II. HYMNES OF ASTRÆA.
Reading edition
The following is the original title-page of 'Astrœa': HYMNES OF ASTRŒA, IN Acrosticke verse London Printed for J. S. 1599 [4o pp. 27: register A. B. C. D. of 4 leaves each.]
Throughout, the Poet spells 'Astrœa': probably Asteria ('Αστερια) were more accurate. Our text for these 'Hymnes' is, as in Nosce Teipsum, the edition of 1622: but throughout, compared with the first, as supra. Title-page in 1622 edition is as follows:
HYMNES of ASTREA In Acrosticke Verse. London Printed by A. M. for Richard Hawkins. 1622. [8vo.]
With reference to Elizabeth who is so glorified in these 'Hymnes' as 'Astræa,' cf. the 'Conference between a Gentleman-Usher and a Post' in our Memorial-Introduction. I have since found that another copy of this interesting MS. is preserved among the Harleian MSS.: No. cclxxxvi fol. 248. I would here call attention to the correspondence between the metaphor of the Senses serving the Intellect in 'Nosce Teipsum' and in the 'Conference' as flatteringly descriptive of the position held by her 'ministers' to the Queen. In Davison's 'Rhapsody' the name for Elizabeth is Astræa. G.