Verse
The Anchorite in Scipina (‘Ah happy are we anchorites that know’)
First published in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, p. 91.
*BarJ 1
Autograph.
In: A partly autograph quarto volume of poems by Jane Barker, entitled ‘Poems on several occasions. in three parts’, 136 leaves (plus seven stubs), in brown calf gilt. Comprising (f. 1) a prose dedication ‘to the Reader’, (f. 2) a title-page, (ff. 3r-5r) a prose dedication ‘To his Royal Highnes the Prince of Wales’, (ff. 5v-6r) another prose dedication ‘To the reader’, (ff. 7r-38r) ‘part the first Poems Refering to the times Occasionly writ according to the different circumstance of time and place’; (ff. 39r-84r) ‘part the second, the greatest part of which were writ since the author was in France’; and (ff. 85r-133r) ‘These following poems, are taken out of a book of Miscellany poems, and writ by the same author as the former, But without her consent, were printed in the year i688: now corrected by her own hand, which makes the third part of this Collection’; with (ff. 134r-6v) a table of contents; Part One in the hand of Barker's cousin Colonel William Connock, with autograph corrections and revisions by Barker; Parts Two and Three entirely in Barker's hand, with frequent revisions. c.1700-4.
Later owned by the Rev. Thomas Corser, FSA (1793-1876), book collector. Sotheby's, 10 July 1871 (Corser sale, 7th portion), lot 204, to Ellis. Subsequently owned by James Crossley (1800-83), author and book collector; then in 1884 by the bookdealer Salkeld, and in February 1886 by W.D. Macray, Bodleian Librarian, who donated it to Magdalen College.
Known in a Barker context as the ‘Magdalen MS’, selectively edited and described, with a list of contents and facsimile examples (including the general title-page on f. 2r), in King, Poems, where also the first dedication appears in facsimile (p. 6) and the second and third dedications are edited (pp. 35-7). Facsimiles of the first dedication and general title-page also in King, Barker, Exile, Figs 3 and 4, after p. 112. Also described in the online Perdita Project.
At the sight of the body of Our late gracious sovereign Lord King James 2d As it lys at the English Monks (‘Hic jacet, oft hic jacet poets sing’)
Wilson, pp. 310-13.
The contract with the muses writ on the bark of a shady ash-tree (‘Methinks these shades, strange thoughts suggest’)
A version of lines 85-102 and 104-29 first published in Love Intrigues (1713) [Wilson, pp. 14, 25-6]. Full text in Wilson, pp. 324-5, and in King, Poems, pp. 40-1.
*BarJ 3
Autograph.
In: the MS described under BarJ 1. c.1700-4.
Edited from this MS in Wilson and in King, Poems.
A dialogue between Fidelia and her little nephew, Martius, as they walk in Luxembourg. disguis'd as a shepherdess or country maid (‘Why weeps my child, why weeps my dearest boy’)
Lines 40-1 first published in Love Intrigues (1713) and then in Patch-Work Screen (1723) [Wilson, pp. 8, 122]. Full text in Wilson, pp. 313-19, and in King, Poems, pp. 35-8.
*BarJ 4
Autograph, with a deletion and an ink thumb-print, presumably Barker's.
In: the MS described under BarJ 1. c.1700-4.
Edited from this MS in Wilson and in King, Poems. Facsimile of f. 65r (and enlarged thumb-print) in the latter, pp. 4-5, and in King, Barker, Exile, Figs 1 and 2, after p. 112.
A discourse between Englands ill Genius and his companion (‘O miserable wretch! what shall I do,?’)
BarJ 5
Copy in: A quarto volume of poems by Jane Barker, entitled (f. 3r) ‘A Collection of Poems Refering to the times; since the King's accession to the Crown. Occasionally writ according to the circumstance of time and place’, 55 leaves, in contemporary calf (rebacked). In the hand of Barker's cousin Colonel William Connock, with a few minor autograph corrections by her, with (ff. 4r-6r) a prose dedication ‘To his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales’, (f. 7r-v) a dedication ‘To the Reader’, and (ff. 8r-9v) a table of contents; the volume evidently prepared (if not actually used) as a presentation MS to James Francis Edward Stuart, the Jacobite Prince of Wales (later the ‘Old Pretender’). c.1700-1.
