i (had mm lii SHi .^^ v' POETICAL MISCELLANIES, Printed betzvccu 1557 and 1602. Reproduced under the care of J. PAYNE COLLIER. \,.. LONDON, 1867. TOTTELL'S MISCELLANY, published in - - 1557 PARADISE OF DAINTY DEVICES - - - 1578 GORGEOUS GALLERY OF GALLANT INVENTIONS 1578 PHCENIX NEST 1593 ENGLAND'S HELICON ----- 1600 NGLAND'S PARNASSUS - - - - - 1600 DAVISON'S POETICAL RHAPSODY - - 1602 .. •.. . • .. . GENEEAL INTRODUCTION. Tottbll's " Songes and Sonettes", by Henry Earl of Surrey g> "a ■ other", published on 5tli of June, 1557 (although hitherto rt L-t supposed to have made its first appearance until 31st July "^ in that year), has usually been considered our oldest Poetical ^ Miscellany, and perhaps, strictly speaking, such is the fact ; but the earliest collected edition of Chaucer's Works in 1532 ^ (printed by Thomas Godfray) was a Miscellany consisting, in f^ the main, of productions by him, but including also pieces by a Lidgate, Occleve, Gower, Scoggin, and anonymous writers in prose and verse. It is a new point, as far as we are aware, to deprive the author of " The Canterbury Tales" of a long and import- sant prose production hitherto assigned to him, but to which, }\ in our opinion, he has no claim. We refer to " The Tes- tament of Love", written in imitation of Boethius De Conso- latione Philosophioe, which last, there can be no doubt, Chaucer translated. Warton (Hist. Engl. Poetry, edit. 1824, p. 332) speaks of " The Testament of Love" as Chaucer's performance ; and the dictum has been adopted, as far as we know, by all the great poet's biographers down to the last and best. Sir Harris Nicohis, in 1845. Nicolas adverts, indeed, to the contradiction h li TNTRODUCTION. '• The Testament of Love" seems to afford, especially as regards Chaucer's committal to the Tower, and other personal matter ; but still gives no hint that it may have proceeded from the pen of some contemporary. If we can at all successfully controvert the position, hitherto maintained, that it was Chaucer's work, we thereby shew that all that it contains regarding the tumults in the City, the writer's concern in them, and his imprisonment, does not apply to the author of " The Canterbury Tales", who was undoubted owner of the five books of " Troilus and Cressida". We do not propose here to dwell upon this question, but rather to throw out a hint, and to make a quotation from the end of the "The Testament of Love", in which the writer fif Chaucer) is made to bestow upon himself and upon one of his works most extravagant laudation. It seems to us im- possible to suppose that a man of Chaucer's genius and mo- desty (always coupled) would thus have written of himself : we quote literatim from the edition of 1532, in which, we believe, " The Testament of Love" first made its appearance. " Qd Love, I shal tel the this lesson, to serve myne owne trewe servaunt the nohle loliilosopliical poete in Englissh, whiche evermore hym besyeth and travayleth right sore my name to encrease : wherfore al that wyllen me good owe to do him wor- shyp and reverence bothe : trewlij his hetter, ne his pere, in scJwle of my rules, coude I never fynde. He (qd she) in a treatise y* he made of my servant Troylus hath this mater touched, and at the ful this questyon assoyled. Certaynly his nohle sayenges can I 'not amende : in goodnes of gentyl manlyche speche, ivithont any mnuer of nyn'ie of starieres yminj/piririoii, in iinjttc, and in good INTRODUCTION. HI reasiin of sentence, he passeth ul other maJcers. In the boko of Troylus the answere to thy questyon mayste thou lerne," etc. We only ask whether anybody can imagine that Chaucer would have thus written of himself and of his poetry ? We an- swer no ; and we are persuaded that the reader, however uulikely the position may at first appear, will be of our opinion, that iu future " The Testament of Love" ought to be excluded from the genuine works of the writer of " Troylus and Creseyde". It is not at all probable that these expressions should have been in- terpolated ; and we may add, that a careful perusal of the whole treatise, and a comparison of style, have confirmed our impression, that " The Testament of Love" was not by Chaucer, but by some admiring imitator of his translation of Boethius. We have only mentioned this point incidentally, with reference to what we may call " Godfray's Miscellany", and to our series of Poetical Miscellanies, beginning with that of Tottell in 1557. The earliest edition has been hitherto thought to be of the 31st July, 1557 ; but we have shewn that bibliographers have been mistaken on the point, and that it came out nearly two months in advance of that date. The differences between the two copies are innumerable : in the first poem there are nearly as many changes as lines, though none of them so important as they afterwards appear to bo. Suffice it to say, that we have implicitly followed the edition we had the good fortune to dis- cover ; and our text represents the true language of the various poets, and the manner in which the pieces were originally arranged, without the corruptions which were multiplied in cvei-y i-rpriiil from 1557 to 1587, when, in the hands of Kobcil IV INTRODUCTION. Robinson, the printer, it may be said to have reached the climax of misrepresentation. It should seem that Tottell, when he first put the work to press, was only in possession of some scattered pieces by Lord Surrey " and other", as the title-page expresses it ; but, before he finished the work, he had obtained additional productions, especially by Surrey and Sir Thomas Wyat ; and these he added, as it were, by way of supplement to the volume. It is probable, also, that he obtained some more specimens of versification by poets whom he calls " uncertain authors", and whose names (excepting that of Nicholas Griraoald, who was an abundant contributor) he does not give. Among these we now know that Sir Francis Bryan, Lord Vaux, and Thomas Churchyard are to be mentioned. When Tottell prepared his second impression of 31st July, 1557, always hitherto mistaken for the first, he incorporated the whole of Surrey and Wyat, and made some other changes, but not of moment, adding subsequently an index of the whole collection. Everybody at all acquainted with the history of our Hterature will be well aware of the value of all these productions, which may be looked upon as the earliest revival of a true taste for poetry, after a dreary century between the death of Chaucer and the birth of Surrey. Nineteen yeai's elapsed between the publication of Tottell's Miscellany and the appearance of our next work of the same class — " The Paradise of Dainty Devices". It was the enter- prise of a printer of the name of Disle ; and, instead of only one poet figuring on the title-page as the principal contributor, we find nine, three of them being designated by initials. The first name INTRODUCTION. V is that of St. Bernard, who, in fact, has no right to a place, inas- much as the translation, or enlai'gement, of some of his monkish Latin verses, by a person who subscribes " My Luck is Loss", is the whole foundation of his claim. The other contributors are, the Earl of Oxford, under his initials E. 0.; Lord Vaux ; Dr. Edwyn Sandys, under his initials ; Francis Kinwelmarsh, under the initials F. K., but in the body of the work named at length ; M. Bewe, of whom nothing is recorded ; R. Hill, whose name is once printed as R. Hall ; and M. Yloop, supposed to be Pooly inverted. The above names occupy the centre of the title-page in 1576, but above them the reader is informed that most of the poems in the volume were "devised aud written" by "M. Ed- wards, sometimes of her Majesty's Chapel", then dead. Several pieces are anonymous, and others by versifiers such as Hunnis, Rich, Lloyd, Thorn, Candish, Boucher, and Marshall, regarding whom few. particulars, or none, have reached our time. Our reprint has been made from an impression issued by the same printer and stationer in 1578, of which no notice has any where been taken, beyond the acknowledgment of its existence. It difiers in many important respects from the first and second editions in 1576 and 1577 : even the names of the contri- butors vary ; for M. Bewe is entirely omitted ; the initials D. S. are converted into D. Sand ; " the elder" is added to Lord Vaux; F. K. becomes F. Kindlemarsh; and W. Hunis, or Hunnis, is substituted for R. Hill, or Hall. Edwards still con- tinues on the front ; but the other eight names are crowded under the arms of Lord Compton, the dedicatee, at the back of the title. Nor is this all ; for, in the course of the work. vi INTRODUCTION. the names printed at the ends of the poems are materially changed ; new pieces in verse are inserted ; and others, imperfectly given in the impressions of 1676 and 1577, are corrected and completed. " The Paradise of Dainty Devices" became exceed- ingly popular, and it is quite evident that Disle put forth his impression of 1578 to set right many of the errors of his pre- vious editions. Such, in fact, has been our chief reason for reprinting it, and we may briefly illustrate the point by two or three instances. On p. 20 of our reprint is a poem headed " No Pleasure without some Payne," and the signature is W. R., meaning Walter Raleigh : it is his earliest production in verse, unless we give precedence to his lines before Gascoyne's " Steele Glasse"; and it is highly characteristic of the philosophical spirit and tone of Raleigh's mind: by the first edition of 1576, and by that of the next year, he was deprived of this excellent specimen, and it was attributed to E. S., which might denote the Earl of Surrey, but was probably meant for Dr. Edwin Sandys. In the interval between 1576 and 1578, Disle had, no doubt, ascertained the real authorship, and therefore properly trans- ferred the stanzas to their owner Raleigh. On the very next page of the edition of 1576 are four stanzas given to D. S., while the impression of 1578 shews that they belong to W. Hunnis. On p. 35 of our reprint is a poem by Churchyard, against " The fond affectes of Love", which, in the edition of 1576, is not only without a name, but without the two con- cluding stanzas. On p. 118 of our reprint we recover a long poem by Whetstone, of the existence of which we know on no INTRODUCTION. VU other authority than our copy of 1578. It would be easy to mul- tiply proofs of the same kiud, as regards Edwards and other poets of higher distinction ; but we have said enough to establish the peculiar value of our unique exemplar of 1578, which now, even by our veiy limited number of impressions, is happily placed beyond the reach of destruction — one great object we always keep in view. We have next to speak of " The gorgeous Gallery of gallant Inventions", which came out in 1578 ; and, from the title-page, we learn that T. P., i.e., Thomas Proctor, was the editor of it. The poems, we are told, were " first framed and fashioned in sundry forms by divers worthy workmen of late days, and now joined together and builded up by T. P." He was the son of John Proctor, Master of Tunbridge School ; and we had the good for- tune to discover the entry at Stationers' Hall, by which, on 17th August, 1 584, that son was made free of the Company. It is very evddent, however, that Owen Roydon (father no doubt of Mathew Roydon) also lent his aid to " The Gorgeous Gallery", especially near the commencement, for he not only wrote a preliminary address " to the curious company of Sycophants", but the leading poem in the volume. Our notion is, that he was the editor of the earlier portion, and that Thomas Proctor's duties began principally with that share of the work, which, on p. 100 of our reprint, is headed " Pretty Pamphlets by T. Proctor." Possibly, Owen Roydon died while the work was in progress, and left the completion of it to Proctor. The reprint of " The gorgeous Gallery" in vol. i of Heliconia, has many variations from the original, some of comparatively Yin INTRODUCTION. little importance, but others of more consequence, the most noticeable being the omission of two entire pages. This want we have been able to supply, owing to the discovery of the only per- fect copy in existence in the evidence-room of a noble family. After Thomas Proctor had been made free of the Stationers' Company, he put forth in his triple capacity of author, printer, and publisher, a small work in verse, of which no notice has ever been taken by any bibliographer, called " The Triumph of Truth". We have reprinted it separately for the sake of completeness, not on account of any intrinsic value it possesses, although it contains some curious traits of the manners and opinions of the time. Proctor seems to have been not only a strong Protestant, but a rigid Puritan. The two miscellanies last noticed belong, it may be said, to the older school of Elizabethan poetry; but the next in point of date, published after a lapse of about fifteen years is in a moi-e ad- vanced style of imaginative composition, Avith such improve- ments in language and sentiment as give the poems a character distinct from nearly all that had gone before them. " The Phoenix Nest" bears date in 1593, and, to use the words of the title-page, was " set forth by R. S., of the Inner Temple, Gentleman." A question has naturally arisen, Who was R. S. ? to which no satisfactory answer has yet been given. Certainly not Robert Southwell, a Roman Catholic priest executed in 1596, who had never been " of the Inner Temple", although that sup- position has been entertained and encouraged. It seems more likely that Robert Smith, who in 1578 had entered a work of fancy at Stationers' Hall, may have been the editor of " The IXTRODUCTIOX. IX Phoenix Nest", but still we have little more than identity of initials to support this claim. Whoever undertook the duty of selection and arrangement must have been well read in the poets of the time, and he resorted not merely to printed but to manu- script sources. Unquestionably, the finest and most original performance in the volume, " The Dream" of a lover, " wintten by a brave scholar and Master of Arts of both Universities", must have been derived from manuscript authority, and we nowhere else, either earlier or later, meet with it in a printed shape. Robert Greene was accustomed to place upon his title- pages Utrmsqiie Academice Magister, but, if the poem were from his ready pen, it exceeds in sentiment and expression anything else he has left behind him : it has none of his aflFected phrases and artificial allusions and illustrations, and displays a degree of simplicity, pathos, and power, that we think beyond his capa- bility. If it be his, it possesses more genuine feeling and true passion than are, perhaps, to be found in all his other works. It is a remarkable circumstance connected with " The Phoenix Kest", as it appears in Heliconia, 1815, 4to, that, in this very " Dream", distinguished as it is for excellence above any other production in the miscellany, and consisting of so many admirable seven-line stanzas, no fewer than six of them are entirely omitted, not one after the other, which might have arisen from some extra- ordinary oversight, but in five difierent places. How to account for such editorial carelessness we are utterly at a loss ; and it throws into complete shade other errors, and they are certainly numerous, in that reprint. The collection commences with a prose vindication of the Earl of Leicester, and wo may infer that X INTRODUCTION. it was written soon after his death, though not printed until 1593, and possibly it was the authorship of the editor of the volume, which is nearly all in verse, Thomas Lodge, under his initials, being a main contributor : he is always seen to most advantage as a lyrical poet, and some of his best specimens of this kind are contained in the work under consideration, and were derived from his " Phillis", which also bears the date of 1593. It is a great deficienc}^ in " The Phoenix Nest" that not a single writer's name is found at length in it, and comparatively few initials but those of T. L. and Nicholas Breton. In this particular "England's Helicon", published in 1600, leaves little to be desired : in general the names of poets are inserted, although ■ without any hint as to the work laid under contribution : some few authors are designated by initials only, but more commonly both Christian and surname are appended. Thus we have Edm. Spenser, W. Shakespeare, Phil. Sidney, Thom. Lodge, Michael Drayton, Ro. Greene, Tho. Watson, Geo. Peele, N. Breton, Rich. Barnfield, John Wootton, Edmund Bolton, Bar. Yong, etc., together with various initials such as S. W. R. for Sir Walter Raleigh, S. E. D. for Sir Edward Dyer, H. C. for Henry Constable, M. F. G. for Master Fulke Greville, and others, including the Earls of Surrey and Oxford. Two or three pieces are subscribed Ignoto, Anonymus, and Shep. Tonie, indications not satisfactorily explained ; and we may notice it as^ a singular omission, that not a line was derived from Samuel Daniel, then more popular than his poetical rival Drayton. John Bodenham was avowedly the editor of tl\e whole work, and hence we may be disposed to infer that he and Daniel were not upon good terms. Possibly, Daniel was then under a cloud. INTRODUCTION. XI The same remarks will apply to the second impression of "England's Helicon" in 1614: many additions were made to it, but not one by a man whose popularity had been daily increasing — Daniel. "England's Helicon", in 1614, was introduced by three quatrains and a couplet (meant for a regular sonnet) sub- scribed Richard More, and he enlarged the collection ; but inas- much as the first edition in 1600, consisting of so many cele- brated original poems, has never been reprinted, either in ancient or modern times, and as it is a work of extreme rarity and value, we have thought it a proper subject for our series of Poetical Miscellanies. For this purpose we have had the unusual ad- vantage of the use of three separate copies ; and we may state that they all differ, more or less, in minute particulars, and in at least one place of importance to the sense. In a poem headed " The Sheepheards Sonne" (p. 225 of our reprint), a copy kindly sent to us from the North, reads — " Some come for Loves paine," which is nonsense in the place where the line occurs ; while in our own exemplar, and in one other we have consulted, the words and meaning of the author are restored by this alteration, " Some comfort for Loves paine." The blunder, like many more, must have been perceived while the last sheets of " England's Helicon" were passing through the press in 1600, and the beneficial change then introduced. This peculiarity has not hitherto been pointed out, probably on account of llu' difficulty in bringing copies together for collaiion : and in Xll INTRODUCTION. the edition of 1G14 tlie reading propei^ly is " Some comfort for Loves paiue." The original