Reliques of Ancient English Poetry/Volume 3/Additional Notes
Additional Notes.
Phillida and Corydon is one of the Songs in “The Honourable Entertainment gieven to the Queenes Majestie in Progresse at Elvetham in Hampsire, by the R. H. the Earle of Hertford. 1591.” 4to. [Printed by Wolfe. No name of author.] See in that pamphlet,
“The thirde daies Entertainment.
"On Wednesday morning about 9 o’clock, as her Majestie opened a casement of her gallerie window, ther were 3 excellent musitians, who being disguised in auncient country attire, did greet her with a pleasant song of Corydon and Phillida, made in 3 parts se. The song, as well for the worth of the dittie, as the aptnesse of the note thereto applied, it pleased her Highnesse after it had been once sung to commend it againe, and highly to grace it with her cheerefull acceptance and commendation.
“The Plowman’s Song.
“In the merrie month of May, &c.”
The Splendour and Magnificence of Elizabeth’s reign is no where more strongly painted than in these little Diaries of some of her summer excursions to the houses of her nobility; nor could a more acceptable present be given to the world, than a republication of a select number of such details as this of the entertainment at Elvetham, that at Killingworth,[1] &c. &c. which so strongly mark the spirit of the times and present us with scenes so very remote from modern manners.
The hue and cry after Cupid is a kind of Translation of a pretty poem of Tasso’s, called Amore fuggitivo, generally printed with his Aminta, and originally imitated from Moschus.
Since this ballad was printed off the Editor hath seen an ancient black-letter copy, containing some variations, and intitled, “The merry pranks of Robin Good-Fellow. To the tune of Dulcina, &c.” See p. 151.
To this copy were prefixed two wooden cuts of Robin Good-Fellow, which seem to represent the dresses in which this whimsical character was formerly exhibited on the stage. To gratify the curious these are engraven below.
The End of Volume the Third.
- ↑ Vid. Vol. I. Introd.—Vol. III. p. 25.