,:,, i ■v ■.^^8^,;^^^^^^^^ -. _N hbl, stx PR 2392.G7 1885 Great assises holden in Parnassus 3 T1S3 DDMblbSM fi S vv ■*• -y*.*'A\>''' ■'■•'•• " ro vp o VJ1 \ i#|i#ei^^55*^\ ,^n'^':^0'::^^o^ ;;5^pi=^CNo., «w/Mm^^M^A^*^! .fmmmmm^'. A^^^^ ■ry^j>f^y'^>'f>if^^ '^r^' :'^,/>^^ AO'^■-5^- :*,^8o,A. /^S^a6*?w^R WWW'^'W'^'WWAMAf' ':^ ^^O.^' ;;«x8A8H^;^ri^^^^^^^^"^''^-'''' ,f\fyf^A/^.^'y >,^M*«*(!i6^W*8'< .■Vyr^f^/^^ ^'^%^A^^^^ THE ^REAT ASSISES HOLDEN IN PARNASSUS BY APOLLO AND HIS ASSESSOVRS. PRINTED FOR THE SPENSER SOCIETY. 1885. Pkinted cv Charles E. Simm^, Manchester. ^tfttf'ttf'ktfftffftiMrktftt THE ^ GREAT ASSISES Holden in PARNASSUS A P O L L O AND HIS ASSESSOVRS: At which Seffions are Arraigned m Mei^cianus Britanicus. Mercurius Aulicus. Mercurius Civicus. The Scout. The writer of Diiirnails. The Intelligencer. The writer of Occurrences. The writer of Paffages. The Pofl. The Spye. The. writer of weekly Accoimts. The Scoitijli Dove, &c. \*sS L ON DO N, Printed by Richard Cotes, for Edward Husbands, and are to be fold at his Shop in the Middle Temple, 1645. ^^^^'^^5^^^^r|7^^^T|7'F|7^^ APOLLO. 1 The Lord V E R V L A N , Cliancellor of Paniaffus. Sir Philip Sidney, High Conjlable of Par. William B v d e v s , High Trcafurer. John Picvs, Earle of Mirandula, High Chamherlaine. JVLivs Cesar S C A L I G E R .„^^^' Erasmus Roterodam. Justus Lipsius John Barcklay John Bodine Adrian Tvrnebvs Isaac Casavbon John Selden HVGO Grotivs Daniel Heinsivs Conradvs Vossivs Augustine Mascardus The yttrours, George Wither Thomas Gary Thomas May William Davenant Jofiiah Sylvefler Georges Sajides Miehael Drayton Francis Beaumont jfohn Fletcher Thomas Haywood William Shakefpeere Philip Mafsinger. The Malefa6ionrs. Merciirius Britanicus Mcrcnrias A iiliciis Merciirius Civicus The Scout The writer of Diurnals The Intelligencer The writer of Occurrences The writer of Paf sages The Pofle The Spye The writer of weekely Accounts The Scottifli Dove, &c. A 2 Jo- Joseph Scaliger, the Cenfour of man- ners in Parnaffiis. Ben. Johnson, Kee- per of the Trophonian Denne. John Taylovr, Cry- er of the Court. E D M V N D Spencer, Clerk of the Affifes. TWE The P ROE ME. UJl tcares commix' d with Jlreams of giiiltlcfs blood May JJtew our woes, but not their period \ For this Heaven onely can affixe : Why then, Trujl wee to armes or Jiratagems of men ? Expelling peace, or any fair e accord. From Counfels wife, or the vi6lorious Szuord ; Since Heaven alone thefe evils cati conclude, Which Sinnefirfl cans' d and ott us did obtrude. Could wee eje6l this caufe, wee might find Peace : For caufes failing, then effe6ls furceafe. Wee need demand no counfell from the Starres, To knoiv the if sue of thefe bloody Warres : No Sibylles bookes or Oracles ivee need, To bee inforjn d of things that fhall fucceed : No Oracle of Delphos, but of Sion, No booke, but that of God, mufl wee relie on. No No Siarre, but Jacobs Starve, can doe thefeatCy To end our woes, and make onr joyes compleate. Could I tJC Jiarmonious forrowes parallel Of the incejled moiirjifull Philomel .* Or could I imitate that fatall note, Which is effufcd from the filver throte Of that f aire Bird,y' cleapt Apollo's Priefl, Who clad infeatlierd Albe, with his f oft brefi Divides thefurface of the cry flail ftr earn, And dying fings his owne fad r&qmQVtx ; Then might I fitch fad Elegies devife, As ivoiild become onr moiirnfull tragedies. But give mee leave a f pace for to difmiffe Melpomene, and blotidy Nemefis, And to ele5l aflyle which may appear e More mild to many, though to fome fevere. Learned ri; /t5^^^0 Earnd Scaliger, the fecond of the twaine, Second to none in Arts, did late complaine To wife Apollo, of fome ftrange abufes, Committed againft him and the Nine Mufes: For Scaliger had beene Grave Cenfour long, In Learnings Commonwealth, and liv'd among The people of Parnajfus, in fuch fame, That all the world tooke notice of his name : Himfelfe hee humbly to his Lord addreft, And in thefe termes, his inward thoughts expreft. (Dread Prince) to whofe benevolous afpe6l Wee owe our Arts, and Hearts, with all refpe6l Which may bee due unto a Soveraigne Lord, Who rules by Love, and Law, not by the Sword ; I, whom your Majefty daign'd to create Cenfour of manners, in the Learned State, Obliged by the dutie of my place. Humbly prefume to importune your Grace, Unto my votes to adde your royall will, For a redreffe of fome abufes ill. Needs Needs mufl: wee thofe advantages confeffe, Which wee reape from the literary Preffe, A priviledge which our forefathers wanted, Although to us Heaven it benignely granted : This engine of the Mtifes doth difperfe Arts beft achievements, both in Profe and Verfe : It vents with eafe, labours of learned braines, And doth the hand quit from a world of paines : Thofe Wonders, of which elder ages boaft, Had almoft all forgotten been, and loft, If this Eighth Wonder had not been contriv'd, Whereby the other feven have been reviv'd. Your Grace well knowes (I need not to relate) How Typographic doth concerne your flate, Which fome pernicious heads have fo abus'd, That many wifh it never had been us'd : This inflrument of Art, is now poffeft By fome, who have in Art no intereft ; For it is now imploy'd by Paper-wafters, By mercenary foules, and Poetafters, Who weekly utter, flanders, libells, lies. Under the name of fpecious novelties : Thus Captaine RaJIiinghams undone, and loft, For thefe his trade and cuftome have engroft : And (z) And Hee, f^for to maintaine an honeft portal Is forc'd t' accept an office in your Court ; Hee in your Graces kitchin plucks the Widgeons, Geefe, Dotterells, and Duckes, and all tame Pidgeons, And for his labour hee their plums retaines, Wages, that fute his perfon, and his paines ; But let not your High Majefty miftake, And thinke that my complaint is for his fake : If this abufe touch'd onely fuch as hee, It were no grievance, but a remedy : For Truth, and Morall Vertues injur'd are ; The Mu/es, and the Graces beare a fhare, In thefe notorious wrongs, with all that love Parnajfus, or the Helico7iian Grove : Therefore (Great Prince) vouchfafe for to apply Your Soveraigne power, and authority, To vindicate your fubje6ls, and to curbe Thofe Varlets, that your government diflurbe. Thus fpake the Cenfour, then Apollo fhook His harnifh'd lockes, and with a frowninp- look, Declar'd his difcontent ; but having paus'd, Hee thus reply'd : Grave Cenfour I'm amaz'd. To heare the impudent affironts of thefe That thus contemne our Lawes. and our decrees, B Cut (A) But (by this golden Scepter) they fhall try What 'tis to trefpaffe on our lenity : If our remifneffe hath made them tranfgreffe, They fhall perceive that wee can make it leffe, In their fharpe punifhment. Thus Phoebus ends, And then Hee for Torquato Taffb fends ; Under whofe charge fome Companies were lifted Of that ftout Gend'army, which confifted Of Heroick Poets, whofe high valour was. No meane defenfe, but a magnifick grace Unto the Sacred Hill : this Regiment, On fummons fhort, was ever ready bent To execute Apollo s juft commands, With hearts couragious, and with armed hands. Stout Taffb did in fturdy