Than thy dear friend to have in scorn,
And him to wound in sundry wise?
Which still a friend pretends to be,
And art not so by proof I see.
Fie, fie, upon such treachery."[715:B]
From the ten contributions by Kinwelmarsh, three may be selected as pleasing, both from their sentiment and melody, viz. "On learning;" "All thinges are vain," which is a truly beautiful poem; and "The complaint of a Sinner."[715:C] Neither the productions of Heywood, nor of the Earl of Oxford, surmount mediocrity.
Of the remaining writers who assisted in forming this collection, M. Bew has written five pieces; Arthur Bourcher, one; M. Candish, one; Thos. Churchyard, one; G. Gashe, one; Richard Hill, seven; Lodowick Lloyd, one; T. Marshall, two; Barnaby Rich, one; D. Sands, five; M. Thorn, two; Yloop, two, and there are five with the signature of My lucke is losse. There are sixteen poems also with initials only subjoined, and seven anonymous contributions. Most of these consist of moral precepts versified, and, though little entitled to the appellation of poetry, from any display either of imagery or invention, are yet of high value as developing the progress both of literary and intellectual cultivation.
The popularity of Edwards's Miscellany produced, two years afterward, another collection of a similar kind, under the title of "A Gorgious Gallery of Gallant Inventions. Garnished and decked with Divers Dayntie Devises, right delicate and delightfull, to recreate
eche modest minde withall. First framed and fashioned in sundrie formes, by Divers Worthy Workemen of late dayes: and now joyned together and builded up: By T. P. Imprinted at London, for Richard Jones. 1578."
Of this work, "one copy only," relates Mr. Park, "is known to have survived the depredation of time. This was purchased by Dr. Farmer, with the choice poetical stores of Mr. Wynne, which had been formed in the seventeenth century by Mr. Narcissus Luttrell. At Dr. Farmer's book-sale this unique was procured by Mr. Malone; from whose communicative kindness a transcript was obtained, which furnished the present reprint. One hiatus, occasioned by the loss of a leaf, occurs at p. 102, which it will be hopeless to supply, unless some chance copy should be lurking in the corner of a musty chest, a family-library, or neglected lumber-closet; though, in consequence of the estimation in which all antiquated rarities are now held, even such hiding-places have become very assiduously explored."[716:A]