ledge : unless, indeed, he be the author of that very rare and exceeding obvious tract in verse, entitled, A Speciall Remedie against the force of lawlesse Love.[1] This was published in 1579, and ascribed upon the title-page to W. A. As the agreement of name and date is perfect, so also the tone of the preface corresponds precisely with Adling- ton's admonition to the reader of The Golden Asse. When the ' friendly Reader ' of the Speciall Remedie is warned how ' like unto a beast love transformeth a man, during the which ' nothing can be exercised in minde, nothing by reason or 4 study of minde can be done," 1 you are forthwith reminded of Adlington and of Lucius changed to an ass. The verses His Morality are properly forgotten, but by his own confession we know him subject to an invincible morality which, ill according with his century, drove him perchance to undertake this enter- prise gloomy enough for oblivion. Lector intende : Icetaberis such is the bidding of Apuleius. And Adlington apolo- gises that ' although the matter seeme very light and merry, ' yet the effect thereof tendeth to a good and vertuous moral," 12 just as the author of the Speciall Remedie remarks with Plinie, ' there is no book so simple, but that therein is some- ' what worthy the noating." 1 As though the Milesian Tale were judged, not by its pleasantry and delight, but by the quality of its moral sustenance ! But Adlington was of
- ↑ The full title runs thus : c A Speciall Remedie against the furious force of lawlesse Love. And also, a true description of the same. With other delightfull devices of daintie delightes to passe away idle time, with plea- sure and profit. Newly compiled in English verse by W. A. Imprinted by Richard Ihones, and are to be sold at his shop over against S. Sepulchres Church without Newgate. 1579.' The tract, which is unique, was found in the Evidence Room in Northumberland House, and reprinted in 1844 by the Roxburghe Society.