buffe appeare, And after reverence done, defir'd to heare His Graces pleafure ; who foone gave him orders. With all his Cavalry, to fcoure the borders Of high Parnajfus, and low Helicon, And to bring in alive, or dead, each one That had discovered been, or to defile The Preffe with Pamphlets fcarrilous, and vile, Or to have traduc'd with malignant fpirits, Perfons of honorable worth, and merits. Tajfo lO (s) Taffo departs with thefe inftru61Ions, And mufter'd up his witty Myrmidons : The trumpet to the flirrop gives a call : They buflle to their armes, and mounted all, Hafte to their Rendezvous without delay, And put in ranke, and file, they march away : For Taffo no advantage did decline, To profecute the better his defigne ; Hee into fquadrons three his Troopes diffe(5ls. And unto feverall quarters them dire6ls. That traverfmg the countrey round about. They might the fooner find thefe foxes out ; In each fufpicious angle Tajfo feekes, And in this inquifition fpent fome weekes : Nor did his other parties with neglect Performe what they injoyn'd were to efife(5l ; The limits of Parnajpus they furround, And Helicon^ with verdant Laurells crown'd : Mount Pindus, and thofe valleys ever greene Where pale Pyrene, and pure Hippocrene In liquid cryflall rife, they fearch'd throughout ; Nor was the Vale of Tempe left unfought : Nor did their labours miffe fucceffe defir'd : For they, before a moneth was full expir'd, B2 Had Had clear'd the coafts, and many pris'ners gain'd ; Which malefa6lors they in chaines detain'd, And them convey'd unto Apolloes Court, Who welcom'd Tajfo in mofl gratious fort : And for his faithfull fervice, him hee made Lieutenant Generall of that proud Brigade Of the Italian Poets : This reward Made elder Dante, and Petrarch to regard His dignitie with ill affe6led eyes : And Ariojlo difcontent likewife : But Pkcebus did brave TaJ/os merit weigh By reafon, but in fcales of paffion they ; And when hee did perceive that they did fret, To fee themfelves behind their Junior fet, Hee them affur'd they muft expe6l t' inherit ParnaJ/us honours not by time, but merit. But when Apollo with his radiant looke The Pris'ners had into amazement ftrooke, Hee cauf'd thofe guiltie foules to bee convey'd To the Trophonian denne, there to bee laid In Irons cold, untill they fhould bee brought To tryall for thofe mifchiefs they had wrought. Apollo then a folemne fummons fent To all thofe honour'd Peers that did frequent The (1) The Learned Hill, and ftri(5lly them injoyn'd, Him to attend, upon a day affign'd ; For in a full Afsife hee did intend The crimes of thefe delinquents to perpend : His loyall Nobles fail'd not, to refort (Without delay) unto their Soveraignes Court, And on the day, which was for judgement fet, They all in the Praetorian hall were met : Where Pkcebus, on his high tribunall fate, With his Affeffours, in triumphant ftate ; Sage Verulam fublim'd for fcience great, As CJiancelloiiVy next him had the firffc feat : And next to him, Btideus did appear, Hee oi Parnajpiis was High Treafurer : Sidney tooke place upon the other fide, Who th' office of High Coiiftable fupply'd : But Picus of Mirandula, (who was High Chamberlaine) affumed the fourth place ; The elder Scaliger his place then tooke Before Erafmus, who fhew'd in his looke Diftafle, for hee (like Pompey) tooke difpleafure To fee himfelfe put downe by Julitcs Cefar. In cuerpo then did Jujlus Lipjius fit. Who more devotion had expreft then wit, B 3 When 13 When to an Image hee bequeath'd his gown ; But had hee not been for a Turnecoate known, His ofFer'd garment might have found efteeme, Which fitter for a Frippery did feeme, Then for her ufe, to whom it was prefented. Next him fate Barclay, fomewhat difcontented, 'Caufe hee had fail'd in finding that refpe6l, Which hee from Romes Archflamen did expe6l. Bodme, Tiirnebus, Cafaubo7i and Grotms, Mafcardtis, Heinjius, Seidell, Vofsius, Approved Criticks all, did there appeare On the judiciall Bench with lookes fevere. But when old Camden thought to take his place, Apollo him repuls'd with fome difgrace : For hee of late receiv'd had a complaint From hands of credit, which did him attaint Of mifdemeanours, a6led in a ftory, That did detra6l from a Great Ladies glory, Wherein hee was accus'd to have reveal'd Some things, which better might have been conceal'd Had they been truths : What madneffe him mifled, T afperfe the afhes of that Phoenix dead, With notes of infamy, whofe fun'rall flame Ravifli'd the world with th'odour of her fame ? Doubt- 14 (9) Doubtleffe the living hee to flatter knew, Much better then to give the dead her due. (The Court thus fet) the fturdy Keeper then Of the unhofpitall Trophonian Den, His trembling Pris'ners brought unto the barre ; For fterne afpe6l, with Mars hee might compare, But by his belly, and his double chinne, Hee look'd like the old Hofte of a New Inne. Thus when fowre Ben his fetter'd cattell had Shut up together in the pinfold fad : John Taylour, then the Courts fhrill Chanticleere, Did fummon all the yurours to appeare ; Hee had the Cryers place : an office fit, For him that hath a better voyce, then wit. Hee, who was called firft in all the Lift, George Withers hight,' entitled Satyrift ; Then Cary, May, and Davenant were call'd forth ; Renowned Poets all, and men of worth. If wit may paffe for worth. Then Sylvejler, Sands, Drayton, Beaumont, Fletcher, Mafsi7iger, SJiakefpeare, and Heyivood, Poets good and free ; Dramatick writers all, but the firft three : Thefe were empanell'd all, and being fworne A juft and perfe6l verdi6l to returne, A 15 rioj A Malefa(5lour then receiv'd command, Before the Barre to elevate his hand ; Mercurms Britanicus by name, Was hee, who firft was call'd to play his game : Then Edmmid Spenfer Clarke of the Affife, Read the Endi6lment loud, which did comprife Matters of fcandall, and contempt extreme, Done 'gainft the Dignitie, and Diademe Of great Apollo^ and that legall courfe, Which throughout all Par?ia//us was in force. For ufe of Mercury hee was accuf'd, Which weekely hee into his inke infuf'd, Thereby to murther, and deftroy the fame Of many, with flrange obloquie, and fhame. Hee likewife was accuf'd, to have purloin'd Some drachmes of wit, with a felonious mind, From Helicon, which hee in Satyrs mixt, To make fome laugh, and others deepely vext. Unto his charge they likewife did objecft, That when hee faw his lines could not effe6l His ends, and aymes, which were his foe to kill, Or elfe to make him throw away his quill ; That then hee fought by magick Arts to call Archilochus his ghoft from Pluto s hall, To i6 To teach him how fuch language to indite, As might make some even hang themfelves for fpite. This was his charge in brief; (which being read) To his indi6lment he was call'd to plead ; Not guilty, he replies, and did fubmit Himfelfe to the integrity and wit Of twelve fufficient Poets, but entreated, To heare the Jurours names againe repeated : ("Which donej hee on exceptions did infift, Afferted aeainft divers of the lift. On confident George Withers firft hee fix'd, As one unfit with others to bee mix'd In his