Note. As in the Sacred Poetry (in Vol. I.) I have brought together in the following pages such scattered pieces as have been traced by me. The sources for each is given in relative foot-note. As our edition includes the complete Prose Works as well as Verse, and so the whole of the translated quotations (usually brief) I have not deemed it needful to repeat these except in the few cases where their length and value seemed to require that they should find separate place among the Poetry e. g. in the prose of "Olor Iscanus" and elsewhere, there are couplets and other short bits which it is not worth-while repeating in the Verse. But as with Bishop (Jeremy) Taylor's verse-renderings I believe Aurea Grana' will be accepted as a not exaggerate title for these fugitive pieces, which have nearly all the gleam if not the weight of gold-grains, albeit there is bare sand enough also. G. Aurea Grana. I. TO CHARLES I. ON HIS RETURN S kings doe rule like th' heavens, who dispense To parts remote and neare, their influence; So doth our CHARLES move also; while he posts From South to North, and back to southerne coasts. Like to the starry orbe, which in it's round Move's to those very poynts; but while 'tis bound For North, there is-some guesse-a trembling fitt And shivering in the part that's opposite. What were our feares and pantings, what dire fame Eucharistica Oxoniensia 1 From In Caroli Regis nostri e Scotia reditum gratulatoria. (Oxoniæ. 1641). See our Memorial-Introduction pp xxxvi-vii. Another set of Verses signed as above with the addition 'Soc.' are shewn by the Soe' not to have been by the Silurist, who never was a Fellow of any College. G. Hear'd we of Irish tumults, sword, and flame! Which now we thinke but blessings, as being sent Only as matter, whereupon 'twas mean't, The Brittish thus united might expresse, Or conquer foes; this is great Brittaine's blisse; The island in it selfe a just world is, Here no commotion shall we find or feare, Or clowdy brow, but when you leave vs, then Nations do strive, which shall the happier bee You fetch'd the crowne before, and now their love. |