You are therefore requested to fancy him cast by fortune into the company of some yet unknown Shepheards: and you have a liberty to beleeve "twas by this following accident.
"He in a Sommers morning (about that howre when the great eye of Heaven first opens it selfe to give light to us mortals) walking a gentle pace towards a Brook (whose Spring-head was not far distant from his peacefull habitation) fitted with Angle, Lines, and Flyes: Flyes proper for that season (being the fruitfull Month of _May_;) intending all diligence to beguile the timorous Trout, (with which that watry element abounded) observ"d a more then common concourse of Shepheards, all bending their unwearied steps towards a pleasant Meadow within his present prospect, and had his eyes made more happy to behold the two fair Shepheardesses _Amaryllis_ and _Aminta_ strewing the foot-paths with Lillies, and Ladysmocks, so newly gathered by their fair hands, that they yet smelt more sweet then the morning, and immediately met (attended with _Clora Clorinda_, and many other Wood-nymphs) the fair and vertuous _Parthenia_: who after a courteous salutation and inquiry of his intended Journey, told him the neighbour-Shepheards of that part of Arcadia had dedicated that day to be kept holy to the honour of their great G.o.d _Pan_; and, that they had designed her Mistresse of a Love-feast, which was to be kept that present day, in an Arbour built that morning, for that purpose; she told him also, that _Orpheus_ would bee there, and bring his Harp, _Pan_ his Pipe, and _t.i.terus_ his Oaten-reed, to make musick at this feast; shee therefore perswaded him, not to lose, but change that dayes pleasure; before he could return an answer they were unawares entred into a living mooving Lane, made of Shepheard and Pilgrimes; who had that morning measured many miles to be eye-witnesses of that days pleasure; this Lane led them into a large Arbour, whose wals were made of the yeelding Willow, and smooth Beech boughs: and covered over with Sycamore leaves, and Honysuccles."
I might now tell in what manner (after her first entrance into this Arbour) _Philoclea_ (_Philoclea_ the fair _Arcadian_ Shepheardesse) crown"d her Temples with a Garland, with what flowers, and by whom "twas made; I might tell what guests (besides _Astrea_ and _Adonis_) were at this feast; and who (beside _Mercury_) waited at the Table, this I might tell: but may not, cannot expresse what musick the G.o.ds and Wood-nymphs made within; and the Linits, Larks, and Nightingales about this Arbour, during this holy day: which began in harmlesse mirth, and (for _Bacchus_ and his gang were absent) ended in love and peace, which _Pan_ (for he onely can doe it) continue in _Arcadia, and restore to the disturbed Island of_ Britannia, _and grant that each honest Shepheard may again sit under his own Vine and Fig-tree, and feed his own flock, and with love enjoy the fruits of peace, and be more thankfull._
Reader, at this time and place, the Authour contracted a friendship with certain single-hearted Shepheards: with whom (as he return"d from his River-recreations) he often rested himselfe, and whilest in the calm evening their flocks fed about them, heard that discourse, which (with the Shepheards names) is presented in these Eglogues.
23 Novem. 1645.
COUPLET ON DR. RICHARD SIBBES.
1650.
[Written by Izaak Walton in his copy of Dr. Richard Sibbes"s work, _The Returning Backslider_, 4"10., 1650, preserved in the Cathedral Library, Salisbury. See Sir Harris Nicolas" Memoir of Walton, clv.]
Of this blest man let this just praise be given, Heaven was in him, before he was in heaven.
IZAAK WALTON.
DEDICATION OF RELIQUIAE WOTTONIANAE.
1651.
[Reliquiae Wottonianae, or, a Collection of Lives, Letters, Poems; with Characters of Sundry Personages: and other Incomparable Pieces of Language and Art. By The curious Pensil of the Ever Memorable Sr. Henry Wotton, Kt., Late, Provost of Eton Colledg. London, Printed by Thomas Maxey, for R. Marriot, G. Bedel, and T. Garthwait. 1651.]
_To the Right Honourable The Lady Mary Wotton Baronness, and to her Three n.o.ble Daughters._
{ KATHERIN STANHOP.
THE LADY { MARGARET TUFTON.
{ ANN HALES.
Since Bookes seeme by custome to Challenge a dedication, Justice would not allow, that what either was, or concern"d Sir Henry Wotton, should be appropriated to any other Persons; Not only for that nearnesse of Aliance and Blood (by which you may chalenge a civil right to what was his;) but, by a t.i.tle of that intirenesse of Affection, which was in you to each other, when Sir Henry Wotton had a being upon Earth.
And since yours was a Friendship made up of generous Principles, as I cannot doubt but these indeavours to preserve his Memory wil be acceptable to all that lov"d him; so especially to you: from whom I have had such incouragements as hath imboldned me to this Dedication. Which you are most humbly intreated may be accepted from
Your very reall servant, I. W.
ON THE DEATH OF WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT.
1651.
[Comedies, Tragi-Comedies, with other Poems, by Mr. William Cartwright, late Student of Christ-Church in Oxford, and Proctor of the University.
London, Printed for Humphrey Moseley, and are to be sold at his Shop, at the sign of the Prince"s Arms in St. Pauls Church-yard, 1651.]
_On the Death of my dear Friend Mr. William Cartwright, relating to the foregoing Elegies._
I cannot keep my purpose, but must give Sorrow and Verse their way; nor will I grieve Longer in silence; no, that poor, poor part Of natures legacy, Verse void of Art, And undissembled teares, CARTWRIGHT shall have Fixt on his Hea.r.s.e; and wept into his grave.
Muses I need you not; for, Grief and I Can in your absence weave an Elegy: Which we will do; and often inter-weave Sad Looks, and Sighs; the ground-work must receive Such Characters, or be adjudg"d unfit For my Friends shroud; others have shew"d their Wit, Learning, and Language fitly; for these be Debts due to his great Merits: but for me, My aymes are like my self, humble and low, Too mean to speak his praise, too mean to show The World what it hath lost in losing thee, Whose Words and Deeds were perfect Harmony.
But now "tis lost; lost in the silent Grave, Lost to us Mortals, lost, "till we shall have Admission to that Kingdom, where He sings Harmonious Anthems to the King of Kings.
Sing on blest Soul! be as thou wast below, A more than common instrument to show Thy Makers praise; sing on, whilst I lament Thy loss, and court a holy discontent, With such pure thoughts as thine, to dwell with me, Then I may hope to live, and dye like thee, To live belov"d, dye mourn"d, thus in my grave; Blessings that Kings have wish"d, but cannot have.
IZ. WA.
PREFACE TO SIR JOHN SKEFFINGTON"S HEROE OF LORENZO.
1652.
[The Heroe, of Lorenzo, or, The way to Eminencie and Perfection. A piece of serious Spanish wit Originally in that language written, and in English.