A web-based edition of early seventeenth-century political poetry from manuscript sources. It brings into the public domain over 350 poems, many of which have never before been published.

I1 Raleigh in this thy selfe thy selfe transcends


Notes. A longer version of the title, in another source, states that this is “advise” on the occasion of Ralegh “preparing for Guaiana 1617” (BL MS Cotton Titus c.7). Silvanus Scory was a client of Ralegh’s friend and fellow prisoner in the Tower, Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland.


“Sylvanus Scory to Sir Walter Raleigh”

Raleigh in this thy selfe thy selfe transcends.

When howerly tastinge of a bitter Challice.

Sereninge1 the sad faces of thy frends.

Thou smilest at fortunes minions and her Mallice.


Hold thee firme heere, cast ancor in this port.

5

Heere art thou safe till death enfranchise thee

Heere neither harme nor feare of harmes resort.

Heere though enchaynd thou livest in liberty.


Nothinge in earth hath permanent abode.

Nothinge shall languish under sorrow still.

10

The fates have set a Certayne period.

As well to those that doe as suffer ill.




Source. Bodleian MS Smith 17, p. 124

Other known sources. Ralegh, Poems 189; BL MS Cotton Titus c.7, fol. 94r

I1






1   Sereninge: making calm. <back>