Some time after this, Davenant was rallied by another hand, on account of this accident, as if it had been a jest that could never die; but what is more extraordinary, is, that Sir William himself could not forget the authoress of this misfortune, but has introduced her in his Gondibert, and, in the opinion of some critics, very improperly.  He brings two friends, Ulfinore the elder, and Goltho the younger, on a journey to the court of Gondibert, but in this passage to shew, as he would insinuate the extream frailty of youth, they were arrested by a very unexpected accident, notwithstanding the wife councils, which Ulfinore had just received from his father[1].  The lines which have an immediate reference to this fair enchantress, are too curious to be here omitted.

I.

The black-ey’d beauty did her pride display,
Thro’ a large window, and in jewels shone,
As if to please the world, weeping for day,
Night had put all her starry jewels on.

II.

This, beauty gaz’d on both, and Ulfinore
Hung down his head, but yet did lift his eyes
As if he fain would see a little more,
For much, tho’ bashful, he did beauty prize.

III [sic].

Goltho did like a blushless statue stare,
Boldly her practis’d boldness did outlook;
And even for fear she would mistrust her snare,
Was ready to cry out, that he was took.

IV.

She, with a wicked woman’s prosp’rous art,
A seeming modesty, the window clos’d;
Wisely delay’d his eyes, since of his heart
She thought she had sufficiently dispos’d.

V.

Nicely as bridegroom’s was her chamber drest,
Her bed as brides, and richer than a throne;
And sweeter seem’d than the Circania’s nest. 
Though built in Eastern groves of Cinnamon.

VI.

The price of princes pleasure, who her love,
(Tho’! but false were) at rates so costly bought,
The wealth of many, but many hourly prove
Spoils to some one, by whom herself is caught.

VII.

She sway’d by sinful beauty’s destiny,
Finds her tyrannic power must now expire,
Who meant to kindle Goltho in her eye,
But to her breast has brought the raging fire.

IX [sic].

Yet even in simple love she uses art,
Tho’ weepings are from looser eyes, but leaks;
Yet eldest lovers scarce would doubt her heart,
So well she weeps, as she to Goltho speaks.

During our author’s attendance at court, he wrote several plays, and employed his time in framing masques, which were acted by the principal nobility of both sexes; the Queen herself condescended to take a share in one of them, which gave very great offence to the scrupulous moralists, which sprung up in those days; the particular account of this dramatic piece we shall give in the conclusion of his life, and now proceed in enumerating the incidents of it.