THESE translations were copied from Harl. MSS. 6930, and collated with Harl. MSS. 3357: the latter is a small volume 12mo. beautifully bound in white vellum, entitled A Handful of Celestial Flowers, viz. Divers selected Psalms of David in verse, differently translated from those used in the Church; Divers Meditations upon our Saviour's Passion; Certain Hymnes or Carrolls for Christmas Daie; A Divine Pastorell Eglogue; Meditations upon the 1st and 13th verses of ye 17 Chap. of Job. Composed by divers worthie and learned Gentlemen. Manuscrib'd by R. Cr. The Psalms in this MS. are verbatim copies of those in Harl. MSS. 6930; and the only material variations in the arrangement of them are, that Psalms xliii. cxxiii. and cxxviii., which in Harl. MSS. 6930 are without any signature, and are consequently omitted in the Lee Priory edition of the Rhapsody, are in this volume subscribed "Francis Davison." It also contains Psalm xci. attributed to Thomas Carey, which is entirely omitted in No. 6930. The Handful of Celestial Flowers was compiled by Ralph Crane, for a new year's gift to Sir Francis Ashley, Knt. Serjeant at Law, to whom there is a quaint dedication, dated December 1633, in which he is thus addressed: “The right worthie of titles of worship Sr Francis Ashley, Knight, one of his Maties Serjeants at Law," &c. The dedication concludes in these words: "My humble desier is, that they may supplie the customary dutie of the ensuing new yeer, (they bringing with them the zealous wishes of many happy ones to you and yours). I should also (even in articulo mortis) much rejoice if you shall vouchsafe to call them (for age, affection, grief, and want, tell me it will be so) the ultimum vale of him that honours your name, leaves these (like Joshua's stones pitched in Gilgall), as memorials that he was ever to your deceased brother an unfortunate servant, and still to your worthy self a most entirely affected beadsman, Ralph Crane."-The Meditations, Hymns and Carrols, are subscribed " W. A., Esq." and the Pastoral Eglogue has the signature "T. Randolp, Gent." It does not appear by whom the Meditations on the 17th Chapter of Job AN INTRODUCTION TO THE TRANSLATION OF THE PSALMS. BY FRANCIS DAVISON. COME, Urania, heavenly Muse, Sacred flame to my invention: Lending to thy note, attention. were written. This curious volume subsequently belonged to Lady Henrietta Holles, daughter of John last Duke of Newcastle of that name, and bears two autographs, "Hennarietta Holles her book, given by her father;" "Henrietta Holles her book, 1708." This lady married Edward Harley, second Earl of Oxford, which accounts for the book forming part of the Harleian Collection. Though the translations of the 43rd, 123rd, and 128th Psalms are on the authority of this MS. now introduced, it must be observed, that the internal evidence is strongly against their having been written by Francis Davison, for they are very inferior in merit to his other translations of the Holy Psalmist. The signatures in Harl. MSS. 6930, are not in the same autograph as the manuscript itself, but appear to have been added some time afterwards. The library of the Marquess of Stafford also contains a copy of Davison's Translation of the Psalms. Y Oh! my soul, bear thou a part; And my heart, With glad leaps, beat thou the measure! To make sweet, Sweet and full this music's pleasure! But to whom, Muse, shall we sing? Or Prince Charles, our hope and glory? To any great Mæcenas' fame? Or some Dame, Proud of beauty transitory? No, Muse; to Jehovah now, We do vow а Hymns of praise, psalms of thanksgiving; At this hour, I do breathe among the living! Hymns, which in the Hebrew tongue, By Israel's sweet and royal singer ; Did desire To hear touch'd with his sweet finger : a As Prince Charles is spoken of as England's "hope,” it is evident that this Introduction was written after he became heirapparent to the throne, which took place on the death of his brother Henry, Prince of Wales, in November 1612. To which the orbs celestial, Joining all, Made all parts so fully sounding, As no thought, 'till earth we leave, Aught with pleasure so abounding. Sacred triple Majesty, One in Three! Grant, oh grant me this desire. Let it sing in this blest quire! AN INTRODUCTION TO SO MANY OF THE PSALMS AS ARE OF THESE Psalms, so full of holy meditation, Cease not this holy work; but, one by one, Chaunt o'er these heav'nly hymns, which may be done In divine measures, as they are begun Only by David's self, or David's son. W. BAGNALL. |