London: WILLIAM TEGG & CO., 85. Queen Street, Cheapside. * * * * * {27} _LONDON, SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1854._ Notes. GRIFFIN'S "FIDESSA," AND SHAKSPEARE'S "PASSIONATE PILGRIM." I am the fortunate possessor of a thin volume, entitled _Fidessa, a Collection of Sonnets_, by B. Griffin, reprinted 1811, from the edition of 1596, at the Chiswick Press; I presume, by the monogram at the end, by Mr. S. W. Singer. The title of the original edition is _Fidessa, more Chaste then Kinde_, by B. Griffin, Gent, at London, printed by the Widdow Orwin, for Matthew Lownes, 1596. The advertisement prefixed by Mr. Singer to the reprint states, that the original is one of the rarest of those that appeared at the period in which it is dated; that he is not aware of the existence of more than two copies, from one of which the reprint is taken, and that the other was in the curious collection of the late Mr. Malone. Besides the rarity of _Fidessa_, Mr. Singer states that it claims some notice from the curious reader on account of a very striking resemblance between Griffin's third sonnet, and one of Shakspeare's, in his _Passionate Pilgrim_ (Sonnet IX.). I will transcribe both sonnets, taking Griffin's first, as it bears the earliest date. "Venus, and yong Adonis sitting by her, Under a myrtle shade began to woo him: She told the yong-ling how god Mars did trie her, And as he fell to her, so fell she to him. 'Even thus,' quoth she, 'the wanton god embrac'd me,' And then she clasp'd Adonis in her armes. 'Even thus,' quoth she, 'the warlike god unlac'd me,' As if the boy should use like loving charms. But he, a wayward boy, refusde her offer, And ran away, the beautious Queene neglecting: Showing both folly to abuse her proffer, And all his sex of cowardice detecting. Oh! that I lead my mistris at that bay, To kisse and clippe me till I ranne away!" Sonnet III., from _Fidessa_. "Fair[1] Venus, with Adonis sitting by her, Under a myrtle shade, began to woo him; She told the youngling how god Mars did try her, And as he fell to her, she fell to him. 'Even thus,' quoth she, 'the warlike god embrac'd me,' And then she clipp'd Adonis in her arms: 'Even thus,' quoth she, 'the warlike god unlac'd me,' As if the boy should use like loving charms: 'Even thus,' quoth she, 'he seized on my lips,' And with her lips on his did act the seizure; And as she fetched breath, away he skips, And would not take her meaning nor her pleasure. Ah! that I had my lady at this bay, To kiss and clip me till I run away!" Sonnet IX., from Shakspeare's _Passionate Pilgrim_. That the insertion of Griffin's sonnet in the _Passionate Pilgrim_ was without Shakspeare's consent or knowledge, is in my opinion evident for many reasons.