In the works of George Gascoigne I find one poem fit for quoting here. He is not an interesting writer, and, although his verse is very good, there is little likelihood of its ever being read more than it is now. The date of his birth is unknown, but probably he was in his teens when Surrey was beheaded in the year 1547. He is the only poet whose style reminds me of his, although the _wherefore_ will hardly be evident from my quotation. It is equally flat, but more articulate. I need not detain my reader with remarks upon him. The fact is, I am glad to have something, if not "a cart-load of wholesome instructions," to cast into this Slough of Despond, should it be only to see it vanish. The poem is called GASCOIGNE'S GOOD MORROW. You that have spent the silent night In sleep and quiet rest, And joy to see the cheerful light That riseth in the east; Now clear your voice, now cheer your heart; Come help me now to sing; Each willing wight come bear a part, To praise the heavenly King. And you whom care in prison keeps, Or sickness doth suppress, Or secret sorrow breaks your sleeps, Or dolours do distress; Yet bear a part in doleful wise; Yea, think it good accord, And acceptable sacrifice, Each sprite to praise the Lord. The dreadful night with darksomeness Had overspread the light, And sluggish sleep with drowsiness Had overpressed our might: A glass wherein you may behold Each storm that stops our breath, Our bed the grave, our clothes like mould, And sleep like dreadful death. Yet as this deadly night did last But for a little space, And heavenly day, now night is past, Doth shew his pleasant face; So must we hope to see God's face At last in heaven on high, When we have changed this mortal place For immortality. This is not so bad, but it is enough. There are six stanzas more of it. I transcribe yet another, that my reader may enjoy a smile in passing. He is "moralizing" the aspects of morning: The carrion crow, that loathsome beast, Which cries against the rain, Both for his hue and for the rest, The Devil resembleth plain; And as with guns we kill the crow, For spoiling our relief, The Devil so must we overthrow, With gunshot of belief. So fares the wit, when it walks abroad to do its business without the heart that should inspire it. Here is one good stanza from his _De Profundis:_ But thou art good, and hast of mercy store; Thou not delight'st to see a sinner fall; Thou hearkenest first, before we come to call; Thine ears are set wide open evermore; Before we knock thou comest to the door. Thou art more prest to hear a sinner cry, _ready._ Than he is quick to climb to thee on high. Thy mighty name be praised then alway: Let faith and fear True witness bear How fast they stand which on thy mercy stay.