UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
AT LOS ANGELES
R E L I CL U E S
O F
ANCIENT ENGLISH POETRY.
VOL. III.
, ,
O F
ANCIENT ENGLISH POETRY:
CONSISTING OF
Old Heroic BALLADS^ SONGS, and other
PIECES of our earlier POETS,
Together with fome few of later Date.
THE THIRD EDITION.
VOLUME THE THIRD.
LONDON:
Printed for J. D o D s L E v in Pall-Mall.
. - - MDGCbXXV.
f ! >
CONTENTS OF VOLUME THE THIRD*
BOOK THE FIRST.
-pSS AY on the. ancient Metrical Romances pag. v.
I . The Boy and the Mantle I
2. The Marriage of Sir Gawaine "- 1 1
3. King Ryence's challenge 25
4. King Arthur's death. A Fragment 28
5 . The Legend of King Arthur 37
6. A Dyttie to Hey Doivne 42
7. Glafgerion 43
8. 'Old Sir Robin of Portingale 48
9. Child Waters $4
10. Phillida and Cory don. By Nic. Breton *- 62
11. Little Mufgra--ve and Lady Barnard 64
12. The Eiu-bughts Marion. A Sccttijh Song 70
1 3 . The Knight and Shepherd's Daughter 72
14. The Shepherd's Addrefs to his Mufe. By N. Breton 77
15. Lord Thomas and Fair Ellinor 79
16. Cupid and Cantpafpet By John Lily e 83
17. The Lady turned Ser-Tjingman 84
1 8. Gil Morrice. A Sccttijh Ballad 90
BOOK THE SECOND.
. Legend of Sir Guy IOO
A 3 2. Guj
286G43
CONTENTS.
2. Guy and Amarant. By Sam. Rowlands pag. 108
3. The auld good Man. A Scottijb Song 117
4. Fair Margaret and Siveet William 120
5. Barbara Allen's Cruelty 124
6. Sweet William's Ghojl. A Scottijh Ballad 127
7. Sir John Grehme and Barbara Allen. Ditto 130
8. The Bailiff's Daughter of IJlington 132
9. The Willow Tree. A Paftoral Dialogue 135
10. The Lady's Fall 137
11. Waly, wafy, Love be bonny. A Scottijh Song 144
12. The Bride's Burial 146
13. Dulcina 152
14. Lady Ifabella's tragedy 154
15. A Hue and cry after Cupid. ByBen.Jonfon 159
1 6. The King of France's Daughter 161
17. The Sweet Negktf. By Ben. Jonfon 170
1 8. The Children in the Wood 171
19. A Lover of late was I 178
20. The King and the Miller of Mansfield 179
21. The Shepherd's Re/olution. By Geo. Wither 190
22. The Wandering Prince of Troy 193
23. The Witches Song. By Ben. Jonfon 199
24. Robin Good-fellow 202
2). The Fairy $>ueen 207
26. The Fairies Farewell. By Dr. Corbet 210
BOOK THE THIRD.
i. The Birth of St. George 216
2. St.
CONTENTS. iii
2. St. George and tie Dragon 228
3. Love ivilljind out the Way *- 239
4. Lord Thomas and Fair Annet. A Scottijh Ballad 241
5 . Unfading Beauty. By Tho. Carew 247
6. George Barnwell 248
7. The Stedfajt Shepherd. By Geo. Wither 264
8. The Spanijh Virgin^ or EffeQf of Jealoufy 267
9. Jealoufy Tyrant of the Mind 273
1 o. Conftant Penelope 274
11. To Lucajla on going to the Wars. By Col. Lovelace 279
12. Valentine and Urjine 280
13. The Dragon of Wantley 297
14. St. George for England. 7"hejirjl Part 307
15. St. George for England. The fecond Part. By
7. Grubb 312
16. Margaret's Ghojl. By David Mallet 330
17. Lucy and Colin. By Tho. Ticket 334
1 8. The Boy and the Mantle revifed, ffr. 338
19. V Amour et Glycere. Traduit de P Anglais 348
TbeGloflary. 350
A 4. An
An ordinary SONG or BALLAD, that is the delight of the
common people, cannot fail to pleafe all fuch readers,
as are not unqualified for the entertainment by their
affe&ation or their ignorance ; and the reafon is plain,
becaufe the fame paintings of nature which recommend
it to the moft ordinary Reader, will appear beautiful
to the moft refined.
ADDISON, in SPECTATOR, No. 70.
O F
ANCIENT ENGLISH POETRY,
SERIES THE THIRD.
BOOK I.
POEMS ON KING ARTHUR, fcfr.
This 'Third Volume being chiefly de-vottd to Romantic Sub-
je3Sj may not be improperly introduced 'with a few Jlighf
Strifiuret on the old METRICAL ROMANCES: a JubjcQ the
more worthy attention, as fuch as have written on the nature
nd origin of Bookt of Chivalry, fetm not to bewt known
that
vi A N C I E N T P O E M S.
that the firft compositions of this kind were in Verfe t and
ufuallj Jung to the Harp.
O N
THE ANCIENT M T R i c A L R o M A N c E s,
E firft attempts at competition among all bar-
barous nations are ever found to be Poetry and
Song. The praiies of their Gbds, and the atchieve-
men:s of their heroes, are ufunlly chanted at their fef-
tival meetings. Thefe are the firft rudiments of Hif-
tory. It is in this mariner that the favages of North
America preferve the memory of part events (a) : and
the fame method is known to have prevailed among
our Saxon Anceitors, before they quitted their German
forefts (b). The ancient Britons had their BARDS, and
the Gothic nations their SCALDS or popular poets (c),
\vhofe bufinefs it was to record the vi&ories of their
warriors, and the genealogies of their Princes, in a
kind of narrative longs, which were committed to me-
mory, and delivered down from one Reciter to another.
So long as Poetry continued a diftinft profeflion, and
while the Bard, or Scald, was a regular and ftated of-
ficer in the Prince's court, thefe men are thought to
have performed the functions of the hiitorian pretty
faithfully ; for tho' their narrations would be apt to re-
ceive a good deal of embellifhrnent, they are fuppofed
to
(a) Vid. Lafiteau Moenrs de Sanrages, T. a. Dr. Browne's
Hift. of the Rife and Prog.refs c f Poetrj.
(b) dnxani celtbrant rarminilut entiqvls (quod vr.snt api.d j.'/;j
vanci-ia ct axf.alixiK g?r.m eft) Tuiflir.em &c. Tacit. Germ. c. 2..
(c) B.'tth. Antiq. Dan. Lib. i. Cap. 10. ~ Wormii Literal-lira
Ruoica. zd fintra.
ANCIENT POEMS.
vn
to have had at the bottom fo much of truth as to ferve
for the bafis of more regular annals. At lead fucceed-
ing hiftorians have taken up with the relations of thefc
rude men, and for want of more authentic records, have
agreed to allow them the credit of true hiftory (d).
After letters began to prevail, and hiftory afiumed
a more ftable form, by being committed to plain fim-
ple profe; thefe Songs of the Scalds or Bards began to
be more amufing, than ufeful. And in proportion as
it became their bufinefs chiefly to entertain and delight,
they gave more and more into embellifhment, and let
off their recitals with fuch marvellous fiction:., as were
calculated to captivate grofs and ignorant minds. Thus
began itories of adventures with Giants and Dragons,
and Witches and Enchanters, and all the monftrous
extravagances of wild imagination, unguided by judg-
ment, and uncorredled by art (ej.
THIS feems to be the true origin of that fpecies of
Romance, which fo long celebrated feats of Chivalry,
and which at firft in metre and afterwards in profe, was
the entertainment of our anceitors, in common with
their contemporarie's on the continent, till the fatire of
Cervantes, or rather the increafe of knowledge and claf-
iical literature, drove them off the ftage, to make room
for a more refined fpecies of fiction, under the name of
French Romances, copied from the Greek (f).
That our old Romances of Chivalry may be derived
in a lineal defcent from the ancient hiftorical fongs of
the Gothic Bards and Scalds, will be ihown below, and
indeed appears the more evident as many of thofe
Songs are ftill preferved in the north, which exhibit all
fl)3
(d) Sec " Northern Antiquities, or a Description of the Man-
" ners, Cuftoms, &c. of the ancient Danes and other northern ca.
" tions, translated from the Fr. of M. Malkc." 1770, z vol. Svo.
(vol. i. p. 49, Sec.)
fe) Vid. infra, p. iv, v, &c.
(f) Viz. ASTHMA, CASSANDRA, CIELH, &c.
viii ANCIENT POEMS.
the feeds of Chivalry before it became a folemn inftitu^
tion (g)- " CHIVALRY, as a diilintl military order,
*' conferred in the way of inveftiture, and accompanied
" with the folemnity of an oath, and other ceremonies,"
was of later date, and fprung out of the feudal confti-
tution, as an elegant writer has lately mown (h). But
the ideas of Chivalry prevailed long before in all the
Gothic nations, and may be difcovered as in embrio in
the cuftoms, manners, and opinions, of every branch of
that people (i). That fondnefs of going in queft of
adventures, that fpirit of challenging to fingle combat,
and that refpe&ful complaifance fliewn to the fair fex,
(fo different from the manners of the Greeks and Ro-
mans), all are of Gothic origin, and may be traced up
to the earlieft times among all the northern nations (k).
Thefe exifted long before the feudal ages, though they
were called forth and ftrengthened in a peculiar man-
ner under that conflitution, and at length arrived to
their full maturity in the times of the Crufades, fo re-
plete with romantic adventures (I).
EVEN the common arbitrary fictions of Romance
were (as is hinted above) molt of them familiar to the
ancient
(g) Mallet, vid. Northern Antiquities, vol. i. p. 318, &c. vol. a.
p. z 3 4. &c.
(b) Letters concerning Chivalry. 8vo. 1763. (i) (4) Mallet.
(1) The feeds, of Chivalry fprung up fo naturally out of the original
manners and opinions of the northern nations, that it is not credible
they arofe fo late as after the establishment of the Feudal Syftem, much
lefs the Crufades. Nor, again, that the Romances of Chivalry were
tranfmitted to other nations, thro' the Spaniards, from the Moors,
and Arabians. Had this been the cafe, the firlt French Romances
of Chivalry would have been on Moorifh, or at leaft Spanifh
lubjels : whereas the moft ancient ftories of this kind, whether
in profe or verfe, whether in Italian, French, Englifh, &c. are
chiefly on the fubje&s of Charlemagne, and the Paladins ; or
of our Britifh Arthur, and his Knights of the Round Table, &c.
being evidently borrowed from the fabulous Chronicles of the
fuppofed Archbi/hop Turpin, and of Jeftery of Monmouth. Not
but fome of the oldeft and moft popular French Romances are
alfo on Norman fubjefts, as Rlclard Sxr.s-peur, Robert Li Diatlr,
&.
ANCIENT POEMS. ix
ancient Scalds of the North, long before the time of
the Crufades. They believed the exigence of Giants
and Dwarfs (n?J, they entertained opinions not un-
like the more modern notion of Fairies (n), they were
flrongly poflefTed with the belief of fpells, and inchant-
ment (o), and were fond of inventing combats with Dra-
gons and Monfters (p).
The opinion therefore feems very untenable, which
feme learned and ingenious men have entertained, that
the turn for Chivalry, and the tafte for that fpecies of
romantic ri&ion were caught by the vSpaniards from the
Arabians or Moors after their invafion of Spain, and
from the Spaniards transmitted to the bards of Armo-
rica, and thus diffufed through Britain, France, Italy,
Germany, and the North. For it feems utterly incredi-
ble, that one rude people ftiould adopt a peculiar tafte,
and manner of writing or thinking from another, with-
out borrowing at the fame time any of their particular
ftories and fables, without appearing to know any thing
of their heroes, hiftory, laws, and religion. When the
Romans began to adopt and imitate the Grecian litera-
ture, they immediately naturalized all the Grecian fa-
bles, hiftories, and religious ftories; which became as fa-
miliar to the poets of Rome, as of Greece itfelf. Where-
as all the old writers of chivalry, and of that fpecies of
romance, whether in profe or verfe, whether of the
Northern nations, or of Britain, France and Italy ; not
excepting
&c. whereas I do not recollcft fo much as one, in which the fcen
it laid in Spain, much Jefs among the Moors, or defcriptive of
Mahometan manners. Even in Jlmadis de Gaul, although a fic-
tion of pure Spanifli original, and one of the firft of that kind, the
fcene is laid in Gaul and Britain ; and the manners are French : which
plainly /hows from what fchool this fpecies of fabling was learnt and
tranfmitttd 10 the foutherti nations of Europe.
(m) Mallet. North. Antiquities, vol. i. p. 36. vol. 2. paflim.
(n} Olaus Verel. ad Hcrvarer Saga. p. 44. 45. Hkkes's Thefaur.
T, 2. p. 311. Northern Antiquities, vol. 2. paflim.
(*) Ibid. vol. i. p. 69, 374, C;c. vol. a, p, zi6, &c.
(f) RoUofsSaga, Cap. ^5, &c.
x ANCIENT POEMS.
excepting Spain itfelf (y) ; appear utterly unacquainted
with whatever relates to the Mahometan nations. Thus
with regard to their religion, they conftantly reprefent
them as worfhipping idols, a; paying adoration to a
golden image of Mahomet, or elie they confound them
with the ancient pagans, &c. And indeed in all other re-
fpefts they are fo grossly ignorant of the cuftoms, man-
ners, and opinions of every branch of that people, ef-
pecially of their heroes, champions, and local (lories, as
almoft amounts to a demonftration that they did not imi-
tate them in their fongs or romances : for as for dragons,
ferpents, negromancies, &c. why (hould thcfe be thought
only derived from the Moors in Spain fo late as after the
eighth century : fince notions of this kind appear too
familiar to the northern Scalds, and enter too deeply
into all the northern mythology, to have been tranf-
mitted to the unlettered Scandinavians, from fo diftant a
country, at fo late a period. If they may not be allow-
ed to have brought theie opinions with them in their
original migrations from the Eaft, they will be far more
likely to have borrowed them from the Latin poets after
the Roman conquefts in Gaul, Britain, Germany, &c.
For, I believe one may challenge the maintainers of this
opinion, to produce any Arabian poem or hiftory, that
could poffibly have been then known in Spain, which
refembles the old Gothic romances of chivalry half fo
much, as the Ivletamorphofes of Ovid.
But we well know that the Scythian nations fituate
(^) The little narrative fongs on Morifco fubtc1s, which the Spa-
niards have at prefent in great abundance, and \rhich they call pecu-
liarly Romances, (fee in this vol. rag. 337-) have nothing in common
with their proper Romances (or hiftories) of Chivalry ; which they
call Hiftorias f.t Cavallerias : thefe are evidently imitations of the
French, arid fliow a great ignorance ofMoorifli manners: and with
regard to the Morifco, or Son-^-Rcwanct?, they do not fccrn of very
great antiquity : few of them appear, from their fubjeds, much ear-
lier than the redufiion of Gra:uda, in the fifteenth century : from
which period, I believe, may be plainly traced among the Spanifn
T/nterSj a more perfeft knowledge of Mconfh cuftoms, &c.
ANCIENT POEMS. xi
in the countries about Pontus, Colchis, and the Euxine
fea, were in all times infamous for their magic arts :
and as Odin and his followers are faid to have come pre-
cifely from thofe parts of Afia ; we can readily account
for the prevalence of fiftions of this fort among the Go-
thic nations of the North, without fetching them from
the Moors in Spain; who for many centuries after their
irruption, lived in a ftatc of fuch conftant hoftility with
the unfubdued Spanifh chriftians, whom they chiefly
pent up in the mountains, as gave them no chance of
learning their mufic, poetry, or (lories ; and this toge-
ther with the religious hatred of the latter for their cruel
invaders, will account for the utter igncuance of the old
Spanifa romancers in whatever relates to the Mahome-
tan nations, although fo nearly their own neighbours.
On the other hand, from the local cuftoms and fitua-
tions, from the known manners and opinions of the Go-
thic nations in the North, we can eafily account for all
the ideas of chivalry, and its peculiar ridions (r). Their
national and domeftic hiltory fo naturally aflumes all the
wonders of this fpecies of fabling, that almoft all their
hiftorical narratives appear regular romances. One
might refer in proof of this to the old northern SAGAS
'in general : but to give a particular inftance, it will be
fufticient to produce the hiflory of King Regner Lodbrog,
a celebrated warrior and pirate, who reigned in Den-
mark about the year 8co (s). This hero fignalized
his youth by an exploit of gallantry. A Swedim prince
had a beautiful daughter, whom he intruded (probably
during fome expedition) to the care of one of his
officers, affigning a ftrong caftle for their defence. The
Officer fell in love with his ward, and detained her in
his caftle, fpite of all the efforts of her father. Upon
this he publifhed a proclamation through all the neigh-
bouring countries, that whoever would conquer the ra-
vifher and refcue the Lady fhould have her in mar-
riage.
(r) See Northern Antiquities, paflim.
(i) So Cram, p, 152, 153 Mallet. North, Antiq. vol. x
xii ANCIENT POEMS.
riage. Of all that undertook the adventure, Regner
alone was fo happy as to atchieve it : he delivered the
fair captive, and obtained her for his prize. It hap-
pened that the name of this difcourteous officer was
ORME, which in the Iflandic language fignifies SER-
PENT: Wherefore the Scalds, to give the more poetical
turn to the adventure, reprefent the Lady as detained
from her father by a dreadful Dragon, and that Regner
flew the monfter to fet her at liberty. Even Regner
himfelf, who was a celebrated poet, gives this fabulous
account of the exploit in a poem of his own writing
that is ftill extant, and which records all the valiant at-
chievements of his life (t).
WITH marvelous embellimments of this kind the
Scalds early began to decorate their narratives : and
they were the more lavifh of thefe, in proportion as
they departed from their original inftitution, but it
was a long time before they thought of delivering a fet
of perfonages and adventures wholly feigned. Of the
great multitude of romantic tales ftill preferved in the
libraries of the North, moft of them are fuppofed to
have had feme foundation in truth, and the more an-
cient they are the more they are believed to be con-
nected with true hiftory (u)
It was not probably till after the hiftorian and the
bard had been long difunited, that the latter ventured
at pure fidlion. At length when their bufinefs was no
longer to inftruft or inform, but merely to amufe, it
was no longer needful for them to adhere to truth.
Then fucceeded fabulous and romantic fongs, which for
a long time prevailed in France and England before
they had books of Chivalry in profe. Yet in both
thefe countries the Minftrels ftill retained fo much of
their original inftitution, as frequently to make true
events
(r) See a Tranflation of this poem, among the " Five pieces of
" Runic Pcetry," &c.
(*) Vid. Mallet, Northern Antiquities, paffira.
ANCIENT POEMS. xlil
tvents the fubjeft of their Songs (x) ; and indeed, as
during the barbarous ages, the regular hiftories were
almoft all written in Latin by the Monks, the memory
of events was preferved and propagated among the ig-
norant laity by fcarce any other means than the popu-
lar Songs of the Minftrels.
II. THE inhabitants of Sweden, Denmark, and
Norway, being the lateft converts to Chriftianity, re-
tained their original manners and opinions longer than,
the other nations of Gothic race : and therefore they
have preferved more of the genuine compofitions of
their ancient poets, than their fouthern neighbours.
Hence the progrefs, among them, from poetical hiftory
to poetical fiction is very difcernable : they have fome
old pieces, that are in effeft complete Romances of
Chivalry (y). They have alfo (as has been obferved) a
multitude of SAGAS (z) or hiftories on romantic fubjefts,
containing a mixture of profe and verfe, of various dates,
fome of them written fince the times of the Crufades,
others long before : but their narratives in verfe only
are efteemed the more ancient.
Now as the irruption of the NORMANS (a) into France
under Rollo did not take place till towards the begin-
ning of the tenth century, at which time the Scaldic
art was arrived to the higheft pitch in Rollo's native
country, we can eafily trace the defcent of the French
and Englim Romances of Chivalry from the Northern.
Sagas. That conqueror doubtlefs carried many SCALDS
with
(x) TheEditor's MS. contains a multitude of poems of this latter
kind. It was from this cuftom of the Minftrels that fome of our firft
Hiftorians wrote their Chronicles in verfe, as Rob. of Gloucefter,
Harding, &c.
(y) See a Specimen in zd Vol. of Northern Antiquities, &c. p. 248,
Ice.
(z) Eccardi Hift. Stud. Etym. 1711. p. 179, &c. Hickes's The-
feur. Vol. 2. p. 314.
(a) i.e. NORTHERN MEN: being chiefly Emigrants from Nor-
way, Denmark, &c.
VOL. Ill, b
xir A N G I E N T P O E M S.
with him from the north, who transmitted their fkill to
their children and fucceffors. Thefe adopting the re-
ligion, opinions, and language of the new country,
fubftituted the heroes of Chriftendom inftead of thofe
of their Pagan anceftors, and began to celebrate the
feats of Charlemagne, Roland, and Oliver ; whofe
true hiftory they fet off and embelliQieJ with the Scaldic
figments of dwarfs, giants, dragons, and inchant-
ments. The firft mention we have in fong of thofe
heroes of chivalry is in the mouth of a Norman warrior
at the conqueft of England (b) : and this circumftance
alone would fufhctently account for the propagation of
this kind of romantic poems among the French and
Englift.
But this is not all ; it is very certain, that both the
Anglo-faxons and the Franks had brought with them,
at their firft emigrations into Britain and Gaul, the
fame fondnefs for the ancient fongs of their anceftors,
which prevailed among the other Gothic tribes (c), and
that all their firft annals were tranfmitted in thefe po-
pular oral poems. This fondnefs they even retained long
after their converiion to Chriftianity, as we learn from
the examples of Charlemagne and Alfred (d). Now
POETRY, being thus the tranfmitter of fads, would as
*afily learn to blend them with fiftions in France and
England, as me is known to have done in the north, and
that much fooner, for the reafons before affigned (e).
This, together with the example and influence of the
Normani,
(b) See the Account of TA ILL E PER in Vol. i. Introd.
(c) If fa CARMINA ia;m-ritf mandabtnt, {& frcefia in! far i dec onta-
bant \ qua memorla tarn fortlum geftorum a major jtas patratvrum ad
itnitatisncm animus adderetur. Jo.rnandes de Gothis.
(d) Eginhartus de CAROLO MAGNO. " Item barbara, * anti-
y:;j^?f3.CARMlls A, quibut veterum region aftus & kella cantbantur,
fcritfc." c.- 29 .
AiTerius de^LFSEDO MAGNO. " Rex inter billa, &c Sixo-
tti:os liirts rtclterc, & MAXIME CARMINA SAXOMCA meaoriee'
difcere, ai.is imferart, &fc,<us e.jfidui fro -viritus, ft
fnel-at." Ed. 1722. 8vo. p. 43,
(e) See above, p. iii, vi, &c.
ANCIENT POEMS. xv
Normans, will eafily account to us, why the firft Ro-
mances of ,Chivalry that appeared both in England and
France (f) were compofed in metre, as a rude kind of
epic fongs. In both kingdoms tales in verfe were
ufnally fung by Minftrels to the harp on feftival occa-
fions : and doubtlefs both nations derived their relilh
for this fort of entertainment from their Teutonic an-
ceftors, without either of them borrowing it. from the
other. Among both people narrative Songs on true or
fictitious fubjecb had evidently obtained from the ear-
lielt times. But the profeflecl Romances of Chivalry
feem to have been firft compofed in France, where alfo
they had their name.
The Latin Tongue, as is o'oferved by an ingenious
writer (g), ceafed to be fpoken in France about the
ninth century, and was fucceeded by what was called
the ROMANCE Tongue, a mixture of the language of
the Franks and bad Latin. As the Songs of Chivalry
became the moft popular compcfuions in that language,
they were emphatically called ROMANS or ROMANTS ;
tho' this name was at firft given to any piece of poetry.
M he Romances of Chivalry can be traced as early as
the eleventh century (h). The famous Roman de Brut
by Mailtre Eujlacbe was written in 1155 : But this was
by no means the firfl poem of the kind j others more
ancient
(f] The Romances on the fubjeft of PZSCEVAL, SAN GRAAL,
LANCELOT DU LAC, TRISTAN, &c. were among the firft that ap-
peared in the French language in PROSE, yet thefe were originally
compofed in METRE : The Editor has in his pofl'eflion a very old
French MS. in verfe, containing L'ancien Roman <jc PERCEVAL,
and metrical copies of the others may be found in the libraries of the
curious. See a Note of Wanley's in Harl. Catalog. Num. 2252,
p. 49, fee. Nicholfon's Eng. Hift. Library, 3d Ed. p. 91. &c.
See alfo a curious collection of old French Romances, with Mr.
Wanley's account of this fort of pieces, in Harl. MSS. Catal. 978.
106.
. . (g) The Author of the EfTiy on the Genius of Pope, p. 282.
- (*) JM<*. p.aSj. Hift. Lit. Tom. 6. 7.
b *
xvi ANCIENT POEMS.
ancient are ftill extant (i). And we have already
feen, that, in the preceding century, when the Nor-
mans marched down to the battle of Haftings, they
animated themfelves, by Ringing (in fome popular ro-
mance or ballad) the exploits of ROLAND and the other
heroes of Chivalry (k).
So early as this 1 cannot trace the Songs of Chivalry
in Englifh. The moft ancient I have feen, is that
of HORNECHILD dcfcribed below, which feems not
older than the twelfth century. However, as this ra-
ther refembles the Saxon poetry, than the French, it
is not certain that the firft Englifh Romances were
tranflated from that language. We have feen above,
that a propenfity to this kind of fiction prevailed
among all the Gothic nations (I) ; and, tho' after the
Norman Conqueft, this country abounded with French,
Romances, or with Tranilations from the French, there
is furely reafon to believe, that the Englifh had fome
original pieces of their ow.
The
(i) Voi Preface aux <c Fabliaux & Contes des Poetes Francois
** des xri, xnr, xiv, & xv fiecles, &c. Paris, 1756, 3X0111. izmo."
(a very curious work.)
(i) Vid. fupra, Vol. I. Introd. p. xxvii, &c. Et vide Rapin, Carte,
fefc. This Song of ROLAND (whatever it was) continued for
fome centuries to be ufually fung by the French in their marches, if
we may believe a modern French writer. " Un jour qvtn cbantoit
" la CHANSON DE ROLAND, comme c"etc:t Vufage darts Its marches.
" II y a long temps, Jit IL, ("John K. of France, who died in 1364.]
" qu"on nt volt plus de Rolands parml les Francois. On y -vermit
" encore dei Rolands, lui repondlt un weux Capltalne, s'ils avoient un
" Charlemagne a leur tete. n Vid. Tom. iii. p. 202. des Eflaies Hift.
fur Paris de M. DE SAINTEFOIX : who gives as his authority,
jBoctbius in Hijl. Scotorum. This Author, however, fpeaks of the
Complaint and Repartee, as made in an Afiembly of the States, (ve-
tatofenatu}, and not upon any march, &c. Vid. Boeth. lib. xv.
fol. 327. Ed. Paris. 1574.
(/) The firft Romances of Chivalry among the GERMANS were
5n Metre: they have fome very ancient narrative Songs, (which they
call L'uder) not only on the fabulous heroes of their own country,
but alfo on thofe of France and Britain, as Triftram, Arthur, Ca-
w-am, and the Knights Von der Tafel-ronde. (Vid. Goldafti Not. in
Eginhart. Vit. Car. Mag. 410, 1711. p. 207.)
ANCIENT POEMS. xvii
The ftori.es of King Arthur and his Round Table,
may be reafonably luppofed of the growth of this ifland ;
both the French, and the Armoricans probably had
them from Britain (). The ftories of Guy and Bevis,
with fome others, were probably the invention of Englifh
Minftrels (). On the other hand, the Englifh procured
tranflations of fuch Romances as were moft current in
Prance ; and in the Lift given at the conclufion of thefe
Remarks, many are doubtlefs of French original.
The firft PROSE books of Chivalry that appeared in
our language, were thofe printed by Caxton (a) ; at
kail, thefe are the firft I have been able to difcover,
and thefe are all tranflations from the French. Where-
as Romances of this kind had been long current in
metre, and were fo generally admired in the time of
Chaucer, that his Rhyme of Sir Thopas was evidently
written to ridicule and burlcfque them (/>).
He exprefsly mentions fever al of them by name in a
b 3 ftanza,
(*.) The Wel/h have ftill fome very old Romances about K. Ar-
thur ; but as thefe are in profe, they are not probably their firft pieces
that were compofed on that fubjeft.
(n) It is moil credible that thefe ftories were originally of English
invention, even if the only pieces now extant fliould be found to be
tranflations from the French. What now pafs for the French ori-
ginals were probably only ampjifkations, or enlargements of the old
Englifh ftory. That the French Romancers borrowed fome things
from the Engli/h, appears from the word TF.RMAG AKT, which they
took up from our Minftrels, and corrupted into TERVAGAUNTE.
See Vol. I. p. 76, and Oloff.
(o) Recuyel of the Hyftoryes of Troy, 1471. Godfroye of Bo-
loyne, 1481. Le Morte de Arthur, 1485. Th* life of Charle-
magne, 1485. &c. As the old Minft.elfy wore out, profe books of
Chivalry bocam more admired, efpecially after the Spnnifh Ro-
mances began to be tranflated into Eaglifli towards the end of Q._
Elizabeth's reign : then the mod popular metrical Romances began
to be reduced into profe, as Sir Guy, Bevis, Sec,
(f).Sce Extraft from i Letter in Mr. Warton'i Obfemrions,
*u.. 2. f, J 3 a, AWvfcVV " -
xviii ANCIENT POEMS.
ftanza, which I fhall have occafion to quote more than
once in this volume.
Men fpeken of Romaunces of pris
Of Horn-Child, and of Ipotis
Of Bevis, and Sire Guy
Of Sire Libeux, and Pleindamour,
But Sire Thopa*, he bereth the flour
Of real chevalric *.
Moft, if not all of thefe are ftill extant in MS. in
fome or other of our libraries, as I ihall mew in the
conclusion of this flight EfTay, where I (hall give a lilt
of fuch metrcal Hiftories and Romances as have fallen
under my obfervation.
As many of thefe contain a confiderable portion of
poetic merit, and throw great light on the manners and
opinions of former times, it were to be wifhed that
fome of the beft of them were refcued from oblivion. A
judicious colleftion of them accurately published with
proper illuftrations, would be an important accelfion to.
our flock of ancient Englifh Literature. Many of them
exhibit no mean attempts at Epic Poetry, and tho' full
of the exploded fiftions of Chivalry, frequently difplay
great descriptive and inventive powers in the Bards,
who compofed them. They are at leaft generally equal
to any other poetry of the fame age. They cannot in-
deed be put in competition with the nervous produc-
tions of fo univerfal and commanding a genius as Chau-
cer, but they have a fimplicity that makes them be
read with lefs interruption, and be more eafily under-
ftood : and they are far more fpirited and entertaining
than the tedious allegories of Govver, or the dull and
prolix legends of Lydgate. Yet, while fo much firef*
is laid upon the writings of thefe laft, by fuch as treat
of Englifh poetry, the old metrical Romances, tho' far
more popular in their time,are hardly known to exiit. But
it
* Canterbury Tales, ad Vol. p. zj8.
ANCIENT POEMS. xix
it has happened unluckily, that the antiquaries, who
have revived the works of our ancient writers, have
been lor the moft part men void of tafte and genius,
and therefore have always faftidioufly rejected the old
poetical Romances, becaufe founded on fi&itious or
popular fubje&s, while they have been careful to grub
up every petty fragment of the moft dull and infipid
rhymift, whole merit it was to deform morality, or ob-
fcure true hiftory. Should the public encourage the
revival of fome of thofe ancient Epic Songs of Chivalry,
they would frequently fee the rich ore of an Ariofto or
a Taffo, tho' buried ifmay be among the rubbifh and
drofs of barbarous times.
Such a publication would anfwer many important
ufes : It would throw new light on the rife and pro-
grefs of Englifh poetry, the hiftory of which can be but
irjjperfe&ly undcritood, if thefe are negleded : It would
alfo ferve to illuftrate innumerable paflages in our an-
cient claflic poets, which without their help muft be for
ever obfcure. For not to mention Chaucer and Spen-
cer, who abound with perpetual allufions to them, I
fhall give an inftance or two from Shakefpeare, by way
of fpecimen of their ufe.
In his play of KING JOHN our great Dramatic Poet
alludes to an exploit of Richard I. which the reader
will in vain look for in any true hiftory. Faulcon-
bridge fays to his mother, Aft I. fc. i.
Needs muft you lay your heart at his difpofe . .
Againft whofe furie and unmatched force,
The awleffe lion could not wage the fight,
Nor keepc his princely heart from Richard's hand :
He that perforce robs Lions of their hearts
May eafily vvinne a woman's : "
The faft here referred to, is to be traced to its fource
nly in the old Romance of RICHARD CEUR DE
b 4 LVON,
xx ANCIENT POEMS.
LYON (q), in which his encounter with a lion makes a
very fhining figure. I {hall give a large extraft from
this poem, as a fpecimen of the manner of thefe old
rhapfodifts, and to Ihew that they did not in their fic-
tions negleft the proper means to produce the ends, as
was afterwards done in fo childim a manner in the
profe books of Chivalry.
The poet tells us, that Richard in his return from
the Holy Land having been difcovered in the habit of
** a palmer in Almayne," and apprehended as a fpy,
was by the king thrown into prifon. Wardrewe, the
king's fon, hearing of Richard's great ftrength, de-
fires the jailor to let him have a fight of his prifoners.
Richard being the foremoft. Wardrewe aflcs him, " if
" he dare ftand a buffet from his hand ? " and that on.
the morrow he fhall return him another. Richard con-
fents, and receives a blow that ftaggers him. On the
morrow, having previoufly waxed his hands, he waits
his antagonifl's arrival. Wardrewe accordingly, pro-
ceeds the ftory, " held forth as a trewe man," and Ri-
chard gave him fuch a blow on the cheek, as broke his
jaw-bone, and killed him on the fpot. The king, to
revenge the death of his fon, orders, by the advice of
one Eldrede, that a Lion kept purpofely from food,
lhall be turned loofe upon Richard. But the king's
daughter having fallen in love with him, tells him of
her father's refolution, and at his requeft procures him
forty ells of white filk " kerchers;" and here the de*
fcription of the Combat begins,
The kever-chefes (r) he toke on honde,
And aboute his arme he \vonde ; ,
And
(?) Dr. Grey has fhevrn that the fame ftory is alluded to in
Raltell's Chronicle : As it was doubtlefs originally had from the
Romance, this is proof that the old metrical Romances throw light
on our firft writers in profe : many of our ancient Hiftorians have re
corded the fictions of Romance.
*' e- fckndkerchiefs. Here we have the etymology of the word,
Couvre le Chef."
ANCIENT POEMS. xxj
And thought in that ylkc while,
To flee the lyon with feme gyle.
And fyngle in a kyrtyll he ftode,
And abode the lyon fyers and wode.
With that came the jaylere,
And other men that wyth him were,
And the lyon them amonge;
His pawes were ftiffe and ftronge.
The chambre dore they undone,
And the lyon to them is gone.
Rycharde fayd, Helpe, lorde Jefu !
The lyon made to hym venu,
And wolde hym have all to rente : '
Kynge Rycharde befyde hym glente (i),
The lyon on the brefte hym fpurned.
That aboute he touroed.
The lyon was hongry and megr f
And bette his tayle to be egre }
He loked aboute as he were madde j
Abrode he all his pawes fpradde.
He cryed lowde, and yaned (t) wyde.
Kynge Rycharde bethought hym that tydc,
What hym was befte, and to hym ftsrte,
In at the throte his honde he gcrte,
And hente out the herte with his honde.
Lounge and all that he there fonde.
The lyon fell deed to the grounde i
Rycharde felte no wem (u), ne wounds*
He fell on his knees on that place,
And thanked Jefu of his grace.
(s) i. e. glanced, flipt. (t) I. e, yawned, (u} i. e. hurt.
What
jaai ANCIENT POEMS.
What follows is not fo well, and therefore I fliall ex-
tradl no more of this poem : but the preceding circum-
ftances are not unworthy the feleciion of any Epic poet.
For the above feat the author tells us, the king was
defervedly called
Stronge Rycharde Cure de Lyownc.
THAT diftich which Shakefpeare puts in the mouth
of his madman in K. LEAR, Adi; 3. fc. 4.
Mice and Rats and fuch fmall deere
Have been Tom's food for feven long yeare,
has excited the attention of the critics. Inflead of
deere* one of them would fubftitute geer ; and another
(heer (x). But the ancient reading is eihblifhed by the
old Romance of Sir BEVIS, which Shakefpeare had
doubtlefs often heard fung to the harp. This diflich is
part of a defcription there given of the hardfhips fuf-
fered by Bevis, when confined for feven years in a
dungeon.
Rattes and myfe and fuch fmall dere
Was his meate that feven yere. Sign. F. iii,
III. IN different parts of this work, the Reader will
find various extracts from thefe old poetical Legends :
to which I refer him for farther examples of their ftyle
and metre. To complete this fubjeft, it will be proper
at >eaft to give one fpecimen of their fkill in diilribut-
ing and conducting their fable, by which it will be
feen that nature and common fenfe had fupplied to thefe
old fimple bards the want of critical art, and taught them
iome of the moil eflential rules of Epic Poetry. -- 1
(*) Dr. Warburton.-*-Dr. Grey.
-
ANCIENT POEMS, xxiii
{hall feleft the Romance of Linrtrs DISCONIU.S (j), as
being one of thofe mentioned by Chaucer, and either
fnorcer or more intelligible than the others he has
quoted.
If an Epic Poem may be defined, " (z) A fable re-
" lated by a poet, to excite admiration and infpire
" virtue, by representing the aclion of fome one hero,
" favoured by heaven, who executes a great defign, in
" fpite of ail the obftacles that oppofe him :" I know
not why we fhould withhold the name of EPIC POEM
from the piece which I am about to analyfe.
My copy is divided into IX PARTS or Cantos, the
feveral arguments of which are as follows.
PART 1.
Opens with a^fhort exordium to befpeak attention :
the Hero is defcribed, a natural fon of Sir Gawain a
celebrated knight of K. Arthur's court, who being
brought up in a foreft by his mother, is kept ignorant
of his name and defcent. He early exhibits marks of
his courage, by killing a knight in fingle combat, who
encountered him as he was hunting. This inlpires him
with a defire of feeking adventures : therefore cloath-
ing himfelf in his .enemy's armour, he goes to K. Ar-
thur's Court, to requeft the order of knighthood. His
requell granted, he obtains a promife of having the firft
adventure afligned him that mall offer. A damfej
named Ellen, attended by a dwarf, comes to implore
K. Arthur's afiillance, to rcfcue a young Princefs, " the
" Lady of binadone" their miflrefs, who i detained
from her rights, and confined in prifon. The adven-
ture is claimed by the young knight Sir Lybius : the
kin^ aflcr.ts : the meflengers are diffatisfied, and cbjedl
to his youth ; but are forced to acquiefce. And here
the firft book clofes with a defcription of the ceremony
of equipping him forth.
PART
(y) So it is imitled in the Editor's MS. But the true title is Le bten
Jfjcenus, orTHZ FAIR UNKNOWN. See a Note on the Canterbury
T.ilcs, Vol. 4th. pag. 333.
(a) Vid. " Dhcours fur la Poetic Epique," prefixed to Ttl
ANCIENT POEMS.
*b afmsql 8D W^J.i A.tedtf II.
SirLybius fets out on the adventure : he is derided
iy the dwarf and the damfel on account of his youth :
they come to the bridge of Perill, which none can pafs
without encountering a knight called William de la
Braunch. SirLybius is challenged : they juft with their
fpears: DelaBraunch is dismounted: the battle is renew-
ed on foot: Sir William's fword breaks : he yields. Sir
Lybius makes him fwear to go and prefent himfelf to
K. Arthur, as the firft-fruits of his valour. The con-
quered knight fets out for K. Arthur's court : is met by
tbree knights, his relations ; who, informed of his dif-
grace, vow revenge, and purfue the conqueror. The
next day they overtake him : the eldefl of the three at-
tacks SirLybius; but is overthrown to the ground. The
two other brothers affault him : Sir Lybius is wounded;
yet cuts off the fecond brother's arm : the third yields :
Sir Lybius fends them all to K. Arthur. In the third
evening he is awaked by the dwarf, who has difcovered
a fire in a wood.
PART III.
Sir Lybius arms himfelf, and leaps on horfeback : he
finds two Giants roafting a wild boar, who have a fair
Lady their captive. Sir Lybius, by favour of the night,
runs one of them through with his fpear : is affaulted
by the other : a fierce battle enfues : he cuts off the
giant's arm, and at length his head. The refcued Lady
(an Earl's daughter) tells him her ftory ; and leads him
to her father's caftle ; who cntei tains him with a great
feaft ; and prefents him at parting with a fuit of armour
and a fteed. He fends the giant's head to K. Arthur.
ub ibiinsV.- PART IV.
Sir Lybius, maid Ellen, and the dwarf, renew their
journey: they fee a caUle iluck round with ..human
.heads ; and are informed it belongs to a knight call eel
Sir Gefferon, who, in honour of his lemman or mifirefs,
challenges all comers : He that can produce a fairer
Jady, is to be rewarded with a ir.illc-whhe faulcdn. but
if
ANCIENT POEMS. *xr
if overcome, to lofe his head. Sir Lybius fpends the
night in the adjoining town : In the morning goes to
challenge the faulcon. The knights exchange their
gloves : they agree to juft in the market place : the kdjr
and maid Ellen are placed aloft in chairs : their dreflest
the fuperior beauty of Sir Gefferon's miftrefs defcribed:
the ceremonies previous to the combat. They engage t
the combat defcribed at large : Sir Gefferon is incurs*
bly hurt ; and carried home on his fhield. Sir Lybiu*
fends the faulcon to K. Arthur; and receives back a
large prefent in florins. He flays 40 days to be cured
of his wounds, which he fpends in feafting with the
neighbouring lords.
PART V.
Sir Lybius proceeds for Sinadone : in a foreft he
meets a knight hunting, called Sir Otes de Lifle : maid
Ellen charmed with a very beautiful dog, begs Sir Ly-
bius to beftow him upon her : Sir Otes meets them, and
claims his dog : is refufed : being unarmed he rides to
his caftle, and fummons his attendants : they go ia
queft of Sir Lybius : a battle enfues : he is flill victo-
rious, and forces Sir Otes to follow the other conquered
knights to K. Arthur.
P A R T ^VI. ;rfj x U
Sir Lybius comes to a fair city and caftle by a river-
fide, befet round with pavilions or tents : he is in-
formed, in the caftle is a beautiful lady befieged by <*.
giant named Maugys, who keeps the bridge, and wilst
let none pafs without doing him homage : this Lybiu*
refufes ! a battle enfues : the giant defcribed : the fo-
veral incidents of the battle ; which lafts a whole fu ai-
mer's day : the giant is wounded ; put to flight ; flain.
The citizens come out in proceffion to meet their deli-
verer : the lady invites him into her caftle: falls ia
love with him : and feduces him to her embraces. He
forgets the princefs of Sinadone, and ftays with this
bewitching lady a twelvemonth. This fair forcerefs,
like another Alcina, intoxicates him with- all kinds of
usLonnitf-amai & fartr owifiwai o 0} u ?- ^ r ~
xxvi ANCIENT POEMS.
fenfual pleafure ; 2nd detains him from ihe purfuit of
honour.
PART VII.
Maid Ellen by chance gets an opportunity of fpeak-
ing to him ; and upbraids him with his vice and folly :
he is filled with remorfe, and efcapes the fame evening.
At length he arrives at the city and cattle of Sinadone :
Is given to underftand that he muft challenge the con-
ftable of the caiiie to tingle combat, before he can be
received as a gueft. They juft : the conftable is worft-
ed : Sir Lybius is feafted in the caftle : he declares his
intention of delivering their lady ; and inquires the
particulars of her hiilory. " Two Necromancers
have built a fine palace by forcery, and there keep her
inchanted, till (he will furrender her duchy to them,
and yield to fuch bafe conditions as they would im-
pofe."
PART VIII.
Early on the morrow Sir Lybius fets out for the in-
chanted palace. He alights in the court : enters the
hall : the wonders of which are defcribed in ftrong
Gothic painting. He fits down at the high table : on
a fudden all the lights are quenched : it thunders, and
lightens ; the palace (hakes ; the walls fall in pieces
about his ears. He is difmayed and confounded : but
prefently hears horfes neigh, and is challenged to
fingle combat by the forcerers. He gets to his fteed : a
battle enfues, with various turns of fortune : he lofes
his weapon ; but gets a fword from one of the Necro-
mancers, and wounds the other with it: the edge of
the fword being fecretly poiloned, the wound proves
mortal.
P A R T IX.
He goes up to the furviving forcerer, who is carried
aw:;y from him by inchantroent : at length he finds
him, and cuts off his head : He returns to the palace
to deliver the lady : but cannot find her : as he is la-
menting, a window opens, through which enters a
horrible
ANCIENT POEMS,
horrible ferpent with win^s and a woman's face : it
coils round his neck and kifles him ; then is futldenly
converted into a very beautiful lady. She tells him
fhe is the Lady of Sinadone, and was fo inchanted, till
flie might kifs Sir Gawain, or fome one of his blood :
that he has diflblved the charm, and that herfelf and
her dominions may be his reward. The KNIGHT (whofe
defcent is by this means difcovered) joyfully accepts
the offer ; makes her his bride, and then fets out with
her for King Arthur's court.
SUCH is the fable of this ancient piece : which the
reader may obferve, is as regular in its condu&j as any
of the fineft poems of claffical antiquity. If the execu-
tion, particularly as to the didlion and fentiments, were
but equal to the plan, it would be a capital performance ;
but this is fuch as might be expefted in rude and igno-
rant times, and in a barbarous unpolifhed language.
IV. I SHALL conclude this prolix account, with a
LIST of fuch old METRICAL ROMANCES as are ftill -ex-
tant j beginning with thofe mentioned by Chaucer.
I. The Romance of Home Cbilde is preferred in the
Britifa Mufeum, where it is intitled |?esefte of kyng Hsmp.
See Catalog. Harl. MSS. za$3. />. 70. The Language
is almoft Saxon, yet from the mention in it of Sarazens,
it appears to have been written after fome of the Cru
fades. It begins thus,
All heo ben blyjje
Jjat to my fon;5 yly{e :
A for-3 ychulle ou finj
Of Allof Jie jode kynje (a] &c.
Another copy of this poem, but greatly altered and
fomcwhat modernized, is preferred in the Advocates
(a) I. e. May all they He blithe, that to tny fo-:g lifttn : A fong
Mall you fir-s,' Oi Allof the rood i.
' 6 Library
xxviii ANCIENT POEMS.
Library at Edinburgh, in a MS. quarto volume of old
Englifh poetry [W. 4. i.] Num. XXXIV. in feven
leaves or folios (), intitled, Horn-child and Maiden
Rinivel, and beginning thus,
Mi leve frende dere,
Herken and ye may here.
j. The Poem of Ipotis (or Ypotis) is preferved in the
Cotton Library, Calig. A. 2. fo. 77. but is rather a re-
ligious Legend, than a Romance. Its beginning is,
He bat wyll of wyfdome here
Herkeneth nowe ze may here
Of a tale of holy wryte
Seynt Jon the Evangelyfte \vytneiTeth hyt.
