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162*Brathwait (Richard). A New Spring shadowed in sundry Pithie Poems. Musophilus. N. Luttrell's copy, calf by C. Lewis, very scarce, printed by G. Eld for T. Baylie, 1619 163 BRETON (NICHOLAS). A FLOORISH upon Fancie. As gallant a Glose upon so triflinge a text as ever was written. Compiled by N. B. Gent. To which are annexed manie pretie Pamphlets, for pleasant heads to passe away idle time withal. By the same author. Black Letter. Imprinted at London by Richard Jhones, 1577

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** Of the utmost rarity. "The Preface," following the distinct title to The Toyes of an idle Head, is entirely omitted in the reprint in Heliconia, Vol. I. which was made from the edition of 1582.

BRITTON'S BOWRE OF DELIGHTS. Contayning Many most delectable and fine devices, of rare Epitaphes, pleasant Poems, Pastorals and Sonets, by N. B. Gent. Imprinted by Richard Jhones, at the Rose and Crowne neere Holborne Bridge.

1591

*** One of the greatest rarities in our language. This is the book, and the edition of the book, the authenticity of which Nicholas Breeton denies in his Pilgrimage to Paradise, 4to. 1592. It was again printed in 1597. See the following number. R. Jones, the Printer, says that he published it in "the author's absence." From Perry's Collection.

Contayning

BRITTON'S BOWRE OF DELIGHTS. Many, most delectable and fine devises of rare Epitaphes, pleasant Poems, Pastoralls and Sonnets by N. B. Gent. Imprinted by Richard Johnes at the Rose and Crowne, neere Saint Andrewes Church in Holborne, 1597. MELANCHOLIKE humours, IN VERSES of Diverse natures, set downe by Nich. Breton, Gent. Printed by Richard Bradocke, 1600, 2 vol. in 1, from the Collection of N. Luttrell and G. Ellis, in red morocco.

**Both works in this volume are extraordinarily

rare.

N. Breton in his Pilgrimage to Paradise, 1592, disowns the greater part of the Bower of Delights, which was first printed as above, in 1591 by Richard Jones; but he nevertheless re-published it with some variations pointed out in Mr. Heber's MS. notes.

The second piece in this volume is no doubt what is called Pasquil's Melancholy in the prose dialogue introductory of 'Tis Merry when Gossips Meete, 1602, and where it is coupled with Pasquil's Mad-cup and Foolscap, both pieces known to have been written by N. Breton. At the end of Melancholike Humours is the "Epitaph upon Poet Spencer," mentioning his Fairy Queen, Shepherd's Calendar and Mother Hubbard's Tale.

166 BRETON (NICHOLAS) THE PILGRIMAGE TO PARADISE, JOYNED WITH THE Countesse of Penbrookes love, compiled in verse by NICHOLAS BRETON, Gentleman. Cœlum virtutis patria.

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At Oxford printed, by Joseph Barnes and are to be solde in
Paules Church-yeard at the signe of the Tygres head, 1592

*** The first poem in this volume is not mentioned by Ritson; and he, and others after him, have miscalled the second Poem, which is not The Countess of Pem'broke's Passion, but The Countess of Pembroke's Love. It has also been said that The Pilgrimage to Paradise is dedicated to the Students, &c. of Oxford, when from this copy it appears to be dedicated to the Countess of Pembroke, with an address to the Gentlemen, &c. of Oxford. It is a poem of such rarity as seldom to have been seen by bibliographers, however industrious. The note following the address to the Gentlemen, &c. of Oxford, shews that very little of The Bower of Delights, attributed to Breton, was in fact written by him; Richard Jones making use of the popularity of Breton's name in order to secure a Sale to the Collection.

