WM. ALEXANDER, EARL OF STERLINE. 66 35 Lond. 1641, 4to. and “ Jonathan, an Heroicke Poem intended. The first booke." All these various works, excepting "Aurora," were, in 1637, with many changes and amendments, collected into one volume folio, under the title of "Recreations with the Muses." For further particulars of our author, who deserves considerable praise as a masculine and vigorous writer, abounding with moral and political instruction, see Langbaine, Cibber, (i. e. Shiell,) the Biographia Britannica, and Pinkerton's list prefixed to his Ancient Scotish Poems, 1786. Extract from a Speech of Coelia, in the Tragedy of [The text is printed from ed. 1637, which agrees almost FIERCE IERCE tyrant, Death, who in thy wrath didst take 2 One half of me, and left one half behind, Take this to thee, or give the other 3 back, 4 Be wholly cruel, or be no way 5 kind! 3 So ed. 1616.-Ed. 1607 and 1637, " me th' other." 4" altogether." 5 ❝ all." 1 2 But whilst I live, believe, thou canst not die O! e'en in spite of death, yet still my choice! Oft, with the inward all-beholding 3 eye I think I see thee, and I hear thy voice. And, to content my languishing desire, To ease my 4 mind each thing some help affords: Thy fancied form doth oft such faith acquire, That in all sounds I apprehend thy words. Then, with such thoughts my memory to wound, I call to mind thy looks, thy words, thy graceWhere thou didst haunt, yet I adore the ground! And where thou stept-O sacred seems that place! My solitary walks, my widow'd bed, My dreary sighs, my sheets oft bath'd with tears, These shall record what life by me is led 8 Since first sad news breath'd death into mine ears. 1" For." 2❝thou canst not wholly." 3" Th' imagination's love-quick." 4 "Each thing to ease my mind." 5 Ed. 1616, "whiles." 6" I fancy whiles thy form-and then a-fire." 7" In every sound." 8 Ed. 1607 and 1616, "can "record the life that I have led." 7 WM. ALEXANDER, EARL Of sterline. 37 Though for more pain yet spar'd a space by Death, Thee first I lov'd, with thee all love I leave ; For my chaste flames, which quench'd were with thy breath, Can kindle now no more but in thy grave! * SONG. [From "Aurora."] OH would to God a way were found I were the happiest wight: * 1 " I live but with despair my sprite to dash." 2" extinguish'd in thy ash." The deepest rivers make least din, The silent soul doth most abound in care : Then, might my breast be read within, A thousand volumes would be written there. That well remarked it, Would soon discern my state. * Oft, those that do deserve disdain For forging fancies get the best reward; For too much love am had in no regard. The gallant living free His fancies doth extend: Where he that is o'ercome, Rein'd with respects, stands dumb, Still fearing to offend. Then, since in vain I plaints impart To scornful years, in a contemned scroll, WM. ALEXANDER, EARL of sterline. soul; And since my tongue betrays my heart, And not recount the crosses At least, to senseless things, Ah! unaffected lines, True models of my heart! The world may see that in you shines The power of passion, more than art. 39 |