This production is believed to be just as rare as the former is common: it being doubted whether any other copy exists than that now resorted to, which passed through the libraries of Major Pearson, Mr. Steevens, and Mr. Woodhouse, into the liberal hands of Mr. Hill. The anonymous writer inscribes his imitative poem "to his truly honored friend M Anth. Croftes," and dates his offering dedicatory June 29, 1614. A short "epistle to the reader" follows, in which the poet desires not to be condemned as an imitator, "though the work precedent and workmaster, were both alike excellent." Verses of commendation then succeed, by Ben Jonson, I. C. Ra. Wym: Jo. Calve: A. H. Philomus: R. V. M. Freeman. The former of these encomiums I transcribe, as it does not appear to be collected among the works of learned Ben.

"To the worthy author, on the Husband.

"It fits not onely him that makes a booke
To see his worke be good; but that he looke
Who are his test, and what their judgment is,
Least a false praise do make they r dotage his.
I do not feele that ever yet I had

The art of utt'ring wares, if they were bad;
Or skill of making matches in my life:
And therefore I commend unto the Wife
That went before-a Husband. She, Ile sweare,
Was worthy of a good one, and this here
I know for such, as (if my word will waigh)
She need not blush upon the marriage day."

Though the name of the author is not unveiled, it is likely that the law was his profession, as three of his

friendly

friendly encomiasts sign their verses from the Inner and Middle Temple, and Grays Inn. There is much quibble also in his composition, and a sententious quaintness in his style that renders his meaning very dark indeed. This will be sufficiently shewn by taking two stanzas in immediate succession.

"Fame is our hackney, not the journey's end;
He runs together; when we move our selves,
Goes backward, if the ryder him offend;
And with incessant speedines he delves
The grave of good's oblivion: much trust
In fame deceives; too little makes men rust.

Take therefore such a man, that hath bestridde

The lacke* of fame, where he is best beknowne:

Stipendious voyces ever will out-bidde

The common rumor, which report is growne

A tryall now,

t' approve good and condemne:

For sinnes it calles sinnes, though it nourish them."

T. P.

'ART. VIII. A Select Second Husband for Sir Thomas Overburie's Wife; now a matchlesse Widow. London: Printed by T. Creede and B. Allsopp for John Marriott, &c. 1616. Small 8vo.

A sonnet-dedication to William Earl of Pembroke is signed John Davies. This was not Sir John, the philosophical poet and the judge: but his name-sake of Hereford, the verbose rhymer and writing-master. ‡

This should probably be back: but the printer afforded no table of errata. + Stipendious seems to be used in the sense of stipendiary.

‡ Vide Athen. Oxen I 445,

In a prose address to the reader, he affirms that "they make harsh musicke, who to please the judgment with the ditty, offend the ear with the accent; and he who sings much out of tune, though he sings well out of cry, may haply sing to please himself and few: but shall be sure to displease many. In well-doing, it is well to follow; but in ill, the imitation is worse than the example." Davies has here followed Overbury with no illaudable endeavour; but, like most servile imitators, appears to copy without discrimination the blemishes of his original.

At the end of his Choice Husband are announced "Divers Elegies touching the death of the never toomuch-praised and pitied Sir Tho. Overbury:" but one elegy and an epitaph are all that appear in print. To these succeed Mirum in Modum," a poem first published in 1602; and "Speculum Proditor," which has a conclusion to Sir T. O. that reaches the very acme of metrical bombast and word-catching absurdity. For the credit of the author, and in consonance with the present plan of concentrating these homogeneous productions in one point of view, a short extract is here in preference supplied from his principal poem.

"Marriage, that is most noble, should have nought
But what is noble in it; noble-moods

To scorne that frailty, and despise, that thought
That is not truly noble: marriage goods

Are ills, if good they be not made by these,
Else, to have much is much but to displease.

In paradise it was ordain'd; and so

For place its noble: and if innocence

May make that noble which from thence doth flow,

Nobilitie therein hath residence.

The

The Lord of love, who hatred most doth hate,
Is matcht to those that love in married state.

Then time, place, person, that did it effect,
Being so noble; noble it must be
Above all friendships which we should affect,
Sith it is so transcendent in degree.

Woman was made for man, and for his aide

Made of that holpe; that holpe, then, must be staid."

T. P.

ART. IX. The Description of a Good Wife: or á rare one amongst Women. London: Printed for Richard Redmer, &c. 1619. Small 8vo.

This is understood, from Mr. Malone, to be the performance of Richard Brathwaite; a noted wit, poet and justice of peace, ays Wood.* peace, ays Wood.* It is superior, as a composition, to the preceding poems: has more perspicuity of design, more skill of method, and more harmony of metre. The argument may serve to explain the author's intention.

"In pursuit of Love's inquest,
Heavy-eyed Musophilus,

Restless, takes himselfe to rest,

And displays bis fortunes thus:-
'In his sleepe (death's shade) appears
Age, the honour of man's life,

Old in hours as well as years,
Who instructs him in a Wife:
And in brief assayes to show
Who is good, who is not so.

VOL. V.

* Athen. Oxon. II. 516.

BB

Next,

Next, his choice he shews his son,

(Lest he should his choice neglect)
What by him ought to be done
To his Wife, in each respect;
Who, though she should ever fear
To give cause of just offence,
Yet he ought not domineer,

'Cause he has preeminence:

For that conquest's worthy no man,

Where the triumph's o'er a woman.".

The following passages are extracted from many pages of Direction for the Choice of a Wife.

"Chuse one that's wise, yet to herself not so,
Loving to all, familiar to few,

Inwardly fair, though mean to outward show,
Seldom conversing in a publique view;
Nor young, nor old, but has of years enow

To know what huswife means, and such an one
As may supplie thy place when thou'rt from home.

Chuse one who makes it greatest of her feare

T' incur suspicion, that esteems her name
Before a world of treasure; that can beare

Affliction with indifference, and thinks shame
A matron's comeliest habit; one, that's deare
In her Creator's sight, and feares to do
Ought that thy selfe will not assent unto.

Chuse one whom thou canst love, not for constraint
Of fortune or of friends; for what are these,
That thou by them shouldst measure thy content ?—
No, no; in marriage thou thy selfe must please;

Or every day will be an argument

Of thy succeeding sorrow;-then, be wise,
Carve for thy selfe, yet hear thy friends advise.

Chuse