Queen Mary died of small-pox, and the memory of her goodness was felt so universally by the people that writers vied with each other in their endeavours to perpetuate records of her worth. I have now before me a volume containing thirty-six odes and monodies to her memory, all published in 1695. Amongst them are an "Epicedium," set to music by Dr. Blow, the words by Mr. Herbert; a Latin version of the same, commencing, "Incassum Lesbia," set to music by Henry Purcell, for a solo voice; and another beginning, "O dive custos auriacæ domus," also set to music by Purcell, for two voices.
Purcell was in a delicate state of health at the time of writing the music for Queen Mary's funeral, yet he seems to have worked with undiminished determination, composing music for the comedy, the _Canterbury Guest_, written by Ravenscroft; the _Mock Marriage_, a comedy by Scott; the _Rival Sisters_, a tragedy by Gould; _Oroonoko_, a tragedy by Southerne; the _Knight of Malta_, a play by Beaumont and Fletcher; and _Bonduca, or the British Heroine_, a tragedy adapted from Beaumont and Fletcher,--this play included the catch, "Jack, Thou'rt a Toper," the admirable duets, "To Arms," and "Britons Strike Home." Some of the music was printed on single sheets immediately after performance, but it remained for the "Musical Antiquarian Society" to issue in 1842 a complete copy of the score, edited by Dr. Rimbault.
Purcell also, on 24th July in this year, produced a "Birthday Ode" for the Duke of Gloucester. The ode commences, "Who can from joy refrain." It was written for solo voices and chorus with orchestral accompaniments. Among the principal singers at the first performance were Mr. Howell, Mr. Robert, and Mr. Damascene.
Purcell also wrote some music for D'Urfey's third part of _Don Quixote_. Amongst the pieces he contributed to this play was the celebrated cantata, "From Rosie Bowers." This song was frequently reprinted, and with the note that it was "The last song the Author sett, it being in his sickness." It is probable that D'Urfey had hoped to have had the advantage of Purcell's musical skill for the setting of all his verses in the third part of _Don Quixote_, but it would seem that Purcell was too ill to accomplish the work.
