SELECTION FROM THE POETICAL WORKS Cijomas Careta). LONDON: PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, AND ORME ; Bif John Erans, Bristol Mercury Office f AND SOLD BY THOMAS FRY & CO. NO. 46, HIGH-STREET, BRISTOL. 1810. TO SIR S. EGERTON BRYDGES, K. J. THE RENOVATOR OF EARLY ENGLISH LITERATURE, THIS SELECTION FROM THE WORKS OF CAREW, ^ IS MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, BY THE EDITOR. A S 646290 PREFACE. The PubuC is h^re presented with a selection from the Poetical Works of an unjustly-neglected Author, and I shall feel ample gratification in the conscious- ness of reviving his memory, if what I have done be instrumental to that effect. To many readers, the notes appended may appear prolix and unnecessary j I can only observe, they appeared to me not irrelative. One principal object in gathering tliem was, to induce the Lover of Poesy to give more attention to the contemporaries of my Author. In our enthusiastic admiration of " Fancy's VI " sweetest children," SPENSER, Shak- SPEARE, and the immortal MiLTON, we seem to have forgotten the existence of Drayton, Daniel, Browne, the two Fletchers, Drummond, and Wither* poets who, although not possessing the power to engage the imagination so strongly as the great triumvirate, are still, to a high degree, sublime, pictu- resque, and pathetic; and they must, either from the present age or from posterity, receive that regard to their merits which has hitherto been denied them, except by the " chosen few.''* I now commit this volume to the indulgent Critic, with an earnest hope, * To these may be added, Habingtoii, Lovelace, Herrick, and, in the department of the Drama, Beaumont and Fletcher, Ben Jonson, Massinger, Shirley, and Ford. Vll that Carew may be at last restored to that rank he ought long ago to have possessed, and that Waller may be no longer exclusively considered the Refiner of English Poetry. A learned Critic has long ago remarked, that *' Carew opens the poetical age of *' Charles I. with great lustre. He pre- *' served the harmony of his verse, if not *' the purity of his taste, untainted by *' his metaphysical contemporaries. In. *' point of versification, he is the link *' which joins Spenser and Fairfax to " Waller and Denham." British Critic, vol. xix. p. 621. To conclude, I devoutly wish the reader may receive as much pleasure in perusing, as I have in editing, this Selection. JOHN FRY. Bristol, January 1810. SOME ACCOUNT OF THOMAS CARFJV. 'iv - The trite observation, that the Life of a Maii of Letters is too uniform for much diversity of relation in narrating it, although the fallacy of such corol- lary is evinced in many inijtances to the contrary, 6n the present occasion remains in full force. The life of Carew had few incidents, and those are easily told. The sera of his birth is doubtful, but, from col- lateral circumstances, probably about 1577- He was a descendant from the ancient and honorable family of his name, long seated in Cornwall (but the branch whence he immediately sprung was of Glocestershire), and brother to Sir Matthew Carew, a strenuous and distinguished adherent to Charles, in the unfortunate dissensions which, a century and an half ago, deluged this country with blood, Thomas received his education at Corpus Christi College, Oxford ; and although, according to Wood, it does not appear that he was matriculated as a member, or admitted to a degree, his genius aud abilities early acc|uired him the notice of the wise aud good. His attainments and education were improved by travel, and the manners and customs of different^ countries which he visited were observed ^ith an attentive eye. On his return, birth, as well as accomplishments, were his introductions to the circles of the great ; and AVeod tells us, " he was adored by the poets of his time." Trusting implicitly to the honest bio- grapher, we know he was beloved by Jonson, Donne, D'Avenant, May, and Suckling; although after his death the latter could write of him, ** Tom Carew was next, but he had a fault " That would not well stand with a Laureat ; " His Muse was hide-bound, and th' issue of 's brain *' Was seldom brought forth but with trouble and pain.''