Thus are we come to the end of what is left us on this subject, by this truly learned and ingenious writer; whose excellent judgment and abilities seem little inferior to the ablest masters of antiquity; and had he lived to have perfected what is here but a rough draught at best, an unfinished work, I much question whether any rhetorician, either Greek or Roman, would have been of more use in the study of oratory, or deserved greater esteem of learned men. But here I must add his own similitude, and compare him, as he did Cæsar, to the inimitable face of the Coan Venus, drawn by the hand of Apelles; unhappily left imperfect, and ever so to remain, for want of an able artist of equal skill to give it its just beauty, and to add some little colouring and ornament which seem defective. In order to make the piece complete (as I think), a full and distinct character of Tully, together with a whole chapter about declamation, or the constant exercise and practice of invention, is still wanting. Tully by our author is joined with Varro, Sallust, and Cæsar, as the most unexceptionable writers of the purest age, and best patterns for imitation. And how comes he, whom Mr. Ascham chiefly admires, when the other three are so largely described, to be passed over in silence? And yet this he seems to promise, before, in these words: "But of Cicero more fully in fitter place:" unless we say, he reserved this for his Latin work; which doth not seem probable. Again, elsewhere, Mr. Ascham tells us, "There are six ways appointed for the learning of tongues and increase of eloquence," which he designs to treat of. Declamation is the last there mentioned, and yet we have not one word about it. But if any one is not yet satisfied with what I say; Mr. Ascham's Letter to his friend Sturmius of Strasburgh, wherein he gives a full account of his Schoolmaster, will sufficiently convince him. In one place, he modestly desires leave of his friend, to make use of the same instance out of Tully, for a further illustration of the argument in hand, as he had done before him. And afterwards, near the end of the same letter, he earnestly entreats Sturmius to send him, with all speed, what he had lately writ on the same subject; that his Schoolmaster, as yet almost naked and unsightly, might thence receive some better dress, before he appeared in public. But these passages being no where to be found in this treatise before us, prove beyond exception, that as excellent as this work is, yet it was designed for further improvements and greater perfection, had the author enjoyed a longer life. This is what I thought necessary to acquaint the reader with, before I took my leave of him; not doubting in the least of his candour and ingenuity, either towards the author or myself. LATIN POEMS BY ROGER ASCHAM. DISERTISSIMI VIRI ROGERI ASCHAMI POEMATA. AD POTENTISSIMUM PRINCIPEM HENRICUM OCTAVUM, Singula priscorum virtus fuit inclyta regum, Si regem monstret præstantia corporis, unum, Post Christum in terris numen non sanctius Hinc rectumque fidesque patent, hinc munera Hæc nos, hæc, Henrice, tibi gens tota precatur, IN ANNIVERSARIUM NATALEM DIEM EDVARDI PRINCIPIS. Ut gliscit mens mea Promere nova cantica Lætis carminibus ! Philyris mea tempora, Plena veneribus. Profani cedite, Procul hinc jam næniæ, Luctus et odia. Salibus et joculis Fabulis et poculis, Dapibus et epulis, Sint plena omnia. Edvardi principis Natalis nobilis, Reductus annuis Solis reflexubus, Renovat nova tempora, Reparat nova gaudia, Nostris pectoribus: Edvarde maxime, Floreat tranquillitas, Redeunt jam tempora, Aureaque sæcula, |