Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/500

 sung) are an independent, though collateral homage of the same affection. Both editions are alike wanting in the Poems and stanzas distinguished on pages 521, 573, 577, and 578.

Of the third Quarto of this year, we have only seen an imperfect title page, ''Harl. MS.'' 5,963, fol. 152; which is "Printed for MATTHEW LOWNES" but has the date cut off. There is a copy in the Bodleian, which we have not had an opportunity of consulting. We should from the title expect this to be a reissue or reimpression of the First Quarto. The proof that it is the latest in time of the three is that the First Quarto was seized in September; and MATTHEW LOWNES did not take up his freedom of the Stationers' Company, and therefore could not avowedly publish a book till the 11th of October 1591.

At first we thought that these Quartos might have the better text: but on comparing and weighing, we have come to the conclusion that the version found after SIDNEY's Arcadia is in every way the truer and better one. The earliest revised edition of the Arcadia that we have met with is that of the Third Edition of 1598.

Thus the reader has here both the additional matter of the suppressed Quarto; and the more accurate text of the Arcadia impression, of which (as we have seen) Sir FULK GREVIL with SIDNEY's other friends were sponsors.