3. The Romance of Sir Guy, was written before that
of Bevis, being quoted in it (f). An account of this
old poem is given below. To which it may be add-
ed, that two complete copies in MS. are prefer-
ved at Cambridge, the one in the public Library (d],
the other in that of Caius College, Clafs A. 8. In
Ames's Typog. p. 153. maybe feen the firft lines of
the printed copy. The ift MS. begins,
Sythe the tyme that God was borne.
4. Guy and Colbronde, an old Romance in three parts,
is preferved in the Editor's folio MS. (p. 349.) It is
in
(t) In each*full page of this Vol. are 44 lines, when the poem is in
long metre : and 8S, when the metre is Ihort, and the page in two
columns.
(0 Sign. K. z. b.
(</) For this and moft of the following, which are mentioned as
preferved in the Public Libraiy, I refer the reader to the Oxon Cata-
logue of MSS. 1697. vol. 2. pag. 394. in Appendix to Bp. Mere's
MSS. No, 690. 33. fince given to the Univerfity of Cambridge.
ANCIENT POEMS, xxix
in ftanzas of fix lines, the firft of which may be feen in
vol. 2. p. 170. beginning thus,
When mcate and drinke is great plentye.
In the Edinburgh MS. (mentioned above) are two
ancient poems on the fabjeft of. Guy of Warwick : viz.
Num. XVIII. containing 26 leaves, and XX. 59 leaves.
Both thefe have unfortunately the beginnings wanting,
< therwife they would perhaps be found to be different
Copies of one or both the preceding articles.
5. From the fame MS. I can add another article
to this lift, viz. The Romance of Rembrun fon of
Sir Guy ; being Num. XXI. in 9 leaves : this is pro-
perly a Continuation of the Hiitory of Guy : and in
Art. 3. the Hift. of Rembrun follows that of Guy as a
neceflary Part of it. This Edinburgh Romance of
Rembrun begins thus
Jefu that erft of mighte moft
Fader and fone and Holy Ghoft.
Before I quit the fubjecl: of Sir GUT, I muft obferve,
that if we may believe Dugdale in his Baronage, [vol. i.
p. 243. col. 2.] the fame of our Englifh Champion,
had in the time of Henry TV. travelled as far as the
Eaft, and was no lefs popular among the Sarazens,
than here in the Weft among the Nations of Chriften-
ciom. In that reign a Lord Beauchamp travelling to
Jerufalem, was kindly received by a noble perfon,
the Soldan's Lieutenant, who hearing he was defcended
from the famous Guy of Warwick, " whofe ftory
" they had in books of their own language," invited
him to his palace ; and royally feafting him, prefented
him with three precious (tones of great value ; be-
fides divers cloaths of filk and gold given to his
fervants.
VOL. III. c 6. The
xxx ANCIENT POEMS.
6. The Romance of Syr Bevis is defcribed in pag.
216. of this vol. Two manufcript copies of this poem
are extant at Cambridge; viz. in the Public Library
M, and in that of Caius Coll. Clafs A. 9. (c.) The
firft of thefe begins,
Lordyngs lyftenyth grete and fmale.
There is alfo a Copy of this Romance of Sir Be<vis
ef Hamptcun, in the Edinburgh MS. Numb. XXil. con-
filling of 25 leaves, and beginning thus,
Lordinges kerkneth to mi talc,
Is merier than the nightingale
The printed copies begin different from both : viz.
Lyften, Lordinges, and hold you ftyl.
7. Libeaux (Libeaus, or, Lybius) Difconius is pre-
ferred in the Editor's folio MS. (pag. 317.) where the
h"rft ftanza is,
Jefus Chrift chriftcn kinge,
And his mother that fweete thingc,
Helpe them at their neede,
That will Hften to my tafe,
Of a Knight I will you tell,
A doughtye man of deede.
An older copy is preferred in the Cotton Library
[Cal. A. 2. fol.^c.] containing innumerable variations:
the firft line is,
Jefu Chrifl our Savyour.
As
(} No. 690. . 31, Vid. Catalog. MSS, p. 394.
ANCIENT POEMS. xxxi
As for Pleindamoure, or Blanctatnoure, no Romance
with this title has been difcovered ; but as the word
occurs in that of Libeaux, 'tis pofiible Chaucer's me-
mory deceived him.
8. Le Morte Arthure, is among the Harl. MSS 2252.
49. This is judged to be a tranflation from the
French ; Mr. Wanly thinks it no older than the time of
Hen. vii. but it feems to be quoted in Syr Bevis, ^Sign.
K. ij. b.) It begins
Lordinges, that are leffe and dcare,
In the Library of Bennet Coll. Cambridge, N. 351.
is a MS. intitled in the Cat. A8a Arthuris Metrico An~
glicanoy but I know not whether it has any thing in
common with the former.
9. In the Editor's Folio MS. are many Songs and
Romances about King Arthur and his Knights, fome
of which are very imperfeft, as K. Arthur and the king
of Cornwall, (p. 24.) in ftanzas of 4 Lines, begin-
ning
Come here, my cozen Gawain fo gay.
The Turke and Gawain, (p. 38.) in ftanzas of 6 lines,
beginning thus,
Liften, Lords, great and fmall.
Sir Lionel in diftichs (p. 32.) thus beginning,
Sir Egrabell had Sonnes three.
but thefe are fo imperfecl that I do not make diftinfl
articles of them. See alfo in this Vol. Book i. N. I.
II. IV. V.
10. In the fame MS. p. 203. is the Greene Knight,
in 2 Parts, relating a curious adventure of Sir Ga-
wain, in ftanzas of 6 lines, beginning thus,
xxxii ANCIENT POEMS.
Lift : when Arthur he was kinge.
11. The Carle of Carlijle, is another romantic tnte
about Sir Gavvain, in the fame MS. p. 448. in'dii-
tichs.
Liften to me a little flonde.
In all thefe old poems the fame fet of knights are al-
ways drawn with the fame manners and characters ;
which feem to have been as well known and as difUn<ft-
ly marked among our anceftors, as Homer's Heroes-
were among the Greeks : For as Uly/es is always re-
prefented crafty, Achilles irafcible, and Ajax rough :
So Sir Ganvain is ever courteous and gentle, Sir Kay
rugged and difobliging, &c. " Sir Ga*wain ivith bis
" olde citrtefie" is mentioned by Chaucer as noted to
a proverb, in his Squire's Tale. Canterb. Tales. Vol.
II. p. 104.
12. Syr Launfal, an excellent old Romance con-
cerning another of K. Arthur's Knights, is preferred
in the^Cotton Library, Calig. A. 2. 33. This is a
tranflation from the French (f) made by one Thomas
Cheflrgy who is fuppofed to have lived in the reign of
Hen. vi. [See Tanner's Biblioth.] It is in ilanzas or"
6 Lines, and begins,
Le douzty Artours dawea.
The above was afterwards altered by fome Minftrel
into the Romance of Sir Lambwell, in 3 Parts, under
which title it was more generally known (g). This is
in the Editor's folio MS. p. 60. beginning thus,
Doughty in king Arthures dayes.
13. The
(f) The French Original is preferred among the Harl. MSS. No,
97$. \ii.Lan-val.
(g) See Langham's Letter concern, 0^, Eliz, entertainment at Kil-
Lngworth, 1575. izmo, p. 34.
ANCIENT POEMS. xxxiii
13. The Romance of Merline, in 9 Parts, (preferred
in the fame folio MS. p. 144.) gives a curious account
nf the birth, parentage, and juvenile adventures of
this famous Britifh. Prophet. In this poem the Saxons
are called Sarazens ; and the thrufting the rebel angels
out of Heaven is attributed to " cure Lady." It is in
diilichs, and begins thus,
He that made with his hand.
There is an old Romance Of Art hour and of Merlin*
in the Edinburgh MS. of old Englilh Poems : I know-
not whether it has any thing in common with this laft
mentioned. It is in the volume, numbered XXIII. and
extends through 55 leaves. The two firft Lines are
Jefu Crift, heven king
Al ous graunt gode ending.
14. Sir Ifenoras, (or as it is in the MS, copies, Sir
Ifumbras) is quoted in Chaucer's R. of Thop. v. 6.
Among Mr. Garrick's old plays is a printed copy ; of
which an account has been already given, in Vol. i.
p. 305. It is preferved in MS. in the Library of Cains
Coll. Camb. Clafs A. 9. (2.) and a!fo in the Otton
Library, Cal. A. 12. (f 128.) This is extremely dif-
ferent from the printed copy. E. g.
Cod J^at made both erfce and hevene.
I v Emare, a very curious and ancient Romance, is
preferved in the fame Vol. of the Cotton Library, f.
69. It is in ftan. of 6 lines, and begins thus,
Jefu J>at ys kyng in trone.
16. Chevelere ajpgn;, or, The Knight of the Swan,
preferved in the Cotton Library, has been already de-
fcribed in Vol. 2. p. 272. as hath alfo
10 17. Tbt
xxxiv ANCIENT POEMS.
17. The Sege ofJerlam> (or Jerufalem) which feema
to have been written after the other, and may not im-
properly be claffed among the Romances : as may alfo
the following which is preferred in the fame volume :
viz.
18. Owaine Myles, (fol. 90.) giving an account of
the wonders of St. Patrick's Purgatory. This is a
tranflation into verfe of the ftory related in Mat. Paris's
Hill, (fub Ann. 1 153.) It is in diftichs beginning thus,
God j^at ys fo full of myght.
In the fame Manufcript are one or two other nar
rative poems, which might be reckoned among the
Romances, but being rather religious Legends, I (hall
barely mention them ; as, Tundale, f. 17. Trentale Sci
Gregorii, f. 84. Jerome, f. 133. Eujlacbe. f. 136.
19. Ofta--vian imperator, an ancient Romance of
Chivalry, is in the fame vol. of the Cotton Library, f.
20. -Notwithstanding the name, this old poem has no-
thing in common with the hiftory of the Roman Em-
perors. It is in a very peculiar kind of Stanza,
whereof i , z, 3, & 5, rhyme together, as do the 4 and 6.
It begins thus,
Ihefu f>at was with fpere yftonge.
In the public Library at Camb. () is a poem with
the fame title, that begins very differently
Lyttyll and mykyl), olde and yonge.
20. Eglamour of Art as (or Artoji) is preferred in the
fame Vol. with the foregoing both in the Cotton Li-
brary, and public Library \.\ Camb. It is alfo in the
(b) No. 690. l3C.;v;<3.0xor.. Catalog. MSS. p. 394.
Editor's
ANCIENT POEMS. xxxv
Editor's folio MS. p. 295. where it is divided into 6
Parts. \ printed Copy is in the Bodleian Library,
C. 39. Art. Seld. And among Mr. Garrick's old
plays, K. vol. X. It is in diftichs, and begins thus,
Ihefu Crift of heven kyng.
21. Syr T'riamore (in ftan. of 6 Lines) is preferred
in MS. in the Editor's folio Volume, p. 210. and in
the public Library at Camb. (690. 29 Vid. Cat.
MSS. p. 394.) Two printed Copies are extant in the
Bodleian Library, and among Mr. Garrick's plays in
the fame volumes with the laft article. Both the Edi-
tor's MS. and the printed Copies begin
Nowe Jefu Chryfte out heven kynge.
The Cambridge Copy, thus,
Heven blys that all fhall v.-ynne.
22. Sir Degree (Degare, or Degore, which laft feenu
the true title) in 5 Parts, in diftichs, is preferved in the
Editor's folio MS. p. 371. and in the public Library at
Camb. (ubi fupra.) A printed Copy is in the Bod.
Library, C. 39. Art. Seld. and among Mr. Garrick's
plays K. vol. IX. The Editor's MS. "and the printed
Copies begin
Lord Inge, and you wyl holde you ftyl.
The Cambridge MS. has it
I.yftenyth, lordyngis, gente and fre.
23. IpomyJou, (or Cbylde Ifomydon) is preferved
among the Harl. MSS. 2252. (44.) It is in dillichs
and begins,
Mekely, lardyngls, gentylle and fre.
7 In
xxxvi ANCIENT POEMS.
In the Library of Lincoln Cathedral. K k. 3. 10. is
an ok imported printed Copy, wanting the whole full
fteet A.
24. The Zqxyr of Lowe degre, is one of thofe bur-
kfqued by Choicer in his R. of Thopas (/}. Mr. Gar-
rick has a printed Copy of this, among his old plays,
&. Vol. IX. It begias
Jt was a fquyer of lowe decre,
That loved the kin^s daughter of Hungre.
25. Hiftorye of K. Richard Cure [CWwr] 4e Lye ft.
{Tmpr W i j e Worde, 1528. 410.] is prefcrved in 'the
lodleian Library, C. 39. Art. Selden. A fragment of
it is slf'o remaining in the Edinburgh MS. of old Eng-
lifo Poems ; Num. XXXVI. in 2 leaves. A large Ex-
traft from this Romance has been given already above,
p. xv. Richard was the peculiar patron of Chivalry, and
therefore was a favourite with the old Minilrels. See
Warton's Obferv. V. i. p. 29. V. 2. p. 40.
26 The following I have not feen, but I believe they
Htay all be referred to the Clafs of Romances.
The Knight if CourteJ) and tki Lady of Fugue! (Bodl.
Lib. C- 39. Art. Seld. a printed Copy.) This Mr.
Wartcn thinks is the Story of Coucy's Heart, related in
Fauchet, and in Howel's Letters. [V. i. S. 6. L. 20.
See Wart. Obf. V. 2. p. 40.] The Editor has feen a
very beautiful old ballad on this fubjeft in French.
27. The four following are all preferred in the MS.
fo often referred to in the public Library at Camb.
(690. Appendix to Bp. More's MSS. in Cat. MSS.
Tom. 2/p. 394.) viz. The Erie of Tboloufe. (N 27.)
beginning
Jefu Chryfte in Trynyte.
28. 0-
(;') This is alluded to by Shakcfpeare in his Hen. V. (A<3 5.)
Where Fluellyn tells Piftol, he will ir.ake him a Squire of Low De-
gree, when he means to knock him down.
ANCIENT POEMS, xxxvii
28. Robtrd Kynge of Cyfyll (or Sicily) fhewing the
fall of Pride. Or this there is alfo a Copy among the
Harl. MSS. 1703. (3.) The Camb. MS.' begins
Princis that be provvde in prefe.
29. Le lone Florence of Rome, beginning thus
As ferre as men ride or gone.
30. Diode/tan the Emperour, beginning,
Sum tyme ther was a noble man.
31. The two knightly brothers Amys and Amtlion
(among the Harl. MSS. 2386. 42.) is an old Romance
of Chivalry ; as is alfo, I believe, the fragment of
the Lady Belefanty the Juke of Lombards fair daughter,
mentioned in the fame article. See the Catalog. Vol. 2.
32. In the Edinburgh MS. fo often referred to (pre-
ferved in the Advocates Library, W. 4. i.) might pro-
bably be found fome other articles to add to this lift, as
well as other copies of fome of the pieces mentioned in
it ; for the whole Volume contains not fewer than
xxxvii poems or romances, fome of them very long.
But as many of them have loft the beginnings, which
have been cut out for the fake of the illuminations; and
as I have not had an opportunity of examining the MS.
myfelf, I mall be content to mention only the articles
that follow *, viz.
An old Romance about Rouland (not I believe the fa-
mous Paladine, but a champion named Rouland Louth ;
quere) being in the Volume, Numb. xxvu. in 5 leaves,
and wants the beginning.
* Some of thefe I give, though mutilated and divefted of their
r.itles, becaufe they may enable a curious inquirer to complete or im-
prove other copies.
VOL. 111. d 33. Another
ANCIENT P O E MS. i
t . m, .jHwidM^raMf
THE BOY AND THE MANTLE,
Is printed verbatim from the old MS defcribed in
the Preface. The Editor believes it more ancient, than it
will appear to be at Jirjt Jight ; the tranfcriber of that ma-
itufcript having reduced the orthography and ftyle in many
inftances to the Jlandard of his own times.
The incidents of the MANTLE and the KNIFE have not,
that I can recollect, been borrowed from any other writer. The
former of ihefe evidently fuggefted to Spenfer his conceit of
f 101.1 MEL'S GIRDLE. B. iv. C. 5. St. 3.
That girdle gave the virtue of chajle love
And wivehood true to all that did it beare ;
But wbofcever contrarie doth prove,
Might not the fame about her middle iveare,
But it would loofe or elfe afunder teare.
So it happened to thefalfe Florimel, ft. 1 6, when
Being brought, about her middle fm all
They thought to gird, as bejl it her became,
But by no r:ieaas they could it thereto frame,
For ever as they fajtned it, it loos' d
And fell away, as feeling fecret blame, &c.
That oilmen wcndred at the uncouth feght
And each one thought as to their fancies came.
But /he herfelf did think it done for fpighi,
And touched was with fecret -wrath and Jhams
Therewith, as thirg deviz'd her to defame :
Then many other ladifs liktwife tride ' -B jjj
About their tender loynes to biit the fame,
But it would not on none of them abide,
P-ut when they thought it f aft, tftjcones it <u.v.
>t ah' knialts %an lauoh and ladies hnure,
*&**< W**l<*i**n
2 ANCIENT POEMS.
Likewife affayed to prove that girdle's powre.
And having it about her middle fet
Did find it fit without en breach or let,
Whereat the reft gan greatly to envie.
But Florimel exceedingly did fret ;
And ' fnatching from her hand, &c.
As fir the trial of the Ho R N E , it is net peculiar to our Poet : It
occurs in the cldromance, intitled lt Morte Arthur, "which -was
tranjlated out of French in the time of K. Edw. IV. and ' firft
printed anno 1484. From that romance Ariofto is thought to
have borrowed his tale of the Enchanted Cup, C. 42. i5c .
See Mr. Warton's Objervaticns on the Faerie Queen, &'c.
Tht ftory of the HORN in Morte Arthur varies a good
deal from this of our Poet, as the reader will judge from
the following extraS. " By the way they met with a
" knight that "Was jent from Morgan le Faye to king Ar-
" thur, and this knight had a fair home all garni '/bed with
" gold, and the home had fuch a "virtue, that there might
" no- la dye cr gentle<wcman a'rinke of that borne, but if Jhe
" were true to btr hvjband : and if Jhee were falfe Jhe
" Jhould Jpi,ll all the drinke, and if jbee were true unto her
" lorde, Jhee. might drink peaceably : and btcaufe of qv.eene
" Guenever and in dejpite of Sir Launcelot du Lakf, this
" home <was jent unto king Arthur" 'This horn is in-
tercepted and brought unto another king named Marks, <vjho
is not a whit more fortunate than the Britijh hero, for he
makes " his quetne drinke thereof and an hundred ladies
' ' moe, and there were but foure ladies of all thofe that
drank deans" of *wkich number the faid queen, troves
not to be one [Book II. chap. 22. Ed. 1632.]
In other rejpefls the two ft or is s ar fo different, that we
have -it ft reafon to juppoj'e this Ballad was written before
that romance was translated into Enalifb.
As for queen Gu E N E V E R , Jhe is here reprefented no other-
wife, than in the old Hiftories and Romances. Holinjhed
-..-, that " Jhe was evil reported of, as noted of i>uo>:ti-
" nence and breach of faith to hir hvjband." Vol. I. /. 97.
K> SUCH RKADEKS, AS HAVE KO RKLISH FOR PUP.K
ANTL^l-ITY, WILL FIND A MORE MODERN COPY OF
THIS BALLAD AT THE END OF THE VOLUME.
I N
ANCIENT POEMS. 3
IN the third day of may,
To Carleile did come
A kind curteous child,
That cold much of wifdome.
A kirtle and a mantle 5
This child had uppon,
With ' brooches' and ringe
Full richelyc bedone.
He had a fate of filke -
About his middle drawne ; 10
Without he cold of curtefye
He thought itt much mame.
God fpeede thee, king Arthur,
Sitting at thy meate :
And the goodly queene Guenever 15
I cannott her forgett.
I tell you, lords, in this hall ;
I hett you all to ' heede' ;
Except you be the more furer
Is for you to dread. 2O
He plucked out of his poterner,
And longer wold not dwell,
He pulled forth a pretty mantle,
Betweene two nut-fhells.
B 2 Have
Vtr. 7. Bianchei, MS, F<r, li. heate, MS, Ver, ai. nr potewW.
ANCIENT POEMS.
Have thou here, king Arthur ; 25
Have thou heere of mee :
Give itt to thy comely queene
Shapen as itt is alreadye.
It {hall never become that wifFe,
That hath once done amifTe. 3*
Then every knight in the king's cOHrt
Began to care for ' his.'
Forth came dame Guenever;
To the mantle fhee her ' hied' ;
The ladye fhee was newfaugle, 3 5
But yett fhe was affrayd.
When fhee had taken the mantle ;
She floode as fhe had beene madd :
It was from the top to the toe
As fheeres had itt fhread. 40
One while was it * gule' ;
Another while was itt greene ;
Another while was itt wadded:
III itt did her befeeme.
Another while was itt blacke 45
And bore the worft hue :
By my troth, quoth king Arthur,
I thinke thou be not true.
Shee
tr. 51. bis wifie. MIS. Vtr. 41. gaule. MS.
A N C I E N T P O E M S. 5
Slice threw downe the mantle,
That bright was of blee; ro
Fait with a rudd redd,
To her chamber can fhee flee.
She curft the weaver, and the walker,
That clothe that had wrought ;
And bade a vengeance on his crowne, 55
That hither hath itt brought.
I had rather be in a wood,
Under a green tree ;
Than in king Arthur's court
Shamed for to bee. 6t/
Kay called forth his ladye,
And bade her come neere ;
Saies, Madam, and thou be guiltye,
J pray thee hold thee there.
Forth came his ladye 6;;
Shortlye and anon ;
Boldlye to the mantle
Then is fhee gone.
When me had tane the mantle,
And caft it her about ; 70
Then was fhe bare
1 Before all the rout.'
B 3' Then
6 ANCIENT POEMS.
Then every knight,
That was in the king's court,
Talked, laughed, and fhowted 75
Full oft at that fport.
Shee threw downe the mantle,
That bright was of blee ;
Fall, with a red rudd, N
To her chamber can flic flee. 80
Forth came an old knight
Pattering ore a creede,
And he preferred to this litle boy
Twenty markes to his meede;
And all the time of the ChriUm.'iffe 85
Willinglye to ffeede ;
For why this mantle might
Do his wiffc fotne need.
When (he had tane the mantle,
Of cloth that was made, 90
She had no more left on her,
But a tafiel and a threed :
Then every knight in the kings court
Bade evill might (hee fpeed.
Shee threw downe the mantle, 95
That bright was of blee ;
And
ANCIENT POEMS.
And faft, with a redd rudd, .
To her chamber can fhee flee.
Craddocke called forth his ladye,
And bade her come in ; 100
Saith, Winne this mantle, ladye,
With a little dinne.
Winne this mantle, ladye,
And it fhal be thine,
If thou never did amifTe 105
Since thou waft mine.
Forth came Craddocke's ladye
Shortlye and anon ;
But boldlye to the mantle
Then is ihee gone. 1 10
When fhee had tane the mantle,
And caft itt her about,
Upp att her great toe
It began to crinkle and crowt :
Shee faid, bowe downe, mantle, 115
And fhame me not for nought.
Once I did amiffe,
I tell you certainlye,
When I kift Craddocke's mouth
Under a greene tree ; 1 20
B 4 When
8 A N p I E N- T POEMS
When I kift Craddockes mouth
Before he marryed mee.
When fhee had her fhreeven,
And her fmnes fhee had tolde j
The mantle ftoode about her 125
Right as fhee wold :
Seemelye of coulour
Glittering like gold :
Then every knight in Arthurs court
Did her behold. 130
Then fpake dame Guenever
To Arthur our king ;
She hath tane yonder mantle
Not with right, but with wronge.
See you not yonder woman, 135
That maketh her felf ' cleane' ?
I have feene tane out of her bedd
Of men fiveteene ;
Priefts, clarkes, and wedded men
From her bedeene : 14.0
Yett mee taketh the mantle,
And maketh her felf cleane.
Then
Vtr. 136. cleare, MS, Ver, 140. by deene, MS.
ANCIENT POEMS. 9
Then fpake the litle boy,
That kept the mantle in hold ;
Sayes, king, chaften thy wiffe, 145
Of her words fhee is too bold ;
Shee is a bitch and a witch,
And a whore bold :
King, in thine owne hall,
Thou art a cuckold. i$
The litle boy ftoode
Looking out a dore ;
* And there as he was lookinge
* He was ware of a wyld bore.'
He was ware of a wyld bore, 155
Wold have werryed a man :
He pulled forth a wood kniffe,
Faft thither that he ran :
He brought in the bores head,
And quitted him like a man. 160
He brought in the bores head,
And was wonderous bold :
He faid there were never a cuckolds kniffe
Carve itt that cold.
Some rubbed their knives 165
Uppon a whetftone :
Some
ANCIENT POEMS.
Some threw them under the table,
And faid they had none.
King Arthur, and the child
Stood looking upon them ; 17*
All their knives edges
Turned backe againe.
Craddocke had a litle knive ,
Of iron and of fteele ;
He britled the bores head 175
Wonderous weele ;
That every knight in the kings court
Had a morfell.
The litle boy had a home,.
Of red gold that ronge : 1 80
He faid, there was noe cuckolde
Shall drinke of my home;
But he (hold itt fheede
Either behind or beforne.
Some ihedd on their moulder, 185
And fome on their knee ;
He that cold not hitt his mouthe,
Put it in his eye :
And he that was a cuckold
Every man might him fee. 190
Craddocke
Ver. 170. them upon. MS.
ANCIENT POEMS. n
Craddocke wan the home,
And the bores head :
His ladie wan the mantle
Unto her meede.
Everye fuch lovely ladye 195
God fend her welJ to fpeede.
II.
THE MARRIAGE OF SIR GAWAINE
Is chiefly taken from the fragment of an old ballad in the
Editor's MS. which he has reafon to believe more ancient than
the time ofCtiAVCER, and what furnijktd that lard 'with
his Wife of Bath's Tale. The original ivas jb extrtmely
mutilated, half of every leaf being torn away, that without
large fupplemsnts, & ' c. it ivould have been improper for this
collection : thefe it has therefore received, fuch as they are.
They are not here particularly pointed out, becaufe the FRAG-
MENT itfelf will fame time or other be given to the public.
PART THE FIRST.
KING Arthur lives in merry Carleile,
And feemely is to fee ;
And there with him queene Guenever,
That hride foe bright of blee.
And there with him queene Guenever, 5
"That bride fo bright in bowre :
And all his barons about him ftoode,
That were both (lifftf and ftowre.
The king a royale Chriftmafle kept,
With mirth and princelye cheare ; 10
To
12 ANCIENT POEMS.
To nim repaired many a knighte,
That came both farre and neare.
And when they were to dinner fette,
And cups went freely round ;
Before them can>e a faire damfe'lle, 15
And knelt upon the ground.
A boone, a boone, O kinge Arthure,
I beg a boor.e of thee ;
Avenge me of a carlifti knighte,
Who hath ihent my love and mee. 20
At Tearne-Wadling * his caftle fiands,
Near to that lake fo fair,
And proudlye rife the battlements,
And ftreamers deck the air.
Noe gentle knighte, nor ladye gay, 25
May pafs that caftle-walle :
But from that foule difcurteous knighte,
Mifhappe will them befalle.
Hee's twyce the fize of common men,
Wi' thewes, and finewes ftrongc, 3*
And on his backe he bears a clubbe,
That is both thicke and longe.
This
* Tezrne-Wadling h tbt name of a fmall lake near Hejketb in Cum-
lerlanti, en the read fiw. Penrl-b to Carlijle. There is a tradition, that
an tldc.iftli ante flood ne;r ;le la'-, the tanains of which "were not long
Team in ti-t di^l, ci af that country^ Jignijia a fault lake t
'
ANCIENT POEMS. 15
This grimme barone 'twas our harde happe,
But yefter morne to fee ;
When to his bowre he bore my love, 3;
And fore mifufed mee.
And when I told him, king Arthurs
As lyttle (hold him fpare ;
Goe tell, fayd hee, that cuckold kinge,
To meete mee if he dare. 40
Upp then flerted king Arthiire,
And fware by hille and dale,
Ke ne'er wolde quitt that grimme barone,
Till he had made him quail.
Goe fetch my fword Excalibar i 45
Goe faddle mee my ileede ;
Nowe, by my faye, that grimme bardne
Shall rue this ruthfulle deede.
And when he came to Tearne Wadlinge
Benethe the caftle walle : $
' Come forth; come forth; thou proude barone,
Or yielde thyfelf my thralle."
On magicke grounde that caftle ftoode,
And fcnc'd with many a fpelle :
Noc valiant knighte could tread thereon, 55
But ftraite his courage fellc.
6 Forth
14 ANCIENT POEMS.
Forth then rufli'd that carlifh knight,
King Arthur feite the charme :
His fturdy finewes loft their Itrengthe,
Downe funke his feeble &"me. 60
Nowe yield thee, yield thee, kinge Arthiire,
Now yield thee, unto mee :
Or fighte with mse, or lofe thy lande,
!Noe better termes maye bee,
Unlefie thou fvveare upon the rood, 65
And promife on thy faye,
Here to returne to Tearne Wadling,
Upon the. new-yeare's daye ;
And brirge me wcrde what thing it is
All women mofte defyre ; 70
This is thy ranfome, Arthur, he fayes,
lie have not- other hyre.
King Arthur then helde up his hande,
And fwar? uron his faye,
Then tooke his leave of the grimme barone . 75
And fafte hee rode awaye.
And he rode eaft, and he rode weft,
And did of all inquyre,
What thing it is ail women crave,
And what they moil defyre. So
5 Some
ANCIENT POEMS. 15
Some told him riches, pompe, orftate;
Some rayment fine and brighte ;
Some told him mirthe ; fome flatterye;
And fome a jollye knighte.
In letteres all king Arthur wrote, 85
And feal'd them with his ringe :
But flill his minde was helde in double,
Each tolde a different thinge.
As ruthfulle he rode over a more,
He faw a ladye fette 90
Betweene an oke, and a greene holleye,
All clad in red * fcarlette.
Her nofe was crookt and turnd outwarde,
Her chin floode all awrye ;
And where as fholde have been her mouthe, 95
Lo ! there was fet her eye :
Her haires, like ferpents, clung aboute
Her cheekes of deadlye hewe :
A worfe-fonn d ladye than {he was,
No man mote ever vievve. loo
To hail the king in feemelye forte
This ladye was fulle faine ;
But king Arthure all fore amaz'd,
No aunfwere made againe.
What
* Tkis "joas a cmmon fhrafe in our old writers ; ft> Cbauctr In hit
:c the Cjitr. Tales, jayt of the wife of Bath,
v:r hofcn were of fync fcarlet red
,6 ANCIENT POEMS.
What wight art thou, the ladye fayd, 105
That wilt not fpeake to mee ;
Sir, I may chance to eafe thy paine,
Though I bee foule to fee.
If thou wilt eafe my paine, he fayd,
And helpe me in my neede j no
Afk what thou wilt, thou grimme ladye,
And it mail bee thy meede.
O fweare mee this upon the roode,
And promife on thy faye ;
And here the fecrette I will telle, 1 i
That mail thy ranfome paye.
King Arthur promis'd on his faye,
And fware upon the roode ;
The fecrette then the ladye told,
As lightlye well mee cou'de. 1 20
Now this mall be my paye, fir king,
And this my guerdon bee,
That fome yong, fair and courtlye knight,
Thou bringe to marrye mee.
Faft then pricked king Arthure 1 25
Ore hille, and dale, and downc :
And foone he founde the barone's bowre :
And foone the grimme baroune.
A K C I E NT T POEMS. 17
He bare his clubbe upon his backe,
Hee ftoode bothe ftiffe and ftronge; 130
And, when he had the letters reade,
Awaye the lettres flunge.
Nowe yielde thee, Arthur, and thy lands,
All forfeit unto mee ;
For this is not thy paye, fir king, 135
Nor may thy ranfome bee.
Yet hold thy hand, thou proude barone,
I praye thee hold thy hand ;
And give mee leave to fpeake once nioe
Jn reflcewe of my land. 140
This morne, as I came over a more^
I faw a ladye fette
Betvvene an oke, and a greene holleye,
All clad in red fcarlette.
. Shee fayes, all women will have their wille, t45
This is their chief defyre ;
Now yield, as thou art a barone true,
That 1 have payd mine hyre.
An earlye vengeaunce light on her !
The carlim baron fwore : 150
Shee was my fjfter tolde thee this,
And fhee's a mifhapen whore.
VOL. III. C But
ANCIENT POEMS.
But here I will make mine avowe,
To do her as ill a turne :
For an ever I may that fbule theefe gette, 155
In a fyre I will her burne.
PART THE SECONDE.
HOmewarde pricked king Arthure,
And a wearye man was hee ;
And foone he mette quecne Guenever,
That bride fo bright of blee.
What newes ! what newes ! thou noble king, 5
Howe, Arthur, haft thou fped ?
Where haft thou hung the carlifh knighte ?
And where beftow'd his head ?
The carlifh knight is fafe for mee,
And free fro mortal harme : io
On magicke grounde his caftle ftands,
And fenc'd with many a charme.
To bowe to him I was fulle faine,
And yielde mee to his hand :
And but for a lothly ladye, there 15
I fholde have loft my land.
And
A N C I E N T P O E M S. 15
And nowe this fills my hearte with woe,
And forrowe of my life ;
I fwore a yonge and courtlye knight,
Sholde marry her to his wife. 20
Then befpake him fi| Gavvaine,
That was ever a gentle knightc :
That lothly ladye I will wed ;
Therefore be merrye and lights.
Nowe naye, nowe naye, good fir Gawaine j 25
My filler's fonne yee bee ;
This lothlye ladye's all too grimme,
And all too foule for yee.
Her nofe is crookt and turn'd outw^rde j
Her chin flands all awrye ; 30
A worfe form'd ladye thari fhee is
Was never feen with eye.
What though her chin (land all awrye,
And fhee be foule to fee ;
I'll marry her, unkle, for thy fake, 35
And I'll thy ranfome bee.
Nowe thankes, nowethankes, good fir Gawaine;
And a blefling thee betyde !
To-morrow wee'll have knights and fquires,
And wee'll goe fetch thy bride. 40
C 2 Anl
30 ANCIENT POEMS.
And wee'll have hawkes and wee'll have houndes,
To cover our intent ;
And wee'll away to the greene forefi:,
As wee a hunting went.
Sir Lancelot, fir Stephen bolde, 45
They rode with them that daye ;
And foremofte of the companye
There rode the ftewarde Kaye :
Soe did fir Banier and fir Bore,
And eke fir 1 Garratte keene ; 50
Sir Triflram too, that gentle knight,
To the foreft frefhe and greene.
And when they came to the greene forr:ft,
Beneathe a faire holley tree
There fate that ladye in red fcarlette 5 5
That unfeemelye was to fee.
Sir Kay beheld that lady's fac,
And looked upon her fweere ;
Whoever kifles that ladye, he fayes,
Of his kiffe he ftands in feare. 60
Sir Kay beheld that ladye againe,
And looked upon her fnout ;
Whoever kifles that ladye, he fayes,
Of his kiffe he ftands in doubt.
Peace
ANCIENT POEMS. 2I
Peace, brother Kay, fayde fir Gawaine, 65
And amend thee of thy life :
For there is a knight amongft us all,
Muft marry her to his wife.
What marry this foule queane, quoth Kay,
I'the devil's name anone ; 70
Gett mee a wife wherever I maye,
In footh mee mall bee none.
Then fome tooke up their hawkes in hafte,
And fome took up their houndes ;
And fayd they wolde not marry her, 75
For cities, nor for townes.
Then befpake him king Arthure,
And (ware there by this daye ;
For a little foule fighte and miflikinge,
Yee mall not fay her naye. 80
Peace, lordings, peace ; fir Gawaine fayd ;
Nor make debate and ftrife ;
This lothlye ladye I will take,
And marry her to my wife,
Nowe thankes, now thankes, good fir Gawaine,
And a bleffinge be thy meede ! 85
For as I am thine owne ladye,
Thou never malt rue this deede,
C 3 Then
ANCIENT POEMS.
Then up they took that lothly dame,
And home anone they brhiga : 90
And there fir Gawaine he her wed,
And married her with a ringe.
And when they were in wed-bed laid,
And all were done awaye ;
Come turne to mee, mine owne wed lord 95
Come turne to mee I praye.
Sir Gawaine fcant could life his head,
For forrowe and for care ;
When, lo ! inftead of that lothelye dame,
Hee fawe a young ladye faire. leo
Sweet blufhes ftayn'd her rud-red cheeke,
Her eyen were blacke as floe :
The ripening cherrye fwellde her lippe,
And all her necke was fnowe.
Sir Gawaine kifs'd that lady faire, 105
Lying upon the fheete :
And fwore, as he was a true knighte,
The fpice was never foe fweete.
Sir Gawaine kifs'd that lady brighte,
Lying there by his fide : j I
" The faireft flower is not foe faire ;
Thou bever can'ft bee my bride."
lam
ANCIENT POEMS. 23
I am thy bride, mine ownc deare lorde,
The fame wh'.che thou didft knowe,
1 hat was foe lothlye, and was wont 1 15
Upon the wild more to goe.
Nowe, gentle Gawaine, chufe, quoth fhee,
And make thy choice with care ;
Whether by night, or elfe by daye,
Shall I be foule or faire ? 1 2*
To have thee foule flill in the night,
When I with thee mould playe !
I had rather farre, my lady deare,
To have thee foule by daye."
What when gaye ladyes goe with their lordes i z 5
. To drinke the ale and wine ;
Alas! then I muft hide myfelf,
I muft not goe with mine ?
" My faire ladye, fir Gawaine fayd,
I yield me to thy fkille ; 1 3
Becaufe thou art mine owne ladye
Thou malt have all thy wille."
Nowe blefled be thou, fweete Gawaine,
And the daye that I thee fee ;
For as thou feeft mee at this time, 135
Soe fhtll I ever bee.
C 4 My
24 ANCIENT POEMS.
My father was an aged knighte,
And yet it chanced foe,
He tooke to wife a falfe ladye,
Whiche broughte me to this woe. 14*
Shcc witch'd mee, being a faire yonge maide,
In the greene foreft to dwelle ;
And there to abide in lothlye ftiape,
Moft like a fiend of helle.
Midft mores and mofTes ; woods, and wilds ; 14.5
To lead a lonefome life :
Till fome yong faire and courtlye knighte
Wolde marrye me to his wife :
Nor fully to gaine mine owne trewe fliape,
Such was her devilifh flulle ; 150
Until he wolde yielde to be rul'd by mee,
And let mee have all my wille.
She witchd my brother to a carlifh boore,
And made him ftiffe and ftronge ;
And built him a bowre on magicke grounde, 155
To live by rapine and wronge.
But now the fpelle is broken throughe,
And wronge is turnde to righte ;
Henceforth I mail bee a faire ladye,
And hee be a gentle knighte. 160
*** III.
ANCIENT POEMS. 25
III.
KING RYENCE's CHALLENGE.
*Tbis fong is more modern than many of tbofe ivhich fol-
low it, but is placed here for the Jake of the fubjeft. It
was fung before queene Elizabeth at the grand entertain-
ment at Keneiworih-ccftlc in 1575, and was probably
compofed for that occafion. Jn a letter defer ibing ibofefejli-
<uilies, it is thus mentioned; " A Minftral came forth -T..'/(>
" a follem fong, warranted for fiery cut of K. Arthur's
*' ais, whereof I gat a copy, and is this ;
" So it fell out on a Penlecnjt, t$c."
After the Jong the narrative proceeds : " At this tic
" Minftrell made a paufe and a curte-zy for Primus PpJ/iis.
" More of the fong is thear, bttt 1 gatt it not."
The Jlcry in Morte Arthur, 'whence it is taken, runs as
follows, " Came a mejjcnger haftely from king Ryence of
' ' North - (Pales , Jay ing, that king Ryence he, d difcon.fitfd
" and ovcrccmen eleaven kings, and e-veriche of them did
" him homage, and that was this ; they ga'-je him their
" beards cleane Jlayne fff, c wberffbre the mejfenger canit
" for king Arthur's, beard, fur king Ryence bad purfeled a.
" mantell with kings beards, and there lacked for one
" place of the mantell, v.lerefire be fent fir his beard, cr
" elfe he *wc:>!d enter niio his lands, and brenn and Jlpy,
'* and never lea~~ve //.; be hti've thy head and thy beard.
" Well, faid king Arthur, tbou haft jaid thy mejja^e^
" wbicjj is the mcj} e vil!ain:us and lew deft r.icjj'age that
" ever man beard jent to a king. Alfo tbuu mayejt Jee my
* e beard is full y tun g yet Jlr to make apurfettof, but tell
" tbou the king tbiit or it be Izng he Jhali do to me bunace
" en both his knees, or elfe hf Jhall leefe bis head" [ti. I.
c. 24. See alfo the fame Romance, B. I. c. 92.]
1l.e thought fdcms tu be originally taken fr cm J'Jf- MM*
moufij s hi It. B. IO. c. 3. wh'ub is alluded to by Dray-
ton in his Pdy-Qlb. Song 4. and by Sfenjer in Faer. ^M. 6.
1.13.15. See the Olj'ervaticns on Sje^er, <vsJ. 2. p. 223.
'
3 6 ANCIENT POEMS.
The following text is compofed of the left readings fe-
lexed from three different copies. The frft in Enderbiis
Cambria Triumphant, p. 197. The fecond in the Letter
abwemcntioncd. And the third inferted in MS. in a copy
cf Morle Arthur, 1632, in the Bodl. Library.
" Stow tells us, that king Arthur kept bis round table
" at " diverfe places, but efpecially at Car lion, Winchejler,
te and Camalet in SomerfetJJnre. This CAMALET fomt-
" times a famous tov;ne or cafth, is fituate tin a very high
" tor or hill, f?r." [See an exad defcription in Sto-ivf's
Annals, Ed. 163 I. /. 55.]
AS it fell out on a Pentecoft day,
King Arthur at Camelot kept his court royall,
With his faire queene dame Guenever the gay ;
And many bold barons fitting in hall ;
With ladies attired in purple and pall ;
And heraults in hewkes, hooting on high,
Cryed, Largefse, Largefse, Chevaliers tres-hardie .
A doughty dvvarfe to the uppermoft deas
Right pertlye gan pricke, kneeling on knee j
With fteven fulle ftoute amids all the preas,
Sayd, Nowe fir king Arthur, God fave thee, and fee !
Sir Ryence of North-gales greeteth well thee,
And bids thee thy beard anon to him fend,
Or elfe from thy jaws he will it off rend.
For his robe of ftate is a rich fcarlet mantle,
With eleven kings beards bordered * about,
And
^ Larfefse, Larpefse, The heralds refunded thefe words as oft as they
rtcci-ced cf the bounty tf fix knights. See " Memoires de la Cbruahrie."
ten:. I . f. 99. The exprejjlon isjiill ujed in the form of inftalling knigbtt
tf the garter.
* i. e.fet round ibt border, as furs are r.oie round the goivns of Ma-
ANCIENT POEMS. 27
And there is room lefte yet in a kantle,
For thine to ftande, to make the twelfth out :
This muft be done, be thou ; ever fo flout;
This muft be done, I tell thee no fable,
Maugre the teethe of all thy round table.
When this mortal meffage from his mouthe part,
Great was the noyfe bothe in hall and in bower:
The kingfum'd; thequeene fcreecht; ladies were aghall;
Princes puffd ; barons bluftred ; lords began lower;
Knights florrned ; fquiresftartled, likefteedsin aftower;
Pages and yeomen yell'd out in the hall,
Then in came fir Kay, the * king's' fenefchal.
Silence, my foveraignes, quoth this courteous knight,
And in that ftound the ftowre began ftill :
' Then' the dwarfe's dinner full deerely was dight;
Of wine and waflel he had his wille :
And, when he had eaten and drunken his fill,
An hundred pieces of fine coyned gold
Were given this dwarf for his meffage bold.
But fay to fir Rycnce, thou dwarf, quoth the king,
That for his bold meffage I do him defye ;
And fhortlye with bafins and pans will him ring
Out of North-gales ; where he and I
With fwords, and not razors, quickly (hall trye,
Whether he, or king Arthur will prove ths beft barbor:
And therewith he ihook his good fvvord Excalabor.
IV. KING
2 g ANCIENT POEMS.
IV.
KING A R T II U R's DEATH.
A FRAGMENT.
Tfie fubjeS of this ballaJ is evidently taken from the old
romance Morte Arthur, but ivithfome variations, efpedally
in the concluding flanzas ; in 'which the author J'eems ra-
ther to follow the traditions of the old We.ljh Bards, <whn
" believed that King Arthur <was not dead, but conveied
" aivaie by the Fairies into feme pleaj'ant place, where he
" Jhculd remaine for a time, and then returne againe and
** reign in as great authority as e-i.-er." Holingjhed.
B. 5. c. 14; or as it is exprejjed in an old Chronicle printed
at Antwerp 1493 ly Ger. de Leew, " The Bretons fuppofen,
"* that be [K. Arthw} Jhall come yet and conquere all
" Bretaigne,ftr certes this is the prophicye of Merlyn : He
" fayd, that his deth Jkall be doubteous ; and faydfotb, for
" men theretf yet have doubt e, and Jhulleti for e'ver more,
" for men ivyt not whether that he lyveth or is dede"
See more ancient teftimonies in Seldais Notes on Polyolbion,
Sea? III.
This fragment being very incorrefl and imperfeft in the
original MS. hath received fome conjeftural emendations, and
even a fupplement of 3 or 4 Jlanzas compofed from the ro-
mance r,f MoRTE ARTHUR.
ON Trinitye Mondaye in the morne,
This fore battayle was doom'd to bee ;
Where manye a knighte cry'd, Well-av/ave '
xke, it was the more pitue.
Ere
ANCIENT P O E M S. *
Ere the firft crowinge of the cocke,
When as the kinge in his bed lave,
He thoughte fir Gavvaine to him came *,
And there to him thefe wordes did faye.
No\ve as you are mine unkle deare,
And as you prize your life, this daye
O meet not with your foe in fighte ;
Putt off the battayle, if yee maye.
For fir Launce'ct is nowe in Fraunce,
And with him many an hardye knighte :
Who will within this moneth be backe, 15
And will alfilte yee in the fighte.
The kinge then call'd his nobles all,
Before the breakinge of the daye ;
And tolde them howe fir Gawaine came,
And there to him thefe wordes did faye. 20
His nobles all this ccunfayle gave,
That earlye in the morning, hee
Shold fend awaye an herauld at armes,
To afke a parley faire and free.
Then twelve good knightes king Arthurs chofe, 2j
The belt of all that with him were :
To parley with the foe in field,
And make with him agreement faire.
The
* Sir G^-u-ainn l-ad been ki.'M at Artk:>\'i landing en Lii rttmrn frm
lra<i. $<e ttt next Ballad, v:r. ;j.
3* A N ? C I E N T POEMS.
The king he charged all his hofte,
In readinefle there for to bee : 30
But noe man fholde noe weapon fturre,
Unlefie a fword drawne they fliold fee.
And Mordred on the other parte,
Twelve of his knights did likewife bringe ;
The befte of all his companye, 35
To hold the parley with the kinge.
: Sir Mordred alfoe charged his hofte,
In readinefle there for to bee ;
But noe man fholde noe weapon fturre,
But if a fworde drawne they fholdfee. 40
For he durfte not his unkle trufte,
Nor he his nephewe, fothe to tell :
Alacke ! it was a woefulle cafe,
As ere in Chriftentye befelle.
But when they were together mette, 43
And both to faire accordance broughte ;
And a month's league betweene them fette,
Before the battayle fholde be foughte.
