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HANDBOUND 
AT  THE 


ARTE 


OF 


ANCIENT  CRITICAL  ESSAYS 


UPON 


atrti 


EDITED  BY  JOSEPH  HASLEWOOD. 


VOL.  II. 


LONDON: 

PRINTED    BY    T.  BENSLEY,    BOLT    COURT,    FLEET    STREET, 
FOR 

ROBERT  TRIPHOOK,  ST.  JAMES'S  STREET. 
1815. 


THE  ARTE 


OF 


ENGLISH    POESJE,  &c. 


BY 


GASCOIGNE,  HARVEY,  SPENSER,  K.JAMES,  WEBB, 
HARINGTON,  MERES,  CAMPION,- 
DANIEL,  AND  BOLTON. 


LONDON : 

PRINTED    BY    T.    BENSLEY,    BOLT    COURT,    FLEET    STREET, 
FOR 

ROBERT  TRIPHOOK,  ST.  JAMES'S  STREET. 
1815. 


f 


TO 

SIR  EGERTON  BRYDGES,  BART.  M.  P. 

AS  A  SLIGHT  TESTIMONY 

OF 

RESPECT  FOR  HIS  TALENTS 

AND 

POSSESSION  OF  HIS  FRIENDSHIP, 
THIS  VOLUME  IS  INSCRIBED 

BY 

HIS  FAITHFUL 

AND  OBLIGED  SERVANT, 

JOSEPH  HASLEWOOD. 


tfie  Contents 


F  the  following  Collection,  it  may  be  ob- 
served, it  was  originally  planned  to  assist 
that  general  inquiry,  pursued  with  much 
energy  of  late,  for  obtaining  a  better  know- 
ledge of  early  English  literature,  and  was  first 
announced  in  1811,  upon  the  appearance  of 
the  reprint  of  Puttenham's  Arte  of  English 
Poesie,  to  which  it  may  be  considered  as 
a  useful  continuation.  The  delay  has  arisen  from  the  usual 
difficulty  of  obtaining  access  to  proper  authorities. 

It  may  not  be  unimportant  to  give  here  a  brief  account  of 
the  respective  articles  comprised  in  the  present  volume. 

I.  Cert  ay  ne  Notes  of  Instruction  concerning  the  making  of 
Verse  or  Ryme  in  English,  by  George  Gascoigne.1  This  sensi- 
ble treatise,  by  a  well-favoured  poet  of  his  time,  is  certainly  one 
of  the  earliest  attempts  in  our  language  to  establish  fixed  rules 
for  the  modulation  of  verse.  It  is  concise;  the  conclusions  are 
neither  singular  nor  forced ;  and  though  from  the  date  the  whole 
might  be  suspected  to  have  acquired  an  obsolete  character,  it  still 

retains 

1  GEORGE  GASCOIGNE  born ,  died  7th  Oct.  1577-  Such  traits  of  his  life  as 

could  be  gleaned  from  his  works  were  judiciously  collected  by  Mr.  Gilchrist,  and 
inserted  in  the  Centura  Lileraria,  Vol.  I.  p.  10Q.  An  enlarged  biographical  me- 
moir i?  prefixed  to  his  poems  by  Mr.  A.Chalmers,  in  his  valuable  edition  of  the 
ENGLISH  POETS,  Vol.  II.  p.  447.  And  a  copy  of  his  portrait,  with  a  biblio- 
graphical list  of  his  works,  may  be  found  in  the  British  Bibliographer,  Vol.  I. 
p.  73.  See  also  Wood's  Ath.  Ox.  ed.  1813.  Vol.  I.  p.  434. 


11 

retains  such  a  just  proportion  of  fact  with  the  precepts  forming 
a  close  alliance  to  the  natural  order  of  our  language,  that  while 
we  hesitate  to  recommend  any  thing  shaped  like  trammels  for  ge- 
nius, the  reading  these  notes  may  be  suggested  as  instructive,  if 
not  of  advantage  to  poetical  composition. 

It  was  inserted  in  the  edition  of  his  works  in  1575,  again  1587 ; 
and  from  the  first  of  those  the  present  verbal  and  paginal  reprint 
is  given.1 

II.  A  Discourse  of  English  Poetrie,  by  William  Webbe.1  The 
indefatigable  William  Oldys  gave  a  copious  and  accurate  account  of 
this  work  in  an  article  of  the  second  number  of  the  British  Libra- 
ria/t.and  which  has  hitherto  supplied  the  general  information  of  the 
author's  style  and  subject.  Only  two  copies  of  the  original  are 
known  ;3  one  is  in  the  collection  made  by  the  late  Mr.  Malone,  the 
other,  it  is  probable,  was  that  seen  by  Oldys,  who  has  not  informed 
us  where  he  first  discovered  such  a  rarity,  or  whether  it  belonged 

to 

'  The  verses  to  Lord  Grey,  mentioned  at  page  1 1 ,  as  written  upon  the  plan  of 
the  "  old  kinde  of  rithme  called  Verlayes,"  may  be  found  in  Chalmers's  English 
Poctt.  Vol.  II.  p.  536. 

1  Of  WILLIAM  WEBBE,  graduate,  not  any  thing  more  is  known  than  is  to 
be  found  in  the  Discourse  on  Poetry.  The  dedication  shows  he  was  tutor  to  the 
M>ns  of  Edward  Suliard,  Esq.  to  which  gentleman  he  had  before  presented  a 
"  homely  translation,"  though  its  nature,  or  whether  prose  or  verse,  is  not  expressed. 
He  also  made  some  progress  in  translating  the  Georgics,  and  feared  the  printing 
jii  mirth  by  one  who  possessed  a  copy,  without  his  obtaining  some  sufficient  re- 
compence,  (see  p.  54}.  That  he  did  not  live  in  the  metropolis  appears  by  his  state- 
ment of  not  residing  in  a  place  where  he  could  with  facility  obtain  knowledge  of 
certain  works,  (see  p.  36.) ;  but  whether  the  same,  or  related  to  William 
Webbe,  M.  A.  of  Chester,  who  assisted  in  compiling  part  of  the  history  of  The 
yule  Royal  is  not  certain. 

1  Warton  says  "  there  is  a  former  edition  for  Walley,  1585,  4to.  '     Hist,  of 
Eng.  Poetry.  Vol.  III.  p.  400.  n.     But  no  copy  is  known,  and  the  license  of  it 
in  that  year,  which  is  mentioned  by  Herbert  at  p.  1098,  may  have  caused  the  be. 
lief  of  its  having  bren  then  printed. 


Ill 

to  his  ingenious  friend  Mr.  (afterwards  Sir)  Peter  Thompson, 
from  whom  he  acknowledges,  in  the  postscript  to  the  volume, 
to  have  had  "  the  use  of  several  printed  books  which  were  more 
scarce  than  many  manuscripts."  The  possessors  of  that  copy  for 
above  the  last  forty  years,  with  the  singular  increase  in  its  value, 
may  be  traced  by  the  respective  catalogues,  as  follows : 

1773,  April    8.   Bibliotheca  Westiana,          No.  1856.     0  10     6  Pearson. 

1778,  April  22. •  Pearsoniana,      No.  1888.     350  Steevens. 

1800,  May  19. Steevensiana,     No.  1128.     880  Nicol.forD.ofE. 

1812,  June     2. Roxburghiana,  No.  3168.  64    0     0  Marquis  of  Blandford. 

The  present  reprint  preserves,  with  scrupulous  attention,  the 
text  verbatim,  as  well  as  the  same  cast  of  lines,  page,  and  press 
signatures,  after  the  manner  of  a  fac  simile,  but  running  numbers 
for  the  pages  are  added  for  the  convenience  of  the  reader. 

III.  A  Treatise  of  the  Airt  of  Scottis  Poesie,  by  K.  James,1 
1584.     This  article  forms  a  division  in  the  "  Essayes  of  a  Prentise 
in  the  divine  Art  of  Poesie,"  of  which  a  limited  impression,  as  a 
fac-simile  of  the  original  work,  with  a  valuable  critical  Essay  pre- 
fixed, was  lately  published  at  Edinburgh,  by  R.  P.  Gillies,  Esq. 

IV.  An  Apologie  of  Poetrie,  by  Sir  John  Harington,  Knt.  159 1-2 
From  the  first  edition  of  the  Orlando  Furioso ;  and  though  some 
part  of  the  apology  refers  only  to  the  characters  and  fable  of  that 
poem,  the  whole,  as  the  length  was  not  material,  has  been  preserved 

unmutilated. 

V.  A  Com- 

*  K.  JAMES  born  IQlh  June  156fi,  died  2?th  March  1625.  Of  the  exemplify, 
i  ng  specimens  inserted  by  our  royal  author  in  chap.  8.  p.  1 14.  only  three  have  been 
traced  to  their  respective  originals.  The  Troilus  verse  is  from  the  poem  of  Echo ; 
the  "  cuttit  and  broken  verse"  from  the  C/ierrie  and  Slae,  both  by  Montgomery  ; 
and  the  tumbling  verse  from  the  Fly  ting  of  Montgomery  with  Polwart.  See  Sib- 
bald's  Chronicle,  vol.  iii.  p.  4QO. 

4  SIR  J.  HARINGTON,  of  Kelston,  Knt.  born  156l,  died  1612. 

b  2 


IV 

V.    A   Comparative    Discourse   of   our    English    Poets,     by 
Francis  Meres, '    M.  A.  1598,    taken  from  bis  Palladis  Tamia, 

a  collection 

1  FRANCIS  MERES  was  born  about  1565.  He  was  thesonof  Thomas  Meres  of 
Kirton  in  Holland,  in  the  county  of  Lincoln,  and  educated  at  Pembroke  College, 
Cambridge,  where  he  took  the  degree  of  B.  A.  1587,  and  of  M.  A.  I&91.  Upon 
July  10,  15Q3,  he  was  incorporated  at  Oxford,  and  was  near  that  time  a  minister 
and  school-master.  Perhaps  in  this  double  character  was  published  the  Sermon 
called,  Gods  Arilhmcticke,  written  by  Francis  Meres,  Maister  of  Arte  of  both 
Fniuersities,  and  Student  in  Divinity,  1507  oct.  25  leaves.  The  dedication 
"  to  the  right  worshipfull  M.  John  Meres,  Esquire,  High  Sheriffe  of  Lincolne- 
shier :"  illustrates  his  subject  in  the  following  curious  manner.  "  There  be 
foure  parts  of  arithmeticke :  addition,  multiplication,  substraction,  and  diuision, 
whereof  the  first  two  take  their  beginning  from  the  right  hand,  and  doe  multi- 
plie  and  increase  ;  and  these  bee  Gods  numbers  :  the  other  two  begin  from  the 
left,  and  doe  substract  and  diuide,  and  these  bee  the  Deuils.  When  God  had 
marryed  Adam  and  Eua  together,  God  said  to  them  both,  increase,  multiplic- 
and replenish  the  earth  :  this  is  Gods  arithmeticke.  But  when  the  Df  ill  sub- 
stracted  Dalila  from  Sampson,  the  Leuit's  wife  from  her  husband,  and  diuided 
Micholl  from  David  :  this  was  the  Deuil's  arithmetick."  He  also  tells  his  pa- 
tron of  "  hauing  a  longing  desire  to  make  knowne  your  worship's  curtesies 
extended  to  me  at  your  house  at  Auborne,  your  forwardnes  in  preferring  my 
successelesse  suite  to  Maister  Laurence  Meres  of  Yorke,  sometimes  of  her 
Maiesties  Counsell  established  for  the  North,  and  your  willingnes  and  readines 
for  my  longer  abode  and  stay  at  Cambridge."  Dated  :  "  From  my  Chamber  in 
Saint  Marie  Buttolph-lane  neere  London-stone  this  10th  of  October  1597." 
The  text  is  from  Eccles  :  4.  9.  "  Two  are  better  then  one."  In  the  following 
year  appeared  :  Granada's  Devotion.  Exactly  teaching  how  a  man  may  trvely 
dedicate  and  dfuote  himself e  vnto  God:  and  so  become  his  acceptable 
votary.  Written  in  Spanish  by  the  learned  and  reuerend  Diuine  F.  Lewes  of 
Granada.  Since  translated  into  Latine,  Italian  and  French  ;  and  now  perused, 
and  Englished,  by  Francis  Meres,  Master  of  Artes,  &  student  in  Diunity, 
London,  1698."  12mo.  p.  p.  6?6,  without  dedication  and  index.  This  is  dedi- 
cated "  to  the  worshipfvll  and  vertvovs  Gentleman  M.  William  Sammes  of  the 
Middle  Temple,  Esquire,"  as  one  devout  in  religion  and  learned  in  knowledge, 
because  "  the  wittiest  Emllematists  will  that  in  presentation  of  gyftes  wee 

should 


V 

a  collection  of  moral  sentences  from  ancient  writers,  and  which 
Wood  considered  "  a  noted  school-book."  "  From  the  com- 
parative discourse  upon  our  English  poets,  the  work  obtained 
considerable  repute.  Heywood  in  his  Apology  for  Actors,  calls 
him  an  approved  good  scholar,  and  says  his  Account  of  Authors 
is  learnedly  done. '  Oldys  speaks  of  him  as  "  of  no  small  repu- 
tation at  that  time  for  his  moral  and  poetical  writings".  2  His 
reading  was  general  and  extensive,  and  the  connecting  his  nu- 
merous transcripts  shews  taste,  research,  and  strong  critical  judg- 
ment. The  reader  will  not  consider  it  to  depreciate  the  labour  of 
our  author,  that  many  of  his  authorities  were  gathered  from  his 
first  book  of  Puttenham's  Art  of  English  Poesie,  and  in  particular 

chap. 

should  fitte  the  humour  of  the  partie,  to  whome  they  are  presented,  as  to  send 
blacke  to  mourners,  white  to  religious  people,  greene  to  youth  and  them  that 
lyue  in  hope,  yellow  to  the  couetous  and  Jealous,  taunie  to  the  man  refus'd,  red 
to  martiall  captaines,  blew  to  marriners,  violet  to  prophets  and  diuiners,  medley, 
gray  and  russet  to  the  poore  &  meaner  sort. 

And  little  boies,  whom  shamfastnes  did  grace, 
The  Romans  deck'd  in  scarlet  like  their  face." 

This  dedication  was  dated  "  London  the  xi  of  May,  1598." 

In  the  same  year  was  published  Palladis  Tamia,  Wits  Treasvry.  Being  the 
second  part  of  Wits  Common-Wealth,  1598.  p.  p.  340.  Again  1634  to  which 
an  engraved  title  was  added  as  Witts  Academy,  a  Treasurie  of  Golden  Sentences, 
&c.  1636.  In  16Q7  appeared  Politeuphia,  or  Wits  Commonwealth,  &c.  which 
was  compiled  by  John  Bodenham,  and  probably  being  well  received  suggested 
the  attempt  for  making  the  Palladis  Tamia  a  second  part.  They  are  never  found 
together. 

About  1602,  Meres  became  rector  of  Wing  in  the  county  of  Rutland,  and 
continued  to  hold  it  for  the  remainder  of  his  life.  Wood  notices  the  Sinner's 
Guide  of  the  whole  Regiment  of  Christian  Life,  &c.  printed  1614,  4to.  He  died 
at  Wing  in  the  8 1st  year  of  his  age,  1646. 

*  Apology  for  Actors.    Somers's  Tracts.    Vol.  III.  p.  692.  ed.  1810 

1  Biog.  Brit.  Art.  Dray  ton,  p.  1746. 


VI 

chap.  31.  By  the  additions  it  forms  a  valuable  chronology  for  that 
period,  and  the  discovery  of  Henslowe's  latent  papers  established 
its  credit  as  being  just  and  correct."  Such  was  the  material  part 
of  the  introduction  when  I  printed  this  article  before  in  the  Censura 
Literaria,  vol.  ix.  '  For  the  present  work  the  text  was  collated 
with  the  original,  and  many  errors,  which  the  hurried  manner  of 
forwarding  a  periodical  work  had  occasioned,  corrected. 

VI.  Observations   on  the  Art  of  English    Poesie,  by  Thomas 
Campion,*   1602.   A  short  metrical  address  to  this  book  (p.  162,) 

concludes 


1  The  notes  added  on  that  occasion  are  now  omitted.  They  consist  principally 
of  dates  of  works  and  deaths,  and  many  upon  the  authorities  of  Warton,  Ritson, 
&c.  which  are  of  too  easy  access  to  need  repetition. 

*  THOMAS  CAMPION  flourished  as  a  poet  and  physician  during  part  of  the 
reigns  of  Q  Elizabeth  and  K.  James.  He  was  educated  at  Cambridge,  but  of 
his  family  and  life  not  any  particulars  can  be  traced,  and  probably  the  following 
is  only  an  imperfect  account  of  his  several  productions. 

In  1594  a  licence  was  granted  to  Richard  Field,  the  printer,  for  "  Tho. 
Campiani  Poema  ;"  and  that  work  seems  to  have  founded  the  pretension  for  giving 
his  name  in  the  Comparative  Discourse  by  F.  Meres,  15Q8,  as  one  of  those 
Englishmen  who  had  "  attained  good  report  and  honourable  advancement  in  the 
Latin  empire."  (See  p.  150.) 

*'  A  Hymne  in  praise  of  Neptune,"  from  his  pen,  was  "  sung  by  Amphitryle, 
Thamesis,  and  other  sea  nimphes  in  Grayes-Inne  Maske,  at  the  Court,  1594," 
but  the  Mask  has  not  been  discovered. 

His  confirmed  reputation  as  a  poet  proves  he  wrote  about  that  period  many 
other  English  poems,  that  were  circulated  generally,  and  admired,  if  not  printed. 
From  such  compositions  as  these,  I  presume,  he  was  styled  "  Sweet  Master  Cam- 
pion," in  the  margin  of  the  Polimanteia,  15Q5,  where  it  is  said  to  "  Cambridge, 
howsoever  now  old  thou  hast  some  young,  bid  them  be  chast,  yet  suffer  them  to  be 
wittie;  let  them  be  soundly  learned,  yet  suffer  them  to  be  gentleman! ike  qua- 
lified." Though  several  eminent  names  are  opposite  the  address  to  Oxford,  which 
there  follows,  Campion's  alone  is  affixed  toCambridge,  as  if  he  then  shone  the  only 
eminent  genius  of  that  University  j  and  the  admonition  of  the  author,  if  not 


Vll 

concludes  with  "  spread  thy  pap'ry  wings,  thy  lightness  cannot 
helpe,  or  hurt  my  fame;"  which  supports  all  that  is  said  in  the 

note 

intended  as  a  general  one,  might  be  a  slight  censure  upon  some  youthful  sallies 
of  his  Muse. 

The  above  noticed  hymn  from  the  Grays-Inn  Mask,  and  three  other  pieces, 
were  first  printed  in  Davison's  Poetical  Rapsodie,  1602,  the  same  year  as  his 
Observations  on  Poetry  appeared;  and  in  Camden's  Remains,  1605,  his  name  is 
found  conspicuously  placed  in  the  list  with  Sydney,  Spenser,  Owen,  Daniel, 
Holland,  Jonson,  Drayton,  Chapman,  Marston,  and  Shakespeare,  pregnant  wits 
of  those  times,  whom  succeeding  ages  might  justly  admire. 

Perhaps  there  should  here  be  mentioned  as  of  that,  or  an  earlier  period,  three 
other  of  his  poems  recently  discovered  in  a  manuscript  that  has  a  date  of  1 596, 
by  Sir  Egerton  Brydges,  and  printed  at  the  Lee  press  in  the  Excerpta  Tudoriana, 
1814.  They  are  written  in  the  spirit  of  true  poetry. 

As  a  dramatic  writer  he  wrote  some  little  musical  entertainments,  or  Masks  ; 
a  species  of  innocent  revelry,  usually  exhibited  at  nuptials  and  other  festivals  ;  and 
the  performance  formed  a  fashionable  recreation  for  near  a  century  with  the 
ladies  at  court  and  the  younger  branches  of  our  nobility.  The  musick,  a  science 
in  which  he  certainly  excelled  as  a  master,  was  also  in  part  his  own  composi- 
tion. All  these  pieces  are  now  extremely  rare.  One  of  the  earliest  published  is 
entituled  : 

The  discription  of  a  maske,  presented  before  the  Kinges  Maiestie  at  White-Hall, 
on  Twelfth  Night  last,  in  honour  of  the  Lord  Hayes,  and  his  Bride,  Daughter  and 
Heire  to  the  Honourable  the  Lord  Denny  e ;  their  marriage  hauing  been  the  same  day 
at  Court  solemnized.  To  this  by  occasion  other  small  poemes  are  adioyned.  In- 
uented  and  set  forth  by  Thomas  Campion,  Doctor  of  Phisicke.  London.  Imprinted 
by  John  IVindet  for  John  Thrown,  and  are  to  be  solde  at  his  shop  in  S  Dunsiones 
Church  yeard  in  Fleet-street, l607-  qto.  At  the  back  of  the  title  is  the  whole-length 
figure  of  a  man  richly  dressed  in  the  costume  of  the  stage.  Prefixed  are  some 
Latin  and  English  verses  inscribed  to  K.  James,  Theophilus  Howard  Lord  of 
Walden  and  son  of  the  Earl  of  Suffolk,  and  the  Lord  and  Lady  Hay.  At  the  end 
are  five  songs,  two  of  them  incidental  ones  repeated,  and  the  other  three  forming 
the  "  small  poems,"  mentioned  in  the  title  as  adjoined,  all  set  to  musick :  "  whereof 
the  first  two  ay  res  were  made  by  M.  Campion,  the  third  and  last  by  M.  Lupo, 
the  fourth  by  M.  Tho.  Giles,  and  though  the  last  three  ayres  were  cleuised  onely 
for  dauncing,  yet  they  are  here  set  forth  with  words  that  they  may  be  sung  to 
the  lute  or  violl." — The  Maskers  were  Lord  Walden ;  Sir  Thomas  Howard  ;  Sir 

Heury 


Vlll 

note  below  relative  to  his  having  written  poems,  well  known  at  that 
lime,  and  now  either  lost  or  undiscovered.  If  the  assertion  was 

true 

Henry  Carey,  Master  of  the  Jewel  house ;  Sir  Richard  Preston ;  Sir  John  Ashley,* 
gentleman  of  the  privy  chamber;  Sir  Thomas  Jarratt,  pensioner;  Sir  John 
Digby,  one  of  the  King's  carvers  ;  Sir  Thomas  Badger,  master  of  the  King's 
harriers,  and  Master  Gorinsje.  The  Mask  concludes  with  the  following  lines  and 
Latin  epigram. 

To  the  Reader. 

Neither  buskin  now,  nor  bayes, 

Challenge  I,  a  Ladies  prayse 

Shall  content  my  proudest  hope, 

Their  applause  was  all  my  scope, 

And  to  their  shrines  properly 

Reuels  dedicated  be  : 

Whose  soft  eares  none  ought  to  pierce 

But  with  smooth  and  gentle  verse, 

Let  the  tragicke  Poeme  swell, 

Raysing  raging  feendes  from  hell, 

And  let  Epicke  Dactils  range 

Swelling  seas  and  countries  strange. 

Little  rooine  small  things  containes, 

Easy  praise  quites  easy  paines. 

Suffer  them  whose  browes  do  sweat 

To  gaine  honour  by  the  great, 

Its  enough  if  men  me  name, 

A  Retailer  of  such  fame. 

Epigram  ma. 
Quid  tu  te  numeris  immisces?  anne  medentem 

Metra  cathedratum  ludicra  scripta  decent 
Musicus,  &  medicus,  Celebris  quoque  Phoebe  Poeta  es 

Et  lepor  aegrotos  arte  rogante  iuuat. 
Crede  mihi  doctum  qui  carmen  non  sapit,  idem 
Non  habet  ingenuum,  nee  genium  medici. 

1  Properly  Astley :  he  was  afterwards  master  of  theRevels.  Chalmers's  Apology, 

p.  493. 

He, 


IX 

true  that  he  did  not  estimate  this  little  piece  from  "  lightness,"  yet 
time  and  rarity,  now  of  material  use  to  "  help"  to  establish  fame,  has 

occasioned 

He,  joining  with  many  leading  poets  in  performing  the  melancholy  but  ho- 
nourable task  of  commemorating  the  premature  loss  of  the  gallant  Prince  of 
Wales,  wrote : 

[Songs  of  Mourning :  bewailing  the  vntimely  death  of  Prince  Henry.  Worded 
by  Tho.  Campion.  And  set  forth  to  bee  sung  with  one  voyce  to  the  Lute  or 
Vwll :  By  John  Coprario.  London :  printed  for  lohn  Browne,  and  are  to  be 
sould  in  S.  dunslons  Churchyard.  1613. 

Folio,  containing  ten  leaves :  the  Bodleian  copy  uncut. 

Back  of  the  title,  fourteen  Latin  Hexameters  and  Pentameters  "  illvstrissimo , 
potentissimoqve  principi,  Fredrico  quinto,  Rheni  comiti  Palatine,  Dvci  Bavariae, 
&c." 

Then  on  page  3,  or  sign,  a  2,  (not  numbered  or  marked) 

"  An  Elegie  vpon  the  vntimely  death  of  Prince  Henry. 
"  Reade  you  that  haue  some  teares  left  yet  vnspent, 
Now  weepe  your  selues  hart  sicke,  and  nere  repent : 
For  I  will  open  to  your  free  accesse 
The  sanctuary  of  all  heauinesse : 
Where  men  their  fill  may  mourne,  and  never  sinne: 
And  I  their  humble  Priest  thus  first  beginne. 

Fly  from  the  Skies  yee  blessed  beames  of  light, 
Rise  vp  in  horrid  vapours  vgly  night, 
And  fetter'd  bring  that  rauenous  monster  Fate,"  &c. 
The  songs  are  seven  in  number,  printed  with  the  music :  they  are  addressed 

1.  To  the  most  sacred  King  James. 

2.  To  the  most  sacred  Queene  Anne. 

3.  To  the  most  high  and  mighty  Prince  Charles. 

4.  To  the  most  princely  and  vertvovs  the  Lady  Elizabeth. 

5.  To  the  most  illvstriovs  and  mighty  Fredericke  the  fift,  Count  palatine  of 

Rhein. 

6.  To  the  most  disconsolate  Great  Brittaine. 

7.  To  the  world. 

They  commence  with  the  following  lines  : 

1  O  Griete,  how  diuers  are  thy  shapes  wherein  men  languish 


X 

occasioned  it  to  revive  and  confirm  his  credit  as  an  author,  beyond 

all  his  other  productions. 

There 

2  Tis  now  dead  night,  and  not  a  light  on  earth, 

3  Fortune  and  Glory  may  be  lost,  and  woone, 

4  So  parted  you  as  if  the  world  for  euer, 

5  How  like  a  golden  dreame  you  met  and  parted, 

6  When  pale  famine  fed  on  thee, 

7  O  poore  distracted  world,  partly  a  slauc. 

Of  these  I  transcribe  the  6th  as  the  best  specimen. 

When  pale  famine  fed  on  thee, 

With  her  vnsatiate  iawes, 
When  ciuill  broyles  set  murder  free 

Contemning  all  thy  lawes, 
When  heau'n  enrag'd  consum'd  thee  so 
With  plagues  that  none  thy  face  could  know, 

Yet  in  thy  lookes  affliction  then  shew'd  lesse 

Thou  now  for  ones  fall  all  thy  parts  expresse. 
Now  thy  highest  states  lament 

A  sonne,  and  brothers  losse  j 
Thy  nobles  mourne  in  discontent, 

And  rue  this  fatal  crosse  ; 
Thy  commons  are  with  passion  sad 
To  thinke  how  braue  a  Prince  they  had  : 

If  all  thy  rockes  from  white  to  blacke  should  turne 

Yet  couldst  thou  not  in  shew  more  amply  mourne." 

BLISS.] 

The  next  piece  is  without  date,  and  is  placed  here  as  the  name  of  the  same 
bookseller  is  in  the  title  of  the  last  two  articles ;  and  the  subject  of  the  work  also 
appears  alluded  to  in  the  Latin  epigram  above  given. 

A  new  way  of  making  fowre  parts  in  Counter-point,  by  a  most  familiar,  and 
infallible  Rvle.  Secondly,  a  necessary  discourse  of  Keyes  and  their  proper 
Closes.  Thirdly,  the  allowed  passages  of  all  Concords  perfect,  or  imperfect, 
are  declared.  Also  by  way  of  preface,  the  nature  of  the  Scale  is  expressed, 
with  a  brief e  method  teaching  to  sing.  By  Tho.  Campion.  London :  printed 

ly 


XI 

There  was  never  more  than  one  edition ;  and  if  its  unusual  size 
is  considered,  a  small  square  twelves,  containing  only  twenty-five 

leaves, 


by  T.  S.for  John  Browne,  and  are  to  be  told  at  his  shop  in  Saint  Duns  fanes 
Church-yard  in  Fleet-street,  n.  d.  oct.  It  was  dedicated  '*  to  the  flowre  of 
Princes,  Charles  Prince  of  Great  Brittaine  :"  and  might  therefore  not  be  published 
until  after  the  death  of  Prince  Henry.  In  that  dedication  the  author  says :  "  why 
should  I,  being  by  profession  a  Physition,  offer  a  worke  of  musicke  to  his  High- 
nesse  ?  Galene  either  first,  or  next  the  first  of  Physitions,  became  so  expert  a 
musition,  that  he  could  not  containe  himselfe,  but  needes  he  must  apply  all  the 
proportions  of  musicke  to  the  vncertaine  motions  of  the  pulse.  Such  far-fetch t 
doctrine  dare  not  I  attempt."  These  musical  instructions  were  reprinted  as  "  The 
art  of  setting  or  composing  musick  in  parts,"  at  the  end  of  Playford's  Introduc- 
tion, 1660.  Again  as  "  The  art  of  Descant,  or  composing  musick  in  parts,  &c." 
1674.  8vo.  and  also  without  date. 

There  likewise  appeared  in  1613,  A  relation  of  the  late  royall  Entertainment 
given  by  the  right  honorable  the  Lord  Knowles,  at  Cawsome-house  neere 
Redding  :  to  our  most  gracious  Queene,  Queene  Anne,  in  her  progresse  toward 
the  Bathe,  vpon  the  scuen  and  eight  and  twentie  dayes  of  Aprill,  l6l3,  where- 
unto  is  annexed  the  Description,  Speeches,  and  Songs  of  the  Lords  Maske, 
presented  in  the  banquetting-house  on  the  manage  night  of  the  high  and  mightie, 
Covnt  Palatine,  and  the  Royally  descended  the  Ladie  Elizabeth.  Written 
by  Thomas  Campion.  London,  printed  for  John  Budge,  and  are  to  be  sold 
at  his  shop  at  the  Soulh-doore  of  S.  Pauls,  and  at  Britaines  Bursse,  1613. 
qto.  This  was  printed  having  been  "  much  desired  in  writing  both  of  such 
as  were  present  at  the  j>erformance  thereof,  as  also  of  many  strangers."  The  Lords 
Mask,  "  which,"  says  the  author,  "  but  for  some  private  lets  had  in  due  time 
come  forth,"  was  exhibited  14th  February,  1612-13,  in  honour  of  the  marriage 
of  the  unfortunate  Lady  Elizabeth,  so  well  known  by  Sir  Henry  Wotton's  lines, 
beginning  "  You  meaner  beauties,  &c."  which,  it  maybe  added,  were  set  to 
musick  by  Michael  Este,  in  his  Start  set  of  books,  &c.  1624,  as  "  an  aire  of 
a  Canzo,  composed  in  honour  of  the  most  illustrious  Princesse  the  Ladie 
Elizabeth,"  &c. 

His  next  piece  was  :  The  Description  of  a  Maske :  presented  in  the  Banqueting' 
roome  at  Whitehall,  on  Saint  Stephen's  night  last,  at  the  manage  of  the  Right 
Honourable  the  Earl  of  Somerset,  and  the  right  noble  the  Lady  Frances  Howard. 

Written 


Xll 

leaves,  with  the  whole  theory  refuted  early  after  publication,  it 
can  no  longer  appear  singular  that  only  a  few  copies  should  be 
preserved  in  the  cabinets  of  the  curious :  so  few  that  when  the 

persevering 

Written  by  Thomas  Campion.  Whereunlo  are  annexed  divers  choyse  Ayret  corn- 
posed  from  this  maske,  that  may  be  sung  with  a  single  voyce,  to  the  Lute  or 
Base-Viall.  London,  printed  by  E.  A.  for  Laurence  Lisle,  dwelling  in  Faults 
Church  yard,  at  the  signe  of  the  Tygers  head.  l6l4.  qto.  The  airs  at  the 
end  have  for  composers  Nicholas  Laneir  and  Mr.  Coprario  :  the  latter  has  three, 
with  a  song  "  made  by  Th.  Campion  and  sung  in  the  Lords  Maske  at  the  Count 
Palatine's  marriage,"  added  to  fill  empty  pages.  The  12  Maskers  were  the  duke  of 
Lennox ;  the  earls  Pembrooke,  Dorset,  Salisburie,  and  Montgomerie,  the  Lords 
Walden,  Scroope,  North,  and  Hay,  and  Sir  Thomas  Howard,  Sir  Henry  H.  and 
Sir  Charles  Howard. 
He  also  published, 

Tho.  Campiani  Epigrammatvm  libri  II.  Vmbra.  Elegiarum  liber  vnus.  Londini 
Excudebat  E.  Griffin,  Anno  Domini  l6lQ.  J2mo.  Of  the  two  books  of  Epi- 
grams the  first  contains  225  and  the  other  228.  Then  follows  a  long  poem,  as 
Thoma  Campiana  Umbra,  with  the  Elegies,  in  number  thirteen. 

A  few  lines  "  to  the  worthy  author,"  signed  "  byT.  Campion,  Doctor  in 
Physicke,"  are  before  the  Ay  res  by  Alfonso  Ferrabosco,  1609,  fol.  Other 
commendatory  verses  by  him  are  prefixed  to  Barnaby  Barnes's  Foure  Bookes  of 
Offices.  Land.  1606,  fol.  also  Cory at' s  Crudities,  l6ll.  qto.  and  to  a  Brief e 
Discourse  of  the  true  (but  neglected}  vse  of  Charact'ring  the  degrees  by  their 
perfection,  imperfection,  and  diminution,  in  measurable  musicke,  &c.  by  Thomas 
Ravenscroft,  l6l4.  qto. 

There  remains  to  add  some  further  testimonies  of  authors.  The  following  Epi- 
gram is  from  The  Scourge  of  Folly,  by  John  Davies,  n.  d.  (about  l6ll.)  and  is 
too  honourable  to  be  omitted. 

To  the  most  judicious  and  excellent  Lyrick  Poet,  Doctor  Campion. 
Vpon  myselfe  I  should  iust  vengeance  take, 

Should  I  omitt  thy  mention  in  my  rimes, 
Whose  lines  and  notes  do  lullaby  awake 

In  heau'ns  of  pleasure,  these  vnpleasant  times. 
Neuer  did  lyricks  more  then  happie  straines, 

Strain'd  out  of  arte  by  nature,  so  with  ease, 
So  purely  hitt  the  moods,  and  various  vaines 
Of  musick,  and  her  hearers,  as  do  these. 

So 


Xlll 

persevering  bibliographer  has  acutely  examined  an  extensive  range 

of  old  catalogues,  he  will  scarcely  trace  the  present  existence  of  six. 

That  the  author  was  early  convinced  of  the  impracticability  of 

a  plan 

So  thou. canst  cure  the  body,  and  the  minde, 

Rare  Doctor,  with  thy  two-fold  soundest  arte  : 

Hipocrates  hath  taught  thee  the  one  kinde ; 
Apollo,  and  the  muse  the  other  part : 

And  both  so  well,  that  thou  with  both  dost  please 

The  mind  with  pleasure,  and  the  corps  with  ease. 

This  complimentary  effusion  shows  an  established  reputation,  both  as  a  poet 
and  a  musician  ;  although  Edward  Phillips,  in  the  Theatrum  Poetarum,  [675, 
only  gives  him  a  place  from  the  mention  of  his  name  by  Camden,  adding  that 
he  was  "  a  writer  of  no  extraordinary  fame."  As  a  dramatic  writer  he  was 
first  noticed  in  Hayward's  British  Muse,  1738,  art.  Pleasure ;  taken  from 
the  Masque  upon  the  Earl  of  Somerset's  marriage,  l6l4,  which,  in  the  list 
of  authors  cited,  is  described  as  "  never  seen  by  any  writer  on  our  Dra- 
matic Poets."  From  Isaac  Reed  he  obtained  a  niche  in  the  Biographia 
Dramatica,  1782,  who  had  seen  the  first  two,  only,  of  the  Masks  above  de- 
scribed. In  the  History  of  English  Poetry,  vol.  iii.,  Warton  has  stated  that 
he  "  is  among  the  poets  in  England's  Parnassus,  printed  in  1600  :"  but  an  in- 
advertent.error,  either  in  the  press  or  otherwise,  seems  to  have  transposed  the 
application  from  Thomas  Churchyard,  who  is  mentioned  in  the  same  passage, 
to  our  author,  whose  name  is  not  among  the  contributors  to  that  work.  Two 
of  his  poems  from  the  Poetical  Rhapsody  are  introduced  by  Mr.  Ellis,  in  his  taste- 
ful repository  of  Specimen*  of  the  Early  English  Poets.  1803.  Anthony  a 
Wood,  in  the  Fasti  Oxonienses,  registers  among  the  incorporations  of  1624, 
one  of  the  same  name,  but  concludes,  "  as  for  the  said  Thomas  Campion  the 
poet  I  take  him  to  be  too  soon  for  Tho.  Campion  M.  of  A.  of  Cambridge." 
It  is  not  likely  that  the  poet  was  incorporated,  as  he  must  then  have  been  near 
if  not  more  than  sixty  years  of  age,  and  I  should  rather  suppose  him  to  be  the 
Thomas  Campion,  of  London,  Gentleman,  who  made  his  will,  dated  October 
the  2Qth,  1621,  which  was  proved  on  his  decease,  in  the  Consistory  Court  of 
Canterbury,  January  1 623.  If  that  was  our  author,  he  directed  that  he  should 
be  buried  with  his  father  and  mother  at  Alhallows  the  Moor,  Thames  Street, 
and  bequeathed  his  property  to  four  brothers,  Henry  C.  Esq.  William  C.  cloth- 
worker,  Abraham  C.  and  Isaac  C.  and  two  sisters.  He  left  small  legacies  to  the 
poor  of  the  parish  of  Putney,  in  Surrey,  as  well  as  those  of  Alhallows,  and  there- 
fore probably  had  a  residence  at  each  place. 


XIV 

a  plan  to  force  English  verse  to  stalk  in  Roman  measures,  appears 
certain.  He  did  not  attempt  to  support  the  Observations  by  any 
reply  to  his  antagonist,  or  venture  to  publish  any  specimens  in 
addition  to  those  first  produced  as  an  assistance  for  explaining  the 
system.  All  the  little  odes,  or  songs,  with  the  occasional  speeches 
introduced  in  the  masks,  described  in  the  note  below,  are  hitched 
into  rhime,  and  are  superior  in  poetry  and  diction  to  his  hobbling 
examples,  which  were  "  never  before  that  time  by  any  man  at- 
tempted." That  rhime  might  easily  have  been  used  in  the  illustrative 
attempt  of  licentiate  iambicks,  was  shown,  after  a  lapse  of  near  twenty 
years,  by  the  learned  Alexander  Gill,1  in  the  Logonomia  Anglica?  a 

work 

1  The  same  subject  attracted  the  notice  of  an  abler  critic.  In  a  note  in  the 
History  of  English  Poetry,  vol.  iii.  p.  469,  it  is  observed,  "  He  gives  a  speci- 
men of  Licentiate  lamlickes  in  English,  our  present  blank  verse.  More  of  this 

hereafter." '  More  of  this  hereafter'  it  is  now  vain  to  expect.    The  hand  that 

so  well  executed  the  task  of  securing  its  master  an  imperishable  fame,  is  now 
nerveless  and  cold,  and  the  judicious  comment  upon  the  Licentiate  lamlicks,  in- 
tended by  a  Warton,  is  lost  for  ever. 

1  Logonomia  Anglica.  Qua  Gentis  sermo  facilius  addiscitur.  Conscripta  ab 
Alexandra  Gil,  Paulinoe  Scholce  Magistro  Primarib.  Secundo  edita,  paufb  cor. 
rectior,  sed  ad  v sum  communem  accommodation.  Londini,  Excudit  Johannes Beale. 
Anno  M.  D.  C.  XXI.  qto.  In  "  Cap.  xxvii.  Carmen  Rhymicum,"  which  has 
the  lines  above,  is  also  the  following  song,  with  the  musick,  as  by  Tho. 
Campion. 

What  if  a  day,  or  a  month,  or  a  year, 

Crown  thy  delights  with  a  thousand  wish'd  contenting?, 
Cannot  a  chaunce  of  a  night,  or  an  hour, 

Cross  thy  delights  with  a  thousand  sad  tormentings: 
Fortune,  honour,  beauty,  youth,  are  but  blossoms  dying, 
Wanton  pleasure,  doting  love,  are  but  shadows  flying  ; 
All  our  joys,  are  but  toys, 

Idle  thoughts  deceiving ; 
None  hath  power,  of  an  hour, 

In  their  live  bereiving. 

In  Cap.  xxviii.  De  Curminibus  ad  numeros   Latitiorum  poetarum  compositia 
are  introduced  several  other  of  Campion's  specimens. 


XV 

work  containing  as  singular  a  proposition  for  a  vernacular  ortho- 
graphy as  our  author's  for  poetry,  which  was  not  more  valued  and 
is  now  forgotten.  The  lines  made  to  rhime,  divested  of  their  fur- 
ther uncouth  Saxonic  garb,  are  the  following:  (Compare  p.  170.) 

Tel  them  that  pity  or  perversly  scorn 
Pure  english  poesy,  as  the  slave  to  rhime, 

(  that  revive 
You  are  those  lofty  numbers  |  ^.^  fl(fom 


f  stern  tragedy, 
Triumphs  of  princes,  and  K    ,  .    ,  .. 

i  their  happy  time  ; 

And  learn  henceforth  t'  attend  those  happy  sprites, 
Whose  bounding  fury,  height  and  weight  < 

•  Assist  their  labour,  and  sit  close  to  them, 
Never  to  part  away  till  for  desert, 

f  are  hid, 
Their  brows  with  great  Apollo's  bays  <     g  ^ 

Who  first  taught  numerous  accents  prais'd  by  art  : 
He'll  turn  his  glory  from  the  sunny  clime, 

C  patronise. 
$ing  in 


The  north-bred  wits  alone  to  j  $i 

VII.  A  Defence  of  Ryme,  by  Samuel  Daniel,1  1603.  The  fate 
of  this  article  has  been  the  reverse  of  the  preceding.  While  that  was 
read  to  be  forgotten,  this  answer  to  it  has  proved  one  of  the  very 
few  pieces  of  poetical  criticism  from  time  to  time  reprinted,  and 
has  always  accompanied  the  poems  of  the  author.  It  is  now  given 
from  the  first  edition. 


1  Samuel  Daniel,  born  1562.    Died  Oct.  1619. 

VIII.  Hypercritica 


XVI 

VIII.  Hypercritica  ;  or  a  Rule  of  Judgment  for  writing  or  read- 
ing our  Histories,  by  Edmund  Bolton,1  was  rescued  from  unme- 
rited obscurity,  and  published  by  Dr.  Anthony  Hall,  at  the  end 
of  Nicolai  Triveti  annalium  continuatio,  ut  et  Adami  Murimutken- 
sis  Chronicon,  fyc.  Oxon,  1 722,  Oct.  The  exact  period  of  this  va- 
luable piece  of  early  criticism  being  written  cannot  be  precisely 
fixed.  Upon  a  single  authority,  Anthony  Wood  concluded  the 
date  was  about  l6lO,  (see  p.  222);  however  if  that  "presumption 
is  correct,  it  must  also  be  admitted  to  have  received  alterations 
and  corrections  long  afterwards.  That  it  was  much  altered  and 
enlarged,  the  original  outline  of  address  the  fourth,  now  added  in  a 
note  at  p.  246,  and  citing  the  works  of  K.  James,  edited  by  Bishop 
Montague  at  p.  251,  which  were  first  printed  1616,  certainly 
establish.  The  author  might  consider  it  completed  about  1618,  for, 
in  an  address  "  to  the  reader,"  before  his  translation  of  Plums? 

he 


1  EDMUND  BOLTON,  or  BOULTON,  flourished  temp.  James  I.     His  earliest 
production  was  The  Elements  of  Armories.     London,  l6lO  .  but  neither  the  dates 
of  his  birth  or  death  are  known.     For  an  account  of  his  writings  see  Biographia 
Britannica,  art.  Bolton,  and  Warton's  Hist.  English  Poetry.     Vol.  III.   p.  278> 
Note. 

2  The  Roman  Histories  of  Lucius  lulius  Florus  from  the  foundation  of  Rome, 
till  Ccesar  Augustus,  for  aboue  DCC.  yeares,  ©"  from  thence  to  Trajan  near 
CC.  yeures,  divided  by  Flor.9  into  IV ages.  Translated  info  English.    London  by 
William  Stanslyfor  Tho.  Dewe.     Title  engraved  in  compartments  referring  to 
the  four  ages,  with  effigy  of  Florus  ;  Sim.  Pass  fee.  12mo.  pp.  503. 

It  is  without  date,  but  published,  I  presume,  in  1618.  It  is  dedicated  "  to  the 
most  flovrishing,  puissant,  and  noble  peere,  George,  Lorde  Marquesse  of  Buck- 
ingham, &c."  That  title  was  conferred  the  first  of  January  l6l8  N.  S.  and  fol- 
lowed, in  the  same  month  of  the  following  year,  with  the  appointment  of  Lord 
High  Admiral  ;  which  our  author  would  have  noticed,  had  his  patron  then  p^- 
sesscd  it;  as  it  appears  in  the  next  note,  he  did,  after  he  was  created  a  Duke, 
which  was  by  patent  dated  18th  IVJay  1 623. 

In  the  dedication  he  says  :  "  His  Majesties  great  example,  and  your  lordship's 


XVII 

he  says :  "  In  mine  Hyper  critic  ks,  concerning  our  countreys 
Historic,  I  have  dealt  freely,  as  a  man  desirous  to  stirre  vp  a 
Liuie,  or  a  Florus  to  ourselves."  And  in  a  note  below  will  be  found 
sufficient  ground  for  believing  that  the  translation  was  published 
in  that  year.  Notwithstanding  this  reference  there  is  no  certainty 
of  the  Hypercritica  being  then  in  print,  though  it  might,  under 
his  assumed  signature  of  PHILANACTOPHIL,  and  remain  unknown: 
And  in  another  instance,  in  his  Nero  Casar,  or  Monarchic  De- 
praved,* he  refers  in  a  similar  manner  to  the  life  which  "  I  have  di- 
ligently 


feruent  imitation,  to  increase  in  the  ful  sail  of  fortune,  the  balasse  of  worthy 
readings,  is  here  in  part  well  fitted.  For  your  honour  cannot  possibly  find,  in  8O 
little  a  roome,  so  much,  so  well  together,  of  this  weightie  argument.  A  thing  to 
your  lordship  acceptable,  considering  your  small  leisure. ....  .To  your  good  lord- 
ship therefore,  in  whose  person  the  auncient  splendors  of  the  noble  families  of 
Villers  and  Beavmont  are  vnited  with  aduantage,  doth  Lucius  Florus  offer  him- 
selfe  in  our  vulgar  tongue,  and  brings  with  him  the  plaine,  but  withall,  the  free, 
and  grounded  good-will  of  his  most  louing,  and  carefull  interpreter,  humbly  your 

lordships,  Philanactophil." Colophon.  "  The  end  of  the  foure  bookes  of  the 

Roman  Histories,  written  anciently  in  Latin  by  Lvcius  Florvs,  and  translated  into 
English  by  E.  M.  B.  Soli  deo  gloria."  The  initials,  unless  misplaced  by  the  prin- 
ter from  M.  E.  B.  [Master  Ed.  Bolton],  proves  our  author  to  have  received  two 
names  at  the  baptismal  font,  and  may  be  added  to  those  adduced  upon  that  sub- 
ject in  a  late  voluminous  controversy.  See  Chalmers's  Apology,  p.  255.  Ano- 
ther edition  of  Florvs,  with  the  same  engraved  title  altered  at  bottom  to,  Printed 
ly  R  Bishop,  and  are  to  be  sold  by  Fr.Bowmanan,  Oxford,  16.36. 

3  Nero  Caesar,  or  Monarchic  depraued.  An  Historical  work.  Dedicated  with 
leaue,  to  the  Duke  of  Bvckingham,  Lord  Admiral.  A.  D.  MDCXXIII.  En- 
graved title  Fr.  Delaram  Sculptor.  A  printed  title  adds  "  By  the  Translator  of 
Lvcivs  Florvs.  London :  printed  by  T.  S.  for  Thomas  Walkley,  at  Britaines 
Bursse,  1624."  Fo. 

"  In  this  historicall  work  of  Nero  Caesar,  (says  the  translator  in  his  dedication) 
I  have  so  regarded  veritie,  that  in  the  same  alone  I  haue  placed  my  whole  dig- 
nitie.  Royal  approbation  of  the  thing  (with  the  greatest  improbation  of  Nero) 
hath  made  it  so  honourablie  capable  of  best  acceptance,  as  it  may  well  be  called 

d  his 


XV111 

ligciuly  written  of  Tibcrivs,"  which  is  supposed  still  to  remain 
in  manuscript. 


his  Majesties.  Your  excellent  Lordship  the  chrystall  gate  by  xvhich  my  labours 
first  entred  into  the  light  of  fauour,  as  you  now  are  their  wished  port.  Here 
therefore  I  gladly  pay  my  vowes  (this  votiue  table  a  witnesse)  and  superabun- 
dantly repay  in  study,  whatsoeuer  I  haue  received  in  leisure.  Seneca  himselfe 
had  nothing  glorious  else  to  set  gratefully  by,  in  lieu  of  all  his  pupils'  bounties, 
•which  were  infinite.  High,  and  mightie  Lord,  in  my  so  much  vn worth inesse, 
and  inability  to  deserue  (for  what  a  nothing  is  my  greatest  somewhat?)  it  can 
be  little,  that  I  should  professe  myselfe  your  Lordships.  Nenerthelesse,  seeing 
the  truth  is  so,  and  I  ought  to  be  such  by  more  titles  then  one,  I  willingly  obey 
the  conscience  thereof,  and  accordingly  write  myselfe  vp  to  the  world,  the  most 
humblfedeuoted,  your  Graces,  Philanactoph.il." 

An  Analysis  of  this  work  has  been  already  given  in  the  Biographia  Britannica. 
The  copy  before  me  appears  to  be  as  originally  published,  and  has  blanks  for  the 
engraved  coins  which  are  given  in  another  copy,  having  some  additional  matter 
prefixed,  and  at  the  end,  by  which  it  has  often  been  considered  as  another  edition. 
The  engraved  title  is  thus  altered  : 

Nero  Caesar,  or  Monarchic  depraued.  An  Historical  worke.  Dedicated  to  the 
D.  of  Bvckingham  L.  Admirall.  Whereunto  leside  other  things,  is  now  newly 
added  the  authors  priuat  account,  to  k.  James,  concerning  ye  same,  together  with 
a  Parallel  of  places  in  Polybivs  ftf  Florvs,  opening  ye  way  of  lest  profit  in 
Historic,  to  Mr.  Endymion  Porter  heretofore,  and  now  to  all.  By  the  Translator 
of  L,  Floras.  London-  claclcxxvn. 

Prefixed,  as  the  marginal  note  describes,  is  "  The  Epistle  [to  his  most  sacred 
maiestie]  before  the  first  manuscript  copie  of  Nero  Caesar,  deliuered  in  Januarie 
MDCXXII:"  wherein  it  is  considered  by  the  author  as  his  best  performance  ; 
and  that  the  reason  of  his  course  therein,  and  the  sum  of  many  leaves,  attend  in 
a  few  lines  ready  and  "  to  them  most  humbly  refers  himselfe  the  free  seruant  ot 
kingly  maiestie,  and  your  maiesties  most  loyall  Leigeman,  Philonactophil." 

The  second  address  to  the  king  shows  the  occasion  of  his  writings.  "  Hauing 
(he  says)  had  the  honour  to  receiue  your  royal  commandeinents,  and  the  hap- 
pinesse  to  enioy  your  most  gracious  good  acceptance,  I  most  gladly  betooke  my- 
selfe again  to  my  voluntary  vndertakings  in  the  Imperial  Historic,  which  that 
imposed  taske  had  for  a  short  space  interpealed.  For  considering  the  happy 


XIX 

IX.  Three  proper  and  wittie  familiar  letters  lately  passed  be- 

twene 

fortune  of  his  Lordships  Floras,  I  could  not  deuise  with  myselfe  (being  to 
deuise  as  I  was)  any  imployment  either  more  worthy  for  the  matter,  or  more 

proper  for  me  then  that Nor  was  there  cause  to  trouble  your  sacred  maiestie 

with  any  but  only  Nero.  For  he  is  the  man  whom  your  most  princely  detes- 
tation of  his  manners  noted  out  vnto  mee,  with  the  proper  word  of  his  merits, 
Villaine.  Yet  hee  notwithstanding  (for  the  great  aduantage  of  truth)  will  teach 
this  pretious  secret ;  No  Prince  is  so  bad  as  not  to  make  monarckie  seeme  the  best 
forme  of  gouernment." 

Appended  to  the  volume  is  given  "  an  Historical  parallel,  or,  a  demonstration 
of  the  most  notable  oddes,  for  the  more  vse  of  life,  betweene  reading  large  his- 
tories, and  briefe  ones,  how  excellent  soeuer,  as  those  of  Lvcivs  Florvs.  Here- 
tofore priuately  written  to  my  good,  and  noble  friend  Endymion  Porter,  Esquire, 
one  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  Prince's  Bed-chamber."  The  cause  assigned  for 
writing  of  this  historical  comparison  is  that  of  having,  in  the  epistle  before  Lucius 
Florus,  observed  "  Epitomes  are  in  truth  no  other  than  anatomies."  It 
occupies  sixteen  pages,  and  has  at  the  end  "  what  the  demonstratour  meanes  by 
large  and  briefe  Histories,"  the  conclusion  of  which  as  illustrative  of  the  style 
of  Sir  Henry  Savile  and  the  subject  of  the  Hypercritica  may  be  here  preserved.— 
"  The  infelicitie  of  our  countrey,  in  regard  of  that  odious  priuation  which  preys 
vpon  the  memory  of  things  therein,  is  nothing  at  all  relieued  by  Sir  Henry  Savile, 
though  he  publickly  complained  thereof  in  print,  That  renowned  Savile,  who gaue 
us;  The  end  of  NERO,  and  beginning  of  GA.I.BA..  A  maister-peece,  and  a  great  one. 
His  praises,  as  the  praises  also  of  that  short  essay,  are  at  their  high- water  marke  in 
the  epigrams  of  my  antient  friend,  Beniamin  Jonson,  not  without  the  equall 
praises  of  Jonson's  selfe,  though  in  a  diuers  kinde.  I  for  my  part  make  no  vse 
of  the  Savilian  compositions,  though  they  handle  a  finall  part  of  the  Neronian 
argument.  His  example  in  ciuill  and  noble  letters,  I  would  gladly  commend, 
vpon  this  occasion,  to  all  the  free  students  of  our  nation ;  many  of  them  growne 
delicate,  and  fine  of  wit,  and  not  of  life  alone.  Whereas  his  contrary  courses  in 
studie,  and  eloquence,  nearer  to  the  common  nature  of  things,  void  of  phantas- 
ticke  notions,  fluent,  manly,  grane,  vnarTected,  smooth,  yet  full  of  vigour,  and 
sinewes,  made  it  easily  appeare,  that  hee  had  the  best  of  the  ancients  in  his  maine 
imitations.  The  generall  Latin  Historic  of  our  countrey  a  subiect  for  a  Savile, 
and  a  cherishment  for  a  King,  nor  of  any  rather  then  of  our  owne  most  peacefull 
prince,  King  James.  Soli  Deo  Gloria.  Finis." 


XX 

tnene    two    Vniuersitie    men,     Edmund    Spenser1    and   Gabriel 
Harvey  *. 

X.    Two  other  very  commendable  letters  of  the  same  men's 
writing.* 

The  publication  of  these  letters  was  the  origin  of  much  serious 
inconvenience  to  Harvey,  as  the  "  ratling  bundle  of  English  Hexa- 
meters," at  p.  269,  was  considered  a  satire  upon  the  Earl  of  Ox- 
ford. This  circumstance  is  repeatedly  mentioned  in  the  course  of 
that  public  controversy  so  long  continued,  with  all  the  bickering 
of  a  virulent  animosity,  between  Harvey  and  Thomas  Nash.4  Har- 
vey admits  that  "  a  company  of  special  good  fellows  would  needs 
perswade  the  Earle  of  Oxforde,  that  something  in  his  letters,  and 
namely  the  Mirrour  of  Tuscanismo,  was  palpably  intended  against 
him,  whom  he  protested  he  never  meant  to  dishonour  with  the 
least  prejudicial  word  of  his  tongue  or  pen."  If  we  may  credit 
all  that  Nash  has  urged  against  his  antagonist,  he  was  obliged  to 
secrete  himself  for  "  eight  weeks  in  that  noble  man's  house,  for 
whome  he  thus  bladed,"  and  that  he  was  afterwards  imprisoned 
in  the  Fleet  for  writing  the  verses.  Harvey  affirmed  this  circum- 
stance 

1  Edmund  Spenser,  born  1553,  died  1598. 
*  Gabriel  Harvey,  born  died 

3  To  read  the  letters  according  to  the  manner  of  their  being  wrote,    the  last 
two  should  be  perused  first.   That  by  Spenser,  dated  5  October  1579,  (see  P-  2Q5.) 
is  in  a  former  part  of  the  letter  expressly  said  to  be  written  on  "  the  sixteenth  of 
October,"  (1579)  and  the  answer  is  subscribed  the  23d  October  following.     The 
preceding  letters  it  will  be  found  were  not  written  until  after  the  earthquake  which 
happened  the  6th  of  April  1580.    The  general  .dedicatory  epistle  "  by  a  well- 
wisher  of  the  two  authors,"  is  subscribed  the  igth  of  June  in  that  year. 

4  See  Have  with  you  to  Saffron  Walden  :  Four  letters  confuted,  Apology  for 
Pierce  Penniless,  &c.  &c.     The  valuable  authentic  notices,  scattered  through  all 
these  controversial  tracts,  makes  it  desirable  to  have  them  collected  in  a  single 
octavo  volume,  without  costly  illustration. 


XXI 

stance  was  a  lewd  supposal,  and  Nash  replied  that  M.  Tho.  Wat- 
son's Hexameter  verse  proves  it. 

"  But  O  what  newes  of  that  good  Gabriel  Harvey, 

Knowne  to  the  world  for  a  foole  and  clapt  in  the  Fleet  for  a  rimer."5 

Nash  also  charges  Harvey  with  the  entire  publishing  of  these 
letters.  "  You  were  yong  in  years  (he  says)  when  you  privately 
wrote  the  letters  that  afterward  were  publikely  divulged,  by  no 
other  but  yourselfe.  Signior  Immerito  was  counterfeitly  brought 
in  to  play  a  part  in  that  his  enterlude  of  Epistles.  I  durst  on  my 
credit  undertake  Spencer  was  no  way  privie  to  the  committing  of 
them  to  print.  Committing  I  will  call  it,  for  in  my  opinion  G.  H. 
should  not  have  reapt  so  much  discredite  by  being  committed  to 
Newgate,  as  by  committing  that  misbelieving  prose  to  the  presse. 
He  scribbled  it  in  jest,  to  be  derided  and  scoft  at  throughout  the 
whole  realme."  And  in  another  place,  speaking  of  the  "  Wel- 
willer's  Epistle"  prefixed,  he  says,  "  the  compositor  that  set  it 
swore  to  me  it  came  under  his  owne  hand  to  bee  printed." 

Of  these  letters,  at  once  "  instructive  for  their  criticism,  and 
dignified  for  their  sense,"  6  a  transcript  was  not  obtained  until  too 
late  for  their  being  placed  in  due  arrangement  according  to  the 
respective  dates  of  the  preceding  articles.  Their  former  "  partial 
and  deficient  publication,"  long  since  known,  1  as  made  in  the 
edition  of  Spenser's  work  1679,  and  afterwards  copied  by  Hughes, 
can  no  longer  be  a  matter  of  objection,  and  the  many  literal  er- 
rors of  the  press  here  continued  will  show  the  faithfulness  with 
which  the  original  edition  has  been  followed. 

The 

5  Harvey  is  described  by  Nash  as  "  hauing  writ  verses  in  all  kindes,  as  in  forme 
of  apaireof  gloues,  a  dozen  of  points,  a  paire  of  spectacles,  a  two  hand  sword,  a 
poynado,  a  Colossus,  a  pyramide,  a  painter's  eazile,  a  market  crosse,  a  trumpet,  an 
anchor,  a  pair  of  pothookes."     Specimens  of  this  manner  of  composition  are  given 
in  Puttenham's  Arte  ofPoesie, 

6  Chalmers's  Apology,  p.  176. 

7  Neve's  Cursory  Remarks  178Q,  p.  18. 


XXI 1 

Perhaps  it  may  be  confidently  said  that  such  a  body  of  earlv 
criticism  as  these  tracts  collectively  present,  although  few  in  num- 
ber, is  not  any  where  to  be  found.  Independent  of  rarity,  in- 
trinsic value  may  justly  entitle  this  volume,  although  a  humble 
reprint,  to  range  with  those  of  the  Elizabethan  sera. 

Among  the  Contents,  perhaps  not  the  least  curious,  is  the  de- 
fined system  attempted  in  favour  of  Roman  numbers.8  Although 
the  practice  may  be  considered  an  outrage  upon  common  sense,  it 
is  still  fresh  in  our  recollection  that  the  adoption  of  this  fashion 
created  much  surprise,  being  the  production  of  first-rate  genius. 

Those 

8  Webbe  published  his  treatise  in  1586,  but  Roman  numbers  were  used  as  a 
"  new  kind  of  poetry"  at  least  nine  years  earlier.  Thomas  Blenerhasset,  the  au- 
thor of  the  second  part  of  the  Mirrour  for  Magistrates,  whose  dedication  is  dated 
"  15  daye  of  May,  An.  1577,"  wrote  "  The  Complaynt  of  Cadwallader"  in 
Iambics,  and  has  the  following  observations  in  the  succeeding  Induction. 

"  Fyrst  tell  me,  Inquisition,  wyll  you  penne  this  man's  meterlesse  Tragedy  as 
he  hath  pronounst  it.  Good  Memory  geue  me  your  aduise,  for  it  agreeth  very 
welwith  the  Roman  verse  called  IAMBUS,  which  consisteth  on  sixe  feete,  euery 
foote  on  two  syllables,  one  short  and  another  long,  so  proper  for  the  Englishe 
toung,  that  it  is  greate  maruaile  that  these  ripewitted  gentlemen  of  England  haue 
not  left  of  their  Gotish  kinde  of  ryming;  (for  the  rude  Gothes  brought  that  kind 
of  writing  fyrst)  &  imitated  the  learned  Latines  &  Greekes.  O  what  brauebeames 
and  goodly  tymber  might  be  found  amongst  Churchyardes  Chippes,  if  he  had  not 
affected  the  rhyming  order  of  his  predecessors  ?  Which  Meeter  made  not  only 
hym  inferiour  vnto  Horace,  but  it  also  made  a  greate  inequalitie  to  be  betwixt 
Buchurst  and  Homer :  betwixt  Phaer  and  Virgill :  betwixte  Turberuile  and  Ti- 
bnllus :  betwixt  George  Gascon  and  Seneca  :  for  al  these  comming  neare  vnto 
Marot  whom  they  did  imitate,  did  put  a  great  distance  betwixt  them,  and  the 
Latines,  wyth  whom  they  might  haue  binne  equall,  euen  wyth  as  litle  labour,  and 
with  much  more  prayse,  and  renowne."  "  Truely  (quoth  Memory)  let  it,  be 
as  it  is,  you  shall  see  good  sport  shortly.  I  smyle  to  see  how  Zoilous  and  Momus, 
will  crie  out :  O  vayne  glorious  heade,  whiche  now  for  a  singularitie  dooth  in- 
dcuour  to  erect  a  newe  kinde  of  poetrie  in  England."  See  Mirrourfor  Magis- 
trates, ed.  1815. 


XXlll 

Those  who  ventured  to  prostitute  their  talents  on  that  occasion, 
have  now,  perhaps  for  the  first  time,  an  opportunity  of  consulting 
the  lessons  of  tutors  of  older  times,  upon  the  subject  of  English 
Dactyls,  Sapphics,  and  Hexameters  ;  and  may  prudently  discover 
that  they  cannot  be  adopted  without  serious  injury  to  the  fame 
of  the  author. 

Upon  the  subject  of  poetry  K.  James  will  be  found  to  observe, 
p.  100,  that  "  albeit  sindrie  hes  written  of  it  in  English,"  and 
from  the  dates  there  can  only  be  pointed  out  the  essay  by  Gas- 
coigne,  and  the  letters  of  Harvey  and  Spencer,  in  the  present 
collection,  as  part  of  the  "  sindrie"  productions.  This  passage 
wants  some  explanation,  and  perhaps  its  obscurity  is  not  much 
relieved  by  the  supposition  that  the  royal  author  included  the 
notices  upon  the  poets  scattered  through  the  works  of  Ascham, 
Eliot,  Wilson,  and  others,  as,  in  the  imperfect  state  of  criticism  of 
that  age,  every  desultory  opinion  of  such  men  would  be  entertained 
with  complacence  by  a  scholar. 

It  was  originally  intended  to  have  printed  uniformly  all  the 
Essays  upon  Poetry  to  the  time  of  Dryden.  One  of  them  has 
lately  obtained  every  advantage  from  a  more  noble  hand,*  and, 
from  the  difficulty  experienced  during  four  years  in  completing 
this  volume,  I  cannot  longer  entertain  even  a  speculative  hope  of 
being  able  to  accomplish  the  task.  The  present  edition  consists 
of  two  hundred  and  twenty  copies. 

JOS.  HASLEWOOD. 

Conduit  Street, 
6th  June,  1815. 

•  Defence  of  Poesy  by  Sir  Philip  Sidney,  reprinted  by  Lord  Thurlow  1811, 
qto. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


Page 
I     CEKTAYNE   Notes  of  Instruction  concerning  the   making   of 

Verse  or  Rhyme  in  English.     By  George  Gascoigne.    1575.       1 

II.  A  Discourse  of  English  Poetrie.   By  William  Webbe,   1586. . .      13 

III.  A  Treatise  of  the  Airt  of  Scottis  Poe'sie.     By  K.  James.  1584.      97 

IV.  AnApologie  of  Poetrie.  By  Sir  John  Harington,  Knt.  1591.     117 

V.  A   Comparative  Discourse  of   our  English    Poets,   with   the 

Greeke,  Latine,  and  Italian  Poets.  By  Francis  Meres,  M.  A. 
1593 147 

VI.  Observations  in  the  Art  of  English  Poe'sie.     By  Thomas  Cam- 

pion. 1602 159 

VII.  A  Defence  of  Ryme.     By  Samuel  Daniel.    1603 191 

VIII.  Hypercritica.    By  Edmund  Bolton.  1610 — 17 2?  I 

IX.  Three  proper  and  wittie,  familiar  Letters,    lately  passed  be- 

tweene  two  Vniuersitie  men,   Edmund  Spenser  and   Ga- 
briel Harvey,  1580 254 

X.  Two   other    very  commendable   Letters,  of  the  same  men's 

writing.  1580 285 


Certayne  Notes  of  In- 
struction 

Concerning  the  making  of 

Winst  or  &me  in 


From  the  Poesies  of 
George  Gascoigne  Esquire, 

Imprinted  at  London, 

by  Henrie  Binneman  for 
Richarde  Smith  : 


Anno  Domini  1575. 


CERTAYNE  NOTES  OF  INSTRUCTION 

concerning  the  making  of  verse  or 

ryme  in  English,  written  at  the  request 


of  Master  Edouardo  Donati. 


S1GNOR  EDOUARDO,  since  promise  is  debt,  and  you  (by  the  lawe 
of  friendship)  do  burden  me  with  a  promise  that  I  shoulde  lende  you 
instructions  towards  the  making  of  English  verse  or  ryme,  I  will 
assaye  to  discharge  the  same,  though  not  so  perfectly  as  I  would,  yet  as 
readily  as  I  may  :  and  therwithall  I  pray  you  consider  that  Quot  ho- 
mines, tot  Sententiae,  especially  in  Poetrie,  wherein  (neuerthelesse)  I 
dare  not  challenge  any  degree,  and  yet  will  I  at  your  request  orf- 
uenture  to  set  downe  my  simple  skill  in  such  simple  manner  as  I  haue 
vsed,  referring  the  same  hereafter  to  the  correction  of  the  Laureate. 
And  you  shall  have  it  in  these  few  poyntsfollowyng. 


5HE  first  and  most  necessarie  poynt  that  euer 
I  founde  meete  to  be  cosidered  in  making 
of  a  delectable  poeme  is  this,  to  grounde  it 
vpon  some  fine  inuention.  For  it  is  not 
inough  to  roll  in  pleasant  woordes,  nor  yet 
to  thunder  in  Rym,  Ram,  Ruff,  by  letter 
(quoth  my  master  Chaucer)  nor  yet  to 
abounde  in  apt  vocables, or  epy the tes,  vnlesse  the  Inuention  haue 
in  it  also  aliquid  salis.  By  this  aliquid  salts,  I  meane  some 
good  and  fine  deuise,  shewing  the  quicke  capacitie  of  a  writer: 
and  where  I  say  some  good  and  fine  inuention,  I  meane  that  I 
would  haue  it  both  fine  and  good.  For  many  inuentions  are  so 
superfine,  that  they  are  Fix  good.  And  againe  many  Inuentions 
are  good,  and  yet  not  finely  handled.  And  for  a  general 
forwarning:  what  Theame  soeuer  you  do  take  in  hande,  if  you  do 
handle  it  but  tanquam  in  oratione  perpetua,  and  neuer  studie  for 
some  depth  of  deuise  in  ye  Invention,  &  some  figures  also  in  the 
handlying  thereof :  ic  will  appeare  to  the  skilfull  Reader  but 

a  y  a  tale 


4  Instruction  concerning  the  making  of 

a  tale  of  a  tubbe.  To  deliuer  vnto  you  generall  example* 
it  were  almoste  vnpossible,  sithence  the  occasions  of  In- 
uentions  are  (as  it  were)  infinite :  neuerthelesse  take  in 
worth  mine  opinion,  and  perceyue  my  furder  meanyng  ia 
these  few  poynts.  If  I  should  vndertake  to  wryte  in  prayse 
of  a  gentlewoman,  I  would  neither  praise  hir  christal  eye, 
nor  hir  cherrie  lippe,  &c.  For  these  things  are  trita  Sf  obuia. 
But  I  would  either  finde  some  supernaturall  cause  wher- 
by  my  penne  might  walke  in  the  superlatiue  degree,  or  els 
I  would  vndertake  to  aunswere  for  any  imperfection  that 
shee  hath,  and  therevpon  rayse  the  prayse  of  hir  conamen- 
dacion.  Likewise  if  I  should  disclose  my  pretence  in  loue, 
I  would  eyther  make  a  straunge  discourse  of  some  intolle- 
rable  passion,  or  finde  occasion  to  pleade  by  the  example  of 
some  historic,  or  discouer  my  disquiet  in  shadowes  per  Alle- 
goriam,  or  vse  the  couertest  meane  that  I  could  to  auoyde 
the  vncomely  customes  of  commo  writers.  Thus  much  I 
aduenture  to  deliuer  vnto  you  (my  freend)  vpon  the  rule  of 
Inuention,  which  of  all  other  rules  is  most  to  be  marked, 
and  hardest  to  be  prescribed  in  certayne  and  infallible  rules, 
neuerthelesse  to  conclude  therein,  I  would  haue  you 
stand  most  vpon  the  excellencie  of  your  Inuention,  &  sticke 
not  to  studie  deepely  for  some  fine  deuise.  For  that  beyng 
founde,  pleasant  woordes  will  follow  well  inough  and  fast 
inough. 

2  Your    Inuention    being  once    deuised,   take  heede  that 
neither  pleasure  of  rime,  nor  varietie  of  deuise,  do  carie  you, 
from  it :  for  as  to  vse  obscure  &  darke  phrases  in  a  pleasant 
Sonet,  is  nothing  delectable,   so  to  entermingle   merie  iests 
in  a  serious  matter  is  an  Indecorum. 

3  I    will   next  aduise    you    that   you    hold    iust  measure 
wherwith  you  begin  your  verse,   I   will  not  denie  but  this 
may  seeme  a  preposterous  ordre :  but  bycause   I  couet  ra- 
ther to  satisfie  you  particularly,  than  to  vndertake  a  gene- 
rall tradition,  I  wil  not  so  much  stand  vpon  the  manner  as 
the  matter  of  my  precepts.    I  say  then,  remrmbre  to  holde 

the 


verse  or  ryme  in  English.  S 

the  same  measure  wherwith  you  begin,  whether  it  be  in  a 
verse  of  sixe  syllables,  eight,  ten,  twelue,  &c.  and  though  this 
precept  might  seeme  ridiculous  vnto  you,  since  euery  yong 
scholler  can  conceiue  that  he  ought  to  continue  in  the  same 
measure  wherwith  he  beginneth,  yet  do  I  see  and  read  ma- 
ny mens  Poems  now  adayes,  whiche  beginning  with  the 
measure  of  xij.  in  the  first  line,  8c  xiiij  in  the  second  (which  is 
the  common  kinde  of  verse)  they  wil  yet  (by  that  time  they 
haue  passed  ouer  a  few  verses)  fal  into  xiiij  &  fourtene,  fy 
sic  de  similibus,  the  which  is  either  forgetfulnes  or  carelesnes. 

4  And  in  your  verses  remembre  to  place  euery  worde 
in  his  natural  Emphasis  or  sound,  that  is  to  say,  in  such  wise 
and  with  such  length  or  shortnesse,  eleuation  or  depression 
of  sillables,  as  it  is  comonly  pronounced  or  vsed :  to  expresse 
the  same  we  haue  three  maner  of  accents,  grauis,  lenis,  fy  cir- 
cumflexa,  the  whiche  I  would  english  thus,  the  long  accent, 
the  short  accent,  &.  that  whiche  is  indifferent:  the  / 

graue  accent  is  marked  by  this  caracte,  /    the  light  y 

accent  is  noted  thus,  \  &,  the  circuflexe  or  indifferent ^^ 

is  thus  signified  f~~~r :  the  graue  accent  is  drawe  out 

or  eleuate,  and  maketh  that  sillable  long  wherevp5  it  is 
placed  :  the  light  accet  is  depressed  or  snatched  vp,  and  mak- 
eth that  sillable  short  vpon  the  which  it  lighteth:  the 
circumflexe  accent  is  indifferet,  sometimes  short,  some- 
times long,  sometimes  depressed  &  sometimes  eleuate.  For 
exaple  of  th'  emphasis  or  natural  sound  of  words,  this  word 
Treasure,  hath  the  graue  accent  vp5  the  first  sillable,  whereas 
if  it  shoulde  be  written  in  this  sorte,  Treasure,  nowe  were 
the  second  sillable  long,  &.  that  were  cleane  contrarie  to  the 
cornon  vse  wherwith  it  is  pronounced.  For  furder  explana- 
tion hereof,  note  you  that  comonly  now  a  dayes  in  english 
rimes  (for  I  dare  not  cal  them  English  verses)  we  vse  none  other 
order  but  a  foote  of  two  sillables,  wherof  the  first  is  depressed  or 
made  short,  &  the  second  is  eleuate  or  made  log :  and  that  sound 
or  scaning  continueth  throughout  the  verse.  We  haue  vsed  in 
times  past  other  kindes  of  M£etres :  as  for  example  this  following: 

a  iij  No 


6  Instruction  concerning  the  making  of 


No  wight  in  this  world,  that  wealth  can  attayne, 

Vnlesse  he  beleue,  that  all  is  but  vayne. 

Also  our  father  Chaucer  hath  vsed  the  same  libertie  in 
feete  and  measures  that  the  Latinists  do  vse:  and  who  so 
euer  do  peruse  and  well  consider  his  workes,  he  shall  finde 
that  although  his  lines  are  not  alwayes  of  one  selfe  same 
number  of  Syllables,  yet  beyng  redde  by  one  that  hath 
vnderstanding,  the  longest  verse  and  that  which  hath  most 
Syllables  in  it,  will  fall  (to  the  eare)  correspondent  vnto 
that  whiche  hath  fewest  sillables  in  it:  and  likewise  that 
whiche  hath  in  it  fewest  syllables,  shalbe  founde  yet  to 
consist  of  woordes  that  haue  suche  naturall  sounde,  as  may 
seeme  equall  in  length  to  a  verse  which  hath  many  moe  sil- 
lables of  lighter  accentes.  And  surely  I  can  lament  that 
wee  are  fallen  into  suche  a  playne  and  simple  manner  of 
wryting,  that  there  is  none  other  foote  vsed  but  one  :  wher- 
by  our  Poemes  may  iustly  be  called  Rithmes,  and  can 
not  by  any  right  challenge  the  name  of  a  Verse.  But  since 
it  is  so,  let  vs  take  the  forde  as  we  finde  it,  and  lette  me  set 
downe  vnto  you  suche  rules  or  precepts  that  euen  in  this 
playne  foote  of  two  syllables  you  wreste  no  woorde  from 
his  natural  and  vsuall  sounde,  I  do  not  meane  hereby  that 
you  may  vse  none  other  wordes  but  of  twoo  sillables,  for 
therein  you  may  vse  discretion  according  to  occasion  of 
matter  :  but  my  meaning  is,  that  all  the  wordes  in  your 
verse  be  so  placed  as  the  first  sillable  may  sound  short  or  be 
depressed,  the  second  long  or  eleuate,  the  third  shorte,  the 
fourth  long,  the  fifth  shorte,  &c.  For  example  of  my  mea- 
ning in  this  point  marke  these  two  verses  : 


I  vnderstand  your  meanyng  by  your  eye. 

^         l    -V    4    V      \*J      \      ' 
Your  meaning  1  vnderstand  by  your  eye. 

In 


verse  or  ryme  in  English.  7 

In  these  two  verses  there  seemeth  no  difference  at  all, 
since  the  one  hath  the  very  selfe  same  woordes  that  the  o- 
ther  hath,  and  yet  the  latter  verse  is  neyther  true  nor  plea- 
sant, &  the  first  verse  may  passe  the  musters.  The  fault  of 
the  latter  verse  is  that  this  worde  understand  is  therein  so 
placed  as  the  graue  accent  falleth  vpo  der,  and  therby  ma- 
keth  der,  in  this  worde  vnderstand  to  be  eleuated :  which  is 
contrarie  to  the  naturall  or  vsual  pronuciation :  for  we  say 

vnderstand,  and  not  understand. 

5  Here  by  the  way   I  thinke  it  not  amisse  to    forewarne 
you  that  you   thrust  as   few   wordes  of  many   sillables   into 
your  verse  as  may  be  :    and   herevnto  I  might  alledge  ma- 
ny reasons :    first  the  most  auncient  English   wordes   are  of 
one  sillable,    so  that  the   more   monasyllables  that  you   vse, 
the    truer   Englishman  you  shall  seeme,    and   the   lesse  you 
shall  smell   of  the    Inkehorne.     Also  wordes  of  many  sylla- 
bles  do    cloye    a    verse    and    make   it   vnpleasant,    whereas 
woordes  of  one  syllable  will  more  easily  fall  to  be  shorte  or 
long  as  occasion  requireth,  or  wil  be  adapted  to  become  cir- 
cumflexe  or  of  an  indifferent  sounde. 

6  I  would  exhorte   you  also    to   beware   of  rime   without 
reason :   my  meaning   is   hereby  that   your    rime   leade  you 
not   from    your    firste     Inuention,    for    many   wryters   when 
they  haue  layed   the  platforme   of  their   inuention,    are    yet 
drawen  sometimes  (by  ryme)  to  forget  it,  or  at  least  to  alter 
it,  as  when  they  cannot  readily   finde   out  a  worde   whiche 
maye  rime  to  the  first  (and  yet  continue  their  determinate 
Inuention)  they  do  then  eyther  botche  it  vp  with  a   worde 
that  will    ryme  (howe  small  reason  soeuer  it   carie   with   it) 
or  els  they  alter  their  first  worde  and  so  percase  decline  or 
trouble  their  former  Inuention :    But  do  you  alwayes   hold 
your   first  determined  Inuention,   and  do  rather  searche  the 
bottome    of    your    braynes   for  apte   wordes,    than    chaunge 
good  reason  for  rumbling  rime. 

7  To  help  you  a  little  with  ryme  (which  is  also   a  plaine 

yong 


8  Instruction  concerning  the  making  of 

yong  scholler's  lesson)  worke  thus,  whe  you  haue  set  downe 
your  first  verse,  take  the  last  worde  thereof  and  coumpt  o- 
uer  all  the  wordes  of  the  selfe  same  sounde  by  order  of  the 
Alphabete :  As  for  example,  the  laste  woorde  of  your  firste 
line  is  care,  to  ryme  therwith  you  haue  bare,  dare,  dare,  fare, 
gare,  hare,  and  share,  mare,  snare,  rare,  stare,  8f  ware,  8cc.  Of  all 
these  take  that  which  best  may  serue  your  purpose,  carying 
reason  with  rime :  and  if  none  of  them  will  serue  so,  then 
alter  the  laste  worde  of  your  former  verse,  but  yet  do  not 
willingly  alter  the  meanyng  of  your  Inuention. 

8  You    may   vse    the   same   Figures    or    Tropes   in   verse 
which  are  vsed  in  prose,  and  in   my  iudgement  they   serue 
more  aptly,  and  haue  greater  grace  in  verse  than  they  haue 
in  prose :  but  yet  therein  rernembre  this  old  adage,  Ne  quid 
nimis,  as  many  wryters  which  do  not  know  the  vse  of  any 
other  figure   than  that  whiche  is  expressed  in  repeticion  of 
sundrie  wordes    beginning   all    with  one   letter,    the    whiche 
(beyng  modestly  vsed)  lendeth  good  grace  to  a  verse :    but 
they  do  so  hunte  a  letter  to  death,  that  they  make  it  Crambe, 
and  Crambe  bis  positum  mors  est :  therfore  Ne  quid  nimis. 

9  Also  asmuche  as   may  be,    eschew   straunge   words,    or 
obsoleta  fy  inusitata,  vnlesse  the  Theame  do  giue  iust  occasio : 
marie   in   some  places   a  straunge  wrorde  doth   drawe   atten- 
tiue   reading,  but  yet  I  woulde  haue  you  therein  to  vse  dis- 
cretion. 

10  And  asmuch  as  you  may,  frame  your  stile  to   perspi- 
cuity and  to  be  sensible :  for  the  haughty  obscure  verse  doth 
not  much  delight,  and  the  verse  that  is  to  easie  is  like  a  tale 
of  a  rested  horse :  but  let  your  Poeme  be  such  as  may  both 
delight  and  draw    attentiue    readyng,    and   therewithal    may 
deliuer  such  matter  as  be  worth  the  marking. 

11  You  shall  do  very  well  to  vse  your  verse  after  then- 
glishe  phrase,  and  not  after  the  maner  of  other  languages : 
The  Latinists  do   commoly  set  the  adiectiue  after  the  Sub- 
stantiue :  As  for  example  Femina  pulchra,  ades  aha,  $fc.  but  if 
we  should  say  in  English  a  woman  fayre,  a  house  high  &c. 

it 


verse  or  ryme  in  English.  9 

it  would  haue  but  small  grace :  for  we  say  a  good  man,  and 
not  a  man  good,  &c.  And  yet  I  will  not  altogether  forbidde 
it  you,  for  in  some  places,  it  may  be  borne,  but  not  so  hard- 
ly as  some  vse  it  which  wryte  thus  : 

Now  let  vs  go  to  Temple  ours, 

I  will  go  visit  mother  myne  &c. 

Surely  I  smile  at  the  simplicitie  of  such  deuisers  which 
might  aswell  haue  sayde  it  in  playne  Englishe  phrase,  and 
yet  haue  better  pleased  all  eares,  than  they  satisfie  their 
owne  fancies  by  suche  superfinesse.  Therefore  euen  as  I 
haue  aduised  you  to  place  all  wordes  in  their  naturall  or 
most  common  and  vsuall  pronunciation,  so  would  I  wishe 
you  to  frame  all  sentences  in  their  mother  phrase  and  pro- 
per Idioma,  and  yet  sometimes  (as  I  haue  sayd  before)  the 
contrarie  may  be  borne,  but  that  is  rather  where  rime  en- 
forceth,  or  per  licentiam  Poeticam,  than  it  is  otherwise  lawfull 
or  commendable. 

12  This    poeticall   licence  is    a  shrewde    fellow,    and    co- 
uereth    many    faults   in  a  verse,    it   maketh   wordes  longer, 
shorter,    of  mo  sillables,    of  fewer,    newer,  older,  truer  fal- 
ser, and  to  conclude  it  turkeneth  all  things  at  pleasure,  for 
example,  ydone    for    done,  adowne    for    dozvne,    orecome  for 
overcome,  tane  for  taken,  power  for  powre,  heauen  for  heavn, 
thewes  for  good  partes  or  good  qualities,  and  a  numbre  of. 
other  whiche  were  but  tedious  and   needelesse  to   rehearse, 
since  your  owne    iudgement  and  readyng  will  soone  make 
you  espie  such  aduauntages. 

13  There  are  also   certayne    pauses   or  restes  in    a  Verse 
whiche    may     be    called     Ceasnres,     whereof    I    woulde  be 
lothe  to  stande  long,  since  it  is  at  discretion  of  the  wryter,  and 
they  haue  bene  first  deuised  (as  should  seeme)  by  the  Musi- 
cians :    but  yet  thus  much  I  will  aduenture   to  wryte,    that 
in  mine  opinion  in  a  verse  of  eight  sillables,  the  pause  will 
stand  best  in  the  middest,  in  a  verse  of  tenne  it  will  best  be 
placed  at  the  ende  of  the  firste  foure  sillables :   in  a  verse  of 
twelue,  in  the  midst,  in  verses  of  twelue,  in  the  firste  and 

fouretene 


10  Instruction  concerning  the  making  of 

fouretene  in  the  seconde,  w6e  place  the  pause  commonly 
in  the  midst  of  the  first,  and  at  the  ende  of  the  first  eight  sil- 
lables  in  the  second.  In  Rithme  royall,  it  is  at  the  wryters 
discretion,  and  forceth  not  where  the  pause  be  vntill  the 
ende  of  the  line. 

14  And  here  bycause  I  haue  named  Rithme  royall,  I 
will  tell  you  also  mine  opinion  aswell  of  that  as  of  the 
names  which  other  rymes  haue  commonly  borne  hereto- 
fore. Rythme  royall  is  a  verse  of  tenne  sillables,  and  se- 
uen  such  verses  make  a  staffe,  whereof  the  first  and  thirde 
lines  do  aunswer  (acrosse)  in  like  terminations  and  rime, 
the  second,  fourth,  and  fifth,  do  likewise  answere  eche  other 
in  terminations,  and  the  two  last  do  combine  and  shut  vp 
the  Sentence :  this  hath  bene  called  Rithme  royall,  &  sure- 
ly it  is  a  royall  kinde  of  verse,  seruing  best  for  graue  dis- 
courses. There  is  also  another  kinde  called  Ballade,  and 
thereof  are  sundrie  sortcs :  for  a  man  may  write  ballade  in 
a  staffe  of  sixe  lines,  euery  line  conteyning  eight  or  sixe 
sillables,  whereof  the  firste  and  third,  second  and  fourth  do 
rime  acrosse,  and  the  fifth  and  sixth  do  rime  togither  in  con- 
clusion. You  may  write  also  your  ballad  of  tenne  sillables 
rimyng  as  before  is  declared,  but  these  two  were  wont  to 
be  most  comonly  vsed  in  ballade,  which  propre  name  was 
(I  thinke)  deriued  of  this  worde  in  Italian  Ballare,  whiche 
signifieth  to  daunce.  And  in  deed  those  kinds  of  rimes  serue 
beste  for  daunces  or  light  matters.  Then  haue  you  also  a 
rondlette,  the  which  doth  alwayes  end  with  one  self  same 
foote  or  repeticion,  and  was  thereof  (in  my  iudgement)  cal- 
led a  rondelet.  This  may  consist  of  such  measure  as  best  li- 
keth  the  wryter,  then  haue  you  Sonnets,  some  thinke  that 
all  Poemes  (being  short)  may  be  called  Sonets,  as  in  deede 
it  is  a  diminutiue  worde  deriued  of  Sonare,  but  yet  I  can 
beste  allowe  to  call  those  Sonets  whiche  are  of  fouretene 
lynes,  euery  line  conteyning  tenne  syllables.  The  firste 
twelue  do  ryme  in  staues  of  foure  lines  by  crosse  meetre, 
and  the  last  twoo  ryming  togither  do  conclude  the  whole. 

There 


verse  or  ryme  in  English.  1 1 

There  are  Dyzaynes,  &  Syxaines  which  are  of  ten  lines, 
and  of  sixe  lines,  comonly  vsed  by  the  French,  which  some 
English  writers  do  also  terme  by  the  name  of  Sonettes. 
Then  is  there  an  old  kinde  of  Rithme  called  Verlayes,  de- 
riued  (as  I  haue  redde)  of  this  worde  Verd  whiche  betoke- 
neth  Greene,  and  Laye  which  betokeneth  a  Song,  as  if  you 
would  say  greene  Songes :  but  I  muste  tell  you  by  the 
way,  that  I  neuer  redde  any  verse  which  I  saw  by  auctho- 
ritie  called  Verlay,  but  one,  and  that  was  a  long  discourse  in 
verses  of  tenne  sillables,  whereof  the  foure  first  did  ryme 
acrosse,  and  the  fifth  did  aunswere  to  the  firste  and  thirde, 
breaking  off  there,  and  so  going  on  to  another  termination. 
Of  this  I  could  shewe  example  of  imitation  in  mine  own 
verses  written  to  ye.  right  honorable  ye.  Lord  Grey  of  Wil- 
ton vpon  my  iourney  into  Holland  &c.  There  are  also  cer- 
taine  Poemes  deuised  of  tenne  syllables,  whereof  the  first 
aunswereth  in  termination  with  the  fourth,  and  the  second 
and  thirde  answere  eche  other :  these  are  more  vsed  by  o- 
ther  nations  than  by  vs,  neyther  can  I  tell  readily  what 
name  to  giue  them.  And  the  comonest  sort  of  verse  which 
we  vse  now  adayes  (viz.  the  long  verse  of  twelue  and  four- 
tene  sillables)  I  know  not  certainly  ho  we  to  name  it,  vn- 
lesse  I  should  say  that  it  doth  consist  of  Poulters  measure, 
which  giueth  xij.  for  one  doze  and  xiiij.  for  another.  But  let 
this  suffise  (if  it  be  not  to  much)  for  the  sundrie  sortes  of 
verses  which  we  vse  now  adayes. 

15  In  all  these  sortes  of  verses  when  soeuer  you  vnder- 
take  to  write,  auoyde  prolixitie  and  tediousnesse,  &  euer  as 
neare  as  you  can,  do  finish  the  sentence  and  meaning  at  the 
end  of  euery  staffe  where  you  wright  staues,  &  at  the  end 
of  euery  two  lines  where  you  write  by  cooples  or  poulters 
measure:  for  I  see  many  writers  which  draw  their  senteces 
in  length,  &,  make  an  ende  at  latter  Lammas :  for  comonly 
before  they  end,  the  Reader  hath  forgotte  where  he  begon. 
But  do  you  (if  you  wil  follow  my  aduise)  eschue  prolixitie 
and  knit  vp  your  sentences  as  compendiously  as  you  may, 

since 


12   Instruction  concerning  the  making  of  verse,  <§*c. 

since  breuitie  (so  that  it  be  not  drowned  in  obscuritie)  is 
most  commendable. 

16  I  had  forgotten  a  notable  kinde  of  ryme,  called  ry- 
ding  rime,  and  that  is  suche  as  our  Mayster  and  Father 
Chaucer  vsed  in  his  Canterburie  tales,  and  in  diuers  other 
delectable  and  light  enterprises :  but  though  it  come  to  my 
remembrance  somewhat  out  of  order,  it  shall  not  yet  come 
altogether  out  of  time,  for  I  will  nowe  tell  you  a  conceipt 
whiche  I  had  before  forgotten  to  wryte:  you  may  see  (by 
the  way)  that  I  holde  a  preposterous  order  in  my  traditi- 
ons, but  as  I  sayde  before  I  wryte  moued  by  good  wil,  and 
not  to  shewe  my  skill.  Then  to  returne  to  my  matter,  as 
this  riding  rime  serueth  most  aptly  to  wryte  a  merie  tale, 
so  Rythme  royall  is  fittest  for  a  graue  discourse.  Ballades 
are  beste  of  matters  of  loue,  and  rondlettes  moste  apt  for 
the  beating  or  handlyng  of  an  adage  or  common  prouerbe: 
Sonets  serue  as  well  in  matters  of  loue  as  of  discourse :  Di- 
zaymes  and  Sixames  for  shorte  Fantazies :  Verlayes  for 
an  effectuall  proposition,  although  by  the  name  you  might 
otherwise  Judge  of  Verlayes,  and  the  long  verse  of  twelue 
and  fouretene  sillables,  although  it  be  now  adayes  vsed  in, 
all  Theames,  yet  in  my  Judgement  it  would  serue  best  for 
Psalmes  and  Himpnes. 

I  woulde  stande  longer  in  these  traditions,  were  it  not 
that  I  doubt  mine  owne  ignoraunce,  but  as  1  sayde  before, 
I  know  that  I  write  to  my  freende,  and  aflying  myselfe 
therevpon,  1  make  an  ende. 

FINIS. 


A  Discourse  of  Eng- 

lish  Poetrie. 

Together  with  the  Authors 
iudgment,  touching  the  re- 
formation of  our  Eng- 
lish Verse. 

By  William  Webbe. 

Graduate. 


Jmpnnled  at  London, 

by  lohn  Charlewood  for 
Robert  Walley. 

1586. 


Al 


full,  learned,  and  most  gentle  Gentle- 

man,  my  verie  good  Master,  Ma. 

Edward  Suliard,  Esquire.  VV.  VV. 

wysheth  his  harts  desire. 

(v) 


MAY  it  please  you  Syr,  thys  once  more  to  beare  with  my 
rudenes,  in  presenting  vnto  your  viewe,  an  other 
slender  conceite,  of  my  simple  capacity:  wherin  although 
I  am  not  able  to  bring  you  anie  thing,  which  is  meete  to 
detaine  you  from  your  serious  matters :  yet  vppon  my  know- 
ledge of  your  former  courtesy  &  your  fauourable  countenaunce 
towardes  all  enterprises  of  Learning,  I  dare  make  bold  to 
craue  your  accustomed  patience,  in  turning  ouer  some  of 
these  fewe  leaues,  which  I  shall  account  a  greater  recom- 
pence,  then  the  wryting  thereof  may  deserue. 

The  nrme  hope  of  your  wonted  gentlenes,  not  any  good  ly- 
king  of  myne  owne  labour,  made  me  thus  presumptuously  to 
craue  your  worships  patronage  for  my  poore  booke.  A  pretty 

A  ii  aun- 


16  The  Epistle. 

aunswere  is  reported  by  some  to  be  made  by  dpellcs  to  King 
Alexander,  who  (in  disport)  taking  vp  one  of  his  pensilles  to 
drawe  a  line,  &  asking  the  Paynters  Judgment  of  his  draught, 
It  is  doone  (quoth  Apelles)  like  a  King:  meaning  indeede 
it  was  drawen  as  he  pleased,  but  was  nothing  lesse  then  good 
workmanshippe.  My  selfe  in  like  sort,  taking  vppon  me,  to 
make  a  draught  of  English  Poetry,  and  requesting  your  wor- 
shyps  censure  of  the  same,  you  wyll  perhaps  gyue  me  thys  ver- 
dict, It  was  doone  like  a  Scholler,  meaning,  as  I  could,  but 
indeede  more  like  to  a  learner,  then  one  through  grounded  in 
Poeticall  workmanship. 

Alexander  in  drawing  his  lyne,  leaned  sometime  too  hard, 
otherwhyle  too  soft,  as  neuer  hauing  beene  apprentice  to  the 
Arte:  I  in  drawing  this  Poeticall  discourse,  make  it  some 
where  to  straight  (leaning  out  the  cheefe  colloures  and  orna- 
ments of  Poetry)  in  an  other  place  to  wyde  (stuffing  in  peeces 
little  pertinent  to  true  Poetry)  as  one  neuer  acquainted  wyth 
the  learned  Muses.  What  then  ?  as  he  being  a  king,  myght 
meddle  in  what  Scyence  him  listed,  though  therein  hee  had  no 
skyll :  so  I  beeing  a  learner,  wyll  trye  my  cunning  in  some  parts 
of  Learning,  though  neuer  so  simple. 

Nowe,  as  for  my  saucie  pressing  vppon  your  expected  fauor 
in  crauing  your  iudgment,  I  beseech  you  let  me  make  thys  ex- 
cuse: that  whereas  true  Gentilitie  did  neuer  withdrawe  her 
louing  affection  from  louely  Lady  Learning,  so  I  am  perswa- 
ded,  that  your  worshyppe  cannot  chuse,  but  continue  your 
wonted  fauourable  benignitie  towardes  all  the  indeuourers  to 
learning,  of  which  corporation  I  doo  indeede  professe  my  selfe 
one  sillie  member. 

For  sith  the  wryters  of  all  ages,  haue  sought  as  an  vndoub- 
ted  Bulwarke  and  stedi'ast  sauegarde  the  patronage  of  Nobili- 
tye,  (a  shielde  as  sure  as  can  be  to  learning)  wherin  to  shrowde 

and 


The  Epistle.  17 

and  safelye  place  their  seuerall  inuentions :  why  should  not 
I  seeke  some  harbour  for  my  poore  trauell  to  reste  and  staye 
vppon,  beeing  of  it  selfe  vnable  to  shyft  the  carping  cauilles 
and  by  ting  scornes  of  lewde  controllers  ? 

And  in  trueth,  where  myght  I  rather  choose  a  sure  de- 
fence and  readye  refuge  for  the  same,  then  where  I  see  per- 
fecte  Gentilitye,  and  noblenesse  of  minde,  to  be  faste  lyncked 
with  excellencie  of  learning  and  affable  courtesye  ?  Moreo- 
uer,  adde  thys  to  the  ende  of  rnyne  excuse :  that  I  sende  it 
into  your  sight,  not  as  anie  wyttie  peece  of  worke  that  may 
delight  you :  but  being  a  sleight  somewrhat  compyled  for  re- 
creation, in  the  intermyssions  of  my  daylie  businesse,  (euen 
thys  Summer  Eueninges)  as  a  token  of  that  earnest  and  vn- 
quenchable  desyre  I  haue  to  shewe  my  selfe  duetifull  and  wel- 
wylling  towardes  you.  VVherevnto  I  am  continually  enfla- 
med  more  and  more,  when  I  consider  eyther  your  fauoura- 
ble  freendshyppe  vsed  towardes  my  selfe,  or  your  gentle  coun- 
tenaunce  shewed  to  my  simple  trauelles.  The  one  I  haue  tryed 
in  that  homely  translation  I  presented  vnto  you :  the  other  I 
finde  true  in  your  curteous  putting  to  my  trust,  and  dooing  me 
so  great  honesty  and  credite,  with  the  charge  of  these  toward 
young  Gentlemen  your  sonnes. 

To  which  pregnant  ympes  of  right  excellent  hope,  I  would 
I  were  able,  or  you  myght  haue  occasion  to  make  triall  of  my 
louing  minde :  who  shoulde  well  perceyue  my  selfe  to  remayne 
vnto  them  a  faythfull  and  trusty  Achates,  euen  so  farre  as  my 
wealth  my  woe,  my  power  or  perrill,  my  penne  or  witte,  my 
health  or  lyfe  may  serue  to  serche  myne  ability. 

