But tuch me Quintus with his stincking breath, thus two months hath troubled me. To keepe this rule, kaw me and I kaw thee, The spirit, the sentiment, the language, and yersification of many passages in the preceding Satire are admirable, and would not have disgraced the pens, either of Dryden or Pope. I subjoin a few explanatory notes for the benefit of the reader who may be less familiar with the phraseology of this period. (1) Sooth up, that is smooth over, palliate. (2) Soundes him not, does not expose him. (3) To haulte, to limp, that is to keep pace with inhuman infirmity. (4) Plaise-mouthed, I presume, means foul-mouthed, or rather, perhaps, with a mouth as large as that of the Plaise. Welts and guards, means gowns and petticoats. (5) Selfe will, &c. These are two excellent lines. (6) Lurking lounging. (7) Lights. Here also are four very spirited and forcible lines.—Lights evidently means the lights or powers of the mind. (8) Flings here means kicks or resents. It would not be easy to find two finer lines in Pope's Satires than these : For wicked men repine their sinnes to heare, (9) Under (9) Under-layd, trodden down in a slovenly manner. (10) Tell blear-eyed, &c. These, and many of the succceding lines are very animated, and truly conceived and expressed in the indignant spirit of genuine Satire, (11) Last day. Yesterday. (14) Will--passion. I know not where these lines are surpassed in force, truth, or elegance. Thus with the world, the world disseinbles still, (15) 1. That is ay.--I confess I do not comprehend the meaning of these concluding lines. EUPHUES GOLDEN LEGACIE, Found after his Death in his Cell at Silexedra. Bequeathed to Philautus Sonnes, nursed up with their Father in England. Fetcht from the Canaries by T. L. Gent. Imprinted at London, for John Smethwick, and are to be sold at his Shop in Saint Dunstanes Church Yard, in Fleet Street, under the Dyall. 1612. THIS Tract is by the same author as that which precedes, Thomas Lodge, of whom Warton remarks I 4 remarks that he was fitted for a different mode of composition than Satire. This, however, will pot easily be allowed by those who have perused his Satires, which Warton confessedly had not. This Tract deserves commemoration, as well for its great rarity, as that by the acknowledgledgment of all the Commentators it furnished the Plot of Shakspeare's As You LIKE IT. There are a great many poetical pieces interspersed, which indicate much true poetical feeling and taste. One or two specimens of Lodge's Poetry are to be found in Ellis's work, but I have no where seen any portion of the present performance. The following examples may well entitle the Author to a distinguished place among our early English Poets, MADRIGAL. Love in my bosone like a bee Now with his feete. Withịn mine eyes he makes his nest, Ah Ah Wanton will ye? With prettie flight, The live long night. Strike I my lute, he tunes the string, Whist wanton will ye? Else I with roses every day Will whip you hence, you you long to play, For your offence, Ile shut my eyes to keepe you in, If he gainesay me? What if I beate the wanton boy With many a rod, Because a God Then sit thou safely on my knee, Spare not, but play thee. SONETTO, |