[41] [Left blank in the old copy. The ostensible editor of "Belvidere" was John Bodenham, but he is evidently not the person referred to here.] [42] [Alluding to the device on the title of the volume.] [43] [Two of the old copies read _swifter_.] [44] [Some copies read _S.D_.] [45] As the works of some of the poets here cited are become obscure, it may not be unacceptable to the reader to see a few specimens of their several abilities. Constable was esteemed the first sonneteer of his time, and the following sonnet, prefixed to King James I.'s "Poetical Exercises" was the most admired-- TO THE KING OF SCOTLAND. "When others hooded with blind love do fly Low on the ground with buzzard Cupid's wings, A heavenly love from love of love thee brings, And makes thy Muse to mount above the sky: Young Muses be not wont to fly so high, Age school'd by time such sober ditties sings, But thy love flies from love of youthful things, And so the wings of time doth overfly. Thus thou disdain'st all worldly wings as slow, Because thy Muse with angels' wings doth leave Time's wings behind, and Cupid's wings below; But take thou heed, lest Fame's wings thee deceive, With all thy speed from fame thou canst not flee,-- But more thou flees, the more it follows thee." [46] Lodge was a physician as well as a poet; he was the author of two plays, and eminent, in his day, for writing elegant odes, pastoral songs, sonnets, and madrigals. His "Euphues' Golden Legacy" was printed 4to, 1590, from which some suppose Shakespeare took his "As You Like It." Description of spring by Lodge-- "The earth late choak'd with showers, Is now array'd in green, Her bosom springs with flowers, The air dissolves her teen; The woods are deck'd with leaves, And trees are clothed gay, And Flora, crown'd with sheaves, With oaken boughs doth play; The birds upon the trees Do sing with pleasant voices, And chant, in their degrees, Their loves and lucky choices." [47] Watson was contemporary with, and imitator of, Sir Philip Sydney, with Daniel, Lodge, Constable, and others, in the pastoral strain of sonnets, &c. Watson thus describes a beautiful woman--