John Barclay, the author was son of William Barclay, a learned and eminent Scotch civilian, who was born at Aberdeen 1541, and died about 1605. The son is said to have had considerable employments under King James, and particularly to have been made Gentleman of the Bedchamber to him. He quitted London in 1617, and went to Paris; and afterwards to Rome, at the invitation of Pope Paul V. where he died. The Argenis is his most celebrated work. It was first printed at Paris in 8vo. in 1621. It has since passed through many editions, and been translated into several languages. The first English translation was published in 4to, in 1628, by Sir Robert Le Grys, at the command of King Charles I. The poetical part was translated by Thomas May, Esq. The translation by K. Long, here registered, was the second. Another appeared as late as 1772, in four volumes, 12mo. under the following title. "The Phoenix; or, The History of Polyarchus and Argenis, translated from the Latin by a Lady" In the Preface to this, it is observed, that " the Editor has made use of both the former translations occasionally, and whenever a doubt arose, had recourse to the original." Barclays' Latin style, in his Argenis, has been much praised, and much censured. It is said that Cardinal Richlieu was extremely fond of reading this work, and that from thence he derived many of his political maxims. It is observed, in the Preface to the last English Translation, that "Barclay's Argenis affords such variety of entertainment, that every kind of reader may find in it something suitable to his own taste and disposition: 66 disposition: the statesman, the philosopher, the soldier, the lover, the citizen, the friend of mankind, each may gratify his favourite propensity; while the reader who comes for his amusement only, will not go away disappointed." It is also remarked of this work, in the same preface, that it is a romance, an allegory, and a system of politics. In it the various forms of government are investigated, the causes of faction detected, and the remedies pointed out for most of the evils that can arise in a state." In this political allegory, "By the kingdom of Sicily, France is described, during the time of the civil wars under Henry the Third, and until the fixing the crown upon the head of Henry the Fourth. By the country over against Sicily, and frequently her competitor, England is signified. By the country formerly united under one head, but now divided into several principalities, the author means Germany; i. e. Mergania. Several names are disguised in the same manner, by transposing the letters." As to the principal persons, designed, "By Aquilius is meant the Emperor of Germany, Calvin is Usinulea, and the Hugenots are called Hyperephanii. Under the person and character of Polyarchus, Barclay undoubtedly intended to describe the real hero, Henry of Navarre, as he has preserved the likeness even to his features and complexion. By his rivals are meant the leaders of the different factions; by Lycogenes and his friends, the Lorrain party, with the Duke of Guise at their head. Some features of Hyanisbe's character are supposed to resemble Queen Elizabeth of England; Radirobanes is -the King of Spain; and his fruitless expedition against Mauritania is pointed at the ambitious designs of Philip the Second and his invincible Armada. Under Meleander Meleander the character of Henry the Third of France seems intended; though the resemblance is very flattering to him."* a ART. XXVIII. The play of the Wether. A new and a very mery enterlude of all maner wethers; made By John Heywood. Large 4to. bl. letter. 1533 The players names. Jupiter a god. Mery Reporte the vyce. The gentylman. The marchaunt. The ranger. The water myller. The wynde myller. The launder. A boy the lest that can play. In "The play of the Wether" the first person who makes his appearance on the stage is Jupiter; he, after the manner of a chorus, explains to the audience the plan and occasion of the drama: this originates in the various misfortunes and inconveniences which arise from the contrary dispositions of "Saturne, Phoebus, Eolus, and Phebe;" who being cited before the cloudcompelling deity, each makes complaint against the other, and all agree in declaring that notwithstanding their several endeavours to promote the benefit of mankind, they are constantly thwarted by the ac Biogr. Brit. I. 589. tions of their companions in power. Saturn first accuses Phœbus, who, by the heat of his morning rays melts the frost, and thus renders the labour of the night useless to this charge the god makes no reply, but joined by his late opponent Saturn exclaims against Phebe, whose showers they find alike prejudicial to frost and heat she in return is silent, and all three then fall upon poor Eolus, who, say they, "When he is dysposed his blastes to blow, Suffereth neyther sone shyne, rayne, nor snow." To remedy these evils they propose investing Jupiter with their command, who determines to call together such mortals as may have suffered, and hearing their petitions, act accordingly. Thus far Jupiter himself leads us. When we are introduced to Mery Reporte, who, after some facetious discourse, is appointed messenger to declare the intention of the deity to every nation: he departs, and here, 1 conceive, ends the first act.* Mery Reporte, having executed his commission, returns, and informs us of the numerous places he has visited: then appears the first petitioner, who proves to be the gentylman;" after some conversation with "the Vyce" not of the most delicate nature, he entreats for "Wether pleasaunt, Drye and not mysty, the wynde calme and styl, Chasynge the dere ouer dale and hyll, In herynge we may folow, and to comfort the cry." Jupiter speaks seven lines after "Mery report goeth out." The stage direction in the margin says, "At thende of this staf the god hath a song played in his trone, or Mery Report come in." After After this personage we have the remaining characters, who all differ in their requests, which are thus, afterwards, related to Jupiter by Mery Reporte. "The fyrst sewter before your selfe dyd appere, A gentylman desyrynge wether clere, Clowdy nor mysty, nor no wynde to blow, For hurt in hys huntynge; and then, as ye know,* For wether clere and mesurable wynde, As they maye best bere theyr saylys to make spede; And then syr there came a wyndemyller in, Besechynge your grace of wynde continuall; Then came there an other hat wolde banysh all this, Wyne rayne nor froste nor sonshyne wold she haue, *Jupiter himself was present during the conversation with the gentleman, and merchant; he then leaves Mery Report to interrogate the remaining suppliants, who are not all on the stage together, ons entering as the other withdraws, Then |