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LONDON, SATURDAY, MAY 13, 1854.

Notes.

"SHAKSPEARE'S RIME WHICH HE MADE AT THE MYTRE."

In the third volume of Mr. Collier's valuable History of Dramatic Poetry (p. 275.) is the following passage, which forms part of a note:

"Mr. Thorpe, the enterprising bookseller of Bedford Street, is in possession of a MS. full of songs and poems, in the handwriting of a person of the name of Richard Jackson, all copied prior to the year 1631, and including many unpublished pieces, by a variety of celebrated poets. One of the most curious is a song in five seven-line stanzas, thus headed 'Shakspeare's rime, which he made at the Mytre in Fleete Streete.' It begins 'From the rich Lavinian shore;' and some few of the lines were published by Playford, and set as a catch."

In Mr. Thoms' Anecdotes and Traditions (published by the Camden Society) is a story of the celebrated Dr. John Wilson, to which the editor has appended an interesting note, adding:

"Wilson was the composer of a glee for three voices, published in Playford's Musical Companion, where the words are attributed to Shakspeare; and the supposition that they were really written by him having been converted into a certainty, by their appearing with Shakspeare's name to them in the MS. Collection of Poetry, copied prior to 1631 by Richard Jackson," &c.

Mr. Thoms then prints the "rime," not inappropriately calling it "A Song for Autolycus," with this remark:

"My late respected friend Mr. Douce once told me, that some musical friend at Chichester, I think the organist, possessed a copy of this song, with an additional verse."

Mr. Thoms' version of "Shakspeare's Rime" was inserted (probably by our worthy Editor himself?) in the first volume of "N. & Q." (p. 23.) with a view of obtaining the additional stanza; a desideratum which I am now enabled to supply. The following copy has two additional stanzas, and is transcribed from a MS. Collection of Songs, with the music, written in the early part of the reign of James I. The MS. was formerly in the possession of Mr. J. S. Smith, the learned editor of Musica Antiqua.

I.

"From the fair Lavinian shore,

I your markets come to store;

Marvel not, I thus far dwell,

And hither bring my wares to sell;

Such is the sacred hunger of gold.

Then come to my pack,

While I cry,

What d'ye lack,

What d'ye buy?

For here it is to be sold.

II.

"I have beauty, honour, grace,

Virtue, favour, time and space,

And what else thou wouldst request,

E'en the thing thou likest best;

First, let me have but a touch of thy gold,

Then come too lad,

Thou shalt have

What thy dad

Never gave;

For here it is to be sold.

III.

"Though thy gentry be but young,

As the flow'r that this day sprung,

And thy father thee before,

Never arms nor scutcheon bore;

First let me have but a catch of thy gold,

Then, though thou be an ass,

By this light

Thou shalt pass

For a knight;

For here it is to be sold.

IV.

"Thou whose obscure birth so base,

Ranks among the ignoble race,

And desireth that thy name,

Unto honour should obtain;

First let me have but a catch of thy gold,

Then, though thou be an ass,

By this light,

Thou shalt pass

For a knight;

For here it is to be sold.

V.

"Madam, come see what you lack?

Here's complexion in my pack;

White and red you may have in this place,

To hide an old ill-wrinkled face:

First, let me have but a catch of thy gold,

Then thou shalt seem,

Like a wench of fifteen,

Although you be threescore and ten years old."

That this song enjoyed extensive popularity in the latter half of the seventeenth century, is evinced by the number of printed copies. It is found in Playford's Select Ayres and Dialogues, 1659; in Dr. Wilson's Cheerfull Ayres and Ballads, 1660; in Playford's Catch that Catch Can, 1667; and in many subsequent collections of a similar kind. But in none of these works is the name of the writer of the words given; and all the copies are deficient of the third and fourth stanzas. The point of the satire conveyed in these stanzas was lost after the reign of James I., which may account for their omission.

"Shakspeare's rime," being associated with Wilson's music, is of some importance towards settling the point of authorship. In 1846 I printed a little pamphlet with the following title:

"Who was Jack Wilson, the Singer of Shakspeare's Stage? An Attempt to prove the Identity of this Person with John Wilson, Doctor of Musick, in the University of Oxford, A.D. 1644."

