Metaphysical & Cavalier

Sir Aston Cokain

1608–1684


Sir Aston Cokain (also spelt Cokayne or Cockayne, 1608–1684) was a Derbyshire gentleman, Royalist and minor poet and dramatist, born at Ashbourne Hall. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, and travelled in France and Italy before settling into the life of a country squire. He was created a baronet in 1642 and sided with the King in the Civil War, after which his estates were much reduced.

Cokain moved in literary circles and was a friend and admirer of Philip Massinger and John Fletcher, on whose shared grave in Southwark he wrote an epitaph, and a kinsman of Charles Cotton. His chief book, A Chain of Golden Poems (1658), gathers epigrams, love and funeral elegies, songs, eclogues, verse letters and a satire, together with two comedies, The Obstinate Lady and Trappolin Suppos'd a Prince. It is a lively record of Cavalier manners and of the Derbyshire gentry around him.

  1. A Remedy for Love
  2. The first Eglogue
  3. The second Eglogue
  4. A Satyre
  5. Elegy 1. Of my falling in Love
  6. Elegy 2. To my Mistress
  7. Elegy 3. To my Mrs. before Mr. Mayes Lucan that I sent her
  8. Elegy 4
  9. Elegy 5
  10. Elegy 6
  11. Elegy 7
  12. Elegy 8
  13. Elegy 9
  14. Elegy 10
  15. Elegy 11
  16. Elegy 12
  17. Elegy 13
  18. Elegy 14. Before a little Book of my own that I sent her
  19. Elegy 15
  20. Elegy 16. At her going out of the Countrey
  21. Elegy 17. At my Return, having brought her the first days Journey
  22. Elegy 18
  23. Elegy 19
  24. Elegy 20
  25. Elegy 21
  26. Elegy 22
  27. Elegy 23. To her resolved to go beyond Sea
  28. Elegy 24
  29. Elegy 25. To her obtain'd
  30. Funeral Elegy 1. On the Death of my very good Friend Mr. Michal Drayton
  31. Funeral Elegy 2. On my dear Sister Mrs. Isabella Cokaine, who who died at Ashbourne about the 18th yeer of her Age, and lyes there buried
  32. Funeral Elegy 3. On the death of Henry Lord Hastings, Son to the right Honourable Ferdinand Earl of Huntingdon, &c
  33. Funeral Elegy 4. On the death of my dear Cousin Germane Mrs. Olive Cotton, who deceased at Berisford the 38th year of her Age, and lyes buried at Bently by Ashbourne, &c
  34. Funeral Elegy 5. A funeral Elegie on my Dear Cousin Mistress Elizabeth Reppington, who deceased at Ammington about the eighteenth year of her age, and lyes buried at Tamworth
  35. Funeral Elegy 6. A Funeral Elegie upon the Death of Mr. Thomas Pilkington, one of the Queens Musicians, Who deceased at Wolverhampton about the 35. year of his Age, and lies there buried
  36. To the Right Honourable John Lord Mohun Baron of Okehampton, my Vncle in Law
  37. To my friend and Kinsman Mr. George Giffard, who cal'd his Mistress the Green Bird of France
  38. To the right honourable Ferdinand Earl of Huntingdon, &c
  39. To a Lady that was so like another that I cal'd her Picture
  40. To my Mistress
  41. To the Lady M
  42. To my Cousin Mr. Charles Cotton
  43. To my Son Mr. Thomas Cokaine
  44. An Epithalamium, design'd for the Nuptials of Sir Andrew Knyvegston my Wives Brother, and Mrs. Elizabeth Stanhope of Elveton my Cousin-german; Their Marriage prevented by her death