Huge  heapes  of  wordes  I  myght  pyle  together  to  trouble 
you  wythall :  eyther  of  my  selfe  or  of  my  dooinges,  (as  some 
doo)  or  of  your  worshyppes  commendable  vertues  (as  the 
moste  doo)  But  I  purposely  chuse  rather  to  let  passe  the  sprea- 

A  iii  ding 


18  The  Epistle. 

ding  of  that  worthy  fame  which  you  haue  euer  deserued,  then 
to  runne  in  suspicion  of  fawning  flattery  which  I  euer  abhor- 
red. 

Therefore  once  againe  crauing  your  gentle  pardon, 

and  patience  in  your  ouerlooking  thys  rude  E- 

pistle  :  and  wyshing  more  happinesse  then 

my  penne  can  expresse  to  you  and 

your  whole  retinewe,  I  rest. 


Your  worshippes  faithfull 

Seruant,  VV.  VV. 


A  Pro- 


A  Preface  to  the  noble 
Poets  of  Englande. 

AMong  the  innumerable  sortes  of  Englyshe  Bookes,  and 
infinite  fardles  of  printed  pamphlets,  wherewith  thys 
Countrey  is  pestered,  all  shoppes  stuffed,  and  euery  study  fur- 
nished :  the  greatest  part  1  thinke  in  any  one  kinde,  are  such 
as  are  either  meere  Poeticall,  or  which  tende  in  some  re- 
specte  (as  either  in  matter  or  forme)  to  Poetry.  Of  such 
Bookes  therfore,  sith  I  haue  beene  one,  that  haue  had  a 
desire  to  reade  not  the  fewest,  and  because  it  is  an  argu- 
ment, which  men  of  great  learning  haue  no  leysure  to 
handle,  or  at  the  least  hauing  to  doo  with  more  serious 
matters  doo  least  regarde :  If  I  write  something,  concern- 
ing what  I  thinke  of  our  English  Poets,  or  aduenture  to 
sette  downe  my  simple  iudgement  of  English  Poetrie,  I 
trust  the  learned  Poets  will  giue  me  leaue,  and  vouch- 
safe my  Booke  passage,  as  beeing  for  the  rudenesse  there- 
of no  preiudice  to  their  noble  studies,  but  euen  (as  my 
intent  is)  an  instar  cotis  to  stirre  vppe  some  other  of  meete 
abilitie,  to  bestowe  trauell  in  this  matter :  whereby  I  thinke 
wee  may  not  onelie  get  the  meanes  which  wee  yet  want, 
to  discerne  betweene  good  writers  and  badde,  but  per- 
happes  also  challenge  from  the  rude  multitude  of  rusticall 
Rymers,  who  will  be  called  Poets,  the  right  practise  and 
orderly  course  of  true  Poerry. 

It  is  to  be  wondred  at  of  all,  and  is  lamented  of  manie, 
that  where  as  all  kinde  of  good  learning,  haue  aspyred  to 
royall  dignitie  and  statelie  grace  in  our  English  tongue, 
being  not  onelie  founded,  defended,  maintained,  and  en- 
larged, but  also  purged  from  faultes,  weeded  of  errours,  & 
pollished  from  barbarousnes,  by  men  of  great  authoritie 

A  iiii  and 


20  The  Preface. 

and  iudgcment:  onelie  Poetrie  hath  founde  fewest  frends 
to  amende  it,  those  that  can,  reseruing  theyr  skyll  to  the- 
selues,  those  that  cannot,  running  headlong  vppon  it, 
thinking  to  garnish  it  with  their  deuises,  but  more  cor- 
rupting it  with  fantastical!  errours.  What  shoulde  be 
the  cause,  that  our  English  speeche  in  some  of  the  wy- 
sest  mens  iudgements,  hath  neuer  attained  to  anie  suffici- 
ent ripenes,  nay  not  ful  auoided  the  reproch  of  barbarous- 
nes  in  Poetry?  the  rudenes  of  the  Countrey,  or  basenesse 
of  wytts:  or  the  course  of  Dialect  of  the  speeche?  experi- 
ence vtterly  disproueth  it  to  be  anie  of  these:  what  then? 
surelie  the  canckred  enmitie  of  curious  custome:  which 
as  it  neuer  was  great  freend  to  anie  good  learning,  so  in 
this  hath  it  grounded  in  the  most,  such  a  negligent  per- 
swasion  of  an  impossibitie  in  matching  the  best,  that  the 
finest  witts  and  most  diuine  heades,  haue  contented  them 
selues  with  a  base  kinde  of  fingering :  rather  debasing 
theyr  faculties,  in  setting  forth  theyr  skyll  in  the  cour- 
sest  manner,  then  for  breaking  custome,  they  would  la- 
bour to  adorne  their  Countrey  and  aduaunce  their  style 
with  the  highest  &  most  learnedst  toppe  of  true  Poetry. 
The  rudenes  or  vnaptnesse  of  our  Countrey  to  be  either 
none  or  no  hinderaunce,  if  reformation  were  made  accor- 
dinglie,  the  exquisite  excellency  in  all  kindes  of  good  lear- 
ning nowe  flourishing  among  vs,  inferiour  to  none  other 
nation,  may  sufficiently  declare. 

That  there  be  as  sharpe  and  quicke  wittes  in  .England, 
as  euer  were  among  the  peerelesse  Grecians,  or  renowmed 
Romaines,  it  were  a  note  of  no  witte  at  all  in  me  to  deny. 
And  is  our  speeche  so  course,  or  our  phrase  so  harshe,  that 
Poetry  cannot  therein  finde  a  vayne  whereby  it  may  ap- 
peare  like  it  selfe  ?  why  should  we  think  so  basely  of  this  ? 
rather  then  of  her  sister,  I  meane  Rethoricall  Eloquution, 

which 


The  Preface.  21 

which  as  they  were  by  byrth  Twyns,  by  kinde  the  same, 
by  originall  of  one  descent :  so  no  doubt,  as  Eloquence 
hath  founde  such  fauourers,  in  the  English  tongue,  as  she 
frequenteth  not  any  more  gladly :  so  would  Poetrye  if 
there  were  the  like  welcome  and  entertainment  gyuen  her 
by  our  English  Poets,  without  question  aspyre  to  won- 
derfull  perfection,  and  appeare  farre  more  gorgeous  and 
delectable  among  vs.  Thus  much  I  am  bolde  to  say  in 
behalfe  of  Poetrie,  not  that  I  meane  to  call  in  question 
the  reuerend  and  learned  workes  of  Poetrie,  written  in 
our  tongue  by  men  of  rare  iudgement,  and  most  excellent 
Poets:  but  euen  as  it  were  by  way  of  supplication  to  the 
famous  and  learned  Lawreat  Masters  of  Englande,  that 
they  would  but  consult  one  halfe  howre  with  their  hea- 
uenly  Muse,  what  credite  they  might  winne  to  theyr  na- 
tiue  speeche,  what  enormities  they  might  wipe  out  of 
English  Poetry,  what  a  fitte  vaine  they  might  frequent, 
wherein  to  shewe  forth  their  worthie  faculties:  if  .Eng- 
lish Poetrie  were  truely  reformed,  and  some  perfect  plat- 
forme  or  Prosodia  of  versifying  were  by  them  ratifyed  and 
sette  downe:  eyther  in  immitation  of  Greekes  and  La- 
tines,  or  where  it  would  skant  abyde  the  touch  of  theyr 
Rules,  the  like  obseruations  selected  and  established  by 
the  naturall  affectation  of  the  speeche.  Thus  much  I  say, 
not  to  perswade  you  that  are  the  fauourers  of  Englishe 
Poetry  but  to  mooue  it  to  you :  beeing  not  the  firste  that 
haue  thought  vpo  this  matter,  but  one  that  by  cosent  of 
others,  haue  taken  vppon  me  to  lay  it  once  again  in  your 
wayes,  if  perhaps  you  may  stumble  vppon  it,  and  chance 
to  looke  so  lowe  from  your  diuine  cogitations,  when 
your  Muse  mounteth  to  •  the  starres,  and  ransacketh  the 
Spheres  of  heauen :  whereby  perhaps  you  may  take  com- 
passion of  noble  Poetry,  pittifullie  mangled  and  defaced, 

si  by 


£2  The  Preface. 

by    rude    smatterers   "and    barbarous    immitatours    of    your 
worthy    studies.      If   the    motion    bee  worthy    your    regard 
it  is  enough  to  mooue  it,   if  not,  my  wordes   woulde  sim- 
ply  preuaile  in    perswading  you,  and   therefore    I   rest   vp- 
pon  thys    onely  request,   that  of  your  courtesies,  you  wyll 
graunt     passage,     vnder     your    fauourable     corrections,    for 
this  my  simple  censure  of  .English   Poetry,  wherein  if  you 
please    to    runne  it  ouer,    you  shall    Jcnowe   breefely  myne 
opinion   of  the    most    part    of   our  accustomed   Poets,    and 
particularly  in  his  place,  the  lyttle  somewhat  which 
I  haue  sifted  out  of  my  weake  brayne  concer- 
ning thys  reformed  versifying. 
VV.  VV. 


A  Discourse 


A  Discourse  of  Eng- 

lishe  Poetrie. 

'•     -'?  iW 

INtending  to  write  some  discourse  of  English  Poetrie,  I 
thinke  it  not  amysse  if  I  speake  something  generally  of 
Poetrie,  as,  what  it  is,  whence  it  had  the  beginning,  and  of 
what  estimation  it  hath  alwayes  beene  and  ought  to  be  among 
al  sorts  of  people.  Ppjetrie  called  in  Greeke  ifosrpuz,  beeing  de- 
riued  from  the  Verbe  tolsuj,  which  signifieth  in  Latine  facere 
in  English,  to  make,  may  properly  be  defined,  the  arte  of  ma- 
king :  which  word  as  it  hath  alwaies  beene  especially  vsed  of 
the  best  of  our  English  Poets,  to  expresse  ye  very  faculty  of  spea- 
king or  wryting  Poetically  :  so  doth  it  in  deede  containe  most 
fitly  the  whole  grace  and  property  of  the  same,  ye  more  fullye 
and  effectually  then  any  other  English  Verbe.  That  Poetry 
k  an  Arte,  (or  rather  a  more  excellent  thing  then  can  be  con- 
tayned  wythin  the  compasse  of  Arte)  though  I  neede  not  stande 
long  to  prooue,  both  the  witnes  of  Horace,  who  wrote  de  arte. 
Poetica :  and  of  Terence,  who  calleth  it  Artem  Musicam,  and 
the  very  naturall  property  thereof  may  sufficiently  declare : 
The  beginning  of  it  as  appeareth  by  Plato,  was  of  a  vertuous 
and  most  deuout  purpose,  who  witnesseth,  that  by  occasion  of 
meeting  of  a  great  company  of  young  men,  to  solemnize  ye  feasts 
which  were  called  Pamgeryca,  and  were  wont  to  be  celebrated 
euery  fift  yeere,  there,  they  that  were  most  pregnant  in 

B  ii 


24  A  Discourse  of 

and  indued  with  great  gyfts  of  wysedorae  &  knowledge  in  Mu- 
sicke  aboue  the  rest  did  vse  commonly  to  make  goodly  verses 
measured  according  to  the  sweetest  notes  of  Musicke,  contai- 
ning the  prayse  of  some  noble  vertue,  or  of  immortalitie,  or  of 
some  such  thing  of  greatest  estimation  :  which  vnto  them  s6e- 
mcd,  so  heauenly  and  ioyous  a  thing,  that,  thinking  such  men 
to  be  inspyrde  with  some  diuine  instinct  from  heauen,  they  cal- 
led them  Votes.  So  when  other  among  them  of  the  finest  wits 
and  aptest  capacities  beganne  in  imitation  of  these  to  frame  dit- 
ties of  lighter  matters,  and  tuning  them  to  the  stroake  of  some 
of  the  pleasantest  kind  of  Musicke,  then  began  there  to  growe 
a  distinction  and  great  diuersity  betweene  makers  and  makers. 
Whereby  (I  take  it)  beganne  thys  difference :  that  they  which 
handled  in  the  audience  of  the  people,  graue  and  necessary  mat- 
ters, were  called  wise  men  or  eloquent  men,  which  they  meant 
by  Fates :  and  the  rest  which  sange  of  loue  matters,  or  other 
lighter  deuises,  alluring  vnto  pleasure  and  delight,  were  called 
Poeta  or  makers.  Thus  it  appeareth,  both  Eloquence  and  Po- 
etrie  to  haue  had  their  beginning  and  originall  from  these  exer- 
cises, beeing  framed  in  such  sweete  measure  of  sentences  &,  plea- 
sant harmonic  called  P'<9/x,o>,  which  is  an  apt  composition  of 
wordes  or  clauses,  drawing  as  it  were  by  force  ye  hearers  eares 
euen  whether  soeuer  it  lysteth  :  that  Plato  affirmeth  therein  to 
be  contained  Aoxre/x  an  inchauntment,  as  it  were  to  perswade 
them  anie  thing  whether  they  would  or  no.  And  heerehence  is 
sayde,  that  men  were  first  withdrawne  from  a  wylde  and  sa- 
uadge  kinde  of  life,  to  ciuility  and  gentlenes,  and  yc  right  know- 
ledge of  humanity  by  the  force  of  this  measurable  or  tunable 
speaking. 

This  opinion  shall  you  finde  confirmed  throughout  the 
whole  workes  of  Plato  and  Aristotle.  And  that  such  was  the  e- 
stimation  of  this  Poetry  at  those  times,  that  they  supposed  all 
wisedome  and  knowledge  to  be  included  mystically  in  that  di- 
uine instinction,  wherewith  they  thought  their  Fates  to  bee  in- 
spyred.  Wherevpon,  throughout  the  noble  workes  of  those 
most  excellent  Philosophers  before  named,  are  the  authorities 
of  Poets  very  often  alledged.  And  Cicero  in  his  Tusculane  que- 
stions 


English  Poetrie.  25 

stions  is  of  that  minde,  that  a  Poet  cannot  expresse  verses  a- 
boundantly,  sufficiently,  and  fully,  neither  his  eloquence  can 
flowe  plesauntly,  or  his  wordes  sounde  well  and  plenteously, 
without  celestiall  instinction  :  which  Poets  themselues  doo  ve- 
ry often  and  gladlie  witnes  of  themselues,  as  namely  Quid  in 
6.  Fasto :  Est  deus  in  nobis  Agitante  callescimus  illo.  fyc.  Where- 
vnto  I  doubt  not  equally  to  adioyne  the  authoritye  of  our  late 
famous  English  Poet,  who  wrote  the  Sheepheards  Calender, 
where  lamenting  the  decay  of  Poetry,  at  these  dayes,  saith 
most  sweetely  to  the  same. 

Then  make  thee  winges  of  thine  aspyring  wytt, 

And  whence  thou  earnest  flye  backe  to  heauen  apace.  &c. 

Whose  fine  poeticall  witt,  and  most  exquisite  learning,  as  he 
shewed  aboundantly  in  that  peece  of  worke,  in  my  iudgment 
inferiour  to  the  workes  neither  of  Theocritus  in  Greeke,  nor 
Virgill  in  Latine,  whom  hee  narrowly  immitateth:  so  I  no- 
thing doubt,  but  if  his  other  workes  were  common  abroade, 
which  are  as  I  thinke  in  ye  close  custodie  of  certaine  his  friends, 
we  should  haue  of  our  owne  Poets,  whom  wee  might  matche 
in  all  respects  with  the  best.  And  among  all  other  his  workes 
whatsoeuer,  I  would  wysh  to  haue  the  sight  of  hys  English  Po- 
et, which  his  freend  E.  K.  did  once  promise  to  publishe,  which 
whether  he  performed  or  not,  I  knowe  not,  if  he  did,  my  happe 
hath  not  beene  so  good  as  yet  to  see  it. 

But  to  returne  to  the  estimation  of  Poetry.  Beside  ye  great 
and  profitable  fruites  contained  in  Poetry,  for  the  instruction 
of  manners  and  precepts  of  good  life  (for  that  was  cheefly  re- 
spected in  the  first  age  of  Poetry)  this  is  also  added  to  the  eter- 
nall  commendations  of  that  noble  faculty :  that  Kinges  and 
Princes,  great  and  famous  men,  did  euer  encourage,  mayn- 
taine;  and  reward  Poets  in  al  ages :  because  they  were  thought 
onely  to  haue  the  whole  power  in  their  handes,  of  making  men 
either  immortally  famous  for  their  valiaunt  exploytes  and  ver- 
tuous  exercises,  or  perpetually  infamous  for  their  vicious 
liues.  Wherevppon  it  is  said  of  Achilles,  that  this  onely  van- 

B  iii  tage 


26  A  Discourse  of 

tage  he  had  of  Hector,  that  it  was  his  fortune  to  be  extolled 
and  remowned  by  theheauenly  verse  of  Homer.  And  as  Tully 
recordeth  to  be  written  of  Alexander,  that  witli  natural  teares 
he  wept  ouer  Achilles  Tombe,  in  ioy  that  he  conceiued  at  the' 
consideration,  howe  it  was  his  happc  to  be  honoured  wyth  so 
diuine  a  worke,  as  Homers  was.  Aristotle,  a  most  prudent 
and  learned  Philosopher,  beeing  appointed  Schoolemaster  to 
the  young  Prince  Alexander,  thought  no  worke  so  meete  to  be 
reade  vnto  a  King,  as  the  worke  of  Homer :  wherein  the  young 
Prince  being  by  him  instructed  throughly,  found  such  wonder- 
full  delight  in  the  same  when  hee  came  to  maturity,  that  hee 
would  not  onely  haue  it  with  him  in  all  his  iourneyes,  but  in 
his  bedde  also  vnder  his  pyllowe,  to  delight  him  and  teache  him 
both  nights  and  dayes.  The  same  is  reported  of  noble  Scipio, 
who  finding  the  two  Bookes  of  Homer  in  the  spoyle  of  Kyng 
Darius,  esteemed  them  as  wonderfull  precious  Jewelles,  ma- 
king one  of  them  his  companion  for  the  night,  the  other  for  the 
day.  And  not  onely  was  he  thus  affected  to  ye  one  peece  or  parte 
of  Poetry,  but  so  generally  he  loued  the  professors  thereof,  that 
in  his  most  serious  aflfayres,  and  hottest  warres  against  Nu- 
mantia  and  Carthage,  he  could  no  whitte  be  without  that  olde 
Poet  Ennius  in  his  company.  But  to  speake  of  all  those  noble 
and  wyse  Princes,  who  bare  speciall  fauour  and  comitenaunce 
to  Poets,  were  tedious,  and  would  require  a  reheareall  of  all 
such,  in  whose  time  there  grewe  any  to  credite  and  estimation 
in  that  faculty.  Thus  farre  therefore  may  suffice  for  the  esti- 
mation of  Poets.  Nowe  I  thinke  most  meete,  to  speake  some- 
what, concerning  what  hath  beene  the  yse  of  Poetry,  and  wher- 
in  it  rightly  consisted,  and  whereof  consequently  it  obteyned 
such  estimation. 

To  begin  therefore  with  the  first  that  was  first  worthelye 
memorable  in  the  excellent  gyft  of  Poetrye,  the  best  wryters 
agree  that  it  was  Orpheus,  who  by  the  sweete  gyft  of  his  hea- 
uenly  Poetry,  withdrew  men  from  raungyng  vncertainly,  and 
wandring  bmtishly  about,  and  made  them  gather  together,  and 
keepe  company,  made  houses,  and  kept  fellowshippe  together, 
who  therefore  is  reported  (as  Horace  sayth)  to  asswage  the 

fiercenesse 


English  Poetry.  27 

fiercenesse  of  Tygers,  and  mooue  the  harde  Flynts.  After  him 
was  Amphion,  who  was  the  first  that  caused  Citties  to  bee 
builded,  and  men  therein  to  liue  decently  and  orderly  according 
to  lawe  and  right.  Next,  was  Tyrtaeus,  who  began  to  prac- 
tise warlike  defences,  to  keepe  backe  enemies,  and  saue  them- 
selues  from  inuasion  of  foes.  In  thys  place  I  thinke  were  most 
conuenient  to  rehearse  that  auncient  Poet  Pyndarus:  but  of 
the  certaine  time  wherein  he  flourished,  I  am  not  very  cer- 
taine :  but  of  the  place  where  he  continued  moste,  it  shoulde 
seeme  to  be  the  Citty  of  Thebes,  by  Plinie  who  reporteth,  that 
Alexander  in  sacking  the  same  Cittie,  woulde  not  suffer  the 
house  wherein  he  dwelt  to  be  spoyled  as  all  the  rest  were.  Af- 
ter these  was  Homer,  who  as  it  were  in  one  summe  compre- 
hended all  knowledge,  wisedome,  learning,  and  pollicie,  that 
was  incident  to  the  capacity  of  man.  And  who  so  liste  to  take 
viewe  of  hys  two  Bookes,  one  of  his  Iliades,  the  other  his  O- 
dissea,  shall  throughly  perceiue  what  the  right  vse  of  Poetry 
is :  which  indeede  is  to  mingle  profite  with  pleasure,  and  so  to 
delight  the  Reader  with  pleasantnes  of  hys  Arte,  as  in  ye  meane 
,time,  his  mind  may  be  well  instructed  with  knowledge  and 
wisedome.  For  so  did  that  worthy  Poet  frame  those  his  two 
workes,  that  in  reading  the  first,  that  is  his  Iliads,  by  declaring 
and  setting  forth  so  liuely  the  Grecians  assembly  against  Troy, 
together  with  their  prowesse  and  fortitude  against  their  foes, 
a  Prince  shall  learne  not  onely  courage,  and  valiantnesse,  but 
.discretion  also  and  pollicie  to  encounter  with  his  enemies, 
yea  a  perfect  forme  of  wyse  consultations,  with  his  Captaines, 
and  exhortations  to  the  people,  with  other  infinite  commodi- 
.ties. 

Agayne,  in  the  other  part,  wherein  are  described  the  mani- 
fold and  daungerous  aduentures  of  Vlisses,  may  a  man  learne 
many  noble  vertues  :  and  also  learne  to  escape  and  auoyde  the 
subtyll  practises,  and  perrilous  entrappinges  of  naughty  per- 
sons :  and  not  onely  this,  but  in  what  sort  also  he  may  deale  to 
knowe  and  perceiue  the  affections  of  those  which  be  neere  vnto 
him,  and  most  familiar  with  him,  the  better  to  put  them  in 
trust  with  his  matters  of  waight  arid  importaunce.  Therefore 

B  iiii  I  may 


28  A  Discourse  of 

I  may  boldly  sette  downe  thys  to  be  the  truest,  auncientest  and 
best  kinde  of  Poetry,  to  direct  ones  endeuour  alwayes  to  that 
marke,  that  with  delight  they  may  euermore  adioyne  commo- 
ditie  to  theyr  readers :  which  because  I  grounde  vpon  Homer 
the  Prince  of  all  Poets,  therefore  haue  I  alledged  the  order  of 
„  his  worke,  as  an  authority  sufficiently  proouing  this  assertion. 

Nowe  what  other  Poets  which  followed  him,  and  beene  of 
greatest  fame,  haue  doone  for  the  moste  parte  in  their  seuerall 
workes,  I  wyll  briefely,  and  as  my  slender  ability  wyll  seme 
me  declare.  But  by  my  leaue,  I  must  content  my  selfe  to 
speake  not  of  all,  but  of  such  as  my  selfe  haue  seene,  and  beene 
best  acquainted  withall,  and  those  not  all  nor  the  moste  part  of 
the  auncient  Grecians,  of  whom  I  knowe  not  how  many  there 
were,  but  these  of  the  Latinists,  which  are  of  greatest  fame 
and  most  obuious  among  vs. 

Thus  much  I  can  say,  that  Aristotle  reporteth  none  to 
haue  greatly  flourished  in  Greece,  at  least  wyse  not  left  behynd 
them  any  notable  memoriall,  before  the  time  of  Homer.  And 
Tully  sayth  as  much,  that  there  were  none  wrytt  woorth  the 
reading  twyce  in  the  Romaine  tongue,  before  y*  Poet  Ennius. 
And  surely  as  the  very  summe  or  cheefest  essence  of  Poetry,  dyd 
alwayes  for  the  most  part  consist  in  delighting  the  readers  or 
hearers  wyth  pleasure,  so  as  the  number  of  Poets  increased, 
they  styll  inclyned  thys  way  rather  then  the  other,  so  that  most 
of  them  had  speciall  regarde,  to  the  pleasantnesse  of  theyr  fine 
conceytes,  whereby  they  might  drawe  mens  mimics  into  ad- 
miration of  theyr  inuentions,  more  then  they  had  to  the  profitte 
or  commoditye  that  the  Readers  shoulde  reape  by  their  works. 
And  thus  as  I  suppose  came  it  to  passe  among  them,  that  for  the 
most  part  of  them,  they  would  not  write  one  worke  contay- 
ning  some  serious  matter :  but  for  the  same  they  wold  likewise 
powre  foorth  as  much  of  some  wanton  or  laciuious  inuention. 
Yet  some  of  the  auncientest  sort  of  Grecians,  as  it  seemeth  were 
not  so  much  disposed  to  vayne  delectation  :  as  Aristotle  sayth  of 
Empedocles,  that  in  hys  iudgment  he  was  onely  a  naturall 
Philosopher,  no  Poet  at  all,  nor  that  he  was  like  vnto  Homer 
in  any  thing  but  hys  m6eter,  or  number  of  feete,  that  is,  that  hee 

wrote 


English  Poetrie.  29 

wrote  in  verse.  After  the  time  of  Homer,  there  began  the  firste 
Comedy  wryters,  who  compyled  theyr  workes  in  a  better  stile 
which  continued  not  long,  before  it  was  expelled  by  penalty,  for 
scoffing  too  broade  at  mens  manners,  and  the  priuie  reuenge- 
ments  which  the  Poets  vsed  against  their  ill  wyllers.  Among 
these  was  Eupolis,  Cratinus,  and  Aristophenes,  but  afterward 
the  order  of  thys  wryting  Comedies  was  reformed  and  made 
more  plausible  :  then  wrytte  Plato,  Comicus,  Menander,  and  I 
knowe  riot  who  more. 

There  be  many  most  profitable  workes,  of  like  antiquity, 
or  rather  before  them,  of  the  Tragedy  writers  :  as  of  Euripides, 
and  Sophocles,  then  was  there  Phocitides  and  Theagines,  with 
many  other :  which  Tragedies  had  their  inuentio  by  one  Thes- 
pis,  and  were  pollished  and  amended  by  JEschitus.  The  profitte 
or  discommoditie  which  aryseth  by  the  vse  of  these  Comedies 
and  Tragedies,  which  is  most,  hath  beene  long  in  controuersie, 
and  is  sore  vrged  among  vs  at  these  dayes :  what  I  thinke  of 
the  same,  perhaps  I  shall  breefely  declare  anon. 

Nowe  concerning  the  Poets  which  wrote  in  homely  man- 
ner, as  they  pretended,  but  indeede,  with  great  pythe  and  lear- 
ned iudgment ;  such  as  were  the  wryters  of  Sheepeheards  talke 
and  of  husbandly  precepts,  who  were  among  the  Grecians  that 
excelled,  besides  Theocritus  and  Hesiodus  I  know  not,  of  who 
the  first,  what  profitable  workes  he  left  to  posterity,  besides  hys 
Idillia,  or  contentions  of  Goteheards,  tending  most  to  delight, 
and  pretty  inuentions,  I  can  not  tell.  The  other,  no  doubt  for 
his  Argument  he  tooke  in  hande,  dealt  very  learnedly  and  pro- 
fitably, that  is,  in  precepts  of  Husbandry,  but  yet  so  as  he  myx- 
ed  much  wanton  stuffe  among  the  rest. 

The  first  wryters  of  Poetry  among  the  Latines,  sheulde 
sceme  to  be  those,  which  excelled  in  the  framing  of  Commedies, 
and  that  they  continued  a  long  time  without  any  notable  me- 
mory of  other  Poets.  Among  whom,  the  cheefest  that  we  may 
see  or  heare  tell  of,  were  these.  Ennins,  Caecilius,  Naeuius,  Li" 
cinius,  Attilius,  Turpitius,  Trabea,  Luscius,  Plautus,  &  Terens, 
Of  whom  these  two  last  named,  haue  beene  euer  since  theyr 
time  most  famous,  and  to  these  dayes  are  esteemed,  as  greate 

c  i  helpes 


30  A  Discourse  of 

helpes  and  furtheraunces  to  the  obtayning  of  good  Letters. 
But  heere  cannot  I  stay  to  speake  of  the  most  famous  renow- 
ned and  excellent,  that  euer  writte  among  the  Latine  Poets, 
P.  Virgill,  who  performed  the  very  same  in  that  tongue,  which 
Homer  had  doone  in  Greeke :  or  rather  better  if  better  might 
as  Sex.  Propert.  in  his  Elegies  gallantly  recordeth  in  his  praise. 
Nescio  quid  magis  nascitur  lliade.  Under  the  person  of  jEneaa 
he  expresseth  the  valoure  of  a  worthy  Captaine  and  valiaunt 
Gouernour,  together  with  the  perrilous  aduentures  of  warre, 
and  polliticke  deuises  at  all  assayes.  And  as  he  immitateth  Ho- 
mer in  that  worke,  so  dooth  he  likewyse  followe  the  very  steps 
of  Theocritus,  in  his  most  pythy  inuentions  of  his  ./Eglogues  : 
and  likewyse  Hesiodus  in  hys  Georgicks  or  bookes  of  Husban- 
dry, but  yet  more  grauely,  and  in  a  more  decent  style.  But  not 
withstanding  hys  sage  grauity  and  wonderfull  wisedome,  dyd 
he  not  altogether  restrayne  his  vayne,  but  that  he  would  haue  a 
cast  at  some  wanton  and  skant  comely  an  Argument,  if  indeede 
such  triflles  as  be  fathered  vppon  him  were  his  owne.  There 
followed  after  him,  very  many  rare  and  excellent  Poets,  wher- 
of  the  most  part  writt  light  matters,  as  Epigrammes  and  Ele- 
gies, with  much  pleasant  dalliance,  among  whom  may  be  accoun 
ted  Propertius,  Tibullus,  Catullus,  with  diuers  whom  Quid 
speaketh  of  in  diuers  places  of  his  workes.  Then  are  there  two 
Hysterical]  Poets,  no  lesse  profitable  then  delightsome  to  bee 
read :  Silius  and  Lucanus  :  the  one  declaring  the  valiant  prow- 
esse  of  two  noble  Captaines,  one  enemie  to  the  other,  that  is, 
Scipio  and  Haniball  :  the  other  likewise,  the  fortitude  of  two 
expert  warriours  (yet  more  lamentably  then  the  other  because 
these  warres  were  ciuill)  Pompey  and  Caesar.  The  next  in 
tyme  (but  as  most  men  doo  account,  and  so  did  he  himselfe)  the 
second  in  dignity,  we  well  adioyne  Quid,  a  most  learned,  and 
exquisite  Poet.  The  worke  of  greatest  profitte  which  he  wrote, 
was  his  Booke  of  Metamorphosis,  which  though  it  consisted 
of  fayned  Fables  for  the  most  part,  and  poeticall  inuentions, 
yet  beeing  moralized  according  to  his  meaning,  and  the  tructh 
of  euery  tale  beeing  discouered,  it  is  a  worke  of  exceeding  wyse- 
ilome  and  sounde  judgment.  If  one  lyst  in  like  manner,  to 

haue 


English  Poetry.  31 

haue  knowledge  and  perfect  intelligence  of  those  rytes  and  ce- 
remonies which  were  obserued  after  the  Religion  of  the  Hea- 
then, no  more  profitable  worke  for  that  purpose,  then  his  bookes 
De  fastis.  The  rest  of  his  dooinges,  though  they  tende  to  the 
vayne  delights  of  loue  and  dalliaunce  (except  his  Tristibust 
wherein  he  bewayleth  hys  exile)  yet_surely  are  mixed  with 
much  good  counsayle  and  profitable  lessons  if  they  be  wisely  and 
narrowly  read.  After  his  time  I  know  no  worke  of  any  great 
fame,  till  the  time  of  Horace,  a  Poet  not  of  the  smoothest  style, 
but  in  sharpnesse  of  wytt  inferiour  to  none,  and  one  to  whom 
all  the  rest  both  before  his  time  and  since,  are  very  much  behol- 
ding. About  the  same  time  were  luuenall  and  Persius,  then 
Martial,  Seneca  a  most  excellent  wryter  of  Tragedies,  Boeti- 
us,  Lucretius,  Statius,  Val:  Flaccus,  Manilius,  Ausonius,  Clau- 
dian,  and  many  other,  whose  iust  times  and  seuerall  workes 
to  speake  of  in  this  place,  were  neither  much  needefull,  nor  al- 
togeather  tollerable,  because  I  purposed  an  other  argument. 
Onely  I  wyll  adde  two  of  later  times,  yet  not  farre  inferiour 
to  the  most  of  them  aforesayde,  Pallengenius,  and  Bap:  Mantu- 
anus,  and  for  a  singuler  gyft  in  a  sweete  Heroicall  verse,  match 
with  them  Chr.  Oclan.  the  Authour  of  our  Anglorum  Praelia 
But  nowe  least  I  stray  too  farre  from  my  puopose,  I  wyl  come 
to  our  English  Poets,  to  whom  I  would  I  were  able  to  yeelde 
theyr  deserued  commendations :  and  affoorde  them  that  cen- 
sure, which  I  know  many  woulde,  which  can  better,  if  they 
were  nowe  to  write  in  my  steede. 

I  know  no  memorable  worke  written  by  any  Poet  in  our 
English  speeche,  vntill  twenty  yeeres  past :  where  although 
Learning  was  not  generally  decayde  at  any  time,  especially 
since  the  Conquest  of  King  William  Duke  of  Normandy,  as  it 
may  appeare  by  many  famous  works  &  learned  bookes  (though 
not  of  this  kinde)  wrytten  by  Byshoppes  and  others  :  yet  sure- 
lye  that  Poetry  was  in  small  price  among  them,  it  is  very  ma- 
nifest, and  no  great  maruayle,  for  euen  that  light  of  Greeke  and 
Latine  Poets  which  they  had,  they  much  contemned,  as  appea- 
reth  by  theyr  rude  versifying,  which  of  long  time  was  vsed  (a 
barbarous  vse  it  was)  wherin  they  conuerted  the  naturall  pro- 

c  ii  perty 


o'J  A  Discourse  of 

perty  of  the  sweete  Latine  verse,  to  be  a  balde  kinde  of  ryming, 
thinking  nothing  to  be  learnedly  written  in  verse,  which  fell 
not  out  in  ryme,  that  is,  in  wordes  whereof  the  middle  worde 
of  eche  verse  should  sound  a  like  with  the  last,  or  of  two  verses, 
the  ende  of  both  should  fall  in  the  like  letters,  as  thus. 

O  malt!  viuentes,  versus  audite  sequentes. 
And  thus  likewyse. 

Propter  hac  et  alia  dogmata  doctorum. 
Reor  esse  meliits  et  magis  decorum : 
Quisque  suam  habeat,  et  non  proximorum. 

This  brutish  Ppetrie,  though  it  had  not  the  beginning  in 
this  Countrey,  yet  so  hath  it  beene  affected  heere,  that  the  infec- 
tion thereof  would  neuer  (nor  I  thinke  euer  will)  be  rooted 
vppe  againe  :  I  meane  this  tynkerly  verse  which  we  call 
ryme  :  Master  Ascham  sayth,  that  it  first  began  to  be  followed 
and  maintained  among  the  Hunnes  and  Gothians,  and  other 
barbarous  Nations,  who  with  the  decay  of  all  good  learning, 
brought  it  into  Italy  :  from  thence  it  came  into  Fraunce,  and 
so  to  Germany,  at  last  conueyed  into  England,  by  men  indeede 
of  great  wisedome  and  learning,  but  not  considerate  nor  circum 
spect  in  that  behalfe.  But  of  this  I  must  intreate  more  heere- 
after. 

Henry  the  first  King  of  that  name  in  England,  is  won- 
derfully extolled,  in  all  auncient  Recordes  of  memory,  for  hys 
singuler  good  learning,  in  all  kinde  of  noble  studies,  in  so 
much  as  he  was  named  by  his  surname  Beaucleark,  as  much  to 
say,  as  Fayreclerke  (whereof  perhappes  came  ye  name  of  Fayre- 
clowe)  what  knowledge  hee  attained  in  the  skyll  of  Poetry,  I 
am  not  able  to  say,  I  report  his  name  for  proofe,  that  learning 
in  this  Country  was  not  little  esteemed  of  at  that  rude  time, 
and  that  like  it  is,  among  other  studies,  a  King  would  not  neg- 
lect the  faculty  of  Poetry.  The  first  of  our  English  Poets 
thai  I  haue  heard  of,  was  lohn  Gower,  about  the  time  of  king 

Rychard 


English  Poetry. 


33 


Rychard  the  seconde,  as  it  should  seeme  by  certayne  coniectures 
bothe  a  Knight,  and  questionlesse  a  singuler  well  learned  man  : 
whose  workes  I  could  wysh  they  were  all  whole  and  perfect  a- 
mong  vs,  for  no  doubt  they  contained  very  much  deepe  know- 
ledge and  delight :  which  may  be  gathered  by  his  freend  Chaw- 
cer, who  speaketh  of  him  oftentimes,  in  diuer  places  of  hys 
workes.  Chawcer,  who  for  that  excellent  fame  which  hee  ob- 
tayned  in  his  Poetry,  was  alwayes  accounted  the  God  of  Eng- 
lish Poets  (such  a  tytle  for  honours  sake  hath  beene  giuen  him) 
was  next  after,  if  not  equall  in  time  to  Gower :  and  hath  left 
many  workes,  both  for  delight  and  profitable  knowledge,  farre 
exceeding  any  other  that  as  yet  euer  since  hys  time  directed 
theyr  studies  that  way.  Though  the  manner  of  hys  stile  may 
seeme  blunt  &  course  to  many  fine  English  eares  at  these  dayes, 
yet  in  trueth,  if  it  be  equally  pondered,  and  with  good  iudgment 
aduised,  and  confirmed  with  the  time  wherein  he  wrote,  a  man 
shall  perceiue  thereby  euen  a  true  picture  or  perfect  shape  of  a 
right  Poet.  He  by  his  delightsome  vayne,  so  gulled  the  eares 
of  men  with  his  deuises,  that,  although  corruption  bare  such 
sway  in  most  matters,  that  learning  and  truth  might  skant  bee 
admitted  to  shewe  it  selfe,  yet  without  controllment,  myght  hee 
gyrde  at  the  vices  and  abuses  of  all  states,  and  gawle  with  very 
sharpe  and  eger  inuentions,  which  he  did  so  learnedly  and  plea- 
santly, that  none  therefore  would  call  him  into  question.  For 
such  was  his  bolde  spyrit,  that  what  enormities  he  saw  in  any, 
he  would  not  spare  to  pay  them  home,  eyther  in  playne  words, 
or  els  in  some  prety  and  pleasaunt  couert,  that  the  simplest 
might  espy  him. 

Neere  in  time  vnto  him  was  Lydgate  a  Poet,  surely  for 
good  proportion  of  his  verse,  and  meetely  currant  style,  as  the 
time  affoorded  comparable  with  Chawcer,  yet  more  occupyed 
in  supersticious  and  odde  matters,  then  was  requesite  in  so 
good  a  wytte :  which  though  he  handled  them  commendably, 
yet  the  matters  themselues  beeing  not  so  commendable,  hys 
estimation  hath  beene  the  lesse.  The  next  of  our  auncient  Po- 
ets, that  I  can  tell  of,  I  suppose  to  be  Pierce  Ploughman,  who 
in  hys  dooinges  is  somewhat  harshe  and  obscure,  but  indeede  a 

c  iii  very 


34  A  Discourse  of 

very  pithy  wryter,  and  (to  hys  commendation  I  speake  it)  was 
the  first  that  I  haue  seene,  that  obserued  y*  quantity  of  our  verse 
without  the  curiosity  of  Ryme. 

Since  these  I  knowe  none  other  tyll  the  time  of  Skelton, 
who  writ  in  the  time  of  kyng  Henry  the  eyght,  who  as  ind^ede 
he  obtayned  the  Lawrell  Garland,  so  may  I  wyth  good  ryght 
y6elde  him  the  title  of  a  Poet :  hee  was  doubtles  a  pleasant  con- 
cey ted  fellowe,  and  of  a  very  sharpe  wytte,  exceeding  bolde,  and 
would  nyppe  to  the  very  quicke  where  he  once  sette  holde.  Next 
hym  I  thynke  I  may  place  master  George  Gaskoyne,  as  paine 
full  a  Souldier  in  the  affayres  of  hys  Prince  and  Country,  as 
he  was  a  wytty  Poet  in  his  wry  ting :  whose  commendations, 
because  I  found  in  one  of  better  Judgment  then  myselfe,  I  wyl 
sette  downe  hys  wordes,  and  suppresse  myne  owne,  of  hym  thus 
wryteth  E.  K.  vppon  the  ninth  ^Eglogue  of  the  new  Poet. 

Master  George  Gaskoyne  a  wytty  Gentleman,  and  the  ve- 
ry cheefe  of  our  late  ryiners,  who  and  if  some  partes  of  lear- 
ning wanted  not  (albeit  is  well  knowne  he  altogether  wanted 
not  learning)  no  doubt  would  haue  attayned  to  the  excellencye 
of  those  famous  Poets.  For  gyfts  of  wytt,  and  natural!  prompt 
nes  appeare  in  him  aboundantly.  I  might  next  speake  of  the 
dyuers  workes  of  the  olde  Earle  of  Surrey  :  of  the  L.  Vaus,  of 
Norton,  of  Bristow,  Edwardes,  Tusser,  Churchyard.  Wyl : 
Hunnis  :  Haiwood  :  Sand  :  Hyll :  S.  Y.  M.  D.  and  many  others, 
but  to  speake  of  their  seuerall  gyfts,  and  aboundant  skyll  shew- 
ed forth  by  them  in  many  pretty  and  learned  workes,  woulde 
make  my  discourse  much  more  tedious. 

I  may  not  omitte  the  deserued  commendations  of  many  ho- 
nourable and  noble  Lordes,  and  Gentlemen,  in  her  Maiesties 
Courte,  which  in  the  rare  deuises  of  Poetry,  haue  beene  and  yet 
are  most  excellent  skylfull,  among  whom,  the  right  honourable 
Earle  of  Oxford  may  challenge  to  him  selfe  the  tytle  of  ye  most 
excellent  among  the  rest.  I  can  no  longer  forget  those  learned 
Gentlemen  which  tooke  such  profitable  paynes  in  translating 
the  Latine  Poets  into  our  English  tongue,  whose  desertes  in 
that  behalfe  are  more  then  I  can  vtter.  Among  these,  I  euer 
esteemed,  and  while  I  lyue,  in  my  conceyt  I  shall  account  Ma- 
ster 


English  Poetrie.  35 

ster  D.  Phaer :  without  doubt  the  best :  who  as  indeede  hee  had 
the  best  peece  of  Poetry  whereon  to  sette  a  most  gallant  verse, 
so  performed  he  it  accordingly,  and  in  such  sort,  as  in  my  consci- 
ence I  thinke  would  scarcely  be  doone  againe,  if  it  were  to  doo 
again.  Notwithstanding,  I  speak  it  but  as  myne  own  fancy,  not 
preiudiciall  to  those  that  list  to  thinke  otherwyse.  Hys  worke 
whereof  I  speake,  is  the  englishing  of  ^Eneidos  of  Virgill,  so 
farre  foorth  as  it  pleased  God  to  spare  him  life,  which  was  to 
the  halfe  part  of  the  tenth  Booke,  the  rest  beeing  since  wyth  no 
lesse  commendations  finished,  by  that  worthy  scholler  and  fa- 
mous Phisition  Master  Thomas  Twyne. 

Equally  with  him  may  I  well  adioyne  Master  Arthur  Gol- 
ding,  for  hys  labour  in  englishing  Quids  Metamorphosis,  for 
which  Gentleman,  surely  our  Country  hath  for  many  respests 
greatly  to  gyue  God  thankes :  as  for  him  which  hath  taken  in-* 
finite  paynes  without  ceasing,  trauelleth  as  yet  indefatigably, 
and  is  addicted  without  society,  by  his  continuall  laboure,  to 
profit  this  nation  and  speeche  in  all  kind  of  good  learning.  The 
next,  very  well  deserueth  Master  Barnabe  Googe  to  be  placed, 
as  a  painefull  furtherer  of  learning :  hys  helpe  to  Poetry  be- 
sides hys  owne  deuises,  as  the  translating  of  Pallengenius.  Lo- 
diac.  Abraham  Flemming  as  in  many  prety  Poesis  of  hys 
owne,  so  in  translating  hath  doone  to  hys  commendations.  To 
whom  I  would  heere  adioyne  one  of  hys  name,  whom  I  know 
to  haue  excelled,  as  well  in  all  kinde  of  learning  as  in  Poetry 
most  especially,  and  would  appeare  so,  if  the  dainty  morselles, 
and  fine  poeticall  inuentions  of  hys,  were  as  common  abroade 
as  I  knowe  they  be  among  some  of  hys  freendes.  I  wyl  craue 
leaue  of  the  laudable  Authors  of  Seneca  in  English,  of  the  other 
partes  of  Quid,  of  Horace,  of  Mantuan,  and  diuers  other,  because 
I  would  hasten  to  ende  thys  rehearsall,  perhappes  ofTensyue  to 
some,  whom  eyther  by  forge tfulnes,  or  want  of  knowledge,  I 
must  needes  ouer  passe. 

And  once  againe,  1  am  humbly  to  desire  pardon  of  the  lear- 
ned company  of  Gentlemen  Schollers,  and  students  of  the  U- 
niuersities,  and  Innes  of  Courte,  yf  1  omitte  theyr  seuerall 
commendations  in  this  place,  which  I  knowe  a  great  number 

c  iiii  of 


36  A  Discourse  of 

of  them  haue  worthely  deseiued,  in  many  rare  deuises,  and  sin- 
guler  inuentions  of  Poetrie  :  for  neither  hath  it  beene  my  good 
happe,  to  haue  scene  all  which  I  haue  hearde  of,  neyther  is  my 
abyding  in  such  place,  where  I  can  with  facility  get  knowledge 
of  their  workes. 

One  Gentleman  notwithstanding  among  them  may  I  not 
ouerslyppe,  so  farre  reacheth  his  fame,  and  so  worthy  is  he,  if  h6e 
haue  not  already,  to  weare  the  Lawrell  wreathe,  Master 
George  Whetstone,  a  man  singularly  well  skyld  in  this  facul 
ty  of  Poetrie :  To  him  I  will  ioyne  Anthony  Munday,  an  ear- 
nest traueller  in  this  arte,  and  in  whose  name  I  haue  scene  very 
excellent  workes,  among  which  surely,  the  most  exquisite  vaine 
of  a  witty  poeticall  heade  is  shewed  in  the  sweete  sobs  of  Sheep- 
heardes  and  Nymphes :  a  worke  well  worthy  to  be  viewed, 
and  to  b6e  esteemed  as  very  rare  Poetrie.  With  these  I  may 
place  lohn  Graunge,  Knyght,  VVylmot,  Darrell,  F.  C.  F.  K. 
G.  B.  and  many  other,  whose  names  come  not  nowe  to  my  re- 
mernbraunce. 

This  place  haue  I  purposely  reserued  for  one,  who  if  not  on- 
ly, yet  in  my  iudgement  principally  deserueth  the  tytle  of  the 
rightest  English  Poet,  that  euer  I  read  :  that  is,  the  Author  of 
the  Sheepeheardes  Kalender,  intituled  to  the  worthy  Gentle- 
man Master  Phillip  Sydney  :  whether  it  was  Master  Sp.  or 
what  rare  Scholler  in  Pembrooke  Hall  soeuer,  because  himself 
and  his  freendes,  for  what  respect  1  knowe  not,  would  not  re- 
ueale  it,  I  force  not  greatly  to  sette  downe  :  sorry  I  am  that  I 
can  not  find  none  other  with  whom  I  might  couple  him  in  this 
Catalogue,  in  his  rare  gyft  of  Poetry :  although  one  there  is, 
though  nowe  long  since,  seriously  occupied  in  grauer  studies, 
(Master  Gabriel  1  Haruey)  yet,  as  he  was  once  his  most  special 
freende  and  fellow  Poet,  so  because  he  hath  taken  such  paynes, 
not  onely  in  his  Latin  Poetry  (for  which  he  enioyed  great  com 
mendations  of  the  best  both  in  Judgment  and  dignity  in  thys 
Realme)  but  also  to  reforme  our  English  verse,  and  to  beauti- 
fy the  same  with  braue  deuises,  of  which  I  thinke  the  ch£efe  lye 
hidde  in  hatefull  obscurity  :  therefore  wyll  I  aduenture  to  sette 
them  together,  as  two  of  the  rarest  witts,  and  learnedst  ma- 
sters 


English  Poetrie.  37 

sters  of  Poetrie  in  England.  Whose  worthy  and  notable  skyl 
in  this  faculty,  I  would  wysh  if  their  high  dignities  and  seri- 
ous businesses  would  permit,  they  would  styll  graunt  to  bee  a 
furtheraunce  to  that  reformed  kinde  of  Poetry,  which  Master 
Haruey  did  once  beginne  to  ratify  :  and  surely  in  mine  opinion, 
if  hee  had  chosen  some  grauer  matter,  and  handled  but  with 
halfe  that  skyll,  which  I  knowe  he  could  haue  doone,  and  not 
powred  it  foorth  at  a  venture,  as  a  thinge  betweene  iest  and  ear- 
nest, it  had  taken  greater  effect  then  it  did. 

As  for  the  other  Gentleman,  if  it  would  please  him  or  hys 
freendes  to  let  those  excellent  Poemes,  whereof  I  know  he  hath 
plenty,  come  abroad,  as  his  Dreames,  his  Legends,  his  Court 
of  Cupid,  his  English  Poet  with  other :  he  shoulde  not  onely 
stay  the  rude  pens  of  my  selfe  and  others,  but  also  satisfye  the 
thirsty  desires  of  many  which  desire  nothing  more,  then  to  see 
more  of  hys  rare  inuentions.  If  I  ioyne  to  Master  Haruey 
hys  two  Brethren,  I  am  assured,  though  they  be  both  busied 
with  great  and  waighty  callinges  (the  one  a  godly  and  learned 
Diuine,  the  other  a  famous  and  skylfull  Phisition)  yet  if  they 
lysted  to  sette  to  their  helping  handes  to  Poetry,  they  would  as 
much  beautify  and  adorne  it  as  any  others. 

If  I  let  passe  the  vncountable  rabble  of  ryming  Ballet  ma- 
kers, and  compylers  of  sencelesse  sonets,  who  be  most  busy,  to 
stuffe  euery  stall  full  of  grosse  deuises  and  vnlearned  Pam- 
phlets :  I  trust  I  shall  with  the  best  sort  be  held  excused.  For 
though  many  such  can  frame  an  Alehouse  song  of  fiue  or  sixe 
score  verses,  hobbling  vppon  some  tune  of  a  Northen  Jygge,  or 
Robyn  hoode,  or  La  lubber  &c.  And  perhappes  obserue  iust  nu- 
ber  of  sillables,  eyght  in  one  line,  sixe  in  an  other,  and  there 
withall  an  A  to  make  a  iercke  in  the  ende  :  yet  if  these  might  be 
accounted  Poets  (as  it  is  sayde  some  of  them  make  meanes  to 
be  promoted  to  ye  Lawrell)  surely  we  shall  shortly  haue  whole 
swarmes  of  Poets :  and  euery  one  that  can  frame  a  Booke  in 
Ryme,  though  for  want  of  matter,  it  be  but  in  commendations 
of  Copper  noses  or  Bottle  Ale,  wyll  catch  at  the  Garlande  due 
to  Poets :  whose  potticall  poeticall  (I  should  say)  heades,  I 
would  wyshe,  at  their  worshipfull  comencements  might  in 

D  steed  e 


38  A  Discourse  of 

st6ede  of  Lawrell,  be  gorgiously  garnished  with  fayre  greene 
Barley,  in  token  of  their  good  affection  to  our  Englishe  Malt. 
One  speaketh  thus  homely  of  them,  with  whose  words  I  wyll 
content  my  selfe  for  thys  time,  because  I  woulde  not  bee  too 
broade  wyth  them  in  myne  owne  sp6eche. 

In  regarde  (he  meaneth  of  the  learned  framing  the  newe 
Poets  workes  which  writt  the  Sh6epeheards  Calender.)  I 
scorne  and  spue  out  the  rakehelly  rout  of  our  ragged  Rymers, 
(for  so  themselues  vse  to  hunt  the  Letter)  which  without  lear- 
ning boaste,  without  Judgment  iangle,  without  reason  rage 
and  fume,  as  if  some  instinct  of  poeticall  spyrite  had  nevvlie  ra- 
uished  them,  aboue  the  meanesse  of  common  capacity.  And  bee- 
ing  in  the  midst  of  all  their  brauery,  suddainly  for  want  of  mat- 
ter or  of  Ryme,  or  hauing  forgotten  their  former  conceyt,  they 
seeme  to  be  so  payned  and  trauelled  in  theyr  remembraunce,  as 
it  were  a  woman  in  Chyldbyrth,  or  as  that  same  Pythia  when 
the  traunce  came  vpon  her.  Os  rabidum  fera  corda  domans  fyc. 


THUS  farre  foorth  haue  I  aduentured  to  sette  downe  part  of 
iny  simple  iudgement  concerning  those  Poets,  with  whom 
for  the  most  part  I  haue  beene  acquainted  through  myne  owne 
reading  :  which  though  it  may  seeme  something  impertinent  to 
the  tytle  of  my  Booke,  yet  I  trust  the  courteous  Readers  wyll 
pardon  me,  considering  that  poetry  is  not  of  that  grounde  and 
antiquity  in  our  English  tongue,  but  that  speaking  thereof  on- 
ly as  it  is  English,  would  seerae  like  vnto  the  drawing  of  ones 
pycture  without  a  heade. 

Nowe  therefore  by  your  gentle  patience,  wyll  I  wyth  like 
breuity  make  tryall,  what  I  can  say  concerning  our  Englishe 
Poetry,  first  in  the  matter  thereof,  then  in  the  forme,  that  is, 
the  manner  of  our  verse :  yet  so  as  I  must  euermore  haue  re- 
course to  those  times  and  wryters,  whereon  the  English  poetry 
taketh  as  it  were  the  discent  and  proprietye. 

English 


English  Poetrie.  39 

English  Poetry  therefore  beeing  considered  according  to  com- 
mon custome  and  auncient  vse,  is,  where  any  worke  is  learned 
ly  compiled  in  measurable  speeche,  and  framed  in  wordes  con- 
tayning  number  or  proportion  of  iust  syllables,  delighting  the 
readers  or  hearerc  as  well  by  the  apt  and  decent  framing  of 
wordes  in  equall  resemblance  of  quantity,  commonly  called 
verse,  as  by  the  skyllfull  handling  of  the  matter  whereof  it  is 
intreated.  I  spake  somewhat  of  the  beginning  of  thys  mea- 
suring of  wordes  in  iust  number,  taken  out  of  Plato :  and  in- 
deede  the  regarde  of  true  quantity  in  Letters  and  syllables,  see- 
meth  not  to  haue  been  much  vrged  before  the  time  of  Homer  in 
Greece,  as  Aristotle  witnesseth. 

The  matters  whereof  verses  were  first  made,  were  eyther 
exhortations  to  vertue,  dehortations  from  vices,  or  the  prayses 
of  some  laudable  thing.  From  thence  theybeganne  to  vse  them 
in  exercises  of  immitating  some  vertuous  and  wise  ma  at  their 
feastes  :  where  as  some  one  shoulde  be  appointed  to  represent 
an'other  mans  person  of  high  estimation,  and  he  sang  fine  dit- 
ties and  wittie  sentences,  tunably  to  their  Musick  notes.  Of 
thys  sprang  the  first  kinde  of  Comedyes,  when  they  beganne  to 
bring  into  these  exercises,  more  persons  then  one,  whose  spee- 
ches were  deuised  Dyalogue  wise,  in  aunswering  one  another. 
And  of  such  like  exercises,  or  as  some  wyll  needes  haue  it,  long 
before  the  other,  began  the  first  Tragedies,  and  were  so  called 
of  rpa.yo<r,  because  the  Actor  when  he  began  to  play  his  part,  slewe 
and  offered  a  Goate  to  their  Goddesse :  but  Commedies  tooke 
their  name  of  Kopdgsiv  KOU  «  few  comessatum  ire,  to  goe  a  feasting,  be- 
cause they  vsed  to  goe  in  procession  with  their  sport  about  the 
Citties  and  Villages,  mingling  much  pleasaunt  myrth  wyth 
theyr  graue  Religion,  and  feasting  cheerefully  together  wyth  as 
great  ioy  as  might  be  deuised.  But  not  long  after  (as  one  de- 
light draweth  another)  they  began  to  inuent  new  persons  and 
newe  matters  for  their  Comedies,  such  as  the  deuisers  thought 
meetest  to  please  the  peoples  vaine  :  And  from  these,  they  be- 
ganne to  present  in  shapes  of  men,  the  natures  of  vertues  and 
vices,  and  affections  and  quallities  incident  to  men,  as  Justice, 
Temperance,  Pouerty,  Wrathe,  Vengeaunce,  Sloth,  Vali- 

D  ii  antnes 


jvi 


40  A  Discourse  of 

antnes  and  such  like,  as  may  appeare  by  the  auncient  workes  of 
Aristophanes.  There  grewe  at  last  to  be  a  greater  diuersitye 
betweene  Tragedy  wryters  and  Comedy  wryters,  the  one  ex- 
pressing onely  sorrowfull  and  lamentable  Hystories,  bringing 
in  the  persons  of  Gods  and  Goddesses,  Kynges  and  Queenes, 
and  great  states,  whose  partes  were  cheefely  to  expresse  most 
miserable  calamities,  and  dreadfull  chaunces,  which  increased 
worse  and  worse,  tyll  they  came  to  the  most  wofull  plight  that 
might  be  deuised. 

The  Comedies  on  the  other  side,  were  directed  to  a  con- 
trary ende,  which  beginning  doubtfully,  drewe  to  some  trou- 
ble or  turmoyle,  and  by  some  lucky  chaunce  alwayes  ended  to 
the  ioy  and  appeasement  of  all  parties.  Thys  distinction  grewe 
a^  some  holde  opinion,  by  immitation  of  the  workes  of  Homer : 
for  out  of  hys  Iliads,  the  Tragedy  wryters  founde  dreadfull  e- 
uents,  whereon  to  frame  their  matters,  and  the  other  out  of 
hys  Odyssea  tooke  arguments  of  delight,  and  pleasant  ending 
after  dangerous  and  troublesome  doubles.  So  thai,  ihough 
there  be  many  sortes  of  poeticall  wrytings,  and  Poetry  is  not 
debarred  from  any  matler,  which  may  be  expressed  by  penne  or 
speeche,  yet  for  the  betler  vndersianding,  and  b reefer  melhod  of 
thys  discourse,  I  may  comprehende  the  same  in  three  sortes, 
which  are,  Cpmicall,  Tragicall,  Hisioricall.  Under  ihe  first, 
may  be  contained  all  such  Epigrammes,  Elegies  and  delectable 
ditties,  which  Poets  haue  deuised  respecting  onely  the  delight 
thereof:  in  the  seconde,  all  dolefull  complaynts,  lamentable 
chaunces,  and  whal  soeuer  is  poelically  expressed  in  sorrow  and 
heauines.  In  the  third,  we  may  comprise,  the  reste  of  all  such 
matters,  which  as  indifferent  betweene  the  other  two,  doo  com- 
monly occupy  the  pennes  of  Poets :  such,  are  the  poeticall  com 
pyling  of  Chronicles,  the  freendly  greetings  betweene  freendes, 
and  very  many  sortes  besides,  which  for  the  better  destinclion 
may  be  referred  to  one  of  these  three  kindes  of  Poetry.  But  once 
againe,  least  my  discourse  runne  too  farre  awry,  wyll  I  buckle 
my  selfe  more  neerer  to  English  Poetry  :  the  vse  wherof,  be- 
cause it  is  nothing  different  from  any  other,  I  thinke  besl  to  co- 
firme  by  the  testimony  of  Horace,  a  man  worthy  to  beare  autho- 

rily  in 


English  Poetry.  41 

in  this  matter :  whose  very  opinion  is  this,  that  the  perfect  per- 
fection of  poetrie  is  this,  to  mingle  delight  with  profitt  in  such 
wyse,  that  a  Reader  might  by  his  reading  be  pertaker  of  bothe, 
which  though  I  touched  in  the  beginning,  yet  I  thought  good 
to  alledge  in  this  place  for  more  confirmation  thereof  some  of 
hys  owne  wordes.  In  his  treatise  de  arte  Poetica,  thus  hee 
sayth. 

Aut  prodesse  volunt  aut  delectare  poette, 
Aut  simul  et  iucunda  et  idonea  dicere  vita. 

As  much  to  saie :  All  Poets  desire  either  by  their  works  to 
profitt  or  delight  men,  or  els  to  ioyne  both  profitable  &  pleasant 
lessons  together  for  the  instruction  of  life.  And  againe. 

Omnd  tulit  punctum  qui  miscuit  vtile  dulci, 
Lectorum  delectando  pariterque  monendo. 

That  is.  He  misseth  nothing  of  his  marke  which  ioyneth 
profitt  with  delight,  as  well  delighting  his  Readers,  as  profi- 
ting them  with  counsell.  And  that  whole  Epistle  which  hee 
wryt  of  his  Arte  of  Poetrie,  among  all  the  parts  thereof,  run- 
neth cheefelie  vppon  this,  that  whether  the  argument  which 
the  Poet  handleth,  be  of  thinges  doone,  or  fained  inuentions, 
yet  that  they  should  beare  such  an  Image  of  trueth,  that  as  they 
delight  they  may  likewise  profitt.  For  these  are  his  wordes. 
Ficta  voluptatis  causa  sint  proxima  veris.  Let  thinges  that  are 
faigned  for  pleasures  sake,  haue  a  neere  resemblance  of  ye  truth. 
This  precept  may  you  perceiue  to  bee  most  duelie  obserued  of 
Chnwcer  :  for  who  could  with  more  delight,  prescribe  such  whol 
some  counsaile  and  sage  aduise,  where  he  seemeth  onelie  to  re- 
spect the  profitte  of  his  lessons  and  instructions  ?  or  who  coulde 
with  greater  wisedome,  or  more  pithie  skill,  vnfold  such  plea- 
sant and  delightsome  matters  of  mirth,  as  though  they  respected 
nothing,  but  the  telling  of  a  merry  tale  ?  so  that  this  is  the  very 
grounde  of  right  poetrie,  tojjiue  profitable  counsaile,  yet  so  as 
it  must  be  mingled  with  delight.  For  among  all  the  auncient 

D  iii  works 


42  A  Discourse  of 

works  of  poetrie,  though  the  most  of  them  incline  much  to  that 
part  of  delighting  men  with  pleasant  matters  of  small  impor- 
taunce,  yet  euen  in  the  vainest  trifles  among  them,  there  is  not 
forgotten  some  profitable  counsaile,  which  a  man  may  learne, 
either  by  flatte  precepts  which  therein  are  prescribed,  or  by 
loathing  such  vile  vices,  the  enormities  whereof  they  largelie 
discouer.  For  surelie,  I  am  of  this  opinion,  that  the  wanto- 
nest  Poets  of  all,  in  their  most  laciuious  workes  wherein  they 
busied  themselues,  sought  rather  by  that  meanes  to  withdraw 
mens  mindes  (especiallie  the  best  natures)  from  such  foule  vi- 
ces, then  to  allure  them  to  imbrace  such  beastly  follies  as  they 
detected. 

Horace  speaking  of  the  generall  dueties  of  Poets,  sayth,  Of 
tenerum  pueri  balbumque  poeta  fugitat,  and  manie  more  wordes 
concerning  the  profitte  to  be  hadde  out  of  Poets,  which  because 
I  haue  some  of  them  comprised  into  an  English  translation  of 
that  learned  and  famous  Knight,  Sir  Thomas  Elyot,  I  wyll 
set  downe  his  wordes. 

The  Poet  fashioneth  by  some  pleasant  meane, 

The  speeche  of  children  stable  and  vnsure  : 

Gulling  their  eares  from  wordes  and  thinges  vncleane, 

Gluing  to  them  precepts  that  are  pure : 

Rebuking  enuy  and  wrath  if  it  dure : 

Thinges  well  donne  he  can  by  example  commend, 

To  needy  and  sicke  he  doth  also  his  cure 

To  recomfort  if  aught  he  can  amende. 

And  manie  other  like  wordes  are  in  that  place  of  Horace  to 
like  effect.  Therefore  poetrie,  as  it  is  of  it  selfe,  without  abuse 
is  not  onely  not  vnprofitable  to  the  Hues  and  studies  of  menne, 
but  wonderfull  commendable  and  of  great  excellencie.  For  no- 
thing can  be  more  acceptable  to  men,  or  rather  to  be  wished,  the 
sweete  allurements  to  vertues,  and  commodious  caueates 
from  vices  ?  of  which  Poetrie  is  exceeding  plentifull,  powring 
into  gentle  witts,  not  roughly  and  tirannicallie,  but  as  it  were 
with  a  louing  authoritie.  iN'owe  if  the  ill  aiid  vndecent  pro- 

uocatious, 


English  Poetry.  43 

uocations,  whereof  some  vnbridled  witts  take  occasion  by  the 
reading  of  laciuious  Poemes,  bee  obiected :  such  as  are  Quids 
loue  Bookes,  and  Elegies,  Tibullus,  Catullus,  and  Martials 
workes,  with  the  Comedies  for  the  most  part  of  Plautus  and 
Terence:  I  thinke  it  easily  aunswered.  For  though  it  may 
not  iustlie  be  denied,  that  these  workes  are  indeede  very  Poe- 
trie,  yet  that  Poetrie  in  them  is  not  the  essentiall  or  formall 
matter  or  cause  of  the  hurt  therein  might  be  affirmed,  and  al- 
though that  reason  should  come  short,  yet  this  might  be  suffici- 
ent, that  the  workes  themselues  doo  not  corrupt,  but  the  abuse 
of  the  vsers,  who  vndamaging  their  owne  dispositions,  by  rea- 
ding the  discoueries  of  vices,  resemble  foolish  folke,  who  com- 
ming  into  a  Garden  without  anie  choise  or  circumspectio  tread 
downe  the  fairest  flowres,  and  wilfullie  thrust  their  fingers  a- 
mong  the  nettles. 

And  surelie  to  speake  what  I  verelie  thinke,  this  is  mine 
opinion  :  that  one  hauing  sufficient  sky  11,  to  reade  and  vnder- 
stand  those  workes,  and  yet  no  staie  of  himselfe  to  auoyde  incon 
ueniences,  which  the  remembraunce  of  vnlawfull  things  may 
stirre  vppe  in  his  minde,  he,  in  my  iudgement,  is  wholy  to  bee 
reputed  a  laciuious  disposed  personne,  whom  the  recitall  of  sins 
whether  it  be  in  a  good  worke  or  a  badde,  or  vppon  what  occa- 
sion soeuer,  wyll  not  staie  him  but  prouoke  him  further  vnto 
them.     Contrariwise,  what  good  lessons  the  warie  and  skylful 
Readers  shall  picke  out  of  the  very  worst  of  them,  if  they  list 
to  take  anie  heede,  and  read  them  not  of  an  intent  to  bee  made 
the  worse  by  them,  you  may  see  by  these  fewe  sentences,  which 
the  foresayd  Sir  Thomas  Elyott  gathered  as  hee  sayth  at  all  a- 
uentures,   intreating  of  the   like  argument.     First  Plautus  in 
commendations  of  vertue,  hath  such  like  wordes. 
Verely  vertue  doth  all  thinges  excell, 
For  if  liberty,  health  liuing  or  substaunce, 
Our  Country  our  parents,  and  children  doo  well, 
It  hapneth  by  vertue  :  she  doth  all  aduaunce, 
Vertue  hath  all  thinges  vnder  gouernaunce : 
And  in  whom  of  vertue  is  founde  great  plenty, 
Any  thing  that  is  good  may  neuer  be  dainty. 

D  iiii  Terence 


44  A  Discourse  of 

Terence,  in  Eunucho  hath  a  profitable  speeche,  in  biasing  foorth 
the  fashions  of  harlots,  before  the  eyes  of  young  men.  Thus 
sayth  Parineno. 

In  thys  thing  I  tryumphe  in  myne  owne  conceite, 
That  I  haue  found  for  all  young  men  the  way, 
Howe  they  of  Harlots  shall  know  the  deceite, 
Their  witts  and  manners  :  that  thereby  they  may 
Them  perpetuallie  hate,  for  so  much  as  they 
Out  of  their  owne  houses  be  fresh  and  delicate, 
Feeding  curiously  :  at  home  all  day 
Lyuing  beggerlie  in  most  wretched  estate. 

And  many  more  wordes  of  the  same  matter,  but  which  may 
be  gathered  by  these  fewe. 

Quid  in  his  most  wanton  Bookes  of  loue,  and  the  remedies 
thereof,  hath,  very  many  pithie  and  wise  sentences,  which  a 
heedefull  Reader  may  marke,  and  chose  out  from  ye  other  smile. 
This  is  one. 

Tyme  is  a  medicine  if  it  shall  profitt, 

Wine  gyuen  out  of  time  may  be  annoyaunce. 

A  man  shall  irritat  vice  if  he  prohibit!, 

When  time  is  not  meete  vnto  his  vtteraunce. 

Therfore  if  thou  yet  by  counsayle  art  recuperable, 

Fly  thou  from  idlenes  and  euer  be  stable. 

Martiall,  a  most  dissolute  wryter  among  all  other,  yet  not 
without  many  graue  and  prudent  speeches,  as  this  is  one  wor- 
thy to  be  marked  of  these  fond  youthes  which  intangle  theyr 
wytts  in  raging  loue,  who  stepping  once  ouer  shoes  in  theyr 
fancyes,  neuer  rest  plunging  till  they  be  ouer  head  and  eares  in 
their  follie. 

If  thou  wylt  eschewe  bitter  aduenture, 

And  auoyde  the  annoyance  of  a  pensifull  hart, 

Set 


English  Poetrie.  45 

Set  in  no  one  person  all  wholly  thy  pleasure, 

The  lesse  maist  thou  ioy,  but  the  lesse  shalt  thou  smart. 

These  are  but  fewe  gathered  out  by  happe,  yet  sufficient  to 
shewe  that  the  wise  and  circumspect  Readers  may  finde  very 
many  profitable  lessons,  dispersed  in  these  workes,  neither  take 
any  harme  by  reading  such  Poemes,  but  good,  if  they  wil  them-- 
selues.  Neuertheles,  I  would  not  be  thought  to  hold  opinion, 
that  the  reading  of  them  is  so  tollerable,  as  that  there  neede  no 
respect  to  be  had  in  making  choyse  of  readers  or  hearers  :  for  if 
they  be  prohibited  from  the  tender  and  vnconstant  wits  of  chil- 
dren and  young  mindes,  I  thinke  it  not  without  great  reason: 
neyther  am  1  of  that  deuillish  opinion,  of  which  some  there  are, 
and  haue  beene  in  England,  who  hauing  charge  of  youth  to  in- 
struct them  in  learning,  haue  especially  made  choyse  of  such  vn- 
childish  stuffe,  to  reade  vnto  young  Schollers,  as  it  shoulde 
seeme  of  some  filthy  purpose,  wylfully  to  corrupt  theyr  tender 
mindes,  and  prepare  them  the  more  ready  for  their  loathsome 
dyetts. 

For  as  it  is  sayd  of  that  impudent  worke  of  Luciane,  a  man 
were  better  to  reade  none  of  it  then  all  of  it,  so  thinke  I  that 
these  workes  are  rather  to  be  kept  altogether  from  children,  the 
they  should  haue  free  liberty  to  reade  them,  before  they  be  meete 
either  of  their  owne  discretion  or  by  heedefull  instruction,  to 
make  choyse  of  the  good  from  the  badde.  As  for  our  Englishe 
Poetrie,  I  know  no  such  perilous  peeces  (except  a  fewe  balde 
ditties  made  ouer  the  Beere  potts,  which  are  nothing  lesse  then 
Poetry)  which  anie  man  may  vse  and  reade  without  damage 
or  daunger :  which  indeede  is  lesse  to  be  meruailed  at  among  vs, 
then  among  the  olde  Latines  and  Greekes,  considering  that 
Christianity  may  be  a  staie  to  such  illecibrous  workes  and  in- 
uentions,  as  among  them  (for  the  Arte  sake)  myght  obtaine 
passage. 

Nowe  will  I  speake  somewhat,  of  that  princelie  part  of  Po- 
etrie, wherein  are  displaied  the  noble  actes  and  valiant  exploits 
of  puissaunt  Captaines,  expert  souldiers,  wise  men,  with  the 
famous  reportes  of  auncient  times,  such  as  are  the  Heroycall 

E  i  workes 


46  A  Discourse  of 

workes  of  Homer  in  Greeke,  and  the  heaueuly  verse  of  Virgils 
./Eneidos  in  Latine :  which  workes,  comprehending  as  it  were 
the  summe  and  grounde  of  all  Poetrie,  are  verelie  and  incom- 
parably the  best  of  all  other.  To  these,  though  wee  haue  no 
English  worke  aunswerable,  in  respect  of  the  glorious  orna- 
ments of  gallant  handling:  yet  our  auncient  Chroniclers  and 
reporters  of  our  Countrcy  affayres,  come  most  neere  them  :  and 
no  doubt,  if  such  regarde  of  our  English  speeche,  and  curious 
handling  of  our  verse,  had  beene  long  since  thought  vppon,  and 
from  time  to  time  b£ene  pollished  and  bettered  by  men  of  lear- 
ning, iudgemcnt,  and  authority,  it  would  ere  this,  haue  mat- 
ched them  in  all  respects.  A  manifest  example  thereof,  may  bee 
the  great  good  grace  and  sweete  vayne,  which  Eloquence  hath 
attained  in  our  speeche,  because  it  hatli  had  the  helpe  of  such  rare 
and  singuler  wits,  as  from  time  to  time  myght  styll  adde  some 
amendment  to  the  same.  Among  whom  I  thinke  there  is  none 
that  will  gainsay,  but  Master  lohn  Lilly  hath  deserued  moste 
high  commendations,  as  he  which  hath  slept  one  steppe  further 
therein  then  any  either  before  or  since  he  first  began  the  wyttie 
discourse  of  his  Euphues.  Whose  workes,  surely  in  respecte  of 
his  singuler  eloquence  and  braue  composition  of  apt  words  and 
sentences,  let  the  learned  examine  and  make  tryall  thereof  tho- 
rough all  the  partes  of  Rethoricke,  in  fitte  phrases,  in  pithy  sen- 
tences, in  gallant  tropes,  in  flowing  speeche,  in  plaine  sence,  and 
surely  in  my  Judgment,  I  thinke  he  wyll  yeelde  him  that  ver- 
dict, which  Quintilian  gitieth  of  bothe  the  best  Orators  Demo- 
sthenes and  Tully,  that  from  the  one,  nothing  may  be  taken  a- 
way,  to  the  other,  nothing  may  be  added.  But  a  more  neerer 
example  to  prooue  my  former  assertion  true,  (I  meane  y*  meet- 
nesse  of  our  speeche  to  receiue  the  best  forme  of  Poetry)  may  bee 
taken  by  conference  of  that  famous  translation  of  Master  D. 
Phaer  with  the  coppie  it  selfe,  who  soeuer  please  with  courte- 
ous Judgement  but  a  little  to  compare  and  marke  them  both  to 
gether :  and  weigh  with  himselfe,  whether  the  English  tongue 
might  by  little  and  little  be  brought  to  the  verye  maiesty  of  a 
ryght  Heroicall  verse.  First  you  may  marke,  how  Virgill  al- 
wayes  fitteth  his  matter  in  hande  with  wordes  agreeable  vn- 

to 


English  Poetrie.  47 

to  the  same  affection,  which  he  expresseth,  as  in  hys  Tragicall 
exclamations,  what  pathecall  speeches  he  frameth  ?  in  his  com 
fortable  consolations,  howe  smoothely  hys  verse  runnes  ?  in  his 
dreadfull  battayles,  and  dreery  byckerments  of  warres,  howe 
bygge  and  boystrous  his  wordes  sound  ?  and  the  like  notes  in 
all  partes  of  his  worke  may  be  obserued.  Which  excellent  grace 
and  comely  kind  of  choyse,  if  the  translatour  hath  not  hitte  very 
neere  in  our  course  English  phrase  iudge  vprightly  :  wee  wyll 
conferre  some  of  the  places,  not  picked  out  for  the  purpose,  but 
such  as  I  tooke  turning  ouer  the  Booke  at  randon.  When  the 
Troyans  were  so  tost  about  in  tempestious  wether,  caused  by 
JEolus  at  lunoes  request,  and  driuen  vpon  the  coaste  of  Affrick 
with  a  very  neere  scape  of  their  liues  :  .ZEneas  after  hee  had  gone 
a  land  and  kylled  plenty  of  victuals  for  his  company  of  Soul- 
diours,  hee  deuided  the  same  among  them,  and  thus  louinglie 
and  sweetely  he  comforted  them.  JEn.  Lib.  1. 

— et  dictis  moerentia  pectora  mulcet 
O  socij  (ne%  ignari  sumus  ante  malorum) 
O  passi  grauiora :  dabit  deus  his  quoa£  Jinem, 
Vos  et  scyll&am  rabiem,  penitus^  sonantes, 
Accestis  scopulos :  vos  et  cyclopea  saxa 
Experti,  reuocate  animos,  m&stumque.  timorem 
Mittite.  forsan  et  hctc  olim  memmisse  iuuabit. 
Per  varios  casus,  per  tot  discrimina  rerum, 
Tendimus  in  Latium  :  sedes  vbifata  quietas 
Ostendunt,  illicfas  regna  resurgere  troia. 
Durate,  et  vosmet  rebus  seruate  secundis. 
Talia  voce  refert,  curisc^  ingentibus  <eger 
Spent  vultu  simulat,  premit  altum  corde  dolorem. 

Translated  thus. 


E  ii  And 


48  A  Discourse  of 

And  then  to  che"ere  their  heauy  harts  with  these  words  he  him  bent. 
O  Mates  (quoth  lie)  that  many  a  woe  haue  bidden  and  borne  ere  thys, 
Worse  haue  we  scene,  and  this  also  shall  end  when  Gods  wyll  is. 
Through  Sylla  rage  (ye  wott)  and  through  the  roaring  rocks  we  past, 
Though  Cyclops  shore  was  full  of  feare,  yet  came  we  through  at  last, 
Plucke  vppe  your  harts,  and  driue  from  thence  both  feare  and  care  away 
To  thinke  on  this  may  pleasure  be  perhapps  another  day. 
By  paynes  and  many  a  daunger  sore,  by  sundry  chaunce  we  wend, 
To  come  to  Italy,  where  we  trust  to  find  our  resting  ende  : 
And  where  the  destnyes  haue  decreed  Troyes  kingdome  eft  to  ryse. 
Be  bold  and  harden  now  your  harts,  take  ease  while  ease  applies 
Thus  spake  he  tho,  but  in  his  hart  huge  cares  had  him  opprest, 
Dissembling  hope  with  outward  eyes  full  heauy  was  his  brest. 

Againe,  marke  the  wounding  of  Dido  in  loue  with  TEneas,  with  howe 
choyse  wordes  it  is  pithily  described,  both  by  the  Poet  and  the  translator 
in  the  beginning  of  the  fourth  booke. 

At  Regina  graui  iamdudum  saucia  euro 
Vulnus  alit  venis,  et  c<eco  carpitur  igni,  fyc. 

By  this  time  perced  satte  the  Queene  so  sore  with  loues  desire, 
Her  wound  in  euery  vayne  she  feedes,  she  fryes  in  secrete  fire. 
The  manhood  of  the  man  full  oft,  full  oft  his  famous  lyne 
She  doth  reuolue,  and  from  her  thought  his  face  cannot  vntwyne. 
His  countnaunce  deepe  she  drawes  and  fixed  fast  she  beares  in  brest, 
His  words  also,  nor  to  her  carefull  hart  can  come  no  rest. 

And  in  many  places  of  the  fourth  booke  is  the  same  matter  so  gallantly 
prosecuted  in  sweete  wordes,  as  in  mine  opinion  the  coppy  it  selfe  goeth 
no  whit  beyond  it. 

Compare  them  likewise    in  the  woefull    and   lamentable  cryes    of  the 
Qu6ene  for  the  departure  of  ^neas,  towards  the  ende  of  that  Booke. 


^  quaterque  manu  pectus  percussa  decorum, 
Flauentesque  abscissa  comas,  proh  lupiter,  ibit? 
Hie  ait,  et  nostris  illuserit  aduena  Regnis  ?  #c. 

Three 


English  Poetry.  49 

Three  times  her  hands  she  bet,  and  three  times  strake  her  comely  brest, 

Her  golden  hayre  she  tare  and  frantiklike  with  moode  opprest, 

She  cryde,  O  lupiter,  O  God,  quoth  she,  and  shall  a  goe  ? 

[ndeede  ?  and  shall  a  flowte  me  thus  within  my  kingdome  so  ? 

Shall  not  mine  Armies  out,  and  all  my  people  them  pursue  ? 

Shall  they  not  spoyle  their  shyps  and  burne  them  vp  with  vengance  due  ? 

Out  people,  out  vppon  them,  follow  fast  with  fires  and  flames, 

Set  sayles  aloft,  make  out  with  oares,  in  ships,  in  boates,  in  frames. 

What  speake  I  ?  or  where  am  I  ?  what  furies  me  doo  thus  inchaunt? 

0  Dydo,  wofull  wretch,  now  destnyes  fell  thy  head  dooth  haunt. 

And  a  little  after  preparing  to  kyll  her  owne  selfe. 

But  Dydo  quaking  fierce  with  frantike  moode  and  griesly  hewe. 
With  trembling  spotted  cheekes,  her  huge  attempting  to  persue. 
Besides  her  selfe  for  rage,  and  towards  death  with  visage  wanne, 
Her  eyes  about  she  rolde,  as  redde  as  blood  they  looked  than. 

At  last  ready  to  fall  vppon  ./Eneas  sworde. 

O  happy  (welaway)  and  ouer  happy  had  I  beene, 

If  neuer  Troian  shyps  (ahlas)  my  Country  shore  had  scene. 

Thus  sayde  she  wryde  her  head,  and  vereuenged  must  we  die  ?     ,—.  ^^ 

But  let  vs  boldly  die  (quoth  shee)  thus,  thus  to  death  I  ply. 


Nowe  likewise  for  the  braue  warlike  phrase  and  bygge  sounding  kynd 
of  thundring  speeche,  in  the  hotte  skymyshes  of  battels,  you  may  confer 
them  in  any  of  the  last  fiue  Bookes  :  for  examples  sake,  thys  is  one  a- 
bout  the  ninth  Booke. 

Jt  clamor  totis  per  propugnacula  murisy 
Intendunt  aeries  arcus,  amentaque  torquent. 
Sternitur  omne  solum  telis.  turn  scuta,  cau&c^ 
Dant  sonitumjlictu  galea  :  pugna  asper  surgit  ?  fyc. 

A  clamarous  noyse  vpmounts  on  fortresse  tops  and  bulwarks  towres, 
They  strike,  they  bend  their  bowes,  they  whirle  from  strings  sharp  shotin  g  showres  . 

E  iii  All 


50  A  Discourse  of 

All  streetes  with  tooles  are  strowed,  than  helmets,  skulles,  with  battrings  marrd, 
And  shieldes  dishyuering  cracke,  vpriseth  roughnesse  byckring  hard. 
Looke  how  the  tempest  storme  when  wind  outwrastling  blowes  at  south, 
Raine  ratling  beates  the  grownde,  or  clowdes  of  haile  from  Winters  mouth, 
Downe  dashyng  headlong  driues,  when  God  from  skyes  with  griesly  steuen, 
His  watry  showres  outwrings,  &  whirlwind  clowdes  downe  breakesfro  heauen. 

And  so  foorth  much  more  of  the  like  effect. 

Onely  one  comparison  more  will  I  desire  you  to  marke  at  your  leysures,  which 
may  serue  for  all  the  rest,  that  is,  the  description  of  Fame,  as  it  is  in  the  4.  booke, 
towardes  the  end,  of  which  it  followeth  thus. 

Monstrum  horrendum  ingens  cui  quot  sunt  corpore  plumts 
Tot  vigilos  oculi  fyc. 

A  monster  gastly  great,  for  euery  plume  her  carkasse  beares, 

Like  number  learing  eyes  she  hath,  like  number  harkning  eares. 

Like  number  tongues,  and  mouthes  she  wagges,  a  wondrous  thing  to  speake, 

At  midnight  foorth  shee  flyes,  and  vnder  shade  her  sound  dooth  squeake. 

All  night  she  wakes,  nor  slumber  sweete  doth  take  nor  neuer  sleepes. 

By  dayes  on  houses  tops  shee  sits  or  gates  of  Townes  she  ke'epes. 

On  watching  Towres  she  clymbes,  and  Citties  great  she  makes  agast, 

Both  trueth  and  falshood  forth  she  telles,  and  lyes  abroade  doth  cast. 

But  what  neede  I  to  repeate  any  more  places  ?  there  is  not  one  Booke  among 
the  twelue,  which  wyll  not  yeelde  you  most  excellent  pleasure  in  conferring  the 
translation  with  the  Coppie,  and  marking  the  gallant  grace  which  our  Englishe 
speeche  affoordeth.  And  in  trueth  the  like  comparisons,  may  you  choose  out 
through  the  whole  translations  of  the  Metamorphosis  by  Master  Golding  who 
(considering  both  their  Coppyes)  hath  equally  deserued  commendations  for  the 
beautifying  of  the  English  speeche.  It  would  be  tedious  to  stay  to  rehearse  any 
places  out  of  him  nowe :  let  the  other  suffice  to  prooue,  that  the  English  tongue 
lacketh  neyther  variety  nor  currantnesse  of  phrase  for  any  matter. 


I  wyll 


English  Poetry.  51 


JWyll  nowe  spaake  a  little  of  an  other  kinde  of  poetical  wri- 
ting, which  might  notwithstanding  for  the  variablenesse  of 
the  argument  therein  vsually  handled,  bee  comprehended  in 
those  kindes  before  declared  :  that  is,  the  compyling  of  Eglo- 
gues,  as  much  to  say  as  Goteheardes  tales,  because  they  bee 
commonly  Dialogues  or  speeches  framed  or  supposed  betweene 
Sheepeheardes,  Neteheardes,  Goteheardes,  or  such  like  simple 
men  :  in  which  kind  of  writing,  many  haue  obtained  as  immor- 
tall  prayse  and  commendation,  as  in  any  other. 

The  cheefest  of  these  is  Theocritus  in  Greeke  :  next  him, 
and  almost  the  very  same,  is  Virgill  in  Latin.  After  Virgyl  in 
like  sort  writ  Titus  Calphurnius  and  Baptista  Mantuan,  wyth 
many  other  both  in  Latine  and  other  languages  very  learned- 
lye.  Although  the  matter  they  take  in  hand  seemeth  common- 
lie  in  appearaunce  rude  and  homely,  as  the  vsuall  talke  of  sim- 
ple clownes :  yet  doo  they  indeede  vtter  in  the  same  much  plea- 
saunt  and  profitable  delight.  For  vnder  these  personnes,  as  it 
were  in  a  cloake  of  simplicitie,  they  would  eyther  sette  foorth 
the  prayses  of  theyr  freendes,  without  the  note  of  flattery,  or 
eriueigh  grieuously  against  abuses,  without  any  token  of  byt- 
ternesse. 

Somewhat  like  vnto  these  works,  are  many  peeces  of  Chaw- 
cer,  but  yet  not  altogether  so  poeticall.  But  nowe  yet  at  ye  last 
hath  England  hatched  vppe  one  Poet  of  this  sorte,  in  my  con- 
science comparable  with  the  best  in  any  respect :  euen  Master 
Sp :  Author  of  the  Sheepeheardes  Calender,  whose  trauell  in 
that  peece  of  English  Poetrie,  I  thinke  verely  is  so  commen- 
dable, as  none  of  equall  iudgment  can  yeelde  him  lesse  prayse 
for  hys  excellent  skyll,  and  skylfull  excellency  shewed  foorth  in 
the  same,  then  they  would  to  eyther  Theocritus  or  Virgil],  who 
in  mine  opinion,  if  the  coursenes  of  our  sp6eche  (I  meane  the 
course  of  custome  which  he  woulde  not  infringe)  had  beene  no 

E  iiii  more 


52  A  Discourse  of 

more  let  vnto  him,  then  theyr  pure  natiue  tongues  were  vnto 
them,  he  would  haue  (if  it  might  be)  surpassed  them.  What 
one  thing  is  there  in  them  so  worthy  admiration,  \\hereunto 
we  may  not  adioyne  some  thing  of  his,  of  equall  desert?  Take 
Virgil  and  make  some  little  comparison  betweene  them,  and 
iudge  as  ye  shall  s£e  cause. 

Virgill  hath  a  gallant  report  of  Augustus  couertly  comprysed 
in  the  first  ./Eglogue  :  the  like  is  in  him,  of  her  Maicstie,  vnder 
the  name  of  Eliza.  Virgill  maketh  a  braue  coloured  complaint 
of  vnstedfast  freendshyppe  in  the  person  of  Corydon  :  the  Ivke 
is  him  in  his  5.  ./Eglogue.  Agayne  behold  the  pretty  Pastorall 
contentions  of  Virgill  in  the  third  JEglogue  :  of  him  in  ye  eight 
Eglogue.  Finally,  either  in  comparison  with  them,  or  respect 
of  hys  owne  great  learning,  he  may  well  were  the  Garlande, 
and  steppe  before  ye  best  of  all  English  Poets  that  I  haue  scene 
or  hearde,  for  I  thinke  no  Jesse  deserueth  (thus  sayth  E,  K.  iu 
hys  commendations)  hys  wittinesse  in  deuising,  his  pithinesse' 
in  vttering,  his  complaintes  of  loue  so  louely,  his  discourses  of 
pleasure  so  pleasantly,  his  Pastrall  rudenes,  his  Morrall  wyse- 
nesse,  his  due  obseruing  of  decorum  euery  where,  in  persona- 
ges, in  season,  in  matter,  in  speeche,  and  generally  in  all  seeine 
ly  simplicity,  of  handling  hys  matter  and  framing  his  wordes. 
The  occasion  of  his  worke  is  a  warning  to  other  young  men, 
who  being  inlangled  in  loue  and  youthful  vanities,  may  learne 
to  looke  to  themselues  in  time,  and  to  auoyde  inconueniences 
which  may  brecde  if  they  be  not  in  time  preuented.  Many  good 
Morrall  lessons  are  therein  contained,  as  the  reuerence  which 
young  men  owe  to  the  aged  in  the  second  Eglogue :  the  caueate 
or  warning  to  beware  a  subtill  professor  of  freendshippe  in  the 
fift  .Eglogue:  the  commendation  of  good  Pastors,  and  shame 
and  disprayse  of  idle  &  ambitious  Goteheardes  in  the  seauenth, 
the  loose  and  retchlesse  lyuing  of  Popish  Prelates  in  the  ninth. 
The  learned  and  sweete  complaynt  of  the  contempt  of  learning 
vnder  the  name  of  Poetry  in  the  tenth.  There  is  also  much 
matter  vttered  somewhat  couertly,  especially  ye  abuses  of  some 
whom  he  would  not  be  too  playne  withall :  in  which,  though 
it  be  not  apparent  to  euery  one,  what  hys  speciall  meaning 

was, 


English  Poetry.  53 

was,  yet  so  skilfully  is  it  handled,  as  any  man  may  take  much 
delight  at  hys  learned  conueyance,  and  picke  out  much  good 
sence  in  the  most  obscurest  of  it.  Hys  notable  prayse  deserued 
in  euery  parcell  of  that  worke,  because  I  cannot  expresse  as  I 
woulde  and  as  it  should  :  I  wyll  cease  to  speake  any  more  of, 
the  rather  because  I  neuer  hearde  as  yet  any  that  hath  reade  it, 
which  hath  not  with  much  admiration  commended  it.  One  on- 
ly thing  therein  haue  I  hearde  some  curious  heades  call  in  que- 
stion :  viz :  the  motion  of  some  vnsauery  loue,  such  as  in  the 
sixt  Eglogue  he  seemeth  to  deale  withall,  (which  say  they)  isi 
skant  allowable  to  English  eares,  and  might  well  haue  beene 
left  for  the  Italian  defenders  of  loathsome  beastlines,  of  whom 
perhappes  he  learned  it :  to  thys  obiection  I  haue  often  aun- 
swered  and  (I  thinke  truely)  that  theyr  jfiyce  opinion  ouershoo- 
teth  the  Poets  meaning,  who  though  hee  in  that  as  in  other 
thinges,  immitateth  the  auncient  Poets,  yet  doth  not  meane, 
no  more  did  they  before  hym,  any  disordered  loue,  or  the  filthy 
lust  of  the  deuillish  Pederastice  take  in  the  worse  sence,  but  ra- 
ther to  shewe  howe  the  dissolute  life  of  young  men  intangled 
in  loue  of  women,  doo  neglect  the  freendshyp  and  league  with 
their  olde  freendes  and  familiers.  Why  (say  they)  yet  he  shold 
gyue  no  occasion  of  suspition,  nor  offer  to  the  viewe  of  Christi- 
ans, any  token  of  such  filthinesse,  howe  good  soeuer  hys  mea- 
ning were  :  wherevnto  I  oppose  the  simple  conceyte  they  haue 
of  matters  which  concerne  learning  or  wytt,  wylling  them  to 
gyue  Poets  leaue  to  vse  theyr  vayne  as  they  see  good  :  it  is  their 
foolysh  construction,  not  hys  wryting  that  is  blameable.  Wee 
must  prescrybe  to  no  wryters,  (much  lesse  to  Poets)  in  what 
sorte  they  should  vtter  theyr  conceyts.  But  thys  wyll  be  better 
discussed  by  some  I  hope  of  better  abillity. 

One  other  sorte  of  Poeticall  wryters  remayneth  yet  to  bee 
remembred,  that  is,  The  precepts  of  Husbandry,  learnedly 
compiled  in  Heroycall  verse.  Such  were  the  workes  of  Hesi- 
odus  in  Oreeke,  and  Virgils  Georgickes  in  Latine.  What  me- 
morable worke  hath  beene  handled  in  immitation  of  these  by 
any  English  Poet,  I  know  not,  (saue  onely  one  worke  of  M. 
Tusser,  a  peece  surely  of  great  wytt  and  experience,  and  wythal 

F  i  very 


54  A  Discourse  of 

very  prettilye  handled)  And  1  thinke  the  cause  why  our  Poets 
haue  not  trauayled  in  that  behalfe,  is  especially,  for  that  there 
haue  b£ene  alwayes  plenty  of  other  wryters  that  haue  handled 
the  same  argument  very  largely.  Among  whom  Master  Bar- 
nahe  Googe,  in  translating  and  enlarging  the  most  profitable 
worke  of  Heresbachius,  hath  deserued  much  commendation,  as 
well  for  hys  faythfull  compyling  and  learned  increasing  the 
noble  worke,  as  for  hys  wytty  translation  of  a  good  part  of  the 
Georgickes  of  Virgill  into  English  Verse. 

Among  all  the  translations,  which  hath  b£ene  my  fortune  to 
s6e,  I  could  neuer  yet  finde  that  worke  of  the  Georgicks  wholly 
performed,  I  remember  once  Abraham  Flemming  in  hys 
conuersion  of  the  Eglogues,  promised  to  translate  and  publishe 
it :  whether  he  dyd  or  not  I  knowe  not,  but  as  yet  I  heard  not 
of  it.  I  my  selfe  wott  well  I  bestowed  some  time  in  it  two  or 
thr£e  yeeres  since,  turning  it  to  that  same  English  verse,  which 
other  such  workes  were  in,  though  it  were  rudely :  howe  beit, 
I  did  it  onely  for  mine  owne  vse,  and  vppon  certayne  respectes 
towardes  a  Gentleman  mine  especiall  freende,  to  whom  I  was 
desirous  to  shewe  some  token  of  duetifull  good  wyll,  and  not 
minding  it  should  goe  farre  abroade,  considering  howe  slender- 
ly I  ranne  it  ouer  :  yet  since  then,  hath  one  got  it  in  keeping, 
who  as  it  is  told  me,  eyther  hath  or  wyll  vnaduisedly  publishe 
it :  which  iniury  though  he  meanes  to  doo  me  in  myrth,  yet  I 
hope  he  wyll  make  me  some  suffycient  recompence,  or  els  I 
shall  goe  n6ere  to  watch  hym  the  like  or  a  worse  turne. 

But  concerning  the  matter  of  our  Englysh  wryters,  lett 
thys  suffice :  nowe  shall  ye  heare  my  simple  skyl  in  what  I  am 
able  to  say  concerning  the  forme  and  manner  of  our  Englyshe 
verse. 

The  most  vsuall  and  frequented  kind  of  our  English  Po- 
etry hath  alwayes  runne  vpon,  and  to  this  day  is  obserued  in 
such  equal!  number  of  syllables,  and  likenes  of  wordes,  that  in 
all  places  one  verse  either  immediatly,  or  by  mutuall  interpo- 
sition, may  be  aunswerable  to  an  other  both  in  proportion  of 
length,  and  ending  of  lynes  in  the  same  Letters.  Which  rude 
kinde  of  verse,  though  (as  I  touched  before)  it  rather  discredi- 

teth 


English  Poetry.  55 

teth  our  speeche,  as  borrowed  from  the  Barbarians,  then  furni- 
sheth  the  same  with  any  comely  ornament :  yet  beeing  so  in- 
graflfed  by  custome,  and  frequented  by  the  most  parte,  I  may 
not  vtterly  dissalowe  it,  least  I  should  seeme  to  call  in  question 
the  iudgement  of  all  our  famous  wryters,  which  haue  wonne 
eternall  prayse  by  their  memorable  workes  compyled  in  that 
verse. 

For  my  part  therefore,  I  can  be  content  to  esteeme  it  as  a 
thing,  the  perfection  whereof  is  very  commendable,  yet  so  as 
wyth  others  I  could  wysh  it  were  by  men  of  learning  and  abi- 
lity bettered,  and  made  more  artificial!,  according  to  the  woor- 
thinesse  of  our  speeche. 

The  falling  out  of  verses  together  in  one  like  sounde,  is 
commonly  called  in  English,  Ryme,  taken  from  the  Greeke 
worde  P/fywf,  which  surely  in  my  iudgment  is  verye  abusiuelye 
applyed  to  such  a  sence  :  and  by  thys,  the  vnworthinesse  of  the 
thing  may  well  appeare,  in  that  wanting  a  proper  name,  wher- 
by  to  be  called,  it  borroweth  a  word  farre  exceeding  the  dignitye 
of  it,  and  not  appropriate  to  so  rude  and  base  a  thing.  For  Ryme 
is  properly,  the  iust  proportion  of  a  clause  or  sentence,  whether 
it  be  in  prose  or  meeter,  aptly  comprised  together:  wherof  there 
is  both  an  naturall  and  an  artificiall  composition,  in  any  man- 
ner or  kynde  of  speeche,  eyther  French,  Italian,  Spanish,  or 
English :  and  is  propper  not  onely  to  Poets,  but  also  to  Rea- 
ders, Oratours,  Pleaders,  or  any  which  are  to  pronounce  or 
speake  any  thing  in  publike  audience. 

The  first  begynning  of  Ryme  (as  we  nowe  terme  it)  though 
it  be  somewhat  auncient,  yet  nothing  famous.  In  Greece  (they 
say)  one  Symias  Rhodias,  because  he  would  be  singuler  in  som- 
thing,  wryt  poetically  of  the  Fable,  contayning  howe  lupiter 
beeing  in  shape  of  a  Swanne,  begatte  the  Egge  on  Leda,  wher- 
of came  Castor,  Pollux,  and  Helena,  whereof  euery  verse  ended 
in  thys  Ryme,  and  was  called  therefore  oToV  :  but  thys  foolyshe 
attempt  was  so  contemned  and  dispysed,  that  the  people  would 
neither  admitte  the  Author  nor  Booke  any  place  in  memory  of 
learning.  Since  that  it  was  not  hearde  of,  till  ye  time  y*  Hunnes 
and  Gothians  renued  it  agayne,  and  brought  it  into  Italic.  But 

F  ii  how 


56  A  Discourse  of 

howsoeuer  or  wheresoeuer  it  beganne,  certayne  it  is,  that  in 
our  English  tongue  it  beareth  as  good  grace,  or  rather  better, 
then  in  any  other :  and  is  a  faculty  whereby  many  may  and  doo 
deserue  great  prayse  and  commendation,  though  our  speeche  be 
capable  of  a  farre  more  learned  manner  of  versifying,  as  I  wyl 
partly  declare  heereafter. 

