young gentleman of incomparable parts," says Lord Clarendon; who has given him a very high character, drawn with great minuteness, in the account of his own life, and in the history of the rebellion. He was born in 1610, sent to Exeter College, Oxford, 1629, where he continued seven years. He was killed at the attack of Chagford, in Devonshire, 1643. His translation of the fourth book of the Æneid, in which he was assisted by Waller, was printed in 1658, 12mo. and may be found in Dryden's "Miscellanies," (ed. 1716,) vol. iv. p. 134.—(Ellis's "Specimens.")
Hobbes dedicated his "Leviathan" to S. Godolphin's brother, and the dedication opens as follows;
"Your most worthy brother, Mr Sidney Godolphin, when he lived, was pleased to think my studies something, and otherwise to oblige me, as you know, with reall testimonies of his good opinion, great in themselves, and the greater for the worthinesse of his person. For there is not any vertue that disposeth a man either to the service of God, or to the service of his country, to civill society, or private friendship, that did not manifestly appear in his conversation, not as acquired by necessity, or affected upon occasion, but inherent, and shining in a generous constitution of his nature. Therefore, in honour and gratitude to him, and with devotion to yourselfe, I humbly dedicate unto you this my discourse of Common-wealth."
I do not know if any collection of S. Godolphin's poems has been published, or if these lines, "For Love," have ever appeared in print before. They exhibit ajustness, and propriety of thought, and a spirit, and vigour of expression, which may justly excite regret that his poetical compositions are not more numerous.
P. 219. These verses do not appear in the common editions of Waller's poems. They are much in his style. The title is remarkable; "Mr Waller, when he was at sea." "From the verses written at Penshurst, (says Johnson,) it has been collected, that he diverted his disappointment by a voyage; and his biographers, from his poem on the Whales, think it not improbable that he visited
