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The Every-day Book and Table Book. v. 3 (of 3): Everlasting Calerdar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs and Events, Incident to Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-five Days, in past and Present Times; Forming a Complete History of the Year, Month, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the AlmanacHone, William

History

The Every-day Book and Table Book. v. 3 (of 3): Everlasting Calerdar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs and Events, Incident to Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-five Days, in past and Present Times; Forming a Complete History of the Year, Month, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the Almanac

Name: The Every-day Book and Table Book. v. 3 (of 3): Everlasting Calerdar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs and Events, Incident to Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-five Days, in past and Present Times; Forming a Complete History of the Year, Month, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the Almanac
Author: Hone, William

Hone, William

Days; Great Britain -- Social life and customs

Mr. Dyce remarks that, “from the great Collections of the English Poets,
where so many worthless compositions find a place, the productions of
women have been carefully excluded.” This utter neglect of female talent
produces a counteracting effort: “the object of the present volume is to
exhibit the growth and progress of the genius of our countrywomen in the
department of poetry.” The collection of “Poems by eminent Ladies,”
edited by the elder Colman and Bonnel Thornton, contained specimens of
only eighteen female writers; Mr. Dyce offers specimens of the poetry
of eighty-eight, ten of whom are still living. He commences with the
dame Juliana Berners, Prioress of the Nunnery of Sopwell, “who resembled
an abbot in respect of exercising an extensive manorial jurisdiction,
and who hawked and hunted in common with other ladies of distinction,”
and wrote in rhyme on field sports. The volume concludes with Miss
Landon, whose initials, L. E. L., are attached to a profusion of
talented poetry, in different journals.

The following are not to be regarded as examples of the charming variety
selected by Mr. Dyce, in illustration of his purpose, but rather as
“specimens” of peculiar thinking, or for their suitableness to the
present time of the year.

Our language does not afford a more truly noble specimen of verse,
dignified by high feeling, than the following chorus from “The Tragedy
of Mariam, 1613,” ascribed to lady Elizabeth Carew.

_Revenge of Injuries._

      The fairest action of our human life
        Is scorning to revenge an injury;
      For who forgives without a further strife.
        His adversary’s heart to him doth tie.
    And ’tis a firmer conquest truly said,
    To win the heart, than overthrow the head.

      If we a worthy enemy do find,
        To yield to worth it must be nobly done;
      But if of baser metal be his mind,
        In base revenge there is no honour won.
    Who would a worthy courage overthrow,
    And who would wrestle with a worthless foe?

      We say our hearts are great and cannot yield;
        Because they cannot yield, it proves them poor:
      Great hearts are task’d beyond their power, but seld
        The weakest lion will the loudest roar.
    Truth’s school for certain doth this same allow,
    High-heartedness doth sometimes teach to bow.

      A noble heart doth teach a virtuous scorn,
        To scorn to owe a duty overlong;
      To scorn to be for benefits forborne,
        To scorn to lie, to scorn to do a wrong.
    To scorn to bear an injury in mind,
    To scorn a free-born heart slave-like to bind.

      But if for wrongs we needs revenge must have,
        Then be our vengeance of the noblest kind;
      Do we his body from our fury save,
        And let our hate prevail against our mind?
    What can, ’gainst him a greater vengeance be,
    Than make his foe more worthy far than he?

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