Looking over Evelyn's _Diary_, edited by Mr. Barry, 4to., 2nd edit.,
London, 1819, I came upon the following. Evelyn being at Rome, in 1644,
says:
"I was especially recommended to Father John, a Benedictine Monk and
Superior of the Order for the English College of Douay; a person of
singular learning, religion, and humanity; also to Mr. Patrick Cary,
an abbot, brother to our learned Lord Falkland, a witty young priest,
who afterwards came over to our church."
It immediately occurred to me, that this "witty young priest" might be
Sir Walter Scott's _protégé_, and the author of "_Triviall Poems and
Triolets_, written in obedience to Mrs. Tomkins' commands by Patrick
Carey, Aug. 20, 1651," and published for the first time at London in
1820, from a MS. in the possession of the editor.
Sir Walter, in introducing his "forgotten poet," merely informs us that
his author "appears to have been a gentleman, a loyalist, a lawyer, and
a rigid high churchman, if not a Roman Catholic."
In the first part of this book, which the author calls his "Triviall
Poems," the reader will find ample proof that his character would fit
the "witty young priest" of Evelyn; as well as the gentle blood, and
hatred to the Roundheads of Sir Walter. As a farther proof that Patrick
Carey the priest, and Patrick the poet, may be identical, take the
following from one of his poems, comparing the old Church with the
existing one:
"Our Church still flourishing w' had seene,
If th' holy-writt had euer beene
Kept out of laymen's reach;
But, when 'twas English'd, men halfe-witted,
Nay, woemen too, would be permitted,
T' expound all texts and preach."
The second part of Carey's poetical essays is entitled "I will sing unto
the Lord," and contains a few "Triolets;" all of an ascetic savour, and
strongly confirmatory of the belief that the author may have taken the
monastic vow:
"Worldly designes, feares, hopes, farwell!
Farwell all earthly joyes and cares!
On nobler thoughts my soule shall dwell;
Worldly designes, feares, hopes, farwell!
Att quiett, in my peaceful cell,
I'le thincke on God, free from your snares;
Worldly designes, feares, hopes, farwell!
Farwell all earthly joys and cares.
* * * * *
Pleasure att courts is but in show,
With true content in cells wee meete;
Yes (my deare Lord!) I've found it soe,
Noe joyes but thine are purely sweete!"
The quotation from the Psalms, which forms the title to this second
part, is placed above "a helmet and a shield," which Sir Walter has
transferred {407}to his title. This "bears what heralds call a cross
anchorée, or a cross moline, with a motto, _Tant que je puis_." With the
exception of the rose beneath this, there is no identification here of
Patrick Carey with the Falkland family. This cross, placed before
religious poems, may however be intended to indicate their subjects, and
the writer's profession, rather than his family escutcheon; although
that may be pointed at in the rose alluded to, the Falklands bearing "on
a bend three roses of the field."