  45. Epigram 1. To the Right Honourable Philip Earl of Chesterfield, Baron of Shelford, &c. My Uncle
  46. Epigram 2. To the Reader
  47. Epigram 3. To Chloris
  48. Epigram 4. To Mr. William Turner
  49. Epigram 5. To my Cousin germane Mrs. Olive Cotton
  50. Epigram 6. To my worthy Friend Mr. Harbert Aston
  51. Epigram 7. Of my self, when I was motion'd to a Judges Daughter
  52. Epigram 8. Of my staying Supper with my Cousin Mrs. Olive Cotton
  53. Epigram 9. An Epitaph on my younger Brother Mr. Thomas Cokaine, who died at Bath about the 18th year of his age, and lyes there Buried
  54. Epigram 10. To Mr. John Honyman
  55. Epigram 11. Of Love
  56. Epigram 12. To young Maides, translated out the 3. lib. De Arte Amandi
  57. Epigram 13. To Plautia
  58. Epigram 14. Of my Mistress, written at Venice
  59. Epigram 15. To Mrs. Mary Coke, an Acrostick
  60. Epigram 16. To my Uncle Sir John Stanhope, an Acrostick
  61. Epigram 17. Of my Mistress
  62. Epigram 18. To my Cousin Mr. Charles Cotton, an Acrostick
  63. Epigram 19. To my very good Friend and Cousin Mr. Roger King
  64. Epigram 20. To Thalia
  65. Epigram 21. An Epitaph on my dear Cousin German Mrs. Elizabeth Stanhope, who died at Elveston about the 20th year of her age, and lies there buried
  66. Epigram 22. An Epitaph on my dear sister the Lady Boteler, who deceased about the 34th year of her Age
  67. Epigram 33. To Lesbia
  68. Epigram 24. An Epitaph on a great sleeper
  69. Epigram 25. An Epitaph on a great Wencher
  70. Epigram 26. To my honoured Friend Mr. Marmaduke Wyvel
  71. Epigram 27. An Epitaph on Mrs. M. H
  72. Epigram 28. To Mr. Nathaniel Hazard and his Wife, on their Marriage
  73. Epigram 29. To Corinna
  74. Epigram 30. Of Lycoris
  75. Epigram 31. Of Mary a Chambermaid
  76. Epigram 32. Of Katherine, a Kitchen-wench
  77. Epigram 33. Of the Infamie of his Mistress
  78. Epigram 34. To Apollo, Ausonius Gallus
  79. Epigram 35. To my Cousin Mr. Charles Cotton
  80. Epigram 36. Of Chaucer
  81. Epigram 37. Of Edmond Spencer
  82. Epigram 38. To my Noble Cousin Colonel Ralph Sneyde
  83. Epigram 39. Of Farmo
  84. Epigram 40. Of Ovids Banishment
  85. Epigram 41. To Mr. Thomas Bancroft
  86. Epigram 42. To the Lady Elizabeth Darcy, my Cousin German
  87. Epigram 43. To my worthy Friend Colonel Edward Stamford
  88. Epigram 44. To my Cousin German Mrs. Cordelia Harryes
  89. Epigram 45. To Lydia
  90. Epigram 46. Of a Room in an Ale-house that we call the Apollo
  91. Epigram 47. Of Delia
  92. Epigram 48. Ca. Germanici Augusti Epigramma de Puero Thracensi
  93. Epigram 49. Of Cajus Germanicus Augustus
  94. Epigram 50. To my very good Friend Mr. Francis Lenton
  95. Epigram 51. Francis Lenton Poet
  96. Epigram 52. Francis Lenton. Anagram. Nann Colts fire
  97. Epigram 53. To the World, of Nan Colt
  98. Epigram 54. To Mr. Francis Lenton, refusing wine
  99. Epigram 55. Francis Lenton. Anagram. Not Nel; Cis, Fran
  100. Epigram 56. To my very good Friend M. Thomas Lightwood
  101. Epigram 57. To my noble Cousin Mr. William Milward
  102. Epigram 58. To my worthy Friends the two Colonel William Bales
  103. Epigram 59. To my dear Cousin Mr. Robert Milwand
