ser- geant at Law, drawn by Sir Godfrey Kneiier, in 1686. T.iere was besides, the picture of Sir Henry Wyat, of whom I have been speaking, painted with a furgoun, with a ch un of gold about his neck, in the manner of Holbein." — He adds, " It would be fortonate, if mention of ti.ese pictures should lead 'o the .knowledge of the person who now possesses tiiem.'' — Miscellaneous AnliquULs, Printed at Strr,vjber'-y-Htll, 1771, 4/0. Kc. j. p. 6, 7. D » 2 deeply 404 deeply at tlic claseic founts of ancient poetrj', appeared in his Latin translations : the softer elegance of the Italian as'-isted him in refining our tongue ; and he polished the language of the court, instead of imbibing politeness from it. Camden says, he was splendide doctus; Ascham, that he was one of the best translators of the Latin poets of the age he lived in ; and Wood calls him the delight of the muses, and of mankind. Leland published a book of elegies on his death, (called Noenia.) His brave and accomplished friend, Lord Surrey, composed an epitaph for him ; and Sir Thomas Chaloner, one of the lumina- ries of that half savage, half Augustan age, another; both in verse. Sir John Mason, Chancellor of Oxford, wrote one in prose. " Yet did not these engaging pursuits nor even his success in them, absorb his mind in indolent delights. His soul was vigorous, his genius manly ; and while hia purpose was to polish his country, he meant to be fit to serve it with his sword, or his councils. We are assured that he was skilled in the military arts of that age; his employments, his letters, his orations, speak how able a statesman he was ; how acute an orator. Wood records his valour, and the manly beauty of his person."* Thus accomplished, he became a great favourite of K. Hen. VIII, who employed him in several embassies; they were even heaped on him beyond his wish. Twice however he fell into disgrace with that capricious mo- narch. On one of these occasions, he was committed to the Tower, and brought to his trial for Treason. The only charges of importance, were that of connection with Cardinal Pole, and some hypothetical words on the King's Supremacy. Lord Orford has printed his Defence, which was copied by Gray the poet, from the originals in the Harleian MSS. *' The Parnassian flame," adds the lively and noble editor, "that had prophesied from the mouths of the Bards, could condescend to be a tran- scriber. In this instance his labour was the homage of justice paid to a genius, his predecessor. What Mr. Gray thought worth copying, who will not think worth reading ?" ^ Miscell, Antiq. ut sutj. ^ ' Sir 405 Sir Thomas died at last in the public service, ^eing sent to conduct the Embassador of the Emperor Charles V. from Falmouth to London, he overheated himself by- riding post in the middle of Summer, and being attacked with a malignant fever, difd on ihe road at Shirburn in Dorsetshire, in ifii, set. 38. Among the numerous eu- Jogiums of his cotemporaries, the panegyric of Lord Sur- rey owes more to truth, says Warton, even than to the graces of poetry, or the flattery of friendship. Warton, has discriminated * the character of this poet, with more than his usua^ critical acumen. He observes, " that he is inferior to Surrey in genius ; as his poems abound more in good sense, satire, and obser- vations on life, than in pathos, and imagination.' But it is unlucky, that to the poem beginning ' My Lute aiuake,' which he cites as a favourable specimen, on ac- count of its lyric sweetness, Wyat does not seem to have a just claim, as it is ascribed by Mr. Park, in the Niigce Antiquiv, to Lord Rochford. Tt does indeed contam more of tender sentiment than seems to belong 10 Wyat The elegant critic also complains, that Wyat betrays too much of the conceits of his Italian masters. His poetical epistles, in which the peculiar powers of his mind were best calculated to shjne forth, are full of interest, and generally expressed with great happiness. He gives the picture of a strong and generous mind, po- lished, enlarged, and softened by experience, and deeply impressed wiih thevalue of rural qiviet, from a contrast with the restless and dangerous life of a courtier. " Tliis is the cause, that I could never yet Hang on their sleeves, that weigh, as thou maist see^ A chip of chance, more than a pourd, of wit ; This maketh me ar home to hunt and hawk. And in foul weather at my book to sit In frost and snow ; then with my bow to stalk ) No mail dodi mnrk whereso 1 ride or go; In lusty lees at libertv 1 w;;lk." &c &c. f' Nor am I not where truth is given in pr^/ For money, prison, and treason, of some • Hist. E. P. in. 25, &c. D D 3 A common 4o6 A common practice used night and day; But I am here in Kent and Chrislendom, Among the Mu-es, where I read and rhime ; Where if thou list, mine own John Poines, to come. Thou shalt be judge, how I do spend my time." The rich and picturesque banks of the Medway wit- nessed the early contemplations of VVyat. He must, from boyhood, have imbibed from his father the mate- ri;ils on