and "To the Reader:" The prefatory matter ends with three metrical epistles, "The Poetresses Hasty Resolution"-" The Poetresses Petition" and "An Apology for writing so much upon this Book." The present copy of this work is a very beautiful one, and has the very rare print of the Duchess sitting in her study, attended by four Cupids, two of whom are crowning her with laurel, engraved by Van Schuppen, after a painting by Diependeke. Of this print there is a copy, engraved on a smaller scale, and the volume is farther illustrated by the conversation print of the Duke and Duchess with their family, engraved by Clouet, and a portrait of the Duke, engraved by Turner, from an original miniature. Margaret Duchess of Newcastle, although a voluminous writer of poems, plays, and abstruse philosophy, does not possess any peculiar claims to the attention of posterity as an authoress; but she was unquestionably of exemplary character, and of talents, properly directed, of the rarest kind.-The above portrait of this amiable lady was copied from the scarce print inserted in this volume. 491. NICCOLS (Richard).-The Cvckow. At, etiam cubat cuculus: surge amator, i domum. Richardus Niccols, in Artibus Bac. Oxon. Aulæ Mag.-EXTRA.-At London, printed by F. K. and are to be sold by W. C. 1607. The dedication of this poem is a metrical epistle of twelve lines addressed "To his Worshipfull good Friend Master Thomas Wroth an affecter and favourer of the Muses." It is succeeded by a prose address to the reader, in which the author observes :"I submit my selfe to the censure of him, that is more then a meere reader, to whom I do impart part of my poore poeticall skill vpon which I haue bestowed some idle houres; idle I call them, not in disgrace of so famous a skill: but to giue the world notice, that I make it not the chiefe part of my profession: but rather place it amongst those things of accomplement required in a scholar, or gentleman; which if (gentle Reader) thou shalt gently accept, my new borne Muse, that now sings harsh and hoarse in the shape of a Cuckow, may by thy incouragement hereafter sing to thee in a more pleasing note." 492. NICCOLS (Richards).—The Three Sisters Teares. Shed at the late Solemne Funerals of the Royall deceased Henry, Prince of Wales, &c. R. N. (Richard Niccols) Oxon.-London, printed by T. S. for Richard Redmer, and are to be sould at his shop neere the West dore of Paules Church, The dedicatory epistle to this poetical tract, is a sonnet addressed "To the most Vertuous and Highly Honoured Lady; the Lady Honor Hay, Wife to the Right Noble Gentleman, Iames, Lord Hay, and Daughter and Heyre to the Right Honourable, the Lord Denny, Baron of Waltham." Next follow twentyfour metrical lines in English, entitled "Authori Carmen Encomiasticon."-The "Three Sisters," are allegorical personages, supposed to be the daughters of a monarch, who, under the names of Angela, Albana, and Cambera, each utter a mournful plaint on the lamented death of Prince Henry, and the poem is concluded by an acrostic epitaph upon his decease. - 493. The Fvries. With Vertves Encomium. Or, the Image of Honour. In two Bookes of Epigrammes, Satyricall and Encomiasticke. By R. N. (Richard Niccols). London, printed by William Stansby, 1614. (pp. 78.).-Monodia or Walthams Complaint, vpon the death of that most Vertuous and Noble Ladie, late deceased, the Lady Honor Hay, sole Daughter and Heire to the Right Honorable Edward, Lord Dennie, Baron of Waltham, and wife to the Right Honourable Iames Lord Hay. By R. N. (Richard Niccols) Oxon.-London, printed by W.S. for Richard Meighen and Thomas Tones, and are to be sold at their shopwithout Templebarre under S. Clements Church, 1615 (pp. 30.). Octavo, pp. 108. £25. These rare tracts are in one volume, bound in morocco.-The first, which is rare in the extreme, has a dedicatory sonnet, addressed" To the Right Worshipfull and generous disposed (follower of virtue and fauourer of learning) Sir Timothie Thornhil Knight," succeeded by a prose address "To the Reader." The first portion is entitled Alecto; the second, which has a dedicatory sonnet "To the learned and vertuous Gentleman my Worshipfull good friend Master Christopher Osborne," is entitled Tisiphone; the third, entitled Megera, also has a dedicatory sonnet "To the Worshipfvll and worthie Gentleman, louer of Arts and Learning, Master Thomas Fisher."