Bookplate (engraved by Antoine Aveline (1691-1743)) of Anne-Charlotte de Crussol-Florensac, Duchesse d'Aiguillon, after her marriage on 12 August 1718 to Armand-Louis du Plessis-Richelieu (1683-1750). Sotheby's, 21 November 1856, lot 215.
The MS discussed in King, Poems, passim. Also described in the online Perdita Project.
*BarJ 5.5
Copy, with extensive autograph deletions and revisions, including ten lines of substitute text at the end in Barker's hand.
In: the MS described under BarJ 1. c.1700-4.
Facsimiles of f. 17r in King, Poems, p. 10, and in King, Barker, Exile, Fig. 5, after p. 112.
A discourse between England's ill Genius and his Companion on the jubelee in Hell (‘This night we have a jubile in Hell’)
A dream, Of the cattacumens Elesium (‘Methought I pass'd through that Elesium plain’)
A version, headed ‘The Childrens, or Cathechumen's Elysium’, in Patch-Work Screen (1723) [Wilson, pp. 160-1].
England's good Genius (‘What mighty joy this victory has given’)
Englands good Genius and Philanthrophel his companion (‘If I had in my nature any dross’)
BarJ 11
Copy in: the MS described under BarJ 1. c.1700-4.
Englands ill Genius and his companion after the Battell of the Boyn (‘Sure, sure, th' Almighty Tyrant of the skys’)
Fidelia alone lamenting her parents lately dead, and her relations gone into the west against Monmoth (‘How my poor heart's with grief and fear oppres'd’)
King, Poems, pp. 28-30.
Fidelia and her friend (‘Well met Fidelia, how have you done of late’)
Fidelia and her friend on her becoming a Catholick first dialogue (‘met how cou'd you thus leave in distres’)
Fidelia and her friend the third dialogue (‘Well met Fidelia let me hear you rail’)
Fidelia arguing with her self on the difficulty of finding the true Religion (‘Oh wretched World, but wretched above all’)
First published, in a 37-line version headed ‘On the Difficulties of Religion’, in Patch-Work Screen (1723) [Wilson, pp. 163-5]. Full 79-line version in Kissing the Rod, pp. 355-7.
Fidelia having seen the Convent at St: James's (‘If there be a terrestial Paradice’)
Fidelia in a Convent garden the Abess comes to her (‘I from my cell behelld you thoughtfull set’)
Fidelia in France meets one of Portsmoth officers (‘How little did I think to meet you here’)
Fidælia in st Germains garden, lamenting her misfortunes (‘Under what constellation was I born’)
Lines 18-28 First published in Love Intrigues (1713) [Wilson, p. 32]. Full text in King, Poems, p. 39.
Fidelia meets her neighbour reading a letter (‘Why are you sad, what news have you receiv'd’)
Fidelia walking the Lady Abess comes to her (‘The news is come, that Irland is quite lost’)
*BarJ 34
Copy, with autograph revisions including eight autograph lines of substitute text and a note by Barker about ‘these athestical lines’ which were ‘not given to the Prince’ on a slip of paper sewn in.
In: the MS described under BarJ 1. c.1700-4.
Facsimile of f. 36r in King, Poems, and in King, Barker, Exile, Fig. 6, after p. 112.
Fidelia weeping for the Kings departure at the Revolution (‘Unhappy I, to live to see this day’)
King, Poems, p. 31.
A french song english'd Pour un seul baiser ec: (‘For one kis alone my lovly Phillis’)
A French song tranclated, allez berger &c. (‘Go shepherd go, bid me adue’)
Hells Regret, for the peace & unity like to ensue the Duke of Anjou's accession to the Crown of Spain. spoken as by Lucifer (‘What shall we do? we'r ruin'd lost undone’)
BarJ 40
Copy in: the MS described under BarJ 1. c.1700-4.
A Hill (‘Oh that I cou'd verses write’)
First published in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, p. 27.
In commendation of the female sex, spoke by the same Anchorite, in Scipina (‘Ah beautious sex, to you we'r bound to give’)
First published, as ‘In Commendation of the Female Sex Out of Scipina’, in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, pp. 44-5.
