Poetry. Collection of English and Latin poems and other items

MSS/0330

Poetry. Collection of English and Latin poems and other items

c.1672

item

Paper; ff. iii + 87 (now lacks one leaf before fol. 1). Duodecimo. Cloth, purple. Circular book-stamp of Arthur Ashpitel, FSA, fol. iii

Collection of poems, with copies of speeches etc.; c. 1672 (cf. fols. 50v, 56v, 61v). Written in one hand, probably by a member of Oxford University, with contents lists, fols. ii, 87v. There are a number of references to Oxford, including a poem, 'An Owl at Athens', on the entrance of Philip, 4th Earl of Pembroke, into Oxford, 12 April 1648 (fols. 12v-14), music speech, 1671 (fols. 33-5v), prologue to scholars at the Act, 1671 (fol. 45r, v), prologue to Cambyses, at Oxford, 1672 (fols. 50v-1), satirical verses on haters of literature recited at the Encaenia, Sheldon Theatre, 9 July 1669 (fols. 81-80 rev.), and Latin orations, 1669 (fols. 78v-3 rev.). The English section (fols. 1-53v) contains many retrospective and topical references including the Restoration (fol. 6); the execution of Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George Lisle, 1648 (fols. 9-10v); the abolition of the Book of Common Prayer (fol. 11); a series of poems of advice 'to the Painter' of topical events, e.g. the Dutch wars (fols. 16-29); the fall of Lord Clarendon (fols. 29-30v, 48v). Poems satirising the Hon. Edward Howard's The Brittish Princes (1669), fols. 35v-40v. A mock catalogue of books, fol. 39v. 'A Quaker is a Monster..', by R. R., fol. 52r, v. Authors of English verse, including many members of Oxford University, are:- John Dryden (fols. 1v-2, 42r, v, 44-5; see P. Beal, Index of English Literary Manuscripts, II, part 1 (1987), 410, 411, 415, 420); Sir Charles Sedley (fols. 2v-3; see Beal, Index, II, part 2 (1993), 309); George Roberts (fols. 4-5v); T. Cartwright (fols. 5v-6); Th. Ford (fol. 6); W. B. (fol. 6r, v); Jasper Maine (fols. 6v-8); Jeremy Wells (fols. 8r, v, 31v); Thomas Winnard (fols. 9-10v, 12v-15v); Christopher Wase (fols. 15v, 19v-22, 30v-1v); Dr Cheyney (fol. 32r, v); Buckhurst (Charles Sackville, 6th Earl of Dorset; fols. 35v-6, 40r, v; see Beal (1987), 363, 374); Edmund Waller (fol. 36r, v; see Beal (1993), 617); J. D. (fols. 36v-7); Thomas Sprat (fol. 37r, v); M(artin) Clifford (fol. 37v); Thomas Shadwell (fol. 37v-8; see Beal (1993), 320); Lord Vaughan (John Vaughan, 3rd Earl of Carbery 1686; fol. 38r, v); Buckingham (George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham; fols. 38v, 39); E. A. (?Edmund Ashton; fols. 38v-9); Mr Waples (?Edward Waple of St John's, MA 1671; fols. 40v-2); M. LI. (fols. 42v-3); W. Wyat (fol. 43r, v); J. S. (fol. 45r, v); Henry Bold of New College (fol. 49); James Lane (fols. 49v-50); Shepherd of Christ Church (?Sir Fleetwood Sheppard; fol. 50); Chambers (fol. 50v); Elkanah Settle (fols. 50v-1); John Roots (fols. 51v-2). The Latin section (fols. 86v-53* rev.) consists mainly of academic exercises (a number by scholars of Merchant Taylors) but also includes references to topical events (copy of the inscription in Dordrecht to Cornelius de Witt, murdered 1672, fol. 61v); epitaph of Cardinal Mazarin, d. 1661, fol. 71v); copies of ancient epitaphs of Kings of France and England, etc.; Latin translations of excerpts from Samuel Butler's Hudibras (1663); transcripts of Martial epigrams. Among the named authors of the Latin verse are Henry Newton (?of St Mary Hall, MA 1671; fols. 83-2, 54v-3v); Jeremy Wells of St John's (fols. 81-80); Heylyn of Christ Church (epitaph of Dr (William) Creed, fol. 79v); Gul. Polhill (?William Polhill of St Mary Hall, 1671/2; fols. 79v, 57); Corbett Owen (fols. 72-1v). Latin orations, by Jeremy Wells (fols. 86v, r, 70-69v), Thomas Hodges, MA, of Balliol, 1669 (fols. 78v-6) and Gerhard of Wadham, 1669 (?Henry Gerard, MA, 1668/9; fols. 76-3). Speech of Henry Coventry, envoy to Charles XI of Sweden, before his departure for England, April 1672 (fol. 56v, r). Letter of Antonio de Mesia y Paz, Conde de Molina, Spanish ambassador, to Dr Michael Woodward (Warden of New College), presenting a cup, and reply, 1666 (fol. 85v, r). Discussion by Jeremy Wells, on the question whether the life of the mother should be preferred to that of the child (fol. 84v, r).

SAL/MS/330

Latin; English