* To this unmerited censure we need only oppose the opinion of the ingenious Mister Headley : *' He *' has the ease without the pedantry of Waller, and " perhaps less conceit." The interest of his brother probably opened the way for an introduction to Charles, the fruits of which were, bein;^ appointed (Gentleman of the Privy Chamber, and Sewer in ordinary to His Majesty: those posts he retained till his death, which happened in l639, universally regretted. Lord Clarendon has recorded of him that he possessed excellent parts, and " was a person of a * pleasant and facetious wit, and made many XI * poems (especially in the amorous way), which '* for the sharpness of the fancy, and the elegancy ** of the language, in which that language was ** spiced, were at last equal, if not superior to any ' of that time. But his glory was, that after fifty *' years of his life, spent with less severity or exact- " ness than it ought to have been, he died with the *' greatest remorse for that license, and with the " greatest manifestation of Christianity that his " best friends could desire." A little remains to be said relative to Celia, the lady to whom most of his amatory productions are addressed. At this period of time it would be difficult, and indeed impracticable, to ascertain her real name: we have no clue to direct us, either in his own writings or those of his contemporaries. For her, however, a sincere affection seems to have been entertained, although he never received a return. *' Oh Love, requited Love J how fine thy thrills, " That shake the tremhliiig frame with ecstacy, " E'en every vein celestial pleasure fills, " And inexpressive hiiss is in each sigh." Brydges, Son. 30, Poems, ed. I8O7. This disappointment may palliate, if it does not excuse the irregularities of his conduct. I may be expected to say a few words respecting the merit of the Poems selected in the following Xll pao-es. Among the elegant Reliques of Bishop Percy, and Specimens of Mister EUis, many of them have already found a place, as well as 'in the Select Beauties of Mister Headley, who seems to have entertained a very just idea of Carew, altliough his critique has not succeeded in regaining the public attention. It is in the Amatory department that we must seek, in order to form a correct opinion of his poetical talent. In it I do not hesitate to assert, every reader of taste will discover a tender glow of imagination and felicity in combining ideas, that mark him as a true poet. It is easy to scribble verses, but quite difterent to write poetry. In Carew we almost always perceive an unaffected method of sentiment, so many beautiful images that are not to be found in any former author; added to which, so mellifluous a flow of harmony in his lines, that we cannot deny him the praise of the latter. He is the first that has sung the praises of Beauty, and the delightful sensations of Love, with Doric delicacy. He displays a manner of his own, much superior to the pedantic metaphysical effusions of Waller, and he only requires to be inore known to be more redde. The beautiful little piece, Disdaine Returned, has already met the commendation of that elezant critic. Bishop Percy, and been inserted in Mister Ellis's Specimens. Xlll Itt the Pastoral Dialogue, there are soriie pas- sages exquisitely fine. Such are, " Sec, Love, t\ie blushes of the morn appear, " And now she hnngs her pearly store, " llob'd from the eastern shore, " r th' cowslips bell and roses rare." *' They kist and wept, and from their lips and eyes, " In a mixt dew of briny sweet, " Their joys and sorrows meet." The ensuing image has been used in a dilated manner by many of our moderu poets. " The winged hours fly fast while we embrace, " But when we want their help to meet, " They move with leaden feet." The Primrose also so sweetly *' Bepearl'd with true poetic dew," evidently ranks our author amongst " Fancy's children," who " Warble their native wood no(cs wild." It may not be Improper to remark, tliat for this Selection the 2d edition of Carew, lG4'2, has been used, with one exception, in wliich 1 have conjec- turally altered a word. " The parents that first gave her breath, ** And their ead friemis laid her in ettrth." XIV So stand the two lines in that edition, and the one of 1772; but I have taken the liberty, for the sake of the rime, of altering the first line to " The parents that first gave her Kr^A." And so it is most probable Carew wrote it. J. F. Bristol, Jan. isio TABLE OF CONTENTS. Page DEDICATION Hi PREFACE T SOME ACCOUNT OF THOMAS CAREW ix AMATORY. Pciswasions to Love 3 Lip8 and Eyes 10 SoNC. Murdring Beauty 12 . Sccrerie Protested 13 A Prayer to the Wind 