Mercury, be quick, with mirth furnish the heavens;
Jove, this day let all run at six and sevens;
And Ganimede, be nimble, to the brim
Fill bowls of nectar that the Gods may swim,
To solemnise their health that did discover
The obscure being of the Sun's fond lover;
That from the example of their liberal mirth
We may enjoy like freedom [here] on earth.

JOHN TATHAM.*

Upon FORD's two Tragedies, Love's Sacrifice and The Broken Heart.

THOU cheat'st us, Ford; mak'st one seem two by art: What is Love's Sacrifice, but The Broken Heart? RICHARD CRASHAW.†

* "John Tatham was a poet of the reign of Charles I. and author of four plays enumerated in the Biographia Dramatica. From 1657 to 1663, he furnished pageants for the Lord Mayor's day, in the quality of city poet."

Had the poets lived to publish their own drama, it can scarcely be imagined that they would have suffered this deplorable balderdash to be prefixed to it.

+ Delights of the Muses, 1646.

THE LOVER'S MELANCHOLY.

B

THE LOVER'S MELANCHOLY.

THIS piece, the author tells us, was "the first of his that ever courted reader." It was licensed by Sir Henry Herbert, in 1628, and brought out on the 24th of November in that year: in 1629, it was given to the press, accompanied (as the manner was) by several recommendatory poems. It seems to have been favourably received. The title of the quarto is "The Lover's Melancholy. Acted at the Private House in the Blacke Friars, and publikely at the Globe, by the King's Majestie's seruants. London, printed for H. Seile. 1629."

It was revived at Drury Lane in 1748, by Macklin, for his wife's benefit; but apparently without success.

ΤΟ

MY WORTHILY RESPECTED FRIENDS,

NATHANIEL FINCH, JOHN FORD, ESQRS.

MR. HENRY BLUNT, MR. ROBERT ELLICE,

AND ALL THE REST OF THE

NOBLE SOCIETY OF GRAY'S INN.

MY HONOURED FRIENDS,

THE account of some leisurable hours is here summed up, and offered to examination. Importunity of others, or opinion of mine own, hath not urged on any confidence of running the hazard of a censure. As plurality hath reference to a multitude, so I care not to please many; but where there is a parity of condition, there the freedom of construction makes the best music. This concord hath equally held between you the patrons, and me the presenter. I am cleared of all scruple of disrespect on your parts; as I am of too slack a merit in myself. My presumption of coming in print in this kind,' hath hitherto been unrepro

In this kind.] i. e. the Drama: he had previously printed "Fame's Memorial," and, probably, other poems, now lost.