arraignment, for he did proteft, That Withers was a cruell Satyrift ; And guilty of the fame offence and crime, Whereof hee was accufed at this time : Therefore for him hee thought it fitter farre. To fland as a Delinquent at the barre, Then to bee now empanell'd in a Jury. George Withers then, with a Poetick fury, Began to blufler, but Apollo s frowne Made him forbeare, and lay his choler downe. But Phoebus, thus Britanicus corrects. Our Majefly (fald hee) which flill prote6ls C The 17 (12) The innocent, but doth offendours fcourge, Ingag'd is honeft Withers for to purge From this offence : for his impartiall pen Did rather groffe abufes taxe, then men : Or that hee did tranfgreffe, let us admit ; Since long agoe, hee fmarted for his wit. Nor was Britanicus with this abafh'd, For with his cavils hee fought to have dafh'd Two other able Jurours, and thefe were Deferving Sands and gentle Sylvejler : To thefe opprobious language hee affords, And them Tranflators call'd, and men of words, No Poets, but meer Rhymers, for (faid hee) Invention is the foule of poefie, And who can fay, that fuch a foule as this, Is to bee found in their abilities ? For thefe are bondmen to anothers flile, And when they have beftow'd much time, and toile, They doe but what, before, was better done ; For Poemes lofe by their tranflation, And are deprived of that luftre brave, Which their origrinalls are wont to have : Yea all the workes of thefe Tranflators vaine, Are rather labour of the hand, then braine : Their i8 (13) Their afinine endeavours have efFe61:ed, That nobler tongues and arts are now negle6led ; While they in vulgar language reprefent Thofe notions which from vulgar wits diffent : This knot of Knaves the Common-wealth affii6ls Of your Parnafsus with their jugling tricks ; For Rubies which in gold at firft were fet, They into copper put, whereby they cheat The fimpler fort, that want a piercing eye, The difference of metals to defcry. Thus fpake Britanicus : while many fmil'd ; But Sands look'd pale, and Sylvejler wax'd wild For anger and difdaine ; Apollo then Thus interpos'd, to vindicate thefe men, Britanicus (faid hee) we have too long The language heard of thy traducing tongue, But Sylueflers, and Sands his worth is fuch, That thy reproach cannot their honour touch : Since Kings for Majefty, and arts renown'd, Have with receptions kind, their labours crown'd. Befides, wee are inclin'd by fome refpe6ls, Challeng'd from us, by the infirmer fex, Thefe writers of Parnaffus to fupport. To pleafe the fancy of that female fort, C 2 Whom 19 (H) Whom want of thefe tranflations might fpurre on, For to acquire, and get more tongues then one : Which if they fhould accompHfli, men might rue Thofe mifchiefes which would thereupon enfue. But if nor Sands, nor Sylvejler can merit, The titles of true Poets to inherit, For what they have perform'd, yet wee relie So much upon their truth, and loyaltie. That wee caufe them to paffe upon thy tryall, In fpite of thy exception or denyall. Thus fpake Apollo : then the Pris'ner was Injoyn'd to ftand afide, and in his place Did Aulictis fucceed, who by command, In humble fort uprear'd his guilty hand : Full fadly his indi6lment he attends. Which him impeach'd, that hee for wicked ends Had the Cajlalian Spring defil'd with gall ; And chang'd by witchcraft, moft Satyricall, The bayes of Helicon, and myrtles mild, To pricking hauthornes, and to hollyes wild. Hee was accus'd, that he with flanders falfe, With forged fi61;ions, calumnies and tales, Had fought the Spartane Ephori to fhame, And added fewell to the direfull flame Of 20 (IS) Of civill difcord, and domefticke blowes, By the incentives of malicious profe. For whereas, hee fhould have compos'd his inke Of liquours, that make flames expire, and flirinke Into their cinders, it was there obje6led, That hee had his of burning oile confe6led, Of Naphtha, Gunpowder, Pitch, and Saltpeter, Which thofe combuftions raifed, and made greater. Hee was accus'd to have unjuftly flung The fage Amphi6lyons with his venom'd tongue ; And that he like the fierce Albanian curre, Did ftubbornly choofe rather to demurre. And bee difmembred by anothers wit, Then loofe his teeth from thofe, whom firfl hee bit. Hee was accus'd, that he had us'd his skill, Parnaffus with ftrange herefies to fill, And that he labour'd had for to bring in, Th' exploded dod:rines of the Florentine, And taught that to diffemble and to lie, Where vitall parts of humane policie : Of his endi6lment this was the full fenfe : To which the Pris'ner pleades his innocence. And puts himfelfe upon a legall tryall, But he withall exhibites a denyall C 3 Againft d 2\ ri6; Againfl a Jurour, for his fuit it was, That May on his arraignment might not paffe : For though a Poet hee muft him confeffe, Becaufe his writings did attefh no leffe ; Yet hee defir'd hee might be fet afide, Becaufe hee durft not in his truth confide : Of May among twelve moneths he well approv'd, But May among Twelve men hee never lov'd : For hee beleev'd that out of private fpite Hee would his confcience ftraine, t' undoe him quite. Hee likewife of offences him accus'd, Whereby his King Apollo was abus'd : And with malicious arguments attempts To prove him guilty of fublime contempts, But chiefly he indeavour'd to conclude. That hee was guilty of ingratitude : Which crime Paniaffiis Lawes doe fo oppofe, As in that State, it for high Treafon goes. Then May fhept forth, and firfl implor'd the grace And leave of Phoebus to maintaine his cafe : Then to the Learned Cunjlftory fues. That they would him or cenfure, or excufe : Then calls the Gods, and all whom they prote61;. The Starres, and all on whom they doe reflect, The (11) The Elements, and what's compos'd of thefe, Him to acquit from all difloyalties. If by juft proofes (faid hee) thou canft evince, That I have beene ungratefull to my Prince, Then let mee from thefe groves bee now exil'd To Scythian fnowes, or Into deferts wild ; Yea, I invoke the Gods that I may feele The Gyants valour, or Ixioiis wheele, If it bee found I have tranfgreffed thus, As 'tis Inform'd by lying Aulicus. Apollo then darts forth an awfull ray From his impiercing eye, which filenc'd May. So Kings (if they bee juft) may rule like Gods, And be obferved by their lookes, and nods. Hee Aulicus rebuk'd, becaufe hee knew His accufatlon from meere malice grew ; And him advis'd in peace to ftand afide, If hee defir'd with favour to be try'd. The Cryer then did fummon to the Bar, The Penman of the Weekely Calendar^ Entituled the new Ephemerides^ Perfe6l Diurnalls call them, if you pleafe ; But their perfe6lion cannot mee invite. To thinke they merit fuch an Epethite, Except 23 Except truths now for Imperfe(5lions paffe, And gold In eflimation yeelds to braffe. Of his endI6lment the whole fumme was this, That hee had wrong'd th' Athenian Novelijls, By felling them meere aire, in ftead of Sack, And puffes of wind, for ftrong Frontigniac : For empty bottles hee was wont to mixe Among full flafques, and with thefe cheating trickes Deceiv'd thofe Merchants, who were not fo wife To know the full from empty by the poife. A