These two poems are copied from a folio MS. in the library of Trinity College, Dublin (G, 2, 21), containing compositions of Donne and other poets of the seventeenth century. They are to be found on pages 554-559. The handwriting is that of the seventeenth century. I have reproduced the original punctuation and spelling. Mr. Grosart published the poems in _Englische Studien_, No. xxvi. He says that the librarian of Trinity, Dr. T. K. Abbot, had grounds for supposing that the MS. had been in the possession of Trinity College for a century; he does not, however, state what the grounds are. As far as the dates go which are indicated in the volume, it might have passed into the library with other books from Archbishop Ussher’s collection. From the tone of line 16 of the first poem we may assume that it was addressed by Massinger when quite young to William, the third Earl of Pembroke. I The Copie of a Letter written upon occasion to the Earle of Pembrooke Lo: Chamberlaine My Lord p. 554 Soe subiect to the worser fame Are even the best that clayme a Poets name: Especially poore they that serve the stage Though worthily in this Verse-halting Age. And that dread curse soe heavie yet doth lie Wch the wrong’d Fates falne out wth Mercurie Pronounc’d for ever to attend upon All such as onely dreame of Helicon. That durst I sweare cheated by selfe opinion I were Apolloes or the Muses Mynion 10 Reason would yet assure me, ’tis decreed Such as are Poets borne, are borne to need. If the most worthy then, whose pay’s but praise Or a few spriggs from the now withering bayes Grone underneath their wants what hope have I Scarce yet allowed one of the Company— 16 p. 555 When(584) thou sighst, thou sigh’st not wind, but sigh’st my soule away When thou weep’st unkindly kind, my lifes blud doth decay It cannot bee That thou lov’est mee as thou sai’est, if in thine my life thou wast, Thou art the best of mee.(585) In some high mynded Ladies grace to stand Ever provided that her liberall hand 30 Pay for the Vertues they bestow upon her And soe long shees the miracle and the honor Of her whole Sex, and has forsooth more worth Then was in any Sparta e’re brought forth But when the Bounty failes a change is neare And shee’s not then what once shee did appeare For the new Giver shee dead must inherit What was by purchase gott and not by merit Lett them write well that doo this and in grace I would not for a pension or A place 40