14 Song. Mediocrity in Love rejected 17 Good Counsel to a Young Maid. ..18 To my Mistris, sitting by a River's Side.. ..20 Sons, Conquest by Flight 23 To my Inconstant Mistris 24 Perswasions to Enjoy 25 Ingrateful Beauty threatued...yw 36 Disdaine returned 29 .Song. Eternity of Love protested 31 Good Connsell to a Young Maid 32 Song. To One who, when I prais'd my Mistris Beauty, said I was blind 33 Toroy Mistris, I burning in Love 34 To her againc, she burning in a Feaver 3(i i A Fly that flew into my Mistris her Eye... 37 Song. Celia Singing 39 XVI Page AMATORY. BoUlnesscin Love 40 A Pastoi-atl Dialogue 43 Red and White Roses 46 The Enquiry 47 The Primrose 49 The Protestation 52 The Dart 56 Upon a Mole in Celia's Bosome. 57 DESCRIPTIVE. The Spring ^ 6l ToSaxham 6t To my Friend G. N. from Wrest 68 ELEGIAC. Epitaph oe Lady Mary Villers 79 Anoilier 80 EPLSTOLARY. Upon Master W. Moantague his Retui-ne 83 To Biy worthy Friend Master George Sands 87 To my Lord Admirall go 9lmatorp* mtA...^^ TO A. L. PERSWASIONS TO LOVE. Thinke not, 'cause men flatt'ring say, Y'are fresh as Aprill, sweet as Miay, Bright as is the morriiftg-starre That you are so ; or though you are. Be not therefore proud, and deem 5 All men unworthy your esteeme: V. 3. BrigJtt as is the numing /an-e.] Thus Milton^ Ode cK May Morning, 1.1. " Now tbe bright momittfj ataty day's harbinger, " Comes duncing< from the East." Spenser, F. Q. b. i. c. 12. st. 21. " As bright as (loth the wornw^ stafre appears Out of the East." B 2 For being so, you loose the pleasure Of being faire, since that rich treasure Of rare beauty and sweet feature Was bestow'd on you by Nature 10 To be enjoy'd, and 'twere a sin There to be scarce, where she hath beene So prodigall of her best grace*; Thus common beauties and meane faces Shall have more pastime, and enjoy 15 The sport you loose, by being coy. Did the thing for which I sue, Onely concerne myselfe, not you; Were men so fram'd as they alone Reap'd all the pleasure, women none, 20 Then had you reason to be scant; But twere a madnesse not to grant That which affords (if you consent) To you the giver, more content Than me the beggar; oh then be 25 Kind to yourselfe, if not to mee; Starve not yourselfe, because you may Thereby make me pine away; Nor let brittle beauty make You your wiser thoughts forsake: 30 For that lovely face will faile; Eeautie's sweet, but beautie's fraile; 'Tis sooner past, 'tis sooner done Than summer's rainc, or winter's sun ; Most fleeting when it is most deare ; 35 'Tis gone, while wee but say ^tis here. These curious locks so aptly twind. Whose every haire a soule doth bind, t). 32. Beautie's sweety but beautie'sjTaU.} Milton, Par, Lost, b. xi V. 538. " thou mnst outlive Thy youth, thy strength, thy beauty, which will change To withei'd, weak, aadgtay.'" V. 37. These curious locks so aptly twind, &c.] There is a great similarity between this poem and Daniel's " Descrip- tion of Beauty," translated from Marino, particularly the fonr following^ stanzas. Old trembling age will come. With wrinkPd checks and stains. With motion troublesome; With skin and bloodless veins. That lively visage reaven. And made defurmM and old, Hates sight of glass it lov'd so to behold. 6 Will change their abxoun hue, and grow White, and cold as winter's snow. 40 That eye which now is Cupid's nest Will prove his grave, and all the rest Thy gold and scarlet shall Pale silrcr-colour be ; Thy row of pearls shall fall Like wither'd leaves from treej And thou shalt shortly see Thy face and hair to grow. All ploughed with fun-ows, overswoln with snow. That which on Flora's breast. All fresh and flourishing, Aurora newly drest Saw in her dawning spring ; Quite d>"y and languishing, Depriv'd of honour quite, Day closing Hesperus beholds at night. Fair is the lily ; fair The rose ; of flow'rs the eye 1 Both wither in the air. Their beauteous colours die j And so at length shall lie, Depriv'd of former grace. The lillies of thy breasts, the roses of thy face. V. 39. JiroanJ Anhum. will follow ; in the cheeke, ehih, nose. Nor Hlly shall be found, nor rose ; And what will thert become of all 45 Those, whom niDvv you servants call ? Like swalloweSi when your summer's done They'le fly, and seeke some warmer suti. Then wisely chuse one to your friend. Whose love may (when yout beauties fend) 50 Remaine still firm : be provident, And thinke before the summer's spent Of following winter ; like the dnt In plenty hoord for time of scant. Cull out amongst the multitude .Tr> Of lovers, that seek to intrude Into your favour, one that may Love for an age, not for a day ; One that will quench your youthfull fires. And feed in age your hot desires. 