edition of " Englands Parnassus", 1600, 8vo, is one of the most incorrect works we have ever had occasion to exa- mine. "We are not informed who was the printer of it, because there is no printer's name at the bottom of the title-page : the publishers only place their initials there, N. L., C. B., and T. H., almost as if they were ashamed of the book. N. L. is clearly Nicholas Ling, whose device of the fish and the honeysuckle occupies the centre : C. B. is probably Cuthbert Burby ; and T. H. certainly Thomas Hayes ; the last name being found at length on some copies of the book, although we have never had an opportunity of seeing one with this distinction. Cuthbert Burby, we believe to have been the brother of Richard Burbadge, the great Shakespearean actor : Richard Burbadge unquestionably had a brother settled in London of the name of Cuthbert ; and the one being a player and the other a sta- tioner, it is not unlikely, in the then carelessness about names, that, for the sake of distinction, one called himself Burby and the other Burbadge. Of course our notion is only to be received as a conjecture ; and we must admit that we know of no book at the bottom of the title-page of which the names appear in the form of Cuthbert Burbadge. Besides the variation already mentioned on the title-page, there are small differences in the text of some copies of the volume ; but although the original list of Errata is large, few of the variations seem to have been adopted for the sake of correcting textual misprints. We may here point out one of a INTRODUCTION. Xlll peculiar character, for which it is not easy to offer an explanation, seeing that it only substitutes one blunder for another. On p. 478 of the original impression, we commonly find a quotation attributed to Dekker (which, like various others, we happen not to have met with), concluding thus : — " A wanton Hyacinth held downe his head. And by the winds helpe oft stole may abide." In another copy, also before us, the passage is made to end as follows : — " A wanton Hj-^acinth held downe his head. And by the winds helpe oft stole man a kisse." Both are nonsense as they stand ; but although we do not know the poem from which the two lines are taken, we may pretty safely conclude that the second is nearer what Dekkar wrote, and that for "man a kisse" we ought to read many a Jcisse ; but how " many a kisse" came to be misprinted may ahide, we can only imperfectly guess. This blunder is certainly not more unauthorised than hundreds of other absurd mistakes in the course of the 524 octavo pages ; and after having gone patiently through the whole of them, and compared most of the extracts with the original works from which they were taken, we are sure that we are far within bounds when we say that " England's Parnassus", as it appears in the edition of 1600, contains twice as many gross errors as pages, some of them being most preposterous. We have very rarely cited the title of a work quoted without having taken the opportunity of comparison and correction : where we could not collate, we have unavoidably left the passage as it had XIV INTRODUCTION. been left by the editor at the latter end of the reign of Elizabeth. Whatever we have accomplished in this respect, may be said to have been the result of not far from fifty years' labour; for althovigh during the last ten years the vs^riter of this notice has sought the whereabouts of comparatively few quotations, yet there was a period when no old poetry passed through his hands that he did not employ himself in tracing and correcting the two or three thousand citations in "England's Parnassus." Here it may be fit to assure the reader that, from beginning to end, he will not find a single conjectural emendation : not a change is introduced that is not authorised by the original works, such editions having been generally chosen as were in print before the date when " England's Parnassus" was pub- lished. The failures of the editor of the reprint in Heliconia, when, for instance, he tells us that " forworne" means worne before, and that " trunchmen" are trenchermen, would be enough to warn us to resort rather to the books themselves, than to any specu- lative ingenuity. Who was the editor of " England's Parnassus" in 1600 is a matter of speculation, our only guide being the initials R. A. appended to two preliminary sonnets, one of them addressed to Sir Thomas Mounson, and the other "to the Reader". The letters may belong to Robert Armin or to Robert Allot ; but we are inclined to think that the former, if either, is the proper claimant ; for if the latter had made the selections from contem- porary poets, he would hardly have omitted all notice of his friend and namesake, Robert Toft, whose " Laui'a" had been printed in 1507, and his "Alba" in 1598, both containing pas- INTRODUCTIOX. XV sages of greater merit than many included in the vokime. On the other hand, we must admit that most of the poems quoted seem to have been entirely out of the line of Armin's reading : he was a literary low comedian, and much employed, about the year 1600, at the theatres for which Shakespeare was a writer. An- thony Wood [AtJi. (),wn., ii, 607, edit. Bliss], with the cautious parenthesis of " tis said," tells us that Charles FitzgeofFrey made " a collection of choice flowers and descriptions from the most renowned poets of our nation," and that it was printed " about the beginning of the reign of K. James" ; but he adds, that after seeking for the book many years, he " could never get a • sight of it." It is very possible that the author of " The Life and Death of Sir Francis Drake," printed in 1596, had some hand in the preparation of " England's Parnassus" : certain it is that his work is often quoted in it — perhaps oftener than the pas- sages themselves merited. This brings us to advert to the number of what may be called ^ contemporary versifyers selected, as well as omitted. Forty-one are named, and about ten indicated by initials, or in some other more doubtful manner. In point of date, they commence with one or two writers in "Tottell's Miscellany," and end with Ben Jon- son and Dekker, who both began to print in the very year of the publication of " England's Parnassus" ; but many notorious and even excellent rhymers of the close of the reign of Elizabeth are altogether excluded, and among them we may enumerate Barnabo Barnes, Richard Barnfield, Nicholas Breton, Edward Dyer, Arthur Grolding, Barnabie Googe, B. Gliffin, Joseph Hall, John Lily, Anthony Munday, Walter Raleigh, Samuel Rowlands, xvi INTRODUCTION. William Smith, Robert Toft, George Whetstone, Henry Wil- loughby, and several others, either then living or only recently dead. These are certainly not such renowned names as those of Shakespeare, Spenser, Daniel, or Drayton ; but their productions, and especially those of Barufield, Breton, Googe, Hall, Raleigh, and Whetstone, might have furnished many worthy quotations. In fact, the editor's reading seems to have been somewhat limited: his plan obviously was to copy, or procure to be carelessly copied, passages under different headings, which he subsequently ar- ranged, generally alphabetically, but often arbitrarily and in- considerately ; and so heedless was he in this respect, that citations are often repeated, sometimes with the interval of only a page or two. It constantly happens that famous passages be- longing to one distinguished poet are attributed to another : thus, Shakespeare's speech by Gaunt in " Richard II" is trans- ferred to Drayton ; and we might refer to whole stanzas by Spenser that are attributed to Daniel. Other mistakes of this kind are abundantly strange, but R. A. arrived at his climax of blundering when he gravely assigned to Robert Greene the opening of a poem as well known as " Mother Hubberd's Tale"; and even the modern editors of Greene have failed to detect the ignorant misappropriation. In these cases we have done our best to restore property to its right owner, though we dare not flatter ourselves that we have always succeeded. In endeavouring to accomplish this object, we have never mis- represented the original edition of " England's Parnassus." If Gaunt's speech be there imputed to Drayton, or a long passage in Daniel's " Civil Wars" be coolly handed over to Shakespeare, INTRODUCTION. XVll we have left the names precisely as they stand in the old impi'ession : what we have done has been, in our brief brack- etted note immediately following each quotation, to point out the error and its remedy in the shortest possible form. The reader will thus at one view perceive how the matter actuallj' stands in " England's Parnassus" of 1600, and how it ought to have stood. Some works, well known perhaps two centuries and a half ago, have now disappeared, and others are of extreme rarity : with a few, such as Sylvester and Hudson, the editor of the present reprint does not profess to be so well acquainted as with Spenser and Shakespeare. Several passages from still popular authors are not noted, and they may be safely left to the knowledge of the educated reader. It is to be added, that some of our memoranda, as to the rarer books where particular passages are to be found, were hastily made, but we believe our references in every instance to be correct. We offer the whole merely as an endeavour to accomplish what may be useful, and what has never before been attempted ; the reader taking into account that from end to end of " England's Parnassus", as it came out in 1600, there is no hint at a single volume quoted, and that the representation there given of any poet's real words can never be trusted. Davison's "Poetical Rhapsody" forms the last miscellany of our series ; and for the first time we hiive reproduced the earliest edition of 1602 : it also re-appeared in 1(508, 1611, and 1621, and all contain productions in verse until then unpriiited, and well wortliy of preservation. To many names were npponded, but lo oHun's only inilinls, iiorlmps d wiii INTRODUCTION. tlien easily recognised. This deficiency is the more to be regretted, because a few of these pieces were the best of their kind in our hmffaage : thus, it has never been ascer- tained whom the letters A. W. represent ; and he was the writer of an Eclogue " made long since upon the death of Sir Philip Sidney", the finest of the many tributes oflFered to the me- mory of the admirable, but perhaps somewhat over-estimated, poet-soldier : it contains, among other interesting allusions, an address to Spenser, as overcome with grief upon that occasion. Here, too, we meet with information, not hitherto noticed, which is of importance with reference to Spenser's supposed praise of Shakespeare, in a disputed passage of his " Tears of the Muses", 1591. The words, "our pleasant Willy", there used, have been taken by many (and among them by the present writer) to apply to Shakespeare, and to him only ; while others have argued that Sidney was intended. One main objec- tion to the application of the words to Sidney was, that no proof had been adduced that the author of " the Arcadia" had ever been called Willy ; but that proof we have since found in the first and other editions of the " Poetical Rhapsody" in an Eclogue to whicli the initials A. W. are appended : the lines are — " We deem'd oiir Willy aye should live. So sweet a sound his pipe conld give ; But cruell Death Hath stopt his breath : Dumb Hes his pipe that wont so sweet to sound." This passage and others to the same effect are decisive of the point that one poetical name of Sidney was Willv; and ihorefovo INTRODUCTION. xix it is still doubtful whether Spenser's words, " Our pleasant WiEy, all ! is dead of late", were intended to apply to Shakespeare or to Sidney (J^fe of Spenser, 1862, vol. i, p. Ixxx). If we suppose them to relate to Shakespeare, we must take the words " is dead of late" to mean not the actual and natural demise of our great drama- tist, but his imaginary and poetical death, in consequence of temporary silence as regards works for the stage. The lines we have quoted from A. W.'s pastoral were certainly intended to lament the absolute death of Sidney, in consequence of the wound be received before Zutpheu : if, therefore, it fell to our lot to write the life of Spenser again, we might be inclined, on reconsidera- tion, to take a somewhat different view of the important ques- tion ; and we feel bound, as conscientious critics and historians, to admit that we have hitherto taken up ground too positively in an opposite direction. Todd might be right in maintain- ing that Spenser did not allude to Shakespeare, but to Sidney, although he certainly did not know that Willy, as a poetical de- signation, had been applied to Sidney : that it was so we have on the evidence of A. W., who must have written soon after the information regarding his death had been received. The first Eclogue, without any title, and with the motto, TJni mihi Fergama restant, is subscribed at length by Francis Davison, in the first edition ; and it is highly interesting, because it is written in the person of his father, the unfortunate scape-goat for Elizabeth's sin in the sudden execution of Mary Queen of Scots. In later impressions it has only the initials l'\ I). a( (ho end of 5 XX IXTEODUCTION. it ; and until we saw the impression of 1602, which we hav^e ex- actly reprinted, we conjectured that they might have been an error of the press for W. D., and that William Davison, the father, was himself the author of the poem (Bihl. Ace, 1865, vol. i, p. 187). We onght to add, that in the only extant copy of the earliest edition of " The Poetical Rhapsody" there is a lamentable deficiency of some pages, which we have been compelled to supply (as usual between brackets) from a later impression. The edition of 1611 was the last superintended by Francis Davison, Avho died before 1619: he had three brothers, Christopher, William, and Walter, and two sisters, who all sur- vived him. It is vv'orth noting, with reference to tlie contents of " The Poetical Rhapsody", 1602, that it sets out w^ith a mistake; for the " Two Pastorals made by Sir Philip Sidney", which we are told had been "never yet published", were printed in 1-J98, at the end of the folio edition of " The Arcadia". In the rest there is generally more novelty ; and a great deal of interesting personal matter is contained in the earlier poems, chiefly written by the two brothers, Francis and Walter Da- vison : those, however, who have only seen the later impressions of the book will find these postponed, perhaps for the sake of novelty, to some liappy compositions from the sprightly pen of Sir John Davys, author of " Orchestra", 1596, and of Nosce Teip- S2im, 1599. They will also there meet with a very imperfect copy of " The Lie", which has also been called " The Soul's Errand", and attributed to Sylvester, who, though a tolerable translator, was utterly incapable of a production so_ sbiki,ng_a£dLjori£inal. The l^TIJODUCTION'. XXI most complete and accurate copy of it has come down to us in MS. of the time, with Sir Walter Raleigh's name, spelt Wrawley, pre- fixed to it, and there can now be no doubt that he is the rightful owner of it (Bibl. Ace, ii, 224). There is no name to it in the " Poetical Rhapsody". We may suspect, though we are without any distinct evi- dence on the point, that at least some of the poems signed "Anomos", one of which comes third in the impression of 1602, were by William Davison, the father, who thus employed and amused his fancy while resident, in exile from Court, at Stepney ; and it is known that like, at least, two of his sons, he had a turn for versification. The " Sonnets, Odes, Elegies, and Madrigals" by the two Davisons, Francis and Wal- ter, begin on p. 48 of our reprint, and are continued until we arrive at the " Sonnets, Odes, Elegies, and other Poesies" by T. W., i. e., Thomas Watson, author of the " Ekatompathia", which had been printed in or about 1581, and who is sup- posed to have been dead ten years before the appearance of the "Poetical Rhapsody". The sonnets, subscribed " Melo- pliilus", we are unable to dispose of Most of the initials can be appropriated : H. W. is Henry Wotton ; W. R. Walter Raleigh; and H. C. Henry Constable; while Sir Edward Dyer and Fulke Greville were also contributors. Th. Sp. was un- questionably one of the family of Spilman, or Spehnan, into which Secretary Davison had married before 1575, wlicn his .son Francis is supposed to have been born. It has been concluded by some critics, among them Sir Harris Nicolas, that John Donne was the writer of . For the rest, Imaj' say generally, that I have resorted to the first or best impressions. " Albion's England" is so often cited, without any very re- markable excellence in the lumbering lines, that I cannot help suspecting AVamer to have been a private friend of the Editor of " England's Parnassus", whether Robert Allot or Robert Armin. I was at one time disposed to attribute the collection to the former ; but I did not then sufficiently advert to the fact, that Robert Allot was on terms of intimacy with Robert Tofte, who published several more than passable poems in 1597 and 1598, not one line of which is introduced into " England's Par- nassus". Hence we might infer that Armin, and not Allot, was the editor ; for if Allot had discharged that duty, he could hardly have omitted all notice of the productions of his friend Tofte. The extreme carelessness with which the two or three thousand quotations were huddled together may also lead to the belief that the applauded, and much employed, Comedian, Armin, was the person who performed the task. The extracts were probably copied on separate slips under different headings, and in doing so, as well as in the arrangement of them, egregious blunders were committed. The works of Shakespeare, Spenser, Drayton, Marlowe, Daniel, Lodge, etc., are frequently confounded ; and identical passages are repeated, even at the interval of only one or two pages, while the gross mistakes in the text ai^e beyond all cal- culation — hardly a page, in the five hundred and ten of which the work consists, is free from several. In all these cases it will be seen that I have done my best to restore the property, as well as the language, of the fifty or sixty poets of the reign of Elizabeth, whose many productions have been laid under contribution in " Englands Parnassus". I have succeeded in pointing out the particular references in at least ibur-fifths of the instances where the editor supphed only the name of the author: from end to end he gives no other clue to the title of any volume he quotes. J. Payne Colmkk. ENGLANDS ParnaJJus : OR The choyfeft Flowers of our Moderne Poets, luith their Poeticall comparifons. Defcriptions of Bewties, Perfonages, Caftles, Pallaces, Mouiitaines, Groues, Seas, Springs, Riuers, &c. Whcrainto are annexed other various difcourfes, both pleafajint and profitable. Imprinted