fourth Delinquent then was called out, A Second Proteus or the learned Scout : This wife Chamcsleo7i was wont to weare That hue, which was propounded by his feare : The fumme of his indi6lment this contaln'd ; That whereas hee had from Apollo gain'd A Patent to report true newes abroad. Without diffimulatlon, guile, or fraud, Yet hee adulterated had his ware With manifold impertinences rare Yea from his center fwarv'd, and gone aftray Into fome matters farre beyond his way ; And that hee with eight Pages 7indifcreety Had tofs'd and tax'd high a6lions In a fheet : That 24 (19) That he prognofticks had prefum'd to reare, On ftarres above his quadrant, and his fpheare : And that he had prefum'd likewife to mixe With his Avifoes fweet, foure politicks, Difperfing weekly maximes of State, As if he chiefly at the helme had fate : And that he had oft in ambiguous fafhions, Appear'd as one transform'd in his relations, That it was very difficult to find, Whether he were a bird, or beaft by kind : He was accus'd, that he with cenfures bold, The a6lions of his betters had controld, And that he with his mercenary hand. Had touch'd affaires of weigfht not to be fcann'd By fuch as hee : thus was the Scout indited, But when he was unto his anfwer cited, Hee pleads himfelfe to be an Innocent, And humbly crav'd the Bench for to confent To his impunity, and to difpence With errours, that arife from indigence : He further added ; fmce his fate it was To be referr'd for tryall of his cafe Unto twelve mouthes ; he crav'd they would admit Twelve nofes too ; him to condemne, or quit, D That (20) That no defe(5l might be of any fence, To fmell, or to find out his innocence. Apollo then retorts an irefull glance, And dafh'd the Pris'ner out of countenance : He told him now 't was time to lay afide Impertinent difcourfe, he fliould be tryd By twelve, who were fufficient Men, and fit Both for integrity, and pregnant wit : And as for him, whofe Vote he did rejecfl, Upon a cavill againft fome defecfl : Hee him affur'd that all the world might know. His art was high, although his nofe was low : But Madagafcar chiefly did exprefs His raptures brave, and laur'ate worthinefs. The Scout commanded was then to ftand by : And Civicus held up his hand on high : Good civill Civicus, who to his booke Emblemes affix'd, of what he undertooke. For filly rimes appear'd in the firft place. To which was added fome Commanders face. That in refemblance, did no more comply With him, whom it was faid to fignifie. Then doe fome floryes which his books containe, Refemble truths : But his offences vaine, In 26 (21) In his endi6lment were declar'd at large, And this was the full purport of his charge ; He was accus'd that he through fcience bad, Or Magick, or Magnetick figures, had Prefixed to his books ; which did enchant The fancies of the weak, and ignorant. And caus'd them to beflow more time, and coine, On fuch fond Pamphlets, then on books divine : It was affirm'd, that he was wont to fcatter, Upon his fingle fheet, more words, then matter, And that he had with tranfmarine narrations, Recruted his domefticall relations, (courfe And from the Danes and Swedes fetch'd cold dif- To cloy the ftomacks of his Auditours ; And with fuch fluffe his latter pages patch'd. That they Brittannicus his do(5lrines match'd. Who doubts, and fatisfa(5lions wont t'invent. That gave nor fatisfa6lion nor content. While Civicus did thus his tryall heare ; One comes, and whifpers Phoebus in the eare, And him advertis'd, that a fecret friend Of Civicus^ did to his Highnefs fend, A prefent of fome Sack, and fugar loaves, And that therewith, the Giver humbly moves, D 2 That 27 That the poore Pris'ner might receive fuch grace, As might be juftly found in fuch a cafe. Apollo then, in choler and difdain, Did thus break out in termes. What madnefs vain, Or impudence (faid He) in humane race (face Remains ? That they fliould think with bribes t'ef- Our refolutions juft, and us divert From judgement by the law, and by defert ; Then he the Gaoler call'd for {Honeft Ben) The Keeper fat, of the Trophonian Den : Him he commands to feize upon (in haft) The bringer of the bribe, and keep him fafl ; And fmce the Tzidde of which he told the tale. By fplitting, had deceiv'd him of his ale ; And fmce his New-Inne too had got a crack, He bids him take the Sugar loves, and Sack, To make his lov'd Magnatick Lady glad. That ftill (for want of an applaufe) was fad. Then Civicus unto his charge did plead Not guilty, and was bidden to recede. Then with a look like to his ftyle fubmiffe, Stood forth, the Writer of Occurrences : He was accufed to have injur'd Fame, And to have difguis'd falfhood by the name Of 28 Of Truth, and with a goodly Fronli/peice, To have procur'd his bookes efteeme, and price : Which were compar'd unto a painted Inne, That had nor good wine, nor good cheare within. He was accus'd, that like a fubtile theife, He had his readers rob'd of their beleife, And of their wit, and judgment them bereav'd, That willingly, were with his lies deceiv'd : But if fome truths (by chance) he utter'd had, Thefe were in fuch a tedious language clad, That many a(5lors of renowned jefts, Depriv'd were of their honor d interefls, By his inglorious penne, and alfo thofe Who did afTfe6l true elegance in profe, Did from his ruftick phrafe conceive more hate, Then pleafure from thofe things he did relate. It likewife was deliver'd in his charge, That he had tortur'd, with his letters large, Ingenious eares, which to plebeian hands He captives made, in aufcultations bands. And that mens names, on credit he up tooke, All which he lifted to fill up his booke, And for to make a greater noife, he fummes Both Trumpets, Seargeants, Corporalls, & drums, D 3 Among 29 Among the numbers of the flain, or taken, Wherby he did great Officers awaken, That flep't in honours bed, who did complaine, To fee themfelves mixt with that vulgar train The Pris'ners plea to this indi6lment was Flat negative, for in the plainefl cafe, Al Malefa6lors hate confeffion free ; Confeffe and hang is ftill their maxime. The Pris'ner alfo crav'd, he might be heard, While he againft a jury-man preferr'd A juft exception, his requeft was granted, And fraught with malice, though much wit he He gentle Mr. Cary did refufe, (wanted. Who pleas'd faire Ladies with his courtly mufe : He faid, that he by his luxurious penne, Deferv'd had better the Tropkonian Denne, Then many now which flood to be arraign'd. For he the Thefpian Fountaine had diftain'd, With foule conceits, and made their waters bright. Impure, like thofe of the Hennophrodite, He faid, that he in verfe, more loofe had bin, Then old Chcsrephanes, or Aretine^ In obfcaene portraitures : and that this fellow In Helicon had reard the firft Burdello^ That 30 (2S) That he had change! the chad Cajlalian fpring. Into a Carian Well, whofe waters bring Effeminate defires, and thoughts uncleane, To minds that earft were pure, and moft ferene, Thus fpake the pris'ner, when a furious glance, Was darted from Apollos countenance, Which ftrook him dumb : then Scaliger the wife Was call'd, to whom Apollo