What soul can be so sick which by thy songs HAPPINESS OF THE SHEPHERD'S LIFE. BY PHINEAS FLETCHER.-1584-1650. [PHINEAS FLETCHER, the elder brother of Giles Fletcher, was born in 1584, and was educated at Cambridge. He took orders, and obtained the living of Hilgay, in Norfolk, where he died in 1650. His "Purple Island"--the subject of which is very different from what might be expected from its name is an anatomical and physiological description of the human body. It has many beauties, but is marred by the tediousness inseparable from a protracted allegory.] HRICE, oh thrice happy, shepherd's life and state! THRE When courts are happiness' unhappy pawns ! His cottage low and safely humble gate Shut out proud Fortune with her scorns and fawns: Singing all day, his flocks he learns to keep; No Syrian worms he knows, that with their thread Not in that proud Sidonian tincture dyed: In country plays is all the strife he uses; His certain life, that never can deceive him, Is full of thousand sweets, and rich content : Of troublous world, nor lost in slothful ease: Pleased and full blest he lives, when he his God can please. His bed of wool yields safe and quiet sleeps, While by his side his faithful spouse hath place; His little son into his bosom creeps, The lively picture of his father's face: Never his humble house nor state torment him: Less he could like, if less his God had sent him; "WHY SO PALE AND WAN, FOND LOVER?" BY SIR JOHN SUCKLING.-1609-41. [SIR JOHN SUCKLING was born at Witham, in Middlesex, in 1609, and was educated under the superintendence of his father, who was Secretary of State to James I., and comptroller of the household to Charles I. When he had completed his studies, young Suckling went abroad, and travelled through various countries. He served in Germany, under Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden; and, when he returned to England, associated with the most celebrated wits of the time. Attempting, with others, to deliver Strafford from the Tower, he was ordered to appear at the bar of the House of Commons; but, instead of obeying, he set out for France. While stopping at an inn on the road, Suckling was robbed by his servant, who, to prevent pursuit, stuck the blade of a penknife inside his master's boot, and when Sir John, in haste, attempted to draw it on, he received a wound, of which he died. This was in 1641.] WHY HY so pale and wan, fond lover? Will, when looking well can't move her, Looking ill prevail? Prithee, why so pale? Why so dull and mute, young sinner? Prithee, why so mute? Will, when speaking well can't win her, Saying nothing do't? Prithee, why so mute? Quit, quit for shame, this will not move, If of herself she will not love, Nothing can make her : The devil take her. [RICHARD CRASHAW was born in London, probably in 1615, and was educated at Cambridge, where, having taken orders, he was made Master of Peterhouse, whence he was expelled by the Parliament He then fell into great distress, and joined the Roman Catholics, but did not receive any advantage from the change until Cowley recommended him to the exiled Queen Henrietta Maria, by whose advice he went to Rome, where he became secretary to a Cardinal, and Canon of Loretto. He died in 1650. Crashaw was a good linguist; his mind was of a dreamy character, and many of his poems are merely religious raptures; his descriptive powers are, however, considerable, and his verse is very harmonious. He was very successful as a translator.] OW westward Sol had spent the richest beams Now Of noon's high glory, when, hard by the streams Of Tiber, on the scene of a green plat, Under protection of an oak, there sat A sweet lute's-master; in whose gentle airs Of closer strains, and e'er the war begin, Charged with a flying touch; and straightway she Quick volumes of wild notes, to let him know, A cap'ring cheerfulness, and made them sing |