Folger Shakespeare Library
CELM

Yale, Osborn MS b 150 through Osborn MS b 199

United States

  • Osborn MS b 150

    An octavo miscellany of verse and prose, in English, Latin and Greek, predominantly in a single hand, with 19th-century additions (pp. 195 onwards, at least partly from earlier MS sources), 279 pages, in contemporary calf.

    c.1644 (and later).

    Inscribed (f. [ir]) William Han: 1644, probably by the academic compiler.

    • StW 1163 pp. 139-42

      Copy, headed To Dr Cl:.

      First published in Dobell (1907), pp. 88-9. Forey, pp. 200-1.

      William Strode, To Sir Jo. Ferrers ('Gold is restorative. How can I then') | First Lines Index
    • DnJ 323.8 pp. 195-6

      Copy, in a 19th-century hand.

      First published in William Corkine, Second Book of Ayres (London, 1612). Grierson, I, 46-7. Gardner, Elegies, pp. 32-3. Shawcross, No. 27.

      John Donne, The Baite ('Come live with mee, and bee my love') | First Lines Index
    • DnJ 209.5 p. 196

      Copy in a 19th-century hand.

      First published in Poems (1633). Grierson, I, 47-8. Gardner, Elegies, p. 43. Shawcross, No. 28.

      John Donne, The Apparition ('When by thy scorne, O murdresse, I am dead') | First Lines Index
    • DnJ 3930.5 pp. 197-9

      Copy in a 19th-century hand.

      First published in Poems (1633). Grierson, I, 56-8. Gardner, Elegies, pp. 54-5. Shawcross, No. 66.

      John Donne, The Will ('Before I sigh my last gaspe, let me breath') | First Lines Index
    • DnJ 3411.8 pp. 199-200

      Copy in a 19th-century hand.

      First published in Poems (1633). Grierson, I, 193-5. Milgate, Satires, pp. 80-1. Shawcross, No. 140.

      John Donne, To Sr Edward Herbert, at Julyers ('Man is a lumpe, where all beasts kneaded bee') | First Lines Index
    • DnJ 3308.5 p. 201

      Copy in a 19th-century hand.

      First published in Poems (1633). Grierson, I, 211. Milgate, Satires, pp. 66-7. Shawcross, No. 124.

      John Donne, To Mr S.B. ('O Thou which to search out the secret parts') | First Lines Index
    • DnJ 3227.5 pp. 201-2

      Copy in a 19th-century hand.

      First published in Poems (1633). Grierson, I, 212-13. Milgate, Satires, pp. 67-8. Shawcross, No. 126.

      John Donne, To Mr B.B. ('Is not thy sacred hunger of science') | First Lines Index
    • LoR 45.5 pp. 202-4

      Copy.

      First published in Lucasta (London, 1649). Wilkinson (1925), II, 70-1. (1930), pp. 78-9. Thomas Clayton, Some Versions, Texts, and Readings of To Althea, from Prison, PBSA, 68 (1974), 225-35. A musical setting by John Wilson published in Select Ayres and Dialogues (London, 1659).

      Richard Lovelace, To Althea, From Prison. Song ('When Love with unconfined wings') | First Lines Index
    • CoA 44.6 pp. 204-5

      Copy, in a 19th-century hand, ascribed to Ab: Cowley Esqre.

      First published, among Essays in Verse and Prose, in Works (1668), p. 135.

      Abraham Cowley, Claudian's Old Man of Verona ('Happy the man, who his whole time doth bound') | First Lines Index
    • WoH 131 pp. 205-6

      Copy, headed On His Mistress, the Queen of Bohemia By Sir Henry Wootton. Kt, in a 19th-century hand.

      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') | First Lines Index
    • CoR 583.5 pp. 206-7

      Copy, in a 19th-century hand.

      First published in Certain Elegant Poems (London, 1647). Bennett & Trevor-Roper, p. 88.

      Richard Corbett, To his sonne Vincent Corbett ('What I shall leave thee none can tell') | First Lines Index
    • MaA 49.5 pp. 208-13

      Copy, in a 19th-century hand.

      First published in Miscellaneous Poems (London, 1681). Margoliouth, I, 23-6. Smith, pp. 69-701.

      Andrew Marvell, The Nymph complaining for the death of her Faun ('The wanton Troopers riding by') | First Lines Index
    • OtT 4 pp. 215-16

      Copy in a 19th-century hand.

      First published in Miscellany Poems (London, 1684). Ghosh, II, 447-8.

      Thomas Otway, The sixteenth Ode Of the second Book of Horace ('In Storms when Clouds the Moon do hide') | First Lines Index
    • SaG 22 p. 222

      Copy of Psalm 148, here beginning Ye who dwell above the skies, in a 19th-century hand.

      First published in London, 1636. Hooper, I, 91-195; II, 195-310.

      Some of Henry Lawes's musical settings published in A Paraphrase upon the Divine Poems (London, 1638). Musical settings by Henry and William Lawes also published in Choice Psalmes Put into Musick for Three Voices (London, 1648).

