Time. In the Teares of the Muses, (which I believe to be a much earlier composition of Spenser,) the following lines, often cited as a corollary to the proof of the poet having offended the lord treasurer, are certainly too general to offend a particular person. The lord treasurer might, with equal propriety, have been offended at the title of the chapter in Puttenham's © Arte of English Poesie, already cited. "Their great revenues all in sumptuous pride "They spend, that nought to learning they may spare; "And the rich fee, which Poets wont divide, "Now Parasites and Sycophants do share.” Mr. Warton is of opinion that Burleigh was a Puritan; and that the Puritans, who were numerous in the time of Elizabeth, were peculiarly characterised for their hatred of poetry, however instructive. Yet the Earl of Leicester, I must observe, was the friend of Spenser and of the Puritans. And it has been justly observed by Dr. Birch, that Burleigh's neglect of Spenser is not to be attributed so much to any personal prejudice against him or contempt of poetry, as to the poet's early attachment to the Earl of Leicester, and afterwards to the Earl of Essex; who were both successively heads of a party opposite to the lord treasurer. Hence perhaps the expression of Spenser also in Mother Hubberds Tale: “Of men of armes he had but small regard, Mother Hubberds Tale must not be dismissed, without remarking the political knowledge which Spenser displays in it. Let the reader attentively peruse the poem from ver. 1119. to ver. 1224, and he will probably not deny the discernment of the poet, even if he applies his positions to the history of modern Europe. This Poem, I must add, was re-published in 1784, with a Dedication, highly satirical, to the Hon. Charles James Fox, by 'George Dempster, Esq. M.P. The subsequent Poems in the Complaints have been already noticed. t By the date of the dedication of Daphnaida, (the next publication,) we find Spenser in London on the first of January, 1591-2. This beautiful Elegy was written upon the death of Douglas Howard, daughter and heir of Henry Lord Howard, Viscount Byndon; and wife of Arthur Gorge or Gorges Esquire, afterwards knighted. It is dedicated to her aunt, the Ladie Helena, Marchioness of Northampton. The afflicted husband is introduced into the Poem, under the name of Alcyon, as bewailing the death of a White Lioness which he had been so happy as to find, and had tenderly nursed. The White Lion being one of the Duke of Norfolk's supporters to his armorial bearings, "the " riddle of the loved Lionesse," as the poet calls it, is easily explained. In the Dedication Spenser avows the "goodwill which he bears unto Master Arthur Gorges, a lover of learning and vertue ;" and again he notices him, with peculiar elegance, in Colin Clouts come home again, not only as inconsolable for the loss of his beloved Daphne, but as 'known to the Muses and his comrades by notes of higher mood. Sir Arthur Gorges, however, has hitherto been recorded as a man of genius, without a proof of the assertion. I am happy to add his name to the list of English poets; and the reader will be pleased with the following specimen of his talents and his modesty. It is the Sonnet, addressed to the reader of "The Olympian Catastrophe, dedicated to the worthy memory of the most heroical Lord Henry, late illustrious Prince of Wales, &c. By S Arthur Gorges, Knight, 1612;" a poem in manuscript of considerable length, together with some Sonnets; preserved amongst numerous treasures of a similar nature, which belonged to the late Duke of Bridge. water, and now belong to the Marquis of Stafford. • See p. xxix. "No praise of Poesie do I affect, "Nor flatteries hoped meed doth me encite; P Manuscript remarks on the Sonnets prefixed to the Faerie Queene. • From the information of Charles Dilly, Esq. by whom the work was published. ▾ See ver. 390, 391. "Such base-born thoughts as servile I reiect; "So sings my Zeale the noats that Sorrowe weepes; I come now to the consideration of the Pastoral, entitled Colin Clouts come home again; the Dedication of which to Sir Walter Raleigh is dated December 27. 