CURRENT LITERATURE.
Poetical Works of William Basso (1602-1653). Edited by R. Warwick Bond, M.A. (Ellis and Elvey.)--It is a not unnatural thought that, with scores of minor poets who have everything but genius waiting in vain for recognition, it is a superfluous labour to disinter a minor poet of two hundred and fifty years ago. But it would be ungracious so to dismiss Mr. Warwick Bond's laborious work. We have to consider, too, that to be a minor poet in the seventeenth century meant more than it meads now, hence these verses have a certain literary impor'anee ; it would not be difficult, again, to find passages of social and historical interest in Basse's work. The fact, however, remains that these poems are somewhat hard reading. The highly artificial pastorals, for instaure, in which some of the author's best verses are to be found, are dis- tinctly tedious, nor are they altogether redeemed by excellence of form. A Serving-Man's Defence," on the other hand, is, at least, readable, though, it must be allowed, there is very little poetry in it. Very little is known of Basee's life. He seems to have been married (a fact which Mr. Bond somewhat oddly describes as being "acquainted with the deeper harmonies of lire"), and he was a client of Sir Richard Wenman, of Thame Park. The Theme Register contains various entries, which probably belong to his family. Various persons are mentioned in hie dedications, but we know nothing of his relation to them. It is not easy to find a really attractive specimen of Basse's verse. We can find a vigorous couplet, but a brilliant passage is not to be discovered. Here are a few samples
Would not the hilles yield latubes a sweeter flode, And wooden a louder Echo to thy rood?"
Of contentment :-
" It is a Jewett. lost b r being sought
libth too much travail, found by Reeking naught lint what it truly °wiles ; it is the grace Of greatness, greatneee of inferior place."
" Nor stand tall woods alone for goodly port, nt each his proper busicese bath nod state. The 1 laic a builder is of bytlog sort, And hire the Rini and Hotel do imitate. The Ash a soldier, Ewe is his consort ;
The Pine a sayler, and the Fyrrhe his mate,"
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