Pleasant Quippes for Upstart Newfangled Gentlewomen, or a Glasse to view the Pride of vain glorious WOMEN: Containing A pleasant Invective against THE FANTASTICAL FOREIGNE TOYES, daylie used in Womens Apparell. Fine copy. Imprinted by Richard Jhones, 1595 *** "It is much in the stile of Nich. Breton." MS. note by Mr. Heber. Very rare indeed, and highly valuable for its intrinsic merit.

The Will of Wit, Wit's Will, or Wils Wit, chuse you whether, &c. (with the Author's Dreame) newly corrected and amended. Printed by Thomas Creede.

The Scholler and the Souldiour. A Disputation
pithily passed betweene them. Printed for the same, 1606
The Miseries of Mavillia. The most unfortunate
Ladie that ever lived.
Printed for the same, 1606

The praise of vertuous Ladies.

*

Printed for the same, 1606 ** These four tracts were first printed in 1597. The date 1606, on The Will of Wit, has been cut off, but it is found on the other three pieces. They are all rare. The initials at the end of The Praise of Vertuous Ladies, " Finis N. G. Gent." must be a misprint, as N. Breton signs the address to the Reader with his name at length.

Pasquil's Mad-Cap and Mad-cappes Mess&e. wanting two leaves. Printed by V. S. for Thoma Bushell, 1600. The Second Part of Pasquil's Mad Cap intituled

The Foole's Cap: with Pasquil's Passion, began by himself and finished by his Friend Morphorius, 1600. Pasquil's Passe and passeth not. Set downe in three Pees.

Printed by V. S. for John Smithicke, 1600. Three Tracts in 1 vol. These three Satirical pieces are extremely rare. 170 BRETON (NICHOLAS) Cornucopiæ. Pasquil's Night-cap, or Antidot for the Head-ache, fine copy, russia.

171

Printed for Thomas Thorp, 1612

*** This is the earliest known edition, but there can be no doubt that it was printed in or before 1600, and that it was written by Nicholas Breton. He mentions it as his work in his Pasquil's Passe and passeth not, published in 1600, as having already appeared. The poem well merited the reprint made of it a few years ago.

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A Divine Poeme, divided into two Partes; The Ravisht Soule and the Blessed Weeper. Compiled by Nicholas Breton, Gentleman. Imprinted for John Browne and John Deane, 1601. An Excellent Poeme upon the longing of a blessed heart; which loathing the world, doth long to be with Christ, with an Addition, upon the definition of love. Compiled by Nicholas Breton. Imprinted for the same, 1601. The Honour of Valour by Nicholas Breton. Printed for Christopher Purset, and are to bee solde at the Mary Magdalen's Head in Holborne, 1605, 3 vol. in 1, fine copies in red morocco, from Stevens's and Farmer's Libraries.

***By the two title-pages accompanying this vol. it appears that the first two portions were reprinted in 1606, although nothing is now known of any such editions. Extremely rare, particularly the last.

172 A Dialogue full of Pithe and Pleasure, between three Philosophers; Antonio, Meandro, and Dinarco, upon the Dignitie or Indignitie of Man.

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Printed by T. C. for J. Browne, 1603 *** A Tract on "the Dignitie of Man," 1612, is assigned to Anthony Nixon, and perhaps he derived his materials from the same source as Breton, who translated much of the present piece from the Italian.

A Merrie Dialogue betwixt the Taker and the Mistaker, fine copy, of a very popular piece, dedicated to John Florio, Imprinted for James Shaw, 1603 A Poste with a Packet of Mad Letters, Newly Imprinted, in two books, fine copy, John Marriott, 1633 *** Printed at least as early as 1603, if not before that date, again in 1607, 1610, and probably several times in the interval between that date and 1633.

175 BRETON (NICHOLAS) A Poste with a Packet of Mad Letters. the fourth time enlarged, 1607. Ibid. Part Second, 1606. The Secretaries Studie, containing new Familiar Epistles, by Thomas Gainsford, 1616. Cupid's Messenger (wanting title) in 1 vol.

