Folger Shakespeare Library
CELM

Yale, Osborn MS b 1 through Osborn MS b 49

  • Osborn MS b 4

    A quarto verse miscellany, 54 leaves, imperfect (chewed by rodents), lacking covers.

    Compiled by Herbert Aston (1613-88/9), poet, son of Walter Aston, Baron Aston of Forfar (1584-1639), of Tixall, Staffordshire, diplomat.

    c.1634.

    Inscribed on f. iv Her: Aston [monogram] the 29 of July an: D: 1634.

    • RaW 186 f. 2v

      Copy, headed Cant: 3; imperfect.

      First published in Brittons Bowre of Delights (London, 1591). Latham, pp. 11-12. Rudick, Nos 57A and 57B (two versions, pp. 135-6).

      Sir Walter Ralegh, Like to a Hermite poore ('Like to a Hermite poore in place obscure')
    • GrJ 9 ff. 4v-5r

      Copy, headed Cant: 8, here beginning A restless lover I did espy, imperfect.

      First published, in a musical setting, in Playford, Select Musicall Ayres and Dialogues (1652), I, 12. Poems (1660), pp. 86-7, beginning A Restless Lover I espy'd, superscribed P.. Listed in Krueger's Appendix I: Spurious Poems in the 1660 Edition, and in Krueger's Appendix II list of poems by John Grange.

      John Grange, 'A Lover once I did espy'
    • B&F 99 f. 10r-v

      Copy of the song, untitled, imperfect.

      Dyce, VI, 180-1. Bullen, III, 184. Bowers, V, 67-8.

      Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, The Mad Lover, IV, i, 45-68. Song ('Charon, oh, Charon, Thou wafter of the souls to bliss or bane!')
    • GrJ 76.8 ff. 17v-18r

      Copy, headed Cant: 21 and here beginning Since all men that I come among.

      First published in Poems (1660), pp. 53-4. Listed in Krueger's Appendix I: Spurious Poems in the 1660 Edition as by John Grange.

      John Grange, 'Since every man I come among'
    • StW 963 f. 23r-v

      Copy, headed Cant: 26.

      First published in Wits Interpreter (London, 1655). Dobell, pp. 104-7. Forey, pp. 47-51.

      William Strode, A Song of Capps ('The witt hath long beholding bin')
    • CmT 117 f. 24r

      Copy, headed Cant: 27.

      First published in A Booke of Ayres (London, 1601), No. xii. Davis, pp. 34-5.

      Thomas Campion, 'Thou art not faire, for all thy red and white'
    • WoH 130 f. 39r-v

      Copy, headed Song 49 and here beginning Your meaner bewties of the night.

      First published (in a musical setting) in Michael East, Sixt Set of Bookes (London, 1624). Reliquiae Wottonianae (London, 1651), p. 518. Hannah (1845), pp. 12-15. Some texts of this poem discussed in J.B. Leishman, You Meaner Beauties of the Night A Study in Transmission and Transmogrification, The Library, 4th Ser. 26 (1945-6), 99-121. Some musical versions edited in English Songs 1625-1660, ed. Ian Spink, Musica Britannica XXXIII (London, 1971), Nos. 66, 122.

      Sir Henry Wotton, On his Mistress, the Queen of Bohemia ('You meaner beauties of the night')
    • GrJ 37.8 ff. 53v-4r

      Copy, untitled.

      First published in Poems (1660), pp. 67-9, headed Sonnet. P.. Listed in Krueger's Appendix I: Spurious Poems in the 1660 Edition as probably by John Grange.

      John Grange, 'Blind beauty! If it be a loss'
    • DrM 33 f. 54v rev.

      Copy, headed Cant: i = Hard by a christall spring.

      First published, among Odes with Other Lyrick Poesies, in Poems (London, 1619). Hebel, II, 371.

      Michael Drayton, The Cryer ('Good Folke, for Gold or Hyre')

  • Osborn MS b 8

    A quarto volume of transcripts of state letters, in a single predominantly secretary hand, 93 pages, imperfect, in 17th-century calf.

    c.1630.

    Bookplate of George Folliott.

    • SiP 180.97 pp. 21-31

      Copy, headed A Letter written by Sr. Phillip Sydney to his brother Robert Sydney (now Lord Lisle) shewing which Course was fitt for him to hould in Traueiles.

      A letter beginning My most deere Brother. You have thought unkindness in me, I have not written oftner unto you.... First published in Profitable Instructions. Describing what speciall Obseruations are to be taken by Trauellers in all Nations, States and Countries (London, 1633), pp. 74-103. Feuillerat (as Correspondence No. XXXVIII), III, 124-7.