      George Sandys, A Paraphrase upon the Psalms of David ('That man is truly bless'd who never strays') | First Lines Index
    • HaW 30.5 p. 262

      Copy, in a 19th-century hand.

      First published in Castara (London, 1634). Allott, p. 37.

      William Habington, To Seymors, The house in which Vastara lived ('Blest Temple, haile, where the Chast Altar stands') | First Lines Index
    • WoH 257.7 p. 263

      Copy, in a 17th-century hand, subscribed Sr: Henery Wotton, on a single page laid-down.

      First published in Reliquiae Wottonianae (London, 1651), p. 537, subscribed Ignoto, among Poems Found among the Papers of S. H. Wotton.

      Sir Henry Wotton, 'Rise oh my soul wth: thy desires to heauen' | First Lines Index
    • HaW 8.5 pp. 264-5

      Copy, in a 19th-century hand, ascribed to Habington.

      First published in Castara (London, 1634). Allott, pp. 17-18.

      William Habington, To Castara, Inquiring why I loved her ('Why doth the stubborne iron prove') | First Lines Index
    • HaW 5.5 pp. 265-6

      Copy, in a 19th-century hand, headed To Castara By the same.

      First published in Castara (London, 1634). Allott, p. 63.

      William Habington, To Castara ('Forsake with me the earth, my faire') | First Lines Index
    • HaW 24.8 pp. 266-7

      Copy, in a 19th-century hand, headed To Castara Weeping by the same.

      First published in Castara (London, 1634). Allott, p. 66.

      William Habington, To Castara, Weeping ('Castara! O you are too prodigall') | First Lines Index
    • HaW 33.5 pp. 267-8

      Copy, in a 19th-century hand, headed To the Moment last past By the same.

      First published in Castara (London, 1634). Allott, p. 89.

      William Habington, To the Moment last past ('O wither dost thou flye? Cannot my vow') | First Lines Index
    • HaW 1.8 pp. 268-70

      Copy, in a 19th-century hand, headed Domine Labia Mea Aperis David By the same.

      First published in Castara (London, 1634). Allott, pp. 117-18.

      William Habington, Domine labia mea aperies. David ('No monument of me remaine') | First Lines Index
    • HaW 1.5 pp. 270-2

      Copy, in a 19th-century hand.

      First published in Castara (London, 1634). Allott, pp. 135-6.

      William Habington, Deus Deus Meus. David ('Where is that foole Philosophie') | First Lines Index
    • HaW 24.5 p. 273

      Copy, in a 19th-century hand.

      First published in Castara (London, 1634). Allott, p. 72.

      William Habington, To Castara. Vpon thought of Age and Death ('The breath of time shall blast the flowry Spring') | First Lines Index
    • StW 867.5 p. 274

      Copy, in a 19th-century hand, headed To a Ladie putting off her Veil. I retrieved from Lawes' Ayres for three voices. p: 19 by Dr Bliss from his Wood's Athenae, vol 3. p: 152.

      First published, in a musical setting by Henry Lawes, in Ayres and Dialogues (London, 1653). Wits Interpreter (London, 1655). Dobell, pp. 3-4. Forey, pp. 88-9.

      William Strode, Song ('Keepe on your maske, yea hide your Eye') | First Lines Index
    • KiH 146.5 pp. 275-6

      Copy, in a 19th-century hand, headed From Dr. King's very rare volume of poems. 1657. The Dirge (p: 147).

      First published in Poems (1657). Crum, pp. 177-8.

      Henry King, The Dirge ('What is th' Existence of Man's Life?') | First Lines Index
    • SpE 32 p. 277

      Copy of Spenser's dedicatory sonnet (in Book III of The Faerie Queene) in a 19th-century hand.

      First published in The Faerie Queene, Books I-III (London, 1590). Variorum, III, 191.

      Edmund Spenser, To the right honourable the Earle of Northumberland ('The sacred Muses have made alwaies clame') | First Lines Index

  • Osborn MS b 166

    Copy, in a professional hand, with a table of contents, on 144 folio leaves (plus blanks), in contemporary calf.

    With a title-page (f. [ir]), Whether the Kinge of England by his Prerogative may sett Impositions, loanes or Privy Seales without Assent of Parliament, the main text headed (f. 5r) An Argument vpon the question of Impositions, devided into sundry Chapters, By Sir John Davies Knight one of his Mats; learned Councell in Ireland.

    c.1620s.

    Inscribed (f. [ir]) E Milton / 26. dec. 1723. Sotheby's, 9 December 1971, lot 101.

    • DaJ 279
      No description or publication history available.

      A treatise, with dedicatory epistle to James I, comprising 33 chapters, beginning The Question it self is no more than this, Whether the Impositions which the King of England hath laid and levied upon Merchandize, by vertue of his Prerogative onely.... First published in London, 1656. Grosart, III, 1-116.

