Poems, by that most famous wit, William Drummond of Hawthornden
About this Item
- Title
- Poems, by that most famous wit, William Drummond of Hawthornden
- Author
- Drummond, William, 1585-1649.
- Publication
- London :: Printed for Richard Tomlins ...,
- 1656.
- Rights/Permissions
-
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- Subject terms
- Charles -- I, -- King of England, 1600-1649 -- Poetry.
- Link to this Item
-
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A36573.0001.001
- Cite this Item
-
"Poems, by that most famous wit, William Drummond of Hawthornden." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A36573.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 15, 2024.
Pages
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To the Reader.
Ingenious Reader,
TO say that these Poems are the ef∣fects of a Genius, the most po∣lite and verdant that ever the Scottish Nation produced, although it be a commendation not to be rejected, (for it is well known, that that Country hath afforded many rare and admirable wits) yet it is not the highest that may be given him; for should I affirme that neither Tasso, nor Guarini, nor any of the most neat and refined spirits of Italy, nor even the choicest of our English Poets, can challenge to themselves any advantages above him, it could not be judged any at∣tribute superiour to what he deserves; nor shall I thinke it any arrogance to
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maintain, that among all the severall fan∣cies, that in these times have exercised the most nice and curious judgements, there hath not come forth any thing that de∣serves to be welcom'd into the world with greater estimation and applause: And though he hath not had the fortune to be so generally fam'd abroad, as many others, perhaps, of lesse esteeme, yet this is a consideration that cannot at all dimi∣nish, but rather advance his credit; For by breaking forth of obscurity he will attract the higher admiration, and like the Sun emerging from a Cloud appeare at length with so much the more forci∣ble Rayes. Had there been nothing extant of him but his History of Scotland, consi∣der but the Language, how florid and ornate it is; consider the order, and the prudent conduct of his Story, and you will ranke him in the number of the best writers, and compare him even with Thuanus himselfe. Neither is he lesse hap∣py in his Verse than Prose: for here ar••
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all those graces met together that conduce any thing toward the making up of a compleat and perfect Poet, a decent and becomming Majesty, a brave and admi∣rable height, and a wit so flowing, that Jove himselfe never dranke Nectar that sparkled with a more spritly lustre; should I dwell any longer (ingenuous Reader) upon the commendation of this incom∣parable Author, I should injure, thee by forestalling the freedome of thy owne judgement, and him by attempting a vain designe, since there is nothing can so well set him forth as his own works; besides the losse of time which is but trifled a∣way so long as thou art detained from perusing the Poems themselves.
E. P.