Volume III Part 31 (1/2)

Ad Venerem, quod elegis finem imponat.

Tender Loves' mother[449] a new poet get, This last end to my Elegies is set.[450]

Which I, Peligny's foster-child, have framed, Nor am I by such wanton toys defamed.

Heir of an ancient house, if help that can, Not only by war's rage[451] made gentleman.

In Virgil Mantua joys: in Catull Verone; Of me Peligny's nation boasts alone; Whom liberty to honest arms compelled, When careful Rome in doubt their prowess held.[452] 10 And some guest viewing watery Sulmo's walls, Where little ground to be enclosed befalls, ”How such a poet could you bring forth?” says: ”How small soe'er, I'll you for greatest praise.”

Both loves, to whom my heart long time did yield,[453]

Your golden ensigns pluck[454] out of my field.

Horned Bacchus graver fury doth distil, A greater ground with great horse is to till.

Weak Elegies, delightful Muse, farewell; A work that, after my death, here shall dwell. 20

FOOTNOTES:

[448] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.

[449] ”Tenerorum mater amorum.”

[450] ”Marlowe's copy of Ovid had 'Traditur haec elegis ultima charta meis.'”--Dyce. (The true reading is ”Raditur hic ... meta meis.”)

[451] ”Non modo militiae turbine factus eques.”

[452] ”c.u.m timuit socias anxia turba ma.n.u.s.”

[453] ”Marlowe's copy of Ovid had 'Culte puer, puerique parens _mihi tempore longo_.' (instead of what we now read 'Amathusia culti.')”--Dyce.

[454] Old eds. ”pluckt.”

EPIGRAMS BY J[OHN] D[AVIES].

EPIGRAMS BY J[OHN] D[AVIES].[455]

AD MUSAM. I.

Fly, merry Muse, unto that merry town, Where thou mayst plays, revels, and triumphs see; The house of fame, and theatre of renown, Where all good wits and spirits love to be.

Fall in between their hands that praise and love thee,[456]

And be to them a laughter and a jest: But as for them which scorning shall reprove[457] thee, Disdain their wits, and think thine own the best.

But if thou find any so gross and dull, That thinks I do to private taxing[458] lean, 10 Bid him go hang, for he is but a gull, And knows not what an epigram doth[459] mean, Which taxeth,[460] under a particular name, A general vice which merits public blame.

FOOTNOTES: