Page images
PDF
EPUB

and who there can now be little doubt was lady Elizabeth Fitzgerald, second daughter of the earl of Kildare (See Royal and Noble Authors). This lady, it should be added, became the third wife of Edward Clinton, earl of Lincoln; and Surrey married Frances, daughter of the earl of Oxford, by whom he had several children. Surrey's poems were first printed by Tottel, in 1557, sm, 4to. with the following title: "Songes and Sonettes, written "by the right honorable Lorde Henry Haward, late "Earle of Surrey, and other." The text of this has been preferred in the present extracts. Successive editions, somewhat altered and enlarged, though, for the most part, less correct, appeared in 1565, 1567, 1569, 1574, 1585, 1587; and lastly in 1717. His translation of Virgil's second and fourth books into English blank verse, said to be equally elegant and faithful, was published in 1557. This very rare and curious work has been reprint ed from a copy preserved in Dulwich college library, and, it is hoped, will soon be given to the public. For a more particular account of this accomplished man, see Walpole's Royal and Noble Authors, or Warton's History of Poetry.

Description and Praise of his Love, Geraldine. FROM

ROM Tuscane came my lady's worthy race;

Fair Florence was, sometime, her ancient seat; The western ile, whose pleasant shore doth face

I

Wild Camber's cliffs, first gave her 1 lively heat. Foster'd she was with milk of Irish breast; Her sire, an earl; her dame of princes' blood:

So ed. I.-Ed. 1567, "did give her."

From tender

[ocr errors]

in Britain did she rest, years With king's child, where she tasteth costly food." Honsdon did first present her to mine ey❜n;

Bright is her hue, and Geraldine she hight; Hampton me taught to wish her first for mine,

And Windsor, alas, doth chase me from her sight. Her beauty of kind; her virtues from above; Happy is he that can obtain her love.

Prisoner in Windsor, he recounteth his Pleasure there passed.

So cruel prison how could betide, alas,

As proud Windsor? where I, in lust and joy,

With a king's son my childish years did pass

In greater feasts 3 than Priam's sons of Troy:

Where each sweet place returns a taste full sower !^ The large green courts, where we were wont to hove, 5

With

eyes cast up into the maiden's tower, And easy sighs, such as folk draw in love.

The stately seats, the ladies bright of hue,

The dances short, long tales of great delight,

'So ed. I.-Ed. 1567," she doth." 2 So ed. 1567.Ed. I. "With a king's child, who tasteth ghostly food." 3 So ed. I.-Ed. 1567, "feast." 4 Sour. 5 Hover, loiter.

With words and looks that tigers could but rue; Where each of us did plead the other's right.

I

The palm-play, where, despoiled for the game,

With dazed eyes oft we by gleames of love Have miss'd the ball, and got sight of our dame;

2

To bait3 her eyes which kept the leads above.

The gravel ground, with sleeves tied on the helm,s On foaming horse, with swords, and friendly hearts,

With cheer as though one should another whelm: Where we have fought, and chased oft with darts.

*

*

*

*

*

The secret groves, which oft we made resound

Of pleasant plaint, and of our ladies' praise, Recording oft what grace each one had found,

What hope of speed, what dread of long delays.

The wild forest, the clothed holts with green, With reins avail'd, and swift y-breathed horse, With cry of hounds, and merry blasts between, Where we did chase the fearful hart of force.

3

So ed. I -Ed. 1567, "plain play." Probably a misprint. 2 Rendered unable to play. Tempt, catch. 4 So ed. I-Ed. 1567, "keeps." 5. At tournaments

they fixed the sleeve of their mistresses on some part of

6 Looks.

7 Reins dropped.

their armour. * Chasse à forcer, Fr. is the chase in which the game is

The wide vales, eke, that harbour'd us each night,
Wherewith, alas, reviveth in my breast

The sweet accord, such sleeps as yet delight,
The pleasant dreams, the quiet bed of rest:

The secret thoughts imparted with such trust, The wanton talk, the divers change of play, The friendship sworn, each promise kept so just, Wherewith we past the winter nights' away.

O place of bliss, renewer of my woes!

Give me account where is

my noble fere,"

Whom in thy walls thou dost each night enclose, To other leefe, but unto me most dear!

The Means to attain happy Life.

[Translated from Martial.]

MARTIAL, the things that do attain
The happy life be these, I find!
The riches left, not got with pain;
The fruitful ground; the quiet mind;

run down, in opposition to the chasse à tirer, in which it is

■ Ed. 1567,

shot.
3 Dear to others, to all.

[blocks in formation]

The egall1 friend; no grudge, no strife;
No charge of rule nor governance;
Without disease the healthful life;

The household of continuance ;

The mean diet; no delicate fare;
True wisdom join'd with simpleness;
The night discharged of all care,

Where wine the wit may not oppress;

The faithful wife, without debate;

Such sleeps as may beguile the night:
Contented with thine own estate, *

Ne wish for Death, ne fear his might.

A Praise of his Love, wherein he reproveth them that compare their Ladies with his.

GIVE place, ye lovers, here before

That spent your boasts and brags in vain!

My lady's beauty passeth more

The best of yours, I dare well sayne,
Than doth the sun the candle light,

Or brightest day the darkest night:

Equal.

2 So ed. I.-Ed. 1567,

"thyself with thine estate."

"Content

« PreviousContinue »