1591. But that date must be an errour of the press. The Poem exhibits internal evidence of having been written at a subsequent period. In the first place, there is a lamentation in it on the death of Ferdinando, Earl of Derby, who is styled Amyntas; an appellation by which Nash also, appears to have distinguished him. This nobleman, as I have already stated, died in April 1594. He is described by Spenser as "the noblest swaine, "That ever piped on an oaten quill: "Both did he other which could pipe, maintaine, Of his poetical abilities a specimen is preserved, in the Antiquarian Repertory, from a manuscript that belonged to Sir John Hawkins. Spenser incurred the gentle reproof of Nash, in consequence of his neglecting to salute this patron of learning in the same manner, as he had saluted other "English heroes," at the end of the Faerie Queene. Spenser perhaps felt the reproof; and resolved, in this Poem, to make some atonement for his neglect. The estimation in which this nobleman was held, is described in very lively terms by Nash; and is worthy of citation as well on the account of the party commended as of the party blamed. ❝y From generall fame," says Nash, “let me digress to my private experience; and, with a toong unworthy to name a name of such worthines, affectionatelie emblason, to the eies that woonder, the matchlesse image of honor and magnificent rewarder of vertue, Ioves eagle-borne Ganimed, thrice noble Amyntas.- None but Desert should sit in Fames grace; none but Hector be remembred in the chronicles of Prowesse; none but thou, most curteous Amyntas, be the second misticall argument of the Knight of the Redcrosse. And heere, heavenlie Spencer, I am most highlie to accuse thee of forgetfulnes, that, in that honourable catalogue of our English Heroes which insueth the conclusion of thy famous Faerie Queene, thou wouldst let so speciall a piller of Nobilitie passe unsaluted. The verie thought of his far derived discent, and extraordinarie parts wherewith he astonieth the world, and drawes all harts to his love, would have inspired thy forewearied Muse with new furie to proceede to the next triumphs of thy statelie Goddesse!-But, as I in favor of so rare a scholler suppose, with this counsell he refraind his mention in the first part, that he might with full saile proceed to his due commendations in the second. Of this occasion long since I happened to frame a Sonnet, which being wholie intended to the reverence of this renowmed Lord, to whom I owe all the utmoste powers of my love and dutie, I meant heere for variety of stile to insert. Perusing yesternight, with idle eyes, Colin Clouts come home again, ver. 440. * Lord Orford's Royal-and Noble Authors. Supplication of Pierce Pennilesse, &c. 4to. 1592, at the conclusion. I read them all, and reverenc't their worth; But therefore, guest I, he supprest thy name, Beare with me, gentle Poet, though I conceive not aright of thy purpose, or be too inquisitive into the intent of thy oblivion; for however my coniecture may misse the cushion, yet shal my speech savour of friendship, though it be not alied to iudgement." In Lodge's Illustrations of British History, there is preserved a Letter of this nobleman to the Earl of Essex, dated Decemb. 19. 1593; which, the learned editor observes, "abounds with good sense, high spirit, and sweetness of temper. An untimely death undoubtedly defrauded him of a conspicuous situation in the history of his country." Indeed his accomplishments, as well as his unnatural end occasioned by the resentment of the Jesuits, have been recorded in many publications. But, besides the date of this nobleman's death, there is another convincing proof that this Pastoral was written long after 1591 in the praise assigned to Daniel for his "passionate mischance,” which means his a Complaint of Rosamond published with his Sonnets in 1592; and for his “tragick plaints,” which point out his first dramatick publication, the tragedy of Cleopatra in 1594. The author of the Life of Spenser, prefixed to Mr. Church's edition of the Faerie Queene, considers the circumstance of Sir Walter Raleigh's disgrace at Court, in consequence of his criminal amour with the daughter of Sir Nicholas Throgmorton, as likewise refuting the date of 1591 in the Dedication of the Pastoral. And he is right in his conjecture, I think; but not exact in his statement. The disagreement between Raleigh and Lord Essex, although it occasioned Raleigh's departure from Court, could not, I conceive, be the subject of the which Spenser tells us was the song of his friend. A private "Letter (as it is entitled) from Raleigh to Sir George Carew, dated Decemb. 27. 1589, of which our historians have taken no notice, seems to shew, that, however jealous Essex might be of him, he was still in favour with the Queen: "Cousen George. For my retrait from the Court, it was uppon good cause, to take order for my prize. If in Irlande they thincke that I am not worth the respectinge, they shall much deceve themselves. I am in place to be beleved, not inferior to any man to plesure or displesure the greatest; and my oppinion is so receved and beleved as I can anger the best of them; and therefore if the Deputy be not as reddy to steed me as I have bynn to defend hym, be as it may, when S William ffitz Williams shalbe in Ingland, I take mysealfe farr his bettres by the honorable offices I hold, as also by that niceness to her Maiestye w still I inioy, and never more. I am willinge to continew towards hym all friendly offices, and