Poetry Codex

Metaphysical & Cavalier

Phineas Fletcher

1582–1650

Phineas Fletcher (1582–1650), the elder son of Giles Fletcher the elder and brother of the poet Giles Fletcher the younger, was educated at Eton and King's College, Cambridge. He took holy orders, and from 1621 until his death he was rector of Hilgay in Norfolk. He is generally regarded as the leading Spenserian poet of his generation.

His chief work, The Purple Island, or The Isle of Man, an allegorical poem in twelve cantos on the human body and soul, was printed at Cambridge in 1633 together with Piscatorie Eclogs and Poeticall Miscellanies. Those two shorter collections are given here: seven eclogues in which fishermen take the place of shepherds, and a miscellany of occasional verses, epigrams, translations from Boethius, psalm paraphrases and hymns. The Purple Island itself is given in full as a work.

Major Works (1)

  1. The Purple Island — Allegorical poem, 1633

Poems (42)

  1. Eclogue I: Amyntas
  2. Eclogue II: Thirsil
  3. Eclogue III: Myrtilus
  4. Eclogue IV: Chromis
  5. Eclogue V: Nicaea
  6. Eclogue VI: Thomalin
  7. Eclogue VII: The Prize
  8. An Hymen at the Marriage of my most deare Cousins Mr. W. and M. R
  9. To my beloved Cousin W. R. Esquire. Calend. Ianuar
  10. To Master W. C
  11. To my ever honoured Cousin W. R. Esquire
  12. To E. C. in Cambridge, my sonne by the University
  13. To my beloved Thenot in answer of his verse
  14. Upon the picture of Achmat the Turkish tyrant
  15. To Mr. Jo. Tomkins
  16. To Thomalin
  17. Against a rich man despising povertie
  18. Contemnenti
  19. A vow
  20. On womens lightnesse
  21. A reply upon the fair M. S
  22. An Apologie for the premises to the Ladie Culpepper
  23. To my onely chosen Valentine and wife, Anagram. MAYSTRESS ELISABETH VINCENT IS MY BRESTS CHASTE VALENTINE
  24. A translation of Boëthius, the third book and last verse
  25. A translation of Boëthius, book 2 verse 7
  26. Upon my brother, Mr G. F. his book entituled Christs Victorie and Triumph
  27. Upon the B. of Exon. Doct. Hall his Meditations
  28. Upon the Contemplations of the B. of Excester, given to the Ladie E. W. at New-yeares-tide
  29. These Asclepiads of Mr. H. S. translated and enlarged
  30. Psalm 42. which agrees with the tune of Like the Hermite poore
  31. Psal. 63. which may be sung, as The widow, or mock-widow
  32. Psal. 127
  33. Psal. 137. To be sung as, See the building
  34. Psal. I
  35. Psal. 130
  36. An Hymne (1)
  37. An Hymne (2)
  38. On my friends picture, who died in travel
  39. Upon Doctor Playser
  40. Upon my brothers book called, The grounds, labour, and reward of faith
  41. Upon Mr. Perkins his printed sermons
  42. The Divine Lover

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