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Robert Jones' Association with Francis Davison

Francis Davisons's 'A Poetical Rapsody' (1602) was a major source of poems for Robert Jones's songs. Obviously Jones had access to a copy of the book. Whether or not he was a friend of Davison or was in the network of people who passed Davison's manuscript poems around (as Jones was in the Campion poetic grapevine) might be guessed at by examining some of the anonymous poems n Jones song books. Like Thomas Campian, Davison was influenced by the Latin poet Marcus Arcus Valerius Martial who was born circa 40 CE in Spain.

Patrick T. Connolly

There is a book by Penguin Classics called *'Martial In English', edited by Christopher Ricks and John Sullivan that has this information about Francis Davison;

Francis Davison (?1575-?1619)

Eldest son of William Davison, secretary of state to Elizabeth I. was admitted to Gray's Inn in 1593, Where he participated in the writing of masques, after which he travelled in Europe, substantially in Italy (1595-7). On his return to England he became (for a while) private secretary to Sir Thomas Parry. In I602 he published with his brother Walter A Poetical Rapsody Containing Diverse Sonnets, Odes, Elegies, Madrigalls, and other Poesies, both in Rime, and Measured Verse. It includes poems by several authors, including Ralegh, Sidney, Spenser and (possibly) Donne. He also published Anagrammata in Nomina Illustrissimorum Heroum (1603), Celebrating in Latin anagrams various prominent figures, including Sir Thomas Egerton and the Earls of Oxford, Southampton and Northumberland.


Here are some of Francis Davison's translations of Martial from that *Penguin book;

From A Poetical Rapsody (1602).

A translation of Epigram 19 from Martial's first book of Epigrams;

Foure teeth of late you had, both black and shaking,
Which durst not chew your meate far feare of aking.
But since your Cough, (without a Barbers ayde)
Hath blowne them out, you need not be afrayd.
On either side to chew hard crusts, for sure
Now from the Tooth-ache you liue most secure.

A translation of Epigram 183 from Martial's first book of Epigrams;

I muse not that your Dog turds opt doth eate,
To a tung that licks your licks a turd's sweete meate.

A translation of Epigram 61 from Martial's third book of Epigrams;

What so'ere you coggingly require,
T'is nothing (Cinna) still you cry:
Then Cinna you haue your desire,
If you aske nought, nought I deny.



Here is a list the known Francis Davisons poems from Robert Jones's third book (1605). The numbering is after Jones's book;

VI. Sweet, if you like and love me still.

The authur of this poem is Francis Davison and it was printed in his "Poetical Rhapsody"


Here is a list the poems from 'A Poetical Rhapsody' that from Robert Jones's, set to music, and published in his third book (1605). The numbering is after Jones's book;

XVIII. Since first disdain began to rise

XIX. At her fair hands how have I grace entreated - Notes from Edward Doughtie's 'Lyrics From Elizabethan Airs , 1596-1622' "Still another poem from (D) A Poetical Rhapsody (1602) ... It is in a group of poems assigned to Walter Davison ... "

XX. Oft have I mused the cause to find

XXI. Now have I learned with much ado



Here are the known Francis Davisons poems from Robert Jones's Madrigal book (1607). The numbering is after Jones's book;

V LOVE, IF A GOD THOU ART,

Love, if a god thou art,
Then evermore thou must
Be merciful and just.
If thou be just O wherefore doth thy dart
Wound me alone, and not my lady's heart?

"V. The words are by Francis Davison, although sometimes attributed to Donne. They were printed as the work of Francis Davison in Davison's 'Poetical Rhapsody.'" - Edmund H. Fellowes in his notes to the Jones book in Stainer & Bell's English Madrigalist Series.

Notes from Edmond Fellowes' 'English Madrigal Verse'
V. By Francis Davison. Printed in A Poetical Rhapsody, l602 (Rollins, i. p. 65) seven more lines. There is also a lute song setting of these words in Bodleian M Sch. F. 575, pp. 4-5. See Obertello, pp. 409 and 520-1.


XVIII. IF I BEHOLD YOUR EYES

If I behold your eyes
Love is a paradise;
But if I view my heart
'Tis an enfernal smart.

18. If I behold your eyes - Notes from Edmond Fellowes 'English Madrigal Verse'
XVIII. By Francis Davison. Printed in A Poetical Rhapsody, l602. ... Translated from Guarini, Il pastor fido, II. ii:

Silvio. Che cosa e questo amore?
Dorinda. S'i' miro il tuo bel viso,
Amore e un paradiso;
Ma S'i' miro il mio core,
E un infernal ardore.


XIX. SINCE YOUR SWEET CHEERY LIPS I KISSED

Since your sweet cheery lips I kissed
No want of food I once have mist ;
My stomach now no meat requires,
My throat no drink at all desires ;
For by your breath, which then I gained,
Chameleon-like my life's maintained.

XX. (the second part)

Then grant me, dear, those cherries still,
O let me feed on them my fill;
If by a surfeit death I get,
Upon my tomb let this be set:
Here lieth he whom cherries two
Made both to live and life forgo.

19. Since your sweet cheery lips I kissed (the first part) and 20. Then grant me, dear, those cherries still (the second part) - Notes from Edmond Fellowes 'English Madrigal Verse'
XIX-XX. Poem by Francis Davison. Printed in A Poetical Rhapsody, l602 (Rollins p.66).
6 Chameleon-like my life's maintained] Chameleon-like my life maintained C B. T.? The Chameleon was beileved to live on air insted of food. See Pliny's Natural History, XI. 31.



XXII. YOUR PRESENCE BREEDS MY ANGUISH (the first part)

Your presence breeds my anguish,
Your absence makes me languish,
Your sight with woe doth fill me,
And want of your sight, alas, doth kill me.

XXIII. (the second part)

If those dear eyes that burn me,
With mild aspect you turn me,
For life my weak heart panteth;
If frowningly, my spirit and life-blood faintet.

XXIV. (the third part)

If thou speak kindly to me,
Alas, kind words undo me ;
Yet silence doth dislike me
And one unkind ill word stark dead will strike me.

22. Your presence breeds my anguish (the first part), 23. If those dear eyes that burn me, (the second part) and 24. If thou speak kindly to me (the third part) - Notes from Edmond Fellowes 'English Madrigal Verse'
XXII-XXIV. Poem by Francis Davison. Printed in A Poetical Rhapsody, 1602 ... with one more stantza.



XXV. ARE LOVERS FULL OF FIRE? (the first part)

Are lovers full of fire?
How comes it then my verses are so cold?
And how, when I come nigh her
And fit occasion wills me to be bold.

XXVI. (the second part)

The more I burn, the more I do desire,
The less I dare require?
Ah, Love, thus is thy wondeous art
And freeze the tougue and fire the heart.

25. Are lovers full of fire? (the first part) and 26. The more I burn, the more I do desire (the second part) - Notes from Edmond Fellowes 'English Madrigal Verse'
xxv - xxvI. Poem by Francis Davison. Printed in A Poetical Rhapsody, 1602 ...



* Page 23 and 24'Martial In English' Edited by : Christopher Ricks and John Sullivan
Poets In Translation by Penguin Classics, Published by the Penguin Group, Printed in England by Clays, Ltd.1996
The First Set of Madrigals, of 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8 Parts, for Viols and Voices, or for Voices alone; or as you please... ... Imprinted by John Windet. 1607.
Robert Jones; First Set of Madrigals, English Madrigalist Series, Volume 35A. 0979 6. Transcribed, Scored and Edited.
London: Stainer & Bell, in the 1920's.
'English Madrigal Verse' by Edmond Fellowes.