There  be  three  speciall  notes  necessary  to  be  obserued  in 
the  framing  of  our  accustomed  English  Ryme  :  the  first  is,  that 
one  m6eter  or  verse  be  aunswerable  to  an  other,  in  equall  num- 
ber of  f£ete  or  syllables,  or  proportionable  to  the  tune  whereby 
it  is  to  be  reade  or  measured.  The  seconde,  to  place  the  words 

^  in  such  sorte,  as  none  of  them  be  wrested  contrary  to  the  natu- 
rall  inclination  or  affectation  of  the  same,  or  more  truely  y*  true 
quantity  thereof.  The  thyrd,  to  make  them  fall  together  mu- 

•> ,  tually  in  Ryme,  that  is,  in  wordes  of  like  sounde,  but  so  as  the 
wordes  be  not  disordered  for  the  Rymes  sake,  nor  the  sence  hin- 
dered. These  be  the  most  pryncipall  obseruations,  which  I 
thinke  requisite  in  an  English  verse :  for  as  for  the  other  orna- 
ments which  belong  thereto,  they  be  more  properly  belonging 
to  the  seuerall  gyfts  of  skylfull  Poets,  then  common  notes  to 
be  prescribed  by  me  :  but  somewhat  perhaps  I  shall  haue  occa- 
sion to  speake  heereafter. 

Of  the  kyndes  of  English  verses  which  differ  in  number  of 
syllables,  there  are  almost  infinite :  which  euery  way  alter  ac- 
cording to  hys  fancy,  or  to  the  measure  of  that  meeter,  wherein 
it  pleaseth  hym  to  frame  hys  ditty.  Of  the  best  and  most  fre- 
quented I  wyll  rehearse  some.  The  longest  verse  in  length, 
which  I  haue  scene  vsed  in  English  consisteth  of  sixteene  sylla- 
bles, cache  two  verses  ryming  together,  thus. 

Wher  vertue  wants  &  vice  abounds,  there  wealth  is  but  a  bayted  hooke, 
To  make  men  swallow  down  their  bane,  before  on  dager  deepe  they  looke. 

Thys  kynde  is  not  very  much  vsed  at  length  thus,  but  is  co- 
monly  deuided,  eche  verse  into  two,  whereof  eche  shal  containe 
eyght  syllables,  and  ryme  crosse  wyse,  the  first  to  the  thyrd,  and 
the  second  to  the  fourth,  in  thys  manner. 

Great 


English  Poetrie.  57 


Great  wealth  is  but  a  bayted  hooke, 
Where  vertue  wants,  and  vice  aboundes  : 
Which  men  deuoure  before  they  looke, 
So  them  in  daungers  deepe  it  drownes. 

An  other  kynd  next  in  length  to  thys,  is,  where  eche  verse; 
hath  fourteene  syllables,  which  is  the  most  accustomed  of  all  o- 
ther,  and  especially  vsed  of  all  the  translatours  of  the  Latine 
Poets  for  the  most  part  thus. 

My  mind  with  furye  fierce  inflamde  of  late  I  know  not  howe, 
Doth  burne  Pernassus  hyll  to  see,  adornd  wyth  Lawrell  bowe. 

Which  may  likewyse  and  so  it  often  is  deuyded,  eche  verse 
into  two,  to  first  hauing  eyght  sillables,  the  second  sixe,  wherof 
the  two  sixes  shall  alwayes  ryme,  and  sometimes  the  eyghtes, 
sometimes  not,  according  to  the  wyll  of  the  maker. 

My  minde  with  furye  fierce  inflamde, 

Of  late  I  knowe  not  howe : 
Doth  burne  Pernassus  hyll  to  see, 

Adornd  wyth  Lawrell  bowe. 

There  are  nowe  wythin  this  compasse,  as  many  sortes  of 
verses  as  may  be  deuised  differences  of  numbers :  wherof  some 
consist  of  equall  proportions,  some  of  long  and  short  together, 
some  of  many  rymes  in  one  staffe  (as  they  call  it)  some  of  crosse  ' 
ryme,  some  of  counter  ryme,  some  ryming  wyth  one  worde 
farre  distant  from  another,  some  ryming  euery  thyrd  or  fourth 
word,  and  so  likewyse  all  manner  of  dytties  applyable  to  euery 
tune  that  may  be  sung  or  sayd,  distinct  from  prose  or  continued 
speeche.  To  auoyde  therefore  tediousnesse  and  confusion,  I 
wyll  repeate  onely  the  different  sortes  of  verses  out  ef  the 
Sheepeheardes  Calender,  which  may  well  serue  to  beare  au- 
thoritie  in  thys  matter. 

There  are  in  that  worke  twelue  or  thirteene  sundry  sorts  of 

F  iii  verses, 


58  A  Discourse  of 

verses,  which  differ  eyther  in  length  or  ryme,  of  destinction  of 
the  -t  a  no  :  but  of  them  which  differ  in  length  or  number  of  sil- 
lables  not  past  sixe  or  seauen.  The  first  of  them  is  of  tenne  sil- 
lables, or  rather  fiue  feete  in  one  verse,  thus. 

A  Sh£epheards  boy  no  better  doo  him  call, 
When  Winters  wastfull  spight  was  almost  spent. 

Thys  verse  he  vseth  commonly  in  hys  sweete  complayntes, 
and  mournefull  ditties,  as  very  agreeable  to  such  affections. 

The  second  sort  hath  naturally  but  nine  syllables,  and  is  a 
more  rough  or  clownish  manner  of  verse,  vsed  most  commonly 
of  him  if  your  mark  him  in  hys  satyricall  reprehensions,  &  hys 
Sheepeheardes  homelyest  talke,  such  as  the  second  JEglogue  is. 

Ah  for  pitty  wyll  rancke  Winters  rage, 
These  bytter  blasts  neuer  gynne  to  asswage. 

The  number  of  nine  sillables  in  thys  verse  is  very  often  al- 
tered, and  so  it  may  without  any  disgrace  to  the  same,  especial- 
ly where  the  speeche  should  be  most  clownish  and  simple,  which 
is  much  obserued  of  hym. 

The  third  kynd  is  a  pretty  rounde  verse,  running  currantly 
together,  commonly  seauen  sillables  or  sometime  eyght  in  one 
verse,  as  many  in  the  next,  both  ryming  together :  euery  two 
hauing  one  the  like  verse  after  them,  but  of  rounder  wordes, 
and  two  of  them  likewyse  ryming  mutually.  That  verse  ex- 
presseth  notably,  light  and  youthfull  talke,  such  as  is  the  thyrde 
.ZEglogue  betweene  two  Sheepheardes  boyes  concerning  loue. 

Thomalin  why  sitten  we  so 
As  weren  ouerwent  with  woe 
Upon  so  fayre  a  morrowe  ? 
The  ioyous  time  now  nigheth  fast 
That  wyll  allay  this  bitter  blast 
And  slake  the  Winter  sorrow. 

The 


English  Poetrie.  59 

The  fourth  sort  containeth  in  eche  staffe  manie  vnequall 
verses,  but  most  sweetelie  falling  together :  which  the  Poet  cal 
leth  the  tune  of  the  waters  fall.  Therein  is  his  song  in  prayse 
of  Eliza. 

Ye  daintie  Nymphes  which  in  this  blessed  brooke 

doo  bathe  your  brest, 
Forsake  your  watrie  bowres  and  hether  looke, 

at  my  request. 

And  eke  yee  Virgins  that  on  Parnass  dwell, 
Whence  floweth  Helicon  the  learned  Well, 

helpe  me  to  blaze 

her  woorthy  praise 
That  in  her  sex  doth  all  excell.  &c. 

The  fift,  is  a  deuided  verse  of  twelue  sillables  into  two  ver- 
ses, whereof  I  spake  before,  and  seemeth  most  meete  for  ye  hand 
ling  of  a  Morrall  matter,  such  as  is  the  praise  of  good  Pastors, 
and  the  dispraise  of  ill  in  the  seauenth  ^Eglogue. 

The  sixt  kinde,  is  called  a  round,  beeing  mutuallie  sung  be- 
tweene  two  :  one  singeth  one  verse,  the  other  the  next,  eche  ry- 
meth  with  himselfe. 

Per.  It  fell  vppon  a  holie  cue, 

Wyl.  Hey  ho  holliday 

Per.  When  holie  fathers  wont  to  shrieue, 

Wyl.  Thus  ginneth  our  Rondelay.     &c. 

The  seauenth  sorte  is  a  verie  tragicall  mournefull  mea- 
sure, wherein  he  bewayleth  the  death  of  some  freend  vnder  the 
person  of  Dydo. 

Up  then  Melpomene  the  mournfulst  Muse  of  nyne, 

such  cause  of  mourning  neuer  hadst  afore  : 
Up  griesly  ghostes,  and  vp  my  mournfull  ryme : 
matter  of  myrth  now  shalt  thou  haue  no  more. 
Fiiii 

Dydo 


60  A  Discourse  of 

Dydo  my  deere  alas  is  dead, 
Dead  and  lyeth  wrapt  in  leade : 

O  heauie  hearse 
Let  streaming  teares  be  powred  out  in  store. 

O  carefull  verse. 

These  sortes  of  verses  for  breuities  sake  haue  I  chosen  foorth 
of  him,  whereby  I  shall  auoide  the  tedious  rehearsall  of  all  the 
kindes  which  are  vsed :  which  I  thinke  would  haue  beene  vn- 
possible,  seeing  they  may  be  altered  to  as  manie  formes  as  the 
Poets  please :  neither  is  there  anie  tune  or  stroke  which  may 
be  sung  or  plaide  on  instruments,  which  hath  not  some  poetical 
ditties  framed  according  to  the  numbers  thereof :  some  to  Ro- 
gero,  some  to  Trenchmore,  to  downe  right  Squire,  to  Galli- 
ardes,  to  Pauines,  to  lygges,  to  Brawles,  to  all  manner  of 
tunes  which  euerie  Fidler  knowes  better  then  my  selfe,  and 
therefore  I  will  let.  them  passe. 

Againe,  the  diuersities  of  the  staues  (which  are  the  number 
of  verses  contained  with  the  diuisions  or  partitions  of  a  ditty) 
doo  often  times  make  great  differences  in  these  verses.  As  whe 
one  staffe  containeth  but  two  verses,  or  (if  they  bee  deuided) 
foure  :  the  first  or  the  first  couple  hauing  twelue  sillables,  the 
other  fourteene,  which  versifyers  call  Powlters  measure,  be- 
cause so  they  talle  their  wares  by  dosens.  Also,  when  one  staffe 
hath  manie  verses,  whereof  each  one  rimeth  to  the  next,  or  mu- 
tuallie  crosse,  or  distant  by  three,  or  by  foure,  or  ended  contrarye 
to  the  beginning,  and  a  hundred  sortes,  whereof  to  shewe  seue- 
rall  examples,  would  b6e  too  troublesome :  nowe  for  the  second 
point. 

The  naturall  course  of  most  English  verses  seemeth  to  run 
vppon  the  olde  lambicke  stroake,  and  I  may  well  thinke  by  al 
likelihoode,  it  had  the  beginning  thereof.  For  if  you  marke 
the  right  quantitie  of  our  vsuall  verses,  ye  shall  perceiue  them 
to  containe  in  souud  ye  very  propertie  of  lambick  feete,  as  thus. 

u     -      v       -      v    -    u      -      v      -          u       -       u      - 

I  that  my  slender  oaten  pipe  in.  verse  was  wont  to  sounde  : 

For 


English  Poetrie.  61 

For  transpose  anie  of  those  feete  in  pronouncing,  and  make 
short  either  the  two,  foure,  sixe,  eight,  tenne,  twelue  sillable, 
and  it  will  (doo  what  you  can)  fall  out  very  absurdly. 

Againe,  though  our  wordes  can  not  well  bee  forced  to  abydc 
the  touch  of  Position  and  other  rules  of  Prosodia,  yet  is  there 
such  a  naturall  force  or  quantity  in  eche  worde,  that  it  will  not 
abide  anie  place  but  one,  without  some  foule  disgrace :  as  for 
example  try  anie  verse,  as  thy s. 

u        -          u  u     -   u         -        u     -     u       -  u     - 

Of  shapes  transforinde  to  bodies  strange  I  purpose  to  intreate. 

Make  the  first  sillable  long,  or  the  third,  or  the  fift  &  so  foorth : 
or  contrariwise  make  the  other  sillables  to  admitte  the  short- 
nesse  of  one  of  them  places,  and  see  what  a  wonderfull  defacing 
it  wilbe  to  the  wordes.  as  thus. 

u  -    u         -       u  -       u  u      -    o  -       u 

Of  strange  bodies  transformd  to  shapes  purpose  I  to  intreate. 

So  that  this  is  one  especiall  thing  to  be  taken  heede  of  in 
making  a  good  English  verse,  that  by  displacing  no  worde  bee 
wrested  against  his  naturall  propriety,  wherevnto  you  shal  per 
ceyue  eche  worde  to  be  affected,  and  may  easilie  discerne  it  in 
wordes  of  two  sillables  or  aboue,  though  some  there  be  of  indif- 
ferencie,  that  wyll  stand  in  any  place.  Againe,  in  chouching 
the  whole  sentence,  the  like  regarde  is  to  be  had,  that  wee  ex- 
ceede  not  too  boldly  in  placing  the  verbe  out  of  his  order,  and  too 
farre  behinde  the  nowne  :  which  the  necessitie  of  Ryme  may 
oftentimes  vrge.  For  though  it  be  tollerable  in  a  verse  to  sette 
wordes  so  extraordinarily  as  other  speeche  will  not  admitt,  yet 
heede  is  to  be  taken,  least  by  too  much  affecting  that  manner, 
we  make  both  the  verse  vnpleasant  and  the  sence  obscure.  And 
sure  it  is  a  wonder  to  see  the  folly  of  manie  in  this  respect,  that 
vse  not  onely  too  much  of  thys  ouer thwart  placing,  or  rather 
displacing  of  wordes,  in  theyr  Poemes  and  verses,  but  also  in 
theyr  prose  or  continued  writings  :  where  they  thinke  to  rolle 

G  i  most 


(52  A  Discourse  of 

most  smoothlie,  and  flow  most  eloquently,  there  by  this  means, 
come  foorth  theyr  sentences  dragging  at  one  Authors  tayle  as 
they  were  tyde  together  with  poynts,  where  often  you  shall 
tarrie  (scratching  your  heade)  a  good  space  before  you  shall 
heare  hys  principall  verbe  or  special!  word,  leaste  hys  singing 
grace,  which  in  his  sentence  is  contained  should  be  lesse,  and 
his  speeche  seeme  nothing  poeticall. 

The  thyrd  obseruation  is,  the  Ryme  or  like  ending  of  ver- 
ses :  which  though  it  is  of  least  importance,  yet  hath  won  such 
credite  among  vs,  that  of  all  other  it  is  most  regarded  of  the 
greatest  part  of  Readers.  And  surely  as  I  am  perswaded,  the 
regarde  of  wryters  to  this,  hath  beene  the  greatest  decay  of  that 
good  order  of  versifying,  which  might  ere  this  haue  beene  esta- 
blished in  our  speeche.  In  my  iudgment,  if  there  be  any  orna- 
ment in  the  same,  it  is  rather  to  be  attributed  to  the  plentifull 
fulnesse  of  our  speeche,  which  can  affoorde  ryining  words  suffi- 
cient for  the  handling  of  any  matter,  then  to  the  thing  it  selfe 
for  any  beautifying  it  bringeth  to  a  worke :  which  might  bee  a 
domed  with  farre  more  excellent  collours  then  ryming  is.  Not 
withstanding  I  cannot  but  yeelde  vnto  it  (as  custome  requi- 
reth)  the  deserved  prayses,  especially  where  it  is  with  good 
iudgement  ordered.  And  I  thinke  them  right  worthy  of  admi 
ration,  for  their  readincs  and  plenty  of  wytt  and  capacity,  who 
can  with  facility  intreate  at  large,  and  as  we  call  it  extempore, 
in  good  and  sencible  ryme,  vppon  some  vnacquainted  matter. 

The  ready  skyll  of  framing  anie  thing  in  verse,  besides  the 
naturall  promptnesse  which  many  haue  therevnto,  is  much 
helped  by  Arte,  and  exercise  of  the  memory  :  for  as  I  remem- 
ber, I  reade  once  among  Gaskoynes  workes,  a  little  instructi- 
on to  versifying,  where  is  prescribed  as  I  thinke  thys  course  of 
learning  to  versifye  in  Ryme. 

When  ye  haue  one  verse  well  setled,  and  decently  ordered 
which  you  may  dispose  at  your  pleasure,  to  ende  it  with  what 
word  you  wyll :  then  what  soeuer  the  word  is,  you  may  speedi- 
lie  runne  ouer  the  other  wordes  which  arc  aunswerable  there- 
vnto, (for  more  readines  through  all  the  letters  Alphabetical- 
ly) whereof  you  may  choose  that  which  wyll  best  fitte  the  sence 

of 


English  Poetrie.  63 

of  your  matter  in  that  place  :  as  for  example  :  if  your  last  worde 
ende  in  Booke,  you  may  straightwayes  in  your  minde  runne 
them  ouer  thus.  Brooke,  Cooke,  crooke,  hooke,  looke,  nooke, 
pooke,  rooke,  forsooke,  tooke,  awooke.  &c.  Nowe  it  is  twenty  to 
one,  but  alwayes  one  of  these  shall  iumpe  with  your  former 
worde  and  matter  in  good  sence.  If  not,  then  alter  the  first. 

And  indeede  I  thinke,  that  nexte  to  the  Arte  of  memory,  thys 
is  the  readyest  way  to  attaine  to  the  faculty  of  ryming  well  Ex- 
tempore, especially  if  it  be  helped  with  thus  much  paynes.  Ga- 
ther together  all  manner  of  wordes  especially  Monasillables, 
and  place  them  Alphabetically  in  some  note,  and  either  haue 
them  meetely  perfectly  by  hart  (which  is  no  verye  laboursome 
matter)  or  but  looke  them  dilligently  ouer  at  some  time,  practi- 
sing to  ryme  indifferent  often,  whereby  I  am  perswaded  it  wil 
soone  be  learned,  so  as  the  party  haue  withall  any  reasonable 
gyft  of  knowledge  and  learning,  whereby  hee  want  not  bothe 
matter  and  wordes  altogether. 

What  the  other  circumstaunces  of  Ryming  are,  as  what 
wordes  may  tollerably  be  placed  in  Ryme,  and  what  not : 
what  words  doo  best  become  a  Ryme,  and  what  not,  how  ma- 
ny sortes  of  Ryme  there  is :  and  such  like  I  wyll  not  stay  nowe 
to  intreate.  There  be  many  more  obseruations  and  notes  to 
be  prescribed,  to  the  exacte  knowledge  of  versifying,  which  I 
trust  wilbe  better  and  larger  laide  forth  by  others,  to  whom  I 
deferre  manie  considerations  in  this  treatise  :  hoping  that  some 
of  greater  skill  will  shortlie  handle  this  matter  in  better  sorte. 

Nowe  the  sundrie  kindes  of  rare  deuises,  and  pretty  inuenti- 
ons  which  come  from  ye  fine  poeticall  vaine  of  manie  in  strange 
and  vnacustomed  manner,  if  I  could  report  them,  it  were  wor- 
thie  my  trauell :  such  are  the  turning  of  verses :  the  infolding 
of  wordes :  the  fine  repititions  :  the  clarklie  conueying  of  con- 
traries, and  manie  such  like.  Whereof  though  I  coulde  sette 
downe  manie :  yet  because  I  want  bothe  manie  and  the  best 
kindes  of  them,  I  will  ouerpasse :  onelie  pointing  you  to  one 
or  two  which  may  suffice  for  example. 

Looke  vppon  the  rufull  song  of  Colin  sung  by  Cuddie  in  the 
Sheepheardes  Calender,  where  you  shall  see  a  singuler  rare 

G  ii  deuise 


64  A  Discourse  of 

deuise  of  a  dittie  framed  vpon  these  sixe  wordes  Woe,  sounde, 
cryes,  pact,  sleep,  augment,  which  are  most  prettilie  turned 
and  wounde  vppe  mutually  together,  expressing  wonderfully 
the  dolefulnesse  of  the  song.  A  deuise  not  much  vnlike  vnto  the 
same,  is  vsed  by  some,  who  taking  the  last  wordes  of  a  certaine 
number  of  verses,  as  it  were  by  the  rebound  of  an  Echo,  shall 
make  them  fall  out  in  some  prettie  sence. 

Of  this  sorte  there  are  some  deuised  by  lohn  Graunge,  which 
because  they  be  not  long  I  wyll  rehearse  one. 

If  feare  oppresse  howe  then  may  hope  me  shielde  ? 
£)enyall  sayes,  vayne  hope  hath  pleased  well, 
But  as  such  hope  thou  wouldest  not  be  thine, 
So  would  I  not  the  like  to  rule  my  hart. 
For  if  thou  louest  it  bidds  thee  graunt  forthwith 
AV  hich  is  the  ioy  whereof  I  Hue  in  hope. 

Hoere  if  you  take  the  last  worde  of  euerie  verse,  and  place 
them  orderlie  together,  you  shall  haue  this  sentence :  Shielde 
well  thyne  hart  with  hope.  But  of  these  Echoes  I  knowe  in 
deede  verie  daintie  peeces  of  worke,  among  some  of  the  finest 
Poets  this  day  in  London  :  who  for  the  rarcnesse  of  them  keepe 
them  priuelie  to  themselues,  and  wil  not  let  them  come  abroad. 

A  like  inuention  to  the  last  rehearsed,  or  rather  a  better  haue 
I  scene  often  practised  in  framing  a  whole  dittie  to  the  Letters 
of  ones  name,  or  to  the  wordes  of  some  two  or  three  verses 
which  is  very  witty,  as  for  example  this  is  one  of  W.  Hunnis, 
which  for  die  shortnes  I  rather  chusde  then  some  yl  are  better. 

If  thou  desire  to  line  in  quiet  rest, 
Gyue  eare  and  see,  but  say  the  l>> 

These  two  verses  are  nowe  as  it  were  resolued  into  dyuers 
other,  euery  two  wordes  or  sillables  being  the  beginning  of  an 
other  like  verse,  in  this  sort. 


If  thou 


English  Poetry,  65 

Ifthou  C  delight  in  quietnes  of  life, 

Desire  J    to  shunne  from  brawles,  debate  and  strife : 

To  Hue  j    in  loue  with  GOD,  with  freend  and  foe, 

In  rest  (.  shalt  sleepe  when  other  cannot  so. 

to  all,  yet  doo  not  all  beleeue, 
the  end  and  then  thy  sentence  gyue : 
For  trueth  of  happy  lines  assignde 
hath  he  that  quiet  is  in  minde. 

Thus  are  there  infinite  sortes  of  fine  conueiances  (as  they 
may  be  termed)  to  be  vsed,  and  are  much  frequented  by  versify- 
ers,  as  well  in  composition  of  their  verse,  as  the  wittines  of 
their  matter :  which  all  I  will  referre  to  the  consideration  of  e- 
uerie  pleasant  headded  Poet  in  their  proper  gifts :  onelie  I  sett 
downe  these  fewe  sortes  of  their  formes  of  versifying,  which 
may  stand  in  steede  to  declare  what  manie  others  may  be  deui- 
sed  in  like  sorte. 

But  nowe  to  proceede  to  the  reformed  kind  of  English  verse 
which  nianie  haue  before  this,  attempted  to  put  in  practise,  and 
to  establish  for  an  accustomed  right  among  English  Poets,  you 
shall  heare  in  like  manner  my  simple  iudgment  concerning  the 
same. 

I  am  fully  and  certainlie  perswaded,  that  if  the  true  kind 
of  versifying  in  immitation  of  Greekes  and  Latines,  had  beene 
practised  in  the  English  tongue,  and  put  in  vre  from  time  to 

tyme  bv  our  Poets,  who  might  haue  continually  beene  men- 

j • — .....  ...j — — — ~°"  « 

ding  and  pollyshing  the  same,  euery  one  according  to  their  se- 
uerall  gifts  :  it  would  long  ere  this  haue  aspyred  to  as  full  per- 
fection, as  in  anie  other  tongue  whatsoeuer.  For  why  may  I 
not  thinke  so  of  our  English,  seeing  that  among  the  Romaines 
a  long  time,  yea  euen  till  the  dayes  of  Tully,  they  esteemed  not 
the  Latine  Poetrie  almost  worth  any  thing,  in  respecte  of  the 
Greeke,  as  appeareth  in  the  Oration  pro  Archia  Poeta :  yet 
afterwardes  it  increased  in  credite  more  and  more,  and  that  in 
short  space :  so  that  in  Virgilles  time,  wherein  were  they  not 

coin- 
G  Hi 


66  A  Discourse  of 

comparable  with  the  Greckes?  So  likewise,  now  it  sermrth  not 
currant  for  an  English  verse  to  runne  vpon  true  quantity,  and 
those  feete  which  the  Latincs  vse,  because  it  is  straunge,  and  the 
other  barbarous  ciMomr,  beeing  within  compasse  of  euery  base 
witt,  hath  worne  it  out  of  credite  or  estimation.  But  if  our  wry 
ters,  beeing  of  learning  and  Judgment,  would  rather  infringe 
thys  curious  custome,  then  omitte  the  occasion  of  inlarging  the 
credite  of  their  natiue  speeche,  and  theyr  owne  prayses>  by  prac- 
tising that  commendable  kind  of  wryting  in  true  verse :  then 
no  doubt,  as  in  other  partes  of  learning,  so  in  Poetry,  shoulde 
not  stoupe  to  the  best  of  them  all  in  all  marier  of  ornament  and 
comlinesse.  But  some  obiect  that  our  wordes  are  nothing  re- 
semblaunt  in  nature  to  theirs,  and  therefore  not  possible  to  bee 
framed  with  any  good  grace  after  their  vse :  but  cannot  we  the 
as  well  as  the  Latines  did,  alter  the  cannon  of  the  rule  accor- 
ding to  the  quallity  of  our  worde,  and  where  our  wordes  and 
theyrs  wyll  agree,  there  to  iumpe  with  them,  where  they  will 
not  agree,  there  to  establish  a  rule  of  our  owne  to  be  directed  by? 
Likewise,  for  ye  tenor  of  the  verse  might  we  not  (as  Horace  dyd 
in  the  Latine)  alter  their  proportions  to  what  sortes  we  listed, 
and  to  what  we  sawe  wold  best  become  the  nature  of  the  thing 
handled,  or  the  quallity  of  the  words  ?  Surely  it  is  to  be  thought 
that  if  any  one,  of  sound  iudgment  and  learning,  shoulde  putt 
foorth  some  famous  worke,  contayning  dyuers  formes  of  true 
verses,  fitting  the  measures,  according  to  the  matter :  it  would 
of  it  selfe  be  a  sufficient  authority  without  any  prescription  of 
rules,  to  the  most  part  of  Poets,  for  them  to  follow  and  by  cu- 
stome to  ratify.  For  sure  it  is,  that  the  rules  and  principles  of 
Poetry,  were  not  precisly  followed  and  obserued  of  the  first  be- 
ginners and  wryters  of  Poetry,  but  were  selected  and  gathered 
seuerally  out  of  theyr  workes,  for  the  direction  and  behoofe  of 
their  followers.  And  indeede,  he  that  shall  with  heedefull  iudg- 
ment make  tryall  of  the  English  wordes,  shall  not  finde  them 
so  grosse  or  vnapt,  but  that  they  wyll  become  any  one  of  y6  most 
accustomed  sortes  of  Latine  or  Greeke  verses  meetely,  and  run 
thereon  somewhat  currantly 

I  my  sclfe,  with  simple  skyll  I  confesse,  and  farre  vnable 

iudgment, 


English  Poetry.  67 

Judgment,  haue  ventured  on  a  fewe,  which  notwithstanding 
the  rudenes  of  them  may  serue  to  shewe  what  better  might  bee 
brought  into  our  speeche,  if  those  which  are  of  meete  abilitye 
woulde  bestowe  some  trauell  and  endeuour  thereuppon.  But 
before  I  sette  them  downe,  I  wyll  speake  somewhat  of  such 
obseruations  as  I  could  gather  necessary  to  the  knowledge  of 
these  kinde  of  verses,  least  I  should  seeme  to  runne  vpon  them 
rashly,  without  regarde  either  of  example  or  authority. 

The  speciall  poyntes  of  a  true  verse,  are  the  due  obseruati- 
ons of  the  feete,  and  place  of  the  feete. 

The  foote  of  a  verse,  is  a  measure  of  two  sillables,  or  of  three, 
distinguished  by  time  which  is  eyther  long  or  short.  A  foote  of 
two  sillables,  is  eyther  simple  or  mixt,  that  is,  of  like  time  or 
of  diuers.  A  simple  foote  of  two  sillables  is  likewise  twofolde, 
eyther  of  two  long  sillables  called  Spondseus,  as  -  -  goodnesse, 
or  of  two  short  called  Pyrrichius  as  u  u  hyther  A  myxt  foote  of  ,  } 
£.  sillables,  is  eyther  of  one  short  and  one  long  called  Iambus  as 
u  -  dying :  or  of  one  long  and  one  short,  called  Choreus  as  -  u 
gladly.  A  foote  of  3.  sillables  in  like  sorte  is  either  simple  or 
rnyxt.  The  simple  is  eyther  Molossus,  that  is  of  three  long,  as 

forgiuenes :  or  Trochaeus,  that  is  of  3.  short,  as  u  u  u  mery- 

lie.  The  mixt  is  of  6.  diuers  sortes,  1.  Dactylus,  of  one  long, 
and  two  short,  as  -  u  u  happily.  2.  Anapestus,  of  two  shorte, 
and  one  long,  as  u  u  -  tauelers.  3.  Bacchius,  of  one  short,  and 
two  long,  as  u  -  -  remembrers.  4.  Palimbachius,  of  two  long, 
and  one  short,  as  -  -  u  accorded,  5.  Creticus  of  a  long,  a  short, 
and  a  long,  as  -  u  -  daungerous.  6.  Amphibrachus,  of  a  short,  a 
long,  and  a  short,  as  u  -  u  reioyced. 

Many  more  deuisions  of  feete  are  vsed  by  some,  but  these  doo 
more  artificially  comprehende  all  quantities  necessary  to  the 
skannning  of  any  verse,  according  to  Tallaeus  in  hys  Retho- 
rique.  The  place  of  the  feete  is  the  disposing  of  them  in  theyr 
propper  roomes,  whereby  may  be  discerned  the  difference  of 
eche  verse  which  is  the  right  numbring  of  the  same.  Nowe  as 
for  the  quantity  of  our  wordes,  therein  lyeth  great  difficultye, 
and  the  cheefest  matter  in  this  faculty.  For  in  truth  there  being 
such  diuersity  betwixt  our  words  &  the  Latine,  it  cannot  stande 

G  iiii  ind£ede 


6'8  A  Discourse  of 

indeede  with  great  reason  that  they  shoulde  frame,  wee  beeing 
onelie  directed  by  such  rules  as  serue  for  onely  Latine  wdrtb, 
yet  notwithstanding  one  may  well  perceiue  by  these  fewe,  that 
these  kinde  of  verses  would  well  become  the  speeche,  if  so  bee 
there  were  such  Rules  prescribed,  as  woulde  admitt  the  pla- 
cing of  our  aptest  and  fulles^wordes  together.  For  indeede  ex- 
cepting a  fewe,  if  our  Monasyllables,  which  naturally  shoulde 
most  of  them  be  long,  we  haue  almost  none,  that  wyll  stande 
titlie  in  a  short  foote :  and  therfore  if  some  exception  were  made 
against  the  precise  obseruation  of  Position,  and  certaine  other 
of  the  rules,  then  might  we  haue  as  great  plenty  and  choyse  of 
good  woordes  to  furnish  &  sette  foorth  a  verse,  as  in  any  other 
tongue. 

Likewise  if  there  were  some  derection  in  such  wordes,  as 
fall  not  within  the  compasse  of  Gr6eke  or  Latine  rules,  it  were 
a  great  helpe,  and  thereof  1  had  great  misse  in  these  few  which 
I  made.  Such  as  is  the  last  sillable  in  these  wordes,  able,  no- 
ble, or  possible  and  such  like :  againe  for  the  nature  and  force 
of  our  W.  of  our  th,  of  our  oo,  and  ee,  of  our  wordes  which  ad- 
mytte  an  e  in  the  ende  after  one  or  two  Consonantes,  and  ma- 
ny other.  I  for  my  part,  though  (I  must  needes  confesse)  many 
faultes  escaped  me  in  these  fewe,  yet  tooke  I  as  good  heede  as  I 
coulde,  and  in  trueth  did  rather  alwaies  omitt  the  best  wordes 
and  such  as  would  naturally  become  the  speech  best,  the  I  wolde 
committe  any  thing,  which  shoulde  notoriously  impugne  the 
Latine  rules,  which  herein  I  had  onely  for  my  direction.  In- 
deede most  of  our  Monasyllables  I  am  forced  to  make  short,  to 
supply  the  want  of  many  short  wordes  requisite  in  these  verses. 
The  Participle  A,  being  but  the  English  article  adioyned  to 
Nownes,  I  alwayes  make  short,  both  alone  &  in  coposition,  and 
likewise  the  wordes  of  one  sillable  ending  in  E.  as  the,  when  it 
is  an  article,  he,  she,  ye,  &c.  we  I  thinke  should  needes  be  al- 
wayes long  because  we  pronounce  continually  We.  J,  beeing 
alone  standing  for  the  Pronowne  Ego,  in  my  iudgment  might 
well  be  vsed  common :  but  because  I  neuer  sawe  it  vsed  but 
short  I  so  obserued  it.  Words  ending  in  y  I  make  short  with- 
out doubt,  sauing  that  I  haue  marked  in  others  one  difference 

which 


English  Poetrie.  69 

which  they  vse  in  the  same,  that  is  to  make  it  short  in  the  ende 
u  of  an  Aduerb,  as  gladly,  and  long  in  the  ende  u  of  an  Adiectiue 
as  goodly :  but  the  reason  is  as  I  take  it,  because  the  Adiectiue 
is  or  should  be  most  commonly  written  thus  goodlie.  O,  bee- 
ing  an  Aduerbe  is  naturally  long:  in  the  ende  of  wordes  both 
Monasyllables  and  other  I  thinke  it  may  be  vsed  common.  The 
first  of  Pollisyllables  I  directed  according  to  the  nature  of  the 
worde,  as  I  thought  most  aunswerable  to  Latine  examples,  sa- 
uing  that  somewhere  I  am  constrayned  to  straine  curtesy  with 
the  preposition  of  a  worde  compounded  or  such  like,  which  brea 
keth  no  great  square  :  as  in  defence  or  depart,  &c.  The  myddle 
sillables  which  are  not  very  many,  come  for  the  most  part  vn- 
der  the  precinct  of  Position,  whereof  some  of  them  will  not  pos- 
sibly abide  the  touch,  and  therfore  must  needes  be  a  little  wre- 
sted :  such  are  commonly  ye  Aduerbs  of  three  sillables,  as  mourn 
fully,  spyghtfully  and  such  like  words,  deriued  of  this  Adiec- 
tiue, full :  and  therfore  if  there  be  great  occasion  to  vse  them, 
they  must  be  reformed  by  detracting  onely  (1)  &  then  they  stand 
meetely  currant,  as  mournfuly.  The  last  sillables  I  wholly  di- 
rected so  neere  as  I  could  to  the  touch  of  common  rules. 

The  most  famous  verse  of  all  the  rest,  is  called  Hexametrum 
Epicum,  which  consisteth  of  sixe  feete,  wherof  the  first  foure  are 
indifferently  either  Spondeei  or  JDactyli,  the  fift  is  euermore  a 
dactyl,  and  the  sixt  a  Spondae,  as  thus. 


Tyterus   happily   thou  liest   tumbling   vnder  a  beetchtree 

Thys  kinde  of  verse  I  haue  onely  scene  to  be  practised  in  our 
English  speeche :  and  indeede  wyll  stand  somewhat  more  order 
lye  therein  then  any  of  the  other  kindes,  vntill  we  haue  some 
tolleration  of  wordes  made  by  speciall  rule.  The  first  that  at- 
tempted to  practise  thys  verse  in  English,  should  seeme  to  be  the 
Earle  of  Surry,  who  translated  some  part  of  Virgill  into  verse 
indeede,  but  without  regard  of  true  quantity  of  sillables.  There 
is  one  famous  Distichon,  which  is  common  in  the  mouthes  of 
all  men,  that  was  made  by  one  Master  Watson,  fellowe  of  S. 

ni  Johns 


70  A  Discourse  of 

Johns  Collcdge  in  Cambrydge  about  40.  yeeres  past,  which  for 
the  swcetnes  and  gallantnes  therof  in  all  respects  doth  math  & 
surpasse  the  Latine  coppy  of  Horace,  which  he  made  out  of  Ho- 
mers wordes,  qui  mores  hominum.  fyc. 


All  trauellers  doo  gladlie  report  great  praise  of  Vlisses 
u       u       -  u   u        -          -    -         -         -  u  u 

For  that  he  knevve  manie  mens  matters,  and  saw  many  citties. 


u   u     -     - 


Which  two  verses  if  they  be  examined  throughout  all  the 
rules  and  obseruations  of  the  best  versifying,  shall  bee  founde  to 
attaine  the  very  perfection  of  them  all.  There  bee  two  other 
not  much  inferiour  to  these,  which  I  found  in  ye  Glosse  of  E.  K. 
vppon  the  fift  JEglogue  of  the  newe  Poet  :  which  Tully  trans- 
lated out  of  Greeke  into  Latine,  H<ec  habui  qua,  edi  fyc 

All  thai  I  eate  did  I  toy  and  all  that  I  greedilie  gorged. 


As  for  those  manie  goodlie  matters  left  J for  others. 

Which  though  they  wyll  not  abide  the  touch  of  Synalsepha 
in  one  or  two  places,  yet  perhappes  some  English  rule  which 
might  wyth  good  reason  be  established,  would  make  them  cur- 
rant enough,  and  auoyde  that  inconuenience  which  is  very  ob- 
iiious  in  our  worses.  The  great  company  of  famous  verses  of 
thvs  sort,  which  Master  Haruey  made,  is  not  vnknowne  to  any 
and  are  to  be  viewed  at  all  times.  I  for  my  part,  so  farre  as 
those  examples  would  leade  me,  and  mine  owne  small  skyll  af- 
foorde  me,  haue  blundered  vppon  these  fewe,  whereinto  I  haue 
translated  the  two  first  .ZEglogues  of  Virgill :  because  I  thought 
no  matter  of  mine  owne  inuention,  nor  any  other  of  antiquitye 
more  fitte  for  tryal  of  thys  thing,  before  there  were  some  more 
speciall  direction,  which  might  leade  to  a  lesse  troublesome  man- 
ner of  wryting. 

The 


English  Poetrie.  71 


The  Argument  of  the  first 
J&glogue. 

Vnder  the  personne  of  Tityrus  Vyrgill  beeing  figured  himselfe,  decla- 
reth  to  Melibeus  an  nother  Neateheard,  the  great  benefittes  that  he  re- 
ceyued  at  Augustus  hand,  who  in  the  spoyle  of  Mantua  gaue  him  hys 
goods  and  substaunce  againe. 

Melibceus.  Tityrus. 

rityrus,  happilie  thou  lyste  tumbling  vnder  a  beech  tree, 
All  in  a  fine  oate  pipe  these  sweete  songs  lustilie  chaunting : 
We,  poore  soules  goe  to  wracke,  and  from  these  coastes  be  remooued, 
And  fro  our  pastures  sweete :  thou  Tityr,  at  ease  in  a  shade  plott 
Makst  thicke  groues  to  resound  with  songes  of  braue  Amarillis. 

Tityrus. 

O  Melibaeus,  he  was  no  man  but  a  God  who  releeude  me : 
Euer  he  shalbe  my  God :  from  this  same  Sheepcot  his  alters 
Neuer,  a  tender  Lambe  shall  want,  with  blood  to  bedew  them. 
This  good  gift  did  he  giue,  to  my  steeres  thusfreelie  to  wander, 
And  to  my  selfe  (thou  seest)  on  pipe  to  resound  what  I  listed. 

Melibaeus. 

Grutch  thee  sure  I  doo  not,  but  this  thing  makes  me  to  wonder, 
Whence  comes  all  this  adoo :  with  grieeuous  paine  not  a  little 

H  ij  Can 


72  A  Discourse  of 

Can  I  remooue  my  Goates :  here,  Tityre  skant  get  I  forward 
Poore  olde  crone,  two  tvvyns  at  a  clappe  ith  boisterous  hasilles 
Left  she  behind,  best  hope  i 'my  flock  laid  hard  on  a  bare  stone. 
Had  not  a  lucklesse  lotte  possest  our  mindes,  I  remember 
Warnings  oft  fro  the  blast  burnt  oake  we  saw  to  be  sent  vs. 
Oft  did  a  left  hand  crow  foretell  these  thinges  in  her  hull  tree, 
But  this  God  left  vs  heare  what  he  was,  good  Tityre  tell  me. 

Tityrus. 

That  same  Cittie  so  braue  which  Rome  was  wont  to  be  called, 
Foole  did  I  thinke,  to  be  like  this  of  ours,  where  we  to  the  pastures 
Wonted  were  to  remooue  from  dammes  our  young  prettie  Cat  tell. 
Thus  did  J  thinke  young  whelpes,  &;  Kids  to  be  like  to  the  mothers, 
Thus  did  I  wont  compare  manie  great  thinges  with  many  little. 
But  this  about  all  townes  as  loftily  mounteth  her  high  head, 
As  by  the  lowe  base  shrubbes  tall  Cypresse  shooteth  aboue  them. 

Melibaeus. 
And  what  did  thee  mooue  that  needes  thou  must  goe  to  see  Rome  ? 

Tityrus. 

Freedome :  which  though  late,  yet  once  lookt  backe  to  my  pore  state, 
After  time  when  hair es  from  my  beard  did  ginne  to  be  whitish : 
Yet  lookt  back  at  last  and  found  me  out  after  a  long  time. 
When  Amarill  was  once  obtainde,  Galatea  departed: 
For  (for  I  will  confesse)  whilst  as  Galatea  did  hold  mee, 
Hope  did  I  not  for  freedome,  and  care  had  I  none  to  my  cattell. 
Though  manie  faire  young  beastes  our  f olde  for  the  aulters  aforded 
And  manie  cheeses  good  fro  my  presse  were  sent  to  the  Cittie : 
Seldome  times  did  I  bring  ante  store  of  pence  fro  the  markett. 

Melibaeus. 

O  Amarill,  wherefore,  to  thy  Gods  (very  much  did  I  meruaile) 
Heauilie  thou  didst  praie :  ripefruites  vngathered  all  still: 
Tityrus  is  not  at  home :  these  Pyne  trees  Tityre  mist  thee, 
Fountaines  longdfor  thee :  these  hedgrowes  wisht  thy  return  home 

Tityrus. 

What  was  then  to  be  doone  ?  from  bondage  could  not  J  wind  out : 
Neither  I  could  haue  found  such  gentle  Gods  any  where  els. 
There  did  I  see  (Melib&e)  that  youth  whose  hestes  I  by  course  still 


Fortnights 


English  Poetry.  73 

Fortnights  whole  to  obserue  on  the  Alters  sure  will  I  notfaile. 
Thus  did  he  gentlie  graunt  to  my  sute  when  first  I  demaunded. 
Keepe  your  heardespoore  slaues  as  erst,  let  bulles  to  the  makes  still. 

Melibaeus. 

Happy  olde  man,  then  thou  shalt  haue  thyfarme  to  remaine  still, 
Large  and  large  to  thy  selfe,  others  nought  but  stonie  grauell  : 
Andfoule  slymie  rush  wherewith  their  lees  be  besprinkled. 
Heere  no  vnwoontedfoode  shall  grieue  young  theaues  who  be  laded, 
Nor  the  infections  foule  of  neighbours  flocke  shall  annoie  them. 
Happie  olde  man.     In  shaddowy  bank.es  and  coole  prettie  places, 
Heere  by  the  quaint edjloodes  and  springs  most  holie  remaining. 
Here,  these  quicksets  fresh  which  lands  seuer  out  fro  thy  neighbors 
And  greene  willow  rowes  which  Hibla  bees  doo  reioice  in, 
Oft  fine  whistring  noise,  shall  bring  sweete  sleepe  to  thy  sences. 
Vnder  a  Rock  side  here  will  proyner  chaunt  merrie  ditties. 
Neither  on  highe  Elme  trees,  thy  beloude  Doues  loftilie  sitting, 
Nor  prettie  Turtles  trim,  will  cease  to  crooke  with  a  good  cheere, 

Tityrus. 

First,  therefore  swift  buckes  shall \flie  for  foode  to  the  skies  ward, 
And  from  fish  with  drawn  broade  seas  theselues  shal  auoid  hence : 
First,  (both  borders  broke)  Araris  shal  run  to  the  Parthanes, 
And  likewise  Tygris  shall  againe  runne  backe  to  the  Germanes : 
Ere  his  countnaunce  sweete  shall  slippe  once  out  from  my  hart  roote. 

Melibaeus. 

We  poore  soules,  must  some  to  the  land  eald  Affrica  packe  hence. 
Some  to  thefarre  Scythia,  and  some  must  to  the  swift  flood  Oaxis. 
Some  to  the  Britannia  coast es  quite  parted  farre  fro  the  whole  world. 
Oh  these  pastures  pure  shall  Inere  more  chance  to  behold  yee? 
And  our  cottage  poore  with  warme  turues  couerd  about  trim. 
Oh  these  trim  tilde  landes,  shall  a  rechlesse  souldier  haue  them  ? 
And  shall  a  Barbarian  haue  this  croppe  ?  see  what  a  mischiefe 
Discord  vile  hath  araisde?  for  whom  was  our  labour  all  tooke? 

Nowe  • 
Hiij 


A  Discourse  of 


Now  Melibae  ingraft  pearie  stocks,  sette  vines  in  an  order. 
Now  goe  (my  brauejlocke  once  that  were)  O  now  goe  my  kidlings. 
Neuer  againe  shall  1  now  in  a  greene  bowre  sweetelie  reposed 
See  ye  in  queachie  briers  farre  a  loofe  clambring  on  a  high  hill. 
Now  shall  I  sing  no  lygges,  nor  whilst  I  doofall  to  my  iunkets. 
Shall  ye  my  Goates,  cropping  sweetejiowres  §  leaues  sit  about  me. 

Tityrus. 

Yet  thou  maist  tarrie  heere,  and  keepe  me  companie  this  night, 
All  on  a  leauie  couch :  good  Aples  ripe  I  doo  not  lacke, 
Chestnutts  sweete  good  store,  and  plentie  of  curddes  will  I  set  thee. 
Marke  ithe  Towne  how  chimnie  tops  doo  beginne  to  be  smoaking, 
And  fro  the  Mount  aines  high  how  shaddowes  grow  to  be  larger. 


The 


English  Poetry. 


The    second e    JEglogue    called 
Alexis. 


The  Argument. 

Virgill  in  the  personne  of  Corydon  as  some  thinke,  complayneth  that  he 
is  not  so  gratious  with  Augustus  as  he  would  bee  :  or  els  it  is  to  be  re- 
ferred to  a  youth  Alexander,  which  was  giuen  him  of  Asinius  Pollio, 
whom  he  blameth  for  the  vnstedfastnes  of  his  witt  and  wandring  appe- 
tite, in  refusing  the  freendly  counsayle  which  he  vsed  to  giue  him. 

THat  Sheepheard  Corydon  did  burne  in  loue  with  Alexis, 
All  his  masters  deare :  and  nought  had  he  whereby  to  hope  for. 
Onely  in  beechen  groues,  and  dolesome  shaddowy  places. 
Dailie  resorted  he :  there  these  rude  disordered  outcry es, 
Hylles  and  desert  woodes  throughout  thus  mournfully  tuned. 
O  hard  harted  Alex,  hast  thou  no  regard  to  my  sweete  song  ? 
Py ttiest  me  not  a  whitt :  yea  makst  me  nowe  that  I  shall  dye. 
Yet  doo  the  beastes  find  out  fine  shades  and  trim  pretty  coole  plottes, 
And  fro  the  sun  beames  safe  lie  lyzardes  vnder  a  bushtufte : 
And  for  workmen  toughe  with  boyling  heate  so  beparched, 
Garlick  savery  sweete  and  coole  hearbes  plenty  be  dressed 
But,  by  the  scorcht  banke  sydes  i'thy  foote  steppes  stil  I  goe  plodding. 

H  iiii  Hedg- 


76  A  Discourse  of 

Hedgerowes  hott  doo  resound  with  Grashops  mournfully  squeaking. 

O  had  I  not  ben  better  abyd  Amarillis  her  anger? 

And  her  proude  disdaine  ?  yea  better  abyde  my  Menalcas : 

What  though  brown  did  he  seeme?  yea  what  though  thou  be  so  gallant 

O  thou  fine  chery  cheekt  child  trust  not  t'much  to  thy  beauty. 

Black  violetts  are  tooke  when  dayses  white  be  refused. 

Me  thou  dost  despise  vnknowne  to  thy  selfe  yet  Alexis : 

What  be  my  riches  great  in  neate,  in  milke  what  aboundance. 

In  Sicill  hylles  be  my  Lainbes  of  which  there  wander  a  thousand. 

All  times,  colde  and  hole  yet  fresh  milk  neuer  I  wanted. 

Such  be  my  Musicke  notes,  as  (when  his  flockes  he  recalling) 

Amphion  of  Dirce  did  vse  on  shore  Aracynthus. 

Much  mishapt  I  am  not,  for  late  in  a  bancke  I  behelde  me, 

When  still  seas  were  calme,  to  thy  Daphnis  neede  I  not  giue  place 

No,  though  thou  be  the  iudge,  if  pictures  haue  any  credite. 

O  were  thou  content  to  remaine  with  me  by  the  downes  heere, 

In  these  lodgings  small,  and  helpe  me  proppes  to  put  vnder, 

And  trym  kydling  flocke  with  me  to  driue  to  the  greene  fieldes : 

Pan  in  singing  sweete  with  me  shouldst  brauely  resemble : 

Pan,  was  first  the  inuenter,  pypes  to  adioyne  in  an  order : 

Pan,  poore  flockes  and  Sheepheardes  to  most  duly  regardeth. 

Those  fine  lips  thou  needst  not  feare  to  bruse  with  a  sweete  pype : 

What  did  Amynt  forsake  i'this  exercise  to  be  cunning  ? 

Onepype  with  seauene  sundry  stops  inatcht  sweetly  together. 

J/aue  I  my  selfe,  Damaetas  which  ats  death  he  bequeathd  me, 

And  sayd,  heere,  thou  art  now  the  second  which  euer  hath  ought  it. 

So  sayd  Damaetas  :  but  Amyntas  spightfully  scornde  it. 

Also,  two  pretty  small  wyld  kyddes,  most  goodlie  bespotted 

Haue  I,  that  heere  i'the  dales  doo  runne  skant  safe  I  doo  feare  me. 

Twyce  in  a  day  two  teates  they  suck  :  for  thee  will  I  keepe  them. 

Wondrous  faine  to  haue  had  them  both  was  Thestylis  of  late : 

And  so  she  shall :  for  I  see  thou  scornst  whatso-euer  I  giue  thee. 

Come  hyther  O  thou  sweete  face  boy :  see  see,  to  thy  selfe  heere 

How  fayre  Nymphes  in  baskets  full  doo  bring  manic  Lillies : 

White  violets  sweete  Nais  plucks  and  bloomes  fro  the  Poppies, 

Narcyss,  and  dyll  flowres  most  sweete  that  sauoureth  also. 

Casia, 


English  Poetry.  77 

Casia,  broade  mary  Goldes,  with  pancyes,  and  Hyacinthus. 

And  I  my  selfe  rype  peaches  soft  as  silke  will  I  gather. 

And  such  Chestnutts  as  Amarill  was  wont  to  reioyce  at. 

Ploms  wyll  I  bring  likewise :  that  fruite  shall  be  honored  also. 

And  ye  O  Lawrell  twygges  shal  I  croppe,  and  myrte  thy  selfe  next. 

For  ye  be  wont,  (bound  both  in  a  bunch)  most  sweetely  to  sauour. 

Thou  art  but  a  Clowne  Corydon  :  these  gifts  esteemes  not  Alexis : 

Nor  by  thy  gifts  to  obtaine  art  meete  to  incounter  lolas. 

Wretch,  (ahlas)  whats  this  that  I  wish  ?  south  blasts  to  the  yong  flowers 

Or  cleere  crystall  streames  with  loathsome  swyne  to  be  troubled  ? 

Ah  mad  boy  from  whom  doost  runne  ?  why  Gods  ithe  woods  dwelt : 

And  Paris  erst  of  Troy  :  Pallas  most  gladly  reioyseth, 

In  these  bowres :  and  in  trym  groues  we  all  chiefely  delight  vs. 

Grym  Lyonesse  doth  course  curst  wolues,  so  wolues  doo  the  kydlinges. 

And  these  wantou  Kyddes  likewise  these  fai re  Cytisus  flowers. 

Thee  Corydon  (O  Alex)  some  pleasure  euery  wight  pulles. 

See  these  yoked  steeres  fro  the  plough  nowe  seeme  to  be  lett  loose. 

And  these  shaddowes  large  doo  declare  thys  sun  to  depart  hence 

Styll  I  doo  burne  in  loue.    What  meane  in  loue  to  be  lookt  for  ? 

Ah  Corydon  Corydon,  what  raging  fury  dooth  haunt  thee, 

Halfe  cropt  downe  be  thy  vynes  and  broade  brauncht  elmes  ouerhang  them. 

Rather  about  some  needefull  worke  now  busy  thy  selfe  well, 

Either  on  Osyers  tuffe  or  bulrush  weaue  pretty  basketts. 

And  if  Alexis  scorne  thee  still,  mayst  hope  for  another. 

FINIS. 

I  durst  not  enterpryse  to  goe  any  further  with  this  rude  translati- 
on : ,  beeing  for  the  respects  aforesayd  a  troublesome  and  vnpleasant  peece 
of  labour :  And  therefore  these  shall  suffice  till  further  occasion  shall 
serue  to  imploy  some  profitable  paynes  in  this  behalfe. 

The  next  verse  in  dignity  to  the  Hexameters,  is  ye  Carmen  Elegiacu 
which  consisteth  of  foure  feete  &  two  od  sillables  :  viz:  the  two  first  feete, 
either  Dactyli  or  Sponda3i  indifferent,  the  one  long  sillable :  next  two 

Dactyli  and  an  other  long  sillable uu--uu-uu-  some  doo  measure 

it  in  this  sorte  (and  more  truely  yet  not  so  readily  to  all)  accenting  first 
two  indifferently  either  Dactyli  or  Spondsei,  then  one  Spondaei  &  two 

i  Anapaesti 


78  A  Discourse  of 

Anapaesti.  But  it  commeth  all  to  one  reckoning.  Thys  verse  is 
alwayes  vnseperably  adioyned  vnto  the  Hexameter,  and  ser- 
ueth  especially  to  the  handling  of  loue  and  dalliances,  whereof 
it  taketh  the  name.  It  will  not  frame  altogether  so  currantlye 
in  our  English  as  the  other,  because  the  shortnesse  of  the  se- 
conde  penthimiiner  will  hardly  he  framed  to  fall  together  in 
good  sence,  after  the  Latine  rules.  I  haue  not  scene  very  ma- 
ny of  them  made  by  any :  and  therefore  one  or  two  for  example 
&ake  shall  be  sufficient. 

This  Distichon  out  of  Quid. 

Ingenium  quondam  fuerat  pretiosius  auro, 
At  nunc  barbaria  est  grandis  habere  nihil. 

May  thus  be  translated. 

Learning  once  was  thought  to  be  better  then  any  gold  was, 
Now  he  that  hath  not  wealth  is  but  a  barbarian. 

And  thys. 

Omnia  sunt  hominum  tenui  pendentia  filo : 
Et  subito  casu  qua  valuere  ruunt. 

Tis  but  a  slender  thread,  which  all  mens  states  do  depend  on : 
And  most  goodly  thinges  quickly  doo  fall  to  decay. 

As  for  the  verses  Phalocium  and  lambicum,  I  haue  not 
as  yet  made  any  try  all  in  them  :  but  the  Sapphic  I  assure  you, 
in  my  Judgment  wyl  doo  very  pretty,  if  ye  wants  which  I  speake 
were  once  supplied.  For  tryall  of  which  I  haue  turned  the  new 
Poets  sweete  song  of  Eliza  into  such  homely  Sapphick  as  I 
coulde. 

Thys  verse  consisteth  of  these  flue  feete,  one  Chore,  one 
spondae,  one  dactyl,  and  two  Choreis,  with  this  addition,  that 
after  euery  third  verse  be  sette  one  Adonium  verse,  which  con- 
sisteth of  a  dactyl  and  a  sponda?.  It  is  more  troublesome  and 

tedious 


English  Poetry.  79 

tedious  to  frame  in  our  speeche  by  reason  they  runne  without 
difference,  euery  verse  being  a  like  in  quantity  throughout,  yet 
in  my  iudgement  standeth  meetely  well  in  the  same.  I  pray 
looke  the  Coppy  which  I  haue  translated  in  the  fourth  ^glogue 
of  the  Sheepheardes  Calender :  y*  song  of  Colins  making  which 
Hobbinoll  singeth  in  prayse  of  the  Queenes  maiesty,  vnder  the 
name  of  Eliza. 

Ye  dainty  Nymphes  that  in  this  blessed  brooke, 

doo  bathe  your  brest : 
Forsake  your  watry  bowres  and  hether  looke, 

at  my  request : 

And  onely  you  Virgins  that  on  Parnass  dwell. 
Whence  floweth  Helicon  the  learned  well, 

helpe  me  to  blaze 

her  worthy  praise 
That  in  her  sex  doth  all  excell. 

Of  fayre  Eliza  be  your  siluer  song 

that  blessed  wight : 
The  flowre  of  Virgins  may  she  flourish  long, 

in  princely  plight. 

For  she  is  Syrinx  daughter  without  spott, 
Which  Pan  the  Sheepheards  God  on  her  begot : 

so  sprang  her  grace, 

of  heauenly  race, 
No  mortall  blemish  may  her  blott. 

See  where  she  sittes.     &c, 
The  Saphick  verse. 

-U---UU-U 

-u u  u-  u -  - 

-U U U - U-" 

-u  u-  - 

Oyee 
i  ii 


80  A  Discourse  of 

Oye  Nymphes  most  fine  who  resort  to  this  brooke, 
For  to  bathe  there  your  pretty  breasts  at  all  times 
Leaue  the  watrish  bowres,  hyther  and  to  me  come 

at  my  request  nowe. 

And  ye  Virgins  trymme  who  resort  to  Parnass, 
Whence  the  learned  well  Helicon  beginneth : 
Helpe  to  blase  her  worthy  deserts,  that  all  els 

mounteth  aboue  t'arre. 

Nowe  the  siluer  songes  of  Eliza  sing  yee, 
Princely  wight  whose  peere  not  among  the  virgins 
Can  be  found :  that  long  she  may  remaine  among  vs. 

now  let  vs  all  pray. 

For  Syrynx  daughter  she  is,  of  her  begotten 
Of  the  great  God  pan,  thus  of  heauen  aryseth, 
All  her  exlent  race :  any  mortall  harde  happe 

cannot  aproche  her 

S6e,  she  sittes  most  seemely  in  a  grassy  greene  plott, 
Clothed  in  weedes  m6ete  for  a  princely  mayden, 
Boste  with  Ermines  white,  in  a  goodly  scarlett 

brauely  beseeming. 

Decked  is  that  crowne  that  vpon  her  head  standes 

With  the  red  Rose  and  many  Daffadillies, 

Bayes,  the  Primrose  and  violetts,  be  sette  by :  how 

ioyfull  a  sight  ist. 

Say,  behold  did  ye  euer  her  Angelike  face, 
Like  to  Phaebe  fayre  ?  or  her  heauenly  hauour, 
And  the  princelike  grace  that  in  her  remaineth  ? 

haue  yee  the  like  scene : 

Medled  ist  red  rose  with  a  white  together 

Which  in  either  cheeke  do  depeinct  a  trymme  cheere, 

Her 


English  Poetrie.  81 

Her  maiestie  and  eye  to  behold  so  comely,  her 

like  who  remembreth  ? 

Phaebus  once  peept  foorth  with  a  goodly  guilt  hewe, 
For  to  gaze :  but  when  he  sawe  the  bright  beames 
Spread  abroade  fro'  her  face  with  a  glorious  grace, 

it  did  amaze  him. 

When  another  sunne  he  behelde  belowe  heere, 
Blusht  he  red  for  shame,  nor  againe  he  durst  looke  : 
Would  he  durst  bright  beames  of  his  owne  with  hers  match, 

for  to  be  vanquisht. 

Shew  thy  selfe  now  Cynthia  with  thy  cleere  rayes, 
And  behold  her,  neuer  abasht  be  thou  so  : 
When  she  spreades  those  beames  of  her  heauenly  beauty,  how 

thou  art  in  a  dump  dasht  ? 

But  I  will  take  heede  that  I  match  not  her  grace, 
With  the  Laton  seede,  Niobe  that  once  did, 
JNowe  she  doth  therefore  in  a  stone  repent :  to  all 

other  a  warning. 

Pan  he  may  well  boaste  that  he  did  begit  her 

Such  a  noble  wight,  to  Syrinx  is  it  ioy, 

That  she  found  such  lott  with  a  bellibone  trym 

for  to  be  loaden. 

When  my  younglinges  first  to  the  dammes  doo  bleat  out, 

Shall  a  milke  white  Lambe  to  my  Lady  be  offred  : 

For  my  Goddesse  shee  is  yea  I  my  selfe  her  Heardgrome 

though  but  a  rude  Clowne. 

Vnto  that  place  Caliope  dooth  high  her, 

Where  my  Goddesse  shines :  to  the  same  the  Muser 


i  iii  After 


82  A  Discourse  of 

After  her  with  sweete  Violines  about  them 

cheerefully  tracing. 

Is  not  it  Bay  braunche  that  aloft  in  handes  they  haue, 

Eune  to  giue  them  sure  to  my  Lady  Eliza : 

O  so  sweete  they  play  and  to  the  samedoo  sing  too 

heauenly  to  heare  ist. 

See,  the  Graces  trym  to  the  stroake  doo  foote  it, 
Deftly  dauncing,  and  meriment  doo  make  them, 
Sing  to  the  instruments  to  reioyce  the  more :  but 

wants  not  a  fourth  grace  ? 

Then  the  daunce  wyll  be  eune,  to  my  Lady  therefore 
Shalbe  geune  that  place,  for  a  grace  she  shall  be 
For  to  fill  that  place  that  among  them  in  heaune,  she 

may  be  receiued. 

Thys  beuy  of  bright  Nymphes,  whether  ist  goe  they  now  ? 
Raunged  all  thus  fine  in  a  rowe  together  ? 
They  be  Ladies  all  i'the  Lake  behight  soe  ? 

they  thether  all  goe. 

One  that  is  there  chiefe  that  among  the  rest  goes, 
Called  is  Chores  of  Olyues  she  beares  a 
Goodly  Crownett,  meete  for  a  Prince  that  in  peace 

euer  abideth. 

All  ye  Sheepheardes  maides  that  about  the  greene  dwell, 
Speede  ye  there  to  her  grace,  but  among  ye  take  heede 
All  be  Virgins  pure  that  aproche  to  deck  her, 

duetie  requireth. 

When  ye  shall  present  ye  before  her  in  place, 
See  ye  not  your  selves  doo  demeane  too  rudely : 


Bynde 


English  Poetrie.  83 

Bynd  the  fillets :  and  to  be  fine  the  waste  gyrt 

fast  with  a  tawdryne 

Bring  the  Pinckes  therewith  many  Gelliflowres  sweete, 
And  the  Cullambynes  :  let  vs  haue  the  Wynesops, 
With  the  Cornation  that  among  the  loue  laddes 

wontes  to  he  worne  much. 

Daffadowndillies  all  a  long  the  ground  strowe, 

And  the  Cowslyppe  with  a  prety  paunce  let  heere  lye. 

Kyngcuppe  and  Lillies  so  beloude  of  all  men. 

and  the  deluce  flowre. 

One  verse  there  remaineth  vntransllated  as  yet,  with  some 
other  of  this  sorte,  which  I  meant  to  haue  finished,  but  by  rea- 
son of  some  let  which  I  had,  I  am  constrained  to  defer  to  some 
other  time,  when  I  hope  to  gratify  the  Readers  with  more  and 
better  verses  of  this  sort :  for  in  trueth  I  am  perswaded  a  little 
paine  taking  might  furnish  our  speeche  with  as  much  pleasaunt 
delight  in  this  kinde  of  verse,  as  any  other  whatsoeuer. 

i  iiii  Heere 


84  A  Discourse  of 


Heere  followe  the  Cannons  or  gene- 
rail  cautions  of  Poetry,  prescribed  by  Horace,  first  ga- 
thered by  Georgius  Fabricius  Cremnicensis :  which  I 
thought  good  to  annex  to  thys  Treatise,  as  very  ne- 
cessary obseruations  to  be  marked  of  all  Poets. 

In  his  Epistle  ad  Pisones 

de  arte  Poetica. 

First  let  the  inuention  be  meete  for  the  matter,  not  differing, 
or  straunge,  or  monstrous.  For  a  womans  head,  a  horse 
necke,  the  bodie  of  a  dyuers  coloured  Byrd,  and  many  mem- 
bers of  sundry  creatures  compact  together,  whose  legges  end- 
ing like  a  Fyshes  tayle :  this  in  a  picture  is  a  wonderful  defor- 
mitie :  but  if  there  be  such  diuersitye  in  the  frame  of  a  speeche. 
what  can  be  more  vncomely  or  ilfauoured  ? 

2.  The  ornaments  or  colours  must  not  bee  too  many,  nor 
rashly  aduentured  on,  neither  must  they  be  vsed  euery  where 
and  thrust  into  euery  place. 

3.  The  proprietie  of  speeche  must  bee  duely  obserued,  that 
wayghty  and  great  matters  be  not  spoken  slenderly,  or  matters 
of  length  too  briefly:  for  it  belongeth  much  both  to  the  comli- 
necse  and  nature  of  a  matter  :  that  in  big  matters  there  be  lyke- 
wise  vsed  boysterous  wordes. 

4.  In  Poeticall  descriptions,  the  speeche  must  not  exceede  all 
credite,  nor  any  thing  fainedlie  brought  in,  against  all  course 
of  nature. 

5.  The  disposing  of  the  worke  must  be  such,  that  there  be  no 
offence  committed,  as  it  were  by  too  exquisite  dilligence :  for 
many  thinges  may  be  oft  committed,  and  some  thing  by  too 

curious 


English  Poetrie.  85 

curious  handling  be  made  offenciue.  Neyther  is  it  in  one  part 
to  be  well  furnished,  and  in  another  to  be  neglected.  Which  is 
prooued  by  example  of  a  Caruer,  who  expressed  very  artificially 
the  heade  and  vpper  part  of  a  body,  but  the  rest  hee  could  not 
make  an  ende  of.  Againe,  it  is  prooued  thus,  that  a  body  should 
not  be  in  other  partes  beautifull,  and  yet  bee  deformed  in  the 
crooked  nose  :  for  all  the  members  in  a  well  shapen  bodie  must 
be  aunswerable,  sound,  and  well  proportioned. 

6.  He  that  taketh  in  hande  to  write  any  thing  must  first  take 
heede  that  he  be  sufficient  for  the  same  :  for  often  vnwary  fooles 
through  their  rashness  are  ouertooke  with  great  want  of  ability 

7.  The  Ornament  of  a  worke  consisteth  in  wordes,  and  in 
the  manner  of  the  wordes,  are  either  simple  or  mixt,  newe  or 
olde,  propper  or  translated.    In  them  all  good  Judgment  must 
be  vsed  and  ready  wytt.     The  chiefest  grace  is  in  the  most  fre- 
quented wordes,  for  the  same  reason  holdeth  in  wordes,  as  doth 
in  coynes,  that  the  most  vsed  and  tried  are  best  esteemed. 

8.  The  kinde  of  verse  is  to  be  considered  and  aptly  applied 
to  the  argument,  in  what  measure  is  most  meete  for  euery  sort. 
The  most  vsuall  kindes  are  foure,  the  Heroic,  Eelegiac,  lam- 
bick,  and  Lyric. 

9.  One  must  vse  one  kynde  of  speeche  alike  in  all  wrytings. 
Sometime  the  Lyric  ryseth  aloft,  sometime  the  comicall.     To 
the  Tragicall  wryters  belong  properly  the  bygge  and  boyste- 
rous  wordes.     Examples  must  be  interplaced  according  fitly  to 
the  time  and  place. 

10.  Regarde  is  to  be  had  of  affections  :  one  thing  becommeth 
pleasant  persons,  an  other  sadde,  an  other  wrathfull,  an  other 
gentle,  which  must  all  be  heedefully  respected.     Three  thinges 
therefore  are  requisite  in  verses,  beauty,  sweetnes,  and  the  af- 
fection. Theophrastus  sayth  that  this  beauty  or  delectablenesse 
is  a  deceyt,and  Aristotle  callethit  rupavvia,  ofayxpoviov  amomentany 
tyrrany.     Sweetnesse    retayneth   a  Reader,  affection  moueth 
him. 

1 1 .  Euery  person  must  be  fitted  acordingly,  and  the  speeche 
well  ordered :  wherein  are  to  be  considered  the  dignity,  age, 
sex,  fortune,  condition,  place,  Country,  8tc,  of  eche  person. 

Ki  12.  The 


86  A  Discourse  of 

12.  The  personnes  are  eyther  to  be  fayned  by  the  Poets  them 
selues,  or  borrowed  of  others,  if  he  borrow  them,  then  must  hee 
obserue  TO  O[MK>V,  that  is,  that  folow  that  Author  exactly  whom 
he  purposeth  to  iininitate,  and  whereout  he  bringeth  his  exam- 
ples. But  if  he  fayne  newe  personnes,  then  must  he  keepe  his 
TO  'o/xaAox,  that  is  equallie :  so  bringing  them  in  eche  place,  that 
it  be  alwayes  agreeable,  and  the  last  like  vnto  the  first,  and  not 
make  one  person  nowe  a  bolde  boaster,  and  the  same  straight- 
waies  a  wise  warie  man,  for  that  is  passing  absurd.  Againe,  e- 
uery  one  must  obserue  TO  app'orlov,  which  is  interpreted  conuenien- 
tiam  fitnesse  :  as  it  is  meete  and  agreeable  euery  where,  a  man 
to  be  stoute,  a  woman  fearefull,  a  seruant  crafty,  a  young  man 
gentle. 

13  Matters  which  are  common  may  be  handled  by  a  Poet  as 
they  may  be  thought  propper  to  himselfe  alone.     All  matters  of 
themselues  are  open  to  be  intreated  of  by  any  man :  but  if  a 
thing  be  handled  of  some  one  in  such  sort,  as  he  thereby  obtaine 
great  prayse,  he  maketh  it  his  owne  or  propper  to  himselfe, 
as  many  did  write  of  the  Troiane  war,  but  yet  Homer  made 
matter  which  was  common  to  all,  propper  to  himselfe. 

14  Where  many  thinges  are  to  be  taken  out  of  auncienter 
tongues,  as  the  Latines  tooke  much  out  of  the  Greekes,  the 
wordes  are  not  so  preciselie  to  be  followed,  but  that  they  bee 
altered  according  to  the  iudgment  and  will  of  the  Immitator, 
which  precept  is  borrowed  of  Tully,  Non  verbum  verbo  necesse 
est  reddere. 

15.  The  beginning  must  not  be  foolishly  handled,  that  is, 
straungly  or  too  long. 

16.  The  proposition  or  narration  let  it  not  be  far  fetched  or  vn 
likely,  and  in  the  same  forget  not  the  differences  of  ages  and 
persons. 

17.  In  a  Comedie  it  is  needfull  to  exhibite  all  the  acti- 
ons openlic,   as  such  as  are  cruell,   vnhonest,    or  ougly,  but 

such 


English  Poetrie.  87 

such  thinges  may  better  bee  declared  by  some  meete  and  hand- 
some wordes,  after  what  sorte  they  are  supposed  to  bee 
doone. 

18.  If  a  Commedye  haue  more  Actes  then  fiue,  it  ia 
tedious,  if  fewer,  it  is  not  sufficient. 

It  fytteth  not  to  bring  in  the  personnes  of  Gods,  but  in 
verie  great  matters.  Cicero  sayth,  when  the  Tragedy  wry- 
ters  cannot  bring  theyr  matters  to  good  passe,  they  runne  to 
God.  Let  not  more  personnes  speake  together  then  foure 
for  auoyding  confusion. 

The  Chori  must  be  well  garnished  &  sette  foorth :  wher- 
in  eyther  menne  are  admonished,  or  reprehended,  or  counsay- 
led  vnto  vertue.  Such  matter  must  bee  chosen  for  the  Cho- 
rus, as  may  bee  meete  and  agreeable  to  that  which  is  in  hand. 
As  for  instruments  and  singing,  they  are  Reliques  of  olde 
simplicitye.  For  the  Musicke  commonly  vsed  at  Theaters 
and  the  licenciousnesse  of  theyr  songes,  which  together  wyth 
theyr  wealth  increased  among  the  Romaines,  is  hurtfull  to 
discipline  and  good  manners. 

19  In  a  Satyr  the  clownish  company  and  rurall  Gods, 
are  brought  in  to  temperate  the  Heauinesse  of  Tragedies, 
wyth  some  myrth  and  pastyme.  In  iesting  it  must  be  obser- 
ued  that  it  bee  not  lacyuious  or  Rybaldlike,  or  slaunde- 
rous,  which  precept  holdeth  generallie  in  all  sortes  of  wry- 
tynges. 

In  a  Satyr  greate  heede  is  to  be  taken,  of  the  place,  of 
the  day,  and  of  the  personnes  :  as  of  Bacchus,  Silenus,  or  the 
Satyres.  Againe  of  the  vnmeetnesse  or  inconuenience  of  the 
matter,  and  of  the  wordes  that  they  be  fitted  according  to  the 
persons :  of  Decorum,  that  he  which  represented  some  noble 
personage  in  the  Tragedie,  bee  not  some  busy  foole  in  the  Sa- 
tyr :  finallie  of  the  hearers,  least  they  bee  offended  by  myxing 
filthy  matters  with  iestes,  wanton  toyes  wyth  vnhonest,  or 
noysome  with  merry  thinges. 

Kii  20  The 


88  A  Discourse  of 

20.  The  feete  are  to  be  applied  propper  to  euery  kinde  of 
verse,  &  therm  a  Poet  must  not  vse  too  much  licence  or  boldnes. 
The  aucieut  wryters  in  labick  verses  vsed  at  first  pure  labicks : 
Afterwards  Spondaeus  was  admitted  into  Locos  impares,  but  at 
last  such  was  the  licentious  custome,  that  they  woulde  both 
Spondaeus  where  they  listed,  and  other  feete  without  regarde. 

21.  In  compyling  of  verses  great  care  and  circumspection 
must  be  vsed. 

Those  verses  which  be  made  Extempore,  are  of  no  great  e- 
stimation :  those  which  are  vnartificial,  are  vtterly  repelled  as 
too  foolish.  Though  many  doo  lightlie  regard  our  verses,  yet 
ought  the  Carelesnesse  of  the  hearers  to  bee  no  cause  in  vs  of 
errour  and  negligence.  Who  desireth  to  make  any  thing  wor- 
thy to  be  heard  of  learned,  let  hym  reade  Greeke  Authors 
heedefullie  and  continually. 

22.  Artes  haue  their  increasinges  euen  as  other  things,  bee- 
ing  naturall,  so  haue  Tragedies  which  were  first  rudely  inuen 
ted  by  Thespis,  at  last  were  much  adorned  by  ^Eschylus :  at  the 
first  they  were  practised  in  Villages  of  the  Countrey,  after- 
wardes  brought  to  stages  in  great  Citties. 

23.  Some  Artes  doo  increase,  some  doo  decay  by  a  certayne 
naturall  course.     The  olde  manner  of  Commedies  decayde,  by 
reason  of  slaundering  which  therein  they  vsed  against  many, 
for  which  there  was  a  penaltie  appointed,  least  their  bitternes 
should  proceede  too  farre :  In  place  of  which  among  the  Latines 
came  the  Satyres. 

The  auncient  Authors  of  Comedies,  were  Eupolis,  Crati- 
nus,  and  Aristophanes,  of  the  middle  sorte,  Plato  Comicus,  of 
the  last  kinde  Menander,  which  continued  and  was  accounted 
the  most  famous. 

24.  A  Poet  should  not  content  himselfe  onely  with  others 
inuentions,  but  himselfe  also  by  yc  example  of  old  wryters  sholde 
bring  something  of  his  owne  industry,  which  may  bee  laudable. 
So  did  they  which  writte  among  the  Latines  the  Comedies 
called  Togatae,  whose  arguments  were  taken  from  ye  Greekes, 
and  the  other  which  wrytt  the  Pretextatae,  whereof  the  argu- 
ments were  Latine. 

25.  Heede- 


English  Poetry.  89 

25.  Heedefulnesse  and  good  composition  maketh  a  perfecte 
verse,  and  that  which  is  not  so  may  be  reprehended.  The  facul- 
ty of  a  good  witte  exceedeth  Arte. 

26.  A  Poet  that  he  may  be  perfect,  hath  neede  to  haue  know 
ledge  of  that  part  of  Philosophy  which  informeth  y°  life  to  good 
manners.     The  other  which  pertaineth  to  naturall  thinges,  is 
lesse  plausible,  hath  fewer  ornaments,  and  is  not  so  profitable. 

27.  A  Poet  to  the  knowledge  of  Philosophic  shoulde  also 
adde  greater  experience,  that  he  may  know  the  fashions  of  men 
and  dispositions  of  people.     Thys  profitt  is  gott  by  trauelling, 
that  whatsoeuer  he  wryeth  he  may  so  expresse  &  order  it,  that 
hys  narration  may  be  formable. 

28.  The  ende  of  Poetry  is  to  wryte  pleasant  thinges,  and 
profitable.     Pleasant  it  is  which  delighteth  by  be'eing  not  too 
long,  or  vneasy  to  be  kept  in  memory,  and  which  is  somewhat 
likelie,  and  not  altogether  forged.     Profitable  it  is,  which  styr- 
reth  vppe  the  mindes  to  learning  and  wisedome. 

29.  Certaine  escapes  are  to  be  pardoned  in  some  Poets,  spe- 
cially in  great  workes.     A  faulte  may  be  committed  either  in 
respect  of  hys  propper  Arte,  or  in  some  other  Arte :  that  a  Poet 
shoulde  erre  in  precepts  of  hys  owne  arte,  is  a  shamefull  thing, 
to  committe  a  faulte  in  another  Arte  is  to  be  borne  withal :  as 
in  Virgill,  who  fayneth  that  JEneas  comming  into  Affrica  slew 
with    hys    darte    certaine   Stagges,    whereas   indeede  AfFrica 
hath  in  it  none  of  those  beastes.     Such  errours  doo  happen  ey- 
ther  by  vnheedefulnes,  when  one  escapeth  them  by  negligence : 
or  by  the  common  fragility  of  man,  because  none  there  is  which 
can  know  all  thinges.     Therefore  this  last  kinde  of  errour  is 
not  to  be  stucke  vppon. 

30.  A  good  Poet  should  haue  respect  to  thys,  how  to  retaine 
hys  Reader  or  hearer.     In  a  picture  some  thing  delighteth  bee- 
ing  sette  farre  of,  something  neerer,  but  a  Poet  should  delight  in 
all  places  as  well  in  sunne  as  shaddowe. 

31.  In  a  Poet  is  no  meane  to  be  admitted,  which  if  hee  bee 
Hot  he  of  all  is  the  worst  of  all. 

32.  A  Poeme  if  it  runne  not  sweetely  and  smoothly  is  odious : 
which  is  proued  by  a  simile  of  the  two  senses,  hearing  and  ta- 

K  iii  sting, 


90  A  Discourse  of 

sting,  as  in  sweete  and  pleasaunt  meates.  And  the  Poem  must 
bee  of  that  sorte,  that  for  the  sweetenesse  of  it  may  bee  accep- 
table and  continue  like  it  selfe  vnto  the  ende,  least  it  wearye  or 
driue  away  a  Reader. 

35.  Hee  tbat  would  wryte  any  thing  worthy  the  posteritye, 
let  him  not  enterprise  any  thing  wherevnto  his  nature  is  not 
agreeable.  Mercury  is  not  made  of  wood  (as  they  say)  neyther 
doth  Minerua  fauour  all  studies  in  euery  one.  In  all  Artes 
nature  is  the  best  helpe,  and  learned  men  vse  commonly  to  say 
that  A  Poet  is  as  well  borne  as  made  a  Poet. 

34  Let  no  man  esteeme  himselfe  so  learned,  but  that  he  may 
submytte  hys  wrytinges  to  the  iudgments  of  others,  and  cor- 
rect and  throughly  amend  the  same  himselfe. 

35  The  profitte  of  Poetry  sprang  thus,  for  that  the  aunci- 
ent  wyse  men  set  downe  the  best  things  that  pertained  to  mans 
life,  manners,  or  felicity,  and  examining  and  proouing  the  same 
by  long  experience  of  time,  when  they  were  aged  they  publi- 
shed them  in  wrytinges.     The  vse  of  Poetry  what  it  was  at 
the  first,  is  manifest  by  the  examples  of  the  moste  learned  men  : 
as  of  Orpheus  who  first  builded  houses  :  of  Amphion  who  made 
Citties:    of  Tyrlaeus  who  first  made  warre:    of  Homer,  who 
wryt  most  wysely. 

36  In   an   artificiall   Poet   thr£e   thinges   are   requisite,    na 
ture,  Arte,  and  dilligence. 

37  A  wryter  must  learne  of  the  learned,  and  he  must  not 
sticke  to  confesse  when  he  erreth  :  that  the  worse  he  may  learne 
to  auoyde,  and  knowe  howe  to  follow  the  better. 

The  confession  of  an  errour  betoken  a  noble  and  a  gen- 
tie  minde.  Celsus  and  Quintillian  doo  report  of  Hippocrates, 
that  least  he  should  deceiue  his  posterity,  he  confessed  certayne 
errours,  as  it  well  became  an  excellent  minded  man,  and  one  of 
great  credite.  For  (as  sayth  Celsus)  light  witts  because  they 
haue  nothing,  wyll  haue  nothing  taken  from  them. 

38.  In  making  choise  of  such  freendes  as  should  tell  vs  the 
trueth,  and  correct  our  wrytinges,  heedefull  iudgment  must  bee 
vsed :  least  eyther  we  choose  vnskylfull  folke,  or  flatterers,  or 
dissemblers.  The  vnskilfull  know  not  how  to  iudge,  flatterers 

feare 


English  Poetry.  91 

feare  to  offende,  dissemblers  in  not  praysing  doo  seeme  to  com- 
mende. 

39  Let  no  man  deceiue  himselfe,  or  suffer  himselfe  to  be  de- 
ceiued,  but  take  some  graue  learned  man  to  be  iudge  of  his  doo- 
ing,  and  let  him  according  to  hys  counsayle  change  and  put  out 
what  hee  thinketh  good. 

40.  He  which  wyll  not  flatter  and  is  of  ability  to  iudge,  let 
him  endeuour  to  nothing  so  much,   as  to  the  correction  of  that 
which  is  wrytten,  and  that  let  be  doone  with  earnest  and  ex- 
quisite iudgment.   He  which  dooth  not  thus,  but  offendeth  wil- 
fully in  breaking  his  credite  too  rashly,  may  be  counted  for  a 
madde,  furious,  and  franticke  foole. 

41.  The  faultes  commonly  in  verses   are   seauen,  as  either 
they  be  destitute  of  Arte,  of  facility,  or  ornament :  or  els,  they 
be  superfluous,  obscure,  ambicious,  or  needelesse. 


Out  of  the  Epistles  ad  Mecaenatem, 

Augustum,  &  Florum. 

42  An  immitation  should  not  be  too  seruile  or  superstitious, 
as  though  one  durst  not  varry  one  iotte  from  the  example :  ney 
ther  should  it  be  so  sencelesse  or  vnskilfull,  as  to  immitate  thin- 
ges  which  are  absurde,  and  not  to  be  followed. 

43  One  should  not  altogether  treade  in  the  steppes  of  others, 
but  sometime  he  may  enter  into  such  wayes  as  haue  not  b6ene 
haunted  or  vsed  of  others.     Horace  borrowed  ye  lambick  verse 
of  Archilocus,  expressing  fully  his  numbers  and  eleganty,  but 
his  vnseemely  wordes  and  pratling  tauntes  hee  moste  wyshlye 
shunned. 

44  In  our  verses  we  should  not  gape  after  the  phrases  of  the 
simpler  sorte,  but  striue  to  liaue  our  writings  allowable  in  the 

iudg- 

K  iiii 


92  A  Discourse  of 

judgments  of  learned  menne. 

45.  The  common  peoples  iudgmcnts  of  Poets  is   seldome 
true,  and  therefore  not  to  be  sought  after.    The  vulgar  sort  in 
Rome  iudged  Pacuuious  to  be  very  learned,  Accius  to  bee  a 
graue  wryter,  that  Affranius  followed  Menander,  Plautus,  E- 
picharmus  :  that  Terence  excelled  in  Arte  Caecilius  in  grauity : 
but  the  learned  sorte  were  not  of  this  opinion.    There  is  extant 
in  Macrobius  (I  knowe  not  whether  Angellius)  the  like  ver- 
dite  concerning  them  which  wryt  Epigrainmes.     That  Catullus 
and  Caluus  wrytt  fewe  thinges  that  were  good,  Naeuius  ob- 
scure, Hortensius  vncomely,  Cynna  vnpleasant,  and  Memmiua 
rough. 

46.  The  olde  wryters  are  so  farre  to  be  commended,  as  no- 
thing be  taken  from  the  newe :  ney  ther  may  we  thinke  but  that 
the  way  lyeth  open  styll  to  others  to  attaine  to  as  great  mat- 
ters.    Full  well  sayd  Sidonius  to  Eucherius,  I  reuerence  the 
olde  wryters,  yet  not  so  as  though  I  lesse  esteemed  the  vertues 
and  desertes  of  the  wryters  in  this  age. 

47.  Newnes  is  gratefull  if  it  be  learned :  for  certaine  it  is, 
Artes  are  not  bothe  begunne  and  perfected  at  once,  but  are  in- 
creased by  time  and  studie :  which  notwithstanding  when  they 
are  at  the  full  perfection,  doo  debate  and  decrease  againe. 

Cic.  de  orat.  There  is  nothing  in  the  world  which  bursteth 
out  all  at  once,  and  commeth  to  light  all  wholly  together. 

48.  No  man  should  dare  to  practise  an  Arte  that  is  daunge- 
rous,  especially  before  he  haue  learned  the  same  perfectly :  so 
doo  guyders  of  Shyppes  :  so  do  Phisitions  :  but  so  did  not  ina- 
nie  Romaine  Poets  (yea  so  doo  not  too  many  English  wry- 
ters) who  in  a  certaine  corragious  heate  gaped  after  glory  by 
wry  ting  verses,  but  fewe  of  them  obtayned  it. 

49-  A  Poet  should  be  no  lesse  skylfull  in  dealing  with  the 
afiectes  of  the  mynde,  then  a  tumbler  or  a  Juggler  shoulde  bee 
ready  in  his  Arte.  ,And  with  such  pyth  shoulde  he  sette  foorth 
hys  matters,  that  a  Reader  should  seeme  not  onely  to  heare  the 
thing,  but  to  see  and  be  present  at  the  dooing  thereof.  Which  fa- 
culty Fabiuscalletht/aronmw<nx,and  Aristotlefff  o  ou^aroy  Sew  \itBo\yw 

50,  Poets  are  either  such  as  desire  to  be  liked  of  on  stages, 

as 


English  Poetry.  93 

as  Commedie  and  Tragedie  wryters :  or  such  as  woulde  bee 
regestred  in  Libraries.  Those  on  stages  haue  speciall  respect  to 
the  motions  of  the  minde,  that  they  may  stirre  bothe  the  eyes 
and  eares  of  their  beholders.  But  the  other  which  seeke  to 
please  priuately  with  the  walles,  take  good  aduisement  in  their 
workes,  that  they  may  satisfy  the  exact  iudgments  of  learned 
men  in  their  studies. 

5 1  A  Poet  shoulde  not  bee  too  importunate,  as  to  offende  in 
vnseasonable  speeches  :  or  vngentle,  as  to  contemne  the  admo- 
nitions of  others :  or  ambicious,  as  to   thinke  too  well  of  hys 
owne  dooinges :  or  too  wayward,  as  to  thinke,  reward  enough 
cannot  be  gyuen  him  for  his  deserte,  or  finally  too  proude,  as  to 
desyre  to  be  honoured  aboue  measure. 

52  The  emendations  of  Poemes  be  very  necessary,  that  in 
the  obscure  poyntes  many  thinges  may  be  enlightned,  in  the 
baser  partes  many  thinges  may  be  throughly  garnished.     Hee 
may  take  away  and  put  out  all  vnpropper  &  vnseemely  words, 
he  may  with  discretion  immitate  the  auncient  wryters,  he  may 
abridge  thinges  that  are  too  lofty,  mittigate  thynges  that  are 
too  rough,  and  may  vse  all  remedies  of  sp6eche  throughout  the 
whole  worke.     The  thinges  which  are  scarce  seemely,  he  may 
amende  by  Arte  and  methode. 

53  Let  a  Poet  first  take  vppon  him,  as  though  he  were  to 
play  but  an  Actors  part,  as  he  may  bee  esteemed  like  one  which 
wryteth  without  regard e,  neyther  let  him  so  pollish  his  works, 
but  that  euery  one  for  the  basenesse  thereof,  may  think  to  make 
as  good.     Hee  may  likewyse  exercise  the  part  of  gesturer,  as 
though  he  seemed  to  meddle  in  rude  and  common  matters,  and 
yet  not  so  deale  in  them,  as  it  were  for  variety  sake,  nor  as 
though  he  had  laboured  them  thoroughly  but  tryfled  with  them, 
nor  as  though  he  had  sweat  for  them,  but  practised  a  little.    For 
so  to  hyde  ones  cunning,  that  nothing  should  seeme  to  bee  labor- 
some  or  equisite,  when  notwithstanding,  euery  part  is  polli- 
shed  with  care  and  studie,  is  a  speciall  gyft  which  Aristotle  cal- 
leth  Kpxtyv. 

54  It  is  onely   a  poynt    of  wysedome,    to   vse   many  and 
choyse  elegant  wordes,  but  to  vnderstand  also  and  to  set  foorth 

L  i  thinges 


94-  A  Discourse  of 

thinges  which  pertaine  to  the  happy  ende  of  mans  life.  Where- 
vppon  the  Poet  Horace,  calleth  the  Arte  poeticall,  without  the 
knowledge  of  learning  and  philosophy,  a  prating  vanity.  Ther- 
fore  a  good  and  allowable  Poet,  must  be  adorned  with  wordes, 
plentious  in  sentences,  and  if  not  equal  1  to  an  Orator,  yet  very 
neere  him,  and  a  speciall  louer  of  learned  men. 


FINIS. 


Epilogus. 


THis  small  trauell  (courteous  Reader)  I  desire  thee  take 
in  good  worth :  which  I  haue  compyled,  not  as  an  ex- 
quisite censure  concerning  this  matter,  but  (as  thou  mayst 
well  perceiue,  and)  in  trueth  to  that  onely  ende  that  it 
might  be  an  occasion,  to  haue  the  same  throughly  and 
with  greater  discretion,  taken  in  hande  and  laboured  by 
some  other  of  greater  abilitie:  of  whom  I  knowe  there  be 
manie  among  the  famous  Poets  in  London,  who  bothe 
for  learning  and  leysure,  may  handle  this  Argument  far 
more  pythilie  then  my  selfe.  Which  if  any  of  them 
wyll  vouchsafe  to  doo,  I  trust  wee  shall  haue  Fnglishe 
Poetry  at  a  higher  price  in  short  space:  and  the  rabble  of 
balde  Rymes  shall  be  turned  to  famous  workes,  compa- 
rable 


English  Poetrie.  95 

rable  (I  suppose)  with  the  best  workes  of  Poetry  in   other 

tongues.     In  the   meane  time,    if  my  poore  skill,    can  sette 

the  same  any   thing  forwarde,    I    wyll  not  cease  to  practise 

the  same  towardes    the   framing  of  some  apt   English  Pro- 

sodia :  styll  hoping,    and  hartelie  wishing  to  enioy  first  the 

benetitte  of  some  others  iudgment,    whose  authority 

may  beare  greater  credite,    and  whose 

learning  can   better   per- 

forme  it. 


\A  treatise  of  the  airt  of  Scottis  Poesie 

BY  K.  JAMES. 

FROM] 

THE    ESSAYES   OF 

A  PRENTISE,  IN  THE 

DIVINE    ART    OF 

POESIE. 


Imprinted  at  Edinburgh,  by  Thomas 
Vautroullier. 

1584. 
CVM    PRIVILEGIO 

R  E  G  A  L  I. 


ANE  SCHORT  TREATISE, 

conteining  some  revlis  and  cautelis 

to  be  obseruit  and  eschewit 

in  Scottis  Poesie. 


A  Qvadrain  of  Alexandrin  verse,  declaring  to  qvhome  the 
Authour  hes  directit  his  labour. 

To  ignorants  obdurde,  quhair  wilfull  errour  lyis, 
Nor  zit  to  curious  folks,  quhilks  carping  dois  deiect  thee, 
Nor  zit  to  learned  men,  quha  thinks  thame  onelie  wyis, 
Bot  to  the  docile  bairns  of  knowledge  I  direct  thee. 


The  Preface  to 

the  Reader. 


THE  cause  why  (docile  Reader)  I  haue  not  dedicat  this 
short  treatise  to  any  particular  personis,  (as  comounly 
workis  vsis  to  be)  is,  that  I  esteme  all  thais  quha  hes  already 
some  beginning  of  knawledge,  with  ane  earnest  desyre  to  at- 
teyne  to  farther,  alyke  meit  for  the  reading  of  this  worke,  or 
any  vther,  quhilk  may  help  thame  to  the  atteining  to  thair 
foirsaid  desyre.  Bot  as  to  this  work,  quhilk  is  intitulit,  The 
Reulis  and  cautelis  to  be  obseruit  #  eschewit  in  Scottis  Poesie, 
ze  may  maruell  paraventure,  quhairfore  I  sould  haue  writtin  in 
that  mater,  sen  sa  mony  learnit  men,  baith  of  auld  and  of  late 
hes  already  written  thairof  in  dyuers  and  sindry  languages  :  I 
answer,  That  nochtwithstanding,  I  haue  lykewayis  writtin  of  it, 
for  twa  caussis.  The  ane  is,  As  for  the  that  wrait  of  auld,  lyke 
as  the  tyme  is  changeit  sensyne,  sa  is  the  ordour  of  Poesie 
changeit.  For  then  they  obseruit  not  Flowing,  nor  eschewit 
not  Ryming  in  termes,  besydes  sindrie  vther  thingis,  quhilk 
now  we  obserue,  &  eschew,  and  dois  weil  in  sa  doing  :  because 
that  now,  quhe  the  warld  is  waxit  auld,  we  haue  all  their  opi- 
nionis  in  writ,  quhilk  were  learned  before  our  tyme,  besydes 
our  awin  ingynis,  quhair  as  they  then  did  it  onelie  be  thair 
awin  ingynis,  but  help  of  any  vther.  Thairfore,  quhat  I  speik 
of  Poesie  now,  I  speik  of  it,  as  being  come  to  mannis  age  and 
perfectioun,  quhair  as  then,  it  was  bot  in  the  infancie  and 
chyldheid.  The  vther  cause  is,  That  as  for  thame  that  hes 
written  in  it  of  late,  there  hes  neuer  ane  of  thame  writen  in  our 
language.  For  albeit  sindrie  hes  written  of  it  in  English, 
quhilk  is  lykest  to  our  language,  zit  we  differ  from  thame  in 
sindrie  reulis  of  Poesie,  as  ze  will  find  be  experience.  I  haue 

lykewayis 


The  preface.  101 

lykewayis  omittit  dyuers  figures,  quhilkis  are  necessare  to  be 
vsit  in  verse,  for  twa  causis.  The  ane  is,  because  they  are  vsit 
in  all  languages,  and  thairfore  are  spoken  of  be  Du  Bellay, 
and  sindrie  vtheris,  quhas  hes  writte  in  this  airt.  Quhairfore 
gif  I  wrait  of  thame  also,  it  sould  seme  that  I  did  bote  repete 
that,  quhilk  thay  haue  written,  and  zit  not  sa  weil,  as  thay 
haue  done  already.  The  vther  cause  is,  that  they  are  figures 
of  Rhetorique  and  Dialectique,  quhilkis  airtis  I  professe  nocht, 
and  thairfore  will  apply  to  my  selfe  the  counsale,  quhilk  Apelles 
gaue  to  the  shoemaker,  quhe  he  said  to  him,  seing  him  find 
fait  with  the  shankis  of  the  Image  of  Venus,  efter  that  he  had 
found  fait  with  the  pantoun,  Ne  sutor  vitro,  crepidam. 

I  will  also  wish  zow  (docile  Reider)  that  or  ze  cumer  zow  with 
reiding  thir  reulis,  ze  may  find  in  zour  self  sic  a  beginning  of 
Nature,  as  ze  may  put  in  practise  in  zour  verse  many  of  thir 
foirsaidis  preceptis,  or  euer  ze  sie  them  as  they  are  heir  set 
doun.  For  gif  Nature  be  nocht  the  cheif  worker  in  this  airt, 
Reulis  wilbe  hot  a  band  to  Nature,  and  will  mak  zow  within 
short  space  weary  of  the  haill  airt :  quhair  as,  gif  Nature  be 
cheif,  and  bent  to  it,  reulis  will  be  ane  help  and  staff  to  Nature. 
I  will  end  heir,  lest  my  preface  be  langer  nor  my  purpose  and 
haill  mater  following :  wishing  zow,  docile  Reidar,  als  gude 
succes  and  great  proffeit  by  reiding  this  short  treatise,  as  I  tuke 
earnist  and  willing  panis  to  blok  it,  as  ze  sie,  for  zour  cause. 
Fare  weill. 

I  Haue  insert  in  the  hinder  end  of  this  Treatise,  maist  kyndis  of 
versis  quilks  are  not  cuttit  or  brokin,  hot  alyke  many  feit  in 
euerie  lyne  of  the  verse,  and  how  they  are  commounly  namit, 
with  my  opinioun  for  quhat  subiectis  ilk  kynde  of  thir  verse  is 
meitest  to  be  vsit. 

To  knaw  the  quantitie  of  zour  lang  or  short  fete  in  they  lynes, 

quhilk  I  haue  put  in  the  reule,  quhilk  teachis   zow  to  knaw 

quhat  is  Flowing,  I  haue  markit  the  lang  fute  with  this 

mark,  —  and  abone  the  heid  of  the  shorte  fute, 

I  haue  put  this  mark  u, 

M 


SONNET  OF  THE  AVTHOVR 
to  the  Reader. 

Sen  for  zour  saik  I  wryte  vpon  zour  airt, 

Apollo,  Pan,  and  ze  6  Musis  nyne, 

And  thou,  6  Mercure,  for  to  help  thy  pairt 

I  do  injplore,  sen  thou  be  thy  ingyne, 

Nixt  efter  Pan  had  found  the  quhissill,  syne 

Thou  did  perfyte,  that  quhilk  he  hot  espyit : 

And  efter  that  made  Argus  for  to  tyne 

(quha  kepit  lo)  all  his  windois  by  it. 

