Abstract
This paper compares the somewhat parallel lives of Constantijn Huygens and Andrew Marvell, but it also examines their differences and asks whether there may actually have been encounters between the two of them. One of their mutual contacts was the English priest Richard Flecknoe, who was an agent in the service of Beatrix de Cusance, Duchess of Lorraine, in which capacity he came into contact with both Huygens and Marvell. This essay also explains the context around Flecknoe’s poverty, which Marvell writes about in his satirical poem ‘Flecknoe an English Priest at Rome’.
Highlights
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This paper compares the somewhat parallel lives of Constantijn Huygens and Andrew Marvell, but it examines their differences and asks whether there may have been encounters between the two of them. One of their mutual contacts was the English priest Richard Flecknoe, who was an agent in the service of Béatrix de Cusance, Duchess of Lorraine, in which capacity he came into contact with both Huygens and Marvell
Obliged by frequent visits of this man, Whom as priest, poet and musician, I for some branch of Melchizedek took, (Though he derives himself from my Lord Brooke) I sought his lodging, which is at the sign Of the sad Pelican; subject divine For poetry: there three staircases high, Which signifies his triple property, I found at last a chamber, as ‘twas said, But seemed a coffin set on the stairs’ head. These are the first lines of the poem ‘Flecknoe, an English priest at Rome’ that Andrew Marvell wrote after his encounters with the poet, playwright and priest Richard Flecknoe in Rome
Summary
This paper compares the somewhat parallel lives of Constantijn Huygens and Andrew Marvell, but it examines their differences and asks whether there may have been encounters between the two of them. The careers of Constantijn Huygens and Andrew Marvell display some significant analogies Both men were of relatively humble origins, climbed high on the social ladder, and reached the positions respectively of secretary and diplomat. Enough, this manuscript is mentioned in the catalogue of the library of Johan de Witt junior (a son of the Grandpensionary Johan de Witt) with the description ‘ex Bibliotheca Constantini Huygenii’. This manuscript is mentioned in the catalogue of the library of Johan de Witt junior (a son of the Grandpensionary Johan de Witt) with the description ‘ex Bibliotheca Constantini Huygenii’ Who these ‘divers’ authors might have been and what their poems were may be worth looking further into, as Marvell could have been amongst them.
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