Lady Hester Pulter

Verse

‘A Ruffian Rustick Clambring up a Tree’

PuH 1

Copy, untitled.

In: A folio volume of writings, chiefly poems, by Lady Hester Pulter, composed c.1646-65, written from both ends, 167 leaves (including several loose leaves), in contemporary calf. Entitled (f. 1r) ‘Poems Breathed forth By The Nobel Hadassas’ and the poems described as ‘Hadassas Chast ffances Beeinge the ffruett of solitary and many of them sad howers’, one section headed ‘The sighes of a Sad soule emblematically breath'd forth by the noble Hadassah: Emblemes’, the text predominantly in two neat hands, with additions, insertions, sidenotes, and revisions in two other hands, one probably Pulter's own hand; a note (f. 1r) stating that ‘Lady Hesther Pulter dyd the latter End of March or beginning of April .1678. aged 82’. c.1655-61.

Later owned by Sir Gilbert Inglefield, Bt. Christie's, 8 October 1975, lot 353.

Discussed, with facsimile examples, in Mark Robson, ‘Swansongs: Reading Voice in the Poetry of Lady Hester Pulter’, EMS, 9 (2000), Writings by Early Modern Women, ed. Peter Beal and Margaret J.M. Ezell, pp. 238-56.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 125r-v.

Alitheas Pearl (‘ffair Alithea (when I was A Girle)’)

‘All Creatures then the Dolphin are more slow’

PuH 3

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 117r-v.

‘An old Man through a Town did often pass’

PuH 4

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 130r-v.

‘And must the sword this controverse deside’

PuH 5

Copy in: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Facsimile of f. 87r in Robson, p. 242.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 87r.

‘Aristominus his Strang Ambiguous ffate’

PuH 6

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, ff. 122v-3r.

Aurora (‘Lovely Aurora, o how Heavenly faire’)

Aurora (‘Lovly Aurora, when wilt thou apear’)

‘Behold how many Cobwebs doth invest’

PuH 9

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 115r-v.

‘Behold this flying ffish with shineing Wings’

PuH 10

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 107v.

The Center (‘Oh that the Splendent & Illustrious Sun’)

The Circle (‘In sighs and tears there is noe end’)

The Circle (‘The eternall Spirit of Life and Love’)

The Circle (‘Those that ye hidden Chimick Art pfess’)

PuH 14

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 40v.

The Circle (‘To bee unwilling or afraid to die’)

‘Come my Dear Children come and Happy bee’

PuH 16

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, ff. 91v-2r.

To my Deare J P: M: P:, P:P: They beeing at London, I at Bradfield (‘Come my Deare Children to this lonely Place’)

‘Come my Dear Pledges of our Constant Loves’

PuH 18

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, ff. 114v-15r.

The complaint of Thames 1647 when the best of Kings was imprisoned by the worst of Rebels at Holmbie (‘Late in an evening as I walk'd alone’)

‘Could this ffell Catablepe lift up her head’

PuH 20

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 113r.

‘Dear God from thy high Throne look down’

PuH 21

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 86r.

‘Dear God turn not away thy fface’

Copy, untitled.

PuH 22

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, ff. 39v-40r.

The desire (‘Dear God, vouchsafe from thy High Throne’)

A Dialogue between two Sisters Virgins bewailing their solitary life, P:P:, f.p. (‘Come my deare sister sit with mee a while’)

The Eclips (‘Why doe those frowning vapours interpose’)

The Garden, or The Contention of fflowers, To my Dear Daughter Mris Anne [Pulter] at her desire written (‘Once in my Garden as a lone I lay’)

PuH 26

Copy, the name ‘Pulter’ in the title deleted.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, ff. 19r-32v.

‘Honor I have I want no heartly pellt’

PuH 27

Copy, untitled, among other inscriptions.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 1r.

The Hope January :1665: (‘Deare Death desolve theise mortall charms’)

‘How fast this creature runs upon the earth’

PuH 29

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 96r-v.

‘How long shall my dejected soul’

PuH 30

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 42r-v.

‘Immense ffount of Truth, Life, Love, joy, Glory’

PuH 31

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 72r.

‘In Africa about the ffountain's brink’

PuH 32

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, ff. 99v-100r.

‘In Ments[?] when Corn was grown excessive dear’

PuH 33

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 123r-v.

The invitation into the Countrey to my D.D. MP: PP 1647 when his Sacred Majtie: was at unhappy home (‘Deare daughters come make hast away’)

The invocation of the Elements the longest Night in the Year 1655 (‘Have patience my aflicted soul’)

The Larke (‘See how Arachne doth her Howres Pass’)

Made when I was not well. April 20. 1655 (‘My Soul why dost thou such a mourning make’)

Made when I was Sick 1647 (‘Oh mee! how sore, how sad is my poor heart’)

Made when my spirits were sunk very low with sickness & sorrow. May 1667 I being seventy one years old (‘Droop not my soul, nor hang the Wing’)

‘Mark but those Hogs wch underneath yond tree’

PuH 40

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 113v.