Concurre  ze  Gods,  it  can  not  be  denyit : 

Sen  in  your  airt  of  Poesie  I  wryte. 

Auld  birds  to  learne  by  teiching  it  is  tryit: 

Sic  docens  discam  gif  ze  help  to  dyte. 

Then  Reidar  sie  of  nature  thou  haue  pairt, 
Syne  laikis  thou  nocht,  bot  heir  to  reid  the  airt. 


SONNET  DECIFRING 

the  perfyte  poete. 

Ane  rype  ingyne,  ane  quick  and  walkned  witt, 

With  sommair  reasons,  suddenlie  applyit, 

For  euery  purpose  vsing  reasons  fitt, 

With  skilfulnes,  where  learning  may  be  spyit 

With  pithie  wordis,  for  to  expres  zow  by  it 

His  full  intention  in  his  proper  leid, 

The  puritie  quhairof,  weill  hes  he  try  it : 

With  memorie  to  keip  quhat  he  dois  reid, 

With  skilfulnes  and  figuris,  quhilks  proceid 

From  Rhetorique,  with  euerlasting  fame, 

With  vthers  woundring  preassing  with  all  speid 

For  to  atteine  to  merite  sic  a  name. 

All  thir  into  the  perfyte  Poete  be. 

Goddis,  grant  I  may  obteine  the  Laurell  trie. 


THE  REVLIS  AND  CAV- 

telis    to    be    observit 

and  eschewit  in  Scottis 

Poesie. 

CAP.  I. 

First,  ze  sail  keip  iust  cullouris,  quhairof  the  cautelis  are 
thir. 

That  ze  ryme  nocht  twyse  in  ane  syllabe.  As  for  exemple, 
that  ze  make  notproue  and  reproue  ryme  together,  nor  houe  for 
houeing  on  hors  bak,  and  behoue. 

That  ze  ryme  ay  to  the  hinmest  lang  syllabe,  (with  accent) 
in  the  lyne,  suppose  it  be  not  the  hinmest  syllabe  in  the  lyne, 
as  bakbyte  zow,  &  out  fiyte  zow,  It  rymes  in  byte  Sc  flyte,  be- 
cause of  the  lenth  of  the  syllabe,  &  accent  being  there,  and 
not  in  zow,  howbeit  it  be  the  hinmest  syllabe  of  ather  of  the 
lynis.  Or  question  and  digestion,  It  rymes  in  ques  &  ges,  albeit 
they  be  hot  the  antepenult  syllabis,  and  vther  twa  behind  ilk- 
ane  of  thame. 

Ze  aucht  alwayis  to  note,  That  as  in  thir  foirsaidis,  or  the  lyke 
wordis,  it  rymes  in  the  hinmest  lang  syllabe  in  the  lyne,  al- 
thoucht  there  be  vther  short  syllabis  behind  it,  Sa  is  the  hinmest 
lang  syllabe  the  hinmest  fute,  suppose  there  be  vther  short  syl- 
labis behind  it,  quilkis  are  eatin  vp  in  the  pronounceing,  and 
na  wayis  comptit  as  fete. 

Ze  man  be  war  likewayis  (except  necessitie  compell  yow) 
with  Ryming  in  Termis,  quhilk  is  to  say,  that  your  first  or  hin- 
mest word  in  the  lyne,  exceid  not  twa  or  thre  syllabis  at  the 
maist,  vsing  thrie  als  seindill  as  ye  can.  The  cause  quhairfore 
ze  sail  not  place  a  lang  word  first  in  the  lyne,  is,  that  all  lang 
words  hes  ane  syllabe  in  them  sa  verie  lang,  as  the  lenth  thair- 

of 


106  Revlis  and  Cavtelis 

of  eatis  vp  in  the  pronouncing  euin  the  vther  syllabes,  quhilks 
ar  placit  lang  in  the  same  word,  and  thaiiibre  spillis  the  flow- 
ing of  that  lyne.  As  for  exeple,  in  this  word  Arabia,  the  se- 
cond syllabe  (ra)  is  sa  lang,  that  it  eatis  vp  in  the  pronouncing 
[a]  quhilk  is  the  hinmest  syllabe  of  the  same  word.  Quhilk  [a] 
althocht  it  be  in  a  lang  place,  zit  it  kythis  not  sa,  because  of 
the  great  lenth  of  the  preceding  syllabe  (ra).  As  to  the  cause 
quhy  ze  sail  not  put  a  lang  word  hinmest  in  the  lyne,  It  is,  be- 
cause, that  the  lenth  of  the  secound  syllabe  (ra)  eating  vp  the 
lenth  of  the  vther  lang  syllabe,  [«]  inakis  it  to  serue  bot  as  a 
tayle  vnto  it,  together  with  the  short  syllabe  preceding.  And 
because  this  tayle  nather  scruis  for  cullour  nor  fute,  as  I  spak 
before,  it  man  be  thairfore  repetit  in  the  nixt  lyne  ryming  vnto 
it,  as  it  is  set  doune  in  the  first :  quhilk  makis,  that  ze  will 
scarcely  get  many  wordis  to  ryme  vnto  it,  zea,  nane  at  all  will 
ze  finde  to  ryme  to  sindrie  vther  langer  wordis.  Thairfore 
chiefly  be  wane  of  inserting  sic  lang  wordis  hinmest  in  the  lyne, 
for  the  cause  quhilk  I  last  allegit.  Besydis  that  nather  first 
nor  last  in  the  lyne,  it  keipis  na  Flowing.  The  reulis  &  cau- 
telis  quhairof  are  thir,  as  followis. 


CHAP.  II. 
t  tfcurhio  *;?'} 

First,  ze  man  vnderstad  that  all  syllabis  are  deuydit  in  thrie 
kindes  :  That  is,  some  schorl,  some  lang,  and  some  indifferent. 
Be  indifferent  I  meane,  thay  quhilk  are  ather  lang  or  short, 
according  as  ze  place  thame. 

The  forme  of  placeing  syllabes  in  verse,  is  this.  That  zour 
first  syllabe  in  the  lyne  be  short,  the  second  lang,  the  thrid 
short,  the  fourt  lang,  the  fyft  short,  the  sixt  lang,  and  sa  furth 
to  the  end  of  the  lyne.  Alwayis  tak  heid,  that  the  nomber  of 
zour  fete  in  euery  lyne  be  euin,  &  nocht  odde :  as  four,  six, 
audit,  or  ten  :  &  not  thrie,  fyue,  seuin,  or  nyne,  except  it  be 
in  broken  verse,  quhilkis  are  out  of  reul  and  daylie  inuentit  be 
dyuers  Poetis.  Bot  gif  ze  wald  ask  me  the  reulis,  quhairby  to 
knaw  euerie  ane  of  thir  thre  foirsaidis  kyndis  of  syllabes,  I  an- 
swer. 


of  Scottis  poesie.  107 

swer,  Zour  eare  man  be  the  onely  iudge  and  discerner  thairof. 
And  to  proue  this,  I  remit  to  the  iudgement  of  the  same,  quhilk 
of  thir  twa  lynis  following  flowis  best, 

u    -      u     -        u        -  u  -    u 

Into  the  Sea  then  Lucifer  vpsprang. 

u  u         -         u   -  u      -  u 

In  the  Sea  then  Lucifer  to  vpsprang. 

I  doubt  not  hot  zour  eare  makkis  you  easilie  to  persaue,  that 
the  first  lyne  flowis  weil,  &  the  vther  nathing  at  all.  The  rea- 
soun  is,  because  the  first  lyne  keips  the  reule  abone  written,  To 
wit,  the  first  fute  short,  the  secound  lang,  and  sa  furth,  as  I 
shewe  before,  quhair  as  the  vther  is  direct  contrair  to  the  same. 
Bot  specially  tak  heid,  quhen  zour  lyne  is  of  fourtene,  that 
zour  Sectioun  in  aucht  be  a  lang  monosyllabe,  or  ellis  the  hin- 
mest  syllabe  of  a  word  alwais  being  lang,  as  I  said  before.  The 
cause  quhy  it  ma  be  ane  of  thir  twa,  is,  for  the  Musique,  be- 
cause that  quhen  zour  lyne  is  ather  of  xiiij  or  xij  fete,  it  wilbe 
drawin  sa  lang  in  the  singing,  as  ze  man  rest  in  the  middes  of 
it,  quhilk  is  the  Sectioun:  sa  as,  gif  zour  Sectioun  be  nocht 
ather  a  monosyllabe,  or  ellis  the  hinmest  syllabe  of  a  word,  as 
I  said  before,  bot  the  first  syllabe  of  a  polysyllabe,  the  Musique 
sail  make  zow  sa  to  rest  in  the  middes  of  that  word,  as  it  sail 
cut  the  ane  half  of  the  word  fra  the  vther,  and  sa  sail  mak  it 
seme  twa  different  wordis,  that  is  bot  ane.  This  aucht  onely  to 
be  obseruit  in  thir  foirsaid  lang  lynis :  for  the  shortnes  of  all 
shorter  lynis,  then  thir  before  mentionat,  is  the  cause,  that  the 
Musique  makis  na  rest  in  the  middes  of  thame,  and  thairfore 
thir  obseruationis  seruis  nocht  for  thame.  Onely  tak  heid,  that 
the  Sectioun  in  thame  kythe  something  langer  nor  any  vther  feit 
in  that  lyne,  except  the  secound  and  the  last,  as  I  haue  said 
before. 

Ze  man  tak  heid  lykewayis,  that  zour  langest  lynis  exceid 
nocht  fourtene  fete,  and  that  zour  shortest  be  nocht  within 
foure. 

Remember  also  to  mak  a  Sectioun  in  the  middes  of  euery 

lyne, 


108  Revlis  and  Cavtelis 

lyne,  quhether  the  lyne  be  lang  or  short.  Be  Sectioun  I  mean, 
that  gif  zour  lyne  be  of  fourtene  fete,  zour  aucht  fute,  man  not 
only  be  langer  then  the  seuint,  or  vther  short  fete,  bot  also  lan- 
ger  nor  any  vther  lang  fete  in  the  same  lyne,  except  the  se- 
cound  and  the  hinmest.  Or  gif  your  lyne  be  of  twelf  fete, 
zour  Sectioun  to  be  in  the  sext.  Or  gif  of  ten,  zour  Sectioun  to 
be  in  the  sext  also. 

The  cause  quhy  it  is  not  in  fyue,  is,  because  fyue  is  odde, 
and  euerie  odde  fute  is  short,  Or  gif  your  lyne  be  of  aucht 
fete,  zour  Sectioun  to  be  in  the  fourt.  Gif  of  sex,  in  the  fourt 
also.  Gif  of  four,  zour  Sectioun  to  be  in  twa. 

Ze  aucht  likewise  be  war  with  oft  composing  zour  haill  lynis 
of  monosyllabis  onely,  (albeit  our  language  haue  sa  many,  as 
we  can  nocht  weill  eschewe  it)  because  the  maist  pairt  of  thame 
are  indifferent,  and  may  be  in  short  or  lang  place,  as  ze  like. 
Some  wordis  of  dyuers  Syllabis  are  like  way  is  indifferent,  as 

Thairfore,  restoie. 
I  thairfore,  then. 

In  the  first,  thairfore,  (thair)  is  short,  and  (fore)  is  lang :  In 
the  vther,  (thair}  is  lang,  &  (fore)  is  short,  and  zit  baith  flowis 
alike  weill.  Bot  thir  indifferent  wordis,  composit  of  dyuers 
syllabes,  are  rare,  suppose  in  monosyllabes,  comoun.  The 
cause  then,  quhy  ane  haill  lyne  aucht  nocht  to  be  composit  of 
monosyllabes  only,  is,  that  they  being  for  the  maist  pairt  indif- 
ferent, nather  the  secound,  hinmest,  nor  Sectioun^  will  be 
langer  nor  the  other  lang  fete  in  the  same  lyne,  Thairfore  ze 
man  place  a  word  coposit  of  dyuers  syllabes,  and  not  indif- 
ferent, ather  in  the  secound,  hinmest,  or  Sectioun,  or  in  all 
thrie. 

Ze  man  also  tak  held,  that  quhen  thare  fallis  any  short  syl- 
labis  efter  the  lang  syllabe  in  the  lyne,  that  ze  repeit  thame  in 
the  lyne  quhilk  rymis  to  the  vther,  evin  as  ze  set  them  downe 
in  the  first  lyne :  as  for  exempill,  ze  man  not  say 

Thenfeir  nocht 

Nor  heir  ocht. 

Bot 


of  Scottis  Poesie  109 

Bot 

Thenfeir  nocht 
Nur  heir  nocht. 

Repeting  the  same,  nocht,  in  baith  the  lynis :  because  this 
syllabe,  nocht,  nather  seruing  for  cullour  nor  fute,  is  bot  a 
tayle  to  the  lang  fute  preceding,  and  thairfore  is  repetit  lyke- 
wayis  in  the  nixt  lyne,  quhilk  rymes  vnto  it,  euin  as  it  set  doun 
in  the  first. 

There  is  also  a  kynde  of  indifferent  wordis,  asweill  as  of  syl- 
labis,  albeit  few  in  nomber.     The  nature  quhairof  is,  that  gif 
ze  place  thame  in  the  begynning  of  a  lyne,  they  are  shorter  be 
a  fute,  nor  they  are,  gif  ze  place  thame  hinmest  in  the  lyne,  as 
Sen  patience  I  man  haue  perforce. 
I  Hue  in  hope  with  patience. 

Ze  se  there  are  bot  aucht  fete  in  ather  of  baith  thir  lynis 
aboue  written.  The  cause  quhairof  is,  that  patience,  in  the 
first  lyne,  in  respect  it  is  in  the  beginning  thairof,  is  bot  of  twa 
fete,  and  in  the  last  lyne,  of  thrie,  in  respect  it  is  the  hinmest 
word  of  that  lyne.  To  knaw  &  discerne  thir  kynde  of  wordis 
fro  vtheris,  zour  eare  man  be  the  onely  iudge,  as  of  all  the  vther 
parts  of  Flowing,  the  verie  twichestane  quhairof  is  Musique. 

I  haue  teachit  zow  now  shortly  the  reulis  of  Ryming,  Fete, 
and  Flowing.  There  restis  yet  to  teache  zow  the  wordis,  sen- 
tences, and  phrasis  necessair  for  a  Poete  to  vse  in  his  verse, 
quhilk  I  haue  set  doun  in  reulis,  as  efter  followis. 


CHAP.     III. 

First,  that  in  quhatsumeuer  ze  put  in  verse,  ze  put  in  na  wordis, 
ather  metri  causa,  or  zit,  for  filling  furth  the  nomber  of  the 
-fete,  bot  that  they  be  all  sa  necessare,  as  ze  sould  be  constrainit 
to  vse  thame,  in  cace  ze  were  speiking  the  same  purpose  in  prose. 
And  thairfore  that  zour  wordis  appeare  to  haue  cum  out  wil- 
lingly, and  by  nature,  and  not  to  haue  bene  thrawin  out  con- 
strainedly, be  compulsioun. 

That  ze  eschew  to  insert  in  zour  verse,  a  lang  rable  of  mennis 

N  names, 


110  Revlis  and  Cavtclis 

names,  or  names  of  tounis,  or  sik  vther  names.     Because  it  is 
hard  to  mak  many  lang  names  all  placit  together,  to  flow  weill. 
Thairfore  quhen  that  fallis  out  in  zour  purpose,  ze  sail  ather 
put  hot  twa  or  thrie  of  thame  in  euerie  lyne,    mixing  vther 
wordis  amang  thame,  or  ellis  specific  hot  twa  or  thre  of  thame 
at  all,  saying  (With  the  laif  of  that  race)  or  (With  the  rest  in 
thay  partis,)  or  sic  vther  lyke  wordis  :  as  for  exemple, 
Out  through  his  cairt,  quhair  Eous  was  eik 
With  other  thre,  quhilk  Phaeton  had  drawin. 

Ze  sie  thair  is  hot  ane  name  there  specifeit,  to  serue  for  vther 
thrie  of  that  sorte. 

Ze  man  also  take  heid  to  frame  zour  wordis  and  sentencis  ac- 
cording to  the  mater :  As  in  Flyting  and  Inuectiues,  zour  word- 
is  to  be  cuttit  short,  and  hurland  ouer  heuch.  For  thais  quhil- 
kis  are  cuttit  short,  I  meane  be  sic  wordis  as  thir, 

Us  neir  cair 
for 

/  sail  neuer  cair,    gif  zour  subiect  were 

of  loue,  or  tragedies.     Because  in  thame  zour  words  man  be 
drawin  lang,  quhilkis  in  Flyting  man  be  short. 

Ze  man  lykewayis  tak  heid,  that  ze  waill  zour  wordis  accord- 
ing to  the  purpose :  As,  in  ane  heich  and  learnit  purpose,  to 
vse  heich,  pithie,  and  learnit  wordis. 

Gif  zour  purpose  be  of  loue,  To  vse  commoun  language, 
with  some  passionate  wordis. 

Gif  zour  purpose  be  of  tragicall  materis,  To  vse  lamentable 
wordis,  with  some  heich,  as  rauishit  in  admiratioun. 

Gif  zour  purpose  be  of  land  wart  effairis,  To  vse  corruptit  and 
vplandis  wordis. 

And  finally,  quhatsumeuer  be  zour  subiect,  to  vse  vocabula 
artis,  quhairby  ze  may  the  mair  viuelie  represent  that  persoun, 
quhais  pairt  ze  paint  out. 

This  is  likewayis  neidfull  to  be  vsit  in  sentences,  als  weill  as 
in  wordis.  As  gif  zour  subiect  be  heich  and  learnit,  to  vse 
learnit  and  infallible  reasonis,  prouin  be  necessities. 

Gif  zour  subiect  be  of  loue,  To  vse  wilfull  reasonis,  preced- 
ing rather  from  passioun,  nor  reasoun, 

Gif 


of  Scottis  Poesie.  Ill 

Gif  zour  subiect  be  of  landwart  effaris,  To  vse  sklender  rea- 
sonis,  mixt  with  grosse  ignorance,  natber  keiping  forme  nor 
ordour.  And  sa  furth,  euer  framing  zour  reasonis,  according 
to  the  qualitie  of  zour  subiect. 

Let  all  zour  verse  be  Literall,  sa  far  as  may  be,  quhatsumeuer 
kynde  they  be  of,  hot  speciallie  Tumbling  verse  for  flyting. 
Be  Literall  I  meane,  that  the  maist  pairt  of  zour  lyne,  sail 
rynne  vpon  a  letter,  as  this  tumbling  lyne  rynnis  vpon  F. 

Fetching  fade  for  tofeid  it  fast  furth  of  the  Fane. 

Ze  man  obserue  that  thir  Tumbling  verse  flowis  not  on  tbat 
fassoun,  as  vtheris  dois.  For  all  vtheris  keipis  the  reule  quhilk 
I  gaue  before,  To  wit,  the  first  fute  short  the  secound  lang,  and 
sa  furth.  Quhair  as  thir  hes  twa  short,  and  ane  lang  throuch  all 
the  lyne,  quhen  they  keip  ordour :  albeit  the  maist  pairt  of 
tbame  be  out  of  ordour,  &  keipis  na  kynde  nor  reule  of  Flow- 
ing, &  for  that  cause  are  callit  Tumbling  verse :  except  the 
short  lynis  of  aucht  in  the  hinder  end  of  the  verse,  the  quhilk 
flowis  as  vther  verses  dois,  as  ze  will  find  in  the  hinder  end  of 
this  buke,  quhair  I  giue  exemple  of  sindrie  kyndis  of  versis. 


CHAP.     III. 

Mark  also  thrie  speciall  ornamentis  to  verse,  quhilkis  are, 
Comparisons,  Epithetis,  and  Prouerbis. 

As  for  Comparisons,  take  heid  that  they  be  sa  proper  for  the 
subiect,  that  nather  they  be  ouer  has,  gif  zour  subiect  be  heich, 
for  .then  sould  zour  subiect  disgrace  zour  Comparisoun,  nather 
zour  Comparisoun  be  heich  quhen  zour  subiect  is  basse,  for  then 
sail  zour  Comparisoun  disgrace  zour  subiect.  Bot  let  sic  a  mu- 
tuall  correspondence  and  similitude  be  betwix  the,  as  it  may 
appeare  to  be  a  meit  Comparisoun  for  sic  a  subiect,  and  sa  sail 
they  ilkane  decore  vther. 

As  for  Epithetis,  It  is  to  descryue  brieflie,  en  passant,  the  na- 
turall  of  euerie  thing  ze  speik  of,  be  adding  the  proper  adiec- 

tiue 


112  Revlis  and  Cavtelis 

tiue  vnto  it,  quhairof  there  are  twa  fassons.  The  ane  is,  to 
descryue  it,  be  making  a  corruptit  worde,  composit  of  twa  dy- 
uers  simple  wordis,  as 

Apollo  gyde-Sunne 
The  vther  fasson,  is,  be  Circumlocution,  as 

Apollo  reular  of  the  Sunne. 

I  esteme  this  last  fassoun  best,  Because  it  expressis  the  au- 
thoris  meaning  als  weill  as  the  vther,  and  zit  inakis  na  corruptit 
wordis,  as  the  vther  dois. 

As  for  the  Prouerbis,  they  man  be  proper  for  the  subiect,  to 
beautifie  it,  chosen  in  the  same  forme  as  the  Comparisoun, 

CHAP.     V. 

It  is  also  meit,  for  the  better  decoratioun  of  the  verse  to  vse 
sumtyme  the  figure  of  Repetitioun,  as 

Quhylis  toy  rang, 
Quhylis  noy  rang.     &c. 

Ze  sie  this  word  quhylis  is  repetit  heir.  This  forme  of  repe- 
titioun  sometyme  vsit,  decoris  the  verse  very  mekle  :  zea  quhen 
it  cuinis  to  purpose,  it  will  be  cumly  to  repete  sic  a  word  aucht 
or  nyne  tymes  in  a  verse. 

CHAP.     VI. 

Ze  man  also  be  warre  with  composing  ony  thing  in  the  same 
maner,  as  hes  bene  ower  oft  vsit  of  before.  As  in  speciall,  gif 
ze  speik  of  loue,  be  warre  ze  descryue  zour  Lowes  makdome, 
or  her  fairnes.  And  siclyke  that  ze  descryue  not  the  morning, 
and  rysing  of  the  Sunne,  in  the  Preface  of  zour  verse  :  for  thir 
thingis  are  sa  oft  and  dyuerslie  writtin  vpon  be  Poetis  already, 

that 


of  Scottis  Poesie.  113 

that  gif  ze  do  the  lyke,  it  will  appeare,  ze  bot  imitate,  and  that 
it  cummis  not  of  zour  awin  Inuentioun,  quhilk  is  ane  of  the 
chief  properteis  of  ane  Poete.  Thairfore  gif  zour  subiect  be  to 
prayse  zour  Lone,  ze  sail  rather  prayse  hir  vther  qualiteis,  nor 
her  fairnes,  or  hir  shaip :  or  ellis  ze  sail  speik  some  lytill  thing 
of  it,  and  syne  say,  that  zour  wittis  are  sa  smal,  and  zour  vtter- 
ace  sa  barren,  that  ze  can  not  discryue  any  part  of  hir  worthe- 
lie :  remitting  alwayis  to  the  Reider,  to  iudge  of  hir,  in  re- 
spect sho  matches,  or  rather  excellis  Venus,  or  any  woman, 
quhome  to  it  sail  please  zow  to  compaire  her.  Bot  gif  zour 
subiect  be  sic,  as  ze  man  speik  some  thing  of  the  morning,  or 
Sunne  rysing,  tak  heid,  that  quhat  name  ze  giue  to  the  Sunne, 
the  Mone,  or  vther  starris,  the  ane  tyme,  gif  ze  happin  to  wryte 
thairof  another  tyme,  to  change  thair  names.  As  gif  ze  call 
the  Sunne  Titan,  at  a  tyme,  to  call  him  Phoebus  or  dpollo  the 
vther  tyme,  and  siclyke  the  Mone,  and  vther  Planettis. 


CHAP.     VII. 

Bot  sen  Inuention,  is  ane  of  the  chief  vertewis  in  a  Poete,  it 
is  best  that  ze  inuent  zour  awin  subiect,  zour  self,  and  not  to 
compose  of  sene  subiectis.  Especially,  translating  any  thing 
out  of  vther  language,  quhilk  doing,  ze  not  onely  essay  not 
zour  awin  ingyne  of  Inuentioun,  bot  be  the  same  meanes,  ze  are 
bound,  as  to  a  staik,  to  follow  that  buikis  phrasis,  quhilk  ze 
translate. 

Ze  man  also  be  war  of  wry  ting  any  thing  of  materis  of  co- 
moun  weill,  or  vther  sic  graue  sene  subiectis  (except  Metapho- 
rically, of  manifest  treuth  opinly  knawin,  zit  nochtwithstand- 
ing  vsing  it  very  seindil)  because  nocht  onely  ze  essay  nocht 
zour  awin  Inuentioun,  as  I  spak  before,  bot  lykewayis  they  are 
to  graue  materis,  for  a  Poet  to  mell  in.  Bot  because  ze  can 
not  haue  the  Inuentioun  except  it  come  of  Nature,  I  remit  it 
thairvnto,  as  the  cheif  cause,  not  onely  of  Inuentioun,  bot  also 
of  all  the  vther  pairtis  of  Poesie.  For  airt  is  onely  bot  ane  help 
and  a  remembraunce  to  Nature,  as  I  shewe  zow  in  the  Preface. 

CHAP. 


114  Revlis  and  Cavtelis 


CHAP.     VIII.     tuiching  the  kyndis  of  versis,  mentionat 
in  the  Preface. 

First,  there  is  ryine  quhilk  seruis  onely  for  lang  historeis,  and 
zit  are  nocht  verse.  As  for  exemple, 

In  Mail  when  that  the  blissefull  Phoebus  bricht, 
The  lamp  of  ioy,  the  heauens  gemme  of  licht, 
The  goldin  cairt,  and  the  etheriall  King, 
With  purpourface  in  Orient  dois  springy 
Maist  angel-lyke  ascending  in  his  sphere. 
And  birds  with  all  thair  heauenlie  voces  cleare 
Dois  mak  a  sweit  and  heauinfy  harmony, 
And  fragrant  flours  dois  spring  vp  lustely : 
Into  this  season  sweitest  of  defy te, 
To  walk  I  had  a  lusty  appetyte. 
And  sa  furth. 

^f  For  the  descriptioun  of  Heroique  actis,  Martiall  and  knichtly 
faittis  of  armes,  vse  this  kynde  of  verse  following,  callit  He- 
roically As 

Meik  mundane  mirrour,  myrrie  and  modest, 

Blyth,  kynde,  and  courtesy  comelie,  dene,  and  chest, 

To  all  exemple  for  thy  honestie, 

As  richest  rose,  or  rubie,  by  the  rest, 

With  grace's  graue,  and  gesture  maist  digest, 

Ay  to  thy  honnour  alwayis  hauing  eye. 

Werefassonsjliemde,  they  micht  be  found  in  the : 

Of  blissings  all,  be  blyth,  thow  hes  the  best, 

With  euerie  berne  belouitfor  to  be. 

^f  For  any  heich  &  graue  subiectis,  specially  drawin  out  of 
learnit  authouris,  vse  this  kynde  of  verse  following,  callit  Bal- 
lat  Royal,  as 

That 


of  Scottis  Poesie.  115 

That  nicht  he  ceist,  and  went  to  bed,  hot  greind 
Zit  fast  for  day,  and  thocht  the  nicht  to  long : 
At  last  Diana  doun  her  head  recleind, 
Into  the  sea.     Then  Lucifer  vpsprang, 
Auroras  post,  whome  sho  did  send  amang 
The  leittie  cludds,  for  to  foretell  am  hour. 
Before  sho  stay  her  tears,  quhilk  Ouide  sang 
Fell  for  her  loue,  quhilk  turnit  in  a  flour. 

5[  For  tragicall  materis,  complaintis,  or  testamentis,  vse  this 
kynde  of  verse  following,  callit  Troilus  verse,  as 

To  thee  Echo,  and  thow  to  me  agane, 
In  the  desert,  amangs  the  wods  and  wells, 
Quhair  destinie  hes  bound  the  to  remane, 
But  company,  within  the  firths  and  fells, 
Let  vs  complein,  with  wofull  zoutts  and  zells, 
A  shaft,  a  shatter,  that  our  harts  hes  slane : 
To  thee  Echo,  and  thow  to  me  agane. 

5[  For  flyting,  or  Inuectiues,  vse  this  kynde  of  verse  following, 
callit  Rouncefallis  or  Tumbling  verse. 

In  the  hinder  end  of  haruest  vpon  Alhallow  ene, 
Quhen  our  gude  nichtbors  rydis  (nou  gif  I  reid  richt) 
Some  bucklit  on  a  benwod,  fy  some  on  a  bene, 
Ay  trottand  into  troupes  fra  the  twylicht : 
Some  sadland  a  sho  ape,  all  grathed  into  grene : 
Some  hotcheand  on  a  hemp  stalk,  hovand  on  a  heicht. 
The  king  of  Fary  z&ith  the  Court  of  the  Elf  quene, 
With  many  elrage  Incubus  rydand  that  nicht : 

There  am  elfe  on  ane  ape  ant  vnsell  begat : 

Besyde  a  pot  baith  auld  and  wornet 

This  bratshard  in  ane  bus  was  borne : 

They  fand  a  monster  on  the  morne, 
Warfacit  nor  a  Cat. 

fjfcf 


116'  Rcvlis  and  Cavtclis 

^f  For  compendious  praysing  of  any  bukes,  or  the  authouris 
thairof,  or  ony  argumentis  of  vther  historeis,  quhair  sindrie 
sentences,  and  change  of  purposis  are  requyrit,  vse  Sonet  verse, 
of  fourtene  lynis,  and  ten  fete  in  euery  lyne.  The  exemple 
quhairof,  1  neid  nocht  to  shaw  zow,  in  respect  1  haue  set  doun 
twa  in  the  beginning  of  this  treatise. 

^f  In  materis  of  loue,  vse  this  kynde  of  verse,  quhilk  we  call 
Commoun  verse,  as 

Quhais  answer  made  thame  nocht  sa  glaid 
That  they  sould  thus  the  victors  be, 
As  euen  the  anszver  quhilk  I  haid 
Did  greatly  ioy  and  confort  me : 
Qnlii'ii  lo,  this  spak  Apollo  myne, 
All  that  thou  seikis,  it  sail  be  thyne. 

^[  Lyke  verse  of  ten  fete,  as  this  foirsaid  is  of  aucht,  ze  may  vse 
lykewayis  in  loue  materis  :  as  also  all  kyndis  of  cuttit  and  bro- 
kin  verse,  quhairof  new  formes  are  daylie  inuentit  according  to 
the  Poetis  pleasour,  as 

Quha  zeald  haue  tyrde  to  heir  that  tone, 
Quhilk  birds  corroborat  ay  abont 

Throuch  schouting  of  the  Larkis  ? 
They  sprang  sa  heich  into  the  skyes 
Quhill  Cupide  walknis  with  the  cryis 

Of  Naturis  chapell  Clarkis. 
Then  leaning  all  the  Heauins  aboue 

He  lichtcd  on  the  card. 
Lo !  how  that  lytill  God  of  loue. 

Before  me  then  appeard, 

So  myld-lyke       ,„.  ,  ,         , 
^    t   I    1 1  ,  i      With  bow  thre  quarters  skant 
And  chytd-lyKe 

So  moylie       ,,    7  . .    7  . 

.,    ,  J    ..      lie  lukit  lyke  a  bant. 
And  coylie 

And  sa  furth. 

This 


of  Scottis  Poesie. 


117 


^f  This  onely  kynde  of  brokin  verse  abonewrittin,  man  of  ne- 
cessitie,  in  thir  last  short  fete,  as  so  moylie  and  coylie,  haue  bot 
twa  fete  and  a  tayle  to  ilkane  of  thame,  as  ze  sie,  to  gar  the 
cullour  and  ryme  be  in  the  penult  syllabe. 

5[  Any  of  thir  foirsadis  kyndis  of  ballads  of  haill  verse,  and  not 
cuttit  or  brokin  as  this  last  is,  gif  ze  lyke  to  put  ane  owerword 
till  ony  of  thame,  as  making  the  last  lyne  of  the  first  verse,  to 
be  the  last  lyne  of  euerie  vther  verse  in  that  ballat,  will  set 
weill  for  loue  materis. 

Bot  besydis  thir  kyndes  of  brokin  or  cuttit  verse,  quilks  ar  in- 

uentit  daylie  be  Poetis,  as  I  shewe  before,  there  are  sindrie 

kyndes  of  haill  verse,  with  all  thair  lynis  alyke  lang, 

quhilk  I  haue  heir  omittit,  and  tane  bot  onelie 

thir  few  kyndes  abone  specifeit  as  the 

best,  quhilk  may  be  applyit 

to  ony  kynde  of 

subiect, 

bot  rather  to  thir,  quhairof 
I  haue  spokin  before. 


of 

PREFIXED    TO] 


IN  ENGLISH  HEROICAL  VERSE, 


BY 


OF  BATHE,  KNIGHT. 


Imprinted  in  the  yeere. 
1591 


A   BRIEFE  APOLOGIE   OF 

POETRIE,  AND  OF  THE  AUTHOR 

and  Translator  of  this  Poem.* 

THe  learned  Plutarch  in  his  Laconicall  Apothegmes,  tels  of 
a  Sophister  that  made  a  long  and  tedious  Oration  in 
praise  of  Hercules,  and  expecting  at  the  end  thereof  for  some 
great  thankes  and  applause  of  the  hearers,  a  certaine  Lacede- 
monian demanded  him,  who  had  dispraised  Hercules'?  Me 
thinkes  the  like  may  be  now  said  to  me,  taking  vpon  me  the 
defence  of  Poesie  :  for  surely  if  learning  in  generall  were  of 
that  account  among  vs,  as  it  ought  to  be  among  all  men,  and 
is  among  wise  men,  then  should  this  my  Apologie  of  Poesie 
(the  verie  first  nurse  and  ancient  grandmother  of  all  learning) 
be  as  vaine  and  superfluous  as  was  that  Sophisters,  because  it 
might  then  be  aunswered  and  truly  answered,  that  no  man  dis- 
graced it.  But  sith  we  liue  in  such  a  time,  in  which  nothing 
can  escape  the  enuious  tooth,  and  backbiting  tongue  of  an  im- 
pure mouth,  and  wherein  euerie  blind  corner  hath  a  squint- 
eyed  Zoilus,  that  can  looke  aright  vpon  no  mans  doings,  (yea 
sure  there  be  some  that  will  not  sticke  to  call  Hercules  himselfe 
a  dastard,  because  forsooth  he  fought  with  a  club  and  not  at 
the  rapyer  and  dagger  :)  therfore  I  thinke  no  man  of  iudgement 
will  iudge  this  my  labour  needlesse,  in  seeking  to  remoue  away 
those  slaunders  that  either  the  malice  of  those  that  loue  it  not, 
or  the  folly  of  those  that  vnderstand  it  not,  hath  deuised  against 
it:  for  indeed  as  the  old  saying  is,  Scientia  non  habet  inimicum 
prater  ignorantem  :  Knowledge  hath  no  foe  but  the  ignorant. 
But  now  because  I  make  account  I  haue  to  deale  with  three 
sundrie  kinds  of  reproouers,  one  of  those  that  condemne  all  Poe-  'The  diuilioB 
trie,  which  (how  strong  head  soeuer  they  haue)  I  count  but  a 


verie  weake  faction  ;  another  of  those  that  allow  Poetrie,  but  " 
not  this  particular  Poem,  of  which  kind  sure  there  cannot  be 

manie  : 

[*  The  Orlando  Furioso,  translated  from  Ariosto.] 


122  An  Apologie  of  Poetrie. 

manic :  a  third  of  those  that  can  beare  with  the  art,  &  like  of 
\  $j  the  worke,  but  will  finde  fault  with  my  not  well  handling  of  it, 
which  they  may  not  onely  probably,  but  I  doubt  too  truely  do, 
being  a  thing  as  commonly  done  as  said,  that  where  the  hedge 
is  lowest,  there  doth  euery  man  go  ouer :  Therfore  against 
these  three  I  must  arme  me  with  the  best  defensiue  weapons  I 
can,  and  if  1  happen  to  giue  a  blow  now  and  then  in  mine 
owne  defence,  and  as  good  fensers  vse  to  ward  &  strike  at 
once,  I  must  craue  pardon  of  course,  seing  our  law  allowes 
that  is  done  se  defendendo :  and  the  law  of  nature  teacheth  vim 
Of  Poetrie.  vi  repellere.  First  therfore  of  Poetrie  itselfe,  for  those  few 
that  generally  disallow  it,  might  be  sufficient  to  alledge  those 
many  that  generally  approue  it,  of  which  I  could  bring  in  such 
an  army,  not  of  souldiers,  but  of  famous  kings  &  captaines, 
as  not  only  the  sight,  but  the  verie  sound  of  them  were  able  to 
vanquish  and  dismay  the  smal  forces  of  our  aduersaries.  For 
who  would  once  dare  to  oppose  himselfe  against  so  many  Alex- 
anders, Casars,  Scipios,  (to  omit  infinite  other  Princes,  both  of 
former  and  later  ages,  and  of  forraine  and  nearer  countries) 
that  with  fauour,  with  studie,  with  practise,  with  example, 
with  honors,  with  giftes,  with  preferments,  with  great  and  mag- 
nificent cost,  haue  encoraged  and  aduanced  Poets  &  Poetry  ? 
As  witnes  the  huge  Theaters  and  Amphitheaters,  monuments 
of  stupendious  charge,  made  onely  for  Tragedies  and  Come- 
dies, the  workes  of  Poets  to  be  represented  on :  but  all  these 
aids  and  defences  I  leaue  as  superfluous,  my  cause  I  count  so 
good,  and  the  euidence  so  open,  that  I  neither  neede  to  vse  the 
countenance  of  any  great  state  to  boulster  it,  nor  the  cunning  of 
anie  suttle  lawyer  to  enforce  it :  my  meaning  is  plainly  and 
bonafide,  confessing  all  the  abuses  that  can  truely  be  obiectet 
against  some  kind  of  Poets,  to  shew  you  what  good  vse  tin-a- 
ct' Poetrie.  Neither  do  I  suppose  it  to  be  greatly  behoofull  fo 
this  purpose,  to  trouble  you  with  the  curious  definitions  of 
Poet  and  Poesie,  &  with  the  subtill  distinctions  of  their  sundri 
kinds ;  nor  to  dispute  how  high  and  supernatural  the  name  of 
Maker  is,  so  christned  in  English  by  that  vnknowne  Godfathe 
that  this  last  yeare  saue  one,  viz.  1589.  set  forth  a  booke  calle 

th 


An  Apologie  of  Poetrie.  123 

the  Art  of  English  Poetrie :  and  least  of  all  do  I  purpose  to 
bestow  any  long  time  to  argue,  whether  Plato,  Zenophon,  and 
Erasmus,  writing  fictions  and  Dialogues  in  prose,  may  iustly 
be  called  Poets,  or  whether  Lucan  writing  a  story  in  verse  be 
an  historiographer,  or  whether  Master  Faire  translating  Virgil, 
Master  Golding  translating  Quids  Metamorphosis,  and  my  selfe 
in  this  worke  that  you  see ;  be  any  more  then  versifiers,  as  the 
same  Ignoto  termeth  all  translators :  for  as  for  all,  or  the  most 
part  of  such  questions,  I  will  refer  you  to  Sir  Philip  Sidneys 
Apologie,  who  doth  handle  them  right  learnedly,  or  to  the 
forenamed  treatise  where  they  are  discoursed  more  largely,  and 
where,  as  it  were  a  whole  receit  of  Poetrie  is  prescribed,  with 
so  manie  new  named  figures,  as  would  put  me  in  great  hope  in 
this  age  to  come,  would  breed  manie  excellent  Poets  ;  saue  for 
one  obseruation  that  I  gather  out  of  the  verie  same  book.  For 
though  the  poore  gentleman  laboreth  greatly  to  proue,  or  ra- 
ther to  make  Poetrie  an  art,  and  reciteth  as  you  may  see  in  the 
plurall  number,  some  pluralities  of  patterns,  and  parcels  of  his 
owne  Poetrie,  with  diuerse  pieces  of  Partheniads  and  hymnes 
in  praise  of  the  most  praisworthy ;  yet  wahtsoeuer  he  would 
proue  by  all  these,  sure  in  my  poore  opinion  he  doth  proue  no- 
thing more  plainly,  then  that  which  M.  Sidney  and  all  the 
learneder  sort  that  haue  written  of  it,  do  pronounce,  namely 
that  it  is  a  gift  and  not  an  art,  I  say  he  proueth  it,  because 
making  himselfe  and  manie  others  so  cunning  in  the  art,  yet 
he  sheweth  himselfe  so  slender  a  gift  in  it ;  deseruing  to  be 
commended  as  Martiall  praiseth  one  that  he  compares  to  Tully. 

Carmina  quod  scribis,  musis  fy  Apolline  nullo 
Laudari  debes,  hoc  Ciceronis  habes. 

But  to  come  to  the  purpose,  and  to  speake  after  the  phrase  of 
the  common  sort,  that  terme  all  that  is  written  in  verse  Poetrie, 
and  rather  in  scorne  then  in  praise,  bestow  the  name  of  a  Poet, 
on  euerie  base  rymer  and  balladmaker,  this  I  say  of  it,  and  I 
thinke  I  say  truly,  that  there  are  many  good  lessons  to  be 
learned  out  of  it,  many  good  examples  to  be  found  in  it,  many 

good 


124  An  Apologie  of  Poetrie. 

good  vues  to  be  had  of  it,  &  that  therfore  it  is  not,  nor  ought 
not  to  be  despised  by  the  wiser  sort,  but  so  to  be  studied  and 
imployed,  as  was  intended  by  the  first  writers  &  deuisers  there- 
of, which  is  to  soften  and  polish  the  hard  and  rough  disposi- 
tions of  men,  and  make  them  capable  of  vertue  and  good 
•  liseipline. 

I  cannot  denie  but  to  vs  that  are  Christians  in  respect  of  the 
high  end  of  all,  which  is  the  health  of  our  soules,  not  only  Po- 
./  etrie  but  al  other  studies  of  Philosophy  are  in  a  manner  vaine 

&  superfluous  :  yea  (as  the  wise  man  saith)  whatsoeuer  is  vnder 
the  sunne  is  vanitie  of  vanities,  and  nothing  but  vanitie.  But 
sith  we  liue  with  men  &  not  with  saints,  and  because  few 
men  can  embrace  this  strict  and  stoicall  diuinitie,  or  rather  in- 
deed, for  that  the  holy  scriptures  in  which  those  high  mysteries 
of  our  saluation  are  contained,  are  a  deepe  &  profound  studie, 
and  not  subiect  to  euerie  weake  capacitie,  no  nor  to  the  highest 
wits  and  iudgments,  except  they  be  first  illuminat  by  Gods 
spirit,  or  instructed  by  his  teachers  and  preachers :  therefore 
we  do  first  read  some  other  authors,  making  them  as  it  were  a 
looking  glasse  to  the  eyes  of  our  minde ;  and  then  after  we  haue 
gathered  more  strength,  we  enter  into  profounder  studies  of 
higher  mysteries,  hauing  first  as  it  were  enabled  our  eyes  by 
long  beholding  the  sunne  in  a  bason  of  water  at  last  to  looke 
vpon  the  sunne  it  selfe.  So  we  read  how  that  great  Moses, 
whose  learning  and  sanctitie  is  so  renowned  ouer  all  nations, 
was  first  instructed  in  the  learning  of  the  Egyptians,  before  he 
came  to  that  high  contemplation  of  God  and  familiaritie  (as  I 
may  so  terme  it)  with  God.  So  the  notable  Prophet  Daniel 
was  brought  vp  in  the  learning  of  the  Chaldeans,  &  made  that 
the  first  step  of  his  higher  vocation  to  be  a  Prophet.  If  then 
we  may  by  the  example  of  two  such  special  seruants  of  God 
spend  some  of  our  young  yeares  in  studies  of  humanitie,  what 
better  and  more  meete  studie  is  there  for  a  young  man  then 
Poetrie  ?  specially  Heroicall  Poesie,  that  with  her  sweet  state- 
linesse  doth  erect  the  mind  &,  lift  it  vp  to  the  consideration  of 
the  highest  matters:  and  allureth  them,  that  of  themselues 
would  otherwise  loth  them,  to  take  and  swallow  &,  digest  the 

holsoine 


An  Apologie  of  Poetrie.  125 

holsome  precepts  of  Philosophic,  and  many  times  euen  of  the 
true  diuinitie.  Wherefore  Plutarch  hairing  written  a  whole  Plutarch  de 
treatise  of  the  praise  of  Homers  workes,  and  another  of  reading 
Poets,  doth  begin  this  latter  with  this  comparison,  that  as  men 
that  are  sickly  and  haue  weake  stomakes,  or  daintie  tastes,  do 
many  times  thinke  that  flesh  most  delicate  to  eate,  that  is  not 
flesh,  and  those  fishes  that  be  not  fish ;  so  young  men  (saith  he) 
do  like  best  that  Philosophy,  that  is  not  Philosophic,  or  that  is 
not  deliuered  as  Philosophic,  and  such  are  the  pleasant  writings 
of  learned  Poets,  that  are  the  popular  Philosophers  and  the  po- 
pular diuines.  Likewise  Tasso  in  his  excellent  worke  of  lent-  Ta®°-  Canto  *• 
salem  Liberate,  likeneth  Poetrie  to  the  Phisicke  that  men  giue 
vnto  little  children  when  they  are  sick ;  his  verse  is  this  in  Ita- 
lian, speaking  to  God  with  a  pretie  Prosopopeia. 

Sai,  che  la  corre  il  mondor  one  piu  versi 

Di  sue  dulcezze,  il  lusingier  Parnaso : 

E  che  'hero  condito  in  molli  versi. 

I  piu  schiui  allettando  ha  persuaso 

Cost  af  egro  fanciul  porgiamo  asperso 

Di  soaui  liquor  gli  Orli  del  vaso 

Succhi  amari  ingannato  in  tanto  ei  beue 

E  dal  inganno  suo  vita  receue. 
Thou  knowst,  the  wanton  worldlings  euer  runne 
To  sweete  Parnassus  fruites,  how  otherwhile 
The  truth  well  saw'st  with  pleasant  verse  hath  wonne 
Most  sqeamish  stomakes,  with  the  sugred  stile : 
So  the  sicke  child  that  Pocions  all  doth  shunne, 
With  comfets  and  with  sugar  we  begile, 
And  cause  him  take  a  holsome  sozvre  receit, 
He  drinkes,  and  saues  his  life  with  such  deceit. 

This  is  then  that  honest  fraud,  in  which  (as  Plutarch)  saith)  he 
that  is  deceiued,  is  wiser  then  he  that  is  not  deceiued,  &  he 
that  doth  deceiue,  is  honester  then  he  that  doth  not  deceiue. 

But  briefly  to  answere  to  the  chiefe  obiections ;  Cornelius  Agrippa  de 
Agrippa,  a  man  of  learning  &  authorise  not  to  be  despised, 

p  maketh 


126  An  Apologie  of  Poetrie. 

maketh  a  bitter  inucctiue  against  Poets  and  Poesie,  and  the 
summe  of  his  reproofe  of  it  is  this  (which  is  al  that  can  with  any 
Fourobiectiat  probability  be  said  against  it  :)  That  it  is  a  nurse  of  lies,  a 
again*  Poetry  pleaser  of  fooles/a  breeder  of  dangerous  errors/  and  an  inticer 
to  wan  tonnes.  I  might  here  warne  those  that  wil  vrge  this 
mans  authoritie  to  the  disgrace  of  Poetrie,  to  take  heed  (of 
what  calling  so  euer  they  be)  least  with  the  same  weapon  that 
they  thinke  to  giue  Poetrie  a  blow,  they  giue  themselues  a 
maime.  For  Agrippa  taketh  his  pleasure  of  greater  matters 
then  Poetrie ;  I  maruel  how  he  durst  do  it,  saue  that  I  see  he 
hath  done  it,  he  hath  spared  neither  myters  nor  scepters.  The 
courts  of  Princes  where  vertue  is  rewarded,  iustice  maintained, 
oppressions  relieued,  he  cals  them  a  Colledge  of  Giants,  of  Ty- 
rants, of  oppressors,  warriors :  the  most  noble  sort  of  noble 
men,  he  termeth  cursed,  bloodie,  wicked,  and  sacrilegious  per- 
sons. Noble  men  (and  vs  poore  Gentlemen)  that  thinke  to 
borrow  praise  of  our  auncestors  deserts  and  good  fame,  he  af- 
firmeth  to  be  a  race  of  the  sturdier  sort  of  knaues,  and  lycen- 
cious  liuers.  Treasurers  8c  other  great  officers  of  the  common 
welth,  with  graue  counsellors  whose  wise  heads  are  the  pillers 
of  the  state,  he  affirmeth  generally  to  be  robbers  and  peelers  of 
the  realme,  and  priuie  traitors  that  sell  their  princes  fauours, 
and  rob  weldeseruing  seruitors  of  their  reward. 

I  omit  as  his  peccadilia,  how  he  nicknameth  priests  saying,  for 
the  most  part  they  are  hypocrites,  lawyers ;  saying  they  are  all 
theeues ;  phisicians,  saying  they  are  manie  of  them  murtherers: 
so  as  I  thinke  it  were  a  good  motion  and  would  easily  passe  by 
the  consent  of  the  three  estates,  that  this  mans  authoritie  should 
be  vtterly  adnihilated,  that  dealeth  so  hardly  and  vniustly  with 
all  sorts  of  professions.  But  for  the  reiecting  of  his  writings  I 
refer  it  to  others  that  haue  powre  to  do  it,  and  to  condemne 
him  for  a  generall  libeller,  but  for  that  he  writeth  against  Po- 
etrie, I  meane  to  speake  a  word  or  two  in  refuting  thereof. 
AtuMixre  to  the  And  first  for  lying,  I  might  if  I  list  excuse  it  by  the  rule  of 
Poetica  licentia,  and  claime  a  priuiledge  giuen  to  Poetrie,  whose 
arTis  but  an  ,iuiitati0n  (as  Aristotle  calleth  it)  &  therefore  are 
allowed  to  faine  what  they  list,  according  to  that  old  verse,  . 

luridiciSf 


An  Apologie  of  Poctrie. 

luridicis,  Erebo,  fisco,  fas  viuere  rapto, 
Militibus,  medicis,  tortori,  occidere  Ludo  est : 
Mentiri  Astronomis,  pictoribus  atque  Poetis. 
Which  because  I  count  it  without  reason,  I  will  English 
without  rime. 

Lawyers,  Hell,  and  the  Checquer  are  allowed  to  Hue  on  spoile, 
Souldiers,  Phisicians,  and  hangmen  make  a  sport  of  murther, 
Astronomers,  Painters,  and  Poets  may  lye  by  authoritie. 

Thus  you  see,  that  Poets  may  lye  if  they  list  Cum  priuilegio : 
but  what  if  they  lye  least  of  all  other  men  ?  what  if  they  lye  not 
at  all  ?  then  I  thinke  that  great  slaunder  is  verie  vniustly  raised 
vpon  them.  For  in  my  opinion  they  are  snid  properly  to  lye, 
that  affirme  that  to  be  true  that  is  false :  and  how  other  arts 
can  free  themselues  from  this  blame,  let  them  look  that  pro- 
fesse  them :  but  Poets  neuer  affirming  any  for  true,  but  pre- 
senting them  to  vs  as  fables  and  imitations,  cannot  lye  though 
they  would :  and  because  this  obiection  of  lyes  is  the  chiefe, 
and  that  vpon  which  the  rest  be  grounded,  I  wil  stand  the 
longer  vpon  the  clearing  thereof. 

The  ancient  Poets  haue  indeed  wrapped  as  it  were  in  their 
writings  diuers  and  sundry  meanings,  which  they  call  the  sences 
or  mysteries  thereof.  First  of  all  for  the  literall  sence  (as  it 
were  the  vtmost  barke  or  ryne)  they  set  downe  in  manner  of  an 
historic,  the  acts  and  notable  exploits  of  some  persons  worthy 
memorie ;  then  in  the  same  fiction,  as  a  second  rine  and  some- 
what more  fine,  as  it  were  nearer  to  the  pith  and  marrow,  they 
place  the  Morall  sence,  profitable  for  the  actiue  life  of  man, 
approuing  vertuous  actions  and  condemning  the  contrarie.  Ma- 
nie  times  also  vnder  the  selfesame  words  they  comprehend 
some  true  vnderstanding  of  naturall  Philosophic,  or  somtimes 
of  politike  gouernement,  and  now  and  then  of  diuinitie :  and 
these  same  sences  that  comprehend  so  excellent  knowledge  we 
call  the  Allegoric,  which  Plutarch  defineth  to  be  when  one 
thing  is  told,  and  by  that  another  is  vnderstood.  Now  let  any 
man  iudge  if  it  be  a  matter  of  meane  art  or  wit  to  containe  in 
one  historicall  narration  either  true  or  fained,  so  many,  so  di- 

uerse, 


128  An  Apologie  of  Poetrir. 

uerse,  and  so  deepe  conceits :  but  for  making  the  matter  more 
plaine  I  will  alledge  an  example  thereof. 

Ouui*  Mtta-  Perseus  sonne  of  lupiter  is  rained  by  the  Poets  to  haue  slaine 

Gorgon,  and  after  that  conquest  atchieued,  to  haue  flowen  vp 
to  heauen.  The  Historical!  sence  is  this,  Perseus  the  sonne  of 
lupiter,  by  the  participation  of  lupiters  vertues  that  were  in 
him ;  or  rather  comming  of  the  stock  of  one  of  the  kings  of 
Greet,  or  Athens  so  called ;  slew  Gorgon  a  tyrant  in  that  coun- 
trey  (Gorgon  in  greeke  signifieth  earth)  and  was  for  his  vertu- 
ous  parts  exalted  by  men  vp  vnto  heauen.  Morally  it  signifi- 
eth this  much,  Perseus  a  wise  man,  sonne  of  lupiter  endewed 
with  vertue  from  aboue,  slayeth  sinne  and  vice,  a  thing  base  & 
earthly ;  signified  by  Gorgon,  and  so  mountcth  vp  to  the  skie 
of  vertue :  It  signifies  in  one  kinde  of  Allegoric  thus  much ; 
the  mind  of  man  being  gotten  by  God,  and  so  the  childe  of 
God  killing  and  vanquishing  the  earthlinesse  of  this  Gorgon- 
icall  nature,  ascendeth  vp  to  the  vnderstanding  of  hcauenly 
things,  of  high  things,  of  eternal  things ;  in  which  cotempla- 
cion  cosisteth  the  perfection  of  man  :  this  is  the  natural  allego- 
ry, because  ma,  one  of  the  chiefe  works  of  nature :  It  hath  also 
a  more  high  and  heauenly  Allegoric,  that  the  heauenly  nature, 
daughter  of  lupiter,  procuring  with  her  continuall  motion,  cor- 
ruption and  mortality  in  the  inferiour  bodies,  seuered  it  selfe  at 
last  from  these  earthly  bodies,  and  flew  vp  on  high,  and  there 
remaineth  for  euer.  It  hath  also  another  Theological  Allego- 
ric; that  the  angelical  1  nature,  daughter  of  the  most  high  God 
the  creator  of  all  things;  killing  &,  ouercouiming  all  bodily 
substance,  signified  by  Gorgon,  ascended  into  heauen :  the  like 
infinite  Allegories  I  could  pike  out  of  other  Poeticall  fictions, 
saue  that  I  would  auoid  tediousnes.  It  suificeth  me  therefore 
to  note  this,  that  the  men  of  greatest  learning  and  highest  wit 
in  the  auncient  times,  did  of  purpose  conceale  these  deepe  mys- 
teries of  learning,  and  as  it  were  couer  them  with  the  vaile  of 
fables  and  verse  for  sundrie  causes :  one  cause  was,  that  they 
might  not  be  rashly  abused  by  prophane  wits,  in  whom  science 
is  corrupted,  like  good  wine  in  a  bad  vessell :  another  cause 
why  they  wrote  in  verse,  was  conseruation  of  the  memorie  of 

their 


An  Apologie  of  Poetrie.  129 

their  precepts,  as  we  see  yet  the  generall  rules  almost  of  euerie 
art,  not  so  much  as  husbandrie,  but  they  are  oftner  recited  and 
better  remembred  in  verse  then  in  prose  :  another,  and  a  prin- 
cipall  cause  of  all,  is  to  be  able  with  one  kinde  of  meate  and 
one  dish  (as  I  may  so  call  it)  to  feed  diuers  tastes.  For  the 
weaker  capacities  will  feede  themselues  with  the  pleasantnes  of 
the  historic  and  sweetnes  of  the  verse,  some  that  haue  stronger 
stomackes  will  as  it  were  take  a  further  taste  of  the  Morall 
sence,  a  third  sort  more  high  conceited  then  they,  will  digest 
the  Allegoric  :  so  as  indeed  it  hath  bene  thought  by  men  of  ve- 
rie  good  iudgement,  such  manner  of  Poeticall  writing  was  an 
excellent  way  to  preserue  all  kinde  of  learning  from  that  cor- 
ruption which  now  it  is  come  to  since  they  left  that  mysticall 
writing~of  verse.  Now  though  I  know  the  example  and  autho- 
ritie  of  Aristotle  and  Plato  be  still  vrged  against  this,  who 
tooke  to  themselues  another  manner  of  writing  :  first  I  may  say 
indeed  that  lawes  were  made  for  poore  men,  and  not  for  Prin- 
ces, for  these  two  great  Princes  of  Philosophic,  brake  that  for- 
mer allowed  manner  of  writing,  yet  Plato  still  preserued  the 
fable,  but  refused  the  verse.  Aristotle  though  meeting  both, 
yet  retained  still  a  kind  of  obscuritie,  in  so  much  he  aunswered 
Alexander,  who  reproued  him  in  a  sort,  for  publishing  the  sa- 
cred secrets  of  Philosophic,  that  he  had  set  forth  his  bookes  in 
a  sort,  and  yet  not  set  them  forth ;  meaning  that  they  were  so 
obscure  that  they  would  be  vnderstood  of  few,  except  they 
came  to  him  for  instructions ;  or  else  without  they  were  of  verie 
good  capacitie  and  studious  of  Philosophic.  But  (as  I  say) 
Plato  howsoeuer  men  would  make  him  an  enimie  of  Poetrie 
(because  he  found  indeed  iust  fault  with  the  abuses  of  some  co- 
micall  Poets  of  his  time,  or  some  that  sought  to  set  vp  new  and 
strange  religions)  yet  you  see  he  kept  still  that  principall  part 
of  Poetrie,  which  is  fiction  and  imitation ;  and  as  for  the  other 
part  of  Poetrie  which  is  verse,  though  he  vsed  it  not,  yet  his 
master  Socrates  euen  in  his  old  age  wrote  certain  verses,  as 
Plutarke  testifieth :  but  because  I  haue  named  the  two  parts  of 
Poetrie,  namely  inuention  or  fiction  and  verse,  let  vs  see  how 
well  we  can  authorise  the  vse  of  both  these.  First  for  fiction, 

against 


130  An  Apologie  of  Poetrie. 

against  which  as  I  told  before,  many  inueigh,  calling  it  by  the 
foule  name  of  lying,  though  notwithstanding,  as  I  then  said,  it 
is  farthest  from  it:  Demosthenes  the  famous  and  renowned  Ora- 
tor, when  he  would  perswade  the  Athenians  to  warre  against 
Philip,  told  them  a  solemne  tale  how  the  wolues  on  a  time  sent 
Ambassadors  to  the  sheepe,  offering  them  peace  if  they  would 
deliuer  vp  the  dogs  that  kept  their  folds,  with  al  that  long  cir- 
custance  (needlesse  to  be  repeated)  by  which  he  perswaded  them 
far  more  strongly  then  if  he  should  haue  told  the  in  plain 
termes,  that  Philip  sought  to  bereaue  them  of  their  chiefe  bul- 
warks &  defences,  to  haue  the  better  abilitie  to  ouerthrow 
them :  But  what  need  we  fetch  an  authority  so  far  of  fro  hea- 
then authors,  that  haue  many  neerer  hand  both  in  time  & 
in  place  ?  Bishop  Fisher  a  stout  Prelal  (though  I  do  not  praise 
his  Religion)  when  he  was  assaid  by  king  Henrie  the  eight  for 
his  good  will  and  assent  for  the  suppression  of  Abbeys,  the  king 
alledging  that  he  would  but  take  away  their  superfluities,  and 
let  the  substance  stand  still,  or  at  least  see  it  conuerted  to  bet- 
ter &  more  godly  vses :  The  graue  Bishop  answered  it  in  this 
kind  of  Poeticall  parable  :  He  said  there  was  an  axe  that  wat- 
ing  a  helue,  came  to  a  thicke  &  huge  ouergrovvne  wood,  &  be- 
sought some  of  the  great  okes  in  that  wood,  to  spare  him  so 
much  timber  as  to  make  him  a  handle  or  helue,  promising  that 
if  he  might  finde  that  fauour,  he  would  in  recompence  thereof, 
haue  great  regard  in  preseruing  that  wood,  in  pruning  the 
braunches,  in  cutting  away  the  vnprofitable  and.  superfluous 
boughes,  in  paring  away  the  bryers  and  thornes  that  were  com- 
bersome  to  the  fayre  trees,  and  make  it  in  fine  a  groue  of  great 
delight  and  pleasure :  but  when  this  same  axe  had  obtained  his 
suit,  he  so  laid  about  him,  &  so  pared  away  both  timber  and 
top  and  lop,  that  in  short  space  of  a  woodland  he  made  it  a 
champion,  and  made  her  liberalitie  the  instrument  of  her  ouer- 
throw. 

Now  though  this  Bishop  had  no  very  good  successe  with  his 
parable,  yet  it  was  so  farre  fro  being  couted  a  lye,  that  it  was 
plainly  seen  soone  after  that  the  same  axe  did  both  hew  down 
those  woods  by  the  roots,  &  pared  off  him  by  the  head,  and 

was 


An  Apologie  of  Poctrie.  131 

was  a  peece  of  Prophecie,  as  well  as  a  peece  of  Poetrie :  and 
indeed  Prophets  8c  Poets  haue  been  thought  to  haue  a  great 
affinitie,  as  the  name  Vates  in  Latin  doth  testifie.  But  to  come 
again  to  this  maner  of  fictiou  or  parable,  the  Prophet  Nathan, 
reprouing  king  Dauidi'or  his  great  sinne  of  adulterie  and  mur- 
ther,  doth  he  not  come  to  hiih  with  a  pretie  parable,  of  a  poore 
man  and  his  lambe  that  lay  in  his  bosome,  and  eate  of  his 
bread,  and  the  rich  man  that  had  whole  flocks  of  his  own  would 
needs  take  it  from  him  ?  in  wich  as  it  is  euident,  it  was  but  a 
parable,  so  it  were  vnreuerent  and  almost  blasphemous  to  say 
it  was  a  lye.  But  to  goe  higher,  did  not  our  Sauiour  himselfe 
spcake  in  parables  ?  as  that  diuine  parable  of  the  sower,  that 
comfortable  parable  of  the  Prodigal!  sonne,  that  dreadfull  pa- 
rable of  Dines  and  Lazarus,  though  I  know  of  this  last,  many 
of  the  fathers  hold  that  it  is  a  storie  indeed,  and  no  parable. 
But  in  the  rest  it  is  manifest  that  he  that  was  all  holinesse,  all 
wisedome,  .ill  truth,  vsed  parables,  and  euen  such  as  discreet 
Poets  vse,  where  a  good  and  honest  and  wholesome  Allegoric 
is  hidden  in  a  pleasaunt  and  pretie  fiction,  and  therefore  for 
that  part  of  Poetry  of  Imitation,  I  thinke  nobody  will  make  any  TWO  parts  of 
question,  but  it  is  not  onely  allowable,  but  godly  and  com-  *>0?™f» 
mendable,  if  the  Poets  ill  handling  of  it  doe  not  marre  and  per-  imuntion  and 
uert  the  good  vse  of  it.  The  other  part  of  Poetrie,  which  is  Verse' 
Verse,  as  it  were  the  clothing  or  ornament  of  it,  hath  many 
good  vses ;  of  the  helpe  of  memorie  I  spake  somewhat  before  ^  ^ 
for  the  words  being  couched  together  in  due  order,  measure, 
and  number,  one  doth  as  it  were  bring  on  another,  as  my  selfe 
haue  ofte  proued,  8t  so  I  thinke  do  many  beside,  (though  for 
my  own  part  1  can  rather  bost  of  the  marring  a  good  memorie, 
then  of  hauing  one,)  yet  I  haue  euer  found,  that  Verse  is  easier 
to  learne  and  farre  better  to  preserue  in  memorie  then  is  prose. 
An  other  speciall  grace  in  Verse  is  the  forcible  manner  of;v) 
phrase,  in  which  if  it  be  well  made  it  farre  excelleth  loose 
speech  or  prose :  a  third  is  the  pleasure  and  sweetnesse  to  the 
jeare,  which  makes  the  discourse  pleasaunt  vnto  vs  often  time 
when  the  matter  it  selfe  is  harsh  and  vnacceptable ;  for  myne 
owne  part  I  was  neuer  yet  so  good  a  husband,  to  take  any  de- 
light 


132  An  Apologie  of  Poclrir. 

light  to  heare  one  of  my  ploughmen  tell  how  an  acre  of  wheat 
must  be  fallowd  and  twyfallowd,  and  how  cold  land  should  be 
burned,  and  how  frutefull  land  uui^t  be  wrll  harrowed,  but 
when  I  heare  one  read  Virgill  where  he  .suith  : 

S&pc  etiam  steriles  incendere  profuit  agro$, 
Atfy  leuem  stipulam  crepitaiitibus  -crcre  ftnmmis. 
Siue  inde  occult  as  vires  fy  pubula  terra 
Pinguia  concipiunt  ;  sine  illis  omne  per  ignem 
Excoquitur  vitiurn,  atq^  exsudat  inutilis  humor,  fyc. 

And  after. 

Mull  inn  adeo,  rastris  glebas  quifrangit  inertes 
trahit  crates,  iuuat  arua. 


With  many  other  lessons  of  homly  husbandrie,  but  deliuered 
in  so  good  Verse  that  me  thinkes  all  that  while  I  could  find  in 
my  hart  to  driue  the  plough.  But  now  for  the  authoritie  of 
Verse,  if  it  be  not  sufficient  to  say  for  them,  that  the  greatest 
Philosophers,  and  grauest  Senatours  that  euer  were,  haue  vsed 
them  both  in  their  speeches  and  in  their  wr  tings,  that  precepts 
of  all  Arts  haue  been  deliuered  in  them,  that  verse  is  as  aun- 
cient  a  writing  as  prose,  and  indeed  more  auncient  in  respect 
that  the  oldest  workes  extant  be  verse,  as  Orpheus,  Linus,  He- 
siodus,  &  others  beyod  memory  of  man,  or  metio  almost  of  his- 
tory ;  if  none  of  these  will  serue  for  the  credit  of  it,  yet  let  this 
serue,  that  some  part  of  the  Scripture  was  written  in  verse,  as 
the  Psalmes  of  Dauid,  &  certain  other  songs  of  Deborah,  of 
Salomon  &  others,  which  the  learnedest  diuines  do  affirine  to  be 
verse,  and  find  that  they  are  in  meeter,  though  the  rule  of  the 
Hebrew  verse  they  agree  not  on.  Suffiseth  it  me  only  to  proue 
that  by  the  authoritie  of  sacred  Scriptures,  both  parts  of  Poe- 
sie,  inuetion  or  imitation,  and  verse  are  allowable,  &  cosequet- 
ly  that  great  obiectio  of  lying  is  quite  take  away  &  refuted. 
Antwert  to  the  Now  the  secod  objection  is  pleasing  of  fooles  ;  I  haue  already 
tecand  obiecttm.  showed  how  it  displeaseth  not  wise  men,  now  if  it  haue  this 

vertue 


An  Apologie  of  Poetrie.  133 

vertue  to,  to  please  the  fooles  and  ignorant,  I  would  thinke  this 
an  article  of  prayse  not  of  rebuke :  wherefore  I  confesse  that  it 
pleaseth  fooles  and  so  pleaseth  them,  that  if  they  marke  it  and 
obserue  it  well,  it  will  in  time  make  them  wise,  for  in  verse  is 
both  goodnesse  and  sweetnesse,  Rubarb  and  Sugercandie,  the 
pleasaunt  and  the  profitable :  wherefore  as  Horace  sayth,  Omne 
tulit  punctum  qui  miscuit  vtile  dulci,  he  that  can  mingle  the 
sweete  and  the  wholesome,  the  pleasaunt  &  the  profitable,  he 
is  indeed  an  absolute  good  writer,  and  such  be  Poets,  if  any  be 
such,  they  present  vnto  vs  a  pretie  tale,  able  to  keepe  a  childe 
from  play,  and  an  old  man  from  the  chimnie  corner :  Or  as  the 
same  Horace  sayth,  to  a  couetous  man. 

Tantalus  a  labris  sitiens  fugientia  captat 
Flumina,  quid  rides  ?  mutato  nomine  de  te 
Fabula  narratur. 

One  tels  a  couetous  man  a  tale  of  Tantalus  that  sits  vp  to  the 
chinne  in  water,  and  yet  is  plagued  with  thirst.  This  signifies 
the  selfe  same  man  to  whom  the  talc  is  told,  that  wallows  in 
plentie,  and  yet  his  miserable  minde  barres  him  of  the  vse  of  it: 
As  my  selfe  knew  and  I  am  sure  many  remember  Justice  Ran- 
dall of  Lodon,  a  man  passing  impotent  in  body  but  much  more 
in  mind,  that  leauing  behind  him  a  thousand  pouds  of  gold  in 
a  chest  ful  of  old  boots  &  shoes,  yet  was  so  miserable,  that  at 
my  Lord  Maiors  dinner  they  say  he  would  put  vp  a  widgen  for 
his  supper,  &  many  a  good  meale  he  did  take  of  his  franke 
neighbour  the  widdow  Penne:  but  to  come  to  the  matter,  this  ^micere  io  tjlc 
same  great  sinne  that  is  layd  to  Poetrie  of  pleasing  fooles  is  suf-  tllird- 
ficiently  answered  if  it  be  worth  the  answering.  Now  for  the 
breeding  of  errours  which  is  the  third  Obiection,  I  see  not  why 
it  should  breed  any  when  none  is  bound  to  beleeue  that  they 
write,  nor  they  looke  not  to  haue  their  fictions  beleeued  in  die 
litterall  sence,  and  therefore  he  that  well  examines  whece  er- 
rours spring,  shall  finde  the  writers  of  prose  8c  not  of  verse,  the 
authors  and  maintainers  of  them,  and  this  point  I  cout  so  mani- 
fest as  it  needes  no  proofe.  The  last  reproofe  is  lightnes  8c 

Q  wantonnes, 


134  An  Apologie  of  Poctric. 


wan  tonnes,  this  is  indeed  ;m  Obit  <  tion_o^ 
sitli  a»  Sir  riiilij)  Mdi/ei/  confi'vsrth,  Cujtidn  i.-,  crept  euen  into 
the  Heroicall  Poemes,  &  consequently  makes  that  also,  subiect 
to  this  reproofe  :  I  promised  in  the  beginning  not  partially  to 
prayse  Poesie,  but  plainly  and  honestly  to  confesse  that,  that 
might  truely  be  obiected  against  it,  and  if  any  thing  may  be, 
sure  it  is  this  lasciuiousnesse  ;  yet  this  I  will  say,  that  of  all 
kinde  of  Poesie,  the  Heroicall  is  least  infected  therewith.  The 
other  kindes  I  will  rather  excuse  then  defende,  though  of  all 
the  kindes  of  Poesie  it  may  bee  sayd  where  any  scurrilitie  and 
lewdnesse  is  founde,  there  Poetry  doth  not  abuse  vs,  but  writers 
haue  abused  Poetrie.  And  brieflie  to  examine  all  the  kindes: 
First  the  Tragicall  is  meerly  free  from  it,  as  representing  onely 
the  cruell  &,  lawlesse  proceedings  of  Princes,  mouing  nothing 
but  pitie  or  detestation.  The  jCpmicall  (whatsoeuer  foolish 
playmakers  make  it  offend  in  this  kind)  yet  being  rightly  ysed, 
it  represents  them  so  as  to  make  the  vice  scorned  and  not  cm- 
braced.  The  Satyrikc  is  meerly  free  fro  it,  as  being  wholly  oc- 
cupied in  mannerly  &  couertly  reprouing  of  all  vices.  The 
Elegie  is  still  mourning  :  as  for  the  pastorall  with  the  Sonnet 
or  Epigramme,  though  many  times  they  sauour  of  wantonnes 
and  loue  and  toying,  and  now  and  then  breaking  the  rules  of 
Poetry,  go  into  plaine  scurrilitie,  yet  euen  the  worst  of  them 
may  be  not  ill  applied,  and  are,  I  must  confesse,  too  delight- 
full,  in  so  much  as  Martiall  saith, 

Laudant  ilia,  sed  ista  legunt. 
And  in  another  place, 

Erubuit  posuitc^  meum  Lucrecia  librum  ; 
Sed  coram  Bruto.     Brute  recede,  leget. 

Lucrecia  (by  which  he  signifies  any  chast  matron)  will  blush 
and  be  ashamed  to  read  a  lasciuious  booke,  but  how  ?  not  ex- 
cept Brutus  be  by,  that  is  if  any  graue  man  should  see  her  read 
it,  but  if  Brutus  turne  his  backe,  she  will  to  it  agayne  and  read 

it 


An  Apologie  of  Poetrie.  135 

it  all.  But  to  end  this  part  of  my  Apologie,  as  I  count  and 
conclude  Heroicall  Poesie  allowable  and  to  be  read  and  studied 
without  all  exception;  so  I  may  as  boldly  say,  that  Tragedies 
well  handled,  be  a  most  worthy  kinde  of  Poesie ;  that  Come- 
dies may  make  men  see  and  shame  at  their  owne  faults,  that 
the  rest  may  be  so  written  and  so  read,  as  much  pleasure  and 
some  profite  may  be  gathered  out  of  them.  And  for  myne  owne 
part,  as  Scaliger  writeth  of  Virgill,  so  I  beleeue,  that  the  read- 
ing of  a  good  Heroicall  Poeme  may  make  a  man  both  wiser  and 
honester:  and  for  Tragedies,  to  omit  other  famous  Tragedies ; 
That,  that  was  playd  at  S.  lohns  in  Cambridge,  of  Richard  the 
3.  would  moue  (I  thinke)  Phalaris  the  tyraunt,  and  terrific  all 
tyranous  minded  men,  fro  following  their  foolish  ambitious 
humors,  seeing  how  his  ambition  made  him  kill  his  brother,  his 
nephews,  his  wife,  beside  infinit  others ;  and  last  of  all  after  a 
short  and  troublesome  raigne,  to  end  his  miserable  life,  and  to 
haue  his  body  harried  after  his  death.  Then  for  Comedies. 
How  full  of  harmeles  myrth  is  our  Cabridge  Pedantius  ?  and  the 
Oxford  Bellum  Grammaticale  ?  or  to  speake  of  a  London  Co- 
medie,  how  much  good  matter,  yea  and  matter  of  state,  is 
there  in  that  Comedie  cald  the  play  of  the  Cards  ?  in  which  it 
is  showed,  how  foure  Parasiticall  knaues  robbe  the  foure  prin- 
cipall  vocations  of  the  Realme,  videl.  the  vocation  of  Souldiers, 
Schollers,  Marchats,  and  Husbandmen.  Of  which  Comedie 
I  cannot  forget  the  saying  of  a  notable  wise  couseller  that  is 
now  dead,  who  when  some,  (to  sing  Placebo)  aduised  that  it 
should  be  forbidden,  because  it  was  somewhat  too  plaine,  and 
indeed  as  the  old  saying  is,  (sooth  boord  is  no  boord)  yet  he  $yr 
would  haue  it  allowed,  adding  it  was  fit  that  They  which  doe 
that  they  should  not,  should  heare  that  they  would  not.  Finally 
if  Comedies  may  be  so  made  as  the  beholders  may  be  bettered 
by  the,  without  all  doubt  all  other  sortes  of  Poetrie,  may  bring 
their  profit  as  they  do  bring  delight,  and  if  all,  then  much  more 
the  chiefe  of  all,  which  by  all  mens  consent  is  the  Heroicall. 
And  thus  much  be  sayd  for  Poesie. 

Now  for  this  Poeme  of  Orlando  Furioso,  which  as  I  haue 
beard,  hath  been  disliked  by  some  (though  by  few  of  any  wit  or 

judgement) 


J36  An  Apologic  of  Poetrir. 

Judgement)  it  followes  that  I  say  somewhat  in  defence  therol', 
which  I  will  do  the  more  moderatly  and  coldly,  by  how  much 
The  ttcbdpari  of  the  payues  I  liaue  take  in  it  (rising  as  you  may  see  to  a  good 
tfo  Apologu.        volume)  may  make  me  seeme  a  more  partiall  prayser.     Where- 
fore I  will  make  choise  of  some  other  Poeme  that  is  allowed 
and  approued  by  all  men,  and  a  litle  compare  them  together : 
and  what  worke  can  serue  this  turne  so  fitly  as  Virgils  jEneados, 
whom  aboue  all  other  it  seemeth  my  authour  doth  follow,  as 
appeares  both  by  his  beginning  and  ending.     The  tone  begins, 

Arma  virumtfr  cano 
The  tother. 

Le  donne  I  cauallieri  V  arme  gli  amori 
Le  cortesie  C  audace  imprese  io  canto. 

Virgill  endes  with  the  death  of  Turnus, 

Vitafy  cum  gemitufugit  indignata  sub  vmbras. 
Ariosto  ends  with  the  death  of  Rodomont. 

.Bestemiandofugi  V  alma  sdegnosa 
Chefu  si  altero  al  mondo  e  si  orgogliosa. 

Virgill  extolleth  JEneas  to  please  Augustus,  of  whose  race  he 
was  thought  to  come.  Ariosto  prayseth  Rogero  to  the  honour 
of  the  house  of  Este.  JEneas  hath  his  Dido  that  retaineth  him, 
Rogero  hath  his  Alcina :  finally  least  I  should  note  euery  part, 
there  is  nothing  of  any  speciall  obseruation  iu  Virgill,  but  my 
author  hath  with  great  felicitie  imitated  it,  "so  as  whosoeuer  wil 
allow  Virgil,  must  ipso  facto  (as  they  say)  admit  Ariosto.  Now 
of  what  accout  Virgil  is  reckned,  &.  worthily  reckned,  for  au- 
oiet  times  witnesseth  August.  C.  verse  of  him : 

Ergone  supremis  potuit  rox  improba  verbis 
Tarn  dirum  mandare  nefas  ?  ^fc. 

Concluding 


An  Apologie  of  Poetrie.  137 

Concluding  thus, 

Laudetur,  placeat,  vigeat,  relegatur,  ametur. 

This  is  a  great  prayse  comming  from  so  great  a  Prince.  For 
later  times  to  omit  Scaliger  whom  I  recited  before,  that  amrm- 
eth  the  reading  of  Firgill  may  make  a  man  honest  and  vertuous, 
that  excellet  Italia  Poet  Dant  professeth  plainly,  that  when  he 
wadred  out  of  the  right  way,  meaning  thereby  whe  he  liued 
fondly  and  looslie,  Firgill  was  the  first  that  made  him  looke 
into  himselfe  and  reclaime  himselfe  fro  that  same  daungerous 
and  lewd  course :  but  what  need  we  further  witnes,  do  we  not 
make  our  children  read  it  commonly  before  they  can  vnder- 
stand  it  as  a  testimonie  that  we  do  generally  approue  it  ?  and 
yet  we  see  old  men  study  it,  as  a  proofe  that  they  do  specially 
admire  it :  so  as  one  writes  very  pretily,  that  children  do  wade 
in  Virgill,  and  yet  strong  men  do  swim  in  it. 

Now  to  apply  this  to  the  prayse  of  myne  author,  as  I  sayd 
before  so  I  say  still,  whatsoeuer  is  prayseworthy,  in  Firgill  is 
plentifully  to  be  found  in  Ariosto,  and  some  things  that  Firgill 
could  not  hauc,  for  the  ignoraunce  of  the  age  he  liued  in,  you 
fincte,  in  my  author  sprinckled  ouer  all  his  worke,  as  I  will  very 
briefly  note  and  referre  you  for  the  rest  to  the  booke  itselfe. 
The  deuout  and  Christen  demeanor  of  Charlemayne  in  the  14. 
booke  with  his  prayer, 

Non  voglia  tna  bont  a  per  miofallire 
Ch'l  tuo  popoljidele  habbia  a  patire,  fyc. 

And  in  the  beginning  of  the  xvij.  booke  that  would  beseeme 
any  pulpit. 

//  guisto  Dio  quando  i  peccati  nostri. 

But  aboue  all  that  in  the  xli.  booke  of  the  conuersion  of  Ro- 
gero  to  the  Christen  Religion,  where  the  Hermit  speaketh  to 
him  contayning  in  effect  a  full  instruction  against  presni'iption 
and  dispaire,  which  I  haue  set  downe  thus  in  English, 

Now 


138  An  Apologic  of  Poctric. 

Now  (as  I  sayd)  this  wise  that  Hermit  spoke 

And  part  doth  comfort  him,  and  part  doth  checke, 
He  blameth  him  that  in  that  pleasaunt  yoke 
He  had  so  long  defer'd  to  put  his  necke, 
But  did  to  wrath  his  maker  still  prouoke, 
And  did  not  come  at  hisjirst  call  and  becke, 
But  still  did  hide  himselfe  away  from  God 
Vntill  he  saw  him  comming  with  his  rod. 

Then  did  he  comfort  him  and  make  him  know 
That  grace  is  near  denyde  to  such  as  aske, 
As  do  the  workemen  in  the  Gospell  show, 
Receauing  pay  alike  for  diners  taske. 

And  so  after  concluding, 

How  to  Christ  he  must  impute 
The  pardon  of  his  sinnes,  yet  near  the  later 
He  told  him  he  must  be  baptisde  in  water. 

These  &,  infinit  places  full  of  Christe  exhortation,  doctrine  &. 
example  I  could  quote  out  of  the  booke  saue  that  I  hasten  to  an 
end,  and  it  would  be  needles  to  those  that  will  not  read  them  in 
the  booke  it  selfe,  and  superfluous  to  those  that  will :  but  most 
manifest  it  is  &  not  to  be  denyed,  that  in  this  point  my  author 
is  to  be  preferred  before  all  the  auncient  Poets,  in  which  are 
mentioned  so  many  false  Gods,  and  of  them  so  many  fowle 
deeds,  their  contetions,  their  adulteries,  their  incest,  as  were 
both  obscenous  in  recitall  &  hurtful  in  example :  though  in- 
deed those  whom  they  termed  Gods,  were  certaine  great  Prin- 
ces that  comitted  such  enormous  faults,  as  great  Princes  in  late 
ages  (that  loue  still  to  be  cald  Gods  of  the  earth)  do  often  co- 
rait.  But  now  it  may  be  &  is  by  some  obiected,  that  although 
he  write  Christialy  in  some  places,  yet  in  other  some,  he  is  too 
lasciuious,  as  in  that  of  the  baudy  Frier,  in  Alcina  and  Rogeros 
copulation,  in  Anselmus  his  Giptian,  in  Richardetto  his  meta- 
morphosis, in  mine  hosts  tale  of  Astolfo  &  some  few  places  be- 
side; alas  if  this  be  a  fault,  pardon  him  this  one  fault ;  though 

I 


An  Apologie  of  Poetrie. 

I  doubt  too  many  of  you  (gtle  readers)  wil  be  to  exorable  in 
his  point,  yea  me  thinks  I  see  some  of  you  searching  already 
or  these  places  of  the  booke,  and  you  are  halfe  offended  that  I 
haue  not  made  some  directios  that  you  might  finde  out  and 
read  them  immediatly.  But  I  beseech  you  stay  a  while,  and  as 
the  Italian  sayth  Plan  piano,  fayre  and  softly,  &  take  this  ca- 
ueat  with  you,  to  j^ad  .them  as  my  author,  j[n£nt  the,  to  breed 
detestation  and  not  delectatio  :  remember  when  you  read  of  the 
old  lecherous  Frier,  that  an  fornicator  is  one  of  the  things  that 
God  hateth.  When  you  read  of  Alcina,  thinke  how  Joseph  fled 
from  his  intising  mistres  ;  whe  you  light  on  Anselmus  tale, 
learne  to  'loth  bestly  couetousnes,  whe  on  Richardetto,  know 
that  sweet  meate  wil  haue  sowre  sawce,  whe  on  mine  hostes  tale 
(if  you  will  follow  my  cousell)  turne  ouer  the  leafe  and  let  it 
alone,  although  cue  that  lewd  tale  may  bring  some  men  profit, 
and  I  haue  heard  that  it  is  already  (and  perhaps  not  vnfitly) 
termed  the  comfort  of  cuckolds.  But  as  I  say,  if  this  be  a 
fault,  then  Virgill  committed  the  same  fault  in  Dido  and  Mneas 
intertainement,  and  if  some  will  say  he  tels  that  mannerly  and 
couertly,  how  will  they  excuse  that,  where  Vulcan  was  intreat- 
ed  b  Venus  to  make  an  armour  for  JEneas  ? 


Dixerat,  fy  niuijs  him  atfy  hinc  diua  lacertis 
Cunctantem  amplexu  mollifouet,  ille  repente 
Accepit  solitamjlammam,  notustyper  artus 
Intrauit  calor.     And  a  litle  after.     Ea  verba  locutus 
Optatos  dedit  amplexus  placitumq3  petiuit 
Coniugis  infusus  gremio  per  membra  soporem. 

I  hope  they  that  vnderstand  Latin  will  cofesse  this  is  plaine 
enough,  &  yet  with  modest  words  &  no  obscenous  phrase  :  and 
so  I  dare  take  vpo  me  that  in  all  Ariosto  (and  yet  I  thinke  it  is 
as  much  as  three  Mneades,)  there  is  not  a  word  of  ribaldry  or 
obscenousnes  :  farther  there  is  so  meet  a  decorum  in  the  persons 
of  those  that  speake  lasciuiously,  as  any  of  iudgement  must 
needs  allow  :  and  therfore  though  I  rather  craue  pardon  then 
prayse  for  him  in  this  point  :  yet  me  thinkes  I  can  smile  at  the 

finesse 


140  An  Apologie  of  Poetrie. 

finesse  of  some  that  will  condemne  him,  &  yet  not  onely  allow, 
but  admire  our  Chawcer,  who  both  in  words  &  sence,  incurreth 
far  more  the  reprehensio  of  flat  scurrilitie,  as  I  could  recite 
many  places,  not  onely  in  his  millers  tale,  but  in  the  good  wife 
of  Bathes  tale,  &  many  more,  in  which  onely  the  decorum  he 
keepes,  is  that  that  excuseth  it,  and  maketh  it  more  tolerable. 
But  now  whereas  some  will  say  Ariosto  wanteth  art,  reducing 
all  heroicall  Poems  vnto  the  methode  of  Homer  and  certain 
precepts  of  Aristotle.  For  Homer  I  say  that  that  which  was 
coniendable  in  him  to  write  in  that  age,  the  times  being  chan- 
ged, would  be  thought  otherwise  now,  as  we  see  both  in  phrase 
&  in  fashios  the  world  growes  more  curious  each  day  then 
other;  Quid  gaue  precepts  of  making  loue,  and  one  was  that 
one  should  spill  wine  on  the  boord  &-  write  his  mistresse  name 
therewith,  this  was  a  quaynt  cast  in  that  age ;  but  he  that  should 
make  loue  so  now,  his  loue  would  mocke  him  for  his  labour, 
and  count  him  but  a  slouenly  sutor :  and  if  it  be  thus  chaunged 
since  Quids  time,  much  more  since  Homers  time.  And  yet  for 
Ariostos  tales  that  many  thinke  vnartificially  brought  in ;  Ho- 
mer him  selfe  hath  the  like  :  as  in  the  Iliads  the  conference  of 
Glaucus  with  Diomedes  vpon  some  acts  of  Bellerophon :  &  in 
his  Odysseas  the  discourse  of  the  hog  with  Vlysses.  Further, 
for  the  name  of  the  booke,  which  some  carpe  at,  because  he 
called  it  Orlando  Furioso  rather  then  Rogero ;  in  that  he  may 
also  be  defended  by  example  of  Homer,  who  professing  to  write 
of  Achilles,  calleth  his  booke  Iliade  of  Troy,  and  not  Achillide. 
As  for  Arutotks  rules,  I  take  it,  he  hath  followed  them  verie 
strictly. 

Briefly,  Aristotle  and  the  best  ccnsurers  of  Poesie,  would 
haue  the  Epopeia,  that  is,  the  heroicall  Poem,  should  ground 
on  some  historic,  and  take  some  short  time  in  the  same  to  bew- 
tifie  with  his  Poetrie :  so  doth  mine  Author  take  the  storie  of  k. 
Charts  the  great,  and  doth  not  exceed  a  yeare  or  therabout  in 
his  whole  work.  Secondly,  they  hold  that  nothing  should  be 
fayned  vtterly  incredible.  And  sure  Ariosto  neither  in  his  in- 
chantments  exceedeth  credit  (for  who  knowes  not  how  strong 
the  illusions  of  the  deuill  are?)  neither  in  the  miracles  that^s- 

tolfo 


An  Apologie  of  Pbetrie.  141 

tolfo  by  the  power  of  S.  lohn  is  fayried  to  do,  since  the  Church 
holdeth  that  Prophetes  both  aliue  and  dead,  haue  done  mightie 
great  miracles.  Thirdly,  they  would  haue  an  heroicall  Poem 
Caswell  as  a  Tragedie)  to  be  full  of  Peripetia,  which  I  interpret 
an  agnition  of  some  vnlooked  for  fortune  either  good  or  bad, 
and  a  sudden  change  thereof:  of  this  what  store  there  be  the 
reader  shall  quickly  find.  As  for  apt  similitudes,  for  passions 
welj_  expressed,  of  loue,  of  pitie,  of  hate,  of  wrath,  a  blind 
man  may  see,  if  he  can  but  heare,  that  this  worke  is  full  of 
them. 

There  follows  only  two  reproofs,  which  I  rather  interpret  two 
peculiar  praises  of  this  writer  aboue  all  that  wrate  before  him  in 
this  kind  :  One,  that  he  breaks  off  narrations  verie  abruptly,  so 
as  indeed  a  loose  vnattentiue  reader,  will  hardly  carrie  away 
any  part  of  the  storie :  but  this  doubtlesse  is  a  point  of  great 
art,  to  draw  a  man  with  a  continuall  thirst  to  reade  out  the 
whole  worke,  and  toward  the  end  of  the  booke,  to  close  vp  the 
diuerse  matters  briefly  and  clenly.  If  S.  Philip  Sidney  had 
counted  this  a  fault,  he  would  not  haue  done  so  himselfe  in  his 
Arcadia.  Another  fault  is,  that  he  speaketh  so  much  in  his 
own  person  by  digression,  which  they  say  also  is  against  the 
rules  of  Poetrie,  because  neither  Homer  nor  Virgill  did  it.  Me 
thinks  it  is  a  sufficient  defence  to  say,  Ariosto  doth  it ;  sure  I 
am,  it  is  both  delightfull  and  verie  profitable,  and  an  excellent 
breathing  place  for  the  reader,  and  eueii  as  if  a  man  walked  in 
a  faire  long  alley,  to  haue  a  seat  or  resting  place  here  and  there 
is  easie  and  commodious  :  but  if  at  the  same  seat  were  planted 
some  excellent  tree,  that  not  onely  with  the  shade  should  keepe 
vs  from  the  heat,  but  with  some  pleasant  and  right  wholsom 
fruite  should  allay  our  thirst  and  comfort  our  stomacke,  we 
would  thinke  it  for  the  time  a  litle  paradice :  so  are  Ariostos 
morals  and  pretie  digressions  sprinkled  through  his  long  worke, 
to  the  no  lesse  pleasure  then  profit  of  the  reader.  And  thus 
much  be  spoken  for  defence  of  mine  Author,  which  was  the 
second  part  of  my  Apologie. 

Now  remaines  the  third  part  of  it,  in  which  1  promised  to  The  third  part  of 
speake  somwhat  for  my  selfe,  which  part,  though  it  haue  most  t 

R  need 


142  An  Apologie  of  Poctrie. 

heed  of  an  Apologie  both  large  &  substantial! ;  yet  I  will  runne 
it  ouer  both  shortly  &,  slightly,  because  indeed  the  nature  of  the 
thing  it  self  is  such,  that  the  more  one  doth  say,  the  lesse  he 
shall  seeme  to  say ;  and  men  are  willinger  to  praise  that  in  an- 
other man,  which  himselfe  shall  debase,  then  that  which  he 
shall  seeme  to  maintaine.  Certainly  If  I  shold  confesse  or  ra- 
ther professe,  that  my  verse  is  vnartificiall,  the  stile  rude,  the 
phrase  barbarous,  the  meeter  vnpleasant,  many  more  would 
beleeue  it  to  be  so,  the  would  imagine  that  1  thought  them  so : 
for  this  same  pjAau-na  or  self  pleasing  is  so  coraon  a  thing,  as  the 
more  a  ma  protests  himself  to  be  free  fr5  it,  the  more  we  wil 
charge  him  with  it.  Wherfore  let  me  take  thus  much  vpo  me, 
that  admit  it  haue  many  of  the  fornamed  imperfections,  8c  many 
not  named,  yet  as  writing  goes  now  a  dayes,  it  may  passe  among 
the  rest ;  and  as  I  haue  heard  a  friend  of  mine  (one  verie  iudi- 
cious  in  the  bewtie  of  a  woman)  say  of  a  Ladie  whom  he  meant 
to  praise,  that  she  had  a  low  forhead,  a  great  nose,  a  wide 
mouth,  a  long  visage,  and  yet  all  these  put  together,  she  seem- 
ed to  him  a  verie  well  fauoured  woman  :  so  i  hope,  and  I  find 
alreadie  some  of  my  partiall  friends,  that  what  seuerall  imper- 
fections soeuer  they  find  in  this  translation,  yet  taking  all  toge- 
ther they  allow  it,  or  at  least  wise  they  reade  it,  which  is  a 
great  argument  of  their  liking. 

Sir  Thomas  Moore  a  man  of  great  wisdome  &  learning,  but 
yet  a  little  enclined  (as  good  wits  are  many  times)  to  scoffing, 
when  one  had  brought  him  a  booke  of  some  shallow  discourse, 
and  preassed  him  very  hard  to  haue  his  opinion  of  it,  aduised 
the  partie  to  put  it  into  verse ;  the  plaine  meaning  man  in  the 
best  mancr  he  could  did  so,  and  a  twelue-month  after  at  the 
least,  came  with  it  to  Sir  Thomas,  who  slightly  perusing  it, 
gaue  it  this  encomiu,  that  now  there  was  rime  in  it,  but  afore  it 
had  neither  rime  nor  reason.  If  any  ma  had  ment  to  seme  me 
so,  yet  I  haue  preuented  him ;  for  sure  I  am  he  shall  find  rime 
in  mine,  and  if  he  be  not  voyd  of  reason,  he  shall  find  reason 
to.  Though  for  the  matter,  I  can  challenge  no  praise,  hauing 
but  borowed  it,  &  for  the  verse  I  do  challenge  none,  being  a 
thing  that  euery  body  that  neuer  scarce  bayted  their  horse  at 

the 


An  Apologia  of  Poelrio.  143 

the  Vniuersitie  take  vpon  them  to  make.  It  is  possible  that  if 
I  would  haue  employe!  that  time  that  I  hatie  done  vpon  this,  vp- 
on some  inuention  of  mine  owne,  I  could  haue  by  this  made  it 
haue  risen  to  a  iust  volume,  &  if  I  wold  haue  done  as  many 
spare  not  to  do,  flowne  very  high  with  stolen  fethers.  But  I 
had  rather  men  should  see  and  know  that  I  borrow  all,  then 
that  I  steale  any:  and  I  would  wish  to  be  called  rather  one  of 
the  not  worst  translators,  the  one  of  the  meaner  makers.  Spe- 
cially sith  the  Erie  of  Surrey,  and  Sir  Thomas  Wiat  that  are  yet 
called  the  first  refiners  of  the  English  tong,  were  both  transla^ 
tors  out  of  Italian.  Now  for  those  that  count  it  such  a  contemp- 
tible and  trifling  matter  to  translate,  I  wil  but  say  to  them  as 
M.  Bartholomew  Clarke  an  excellent  learned  man,  and  a  right 
good  translator,  saith  in  maner  of  a  pretie  challenge,  in  his  Pre- 
face (as  I  remember)  vpon  the  Courtier,  which  booke  he  trans- 
lated out  of  Italian  into  Latin.  You  (saith  he)  that  thinke  it 
such  a  toy,  lay  aside  my  booke,  and  take  my  author  in  your 
hand,  and  trie  a  leafe  or  such  a  matter,  and  compare  it  with 
mine.  If  I  should  say  so,  there  would  be  inow  that  would 
quickly  put  me  down  perhaps;  but  doubtlesse  he  might  boldly 
say  it,  for  I  thinke  none  could  haue  mended  him.  But  as  our 
English  prouerb  saith,  many  talke  of  Robin  Hood  that  neuer 
shot  in  his  bow,  and  some  correct  Magnificat,  that  know  not 
quid  significat.  For  my  part  I  will  thanke  them  that  will  mend 
any  thing  that  I  haue  done  amisse,  nor  I  haue  no  such  great 
conceipt  of  that  I  haue  done,  but  that  I  thinke  much  in  it  is  to 
be  mended  ;  &  hauing  dealt  plainly  with  some  of  my  plaine 
dealing  frends,  to  tell  me  frankly  what  they  heard  spoken  of  it, 
(for  indeed  I  suffred  some  part  of  the  printed  copies  to  go 
among  my  frends,  &  some  more  perhaps  went  against  my  will) 
I  was  told  that  these  in  effect  were  the  faults  were  found  with 
it.  Some  graue  men  misliked  that  I  should  spend  so  much  \J 
good  time  on  such  a  trifling  worke  as  they  deemed  a  Poeme  to  Fourefauites 
be.  Some  more  nicely,  found  fault  with  so  many  two  sillabled  -/^  '"  iha 
and  three  sillabled  rimes.  Some  (not  vndeseruedly)  reproued 
the  fantasticalnes  of  my  notes,  in  which  they  say  I  haue  strain- 
ed my  selfe  to  make  mention  of  some  of  my  kindred  and  frends, 

that 


. 


144  An  Apologic  of  Poetric. 

that  might  very  well  be  left  out.  And  one  fault  more  there  is, 
which  I  will  tell  my  selfe,  though  many  would  neuer  find  it; 
and  that  is  ;  I  haue  cut  short  some  of  his  Cantos,  in  leauing 
out  many  staues  of  them,  and  sometimes  put  the  matter  of  two 
or  three  staues  into  one.  To  these  reproofes  I  shall  pray  you 
gentle  and  noble  Readers  with  patience  heare  my  defence,  and 
then  I  will  end.  For  the  first  reproofc,  either  it  is  alreadie  ex- 
cused  or  it  will  neuer  be  excused;  for  I  haue  I  thiuke^  suffi- 
ciently proued,  both  the  art  to  be  allowable,  and  this  worke  to 
be  commendable  :  yet  I  will  tell  you  an  accident  that  happened 
vnto  my  selfe.  When  I  was  entred  a  pretie  way  into  the  trans- 
lation, about  the  seuenth  booke,  coming  to  write  that  where 
Melissa  in  the  person  of  Rogeros  Tutor,  comes  and  reproues 
Rogero  in  the  4.  stafFe. 