      Sir Philip Sidney, A Letter of Advice to Robert Sidney
    • BcF 651 [unspecified pages]

      Copy of letter(s) by Bacon.

      Francis Bacon, Letter(s)

  • Osborn MS b 9

    Copy, in a single small hand, incomplete, stopping at stanza 503, on 42 octavo leaves, in 17th-century calf (rebacked).

    Stanzas 1-503, headed The life and death of Edward ye 2, incomplete

    c.1620s.
    • HuF 18
      No description or publication history available.

      First published, in an unauthorized edition as The Deplorable Life and Death of Edward the Second. Together with the Downefall of the two Unfortunate Favorits, Gavestone and Spencer. Storied in an Excellent Pöem, London, 1628. First authorized edition, as The Historie of Edward the Second, Surnamed Carnarvan, one of our English Kings. Together with the Fatall down-fall of his two vnfortunate Favorites Gaveston and Spencer, London, 1629. An edition of a 576-stanza version in three cantos, entitled The Life of Edward II, was printed in London 1721 from an unidentified MS.

      Mellor, pp. 4-169 (664-stanza version, headed The Life and Death of Edward the Second, including The Authors Preface beginning Rebellious thoughts why doe you tumult so?).

      Sir Francis Hubert, Edward II ('It is thy sad disaster which I sing')

  • Osborn MS b 10

    Copy, in a professional secretary hand, on 70 quarto leaves, disbound.

    c.1614.

    Subscribed Ex3 et concordat cum originalle 28o. Junij: 1614 per me Ric: Towneley. Purchased by Yale from the descendants of Sir Mathew Hale (1609-76), Lord Chief Justice of England.

    • MrT 107
      No description or publication history available.

      First published in London, 1626. Edited, as The Lyfe of Sir Thomas Moore, knighte, written by William Roper Esquire, by Elsie Vaughan Hitchcock (EETS, London, 1935).

      Sir Thomas More, William Roper's Life of Sir Thomas More

  • Osborn MS b 12

    MS of two works, in two different hands, the second written from the reverse end, 84 octavo leaves, in 17th-century calf.

    c.1620s.

    Once owned by Sir Norton Knatchbull, first Baronet (1602-85). Scribbling on a flyleaf includes the name M Baldacke.

    • HuF 19 ff. [1r-73v]

      Copy of a 581-stanza version, in a predominantly italic hand, untitled.

      First published, in an unauthorized edition as The Deplorable Life and Death of Edward the Second. Together with the Downefall of the two Unfortunate Favorits, Gavestone and Spencer. Storied in an Excellent Pöem, London, 1628. First authorized edition, as The Historie of Edward the Second, Surnamed Carnarvan, one of our English Kings. Together with the Fatall down-fall of his two vnfortunate Favorites Gaveston and Spencer, London, 1629. An edition of a 576-stanza version in three cantos, entitled The Life of Edward II, was printed in London 1721 from an unidentified MS.

      Mellor, pp. 4-169 (664-stanza version, headed The Life and Death of Edward the Second, including The Authors Preface beginning Rebellious thoughts why doe you tumult so?).

      Sir Francis Hubert, Edward II ('It is thy sad disaster which I sing')
    • CtR 429 ff. [1r-11r rev.]

      Copy, headed A short view of ye raigne of Henry ye third. written by Sir Robert Cotton Knight Barronet 1614 and by him presented to his Matie the same yeare.

      Treatise, written c.1614 and Presented to King James, beginning Wearied with the lingering calamities of Civil Arms.... First published in London, 1627. Cottoni posthuma (1651), at the end (i + pp. 1-27).

      Sir Robert Cotton, A Short View of the Long Life and Reign of Henry the Third, King of England

  • Osborn MS b 13

    Copy, in a professional secretary hand, headed Three weekes Observation of the states countries especially Holland, on 62 quarto pages, unbound.

    c.1630s.

    Sold by Dobell in 1952.

    This MS discussed in Van Strien.

    • FeO 99
      No description or publication history available.

      First published as Three Monethes observation of the low Countries especially Holland by a traveller whose name I know not more then by the two letters of J:S: at the bottome of the letter. Egipt this 22th of Jannuary (London, 1648). Expanded text printed as A brief Character of the Low-Countries under the States. Being three weeks observation of the Vices and Vertues of the Inhabitants... (for Henry Seile: London, 1652).

