"Jonathan, an Heroicke Poem intended. The first booke." All these various works, excepting "Aurora," were, in 1637, with many changes and amendments, collected into one volume folio, under the title of "Recreations with the Muses." For further particulars of our author, who deserves considerable praise as a masculine and vigorous writer, abounding with moral and political instruction, see Langbaine, Cibber (i. e. Shiell), the Biographia Britannica, and Pinkerton's list prefixed to his Ancient Scotish Poem 1786. Extract from a Speech of Coelia, in the Tragedy of Cræsus. [The text is printed from ed. 1637, which agrees almost exactly with ed. 1616.—The various readings at the foot of the page are from ed. 1607.] FIERCE tyrant, Death, who in thy wrath didst take One half of me, and left one 2 half behind, Take this to thee, or give the other 3 back, 4 Be wholly cruel, or be no way 5 kind! So ed. 1616.-Ed. 1607 and 1637, "me th' other." I But whilst I live, believe, thou canst not 2 die— O! e'en in spite of Death, yet still my choice! Oft, with the inward all-beholding 3 eye I think I see thee, and I hear thy voice. And, to content my languishing desire, To ease my mind each thing+ some help affords: Thy fancied form doth oft 5 such faith acquire, That in all sounds 7 I apprehend thy words. Then, with such thoughts my memory to wound, I call to mind thy looks, thy words, thy grace— Where thou didst haunt, yet I adore the ground! And where thou stept-O sacred seems that place! My solitary walks, my widow'd bed, My dreary sighs, my sheets oft bath'd with tears, These shall record what life by me is led Since first sad news breath'd death into mine ears. 1" For." "thou canst not wholly." 3th' imagination's love-quick." 4 "Each thing to ease my mind." Ed. 1616, "whiles." 6" I fancy whiles thy form-and then a-fire." 7" In every sound." "record the life that I have led." Ed, 1607 and 1616, " can Though for more pain yet spar'd a space by Death,' Thee first I lov'd, with thee all love I leave; For my chaste flames, which quench'd were with thy breath, 2 Can kindle now no more but in thy grave! SONG. [From "Aurora."] OH would to God a way were found I were the happiest wight: For if my state they knew, And mend me if they might. "I live but with despair my sprite to dash." The deepest rivers make least dip, The silent soul doth most abound in care: Then, might my breast be read within, A thousand volumes would be written there. Then any pregnant wit, That well remarked it, Would soon discern my state. Oft, those that do deserve disdain For forging fancies get the best reward; For too much love am had in no regard. The gallant living free His fancies doth extend; Where he that is o'ercome, Rein'd with respects, stands dumb, Still fearing to offend. Then, since in vain I plaints impart To scornful ears, in a contemned scroll, And since my tongue betrays my heart, And not recount the crosses That do my joys o'erthrow; Mounts, vales, woods, floods, and springs, Ah! unaffected lines, True models of my heart! The world may see that in you shines The power of passion, more than art. |