But whatever opinion may be entertained of Suckling as a poet, it may be doubted whether his prose writings are not calculated to raise a yet higher opinion of his talents. His letters, with a dash of gallantry more free than modern times will admit, are shrewd in observation and often elegant in style. That addressed to Mr. Germain has already been noticed, and his Account of Religion by Reason, is remarkable for soundness of argument, and purity of expression, far exceeding the controversial writings of that age. This piece affords a presumption that he was even now no stranger to those reflections which elevate the human character, and that if his life had been spared, it would have been probably devoted to more honourable objects than those in which he had employed his youthful days. SIR JOHN SUCKLING'S CAMPAIGNE. "WHEN the Scottish convenanters rose up in arms, and advanced to the English borders in 1639, many of the courtiers complimented the king by raising forces at their own expense. Among these none where more distinguished than the gallant Sir John Suckling, who raised a troop of horse, so richly accoutred, that it cost him 12,000. The like expensive equipment of other parts of the army, made the king remark, the Scots would fight stoutly, if it were but for the Englishmen's fine cloaths.' (Lloyd's memoirs.) When they came to action, the rugged Scots proved more than a match for the fine showy English: many of whom behaved remarkably ill, and among the rest this splendid troop of Sir John Suckling's. "This humorous lampoon, supposed to have been written by Sir John Mennis, a wit of those times, is found in a small poetical miscellany intitled, 'Musarum deliciæ: or the Muses' recreation, conteining several pieces of poetique wit. 2d edition.-By Sir J. M. (Sir John Mennis) and Ja. S. (James Smith.) Lond. 1656. 12mo.'-See Wood's Athenæ. II. 397, 481." Percy, vol. 2. p. 3221. SIR John he got him an ambling nag, To Scotland for to ride-a, None lik'd him so well, as his own colonell, With a hundred horse more, all his own he swore, But when there were shows of gunning and blows, Had you seen but his look, you'd have sworn on a The ladies ran all to the windoes to see For, till he came there, what had he to fear? The king (God bless him!) had singular hopes The borderers they, as they met him on the way, My gallant was nothing so peart-a. For when the Scots' army came within sight, He ran to his tent, they ask'd what he meant, The colonell sent for him back agen, To quarter him in the van-a; But sir John did sweare, he would not come there, To cure his feare, he was sent to the reare, But now there is peace, he's return'd to increase See an account of the Vox Borealis, Censura Literaria, vol. 6. p. 157, et seqq. C. POEMS OF SIR JOHN SUCKLING. ON NEW-YEAR'S DAY, 1640. TO THE KING. AWAKE (great sir) the Sun shines here, Gives all your subjects a new year, Only we stay till you appear; For thus by us your power is understood, LOVING AND BELOVED. THERE never yet was honest man That ever drove the trade of love; It is impossible, nor can Integrity our ends promove: He may make fair days, you must make them good. That their chief art in reign dissembling is. Awake, awake! And take Here we are lov'd, and there we love, So we false fire with art sometimes discover, What rack can fancy find so high? Here we must court, and here ingage, Oh! 'tis torture all, and cozenage; Since it is thus, god of desire, Give me my honesty again, I'm weary of the state I'm in: All that were present there did agree, And He gave way to Selwin, who straight stept in; [less, Toby Matthews (pox on him, how came he there?) With something of handsome, without all doubt And they brought letters (forsooth) from the queen. 'Twas discreetly done too; for if th' had come Without them, th' had scarce been let into the room. Suckling next was call'd, but did not appear; Wat Montague now stood forth to his tryal, Hales, set by himself, most gravely did smile, He was of late so gone with divinity, Openly declared, that the best sign |