An addere crept forth of a bufhe,
Stunge one o' th' king's knightes on the knee : 50
Alacke ! it was a woefulle chance,
As ever was in Cimftentk.,
When
ANCIENT POEMS. 31
When the knighte found him wounded fore,
And fawe the wild-worme hanginge there ;
His fworde he from his fcabberde drewe : 55
A piteous cafe as ye (hall heare.
For when the two hoftes fawe the f-.vorde,
They joyned battayle inftantlye ;
Till of foe manye noble knightes,
On one fide there were left but three. 60
For all were flain that durft abide,
And but fome fewe that fled a wave :
Ay mee ! it was a bloodye fielde,
As ere was foughte on fummer's daye.
Upon king Arthur's own partyc, 65
Onlye himfelfe efcaped there,
And Lukyn duke of Glofter free,
And the king's butler Bedevere.
And when the king beheld his knightes,
All dead and fcattered on the molde ; 70
The teares faft trickled downe his face ;
That manlye face in fight fo bolde.
Nowe refte yee all, brave knights, he faid,
Soe true and faithful to your trull :
And muft yee then, ye valiant hearts, 75
Be kfte to moulder into duft !
Moil
3* ANCIENT POEMS;
Moft loyal have yee been to mee,
Moil true and faithful unto deathe :
And, oh ! to rayfe yee up againe,
How freelye could I yield my breathe ? 80
But fee the traitor's yet alive,
Lo where hee ft-alkes among the deade !
Nowe bitterlye he mall abye :
And vengeance fall upon his head.
O Have, my liege, then fayd the duke ; 85
itaye for love and charitie ;
Remember what the vifion fpake,
Nor meete your foe, if it may bee.
O, flaye mee not, thou worthye xvight,
This debt my loyal knights I owe : 99
Betide me life, betide me death,
1 will avenge theni of their foe.
Then ftraite he grafp'd his truftye fpeare,
And on his horfe then mounted hee :
As his butler holpe him to his horfe, 95
His bowels guihed to his knee.
Alas ! then fayd the noble king, X
That I mould live this fight to fee !
To fee this good knight here be fiaine,
All for his love in helping mee ! 100
i He
ANCIENT POEMS. 33
He put his fpeare into his refte,
And to fir Mordred loud gan crye ;
Nowe fette thyfelf upon thy guarde,
For, traitor, nowe thy death is nye.
Sir Mordred lifted up his fworde, ioc
And fierce to meet the king ran hee :
The king his fpeare he through him thruft ;
A fathom thorow his bodie.
When Mordered felt the ftroke of death,
And found that he was wounded foe ; 119
He thrufte himfelfe upon the fpeare,
And ilrucke the king a deadlye blowe.
Then grimmlye dyed fir Mordered,
Prefentlye upon that tree :
And bloody ftreames ranne from the kinge, 115
Ere to the duke returned hee.
Sir Lukyn then he thus befpake,
Sir knighte, thou haft beene faithfulle tryde,
Nowe take my fword Excalibar *,
That hangs fo freelye by my fyde. 120
O take my fword Excalibar,
And there into the river throwe :
For here, henceforth, benethe this tree,
All ufe of weapons I foregoe.
VOL. III. D Aid
* More commtnly calltd, Caliburn,
I ANCIENT POEMS.
And fare thee well, thou truftye fvvord, 125
A better neer had valiant knighte,
With thee full ofte, and manye a daye,
Have I withftood my foe in fighte.
With this good fauchion in my hande,
Oft have I reapd the bloody feelde : 130
But nowe the fatalle houre is come,
That never more I may thee weelde.
The duke then to the river went,
And there his owne fword in threvve hee :
But he kept back Excalibar, 135
He kept it back in privitee.
For all of coleyne was the blade ;
And all the hilte of precious flone :
And ever alacke ! then fayd the knighte,
Mull fuch a fword awaye be thrown e ? 140
Then backe he came unto the kinge,
Who fayd, Sir Lukyn, what did yee fee ?
Nothing, my liege, fave that the winde
Blewe oer the waters faire and free.
O goe againe, then faid the kinge, 14$
O good fir Lukyn, goe againe :
Into the rivere throwe my fword,
Nor keepe me lingering here in paine.
The
A N C I E N T P O E M S. 35
The duke then to the river \vent,
And the kings fcabberd in turewe hce ; 1 50
But hee kept backe Excalibar,
And hid it underncthe a tree.
Then backe he came to tell the kinge,
Who fayde, Sir Lukyn fawe ye oughte ?
Nothinge, my liege, fave that the winde 15 >
Novve with the angrye waters fought.
O Lukyn, Lukyn, faid the kinge,
Twice hafte thou dealt deceytfullye :
Alacke, whom may wee ever trufte,
When fuche a knighte foe falfe can bee ? 160
Saye, wouldft thou have thy matter 3ead ;
All for a fword, that wins thine eye :'
Nowe goe againe, and throwe it in,
Or here the tone of us {hall dye.
The duke, all fhent with this rebuke, 165
No aunfwere made unto the kinge :
But to the rivere tooke the fworde,
And threwe it far as he coulde flinget
A hande and an arme did meete the fworde,
And flourifhd three times in the air; 170
Then funke benethe the renninge ftreme,
And of the duke was feene noe mair.
D 2 All
3 6 ANCIENT POEMS.
All fore aftonied flood the duke ;
He flood as ftill, as itill mote bee :
Then haftend backe to telle the kinge ; 175
But he was gone from benethe the tree.
Unto what place he colde not telle,
For never after he did him fpye :
But hee fawe a barge goe from the lande, 180
And hee heard ladyes howle and crye -f .
And whether the kinge were there, or not,
Hee never knewe, nor ever colde :
For from that fad and direfulle daye, 185
Hee nerer more was fecne on molde.
rr. 178. fee MS.
f Not unlike that paffage in Virgil.
Suir.moque ulularunt Venice nymphae.
LADIES <wat the 'word our old Englijh writers ufed for
NYMPHS : At in the follow lag lines of an old Jong in the
Ediths
" When f cor ding Phalm he did mount,
Then Lady fenus 'went to hunt :
To whom Diana did refcrf,
" With all the Ladjes of hills, and valleys,
an
V. THE
A N C I E N T P O E M S. 37
V.
THE LEGEND OF KING ARTHUR.
We have here a Jhort fummary of K. Arthur's Hiflory as
given by Jeff", of Monmoutb and the old chronicles, 'with
the addition of afeiu circumjiances from the romance Morte
Arthur. The ancient chronicle of Ger. de Lee<u.-, (quoted
above in p. 2.J feems to have been chiefly followed : upon
the authority cf which we have r eft or ed fame of the names
which were corrupted' in the MS. and have tranfpcfed one
ftanza, which appeared to be mifplaced, [viz. that beginning
at v. 49. which in the MS. followed it. c6.]
Printed from the Editor's ancient manvfcript.
OF Brutus' blood, in Brittaine borne,
King Arthur I am to name ;
Through Chriflendome, and Heathynefle,
Well knowne is my worthy fame.
In Jefus Chrifl I doe beleeve ; 5
I am a chriftyan bore :
The Father, Sone, and Holy Goft
One God, I doe adore.
D 3 In
ytr. i. Bruite his. MS.
*/: O
3 8 ANCIENT 'POEMS.
In the four hundred ninetieth yeere,
Ore Brittaine I did rayne, 10
After my favior Chrift his byrth :
What time I did maintaine
The fellowfhipp of the table round,
Soe famous in thofe dayes ;
Whereatt a hundred noble knights, - 15
And thirty fate ahvayes :
Who for their deeds and martiall feates,
As bookes done yett record,
Amongft all other nations
Wer feared through the world. 20
And in the caftle off Tyntagill *
King Uther mee begate
Of Agyana a bewtyous ladyc,
And come of * hie' eftate.
And when I was fifteen yecrcs old, 25
Then was I crowned kinge :
All Brittaine that was att an uprare,
I did to quiett brir.ge.
And drove the Saxons from the realme,
Who had oppreft this land ; 30
All
Ver. 9. He began bis reign A.D, '5*5, accenting it tie Chronicles.
Ytr. 23. Ske is named Igeina in the eld Chronicles, Vir t 24. his. MS.
ANCIENT POEMS. 39
All Scotland then throughe manly feates
I conquered with my hand.
Ireland, Denmarhe, ' and ' Norwaye,
Thefe countryes wan I all ;
Ifeland, Gotheland, and Swetheland ; 35
I made their kings my thrall.
I conquered all Gallya,
That now is called France ;
And flew the hardye Froll in feild
My honor to advance. 40
And the ugly gyant Dynabus
Soe terrible to vewe,
That in Saint Barnards mount did lye,
By force of armes I flew :
And Lucyus the emperour of Rome 45
I brought to deadly wracke ;
And a thoufand more of noble knightes
For feare did turne their backe :
Five kinges of ' paynims' I did kill
Amidft that bloody ftrife; 5
Befides the Grecian emperour
Who alfoe loft his life.
D 4 Whofe
Ver. 39. Froland field MS. Froll according to the Clroniclei wai
p Riman knight governor of Gaul,
Ver. 49. of Pavye. MS,
4 o ANCIENT POEMS.
Whofe carcafle I did fend to Rome
Cladd poorlye on a beere ;
And afterward I paft Mount-Joye $$
The next approaching yeere.
Then I came to Rome, where I was mett
Right as a conquerour,
And by all the cardinalls folempnelye
I was crowned an emperour. 60
One winter there I made abode :
Then word to mee was brought
Howe Mordred had opprefst the crowne :
What treafon he had wrought
At home in Brjttaine with my queene ; 65
Therefore I came with fpeede
To Brittaine backe, with all my power,
To quitt that traiterous deede :
And foone at Sandwiche I arrivde,
Where Mordred me withftoode : 70
But yett at laft I landed there,
With effufion of much blood.
For there my nephew fir Gawaine dyed,
Being wounded in that fore,
The whiche fir Lancelot in fight 75
i Had given h^rn before.
Thence
ANCIENT POEMS. 41
Thence chafed I Mordered away,
Who fledd to London ryght,
From London to Winchefter, and
To Cornewalle tooke his flyght. So
And ftill I him purfued with fpeeds
Till at the lalt we mett :
Wherby an appointed day of fight
Was there agreede and fett.
Where we did fight, of mortal life 85
Echo ether to deprive,
Till of a hundred thoufand men
Scarce one was left a live.
There all the noble chivalrye
Of Brittaine tooke their end. go
O fee how fickle is their ilate
That doe on fates depend !
There all the traiterous men were llaine
Not one efcapte away ;
And there dyed all my vallyant knightes. 95
Alas ! that woefull day !
Two and twenty yeere I ware the crowne
In honor and great fame ;
And thus by death was fuddenlye
Deprived of the fame. loo
Vtr, 91. Feates. MS.
3 VI. A
ANCIENT POEMS.
VI.
ADYTTIETO HEY DOWNE.
CtfiiJfrom an old MS. in the Cotton Library, [Vtfp. A. 25 .]
intitltdy " Divers things of Hen. 'viifs time."
^T j HO fekes to tame the bluflering winde,
W Or caufse the floods bend to his wyll,
Or els againft dame natare's kinde
To ' change' tilings frame by cunning fryll :
: man 1 thinke beftcnvcth paine, 5
Thoughc that hi: I.ibcurc he In vaine.
Who ftri\-e3 to brcake the fhircye fteele,
Or goeth about to ftaye the funne ;
\Vho thinks to caufse an oke to reele,
\\'hich never can by force be done : jo
That man likewife beitovvelh painc,
Thoughe that his jaboure be in valr.e.
Who thinks to flryve againft the ftreame,
And for to fayle without a mafte ;
Unlefse he thinks perhapps to faine, 15
His travell ys forelorne and wafte ;
And fo in cure of all his paine,
His travell ys his chefieft gaine.
So
Vcr. 4. caufie. MS.
ANCIENT POEMS. 43
So he lykewife, that goes about,
To pleafe eche eye and every eare, 20
Had nede to have withouten doubt
A golden gyft with hym to beare ;
For cvvll report fhall be his gaine,
Though ha beftowe both toyle and paine.
God grant eche man one to amend ; 35
God fend us all a happy place ;
And let us pray unto the end,
That we o&<_have
Amen, ar
.. j . jv/ard for all o^r paine.
J
VII.
A S G E R I O N.
An ingenious Friend : . ''.;.' the following old Ditty
('which is prinfl^^^^g^LEditor's MS. Colie:tion) may
fojjlbly have given birth ^ftfj^Ejmetfy of t fj- O r H A ?- ,
;;; ichic'j PoliJore ^^ffiSjf^^^f^' s intitules javourt
to Ca/falio.
See what is faid concerning the hero of this fonv, (who
is celebrated by CHAUCER under the name of GI.ASKY-
RION) in the Efay prefixed to Vol. I. Note H. Ft. IV. (^).
GLaforerion was a kinges owne fonne,
And a harper he was goode :
He hr.rped in the kinges chambere,
Where cuppe and caudle ftoode.
And
44 : ANCIENT POEMS.
And foe did he in the queenes chambere, 5
Till ladyes waxed 'glad.'
And then befpake the kinges daughter ;
Thefe were the wordes Ihe fayd,
Strike on, ftrike on, Glafgerion,
Of thy ftriking doe not blinne : 10
Theres never a ftroke comes oer thy harpe,
But it glads my harte withinne.
Faire might he fall, ladye, quoth hee,
Who taught you nowe to fpeake !
I have loved you, ladye, feven longe yeare 15
My nrinde I never durfl breake.
.
But come to my bower, my Glafgerion,
When all men are att reft :
As I am a ladye true of my piomife,
Thou ftiah bee a welcome gueft.
Home then came Glafgerion,
A glad man, lord ! was hee.
And, come thou hither, Jacke my boy ;
Come hither unto mee.
For the kinges daughter of Normandye 25
Hath granted mee my boone :
And att her chambere mult I bee
Beffore the cocke have crowen.
O m after,
f'tr. 6, wood. MS. Vir. 16. hartc. MS
ANCIENT POEMS. 45
O matter, mafter, then quoth hce,
Lay your head heere on this'ftone : 30
For I will waken you, mafter deare,
Afore ic be time to gone.
But up then rofe that lither ladd,
And hofe and fhoone did on :
A coller he caft upon his necke, 35
And when he came to the ladyes chambers,
He thrilled upon a pinn *.
The lady was true of her promife,
And rofe and lett him in. 40
He did not take the lady gaye
To boulfter nor to bed :
' Nor thoughe hee had his wicked willc,
' A fmgle word he fed.
He did not kifle that ladyes mouthe, 4
Nor when he came, nor yode :
And fore that ladye did miftruft
He was of fome churls blcde,
But
Tlii is rlfnuterr etfri/ed 'twirled the pin' ir ' tirlrd at the pin*
\3tfB. II. S. VI. -.., 3. J andjeemi to refer to tit touting "*u*d tbt 4r.
. . lj v.-1-iJ. -tf iatck rift*. JMlMjtJi* settsgu.
4 6 ANCIENT POEMS.
But home then came that lither ladd,
And did off his hofe and ihoone ; 50
And caft the coller from off his necke :
He was but a churles fonne.
Awake, awake, my deere matter,
The cock hath well-nigh crowen.
Awake, awake, my m&fter deere, 55
I hold it time to be gone.
For I have faddlcd your horfe, mailer,
Well bridled I have your fteede :
And I have ferved you a good breakfaft :
For thereof ye have need. 60
Up then rofe, good Glafgerion,
And did on hofe and Ihoone ;
And caft a coller about his necke :
For he was a kinge his fonne.
And when he came to the ladyes chambere, 65
He thrilled upon the pinne :
The ladye was more than true of promife,
And rofe and let him inn.
O whether have you left with me
Your bracelet or your glove ? 70
9 Or
ANCIENT POEMS. 47
Or are you returned backe againe
To know more of my love ?
Glafgerion fwore a full great othe,
By oake, and aftie, and thorne ;
Ladye, I was never in your chambt-re, , 7-
Sith the time that I was borne.
O then it was your litlier foot-page,
He hath beguiled mee.
Then mee pulled forth a little pen-kniffe,
That hanged by her knee. jo
Sayes, there mall never noe churles blood
Within my bodye fpring :
No churles blood fliall eer defile
The daughter of a kinge.
Home then went Glafgerion, Sf
And woe, good lord, was hee.
Sayes, come thou hither, Jacke my boy,
Come hither unto mee.
If I had killed a man to nighr,
Jacke, I would tell it thee : 90
But if I have not killed a man to night
Jacke, thou hail killed three.
' And
Per. 77. little. MS.
48 ANCIENT POEMS.
And he pulled out his bright browne fworde,
And dryed it on his fleeve,
And he fm,ote off that lither ladds head, 95
Who did his ladye grieve.
He fett the fwords poynt till his breft,
The pummil untill a ftone :
Throw the falfenefle of that lither ladd,
Thefe three lives ail were gone. 100
V-.r, ico. \verne all. MS.
vnr.
OLD SIR ROBIN OF PORTINGALE.
From an ancient copy in the Editor's MS colleSiion.
LE T never again foe old a man
Marrye foe yonge a wife,
As did old ' fir*. Robin of Portingale ;
Who may rue all the dayes of his life.
For the mayors daughter of Lin, god wott, 5
He chofe her to his wife,
And thought with her to have lived in love,
But they fell to hate and ftrifc.
A N C TENT POEMS. 49
They fcarce were in their wed-bed laid,
And fcarce was liee afleepe, IO
But upp flie rofe, and forth fhee goes,
To the itewar.d, and gan to weepe.
Sleepe you, wake you, faire fir Gyles ?
Or be you not withinn ?
Sleeps you, wake you, faire fir Gyles, 15
Arife and let me inn.
O, I am waking, fweete, he faid, J
Sweete ladye, what is your wille ?
I have unbethought me of a wyle
How my wed-lord weell fpille. 2O
Twenty-four good knights, fliee fayes,
That dwell about this fowne,
Even twenty- four of my near cozens,
Shall helpe to ding him downe.
All this beheard his litle footepage, 2$
As he watered his mafters fteed ;
And for his mailers fad perille
His verry heart did bleed.
He mourned, fighed, and wept full fere :
I fweare by the holy roode 30
The teares he for his mafter wept
Were blent water and bloode.
VOL. III. E All
19. unbethought, tb'n ivtrti is Jjill ufed in tie Midland coun-
ri.-i ;n t'bt fame ftnfc, ai bethought. ' Ftr, 32. bl:nd. MS.
5 o ANCIENT POEMS.
And that beheard his deare matter
As he flood at his garden pale :
Sayes, Ever alacke, my litle foot-page,
What caufes thee to wail ?
Hath any one done to thee wronge
Any of thy fellowes here ?
; Or is any of thy good friends dead,
That thou fhedft manye a teare ?
Or if it be my head bookes-man,
Aggrieved he fhal bee :
For no man here within my howfe,
Shall doe wrong unto thee.
O, it is not your head bookes-man,
Nor none of his degree :
But, ' oh!' to-morrow ere it be noone
All deemed to die are yee.
And of that bethank your head fteward,
And thank your gay ladee.
If this be true, my litle foot-page,
The heyre of my land thouft bee.
If it be not true, my dear matter,
No good death let me die.
If it bee not true, thou litle foot-page,
A dead corfe ftialt thou lie.
rtf. 47. or* MS. Vtr. 56. bee, MS.
ANCIENT POEMS. $t
O call now downe ray faire ladye,
O call her downe to mee :
And tell my ladye gay how ficke,
And like to die I bee. C*
Downe then came his ladye faire,
All clad in purple and pall :
The rings that were on her fingers,
Caft light throughout the hall.
What is your will, my owne wed-lord ? 65
What is your will with mee ?
O fee, my ladye deere, how ficke,
And like to die I bee.
And thou be ficke, my own wed-lord,
Soe fore it grieveth mee : 79
But my five maydens and myfelfe
Will ' watch thy' bedde for thec :
And at the waking of your firft fleepe,
We will a hot drinke make :
And at the waking of your ' next* fleepe, 75
Your forrowes we will flake.
He put a filk cote on his backe,
And mail of manye a fo!3 :
.And hee putt a fteele cap on his head,
Was gilt with good red gold. 24
E 2 H
r er . -?, nak the. MS. . Vtr. 75. fiiA. MS,
52 ANCIENT POEMS.
He layd a bright brovvne fvvord by his fide,
And another att his feete :
And twentye good knights he placed at hand,
To watch him in his fleepe.
And about the middle time of the night, $5
Came twentye-four traitours inn :
Sir Giles he was the foremoft man,
The leader of that ginn.
The old knight with his bright browne fword,
Sir Gyles head foon did winn : 90
And fcant of all thofe twenty-foure,
Went out one quick agenn.
None fave only a Htle foot page,
Crept forth at a window of ftone :
And he had two armes when he came in, 95
Ad he went back with one,
Upp then came that ladie gaye
With torches burning bright :
She thought to have brought fir Gyles a drinke,
Butt fhe found her owne wedd knight. 100
The firft thinge that fhe {tumbled on
It was fir Gyles his foote :
Sayes, Ever alacke, and woe is mee !
Here lyes my fweete hart-roote.
o The
ANCIENT POEMS. 53
The next thinge that flic Humbled on 105
It was fir Gyles his heade :
Sayes, Ever, alacke, and woe is me !
Heere lyes my true love deade.
Hee cutt the pappes befide her breft,
And did her body fpille ; 1 10
He cutt the eares befide her heade,
And bade her love her fille.
He called then up his litle foot-page,
And made him there his heyre ;
And fayd henceforth my worldlye goodes 115
And countrye I forfweare.
He mope the crofle on his right moulder,
Of the white ' clothe ' and the redde *,
And went him into the holy land,
Whereas Chrift was quicke and deade. jzp
Vtr. iiS.flefhe. MS.
* Every per/on, who nuent on a CROISADE to the Holy
Land, ufually tuore a crtfs on his upper garment, on the
right Jhoulder, as a badge of his profeffion. Different na-
tions <were dijiinguijhed by crojjes of different colours : *Tbt
Englijh ivore nubile ; the French red ; tfff . Vhis circum-
Jiance feems to be confounded in the ballad. \Vide Spelmanni
Gloffar. Chambers Difl.
E 3 IX. CHILD
54 ANCIENT POEMS.
IX.
CHILD WATERS,
CHILD is frequently ufed by our old writer,, as a Title.
It is repeatedly given to Prince Arthur in the Fair It Queen
and the fon of a king is in the fame poem called ' ' Child
" Trijtram." [B. 5. c. II. ft. 8. 13. B. 6. c. a. ft.
^6. Ibid. c. 8. ft. 15.] In an old ballad quoted in
Shakefpeare" s K. Lear, the hero cf Ariofto is called Child
Roland. Mr. Theobald fuppofes this ufe of the word was
received along with their romances from the Spaniards, with
whom Infante Jtgnijies a " Prince." A more eminent critic
tills us, that " in the old times of chivalry, the noble youth,
" who were candidates for knighthood, during the time of
" their probation were called Infans, Varlets, Damoyfels,
< Bacheliers. The moft noble of the youth wtre particu-
Urly called Infans." \Vid. Warb. Shakefp.} A late
tommentator on Spenfer obferves, that the Saxon word
cnihw knight, fignifies alfo a ** Child." [See Upton's glofs to
'
The Editor's MS. collection, whence the following piece
is taken, affords federal other ballads, wherein the word
CHILD occurs as a title : but in none of tbefe it Jignifes
" Prince." See the fang intitltd Gil Worries, in this
volume.
It ought to be obfervedthat the Word CHILD or CHI ELD
is ftill ufed in North Britain to denominate a Man, com-
monly with fame contemptuous character affixed to him, but
fometimes to denote Man in general.
CHilde Waters in his ftable ftoode
And ftroakt his milke-white fleede :
To him a fayre yonge ladye came
As ever ware womans wcede.
Sayes,
ANCIENT POEMS. 55
Sayes, Chrift you fave, good Childe Waters ; 5
Sayes, Chrift you fave, and fee :
My girdle of gold that was too longe,
Is now too fhort for mee.
And all is with one childe of yours,
1 feele fturre at my fide : 10
My gowne of greene it is too ftraighte;
Before, it was too wide.
If the childe be mine, faire Ellen, he fayd,
Be mine as you tell mee ;
Then take you Chefhire and Lancafliire both, 15
Take them your owne to bee.
If the childe be mine, faire Ellen, he fayd,
Be mine, as you doe fweare :
Then take you Chefliire and Lancafliire both,
And make that childe your heyre. 20
Shee fayes, I had rather have one kifle,
Childe Waters, of thy mouth ;
Than I wolde have Chefliire and Lancafliire both,
That lye by north and fouthe.
And I had rather have one twinkling, 25
Childe Waters, of thine ee :
Then I wolde have Chefhire and Lancafliire both,
To take them mine owne to bee.
4 T
5 6 ANCIENT POEMS.
To morrowe, Ellen, I muft forth ryde
Farr into the north countree ; 30
The fayreft laelye that I can finde,
Ellen, muft goe with mee.
' Thoughe I am not that ladye fayre,
' Yet let me go with thee ' :
And ever I pray you, Childe Waters, 35
Your foot-page let me bee.
If you will my foot-page bee, Ellen,
As you doe tell to mee ;
Then you muft cut your gowne of greenc,
An inch above your knee : 4^>
Soe muft you doe your yellowc lockes,
An inch above your ee :
You muft tell no man what is my name ;
My footpage then you (hall bee.
Shee, all the long daye Childe Waters rode, 45
Ran barefoote by his fyde ;
Yet was he never foe courteous a knighte,
To fay, Ellen, will you ryde ?
Shee, all the long daye Childe Waters rode,
Ran barefoote thorow the brocme ; 50
Yet was hee never foe courteous a knighte,
To fay, put on your fhoone.
ANCIENT POEMS. 57
Ride foftlye, fliee fayd, O Childe Waters,
Why doe you ryde fo faft ?
The childe, which is no mam but thine, 55
My bodye itt will braft.
Hee fayth, feeft thou yond water, Ellen,
That flows from banke to brimme.
I trufl in God, O Childe Waters,
You never will fee * me fwimme. 6g
But when fhee came to the water fyde,
She fayled to the chinne :
Nowe the Lord of heaven be my fpeede,
For I muft learne to fwimme.
The fait waters bare op her clothes ; 6<j
Our Ladye bare up her chinne :
Childe Waters was a woe man, good Lord,
To fee faire Ellen fwimme.
And when Ihee over the water was
Shee then came to his knee : 70
Hee fayd, Come hither, thou fayre Ellen,
Loe yonder what I fee.
Seeft thou not yonder hall, Ellen ?
Of red gold Ihines the yate :
Of twenty foure faire ladyes there 75
The fairelt is my mate.
Seeft
* i. t. permit, fuffer, Gf e.
5 S A N C I E N'T POEMS.
Seeft thou not yonder hall, Ellen ?
Of red golde fhines the towre :
There are twenty four fayre ladyes there,
The fayreft is my paramoure. So
I fee the hall now, Childe Waters,
Of red golde fhines the yate :
God give you good now of yourfelfe,
And of your worthye mate.
I fee the hall now, Childe Waters, 8 5
Of red golde fhines the towre :
God give you good now of yourfelfe,
And of your paramoure.
There twenty four fayre ladyes were
A playing at the ball : 90
And Ellen the fayreft ladye there,
Muft bring his Heed to the flail.
There twenty four fayre ladyes were,
A playinge at the chefle ;
And Ellen the fayreft ladye there, 95
Muft bring his hcrfe to grefTe.
And then befpake Childe Waters fifter,
Thefe were the wordes fayd fhee :
You have the prettyeft page, brother,
That ever I did fee. ioe
But
V t r, 84. worUlye. MS.
ANCIENT POEMS. 59
But that his bellye it is foe bigge,
His girdle Hands foe hye :
And ever I pray you, Childe Waters,
Let him in my chamber lye.
It is not fit for a little foot page, 105
That has run throughe mode and myre,
To lye in the chamber of any ladye,
That weares foe riche attyre.
It is more meete for a little foot page,
That has run throughe mofle and myre, 1 1
To take his fupper upon his knee,
And lye, by the kitchen fyre.
Now when they had fupped every one,
To bedd they tooke theyr waye :
He fayd, come hither, my little foot-page, 115
And hearken what I faye.
Qoe thee downe into yonder towne,
And lowe into the ftreete ;
The fay-reft ladye that^thou canft finde,
Hyre in mine armes to fleepe, IZ
And take her up in thine armes twalne,
For filing * of her feete.
Ellen is gone into the towne,
And lowe into the ftreete :
The
i. e d<JHi*z. See Warton's Obfcrv. Vd, ^. p. 158.
Co ANCIENT POEMS*
The fayreft ladye that fhee colde finde, 125
She hyred in his armes to fleepe ;
And tooke her up in her armes twayne,
For filing of her feete.
I praye you nowe, good Childe Waters,
Let mee lye at your feete : 1 30
For there is noe place about this houfe,
Where I may '/aye a fleepe *.
' He gave her leave, and faire Ellen
* Down at his beds feet laye :
This done the nighte drove on apace, 13$
And when it was neare the daye,
Hee fayd, Rife up, my little foot-page,
Give my ileede corne and haye ;
And give him nowe the good black oats,
To carry mee better awaye. 140
Up then rofe the fayre Ellen
And gave his ftecde corne and haye :
And foe fhee did the good black oates,
To carry him the better awaye.
She leaned her back to the manger fide, 145
And grievouflye did groane :
Shee leaned her back to the manger fide,
And there fhee made her moane.
And
* Vtr, 132, i, i, t/ay, attempt.
ANCIENT POEMS. 6*
And that beheard his mother deare,
Shee heard ' her woefull woe,' I ^O
Shee fayd, Rife up, thou Childe Waters,
And into thy ilable goe.
For in thy liable is a ghoft,
That grievouflye doth grone :
Or elfe fome woman laboures with childe, 155
Shee is fo woe-begone.
Up then rofe Childe Waters foone,
And did on his fhirte of filke ;
And then he put on his other clothes,
On his bodye as white as railke. 160
And when he came to the liable dore,
Full ftill there hee did {land,
That hee mighte heare his fayre Ellen,
Howe fhee made her monand *.
She fayd, Lullabye, mine own dear childe, 165
Lullabye, deare childe, deare:
I wolde thy father were a kinge,
Thy mothere layd on a biere.
Peace nowe, hee fayd, good faire Ellen,
Bee of good cheere, I praye ; 170
And thebridale and the churchinge bothe
Shall bee upon one daye.
X. PHIL-
62 A K C I E tf T P O E M &
X.
PHJLLIDA AND CORYDON.
This Sonnet is given from a fmall quarto MS in the
tditor 9 s poj/ej/ion, 'written in the time of ^ Elizabeth. Ano-
ther Copy of it, containing fame 'variations, is reprinted in
the Mujes Library, p. 295. front an ancient mifcellany,
intitled England's Helicon 1 600. 4/0. The author was
NICHOLAS BRETON, (t writer of fame fame in the reign
of Elizabeth ; <ucho alfo publijhed an iMerlud: intitled*' An
old man's lej/on and a young man's IFVS." 4/0. and many
other little pieces in profe and verfe, the titles ofivbicb may
be feen in Winftanley, Ames* Typog. and OJborne's Harl.
catalog. sV. He is mentioned with great refpeft by MERES,
in bis zd pt of Wit's Common-wealth. 1598. f. 283.' and
is alluded to in Beaumont and Fletcher's Scornful Lady,
A3 2. and again in Wit without money, A. $ See
Whallefs Ben Jonfon, vol. 3. /. 103.
fhe prefent Edition is improved by a copy in " England's
" Helicon" Edit. 1614, Svo.
IN the merrie moneth. of Mayr,
In a morne by break of daye,
With a troope of damfelles playing
Forthe ' J yode' forfooth a maying :
When anon by a wood fide* 5
Where that Maye was in his pride*
I efpied all alone
Piullida and Corydou.
Much
TV. 4. the wodc. MS.
ANCIENT POEMS. 63
Much adoe there was, god wot ;
He wold love, and fhe wold not : lo
She fayde, never man was trewe ;
He fayes, none was falfe to you.
He fayde, hee had lovde her longe :
She fayes, love (hould have no wrongc.
Corydon wold kiffe her then : 15
She fayes, maydes muft kifTe no men,
Tyll they doe for good and all :
When fne made the fhepperde call
All the heavens to wytces truthe,
Never loved a truer youthe. 2
Then with manie a pretrie othe,
Vea and nay, and, faith and trothe ;
Suche as feelie fhepperdes cfe
When they will not love abufe ;
Love, that had bene long deluded, *5
Was with kifles fweete concluded ;
And Phillida with garlands gaye
Was made the lady of the Maye.
** The foregoing little Pafteral of PH ILL IDA AH*
CORYDON is one oft be Seng j in " Tbt Honour tkle Em-
" tertainmext giruen to the Queenes Majeftit in Pngnfft
" at Efoefbam in Hamfjaire, by the R. H. tbt Earle tf
" Hertford. 1591." 4/0. [Printed by Wolft. Nt nemt *f
**tbir.\ Set i* that pamphlet,
" Toe tbirdt daiti Exttrtai
64 ANCIENT POEMS.
" On Wednefday- morning about 9 o'clock, at her Ma-
t'.jt/tie opened a cafement of her gallerie window, tbcr
were 3 excellent mufitians, who being difguijtd in aun~
cient country attire, did greet her with a pleafant fong of
CORYDON AND PfULLTDA, made in 3 parts of pur -
pofe. The fong, as well for the worth of the dittie, as
the aptnefe of the nott thereto applied, it .pleafed her
Higbnejfi after it had keen once fung to commend it againe,
and highly to grace it with her chterefull acceptance and
(< commendation.
" THE PLOWMAN'S SONG.
' In the merrie month of May, I3c."
*The Splendour and Magnificence of Elizabeth's reign is
no where more Jtrongly painted than in thefe little Diaries of
feme of her fummer excurfions to the houfes of her nobility ;
nor could a more acceptable prefent be given to the world,
than a republiiation of afeleft number of fuch details as this
of the entertainment at ELVETHAM, that at KILLING-
WORTH, f fcff- EsV. which fo firongly mark the fpirit of
the times and prefent us with fcenes fo very remote from mo-
dern manners*
f Vid. Vol. I. Introd, Vol. III. Book I. No. III.
XI.
LITTLE MUSGRAVS AND LADY BARNARD.
This ballad is ancient, and has been popular ; we find it
quoted in many old plays. Ses Blaum. and Fletcher's Knight
f
ANCIENT POEMS. 65
tf the Burning Pejlle. 4'. 1613. Aft. 5. 'The Varietle, a
comedy, I2mo. 1649. A3. 4. &c- In Sir William Dave*
ttant's flay, ^The Witt!, A. 3, a gallant thus boa/is of
kimfelf,
" Limber and found ! bcfides 1 Jing Mufgrave,
fi And for Cbevy-cbace no lark comes near me.
In the Pepys Colleflion is an imitation of this old fong t
in a "different meafurc, by a more modern pen, with many
alterations, but evidently for the nuorfe.
This is given from an old printed copy in the BritiJ?)
Mufeum, torrefied in part by the Editor's folio manufcript.
AS it fell out on a highe holyc daye,
As many bee in the yeare,
When yong men and maides together do goe
Their mafles and mattins to heare,
Little Mufgrave came to the church door, 5
The priefl was at the mafs ;
But he had more mind of the fine women,
Then he had of our Ladyes grace.
And fome of them were clad in greene,
And others were clad in pall ; 10
And then came in my lord Barnardes wife,
The faireft among them all.
Shee caft an eye on little Mufgrave,
As bright as the fummer funne :
O then bethought him little Mufgrave, 15
This lidyes heart I have wonne\
Vot. III. F Quoth
66 ANCIENT POEMS.
Quoth ftie, I have loved thee, little Mufgrave,
Fulle long and manye a daye.
So have I loved you, ladye faire,
Yet word I never durlt faye. 20
I have a bower at Buckle;ford-Bury,
Full daintilye bedight,
If thoult wend thither, my little Mufgrave,
Thouft lig in mine armes all night.
Quoth hee, I thanke yee, ladye faire, 25
This kindnefs yee fhew to mee ;
And whether it be to my weak or woe,
This night will I lig with thee.
All this beheard a tiney foot- page,
By his ladyes coach as he ranne : 30
Quoth he, thoughe I am my ladyes page,
Yet Ime my lord Barnardes manne.
My lord Barnard (hall knowe of this
Although I lofe a limbe.
And ever whereas the bridges were broke, 3 5
He layd him downe to fwimme.
Afleep or awake, thou lord Barnard,
As thou art a man of life,
Lo ! this fame night at Bucklesford-Bury
Little Mofgrave's abed with thy wife. 40
'If
ANCIENT POEMS. 67
If it be trcwe, thou tiney foot-page,
This tale thou haft told to mee,
Then all my lands in Bucklesford-Bury
I freeze will give to thee.
But and it be a lye, thou tiney foot-page, 45
This tale thou haft told to mee,
On the higheft tree in Bucklesford-Bury
All hanged flialt thou bee.
Rife up, rife up, my merry men all,
And facldle to me my fteede ; 50
This night muft I to Bucklesford-Bury ;
God wott, I had never more 'neede.
Then feme they whittled, and fome they fang,
And fome did loudlye faye,
Whenever lord Barnardes home it blewe, 55
Awaye, Mufgrave, away.
Methinkes I hear the throftle cocke,
Methinkes I heare the jaye,
Methinkes I heare lord Barnardes home ;
I would I were awaye. 60
Lye ftill, lye ftill, thou little Mufgrave,
And huggle me from the cold ;
For it is but fome fhephardes boye
A whiftling his fheepe to the fold.
F 2 Is
A N C I E N T P O E M S.
Is not thy hawke upon the pearche, 65
Thy horfe eating corne and haye ?
And thou a gaye ladye within thine arraes :
And wouldft thou be awaye ?
With that lord Barnard came to the dore,
And lighted upon a ftone ; 70
And he pulled out three filver keyes,
And opened the dores eche one.
He lifted up the coverlett,
He lifted up the meete ;
How now, how now, thou little Mafgrave, 7^
Doft find my gaye ladye fweete . ?
I find her fweete, quoth little Mufgrave,
The more is my griefe and paine ;
Ide gladlyc give three hundred poundes
That I were on yonder plaine. 80
Arife, arife, thou little Mufgrave,
And put thy cloathes nowe on,
It fliall never be faid in my countree,
That I killed a naked man.
I have two fwordes in one fcabbarde, 85
Full deare they coil my purfe ;
And thou malt have the beft of them,
And I will have the worfe.
The
A N C I E N T P O E M S. 69
The firft ftroke that little Mufgrave ftrucke,
He hurt lord Barnard fore ; 90
The next ftroke that lord Barnard ftrucke,
Little Mufgrave never ftrucke more.
With that befpake the ladye faire,
la bed whereas fhe laye,
Althoughe thou art dead, my little Mufgrave, 95
Yet for thee I will praye :
And wifhe well to thy foule will I,
So long as I have life ;
So will I not do for thee, Barnard,
Thoughe I am thy wedded wife. 100
i
He cut her pappes from off her breft ;
Great pitye it was to fee
The drops of this fair ladyes bloode
Run trickling downe her knee.
Wo worth, wo worth ye, my merrye men all, 105
You never were borne for my goode :
Why did you not offer to flay my hande,
When you fa we me wax fo woode ?
For I have flaine the faireft fir knighte,
That ever rode on a fteede ; l lo
So have I done the faireft ladye,
That ever ware womans weede.
F 3 'A grave,
7 p ANCIENT POEMS.
A grave, a grave, lord Barnard cryde,
To putt thefe lovers in ;
But lay my ladye o' the upper hande, 115
For fhee comes o' the better kin.
THE EW-BUGHTS MARION.
A SCOTTISH SONG.
s fonnet appears to le ancient : that and if s femplicity of
fentiment have recommended it to a place here.
WILL ze.gae to the ew-bughts, Marion,
And wear in the fheip wi' mee ?
The fun Ihines fweit, my Marion,
But nae half fae fweit as thee.
O Marion's a bonnie lafs ; 5
And the blyth blinks in her ee :
And fain wad I marrie Marion,
Gin Marion wad marrie mee.
Theire's
ANCIENT POEMS. 7I
Thcire's gowd in zour garters, Marion ;
And filler on zour white haufs-bane * : 10
Fou faine wad I kiiTe my Marion
At eene quhan I cum hame.
Theire's braw lads in Earnflaw, Marion,
Q^jha gape and glowr wi* their ee
At kirk, quhan they fee my Marion ; 15
Bot nane of tham lues like mee.
Ive nine milk-ews, my Marion,
A cow and a brawney quay :
Ife gie t!i am au to my Marion,
Juft on her bridal day. 2.0
And zees get a grein fey apron,
And waiftcote o' London broun ;
And wow bot ze will be vaporing
Quhaneir ze gang to the toun.
Ime yong and itout, my Marion, 25
None dance lik mee on the greine j
And gin zc forfak me, Marion,
He een gae draw up wi' Jeane.
Sae put on zour pearlins, Marion,
And kir:le oth cramafie ; 30
And fune as my chin has i~ae haire on
I fall cum well, and fee zee.
F 4 XIII. THE
Haufs-bane. ;. e. Tte netttane. Marian bad probably a JH-ver
t ;n, tied ctofe to ttr neck tuitb a ribband, an ufual ornament in
lend : ivtere a fore throat is called " a fair haufe."
71 ANCIENT POEMS,
XIII.
THE KNIGHT, AND SHEPHERD'S DAUGHTER.
*Tbis ballad (given from an old black-letter Copy) 'was
popular in the time of ^ Elizabeth, being ufually printed
with her piclure before it, as Hear'ne informs us in his pre-
face to " GuL Neubrig. Hift. Oxon. 1719. 8<vo. vol. i. p.
Jxx." It is quoted in Fletcher's comedy of the Pilgrim,
THERE was a fhepherds daughter
Came tripping on the waye ;
And there by chance a knighte mee mett,
Which caufed her to ilaye.
Good raorrowe to you, beauteous maide,
Thefe words pionounced hee:
O I (hall dye this daye, he fayd,
If Ive not my wille of thee.
The Lord forbid, the maide replyde,
That you mold waxe fo wode !
* But for all that fhee could do or faye,
' He wold not be vvithitood.
Sith
ANCIENT POEMS. 73
Sith you have had your will of mee,
And put me to open fhame,
Now, if you are a courteous knighte, 15
Tell me what is your name ?
Some do call mee Jacke, fweet heart,
And fome do call mee Jille ;
But when I come to the kings faire courte
They call me Wilfulle Wille. 20
He fett his foot into the flirrup,
And awaye then he did ride ;
She tuckt her girdle about her middle
And ranne clofe by his fide.
But when (he came to the brode water, 21
She fett her breft and fwamme ;
And when (he was got out againe,
She" tooke to her heels and ranne.
He never was the courteous knighte,
To faye, faire maide, will ye ride ? 30
' And (he was ever too loving a maide*
To faye, fir knighte abide.
When (he came to the kings faire courte,
She knocked at the ring ;
So readye was the king himfelf 35
To let this faire maide in.
Now
74 ANCIENT POEMS.
Now Chriit you fave, my gracious liege,
Now Chriil you fave and fee,
You have a knighte within your courte
This daye bath robbed mee. 40
What hath he robbed thee of, fweet heart ?
Of purple or of pail ?
Or hath he took thy gayc gold ring
From off thy finger finall ?
He hath not robbed mee, my leige, 45
Of purple nor cf pall :
But he hath gotten my maiden head,
Which grieves mee worft of all.
MOW if he be a batchelor,
His bodye lie give to thee; 50
But if he be a married man,
High hanged hee mail bee.
He called downe his merrye men all,
By one, by two, by thr^e ;
Sir William ufed to bee the firfc, 55
But nowe the laft came hte.
Vtr. 50. Hi? bodye He give to thee.] tbh tvai agrttanle tt the
frudal cuftoms : The Lard bad a right to gyve a iv\f>: to tis yaffah. Set
Sbakeffiart'i " Ai wtl/ } dat ends Wf/7."
He
ANCIENT POEMS. 75
He brought her downe full fortye pounde,
Tyed up withinne a glove :
Faire maid, He give the fame to thee ;
Go, feeke thee another love. 60
O He have none of your gold, (he fayde,
Nor He have none of your fee ;
But your faire bodye I mud have
The king hath granted mee.
Sir William ranne and fetchd her then 65
Five hundred pound in golde,
Saying, faire maide, take this to thee,
Thy fault will never be tolde.
Tis not the gold that (hall mee tempt,
Thefe words then anfwered fhee, 70
But your own bodye I mud have,
The king hath granted mee.
Would I had dranke the water cleare,
When I did drinke the wine,
Rather than any (hepherJs brat 75
Shold bee a ladye of mine !
Would 1 had drank the puddle foule,
When I did drink the ale,
Rather than ever a fhepherds brat
Shold tell me fuch a tale ! 85
A fhej~
76 ANCIENT POEMS.
A fhepherds brat eren as I was,
You mote have let me bee,
J never had come to the kings faire courte,
To crave any love of thee.
He fett her on a milk-white fteede, 85
And himfelf upon a graye ;
He hung a bugle about his nccke,
And foe they rode awaye.
But when they came unto the place,
Where marriage-rites were done, 90
She proved herfelf a dukes daughter,
And he but a fquires fonrse.
Now marrye me, or not, fir knight,
Your pleafure fliajl be free :
If you make me ladye of one good towne, 55
He make you lord of three.
Ah ! curfed bee the gold, he fayd,
If thou hadft not been trewe,
I mold have forfaken my fweet love,
And have changd her for a newe. 100
And new their hearts being linked fail,
They joyned hand in hande :
Thus he had both purfe, and perfon too,
And all at his commande.
*
10 XIV. THE
ANCIENT POEMS. 77
xiv r .
THE SHEPHERD'S ADDRESS TO HIS MUSE.
'This Poem, originally printed from the f mall MS volume,
mentioned above in No. X. has been improved by a more
perfect Copy in " England's Heliton," rjubirt the Author is
dij covered to be N. BR.ETOX.
GOOD Mufe, rocke me afiepe
With fome fvveete harmony ;
This wearie eyes is not to kepe
Thy wary company.
Sweete Love, begon a while, -5
Thou feelt my heavines :
"Deautie is borne but to beguyle
My harte of happines.
See howe my little flocke,
That lovde to feede on highe, IO
Doe headlonge tumble downe the rocke,
And in the valley dye.
The bufhes and the trees.
That were fo frefhe and greene,
Doe all their deintie colors leefe, 15
And not a leafe is feene.
The
?8 ANCIENT POEM S.
The blacke birde and the tnrufla?,
That made the woodes to ringe.
With all the reft, are now at hufhe,
And not a note they finge. 20
Swete Philomele, the birde
That hath the heavenly thrcte,
Doth nowe, alas ! not once afforde
Recordi nge of a note.
The flowers have had a froft, 25
The herbs have lofte their favoure ;
And Phillida the faire hath loft
' For me her wonted' favour.
Thus all thefe careful fights,
So kill me in conceit ; 30
That now to hope upon delights,
It is but meerc deceite.
And therefore, my fweete Mufe,
That knoweft what helpe is beft,
Doe nowe thy heavenlie conninge ufe 35
To fett my harte at reft :
And in a drenme bewraie
What fate fhal be my frende :
Whether my life ft all fttll decaye,
Or when my forrowes ende. 40
4 XV. LORD
ANCIENT POE M"S.
XV.
LORD THOMAS AND FAIR ELLINOR.