at London for N. L. C. B. and ^r. H. 1600. TO THE RIGHT W O R - Jhipfiil, Syr Thomas Moun- fon, Knight. "pNGLISH McBcenas, bounties elder brother, TJie fpreading iving, tvhereby my fortune flies, Vnto thy zuit, and vcrtues, and none other, I confecrate thef e f acred Poefies ; Which zvJiilft they line (as they innfl line for euer) Shall gine thy hononr life, and let men knoiv That thofc to fncconr vertue who perfener Shall conquer time, and LcetJies onerfloiv. I pickt thefe floivcrs of Learning from their fiem, Whofe heaucnly Wits & golden Pens Jiane chact Dull ignorance that long affronted them, hi view of whofe great glories thou art plact, That tvhilll their zuifdoms in thefe zvritings florijh , Thy fame may line, zvJiofe wealth doth zvifedome norijh. Your Worfhips humbly at comnia/nid. R. A. To Hie Header. T HANG no luie out to fell my Wine, The Ne6lar of good witts will fell it felfe ; I feare not what detra6lion can define, I faile fecure from Enuies ftorme or flielfe. I fet my pi6lure out to each mans vewe, Limd with thefe colours, and fo cunning arts, That like the Phoenix will their age renewe, And conquer Enuie by their good defarts. If any Cooler carpe aboue his fhoo, I rather pittie, then repine his aftion, For ignorance ftil maketh much adoo, And wifdom loues that which offends detra6lion. Go fearles forth, my booke, hate canot harm thee, Apollo bred thee, & the Mufes arm thee. R. A. THE CHOYSEST FLOWERS OF OUR MODERNE ENGLISH POETS. ANGELS. Faire is the heaven where happie foules have place, In full enjoyment of felicitie ; Whence they do ftill behold the glorious face Of the divine eternall Majestic. More faire is that, where thofe Idees on hie Enraunged be, which Plato fo admirde, And pure Intelligences from God infpirde. Yet fairer is that heaven, in which do raigne The foveraigne Powers and mightie Potentates, Which in their hie protections do containe All mortall princes and imperiall ftates : And fairer yet, whereas the royall feats And heavenly Dominations are fet ; From whom all earthly governance is fet ; Yet farre more faire be thofe bright Cherubins, Which all with golden wings are over dight ; And thofe eternall burning Seraphins, Which from their faces dart out fiery light : Yet fairer than they both, and much more bright, i; 2 TJic Choysest Floivers Bo th' Angels and Archangels, which attend On Gods owne pcrfon, without reft or end. [Hymn on Heavenly Beauty, 1596.] Ed. Spencer. And firft compofing of this number nine, Which of all numbers is the moft divine, From orders of the Angels doth arife. Which be contained in three hierarchies ; And each of thefe, three hierarchies in three, The perfe6l forme of true triplicitie : And of the hierarchies I fpake of erft, The glorious Epiphania is the firft. In which the hie celeftiall orders bin Of thrones, the cherub and the feraphin : The fecond holds the mightie Principates, The Dominations and the Potentates. The Ephionia, the third hierarchic, With Vertues, Angels, and Archangels bee. And thus by threes we aptly do define. And do compofe this facred number nine : Yet each of thefe nine orders grounded be Upon fome one particularitie. [Etidymion and Phoebe, (i594); ^ig- F. 3, b.] M. Drayton. Out of the hierarchies of Angels flieene. The gentle Gabriell cald he from the reft. Twixt God and foules of men that righteous beene, Embaffador is he for ever bleft : The juft commands of Heavens eternall King, Twixt skies and earth he up and downe doth bring. [Godfrey of Bulloigne, 1600, li. i, st. 11.] Ed. Fairfax, Transl. I of our English Poets. 3 Our walls of flefli that clofe our foules, God knew too weak, and gave A further gard, even every man an Angell guide to have: And men to us be Angels, whilft they work our fouls to save. [Albions England, edit. 1602, B. x, ch. 59.] W. Warner. If Angels fight, Weak men muft fall, for heaven stil gards the right. [Richard II, 1397, Act iii, sc. 2.] W. Shakespeare. AMBITION. Ambition is a vultur vile, That feedeth upon the heart of pride. And finds no reft, when all is tride : For worlds cannot confine the one, Th' other lifts and bounds hath none ; And both fubvert the mind, the ftate. Procure deftruction, envy, hate. [Tragedy 0/ Cleopatra, 1594, Chor. to Act ii.] S. Daniell. Ambition ! fie upon thy painted cheeke, (Woe worth the beautie fleepes not with the face) For thou art hatefull, foule, unfaire, unmcete ; A poyfon-painted pleafure, madfmcn chafe. • Thou reafonleffc dcfire, that makes men feeke To kiffe the fame, whileft fire doth thee imbracc ; 4 The Choyscst Floivers Thou oncly, ftrong difordered, ruleft paffion, Thou marft mens minds, and putft them out of fafliion. I. Markham. The golden chaine of Homers hie devife Ambition is, or curfed avarice : Which all gods haling, being tied to Jove, Him from his fetled height could never move. Intending this, that though that powerfuU chaine Of moft Herculean vigor, to conftraine Men from true vertue, or their priftine ftates. Attempt a man, that manleffe changes hates, And is cnobled with a deathleffe love, Of things eternall dignified above : Nothing fliall ftirre him from adorning ftill This fliape with vertue, and his power with will. [Hymnus in Noctcin, 1 594.] G. CHAPMAN. But O ! the greedy thirft of royall crowne That knowes no kindred, nor regards no right, Stird Porrex up to put his brother downe ; Who, unto him affembling forraine might. Made warre on him, and fell himfelf in fight : Whofc death t' avenge, his mother mercileffe, Moft merciles of women, Wyden hight, Her other fonne faft fleeping did oppreffe, > And with moft crucll hand him murdred, pitileffe. [Fairy Queen, B. ii, c. 10, st. 35.] Ed. Spencer. A diademe once dazeling the eie, The da)' too darkc to fee afifinitie : of our English Poets. 5 And where the arme is ftretcht to reach a crowne, Friendfliip is broke, the deareft things thrown downe. {Epistle, Jane Gray to Dudley, edit. 1599.] M. Drayton. For realme-rape fpareth neither kin nor friend. [Duke of Clarence, edit. 1610, p. 390.] J. HiGGINS, Mir. of Ma. Who fight for crownes, fet life, fet all to light ; Who aime fo hie, wil die, or hit the white. {Elstred, appended to Phillis, 1593.] DOCTOR LODGE. One rifeth by an others fall, and fome do clime fo faft. That in the clouds they do forget what climats they have paft. [Albions England, edit. 1602, B. iv, c. 22.] W. Warner. But eagle-winged minds that fly to neftle in the sun, Their lofty heads have leaden heeles, and end where they begun. \_Ibid., B. iv, c. 22.] Idem. O ! fatall is the afcent unto a crowne, From whence men come not down, but tumble downe. S. Daniell. Like as the heaven two funnes cannot containc. So in the earth two kings cannot remaine. Of equall ftate : fo doth Ambition crave, One king will not another equall have. \nist(iiy of Judith, 1584, B. i.| Tho. Hudson, I'ransl. 6 The Choyscst Floiuers Whom fo the mindes unquiet ftate upheaves, Be it for love or feare ; when fancie reaves Rcafon her right, by mocking of the wit, If once the caufe of this affection flit, Reafon prevaiHng on the unbrideled thought, Downe faith he, who by fancie climbe aloft. I. H. M. of Magist. {Legend of Lord Hastings by Master D., edit. 1610, p. 428.] Dcfire of rule within a climbing breft. To breake a vowe may beare the buckler beft. [Tragedy of Jocasta, 1575, Act ii, sc. i.] G. Gascoigne. In fome courts fhall you fee Ambition Sit, peecing Dedalus old waxen wings : But being clapt on, and they about to flie, Even when their hopes are bufied in the cloudes, They melt againft the funne of majeftie, And down they tumble to deftruction. [Fortiinattis, edit. 1600, Sig. E 2.] Tho. Dekker. Better fit ftill, men say, then rife to fall. [Godfrey of Bulloigne, 1600, B. ii, st. 79.] Ed. Fairfax. High ftate, the bed is where misfortune lies. Mars, moft unfriendly when moft kind he feemes : Who climeth hie on earth, he hardeft lights. And loweft falles attend the higheft flights. [Ibid., B. ii, st. 70.] Idem. As highest hils with tempest been most touched. And tops of trees most fubjcct unto winde ; of our English Poets. y And as great towers, with stone ftrongly couched, Have heavy falles when they be underminde ; Even fo, by proofe, in worldly things we finde, That fuch as climbe the top of hie degree, From feare of falling never can be free. i. h. M. of Magist. {Humphrey D. of Gloucester by G. Ferrers, edit. 1610, p. 327.] Ambition with the eagle loves to build, Nor on the mountaine dreads the winter blast But with felfe-foothing doth the humour guild With arguments, correcting what is paft ; Forecasting kingdomes, dangers unforecast ; Leaving this poore word of content to fuch. Whose earthly fpirits have not his fiery tuch. [Moriimeriados, edit. 1596.] M. Drayton. For the ambitious once inur'd to raigne, Can never brooke a private ftate againe. {Civil Wars, edit. 1609, B. i, st. 29.] And warlike Caesar tempted with the name Of this fvveet island, never conquered, And envying the Britons blazed fame, (O hideous hunger of dominion !) hither came. [Fairy Qiieeti, B. ii, c. 10, st. 47.] [Ambition] In princely pallace, and in stately townes. It creepeth oft ; and close with it convaies, To leave behind it, damage and dccaies : By it be love and amitic dcftroid ; S. Danikl, Ed. Spencer. 8 TJic Choysest Flowers It brcakes the lawes, and common concord beates : Kingdomes and realmes it topfie-turvy turnes. {Tragedy of Jocasta, 1575, A. i, s. i.] G. Gascoigne Be not ambitioufly a king, nor grudgingly decline ; One God did roote out Cis his ftock, and raife up Jesses line. {Albions England, edit. 1602, B. iv, c. 21.] W. WARNER. The afpirer, once attain'd unto the toppe, Cuts off thofe meanes by which himfelfe got up. \Civil Wars, B. ii, st. 15.] S. Daniel. Haughtie ambition makes a breach in hills, Runs drie by fea amongft the raging scills. {History of Judith, 1584, B. i.] Th. Hud. AFFECTION. Affection is a coale that muft be coolde ; Elfe fuffered, it will fet the heart on fire : The sea hath bounds, but deep defire hath none. [Venus and Adonis, edit. 1593, st. 65.] W. Shakespeare. Affection by the countenance is defcride ; The light of hidden fier it felfe difcovers, And love that is conceal'd betraies poore lovers. [Hero and Lcnndcr hy C/i. Marlowe, 1598, Sest. 2.] Th. Marlowe. of our English Poets. 9 Moft wretched man ! That to Affections does the bridle lend : In their beginning they are weake and wan, But foone, through fufferance, growe to fearefull end. Whil'st they are weake, betimes with them contend ; For when they once to perfe6l strength do growe, Strong warres they make, and cruell battrie bend Gainft fort of reafon, it to overthrowe. \_Fairy Queen, B. ii, c. iiii, st. 34.] Ed. Spencer. AFFLICTION. Yet if Affliction once her warres begin. And threat her feebler fenfe with fword and fire ; The mind contrafts her felfe, and fhrinketh in, And to her felfe fhe gladly doth retire : As fpiders, toucht, feeke their webbes inmoft part ; As bees, in ftormes, unto their hives returne ; As blood, in daunger, gathers to the hart ; As men feeke townes, when foes the country burne. {^Nosce Teipsmn, edit. 1599. Introcl] I. Dayies. If ought can teach us ought. Afflictions lookes Making us pry into our felves fo neare, Teach us to know our felves beyond all bookcs, Or all the learned fchoolcs that ever were. yibid., ihid.\ IDEM. This made my senfes quickc, and reafon cleare, Reform'd my will, and reftified my thought : C I o TJic CJioysest Flowers So do the winds and thunders clenfe the aire, So working feas fettle and purge the wine, So lopt and pruned trees do flourifh faire, So dotli the fire the droffie gold refine. {Nosce Teipsum, ibid.] I- Davies. A UDA CITIE. What need we creepe the croffe to give unto a begging faint ? Tufli, tulh, a fly for booke-love ! none be fortunate that faint. {Albions England, B. vi, ch. 31.] W. Warner. Things out of hope are compaft oft with ventering, Chiefly in love, whofe leave exceeds commiffion : Affection faints not like a pale-fac'd coward, ]Uit tlien wooes beft, when moft his choice is froward. {Venus atid Adonis, st. 95. 1 W. Shakespeare. Blufliing and fighing Theseus never strove To wooe and winne Antiope his love. I. Weever. When all is done that do we may. Labour we, forrowing all the night, and fuing all the day ; The female-faultie cuftome yeelds leffe merit, greateft pay; And ventrous more then vertuous means doth bear the bel away. [AlOions England, B. vi, ch. 31.] W. Warner. of our English Poets. II ART. Art hath a world of fecrets in her powers. Art curbeth nature, nature guildeth Art. [Scorcrge of Villany, 1598.] M, Drayton. J. Marston. Things fenceleffe hve by Art, and rationall die By rude contempt of Art and induftrie. \^Hero and Leander, edit. 1600, Sest. 4.] G. Chapman. Art hath an enemy cald ignorance. Arts perifh, wanting honour and applaufe. \_Fig for Monius, 1596, Eel. 3.] ... Arts beft nurfe is honours chaft defire, And glory fets all ftudious hearts on fire. \^Life and Death of JVo/sey, 1599.] B. Johnson. D. Lodge. Tho. Storer. Art muft be wonne by art, and not by might. [Or/ando Fiirioso, 1591, B. iii, st. 55.] S. J. Harr. Trans/. Valour and Art are both the fonnes of Jove ; Both brethren by the father, not the mother : Both peeres without compare, both like in love ; But Art doth feeme to be the elder brother, Becaufe he firft gave life unto the other, Who afterward gave life to him againe ; Thus each by other doth his life retaine. [Life and Death of Drake, 1596, st. 152.] Cii. FiTZ. Jeieerv. 12 The Choysest Flowers, Art is nobilities true regifter ; Nobilitie Arts champion ftill is faid ; Learning is fortitudes right calender, And fortitude is learnings faint and aide : Thus, if the ballances twixt both be waide. Honour flieelds learning from all injurie. And learning honour from blacke infamie. {I.ife and Death of Drake, st. 153.] Ch. Fitz. Jeffery. Vaine is the Art that feeks it felfe for to deceive, \_Fai}y Qiiccn, B. iv, c. vi, st. 40.] Ed. Spencer. A V A RICE. And greedie Avarice by him did ride Upon a camell, loaden all with gold ; Two iron coffers hung on either fide, With precious mettall full as they might hold : And in his lap an heape of coyne he tolde ; For of his wicked pelfe his god he made. And unto hell himfelfe for money folde : Accurfed ufurie was all his trade, And right and wrong alike in equall ballance waied. \_Fairy Queen, B. i, c. 4, st. 27.] Ed. Spencer. Forth of a desart wood an ugly beaft There feem'd to come, whofe fliape was thus defined : Fares of an affe, a wolfe in head and breafb, A carkaffe all with pinching famine pined ; A lyons grifly jawe, but all the reft To fox-like fliape did feeme to be enclincd : of our English Poets. 13 In England, France, in Italy and Spaine, Yea, all the world, this monfter feem'd to raine. Where ere this cruell monfter fet his foote, He kild and fpoyld of every fort and ftate; No height of birth, or ftate, with him did boote, He conquer'd kings and clownes, all in like rate : Yea, this beafts power had tane so deepe a roote, It entred in Christs vicars facred gate. And vexed cardinalls and billiops chiefe, And bred a fcandall even in our beliefe. \Orlaiido Furioso, 1591, B. xxvi, st. 27.] S. J. Harr. Python, whom Phoebus kil'd with thoufand darts. Was monfter leffe then this, by hundred parts. \_Ibid., ibid., st. 37.] Idem. [Eriphilaes armor.] In vaine it were for to declare in verfe, How fumptuoufly her armour all was wrought ; All fet with ftones, and guilt with Indian gold. Perfect for ufe, and pleafant to behold. Mounted flie was, but not upon a fteede, In ftead thereof fhe on a wolfe doth fit ; A wolfe, whofe match Apulia doth not breede, Taught to obey, although fhe us'de no bit ; And all of fandy colour was her weede : Her amies were thus, (for fuch a champion fit) An ugly toade was painted on her fhield. With poyfon fwolne, and in a fable field. \_Ilii(L, \\. vii, St. 4.J Idem. 14 TJic CJioysest Flozvers Avarice, all arm'd in hooking tenters, All clad in birdlime, without bridge Ihe venters Through fell Charibdis and falfe Syrtes neffe ; The more her wealth, the more her wretchedneffe. Cruell, refpectleffe, friendleffe, faithleffe elfe, Thofe foule bafe figures in each dunghill-poole ; Like Tantalus, ftarv'd in the midft of ftore : Not that fhe hath, but \\\\dX flie wants flie counts ; A well-wing'd bird, that never loftie mounts. [^Furies, frovi Du Baf/as.'] I. Sylvister, Transl. Regard of worldly mucke doth fowly blend, And lowe abafe the hie heroike fpirit. That joyes for crownes and kingdomes to contend. Ed. Spencer. We, aged, cark to live, and leave an overplus in ftore, Perhaps for fpend-alls ; fo, amidft abundance, live we pore. [A/dioHS England, B. v, c. 24.] W. WARNER. Thofe that much covet, are with gaine fo fond. That what they have not, that which they poffeffe. They fcatter and unloofe it from their bond ; And fo, by hoping more, they have but leffe ; Or gaining more, the profit of exceffe Is but to furfet, and fuch griefes fuftaine, That they prove banckrout in this pore rich gaine. \Lucrece, edit. 1594, st. 20.] W. Shakespeare. Thofe that will all devour, muft all forgoe. \Coinedy of Old Forlniiaiiis, 1600.] Tho. Dekkar. of our English Poets. 1 5 Content thee with unthreatened mean, and play not Aesops dog, The gold that gentle Bacchus gave did greedy Mydas clog : S^Albions Eiiglatid. B. iv, c. 21.] W. Warner. Commit not treafure with thy child to greedy-minded men ; Thou leaveft Polydor a fpoile to Polymneftor then. S^Ibid., Ibid.] Idem. BE A UTIE. For facred Beautie is the fruit of fight, That curtefie that fpeakes before the toong ; The feaft of foules, the glory of the light, Envy of age, and everlafting yoong ; Pitties commaunder, Cupids richeft throne, Muficke entraunced, never duly fung ; The fumme and court of all proportion. And, that I may dull fpeeches beft afford, All rhcthorickes flowers, in leffe then in a word. {Ovids Baftquet of Sence, edit. 1595.] G. Chapman. Bewtie, borne of heavenly race : Bewtie, (daughter of marvaile) 6 fee how Thou canft difgracing forrowes fwectly grace, What power thou fliew'ft in a diftrcffed browe, That mak'st affliction faire, giv'st teares their grace. What ! can untreffed locks, can tornc rent haire, A weeping eye, a wailing face, be faire ? 1 6 TJic Clioysest Flowers I see then artleffe feature can content, And that true Bewtie needs no ornament. IDelia, Son. 1592.] S. Daniell Bewtie is the, bait, which with delight Doth man allure for to enlarge his kinde ; Bewtie, the burning lampe of heavens light, Darting her beames into each feeble minde ; Againft whofe power nor God nor man can finde Defence, ne ward the daunger of the wound ; But being hurt, feeke to be medicinde Of her, that firft did ftirre that mortal! ftownd. [Co/m Clouts come home again, 1595.] Ed. Spencer. Bewtie is womans golden crowne, Mans conquereffe, and feminine renowne : Not joind with love, who deare yet ever fold it } For Bewties cheape, except loves eye behold it. I. Weever. Bewtie is an adamant to all : Yea, Bewtie, natures ivie-bufli each paffenger doth call. [Albions England, B. v, ch. 26.] W. Warner. Seldomc wants guefts, where Bewtie bids the feaft ; Mens eyes with wonders never are fufifised ; At faireft fignes beft welcome is furmised : The flirinc of love doth feldome offrings want, Nor, with fuch counfell, clients never fcant. {Legend of Matilda, 1596, st. y^.'