The phrase suggests the friendly interest of the older poet in the younger, an interest that was repaid by the formal elegy just quoted. This hypothesis seems borne out by another epi- gram. 1 Although naturally much trust cannot be placed in verses in which the author aims to flatter, the conjunction of the two names seems to indicate that Surrey was recognized as the logical successor to Wyatt's poetical position, and at the least it does show that Surrey took his own verses seriously enough to make Leland feel that he would be flattered by such a conjunction. The inference from this is that he must have regarded Wyatt's work with admiration and respect. Under the circumstances a comparison between the work of the two poets is inevitable. Both translated Sonnet CXL of Petrarch. In order that the reader may have the documents in evidence the three will be given. Amor, che nel penser mio vive e regna E'l suo seggio maggior nel mio cor tene, Talor armato ne la fronte vène; Ivi si loca, et ivi pon sua insegna. Quella ch'amare e sofferir ne 'nsegna, E vòl che 'l gran desio, l'accesa spene, Ragion, vergogna e reverenza affrene, Di nostro ardir fra sè stessa si sdegna. Onde Amor paventoso fugge al core, Lasciando ogni sua impresa, e piange, e trema; Ivi s'acsonde e non appar più fòre. Che poss' io far, temendo il mio signore, Se non star seco in fin a l'ora extrema? Chè bel fin fa chi ben amando more.
This is a typical sonnet in Petrarch's conceited manner, a meta- phor ridden to death for the purpose of closing with an epigram. The last line is marked by conscious alliteration,--c-b-f-f-c-b-m-m-. It is a purely intellectual concept worked out like a puzzle. With Una dies geminos phœnices non dedit orbi Mors erit unius vita sed alterius Rara avis in terris confectus morte Viatus Houardum heredem scripserat ante suum. ____________________ | 1 | Miss Foxwell Wiat, 2, 235. | -520- |