      Sir John Davies, The Question concerning Impositions

  • Osborn MS b 173

    A quarto miscellany, in a single mixed hand, 105 pages, in 17th-century calf.

    Mid-17th century.
    • DaJ 238.8 ff. 1r-22r (first series)

      Copy, headed La abridgmt del primer report des cases et matters en Ley resolue et ajudge en Ireland per Sr. John Dauys chyualer Atturnie generall dell Roy, en cest realme.

      A compilation, beginning with Trin. 2. Iacobi en Leeschecquer. Le Case de Praxiet, the main part an epistlolary tract by Davies to Lord Ellesmere. First published as Le Primer Report des Cases en Matters en Ley (Dublin, 1615). Grosart, II, 243-357.

      Sir John Davies, A Discourse of Law and Lawyers: with Appendix of Cases | First Lines Index

  • Osborn MS b 180

    Copy, on 21 folio leaves, disbound.

    In the hand of the Feathery Scribe, with his cropped annotation about charges made by him, and with reader's corrections.

    c.1630.

    Sold by W.H. Robinson, 1952.

    Described in Beal, In Praise of Scribes, pp. 69, 251-2 (No. 80), with a facsimile of the annotation on p. 71.

    • CtR 34
      No description or publication history available.

      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

  • Osborn MS b 188

    A duodecimo commonplace book, in two hands, compiled by Jane Truesdale and her father, including extracts from various authors, 178 leaves, in old leather.

    c.1672-94.

    A facsimile of f. 64r in Victoria E. Burke, Materiality and Form in the Seventeenth-Century Miscellanies of Anne Southwell, Elizabeth Hastings, and Jane Truesdale, EMS, 16 (2011), 219-41 (p. 233).

    • ClE 154 ff. 47r-63r

      Copy.

      Letters by Clarendon to his daughter Anne (who died on 31 March 1671 before the letter arrived) and to her husband, the Duke of York (later James II), on the occasion of her conversion to Roman Catholicism. The original letters, which received particular attention by his contemporaries because of their subject matter, are not known to survive.

      These were first published in Two Letters written by … Edward Earl of Clarendon … one to His Royal Highness the Duke of York, the other to the Dutchess, occasioned by her Embracing the Roman Catholic Religion (London, [1680?]) and were reprinted in State Tracts (1689), in An Appendix to the History of the Grand Rebellion (Oxford, 1724), pp. 313-24, and elsewhere.

      Edward Hyde, First Earl of Clarendon, Letters to the Duke of York and the Duchess of York | Catalogue

  • Osborn MS b 197

    An octavo verse miscellany, including 13 poems by or attributed to Herrick, almost entirely in a single small predominantly italic hand, 250 pages (plus numerous blanks), originally in contemporary calf, but now disbound.

    Inscribed four times on a flyleaf Tobias Alston his booke: i.e. probably Tobias Alston (1620-c.1639) of Sayham Hall, near Sudbury, Suffolk. His half-brother Edward (b.1598) was a contemporary of Herrick at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, while his cousin, Edward Alston, later President of the College of Physicians, was a contemporary of Herrick at St John's College, Cambridge, some of the other contents also relating to Cambridge, besides some relating to Suffolk. The date 1639 occurs on p. 241, and pp. 243-50 contains verses written in two later hands (to c.1728) and some prose pieces written from the reverse end.

    c.1639 [-c.1728].

    Names inscribed on a flyleaf including Henry Glisson (later Fellow of the College of Physicians); Thomas Avral(?); Horace Norton; Henry Rich; and James Tavor (Registrar of Cambridge University). Later owned by one John Whitehead, and by Dr Mary Pickford. Sotheby's, 27 June 1972, lot 309.

    Cited in IELM, II.i (1987), as the Alston MS: HeR Δ 7. A complete set of photocopies of the MS is in the British Library, RP 772. Facsimile of pp. 6-7 in Sotheby's sale catalogue (see HeR 176, HeR 405) where the MS is described at some length. See also letters by Peter Beal and Donald W. Foster in TLS (24 January 1986), pp. 87-8.

    • HeR 335 pp. 1-2

      Copy, headed King Oberons Apparell and subscribed Sr. Simmion Steward.

      First published, as A Description of the King of Fayries Clothes and attributed to Sir Simeon Steward, in A Description of the King and Queene of Fayries (London, 1634). Musarum Deliciae (London, 1656), p. 32. Attributed to Herrick in Hazlitt, II, 473-7, and in Norman K. Farmer, Jr, Robert Herrick and King Oberon's Clothing: New Evidence for Attribution, Yearbook of English Studies 1 (1971), 68-77. Not included in Martin or in Patrick. See also T.G.S. Cain, Robert Herrick, Mildmay Fane, and Sir Simeon Steward, ELR, 15 (1985), 312-17.

      Robert Herrick, King Oberon his Cloathing ('When the monethly horned Queene') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • HeR 189 pp. 2-5

      Copy, without the preliminary lines.

