To Libyan wastes, whose thirst no showers assuage, Met on the Thracian shores; when in the strife Thou sav’d'st me from the bloody massacres Of tainted air, which cloy'd the jaws of death. waves Mix'd with the clouds and open'd their deep graves. * * Then brought'st me home in safety, that this earth THOMAS HEYWOOD, Of this author little appears to be known, except that he was probably a native of Lincolnshire, an actor, and one of the most voluminous writers that ever attempted dramatic composition, as he himself reckons 120 plays, in which, says he, " I have had either an entire hand, or at "least a main finger." Of these, however, only 24 remain, for a catalogue of which, as well as his other works, recourse may be had to the Biographia Dramatica and Langbaine. The latter regards him as "a general scholar, and "an indifferent linguist," and informs us "he has borrowed 16 many ornaments from the ancients." The following extracts are taken from his "Pleasant Dialogues and Drammas," &c. 1637, 12mo. SONG, PACK clouds away, and welcome day, Bird prune thy wing, nightingale sing, To give my love good-morrow, Wake from thy nest, robin-red-breast, And from each hill let music shrill - Shepherd's Song. WE that have known no greater state Our music from the birds we borrow, They bidding us, we them, good-morrow. Our habits are but coarse and plain, pass If we sometimes the willow wear, VOL. III. WILLIAM ALEXANDER, OF MENSTRIe, earl of sterline, Was born in 1580. Having been early distinguished for his proficiency in classical learning, he was recommended to the earl of Argyle as a companion in his travels. After some time spent abroad, he returned to a rural retirement in Scotland, where he finished his "Aurora," a collection of sonnets, &c. in honour of his first mistress, to whom he had become attached at the early age of 15, before leaving his own country. This lady, however, proving cruel, and bestowing her hand upon another and more aged admirer, he consoled himself by marrying Janet, the daughter and heir of Sir William Erskine. He was now warmly patronised by James I., who made him in 1613 gentleman-usher to prince Charles, and in 1614 knighted him. By Charles I. he was in 1630 appointed secretary of state for Scotland, (a post which he retained with credit till his death); and in 1633 created earl of Sterline. He died in 1640. His works consist of "Darius," 1603, Edinb. 4to. reprinted in London the following year: to which in 1607 were added three others: viz. " Croesus," "The Alexandrian Tragedy," and "Julius Cæsar," making together a small quarto, with the general title of "The Monarchicke Tragedies newly enlarged." These were again printed, with alterations, in a minute 12mo. in 1616, Lond. professing to be the third edition. "Aurora," 1604, 4to. "A Parænesis to the Prince," 1604, 4to. "Doomsday," a sacred poem in twelve parts, Edinb. 1614, 4to. and |