Poetry Codex

Metaphysical & Cavalier

Sir William Davenant

1606–1668

Sir William Davenant (1606–1668) was an English poet and playwright who served as Poet Laureate from 1638. A bridge between the ages of Shakespeare and Dryden, he helped reopen and reshape the English theatre after the Restoration.

His most ambitious work is the unfinished heroic poem Gondibert (1651); the collection Madagascar; with Other Poems (1638) gathers his courtly and occasional verse.

Major Works (1)

  1. Gondibert — Heroic poem, 1651

Poems (43)

  1. Madagascar. A Poem written to Prince RUPERT.
  2. Elizium. To the Duchesse of BVCKINGHAM.
  3. TO The Lord D. L. upon his Mariage.
  4. A Journey into Worcestershire.
  5. To Endimion Porter.
  6. TO THE QVEENE, entertain'd at night by the Countesse of Anglesey.
  7. To the Lady Bridget Kingsmill; sent with Mellons after a report of my Death.
  8. TO THE QVEENE, presented with a suit, in the behalfe of F. S. directed, From Orpheus Prince of Poets, To the Queene of Light; In favour of a young listner to his Harpe.
  9. To the Lord B. in performance of a vow, that night to write to him.
  10. To Endimion Porter.
  11. To I. C. Rob'd by his Man ANDREW.
  12. To the Earle of Portland, Lord Treasurer; on the mariage of his Sonne.
  13. THE QVEENE, returning to London after a long absence.
  14. To I. W. Vpon the death of his Mistresse.
  15. To Endimion Porter.
  16. Epitaph, on I. Walker.
  17. To Doctor Cademan, Physitian to the Queene.
  18. To Endimion Porter, When my Comedy (call'd the Wits) was presented at Black▪ Fryars.
  19. In celebration of the yearely Preserver of the Games at COTSWALD.
  20. On the Death of the Lady Marquesse of WINCHESTER.
  21. To Endimion Porter, upo his recovery from a long Sicknesse.
  22. Vpon the nuptials of Charles, Lord Herbert, and the Lady M. Villers.
  23. Prologue to a reviv'd Play of Mr Fletcher's, call'd The Woman-ha…er.
  24. Elegie on B. Haselrick, slaine in's youth, in a Duell.
  25. TO THE QVEENE, upon a New-yeares day.
  26. Elegie, On Francis, Earle of RUTLAND.
  27. To Endimion Porter.
  28. To the Countesse of Carlile, on the death of the Earle her Husband.
  29. Epilogue, TO LOVE and HONOR, A Tragicomedy.
  30. TO THE QVEENE, upon a New-yeares day.
  31. TO EDWARD Earle of Dorcet, after his Sicknesse, and happy recovery.
  32. TO THE LORD Cary of Lepington, upon his translation of MALVEZZI.
  33. To Henry Jarmin.
  34. To Tho: Carew.
  35. A Poem upon His Sacred Majesty’s Happy Return (1660)
  36. A Poem to the King’s Most Sacred Majesty (1663)
  37. A Panegyrick to the Lord General Monck (1660)
  38. Song: Endimion Porter and Olivia
  39. The Christians reply to the Phylosopher
  40. For the Lady Olivia Porter; a Present upon a New-years Day
  41. Song: The Lark now leaves his watry Nest
  42. To a Mistress Dying
  43. Praise and Prayer

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