IV. A VISION UPON THIS CONCEIT OF THE FAIRY QUEEN.' (1590.) ETHOUGHT I saw the grave where M Within that temple where the vestal Was wont to burn: and, passing by that way, Where Homer's spright did tremble all for grief, 1 Appended to Spenser's "Fairy Queen," books i.-iii., 1590, p. 596. V. ANOTHER OF THE SAME. (1590.) HE praise of meaner wits this work like As doth the cuckoo's song delight when If thou hast formed right true virtue's face herein, Virtue herself can best discern, to whom they written bin. If thou hast beauty praised, let her sole looks divine Judge if aught therein be amiss, and mend it by her eine. If Chastity want aught, or Temperance her due, Behold her princely mind aright, and write thy Queen anew. Meanwhile she shall perceive how far her virtues soar Above the reach of all that live, or such as wrote of yore: And thereby will excuse and favour thy good will, Whose virtue cannot be expressed but by an angel's quill. Of me no lines are loved nor letters are of price, Of all which speak our English tongue, but those of thy device. From the same; signed W. R. 1 VI. REPLY TO MARLOWE. 1. MARLOWE'S SONG. THE PASSIONATE SHEPHERD TO HIS LOVE.1 (Before 1593.) OME live with me, and be my love; And we will sit upon the rocks, And I will make thee beds of roses, Embroidered all with leaves of myrtle; A gown made of the finest wool With buckles of the purest gold; Dyce's "Marlowe," iii. 299. An imperfect copy was printed in the "Passionate Pilgrim" in 1599, and it is quoted in the "Merry Wives of Windsor," iii. 1. It was printed at length with Marlowe's name in "England's Helicon," 1600; and also in Walton's "Complete Angler," 1653, as that smooth song which was made by Kit Marlow, now at least fifty years ago." Marlowe died sixty years before,-in 1593. A belt of straw and ivy-buds, The shepherd-swains shall dance and sing 2. RALEIGH'S REPLY. (Before 1599.) F all the world and love were young, But time drives flocks from field to fold, The flowers do fade, and wanton fields 1 The first verse was printed in the "Passionate Pilgrim" in 1599, and the whole in " England's Helicon," 1600, where the signature is Ignoto. Also in Walton's " Complete Angler," 1653, as made by Sir Walter Raleigh in his younger days." Thy gowns, thy shoes, thy beds of roses, Thy belt of straw and ivy buds, But could youth last, and love still breed; VII. LIKE HERMIT POOR.1 (Before 1593.) IKE hermit poor in pensive place obscure doubt, To wail such woes as time cannot recure, Where nought but love shall ever find me out. And at my gates despair shall linger still, To let in death when love and fortune will. Ascribed to Raleigh in "To-day a Man, to-morrow none," 1643-4; King's Pamphlets, B. M. vol. 139. It is anonymous in the "Phoenix Nest," 1593, p. 69; in "Tixall Poetry," p. 115; in MS. Rawl. 85, fol. 21, verso; in Harl. MS. 6910, fol. 139, verso, &c. |