An invitation to my learned friends at Cambridge: to my country solitude (‘If friends, you wou'd but now this place accost’)
First published, in a version headed ‘An Invitation to my Friends at Cambridge’, in Poetical Recreations. (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I. pp. 1-4. Another version in Patch-Work Screen (1723) [Wilson, pp. 93-5]. King, Poems, pp. 43-5.
*BarJ 43
Autograph, with a deletion.
In: the MS described under BarJ 1. c.1700-4.
Edited from this MS in King, Poems.
The lovers Elesium, Or foolls Paradice: a dream (‘Sleeping byth' river Glen, methought I found’)
Wilson, pp. 320-3.
A marriage Roundelay made on my friend mr, and mrs - - - (‘With a mery Roundelay’)
The Miseries of St Germains, writ at the time of the pestilence and famin, which reign'd in the years, 1694 et 95 (‘Preachers no more, you need your people tell’)
Wilson, pp. 302-7.
*BarJ 46
Autograph, with a deletion.
In: the MS described under BarJ 1. c.1700-4.
Edited from this MS in Wilson.
Necessity of fate, in consideration of my writing verses as it were against my will (‘In vain in vain it is I find’)
A version first published, as ‘Necessity of Fate’, in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, pp. 38-40. Another in Patch-Work Screen [Wilson, pp. 141-3]. King, Poems, pp. 50-1.
Of Charity, In perticuler of forgiving injuries (‘This vertue does above all others climb’)
First published in Patch-Work Screen (1723) [Wilson, pp. 157-8].
On Philena her playfellow her Absence for a time (‘I dread this tedious time more than’)
First published, headed ‘Absence for a Time’, in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, pp. 67-8.
On Sedge-more victory by Lucifer and his Fiends (‘Oh! what a loss, have we this night sustained’)
On Strephon's pretending business to be the cause of his long absence (‘Full well I knew it wou'd be said’)
On the Apothecarys filing my bills amongst the Doctors (‘I hope I sha'n't be blam'd if I am proud’)
A version first published in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, pp. 31-4. Another in Patch-Work Screen (1723) [Wilson, pp. 116-19]. King, Poems, pp. 46-8.
on the Ascention venite (‘Come let us sing the praises of this day’)
On the Death of my dear friend and play-fellow, mrs E D, having dream'd the night before, that I lost a pearl (‘I dream'd I lost a pearl, and so it prov'd’)
First published in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, pp. 18-19.
On the death of the Right honourable the Earl of Exiter. 1700 (‘What Alien is there, ha'n't a pious tear’)
Wilson, pp. 309-10.
On the great cares, And small injoyments of parents (‘How short and transient joys of parents are’)
Wilson, p. 319.
On The kings birth-day, writ at st Germains. i694: (‘Methinks Britania [writes?] with tears’)
On the Victory at Sedgemore (‘This night they say a battell has been fought’)
The prospect of a landskip begining with a grove (‘Well might the ancients, deem a grove to be’)
A version first published in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, pp. 20-3. Then, headed ‘The Grove’, in A Patch-Work Screen (1723) [Wilson, pp. 76-9].
Reflection on dreams (‘A dream to me seems a misterious thing’)
First published, in a version headed ‘On Dreams’, in Patch-work Screen (1723) [Wilson, p. 162]. Wilson, p. 320.
*BarJ 61
Autograph.
In: the MS described under BarJ 1. c.1700-4.
Edited from this MS in Wilson (p. 320).
Reflections on mr Cowleys words, The Muses fleece lys dry (‘Tis that unluckey sentance which has lost’)
Wilson, pp. 329-30.
A Rivulet (‘Ah lovly stream, how fitly mayst thou be’)
A version, headed ‘Sitting by a Rivulet’, first published in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, pp. 24-7. Then in Patch-Work Screen (1723) [Wilson, pp. 80-2].