60 V. 53 like the ant In plenty hoord for tme of wnnf.] Milton, Par, F/>^/?/;." 8 For when the stormes of Time have mov'd Waves on that cheeke which was belov'cl ; When a faire ladle's face is pin'd. And yellow spred, where red once shin'd ; When beauty, youth, and all sweets leave her, 65 Love may returne, but lovers never : And old folkes say there are no paines Like itch of love in aged vaines. Oh love me then, and now begin it. Let us not loose this present minute : 70 For time and age will worke that wrack Which time or age shall nere call back. The snake each yeare fresh skin resumes. And Eagles change their aged plumes } The faded Rose each spring receives 75 A fresh red tincture on her leaves : V. 73. The snake each yeare fresh skin resumes.'] ^Thiis Milton Tar. Lost, b. x. 218. " Or as the saake with youthful coat repaid." B. 7i>. The faded rose each spring receives Afresh red tincture on her leaies] Milton, Sonn 20. v G. " Favonius reinspirc " The frozen earth, and clothe in fresh attire " The lily and rose.'" But if your beauties once decay. You never know a second May, Oh then be wise, and whilst your season Affords you dayes for sport, doe reason; 80 Spend not in vaine your lives short hourc. But crop in time your beauties flower. Which will away, and doth together Both bud and fade, both blow and wither. 1^ LIPS AND EYES. In Celia's face a question did arise, Which were more beautiful!, hef Lips or Eyes: We (said the Eyes) send forth those poynted darts Which pierce the hardest adamantine hearts. From us (replyde theLips) proceed those bUsses, 5 Which lovers reape by kind words and sweet kisses. Then wept the Eyes, and from their springs did powre Of liquid orientall pearle a shower. w. 7 aiidfiom their springs did powre Of liquid orientall pearle a sJioJcer.} This metaphor i very beautiful j as in Milton, Par. Lost, b. v. i. ' Now morn, her rosy steps iu the eastern clime " Advancing, sow"d the earth with orient pearl.'" 11 Whereat the Lips, mov'd with delight and pleasure. Through a sweet smile unlockt their pearlie treasure; And bad Love judge, whether did adde more grace. Weeping, or smiling pearles in Celia's face. 12 12 SONG. MURDRING BEAUTY. I'll gaze no more on her bewitching face. Since ruine harbours there in every placet For my enchanted soule alike she drowns With calmes or tempests of her smiles and firownes. I'le love no more those cruel! eyes of her's, 5 Which, pleas'd or anger'd, still are murderers : For if shee dart (like lightning) thro' the ayre Her beames of wrath, she kils me with despaire : If she behold mec with a pleasing eye, I surfet with excesse of joy, and dye. 10 . 7 dart, like lightning, thro' the ayre.J Miltou, Par. Lost, b. vi. 64S. " Light as the lightning glimpse they ran." B. X. 184. ' Saw Satan yb//, like lightning, down from Heaven.'" Samson. Agon. 1284. " Swiji as the lightning glance." 13 SECRECIE TROTESTED. Feare not (deare Love) that Tie reveale Those hoiires of pleasure we two steak ; No eye shall see, nor yet the sun Descrj', what thou and I have done ; No eare shall heare our love ; but wee 5 Silent as the night will be; The God of Love himselfe (whose dart Did first wound mine, and then thy heart) Shall never know, that we can tell. What sweets in stolne embraces dwell : 10 This only meancs may find it out ; If, when I dye, physicians doubt What caus'd my death ; and, there to view Of all their judgements which was true. Rip up my heart : O then I feare 15 The world will see thy picture there. I!. 6. Silent as the ng'A^] Milton has, Par, Lost, b. iv. 647, " Silent night." Srovne's Brit, Past. h. i. s. 4. *' All hnsbt aud silent as the mid of night,'' u A PRAYER TO THE WIND. GoE thou gentle whispering wind, Beare this sigh; and if thou find V. 1. Goe thou gentle whispfering wind;] Thus Milton", Par. Reg. b. ir. 26. *' Where mnds witii reeds and osiers voldsptrirrg play." V Allegro, llG. " By; whispering, winds soon lull'd asleep." Ode on Christ's Nat. 64j &c. " The winds, with wonder whist, " SiAaothty the waters kist, ; ;" Whispering new joys to the luild ocean." Consult also Mister Todd's Notes on the two former pas- sages, in bis last edition of Milton. Browne's iJr