  104. Epigram 60. To my noble Friend, Mr. Marmaduke Wivel
  105. Epigram 61. To my honoured kinsman Mr. Henry Kendal the younger
  106. Epigram 62. To Maides
  107. Epigram 63. To the truly Noble Sir Arthur Gorges
  108. Epigram 94. To Sir Andrew Knyveton my wives brother
  109. Epigram 65. To my Cousins Germans Mr. Cromwell, Mr. Byron, Mr. Ratcliff, and M. Alexander Stanhope
  110. Epigram 66. To my Cousin Mr. Charles Cotton the younger
  111. Epigram 67. To my honest Kinsman Sir John Reppington
  112. Epigram 68. To my Brother in Law Colonel Will. Nevil
  113. Epigram 69. An Epitaph on a Penitent Bawde
  114. Epigram 70. An Epitaph on an old Bawde
  115. Epigram 71. To my Cousin Mr. William Milward
  116. Epigram 72. Don Quixot. Quarta parte, Cap. 33
  117. Englished. Of Women (Epigram 1.72)
  118. Epigram 73. Of a Servant-Maid
  119. Epigram 74. The Boyes Opinions
  120. Epigram 75. Of a Sawyer
  121. Epigram 76. Of a Gentleman of Venice, and his Mistress
  122. Epigram 77. To my especial Friend Mr. Henry Thimbleby
  123. Epigram 78. The Florentine Dutchess, and her Woman Dwarfe
  124. Epigram 79. To my honoured Friend Sir William Persal
  125. Epigram 80. A Design of an Epick Poem
  126. Epigram 81. To my vertuous fair Cousin the Lady Trentham
  127. Epigram 82. To the Same
  128. Epigram 83. To my old Friend Mr. Rob. Grosvenor
  129. Epigram 84. To my honest Cousins Mr. Robert Milward, and Mr. Roger King
  130. Epigram 85. To Sir Francis Boteler, my brother in law, from Ashbourn
  131. Epigram 86. To the right Honourable Henry Lord Hastings Baron of Loughborough
  132. Epigram 87. To my Noble Cousin Mr. Henry Hastings of Branston
  133. Epigram 88. To the right honourable Charles Lord Cokaine, Viscount Cullen
  134. Epigram 89. An Epitaph on my worthy Cousin German Colonel Michael Stanhope slain at Willoughbie-Fight, and lyes buried in the Church there
  135. Epigram 90. An Epitaph on my dear Cousin German Mrs. Olive Cotton
  136. Epigram 91. To my Cousin German Mr. John Stanhope of Elveston
  137. Epigram 92. Of Caesar and Cleopatra
  138. Epigram 93. An Epitaph on my most honour'd Kinsman Colonel Ralph Sneyd, who dy'd in the Isle of Man about the 40th year of his Age
  139. Epigram 94. Of Slander
  140. Epigram 95. To Elveston a Town in Darbyshire
  141. Epigram 96. Of Venice, Translated out of Sannazarius
  142. Englished (Epigram 1.96)
  143. Epigram 97. Of the Gratuity given the Poet
  144. Epigram 98. Of Women
  145. Epigram 99. Of the same
  146. Epigram 100. An Epitaph on Mr. John Fletcher, and Mr. Philip Massinger, who lie buried both in one Grave in St. Mary Overie's Church in Southwark
  147. Epigram 101. Of Augustus Caesar, and Marcus Antonius
  148. Epigram 102. To the Lady Mary Cokaine, Viscountess Cullen
  149. Epigram 103. To the same
  150. Epigram 104. An Epitaph of Colonel Ferdinand Stanhope Son to the Earl of Chesterfield, who was slain about Shelford, and lies there buried
  151. Epigram 105. To my Wives Neece Mrs. Elizabeth Pegge
  152. Epigram 106. To her Brother Mr. Tho. Pegge
  153. Epigram 107. To my Wife
  154. Epigram 108. Of Hubert Wypart
  155. Epigram 109. To Tom Mullins
  156. Epigram 110. To his Wife