\ M. Drayton. All orators are dumbe when Bewtie pleadeth. [Lna-cce, st. 40.] W. Shakespeare. of our Englisli Poets. 1 7 Bewtie it felfe doth of it felfe perfwade The eyes of men, without an orator : What needeth then apollogies be made, To fet forth that which is fo fmgular ? \_Lucrece., st. 5.] W. Shakespeare. Nought under heaven fo fhrongly doth allure The fenfe of man, and all his minde poffeffe, As Bewties lovely bate ; that doth procure Great warriors oft their rigor to repreffe, And mightie hands forget their manlineffe : Drawn with the power of an heart-robbing eye, And wrapt in fetters of a golden treffe, That can with melting pleafance mollifie Their hardned hearts, enur'd to bloud and crueltie. \Fairy Queen., B. v, c. 8, st. i.] Ed. Spencer. O how can Bewtie maifter the moft ftrong, And fimple truth fubdue avenging wrong .■* Idem. No armour might be found, that can defend Tranfpiercing raies of chriftall pointed eyes. \Complaint of Rosamond, 1592, st. 26.] S. Daniell. Hard is that heart which Bewtie makes not foft. [Godfrey of Bidloigne, B. iv, st. ^^^ Ed. Fairfax, Transl. Who fo young that loves not .'' Or who fo olde that womcns Bewtie moves not .'' W. Weever. D I S The Choysest Flozvers A fparke of Bewtie burns a world of men. For what is Bewtie, if it be not feene ? Or what is't to be feene, unleffe admir'd ; And though admir'd, unleffe in love defir'd ? Never were cheekes of rofes, locks of amber, Ordain'd to live imprifoned in a chamber. {Complaint of Rosamond, st. ']■}).'] Nature created Bewtie for the view, (Like as the fire for heate, the fun for light) The faire do hold this priviledge, as due By auntient charter, to live moft in fight. As file that is debar'd it hath not right : In vaine our friends from this do us dehort, For Bewtie will be where is mofl refort. \Ibid., St. 74.] W. Weever. S. Daniell. Idem. All excellence of fliajae is made for fight, To be a beetle elfe were no defame : Hid Bewties lofe their ends, and wrong their right. \Pvids Banquet of Sence, IS95-] G. CHAPMAN. Why, Heaven made Bewtie, like her felfe, to viewe, Not to be lockt up in a fmoakie mewe : A rofie tainted feature is heavens golde. Which all men joy to touch, all to behold. \Epistle, King John to Matilda, 1599.] M. DRAYTON. The ripcft corne dies, if it be not reapt ; Bewtie alone is loft, too warily kept. {Hero and Leander, Sest. t.] Ch. Marlowe. of 02ir English Poets. 19 It hath bene through all ages ever feene, That with the praife of armes and chivalrie The prize of Bewtie ftill hath joyned beene, And that for reafons fpeciall privitie, For either doth on other much relie ; For he, me feemes, mofb fit the faire to ferve, That can her beft defend from villanie ; And file moft fit his fervice doth deferve, That faireft is, and from her faith will never fwerve. {^Fairy Queen, B. iv, c. 5, st. i.] Ed. Spencer. For Bewtie is more glorious bright and cleare, The more it is admir'd of many a wight ; And nobleft fhe that ferved is of nobleft knight. [Ibid., B. vi, c. 7, st. 29.] Idem. Rich Bewtie, that each lover labours for. Tempting as heapes of new-coynd glowing golde, (Rackt of fome miferable treafurer) Drawes his defires, and them in chaines enfold, Urging him ftill to tell it, and conceale it : But Bewties treafure never can be tolde, None can peculiar joy, yet all muft fteale it. O Bewtie ! this fame bloodie fiege of thine Starves me that yeeld, and feeds me till I pine. {Ovids Banquet of Scnce, 1595.] G. Chapman. O Bewtie ! ftill thy empire fwims in blood, And in thy peace warrc ftorcs himfclfc with foodc. llliid.'] Idem. 20 TJic CJioysest Flowers Ah, Bewtie ! fyrene faire, enchaunting good ; Sweete filent rhethoricke of perfwading eyes ; Dumbc eloquence, whofe power doth move the blood ]\Iore then the wordes, or wifedome of the wife ; Still harmony, whofe diapazon lies Within a brow, the key which paffions move. To ravifli fence, and play a world in love. {Complaint of Rosamond^ st. 19.] S. Daniell. Beautie enchafnig love, love gracing Beautie, To fuch as conftant fympathies enfold ; To perfect riches doth a founder dutie Then all endevours ; for, by all confent, All wealth and wifedome refts in true content. More force and art in Beautie joynd with love, Then thrones with wifedom ; joyes, of them compofde. Are armes more proofe 'gainft any griefe we prove, Then all their vertue-fcorning miferie, Or judgements graven in ftoicke gravitie. {Ovids Banquet of Scnce, I595-] G. CHAPMAN. Beautie a beggar, fie ! it is too bad. When in it felfe sufficiencie is had : It was not made to pleafe the wandring eie, l^ut an attire to adorne fweet modeftie. If modeftie and women once do fever, Farvvell our fame, farwell our name for ever ! {Epistle, Lady Salisbury to the Black Prince.'] M. DRAYTON. Ah, Beautie ! thou betraies thy felfe to every amorous eie. To trap thy proud poffeffors, what is it but wantons trie .'' of our English Poets. 2 1 Where-through it fildom haps the faire from meant de- ceits to flie. \Albion^s England, B, viii, ch. 41.] W, Warner. This Beauties faire, is an enchauntment made B.y natures witchcraft, tempting men to buie. With endleffe fhowes, what endlefly will fade, Yet promife chapmen all eternitie. But, like to goods ill got, a fate it hath, Brings men inricht therewith to beggery, Unles the enricher be as rich in faith, Enamourd (like good felfe-love) with her owne, Seene in an other, then tis heaven alone. \Pvids Banquet of Sence, 1595.] G. Chapman. Beautie is a baine To fuch as feed their fancy with fond love, That when fweet youth with luft is overta'en. It rues in age. {Perymedes, the Blacksmith, 1588.] R. Greene. Where Venus ftrikes with Beautie to the quicke, It little vailes fage reafon to reply : Few are the cares for fuch as are love ficke, But love. [Ibid.'] Idem. Truce, warrc, and woe do wait at Beauties gate ; Time loft, laments reports and privie grudge ; And laft, fierce love is but a partiall judge, Who yeelds for fervice fliame, for fricndfliip hate. {Rosalynd {\t)()o), edit. 1598, Sig. E 2, b.] D. Lodgk. 22 The Choyscst Flowers The beft bees of Hybla do beare, befides fweet hony, fmarting ftings, And Beauty doth not want a bait, that to repentance brings. {Albions England, B. ii, ch. 9.] W. Warner. But.fo it is, faire colours fooneft foyle, Things of beft price are fubject moft to fpoyle. {Legend of Humphrey of Gloucester, 1600, st. 86.] Ch. Middleton. The faireft cheeke hath oftentimes a foule Leprous as fin it felfe, then hell more foule. {Fortunatus, edit. 1600, Sig. B 3.] Tho. Dekkar. All men do erre, becaufe that men they bee ; And men, with Beautie blinded, cannot fee. G. Peele. Beautie, in heaven and earth, this grace doth win, It fupples rigor, and it leffens fin. \_Hero and Leander, 1600, Sest. 3.] G. CHAPMAN. Nought is there under heavens wide hollownes, That moves more deare compaffion of mind Then Beautie, brought t' unworthy wretchednes. Through envies fnares, or fortunes freakes unkind. [Fairy Queen, B. i, c. 3, st. 1.] Ed. Spencer. Nothing ill becomes the faire But crucltie, which yeelds unto no praier. [Complaint of Rosamond, st. 57.] S. Daniell. of our English Poets. 23 Like as the fun, in a diameter, Fires and inflames obje6ls removed far, And heateth kindly, fhining laterally ; So Beautie fweetly quickens when tis nie, But being feparated and removed, Burnes where it cherifht, murders where it loved. \^Hero and Leander, Sest. 2.] Ch. Marlowe. Simples fit Beautie ; fie on drugs and art. \Endymion and Phcebe, (1594), Sig. B. 3, b.] M. Drayton, Faire words, and powre-attractive Bewtie, Bring men to wanton in fubjective dutie. I. Weever. But wayward Beauty doth not fancy move ; A frowne forbids, a fmile ingendreth love. {Godfrey of BuHoigne, B. ii, st. 20.] Ed. Fairfax, Transl. What els is forme, but fading aire .'' Yea oft, becaufe affaulted oft, it hurteth to be faire. {Albions England^ B. xi, ch. 65.] W. Warner. Full foone the faireft face would ceafe from being fuch. If not preferved, curioufly, from tendring more then much. That wondrous patterne, where foe'er it bee. Whether in earth laid up in fecret ftore. Or els in heaven, that no man may it fee With finfull eies, for fcare it to deflore. Is perfect Beautie, which all men adore ; 24 The Choysest Flowers Whofe face and feature doth fo much excell All mortall fence, that none the fame may tell. [Hyjim in honour of Beauty, 1596.J Ed. Spencer. O Beautie ! how attractive is thy power ! For, as the lives heat clings about the heart, So all mens hungry eyes do haunt thy bower. Raigning in Greece, Troy fwumme to thee in art ; Removed to Troy, Greece followed thee in feares ; Thou dreweft ech fyreleffe fvvord, ech childleffe dart, And puldst the towers of Troy about thine eares. \Ovids Banquet of Se7ice, 1595.] G. Chapman. Varietie of Beauties. Meane while the harbingers of luft, his amorous eyes, did walke, More clogd with change of Beauties, then King Midas once with golde, Now this, now that, and one by one, he did them all be- hold : This fcemed faire, and that as faire, and letting either paffe, A third he thought a proper girle ; a fourth, a pleafant laffe ; Lovely, the fift ; lively, the fixt ; the feventh a goodly wench ; The eight, of fweet complexion ; to the ninth he altereth thence, Who mildly feem'd majesticall ; tenth, modeft looke and toong ; The eleventh could fweetly entertain ; the twelft was frefh and yoong. The next, a gay brownetta ; next, and next, admir'd among : our Eno:lish Poets. 25 And every feature fo intic't his intricate affection, As liking all, alike he lov'd, confounded in election. [Albions England, B. v, ch. 26.] W. Warner. BANISHMENT. No Banifliment can be to him affignde, Who doth retaine a true refolved minde, {Robert Duke of Noj-jnandy, 1596.] M. Drayton. In exile, every man, or bond or free. Of noble race, or meaner parentage, Is not in this unlike unto the flave That muft of force obey to each mans will. And praife the peevifhneffe of each mans pride. {Tragedy of Jocasta, Act ii, sc. i.] G. Gascoigne, Transl. BASHFULNESSE. So refpected Was Baflifulneffe in Athens, it erected To chaft Agneia, which is Shamefaftneffe, A facred temple ; holding her a goddeffe. {Hero and Leander, edit. 1600, Sest, 5.] Preferment fildome graceth Baflifulneffe. {Ibid.] G. Chapman. Idem. !•: 26 The Choysest Floivcrs Let foberneffe be ftill thy wifedomes end, Admitting that thou canft not comprehend. ^Sacrifice of Isaac, 1592, p. 7. J J. Sylvester, Traiisl. BLISSE. These dayes example hath deep written here, Deep written in my heart, with yron pen, That Bhffe may not abide in ftate of mortall men. Ed. Spencer. Doth forrow fret thy foule 1 o direful! fpirit ! Doth pleafure feed thy heart } o bleffed man ! Haft thou bene happie once ^ 6 heavy plight ! Are thy mifliaps forepaft .'' u happie than ! Or haft thou Bliffe in eld ? u bliffe too late ! But haft thou Bliffe in youth } o fweet eftate ! \_T. Nash's edit, of Astrophel and Stella, 1591.] E. of O. Hard it is To immitate a falfe and forged Blifse ; 111 may a fad mind forge a mery face. Nor hath conftrained laughter any grace. Blifse not in height doth dwell. [Hero and Leander, Sest. 6.] But quiet Bliffe in no ftate lafteth long : Affailcd ftill by mifchiefe many waies. G. Chapman. Idem. of our English Pods. 27 Whofe fpoyling battery, glowing hote and ftrong, No flowing wealth, no force nor wifdome ftaies. Her fmoakeleffe powder beaten fouldiers flaies : By open force foule mifchiefe oft prevailes ; By fecret fleight fhe fild her purpofe failes, [Legend 0/ Lof'd Rivers, edit. 1610, p. 404.] I. H. of Magist. Bleffed the man that well can ufe his Bliffe. \_Fairy Queen, B. v, c. 10, st. 8.] Ed. Spencer. We think no greater Blifse, then fuch to be as be we would, When bleffed none, but fuch as be the fame as be they fhould. W. Warner. Our Bliffe confifts not in poffeffions, But in commaunding our affections, In vertues choyce, and vices needfull chace. Far from our harts for ftaining of our face. {Tragedy of Cornelia, 1594, Act i.] Tho. Kid. BO UN TIE. O SACRED Bountie ! mother of content, Proppe of renowne, the nouri flier of arts ; The crownc of hope, the roote of good event. The trumpe of fame, the joy of noble hearts, Grace of the heavens, divinitie in nature, Whofe excellence doth fo adornc the creature. {Legend of Pierce Gaveston, 1596, st. 111. J M. Dr avion. Then on an other part was to be viewde His vertues, each one by it felfc difl:in6l, 28 The CJioysest Flowers rrudcnce, and Temperance, and Fortitude, And Juftice ; and a fift unto thefe linckt So nie, that who with it is not indued, The reft may feeme blotted, or quite extin6l, Bountie, employed in giving and in fpending, A fpeciall grace to all the other lending. {Orlando Furioso, 1591, B. xlvi, st. ']'].'\ S. J. Harr. Transl. Auguftus Caefar was not fuch a faint As Virgin maketh him by his defcription : His love of learning fcufeth that complaint. That men might juftly make of his profcription : Nor had the fhame that Neroes name doth taint, Confirm'd now by a thoufand yeares prefcription, Been as it is, if he had had the wit, To have bene franke to fuch as poems writ. {Ibid., B. XXXV, St. 25.] So as, indeed, this reafon is the chiefe. That wits decay becaufe they want their hire ; For where no fuccour is, nor no reliefe. The very beafts will from fuch place retire. {Ibid., ibid., st. 29.] He is mad, and worfe. Which plaies the nigard with a princes purfe. {Legend of P. Gaveston, 1596, st. 134.] Idem. Idem. M. Drayton. CARE. And by and by another fhape appeares Of greedy Care, ftill brufliing up the breers. of our EnglisJi Poets. 29 His knuckles knob'd, his flefli deep dented in ; With tawed hands, and hard ytanned fkin. The morrow gray no fooner hath begun To fpred his hght, even peeping in our eies, When he is up, and to his worke yrunne ; But let the nights black miftie mantels rife, And with foule darke never fo much difguife The faire bright day ; yet ceafeth he no while, But hath his candles to prolong his toyle. \Induction to M.for AT., edit. 1610, p. 263.] M. Sackvill. Rude was his garment, and to rags all rent ; No better had he, ne for better carde : With bliftered hands emongft the cynders brent. And fingers filthy, with long nayles unpared, Right fit to rend the food on which he fared. His name was Care ; a black-fmyth by his trade, That neither day nor night from working fpared, But to fmall purpofe yron wedges made : Thofe be unquiet thoughts, that carefuU minds invade. [Fairy Queen, B. iv, c. v, st. 35.] Ed. Spencer. Care keepes his watch in every old mans eye, And where Care lodges fleepe will never lie ; But where unbruized youth, with unftuft braine. Doth couch his limbs, there golden fleepe doth raine. \_Romeo and Juliet, Act ii, sc. 3.] W. Shakespeare. Care and fufpition are faire Bewties dower. {^Legend of Matilda, 1596.] M. Drayton. 30 TJic CJioyscst Floivers Care, the confuming canker of the muide, The difcord that diforders fweet hearts tune, Th' abortive baftard of a coward minde, The lightfoote lackie that runnes pofte by death. Bearing the letters which containe our end ; The bufie advocate that fells his breath, Denouncing worft to him is moft his frend. {Diana, 1592, Dec. v, Son. 7.] H. CONSTABLE. CHARITIE. She was a woman in her frefhest age ; Of wondrous bewtie, and of bowntie rare, With goodly grace, and comely perfonage, That was on earth not eafie to compare ; Full of great love, but Cupids wanton fnare As hel fhe hated ; chafte in worke and will. Her necke and brefts were ever open bare. That aye thereof her babes might fucke their fill ; The reft was all in yealow robes araied ftill. A multitude of babes about her hong. Playing their fportes, that joyed her to behold. Whom ftill file fed, while they were weake and yoong, But thruft them forth ftill as they waxed old. And on her head fhe wore a tyre of gold, Adorn'd with gems and owches wondrous faire, Whofe paffing price unneath was to be told ; And by her fide there fate a gentle paire Of turtle doves, flie fitting in an ivorie chaire. \_Fairy (^uccu, B. i, c. 10, st. 30.] Ed. Spencer. of our English Poets. 3 1 Next Charitie, that kindly doth preferre Her neighbours good, fore her owne utilitie. {Triiuiipk of Faith, 1592.J J. Sylvester, Transt. Who may but will not helpe doth hurt, we know ; and curious they, That, dribling alms, by art disband wel meant from wel dones pay ; And he that queftions ones diftreffe, and doth not help endevour, Than he that fees, and nothing sales, or cares, is leffe deceavour. [Atbiotis England, B. ix, ch. 52.] W. Warner. It is a worke of Charitie, God knowes. The reconcilement of two mortall foes. {Humphrey D. of Gloucester, 1600,51.55.] Ch. Middleton. For Charitie brings forth but barren feeds, And hatred ftill is fowne in fo great ftore. That when the fruites of both come to be reaped. The tone is fcarce, the tother overheaped. {Orlando Furioso, B. xxxvi, st. 2.] .S. J. Harr. Transl. CH AST IT IE. O Chastitie ! the chiefe of heavenly lights, Which mak'ft us moft immortall fliapc to weare. {Arcadia, QiXxi. \\.<^, 1591, fo.117 b.] S. Pii. Sidnkv, 32 The CJioysest Flowet's Chaftities attires, The unftained v^aile which innocents adornes, Th' ungather'd rofe defended with the thornes. \Complai7it of Rosamond, 1592, st. 31.] S. Daniel. O Chaftitie ! thou gift of bleffed foules, Comfort in death, a crowne unto the Hfe ; Which all the paffions of the minde controlles, Adornes the maide, and bewtifies the wife ; That grace, the which nor death nor time attaints. Of earthly creatures making heavenly faints. {^Legend of P. Gaveston, 1596, st. 116.] M. Drayton. He faith, a woman cannot take upon her. With bewtie, riches, nor with hie nobilitie, To claime the true deferved praife of honour, If Chaftitie do faile, by her fragilitie ; This is the vertue that defends her owner. \_Orlando Furioso, B. xliii, st. 78.] S. J. HARRINGTON. Who doth defire that chafte his wife fhould bee, Firft be he true, for truth doth truth deferve ; Then be he fuch as fhe his worth may fee. And one man ftill credit with her preferve : Not toying kind, nor cauflesly unkinde ; Not ftirring thoughts, nor yet denying right ; Not fpying faults, nor in plaine errors blinde ; Never hard hand, nor ever raines too light. As farre from want, as farre from vaine exfpence ; (Th' one doth force, the latter doth entice.) Allowe good company, but keepe from thence of our English Poets. 33 All filthy mouthes that glory in their vice : This done, thou haft no more; but leave the reft To vertue, fortune, time, and womans breft. S. Ph. Sydney. {Arcadia, edit. 1598, fo., p. 380, and Sir John Harington's Orlando Fiirioso^ B. xi, iiotc.