I meddle not with wits that be so fine, Nor Flanders cheer lets not my sight to deem Of black and white, nor takes my wits away With beastliness; such do those beasts esteem. Nor I am not, where truth is given in prey Among the Muses, where I read and rhyme ;— Where if thou list, mine own John Poins, to come, Thou shalt be judge how I do spend my time. 1 So ed. I.-Ed. 1567, "prison." LORD SURREY. Henry Howard, earl of Surrey,son and grandson to two dukes of Norfolk, lords treasurers, was born in 1520. While a boy, he resided at Windsor, in the quality of companion to Henry Fitzroy, duke of Richmond, a natural son of Henry VIII., and, like Surrey, a youth of the highest expectations. They became warm friends; studied together at Wolsey's college in Oxford; travelled into France; and at Calais received Henry, on his visit to Francis I. Richmond was, soon after, married to the lady Mary Howard, Surrey's sister; but died in 1536, at the early age of 17. Surrey was at once the hero of romance, and the practical soldier. His superiority in the accomplishments of chivalry was proved at a tournament held by him at lorence, in honour of his Geraldine, and at another exhibited at Windsor, in the king's presence, in 1540. He served with great distinction in his father's army, which marched against the Scots in 1542, and contributed, by bis skill and bravery, to the memorable victory of Flodden Field. In 1544, he commanded, as field-marshal, the English army in the expedition against Boulogne. His talents, his popularity, his high spirit, a suspicion of his intending to marry the princess Mary, with a view of obtaining the crown, and, above all, a treasured hate in the king's breast against the relations of Catharine Howard, procured his condemnation for a most frivolous of fence, and he was beheaded in 1547. It was reserved for the ingenuity of Mr Walpole to furnish a clue to the maze in which the fair Geraldine, the object of his romantic passion, had so long remained concealed, and who there can now be little doubt was lady Elizabeth Fitzgerald, second daughter of the earl of Kildare (See Royal and Noble Authors). This lady, it should be added, became the third wife of Edward Clinton, earl of Lincoln; and Surrey married Frances, daughter of the earl of Oxford, by whom he had several children. Surrey's poems were first printed by Tottel, in 1557, sm. 4to. with the following title: "Songes and Sonettes, written "by the right honorable Lorde Henry Haward, late "Earle of Surrey, and other." The text of this has been preferred in the present extracts. Successive editions, somewhat altered and enlarged, though, for the most part, less correct, appeared in 1565, 1567, 1569, 1574, 1585, 1587; and lastly in 1717. His translation of Virgil's second and fourth books into English blank verse, said to be equally elegant and faithful, was published in 1557. This very rare and curious work has been reprinted from a copy preserved in Dulwich college library, and, it is hoped, will soon be given to the public. For a more particular account of this accomplished man, see Walpole's Royal and Noble Authors, or Warton's History of Poetry. Description and Praise of his Love, Geraldine. FROM Tuscane came my lady's worthy race; Fair Florence was, sometime, her ancient seat; The western ile, whose pleasant shore doth face Wild Camber's cliffs, first gave her * lively heat. Foster'd she was with milk of Irish breast; I Her sire, an earl; her dame of princes' blood: I 1 Şo ed. I.-Ed. 1567, "did give her." From tender years in Britain did she rest, Bright is her hue, and Geraldine she hight; And Windsor, alas, doth chase me from her sight. Her beauty of kind; her virtues from above; Happy is he that can obtain her love. Prisoner in Windsor, he recounteth his Pleasure there passed. So cruel prison how could betide, alas, As proud Windsor? where I, in lust and joy, With a king's son my childish years did pass In greater feasts 3 than Priam's sons of Troy : Where each sweet place returns a taste full sower !4 The large green courts, where we were wont to hove, 5 With eyes cast up into the maiden's tower, The stately seats, the ladies bright of hue, The dances short, long tales of great delight, 'So ed. I.-Ed. 1567," she doth." 2 So ed. 1567.Ed. I. "With a king's child, who tasteth ghostly food." 3 So ed. I.-Ed. 1567, "feast." 4 Sour. 5 Hover, loiter. With words and looks that tigers could but rue; Where each of us did plead the other's right. 2 The palm-play,' where, despoiled for the game, With dazed eyes oft we by gleames of love Have miss'd the ball, and got sight of our dame; To bait3 her eyes which kept the leads above. The gravel ground, with sleeves tied on the helm,5 On foaming horse, with swords, and friendly hearts, With cheer as though one should another whelm: Where we have fought, and chased oft with darts. The secret groves, which oft we made resound Of pleasant plaint, and of our ladies' praise, Recording oft what grace each one had found, What hope of speed, what dread of long delays. The wild forest, the clothed holts with green, With reins avail'd,' and swift y-breathed horse, With cry of hounds, and merry blasts between, Where we did chase the fearful hart of force.s 1 3 Tempt, catch. 1 So ed. I-Ed. 1567, "plain play." Probably a misprint. 2 Rendered unable to play. 4 So ed. I-Ed. 1567," keeps," 5 At tournaments they fixed the sleeve of their mistresses on some part of 6 Looks. 7 Reins dropped. their armour. Chasse à forcer, Fr. is the chase in which the game is |