CHARLES COTTON-. clxxxiii 



"wliich 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."^ 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,^ but which he never 

 performed. 



Another of Cotton's works, " The Planterfs Manual," * also 

 appeared in 1675, wherein he displayed considerable knowledge 



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

 and wise." Printed by Henry Brome, 8vo, 1675. 



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

 And raise the dead* to entertain ye." 



* "The Planter's Manual, bemg 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, 8vo. 



• " Lucian's Dialogues of the Dead" 