^ Penelope, in fpending chafte her dales, As worthy as Uliffes was of praife. {Orlando Furioso, B. xiii, st. 52.] S. J. Harrington. OF CHRIST. The broofer of the ferpents head, the womans promiz'd feed. The fecond in the Trinitie, the foode our foules to feed ; The vine, the light, the doore, the way, the fhepheard of us al, Whofe manhood joynd to deitie did raunfome us from thrall : That was and is, and evermore will be the fame to his. That fleeps to none that wake to him, that turns our curfe to blis : Whom yet unfeen the patriarks faw, the prophets have foretold, The apoftles preacht, the faints adore, and martyrs do behold. The fame (Auguflus emperor) in Paleftinc was born, Amongft his own, and yet his owne did croffe their blis in fcorn. [Alfiions England, edit. 1602, R. iii, ch. 18.] W. Warnf.r. F 34 Tlie CJioyscst Flozvcrs Auguftus, quailing Anthonie, was emperour alone, In whofe unfoed monarchy our common health was knowne. lAlbions England, B. iii, c. i8.] W. Warner. The bruizer of the ferpents head, the womans promifd seed, The fecond in the Trinitie, the foode our foules to feede ; The vine, the light, the doore, the way, the fliepheard of us all, The fame (Auguftus emperor) in Paleftine was borne, Amongfthisown,and yet his own did croffe their blis infcorn. \^A repetition from the preceding page?^ Ide.m. CHILDREN. Riches of Children paffe a princes throne, Which touch the fathers heart with fecret joy. When without fhame he faith, — thefe be mine owne ! ^Arcadia, edit, fo., 1598, p. 390.] S. Ph. Sidney. This patterne, good or ill, our Children get ; For what they fee their parents love or hate, Their firfb-caught fence prefers to teachers blowes ; The cockerings cockerd, we bewaile too late. When that we fee our ofspring gayly bent. Women man-wood, and men effeminate. Idem What Children apprehend, The fame they like, they followe and amend. [Fig for Momus, 1595, Sat. iii.] D. LODGE. of our English Poets. 35 There is no love may be compar'd to that The tender mother beares unto her Childe ; For even fo much the more it doth encreafe, As their griefe growes, or contentations ceafe. [Tragedy of Jocasfa, edit. 1587, Act ii, s. i.] G. Gas. CHA UNGE. All is but fained, and which oaker died, That every fliowre will wafli and wipe away ; All things do Chaunge that under heaven abide, And, after death, all friendfhip doth decay : Therefore, what ever man bear'ft worldly fway, Living, on God and on thy felfe relie ; For when thou dieft, all fhall with thee die. [Rttins of Time. Complaints., \^()\^ Ed. Spencer. All fuffer Chaunge, our felves new-borne even then begin to die, [Atbions England, B. iii, ch. 16.] W. Warner. The ever chaunging courfe of things, Runne a perpetuall circle, ever turning. S. Danieli. Change lives not long, time fainteth, and time mourns. Solace and forrow have their certaine turnes. \_Epistle of Q. Margaret to D. of Suffolk.'] M. Drayton. All Chaunge is pcrillous, and all chaunce unfuund. \_Fairy Queen, B. v, c. 2, st. 36.] Ed. Spencer. 36 The CJioyscst Floivcrs Scldomc Chaunge the better brought ; Content, who lives with tried ftate, Neede feare no Chaunge of frowning fate : But who will feeke for unknowne gaine, Oft lives by loffe, and leaves with paine. {Shepherds Calendar, 1579, Sept.] Ed. Spencer. But what remaines to man, that can continue long } What fun can Ihine fo cleare and bright, but clouds may rife among .-' {Flowers, edit. 1587, p. 46.] G. Gascoigne, No flower is fo frelli, but froft can it deface ; No man fo fure in any feate, but he may lofe his place. {Ibid., p. 58.] Idem. For moft true it is, as we doo daily prove, No good nor ill can ftand ftill at one flay. {Orlando Furioso, B. xxxvii, st. 7.] S. J. HARRINGTON. The man that of himfelfe is moft fecure. Shall finde himfelfe moft fickle and unfure. {Visions of the World^s Vanity, Son. 12.] Ed. Spencer. Men change the ayre, but feldome change their care. {Mortimeriados, 1596. B. iv, st. 39, edit. 1605.] M. Drayton, CHA UNCE. What fliould we thinke of fignes } they are but haps How may they then be fignes of after-claps t of our EnglisJi Poets. 37 Doth every Chaunce forefhew, or caufe fome other, Or ending of it felfe, extend no further ? As th' overflowing flood fome mount doth choake, But to his aide fome other flood it yoake ; So, if with fignes thy finnes once joyne, beware; Elfe, whereto Chaunces tend, do never care. [Dolmaii's Lofd Hastings, edit. 1610, p. 425.] Hf. of M. True it is, if fortune hght by Chaunce, There fortune healpes the boldefl: to advaunce. G. Gascoigne. COUNSAILE. Oh, facred Counfaile, true heart-fuppHng balme, Soule-curing plaifter, time preferving bhs, Water of hfe in every fudden qualme. The heavens rich ftorehoufe, where all treafure is ; True guide, by whom foule errors den we mis; Night-burning beacon, watch againft mifliaps, Forefight, avoyding many after-claps. {Legend of Matilda, 1596, st. 44.] M. Drayton. Thus, every ftrawe proves fewell to the fire, When Counfell doth concurre with our defire. {Mortimeriados, 1596.] Idem. What eld hath tried and feen, good Counfell is. [Fig for Momus, 1595.] I). Lodge. 38 The Choysest Floivers Counfell ftill is one, When father, friends, and worldly goods are gone. {Rosalynd, 1590 : edit. 1598, Sig. A 2.] D. LODGE. Counfell, that comes when ill hath done his worfl, Bleffeth our ill, but makes our good accurft. {Epistle, Richard II to Isabel, edit. 1599.] M. Drayton. Vaine founds of pleafure we delight to heare, But Counfell jarres as difcord in our eare. {Ibid., Jane Shore to Edward IV.'\ Idem. A king that aimes his neighbours crowne to win, Before the fruite of open w^arres begin. Corrupts his Counfell with rich recompences ; For in good Counfell fbands the ftrength of princes. I. Sylvister, Transl. A kingdomes greatneffe hardly can he fway, That wholfome Counfell did not firft obey. \_Mortimeriados, 1596.] M. Dr. Even as by cutting, fruitefull vines encreafe, So faithfull Counfailes worke a princes peace. \^Mariiis and Sylla, 1594, Act ii, sc. i.] D. LODGE. CONCORD. Mother of bleffed peace and friendfhip true; They, both her twins, both borne of heavenly feed, 'L of our EnglisJi Poets. 39 And file her felfe likewife divinely grew, The which right well her works divine did fhewe ; For ftrength and wealth and happineffe flie lendes, And ftrife and warre and anger does fubdue ; Of little, much ; of foes fhe maketh frendes ; And, to afflicted mindes, fweet reft and quiet fends. [Fai'ry Queen, B. iv, c 10, st. 34.] Ed. Spencer. The richeft jewell in all the heavenly treafure, That ever yet unto the earth was fhowne, Is perfect Concord ; th' onely perfect pleafure, That wretched earth-borne men have ever knowne. For many hearts it doth compound in one, That what fo one doth will, or fpeake, or doo, With one confent they all agree theretoo. {^Orchestra, 1596, st. cix.] I. Davies. By her the heaven is in his courfe containd, And all the world in ftate unmoved ftands : As their Almightie Maker firft ordaind, And bound them with inviolable bands ; Elfe would the waters overflowe the lands, And fire devour the ayre, and hell them quite. But that fhe holds them with her bleffed hands. She is the nurfe of pleafure and delight, And unto Venus grace the gate doth open right. \_Fairy Queen, B. iv, c. 10, st. 35.] Ed. Spencer. O bliffefull Concord ! bred in fecret breft Of Him, that guides the rcftlcffc rolling fl-cie ; 40 The CJioyscst Flowers That to the earth, for mans affured reft, From height of heavens vouchfafeft downe to flie : In Thee alone the mightie power doth lie, With fweet accord to keep the frowning ftarres, And every planet els, from hurtfuU warres. [By F. Kinwelmarsh : Jocasta, Chor. to Act iv.] G. Gascoigne, Tra7isl. When tract of time returnes the luftie Ver, By thee alone the buds and bloffomes fpring, The fields with flowers be garnifht ev'ry where, The blooming trees abundant fruite do bring. The cheerfuU birds melodioufly do fing : Thou doeft appoint the crop of Sommers feed For mans reliefe, to ferve the Winters need. » {Ibid., fo. i6o b, edit. 1587.] Idem. CONSCIENCE. And firft within the porch and jawes of hell, Sate deep Remorfe of Confcience, all befprent With teares : and to her felfe oft would flie tell Her wretchednes, and, curfing, never ftent To fob and figh, but ever thus lament With thouirhtfull care, as flie that all in vaine Would weare and waft continually in paine. Her eyes unftedfaft rolling here and there, Whurld on ech place, as place that vengeance broght ; So was her mind continual!}- in feare. of our English Poets. 41 Toffed and tormented with tedious thought Of thofe detefted crimes which (lie had wrought. With dreadful! cheare and lookes throwne to the fkie, Wifhing for death, and yet fhe could not die. [Induction to M.forM., edit. 1610, p. 261.] M. Sackvill. So gnawes the griefe of Confcience evermore, And in the heart it is fo deepe ygrave. That they may neither fleepe nor reft therefore, Ne thinke one thought but on the dread they have ; Still to the death foretoffed with the wave Of reftleffe woe, in terror and difpaire. They lead a life continually in feare. [Duke of Buckingham, M.for M., edit. 1610, p. 439.] Idem. The feare of Confcience entreth yron walles. M. Drayton. No armour proofe againft the Confcience terror. {Legend of Matilda, 1596, st. 39.] Idem. A guiltie Confcience never is fecure. [Ibid.'] Idem. No mcancs at all to hide, Man from himfclf can find ; No way to ftart afide Out from the hell of mind ; Rut in himfelf confinde, He ftill fees fin before, And winged footed paine That fwifth' comes behind ; c ^2 The Choyscst Floivcrs The which is evermore The fure and certain gaine Impietie doth get, And wanton loofe refpect, That doth itfelf forget. \Clcflpatrn, 1594, Chorus to Act i.] S. Daniell. Like to the deere that, ftricken with the dart, Withdrawes himfelfe into fome fecret place. And feehng greene the wound about his hart. Startles with pangs, till he fall on the graffe. And in great feare lies gafping there a fpace ; Forth braying fighes, as though each pang had brought The prefent death, which he doth dread fo oft. So we, deep wounded with the bloudy thought And gnawing worme that greev'd our Confcience fo. Never tooke eafe but as our heart out brought The ftrained fighes, in witn effe of our wo, .Such reftleffe cares our fault do well beknow : Wherewith, of our deferved fall the feares In every place rang death within our eares. M. Sackvill. \_Dnki' of Biickiiighmn, M.for M., edit. 16 10, p. 439.] Loofe Confcience is free From all Confcience, what els hath libertie } As 't pleafd the Thracian Boreas to blow, .So turnes our ayerie Confcience to and fro. \_Scourge of Villaiiy, 1598, Sat. ii. j I. Marston. Kings, but the Confcience, all things can defend. [Epist/e, Matt /(in to Kino John.] M. Drayton. of our English Poets. 43 And when thou feellT: thy Confcience toucht w ith greefc, Thy felfe purfues thy felfe, both rob'd and theefe. \_Morthneriados, 1596.] M. Drayton. For many (with the Confcience of the crime), In colder blood will curfe what they defignde ; And bad fucceffe, upbraiding their ill fact, Drawes them (whom others draw) from fuch an act. [C/V// Wars, edit. 1609, B. ii, st. 33 ] S. Daniell. CRAFT, DECEIT, FRAUD. What man fo wife, what earthly wit fo ware, As to defcry the craftie cunning traine By which Deceit doth mafke in vizard faire, And caft her colours died deep in graine, To feeme like truth, whofe fliape fhe well can faine ; And fitting geftures to her purpofe frame, The guiltleffe mind with guile to entertaine .-* \_Fairy (Ikccii, B. i. c. 7, st. i.] Ed. Spencer. Fraud fhowd in comely cloathes a lovely looke, An humble caft of eye, a fober pace, And fo fweet fpeech, a man might her have tooke For him that faid ' Haile, Mary ! full of grace :' But all the reft deformedly did looke. As full of filthineffe and foule difgracc ; Hid under long large garments that ilie ware, Under the which a poyfoncd knife flie bare. [Orlando /'iirioso, 1591, B. xiv, st. 76.] S. J. II 44 ^ f^i^ Choyscst Flowers Oft Craft can caufe the man to make a feeming fliow Of hart, with dolor all diftaind, where grief doth never grow. S. T. B. Craft, wrapt ftill in many combernients. With all her cunning thrives not, though it fpeed. S. Uaniell. Crafte findes a key to open every doore. {Legend of Matilda, 1596, st. 102.] M. Dr. CONQUEST. Who hopes a Conqueft leaves no Conqueft fought. Idem. Tis much to Conquer, but to keep poffeffion Is full as much, and if it be not more. \yictory at Yvry, 1590.] I. Sylvester, Tra/isl. To win the field againft our armed foes, Is counted honourable any waies, Whether it be with pollicie or blowes : Yet bloodie Conquefts ftaine the captaines praife. But chiefeft honour doth belong to thofe Whom fortune to fuch height of hap doth raise. To have their foes fuppreft, and overthrowne With little loffe and damage of their owne. [Orlando Furioso, B. xv, st. i.] .S. ]. Harr. Transl. of our English Poets. 45 Whereas proud Conquefh keepeth all in awe, Kings oft are forft in fervile yoakes to drawe. {Mortimer iados, 1596.] M. Drayton. COUNTRY, COMMON-WEALE. We muft affect our Country as our parents; And if at any time we alienate Our love or induftry from doing it honor, It muft refpecl effe6ls, and touch the foule, Matter of confcience and religion, And not defire.of rule or benefit. [Battle of Alcazar, 1594, Act ii, st. i.] G. Peele. Neceffitie enforceth every wight To love his native feat, with all his might. A happie quarrell is it and a good, For Countries caufe to fpend our deareft blood. [Tragedy of Jocasta, Act iii.] G. GaSCOIGNE. That publikc Weale muft needs to mine go, Where private profit is preferred fo. [G. Gascoigne : Jocasta, Chorus to Act iv.] G. Geffrayes. Home though it homely be, yet is fweet, And native foyle is beft. For if the temperature of Common-weale Be guided by the courfc of heavenly powers, S. J. Harr. 46 ' TJie CJioyscst Floivers Such as in deep affaires will juftly deale, Muft have an eve to thofe eternall bowres, And by their view direct this ftate of ours. Then, how can he a perfeft ftatefman prove That knowes not how celeftiall bodies move ? \_Lifo atid Dea/h of ]]\}lsty, \S99.'] Tho Sjorkk. The love That men their country and their birth-right beare, Exceeds all loves ; and dearer is by farre Our countries love, then friends or children are. {Tragedy of Cornelia, 1594, Act iv, sc. i.] T. KvD. CONTENT. All wealth and wifedome refts in true Content. Contentment is our heaven, and all our deeds Bend in that circle, feld or never clofde. \_Ovids Batiqiiet of Sence, 1595.] G. Chapman. Who feekes to have the thing we call enough, Acquaint him firft with Contentation : For plenteoufneffe is but a naked name ; And what sufficeth ufe of mortall men. Shall beft apay the meane and modeft harts. [Tragedy of Jocasta, Act ii, s. i.] G. Gascoigne. The nobleft mind the beft Contentment has. {Fairy Queen, V>. i, c. i, st. 35.] Ed. Spenckr. of our English Pocfs. 47 Hic^^h climbing- wits do catch a fudden fall : With none of these Content lift dwell withall. {^Glaiiciis and Scilla, 1589, Sig. E.] D. Lodgk. Content feeds not on glory or on pelfe; Content can be contented — with her felfe. [Clircstolcros, B. vi, Epig. 15.] Th, Bastard. Content is worth a monarchy, and mifchief hits the hie. [Albiojis 1-liigIaiid, B. iv, ch. 20.] W. Warner. Who fo contented lives is happie wife. {Marius a)id Sylla, 1594, Act v, sc. i.] D. LODGE. Inconftant change fuch tickle turnes hath lent, As who fo feares to fall muft seeke Content. [A'^ autlior !!a/ned.~\ Deprive the world of perfect difcontent, All glories end, true honour ftrait is ftain'd ; And life it felfe in errors courfe is fpent. All toyle doth fort but to a fory end, For, through miflikes, each learnes for to commend. {^Discontented Satyre, 1589, Sig. D 2 b.] D. Lodge. He only lives moft happily That's free and farre from majeftie; Can live content, although unknowne, He fearing none, none fearing him ; Medling with nothing but his owne. While gazing eyes at crownes grow dim. {Cornelia, 1594, Chorus in Act iv.] Tn. Kvn. 48 TJie Choyscst Flowers COURAGE. To Courage great It is no leffe befeeming well to beare The ftorme of fortunes frowne, or heavens threat, Than in the fun-fliine of her countenance cleare Timely to joy, and carry comely cheare. Ed. Spencer. High Courage, with true wifedome ever backt, Winnes perfect fame. \_Figfor Momus, 1595, Eel. iv.] Th. Lodge. Nere was there ever noble Courage feene, That in advantage would his puiffance boaft ; Honor is leaft where ods appeareth moft. \^Fatry Queen, B. ii, c. 8, st. 26.] Ed. Spencer. Where is no Courage, there is no ruth nor mone. Idem. Good hart in ill, doth th' evil much amend. Idem. Courage imboldeneth wit ; wit Courage amies. M. Drayton. They make their fortune who are ftout and wife : Wit rules the heavens ; difcretion guides the fkies. ^Godfrey of Bulloigne, 1600, B. x, st. 20.] Ed. Fairfax, Transl. Action is fiery valours foveraigne good. S^Hern and Leandei\ 1600, .Sest. 5.] G. Chapman. of our Eiii^lisJi Poets. 49 Repining Courage yeelds No foote to foe. \^Fairy Queen, B. i, c. 3, st. 17.] Ed. Spencer. Then are the vaHant who more vaine, then cowardes who more wife .•* Not men that travell Pegafus, but fortunes fooles do rife. [Albioiis England, B. ii, ch. 9.] W. WARNER, Be vahant, not too ventrous, but fight to fight againe ; Even Hercules did hold it ods, for one to ftrive with twaine. [Ibid., B. iv, ch. 21.] Idem. Might, wanting meafure, moveth furquedrie. Ed. Spencer. More is he that ventureth for more, Then who fights but for what he had before. [Civil Wars, edit. 1609, B. i, st. 95.] S. Daniell, Valour mixt with feare, boldeneth dread, May march more circumfpect, with better heed. Idem. Valour in greateft daungers fhewes moft bright, As fuU-fac't Phoebe in the darkefl night. {Life and Death of Dralcc, 1596, st. 1 19.] Ch. Fitz Geffrev. The Spartanes once exilde Archilochus, The author of Lycambes tragedie, Becaufe he faid it was commodious, Rather to caft away his fliield and flie. H 50 TJic CJioyscst Flowers 'riicu boldly to refift and bravely die. \_Lifi' and Death of Drake, st. 212.] Ch. Fitz Geffrey. COURT. The Princes Court is manfion of the wife, Figure of heaven, faire fountaine of delights, Theater of honour, earthly paradice, The lively Vatican of bewties brights ; Sudden advancer, fpheare of pureft lights. Thither let Phoebus progenie refort ; Where fhines their father, but in Joves great Court .-* {Life and Death of Wolsey, 1599.] Tho. Storer. This is ever proper unto Courts, That nothing can be done but fame reports. S. Daniell. To cenfure is the fubject of the Court ; From thence fame carries, thither fame doth bring ; There too each word a thoufand ecchoes ring, A lotterie where moft loofe, but fewe do winne. {Legend of Matilda, 1596.) M. Drayton. For nothing there is done without a fee ; The courtier needs muft recompenced bee. {Mother Hubberds Tale, 1591.] E. Sp. Moft miferable man ! whom wicked fate Hath brought to Court to fue for had I wift, That fewe hath found, and many one hath mift. {.IhidP[ Idem. of our EnglisJi Poets. 