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Specimens of English literature from the 'Ploughmans crede' to the ...

Specimens of English literature from the 'Ploughmans crede' to the ...

Specimens of English literature from the 'Ploughmans crede' to the ...

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XII.STEPHENHAWES.A.D. 1506.The times <strong>of</strong> this poet's birth and death are alike uncertain,but he was alive throughout <strong>the</strong> reign <strong>of</strong> Henry VH. His chiefpoem is named <strong>the</strong> ' Passetyme <strong>of</strong> Pleasure,' <strong>of</strong> which War<strong>to</strong>nspeaks highly, giving a complete analysis <strong>of</strong> its contents. Buta short extract will probably suffice. The work describes how(jraunde Amoure, <strong>the</strong> hero, who speaks in <strong>the</strong> first person, aftermany adventures, obtains <strong>the</strong> hand <strong>of</strong> La Belle Pucelle (literally'<strong>the</strong> Beautiful Virgin'). It was composed about <strong>the</strong> year 1506,and printed by Wynkyn de Worde in15 17, by John Wayland in1554, and by Jhon Waley in 1555. This last edition was reprintedby Mr. Wright for <strong>the</strong> Percy Society in 1846, and is herefollowed. Hawes <strong>to</strong>ok Lydgate for his model, and sometimesimproved upon his teacher. The following stanzas are ra<strong>the</strong>rmore lively than usual, and shew some imagination ; indeed, <strong>the</strong>yanticipate something <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> manner <strong>of</strong> Spenser's ' Faerie Queene.'Cap.XXXIII.How ^aunde amoure dyscomfyted <strong>the</strong> giaunte with threhedes, and was received <strong>of</strong> thre fayre ladies.IWhan golden Phebus in <strong>the</strong> CapricorneGan <strong>to</strong> ascend fast un<strong>to</strong> Aquary,

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