VOL. VI.

THER

SIR JOHN SUCKLING.

'HERE is no certain knowledge of the exact date of Sir John Suckling's birth; but it is known he was baptized on February 10th, 160S-9. His parents were of noble birth, and his father filled positions of dignity, under both King James I and King Charles I.

Our poet's mother died when he was only five years old, and when he attained his eighteenth year he succeeded to large estates. In 1623, he entered Trinity College, Cambridge, where he distinguished himself in many branches of learning, and was especially mentioned for his success in mastering foreign languages. His father died in the midst of his university career. After leaving Cambridge, he traveled in Germany, France, Italy and Spain. In 1632 Suckling returned to England and took his place amid the gay, pleasure-loving court to which his gallantry, wit, birth and wealth entitled him. He soon became the darling of the court and much famed for his accomplishments. He plunged deeply into all the frivolity, the recklessness and vice of the highest court circles, but graced his wild disipation with polished verse and letters. His entertainments were superb; he spent hundreds of pounds upon them. He was also clever at cards and would make himself gorgeous in glorious apparel and in exalted spirits, go forth and distinguish himself among the winners. He was a great favorite with the ladies and indulged in many a costly courtship. At last he devoted himself to more serious things; he became engrossed in affairs of state, until April, 1635, when he was brought before the notice of the court of Star Chamber as one of those nobles who disregarded the law, compelling them to spend time and money upon their country estates. He withdrew from London and court life, and it was then he produced most of his best literary work. The troubles of 1639 soon drew his attention, and he became again actively engaged in public affairs. When King Charles raised his army to march against the Covenanters, the poet

No. 7.

came forward with a princely gift to his Monarch; it was a troop of horses, which cost the giver some £12,000 Then came the Long Parliament, of which, at first, Suckling was a keen-sighted and wise member. On May 5th, 1641, Sir John Suckling, with Davenant and others, was summoned for examination by Parliament as conspirators against the realm. He fled across the channel, and in Paris, 1642, while in his prime, he found a terrible death. Exile, poverty and despair were his portion, and the burden was more than he could endure; so by his own hand he ended his life. Had Suckling lived to return to England, he might easily have attained a still higher position, judging from what his too short life has left us. His poems once read dwell in the memory, and were it possible for him to look down the centuries, he might see himself filling an honorable place among the great poets of the past. He published during his lifetime the "Drama of Aglaira " (1638); "Ballad of a Wedding" (1646). His other works were issued in 1648 under the title of "Fragmenta Aurea."

A BALLAD.

UPON A WEDDING.

I TELL thee, Dick, where I have been,
Where I the rarest things have seen:
O, things without compare!
Such sights again can not be found
In any place on English ground,
Be it at wake or fair.

F. D. T.

At Charing Cross, hard by the way,
Where we (thou know'st) do sell our hay,
There is a house with stairs;
And there did I see coming down
Such folks as are not in our town,
Forty at least, in pairs.

Amongst the rest, one pest'lent fine
(His beard no bigger, tho', than thine)