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An Olde Man's Lesson and a Young Man's Love, fine copy, rare, Imprinted for Edward White, 1605 *** This production, without any sufficient reason, is included in the Biographia Dramatica. If it be entitled to a place there, Breton's other Dialogues ought not to be excluded.

Honest Counsaile. A Merrie Fitte of a Poetical Furie; Good to read, better to follow, extremely rare. Imprinted by W. W. for W. Jones, 1605 I Pray you be not Angry for I will make you Merry. A Pleasant and Merry Dialogue betweene two Travellers, as they met on the High-way.

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Printed by B. A. and T. F. for Samuel Rand, 1632

This very pleasant Tract was first printed in 1605. Among other points it contains an allusion to the play of Wily Beguiled, which was printed in 1606, but acted probably at least ten years earlier. "I believe this piece of N. Breton's to be very scarce."

The Soules Immortall Crowne, consisting of Seaven Glorious Graces, devided into Seaven Dayes Workes, dedicated to King James, with wood cut borders,

Printed by H. Lownes, 1605

Sir Philip Sydney's Ourania, that is,
Endimion's Song and Tragedie,
Containing all Philosophie,

Written by N. B. rare, fine copy in red morocco,

Printed by Ed. Allde for Edward White, 1606 Wits Private Wealth, Stored with Choise Commodities to Content the Minde,

Printed by Edward Allde for John Tappe, 1612 I WOULD, AND WOULD NOT. A Poetical Tract of the greatest rarity, from Bibl. Anglo-Poet. in morocco, Printed by Tho. C. for Tho. Bushell, 1614 **"I believe this Tract to be written by Nicholas Breton," Note by Mr. Heber. The following is an ex

*

tract from it.

74

I would I were a Player, and could Act

As many partes as come upon a Stage;

And in my braine, could make a full compact,
Of all that passeth betwixt Youth and Age,
That I might have five-shares in every Play,
And let them laugh that beare the Bell away.

75.

And yet I would not; For then doe I feare,

If I should gall some Goos-cappe with my speech,
That he would freat, and fume, and chafe and sweare,

As if some Flea had bit him by the Breech,
And in some passion or strange Agonie,
Disturbe both mee and all the Companie.
76.

I would I were a Poet and could write,
The Passage of this Paltry world in Rime;
And talke of Warres and many a valiant fight,
And how the Captaines did to Honor clime,

Of Wise and Faire, of Gratious, Vertuous, Kinde,
And of the Bounty of a noble minde.

77.

But speake but little of the Life of Love,
Because it is a thinge so harde to finde;

And touch but little at the Turtle Dove,
Seeing there are but fewe Byrdes of that Kinde,
And Libell against leawde and wicked harts,
That on the earth, doe play the Divell's-parts,

** There is little doubt that this Tract was written by Nicholas Breton; it was not unusual for him to reverse his initials on the title-pages of some of his Tracts. This is one of the very scarcest. In morocco. 183 Breton (Nicholas) The Good and the Badde, or Descriptions of the Worthies and Unworthies of this Age. Where the Best may see their Graces, and the Worst discerne their *Basenesse, printed by George Purslowe for John Budge, 1616

184

*** A series of very well written characters, and some of the earliest of the kind. Bishop Hall seems to have led the way in this kind of writing by his Characterisms, and it afterwards became extremely popular.

The Hate of Treason, with a touch of the late Treason, by N. B. a portion of the last leaf wanting, Printed at London, 1616 *** The MS. of this Poem is among the Royal MSS. in the British Museum, but no other printed copy besides the present appears to be known.

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The Mother's Blessing, Printed for J. Smethwicke, 1621 * A fine copy very of a very rare poem. The Court and Country, or A Briefe Discourse betweene the Courtier and Country-man; of the Manner, Nature and Condition of their lives, Dialogue-wise set downe betwixt a Courtier and Country-man, Contayning many Delectable and Pithy Sayings worthy Observation. Also, Necessary Notes for a COURTIER, written by N. B. Gent.

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