From an ancient copy in black letter, in the Pepjs col-
ledion, infilled, *' A tragical ballad en lot unfortunate
" love of lord Thomas and fair Ellinor, together 'with the
" downfall of the broicne girl" In the. fame collection
may be feen an attempt to modernize this old fong y and re-
duce it to a different meafure : A proof of if t popularity.
LORD Thomas he was a bold forrefter,
And a chafer of the kings deere ;
Faire Ellinor was a fine woman,
And lord Thomas he loved her deare.
Come riddle my riddle, dear mother, he fayd. 5
And riddle us both as one ;
Whether I {hall marrye with'faire Ellinor,
And let the browne girl alone ?
The browne girl (lie has. gqt hoafes and lands,
Faire Ellinor flie has got none, i
And therefore 1 charge thee on my blefsing,
To bring me the browne girl home.
And
St> ANCIENT POEMS.
And as it bcfelle on a h'gh holidaye,
As many there are befide,
Lord Thomas he went to faire Ellinor, 15
That fhoald have been his bride.
Ar.d when be came to faire Ellinors bovver,
He knocked there at the ring,
And who was fo readye as faire Ellinor,
To leu lord Thomas withinn. 20
What nevves, what newes, lord Thomas, fhe fayd ?
What newes doft thou bring to mee ?
I am come to bid thee to my wedding,
And that is bad newes for thee.
God fofbid, lord Thomas, flie fayd, 25
That fuch a thing mould be done ;
1 thought to have been thy bride my felfe,
And thou to have been the bridegrome.
Ccrr.e riddle ray riddle, dear mother, fhe fayd,
And riddle it all in one ; 30
.Whether I fhall goe to lord Thomas his wedding,
Or whether (hall tarry at home ?
There are mar.ye that are your friendes, daughter,
And manye a one your foe,
Therefore I charge you on my blefilrg, 35
To lord Thomas his wedding don't gee,
There
ANCIENT POEMS. 81
There are manye that are my friendes, mother ;
But if thoufands there were my foe,
Betide me life, betide me death,
To lord Thomas his wedding I'll goe. 40
She cloathed herfelf in gallant attire,
And her merrye men all in greene,
And as they rid through every towne,
They took her to be fome queene.
But when (he came to lord Thomas his gate, 4,5
She knocked there at the ring ;
And who was fo readye as lord Thomas,
To lett faire Ellinor in.
Is this your bride, fair Ellinor fayd ?
Methinks (he looks wonderous browne ; 5*
Thou mightelt have had as faire a woman,
As ever trod on the grounde.
Defpife her not, fair Ellin, he fayd
Defpife her not unto mee ;
For better I love thy little finger, 5 5
Than all her whole bodee.
This browne bride had a little penknife,
That was both long and (harpe,
And betwixt the fhort ribs and the long,
She prickd faire Ellinor's harte. 60
VOL. III. G O Chrift
ANCIENT POEMS.
O Chrift thee fave, lord Thomas hee fayd,
Methinks thon lookft wonderous wan ;
Thou ufedft to look with as frelh a colour,
As ever the fun fhone on.
Oh, art thou blind, lord Thomas ? fhe fayd, 65
Or canft thou not very well fee ?
Oh ! doft thou not fee my owne hearts bloode
Run trickling down my knee.
Lord Thomas he had a Avord by his fide ;
As he walked about the halle, 70
He cut off his brides head from her fhoulders,
And threw it againft the walle.
He fet the hilte againft the grounde,
And the point againft his harte.
There never three lovers together did meete, 75
That fooner againe did parte.
*** The reader will find a Sc ottijh fong en a Jimilar
Jubjttt tq, this, towards the end of this volume, intitled
* LORD THOMAS AND LADY ANNEX,"
XVI. CUPI
ANCIENT POEMS. 3
XVI.
CUPID AND CAMPASPE.
This elegant little fonnet is found in the third al of cm old
puiy intitled, " Alexander and Campafpe," written by "John
sLi/je, a celebrated writer in the time of queen Elizabeth.
This flay was fir ft printed in 1591 : &ut tbe fcng is given
from a later edition.
CUPID and my Campafpe playd
At cardes for kiffes ; Cupid payd :
He flakes his quiver, bow and arrows,
His mothers doves, and teame of fparrows ;
Lofes them too ; then down he throws
The coral of -his lippe, the rofe
Growing on's cheek, (but none knows how)
With thefe, the cryilal of his browe,
And then the dimple of his chime ;
All thefe did my Campafpe winne.
At laft he fet her both his eyes,
She won, and Cupid blind did rife.
O Love! has {he done this to thee ?
What (hall, alas ! become of mee ?
G 2 XV IT. T H R
84 ANCIENT POEMS.
xvir.
THE LADY TURNED SERVING-MAN,
is given from a 'written copy, containing fame improve-
ments, (perhaps modern ones) upon the old popular ballad,
intitled, " The famous Jlo<vuer of Serving-men : or the
" Lady turned Serving-man,"
YOU beauteous ladyes, great and fmall,
I write unto you one and all,
Whereby that you may underitand
What I have fuffered in the land.
I was by birth a lady faire, 5
An ancient barons only heire,
And when my good old father dyed 1 ,
Then I became a young knightes bride.
And there my love built me a bower,
Bedeck'd with many a fragrant flower ; i
A braver bower you ne'er did fee
Then my true-love did build for mee.
And there I livde a ladye gay,
Till fortune wrought our loves decay ;
For there came foes fo fierce a band, 15
That foon they over-run the land.
They
ANCIENT POEMS. 85
They came upon us in the night,
And brent my bower, and flew my knight ;
And trembling hid in mans array,
I fcant with life efcap'd away. 20
In the midft of this extremitie,
My fervants all did from me flee :
Thus was I left myfelf alone,
With heart more cold than any {lone.
Yet though my heart was full of care, 25
Heaven would not fuffer me to difpaire,
Wherefore in hade I chang'd my name
From faire Elife, to fweet Williame :
And therewithall I cut my haire,
Refolv'd my man's attire to weare ; 3
And in my beaver, hofe and band,
I travell'd far through many a land.
At length all wearied with my toil,
I fate me downe to reft awhile ;
My heart it was fo fill'd with woe, 35
That downe my cheeke the teares did flow.
It chanc'd the king of that fame place
With all his lords a hunting was,
And feeing me weepe, upon the fame
Aflu who I was, and whence I came. 4
G 3 Then
g6 ANCIENT POEMS.
Then to his grace I did rep lye,
I am a poore and friendlefse boye,
Though nobly borne, nowe forc'd to bee
A ferving-man of lowe degree.
Stand up, faire y.outh, the king rcply'd, . 45
For thee a fervicc I'll provyde ;
But tell me firft what thou canfi. do,
Thou {halt be fitted thereunto.
Wilt thou be niher of my hall,
To wait upon my nobles all? 50
Or wilt be taller of my wine,
To 'tend on ine when 1 fhall dine ?
Or wilt thou t>e my chamberlaine,
About my perfon to remaine r
Or wilt thou be one of my guard, 55
And I will give thee great reward ?
Chufe, gentle youth, faid he, thy place.
Then I reply'd, If it pleafe your grace
To (hew fuch favour unto mee,
Your chamberlaine I faine would bee. 60
The king then fmiling gave confent,
And ftraitwaye to his court I went ;
Where I behavde fo faithfullie,
That hee .great 'favour fhowd to mee.
Now
ANCIENT POEMS. 87
Now marke what fortune did provide ; 65
The king he would a hunting ride
With all his lords and noble traine,
Sweet William muft at home remaine.
Thus being left alone behind,
My former ftate came in my mind, 7
I wept to fee my mans array;
No longer now a ladye gay.
And meeting with a ladyes veft,
Within the fame myfelf I dreft ;
With filken robes, and jewels rare, 75
I deckt me, as a ladye faire :
And taking up a lute ftraitwaye,
Upon the fame I ftrove to play ;
And fweetly to the fame did fing,
As made both hall and chamber ring. go
" My father was as brave a lord,
" As ever Europe might afford ;
" My mother was a lady bright ;
" My hufband was a valiant knight :
** And I myfelf a ladye gay, 85
" Bedeckt with gorgeous rich array;
" The happieft lady in the land,
4t Had not more pleafure at command.
G 4. " I had
88 ANCIENT POEMS.
" I had my muficke every day
' Harmonious leffons for to play ; 90
" I had my virgins fair and free,
'* Continually to wait on mee.
" But now, alas ! my hufband's dead.
" And all my friends are from me fled,
" My former days are paft and gone, 95
<* And I am now a ferving-man."
And fetching many a tender figh,
As thinking no one then was nigh,
In penfive mood I laid me lowe,
My heart was full, the tears did flowe. 100
The king, who had a huntinge gone,
Grewe weary of his fport anone,
And leaving all his gallant traine,
Turn'd on the fudden home againe :
And when he jeach'd his ftatelye tower, i 05
Hearing one fing within his bower,
He ftopt to liften, and to fee
Who fung there fo melodiouflie.
Thus heard he everye word I fed,
And faw the pearlye teares I med, 1 10
Ar.d found to his amazement there,
Sweete William was a ladye faire.
Then
ANCIENT POEMS. 89
Then ftepping in, Faire ladye, rife,
And dry, faid he, thofe lovelye eyes,
For I have heard thy mournful tale, i j 5
The which fliall turne to thy availe.
A crimfon dye my face orefpred,
I bluftit for (hame, and hung my head,
To find my fex and ftory knowne,
When as I thought I was alone. 120
But to be briefe, his royall grace
Grewe fo enamour'd of my face,
The richeft gifts he proffered mee,
His miftrefs if that I would bee.
Ah ! no, my liege, I firmlye fayd, 125
I'll rather in my grave be layd,
And though your grace hath won my heart,
I ne'er will aft foe bafe a part.
Faire ladye, pardon me, fayde hee,
Thy virtue fiiall rewarded bee, 130
And fince it js foe fairly tryde
Thou {halt become my royal bride.
Then ftrait to end his amorous ftrife,
He tooke fweet William to his wife :
The like before was never feene, 135
A fexving-man became a queene.
XVIII. GIL
9 o ANCIENT POEM S.
XVIII.
GIL M O R R I C E.
A SCOTTISH BALLAD.
The following piece has lately run thro 1 two editions in
Scotland: the fecond was printed at Glafgow in 1755- 8<i>0.
Prefixed to them bith is an advertifemsnt, feiting forth that
tbt prefervation cf this pcem was owing " to a lady, who
"favoured the printers with a copy, as it was carefully
** ttStSfdfnm the mouths of old women and nurfes ;" And
* any reader that can render it more ccrrecl or complete,' 1 '' is
defer ed to cbligt the public withfuch improvements. In con-
Jeouence of this adve rtifeme nt Jixteen additional vcrfes have
iitu produced and handed about in manufcript, tuhich are
bere infcrted in their proper places : (thefe are from ver.
109. to ver. 121. and from ver. 124. to ver. 129. but are
ferbaps, after all, only an ingenious interpolation.)
As this. poem lays claim to a pretty high antiquity, vje have
/tffigned it a place among our early pieces : though, after all,
there is reajou to believe it has received very confiderable
wiodern improvements : for in the Editor's ancient MS col-
Itflion is. a very old imperfecl copy of the fame ballad :
I'jhircin though the leading features of the ft or v are the fame,
jtt the colouring here is fo much improved and heightenedy
and fo many additional ftrokes are thrown in, that it is
evident the whole has undergone a revifaL
N. B. The Editor's MS^inJlead of" lord Barnard," has
" "John Stewart ;" and inftead of " Gil Morric e, " CHILD
MAURICE, ivhicb lajl is probably the original title. See
54.
G
I L Morrice was an erles Ton,
His name it waxed wide ;
5
ANCIENT POEMS. 9l
It was nae for his great riches,
Nor zet his mickle pride ;
Bot.it was for a lady gay, $
That livd on Carron fide.
Quhair fall I get a bonny boy,
That will win hofe and fhoen ;
That will gae to lord Barnards ha',
And bid his lady cum ? |<|
And ze maun rin ray errand, Willie ;
And ze may rin wi' pride ;
Quhen other boys gae on their foot,
On horfe-back ze fall ride.
O no ! Oh no ! ray matter dear ! 5
I dare nae for my life ;
I'll no gae to the bauld barons,
For to tried furth his wife.
My bird Willie, my boy Willie ;
My dear Willie, he fayd : ^
How can ze ftrive againft the ftream ?
For I fall be obeyd.
Bot, O my mailer dear ! he cryd,
In grene wod zc're zour lain ; t
Gi owre fie thochts, I walde ze rede, 2$
For fear ze mould be tain.
Hafte, hafte, I fay, gae to the ha',
Bid hir cum here wi' fpeid :
If
1 r er. ii. fanttb'wg fctms wanting Ltrtt
gz ANCIENT POEMS.
Jf ze refufe my heigh command,
111 gar zour body blcid. 30
Gae bid hir take this gay mantel,
'Tis a' gowd bot the hem ;
Bid hir cum to the gude grene wode,
And bring nane bot hir lain :
And there it is, a filken farke, jj
Hir ain hand fewd the fleive ;
And bid hir cum to Gill Morice,
Speir nae bauld barons leave.
Yes, I will gae zour black errand,
Though it be to zour coft ; 4.*)
- Sen ze by me will nae be warn'd,
In it ze fall find froft.
The baron he is a man cf might,
He neir could bide to taunt,
As ze will fee before its nicht, 45
How fma' ze hae to vaunt.
And fen I maun zour errand rin
Sae fair againft my will,
I'fe mak a vow and keip it trow,
It fall be done for ill. 5*
And quhen he came to broken brigue,
He bent his bow and fvvam ;
And quhen he came to grafs growing,
Set down his feet and ran.
And
Vtr. 32, tad 68, pcrlafs, 'bout the hem.
ANCIENT POEMS. 93
And quhen he came to Barnards ha' f 55
Would neither chap nor ca' ;
Bot fet his bent bow to his breift,
And lichtly lap the wa'.
He wauld nae tell the man his errand,
Though he flude at the gait ;
Bot ftraiht into the ha' he cam,
Quhair they were fet^at meit.
Hail ! hail ! my gentle fire and dame !
My meflage winna waite ;
Dame, ze maun to the gude grene wod 65
Before that it be late.
Ze're bidden tak this gay mantel,
Tis a' gowd bot the hem :
Zou maun gae to the gude grene wode,
Ev'n by your fel alane. JQ
And there it is, a lilken farke,
Your ain hand fewd the fleive ;
Ze maun gae fpeik to Gill Morice ;
Speir nae bauld barons leave.
The lady ftamped wi' hir foot, 75
And winked \vi' hir ee ;
Bot a' that (he coud fay or do,
Forbidden he wad nae bee.
Its furely to my bow'r-woman ;
It neir could be to me. !ta
Vir j. fc. tbt -u>*llftlt
94 . ANCIENT POEMS-.
I brocht it to lord Barnards lady ;
I trow that ze be fhe.
Then up and fpack the vvylie nurfe,
(The bairn upon hir knee)
If it be cam frae Gill Morice, 5
It's deir welcum to mee.
Ze leid, ze leid, ze filthy nurfe,
Sae loud I heird ze lee ;
I brocht it to lord Barnards lady ;
I trow ze be nae-fhee. -go
Then up and fpack the bauld baron,
An angry man was hee ;
He's tain the table wi' his foot,
Sae has he wi' his knee ;
Till filler cup and ' mazer*' difli 95
In flinders he gard flee.
Gae bring a robe of zour eliding,
That hings upon the pin ;
And I'll gae to the gude grene wode,
And fpeik wi' zour lemman. ico
O bide at hame, now lord Barnard,
I warde ze bide at hame ;
Neir wyte a man for violence,
That neir wate ze wi' nane.
Gil
Vtr. 88. Ptrlep,, bud % I heire.
* ;. t, a drinking cup of map!, ; O th ( r Edit, nod ezsr.
ANCIENT POEMS. 95
Gil Morice fate in gude grene wode, 105
He whittled and he fang :
O what mean a' the folk coming,
My mother tarries Jang.
His hair was like the threeds of gold,
Drawne frae Minervas loome : no
His lipps like rofes drapping dew,
His breath was a' perfume.
His brow was like the mountain fnae
Gilt by the morning beam :
His cheeks like living rofes glow : tlj
His een like azure ftream.
The boy was clad in robes of grene,
Sweete as the infant fpring :
And like the mavis on the bum,
He gart the vallies ring. ^2*>
The baron came to the grene wode,
\Vi' mickle dule and care,
And there he firft fpied Gill Morice
Kameing his zellow hair :
That fweetly wavd around his face, 125
That face beyond compare :
He fang fae fweet it might difpel,
A' rage but fell difpair.
Vtr. 128. So Milton,
Vernal delight and joy : able to drive
bvt Jeff air, B, iv. v. 155.
9 6 ANCIENT POEMS.
Nae wonder, nae wonder, Gill Morice,
My lady loed thee weel, 1 30
The faireft part of my bodie
Is blacker than thy heel.
Zet neir the lefs now, Gill Morice,
For a' thy great beautie,
Ze's rew the day ze eir was born ; 135
That head fall gae wi' me.
Now he has drawn his trufty brand,
And flaited on the ftrae ;
And thro' Gill Morice' fair body*
He's gar cauld iron gae. 140
And he has tain Gill Morice' head
And fet it on a fpeir ;
The meaneft man in a' his train
Has gotten that head to bear.
And he has tain Gill Morice up, 14$
Laid him acrofs his fteid,
And brocht him to his painted bowr
And laid him on a bed.
The lady fat on caflil wa',
Beheld baith dale and doun ; 150
And there ihe faw Gill Morice' head
Cum trailing to the toun.
Far better I loe that bluidy head,
Both and that zellow hair,
Than
ANCIENT POEMS. 97
Than lord Barnard, and a' his lands, 155
As they lig here and thair.
And fiie has tain her Gill Morice,
And kifsd baith mouth and chin :
I was once as fow of Gill Morice,
As the hip is o' the ftean. 160
I got ze in ray father's houfe,
Wi' mickle fin and fharae ;
I brocht thee up in gude grene wode,
Under the heavy rain ;
Oft have I by thy cradle fitten, 165
And fondly feen thee fleip ;
Bot now I gae about thy grave,
The faut tears for to weip.
And fyne me kifsd his bluidy cheik,
And fyne his bluidy chin : 170
O better I loe my Gill Morice
Than a' my kith and kin !
Away, away, ze ill woman,
And an il deith mait ze dee :
Gin I had kend he'd bin zour fon, 175
He'd neir bin (lain for mee.
Obraid me not, my lord Barnard !
Obraid me not for fhame !
Wi that faim fpeir O pierce my heart !
And put me out o' pain. 1 80
VOL. III. H Since
9 8 ANCIENT POEMS.
Since nothing hot Gill Morice head
Thy jelous rage could quell,
Let that (aim hand now tak hir life,
That neir to thee did ill.
To me nae after days nor nichta ( i 8
Will eir be faft or kind ;
I'll fill the air with heavy fighs,
And greet till I am blind.
Enouch of blood by me's bin fpilt,
Seek not zour death frae mee ; 190
I rather lourd it had been my fel
Than eather him or thee.
With waefo wae I hear zour plaint ;
Sair, fair I rew the deid,
That eir this curfed hand of mine 19;
Had gard his body bleid.
Dry up zour tears, my winfome dame,
Ze neir can heal the wound;
Ze fee his head upon the fpeir,
His heart's blude on the ground. 200
I curfe the hand that did the deid,
The heart that thocht the ill ;
The feet that bore me wi' fik fpeid,
The comely zouth to kill.
I'll ay lament for Gill Morice, 205
As gin he were mine ain ;
10 I'll
ANCIENT POEMS. 99
I'll neir forget the dreiry day
On which the zouch v.as flain.
** This little pathetic tale fuggefied tic //^ of :bi
tragedy of DOUGLAS.
Since it 'was fir ft printed, the Editor has be
the foregoing Ballad is Jiill current in many pa^Jjf^cot-
land, where the hero is uni-uer/aHy kno-iun i
CHILD MAURICE, prcnouaccd by the a
CHEILD or'CHEELD I' 1 which cccaf.cned the ?..
// may be proper to mention that other copies read vtr.
1 10. thus
' Shot frae the golden fun."
And ver. 116. as follows
" His etn like azure Jhetnt ."
THE END OF THE FIRST BOOK.
OF ANCIENT POETRY,
SERIES THE THIRD.
BOOK II.
I.
THE LEGEND OF SIR GUY
contains a Jhort fummary of the exploits of this
famous champion, as recorded in the old ftory books ; and
is commonly intitled, " A pie af ant fong of the valiant deeds
" of chivalry atchieved by that noble knight fer Guy of
" Warwick > <wbo, for the love affair Phtlis, became a
" hermit,
ANCIENT POEMS. 101
" hermit, and dyed in a cave of fraggy rode, a milt
** dift ant from Warwick."
The hijlory of fer Guy, tbo' now 'very properly rejtgr.ed to
children, was once admired by all readers ofwit and tafte :
for tafte and iuit had once their childhood. Although of
Englijh growth, it was early a favourite with other nations :
it appeared in French in 1525 ' and is alluded to in the old
Spanijh romance Tirante el bianco, i<jh:ch, it is believed,
was written not long after the year 1430. See advert ije-
rnent to the French tranjlation, 2 vols. i ^mo.
'The original whence all thefe ftories are ex traced is a very-
ancient romance in old Englijb verfe, which is quoted by
Chaucer as a celebrated piece even in his time, (viz.
1 ' Men fpeken of romances of price,
" Of Home childe and Ippotis,
" Of Bevis, and fir Guy, fcfr. R. of Thop.)
and e was ufually fung to the harp at Chrijimas dinners and
trideales, as we learn from Puttenbani's art of poetry, 4/0.
1589.
This ancient romance is not wholly loft. An imperfeB
copy in black letter, " Imprynted at London -for Wylliam
" Copland'' 1 in ^^ftjeets 4/0. without date, is jtill preferved
among Mr. Carriers collection of old plays. As a fpecimen
of the poetry of this antique rhymer, take his description of
the dragon mentioned in ver. 105 of the following ballad,
" A mcjjenger came to the king.
Syr king, he fay d, lyften me now,
7 'or bad tydinges 1 bring you,
In Northumberlande there is no man,
But that they be Jlayng every chone :
For there dare no man route,
By twenty myle rounde aboute,
For doubt of a fowle dragon,
That Jleath ?nen and beajles doiune.
He is blacke as any cole,
Rugged as a rough fole ;
His bodye from the navill upiuarde
No man may it pierce it is Jo harde ;
H 3 " His
Sj,
" Fo.
102 A N C I E N T P O E M S.
//// neck is great as any fummere ;
He rennet b as fwifte as any diftrtre ;
Pawes he hath as a lyon :
All that be toucbeth 'he Jleatb dead doivne.
Great winges he bath to fiigt,:,
'That is no man that bare him might.
There may no man fight him agayne,
But that he Jleatb him certayne :
For a fc-ivler beaji then is be,
Ywis of none never heard ye*'
Sir William Dugdale is of opinion that the ft or y of Guy is
net --wholly apocryphal, tho 1 he acknowledges the monks ha<ve
founded out his praifes too hype 1 bolically. In particular, he
gives the duel fought 'with the Danijh champion as a real
htjiorical truth, and fixes the date of it in the year 929,
jEtat. Guy, 70. See his Warwickjbire.
'The following is written upon the fame plan, as ballad
V* Book I. bat which is the original and which the copy,
cannot be decided, 'This Jong is ancient, as may be inferred
from the idiom preferred in the margin, nier. 94. 102 : and
ivas once popular, as appears from Fletcher's Knight of the
Burning Peftle, acJ. 2. fc. u/t>
If is here publifned from an ancient MS copy in the Editor's
oldf'jlio volume, collated ivith two printed ones, one of which
is in black letter in the Pepys coileSion.
WAS ever knight for ladyes fake
Soe toft in love, as I fir (3 uy
For Phelis fayre, that lady bright
As ever man beheld with eye ? ,
Shee gave me leave myfelf to try, 5
The valiant knight with fheeld and fpeare,
Ere that her love fhee wold grant me ;
Which made mee venture far and neare.
Then
A N C I E N T P O E M S. 103
Then proved I a baron bold,
In deeds of arines the doughtyeft knight IO
That in thofe dayes in England was,
With fworde and fpeare in feild to fight.
An English man I was by birthc :
In faith of Chrifl a chriilyan true :
The wicked lawes of infidells 15
I fought by prowelle to fubdue.
'Nine' hundred twenty yeere and odde
After our Saviour Chrift his birthe,
When king Athelftone wore the crowne,
I lived heere upon the earthe. It
Sometime I was of Warwicke erle,
And, as I fayd, of very truthe
A ladyes love did me conftraine
To feeke ftrange ventures in my youthe.
To win me fame by feates of armes 25
In ftrange and fundry heathen lands ;
Where I atchieved for her fake
Right dangerous conquefts with my hands.
For firft I fayled to Normandye,
And there I ftoutlye wan in fight 30
The emperours daughter of Almayne,
From manye a vallyant worthye knight.
H 4 Then
Vtr. 9. The proud fir Guy, P, Ver, 17. Two hundred, MS and P.
104 ANCIENT POEMS,
Then pafl"ed I the feas to Greece
To helpe the emperour in his right ;
Againft the mightye fouldans hoafte 35
Of puiflant Perfians for to fight.
Where I did flay of Sarazens,
And heathen pagans, manye a man ;
And flew the fouldans cozen deare,
Who had to name doughtye Coldran. 40
Eflteldered a famous knight
To death likewife I did parfue :
And Elmayne king of Tyre alfoe,
Moft terrible in fight to viewe.
I went into the fouldans hoaft, 45
Being thither on embaffage fent,
And brought his head awaye with mee,
I having flaine him in his tent.
There was a dragon in that land
Moft fiercelye mett me by the waye 50
As hee a lyon did purfue,
Which I myfelf did alfoe flay.
Then foon I part the feas from Greece,
And came to Pavye land aright :
Where I the duke of Pavve killd, 55
His hainous treafon to requite.
7 To
ANCIENT POEMS. 105
To England then I came with fpeede,
To wedd faire Phelis ladye bright :
For love of whome I travelled farr
To try my manhood and my might. 60
But when I had efpoufed her,
I ftayd with her but fortye dayes,
Ere that I left this ladye faire,
And went from her beyond the feas.
All cladd in gray, in pilgrime fort, 65
My voyage from her I did take
Unto the blefled Holy-land,
For Jefus Chrift my Saviours fake.
Where I erle Jonas did redeeme,
And all his fonnes which were fifceene, 70
Who with the cruell Sarazens
In prifon for long time had beene.
I flew the gyant Amarant
In battel fiercelye hand to hand :
And doughty Barknard killed I, 75
A treacherous knight of Pavye land.
Then I to England came againe,
And here with Colbronde fell I fought :
An ugly gyant, which the Danes
Had for their champion hither brought. 80
I over-
io6 A N C I E N T P O E M S.
I overcame him in the feild,
And flewe him foone ri^ht vaJJiantlye ;
Wherebye this land I did redeeme
From Danifh tribute utterlye.
And afterwards I offered upp 85
The ufe of weapons folemnlye
At Winchefter, whereas I fought,
In fight of manye farr and nye.
But firft,' neare Win for, I did flaye
A bore of pafiing might and flrength; 90
\Vhofe like in England never was
For hugeneffe both in bredth, and length.
Seme of his bones in Warwicke yet,
Within the caflle there doe lye :
One of his meild-bcnes to this day 0,5
Hangs in the citye of Coventrye.
On Dunfmore heath I alfoe flewe
A monftrous wyld and cruell beaft,
Calld the Dun-cow of Dunfmore heath ;
Which manye people had oppreft. 100
Some of her bones in Warwicke yett
Still for a monument doe lye ;
And there expofed to lookers \ iewe
As wonderous ftrange, you may efpye.
A dragon
Ver. 94. joa. doth lye. MS,
ANCIENT POEMS. 107
A dragon in Northumberland, 105
I alfoe did in fight deftroye,
Which did bothe man and beaft opprefle,
And all the countrye fore annoye.
At length to Warwicke I did come,
Like pilgrime poore and was not knowne ; 1 10
And there 1 livd a hermites life
A mile and more out of the towne.
Where wirh my hands I hewed a houfe
Out of a craggy rocke of ftone ;
And lived like a palmer poore 1 15
Wkhin that cave myf.lf alone :
And dailye came to begg my bread
Of Phelis at my calile gate ;
Not knowne unto my loving wife,
Who dailye mourned for her mate. 120
Till at thelaftlfell fore ficke,
Yea ficke foe fore that I muft die ;
I fent to her a ringe of golde,
By which (he knewe me prefentlye.
Then fhee repairing to the cave 1 25
Before that I gave up the ghoft ;
Herfclf closd up my dying eyes :
My Phelis faire, whom 1 lovd moft.
Thuj
icB ANCIENT POEMS.
Thus dreadful death did me arreft,
To bring my corpes unto the grave ; 1 30
And like a palmer dyed I,
Wherby I fought my foule to fave.
My body that endured this toyle,
Though now it be confumed to mold ;
My ilatue faire engraven in Hone, 155
In Warvvicke ftill you may behold.
II.
GUY AND AM A RANT.
The Editor found tins Poem in his ancient folio manu~
Jiript among the old ballads ; be was dejirous therefore that
it jbould Jlill accompany them ; and as it is net altogether
Jrvoid of merit) its injertion here mill be pardontd.
Although this piece feems not imperfect, there is reafon to
telime that it is only a part of a much larger poem, 'which
(tHtained the ^jchole hijfory of fir Guy : for upon compar-
ing it <with the comm'on ftary book \ zmo, <vue find the latter
to be nothing more than this poem reduced to proje : 'which
is only effected by nonv and then altering the rhyme, and
throwing out feme few of the poetical ornaments. The
difguife is fo flight that it is an eajy matter to pick complete
Jianzas in any page of that book.
The author of this poem has Jbown fame invention.
Though he took the fubjeti from the old romance quoted be-
fore, he bat adorned it afrejh, and made the Jlory intirely
bit ewu.
GUY
ANCIENT POEMS. 109
GUY journeyes towards that fan&ifyed ground,
Whereas the Jevves fayre citye fometime flood,
Wherin cur Saviours facred head was crownd,
And where for finfull man he fhed his blood :
To fee the fepulcher was his intent, 5
The tombe that Jofeph unto Jcfus lent.
With tedious miles he tyred his vvearye feet,
And pafled defart places full of danger,
At laft with a moll woefull wight * did meet,
A man that unto forrow was noe fa-anger : 10
For he had fifteen fonnes, made captives all
To flavifli bondage, in extreme!* thralL
A gyant called Amarant detaind them,
Whom noe man durft encounter for his ftrength :
Who in a caftle, which he held, had chaind theai : i^
Guy queftions, where ? and underftands at length
The place not farr. Lend me thy fvvord, quoth hee,
He lend my manhood all thy fonnes to free.
With that he goes, and lays upon the dore,
Like one that fayes, I muft, and will come in : 20'
The gyant never was foe rowz'd before ;
For noe fuch knocking at his gate had bin :
Soe takes his keyes, and clubb, and cometh out
Staring with ireful countenance about.
Sirra,
* Erlt jfunas, ment'nned in (he foregoing baUaj,
no ANCIENT POEMS.
Sirrn, quoth hee, what bufmes haft thou heere ? 2(
Art come to feaft the crovves about my walls ?
Didft never heare, noe ranfome can him cleere,
That in the compafse of my furye falls :
For making me to take a porters paines,
With this fame clubb I will dafh out thy braines. 30
Gyant, quoth Guy, y'are quarrelfome I fee,
Choller and you feem very neere of kin :
Mod dangerous at the clubb belike you bee ;
I have bin better armd, though nowe goe thin ;
But fhew thy utmoft hate, enlarge thy fpight, 35
Kcene is my weapon, and (hall doe me right.
Soe draws his fword, falutes him with the fame
About the head, the moulders, and the fide:
Whilft his erected clubb doth death proclaime,
Standinge with huge Coloflus' fpacious flride, 40
Putting fuch vigour to his knotty beame,
That like a furnace he did fmoke extreame.
But on the ground he fpent his ftrokes in vaine,
For Guy was nimble to avoyde them Hill,
And ever ere he heav'd his clubb againe, 45
Did brufh his plated soat againft his will :
Att fuch advantage Guy wold never fayle,
To bang him fouhdlye in his coate of mayle.
Att
A N C I E N T .P O E M S. iu
Att laft through third the gyant feeble grevve,
And fayd to Guy, as thou'rt of humane race, 50
Shew itt in this, give natures wants their devvc,
Let me but goc, and drir.ke in yonder place :
Thou canft not yeeld to ' me' a fmaller thiog,
Than to graunt life, thats given by the fpring.
I graunt thee leave, quoth Guye, goe drink thy laft, 5.5
Go pledge the dragon, and the ialvage bore*>:
Succeed the tragedyes that they have pair,
But never thinke to taile cold water more :
Drinke deepe to Death and unto him caroufe :
Bid him receive thee in his earthen houfe. 60
Soe to the fpring he goes, and flakes his thirft ;
Takeing the water in extremely like
Some wracked ihipp that on a rocke is burft,
Whofe forced hulke againit the flones does flryke ;
Scooping it in foe faft with both 'his hands, 65
That Guy admiring to behold it iiands.
Come on, quoth Guy, let us to worke againe,
Thou ftayeft about thy liquor overlong ;
The fifh, which in the river doe remaine,
Will want thereby ; thy drinking doth them wrong:
But I will fee their fatisfa&ion made, 71
With gyants blood they muft, and lhall be payd.
Vil-
Wlhb Gj bfJJlaln 6efre, Vcr. 64. bulke. MS, ttd PCC.
H2 ANCIENT POEMS.
Villaine, quoth Amarant, He crufh thee ftreight;
Thy life ftiall pay thy daring toungs offence :
This clubb, which is about fome hundred weight, 75
Is deathes commifiion to difpatch thee hence :
Drefle thee for ravens dyett I muft needes ;
And breake thy bones, as they were made of reedes.
Incenfed much by thefe bold pagan boftes,
Which worthye Guy cold ill endure to heare, 80
He hewes upon thofe bigg fupporting pofles,
Which like two pillars did his body beare :
Amarant for thofe wounds in choller growes,
And defperatelye att Guy his clubb he throwes :
Which did diredly on his body light, 85
Soe violent, and weighty there-withall,
That downe to ground on fudden came the knight ;
And, ere he cold recover from the fall,
The gyant gott his clubb againe in fift,
And aimd a flroke that wonderfullye mift. 90
Traytor, quoth Guy, thy fallhood He repay,
This coward aft to intercept my bloode.
Saves Amarant, lie murther any way,
With enemyes all vantages are good :
O could 1 poyfon in thy noftrills blowe, 9;
Ee/ure of it I wold difpatch thee foe.
Its
ANCIENT POEMS. n 3
Its well, faid Guy, thy honeft thoughts appeare,
Within that beaftlye bulke where devills dwell,
Which are thy tenants while thou livefl heare,
But will be landlords when thou comeft in hell : 100
Vile mifcreant, prepare thee for their den,
Inhumane monfter, hatefull unto men.
But breathe thy felfe a time, while I goe drinke,
For flameing Phoebus with his fyerye eye
Torments me foe with burning heat, I thinke 105
My third wold ferve to drinke an ocean drye :
Forbear a litle, as I delt with thee.
Quoth Amarant, thou haft noe foole of mee.
Noe, fillye wretch, my father taught more witt,
How I (hold ufe fuch enemy es as thou, ; ijo
By all my gods I doe rejoice at itt,
To underftand that thirft conftraines thee nor;
For all the treafure, that the world containes,
One drop of water lhall not coole thy vaines.
Releeve my foe ! why, 'twere 4 madmans part: uj
Refrefh an adverfarye to my wrong !
If thou imagine this, a child thou art :
Noe, fellow, I have known the world too long
To be foe fimple : now I know thy want,
A minutes fpace of breathing I'll not grant. I*
And with thcfe words heaving aloft his clubb
Into the ayre, he fwingi the fame about :
VoL.IIL I ' Then
U4 ANCIENT POEMS. ,
Then fliakes his lockes, and doth his temples rubb r
And, like the Cyclops, in his pride doth ftrout :
Sirra, fayes hee, I have you at a lift, laj
Now you are come unto your lateft fluft.
Perilh forever : with this Aroke I fend thee
A medicine, that will doe thy thirft much good;
Take noe more care for drinke before I end thee,
And then weell have caroufes of thy blood : 13*
Here's at thee with a butchers downright blow,
To pleafe my furye with thine overthrow.
Infernal!, falfe, obdurate feend, faid Guy,
That feemft a lumpe of crueltye from hell ;
Ungratefull monfter, fmce thou doft deny i$$
, The thing to mee wherin I ufed thee well :
With more revenge, than ere my fword did make,
On thy accurfed head revenge He take.
Thy gyants longitude fhall Ihorter fhrinke,
Except thy fun-fcorcht fkin be weapon proof: 140
Farewell my thirft ; I doe difdaine to drinke,
Streames keepe your waters to your owne behoof;
Or let wild beafts be welcome thereunto ;
With thofe pearle drops I will not have to do.
'Here, tyrant, take a tafte of r*y good-will, 145
For thus I doe begin my bloodye bout :
You cannot chufe but like the greeting ill ; .
It is not that fame clubb will bearc YOU out ;
And
ANCIENT POEMS. 115
And take this payment on thy fhaggye crowne.
A blowe that brought him with a vengeance downe. 150
Then Guy fett foot upon the monflers breft,
And from his moulders did his head divide ;
Which with a yawninge mouth did gape, unblelt;
Noe dragons jawes were ever feene foe wide
To open and to fhut, till life was fpent. 155
Then Guy tooke keyes and to the cattle went.
Where manye woefull captives he did find,
Which had beene tyred with extremityes ;
Whom he in freindly manner did unbind,
And reafoned with them of their miferyes : 160
Eche told a tale with teares, and fighes, and cryes,
All weeping to him with complaining eyes.
There tender ladyes in darke dungeons lay,
That were fnrprifed in the defart wood,
And had noe other dyett everye day, 165
But fleQi of humane creatures for their food :
Some with truir lovers bodyes had beene fed,
And in their wombes their hufbands buryed.
Now he bethinkes him of his being there,
To enlarge the wronged brethren from their woes ; 1 70
And, as he fearcheth, doth great clamours heare,
By which fad founds direction on he goes,
Untill he findes a darkfome obfcare gate,
ArmJ ilrongly ouer all with iron plate.
I 2 That
,i6 ANCIENT POEMS.
That he unlockcs, and enters, where appeares 175
The ftrangeft objeft that he ever faw ;
Men that with famifhment of many yeares,
Were like deathes pi&ure, which the painters draw ;
Divers of them were hanged by eche thombe ;
Others head-downward : by the middle fome. 180
With diligence he takes them from the walls,
With lybertye their thraldome to acquaint :
Then the perplexed knight their father calls,
And fayes, Receive thy fonnes though poore and faint:
I promisd you their lives, accept of that ; 185
But did not warrant you thy fliold be fat.
Tke caftle I doe gire thee, heere's the keyes,
Where tyranye for many yeeres did dwell :
Procure the gentle tender ladyes eafe,
For pittyes fake, ufe wronged women well : 190
Men eafilye reveage the wrongs men do :
But poore weake women have not ftrength thereto.
The good eld man, even overjoyed with this,
Fell on the ground, and wold have kill Guys feete :
Father, quoth he, refraine foe bafe a kite, 19;
For age to honor youth I hold unmeete :
Ambitious pryde hath hurt mee all it can,
I goe to mortifie a finfull man.
*** The foregoing poem on Guy AND AMARANT kat
bte* dijfovertd to In fragment of, " The famous bijiorie of
ANCIENT POEMS. 117
" Guy earl of V/ar=wkke^ by SAMUEL ROWLANDS. Lea-
" aon, printed by J* Bell. 1649. 4/0," ;* xii cantos, it-
ginning thus
" When dreadful Mars in armour every day."
Whether the edition in 1649, nvas thejirjt, is not knoiun t
hut the author SAM. ROWLANDS <was one of the minor poets,
iv ho lived in the reigns of ^. Elizabeth, and James L and
perhaps later. His other poems are chiefly of the religious
kind, ivhicb makes it probable that the hift. of Guy was tnt
of his earlieft performances, There art extant of bis ( I .)
The betraying of Chrift, Judas in dijpairt, the feven
words of our Saviour en the croj/e, with other poems on
thepajjicn, &c. 1598. 4/0. \_AmcsTyp.p. 428.]^-(2.) A
Theatre of delightful Recreation. Lond. printed for A.
Johnfon. 1605." 4*' (^ enei tditor.) Thii is a took of
poems on fubjecis chiejly taken from the old Tejlament. (3.)
*' Memory of Chrtft's mirac les,in <verfe. Lond. 1618. 4/0."
(4.) " Heaven's glory, earth's vanity, and keifs horror.
Lond. 1638. 8-i/c. \Tbefe five in Bod. Cat.]
In the prefent edition the foregoing poem bos letn muck z/-
provedfrom the prinfed copies.
in.
THE AULD GOOD- MAN.
A SCOTTISH SONG.
/ have xot been able to meet luitb a more ancient copy
of this humorous old fong t than that printed in the Tea-
Table mifcellany, 45V. which Jeems to have ado. 'tted fomi
corruptions.
LATE in an evening forth I went
A little before the fun gade down,
And there I chanc't, by accident,
To light on a battle new begun :
I A man
n8 ANCIENT POEMS.
A man and his wife wer fawn in a ftrife, $
I canna weel tell ye how it began ;
But aye fhe waii'd her wretched life,
Cryeng, Evir alake, mine auld goodman !
HE.
Thy auld goodman, that thou tells of,
The country kens where he was born, 10
Was but a filly poor vagabond,
And ilka ane leugh him to fcorn :
For he did fpend and make an end
Of gear ' his fathers nevir' wan ;
He gart the poor (land frae the door ; 1 5
Sae tell nae mair of thy auld goodman:
SHE.
My heart, ftlake L is liken to break,
Whan I think on my winfome John,
His blinkan ee, and gait fae free,
Was naithing like thee, thou defend drone ; 20
Wi' his rofie face, and flaxen hair,
And fkin as white as ony fwan,
He was large and tall, and comely withall ;
Thou'lt nevir be like mine auld goodman.
HE.
Why doft thou plein ? I thee maintein ; 25
For meal and mawt thou difna want ;
But thy wild bees I canna pleafe,
Now whan our gear gins to grow fcant :
Of
A N C I E N T P O E M S. 119
Of houftiold fluff thou haft enough ;
Thou wants for neither pot nor pan ; 30
Of ficklike ware he left thee bare ;
Sae tell nae roair of thy auld goodman.
SHE.
Yes I may tell, and fret my fell,
To think on thofe blyth days I had,
Whan I and he, together ley 35
In armes into a well-made bed :
But now I figh and may be fad,
Thy courage is cauld, thy colour wan,
Thou falds thy feet and fa's afleep ;
Thou'lt nevir be like mine auld goodman. 40
Then coming was the night fae dark,
And gane was a' the light of day ?
The carle was fear'd to mifs his mark,
And therefore wad nae longer ftay :
Then up he gat, and ran his way, 45
I trowe, the wife the day fhe wan ;
And aye the owreword of the fray
Was, Evir alake ! mine auld goodman.
I 4 IV. FAIR
120 ANCIENT POEMS,
IV.
FAIR MARGARET AND SWEET WILLIAM.
Thisfeems to le the oldfong quoted in Fletcher's " Knight
" of the burning peftle." Acts zd and ^d; al^ho 1 the Jtx
lines there preferred are fcme-~uihat different from thofe. in the
ballad, as it ft and s at prefent. The Reader ivillnot tuonder
at this, when he is informed that this is only given from a
modern printed copy picked up en a ftall. It's full title is.
" Fair Margaret's Misfortunes ; or S-iveet William 1 s
* ' frightful dreams on his wedding night, with ths fudden
" death and burial of thofe noble lovers."
fhe lines preferred in the play are this difticb,
" You are no love for tne, Margaret,
'* 1 am no love for you."
And the follorixir.gftanza,
" When it ivas grown to dark midnight,
44 And all were f aft ajleep,
** In came Margarets grimly ghoft
" Andftood at Williams feet."
fheft lines have acquired an importance by giving birth
to one of the moji beautiful ballads in cur own or any lan-
guage. See the fong intituled MARGARET'S GHOST, at
the end of this -volume.
Since thefirft edition fame improvements have been inferted*
nobitb were communicated by a lady oftbefirft dijiintlion> as
jht bad ktatd this fong repeat ti in her infancy.
AS
A N C I E N T P O E M S. 12,
AS it fell out on a long fummer's day
Two lovers they ft on a hiil ;
They fat together that long fiir>mer's day,
And could not talk their fill.
I fee no harm by you, Margaret, 5
And you fee none by mee ;
Before to-morrow at eight o' the clock
A rich wedding you {hall fee.
Fair Margaret fate in her bower-window,
Combing her yellow hair ; 10
There {he fpyed fweet William and his bride,
As they were a riding near.
Then down (he layd her ivory combe,
And braided her hair in twain :
She went alive out of her bower, 15
But ne'er came alive in't again.
X
When day was gone, and night was come,
And all men faft afleep,
Then came the fpirit of fair Marg'ret,
And flood at Williams feet. 20
Are you awake, fweet William ? mee faid j
Or, fweet William, are you afleep ?
G'od give you joy of your gay bride-bed,
And me of my winding meet.
When
122 ANCIENT POEMS.
When day was come, and night was gone, 25
And all men wak'd from fleep,
Sweet William tf his lady fayd,
My dear, I have caufe to weep.
I dreamt a dream, my dear ladye,
Such dreames are never good : 3
I dreamt my bower was full of red ' wine',
And my bride-bed full of blood.
Such dreams, fuch dreams, my honoured Sir,
They never do prove good ;
To dream thy bower was full of red 'wine', 35
And thy bride-bed full of blood.
He called up his merry men all,
By one, by two, and by three ;
Saying, I'll away to fair Marg'rets bower,
By the leave of my ladyp. 4
And when he came to fair Marg'ret's bower ?
He knocked at the ring ;
And who fo ready as her feven brethren
To let fweet William in.
Then he turned up the covering-meet, 45
Pray let me fee the dead :
Methinks me looks all pale and wan,
She hath loft her cherry red.
I'll
Vtr. 31. 35. Swine. PCG.
ANCIENT POEMS. 123
I'll do more for thee, Margaret,
Than any of thy kin ; 50
For I will kifs thy pale wan lips,
Though a fmile I cannot win.
With that befpake the feven brethren,
Making moft piteous mone :
You may go kifs your jolly brown biide, 55
And let our filter alone.
If I do kifs my jolly brown bride,
I do but what is right ;
I neer made a vow to yonder poor corpfe
By day, nor yet by night. 60
Deal on, deal on, my merry men all,
Deal on your cake and your wine* :
For whatever is dealt at her funeral to-day,
Shall be dealt to-morrow at mine.
Fair Margaret dyed to-day, to-day, 65
Sweet William dyed the morrow :
Fair Margaret dyed for pure true lovo,
Sweet William dyed for forrow.
Margaret was buryed in the lower chancel,
And William in the higher : 79
Out of her breft there fprang a rofe,
And out of his a briar.
They
* Alluding to the dole anciently given at funerals.
F24 A N C I E N T P O E M S.
They grew till they grew unto the church-top,
And then they could grow no higher ;
And there they tyed in a true levers knot, 75
Which made all the people admire.
Then came the clerk of the parifh,
As you the truth lhall hear,
And by misfortune cut them down,
Or they hiid now been there. 80
V.
BARBARA ALLEN's CRUELTY.