5 1 The Court is counted Venus net, Where gifts and vows, foreftalls, are often fet : None be fo chafte as Vefta, but fliall meete A curteous tongue to charme her eares with fweete. \James IV of Scotland, 1599.] R- GREENE. The Court hath much of vanitie and painfull ease. W. Warner. As for the Court it is, you know, become a flvittifli colte, Of wife men hardlier managed, then of the glorious dolt. {Albion's England, B. v, ch. 27.] Idem. Thear all deformities in forme in fome one man we fee, More garded then regarded, franke, not to continue free, When as the merchants booke the map of all his wealth shalbee. {Ibid., ibid.] Idem. Sometime the Courts of kings were vertuous schooles, Now finde we nought in Court, but curious fooles. O you ! whofe noble hearts cannot accord To be the flaves to an infamous lord. And knowes not how to mixe, with perillous art, The deadly poyfon of the amorous dart ; Whofe natures being free wills no conftraint, Nor will your face with flattering penfill paint. For weele nor woe, for pitic nor for hire. Of good my lords their favours to acquire, Goe not to Court, if ye will me beleeve ; I'or in that place, where ye thinke to retrecvc. 5 3 TJic CJioyscst Flowers The honour due for vertuc, yee fhall finde Nought but contempt, which leaves good men behind. {History of Judith, 1584, B. iv.] Th. Hudson, Transl. The wanton luxurie of Court Doth forme the people of like fort. S. Daxiell. Ye worthy dames, that in your breafts do beare, Of your all-feeing God, no fervile feare : Ye, that of honour have a greater care Then fights of Courts, I pray you come not there. Let men, that in their purfe have not a mite, Cloathe them like kings, and play the hypocrite ; And with a lying tale and fained cheare, Court-coozen them whom they w^ould fee on beare. Let there the pandar fell his wife for gaine, With fervice vile his nobleffe to attaine : Let him that ferves the time, chaunge his intent, With faith unconftant faile at every vent. [Histo?y of Judith, 1584, B. iv.] Th. Hudson, Transl. The Court was never barren yet of thofe Which could with fubtill traine and apt advife, Worke on the Princes weakenes, and difpofe Of feeble frailtie, eafieft to entice. [Civil Wars, B. i, st. 31.] S. Daniell. Golden cuppes do harbor poyfon. And the greateft pompe diffembling, Court of feafoned words hath foyfon : Treafon haunts in moft diffembling-. [From Phillis, 1593, in England'' s Helicon, Sig. D b.] D. LODGE. of our English Poets. 5 3 Ye fearefuU rocks, ye impes of Achelois, Who wracks the wifeft youth with charming voice : Ye Circes, who by your enchauntment ftrange, In ftones and fwine your Lovers true doo change : Ye Stymphalids, who with your youth uptakes ; Ye Ravens, that from us our riches rakes : Ye who with riches, art, and painted face. For Priams wife puts Castor's fifter in place. Ye Myrrhaes, Canaces, and Semyrames, And if there reft yet moe defamed dames, Come all to Court ; and there ye fhall receive A thoufand gaines unmeete for you to have ; There fliall you fell the gifts of great provinces, There fliall you fell the grace of graceleffe princes. \_Histoiy of Judith., 1584, B. iv.] Th. Hudson, Transt. Courtiers, as the tide, do rife and fall. [Mother Hubberds Tate, 1^91.] Ed. Spencer. It doth not fit With Courtiers majeftie, to be reputed Too learn'd, too grave, too fine, or too conceited. [Life and Dcatli of Wolsey., •599-] Thomas Storek. Who, full of wealth and honours biandiOiment, Among great lords his yoonger yeares hath fpent. And quaffing deeply of the Court delights, Ufde nought but tilts, armours, and mafkes, and fights, If in his age, his Princes angry doomc, With deepe difgrace drive him to live at home In homely cottage, where continually The bitter fmoake exhales aboundantly 54 ^Z''^' Choyscst Floivcrs Vxo\\\ his before unforrowe-drained brainc, The brackifli vapours of a filver raine ; Where, uflierleffe, both day and night, the North, South, Eaft, and Weft windes, enter and go forth ; Where round about the lower roofte-broke walles. In flead of arras, hang with fpider calles ; Where all at once he reacheth, as he flands, With brows the roofe, both walls with both his hands ; He weepes and fighes, and fliunning comforts aye, Wiflieth pale death a thoufand times a day ; And yet at length, falling to worke, is glad To bite a browne cruft that the moufe hath had ; And in a difh, in ftead of plate or glaffe, Sups oaten drinke, in ftead of hypocraffe. J. SvLViSTER. COURT E SIR. Of Court, it feemes, men Courtefie do call. For that it there mofl ufeth to abound ; And well befeemeth that in princes hall That vertue fliould be plentifully found. Which of all goodly manners is the ground, And roote of civill converfation. [Fairy Queen, B. vi, c. i, st. i.] Ed. Spencer. Amongft them all growes not a fairer flower Then is the bloome of comely Courtefie ; Which, though it on a lowely ftalke do bower, of our EnglisJi Poets. 5 5 Yet brauncheth forth in brave nobilitie, And fpreads it felfe through all civilitie : Of Avhich, though prefent age doo plentious feeme, Yet being matcht with plaine antiquitie, Ye will them all but fained fliewes efteeme, Which carry colours faire, that feeble eies mifdeem. \Fairy Qneen, Introduction to B. vi, st. 4.] Ed. Spencer. But in the triall of true Courtefie, Its now fo farre from that which then it was, That it indeed is nought but forgerie, Fafhion'd to pleafe the eyes of them that paffe, Which fee not perfect things but in a glaffe ; Yet is that glaffe fo gay, that it can blinde The wifeft fight to thinke gold that is braffe ; But vertues feate is deepe within the minde, And not in outward fhews, but inward thoughts defin'd. {Ibid., ibid., st. 5.] IDEM. This noble vertue, and divine, Doth chiefly make a man fo rare and odde, As in that one they moft refemble God. S. J. Harr. Trans/. For Courteous fpeech, and ufage mildc and kinde, Wipes malice out of every noble minde. [Oilando Fiirioso, B. xxxi, st. 34.] S. J. Harrington. As Courtefie, oft times, in fimple bowers Is found as great as in the ftately towers. \Ibid.. B. xiv, St. 52.] Idem. 56 Tlic Choyscst Flowers Tis meete a gentle heart fhould ever fliowe, ]^y Courtefie, the fruites of true gentihtie ; Which will, by prafticc, to an habit growe, And make men do the fame with great facilitie : Likewife, the dunghill blood a man fliall know, By churlifli parts, and a6ls of incivilitie, Whofe nature, apt to take each lewde infection, Cuftome confirmes, and makes ill in perfe6lion. [Orlando Fiirioso, B. xxxvi, st. i.] S. J. HARRINGTON. CRUEL TIE. All lay on hands to punifli Crueltie. M. Drayton. But Crueltie can never fcape the fcourge Of fhame, of horror, or of fudden death ; Repentance felfe, that other finnes may purge, Doth flie from this, fo fore the foule it flayeth ; Difpaire diffolves the tyrants bitter breath, For fudden vengeance fuddenly alights On cruell deeds, to quite their cruell fpights. \Lege7uiof Lord Clifford, edit. 1610, p. 366.] L H., M. of M. CUSrOME. Round-headed Cuftome th' apoplexie is . Of bed-rid Nature, and lives led amis. And takes away all feeling of offence. \_Hrro and /.raiidcr, edit. 1600, Sest. 3.] G. CHAP>r\N. of our English Poets. 57 Cuftome abufd, brings vertiie in difdaine. [A'f autlior naiiifd.'] Nature, with Cuftome joyned, never failes, But by her felfe, and in her helpes prevailes. [Fig for Moinns, 1595, Sat. iii.] D. LODGE. Whereas to natures (forward to retaine) Lewde obje6ls are annext, and Cuftomes vaine, The wounds grow defperate, and death doth end, Before good counfell can the fault amend. \_Ibid., ibid.] Idem. Cuflome, the worlds judgement, doth blind fo farre, That vertue is oft arraign'd at vices barre. J. Syl. Trans/. DANGER. With him went Danger, cloath'd in ragged weede, Made of beares fkinne, that him more dreadfull made ; Yet his owne face vv-as dreadfull, ne did neede Strange horror to deforme his grifly fliade ; A net in th' one hand, and a ruftie blade In th' other was ; this mifchiefe, that mifhap : With th' one his foes he threatned to invade. With th' other he his friends meant to enwrap; For whom he could not kill he practis'd to intrap. \_Fairy (Jneeii, B. iii, c. xii, st. 1 1.] Ed. Spencer. Danger hath honour, great defignes their fame. S. Dan. 58 TJi.c Choyscst Floiccrs The greatcft Daungers promife greateft bliffe. M. Drayton. Danger devifeth fliifts ; wit waits on feare. [Vciii/s a)id Adonis, 1593,5!. 115,] W. Shakespeare. Daunger 's the chiefeft joy to happineffe, And refolution honours faireft ayme. Ch. Marlowe. The path is fmooth that leadeth on to Daunger. [Ve?ius and Adonis, st. 132.] W. Shakespeare. When as we thinke we moft in fafetie ftand, Great'ft Daungers then are ever near at hand. \M0rti7neriad0s, 1596.] M. Drayton. The Daunger hid, the place unknowne and wilde, Breeds dreadfull doubts : oft fire is without fmoake, And perill without fhewe. Ed. Spencer. Ay me ! how many perills do enfolde The righteous man, to make him daily fall ; Were not, that heavenly grace did him uphold, And fteadfaft truth acquite him out of all. [Fairy Queen, B. i, c. viii, st. i.] Idem. A thoufand perills lie in clofe awaite About us daily, to worke our decay, That none except a God, or God his guide, May them avoyd, or remedie provide. Idem. of our English Poets. 59 In perill thus we thinke our felves moft fure, And oft in death fond men are moft fecure. yDrayioti's Mortivieriados, 1596.] No Danger but in hie eftate ; none envies mean degree. W. Warner, Daungerous things diffembled fildome are, Which many eyes attend with bufie care. [Episfle, Q. Isabel to Mortimer.'] M. Drayton. The abfent Danger greater ftill appeares ; Leffe feares he, who is neare the thing he feares. {Tragedy of Cleopatra, 1594.] S. Daniell. Moft ftrong is he, wdien Daungers are at hand, That lives prepar'd their furies to withftand. (3f common fence he is deprived cleane. That falles with clofed eyes on Daunger feene ; And he that may both paine and hurt efchue, Is vaine, if he his proper death purfue. {No author named] DREAD. Next fawe we Dread, all trembling, how he fliooke. With foote uncertaine profered here and there ; Benumbd of fpcech, and with a gaftly looke, Searcht every place, all pale and dead for feare ; His cap borne up with ftaring of his haire : Stoynd and amaz'd at his ownc fliade for dread. And fearing greater daungers then was need. [Jnduetion to M. 0/ M., edit. 1610, p. 261.] M. Sackvii 6o The Choysest Floivcrs Coward Dread lackes order, feare wants art, Deafe to attend, commaunded or defirde. Ed. Fairfax, Tntnsl. DEA TH. And by and by a dumbe dead courfe we fawe Heavy and cold, the fliape of Death aright, That daunts all earthly creatures to his lawe, Againft whofe force in vaine it is to fight, Ne peeres, ne princes, nor no mortall wight, No towne, ne realmes, cities, ne flrongeft tower. But all perforce muft yeeld unto his power. His dart anon out of the corpes he tooke. And in his hand, (a dreadfuU fight to fee) With great tryumph, eftfoones the fame he fliooke, That moft of all my feares affraied me : His body dight with nought but bones, perdie ; The naked fhape of man there fawe I plaine, AH fave the flefh, the finew, and the vaine. [IndiiciioJi to M.for M., edit. 1610, p. 265.] M. Sackvill. Death is a port, whereby we paffe to joy; Life is a lake that drowneth all in paine : Death is fo deare, it ceafeth all annoy ; Life is fo leaud, that all it yeelds is vaine : And as by life to bondage man is brought. Even fo likewife by death was freedome wrought. {Uncertain authors. — TottelVs Miscellany^ I557-] K. OF Surkf;v. I of our English Pods. 6i Nought is immortall underneath the fun : All things are fubject to Deaths tyrannic ; Both clownes and kings one felfsame courfe muft run, And whatfoever lives is fure to die. [Tragedy of Cornelia^ 15945 act ii.] Tho. Kyd. Death's alwaies readie, and our time is knowne To be at heavens difpofe, and not our ovvne. [Ibid., ibid.'] IDEM. The braveft are as bloffomes, and the longefh liver dies ; And, dead, the lovelieft creature as the lothsomft carion lies. \_Albions England, edit. 1602, B. iv, c. 21.] W. Warner. Our frailties done are written in the flowers, Which flourifli now, and fade ere many hovvres. [Complaint of Rosamond, 1592, st. 36.] S. Daniell. All earthly things be borne To die the death, for nought long time may laft : The funne his beautie yeelds to winters blaft. I. H. M. of M agist. Is not God's deed, what ever thing is done In heaven or earth .-' Did not He all create To die againe } all ends that was begunne : Their times in his eternall booke of fate Are written fure, and have their certaine date. Who then can ftrive with ftrong neceffitie. That holds the world in his ftill chaunging ftate .-* Or fliun the Death ordaind by desteny .-' When houre of Death is come, let none aflvc whence nor why. [/''airy Queen, W. i, c. ix, st. 42.] En. Si'KNcer. 62 The Choyscst Floivcrs Death amongft all deales equally, For hee 's impartiall ; and with one felfe hand Cuts off both good and bad : none can withftand. \_History of Heaven, 1596.] Ch. Middleton. Death certaine is to all : the proverbe faith, Uncertaine is to all the houre of death. \_Orlando Fiirioso, B. xviii, st. 84.] S. J. Harr. TraiisL Pale fearefull Death, with bloudy dart doth ftrike The wretched caitifife and the king alike. [A^o author named.'] Untimely never comes the lifes laft met. In cradle Death may rightly claime his debt, Straight after birth due is the fatall beere : By Deaths permiffion th' aged linger heere ; Even in the fwath-bands out commiffion goeth To loofe thy breath, that yet but yoongly bloweth. \Dolman''s Lord Hastings, edit. 1610, p. 432.] I. H. M. 0/ M. All muficke fleepes where Death doth lead the daunce. {^Shepherds Calendar, Nov.] Ed. Spencer. Let nature for perfe6lion mould a paragon each way, Yet Death, at laft, on finefb lumps of living flefli wil pray ; For nature never framed it, that never fliall decay. [Albions England, B. iv, ch. 21.] W. WARNER. Fatal Death, the emperor of graves. [Tragedy 0/ Sir R. Crinvilc, 1595.] 1. Markham. of our English Poets. Death is the key which unlockes miferie, And lets them out to bleffed hbertie. All is but loft, that living we beftowed, If not well ended at our dying day. O man ! have mind of that laft bitter rage ; For as the tree doth fall, fo lies it ever lowe. 63 M. Drayton. Ed. Spencer. No fear of Death Ihould force us to do ill. \Tragedy of Cornelia, 1594? =ict ii.] Th. Kyd. When, for feare of an enfuing ill, We feeke to fhorten our appointed race, Then tis (for feare) that we our felves do kill : So fond we are to feare the worlds difgrace. {^Ibid., ibid.] IDEM. Happie, thrice happie, who fo lofb his breath. That life he gaineth by his godly death. [iVi? author named.'] Unwife and wretched men to weet whats good or ill ! We deeme of Death as doom of ill defert : But knew we, fooles ! what it us brings untill. Die would we daily, once it to expert. No danger there the fhepheard can afhert : Faire fields and pleafant layes there beene, The fields aye frefli, the graffc aye greene. \_StiepJu'rd\^ Calendar., Nov.] Ed. Spencer This fame Which we call Death, tlic foiilcs releafe from woe, 64 The Choysest Flowers The worke which brings our bHffe to happie frame ; Sildome arrefts the bodie, but we finde Some notice of it written in our minde. {Tragedy of Sir R. Grinvilc, 1595.] I. Markham. The worth of all men by their end efteeme, And then due praife, or due reproach, them yeeld. [Fairy Queen, B. ii, c. viii, st. 14.] Ed. Spencer. Death is an equall doome To good and bad, the common inne of reft ; But after Death, the triall is to come, When beft lliall be to them that lived beft ; But both alike, when Death hath both fuppreft, Religious reverence doth buriall teene ; Which who fo wants, wants fo much of his reft : For all fo great fliame after death I weene, As felfe to dien bad, unburied bad to beene. [Fairy Queen, B. ii, c. i, st. 59.] Ed. Spencer. For beafts with careleffe fteppes to Laethe go, Where men, whofe thoughts and honours clime on hie. Living with fame, muft learne with fame to die. [Alarius and Sylla, 1594, act v, sc. i.] D. LODGE. Death but an a6led paffion doth appeare, Where truth gives courage, and the confcience cleare. [Epistle, Lady Jane Gray to Dudley, 1598.] M. Drayton. Who dies, the utmoft dolour muft abye ; But who that lives, is left to waile his loffe ; So life is loffe, and Death felicitie. of our English Poets. 65 Sad life, worfe then glad Death ; and greater croffe To fee friends grave, then, dead,. the grave felfe to engroffe. {^Fairy Queen, B. iii, c. iv, st. 38.] Ed. Spencer. In wretches fudden Death, at once There long-fome ill is buried with their bones. \_History of Judith, 1584.] Th. Hudson, Transl. Death is to him, that wretched life doth lead, Both grace and gaine ; but he in hell doth lie That lives a loathed life, and, wifliing, cannot die. Ed. Spencer. Death is moft lovely fweet, and amiable ; But captiv'd life, for fouleneffe admirable. [Jervis Mai-t:ttam''s Sir R. Grinvitc, 1595.] I. Marston. The toongs of dying men Inforce attention, like deep harmony : Where words are fcarce, they are fildom fpent in vaine ; For they breath truth, that breath their words in paine. He that no more muft say, is liffened more Then they whom youth and eafe have taught to glofe : More are mens ends markt, then their lives before. The fetting funne, and mufick at the clofe, As the laft taft of fweets is fweeteft laft. Writ in remembrance more then things long paft. [Richard II, 1597, act ii, sc. i.J W. Shakespeare. DELAIE. On the one fide he, on th' other fate Delaie, Behind the gate, tliat none licr might cspie ; K 66 The Choyscst Fhnvcrs Whose manner was, all paffengers to ftaie, And entertaine with her occafions flic : Through which, fotne loft great hope unheedilie, Which never they recover might againe ; And others quite excluded forth did lie, Long languifhing there in unpittied paine, And feeking often entrance afterwards in vaine. {Fairy Queen, B. iv, c. x, st. 13.] Ed. Spencer. For daunger growes by lingring till the laft ; And phificke hath no helpe, when hfe is paft. {The Ekatompathia (1582), Son. 59.] Th. Watson. Oft things done, perhaps, do leffe annoy Then may the doing, handeled with Delay. S. Daniell. Delaie, in clofe awaite, Caught hold on me, and thought my fheps to ftay ; Faining ftil many a fond excufe to prate, And time to fteale the treafure of mans day, Whofe fmalleft minute loft, no riches render may. Ed. Spencer. Times Delay new hope of helpe ftill breeds. Idem. Fearful! commenting, Is leaden fervitor to dull Delay. {Richard III, 1597, act iv, sc. 3.] W. SHAKESPEARE. He that will ftop the brooke, muft then begin When fommcrs heat hath dried up the fpring; of our English Poets. 