‘Marvall not my names conceald’

PuH 41

Copy, untitled, among other inscriptions.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 1r.

‘Must I thus ever interdicted bee’

PuH 42

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 76r.

‘My God I thee and onely thee Adore’

PuH 43

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 73r.

‘My Heart why dost thou Throb soe in my breast’

PuH 44

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 72v.

My Loue is Fair (‘And is thy Love soe Wonderous ffair’)

‘My Soul why art thou full of trouble’

PuH 46

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, ff. 58v-9r.

My Souls Sole desire (‘Thou that didst on the Chaos move’)

Of A young Lady at Oxford 1646 (‘A Noble pair in Love without Compare’)

Of Night and Morning (‘Night's like the Grave wherein wee lie forelorn’)

‘Oh my aflicted Solitary Soul’

PuH 50

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 45r-v.

‘Old Esculus being told that hee should die’

PuH 51

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, ff. 111v-12r.

On that Unparraleld Prince Charles the first: his Horrid Muther (‘Those glittring Globes of light which grace’)

On the Fall of that Grand Rebel the Earl of Essex his Effigies in Harry the 7th's Chappel in Westminster Abby (‘When that Fierce Monster had usurp'd the Place’)

PuH 53

Copy in: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Edited from this MS in Robson, pp. 246-7, with a facsimile of f. 85r on p. 241.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 85r-v.

On the Horrid Murther of that incomparable Prince, King Charles the ffirst (‘Let none presume to weep, tears are to weak’)

On the kinges most exelent magisty K Charles ye 1st (‘Victorious palm triumphing lawrell boughs’)

PuH 55

Copy, the heading in another hand.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 44r-v.

On the Same [i.e. the death of my deare and lovely daughter J P] (‘Tell mee noe more her haire was lovly brown’)

PuH 56

Copy in: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Edited from this MS in Robson, pp. 250-1, with a facsimile of f. 17v on p. 240.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, ff. 17v-18v.

On the same [i.e. the horrid murther of that incomparable prince King Charles the First] (‘Let none sigh more for Lucas or for Lisle’)

On those two unparraleld friends, Sr: G: Lisle and Sr C: Lucas who were shott to death at Colchester (‘Is Lisle and Lucas Slaine? Oh Say not soe’)

The perfection of Patience and Knowledg (‘My soul in strugling thou dost Jll’)

The Pismire (‘Walking a broad once in a Sumers day’)

The Revolution (‘Oh thou which Circumvolveth all’)

‘Seest thou this Horizentall Bird whose eyes’

PuH 62

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 114r.

A Solitary Complainte (‘Must I bee still confind to this Sad Grove’)

A solitary discoars (‘How canst thou heavie bee now shee apears’)

‘Some Birds their bee sure they noe love doe lack’

PuH 65

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 97v.

‘Somnus why art thou still to mee unkinde’

PuH 66

Copy, on a leaf in a separate folder.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 130Ar-v.

‘That many Heliotropians there bee’

PuH 67

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 92r-v.

‘The Brackman th'angrie Deities to appeas’

PuH 68

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, ff. 121v-2r.

‘The Caucasines with Locusts were anoy'd’

PuH 69

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 127r-v.

‘The Cockatrice as vulgarly receiv'd’

PuH 70

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 101r.

‘The Cruel Tiger Swiftly on doth Pass’

PuH 71

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 100v.

‘The Cuckoes constitution's cold shee knows’

PuH 72

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 110r-v.

‘The Dubious Raven doth her young forsake’

PuH 73

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 98r.

‘The Eliphant when Radiant Sol doth rise’

PuH 74

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, ff. 102v-3r.

‘The Estrich with her gallant gaudy plumes’

PuH 75

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 119r-v.

‘The hunted hart when shee begins to Tire’

PuH 76

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 105r-v.

‘The Indian Mooze three Young at once doth bear’

PuH 77

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 95v.

‘The Lion Roars his vassals fear and tremble’

PuH 78

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 112r-v.

‘The Lyon that of late soe Domineer'd’

PuH 79

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 116r-v.

‘The Manucodiats as Authors write’

PuH 80

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, ff. 93v-4r.

‘The Marmottanes for Unitie's renownd’

PuH 81

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 107r.

‘The Porcupine went Ruffling in his pride’

PuH 82

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 99r-v.

‘The Stately Mooz being mounted up the hill’

PuH 83

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, ff. 108v-9r.

‘The Toad and Spider once would trie the might’

PuH 84

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, ff. 106r-7v.

‘There is one black & sullen hour’

PuH 85

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 84r.

PuH 86

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. ir rev.

‘This huge Leviathan for all his Strength’

PuH 87

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 120r-v.

