Folger Shakespeare Library
CELM

Phineas Fletcher

1582–1650

Introduction

Autograph Manuscripts and Inscriptions

Three important literary autographs of Phineas Fletcher survive, all copies of his Latin poem Locustae, vel pietas Jesuitica (*FlP 4-6). In addition, various printed exempla of The Purple Island…together with Piscatorie Eclogs and other Poetical Miscellanies (Cambridge, 1633) are known to contain Fletcher's autograph inscriptions (FlP 22-26), usually with the Latin Esse suj voluit Monumentu Pignus Amoris. All these printed volumes have, or originally had, bindings stamped with the arms of the poet Edward Benlowes (1602-76), the dedicatee of the work.

An exemplum of the third edition in the British Library (C. 34. g. 33) has bound in at the beginning a leaf, evidently extracted from some other book, bearing the inscription Ex dono Phineae ffletcheri authoris and, in a different hand, two lines in Latin subscribed Phinees ffletcher, but none of this writing is in Fletcher's hand (see Boas, I, xii; II, vii).

Further examples of Fletcher's handwriting are found in the entries made by him in the register of baptisms, burials, and marriages of All Saints Church, Hilgay, Norfolk (*FlP 27). Evidence of one other example, which survived at least until the eighteenth century, is provided by one W. Thomson of The Queen's College, Oxford, who annotated an exemplum of The Purple Island (1633), now in the British Library (239.i.23 (1)). On page 3 of the Piscatorie Eclogs Thomson notes, I have a Vol: of Latin Poems in 4to in the Authors own MS: dedicated [? to the Archbishop of Canterbury]. Nothing more of this manuscript volume is known, however.

Manuscript Copies

Among other sources, there survive contemporary transcripts of Fletcher's academic play Sicelides (FlP 18-19). Important copies of early versions of Venus and Anchises (Brittain's Ida) and other poems are in a manuscript formerly at Sion College, London, and now in Lambeth Palace (FlP 2, FlP 8-11, FlP 13, FlP 16). This last manuscript was not known to Boas and it adds to his version of the canon one more poem, an Epithalamium (FlP 2). Other texts recorded in CELM (chiefly copies in a journal of 1657 compiled by one Thomas Grocer) probably derive from printed sources.

Abbreviations

Boas
The Poetical Works of Giles Fletcher and Phineas Fletcher, ed. Frederick S. Boas, 2 vols (Cambridge, 1908-9).
Seaton
Venus and Anchises (Brittain's Ida) and other Poems by Phineas Fletcher, ed. Ethel Seaton (London, 1926).

Verse

Against a rich man despising povertie ('If well thou view'st us with no squinted eye')

First published in The Purple Island (Cambridge, 1633). Boas, II, 236-7.

FlP 1

Copy.

A small quarto book of Dayly Obseruations both Diuine & Morall / The First part by Thomas Grocer Florilegius. 1657, on 215 pages (paginated irregularly, plus five preliminary leaves).

A commonplace book of quotations from largely devotional or philosophical texts under subject headings, neatly written in a single hand, with a title-page and table of contents.

1657

Inscriptions in the MS including Crescentius Matherus 1680, Crescentii Matheri Liber 1682, Nathanaelis Matheri Liber 1683, By Mr Oakes, Elijah Warings Book 1734, Jne Daniell 1832, and Thos Alexander -- 1847.

Brittain's Ida

See FlP 16-17.

Epithalamium ('harke gentle sheppeardes that on Norwiche plaines')

First published in Seaton (1926), pp. 21-9.

FlP 2

Edited from this MS in Seaton.

A folio composite volume of mathematical, theological, and other tracts and papers, in several hands, ff. 235r-67r in a single formal secretary hand, 267 leaves, in old half-calf marbled boards.

c.1616-28

Formerly in the library of Sion College, London.