Second Dialogue (‘Well have you thought on the advice I gave’)
She begining to study phisick, takes her leave of poetry, so falls into a long degression on anatomy (‘Fare well fare well, kind poetry my friend’)
First published, in a version headed ‘A Farewell to Poetry, With a Long Digression on Anatomy’ and beginning ‘Farewell, my gentle Friend, kind Poetry’, in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, pp. 99-104. A version in two sections, headed ‘An Invocation of her Muse’ and ‘Anatomy’ respectively, in Patch-Work Screen (1623) [Wilson, pp. 85-90].
A song (‘When poor Galæcia aged grew’)
Wilson, p. 330. King, Poems, p. 42.
BarJ 67
Autograph.
In: the MS described under BarJ 1. c.1700-4.
Edited from this MS in Wilson and in King, Poems.
A Song in Sipina (‘In vain do'es nature her free gifts bestow’)
First published in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, p. 79.
To Dame - - - Augustin nun on her curious gum-work (‘Oft have I strove t'asscend that lofty ground’)
Wilson, pp. 298-300.
*BarJ 69
Autograph, with a revision.
In: the MS described under BarJ 1. c.1700-4.
Edited from this MS in Wilson.
To Her Majesty the Queen, on the Kings going to Callis this carnival i696: (‘Madame / It was not want of zeal, but want of sight’)
Wilson, pp. 295-7. King, Poems, pp. 32-3.
*BarJ 70
Autograph, with a deletion.
In: the MS described under BarJ 1. c.1700-4.
Edited from this MS in Wilson and in King, Poems.
To her muse, who's kindness at first she seems to slight, afterwards accepts kindly (‘Ah silly Muse thus to infest’)
First published, in a version headed ‘To the Importunate Address of Poetry’, in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, pp. 97-8. In another version, headed ‘To my Muse’, in Patch-Work Screen (1723) [Wilson, pp. 123-4]. King, Poems, pp. 56-7.
To Her Royal Highness the Princess Lewis Marya, Princess of Bavaria Abess of the Royal monestery of Maubison (‘Illustrious Princess, venerable dame’)
To His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, on His birth day i689: or 99: The author having presented him a Calvary set in a vinyard (‘Forgive me sr that on this happy day’)
Wilson, pp. 292-4.
To Madam Fitz James, on the day of her profession, at Pontoise, she taking the name of St Ignace (‘When Madam you were at the altar lay'd’)
Wilson, pp. 297-8.
To mr -- -- my indiffrent lover, who complain'd of my indiffrency (‘You'd little reason to complain of me’)
First published, in a version headed ‘To Dr. R.S. my indifferent Lover, who complain'd of my Indifferency’, in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, pp 16-17. Another version in Patch-Work Screen (1723) [Wilson, pp. 105-6].
To mr -- -- on his incomparable Singing (‘The pleasure which our ears receive’)
First published, in a version headed ‘To Mr. C. B. On his Incomparable Singing’ and beginning ‘The Honour that the Air receives’, in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, pp. 76-7.
To Mr G P my adopted brother, on the nigh approach of his nuptials (‘Thy marry'ng humour I dare scarce upbraid’)
First published in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, pp. 11-12.
To mr Hill on his verses to the Duchess of York when she was at Cambridge (‘What fitter subject cou'd be for thy wit’)
First published in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, pp. 4-6.
To mr Mosier, who sent me my young kinsmans picture, of his own painting: having promised it long before (‘That gallants keep their word, and reck'nings clear’)
To my brother, on my frequent writing to him, a sort of borlesk (‘Dear Brother you will think that now’)
First published, in a version headed ‘To my Adopted Brother Mr. G. P. On my frequent Writing to Him’, in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, pp. 95-6. King, Poems, pp. 52-3.
*BarJ 80
Autograph, with a deletion.
In: the MS described under BarJ 1. c.1700-4.
Edited from this MS in King, Poems.
To my Brother whilst he was in France (‘So far as you, in learnings steps advance’)
First published, in a version beginning ‘Dear Brother, So far as you advance’, in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, pp. 46-7. A version of lines 7-16 published in Love Intrigues (1713) [Wilson, p. 21].
To my dear Clarinthia, at her arival out of England and staying in Flanders (‘Forgive me dear Clarinthia, forgive’)
To My dear cosen Coll -- at his return out of Irland into france (‘Since Irlands loss, has brought you on our coast’)
Wilson, pp. 300-2.
