To Libyan wastes, whose thirst no showers assuage, Met on the Thracian shores; when in the strife. # * * Thou sav❜dst me from the bloody massacres Of tainted air, which cloy'd the jaws of death. waves Mix'd with the clouds and open'd their deep graves. * Then brought'st me home in safety, that this earth THOMAS HEYWOOD. Of this author but little appears to be known, except that he was probably a native of Lincolnshire, an actor, and one of the most voluminous writers that ever attempted dramatic composition, as he himself reckons 120 plays, in which, says he, "I have had either an entire hand, or at "least a main finger." Of these however, only 24 remain, for a catalogue of which, as well as his other works, recourse may be had to the Biographia Dramatica and Langbaine. The latter regards him as "a general scholar, and 66 an indifferent linguist," and informs us "he has borrowed 66 many ornaments from the ancients." The following extracts are taken from his "Pleasant Dialogues and Drammas," &c. 1637, 12mo. SONG. PACK clouds away, and welcome day, Bird prune thy wing, nightingale sing, To give my love good-morrow, Notes from them both I'll borrow. Wake from thy nest, robin-red-breast, Shepherd's Song. WE that have known no greater state Our music from the birds we borrow, They bidding us, we them, good-morrow. Our habits are but coarse and plain, Yet they defend from wind and rain; As warm too, in an equal eye, As those be stain'd in scarlet dye. Those that have plenty wear, we see, But one at once, and so do we. The shepherd with his home-spun lass As many merry hours doth pass As courtiers with their costly girls, Though richly deck'd in gold and pearls; And, though but plain, to purpose woo, Nay, oft-times, with less danger too. Those that delight in dainties store One stomach feed at once, no more: And, when with homely fare we feast, With us it doth as well digest; And many times we better speed, For our wild fruits no surfeits breed. If we sometimes the willow wear, By subtle swains that dare forswear, We wonder whence it comes, and fear They've been at court, and learnt it there. WILLIAM ALEXANDER, OF MENSTRIE, EARL OF STERLINE, Was born in 1580. Having been early distinguished for his proficiency in classical learning, he was recommended to the earl of Argyle as a companion in his travels. After some time spent abroad, he returned to a rural retirement in Scotland, where he finished his "Aurora;" a collection of sonnets, &c. in honour of his first mistress, to whom he had become attached at the early age of 15, before leaving his own country. This lady, however, proving cruel, and bestowing her hand upon another and more aged admirer, he consoled himself by marrying Janet, the daughter and heir of Sir William Erskine. He was now warmly patronized by James I. who made him in 1613 gentlemanusher to prince Charles, and in 1614 knighted him. By Charles I. he was in 1630 appointed secretary of state for Scotland (a post which he retained with credit till his death); and in 1633 created earl of Sterline. He died in 1640. His works consist of " Darius," 1603. Edinb. 4to. reprinted in London the following year: to which in 1607 were added three others; viz. "Croesus;" "The Alexandrian Tragedy;" and "Julius Cæsar;" making together a small quarto, with the general title of "The Monarchicke Tragedies newly enlarged." These were again printed, with alterations, in a minute 12mo. in 1616, Lond. professing to be the third edition. "Aurora," 1604, 4to. "A Parænesis to the Prince," 1604, 4to. "Doomsday," a sacred poem in twelve parts, Edinb. 1614, 4to. and Lond. 1641, 4to. and |