-The Furies end at sig. D 3. and a new title occurs-" Vertves Encomivm. Or, the Image of Honour. Honor virtutis præmium, London, printed by William Stansby, 1614" Then ensues a dedicatory sonnet, to Lady Honoria Hay, and a prose address to Gentlewomen. Many of the epigrams that follow are addressed to Ladies of Rank.-The last tract, Monodia," is dedicated "To the Right Honorable and Religiovs Patternes of Vertve, and Patrons of Learning, Edward, Lord Dennie, Baron of Waltham, and his most noble Sonne James Lord Hay," and succeeded by a sonnet addressed "To the same right Honorable Lords;" at the back of which is an emblematical wood cut. The tract ends with a well executed wood engraving of Death with a military sash hanging from his shoulder, and a flag in the right hand, trampling upon a prostrate Soldier opposite this cut is a metrical pyramid of thirty-nine lines. : 494. NICCOLS (Richard).-Londons Artillery, briefly containing the noble practise of that wo(r)thie Societie with the Moderne and Ancient martiall exercises, natures of arms, vertue of Magistrates, Antiquitie, Glorie and Chronography of this honourable Cittie. Præmia virtutis nostræ, non stirpis honores. By R. N. (Richard Nic- Quarto, pp. 112. Dedicated "To the Right Honorable Sir John Iolles, Knight, Lord Maior, and to the right Worshipfull the Aldermen and Senate of the famous cittie of London," and concluding, "I craue no further fauour of protection, than within the liberty of my natiue London to liue." Next succeed two dedicatory sonnets, the first "To the Right Worshipfvll Favovrers of Artes and Followers of Armes, the Captaines of the late Musters and to the rest of the Societie of Londons hopefull Infantrie:" the second "To the most worthie Gentleman Captaine Edmvnd Panton Captaine and Leader to our London's hopefull Infantrie." A prose address, or preface, "To the Reader" ends the prefatory matter. The poem commences with an induction in rhime, which has illustrative notes; it is divided into ten cantos, with prose illustrations at the end of each. Richard Niccols, the writer of the preceding works, is better known by his republication of the "Mirror for Magistrates," to which he made copious additions, than by his other writings, chiefly owing to their uncommon occurrence. "Londons Artillerie," appears to have been unknown to Wood, not being included in his list of Niccols's productions, nor is it mentioned by Headley, who styles this writer" a poet of great elegance and imagination, one of the ornaments of the reign of Elizabeth." 495. NORDEN (John).-Vicissitudo rerum. An Elegiacall Poeme, of the interchangeable courses and varietie of things in this world. The first Part. (By John Norden).-NEAT.-Imprinted at London by Simon Stafford, dwelling on Adling hill neere Carter-lane, 1600. Quarto, pp. 44. £12. 128. The dedication of this poem is in thirty metrical lines addressed "To the Right honorable Sir William Howard knight, the Lord Howard of Effingham, Sonne and heyre apparent to the Right Honorable Earle of Nottingham, Lord high Admirall of England." To this succeeds a preface of twenty-four lines in rhyme, and the poem then commences, extending to a hundred and fifty-seven stanzas of seven lines.-Being called "first part," in the title it might be supposed that another portion subsequently appeared, but there is no reason to conclude that any other part was ever published. 496. NORDEN (John). --The Labyrinth of Mans Life. Or Vertves delight and Enuies opposite. By Io: Norden.-EXTRA.-Printed at London, for Iohn Budge, and are to be sold at the great South doore of Paules, and at Brittaines Bursse, Dedicated "To the Right honorable Sir Robert Carr Knight, Baron of Brampeth, Vicecount Rochester, Earle of Somerset, of his Maiesties most honorable priuie Councell, Knight of the most noble order of the Garter; and Lord High Treasurer of Scotland.” Next ensues "The Authors farewell to his Booke," in seventeen six-line stanzas, and commendatory Verses by R. N.-N. B.—and R. J. which may perhaps be assigned to Richard Niccols, Nicholas Breton, and Richard Johnson. The argument in twelve metrical lines follows, and the poem commences.-A short extract will shew the quality of the poet's talent: What can best wit, what can deep'st wisedome chuse Long haue I trod, this Labyrinth with care, They make me doubtfull and infatuous. But who so treades it, with best skill throughout, 497. NIXON (Anthony).-The Scovrge of CorrupOr a Crafty Knave needs no Broker. tion. |