      First published, with eight preliminary lines beginning After the Feast (my Shapcot) see, in Hesperides (London, 1648). Martin, pp. 165-8. Patrick, pp. 222-5.

      Robert Herrick, Oberons Palace ('Full as a Bee with Thyme, and Red') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • HeR 176 pp. 6-7

      Copy, complete with the preliminary lines.

      Facsimile in Sotheby's sale catalogue (hardback), 27 June 1972, lot 309, facing p. 55.

      First published complete, with six preliminary lines beginning Shapcot! To thee the Fairy State, in Hesperides (London, 1648). Martin, pp. 119-20. Patrick, pp. 161-3. An earlier version, entitled A Description of his Dyet, published in A Description of the King and Queene of Fayries (London, 1634). Martin, pp. 454-5.

      Robert Herrick, Oberons Feast ('A Little mushroome table spred') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • HeR 405 pp. 7-8

      Copy, in double columns.

      Facsimile of p. 7 in Sotheby's sale catalogue (hardback), 27 June 1972, lot 309, facing p. 55.

      First published in Delattre (1912), 519-21. Martin, pp. 417-18. Patrick, pp. 547-8.

      Robert Herrick, Upon a Cherrystone sent to the tip of the Lady Jemmonia Walgraves eare ('Lady I intreate yow weare') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • HeR 5 p. 8

      Copy, headed A songe. R: H. and here beginning Seest thou those Jewells....

      First published in Hesperides (London, 1648). Martin, pp. 130-1. Patrick, p. 177.

      Robert Herrick, The admonition ('Seest thou those Diamonds which she weares') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • HeR 199 pp. 8-10

      Copy, headed His chardge to his wife and here beginning Goe & with this parting kisse.

      First published in Hesperides (London, 1648). Martin, pp. 174-6. Patrick, pp. 233-5.

      Robert Herrick, The parting Verse, or charge to his supposed Wife when he travelled ('Go hence, and with this parting kisse') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • HeR 55 p. 10

      Copy.

      First published in Hesperides (London, 1648). Martin, p. 49. Patrick, p. 69. Musical setting by John Blow published in John Playford, Choice Ayres and Songs (London, 1683).

      Robert Herrick, The Curse. A Song ('Goe perjur'd man. and if thou ere return') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • HeR 366 pp. 10-11

      Copy.

      First published in Martin (1956), pp. 422-3. Patrick, p. 556.

      Robert Herrick, Parkinsons shade to the house of Mr Pallauicine takeing his death ill ('Will you still lament and rayse') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • HeR 356 pp. 11-13

      Copy, headed R: Hericks daughters dowrie.

      First published in Hazlitt (1869), II, 436-9. Martin, pp. 407-9. Patrick, pp. 539-42.

      Robert Herrick, Mr Hericke his daughter's Dowrye ('Ere I goe hence and bee noe more') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • HeR 307 pp. 13-16

      Copy.

      First published in Recreations for Ingenious Head-peeces (London, 1645). Hazlitt, II, 433-6. Martin, pp. 404-6. Patrick, pp. 549-51.

      Robert Herrick, The Descripcion: of a Woman ('Whose head befringed with bescattered tresses') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • HeR 44 pp. 16-19

      Copy, headed Mr. Hericks Countrey life.

      First published in Hesperides (London, 1648). Martin, pp. 34-8. Patrick, pp. 50-3.

      Robert Herrick, A Country life: To his Brother, Master Thomas Herrick ('Thrice, and above, blest (my soules halfe) art thou') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • HeR 359 pp. 20-2

      Copy, headed R: Hericks farwell to poetry.

      First published in Hazlitt (1869), II, 439-42. Martin, pp. 410-12. Patrick, pp. 543-5.

      Robert Herrick, Mr Robert Hericke his farwell vnto Poetrie ('I have behelde two louers in a night') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • DaW 29 p. 23

      Copy, headed To ye wife of Mr Endemion Porter and subscribed Tho: Carewe.

      First published in Madagascar (London, 1638). Gibbs, p. 43.

      Sir William Davenant, For the Lady, Olivia Porter. A present, upon a New-yeares day ('Goe! hunt the whiter Ermine! and present') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • RaW 452 pp. 25-6

      Copy, headed Sr W: Ralegs Pilgrimage.

      First published with Daiphantvs or The Passions of Loue (London, 1604). Latham, pp. 49-51. Rudick, Nos 54A, 54B and 54C (three versions, pp. 126-33).

      This poem rejected from the canon and attributed to an anonymous Catholic poet in Philip Edwards, Who Wrote The Passionate Man's Pilgrimage?, ELR, 4 (1974), 83-97.

      Sir Walter Ralegh, The passionate mans Pilgrimage ('Giue me my Scallop shell of quiet') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • HrG 302.8 pp. 26-7

      Copy, headed In Autorem Instaurationis Magnæ and subscribed Geo: Herbert.

