from following the same diction, and from writing in the same octave stanza, which Spenser borrowed from the Italian poets. 486. MASON (John).- Mentis Humanæ Metamorphosis; sive Conversio. The History of the Young Converted Gallant. Or Directions to the Readers of that Divine Poem, written by Benjaman Keach; intituled Warre with the Devil. Here shewing the Readers thereof, how to Read the same Poem aright, in these four respects; viz. I. In Reference to the Substance, or History thereof. II. In Reference to the Intent, or Mystery thereof. III. In Reference to the Consequent Doctrine thereof. IV. In Reference to Practical Application thereof. Compiled in to_Practical_Application a Poem by J. Mason Gent. of Fordham in Cambridge-shire.-London, printed by F. L. for B. Harris at the Stationers Arms in Sweethings-Rents by the Royal Exchange, 1676.

£1. 18.

"De

This volume is preceded by a moral argument, and a dication to the whole Universe, with the Princes and People thereof," which are both in rhyme, and comprise all the prefatory matter. Opposite the title is an emblematical frontispiece in six compartments.

487. MARLOW AND CHAPMAN.-Hero and Leander: Begunne by Christopher Marloe, and finished by George Chapman.-At London Imprinted for John Flasket, and are to be sold in Paules Churchyard, at the signe of the blacke Beare, 1606.

Quarto, pp. 96.

£15.

Of this poem the two first sestyads and about one hundred lines of the third were written by Christopher Marlow, and the remainder by George Chapman. It is dedicated "To the Right Worshipfull, Sir Thomas Walsingham, Knight," and subscribed E. B. which initials are probably intended for Edmund Bolton.A portrait of Chapman from a rare print faces the title. "If Marlow," says Mr. Malone (in his edition of Shakspeare, vol. 10, p. 72), "had lived to finish his Hero and Leander, he perhaps might have contested the palm with Shakespeare."-Oldys points

out John Davies's compliment to Chapman in his "Scourge of Folly," and says he calls him "Treasurer of the Poets Company:" Indeed (adds Oldys) his head was a Poetical Treasury or Chronicle of whatsoever was memorable among the Poets of his time: which made him latterly much resorted to by the young gentry of good parts and education. But he was choice of his company, shy of loose, shallow, and vain associates, and preserved, in his own conduct, the true dignity of poetry; which he compared to the Flower of the Sun, that disdains to open its leaves to the eye of a smoking taper.-Langbaine MS. in Mus. Brit.

488. MARLOW AND CHAPMAN.-Another copy of the same work. London: printed by N. Okes for William Leake, and are to be sold at his shop in Chancery-lane neare the Roules, 1637.

489. MARLOW AND DAVIS.-All Ovids Elegies : 3 Books. By C. M. (Christopher Marlow) Epigrams by J. D. (Sir John Davis)-MOROCCO.At Middlebovrgh. (no date, but circa 1596.) £7. 75.

Small octavo, pp. 96.

These Elegies of Ovid by Marlow, and Epigrams by Sir John Davis, were ordered to be burnt at Stationers' Hall, in 1599, by command of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Bishop of London (Whitgift and Bancroft), which satisfactorily accounts for their rarity. As Warton observes, the Elegies "convey obscenities of the brothel in elegant language, but are seldom tinctured with the sentiments of a serious and melancholy love." The translation of Eleg. 15, lib. 1. by B. J. was probably by Ben Jonson; and if so, must have been his earliest printed production.

In "Skialetheia," Satires, &c. 1598, the author of these Epigrams is styled "our English Martial." Mr. Malone has made numerous extracts from them in his Historical Account of the English Stage, and is censured by Mr. Chalmers for confusing Sir John Davis, the Judge, with John Davies, of Hereford, the Schoolmaster, whom he concludes to be the real writer: but Drummond of Hawthornden, who doubtless was Mr. Malone's authority, ascribes them positively to the former; indeed in the twenty-fourth Epigram is an allusion to the profession of the law, which alone would be sufficient cause for assigning the whole to Sir John.

From allusions to these Epigrams in Harington's "Metamor

phosis of Ajax," 1596, and in Bastard's "Chrestoleros," 1598, the time of their appearance is fully ascertained.-The thirty-ninth Epigram may amuse and also serve as a specimen :

In Fuscum. 39.

