where we sport ourselves, and strip her black mantle from the dark Hag and stick in its place everlasting Day.' 1. 37. 'untempted', apparently 'secure, unmolested'. p. 187. Of Wit. Wit is equivalent to imagination, fancy, genius, combined with learning, and showing itself in the discovery of subtle analogies, resemblances. Compare Pope, Essay on Criticism, e. g. ll. 290-304; Johnson, Life of Cowley. p. 190. Against Hope. These poems illustrate the difference between Cowley's clear, clever wit and Crashaw's warmer fancy. But Cowley's Hope and Crashaw's are not quite the same. Compare Hope in Spenser's Faerie Queene, iii. 12. 13, with Speranza in i. 10. 14. p. 191. Answer for Hope. This 1651 text varies as usual from earlier versions, showing revision. 6 1. 30. supple essence' 1652, 'subtile essence' 1646. p. 193. On the Death of Mr. Crashaw. Il. 37-46. Crashaw died at Loretto, of which he was a Canon. P. 197. Hymn. To Light. Il. 45-8. Compare Shelley's Hymn to Apollo: The sunbeams are my shafts, with which I kill Fly me, and from the glory of my ray Good minds and open actions take new might, p. 207. A Contemplation upon Flowers. From Harleian MS. 697 (British Museum), where it is signed 'H. Kinge'. It is not certain that it is the Bishop's. p. 208. On a Drop of Dew. In the 1681 edition Latin versions of this and the following poem, The Garden, are printed immediately after the English. Neither the Latin nor the English can be accurately described as a translation of the other. But a careful reading suggests that the Latin in each case was written first, and served as a guide rather than a text for the beautiful English verses. The relation of the two versions On a Drop of Dew and Ros is fairly close, though the Latin is at times clearer than the English; e.g. 'Round in its self incloses' (1. 7), means, as the Latin shows, 'incloses itself in its own orb': Inque sui nitido conclusa voluminis orbe ; and 'So the World excluding round' (1. 29) is in Latin Oppositum mundo claudit ubique latus. The relation of The Garden and Hortus is much less close. Portions of the Latin reappear very freely treated, viz. the first three stanzas and the last. Other portions of the Latin are not represented in English, and, on the other hand, stanzas 4-8 read like a happy addition in which the poet has been unfettered by any reference to the Latin. The 1681 editor, indeed, suggests that some of the Latin poem is lost, but this may be an attempt to explain the want of correspondence. My colleague Professor Oliffe Legh Richmond has read the poems carefully and the opinion I have adopted was suggested by him. p. 209. The Metaphysical Sectarian. The description of Hudibras in Canto I, i. e. on his intellectual side. That of his religion follows: 1. 12. For his Religion it was fit To match his Learning and his Wit: 'Committee-men’. Committees set up in various counties to fine and imprison indignants. 6 1. 56. Tycho Brahe,' the Danish mathematician and astronomer. Erra Pater, i. e. William Lilly, the English astrologer (1602-81) whom every one consulted. 1. 58. As a justice of peace he could inspect weights and measures. 1. 84. Like words congeal'd'. Compare Rabelais, Pantagruel, iv. 55. 1. 88. 'he that hight Irrefragable', Alexander of Hales, d. 1245. INDEX OF FIRST LINES. A Ward, and still in bonds, one day After those reverend papers, whose soule is At the round earths imagin'd corners, blow. Batter my heart, three person'd God; for, you Blasted with sighs, and surrounded with teares, By our first strange and fatall interview, 49 9 207 3 166 177 75 46 124 159 68 191 10 66 87 44 69 117 184 62 175 197 Kinde pitty chokes my spleene; brave scorn forbids Let mans Soule be a Spheare, and then, in this, Little think'st thou, poore flower, Lord, how can man preach thy eternal word? 212 165 112. 173 36 80 IIO 180 I 57 90 III 168 35 89 II 19 Lord, who createdst man in wealth and store, Mark you the floore? that square & speckled stone, Index of First Lines. My Life is measur'd by this glasse, this glasse My Love is of a birth as rare Noe more unto my thoughts appeare, Not that by this disdain Now you have freely given me leave to love, O my Lucasia, let us speak our Love, . O who shall, from this Dungeon, raise. Oh thou great Power, in whom I move, Oh thou that swing'st upon the waving haire Poet and Saint! to thee alone are given See how the Orient Dew, See! with what glorious Motion See with what simplicity Send home my long strayd eyes to mee Show me deare Christ, thy spouse, so bright and clear. |