Lambeth Palace Library (MS ARC L 40.2/L 40 ff. 243r-7r)
An Hymen at the Marriage of my most deare Cousins Mr. W. and M.R. ('Chamus, that with thy yellow-sanded stream')

First published in The Purple Island (Cambridge, 1633). Boas, II, 223-5.

FlP 3

Copy, untitled, beginning at stanza 12 (here Oh, Happie paire! wher nothing wants to either).

A small quarto book of Dayly Obseruations both Diuine & Morall / The First part by Thomas Grocer Florilegius. 1657, on 215 pages (paginated irregularly, plus five preliminary leaves).

A commonplace book of quotations from largely devotional or philosophical texts under subject headings, neatly written in a single hand, with a title-page and table of contents.

1657

Inscriptions in the MS including Crescentius Matherus 1680, Crescentii Matheri Liber 1682, Nathanaelis Matheri Liber 1683, By Mr Oakes, Elijah Warings Book 1734, Jne Daniell 1832, and Thos Alexander -- 1847.

Locustae, vel pietas Jesuitica ('Panditur Inferni limen, patet intima Ditis')

First published in Cambridge, 1627. Boas, I, 97-123.

*FlP 4
Autograph

Autograph, with a dedicatory epistle to James Montagu, Bishop of Bath and Wells, on 57 duodecimo pages.

[1611]

This MS discussed in Boas, I, x-xvi, and collated I, 278-87.

Facsimiles of the dedication in Boas, I, following p. 96; in Greg, English Literary Autographs, plate L(d); and in DLB, vol. 121, Seventeenth-Century British Nondramatic Poets, First Series, ed. M. Thomas Hester (Detroit, 1992), p. 138.

*FlP 5
Autograph

Autograph MS, with a dedicatory epistle to Prince Henry. [1611-12].

Discussed in Boas, I, x-xvi and collated I, 279-87. Facsimile of the third leaf in Boas I, following p. 96.

A small octavo volume comprising two independent works (the first a theological treatise in two hands, c.1636), ii + 179 leaves, in old vellum.

The second item, by Phineas Fletcher, inscribed on f. 179v E libris J. Meriton. Meus est hic liber [i.e. probably John Meriton, of St John's College, Cambridge, rector of St Mary Bothaw, Londin, in 1666-96]. The whole volume later owned by the Rev. Alexander Balloch Grosart (1827-99), literary scholar and theologian, and afterwards by Bertram Dobell (1842-1914), literary scholar and bookseller.

The British Library: Egerton MSS (Egerton MS 2875 ff. 153r-79r)
*FlP 6
Autograph

Autograph, with a dedicatory verse epistle to Prince Charles (ff. 4r-5r) after a preliminary largely prose epistle to the Prince's tutor, Thomas Murray (ff. 2r-3v), signed Phinees Fletcher, the text in a formal italic script throughout, on 32 octavo leaves, in modern morocco gilt.

c.1612-13

This MS discussed in Boas, I, x-xvi, and collated I, 279-87.

Facsimile of part of the epistle to Murray in Boas, I, following p. 96, and in DLB, vol. 121, Seventeenth-Century British Nondramatic Poets, First Series, ed. M. Thomas Hester (Detroit, 1992), p. 140.

On womens lightnesse ('Who sowes the sand? or ploughs the easie shore?')

First published in The Purple Island (Cambridge, 1633). Boas, II, 239.

FlP 7

Copy.

A small quarto book of Dayly Obseruations both Diuine & Morall / The First part by Thomas Grocer Florilegius. 1657, on 215 pages (paginated irregularly, plus five preliminary leaves).

A commonplace book of quotations from largely devotional or philosophical texts under subject headings, neatly written in a single hand, with a title-page and table of contents.

1657

Inscriptions in the MS including Crescentius Matherus 1680, Crescentii Matheri Liber 1682, Nathanaelis Matheri Liber 1683, By Mr Oakes, Elijah Warings Book 1734, Jne Daniell 1832, and Thos Alexander -- 1847.

Piscatorie Eclogues. II ('Myrtil, why idle sit we on the shore?')

