The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 02, No. 13, November, 1858: A Magazine of Literature, Art, and PoliticsVarious
History
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 02, No. 13, November, 1858: A Magazine of Literature, Art, and Politics
Various
American periodicals
together under circumstances every way favorable to the development
of love in a breast so susceptible as that of the "passionate
shepherd."
Other circumstances in the life of Rose Daniel correspond so
strikingly with those attributed to Rosalinde, as strongly to
corroborate the foregone conclusion.
Rosalinde, after having given encouragement to her enamored shepherd,
faithlessly and finally deserted him in favor of a rival. This is
evident throughout the "Shepherd's Calendar." The First Eclogue
reveals his passion:--
"I love thilk lass, (alas! why do I love?)
And am forlorne, (alas! why am I lorn?)
She deigns not my good will, but doth reprove,
And of my rural music holdeth scorn."
Her scorn, however, may have meant no more than the natural coyness
of a maiden whom the learned Upton somewhat drolly designates as
"a skittish female." [3] Indeed, Spenser must have thought so himself,
and with reason, for she continues to receive his presents,
"the kids, the cracknels, and the early fruit," sent through his
friend Hobbinoll (Gabriel Harvey).
We hear of no alteration of his circumstances until we reach the
Sixth Eclogue, in which the progress and utter disappointment of his
suit are distinctly and bitterly complained of. "This eclogue," says
the editorial "E.K.," "is wholly vowed to the complaining of Colin's
ill-success in love. For being (as is aforesaid) enamoured of a
country lass, Rosalinde, and having (as it seemeth) found place in
her heart, he lamenteth to his dear friend Hobbinoll that he is now
forsaken unfaithfully, and in his stead _Menalcas_, another shepherd,
received disloyally: and this is the whole argument of the eclogue."
In fact, she broke her plighted vow to Colin Clout, transferred her
heart to Menalcas, and let her hand accompany it.
Now, from this and the preceding circumstances, the inference
appears inevitable that, at or about the time of the composition of
this Sixth Eclogue, the Rosalinde therein celebrated was married, or
engaged to be married, to the person denounced as Menalcas.
Whether the ante-nuptial course of Rose Daniel corresponded with the
faithlessness ascribed to Rosalinda we confess we have no
documentary evidence to show: but this much is certain, that Rose
was married to an intimate friend of her brother's; and, from the
characteristics recorded of him by Spenser, we shall presently prove
that that friend, the husband of Rosalinde, is no other than the
treacherous rival denounced as Menalcas in the "Shepherd's Calendar."
Who, then, is Menalcas?
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