It would be out of place here to dwell upon this publication, suffice it to say, that all the information I have since collected, tends to confirm the hypothesis advanced. One extract from this brochure will show the connexion that existed between Shakspeare and Wilson:

"Wilson was the composer of four other Shakspearian lyrics, a fact unknown to Mr. Collier, when he wrote the article in the Shakspeare Papers: 'Where the bee sucks,' 'Full fathom five,' 'Lawn as white as driven snow,' and 'From the fair Lavinian shore.' They are all printed in the author's Cheerfull Ayres or Ballads, Oxford, 1660. We have now evidence from this work, that Wilson was the original composer of the music to one of Shakspeare's plays. He says in his preface, 'some of these ayres were originally composed by those whose names are affixed to them, but are here placed as being new set by the author of the rest. The two songs, 'Where the bee sucks,' and 'Full fathom five,' have appended to them the name of 'R. Johnson,' who, upon this evidence, we may undoubtedly conclude was the original composer of the music in the play of the Tempest. The song 'Lawn as white as driven snow,' from the Winter's Tale, has the name of 'John Wilson' attached to it, from which it is equally certain that he was its original composer. In my own mind, the circumstances connected with the Shakspearian lyrics in this book are almost conclusive as to the identity of John Wilson the composer with John Wilson the singer. Unless the composer had been intimately acquainted with the theatre of Shakspeare's day, it is not likely that he would have remembered, so long after, the name of one of its composers. Nor is it likely, being so well acquainted with the original composers of the Shakspearian drama, and so anxious as he appears to have been to do justice to their memory, that he would have omitted informing us, who was the original composer of the song in the Winter's Tale, had it been any other than himself. The Winter's Tale was not produced before 1610 or 1611, at which period Wilson was sixteen or seventeen years old, an age quite ripe enough for the production of the song in question."

A reviewer of my little publication in the Athenæum (Nov. 8, 1846) makes the following remark:

"Let us observe, in conclusion, that Dr. Rimbault is better read in Jack Wilson than Ben Jonson, or we should never have seen Mr. Shakspeare's 'Rime' at the 'Mitre,' in Fleet Street, seriously referred to as a genuine composition. It is a mere clumsy adaptation, from Ben's interesting epigram 'Inviting a Friend to Supper.'"

It is really too bad to be charged with ignorance unjustly. I have on my shelves the works of glorious Ben, three times over: in folio 1616-31; in folio, 1692; and in nine volumes octave (Gifford's edition), 1816; all of which I will freely give to the "reviewer," if he can prove that one line of "Shakspeare's Rime at the Mytre" is taken from the aforesaid epigram. I heartily agree with him in admiration of Jonson's spirited imitation of Martial, which I have transcribed as a pleasant relish towards digesting these rambling remarks:

"INVITING A FRIEND TO SUPPER.

"To-night, grave Sir, both my poor house and I

Do equally desire your company:

Not that we think us worthy such a guest,

But that your worth will dignify our feast,

With those that come; whose grace may make that seem

Something, which else could hope for no esteem.

It is the fair acceptance, Sir, creates

The entertainment perfect, not the cates.

Yet shall you have, to rectify your palate,

An olive, capers, or some better salad,

Ushering the mutton; with a short-legg'd hen,

If we can get her, full of eggs, and then,

Limons, and wine for sauce: to these, a coney

Is not to be despair'd of for our money;

And though fowl now be scarce, yet there are clerks,

The sky not falling, think we may have larks.

I'll tell you of more, and lie, so you will come:

Of partridge, pheasant, woodcock, of which some

May yet be there; and godwit if we can;

Knat, rail, and ruff too. Howsoe'er my man

Shall read a piece of Virgil, Tacitus,

Livy, or of some better book to us,

Of which we'll speak our minds, amidst our meat;

And I'll profess no verses to repeat;

To this if aught appear, which I not know of,

That will the pastry, not my paper, show of.

Digestive cheese, and fruit there sure will be;

But that which most doth take my muse and me,

Is a pure cup of rich Canary wine,

Which is the Mermaid's now, but shall be mine;

Of which had Horace or Anacreon tasted,

Their lives, as do their lines, till now had lasted.

Tobacco, nectar, or the Thespian spring,

Are all but Luther's beer, to this I sing,

Of this we will sup free, but moderately,

And we will have no Pooly', or Parrot by;

Nor shall our cups make any guilty men:

But at our parting, we will be, as when

We innocently met. No simple word,

That shall be utter'd at our mirthful board,

Shall make us sad next morning; or affright

The liberty, that we'll enjoy to-night."