      Owen Felltham, A Brief Character of the Low-Countries

  • Osborn MS b 22

    An octavo volume of tracts by Sir Robert Cotton, 256 leaves (plus blanks, a later table of contents, and a tipped-in genealogy), in 17th-century calf.

    In a single predominantly secretary hand.

    c.1640.

    From the library of the Harvey family, of Ickwell Bury, Bedfordshire, and Funningley Park, Yorkshire.

    Recorded in HMC, 2nd report (1871), Appendix, pp. 90-1.

    • CtR 100 ff. 5r-12r

      Copy, the work described on a title-page as Collected by Robert Cotton Esq Att the Commandment of her Maiestie Anno Domini 1590.

      Tract, relating to events in 1599/1600, beginning To seek before the decay of the Roman Empire.... First published in London, 1642. Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. [73]-79 [i.e. 89].

      Sir Robert Cotton, A Breife Abstract of the Question of Precedencie between England and Spaine: Occasioned by Sir Henry Nevill the Queen of Englands Ambassador, and the Ambassador of Spaine, at Calais Commissioners appointed by the French King...
    • CtR 214 ff. 13r-19v

      Copy.

      Tract beginning Where difference could not be determined.... Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. [59]-[71]. Hearne (1771), II, 172-80.

      Sir Robert Cotton, A Discovre of Lawfvllnes of Combats to be performed in the presence of the King, or the Constable and Marshall of England. Written...1609
    • CtR 49 ff. 20r-7v

      Copy.

      Tract beginning What, besides self-regard, or siding faction, hath been.... Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. [203]-217.

      Sir Robert Cotton, An Answer to Certain Arguments raised from Supposed Antiquity, and urged by some Members of the lower House of Parliament, to prove that Ecclesiasticall Lawes ought to be Enacted by Temporall Men
    • CtR 315 ff. 28r-56v

      Copy.

      Tract beginning The Kings of England have supported and repaired their Estates.... First published, as An Abstract out of the Records of the Tower, touching the Kings Revenue: and how they have supported themselves, London, [1642]. Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. [161]-200 [i.e. 202].

      Sir Robert Cotton, The Manner and Meanes how the Kings of England have from time to time Supported and Repaired their Estates. Written...1609.
    • CtR 521 ff. 59r-83v

      Copy, the work dated August: 11. Anno Domini 1613.

      Tract beginning I am not ignorant, that this latter age hath brought forth a swarm of busie heads..., dated 11 August 1613. First published in two editions, as respectively Seriovs Considerations for Repressing of the Increase of Iesvites and A Treatise against Recusants (both London, 1641). Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. [109]-159.

      Sir Robert Cotton, Twenty-four Argvments, Whether it be more expedient to suppress Popish Practises against the due Allegeance of His Majesty, by the Strict Execution touching Jesuits and Seminary Preists? Or, to restraine them to Close Prisons, during life, if no Reformation follow?
    • CtR 33 ff. 84r-159r

      Copy.

      A treatise beginning Frames of Policy, as well as works of Nature, are best preserved from the same grounds...., written in 1609. First published London, 1655. Also published as Warrs with Forregin Princes Dangerous to oyr Common-Wealth: or, reasons for Forreign Wars Answered (London, 1657); as An Answer to such Motives as were offer'd by certain Military-Men to Prince Henry, inciting him to affect Arms more than Peace... (London, 1665); and as A Discourse of Foreign War (London, 1690).

      Sir Robert Cotton, An Answer made by Command of Prince Henry, to Certain Propositions of Warre and Peace
    • CtR 430 ff. 160r-80r

      Copy, the work dated 1614.

      Treatise, written c.1614 and Presented to King James, beginning Wearied with the lingering calamities of Civil Arms.... First published in London, 1627. Cottoni posthuma (1651), at the end (i + pp. 1-27).

      Sir Robert Cotton, A Short View of the Long Life and Reign of Henry the Third, King of England
    • CtR 132 ff. 181r-6v

      Copy.

      Tract, the full title sometimes given as A Brief discourse prouinge that the house of Comons hath Equall power with the Peeres in point of Judicature written by Sr Rob: Cotton to Sr Edward Mountague Ano Dni. 1621, beginning Sir, To give you as short an accompt of your desire as I can.... First published in London, 1640. Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. [341]-351.

      Sir Robert Cotton, A Briefe Discovrse concerning the Power of the Peeres and Commons of Parliament in point of Judicature
    • CtR 486 ff. 187r-204v

      Copy, the work dated 1621.