I doubt not of the like from hym as well towards mee as my frinds, &c." The displeasure of the Queen, then, is to be attributed to the culpability of Raleigh in regard to the lady whom I have mentioned; who also became an object of the royal anger, and was with Raleigh 'committed to the Tower in July 1592. She was one of her Majesty's Maids of Honour. They were released from this confinement in the September following; and Raleigh, though perhaps not formally admitted to the presence of the Queen, was soon afterwards able to prove the restoration of her favour to * Vol. 3. p. 31. • See Ritson's Bibliograph. Poetica. Art. Daniel. e Colin Clouts come home again, ver. 164. of b See Baker's Biograph. Dramatica, Art. Daniel. d Carew MSS. in the Library at Lambeth Palace, No. 605. p. 140, erroneously entered p. 146 in Dr. Wilkins's Catalogue. On the top of this original Letter is written, “A privatt Letter from Sr Walter Raleghe to Sr G. C. 27. Decemb. 1589.” Namely, Sir William Fitzwilliams, presently mentioned; who had before been Lord Justice, and Lord Deputy, Ireland; and who was again appointed Lord Deputy in 1583. He was succeeded by Sir William Russell, in 1594." 1 See a letter from Sir Edward Stafford to Antony Bacon Esqr. dated July 30. 1592, in Birch's Memoirs of Queen Eliz. vol 1. p. 79. "If you have any thing to do with Sir Walter Ralegh, or have any love to make to Mrs. Throckmorton; at the Tower to morrow you may speak with them, if the countermand come not to-night; as some think will not be, and particularly he that hath charge to send them thither." See Collins's Sidney-Papers, &c vol. 2. pp. 54, 55, where Raleigh appears, by a letter dated June 2. 1597, fully rein. stated in the Queen's favour, and graciously readmitted to her presence, him by obtaining, from her, the manor of Sherborne in Dorsetshire, which Dr. Coldwell, on his promotion to the bishoprick of Salisbury, had consented to alienate to the Crown; from which prelate, however, there is a Letter, in the Burleigh State-Papers published by Murdin, addressed to Mr. Henry Brooke, and dated April 10. 1594, in which the conduct of Raleigh on this occasion appears to have been rapacious. But to prove further the influence of Raleigh, and that right well he had complained, That could great Cynthiaes sore displeasure breake, "And move to take him to her grace againe;" I cite the contemporary authority of Sir John Harington: "And to speak first of the Knight who carried the spolia opima of this bishoprick; having gotten Sherborne castle, park, and parsonage; he was in those dayes in so great favour with the Queen, as I may boldly say, that with lesse suit then he was faine to make to her ere he could perfect this his purchase, and with lesse money then he bestowed since in Sherborne in building and buying out leases and in drawing the river through rocks into his garden, he might have very justly, and without offence of the Church or State, have compassed a much better purchase." It may be proper to add, that Sir Walter had made the only reparation in his power to the degraded character, and injured innocence, of the lady, by marrying her. Spenser has alluded to this intrigue, and its consequences, in the conclusion of the seventh canto of the fourth Book of the Faerie Queene, which was first published in 1596. The situation of Raleigh, before he "is restored to former grace againe" in the subsequent canto, is described in Spenser's happiest manner. It is an interesting lamentation over a distressed and disgraced friend. It is the effusion of the Muse in her sweetest saddest plight." In consequence, then, of the facts which I have brought together, I am led to believe that Decemb. 27. 1594 or 1595 should be the date to the Dedication of Colin Clouts come home again. And, having attended to this point, I will now notice some of the contemporary characters which are introduced, under fictitious or real names, in this agreeable poem. The Shepherd of the Ocean is Sir Walter Raleigh, who had introduced Spenser to the Queen.—Under the name of Astrophel, his other friend and patron, Sir Philip Sidney, "now dead and gone," is deplored; as under the same title he is the subject of Spenser's Elegy on his death.Amyntas, as I have before observed, denotes the deceased Earl of Derby.-Under the appellation of Alcyon, as in the Elegy entitled Daphnaida, the accomplished and afflicted Sir Arthur Gorges is designed. Harpalus, "now woxen aged" in the service of the Queen, is probably Barnaby Googe, who was first a retainer to Cecil, and afterwards in 1563 a gentleman-pensioner to the Queen; in which year he published his "Eglogs, Epitaphs, and Sonnets."