Edward F. Rimbault.

ROUS, THE SCOTTISH PSALMIST, PROVOST OF ETON COLLEGE: AND HIS WILL.

Looking over some back Numbers of "N. & Q.," I see an inquiry (Vol. v., p. 81.) after Francis Rous. G. N. will find an account of him in Chalmers's Biographical Dictionary, gathered out of Wood's Athenæ; Noble's Memoir of Cromwell, vol. i.

p. 409; Lysons' Environs of London, vol. ii.; Granger, vol. iii.

In his will, a copy of which lies before me, proved Feb. 10, 1658, he speaks of "a youth in Scotland, his grandson," and "as the heir of idleness abhorring to give him an estate, but wishing he might be a useful member of Christ and the Commonwealth, he desires his executors to give him 50l. a year so long as he shall be in preparation towards a profession, and as many of his books as may be fit for him."

I shall be much obliged if any correspondent can find out anything farther about the said "youth in Scotland?"

H. T. Ellacombe.

Clyst St. George.

P.S.—Why should not "N. & Q." be the publisher of any curious old wills, which might interest the general reader? Allow me to suggest a corner for Testamenta Vestusta. I will begin by sending a copy of the will of Francis Rous.

This my last Will and Testament, I, Francis Rous, Provost of Eaton College, wrote and made March 18th, 1657.

Forasmuch as to put houses in order before our departure is pleasing to the God of order, I do dispose of my affairs and estates in manner following:

There is a youth in Scotland concerning whom (because they call him my grandson) it is perchance expected that I should do some great matters for him; but his father marrying against my will and prohibition, and giving me an absolute discharge before the marriage under his hand, not to expect anything from me if he did marry contrary to my prohibition, I hold myself discharged from the father, and consequently from the son of that father, the son having no interest in me but by the father. And I hold it a good example, for the benefitt of the Commonwealth, that matters of discouragement should be put upon such marriages, being assured that their parents will not disinheritt or lessen them, especially if they have but one son, and that which Solomon saith is to be considered—an understanding servant shall have rule over a son that maketh ashamed, and both that[^[1]], and his son, and his son in Scotland have both made ashamed, the one in his match, the other by a sad mischief of dangerous consequence and fatal; and though his mother is bound to maintain him, yet because I wish he might be a useful member of Christ and the Commonwealth, towards which I think she is not well able to give him an answerable education, I have in this my will taken course for a competent maintenance for him towards a profession, and in it utterly abhorring to give him an estate, as the heir of idleness. Wherefore to the fore-mentioned purpose, I desire my executor to give him 50l. a year, so long as he shall be in preparation towards a profession, or shall really and seriously be in the practice of it; and as many of my books as may be fitt for him in the profession he shall undertake, and shall not be given to Pembroke College, I desire my executor to give unto him: but if he, or a guardian, or any other, shall sue or implead, or call my executor into question to his trouble or cost, I leave it to my executor's choice whether he will pay his maintenance of 50l. per annum, or any part of it.

