James Smith, who, with Sir John Mennis, edited the Musarum Deliciæ, in which the first poem is addressed "to Parson Weekes: an invitation to London," and contains a reference to—
"That old sack
Young Herrick took to entertain
The Muses in a sprightly vein".
The early part of this poem contains, along with the name Posthumus, many Horatian reminiscences: cp. especially II. Od. xiv. 1-8, and IV. Od. vii. 14. It may be noted that in the imitation of the latter passage in stanza iv. the MS. copy at the Museum corrects the misplacement of the epithet, reading:—
"But we must on and thither tend
Where Tullus and rich Ancus blend," etc.,
for "Where Ancus and rich Tullus".
Again the variant, "Open candle baudery," in verse 7, is an additional argument against Dr. Grosart's explanation: "Obscene words and figures made with candle-smoke," the allusion being merely to the blackened ceilings produced by cheap candles without a shade.
- 337 ##
337. A Short Hymn to Venus. Printed in Witts Recreations, 1650, as A vow to Cupid, with variants: l. 1, Cupid for Goddess; l. 2, like for with; l. 3, that I may for I may but; l. 5, do for will.
- 340 ##
340. Upon a delaying lady. Printed in Witts Recreations, 1650, as A Check to her delay.
- 341 ##
341. The Lady Mary Villars, niece of the first Duke of Buckingham, married successively Charles, son of Philip, Earl of Pembroke, Esme Stuart, Duke
