worthy of imitation.* His ideas upon the subject are expressed in his Dedication of them "To the Right Honourable and most Virtuous Ladies, the Lady MARGARET, Countess of CUMBERLAND, and the Lady MARY, Countess of WARWICK. Having in the greener times of my Youth, composed these former two Hymns in the praise of Love and Beauty, and finding that the same too much pleased those of Like Age and Disposition, which being too vehemently carried with that kind of affection, do rather suck out poison to their strong passion, than honey to their honest delight; I was moved by the one of you two most excellent Ladies, to call in the same. But being unable so to do, by reason that many Copies thereof were formerly scattered abroad, I resolved at least to amend, and by way of retractation to reform them, making (instead of those two Hymns of earthly or natural Love and Beauty) two others, of heavenly and celestial. The which I do dedicate * More may be seen on this subject in the Notes to my Discourses on the Stage, p. 211, &c. joyntly unto you two honourable sisters, as to the most excellent and rare ornaments of all true Love and Beauty, both in the one and the other kind humbly beseeching you to vouchsafe the Patronage of them, and to accept this my humble service, in lieu of the great graces and honourable favours which ye daily shew unto me, until such time as I may by better means, yield you some more notable testimony of my thankful mind and dutiful happiness. And even so I pray for your happiness. Your Honours most bounden ever Greenwich, this first of September, 1596. EDM. SPENSER." But, Sir, whatever may be the reception of this work, I have at least this satisfaction to derive from it, that I have been pursuing a subject, which I had before taken up from a due consideration of its importance. And of the satisfaction to be derived from a consciousness of having been discharging my duty, neither neglect nor obloquy can (it is hoped) deprive me ; nor, I trust, should I be so fortunate as to be received with favour, shall I be unduly elated by success. With sentiments of great respect and esteem, and with sincere wishes for your health and prosperity, I am, Sir, Your obedient humble Servant, JAMES PLUMPTRE. 449 INDEX I. TO THE SONGS QUOTED OR CRITICIZED IN THIS VOLUME ACCORDING TO THEIR FIRST LINES. N. B. By means of this Index the Reader may ascertain Page. A BLACKSMITH you'll own is so clever 372 A Chieftain to the Highlands bound 332 A Cobler there was and he liv'd in a stall 352 A courting I went to my love (No. 9. p. 39. Humphry Ah! tell me no more, my dear girl, with a sigh 247 A plant there's in my garden grows (The Onion) A poor soul sat sighing under a Sicamore tree (No. 8. 268 279 340 332 404 p. 7.) 338.341 |