And when that you have read the same, Consider well my woe; Think ye then how to recompense Cowslips are for Counsel, For secrets us between, That none but you and I alone Should know the thing we mean: And if you will thus wisely do, Then have you surely won the field, I pray you keep this Nosegay well, And thus farewell, the Gods thee guide, Both now and evermore; Not as the common sort do use, To set it in your breast, That when the smell is gone away, In ground he takes his rest. II "A proper New Ballad, intituled, JEPHA JUDGE OF ISRAEL." From a Copy printed in black letter, in two columns, for F. Coles, T. Vere, and W. Gilbertson. With a cut exhibiting This ballad is singularly rare. It is quoted by Hamlet, and notwithstanding the elaborate researches of the commentators on Shakspeare, it has hitherto eluded all their vigilance. Dr. Percy indeed has printed a very imperfect copy of it, wanting two whole stanzas, and otherwise mutilated by repeated alterations and omissions; which is not to be wondered at, as he never had an opportunity of consulting the original, but printed from a transcript made by a lady "who wrote it down from memory, as she had formerly heard it sung by her father." The late Duke of Roxburghe fortunately met with a copy of the original edition, which is now, for the first time, accurately reprinted. I will extract the passage in which Hamlet banters Polonius, and then subjoin the ballad. Ham. O Jephthah judge of Israel, what a treasure hadst thou! Pol. What a treasure had he, my Lord? Ham. Why One fair daughter, and no more, The which he loved passing well. Pol. Still on my daughter. Ham. Am I not i' the right, old Jephthah ? Pol. If you call me Jephthah, my Lord, I have a daughter, that I love passing well. Ham. Nay, that follows not. Pol. What follows then, my Lord? Ham. Why, as by lot. God wot; and then, you know, It came to pass, as most like it was, I HAVE read that many years agoe, Had one fair daughter and no more, It came to passe most like it, was, Great warrs there should be, And who should be the chiefe, but he, but he. When Jepha was appointed now, At his return to burn For his offering the first quick thing, Should meet with him then, From his house when he came agen, agen. |