SKETCHES OF THE ENGLISH POETS. SURREY, WYAT, AND SACKVILLE. CHAUCER, though properly styled the father of English poetry, must, in point of fact, be considered as standing alone. For many years after him, the poetic talent was rather in abeyance than in productive operation. The country, perhaps, was in too unsettled a state for literature of any kind, much more elegant literature, to receive the attention which was necessary for its encouragement. For a long season the civil wars, the "wars of the Roses," as they are usually termed, threw every thing into confusion. It was, however, a confusion in which there was a real, though not visible progress. And when peace was established by the accession of the Tudor family, it was seen that the language, commerce, and constitution of the country had been advancing, though "in troublous times," towards a more definite and established form. Literature, which had so long been quiescent, now began to bestir itself, and the line marked by its movements is to be traced, without interruption, to the present day. The writings of Petrarch, on the Continent, had contributed to the revival of literature, and there only wanted a period of peace and security in England for the influence of the revival to be felt and exhibited there also. Besides, the invention of printing, not long before, had already caused the comparative multiplication of books, and therefore of readers; and towards the close of the first quarter of the sixteenth century, (1518,) the Reformation came to contribute its share in breaking up the stagnancy of thought, and occasioning the developement of the national mind. The names which occur at the commencement of this memorable era, and thus have the honourable position of the first on the list of modern English poets, are those of the Earl of Surrey, Sir Thomas Wyat, and Lord Sackville. Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, was born early in the sixteenth century, and from his youth was instructed in all that was considered as useful and ornamental in the letters of the day. He travelled much on the Continent, he was attached to the court of Henry VIII., and was one of the Commanders of the English army that fought at Flodden-field, where James the Fourth of Scotland lost his life. In 1546, however, he incurred the displeasure of the angry and suspicious tyrant, whose days were then drawing to a close, but who lived long enough to gratify his revenge. Surrey was beheaded on Tower-hill, in January, 1547. Sir Thomas Wyat was born, likewise, early in the sixteenth century, in Kent. He studied first at Cambridge, and subsequently at Oxford. His education, however, was completed by travelling. He visited several parts of Europe in the service of the state, as an Envoy. He at one time possessed the favour of the Monarch, and was regarded as one of the most brilliant ornaments of the court. Surrey was his intimate friend. He died in the prime of his life. Being sent to conduct the Ambassador of Charles V. from Falmouth to London, fatigue brought on a fever, of which he died, at Sherborn, in 1541. Sackville was born at Withiam, in Sussex, in 1527. His education was carefully conducted, first at home, under domestic tutors, and then at the University. He likewise studied the law in the Inner Temple, and in the early part of his life was called to the bar. He sat in Parliament also, and in 1567 was, by Queen Elizabeth, created Baron Buckhurst. He was, indeed, chiefly politician and statesman. He was one of the Commissioners for the trial of Mary of Scotland. In 1572 he went as Ambassador to France; and in 1587, to the States of Holland. In 1591 he was elected Chancellor of the University of Oxford, and soon after became Lord High Treasurer of England. In 1603, King James created him Earl of Dorset. He died suddenly at the Council-table, Whitehall, 1608, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. Abbott, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury, his Chaplain, preached his "funeral sermon." The poetry of Surrey, and indeed of his contemporaries, is now chiefly interesting from the position it occupies. After the example of Petrarch, it is, for the most part, amatory, and consists in sonnets. Its influence in fixing the language was great; and while it is not to be compared to that of Spenser, it is not an unworthy introduction to it. In that of Wyat 66 more of labour may be perceived; and, as it might be expected, fanciful conceits sometimes supply the place of the expression of natural feeling. Surrey was indisputably the superior. Sackville is principally known by his " Mirror for Magistrates," a piece of large conception, but of which the actual execution only extended to the introductory "Induction," and the legendary "Complaint of Henry, Duke of Buckingham," who was put to death under Richard III. It is prolix, and occasionally languid, but abounds in melancholy feeling, often powerfully expressed. Along with the poems of these three English worthies, some smaller pieces have come down to us, with the title of "Poems by Uncertain Authors." One of them is generally believed to have been the Lord Vaux. A short specimen of each will be sufficient : SURREY. The meanes to attayne happy life. The faithfull wyfe without debate, Ne wish for death, ne feare his might. WYAT. Of dissembling words. THROUGHOUT the world, if it were sought, Fayre words ynoughe a man shall fynde; They be good chepe, they cost right nought, But well to say, and so to meane, SACKVILLE. Winter approaching. HAWTHORNE had lost his motley lyverye, The naked twigges were shivering all for colde; Into the fields whereas I walkte about. And sorowing I to see the sommer flowers, UNCERTAIN AUTHORS. Old Age. My muse doth not delight Me as she dyd before, My hand and pen are not in plight, As they have been of yore. The wrinkles in my browe, The furrows in my face, Say lymping age will lodge hym now, The harbinger of death, To me I see him ride, The cough, the cold, the gasping breath, Doth byd me to provyde. A pickax and a spade, And eke a shrowding shete; A house of clay for to be made, For such a geast most mete. Methinkes I hear the clarke, That knoles the carefull knell, And byddes me leave my woful warke, And ye that byde behinde, Have ye none other trust? As ye of clay were cast by kynd, TRUST IN PROVIDENCE. A FACT, related by a Minister of the Society of Friends, shows at once the primitive simplicity which still prevails in some retired districts, and the evident power of faith in Providence over the spirit of evil. In one of the thinlypeopled dales of that very beautiful, yet by parts, very bleak and dreary, region, the Peak of Derbyshire, stood a single house, far from neighbours. It was inhabited by a farmer and his family, who lived in such a state of isolation, so unmolested by intruders, and unapprehensive of danger, that they were hardly in the habit of fastening their door at night. The farmer, who had a great distance to go to market, was sometimes late before he got back; late, it may be supposed, according to their habits; for in such old-fashioned places, where there is nothing to excite and keep alive the attention but their daily labour, the good people, when the day's duties are at an end, drop into bed almost before the sun himself; and are all up, and pursuing their several occupations, almost before the sun too. On these occasions, the good woman used to retire to rest at the usual time; and her husband returning, found no latch nor bolt to obstruct his entrance. But one time the wife hearing some one come up to the door, and enter the house, supposed it was her husband; but, after the usual time had elapsed, and he did not come to bed, she got up and went down stairs, when her terror and astonishment may be imagined, for she saw a great sturdy fellow in the act of reconnoitring for plunder. At the first view of him, she afterwards said, she felt ready to drop; but being naturally courageous, and of a deeply religious disposition, she imme |