Fletcher possessed the latter qualities is certain; but we have no reason to attribute to Beaumont any of the deficiencies which the 'faint praise' of 'judgment' might seem to imply. The opening song of The Two Noble Kinsmen has been included in this selection, although it is difficult to attribute it to any one but Shakespeare. On the other hand, 'Take, oh take those lips away,' the first stanza of which occurs in Measure for Measure, has been excluded. A. C. BRADLEY. LINES ON THE TOMBS IN WESTMINSTER. [By Beaumont]. Mortality, behold and fear! What a change of flesh is here! Think how many royal bones Sleep within this heap of stones; Here they lie had realms and lands, Who now want strength to stir their hands; Since the first man died for sin : Here the bones of birth have cried, 'Though gods they were, as men they died': Here are sands, ignoble things, Dropt from the ruin'd sides of kings: Here's a world of pomp and state, Buried in dust, once dead by fate. FROM THE MAID'S TRAGEDY.' [By Beaumont and Fletcher.] Lay a garland on my hearse Maidens, willow branches bear; Say, I died true. My love was false, but I was firm From my hour of birth. Upon my buried body lie 6 FROM THE FAITHFUL SHEPHERDESS.' [By Fletcher.] I. THE SATYR. Here be grapes whose lusty blood Sweeter yet did never crown The head of Bacchus ; nuts more brown Than the squirrel's teeth that crack them; Deign, O fairest fair, to take them! For these black-eyed Dryope Hath oftentimes commanded me With my clasped knee to climb : See how well the lusty time Hath deck'd their rising cheeks in red, Such as on your lips is spread. Here be berries for a queen, Some be red, some be green; These are of that luscious meat The great god Pan himself doth eat: All these, and what the woods can yield, I freely offer, and ere long Will bring you more, more sweet and strong; Till when, humbly leave I take, Lest the great Pan do awake, That sleeping lies in a deep glade, Under a broad beech's shade. I must go, I must run Swifter than the fiery sun. II. THE RIVER GOD TO AMORET. I am this fountain's god. Below And 'twixt two banks with osiers set, In the cool streams shalt thou lie, I will give thee for thy food But trout and pike, that love to swim Through the pure streams may be seen; Orient pearl fit for a queen Will I give, thy love to win, And a shell to keep them in ; But, when thou wilt, come gliding by And to make thee understand How I can my waves command, The Song. Do not fear to put thy feet Naked in the river sweet; Think not leech or newt or toad Will bite thy foot, when thou hast trod; As thou wad'st in, make thee cry III. THE SATYR. Thou divinest, fairest, brightest, Hold by the moon, and gently make To do her service all these woods adore. |