      First published in James Duport, Ecclesiastes Solomonis (Cambridge, 1662). Hutchinson, p. 435. McCloskey & Murphy, with a translation, pp. 166-7.

      George Herbert, Ad Autorem Instaurationis Magnae ('Per strages licet autorum veterúmque ruinam') | Catalogue
    • DnJ 1187 pp. 27-30

      Copy.

      First published in Poems (1633). Grierson, I, 127-31. Shawcross, No. 107. Milgate, Epithalamions, pp. 6-10. Variorum, 8 (1995), pp. 108-10.

      John Donne, An Epithalamion, Or mariage Song on the Lady Elizabeth, and Count Palatine being married on St. Valentines day ('Haile Bishop Valentine, whose day this is') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • DnJ 1242 pp. 31-2

      Copy, headed An Elegie.

      First published, as Elegie, in Poems (1633). Grierson, I, 108-10 (as Elegie XV). Gardner, Elegies, pp. 94-6 (among her Dubia). Shawcross, No. 22. Variorum, 2 (2000), pp. 369-70.

      John Donne, The Expostulation ('To make the doubt cleare, that no woman's true') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • CoR 92 pp. 34-6

      Copy, headed Dr. Corbetts Epitaph on his Father.

      First published (omitting the last four lines) in Certain Elegant Poems (London, 1647). Published with the last four lines in Poëtica Stromata ([no place], 1648). Bennett & Trevor-Roper, pp. 67-9.

      Richard Corbett, An Elegie Upon the death of his owne Father ('Vincent Corbet, farther knowne') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • JnB 422.5 p. 36

      Copy, here beginning Was euer contract driuen by better fate?

      First published in Epigrammes (v) in Workes (London, 1616). Herford & Simpson, VIII, 28.

      Ben Jonson, On the Vnion ('When was there contract better driuen by Fate?') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • CoR 550 p. 39

      Copy, headed The lady Arrabells Epiyaph and subscribed Sr: W Rawleigh.

      First published in Poëtica Stromata ([no place], 1648). Bennett & Trevor-Roper, p. 18.

      Richard Corbett, On the Lady Arabella ('How doe I thanke thee, Death, & blesse thy power') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • EaJ 36 pp. 40-3

      Copy.

      First published in Parnassus Biceps (London, 1656), pp. 12-16. Extract in Bliss, pp. 225-6. Edited in James Doelman, John Earle's Funeral Elegy on Sir John Burroughs, English Literary Renaissance, 41/3 (Autumn 2011), 485-502 (pp. 499-502).

      John Earle, Bishop of Worcester and Salisbury, An Elegie, Upon the death of Sir John Burrowes, Slaine at the Isle of Ree ('Oh wound us not with this sad tale, forbear') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • WoH 132 p. 44-5

      Copy, here beginning You violetts that doe first appeare and subscribed Sr Hen: Wotton.

      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') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • WoH 48 p. 49

      Copy, untitled and subscribed Sr Hen: Wootten.

      First published in Sir Thomas Overbury, A Wife, 5th impression (London, 1614). Reliquiae Wottonianae (London, 1651), pp. 522-3. Hannah (1845), pp. 28-31. Some texts of this poem discussed in C.F. Main, Wotton's The Character of a Happy Life, The Library, 5th Ser. 10 (1955), 270-4, and in Ted-Larry Pebworth, New Light on Sir Henry Wotton's The Character of a Happy Life, The Library, 5th Ser. 33 (1978), 223-6 (plus plates).

      Sir Henry Wotton, The Character of a Happy Life ('How happy is he born and taught') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • MoG 50 pp. 51-2

      Copy, headed An Epitaph on the death of king James by Georg: Morley and here beginning You that have eyes now walke & weepe.

      A version of lines 1-22, headed Epitaph on King James and beginning He that hath eyes now wake and weep, published in William Camden's Remaines (London, 1637), p. 398.

      Attributed to Edward Fairfax in The Fairfax Correspondence, ed. George Johnson (1848), I, 2-3 (see MoG 54). Edited from that publication in Godfrey of Bulloigne: A critical edition of Edward Fairfax's translation of Tasso's Gerusalemme Liberata, together with Fairfax's Original Poems, ed. Kathleen M. Lea and T.M. Gang (Oxford, 1981), pp. 690-1. The poem is generally ascribed to George Morley.

      George Morley, An Epitaph upon King James ('All that have eyes now wake and weep') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • CwT 300 pp. 52-3

      Copy, headed On being suspected by his Mistresse To shew his witt rather upon pea-meditation, then extempory, was by her inioynd to speake somthing concerning a fly which lay dead before him which he thus perform'd, and subscribed Tho. Carewe.

      First published in Poems (1640). Dunlap, pp. 37-9. Musical setting by Henry Lawes published in The Treasury of Musick, Book 2 (London, 1669).

      Thomas Carew, A flye that flew into my Mistris her eye ('When this Flye liv'd, she us'd to play') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • WoH 197.5 p. 57

      Copy, headed An Epitaph on two louers who beinge Espoused dyed before they were marryed and here beginning She first deceased; he for a little tryde.

