GEORGE CHAPMAN.

Seaven Bookes of the Shades of Homere, Prince of Poets.

Translated according to the Greeke, in Judgement of his best Commentaries, by George Chapman, Gent. &c.

London. Printed by John Windet, and are to be solde at the Sign of the Crosse Keyes, neare Paules Wharffe. 1592.

MY only motive for making mention of this book, so well known to the collectors and readers of old English Poetry, is to observe that the Museum Copy belonged to Ben Jonson, and has his autograph, "Sum Ben Jonsonii" in the Title Page.

OF the Dramatic performances of this writer, I have before given an account in a former volume. He was also the author of the Poetical Tract hereafter described, as well as of a Collection

of Tales or Jests. Both the last are of extraordinary rarity. I know of no other copy of the first, but that which belongs to the Musuem. For the means of describing the second, which I shall do hereafter, I am indebted to Mr. George Nicol, who is always prompt and zealous to forward any undertaking which has the benefit of literature, or the gratification of the curious, in view.

The subject of the tract next described, is so popular in itself, and so patriotic in its tendency, that I have, without scruple, subjoined the whole of the introductory part.

On the back of the Title Page are the arms of

There is also this motto: "Semper eadem." Beneath are these lines:

Gallia victa dedit flores, invicta leones,
Anglia jus belli in flore leone suum.

O sic, O semper ferat Elizabetha triumphos,
Inclyta Gallorum flore Leone suo.

TITLE PAGE.

A farewell,

Entituled to the famous and fortunate
Generals of our English Forces; Sir Johre
Norris, and Syr Frauncis Drake, Knights,

And all theyr brave and resolute followers
Whereunto

Is annexed

A Tale of Troy

Ad Lectorem.

Parve nec invidio sine me (liber) ibis ad arma,
Hei mihi quod domino non licet ire tuo.

Doone by George Peele, Maister of Artes, in Oxforde. At London.

Printed by J. C. and are to bee solde by William Wright, at his Shop adjoyning to St. Mildreds Church, in the Poultrie.

Anno 1589,

To the most famous Generalles of our English Forces by Land and Sea, Sir John Norris and Sir Francis Drake, Knightes.

Your vertues famed by your fortunes, and fortunes renowned by your vertues (thryce honorable Generalles) together with the admiration the worlde hath worthily conceived of your woorthines; have at thys time encouraged mee, a man not unknowne to many of your brave and forwarde followers, Captaynes and Souldiers, to send my short farewell to our English forces, whereunto I have annexed an olde Poeme of myne owne, The Tale of Troy. A pleasant dyscourse, fitly serving to recreate by the reading, the Chivalrie of England. To whom, as to your ingenious judgements, I dedicate the same: that good mindes enflamed wyth honorable reports of their auncestry, may imitate theyr glory. in highest adventures, and my countrymen famed through the worlde for resolution and fortitude, may marche in equipage of honour and armes, wyth

G3

Poore worme-like creeping men she might restore:
Ne'er make them borne to goe, like birds to soare.

Bristow, the marchants magazin, enclos'd
With rocky hils, by Auons streame imbrac't,
Faire by industrious workmanship compos'd,
As by great nature's wisedome firmely plac't,
Viewing her verdant marsh, may well disdaine
Romes sometimes glory, Mars his champian plaine.

Old Winchester, the auncient seate of kings
For vertue, and for valour much renowned,

So subiect unto change are earthly things,

In stead of diadem with bayes is crowned.

Where worthy Wicchams children now maintaine
The fame once known by great king Arthurs traine.

Oxford by Isis crystall streames confin'd,
And well-discerning Cambridge, Learnings payre,
Excell those lamps which once on Ida shin'd
Bright Juno shew'd, cleare Pallas, Venus faire.
But eyther of these thrice illustrious eyes,
Doth brightnes, clearenesse, fairnesse all comprise.

As that true ensigne of th' Almighties loue,
Liuely displayed in the cloudy skye,
The gazers eye astonished doth moue

To wonder at such strange varietie :

Rain-bow, resembling London, Englands blisse,
The heau'ns great mercy, and earths maruell is.
Finis.

BARNABE

BARNABE BARNES.

THE following work by this ancient English Poet is incorrectly mentioned by Ritson. The copy from which my account is taken is in the valuable Collection of the Bishop of Rochester. "PARTHENOPHIL PARTHENOPHE. Sonnettes, Madrigals, Elegies and Odes.

AND

To the Right Noble and Vertuous Gentleman M. William Percy, Esquier, his deerest friend." The Printer's name, and date of the book are torn off, but on the next leaf there is

"To the learned Gentlemen Readers, The Printer," in which address is the date of " May, 1593."

These sonnettes, Madrigals, &c. are comprehended in 146 pages, to which are subjoined, in manuscript, pages 147, 148, 149, 150; and the following six printed Sonnets, viz. To Henry, Earle of Northumberland; Roberte, Earle of Essex; Henry, Earle of Southampton; Marie, Countesse of Pembrooke; the Lady Straunge; and the Lady Brigett Manners; to the last of which, is this subscription:

"Your Bewties most affectionate servant, Barnabe Barnes."

Then