Poems written by A. Cowley.

NOTES.

1.

1. PIndar was incredibly admired and honored among the Ancients, even to that degree that we may believe, they saw more in him then we do now: Insomuch, that long af∣ter his death, when Thebes was quite burnt and destroyed (by the Lacedemonians, and by Alexander the Great) both times the House wherein he had lived was along preserved by pub∣lick Authority, as a place sacred and inviolable. Among the very many Elogies of him, I will onely cite that of Quinctilian (then whom no man perhaps ever living was a better Iudge) L. 10. c. 1. Novem Lyricorum longe Pindarus princeps, spiritus magnificentiâ, sententiis, figuris beatissimus, rerum verborúm{que} copiâ & velut quodam eloquentiae flumine, propter quae Horatius ne∣mini credit eum imitabilem. Where he applys Horace his similitudes of a River to his Wit; but it is such a River, as when Poetical Fury,

Tanquam fera diluvies quietumIrritat annem. Hor.

And like the rest of that description of the River.

Nunc pace delabentis Hetrusc••mIn mare, nunc lapides ades••sStirpes{que} raptas & pecus & domosVolventis un•• non ••ine montiumClamore vicinae{que} silvae.

For which reason, I term his Song Vnnavigable; for it is able to drown any Head that is not strong built and well ballasted. Horace in another place calls it a Fountain; from the unex∣hausted abundance of his Invention.

2.

1. There are none of Pindars Dithyrambiques extant. Dithyrambiques were Hymus made in honor of Bacchus, who did, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, came into the world through two Doors, his Mother Semeles Womb, and his Father Iupiters Thigh. Others think, that Dithyrambus was the name of a Theban Poet, who invented that kinde of verse, which others also at∣tribute to Arion. Pindar himself in the 13. Olymp. seems to give the Invention to the Corinthians, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Vnde Bacchi ex∣ortae sunt venustates cum Boves agente Dithyrambo. For it seems an Ox was given in reward to the Poet; but others interpret 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from the loud repeating or singing of them. It was a bold, free, enthysiastical kind of Poetry, as of men inspired by Bacchus, that is, Half-Drunk, from whence came the Greek Proverb.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉You are as mad as a Dithyrambique Poet.

And another,

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉There are no Dithyrambiques made by drinking water.

Something like this kinde (but I believe with less Liberty) is Horace his 19 Ode of the 2. B.

Bacchum in remotis carmina r••pibusVidi docentem, &c.

And neerer yet to it comes his 25 Ode of the 4. B. Quo me Bacche rapis tui plenum? quae n••∣mora, aut quos agor in specus, Velooc men•••• nov••? For he is presently half-mad, and promises I know not what,

Dicam insigne recens,Indictum ••re alio. And,Nil parvum a••t humili modo,Nil mortale loquar.

And then he ends like a man ranting in his drink, that falls suddenly asleep.

Banks, natural; Dikes, artificial. It will neither be bounded and circumscribed by Na∣ture, nor by Art.

3. Almost all the ancient Kings to make themselves more venerable to their subjects, de∣rived their pedegree from some God, but at last that would not content them, and they made themselves Gods, as some of the Roman Emperors.

4. Diadems (which were used by the ancient Kings, as Crowns are now, for the Mark of Royalty, and were much more convenient) were bindings of white Ribban about the head, set and adorned with pretious stones; which is the reason I call them Starry Diadems. The word comes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, To binde about.

3.

1. The Conquerors in the Olympique Games, were not onely Crowned with a Garland of Wilde-Olive, but also had a Statue erected to them.

2. The chief Exercises there were Running, Leaping, Wrestling, the Discus, which was the casting of a great round Stone, or Ball, made of Iron or Brass; The Ce••tus, or Whorle-bats, Horse-races, and Chariot-races.

3. For he wrote Threni; or Funeral Elegies: but they are all lost, as well as his Hymns, Tragedies, Encomid, and several other works.

4. So Hor. 1. 4. Od. 25.

Stellis inserere, & concilio Iovis.

4.

1. From the Fabulous, but universally received Tradition of Swans singing most sweetly be∣fore their Death (though the truth is Geese and They are alike Melodious) the Poets have assumed to themselves the title of Swans, Hor. 1. 2. Od. 20. would be believed to be Metamor∣phosed into one, Iam jam, residunt cruribus asperae Pelles, & album mutor in alitem Superné (or Superna) nascuntúr{que} leves Per digitos humerós{que} plumae. The Anthologie gives the same name to Pindar, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Sweet-tongued Pindar the Heliconian Swan of Thebes. So Virgil is called, Mantuanus olor, The Swan of of Mantua; Theocritus terms the Poets, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, The Birds of the Muses; which the Commentators say, is in allusion to Swans; to which Callimachus gives the name of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; and in another place calls them, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. A bold word, which I know not how to render: but they were consecrated to Apollo, and consequently beloved by the Muses and Poets.