Given, ivitb fame corrections, from an old black letter
fcfiy intitled " Barbara Allen's cmtlty, or the young mans
** tragedy ^
IN Scarlet towne, where I was borne,
There was a faire maid dwellin,
Made every youth crye, Wel-awaye!
Her name was Barbara Allen.
All in the merrye month of may, 5
When greene buds they were fwellin,
Yong Jemmye Grove on his death-bed lay,
For love of Barbara Allen.
He
ANCIENT POEMS. 125
He fent his man unto her then,
To the town, where fliee was dwellin ; i<*
You muft come to my mafter deare,
Giffyour name be Barbara Allen.
For death is printed on his face,
And ore his hart is itealin :
Then hafte away to comfort him, 15
O lovelye Barbara Alien.
Though death be printed on his face,
And ore his harte is ftealin,
Yet little better mall he bee,
For bonny Barbara Allen. zo
So flowly, flowly, me came up,
And ilowly (he came nye him ;
And all me fayd, when there me came,
Yong mao, I think y'are dying.
He turnd his face unto her ftrait, 45
With deadlye forrow fighing ;
lovely maid, come pity mee,
hnr on my death-bed lying.
If on your death-bed you doe lye,
What needs the tale you are tellin : 30
1 cannot keep you from your death ;
Farewell, fayd Barbara Allen.
He
t 2 6 ANCIENT POEMS.
He turnd his face unto the wall,
< i As deadlye pangs he fell in :
Adieu ! adieu ! adieu to you all, 35
Adieu to Barbara Allen.
As fhe was walking ere the fields,
She heard the bell a knellin ;
And every ftroke did feem to faye,
Unworthy Barbara Allen. 40
She turnd her bodye round about,
And fpied the corps a coming :
Laye down, laye down the corps, me faydj
That I may look upon him.
With fcornful eye fhe looked downe, 4^
Her cheeke with laughter fwellin ;
Whilft all her friends cryd out amainej
Unworthye Barbara Allen.
When he was dead, and laid in grave,
Her harte was ftruck with forrowe, 50
O mother, mother, make my bed,
For I mall dye to morrowe.
Hard harted creature him to flight,
Who loved me fo dearlye :
O thai I had beene more kind to him, 55
When he was alive and neare me !
She
r A N C I E N T P O E M S. 127
She, on her death-bed as fhe laye,
Beg'd to be buried by him :
And fore repented of the daye,
That fhe did ere denye him.
Farewell, fhe fayd, ye virgins all,
And fhun the fault I fell in :
Henceforth take warning by the fall
Of cruel Barbara Allen.
VI.
SWEET WILLIAM'S GHOST.
A SCOTTISH BALLAD.
From Allan Ranifafs feu Table mifcellany. The c
ftanza of this piece Jeems modern.
THERE came a ghoft to Margaret's door,
With many a grievous grone,
And ay hetirled at the pin ;
But anfwer made fhe none.
Is this my father Philip ?
f Or is't my brother John ?
Or is't nay true love Willie,
From Scotland new corns home ? ^V?.
ANCIENT POEMS.
Tis not thy father Philip ;
Nor yet thy brother John : IO
But tis thy true love Willie
From Scotland new come home.
O fweet Margret ! O dear Margret !
I pray thee fpeak to mee :
Give me my faith and troth, Margret, 15
As I gave it to thee.
Thy faith and troth thou'fe nevir get,
* Of me (halt nevir win,'
TH1 that thou come within my bower,
And kifs my cheek and chin. 20
If I fhould come within thy bower,
I am no earthly man :
And fhould I kifs thy rofy Hpp,
Thy days will not be lang.
O fweet Margret, O dear Margret, 2 5
I pra'y thee fpeak to mee :
Give me my faith and troth, Margret,
As I gave it to thee.
Thy faith and troth thou'fe nevir get,
* Of me fhalt nevir win,' 30
Till thou take me to yon kirk yard,
And wed me with a ring.
My
ANCIENT POEMS. 129
My bones are buried in a kirk yard
Afar beyond the fea,
And it is but my fprite, Margret, 35
That's fpeaking now to thee.
She ftretched out her lilly-white hand,
As for to do her beft :
Hae there your faith and troth, Willie*
God fend your foul good reft. 40
Now (he has kilted her robes of green,
A piece below her knee :
And a* the live-lang winter night
The dead corps followed fhee.
Is there any room at your head, Willie ? 45
Or any room at your feet ?
Or any room at your fide, Willie,
Wherein that I may creep ?
There's nae room at my head, Margret,
There's nae room at my feet, 50
There's no room at my fide, Margret,
My coffin is made fo meet.
Then up and crew the red red cock,
And up then crew the gray :
Tis time, tis time, my dear Margret, 55
That I' were gane away.
III. K No
J3 o ANCIENT POEMS.
No more the ghoft to Margret faid,
But, with a grievous grone,
Evanifh'd in a cloud of mift,
And left her all alone. 60
O flay, my only true love, ftay,
The conftant Margret cried.:
Wan grew her cheeks, flie clos'd her ecu,
Stretch'd her faft limbs, and died.
VII.
SIR JOHN GREHME AND BARBARA ALLAN.
A SCOTTISH BALLAD.
Printedy 'with a few conjeSlural emendations, from a
written copy.
IT was in and about the Martinmas time,
When the greene leaves wer a fallan ;
That Sir John Grehme o' the weft countrye,
Fell in luve wi' Barbara Allan.
He fent his man down throw the towne, 5
^To the plaice wher (he was dwellan :
O'hafte and cum to my maifter deare,
Gin ye bin Barbara Allan.
O hooly
ANCIENT POEMS. 131
O hooly, hooly raife fhe up,
To the plaice wher he was lyan ; IO
And whan (he drew the curtain by,
Young man, I think ye're dyan*.
O its I'm fick, and very very fick,
And its a' for Barbara Allan :
O the better for me ye'fe never be, 15
Though your harts blude wer fpillan.
Remember ye nat in the tavern, fir,
Whan ye the cups wer fillan ;
How ye made the healths gae round and round,
And flighted Barbara Allan ? 20
He turn'd his face unto the wa*
And death was with him dealan ;
Adiew ! adiew ! my dear friends a',
Be kind to Barbara Allan.
Then hooly, hooly raife me up, 25
And hooly, hooly left him ;
And fighan faid, fhfe could not ftay,
Since death of life had reft him.
She had not gane a mile but twa,
Whan fhe heard the deid-bell knellan ; 30
And everye jow the deid-bell geid,
Cried, wae to Barbara AJlan !
K 2 O mfther,
* An ingenious friend thinks the rhymes Dyand and Lyand ought t
ojed^ as tee taunt Young man, I think ye'rc lyand, would bt
li tranfp
J3 2 ANCIENT POEMS.
O mither, mither, mak my bed,
O mak it faft and narrow :
Since my luve died for me to day,
lie die for him to morrowe.
vm.
THE BAILIFF'S DAUGHTER OF ISLINGTON.
From, an ancient black-letter copy in the Pepys CollecJion,
luith fome improvements communicated by a lady as Jhe had
beard the fame recited in her youth. *Tbe full title is " True
** love requited: Or, the Bailiffs daughter of Ijlington"
ISLINGTON In Norfolk is proiably the place htre meant.
THere was a youthe, and.a well-beloved youthe,
And he was a fquires fon :
He loved the bayliffes daughter deare,
That lived in Iflington.
Yet Ihe was coye and would not believe 5
That he did love her foe,
Noe nor at any time would fhe
Any countenance tahim ftiowe.
But
ANCIENT POEMS. 133
But when his friendes did underftand
His fond and foolifh minde, 10
They fent him up to faire London
An apprentice for to binde.
And when he had been feven long yeares,
And never his love could fee :
Many a teare have I fhed for her fake, 15
When fhe little thought of mee.
Then all the maids of Iflington
Went forth to fport and playe,
All but the bayliffes daughter deare ;
She fecretly ftole awaye. 20
She pulled off her gowne of greene,
And put on ragged attire,
And to faire London (he would go
Her true love to enquire.
And as fhe went along the high-road, 25
The weather being hot and drye,
She fat her downe upon a green bank,
And her true love came riding" bye.
She ftarted up, with a colour foe redd,
Catching hold of his bridle-reine ; 30
One penny, one penny, kind fir, fhe fayd,
Will eafe me of much paine.
K 3 Before
134 ANCIENT POEMS.
Before I give you one penny, fweet-heart,
Praye tell me where you were borne.
At Iflington, kind fir, fayd fhee, 35
Where I have had many a fcorne.
I prythee, fweet-heart, then tell to mee,
O tell me, whether you knowe
The bayliffes daughter of Iflington.
She is dead, fir, long agoe. 40
If fhe be dead, then take my horfe,
My faddle and bridle alfd ;
For I will into fome farr countrye,
Where noe man mail me knowe.
O ftaye, O ftaye, thou goodlye youthe, 45
She ftandeth by thy fide ;
She is here alive, flie is not dead,
And readye to be thy bride.
O farewell griefe, and welcome joye,
Ten thoufand times therefore ; 50
For nowe I have founde mine owne true love,
Whom I thought I mould never fee more.
IX. THE
A N C I E N T P O E M S,
IX.
THE WILLOW TREE.
A PASTORAL DIALOGUE.
From the J "mall Hack-letter c olleflion, , intitled, " The
Golden Garland of princely delights ;" collated <with two
other copies and corrected by ccnjeflure,
WlLLY.
HOW now, fliepherde, what meanes that?
Why that willowe in thy hat ?
Why thy fcarffes of red and yellowe
Turn'd to branches of greene willowe ?
CUDDY.
They are chang'd, and fo am I ; 5
Sorrowes live, but pleafures die :
Phillis hath forfaken mee,
Which makes me weare the 1 willowe-tree.
WILLY.
Phillis ! fhee that lov'd thee long ?
Is mee the lafs hath done thee wrong P 10
Shee that lov'd thee long and beft,
Is her love turn'd to a jefl ?
K* CUDDY.
13 6 A N C I E N T P O E M S*
CUDDY.
Shee that long true love profeft,
She hath robb'd my heart of reft :
For fhe a new love loves, not mee ; 1 5
Which makes me wear the willowe-tree.
WILLY.
Come then, fhepherde, let us joine,
Since thy happ is like to mine :
For the maid I thought moft true
Mee hath alfo bid adieu. 20
CUDDY.
Thy hard happ doth mine appeafe,
Companye doth'forrowe eafe :
Yet, Phillis, ftill I pine for thee,
And ftill mult weare the willowe-tree.
WILLY.
Shepherde, be advis'd by mee, 25
Caft off grief and willowe-tree :
For thy grief brings her content,
She is pleas'd if thou lament.
CUDDY.
Herdfman, I'll be rul'd by thee,
There lyes grief and willowe-tree : 30
Henceforth I will do as they,
And love a new love every day.
X. THE
ANCIENT POEMS. 137
X.
THE L A D Y's FALL,
is given from the editor's ancient folio MS, collate d
with two printed copies in black letter ; one in the Britijb
Mufeum, the other in the Pepys collefticn. Its old title //,.
" A lamentable ballad of the Lady's fall. To the tune of,
" In Pefcod Time, &c." The ballad here referred to is
preferred in the MUSES LIBRARY, 8vo. p. 281. // is
an allegory or vijton, intitled "THE SHEPHERDS SLUM-
" BER," and opens with fame pretty rural images, vix*
" In pefcod time ivhen hound to horn
* f Gives tare till buck be kiFd,
" And little lads with pipes of corne
" Sate keeping beajis a-fald,
" / went to gather Jtraivberrits
" By ^juoods and groves full fair, &c."
MARKE well my heavy dolefull tale,
You loyall lovers all,
And heedfully beare in your breft,
A gallant ladyes fall.
Long was {he woo'd, ere (he was wonne, 5
To lead a wedded life,
But folly wrought her overthrowe
Before fliee was a wife
Too
138 A N C I E N T P O E M S,
Too foone, alas ! fhee gave confent
And yeelded to his will, 10
Though he protelted to be true,
And faithfull to her ftill.
Shee felt her body altered quite,
Her bright hue waxed pale,
Her lovelye cheeks chang'd color white, 15
Her ftrength began to fayle.
8oe that with many a forrowful figh,
This beautrous ladye rnifde,
With greeved hart, perceiv'd herfelfe
To have conceiv'd with childe. 20
Shee kept it from her parents fight
As clofe a.s clcfe might bee,
And foe put on her filken gowne
None might her fwelHng fee.
Unto her lover fecretly 25
. Her greefe ihee did bewray,
And walkicg with him hand in hand,
Thefe words to him did fay ;
Behold, quoth fhee, .a maids diftrefle
By love brought to thy bowe, .30
Behold I goe with childe by thee,
But none thereof doth knowe.
The
ANCIENT POEMS. i 39
The little babe fprings in my wombe
To heare its fathers voyce,
Lett it not be a baftard call'd, 35
Sith [ made thee my choyce :
Come, come, my love, perform thy vowe
And wed me out of hand ;
O leave me not in this extreme,
In griefe, alas ! to ftand. 40
Thinke OR thy former promifes,
Thy oathes and vowes eche one ;
Remember with what bitter tearcs
To mee thou madeft thy moane.
Convay me to fome fecrett place, 45
And marry me with fpeede ;
Or with thy rapyer end my life,
Ere further fhame proceede.
Alacke ! my beauteous love, quoth hce,
My joye, and only dear ; 50
Which way can I convay thee hence,
When dangers are fo near ?
Thy friends are all of hye degree,
And I of meane eftate ;
Full hard it is to gett thee forthe 55
Out of thy fathers gate.
I
10 Dread
140 ANCIENT POEMS.
Dread not thy life to fave my fame,
For if thou taken bee,
My felfe will ftep betweene the fiords,
And take the harme on mee : 60
Soe (hall I fcape difhonor quite ;
And if I mould be flaine
What could they fay, but that true love
Had wrought a Jadyes bane.
And feare not any further harme ; 65
My felfe will foe devife,
That I will ryde away with thee
Unknowne of mortal eyes :
Difguifed like fome pretty page,
lie meete thee in the darke, 70
And all alone He come to thee,
Hard by my fathers parke.
And there, quoth hee, He meete my deare
If God foe lend me life,
On this day month without all faile 75
I will make thee my wife.
Then with a fweet and loving kifle,
They parted prefentlye,
And att their partinge brinifh teares
Stoode in eche others eye. 80
Att
A N C I E N T P O E M S. 141
Att length the wifhed day was come,
On which this beauteous mayd,
With longing eyes, and ftrange attire,
For her true lover ftayd :
When any perfon fliee efpyed 85
Come ryding ore the plaine,
She hop'd it was her owne true love ;
But all her hopes were vaine.
Then did ftiee weepe and fore bewayle
Her moft unhappy fate ; 90
Then did fhee fpeake thefe woefull words,
As fuccourlefs (hee fate :
O falfe, forfworne, and faithleffe man,
Difloyall in thy love,
Haft thou forgott thy promife part, 95
And wilt thou perjur'd prove ?
And haft thou now forfaken mee
In this my great diftrefle,
To end my dayes in open fhame,
Which thou mightft well redrefle ? 100
Woe worth the time I eer believ'd
That flattering tongue of thine ;
Would God that I had never feene
The teares of thy falfe eyne.
And
J42 A N C I E N T P O E M S.
And thus with many a forrowful figh,, 105
Homewards fhe went againe ;
Noe reft came in her waterye eyes,
Shee felt fuch privye paine.
In travail ftrong fhee fell that night,
With many a bitter throwe ; uo
What woefull pangs fhee then did feel,
Doth eche good woman knowe.
Shee called up her waiting mayd,
That lay at her bedds feete,
Who mufing at her miftrefs woe, I j 5
Began full faft to weepe.
Weepe not, faid fhee, but fhutt the dores,
And windowes round about,
Let none bewray my wretched ftate,
But keepe all perfons out. 120
O miftrefs, call your mother deare,
Of women you have neede,
And of fome fkilfull midwifes helpe,
That better you may fpeed.
Call not my mother for thy life, 125
Nor fetch no women here,
The midwifes helpe comes all too late,
My death I doe not feare.
With
ANCIENT POEMS. 143
With that the babe fprang from her wombe
No creature being nye, 130
And with one fiche, which brake her heart,
This gentle dame did dye.
The lovely little infant yonge,
The mother being dead,
Rdigned its new received breath 135
To him that had it made.
Next morning came her own true love,
Affrighted at ihe newes,
And he for forrow flew himfelfe,
V/hom eche one did accufe. 140
The mother with her new borne babe,
Were both laid in one grave :
Their parents overcome with woe,
No joy thenceforth cold have.
Take heed, you daintye damfelles all, 145
Of flattering words beware,
And of the honour of your name
Have an efpecial care.
Too true, alas ! this ftory Is,
As many one can tell : f
By others harmes learne to be wife,
And you mall do full well.
xr. WALY
I 4 4 ANCIENT POEMS.
XI.
WALY WALY, LOVE BE BONNY.
A SCOTTISH SONG.
*This is a very ancient fong y but we could only give it from
modern copies. Some editions injlead of the four loft lines
in the feccnd ftanza have thefe, which have too much merit
to be wholly fupprejjed,
" Whan cockle Jhelh turn fitter bells,
" Andmufcles grow on every tree,
" When fr oft and fnaw fall warm us aw 1 ,
" 'Than fall my love prove true to me."
See the Orpheus Caledonius, &f.
Arthur* s-feat mentioned in ver. 1 7 . is a hill near Edinborough j
at the let torn of which is St. Anthony's vjelt.
OWaly waly up the bank,
And waly waly down the brae,
And waly waly yon burn fide,
Where I and my love wer wont to gae.
I leant my back unto an aik, 5
I thought it was a trufty tree ;
But firft it bow'd, and fyne it brak,
Sae my true love did lichtly me.
O waly, waly, gin love be bonny,
A little time while it is new, 10
But when its auld, it waxeth cauld,
And fades awa' like morning dew.
O wrier-
ANCIENT POEMS. .145
O wherfore fhuJd I bufk my head ?
Or wherfore fliuld I kame iry bair?
For my true love has me forfook, 15
And fays he'll never loe me raair.
Now Arthur-feat fall be my bed,
The fheets fall neir be fyl'd by me :
Saint Anton's well fall be my drink,
Since my true love has forfaken me. 30
Marti'mas wind, whan wilt thou blaw,
And fhake the green leaves aff the tree r
O gentle death, whan wilt thou cum ?
For of iny life I am wearie.
Tis not the froft, that freezes fell, 25
Nor blawing fnaws inclrmencie ;
Tis not fie cauld, that makes me cry,
But my loves heart grown cauld to me.
Whan we came in by Glafgowe town,
We were a comely fight to fee, JO
My love was cled in black velvet,
And I my fell in cramasie.
But had I wift, before I kifst,
That love had been fae ill to win ;
I had lockt my heart in a cafe of govvd, 35
And pinnd it with a filler pin.
VOL. III. L And*
1 4 6 ANCIENT POEMS.
And, oh ! if my young babe were born,
And fet upon the nurfes knee,
And I my fell were dead and gane !
For a maid again Ife never be. 40
XII.
THE BRIDE's BURIAL.
From tnuo ancitnt copies in black-letter : one in the Pepys
Colledion j the other in the Eritijh Mufeum*
To the Tune of " The LaJfs Fall."
COME mourne, come mourne with mee,
You loyall lovers all ;
Lament my lofs in weeds of woe,
Whom griping grief doth thrall.
Like to the drooping vine, 5
Cut by the gardener's knife,
Even fo my heart, with forrow ilaine,
Doth b|eed for my fweet wife.
By
ANCIENT POEMS. 147
By death, that griflye ghoft.
My turtle dove is flaine, IO
And I am left, unhappy man,
To fpend my dayes in paine.
Her beauty late fo bright,
Like rofes in their prime,
Is wafted like the mountain fnowe, 15
Before wanne Phebus' ftiine.
Her fairc red colour'd cheeks
Now pale and wan ; her eyes,
That late did fhine like cryftal ftars ;
Alas, their light it dies : 20
Her prettye lilly hands,
With fingers long and fmall,
In colour like the earthly clave,
Yea, cold and ftiff withall.
When as the morning-ftar 25
Her golden gates had fpred,
And that the glittering fun arofe
Forth from fair Thetis' bed ;
Then did my love awake,
Molt like a lilly-flower, 30
And as the lovely queene of heaven,
So Ihonc ihee in her bower.
L Z Attired
148 ANCIENT POEMS.
Attired was fhee then'
Like Flora in her pride,
Like one of bright Diana's nymphs, 35
So look'd my loving bride.
And as fair Helens ce,
Did Grecian dam' : befmirche,
So did my dear exceed in fight,
All virgins in the church. 40
When we had knitt the knott
Of holy wedlock-band,
Like alabafter joyn'd to jett,
So flood we hand in hand ;
Then lo ! a chilling cold 45
Strucke every vital part,
And griping grief, like pangs of death,
Seiz'd on my true love's heart.
Down in a fwoon fhe fell,
As cold as any ftone ; 50
Like Venus pifture lacking life,
So was my love brought home.
At length her rofye red,
Throughout her comely face,
As Phoebus beames with watry cloudes 55
Was cover'd for a fpace.
When
ANCIENT POEMS. 149
When with a grievous groane,
And voice both hoarfe and drye,
Farewell, quoth me, my loving friend,
For I this daye muft dye ; 60
The meflenger of God,
With golden trumpe I fee,
With manye other angels more,
Which found and call for mee.
Inftead of muficke fweet, 65
Go toll my paffing-bell ;
And with fweet flowers ftrow my grave,
That in my chamber fmell.
Strip off my bride's arraye,
My cork fhoes from my feet ; 70
And, gentle mother, be not coye
To bring my winding-fheet.
My wedding dinner dreft,
Beftowe upon the poor,
And on the hungry, needy, maimde, 75
Now craving at the door.
Tnftead of virgins yong,
My bride-bed for to fee,
Go caufe fome cunning carpenter,
To make a cheft for mee. 80,
L 3 My
, 5 o ANCIENT POEMS.
My bride laces of filk,
Beftowd on maidens meet,
May fitly ferve, when I am dead,
To tye my hands and feet.
And thou, my lover true, 85
My hufband and my friend,
Let me intreat thee here to ftaye,
Until my life doth end.
Now leave to talk of lore,
And humblye on your knee, 90
Direft your prayers unto God,
But mourn no more for mee.
v
In love as we have livde,
In love let us depart ;
And I, in token of my love, 95
Do kifs thee with my heart.
ftaunch thofe bootlefs teares,
Thy weeping tis in vaine ;
1 am not loft, for wee in heaven '
Shall one daye meet againe. 100
With that fhee turn'd afide,
As one difpos'd to fleep,
And like a lamb departed life,
Whofe friends did forely weep.
Her
A N C I~E : N T P O EMS. 151
Her true love feeing this, 105
Did fetch a grievous groane,
As tho' his heart would burft in twaine,
And thus he made his moane.
O darke and difmal daye
A daye of grief and care,
i That hath bereft the fun fo bright,
Whofe beams refrefht the air.
Now woe unto the world,
And all that therein dwell,
O that I were with thee in heaven, 1 1^
For here I live in hell.
-
And now this lover lives
A difcontented life,
Whofe bride was brought unto the grave
A maiden and a wife. 120
A garland freftj and faire
Of lillies there was made,
In fign of her virginitye,
And on her coffin laid.
Six maidens, all in white, . 125
Did beare her to the ground :
The bells did ring in folemn fort,
And made a dolefull found.
V-r ' L 4 In
, 5 i ANCIENT POEMS.
In earth they laid her then, 130
For hungry wormes a preye ;
So (hall the faireft face alive,
At length be brought to claye.
XIII.
D U L C I N A.
Given from two ancient copies, one in black-print, in tht
Pepys collection ; the other in the editor's folio MS. The
fourth jianza is not found in MS, and feems redundant.
This fong is quoted as <very popular in Walton's Compleat
Angler, chap, 2, It is more ancient than the ballad c/*Ro-
B i N GOOD-FELLOW printed below, which yet is fupp ofed
to ha<ue been 'written by Ben Jon/on.
AS at noone Dulcina refted
In her fweete and fhady bower ;
Came a fhepherd, and requefted
In her lappe to deep an hour.
But from her looke 5
A wounde he tooke
So deepe, that for a further boone
The nymphe he prayes :
. Whereto fhe fayes,
Foregoe me now, come to me foone, 10
But
ANCIENT POEMS.
'53
But in vayne fhee did conjure him
To departe her prefence foe ;
Having a thoufand tongues to allure him,
And but one to bid him goe :
Where lippes invite, IP
And eyes delight,
And cheekes, as frefh as rofe in June,
Perfuade delay ;
What boots to fay,
Foregoe me now, come to me foone ? 20
He demands what time for pleafure
Can there be more fit than now :
She fayes, night gives love that leifure,
Which the day doth not allow.
He fjyes, the fight 25
* Improves delight :
Which (he denies ; nights mirkie noone
In Venus' playes "
Makes bold, {he fayes ;
Foregoe me now, come to mee foone. 30
I
But what promife or profeffion
From his hands could purchafe fcope ?
Who would fell the fweet pofleflion
Of fuche beautye for a hope ?
Or for the fight 35
Of lingering night
Foregoc
154 ANCIENT POEM 5.
Foregoe the prefent joyes of noone ?
Though ne'er foe faire
Her fpeeches were,
Foregoe me now, come to me foone. . 40
How, at laft, agreed thefe lovers ?
Shee was fayre, and he was young :
The tcngue may tell what th'eye difcovers j :
Joys unfeene are never fung.
Did fhee confent, 4>
Or he relent ;
Accepts hee night, or grants fhee ncone ;
Left he her a mayd,
Or not ; fhe fayd
Foregoe me now, come to me foone. 50
XIV.
THE LADY ISABELLA'S TRAGEDY.
This ballad is given from an old black-letter espy in the
Pepys collection, collated 'with another in the Eritijh Mu-
Jeum, H. 263. folio. It is there infilled, " The Lady
" Ifabdla's Tragedy, or the Step-Mother's Cruelty : being
"a relation of a lamentable and cruel murther, committed
" on the body of the lady Ifabella, the only daughter r,f a
" noble duke, &c. To the tune of the Lady's Fall."
To feme copies are annexed eight mire modern Jianzas,
intitletL, " The Dutcbefs's and ' : CooFs Lamentation'"
THERE
ANCIENT POEMS. 155
THERE was a lord of worthy fame,
And a hunting he would ride,
Attended by a noble traine
Of gentrye by his fide.
And while he did in chafe remaine, 5
To fee both fport and playe ;
His ladye went, as (he did feigne,
Unto the church to praye.
This lord he had a daughter deare,
Whofe beauty (hone fo bright, IO
She was belov'd, both far and neare,
Of many a lord and knight.
Fair Ifabella was (he call'd,
A creature faire was fhee ;
She was her fathers only joye ; 15
As you {hall after fee.
Therefore her cruel ftep-mother
Did envye her fo much ;
That daye by daye fhe fought her life,
Her malice it was fuch. 20
She bargain'd with the mafter-cook,
To take her life awaye :
And taking of her daughters book,
She thus to her did faye.
Thii
156 ANCIENT POEMS,
.
Go home, fweet daughter, I thee praye, 25
Go haften prefentlie j
And tell unto the mafter-cook
Thefe wordes that I tell thee.
And bid him dreffe to dinner ftreight
That faire and milk-white doe, 30
That in the parke doth fliine fo bright,
There's none fo faire to fhowe.
This ladye fearing of no harme,
Obey'd her mothers will ;
And prefentlye fhe hafted home, 35
Her pleafure to fulfill.
She ftreight into the kitchen went,
Her mefiage for to tell ;
And there fhe fpied the mafter-cook,
Who did with malice fwell. 40
Nowe, mafter-cook, it muft be foe,
Do that which I thee tell :
You needes muft dreffe the milk-white doe,
Which you do knowe full well.
Then ftreight his cruell bloodye hands, 45
He on the ladye layd ;
Who quivering and fhaking ftands,
While thus to her he fayd ;
Thou
A N C I E N T P O E M S. 157
Thou art the doe, that I mu ft drefle ;
See here, behold my knife ; 50
For it is pointed prefently
To ridd thee of thy life.
O then, cried out the fcullion-boyc,
As loud as loud might bee:
fave her life, good mailer-cook, 55
And make your pyes of mee !
For pityes fake do not deflroye
My ladye with your knife ;
You know fhee is her father's joye,
For Chriftes fake fave her life. 60
1 will not fave her life, he fayd,
Nor make my pyes of thee ;
Yet if thou doft this deed bewraye,
Thy butcher I will bee.
Now when this lord he did come home 65
For to fit downe and eat ;
He called for his daughter deare,
To come and carve his meat.
Now fit you downe, his ladye fayd,
O fit you downe to meat : 70
Into fome nunnery me is gone ;
Your daughter deare forget.
8 Then
, 5 8 ANCIENT POEMS.
Then folemnlye he made a vowe,
'Before the companie r
That he would neither eat nor drinke, 75
Until he did her fee.
then befpake the fcullion-boye,
With a loud voice fo hye :
If now you will your daughter fee,
My lord, cut up that pye : So
Wherein her flefhe is minced fmall.
And parched with the fire ;
AH caufed by her ftep-mother,
Who did her death defire.
And curfed bee the matter-cook, 85
O curfed may he bee !
1 proffered him my own hearts blood,
From death to fet her free.
Then all in blacke this lord did mourne ;
And for his daughters fake, oo
He judged her cruell ftep-mother
To be burnt at a ftake.
Likewife he judg'd the mafter-cook
In boiling lead to fland ;
And made the firaple fcullion-boye oc
The heire of all his land.
XV. A
AN GTE NT POEMS. 159
XV.
A HUE AND CRY AFTER CUPID
This Song is a kind of Tranf.ation of a pretty poem of
Tafo's, called Amore fuggitivo, generally printed i-.-Hy
bit AM INT A, and originally imitated from the fir Jl l.lji-
li,um of Mofcbus.
It is extracted from Ben Jonfon's Mafque at the marriage
of lord iii/count Hadinatoifi on Sbro-~ue-~T uefdaj i6f 8. Or.s
ftanza full of dry mythology is here omitted, as it bad 6ee*
dropt in a copy of this Jong printed in a fmall 'volumi
called " Le Prince d' amour. Load, 1660." 8vo.
BEAUTIES, have yee feen a toy,
Called Love, a little boy,
Almoll naked, wanton, blinde ;
Cruel now ; and then as kinde?
If he be amongft yee, fay ; 5
He is Venus' run away.
Shee, that will but now difcorer
Where the winged wag doth hover,
Shall to-night receive a kifTe,
How and where herfelfe would wifh : jo
But who brings him to his mother
Shall have that kifle, and another.
Markes he hath about him plentie ;
You may know him among twentie :.
7 All
160 ANCIENT POEMS.
All his body is a fire, 1 5
And his breath a flame entire :
Which, being fhot, like lightning, in,
Wounds the heart, but not the fkin.
Wings he hath, which though yee clip,
He will leape from lip to lip, 20
Over liver, lights, and heart j
Yet not ftay in any part.
And, if chance his arrow mifies,
He will fhoot himfelfe in kiffes.
He doth beare a golden bow, 25
And a quiver hanging low,
Full of arrowes, which outbrave
Dian's fhafts ; where, if he have
Any head more iharpe than other,
With that firft he ftrikes his mother. 30
Still the faireft are his fuell,
When his daies are to be cruell ;
Lovers hearts are all his food,
And his baths their warmeft bloud :
Nought but wounds his hand doth feafon, 35
And he hates none like to Reafon.
Truft him not : his words, though fweet,
Seldome with his heart doe meet :
All his practice is deceit ;
Everie gift is but a bait : 40
Not
ANCIENT POEMS. 161
Not a kifle but poyfon beares ;
And mod treafon's in his tcares.
Idle minutes are his raigne ;
Then the ftraggler makes his gaine,
By prefenting maids with toyes 45
And would have yee thinke hem joyes 1
'Tis the ambition of the elfe
To have all childifh as himfelfe.
If by thefe yee pleafe to know him,
Beauties, be not nice, but mow him. 50
Though yee had a will to hide him, .
Now, we hope, yee'le not abide him.
Since yee heare this falfer's play,
And that he is Venus* run-away.
XVI.
THE KING OF FRANCE'S DAUGHTER.
The ftory of this Ballad feems to be taken from an incident
in the domejiic hijiory of Charles the Bald, king of France.
His daughter 'Judith was betrothed to, Ethelwulph king of
England : but before the marriage was confummated, Ethel-
vuitlph died, and Jhe returned to France : whence Jhe 'was
carried off by Baldwin, Forejier of Flanders ; *who after
many crojjes and difficulties, at length obtained the kings
conjent to their marriage, and 'was made Earl of Flanders.
This happened about A. D. 863. See Rapin, Henaulf,
and the French Hi/for tans.
VOL. III. M Vkt
162 ANCIENT POEMS.
The following copy is given from the editor's ancient folio
MS. collated 'with another in black letter in the Pepys
CoHeSion, intitled, " An excellent Ballad of a prince of
" England's courtjhip to the king of France's daughter, &c.
" To the tune of C rim/on Velvet"
Many breaches having been made in this old fong by the
land of time, principally (as might be expeSed) in the
quick returns of the rhime ; an attempt is hers made to repair
them. ,
TN the dayes of old,
JL When faire France did flourifh,
"Storyes plains have told,
Lovers felt annoye.
The queene a daughter bare, 5
Whom beautye's queene did nourilh :
She was lovelye faire
She was her fathers joye.
A prince of England came,
Whofe deeds did merit fame, 10
But he was exil'd, and outcaft :
Love his foul did fire,
Shee granted his defire,
Their hearts in one were linked faft.
Which when her father proved, 15
Sorelye he was moved,
And tormented in his minde.
He fought for to prevent them ;
And, to difcontent them,
Fortune crofs'd thefe lovers kinde. 20
When thefe princes twaine
Were thus barr'd of pleafure,
Through the kinges difdaine,
Which
ANCIENT POEMS. ,63
Which their joyes withftoode :
The lady foone prepar'd 25
Her Jewells and her treafure ;
Having no regard
For ftate and royall bloode ;
In homelye poore array
She went from court away, 30
To meet her joye and hearts delight ;
Who in a forreft great
Had taken up his feat,
To wayt her coming in the night.
But, lo ! what fudden danger *c
To this princely flranger
Chanced, as he fate alone !
By outlawes he was robbed,
And with ponyards ftabbed,
Uttering many a dying gronc. 40
The princefle, arm'd by love,
And by chafte defire,
All the night did rove
Without dread at all :
Still unknowne fhe paft 45
In her ftrange attire ;
Coming at the laft
Within echoes call,
You faire woods, quoth fliee,
Honoured may you bee, 50
Harbouring my hearts delight ;
Which encompafs here
My joye and only deare,
My truftye friend, and comelye knight.
M z Swcete,
164 ANCIENT POEMS.
Sweete, I come unto thee, 55
Sweete, I come to woo thee ;
That thou mayil not angry bee
For my long delaying ;
For thy curteous ftaying
Soone amendes He make to thee. 9
Faffing thus alone
Through the filent foreft,
Many a grievous grone
Sounded in her cares :
She heard one complayne 6;
And lament the foreft,
Seeming all in payne,
Shedding deadly teares.
Farewell, my deare, quoth hee,
Whom I muft never fee ; 70
For why my life is att an end,
Through villaines crueltye :
For thy fweet fake I dye,
To mow I am a faithfull friend.
Here I lye a bleeding, 75
While my thoughts arc feeding
On the rareft beautye found.
O hard happ, that may be !
Little knowes my lad ye
My heartes blood lyes on the ground. 8e
With that a grone he fends
Which did burft in fuader
All the tender bands
Of
ANCIENT POEMS. [165
Of his gentle heart;
She, who knewe his voice, 85
At his wordes did wonder ;
All her former joyes
Did to griefe convert.
Strait flic ran to fee,
Who this man mold bee, 9*
That foe like her love did feeme :
Her lovely lord (he found
Lye flaine upon the ground,
Smear'd with gore a ghaftlye ftreame.
Which his lady fpying, 95
Shrieking, fainting, crying,
Her forrows could not uttered bee :
Fate, me cryed, too cruell :
For thee my deareft Jewell,
Would God ! that I had dyed for thee. ioe
His pale lippes, alas !
Twentye times me kiffed,
And his face did warn
With her trickling teares :
Every gaping wound 105
Tenderlye me prefled,
And did wipe it round
With her golden haires.
Speake, faire love, quoth fhee,
Speake, faire prince, to mee, 1 1
One fweete word of comfort give :
Lift up thy deare eyes,
Liften to my cryes,
Thinke in what fad griefe I live.
M 3 All
i66 ANCIENT POEMS.
All in vaine fhe fued, n$
All in vaine fhe wooed,
The prince's life was fled and gone.
There Hood fhe ftill mourning,
Till the funs retourning,
And bright day was coming on. 120
In this great diftreffe
Weeping, way ling ever,
Oft fhee cryed, alas !
What will become of mee ?
To my fathers court j 25
I returne will never :
But in lowlye fort
I will a fervant bee.
While thus fhe made her mone,
Weeping all alone, 130
In this deepe and deadlye feare :
A for'fter all in greene,
Moft comelye to be feene,
Ranging the woods did find her there :
Moved with her forrowe, 135
Maid, quoth hee, good morrowe,
What hard happ has brought thee here ?
Harder happ did never
Two kinde hearts diffever :
Here lyes ilaine my brother deare. 140
Where may I remaine,
Gentle for'iler, fhew me,
Till
A N C I E N T P O E M S. i6; ;
Till I can obtaine
A fervice in my neede ?
Paines I will not fpare : I j ?
This kinde favour doe me,
It will cafe my care ;
Heaven fliall be thy meede.
The for'fter all amazed,
On her beautye gazed, 150
Till his heart was fet on fire.
If, faire maid, quoth hee,
You will goe with mee,
You ftiall have your hearts defire.
He brought her to his mother, 155
And above all other
He fett forth this maidens praife.
Long was his heart inflamed,
At length her love he gained,
And fortune crown'd his future dayes. 160
Thus unknowne he wedde
With a kings faire daughter;
Children feven they had,
Ere fhe told her birth.
Which when once he knew, 165
Humblye he befought her,
He to the world might (hew
Her rank and princelye worth.
He cloath'd his children then,
(Not like other men) 170
In partye-colours ftrange to fee ;
M 4 The
. j68 ANCIENT POEMS,
The right fide cloth of gold,
The left fide to behold,
Of woollen cloth ftill framed hee *.
Men thereatt did wonder ; 175
Golden fame did thunder
This ftrange deede in every place :
The king of France came thither,
It being pleafant weather,
In thofe woods the hart to chafe. 1 80
The children then they bring,
So their mother will'd it,
Where the royall king
Muft of force come bye :
Their mothers riche array, 1 85
Was of crimfon velvet :
Their fathers all of gray,
Seemelye to the eye.
Then this famous king,
Noting every thing, 190
* This will remind the reader of the livery and device
ef Charles Brandon, a private gentleman, r whn married the
Queen Doivager of France, Jifter of Henry V11I. At a tour-
nament which he held at his wedding, the trappings of his
borfe 'were half Cloth of gold, and half Frieze, with the
following Motto,
" Cloth of Gold, do not difpife,
" Tho' thou art matcht with Cloth of Prize J
" Cloth of Prize, be not too bold,
" Tho' thou art matcht -with Cloth of Gold."
See Sir W. Temple's Mifc. vol. 3. /. 336.
Afkt
ANCIENT POEMS. 169
Aflct how he durft be fo bold
To let his wife foe weare,
And decke his children there
In coftly robes of pearl and gold.
The forrefter replying, io,e,
And the caufe defcrying*,
To the king thefe words did fay,
Well may they, by their mother,
Weare rich clothes with other,
Being by birth a princefse gay. ao
The king aroufed thus,
More heedfullye beheld them,
Till a crimfon blufh
His remembrance croft.
The more I fix my mind 205
On thy wife and children,
The more methinks I find
The daughter which I loft.
Falling on her knee,
I am that child, quoth mee ; 210
Pardon mee, my foveraine liege.
The king perceiving this,
His daughter deare did kifs,
While joyfull teares did ftopp his fpeeche.
With his traine he tourned, 215
And with them fojourned.
Strait he dubb'd her hu(band knight ;
Then made him crle of Flanders,
And
* it Ct defcrjHng, See Glofs,
I 7 o ANCIENT P O JE M S,
And chiefe of his commanders :
Thus were their forrowes put to flight.
XVII.
THE SWEET NEGLECT.
Tins little madrigal (extrafled from Sen Jvnfon's Silent
Woman, Aft. I. Se. I. Fir ft acted in 1609.^ is in imita-
tion of a Latin poem printed at the end of the Variorum
E.dit. of Petronius, beginning " Semper raunditias, fem-
per Efafilifla, decoras, &c" See Whallefs Ben Jonfon,
W. 2. p. 420.
STILL to be neat, ftill to be dreft,
As you were going to a feaft :
Still to be pou'dred, ftill perfum'd :
Lady, it is to be prefum'd,
Though art's hid caufes are not found, 5
All is not fweet, all is not found.
Give me a looke, give me a face,
That makes fimplicitie a grace ;
Robes loofely flowing, haire as free :
Such fweet neglect more taketh me, 10
Than all th' adulteries of art,
That Urike mine eyes, but not my heart.
XVIII. THE
ANCIENT POEMS. 171
XVIII.
THE CHILDREN IN THE WOOD.
The fubjecl of this very popular Ballad (which has been,
fit in Jo favourable a light by the Spectator, N 85.^ feems
to be taken from an eld play, intitled, " Two lamentable
'* Tragedies, The one of the murder of Maiftsr Beech, a
" chandler in Thames-jlreete, f?r. The other of a young
" child murthered in a wood by two ritjfins, with the con-
" fent of his unkle. By Rub. Tarrington, 1601. 4/0." Our
ballad-maker has JtriQly followed the play in the defcription
cf the father and mother's dying charge : in the uncle's
promife to take can of their ijjue : his hiring two ruffians
to dejlroy his 'ward, under pretence of fending him tafchoolc
their ckujing a wood to perpetrate the murder in : one of
the ruffians relenting, and a battle enfuing, &c . In other
refpe&s be has departed from the play. In the latter the
fcene is laid in Padua : there is but one child : which is
murdered by afudden flab of the unrelenting ruffian : be is
Jlain himfelf by his left bloody companion, but erg he dies
gives the other a mortal --wound ': the, latter living juj} long
enough to impeach the uncle ; who in confequence of this im-
peachment is arraigned and executed by the hand of jujlice t
&c. Whether compares the play ivith the ballad, will have
no doubt but the former is the original : the language is far
more obfolete, and fuch vein of Jimplicity runs thro* the
whole performance, that had the ballad been written firjt t
there is no doubt but every circumjiance of it would have
teen received into the drama : whereas this was probably
tuilt on fame Italian novel.
Printed from two ancient copies, one of them in black let-
ter in the Pepys Colleftion. It's title at large is, " The
11 Children in the Wood: or, The Norfolk Gentleman's
4< Loft Witt and Tejlament : To the tune ofRogero, bV."
NOW
ANCIENT POEMS.
NOW ponder well, you parents deare,
Thefe wordcs, which I fhall write ;
A doleful flory you (hall heare,
In time brought forth to light :
A gentleman of good account 5
In Norfolke dwelt of late,
Who did in honour far furmount
Moft men of his eftate.
Sore Ccke he was, and like to dye,
No helpe his life could fave ; 10
His wife by him as ficke did lye,
And both pofleft one grave.
No love between thefe two was loft,
Each was to other kinde,
In love they liv'd, in love they dyed, 15
And left two babes behinde :
The one a fine and pretty boy.
Not paffing three yeares olde ;
The other a girl more young than he,
And fram'd in beautyes molde. 30
Tte father left his little fon,
As plainlye doth appeare,
When he to perfect age mould come,
Three hundred poundes a yeare.
And to his little daughter Jane 25
Five hundred poundes in gold,
To be paid downe on marriage-day,
Which might not be controll'd :
But
ANCIENT POEMS. 173
But if the children chance to dye,
Ere they to age fhould come, 30
Their uncle fliould poflefle their wealth ;
For fo the wille did run.
Now, brother, faid the dying man,
Look to my children deare ;
Be good unto my boy and girl, 35
No friendes elfe have they here :
To God and you I recommend
My children deare this daye ;
But little while be fure we have
Within this world to ftaye. 40
You muft be father and mother both,
And uncle all in one ;
God knowes what will become of them,
When I am dead and gone.
With that befpake their mother deare, . , 45
O brother kinde, quoth fhee,
You are the man muft bring our babes
To wealth or miferie :
And if you keep them carefully,
Then God will you reward ; O
But if you otherwife mould deal,
God will your deedes regard.
With lippes as cold as any ftone,
They kift their children fmall :
God blefs you both, my children deare ; 55
With that the tearcs did fall.
3 Thefe
. ANCIENT POEMS.
Thefe fpeeches then their brother fpake
To this ficke couple there,
The keeping of your little ones
Sweet -fifter, do not feare ; 60
God never profper me nor mine,
Nor aught elfe that I have,
If I do wrong your children deare,
When you are layd in grave.
The parents being dead and gone, 65
The children home he takes,
And bringes them ftraite unto his houfe,
Where much of them he makes.
He had not kept thefe pretty babes
A twelvemonth and a daye, 70
But, for their wealth, he did devife
To make them both awaye.
He bargain'd with two ruffians ftrong,
Which were of furious mood,
That they mould take thefe children young, 75
And flaye them in a wood :
He told his wife an artful tale,
He would the children fend
To be brought up in faire London,
With one that was his friend. 80
Away then went thefe pretty babes,
Rejoycing at that tide,
Rejoycing
ANCIENT POEMS. 175
P.eioycing with a merry minde,
They mould on cock-horfe ride.
They prate and prattle pleafantly, $5
As they rode on the waye,
To thofe that fhould their butchers be,
And work their lives decaye.
So that the pretty fpeeche they had,
Made Murder's heart relent ; 90
And they that undertooke the deed,
Full fore did now repent.
Yet one of them more hard of heart,
Did vowe to do his charge,
Becaufe the wretch, that hired him, 95
Had paid him very large.
The other won't agree thereto,
So here they fall to ftrife ;
With one another they did fight,
About the child rens life : 100
And he that was of mildelr. mood,
Did flaye the other there,
Within an unfrequented wood :
The babes did quake for feare !
He took the children by the hand, 105
Teares ftanding in their eye,
And bad them flraitwaye follow him,
And look they did not crye :
7 And
176 ANCIENT POEMS.
And two long miles he ledd them on,
While they for food complaine : I J
Staye here, quoth he, I'll bring you bread,
When I come back againe.
Tbefe pretty babes, with hand in hand,
Went wandering up and downe ;
But never more could fee the man 1 15
Approaching from the town :
Their prettye lippes with black-berries,
Were all befmear'd and dyed,
And when they fawe the darkfome night,
They fat them downe and cryed. 120
Thus wandered thefe poor innocents,
Till deathe did end their grief,
In one anothers armes they dyed,
As wanting due relief:
No burial ' this' pretty 'pair* 125
Of any man receives,
Till Robin-red-breaft pioufly
Did cover them with leaves.
And now the heavy wrathe of God
Upon their uncle fell ; 130
Yea, fearfull fiends did haunt his houfe,
His confcience felt an hell :
His barnes were fir'd, his goodes confum'd,
His landes were barren made,
His
yer, 125. thefe. , babes, P P,
ANCIENT POEMS. 177
His cattle dyed within the field, 13;
And nothing with him flayd.