First published in The Purple Island (Cambridge, 1633). Boas, II, 180-6.

FlP 8

Copy of stanzas 5-25, headed Ecloga. Thomalin. Thirskill and here beginning Thirsil what wicked Chaunce or luckeles starre.

Edited from this MS in Seaton, p. 55-64.

A folio composite volume of mathematical, theological, and other tracts and papers, in several hands, ff. 235r-67r in a single formal secretary hand, 267 leaves, in old half-calf marbled boards.

c.1616-28

Formerly in the library of Sion College, London.

Lambeth Palace Library (MS ARC L 40.2/L 40 ff. 260r-3r)
Piscatorie Eclogues. IV ('Chromis my joy, why drop thy rainie eyes?')

Boas, II, 192-8.

FlP 9

Copy, headed Ecloga. Thelgon. Chronis.

Edited from this MS in Seaton, pp. 33-41.

A folio composite volume of mathematical, theological, and other tracts and papers, in several hands, ff. 235r-67r in a single formal secretary hand, 267 leaves, in old half-calf marbled boards.

c.1616-28

Formerly in the library of Sion College, London.

Lambeth Palace Library (MS ARC L 40.2/L 40 ff. 251r-4v)
Piscatorie Eclogues. V ('The well known fisher-boy, that late his name')

Boas, II, 199-204.

FlP 10

Copy, headed Ecloga. Algon. Daphnis. Nicaea.

Printed from this MS in Seaton, pp. 65-76.

A folio composite volume of mathematical, theological, and other tracts and papers, in several hands, ff. 235r-67r in a single formal secretary hand, 267 leaves, in old half-calf marbled boards.

c.1616-28

Formerly in the library of Sion College, London.

Lambeth Palace Library (MS ARC L 40.2/L 40 ff. 264r-7r)
Piscatorie Eclogues. VI ('A fisher-boy that never knew his peer')

Boas, II, 205-12.

FlP 11

Copy, headed Ecloga. Thomalin. Thirsil and here beginning A gentle boye whoe never knew his peere.

Edited from this MS in Seaton, pp. 42-54.

A folio composite volume of mathematical, theological, and other tracts and papers, in several hands, ff. 235r-67r in a single formal secretary hand, 267 leaves, in old half-calf marbled boards.

c.1616-28

Formerly in the library of Sion College, London.

Lambeth Palace Library (MS ARC L 40.2/L 40 ff. 255r-9r)
The Purple Island, or The Isle of Man ('The warmer Sun the golden Bull outran')

First published in Cambridge, 1633. Boas, II, 1-171.

FlP 12

Extracts, the first headed On mans bodie (beginning Man's bodies like a house); others untitled, beginning at Canto I, stanza 36 (here Vaine men too fondly wise, who plough the seas), and at Canto XII, stanza 75 (here There sweet delights which know nor end nor measure).

A small quarto book of Dayly Obseruations both Diuine & Morall / The First part by Thomas Grocer Florilegius. 1657, on 215 pages (paginated irregularly, plus five preliminary leaves).

A commonplace book of quotations from largely devotional or philosophical texts under subject headings, neatly written in a single hand, with a title-page and table of contents.

1657

Inscriptions in the MS including Crescentius Matherus 1680, Crescentii Matheri Liber 1682, Nathanaelis Matheri Liber 1683, By Mr Oakes, Elijah Warings Book 1734, Jne Daniell 1832, and Thos Alexander -- 1847.

To Mr. Jo. Tomkins ('Thomalin my lief, thy musick strains to heare')

First published in The Purple Island (Cambridge, 1633). Boas, II, 233-5.

FlP 13

Copy, headed Non invisa Cano.

Edited from this MS in Seaton, pp. 30-2.

A folio composite volume of mathematical, theological, and other tracts and papers, in several hands, ff. 235r-67r in a single formal secretary hand, 267 leaves, in old half-calf marbled boards.

c.1616-28

Formerly in the library of Sion College, London.

