I would be wise; but that the fox I see
Suspected guilty, whilst the ass goes free.
I would be fair; but see that champion proud,
The bright sun, often setting in a cloud.

I would be poor; but see the humble grass
Trampled upon by each unworthy ass.

Rich, hated; wise, suspected; scorn'd, if poor;

Great, fear'd; fair, tempted; high, still envied more.

JASPER MAYNE

Was born in 1604, entered a servitor at Christ Church 1623, afterwards chosen student, and made D. D. 1646, as a reward, says Wood (Ath. Vol. II. p. 507), for having preached before the king and his parliament at Oxford, early in the rebellion. He was much admired on account of his learning, his wit, and his loyalty; in consequence of which he was promoted after the restoration to a canonry of Christ Church, and to the archdeaconry of Chichester. He died in 1672. In his youth he composed two plays, viz. "The City Match," 1639; and "The Amorous War,” 1648; both reprinted in 1659, 8vo. Oxford. From the latter the following specimen is extracted,

SONG.

TIME is a feather'd thing,

And, whilst I praise

The sparklings of thy looks, and call them rays, Takes wing;

Leaving behind him, as he flies,

An unperceived dimness in thine eyes.

His minutes, whilst they're told,

Do make us old,

And every sand of his fleet glass,
Increasing age as it doth pass,
Insensibly sóws wrinkles there
Where flowers and roses do appear.

Whilst we do speak, our fire
Doth into ice expire;

Flames turn to frost,

And, ere we can

Know how our crow turns swan,

Or how a silver snow

Springs there where jet did grow,

Our fading spring is in dull winter lost.

SIR WILLIAM D'AVENANT

was

Was son of "a sufficient vintner" in the city of Oxford, of which he was mayor, born in 1605, sent to Lincoln College about 1621, and terminated a life of the most astonishing activity in 1668, in the 64th year of his age. For the history of this ingenious and singular man,-who "by turns a soldier, a projector, a manager, an envoy, "and a wit;" whose careless intrepidity no dangers could disturb; who began an epic poem in exile, interrupted it for the purpose of settling a colony in Virginia, and then calmly continued it in prison, and under condemnation; and who, while still under proscription by the fanatics, undertook the conduct of a theatre in the centre of fanaticism; the reader is referred to Wood's Athenæ; Mr Headley's biographical sketches; and Dr Anderson's account, prefixed to a selection from his works, in "The Poets of Great Britain." His life is also written very much at large in the "Biographia Dramatica," where it is followed by a list of his dramatic pieces, 25 in number, which appeared between 1629 and 1674. His works, published at various times, consisting of "Gondibert," "Madagascar," several small poems, and 16 plays, were printed in 1673, in a large volume folio.

The Dream.

[From 26 stanzas.]

No victor, when in battle spent,

When he at night asleep doth lie

Rich in a conquer'd monarch's tent,
E'er had so vain a dream as I.

Methought I saw the earliest shade,
And sweetest that the spring can spread,
Of jasmin, briar, and woodbine made;
And there I saw Clorinda dead.

Though dead she lay, yet could I see
No cypress, nor no mourning yew,
Nor yet the injur'd lover's tree;
No willow near her coffin grew :

But all show'd unconcern'd to be,
As if just Nature there did strive
To seem as pitiless as she

Was to her lover when alive.

And now, methought, I lost all care
In losing her; and was as free
As birds let loose into the air,
Or rivers that are got to sea.

Yet soon, now from my princess free,
I rather frantic grew than glad;

For subjects, getting liberty,

Get but a license to be mad.