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University of Virginia Library

The Poetry of George Wither

Edited by Frank Sidgwick

Wither, George (1588-1667)

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I.

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THE SHEPHERD'S HUNTING

1.

THE FIRST ECLOGUE. Willy leaves his flock awhile

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2.

THE SECOND ECLOGUE. Cuddy here relates

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3.

THE THIRD ECLOGUE. Philaret with his three friends

4.

THE FOURTH ECLOGUE. Philaret on Willy calls

5.

THE FIFTH ECLOGUE. Philaret Alexis moves

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An Elegiacal Epistle of FIDELIA to her unconstant friend.

THE AUTHOR'S RESOLUTION IN A SONNET.

INTER EQUITAND: PALINOD

MASTER JOHNSON'S ANSWER TO MASTER WITHERS.

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EPITHALAMIA: OR NVPTIALL POEMS

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CERTAIN EPIGRAMS CONCERNING MARRIAGE.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

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II.

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FAIRE-VIRTUE, THE MISTRESSE OF PHIL'ARETE.

PHILARETE TO HIS MISTRESS.

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FAIR VIRTUE OR THE MISTRESS OF PHILARETE.

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1.

2.

THE NYMPH'S SONG.

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A Miscellany of Epigrams, Sonnets, Epitaphs, and such other Verses as were found written with the Poem aforegoing.

1.

1. OF THE INVENTION OF THE NINE MUSES.

2.

2. OF THE LABOURS OF HERCULES.

3.

3. BEING LEFT BY A GENTLEMAN IN HIS DINING-ROOM, WHERE WAS NOTHING BUT A MAP OF ENGLAND TO ENTERTAIN HIM, HE THUS TURNED IT INTO VERSE.

4.

4. AN EPITAPH UPON THE RIGHT VIRTUOUS LADY, THE LADY SCOTT.

5.

5. AN EPITAPH UPON A WOMAN AND HER CHILD, BURIED TOGETHER IN THE SAME GRAVE.

6.

6. A CHRISTMAS CAROL.

7.

7. AN EPITAPH UPON THE PORTER OF A PRISON.

8.

8. A SONNET UPON A STOLEN KISS.

9.

9. AN EPITAPH UPON ABRAM GOODFELLOW, A COMMON ALEHOUSE-HUNTER.

10.

10. AN EPITAPH UPON A GENTLEWOMAN WHO HAD FORETOLD THE TIME OF HER DEATH.

11.

11. AN EPITAPH ON A CHILD, SON TO SIR W. H. KNIGHT.

12.

13.

14.

14. CERTAIN VERSES WRITTEN TO HIS LOVING FRIEND, UPON HIS DEPARTURE.

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2. OF THE LABOURS OF HERCULES.

First he the strong Nemean lion slew;
The many-headed Hydra next o'erthrew.
The Erymanthian boar he thirdly foils;
Then of his golden horns the stag he spoils.

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The foul Stymphalian birds he fifthly frayed;
Next he the queen of Amazons o'er-swayed.
Then cleansed Augeas' stalls, with filth so full;
And eighthly tamed the untamed bull.
He slew proud Diomedes with his horses;
From triple Geryon his rich herd he forces.
He slew the dragon for the fruit of gold,
And made black Cerberus the day behold.
These were his twelve stout labours. And they say
With fifty virgins in one night he lay.
If true it be, 'tis thought he labour'd more
In that one act than in the twelve before.