And in a voyage to Portugal
Two of his fonnes did dye ;
And to conclude, himfelfe was brought
To want and miferye : 140
He pawn'd and mortgaged all his land
Ere feven yeares came about.
And now at length this wicked aft
Did by this meanes come out :
The fellowe, that did take in hand 145
Thefe children for to kill,
Was for a robbery judg'd to dye,
Such was Gods blefled will;
Who did confefs the very truth,
As here hath been difplay'd: 150
Their uncle having dyed in gaol,
Where he for debt was layd.
You that executors be made,
And overfeers eke
Of children that be fatherlefs, 155
And infants mild and meek ;
Take you example by this thing,
And yield to each his right,
Left God with fuch like miferye
Your wicked minds requite. 160
VOL. III. N XIX. A
i 7 8 ANCIENT POEMS.
XIX.
A LOVER OF LATE.
From the Editor's folio Manufcript.
A Lover of late was I,
For Cupid would have it foe,
The boye that hath never an eye,
As everye man doth knowe :
I fighed and fobbed, and cryed, alas \ 5
For her that laught, and call'd me afs.
Then knew not I what to doe,
When I faw it was all in vaine
A ladye fo coy to woe,
Who gave me the afle fo plaine : ic
Yet would I her afle freelye bee,
Soe fhee would helpe, and beare with race.
An* I were as faire as fhee,
Or fhee were as fond as I,
What paire could have made, as wee, 15
So prettye a fympathye :
1 was as fond as fhee was faire,
But for all this we could not paire.
Pair
ANCIENT POEMS. 179
Paire with her that will for mee,
With her I will never paire ; 20
That cunningly can be coy,
For being a little faire.
The afle I'll leave to her difdaine ;
And now I am myfelfe againe.
XX.
THE KING AND MILLER OF MANSFIELD.
// has bet ft a favourite fubjefi nvith our En^lijh ballad'
''makers to rtprrfent our kings convtrjing, either by accident
or de/lgn, with tbe meancjt of their fubjitls. Of the farmer
kind, befides this fong of the King and the Miller j ive
have K. Henry and the Soldier', K. James I. and tbt
Tinker ; K. William IIL and the Forrefler, &V. Of the
latter fort, are K. Alfred and the Shepherd ; K. Ed-ward
IV. and the Tamer ; K. Henry VIIL and the Cobler, & e .
A few if the bejt of theft art admitted into this
eelleclion. Both the author of the following ballad* and
others luho have written on the fame plan, feem to have
copied a very ancient poem, intitled JOHN THE REEVE,
"jebich is built on an ad-venture of the fame kind, that hap-
pemd between K. Edward Lsngjbanks, and one of his Ree-ves
or Bailiffs- This is a piece of great antiquity, being writ-
ten before the time cf Edward IV. and for its genuine hu-
mour, diverting incidents, and faithful pifiure cf ruftic
manners, is infinitely fupericr to ail that have bscn jinct
'written in imitation of it. The editor has a copy in his
ancient folio MS. but its length rendered it improper for
this "volume, it conjijling of more than 900 lines. It contains
alfo fame corruptions, and the editor chafes to defer its pub-
lication in hopes that fame time or other he Jball be able to
remove them.
N 2 Tbt
,8o ANCIENT POEMS.
The /allowing is printed from the editor's ancient folia
MS. collated with an old black-letter copy in the Pepys col-
leftion, intitled " A fleafant ballad of K. Henry II. and
" the Miller'of Mansfield, Wr."
PART THE FIRST.
HENRY, our royall king, would ride a hunting
To the greene foreft fo pleafant and faire ;
To fee the harts flopping, and dainty does tripping :
Unto merry Sherwood his nobles repaire :
Hawke and hound were unbound, all things prepar'd ;;
-For the game, in the fame, with good regard.
All a long fumtners day rode the king pleafantlye,
With all his princes and nobles eche one ;
Chafing the hart and hind, and the bucke gallantlye,
Till the dark evening forc'd all to turne home. 10
Then at ]a, riding faft, he had loft quite
All his lords in the wood, late in the night.
Wandering thus wearilye, all alone, up and downc.
With a rude miller he mett at the laft :
Afking the ready way unto faire Nottingham ; 15
Sir, quoth the miller, I meane not to jeft,
Yet I thinke, what I thinke, footh for to fay,
You doe not lightlye ride out of your way.
Why, what doft thou think of me, quoth our king merrily.
Faffing thy judgment upon me fo briefe? 20
Good
A N C I E N T P O E M S. 181
Good faith, fayd the miller, I meane not to flatter thee;
1 guefs thee to bee but fome gentleman thiefe ;
Stand thee backe, in the darke ; light not adowne,
Left that I prefentlye cracke thy knaves crowne.
Thou dolt abufe me much, quoth the king, faying thus;
I am a gentleman ; lodging I lacke. 26
Thou haft not, quoth th' miller, one groat in thy purfej
Ail thy inheritance hanges on thy backe.
* I have gold to difcharge all that I call
If it be forty pence, I will pay all. 30
If thou beeft a true man, then quoth the miller,
I fweare by my toll-difh, I'll lodge thee all night.
Here's my hand, quoth the king, that was I ever.
Nsy, fofc, quoth the miller, thou may'ft be a fprite.
Better I'll know thee, ere hands we will {hake; 35
With none but honelt men hands will I take.
Thus they went all along unto the millers houfe ;
Where they were feething of puddings and foufe :
The miller firft enter'd in, after him went the king ;
Never came hee in foe fmoakye a houfe. 40
Now, quoth hee, let me fee here what you are.
Quoth our king, looke your fill, and doe not fpare.
I like well thy countenance, thou haft an honeft face;
With my fon Richard this night thou malt lye.
Q.ucnh his wife, by my troth, it is a handfome youth, 45
N 3 Yet
* The king fa> i this.
182 A N C I E N T POEMS.
Yet it's beft, hufband, to deal warilye.
Art thou no run-away, prythee, youth, tell ?
Shew me thy paflport, and all fhal be well.
Then our king prefentlye, making lowe courtefy^,
With his hatt in his hand, thus he did fay ; 50
I have no paflport, nor never was fervitor,
But a poor courtyer, rode out of my way :
And for your kindnefs here offered to mee,
1 will requite you in everye degree :
Then to the miller his wife whifper'd fecretlye, 55
Saying, It feemeth, this youth's of good kin,
Both by his apparel, and eke by his manners ;
To turne him out, certajnlye, were a great fin.
Yea, quoth hee, you may fee, he hath fome gn.ce,
When he doth fpeake to his betters in place. 60
Well, quo' the millers wife, young man, ye're welcome
And, though I fay it, well lodged mall be : [here;
Frefh ftraw will I have, laid on thy bed fo brave,
And good brown hempen fheetes likewife, quoth fhee.
Aye, quoth the good man ; and when that is done, 65
Thou lhalt lye with no worfe, than our own fonne.
Nay, firft, quoth Richard, good-fellowe, tell me true,
Haft thou noe creepers within thy gay hofe ?
Or art thou not troubled with the fcabbado ?
I pray, quoth the king, what creatures are thofe? 70
Art
ANCIENT POEMS. 183
Art thou not lowfy, nor fcabby ? quoth he :
If thou beeft, furely thou lycft not with mee.
This caus'd the king.fuddenlye, to laugh mod heartilye,
Till the teares trickled faft downe from his eyes.
Then to their fupper were they fet orderlye, 75
With hot bag-puddings, and good apple-pyes ;
Nappy ale, good and ftale, in a browne bowle,
Which did about the board merrilye trowle.
Here, quoth the miller, good fellowe, 1 drinke to thee,
And to all * cuckolds, wherever they bee.' So
I pledge thee, quoth our king, and thanke thee heartilye
For my good welcome in everye degree :
And here, in like manner, I drinke to thy fonne.
Do then, quoth Richard, and quicke let it come.
Wife, quoth the miller, fetch me forth lightfoote, 85
And of his fweetnefie a little we'll tafte.
A fair ven'fon paftye brought flic out prefentlye.
Eate, quoth the miller, but, fir, make no wafte :
Here's dainty lightfoote ! In faith, fayd the king,
I never before eate fo daintye a thing. 90
I wis, quoth Richard, no daintye at all it is,
For we doe eate of it everye day.
In what place, fayd our king, may be bought like to this ?
We never pay pennye for itt, by my fay :
N 4 From
fir. 80, courtnalls, that courteous be, MS, and P.
184 ANCIENT POEMS.
From merry Sherwood we fetch it home here ; 95
Jvlbw and then we make bold with our kings deer.
Then I thinke, fayd our king, that it is venifon.
Eche foole, quoth Richard, full well may know that :
Never are wee without two or three in the roof,
Very well fleflied, and excellent fat : ico
But, prythee, fay nothing wherever thou goe ;
We wold not, for two pence, the king mould it knowe.
Doubt not, then fayd the king, my promift fecrefye ;
The king fhall never know more on't for mee.
A cupp of lambs-wool they dranke unto him then, 105
And to their bedds they part prefentlie.
The nobles, next morning, went all up and down,
For to feeke out the king in everye towne.
At laft, at the millers 'cott', foone they efpy'd him out,
As he was mounting upon his faire fteede ; 1 10
To whom they came prefer tly, falling down on their knee ;
Which made the millers heart wofully bleede :
Shaking and quaking, before him he Hood,
Thinking he mould have been hang'd, by the rood.
The king perceiving him fearfully trembling, 115
Drew forth his fword, but nothing he fed :
The miller downe did fall, crying before them all,
Doubting the king would have cut off his head :
But he his kind courtefye for to requite,
Gave him great living, and dubb'd him a knight. 120
PART
ANCIENT POEMS. 185
PART THE SECOND.
"ITl7Hen as our royall king came home from Notting-
And with his nobles at Weftminfter lay; [ham,
Recounting the fports and paftimes they had taken,
In this late progrefs along on the way ;
Of them all, great and fmall, he did proteft, 5
The miller of Mansfield's fport liked him beft.
And now, my lords, quoth the king, I am determined
Againft St. Georges next fuinptuous feaft,
That this old miller, our new confirmed knight,
With his fon Richard, fhall here be my gueft : 10
For, in this merryment, 'tis my defire
To talke with the jolly knight, and the young fquire.
When as the noble lords faw the kinges pleafantnefs,
They were right joyfull and glad in their hearts ;
A purfuivant there was fent ftraight on the bufinefs, 15
The which had often-times been in thole parts.
When he came to the place, where they did dwell,
His niefiage orderlye then 'gan he tell.
God fave your worfhippe, then faid the meflenger,
And grant your ladye her owne hearts defire ; 20
And to your fcnne Richard good fortune and happinifs;
That fweet, gentle, and gallant young fquire.
Our king greets you well, and thus he doth fay,
Yeu mutt come to the court on St. Georges day ;
Thcr/ore
,86 ANCIENT POEMS.
Therfore, in any cafe, faile not to be in place. 25
I wis, quoth the miller, this is an odd jeft :
What mould we doe there ? faith, I am halfe afraid.
I doubt, quoth Richard, to be hang'd at the leaft.
Nay, quoth the meffenger, you doe miftake ;
Our king he provides a great feaft for your fake. 30
Then fayd the miller, By my troth, meflenger,
Thou haft contented my worfliippe full well.
Hold here are three farthings, to quite thy gentlenefs,
For thefe happy tydings, which thou doft tell.
Let me fee, hear thou mee ; tell to our king, 35
We'll wayt on his mafterfhipp in everye thing.
The purfuivant fmiled at their fimplicitye,
And, making many leggs, tooke their reward ;
And his leave taking with great humilitye
To the kings court againe he repair'd ; 40
Shewing unto. his grace, merry and free,
The knightes moft liberall gift and bountie.
When he was gone away, thus gan the miller fay,
Here come expences and charges indeed ;
Now muft we needs be brave, tho' we fpend all we have ;
For of new garments we have great need : 46
Of horfes and ferving-men we mini have ftore,
With bridles and faddles, and tvventye things more.
Tuflie,
ANCIENT POEMS. 187
Tufhe, fir John, quoth his wife, why mould you frctt, or
You fhall ne'er be att no charges for mee ; [frowne?
For I will turne and trim up my old ruflet gowne, 5 i
With everye thing elfe as fine as may bee ;
And on our mill-horfes fwift we will ride,
With pillowes and pannells as we mall provide.
In this moft ftatelye fort, rode they unto the court, 55
Their jolly fonne Richard rode foremoft of all;
Who fet up, for good hap, a cocks feather in his cap,
And fo they jetted downe to the kings hall;
The merry old miller with hands on his fide ;
His wife, like maid Marian, did mince at that tide. 60
The king and his nobles, that heard of their coming.
Meeting this gallant knight with his brave traine ;
Welcome, fir knight, quoth he, with your gay lady :
Good fir John Cockle, once welcome againe :
And fo is the fquire of courage foe free. 65
Quoth Dicke, A bots on you! do you know mee?
Quoth our king gentlye, how fhould I forget thee ?
That waft my owne bed-fellowe, well it I wot.
Yea, fir, quoth Richard, and by the fame token,
Thou with thy farting didft make the bed hot. 70
Thou whorc-fon unhappy knave, then quoth the knight,
Speake cleanly to our king, or elfe go fh*t*.
The
Vtr, 57. for good hap : i.e. fir good luck j they were going on an ba-
xtraoui expedition.
Per. 66. Maid Marian in the Morris dance, ivas rcprefcnted by a man
in woman's deaths, IV/JD ivat to take Jbort ftepi In arder to fit/lain tbe
female
j88 ANCIENT POEMS.
The king and his courtiers laugh at this heartily,
While the king taketh them both by the hand ;
With the court-dames, and maids, like to the queen of
fpades 75
The millers wife did foe orderly ftand,
A milk-maids courtefye at every word ;
And downe all the folkes were fet to the board.
There the king royally, in princelye majeftye,
Sate at his dinner with joy and delight ; go
When they had eaten well, then he to jefting fell,
And in a bowle of wine drarike to the knight :
Here's to you both, in wine, ale and beer ;
Thanking you heartilye for my good cheer.
Quoth fir John Cockle, I'll pledge you a pottle, 85
Were it the beft ale in Nottinghamshire :
But then faid our king, now I think of a thing ;
Some of your lightfoote I would we had here.
Ho! ho ! quoth Richard, full well I may fay it,
'Tis knavery to eate it, and then to betray it. 90
Why art thou angry ? quoth our king merrilye ;
In faith, I take it now very unkind :
I thought thou wouldfl pledge me in. ale and wine
heartily.
Quoth Dicke, You are like to ftay till I have din'd :
You feed us with twatling dimes foe fmall ; 95
Zounds, a blacke-pudding is better than all.
7 Aye>
ANCIENT POEMS. 189
Ay, marry, quoth our king, that were a daintye thing,
Could a man get but one here for to eate. [hofe,
With that Dicke ftraite arofe, and pluckt one from his
Which with heat of his breech gan to fweate. 100
The king made a proffer to fnatch it away :
' Fis meat for your matter : good fir, you muH ftay.
Thus in great merriment was the time wholly fpent ;
And then the ladyes prepared to dance:
Old Sir John Cockle, and Richard, incontinent 105
Unto their places the king did advance :
Here with the ladyes fuch fport they did make,
The nobles with laughing did make their fides ake.
Many thankes for their paines did the king give them,
Aficing young Richard then, if he would wed ; 1 10
Among thefe ladyes free, tell me which liketh th<?e ?
Quoth he, Jugg Grumball, Sir, with the red head :
She's my love, (he's my life, her will I wed;
She hath fworn I mail have her maidenhead.
Then fir John Cockle the king call'd unto him, 115
And of merry Sherwood made him o'er-fee-r ;
And gave him out of hand three hundred pound yearlye;
Take heed now you fteale no more of my deer :
And once a quarter let's here have your view ;
And now, fir John Cockle, I bid vou auicu. - 120
XXI. THE
ANCIENT ? O E M S.
xxr.
THE SHEPHERD'S RESOLUTION.
This beautiful eld fong was 'written by a poet, vchsft
name would have been utterly forgotten, if it had not been
frefervcJ bj SWIFT, as a term of contempt. " DRYDEN
" and WITHER" are coupled by him like the BAVIUS and
MTE v i u s of Virgil. D R Y D E N havjc-ver has hadjuftice done
him by pcfterity : and as for WITHER, though of fubofdi-
nate merit* tbat he was not altogether devoid of genius,
ivill be judged from the following ft anzas. 'the truth is,
WITHER was a very voluminous party-writer : and as
his political and fatyrical Jtrokes rendered him extremely popu-
lar in his life time j fo afterwards, 'when theft ivere no longer
relijhed, they totally conjigned his ivrittxvs to oblivion.
GEORGE WITHER 'was torn June \\. 1588, and in
his younger yean dijlinguijhed himfelf by Jome paftoral
pieces, that ivere not inelegant ; but growing afterwards
involved in the political and religious difputes in the times
of James I. and Charles I. he employed his poetical vein
in fevcre pafquih on the court and clergy, and was occa-
Jionally a Jujferer for the freedom of his pen. In the civil
'war tbat enfued, he exerted himfelf in the fervice of tbt
Parliament, and became a confiderable Jbarer in the fpoils.
He ivas even one of thofe provincial tyrants, ivhom Oliver
dijiributed over the kingdom, under the name of Major Ge-
nerals ; and had the fleecing of the county of Surrey : but
furviving the Reftoration, he outlived both his povjfr and
his affluence ;' and giving vent to his chagrin in libels on
i tht
ANCIENT POEMS. i gi
the court, ivas long a prifoner in Newgate and the Tower.
He died at length on the 2</ of May, 1667.
During the 'whale courfe of his life, WITHER ivas a
continual publijher ; having generally for opponent,
TAYLOR the Water-poet. The long lift of his productions
may be feen in Wood's Athante. Oxon. <vol. 2. His mojl
popular fatirt, it intitled, " Abufts <whipt and ftript"
1613. H" mo fl P oel * ca l p'ects were eclogues, intitled t " The
Shepherd's Hunting." 161$, Z^o. and others printed at the
end of Browne's* 1 Shepherd's Pipe." 1614.8. The follow-
ing fonnet it extratted from a long paftoral piece of his, inti-
tled, " The UijlreJJe of Philarete." 1622. %<uo. which isfaid
in the preface to be one of the Author's frft poems : and may
therefore be dated as early as any of the foregoing.
SHALL I, wafting in difpaire,
Dye becaufe a woman's faire ?
Or make pale my cheeks with care,
'Caufe another's rofie are ?
Be fliee fairer then the day, 5
Or the flowry meads in may ;
If {he be not fo to mt,
What care I how faire fiiee be ?
Shall my foolifti heart be pin'd,
'Caufe I fee a woman kind i 10
Or a well-difpofcd nature
Joyned with a lovely feature ?
Be {hee meeker, kinder, than
The turtle-dove or pelican :
If mee be not fo to me, 15
What care I how kind fliee be ?
Shall
J9 2 ANCIENT POEMS.
Shall a woman's virtues move
Me to perifh for her love ?
Or, her well-defervings knowne,
Make me quite forget mine owne ? 20
Be (hee with that goodnefle bleft,
Which may merit name of Beft ;
If (he be not fuch to me,
What care I how good flic be ?
Caufe her fortune feemss too high, 25
Shall I play the foole and dye ?
Thofe that beare a noble minde,
Where they want of riches find,
Thinke what with them they would doe,
That without them dare to woe ; 30
And, unleffe that minde I fee,
What care I how great (he be ?
Great or good, or kind or faire,
I will ne'er the more difpaire :
If (he love me, this beleeve ; 35
I will die ere (he mail grieve.
If fhe flight me when I woos,
I can fcorne and let her goe :
If fhee be not fit for me,
What care I for whom me be ? 40
XXII. THE
ANCIENT POEMS. 193
XXII.
THE WANDERING PRINCE OF TROY.
T'his excellent old ballad, which perhaps ought to have
teen placed earlier in the 'volume, is given from -the editor's
folio MS. collated with two different printed copies, toth
in black letter in the Pepys collection.
The reader wia /mile to obferve with ivhat natural and
cffefling jimplicity. our ancient ballad-maker has engrafted
a Gothic conclujion dn the chjfic ftory of Virgil, from --whom,
however, it is probable he had it not. Nor can it be de-
nied, but he has dealt out his poetical jujiice with a mort
impartial hand, than that celebrated put.
WHEN Troy towne had, for ten yeares ' paft,'
Withflood the Greeks in manful wife,
Then did their foes increafe fo faft,
That to refift nought could fuffice :
Wafte lye thofe walls, that were foe good, 5
And corn now grows where Troy towne Hood.
jEneas, wandering prince of Troy,
When he for land long time had fought,
At length arriving with great joy,
To mighty Carthage walls was brought; IO
Where Dido queen, with fumptuous featl,
Did entertaine this wandering gueft.
Vtr. i, 21. ! war. MS. and P P.
VOL. III. O And,
I 9 4 ANCIENT POEMS.
And, as in hall at meate they fate,
The queen, defirous newes to hear,
Says, of thy Troys unhappy fate' 1 -
Declare to me thou Trojan dear :
The heavy hap and chance fo bad,
Which thou, poore wandering prince, haft had.
And then anon this comely knight,
With words demure, as he could well, 20
Of their unhappy ten yeares * fight',
So true a tale began to tell,
With words fo fweet, and fighs fo deepe,
That oft he made them all to weepe.
And then a thoufand fighes he fet, 25
And everye fighe brought teares amaine ;
That where he fate the place was wet,
As though he had feene thofe warrs againe ;
Soe that the queene, with ruth therefore
Sayd, worthye prince, enough, no more. 30
And now the darkfome night drew on,
And twinkling ftarres the fkye befpred ;
When he his dolefull tale had done,
And everye one was laid in bed :
Where they full fweetlye took their reft, 3 5
Save only Dido's boyling breaft.
This feely woman never flept,
But in her chamber, all alone,
As
ANCIENT POEMS. 195
As one unhappy, alwaies wept,
And to the walls fhee made her mone ; 40
That fhee fhould (till defire in vaine
The thing, (he never muft obtaine.
And thus in griefe fhee fpent the night,
Till twinkling ftarres the fkye were fled,
And Phoebus, with his glittering light, 45
Through mifty cloudes appeared red ;
Then tidings came to her anon,
That all the Trojan fhipps were gone.
And then the queene againft her life
Did arme her heart as hard as ftone, 50
Yet, ere fhe bar'd the bloody knife,
In woefull wife fhee made her mone;
And, rolling on her carefull bed,
With fighes and fobs, thefe words fhee fed :
O wretched Dido queene ! quoth fhee, 55
1 fee thy end approacheth neare ;
For he is fled away from thee,
Whom thou didft love and hold fo deare :
What is he gone, and pafled bye i
O heart, prepare thyfelf to dye. 60
In vaine thou pleadft I mould forbeare,
And ftay my hand from bloody ftroke ;
Thee, treacherous heart, I muft not fpare,
Which fettered me in Cupids yoke.
O z Com?
196 A N C I E N T P O E M S.
Come death, quoth fliee, refolve my fmart : 65
And with thofe words fhe piercM her heart,
When death had pierc'd the tender heart
Of Dido, Carthaginian queene ;
Whofe bloody knife did end the fmart,
Which {hee fuftain'd in mournfull teene ; 70
JEheas being fhipt and gone,
Whofe flattery caufed all her mone ;
Her funerall m6fl co'fHy made,
And all things finiflit mournfullye;
Her bodye fine in mold was laid, 75
Where itt confumed fpeedilye :
Her fifters teares her tcmbe beftrew'd;
Her fubjeds griefe their kindnefle Ihew'd.
Then was tineas in an ifle
In Grecia, where he ftay'd long fpace, 89
Whereatt her fifter in fliort while,
Writt to him to his vile difgrace ;
In fpeeches bitter to his minde
Shee told him plaine, hee was unkinde.
Falfe-hearted wretch, quoth (hee, thou art j 85
And traiterouflye thou haft betraid
Unto thy lure a gentle heart,
Which unto thee much welcome made j
My fifter deare, and Carthage' joy,
Whofe folly bred her dere annoy. 90
Yet
ANCIENT POEMS. 197
Yet on her death-bed when fh.ee laye,
Shee prayed for thy profperitye,
Befeeching god, that every dr.y
Might breed thee great felicityc :
Thus by thy meanes I loft a friend ; 95
Heaven fend thee fuch untimely end.
When he thefe lines, full fraught with gall,
Perufed had, and weighed them right,
His lofty courage 'gan to fall ;
And flraight appeared in his fight JQO
Queene Dido's ghoft, both grim and pale ;
Which made this valliant fouldier quail.
JEnezs, quoth this ghaftly ghoft,
My whole delight while I did live,
Thee of all men I loved molt ; 105
To thee my fancye I did give ;
And for the welcome I thee gave,
Unthankfully thou didft me grave.
Therefore prepare thy fleeting foule
To wander with me in the ayre ; HO
Where deadlye griefe mail make it hovvle,
Becaufe of me thou tookft no care:
Delay not time, thy glafle is run,
Thy date is paft, thy life is done.
O flay a while, thy lovely fpright, 115
Be not fo hafty to convay
O 3 M X
i 9 8 ANCIENT POEMS.
My foule into eternal night,
Where it (hall ne'er behold bright day.
O doe not frown, thy angry looke
Hath all my foule with horror fhooke.
But, woe is me ! all is in vaine,
And bootlefle is my difmall crye;
Time will not be recall 'd againe,
Nor thou furceafe before I dye.
O let me live, and make amends
To fome of thy moft deareft friends.
But feeing thou obdurate art,
And wilt no pitye on me fhowe,
Becaufe from thee I did depart,
And left unpaid what I did owe : 130
I muft content myfelf, to take
What lott to me thou wilt partake.
And thus, as one being in a trance,
A multitude of uglye fiends
About this woefull prince did dance j 135
He had no helpe of any friends :
His body then they tooke away,
And no man knew his dying day.
XXIII. THE
ANCIENT POEMS. 199
XXIII.
THE WITCHES' SONG
From Ben Jonfon's Mafque of $>uetns, trefented at
Whitehall, Feb. 2, 1609.
The editor thought it incumbent on him to infert fame old
pieces on the popular fuperjlition concerning witches, hob-
goblins, fair ie;, and ghofts. The laft oftheje make their ap-
pearance in mojt of the tragical ballads ; and in the follow-
ing fangs 'will L-t found fame defcriplion of the former.
It is true, this fong of the Witches, falling from the
horned pen of Ben Jon/on, is rather an extract from the
'various incantations of claj/tc antiquity, than a difplay of
the opinions of our own vulgar. But let it be obferved,
that a parcel of learned wifeacres had juft before bujiea
themfel--ves on this fubjetl, with our Britijh Solomon James /.
at their head : and thefe had fo ranfacked all writers an-
cient and modern, and fo blended and kneaded together the
federal fuperjiitions of different times and nations, that
thofe of genuine Englijh growth could no longer be traced
out and diftingui/hed.
By good luck the wbimjical belief of fairies and goblins
could furnijh no pretences for torturing our fellow-creatures t
and therefore we have this handed down to us pure and
unfophijlicdted.
1 WITCH.
I Have beene all day looking after
A raven feeding upon a quarter ;
And, foone as me turn'd her beak to the fouth,
I fnatch'd this morfell out of her mouth.
2 WITCH.
I have beene gathering wolves haires, 5
The mad dogges foame, and adders eares j
O 4 Th*
200 ANCIENT POEMS.
The fpurging of a deadmans eyes :
And all iince the evening ftarre did rife.
3 WITCH.
I laft night lay all alone
O* the ground, to heare the mandrake gror.e ; 10
And pluckt him up, though he grew full low :
And, as I had done, the cocke did crow.
4 WITCH.
And I ha' beene chuling out this fcull
From charnell houfes that were full;
From private grots, and publike pits ; 15
And frighted a fexton out of his wits.
5 WITCH.
Under a cradle I did creepe
By day ; and, when the childe was a-fleepe
At night, I fuck'd the breath ; and rofe,
And pluck'd the nodding nurfe by the nofe. 20
6 WITCH.
I had a dagger : what did I with that ?
Killed an infant to have his fat.
A piper it got, at a church-ale,
I bade him again blow wind i' the taile.
7 WITCH.
A murderer, yonder, was hung in chaines ; 25
The funne and the wind had Ihrunke his veines :
I bit
A N C I E N T P O E M S. 201
I bit off a finew ; I chpp'd his haire ;
I brought off his ragges, that danc'd i'the ayre.
8 WITCH.
The fcrich-owles egges, and the feathers blacke,
The bloud of the frogge, and the bone in his backs 30
I have been getting ; and made of his fkin
A purfet, to keepe fir Cranion in.
9 WITCH.
And I ha' beene plucking (plants among)
Hemlock, henbane, adders-tongue,
Night-fhade, moone-wort, libbards-bane ; 35
And twife by the dogges was like to be tane.
10 WITCH.
I from the jawes of a gardiner's bitch
Did fnatch thefe bones, and then leap'd the dit,ch :
Yet went I back to the houfe againe,
Kill'd the blacke cat, and here is the braine. 40
11 WITCH.
I went to the toad, breedes under the wall,
I charmed him out, and he came at my call ;
I fcratch'd out the eyes of the owle before ;
I tore the batts wing : what would you have more ?
DAME.
Yes : I have brought, to helpe your vows, 45
Horned pop pie, cypreffe boughcs,
The
202 A N C I E N T P O E M S.
The fig-tree wild, that growes oh tombes,
And juice, that from the larch-tree comes,
The bafilifices bloud, and the vipers ikin :
And now our orgies let's begin. 50
'ROBIN GOOD-FELLOW,
alia} PUCKE, alias HOBGOBLIN, in the creed of an-
cient fuperftition, ivas a kind of merry Jprite, wbofe cba-
rafier and atchievements are recorded in ibis ballad, end in
tbvfe well-known lines of Milton 's L' Allegro, which the
antiquarian Peck fuppofes to he owing to it ;
' ' Tells bo<w the drudg ing GOBLIN fuiet
" To earn bis cream-bowle duly fet j
*' When in one night, ere glitnpje of morne,
11 His jhadowy flail bath threfh d tbe corn
*' That ten day-labourers could not end ;
" Then lies him down the lubbar fiend,
" And Jlretctid out all the chimneys length,
" Bajks at tbe fire bis bairy Jlrenglh,
*' And crop-full out of dears he flings,
" Ere the fir Jt crck bis matins rings.'*
1 Tbe reader will cbjerve that cur Jimph anccftors Lad re-
Juctd all thefe vjhitfijjes to a kind of Jyjtem, as regular, and
perhaps more confident, than many parts of clajjic myibohgy :
a proof cf the extev/ji'e influence and <vaft antiquity of thefe
fuperflitibns. Mankind, and efpecialiy toe common people,
could net every where have been fo unanimoufiy agreed con-
cerning thefe arbitrary notions, if they had not prevailed
among them fer mary ages. Indeed, a learned friend in
Wales azures the editor, that the exigence cf Fairies and
Goblins is alluded to by the tnojt ancient Britijb Bards, who
mevtinn than under 'various names, one .cft,':s mcji common of
7 <whicb
ANCIENT POEMS. 203
which Jtgnijies, " The Spirits of the mountains" See alfo
Preface to Song XXV.
This Jong (which Peck attributes to Ben Jonfon, tho*
it is not found among his iuorks) is given from an ancient
Hack letter copy in the Britijh Mufeum. It feems to have
teen originally intended for fome Ma/'que. See the loft
page of this volume.
FROM Oberon, in fairye land,
The king of ghofts and (hadowes there,
Mad Robin I, at his command,
Am fent to viewe the night-fports here.
What revell rout j
Is kept about,
In every corner where I go,
I will o'erfee,
And merry bee,
And make good fport, with ho, ho, ho ! 10
More fwift than lightening can I flye
About this aery welkin foone,
And, in a minutes fpace, defcrye
Each thing that's done belowe the moone.
There's not a hag 15
Or ghoft fliall wag,
Or cry, ware Goblins ! where I go ;
But Robin I
Their feates will fpy,
And fend them home, with ho, ho, ho ! 20
Whene'er fuch wanderers I meete,
As from their night-fports they trudge home ;
With
204 ANCIENT POEMS.
With counterfeiting voice I greete
And call them on, with me to roame
Thro' woods, thro' lakes, 25
Thro' bogs, thro' brakes ;
Or elfe, unfeene, with them I go,
All in the nicke
To play fome tricke
And frolicke it, with ho, ho, ho ! 30
Sometimes I meete them like a man ;
Sometimes, an ox ; fometimes, a hound ;
And to a horfe I turn me can ;
' To trip and trot about them round.
But if, to ride, 35
My backe they ftride,
More fwift than wind away I go,
Ore hedge and lands,
Thro' pools and ponds
I whirry, laughing, ho, ho, ho ! 40
When lads and lafles merry be,
With poflets and with juncates fine ;
Unfeene of all the company,
I eat their cakes and fip their wine j
And, to make fport, 45
I fart and fnort ;
And out the candles I do blow :
The maids I kifs ;
They fhrieke Who's this ?
I anfwer nought, but ho, ho, ho ! 50
Yet
ANCIENT POEMS. 205
Yet now and then, the maids to pleafe,
At midnight I card up their wooll ;
And while they flcepe, and take their eafe,
With wheel to threads their flax I pull.
I grind at mill 55
Their malt up ftill ;
I drefs their hemp, I fpin their tow.
If any 'wake,
And would me take,
I wend me, laughing, ho, ho, ho ! 60
When houfe or harth doth fluttifh lye,
I pinch the maidens blacke and blue;
The bed-clothes from the bed pull I,
And lay them naked all to view.
'Twixt fleepe and wake, 65
I do them take,
And on the key- cold floor them throvr.
If out they cry,
Then forth I fly,
And loudly laugh, out, ho, ho, ho .' 70
When any need to borrowe ought,
We lend them what they do require ;
And for the ufe demand we nought ;
Our owne is all we do defire.
If to repay, 75
They do delay,
Abroad amongft them then I go,
And
ao6 ANCIENT POEMS.
And night by night,
I them affright
With pinchings, dreames, and ho, ho, ho ! 80
When lazie queans have nought to do,
But ftudy how to cog and lye ;
To make debate and mifchief too,
'Twixt one another fecretlye :
I marke their gloze, 85
And it difclofe,
To them whom they have wronged fo ;
When I have done,
I get me gone,
And leave them fcolding, ho, ho, ho ! go
When men do traps and engins fet
In loop-holes, where the vermine creepe,
Who from their foldes and houfes, get
Their duckes and geefe, and lambes and fheepe:
I fpy the gin, 95
And enter in,
And feeme a vermine taken fo ;
But when they there
Approach me neare,
I leap out laughing, ho, ho, ho ! IOO
By wells and rills, in meadowes greene,
We nightly dance our hey-day guife ;
And to our fairye king, and queene,
We chant our moon-light minftrelfies.
When
ANCIENT POEMS. 207
When larks gin fing, ioj
Away we fling ;
And babes new-borne fteal as we go,
An elfe in bed
We leave inftead,
And wend us laughing, ho, ho, ho ! no
From hag-bred Merlin's time have I
Thus nightly revell'd to and fro ;
And for my pranks men call me by
The name of Robin Good-felldw.
Fiends, ghofts, and fprites, Hj
Who haunt the nightes,
The hags and goblins do me know ;
And beldames old
My feates have told ;
So Vale, Vale ; ho, ho, ho ! 1 zo
XXV.
THE F A [ R Y Q_U E E N.
We have here a Jhort difplay of the popular belief con-
cerning FAIRIES. It vjill afford entertainment to a con-
templative mind to trace thefe ivhim/ical opinions up to thai-
origin. Whoever confiders, bow early, bovj extenjively,
and hovj uniformly they have prevailed in thefe nations,
will net readily ajjent to the hypothecs of tbofe, who fetch
them from the eaji Jo late as the time of the Croifades.
Whereas it is <vcell known that our Saxon ancejlors long be-
fore they left their German forejls, believed the exigence of
a. kind of diminutive demons^ or middle ffecies bat-joeen men
and
2 o8 A N C I E N T P O E M S.
end fpirits, nukom they called DUERGAR or DWARFS, and
to 'whom they attributed many wonderful performances, far
exceeding human art. Vid. Hervarer Saga Olaj Verelj.
1 67 1; . Hickes Thefaur. 5jf r.
This Song is given (~jjith fame correEllom by another
copy) from a book intitledy " The Myjleries of Love and
lequence, fJV. Land. 1658. Svo.
COME, follow, follow me,
You, fairy elves that be :
Which circle on the greene,
Come follow Mab your queene.
Hand in hand let's dance around, 5
For this place is fairye ground.
When mortals are at reft,
And fnoiing in their neft ;
Unheard, and un-efpy'd,
Through key-holes we do glide ; 10
Over tables, {tools, and {helves,
We trip it with our fairye elves.
And, if the houfe be foul
With platter, dim or bowl,
Up ftairs we nimbly creep, 1 5
And find the fluts afleep :
There we pinch their armes and thighes ;
None efcapes, nor none efpies.
But if the houfe be fwept,
And from uncleannefs kept, 20
We praife the houlhold maid,
And duely me is paid :
10 For
ANCIENT POEMS. 209
For we ufe before we goe
To drop a tefter in her fhoCi
Upon a mufhroomes head 25
Our table-cloth we fpread ;
A grain of rye, or wheat,
Is manchet, which we eat ;
Pearly drops of dew we drink
In acorn cups fill'd to the brink. 30
The brains of nightingales,
With un&uous fat of fnailes,
Between two cockles ftew'd,
Is meat that's eafily chew'd j
Tailes of wormes, and marrow of mice 35
Do make a difh, that's wonderous nice.
The gramopper, gnat, and fly
Serve for our minitrclfie ;
Grace faid, we dance a while*
And fo the time beguile : 40
And if the moon doth hide her head,
The gloe-worm lights us home to bed.
On tops of dewie grafle
So nimbly do we pafle,
The young and tender ftalk 45
Ne'er bends when we do walk :
Yet in the morning may be feen
Where we the night before have been.
VOL. UI. P XXVI. THE
210 ANCIENT POEMS.
xxvr.
THE FAIRIES FAREWELL.
This humorous old fong fell from tie band of the witty
Dr. CORBET (afterwards bijhop of Norwich, l3c.) ana
is printed from his Poetica Stromata, 1648, I zmo. (com-
fared 'with the third edition of his poems, 1672.) It is
tbtre called, " A proper new Ballad, intituled, The -Fairies
** Fare-well, or God-a mercy Will, to be fung or whiJlleJ
" to the tune of The Meddota brow, by the learned : by
" the unlearned, to the tune cf Fortune"
The departure of Fairies is here attributed to the abolition
of monkery : Chaucer has, with equal humtur, ajfigned a
caufe the -very reverfe.
" In the old dayes of king Arlouf
*' (Of which the Britons fpeken grete honour}
" Ml was this londfulf.lled of fayry ;
" The elf-quer.e, with her jolly company,
Daunfedfull oft in many a grene mede.
This was the eld opinion as I rede s
I fpeke of many hundred yere agoe :
But now can no man fee non elfes moe '
For now the grete charite, and prayerts
Of Limitcurs, and other holy freres t
That fere hen every land, and every Jir erne,
As thick as metes in the funne beme,
Blejjinghalles, chambers, kitchins, and lowre/ t
' Cities, and burghfs, caftelles, and hie toures t
' Thropes, and bernes, Jhepcns, and dairies ;
This maketh that there ben now no fairies :
For there as wont to nualkcn was an elfe,
Thtre walkeih now the Limitour himjelfe,
In undtrmeles and in morrownynges,
' Andjaieth hit matt ins and his hclie t hinges,
" As
ANCIENT POEMS, ait
" As he goeth in his limitacioune.
' ' Wytntn may no<w gt f a fely up and doune,
" In every bujh, and under every tree,
" There it none other incubus but he :
" And he ne will don hem no di/honour"
Wife of Bath's Tale.
Dr. Richard Corbet, having been bijhop of Oxford about
three years, and after-wards at long Bp. of Norwich, died
in 1635, jEtat. 52.
FArewell rewards and Fairies !
Good houfewives now may fay ;
For now foule flats in dairies,
Doe fare as well as they :
And though they fweepe their hearths no lefs 5
Than mayds were wont to doe,
Yet who of late for cleanelinefs
Finds fixe-pence in her fhoe ?
Lament, lament old Abbies,
The fairies loft command ; IO
They did but change priefts babies.
But fome have chang'd your land :
And all your children Itoln from thence
Are now growne Puritanes,
Who live as changelings ever fince, 15
For love of your demaines.
At morning And at evening both
You merry were and glad,
So little care of fleepe and floth,
Thefe prettie ladies had. 20
P When
2i2 ANCIENT POEMS.
When Tom came home from labour,
Or Cifs to milking rdfe,
Then merrily went their labour,
And nimbly went their toes.
Witnefs thofe rings and roundelayes 25
Of theirs, which yet remaine ;
Were footed in queene Maries dayes
On many a grafly playne.
But fmce of late Elizabeth
And later James came in ; 30
They never danc'd on any heath,
As when the time hath bin.
By which wee note the fairies
Were of the old profeifion :
Their fongs were A*ue Maries, 35
Their dances were proceffion.
But now, alas ! they all are dead,
Or gone beyond the feas,
Or farther for religion fled,
Or elfe they take their eafe. 4.0
A tell-tale in their company
They never could endure ;
And whofo kept not fecretly
Their mirth, was punilh'd fure :
It was a juit and chriflian deed 45
To pinch fuch blacke and blue :
O how the common-welth doth need
Such juftices, as you !
Now
ANCIENT POEMS. 23
Now they have left our quarters ;
A Regifter they have, 50
Who can preferve their charters ;
A man both wife and grave.
An hundred of their merry pranks
By one that I could name
Are kept in (lore ; con twenty thanks 55
To William for the fame.
To William Churne of Staffordftiire
Give laud and praifes due,
Who every meale can mend your cheare
With tales both old and true : 60
To William all give audience,
And pray yee for his noddle :
For all the fairies evidence
Were loft, if it were addle.
** After tbefe SONGS on the FAIRIES, the Reader nay
be curious to fee the manner in which they were formerly in-
voked and bound to human fervice. In AJhmole's Collection
ef MSS. at Oxford, [Num. 8259. 1406. 2.] are the pa-
pers of fame AlchymiJ}, 'which contain a variety of Incan-
tations and Forms of Conjuring both FAIRIES, WITCHES
and DEMONS, principally, as it Jhould feem, to afliji him
in his Great Work of tranfmuting Metals. Moft of them
are too impious to be reprinted : but the two following may
be very innocently laughed at.
Whoever looks into Ben Jonfon's ALCHYMIST, will
fnd that thefe impojlors, among their other Secrets, affecled
to have a power over FAIRIES : and that they were com-
monly expettcd to be feen in a cbrijial glafi appears from
P 3 that
2i4 A N C I E N T P O E M S.
that extraordinary took, " The Relation of Dr. John
" Dee's aftions 'with Spirits. 1659." folia.
" AN EXCELLENT WAY to gett a FA YR i E. (For myfelf
1 call MARGARETT BARRANCE ; but this 'will obteine
any one that is not allready bownd.)
" FIRST, gett a broad fquare chriflall or Venice
glaffe, in length and breadth 3 inches. Than lay that
glajje or chrijiall in the blond of 4 white henne, 3 Wednef-
dayes, or 3 Fridayes. Then take it out, and wajh it
with holy aq. and fumigate it. Then take 3 bazle flicks,
or wands of an yeare groth : pill them fayre and white ;
and make ' them' foe longe, as you write the SPIRITTS
name, or FAYRIES name, which you call, 3 times on t<vety
jticke being made fl&tt on one fide. Then bury them under
fame hill, whereas you fuppofe FAYRIES haunt, the Wed-
nefday before you call her : And the Friday fottowinge take
them uppe, and call her at 8 or 3 or \ o of toe clgcke, which
be good planetts and houres for that turne : but when JM
tall, be in cleane life, and turne thy face towards the
eafl. And when you ha<ve her, bind her to that Jione or
lft'"
"AN UNGUENT to annoynt under the Eyelids, and upon
the Eyelids evninge and morninge : but efpecially 'when
you call; or find ycur Jight not perfecl.
'* IJ. -A pint of fallet-oyle, and put it into a <vie.ll
vlojje : but firft wajh it with roje--~i'ater, and marygcld-
tvaier ; the Jiowers ' fo* be gathered towards the eajf.
V/ajh it till the oyle ccme white ; then put it into the glajt,
vt fupra :' and then put thereto the bitdJs of ho(;hcc!:c,
the flowers of marygold, the flowers or top'pes of wild
ihime. the budds cf young hazle : and the thime mujl be
gathered neare ihe'ficte of a hill where FAYRIES ufe to be :
And * take ' the graffc of a fayrie throne, the>e. All
tkeje put into the oyle, into the glajje : and fei it to dtjjol-i'e
3 dayes in the Junne, and then keep it for thy nje ; ut
Supra."
After
ANCIENT POEMS. 215
After this Receipt for the Unguent follows a Form of
Incantation, wherein the Alcbymijl corjures a Fairy, named
, ELABYGATHON, to appear to him in that Chryjtal Glaft,
meekly and mildly ; to rcf6i--ut him truly in all manner of
qneftisns ; and to be obtiiimt to all bis commands, under
fain of Damnation, I3c.
One cf the vulgar tfiuions altut Fairies is, that they
ta-:nct be Jten ty hums.* eyes, ivithiut a particular charm
exerted in favour of .the ferjon ivho is to fee them : and
i'.>at they Jlrik* with blindn^js Jich as having the gift of
jecing them, take notice rf them mal-a-prcpa.
As for the liable Sticks mentioned above, thfv ii-ere to le
jtrnbably of that /(secies calUd :l:e WITCH HAZLE ; tulicb
received its name froia this manner cj- ' f>^^lf:ng -'.' in in-
.tantatiojis.
THE END OF BOG THE SECOND.
OF ANCIENT POETRY,
SERIES THE
BOOK
THIRD,
III.
I.
THE BIRTH OF ST. GEORGE.
The incidents in this, and the other ballad of ST. GEORGE
AND THE DRAGON, are chiefly taken from the old Jlory-
iook of the Seven Champions of Chrijiendome ; 'which, thef
sow the play-thing of children, ivas once in high repute.
Bp. Hall in his fatires, publijhed in 1597, ranks
" St. George* s for ell, and his crofs of blood"
among the moft popular Jlories of his time : and an ingenious
(ritic thinks that Spencer himfelf did not difdain to borrow
hints from it* ; tho' I much doubt whether this popular ro~
mance were written fo early as the Faery Queen.
The author of this book of the Seven Champions 'was
one Richard Johnfon, iuho lived in the reigns of Elizabeth
and
* Mr. Wartmi VU, Obfcrvatiom m the Fairy S^uetn, 2 -vol. 1761.
ANCIENT POEMS. 217
and James, as n.ve c&llefi from his other publications: viz.
" The nine worthies of London: \ 592. 4/0. " The plea/ant
walks of Mcor-felds : 1607. 4/0. " A crown garland of
Goulden Rofes, gathered, t5c. 1612.81/0." "7 he life and
death of Rob. Cecil/, E. of Salijbury : 1612. 4/0." The
bijl. of Tom of Lincoln, 4(0." is alfo by R.J. who like-
wife reprinted " Don Flares of Greece, 4/c."
Ibe Seven Champions, tho" written in a --wild inflated ftyle,
contains feme ftrong Gcthic painting ; whichfeems,forthemoft
part, copied fr cm the metrical romances tf former aget. At leaji
the Jlory of 'St. George and the fair Sabra, is taken almoft verba-
tim from the old poetical legend of ' " Syr Bcvis of Hampton."
