On the back of the title to this volume is Gower's epigram on his book in six Latin verses. It is dedicated "To the moste victorious, and our moste gracious soueraignc lorde kynge Henry the vin. kynge of Englande and of France, Defender of the fcyth, and lorde of Irelande. &c." After which is an address " To the reder" respecting a variation in the Prologue of Caxton's edition, from which this was printed, and the manuscript copies, adding", —" I thought it good to warne the reder, that the written copies do not agree with the printed, Therefore I haue printed here those same lines, that I fynde in the written copies:"—Then follow seventy lines of the Prologue. The editor afterwards quotes part of Chaucer's conclusion of his "Troilus and Creseide" in testimony of Gower's abilities, and concludes with a description of his monument in the monastery of St. Mary Ovcrys:—" And thereby hongeth a table, wherein appereth, that who so euer praith for the soule of lohn Govver he shall so oft as he so doth, Have a M. and D. daies of pardon."—A Table of Contents ensues, and the Poem begins. "Considered in a general view, the Confessio Amantis may be pronounced to be no unpleasing miscellany of those shorter tales which delighted the readers of the middle age. Most of these are now forgotten, together with the voluminous chronicles, in which they were recorded."—Wartnn. In the Emendations and Additions to Warton, vol. 2. sig. g 1. is described a manuscript on vellum in the possession of the Marquis of Stafford which contains some of Gower's Poems. Among these poems, are fifty sonnets in French, which are not mentioned by those, who have written the life of this poet, or have catalogued his works. These poems, says Warton, "are tender, pathetic and poetical, and place our old poet Gower in a more advantageous point of view, than that in which he has hitherto been usually seen. I know not if any even among the French poets themselves of this period, have left a set of more finished sonnets: for they were probably written, when Gower was a young man, about the year 13.00. Nor had yet any English poet treated the passion of love with equal delicacy of sentiment, and elegance of composition."—It has been ascertained that this original and curious manuscript was presented by Gower himself to Henry IV. 284. Gascoigne (George).—A Hundreth sundrie Flowres bounde vp in one small Poesie. Gathered partely (by translation) in the fyne outlandish Gardins of Euripides, Quid, retrarke, Ariosto, and others: and partly by inuention, out of our owne fruitefull Orchardes in Englande: Yelding sundrie sweete sauours of Tragical, Comical, and Morall Discourses, both pleasaunt and profitable to the well smallyng noses of learned Readers. (By George Gascoigne).— Russia.—BllCk Uttttt:.—At London, imprinted for Richarde Smith (1572). Quarto, pp. 454 «£25. This is the first and very rare edition of Gascoigne, which appears not to have been known either by Wood or Ames.—At the back of the title, as above, are " The contents of this Booke," next follows " The Printer to the Reader," and a list of Errata: here finishes the prefatory matter. The present edition differs very materially from its successor in 1587, and contains several pieces not to be found in that. "It is,'* says Mr. Steevens, "an unchastised work, published (as it should seem) without the formal consent of Gascoigne, though perhaps with his connivance.1' In corroboration of this may be cited Gascoigne's " Epistle to the Reverend Divines," before his Poems, 1575, from which it appears that this edition, for which he received no reward, was printed while he -was in Holland, but, says he, " True it is that I was not vnwillinge the same shoulde bee imprinted."—All copies of this edition break off at p. 164. "Printed by Henrie Bynneman for Richanle Smith," and recommence at p. 201, sig. A i. It is highly probable that in order to expedite the work, the publisher employed two printers at the same time, and that p. 201 was placed on the first leaf of the second portion as a mere guess. Gascoigne's play of " Supposes," it is observed by Warton, was the first Comedy written in English prose:—Dr. Farmer in his "Essay on Shakspeare" says that the latter has not only borrowed part of the plot, but even the phraseology of this play, and transferred them into his own " Taming of the Shrew." This volume contains, in addition to the subject of the foregoing, the "Steel Glas," and the "Complaint of Philomene," edit. 15/6, but without the title to the former. 285. Gascoigne (George).—The Posies of George Gascoigne Esquire. Corrected, perfected, and augmented by the Authour, 1575.—JSlack lUtttr. —Printed at London for Richard Smith, and are to be solde at the Nortkwcast doore of Paules Church. Quarto, pp. 502 .£20. Dedicated "To the reverende Diuines, vnto whom these Posies shall happen to be presented, George Gascoigne Esquire (professing armes in the defence of Gods truth) wisheth quiet in conscience, and all Consolation in Christ lesus," then follow prose addresses " To id yong Gentlemen," and "To the Readers generally." After these are commendatory Verses byT. B. (Bastard): —E. C :—M. C :—R. S. (Smith) :—T. Ch. (Churchyard):—G. W. (Whetsone) :—P. B. (Beverley) :—A. W. (Willet) :—I.B:—I.D: —R. Smith (the Printer) and in Latin, French and Italian with various initials. "The opinion of the author himself after all these commendations." There are titles to the three portions of the volume; the first entitled "Flowers," the second "Hearbes," and the third " Weedes," with the contents of each underneath. An ornamental device on the title, representing Time' drawing Truth out of a pit or cavern, is commended by Bishop Percy, who "to gratify the curiosity of the reader" has had it copied with, some variations for his own book; he adds " it is not improbable but the accidental sight of this or some other title page containing the same device, suggested to Rubens that well known design of a similar kind, which he has introduced into the Luxemburg Gallery, and which has been so justly censured for the unnatural manner of its execution."—Reliques of Ancient Poetry, vol. ii. p. 139 286. The Steele Glas. A Satyre copiled by George Gascoigne Esquire^ Togither with the Complaint of Phylomene. An Quarto, pp. 132. , . . £l2. 12s. The dedication commences thus, " To the right honorable his singular good Lord the Lord Gray of Wilton, Knight of the most honorable order of the Garter, George Gascoigne Esquire wisheth long life with encrease of honour, according to his great vvorthinesse:" then follow commendatory Verses by N. R:—Walter Rnwely (Sir Walter Raleigh) and Nicholas Bowyer; Verses by the Author to the Reader, and a table of Errata, which, says a note by Mr. Steevens, are "not corrected in the subsequent edition."—The title, dedication, and commendatory Verses to this copy are in manuscript, but as the scarce portrait is printed at the back of the original title, an admirable fac-simile drawing of that portrait has been made for the present volume. 287. Gascoigne (George).—The Princelye pleasures, at the Courte at Kenelwoorth. That is to saye. The Copies of all such verses, Proses, or Poeticall inuentions, and other Deuices of pleasure, as were there deuised, and presented by sundry Gentlemen, before the Queues Maiestie: In the yeare. 1575.—JSlarft tUtttr.—Imprinted at London by Rychard Ihoncs and are to be soldc without Newgate over against Saint Sepulchcrs Church. 1576. Octavo , £25. The only article by way of preface is a prose address, "The Printer to the Reader," which has been omitted in subsequent editions. Gascoigne was not the only one employed in the production of these amusements, as there are verses by " Maister Hunneys Maister of the children in hir Maiesties Chappell," by "Maister Badger of Oxenforde," by " Maister Ferrers, sometime Lord of Mysrule." One of the contributors is called Maister Goldingham, but Warton thinks that this is intended for Golding, the translator of Ovid.—The present volume was Dr. Farmer's copy, who says in a note: "No other copy of this edition is known to be extant, the quarto of 1587 has an additional Song, &c. by Deep Desire, not worth transcription."—It unfortunately wants a leaf or two at the end. |