CHARLES COTTON. clxxxiii 



which I have only given words, and wherein the workmanship has nothing 

 defaced the natural truth of the story. Farewell." 



In 1675 Cotton printed another work in the style of "Virgil 

 Travestie," entitled " Burlesque upon Burlesque, or the Scoffer 

 Scoft, being some of Lucian's Dialogues, newly put into English 

 Fustian." 2 His name is not placed in the title-page, and the 

 same objections apply to this production as to his " Virgil 

 Travestie." In a prologue he alludes to the Duchess of New- 

 castle's plays, and says of his Burlesque, that 



" For a fine piece 'twas not intended, 

 Since in a month 'twas both begun and ended/' 



There was perhaps much truth in the reason which he assigns 

 in the Epilogue for writing " such trumpery a dog would tire," 

 namely, that 



" In the precious age we live in, 

 Most people are so lewdly given, 

 Coarse hempen trash is sooner read, 

 Than poems of a finer thread." 



This, he says, made him 



" Wisely choose 

 To dizen up his dirty muse, 

 In such an odd fantastic weed, 

 As every one he knew would read." 



He adds, 



" Yet is he wise enough to know, 

 His muse however sings too low 

 (Though warbling in the newest fashion), 

 To work a work of reformation : 

 And so writ this (to tell you true), 

 To please himself as well as you." 



If the public gave the work as favourable a reception as " others 

 much of the same fashion," he promised to travesty Lucian's 

 Dialogues of the dead in a similar manner, 3 but which he never 

 performed. 



Another of Cotton's works, "The Planter's Manual," 4 also 

 appeared in 1675, wherein he displayed considerable knowledge 



2 " For the consideration of those who had rather laugh and be merry, than be merry 

 and wise." Printed by Henry Brome, Svo, 1675. 



3 " He'll do what ne'er \vtiS done by any, 

 And raise the dead* to entertain ye." 



* "The Planter's Manual, being instructions for the raising, planting, and cultivating 

 all sorts of Fruit-Trees, whether stone-fruits or pepin-fruits, with their natures and sea- 

 sons. Very useful for such as are curious in planting and grafting. By Charles Cotton, 

 Esq. London, printed for Henry Brome, in St Paul's Church- Yard, 1675, Svo. 



" Lucian's Dialogues of the Dead." 