This -very antique poem was in great Jame in Chaucer's
time, [fee above, fag. I O I . ] and Jo continued till the intro-
duction of printing, when it ran thro* federal editions ; two
of which are in black letter, 4/c, " imprinted by Wyllyam
*' Copland" without date ', containing great variations.
As afpecimen of the poetic powers of this isery old rhimijt,
and as a proof how clojely the author of the Seven Cham-
pions has followed him, take a dejcription of the dragon Jlain
by Jir Be<vis.
** Whan the dragon, that fcule is,
" HadafyghtofJyrBe--vis,
ff He caft up a loude cry,
" At it had thondred in the Jky ;
*' He turned his bely towards the fon ',
* c // was greater than any tonne :
" His fcales was bryghter then the glas t
" And harder they were than any bras :
' ' Betwene his jhulder and his taylg,
' ' Was forty fote wit bout e fayle.
' ' He waltrsd out of his denne,
" And Be<ui? pricked his Jtede tlcn,
* ' And to hym a fpere he thrafle
" That all to jhy-vers ht it brajle :
" The dragon then gan Bevis ajfayle,
" Andjmclejyr Be-vis with his tayle;
" Then downe went horfe and man,
" And two rybbes of e-vis brujed than,
8 * After
2i 8 ANCIENT POEMS.
After a long fight, at length, as the dragon <was preparisg
to fy, Jir Be vis
Hit him under the nuynge
As ke 'was in bis fycnge,
There he ivat tender --without fcale,
And S.vis thought to be his bale.
H* fmote after, as I you fay e,
IViib his goodfivord Morglaye.
Up to the hiltes Morglay yode
through harte, lyver, bout, and bloude :
the ground fell the dragon,
Great joye fyr Bevis began.
Under the Jc ales al on bight
He f mote off his h tad forth rigJri,
And put it on afpere : &i; Sign. K. tv.
Sir Bevis's dragon is evidently the parent of that in the
Seven Champions, fee Chap. III. viz. " The dragon no
" fooner had afeght of him [$"/. George] but he gave fuch
" a terrible peal, as though it had thundered in the elements*
. . . . " Betwixt his Jko alders and his tail 'were fifty feet in
t( diftance, his fcales glijlering as bright as fdver, but far
" more hard than brafs ', his belly of the colour cf geld, but
" bigger than a tun. Thus weltered he from his den, &c.
. . . . " The champion . . . gave the dragon fuch a tbruft with
" his f pear, that it Jbivere J in a thoufand pieces : whereat
" the furious dragon fo fiercely fm:te him with his venomous
" tail, that dovjn fell man and hcrfe ; in which fall iivo
" of St. Georges ribs were fore bruifed, &c. At length
. . . St. George. '* fmote the dragon under the Diving --where
* ' it *was tender without fcale, v. he re by bis gccd Jn.vord Af-
" calon ivith an eajte pajfa^e went to the very hilt through
*' both the dragon's heart, livtr, bane and blond -Then St.
" George cut off the dragon s head and pitcbt it upon the
" truncheon of a fpear, &c.''
The Hijlory of the Seven Champions being written ju/i be-
fore the decline of books of chivalry was never, I believe,
tranjlated into any foreign language : But " Le Roman de
" Beu-ves of Hanioa&e," was publijbed at Paris in 1502
/ff. Let.
A N C I E N T P O E M S. 219-
The learned Selden tells us that about the time of the
Norman invajlon was Bevisfamoui ivit/j the title of Earl of
Southampton, whofe rc/ldence was at Duncion in W'iltfbii e ;
but he obferves that the monkijh enlargements of his Jiory,
have made his very ex-jlence doubted. See Notes on Poly-
Oltion, Song III.
ds for the martial Hljlory cf St. George, it is given up
as entirely apocryphal. The equeftrian figure ', worn by the
knights of the garter, has been underftood to be an emblem of
the chrijlian warrior, in his fpiritual armour, vanquijking-
the old ferpent. But a learned writer has lately Jhewn that
it is neither more nor lefs, than a charm or amulet borrowed
from fome eajlern heretics ; which having been originally
ivorn as a protection from the malignity of the air, at length
was confidertd as a prefervative from wounds, and a means
to injure vidory in battle. For it feems the ancient orientals
reprejented the fun by a man on horfeback ; the Jun's rays, by
a f pear \ and any noxious exhalation by a ferpent. See Pe-
tit/gall's JiJ/ertation, 4/0.
// cannot be denied, but that a great part of the following
lallad is modern : fo<- which reafon it would have been
thrown to the end of the volume, had not its JubjeEl procured
it a place here.
LISTEN, lords, in bower and hall,
I fmg the wonderous birth
Of brave St. George, whofe valorous arm
Rid monitors from the earth :
Diflrefled ladies to relieve 5
He travel I'd many a day ;
In honour of the chriitian faith,
Which fhall endure for aye.
In Coventry fomedmc did dwell
A knight of worthy fame, 10
High
220 ANCIENT POEMS.
High fteward of this noble realme ;
Lord Albret was his name.
He had to wife a princelye dame,
Whofe beauty did excell.
This virtuous lady, being with child, 15
In fudden fadnefs fell :
For thirty nights no fooner fleepe
Had clos'd her wakeful eyes,
But, lo! a foul and fearful dreame
Her fancy would furprize : 20
She dreamt a dragon fierce and fell
Conceiv'd within her womb ;
Whofe mortal fangs her body rent
Ere he to life could come.
All woe-begone, and fad was {he ; 25
She nouriOit conftant woe :
Yet ftrove to hide it from her lord,
Left he mould forrow know.
In vain fhe ftrove, her tender lord,
Who watch'd her flighteft look, 30
Difcover'd foon her fecret paine,
And foon that paine partook.
And when to him the fearful caufe
She weeping did impart,
With
ANCIENT POEMS. 221
With kindeft fpeech he drove to heal 35
The anguifh of her heart.
Be comforted, my lady deare,
Thofe pearly drops refraine ;
Betide me weal, betide me woe,
I'll try to eafe thy paine. 40
And for this foul and fearful dreamt,
That caufeth all thy woe,
Truft me I'll travel far away
But I'll the meaning knowc.
Then giving many a fond embrace, 45
And fliedding many a teare,
To the weird lady of the woods
He purpos'd to repaire.
To the wei'rd lady of the woods,
Full long and many a daye, 50
Thro' lonely (hades, and thickets rough
He winds his weary waye.
At length he reach'd a dreary dell
With difmal yews o'erhung ;
Where cyprefs fpred it's mournful boughes, 55
And pois'nous nightfhade fprung.
No chearful gleams here pierc'd the gloome,
He hears no chearful found ;
But
222 ANCIENT POEMS.
But flirill night-ravens' yelling fcreame,
And ferpents hiffing round. So
The fhriek of fiends, and damned ghofb
Ran howling thro' his eare :
A chilling horror froze his heart,
Tho' all unus'd to feare.
Three times he ftrives to win his waye, 6j
And pierce thofe fickly dewes :
Three times to bear his trembling corfe
His knocking knees refufe.
At length upon his beating breaft
He figns the holy erode ; 70
And, rouzing up his wonted might,
He treads th' unhallow'd mofle.
Beneath a pendent craggy cliffe,
All vaulted like a grave,
And opening in the folid rocke, 75
He found the inchanted cave.
An iron grate clos'd up the mouthe,
All hideous and forlorne ;
And, faften'd by a filver chaine,
Near hung a brazen home. g
Then offering op a ' fecret prayer,'
Three times he blowes amaine :
Three
ANCIENT POEMS. 223
Three times a deepe and hollow found
Did anfwer him againe.
" Sir knight, thy lady beares a fon, 8j
" Who, like a dragon bright,
" Shall prove moft dreadful to his foes,
" And terrible in fight.
" His name advanc'd in future times
" On banners (hall be worne : 90
" But lo J thy lady's life muft paffe
" Before he can be borne."
All fore oppreft with feare and doubt
Long time lord Albret flood ;
At length he winds his doubtful waye 95
Back thro' the dreary wood.
Eager to clafp his lovelye dame
Then fad he travels backo' :
But when he reach'd his caille gate,
Hi* gate was hung with blacke. 100
In every court and hall he found
A fullen filence reigne ;
Save where, amid the lonely towers,
He heard her maidens 'plains ;
And bitterly lament and weepe, 105
With many a grievous grone :
Then
224 ANCIENT POEMS.
Then fore his bleeding heart mifgave,
His lady's life was gone.
With faultering ftep he enters in,
Yet half affraid to goe ; HO
With trembling voice afks why they grieve,
Yet fears the caufe to knowe.
" Three times the fun hath rofe and fet ;
They faid, then ftopt to weepe :
" Since heaven hath laid thy lady deare 115
" In death's eternal fleepe.
" For, ah ! in travel fore flie fell,
" So fore that fhe muft dye ;
" Unlefs fome ftirewd and cunning leech
" Could eafe her prefentlye. 123
" But when a cunning leech was fet,
" Too foon declared hee,
*' She, or her babe muft lofe its life j
'* Both faved could not bee.
*' Now take my life, thy lady faid, 125
" My little infant fave :
" And O commend me to my lord,
" When I am laid in grave.
" O tell him how that precious babe
" Coft him a tender wife : 13*
" And
ANCIENT POEMS. 225
" And teach my fon to lifp her name,
" Who died to fave his life.
" Then calling ftill upon thy name,
" And praying ftill for thee ;
*' Without repining or complaint, 135
" Her gentle foul did flee."
What tongue can paint lord Albret's woe,
The bitter tears he fhed,
The bitter pangs that wrung his heart,
To find his lady dead ? I 4 o
He beat his breaft : he tore his hair :
And fhedding many a teare,
At length he aflct to fee his fon ;
The fon that coft fo deare.
New forrowe feiz'd the damfells all : 145
At length they fauhering faye;
" Alas ! my lord, how mall we tell ?
" Thy fon is ftoln awaye.
" Faire as the fweeteft flower of fpring,
" Such was his infant mien : 15
" And on his little body ftampt
" Three wonderous marks were fcen:
*i f A blood-red crofs was on his arme ;
" A dragon on his breaft :
VOL. III. CL " A l ittle
226 ANCIENT POEMS.
" A little garter all of gold 155
'* Was round his leg expreil.
" Three carefull nurfes we provide
" Our little lord to keepe :
" One gave him fucke, one gave him food,
" And one did lull to fleepe. 160
It
" But lo ! all in the dead of night,
" We heard a fearful found :
'* Loud thunder clapt ; the caftle fhook ;
" And lightning flafht around.
" Dead with affright at firft we lay ; 165
" But routing up anon,
*' We ran to fee our little lord :
" Our little lord was gone 1
" But how or where we could not tell ;
" For lying on the ground, 170
" In deep and magic {lumbers laid, :oM
" The nurfes there we found."
O grief on grief! lord Albret faid :
No more his tongue cou'd fay,
When falling in a deadly fwoone, 175
Long time he lifelefs lay.
At length reftor'd to life and fenfe
He nourifht endlefs woe,
No
ANCIENT POEMS. 227
No future joy his heart could tafte,
No future comfort knowe. 180
So withers on the mountain top
A fair and ilately oake,
Whofe vigorous arms are torne away,
By lome rude thunder-ftroke.
At length his caftle ukfome grew, 185
He loathes hib wonted home ;
His native country he forfakes
In foreign lands to roame.
There up and downe he wandered far,
Clad in a palmer'* gowne ; 190
Till his brown locks grew white as wool,
His beard as thiiUe downe.
At length, all wearied, down in death
He laid his reverend head.
Meantime amid the lonely wilds 195
His little fon was bred.
There the wei'rd lady of the woods
Had borne him far away,
And train'd him up in feates of armes,
And every martial play. 200
V
II. ST.
228 ANCIENT POEMS.
II.
ST. GEORGE AND THE DRAGON.
T&f following ballad is given (with fame corretticns)
from tiuo ancient Hack-letter copies in the Pepys Collefiion :
one ofiubicb is In \zrno, the other in folio.
OF Hector's deeds did Homer fmg ;
And of the fack of ftately Troy,
What griefs fair Helena did bring,
Which was fir Paris' only joy :
And by my pen I will recite 5
St. George's deeds, an Englifh knight.
Againft the Sarazens fo rude
Fought he full long and many a day ;
Where many gyants he fubdu'd,
In honour of the chriftian way : 1
And after many adventures paft
To Egypt land he came at laft.
N.OW, as the flory plain doth tell,
Within that countrey there did reft
A dreadful dragon fierce and fell, 1 5
Whereby they were full fore oppreft :
Who by his poifonous breath each day,
Did many of the city flay.
The
ANCIENT POEMS. 229
The grief whereof did grow fo great
Throughout the limits of the land, 20
That they their wife-men did intreat
To {hew their cunning out of hand ;
What way they might this fiend deftroy,
That did the countrey thus annoy.
The wife-men all before the king 25
This anfwer fram'd inpontinent ;
The dragon none to death might bring
By any means they could invent :
His {kin more hard than brafs was found,
That fword nor fpear could pierce nor wound. 30
When this the people underftood,
They cryed out moft piteouflye,
The dragon's breath infefts their blood,
That every day in heaps they dye :
Among them fuch a plague it bred, 35
The living fcarce could bury the dead.
No means there were, as they could hear,
For to appeafe the dragon's rage,
But to prefent fome virgin clear,
Whofe blood his fury might affwage ; tfl
Each day he would a maiden eat,
For to allay his hunger great.
230 ANCIENT POEMS.
This thing by art the wife-men found,
Which truly muft obferved be ;
Wherefore throughout the city round 45
A virgin pure of good degree
Was by the kings commiflion flill
Taken up to ferve the dragon's will.
Thus did the dragon every day
Untimely crop fotne virgin flowr, 50
Till all the maids were worn away,
And none were left him to devour:
Saving the king's fair daughter bright,
Her father's only heart's delight.
Then came the officers to the king 55
That heavy meffage to declare,
Which did his heart with forrow fting ;
She is, quoth he, my kingdom's heir :
O let us all be poifoned here,
Ere lhe fhould die, that is my dear. *' 1U Y 60
Then rofe the people prefently,
And to the king in rage they went;
They faid his daughter deare fnould dye,
The dragon's fury to prevent :
Our daughters all are dead, quoth they, 65
And have been made the dragons prey :
And
ANCIENT POEMS. 231
And by their blood we refcued were,
And thou haft fav'd thy life thereby;
And now in (both it is but faire,
For us thy daughter fo fliould die. 70
O fave my daughter, faid the king;
And let ME feel the dragon's fling.
Then fell fair Sabra on her knee,
And to her father dear did fay,
O father, flrive not thus for me, 75
But let me be the dragon's prey ;
It may be, for my fake alone
This plague upon the land was thrown.
Tis better I mould dye, (he faid,
Than all your fubjedts perifh quite ; 8*
Perhaps the dragon here was laid,
For my offence to work his fpite :
And after he hath fuckt my gore,
Your land fhall feel the grief no more.
What haft thou done, my daughter dear, 85
For to deferve this heavy fcourge?
It is my fault, as may appear,
Which makes the gods our ftate to purge j
Then ought I die, to Hint the ftrife,
And to preferve thy happy life. 90
232 ANCIENT POEMS.
Like mad-men, all the people cried,
Thy death to us can do no good ;
Our fafety only doth abide
In making her the dragon's food.
Lo ! here I am, I come, quoth fhe, g$
Therefore do what you will with me.
Nay flay, dear daughter, quoth the queen,
And as thou art a virgin bright,
That haft for vertue famous been,
So let me cloath thee all in white ; IOQ
And crown thy head with flowers fweet,
An ornament for virgins meet.
And when Ihe was attired fo,
According to her mother's mind,
Unto the flake then did fhe go ; 105
To which her tender limbs they bind :
And being bound to ftake a thrall
She bade farewell unto them all.
Farewell, my father dear, quoth me,
And my fweet mother meek and mild; ue
Take you no thought nor weep for me,
For you may have another child :
Since for my country's good I dye,
Death I receive moft willinglye.
Tie
ANCIENT POEMS. 233
The king and queen and all their train 1 15
With weeping eyes went then their way,
And let their daughter there remain,
To be the hungry dragon's prey :
But as ftie did there weeping lye,
Behold St. George came riding by. 120
And feeing there a lady bright
So rudely tyed unto a flake,
As well became a valiant knight,
He ftraight to her his way did take :
Tell me, fweet maiden, then quoth he, izc
What caitif thus abufeth thee ?
And, lo ! by Chrift his crofs I vow,
Which here is figured on my breaft,
I will revenge it on his brow,
And break my lance upon his cheft : 133
And fpeaking thus whereas he ftood,
The dragon iflued from the wood.
The lady that did firft efpy
The dreadful dragon coming fo,
Unto St. George aloud did cry, 135
And willed him away to go ;
Here comes that curfed fiend, quoth flie,
That foon will make an end of me.
St.
234 ANCIENT POEMS.
St. George then looking round about,
The fiery dragon foon efpy'd, 140
And like a knight of courage flout,
Againil him did moft fiercely ride ;
And with fuch blows he did him greet,
He fell beneath his horfe's feet.
For with his launce that was fo ftrong, 145
As he came gaping in his face,
In at his mouth he thruft along,
For he could pierce no other place :
And thus within the lady's view
This mighty dragon ftraight he flew. , 150
The favour of his poifoned breath
Could do this holy knight no harm.
Thus he the lady fav'd from death,
And home he led her by the arm ;
Which when king Ptolemy did fee, 155
There was great mirth and melody.
When as that valiant champion there
Had flain the dragon in the field,
To court he brought the lady fair,
Which to their hearts much joy did yield. 160
He in the court of Egypt ftaid
Till he moft falfely was betray 'd.
10 That
ANCIENT POEMS. 235
That lady dearly lov'd the knight,
He counted her his only joy ; l5e
But when their love was brought to light
It turn'd unto their great annoy:
TV Morocco king was in the court,
Who to the orchard did refort :
Dayly to take the pleafant air,
For pleafure fake he us'd to walk, 170
Under a wall he oft did hear
St. George with lady Sabra talk :
Their love he fhew'd unto the king,
Which to St. George great woe did bring.
Thofe kings together did devife 175
To make the chriftian knight away,
With letters him in curteous wife
They ftraightway fent to Perfia :
But wrote to the fophy him to kill,
And treacheroufly his blood to fpill. 189
Thus they for good did him reward
With evil, and moft fubtilly
By much vile meanes they had regard
To work his death moft cruelly ;
Who, as through Perfia land he rode, 185
With zeal deftroy'd each idol god.
fat
236 ANCIENT POEM S.
For which offence he ftraight was thrown
Into a dungeon dark and deep ;
Where, when he thought his wrongs upon,
He bitterly did wail and weep : 190
Yet like a knight of courage flout,
At length his way he digged out.
Three grooms of the king of Perfia
By night this valiant champion flew,
Though he- had fafted many a day ; ip,-
And then away from thence he flew
On the bed fteed the fophy had ;
Which when he kaew he was full mad.
Towards Chriflendom he made his flight,
But met a gyant by the way, 300
With whom in combat he did fight
Moft valiantly a fummer's day :
Who yet, for all his bats of fteel,
Was forc'd the fling of death to feel.
Back o'er the feas with many bands 20;
Of warlike fouldiers foon he paft,
Vowing upon thofe heathen lands
To work revenge ; which at the lad,
Ere thrice three years were gone nd frent,
He wrought unto his heart's content. 210
Save
ANCIENT POEMS. 237
Save onely Egypt land he fpar'd
For Sabra bright her only fake,
And, ere for her he had regard,
He meant a tryal kind to make :
Mean while the king o'ercome in field 215
Unto faint George did quickly yield.
Then ftraight Morocco's king he flexv,
And took fair Sabra to his wife,
But meant to try if (he were true
Ere with her he would lead his life : 220
And, tho' he had her in his train*
She did a virgin pure remain.
Toward England then that lovely dame
The brave St. George conducted ilrait,
An eunuch alfo with them came, 225
Who did upon the lady wait;
Thefe three from Egypt went alone.
Now mark St. George's valour ftiown.
When as they in a foreft were,
The lady did defire to reft ; 230
Mean while St. George to kill a deer,
For their repaft did think it bed :
Leaving her with the eunuch there,
Whilft he did go to kill the deer.
But
238 A N C I E N T P O E M S.
But lo ! all in his abfence came 235
Two hungry lyons fierce and fell, "
And tore the eunuch on the fame
In pieces fraall, the truth to tell ;
Down by the lady then they laid,
Whereby they fhevv'd, (he was a maid. 240
But when he came from hunting back,
And did behold this heavy chance,
Then for his lovely virgin's fake
His courage ftrait he did advance,
And'came into the lions light, 245
Who ran at him with all their might.
Their rage did him no whit difmay,
Who, like a flout and valiant knight,
Did both the hungry lyons flay
Within the lady Sabra's fight : 250
Who all this while fad and demure,
There flood moil like a virgin pure.
Now when St. George did furely know
This lady was a virgin true,
His heart was glad, that erft was woe, 255
And all his love did foon renew :
He fet her on a palfrey fteed,
And towards England came with fpeed.
Where
ANCIENT POEMS. 239
Where being in fhort fpace arriv'd
Unto his native dwelling place ; 260
Therein with his dear love he liv'd,
And fortune did his nuptials graco:
They many years of joy did fee,
And led their lives at Coventry.
III.
LOVE WILL FIND OUT THE WAY.
<Wj excellent fong is ancient : but iut could only give it from
modern copies.
OVER the mountains,
And over the waves ;
Under the fountains,
And under the graves ;
Under floods that are deepeft, 5
Which Neptune obey ;
Over rocks that are fteepeft,
Love will find out the way.
Where there is no place
For the glow- worm to lye ; 10
Where there is no fpace
For receipt of a fly ;
Where
240 A N C I E N T P O E M S.
Where the midge dares not venture,
Left herfelf faft me lay ;
If love come, he will enter, 15
And foon find out his way.
You may efteem him
A child for his might ;
Or you may deem him
A coward from his flight ; 20
But if fhe, whom love doth honour,
Be conceal'd from the day,
Set a thoufand guards upon her,
Love will find out the way.
Some think to lofe him, 25
By having him confin'd ;
And fome do fuppofe him,
Poor thing, to be blind j
But if ne'er fo clofe ye wall him
Do the beft that you may, 30
Blind love, if fo ye call him,
Will find out his way.
You may train the eagle
To (loop to your fift ;
Or you may inveigle 35
The phenix of the eaft ;
The lionefs, ye may move her
To give o'er her prey ;
But you'll ne'er flop a lover:
He will find out his way. 40
IV. LORD
A N C I E N T P O E M S. 241
IV.
LO.RD THOMAS AND FAIR ANNET,
A SCOTTISH BALLAD,
-feems te le compcfcd (net without improvements) cut cftwo
ancient Englifli ones, printed in the former part rf thit fo-
Ume. See book I. lallad XV. cr.d bcok 11. ballad IV.
If this bad /ecu the original, the authors of thoff t~uco bal-
lads would bardh ba<ve adopted t-~vo fucb different jlones :
iejldes, tbij contains enlargements not to I c found in either cf
the ethers. It is given with fame corrections, from a MS.
copy tranfmitted from Scotland.
LORD Thomas and fair Annet
Sate a' day on a hill ;
Whan night was cum, and fun was felt,
They hnd not talkt their fill.
Lord Thomas faid a word in jeft, 5
Fair Annet took it ill :
A' ! I will revir wed a wife
Againic my ain friends will.
VOL. lil. R Gif
2+2 ANCIENT POEMS.
Gif ye wull nevir wed a wife,
A wife wull neir wed yee.
Sae he is hame to tell his mither,
And knelt upon his knee :
O rede, O rede, mither, he fays,
A gude rede gie to mce :
O fall I tak the nut-browne bride,
And let faire Annet bee ?
The nut-browne bride haes gowd and gear,
Fair Annet (he has gat nane ;
And the little beauty fair Annet has,
O it wull foon be gane ! 20
And he has till his brother gane :
Now, brother, rede ye mee ;
A* fall I marrie the nut browne bride,
And let fair Annet bee ?
The nut-browne bride has oxen, brother, ' 25
The nut-browne bride has kye ;
I wad hae ye marrie the nut-browne bride,
And cart fair Annet bye.
Her oxen may dye i' the houfe, Billie,
And her kye into the byre ; 30
And I fall hae nothing to my fell,
Bot a fat fadge by the fyre.
And
ANCIENT POEMS. 243
And he has till his fitter gane :
Now, fifter, rede ye mee ;
O fall I marrie the nut-browne bride, 35
And fet fair Annet free ?
Ife rede ye tak fair Annet, Thomas,
And let the browne bride alane ;
Left ye fould figh and fay, Alace!
What is this we brought hame ? 40
No, I will tak my mithers counfel,
And marrie me owt o* hand ;
And I will tak the nut-browne bride ; x
Fair Annet may leive the land.
Up then rofe fair Annets father 45
Twa hours or it wer day,
And he is gane into the bower,
Wherein fair Annet lay.
Rife up, rife up, fair Annet, he fays,
IPut on your filken fheene ; 50
Let us gae to St. Maries kirke,
And fee that rich weddeen.
My maides, gae to my drefling roomc,
And drefs to me my hair ;
Whair-eir yee laid a plait before, 5$
See yee lay ten times mair.
R z My
244 ANCIENT POEMS,
. Ivly maids, gae to my dreffing room,
And drefs to me my fmock ;
The one half is o' the holland fine,
The other o' needle-work. 60
The horfe fair Annet rade upon,
He ambiit like the wind,
Wi' filler he was fhod before,
Wi' burning gowd behind.
Four and twanty filler bells 65
VVer a' tyed till his mane,
And yae tift o' the norland wind,
They tinkled ane by ane.
Four and twanty gay gude knichts
Rade by fair Annets fide, 70
And four and twanty fair ladies,
As gin Ihe had bin a bade,
. And whan (he cam to Marie^ kirk,
She fat on Maries ftean ;
The cleading that fair Annet had on 75
It fldnkled in their een.
And whan fhe cam into the kirk,
She fliimmer d like the fun ;
The belt that was about her waiil,
Was a' wi' pearles bedonc. 80
;/1 She
ANCIENT POEMS. 245
She fat her by the nut-browne bride,
And her een they wer fae clear,
Lord Thomas he clean forgat the bride,
Whan fair Anne: (he drew near.
He had a rofe into his hand, 85
And he gave it kifles three,
And reaching by the nut-browne bride,
Laid it on fair Annets knee.
Up than fpak the nut-browne bride,
She fpak wi' meikle fpite ; go
And whair gat ye that rofe-water.
That does mak yee fae white ?
O I did get the rofe-water,
Whair ye wull neir get nane,
For I did get that very rofe-water 95
Into my mithers wame.
The bride {he drew a long bodkin,
Frae out her gay head -gear,
And flrake fair Annet unto the heart,
That word fhe nevir fpak mair. 100
Lord Thomas he faw fair Annet wcx pale,
And marvelit what mote bee :
But whan he faw her dear hearts blude,
A' wood-wroth wexed hcc.
R 3 lit
246 ANCIENT POEMS.
He drew his dagger, that was fae (harp, 105
That was fae fharp and meet,
And drave it into the nut-browne bride,
That fell deid at his feit.
Now ftay for me, dear Annet, he fed,
Now ftay, my dear, he cry'd ; no*
Then ftrake the dagger untill his heart,
And fell deid by her fide.
Lord Thomas was buried without kirk-wa',
Fair Annet within the quiere ;
And o' the tane thair grew a birk, 115
The other a bonny briere.
And ay they grew, and ay they threvv,
As they wad faine be neare ;
And by this ye may ken right weil,
They were twa luvers deare. 120
V. U N-
A N C I E N T P O E M S. 24.7
V.
UNFADING BEAUTY.
This little beautiful fonnst is reprinted from a fi.tall vo-
lume of " Poems by THOMAS CAREW, Efq; one of the gen-
" tletwn of 'the pri-cie- chamber ; and fewer in ordinary to his
" m-jejly (Charles I.) Land. 1640." This elegant, and
alrnojl-jvrgcttcn writer, 'whnfe poems have been defervedly
revived, died in the prime of his agt, in 1630.
In the original follows a third jlanza, ivbicb not being
of general application, nor of equal merit, I have ventured
in om't.
HE E that loves a rofie cheekc,
Or a corall lip admires,
Or from ftar-like eyes doth fceke
Fuell to maintaine his fires ;
As old time makes thefe decay, 5
So his flames muft walle away.
But a fmooth and (ledfaft mind,
Gentle thoughts, and calme defires,
Hearts with equal love combin'd
Kindle never-dying fires : 10
Where thefe are not I defpife
Lovely cheekes, or lips, or eyes.
*****
R A VI. GEORGE
2- 4 8 ANCIENT P O E M S.
VI.
GEORGE BARNWELL.
Tie fitl'jecl of this ballad is fujficiently popular from the
'mcdcrr. flay which is founded upon it. This <was written
by GEORGE LILLO a'jpuoelltir of London, and firjt aded
about 1730. As for the ballad, it 'was printed at leaji
as early as the middle of the //? century.
It is here gi-ven froxi three old printed copies, 'which ex-
hibit a llrange intermixture of Roman and black letter. It
is alfo collated with another copy in the Ajhmcle ccllecllen at
Oxford, 'which is thus iniitled, " An excellent ballad of
" GtORGE BARNWELL, an apprentice of London, ivho
"... thrice robbed his majler and murdered his vncle in
" Lud!a-iv. The tune is " The Merchant."
This tragical narrative feems to relate a real fa<3 ; but
ivben it happened I have not been able to difco e ver.
THE FIRST PART.
ALL youths of fair England
That dwell both far and near,
Regard ray ftory that I tell,
Aad to my fong give ear.
A London lad I was, 5
A merchant's prentice bound ;
My name George Barnwell ; that did ipend
My mafter many a pound.
Take
ANCIENT P O E M S. , 249
Take heed of harlots then,
And their enticing trains ; 10
For by that means 1 have been brought
To hang alive in chains.
As I, upon a day,
Was walking through the ftreet
About my mailer's buiinefs, |-
A wanton I did meet.
A gallant dainty dame,
And fumptuous in attire ;
With Trailing look (he greeted me,
And did my name require. 20
Which when I had declar'd,
She gave me then a kifs,
And (aid, if I would come to her,
I mould have more than this.
Fair miftrefs, then quoth F, 25
If I the place may know,
This evening I will be with you,
For I abroad muft go
To gather monies in,
That are my matter's due : 30
And ere thatxl do home return,
I'll come and vilit you.
Good
250 A N C I E N T P O E M S.
Good Barmvell, then quoth fhe,
Do thou to Shoreditch come,
And aflc for Mrs. Millwood's heufe, 3-
Next door unto the Gun.
And truft me on my truth,
If thou keep touch' with me,
My deareft friend, as my own heart
Thou fh'alt right welcome be. 40
Thus parted we in peace,
And home I pafled right ;
Then went abroad, and gathered in,
By fix o'clock at night,
An hundred pound and one : 45
With bag under my arm
I went to Mrs. Millwood's houfe,
And thought on little harm ;
And knocking at the door,
Straightway herfelf came down 5 50
Ruftling in moft brave attire,
With hood and filken gown.
Who, through her beauty bright,
So glorioufly did mine,
That flhe amaz'd my dazzling eyes, 55
She feemcd fo divine.
She
ANCIENT POEMS.
251
She took me by the hand,
And with a modeft grace,
Welcome, fweet Barnwell, then quoth flie,
Unto this homely place. 60
And fince I have thee found
As good as thy word to be ;
A homely fupper, ere we part,
Thou malt take here with me.
O pardon me, quoth I, 6j
Fair iniitrefs, I you pray;
For why, out of my matter's houfe,
So long I dare not itay.
ty'd, 70
Alas, good Sir, (he faid,
Are you fo ftriclly ty'd,
You may not with your deareft friend
One hour or two abide ?
Faith, then the cafe is hard :
If it be fo, quoth me,
1 would I were a prentice bound, 7$
To live along with thee :
Therefore, my deareft George,
Lift well what I mall fay,
And do not blame a woman much,
Her fancy to bewray. 80
Let
252 A N C I E N T P O E M S.
Let not affe&ion's force
Be counted lewd defire ;
Nor think it not immodefty,
I ihould thy love require.
With that (he turn'd afide, 85
And with a blufaing red,
A mournful motion flie bewray'd
By hanging down her head.
A handkerchief (he had,
All wrought with filk and gold : go
Which flic to ftay her trickling tears
Before her eyes did hold.
This thing unto my fight
Was wondrous rare and itrange ;
And in my foul and inward thought 95
It wrought a fudden change :
That I fo hardy grew,
To take her by the hand :
Saying, Sweet miftrefs, why do you
So dull and pen five fland ? 100
Call me no miftrefs now,
But Sarah, thy true friend,
Thy fervant, Millwood, honouring thee,
Uruil her life hath end.
" If
A N C I E N T P O E M S. 253
If thou \vouldlt here alledge, 105
Thou art in years a boy ;
So was Adonis, yet was he
Fair Venus' only joy.
Thus I, who ne'er before
Of woman found fuch grace, ue
But feeing now fo fair a dame
Give me a kind embrace,
I fupt with her that night,
With joys that did abound ;
And for the fame paid prefently, 115
In money twice three pound.
An hundred kiflcs then,
For my farewel fhe gave ;
Crying, Sweet Barnwell, when fhall I
Again thy company have i 120
O ftay not hence too long,
Sweet George, have me in mind.
Her words bewitcht my childifluiefs,
She uttered them fo kind :
So that I made a vow, 125
Next Sunday without fail,
With my fweet Sarah once again,
To tell fome pleafant u!c.
When
254 A N C I E N T P O E M S.
When fhe heard me fay fo,
The tears fell from her eye ; 1 30
O George, quoth fhe, if thou doft fail,
Thy Sarah fure will dye.
Though long, yet loe ! at laft,
The appointed day was come,
That I muft with my Sarah meet; 135.
Having a" mighty fum
Of money in my hand*,
Unto her houfe went I,
Whereas my love upon her bed
In faddeft fort did lye. 140
What ails my heart's delight,
My Sarah dear ? quoth I ;
Let not my love lament and grieve,
Nor fighing pine, and die.
But tell me, deareft friend, 14.5
What may thy woes amend,
And thou fhalt lack no means of help,
Though forty pound I fpend.
With that {he turn'd her head,
And fickly thus tlid fay, I <ro
Oh me, fweet George, my grief is great,
Ten pound I have to pay
Unto
* The ba-j'ieg a fum of ir.r,,,cy with Km on Sunday &c. Jboivs this
r.a -,- 2:': te fo have been penned befire the civil wan : the ftnEt ubfer-vance
/" the jabbaib was oio';r.g to the clange of manners at that ferlld.
ANCIENT POEMS.
255
Unto a cruel wretch ;
And God he knows, quoth (he,
I have it not. Tufti, rife, I faid, 155
And take it here of me.
Ten pounds, nor ten times ten,
Shall make my love decay.
Then from my bag into her lap,
I cafl ten pound ftraightway. l6o
All blithe and pleafant then,
To banqueting we go;
She proffered me to lye with her,
And faid it mould be fo.
And after that fame time, '|6^
I gave her (tore of coyn,
Yea, fometimes fifty pound at once;
- All which I did purloyn.
And thus I did pafs on ;
Until my matter then 170
Did call to have his reckoning in
Caft up among his men.
The which when as 1 heard,
I knew not what to fay :
For well I knew that I was out % 175
Two hundred pound that day.
o Thea
256 ANCIENT POEMS.
Then from my matter ftraight
1 ran in fecret fort ;
And unto Sarah Millwood there
My cafe I did report. iSo
" But how fhe us'd this youth,
" ]n this hi;, care and woe,
" And all a ftrumpet's wiley ways,
" The SECOND PART may fhowc."
THE SECOND PART.
YOUNG Barnvvell comes to thee,
Sweet Sarah, my delight ;
I am undone unlefs thou ftand
My faithful friend this night.
Our mafier to sccompts, 5
I -lath juft cgcafjon found ;
.And I am caught behind the hand,
Above two hundred pound :
And now his wrath to 'fcape,
My love, J fiy to thee, 10
Hoping fome time 1 may remaine
In f-tfety here with thee.
3 With
ANCIENT POEMS. 257
With that fhe knit her brows,
And looking all aquoy,
Quoth fhe, What fhould I have to do 15
With any prentice boy ?
And feeing you have purloyn'd
Your matter's goods away,
The cafe is bad, and therefore here
You fhall no longer ftay. 20
Why, dear, thou knowft, I faid,
How all which I could get,
I gave it, and did fpend it all
Upon thee every whit.
Quoth fhe, Thou art a knave, 25
To charge me in this fort,
Being a woman of credit fair,
And known of good report :
Therefore I tell thee flat,
Be packing with good fpeed ; 30
I do defie thee from my heart,
And fcorn thy filthy deed.
Is this the friendfhip that
You did to me proteft ?
Is this the great affedion which 35
You fo to me expreft ?
VOL, III. S No*
258 ANCIENT POEMS.
Now fie on fubtle ihrews !
The belt is, I may fpeed
To get a lodging any where
For money in my need. 4.0
Falfe woman, now farewell,
Whilft twenty pound doth laft,
My anchor in fome other haven
With freedom I will caft.
When me perceiv'd by this, 45
I had ftore of money there :
Stay, George, quoth fhe, thou art too quiek ;
Why, man, I did but jeer :
Doft think for all my fpeech,
That I would let thee go ? 50
Faith no, faid me, my love to thee
I wifs is more than fo.
You fcorne a prentice boy,
I heard you juft now fwear,
Wherefore I will not trouble you. 55
Nay, George, hark in thine ear;
Thou flialt net go to-night,
What chance foe're befall :
But man we'll have a bed for thee,
O elfe the devil take all. 60
7 So
ANCIENT POEMS. 259
So I by wiles bewitcht,
And fnar'd with fancy ftill,
Had then no power to ' get ' away,
Or to withftand her will.
For wine on wine I call'd, 6j
And cheer upon good cheer ;
And nothing in the world I thought
For Sarah's love too dear.
Whilft in her company,
I had fuch merriment ; 70
All, all too little I did think,
That I upon her fpent.
A fig for care and thought !
When all my gold is gone,
In faith, my girl, we will have more, 75
Whoever I light upon.
My father's rich, why then
Should I want ftore of gold ?
Nay with a father fure, quoth (he,
A fon may well make bold. 89
I've a filler richly wed,
I'll rob her ere I'll want.
Nay, then quoth Sarah, they may well
Confider of your fcant.
S a Nay,
26o
ANCIENT P d E M S.
Nay, I an uncle have, 8;
At Ludiow he doth dwell :
He is a grazier, which in wealth
Doth all the reft excell.
Ere I will live in lack,
And have no coyn for thee : 90
I'll rob his houfe, and murder him.
Why Paould you not ? quoth fhe :
Was I a man, ere I
Would live in poor eftate ;
On father, friends, and all ray kin, 95
I would my talons grate.
For without money, George,
A man is but a beaft :
But bringing money, thou malt be
Always my welcome gueft. 100
For (houldft thou be purfued
With twenty hues and cryes,
And with a warrant fearched for
With Argus.' hundred eyes,
Yet here thou malt be fafe ; 105
Such privy ways-there be,
That if they fought an hundred years,
They could not find out thee.
And
ANCIENT POEMS. 261
And fo caroufing both
Their pleafures to content : I j O
George Barnwell had in little fpace
His money wholly fpent.
Which done, to Ludlow flraight
He did provide to'go,
To rob his wealthy oncle there ; US
His minion would it fo.
And once he thought to take
His father by the way,
But th::t he fear'd his mailer had
Took order for his ftay *. 120
Unto his uncle then
He rode with might and main,
Who with a welcome and good cheer
Did Barnwell entertain.
One fortnight's fpace he flayed, 125
Until it chanced fo,
His uncle with his cattle did
Unto a market go.
His kinfman rode with him,
Where he did fee right plain, 130
Great ftore of money he had took :
When coming home again,
S 3 Sudden
* /'. e. for flopping, and apprehending bim at bit father* t.
262 ANCIENT POEMS.
Sudden within a wood,
He ftruck his uncle down,
And beat his brains out of his head ; 135
So fore he crackt his crown.
Then feizing fourfcore pound,
To London ftraight he hyed,
And unto Sarah Millwood all
The cruell fad defcryed. 140
Tufli, 'tis no matter, George,
So we the money have
To have good cheer in jolly fort,
And deck us fine and brave.
Thus lived in filthy fort, 145
Until their ftore was gone :
When means to get them any more,
I wis, poor George had none.
Therefore in railing fort,
She thruft him out of door : 150
Which is the juft reward of thofe,
Who fpend upon a whore.
O ! do me not difgrace
In this my need, quoth he.
She call'd him thief and murderer, 155
With all the fpight might be :
To
ANCIENT POEMS. 263
To the confkble fhe fent,
To have him apprehended ;
And fhewed how far, in each degree,
He had the laws offended. 160
When Barnwell faw her drift,
To fea he got ftraightway ;
Where fear and fling of conference
Continually on him lay.
Unto the lord mayor then, 165
He did a letter write ;
In which his own and Sarah's fault
He did at large recite.
Whereby fhe feized was,
And then to Ludlow fent : 170
Where fhe was judg'd, condemn'd, and hang'd,
For murder incontinent.
There dyed this gallant quean,
Such was her greateft gains :
For murder in Polonia, 175
Was Barnwell hang'd in chain*.
Lo ! here's the end of youth,
That after harlots haunt ;
Who in the fpoil of other men,
About the Itreets do flaunt. 180
84 VII. THE
264 ANCIENT POEMS.
VII.
THE STEDFAST SHEPHERD.
'fhefe beautiful Stanzas were 'written by GEORGE
WITHER, of 'whom feme account ivas gi-uen in the former
part of this Volume; fee the fong intitled, THE SHEP-
HERDS RESOLUTION, Book II. Song XXL In the firjl
Edition of this work only a fmall fragment of this Sonnet
<was inferted. It was afterwards rendered more compleat
and intire by the addition of five Stanzas more, extracted
from Wither* s paftoral poem, intitled " 'The Miftrefs of
" Philarete" of which this Song makes a part. It is now
gii:en Jlill more correft and perfeft by comparing it with
another copy, printed by the author in his improved edition
of " The Shepherds Hunting," 1620. 8<vo.
HENCE away, thou Syren, leave me,
Pifli ! unclafpe thefe wanton armes ;
Sugred words can ne'er deceive me,
(Though thou prove a thoufand charmes).
Fie, fie, forbeare ; 5
No common fnare
Can ever my aiFedion chaine :
Thy painted baits,
And poore deceits,
Are all beftowed on ire in vaine. 10
I'me
ANCIENT POEMS. 265
I'me no flave to fuch, as you be ;
Neither fhall that fnowy breft,
Rowling eye, and lip of ruby
Ever robb me of my reft :
Goe, goe, difplay ic
Thy beaude's ray
To fome more-foone enamour'd fwaine:
Thofe common wiles
Of fighs and fmiles
Are all beftowed on me in vaine. 20
I have elfewhere vowed a dutie;
Turne away thy tempting eye:
Shew not me a painted beautie ;
Thefe impoftures I defie :
My fpirit lothes 25
Where gawdy clothes
And fained othes may love obtaine :
I love her fo,
Whofe looke fweares No ;
That all your labours will be vaine. 30
Can he prize the tainted pofies,
Which on every breft are worne ;
That may plucke the virgin rofes
From their never-touched thornt? 35
I can goe reft
On her fweet breft,
That
266 ANCIENT POEMS.
That is the pride of Cynthia's traine :
Then ftay thy tongue ;
Thy mermaid fong
Is all beflowed on me in vaine. 40
Hee's a foole, that bafely dallies,
"Where each peafant mates with him :
Shall I haunt the thronged vallies,
Whilft ther's noble hils to climbe ?
No, no, though clown es 4;
Are fcar'd with frownes,
I know the beft can but difdaine ;
And thofe He prove :
So will thy love
Be all beftowed on me in vaine. 50
I doe fcorne to vow a dutie,
Where each luflfull lad may wooe :
Give me her, whofe fun-like beautie
Buzzards dare not foare unto :
Shee, fhee it is 55
Affoords that blifle
For which I would refufe no paine :
But fuch as you,
Fond fooles, adieu ;
You feeke to captive me in vaine. 60
Leave me then, you Syrens, leave me ;
Seeke no more to worke my harmes :
Crcftie wiles cannot deceive me,
Who am proofe againft your charmes :
You
ANCIENT POEMS. 267
You labour may , 6c
To lead aftray
The heart, that conflant fhall remaine :
And I the while
Will fit and fmile
To fee you fpend your time in vaine. 70
VIII.
THE SPANISH VIRGIN, OR EFFECTS
OF JEALOUSY.
<Tbe fubjeft of this ballad is taken from a folio collefiion
of tragical ftories t infilled ' ' 'The theatre of God's judg-
ments, by Dr. Beard and Dr. 'Taylor, 1642. Pt. 2. p. 89.
The text is given (--with Jome correfiions} from tiuo co-
pies ; one of them in black letter in the Pepys collection. I*
this every ftanza is accompanied ivitb the following diftich
by way of burden,
*' Oh jealoujie ! tbou art nurjl in hell :
" Depart from hence, and therein dwell."
AL L tender hearts, that ake to hear
Of thofe that fuffer wrong ;
All you, that never flied a tear,
Give heed unto my fong.
Fair Ifabella's tragedy 5
My tale doth far exceed :
Alas ! that fo much cruelty
In female hearts mould breed !
In
268 ANCIENT POEMS.
In Spain a lady liv'd of late,
Who was of high degree ; !O
Whofe wayward temper did create
Much woe and mifery.
Strange jealoufies fo fill'd her head
With many a vain furmize,
She thought her lord had wrong'd her bed, 15
And did her love defpife.-
A gentlewoman paffing fair
Did on this lady wait ;
With bravefc dames me might compare;
Her beauty was compleat. 20
Ker lady caft a jealous eye
Upon this gentle maid ;
And taxt her with difloyaltye ;
And did her oft upbraid.
In iilence flill this maiden meek 25
Her bitter taunts would bear,
While oft adown her lovely cheek
Would fteal the falling tear.
In vain in humble fort fhe ftrove
Her fury to difarm ; 30
As well the meeknefs of the dove
The bloody hawke might charm.
Her
ANCIENT POEMS. 269
Her lord of humour light and gay,
And innocent the while,
As oft as me came in his way, ar
Would on the damfell frnile.
And oft before his lady's face,
As thinking her her friend,
He would the maiden's modefl grace
And comelinefs commend. AQ
All which incens'd his lady fo
She burnt with wrath extreame ;
At length the fire that long did glow,
Burft forth into a flame.
For on a day it fo befell, 4 >
When he was gone from home,
The lady all with rage did fwell,
And to the damfell come.
And charging her with great offence,
And many a grievous fault ; 50
She bade her fervants drag her thence,
Into a difmal vault,
That lay beneath the common-more :
A dungeon dark and deep :
Where they were wont, in days of yore, 55
Offenders great to keep.
lo There
2 7 o ANCIENT POEMS.
There never light of chearful day
Difpers'd the hideous gloom \
But dank and noifome vapours play
Around the wretched room : 60
And adders, fnakes, and toads therein,
As afterwards was known,
Long in this loathfome vault had bin,
And were to monfters grown.
Into this foul and fearful place, 65
The fair one innocent
Was caft, before her lady's face ;
Her malice to centent.
This maid no fooner enter'd is,
But (trait, alas ! Ihe hears 70
The toads to croak, and fnakes to hifs :
Then grievoufly (he fears.