Was  it  for  this,  that  I  in  youth  theefed 
With  marrow?  fyc.     And  againe  : 
Is  this  a  meanes,  or  readie  way  you  trow, 
That  other  worthie  men  haue  trod  before, 
A  Caesar  or  a  Scipio  to  grow  ?  $c, 

Samuel  Flemming  Straight  I  began  to  thinke,  that  my  Tutor,  a  graue  and  learned 
man,  and  one  of  a  verie  austere  life,  might  say  to  me  in  like 


sort,  was  it  for  this,  that  I  read  Aristotle  and  Plato  to  you, 
and  instructed  you  so  carefully  both  in  Greek  &  Latin  ?  to  haue 
you  now  become  a  translator  of  Italian  toyes  ?  But  while  I 
thought  thus,  I  was  aware,  that  it  was  no  toy  that  could  put 
Thetecond.  suc^-  an  nonest  &  seriouse  consideratio  into  my  mind.  Now  for 
the  that  find  fault  with  polysyllable  meeter,  me  thinke  they  are 
like  those  that  blame  me  for  putting  suger  in  their  wine,  and 
chide  to  bad  about  it,  and  say  they  marre  all,  but  yet  end  with 
Gods  blessing  on  their  hearts.  For  indeed  if  I  had  knowne 
their  diets,  I  could  haue  saued  some  of  my  cost,  at  least  some 
of  my  paine  ;  for  when  a  verse  ended  with  ciuillitie,  I  could 
easier  after  the  auncient  maner  of  rime,  haue  made  see,  or  flee, 
or  decree  to  aunswer  it,  leauing  the  accent  vpon  the  last  sylla- 
ble, then  hunt  after  three  syllabled  wordes  to  answcre  it  with 

facillitie, 


An  Apologie  of  Poetrie. 

facillitie,  gentillitie,  tranquillitie,  hostil/itie,  scurrillitie,  debilli~ 
tie,  agi/litie,  fragillitie,  nobi/litie,   mobillitie,  which  who   mis- 
like,  may  tast  lamp  oyle  with  their  eares.   And  as  for  two  syl- 
labled meeters,  they  be  so  approued  in  other  languages,  that 
the  French  call  the  the  feminine  rime,  as  the  sweeter :  &  the 
one  syllable  the  masculin.     But  in  a  word  to  answer  this,  &.  to 
make  the  for  euer  hold  their  peaces  of  this  point ;  Sir  Philip 
Sidney  not  only  vseth  them,  but  affecteth  them :  signifie,  dig- 
nifie:  shamed  is,  named  is,  blamed  is:    hide  away,  bide  away. 
Thogh  if  my  many  blotted  papers  that  I  haue  made  in  this 
kind,  might  affoord  me  authoritie  to  giue  a  rule  of  it,  I  would 
say  that  to  part  the  with  a  one  syllable  meeter  between  the, 
wold  giue  it  best  grace.     For  as  men  vse  to  sow  with  the  hand 
and  not  with  the  whole  sacke,  so  I  would  haue  the  eare  fed  but 
not  cloyed  with  these  pleasing  and  sweet  falling  meeters.     For 
the  third  reproofe  about  the  notes,  sure  they  were  a  worke  (as  I  The  thvd- 
may  so  call  it)  of  supererogation,  and  I  would  wish  sometimes 
they  had  bin  left  out,  &  the  rather,  if  I  be  in  such  faire  possi- 
bilitie  to  be  thought  a  foole,  or  fantasticall  for  my  labour.   True 
it  is  I  added  some  notes  to  the  end  of  euery  canto,  euen  as  if 
some  of  my  frends  and  my  selfe  reading  it  together  (and  so  it 
fell  out  indeed  many  times)  had  after  debated  vpon  them,  what 
had  bene  most  worthie  consideration  in  them,  and  so  oftimea 
immediatly  I  set  it  downe.     And  wheras  I  make  mention  here 
&  there  of  some  of  mine  owne  frends  and  kin,  I  did  it  the  ra- 
ther, because  Plutarke  in  one  place  speaking  of  Homer,  partly 
lamenteth,  and  partly  blameth  him,  that  writing  so  much  as  he 
did,  yet  in  none  of  his  works  there  was  any  mention  made,  or 
so  much  as  inkling  to  be  gathered  of  what  stocke  he  was,  of 
what  kindred,  of  what  towne,  nor  saue  for  his  language,  of 
what  countrey.     Excuse  me  then  if  I  in  a  worke  that  may  per- 
haps last  longer  then  a  better  thing,  and  being  not  ashamed  of 
my  kindred,  name  them  here  and  there  to  no  mans  offence, 
though  I  meant  not  to  make  euery  body  so  far  of  my  counsell 
why  I  did  it,  till  I  was  told  that  some  person  of  some  reckening 
noted  me  of  a  little  vanitie  for  it :  and  thus  much  for  that  point. 

For  my  omitting  and  abreuiating  some  things,  either  in  mat-  The  fourth. 

ters 


146  An  Apologie  of  Poetrie. 

ters  impertinent  to  vs,  or  in  some  to  tediouse  flatteries  of  per- 
sons that  we  neuer  heard  of,  if  I  haue  done  ill,  I  craue  pardon ; 
for  sure  I  did  it  for  the  best.     But  if  anie  being  studious  of  the 
Italian,  would  for  his  better  vnderstanding  compare  them,  the 
first  sixe  bookes  saue  a  litle  of  the  third,  will  stand  him  in  steed. 
But  yet  I  would  not  haue  any  man  except,  that  I  should  ob- 
serue  his  phrase  so  strictly  as  an  interpreter,  nor  the  matter  so 
carefully,  as  if  it  had  bene  a  storie,  in  which  to  varie  were  as 
great  a  sinne,  as  it  were  simplicitie  in  this  to  go  word  for  word. 
But  now  to  conclude,  1  shall  pray  you  all  that  haue  troubled 
your  selues  to  reade  this  my  triple  apologie,  to  accept  my  la- 
bors, and  to  excuse  my  errors,  if  with  no  other  thing,  at  least 
with  the  name  of  youth  (which  commonly  hath  need  of 
excuses)  and  so  presuming  this  pardon  to  be 
graunted,  we  shall  part 
good  frends. 


[A  comparatiue  discourse  of  our  Eng- 
lish Poets,  with  the  Greeke,  La- 
tine,  and  Italian  Poets  :  from~| 

Palladis  Tamia. 


BEING  THE  SECOND  PART 

of  Wits  Common- 

wealth. 


BY 


Francis  Meres  Maister 

Of  Artesof  both  Vni- 

uersities. 

Viuitur  ingenio,  catera  mortis  erunt. 

AT  LONDON 

Printed  by  P.  Short,  for  Cuthbert  Burble,  and 

are  to  be  solde  at  his  shop  at  the  Royall 

Exchange.     1598. 


A  comparatiue  discourse  of  our  English 
Poets,  with  the  Greeke,  Latine,  and 
Italian  Poets. 


AS  Greece  had  three  Poets  of  great  antiquity,  Orpheus,  Li- 
nus, and  Musaus;  and  Italy,  other  three  auncient  Poets, 
Liuius  Andronicus,  Ennius,  8c  Plautus:  so  hath  England  three 
auncient  Poets,  Chaucer,  Gower,  and  Lydgate. 

As  Homer  is  reputed  the  Prince  of  Greek  Poets ;  and  Pe- 
trarch of  Italian  Poets :  so  Chaucer  is  accounted  the  God  of 
English  Poets. 

As  Homer  was  the  first  that  adorned  the  Greek  tongue  with 
true  quantity :  so  Piers  Plowman  was  the  first  that  obserued  the 
true  quantitie  of  our  verse  without  the  curiositie  of  Rime. 

Quid  writ  a  Chronicle  from  the  beginning  of  the  world  to  his 
own  time,  that  is,  to  the  raign  of  Augustus  the  Emperour :  so 
hath  Harding  the  Chronicler  (after  his  maner  of  old  harsh  rim- 
ing) from  Adam  to  his  time,  that  is,  to  the  raigne  of  King  Ed- 
ward the  Fourth. 

As  Sotades  Maronites  ye>  lambicke  Poet  gaue  himselfe  wholy 
to  write  impure  and  lasciuious  things :  so  Skelto  (I  know  not 
for  what  great  worthines,  surnamed  the  Poet  Laureat)  applied 
his  wit  to  scurrilities  and  ridiculous  matters,  such  amog  the 
Greeks  were  called  Pantomimi,  with  vs  Buffons. 

As  Consaluo  Periz  that  excellent  learned  man,  and  Secretary 
to  King  Philip  of  Spayne,  in  translating  the  Ulysses  of  Homer 
out  of  Greeke  into  Spanish,  hath  by  good  iudgement  auoided 
the  faulte  of  Ryming,  although  not  fully  hit  perfect  and  true 
versifying  :  so  hath  Henrie  Howards  that  true  and  noble  Earle 
of  Surrey  in  translating  the  fourth  book  of  Virgils  Mmas,  whom 
Michael  Drayton  in  his  Englands  heroycall  Epistles  hath  eter- 
nized for  an  Epistle  to  his  faire  Geraldine. 

As  these  Neoterickes  louianus  Pontanus,  Politiannst  Marul- 

s  lus 


150  A  Comparaliuc  Discourse. 

/us  Tarchaniota,  the  two  Stroza  the  father  and  the  son,  Palin- 
genius,  Mantuanus,  Philelphus,  Quint/anus  Stoa  and  Germa- 
nus  Brixius  liaue  obtained  renown  and  good  place  among  the 
auncient  Latine  Poets :  so  also  these  Englishmen  being  Latine 
Poets,  Gualter  Haddon,  Nicholas  Car,  Gabriel  Haruey,  Chris- 
topher Ocland,  Thomas  Nercton  with  his  Leyland,  Thomas  Wat- 
sun,  Thomas  Campion,  Brunszcerd,  &  IVilley,  haue  attained  good 
report  and  honorable  aduancement  in  the  Latin  Einpyre. 

As  the  Greeke  tongue  is  made  famous  and  eloquent  by  Ho- 
mer, Hesiod,  Euripedes,  Aeschilus,  Sophocles,  Pindarus,  Pho- 
cylides,  and  Aristophanes;  and  the  Latine  tongue  by  Virgill, 
Quid,  Horace,  Silius  Italicus,  Lucanus,  Lucretius,  Ausonius 
and  Claudianus:  so  the  English  tongue  is  mightily  enriched, 
and  gorgeouslie  inuested  in  rare  ornaments  and  resplendent 
abiliments  by  sir  Philip  Sidney,  Spencer,  Daniel,  Drayton, 
Warner,  Shakespeare,  Marlow,  and  Chapman. 

As  Xenophon,  who  did  imitate  so  excellently,  as  to  giue  vs 
ej/igiem  iusti  imperij,  the  portraiture  of  a  iust  Empyre  vnder  y*. 
name  of  Cyrus  (as  Cicero  saieth  of  him)  made  therein  an  abso- 
lute heroicall  Poem ;  and  as  Heliodorus  writ  in  prose  his  sugred 
inuetio  of  that  picture  of  loue  in  Theagines  and  Cariclea,  and 
yet  both  excellent  admired  Poets:  so  sir  Philip  Sidney  writ  his 
immortal  poem,  The  Count  esse  of  Pembrookes  Arcadia,  in 
Prose,  and  yet  our  rarest  Poet. 

As  Sextus  Propertius  saide ;  Nescio  quid  magis  nascitur  Iliade : 
so  I  say  of  Spencers  Fairy  Queene,  I  knowe  not  what  more  ex- 
cellent or  exquisite  Poem  may  be  written. 

As  Achilles  had  the  aduantage  of  Hector,  because  it  was  his 
fortune  to  bee  extolled  and  renowned  by  the  heauenly  verse  of 
Homer :  so  Spensers  Elisa  the  Fairy  Queen  hath  the  aduantage 
of  all  the  Queenes  in  the  worlde,  to  bee  eternized  by  so  diuine 
a  Poet. 

As  Theocritus  is  famoused  for  his  Idyllia  in  Greeke,  and  Vir- 
gill  for  his  Eclogs  in  Latine :  so  Spencer,  their  irnitatour  in  his 
Shepheardes  Calender,  is  renowned  for  the  like  argument,  and 
honoured  for  fine  Poeticall  inuention,  and  most  exqusit  wit. 

As 


A  Comparatiue  Discourse.  151 

As  Parthenius  Nicaus  excellently  sung  the  praises  of  his 
Arete:  so  Daniel  hath  diuinely  sonetted  the  matchlesse  beauty 
of  his  Delia. 

As  euery  one  mourneth,  when  hee  heareth  of  the  lamentable 
plangors  of  Thracian  Orpheus  for  his  dearest  Euridice:  so  euery 
one  passionateth,  when  he  readeth  the  afflicted  death  of  Da- 
niels distressed  Rosamond. 

As  Lucan  hath  mournefully  depainted  the  ciuil  wars  of 
Pompey  &  Casar :  so  hath  Daniel  the  ciuill  wars  of  York  and 
Lancaster ;  and  Drayton  the  ciuill  wars  of  Edward  the  Second, 
and  the  Barons. 

As  Virgil  doth  imitate  Catullus  in  ye.  like  matter  of  Ariadne 
for  his  story  of  Queene  Dido :  so  Michael  Drayton  doth  imitate 
Quid  in  his  Englands  Heroical  Epistles. 

As  Sophocles  was  called  a  Bee  for  the  sweetnes  of  his  tongue ; 
so  in  Charles  Fitz-lefferies  Drake,  Drayton  is  termed  Golden- 
moutlid  for  the  purity  and  pretiousnesse  of  his  stile  and  phrase. 

As  Accius,  M.  Attilius,  and  Milithus  were  called  Tragtedio- 
graphi,  because  they  writ  Tragedies :  so  may  wee  truly  terme 
Michael  Drayton  Trag&diographus,  for  his  passionate  penning 
the  downfals  of  valiant  Robert  of  Normandy,  chast  Matilda, 
and  great  Gaueston. 

As  loan.  Honterus  in  Latine  verse  writ  3  Bookes  of  Cosmo- 
graphy w*.  Geographicall  tables :  so  Michael  Drayton  is  now 
in  penning  in  English  verse  a  Poem  called  Polu-olbion  Geogra- 
phical and  Hydrographicall  of  all  the  forests,  woods,  moun- 
taines,  fountaines,  riuers,  lakes,  flouds,  bathes  and  springs, 
that  be  in  England. 

As  Aulus  Persius  Flaccus  is  reported  among  al  writers  to  be 
of  an  honest  life  and  vpright  conuersation  :  so  Michael  Drayton 
(que  toties  honoris  fy  amoris  causa  nomino)  among  schollers, 
souldiours,  Poets,  and  all  sorts  of  people,  is  helde  for  a  man  of 
vertuous  disposition,  honest  conuersation,  and  wel  gouerned 
cariage,  which  is  almost  miraculous  among  good  wits  in  these 
declining  and  corrupt  times,  when  there  is  nothing  but  rogery 
in  villanous  man,  &  whe  cheating  and  craftines  is  counted  the 
cleanest  wit,  and  soundest  wisedome. 

As 


152  A  Comparatiue  Discourse. 

As  Decius  AusoniuK  Gallns  hi  li/tris  Fastorum,  penned  the 
occurrences  of  ye.  world  from  the  first  creation  of  it  to  his  time, 
that  is,  to  the  raigne  of  the  Emperor  Grntian:  so  Warner  ;  in 
his  absolute  Albions  Englande  hath  most  admirably  penned  the 
historic  of  his  own  country  from  Noah  to  his  time,  that  is,  to 
the  raigne  of  Queene  Elizabeth  ;  I  haue  heard  him  termd  of  the 
best  wits  of  both  our  Vniuersities,  our  English  Homer. 

As  Euripedes  is  the  most  sententious  among  the  Greek  poets: 
so  is  Warner  amog  our  English  Poets. 

As  the  soule  of  Euphorias  was  thought  to  Hue  in  Pythagoras: 
so  the  sweete  wittie  soule  of  Quid  Hues  in  mellifluous  &  hony- 
tongued  Shakespeare,  witnes  his  Venus  and  Adonis,  his  Lucrece, 
his  sugred  Sonnets  among  his  priuate  friends,  &c. 

As  Plautus  and  Seneca  are  accounted  the  best  for  Comedy 
and  Tragedy  among  the  Latines  :  so  Shakespeare,  among  yc. 
English  is  the  most  excellent  in  both  kinds  for  the  stage;  for 
Comedy,  witnes  his  Getlenie  of  Verona,  his  Errors,  his  Loue 
labors  lost,  his  Loue  labours  wonne,  his  Midsummers  night 
dreame,  &  his  Merchant  of  Venice:  for  Tragedy,  his  Richard 
the  2.  Richard  the  3.  Henry  the  4.  King  lohn,  Titus  Androni- 
cus  and  his  Romeo  and  luliet. 

As  Epius  Stolo  said,  that  the  Muses  would  speake  with  Plautus 
tongue,  if  they  would  speak  Latin  :  so  I  say  that  the  Muses 
would  speak  with  Shakespeares  fine  filed  phrase,  if  they  would 
speake  English. 

As  Museeus,  who  wrote  the  loue  of  Hero  and  Leander,  had 
two  excellent  schollers,  Thamaras  &  Hercules  :  so  hath  he  in 
England  two  excellent  Poets,  imitators  of  him  in  the  same  ar- 
gument and  subiect,  Christopher  Marlow,  and  George  Chapman. 

As  Quid  saith  of  his  worke, 


opus  exegi,  quod  nee  louts  iraf  nee  ignis, 
Nee  poterit  ferrum,  nee  edax  abolere  vet  us  t  as. 

And  as  Horace  saith  of  his  ;  Exegi  monument  u  <cre  perennius  ; 
Regaliq  ;  situ  pyramidu  altius  ;  Quod  non  imber  edax  ;  non  Aqui- 
lo  impotens  possit  diruere  ;  aut  innumerabilis  annorum  series 


A  Comparatiuc  Discourse..  153 

fuga  temporum :  so  say  1  seuerally  of  Sir  Philip  Sidneys,  Spen- 
cers, Daniels,  Draytom,  Shakespeares,  and  Warners  vvorkes ; 

Now  louis  ira :  imbres  :  Mars :  ferrum :  flamma,  senectusy 
Hoc  opus  vnda  :  hies  :  turbo :  venena  ruent. 
Et  quanquam  ad  plucherrimum  hoc  opus  euertendum  tres  illi 
Dij  conspirabut,  Cronus,  Vulcanus,  #  pater  ipse  gentis ; 
Non  tamen  annorum  series,  nonflamma,  nee  ensis, 
JEternum  potuit  hoc  abolere  Deem. 

As  Italy  had  Dante,  Boccace,  Petrarch,  Tasso,  Celiano  and 
Ariosto :  so  England  had  Mathew  Roy  don,  Thomas  Atchelow, 
Thomas  Watson,  Thomas  Kid,  Robert  Greene,  &  George  Peele. 

As  there  are  eight  famous  and  chiefe  languages,  Hebrew, 
Greek,  Latine,  Syriack,  Arabicke,  Italian,  Spanish  and  French  : 
so  there  are  eight  notable  seuerall  kindes  of  Poets,  Heroick, 
Lyricke,  Tragicke,  Comicke,  Satiricke,  lambicke,  Elegiackc, 
&  Pastoral. 

As  Homer  and  Virgil  among  the  Greeks  and  Latines  are  the 
chiefe  Heroick  Poets :  so  Spencer  and  Warner  be  our  chiefe  he- 
roicall  Makers. 

As  Pindarus,  Anacreon  and  Callimachus  among  the  Greekes; 
and  Horace  and  Catullus  among  the  Latines  are  the  best  Ly- 
rick  Poets  :  so  in  this  faculty  the  best  amog  our  Poets  are 
Spencer  (who  excelleth  in  all  kinds)  Daniel,  Drayton,  Shake- 
speare, Bretto. 

As  these  Tragicke  Poets  flourished  in  Greece,  Aeschylus, 
Euripedes,  Sophocles,  Alexander  Aetolus,  Acheeus  Erithri&us, 
Astydamas  Atheniesis,  ApoLlodorus  Tarsensis,  Nicomachus  Phry- 
gius,  Thespis  Atticus,  and  Timon  Apolloniates ;  and  these  among 
the  Latines,  Accius,  M.  Attilius,  Pomponius  Secundus,  and 
Seneca :  so  these  are  our  best  for  Tragedie,  the  Lorde  Buck- 
hurst,  Doctor  Leg  of  Cambridge,  Doctor  Edes  of  Oxforde, 
maister  Edward  Ferris,  the  Authour  of  the  Mirrour  for  Ma- 
gistrates, Marlow,  Peele,  Watson,  Kid,  Shakespeare,  Drayton, 
Chapman,  Decker,  and  Beniamin  lohnson. 

As  M-  Anneus  Lucanus  writ  two  excellent  Tragedies,  one  call- 
ed 


154  A  Comparatiue  Discourse. 

ed  Medea,  the  other  de  Incendio  Troiec  cum  Priami  calami- 
tate :  so  Doctor  Leg  hath  penned  two  famous  tragedies,  ye.  one 
of  Richard  the  3.  the  other  of  the  destruction  of  lerusalem. 

The  best  Poets  for  Comedy  among  the  Greeks  are  these, 
Menander,  Aristophanes,  Eupolis  Atheniensis,  Alexis  Terius, 
Nicostratus,  Amipsias  Atheniensis,  Anaxadrides  Rhodius,  Aris- 
tonymus,  Archippus  Atheniesis,  and  Cal/ias  Atheniensis;  and 
among  the  Latines,  Plautus,  Terence,  Nauius,  Sext.  Turpiliits, 
Licinius  Imbrex,  and  Virgilius  Romanus :  so  the  best  for  Come- 
dy amongst  vs  bee,  Edward  Earle  of  Oxforde,  Doctor  Gager  of 
Oxforde,  Maister  Rowley  once  a  rare  scholler  of  learned  Pem- 
brooke  Hall  in  Cambridge,  Maister  Edwardes  one  of  her  Ma- 
iesties  Chappell,  eloquent  and  wittie  lohn  Lilly,  Lodge,  Gas- 
coyne,  Greene,  Shakespeare,  Thomas  Nash,  Thomas  Heytrood, 
Anthony  Mundye  our  best  plotter,  Chapman,  Porter,  Wilson, 
Hathway,  and  Henry  Chettle. 

As  Horace,  Lucilius,  luuenall,  Persiits  &.  Lucullus  are  the  best 
for  Satyre  among  the  Latines  :  so  with  vs  in  the  same  faculty 
these  are  chiefe,  Piers  Plowman,  Lodge,  Hall  of  Imanuel  Col- 
ledge  in  Cambridge ;  the  Author  of  Pigmalions  Image,  and  cer- 
taine  Satyrs ;  the  Author  of  Skialetheia. 

Among  the  Greekes  I  wil  name  but  two  for  lambicks,  Archi- 
lochus  Parius,  and  Hipponax  Ephesius :  so  amongst  vs  I  name 
but  two  lambical  Poets,  Gabriel  Haruey,  and  Richard  Stany- 
hurst,  bicause  I  haue  scene  no  mo  in  this  kind. 

As  these  are  famous  among  the  Greeks  for  Elegie,  Melan- 
thus,  Mymnerus,  Colophonius,  O/ympius  Mysius,  Parthenius 
Nic&us,  Philetas  Cous,  Theogenes  Megarensis,  and  Pigres  Ha- 
licarnassaus ;  and  these  among  the  Latines,  Mecanas,  Quid, 
Tibullus,  Propertius,  T.  Valgius,  Cassius  Seuerus,  &  C/odius 
Sabinus :  so  these  are  the  most  passionate  among  vs  to  be\\  aile 
and  bemoane  the  perplexities  of  Loue,  Henrie  Howard  Earle  of 
Surrey,  sir  Thomas  Wyat  the  elder,  sir  Francis  Brian,  sir  Phi- 
lip Sidney,  sir  Walter  Ruwley,  sir  Edward  Dyer,  Spencer,  Da- 
niel, Drayton,  Shakespeare,  Whetstone,  Gascoyne,  Samuell  Page 
sometimes  fellowe  of  Corpus  Christ i  Col  ledge  in  Oxforde, 
Churchyard,  Bretton. 

As 


A  Comparatiue  Discourse.  155 

As  Theocritus  in  Greeke,  Virgil  and  Mantua  in  Latine,  So- 
nazar  in  Italian,  and  the  Authour  of  Amynta,  Gaudia  and  Wai- 
singhams  Melib&us  are  the  best  for  pastorall :  so  amongst  vs  the 
best  in  this  kind  are  sir  Philip  Sidney,  master  Challener,  Spen- 
cer, Stephen  Gosson,  Abraham  Fraunce  and  Barnejield. 

These  and  many  other  Epigrammatists  ye.  Latin  tongue  hath, 
Q.  Catulus,  Porcius  Licinius,  Quintus  Cornificius,  Martial, 
Cw.  Getulicus,  and  wittie  sir  Thomas  Moore :  so  in  English  we 
haue  these,  Hey  wood,  Drate,  Kendal,  Bastard,  Dauies. 

As  noble  Mecanas  that  sprung  from  the  Hetruscan  Kinges 
not  onely  graced  Poets  by  his  bounty,  but  also  by  beeirig  a 
Poet  himselfe ;  and  as  lames  the  6.  nowe  king  of  Scotland  is  not 
only  a  fauorer  of  Poets,  but  a  good  Poet,  as  my  friend  master 
Richard  Barnefielde  hath  in  this  Disticke  passing  well  recorded : 

The  King  of  Scots  now  lining  is  a  poet, 
As  his  Lepanto,  and  his  furies  show  it : 

so  Elizabeth  our  dread  soueraign  and  gracious  Queene  is  not 
only  a  liberal  patrone  vnto  Poets,  but  an  excellent  Poet  her- 
selfe,  whose  learned,  delicate  and  noble  muse  surmounteth,  be 
it  in  Ode,  Elegy,  Epigram,  or  in  any  other  kind  of  Poem  He- 
roicke,  or  Lyricke. 

Octauia  sister  vnto  Augustus  the  Emperour  was  exceeding 
bountifull  vnto  Virgil,  who  gaue  him  for  making  26  verses, 
1137  pounds,  to  wit,  tenne  Sestertiaes  for  euerie  verse,  which 
amount  to  aboue  43  pounds  for  euery  verse :  so  learned  Mary, 
the  honorable  Countesse  of  Pembrook,  the  noble  sister  of  immor- 
tall  sir  Philip  Sidney,  is  very  liberall  vnto  Poets ;  besides  shee 
is  a  most  delicate  Poet,  of  whome  I  may  say,  as  Antipater  Si- 
donius  writeth  of  Sappho : 

Dulcia  Mnemosyne  demirans  carmina  Sapphus, 
Quasiuit  decima  Pieris  vndeforet. 

Among  others  in  times  past,  Poets  had  these  fauourers,  Augus- 
tus, Mecanas,  Sophocles,  Germanicus,  an  Emperour,  a  noble- 
man, 


156  A  Comparatiuc  Discourse. 

man,  a  Senatour,  and  a  Captaine  :  so  of  later  times  Poets  haue 
these  patrones,  Robert  king  of  Sicil,  the  great  king  Frances  of 
France,  king  lames  of  Scotland,  &  Queene  Elizabeth  of  Eng- 
land. 

As  in  former  times  two  great  Cardinals,  Bembus  &  Biom, 
did  countenance  poets,  so  of  late  yeares  two  great  preachers 
haue  giuen  them  their  right  hands  in  felowship,  Beza  and  Me- 
lancthon. 

As  the  learned  philosophers  Fracastorius  and  Scaliger  haue 
highly  prized  them :  so  haue  the  eloquent  Orators  Pont  anus 
and  Muretus  very  gloriously  estimated  them. 

As  Georgius  Buckananus  lephthe,  amogst  all  moderne  Tra- 
gedies is  able  to  abide  the  touch  of  Aristotles  precepts,  and 
Euripedes  examples  :  so  is  Bishop  Watsons  Absalon. 

As  Terence  for  his  translations  out  of  Apollodorus  &  Menan- 
der,  and  Aquilius  for  his  translation  out  of  Menander,  and  C. 
Germanicus  Augustus  for  his  out  of  Aratus,  and  Ausonius  for 
his  translated  Epigrams  out  of  Greeke,  and  Doctor  Johnson  for 
his  Frogge-Jight  out  of  Homer,  and  IV at  son  for  his  Antigone 
out  of  Sophocles,  haue  got  good  commendations :  so  these  ver- 
sifiers for  their  learned  translations  are  of  good  note  among  vs, 
Phaer  for  Firgils  Aeneads,  Gold  ing  for  Ouids  Metamorphosis, 
Harington  for  his  Orlado  Furioso,  the  translators  of  Senecaes 
Tragedies,  Barnabe  Googe  for  Palingenius,  Tiirberui/e  for  Ouids 
Epistles  and  Mantuan,  and  Chapman  for  his  inchoate  Homer. 

As  the  Latines  haue  these  Emblematists,  Andreas  A/ciatus, 
Reusnerus,  and  Sambucus :  so  we  haue  these,  Geffrey  Whitney, 
Andrew  Willet,  and  Thomas  Combe. 

As  Nonnus  Panapolyta  writ  the  Gospell  of  saint  lo/in  in 
Greeke  Hexameters :  so  leruis  Markham  hath  written  Salomons 
Canticles  in  English  verse. 

As  C.  Plinius  writ  the  life  of  Pomponius  Seciidus :  so  yong 
Charles  Fitz-Iejfrey,  that  high  touring  Falcon,  hath  most  glori- 
ously penned  the  honourable  life  and  death  of  worthy  sir  Fran- 
cis Drake. 

As  Hesiod  writ  learnedly  of  husbandry  in  Greeke  :  so  hath 
Tusser  very  wittily  and  experimentally  written  of  it  in  English. 

As 


A  Comparatiue  Discourse.  157 

As  Antipater  Sidonius  was  famous  for  extemporall  verse  in 
Greeke,  and  Quid  for  his  Quicquid  conabar  dicere  versus  erat : 
so  was  our  Tarleton,  of  whome  Doctour  Case  that  learned  phy- 
sitian  thus  speaketh  in  the  seuenth  Booke,  8c  seuenteenth  chap- 
ter of  his  Politikes ;  Aristoteles  suum  Theodoretum  laudauit 
quendam  peritum  Trag&diarum  actorem ;  Cicero  suum  Roscium : 
nos  Angli  Tarletonum,  in  cuius  voce  fy  vultu  omnes  iocosi  ajfec- 
tus,  in  cuius  cerebroso  capite  lepida  facetia  habitant.  And  so  is 
now  our  wittie  Wilson,  who,  for  learning  and  extemporall  witte 
in  this  facultie,  is  without  compare  or  compeere,  as  to  his  great 
and  eternall  commendations  he  manifested  in  his  chalenge  at 
the  Swanne  on  the  Banke  side. 

As  Achilles  tortured  the  deade  bodie  of  Hector,  and  as  Anto- 
nius,  and  his  wife  Fuluia  tormented  the  liuelesse  corps  of  Ci- 
cero :  so  Gabriell  Haruey  hath  shewed  the  same  inhumanitie  to 
Greene  that  lies  full  low  in  his  graue. 

As  Eupolis  of  Athens  vsed  great  libertie  in  taxing  the  vices 
of  men :  so  dooth  Thomas  Nash,  witnesse  the  broode  of  the 
Harueys. 

As  ActfBon  was  wooried  of  his  owne  hounds  :  so  is  Tom  Nash 
of  his  lie  of  Dogs.  Dogges  were  the  death  of  Euripedes,  but 
bee  not  disconsolate  gallant  young  luuenall,  Linus,  the  sonne  of 
Apollo  died  the  same  death.  Yet  God  forbid  that  so  braue  a 
witte  should  so  basely  perish,  thine  are  but  paper  dogges,  nei- 
ther is  thy  banishment  like  Quids,  eternally  to  conuerse  with 
the  barbarous  Getes.  Therefore  comfort  thy  selfe  sweete  Tomt 
with  Ciceros  glorious  return  to  Rome,  &  with  the  counsel  Ae- 
neas giues  to  his  sea  beaten  soldiors.  Lib.  1.  Aeneid. 

Pluck  vp  thine  heart,  8$  driuefrom  thence  both  feare  and  care 

away : 

To  thinke  on  this  may  pleasure  be  perhaps  another  day. 
Durato,  #  temet  rebus  seruato  secundis 

As  Anacreon  died  by  the  pot :  so  George  Peele  by  the  pox. 
As  Archesilaus  Prytaneeus  perished  by  wine  at  a  drunken  feast, 
as  Hermippus  testifieth  in  Diogenes :  so  Robert  Greene  died  of  a 

T  surfet 


158 


A  Comparatiue  Discourse. 


surfet  taken  at  Pickeld  Herrings,  &  Rhenish  wine,  as  witness- 
eth  Thomas  Nash  who  was  at  the  fatall  banquet. 

As  lodelle,  a  French  tragical  poet  beeing  an  Epicure,  and  an 
Atheist,  made  a  pitifull  end  :  so  our  tragical!  poet  Marlow,  for 
his  Epicurisme  and  Atheisme,  had  a  tragicall  death ;  you  may 
read  of  this  Marlow  more  at  large  in  the  Theatre  of  Gods  iudg- 
ments,  in  the  £5.  chapter  entreating  of  Epicures  and  Atheists. 

As  the  poet  Lycophron  was  shot  to  death  by  a  certain  riual  of 
his  :  so  Christopher  Marlow  was  stabd  to  death  by  a  bawdy 
Seruingman,  a  riuall  of  his  in  his  lewde  loue. 


O  B  SERVATIONS 

in  the  Art  of  English 

Poesie. 

By  Thomas  Campion. 

Wherein  it  is  demonstra- 
tiuely  prooued,  and  by  example 

confirmed  that  the  English  toong 
will  receiue  eight  seueratt  kinds  of  num- 
bers, proper  to  it  selfe,  which  are  all 
in  this  booke  set  forth,  and  were 
neuer  before  this  time  ly  any 
man  attempted. 


Printed  at  London  by  RICHARD  FIELD 
for  Andrew  Wise.     1602. 


To  the  right  noble  and  worthily 

honour 'd, 

THE  LORD  BUCKHURST, 

Lord  High  Treasurer  of  England. 

IN  two  things,  right  honorable,  it  is  generally  agreed  that 
man  excels  all  other  creatures,  in  reason,  and  speech  :    and 
in  them  by  how  much  one  man  surpasseth  an  other,  by  so  much 
the  neerer  he  aspires  to  a  celestiall  essence. 

Poesy  in  all  kind  of  speaking  is  the  chiefe  beginner  and 
maintayner  of  eloquence,  not  only  helping  the  eare  with  the 
acquaintance  of  sweet  numbers,  but  also  raysing  the  minde  to 
a  more  high  and  lofty  conceite.  For  this  end  haue  I  studyed 
to  induce  a  true  forme  of  versefying  into  our  language  :  for  the 
vulgar  and  vnarteficiall  custome  of  riming  hath  I  know  deter'd 
many  excellent  wits  from  the  exercise  of  English  Poesy.  The 
obseruatioris  which  I  haue  gathered  for  this  purpose,  I  humbly 
present  to  your  Lordship,  as  to  the  noblest  iudge  of  poesy,  and 
the  most  honorable  protector  of  all  industrious  learning ;  which 
if  your  honour  shall  vouchsafe  to  receiue,  who  both  in  your 
publick  and  priuate  poemes  haue  so  deuinely  crowned  your 
fame,  what  man  will  dare  to  repine,  or  not  striue  to  imitate 
them  ?  Wherefore  with  all  humility  I  subiect  my  selfe  and  them 
to  your  gratious  fauour,  beseeching  you  in  the  noblenes  of  your 
mind  to  take  in  worth  so  simple  a  present,  which  by  some 
worke  drawne  from  my  more  serious  studies  I  will  hereafter 
endeuour  to  excuse. 

Your  lordships  humbly  devoted 
THOMAS  CAMPION. 


THE  WRITER  TO  HIS  BOOKE. 

"  Whether  thou  hosts  my  little  booke  so  fast  t" 

"  To  Paules  Church-yard :" — "  What  in  those  eels  to  stad 

With  one  leafe  like  a  riders  cloke  put  vp, 

To  catch  a  termer,  or  lie  mustie  there 

With  rimes  a  terme  set  out,  or  two  before  ?" 

"  Some  will  redeemt  me" — "fewe" — "  yes,  reade  me  too"- 

"  Fewer" — "  nay  loue  me"—"  now  thou  dot'st  1  see" — 

"  Will  not  our  English  Athens,  arte  defend?" 

"  Perhaps" — "  will  lofty  courtly  wits  not  ayme 

Still  at  perfection?"—"  If  I  graunt"—"  IJlyt"— 

"  Whether" — "  to  Pawles" — "  Alas  poore  booke  I  rue 

Thy  rash  selfe-loue,  goe  spread  thy  pap'ry  wings 

Thy  lightnes  can  not  helpe,  or  hurt-  my  fame. 


O  B  SERV ATIONS 

In  the  Art  of  English  Poesy, 
By  THOMAS  CAMPION. 

The  first  chapter,  intreating  of  numbers  in  generall. 

THere  is  no  writing  too  breefe,  that  without  obscuritie  com- 
prehends the  intent  of  the  writer.  These  my  late  obser- 
uations  in  English  Poesy  I  haue  thus  briefely  gathered,  that 
they  might  proue  the  lesse  troublesome  in  perusing,  and  the 
more  apt  to  be  retayn'd  in  memorie.  And  I  will  first  generally 
handle  the  nature  of  numbers.  Number  is  discreta  quantitas, 
so  that  when  we  speake  simply  of  number,  we  intend  only  the 
disseuer'd  quantity ;  but  when  we  speake  of  a  Poeme  written  in 
number,  we  consider  not  only  the  distinct  number  of  the  silla- 
bles,  but  also  their  value,  which  is  contained  in  the  length  or 
shortnes  of  their  sound.  As  in  Musick  we  do  not  say  a  straine 
of  so  many  notes,  but  so  many  sem'briefes;  (though  some- 
times there  are  no  more  notes  than  sem'briefes)  so  in  a  verse  the 
numeration  of  the  sillables  is  not  so  much  to  be  obserued,  as 
their  waite  and  due  proportion.  In  ioyning  of  words  to  harmo- 
ny there  is  nothing  more  offensiue  to  the  eare  then  to  place  a 
long  sillable  with  a  short  note,  or  a  short  sillable  with  a  long 
note,  though  in  the  last  the  vowel  often  beares  it  out.  The 
world  is  made  by  Simmetry  and  proportion,  and  is  in  that  re- 
spect compared  to  Musick,  arid  Musick  to  Poetry ;  for  Terence 
saith  speaking  of  poets,  artem  qui  tractant  musicam ;  confound- 
ing musick  and  Poesy  together.  What  musick  can  there  be 
where  there  is  no  proportion  obserued  ?  Learning  first  flourish* 
ed  in  Greece,  from  thence  it  was  deriued  vnto  the  Romaines, 
both  diligent  obseruers  of  the  number  and  quantity  of  sillables, 
not  in  their  verses  only,  but  likewise  iu  their  prose.  Learning 

after 


164  Obscruations  in  the 

after  the  declining  of  the  Romaine  empire  and  the  pollution  of 
their  language  through  the  conquest  of  the  Barbarians,  lay 
most  pitifully  deformed,  till  the  time  of  Erasmus,  Rewcinie, 
Sir  Thomas  More,  and  other  learned  men  of  that  age;  who 
brought  the  Latine  toong  againe  to  light,  redeeming  it  with 
much  labour,  out  of  the  hands  of  the  illiterate  monks  and  fri- 
ers:  as  a  scoffing  booke  entituled  Epistola  obscurorum  virorum, 
may  sufficiently  testifie.  In  those  lack-learning  times,  and  in 
barbarized  Italy,  began  that  vulgar  and  easie  kind  of  Poesie 
which  is  now  in  vse  throughout  most  parts  of  Christendome, 
which  we  abusiuely  call  Rime  and  Meeter,  of  Rithmus  and  Me- 
trum,  of  which  I  will  now  discourse. 


The  second  chapter,  declaring  the  vnaptness  of  Rime  in  Poesie. 

I  am  not  ignorant  that  whosocuer  shall,  by  way  of  reprehen- 
sion, examine  the  imperfections  of  Rime,  must  encounter  with 
many  glorious  enemies ;  and  those  very  expert,  and  ready  at 
their  weapon,  that  can  if  neede  be  extempore  (as  they  say)  rime 
a  man  to  death.  Besides  there  is  growne  a  kind  of  prescription 
in  the  vse  of  Rime,  to  forestall  the  right  of  true  numbers,  as 
also  the  consent  of  many  nations ;  against  all  which  it  may 
seeme  a  thing  almost  impossible,  and  vaine  to  contend.  All 
this  and  more  can  not  yet  deterre  me  from  a  lawful  defence  of 
perfection,  or  make  me  any  whit  the  sooner  adheare  to  that 
which  is  lame  and  vnbeseeming.  For  custome  I  alleage  that  ill 
vses  are  to  be  abolisht,  and  that  things  naturally  imperfect  can 
not  be  perfected  by  vse.  Old  customes  if  they  be  better,  why 
should  they  not  be  recald ;  as  the  yet  florishing  custome  of  nu- 
merous poesy  vsed  among  the  Romanes  and  Grecians :  but  the 
vnaptness  of  our  toongs,  and  the  difficultie  of  imitation  dis-. 
hartens  vs ;  againe  the  facilltie  &  popularitie  of  Rime  creates 
as  many  poets,  as  a  hot  sommer  flies.  But  let  me  now  examine 
the  nature  of  that  which  we  call  Rime.  By  Rime  is  vnder- 
stoode  that  which  ends  in  the  like  sound,  so  that  verses  in 
such  inaiicr  composed,  yeeld  but  a  continual  repetition  of  that 

Rhetoricall 


Art  of  English  Poesic.  165 

Rhetoricall  figure  which  we  tearme  simi liter  desinentia;  and 
that  being  but  figura  verbi,  ought  (as  Tully  and  all  other  Rhe- 
toritians  haue  iudicially  obseru'd)  sparingly  to  be  vsd,  least 
it  should  offend  the  eare  with  tedious  affectation.  Such  was 
that  absurd  following  of  the  letter  amogst  our  English  so  much 
of  late  affected,  but  now  hist  out  of  Paules  Churchyard :  which 
foolish  figuratiue  repetition  crept  also  into  the  Latine  toong,  as 
it  is  manifest  in  the  booke  of  Ps  cald,  preelia  porcorum,  and 
another  pamphlet  all  of  P  which  I  haue  scene  imprinted ;  but 
I  will  leaue  these  follies  to  their  owne  mine,  and  returne  to  the 
matter  intended.  The  eare  is  a  rational  sence,  and  a  chiefe 
iudge  of  proportion,  but  in  our  kind  of  riming  what  proportion 
is  there  kept,  where  there  remaines  such  a  confusd  inequalitie 
of  sillables  ?  lambick  arid  Trochaick  feete,  which  are  opposd  by 
nature,  are  by  all  Rimers  confounded ;  nay  oftentimes  they 
place  instead  of  an  lambick  the  foote  Pyrrychius,  consisting 
of  two  short  sillables,  curtailing  their  verse,  which  they  supply  in 
reading  with  a  ridiculous,  and  vnapt  drawing  of  their  speech. 
As  for  example  : 

Was  it  my  desteny,  or  dismall  chaunce  ? 

In  this  verse  the  two  last  sillables  of  the  word,  Desteny,  being 
both  short,  and  standing  for  a  whole  foote  in  the  verse,  cause 
the  line  to  fall  out  shorter  than  it  ought  by  nature.  The  like 
impure  errors  haue  in  time  of  rudenesse  bene  vsed  in  the  La- 
tine  toong,  as  the  Carmina  prouer bialia  can  witnesse,  and  many 
other  such  reuerend  babies.  But  the  noble  Grecians  and  Ro- 
maines  whose  skilfull  monuments  outliue  barbarisme,  tyed 
themselues  to  the  strict  obseruation  of  poeticall  numbers ;  so 
abandoning  the  childish  titillation  of  riming,  that  it  was  impu- 
ted a  great  error  to  Quid  for  setting  forth  this  one  riming  verse, 

Quot  cerium  Stellas  tot  habet  tua  Roma  puellas. 

For  the  establishing  of  this  argument,  what  better  confirma- 
tion can  be  had,  then  that  of  Sir  Thomas  Moore  in  his  booke  of 

u  Epigrams, 


16'(>  Obsorualions  in  the 

Kpigrauis,  where  he  makes  two  sundry  Epitaphs  vpon  the  death 
of  a  singing  man  at  Westminster ;  the  one  in  learned  numbers 
and  dislik't,  the  other  in  rude  rime  and  highly  extold :  so  that 
he  concludes,  tales  lactucas  talia  labra  petunt ;  like  lips,  like 
lettuce.  But  there  is  yet  another  fault  in  Rime  altogether  in- 
tollerable,  which  is,  that  it  inforceth  a  man  oftentimes  to  ab- 
iure  his  matter,  and  extend  a  short  conceit  beyond  all  bounds 
of  arte  :  for  in  Quatorzens  me  thinks  the  Poet  handles  his  sub- 
iect  as  tyrannically  as  Procrustes  the  thiefe  his  prisoners; 
whom  when  he  had  taken,  he  vsed  to  cast  vpon  a  bed,  which  if 
they  were  too  short  to  fill,  he  would  stretch  the  longer,  if  too 
long,  he  would  cut  them  shorter.  Bring  before  me  now  any  the 
most  selfe-lou'd  Rimer,  &  let  me  see  if  without  blushing  he  be 
able  to  reade  his  lame  halting  rimes.  Is  there  not  a  curse  of  Na- 
ture laid  vpon  such  rude  Poesie,  when  the  Writer  is  himself 
asham'd  of  it,  and  the  hearers  in  contempt  call  it  Riming  and 
Ballating  ?  What  Deuine  in  his  Sermon,  or  graue  Counsellor 
in  his  Oration,  will  alleage  the  testimonie  of  a  rime  ?  But  the 
deuinity  of  the  Romaines  and  Gretians  was  all  written  in  verse, 
and  Aristotle,  Galene  and  the  bookes  of  all  the  excellent  Philo- 
sophers are  full  of  the  testimonies  of  the  old  Poets.  By  them 
was  laid  the  foundation  of  all  humane  wisedome,  and  from 
them  the  knowledge  of  all  antiquitie  is  deriued.  I  will  pro- 
pound but  one  question  and  so  conclude  this  point.  If  the  Ita- 
lians, Frenchmen,  and  Spanyards,  that  with  commendation 
haue  written  in  Rime,  were  demaunded  whether  they  had  rather 
the  bookes  they  haue  publisht,  (if  their  toong  would  beare  it) 
should  remaine  as  they  are  in  Rime  or  be  translated  into  the 
auncient  numbers  of  the  Greekes  and  Romaines,  would  they  not 
answere  into  numbers  ?  What  honour  were  it  then  for  our  Eng- 
lish language  to  be  the  first  that  after  so  many  yeares  of  barba- 
risme  could  second  the  perfection  of  the  industrious  Greekes 
and  Romaines?  which  how  it  may  be  effected  I  will  now  pro- 
ceede  to  demonstrate. 


The 


Art  of  English  Poesie.  167 


The  third  Chapter :  of  our  English  numbers  in  general!. 

There  are  but  three  feete,  which  generally  distinguish  the 
Creeke  and  Latine  verses,  the  Dactil  consisting  of  one  long  sil- 
lable  and  two  short,  as  vluert ;  the  Trochy,  of  one  long  and 
one  short,  as  vita,  and  the  lambick  of  one  short  and  one  long 
as  amor.  The  Spondee  of  two  long,  the  Tribrach  of  three  short, 
the  Anap&stick  of  two  short  and  a  long,  are  but  as  seruants  to 
the  first.  Diuers  other  feete  I  know  are  by  the  Grammarians 
cited,  but  to  little  purpose.  The  Heroicall  verse  that  is  distin- 
guisht  by  the  Dactile,  hath  bene  oftentimes  attempted  in  our 
English  toong,  but  with  passing  pitifull  successe :  and  no  won- 
der, seeing  it  is  an  attempt  altogether  against  the  nature  of  our 
language.  For  both  the  concurse  of  our  monasillables  make 
our  verses  vnapt  to  slide,  and  also  if  we  examine  our  polysilla- 
bles,  we  shall  finde  few  of  them  by  reason  of  their  heauinesse, 
willing  to  serue  in  place  of  a  Dactile.  Thence  it  is,  that  the 
writers  of  English  heroicks  do  so  often  repeate  Amyntas,  Olym- 
pus, Auernus,  Erinnis,  and  such  like  borrowed  Avords,  to  sup- 
ply the  defect  of  our  hardly  intreated  Dactile.  I  could  in  this 
place  set  downe  many  ridiculous  kinds  of  Dactils  which  they 
vse,  but  that  it  is  not  my  purpose  here  to  incite  men  to  laugh- 
ter. If  we  therefore  reiect  the  Dactil  as  vnfit  for  our  vse 
(which  of  necessity  we  are  enforst  to  do,  there  remayne  only 
the  lambick  foote,  of  which  the  lambick  verse  is  fram'd ;  and 
the  Trochee,  fro  which  the  Trochaick  numbers  haue  their  ori- 
ginall.  Let  vs  now  then  examine  the  property  of  these  two 
feete,  and  try  if  they  consent  with  the  nature  of  our  English 
sillables.  And  first  for  the  lambicks,  they  fall  out  so  naturally 
in  our  toong,  that  if  we  examine  our  owne  writers  we  shall  find 
they  vnawares  hit  oftentimes  vpon  the  true  lambick  numbers ; 
but  alwayes  ayme  at  them  as  far  as  their  eare  without  the  guid- 
ance of  arte  can  attaine  vnto,  as  it  shall  hereafter  more  eui- 
dently  appeare.  The  Trochaick  foote,  which  is  but  an  lambick 
turn'd  ouer  and  ouer,  must  of  force  in  like  manner  accord  in 
proportion  with  our  Brittish  sillables,  and  so  produce  an  Eng- 
lish 


10'8  Obseruations  in  the 

lish  Trochaicall  verse.  Then  hauing  these  two  principal!  kinds 
of  verses,  we  may  easily  out  of  them  deriue  other  formes ;  as 
the  Latines  and  Greekes  before  vs  haue  done,  whereof  I  will 
make  plaine  demonstration,  beginning  at  the  lambick  verse. 

The  fourth  chapter,  of  the  lambick  verse. 

I  haue  obserued,  and  so  may  any  one  that  is  either  practis'd 
in  singiug,  or  hath  a  natural!  eare  able  to  time  a  song,  that  the 
Latine  verses  of  sixe  feete,  as  the  Heroick  and  lambick,  or  of 
flue  feete,  as  the  Trochaick  are  in  nature  all  of  the  same  length 
of  sound  with  our  English  verses  of  fiue  feete;  for  either  of  them 
being  tim'd  with  the  hand,  quinque  perficiunt  tempora,  they  fill 
vp  the  quantity  (as  it  were)  of  fiue  sem'briefs;  as  for  example, 
if  any  man  will  proue  to  time  these  verses  with  his  hand. 

A  pure  lambick. 

Suis  fy  ipsa  Roma  viribus  ruit. 
A  licentiate  lambick. 

Ducunt  volentes  fata,  nolentes  trahunt. 

i 
An  Heroick  verse. 

Tytere  tu  patula  recubans  sub  tegminefagi. 
A  Trochaick  verse. 

Nox  est  perpetua  vna  dormienda. 
English  lambicks  pure. 

The  more  secure,  the  more  the  more  the  stroke  wefeele 
Of  vnpreuented  harms;  so  gloomy  stormes 
Appeare  the  sterner  if  the  day  be  cleere. 

Th* 


Art  of  English  Poesie.  169 

Th'  English  lambick  licentiate. 

, 

Harke  how  these  winds  do  murmur  at  thy  flight. 
The  English  Trochee. 

Still  where  Enuy  leaues,  remorse  doth  enter. 

The  cause  why  these  verses  differing  in  feete  yeeld  the 
same  length  of  sound,  is  by  reason'  of  some  rests,  which  either 
the  necessity  of  the  numbers,  or  the  heauines  of  the  sillables  do 
beget.  For  we  find  in  musick,  that  oftentimes  the  straines  of 
a  song  can  not  be  reduct  to  true  number  without  some  rests  pre- 
fixt  in  the  beginning  and  middle,  as  also  at  the  close  if  need 
requires.  Besides,  our  English  monasillables  enforce  many 
breathings  which  no  doubt  greatly  lengthen  a  verse  :  so  that  it 
is  no  wonder  if  for  these  reasons  our  English  verses  of  fiue 
feete  hold  pace  with  the  Latines  of  sixe,  The  pure  lambick  in 
English  needes  small  demonstration,  because  it  consists  sim- 
ply of  lambick  feete ;  but  our  lambick  licentiate  offers  it  selfe 
to  a  farther  consideration ;  for  in  the  third  and  fift  place  we 
must  of  force  hold  the  lambick  foote ;  in  the  first,  second,  and 
fourth  place  we  may  vse  a  Spondee  or  lambick,  and  sometime 
a  Tribrack  or  Dactile,  but  rarely  an  Anapestick  foote,  and  that 
in  the  second  or  fourth  place.  But  why  an  lambick  in  the  third 
place  ?  I  answere,  that  the  forepart  of  the  verse  may  the  gent- 
lier  slide  into  his  Dimeter:  as  for  example  sake,  deuide  this 
verse :  Harke  how  these  winds  do  murmure  at  thy  flight.  Harke 
how  these  winds :  there  the  voice  naturally  affects  a  rest ;  then, 
murmur  at  thy  flight,  that  is  of  it  selfe  a  perfect  number,  as  I 
will  declare  in  the  next  Chapter,  and  therefore  the  other  odde 
sillable  betweene  the  ought  to  be  short,  least  the  verse  should 
hang  too  much  betweene  the  naturall  pause  of  the  verse,  and 
the  Dimeter  following;  the  which  Dimeter  though  it  be  natu- 
rally Trochaical,  yet  it  seemes  to  haue  his  originall  out  of  the 
lambick  verse.  But  the  better  to  confirme  and  expresse  these 
rules,  I  will  set  downe  a  short  Poeme  in  Licentiate  Iambickst 

which 


170  Obseruations  in  the 

which  may  giue  more  light  to  them  that  shall  hereafter  imitate 
these  numbers. 

Goe  numbers  boldly  passe,  stay  not  for  ayde 

Of  shifting  rime,  that  easie  flatterer 

Whose  witchcraft  can  the  ruder  eares  beguile; 

Ijet  your  smooth  feete,  enur'd  to  purer  arte, 

True  measures  tread ;  what  if  your  pace  be  sloic  ? 

And  hops  not  like  the  Grecian  elegies  ? 

It  is  yet  graceful!,  and  well  Jits  the  state 

Ofzcords  ill-breathed,  and  not  shap't  to  runne. 

Goe  then,  but  slowly  till  your  steps  befirme; 

Tell  them  that  pitty,  or  peruersely  skorne 

Poore  English  Poesie  as  the  slaue  to  rime, 

You  are  those  loftie  numbers  that  reuiue 

Triumphs  of  Princes,  and  sterne  tragedies : 

And  learne  henceforth  C  attend  those  happy  sprights, 

Whose  bounding  fury,  height,  and  waight  affects : 

Assist  their  labour,  and  sit  close  to  them, 

Neuer  to  part  away  till  for  desert 

Their  browes  with  great  Apollos  bayes  are  hid. 

He  first  taught  number,  and  true  harmonye, 

Nor  is  the  lawrell  his  for  rime  bequeath'd; 

Call  him  icith  numerous  accents  paisd  by  arte 

He'le  turne  his  glory  from  the  sunny  clymes, 

The  North-bred  wits  alone  to  patronise. 

Let  France  their  Bartas,  Italy  Tasso  prayse, 

Phoebus  shuns  none,  but  in  their  flight  from  him. 

Though  as  I  said  before,  the  natural!  breathing  place  of  our 
English  lambick  verse  is  in  the  last  sillable  of  the  second  foote, 
as  our  Trochy,  after  the  manner  of  the  Latine  Heroick  and  lam- 
bick, rests  naturally  in  the  first  of  the  third  foote :  yet  no  man 
is  tyed  altogether  to  obserue  this  rule,  but  he  may  alter  it,  after 
the  iudgement  of  his  eare,  which  Poets,  Orators,  and  Musi- 
tions,  of  all  men  ought  to  haue  most  excellent.  Againe,  though 
I  said  peremptorily  before,  that  the  third  and  fift  place  of  our 

licentiate 


Art  of  English  Poesie.  171 

licentiate  lambick  must  alwayes  hold  an  lambick  foote,  yet  I 
will  shew  you  example  in  both  places  where  a  Tribrach  may  be 
very  formally  taken :  and  first  in  the  third  place, 

Some  trade  in  Barbary,  some  in  Turky  trade, 
An  other  example, 

Men  that  do  fall  to  misery,  quickly  fall. 

If  you  doubt  whether  the  first  of  misery  be  naturally  short  or 
no,  you  may  iudge  it  by  the  easie  sliding  of  these  two  verses 
following. 

The  first, 

Whome  misery  cannot  alter,  time  deuours. 
The  second, 

What  more  vnhappy  life,  what  misery  more? 

Example  of  the  Tribrach  in  the  fift  place,  as  you  may  per- 
ceiue  in  the  last  foote  of  the  fift  verse  : 

Some  from  the  starry  throne  his  fame  deriues, 
Some  from  the  mynes  beneath,  from  trees,  or  herbs ; 
Each  hath  his  glory,  each  his  sundry  gift, 
Renown'd  in  eu'ry  art  there  Hues  not  any. 

To  proceede  farther,  I  see  no  reason  why  the  English  lambick 
in  his  first  place,  may  not  as  well  borrow  a  foote  of  the  Trochy, 
as  our  Trochy,  or  the  Latine  Hendicasillable,  may  in  the  like 
case  make  bold  with  the  lambick :  but  it  must  be  done  euer  with 
this  caueat,  which  is,  that  a  Sponde,  Dactile,  or  Tribrach,  do 
supply  the  next  place :  for  an  lambick  beginning  with  a  single 
short  sillable,  and  the  other  ending  before  with  the  like,  would 

too 


172  Obscruations  in  the 

too  much  drinke  vp  the  verse  if  they  came  immediately  toge- 
ther. 

The  example  of  the  Sponde  after  the  Trochy, 

As  thefaire  sonne  the  lightsome  heau'n  adorn  . 
The  example  of  the  Dactil, 

Noble,  ingenious,  and  discreetly  wise. 
The  example  of  the  Tribrack, 

Beawty  to  ielosie  brings  toy,  sorrow,  feare. 

Though  I  haue  set  downe  these  second  licenses  as  good  and 
ayreable  enough,  yet,  for  the  most  part,  my  first  rules  are  ge- 
nerall. 

These  are  those  numbers  which  Nature  in  our  English  des- 
tinates  to  the  Tragick,  and  Heroik  Poeme ;  for  the  subiect  of 
them  both  being  all  one,  I  see  no  impediment  why  one  verse 
may  not  serue  for  them  both,  as  it  appeares  more  plainely  in 
the  old  comparison  of  the  two  Greeke  writers,  when  they  say, 
Homerus  est  Sophocles  heroicus,  and  againe,  Sophocles  est  Ho~ 
merus  tragicus ;  intimating  that  both  Sophocles  and  Homer  are 
the  same  in  height  and  subiect,  and  differ  onely  in  the  kinde  of 
their  numbers. 

The  lambick  verse  in  like  manner  being  yet  made  a  little 
more  licentiate,  that  it  may  thereby  the  neerer  imitate  our  com- 
mon talke,  will  excellently  serue  for  Comedies ;  and  then  may 
we  vse  a  Sponde  in  the  fift  place,  and  in  the  third  place  any 
foote  except  a  Trochy,  which  neuer  enters  into  our  lambick 
verse,  but  in  the  first  place,  and  then  with  his  caueat  of  the 
other  feete  which  must  of  necessitie  follow. 


The 


Art  of  English  Pofcsie.  173 


Thefift  Chapter;  of  the  lambick  Dimeter,  or  English  march. 

The  Dimeter  (so  called  in  the  former  Chapter)  I  intend  next 
of  all  to  handle,  because  it  seems  to  be  a  part  of  the  lambick 
which  is  our  most  naturall  and  auncient  English  verse.  We 
may  terme  this  our  English  march,  because  the  verse  answers 
our  warlick  forme  of  march  in  similitude  of  number.  But  call 
it  what  you  please,  for  I  will  not  wrangle  about  names,  only 
intending  to  set  down  the  nature  of  it  and  true  structure.  It 
consists  of  two  feete  and  one  odde  sillable.  The  first  foote  may 
be  made  either  a  Trochy,  or  a  Spondee,  or  an  lambick,  at  the  plea- 
sure of  the  composer,  though  most  naturally  that  place  affects 
a  Trochy  or  Spondee ;  yet  by  the  example  of  Catullus  in  his 
Hendicasillables,  I  adde  in  the  first  place  sometimes  an  lambick 
foote.  In  the  second  place  we  must  euer  insert  a  Trochy  or 
Tribrack,  and  so  leaue  the  last  sillable  (as  in  the  end  of  a  verse 
it  is  alwaies  held)  common.  Of  this  kinde  I  will  subscribe 
three  examples,  the  first  being  a  peece  of  a  Chorus  in  a  Tragedy. 

Rauing  warre  begot 
In  the  thirstye  sands 
Of  the  Lybian  lies 
Wasts  our  emptye  fields, 
What  the  greedy e  rage 
Of  fell  wintrye  stormes, 
Could  not  turne  to  spoile, 
Fierce  Bellona  now 
Hath  laid  desolate, 
Voyd  of  fruit,  or  hope. 
Th'  eger  thriftye  hinde 
Whose  rude  toyle  reuiu'd 
Our  skie-blasted  earth 
Himself  e  is  but  earth. 
Left  a  skorne  to  fate 
Through  seditious  armes : 

o 

And  that  soile,  aliue 
Which  he  duly  nurst, 

x  Which 


174  Observations  in  the 

Which  him  duly  fed, 
Dead  his  body  feeds : 
Yet  not  all  the  glebe 
His  tuffe  hands  manur'd 
Note  one  turfe  affords 
His  poor e  funer all. 
Thus  still  needy  Hues, 
Thus  still  needy  dyes 
Th*  vnknowne  multitude. 


An  example  Lyrical 

Greatest  in  thy  wars, 
Greater  in  thy  peace 
Dread  Elizabeth  ; 
On/-  muse  only  Truth 
Figments  can  not  vse, 
Thy  ritch  name  to  deck 
That  it  selfe  adornes : 
But  should  now  this  age 
Let  all  poesy  e  fay  ne, 
Fayning  poesy  could 
Nothing  faine  at  all 
Worthy  halfe  thy  fame. 


An  example  EpigrammicaU. 

Kind  in  euery  kinde 
This  deare  Ned  resolue, 
Neuer  of  thy  prayse 
Be  too  proigall; 
He  that  prayseth  all 
Can  praise  truly  none. 

The  sixt  Chapter,  of  the  English  Trochaick  verse. 

Next  in  course  to  be  intreated  of  is  the  English  Trochaick, 
being  a  verse  simple,  and  of  it  selfe  depending.    It  consists,  as 

the 


Art  of  English  Poesie.  175 

the  Latine  Trochaick,  of  fiue  feet ;  the  first  whereof  may  be  a 
Trochy,  a  Spondee,  or  an  lambick ;  the  other  foure  of  necessity 
all  Trochyes,  still  holding  this  rule  authenticall,  that  the  last 
sillable  of  a  verse  is  alwayes  common.  The  spirit  of  this  verse 
most  of  all  delights  in  Epigrams,  but  it  may  be  diuersly  vsed, 
as  shall  hereafter  be  declared.  I  haue  written  diuers  light 
Poems  in  this  kinde,  which  for  the  better  satisfaction  of  the 
reader,  I  thought  conuenient  here  in  way  of  example  to  pub- 
lish. In  which  though  sometimes  vnder  a  knowne  name  I  haue 
shadowed  a  fain'd  conceit,  yet  is  it  done  without  reference  or 
offence  to  any  person,  and  only  to  make  the  stile  appeare  the 
more  English. 

The  first  Epigramme. 

Lockly  spits  apace,  the  rhewme  he  cals  it, 
But  no  drop  (though  often  vrgd)  he  straineth 
From  his  thirstie  iawes,  yet  all  the  morning, 
And  all  day  he  spits,  in  eu'ry  corner, 
At  his  meales  he  spits,  at  eu'ry  meeting, 
At  the  barre  he  spits  before  the  Fathers, 
In  the  Court  he  spits  before  the  Graces, 
In  the  Church  he  spits,  thus  all  prophaning 
With  that  rude  disease,  that  empty  spitting : 
Yet  no  cost  he  spares,  he  fees  the  Doctors, 
Keepes  a  strickt  diet,  precisely  vseth 
Drinks  and  bathes  drying,  yet  allpreuailes  not. 
'Tis  not  China  (Lockly)  Salsa  Guacum, 
Nor  dry  Sassafras  can  helpe  or  ease  thee ; 
'Tis  no  humor  hurts,  it  is  thy  humor, 

The  second  Epigramme 

Cease  fond  zvretch  to  loue  so  oft  deluded 
Still  made  ritch  with  hopes,  still  vnrelieued, 
Now  fly  her  delates ;  she  that  debateth 
Feeles  not  true  desire,  he  that  deferred 
Others  times  attends,  his  owne  betrayeth: 

Learne 


176  Obscrualions  in  thev 

Learne  Caffect  thy  selfe,  thy  cheekes  deformed 
II  ith  pale  care  reuiue  by  lin/c/i/  pleasure, 
Or  with  skarlet  heate  them,  or  by  paintings 
Make  thee  louely,  for  such  arte  she  vseth 
II  home  in  I'tn/ne  so  long  thy  jolly  loued. 

The  third  Epi gramme. 

Kate  c fin  fancy  only  berdles  husbands, 
Thats  the  cause  she  shakes  off  en'ry  suter, 
Thats  the  cause  she  Hues  so  stale  a  virgin, 
For  before  her  heart  can  heate  her  answer, 
Her  smooth  youths  she  finds  all  hugely  berded. 

The  fourth  Epigramme. 

All  in  sattin  Oteny  will  be  suted 
Beaten  sattin  (as  by  chaunce  he  cats  it) 
Oteny  sure  will  haue  the  bastinado. 

The  fift  Epigramme. 

Tosts  as  snakes  or  as  the  mortall  Henbane 
Hunks  detests  when  huff'cap  ale  he  tipples, 
Yet  the  bread  he  graunts  the  fumes  abateth: 
Therefore  apt  in  ale,  true,  and  he  graunts  it, 
But  it  drinks  vp  ale,  that  Hunks  detesteth. 

The  sixt  Epigramme. 

What  though  Harry  braggs,  let  him  be  noble, 
Noble  Harry  hath  not  half  a  noble. 

The  seauenth  Epigramme. 

Phaebe  all  the  rights  Elisa  clay  met  ht 
Mighty  riuall,  in  this  only  differing 
That  shees  only  true,  thou  onlyfayned. 

The  eight  Epigramme. 

Barnzy  stiffly  vowes  that  hees  no  Cuckold 
Yet  the  vulgar  eu'ry  where  salutes  him 

With 


Art  of  English  Poesie.  177 

With  strange  signes  of  homes,  from  eu'ry  corner, 

Wheresoere  he  commes  a  sundry  Cucco 

Still  frequents  his  eares,  yet  hees  no  Cuccold. 

But  this  Barnzy  knowes  that  his  Matilda 

Skorning  him  with  Haruy  playes  the  wanton ; 

Knowes  it,  nay  desires  it,  and  by  prayers 

Dayly  begs  of  heau'n,  that  it  for  euer 

May  stand  Jirme  for  him,  yet  hees  no  Cuccold: 

And  tis  true,  for  Haruy  keeps  Matilda, 

Fosters  Barnzy,  and  relieues  his  houshold ; 

Buyes  the  Cradle,  and  begets  the  children, 

Payes  the  Nurces,  eu'ry  charge  defraying, 

And  thus,  truly,  playes  Matildas  husband: 

So  that  Barnzy  now  becoms  a  cypher, 

And  himself eth'  adultrer  of  Matilda. 

Mock  not  him  with  homes,  the  case  is  alter'd, 

Haruy  beares  the  wrong,  heproues  the  Cuccold. 

The  ninth  Epigramme. 

Buffe  hues  fat  vians,  fat  ale,  fat  all  things, 
Keepesfat  whores,  fat  offices ;  yet  all  men 
Him  fat  only  wish  to  feast  the  gallous. 

The  tenth  Epigramme. 

Smith  by  sute  diuorst ;  the  knozcne  adultres 
Freshly  weds  againe ;  what  ayles  the  mad-cap 
By  this  fury  ?  euen  so  theeues  by  frailty 
Of  their  hempe  reseru'd,  againe  the  dismall 
Tree  embrace,  againe  thefatall  halter. 

The  eleuenth  Epigramme. 

His  late  losse  the  Wiuelesse  Higs  in  order 
Eu'rywhere  bewailes  to  friends,  to  strangers  ; 
Teh  them  how  by  night  a  yongster  armed 

Saught 


178  Obseruations  in  the 

Saught  his  Wife  (as  hand  in  hand  he  held  her) 
With  drarcne  .word  to  force ;  she  cryed,  he  mainefy 
Raring  ran  for  ayde  ;  but  (ah)  returning, 
Fled  ?iv/.v  rcith  the  prize  the  beawly-forcer 
Whome  in  vaine  he  seeks,  he  threats,  hefollowes. 
Changed  is  Hellen,  Hellcn  hugs  the  stranger 
Safe  as  Paris  in  the  Greeke  triumphing. 
Therewith  his  reports  to  teares  he  turneth, 
Peirst  through  with  the  louely  Dames  remembrance ; 
Straight  he  sighes,  he  raues,  his  haire  he  teareth, 
Forcing  pitty  still  by  fresh  lamenting. 
Cease  vnworthy,  worthy  of  thy  fortunes, 
Thou  that  couldst  so  fair -e  a  prize  deliuer, 
Forfeare  vnregarded,  undefended, 
Hadst  no  heart  I  thinke,  I  know  no  liuer. 

The  twelfth  Epigramme. 

IV hy  droopst  thou  Trefeild  ?  will  Hurst  the  banker 
Make  dice  of  thy  bones?  by  heau'n  he  can  not ; 
Can  not?  whats  the  reason?  He  declare  it, 
Th'ar  all  growne  so  pockie,  and  so  rotten. 

The  seauenth  chapter,  of  the  English  Elegeick  verse. 

The  Elegeick  verses  challenge  the  next  place,  as  being  of  all 
compound  verses  the  simplest.  They  are  deriu'd  out  of  our 
owne  naturall  numbers  as  neere  the  imitation  of  the  Greekes 
and  Latines,  as  our  heauy  sillables  will  permit.  The  first  verse 
is  a  meere  licentiate  lambick ;  the  second  is  frain'd  of  two  vni- 
ted  Dimeters.  In  the  first  Dimeter  we  are  tyed  to  make  the  first 
foote  either  a  Trochy  or  a  Spondee,  the  second  a  Trochy,  and 
the  odde  sillable  of  it  alwaies  long.  The  second  Dimeter  con- 
sists of  two  Trochyes  (because  it  requires  more  swiftnes  then 
the  first)  and  an  odd  sillable,  which  being  last,  is  euer  common. 
I  will  giue  you  example  both  of  Elegye  and  Epigramme,  in  this 
kinde. 


Art  of  English  Poesie.  179 


An  Elegye* 

Constant  to  none,  but  euer  false  to  me, 

Tr  aiter  still  to  lone  through  thy  faint  desires  t 
Not  hope  of  pittie  now  nor  vaine  redresse 

Turns  my  griefs  to  teares,  and  renu'd  laments 
Too  well  thy  empty  vowes,  and  hollow  thoughts 

Witnes  both  thy  wrongs,  and  remorseles  hart. 
Rue  not  my  sorrow,  but  blush  at  my  name, 

Let  thy  bloudy  cheeks  guilty  thoughts  betray. 
My  flames  did  truly  burne,  thine  made  a  shew, 

As  fires  painted  are  which  no  heate  retayne, 
Or  as  the  glossy  Pirop  faines  to  blaze, 

But  toucht  cold  appeares,  and  an  earthy  stone. 
True  cullours  deck  thy  cheeks,  false  foiles  thy  brest, 

Frailer  then  thy  light  beawty  is  thy  minde. 
None  canst  thou  long  refuse,  nor  long  affect, 

But  turn'stfeare  with  hopes,  sorrow  with  delight, 
Delaying,  and  deluding  eu'ry  way 

Those  whose  eyes  are  once  with  thy  beawty  chain'd. 
Thrice  happy  man  that  entring  first  thy  loue, 

Can  so  guide  the  straight  raynes  of  his  desires, 
That  both  he  can  regard  thee,  and  refraine : 

Ifgrac't,  firme  he  stands,  if  not,  easely  falls. 

Examples  of  Epigrams  in  Elegeick  verse. 

The  first  Epigramme. 

Arthure  brooks  only  those  that  brooke  not  him, 
Those  he  most  regards,  and  deuoutly  serues ; 

But  them  that  grace  him  his  great  brau'ry  skornes, 
Counting  kindnesse  all  duty,  not  desert  : 

Arthure  wants  forty  pounds,  tyres  eu'ry  friend, 
But  finds  none  that  holds  twenty  due  for  him. 

The 


180  Observations  in  the 


The  second  Epigramme. 

If  fancy  can  not  erre  which  vertue  guides, 
(H  thee  Laura  then  fancy  can  not  erre. 

The  third  Epigramme. 

Drue  feasts  no  Puritans ;  the  churles  he  saith 

Thanke  no  men,  but  eate,  praise  God,  and  depart, 

The  fourth  Epigramme. 

A  wiseman  wary  Hues,  yet  most  secure, 

Sorrowes  moue  not  him  greatly,  nor  delights. 

Fortune  and  death  he  skorning,  only  makes 

Th'earth  his  sober  Inne,  but  still  heau'n  his  home. 

The  fift  Epigramme. 

Thou  telst  me  Barnzy,  Dawson  hath  a  wife, 
Thine  he  hath  I  graunt,  Dawson  hath  a  wife. 

The  sixt  Epigramme. 

Drue  giues  thee  money,  yet  thou  thankst  not  him, 
But  thankst  God  for  him,  like  a  godly  man. 

Suppose  rude  Puritan  thou  begst  of  him, 

And  he  saith  God  help,  who's  the  godly  man  ? 

« 

The  seauenth  Epigramme. 

All  wonders  Barnzy  speakes,  all  groselyfaind, 

Speake  some  wonder  once  Baruzy,  speake  the  truth. 


The 


Art  of  English  Poesie.  181 

The  eight  Epigramme. 

None  then  should  through  thy  beawty  Lawra  pine, 
Might  sweet  words  alone  ease  a  loue-sick  heart : 

But  your  sweet  words  alone  that  quit  so  well 
Hope  of  friendly  deeds  kill  the  loue-sick  heart, 

The  ninth  Epigramme. 

At  all  thou  frankly  throw  st,  while  Frank  thy  wife 
Bars  not  Luke  the  mayn,  Oteny  barre  the  bye. 

The  eight  chapter,  of  Ditties  and  Odes. 

To  descend  orderly  from  the  more  simple  numbers  to  them 
that  are  more  compounded,  it  is  now  time  to  handle  such  verses 
as  are  fit  for  Ditties  or  Odes ;  which  we  may  call  Lyricall,  because 
they  are  apt  to  be  soong  to  an  instrument,  if  they  were  adorn'd 
with  conuenient  notes.  Of  that  kind  I  will  demonstrate  three 
in  this  Chapter,  and  in  the  first  we  will  proceede  after  the  man- 
ner of  the  Saphick,  which  is  a  Trochaicall  verse  as  well  as  the 
Hendicasillable  in  Latine.  The  first  three  verses  therefore  in 
our  English  Saphick  are  meerely  those  Trochaicks  which  I 
handled  in  the  sixt  Chapter,  excepting  only  that  the  first  foote 
of  either  of  them  must  euer  of  necessity  be  a  Spondee,  to  make 
the  number  more  graue.  The  fourth  and  last  closing  verse  is 
compounded  of  three  Trochyes  together,  to  giue  a  more  smooth 
farewell,  as  you  may  easily  obserue  in  this  Poeme  made  vpon  a 
Triumph  at  Whitehall,  whose  glory  was  dasht  with  an  vnwel- 
come  showre,  hindring  the  people  from  the  desired  sight  of 
her  Maiestie. 

The  English  Sapphick. 

Faiths  pure  shield  the  Christian  Diana 
Englands  glory  crownd  with  all  dcuinenesse, 

Y  Line 


182  Obseruations  in  the 

Liue  long,  with  triumphs  to  blesse  thy  people 

At  thy  sight  triumphing. 
Loe  they  sound,  the  Knights  in  order  armed 
Entring  threat  the  list,  adrest  in  combat 
For  their  courtly  hues ;  he,  hees  the  wonder 

Whome  Eliza  graceth. 

Their  plum' d  pomp  the  vulgar  heaps  detaineth, 
And  rough  steeds ;  let  vs  the  still  deuices 
Close  observe,  the  speeches  and  the  musicks 

Peaceful  I  arms  adorning. 
But  whence  showres  so  fast  this  angry  tempest, 
Clowding  dimme  the  place  ?  behold  Eliza 
This  day  shines  not  here,  this  heard,  the  launces 

And  thick  heads  do  vanish. 

The  second  kinde  consists  of  Dimeter,  whose  first  foote 
may  either  be  a  Sponde  or  a  Trochy.  The  two  verses  follow- 
ing are  both  of  them  Trochaical,  and  consist  of  foure  feete ;  the 
first  of  either  of  them  being  a  Spondee  or  Trochy,  the  other 
three  only  Trochy es.  The  fourth  and  last  verse  is  made  of  two 
Trochyes.  The  number  is  voluble  and  fit  to  expresse  any  amo- 
rous conceit. 

The  Example. 

Rose-cheekt  Lawra  come 
Sing  thou  smoothly  with  thy  beawties 
Silent  musick,  either  other 

Sweetely  gracing.. 
Louely  formes  dojiowe 
From  concent  deuinely  framed, 
Heau'n  is  musick,  and  thy  beawties 

Birth  is  heauenly. 
These  dull  notes  we  sing 
Discords  needefor  helps  to  grace  them, 
Only  beawty  purely  louing 

Knowes  no  discord; 

But 


Art  of  English  Poesie.  183 

But  still  mooues  delight 
Like  chare  springs  renu'd  by  flowing, 
Euer  perfet,  euer  in  them- 
selues  eternall. 

The  third  kind  begins  as  the  second  kind  ended,  with  a  verse 
consisting  of  two  Trochy  feete :  and  then  as  the  second  kind 
had  in  the  middle  two  Trochaick  verses  of  foure  feete,  so  this 
hath  three  of  the  same  nature,  and  ends  in  a  Dimeter  as  the 
second  began.  The  Dimeter  may  allow  in  the  first  place  a 
Trochy  or  a  Spondee,  but  no  Tambick. 

The  Example. 

lust  beguiler, 

Kindest  loue,  yet  only  chastest, 
Royall  in  thy  smooth  denyals, 
Frowning  or  demurely  smiling, 

Still  my  pure  delight. 

Let  me  view  thee 

With  thoughts  and  with  eyes  affected ; 
And  if  then  the  flames  do  murmur, 
Quench  them  with  thy  vertue,  charme  them 

With  thy  stormy  browes. 

Heau'n  so  cheerefull 
Laughs  not  euer,  hory  winter 
Knowes  his  season,  euen  the  freshest 
Sommer  mornes  from  angry  thunder 
let  not  still  secure. 


The  ninth  Chapter,  of  the  Anacreontick  verse. 

If  any  shall  demaund  the  reason  why  this  number,  being  in 
it  selfe  simple,  is  plac't  after  so  many  compounded  numbers,  I 

answere, 


184  Obscruations  in  the 

answere,  because  I  hold  it  a  number  too  licentiate  for  a  higher 
place,  and  in  respect  of  the  rest  imperfect ;  yet  is  it  passing 
gracefull  in  our  English  toong,  and  will  excellently  fit  the  sub- 
iect  of  a  Madrigall,  or  any  other  Jofty  or  tragicall  matter.  It 
consists  of  two  feete ;  the  first  may  be  either  a  Sponde  or  Tro- 
chy,  the  other  must  euer  represent  the  nature  of  a  Trochy,  as 
for  example : 

Followe,  followc 
Though  with  mischiefs 
Aririd,  like  whirlewind 
Now  shejlyes  thee ; 
Time  can  conquer 
Loues  vnkindnes ; 
Loue  can  alter 
Times  disgraces; 
Till  death  faint  not 
Then  butfollowe. 
Could  I  catch  that 
Nimble  trayter 
Skornefull  Lawra, 
Swift  foot e  Lawra, 
Soone  then  would  I 
Seeke  auengement ; 
Whats  th1 'auengement ? 
Euen  submissely 
Prostrate  then  to 
Beg  for  mercye. 

Thus  haue  I  briefely  described  eight  seueral  kinds  of  English 
numbers,  simple  or  compound.  The  first  was  our  lambick  pure 
and  licentiate.  The  second,  that  which  I  call  our  Dimeter ;  be- 
ing deriued  either  from  the  end  of  our  lambick,  or  from  the 
beginning  of  our  Trochaick.  The  third  which  I  deliuered  was 
our  English  Trochaick  verse.  The  fourth  our  English  Elegeick. 
The  fift,  sixt,  and  seauenth,  were  our  English  Sapphick,  and 
two  other  Lyricall  numbers,  the  one  beginning  with  that  verse 

which 


Art  of  English  Poesie.  185 

which  I  call  our  Dimeter,  the  other  ending  with  the  same. 
The  eight  and  last  was  a  kind  of  Anacreontick  verse  handled  in 
this  chapter.  These  numbers  which  by  my  long  obseruation  I 
haue  found  agreeable  with  the  nature  of  our  sillables,  I  haue 
set  forth  for  the  benefit  of  our  language,  which  I  presume  the 
learned  will  not  only  imitate,  but  also  polish  and  amplifie  with 
their  owne  inuentions.  Some  ears  accustomed  altogether  to  the 
fatnes  of  rime,  may  perhaps  except  against  the  cadences  of 
these  numbers ;  but  let  any  man  iudicially  examine  them,  and 
he  shall  finde  they  close  of  themselues  so  perfectly,  that  the 
help  of  rime  were  not  only  in  them  superfluous,  but  also  absurd. 
Moreouer,  that  they  agree  with  the  nature  of  our  English  it  is 
manifest,  because  they  entertaine  so  willingly  our  owne  British 
names,  which  the  writers  in  English  Heroicks  could  neuer  as- 
pire vnto ;  and  euen  our  Rimers  themselues  haue  rather  delight- 
ed in  borrowed  names  then  in  their  owne,  though  much  more 
apt  and  necessary.  But  it  is  now  time  that  I  proceede  to  the 
censure  of  our  sillables,  and  that  I  set  such  lawes  vpon  them  as 
by  imitation,  reason,  or  experience,  I  can  confirme.  Yet  be- 
fore I  enter  into  that  discourse,  I  will  briefely  recite,  and  dis- 
pose in  order,  all  such  feete  as  are  necessary  for  composition  of 
the  verses  before  described.  They  are  sixe  in  number,  three 
whereof  consist  of  two  sillables,  and  as  many  of  three. 

/lambick :    \       freuenge. 
Trochaick:  Vas  <  Beawtit. 
{Sponde :     )       [constant. 

fTaibrack:    "j        f  miser  ic. 

Feete  of  three  sillables.  <  Anapestick:  >  as  <  miseries. 

I  Dactile :       J        Q  destenie. 


fr^ 

The  tenth  chapter,  of  the  quantify  of  English  sillables. 

The  Greekes  in  the  quantity  of  their  sillables  were  farre  more 
licentious  than  the  Latines,  as  Martiall  in  his  Epigramme  of 

Earinon 


186  Obser nations  in  the 

Earinon  witnesseth,  saying,  Musas  t/ui  colimus  seueriores.  But 
the  English  may  very  well  challenge  much  more  license  then 
either  of  them,  by  reason  it  stands  chiefely  vpon  monasillables, 
which  in  expressing  with  the  voyce  are  of  a  heauy  cariage,  and 
for  that  cause  the  Dactit,  Tin/brack,  and  Anapestick,  are  not 
greatly  mist  in  our  verses.  But  aboue  all,  the  accent  of  our 
words  is  diligently  to  be  obseru'd,  for  chiefely  by  the  accent 
in  any  language,  the  true  value  of  the  sillables  is  to  be  mea- 
sured. 

Neither  can  I  remember  any  impediment  except  position 
that  can  alter  the  accent  of  any  sillable  in  our  English  verse. 
For  though  we  accent  the  second  of  Trumpington  short,  yet  it 
is  naturally  long,  and  so  of  necessity  must  be  held  of  euery 
composer.  Wherefore  the  first  rule  that  is  to  be  obserued,  is 
the  nature  of  the  accent,  which  we  must  euer  follow. 

The  next  rule  is  position,  which  makes  euery  sillable  long, 
whether  the  position  happens  in  one  or  in  two  words,  according 
to  the  manner  of  the  Latines,  wherein  is  to  be  noted  that  h  is 
no  letter. 

Position  is  when  a  vowell  comes  before  two  consonants, 
either  in  one  or  two  words.  In  one,  as  in  best,  e  before  st,  makes 
the  best  long  by  position.  In  two  words,  as  in  setled  loue:  e 
before  d  in  the  last  sillable  of  the  first  word,  and  /  in  the  be- 
ginning of  the  second  makes  led  in  setled  long  by  position. 

A  vowell  before  a  vowell  is  alwaies  short,  as,  JKing,  dung, 
going,  vnlesse  the  accent  alter  it,  as  in  denling. 

The  dipthong  in  the  midst  of  a  word  is  alwaies  long,  as  pldl- 
ing,  deceiuing. 

The  Synaleephas  or  Elisions  in  our  toong  are  either  neces- 
sary to  auoid  the  hollownes  and  gaping  in  our  verse  as  to,  and 
the,  t'inchaunt,  t h'inc haunt er ;  or  may  be  vsd  at  pleasure,  as 
for  let  vs,  to  say  let's,  for  we  will,  weeyl,  for  euery,  eiCry,  for 
they  are,  thd'r,  for  he  is,  hee's,  for  admired,  admir'd,  and  such 
like. 

Also,  because  the  English  Orthography  (as  the  French)  dif- 
fers from  our  common  pronunciation,  we  must  esteeme  our  sil- 
lables as  we  speake,  not  as  we  write;  for  the  sound  of  them  in 

a  verse 


Art  of  English  Poesie.  187 

a  verse  is  to  be  valued,  and  not  their  letters,  as  for  follow,  we 
pronounce  folio,  for  perfect,  perfet,  for  little,  littel,  for  loue- 
sick,  lom-sik,  for  honour,  honor,  for  money,  mony,  for  danger- 
ous, dangerus,  for  raunsome,  raunsum,  for  though,  tho,  and 
the  like. 

Deriuatiues  hold  the  quantities  of  their  primatiues,  as  deuout, 
deuoutelie,  prophane,  prophanelie,  and  so  do  the  compositues, 
as  deseru'd,  undcseru'd. 

In  words  of  two  sillables,  if  the  last  haue  a  full  and  rising  ac- 
cent that  sticks  long  vpon  the  voyce,  the  first  sillable  is  alwayes 
short,  vnlesse  position,  or  the  dipthong,  doth  make  it  long, 
as  desire,  preserue,  define,  prophane,  regard,  manure,  and  such 
like. 

If  the  like  dissillables  at  the  beginning  haue  double  conso- 
nants of  the  same  kind,  we  may  vse  the  first  sillable  as  com- 
mon, but  more  naturally  short,  because  in  their  pronuncia- 
tion, we  touch  but  one  of  those  double  letters,  as  at  end,  apeare, 
opose.  The  like  we  may  say  when  silent  and  melting  consonants 
meete  together,  as  adrest,  redrest,  oprest,  represt,  retriu'd;  and 
such  like. 

Words  of  two  sillables  that  in  their  last  sillable  mayntayne 
a  flat  or  falling  accent,  ought  to  hold  their  first  sillable  long, 
as  rigor,  glorie,  spirit,  furie,  labour ;  and  the  like  :  any,  many, 
prety,  holy,  and  their  like,  are  excepted. 

One  obseruation  which  leades  me  to  iudge  of  the  difference 
of  these  dissillables  whereof  I  last  spake,  I  take  from  the  ori- 
ginall  monasillable,  which  if  it  be  graue,  as  shade,  I  hold  that 
the  first  of  shadie  must  be  long,  so  true,  trulie,  haue,  hauing, 
tire,  tiring. 

Words  of  three  sillables  for  the  most  part  are  deriued  from 
words  of  two  sillables,  and  from  them  take  the  quantity  of  their 
first  sillable,  florish,  Jldrishing  long,  holie,  holmes  short,  but 
mi,  in  miser  being  long,  hinders  not  the  first  of  misery  to  be 
short,  because  the  sound  of  the  i  is  a  little  altred. 

De,  di,  and  pro,  in  trisillables  (the  second  being  short)  are 
long,  as  desolate,  diligent,  prodigall. 

Re  is  euer  short,  as  remedie,  reference,  redolent,  rtuerend. 

Likewise 


188  Observations  in  the 

Likewise  the  first  of  these  trisillables  is  short,  as  the  first  of 
benefit,  generally  hideous,  memorle,  numerous,  penetrate,  seperat, 
tfmerous,  variant,  various,  and  so  may  we  esteeme  of  all  that 
yeeld  the  like  quicknes  of  sound. 

In  words  of  three  sillahles  the  quantity  of  the  middle  sillable 
is  lightly  taken  from  the  last  sillable  of  the  originall  dissillable, 
as  the  last  of  dtulne,  ending  in  a  graue  or  long  accent,  makes 
the  second  of  deuinlng  also  long,  and  so  tspie,  tspJlng,  dtriie, 
dtnTing:  contrary  wise  it  falles  out  if  the  last  of  the  dissillable 
beares  a  flat  or  falling  accent,  as  glorie,  glorTing,  enuie,  enuTmg, 
and  so  forth. 

Words  of  more  sillables  are  eyther  borrowed  and  hold  their 
owne  nature,  or  are  likewise  deriu'd  ;  and  so  follow  the  quan- 
tity of  their  primatiues,  or  are  knowne  by  their  proper  accents, 
or  may  be  easily  censured  by  a  judicial  I  eare. 

All  words  of  two  or  more  sillables  ending  with  a  falling  ac- 
cent in  y  or  ye,  asfatrefie,  demureHe,  beawtie,  pittte ;  or  in  ue,  as 
vertue,  rescue,  or  in  ow,  as,  follow,  hollow,  or  in  e,  asparle,  Daphne, 
or  in  a,  as  Manna  are  naturally  short  in  their  last  sillables :  nei- 
ther let  any  man  cauill  at  this  licentiate  abbreuiating  of  sillables, 
contrary  to  the  custome  of  the  Latines,  which  made  all  their 
last  sillables  that  ended  in  u  long,  but  let  him  consider  that  our 
verse  of  fiue  feete,  and  for  the  most  part  but  of  ten  sillables, 
must  equall  theirs  of  sixe  feete  and  of  many  sillables,  and  there- 
fore may  with  sufficient  reason  aduenture  vpon  this  allowance. 
Besides,  euery  man  may  obserue  what  an  infinite  number  of 
sillables  both  among  the  Greekes  and  Romaines  are  held  as 
common.  But  words  of  two  sillables  ending  with  a  rising  ac- 
cent in  y  or  ye,  as  denye,  descrye,  or  in  ue,  as  ensue,  or  in  ee,  as 
foresee,  or  in  oe,  as  forgoe,  are  long  in  their  last  sillables,  vn- 
lesse  a  vowell  begins  the  next  word. 

All  monasillables  that  end  in  a  graue  accent  are  euer  long,  as 
wrath,  hath,  these,  those,  tooth,  sooth,  through,  day  play,  feate, 
speede,  strife,  flow,  grow,  shew. 

The  like  rule  is  to  be  obserued  in  the  last  of  dissillables,  bear- 
ing a  graue  rising  sound,  as  deuine,  delate,  retire,  refuse,  ma- 
nure, or  a  graue  falling  sound,  as  fortune,  pleasure,  rampire. 

All 


Art  of  English  Poesie.  189 

All  such  as  haue  a  double  consonant  lengthning  them  as 
warre,  barre,  starre,  furre,  murre,  appeare  to  me  rather  long 
then  any  way  short. 

There  are  of  these  kinds  other,  but  of  a  lighter  sound,  that  if 
the  word  following  do  begin  with  a  vowell  are  short,  as  doth, 
though,  thou,  now,  they,  two,  too,  fiye,  dye,  true,  due,  see,  are, 
far,  you,  thee,  and  the  like. 

These  monasillables  are  alwayes  short,  as  a,  the,  thi,  she,  we, 
be,  he,  no,  to,  go,  so,  do,  and  the  like. 

But  if  i  or  y  are  ioyn'd  at  the  beginning  of  a  word  with  any 
vowell,  it  is  not  then  held  as  a  vowell  but  as  a  consonant,  as 
lelosy,  iezvce,  iade,  ioy,  ludas,  ye,  yet,  yel,  youth,  yoke.  The  like 
is  to  be  obseru'd  in  w,  as  winde,  wide,  wood:  and  in  all  words 
that  begin  with  va,  ve,  vi,  vo,  or  vu,  as  vacant,  vew,  vine,  voide, 
and  vulture. 

All  Monasillables  or  Polysillables  that  end  in  single  conso- 
nants, either  written,  or  sounded  with  single  consonants,  hauing 
a  sharp  liuely  accent  and  standing  without  position  of  the  word 
following,  are  short  in  their  last  sillable  as  scab,  jled,  parted, 
God,  of,  if,  bandog,  anguish,  sick,  quick,  riual,  will,  people, 
simple,  conn,  some,  him,  them,  from,  summon,  then,  prop,  pros- 
per, honour,  labour,  this,  his,  speches,  goddesse,  perfect,  but, 
what,  that,  and  their  like. 

The  last  sillable  of  all  words  in  the  plurall  number  that  haue 
two  or  more  vowels  before  s,  are  long,  as  vertues,  duties,  mise- 
ries, fellowes. 

These  rules  concerning  the  quantity  of  our  English  sillables 
I  haue  disposed  as  they  came  next  into  my  memory,  others 
more  methodicall,  time  and  practise  may  produce.  In  the  meane 
season  as  the  Grammarians  leaue  many  sillables  to  the  authori- 
ty of  Poets,  so  do  I  likewise  leaue  many  to  their  iudgements ;  and 
withall  thus  conclude,  that  there  is  no  Art  begun  and  perfected 
at  one  enterprize. 

FINIS. 


A 

DEFENCE 

OF  RYME. 

Against  a  Pamphlet  en- 
tituled  ; 

Obseruations  in  the  Art  of 
English  Poesie. 

Wherein  is  demonstratiuely  prooued,  that 
Ryme  is  the  fittest  harmonic  of  wordes 
that  comports  with  our  Language. 

By  SA  :  D. 


AT  LONDON 

Printed  for  Edward  Blount. 

1603.* 

*  With  this,  as  appears  by  the  first  title,  was  published,  "  A  Panegyrike  Corigratv- 
latorie  delivered  to  the  Kings  most  Excellent  Maiestie  at  Bvrleigh  Harrington  in  Ilvt- 
landshire.  By  Samvel  Daniel.  Also  Certaine  Epistles,  with  a  Defence  of  Ryme 
heretofore  written,  and  now  pvblished  by  the  Avthor.  Carmen  amut,  quisquis  carmine 
digna  gerit.  At  London  Imprinted  for  Edward  Blaunt.  1603. 


TO 

All  the  Worthy  Louers 

and  Learned  Professors  of 

Ryme,  within  his  Maiesties 

Dominions. 

S.  D. 

WOrthy  Gentlemen,  about  a  yeare  since,  vpon  the  great 
reproach  giuen  to  the  Professors  of  Ryme,  and  the  vse 
thereof,  I  wrote  a  priuate  letter,  as  a  defence  of  mine  owne  vn- 
dertakings  in  that  kinde,  to  a  learned  Gentleman  a  great  friend 
of  mine,  then  in  Court.  Which  I  did,  rather  to  confirme  my 
selfe  in  mine  owne  courses,  and  to  hold  him  from  being  wonne 
from  vs,  then  with  any  desire  to  publish  the  same  to  the  world. 
But  now,  seeing  the  times  to  promise  a  more  regard  to  the 
present  condition  of  our  writings,  in  respect  of  our  Soueraignes 
happy  inclination  this  way ;  whereby  we  are  rather  to  expect 
an  incouragement  to  goe  on  with  what  we  doe,  then  that  anye 
innouation  should  checke  vs,.  with  a  shew  of  what  it  would  do  in 
another  kinde,  and  yet  doe  nothing  but  depraue :  I  haue  now 
giuen  a  greater  body  to  the  same  Argument.  And  here  pre- 
sent it  to  your  view,  vnder  the  patronage  of  a  Noble  Earle, 
who  in  bloud  and  nature  is  interessed  to  take  our  parte  in  this 
cause,  with  others,  who  cannot,  I  know,  but  holde  deare  the 
monuments  that  hauc  beene  left  vnto  the  world  in  this  manner 
of  composition.  And  who  I  trust  wil  take  in  good  parte  this 
my  defence,  if  not  as  it  is  my  particular,  yet  in  respect  of  the 
cause  I  vndertake,  which  I  heere  inuoke  you  all  to  protect. 

Sa:  D. 


TO 


TO 

WILLIAM    HERBERT 
ERLE  OF  PEMBROOKE. 


THe  Generall  Custome,  and  vse  of  Ryme  in  this  kingdom, 
Noble  Lord,  hauing  beene  so  long  (as  if  from  a  grant  of 
nature)  helde  vnquestionable  ;  made  me  to  imagine  that  it  lay 
altogether  out  of  the  way  of  contradiction,  and  was  become  so 
naturall,  "as  we  should  neuer  haue  had  a  thought  to  cast  it  off 
into  reproach,  or  be  made  to  thinke  that  it  ill-became  our  lan- 
guage.    But  now  I  see,  when  there  is  oppositiS  made  to  all 
things  in  the  world  by  words,  we  must  now  at  length  likewise 
fall  to  contend  for  wordes  themselues  ;  and  make  a  question, 
whether  they  be  right  or  not.     For  we  are  tolde  how  that  our 
measures  go  wrong,  all  Ryminge  is  grosse,  vulgare,  barbarous,  ' 
which  if  it  be  so,  we  haue  lost  much  labour  to  no  purpose  : 
and  for  mine  own  particular,  I  cannot  but  blame  the  fortune  of 
the  times  and  mine  owne  Genius  that  cast  me  vpon  so  wrong  a 
course,  drawne  with  the  current  of  custome,  and  an  vnexamin- 
ed  example.     Hauing  bene  first  incourag'd  &  fram'd  thereunto 
by  your  most   worthy  &  honorable  mother,   &  receiued    the 
first  notion  for  the  formall  ordering  of  those  compositions  at 
Wilton,  which  I  must  euer  acknowledge  to  haue  beene  my  best 
Schoole,  and  thereof  alwayes  am  to  hold  a  feeling  and  gratefull 
memory.     Afterward,  drawne  farther  on  by  the  well  liking  & 
approbation  of  my  worthy  Lord,  the  fosterer  of  me  and  my 
Muse,  I  aduetured  to  bestowe  al  my  whole  powers  therein,  per- 
ceiuing  it  agreed  so  well,  both  with  the  complexion  of  the 
times,  &  mine  owne  constitution  as  I  found  not  wherein  I 

might 


196  An  Apologie 

might  hotter  imploy  me.  But  yet  now,  vpon  the  great  disco- 
uery  of  these  new  measures,  thrcatning  to  ouerthrow  the  whole 
state  of  Ryme  in  this  kingdome,  I  must  eyther  stand  out  to 
defend,  or  else  bee  forced  to  forsake  my  selfe,  and  giue  ouer 
all.  And  though  irresolution  and  a  selfe  distrust  be  the  most 
apparent  faults  of  my  nature,  and  that  the  least  check  of  repre- 
hension, if  it  sauour  of  reason,  will  as  easily  shake  my  resolu- 
tion as  any  mans  liuing  :  yet  in  this  case  I  know  not  how  I  am 
growne  more  resolued,  and  before  I  sinke,  willing  to  examine 
what  those  powers  of  iudgement  are,  that  must  beare  me  downe, 
and  beat  me  off  from  the  station  of  my  profession,  which  by 
the  law  of  nature  I  am  set  to  defend. 