      First published as an independent couplet in William Camden, Remaines (London, 1636). Reliquiae Wottonianae (London, 1651), p. 529. Hannah (1845), p. 44. The authorship is uncertain.

      This couplet, which was subject to different versions over the years, is in fact lines 5-6 of a twelve-line poem beginning Here lye two Bodyes happy in their kinds, which has also been attributed to George Herbert: see HrG 290.5-290.8.

      Sir Henry Wotton, Upon the Death of Sir Albert Morton's Wife ('He first deceased. she for a little tried') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • JnB 305 p. 59

      Copy, headed Vpon an Howerglasse and subscribed Ben. Johnson.

      First published in John Benson's 4to edition of Jonson's poems (1640) and in The Vnder-wood (viii) in Workes (London, 1640). Herford & Simpson, VIII, 148-9.

      Ben Jonson, The Houre-glasse ('Doe but consider this small dust') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • HlJ 3.92 p. 59

      Copy of the poem, preceded by a two-line Latin epigram, and followed by six lines headed Explaynd and beginning The lyon awe, the flower her faire estate, the whole subscribed Jos: Hall.

      Joseph Hall, On Queene Elizabeths Armes ('The lyon is the Forrest kinge') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • BmF 55 pp. 65-8

      Copy, headed An Elegie on the death of the Countesse of Rutland and subscribed Francis Beaumont.

      First published in Sir Thomas Overbury, A Wife, 11th impression (London, 1622). Dyce, XI, 507-11.

      Francis Beaumont, An Elegy on the Death of the Virtuous Lady, Elizabeth Countess of Rutland ('I may forget to eat, to drink, to sleep') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • CoR 54 pp. 69-72

      Copy.

      First published in Poëtica Stromata ([no place], 1648). Bennett & Trevor-Roper, pp. 12-18.

      Some texts accompanied by an Answer (A ballad late was made).

      Richard Corbett, A Certaine Poeme As it was presented in Latine by Divines and Others, before his Maiestye in Cambridge ('It is not yet a fortnight, since') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • HrJ 185 p. 99

      Copy, headed A reformed Taylor.

      First published in 1618, Book I, No. 20. McClure No. 21, pp. 156-7. Kilroy, Book I, No. 40, pp. 107-8.

      Sir John Harington, Of a Precise Tayler ('A Taylor, thought a man of vpright dealling')
    • HoJ 87 pp. 99-102

      Copy, headed A fart censured in the lower House of Parliamente and here beginning Puffinge comes down, graue Auncient Sr John Crooke.

      Attributed to Hoskyns by John Aubrey. Cited, but unprinted, as No. III of Doubtful Verses in Osborn, p. 300. Early Stuart Libels website.

      John Hoskyns, The Censure of a Parliament Fart ('Downe came graue auncient Sr John Crooke') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • DnJ 1776 p. 103

      Copy, untitled and here beginning I cannot goe, nor stande, yon beggar cryes.

      First published in Thomas Deloney, Strange Histories (London, 1607), sig. E6. Poems (1633). Grierson, I, 76. Milgate, Satires, p. 51. Shawcross, No. 88. Variorum, 8 (1995), pp. 7 (as Zoppo) and 10.

      John Donne, A lame begger ('I am unable, yonder begger cries') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • HrJ 219 p. 111

      Copy, headed An Epigram.

      Kilroy, Book IV, No. 38, p. 224.

      Sir John Harington, Of a word in welch mistaken in English ('An English lad long Woode a lasse of wales')
    • WrM 38 p. 117

      Copy.

      Twenty-six lines of verse by Lord Denny fiercely attacking Wroth's published romance and prompting her verse retaliation (WrM 4). First published in Josephine A. Roberts, An Unpublished Literary Quarrel concerning the Suppression of Mary Wroth's Urania (1621), N&Q, 222 (December 1977), 532-5.

      Lady Mary Wroth, To Pamphilla from the father-in-law of Seralius ('Hermophradite in show, in deed a monster') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • CoR 370 pp. 119-21

      Copy, headed Dr Corbetts letter to the Duke of Buckingham being in Spaine.

      First published in Certain Elegant Poems (London, 1647). Bennett & Trevor-Roper, pp. 76-9.

      Richard Corbett, A letter To the Duke of Buckingham, being with the Prince of Spaine ('I've read of Ilands floating, and remov'd') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • FlJ 15 pp. 123-5

      Copy, untitled and subscribed John Fletcher.

      First published, appended to The Honest Man's Fortune, in Comedies and Tragedies (London, 1647). Dyce, III, 453-6.

      John Fletcher, Upon An Honest Man's Fortune ('You that can look through heaven, and tell the stars') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • JnB 566.5 pp. 132-4

      Copy, headed Ben: Johnsons Masque Before the Kinge.

