"VULCAN, CONTRIVE ME SUCH A CUP.” BY JOHN WILMOT, EARL OF ROCHESTER.—1647-80. [JOHN WILMOT, EARL OF ROCHESTER, was born at Dichley, in Oxfordshire, in 1647. At twelve years of age he was sent to the University of Oxford, and on leaving it travelled on the Continent. He returned to England, in his eighteenth year, and was soon afterwards made Gentleman of the Bedchamber to the King, and Comptroller of Woodstock Park. He went to sea with the Earl of Sandwich, in 1665, and greatly distinguished himself by his gallantry; but his subsequent life was disgraced by a dissipation that brought on a decline, of which he died in 1680. Rochester was remarkable for wit and good nature; his poems are in accordance with his morals and conduct, and cause us to regret that his great powers should have been devoted to folly.] VULCAN, contrive me such a cup As Nestor used of old; Show all thy skill to trim it up, Make it so large, that, fill'd with sack Vast toasts on the delicious lake, Engrave not battle on his cheek; Let it no name of planets tell, Fix'd stars, or constellations : For I am no Sir Sidrophel, Nor none of his relations. But carve thereon a spreading vine; Their limbs in am'rous folds entwine, [IZAAK WALTON was born at Stafford, in 1593. He kept a very small linendraper's shop, first at the Royal Exchange, and then in Fleet Street, at the corner of Chancery Lane; and retained in the midst of London, notwithstanding the closest attention to business, an enthusiastic attachment to the country, its scenes, and its pleasures. He married a lady of respectable family, which was probably the cause of his introduction to many eminent persons. He retired from business in 1643, and lived for forty years afterwards in literary retirement, during which time he wrote a number of works; nor did he relax his labours as an author, until he died, in his ninetieth year. He was buried at Winchester. His " "Complete Angler" is a book which will live as long as the love of country life exists. He was accustomed to say that “God never did make a more calm, quiet, innocent recreation than angling."] I IN these flowery meads would be; These crystal streams should solace me; To whose harmonious bubbling noise, Ï with my angle would rejoice; Sit here, and see the turtle-dove Court his chaste mate to acts of love; Or on the bank feel the west wind Or a laverock build her .nest : And raise my low-pitch'd thoughts above Or, with my Bryan and a book, And angle on; and beg to have THE DAY OF WRATH. BY THE EARL OF ROSCOMMON.--1633-84. [THE EARL OF ROSCOMMON, nephew to the celebrated Earl of Strafford, was born in 1633. He resided abroad during the Civil War, but returned to England at the Restoration, and was made, first, Captain of the band of Pensioners, and afterwards Master of the Horse to the Duchess of York. Foreseeing what would result from the arbitrary measures of James II. he was about to set out for Rome, declaring that “it was best to sit near the chimney, when the chamber smoked;" but a fit of the gout prevented his leaving England, and he died in 1684. Like Denham, he was addicted to gambling, but this did not prevent him from devoting himself zealously to literature; and he was warmly praised both by Dryden and Pope. Posterity, however, has not confirmed their judgment. He was an elegant, but a cold and unimpassioned writer. He died repeating two lines of his own translation of the "Dies Iræ," which follows :-] HAT day of wrath, that dreadful day, THAT Shall the whole world in ashes lay, As David and the Sibyls say. What horror will invade the mind, When the strict Judge, who would be kind, The last loud trumpet's wondrous sound Nature and Death shall, with surprise, And view the Judge with conscious eyes. Then shall, with universal dread, The Judge ascends His awful throne ; |