And  the  rather  for  that  this  deti  actor  (whose  commendable 
Rymes,  albeit  now  himselfe  an  enemy  to  ryme,  haue  giuen 
heretofore  to  the  world  the  best  notice  of  his  worth)  is  a  man 
of  faire  parts,  and  good  reputation,  and  therefore  the  reproach 
forcibly  cast  from  such  a  hand  may  throw  downe  more  at  once 
then  the  labours  of  many  shall  in  long  time  build  vp  againe, 
specially  vpon  the  slippery  foundation  of  opinion,  and  the 
worlds  inconstancie,  which  knowes  not  well  what  it  would 
haue,  and: 

Discit  enim  citius,  meminitque  libentius  illud 
Quod  fjuis  deridet  quam  quod  probat  £f  veneratur. 

And  he  who  is  thus  become  our  vnkinde  aduersarie,  must 
pardon  vs  if  we  be  as  iealous  of  our  fame  and  reputation,  as  he 
is  desirous  of  credite  by  his  new-old  arte,  and  must  consider 
that  wee  cannot,  in  a  thing  that  concernes  vs  so  neere,  but 
haue  a  feeling  of  the  wrong  done,  wherin  euery  Rymer  in  this 
vniuersall  Hand  as  well  as  my  selfe,  stands  interressed.  So  that 
if  his  charitie  had  equally  drawne  with  his  learning  he  would 
haue  forborne  to  procure  the  enuie  of  so  powerfull  a  number 
vpon  him,  from  whom  he  cannot  but  expect  the  returne  of  a 
like  measure  of  blame,  and  onely  haue  made  way  to  his  owne 
grace,  by  the  proofe  of  his  abilitie,  without  the  disparaging  of 
vs,  who  would  haue  beene  glad  to  huue  stood  quietly  by  him, 

&  perhaps 


for  Ryme.  197 

&  perhaps  comeded  his  aduenture,  seeing  that  euermore  of  one 
science  an  other  may  be  borne,  and  that  these  Salies  made  out 
of  the  quarter  of  our  set  knowledges,  are  the  gallant  proffers 
onely  of  attemptiue  spirits,  8c  comendable  though  they  worke 
no  other  eifect  than  make  a  Brauado :  &  I  know  it  were  Inde- 
ces,  fy  morosum  nimis,  alienee  industries,  modum  ponere.  We 
could  well  haue  allowed  of  his  numbers  had  he  not  disgraced 
our  Ryme ;  which  both  Custome  &  Nature  doth  most  power- 
fully defend :  Custome  that  is  before  all  Law,  Nature  that  is 
aboue  all  Arte.  Euery  language  hath  her  proper  number  or  x 
measure  fitted  to  vse  and  delight,  which,  Custome  entertaining 
by  the  allowance  of  the  Bare,  doth  indenize,  and  make  natu- 
rall.  All  verse  is  but  a  frame  of  wordes  confinde  within  certaine 
measure ;  differing  from  the  ordinarie  speach,  and  introduced, 
the  better  to  expresse  mens  conceipts,  both  for  delight  and  me- 
inorie.  Which  frame  of  words  consisting  of  Rithmus  or  Me- 
trum,  Number  or  Measure,  are  disposed  into  diuers  fashions, 
according  to  the  humour  of  the  Composer,  and  the  set  of  the 
time  :  And  these  Rhythmi  as  Aristotle  saith,  are  familiar  amongst 
all  Nations,  and  e  naturali  fy  sponte  fusa  compositione :  And 
they  fall  as  naturally  alreadie  in  our  language,  as  euer  Arte  can 
make  them ;  being  such  as  the  Bare  of  it  selfe  doth  marshall  in 
their  proper  roomes,  and  they  of  themselues  will  not  willingly 
be  put  out  of  their  ranke ;  and  that  in  such  a  verse  as  best  com~  '"' 
ports  with  the  Nature  of  our  language.  And  for  our  Ryme 
(which  is  an  excellencie  added  to  this  worke  of  measure,  and  a 
Harmonic,  farre  happier  than  any  proportion  Antiquitie  could 
euer  shew  vs)  doth  adde  more  grace,  and  hath  more  of  delight 
than  euer  bare  numbers,  howsoeuer  they  can  be  forced  to  runne 
in  our  slow  language,  can  possibly  yeeld.  Which,  whether  it 
be  deriu'd  of  Rythmus,  or  of  Romance  which  were  songs  the 
Bards  and  Druydes  about  Rymes  vsed,  &  therof  were  called 
Remensi,  as  some  Italians  hold ;  or  howsoeuer,  it  is  likewise 
nuber  and  harmonic  of  words,  consisting  of  an  agreeing  sound 
in  the  last  silables  of  seuerall  verses,  giuing  both  to  the  Bare  an 
Eccho  of  a  delightfull  report,  and  to  the  Memorie  a  deeper  ina-  •'" 
pression  of  what  is  deliuered  therein.  For  as  Greeke  &  Latine 

A  a  verse 


198  An  Apologic 

verse  consists  of  the  number  &  quantitic  of  sillables,  so  doth 
the  English  verse  of  measure  and  accent.  And  though  it  doth 
not  strictly  obserue  long  and  short  sillables,  yet  it  most  reli- 
giously respects  the  accent :  and  as  the  short  and  the  long  make 
number,  so  the  Accute  andgraue  accent  yeeld  harmonic  :  And 
harmonic  is  likewise  number,  so  that  the  English  verse  the  hath 
number,  measure  and  harmonic  in  the  best  proportion  of  Mu- 
sike.  Which  being  more  certain  &,  more  resounding,  workes 
that  effect  of  motion  with  as  happy  successe  as  either  the 
Greeke  or  Latin.  And  so  natural!  a  melody  is  it,  &  so  vniuer- 
sall  as  it  seemes  to  be  generally  borne  with  all  the  natios  of  the 
world,  as  an  hereditary  eloquence  proper  to  all  mankind.  The 
vniuersallitie  argues  the  generall  power  of  it ;  for  if  the  Barba- 
rian vse  it,  then  it  shews  that  it  swais  th'affection  of  the  Barba- 
rian, if  ciuil  nations  practise  it,  it  proues  that  it  workes  vpon 
the  hearts  of  ciuil  nations  :  If  all,  then  that  it  hath  a  power  in 
nature  on  all.  Georgieuez  de  Turcaru  moribus,  hath  an  exam- 
ple of  the  Turkish  Rymes  iust  of  the  measure  of  our  verse  of 
eleuen  sillables,  in  feminine  Ryme :  neuer  begotten  I  am  per- 
swaded  by  any  example  in  Europe,  but  borne  no  doubt  in  Scy- 
thia,  and  brought  ouer  Caucasus  and  Mount  Taurus.  The 
Sclauonian  and  Arabian  tongues  acquaint  a  great  part  of  Asia 
&  dffrique  with  it,  the  Moscouite,  Polack,  Hungarian,  Ger- 
man, Italian,  French,  and  Spaniard  vse  no  other  harmonic  of 
words.  The  Irish,  Briton,  Scot,  Dane,  Saxon,  English,  &  all 
the  Inhabiters  of  this  Hand,  either  haue  hither  brought,  or  here 
found  the  same  in  vse.  And  such  a  force  hath  it  in  nature,  or 
so  made  by  nature,  as  the  Latine  numbers  notwithstanding 
their  excellencie,  seemed  not  sufficiet  to  satisfie  the  eare  of  the 
world  thereunto  accustomed,  without  this  Harmonicall  ca- 
dence :  Which  made  the  most  learned  of  all  nations  labour 
with  exceeding  trauaile  to  bring  those  numbers  likewise  vnto  it: 
which  many  did  with  that  happinesse,  as  neither  their  puritie 
of  tong,  nor  their  materiall  contemplations  are  thereby  any 
way  disgraced,  but  rather  deserue  to  be  reuerenced  of  all  grate- 
full  posteritie,  with  the  due  regard  of  their  worth.  And  for 
Schola  Salerna,  and  those  Carmina  Prouerbialia,  who  h'ndes 

not 


for  Ryme.  199 

not  therein  more  precepts  for  vse,  concerning  diet,  health,  8c 
conuersation,  then  Cato,  Theognes,  or  all  the  Greekes  and  La- 
tines  can  shew  vs  in  that  kinde  of  teaching :  &  that  in  so  few 
words,  both  for  delight  to  the  eare,  and  the  hold  of  memorie, 
as  they  are  to  be  imbraced  of  all  modest  readers  that  studie  to 
know  and  not  to  depraue. 

Me  thinkes  it  is  a  strange  imperfection,  that  men  should  thus 
ouer-runne  the  estimation  of  good  things  with  so  violent  a  cen- 
sure, as  though  it  must  please  none  else,  because  it  likes  not 
them.  Whereas  Oportet  arbitrators  esse  non  contradictores  eos 
qui  verum  iudicaturi  sunt,  saith  Arist.  though  he  could  not  ob- 
serue  it  himselfe.  And  milde  Charitie  tells  vs : 
———wow  ego  paucis 

Offender  maculis  quas  aut  incuriafudit 

Aut  humana  parum  cauet  natura.  For  all  men  haue 

their  errors,  and  we  must  take  the  best  of  their  powers,  and 
leaue  the  rest  as  not  appertaining  vnto  vs. 

Ill  customes  are  to  be  left,  I  graunt  it :  but  I  see  not  how  that 
can  be  taken  for  an  ill  custome,  which  nature  hath  thus  ratified, 
all  nations  receiued,  time  so  long  confirmed,  the  effects  such 
as  it  performes  those  offices  of  motion  for  which  it  is  imploy- 
ed;  delighting  the  eare,  stirring  the  hart,  8t  satisfying  the 
iudgment  in  such  sort  as  I  doubt  whether  euer  single  numbers 
will  doe  in  our  Climate,  if  they  shew  no  more  worke  of  wonder 
then  yet  we  see.  And  if  euer  they  prooue  to  become  any 
thing,  it  must  be  by  the  approbation  of  many  ages  that  must 
giue  them  their  strength  for  any  operation,  or  before  the  world 
wil  feele  where  the  pulse,  life,  and  enargie  lies,  which  now 
were  sure  where  to  haue  in  our  Rymes,  whose  knowne  frame 
hath  those  due  stales  for  the  minde,  those  incounters  of  touch 
as  makes  the  motion  certaine,  though  the  variety  be  infinite. 
Nor  will  the  generall  sort,  for  whom  we  write  (the  wise  beeing 
aboue  bookes)  taste  these  laboured  measures  but  as  an  orderly- 
prose  whe  we  haue  all  done.  For  this  kinde  acquaintance  and 
continuall  familiarity  euer  had  betwixt  our  eare  and  this  cadence, 
is  growne  to  so  intimate  a  friendship,  as  it  will  now  hardly  euer 
be  brought  to  misse  it.  For  bee  the  verse  neuer  so  good,  newer 

so 


200  An  Apologie 

so  full,  it  seemes  not  to  satisfic  nor  brcede  that  delight  as  when 
it  is  met  and  combined  with  a  like  sounding  accent :  Which 
seemes  as  the  iointure  without  which  it  hangs  loose,  and  can- 
not subsist,  but  runnes  wildely  on,  like  a  tedious  fancie  without 
a  close.  Suffer  the  the  world  to  inioy  that  which  it  knowes,  x 
and  what  it  likes  :  Seeing  that  whatsoeuer  forme  of  words  doth 
mooue,  delight  and  sway  the  affections  of  men,  in  what  Scy- 
thian sort  so  euer  it  be  disposed  or  vttered,  that  is  true  number, 
measure,  eloquence,  and  the  perfection  of  speech :  which  I 
said,  hath  as  many  shapes  as  there  be  tongues  or  nations  in  the 
world,  nor  can  with  all  the  tyrannicall  Rules  of  Idle  Rheto- 
rique  be  gouerned  otherwise  then  Custome,  and  present  obser- 
vation will  allow.  And  being  now  the  trym,  and  fashion  of 
the  times,  to  sute  a  man  otherwise  cannot  but  giue  a  touch  of 
singularity,  for  when  he  hath  all  done,  he  hath  but  found  other 
clothes  to  the  same  body,  and  peraduenture  not  so  fitting  as 
the  former.  But  could  our  Aduersary  hereby  set  vp  the  mu- 
sicke  of  our  times  to  a  higher  note  of  iudgment  and  discretion, 
or  could  these  new  lawes  of  words  better  our  imperfections,  it 
were  a  happy  attempt ;  but  when  hereby  we  shal  but  as  it  were 
change  prison,  and  put  off  these  fetters  to  receiue  others,  what 
haue  we  gained,  as  good  still  to  vse  ryme  and  a  little  reason, 
as  neither  ryme  nor  reason,  for  no  doubt  as  idle  wits  will  write, 
in  that  kinde,  as  do  now  in  this,  imitation  will  after,  though  it 
breake  her  necke.  Scribimus  indocti  doctique  poemata  passim. 
And  this  multitude  of  idle  writers  can  be  no  disgrace  to  the 
good,  for  the  same  fortune  in  one  proportion  or  other  is  pro- 
per in  a  like  season  to  all  States  in  their  turne :  and  the  same 
vnmeasurable  confluence  of  Scriblers  hapned,  when  measures 
were  most  in  vse  among  the  Romanes,  as  we  finde  by  this  re- 
prehension, 

Mutauit  mentem  populis  teuis,  $  calet  tno 
Scribendi  studio,  pueri,  patresque  scueri, 
Fronde  comas  vincti  canat,  fy  carmina  dictat. 

So  that  their  plenty  seemes  to  haue  bred  the  same  wast  and 

contempt 


for  Rymc.  201 

contempt  as  ours  doth  now,  though  it  had  not  power  to  disva- 
lew  what  was  worthy  of  posterity,  nor  keepe  backe  the  reputa- 
tion of  excellencies,  destined  to  cotinue  for  many  ages.  For 
seeing  it  is  matter  that  satisfies  the  iudiciall,  appeare  it  in  what 
habite  it  will,  all  these  pretended  proportions  of  words,  how- 
soeuer  placed,  can  be  but  words,  &  peraduenture  serue  but  to 
embroile  our  vnderstanding,  whilst  seeking  to  please  our  eare, 
we  inthral  our  iudgemet :  to  delight  an  exterior  sense,  we 
smoth  vp  a  weake  confused  sense,  affecting  sound  to  be  vn- 
sound,  and  all  to  seeme  Seruum  pecus,  onely  to  imitate  the 
Greekes  and  Latines,  whose  felicity,  in  this  kinde,  might  be 
something  to  themselues,  to  who  their  owne  idioma  was  natu- 
rall,  but  to  vs  it  can  yield  no  other  comodity  then  a  sound. 
We  admire  them  not  for  their  smoth-gliding  words,  nor  their 
measurs,  but  for  their  inuentions  :  which  treasure,  if  it  were  to 
be  foud  in  Welch,  and  Irish,  we  should  hold  those  languages 
in  the  same  estimation,  &  they  may  thak  their  sword  that  made 
their  togues  so  famous  &  vniuersall  as  they  are.  For  to  say 
truth,  their  Verse  is  many  times  but  a  confused  deliuerer  of 
their  excellent  coceits,  whose  scattered  limbs  we  are  faine  to 
looke  out  &  ioyne  together,  to  discerne  the  image  of  what  they 
represent  vnto  vs.  And  euen  the  Latines,  who  professe  not  to 
be  so  licentious  as  the  Greekes,  shew  vs  many  times  examples 
but  of  strange  crueltie,  in  torturing  and  dismembring  of  words 
in  the  middest,  or  disioyning  such  as  naturally  should  be  maried 
&  march  together,  by  setting  them  as  farre  a  sunder,  as  they 
can  possible  stand ;  that  sometimes,  vnlesse  the  kinde  reader, 
out  of  his  owne  good  nature,  will  stay  them  vp  by  their  mea- 
sure, they  will  fall  downe  into  flat  prose,  and  sometimes  are  no 
other  indeed  in  their  natural  sound,  and  then  Aganine,  when 
you  finde  the  disobedient  to  their  owne  lawes,  you  must  hold  it 
to  be  licentia  poetica,  and  so  dispensable.  The  striuing  to 
shew  their  changeable  measures  in  the  variety  of  their  Odes, 
haue  beene  very  painefull  no  doubt  vnto  them,  &  forced  them 
thus  to  disturbe  the  quiet  streame  of  their  words,  which  by  a 
natural  succession  otherwise  desire  to  follow  in  their  due 
course. 

But 


202  An  Apologie 

But  such  affliction  doth  laboursome  curiosity  still  laye  vppon 
our  best  delights  (which  euer  must  be  made  strange  and  varia- 
ble) as  if  Art  were  ordained  to  afflict  Nature,  and  that  we  could 
not  goe  but  in  fetters.  Euery  science,  euery  profession,  must 
be  so  wrapt  vp  in  vnnecessary  intrications,  as  if  it  were  not  to 
fashion,  but  to  confound  the  vnderstanding,  which  makes  me 
much  to  distrust  man,  and  feare  that  our  presumption  goes  be- 
yond our  ablity,  and  our  curiositie  is  more  then  our  Judgement : 
labouring  euer  to  seeme  to  be  more  then  we  are,  or  laying 
greater  burthens  vpon  our  mindes,  then  they  are  well  able  to 
beare,  because  we  would  not  appeare  like  other  men. 

And  indeede  I  haue  wished  there  were  not  that  multiplicity 
of  Rymes  as  is  vsed  by  many  in  Sonets,  which  yet  wee  see  in 
some  so  happily  to  succeede,  and  hath  bin  so  farre  from  hin- 
dring  their  inuentions,  as  it  hath  begot  conceit  beyond  expec- 
tation, and  comparable  to  the  best  inuentions  of  the  world  : 
for  sure  in  an  eminent  spirite  whom  nature  hath  fitted  for  that 
mystery,  Ryme  is  no  impediment  to  his  conceite,  but  rather 
giues  him  wings  to  mount  and  carries  him  not  out  of  his  course, 
but  as  it  were  beyonde  his  power  to  a  farre  happyer  flight.  All 
excellencies  beeing  solde  vs  at  the  harde  price  of  labour,  it  fol- 
lowes,  where  we  bestow  most  thereof,  we  buy  the  best  successe: 
and  Ryme  being  farre  more  laborious  then  loose  measures 
(whatsoeuer  is  obiected)  must  needes,  meeting  with  wit  and 
industry,  breed  greater  and  worthier  effects  in  our  language. 
So  that  if  our  labours  haue  wrought  out  a  manumission  from 
bondage,  and  that  wee  goe  at  liberty,  notwithstanding  these 
ties,  we  are  no  longer  the  slaues  of  Ryme,  but  we  make  it  a 
most  excellent  instrument  to  serue  vs.  Nor  is  this  certaine 
limit  obserued  in  Sonnets,  any  tyrannicall  bounding  of  the 
conceit,  but  rather  a  reducing  it  in  girum,  and  a  iust  forme, 
neither  too  long  for  the  shortest  proiect,  nor  too  short  for  the 
longest,  being  but  only  imploied  for  a  present  passion.  For  the 
body  of  our  imaginatio,  being  as  an  vnformed  Chaos  without 
fashion,  without  day,  if  by  the  diuine  power  of  the  spirit  it  be 
wrought  into  an  Orbe  of  order  &,  forme,  is  it  not  more  pleasing 
jto  nature,  that  desires  a  certainty,  &  coports  not  with  that 

which 


for  Ryme.  203 

which  is  infinit,  to  haue  these  elozes,  rather  than,  not  to  know 
where  to  end,  or  how  far  to  go,  especially  seeing  our  passions 
are  often  without  measure  :  &  we  fiude  the  best  of  the  Latines 
many  times,  either  not  concluding,  or  els  otherwise  in  the  end 
then  they  began.  Besides,  is  it  not  most  deliglitfull  to  see 
much  excellently  ordered  in  a  smal  roome,  or  little,  gallantly 
disposed  and  made  to  fill  vp  a  space  of  like  capacity,  in  such 
sort,  that  the  one  would  not  appeare  so  beautiful  in  a  larger 
circuit,  nor  the  other  doe  well  in  a  lesse  :  which  often  we  finde 
to  be  so,  according  to  the  powers  of  nature,  in  the  workeman. 
And  these  limited  proportions,  &-  rests  of  Stanzes :  consisting 
of  6  7.  or  8.  lines  are  of  that  happines,  both  for  the  disposition 
of  the  matter,  the  apt  planting  the  sentece  where  it  may  best 
stand  to  hit  the  certaine  close  of  delight  with  the  full  body  of 
a  iust  period  well  carried,  is  such,  as  neither  the  Greekes  or 
Latines  euer  attained  vnto.  For  their  boundlesse  running  on, 
often  so  cofounds  the  Reeder,  that  hauing  once  lost  himselfe, 
must  eyther  giue  off  vnsatisfied  or  vncertainely  cast  backe  to 
tetriue  the  escaped  sence  and  to  finde  way  againe  into  his 
matter. 

Methinks  we  should  not  so  soone  yeeld  our  consents  captiue 
to  the  authoritie  of  Antiquitie,  vnlesse  we  saw  more  reason  :  all 
our  vnderstandings  are  not  to  be  built  by  the  square  of  Greece 
and  Italic.  We  are  the  children  of  nature  as  well  as  they,  we 
are  not  so  placed  out  of  the  way  of  iudgement,  but  tliat  the 
same  Sun  of  Discretion  shineth  vpo  vs,  we  haue  our  portion  of 
the  same  vertues  as  well  as  of  the  same  vices,  Et  Catilinam 
Quocunque  in  populo  videas,  quocunque  sub  axe.  Time  and  the 
turne  of  things  bring  about  these  faculties  according  to  the  pre- 
sent estimation  :  and,  Res  temporibus  non  tempora  rebus  seruire 
opportet.  So  that  we  must  neuer  rebell  against  vse:  Quern 
penes  arbitrium  est,  #  vis  fy  norma  loquendi.  It  is  not  the  ob- 
seruing  of  Trochaicques  nor  their  lambicques,  that  will  make 
our  writings  ought  the  wiser :  All  their  Poesie,  all  their  Philo- 
sophic is  nothing,  vnlesse  wee  bring  the  discerning  light  of 
conceipt  with  vs  to  apply  it  to  vse.  It  is  not  bookes,  but  onely 
that  great  booke  of  the  world,  and  the  all-ouerspreading  grace 

of 


204  An  Apologic 

of  hcaucn  that  makes  men  truely  iudiciall.  Nor  can  it  hut 
touch  of  arrogant  ignorance,  to  hold  this  or  that  nation  Barba- 
rous, these  or  those  times  grosse,  considering  how  this  many- 
folde  creature  man,  wheresoeuer  he  stand  in  the  world,  hath 
alwayes  some  disposition  of  worth,  intertaines  the  order  of  so- 
ciety, affects  that  which  is  most  in  vse,  &  is  eminent  in  some 
one  thing  or  other,  that  fits  his  humour  and  the  times,  The 
Grecians  held  all  other  nations  barbarous  but  themselues,  yet 
Pyrrhus  when  he  saw  the  well  ordered  marching  of  the  Ro- 
manes, which  made  them  see  their  presumptuous  errour,  could 
say  it  was  no  barbarous  manner  of  proceeding.  The  Gothes, 
Vandales  and  Jjongobards,  whose  comming  downe  like  an  in- 
undation ouerwhelmed,  as  they  say,  all  the  glory  of  learning 
in  Europe,  haue  yet  left  vs  still  their  lawes  and  customes,  as  the 
originalls  of  most  of  the  prouinciall  constitutions  of  Christen- 
dome ;  which  well  considered  with  their  other  courses  of  go- 
uernment,  may  serue  to  cleere  them  from  this  imputation  of 
ignorance.  And  though  the  vanquished  neuer  spake  well  of 
the  Conquerour :  yet  euen  thorowe  the  vnsounde  couerings  of 
malidictson  appeare  those  monuments  of  truth,  as  argue  well 
their  worth  and  prooues  them  not  without  iudgement,  though 
without  Greeke  and  Latine. 

Will  not  experience  cofute  vs,  if  we  shold  say  the  state  of 
China,  which  neuer  hard  of  Anapestiques,  Trochies,  &  tri- 
bracques,  were  grosse,  barbarous  aud  vnciuile?  And  is  it  .not  a 
most  apparant  ignorance,  both  of  the  succession  of  learning  in 
Europe,  and  the  generall  course  of  things,  to  say,  that  all  lay 
pittifully  deformed  in  those  lacke-learning  times  from  the  declin- 
ing of  the  liomane  Empire,  till  the  light  of  the  Latine  tongue 
was  reuiued  by  Rewcline,  Erasmus  and  Moore.  When  for  three 
hundred  yeeres  before  them  about  the  commming  downe  of 
Tamburlaine  into  Europe,  Franciscus  Petrarcha  (who  then  no 
doubt  likewise  found  who  to  imitate)  shewed  al  the  best  notions 
of  learning,  in  that  degree  of  excellencie,  both  in  Latine,  Prose 
and  Verse,  and  in  the  vulgare  Italian,  as  all  the  wittes  of  pos- 
terity haue  not  yet  much  ouer-matched  him  in  all  kindes  to  this 
day :  his  great  Volumes  written  in  Morall  Philosophic,  shew 

his 


for  Ryme.  205 

his  infinite  reading,  and  most  happy  power  of  disposition :  his 
twelue  ./Eglogues,  his  Affrica  containing  nine  Bookes  of  the 
last  Punicke  warre,  with  his  three  Bookes  of  Epistles  in  Latin 
verse,  shew  all  the  transformations  of  wit  and  inuention,  that  a 
Spirite  naturally  borne  to  the  inheritance  of  Poetry  andiudiciall 
knowledge  could  expresse :  All  which  notwithstanding  wrought 
him  not  that  glory  &  fame  with  his  owne  Nation,  as  did  his 
Poems  in  Italian,  which  they  esteeme  aboue  all  whatsoeuer  wit 
could  haue  inuented  in  any  other  forme  then  wherein  it  is  : 
which  questionlesse  they  will  not  change  with  the  best  measures, 
Greekes  or  Latines  can  shewe  them,  howsoeuer  our  Aduersary 
imagines. 

Nor  coulde  this  very  same  innouation  in  Verse,  begunne 
amongst  them  by  C.  Tolomai,  but  dye  in  the  attempt,  and  was 
buryed  as  soone  as  it  came  borne,  neglected  as  a  prodigious 
and  vnnaturall  issue  amongst  them ;  nor  coulde  it  neuer  induce 
Tasso  the  wonder  of  Italy,  to  write  that  admirable  Poem  of 
Jerusalem,  comparable  to  the  best  of  the  ancients,  in  any  other 
forme  then  the  accustomed  verse. 

And  with  Petrarch  liued  his  scholler  Boccacius,  &  neere 
about  the  same  time  lohannis  Rauenensis,  and  from  these  tan- 
quam  ex  equo  Troiano,  seemes  to  haue  issued  all  those  famous 
Italian  Writers,  Leonardus  Aretinus,  Laurentius  Valla,  Pog- 
gius,  Blondus,  and  many  others.  Then  Emanuel  Chry  solar  as  a 
Constantinopolitan  gentleman,  renowned  for  his  learning  and 
vertue,  being  imployed  by  lohn  Paleologus  Emperor  of  the 
East,  to  implore  the  aide  of  Christian  Princes,  for  the  succour- 
ing of  perishing  Greece:  and  vnderstanding  in  the  meane  time, 
how  Baiazeth  was  taken  prisoner  by  Tamburlan,  and  his  coun- 
try freed  from  danger,  stayed  still  at  Venice,  and  there  taught 
the  Greeke  tongue,  discontinued  before,  in  these  parts  the 
space  of  seuen  hundred  yeeres. 

Him  followed  Bessarion,  George  Trapezantius,  Theodorus 
Gaza,  and  others,  transporting  Philosophic  beaten  by  the 
Turke  out  of  Greece  into  Christendome.  Heereuppon  came 
that  mighty  confluence  of  Learning  in  these  parts,  which  re- 
turning, as  it  were  per  postliminium,  and  here  meeting  then 

B  b  with 


206  An  Apologie 

with  the  new  inuented  stampe  of  Printing,  spread  it  selfe  in- 
deede  in  a  more  vniuersall  sort  then  the  world  euer  heretofore 
had  it. 

When  Pomponius  Latus,  JEneas  Syluius,  Angelas  Politianus, 
Hermolaus  Barbaras,  lohannes  Picus  de  mirandula  the  miracle 
and  Phoenix  of  the  world,  adorned  Italy,  and  wakened  other 
nations  likewise  with  this  desire  of  glory,  long  before  it  brought 
forth,  Rewclen,  Erasmus,  and  Moore,  worthy  men  I  confesse, 
&  the  last  a  great  ornament  to  this  land,  and  a  Rymer. 

And  yet  long  before  all  these,  and  likewise  with  these,  was 
not  our  nation  behind  in  her  portion  of  spirite  and  worthinesses 
but  concurrent  with  the  best  of  all  this  lettered  world  :  witnesse 
venerable  Bede,  that  flourished  about  a  thousand  yeeres  since: 
Aldelmus  Durotelmus  that  liued  in  the  yere  739.  of  whom  we 
finde  this  commendation  registred. 

Omnium  Poetarum  sui  temporis  facile  primus,  tanta  eloquential, 
maiestatis  fy  eruditionis  homo  fuit,  vt  nunquam  satis  admirari 
possim  vnde  illi  in  tarn  barbara  ac  rudi  eetate  facundia  accreuerit, 
vsque  adeo  omnibus  numeris  tersa,  elegans  #  rotunda,  versus  edi- 
dit  cum  antiquitate  de  palma  contendentes.  Witnesse  losephus 
Deuonius,  who  wrote  de  bello  Troiano,  in  so  excellent  manner, 
and  so  neere  resembling  Antiquity,  as  Printing  his  worke  be- 
yond the  Seas,  they  haue  ascribed  it  to  Cornelius  Nepos,  one 
of  the  Ancients. 

What  should  I  name  Walterus  Mape,  Gulielmiis  Nigellus, 
Geruasius  Tilburiensis,  Bracton,  Bacon,  Ockam,  and  an  infi- 
nite Catalogue  of  excellent  men,  most  of  them  liuing  about 
ibure  hundred  yeeres  since,  and  haue  left  behinde  them  monu- 
ments of  most  profound  Judgement  and  learning  in  all  sciences. 
So  that  it  is  but  the  cloudes  gathered  about  our  owne  Judge- 
ment that  makes  vs  thinke  all  other  ages  wrapt  vp  in  mistes, 
and  the  great  distance  betwixt  vs,  that  causes  vs  to  imagine 
men  so  farre  off  to  bee  so  little  in  respect  of  our  selues. 

We  must  not  looke  vpon  the  immense  course  of  times  past, 
as  men  ouer-looke  spacious  and  wide  countries,  from  off  high 
Mountaines,  and  are  neuer  the  neere  to  iudge  of  the  true  Na- 
ture of  the  soyle,  or  the  particular  syte  and  face  of  those  terri- 
tories 


for  Rymc.  207 

tories  they  see.  Nor  must  we  thinke,  viewing  the  superficial! 
figure  of  a  region  in  a  Mappe  that  wee  knowe  straight  the  fa- 
shion and  place  as  it  is.  Or  reading  an  Historye  (which  is  but 
a  Mappe  of  men)  and  dooth  no  otherwise  acquaint  vs  with  the 
true  Substance  of  Circumstances,  than  a  superficiall  Carde 
dooth  the  Sea-man  with  a  Coast  neuer  scene  which  alwayes 
prooues  other  to  the  eye  than  the  imagination  fore  cast  it)  that 
presently  we  know  all  the  world,  and  can  distinctly  iudge  of 
times,  men  and  manners,  iust  as  they  were. 

When  the  best  measure  of  man  is  to  bee  taken  by  his  owne 
foote,  bearing  euer  the  neerest  proportion  to  himselfe,  and  is 
neuer  so  farre  different  and  vnequall  in  his  powers,  that  hee  hath 
all  in  perfection  at  one  time,  and  nothing  at  an  other. 

The  distribution  of  giftes  are  vniuersall,  and  all  seasons  hath 
them  in  some  sort.  We  must  not  thinke,  but  that  there  were 
Scipioes,  Caesars,  Catoes  and  Pompeyes,  borne  else-where  then 
at  Rome,  the  rest  of  the  world  hath  euer  had  them  in  the  same 
degree  of  nature,  though  not  of  state.  And  it  is  our  weaknesse 
that  makes  vs  mistake,  or  misconceiue  in  these  deliniations  of 
men  the  true  figure  of  their  worth.  And  our  passion  and  be- 
liefe  is  so  apt  to  leade  vs  beyond  truth,  that  vnlesse  we  try 
them  by  the  iust  compasse  of  humanitie,  and  as  they  were  men, 
we  shall  cast  their  figures  in  the  ayre  when  we  should  make 
their  models  vpon  Earth.  It  is  not  the  contexture  of  words, 
but  the  effects  of  Action  that  giues  glory  to  the  times :  wee 
finde  they  had  mercurium  in  pectore  though  not  in  lingua,  and 
in  all  ages,  though  they  were  not  Ciceronians,  they  knew  the 
Arte  of  men,  which  onely  is,  Ars  Artium,  the  great  guift  of 
heauen,  and  the  chiefe  grace  and  glory  on  earth,  they  had  the 
learning  of  Gouernement,  and  ordring  their  State,  Eloquence 
inough  to  shew  their  iudgements,  And  it  seemes  the  best  times 
followed  Lycurgus  councell :  Literas  ad  vsum  saltern  discebant, 
reliqua  omnis  disciplina  erat,  vt  pulchre  parerent  vt  labores  pre- 
ferrent,  #c.  Had  not  vnlearned  Rome  laide  the  better  founda- 
tion, and  built  the  stronger  frame  of  an  admirable  state,  elo- 
quent Rome  had  confounded  it  vtterly,  which  wee  sawe,  ranne 
the  way  of  all  confusion,  the  plaine  course  of  dissolution  in  her 

greatest 


208  An  Apologic 

greatest  skill :  and  though  she  had  not  power  to  vndoe  her  selfe, 
yet  wrought  she  so  that  she  cast  her  selfe  quite  away  from  the 
glory  of  a  common -wealth,  and  fell  vpon  that  forme  of  state 
she  euer  most  feared  and  abhorred  of  all  other :  and  then  scarse 
was  there  scene  any  shadowe  of  pollicie  vnder  her  first  Empe- 
rours,  but  the  most  horrible  and  grosse  confusion  that  could 
bee  concerned,  notwithstanding  it  still  indured,  preseruing  not 
only  a  Monarchic,  locked  vp  in  her  owne  limits,  but  there- 
withall  held  vnder  her  obedience,  so  many  Nations  so  farre 
distant,  so  ill  affected,  so  disorderly  commanded  &  vniustly 
conquered,  as  it  is  not  to  be  attributed  to  any  other  fate  but  to 
the  first  frame  of  that  common- wealth,  which  was  so  strongly 
ioynted  and  with  such  infinite  combinations  interlinckt,  as  one 
naile  or  other  euer  held  vp  the  Maiestie  thereof. 

There  is  but  one  learning,  which  omnes  gentes  habent  scriptum 
in  cordibus  suis,  one  and  the  self-same  spirit  that  worketh  in 
all.  We  haue  but  one  body  of  lustice,  one  body  of  Wise- 
dome  throughout  the  whole  world,  which  is  but  apparalled 
according  to  the  fashion  of  euery  nation. 

Eloquence  and  gaye  wordes  are  not  of  the  Substance  of  wit, 
it  is  but  the  garnish  of  a  nice  time,  the  Ornaments  that  doe  but 
decke  the  house  of  a  State,  #  imitatur  publicos  mores  :  Hunger 
is  as  well  satisfied  with  meat  serued  in  Pewter  as  siluer.  Dis- 
cretion is  the  best  measure,  the  rightest  foote  in  what  pase  so- 
euer  it  runne.  Erasmus,  Rewcline  and  Moore,  brought  no 
more  wisdome  into  the  world  with  all  their  new  reuiued  wordes 
then  we  finde  was  before,  it  bredde  not  a  profounder  Diuine 
than  Saint  Thomas,  a  greater  Lawyer  than  Bartolus,  a  more 
accute  Logician  than  Scotus :  nor  are  the  effects  of  all  this  great 
amasse  of  eloquence,  so  admirable  or  of  that  consequence,  but 
that  impexa  ilia  antiquitas  can  yet  compare  with  it. 

Let  vs  go  no  further,  but  looke  vpon  the  wonderfull  Archi- 
tecture of  this  state  of  England,  and  see  whether  they  were  de- 
formed times,  that  could  giue  it  such  a  forme.  Where  there  is 
no  one  the  least  piller  of  Maiestie,  but  was  set  with  most  pro- 
found Judgement,  and  borne  vp  with  the  iust  conueniencie  of 
Prince  and  people.  No  Court  of  lustice,  but  laide  by  the  Rule 

and 


for  Ryme.  209 

and  Square  of  Nature,  and  the  best  of  the  best  comon-wealths 
that  euer  were  in  the  world.  So  strong  and  substantial!,  as  it 
hath  stood  against  all  the  storms  of  factions,  both  of  beliefe  & 
ambition,  which  so  powerfully  beat  vpon  it,  and  all  the  tempes- 
tuous alterations  of  humorous  times  whatsoeuer.  Being  con- 
tinually in  all  ages  furnisht  with  spirites  fitte  to  maintaine  the 
maiestie  of  her  owrie  greatnesse,  and  to  match  in  an  equall 
concurrencie  all  other  kingdomes  round  about  her  with  whome 
it  had  to  incounter. 

But  this  innouation,  like  a  Viper,  must  euer  make  way  into 
the  worlds  opinion,  thorow  the  bowels  of  her  owne  breeding, 
and  is  alwayes  borne  with  reproach  in  her  mouth ;  the  disgra- 
cing others  is  the  best  grace  it  can  put  on,  to  winne  reputation 
of  wit,  and  yet  it  is  neuer  so  wise  as  it  would  seeme,  nor  doth 
the  world  euer  get  so  much  by  it,  as  it  imagineth  :  which  being 
so  often  deceiued,  and  seeing  it  neuer  performes  so  much  as  it 
promises,  mee  thinkes  men  should  neuer  giue  more  credite  vn- 
to  it.  For,  let  vs  change  neuer  so  often,  wee  can  not  change 
man,  our  imperfections  must  still  runne  on  with  vs.  And 
therefore  the  wiser  Nations  haue  taught  men  alwayes  to  vse, 
Moribus  legibusque  presentibus  etiamsi  deteriores  sint.  The  La- 
cedemonians, when  a  Musitian,  thinking  to  winne  him  selfe 
credite  by  his  new  inuention,  and  bee  before  his  fellowes,  had 
added  one  string  more  to  his  Crowde,  brake  his  fiddle,  and 
banished  him  the  Cittie,  holding  the  Innouator,  though  in  the 
least  things,  dangerous  to  a  publike  societie.  It  is  but  a  fantas- 
tike  giddinesse  to  forsake  the  waye  of  other  men,  especially 
where  it  lyes  tollerable :  Vbi  nunc  est  respublica,  ibi  simus  po- 
tius  quam  dum  ilium  veterem  sequimtir,  simus  in  nulla. 

But  shall  wee  not  tend  to  perfection  f  Yes,  and  that  euer 
best  by  going  on  in  the  course  wee  are  in,  where  we  haue  ad- 
uantage,  being  so  farre  onward,  of  him  that  is  but  now  setting 
forth.  For  wee  shall  neuer  proceede,  if  we  bee  euer  beginning, 
nor  arriue  at  any  certaine  Porte,  sayling  with  all  windes  that 
blow  :  Non  conualescit  planta  qua,  stepius  transfertur,  and  there- 
fore let  vs  hold  on  in  the  course  we  haue  vndertaken,  and  not 
still  be  wandring.  Perfection  is  not  the  portion  of  man,  and  if 

it  were, 


210  An  Apologio 

it  were,  why  may  we  not  as  well  get  to  it  this  way  as  an  other? 
and  suspect  these  great  vndertakers,  lest  they  haue  conspired 
with  enuy  to  betray  our  proceedings,  and  put  vs  by  the  honour 
of  our  attempts,  with  casting  vs  backe  vpon  another  course,  of 
purpose  to  ouerthrow  the  whole  action  of  glory  when  we  lay 
the  fairest  for  it,  and  were  so  neere  our  hopes  ?  I  thanke  God 
that  I  am  none  of  these  great  Schollers,  if  thus  their  high  know- 
ledges doe  but  giue  them  more  eyes  to  looke  out  into  vncer- 
taintie  and  confusion,  accounting  my  selfe,  rather  beholding  to 
my  ignorance,  that  hath  set  me  in  so  lowe  an  vnder-roome  of 
conceipt  with  other  men,  and  hath  giuen  mee  as  much  disturst, 
as  it  hath  done  hope,  daring  not  aduenture  to  goe  alone,  but 
plodding  on  the  plaine  tract  I  finde  beaten  by  Custome  and  the 
Time,  contenting  me  with  what  I  see  in  vse. 

And  surely  me  thinkes  these  great  wits  should  rather  seeke  to 
adorne,  than  to  disgrace  the  present,  bring  something  to  it, 
without  taking  from  it  what  it  hath.  But  it  is  euer  the  misfor- 
tune of  Learning,  to  be  wounded  by  her  owne  hand.  Stimulos 
dat  emula  virtus,  and  when  there  is  not  abilitie  to  match  what 
is,  malice  will  finde  out  ingines,  eyther  to  disgrace  or  ruine  it, 
with  a  peruerse  incounter  of  some  new  impression  :  and  which 
is  the  greatest  miserie,  it  must  euer  proceed  from  the  powers  of 
the  best  reputation,  as  if  the  greatest  spirites  were  ordained  to 
indanger  the  world,  as  the  grosse  are  to  dishonour  it,  and  that 
we  were  to  expect  ab  optimis  periculum,  a  pessimis  dedecus  pub- 
licum.  Emulation  the  strongest  pulse  that  beates  in  high 
mindes,  is  oftentimes  a  winde,  but  of  the  worst  effect:  For 
whilst  the  Soule  comes  disappointed  of  the  obiect  it  wrought 
on,  it  presently  forges  an  other,  and  euen  cozins  it  selfe,  and 
crosses  all  the  world,  rather  than  it  will  stay  to  bee  vnder  her 
desires,  falling  out  with  all  it  hath,  to  flatter  and  make  faire 
that  which  it  would  haue. 

So  that  it  is  the  ill  successe  of  our  longings  that  with  Xerxes 
makes  vs  to  whippe  the  Sea,  and  send  a  cartell  of  defiance  to 
mount  Athos :  and  the  fault  laide  vpon  others  weaknesse,  is  but 
a  presumptuous  opinion  of  our  owne  strength,  who  must  not 
seeme  to  bee  maistered.  But  had  our  Aduersarie  taught  vs  by 

his 


for  Ryme. 

his  owne  proceedings,  this  way  of  perfection,  and  therein 
fram'd  vs  a  Poeme  of  that  excellencie  as  should  haue  put  downe 
all,  and  beene  the  maister-peece  of  these  times,  we  should  all 
haue  admired  him.  But  to  depraue  the  present  forme  of  writ- 
ing, and  to  bring  vs  nothing  but  a  few  loose  and  vncharitable 
Epigrammes,  and  yet  would  make  vs  beleeue  those  numbers 
were  come  to  raise  the  glory  of  our  language,  giueth  vs  cause 
to  suspect  the  performance  and  to  examine  whether  this  new 
Arte  constat  sibi,  or,  aliquid  sit  dictum  quod  non  sit  dictum 
prius. 

First  we  must  here  imitate  the  Greeks  &  Latines,  and  yet 
wee  are  heere  shewed  to  disobey  them,  euen  in  their  owne  num- 
bers and  quantities:  taught  to  produce  what  they  make  shorte, 
and  make  shorte  what  they  produce :   made  beleeue  to  bee 
shewd  measures  in  that  forme  wee  haue  not  scene,  and  no  such 
matter :  tolde  that  heere  is  the  perfect  Arte  of  versifying,  which 
in  conclusion  is  yet  confessed  to  be  vnperfect,  as  if  our  aduer- 
sary  to  bee  opposite  to  vs,  were  become  vnfaithfull  to  himselfe, 
and  seeking  to  leade  vs  out  of  the  way  of  reputation,  hath  ad- 
uentured  to  intricate  and  confound  him  in  his  owne  courses, 
running  vpon  most  vn-euen  grouds,  with  imperfect  rules,  weake 
profes  and  vnlawful  lawes.     Wherunto  the  world,  I  am  per- 
swaded,  is  not  so  vnreasonable  as  to  subscribe;  considering 
the  vniust  authoritie  of  the  Law-giuer.     For  who  hath  consti- 
tuted him  to  be  the  Radamanthus  thus  to  torture  sillables,  and 
adiudge  them  their  perpetuall   doome,    setting  his   Theta  or 
marke  of  condemnation  vpon  them,  to  indure  the  appointed 
sentence  of  his  cruelty,  as  he  shall  dispose?    As  though  there 
were  that  disobedience  in  our  wordes,  as  they  would  not  be 
ruled,  or  stand  in  order  without  so  many  intricate  lawes,  which 
would  argue  a  great  peruersenes  amongst  them,  according  to 
that,  in  pessima  republica  plurima  leges  :  or,  that  they  were  so 
far  gone  from  the  quiet  freedome  of  nature,  that  they  must 
thus  be  brought  backe  againe  by  force.     And  now  in  what  case 
were  this  poore  state  of  words,  if  in  like  sort  another  tyrant  the 
next  yere  should  arise  and  abrogate  these  lawes,  and  ordaine 
others  cleane  contrary,  according  to  his  humor,  and  say,  that 

they 


£12  An  Apologie 

they  were  onely  right,  the  others  vniust  ?  what  disturbance  were 
there  heere,  to  whom  should  we  obey  ?  Were  it  not  farre  better 
to  hold  vs  fast  to  our  olde  custome,  than  to  stand  thus  distract- 
ed with  vncertaine  Lawes,  wherein  right  shall  haue  as  many 
faces  as  it  pleases  Passion  to  make  it,  that  wheresoeuer  inens 
affections  stand,  it  shall   still   looke  that  way.     What  trifles 
dooth  our  vnconstant  curiosity  call  vp  to  contend  for?  what 
colours  are  there  laide  vpon  indifferent  thinges  to  make  them 
seeme  other  then  they  are  ?  as  if  it  were  but  onely  to  intertaine 
contestation  amongst  men;  who  standing  according  to  the  pro- 
spectiue  of  their  own  humor,  seeme  to  see  the  selfe  same  things 
to  appeare  otherwise  to  them,  than  either  they  do  to  other,  or 
are  indeede  in  themselues,  being  but  all  one  in  nature.     For 
what  a  do  haue  we  here,  what  strange  precepts  of  Art  about  the 
framing  of  an  lambique  verse  in  our  language,  which  when  all 
is  done,  reaches  not  by  a  foote,  but  falleth  out  to  be  the  plaine 
ancient  verse  consisting  of  ten  sillables  or  fiue  feete,   which 
hath  euer  beene  vsed  amongst  vs  time  out  of  minde.     And  for 
all  this  cunning  and  counterfeit  name  can  or  will  bee  any  other 
in  nature  then  it  hath  bin  euer  heretofore :  and  this  new  Dime- 
ter is  but  the  halfe  of  this  verse  deuided  in  two,  and  no  other 
then  the  Casura  or  breathing  place  in  the  middest  therof,  and 
therfore  it  had  beene  as  good  to  haue  put  two  lines  in  one,  but 
onely  to  make  them  seeme  diuerse.     Nay  it  had  beene  much 
better  for  the  true  English  reading  and  pronouncing  thereof, 
without  violating  the  accent,  which  now  our  aduersary  hath 
heerein  most  vnkindely  doone:  for,  beeing,  as  wee  are  to  sound 
it,  according  to  our  English  March,  wee  must  make  a  rest,  and 
raise  the  last  sillable,  which  falles  out  very  vnnaturall  in  Deso- 
late, Funerall,  Elizabeth,  Prodigall,  and  in  all  the  rest  sauing 
the   Monosillables.      Then   followes  the   English    Trochaicke, 
which  is  saide  to  be  a  simple  verse,  and  so  indeede  it  is,  being 
without  Ryme;  hauing   heere  no   other  grace  then  that  in 
sound  it  runs  like  the  knowne  measure  of  our  former  ancient 
Verse,  ending  (as  wee  terme  it  according  to  the  French)  in  a 
feminine  foote,  sauing  that  it  is  shorter  by  one  sillable  at  the 

beginning1, 


for  Ryme.  213 

beginning,  which  is  not  much  missed,  by  reason  it  falles  full 
at  the  last. 

Next  comes  the  Elegiack,  being  the  fourth  kiride,  &  that  like- 
wise is  no. other  then  our  accustomed  measure  of  fiue  feet,  if 
there  be  any  differece,  it  must  be  made  in  the  reading,  &  ther- 
in  we  must  stand  bound  to  stay  where  often  we  would  not,  and 
somtimes  either  breake  the  accent,  or  the  due  course  of  the 
word.  And  now  for  the  other  foure  kindes  of  numbers,  which 
are  to  bee  employed  for  Odes,  they  are  either  of  the  same  mea- 
sure ;  or  such  as  haue  euer  beene  familiarly  vsed  amongst  vs. 
So  that  of  all  these  eight  seuerall  kindes  of  new  promised  nu- 
bers,  you  see  what  we  haue.  Only  what  was  our  owne  before, 
and  the  same  but  apparrelled  in  forrainc  Titles,  which  had  they 
come  in  their  kinde  and  naturall  attire  of  Ryme,  wee  should, 
neuer  haue  suspected  that  they  had  affected  to  bee  other,  or 
sought  to  degenerate  into  strange  manners,  which  now  wee 
see  was  the  cause  why  they  were  tutnd  our  of  their  proper  ha- 
bite,  and  brought  in  as  Aliens,  onely  to  induce  men  to  admire 
them  as  farre-commers.  But  see  the  power  of  nature,  it  is  not 
all  the  artificial!  couerings  of  wit  that  can  hide  their  natiue  and 
originall  condition  which  breakes  out  thorowe  the  strongest 
bandes  of  affectation,  &  will  bee  it  selfe,  do  singularity  what  it 
can.  And  as  for  those  imagined  qualities  of  sillables,  which 
haue  beene  euer  held  free  and  indifferent  in  our  language,  who 
can  inforce  vs  to  take  knowledge  of  them  being  in  nullius  verba 
iurati,  and  owing  fealty  to  no  forraine  inuention?  especially  in 
such  a  case  where  there  is  no  necessity  in  nature,  or  that  it  im- 
ports either  the  matter  or  forme,  whether  it  be  so,  or  otherwise. 
But  euery  Versifier  that  wel  obserues  his  worke,  findes  in  our 
laguage,  without  all  these  vnnecessary  precepts  what  number 
best  fit  the  Nature  of  her  Idiome,  &  the  proper  places  destined 
to  such  accents,  as  she  will  not  let  in,  to  any  other  roomes  then 
in  those  for  which  they  were  borne.  As  for  example,  you  can- 
not make  this  fall  into  the  right  sound  of  a  Verse. 

None  thinkes  reward  rtdred  worthy  his  worth  : 

c  c  vnlesse 


214  An  Apologie 

vnlesse  you  thus  misplace  the  accent  vpon  Rtndred  and  Worthy, 
contrary  to  the  nature  of  these  words :  which  sheweth  that  two 
feminine  nubers  (or  Trochees,  if  so  you  wil  call  them)  will  not 
succeede  in  the  third  &  fourth  place  of  the  Verse.  And  so 
likewise  in  this  case, 

Though  Death  doth  consume,  yet  virtue  preseruts. 

it  will  not  he  a  Verse,  though  it  hath  the  iust  sillables,  without 
the  same  number  in  the  second,  and  the  altering  of  the  fourth 
place,  in  this  sort  : 

Though  Death  doth  mine,  virtue  yet  preserues 

Againe,  who  knowes  not  that  we  cannot  kindely  answer  a 
feminine  nuber  with  a  masculine  Ryme,  or  (if  you  will  so  terme 
it)  a  Trochei  with  a  Sponde,  as  Weakenes  with  Confesse,  Nature 
and  Indure,  onely  for  that  therby  we  shal  wrong  the  accent, 
the  chief  Lord  and  graue  Gouernour  of  Numbers.  Also  you 
cannot  in  a  verse  of  foure  feete,  place  a  Trochei  in  the  first, 
without  the  like  offence,  as,  Yearely  out  of  his  watry  Cell. 
for  so  you  shal  soud  it  Yearelie  which  is  vnnaturall.  And  other 
such  like  obseruations  vsally  occurre,  which  nature  &  a  iudi- 
ciall  eare,  of  theselues  teach  vs  readily  to  auoid. 

But  now  for  who  hath  our  aduersary  take  al  this  paines?  For 
the  learned,  or  for  the  ignorat,  or  for  himself,  to  shew  his  own 
skil?  If  for  the  learned,  it  was  to  no  purpose,  for  euery  Grama- 
rian  in  this  land  hath  learned  his  Prosodia,  &  already  knows  all 
this  Art  of  numbers :  if  for  the  ignorant,  it  was  vaine :  For  if 
they  become  Versifiers,  we  are  like  to  haue  leane  nubers,  in- 
steed  of  fat  Ryme  :  &  if  Tully  would  haue  his  Orator  skild  in 
all  the  knowledges  appertaining  to  God  and  ma,  what  should 
they  haue,  who  would  be  a  degree  aboue  Orators  ?  Why  then 
it  was  to  shew  his  own  skil,  &,  what  himselfe  had  obserued :  so 
he  might  wel  haue  done,  without  doing  wrog  to  the  honor  of 
the  dead,  wrong  to  the  fame  of  the  liuing,  &  wrong  to  England, 
in  seeking  to  lay  reproach  vpon  her  natiue  ornaments,  &  to 

turne 


for  Ryme.  215 

turne  the  faire  streame  &  full  course  of  her  accents,  into  the 
shallow  current  of  a  loose  vncertainety,  cleane  out  of  the  way 
of  her  knowne  delight.  And  I  had  thought  it  could  neuer 
haue  proceeded  from  the  pen  of  a  Scholler  (who  sees  no  pro- 
fession free  from  the  impure  mouth  of  the  scorner)  to  say  the 
reproach  of  others  idle  tongues  is  the  curse  of  Nature  vpon  vs, 
when  it  is  rather  her  curse  vpon  him,  that  knowes  not  how  to 
vse  his  tongue.  What,  doth  he  thinke  himselfe  is  now  gotten 
so  farre  out  of  the  way  of  contempt,  that  his  nubers  are  gone 
beyond  the  reach  of  obloquie,  and  that  how  friuolous,  or  idle 
soeuer  they  shal  run,  they  shall  bee  protected  from  disgrace? 
as  though  that  light  rymes  and  light  numbers  did  not  weigh  all 
alike  in  the  graue  opinion  of  the  wise.  And  that  it  is  not  Ryme, 
but  our  idle  Arguments  that  hath  brought  downe  to  so  base  a 
reckoning,  the  price  &  estimation  of  writing  in  this  kinde. 
When  the  few  good  things  of  this  age,  by  comming  together  in 
one  throng  &.  presse  with  the  many  bad,  are  not  discerned  fro 
them,  but  ouer-looked  with  them,  and  all  taken  to  be  alike. 
But  when  after-times  shal  make  a  quest  of  inquirie,  to  examine 
the  best  of  this  Age,  peraduenture  there  will  be  found  in  the 
now  contemned  records  of  Ryme,  matter  not  vnfitting  the 
grauest  Diuine,  &  seuerest  Lawier  in  this  kingdom.  But  these 
things  must  haue  the  date  of  Antiquitie,  to  make  them  reuerend 
and  authenticall :  For  euer  in  the  collation  of  Writers,  men  ra- 
ther weigh  their  age  then  their  merit,  $•  legunt  priscos  cum  re-  SimpUchlslonge 
uerentia,  quando  co&taneos  non  possunt  sine  inuidia.  And  let  no  poslfa  miramur- 
writer  in  Ryme  be  any  way  discouraged  in  his  endeuour  by  this 
braue  allarum,  but  rather  animated  to  bring  vp  all  the  best  of 
their  powers,  and  charge  withall  the  strength  of  nature  and 
Industrie  vpon  contempt,  that  the  shew  of  their  reall  forces  may 
turne  backe  insolencie  into  her  owne  hold.  For,  be  sure  that 
innouation  neuer  workes  any  ouerthrow,  but  vpon  the  aduan- 
tage  of  a  carelesse  idlenesse.  And  let  this  make  vs  looke  the 
better  to  our  feete,  the  better  to  our  matter,  better  to  our  ma- 
ners.  Let  the  Aduersary  that  thought  to  hurt  vs,  bring  more 
profit  and  honor,  by  being  against  vs,  then  if  he  had  stood 
still  on  our  side.  For  that  (next  to  the  awe  of  heauen)  the  best 

reine, 


216  An  Apologie 

rcinc,  the  strongest  hand  to  make  men  keep  their  way,  is  that 
which  their  enemy  bears  vpon  them :  and  let  this  be  the  bene- 
fit we  make  by  being  oppugned,  and  the  meanes  to  redeeme 
baek  the  good  opinion,  vanitie  and  idlenesse  haue  suffered  to 
bee  wonne  from  vs ;  which,  nothing  but  substance  and  matter 
can  effect.  For, 

Scribendi  recte  sapere  est  &>  principiu  fyfons. 

When  we  heare  Musicke,  wee  must  be  in  our  eare,  in  the 
vtter-roome  of  sense,  but  when  we  entertaine  iudgement,  we 
retire  into  the  cabinet  and  innermost  withdrawing  chamber  of 
the  soule :  And  it  is  but  as  Musicke  for  the  eare, 

Verba  sequi  Jidibus  mo<lnl<ui(l<i  Latinix. 
but  it  is  a  worke  of  power  for  the  soule. 
Numer6sgue  modosque  ediscere  vitas. 

The  most  iudiciall  and  worthy  spirites  of  this  Land  are  not  so 
delicate,  or  will  owe  so  much  to  their  eare,  as  to  rest  vpon  the 
out-side  of  wordes,  and  be  intertained  with  sound  :  seeing  that 
both  Number,  Measure,  and  Ryme,  is  but  as  the  ground  or 
seate,  whereupon  is  raised  the  worke  that  commends  it,  and 
which  may  be  easilie  at  the  first  found  out  by  any  shallow  con- 
ceipt :  as  wee  see  some  fantasticke  to  begin  a  fashion,  which 
afterward  grauitie  it  selfe  is  faine  to  put  on,  because  it  will  not 
be  out  of  the  weare  of  other  men,  and  Recti  apud  nos  locum 
tenet  error  vbi  publicusfactus  est.  And  power  and  strength  that 
can  plant  it  selfe  any  where,  hailing  built  within  this  compasse, 
and  reard  it  of  so  high  a  respect,  wee  now  imbrace  it  as  the  fit- 
test dwelling  for  our  inuentton,  and  haue  thereon  bestowed  all 
the  substance  of  our  vnderstanding  to  furnish  it  as  it  is  :  And 
therefore  heere  I  stand  foorth,  onelie  to  make  good  the  place 
wee  haue  thus  taken  vp,  and  to  defend  the  sacred  monuments 
erected  therein,  which  containe  the  honour  of  the  dead,  the 

fame 


for  Ryme.  217 

fame  of  the  liumg,  the  glory  of  peace,  and  the  best  power  of 
our  speach,  and  wherein  so  many  honorable  spirits  haue  sacri- 
ficed to  Memorie  their  dearest  passions,  shewing  by  what  di- 
uine  influence  they  haue  beene  mooued,  and  vnder  what  starres 
they  liued. 

But  yet  now  notwithstanding  all  this  which  I  haue  heere  de- 
liuered  in  the  defence  of  Ryme,  I  am  not  so  farre  in  loue  with 
mine  owne  mysterie,  or  will  seeme  so  froward,  as  to  be  against 
the  reformation,  and  the  better  settling  these  measures  of  ours. 
Wherein  there  bee  many  things,  I  could  wish  were  more  cer- 
taine  and  better  ordered,  though  my  selfe  dare  not  take  vpon 
me  to  be  a  teacher  therein,  hauing  so  much  neede  to  learne  of 
others.  And  I  must  confesse,  that  to  mine  owne  eare,  those 
continuall  cadences  of  couplets  vsed  in  long  &  continued 
Poems,  are  very  tyresome,  &  vnpleasing,  by  reason  that  stil, 
me  thinks  they  runne  on,  with  a  sound  of  one  nature,  &  a 
kinde  of  certaintie  which  stuffs  the  delight  rather  then  inter- 
taines  it.  But  yet  notwithstanding,  I  must  not  out  of  mine 
owne  daintinesse,  condemne  this  kinde  of  writing,  which  per- 
aduenture  to  another  may  seeme  most  delightfull :  and  many 
worthy  compositions  wee  see  to  haue  passed  with  commenda- 
tion in  that  kinde.  Besides,  me  thinkes  sometimes,  to  beguile 
the  eare,  with  a  running  out,  and  passing  ouer  the  Ryme,  as 
no  bound  to  stay  vs  in  the  line  where  the  violence  of  the  matter 
will  breake  thorow,  is  rather  gracefull  then  otherwise.  Where- 
in I  finde  my  Homer-Lucan,  as  if  he  gloried  to  seeme  to  haue 
no  bounds,  albeit  he  were  confined  within  his  measures,  to  be 
in  my  conceipt  most  happy.  For  so  thereby,  they  who  care  not 
for  Verse  or  Ryme,  may  passe  it  ouer  without  taking  notice 
thereof,  and  please  themselues  with  a  well- measured  Prose. 
And  I  must  confesse  my  Aduersary  hath  wrought  this  much 
vpon  me,  that  I  thinke  a  Tragedie  would  indeed  best  comporte 
with  a  blancke  Verse,  and  dispence  with  Ryme,  sauing  in  the 
Chorus  or  where  a  sentence  shall  require  a  couplet.  And  to 
auoyde  this  ouer-glutting  the  eare  with  that  alwayes  certaine, 
and  full  incounter  of  Ryme,  I  haue  assaide  in  some  of  my 
Epistles  lo  alter  the  vsuall  place  of  meeting,  and  to  set  it  fur- 
ther 


218  An  Apologie 

ther  off  by  one  Verse,  to  trie  how  I  could  disuse  my  owne 
eare,  and  to  ease  it  of  this  continuall  burthen,  which  indeede 
seemes  to  surcharge  it  a  little  too  much,  but  as  yet  I  cannot 
come  to  please  my  selfe  therein:  this  alternate  or  crosse  Ryme, 
holding  still  the  best  place  in  my  affection. 

Besides,  to  me  this  change  of  number  in  a  Poem  of  one  na- 
ture fits  not  so  well,  as  to  mixe  vncertainly  feminine  Rymes 
with  masculine,  which,  euer  since  I  was  warned  of  that  defor- 
mitie  by  my  kinde  friend  and  countriman  Maister  Hugh  Sam- 
ford,  I  haue  alwayes  so  auoyded  it,  as  there  are  not  aboue  two 
couplettes  in  that  kinde  in  all  my  Poem  of  the  Ciuill  warres : 
and  I  would  willingly  if  I  could,  haue  altered  it  in  all  the  rest, 
holding  feminine  Rymes  to  bee  fittest  for  Ditties,  and  either  to 
bee  set  certaine,  or  else  by  themselues.  But  in  these  things,  I 
say ;  I  dare  not  take  vpon  me  to  teach  that  they  ought  to  bee  so, 
in  respect  my  selfe  holds  them  to  be  so,  or  that  I  thinke  it  right; 
for  indeed  there  is  no  right  in  these  things  that  are  continually 
in  a  wandring  motion,  carried  with  the  violence  of  our  vncer- 
taine  likings,  being  but  onely  the  time  that  giues  them  their 
power.  For  if  this  right,  or  truth,  should  be  no  other  thing 
then  that  wee  make  it,  we  shall  shape  it  into  a  thousand  figures, 
seeing  this  excellent  painter  Man,  can  so  well  lay  the  colours 
which  himselfe  grinds  in  his  owne  affections,  as  that  hee  will 
make  them  serue  for  any  shadow,  and  any  counterfeit.  But 
the  greatest  hinderer  to  our  proceeding,  and  the  reformation  of 
our  errours,  is  this  Selfe-loue,  whereunto  we  Versifiers  are  euer 
noted  to  be  especially  subiect ;  a  disease  of  all  other,  the  most 
dangerous,  and  incurable,  being  once  seated  in  the  spirits,  for 
which  there  is  no  cure,  but  onely  by  a  spirituall  remedy.  Mul- 
tos  puto,  ad  sapientiam  potuisse  peruenire,  nisi  putassent  se  per- 
uenisse:  and  this  opinion  of  our  sufficiencie  makes  so  great  a 
cracke  in  our  iudgement,  as  it  will  hardly  euer  hold  any  thing 
of  worth,  Ceecus  amor  sui,  and  though  it  would  seeme  to  see  all 
without  it,  yet  certainely  it  discernes  but  little  within.  For 
there  is  not  the  simplest  writer  that  will  euer  tell  himselfe,  he 
doth  ill,  but  as  if  he  were  the  parasite  onely  to  sooth  his  owne 

doings, 


for  Ryme.  219 

doings,  perswades  him  that  his  lines  cannot  but  please  others, 
which  so  much  delight  himselfe  : 

Suffenus  est  quis<£  sibi  -  necfa  idem  vnqua. 
JEque  est  beatus,  ac  poema  cum  scribit, 
Tarn  gaudet  in  se  tamque  se  ipse  miratur. 

And  the  more  to  shew  that  he  is  so,  we  shall  see  him  euermore 
in  all  places,  &  to  all  persons  repeating  his  owne  compositions  : 


Quern  vero  arripuit,  tenet  occiditfy  legendo. 

Next  to  this  deformitie  stands  our  affectation,  wherein  we 

alwayes  bewray  our  selues  to  be  both  vnkinde,  and  vnnaturall 

to  our  owne  natiue  language,  in  disguising  or  forging  strange 

or  vn-vsuall  wordes,  as  if  it  were  to  make  our  verse  seeme  an 

other  kinde  of  speach  out  of  the  course  of  our  vsuall  practise, 

displacing  our  wordes,  or  inuesting  new,  openly  vpon  a  singu- 

laritie:    when  our  owne  accustomed  phrase,    set  in  the   due 

place,  would  expresse  vs  more  familiarly  and  to  better  delight, 

than  all  this  idle  affectation  of  antiquity,  or  nouelty  can  euer 

do.     And  I  cannot  but  wonder  at  the  strange  presumption  of 

some  men  that  dare  so  audaciously  aduenture  to  introduce  any 

whatsoeuer  forraine  wordes,  bee  they  neuer  so  strange;  and  of 

themselues  as  it  were,  without  a  Parliament,  without  any  con- 

sent, or  allowance,  stablish  them  as  Free-denizens  in  our  lan- 

guage.    But  this  is  but  a  Character  of  that  perpetuall  re- 

uolution  which  we  see  to  be  in  all  things  that  neuer 

remaine  the  same,  and  we  must  herein  be  content 

to  submit  ourselues  to  the  law  of  time,  which 

in  few  yeers  will  make  all  that,  for 

which  we  now  contend, 

Nothing. 


HYPERCRITICA; 

O  R 

A  Rule  of  Judgment  for  writ- 
ing, or  reading  our  History's: 

Deliver' d  in  four  Supercensorian  Ad- 
dresses, by  occasion  of  a  Censorian 
Epistle,  prefix'd  by  Sir  Henry  Sa- 
vile,  Knight,  to  his  Edition  of  *  some 
of  our  oldest  Historians  in  Latin 
dedicated  to  the  late  Queen  Eliza- 
beth. 

That  according  thereunto,  a  compleat 
Body  of  our  Affairs,  a  Corpus  Rerum 
Anglicarum,  may  at  last,  and  from 
among  ourselves,  come  happily  forth, 
in  either  of  the  Tongues.  A  Felicity 
wanting  to  our  Nation,  now  when 
even  the  Name  thereof  is  as  it  were 
at  an  End. 


Now  [reprinted  (with  some  variations  from  a  copy  in 

Rawlinson's  MSS.)  from  that] 
first  publish  d  by  ANT.    HALL. 

OXFORD,  M.DCC.  XXIT. 

1  Certain     MS.  Rawlinsoii. 


The  chief  Points  or  Summs  of 
the  Addresses. 


I, 

/Concerning  the  Historical  Use  of  the  old  Book  of  BRUTE, 
V-x'  dedicated  to  ROBERT  Earl  of  GLOCESTEB,  Brother  of 
the  Empress  MAWD. 

II. 

The  religious  Necessity  of  Impartiality  in  Historiographers, 
and  of  Abstinence,  in  general,  from  Censure. 

III. 

The  Historical  States  of  Times  among  us,  from  JULIUS  CJE- 
SAR  till  King  HENRY  the  Seventh,  with  Discovery's  of  our 
chief  Historical  Dangers. 

IV. 

Prime  Gardens  for  gathering  English  :  according  to  the  true 
Gage  or  Standard  of  the  Tongue,  '  about  15  or  16  years  *  ago. 

1  Antony  a  Wood  thinks  these  Addresses  were  written  about  1610.     Not.  MS. 

2  Past.  MS.  Rawlinson. 


H  YPERCRITICA : 

OR 

A  Rule  of  Judgement,  for  writing  or 
reading  our  History's. 

ADDRESSE    THE     FIRST. 

TO  write  the  History  of  England  is  a  Work  superfluous,  if 
it  ever  had  an  History :  but,  having  had  all  other  Ho- 
nours, it  only  wanteth  that.  Polydor  Virgil  in  England,  and 
Paulus  Mmilius  in  France,  both  of  them  Italians,  were  enter- 
tain'd  of  Purpose.  As  if  their  Narrations  ought  to  have  most 
Belief,  which  were  written  by  their  Pens,  who  had  least  Interest 
in  the  Argument,  or  Relation  to  the  Party's.  This  Counsel, 
whatsoever  it  seem'd  to  the  Givers,  or  Receivers,  found  less 
in  Success  among  us  then  it  had  in  Probability.  Many  great 
Volumes  carry  among  us  the  Titles  of  History's.  But  Learned 
men,  and  '  Sr  Henry  Savil  one  of  them,  absolutely  deny,  that 
any  of  ours  discharge  that  Office  which  the  Titles  promise.  For 
my  part  I  think  that  the  most  of  them  have  their  Praises,  and 
all  of  them  their  Uses  towards  the  composition  of  an  universal 
History  for  England. 

SECT.  II. 

Among  the  greatest  wants  in  our  ancient  Authours,  are  the 
wants  of  Art  and  Style,  which  as  they  add  to  the  lustre  of  the 
Works  and  Delights  of  the  Reader ;  yet  add  they  nothing  to 

1  The  place  is  set  down  in  my  third  Addresse. 

the 


224  Hypercritica. 

the  Truth ;  which  they  so  esteemed,  as  they  seein  to  have  re- 
garded nothing  else.  For  without  Truth,  Art  and  Style  come 
into  the  Nature  of  Crimes  by  Imposture.  It  is  an  act  of  high 
Wisdom,  and  not  of  Eloquence  only,  to  write  the  History  of 
so  great,  and  noble  a  People  as  the  English.  For  the  Causes 
of  things  are  not  only  wonderfully  wrapt  one  within  the  other, 
but  placed  oftentimes  far  above  the  ordinary  Reach's  of  human 
Wit ;  and  he  who  relates  Events,  without  their  Premisses  and 
Circumstances,  deserves  not  the  name  of  an  Historian ;  as  be- 
ing like  to  him  who  numbers  the  Bones  of  a  Man  anatomized, 
or  presenteth  unto  us  the  Bare  Skeleton,  without  declaring  the 
Nature  of  the  Fabrick  or  teaching  the  Use  of  Parts. 

SECT.  III. 

The  Part  of  heavenly  Providence  in  the  Actions  of  Men  is 
generally  left  out  by  most  of  the  Ethnicks  in  their  Histories. 
Among  whom  copious  Livy  seems  worthily  the  most  religious, 
and  consequently  of  theirs  the  best :  as  Cornelius  Tacitus  (let 
not  plain  Dealing  offend  his  other  Admirers)  either  the  most 
irreligious,  or  with  the  most  and  therefore  the  less  worthy  to  be 
in  Honour  as  a  Cabinet  Counsellour  with  any  man,  to  whom 
Piety  towards  powers  divine  is  pretious.  '  This  some  affirm  de- 
liberately :  notwithstanding  all  that  which  Boccalini  in  his  late 
Lvcianical  Ragualias  hath  undertaken  on  his  Behalf;  as  in  their 
Anti-Tacitus,  for  Justification  of  those  censures  of  levity,  ma- 
lice, and  most  apparent  falsehood,  which  Tertullian,  Orosius, 
and  other  of  the  ancient ;  Casaubon,  and  other  of  the  modern, 
brand  upon  him,  is  (as  they  conceive)  fully  proved.  On  the 
other  side  Christian  Authors,  while  for  their  ease  they  shuffled 
up  the  reasons  of  events,  in  briefly  referring  all  causes  immedi- 
ately to  the  Will  of  God,  have  generally  neglected  to  inform 
their  Readers  in  the  ordinary  means  of  Carriage  in  human  Af- 

1  Epist.  ad  Hen.  4tum,  Gatt.  Reg.  ante  Polybhtm  :  illos  excusari  non  posse  judicamus, 
qui  unicum  hunc  historicum  omnibus  aliis  antcponunt.  Quid  enim  principi,  prcesertiro 
juvcui  iectione  illorum  Annalium  esse  queat  perniciosiu?. 

fairs, 


Hypercritica.  225 

fairs,  and  thereby  singularly  maimed  their  Narrations.  Philip 
de  Comities,  and  our  Sr  Thomas  More  (both  of  them  great  Coun- 
sellors of  l  State  to  their  several  Princes)  are  two  of  those  very 
few  Worthies,  who  respecting  as  well  the  superior,  as  the  in- 
ferior Efficients  of  Operations  in  the  World,  come  near  to 
accomplish  the  most  difficult  duty  of  a  Historians.  In  which 
number  as  I  wish  to  be  3  one,  so  there  is  no  fault  to  endeavour  to 
be  the  only  one ;  for,  according  to  that  of  Quinctilian :  Quid 
eratfuturum,  si  nemo  plusfecisset  eo  quem  sequebatur  ? 

SECT.  IV. 

Truth  is  the  soveraigne  praise  of  an  History.  For  want 
whereof  Lucian  did  condemn  unto  his  hell,  Ctesias,  Herodotus, 
and  other  of  his  Country  men.  And  although  himself  were  as 
false  a  Companion  as  any,  yet  Learning  and  Reason  told  him, 
that  Truth  in  Story  was  only  to  be  sacrificed  unto,  as  the  God- 
dess of  that  brave  Province ;  and  that  all  other  respects  came 
after,  with  a  very  large  distance  between.  Which  makes  Vet- 
leius  Paterculus,  that  courtly  Historian,  with  his  bis  penetrata 
Britannia  in  flattery  of  Casar,  rather  to  live  for  his  Latin,  and 
conceitful  notions,  then  for  his  authority  in  matter ;  and  Ammi- 
anus  Marcellinus,  notwithstanding  his  half  barbarous  style,  to 
have  a  better  and  a  greater  Fame  then  polite  Paterculus. 

SECT.  V. 

4  There  is  a  great  complaint  among  some  of  the  most  Learned, 
against  Ga/fridus  Arthurius,  or  Galfridus  Monumethensis,  for 
want  of  Truth,  and  Modesty,  as  creating  a  BRUTE  unto  us 
for  the  Founder  of  our  Britain.  But  who  is  he  that  proving  it 
to  be  a  Fiction,  can  prove  it  withal  to  be  his  ?  If  that  Work  be 
quite  abolished,  there  is  a  vast  Blanck  upon  the  Times  of  our 

1  Esstate     MS.  EawKnsm.         2  Of  good     Ib. 

3  I  most  heartily  wish  He  had ;  for  any  Person  of  Skill,  in  every  Paragraph,  may 
easily  discover  Him  to  be  a  complete  Master  of  his  Subject.  A.  H.  4  Here  Mr. 

Hearne's  Fragment  begins,  and  ends  with  the  Address.  A.  H. 

Country 


2(J()  Jlypercrilica. 

Country,  from  the  Creation  of  the  World  till  the  coming  of 
Julius  CfEsar,  not  terra  incognita  it  self  being  less  to  be  known 
then  ours.  The  Things  of  which  Ages  as  we  understand  not 
the  more  for  Monmouths  history,  unless  the  same  be  true ;  so 
neither  seem  they  (as  being  those  Times  which  our  Criticks 
mark  with  their  ''A&Aov,  and  their  MuSixov,  their  Ignotum,  and 
Fabulosum)  much  to  be  stood  upon.  Nevertheless,  out  of  that 
very  Story  (let  it  be  what  it  will)  have  Titles  been  framed  in 
open  Parliament,  both  in  '  England,  and  *  Ireland,  for  the 
Rights  of  the  Crown  of  England,  even  to  entire  Kingdoms. 
And  though  no  Parliament  can  make  that  to  be  a  Truth,  which 
is  not  such  in  the  proper  Nature  thereof,  nor  that  much  Autho- 
rity is  added  thereby  to  that  traditional  Monument,  because 
Parliament  men  are  not  always  Antiquaries,  yet  are  we  some- 
what the  more,  and  rather  ty'd  to  look  with  favour  on  the  Case. 
Therefore  it  pleased  me  well,  what  once  I  did  read  in  a  great 
Divine,  that  in  Apocryphis  non  omnia  esse  Apocrypha.  And 
that  very  much  of  Monmouths  book,  or  pretended  Translation, 
de  Origine  <$*  gestis  Britannorum  be  granted  to  be  fabulous,  yet 
many  Truths  are  mixed. 

SECT.  VI. 

The  main  Controversy  concerning  that  Work  is,  whether  it 
be  an  Antiquity  or  an  Imposture.  That  it  is  full  of  Fables  or 
Discohaerencies  no  man  denyeth,  and  Giraldus  Cambrensis  him- 
self though  being  his  Country-man,  and  living  in  that  Age, 
3  angerly  taxeth  it  for  such,  albeit  he  grants  a  Brute,  and  much 
of  the  principal  Substance  to  be  true,  and  follows  it.  The  Ad- 
versaries are  both  many,  and  many  of  special  Account,  as  Nu- 
brigensis,  Whethamsted&c.  among  the  ancient ;  and  among  the 

1  Apud  Matth.  Westm.  Epist.  Edv.  1.  Regis  A.  ad  Banifaciam  P.  M.  1301.  Et  EpLrt. 
Procerum  AngL  Anno  eodem.  2  II.  FKzab.  ap.  Dubl.  23  Febru.  Sr  H.  Sidney  L. 
Deputy.  3  Sicut  fabulosa  Gaufredi  Arthuri  mentitur  Historia :  These  arc  the  words  of 
Giraldus  cited  by  Sr  John  Prise,  out  of  Giraldus,  de  Cambria  dtscriptione,  where  Giraldus 
ilftiies,  and  truly  denies,  that  Wales  was  so  called,  either  of  Duke  Watto  or  of  Queen 
Waviolma. 

modern 


Hypercrilica.  227 

modern  (whom  also  Camden  citeth)  Vives,  Junius,  Buchanan, 
Polidor,  Bodin,  &c.  but  all  of  them  Strangers.  On  the  other 
side,  friends  alledge  Malmesburie  (the  worthiest  Writer  of  all 
our  Historians)  for  the  being  of  Arthur,  Huntingdon,  Aluredus, 
Hoveden,  Cestrensis,  Gervasius  Tilburiensis,  &c.  among  our  older 
Authors,  and  of  the  later  times  the  Muster  of  Names  is  not 
thinn.  Leland  most  famous,  Sr  John  Prise  Knight,  Humfrey 
Lhuid,  &c.  Men  singularly  skill'd  in  our  Antiquities,  and  Bri- 
tanns  of  Race,  Doctor  Keyes,  Founder  of  Keyes  College  in 
Cambridge,  Mr  Lambert  of  Lincolns  Inn  (who  for  freeing  Mori- 
mouth  from  the  suspicion  of  Forgery  '  voucheth  his  Possession 
of  a  Welsh  Copie,  older,  in  his  opinion,  then  Monmouth's 
Translation)  Doctor  Pozvel,  Mr  Lewis,  and  all  Welsh  Bards, 
and  Genealogist's,  Doctor  White  of  Basingstoke  in  his  Latin 
Histories,  Stowe,  Holinshead,  8cc.  So  that  if  the  cause  were 
to  be  try'd,  or  carry'd  by  Voices,  the  affirmative  would  have 
the  fuller  Cry.  And  by  that  which  Monmouth  himself  2  in  his 
Epistle  dedicatory  to  that  learned,  brave,  and  warlike  Prince 
Robert,  Earl  of  Glocester,  natural  Son  to  K.  Henry  the  first, 
concerning  the  style  of  the  Welsh  original,  by  him  translated, 
(and  perhaps  interpolated)  wherein  abounded  phalerata  verba, 
and  ampullosa  dictiones,  pompous  Words,  (as  he  saith)  and 
swelling  phrases,  it  seems  nothing  else  but  a  meer  Satyra, 
Rhapsodic,  or  Cento,  peiced  together  out  of  their  Bards  Songs, 
or  Ballads,  which  may  well  be  so.  For  Ammianus  Marcellinus 
writes,  that  it  was  the  Office  of  the  Britain  Bards  :  Portia  facta 
virorum  illustrium  heroicis  composita  versibus,  cum  dulcibus  Lyr& 
modulis  cantitare:  and  Lucan,  long  before  his  daies,  hath 
recorded  the  same. 

SECT.  VII. 

Our  Historians  Office  concerning  the  Use  of  such  a  Book  as 
this  of  Monmouths,  for  Defence  whereof  not  only  a  great  party 
of  learned  Writers  stand,  but  an  whole  noble  Nation  (anciently 

1  Pcrambulat.  of  Kent.         2  Deest  forte,  writes.  H. 

Lords 


228  Hypercritica. 

Lords  of  this  Island)  hath  not  an  easy  Description.  Certainly 
much  is  attributed,  and  much  is  to  be  attributed,  in  this  Case, 
unto  domestick  Monuments,  how  barbarous  soever,  specially 
touching  the  Originals  of  People.  For  Myrsilus  of  Lesbos  is 
said  to  own  this  Sentence,  that  in  Searches  of  such  nature,  Ma- 
gis  creditur  ipsi  genti  atque  vicinis,  quam  remotis  #  exteris. 
Which  had  no  Myrsilus  ever  said,  yet  had  it  not  been  the  less 
true,  or  the  more  needing  Authority,  because  it  is  meerly  a 
Dictate  of  common  Sense,  and  all  principal  Authors  allow 
thereof.  Salust  himself  made  use  of  King  Hiempsal  his  Library, 
in  the  Carthaginian  or  Punick  Tongue  (which  was  a  kind 
of  Syriac  shewing  their  Original  to  be  from  Tyre,  and  other 
Towns  in  Pheenicid)  to  write  his  Jugurtha  the  more  exactly. 
What  shall  we  say  of  Polydor  VirgiFs  way  in  this  very 
matter?  though  he  utterly  misliked  Monmouths  Narrations 
as  fabulous,  yet  did  he  breif  them  into  his  Volumes  with 
special  Protestation  by  name  against  a  little  book  of  like 
Argument,  passing  for  Gildas  the  Historiographer's.  Sige- 
bertus  Gemblacensis,  living  in  Monmouth's  time,  where  his  Chro- 
nicle tenders  the  Occasion,  saith  of  that  story  thus :  Nee  dubia 
pro  veris  ajfirmamus,  nee  Historicam  narrationem,  qua  nuper  de 
Britannico  sermone  in  Latinum  translata  est,  lectori  subtrahimus. 
And  this  course  carries  the  show  of  Justice  and  Reason.  Never- 
theless each  may  do  as  himself  thinks  best,  though  that  per- 
haps be  not  best.  For  Salust  in  the  like  case  reports  what  he 
finds,  but  taking  nothing  therein  upon  himself,  plainly  tells  us  : 
that  fides  ejus  rei  penes  authores  erit.  Tacitus  also  (his  Admirer, 
and  next  him  to  be  admired  for  his  Art)  when  he  hath  simply 
set  down  what  he  had  heard  concerning  the  Germans  first  An- 
cestry, (a  Tale  of  a  Father  and  his  three  Sons,  as  that  is  in 
Monmouth  of  Brute  and  his  three  Sons)  concludeth  Qua  neque 
confirmare  argumentis,  neque  refellere  in  animo  est.  Let  there- 
fore, our  Historian  look  well  about  him,  and  examine,  whether 
this  proceeding  do  not  properly  concern  his  Duty.  Sure  I  am 
that  if  Cornelius  Tacitus  had  holden  the  Course  of  every  where 
following  the  ancient  Histories,  or  historical  Traditions  of 
Countries,  he  had  not  in  the  Jews  Antiquities  been  so  ridicu- 
lous, 


Hypercritica.  229 

lous,  idle  and  injurious,  as  he  is  in  the  fifth  Book,  a  Fragment 
of  his  Histories. 

SECT.  VIII. 

However,  it  is  the  least  Care,  or  among  the  least  Care  of 
famous  old  Historians,  who  are  the  only  Examples  of  History, 
to  spend  much  time  in  the  Learning,  or  Etymologies  of  Na- 
tions or  Countries  Names.  For  as  S. '  Augustine  saith,  they 
are  many  times  so  changed,  temporis  vetustate,  ut  vix  homines 
doctissimi  antiquissimas  historias  perscrutantes,  origines  potuerunt 
reperire :  and  S.  *  Hierom  (of  all  the  Latin  Fathers  the  most 
learned)  hath  words  to  like  Purpose,  where  he  speaks  of  such 
Nations  as  descended  out  of  Joctan.  And  be  it  that  the  Names 
are  never  so  well  to  be  known,  yet  what  is  it  to  the  purpose  of 
an  History  (the  glass  of  Actions)  to  understand  the  Reason, 
(or  Conjectures  rather)  why,  or  how  Britain  was  called  Britain, 
Rmoe,  Rome,  or  Troy,  Troy  ?  Certainly  to  perplex  in  this  case 
our  Reader,  with  long  disputes,  or  long  Rehearsals  of  Names, 
and  their  Etymologies,  with  which  some  late  Antiquaries  have 
cloy'd  and  pester'd  us,  falls  into  that  rule,  which  3  Ammianus 
hath  upon  the  like  occasion,  where  he  reciteth  divers  Opinions 
concerning  the  Originals  of  the  ancient  Galls.  Therefore  with 
him  I  say  for  that  Point,  declinanda  varietas  seepe  satietati  con- 
juncta.  If  any  thing  be  clear  in  such  a  Case,  or  vehemently 
probable,  it  is  both  enough,  and  all,  which  the  Dignity  of  an 
Historian's  office  doth  permit,  briefly  to  mention  the  same.  As 
for  the  cause  of  the  name  of  Britain,  only  two  Conjectures 
among  so  many  which  have  of  late  been  brought,  seem  worth 
the  remembring :  the  one  is  Camdens,  who  derives  it  out  of  the 
word  Brith,  which  signify'd  (as  he  saith)  in  the  ancient  tongue 
of  Britain,  4  that  Herb,  with  which  the  Britanns  are  reported 
to  have  painted,  and  decolour'd  their  Bodies.  Which  his  Con- 
jecture he  upholds  with  singular  Diligence,  and  great  variety  of 

1  De  Civitate  Dei  liber  16.  cap.  11.          2  De  Trad.  Hebr.  in  Genes.          3  Histor. 
lib.  15.  cap.  23.  4  Correct :  for  Mr.  Cambden  saith  not  that  it  was  the  Herb,  but  the 

very  being  painted,  smear'd  or  colour'd  (with  an  herb)  which  the  word  Brith  signify'd. 

E  e  learned 


230  Hypercritica. 

learned  Probability's.  The  other  Opinion,  or  rather  historical 
Affirmation  is,  that  Britain  was  denominated  of  a  man,  as  also 
the  herb  Britannica.  '  Pliny's  words  are  -miror  nominis  causam. 
-i'ltit  (ju'idcm  $  hie  tjumidam  ambitus,  NOMINIBUS  SUIS 
eas  adopt andi,  quod  doc ebimus  fecisse  REGES,  ut  res  tanta  Us 
debeatur,  herbam  invenire,  vitamjuvare.  By  which  words  it  is 
plain,  that  Pliny  thinks  there  was  some  KING,  or  other, 
whose  name  had  Brit  therein,  and  that  the  herb  Britannica 
was  perhaps  consecrated  by  him,  to  the  Preservation  of  his 
Name,  and  Memory  to  all  Posterities.  But  Monmouth  and  his 
Followers  directly  draw  us  Britain  out  of  Brutus,  who  accord- 
ing to  their  narration  was  great  Grandchild  to  .-Eneas  Father  of 
Ascanius,  Father  of  Silvius,  Father  of  Brutus.  This  Derivation 
of  our  Island's  Name  is  wonderfully  esteem'd  by  the  Welsh, 
now  long  since  incorporated  with  us. 

Therefore  it  behoves  our  Historian  to  be  well  advised,  before 
he  enter  into  any  Kind  of  unkind  Diligence  against  the  same. 
For  if  in  some  Cases,  communis  error  fadtjus,  error  certainly 
in  such  Cases  as  this,  as  it  bindeth  no  man,  so  neither  is  it  sin- 
gular to  Britain,  because  the  Licence  of  deriving  Nations  from 
supposed  Gods,  and  Puissant  Worthy's  is  universal.  Arrianus 
and  other  Authors  testify,  that  Alexander  the  Great  said,  he 
found  it  available  in  his  actions,  quod  Ammonis  Jilius  habitus 
sit,  cum  certo  teneret  se  Jilium  Philippi ;  which  are  Alexander's 
words  in  Lucian.  Varro  also  (as  he  is  cited  by  St  Augustin) 
professeth ;  Utile  esse  civitatibus,  ut  se  viri  fortes,  etiamsi  fal- 
sum  sit,  ex  Diis  genitos  esse  credant,  ut  eo  modo  animus  humanus, 
velut  divinae  stirpis  Jiduciam  gerens,  res  magnas  preesumat  auda- 
eiusf  agat  vehementius,  fy  ob  hoc  impleat  ipsa  securitate  felicius. 
This  Sentence  notwithstanding,  delivered  by  Marcus  Varro, 
(die  most  learned  Man  which  ever  Rome  heathen  had)  stands 
specially  condemned  by  that  holy  Bishop,  as  setting  open  a 
wide  Gate  to  Falsehood,  and  Abusion.  Now  therefore,  if  Jef~ 
fery  of  Monmouth' s  Work  be  concluded  on  all  Hands  for  un- 
true, the  noble  Historian  must  prefer  verity  before  politick 

1  Aat.  Hist.  lib.  25.  cap.  :?. 


Hypercritica. 

Respects,  but  because  it  is  not  (as  the  World  sees)  he  may  re- 
member the  Temper  of  Gemblacensis,  and  of  the  other  Authors 
cited  above  in  this  Address.  For  my  Part,  as  I  say  with  Cam- 
ben,  in  hac  re  suum  cuique  liberum  esto  per  me  judicium,  so  ne- 
vertheless I  incline  very  strongly  to  have  so  much  of  every 
Historical  Monument,  or  Historical  Tradition  maintain'd,  as 
may  well  be  holden  without  open  absurdity.  My  Histories 
notwithstanding  begin  at  Julius  Ccesar. 


ADDRESSE   THE    SECOND. 

SECT.  I. 

INdifferency,  and  even  dealing  are  the  Glory  of  Historians. 
Which  Rule,  venerable  Beda  reputed  so  sacred  and  invio- 
lable, that  albeit  he  much  detested  the  Opinion  of  Aidanus,  the 
Scot,  according  to  which  he  celebrated  the  high  feasts  of  Easter, 
otherwise  than  that  Church  did,  whereof  Beda  was  a  Member 
within  exact  Obedience  :  nevertheless  he  durst  not,  as  an  His- 
torian, but  with  all  Candour,  and  Freedom  possible,  deliver 
•Aidan's  Praises.  Yea  he  makes  Profession,  that  he  did  not 
only  detest  him  as  a  Quartodeciman  tho'  he  were  not  a  Judaiz- 
ing  Quartodeciman  (for  that  he  kept  Easter  in  honour  of  Christ's 
Resurrection,  upon  the  next  Sunday  after  the  I  fourteenth 
Moon  :  and  not  indifferently  upon  the  next  day  of  the  Week, 
what  day  soever  it  was)  but  he  did  also  write  of  Purpose  against 
Aidan's  opinion  therein,  as  himself  professeth,  citing  Aldan's 
own  Books.  Beda,  nevertheless,  coming  by  the  Order,  and 
Necessity  of  his  Task  to  memorise  the  Truth  of  Things,  his 
closing  Words  full  of  Saintly  Gravity,  and  sincere  Conscience, 
are  :  scripsi  h&c.  de  persona,  fy  operibus  viri  pr&fati,  nequaquam 
in  eo  laudans,  haud  eligens  hoc  quod  de  observations  Paschte  mi- 
nus perfecte  sapiebat,  &c.  sed  quasi  VE  RAX  historicus  simpli- 
citer  ea  qua,  de  illo,  she  per  ilium  sunt  gesta  describens,  fy  qua 

1  Decitnarnqnartam  lunae  diem. 


232  Hypercritica. 

la  tide  suiif  digna  in  ejus  actibus  laudans,  8cc.  According  to 
which  Rule  he  doth  sincerely  discharge  his  Duty,  commending 
Aidan,  not  only  for  Learning,  and  Eloquence  (which  are  com- 
mon as  well  to  the  good  as  bad)  but  for  his  Charity,  Peaceful- 
ness,  Continence,  Humility,  for  a  Mind,  tree,  fy  avaritiee  vie- 
torem,  which  neither  Wrath,  nor  Covetousness  could  overcome, 
and  for  many  other  Qualities  characterical,  and  proper  to  a 
most  worthy  Man,  and  finally  (which  is  a  Principal  point  of 
Equanimity)  he  doth  diligently  extenuate,  and  allay  the  ill 
conceit  which  might  be  conceived  against  Aidan,  for  his  Doc- 
trine, and  Practice  in  that  Article;  but  doth  not  in  no  sort 
extenuate  his  Praises,  concluding  them  with  one  of  the  fullest 
that  perhaps  we  shall  find  of  any  Saint  in  the  World,  which  is ; 
that  he  omitted  nothing,  ex  omnibus  qua.  in  Evangelicis  sive 
Apostolicis,  sive  Propheticis  libris  facienda,  cognoverat,  sed 
cuncta  pro  suis  viribus  explere  curabat. 


SECT.  IL 

This  admirable  Justice  and  Integrity  of  Historians,  as  neces- 
sary as  it  is,  yet  is  nothing  in  these  Days  farther  of  from  Hope. 
For  all  late  Authors  that  ever  yet  I  could  read  among  us,  con- 
vey with  them  to  Narrations  of  things  done  fifteen,  or  sixteen 
hundred  years  past,  the  Jealousies,  Passions,  and  Affections  of 
their  own  Time.  Our  Historians  must  therefore  avoid  this  dan- 
gerous Syren,  alluring  us  to  follow  our  own  Prejudices,  unless 
he  mean  only  to  serve  a  Side  and  not  to  serve  Truth  and  Hones- 
ty, and  so  to  remain  but  in  price  while  his  Party  is  able  to  bear 
him  out  with  all  his  Faults,  for  quarrels  sake.  He  is  simply 
therefore  to  set  forth,  without  Prejudices,  Depravations,  or 
sinister  items,  things  as  they  are.  They  who  do  otherwise; 
ob  id  ipsiim,  quia  non  rogati  sententiam  ferunt,  valde  suspecti 
sunt.  The  reason  of  which  speech  Monsieur  Bodin  (whose  also 
it  is)  giveth  to  be :  for  that  an  History  ought  to  be  nothing  else 
but  an  Image  of  truth,  and  as  it  were  a  Table  of  Things  done : 
permitting  the  Judgment  of  all  to  the  competent  Reader,  which 

Judgment 


Hypercritica.  233 

Judgment  we  ought  not  forstall,  howsoever  in  some  rare  Cases 
it  may  be  lawful  to  lead  the  same. 

SECT.  III. 

This  steel  Rule  whosoever  honestly  follows,  may  perhaps 
write  incommodiously  for  some  momentany  Purposes,  but  shall 
thereby,  both  in  present  and  to  posterity,  live  with  Honour, 
through  the  Justice  of  his  Monuments.  And  if  for  them  he 
should  suffer  Death,  as  '  brave  Cremutius  Cordus  did,  yet  other 
Historians  shall  eternise  his  Sufferings,  and  that  Princes  great 
Disgrace,  under  whom  that  Tragedy  was  committed.  Nor,  in 
so  sacred  a  business  as  the  putting  into  "Books,  for  immortal 
Remembrance,  the  Acts  of  famous  Men,  need  I  fear  to  call  it 
a  canonical  and  inviolable  Aphorism  of  Historiography,  because 
it  is  absurd  in  the  historical  Volumes  of  holy  Scripture ;  whose 
majesty  no  Attick,  nor  Tullian  Eloquence  can  express,  nor  to 
whose  Entireness  of  Verity  any  human  Wit,  or  Diligence  can 
come  near.  For  in  those  Divine  Records,  Facts  whether  good 
or  bad,  and  their  Circumstances,  are  simply  and  clearly  related, 
without  (for  the  more  part)  any  Manner  of  Censure,  or  Judge- 
ment upon  the  Facts,  as  in  the  Writers  person.  On  the  con- 
trary let  those  other  Writings  which  abound  in  the  different 
Humour,  be  stript  by  Readers,  who  have  Discretion,  into  the 
bare  Matter,  which  they  profess  to  handle,  so  that  all  their 
Authors,  Commentations,  Conjectures,  Notes,  Passions,  and 
Censures,  which  they  utter  as  in  their  proper  Persons  be  dili- 
gently mark'd,  abstracted,  and  laid  apart ;  and  then  the  Things 
which  they  write  may  be  received  without  Danger,  or  certainly 
with  little.  For  the  Judgements  of  interested  Authors  are 
commonly  not  Judgments  so  much  as  prejudices  and  Preven- 
tions, ne  quid  sues  partes  detrimenti  capiant.  Iniquities  prac- 
tis'd  in  this  Point  are  not  more  ordinary  than  odious,  and  are 
sometime  laid  on  so  impudently  thick,  that  with  less  than  half 
an  Eye  the  Paintings  are  discernable :  otherwhile  the  more 

1  Cor.  Tacit.  Annal. 

cunningly, 


234  .Hypercritica. 

cunningly,  yet  so,  as  that  with  a  little  Attention  they  may  rea- 
dily be  discover'd.  Nor  have  the  Translators  of  History  any 
more  privilege  than  their  Authors;  whether  therefore  they 
corrupt  the  Original,  by  the  familiar  Courses  of  Corruption,  as 
Addition,  Mutation,  Mutilation,  Subtraction,  Distraction,  or 
otherwise ;  as  they  generally  do,  who  in  the  Phrase  of  their 
own  Education,  Sect,  Faction,  or  Affection  utter  Antiquities, 
and  Truths  of  another  Tenour,  it  is  a  like  worthy  of  Blame. 
Neither  are  Impostures  and  Frauds  in  Sentences  only,  but  in 
Words  also,  as  both  Vincentius  Lyrinensis,  and  the  Apostle 
noteth.  Such  seems  to  me  this  genuating  Vanity  in  the  Chro- 
nological Table  at  the  End  of  Marcellinus  translated  into  Eng- 
lish: Hyginus  Minister,  and  Pastour  of  the  Chuch  of  Rome 
suffered  Martyrdom  for  Christ's  Gospel.  A  strange  Periphrasis, 
and  style  for  a  Pope ;  other  Titles  than  Minister,  and  Pastour 
(though  they  are  proper  in  Respect  of  Function)  belonging  to 
his  Calling;  As  Patriarch  and  Archbishop,  those  by  a  new 
singularity  grown  after  a  sort  peculiar  to  puritanical  Superin- 
tendents, Enemies  of  Ecclesiastical  Episcopality. 


SECT.  IV. 