6y And when his pittering ftreames arc low and thin : For let the winter aid unto them bring, He growes to be of watry flouds the king : And though you damme him up with loftie rankes, Yet will he quickly overflow his bankes. {Only found ill Eiiglaiurs Parnassus?^ R. Greene. Ill newes deferring is a plague as great as an ill newes. \_Lady PeJttbroke's Ivychurch, 1591.] Ab. Fraunce. Delay in love, he fayth, brecdcth doubts ; denial bringcth death. [[-F. Warner's A Ibions England, B. iv, c. xxi.] W. Shakespeare. But intermiffion sufl"ers men difpute What dangers are, and caft with further care ; Colde doubt cavells with honour, fcorneth fame. And, in the end, feare waighes downe faith with fliame, [Civil Wars, B. iii, st. 43.] S. Daniell. Where hearts be knit, what helpes if not enjoy } Delay breeds doubts, no cunning to be coy. [Epistle, Edward IV to Jane Shore, 1599.] M. D. DELIGHT. In things without us no Delight is furc. \He7-o and Lcander, 1600, Scst. 3.] G. Chapman. A fwcetc in fliapc is but a bad Delight. D. Li)1)c;e. 6S TJic Choyscst Flowers Profperitie a flatterer is found : Delight is fearleffe, till it feele the wound. [Legend of P. GavestoH, \S9(>,^^- 20-J.'] M. D. Vide Pleasitre. DESIRE. Desire, whom not the firmament, Nor aire, nor earth, nor ocean can content ; Whofe lookes are hookes, whofe bellies bottomleffe, Whofe hands are gripes to fcrape with greedines, Under whofe command, She brings to field a rough unruly band ; First, fecret burning, mightie fwoln ambition. Whom Epicurus many worlds fuffice not, Whofe furious thirft of proud afpiring dies not, Whofe hands tranfported with phantafticke paffion, Beare painted fteeples in imagination. \_The Furies, from Dn Farias.] I. Sylvister, Transl. Amongft the moft, the worft we beft can chufe ; Tis eafie to defire, but hard to ufe. M. Drayton. Defire hath filters, which Defires procure. [Legend of Matilda, 1^96, St. /\.6.'\ Idem. If blinde Defire thy heart hath once embraced, Inthrall'd it is, and honour fo defaced. [A'o author named.'] Defire with fmall encouraging growes bolde. [Epistle, Matilda to King John, 1599.] IDEM. of our English Poets. 6g What can be fa id that lovers cannot fay ? Defire can make a doctor in a day. {^Legend of Matilda, 1596, st. no.] M. Dravton. Things much retain'd, do make us much defire them, And bewties feldome feene, makes us admire them. Idem. DESTINIE. Sad Clotho held the rocke, the whiles the thrid By grifly Lachefis was fpunne with paine, That cruell Atropos eft foones undid, With curfed knife cutting the twift in twaine : Moft wretched men, whofe dales depend on thrids fo vain ! \_Spe7icer''s Fairy Qiiee7i, B. iv, c. ii, st. 48.] E. of S. The holy prophet brought Aftolpho, where A pallace (feldome feene by mortall man) Was plac't, by which a thicke darke river ran. Each roome therein was full of divers fleeces Of wolle, of lint, of filk, or elfe of cotten ; An aged woman fpunne the divers peeces, Whofe looke and hue did fliew her old and rotten : Nor much unlike unto that labour this is, By which, in fommer, new made filke is gotten, Where from the filke-worme his fine garment taking, They reave him of the cloathes of his owne making. For firft, in one large roome, a woman fpan Infinite thrids of divers ftuffe and hew; An other doth, with all the fpeed Hie can, With other ftuffe the diftaffes ftill renew : JO TJic Choysest Floivcrs The third, in feature Hke, and pale and wan, Severs the faire from foule, the olde from new. Who be thefe here ? the Duke demaunds his guide. Thefe be the fatall fifters, he repHde ; The Parcees that the thrid of hfe do fpin To mortall men : hence death and nature knowe When hfe muft end, and when it muft begin. Now fhe that doth devide them, and beftow The coarfe from finer, and the thick from thin, Workes to that end, that thofe which fineft grow For ornaments in Paradice muft dwell : The coarfe are curft to be confum'd in hell. Further, the Duke did in the place behold, That when the thrids were fpent that had bene fpunne ; Their names in braffe, in silver, or in gold Were wrote, and fo into great heapes were done : From which a man, that feemed wondrous old. With whole loades of thofe names away did runne ; And turn'd againe as faft the way he went, Nor never weary was, nor ever fpent. This aged man did hold his pace fo fwift. As though to runne he onely had bene borne, Or had it giv'n him as a fpeciall gift ; And in the lappet of his cloake were borne The names, etc. — ' This ivas Time! {^Orlando Ftirioso, 1591, B. xxxiv, st. 86, etc.] S. J. Harr. Transl. [ Vide Fame. A heape of names within his cloake he bore, And in the river did them all unlade ; Or, (to fay truth,) away he caft them all Into this ftreamc, which Laethe we do call. {^Ibid., B. XXXV, St. 11.] IDEM. of our Englisli Poets. 7 r You, fad Daughters of the quiet night, Which in your private refolution wright What hath or fhall upon our fortunes hght, Whofe ftories none may fee, much leffe recite ; You rulers of the gods. {Tragedy of Sir R. Grinvile, 1595.] I. Markham. Downe in the bottome of the deepe abiffe, Where Demogorgon in dull darkneffe pent, Far from the view of gods or heavens bliffe. The hidious chaos keepes, their dreadfull dwelling is. \_Fairy Queen, B. iv, c. ii, st. 47.] Ed. Spencer. What man can turne the ftreame of Deftenie, Or breake the chaine of ftrong neceffitie, Which faft is tide to Joves eternall feate .'' \Fairy Queen., B. i, c. v, st. 25.] Idem. But what fhall be, fliall be : there is no choice ; Things needs muft drive as Deftenie decreeth : For which we ought in all our haps rejoyce, Becaufe the eye Eterne all things forefeeth, Which to no ill at any time agreeth ; For ills, too ill to us, be good to it. So far his fkilles exceed our reache of wit. {Legend of Duke of Clarence, edit. 1610, p. 384.] I. H. Mir. of Ma. Woe worth the wretch that ftrives with Gods forefight ! They are not wife, but wickedly do erre. Which thinkc ill deeds due Dcftenies may barre. {Ibid., ibid., p. 391.] Idem. 72 TIic CJioyscst Flozucrs No humble fpeech, nor mone, may move the fixed ftint Of Deftinie or death : fuch is the will that paints The earth with colours frefh, the darkifh fkies with ftore Of ftarry lic^ht. Ed. Spencer. Walls may a while keepe out an enemie, But never caftle kept out Deftinie. {Mortimeriados, 1596.J M. Drayton. But ah ! who can deceive his Deftinie ? Or weene, by warning, to avoyd his fate ^ That, when he fleepes in moft fecuritie, And fafeft feemes, him fooneft doth amate, And findeth due effect or foone or late : So feeble is the power of flefhly arme. \_Fairy Queen, B. iii, c. iv, st. 27.] Ed. Spencer. That which Jove and Deftinie have done, Men may lament, but never difanull. \_Li/L' and Death of Drake, 1596, st. 237.] Ch. Fitz. Vide Fate. DISPAIRE. Ere long they come where that fame wicked wight His dwelling has, lowe in an hollow cave, Farre underneathe a craggy clift ypight, Darke, dolefull, drery, like a greedy grave, That ftill for carion carkaffes doth crave. On top whereof aye dwell the ghaftly owle, Shriking his balcfull note, which ever drave of our EngUsJi Poets. 73 Farre from that haunt all other chearefull fowle ; And all about it wandring ghofles did waile and houle. And all about olde ftockes and fbubs of trees, Whereon nor fruite nor leafe was ever feene, Did hang upon the ragged rocky knees ; On which had many wretches hanged beene, Whofe carkaffes were fcattered on the greene, And throwne about the cliffes. \_Fai7-y Queen., B. i, c. ix, st. 33.] ' Ed. Spencer. That darkfome cave they enter, where they finde That curfcd man, lowe fitting on the ground, Mufing full fadly in his fallen minde : His grifly locks, long growen and unbound, Difordered hung about his fhoulders round, And hid his face ; through which his hollo we eyne Lookt deadly dull, and ftared as aftound. Hi? rawebone cheekes, through penurie and pine. Were fhrunke into his jawes, as he did never dine. His garment, nought but many ragged clouts, With thornes together pind and patched was. The which his naked fides he wrapt abouts : And him befide, there lay upon the graffe A drery corfe, whofe life away did paffe, All wallowed in his owne yet luke-warme blood, That from his wound yet welled frefh, alaffe ! In which a ruftie knife fafl fixed flood, And made an open paffage for the gufhing flood. \Fairy Queen, B. i, c. ix, st. 35.] Idem. Me thought, by night, a grifly ghofl in darkes I fawe, 74 TJic Choyscst Fhnvers Eke nearer ftill to me with ftealing fteps fhe drew : She was of colour pale, and deadly hew, Her clothes refembled thoufand kinds of thrall. And pictures plaine of haftned deaths withall. {Legend of Queen Cordila, edit. 1610, p. 66.] I. H., Mir. of M. Difpaire, The factor for improvident reftraint. I. Markeham. Next whom Difpaire, that deepe difdained elfe, Delightleffe livde, ftill ftabbing of her felfe. \_Glat{C7is attd S cilia, 1589, sig. C 4.] D. Lodgk. Now, as it is not lawfull for a man. At fuch a kings departure or deceafe, To leave the place, and falsifie his faith ; So in this cafe we ought not to furrender That deerer part, till heaven it felfe commaund it. For as they lent us life to do us pleafure, So looke they for returne of fuch a treafure. {Tragedy of Cornelia, I594> act ii.] Th. Kyd. Farre greater folly is it for to kill Themfelves, difpairing, then is any ill. I. W.^Mir.of M. Be refolute, not defperate, the gods that made thee poore Can if they will (do wait their will) thy former ftate reftore. {Albions England, B. ii, c. 10.] W. Warner. For when laft need to defperation driveth. Who dareth the moft, he wifeft counfell giveth. [Fairfax's Godfrey of BuUoigne, B. vi, st. 6.] S. J. HARRINGTON. of our English Poets. • 75 We may in warre fometime take truce with foes, But in Difpaire we cannot with our woes. Difpaire hath ever daunger all contemned. M. Drayton. Idem. DIVELL. Hells prince, fly parent of revolts and lies. [^Sacrijice of haac, 1592.] I. Sylvister. O ruthleffe murderer of immortall foules, Alaffe ! to pull us from the happie poales, And plunge us headlong in the yawning hell, Thy ceafelefs fraudes and fetches, who can tell } Thou playTt the lyon, when thou dooft ingage Blood-thirftie Neroes barbarous heart with rage ; While, flefht in murders, butcher-like, he paints The faint-poore world, with the deare blood of faints : Thou plaieft the dog, when by the mouth prophane Of fome falfe prophets, thou doeft belch thy bane. Where from the pulpet barkingly he rings Bold blafphemies againft the King of Kings. Thou plaiTt the fwine, when plung'd in pleafures vile. Some epicure doth fober mindes defile ; Transforming lewdly by his loofe impietie, Sweete Lacedemon to a foft focietie. Thou plaieft the nightingale, or elfe the fwan, When any famous rhetorician With captious wit, and curious language, drawes Seduced hearers, and fubvcrts the lawcs. 76 ' TJie Choyscst Flozvers Thou play'ft the foxe, when thou doeft faine aright The face and phrafe of fome deepe hypocrite. True painted tombe, dead feeming cole, but quicke, "A fcorpion fell, whofe hidden taile doth pricke : Yet this were little, if thy fpight audacious Spar'd (at the leaft) the face of angels gracious ; And if thou didft not apely immitate Th' Almighties workes, the warieft wits to mate. I. SvL. Trail si. The ghoftly enemie doth not ftay Till tempted perfons do obay. Yeeld to him, he a lyon is, Gaine ftood, a flie his pray doth mis. IGNOTO. A fubtill pandar, with more inticing rights Then fea hath fifh, or heaven hath twinckling lights. {^Shipwreck of Jonas, 1592.] I. Syl. As a falfe lover, that thicke fnares hath laide To entrap th' honour of a faire yoong maide, When fhe (though liflening) litle eare affords To his fweete courting, deepe affe6led words, Feares fome affwaging of his freezing flame, And foothes himfelfe with hope to gaine his game, And wrapt with joy upon this point perfifts. That parlying cittie never long refifts, Even fo the ferpent, that doth counterfet A guilcfuU call, to allure us to his net ; Perceiving Eve his flattering gloze difgeft, He profecutes, and jocund doth not reft. of our English Poets. yy Till he have tried foote, hand, head, and all, Upon the breach of this new battered wall. [Worlds Creation, 1596.] I. Syl. Traiisl. DISCORD. Hard by the gates of hell her dwelling is ; There whereas all the plagues and harmes abound. Which punifli wicked men that walke amis : It is a darkefome delve, far under ground, With thornes and barren brakes invirond round. That none the fame may eafily out win ; Yet many waies to enter may be found, But none to iffue forth when one is in : For Difcord harder is to end, then to begin. \_Fairy (Ineen, B. iv, c. i, St. 20.] Ed. Spenckr. Her name was Ate, mother of debate And all diffention, which doth daily grow Amongft fraile men : that many a publike ftate And many a private, oft cloth overthrow. [Ibid., ibid., st. 19.] Idem. He knew her by her weed of fundry hew. Patched with infinit unequall lifts, Her flcin in fundry places naked view, At divers rents and cuts, he may that lifts : Her haire was gray and red, and black and blew, And hard and foft ; in laces fome flie twifts, Some hangeth downe, upright fome flandeth ftaring, As if each haire with other had been fquaring. 78 The Clioysest Flowers Her lap was full of writs and of citations, Of proceffes, of actions, and arrefts, Of bills, of anfweres, and of replications, In courts of Delegats and of Requefts ; Greeving the fimple fort with great vexations. She had reforting to her, as her guefts, Attending on her circuits and her journies, Scriv'ners and clarkes, lawiers, and atturnies. {^Orlando Fiirioso, B. xiv, st. 72.] S. J. Harr. Tfansl. Her face moft foule and filthy was to fee, With fquinted eyes contrarie wayes intended ; And loathly mouth'd, unmeet a mouth to bee, That nought but gall and venome comprehended. And wicked words that God and man offended : Her lying tongue was in two parts divided, And both the parts did fpeak, and both contended ; And as her tongue fo was her heart difcided, That never thought one thing, but doubly ftill was guided. {Fairy Queen, B. iv, c. i, st. 27.] Ed. Spencer. For like as drops ingender mightie flouds, And little feeds fprout forth great leaves and buds ; Even fo fmall ftrifes, if they be fuffered runne, Breed wrath and warre and death, ere they be donne. [T. Phaer, Owen Glendour, edit. 1610, p. 299.] M. of Magist. Concord in kingdomes is chiefe affurance. And that your families do never fall ; But where Difcord doth lead the doubtfuU dance, With bufie brawles and turnes of variance, 1 of our English Poets. 79 Where malice is minftrell, the pipe ill report, That mafk mifchiefe, and fo ends the fport. [G. Ferrers, in H. Dnkeo/Glouc., edit. 1610, p. 331.] AT. of M. Fire-brand of hell, firft tinde in Phlegeton By thoufand furies, and from thence outthrowne Into this world, to worke confufion. And fet it all on fire by force unknowne, Is wicked Difcord ; whofe small fparkes, once blowne, None but a god or godlike man can flake. Such as was Orpheus ; that, when ftrife was growne Amongft thofe famous imps of Greece, did take His filver harp in hand, and fliortly friends them make. \Fairy Queen, B. iv, c. ii, st. i.] Ed. Spencer. O cruell Difcord, food of deadly hate ; O mortall corfive to a common-weale : Death-lingring confumption to a ftate ; A poyfoned fore that never falve could heale. O foule contagion, deadly killing fever, Infecting oft, but to be cured never. [Legetid of Pierce Gaveston, 1596,51. 123.] M. Drayton. A ftate divided cannot firmly ftand : Two kings within one realme could never reft. \_Tragedy of Cornelia, 1594, act i, sc. i.J T. Kyd. DISSIMULA TION. Fierce lightening from her eies Did fct on fier faire Heroes facrificc. 8o TJie CJioysest Flozvci's Which was her torne robe and inforced haire ; And the bri"-ht flame became a maid moft faire For her afpe6l ; her treffes were of wire, Knit like a net, where harts, all fet on fire, Struggled in pants, and could not get releafl : Her amies were all with golden pincers dreft, And twentie fafliioned knots, pullies, and brakes. And all her body girt with painted fnakes. Her downe parts in a fcorpions taile combinde, Freckled with twentie colours ; pied wings fliinde Out of her fhoulders ; cloth did never die. Nor fweeter colours never viewed eie In fcorching Turkey, Cares, Tartaric, Then fliinde about this fpirit notorious ; Nor was Arachnes web fo glorious. Of lightning and of fhreds fhe was begot ; More hold in bafe diffemblers is there not : Her name was Eronufis. \_Hero and Leander, edit. 1600, Sest. 4.] G. Chapman. The colours of Diffemblance and deceit Were died deep in graine, to feeme like truth. Ed. Spencer. Better a wretch then a Diffembler. [Skialetheia, 1598, Sat. i.] E. Gilpin. For commonly in all Diffimulations Th' exceffe of glavering doth the guile dete6l, Reafon refufeth falfhood to direct : The will, therefore, for feare of being fpied, Exceedeth meane, becaufe it wanteth guide. {Legend of Lo)'d Rivers, edit. 1610, p. 406,] M. of M. of our EnglisJi Poets. 8 1 For commonly all, that do counterfeit In any thing, exceed the natural! meane. And that for feare of failing in their feat, \_Ibid., ibid., p. 206.] M. 0/ M. The lovely lookes, the fighes that ftorme fo fore, The due of deep diffembling Doubleneffe, Thefe may attempt, but are of power no more. Where beautie leanes to wit and foothfaft neffe. [Rosalynd, 1590 : edit. 1598, sig. H 4 b.] D. Lodge. Whofo hath to doo With deep Diffemblers, muft diffemble too. {^Legend of Humphrey D like of Gloucester, 1600. st. 137.] Ch. Middleton. Vid. Hypocrisic. END. The End doth alwaies prove the fact ; By End we judge the meaning of the act. [J. H. in M.forM. : Loeriniis, edit. 1610, p. 23.] S.J. H., Traiisl. Begin where lightneffe wil, in fliamc it ends. \^Hero and Lcander, Sest. 4.] G. Chapman. EARTH. Thus whileft he laid his head upon her lap, She in a fiery mantle doth him wrap ; And carries him up from this lumpifii mould Into the fl-cics, whereas he might behold M 82 TJtc CJioyscst Floivcrs The Earth, in pcrfe6l roundneffe of a ball, Exceeding globes moft artificiall ; Which in a fixed point nature difpofed. And with the fundry elements inclofed ; Which, as the center, permanent doth ftay, When as the fkies, in their diurnall fway, Strongly maintaine the everturning courfe, Forced alone by their firft Mover fource : Where he beholds the aiery regions. Whereas the clouds and ftrange impreflions Maintaind by coldneffe often do appeare, And by the higheft region of the aire Unto the cleareft element of fire, W-'hich to her filver footftoole doth afpire. {^Endymion and Phcebe (1594), sig. E 2 b.] M. Drayton. Shee now is darkned to all creatures eies, Whileft in the fliadow of the Earth flie lies : For that the Earth, of nature cold and drie, A very chaos of obfcuritie, Whofe globe exceeds her compaffe by degrees. Fixed upon her fuperficies, When in his fliadow flie doth hap to fall, Doth caufe her darknes to be generall. {Ibid., ibid.'