Lambeth Palace Library (MS ARC L 40.2/L 40 ff. 249r-50r)
A translation of Boëthius, book 2 verse 7 ('Who onely honour seeks with prone affection')

First published in The Purple Island (Cambridge, 1633). Boas, II, 245.

FlP 14

Copy, headed Equality.

A small quarto book of Dayly Obseruations both Diuine & Morall / The First part by Thomas Grocer Florilegius. 1657, on 215 pages (paginated irregularly, plus five preliminary leaves).

A commonplace book of quotations from largely devotional or philosophical texts under subject headings, neatly written in a single hand, with a title-page and table of contents.

1657

Inscriptions in the MS including Crescentius Matherus 1680, Crescentii Matheri Liber 1682, Nathanaelis Matheri Liber 1683, By Mr Oakes, Elijah Warings Book 1734, Jne Daniell 1832, and Thos Alexander -- 1847.

Upon the B. of Exon. Doct. Hall his Meditations ('Most wretched soul, that here carowsing pleasure')

First published in The Purple Island (Cambridge, 1633). Boas, II, 246.

FlP 15

Copy, untitled.

A small quarto book of Dayly Obseruations both Diuine & Morall / The First part by Thomas Grocer Florilegius. 1657, on 215 pages (paginated irregularly, plus five preliminary leaves).

A commonplace book of quotations from largely devotional or philosophical texts under subject headings, neatly written in a single hand, with a title-page and table of contents.

1657

Inscriptions in the MS including Crescentius Matherus 1680, Crescentii Matheri Liber 1682, Nathanaelis Matheri Liber 1683, By Mr Oakes, Elijah Warings Book 1734, Jne Daniell 1832, and Thos Alexander -- 1847.

Venus and Anchises: Brittain's Ida ('In Ida Vale (who knowes not Ida Vale?)')

First published, as Brittain's Ida, ascribed to Edmund Spenser, [London], 1628. Boas, II, 343-63. Elizabethan Minor Epics, ed. Elizabeth Story Donno (London, 1963), pp. 305-24.

FlP 16

Copy of a version with two new introductory stanzas beginning Thirsil (poore ladd) whose Muse yet scarcely fledge.

Edited from this MS in Seaton, with a facsimile of f. 235r as the frontispiece. Facsimile of f. 235r also in DLB, vol. 121, Seventeenth-Century British Nondramatic Poets, First Series, ed. M. Thomas Hester (Detroit, 1992), p. 136.

A folio composite volume of mathematical, theological, and other tracts and papers, in several hands, ff. 235r-67r in a single formal secretary hand, 267 leaves, in old half-calf marbled boards.

c.1616-28

Formerly in the library of Sion College, London.

Lambeth Palace Library (MS ARC L 40.2/L 40 ff. 235r-42v)
FlP 17

Extract, untitled and beginning at Canto II, stanza 7 (Fond men, whose wretched care the life soone ending).

An octavo miscellany of verse and prose, closely written in possibly several minute predominantly secretary hands, 291 leaves (ff. 212-16 bound out of order after f. 24), in modern calf.

c.1640s

Inscribed (f. 1r) Joseph Hall (not the bishop). Later owned by John Payne Collier (1789-1883), literary scholar, editor and forger, who has entered in pseudo-17th-century secretary script copies of various ballads on ff. 39r-41r, 107v-79r, 181r-v, 227r-8v, 243r-6r, as well as adding foliation (1-284) before the more recent foliation (1-291, used below). Quaritch's sale catalogue of English Literature (August-November 1884), item 22350, Collier's transcript of the MS made c.1860 being item 22352. Formerly Folger MS 2071.7.

Discussed, with facsimile examples, in Giles E. Dawson, John Payne Collier's Great Forgery, SB, 24 (1971), 1-26.

Dramatic works

Sicelides, A Piscatory

Performed at King's College, Cambridge, 13 March 1614/15. First published in London, 1631. Boas I, 187-264.

