Poetical Rhapsody (Volume 2) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1891. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... II. Gesta Grayorum, Or Gray's Inn Masque, 1594.1 THE DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE SQUIRE, PROTEUS, AMPHITRITE, AND THAMESIS. SQUIRE. PROTEUS, it seems you lead a merry life; Your music follows you where'er you go. I thought you sea-gods, as in your abode, So in your nature, had not been unlike To fishes; who, as say philosophers, Have so small sense of music's sweet delight, 1 The following " Dialogue" (from Davison's own transcript in Harl. MS. 541, fol. 138, etc.), is the "Speech of Gray's-Inn Masque," to which Davison alludes in his Sonnet on p. 103 of Vol. I. of the "Rhapsody." The Gray's Inn Entertainment, Gesta Grayorum (1594), was first printed in 1688 by W. Canning, and was reprinted--with an additional Second Part (of later date)--in Nichols' Progresses of Queen Elizabeth.. Nicolas gave the text of the " Dialogue " from Harl. MS. 541; but his transcript was very inaccurate. The Speakers were: -- "An Esquire of the Prince's Company, attended by a Tartarian page. Proteus the Sea-God, attended by two Tritons. Thamesis and Amphitk1te, who likewise were attended by their Sea-Nymphs." Campion's song "Of Neptune's empire let us sing," (ii. 107) was sung by Amphitrite, Thamesis, and Sea-Nymphs; and then "The Speakers made their Speeches in order as followeth." As 'tis a doubt, not fully yet resolved, Whether of hearing they have sense or no. PROTEUS. 'Twas great discourse of reason to regard The dreaming guess of a philosopher, That never held his idle buzzing head Under the water half an hour's1 space, More than that famous old received history Of good Arion, by a dolphin saved. SQUIRE. Well, let that pass, and to the purpose now: I thought that you, that are a demi-god, Would not have failed my expectation thus. PROTEUS. Why so, fair Squire ? Is not my promise kep...