X. Stretch out from every twisted fold, XI. Th' easy and the even design: Th' surprise of th' Scene is wholly thine. COMMENDATORY VERSES BEFORE THE "FAITHFUL SHEPHERDLESS]" OF FLETCHER [See page 301]1 press THERE are no sureties, good friend, will be taken 2 With no one limb of any art endued, Like would to like, and praise you: but because Renews the Golden Age, and holds through all The holy laws of homely Pastoral, Where flowers, and founts, and nymphs, and semi-gods, [These verses are in Dyce's ed., vol. ii. They are omitted in the Mermaid Series edition. See also page 542.] [Trifles.] Where poets flourish but in endless verse, G. Chapman. COMMENDATORY VERSES BEFORE THE REBELLION. A TRAGEDY [PUBLISHED 1640]. BY T. RAWLINS [1620 P-1670]1 To see a Springot of thy tender age That one so young should know dramatic laws : Or greasy thumbs of every common man. The damask rose that sprouts before the Spring, Go on, sweet friend: I hope in time to see [See Dodsley, vol. xiv.] " Robert Chamberlain. '[Should be "wonderstruck ".] THE AMBITIOUS STATESMAN. A TRAGEDY [PUBLISHED AND PRODUCED 1679]. BY JOHN CROWNE [DIED 1703 ?] Vendome, returning from the wars, hears news, that Louize is false to him. Ven. (solus). Where'er I go, I meet a wandering rumour, I heard it in the army, but the sound Of a great river mingling with the sea; If this be true, Doomsday is near, and all the heavens are falling.- And the foul steps where plunderers have been. Valediction. [Act ii., end.1] Vendome, (to his faithless Mistress). Madam I'm well assured you will not send One poor thought after me, much less a messenger, To know the truth; but if you do, he'll find, In some unfinish'd part of the creation, 2 Where Night and Chaos never were disturb'd, Moist with his tears, for never dew fell there: And when night comes, not known from day by darkness, He'll find him stretcht upon a bed of stone, 1[Dram. of the Restoration, ed. Maidment and Logan. Crowne, vol. iii.] [Should be " shape ".] Cut from the bowels of some rocky cave, At which the wretch starts up, and walks about Incredulity to Virtue. [Act iv., p. 215.] Vendome. Perhaps there never were such things as Virtues, Or if they once have been, they're now but names But could not live, nor propagate their kind. Faithless Beauty. Louize. Dare you approach me? [Act v.] Vendome. Yes, but with fear, for sure you're not Woman. A Comet glitter'd in the air o' late, And kept some weeks the frighted kingdom waking. Long hair it had, like you; a shining aspect; Its beauty smiled, at the same time it frighten'd; And every horror in it had a grace.1 [Act iii., p. 192.] BELPHEGOR [OR, THE MARRIAGE OF THE DEVIL]. A COMEDY [PUBLISHED 1691: WRITTEN 1690]. BY JOHN WILSON [1627 ?-1696] Doria Palace described. That thou'd'st been with us at Duke Doria's garden! To see the wilderness, grots, arbours, ponds; 1 [For other extracts from Crowne see pages 545, 546-53, 562, 571, 572, 573.) And in the midst, over a stately fountain, Taught Genoa not to serve: then to behold And then again, within The vast prodigious cage, in which the groves The winged quire with a native warble, And pride of their restraint. Then, up and down, Majestic ev'n in ruin.3 And such a glorious palace: Such pictures, carving, furniture! my words Cannot reach half the splendour. And, after all, To see the sea, fond of the goodly sight, One while glide amorous, and lick her walls, As who would say, Come Follow; but, repuls'd And crowd into a storm! [Act iii., Sc. 1."] THE FLOATING ISLAND. A COMEDY. BY THE REV. W. STRODE [1602-1645]. ACTED BY THE STUDENTS OF CHRIST-CHURCH, OXFORD, 1636 [PUBLISHED 1655] Song. Once Venus' cheeks, that sham'd the morn, Their hue let fall; Her lips, that winter had out-born, In June look'd pale: Her heat grew cold, her nectar dry; [Two lines omitted.] [Ed. of 1691.] [Act iv., Sc. 14.8] [Instead of "in which" read "to see".] [A line omitted.] |