  157. Epigram 111. An Epitaph on Mr. Isaac Coe who died about the 40th year of his Age
  158. Epigram 112. To Zoilus
  159. Epigram 113. Of Lupa
  160. Epigram 114. Of Cloe
  161. Epigram 115. Of the Thames
  162. Epigram 116. To my fellow Travellour Mr. Maurice La Meir, alias Ardenville
  163. Epigram 117. To Porphyrius
  164. Epigram 118. His Mistress
  165. Epigram 119. Their Marriage
  166. Epigram 120. An Epitaph on Mr. Humphry Cumberford who died in Tamworth about the 34th year of his age, and lyes there buried
  167. Epigram 121. To Clarinda
  168. Epigram 122. To my Book
  169. Epigram 1. To the Fellow-Commoners of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge
  170. Epigram 2. To the Reader
  171. Epigram 13. To Mr. Tho. Harper a Printer
  172. Epigram 4. Of Virgil
  173. Epigram 5. To Mr. Bryan Cokaine
  174. Epigram 6. To Mrs. Elizabeth Cokaine, his Lady
  175. Epigram 7. To my honest kinsman Mr. John Cokaine
  176. Epigram 8. To Dulcinea
  177. Epigram 9. To Sir Robert Brett
  178. Epigram 10. To Mr. George Porter
  179. Epigram 11. To Mr. Richard Grey of Adderston, my worthy kinsman
  180. Epigram 12. An Epitaph on my Noble Cousin Mr. Edward Reppington, who deceased about the 24th year of his age, and lies buried in Tamworth
  181. Epigram 13. Of Men
  182. Epigram 14. To Robert Shotwall of Ashbourne
  183. Epigram 15. Of Rome
  184. Epigram 16. Of Womens Clothes
  185. Epigram 13. Of Cupid
  186. Epigram 18. Of Galla
  187. Epigram 19. Of Bettina
  188. Epigram 20. To the same
  189. Epigram 21. Of the River Cham
  190. Epigram 22. To my ingenuous Friend Mr. Alexander Brome on his Essay to translate Lucretius
  191. Epigram 23. To my dear Cousin-Germans Mrs. Anne, Mrs. Elizabeth, Mrs. Phillipia, and Mrs. Dorothie Stanhope, Sisters
  192. Epigram 24. To my Vncle (in law) Mr. Richard Sutton
  193. Epigram 25. Of Ashborn
  194. Epigram 22. To Mrs. Elizabeth Sheepy of Ashbourne
  195. Epigram 23. To my dear Cousin Germans Mrs Stanhope, and Mrs. Isabella Hutchinson; Sisters
  196. Epigram 24. To Mr. John Young, of the Bear in Powlesworth
  197. Epigram 29. Of Men and Women
  198. Epigram 32. To Mr. Ralph Rawson lately fellow of Brasen Nose Colledge
  199. Epigram 31. To my most honoured Cousin the Lady Mary Fitzherbert of Tissington
  200. Epigram 32. Of Naples
  201. Epigram 33. Of Wakes, and May-Poles
  202. Epigram 34. An Epitaph on Mr. Will. Davenport, a Cousin-German of my wifes, who dyed at Henbury his own house in Cheshire, and lies buried by his wife at Dubridge in Darby-shire; he being aged about 29
  203. Epigram 35. To Iustice Would be
  204. Epigram 36. To Mrs Elizabeth Spencer
  205. Epigram 37. Of Pope Urban the Eight
  206. Epigram 38. To those Preachers
  207. Epigram 35. To Parissus
  208. Epigram 40. To the Popes
  209. Epigram 41. To my wife on the birth of her daughter Isabella
  210. Epigram 42. Of our Ladie of Loretto
  211. Epigram 43. An Epitaph on Mr. Thomas Pilkington, one of the Queens Musicians, who dyed at Wolverhampton about the 35 year of his age, and lies there buried
  212. Epigram 44. To Zoilus
  213. Epigram 45. An Epitaph on my dear sister Mrs. Lettice Armstrong, who deceased about the 43 of her age, and of Mrs. Lucy Cokain, who dyed about the 34 of hers, and lye both buried at Ashborn
