XXVII.

CORYDON'S DOLEFUL KNELL.

This little simple elegy is given, with some corrections, from two copies, one of which is in _The golden garland of princely delights_.

The burthen of the song, _Ding Dong_, &c. is at present appropriated to burlesque subjects, and therefore may excite only ludicrous ideas in a modern reader; but in the time of our poet it usually accompanied the most solemn and mournful strains. Of this kind is that fine aërial Dirge in Shakespear's _Tempest_:

"Full fadom five thy father lies, Of his bones are corrall made; Those are pearles that were his eyes; Nothing of him, that doth fade, But doth suffer a sea-change Into something rich and strange: Sea-nymphs hourly ring his knell, Harke now I heare them, Ding dong bell." "Burthen, Ding Dong."

I make no doubt but the poet intended to conclude the above air in a manner the most solemn and expressive of melancholy.

* * * * *

My Phillida, adieu love! For evermore farewel! Ay me! I've lost my true love, And thus I ring her knell, Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong, 5 My Phillida is dead! I'll stick a branch of willow At my fair Phillis' head.

For my fair Phillida Our bridal bed was made: 10 But 'stead of silkes so gay, She in her shroud is laid. Ding, &c.

Her corpse shall be attended By maides in fair array, Till the obsequies are ended, 15 And she is wrapt in clay. Ding, &c.

Her herse it shall be carried By youths, that do excell; And when that she is buried, I thus will ring her knell, 20 Ding, &c.

A garland shall be framed By art and natures skill, Of sundry-colour'd flowers, In token of good-will[742]: Ding, &c.

And sundry-colour'd ribbands 25 On it I will bestow; But chiefly black and yellowe[743]: With her to grave shall go. Ding, &c.

I'll decke her tomb with flowers, The rarest ever seen, 30 And with my tears, as showers, I'll keepe them fresh and green. Ding, &c.

Instead of fairest colours, Set forth with curious art[744], Ding, &c. Her image shall be painted 35 On my distressed heart.

And thereon shall be graven Her epitaph so faire, "Here lies the loveliest maiden, That e'er gave shepheard care." 40 Ding, &c.

In sable will I mourne; Blacke shall be all my weede; Ay me! I am forlorne, Now Phillida is dead! Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong, My Phillida is dead! 46 I'll stick a branch of willow At my fair Phillis' head

FOOTNOTES:

[742] It is a custom in many parts of England, to carry a flowery garland before the corpse of a woman who dies unmarried. [For further note on this custom, see _The Bride's Burial_, vol iii. Book II. No. 13.]

[743] See above, preface to No. XI. Book II.

[744] This alludes to the painted effigies of alabaster, anciently erected upon tombs and monuments.

THE END OF THE SECOND BOOK.

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RELIQUES OF ANCIENT POETRY, ETC.

SERIES THE SECOND.

## BOOK III.

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