But tuch me Quintus with his stincking breath, Thus though mens great deformities be knowne, A letcher that hath lost both flesh and fame, And why? because they cloake their shame by this, And cunning sinne being clad in vertues shape, He wore a silken night-cap on his head, Not from the sinne, but from the seeing eie, To keepe this rule, kaw me and I kaw thee, The spirit, the sentiment, the language, and versification 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 suc ceeding lines are very animated, and truly conceived and expressed in the indignant spirit of genuine Satire. (11) Last day-- Yesterday. (12) Skuce-excuse. (13) Heares-hairs. (14) Will--passion. I know not where these lines are surpassed in force, truth, or elegance. Thus with the world, the world dissembles still, And to their own confusions follow will, Holding it true felicitie to flie, Not from the sinne, but from the seeing eie. (15) I. 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 not 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 bosome like a bee Doth suck his sweete, Now with his wings he plaies with me,' Now with his feete. Within mine eyes he makes his nest, My kisses are his daily feast, Ah Ah Wanton will ye? And if I sleepe then pearcheth he With prettie flight, And makes his pillow of my knee 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, And bind you when you long to play, Ile shut my eyes to keepe you in, Ile court your power not worth a pinne, |