Towching the methode and invention, even as Petrark in his workes De remediis utriusque fortunæ doth recoupt the uncerteine joyes of men in severall dialogues, so have I in these elegies distributed the same into sundrie songs, and have hetherto perfected but fowre of the first, the which I humbly commend unto your noble sensure and gracious correction. And therewithall I proffer in like manner that if your Matie shall lyke the woorke, and deeme it worthy of publication, I will then shrinke for no pains untill I have (in such songes) touched all the common places of mans perylous pleasures. But without the confirmation of your favorable acceptains (your Matie well knoweth) I will never presume to publish any thing hereafter, and that being well considered (compared also withe the unspeakable comfort which I have conceived in your Matis undeserved favor) maie sufficiently witnes without further trial that doubtfull greeves and greevous doubtes, do often accompanye oure greatest joyes. Howsoever it be, I right humbly beseeche youre heighness to accept this Nifle for a new yeres gyfte, and therewithal to pardon the boldnes of your servaunt who eftsoones presumethe by contemplation to kysse youre delicate and most honourable handes, and voweth willingly to purchase the continewance of youre comforte, by any deathe or perill, which occasion maye . present present for accomplishment of any least service acceptable to so worthie a Queene, whome God preserve this first of January, 1577, and ever. Amen. Youre Maties joyfull greeved servant, GEORGE GASCOIGNE. The Poem consists of what the Author calls four songs. At the end of the last he has written "Left unperfect for feare of horsmen." Tam Marti quam Mercurio. The following specimen of the Poem is taken from the fourth song or section. I graunt yong mynds may youthfully delight Wherein mans mynde maie shrewd yt selfe full oft, But as the bell can hardly holde the hawke To To prove this trew who shall the game begynne? The highest harte in harmonye that clymes ? Alas alas, who sooner deathe deceave * Since mellyshe mowthes can worst awaye with gall, As highest clymes are most afeardé to fall. Yn deede suche dynne appeasethe angrye mynds, Sett me asyde and harke to § holly syres, Whose dyverse doomes maye skarce discusse the doubt; For AMBROSE first the use thereof requires Yn everie churche and all the worlde abowt; But ATHANASE forbadd the same throughowt; * No doubt the Author means honied, though I never remember to have seen this word. They who climb highest. + Humour. Holy fathers. Att Att last came AUSTINE like a dreamyng dadd, Yt is a treuth, and cannot be denyed, That MUSICKE styrres some mynds to godly thought; It is as trew, and hath byn often tryed, That MUSICKE styrres moe myndes to be but nought. Yt maie be founde yf it be rightly sought That MUSICKE makes mo mery myndes starke madd, Then secrete prayer sufferethe to be sadd. The serpent tickleth whome she list to sting, The dazled wyghts, whome she to drowne doth like, Amongst the vaynes of variable joyes I must confesse that MUSICKE pleasd me ones, Which made me graunt my MUSICKL was but lame. I meane I founde that ravished thereby, * Course. That That some reporte contynually dyd ryng Within myne eares, and made me seeme to singe. I coulde not reade, but I must tune my words; I coulde not speake, but as yt were by note; I coulde not praye but eare there past my throte I soonge the syxth and quyte forgot the rest. Laugh nott, SWEETE QUEENE, for I shall not be founde Hathe alwaies dreamt a MUSICKES silver sounde. And wonderfull it is that NEROES mynde Ytt greeved hym nott, but that so sweete a synger And lyke the swanne he soong before his deathe, Yt maye * I presume ticklish is here meant. Yt |