To the first edition of the author's poems, printed is 1645, was prefixed the following advertisement of THE STATIONER TO THE READER. T is not any private refpect of gain, gentle Reader, love I have to our own dible than the works of learnedeft men; but it is the diligent to collect and fet forth fuch pieces both in language, that hath made me profe and verfe, as may renew the wonted honor and eftem of our English tongue: and it's the worth of thefe both English and Latin poems, not the florish of any prefixed encomiums, that can invite thee to buy them, though these are not without the highest commendations and applaufe of the learnedeft Academics, both domeftic and foreign; and amongst thofe of our own country, the unparallel'd atteftation of that renown'd Provost of Eton, Sir Henry Wotton. I know not thy palate how it relishes fuch dainties, nor how harmonious thy foul is; perhaps more trivial airs may pleafe thee better. But howfoever thy opinion is fpent upon thefe, that encouragement I have already received from the most ingenious men in their clear and cour hath once more made me adventure into the world, teous entertainment of Mr. Waller's late choice pieces, prefenting it with these ever-green, and not to be blafted laurels. The Author's more peculiar excellency in thefe ftudies was too well known to conceal his papers, or to keep me from attempting to folicit them from him. Let the event guide itself which way it will, I fhall deferve of the age, by bringing into the light as true a birth, as the Mufes have brought forth fince our famous Spenfer wrote; whofe poems in these English ones are as rarely imitated, as fweetly excell'd. Reader, if thou art eagle-ey'd to censure their worth, I am not fearful to expose them to thy exacteft perufal. Thine to command, HUMPH. MOSELEY. POEMS On the Death of a fair Infant, dying of a cough*. I. Fairest flower no fooner blown but blasted, Soft filken primrose fading timelesly, Summer's chief honor, if thou hadsft out-lasted Bleak Winter's force that made thy bloffom dry; For he being amorous on that lovely dye That did thy cheek envermeil, thought to kiss, But kill'd, alas, and then bewail'd his fatal blifs. *This elegy was not inferted in the first edition of the author's poems, printed in 1645, but was added in the fecond edition printed in 1673. It was compos'd in the year 1625, that being the 17th year of Milton's age. In fome editions the title runs thus, On the death of a fair Infant, a nephew of his, dying of a cough: but the fequel fhows plainly that the child was not a nephew, but a niece, and confequently a daughter of his fifter Philips, and probably her first child. II. For fince grim Aquilo his charioteer Of long-uncoupled bed, and childless eld, 10 [held. Which 'mongst the wanton Gods a foul reproach was III. So mounting up in icy-pearled car, Through middle empire of the freezing air But all unwares with his cold kind embrace Unhous'd thy virgin-foul from her fair biding-place. IV. Yet art thou not inglorious in thy fate; But then transform'd him to a purple flower: Alack that fo to change thee Winter had no power. V. Yet can I not perfuade me thou art dead, 15 20 25 Or that thy corfe corrupts in earth's dark womb, 30 Or that thy beauties lie in wormy bed, Hid from the world in a low delved tomb; Oh |