And, as when happy earth did, here, enclose
His heavn'ly minde, his Fame then Heav'n did pierce.
Now He in Heav'n doth rest, now let his Fame earth fill;
So, both him then posses'd: so both possesse him still."

Therefore, although Basse had written his _Sword and Buckler_ in 1602
(if it were the same man), he still called his Muse "young" in 1613. I
cannot call to mind any precedent for the form of stanza adopted by him,
consisting, as it does, of six ten-syllable lines, rhyming alternately,
followed by a twelve-syllable couplet. None of the other stanzas contain
personal matter; the grief of the author of _Great Britain's Sun's-set_
seems as artificial as might be expected; and his tears were probably
brought to the surface by the usual pecuniary force-pump.

I have some notion that William Basse was a musical composer, as well as
a writer of verses; but here, again, I am at fault, and particularly
request the aid of Dr. Rimbault, who has paid special attention to such
matters, and who has just published a learned and valuable work on the
music of the ballads in Percy's _Reliques_. If the volume were not so
indisputably excellent in its kind, there are reasons, connected with
its dedication, which might make me hesitate in giving it even a just
tribute of praise.

J. PAYNE COLLIER.

Kensington, Jan. 21. 1850.

* * * * *

MINOR QUERIES.