I give to Mr. Ellford, my pastor at Acton, 20l. I give 5l. per annum for ever to be disposed of in buying Bibles, catechisms, or for encouraging poor children to learn to read and answer in catechising in the parish of Dittisham, in the county of Devon, the place of my nativity and baptism, which sum shall be bestowed according to the direction of the minister there for the time being; and to the present minister I give 20l. I give to the poor of Acton each five shillings; I give to the poor of Westminster, Kensington, Knightsbridge, half a year's rent of that which they used to receive. I give Mr. Bartlett of Windsor 20l. I appoint 100l. to be lent to my nephew William Rous, which he must pay by 10l. a year to my nephew Richard Rous, his son. I give Thomas Rous, of King's College, 6l. for two years. I give Eliz. Rous, of Penrose in Cornwall, 20l. I give Anthony Rous at Eaton School, 5l. a year for seven years. I give to my niece Rudyard, and her sisters Skelton and Dorothy, each 20l. I give to Margaret Baker 10l. I give to a poor Xtian woman in Dartmouth, Mrs. Adams, 10l. To Robert Needler I give a black suit and cloak; the like to William Grantham and 10l. To my niece Portman, now in my house, I give 50l. To my other friends of more ability, I leave it to my executor to give such memorials as he shall think fitt. To the poor of Eaton I give 20l. To each of my servants that are with me at any decease I give black suits and 5l.; and to Peter Fluellen, who is now endeavouring to get a place of removal, 10l. I give to Thomas Rolle of Eaton, and Robert Yard, each 10l. I give to Christian, now the wife of Mr. Johnson, 20l. I give to the young Winnington of Eaton, 10l. I give 40l. per annum out of the Parsonage or Tythe of Great Brookeham in Surrey, to maintain two schollars in Pembroke College in Oxford. I also give 20l. per annum unto one schollar more in the same college, out of a tenement in the Manor of Wootton in Cornwall, during two lives of two Bigfords, and after their decease out of a tenement of mine in Cowkberry, in Devon, for ever. The scholars to be chosen are to be poor, not having 10l. a year, apt to learning, and to be of the posterity of myself or my brother Robert, Richard, or Arthur Rous, or of my sister Nicholl, or my sister Upton; and if no such shall be tendered, then they are to be chosen out of the two highest forms in Eaton College. I give power to my executor to choose them during his life, and desire him, with the advice of my dear kinsman, Mr. Ambrose Upton, Prebend of Xt Church in Oxford, to settle and order all things for the sure and usefull continuance of their allowances to schollars so qualified as before and of good conversation, and that they study divinity, and some time before they be Batchelors of Arts, they make good proof of their studying divinity, and that they continued in their several places but seven years, and then others to be chosen in their rooms. What shall be above 40l. per annum arising out of the tythe of Brookham declaro, and above all rates and taxes, I give unto the minister of that parish; and I give the parsonage to my respected kinsman Samuel Rous, Esq., of that parish, yet so, that if he die before my executor, my executor shall present during his life, and after it shall go to the heirs of the said Samuel Rous, it being to be hoped that their dwelling be there they will be carefull for their own souls. I do make and constitute my dear kinsman Anthony Rous, Esq., of Wootton, in the county of Cornwall, commonly called or known by the name of Colonel Rous, to be my whole and sole executor. And I give and bequeath to him all my lands, tenements, my interest in the parsonage of Great Brookham in Surrey, all my leases, chattels, plate, money, and other goodly whatsoever, as also my copyholds, which shall, according to custom, be made over to him in Acton or Branford, hoping that he will faithfully dispose them according to my will and intention made known to him; and I give him 100l., and lend him 200l. more for seven years, which he may bestow in defence of himself as to law suits, if any be brought as concerning my estate, or if there shall be none to bestow, in some charitable use as he shall think fitt. I desire my body may be interred and put to rest in the chapple of Eaton College, a place that hath my dear affections and prayers that it may be a flouring nursery of piety and learning to the end of the world. And for a profession of any faith, I refer myself to the works which I not long since published in one volume, wherein I have professed a right and saving faith, and hope to continue therein until faith shall be swallowed up of sight, laying hold of the free grace of God in his beloved Son as my only title to eternity, being confident that his free grace, which took me up lying in the blood of irregeneration, will wash away the guilt of that estate, and all the cursed fruits of it by the pretious blood of his Son, and will wash away the filth of it by the spirit of his Son, and so present me faultless before the presence of God's glory with joy.

(Signed) Francis Rous.

The Right Honorable Francis Rous, Esq., acknowledged this to be his last will and testament, the 12th day of April, 1658[^[2]], in the presence of me, Abel Borsett, endorsed, upon a paper wherein the original will was folded and sealed up, thus, viz., "My last will, attested by Mr. Humphreys and Mr. Borsett."

This will was proved at London the 10th day of February, in the year of our Lord God 1658, before the judges for probate of wills and granting administrations lawfully authorised, by the oath of Collonell Anthony Rouse, Esq., the sole and only executor named in the said will, to whom administration of all and singular the goods, chattels, and debts of the said deceased was granted and committed.

Footnote 1:[(return)]

This appears to be an error.

It should doubtless be 1657.

ORIGINAL ENGLISH ROYAL LETTERS TO THE GRAND MASTERS OF MALTA.

(Concluded from Vol. ix., p. 419.)

No. XI.

Charles the Second by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c.