FlP 18

Copy, in a small neat italic hand, 34 quarto leaves, in half-morocco gilt.

Early 17th century

Inscribed on a flyleaf by Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian, Tho. Birch March 15th. 1736/7. Probably the MS once owned by Peter Le Neve (1661-1729), Norroy King of Arms and antiquary, sold by Wilcox, 22 February 1730/1, lot 467.

This MS discussed in Boas, I, xvi-xix, and collated I, 288-309.

FlP 19

Copy, in a small secretary hand.

This MS discussed in Boas, I, xvi-xix, and collated I, 288-309.

An octavo miscellany of drama and amatory songs, in at least three hands, written from both ends, in contemporary panelled calf (rebacked).

Mid-late 17th century
FlP 20

Copy of the Epilogus, headed A Comedy and beginning As in a Feast, so in a Comedy.

A sextodecimo verse miscellany, written from both ends in several hands (two principal ones on ff. 6r-40r, 41r et seq. respectively), 102 leaves (plus blanks), in contemporary calf, with remains of metal clasps.

Including 45 poems by Strode and three poems of doubtful authorship.

c.1630s

Formerly Box 22, item II.

Cited in IELM, II.ii (1993) as the Osborn MS II: StW Δ 30.

Yale, Osborn MS b 200 through end (Osborn MS b 205 f. 42r)

Printed Exempla of The Purple Island Inscribed by Fletcher

The Purple Island...together with Piscatorie Eclogs and other Poetical Miscellanies (Cambridge, 1633)
FlP 21

This volume has bound in at the beginning a leaf, evidently extracted from some other book, bearing the inscription Ex dono Phineae ffletcheri authoris and, in a different hand, two lines in Latin subscribed Phinees ffletcher, but none of this writing is in Fletcher's hand. The volume once had bindings stamped with the arms of Edward Benlowes (1603?-76), the dedicatee of the work.

1633

See Boas, I, xii; II, vii.

FlP 22

The author's dedication exemplum presented to Edward Benlowes, inscribed on the title-page Phineas Fletcher and including in the same roman hand a ten-line marginal note on page 59 of the Poetical Miscellanies (by Benlowes?), a quarto, in contemporary calf with Benlowes's arms in gilt.

1633

Bookplate of Clarence S. Bemens.

*FlP 23
Autograph

Autograph inscription and autograph annotations by Fletcher on two pages in the printed text of The Purple Island: a marginal note on page 147 and a textual correction on page 177.

1633
King's College, Cambridge (Keynes C.3. 11)
*FlP 24
Autograph

Autograph presentation inscription in Latin verse, To Mrs A. Wilughby.

1633

The Sykes-Britwell copy) which in 1940 was in the possession of Maggs Brothers. Christie's, New York, 16 November 1984, lot 126, with a facsimile of the inscription in the sale catalogue. Donated by John F. Fleming.

Recorded in The Carl H. Pforzheimer Library: English Literature 1475-1700 (New York, 1940), I, 360.

*FlP 25
Autograph

Autograph inscription.

1633

Owned before 1909 by Mr F.T. Sabin.

Facsimile of the inscription in Boas, II, frontispiece.

Untraced, miscellaneous ([Purple Island (I)])
*FlP 26
Autograph

Autograph presentation inscription, ten lines of verse, to Roger Townshend, beginning Man is a lesser world: th' Alls rapsodie.

1633

Later owned by John Fane (1784-1859), eleventh Earl of Westmorland. Sotheby's, 14 July 1887, lot 505, to Bain for fifth Earl of Rosebery. Sotheby's, 29 October 2009 (Earl of Rosebery sale), lot 50, with facsimiles in the sale catalogue.

Untraced, miscellaneous ([Purple Island (II)])

Documents

Document(s)
*FlP 27
Autograph

Autograph entries by Fletcher in the register of baptisms, burials, and marriages of All Saints Church, Hilgay, Norfolk, for 1583-1674, while he was rector there from 1621 to 1650.

c.1621-50

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