The first edition has an epistle dedicatory to the King, and a genealogical table, neatly engraved, of the Royal Family of England, down to Henry the First. There is a copy of this edition in the library of the Marquis of Stafford, from which my friend, Mr. G. Isted, transcribed into his own the following lines, written in' manuscript by the author. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE THE GREATEST COUNSELLOR, BARON OF ELLESMERE, LORD CHANCELLOUR OF GREAT and grave Lord, my mind hath longed long By act or word, or were it in a song, The Eclogue itself is a dialogue betwixt Damætas, a woodman, and Silenus, the prophet of the shepherds, and is by no means deficient in poetical vigour. This will appear by the following brief specimen : SILENUS SPEAKS. Now of these flames I will impart to thee, For why this case was argued long agone In In Helicon, and I myself it heard, Where Phoeb. amid the muses on his throne, What ghirlands should be ech acchivements price. The question grew because Apollos suite Apollow was much moved, and chafed, and fumed, Thus spake as I his speeche can repeat. The laurel crowne was given, and shall be still, Could of my favours make their vants at large, And then that long enduring palme of yours Was due (my sisters and my sacred charge) And he which had with valiant hand preserved But he a wreath of olive leaves deserved &c. &c. &c. VOL. VI. I The The two editions vary exceedingly. The first has at the end of the poem various miscellaneous verses, none of which are found in the second. This book, however, has a copy of verses "Vpon King Henrie the Second, the first Plantagenet of England," which are not in the former edition. Both are of great rarity. SPRINGES SPRINGES FOR WOODCOCKS. LAQUEI RIDICULOSI, or Springes for Woodcockes. Written by Henry Perrot. Caveat emptor. London, for J. Busbie. 1613. 12mo. Warton, in the beginning of his fourth volume of the History of English Poetry, a posthumous fragment, p. 73, observes in a note: 66 Taylor, the water-poet, has mentioned Perrot's Epigrams. See the folio edition of his works, p. 265, Epig. VII. My muse hath vowed revenge shall have her swinge, To catch a Perrot in the woodcockes springe. See also p. 265, Epig. xxx1." This is one of the rarest books of the kind, but of no particular value for its point, wit, or humour. The following are a few specimens of the best among the Epigrams: VIDEANTUR QUE NON SUNT. SALTUS goes booted to the dauncing schoole, Tut, thats a cold excuse. It rather seemed SALTEM VIDERETUR. A Welshman and an Englishman disputed OPUS ET USUS. Opus for need consumed his wealth apace, Then Opus did, although the eldest sonne; AB EQUIS AD ASINOS. Brutus, that brave and compleat cavalier, And thought no pleasure or expence too deere, He hath betane himselfe unto the Fleet. There are 216 Epigrams. A copy belonging to Mr. Steevens sold at his sale for one pound fifteen shillings, ROBERT |