Page images
PDF
EPUB

Nor were the taste and critical talents of the countess of Pembroke confined to prose composition; she was, as well as her brother, a favoured disciple of the Muses; and being not only well acquainted with the classical languages, but with the Hebrew tongue, she was consequently in possession of all the models necessary to a perfect knowledge of the art of poetry, sacred and profane. Whether she contributed to the numerous metrical effusions with which the Arcadia abounds is not known; but there can be no doubt that these, as well as the narrative part of that romance, underwent the revision of her pen; nor is it improbable that the "Astrophel and Stella" of sir Philip, consisting of not less than one hundred and eight sonnets *, independent of intervening songs, which was

* From these sonnets, many of which are exquisitely beautiful, I cannot resist the pleasure of transcribing two, as being, in my opinion, models of grace and sweetness.

TO THE MOONE.

With how sad steps, O Moone, thou climb'st the skies,
How silently, and with how wan a face!

What, may it be that even in heav'nly place
That busie archer his sharp arrowes tries?
Sure if that, long with Love acquainted, eyes
Can judge of Love, thou feel'st a Lover's case;
I reade it in thy lookes; thy languisht grace,
To me that feele the like, thy state descries.

first published in 1591, as well as a minor collection of "Sonnets" from the same source, printed in 1594, had, either in their separate state or when subsequently added to the Arcadia, the advantage of her judgment and skill.

Of the poetry which flowed from her ladyship's

Then, ev'n of fellowship, O Moone, tell me

Is constant Love deem'd there but want of wit?
Are Beauties there as proud as here they be?

Do they above love to be lov'd, and yet

Those Lovers scorne whom that Love doth possesse ?
Do they call Vertue there ungratefulnesse ?

TO SLEEPE.

Come, Sleepe, O Sleepe, the certaine knot of peace,
The bayting place of wit, the balme of woe,
The poore man's wealth, the prisoner's release,
Th' indifferent Judge betweene the high and low!
With shield of proofe shield me from out the prease
Of these fierce darts, despaire at me doth throw :
O make in me these civill warres to cease;
I will good tribute pay if thou do so.
Take thou of me smooth pillowes, sweetest bed,
A chamber deafe to noise, and blinde to light:
A rosie garland, and a wearie head:

And if these things, as being thine by right,
Move not thy heavie grace, thou shalt in me
Livelier than else-where Stella's image see.

own inspiration we had, until the publication of her Psalms, but few instances. Of these the prin

66

cipal was, “ The Tragedie of Antonie: done into English by the countess of Pembroke,” Lond. 1595, 12mo.; to which may be added "An Elegy on sir Philip Sidney," printed in Spenser's "Astrophel,” 1595, and “A Pastoral Dialogue in praise of Astrea," that is, queen Elizabeth, published in Davison's "Poetical Rapsody," 1602, where it is recorded as having been "made by the excellent lady, the lady Mary countesse of Pembrook, at the queenes majesties being at her house at

15—.” It should not be forgotten also, that a poem of considerable length in six-line stanzas, entitled "The countesse of Pembrook's Passion," is preserved among the Sloanian Manuscripts, No. 1303.

It is, however, on her version of the Psalms, written in conjunction with her brother, that her poetical fame must be built; and I shall, therefore, after closing this slight sketch of her character, devote the ensuing paper to a consideration of some of the more prominent beauties of this joint labour of love and piety.

In the meantime it is highly gratifying to record,

that the countess was, like her brother, the uniform and munificent friend of learning and of genius; and that to her patronage and liberality, to her taste and talents, Spenser, and Daniel, and Churchyard, and Fraunce, and Fitzgeffrey, and several other poets of her day, have borne the most sincere and grateful testimony.

Spenser in particular, the first, and, by many degrees, the greatest of this tuneful train, has seized every opportunity of expressing his high sense of the rare virtues and acquirements of lady Pembroke; and when celebrating the most accomplished females of the court of Elizabeth, he has not hesitated to give to the sister of Sidney the foremost rank and highest place*.

I shall quote one tribute from this divine bard, as placing Sidney and his sister in that light of blended love and talent in which they ever wished to appear, and as delivering his own opinion of their poetical powers. He is apostrophising the shade of sir Philip:

O noble spirit!

The world's late wonder, and the heaven's new joy;

* Colin Clout's Come Home Again. Vide Todd's Spenser, vol. viii. pp. 27, 28.

Live ever there, and leave me here distressed
With mortal cares and cumbrous world's annoy!
But, where thou dost that happiness enjoy,
Bid me, O bid me quickly come to thee,
That, happy there, I may thee always see!

Yet, whilst the Fates afford me vital breath,
I will it spend in speaking of thy praise,
And sing to thee, until that timely death
By heaven's doom do end my earthly days:
Thereto do thou my humble spirit raise,
And into me that sacred breath inspire,
Which thou there breathest perfect and entire.

Then will I sing; but who can better sing
Than thine own sister, peerless lady bright!
Which to thee sings with deep heart's sorrowing-
Sorrowing tempered with dear delight
That her to hear I feel my feeble spright
Robbed of sense, and ravished with joy.—

Yet will I sing; but who can better sing
Than thou thyself, thine own self's valiance;
That, whilst thou livedst, madest the forests ring,
And fields resound, and flocks to leap and dance,
And shepherds leave their lambs unto mischance,
To run thy shrill Arcadian pipe to hear *.

The countess of Pembroke has been uniformly

* The Ruins of Time. Todd's Spenser, vol. vii. pp. 298, 299, 300.

« PreviousContinue »