thus aplies His Speech. Grave Cenfour of our learned Hill Whom your owne merit, and our royall will Hath fupervifour made of Arts, and Mufes, I wonder at the noife of thefe abufes. For I conceive not yet, that thefe effe6ts, Should be th'unhappy fruites of your negle6ls, So well you'ave purg'd the errours of the Times^ That I think not you could permit fuch crimes. Our manners to corrupt, fmce that our fprings Ought to be kept as pure as beds of Kings : For he that vice, with fcience doth commixe, Turnes noble Hippocren to ugly Styx, In marriage bonds both Heaven and Hell combine Yet Art may Heaven and earth together joy ne : Thus fpake Apollo, then learn'd Scaliger Shap'd the replye : I have (my Soveraigne deare) With 31 r26; With care intended what concerns my place, So to conferve your fprings from mixtures bafe, Yet all my care, and labour Is but valne, Except ]ove will confent t'undoe agalne His worke of Humane nahire, and the fame Of fuch pure ftufife, and perfe6l temper frame. As it of no corruption may admit : For I have try'd my induftry and wit, Both Arts, and Authours to refine, and mend, As well as times, yet can I not defend. But fome luxuriant witt, will often vent Lafcivious Poems, agalnfl my confent : Of which offence, if Cary guilty be, Yet may fome chafler Songs him render free From cenfure fharp, and expiate thofe crimes Which are not fully his, but rather Times : But let your Grace vouchfafe, that he may try How he can make his own Apology : Apollo then gave Cary leave to fpeake, Who thus In modeft fort, did filence breake. In wifdomes nonage, and unrlper yeares. Some lines flipt from my penne, which fmce with I labour'd to expunge : This Song of mine (teares Was not infufed by the Virgins nine, Nor 33 Nor through my dreames divine upon this Hill, Did this vain Rapture iffue from my quill, No Thefpian waters, but a Paphian fire, Did me with this foule extafie infpire : I oft have wifh'd, that I (like Saturne) might This Infant of my folly fmother quite, Or that I could retra6l, what I had done. Into the bofome of Oblivion. Thus Cary did conclude : for preft by griefe, Hee was compell'd to be concife, and briefe : Phcebus at his contrition did relent, And Edl(5ls fo on through all Par^taffus fent, That none fhould dare to attribute the fhame Of that fond rapture, unto Caryes name, But Order d that the Infamy fhould light On thofe, who did the fame read, or recite. Hee further-more the Pris'ner did Injoyne, Againft him all exceptions to decline. And to a legall tryall for to ftand. If Hee expe6led favour at his hand. The Innocent Scotch Dove did then advance, Full fober in his wit, and countenance, And though his books contaln'd not mickle fence. Yet his endidlment fhew'd no great offence ; E Great 33 Great Wits, to perills great themfelves expofe Oft'times ; but the Scotch Dove was none of thofe : In many words he Httle matter drefl, And did Laconick brevity deteft, Perfpicuous phrafe he lov'd, could not endure To be in flile, or in his life obfcure, But while his Readers did expe6l fome newes, They found a Sermon, thus did he abufe Good people, that he rather might have took A Lapwing, then a Dove to trimme a book : This was his charge : and being call'd to plead, Hee cryes not guilty, and petitioned He might be heard to vindicate his worth From fcandall, and reproach, on him call forth By Aulicus, that fcoffing Hipponax, Who with lewd crimes, did him unjuflly tax ; His fute was granted, then did he complaine That AulicuSy his title did difdaine, And fpltefully in ftead of ScottiJJi Pigeon, Had him the nick-name given of ScottiJIi Wigion And that he had mofl falfly him accus'd, Preftigious Arts, and Magick to have us'd, Whereby Mens fenfes were with errours ftrook, That firebrands, they for Olive branches took. Thus 34 (29) Thus fpake the Dove : Apollo then reply'd, Wee might condemne your arrogance, and pride, 'Caufe you the name of Venus, birds have chofe, When Scotland hath (you know) no birds like thofe, Thouofh it abounds with fowle of various kinds ; But errours fmall provoke not heavenly minds, I doubt not, but that Aulicus his tongue Hath injur'd you, but were this all the wrong Which it hath done. He might our cenfure fcape, And paffe, not for a Serpent, but an Ape. Thus Phoebus fpake ; And then the Scottifli Dove Rejoyn'd, as zeale and choler did him move ; I challenge to the duell of the pen Falfe Aulicus, that Cynick among men, That enemy of Truth, true honours fcourge. That Officine of lyes, and flanders forge, Oh let your Grace vouchfafe to turne me loofe, A Scottifli Dove, againft the RomiJJt Goofe. Apollo then reflects a frowning eye, Commands him to defift, and to ftand by. The Cryer then did the fwift Pojl command. At his indictment to hold up his hand : He was accus'd of thefe enormities, Firft that with Encheridions of lyes, E 1 Hee 35 (30) He had diflurb'd the learned Common-weale, And alfo in felonious fort did fteale From Euphues, and Arcadia ^ language gay Therein his vain relations to array, Becaufe he knew that lyes in fine attires, Preferr'd are before truths, by many buyers : Such was his ftyle, fuch tales did he endite, That he no newes, but Rojnants feem'd to write ; It alfo ftrongly was againfl him urg'd, That he fome Packets had contriv'd, and forg'd, Which letters did of falfe reports containe, And this was meerely done for thirfl of gaine : This was his charge ; and becaufe he divin'd That free confeffion might fome favour find, Hee guilty pleads, and then was fet afide. Another then was call'd forth to be try'd : And this was he, who weekly did difpence A mifcellany of intelligence : Of his endidlment, the effe6l was this. That he had with his weekly rapfodyes, The Affes of Parna/stis fore annoy'd. Whom he had fed with many rumours voyd, And vapours vain. Thus like Chamelions they Took fmoke in (lead of provender and hay, And 36 And therby grew in fence fo leane, and lame : That quite unfit for fervice they became ; It was alleadg'd, that he for lucres fake, Did falfe intelligence devife, and make, And card not who he gul'd, or did beguile, Soe he might reap therby fome profit vile. Thefe were the crimes, wherof he was accus'd To which he pleads not guilty, but refus'd By Hiflriomicke Poets to be try'd, 'Gainfl whom, he thus malicioufly enveigh'd Juflice (fayd he) and no finifter fury, Difwades me from a try all by a jury, That of worfe mifdemeanours guilty bee. Then thofe which are obje6led againft mee : Thefe mercinary pen-men of the Stage, That fofter the grand vifes of this age, Should in this Common-wealth no office beare, But rather ftand with vs Delinquents here : Shake/pear s a Mimicke, Maf singer a Sot, Weywood for Aganippe takes a plot : Beamount and Fletcher make one poet, they Single, dare not adventure on a Play. Thefe things are all but th'errour of the Mufes, Abortive witts, foul fountains of abufes : E 3 Reptiles / 37 r32j Reptiles, which are equivocally bred, Under fome hedge, not in that geniall bed Where lovely art with a brave wit conjoyn'd, Engenders Poets of the nobleft kind. Plato refus'd fuch creatures to admit Into his Common-wealth, and