A prince, on whom such different lights did smile, Whatever Heaven, or high extracted blood OF HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, MOTHER TO AND OF HER PORTRAIT, WRITTEN BY THE LATE DUCHESS OF YORK EROIC nymph! in tempests the support, HER In peace the glory of the British court! Into whose arms the church, the state, and all That precious is, or sacred here, did fall. Ages to come, that shall your bounty hear, Will think you mistress of the Indies were; Though straiter bounds your fortunes did confine, In your large heart was found a wealthy mine; Like the blest oil, the widow's lasting feast, Your treasure, as you poured it out, increased.+ While some your beauty, some your bounty sing, Your native isle does with your praises ring; heavens at the birth of Charles II. was the favourite phenomenon of the royal party, and did duty in almost all the poems of the time. *Mary, Princess of Orange, and sister to Charles II. She visited this country on the occasion of the Restoration, at which time the poem was probably written; although the reference in the title to the late' Duchess of York seems to imply a subsequent date. Three months after her arrival in England, the Princess was seized by small-pox, which terminated in her death, in December, 1660. The Duchess of York did not die till 1671. The title was evidently added afterwards, when the poem was published. For many years of her life the Princess devoted one-half of her revenues to the maintenance of the Duke of Gloucester, as a means of rendering him independent of the influence of the Roman Catholic sovereigns; and she contributed largely to the support of the royal family during their reverses. But, above all, a nymph of your own train* UPON HER MAJESTY'S NEW BUILDINGS AT GREAT Queen! that does our island bless Treated so ill, chased from your throne, And, with a brave revenge, do show Their glory went and came with you. While Peace from hence, and you were gone, Your houses in that storm o'erthrown, Those wounds which civil rage did give, At once you pardon, and relieve. Constant to England in your love, As birds are to their wonted grove, Though by rude hands their nests are spoiled, Accusing some malignant star, Not Britain, for that fatal war, * Lady Anne Hyde, daughter of the Earl of Clarendon, and afterwards Duchess of York, and mother of Queen Mary and Queen Anne. In Nov. 1660, (not 1662 as stated by Fenton,) the Queen-Mother, Henrietta Maria, returned to England, and took up her residence in her old palace of Somerset House, which had formerly been assigned to her by Charles I. During the few years she remained here, she considerably enlarged the buildings, especially on the side facing the river. Cowley also addressed some verses to her on these improve ments. Your kindness banishes your fear, But what new mine this work supplies? (Those differing virtues) meet in you; She needs no weary steps ascend; FAIR OF A TREE CUT IN PAPER. AIR hand! that can on virgin paper write, This resolution was afterwards relinquished. Henrietta Maria left England in 1665, and was succeeded in Somerset House by Catherine of Braganza. WALLER. 12 Whose travel o'er that silver field does show For though a painter boughs and leaves can make, TO A LADY, FROM WHOM HE RECEIVED THE COPY OF THE POEM ENTITLED 'OF A TREE CUT IN PAPER,' WHICH FOR MANY YEARS HAD BEEN LOST. NOTHING lies hid from radiant eyes; All they subdue become their spies. Secrets, as choicest jewels, are Presented to oblige the fair; No wonder, then, that a lost thought The picture of fair Venus (that If Virtue's self were lost, we might TO THE QUEEN, UPON HER MAJESTY'S BIRTHDAY, AFTER HER HAPPY RECOVERY FROM A DANGEROUS SICKNESS.* AREWELL the year! which threatened so FARE The fairest light the world can show. Welcome the new! whose every day, To show us what the blessed do there, * Catherine of Braganza, the Queen of Charles II. are assigned to the year 1663. These verses |