And  why  should  any  of  these  Dealings,  or  Devices  be  at  all  ? 
For  who  compelleth  to  write  ?  and  if  we  write  why  should  we 
deceive  ?  or  if  we  would  not  deceive,  why  do  we  not  use  proper 
and  received  Terms  ?  even  lying  Lucian  himself  gives  it  for  a 
Precept  to  his  Historian  that  he  should  call  aFIGGaFIGG. 
What  other  Effect  can  the  Ignobility  of  all  the  formerly  taxed 
Courses  produce,  then  in  a  short  Time  (as  they  already  have 
for  the  most  part)  to  bring  the  Dignity  of  Writing  unto  no- 
thing ?  and  who  is  he  that  rightly  weighs  an  Historians  Duty, 
and  can  dare  to  profane  or  embase  the  same  without  Remorse 
or  Confusion  ?  Every  Man  is  free  to  hold  his  Hand  off  from 
Paper;  but  if  one  will  needs  write,  then  the  Nobility  of  the 
office  commands  him  rather  to  die,  then  with  the  Injury  of 
Truth  to  humour  Times,  and  Readers,  and  content  himself. 

Quid 


Hypercritica.  235 

Quid  enim  fortius  desideret  anima  (saith  St  dugustine)  quam 
•veritatem  ? 

SECT.  V. 

An  Historiographers  Office  therefore  abhorreth  all  sorts  of 
Abuse,  and  Deceit,  as  Impiety,  or  Sacrilege ;  and  so  our  Wri- 
ter must,  if  he  will  live  indeed,  and  live  with  love  and  Glory. 


ADDRESSE   THE  THIRD. 

SECT.  I. 

SIR  Henry  Savil,  in  an  Epistle  Dedicatory  to  '  Q.  Elizabeth) 
speaking  of  the  History  of  England,  after  he  hath  therein 
condemned  Polydor  Fergill,  writeth  thus  :  Nostri  ex  face  plebis 
Historici,  dum  majestatem  tanti  operis  ornare  studuerunt,  puti- 
dissimis  ineptiis  contaminarunt.  Ita  factum  est,  nescio  qua  hu- 
jusce  insulte  infelicitate,  ut  Majores  Tut  (Serenissima  Regina) 
viri  maximi,  qui  magnam  hujus  or  bis  par  tern  imperio  complexi, 
omnes  sui  tempores  reges,  rerum  gestarum  gloria  facile  superarunt, 
magnorum  ingeniorum  quasi  lumine  destituti,  jaceant  ignoti, 
atque  delitescant,  &c.  Our  Historians  (saith  the  Knight)  being 
of  the  Dregs  of  the  common  People,  while  they  have  endea- 
vour'd  to  adorn  the  Majesty  of  so  great  a  Work,  have  stain'd, 
and  defiled  it  with  most  fusty  Foolery's.  Whereby  tho'  I  wot 
not  by  what  hard  Fortune  of  this  Island,  it  is  come  to  pass  that 
your  Ancestors  (most  gracious  Queen)  most  puissant  Princes, 
who  embracing  a  great  part  of  this  our  World  within  their  Em- 
pire, did  easily  overgo  all  the  Kings  of  their  Times,  in  the 
Glory  of  great  Atchievements,  now  destitute  of  as  it  were  the 
Light  of  brave  Wits,  do  lye  unknown,  and  unregarded.  These 
Words  utter'd  by  a  Gentleman  excellently  learn'd,  to  a  Sove- 

1  Ante  suos  rerum  Angticarum  scriptores. 

reign 


236  Hypercritica. 

reign  Queen  excellently  understanding,  and  in  Print,  before  a 
great  Volume,  are  worthy  to  be  exquisitely  ponder'd,  the  summ 
whereof  is,  the  common  wish:  THAT  THE  MAJESTY  OF  HAND- 
LINO  OUR  HISTORY  MIGHT  ONCE  EQUAL  THE  MAJESTY  OP 
THE  ARGUMENT. 

SECT.  II. 

Great  Savil  himself  gave  hope  when  this  Epistle  came  abroad, 
that  he  would  be  the  Man  ;  and  all  the  learned  of  England  were 
arrected  and  full  of  Expectation,  grieving  to  find  it  vain. 
Somewhat  he  is  said  to  have  attempted  in  that  Argument,  and 
made  Searches  in  the  Tower,  for  Furniture  out  of  Records ; 
but,  if  he  did  any  such  thing,  whether  impatient  of  the  harsh, 
and  dusty  Rudeness  of  the  Subject,  or  despairing  that  he  could 
so  truly,  as  the  Honour,  and  Splendour  of  his  Name,  and  as 
the  Nature  of  the  Work  requir'd,  or  for  what  other  Cause  else 
soever ;  he  desisted,  converting  all  his  Cares  to  the  Edition  of 
St  Chrysostom  in  Greek:  which  with  the  Charge  of  ten  thou- 
sand Pounds  (so  it  hath  been  said)  as  well  in  procuring  Manu- 
scripts, and  Transcripts,  as  in  the  printing,  and  otherwise,  was 
at  the  last  effected ;  thus  was  he  carry'd  away  by  Speculation 
of  things  Divine,  as  it  were  in  a  Chariot  of  Fire,  from  this  other 
immortal  Office  to  his  native  Country.  Nor  do  I  wonder  at  it. 
for  unless  the  Charity,  or  Ambition  of  writing  be  extraordinary, 
it  is  otherwise  an  Affliction  for  those  Minds,  which  have  been 
conversant  in  the  Marvels  and  Delights  of  Hebrew,  Greek,  and 
Roman  Antiquities,  to  turn  over  so  many  musty  Rolls,  so  many 
dry,  bloodless  Chronicles,  and  so  many  dull,  and  heavy  paced 
Histories,  as  they  must  who  will  obtain  the  Crown,  and  trium- 
phal Ensign  of  having  compos'd  a  CORPUS  nr.it t  M  ANGLICA- 
RUM.  But  unlearned  Delicacy  (the  minion  of  the  fine  and 
fortunate)  is  good  in  great  things  for  nothing,  while  it  self  by 
only  doing  nothing,  yet  censuring  all  Things,  preserves  itself 
from  receiving  Justice.  Solid  '  Camden,  saith  as  the  thing  is, 

1  Annul.  Hitter,  in  sua  Brit.  pag.  836, 

Historia 


Hypercritica.  237 

Historia  omnium  tctatum  authores  fy  ferat  fy  desideret :  #  ab  aliis 
rerum,  ab  aliis  verborum  doctrina  sit  querenda. 

SECT.  III. 

The  vast  vulgar  Tomes  procured  for  the  most  part  by  the 
husbandry  of  Printers,  and  not  by  appointment  of  the  Prince, 
or  Authority  of  the  Common-weal,  in  their  tumultuary,  and 
centonical  Writings,  do  seem  to  resemble  some  huge  dispro- 
portionate Temple,  whose  Architect  was  not  '  his  Arts  Master, 
but  in  which,  store  of  rich  Marble,  and  many  most  goodly 
Statues,  Columns,  Arks,  and  antique  Peices,  recover'd  from  out 
of  innumerable  Ruins,  are  here,  and  there  in  greater  Number, 
then  commendable  order  erected,  with  no  dispraise  to  their  Ex- 
cellency, however  they  were  not  happy  in  the  Restorer.  In 
Mr  Speed's  Stories  publish'd  since  that  Knights  Epistle,  besides  ' 
all  common  Helps,  there  are  for  the  later  times,  the  Collections, 
Notes,  and  Extracts  out  of  the  Compositions  of 2  Ld  Vicount 
St  Alban,  Of  the  3  Ld  Carew,  of  Sr  «  Rob.  Cotton,  of  *  Sr  Hen. 
6Spel.  of  '  Doctor  8  Bar.  of  9  Mr  Edmund10  B.  &c.  Speeds 
own  Part  is  such  therein  for  style,  and  Industry,  that  for  one 
who  (as  Martial  speaks)  hath  neither  a  Gr&cum  Xafpe,  nor  an 
Ave  Latinum,  is  perhaps  without  many  Fellows  in  Europe.  So 
much  also  have  I  understood  of  him  by  sure  Information,  that 
he  had  no  Meaning  in  that  labour  to  prevent  great  practick 
Learnedness,  but  to  furnish  it  for  the  common  Service  of  Eng- 
land's Glory. 

SECT.  IV. 

History  in  general  hath  as  many  Praises,  as  any  Muse  among 
the  nine.  One  tells  us,  as  from  out  of  ancient  Authors,  that 
History  is  nothing  else  but  "  a  kind  of  Philosophy  using  Ex- 

1  Is,  MS.  2  In  Hen.  7.  Of  the  now  MS.  Rawtinsm.  3  In  Henry  throughout  5. 
4  In  Henry  8.  5  In  Norfolk  7.  Sic  MS.  A.  H.  fi  Lege,  Spelmm.  7  In  K. 
John.  8  L.  Barcham.  9  In  K.  Henry  2.  the  speech  of  Macmurgh  K.  of  Leinster, 
10  Lege  Bo/tow,  i.  e.  the  Author  of  this  Treatise.  A.  H.  11  Ita.  Casaub. 

F  f  amples ; 


238  Hypcrcritica. 

amples;  another,  that  History  is  the  Metropolis  of  Philosophy. 
Plainlyer,  and  more  to  our  Purpose,  Tully,  among  other  Titles, 
calls  her  the  Light  of  Truth,  and  Mistress  of  Life.  St  Gregory 
1  Nazianzen,  (that  excellent  greek  Father)  styleth  her  a  World 
of  Wisdom,  for  so  his  qiuedam  conglobata  sapientia  (as  his 
Translator  calls  it)  may  be  Englished.  Our  *  Malmesbury  saith 
well  and  worthily,  that  it  is  jucunda  qu&dam  gestorum  notitia 
mores  condiens,  qua  ad  Bona  sequenda,  vel  mala  cavenda,  le- 
gentes  exemplis  irritat.  To  like  purpose  writes  Venerable  Beda 
4  to  K.  Ceolulph.  Excellent  is  that  of  Sr  Thomas  North,  in  his 
Preface  to  his  Plutarch's  Lives ;  Histories  (saith  he  there)  are 
fa  for  every  place,  serve  for  all  Times,  reach  to  all  Persons,  teach 
the  living,  revive  the  dead,  so  excelling  all  other  Books,  as  it  is 
better  to  see  Learning  in  noble  Mens  Lifes,  than  to  read  it  in 
Philosophers  Writings. 

SECT.  V. 

What  Grammatical  Criticks  (from  whose  Pens  let  no  man 
greatly  hope  for  any  thing  in  History  noble)  do  teach  unto  us, 
it  is  not  mainly  by  any  free  Master  to  be  regarded.  For  who 
did  ever  write  well,  simply  as  a  Disciple  of  theirs  ?  Because  to 
make  an  Historian,  there  are  also  requisite  certain  Gifts  of  God, 
and  Nature,  ripen'd,  and  perfected  by  Experience,  peculiar  to 
that  Duty,  which  Lucian  himself  placeth  not  within  Purchase, 
as  natural  Wisdom  and  Eloquence.  And  Lucians  Precepts,  or 
Observations  are  the  best  for  Historiography  among  all  the 
Heathen,  unless  perhaps  you  will  prefer  Dionysius  Halicarnas- 
saus,  where  he,  in  a  special  Tract  compares  Thucydides,  and 
Salust.  A  principle  Duty  of  an  Historian,  every  where  agreed 
upon,  is  to  handle  the  Counsels  and  causes  of  Affairs.  Causes 
again  are  twofold  ;  consider'd  (according  to  4  Savil)  as  they  are 
in  Composition  (wherein  he  saith  that  Tacitus  did  not  look  so 
well  about  him)  and  as  they  are  in  Division ;  or  as  5  Sr  Francis 

1  Ad  Nicob.  de  Hist.  le.  2  Proaem.  lib.  2.  de  gest.  Reg.  Anglar.  8  Epist.  dedic, 
Histor.  4  Annot.  14.  in  Cap.  2.  lib.  1.  Histor.  transla.  5  Essay  the  16.  Cap.  of 

Atheism. 

.  Bacon 


Hypercritica.  239 

Bacon  Vicount  St  Alban  doth  far  better  for  my  Capacity  distin- 
guish them  into  Causes,  second  or  scatter'd,  and  into  Causes 
confederate,  and  knit  together.  In  this  point  consisteth  the 
principle  Difficulty  and  mystery  of  Historical  Office,  and  not 
only  Difficulty  and  Mystery,  but  Felicity  also,  according  to 
that  of  the  Poet :  Felix  qui  potuit  rerum  cognoscere  causas* 

SECT.  VI. 

To  come  to  particulars  or  Parts  of  our  History.  The  '  Ro-  The  Roman 
MAN  PERIOD,  or  reign  in  Britain,  containing  from  Julius  Penod- 
C&sar,  (who  first  invaded  it)  to  the  Reign  of  Valentinian  (who 
first  lost  it)  the  long  Space  of  above  four  hundred  and  three- 
score Years,  by  reason  of  the  presence  of  some  Roman  Empe- 
ror's, and  of  continuing  Dealings  with  that  incomparable  Peo- 
ple, may  well  be  reputed  the-as-it-were-purple,  and  Gold  of 
Histories*  Which  notwithstanding  is  rather  the  Glory  of  the 
Romans,  then  of  the  Britains,  whose  Estate  and  Affairs  are  so 
obscure,  or  rather  so  quite  forgotten,  that  but  only  for  one 
Juvenal,  we  never  had  heard  of  Armragus ;  nor  but  for  one 
Venerable  Bede  and  Freculphus  Lexoviensis,  (unless  the  Roman 
Martyrologe  be  more  ancient,  for  Tertullian  names  him  not, 
tho'  he  toucheth  at  the  Conversion  in  his  Apologeticks)  we  had 
scarce  ever  had  any  competent  Testimony  of  King  Lucius,  first 
Christian  King  of  Britain.  The  chief  Difficulty,  Knot,  and 
Masterpeice  of  this  Period  is  to  bring  to  light  the  Acts,  and 
Commonweal  of  the  Britains  under  the  Roman  Empire* 

SECT.  VII. 

The  BRITAIN   PERIOD,    or  Comprehension   of  Time,   and  The  British 
Matter  from  the  Entrance  of  Hengist  with  his  English- Svxons, 
(as  Friends)  till  the  time  of  Cadzvalladar,  last  King  of  the  Sri- 
tains,  is  Troubled  with  the  like  Obscurity  as  the  Roman  Period. 


1  See  his  Nero  Cesar,  p.  71 — 193  where  a  good  Account  of  part  of  this  Period  may 
be  met  with.  A.  H* 

Within 


240 


Hypercritica. 


Within  this  Revolution  of  Ages  begins  the  Labyrinth  of  the 
Saxon  Heptarchy,  or  rather  Ogdoarchy,  dividing  the  King- 
doms of  the  North- Humbert  into  their  two  Kingdoms,  Dcira 
and  Bernice:  which  after  Fabian  (that  memorable  Alderman  of 
London)  Stowe,  and  others,  Speed  hath  done  so  well,  as  with 

English  Period,  me  it  deserves  to  be  reputed  his  best  peice.  This  Period  em- 
bracing the  Circle  of  about  six  hundred  and  sixty  years,  from 
Hengist,  to  the  Norman  Invasion,  hath  many  Excellencies  in 
the  Persons  and  Acts  of  our  Ancestors,  whether  we  consider 
Piety,  force  of  Arms,  or  Arts  of  Peace.  For  in  this  time  the 
Foundations,  and  '  Superedificators  of  Christian  Policy  of  Eng- 
land, were  fully  lay'd.  And  these  so  far  as  they  concern  the 
Laws  of  our  Land  (being  the  same  which  in  common  Speech, 
we  call  the  Common  Laws  of  England,  but  are  indeed  none 
other  then  Jus  CIVILE  ANGLORUM)are  very  weakly  and  negli- 
gently handled  by  all  our  vulgar  Chroniclers  :  tho'  a  thing  in  it 
self  most  worthy  to  have  been  throughly  describ'd,  and  for  the 
doing  of  which  there  are  good  store  of  Monuments.  The  ec- 

Danish  Period,  centrick  circle  of  the  Danish  Invasions,  Spoils,  and  Tyrannies, 
being  rather  an  Interruption  of  a  Continuation,  then  a  just  Re- 
volution in  Empire,  drawn  by  the  compasses  of  time  within 
this  English- Saxon  Circumference,  hath  in  it  very  terrible  Ex- 
amples of  God's  anger.  Which  Visitations  from  above,  tho' 
grievous  to  Flesh  and  Blood,  were  not  without  special  Mercy 
towards  both  Nations,  when  the  English-Saxon  was  thereby 
forc'd  to  better  his  Life,  and  the  Danes  (as  if  that  were  God's 
secret  in  it)  by  degrees  obtain'  d  to  be  Christians,  their  Period 
determinating  in  that  great,  and  holy  Monarch  King  Canutus. 

SECT.  VIII. 

The  great  *  large  Space  of  Time  containing  the  compass  of 
above  five  hundred  and  fifty  Years,  between  the  Norman  Con- 
quest under  K.  William,  till  the  Union  under  K.  James,  needs 
not  be  called  by  any  other  title  then  that  of  the  English  Revolu- 


F.  Superedifications,  A.  II.         1  Great  Space     MS.  Rcaolin.vn. 


tions. 


Hypercritica.  241 

tion*  For  albeit  the  natural  English  Line  of  the  Royal  Ethe-  T^  English 
lings  (as  Malmesbury  sirnameth  them)  was  thrust  out  by  the 
Norman,  and  conveyed  itself  into  Scotland,  in  the  person  of  St 
Margaret  (from  whom  our  King  is  come)  though  the  House  of 
Bloys  gave  us  an  Intruder  in  K.  Stephen :  and  the  House  of 
Anjou  by  Matildis  the  Empress,  Daughter  of  Beauclerck,  fur- 
nish'd  us  with  Kings,  till  the  Line  of  the  Britains,  return'd  in 
the  person  of  Richmond,  yet  did  the  Norman  name  in  England 
quickly  pass  into  that  of  English,  as  the  less  into  the  more,  and 
all  those  Transmutations,  Concussions,  and  Superinductions 
were  of  Family's,  or  of  Housen  Royal,  rather  then  of  Nations. 
For  neither  the  Normans,  after  a  while  :  nor  the  French  under 
Lewis  the  Dolphin,  during  the  Barons  Wars,  nor  the  Poicto- 
vines  under  K.  Henry  the  third  :  nor  the  Welch  under  the  Ty ci- 
ders (who  in  three  Descents  have  given  us  five  Monarchs)  did 
either  so  sway,  or  were  ever  able  so  to  sway,  but  that  the  Eng- 
lish still  carry'd  the  general  Opinion,  Face,  and  Body,  of  the 
Nation,  and  whatsoever  was  done  noble  by  any  of  these  Sove- 
raigns  or  under  them,  the  whole  resulted  to  none  other  Peoples 
Glory  then  to  only  ours. 


SECT.  IX. 

So  then  the  ENGLISH  REVOLUTION  from  the  Conquest  to  K. 
James,  or  the  Comprehension  of  Acts  and  Ages,  within  that 
Space,  hath  inclusively  given  unto  us  24  Princes,  good  and  bad, 
and  is  the  most  important  Part  of  our  Histories.  For  the  pen- 
ning whereof,  whether  it  be  best  to  do  it  by  Distinction  into 
several  Actions,  without  intermixture  of  coincident  Matter,  or 
by  Lifes,  and  Reigns  of  Princes,  that  is,  by  the  Order  of  Times, 
and  Sequences  of  Events,  may  worthily  seem  questionable: 
because  the  first  way  is  absolutely  best  for  presenting  to  the 
Mind,  the  whole  State  of  every  particular  great  Business,  tho' 
the  other  is  best  for  Narration,  as  that  in  which  the  natural  Me- 
thod of  the  doing  is  observed,  according  to  the  Time  of  the 
doing,  with  the  Intermixture  synchronical,  or  contemporany 

accidents. 


Hypercritica. 

accidents.  The  former  Sort  or  Kind,  '  Cicero  calleth  Perpetua 
&f  continent  ia  scripta,  #  conjuncte  contexta  and  the  other  he 
seems  periphrastically  to  name,  separata,  sejuncta,  and  secreta 
a  continent  ibus  scriptis. 

SECT.  X. 

To  pen  our  History  by  Actions  is  to  describe  some  eminently 
main  Affair.  For  example,  The  Norman  Conquest,  and  the 
effects  of  that  Tyranny,  till  the  Common-weal  freed  it  self:  the 
Interposal  of  K.  Stephen :  the  famous  Controversies  about 
Churchrmens  Privileges,  between  the  King  and  Canterbury; 
which  were,  in  a  manner,  original,  and  fundamental  to  all  the 
incredible  Changes  which  have  followed  in  the  Rule,  and  Policy 
of  our  Country :  The  enterprise  of  the  Cross  by  *  Cordelion : 
the  Wars  of  the  Barons  :  the  Umpireship  of  Long-shanks  in  the 
manifold  Competition  for  the  Crown  of  Scotland :  the  Minions 
of  Carnarvon :  the  Victories  of  JVindsore  and  of  the  black  Prince, 
his  incomparable  Son  :  the  Minions  of  Bourdeaux :  the  Intru- 
sion of  Lancaster  (seed  of  the  Civil  Wars)  and  Yolking  of 
I  Vales :  the  Victories  of  Monmouth :  the  Tutors  of  gentle  Henry, 
and  the  Civil  Wars  of  England:  the  imprudent  Marriage  of 
March  :  the  Destruction  of  his  Son  ;  the  Atchievement  of  the 
Crown  by  Glocester :  Richmond's  Troubles  by  Counterfeits,  and 
so  forth.  The  other  way  of  penning  our  History  by  Races, 
Lives,  and  Reigns,  is  the  common  Way,  and  therefore  the 
more  conform  to  common  Liking;  which  is  an  orderly,  and 
distinct  Explication  of  principal  Matters,  as  they  happen'd  un- 
der those  several  Monarchs,  containing  five  Lines  of  royal 
Successions,  whereof  the  Norman  in  two  descents,  brought 
forth  4  Kings ;  the  2  Williams,  Henry,  and  Stephen :  The  An- 
jou-cine,  or  Plantagenists  Line,  first  in  7  Descents  8  Kings :  2 
Henrys,  2  Richards,  1  John,  and  3  Edwards ;  then  again  the 
Plantagenists  of  Lancaster,  in  3  descents  3  Kings,  all  of  them 
Henrys :  and  lastly,  the  Plantagenists  of  York,  in  2  descents  3 

1  Epist.  12.  ad  Luccdum  Iluloricum  lib.  5.      2  Ceur  de  Lun,  i.  e.  RICHARD  I.  A.  H. 

Kings, 


Hjpercritica.  343 

Kings,  2  Edwards,  and  one  Richard :  in  all,  of  the  Plantage- 
nists  only  14  Monarchs,  5  Henrys,  3  Richards,  one  John  and 
5  Edwards :  l  Tidders  Line  in  4  descents :  6  Monarchs  inclu- 
sively, 2  Henrys,  the  rest  severally  named,  Edward,  Mary, 
Elizabeth,  and  James ;  and  he  the  first  who  brought  the  Royal 
Sirname  of  Stuarts  to  the  Soveraignty  of  England.  But  by 
what  Point  soever  of  the  Historical  Compass  our  Historian 
means  to  make  his  course  through  the  great  Sea,  and  Archipe- 
lago of  so  noble,  and  magnificent  a  Work,  let  him  learn  of  me 
to  know  the  Places  of  Danger,  Syrts,  Shallows,  and  Rocks  of 
most  Mischief,  at  which  all  late  Writers  do  grate,  either  little 
or  much,  and  never  come  of  without  Damage  in  Reputation. 

SECT.  XI. 
i. 

The  Places,  where  the  most  universal  Shipwracks  are  made, 
are  those  huge  moveable  Sands,  which  lye  uncertainly  through- 
out the  main  Ocean  of  our  Affairs,  and  almost  under  every 
Cape,  and  Point  of  them  (whether  ancient,  or  modern)  are  cer- 
tain seeming  Opportunities  to  Advantage,  or  Disadvantage  [to] 
this  or  that  side  in  the  present  Professions  of  Religion  :  Their 
name  is  PREJUDICES  IN  FAITH. 

ii. 

Another  terrible  Danger  are  Rocks,  alike  generally  spread 
in-  their  Tops,  but  rising  all  out  of  one  Root,  or  Bottom-peice, 
is  the  Greatness  of  the  ancient  Clergy,  their  Power,  and  Privi- 
leges, and  may  well  be  commonly  called  LAPIS  SCANDALI. 


in. 


A  third  no  less  dreadful  Peril  is  the  narrow  Channel,  which 
now  and  then  shifting  it  self,  as  the  Sands  about  remove,  doth 

1  Or  Tudors.     Tudor  is  tum'd  by  Leland  into  Theodorus.  A.  H. 

notwithstanding 


244  Hypercritica. 

notwithstanding  evermore  lye  between  that  Scylla  of  the  Peo- 
ples Liberty,  and  the  Charibdis  of  Royal  Prerogative;  which 
being  in  some  parts  thereof  invisible,  and  in  other  illimitable, 
brings  present  Destruction,  if  fallen  into,  and  is  entitled  POINTS 
OF  STATE.  This  makes  George  Buchanans  Histories  intolera- 
ble, while  to  the  injury  of  Majesty,  and  Truth,  he  advanceth 
popular  Licence  as  mischievously  as  immoderately. 

IV. 

A  fourth  Place  is  somewhat  dangerous  by  Reason  of  the 
Encounter  of  divers  Tides,  and  by  Reason  of  the  Checks  and 
Currents.  These  are  the  old  Titles,  and  Claims,  extant  in  our 
sincerest  ancient  Histories,  made  on  behalf  of  the  Crown  of 
England,  to  the  Crowns  of  other  Kingdoms,  and  lye  just  under 
the  highest  Elevation  of  the  Pole  of  Majesty  among  us,  and 
may  be  term'd  the  HONOUR  OF  NATIONS.  This  makes  the 
reign  of  I^ongshancks  dangerous  to  write,  and  difficult  to  read, 
without  Inclination  to  Partakings,  where  the  Kings  Carriage  of 
the  Scotish  Affairs  is  by  either  Nation  historify'd. 

v. 

The  fifth  are  certain  stormy  and  gusty  Seas,  and  as  it  were 
of  an  other  la  Bermuda,  where  the  fierce  Winds  blow  as  if 
Heaven  and  Earth  would  go  together  Tanta  est  discordia  Fra- 
trum.  These  are  a  kind  of  Caspian,  or  inland  Lakes,  or  Meres, 
situated  in  those  Passages  of  our  Histories,  where  there  is  a 
Necessity  to  sail  thro'  the  National  Quarrels  of  Britain,  which 
the  Union  wisheth  should  be  forgotten,  but  that  the  Adaman- 
tine Laws,  and  Nature  of  the  Task  permits  it  not,  and  may  be 
called  the  QUARREL  OF  NATIONS.  And  these  Winds,  and 
Tempests  are  the  Reason,  why  the  mutual  Victories,  and  Over- 
throws between  English  and  Scots,  and  between  English  and 
Welch,  and  between  English  and  Irish  &c.  are  never  related 
with  sufficient  Freedom  or  Sincerity  by  newest  Historians. 

SECT. 


Hypercritica  245 


SECT.  XII. 

At  all  these  Places  it  is  incredible  to  behold,  how  many  have 
let  their  Credits  split  in  Peices  ;  other  their  whole  Fraights,  and 
innumerable  their  Masts,  Tackle,  Oars,  and  Sails,  and  other 
Fragments,  Testimonies  of  their  Miscarryings.  Through  all 
which  nothing  but  the  Pilotage  of  Truth,  directed  by  God's 
Honour,  and  the  Glory  of  England,  and  Magnanimities  Steer- 
age, either  ever  did,  or  ever  shall  conduct  any  Authour  with 
immortal  commendation.  It  is  withal  to  be  observ'd  also,  that 
in  Navigating  this  mighty  Sea,  it  is  a  duty  to  God,  and  our 
Country,  that  History  should  be  true;  whereas  the  mischief, 
or  danger  of  delivering  truths  entirely  is  only  personal,  and  as 
contingent,  so  but  oblique  and  lateral  to  the  Writer,  whose 
single  Peril  ought  not  to  preponderate  an  universal  Service. 
And  albeit  Vopiscus,  in  his  Aurelianus  writes  thus  of  his  own 
most  excellent  Roman  Authours  :  Neminem  scriptorum  quantum 
ad  historiam  pertinet,  Non  aliquid  esse  mentitum ;  prodente  etiam, 
in  quo  Livius,  in  quo  Salustius,  in  quo  Cornel.  Tacitus,  in  quo 
Trogus,  MANIFESTOS  TESTIBUS  convincerentur :  Yet  as  Sr 

O         7 

Henry  Savil  (in  the  before  said  famous  Epistle)  pronounceth  of 
those  old  Historians  of  England,  Malmsbury,  Huntingdon, 
Hoveden,  and  the  other,  that  howsoever  rude,  and  homely  for 
Style,  yet  that  they  were  fidi  rerum  interpretes ;  and  Cambden 
affirms  of  Venerable  Bede,  that  he  was  veri  amantissimus ;  so 
shall  the  reader  find  this  true,  that  the  old  civil  Historians  of 
our  Country  are  brightest  in  that  essential  Quality,  and  not  to 
be  convinced  of  any  apparent,  much  less  of  any  wilful  False- 
hood. 


eg  ADDRESSE 


246  HypCTcritica. 


ADDRESSE    THE    FOURTH.* 

SECT.  I. 

AS  for  Language  and  Style,  (the  Coat  and  Apparel  of  mat- 
ter) he  who  would  pen  our  Affairs  in  English,  and  com- 
pose unto  us  an  entire  Body  of  them,  ought  to  have  a  singular 
Care  thereof.     For  our  Tongue  (tho'  it  have  no  noted  Dialects, 

nor 


*  The  following  extract  from  another  copy  of  the  work,  in  a  less  perfect  state,  pre- 
served with  Rawlinson's  MSS.  (Misc.  I.  p.  13.)  is  now  given  as  being  that  portion  of 
the  Hypercritica  which  founds  its  principal  claim  to  insertion  in  the  present  collection,  and 
was  probably  the  original  outline  of  "  Addresse  the  fourth."  Edit. 

Concerning  Historical!  language  and  Style.     An  emendation  of  the  best  Authors 
for  written  English. 

The  Choise  of  English.— As  for  example,  language  and  style,  (the  apparell  of  matter,)  hee 
who  would  penn  our  affaires  in  English,  and  compose  unto  us  an  entire  body  of  them,  ought 
to  hauc  a  singuler  care  thereof.  For  albeit  our  tongue  hath  not  receiued  dialects,  or  ac- 
centuall  notes  as  the  Greeke,  nor  any  certaine  or  established  rule  either  of  gramer  or 
true  writing,  is  notwithstanding  very  copious,  and  fewe  there  be  who  haue  the  most  pro- 
per graces  thereof,  for  which  the  rule  cannot  be  variable  ;  For  as  much  as  the  people's 
judgments  are  vncertaine,  the  books  also  out  of  which  wee  gather  the  most  warrantable 
English  are  not  many  to  my  remembrance,,  of  which,  in  regard  they  require  a  pticuler 
and  curious  tract,  I  forbeare  to  speake  at  this  present.  But  among  the  cheife,  or  rather 
the  cheife,  are  hi  my  opinion  these. 

Sr.  Thomas  Moore's  works  some  fewe  outwome  or  antiquated  words  excepted. 

The  Arcadia  of  Sr.  Phillip  Sidney  is  worthiely  most  famous  for  rich  conceipt,  an  1 
splendor  of  courtly  expressions  which  are  not  to  be  vsed  by  any  historian  but  very  rarely 
and  with  great  judgment,  as  one  whose  style  should  haue  glosse  and  lustre,  but  otherwise 
w>liditie  and  fluencie  rather  then  odd  notions,  full  of  affected  newnes  proper  to  oratours 
and  poets. 

Queene  Elizabeth. 

Sr.  Henry  Savile  his  end  of  Nero  and  begining  of  Galba. 

Robert  earle  of  Essex  his  apologie  and  letters  to  Roger  earle  of  Rutland. 

Mr.  Hooker  his  preface  to  his  booke  of  Ecclesiasticall  Pollicy. 

S^.  John  Heyward  his  Henry  the  fourth,  some  fewe  things  excepted. 

&.  Francis  Bacon  lord  viscount  Se.  Alban  in  his  sununarie  of  King  Henry  the  scant-mil's 
life  especially. 

King  James  some  few  Scotcisraes  excepted. 

Cardinal! 


Hypercritica*  247 

nor  accentual  Notes,  as  the  Greeks,  nor  any  received,  or  enact- 
ed certainty  of  Grammar,  or  Orthography)  is  very  copious, 
and  few  there  be,  who  have  the  best,  and  most  proper  Graces 
thereof.  In  which  the  rule  cannot  but  be  variable,  because  the 
peoples  Judgements  are  uncertain.  The  Books  also  out  of 
which  we  gather  the  most  warrantable  English  are  not  many  to 
my  remembrance.  The  principal  which  T  have  seen,  and  can 
in  present  call  to  mind,  either  for  Prose,  or  Verse,  are  these 
whose  Names  do  follow. 


SECT.  II. 

The  Histories  written  by  Sr  Thomas  More,  (some  few  Anti- 
quated Words  excepted)  contain  a  clear  and  proper  Phrase. 

The  Arcadia  of  Sr  Philip  Sidney  is  most  famous  for  rich  Con- 
ceit, and  Splendour  of  Courtly  Expressions,  warily  to  be  used 
by  an  Historian;  whose  style  should  have  gloss  and  lustre,  but 
otherwise  rather  Solidity  and  Fluency,  then  Singularity  of  Ora- 
torial,  or  Poetical  Notions.  Such  things  as  I  have  read  of  Q. 
Elizabeths  own  doing  carry  in  them  a  most  Princely  and  vital 

Cardiiiall  Aliens  Apologie  a  rare  esteemed  peece  of  English. 

Edmund  Spencer  (the  most  learned  Poet  of  our  Nation,)  very  little  for  the  vse  of 
history. 

George  Chapman  first  seauen  books  of  Jliades. 

Samuell  Danyell. 

Michael  Drayton  his  Heroicall  Epistles  of  England. 

Marlowe  his  excellent  fragment  of  Hero  and  Leander. 

Shakespere,  Mr.  Francis  Beamont,  and  innumerable  other  writers  for  the  stage,  and 
presse  tenderly  to  be  vsed  in  this  Argument. 

Southwell,  Parsons  and  some  fewe  other  of  that  sort. 

Henry  Constable  a  rare  gentleman. 

Richard  earle  of  Dorset,  the  myrrour  of  Magistrates,  and  his  tragedies  of  Gorboduck. 

Henry  earle  of  Surrey  and  Sr.  Thomas  Wyatt  of  old. 

Henry  earle  of  Northampton,  sonne  of  that  Surrey,  for  some  fewe  things,  a  man 
otherwise  too  exuberent  and  wordfull. 

Grevile  lo.  Brooke  in  his  impious  Mustapha. 

Beniamin  Johnson.     Sr.  Henry  Wotton. 

The  learned  and  truely  noble  S'.  John  Beaumont  barronet  in  all  his  &c. ;  and  late 
dictionaries,  some  publiq :  speaches,  some  sermons,  &c. 

Character, 


248  Hypercritica. 

Character,  not  without '  singular  Energy,  and  Force  of  sought 
Elegancy,  which  makes  me  consent  in  a  sort  to  the  Praise  even 
of  those  things,  which  I  have  not  seen  of  hers,  set  forth  by  Sr 
Henri/  Savil,  in  these  Words,  of  his  dedicatory  Epistle  before 
translated  Tacitus :  The  Cause  that  I  published  it  under  your 
Majesty's  Name,  and  Protection,  (besides  the  Testification  of  my 
1  bounded  duty)  was  $c.  principally  to  incite  your  Majesty  by 
this,  as  by  a  Foil,  to  communicate  to  the  World,  if  not  those 
Admirable  Compositions  of  your  own,  yet  at  the  feast  those  most 
rare  and  excellent  Translations  of  Histories  (if  I  may  call  them 
Translations)  which  have  so  infinitely  exceeded  the  Originals) 
waking  evident  Demonstration  to  all  who  have  seen  them,  that  as 
,  the  great  actions  of  Princes  are  the  Subject  of  Storys,  so  Storys 
composed,  or  amended  by  Princes  are  not  only  the  best  Pattern, 
and  rule  of  great  actions,  but  also  the  most  natural  Registers 
thereof,  the  Writers  being  Persons  of  like  Degree,  and  propor- 
tionable Conceits  with  the  Doers.  Somewhat  it  may  detract 
from  the  Credit  of  this  seeming  hyperbolical  Praise,  both  be- 
cause it  was  written  in  her  Life  time,  and  also  to  her  self.  But 
I  can  believe  that  they  were  excellent.  For  perhaps  the  World 
never  saw  a  Lady,  in  whose  Person  more  3  Greatness  of  Parts 
met,  then  in  hers ;  unless  it  were  in  that  most  noble  Princess, 
and  Heroine,  Mary  Queen  of  Scots,  inferior  to  her  only  in  her 
outward  Fortunes,  in  all  other  Respects,  and  Abilities  at  least 
her  equ.il.  A  Princely,  grave,  and  flourishing  Peice  of  natural, 
and  exquisite  English  is  Card.  Alans  Apology  said  to  be:  and 
many  have  commended  the  Style  and  Phrase  of  Father  Rob. 
Pearsons  highly.  The  End  of  Nero,  and  beginning  of  Ga/ba, 
prefix'd  to  the  translated  Histories  of  Tacitus,  and  thought  to  be 
Sr  Heniy  Savifs  own  (as  whose  else  should  so  rare  a  piece  be :) 
is  the  work  of  a  very  great  Master  indeed,  both  in  our  Tongue, 
and  in  that  Story.  That  Tractate  which  goeth  under  the  name 
of  the  Earl  of  Essex  his  Apology,  was  thought  by  some  to  be 
Mr  4  Anthony  Bacon's :  but  as  it  bears  that  E.  name,  so  do  I 

1  A  singular     MS.  /?«u7m.*>;i.  y  Sic  MS.  L.  l*ntiultn.     .1.  //.          ;J  Greatnesses 

MS.  Rmviauun.          1  Twa.s  Sr  Francis  ./Wow  that  wrote  the  .'1/Wogi/ ;  but  that  is  another 
thing. 

also 


Hvpercrilica.  249 

also  think  that  it  was  the  Earl's  own,  as  also  his  Advices  for 
Travel  to  Roger  Earl  of  Rutland ;  then  which  nothing  almost 
can  be  more  honourably  utter'd,  nor  more  to  the  Writer's  Praise, 
so  far  as  belong  to  a  noble  English  Oratour.  Mr  Hookers  Pre- 
face to  his  Books  of  Ecclesiastical  Policy  is  a  singular,  and 
choice  Parcel  of  our  vulgar  Language.  Dr  Hayward's  Phrase, 
and  Words  are  very  good ;  only  some  have  wish'd  that  in  his 
Henry  the  4th  he  had  not  called  Sr  Hugh  Linn  by  so  light  a 
Word  as  Madcap,  tho'  he  were  such ;  and  that  he  had  not 
changed  his  Historical  State  into  a  Dramatical,  where  he  in- 
duceth  a  Mother  uttering  a  Womans  Passion  in  the  Case  of 
her  Son.  Sr  Walter  Raleigh's  Guiana,  and  his  prefatory  Epistle 
before  his  mighty  Undertaking  in  the  History  of  the  World, 
are  full  of  proper,  clear,  and  Courtly  graces  of  Speech.  Most 
of  all  Sr  Francis  Bacons  Writings  which  have  the  freshest,  and 
most  savoury  form  and  aptest  utterances,  that  (as  I  suppose) 
our  Tongue  can  bear. 

These,  next  to  his  Majesties  own  most  Royal  Style,  are  the 
principal  Prose  Writers,  whom  out  of  my  present  Memory  I   King  James. 
dare  commend  for  the  best  Garden-plots,  out  of  which  to  ga- 
ther English  Language. 


SECT.  III. 

In  verse  there  are  Ed.  Spencer's  Hymns.  I  cannot  advise  the  Spencer, 
allowance  of  other  his  Poems,  as  for  practick  English,  no  more 
than  I  can  do  Jeff.  Chaucer,  Lydgate,  Peirce  Ploughman,  or 
Laureat  Skelton.  It  was  laid  as  a  fault  to  the  charge  of  Salust, 
that  he  used  some  old  outworn  Words,  stoln  out  of  Cato  his 
Books  de  Originibus.  And  for  an  Historian  in  our  Tongue  to 
affect  the  like  out  of  those  our  Poets  would  be  accounted  a  foul 
Oversight.  That  therefore  must  not  be,  unless  perhaps  we 
cite  the  Words  of  some  old  Monument,  as  Livy  cites  Carmen 
Martium,  or  as  other  Latins  might  alledge  Pacuvius,  Androni- 
cus,  or  Laws  of  the  Twelve  Tables,  or  what  else  soever  of  the 
ancients.  My  judgment  is  nothing  at  all  in  Poems,  or  Poesie, 

and 


250 


Chapman's 
Homer. 


Q.  Eliz. 


Southwell. 


H.  Constable. 


Tho.  Sackvil. 


Hypercritica, 

and  therefore  I  dare  not  go  far,  but  will  simply  deliver  my 
Mind  concerning  those  Authours  among  us,  whose  English  hath 
in  my  Conceit  most  propriety,  and  is  nearest  to  the  Phrase  of 
Court,  and  to  the  Speech  used  among  the  noble,  and  among 
the  better  sort  in  J^ondoH ;  the  two  sovereign  Seats,  and  as  it 
were  Parliament  tribunals  to  try  the  question  in.  Brave  lan- 
guage are  Chapman's  Iliads,  those  I  mean  which  are  translated 
into  Tessara-decasyllabons,  or  lines  of  fourteen  Syllables.  The 
Works  of  Sam.  Daniel  contain'd  somewhat  aflat,  but  yet  withal 
a  very  pure,  and  copious  English,  and  words  as  warrantable  as 
any  Mans,  and  fitter  perhaps  for  Prose  than  Measure.  Michael 
Draiton's  Heroical  Epistles  are  well  worth  the  reading  also,  for 
the  Purpose  of  our  Subject ;  which  is ;  to  furnish  an  English 
Historian  with  Choice  and  Copy  of  Tongue.  Q.  Elizabeth's 
verses,  those  which  I  have  seen  and  read,  some  exstant  in  the 
elegant,  witty  and  artificial  Book  of  the  Art  of  English  Poetry, 
the  Work  (as  the  Fame  is)  of  one  of  her  Gentlemen  Pensioners, 
Puttenham,  are  Princely,  as  her  Prose. 

Never  must  be  forgotten  St  Peter's  Complaint,  and  those 
other  serious  Poems  said  to  be  father  Southwell's ;  the  English 
whereof  as  it  is  most  proper,  so  the  sharpness,  and  Light  of 
Wit  is  very  rare  in  them. 

Noble  Henry  Constable  was  a  great  Master  in  English  Tongue, 
nor  had  any  Gentleman  of  our  Nation  a  more  pure,  quick,  or 
higher  Delivery  of  Conceit;  witness  among  all  other,  that  Son- 
net of  his  before  his  Majesty's  Lepanto.  I  have  not  seen  much 
of  Sr  Edward  Dyers  Poetry.  Among  the  lesser  late  Poets, 
George  Gascoign's  Works  may  be  endur'd.  But  the  best  of 
those  Times  (if  '  Albion's  England  be  not  preferr'd)  for  our  busi- 
ness, is,  The  *  Mirrour  of  Magistrates,  and  in  that  Mirrour, 
Sackvifs  Induction,  the  work  of  Thomas,  afterward  Earl  of 
Dorset,  and  Lord  Treasurer  of  England,  whose  also  the  famous 
Tragedy  of  Gorboduc  was,  the  best  of  that  time,  even  in  Sr 
Phil.  Sidney's  Judgment ;  and  all  skilful  English  men  cannot 


1  Altnon't  England  written  by   W  Warner.  A.  H. 
J.  Hygens.    A.  W 


2  Jtftrrnwr  of  mag.  written  by 

but 


Hypercrilica.  251 

but  ascribe  as  much  thereto,   for  his  Phrase,  and  Eloquence 

therein.   But  before  in  Age,  if  not  also  in  Noble,  Courtly,  and 

Lustrous  English,  is  that  of  the  Songs  and  Sonnets  of  Henry 

Howard,    Earl  of  Surrey  (Son  of  that  victorious  Prince,  the   Hen.  Howard. 

Duke  of  Norfolk,  and  Father  of  that  learned  Howard  his  most 

lively  image,  Henry  Earl  of  Northampton)  written  chiefly  by 

him,  and  by  Sr  Tho.  Wiat,  not  the  dangerous  Commotioner  Tho-Wiat 

but  his  worthy  Father.     Nevertheless  they  who  most  commend 

those  Poems,  and  exercises  of  honourable  Wit,  if  they  have 

seen  that  incomparable  Earl  of  Surrey  his  English  Translation 

of  Virgil's  2£neids,    which  for  a  book,  or  two,  he  admirably 

rendreth,  almost  Line  for  Line,  will  bear  me  witness  that  those 

other  were  '  Foils  and  Sportives. 

The  English  Poems  of  Sr  Walter  Raleigh,  of  John  Donn,  of 
Hugh  Holland,  but  especially  of  Sr  Foulk  G revile  in  his  match-  Foulk-Grcviie. 
less  Mustapha,  are  not  easily  to  be  mended.  I  dare  not  pre- 
sume to  speak  of  his  Majesty's  Exercises  in  this  Heroick  Kind. 
Because  I  see  them  all  left  out  in  that  Edition  which  Montague 
Lord  Bishop  of  Winchester  hath  given  us  of  his  royal  Writings. 
But  if  I  should  declare  mine  own  Rudeness  rudely,  I  should 
then  confess,  that  I  never  tasted  English  more  to  my  liking,  nor 
more  smart,  and  put  to  the  height  of  Use  in  Poetry,  then  in 
that  vital  judicious,  and  most  practicable  Language  of  Benja- 
min JonSOTl's  Poems.  .  Ben.  Jonson. 

SECT.  IV* 

I  hope  now  that  no  man  will  be  so  captious,  or  ungentle,  as 
to  make  it  a  matter  of  quarrel  to  me,  if  I  have  left  out  any 
other  for  Want  of  Memory,  or  Knowledge2:  or  if  in  those  of 
whom  herein  I  have  made  mention,  I  have  spoken  either  other, 
or  otherwise  then  as  they  themselves  would.  Because  it  is 
enough  that  I  dissembled  not :  and  for  that  the  Subject,  to  the 
Purpose  whereof  I  bring  this  tumultuary  Catalogue,  and  private 
free  Opinion  upon  it,  is  rather  Parergon,  then  the  thing  it  self 

1  Were  but  Foils     MS.  Rauilitam.  2  Knowledge  of  them  :     Ibid. 

I  write 


252  Hypercritica. 

I  write  of.  For  though  it  be  Honour  and  Necessity,  that  the 
Body  of  Man  be  clothed,  yet  that  it  should  be  clothed  in  this, 
or  that  Stuff,  or  in  stuff  of  this,  or  that  Fashion,  is  a  point  in- 
different and  arbitrary,  at  the  Writers  Pleasure,  so  as  Truth  be 
under.  And  this  is  the  present  case  of  clothing  the  Body  of 
History  in  the  Garment  of  English  Idiom. 

SECT.  V. 

He  who  would  compose  a  CORPUS  RERUM  ANGLICARUM,  a 
general  History  of  England  in  Latin,  hath  no  other  Rules  to 
follow,  but  such  as  he  who  writes  it  in  English.  One  thing 
nevertheless  is  primely  needful  by  our  Latin  Historiographer  to 
be  consulted  of,  and  determined,  because  I  have  observed 
much  Perplexity  rising  out  of  the  right,  or  erroneous  Practice 
thereof.  The  difficulty  therefore  is,  what  to  do  in  our  Latin 
History,  with  Names  of  Persons,  Things,  or  Places  which  are 
not  filed  down  to  the  Smoothness  of  Latin  Sounds,  or  Rules  of 
Termination.  Lucian  notes  a  ridiculous  Curiosity  in  one  His- 
torian, who  affecting  Attick  Elegancy  would  needs  fashion  La- 
tin names  to  the  Greek  Garb,  either  by  Translation,  by  Allu- 
sion, or  Transportation  of  letters.  By  Translation,  as  in  calling 
Saturninus,  Chronius;  by  Allusion,  as  in  calling  Pronto,  Fron- 
tis;  by  Metathesis,  or  Transportation  of  Syllables,  or  Letters, 
in  calling  Titianus,  Titanius.  In  this  fine  and  meer  schoolish 
Folly,  after  that,  George  Buchanan  is  often  taken  ;  not  without 
casting  his  Reader  into  obscurity.  For  in  his  Histories,  where 
he  speaketh  of  one  Wisehart,  so  little  was  his  ear  able  to  brook 
the  Name,  as  that  translating  the  Sense  thereof  into  Greek,  of 
Wisehart  comes  forth  unto  us  SOPHOCARDIUS  :  and  Wisehart, 
whose  Name  it  was  intended  should  live,  was  quite  lost,  or 
must  be  sought  for  out  in  Lexicons.  The  better  Care  of  that 
polite  and  eloquent  Scot,  had  been  of  Truth,  and  Loyalty.  All 
our  ancient  Historians,  ad  unum  (for  oughts  I  can  remember) 
follow  the  plain  Prolation,  and  Truth  of  proper  Names,  and  so 
doth  the  most  approved,  and  learned  Philologer,  and  Antiquary 
of  our  Nation  Mr  Cambden. 

m 

SECT. 


Hypercritica. 
SECT.  VI. 

Thuanus  (the  most  eloquent  Latin  Historian  of  this  Age)  and 
others  do  often  call  places,  especially  by  the  Names  by  which 
they  were  known  to  the  Romans  anciently,  and  among  them- 
selves :  Which  troubleth  the  Reader,  and  makes  work  for  an 
Index  Topographicus.  The  Romans  themselves  use  their  own 
Privilege,  in  declining,  and  new  moulding  of  local,  or  personal 
Appellations.  There  are  in  this  Case,  only  two  sure  ways  for 
a  Writer;  The  first  to  set  down  Names  just  as  they  find  them, 
without  regard  to  Latinity.  (For  that  is  most  Latinlike,  or 
latinissimum,  which  is  most  true :  Latin  also  (as  other  Tongues) 
being  capable  of  all  sorts  of  Words  declinable,  or  indeclinable; 
and  in  this  way  would  I  my  self  precisely  insist.)  The  second 
best  counsel  for  a  Latin  Historian  of  English  Affairs  is  to  use 
Latin  Analogy  of  proper  Names  in  the  Text,  and  to  set  the 
vulgar,  and  barbarously  sounding  Names  in  the  Margin,  or  to 
post  them  over  into  a  Repertory,  or  Table  at  the  End  of  the 
Volume.  Other  Courses,  besides  that  they  savour  of  Affecta- 
tion, do  also  involve  the  Reader  with  Obscurity,  and  afflicting 
him  in  seeking  what,  and  whence,  and  whose  a  Name  was, 
while  the  matter  it  self  doth  in  the  mean  space  either  vanish 
in  the  Readers  Mind,  or  altogether  languish. 

SECT.  VII. 

God  Almighty,  I  hope,  hath  now  graciously  brought  me  to 
the  Conclusion  of  this  high  and  Hypercritical  Argument,  which 
to  his  Glory  I  close  up  with  this  final  admonition  to  my  self, 
or  to  whosoever  else  doth  meditate  the  Herculean,  and  truly 
noble  Labour  of  composing  an  entire,  and  compleat  Body  of 
English  affairs,  a  CORPUS  RERUM  ANGLICARUM,  a  general 
History  of  England,  to  which  not  only  the  exquisite  Know- 
ledge of  our  own  matters  is  altogether  necessary,  but  of  all 
other  our  Neighbours  '  whatsoever,  yea  of  all  the  World,  for 
where  our  Arms,  and  Armies  have  not  been,  our  Arts,  and 
Navies  have.  Know  therefore  whosoever  art  in  Love  with 

J  Whosoever,     MS,  Rawlinson. 

u  h 


254  Hypercritica. 

Glory  for  good,  and  Heroick  Deserts,  that  in  writing  an  History 
thou  bearest  a  fourfold  person,  and  in  regard  of  that  Emper- 
sonation,  thou  standest  charged  with  a  fourfold  Duty. 

1.  As  a  Christian  Cosmopolite  to  discover  God's  Assistances, 
Disappointments  and  '  Overruling  in  human  affairs,  as   he  is 
sensibly  conversant  in  the  Actions  of  men ;  to  establish  the  just 
Fear  of  his  celestial  Majesty  against  Atheists,  and  Voluptuaries-, 
for  the  general  good  of  Mankind,  and  the  World. 

2.  As  a  Christian  Patriot  to  disclose  the  Causes,  and  Au- 
thours  of  *  thy  Countries  good  or  evil,  to  establish  thereby  the 
lawful  Liberty  of  Nations. 

3.  As  a  Christian  Subject  to  observe  to  thy   Reader,    the 
benefit  of  Obedience,  and  Damage  of  Rebellions ;  to  establish 
thereby,    the   regular   Authority    of  Monarchs    and   Peoples 
Safety. 

4.  As  a  Christian  Paterfamilias  so  to  order  thy  Studys,  that 
thou  neglect  not  thy  private,   because  the  publick  hath  few 
real  Friends ;  and  Labours  of  this  noble  Nature  are  fitter  to  get 
Renown  then  Riches,  which  they  will  need,  not  amplyfy. 

SECT.  VIII. 

Of  such  Writings  thou  needest  not  fain  with  Dio,  the  Con- 
sul of  Rome,  any  promise  in  Vision,  that  thy  Name,  and  Praise 
shall  be  immortal  by  means  of  them.  For  they  will  outlast  the 
Nations  themselves,  whose  Acts  in  competent  Style  they  me- 
morize. And  of  such  Works  the  late  Earl  of  Essex  under  the 
letters  A.  B  (for  Fames  gives  it  him)  in  an  Epistle  before  the 
translated  Tacitus  of  his  Friend  Sr  Henry  Savil,  it  is  as  probably 
pronounced  for  true,  as  if  an  Oracle  had  utter'd  it:  That  there 
is  no  treasure  so  much  enriches  the  mind  of  Man,  as  Learning ; 
there  is  no  Learning  so  proper  for  the  Direction  of  the  Life  of 
Man  as  History ;  there  is  no  History  so  well  worth  reading  (I 
say  not  with  him)  as  Tacitus,  but  as  that  of  thine  whosoever. 

3  DEO    GLORIA    ET    HONOR. 

1  Overruling-.    MS.  Rawlinton.        2  Of  all  thy    Ibid,         3  DEO  GHATIA?.     IbkL 


THREE     PROPER, 

and  wittie,  familiar  Letters  : 
lately  passed  betvveene  two  V- 

niuersitie  men :  touching  the  Earth- 
quake in  Aprill  last,  and  our  English 
'  refourmed  Versifying. 


With  the  Preface  of  a  well  wilier 
to  them  loth, 


IMPRINTED  AT    LON- 
don,  by  H.  Bynneman,  dwelling 

in  Thames  streate,  neere  vnto 
Baynardes  Castell. 

Anno  Domini.     1580, 
Cum  gratia  &  priuilegio  Regime  Maiestatis. 


TO    THE    CVRTEOVS 

Buyer,  by  a  Wellwilkr  of  the  two  Authours. 


Cvrteous  Buyer,  (for  I  write  not  to  the  enuious  Carper)  it 
was  my  good  happe,  as  I  interpreate  it,  nowe  lately  at  the 
fourthe  or  fifte  hande,  to  bee  made  acquainted  wyth  the  three 
Letters  following,  by  meanes  of  a  faithfull  friende,  who  with 
muche  entreaty  had  procured  the  copying  of  them  oute,  at 
Immeritos  handes.  And  I  praye  you,  interprete  it  for  your 
good  happe,  so  soone  after  to  come  so  easilye  by  them,  throughe 
my  meanes,  who  am  onely  to  craue  these  twoo  things  at  your 
handes,  to  thinke  friendely  of  my  friendly  meaning,  and  to 
take  them  of  me  wyth  this  Presumption,  In  exiguo  quandoque 
cespite  latet  lepus :  and  many  pretious  stones,  thoughe  in  quan- 
titie  small  yet  in  qualitie  and  valewe  are  esteemed  for  great. 
The  first,  for  a  good  familiar  and  sensible  Letter,  sure  liketh 
me  verye  well,  and  gyueth  some  hope  of  good  mettall  in  the 
Author,  in  whome  I  knowe  myselfe  to  be  very  good  partes 
otherwise.  But  shewe  me,  or  Immerito,  two  Englyshe  Letters 
in  Printe,  in  all  pointes  equall  to  the  other  twoo,  both  for  the 
matter  it  selfe,  and  also  for  the  manner  of  handling,  and  saye, 
wee  neuer  sawe  good  Englishe  Letter  in  our  Hues.  And  yet  I 
am  credibly  certified  by  the  foresaide  faithfull  and  honest 
friende,  that  himselfe  hathe  written  manye  of  the  same  stampe 
bothe  to  Courtiers  and  others,  and  some  of  them  discoursing 
vppon  matter  of  great  waight  and  importance,  wherein  he  is 
said,  to  be  fully  as  sufficient  and  hable,  as  in  these  schollerly 
pointes  of  Learning.  The  whiche  Letters  and  Discourses  I 
would  very  gladly  see  in  Writing,  but  more  gladly  in  Printe, 
if  it  might  be  obtayned.  And  at  this  time  to  speake  my  con- 
science in  a  worde  of  these  two  following,  I  esteeme  them  for 
twoo  of  the  rarest,  and  finest  Treaties,  as  wel  for  ingenious 

deuising, 


Preface. 

deuising,  as  also  for  significant  vttering,  &,  clenly  conueying 
of  his  matter,  that  euer  I  read  in  this  Tongue :  and  I  hartily 
thanke  God  for  bestowing  vppon  vs  some  such  proper  and  hable 
men  with  their  penne,  as  I  hartily  thanke  the  Author  himselfe, 
for  vsing  his  pleasaunte,  and  witty  Talente,   with  so  muche 
discretion  and  with  so  little  harme,  contrarye  to  the  veine  of 
moste,  whych  haue  thys  singular  concerted  grace  in  writing. 
If  they  had  bene  of  their  owne  setting  forth,  I  graunt  you  they 
might  haue  beene  more  curious,  but  beeyng  so  well  and  so  suffi- 
ciently done,  as  they  are,  in  my  simple  Judgement,  and  hauing 
so  many  notable  things  in  them,  togither  with  so  greate  varietie 
of  Learning,  worth  the  reading,  to  pleasure  you,  and  to  helpe 
to  garnish  our  Tongue,  I  feare  their  displeasure  the  lesse.  And 
yet,  if  they  thinke  I  haue  made  them  a  faulte,  in  not  making 
them  priuy  to  the  Publication :  I  shall  be  alwayes  rea- 
dye  to  make  them  the  beste  amendes  I  can,  any  other 
friendly  waye.     Surely,  I  wishe  them  bothe  hartilye 
wel  in  the  Lord,  and  betake  you  and  them  to  his 
mercifullgouernmente,  hoping  that  he  will  at  his 
pleasure  conuerte  suche  good  and  diuine  gifts 
as  these,  to  the  setting  out  of  his  own  glory, 
and  the  benefite  of  his  Churche.     This 
XIX.  of  June.     1580. 

(v.) 


Your,  and  their  vnfayned 
friendf  in  the  Lord. 


THREE    PROPER 

wittie  familiar  Letters,  lately  passed 

betwene  two  Vniuersitie  men,  touching 

the  Earthquake  in  April  last,  and  our 

English  reformed  Versifying. 

To  my  long  approoued  and  singular  good  frende,  Master  G.  KL 

GOOD  Master  H.     I  doubt  not  but  you  haue  some  great 
important  matter  in  hande,  which  al  this  while  restraineth 
your  Penne,  and  wonted  readinesse  in  prouoking  me  vnto  that, 
wherein  yourselfe  nowe  faulte.     If  there  bee  any  such  thing  in 
hatching,    I  pray  you   hardly,    lette  vs  knowe,    before  al  the 
worlde  see  it.     But  if  happly  you  dwell  altogither  in  lustinians 
Courte,  and  giue  your  selfe  to  be  deuoured  of  secreate  Studies, 
as  of  all  likelyhood  you  doe :  yet  at  least  imparte  some  your 
olde,    or  newe,    Latine,   or  Englishe,    Eloquent  and  Gallant- 
Poesies  to  vs,  from  whose  eyes,  you  saye,  you  keepe  in  a  man- 
ner nothing  hidden.     Little  newes  is  here  stirred :  but  that  olde 
greate  matter  still  depending.     His  Honoure  neuer  better.     I 
thinke  the  Earthquake  was  also  there  wyth  you  (which  I  would 
gladly  learne)  as  it  was  here  with  vs  :  ouerthrowing  diuers  old 
buildings,  and  peeces  of  Churches.     Sure  verye  straunge  to 
be  heard e  of  in  these  Countries,  and  yet  I  heare  some  saye  (F 
knowe  not  ho  we  truely)  that  they  haue  knowne  the  like  before 
in  their  day es.     Sed  quid  vobis  videtur  magnis  Philosophis?   I 
like  your  late  Englishe  Hexameters  so  exceedingly  well,  that 
1  also  enure  my  fenne  sometime  in  that  kinde  :  whyche  I  fynd 
indeede,  as  I  haue  heard  you  often  defende  in  worde,  neither 
so  harde,  nor  so  harshe,  that  it  will  easily  and  fairely,  yeelde 

it 


260  Three  proper,  and 

it  selfe  to  oure  Moother  tongue.  For  the  onely,  or  chiefest 
^hardnesse,  whych  seemeth,  is  in  the  Accente :  whyche  some- 
time gapeth,  and  as  it  were  yawneth  ilfauouredly,  comming 
shorte  of  that  it  should,  and  sometime  exceeding  the  measure 
of  the  Number,  as  in  Carpenter,  the  middle  sillable  being  vsed 
shorte  in  speache,  when  it  shall  be  read  long  in  Verse,  seemeth 
like  a  lame  Gosling,  that  draweth  one  legge  after  hir:  and 
Heauen,  beeing  vsed  shorte  as  one  sillable,  when  it  is  in  Verse, 
stretched  out  with  a  Diastole,  is  like  a  lame  Dogge  that  holdes 
vp  one  legge.  But  it  is  to  be  wonne  with  Custome  and  rough 
words  must  be  subdued  with  Vse.  For,  why  a  God's  name' 
may  not  we,  as  else  the  Greekes,  haue  the  kingdome  of  oure 
owne  Language,  and  measure  our  Accentes,  by  the  sounde, 
reseruing  the  Quantitie  to  the  Verse  ?  Loe  .here  I  let  yon  see 
my  olde  vse  of  toying  in  Rymes,  turned  into  your  artificial 
straightnesse  of  Verse,  by  this  Tetrasticon.  I  beseech  you  tell 
me  your  fancie,  without  parcialitie. 

See  yee  the  blindefolded  pretie  God,  that  feathered  Archer, 
Of  Louers  Miseries  which  maketh  his  bloodie  Game  ? 

Wote  ye  why,  his  Moother  with  a  Veale  hath  coouered  his  Face  ? 
Trust  me,  least  he  my  Looue  happely  chaunce  to  beholde. 

S£eme  they  comparable  to  those  two,  which  I  translated  you 
ex  tempore  in  bed,  the  last  time  we  lay  togither  in  Westminster  ? 

That  which  I  eate,  did  I  ioy,  and  that  which  I  greedily  gorged, 
As  for  those  many  goodly  matters  leaft  I  for  others. 

I  would  hartily  wish,  you  would  either  send  me  the  Rules 
and  Precepts  of  Arte,  which  you  obserue  in  Quantities,  or  else 
followe  mine,  that  M.  Philip  Sidney  gaue  me,  being  the  very 
same  which  M.  Drant  deuised,  but  enlarged  with  M.  Sidneys 
own  iudgement,  and  augmented  with  iny  Obseruatjons,  that 
we  might  both  accorde  and  agree  in  one  :  leaste  we  ouerthrowe 
one  an  other,  and  be  ouerthrown  of  the  *cst.  Truste  me,  you 
*  will  hardly  beleeue  what  greate  good  liking  and  estimation 

Maister 


wittie,  familiar  Letters.  26 1 

Maister  Dyer  had  of  your  Satyricall  Verses,  and  I,  since  the 
viewe  thereof,  hauing  before  of  my  selfe  had  speciall  liking  of 
Englishe  Versifying,  am  euen  nowe  aboute  to  giue  you  some 
token,  what,  and  howe  well  therein  1  am  able  to  doe:  for,  to 
tell  you  trueth,  I  minde  shortely  at  conuenient  leysure,  to  sette 
forth  a  Booke  in  this  kinde,  whyche  I  entitle,  Epithalamion 
Thamesis,  whyche  Booke  I  dare  vndertake  wil  be  very  profitable 
for  the  knowledge,  and  rare  for  the  Inuention,  and  manner  of 
handling.  For  in  setting  forth  the  marriage  of  the  Thames  :  I 
shewe  his  first  beginning,  and  offspring,  and  all  the  Countrey, 
that  he  passeth  thorough,  and  also  describe  all  the  Riuers 
throughout  Englande,  whyche  came  to  this  Wedding,  and 
their  righte  names,  and  right  passage,  &c.  A  worke  beleeue  me, 
ef  much  labour,  wherein  notwithstanding  Master  Holinshed 
hath  muche  furthered  and  aduantaged  me,  who  therein  hath 
bestowed  singular  paines,  in  searching  oute  their  firste  heades, 
and  sourses :  and  also  in  tracing,  and  dogging  oute  all  their 
Course,  til  they  fall  into  the  Sea. 

O  Tite,  si  quid,  ego, 
Ecquid  erit  pretij  ? 

But  of  that  more  hereafter.  Nowe,  my  Dreames,  and  dying 
Pellicane,  being  fully  finished  (as  I  partelye  signified  in  my  laste 
Letters)  and  presentlye  to  bee  imprinted,  I  wil  in  haude  forth- 
with with  my  Faery  Queene,  whyche  I  praye  you  hartily  send 
me  with  al  expedition  :  and  your  frendly  Letters,  arid  long  ex- 
pected Judgement  wythal,  whyche  let  not  be  shorte,  but  in  all 
pointes  suche,  as  you  ordinarilye  vse  and  I  extraordinarily  de- 
sire. Multumvale.  Westminster.  Quarto  Nonas  Aprilis  1580. 
Sed,  amabo  te,  Meum  Corculum  tibi  se  ex  animo  commendat  plu- 
rimtim :  iamdiu  rnirata,  te  nihil  ad  literas  suas  responsi  dedisse. 
Vide  quaso,  ne  id  tibi  Capitale  sit :  Mihi  certe  quidemerit,  ne% 
tibi  hercle  impune,  vt  opinor,  Iterum  vale,  fy  quam  votes  satpe. 

Yours  alwayes  to  commaunde 
1MMERITO. 

i  j  Postscripte 


262  Three  proper,  and 

Postscripte 

I  take  best  my  Dreames  shoulde  come  forth  alone,  being 
growen  by  meanes  of  the  Glosse,  (riming  continually  in  maner 
of  a  paraphrase)  full  as  great  as  my  Calendar.  Therin  be  some 
things  excellently,  and  many  things  wittily  discoursed  of  E.  K. 
and  the  Pictures  so  singularly  set  forth,  and  purtrayed,  as  if 
Michael  Angelo  were  there,  he  could  (I  think)  nor  amende  the 
beste,  nor  reprehende  the  worst.  I  knowe  you  woulde  lyke 
them  passing  wel.  Of  my  Stemmata  Dudhiana,  and  especially 
of  the  sundry  Apostrophes  therein,  addressed  you  knowe  to 
whome,  muste  more  aduisement  be  had,  than  so  lightly  to  sende 
them  abroade  :  howbeit,  trust  me  (though  I  doe  neuer  very 
well,)  yet  in  my  owne  fancie,  I  neuer  dyd  better :  Ventntamen 
te  sequor  suttim  :  nunquam  vero  assequar. 


wittie,  familiar  Letters.  263 


A  Pleasant  and  pithy  familiar  discourse,  of  the 
Earthquake  in  Aprill  last. 


[This  discourse  is  addressed  "to  my  loouing  frende,  M.  Imme- 
rito ;"  with  it  is  also  given  "  Master  Hs.  short,  but  sharp,  and 
learned  Judgement  of  Earthquakes."  From  the  length  of  this 
philosophical  disquisition,  and  the  subject  being  entirely  foreign 
to  the  matter  of  the  present  collection,  I  have  ventured  to  omit 
the  whole.  Editor] 


264  Three  proper,  and 


A  Gallant  familiar  Letter,  containing  an  Answer e 
to  that  of  M.  Immerito,  with  sundry  proper  ex- 
amples, and  some  Precepts  of  our  Englishe  re- 
formed  Versifying. 

To  my  very  friend  M .  Immerito. 

Signer  Immerito,  to  passe  ouer  youre  n^edeless  complaint, 
wyth  the  residue  of  your  preamble  (for  of  yc.  Earthquake  I 
presuppose  you  haue  ere  this  receyued  my  goodly  discourse) 
and  withall  to  let  my  late  Englishe  Hexametres  goe  as  lightlye 
as  they  came :  I  cannot  choose,  but  thanke  and  honour  the  good 
Aungell,  (whether  it  were  Gabriell  or  some  other)  that  put  so 
good  a  motion  into  the  heads  of  those  two  excellent  Gentlemen 
M.  Sidney,  and  M.  Dyer,  the  two  very  Diamondes  of  hir  Ma- 
iesties  Courte  for  many  speciall  and  rare  qualities :  as  to  helpe 
forwarde  our  new  famous  enterprise  for  the  Exchanging  of 
Barbarous  and  Balductum  Rymes  with  Artificial  Verses :  the 
one  being  in  manner  of  pure  and  fine  Goulde,  the  other  but 
counterfet,  and  base  ylfauoured  Copper.  I  doubt  not  but  their 
liuelie  example,  and  Practise,  wil  preuaile  a  thousand  times 
more  in  short  space,  than  the  dead  Aduertizement,  and  per- 

/  suasion  of  M.  Ascham  to  the  same  Effecte :  whose  Schole- 
maister  notwithstanding  I  reuerence  in  respect  of  so  learned  a 

i  Motiue.  I  would  gladly  be  acquainted  with  M .  Drants  Pro- 
sody e,  and  I  beseeche  you,  commende  me  to  good  M.  Sidneys 
iudgement,  and  gentle  M.  Immeritos  Obseruations.  I  hope 
your  nexte  Letters,  which  I  daily  exspect,  wil  bring  me  in  far- 
ther familiaritie  &  acquaintance  with  al  three.  Mine  owne 
Rules  and  Precepts  of  Arte,  I  beleeue  wil  fal  out  not  greatly 
repugnant,  though  peraduenture  somewhat  different :  and  yet 
am  I  not  so  resolute,  but  I  can  be  content  to  reserue  the  Cop- 
pying  out  and  publishing  therof,  vntil  I  haue  a  little  better 

consulted 


wittie,  familiar  Letters.  265 

consulted  with  my  pillowc,  and  taken  some  farther  aduize  of 
Madame  Sperienza.  In  the  meane,  take  this  for  a  general 
Caueat,  and  say  I  haue  reuealed  one  great  mysterie  vnto  you : 
I  am  of  Opinion,  there  is  no  one  more  regular  and  Justifiable 
direction,  eyther  for  the  assured,  and  infallible  Certaintie  of 
our  English  Artificiall  Prosodye  particularly,  or  generally  to 
bring  our  Language  into  Arte,  and  to  frame  a  Grammer  or 
Rhetorike  thereof:  than  first  of  all  vniuersally  to  agree  vpon 
one  and  the  same  Ortographie,  in  all  pointes  conformable  and 
proportionate  to  our  Common  Natural  Prosodye :  whether  Sir 
Thomas  Smithes  in  that  respect  be  the  most  perfit,  as  surely  it 
must  needes  be  very  good  :  or  else  some  other  of  profounder 
Learning,  &  longer  Experience,  than  Sir  Thomas  was,  shewing 
by  necessarie  demonstration,  wherin  he  is  defectiue,  will  vnder- 
take  shortely  to  supplie  his  wantes,  and  make  him  more  absolute. 
Myselfe  dare  not  hope  to  hoppe  after  him  til  I  see  something 
or  other,  too,  or  fro,  publickely  and  autentically  established, 
as  it  were  by  a  generall  Counsel,  or  acte  of  Parliament :  and 
then  peraduenture,  standing  vppon  firmer  grounde,  for  Com- 
panie  sake,  I  may  aduenture  to  do  as  other  do.  Interim,  credit 
me,  I  dare  geue  no  Preceptes,  nor  set  downe  any  Certaine  Ge- 
neral Arte :  and  yet  see  my  boldenesse,  I  am  not  greatly 
squaimishe  of  my  Particular  Examples,  whereas  he  that  can 
but  reasonably  skil  of  the  one,  wil  giue  easily  a  shreude  gesse  at 
the  other :  considering  that  the  one  fetcheth  his  original  and 
offspring  from  the  other.  In  which  respecte,  to  say  troth,  we 
Beginners  haue  the  start,  and  aduauntage  of  our  Followers, 
who  are  to  frame  and  conforme  both  their  Examples,  and  Pre- 
cepts, according  to  that  President  which  they  haue  of  vs:  as 
no  doubt  Homer  or  some  other  in  Greeke,  and  Ennius,  or  I 
know  not  who  else  in  Latine,  did  preiudice,  and  ouerrule  those, 
that  followed  them,  as  well  for  the  quantities  of  syllables,  as 
number  of  feete,  and  the  like  :  their  onely  Examples  going  for 
current  payment,  and  standing  in  steade  of  Lawes,  and  Rules 
with  the  posteritie.  In  so  much  that  it  seemed  a  sufficient 
warrant  (as  still  it  doth  in  our  Common  Grammer  schooles)  to 
make  «  in  7<p<,  and  v,  in  Vnus  long,  because  the  one  hath 


266  Three  proper,  and 


cf  eudlos  esl,  and  the  other,  Vnus  homo  nobis,  and  so  conse- 
quently in  the  rest.  But  to  let  this  by-disputation  passe,  which 
is  already  so  throughly  discoursed  and  canuassed  of  the  best 
Philosophers,  and  namely  Aristotle,  that  poynt  vs,  as  it  were 
with  the  forefinger,  to  the  very  fountaines  and  head  springes  of 
Artes,  and  Artificiall  preceptes,  in  the  Analitiques,  and  Meta- 
physikes:  most  excellently  set  downe  in  these  foure  Golden 
Termes  the  famoussest  Termes  to  speake  of  in  all  Logique  and 
Philosophic,  epirsigia.,  ijof  ia,  diSno-is  etfaywylj  '•  shall  I  nowe  by  the 
way  send  you  a  Januarie  gift  in  Aprill  :  arid  as  it  were  shewe 
you  a  Christmas  Gambowlde  after  Easter  F  Were  the  manner 
so  very  fine,  as  the  matter  is  very  good,  I  durst  presume  of  an 
other  kinde  of  Plaudite  and  Gramercie,  than  now  I  will  :  but 
being  as  it  is,  I  beseeche  you,  set  parcialitie  aside,  and  tell  me 
your  maisterships  fancie. 

A  New  yeeres  Gift  to  my  old  friend  Maister  George  Bilchaun- 
ger:  In  commendation  of  three  most  precious  Accidentes, 
Vertue,  Fame,  and  Wealth  :  and  finally  of  the  fourth,  a  good 
Tongue. 

Vertue  sendeth  a  man  to  Renowne,  Fame  lendeth  Aboundaunce, 

Fame  with  Aboundaunce  maketh  a  man  thrise  blessed  and  happie, 

So  the  Rewarde  of  Famous  Vertue  makes  many  wealthy, 

And  the  Regard  of  Wealthie  Vertue  makes  many  blessed  : 

O  blessed  Vertue,  blessed  Fame,  blessed  Aboundaunce, 

O  that  I  had  you  three,  with  the  losse  of  thirtie  Commencementes. 

Nowe  farewell  Mistresse,  whom  lately  I  loued  aboue  all, 

These  be  my  three  bonny  lasses,  these  be  my  three  bonny  Ladyes, 

Not  the  like  Trinitie  againe,  saue  only  the  Trinitie  aboue  all  : 

Worship  and  Honour,  first  to  the  one,  and  then  to  the  other. 

A  thousand  good  Jeaues  be  for  euer  graunted  Agrippa. 

For  squibbing  and  declayming  against  many  fruitlesse 

Artes,  and  Craftes,  deuisdc  by  the  Dui/s  and  Sprites,  for  a  torment, 

And  for  a  plague  to  the  world  :  as  both  Pandora,  Prometheus, 

And  that  cursed  good  bad  Tree,  can  testifie  at  all  times. 

Meere  Gewegawes  and  Babies,  in  comparison  of  these. 

Toycs 


wittie,  familiar  Letters.  267 

Toyes  to  mock  Apes,  and  Woodcockes,  in  comparison  of  these. 
Jugling  castes,  and  knicknackes,  in  comparison  of  these. 
Yet  behinde  there  is  one  thing,  worth  a  prayer  at  all  tymes, 
A  good  Tongue,  in  a  mans  Head,  A  good  Tongue  in  a  woomane. 
And  what  so  precious  matter,  and  foode  for  a  good  Tongue, 
As  blessed  Vertue,  blessed  Fame,  blessed  Aboundaunce. 

L*  Enuoy. 

Maruell  not,  what  I  meane  to  send  these  Verses  at  Euensong  : 
On  Nervy eeres  Euen,  and  Oldyeeres  End,  as  a  Memento : 
Trust  me,  I  know  not  a  ritcher  lewell,  newish  or  oldish, 
Than  blessed  Vertue,  blessed  Fame,  blessed  Abundaunce, 
O  blessed  Vertue,  blessed  Fame,  blessed  Aboundaunce, 
O  that  you  had  these  three,  with  the  losse  of  Fortie  Faletes, 

He  that  wisheth,  you  may  Hue  to  see  a  hundreth  Good 
Neweyeares,  euery  one  happier,  and  merrier,  than  other. 

Now  to  requite  your  Blindfolded  pretie  God,  (wherin  by  the 
way  I  woulde  gladly  learne,  why,  The,  in  the  first,  Ye  in  the 
first,  and  thirde,  He,  and  My,  in  the  last,  being  shorte,  Me, 
alone  should  be  made  longer  in  the  very  same)  Imagin  me  to  L- 
come  into  a  goodly  Kentishe  Garden  of  your  old  Lords,  or  some 
other  Noble  man,  and  spying  a  florishing  Bay  Tree  there,  to 
demaunde  ex  tempore,  as  followeth  :  Thiiike  vppon  Petrarches. 

Arbo  vittoriosa,  tiromfale, 
Onor  d'  Imperadori,  e  di  poete: 

and  perhappes  it  will  aduance  the  wynges  of  your  Imagination 
a  degree  higher  :  at  the  least  if  any  thing  can  be  added  to  the 
loftinesse  of  his  conceite,  who  gentle  Mistresse  Rosalinde,  once 
reported  to  haue  all  the  Intelligences  at  comniaundeinent,  and 
an  other  time,  Christened  her, 

Segnior  Pegaso. 

Encomium 


268  Three  proper,  and 


Encomium  Lauri. 

Wxat  might  I  call  this  Tree  ?  A  Laurell  ?  O  bonny  Laurell : 
Needes  to  thy  bowes  will  I  bow  this  knee,  and  vayle  my  bonetto, 
Who,  but  thou,  the  renowne  of  Prince,  and  Princely  Poeta  : 
Th'one  tor  Crowne,  for  Garland  th'other  thanketh  Apollo. 
Thrice  happy  Daphne:  that  turned  was  to  the  Bay  Tree, 
Whom  such  seruantes  serue,  as  challenge  seruice  of  all  men. 
Who  chiefe  Lorde,  and  King  of  Kings,  but  th'  Emperour  only? 
And  Poet  of  right  stampe,  ouerawith  th'/.mperour  himeelfe. 
Who,  but  knowes  Aretyne,  was  he  not  halfe  prince  to  the  princes. 
And  many  a  one  there  liues,  as  nobly  minded  at  all  poyntes. 
JNow  Farewell  Bay  Tree,  very  Queene,  and  Goddesse  of  all  trees, 
Ritchest  perle  to  the  Crowne,  and  fayrest  Floure  to  the  Garland. 
Faine  wod  I  craue,  might  I  so  presume,  some  farther  acquaintaunce, 
O  that  I  might  ?  but  I  may  not :  woe  to  my  destinie  therefore. 
Trust  me,  not  one  more  loyall  seruaunt  longes  to  thy  Personage, 
But  what  sayes  Daphne  ?  Non  omni  dormio,  worse  lucke  : 
Yet  Farewell,  Farewell,  the  Reward  of  those,  that  1  honour : 
Glory  to  Garden  :  Glory  to  Muses:  Glory  to  Fcrtue. 

Partim  loui,  #  Palladi, 
Partim  Apollini  &;  Musis. 

But  seeing  I  must  needes  bewray  my  store,  and  set  open  my 
shoppe  wyndowes,  nowe  I  praye  thee,  and  coniure  thee  by  all 
thy  amorous  Regardes,  and  Exorcismes  of  Lone,  call  a  Parlia- 
ment of  thy  Sensible  &  Intelligible  powers  together,  &,  tell  me, 
in  Tom  Trothes  earnest,  what  Ilfecondo,  fyfamoso  Poeta,  Mes- 
ser  Immerito,  say  th  to  this  bolde  Satyriall  Libell  lately  deuised 
at  the  instaunce  of  a  certayne  worshipfull  Hurtefordshyre  Gen- 
tleman, of  myne  olde  acquayntaunce :  in  Gratiam  quorundum 
Illustrium  Anglofrancitalorum  hie  fy  vbique  apud  nos  vo/itan- 
tium.  Agedium  vero,  nosti  homines,  tanquam  tunm  ipsiiis  cittern. 


Speculum 


wittie,  familiar  Letters.  269 


Speculum  Tuscanismi. 

Since  Galateo  came  in,  and  Tuscanisme  gan  vsurpe, 

Vanitie  aboue  all :  Villanie  next  her,  Statelynes  Empresse. 

No  man,  but  Minion,  Stowte,  Lowte,  Plaine,  swayne,  quoth  a 

Lording : 

No  wordes  but  valorous,  no  workes  but  woomanish  onely. 
For  like  Magnificoes,  not  a  beck  but  glorious  in  shew, 
In  deede  most  friuolous,  not  a  looke  but  Tuscanish  alwayes. 
His  cringing  side  necke,  Eyes  glauming  t  Fisnamie  smirking, 
With  forefinger  kisse,  and  braue  embrace  to  thefootewarde. 
Largebelled  Kodpeasd  Dublet,  vnkodpeased  halfe  hose, 
Straite  to  the  dock,  like  a  shirte,  and  close  to  the  britch,  like  a 

diueling. 

A  little  Apish  Hatte,  cowched  fast  to  the  pate,  like  an  Oyster, 
French  Camarick  Ruffes,  deepe  with  a  witnesse,  starched  to  the 

purpose. 

Euery  one  A  per  se  A,  his  termes,  and  braueries  in  Print, 
Delicate  in  speach,  queynte  in  araye  :  conceited  in  all  poyntes  : 
In  Courtly  guyles,  a  passing  singular  odde  man, 
For  Gallantes  a  braue  Myrrour,  a  Primerose  of  Honour, 
A  Diamond  for  nonce,  a  fellowe  perelesse  in  England. 
Not  the  like  Discourser  for  Tongue,  and  head  to  be  found  out : 
Not  the  like  resolute  Man,  for  great  and  serious  affayres, 
Not  the  like  Lynx,  to  spie  out  secretes,  and  priuities  of  States. 
Eyed,  like  to  .Argus,  Earde,  like  to  Midas,  Nosd,  like  to  Naso, 
Wingd,  like  to  Mercury,  fittst  of  a  Thousand  for  to  be  employde, 
This,  nay  more  than  this  doth  practise  of  Italy  in  one  yeare. 
None  doe  I  name,  but  some  doe  I  know,  that  a  peece  of  a  twelue- 

month : 

Hath  so  pern  ted  outly,  and  inly,  both  body,  both  soule, 
That  none  for  sense,  and  senses,  halfe  matchable  with  them. 
A  Vulturs  smelling,  Apes  tasting,  sig/tt  of  an  Eagle, 
A  spiders  touching,  Hartes  hearing,  might  of  a  Lyon. 
Compoundes  of  wisedome,  witte,  prowes,  bountie,  behauiour, 

Kk  All 


270  Three  proper,  and 

All  gallant  Vertues,  all  qualities  of  body  and  soull : 
O  thrice  tenne  hundreth  thousand  times  blessed  and  happy, 
Blessed  and  happy  Trauaile,  Trauailer  most  blessed  and  happy. 
Penatibus  Hetruscis  laribusque  nostris  Inquilinh : 

Tell  me  in  good  sooth,  doth  it  not  too  euidently  appeare, 
that  this  English  Poet  wanted  but  a  good  patterne  before  his 
eyes,  as  it  might  be  some  delicate,  and  choyce  elegant  Poesie 
of  good  M.  Sidneys,  or  M.  Dyers,  (ouer  very  Castor  &  Pollux 
for  such  and  many  greater  matters)  when  this  trimme  geere 
was  in  hatching:  Much  like  some  Gentlewooman,  I  coulde 
name  in  England,  who  by  all  Physick  and  Physiognomic  too, 
might  as  well  haue  brought  forth  all  goodly  faire  children,  as 
they  haue  now  some  ylfauored  and  deformed,  had  they  at  the 
tyme  of  their  Conception,  had  in  sight,  the  amiable  and  gallant 
beautifull  Pictures  of  Adonis,  Cupido,  Ganymedes,  or  the  like, 
which  no  doubt  would  haue  wrought  such  deepe  impression  in 
their  fantasies,  and  imaginations,  as  their  children,  and  per- 
happes  their  Childrens  children  too,  myght  haue  thanked  them 
for,  as  long  as  they  shall  haue  Tongues  in  their  heades. 

But  myne  owne  leysure  fayleth  me  :  and  to  say  troth,  I  am 
lately  become  a  maruellous  great  straunger  at  myne  olde  Mis- 
tresse  Poetries,  being  newly  entertayned,  and  dayly  employed 
in  our  Emperour  lustinians  seruice  (sauing  that  I  haue  alreadie 
addressed  a  certaine  pleasurable,  and  Morall  Politique  Naturall 
mixte  deuise,  to  his  most  Honourable  Lordshippe,  in  the  same 
kynde,  wherevnto  my  next  Letter,  if  you  please  mee  well,  may 
perchaunce  make  you  priuie :)  marrie  nowe,  if  it  lyke  you  in 
the  meane  while,  for  varietie  sake,  to  s6e  ho  we  I  taske  a  young 
Brother  of  myne,  (whome  of  playne  lohn,  our  Italian  Maister 
hath  Cristened  his  Picciolo  Giouannibattista,)  Lo  here  (and 
Godwill)  a  peece  of  hollydayes  exercise.  In  the  morning  I 
gaue  him  this  Theame  out  of  Quid,  to  translate,  and  varie  after 
his  best  fashion. 

Dumfuerisfalix,  multos  numerabis  Amicos, 
Tempora  si  fnerint  nubila,  solus  eris. 

Aspicis, 


wittie,  familiar  Letters.  271 

Aspitis,  vt  veniant  ad  Candida  tecta  columba  ? 
Accipiat  nullas  sordida  Turris  Attest 

His  translation,   or  rather  Paraphrase  before  dinner,    was 
first  this : 


1. 

Whilst  your  Bearnes  are  fatte,  whilst  Gofers  stuffd  with  abouncfounce, 
Freendes  will  abound :  If  bearne  wax  bare,  then  adieu  sir  a  Goddes 

name. 

See  ye  the  Dooues  ?  they  breede,  and  feede  in  gorgeous  Houses : 
Scarce  one  Dooue  doth  loue  to  remaine  in  ruinous  Houses, 

And  then  forsooth  this :  to  make  proofe  of  his  facultie  in  Penta- 
meters too,  affecting  a  certain  Rithmus  withall. 

2. 

Whilst  your  Ritches  abound,  your  friends  will  play  the  Place-boes, 
If  your  wealth  doe  decay,  friend,  like  a  feend,  will  away, 

Dooues  light,  and  delight  in  goodly  faire  tyled  houses  : 
If  your  House  be  but  olde,  Dooue  to  remoue  be  ye  bolde. 

And  the  last  and  largest  of  all,  this : 

3 

If  so  be  goods  encrease,  then  dayly  encreaseth  a  goods  friend. 

If  so  be  goods  decrease,  then  straite  decreaseth  a  goods  friend. 

Then  God  night  goods  friend,  who  seldome  prooueth  a  good  friend, 

Giue  me  the  goods,  and  giue  me  the  good  friend,  take  ye  the 
goods  friend. 

Douehouse  and  Louehouse,  in  writing  differ  a  letter : 

In  deede  scarcely  so  much  resembleth  an  other  an  other. 

Tyle  me  the  Doouehouse  trimly  and  gallant,  where  the  like  store- 
house ? 

Fyle 


272  Three  proper,  and 

Fyle  me  the  Doouehouse  :  leaue  it  vnhansome,  where  the  like 

poorehouse  ? 

Looke  to  the  Louehouse  :  where  the  resort  is,  there  is  a  gaye  showe: 
Gynne  port  and  mony  fayle :  straight  sports  and  Companie  faileth, 

Beleeue  me,  I  am  not  to  be  charged  with  aboue  one,  or  two 
of  the  Verses :  and  a  foure  or  fiue  wordes  in  the  rest.  His  after- 
noones  Theame  was  borrowed  out  of  him,  who  one  in  youf 
Coate,  they  say,  is  as  much  beholding  vnto,  as  any  Planet,  or 
Starre  in  Heauen  is  vnto  the  same  :  and  is  quoted  as  your  self 
best  remember,  in  the  Glose  of  your  October. 

Giunto  Alessandro  alafamosa  tomba 
Delfero  Achille,  sospirando  disse, 
Ofortunato,  che  si  chiara  tromba 
Trouasti. 

Within  an  houre,  or  thereaboutes,  he  brought  me  these  fourC 
lustie  Hexameters,  altered  since  not  past  in  a  worde,  or  two. 

Noble  Alexander,  when  he  came  to  the  tombe  of  Achilles, 
Sighing  spake  with  a  bigge  voyce  :  O  thrice  blessed  Achilles, 
That  such  a  Trump,  so  great,  so  loude,  so  glorious  hast  found, 
As  the  renowned,  and  surprizing  Archpoet  Homer. 

Vppon  the  viewe  whereof,  Ah  my  Syrrha,  quoth  I  here  is  a 
gallant  exercise  for  you  indeede :  we  haue  had  a  little  prettie 
triall  of  your  Latin,  and  Italian  Translation :  Let  me  s£e  now  I 
pray,  what  you  can  doo  in  your  owne  Tongue  :  And  with  that, 
reaching  a  certaine  famous  Booke,  called  the  newe  Shephardes 
Calender :  I  turned  to  Willyes,  and  Thomalins  Embleines,  in 
Marche:  and  bad  him  make  them  eyther  better,  or  worse  in 
English  verse.  I  gaue  him  an  other  howres  respite  :  but  before 
I  looked  for  him,  he  suddainely  rushed  vpon  me,  and  gaue  me 
his  deuise,  thus  formally  set  downc  in  a  faire  peece  of  Paper. 


1.  Thomalins 


wittie,  familiar  Letters.  273 

1.  Thomalins  Embleme. 

Of  Honny,  and  of  Gaule,  in  Loue  there  is  store, 
The  Honny  is  much,  but  the  Gaule  is  more. 

2.  Willyes  Embleme. 

To  be  wize,  and  eke  to  Loue, 
Is  graunted  scarce  to  God  aboue. 

3.  Both  combined  in  one, 

Loue  is  a  thing  more  fell,  than  full  of  Gaule,  than  of  Honny, 
And  to  be  wize,  and  Loue,  is  a  worke  for  a  God,  or  a  Goddes  peere. 

With  a  small  voluntarie  Supplement  of  his  owne,  on  the 
other  side,  in  commendation  of  hir  most  gratious  and  thrice 
excellent  Maiestie : 

Not  the  like  Virgin  againe,  in  Asia,  or  Afric,  or  Europe, 
For  Royall  Vertues,  for  Maiestie,  Bountie,  Behauiour. 

Rftptim,  vti  vides. 

In  both  not  passing  a  worde,  or  two,  corrected  by  mee. 
Something  more  I  haue  of  his,  partly  that  very  day  begun,  and 
partly  continued  since :  but  yet  not  so  perfidy  finished,  that  I 
dare  committe  the  viewe,  and  examination  thereof,  to  Messer 
Immeritoes  Censure,  whom  after  those  same  two  incomparable 
and  myraculous  Gemini,  Omne  exceptione  maiores,  I  recount, 
and  chaulk  vppe  in  the  Catalogue  of  our  very  principale  Eng- 
lishe  Aristarchi.  Howbeit,  I  am  nigh  halfe  perswaded,  that  in 
tyme  (siquidem  vltima  primis  respondeant)  for  length,  bredth, 
and  depth,  it  will  not  come  far  behinde  your  Epithalamion  Tha- 
mesis:  the  rather,  hauing  so  fayre  a  president,  and  patterne 
before  his  Eyes,  as  I  warrant  him,  and  he  presumeth  to  haue  of 
that :  both  Master  Collinshead,  and  M.  Hollishead  too,  being 

togither 


274  Three  proper,  and 

togither  therein.  But  euer,  &  euer,  me  thinkes  your  great  Ca- 
toes,  Ecquid  erit  pretij,  and  our  little  Catoes,  Res  age  qua 
prosunt,  make  suche  a  buzzing,  &  ringing  in  my  head,  that  I 
haue  little  ioy  to  animate,  &  encourage  either  you,  or  him  to 
goe  forward,  vnlesse  ye  might  make  account  of  some  certaine 
ordinarie  wages,  at  at  the  leastwise  haue  your  meate,  and  drinke 
for  your  dayes  workes.  As  for  my  selfe,  howsoeuer  I  haue 
toyed,  and  trifled  heretofore,  I  am  nowe  taught,  and  I  trust  I 
shall  shortly  learne,  (no  remedie,  I  must  of  meere  necessitie 
giue  you  ouer  in  the  playne  fielde)  to  employ  my  trauayle,  and 
tyme  wholly,  or  chiefely  on  those  studies  and  practizes,  that 
carrie  as  they  saye,  meate  in  their  mouth,  hauing  euermore 
their  eye  vppon  the  Title  De  pare  lucrando,  and  their  hand 
vpon  their  halfpenny.  For,  I  pray  now,  what  saith  M.  Cuddie, 
alias  you  know  who,  in  the  tenth  ^glogue  of  the  foresaid 
famous  new  Calender  ? 

Piers,  I  haue  piped  erst  so  long  with  payne, 
That  all  myne  Oten  reedes  been  rent,  and  wore, 
And  my  poore  Muse  hath  spent  hir  spared  store, 
Yet  little  good  hath  got,  and  much  lesse  gayne. 
Such  pleasaunce  makes  the  Grashopper  so  poore, 
And  ligge  so  layde,  when  winter  doth  her  strayne. 

The  Dapper  Ditties,  that  I  woont  deuize, 
To  feede  youthes  fancie,  and  the  flocking  fry, 
Delighten  much  :  what  I  the  bett  for  thy  ? 
They  han  the  pleasure,  I  a  sclender  prize. 
I  beate  the  bushe,  the  birdes  to  them  doe  flye. 
What  good  thereof  to  Cuddy  can  arise  f 

But  Master  Collin  Cloute  is  not  euery  body,  and  albeit  his 
olde  Companions,  Master  Cuddy,  &,  Master  Hobbinoll  be  as 
little  beholding  to  their  Mistresse  Poetrie,  as  euer  you  wist: 
Yet  he  peraduenture,  by  the  ineanes  of  hir  speciall  fauour,  and 
gome  personall  priuiledge,  may  happely  hue  by  dying  Pel- 
licanes,  and  purchase  great  landes,  and  Lordshippes,  with  the 

money, 


wiitie,  familiar  Letters.  275 

money,  which  his  Calendar  and  Dreames  haue,  and  will  affourde 
him.  Extra  iocum,  I  like  your  Dreames  passingly  well :  and 
the  rather,  bicause  they  sauour  of  that  singular  extraordinarie 
veine  and  inuention,  whiche  I  euer  fancied  moste,  and  in  a 
manner  admired  onelye  in  Lucian,  Petrarche,  Aretine,  Pas- 
quill,  and  all  the  most  delicate,  and  fine  conceited  Grecians,  & 
Italians:  (for  the  Romanes  to  speake  of,  are  but  verye  Ciphars 
in  this  kinde :)  whose  chiefest  endeuour,  and  drifte  was,  to  haue 
nothing  vulgare,  but  in  some  respecte  or  other,  and  especially 
in  liuely  Hyperbolicall  Amplifications,  rare,  queint,  and  odde 
in  euery  pointe,  and  as  a  man  woulde  saye,  a  degree  or  two  at 
the  leaste,  aboue  the  reache  and  compasse  of  a  common  Schol- 
lers  capacitie.  In  whiche  respecte  notwithstanding,  as  well  for 
the  singularitie  of  the  manner,  as  the  Diuinitie  of  the  matter, 
I  hearde  once  a  Diuine,  preferre  Saint  lohns  Reuelation  before 
al  the  veriest  Maetaphysicall  Visions,  &  iolliest  conceited 
Dreames  or  Extasies,  that  euer  were  deuised  by  one  or  other, 
howe  admirable,  or  super  excellet  soeuer  they  seemed  otherwise 
to  the  worlde.  And  truely  I  am  so  confirmed  in  this  opinion, 
that  when  I  bethinke  me  of  the  verie  notablest,  and  moste  won- 
derful Propheticall,  or  Poeticall  Vision,  that  euer  I  read,  or 
hearde,  meseemeth  the  proportion  is  so  vnequall,  that  there 
hardly  appeareth  anye  semblaunce  of  Comparison  :  no  more  in 
a  manner  (specially  for  Poets)  than  doth  betweene  the  incom- 
prehensible Wisedome  of  God,  and  the  sensible  Wit  of  Man. 
But  what  needeth  this  digression  betweene  you  and  me  ?  I  dare 
saye  you  wyll  holde  your  selfe  reasonably  wel  satisfied,  if  youre 
Dreames  be  but  as  well  esteemed  of  in  Englande,  as  Petrarches 
Visions  be  in  Italy :  whiche  I  assure  you,  is  the  very  worst  I 
wish  you.  But,  see,  how  I  haue  the  Arte  Memoraliue  at  com- 
maundement.  In  good  faith  I  had  once  again  nigh  forgotten 
your  Faerie  Queene :  howbeit  by  good  chaunce,  I  haue  nowe 
sent  hir  home  at  the  laste,  neither  in  better  nor  worse  case, 
than  I  founde  hir.  And  must  you  of  necessitie  haue  my  Judge- 
ment of  hir  indeede  ?  To  be  plaine,  I  am  voyde  of  al  Judgement, 
if  your  nine  Comoedies,  whervnto  in  imitation  of  Herodotus, 
you  giue  the  names  of  the  Nine  Muses,  (and  in  one  mans  fansie 

not 


276  Three  proper,  and 

not  vnworthily)  come  not  neerer  Ariostoes  Comcedies,  eyther 
for  the  finesse  of  plausible  Elocution,  or  the  rarenesse  of  Poet- 
ical Inuention,  than  that  Eluish  Queene  doth  to  his  Orlando 
Furioso,  which  notwithstanding,  you  wil  needes  seerae  to  emu- 
late, and  hope  to  ouergo,  as  you  flatly  professed  yourself  in  one 
of  your  last  Letters.  Besides  that  you  know,  it  hath  bene  the 
vsual  practise  of  the  most  exquisite  and  odde  wittes  in  all  na- 
tions, and  specially  in  Italic,  rather  to  shewe,  and  aduaunce 
themselues  that  way,  than  any  other :  as  namely,  those  three 
notorious  dyscoursing  heads,  Bibiena,  Machiauel,  and  Aretinc 
did,  (to  let  Bembo  and  Ariosto  passe)  with  the  great  admiration, 
and  wonderment  of  the  whole  countrey  :  being  in  deede  reputed 
matchable  in  all  points,  both  for  conceyt  of  Witte,  and  eloquent 
decyphering  of  matters,  either  with  Aristophanes  and  Menander 
in  Greek,  or  with  Plautus  and  Terence  in  Latin,  or  with  any 
other  in  any  other  tong.  But  I  wil  not  stand  greatly  with  you 
in  your  owne  matters.  If  so  be  the  Faerye  Queene  be  fairer  in 
your  eie  tha  the  Nine  Muses,  and  Hobgoblin  runne  away  with 
the  Garland  from  Apollo :  Marke  what  I  saye,  and  yet  I  will 
not  say  that  I  thought,  but  there  an  End  for  this  once,  and 
fare  you  well,  till  God  or  some  good  Aungell  putte  you  in  a 
better  minde. 

