In search of heav'n, than all the Church before; Nor can we be deceiv'd, unless we see Without much hazard may be let alone: Than by disputes the public peace disturb. But common quiet is mankind's concern. 450 Tom Sternhold's, or Tom Sha-ll's rhymes POEMS INCLUDED IN MISCELLANY POEMS (THE FIRST MISCELLANY), 1684 [In 1684 there was "printed for Jacob Tonson a volume with title-page reading, Miscellany Poems, containing a New Translation of Virgills Eclogues, Ovid's Love Elegies, Odes of Horace, and other Authors, with several Original Poems, by the most Eminent Hands; and with the motto: Et vos, Olauri, carpam, et te, proxima myrte; Sic posita quoniam suaveis miscetis odores. This book is generally referred to as the First Miscellany. A second edition appeared in 1692, a third in 1702, and a fourth in 1716. (The title-page of the third edition reads, Miscellany Poems, the First Part. . . . Publish'd by Mr. Dryden; that of the fourth edition reads, The First Part of Miscellany Poems. Publish'd by Mr. Dryden.) The collection has no preface and opens with new editions of Mac Flecknoe, Absalom and Achitophel, and The Medal: next come various translations from Greek and Latin authors, mixed with a few original poems; then follows a collection of prologues and epilogues; finally, after a few scattering poems, a translation of Virgil's Eclogues concludes the book. Among the "eminent hands" were Sir Charles Sedley, the Earl of Mulgrave, the Earl of Roscommon, the Earl of Rochester, Otway, Rymer, Tate, Duke, and Creech. Dryden was, however, by far the largest contributor to the volume. In the contents of the third and fourth editions, published after Dryden's death, Tonson, or an editor, made important changes. The prologues and epilogues by Dryden have already been printed in their chronological order, so far as it could be ascertained. Of Virgil's Eclogues Dryden translated the fourth and ninth. These versions he reprinted, with some revision, in his complete translation of Virgil, published in 1697. They are therefore omitted at this point: the variant readings of the earlier texts are given in the notes to the Virgil. Of Dryden's work only the three following poems remain to be printed as first published in Miscellany Poems, 1684. The text follows the first edition.] Gross easy love does, like gross diet, pall, In squeasy stomachs honey turns to gall. Had Danae not been kept in brazen tow'rs, Jove had not thought her worth his golden show'rs. When Juno to a cow turn'd Io's shape, 29 The watchman help'd her to a second leap. Let him who loves an easy Whetstone whore, Pluck leaves from trees, and drink the common shore. The jilting harlot strikes the surest blow, A truth which I by sad experience know. The kind poor constant creature we despise; Man but pursues the quarry while it flies. But thou, dull husband of a wife too fair, Stand on thy guard, and watch the precious With kisses such as set my soul on fire; But you are chang'd, yet I am still the same; My heart maintains for both a double flame; Griev'd, but unmov'd, and patient of your scorn: So faithful I, and you so much forsworn! Far off you view'd them with a longing eye high): Yet nimbly up, from bough to bough I swerv'd, And for to-morrow have ten more reserv'd. Look on me kindly, and some pity shew, Or give me leave at least to look on you. Some god transform me by his heavenly pow'r 30 Ev'n to a bee to buzz within your bow'r, Now to my cost the force of Love I find; His brother whelps and he ran wild about the wood. Ah nymph, train'd up in his tyrannic court, To make the suff'rings of your slaves your sport! Unheeded ruin! treacherous delight! O polish'd hardness, soften'd to the sight! 40 Whose radiant eyes your ebon brows adorn, Like midnight those, and these like break of morn! Smile once again, revive me with your charms; And let me die contented in your arms. From steepy Othrys' top to Pylus drove His herd; and for his pains enjoy'd his love: If such another wager should be laid, I'll find the man, if you can find the maid. Why name I men, when Love extended finds His pow'r on high, and in celestial minds? Venus the shepherd's homely habit took, 110 And manag'd something else besides the crook; Nay, when Adonis died, was heard to roar, And never from her heart forgave the boar. How blest is fair Endymion with his Moon, Who sleeps on Latmos' top from night to Joys are vanish'd, "Time, I dare thee to discover Such a youth, and such a lover; O, so true, so kind was he! Damon was the pride of nature, Charming in his every feature; Damon liv'd alone for me: Melting kisses, Murmuring blisses; Who so liv'd and lov'd as we! ΙΟ 20 PROLOGUE TO THE DISAPPOINTMENT OR, THE MOTHER IN FASHION SPOKEN BY MR. BETTERTON [This play, by Southerne, was acted and printed in 1684; it is noted in the Term Catalogue for Trinity Term (June) of that year. The prologue was reprinted in the third edition, 1702, of Miscellany Poems, the First Part, with the heading, A Prologue, spoken by Mr. Betterton, written by Mr. Dryden. The present text follows that printed with the play in 1684. On the epilogue to the same play, see Appendix I, p. 920, below.] How comes it, gentlemen, that nowadays, When all of you so shrewdly judge of plays, [This tragedy, by Lee, was first printed in 1684. The epilogue is not assigned to Dryden in this edition or in the early collected editions of Lee's works. It appears, however, in the third edition, 1702, of Miscellany Poems, the First Part, with the words, "written by Mr. Dryden," after the title. The present text follows that printed with the play in 1684.] OUR hero's happy in the play's conclusion; The holy rogue at last has met confusion: Eusebius (for you know I read Greek authors) Reports that, after all these plots and slaughters, The court of Constantine was full of glory, And every Trimmer turn'd Addressing Tory. They follow'd him in herds as they were mad; When Clause was king, then all the world was glad: 10 Whigs kept the places they possess'd before, And most were in a way of getting more; |