Waltoniana | Page 8

England.
There they two kept company together 'till about 12 months now past:
and then, in a retyrement of that learned knights (by reason of a
sequestration for his masters cause) a friend coming to visit him, they
fell accidentally into a discourse of the wit and galantry of the Spanish
Nation.
That discourse occasioned an example or two, to be brought out of this
_Hero_: and, those examples (with Sir _John's_ choice language and
illustration) were so relisht by his friend (a stranger to the _Spanish
tongue_) that he became restles 'till he got a promise from Sir John to
translate the whole, which he did in a few weeks; and so long as that
imployment lasted it proved an excellent diversion from his many sad
thoughts; But he hath now chang'd that Condition, to be possest of that
place into which sadnesse is not capable of entrance.
And his absence from this world hath occasion'd mee (who was one of
those few that he gave leave to know him, for he was a retyr'd man) to

tell the Reader that I heard him say, he had not made the English so
short, or few words, as the originall; because in that, the Author had
exprest himself so enigmatically, that though he indevour'd to translate
it plainly; yet, he thought it was not made comprehensible enough for
common Readers, therefore he declar'd to me, that he intended to make
it so by a coment on the margent; which he had begun, but (be it spoke
with sorrow) he and those thoughts are now buried in the silent
Grave,[1] and my self, with those very many that lov'd him, left to
lament that losse. I.W.
FOOTNOTES
[1] Compare the poem on the death of Cartwright, _supra_:--
"But now 'tis lost; lost in the silent grave," &c.
* * * * *

COMMENDATORY VERSE TO THE AUTHOR OF SCINTILLULA
ALTARIS.
1652.

[Scintillula Altaris or, a Pious Reflection on Primitive Devotion: as to
the Feasts and Fasts of the Christian Church, Orthodoxally Revived. By
Edward Sparke, B.D. London; Printed by T. Maxey for Richard
Marriot, and are to be sold at his Shop in St. Dunstan's Church-yard in
Fleetstreet, 1652.
This book reached a Seventh Edition during Walton's lifetime; but his
Commendatory Verses are only to be found in the first.]

_To the Author upon the sight of the first sheet of his Book._
My worthy friend, I am much pleas'd to know, You have begun to pay
the debt you owe By promise, to so many pious friends, In printing
your choice Poems; it commends Both them, and you, that they have
been desir'd By persons of such Judgment; and admir'd They must be
most, by those that best shal know What praise to holy Poetry we owe.
So shall your Disquisitions too; for, there Choice learning, and blest
piety, appear. All usefull to poor Christians: where they may Learne
Primitive Devotion. Each Saints day Stands as a Land-mark in an
erring age to guide fraile mortals in their pilgrimage To the Coelestiall

_Can'an_; and each Fast, Is both the souls direction, and repast: All so
exprest, that I am glad to know You have begun to pay the debt you
owe. IZ. WA.
* * * * *

DEDICATION OF THE LIFE OF DONNE AND ADVERTISEMENT
TO THE READER.
1658.

[The Life of John Donne, Dr. in Divinity, and Late Dean of Saint Pauls
Church London. The second impression corrected and enlarged.
Ecclus.48.14. _He did wonders in his life, and at his death his works
were marvelous_. London, Printed by J.G. for R. Marriot, and are to be
sold at his shop under S. Dunstans Church in Fleet-street. 1658.]

_To My Noble & honoured Friend Sir Robert Holt of Afton, in the
County of Warwick, Baronet._
Sir,
When this relation of the life of Doctor Donne was first made publick,
it had besides the approbation of our late learned & eloquent King, a
conjunction with the Authors most excellent Sermons to support it; and
thus it lay some time fortified against prejudice; and those passions that
are by busie and malicious men too freely vented against the dead.
And yet, now, after almost twenty yeares, when though the memory of
Dr. Donne himself, must not, cannot die, so long as men speak English;
yet when I thought Time had made this relation of him so like my self,
as to become useless to the world, and content to be forgotten; I find
that a retreat into a defired privacy, will not be afforded; for the Printers
will again expose it and me to publick exceptions; and without those
supports, which we first had and needed, and in an Age too, in which
Truth & Innocence have