There are sixteen pieces in the “Helicon” subscribed “Ignoto.” One of these, “The Nymph’s Reply” is ascribed to Raleigh on the testimony of Walton in 1653; and two others are believed by the editor of the third edition, 1812, to belong to Raleigh, because in an early copy of the same “Ignoto” was found pasted over “W. R.” Upon such flimsy evidence the modern editor infers that the signature “Ignoto” was “generally, _though not exclusively_, (his own italics,) subscribed to the pieces of Sir Walter Raleigh.” The next piece after “The Nymph’s Reply” in the “Helicon” is the following by “Ignoto”: Another of the same nature made since. Come live with me and be my dear, And we will revel all the year, In plains and groves, on hills and dales, Where fragrant air breeds sweetest gates. There shall you have the beauteous pine, The cedar, and the spreading vine; And all the woods to be a screen, Lest Phoebus kiss my summer queen. The seat for your disport shall be Over some river in a tree; Where silver sands and pebbles sing Eternal ditties with the Spring. There shall you see the nymphs at play, And how the Satyrs spend the day; The fishes gliding on the sands, Offering their bellies to your hands. The birds, with heavenly tuned throats, Possess woods’ echoes with sweet notes; Which to your senses will impart A music to inflame the heart. Upon the bare and leafless oak The ring−dove’s wooings will provoke A colder blood than you possess, To play with me and do no less. In bowers of laurel trimly dight, We will outwear the silent night, While Flora busy is to spread Her richest treasure on our bed. Ten thousand glow−worms shall attend, And all their sparkling lights shall spend. All to adorn and beautify Your lodging with most majesty. Then in mine arms will I enclose Lily’s fair mixture with the rose; Whose nice perfections in love’s play, Shall tune to me the highest key. Thus as we pass the welcome night In sportful pleasures and delight, The nimble fairies on the grounds Shall dance and sing melodious sounds. [40] If these may serve for to entice Your presence to Love’s paradise, Then come with me and be my dear, And we will straight begin the year. Finis. Ignoto. Who will say that this is not equal to the first song ascribed to Marlowe? What couplet in that surpasses this one?: