Page:Scotish Descriptive Poems - Leyden (1803).djvu/211

 profitable exercise, to my own perdition." This address is dated December 9. 1594. His ideas concerning love poetry are exhibited in the following sonnet

This sonnet is less distinguished by poetical spirit, than by propriety of sentiment. The fire of chivalry was now evaporating in the extravagancies of romance and the vapid conceits of metaphysical love poetry; and both of these were regarded by the presbyterians as inimical to their cause. The Catholic party had encouraged the representation of plays, masques, and every other species of amusement which could attract the populace, and draw their attention from religious innovation. The presbyterians dreaded this species of seduction, as producing religious indifference and preserving a relish for the pomp of Romish worship. Plays, and every species