On the title-page and also on the last leaf of Rand’s edition of this
poem, 1624, 4to, (reprinted, not with perfect accuracy, in the _Harleian
Miscellany_; see vol. i. 415. ed. Park,) is an imaginary portrait, of
which the subjoined is a fac-simile:
[Illustration:
“When Skelton wore the Laurell Crowne,
My Ale put all the Ale-wiues downe.”
]
George Steevens having heard that a copy of Rand’s edition was in
the Library of Lincoln Cathedral, prevailed on the Dean to bring it
to London; and having made a drawing of the title-page, gave it to
Richardson the printseller, who engraved and published it. Steevens, soon
after, contributed to the _European Magazine_ for May, 1794, vol. xxv.
334,—
“Verses meant to have been subjoined (with the following Motto) to a
Copy from a scarce Portrait of Elinour Rumming, lately published by Mr.
Richardson, of Castle-street, Leicester-square.
Ne sit ancillæ tibi amor pudori
Xanthia Phoceu! prius insolentem
Serva Briseis niveo colore
Movit Achillem.
Movit Ajacem Telamone natum
Forma captivæ dominum Tecmessæ;
Arsit Atrides medio in triumpho
Virgine rapta.