"And yet they spend it worst that watch it most." G.
[173] See Introductory-Note to the first of these Minor Poems. I include this 'Canzonet' because originally it bore the initials of Davies' other pieces in the 'Rhapsody,' viz., I. D. G.
[174] Qu: sound? or it may be = their circular movement (supposed). G.
[175] In my edition of Donne I have assigned these Ten Sonnets to him, but for reasons given in Memorial-Introduction now reclaim them for Davies. Our text is as with the others from the 'Rhapsody' of 1621, where they are numbered in the class of sonnets xxxiv. to xlii. They were originally signed Melophilus. The various readings are merely orthographical. G.
[176] From "Ovid's Banquet of | SENCE. | A Coronet for his Mistresse Philosophie, and his amorous | Zodiacke. | With a translation of a Latine coppie, | written by a Fryer, Anno Dom. 1400. | Quis leget hæc? Nemo Hercule Nemo, | vel duo vel nemo. Persius. | At London, | Printed by J. R. for Richard Smith. Anno Dom. 1595. | " See our Memorial-Introduction. G.
[177] From close of 'A New Post' consisting of 'Essayes' by Sir John Davies. See Prose Works in Fuller Worthies' Library. G.
[178] = traitors [treacherous]. G.
[179] I take this Sonnet from Collier's 'Bibliographical Catalogue' sub nomine (Vol. I. p. 192). It is thus introduced by him: "It is stated correctly by the biographers of [Sir] John Davys that he was patronized by Lord Ellesmere, and among the papers of his lordship is preserved the following autograph Sonnet, which appears to have been addressed to the Lord Chancellor, on the death of his second wife in 1599." Further: The following note is appended, also in the hand-writing of Sir John Davys:—"A French writer (whom I love well) speakes of 3 kindes of Companions, Men, Women, and Bookes: the losse of this second makes you retire from the first: I have, therefore, presumed to send yr. Lp one of the third kind, wch (it may bee), is a straunger to your Lp. yet I persuade me his conversation will not be disagreeable to yr Lp." See Memorial-Introduction for notices of Ellesmere and his wives. G.
[180] From "Englands Helicon":
Casta placent superis
pura cum Veste venite,
Et manibus puris
sumite fontis aquam.
At London
Printed by I. R. for Iohn Flasket, and are
to be sold in St. Paules Church-yard, at the
signe | of the Beare. 1600. | [40.]
E 3 (verso)