      Tract beginning To search so high as the Norman Conquest.... First published, as The Forme of Governement of the Kingdome of England collected out of the Fundamental Lawes and Statutes of this Kingdome, London, 1642. Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. [11]-39.

      Sir Robert Cotton, That the Kings of England have been pleased usually to consult with their Peeres in the great Councell, and Commons in Parliament, of Marriage, Peace, and Warre. Written...Anno 1611
    • CtR 375 ff. 205r-10v

      Copy, the work dated 27 April 1624.

      Tract, addressed to George Villiers, first Duke of Buckingham, beginning In humble obedience to your Grace's Command, I am emboldned to present my poor advice.... Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. 1-9.

      Sir Robert Cotton, A Relation of the Proceedings against Ambassadors who have miscarried themselves, etc. ... [27 April 1624]
    • CtR 382 ff. 211r-19v

      Copy.

      Tract beginning Most excellent Majesty, Wee your Lords Spirituall and Temporal, and the Commons of your Realm assembled.... Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. [91]-107.

      Sir Robert Cotton, A Remonstrance of the Treaties of Amitie and Marriage before time, and of late, of the House of Austria and Spaine, with the Kinges of England, to advance themselves to the Monarchy of Europe
    • CtR 443 ff. 220r-4v

      Copy, the work dated 1625.

      Speech beginning Mr. Speaker, Although the constant Wisdome of this House of Commons.... Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. [271]-281.

      Sir Robert Cotton, A Speech Delivered in the Lower House of Parliament Assembled at Oxford: In the first year of the Reign of King Charles [6 August 1625]
    • CtR 496 ff. 225r-33v

      Copy.

      Tract beginning Since at these Assemblies few Diaries, or exact Iournall Books are remaining.... First published as A Treatise, shewing that the Soveraignes Person is Required in the great Councells or Assemblies of the State, aswell at the Consultations as at the conclusions, London, 1641. Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. [41]-57.

      Sir Robert Cotton, That the Soveraignes Person is Required in the Great Covncells, or Assemblies of the State, aswell at the Consultations as at the Conclusions
    • CtR 462 ff. 234r-48v

      Copy, the work dated 2 September 1626.

      Speech beginning My Lords, Since it hath pleased this Honourable Table to command.... Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. [283]-294, with related texts (The Answer of the Committees Appointed...2 September 1626 and Questions to be proposed, etc.) on pp. 295-307. W.A. Shaw, Writers on English Monetary History, pp. 21-38.

      Sir Robert Cotton, A Speech Made by Sir Rob Cotton Knight and Baronet, before the Lords of his Majesties most Honorable Privy Covncel, At the Councel Table being thither called to deliver his Opinion touching the Alteration of Coyne. 2. Sept. [1626]
    • CtR 199 ff. 249r-56v

      Copy.

      Tract beginning As soon as the house of Austria had incorporated it self into the house of Spaine.... First published London, 1628. Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. 308-20.

      Sir Robert Cotton, The Danger wherein this Kingdome now Standeth, and the Remedy

  • Osborn MS b 27

    A memorandum book, in secretary hands, 41 quarto leaves (including blanks), in contemporary limp vellum.

    1600-2.

    Formerly among the Clifford family papers at Skipton Castle, Yorkshire.

    • CdA 9 The volume as a whole

      A book of Accomptes of my la[dy] An Cliffordes, comprising accounts and memoranda relating to the education of Lady Anne Clifford, signed by her on f. [8v].

      Lady Anne Clifford, Memorandum Book and Accounts
    • DaS 29 ff. [2r], [40v rev.]

      Two quatrains possibly composed by Daniel, one beginning To wish and will it is my part (the first line appearing also on f. [2r]), the other (based on Seneca) beginning Remember as thou art a man, both inscribed at the end of the volume before various other jottings.

      The quatrain (To wish and will) printed from this MS in Whitaker (where it is mistakenly described as being in Daniel's autograph).

      A quatrain first published in T.D. Whitaker, The History and Antiquities of the Deanery of Craven (London, 1805), p. 279. The following quatrain unpublished.

      Samuel Daniel, 'To wish and will it is my part'

  • Osborn MS b 31

    Copy, in a professional secretary hand, with some underlinings and marginal emendations in another hand, on 45 quarto leaves, in contemporary vellum.

    Headed The sume of diverse directions of governmte which Ch: 4th lefte vnto his sonne Philip ye ii K. of Spaine, and without a Dedication.

    End of 16th-early 17th century.

    The MS is accompanied by a 19th-century transcript of it.

