As I never heard of any other copies than that of Mr. Douce, and one belonging to the Museum, and as I know the book has eluded the diligent researches of some of our most acute and persevering collectors, I think the following specimen will be acceptable, at least to the lovers of the Art of Angling : TO KNOW EACH FISHES HAUNT. Now that the Angler may the better know Here shall he learn how every sort doth seeke Carp, Eele, and Tench do love a muddy ground, Bream, Chub, and Pike, where clay and sand abound, Pike loves great pooles and places full of frie: The Salmon swift the rivers sweet doth like, VOL. II. F Pearch, Pearch, Trout, and Salmon love clean waters all, So doth the Bulhead, Gudgion, and the Loch, Of spreading poplar, oake, or willow green, The mighty Luce great waters haunts alway, The Cavender amidst the waters faire, And flat upon the bottome lieth low. The Peele, the Mullet, and the Suants good But here experience doth my skill exceed, So So that by use and practice may be known, So then it shall be needlesse to declare may Let him that list no pain nor trouble spare And then it shall not discontent his minde This curious tract has been ascribed to the pen of the celebrated Dr. Donne. See Sir John Hawkins's edition of Walton's Complete Angler, 1775. p. 153, note. At the end of this volume is a sort of Appendix, having the signature of R. R. This Sir John supposes to mean R. Roe, It should seem, that scarce as it really is, there were two editions of this work. RICHARD BARNFIELD. THIS old English Poet is slightly mentioned by Ritson, in his Catalogue of English Poets, and somewhat more at length by Mr. Bridges, in his improved edition of Philips's Theatrum Poetarum. Mr. Ellis had probably not seen any of his perform F 2 formances, at least he has given no specimen of his works yet he is spoken of as a writer, by no means inelegant, by Warton in his History of Poetry, vol. III. p. 405. I have discovered in a very curious and valuable volume of Miscellaneous Poetry, belonging to Sion College Library, the performance of Richard Barnfield, alluded to by Warton; and for the benefit of collectors in this line, subjoin a description, with a specimen. THE AFFECTIONATE SHEPHEARD. Containing the complaint of Daphnis for the Love of Ganymede. Amor plus mellis quam fellis est. London. Printed by John Danter, for T. G. and E. N. and are to bee sold in Saint Dunstones Church Yeard, in Fleet Street. 1594. The author appears to have had in view, for imitation, the second Eclogue of Virgil, but it must be confessed that much cannot be said in favour of his Poetry. Remember age, and thou canst not be prowd, Nature Nature and nurture once together met, Pride looks aloft, still staring on the starres, eye. Humility is clad in modest weedes, Humility in misery is relieved, But Pride in neede, of no man is regarded; Oh then be humble, genile, meeke, and milde, Care not for them that vertue doo despise, |