In this last kiss I here surrender thee FRANCIS QUARLES Was a very voluminous and very popular writer; and though, as Mr. Headley justly observes, he "too often "mistook the enthusiasm of devotion for the inspiration of "fancy," he certainly deserved a great part of the reputation for which he was principally indebted to his loyalty and devotion. Mr. Jackson of Exeter, in his "Thirty Let"ters," and Dr. Anderson, in his life of P. Fletcher, have defended him against the contempt of Pope. His principal works are his " Emblems;" "Divine Poems," consisting of pieces first published separately; "Argalus "and Parthenia;" and "Solomon's Recantation;" all of which, especially the "Emblems," have passed through various editions. His "Enchiridion," 1658, sm. 12mo. a collection of brief observations in prose, is highly and deservedly praised by Mr. Headley. Quarles was of an ancient family, nephew to Sir Robert Quarles; born 1592; educated at Christ's College, Cambridge; studied in Lincoln's Inn; afterwards cup-bearer to the queen of Bohemia, secretary to the primate of Ireland, and chronologer to the city of London. He died in 1644. See Mr. Headley's more particular account, as well as the specimens he has given, amply sufficient to vindicate our author's fame. The following lines, extracted from his "Shepherd's Ora"cles," 1646, 4to. will perhaps be thought worth preserving, as they describe with some humour the taste of the Puritans. Song of Anarchus. KNOW then, my brethren, heaven is clear, And all the clouds are gone; The righteous now shall flourish, and Good days are coming on: Come then, my brethren, and be glad, And eke rejoice with me; Lawn sleeves and rochets shall go down, And hey! then up go we! We'll break the windows which the Whore Of Babylon hath painted, And when the popish saints are down, Then Barrow shall be sainted. There's neither cross nor crucifix Shall stand for men to see; Rome's trash and trumperies shall go down, And hey! then up go we! We'll down with all the 'Varsities, We'll drive the doctors out of doors, We'll cry both arts and learning down, If once that Anti-christian crew And turn to pride, we see; We'll therefore cry good manners down, And hey! then up go we! The name of lord shall be abhorr'd, No reason why, in church, or state, We'll make the wanton sisters stoop, Our coblers shall translate their souls |