Note 138 — I. Yet other Twelve Wonders of the World.[138]
Reading edition
This and the three following, are from the celebrated collection of early English poetry called the 'Poetical Rhapsody' by Davison. Our text is from the third edition (1621) which in our case is preferable, as having presumably been revised (in his contributions) by Sir John: It is to be noted that in this edition the original simple I. D. is in the second poem changed to Sir I. D., and that to the third his name is given in full. I have included the Hymn on Music, though the initials I. D. have been assigned to Dr. John Donne by Sir Egerton Brydges and others. It seems to me that as (1) I. D. is our Poet's designation in the 'Rhapsody' throughout, and as (2) the Lines were not claimed for Donne by himself, or by his son when he collected his father's Poems—we are warranted in assigning them to Sir John Davies. Sir Egerton favours their Donne authorship simply because "they seem rather to partake of the conceits of Donne than of the simple vigour of Davies" but he forgot the 'Hymnes to Astræa' and 'Orchestra'; which are in the same vein. It is to be regretted that Sir Nicholas Harris Nicolas modernized the text in his reprint of the 'Rhapsody': (2 vols. crown 8vo. 1826, Pickering): and perhaps equally so, that Mr. Collier in his careful and beautiful private one, has selected the first incomplete edition. The following is the title-page of the edition of the 'Rhapsody' used by us:
DAVISONS POEMS, OR A POETICALL RAPSODIE. Deuided into sixe Bookes.
The first, contayning Poems and Deuises. The second, Sonets and Canzonets. The third, Pastoralls and Elegies. The fourth, Madrigalls and Odes. The fift, Epigrams and Epitaphs. The sixt, Epistles and Epithalamions.
For variety and pleasure, the like neuer published. The Bee and Spider by a diuers power, Sucke hony and poyson from the selfe same flower. The fourth Impression, Newly corrected and augmented, and put into a forme more pleasing to the Reader. London.
Printed by B. A. for Roger Iackson, 1621 (small 12o.) See our Preface for account of an autograph MS. of "Yet other Twelve Wonders of the World." G.