ROBERT VILVAIN.

ALL our early collections of English Epigrams are of rare occurrence; and that which I am about to describe was esteemed particularly so by Mr. Brand, to whom my copy belonged. I am not able to speak in the most exalted terms of the merit of these compositions; but it is the first book I have met with, professedly printed to give away among the author's friends. We read thus in the Preface which is addressed:

Ad lectores omnifarios.

To all sorts of surveiors.

“To tell truth, this pety pocket peece (first intitled memoratio verses) is printed a part in policy, purposly to bestow on friends; being but a catalog of contents belonging to the larger volume; which is grown to so big a bulk beyond du bounds, as wil mount to a far higher valu (that every one may hav one) then my ruined fortune can bear, hoping that al such as know my poverty wil accept this sinal mite in lieu of a⚫ richer present. My memory cannot reach to remember every patient or party of my ancient acquaintance, to whom I am engaged in amity or courtesy; but my desire is to gratify ech, and send 400 copies, (som bound, som unbound) to dispers

I 3

dispers in free gift (without any fee to sender or bringer) that none may be forgotten. Thos that are omitted may repair to Mr. Hooper, apothecary, in Exceter, near S. Martins Lane, who will deliver one gratis to any man of quality, my familiar friend.

"Nemo erit e priscis mihi non donatus amicis,
Quin unum excipiet pro meo amore librum.

For lovs sake none of ancient friends shal be,
But he one book shal hav for boon from me.”

The above seems to explain the reason why the few copies which are known of this book have generally the author's autograph. The volume is entitled,

ENCHIRIDIUM EPIGRAMMATUM,

LATINO ANGLICUM;

An Epitome of Essays englished out of Latin, without elucidat. Explicatory, containing Six Classes or Centuries,

Of 1. Theologicals.

2. Historicals.

3. Heterogeneals. 4. Bryto-Anglicals. 5. Miscellaneals.

6. Mutualeteals.

Beside a fardel of 76 fragments.

Sunt quibus ampla libet versare volumina valde,
Sunt quibus arcta magis volvere scripta placet.

I before

I before remarked that I was not able to pass any very high encomiums on the merit of the English translation of these Epigrams; but a most extraordinary number has been collected from various authors, and the following specimen, taken without particular selection, seems as good as any.

MISCELLANEAL ESSAIS.

Epig. 73.

EMULATIO MUSICA,

The two musicians (a natural and artificial, vocal and instrumental) which strove for victory.

Aemula certabat cantu Philomela sonoro,
Ut citharam strepitu vinceret ipsa suo.
A nightingal strov with her loud shril nois
T'excel the lute with high strains of her voice.

ALITER.

Certabat Citharista manu, Philomelaq cantu,
Alter an alterutrum vinceret arte sua.

A lutist with hand strov, with voice Philomel,
Which should ech other in their skil excel.

ALITER.

Inter Lusciniam lis orta est atque chelistum,
Obstrepit hic cantu, litigat ille manu.

Twixt nightingal and luter a strife extended,
In singing she, in playing he contended.

ALITER.

Luscinia infelix Citharædum vincere certat,
Sed tandem in plectrum mortua victa eadit.

Unhappy nightingal with a lutist strived,

But on the lute fell down at length and died.

The author thus facetiously concludes what he terms Mutualeteal Essais.

AD LECTORES OMNIGENOS ULTIMUM VALE.

Scriptori sat ferre dapes et ponere sedes,

*

Si placet este domi, sin minus ite foras

Writers can but bring cates, and set forth stools,

If

ye

like eat, if not you are al

welcome.

A FINAL FAREWEL TO AL SORTS OF READERS.

Let none carp, cavil, or complain, that I close up this last distich in prose, contrary to common custom sith haply prose wil best pleas palats already tired with harsh rythms, to close up queasy stomachs ready to surfet with naisty metres. Indeed necessity enforced it, sith I wanted a word to my mind of like cadence with stools; which if any can supply, there is space left to insert it. Nor can the phrase (ite foras) be better rendered then you are welcom; which men usually giv their friends or guests at dores, when they take their last leave for that visit one of another.

Sic prodesse magis quam delectare cupisce.

Thus to doo good I more desire,

Then with delight mens minds t' inspire.

* Este is put for edite.

THE

THE PLEASANT HISTORIE OF THE CONQUEST OF THE WEAST INDIA,

Now called New Spayne, atchieved by the worthy Prince Hernando Cortes, Marquis of the valley of Huaseacac, most delectable to reade. Translated out of the Spanish Tongue by I. Nicholas. Anno 1578. Imprinted at London by Henry Bynneman. 1578.

STEPHAN GOSSAN, IN PRAYSE OF
THE TRANSLATOR.

THE poet which sometimes hath trod awry,
And sang in verse the force off fyry loue,
When he beholdes his lute with carefull eye,
Thinkes on the dumpes that he was wonte to proue:
His groning spright prickt with tender ruth,
Calles then to minde the follies of his youth.

The harde minde whiche all his honour gotte,
In blouddy fielde by fruyte of deadly farre,
When once he heares the noyse of thirled shotte,
And threatnyng trumpet sounde the poyntes of warre,
Remembers how through pykes he ledde to runne,
When he the pryce of endlesse glory wonne.

The traueller which neare refusde the payne
To passe the daunger of the freightes he founde,
But hoysted sayle to searche the golden bayne
Which natures crafte hath hidden in the grounde,
When he perceives Don Cortes here so pearte,
May well be mindefull of his own deserte.

Then