-By Corydon, who is described as "meanly waged, yet ablest wit of most" whom Spenser knew, perhaps Abraham Fraunce is intended; who was the friend of Sidney, and the writer of several poems in English hexameters, as The Lamentations of Amintas, &c. The Countesse of Pembrokes Ivychurch, & c. The Lamentations of Corydon, &c. He was called to the Bar of the Court of the Marches of Wales; and, in 1590, was recommended by Henry Earl of Pembroke as a man in every respect qualified to be the Queen's Solicitor in that Court. * But what became of him afterwards does not appear.-Palin, whom Spenser pronounces _____" worthie of great praise may mean Thomas Chaloner; a poet, whom Puttenham, in his Arte of English Poesie, ranks with Spenser; sclecting, as patterns "for aglogue and pastorall poesie, Sir Philip Sydney and Maister Challener, and that other gentleman who wrate the late Shepheardes Calender." And h Page 575. Briefe View of the State of the Church of England, &c. edit. 1653. p. 89.—In short, Raleigh seems to have illustrated the truth of what Spenser so much condemns in Mother Hubberds Tale, ver. 519, 320. j See Brydges's edition of Phillips's Theatrum Poetarum Anglicanorum, p. 126. * Ibid. p 108. And Biograph. Dram. Art. Fraunce Meres, in his Wits Treasury, ranks Chaloner "amongst the best for pastoral." Thus commended, he might be led to "envie at the rustick quill" of a poet, whom he perhaps considered a rival in this species of fame.-Alcon, I am induced to think, is intended for Thomas Watson ; a writer of numerous sonnets and madrigals, and 'commended as the English Petrarch. He is also numbered among the principal writers of pastoral poetry; and is classed with Harvey. Leland, Newton, and others of his countrymen, for having attained good report, and honourable advancement, as a Latin poet. Spenser apparently wished him to “raise his tunes from lays," from songs and sonnets, to loftier themes. He has bestowed on Spenser a very neat" encomium, which I have given in the note below.-Old Palemon seems to point at Thomas Churchyard, who wrote a prodigious number of poetical pieces; of which the bare list is sufficient to justify the humorous remark of Spenser, after he has observed that the melancholy pipe of this aged bard may make the hearer rew: "Yet he himselfe may rewed be more right, "That sung so long untill quite hoarse he grew !!" Having been a most laborious writer for half a century, he is said to have died, poor, in 1604. To these fictitious appellations succeed the real names of Alabaster and Daniel; of whom the former is represented by Antony Wood as "the rarest poet and Grecian that any one age or nation produced." He was educated in Trinity College, Cambridge. Of this distinguished person I will relate some circumstances, which were not known to Wood. Of his poem in manuscript, the Eliseis, which Spenser highly celebrates, I have given an account in the note on its introduction into this Pastoral. He appears to have received an offer of the rectory of Brettenham in Suffolk from the Lord Keeper Egerton, which he declined, as being not agreeable to his expectation, in a Letter accompanied with a copy of elegant Latin hexameters to his Lordship. He relinquished, as Wood relates, the Church of England for that of Rome; but afterwards returned to his deserted mother, and obtained considerable ecclesiastical preferments. He died in 1640. His conversion to Popery had probably taken place about 1598, in which year he published his motives for his conduct. In 1604 he was engaged in a controversy, on account of his new profession of faith, with an antagonist of the highest reputation as a scholar and Protestant Divine, Dr. Will. Bedell, afterwards Bishop of Kilmore; an admirer and imitator also of Spenser. Alabaster was undoubtedly a man of great learning. In his Roxana, however, which Dr. Johnson has greatly extolled, there is certainly much false taste, as Mr. Warton" long since observed. Herrick, in his Hesperides, has addressed a poem to him on the subject of his great attainments and various labours. Of Daniel, who is well known to the lovers of our elder poetry, and valued for his judicious reflections as well as the sweetness of his language, an extensive account is unnecessary. By Spenser's distinguishing him as a new shepheard late up sprong," he alludes to his first pub Melibaus Thomæ Watsoni, sive Ecloga in Obitum Honoratissimi Viri, Domini Francisci, Walsinghami, Equitis • See the Bibliographia Poetica, Art. Churchyard. Among the Lambeth manuscripts (No 772) there is a valuable and curious work, entitled "A Defence of the Answer to Mr. Alablaster's Four Demands against a Treatise intituled The Catholicks Reply upon Bedel's Answer to Mr. Alablaster's four Demands." The Letter at the beginning is addressed" to the Worshipfull and my loveing friend Mr. Ambrose Jermyn :" and is dated, "Bury, this 25'. February, 1604, yor. Worshipps in Christ Jesus, William Bedell • Milton's Smaller Poems, 2d ed. p. 430. |