is it fit Par7iajffus fhould the exiles entertaine Of Plato ? therefore (my dread Soveraigne) I crave your Pardon, while I thus prefume To fupplicate your Highnefs, to refume Your wonted Juflice, that this facred Hill, No more may fuffer by fuch members ill ; Thus fpake the Pris'ner : then among the crowd, Plautus, and Terence 'gan to mutter loud. And old Mcnander was but ill apayd, While AriJlopJianes his wrath bewray'd, (ly. With words opprobr'ous ; for it gall'd him fhrewd- To fee dramatick Poets tax'd fo lewdly : And while 'mongft thefe, the murmure did encreafe, The Cryer warn'd them all to hold their peace. The Court was filent, then Apollo fpake : If thou (faid He) chiefly for vertues fake, Or true affe6lion to the Common-weale, Didft our Dramatick Poets thus appeale, We 38 (32) VVe fliould to thy exception give confent, But fince we are affur'd, 'tis thy Intent, By this refufall, onely to deferre That cenfure, which our juftlce muft conferre Upon thy merits ; we mufh needs decline From approbation of thefe pleas of thine, And are refolv'd that at this time, and place. They fnall as Jurours, on thy tryall paffe, But if our Cen/our, fhall hereafter find, They have deferved ill, we have defign'd That they likewlfe fliall be to judgement brought, To fuffer for thofe crimes, which they have wrought, Thus fpake the Soveraign of the two-topp'd Mount, Another then was call'd to an account. And this was he, who weekly did pretend, Accowits of certain news abroad to fend. He was accus'd, that he with Pamphlets vain, The art of lying had fought to maintain, Which trade, he and his fellows us'd of late. With fuch fucceffe, and profit In the State Of high Par7za/suSy that they did confpire, A Patent from Apollo to acquire : That they might thus Incorporated bee, Into a Company oi Lyers fj^ee. This 39 r34J This was his charge : while he no whit relents, But ftood to juftifie his innocence. The Pen-man of the Perfefl Pa/sages Then to his tryall did himfelfe addreffe, He was accus'd, that he for love of gain, Had injur'd Truth, with many flories vain. And that Hee with his mercenary quill, Difhonour'd had Apollo s Noble Hill. That Hee, and his affociates had attempted In a felonious manner, to have empty'd The Foimtaines of the M^ifes, to fulfill That appetite which rofe from Livers ill. To this indi6lment he gave a denyall, And yeelds himfelfe fubmiffively to his tryall. The fubtile Spye then to the barre drew nere, And with dejedled lookes, his hand did reare : But he in his indi6lment was accus'd, Old GalilcBOS glafses to have us'd, Which reprefented obje6ls to his eye. Beyond their meafure, and jufl fymmetrie, Whereby the faults of many did appeare, More and farre greater, then indeed they were : And that he at a difhance did recount, (Like Lynceus from the Lilybean mount) Numbers 40 (3S) Numbers of fliipps and men, though he indeed So bHnd was, that he did a leader need. He was accus'd that (Hke Aglaures) hee Forbidden obje6ts had prefum'd to fee, And therefore merited in law, and fence, His eares to forfeit, for his eyes offence. Thus his Indi6lment rann : It he denies, And for a tryall, on twelve men relyes ; But this defpitefull Spye a cavill rais'd 'Gainft Michael Drayton^ whom he much difprais'd For that great Poly-Olbion which he writ, This he tearm'd a rude Embrion of wit, Apeice of low efleeme, together layd Without propicious Pallas, or the ayde Of the nine Mufes, who did much difdaine The homely features of his Naiad's vaine. Thus fpake the Spye, and ftill would have pro- If that Kpollo had not him impeded. (ceeded I thinke through th'infolence of thefe (faid hee) And our remiffneffe : we this Barr fliall fee Become a ftage of the Old Comedy e, How boldly hath this proud traduceing Spye, And his Comrades, our honefl Poets checkt, Who from the beft have ever found refpe(5l : F Nor 4^ Nor can fmooth Drayto7t fcape their cenfures fharp But at his workes this bufy Spye muft carp : Drayton, whofe Sonnets fweet of Love heroicke May melt t\\EJ/ccan, or the rigid Stoicke To amorous Leanders, and them move Through Seas of teares, to fwim to her they love. This Swanne of ours, that impure Zoylus blots With fcandalls foule, but as the Ermines fpotts Adde price and eftimation to his Furre, Soe the reproofes of this invective curre Give light, and luftre unto Draytons worth, And with advantage fet his merit forth : Drayton, who doth, in fuch magnificke fort Delineate Valour in his Agincourte, That this illuftr'ous poeme, doth infpire Even courages of ice, with warlike fire. His Tragicke Legends are with force endu'd, To foften Scythyans, and Tartars rude, Yea with pathetick Fancies to enchant Obdurate mindes : and hearts of Adamant ; His vertue's fo fublime, that even as foon, The Savage Negro s darts may peirce the Moone, As the irtve6lives of this froward Spye, A drachme of worth, take from his merit high. Thus 42 (31J Thus fpake Apollo : while old Drayto7i fmil'd To fee him curb'd that had him thus revil'd. Now when the ]tirours had diflin6lly heard Each Bill, that was againfl thefe men preferr'd, They then commanded were for to recede, Vntill they on their Verdi6ls had agreed, Soe pofitive the teftimonies were ; The evidence s'authentique, and foe cleare, That they requir'd no man of lawes advice, For to decide fome points, or matters nice, After fome time in confultation fpent^ Their verdi6ls to the Court they did prefent, George Withers for their Foreman they had chofe Who confident was, both in verfe and profe ; He not did like a Cuftard, quake and quiver, When he his verdi6l came for to deliver : And firft, of him it was enquired, whether They in their verdi(5l had agreed together : He anfwer'd yes : and then he was commanded The prifoner to behold : then thy demanded If that Britannicus to them apear'd Or fit to be condemn'd, or to be clear'd : The Foreman guilty cryes, then they enquire, What he can for himfelfe fpeake, or defire, F 2 Whereby 43 Whereby he might evade that fentence juft, Which inftantly proceed againft him mull. He crav'd his book, but that was him deny'd ; It was his book (they faid) which him deftroyd. Nor was this Pris'ner onely guilty found, For all his conforts heard the felf-fame found. Apollo then after a confli6l high. Between his juftice, and his clemency, Not without ebullition of fome teares, Thus fentence gave upon the Prifoners. Britanicus condemn'd was to be led, To that place where the Porcupines were fed, Where to a poft fafh bound, he muft remaine, Till with their quils, they had him fliot and flaine. But Aulicus, Apollo did condemne. To be tranfported to t\\& fatall Denne Which kept thofe Vipers, from all parts colle6led, Of which Parnajfus Treacle was confe6led. For when Apollo did long fmce defcry, That Fortune, and the World did much envy The learned crew, and them to Limbo fent. Oft through the poifon of deep difcontent Hee through his skill in phyfick did devife This Antidote againft all maladies ; 44 And ( Z9) And for this end he did thofe vipers cherrifli, Among which now, poore Aulicus muft perifli : But the fly Scouts a gentler cenfure found, {^Apollo with fuch mildnes did abound) For he was deftin'd to this punifhment ; He to the Vale of Hybla muft be fent. There to prote6l the hives of Thrifty Bees, From the Invafions and the Larcenies, Of Wafpes and Hornets ; but t'was ordered too That he Itarke naked, muft this fervice doe, And he thefe Robbers only muft affaile. With the long feather of a Capons taile, The wife hitelligencer then did heare His fentence, which feem'd fomewhat too fevere : For he condemn'd was to a Sctillions place^ Within the Kitchen oi Appollos grace \ Where he was forc'd his papers to expend, Piggs, Pyes, and Geefe, from burning to defend. But Civicus was fentenc'd to be gone. Both from Parnaffus and from Helicon^ And to the Fennes of Lerna was confin'd Where a poore cottage was to him affign'd ; There he a fory lively-hood muft make, By angling Froggs out of a ftinking Lake. F 3 The .. > ... .,.X, , . 