which his moral sensibility was continually at work. This is the scene of the Wizard's descriptipn iq the Kentish Tale, in Cens. Lit. II. 120. " Then let me fly to Medway's stream, Where flowing Wyat us'd to dream His moral fancies ! Ivied towers, 'Neath which the silver Naiad pours Her murmuring waves thro' verdant meads, Where the rich herd luxuriant feeds. How often in your still recesses Iv'e seen the Muse with careless tresses Scatter her flowers, as Wyat bade. In spring's enamel'd colours clad I Lov'd castle, art thou stijl array'd In fame, or do thine honours fade ? I'hey fade ! Lo, from the tottering walls Down in huge heaps the fragment falls. And lonely are thy courts ; and still The voice that whisper'd to the rill ; Thy very name is sunk ! how few. Know it qnce shone in glory's hue ! Familiarity with the dependence and the vices of court, made him sigh for retirement, and enjoy with the keenest zest the air and quiet of the country during those shorf intervals from business which he could procure. The sentiments which he indulged, during these temporary retreats, are beautifully expressed in his three best poems, " Of the mean and sure estate, written to John Poines;"* "■ Of the Courtier s Life, written to John Poines;" an4 " How lo use the court, and himself therein, written to Sir Fraunces Bryan." * See a fine portrait of John Poines, with an interesting memoir by Lodge, in the Holbein Heads. The 407 The first of these is a versification of the Fable of the City Mouse, and Country Mouse, which I shall trans- cribe at length. " My tnol bar's maids, when ther do sow and spin. They sing a song made of the tieldish mouse. That for because her livelihood was but thin. Would needs go see hir townish --ister's house. She thought herself endiir'd to grievous pain; The stormy blasts her cave so sore did souse. That when the furrows swimmed with the rain. She must lie cold and wet, in sorry plight; And worse than that, bare meat there did remain. To comfort her, when she her house had dight; Sometime a barley-corn, sometime a bean. For which she labour'd hard, both day and night. In harvest time, when she might go and glean. And when her store w^s 'sfroyed with the flood. Then well away ! for she undone was dean ; Then was she fain to take, instead of food, Sleep, if she might, her hunger to beguile : My sister, quoth she, hath a living good ; And hence from me she dwelleth not a mile ; In cold and storm she lieth warm and dry In bed of down ; the dirt doth not defile Her tender foot ; she labours not as I ; Richly she feeds ; and at the rich man's cost ; And for her meat she needs not crave, nor cry. By sea and land, of deiicates the most Her cater seejss ; and spareth for no peril ; She feeds pn boiFd meat, bali'd meat, and on roast. And hath therefore no whit of charge noc travel. And, when she list, the liquor of the grape Doth glad her heart, till that her b- ily swell. And at this journey makes she buf a jape ; So forth she goes, trusting of ajl this wealth. With her sister her part so for to shape That if she might there keep herself in health. To live a lady, while her life doth last. And to the door now is she come by stealth. And with her foot anon she scrapes full fast : Th' other for fear, durst not well scarce appear. Of every noise so was the wretch aghast At last she asked softly, v/ho was there ? And in her language, as well as she could, fesp, quoth the other, sister ; I am here, D D 4 Peace, 4e8 Peace, quoth the town-mouse, why speak'st thou so loud ? And by the hand she took her fair and well. M^elcome, quoth she, my sister, by the rood. She feasted her, thut joy it was to tell The fare they had ; they drank tl"e wine so clearj And, as to purpose now and then it fell. She cheared her with, how sister, what cheer? Amid this joy befell a sorry chance. That, well-away! the stranger bought full dear The fare she had ; for, as she look'd askance. Under a stool she spied two steaming eyes In a round head, with sharp ears. In Franco Was never mouse so fear'd, for the unwise Had not yseen such a beast before ; Yet Nature taught her after her guise To know her foe, and dread him evermore. The Town-Mouse fled ; — she knew not whither to go. The other had no shift, but wonders sore ; Fear'd of her life, at home she wish'd her tho' j And to the door, alas, as she did skip. The Heaven it would, lo, and eke her chance was so, At the threshold her sely foot did trip, A 'd, ere she might recover it again. The traitor cat had caught her by the hip. And made her there against her will remain. That had forgot her poor surety, and rest. For seeking wealth, wherein she sought to reigti. Alas ! my Poines, how men do seek the best, And find the w prse, by error as they stray j And no marvel ; when sight is so opprest. And blinds the guide, anon out of the way Goeth guide, and all in seeking quiet life. O wretched minds, there is no gold that may Grant that you seek ; no war, no peace, nor strife, No, no, altbo' thy bead were boop'd with gold. Sergeant with mace, with