      Ben Jonson, Christmas his Masque, lines 71-8, 93-101, 172-9, 182-245. Song ('Now God preserve, as you well doe deserve') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • HeR 114 pp. 150-1

      Copy, headed In prayse of sacke.

      First published in Recreations for Ingenious Head-peeces (London, 1645). Hesperides (London, 1648). Martin, pp. 45-6. Patrick, pp. 62-3.

      Robert Herrick, The fare-well to Sack ('Farewell thou Thing, time-past so knowne, so deare') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • CwT 720 p. 152

      Copy, untitled.

      First published in Poems (1640). Dunlap, p. 11. Musical setting by Henry Lawes published in The Second Book of Ayres and Dialogues (London, 1655).

      Thomas Carew, Secresie protested ('Feare not (deare Love) that I'le reveale') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • StW 263 p. 156

      Copy, headed On A Necklace.

      Photocopy of this MS in the British Library (RP 772).

      First stanza first published in Wits Interpreter (London, 1655), Part II, p. 386. Second stanza (Loe on my necke…) first published in Poems…by William Earl of Pembroke…[and] Sr Benjamin Ruddier, [ed. John Donne the Younger] (London, 1660), p. 100. Complete in Dobell, p. 45. Forey, p. 35.

      William Strode, A Necklace ('These Vaines are Natures Nett') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • StW 431 p. 156

      Copy, headed On a Gentlewoman iniuried by ye pox.

      First published in Wits Interpreter (London, 1655), Part II, p. 272. Dobell, p. 49. Forey, p. 15.

      William Strode, On a Gentlewoman who escapd the marks of the Pox ('A Beauty smoother then an Ivory plaine') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • StW 299 pp. 156-7

      Copy.

      First published in Parnassus Biceps (London, 1656). Dobell, pp. 28-9. Forey, pp. 92-3.

      William Strode, On a blisterd Lippe ('Chide not thy sprowting lippe, nor kill') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • CoR 162 pp. 163-5

      Copy, headed An Epitaph on the Lady Haddington and subscribed Corbett.

      First published in Certain Elegant Poems (London, 1647). Bennett & Trevor-Roper, pp. 59-62. The last 42 lines, beginning O thou deformed unwomanlike disease, in Parnassus Biceps (London, 1656), p. 48.

      Richard Corbett, An Elegie Upon the death of the Lady Haddington who dyed of the small Pox ('Deare Losse, to tell the world I greiue were true') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • CoR 109 pp. 165-7

      Copy, headed An Epitaph on Q. Anne.

      First published in Poëtica Stromata ([no place], 1648). Bennett & Trevor-Roper, pp. 65-7.

      Richard Corbett, An Elegy Upon the death of Queene Anne ('Noe. not a quatch, sad Poets. doubt you') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • HrG 304.5 pp. 167-8

      Copy, subscribed Georg: Herbert. The text followed by an answer, Cestae ad Aethiopissam responsio (beginning Vota precesq tuas negro signato lapillo) also ascribed to Georg: Herbert.

      This MS not recorded in Hutchinson.

      First published in James Duport, Ecclesiastes Solomonis (Cambridge, 1662). Hutchinson, p. 437. McCloskey & Murphy, with a translation, pp. 170-1.

      George Herbert, Aethiopissa ambit Cestum Diuersi Coloris Virum ('Qvid mihi si facies nigra est? hoc, Ceste, colore') | Catalogue
    • CwT 1290 pp. 169-73

      Copy, headed The Maske: of Sr. John Crofts at the Kings being entertained there, Anno. Domi.

      Edited from this MS in McGee.

      Of uncertain authorship. A masque apparently performed at Little Saxham, Suffolk, in the early 1620s. First published, and tentatively attributed to Carew, in C.E. McGee, The Visit of the Nine Goddesses: A Masque at Sir John Croft's House, ELR, 21 (1991), 371-84 (pp. 380-4).

      Thomas Carew, The Visit of the Nine Goddesses | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • WiG 12.2 p. 174

      Copy, untitled.

      First published in Fidelia (London, 1615). Sidgwick, I, 138-9. A version, as Sonnet 4, in Faire-Virtue, the Mistresse of Phil'Arete, generally bound with Juvenilia (London, 1622). Spenser Society No. 11 (1871), pp. 854-5. Sidgwick, II, 124-6.

      For the answer attributed to Ben Jonson, but perhaps by Richard Johnson, see Sidgwick, I, 145-8, and Ben Jonson, ed. C.H. Herford and Percy & Evelyn Simpson, VIII (Oxford, 1947), 439-43. MS versions of Wither's poem vary in length.

      George Wither, The Author's Resolution in a Sonnet ('Shall I wasting in despair') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • JnB 652 pp. 180-1

      Copy, headed The diuells Banquett and subscribed Finis Ben: Johnson.

      Herford & Simpson, lines 1061-1125. Greg, Burley version, lines 821-84. Windsor version, lines 876-939.

      Ben Jonson, The Gypsies Metamorphosed, Song ('Cock-Lorell would needes haue the Diuell his guest') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • JnB 10 pp. 186-7

      Copy.

