Page:Biographical and critical studies by James Thomson ("B.V.").djvu/152

136 BIOGRAPHICAL STUDIES "ON COURT-WORM " All men are worms, but this no man. In silk 'Twas brought to court first wrapt, and white as milk ; Where afterwards it grew a butterfly. Which was a caterpillar ; so 'twill die." One of the panegyrics is so exquisite that I cannot refrain from citing it, though rather long : it is No. Ixxvi., "On Lucy, Countess of Bedford" (to whom also Ixxxiv. and xciv. are addressed), a lady worthy of the high praise — the patroness not only of Ben, but of Donne, Drayton, and Daniel, one of the best pieces of this last, a stately and truly noble one, being written in her honour. Here is Ben's : — " This morning, timely rapt with holy fire, I thought to form unto my zealous Muse, What kind of creature I could most desire To honour, serve, and love ; as Poets use. I meant to make her fair, and free, and wise, Of greatest blood, and yet more good than great ; I meant the day-star should not brighter rise. Nor lend like influence from his lucent seat. I meant she should be courteous, facile, sweet, Hating that solemn vice of greatness, pride ; I meant each softest virtue there should meet, Fit in that softer bosom to reside. Only a learned and a manly soul I purposed her ; that should with even powers The rock, the spindle, and the sheers control Of Destiny, and spin her own free hours. Such when I meant to feign, and wished to see. My Muse bade Bedford write, and that was she ! " I wonder whether to my Lord Macaulay these were jagged mis-shapen quatrains ! The other collections are entitled " The Forest " and " Underwoods." They comprise many eulogiums, and specially many