halBert, sword, nor knife. Cannot repulse the Care that follow should; Earh kind of life hath with him his disease : Live in delights, even as thy lust would. And thou shalt find, when lust doth most thee please. It irkeih strait, and by itself doth fade. A small thing is it that may thy mind appease None of you all there is, that is so mad To seek for grapes on brambles or on briars j For noiie, I trow, that hath a wit so bad Tq 409 To set his hayte for conies over rivers. Nor ye set not a drag net for an hare. A;id yet the thing, that most is your desire^ You do mislike with more travel and care. Make plain thine heart, that it be not knotted Vv'ith hope or dread ; and see thy will be bare From all affects, whom vice hath never spotted ; Thyself content wiih tliat is thee assign'd. And use it well, that is to thee allotted. Ttien seeL no more out of thyself to find The thing that thou hast sought so long before ; For thou sbalt feel it sticking in thy mind. Made, if ye list, to continue your sore. Let present pass ; and gape on time to come. And deep thyself in travel more and more. Henceforth, my Poines, this shall be all and some. These wretched fools shall have nought else of me. But to the great God, and to his dome ; None other pain pray I for thera to be. But when the rage doth lead them from the right. That, looking backward, Virtue they may see E'en as she is, so goodly, fair, and bright; * And whilst they clasp their lusts in arms across. Grant them, good Lord, as thou raay'st of thy might. To fret inward, for losing such a loss." The Life of a Courtier, must at all times be disgust- ing to a feeling and independent mind. In the reign of a monarch so despotic and capricious as Hen. VII J, it must have been a continual passage over precipices, and quagmires. Every step was uncertain or hollow ; and not an hour of ease could ever have been experienced. The escape tea country quiet from such a scene of favours which ended in proscriptions, and of triumphs which terminated on the scaffold, must have been followed by sensations of satisfaction and delight, which they who have passed their days in a dull security cannot even conceive 1 Thus, says VVyat, — " Stand who so list upon the slipper wheel <^f high estate, and let me here rejoice, • Warton pronounces these lines to be, " a beautiful applica- tion of Virtue personified, and introduced in her irresistible charms of visible beauty." Hht. E. P. 111. 37. And 4IO And use my life in quietness each deal. Unknown in courts that hath the wanton joys: In hidden place my time shall slowly pass ; And when my years be past withouten noise. Let me die old, after the common trace; For gripes of death dolh he too yarely pass. That known is to all, but to himself, alas. He dieth unknown, dased with dreadful tace." The following extracts, on Wyat's reflections in rural retreat, are from a poeni never published. " Escap'd the splendid misery Of Harry's court, see VVyat fly Thro' Kent's revivifying air, In his own shades to bury care. On Wrotham's brow he looks around, And all th' expanse with joy is crovvn'd j The vallies ring with peasants songs. And near, the feather'd chorus throngs ; From shepherd's pipes soft ijiusic steals : The steeple sends its louder peals. 10 He opes his bosom to the breeze : His languid frame new transports seize. ' And these are joys, that will endure. Beyond a tyrants power secure!' Then down the hill with rapid pace He starts to reach the genial place. That open'd on his infant eyes. And touch'd them first with extacies ; Thro' emrald meads the laughing stream. Reflecting many a varied gleam, 20 Winds its full course, while down its tide Rich barks with pace majestic glide. Ah, Aliington ! thy turrets peep I — Tho' not from out the tangled steep Of wood-crown'd hill, yet from the knol! 'Keath which these fertile waters roll. They smile on Medway's glassy face. And all their pride reflected trace: Beneath the massy tower at last. The gales their foldings open cast j Tower, Hall, and Castle thro' its bounds, ^0 With salutanons glad resounds : Lord of himself, he round him sees The means of health, and power with ease ; Le4 411 Jjcd by false hopes no more astray. Then vows to shun ambition's way. In slumber-, dt-ep the night is gone ; Pure airs awaKc him with the dawnj Aurora's fragrant breath invites In aewv meads t' inhale delights j 49 Peace whispers suft in every gale. And to lone Silence tells her tale. It is not tia'ter)'s oily tongue, Thaf soothes dud pleases, but to wrong, Talbehoo,! 