      First published (all ten poems) in The Vnder-wood (ii) in Workes (London, 1640). Herford & Simpson, VIII, 131-42 (pp. 134-5). Lines 11-30 of poem 4 (beginning Doe but looke on her eyes, they do light) first published in The Devil is an Ass, II, vi, 94-113 (London, 1631).

      Ben Jonson, A Celebration of Charis in ten Lyrick Peeces. 4. Her Triumph ('See the Chariot at hand here of Love') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • BmF 95 pp. 208-10

      Copy, headed An elegy upon the death of Penelope the late Lady Clifton and subscribed Fra: Beaumont.

      First published in Poems (London, 1653). Dyce, XI, 511-13.

      Francis Beaumont, A Funeral Elegy on the Death of the Lady Penelope Clifton ('Since thou art dead, Clifton, the world may see') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • WiG 38 p. 211

      Copy, subscribed Finis G. Withers.

      Six lines, unpublished.

      The title recalls the sub-heading, Writ on three fair Trenchers, with a Piece of Char-Coal, of A Declaration of Major George Wither, Prisoner in the Tower of London, published in 1662.

      George Wither, George Withers Close Prisoner writte with a cole on a wall, thes verses ('Though I am shutt from freinds, & penne, & Inke') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • RaW 541 p. 212

      Copy, subscribed Finis: Lo: Wal..

      First published in Wits Interpreter (London, 1655), printed twice, the first version prefixed by Our Passions are most like to Floods and streames (see RaW 320-38) and headed To his Mistresse by Sir Walter Raleigh. Edited with the prefixed stanza in Latham, pp. 18-19. Edited in The English and Latin Poems of Sir Robert Ayton, ed. Charles B. Gullans, STS, 4th Ser. 1 (Edinburgh & London, 1963), pp. 197-8. Rudick, Nos 39A and 39B (two versions, pp. 106-9).

      This poem was probably written by Sir Robert Ayton. For a discussion of the authorship and the different texts see Gullans, pp. 318-26 (also printed in SB, 13 (1960), 191-8).

      Sir Walter Ralegh, 'Wrong not, deare Empresse of my Heart' | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • BrW 229 p. 219

      Copy, headed An Epitaph on ye death of Mary Countess of Pembroke.

      First published in William Camden, Remaines (London, 1623), p. 340. Brydges (1815), p. 5. Goodwin, II, 294. Browne's authorship supported in C.F. Main, Two Items in the Jonson Apocrypha, N&Q, 199 (June 1954), 243-5.

      William Browne of Tavistock, On the Countess Dowager of Pembroke ('Underneath this sable herse') | Catalogue
    • CoR 728 p. 219

      Copy, untitled and here beginning The star that sits in Charles his wayne.

      First published in Bennett & Trevor-Roper (1955), p. 65.

      Richard Corbett, Upon the Same Starre ('A Starre did late appeare in Virgo's trayne') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • CwT 763 p. 234

      Copy of a parody of the poem, untitled.

      First published in a five-stanza version beginning Aske me no more where Iove bestowes in Poems (1640) and in Poems: by Wil. Shake-speare, Gent. (London, 1640), and edited in this version in Dunlap, pp. 102-3. Musical setting by John Wilson published in Cheerful Ayres or Ballads (Oxford, 1659). All MS versions recorded in CELM, except where otherwise stated, begin with the second stanza of the published version (viz. Aske me no more whether doth stray).

      For a plausible argument that this poem was actually written by William Strode, see Margaret Forey, Manuscript Evidence and the Author of Aske me no more: William Strode, not Thomas Carew, EMS, 12 (2005), 180-200. See also Scott Nixon, Aske me no more and the Manuscript Verse Miscellany, ELR, 29/1 (Winter 1999), 97-130, which edits and discusses MSS of this poem and also suggests that it may have been written by Strode.

      Thomas Carew, A Song ('Aske me no more whether doth stray') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • MkM 17 p. 244

      Copy.

      Twenty-two lines, first published, introduced The following verses were wrote by her (as I am inform'd) on her death-bed at Bath, to her husband in London, in George Ballard, Memoirs of Several Ladies of Great Britain (Oxford, 1752), pp. 418-22.

      Mary Monck, Verses Wrote on her Death-Bed at Bath, to her Husband, in London ('Thou, who dost all my worldly thoughts employ') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • WaE 325 p. 246

      Copy in a later hand, headed Upon a girdle.

      First published in Workes (1645). Thorn-Drury, I, 95.

      Edmund Waller, On a Girdle ('That which her slender waist confined') | Catalogue | First Lines Index
    • WaE 655.5 p. 250

      Copy of lines 5-8, headed Waller to Vandike and here beginning The heedless lover does not know.

      First published in Workes (1645). Thorn-Drury, I, 44-5.

      Edmund Waller, To Vandyck ('Rare Artisan, whose pencil moves') | Catalogue | First Lines Index

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