45, ,, ,,,.,, ., fAoJ The writer alfo of Dmrnalls was Condemned to a farre remoter place, For he was banlfh'd to an uncouth land, Where only Apes inhabit and command : And there he was enjoin'd to inftru6l thefe, In Muficke, and in divers laneuaees ; Yet had he no more languages then tongues, No other muficke then the Cuckoos fongs. But he who did the Occurrancse compile, Was nor confin'd, nor forc'd to chang his foyle, But by Apollo s mercy fentenc'd was, To ferve with paper all the Cloaca s, That did unto Parnafsus appertaine. And if hereafter any fhould complaine, He wanted this for neceffary ufe, Then without bayle and maineprife, or excufe. He muft be carri'd to that prifon fad, Bocardo call'd, whence no releafments had. The writer of the Trtie Accounts then heares His greviouus cenfure, with unwilling eares : He was condem'd unto the Stygian Galley, Where he was forc'd upon a wooden talley To keep a true account of all thofe Ghofls That daily ferry'd to the further Coafls : And .,46 r4i; And for his hire, each night receive hee mufl Three filh'ps on the nofe, with a browne cruft, Of mouldy bread : and hee for feven yeares fpace Was judg'd to bee a bond flave in that place. The Pojl receiv'd (as it to fome may feeme) A fentence no way rigid, or extreme, For hee was not exil'd, nor forc'd to change His calling, for a place of bafenes flrange : Nor was the gallant off-pring of his wit. Condemned to the Oven, or to the Spitt. It was decreed he fhould be ftill permitted For to ride pofte, but mufl be ever fitted With tumbling Jades of fuch decrepite age. That they would tire, in riding halfe a ftage. Appollo then this judgement did expreffe, 'Gainft th' Author of the Perfe5l Pa/sages ; Hee was confin'd unto 2, gloomy Cave : Which nor to Sunne, nor Moone admiffion gave Here by the glow-wormes blaze, and glimmering Of rottenwood, he was inioyn'd to write (light The Leaguers, Fights, Advances, and Retreates, Affaults, Surprifalls, and all martiall feates, Which in that long, and bloody warre were fhew'd Wherein fly Weajills, noy/ome Rails fubdu'd The 47 The Spye then hears his cenfure, which containes A leffer weight of infamy, then paines. For whereas Phcebus had receiv'd of late Petitions meeke, from the Pigmean State, Which fhew'd how the ftern Cranes with irefull teen Oppred had thefe Epitomes of men. And with their ftrataorems, and warlike fleio^hts Reduc'd that Nation to deplored ftreights : For they, arm'd with black bills, in combate fierce, Had foil'd thofe foote and halfe-foote Cavaliers : And with their watchfull Camifades likewife Did them by night fo frequently furprife, That they were forc'd to crave Appollos aide, Approching death, and ruine to evade. Who pitties their eftate, and to comply With their defires, appoints the cunning Spye To pod away to the PigmcBan Land] To be affiftant with his helping hand ; And to difcover with his peircing eyes, The Cranes deepe plotts, and hidden fubtilties : Apollo likewife did injoine the Spye, To vifit Caucafiis as he pafs'd by. Cloud-topping Caucafus, where Eagles flrong Their airyes have, the horrid Cliffes among : With 48 (A3) With thefe fierce Birdes, him hee commands to About the levyes of fome Forces great ; (treate, Againfl th' infulting Cranes to bee imploy'd, Which the Pigmcsans poore had fo annoy'd. In lieu of other punifhment, the Spye Was bound to undertake this Embaffye : And did applaud Apollos mercy ftrange, That did his cenfure to an honour change. The Scottijli Dove then heard this fentence faire : Hee to his native countrey muft repaire, And was on paine of death prohibited, To croffe the Seas, or to repaffe the the Twede^ But while his guilty fellowes did envye His eafy Mul6l, and gentle penaltye ; Hee cry'd his fentence was fevere, and hard, And might with mofl of theirs, bee well compar'd, For if they knew the Home as well as hee. They'd rather dye, then there imprifon'd bee. When judgement was on all the Pris'ners paft, Appollo to diffolve the Court did haft ; But Atilicus in moft fubmifsive wife, For Mitigation of his cenfure cryes : G So 49 So did Britanicus. Phcebus relents, And takes the edge off from their punifliments, They were repriv'd. Then all the Court commen- Appollds mercy : Thus th' AJ/izes ended. (ded Printed and PubliOied according to Order. FINIS 5^ d)e Spenser ^ocietp. THE. Volumes of the Spenser Society now issued constitute the third and fourth which the Council have had the pleasure to send out to the members for the seventeenth year. The previous issues, " The Mirrour of Good Maners," by Alexander Barclay, translated from the Latin of Dominike Mancin, and " Certayne Egloges," gathered by Barclay " out of a Booke named in Latin Miserije Curialium, compiled by Eneas Silvius," have given much satisfaction, judging from letters received. Barclay's translation of the "Ship of Fools" was reprinted a few years ago by Paterson of Edinburgh, and it was suggested to him to print with it the works issued this year by the Society. These two works appear in the second edition of the " Ship of Fools," As, however, they did not accompany the recent re- print, and the Council had reason to believe that the reprint was in the hands of many of the members, it was resolved to print the works now under notice. They are of extreme interest, especially the " Egloges," as illustrating the period in which they were written, particularly the Court life of that day. " The Great Assises Holden in Parnassus," and the " Vaticinium Votivum ; or Paleemon's Prophetick Prayer," are included, without question, by Mr. Hazlitt, in his Bibliographical Handbook, amongst the works of George Wither. There is much doubt, however, in the minds of many critics whether George Wither wrote either of them, and in this doubt the President participates. They are, however, of considerable rarity, and are so much identified with the works of Wither, that the Council thought it desirable to reprint them. The Society is now in its eighteenth year, and looking back on its suc- cessful career, the President cannot but painfully feel the loss of the learned and valued friends and colleagues who formed its first Council. Of all that number, and of many that joined after\vards, the Rev. E. W. Buckley