‘This Stately Ship Courted by Winds & Tide’

PuH 88

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, ff. 120v-1v.

‘This Ugly Sow descendent of that Bore’

PuH 89

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 111r.

‘This vast Leviathan Whose Breathing blows’

PuH 90

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 98v.

This was written 1648 when I Lay Inn, with my Son John [Pulter] beeing my 15 Child I beeing soe weak that in Ten dayes and Nights I never moued my Head one Jot from my Pillow, out of which great weaknes my gracious God restored me; that I still Live to magnifie his Mercie 1665 (‘Sad, Sick, and Lame, as in my Bed I lay’)

PuH 91

Copy, the name ‘Pulter’ deleted in the title, the date ‘1655’ written as a corrective sidenote in a different hand.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, ff. 67r-8v.

‘Those that imployed are the Apes to catch’

PuH 92

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 108r-v.

To Astrea (‘Thou blessed Birth of the Celestiall Morn’)

To Aurora (‘Faire Rosie Virgin when wilt thou Arise’)

To Aurora (‘Look up sad eyes behould the smileing Morn’)

To Aurora (‘Why doth Pale Phoebe thus her bevty shrowd’)

Sr: Wm: D: Upon the unspeakable Loss of the most conspicuous and chief Ornament of his ffrontispiece (‘Sir / Extreamly I deplore your loss’)

‘Two Mountebancks contended for A Stage’

PuH 98

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, ff. 94v-5r.

Universal dissolusion, made when I was with Child of my 15th: child I being my sonne John very one thought in a Consumption 1648 (‘My Soule why art thou sad at the decay’)

Upon the Crown Imperiall (‘Why doth the Tears stand in the Orient eyes’)

Vpon the Death of my deare and lovely daughter J P (‘All you that haue indulgent Parents been’)

PuH 101

Copy, with an inserted note identifying ‘J P’ as ‘Jane Pulter, baptized May 1. 1625, buried oct 8 1645, aet. 20’.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Facsimile of f. 17v in Robson, p. 240.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, ff. 16v-17v.

Upon the imprisonment of his Sacred Majestie that unparalel'd Prince King Charles the ffirst (‘Why I sit sighing here ask mee noe more’)

‘Vain Erostratus was soe fond of ffame’

PuH 103

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, ff. 109v-10r.

‘Vertue once in the Olympicks fought a duell’

PuH 104

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 93r-v.

‘View but this Tulip, Rose, or July fflower’

PuH 105

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 118r-v.

The weepeinge wishe January .1665 (‘O that the tears that tricle from mine eyes’)

The Welcom (‘Dear Death thou'rt welcom to my troubled soul’)

The Welcome (‘Death come and welcome thou'rt my Ancient friend’)

‘When as that Geniall Universall ffire’

PuH 109

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 124r.

‘When Brittish Brennus Sack'd that Noble Citty’

PuH 110

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 126v.

‘When fair Aurora drest with raidient Light’

PuH 111

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, ff. 128r-9r.

‘When God (who is to Mercie most inclin'd)’

PuH 112

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, ff. 101v-2r.

‘When Mighty Nimrade Hunting after fame’

PuH 113

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 91r.

‘When Phalaris for Tiranny soe ffam'd’

PuH 114

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 126r.

‘When royal ffergus Line did rule this Realm’

PuH 115

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, ff. 124v-5r.

‘When scornd Medea saw Cruesa led’

PuH 116

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, ff. 96v-7r.

‘Who can but pitty this poor Turtle Dove’

PuH 117

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Facsimile and transcription of f. 104r in Reading Early Modern Women, ed. Helen Ostovich and Elizabeth Sauer (New York & London, 2004), pp. 390-1.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, ff. 103v-4r.

‘Why art thou sad at the aproach of Night’

PuH 118

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, f. 71r-v.

‘Why must I thus for ever bee confin'd’

PuH 119

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, ff. 79r-81r.

The Wish (‘Oh that I were a Sun that I might Send’)

‘You that love Poppit Playes, Masks, Court Buffoons’

PuH 121

Copy, untitled.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, ff. 104v-5r.

Prose

The Unfortunate Florinda

An unfinished prose romance, in two parts, beginning ‘When that voluptuous Prince Roderigo had driven his Infant Nephew and King...’.

PuH 122

Copy, headed (f. 1r rev.) ‘The unfortunate Florinda Written by the Noble Hadrassas The first Part’, ‘The Second Part’ beginning on f. 32r rev., incomplete.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, ff. 1r-36v rev.

PuH 123

Copy of ‘The Second Part of the Unfortunate fflorinda’, a sheaf of twelve folio leaves in a separate folder.

In: the MS described under PuH 1. c.1655-61.

Leeds University Library, Brotherton Collection, MS Lt. q. 32, ff. 32Ar-43Ar.