} Idem. Earth Bcares all her fonnes and daughters in one wombe ; She, Europes, Ameriques, Affriques, Afians toombe. Idem. Earth cannot comprehend The fecret depths of judgements all divine, of our English Poets. 83 Where is no ground, beginning, midft, nor fine. {^Sacrifice of Isaac, 1592 J J. Sylvester, Trans I. O truftleffe ftate of earthly things, and flipper hojDe Of mortall men, that fwinke and fweat for nought ; And lliooting wide, doth miffe the marked fcope. Now have I learnd (a leffon dearly bought) That nis on Earth affurance to be fought. \_Shephcrds Calendar, Nov.] Ed. Spencer. A narrow roome our glory vaine upties, A little circle doth our pride containe : Earth, like an ile amid the water lies. Which fea fometime is cald, fometime the maine. Yet nought therein refponds a name fo great ; It's but a lake, a pond, a marifli ftreet. [Godfrey of Btdloigne, B. xi\', st. 10.] Ed. Fairfax, Transl Our mother Earth, nere glorious in her frute. Till, by the funne, clad in her tinfell fute ; Nor doth fhe ever fmile him in the face, Till in his glorious armes he her imbrace : Which proves flie hath a foule, fence, and delight. Of generations feeling appetite. {Epistle, King John to Matilda, edit. 1599.] M. Draytcjn. To know our felvcs to come of humane birth, Thcfe fad afflictions croffe us here on Earth : A taxe impofde by heavens eternall lawe, To kecpe our rude rebellious will in awe. [//-/k.m. 84 The Choyscst Floivcrs \envie:\ And next to him, malicious Envie rode Upon a ravenous wolfe, and flill did chawe Between his cankred teeth a venemous tode, That all the poyfon ranne about his chawe : But inwardly he chawed his owne mawe At neighbours wealth, that made him ever fad ; For death it was when any good he fawe ; And wept, that caufe of weeping none he had, But when he heard of harme, he waxed wondrous glad. \Fairy Queen, B. i, c. iv, st. 30.] Ed. Spencer. The other held a fnake with venome fraught. On which flie fed and gnawed hungerly, As if that long flie had not eaten ought ; That round about the jawes we might difcry The bloody gore, and poyfon dropping loathfomly. Her name was Envie, knowne well thereby, Whofe nature is to greeve and grudge at all That fhc fees done praife- worthily ; Whofe fight to her is greateft croffe may fall. And vexeth fo, that makes her eate her gall : For, when flie wanteth other thing to eate, She feedes on her own maw unnaturall ; And of her owne foule entrailes make her meate ; Meate fit for fuch a monfters monftrous diet. Idem. I chaunccd on a monfter of a man, With licalth heart ficke, flcrvcd with ftorc of foode, of our Euglisli Poets. 85 With riches poore, with beautie pale and wan, Wretched with happineffe, evil with good : One eye did envie at the th'other eie, Becaufe the other envide more then hee. His hands did fight for the firft injurie : So Envie envide, enviede to be ; And, as he went, his hinder foote was fore. And envide at the foote that went before. [ChrcstoU-ros, 1598, lib. ii, epigr. 18.] Th. Bastard. This monfter, honors hurt, is like the curre That barkes at ftrangers comming to the durre. But fparing alwaies thofe are to him knowne ; To them moft gentle, to the others throwne. {Essays of a Prentice, IS^S- Urania.l K of S. This monfter als is like a raving cloude, Which threatens alwaies kindling Vulcan loudc To fmore and drowne him with her powring raine, Yet force of fire repels her power againe. [Ibid., Urania.'] Ide.m. Oft malice makes the mind to died the boyled brine. And Envies humor oft unlades by conduits of the cine. \_IV. Warner's Albion's England.^ T. \V. Envy lives with us, whilft our felves furvive, But when we die, it is no more alive. [Life and Death of Drake, 1595, st. 65.] Ch. Fitz JEFFREY, The knottic oake and wainfcot old, Within doth catc tiie filly wormc ; 86 The Choyscst Floivcrs Even fo a minde, in Envy cold, Alwaies within it felfe doth burne. Ch. Fitz Jeffrv. Each fence may common objects comprehend, Things excellent and fenfitive confound ; The eye with light and colours may contend, The eare endure the note of common found ; Both faile, when glorious beames and fhrokes abound : So Envy, that at meaneft things beares fpight, Stands mute at view of unexfpected height. {^I. if c and Death of Wolsey, 1599.] Th. Storek. Envy harboureth moft in feebleft breft. S. Ph. Sidney. Fell Envies cloud ftill dimmeth vertues ray. Ed. Spencek. Foule Envie, thou the partiall judge of right, Sonne of Deceit, borne of that harlot Hate, Nurfed in hell, a vile and ugly fprite. Feeding on flaunder, cherilht with debate, Never contented with thine owne eftate, Deeming alike the wicked and the good, Whofe words be gall, whofe actions end in blood. [Legend of Matilda, 1596, st. 78. J M. Drayton. Envie doth ceafe, wantinge to feed upon. Idem. But as the poyze, that would the palme repreffe, Doth caufe the bowes fpread larger round about ; So fpitc and Envie caufcth glory fprout ; of our EiiglisJi Poets. ^y And aye the more the top is overtroad, The deeper doth the fame roote fpread abroad. {Churchyard'' s T. Mowbray., edit. 1610, p. 289.] M. of M Sicilian tyrants yet did never finde Then Envie, greater torment of the minde. Idem. But ah ! our dayes are ftampt in Envies mint, . And this our age caft in the iron mold ; Our hearts are hew'd out of Caucafean flint, And two leav'd plates of braffe our brefts enfold : Hate waxeth yoong, the world thus waxing old, And beft we like them, that do us love the leaft, And leaft we love them, whom we fliould like beft. [Z//2' and Death of Drake, 1596, st. 48.] Ch. Fitz Geffrey. ERROR. His gliftering armour made A little glooming light, much like a fhade ; By which fhe faw the ugly monfter plaine, Halfe like a ferpent, horribly difplaied. But th' other halfe did womans fliape retaine, Mofl loathfome, filthy, foule, and full of vile difdaine. And as flie lay upon the dyrtie ground. Her huge long taile her den all overfpred, Yet was in knots, and many bouts upwound, Pointed with mortall fting. Of her there bred A thoufand yoong ones, which Hie daily fed, S8 TJic Choyscst Floiocrs Sucking upon her poyfonous dugges, each one Of fundrie fliapes, yet all ill favoured. Soone as that uncouth light upon them fhone, Into her mouth they crept, and fudden all were gone. \Fairy Queen, B. i, c. i, st. 14.] Ed. Spencer. To erre is proper unto men, and but brutifli to perfift. W. Warner. Errors are no errors, but by fate ; For oft the event makes foule faults fortunate. {M. Drayton^s Mortimeriados, 1596.] S. Dan i ell. For errors left nnpuniflit, are profeft ; And being not defended are depreft. \_Legend of Humphrey of Gloucester, 1600, st. 46.] Middleton. To heare good counfell Error never loves. D. Lodge. Errors are hardly moved, That love doth breed in an unadvifed breft. S. J. H., Trausl. A flony coldneffe hath benumbde the fence. And lively fpirits of each living wight, And dim'd with darkneffe their intelligence, Darkenes more then Cymerians daily night, And monftrous Error flying in the aire. Hath mar'd the face of all that feemed faire. [Tears of /ke Muses, I S9i ■ Euferpe.] Ed. Spencer. of our EnglisJi. Poets. 89 FAITH. Fidelia hight, Like funny beames threw from her chriftall face, That could have dazde the rafn beholders fight, And round about her head did fliinc like heavens light. She was araied all in lilly white, And in her right hand bore a cup of gold, With wine and water filld up to the height, In which a ferpent did himfelfe infold, That horror made to all that did behold ; But file no whit did change her conftant mood. And in her other hand fhe faft did hold A booke, that was both fignd and feald with bloud. {Fairy Queen., B. i, c. x, st. 12.] Ed. Spencer. Faith fits triumphant on a coach of gold, Of Tuballs worke, where coftly faphires Ihine, Rich diamonds, and many rubies fine; And if ought elfe the worke more coftly hold. This glorious chariots rowling wheeles are like The holy wheeles the great Ezechiel fawc. For one felfe fpirit ; felfe winde and will doth drawe Their reftleffe courfes, cquall both alike ; The bird that led the Romaine ftandcrds out, The bird that fixed can oppofc his cies Againft the greateft light in all the flvies. High through the ayre drawes this rich coach about. Faith flaunts it not in filver nor in gold, Nor precious fcarlet of tlic Tyrian dye ; X 90 The Choysest Fhnvcrs Nor paints her face to hide deformitie ; But as flie is Ihe doth her felfe unfolde. Her body, that all bodies doth difgrace, Like Junoes bird is full of watchfull eies, Whofe holy glaunces pierce the loftie ilcies, Pierce aire and heaven, and fee God face to face. She hath great ftore of flowing tongues to praife The Lord of hoafhes : fhe hath moft mightie wings, (Faffing the fwiftnes of all earthly things) That in a moment up to heaven her raife. Her glorious head is compaft with a crowne, Nor made of olive, pine, or lawrell bowe, Nor parfly wreath, which Graecians did allowe Th' Olympian gaimes for fignalls of renowne ; But of frcfli rofes pluckt from honours tree, That never fhrinke for winters chilling frofts, Nor wither not when Titan hotely toftes, But by the Lord for ever watered bee, \Trinmph of Faith, 1592, p. 3.] J. Syl. Transl. Faith, friendly porter of heavens chriftall hold, Condu6l us ftraight before the throne of gold Of Gods great grace, there proftrate on her knee, Thus praier fpeaks in name of all the three. {Ship-cvreck of Jonas, 1592, p. 23.] IDEM. What was the world before the world .'' or God ere he was God } Why this he did, or doth not that, this bidden or forbod .-' I dare not thinke, or arrogate fuch mifteries divine, Faith, with licr fruitcs fignificant, fuffice thefe wits of mine ; of our English Poets. 91 To love God, and our neighbour as our felfe, is all in line. [Albions England, B. v, ch. 27.] W. Warner. Then drawe thy forces all unto thy hart, The ftrongeft fortreffe of this earthly part ; And on thefe three let thy affurance lie, — On Faith, repentance, and humilitie. [Epistle; Lady Jane Gray to Dudley.'] M. Drayton. Faith is thy fort, thy fliield, thy ftronger aide. Never controll'd, nere yeelded, ne difmaide ; Which doth dilate, unfold, foretell, expreffeth, Which gives rewards, invefteth, and poffeffeth. Idem. Faith hath not onely power on things terrene Both hie and lowe, but oftentimes doth force Gods jufticc too ; and fometimes feemes, perforce, Gods purpofes to change and alter cleane. [Triumph of Faith, 1593, p. 25.] J. Syl. But hardefl things Faith makes mofh poffible. [Uid., p. 2.] IDKM. For even the faithfull flock are like the ground. That, for good fruite, with weedes will ftill abound, If that the fliare and coulter idle lie, That rives the foyle, and rootes the brambles bie. [History of Judith, 1584, 15. ii.] Tn. HUDSON, Transl. Adde Faith unto your force, and be not faint. El). .Spenckr. 92 The Choyscst FUn^'crs Onely Faith doth juftifie, fay we, of Gods free grace By Chrift ; nor Faith is idle, but doth charitie embrace. W. Warner. FAME. A MONSTER swifter none is under funne ; Encreafing, as in waters we difcrie The circles fmall, of nothing that begun, Which, at the length, unto fuch breadth do come, That of a drop, which from the fkies doth fall. The circles fpread, and hide the waters all : So Fame, in flight encreafmg more and more ; For, at the firft, flie is not fcarcely knowne, But by and by fhe fleets from fhore to fliore. To clouds from th' earth her ftature ftraight is growne. There whatfoever by her trumpe is blowne, The found, that both by fea and land out-flies. Rebounds againe, and verberates the fkies. They fay, the earth that firft the giants bred. For anger that the gods did them difpatch, Brought forth this After of thofe monfters dead. Full light of foote, fwift wings the winds to catch : Such monfter erft did nature never hatch. As many plumes fhe hath from top to toe. So many eyes them underwatch or moe ; And tongues do fpeake : fo many eares do harke. By night tweene heaven fhe flies and earthly shade. And, fhrcaking, takes no quiet fleepe by darke : On houfes roofes, on towers, as keeper made. She fits by day, and cities threates t' invade ; of our English Poets. 93 And as Ihe tells what things flie fees by view, She rather fhewes that's fained falfe, then true. [Legefid of Albanact, p. 16, edit. 1610.] I. H., M. of M. Fame, in a ftoale of purple, fet with eies. And eares, and tongues, caried a golden booke ; Upon the cover, this I fawe engrav'd : Paiici qiios csquns auiavit Jupiter, a?it ardens evexit ad cetJiera virtus Dis geniti. \Thc Honour of the Garter., 1593.] G. Teele. F"ame with golden wings aloft doth flie. Above the reach of ruinous decay, And with brave plumes doth beate the ayrie fkie, Admir'd of bafe-borne men from far away, Ed. Spencer. The brazen trompe of iron -winged Fame, That mingleth faithfull truth with forged lies. \f}odfrey of Bulloignc, B. i, st. 81.] E. Fairfax, Transl. Then came they to the foule and loathfome lake, Darke, deepe, and mirie, of a deadly hue, Where was the aged man that never ftinted To carrie bundles of the names imprinted. This was the man, whom (as I told before) Nature and cuftome fo fwift pace had made. He never refted, but ran evermore. And with this running he did ufe this trade : A heapc of names within his cloake he bore, 94 The Choysest Floivcrs And in the river did them all unlade : Or (to fay the truth), away he caft them all Into this ftreame, which Laethe we do call. This prodigall old wretch no fooner came Unto this curfed rivers barren banke, But defperately, without all feare of blame, Or caring to deferve reward or thanke, He hurl'd therein full many a precious name, Where millions foone into the bottom fanke : Hardly in every thoufand one was found, That was not in the gulfe quite loft and dround. Yet all about great ftore of birds there flew, As vultures, carren crowes, and chattering pies, And many more of fundrie kinds and hew. Making leaude harmonic with their loude cries. Thefe, when the careleffe wretch the treafure threw Into the ftreame_, did all they could devife. What with their tallents fome, and fome with beake, To fave fome names, but find themfelves too weake ; For ever, as they fought themfelves to raife To beare away thofe names of great renowne. The waight of them fo heavie downeward waies. They in the ftreame were driven to caft them downe ; Onely two fwans fuftain'd fo great a paife : In fpight of him that fought them all to drowne, Thefe two do ftill take up whofe names they lift, And bare them fafe away, and never mift. Sometime all under the foule lake they dived, And tooke up fome that were with water covered ; And thofe that feem'd condemned, they reprived : And often, as about the banke they hovered. of our English Poets. 95 They caught them, ere they to the ftreame arrived ; Then went they, with the names they had recovered, Up to a hill that ftood the water nie, On which a ftately church was built on hie. This place is facred to immortall Fame, And evermore a nimph ftands at the gate, And tooke the names wherewith the two fwans came, (Whether they early come, or whether late) Then all about the church flie hang'd the fame. Before that facred image, in fuch rate As they might then well be affur'd for ev^cr, Spight of that wretch, in fafetie to perfever. {^Orlando Furioso, B. xxxv, st. 10, etc.] S. J. Harr. TraiisL Fame on his right hand, in a roabe of gold, Whofe ftately traine Time as her page did beare ; On which for rich imbroydery was enrold. The deeds of all the Worthies ever were; So ftrongly wrought as wrong could not impaire ; Whofe large memorialls fhe did ftill reherfe, In poets man-immortallizing verfe. Two tables on her goodly breft flie bore. The one of chriftall, th' other ebonie, Engrav'd with names of all that liv'd before : That, the faire booke of heavenly memorie ; Th' other, the black fcrowle of infamie ; One ftuft with poets, faints, and conquercrs ; Th' other with atheifts, tyrants, ufurers ; And in her words appeared, as a wonder, Her during force, and never failing might, Whicli foftly fpakc firrc off, were as a thunder; q5 The Clioyscst Fknvcrs And round about the world would take their flight, And bring the moft obfcureft things to light ; That ftill the farther ofif, the greater ftiU Did ever found our good, or make our ill. {^Legend of Robert of Normandy, 1596,5!. 12, etc.] M. Drayton. My dwelling place betwixt the earth and fkies, My turret unto heaven her top upreares : The windowes made of Lynceus piercing eies, And all the walles be made of daintieft eares, Where every thing that's done in earth appeares. No word is whifpered in this vaultie round, But in my pallace ftraitwaies it doth found : The pavement is of ratling brafen drums. The rafters, trumpets, which do rend the aire, Sounding aloud each name that thither comes ; The chinkes, like tongues, of all things talking there, And all things paft in memorie do beare : The doores unlocke with every word man faith. And open wide with every little breath. It 's hung about with amies and conquering fpoiles : The pillers which fupport the roofe of this, Are trophies graven with Herculean toiles ; The roofe of garlands, crownes, and enfignes is; In midft of which a chriftall pyramis, All over carv'd with men of moft renowne, Whofe bafe is my faire chaire, the fpire my crowne. S^Ibid., ibid., st. 50, etc.] Idem. Refuge of hope, the harbinger of truth. Hand mayd of heaven, vcrtues fkilfuU guide, The life of life, the ages fpringing youth ; of our English Poets. 97 Tryumph of joy, eternities faire bride, The virgins glory, and the martyrs pride ; The courages immortall raifing fire, The very height to which great thoughts afpire : The llaire by which men to the ftarres do clime ; The minds firft mover, greatnes to expreffe ; Faiths armour, and the vanquiflier of time ; A pleafant fweet againft deaths bitterneffe, The hie reward which doth all labours bleffe ; The ftudie which doth heavenly things impart, The joy amidft the tedious waies of art : Learnings greene lawrell, Juftice glorious throne, The Mufes chariot, memories true food, The poets life, the gods companion, The fire-reviving phoenix fun nurft brood. The fpirits eternall image, honours good ; The balfamum which cures the fouldiers fcarre ; The world-difcovering feamans happy fbarre. \_Lcgend of Robert of Normandy, 1596, st. 47, etc.] M. Drayton. A loftie fubjeft of it felfe doth bring Grave words and waightie, of it felfe divine ; And makes the authors holy honour fliine. If ye would after aflics live, beware To do like Eroftrate, who burnt the faire Ephefian temple ; or him to win a name. Who built of braffe a cruell calfe untame. {Essays of a Prentice, 1585. Ura7na.'] A', of S. Incorporeall Fame, Whofe waight confifts in nothing but her name, 9-] M. Drayton. FOR TUNE. Fortune, as blinde as he whom flie doth lead. Her feature chaung'd each minute of the houre, Her riggifh feete fantaftickly would tread : Now would flie fmile, and fuddenly would loAvre, And, with one breath, her words are fweete and fowre. Upon her foes fhe amoroufly would glaunce, And on her followers coyly looke afl