  214. Epigram 46. To my Cousin Mr. Thomas Cokaine of Manciter
  215. Epigram 47. Upon the Marriage of Mr. Edward Tilsly, and Mrs. Anne Fleetwood
  216. Epigram 48. Of Vesuvius
  217. Epigram 49. Of George Buchanon
  218. Epigram 50. To Mrs. Anne Adams, my mothers Cosin-german
  219. Epigram 51. To my highly honoured Cousin-German, Mr. Arthur Sanhope, son to the Earl of Chesterfield
  220. Epigram 52. To Mris. Elizabeth Kendall, my wives Niece
  221. Epigram 35. To Mr. Humphrey Mosley, and Mr. Humphrey Robinson
  222. Epigram 54. To my much honoured Cousin Sir Francis Burdet Baronet
  223. Epigram 55. To Mrs. Anne Gregson of Ashburn
  224. Epigram 56. To my sweet Cousin Mrs. Isabella Milward
  225. Epigram 57. An Epitaph on King Arthur
  226. Epigram 58. An Epitaph on Henry the fourth of France
  227. Epigram 59. Of Fame
  228. Epigram 60. An Epitaph on Mr. Ralph Fitzherbert who dyed at Ashby de la Zouch about the 22 year of his age, and lies there buried
  229. Epigram 61. Of Death
  230. Epigram 62. To Mris. Katharin Pegge my wives eldest sister
  231. Epigram 63. Of Cambridge and Oxford
  232. Epigram 64. To Mrs. Elizabeth Nevil, my wives youngest sister
  233. Epigram 65. To Parson Dulman
  234. Epigram 66. To Mrs Francis Shalcross, and Mrs. Julia Boteler my Niece, on their wedding night
  235. Epigram 67. To Captain Mouther
  236. Epigram 69. To Mr. Clement Fisher of Wincott
  237. Epigram 70. To Astrologers
  238. An Epitaph on Mrs. Brigit Allibond, who dyed at Chenye about the eighteenth year of her age, and lies there buried
  239. Epigram 72. An Epitaph on Lycisca, who forc'd her husband to counterfeit his Religion
  240. Epigram 73. To Mrs. Francis Pegge, my wifes Neece
  241. Epigram 74. To Mr. Gilbert Knyveton, and Mr. Thomas Knyueton my wifes Brothers
  242. Epigram 75. To my sister Mrs. Katharine Weston
  243. Epigram 76. To my Cousin Mr. John Milward
  244. Epigram 77. An Epitaph on Mr. Peter Allibond, Fellow of Lincolne Colledge in Oxford
  245. Epigram 78. To my Niece Mrs. Isabella Boteler
  246. Epigram 79. To Mr. Andrew Whitehall
  247. Epigram 80. An Epitaph on my Father Mr. Tho. Cokain, who deceased in London, about the of his age, and lyes buryed in St. Giles's Church in the Fields
  248. Epigram 81. Of Cats
  249. Epigram 82. Of the English, Spanish, and French
  250. Epigram 83. Of the Low Dutch
  251. Epigram 84. To Isabel Manifold of the Black Swan in Ashb
  252. Epigram 85. To the same
  253. Epigram 86. An Epitaph on my most honoured kinsman Ferdinando Earl of Huntington, who deceased at his house in Donnington Park about the 48 year of his age, and lyes buried at Ashby de la Zouch
  254. Epigram 87. To Henry Right of the Cock in Poulesworth
  255. Epigram 88. Of high-spirited women
  256. Epigram 2.89
  257. Englished (Epigram 2.89)
  258. To Sir Robert Hilliard
  259. Epigram 90. To my honoured Cousin Mr. Basill Fitzherbert of Norbury, and his Lady
  260. Epigram 91. To my noble Cousin Mr. Charls Cotton the younger
  261. Epigram 92. To the same
  262. Epigram 93. To my honoured friend Mr. Samuel Roper