To my friend and kinsman mr F- on his excellent painting (‘Shu'd I strive in my tunless lines t'express’)
First published, headed ‘To my Cousin Mr. E. F. on his Excellent Painting’, in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, pp. 6-8.
To my friend mr --- on his perswading me to poetry (‘Oft has my muse and I fall'n out’)
First published, in a version headed ‘A Second Epistle. To my Honoured Friend Mr. E. S.’, in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, pp. 70-2. King, Poems, pp. 58-9.
*BarJ 85
Autograph. The title only is repeated on f. 133r and deleted.
In: the MS described under BarJ 1. c.1700-4.
Edited from this MS in King, Poems.
To my friend mr -- -- on my calling him Little tom king (‘Fear not dear friend, the less'ning of thy fame’)
First published, headed ‘To My Friend Mr. S. L. on his Receiving the Name of Little Tom King’, in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, p. 37.
To my friends against Poetry (‘Dear friends if you'll be rul'd by me’)
A version first published in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, pp. 95-6. Another in Patch-Work Screen (1723) [Wilson, pp. 127-8]. King, Poems, pp. 54-5.
To my friends who prais'd my Poems, and at the begining of the little printed book placed this motto (‘I doubt not to come safe to glories port’)
Wilson, pp. 307-8. King, Poems, p. 34.
BarJ 88
Autograph.
In: the MS described under BarJ 1. c.1700-4.
Edited from this MS in Wilson and in King, Poems.
To my Reverend friend mr H -- -- on his presenting me the Reasonableness of christianity: and the History of king Charles the ist (‘Good sir if I my sentiments cou'd shew’)
First published in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, pp. 8-10.
To my unkind Strephon (‘When last I saw thee, thou didst seem so kind’)
First published in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, pp. 34-6.
To my unkle Colonel C -- -- -- after his return into the Low countrys (‘Dear sr the joy which rang through all yr troops’)
First published, headed ‘To my Honourable Vnkle Colonel C --- after his Return into the Low-Countries’, in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, pp. 29-30.
To my young lover (‘Incautious youth, why do'st thou so misplace’)
A version first published in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, p. 61. Another in Patch-Work Screen (1723) [Wilson, p. 96].
To my young lover A song (‘To praise sweet youth do thou forbear’)
A version first published in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, p. 64. Another in Patch-Work Screen (1723) [Wilson, p. 97].
To ovids Heroins, in his Epistles (‘Bright shee's what glorys had your names acquir'd’)
A version first published in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, pp. 28-9. King, Poems, p. 49.
To sr F W, presenting him mr Cowleys first works (‘When vacant howers, admit you to peruse’)
First published in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, p. 28.
A Virgin life (‘Since gracious Heven, you have bestow'd on me’)
A version, beginning ‘Since, o ye Pow'rs, ye have bestow'd on me’, first published in Poetical Recreations (London, ‘1688’ [i.e. 1687]), Part I, pp. 12-13. Another in Patch-Work Screen (1723) [Wilson, pp. 139-40]. Kissing the Rod, pp. 360-1.
*BarJ 96
Autograph.
In: the MS described under BarJ 1. c.1700-4.
Edited from this MS in Kissing the Rod.
The Virgins paradise a dream (‘As I upon a bank of lillys lay’)
Wilson, pp. 326-9.
Letters
Letter(s)
*BarJ 98
Autograph letter signed (‘Jn Barker’), to an unnnamed lady (‘Madam’), 14 August 1730. 1730.
Complete facsimile in King, Barker, Exile (2000), Figs 7 and 8, between pp. 112 and 113.
BarJ 99
An abstract in French of a letter by Jane Barker, to the Duke of Ormond, dated 19 March 1717/18, which was intercepted by the government's anti-Jacobite intelligence system. c.1718.
In: A folio composite volume of copies and abstracts of intercepted Jacobite correspondence, 1717-19, 221 leaves. Hanover Papers Vol. XI.
Cited, with a translation into French, in Kathryn R. King, with Jeslyn Medoff, ‘Jane Barker and Her Life (1652-1732): The Documentary Record’, Eighteenth Century Life, 21, n.s., 3 (November 1997), pp. 26, 36 n. 84.