To the most illustrious and most high Prince, the Lord Nicholas Cotoner, Grand Master of the Order of Malta, our well-beloved cousin and friend—Greeting:

It having appeared to us a matter of interest, not only to ourselves, but likewise to the whole Christian world, that we also should keep in the Mediterranean sea a certain number of galleys ready to afford prompt aid to our neighbours and allies against the frequent insults of the barbarians and Turks, we lately caused to be constructed two galleys, one in Genoa, and the other in the port of Leghorn; in order to man these, we directed a person well acquainted with such affairs to be sent, as to other parts, so also to the island of Malta, subject to the rule of your highness, in order to buy slaves and procure other necessaries. He having purchased some slaves, it has been reported to us that your highness' collector of customs demanded five pieces of gold of Malta money per head before they could be permitted to embark, under the title of toll; at which proceeding we were certainly not a little astonished, it appearing to us a new proceeding, and one contrary to custom, especially it being well known to us that our neighbours and allies, the Kings of France and Spain, are never accustomed to pay anything under the title of toll

for the slaves which they cause yearly to be transported from your island.

We therefore beg your highness, by the good and long friendship existing between us, to grant to us the same privilege in regard to this kind of commerce within the territories of your highness, as is enjoyed by both our said neighbours and allies, which although it ought to be conceded to us simply on account of our mutual friendship and our affection towards your highness and the illustrious Order of Malta, still we shall receive so gratefully, that if at any time we can do anything to please your highness, we shall be always ready to do it, with all attention, and most willingly.

In the meantime we heartily recommend your highness and all the members of the illustrious Order of Malta, as well as all your affairs, to the Divine keeping.

Given from our palace of Westminster on the 12th day of February, in the year of our Lord 1673, and of our reign the 25th.

Your Highness' good Cousin and Friend,

Charles Rex.

No. XII.

Charles the Second by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c.

To the most eminent Prince, the Lord Nicholas Cotoner, Grand Master of the Order of Malta, our well-beloved cousin and friend—Greeting:

Most eminent Prince, our well-beloved cousin and friend.

The military order over which your eminence most worthily presides, having always used its power to render the navigation of the sea safe and peaceable for Christians, we in no way doubt that our ships of war, armed for the same purpose, will receive from your eminence every office of friendship. We therefore are desirous of signifying to your eminence by these our letters that we have sent a squadron of our royal fleet to the Mediterranean sea under the command of Sir John Narbrough, knight, to look after the safety of navigation and commerce, and to oppose the enemies of public tranquillity. We therefore amicably beseech your eminence that if ever the above-named Admiral Narbrough, or any of our ships cruising under his flag, should arrive at any of your eminence's ports or stations, or in any place subject to the Order of Malta, that they may be considered and treated as friends and allies, and that they may be permitted to purchase with their money, and at just prices, and to export provisions and munitions of war, and whatever they may require, which, on similar occasions, we will abundantly reciprocate to your eminence and to your most noble Order.

In the mean time we heartily recommend your eminence to the safeguard of the Most High and Most Good God.

Given from our palace of Whitehall the last day of November, 1674.

Your Highness' Cousin and Friend,

Charles Rex.

No. XIII.

Charles the Second by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c.

To the most eminent Prince the Lord Nicholas Cotoner, Grand Master of the Order of Malta, our well-beloved cousin and friend.

Most eminent Prince, our cousin and well-beloved friend—Greeting:

Although we in no way doubt of the sincere readiness of your eminence and of your holy Order of Malta to do everything which might be known to be expedient for our interests, still we could not read your eminence's letters under date of 24th March last, in which such readiness is fully set forth, without the greatest pleasure. Our affection is sharpened and excited by the mention of the good will of our predecessors, the Kings of Great Britain, evinced in every age towards your most illustrious Order, which, as your eminence in your said letters so honourably commemorates, so will we studiously endeavour to imitate, and even to surpass. From our admiral, Sir John Narbrough, knight, and also from other parties, we have heard with how much benignity your eminence lately received him, and caused him and the other officers of our fleet to be supplied with what was requisite for our ships of war, which we consider not less worthy of the piety and valour of your Order than of our friendship; and we on our part, on opportunity presenting itself, will be careful to abundantly reciprocate by every kind of good offices.

It remains to recommend your eminence and the whole of your holy Order militant to the safeguard of the God of Hosts.

Given from our palace of Whitehall the 19th day of May, 1675.

Your Eminence's good Cousin and Friend,