Fuscus is free, and hath the world at will,
Yet in the course of life that he doth lead,
He's like a horse which turning round a mill
Doth alwayes in the selfe-same circle tread :
First he doth rise at ten, and at eleven
He goes to Gyls, where he doth eate till one,
Then sees a Play till sixe, and sups at seven,
And after supper, straight to bed is gone:
And there till ten next day he doth remaine,
And then he dines, and sees a Comedy:
And then he suppes, and goes to bed againe,
Thus round he runs without variety,

Save that sometimes he comes not to the Play,
But falls into a whore-house by the way.

EWCASTLE (Duchess of).-Poems, or several Fancies in Verse: with the Animal Parliament, in Prose. Written by the Thrice Noble, Illustrious and Excellent Princess, the Duchess of Newcastle. The Third Edition.-EXTRA.-London, printed

by A. Maxwell, in the year 1668.

£7. 78.

This volume commences with commendatory verses "To her Grace the Duchess of Newcastle, on her Book of Poems," written by her husband the Duke, which is succeeded by a dedication "To Sr Charles Cavendish, my Noble Brother-in-Law," and another "To all Noble and Worthy Ladies." Next occurs" an Epistle to the Lady Toppe," with that Lady's reply to the Duchess. Two other prose epistles follow, viz. "To Natural Philosophers,"

HH

and "To the Reader:" The prefatory matter ends with three metrical epistles, "The Poetresses Hasty Resolution"-" The Poetresses Petition"-and "An Apology for writing so much upon this Book."

The present copy of this work is a very beautiful one, and has the very rare print of the Duchess sitting in her study, attended by four Cupids, two of whom are crowning her with laurel, engraved by Van Schuppen, after a painting by Diependeke. Of this print there is a copy, engraved on a smaller scale, and the volume is farther illustrated by the conversation print of the Duke and Duchess with their family, engraved by Clouet, and a portrait of the Duke, engraved by Turner, from an original miniature.

Margaret Duchess of Newcastle, although a voluminous writer of poems, plays, and abstruse philosophy, does not possess any peculiar claims to the attention of posterity as an authoress; but she was unquestionably of exemplary character, and of talents, properly directed, of the rarest kind.-The above portrait of this amiable lady was copied from the scarce print inserted in this volume.

491. NICCOLS (Richard).-The Cvckow. At, etiam cubat cuculus: surge amator, i domum. Richardus Niccols, in Artibus Bac. Oxon. Aulæ Mag.-ExTRA.-At London, printed by F. K. and are to be sold by W. C. 1607.

£8. 85.

The dedication of this poem is a metrical epistle of twelve lines addressed "To his Worshipfull good Friend Master Thomas Wroth an affecter and favourer of the Muses." It is succeeded by a prose address to the reader, in which the author observes:"I submit my selfe to the censure of him, that is more then a meere reader, to whom I do impart part of my poore poeticall skill vpon which I haue bestowed some idle houres; idle I call them, not in disgrace of so famous a skill: but to giue the world notice, that I make it not the chiefe part of my profession: but rather place it amongst those things of accomplement required in a scholar, or gentleman; which if (gentle Reader) thou shalt gently accept, my new borne Muse, that now sings harsh and hoarse in the shape of a Cuckow, may by thy incouragement hereafter sing to thee in a more pleasing note."

492. NICCOLS (Richards).—The Three Sisters Teares. Shed at the late Solemne Funerals of the Royall deceased Henry, Prince of Wales, &c. R. N. (Richard Niccols) Oxon.-London, printed by T. S. for Richard Redmer, and are to be sould at his shop neere the West dore of Paules Church,

The dedicatory epistle to this poetical tract, is a sonnet addressed "To the most Vertuous and Highly Honoured Lady; the Lady Honor Hay, Wife to the Right Noble Gentleman, Iames, Lord Hay, and Daughter and Heyre to the Right Honourable, the Lord Denny, Baron of Waltham." Next follow twentyfour metrical lines in English, entitled "Authori Carmen Ensomiasticon."-The "Three Sisters," are allegorical personages, supposed to be the daughters of a monarch, who, under the names of Angela, Albana, and Cambera, each utter a mournful plaint on the lamented death of Prince Henry, and the poem is concluded by an acrostic epitaph upon his decease.

493.

The Fvries. With Vertves Encomium. Or, the Image of Honour. In two Bookes of Epigrammes, Satyricall and Encomiasticke. By R. N. (Richard Niccols).London, printed by William Stansby, 1614. (pp. 78.).-Monodia or Walthams Complaint, vpon the death of that most Vertuous and Noble