alone survives. A statement has been published respecting the origin of the Society so inaccurate, that the President thinks it necessary very briefly to place on record the way in which the Society arose. In 1867 he was in London, and calling upon his friend F. J. Furnivall, Esq., the Director of the Early English Text Society, he was asked why we did not do something for our early English literature in Manchester. This led to a conversation, in which Mr. Furnivall urged that a Society should be formed in Manchester to reprint some of the rare works of the i6th and 17th centuries. On his return to Manchester, he hastened to the Chetham Library to discuss with its learned curator the scheme suggested by Mr. Furnivall. He found assembled at the Library, Mr. Crossley, the Rev. Mr. Corser, and Mr. Napier, and men- tioning the object of his visit, found the project warmly welcomed. Mr. Crossley stated that his friend the Rev. Alexander Dyce, had frequently regretted to him that no complete collection of the works of George Wither, or of John Taylor, had ever been formed, and expressed a strong desire that a complete collection of the works of both writers should be printed if that were possible, but that no publisher would undertake the risk on his own responsibility. Moreover, many of the works would be difficult to procure. Mr. Corser then stated that he believed he had the largest collection of the writings of both Taylor and Wither that had ever been got together, and that they should be at the command of the Society if it could be established. The five gentlemen then present formed themselves into a Committee or Council, and Mr. Corser was urged to allow himself to be nominated the first President. This he declined on account of his advanced age, and Mr. Crossley was then persuaded to take the Presidency. The writer of this notice was named Vice-President. Very little difficulty was found in getting the requisite number of subscribers, and in a few weeks the Society became an accomplished fact. The publications began with the Proverbs of John Heywood, a copy of which was in the Chetham Library, and it was intended to follow up this volume with the printing of the Interludes, but Mr. Corser's desire that his collections of Taylor and Wither should be pressed forward, from the un- certainty of his own life, caused them to be early taken up. Mr. John Payne Collier had been reprinting in very limited issue a num- ber of the Early English Poetical Miscellanies, and was desirous to obtain from Mr. Corser the remainder which were in that gentleman's library. One of these, Robinson's " Handeful of Pleasant Delites," was a unique. It is now in the library of the British Museum. Mr. Corser thought that these works would be valuable to the Society, to relieve the monotony of the great series, the publication of which was its special object. These Miscel- lanies had high poetic merit, and the beauty of the Typography of some of them could scarcely be surpassed. The Society has now issued upwards of forty volumes, and it may be said for them that as reprints the style in which they have been produced is not equalled by those of any other Society. There are no such collections of the works of Taylor and Wither to be found in any library in the world as those which form the bulk of the Society's reprints. It was decided at one of the early meetings that no lengthy introductions or memorials should be written, but that the respective authors should be presented to the subscribers with the utmost accuracy, and that the subscrip- tions should not be wasted in modern matters. The object of the Council was to produce the author himself for study, just as a scholar would go to the original, leaving to future biographers or critics the production of special editions. Perhaps no man was more competent than Mr. Crossley to have written Memorial-Introductions, but he felt that these were quite beside the objects of the Society. Considering how many works have been lost from our early English literature, and that of many works still in existence very few copies remain, it is of the highest importance to prevent their absolute loss to literature by reprinting such a number of copies as will save them from entire extinction. As already stated, one of the works reprinted by the Spenser Society is a unique copy, and of several of the others very few copies are to be found. If only half a dozen copies of an author's works remain to us, only that number of persons can possess them, and they are in many instances utterly unavailable, not only to general readers but sometimes to literary enquirers. How important is it then that copies should be accessible in every consider- able public library. The value of these examples of our ancient literature is not to be esti- mated from one point of view only. Their poetry may be attractive to one ; the illustrations they give of the manners and customs of the time at which they first appeared may be interesting to another ; the modes and tone of thought, the legends, superstition, forms of expression, and even the exem- plification of change in language and orthography, may assist the researches of a third. It would be almost impossible fully to realize much that is con- tained in George Wither's writings without a study of the writings themselves. Even the coarseness and comicality of John Taylor bring forcibly before us a phase of life in the time in which he lived not to be found in the works of any other author, whilst the poem with which the collection of his works opens indicates a power and devotion in the man which some of his other works would lead us little to expect. The various reprinting and publishing societies, supplemented by the efforts of private individuals, give rich promise that in a few years all our early literature, with the exception, perhaps, of the theological, will be open to every student of English history. Striking out theology and law, the remaining literature up to the year 1600 might be contained within a room of very moderate dimensions. Sufiticient reasons have been given in former addresses to the subscribers, for reprinting the works of the Society \\\ facsimile. It is a pleasure to know that very few resignations have taken place since the commencement of the Society. The lapses have been almost entirely by death or by removal to distant places. There are still about a hundred subscribers remaining, and as long as this number can be kept up the Council will endeavour in each year to present works worthy of those that have gone before. The present President cannot expect long to retain the office he holds, but there are members of the Council eminently fitted to carry on the work of the Society when he shall have stepped aside. JOHN LEIGH, President. The Manor House, Hale, Novetnber 2jth, 188^. i I M » I fVfprFm^ ^rfPffTrnp^ ^?CQ^'dS^^?SS:^^ onyoOi'^ACJ'^ ~'CJr^,«^^bP^' r«Ar^O^•'^^r^,0. ■C^^"Jv-^'^'?v^r^. ^"^^^'-'''^^'^Onn^^'^^^ .^Aa^ ^'^'^ ^^l*^'^<^W^(W*/'^ kULunAuUrTiAi *^^OA^0Ko;:;fs/ M^T^^rw*>M'? ^^««^;;'A««;^?.^' ^S«?,^^,'^'^"^"" , ^^^aS^^^'*??' AAAiAr^'^.'^wvw