And  yet  bicause  you  charge  me  somewhat  suspitiouslye  with 
an  olde  promise,  to  deliuer  you  of  that  iealousie,  I  am  so  farre 
from  hyding  mine  owne  matters  from  you,  that  loe,  I  muste 
needes  be  reuealing  my  friendes  secreates,  now  an  honest  Coun- 
trey Gentleman,  sometimes  a  Scholler:  At  whose  request,  I 
bestowed  this  pawlting  vnngrely  Rime  vpon  him,  to  present 
his  Maistresse  withall.  The  parties  shall  bee  namelesse :  sauing, 
that  the  Gentlewomans  true,  or  counterfaite  Christen  name, 
must  necessarily  be  bewrayed. 


To 


wittie,  familiar  Letters.  277 

To  my  good  Mistresse  Anne :  the  very  lyfe  of 
my  lyfe,  and  onely  beloued  Mystresse. 

Gentle  Mistresse  Anne,  I  am  plaine  by  nature  : 

I  was  neuer  so  farre  in  loue  with  any  creature. 
Happy  were  your  seruant,  if  hee  coulde  bee  so  Anned, 

And  you  not  vnhappy,  if  you  shoulde  be  so  manned. 
I  loue  not  to  gloze,  where  I  loue  indeede, 

No  we  God,  and  good  Saint  Anne,  send  me  good  speede. 
Suche  goodly  Vertues,  suche  amiable  Grace, 

But  I  must  not  fall  a  praysing :  I  wante  Time  and  Place. 
Oh,  that  I  had  mine  olde  Wittes  at  commaundement : 

I  knowe,  what  I  coulde  say  without  controlement : 
But  let  this  suffice :  thy  desertes  are  suche : 

That  no  one  in  this  worlde  can  loue  thee  too  muche. 
My  selfe  moste  vnworthy  of  any  suche  foelicitie, 

But  by  imputation  of  thy  gratious  Curtesie. 
I  leaue  to  loue  the  Muses,  since  1  loued  thee, 

Alas,  what  are  they,  when  I  thee  see  ? 
Adieu,  adieu  pleasures,  and  profits  all : 

My  Hart,  and  my  Soule,  but  at  one  bodyes  call. 
Woulde  God,  I  might  saye  to  hir  :  My  hart-roote  is  thine  : 

And,  (6  Pleasure  of  Pleasures)  Thy  sweet  hart-roote  mine. 
Nowe  I  beseeche  thee  by  whatsoeuer  thou  louest  beste, 

Let  it  be,  as  I  haue  saide,  and,  Soule,  take  thy  reste. 
By  the  faith  of  true  Loue,  and  by  my  truest  Truely, 

Thou  shalt  neuer  putte  forth  thy  Loue  to  greater  Vsurie. 
And  for  other  odde  necessaries,  take  no  care, 

Your  Seruaunts  D&monium  shall  ridde  you  of  that  feare. 
I  serue  but  two  Saints,  Saint  Penny,  and  Saint  Anne, 

Commende  this  I  muste,  commaunde  that  I  canne. 
Nowe,  shall  I  be  plaine  ?  I  praye  thee  euen  most  hardly, 

Requite  Loue,  with  Loue :  and  farewell  most  hartily. 


L  1  Postscripte. 


278  Three  proper,  and 

Postscripte. 

I  but  once  loued  before,  and  shee  forsooth  was  a  Susanne  : 
But  the  Heart  of  &  Susanne,  not  worth  the  Haire  of  an  Anne: 

A  Sus  to  Anne,  if  you  can  any  Latine,  or  pewter  : 

Shee  Flesh,  hir  Mother  Fish,  hir  Father  a  verye  Newter. 

I  woulde  once,  and  might  after,  haue  spedde  a  Gods  name  : 
But,  if  she  coye  it  once,  she  is  none  of  my  Dame. 

Nowe  I  praye  thee  moste  hartily,  Thrice  gentle  Mistresse  Anne. 

Looke  for  no  long  seruice  of  so  plaine  a  manne. 

And  yet  I  assure  thee,  thou  shalt  neuer  want  any  seruice, 

If  my  selfe,  or  my  S.  penny  may  performe  thy  wishe. 

And  thus  once  againe,  (full  loath)  I  take  my  leaue  of  thy  sweetc 

harte, 

With  as  many  louing  Farewels,  as  be  louing  pangs  in  my  heart. 

He  that  longeth  to  be  thine  owne 
inseperably,  for  euer  and  euer. 

God  helpe  vs,  you  and  I  are  wisely  employed,  (are  w£e  not?) 
when  our  Pen  and  Inke,  and  Time,  and  Wit,  and  all  runneth 
away  in  this  goodly  yonkerly  veine :  as  if  the  world  had  nothing 
else  for  vs  to  do:  or  we  were  borne  to  be  the  only  Nonpro- 
ficients  and  Nihilagents  of  the  world.  Cuiusmodi  tu  nugis,  ato^ 
7i<enijs,  nisi  vnd  mecum  (qui  solemni  quodam  iureiurando,  atq^  voto 
obstringor,  relicto  isto  amoris  Poculo,  iuris  Poculum  primo  quo<£ 
tempore  exhaurire)  iam  tandem  aliquando  valedicas,  (quod  tamen, 
vnum  libi,  credo  tw>  dS  wd  Iwv  videbitur)  nihil  dicam  amplius, 
Valeas.  E  meo  municipio.  Nono  Calendas  Maias. 

But  hoe  I  pray  you,  gentle  sirra,  a  word  with  you  more.  In 
good  sooth,  and  by  the  faith  I  beare  to  the  Muses,  you  shal 
f  neuer  haue  my  subscriptio  or  consent  (though  you  should  charge 
me  wyth  the  authoritie  of  fiue  hundreth  Maister  Drants,)  to 
make  your  Carpenter  our  Carpenter,  an  inche  longer,  or  bigger, 
than  God  and  his  Englishe  people  haue  made  him.  Is  there  no 
other  pollicie  to  pull  downe  Ryming,  and  set  vppe  Vesifying, 

but 


wittie,  familiar  Letters.  279 

but  must  needes  correcte  Magnificat :  and  againste  all  order  of 
Lawe,  and  in  despite  of  Custome,  forcibly  vsurpe,  and  tyran- 
nize vppon  a  quiet  companye  of  wordes,  that  so  farre  beyonde 
the  memorie  of  man,  haue  so  peaceably  enioyed  their  seueral 
Priuiledges   and   Liberties,   without  any   disturbance,   or  the 
leaste  controlement :  What?  Is  Horaces  Ars  Poetica  so  quite 
out  of  our  Englishe  Poets  head,  that  he  must  haue  his  Remem- 
brancer, to  pull  hym  by  the  sleeue,  and  put  him  in  mind,  of 
Penes  vsum,  #  ius,  &  norma  loquendi  *?  Indeed  I  remeber,  who 
was  wont  in  a  certaine  brauerie,  to  call  our  M.  Valanger,  noble 
M.  Valanger.     Else  neuer  heard  I  any,  that  durst  presume  so 
much  ouer  the  Englishe,  (excepting  a  fewe  suche  stammerers,  as 
haue  not  the  masterie  of  their  own  Tongues)  as  to  alter  the 
Quantitie  of  any  one  sillable,   otherwise,  than  oure  common 
speache,  and  generall  receyued  Custome  woulde  beare  them 
oute.     Woulde  not  I  laughe,  thinke  you,  to  heare  Messer  Im- 
merito  come  in  baldely  with  his  Maiestie,  Royaltie,  Honestie, 
Sciences,  Faculties,  Excellent,  Tauernour,  Manfully,  Faithfully, 
and  a  thousande  the  like :  insteade  of  Maiestie,  Royaltie,  Ho- 
nestie  and  so  forth  ?  And  trowe  you  anye  coulde  forbeare  the 
by  ting  of  his  Lippe,  or  smyling  in  his  Sleeue,  if  a  iolly  fellowe, 
and  greate  Clarke,  (as  it  mighte  be  your  selfe,)  reading  a  fewe 
Verses  vnto  him,  for  his  owne  credite  and  commendation,  should 
nowe  and  then,  tell  him  of,  bargatneth,  following,  harrowing, 
thoroughly,  Traudilers,  or  the  like,  in  steade  of  bargameth,  fol- 
lowing,   harrowing,  and   the  reste?  Or  will  Segnior  Immerito 
bycause,  may  happe,  he  hathe  a  fat-bellyed  Archedeacon  on 
his  side,  take  vppon  him  to  controll  Maister  Doctor  Watson 
for  his  All  Trauailers,  in  a  Verse  so  highly  extolled  of  Master 
Ascham  ?  or  Maister  Ascham  himselfe,  for  abusing  Homer,  and 
corrupting  our  Tongue,  in  that  he  saith  : 

Quite  throughe  a  Doorefiewe  a  shafte  with  a  brasse  head? 

Nay,  haue  we  not  somtime,  by  your  leaue,  both  the  Position 
of  the  firste,  and  Dipthong  of  the  seconde,  concurring  in  one, 
and  the  same  sillable,  which  neuerthelesse  is  commonly  &  ought 

necessarily 


280  Three  proper,  and 

necessarily  to  be  pronounced  short?  I  haue  nowe  small  time, 
to  bethink  me  of  many  examples.  But  what  say  you  to  ye 
second  in  Merchaundise?  to  the  third  in  Couenaunteth?  &  to 
the  fourth  in  dppurtenaunces?  Durst  you  adueture  to  make  any 
of  them  long,  either  in  Prose,  or  in  Verse  ?  I  assure  you  I  I 
knowe  who  dareth  not,  and  suddenly  feareth  the  displeasure  of 
all  true  Englishemen  if  he  should.  Say  you  suddainly,  if  you 
liste :  by  my  certainly,  and  certainty  I  wil  not.  You  may  per- 
ceiue  by  the  Premisses,  (which  very  worde  I  woulde  haue  you 
note  by  the  waye  to)  the  Latine  is  no  rule  for  vs :  or  imagine 
aforehande,  (bycause  you  are  like  to  proue  a  great  Purchaser, 
and  leaue  suche  store  of  money,  and  possessions  behinde  you) 
your  Executors  wil  deale  fraudulently,  or  violently  with  your 
successour,  (whiche  in  a  maner  is  euery  mans  case)  and  it  will 
fall  out  a  resolute  pointe  :  the  third  in  Executores,  frauduleter, 
violeter,  and  the  seconde  in  Successor,  being  long  in  the  one, 
and  shorte  in  the  other  :  as  in  seauen  hundreth  more  :  suche  as, 
disciple,  recited,  excited:  tenement,  oratour,  laudable:  &.  a  num- 
ber of  their  fellowes  are  long  in  English,  short  in  Latine  :  long 
in  Latine,  short  in  English.  Howbeit,  in  my  fancy,  such 
words,  as  violently,  diligently,  magnificently,  indifferently,  seeme 
in  a  manner  reasonably  indifferent,  and  tollerable  either  waye, 
neither  woulde  I  greately  stande  with  him,  that  translated  the 
Verse. 

Cur  mittis  violas  ?  vt  me  violentiils  vras  ? 
Why  send  you  violets?  to  burne  my  poore  hart  violently. 

Marry  so,  that  being  left  common  for  verse,  they  are  to  be 
pronounced  shorte  in  Prose,  after  the  maner  of  the  Latines,  in 
suche  wordes  as  these,  Cathedra,  volucres,  Mediocres,  Celebres. 

And  thus  farre  of  your  Carpenter,  and  his  fellowes,  wherein 
we  are  to  be  moderated,  and  ouerruled  by  the  vsuall,  and  com- 
mon receiued  sounde,  and  not  to  deuise  any  counterfaite  fantas- 
ticall  Accent  of  oure  owne,  as  manye,  otherwise  not  vnlearned 
haue  corruptly  and  ridiculouslye  done  in  the  Greeke. 

Nowe 


wittie,  familiar  Letters.  281 

Nowe  for  your  Heauen,  Seauen,  Eleauen,  or  the  like,  lam 
likewise  of  the  same  opinion  :  as  generally  in  all  words  else : 
we  are  not  to  goe  a  little  farther,  either  for  the  Prosody,  or  the 
Orthography  (and  therefore  your  Imaginarie  Diastole  nothing 
worthe)  then  we  are  licenced  and  authorized  by  the  ordinaries 
vse,  &  custome,  and  proprietie,  and  Idiome,  and,  as  it  were, 
Maiestie  of  our  speach :  whiche  I  accounte  the  only  infallible,  /. 
and  soueraigne  Rule  of  all  Rules.     And  therefore  hauing  re- 
specte  therevnto,  and  reputing  it  Petty  Treason  to  reuolt  there- 
fro:  dare  hardly  eyther  in  the  Prosodie,  or  in  the  Orthography 
either,  allowe  them  two  sillables  in  steade  of  one,  but  woulde  I 
as  well  in  Writing,  as  in  Speaking,  haue  them  vsed,  as  Mono- ' 
syllaba,  thus :  heavn,  seavn,  a  leavn,  as  Maister  Ascham  in  his 
Toxophilus  doth  Yrne,  commonly  written  Yron  : 

Fp  to  the  pap  his  string  did  he  pull,  his  shafte  to  the  horde  yrne. 

Especially  the  difference  so  manifestly  appearing  by  the  Pro- 
nunciation, betweene  these  two,  a  leavn  a  clocke  and  a  leaven 
of  Dowe,  whyche  lea-ven  admitteth  the  Diastole,  you  speake  of. 
But  see,  what  absurdities  tbys  yl  fauoured  Orthographye,  or  / 
rather  Paeudography,  hathe  ingendred :  and  howe  one  errour 
still  breedeth  and  begetteth  an  other.  Haue  wee  not,  Mooneth, 
for  Moonthe :  sitherue,  for  since :  whitest,  for  whilste :  phantasie, 
for  phansie :  euen,  for  evn :  Diuel,  for  Divl :  God  hys  wrath, 
for  (Joddes  wrath :  and  a  thousande  of  the  same  stampe  :  wherein 
the  corrupte  Orthography  in  the  moste,  hathe  beene  the  sole,  or 
principall  cause  of  corrupte  Prosodye  in  ouer  many? 

Marry,  I  confesse  some  wordes  we  haue  indeede,  as  for  ex- 
ample, fayer,  either  for  beautifull,  or  for  a  Marte:  ayerf  both 
pro  aere,  and  pro  harede,  for  we  say  not  Hdre,  but  plaine  Aire 
for  him  to  (or  else  Scoggins  Aier  were  a  poore  iest)  whiche  are 
commonly,  and  maye  indifferently  be  vsed  eyther  wayes.  For 
you  shal  as  well,  and  as  ordinarily  heare  fayer,  as  faire,  and 
Aier,  as  Aire,  and  bothe  alike  :  not  onely  of  diuers  and  sundrye 
persons,  but  often  of  the  very  same :  otherwhiles  vsing  the  one, 
otherwhiles  the  other :  and  so  died,  or  dyde ;  spied,  or  spide :' 

tryedy 


282  Three  proper,  and 

tryed,  or  tride:  fyer,  or  ft/re:  myer.  ormyre:  wyth  an  infinite 
companye  of  the  same  sorte:  sometime  Monasyllaba,  some 
time  Polysyllaba. 

To  conclude  both  points  in  one,  I  dare  sweare  priuately  to 
your  selfe,  and  will  defende  publiquely  againste  any,  it  is  neither 
Heresie,  nor  Paradox,  to  sette  downe,  and  stande  vppon  this 
assertion,  (notwithstanding  all  the  Preiudices  and  Presumptions 
to  the  contrarie,  if  they  were  tenne  times  as  manye  moe  (that  it 
is  not,  either  Position,  or  Dipthong,  or  Diastole,  or  anye  like 
Grammer  Schoole  Deuice,  that  doeth,  or  can  indeede,  either 
make  long  or  short,  or  encrease,  or  diminish  the  number  of 
Sillables,  but  onely  the  common  allowed,  and  receiued  Proso- 
dye :  taken  vp  by  an  vniuersall  consent  of  all,  and  continued 
by  a  general  vse,  and  Custome  of  all.  Wherein  neuerthelesse 
I  grant,  after  long  aduise,  &  diligent  obseruation  of  particulars, 
a  certain  Vniform  Analogic,  and  Concordance,  being  in  pro- 
cesse  of  time  espyed  out.  Sometime  this,  sometime  that,  hath 
been  noted  by  good  wits  in  their  Analyses,  to  fall  out  generally 
alyke  ?  and  as  a  man  woulde  saye,  regularly  in  all,  or  moste 
woordes :  as  Position,  Dipthong,  and  the  like :  not  as  firste, 
and  essentiall  causes  of  this,  or  that  effecte,  (here  lyeth  the 
point)  but  as  Secundarie  and  Accidentall  Signes,  of  this,  or 
that  Qualitie. 

It  is  the  vulgare,  and  naturall  Mother  Prosodye  that  alone 
worketh  the  feate,  as  the  onely  supreame  Foundresse,  and  Re- 
former of  Position,    Dipthong,    Orthographic,   or  whatsoeuer 
else :  whose  Affi rmatiues  are  nothing  worth,  if  she  once  con- 
clude the  Negatiue  :  and  whose  secunda  intentiones  muste  haue 
their  whole  allowance   and   warrante   from   hir  prima.     And 
"~\  therefore  in  shorte,  this  is  the  verie  shorte,  and  the  long :  Po- 
sition neither  maketh  shorte,  nor  long  in  cure  Tongue,  but  so 
farre  as  we  can  get  hir  good  leaue.     Peraduenture,  vppon  the 
diligent  suruewe,  and  examination  of  Particulars,  some  the  like 
Analogic  and  Vniforrnity,  might  be  founde  oute  in  some  other 
respecte,  that  shoulde  as  vniuersally  and  Canonical ly  holde 
;  amongst  vs,  as  Position  doeth  with  the  Latines  and  Greekes. 
I  saye  (peraduenture)  bycause  hauing  not  yet  made  anye  speciall 

Obseruation, 


wittie,  familiar  Letters.  283 

Obseruation,  I  dare  not  precisely  affirme  any  general!  certaintic : 
albeit  I  presume,  so  good  and  sensible  a  Tongue,  as  ours  is, 
beeyng  withall  so  like  itselfe,  as  it  is,  cannot  but  haue  some- 
thing equipollent,  and  counteruailable  to  the  beste  Tongues,  in 
some  one  suche  kinde  of  conformitie,  or  other.  And  this  for- 
sooth is  all  the  Artificial  Rules  and  Preceptes,  you  are  like  to 
borrowe  of  one  man  at  this  time. 

Sed  amabo  te,  ad  Corculi  tui  delicatissimas  Literas,  prope- 
diem,  qua  potero,  accuratissimd :  tot  interim  illam  exqnisitissimus 
salutibus,  atc£  salutationibus  impertiens,  guot  habet  in  Capitulo, 
capillos  semiaureos,  semiargenteos,  semigemmeos.  Quid  quaris  ? 
Per  tuam  Venerem  altera  Rosalindula  est :  earnq^'  non  alter,  sed 
idem  ille,  (tua,  vt  ante,  bona  cum  gratia)  copiose  amat  Hobbi- 
nolus.  O  mea  Domina  Immerito,  mea  bellissima  Collina  Clout  a, 
multd  plus  plurimum  salue,  atc^  vale. 

You  knowe  my  ordinarie  Postscripte  :  you  may  communicate  { 
as  much,  or  as  little,  as  you  list,  of  these  Patcheries,  and  frag-y 
ments  with  the  two  Gentlemen :  but  these  a  straw,  and  you 
loue  me :  not  with  any  else,  friend  or  foe,  one,  or  other :  vnlesse 
haply  you  haue  a  special  desire  to  imparte  some  parte  hereof, 
to  my  good  friend  M.  Daniel  Rogers  :  whose  curteries  are  also 
registred  in  my  Marble  booke.     You  know  my  meaning. 

Nosti  manum  fy  stylum. 


TWO      OTHER, 

very  commendable  Let- 
ters, of  the  same  mens  wri- 
ting :  both  touching  the  foresaid 
Artificiall  Versifying,  and  cer- 


tain other  Particulars . 


More  lately  delivered  vnto  the 
Printer. 


IMPRINTED  AT    L  O  N- 
don,  by  H.   Bynneman,  dwelling 

in  Thames  streate,  neere  vnto 
Baynardes  Castell. 

Anno  Domini.     1580. 

Cum  gratia  &  priuilegio  Regia?  Maiestatis. 


Mm 


To  the  Worshipfull  his  very  singular  good  friend, 
Maister  G.  H.  Fellow  of  Trinitie  Hall  in  Cam- 
bridge. 

GOOD  Maister  G. I  perceiue  by  your  most  curteous 
and  frendly  Letters  your  good  will  to  be  no  lesse  in  deed, 
than  I  alwayes  esteemed.  In  recopence  wherof,  think  I  be- 
seech you,  that  I  wil  spare  neither  speech,  nor  wryting,  nor 
aught  else,  whensoeuer  and  wheresoeuer  occasion  shal  be  offred 
me :  yea,  I  will  not  stay  till  it  be  offred,  but  will  seeke  it,  in 
al  that  possibly  I  may.  And  that  you  may  perceiue  how  much 
your  counsel  in  al  things  preuaileth  with  me,  and  how  altogither 
I  am  ruled  and  ouer-ruled  thereby ;  I  am  now  determined  to 
alter  mine  owne  former  purpose,  and  to  subscribe  to  your  ad- 
vizemet :  being  notwithstanding  resolued  stil  to  abide  your  far- 
ther resolution.  My  principal  doubts  are  these.  First,  I  was 
minded  for  a  while  to  haue  intermitted  the  vttering  of  my 
writings :  leaste  by  ouer-much  cloying  their  noble  eares,  1 1 
should  gather  a  contempt  of  myself,  or  else  seeme  rather  for! 
gaine  and  commoditie  to  doe  it,  for  some  sweetnesse  that  I 
haue  already  tasted.  Then  also  me  seemeth  the  work  too  base 
for  his  excellent  Lordship,  being  made  in  Honour  of  a  priuate 
Personage  vnknowne,  which  of  some  ylwillers  might  be  vp- 
braided,  not  to  be  so  worthie,  as  you  knowe  she  is  :  or  the  matter 
not  so  weightie,  that  it  should  be  offred  to  so  weightie  a  per- 
sonage or  the  like.  The  selfe  former  Title  still  liketh  me  well 
ynough,  and  your  fine  Addition  no  lesse.  If  these,  and  the 
like  doubtes,  maye  be  of  importaunce  in  your  seeming,  to  frus- 
trate any  parte  of  your  aduice,  I  beeseeche  you,  without  the 
leaste  selfe  loue  of  your  own  purpose,  councell  me  for  the  beste : 
and  the  rather  doe  it  faithfullye,  and  carefully,  for  that,  in  all 
things  I  attribute  so  muche  to  your  Judgement,  that  I  am  euer- 
more  content  to  adnihilate  mine  owne  determinations,  in  res- 
pecte  thereof.  And  indeede  for  your  selfe  to,  it  sitteth  with 

you 


288  Two  other,  very 

you  now,  to  call  your  wits,  &  senses  togither  (which  are  alwaies 
at  call)  when  occasion  is  so  fairely  offered  of  Estimation  and 
Preferment.  For,  whiles  the  yron  is  hote,  it  is  good  striking, 
and  minds  of  Nobles  varie,  as  their  Estates.  VerUm  ne  quid 
durius. 

I  pray  you  bethinke  you  well  hereof,  good  Maister  G.  and 
forthwith  write  me  those  two  or  three  special  points  and  caueats 
for  the  nonce;  De  quibus  in  superioribus  illis  mellitissimis  lon- 
gissimisc^  Litteris  tuis.  Your  desire  to  heare  of  my  late  beeing 

—  with  hir  Maiestie,  muste  dye  in  it  selfe.  As  for  the  twoo  wor- 
thy Gentlemen,  Master  Sidney,  and  Master  Dyer,  they  haue 
me,  I  th anke  them,  in  some  vse  of  familiarity  :  of  whom,  and 
to  whome,  what  speache  passeth  for  youre  credite  and  estima- 
tion, I  leaue  your  selfe  to  conceiue,  hauing  alwayes  so  well 
conceiued  of  my  vnfained  affection,  and  zeale  towardes  you. 

"~  And  nowe  they  haue  proclaimed  in  their  atfttwintyw  a  generall 
surceasing  and  silence  of  balde  Rymers,  and  also  of  the  verie 
beste  to :  in  steade  whereof,  they  haue  by  authoritie  of  their 
whole  Senate,  prescribed  certaine  Lawes  and  rules  of  Quantities 
of  English  sillables,  for  English  Verse :  hauing  had  thereof 
already  greate  practise,  and  drawen  mee  to  their  faction.  Newe 
Bookes  I  heare  of  none,  but  only  of  one,  that  writing  a  certaine 
Booke,  called  The  Schoole  of  Abuse,  and  dedicating  it  to  Maister 
Sidney,  was  for  hys  labor  scorned  :  if  at  leaste  it  be  in  the 
goodnesse  of  that  nature  to  scorne.  Such  follie  is  it,  not  to 
regarde  aforehande  the  inclination  and  qualitie  of  him,  to 
whome  wee  dedicate  cure  Bookes.  Suche  mighte  I  happily 

I  incurre,  entituling  My  Slomber,  and  the  other  Pamphlets,  vnto 
his  honor.  I  meant  them  rather  to  Maister  Dyer.  But  I  am, 
of  late,  more  in  loue  wyth  my  Englishe  Versifying,  than  with 
Ryming :  whyche  I  should  haue  done  long  since,  if  I  would 
the  haue  followed  your  councell.  Sed  te  solum  iam  turn  suspi- 
cabar  cum  Aschamo  sapere ;  nunc  Aulam  video  egrcgios  a/ere 
Poetas  Anglicos.  Maister  E.  K.  hartily  desireth  to  be  com- 
mended vnto  your  Worshippe :  of  whome,  what  accompli-  IK- 
maketh,  youre  selfe  shall  hereafter  perceiue,  by  hys  paynefull 
and  dutifull  Verses  of  your  selfe. 

Thus 


commendable  Letters.  289 

Thus  muche  was  written  at  Westminster  yesternight :  but 
comming  this  morning,  beeyng  the  sixteenth  of  October  [1579] 
to  Mystresse  Kerkes,  to  haue  it  deliuered  to  the  Carrier,  I  re- 
ceyued  youre  letter,  sente  me  the  laste  weeke  :  whereby  I  per- 
ceiue  you  otherwhiles  continue  your  old  exercise  of  Versifying 
in  English  :  whych  glorie  I  had  now  thought  shoulde  haue 
bene  onely  ours  heere  at  London,  and  the  Court. 

Truste  me,  your  Verses  I  like  passingly  well,  and  enuye  your 
hidden  paines  in  this  kinde,  or  rather  maligne,  and  grudge  at 
your  selfe,  that  woulde  not  once  imparte  so  muche  to  me.  But 
once,  or  twice,  you  make  a  breache  in  Maister  Drants  Rules: I 
quod  tamen  condonabimus  tanto  Poette,  tua<^  ipsius  maxima,  in 
his  rebus  autoritati.  You  shall  see,  when  we  meete  in  London, 
(whiche,  when  it  shall  be,  certifye  vs)  howe  fast  I  haue  fol- 
lowed after  you,  in  that  Course  :  beware,  leaste  in  time  I  ouer- 
take  you.  Veruntamen  te  solHm  sequar,  (vt  sapenumero  sum 
professus,)  nunquam  san&  assequar,  dum  viuam.  And  nowe  re- 
quite I  you  with  the  like,  not  with  the  verye  beste,  but  with 
the  verye  shortest,  namely  with  a  few  lambickes.  I  dare  war- 
rant, they  be  precisely  perfect  for  the  feete,  (as  you  can  easily 
iudge)  and  varie  not  one  inch  from  the  Rule.  I  will  imparte 
yours  to  Maister  Sidney,  and  Maister  Dyer,  at  my  nexte  going 
to  the  Courte.  I  praye  you,  keepe  mine  close  to  your  selfe,  or 
your  verie  entire  friendes,  Maister  Preston,  Maister  Still,  and 
the  reste. 


lambicum  Trimetntni. 

Vnhappie  Verse,  the  witnesse  of  my  vnhappie  state, 
Make  thy  selfe  fluttring  wings  of  thy  fast  flying 
Thought,  and  fly  forth  vnto  my  Loue  whersoeuer  she  be  : 

Whether  lying  reastlesse  in  heauy  bedde,  or  else 
Sitting  so  cheerelesse  at  the  cheerfull  boorde,  or  else 
Playing  alone  carelesse  on  hir  heauenlie  Virginals. 

If 


290  Two  other,  very 

If  in  Bed,  tell  hir,  that  my  eyes  can  take  no  reste : 

If  at  boorde,  tell  hir,  that  my  mouth  can  eate  no  meate : 
If  at  hir  Virginals,  tel  hir,  I  can  heare  no  mirth. 

Asked  "why?  say:  Waking  Loue  suffereth  ho  sleepe: 
Say,  that  raging  Loue  dothe  appall  the  weake  stomacke : 
Say,  that  lamenting  Loue  marreth  the  Musicall. 

Tell  hir,  that  hir  pleasures  were  wonte  to  lull  me  asleepe : 
Tell  hir,  that  hir  beautie  was  wonte  to  feede  mine  eyes : 
Tell  hir,  that  hir  sweete  tongue  was  wonte  to  make  me  mirth. 

Nowe  doe  I  nightly  waste,  wanting  my  kindely  reste  : 
Nowe  doe  I  dayly  starue,  wanting  my  liuely  foode  : 
Nowe  doe  I  alwayes  dye,  wanting  thy  timely  mirth. 

And  if  I  waste,  who  will  bewaile  my  heauy  chaunce  ? 
And  if  I  starue,  who  will  record  my  cursed  end  ? 
And  If  I  dye,  who  will  saye  :  this  was  Immerito  ? 

I  thought  once  agayne  here  to  haue  made  an  ende,  with  a 
heartie  Vale,  of  the  best  fashion  :  but  loe,  an  ylfavoured  mys- 
chaunce.  My  last  farewell,  whereof  I  made  great  accompt, 
und  muche  maruelled  you  shoulde  make  no  mention  thereof,  I 
am  nowe  tolde,  (in  the  Diuel's  name)  was  thorough  one  mans 
negligence  quite  forgotten,  but  shoulde  nowe  vndoubtedly  haue 
beene  sent,  whether  I  hadde  come,  or  no.  Seing  it  can  now 
be  no  otherwise,  I  pray  you  take  all  togither,  wyth  all  their 
faultes  :  and  nowe  I  hope,  you  will  vouchsafe  mee  an  answeare 
of  the  largest  size,  or  else  I  tell  you  true,  you  shall  bee  verye 
deepe  in  my  debte;  notwythstandyng,  thys  other  sweete,  but 
shorte  letter,  and  fine,  but  fewe  Verses.  But  1  woulde  rather  I 
might  yet  see  youre  owne  good  selfe,  and  receiue  a  Reciprocall 
farewell  from  your  owne  sweete  mouth. 


commendable  Letters.  291 

MOrnatissimumvirum,  multis  iam  diu  nominibus  clarissimum, 
fc.  H.  Immento  «,,,  mox  in  Gallias  Nauigaturi,  E«rwx.&. 

SIC  ma/us  egregium,  sic  non  inimicm  Amicum, 
Sicqj  nouus  veterem  iubet  ipse  Pocta  Pottam, 
Saluere,  ac  calo,  post  secula  multa,  secundo' 
lam  reducem,  calo  mage  quUm  nunc  ipse,  secundo 
Vtier;  Ecce  Deus,  (modd  sit  Deus  ille,  renixum 
Qui  vocet  in  scelus,  $  iuratos  perdat  amores) 
Ecce  Deus  mihi  clara  dedit  modd  signa  Marinus, 
Et  sua  veligeno  lenis  p&rat  JEquora  Ligno: 
Mox  fulcanda  suas  etiam  pater  Molus  Iras 

Ponit,  8f  ingentes  animos  Aquilonis 

Cuncta  vijs  sic  apta  meis :  ego  solus  ineptus. 

Nam  mihi  nescio  quo  mens  saucia  vulnere,  dudum 

Fluctuat  ancipiti  Pelago,  dum  Navita  proram 

Inualidam  validus  rapit  hue  Amor,  fy  rapit  illuc. 

Consilijs  Ratio  melioribus  vsa,  decusqj 

Immortale  leui  diffessa  Cupidinis  Arcu. 

Angimur  hoc  dubio,  $  portu  vexamur  in  ipso. 

Magne  pharetrati  nunc  tu  contemptor  Amoris 

(Id  tibi  Dij  nomen  precor  haud  impune  remittant) 

Hos  nodos  exsolue,  %  eris  mihi  magnus  Apollo. 

Spiritus  ad  summos,  scio,  te  generosus  Honores 

Exstimulat,  majusq/  docet  spirare  Poetam. 

Quam  leuis  est  Amor-,  fy  tamen  haud  leuis.  est  Amor  omnis. 

Ergo  nihil  laudi  reputas  <Rquale  perenni, 

Pr&ql  sacro  sancta  splendoris  imagine  tanti, 

C&tera,  qua  vecors,  vti  Numina,  vulgus  adorat, 

Pr&dia,  Amicitias,  vrbana  peculia,  Nummos, 

Quaq^  placent  oculis,  formas,  spectacula,  Amores, 

Conculcare  soles,  vt  hitmum,  fy  ludilma  sensus. 

Digna  meo  certt  Haruejo  sententia,  digna 

Oratore  amplo,  fy  generoso  pectore,  quam  non 

Stoica  formidet  veterum  Sapient ia  vinclis 

Sancire  (eternis :  sapor  haud  tamen  omnibus  idem, 

Dicitur 


292  Two  other,  very 

Dicitur  ejfieti  proles  facunda  Latrta, 
Quamlibet  ignoti  iactata  per  tequora  Cceli, 
Incg  procelloso  longilm  exsul  gurgite  ponto, 
Pro:  tamen  amplexu  lachrymose  Conjugis,  Qrtus 
C&lestes,  Diuumql  thoros  spreuisse  beatos. 
Tanttim  Amor,  §  Mulier,  vel  Amore  potentior.     Ilium 
Tu  tamen  Hindis  :  tua  Magnijicentia  tanta  est : 
Pr<zoB  subumbrata  Splendoris  Imagine  tanti, 
Pr&oB  illo  Mentis  famosis  nomine  parto, 
Catera,  qua  Fecors,  vti  Numina,  vulgus  adorat, 
Pradia,  Amicitias,  armenta,  peculia,  nummos, 
'  placent  oculis,  formas,  spectacula,  Amores, 
placent  ori,  qua^'  auribiiK,  omnia  temnis. 
N<z  tu  grande  sapis,  Sapor  at  sapientia  non  est : 
Omnis  fy  in  paruis  ben&  qui  scit  desipuisse, 
Seepe  supercilijs  palmam  sapientibus  attfert. 
Ludit  Aristippum  modd  tetrica  Turba  Sophorum ; 
Mitia  purpureo  moderantem  verba  Tyranno 
Ludit  Aristippus  dictamina  vana  Sophorum, 
Quos  leuis  emensi  male  torquet  Culicis  vmbra  : 
Et  qiiisquis  placuisse  Studet  Heroibus  altis, 
Desipuisse  studet  sic  gratia  crescit  ineptis. 
Denc^  laurigeris  qiiisquis  sua  tempora  vittis, 
Insignire  volet,  Populoc^  placerejauenti, 
Desipere  insanus  discit,  turpemtfa  pudenda, 
StultitifK  laudem  quterit.     Pater  Ennius  vnus 
Dictus  in  iiniHineris  sapiens ; .-  Idinldtur  at  ipsa 
Carmina  vesano  fudisse  liquentia  vino  : 
Nee  tu  pace  tua,  nostri  Cato  Maxime  stecli, 
Nomen  honorati  sacrum  mereare  Poeta, 
Quantannis  illustre  can-as t  fy  nobile  Carmen, 
Ni  stultire  velis ;  sic  snltoritm  omnia  plena, 
Tuta  sed  in  medio  superest  via  gurgite  narn  Qui 
Nee  reliquis  ni/niiim  vult  desipuisse.  videri, 
Nee  sapuisse  nimis,  Sapientem  dixeris  vnum. 
Hinc  te  merserit  vnda,  illinc  combusserit  Ignis; 
Nee  tu  delicias  nimis  aspernarejluentes, 

Nee 


commendable  Letters.  293 

Nee  serd  Dominant,  venientem  in  vota,  nee  Aurum, 
Si  sapis,  ablatum:  (Curijsea,  FabricijsqJ 
Linque  viris  miseris  miseranda  Sopkismata  :  quondam 
Grande  sui  decus  ij,  nostri  sed  dedecus  eeui;) 
Nee  sectare  nimis.    Res  vtraqj  cri  mine  plena, 
Hoc  bene  qui  callet,  (si  quis  tamen  hoc  bene  callet) 
Scribe,  vel  invito  sapientem  hum  Socrate  solum. 
Fisfacit  ma  pios  :  lustosfacit  altera  fy  altra 
Egregie  cordata,  acfortia  pectora  :  verum 
Omne  tulit  punctum,  qui  miscuit  vtile  dulci. 
Dij  mihi,  dulce  din  dederant  :  verum  vtile  nunqy  : 
Vtile  nunc  etiam,  6  vtinam  quoqj  ;  duke  dedissent. 

Dij  mihi,  (quippe  Dijs  tequiualia  maxima  paruis) 

Ni  nimis  inuideant  mortalibus  esse  beatis, 

Dude  simul  tribuisse  queant,  simul  vtile  ;  tanta 

Sod.  Fort  una  tua  est  :  pariler  quafy  vtile,  qu&Q 

Dude  dat  ad  placitum  :  sfcuo  nos  sydere  nati 

Qutfsitum  imu.s  earn  per  inhospita  Caucasa  longe*, 

Perqj  Pyrenaos  monies,  BabilonaqJ  turpem. 

Qod  si  qu&situm  nee  ibi  invenerimus,  ingens 

MquoT  inexhaustis  permensi  erroribus  vltra 

Fluctifrus  in  medijs  socij  q'uxremus.  Vlyssis. 

Passibus  inde  Deamfessis  comitabimur  agram, 

Nobile  cuifurtum  qu&renti  defuit  orbis. 

Namq,  sinu  pudet  in  patrio,  tenebrisq^  pudendis 

Non  nimis  ingenio  luuenem  infwlice  virentes, 

Officijsfrmtra  deperdere  vilibus  Annos, 

Frugibits  8f  vacuas  speratis  cernere  spicas. 

Ibimus  ergo  statim  :  (quis  euntifausta  precetur?) 

Et  pede  Clibosas  fesso  calcabimus  Alpes. 

Quis  dabit  interea  conditas  rore  Bntanno, 

Quis  tibi  Litterulas  ?  quis  carmen  amore  petulcum  ! 

Musa  sub  Oebalij  desueta  cacumine  montis, 

Titbit  inexhausto  tarn  longa  silentia  planctut 

Lugebitty'  sacrum  lacrymis  Helicona  tacentem. 

Harueius(fa  bonus,  (chorus  licet  omnibus  idem, 


Nn 


294*  Two  other,  very 


suo  merito,  prope  suauior  omnibus  vnus,) 
Angelas  $  Gabriel,  (quamuis  comitatm  amicis 
Innumeris,  genitimQ  choro  stipatus  amano) 
Immerito  tamen  vnum  absentem  secpe  requiret  ; 
OptabitqJ  Utinam  meus  hie  Edmundus  adesset, 
Qui  noua  scripsisset,  nee  Amores  conticuisset, 
Ipse  suos  ;  fy  sape  ammo  verbisqf  benignis 
Fausta  precaretur,  Deus  ilium  aliquando  reducat.     fyc. 

Plura  vellem  per  Charites,  sed  non  licet  per  Musas. 

Vale,  Vale  plurimtim,  Mi  amabilissime  Harueie,  meo  cordi,  meorum 

omnium  longe  charissime, 


I  was  minded  also  to  haue  sent  you  some  English  verses  :  or 
rymes,  for  a  farewell :  but,  by  my  troth,  I  haue  no  spare  time 
in  the  world,  to  thinke  on  such  Toyes,  that  you  knowe  will 
demaund  a  freer  head,  than  mine  is  presently.  I  beseeche  you 
by  all  your  Curtesies  and  Graces,  let  me  be  answered,  erej^ 
.goe :  which  will  be,  (I  hope,  I  feare,  I  thinke)  the  next  weeke, 
if  I  can  be  dispatched  of  my  Lorde.  I  goe  thither,  as  sent  by 
him,  and  maintained  most  what  of  him  :  and  there  am  to  em- 
ploy my  time,  my  body,  my  minde,  to  his  Honours  seruice. 
Thus,  with  many  superhartie  Commendations  and  Recommen- 
dations to  your  selfe,  and  all  my  friendes  with  you,  I  ende  my 
last  Farewell,  not  thinking  any  more  to  write  vnto  you  before 
I  goe :  and  withall  committing  to  your  faithfull  Credence  the 
eternall  Memorie  of  our  euerlasting  friendship  ,•  the  inuiolable 
Memorie  of  our  vnspotted  friendshippe ;  the  sacred  Memorie 
of  our  vowed  friendship ;  which  I  beseech  you  Continue  with 
vsuall  writings,  as  you  may,  and  of  all  things  let  me  heare 
some  Newes  from  you.  As  gentle  M.  Sidney,  I  thanke  his 
good  Worship,  hath  required  of  me,  and  so  promised  to  doe 
againe.  Qui  monet,  vt  facias,  quod  iam  fads,  you  knowe  the 
rest.  You  may  alwayes  send  them  most  safely  to  me  by  Mis- 
tresse  Kerke,  and  by  none  other.  So  once  againe,  and  yet 

once 


commendable  Letters.  295 

once  more,.  Farewell  most  hartily,  mine  owne  good  Master  H. 
and  loue  me,  as  I  loue  you,  and  thinke  vpon  poore  Immerito, 
as  he  thinketh  vppon  you. 

LeycesterJHouse,  this  5  of  October,  2579- 

Per  mare,  per  terras, 
Viuus,  mortuusffo' 
Titus  Immerito. 


To 


296  Two  other,  vrrv 


To  my  verie  Friende,  M.  Immerito, 

Liberalissimo  Signor  Immerito,    in  good   soothe   my  poore 
Storehouse  will  presently  affourd  me  nothing,  either  to  recom- 
pence,  or  counteruaile  your  gentle  Masterships,  long,  large, 
lauish,  Luxurious,  Laxatiue  Letters  withall,  (now  a  Gods  name, 
when  did  I  euer  in  my  life,   hunt  the  Letter   before?   but, 
belike,  theres  no  remedie,  I  must  needes  be  euen  with  you  once 
in  my  dayes,)  but  only  forsoothe,  a  fewe  Millions  of  Recom- 
mendations,   and  a  running  Coppie  of  the  Verses   enclosed. 
Which  Verses,  (extra  iocwri)  are  so  well  done  in  Lattin  by  two 
Doctors,   and  so  well  Translated  into   English  by  one  odde 
Gentleman,  and  generally  so  well  allowed  of  all,  that  chaunced 
to  haue  the  perusing  of  them :  that  trust  mee,  G.  H.  was  at 
the  first  hardly  intreated,  to  shame  himselfe,  and  truely,  now 
blusheth,  to  see  the  first  Letters  of  his  name,  stande  so  neere 
their  Names,  as  of  necessitie  they  must.     You  know  ye  Greeke 
prouerb,  tto^v^a,  xa£}irop<pjfat>  SKUK^UO.,  and  many  colours,  (as  in 
a  manner  euery  thing  else)  that  seuerally  by  themselues,  seeme 
reasonably   good,   and  freshe  ynough,  beyng  compared,   and 
ouermatched  wyth  their  betters,   are  maruellously   disgraced, 
and  as  it  were,  dashed  quite  oute  of  Countenaunce.     I  am  at 
this  instant,  very  busilye,  and  hotly  employed  in  certaine  greate 
and  serious  affayres :  whereof,  notwithstanding  (for  all  youre 
vowed,   and  long  experimented  secresie,)  you  are  not  like  to 
heare  a  worde  more  at  the  moste,  till  I  myselfe  see  a  World 
more  at  the  leaste.     And  therefore,  for  this  once  I  beseech 
you  (notwithstanding  your  greate  expectation  of  I  knowe  not 
what  Volumes  for  an  aunsweare)  content  your  good  selfe,  with 
these  Presentes,  (pardon  me,  I  came  lately  out  of  a  Scriueners 
shop)  and  in  lieu  of  many  gentle  Farewels,  &  goodly  Godbe- 
wyes,  at  your  departure:  gyue  me  once  againe  leaue,  to  playe 
the  Counsaylour  a  while,  if  it  be  but  to  iustifie  your  liberall 

Mastershippes. 


commendable  Letters.  297 

Mastershippes.  Nostri  Cato  maxime  sacli:  and  I  coniure  you 
by  the  Contents  of  the  Verses,  and  Rymes  enclosed,  and  by  al 
the  good,  and  bad  Spirites,  that  attende  vpon  the  Authors 
themselues,  immediately  vpon  the  contemplation  thereof,  to 
abandon  all  other  fooleries,  and  honour  Vertue,  the  onely  im- 
mortall  and  suruiuing  Accident  amongst  so  many  mortall,  and 
euer-perishing  Substaunces.  As  I  strongly  presume,  so  good 
a  Texte,  so  clearkly  handeled,  by  three  so  famous  Doctours, 
as  olde  Maister  Wythipole,  and  the  other  two  bee,  may  easily, 
and  will  fully  perswade  you,  howsoeuer  you  tush  at  the  fourths 
vnsutable  Paraphrase.  But  a  worde  or  two,  to  your  large, 
lauishe,  laxatiue  Letters,  and  then  for  thys  time  Adieu.  Of 
my  credite,  your  doubtes  are  not  so  redoubted,  as  youre  selfe 
ouer  suspiciously  imagine  :  as  I  purpose  shortely  to  aduize  you 
more  at  large.  Your  hotte  yron,  is  so  hotte,  that  it  striketh 
mee  in  the  hearte,  I  dare  not  come  neare  to  strike  it :  The 
Tyde  tarryeth  no  manne,  but  manye  a  good  manne  is  fayne  to 
tarry  the  Tyde.  And  I  knowe  some,  whyche  coulde  be  content 
to  bee  theyr  own  Caruers,  that  are  gladde  to  thanke  other  for 
theyr  courtesie  ?  But  Beggars,  they  saye,  muste  be  no  choosers. 

Your  new  founded  aqsiOYitayov  I  honoure  more,  than  you  will 
or  can  suppose :  and  make  greater  accompte  of  the  twoo  worthy 
Gentlemenne,  than  of  two  hundreth  Dionisy  Areopagita,  or 
the  verye  notablest  Senatours,  that  euer  Athens  dydde  affourde 
of  that  number. 

Your  Englishe  Trimetra  I  lyke  better,  than  perhappes  you 
will  easily  beleeue :  and  am  to  requite  them  wyth  better,  or 
worse,  at  more  conuenient  leysure.  Marry,  you  must  pardon 
me,  I  finde  not  your  warrant  so  sufficiently  good,  and  sub- 
stauntiall  in  Lawe,  that  it  can  persuade  me,  they  are  all,  so 
precisely  perfect  for  the  Feete,  as  your  selfe  ouer-partially 
weene,  and  ouer-confidently  auouche:  especially  the  thirde, 
whyche  hathe  a  foote  more  than  a  Lowce  (a  wonderous  defor- 
mitie  in  a  right  and  pure  Senarie)  and  the  sixte,  whiche  is  also 
in  the  same  Predicament,  vnlesse  happly  one  of  the  feete  be 
sawed  off  wyth  a  payre  of  Syncopes :  and  then  shoulde  the  Or- 
thographic haue  testified  so  muche :  and  insteade  of  Heauentt 

Virginals, 


298  Two  other,  very 

Virginals,  you  should  haue  written,  Heaunfi  Vlrgnah:  & 
Virgnals  againe  in  the  ninth,  and  should  haue  made  a  Curtoll 
of  Immtrito  in  the  laste  :  being  all  notwithstandying  vsuall, 
and  tollerable  ynoughe,  in  a  mixte,  and  licentious  lambicke : 
and  of  two  euilles,  better  (no  double)  the  fyrste,  than  the  laste : 
a  thyrde  superfluous  sillable,  tha  a  dull  Spondee.  Then  me 
thinketh,  you  haue  in  my  fancie  somwhat  too  many  Spondees 
beside :  and  whereas  Trochee  sometyme  presumeth  in  the  firste 
place,  as  namely  in  the  second  Verse,  Make  thy,  Whyche  thy, 
by  youre  Maistershippes  owne  authoritie  muste  needes  be  shorte, 
I  shall  be  faine  to  supplye  the  office  of  the  Arte  Memoratiue, 
and  putte  you  in  minde  of  a  pretty  Fable  in  Abstemio  the 
Italian,  implying  thus  much,  or  rather  thus  little  in  effect. 

A  certaine  lame  man  beyng  invited  to  a  solempne  Nuptiall 
Feaste,  made  no  more  adoe,  but  sate  me  hym  roundlye  downe 
foremaste  at  the  hyghest  ende  of  the  Table.  The  master  of  the 
feast,  suddainly  spying  his  presumption,  and  hansomely  re- 
moouing  him  from  thence,  placed  me  this  haulting  Gentleman 
belowe  at  the  nether  end  of  the  bourd :  alledging  for  his  de- 
fence the  common  verse :  Sedes  nulla  datur,  pr<zterqiiam  sexta 
Trochteo  :  and  pleasantly  alluding  to  this  foote,  which  standing 
vppon  two  syllables,  the  one  long,  the  other  short,  (much  like, 
of  a  like,  his  guestes  feete)  is  alwayes  thrust  downe  to  the  last 
place,  in  a  true  Hexameter,  and  quite  thrust  out  of  doores  in  a 
pure,  and  iust  Senarie.  Nowe  Syr,  what  thinke  you,  I  began 
to  thinke  with  my  selfe,  when  I  began  to  reade  your  warrant 
first :  so  boldly,  and  venterously  set  downe  in  so  formall,  and 
autentique  wordes,  as  these,  Precisely  perfit,  and  not  an  inch 
from  the  Rule?  Ah  Syrrha,  and  lesu  Lord,  thought  I,  haue  we 
at  the  last  gotten  one,  of  whom  his  olde  friendes  and  Compa- 
nions may  iustly  glory,  In  eo  solilm  peccat,  qudd  nihil  peccat : 
and  that  is  yet  more  exacte,  and  precise  in  his  English  Comicall 
lambickes,  than  euer  M.  Watson  himselfe  was  in  his  Lattin 
Tragicall  lambickes,  of  whom  M.  Ascham  reporteth,  that  he 
would  neuer  to  this  day  suffer  his  famous  Absolon  to  come 
abrode,  onely  because  Anapastes  in  Locis  poribus,  is  twice,  or 
thrice  vsed  insteade  of  Iambus?  A  small  fault,  ywisse,  and 

such 


commendable  Letters.  299, 

such  a  one  in  M.  Aschams  owne  opinion,  as  perchaunce  woulde 
neuer  haue  beene  espyed,  no  neither  in  Italy,  nor  in  Fraunce. 
But  when  I  came  to  the  curious  scanning,  and  fingering  of 
euery  foote,  &  syllable  :  Lo  here,  quoth  I,  M.  Watsons  Ana- 
pastus  for  all  the  worlde.  A  good  horse,  that  trippeth  not 
once  in  a  iourney :  and  M.  Immerto  doth,  but  as  M.  Watson, 
&  in  manner  all  other  lambici  haue  done  before  him :  marry  he 
might  haue  spared  his  preface,  or  at  ye  least,  that  same  restric- 
tiue,  &  streight  laced  terme,  Precisely,  and  all  had  been  well 
enough :  and  I  assure  you,  of  myselfe,  1  beleeue,  no  peece  of 
a  fault  marked  at  all.  But  this  is  the  Effect  of  warrantes,  and  , 
perhappes  the  Errour  may  rather  proceede  of  his  Master,  M. ) 
Drantes  Rule,  than  of  himselfe,  Howsoeuer  it  is,  the  matter 
is  not  great,  and  I  alwayes  was,  and  will  euer  continue  of  this 
Opinion,  Pauca  multis  condonanda  vitia  Virtutibus,  especially 
these  being  no  Vitia  neither,  in  a  common  and  licencious  lam- 
bicke.  Verum  ista  obiter,  non  quidem  contradicendi  animo,  out 
etiam  corrigendi  mihi  crede :  sed  nostro  illo  Academico,  pristi- 
noq^  more  ratiocinandi.  And  to  saye  trueth,  partely  too,  to 
requite  your  gentle  courtesie  in  beginning  to  me,  and  noting  I 
knowe  not  what  breache  in  your  gorbellyed  Maisters  Rules, 
which  Rules  go  for  good,  I  perceiue,  and  keepe  a  Rule,  where 
there  be  no  better  in  presence.  Myselfe  neither  sawe  them, 
nor  heard  of  them  before :  and  therefore  will  neither  praise 
them,  nor  dispraise  them  nowe :  but  vppon  the  suruiewe  of 
them,  and  farther  conference,  (both  which  I  desire)  you  shall 
soone  heare  one  mans  opinion  too  or  fro.  Youre  selfe  remem- 
ber, I  was  wonte  to  haue  some  preiudice  of  the  man  :  and  I 
still  remaine  a  fauourer  of  his  deserued,  and  iust  commendation. 
Marry  in  these  poyntes,  you  knowe,  Partialitie  in  no  case, 
may  haue  a  foote :  and  you  remember  mine  olde  Stoicall  excla- 
mation :  Fie  on  childish  affection,  in  the  discoursing,  and  de- 
ciding of  schoole  matters.  This  I  say,  because  you  charge  me 
with  an  vnknowne  authoritie  :  which  for  aught  I  know  yet,  may 
as  wel  be  either  vnsufficient,  or  faultie,  as  otherwise :  and  I 
dare  more  than  halfe  promise,  (I  dare  not  saye,  warrant)  you 
shall  alwayes  in  these  kinde  of  controuersies,  finde  me  nighe 

hande 


300  Two  other,  very 

hande  answerable  in  mine  owne  defence.  Reliqua  omnia,  qua, 
de  hoc  supersunt  Anglicorum  versuum  rations,  in  aliud  tempus 
resuruabimus,  ociosum  magis.  Youre  Latine  Farewell  is  a  goodly 
braue  yonkerly  peece  of  work,  and  Goddilge  yee,  I  am  alwayes 
maruellously  beholding  vnto  you,  for  your  bountifull  Titles:  I 
hope  by  that  time  1  haue  been  resident  a  yeare  or  twoo  in  Italy, 
I  shall  be  better  qualifyed  in  this  kind,  and  more  able  to  requite 
your  lauishe,  and  magnificient  liberalitie  that  way.  But  to  let 
Titles  and  Tittles  passe,  and  come  to  the  very  pointe  indeede, 
whiche  so  neare  toucheth  my  lusty  Trauayler  to  the  quicke,  and 
is  one  of  the  predominant  humors  y*  raigne  in  our  comon 
youths :  Heus  mil  it,  bone  proce,  magne  muHercularum  amator, 
egregie  Pamphile,  eum  aliquando  tandem,  qui  te  manet,  qui  mu- 
lierosos  omnes,  qui  vniuersam  F&ministarum  sectam,  Respice 
finem.  And  I  shal  then  be  content  to  appeale  to  your  owne 
learned  experience,  whether  it  be,  or  be  not,  too  too  true: 
quod  did  solet  dme  sape :  ate  ipso  nonnun(£ :  ab  expertis  omnibus 
quotidie :  Amare  amarum :  Nee  deus,  vt  perhibent,  Amor  est, 
sed  amaror,  fy  error :  fy  quicquid  in  eandem  solet  sententiam  Em- 
piricws  aggregari.  Ac  scite  mihi  quide  Agrippa  Ouidianam  illam, 
de  Arte  Amandi,  tidyQaqlw  videtur  correxisse,  meritdqj,  de  Arte 
Meretricandi,  inscripsisse.  Nee  vero  inepte  alius,  Amatores 
Alchumistis  comparauit,  aureos,  argenteos^'  monies,  atq^  fontes 
lepide  somniantibus,  sed  interim  miser  e  immanibus  Carbonum 
fumis  propemodum  occ&catis,  aic^  etiam  sujfocatis :  praterqj  cele- 
bratum  ilium  Adami  Paradisum,  alium  esse  quendam  prtedicauit, 
stultorum  quoq^  Amatorum^'  mirabilem  Paridisum :  ilium  verie, 
hunc  phantasticd,  fanatice  c£  beatorum.  Sed  heec  alias,  fortassis 
vberius.  Credite  me,  I  will  neuer  linne  baityng  at  you,  til  I 
haue  rid  you  quite  of  this  yonkerly,  &  womanly  humor.  And 
>  as  for  your  speedy  and  hasty  trauell :  me  thinks  I  dare  stil  wa- 
ger al  the  Books,  &  writings  in  my  study,  which  you  know,  I 
esteeme  of  greater  value,  than  al  the  golde  &  siluer  im  my 
purse,  or  chest,  that  you  wil  not,  (and  yet  I  muste  take  heede, 
how  I  make  my  bargaine  with  so  subtile  and  intricate  a  Sophis- 
ter)  that  you  shall  not,  I  saye,  bee  gone  ouer  Sea,  for  al  your 
saying,  neither  the  next,  nor  the  nexte  weeke.  And  then  per- 

aduenture 


commendable  Letters.  301 

aduenture  I  may  personally  performe  your  request,  aud  bestowe 
the  sweetest  Farewell,  vpon  your  sweetmouthed  Mashippe, 
that  so  vnsweete  a  Tong,  and  so  sowre  a  paire  of  Lippes  can 
afforde.  And,  thinke  you  I  will  leaue  my  //  Pellegrino  so  ? 
No  I  trowe.  My  Lords  Honor,  the  expectation  of  his  friendes, 
his  owne  credite  and  preferment,  tell  me,  he  muste  haue  a 
moste  speciall  care,  and  good  regarde  of  employing  his  trauaile 
to  the  best.  And  therfore  I  am  studying  all  this  fortnight,  to 
reade  him  suche  a  Lecture  in  Homers  Odysses,  and  Virgils 
kneads,  that  I  dare  vndertake  he  shall  not  neede  any  further 
instruction,  in  Maister  Turlers  Trauayler,  or  Maister  Zuin- 
gers  Methodus  Apodemica :  but  in  his  whole  trauaile  abroade, 
and  euer  after  at  home,  shall  shewe  himselfe  a  verie  liuelye  and 
absolute  Picture  of  Vlysses  and  ^neas.  Wherof  I  haue  the 
stronger  hope  he  muste  needes  proue  a  most  capable  and  apt 
subiecte  (I  speake  to  a  Logician)  hauing  the  selfe  same  God- 
desses and  Graces  attendant  vpon  his  body  and  mind,  that 
euermore  guided  them,  &>  their  actions :  especially  ye  ones 
Minerua,  and  the  others  Venus :  that  is,  (as  one  Doctor  ex- 
poundeth  it)  the  pollitique  head,  and  wise  gouernernent  of  the 
one :  and  the  amiable  behauiour,  and  gratious  courtesie  of  the 
other:  the  two  verye  principall,  and  moste  singular  Compa- 
nions, of  a  right  Trauailer  :  and  as  perhaps  one  of  oure  subtile 
Logicians  woulde  saye,  the  two  inseparable,  and  indivisible 
accidents  of  the  foresaide  Subiects.  De  quibus  ipsis,  caterisqj 
omnibus  artificis  Apodemici  instruments :  imprimis^'  de  Homeri- 
ca  ilia,  diuinaql  herba  ^wXyJe  jwyxaAeoxfiSgoO  qua  F^lissem  suum 
Mercurius,  aduersus  Cyrcea  $  pocula,  #  carmina,  #  venena, 
morbosqj  omnes  premuniuit :  #  corana,  vti  spero,  breui :  #  long}, 
vti  soleo  copiosius :  fyfortasse  etiam,  aliquanto,  quam  soleo,  cam 
subtUitis,  turn  verd  Pollitice,  PragmaticeqJ  magis.  Interim  tri- 
bus  eris  syllabis  contentus,  ac  valebis.  Trinitie  Hall,  still  in  my 
Gallerie.  23  Octob.  1579-  In  haste. 

Yours,  as  you  knowe.     G.  H. 
0  0  Certayne 


302  Two  more,  very 

Certaine  Latin  Verses,  of  the  Jrailtie  and 
mutabilitie  of  all  things,  sauing  onely  Ver- 

tue :  made  by  M.  Doctor  Norton,  for  the  right 

Worshipfull,  M.  Thomas  Sackford,  Master  of 

Requestes  vnto  hir  Maiestie. 


Th.  Tempora  furtiuo  morsu  laniantur  am  sen  a, 

S  Sensim  florescunt,  occubitura  breui. 

A  Armi  vere  salit,  Senio  mox  conficiendus, 

C  Cura,  labor  ditant,  non  eademq^  preinunt  ? 

F  Fallax,  vel  vigili  studio  Sapientia  parta : 

O  Oh,  &  magnatum  gloria  sa3pe  iacet, 

R  Res  inter  varias  fluimus,  ruimust^  gradatim : 

D  Dulcia  Virtutis  praemia  sola  manent. 

The  same  paraphrastically  varied  by  M.  Doctor  Gouldingam, 
at  the  request  of  olde  M.  Wythipoll  of  Ipswiche. 

T  Tempora  furtiuo  labuntur  dulcia  cursu, 
S  Subsidunt  c^'  breui,  quse  virguere  diu. 

A  Autumno  capitur,  quicquid  nouus  educat  amnu  : 
C  Curta  luuentutis  gaudia,  Fata  secant. 

F  Fallax  Ambitio  est,  atq/  anxia  cura  tenendi, 
O  Obscurum  decus,  &  nomen  inane  sophi. 

R  Res  Fors  humanas  incerto  turbine  voluit, 
D  Dulcia  Virtutis  pramia  sola  manent. 

Olde  Maister  Wythipols  owne  Translation. 

Ovr  merry  dayes,  by  theeuish  bit  are  pluckt,  and  torne  away, 
And  euery  lustie  growing  thing,  in  short  time  doth  decay. 
The  pleasaunt  Spring  times  ioy,  how  soone  it  groweth  olde  ? 
And  wealth  that  gotten  is  with  care,  doth  noy  as  much  be  bolde, 

No 


commendable  Letters.  303 

No  wisedome  had  with  Trauaile  great,  is  for  to  trust  indeede, 
For  great  inens  state  we  see  decay,  and  tall  downe  like  a  weede. 
Thus  by  degrees  we  fleete,  and  sinke  in  worldly  things  full  fast, 
But  Vertues  sweete  and  due  rewardes  stande  sure  in  euery  blast. 


The  same  paraphrastically  varied  by 

Master  G.  H.  at  M.  Peter  Wythipolles 
request  for  his  Father. 

These  pleasant  dayes,  and  Monthes,  and  yeares,  by  stelth  do  passe 

apace, 

And  do  not  things,  that  florish  most,  soone  fade,  and  lose  their  grace? 
lesu,  how  soone  the  Spring  of  yeare,  and  Spring  of  youthful!  rage, 
Is  come,  and  gone,  and  ouercome,  and  ouergone  with  age  ? 
In  paine  is  gaine,  but  doth  not  paine  as  much  detract  from  health, 
As  it  doth  adde  vnto  our  store,  when  most  we  roll  in  wealth. 
Wisdome  hir  selfe  must  haue  hir  doome,  and  grauest  must  to  graue, 
And  mightiest  power  sib  to  a  flower  :  what  then  remaines  to  craue? 
Nowe  vp,  now  downe,  we  flowe,  and  rowe  in  seas  of  worldly  cares, 
Vertue  alone  eternall  is,  and  shee  the  Laurell  weares. 

L'Enuoy. 

Soone  said,  soone  writ,  soone  learnd:  soone  trimly  done  in  prose, 

or  verse  : 
Beleeud  of  some,  practizd  of  fewe,  from  Cradle  to  their  Herse. 


Virtuti,  non  tibi  Fed. 

M.  Peter  Wythipoll. 

Et  Virtuti,  %  Mihi: 

Virtuti,  ad  laudem  : 

Mihi,  ad  mum. 


FINIS. 


INDEX. 


A. 

A,  a  jerk  in  ballads,  37. 

Accius,  92,  151,  153. 

Achaeus  Erithriaeus,   153. 

Achilles,  25,  26,  150. 

Actions  in  English  history,  242. 

Addresses  in  Hypercritica,  points  of,  222 

first  upon  Brute,  223. 

second  on  historiographers,  231, 

third  on  historical  states  of  times, 

235. 

fourth,  prime  gardens  for  ga- 
thering English,  246. 

./Eglogues  translated  by  Webb,  71,  75. 

./Emilius  Paulus,  223. 

jEneas,  230. 

./Eschilus,  29,  88,   150,  153. 

ArTranius,  92. 

Agrippa  C.,   125,   126. 

Agrippa's  opinion  of  princes,  &c.  126. 

Aidan,  231,  232. 

Alciatus,   156. 

Alehouse  song  of  five  or  six  score  verses, 

37- 

Alexander,  16,  26,   122,   23O. 
Alexander  Aetolus,  153. 
Alexandrine  verse  by  K.  James,  99. 
Alexis  Teruis,   154. 
Allen,  Cardinal,  247,  248. 
Alphabetical  rhiming,  8. 
Aluredus,  227- 
Amipsias  Atheniensis,   154. 
Ammianus  Marcellinus,  225,  227,  229. 


Anacreon,  153,   15/. 

Anacreontic  verse  described,   1 83 . 

Anaxadrides  Rhodius,  154. 

Anne,  verses  to  mistress,  277« 

Anneus  Lucanus,   153. 

Antipater  Sidonius,  155,  157- 

Antonius,  157- 

Apelles,  reply  of  to  Alexander,  16. 

Apollodorus,   1 56. 

Apollodorus  Tarsensis,  153. 

Apology  of  poetry  by  Sir  J.  Harington, 

119- 

Aquilius,   156. 
Aratus,  156. 

Archesilaus  Prytanaeus,  157. 
Archilochus,  91. 
Archilochus  Parius,  154. 
Archippus  Atheniensis,  154. 
Aretine,  275,  276. 
Aretinus  Leonardus,  205. 
Ariosto,   I3p,   140,   141,   153,  276. 
Aristonymus,   154. 

Aristophanes,  29,  88,  150.   154,  276. 
Aristotle,  26,  28,  3Q,  85,  92,   129,  140, 

144,   156. 
Arrianus,  230. 
Arthur,  227. 
Arviragus,  239. 
Ascanius,  230. 
Ascham,  279,  298,  299. 
ascribes  rhime  to  the  Huns  and 

Goths,  32 

Astydamas  Atheniensis,  153. 
Atchelow,   153. 


306 

Attilius,  29,   151,  153. 
Augustine,  S.  229,  230. 
Augustus,  52,    136,   149,   155. 
Aulus  Persius  Flaccus,   151. 
Ausonius,  31,  15O,  156. 

B. 

Bacon,  Anthony,  248. 
Bacon,  Sir  Fr.,  206,  249. 
Bajazet,  2O5. 
Ballads,  what  stanza  and  rhime  used  in 

•writing  of,  10. 
Ballet  makers  censured,  37- 
Ballet  royal,  114. 
Bald  rhirning,  32. 
Barbarus  Hermolaus,  206. 
Barcham,  Dr.,  237. 
Barnfield,  Richard,  155. 
Bartas,  1  /O. 
Bartolus,  208. 
Bastard,  155. 
Beauclerck,  241. 
Beaumont,  Sir  John,  247- 
Beaumont,  Fr.,  247. 
Bede,  2O6,  231,  238,  239,  245. 
Beer  pot  ditties,  45. 
Bembo,  276. 
Bembus,  156. 
Bessarion,  2O5. 
Beza,  156. 
B.  G.,  36. 
Bibiena,  276. 
Biena,  156. 
Bilchaunger,  M.  George,  a  new  year's 

gift  to,  266. 
Blondus,  205. 
Boccace,   153,  2O5. 
Boccalini,  224. 
Bodin,  227,  232. 
Bolton,  Edmund,  237. 

A  Hypercritica,  221 . 

Bracton,  206. 


INDEX. 


Bretton,   153,  154. 

Bristow,  34. 

Brith,  an  herb,   with  which   the  ancient 

Britons  painted  their  bodies,  229. 
Brixius,   150. 
Broken  verse,  117. 
Brunswerd,  150. 
Brute,  225,  226. 
Brutus,  230. 
Bryan,  Sir  Francis,   154. 
Buchanan,  George,  227,  244,  252. 
Buckananus,  156. 
Buckhurst,  lord,  153. 
dedication  to,  l6l. 

C. 

Cadwallader,  239. 

Caecilius,  29. 

Caesar,  30,   122,   151,  207,  225,  226. 

Callias  Atheniensis,  154. 

Callimachus,   153. 

Calphurnius,  51. 

Calvus,  92. 

Cambden,  227,  229,  231,  236,  245,  252. 

Campion,  T.,   150. 

,  observations  in  the  art  of 

English  poesy,  159. 

,  address  to  his  book,   162. 

Canutus,  K.,  24O. 

Canons,    or  general  cautions  of  poetry, 

prescribed  by  Horace,  84. 
Canterbury  Tales  written  in  riding  rime, 

12. 

Cards,  comedy  called  the  play  of  the,  135. 
Carew,  lord,  237. 
Car,  Nicholas,  ISO. 
Casaubon,  224. 
Case,  Dr.  157. 
Cassius  Severus,  154. 
Cato,  207,  249. 
Catullus,  30,  43,  92,  151,  153,  155,  173. 


Ceasures  at  discretion  of  the  writer,  9. 

Celiano,   153. 

Celsus,  90. 

Certain  notes  of  instruction  concerning 
the  making  verse,  1 . 

Cestrensis,  227. 

C.  F.,  36. 

Chaucer,  41,  51,  149,  24g. 

,  accounted  the  god  of  English 

poets,  33. 

,  character  of  his  poetry,  ib. 

's  measure  like  the  Latinists,  6. 

uses  riding  rhime  in  the  Canter- 
bury Tales,  12. 

. .  's  flat  scurrility,   140. 

Challener,  155. 

Chapman,  G.,  150,  152,  153,  154,  156, 
247,  250. 

Chettle,  H.,  154. 

Chrysolarus,  Emanuel,  205. 

Chrysostom,  St.,  236. 

Churchyard,  34,  154. 

Cicero,  87,  150,  157. 

Claudian,  31,  150. 

Clarke,  Bartholomew,  his  pretty  chal- 
lenge to  his  readers,  143 . 

Clodius  Sabinus,   154. 

Colophonius,  154. 

Combe,  Thomas,  156, 

Comedies,  nature  of  when  first  invented, 
39- 

Comedy,  the  best  poets  in,  Greek,  Latin, 
and  English,  1 54. 

Comedy  when  first  written,  29. 

Comicus,  29. 

Comines,  Philip  de,  225. 

Common  verse,  what,   1 1 6. 

Comparisons  an  ornament  in  verse,  111. 

Consalvo  Periz,   149. 

Constable,  Henry,  247,  250. 

Cornificus,   155. 

Cotton,  Robert,  237. 


INDEX.  307 

Cratinus,  29,  88. 

Cremnicensis,  Georgius  Fabricias,  the  ca- 
nons of  poetry  first  gathered  by  him,  84. 
Cremutius  Cordus,  233. 
Ctesias,  225. 
Cynna,  92. 
Cyrus,  150. 

D. 

Daniel,  S.   124,  150,  153,  154,  247,  250. 

,  defence  of  ryme,  191. 

Dante,  137,  153. 

Darius,  king,  26. 

Darrell,  36. 

David,  131,  132. 

Davies,   155. 

Deborah,  132. 

Decius  Ausonius  Gallus,  152, 

Dedication  by  W.  Webbe,   15. 

to  Lord  Buckhurst,  161. 

to  the  three  familiar  letters, 

257. 

Defence  of  ryme  by  S.  Daniel,  191. 
Demosthenes,   130. 
Derivatives,  their  quantities,  187- 
Devonius,  Josephus,  206. 
Diastole,  260,  281. 
Dimeter  a  part  of  the  lambick,   1 73. 

censured,  212. 

Dissyllables,  their  pronunciation,  167- 

Distich  upon  K.  James,  155. 

Ditties  and  odes  may  be  called  lyrical,  1 81. 

Ditties  framed  to  all  manner  of  tunes,  60. 

Dives,   131,  151. 

D.  M.,  34. 

Donati,  Edouardo,   instructions  given  to, 

for  making  verse,  3. 
Donne,  John,  251. 
Dorset,  Thomas,  earl  of,  247,  250. 
Down-right  squire,  a  tune,  60. 
Drake,   151,  156 
Drant,  Thomas,    1^3,  260,    264,   278, 

269,  299- 


.-30S 


INDEX. 


Dray  ton,  Michael,  149,  150,  151,  153, 
154,  247,  250. 

,  termed  golden-mouth- 
ed, 151. 

Durotelmus  Aldelmus,  206. 

Dyer,  Sir  Edward,   154,250. 

Dyer,  M.  264,  270,  288,  28p. 

Dyzayns  from  the  French,  11. 

E. 

Ear,  only  judge  and  discerner  in  rhimes, 

107- 

Earthquake,  account  of,  omitted,  263. 
Eclogues,  or  goatherds  tales,    the  chief 

writers  thereof,  51. 
Edes,  Dr.,   153. 
Edwards,  34,  154. 
Edward  the  2d.,   151. 
Edward  4,  149- 

Elegiac  an  accustomed  measure,  213. 
verse  simplest  of  compound  verses, 

J78. 

,  specimen  of,  179. 

Elegy,  the  best  writers  of,  154, 

Elisa  the  Fairy  Queen,  150. 

Eliot,  Sir  Thomas,  verses  by,  42,  43. 

Elisions  either  necessary,  or  to  be  used  at 

pleasure,   186. 

Eliza,  song  in  praise  of,  59,  79- 
Elizabeth,  Q.,  152,  155,  156,  174,  235, 

246,  247,  248,  250. 

,  verses  in  praise  of,  273. 

Emblems  in  verse,  273. 

Empedocles,  28. 

Emphasis,  natural  to  be  preserved,  5. 

Encomium  Lauri,  a  poem  by  G.  Harvey, 

268. 
English  poetry,  discourse  upon,  by  W. 

Webbe,  13. 
poets  wrote  no  memorable  work 

from  using  bald  rhiming,  until  twenty 

years  past  (1566),  31,  32, 


English  syllables,  their  quantity,  J85. 

trimetra,  289,  297. 

wits  equal  to  the  Grecians  and 

Romans,  20. 

Ennius,  26,  28,  29,  149,  265. 
Epigrams  in  the  trochaic  measure,  175. 

elegiac  verse,  179. 

Epicharmus,  9*. 

Epilogus  to  Webbe's  discourse,  94. 

Epithets  ornamental  to  verse,  111. 

Epius  Stolo,  152. 

Erasmus,    123,  164,  204,  2O6,  2O8. 

Essex,  Robert,  earl  of,  246,  248,  254. 

Ethelings,  royal,  241. 

Eucherius,  92. 

Euphorbus,   152. 

Eupolis,  20,  88,  157. 

Euripides,  29,  150,  152,  156,  157. 

F. 

Fabian,  24O. 

Fabius,  92. 

Faire,   123. 

Fardles  of  pamphlets,  19. 

Feet  in  poetry  described,  106. 

Ferris,  Edward,  153. 

Figg  to  be  called  a  figg,  234. 

Fisher's,  bishop,  parable  told  to  Henry  8. 
130. 

Fitz-Jeffery,  C.  151,  156. 

Flaccus,  Val.,  3 1 . 

Fleming,  Abraham,  35. 

,  his  promise  to  trans- 
late the  Georgicks,  54. 

Flemming,  Samuel,   144. 

Flowing  necessary  in  poetry,   1O6. 

Flyting  and  invectives,  rules  to  be  obseived 
in,  110. 

Foot  in  verse  defined,  67. 

Fracastorius,  156. 

Francis,  K.,  156. 

Fraunce,  Abraham,  155. 


INDEX. 


309 


Freculphus  Lexoviensis,  23p. 

French  rimes,  feminine  and  masculine, 

145. 

G. 

Gager,  Dr.,  1 54. 
Galfridus,  Arthurius,  225. 

,  Monumethensis,  225, 231,241 . 

Galliards,  pavins,  jigs,  &c.,  60. 
Gascoigne's,  George,   notes  for  making 

verse  or  rhime  in  English,  1 . 

a  soldier  and  witty  poet,  34. 

's  course  of  learning  to  versify 

repeated  by  Webbe,  62. 
Gascoign,  George,  154,  250. 
Gaveston,  151. 
Gaza,  Theodorus,  205. 
Gentility  never  withdrew  affection  from 

lady  Learning,  1 6. 
Gentlewoman,  how  to  be  praised,  4. 
Geraldine,  I4p. 
Germanicus,  155. 
Germanicus  Augustus,  1 56. 
Gervasius  Tilburiensis,  227. 
Getulicus,  155. 
G.  H. — Gabriel  Harvey.  25p. 
Gildas,  228. 

Giraldus  Cambrensis,  226. 
Glocester,  Robert,  earl  of,  227. 
Golding  Arthur,  35,  50,  123,  156. 
Googe,  Barnaby,  35,  156. 
,  by  translating  Heresba- 

chius  deserved  much  commendation, 

54. 

Gosson,  Stephen,  155. 
Gouldinham,  Dr.,  302. 
Gower,  ]4p. 

.  „ ,  first  of  English  poets,  32. 

Gratian,  152. 

Graunge,  John,  36.    Verses  by,  64. 
Green,  Rob.,  153,  154,  157. 
Grevile,  lord  Brook,  247,  257. 
Grey,  lord,  of  Wilton,  11. 


H. 


Haddon,  Walter,  150. 

Hall,  Arth.,  221. 

Hall,  Joseph,  154. 

Harding,  149. 

Harington's,  Sir  John,  apology  of  poetry, 
119- 

defence  to  the  re- 
proofs of  his  readers,  144. 

Harington,  Sir  J.,  156. 

Harvey,  Gabriel,  36,  70,  150,  154,  157. 

,  reformer  of  English 

verse,  36. 

,  letter  to,  287- 

,  letters  to  Spenser,  264, 

296. 

,  verses  to  mistresse  Anne, 

277- 

,  paraphrase  by,  303. 

Hanibal,  30. 
Hay  ward,  Dr.,  248. 
Hathway,  154. 
Hector,  26,  150. 
Heliodorus,  150. 
Hengist,  240. 
Henry  1st.,  32,  227. 
Henry  3rd.,  241. 
Henry  4th.,  152. 
Henry  8th.,  130. 
Hercules,  152. 
Heresbachius,  54. 
Hermippus,  157- 
Hero,  152. 
Herodotus,  225. 
Heroic  measure,  114. 
Hesiod,  29,  30,  53,  132,  150. 
Hey  ward,  Sir  John,  246. 
Heywood,  Thomas,  34,  154,  155. 
Hiempsal,  king,  228. 
Hierom,  S.,  229. 
Hippocrates,  90. 
Hipponax  Ephesius,  154. 
pp 


310 


INDEX, 


Historic  measure,  specimen  of,  114. 

History  a  map  of  men,  207. 

History  to  be  described  by  actions,  as  of 

English  monarchs,  242. 
Holiday  exercises,  270. 
Holinshead,  227- 
Holland,  Hugh,  251. 
Homer,  26,  27,  28,  29,  30,  39,  40,  46, 

86,  QO,  125,  140,  141,  145,  149,  150, 

153,  156,  265,  272,  279,  301. 
Honterus,   151. 
Hooker,  Mr.,  246,248. 
Horace,  23,  26,  31,  35,  4O,  42,  66,  91, 

94,  133,  150,  152,  154,  279- 

prescribed  canons  of  poetry,  84. 

Hortensius,  Ql. 
Hoveden,  227,  245. 
Howard,  Henry,  149. 
Hunnis,  William,  34. 

,  verses  by,  64. 

Huns  and  Goths  first  invented  rhime,  32. 

Huntingdon,  227,  245. 

Hygenus,  254. 

Hypercritica,  or  a  rule  of  judgment  for 

writing  or  reading  our  histories,  221 . 

I. 

lambick  dimeter,  or  English  march,  173. 
verse  compared  with  theheroick, 

&c.,  168. 

lambichum  trimetrum  by  Spenser,  289. 

Ignoto,  a  name  applied  to  Puttenham,  123. 

He  of  Dogs  by  Tom  Nash,  157. 

Imitation  and  invention  two  parts  of  poe- 
try, 131. 

Immerito,  259-300. 

Inkhorn,  words  of  many  syllables  smell 
of  the,  7- 

Invention,  a  poet  should  excel  in,  4. 

}  chief  virtue  in  a  poet,  113, 

James,  K.,  155,  156,  240,  241,  246, 
24b,  249,  250,251. 


James,  K.,  upon  Scottis  poesie,  97. 

. . , ,  sonnets  by,  102-3. 

Jeffry  of  Monmouth's  history,  advocates 

for  and  against  its  authenticity,  227- 

231. 

Jodelle,  158. 
Johnson,  Dr.,  156. 
Jonson,  Ben,  153,  247. 
Jovianus  Pontanus,  149. 
Junius,  227. 
Julius  Caesar,  239. 
Juvenal,  31,  154,  157. 

K. 

K.  E.,  262,  288. 
Kendal,  155. 
Kerkes,  Mrs.,  289. 
Keyes,  Dr.,  227. 
K.  F.,  36. 
Kid,  Thomas,  153. 
Knyght,  36. 

L. 

Lacedemonians  banished  a  musician  for 
adding  a  string  to  his  fiddle,  209. 

Laetus  Pomponius,  2O6. 

Lambert,  Mr.,  227. 

Latin  poets  enumerated,  29,  30. 

Latter  lammas  end  of  sentences,  11. 

Laureat  master  of  England,  21. 

Lazarus,   131. 

Leander,  152. 

Learning  has  affection  of  gentility,  16. 

Leg,  Dr.,  153,  154. 

Letters,  three  proper  and  witty,  familiar, 
255. 

,  two  other  very  commendable,  285 

Lewis,  Mr.,  227- 

Lewis  the  Dolphin,  24 1 . 

Leyland,  150,  227. 

Lhuid,  Humfrey,  227- 

Licinius,  29,  154, 


INDEX. 


311 


Lilly,  John,  154. 

,  to  be  commended    for  his 

Euphues,  46. 
Linn,  Sir  Hugh,  24p. 
Linus,  132,  149. 
Literal  verse,  what,  111. 
Livius,  Andronicus,  14p. 
Livy,  24p. 
Lodge,  154. 
Lovers  and  learned  professors  of  ryme, 

dedication  to,  by  S.  Daniel,  193. 
Lucan,  30,  123,  150,  151,  252. 
Lucian,  225,  230,  275. 
Lucillius,  154. 
Lucius,  king,  239. 
Lucreece,  152. 
Lucretius,  150. 
Lucullus,  154. 
Luscius,  29. 
Lycophron,  158. 
Lycurgus,  207. 
Lydgate,  149,  249- 
's  verse  of  good  proportion,  33. 

M. 

Machiavel,  276. 
Macrobius,  92. 
Maker  in  poetry,  so  christened  by  Put- 

tenham,  122. 
Malmesburie,  227,  245. 
Manilius,  31. 
Mantuanus  Bass.,  31,  35,  51,  150,  155, 

156. 

Mapes,  Walterus,  206. 
Marcellinus,  234. 
Margaret,  St.,  241. 
Markham,  J.,  156. 

Marlow,  Kit,  150,  152,  153,  158,  247. 
,  stabbed  by  a  servingman, 

158. 
Marston,   John,  author  of  Pygmalion's 

Image,  154. 


Martial,  31,43,  44,  123,  134,  155,  185, 
237. 

Marullus  Tarchaniota,  150, 

Mary,  Q.  of  Scots,  248. 

Matilda,  151. 

Matildis,  empress,  241. 

Measure  should  not  be  altered  in  same 
poem,  5. 

Mecaenas,  154,  155. 

Melancthon,  156. 

Melanthus,  154. 

Memmius,  92. 

Menander,  29,  88,  92,  154,  156,  276. 

Meres,  Francis,  his  comparative  discourse 
of  our  English  poets,  147. 

Metre  defined,  6. 

necessary  to  English  rhime,  56. 

Mirrour  for  magistrates,  1 53,  247,  250. 

Monosyllables,  their  accent,  189. 

More,  Sir  T.,  155,  164,  165,  204,  206, 
208,  225,  246,  247. 

More's,  Sir  T.,  manner  of  Scoffing  an  in- 
different author,  142. 

Moses,  124. 

Munday,  Anthony,  36,  154. 

Munday's,  Anthony,  very  rare  poetry,  36. 

Muretus,  156. 

Musaeus,   149,  152. 

Mynerus,  154. 

Myrsilus,  228. 

Mysius,  154. 

N. 

Naevius,  92,  144. 
Nash,  Thomas,  154,  157,  158. 
Nathan,  131. 

Names  of  men  and  towns  not  to  be  in- 
serted in  verse,  109. 
Nazianzen,  St.  Gregory,  233. 
Nenius,  29. 
Nepos,  Cornelius,  206. 
Newton,  T.,  150. 


312 


INDEX. 


Newyear'sgift,apoem,  byG.Harvey,266. 

Nichoraachus  Phrygius,  153. 

Nicostratus,  154. 

Nigellus,  Gulielmus,  206. 

Nonnus  Panapolyta,  156. 

Norfolk,  duke  of,  251. 

North,  Sir  Thomas,  238. 

Northampton,  Henry,  earl  of,  247. 

Norton,  34,  302. 

Nubrigensis,  226. 

Numbers  treated  of  in  general,  163, 167. 

O. 

Objections  to  poetry,  126. 

Ockam,  206. 

Ocland,  C.,  34,  150. 

Octavia,  155. 

Odes  or  ditties,  their  nature,  181. 

. . . . ,  observations  upon  by  Daniel,  213. 

Origin  of  verse,  3p. 

Orlando  Furioso,  156. 

,  apology  for  the  transla- 
tion, 135. 

Ornaments  to  verse,  111. 

Orosius,  224. 

Orpheus,  26,  QO,  132,  149,  151. 

Ovid,  30,  35,  43,  44,  123,  14O,  I4p, 
151,  152,  154,  156,  157. 

. .  . . ,  lines  by,  2/0. 

,  paraphrased,  271 . 

Oxford,  earl  of,  34,  154. 

P. 

Pacuvious,  92,  249. 

Page,  Samuel,  154. 

Palladia  Tamia,  by  Francis  Meres,  extract 
from,  147- 

Paleologus,  John,  205. 

Pallengenius,  31,  35,  150,  156. 

Panegyrica,  feasts  of,  23. 

Pantomimi  of  the  Greeks,  with  us  buf- 
foons, 149. 

Parmeno,  44. 


Parsons,  father  Robert,  247-8. 

Parthenius  Nicaeus,  15.1,  154. 

Pastoral,  writers  of,  enumerated,  155. 

Pasquill,  275. 

Paterculus,  225. 

Peele,  G.,  153. 

Pembroke,  earl  of,  defence  of  ryme  by 
S.  Daniel  addressed  to,  195. 

Pembroke,  countess  of,  150,  155. 

Penn,  widow,  a  frank  neighbour,  133. 

Perfyt  poet,  sonnet  decifring  the,  103. 

Perils  to  be  avoided  in  compiling  history, 
243-5. 

Perseus,  historical  sense  of  the  fable  of 
his  slaying  the  Gorgon,  128. 

Persius,  81,  154. 

Petrarch,   149,  153,  205,  275. 

shewed  all  the  best  notions  of 

learning,  204. 

Phaer,  D.,  35,  46,  123,  156. 

*s  translation  from  Virgil,  ex- 
tracts from,  48-50. 

Philelphus,  150. 

Philip,  ISO. 

Philip,  K.  of  Spain,   149. 

Philetas  Cous,  154. 

Phocitides,  29. 

Piers  Plowman,  149,  154,  249. 

a  pithy  writer,  33 . 

Picus  de  Mirandula,  Johannes,  206. 

Pigres  Hallicarnassaeus,   154. 

Pindar,  27,  153. 

Pliny,  27,  230. 

Plinius,  C.,  156. 

Plato,  29,  39,  88,  123,  129,  144. 

Plautus,  29,  43,  92,  149,  152,  154,  276. 

Plutarch,   121,  125,  127,  145,  238. 

Poem  on  a  triumph  at  Whitehall,  18-1. 

Poetica  licentia  defended,  126. 

Poetical  license  a  shrewd  fellow,  9. 

Poetical  writing  preserved  learning,  129. 

Poetry,  notes  of  instruction  upon,  1 . 


INDEX. 


313 


Poetry,  discourse  upon,  13. 

,  art  of  making,  23. 

,  estimation  of,  25. 

,  considered  by  common  custom 

and  ancient  use,  3g. 

,  the  canons  of,  84. 

>  treatise  upon  Scotish,  97. 

,  apology  of,   117. 

,  a  meet  study  for  a  young  man, 

124. 

,  characterised  by  Sir  J.  Harington, 

134. 

,  observations  on  the  art  of,  15p. 

Poggius,  205. 

Polidor,  227. 

Polisyllables,  their  accent,  18Q. 

Politianus,   14Q,  206. 

Pompey,  30,  151,  207. 

Pomponius  Secundus,  153,156. 

Pontanus,  156. 

Porcius  Licinius,  155. 

Porter,  154. 

Position,  its  nature  and  effect,  J  86. 

Potticall  poetical!  heads,  37. 

Poulter's  measure,  1J,  60. 

Powel,  Dr.,  227. 

Preface  by  K.  James,  101. 

W.  Webbe,  19. 

to  letters  passed  between  two 

university  men,  257. 

Preston,  master,  289. 

Prise,  Sir  John,  22^. 

Prejudice  of  historians'censured,  232. 

Procrustes,  his  manner  of  treating  pri- 
soners, 166. 

Propertius,  30,  154. 

Prosodia,  rules  of,  6l. 

Prosody,  remarks  upon,  24-6. 

Proverbs,  an  ornament  proper  to  beau- 
tify verse,  ill. 

Puttenham's  art  of  English  poetry,  122. 

Puttenham,  250. 


Pygmalion's  image,  1 54. 
Pythia,  38. 
Pythagoras,  152. 

Q. 

Quintianus  Stoa,  150. 
Quintillian,  46,  90,  225. 

R. 

Radamanthus,  211. 

Ragged  rymers  contemptible,  38. 

Raleigh,  Sir  W.,  154,  249,  251. 

Randall,  Justice,  his  penurious  disposi- 
tion, 133. 

Ravenensis,  Johannis,  205. 

Repetition  decorates  verse,  112. 

Revlis  and  cavtelis  in  Scottis  poesie,  105. 

Reusnerus,  156. 

Rewcline,  164,  204,  206,  208. 

Rhime  to  have  reason,  7- 

,  royal,  described,  10. 

,  bald,  brutish  poetry,  32. 

,  tinkerly  verse,  32. 

,  borrowed  from  the  barbarians,  55. 

,  described,  55. 

,  its  three  component  parts,  56. 

,  its  unaptness  in  poesy,  164. 

Rhodias,  Symias,  the  first  who  invented 
rymes,  55. 

Richard  2d.,  152. 

Richard  3d.,  152,  154. 

Richard  the  3d.,  a  famous  tragedy  per- 
formed at  Cambridge,  135. 

Richmond,  241. 

Riding  rhime,  described,  12. 

Robert,  k.  of  Sicil,   156. 

Robert  of  Normandy,  151. 

Robin  Hood,  37,  143. 

Rogero,  tune  of,  60. 

Rogers,  Daniel,  283. 

Rouncefallis,  or  tumbling  verse,  115. 

Rowley,  154. 

Roydon,  M.,  153. 


31* 


INDEX. 


Rutland,  Roger,  earl  of,  246-9. 
Ryme,  defence  of,  ipl. 
Ryming  in  terms,  105. 
Rym,  Ram,  Ruff,  3. 
S. 

Sackford,  Thomas,  acrostics  on,  302. 
St.  Alban,  lord  viscount,  237,  238.  246. 
St.  John,  141. 
Salomon,   132. 
Salust,  228,  238. 
Sambucus,   1 56. 
Samford,  Hugh,  218. 
Sand,  34. 

Sapphics  by  Webb,  80. 
Sappho,   155. 
Satire,  writers  of,  154. 
Savile,  Sir  Henry,  223,  235,  236,  238, 

245,  246,  248,  254. 
Scaliger,  135,  137,  156. 
School  of  abuse,  288. 
Scipio,  26,  30,  122,  207- 
Scottis  poesie,  a  treatise  of  the  airt  of, 

97- 

Scotus,  208. 

Section,  in  each  line  necessary,  107. 
Seneca,  31,  35,  152,  153,  156. 
Sextus  Propertius,  150. 
Sextus  Turpilius,  1 54. 
Shakespeare,  150,  152,  153,  154,  247. 
*s  plays,  list  of  by  Meres, 

152. 
Shepherds  Calender  reviewed,  53.      Its 

sundry  sorts  of  verses,  57—8. 
Sidonius,  92. 

Sigebertus  Gemblacensis,  228. 
Silius,  30. 

Silius  Italicus,   150,  206. 
Skelton,  149,  249. 

,  a  pleasant  conceited  fellow,  34. 

Skialetheia,  154. 
Smith,  Sir  Thomas,  265. 
Socrates,  129. 


Sonaza,  155. 

Songs  of  Deborah  and  Solomon  verse, 
132. 

Sonnets,  best  allowed  in  fourteen  lines,  10. 

Sophocles,  29,  150,  151,  153,  155,  156. 

Sotades  Maronites,  140. 

Southwell,  R.,  247,  250. 

Speculum  Tuscanisme,  a  poem  by  S. 
Harvey,  269. 

Speed,  237,  24O. 

Spelman,  Sir  Henry,  237. 

Spenser,  Edmund,  36,  37,  38,  79,  150, 
153,  154,  155,  247,  249 . 

*s  Shepheard's  Calender,  25. 

Shepherd's  Calender,  commend- 
able with  either  Theocritus  or  Virgil, 
51. 

renowned  for  exquisite  wit,  15O. 

fs  letters  to  Gabriel  Harvey,  259, 

287. 

Stanyhurst.  R.,  154. 

Stemmata  Dudleiana,  projected  by  Ed. 
Spenser,  213. 

Stephen,  K.,  241. 

Still,  master,  289. 

Stowe,  227,  240. 

Strozae,  150. 

Suliard,  Edward,  dedication  to,  15. 

Surrey,  earl  of,  34,  14  9,  154,  247,  251. 

,  one  of  first  refiners  of  the  Eng- 
lish tongue,  143. 

Swan,  Bank-side,  where  Wilson  chal- 
lenged, 157. 

Sydney,  Sir  Philip,  36,  123,  134,  141, 
145,  15O,  153,  154,  155,  246,  247, 
25O,  260,  264,  270,  288,  2S9,  29*. 

our  rarest  poet,  writ 

his  immortal  poem  of  Arcadia,  in  prose, 
150. 

Syllables,  their  quantities,  187-9- 

Synalaephas,  or  elisions,  186. 

Syxains,  from  the  French,  1 1 . 


INDEX. 


315 


T. 


Tacitus,  224,  223,  238,  248,  254. 

Tale  of  a  tub,  theme  badly  handled  like,  4. 

Tallaeus,  67. 

Tamberlain,  204. 

Tarleton,  157. 

Tasso,   125,  153,  170,  205. 

Terence,  29,  44,  154,  156,  276. 

Tertullian,  224,  239. 

Thamaras,  152. 

Theagines,  29. 

Theocritus,  25,  29,  30,  51,  150.  155. 

Thespis,  88. 

Thespis  Atticus,  153. 

Thomas,  Saint.,  208. 

Thuanus,  253. 

Thucydides,  238. 

Tibullus,  30,43,  154. 

Tilburiensis,  Gervasius,  206. 

Timon  Apolloniates,   153. 

Tinkerly  verse,  32. 

Tolomsei,  C.  205. 

Trabea,  29. 

Tragedies,  their  origin  and  nature,  39. 

Tragedy,  first  writers  of,  29. 

,  the  best  in  Greek,  Latin,  and 

English,   153. 
Translation,  difficulty  of,  as  to  names  of 

persons,  &c.,  252. 
Trapezantius,  George,  205. 
Trenchmore,  a  common  tune,  60. 
Trisyllables,  their  quantity,  188. 
Trochaick  verse,  1/4. 
measure    has    only    grace    of 

sound,  212. 
Troilus  verse,  115. 
Truth  necessary  to  an  historian,  224. 
Tully,  26,  46,  65,  86,  123,   165,  214, 

238. 

Tumbling  verse,  111,  115. 
Turler,  Master,  301. 


Turpitius,  29. 

Tusser,  Thomas,  34,  156. 

• ,  poem  upon  husbandry, 

of  great  wit  and  experience,  53. 
Twyne,  Thomas,  35. 
Tydders,  241,  243. 
Tyrtaeus,  27,  90. 

V. 

Valla,  Lauremius,  205. 

Valanger,  279. 

Valentinian,  239. 

Valgius,  154. 

Varro,  280. 

Vaus,  lord,  34. 

Verlay,  verses  often  syllables,  11. 

Verse  to  easy  like  tale  of  a  roasted  horse,  8. 

....  of  sixteen  syllables,  56.  How  to 
be  divided,  ib. 

. .  . . ,  of  fourteen  syllables,  and  how  di- 
vided, 57. 

. . . . ,  of  nine  syllables,  a  rough  or  clown- 
ish verse,  58. 

.  . .  . ,  of  seven  syllables,  a  pretty  round 
verse,  56. 

. . . .  ,  of  various  kinds,  59. 

. . . . ,  rules  concerning  its  composition, 
67-70. 

. . . . ,  specimens  of,  1 14-1 16. 

. . . . ,  conservation  of  memory,  128. 

. , . . ,  illustrative  of  the  iambick  dimeter, 
173. 

Vincentius  Lyrinensis,  234. 

Virgil,  25,  30,  35,  36,  46,  47,  51,  52, 
53,  65,  70,  71>  75,  89, 123,  132,  135, 
136,  137,  139,  141,  150,  151,  153, 
155,  156. 

Virgil,  Polydore,  223,  228,  235. 

Virgillius  Romanus,  154. 

Vopiscus,  245. 

Ulricus,  27. 


316 


INDEX. 


W. 

Walsingham,  Sir  Francis,  a  saying  of,  135. 
Warner,  William,  150,  152,  153. 

,  the  English  Homer, 

152. 

,  Albion's  England,  25O. 

Watson,  bishop,  156. 

Watson,  Dr.,  279. 

Watson,  Thomas,  150,  153,  2Q8,  299. 

,  his  distich  common  in 

the  mouths  of  all  men,  69. 
Webbe's,  William,  discourse  of  English 
poetry,  13. 

,  first  .dEglogue,  71- 

,  second  ^Eglogue,  J5. 

His  Sapphics,  8O. 
Whethamsted,  226. 
Whetstone,  George,  36,  154. 
,  well  skilled  in  poe- 
try, 36. 
White,  Dr.,  227- 


Whitney,  G.,  156. 
Willet,  A.,  156. 
Willey,  150. 

William  the  Conqueror,  31,  240. 
Wilson,  154,  157. 

Winchester,  Montague,  bishop  of,  251. 
Wotton,  Sir  Henry,  247- 
Wyat,  Sir  Thomas,  154,  247,  251. 
,  one  of  the  first   re- 
formers of  the  English  tongue,  143. 
Wylmot,  36. 
Wythipole,  master,  297- 
,  verses  by,  302-3. 


Xerxes,  210. 
Y.  S.,  34. 

Zeiophon,  123. 
Zoilus,  121. 


X. 


Y. 


Z. 


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