Hoc Jacobus aget quintus rex stirpe suorum Mascula thoracem vertus huic pectora fortem Quod bene susceptum, secula cuncta canent. Scotia (sentimus) tardo subjecta boete, Mox capiunt fauni siluas, hortisq. priapus 1512. Finis. Impressum Ediburgi apud REMARKS. James V. was born on the twelfth of April, He died on the fourteenth of December, 1542. He took upon himself the government in July 1528. He obtained the supreme authority by expelling the faction of the Douglases, who, for their own selfish and ambitious purposes held him in a sort of thraldom. The STRESA, printed above, was evidently addressed to King James V. on this memorable occasion of his triumph over a factious party. The first manuscript note informs us how this Poem came into the King's library by purchase, at West's sale. The reference to Herbert's edition of Ames in this manuscript note, should be 1472. The following description which there occurs is curious enough. "It is a thin quarto it is unique." The second manuscript note, which is, seemingly, the intimation of a Scotish Antiquary of the last century, is quite apocryphal. Davidson, who stands at the head of the second dynasty of Scotish printers was appointed printer to the King in December 1541. This STRENA was printed by him before this epoch of his good fortune, otherwise he would have been naturally proud, and have avowed the honourabic distinction he had obtained. I suspect, from various circumstances, that Daviesone, or Davidson, for there was no uniform orthography in these times, did not begin to print in Scotland before the year 1540, whatever the said Scotish Antiquary may affirm, or Herbert may intimate and this year may be, in my my opinion, safely assigned as the real period when the Strena was printed. As to its merit as a composition, no great deal can be said. The author seems to have been tolerably well read in the Classics, and has borrowed very freely from Ovid. As a whole, however, it is far from contemptible. the worst part of it; I was perswaded to write of such an argument, I will neuer denie that while I live. 7. Some affirmed that I had taken this laughing libertie to grace som that haue fauord me, and grate against some that had galled me: guiltie my Lord. Alasse poore Gentleman (say the standers by) he will be condemned certainly for this that he hath confest already, if he be not saved by his booke: let us heare what he will answere to the rest of the inditement. 8. You did meane some disgrace in the letter afore the booke and in many passages of the Booke itselfe, to Ladies and Gentlewemen. Who I? God damne me if I loue the not, I feare more to be damned for loving them too well. 9. You did thinke to scoffe at some Getlemen that haue serued in some honorable seruices though with no great good successe. As I am a Gentlema not guilty: neither do I meane any, but such as will needs be called M. Captains hauing neither carried out with them, brought home with them, worth, wealth, or wit. 10. You did seeke to discredit the honest meaning and laudable endevours of some zealous and honest men that seeke for reformatiō and labor faithfully and fruitfully in the word. To this in all & euerie not guiltie, prouided they rayle not against bishops nor against the Comuniō book. You |