't s not, that genily pleads. As o'er Desrruction s pit she leads ; Nor Guile, that sweetly seems to moan For deeds of malice all her o\\ n — Ah Lo ! her colours all are true ; Her charms display a genuine hue, 50 And, leagued with lnii.;cence, impart Pleasures that meliorate the heart. Sick of th' intrigues of base mjnkind. He grieves at joys like these resign'd : lu clamour, strife, and hourly dread, 'Mid snares that all around are spread. To lose of lite tiie hasty b'oom; For what? at best an empty plume! Along the air here fragrance steals. Which every sense delighted feels : CD And health o'er every fibre strays. And present bliss in wondrous ways Ends in rich fruits of wisdom grown. From tree and bush, and grass, and stone. Here, as where fancy points, he strolls. No lord's command his step controls. Nor at his heel the treacherous spy His ^vand'ring tracks with restless eye; Thro' paths untrod he paces on. Unnoticed gains the distant lawn; 70 Darts through the shades, and climbs the brow. Where v/oods, and towns, and vills below. First spread expanded to the view, Then mix with air, in tints of bine. Throughout those scatter'd scenes he deems More happiness than all that seems So brilliant in the courtier's drt-ains. In the few fleeting years we crave Between the cradle and the grave, T» 413 To sacrifice, for idle toys, 60 Transient as hollow, solid joys, Js folly greater than the boy's. Who breathless runs the moon t' embrace. Then weeps his unavailing race. Mingled alike in dust shall sleep The simple swain and statesman deep ; Of pomp unconscious, senseless, cold. Their relics the same earth shall hold." &:c. kc. % The Brideling, Sadling and Ryding, of a rich Churle in Hampshire, ly the suhtill practice of one ludeth Philips, a professed cunning wommi, or For- tune teller. FFith a true discourse of her vnwomanly vsing of a Trype wife, a widow, lately dwelling on the hack side of S. Nicholas shambles in London, whom she with her conferates, likeiuise cosoned. For which fad, shee was at the Sessions house witlioict New-gate arraigned, where she confessed the same, and had ludgement for her offence, to he whipped through the Ciiie,the i^of February, 1594. [Wood- cut of an old man crawling on hands and knees, bri- dled with large bridone bit in his mouth, and sad- dled, with Judith mounted sideways, holding the renis in her left, and a purse of money m her righi hand. J Printed at LondoJi by T. C. and are to be sold* by William Barley, at his shop in New-gate Market, neare Christ Church. 1595. qto. Eight leaves. This tract, (of which I am assured there is only one copy known) may serve to unriddle the Quest of Enquirie held upon the Tripe-wife. Ante, p. 34. It has for head title, " a true discouerie of diners notable viUanies practised by one ludeth Philips the wife ot John Philips, of Crowne Alley in Bishpps gate streete, the like was neuer in any age committed by a woman." The ijrst relation is " a notable villany committed by this cunning and fine wittcd woman, in the village of Vpsborne in Hampshire, in distaunce seuen myles or thereaboutes from VV iochester." This woman having gathered some slight information of the persons she intended to cozen on introducing herself ob- tains credit for her skill in fortune telling, and knowlege where great treasure might be found, by first swearing, " that she came 4T3 came from the Pope/' (the name of her then husband) and secondly, causing the earth to be dug up at the root of an hol- low holly-tree, where an angel and six pence are found, which she had previously placed there. The result was " she demaunded of him for her paines, fourteene pounds, whereat he grumbled to lose so great a gub at one time, yet at last the hope of the treasure hidden under the tree, made him to con- sent, and so with speede gane this woman fourteene poundes ia ready gold and siluer. 'I'hen said this woman, now must I haue the largest chamber in your house behu"g with the finest linnen you can get, so that nothing about your chamber, but white linnen cloth be seen, then must you set five candelsticks, in fiue seuerall places in your chamber, and vnder euery can- delsticke, you must put an angel of gold, all which was done as she required : and likewise said she, you must also get a saddle and a bridle, with two new girths thereunto, all which the couetous churle performed in hope to attaine t6»^reat •wealth : then this ludeth, caused him and bis wife to go into the yard, where she set the saddle on his back, and theroa girteth it fast with two new girths, and also put a bridle, vpon his head, all which being done, she got vppon his back in the saddle, and so rid him three times betwixt the chamber and the holly tree, then said this cosoning queane, you must lye three houres one by another groueling on your bellies vnder this tree, and stir not I charge you, vntill I come backe againe, for I must go into the chamber to meete the Queene of Fairies and welcome her to that holy and vnspotted place, so this churle and his \vife, were left quaking in ihe colde, cast- ing many a long looke for the comming of this woman, but she in the meane time, took downe all the fine linnen clothes from the wals of the chamber and wrapt them vp close in a bundle, and all the gold from vnder the candlestick?, and put them into her purse, then putting herselfe into a faire white smock, somewhat disguised, with a thing on her head all white, and a stick in her hand, she appeared unto him and his wife, vsing some dalliance, as old wiues say, spirits with night