    • HoH 50
      No description or publication history available.

      An unpublished translation of a suppositious work, supposed (but unlikely) to be Charles V's instructions to his son Philip II, which was circulated in MS in 16th-century Europe and published in Spanish in Sandoval's Life of Charles V (1634). An Italian translation in MS was presented to James VI by Giacomo Castelvetro between 1591 and 1595 and is now in the National Library of Scotland (MS Adv. 23. I. 6): see The Works of William Fowler, ed. H.W. Meckle, James Craigie and John Purves, III, STS 3rd Ser. 23 (Edinburgh, 1940), pp. cxxvii-cxxx, and references cited in The Basilicon Doron of King James VI, ed. James Craigie, II, STS, 3rd Ser. 18 (Edinburgh, 1950), pp. 63-9. A quite different translation was published as The Advice of Charles the Fifth … to his Son Philip the Second (London, 1670).

      Howard's translation, dedicated to Queen Elizabeth, was allegedly written when he had been more than twelve years out of the Queen's favour [? in the early 1590s]. The Dedication begins If the faithful Cananite of whom we read in the holy writ …; the main text begins I have resolved (most dear son) to come now to the point …, and ends … to proceed in such a course as prayers may second your purposes. Sanctae Trinitati, &c.

      Henry Howard, Earl of Northampton, A Copy of the last instructions which the Emperor Charles the Fifth gave to his son Philip before his death translated out of Spanish

  • Osborn MS b 32

    A quarto miscellany of state, military, and household material, 346 pages, in contemporary vellum.

    Compiled by John Holles (1595-1666), second Earl of Clare.

    c.1629-32.

    Later owned by the fourth Duke of Newcastle, whose arms are stamped in gilt on the front cover.

    • RaW 728.29 pp. 60-2

      Copy of The chiefe points of ye indictment of Sr Water Rawly at his arraignement in 1603.

      Accounts of the arraignments of Ralegh at Winchester Castle, 17 November 1603, and before the Privy Council on 22 October 1618. The arraignment of 1603 published in London, 1648. For documentary evidence about this arraignment, see Rosalind Davies, The Great Day of Mart: Returning to Texts at the Trial of Sir Walter Ralegh in 1603, Renaissance Forum, 4/1 (1999), 1-12.

      Sir Walter Ralegh, Ralegh's Arraignment(s)
    • RaW 809 pp. 145-53

      Copy.

      Transcripts of Ralegh's speech have been printed in his Remains (London, 1657). Works (1829), I, 558-64, 691-6. VIII, 775-80, and elsewhere. Copies range from verbatim transcripts to summaries of the speech, they usually form part of an account of Ralegh's execution, they have various headings, and the texts differ considerably. For relevant discussions, see Anna Beer, Textual Politics: The Execution of Sir Walter Ralegh, Modern Philology, 94:1 (August 1996), 19-38, and Andrew Fleck, At the time of his death: Manuscript Instability and Walter Ralegh's Performance on the Scaffold, Journal of British Studies, 48:1 (January 2009), 4-28.

      Sir Walter Ralegh, Speech on the Scaffold (29 October 1618)

  • Osborn MS b 36

    Copy, in a professional secretary hand, with a title-page, on 59 quarto leaves, in marbled wrappers.

    c.1630s.
    • NaR 37
      No description or publication history available.

      Fragmenta Regalia (or, Observations on the late Q. Elizabeth, her Times and Favorites), first published in London, 1641. Edited by John S. Cerovski (Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, D.C., etc., 1985).

      Sir Robert Naunton, Fragmenta Regalia

  • Osborn MS b 46

    Copy, on vi + 96 large quarto pages, in a vellum deed.

    Partly in a professional hand, partly (the Preface and p. 1) in the hand of Narcissus Luttrell (1657-1732), annalist and book collector, and inscribed by him on the title-page By Sr William Temple. Baro. abt. Anno. 1680.

    Late 17th century.

    Sotheby's, 4 May 1936 (Luttrell sale), lot 175. Maggs's sale catalogue No. 717 (1942), item 1546.

    This MS recorded in C.N. Greenough and J.M. French, A Bibliography of the Theophrastan Character in England (Cambridge, Mass., 1947), p. 149. Collated in Brown, I, 345-96.

    • HaG 18
      No description or publication history available.

      First published, ascribed to the Honourable Sir W[illiam] C[oventry], in London, 1688. Foxcroft, II, 273-342. Brown, I, 178-243.

      George Savile, First Marquess of Halifax, The Character of a Trimmer

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