Choyce Drollery: Songs and Sonnets: Being a Collection of Divers Excellent Pieces of Poetry, of Several Eminent Authors.

"Choyce Drollery: Songs and Sonnets" by Joseph Woodfall Ebsworth is a collection of poetry, specifically songs and sonnets, that was compiled during the late 19th century but originates from an earlier collection published in the 17th century. This compilation features various lyrical pieces from several eminent authors, aiming to capture the poetic essence of the Restoration period, along with additional contributions from the later 1661 publications "Merry Drollery" and "Antidote Against Melancholy." It serves to preserve not only the poetic grace but also the historical sentiments of loyalty and love for the monarchy, reflecting a time of civil unrest and seeking solace in art. The opening of the collection sets the stage for exploring the literary landscape of 1656 against the backdrop of England's troubled history, referencing the political upheaval and the emotional struggles of Royalists. Ebsworth introduces the collection with a prelude that poetically mourns the Cromwellian era while evoking nostalgia for the lost freedoms of the past, positioning the poems within a historical narrative that highlights the conflict between loyalty to the crown and the reality of the Commonwealth. The first poem, alongside the editorial reflections, echoes themes of unrequited love, broken hearts, and loyalty against the backdrop of civil war, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the emotional tapestry of an era where poetic expression served as both a refuge and a statement against tyranny.