spelles do, she vanished away, and againe entered the chamber where her packe laie ready, and so roundly went away, lean- ing the churle and his wife in their cold lodging : but whe~ the puore foole sawe the time expired, and his exspected wo- man did not return, he got him vp, and cast olf his saddle and bridle, being halfe dead with colde, retired into the chamber, where he supposed to haue found this cunning woman, talking wil;h the Queen of Fairies, but when he entered his chamber, and saw both his linnen and his golde conuaide away, fel into such 4H ffich a perplexity of mind, as though he had bin distralght df his wits : one while greening for the losse of his fourteene pounds, another while, for the abuse of his good name, like- wise for the penance and disgrace she put hira and his wife ■vnto, the base and rediculous maner of his sadling, his cold lodging and weary time spent vnder the tree to his vtter in- famy and shame. And lastly, the losse of his pure and fine linnen, but yet he dissembled his griefs in such order, that his neighbors had no sospition therof, so in all haste, hee took horse and road to VVinchester." Upon a hue and cry, the ■woman was talien, and afterwards tried at the Assizes, before " Lord Anderson, the Lord Chief Justice of the Common Place. . .and there receiued such deserued punishment as the Jaw would permit-" ludeth afterwards associated with " two caterpillars," or " two counterfeit gentlemen, P. and V." as appears in the next relation of" a discoverie of the cosoningand ill handling of the Trype wife, by ludeth Philips and her confederates." Another wood cut repeats the whole length figure of this sharper having a pair of glover's shears in her hand,* and a re- presentation of the Trype wife, " There was of late dwelling in London, on the back side of the Shambles, a very rich and wealthy man of good conuersation, who dying, left his wife in such good estate of lining, as fewe of the trade of selling trypes, might well compare with her. This woman, as it was well knowne amongst her neighbors, had many sutors in the way of marriage, and many of sufficient liuings, which wo- man's name for her wealth, was bruted through euery part of the citie, so that it came at last to the eares of these two co- soning companions, P. and V. who studied day and night how they might come acquainted with this rich trype wife, so that at last, this practise they deuised. This P. being a very comely man of personage, and of a gentleman like qualitie, went as a suter among the rest, vnto this widow, whereby he learned the condition, and qualitie of the woman, and what large proffers she had in the way of marriage, likewise he vnderstood how that a wealthy Citizen dwelling vpon London Bridge, had re- ceiued from her in pledge of loue, a ring, with fine diamonds in it, being in value worth fine poundes, which ring vppon some disagreement, she receiued againe." Possessed of in- formation, of this trifling nature, the plot, to be executed by » This is the only allusion to the " vnwomanly vsing" stated in the title, which v/ould have remained unexplained, but for the Sfufst of Enquiry. ^ ' Judeth 415 Jadetb on the credulity and v.eakness of Dame Tripes, com- mences. By a forged letter her introdnction is eflected, and she displays her art in palmistry, v, iih a knowledge of ihe story of the ring an! of the widow's hat falling into the sow-.e tub, ■when another lover attempted to salute her. These little faits serve to impose on the unsuspicious widow, until she was weak enough to believe her late husband hid about the house grtat store of treasure, and her saying prayers with five candles burning might recover it. " But now to our purpose a^aiii : This craftie creature [ludelh] calling the Trype wife from her prayers, asked her, what she saw, and what she heard ? to whom she answered, that shee heard nothing. Then said this minion againe, you must fetch as much gold, rines, jewels and chaines, to the value of one hundred ponndes, and put them into a purse, all which was done : then she touke the purse vfith the gold, and wound about it a boitome r^f woollta yarne, which being done, she requested the widow to go a while from hir, so in the meane space, like a craftie queane, she conueyed the gold into hc-r pocket, and tooke another bot- tom of yarne, with tv/o stones in it, in the same likenesse the other was off, and gaue it the woman againe, as though it had bin the very same : to whome she said^ I pray you mistresse, lock this vp very sore, and looke not into it vntill I come againe, for I must goo and connerse with a wise man, that is acquainted with the Queen of Fairies, but I request you, that you will send hym by me, a fat turkey and a couple of cdpms only to get his friendship in the matter, and no doubt bui we shall find the hid tres^ure very shortly : which woiran t. rough couetousnesse of this naon^ y, went presently and bought a tur- key, and two fat capons, and sent them with this co'oning cheater by her mayd seruant, into Holborn, but being