  263. Epigram 94. To Mrs Mary Cokain my eldest daughter
  264. Epigram 95. To the right honourable the Lord Winfield Cromwell Earle of Arglass, my noble kinsman
  265. Epigram 96. To my worthy friend Mr. Henry Turville
  266. Epigram 97. Of Cupid and Marriage
  267. Epigram 97. To Parson Nameless
  268. Epigram 99. To my honoured Cousin Mr. Charls Cotton Iunior
  269. Epigram 100. To Mr. John Adams, my Cousin
  270. Epigram 101. Of a Roome in cal'd the Minerva
  271. Epigram 102. To my honoured Friend Mr. Cassevilan Burton
  272. Epigram 103. Of Cardinal Bellarmine
  273. Epigram 104. Of Cornelius Gallus
  274. Epigram 105. To Banellus
  275. Epigram 106. To Mr. Henry Longville
  276. Epigram 107. Of Catullus, Tibullus, and Propertius
  277. Epigram 108. To my Son Mr. Thomas Cokaine
  278. Epigram 109. To Mr. Daniel Millescent
  279. Epigram 110. To Mr. Robert Creitton Dr. of Divinity, formerly Oratour and Greek Professour of the University of Cambridge
  280. Epigram 111. Of high-spirited women
  281. Epigram 112. To Momus
  282. Epigram 113. To Mr. Edmond Ravenhill
  283. Epigram 114. To Anne Hill
  284. Epigram 115. To my honoured kinsman Mr. Edward Darcy
  285. Epigram 116. An Epitaph on Mr. Gilbert Knyveston, my wives Brother, who deceased in London about the 38 year of his age, and lies buried at St. Giles in the fields
  286. Epigram 117. Of amorous Courtship
  287. Epigram 118. Of Katherine Boer
  288. Epigram 119. Of Puritans
  289. Epigram 120. To my brother in law Mr. William Nevil
  290. Epigram 121. To Mrs. Alice Nevill, his sister
  291. Epigram 122. To Mrs. An & Mrs. Mildred Nevil his daughters
  292. Epigram 123. To Paulinus
  293. Epigram 124. To my honoured friend Major William Warner
  294. Epigram 125. Of this Book
  295. Epigram 1. To the Gentry of Darbyshire
  296. Epigram 2. To the Readers
  297. Epigram 3. To the Right Honourable Philip Earl of Chesterfield, Baron of Shelford, &c
  298. Epigram 4. An Epitaph on Elizabeth the Lady Reppington, who deceased at Ammington, about the 50. year of of her age, and lies buried at Tamworth
  299. An Epitaph on my honoured Cousin Mr. John Reppington, who deceased at Ammington about the 25 year of his age, and lies buried at Tamworth
  300. Epigram 6. To Mr. Charles Hutchinson my Cousin German
  301. Epigram 7. To Mr. Francis Fitzherbert of Lincolnes Inne, my kinsman
  302. Epigram 8. To Mr. Will. Stanhope the younger my Cousin German
  303. Epigram 9. Of Quintilla
  304. Epigram 10. To my mother Mrs Anne Cokain
  305. Song 1
  306. The second Song
  307. The third song, being an answer to O no, I tell thee no
  308. The fourth song, being a fictitious Relation
  309. The fifth Song
  310. Song 7
  311. The eighth song, upon the first expedition into the North under the late King
  312. The ninth song
  313. The tenth Song
  314. The eleventh Song
  315. The twelfth song
  316. The thirteenth song
  317. The fourteenth song
  318. The fifthteenth Song
  319. The sixteenth Song, of two lovers
  320. The seventeenth Song
  321. The eighteenth song. Of women
  322. The nineteenth Song
  323. The twentieth Song. A Ballad of Darbyshire
  324. Song 21

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