NOTE. These 'Gullinge Sonnets' were first printed in my reproduction of the Dr. Farmer MS. for the Chetham Society (2 vols. 4to., 1873) in Part I. pp. 76-81. There seems no question that these Sonnets belong to Sir John Davies. Besides the "J. D.” and “Mr. Dauyes" of the MS., his most marked turns of thought and epithet are readily discernible in them. See critical remarks on them and their probable motif in Memorial-Introduction. The Sir Anthony Cooke to whom these Sonnets are dedicated descended from the Sir Anthony who was Preceptor to King Edward VI., and for Letters from whom whoso cares may consult the "Reformation" correspondence of the Parker Society. His daughter Mildred was second wife of Lord Burleigh, and his daughter Anne was mother of the Bacon. His son and heir, Richard Cooke, died in 1579, and was succeeded by his son Anthony (this Sir Anthony), who was knighted in 1596 by the Earl of Essex at the sacking of Cadiz. He was buried at Romford, Essex, on the 28th December, 1604. G. [Dedicatory Sonnet.] TO HIS GOOD FREINDE SR ANTH. COOKE. HERE my Camelion Muse her selfe doth chaunge to diuers shapes of gross absurdities, and like an Antick1 mocks wth fashion straunge the fond2 admirers of lewde gulleries. Your iudgement sees wth pitty, and wth scorne Wch in this whiskinge age are daily borne To their own shames, and Poetrie's disgrace. Yet some praise those and some perhappes will praise euen these of myne: and therefore thes I send to you that pass in Courte yo1 glorious dayes; Yt if some rich rash gull these Rimes commend Thus you may sett this formall witt to schoole, Vse yor owne grace, and begg him for a foole. |