Soon from their holes the vipers creep,
And fiercely her aflail :
Which makes the damfel forely weep, 75
And her fad fate bewail.
With her fair hands fhe ftrives in vain
Her body to defend :
With fhrieks and cries fhe doth complain,
But all is to no end. 80
A fer-
ANCIENT POEMS. 271
A fcrvant liflning near the door,
Struck with her doleful noife,
Strait ran his lady to implore ;
But fhe'll not hear his voice.
With bleeding heart he goes agen Jj
To mark the maiden's groans ;
And plainly hears, within the den,
How {he herfelf bemoans.
Again he to his lady hies
With all the hafte he may : ^o
She into furious paflion flies,
And orders him away.
Still back again does he return
To hear her tender cries ;
The virgin now had ceas'd to mourn ; 95
Which fill'd him with furprize.
In grief, and horror, and affright,
He liftens at the walls ;
But finding all was filent quite,
He to his lady calls. 100
Too fure, Q lady, now quoth he,
Your cruelty hath fped ;
Make haft, for fliame, and come and fee;
I fear the virgin's de&d.
She
A N C I E N T P O E M 3.
She ftarts to hear her fuduen fate, 105
And does with torches run :
But all her haite was now too late,
For death his woril had done.
1 H 111 ttn iO I rf A : ; vJ I A .3
The door being open'd ftrait they found
The virgin ftretch'd along : i ia
Two dreadful fnakes had wrapt her round,
Which her to death had ftung. *
One round her legs, her thighs, her waft
Had twin'd his fatal wreath :
The other clofe her neck embrac'd, 1 15
And ftopt her gentle breath.
The fnakes, being from her body thruft,
Their bellies were fo filPd,
That with excefs of blood they burft,
Thus with their prey were kill'd. 120
The wicked lady at this fight,
With horror ftrait ran mad ;
So raving dy'd as was mod right,
'Caufe Ihe no pity had.
to jrtr,-vt
Let me advife you, ladies all, 125
Of jealoufy beware :
It caufeth many a one to fall,
And is the devil's fciare.
:. :<1 iy.' a li
I
ANCIENT POEMS. 273
IX.
JEALOUSY TYRANT OF THE MIND.
From a Manufcript copy communicated to the Editor.
WHAT ftate of life can be fo bleft,
As love that warms the gentle breft ?
Two fouls in one ; the fame deiire
To grant the blifs, and to require :
If in this heaven a hell we find, 5
Tis all from thee,
O Jealcufie 1
Thou tyrant, tyrant of the mind.
All other ills, though fharpe they prove,
Serve to refine and perfeft love: . 10
In abfence, or unkind difdaine,
Sweet hope relieves the lovers paine :
But, oh, no cure but death we find
To fett us free
From jealoufie, 15
Thou tyrant, tyrant of the mind.
Falfe in thy glafs all objefts arc,
Some fett too near, and fome too farre :
Thou art the fire of endlefs night,
The fire that burns, and givei no light, *o
VOL. HI. T All
ANCIENT POEM S.
All torments of the damn'd we find
In only thee,
O jealoufie ;
Thou tyrant, tyrant of the mind.
X.
CONSTANT PENELOPE.
*The ladies are indebted for the following notable .documents
to the Pepys collection, ivhere the original is preferred in
Hack-letter, and is intitled, " A looking- glafs for ladies, or
" a mirrour for married iuomen. 'Tune Quetn Dido, or
" Troy town." jftT
WHEN Greeks, and Trojans fellatftrife,
And lords in armour bright were feen ;
When many a gallant loft his life
About fair Hellen, beauties, queen ;
Ulyffes, general fo free, 5
Did leave his dear Penelope.
tA
When (he this wofull news did hear, i ^M
That he would to the warrs of Troy ;
For grief (he fhed full many a tear,
At parting from her only joy ; 10
Her ladies all about her came,
To comfort up this Grecian dame.
Ulyfles,
A N C I E N T P O E M S. 275
Ulyfles, with a heavy heart,
Unto her then did mildly fay,
The time is come that we muft part ; 1 5
My honour calls me hence away ;
Yet in my abfence, deareft, be
My conftant wife, Penelope.
Let me no longer live, (he fayd,
Then to my lord I true remain ; 20
My honour mall not be betray'd
Until I fee my love again ;
For I will ever conftant prove,
As is the loyal turtle-dove.
t*&aY-v\ ^. r ynmif\ i
oVxO : * "
Thus did they part with heavy chear, 25
And to the mips his way he took ;
Her tender eyes dropt many a tear ;
Still cafting many a longing look :
Slie faw him on the furges glide,
And unto Neptune thus fhe cry'd : 30
4 .nBvKJ
Thou god, whofe power is in the deep,
And rulcil in the ocean main,
My loving lord in fafety keep
Till he return to me again :
That I his perfon may behold, 35
To me more precious far than gold.
lifij qu not ft; / en
276 ANCIENT POEM S.
Then ftraight the (hips with nimble fails
Were all convey'd out of her fight:
Her cruel, fate fhe then bewails,
Since fhe had loft her hearts delight : 40
Now fhall my practice be, quoth (he,
True vertue and humility.
My patience I will put in ure,
My charity I will extend ;
Since for my woe there is no cure, 45
The helplefs now I will befriend :
The widow and the fatherlefs
I will relieve, when in dillrefs.
Thus fhe continued year by year
In doing good to every one ; 50
Her fame was noifed every where,
To young and old the fame was known,
That flie no company would mind,
Who were to vanity inclin'd.
Mean while UlyfTes fought for fame, 5-
'Mongic Trojans hazarding his life :
Young gallants, hearing of her name,
Came flocking for to tempt his wife :
For fhe was lovely, young, and fair,
No lady might with her compare. 60
310)6 fliqi ^IB:
With
ANCIENT POEMS. 277
With coftly gifts and jewels fine,
They did endeavour her to win ;
With banquets and the choiceft wine,
For to allure her unto fm :
Mod perfons were of high degree, 65
Who courted fair Penelope.
With modefty and comely grace,
Their wanton 'fuits fhe did denye ;
No tempting charms could e'er deface
Her deareft hufo inJ s memorye ; , 70
But conftant fhe wouM {till remain,
Hopeir^j to fee hin; o see again.
Her book her dayly comfort was,
And that ftie often did perufe ;
She feldom looked in her glafs ; 75
Powder and paint (he ne'er would ufe,
I wi(h all ladies were as free
From pride, as was Penelope.
She in her needle took delight,
And likewife in her fpinning-wheel ; 80
Her maids about her every night
Did ufe the diftaff, and the reel :
The fpiders, that on rafters twine,
'" Scarce fpin a thread more foft and fine.
T 3 6.
2 7 g AN C I E N T P O E M S.
Sometimes fhe would bewail the lofs 85
And abfence of her deareft love :
Sometimes fhe thought the feas to crofs,
Her fortune on the waves to prove ;
I fear my lord is fl.;in, quoth fhe,
He flays fo from Penelope. oo
err
At length the ten years fiege of Troy
Did end ; in flames the city burn'd ;
And to the Grecians was great joy,
To fee the towers to afhes turn'd :
Then came UlyfTes home to fee 9-
His conftant, dear, Penelope.
O blame her not if fhe was glad,
When fhe her lord again had feen.
Thrice-welcome home, my dear, fhe faid,
A long time abfent thou haft been : 100
The wars fhall never more deprive
Me of my lord whilft I'me alive.
Fair ladies all example take ;
And hence a worthy leffon learn,
All youthful follies to forfake, 105
And vice from virtue to difcern :
And let all women ftrive to be,
As conftant as Penelope.
IX. TO
A N C I E N T P O E M S, 279
XI.
TO LUCASTA, ON GOING TO THE WARS.
Sy Col. Richard Lovelace : from the -volume of bit
poems intitkd, " Lucajia, Land. 1649." I2mo. V he ele-
gance of this 'writer's manner would be more admired, if it
kad/omeivhat more of Jimplicity*
TE L L me not, Tweet, I am unkinde,
That from the nunnerie
Of thy chafte bread and quiet minde,
To warre and armes I flic.
True, a new miftreffe now I chafe, 5
The firft foe in the field ;
And with a ftronger faith imbrace
A fword, a horfe, a Ihield.
Yet this inconftancy is fuch.
As you too ihall adore ; 1O
I could not love thee, deare, fo much,
Lov'd I not honour more.
T 4 X. VA-
#<$ 1 E'N OTA POEMS.
liel goifliotu Jsdl aanKvil to j/niii ariT
bluow -sH
Hliol gniaoeiq Qatol - r.iiA oT
.shric^r? nl
VALENTINE- AND URSINE,
, ni*n \bii-!
// would be in vain to put off this ballad for ancient,
itoryet is it altogether modern. The original is an old MS
foem in the Editor's prjj/ejfion ; which being in a wretched
corrupt ftate, the fuljecl was thought worthy of fotne em?
bellijhments.
The old Jlory-look of Valentine and Or/on (which fug?
gejied the. ' 'an of this tale, but it is not ftri&ly followed in
it} tvas ortgtnally a translation from the French, being one
of their earlieft attempts at romance. See " it Bibliotheque
" de Romans, &c."
The circumftfuue of the bridge of bells is taken from the
old metrical legend of Sir Bevis, and has alfo betn copied
in the Seven Champions* The original lines are,
Over the dyke a hvidge there lay.
That man and beeji might pafse away :
V.'.aer the hrydge were Jixty belles ;
Right as the Romans telles ;
That there might no man pafse in,
But all they rang with a )'#"
jalwi larfjom sr; .
PART THE FIRST.
WHEN Flora 'gins to decke the fields
With colours frelh and fine,
Then holy clerkes their mattins fing
To good Saint Valentine ! dw*
The
ANCIENT POEMS. 2 8,
The king of France that morning fair r
O t He would a hunting ride :
To Artois foreft prancing forth
In all his princely 1 pride.
.a H i a a u a x AY
To grace his fports a courtly train
Of gallant peers attend ; 10
And with their loud and cheerful cryes
The hills and valleys rend.
-JBtt VWS '
Through the deep foreft fwift they pafs,
Through woqds and thickets wild ;
When down within a lonely dell i*
They found a new-born child ;
vk\ wwn\*^
&M\trt All in a fcarlet kercher lay'd
Of filk fo fine and thin :
A golden mantle wrapt him round
Pinn'd with a filver pin. 20
The fudden fight furpriz'd them all ;
The courtiers gather'd round ;
They look, they call, the mother feek;
No mother could be found.
At length the king himfelf drew near, , 25
And as he gazing ftaruls, T Y
The pretty babe look'd up and fmil'd,
And ftretch'd his litdc hands. ... ;
Now,
a82 ANCIENT POEMS.
Now, by the rood, king Pepin fays,
This child is paffing fair : 39
I wot he is of gentle blood ;
Perhaps fome prince's heir.
Goe bear him home unto my court
With all the care ye may :
Let him be chriften'd Valentine, 35
In honour of this day :
And look me out fome cunning nurfe;
Well nurtur'd let him bee ;
Nor ought be wanting that becomes
A bairn of high degree. 40
They look'd him out a cunning nurfe ;
And nurtur'd well was hee ;
Nor ought was wanting that became
A bairn of high degree.
Thus grewe the little Valentine 45
Belov'd of king and peers ;
And fhew'd in all he fpake or did
A wit beyond his years.
But chief in gallant feates of arms
He did himfelf advance, 56
That ere he grewe to man's eftate
He had no peere in France.
And
ANCIENT POEMS. 283
And now the early downe began
To made his yout v ful chin ;
When Valentine was dubb'd a knight, 55
That he might glory win.
A boon, a boon, my gracious liege,
I beg a boon of thee !
The firft adventure, that befalls,
May be referv'd for mee. 60
The firft adventure (hall be thine ;
The king did fmiling fay.
Nor many days, when lo ! there came
Three palmers clad in graye.
Help, gracious lord, they weeping fay'd ; 65
And knelt, as it was meet :
From Artoys fofeft we be come,
With weak and wearye feet.
Within thofe deep and drearye woods
There wends a favage boy ; 7
Whofe fierce and mortal rage doth yield
Thy fubje&s dire annoy.
'Mong ruthlefs beares he fnre was bred ;
He lurks within their den :
With beares he lives ; with beares he feeds, 75
And drinks the blood of men.
To
284 A N C I E N T P O E M S.
To more than favage ftrength he joins
A more than human fldll :
For arms, ne cunning may fuffice
His cruel rage to Hill : g o
Up then rofe fir Valentine,
And claim'd that arduous deed.
Go forth and conquer, fay'd the king,
And great fhall be thy meed.
Well mounted on a milk-white fteed, 8"
His armour white as fnow ;
As well befeem'd a virgin knight,
Who ne'er had fought a foe :
To Artoys foreft he repairs
With all the hafte he may ;
And foon he fpies the favage youth
A rending of his prey.
His unkempt hair all matted hung
His fhaggy fhoulders round :
His eager eye all fiery glow'd : o 5
His face with fury frown'd.
Like eagles' talons grew his nails :
His limbs were thick and ftrong ;
And dreadful was the knotted oak
He bare with him along. , oo
Soon
ANCIENT POEMS. 285
Scon as fir Valentine approach'd,
He ftarts with fudden fpring ;
And yelling forth a hideous howl,
He made the foreils ring.
As when a tyger fierce and fell 105
Hath fpyed a paffing roe,
And leaps at once upon his throat ;
So fprung the favage foe ;
So lightly leap'd with furious force
The gentle knight to fcize : 1 10
But met his tall uplifted fpear,
Which funk him on his knees.
A fecond ftroke fo ftiff and ftern,
f . Had laid the favage low ;
But fpring'ing up, he rai^'d his club, uc
And aim'd a dreadful blow.
The watchful warrior bent his bead,
And fhun'd the coming ftroke;
Upon his taper fpear it fell,
And all to flu vers broke. I2C
Then lighting nimbly from his ftced,
He drew his burniflu brand :
The favage quick as lightning flew
oor To wrefl it from his hand.
Three
286 ANCIENT POEMS
Three times he grafp'd the filver hilt ; 1 25
Three times he felt the blade ;
Three times it fell with furious force j
Three ghaftly wounds it made.
Now with redoubled rage he roar'd j
His eye-ball flafh'd with fire ; 130
Each hairy limb with fury (hook ;
And all his heart was ire.
Then clofing faft with furious gripe
He clafp'd the champion round,
And with a flrong and fudden twift 135
He laid him on the ground.
But foon the knight, with aftive fpring,
O'erturn'd his hairy foe :
And now between their fturdy fills
Paft many a bruifing blow. 140
They rolPd and grappled on the ground,
And there they ftruggled long :
Skilful and aclive was the knight j
The favage he was ftrong.
But brutal force and favage ftrength 145
To art and (kill muft yield :
Sir Valentine at length prevail'd,
And won the well-fought field.
6
o Then
ANCIENT POEM'S. 287
Then binding ftrait his conquer'd foe
Fail with an iron chain, !g
He tyes him to his horfe's tail,
And leads him o'er the plain.
To court his hairy captive foon
Sir Valentine doth bring ;
And kneeling downe upon his knee, i *
Prefents him to the king.
With lofs of blood and lofs of ftrength,
The favage tamer grew ;
And to fir Valentine became
A fervant try'd and true. 160
And 'caufe with beares he erft was bred,
Urfine they call his name ;
A name which unto future times
The Mufes {hall proclame.
PART THE SECOND.
IN high renown with prince and peere
Now liv'd fir Valentine :
His high renown with prince and peere
Made envious hearts repine.
288, ANCIENT POEMS.
It chanc'd the king upon a day 4 1
Prepar'd a famptuous feaft ;
And there came lords, and dainty dames,
And many a noble gueft.
Amid their cups, that freely fiow'd,
Their revelry, and mirth ; l<
A youthful knight tax'd Valentine
Of bafe and doubtful birth.
The fo.ul reproach, fo grofsly urg'd,
His generous heart did wound :
And ftrait he vow'd he ne'er would reft 15
Till he his parents found. K .
Then bidding king and peers adieu,
Early one fummer's day,
With faithful Urfine by his fide,
From court he took his way. 20
O'er hill and valley, mofs and moor,
For many a day they pafs j
At length upon a moated lake,
They found a bridge of brafs.
Beyond it rofe a caftle fair
Y-built of marble ftone :
The battlements were gilt with gold,
And glutted in the fun.
V, aj. I. e. a lake tltat fervtJ, as a m:at to * c/iflle.
ANCIENT POEMS. 289
Beneath the bridge, with ftrange device,
A hundred bells were hung ; , o
That man, nor beaft, might pa(s thereon,
But ftrait their larum rung-. i-tott frA
This quickly fcund the youthful pair,
Who boldly croffmg o'er,
The jangling found bedeaft their ears, j$
And rung from fliore to (bore.
Quick at the found the caftle gate*
Unlock'd and opened wide,
And ftrait a gyant huge and grim
Stalk'd forth with ftately ftrid*. 40
Now yield you, caytiffs, to my will j
He cried with hideous roar ;
Or elfe the wolves fhall eat your flefh,
And ravens drink your gore.
Vain boafter, faid the youthful knight, 45
I fcorn thy threats and thee :
I truft to force thy brazen gates,
And fet thy captives free.
Then putting fpurs unto his fteed,
He aim'd a dreadful thruft : 50
The fpear againft the gyant glanc'd,
And caus'd the blood to burft.
VOL. III. U Mad
* 9 o ANCIENT POEMS.
Mad and outrageous with the pain,
He whirl'd his mace of fteel :
The very wind of fuch a blow $c
Had made the champion reel.
It haply mift ; and now the knight
His glittering fword difplay'd,
And riding round with whirlwind fpeed
Oft made him feel the blade. 60
As when a large and monftrous oak
Unceafing axes hew :
So faft around the gyant's limbs
The blows quick-darting flew.
As when the boughs with hideous fall 65
Some haplefs woodman cruih :
With fuch a force the enormous foe
Did on the champion rum.
A fearful blow, alas ! there came,
Both horfe and knight it took, , 3 ^j 70
And laid them fenfelefs in the duft ;
So fatal was the ftroke.
Then fmiling forth a hideous grin,
The gyant ftrides in hade,
And, ftooping, aims a fecond ftroke : 75
" Now caytiff Breathe thy laft 1"
But
ANCIENT POEMS. &
But ere it fell, two thundering blows
Upon his fcull defcend :
From Urfine's knotty club they came,
Who ran to fave his friend.' So
t-k r i i. . J Xn
Down funk the gyant gaping wide,
And rolling his grim eyes :
The hairy youth repeats his blows :
He gafps, he groans, he dies.
Quickly fir Valentine reviv'j
With Urfme's timely care :
And now to fearch the caftle wajls
The venturous youths repair.
r i , a 1 i r i " . , ,
1 he blood and bones of murder d knights
They found where'er they came : go
At length within a lonely cell
They faw a mournful dame.
Her gentle eyes were dim'd with tears ;
Her cheeks were pale with woe :
And long lir Valentine befought 0"
Her doleful tale to know.
" Alas ! young knight," (he weeping faid,
" Condole my wretched fate:
" A chihllefs mother ht-re you fee;
" A wife without a mate. 100
U a Thefe
2 9 2 ANCIENT POEMS.
" Thefe twenty winters here forlorn
* I've drawn my hated breath ;
" Sole witnefs of a moniler's crimes,
"And wifhing aye for death.
" Know, I am fifter of a king ; 105
' And in my early years
" Was married to a mighty prince,
" The faireft of his peers.
" With him I fweetly liv'd in love
* A twelvemonth and a day : 1 1
44 When, lo ! a foul and treacherous prieft
" Y-wrought our loves' decay.
" His fe.eroing goodnefs wan him pow'r ;
" He had his matter's ear :
14 And long to me and all the world 1 1 5
" He did a faint appear.
" One day, when we were all alone,
" He proffer'd odious love :
" The wretch with horrour I repuls'd,
" And from my prefence drove. 1 20
" He feign'd remorfe, and piteous heg'd
*' His crime I'd not reveal :
" Which, for his feeming penitence,
" I promis'd to conceal.
< With
ANCIENT POEMS. 293
" With treafon, villainy, and wrong 125
*'. My goodnefs he repay 'd :
With jealous doubts he fill'd my lord,
" And me to w6e betray 'd.
** He hid a flave within my bed,
* Then rais'd a bitter cry : 1 ^O
" My lord, poffelt with rage, condemn'd
" Me, all unheard, to dye.
" But 'caufe I then was great with child,
** At length my life he fpar'd :
" But bade me inftant quit the realme, 135
" One trufty knight my guard.
" Forth on my journey I depart,
' Oppreft with grief and woe ;
" And tow'rds my brother's diftant court,
' With breaking heart, I goe. 14*
" Long time thro' fandry foreign lands
" We flowly pace along:
' At length within a foreft wild
" I fell in labour flrong :
" And while the knight for fuccour fought, 145
" And left me there forlorn,
' My childbed pains fo faft increaft
" Two lovely boys were born.
U 3 " The
294 ANCIENT POEMS.
" The eldeft fair, and fmooth, as fnow
" That tips the mountain hoar : 150
" The younger's little body rough
'* With hair* was cover'd o'er.
But here afrefli begin my woes :
" While tender care I took
" To fhield my eldeft from the cold, os ailiW 155
" And wrap him in my cloak ;
*' A prowling bear burft from the wood, 10%
tf And feiz'd my younger fon :
" Affe&ion lent my weakrcefs wings,
" And after them I run. . 1 60
" But all forewearied, weak and fpent, \ "}}
*' I quickly fwoon'd away ;
" And there beneath the greenwood fhade
" Long time I lifelefs lay.
" At length the knight brought me relief, 165
" And rais'd me from the ground :
" But neither of my pretty babes
" Could ever more be found.
" And, while in fearch we wander'd far,
" We met that gyant grim ; 1 70
" Who ruthlefi flew my trnfty knight,
" And bare me off with him.
" But
ANCIENT POEMS. 295
" But charm'd by heav'n, or elfe my griefs,
' He offer'd me no wrong ;
" Save that within thefe lonely walls 175
" I've been immur'd fo long."
Now, furely, faid the youthful knight,
Ye are lady Bellifance,
Wife to the Grecian emperor :
Your brother's king of France. 1 89
For in your royal brother's court
Myfelf my breeding had ;
Where oft the ftory of your woes
Hath made my bofom fad.
If fo, know your accufer*s dead, 185
And dying own'd his crime j
And long your lord hath fought you Out
Thro' every foreign clime.
And when no tidings he could learn
Of his much-wronged wife, 190
He vow'd thenceforth within his court
To lead a hermit's life.
Now heaven is kind ! the lady faid ;
And dropt a joyful tear :
Shall I once more behold my lord ? 195
That lord I love fo dear ?
U 4 But,
* 9 6 ANCIENT POEMS.
But, madam, faid fir Valentine,
And knelt upon his knee ;
Know you the cloak that wrapt your babe,
If you the fame fhould fee ? 200
And pulling forth the cloth of gold,
In which himfelf was found ;
The lady gave a fudden ftiriek,
And fainted on the ground.
But by his pious care reviv'd, 205
His tale fhe heard anon ;
And foon by other tokens found,
He was indeed her fon.
But who's this hairy youth ? flic faid ;
He much refembles thee : 210
The bear devour'd my younger fbn,
Or fure that fon were he.
Madam, this youth with beares was bred,
And rear'd within their den.
But recoiled! ye any mark 215
To know your fon agen ?
W'dk \nii. "
Upon his little fide, quoth fhe,
t Was ftampt a bloody role.
Here, lady, fee the crimfon mark
Upon his body grows ! . 220
? ojt zotlkfl fwiiofj .
ANCIENT POEMS.
Then clafping both her new-found fon
She bath'd their cheeks with tears;
And foon towards her brother's court
Her joyful courfe Ihe fleers.
A
What pen can paint king Pepin's joy,
His fifter thus reftor'd !
And foon a mefTenger was fent
To chear her drooping lord :
Who came in halte with all his peers,
To fetch her home to Greece ;
Where many happy years they reign'd
In perfeft love and peace.
To them fir Urfine did fucceed,
And long the fcepter bare.
Sir Valentine he ftay'd in France,
And was his uncle's heir.
-,,!.*
XIII.
THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY.
This humorous fong (as a former Editor \ has *vaell ob-
ferijed) is to old metrical romances and ballads of chival-
ry, what Don Quixote is to profe narratives of that kind :
a lively fatire on their extravagant jiQions. But altta*
the fatire is thus general ; the fubjefl of this ballad fetmt
local and peculiar ; fo that many of iht jintft Jtrokes of bit'
mour are loft for want of ear knowing tbt particular fa3s
t
f Collection of Hiftorical Ballads in 3 vol. 1727.
29 8 ANCIENT POEMS.
to which they allude. Thefe we have in vain endeavoured
to recover ; and are therefore obliged to acquiefce in the
common account ; namely* that this ballad alludes to a con-
tejt at law between an overgrown Torkjhire attorney and a
neighbouring gentleman. The former, it feems, had Jiript
three orphans of their inheritance, and by his incroachments
and rapacioufnefs was become a nufance to the whole coun-
try ; 'when the latter generoujly ejpoujed the caufe of the op-
prejfed, and gained a complete vidory over his antagonist
who with meer Jpite and vexation broke his heart,
In handling this fubjett, the Author has brought in mofl
ef the common incidents which occur in Romance. The de-
jcription of the dragon * his outrages - tht people
fying to the knight for Juccour ~~-his cart in chafing his ar-
mour his being dreft for fght by ayo^ng damjel and moft
of the circumjiances of the battle and viSory ( allowing for
the burlefque turn given to them) are what occur in every
took of chivalry whether in prcfe or verfe.
If any on: piece, more than other, is more particularly
levelled at, it feems to be the old rhiming legend of fir Be-
vis. There a DRAGON it attacked from a WELL in a
manner not very remote from this of the ballad :
There was a well, fa have I wynne t
And $e-vii ftumbled ryght therein.
*
Than was he glad without fayle t
And refied a why le for his avayle ;
And dranke of that water his fyll ;
And than he lepte out, with good ovyZ/>
And with Morglay his brande,
He affayled the dragon, I underftande :
On the dragon he Jmote Jo fajie,
Where that he hit the fcales brajle :
The dragon then faynied fore,
And caft a galon and more
Out of bis mouthe of venim ftrong t
And onfyr Bevit be it jiong :
ft was venymous j-wis, ,
This
* Sit elwepag, 100, ioj. & p. 317-
ANCIENT POEMS. 299
J/jisfeems to be meant by the Dragon of Want ley's ft ink,
ver. no. As the politick knighfs creeping out, and attacking
the dragon, (S'c./eems evidently to allud* to the fvllovjinr ,
Bevis bUj/id bimfrlfe, and forth y ode t
And lepte out with hajte Jull good ;
And Bevis unto the dragon gone is ;
And the dragon alfo to Bevis.
Lcnge, and horde was that fyght
Bstwene the dragon, and that knyght :
But ever whanjyr Be<vis was hurt Jore,
He went to the well, and wajhed him thore ;
He was as bole as any man,
Ever frejhe as wban he began :
'Tht dragcn fawe it might not avay/e
Befyde the <well to hold batayle ;
He thought he 'would, nuytkfome <uyle,
Out of that place Bevis begyle ;
He <woulde havejlonven then awaye.
But Bevis lepte after with good Morglaye,
And hyt him under the wynge,
As he was in bisfyenge, tffr.
Sign. M.jv. L.j. &e.
After all, perhaps the ivritrr of this ballad *wat acauaint-
td mcith the above incidents only thri the medium t.f Spen-
Jer, who has ajffumed mojl of them in bis Faery Queen. At
leaft fame particulars in the defcription of the Dragon, &c
Jeem evidently borrowed from the latter, See Book i . Cantt
II. where the Dragons " two wynges like fay h huge
" long tayl with Jhngs his cruel rending clawes and
" yron teeth his breath of f mot her ing fmoke and falpbur"
and the duration of the fight for upwards of two days,
bear a great refemb lance to pa/ages in the following bal-
lad ; though it mufl be ctnfe/ed that theft particulars art
common to all old writers of Romance.
The following ballad appears to have been written lati
in the laft century ; of leaft we have met 'with none but
modern copies : the text is given from one in Roman letter
in the Petys collegian, collated with tius or three others.
OLD
?o ANCIENT POEMS.
OL D fiories tell, how Hercules
A dragon (lew at Lerna,
With feven heads, and fourteen eyes,
To fee and we!] difcern a :
But he had a club, this dragon to drub, 5
Or he had ne'er done it, I warrant ye :
Jut More of More-Hall, with nothing at all,
He flew the dragon of Wantley.
This dragon had two furious wings,
Each one upon each fhoulder ; 1O
With a fting in his tayl, as long as a flayl,
Which made him bolder and bolder.
He had long claws, and in his jaws
Four and forty teeth of iron ;
With a hide as tough, as any buff, 15
Which did him round environ.
Have you not heard how the Trojan horfe
Held feventy men in his belly ?
This dragon \*as not quite fo big,
But very near, I'll tell ye. iO
Devoured he poor children three,
That could not with him grapple ;
And at one fup, he eat them up,
As one would eat an apple.
All
ANCIENT POEMS. 30*
All forts of cattle this dragon did eat. r >
Some fay he ate up trees,
And that the forefts fare he would
Devour up by degrees :
Forhoufes and churches, were tohim geefc andturkies;
He ate a.11, and left none behind, ^<j
But fome flones, dear jack, that he could not crac,k,
Which on the hills you will find.
In Yorkfhire, near fair Rotherham,
The place 1 know it well ;
Some two or three miles, or thereabouts, 35
I vow I cannot tell ;
But there is a hedge, juft on the hill edge,
And Matthew's houfe hard by it ;
O there and then, was this dragon's den,
You could GO: chufe but fpy it. 40
Some fay, this dragon was a witch ;
Some fay, he was a devil,
For from his nof. a fmoke arofe,
And with it burning fnivel ;
Which he caft off, when he did cough, 45
In a well that he did Hand by ;
Which made it look, juit like a brook
Running witit burning brandy.
fhftf
fer. 29. were to Litn gerfc and birches- Qtitr Cqiti.
302 A N C I E N T P O E M S.
Hard by a furious knight there dwelt,
Of whom all towns did ring ; 50
For he could wreftle, play at quarter-Haff, kick,
cuff and huff,
Call fon of a whore, do any kind of thing :
By the tail and the main, with his hands twain
He fwung a horfe till he was dead ;
And that which is ftranger, he for very anger 55
Eat him all up but his head.
Thefe children, as I told, being eat ;
Men, women, girls and boys,
Sighing and fobbing, came to his lodging.
And made a hideous noife : 6e
O fave us all, More of More-Hall,
Thou peerlefs knight of thefe woods ;
Do but flay this dragon, who won't leave us a rag on,
We'll give thee all our goods.
Tut, tut, quoth he, no goods I want ; 65
But I want, I want, in footh,
A fair maid of fixteen, that's briflc, and keen,
With fmiles about the mouth j
Hair black as flee, flcin white as fnow, at o'f
With blulhes her cheeks adorning ; 70
To anornt me o'er night, ere I go to fight,
And to drefs me in the morning.
6 This
ANCIENT POEMS. 303
This being done he did engage
To hew the dragon down ;
But firft he went, new armour to 75
Befpeak at Sheffield town ;
With fpikes all about, not within but without.
Of fteel fo lharp and ftrong;
Both behind and before, arms, legs, and all o'er
Some five or fix inches long. 80
Had you but feen him in this drefs,
How fierce he look'd and how big,
You would have thought him for to be
Some Egyptian porcupig :
He frighted all, cats, dogs, and all, 85
Each cow, each horfe, and each hog:
For fear they did flee, for they took him to be
Some ftrange outlandilh hedge-hog.
To fee this fight, all people then
Got up on trees and houfts, 90
On churches fome, and chimneys too;
But thefe put on their trowfes,
Not to fpoil their hofe. A* icon as he rofe,
To make him ftrong and mighty,
He drank by the tale, fix pots of ale, 95
And a qcait of aqua-vit*.
304 ANCIENT POEMS.
It is not ftrength that always wins,
For wit doth ftrength efccell ;
Which made our cunning champion
Creep down into a well ; 100
Where he did think, this dragon would drink,
And fo he did in truth ;
And as he ftoop'd low, he rofe up and cry'd, boh I
And hit him in the mouth.
Oh, quoth the dragon, pox take thee, come out 4 10$
Thou difturb'ft me in my drink : .b dT
And then he turn'd, and f . . . at him;
Good lack how he did ftink ! oT
Befhrew thy foul, thy body's foul, ijaA
Thy dung fmells not like balfam ; I jo
Thou fon of a whore, thou ftink'ft fo fore,
Sure thy diet is unwholfome.
Our politick knight, on the other fide,
Crept out upon the brink,
And gave the dragon fuch a doufe, 1 15
He knew not what to think :
By cock, quoth he, fay you fo : do you fee ?
And then at him he let fly
With hand and with foot, and fo they went to'tj ^
And the word it was, Hey boys, hey ! 1 20
\
You*
ANCIENT POEMS.
305
Your words, quoth the dragon, I don't undcrftand:
Then to it they fell at all,
Like two wild boars fo fierce, if I may,
Compare great things with fmail.
Two days and a night, with this dragon did fight 125
Our champion en the ground ;
Tho' their ftrength it was great, their flcill it was neit,
They never had one wound.
At length the hard earth began to quake,
The dragon gave him a knock, 130
Which made him to reel, and ftraitway he thought,
To lift him as high as a rock,
And thence let him fall. But More of More-Hall,
Like a valiant fon of Mars,
As he came like a lout, fo he turn'd him about, i - ;
And hit him a kick on the a ...
Oh, quoth the dragon, with a deep figh,
And turn'd fix times together,
Sobbing and tearing, curfing and fwearing .
Out of his throat of leather ;
More of More-Hall ! O thou rafcal !
Would I had feen thee never ;
With the thing at thy foot, thou haft pric
And I'm quire undone for ever.
VOL. III. X Murder,
3o6 ANCIENT POEMS.
Murder, murder, the dragon cry'd, 11-
Alack, alack, for grief;
Had you but mift that place, you could
Have done me no mifchief.
Then his head he (naked, trembled and quaked,
And down he laid and cry'd ; 150
Firft on one knee, then on back tumbled he,
Sagroan'd, kickt, f..., and dy'd.
*#* Since the firjl Edition was printed off, the Editor has
leen favoured with fame curious particulars relating to the
foregoing Song, 'which are here given in the words of the
Relater, as communicated in 1767.
" In ITorkJhire.fix miles frcrnRotherham,is a village, called
fi WORTLEY, the feat of 'the late WORTLE v MONTAGUE,
' ' Efq; Aboitt a mile from this -village is a lodge, named
" WARNCLIFF LODGE, but vulgarly called WAKTLEY :
* ' here lies the Jc cue of the Song. I ivas there above forty
" years ago : and it being a vuoody, rocky place, my friend
" made me clamber over rocks and Jior.es, not telling me to
" what end, till I came to a fort of a cave; then ajktdjxy
" opinion of the place, and pointing to one end, fays, Here lay
'* the Dragon killed by MOOR of MOOR-HALL : here lay
" his head ; here lay his tail ; and the Jtones ive came over
" on the hill, are thofe he could not cracky and yon <white.
" houfe you fee half a mile off, is MOOR-MALL. / had
*' dined at the lod&e, and knevj the man's name ivas
" MATTHEW, vj/jo ivas a keeper to Mr. V/crtley , and, as he
" endeavoured to perjuade me, -was the fame Matthsvj men-
" tinned in the Song : In the houfe is the picture of the
" Dragon and Moor of Moor-Hall, and near it a Well,
" whichy fiys he, is the Well defcribed in. ike Ballad"
XIV. ST.
ANCIENT POEMS. &
XIV.
ST. GEORGE FOR ENGLAND.
THE FIRST PART.
As the former fong is in ridicule of the extravagant in-
cidents in old ballads and metrical romances ; fo this is a
burlefque of their Jiyle ; particularly of the rambling tran-
filions and iv:ld accumulation of unconnected farts, fo fre-
quent in many of them.
'This ballad is given from an old black-litter copy in the
Pspys collection, " imprinted at London t 1612." It is mart
ancient than many of the preceding ; but nue place it here for
the fake of connecting it with the SKCON D PART.
"^T 7H Y doe you boaft of Arthur and his knightes,
V V Knowing ' well' how many men have endured
fightes ?
fcor befides king Arthur, and Lancelot du lake,
Or fir Triftram de Lionel, that fought for ladies fake;
Read in old hiftories, and there you Jhall fee
How St. George, St. George the dragon made to flee.
St. George he w as for England j St. Dennis was for France;
Sing, Hint foil qui malypenfe.
Mark our father Abraham, when firft he refckued Lot
Onely with his houfehold, what conqueft there he got :
X 2 David
308 ANCIENT POEMS.
David was elefted a prophet and a king,
He flew the great Goliah, with a flone within a fling :
Yet thefe were not knightes of the table round ;
Nor St. George, St. George, who the dragon did
confound.
St George he was for England; St. Dennis was for France;
Sing, Hani foil qui mal y penfe.
Jephthah and Gideon did lead their men to fight,
They conquered the Amorites, and put them all to
flight :
Hercules his labours ' were' on the plaines of Bafle ;
And Sampfon flew a thoufand with the jawbone of
an affe,
And eke he threw a temple downe, and did a mighty
fpoyle :
But St. George, St. George he did the dragon foyle.
St.Georgehe was for England; St. Dennis was for France;
Sing, Honi foil qui mal y penfe.
The warres of ancient monarches it were too long to
tell,
And likewise of the Romans, how farre they did excel! ;
Hannyball and Scipio in many a fielde did fighte :
Orlando Furiofo he was a worthy knighte :
Remus and Romulus, were they that Rome did builde:
But St. George, St. George the dragon made to yielde.
St.George he was for England ; St. Dennis was for France ;
Sing, Hani foit qui mal y penfe,
The
ANCIENT POEMS. 3 cg
The noble Alphonfo, that was the Spaniih king,
The order of the red fcarffes and bandrolles in did
bring * :
He had a troope of mighty knightes, when firft he
did begin,
Which fought adventures farre and neare, that con-
queft they might win :
The rankes of the Pagans he often put to flight:
But St. George, St. George did with the dragon fight.
St. George he was for England; St. Dennis was for F ranee ;
Sing, Honifoit qui mal y pen/e.
Many * knights' have fought with proud Tamberlaine.
Cutlax the Dane, great warres he did maintaine :
Rowland of Beame, and good * fir' Olivere
la the foreft of Aeon flew both woolfe and beare :
Betides that noble Hollander/fir'Goward with the bill:
*But St.George, St. George the dragon's blood did fpiil.
St.George he was for England; St.Dennis was for France ;
Sing,
Valentine and Orfon were of king Pepin's blood :
Alfride and Henry they were brave knightes and good:
The four fon* of Aymon, that follow'd Charlemainc :
X 3 Sir
* 7 'bis probably alludu to" An Ancient Ordir of Knight-
hood, called the Order of tb< Band, injlituled by Don Al-
phonfus, king of Spain, . . to 'wear a red riband of thrte
f.agtrs breadth." See Amu TypS' P' 3 2 7
2 io A N C I E N T P O E M S.
Sir Hughon of Burdeaux, and Godfrey of Bullaine :
Thefe were all French knightes that lived in that age:
But St. George, St. George the dragon did affuage.
St.George he was for England; St.Dennis was for France ;
Sing, Honi foit qui mat y feiife.
Bevis conquered Afcapart, and after flew the boarc,
And then he croft beyond the Teas to combat with the
moore :
Sir Ifenbras, and Eglamore they were knightes moft
bold;
And good Sir John Mandeville of travel much hath
told:
There were many Englifh knights that Pagans did
convert :
ButSt.George,St.Georgeplucktoutthedragon'sheart.
St. George he was for England ; St.Dennis was for France ;
Sing, Horn foit qui malj fenfe.
The noble earl of Warwick, that was call'd fir Guy,
The infidels and pagans ftoutly did defie ; "( aavji
He flew the giant Brandimore, and after was the death
Of that moft ghaftly dun cowe, the diveil of Dunfmore
heath :
Befides his noble deeds all done beyond the feas :
But St. George, St. George the dragon did appeafe.
SteGeorge he was for England; St.Dennis was for France;
Sing, Hoai/oit qui mal y ptnft.
.
Richard
ANCIENT POEMS. 3 r r
Richard Coeur-de-lion erft king of this land,
He the lion gored with his naked hand * :
The falfe duke of Auftria nothing did he feare ;
But his fon he killed with a boxe on the eare :
Befides his famous aftes done in the holy lande :
But St. George, St. George the dragon did withftande.
St.George he was for England ; St.Dennis was for France;
Sing, Honi foil qui maly fen/e.
Henry the fifth he conquered all France,
And quartered their arms, his honour to advance :
He their cities razed, and threw their caftlcs downe,
And his head he honoured with a double crowne :
He thumped the French-men, and after home he c. ms :
But St. George, St. George he did the dragon tame.
St.George he was for England ; St.Dennis was forFrance;
Sing, Honi foil $ui mal y ptnft.
St. David of Wales the Welm-men much advance :
St. Jaques of Spaine, that never yet broke lance :
St. Patricke of Ireland, which was St. Georges boy,
Seven yeares he kept his horfe, and then ftole him
away :
For which knavim aft, as flaves they doe remaine :
But St. George, St. George the dragon he hath flaine.
St.George he was for England; St.Dennis was forFrance;
Sing, Honi foit qui maly ptnft.
* Alluding to the fahulout Exploits attributed to this
in the Old Romancti. Stt tbt Di/trtation prefixed to
X XV. ST.
3 i2 A N C I E N T P O E M S T
or HA be A.jDWWtoMimsai> a-*,.-
arrhiV lrtwO.WMi4 srao'A do
XV.
ST. GEORGE FOR ENGLAND,
THE SECOND PART,
-was 'written by JOHN GRUBB, M. A. of Chrift
Church, Oxford. The occajion of its being compojed is /aid
to have been as follows. A fet of gentlemen of the uni<uer-
Jiy had formed ihemfelves into a Club, all the members of
'which 'were to be of the name of GEORGE : Their anni-
<verfary feajt nvas to be held on ST. GEORGE'.* day. Our
Author folicited ftrongly to be admitted ; but his name being
unfortunately JOHN, this dif qualification <vuas difpenfed nvith
only upcn this condition, that he would canpoje a fong in
honour of their Patron Saint, and would every year produce
one or more new Jianzas, to be fung on their annual ' feftwal.
T'/jis gave I irtb to the following humorous performance, the
federal ft anzas of 'which 'were the produce of many fuccejfive
anni'verfaries *.
'This diverting pee m, *w as long hanaed about in manufcript t
at length a friend of GRUBB'S undertook to get it printed,
'who not keeping pace 'with the impatience of his friends,
ivas addrffid in the following "whimjical macaronic lines,
which in Juch a colleflion, as this, may not improperly ac-
company the p'jem itjelf.
EXPOSTU-
* To this circiirr.jlar.ee it is owing that the Editor bas nevir met ivitb
tivo copies, in ivlicb the ftaizas *:vere arrar.gcd alike, be t>as therefore
tbr<.ion them into ivbat appeared the rncji natural order, Th&verfes are
properly lcr% Alexandrines, but the 'narrtivtiefs cf the page made it necej-
j'ary tofubdi-uitle :LeiK ; they are berejrinftd With many improvements.
A N C I E N T P O E M S. 3,3
ExPOSTULATIUNC.DLA, five QuE* IMON I UNCUL A ad ANTO-
NIUM [ATHEXTON] ob Poema JOHANNIS GKCBB, Viri tea 9mn
jngeniofiflimi in lucem nondum edri.
TONI ! Tune Cnes divina poemata Grubbi
Intomb'd in lecre: thus ftil. to remain any longer,
rf <y^* fe.dl la*, ar f rf& tiqunp, ,
Grubbe tuum nomen vivet dum nob.'lis aie-a
Efficit heroas, dignamque heroe pcellam.
Eft genus heroum, quos nobtfis efficu ale-a
Qui pro niperkic clamant, quarternque liquoris
Qucm vocitant Homines Bandy, Superi Cherry- brandy.
Safpt; ilJi )cn_;-cut, vel Imail-cut flare 'J'obacco
Sunt foliti ;icos. Aft fi generolior herba
(Per varies c.-.fus, p.r tot difcrimina rcrum)
Mundungus dcfit, turn non funcare recufant
)? ^^"firbwri-paper tofta, vel quod fit arundine bed-mat.
Hie labor, hoc opus eft heron rn afccndere fedes !
-*uO Al[ * e t 4 UO piar? quo me fcrct entheus ardor
Grubbe, tui memorem ? Divinum expande poeroa-
Qnz mora ? qua; ratio eft, quin Grubbi protinus a.-.fer
Virgilii, Flaccique fimul canat inter clores?
At length the Importunity of his friends prevailed, and
Mr. Grubtfs fang was $ublijhed at Qxford> under tht fol~
'ing title.
yivs
THE BRITISH HEROES
A New Poem in honour of St. George
By Mr. JOHN G R UP B
School-mafter of Chrift-Church
OXON. 1688.
Favete linguh : carotin a non print
Audit a, mufai urn factrdos
Canto. - - Ho.
Sold by Henry Clements. Oxon.
A-|~> II E ftory of king Arthur old
JL Is very memorable,
The number of his valiant knights,
And roundnefs of his table :
The
3 i4 ANCIENT POEMS.
The knights around his table in 5
A circle fate, d'ye fee :
And altogether made up one
Large hoop of chivalry.
He had a fword, both broad and fharp,
Y-cleped Caliburn, I*
Would cut a flint more eafily,
Than pen-knife cuts a corn ;
As cafe-knife does a capon carve,
So would it carve a rock,
And fplit a man at fingle flam, ij
From noddle down to nock.
As Roman Augur's flee) of yore
Differed Tarquin's riddle,
So this would cut both conjurer
And whetftone thro' the middle. 2
He was the cream of Brecknock,
And flower of all the Welfli :
But George he did the dragon fell,
And gave him a plaguy fquelfh.
St.George he was for England -, St. Dennis was forFrance ;
Sing, Honifoit qui mal y penfe. 26
Pendragon, like his father Jove,
Was fed with milk of goat ;
And like him made a noble fhield
Of (he-goat's fhaggy coat : 30
On top of burnifht helmet he
Did wear a creft of leeks j
And
ANCIENT POEMS. 315
And onions' heads, whofe dreadful nod
Drew tears down hoftile cheeks.
Itch, and Welfh blood did make him hot, 35
And very prone to ire;
H' was ting'd with brimftone, like a match,
And would as foon take fire :
As brimftone he took inwardly
When fcurf gave him occafion, 40
His poftern puff" of wind was a
Sulphureous exhalation.
The Briton never tergivers'd,
But was for adverfe drubbing,
And never turn'd his back to aught, AC
But to a poft for fcrubbing.
His fword would ferve for battle, or
For dinner, if you pleafe ;
When it had flain a Cheflure man,
'Twould toaft a Chefliire cheefe. 50
He wounded, and, in their own blood,
Did anabaptize Pagans :
But George he made the dragon an
Example to all dragons.
St.George he was for England ; St. Dennis was for France ;
Sing, Hani /oil qui mal y penfe. $6
Brave Warwick Guy, at dinner time,
Challeng'd a gyant favage ;
And ftreight came out the unweildy loat
Brim-full of wrath and cabbage : 60
9 He
3 i6 ANCIENT POEMS.
: He had a phiz of latitude,
And was full thick i' th' middle ;
The cheeks of puffed trumpeter,
And paunch of fquire Beadle *.
But the knight fell'd him, like an oak, 65
And did upon his back tread ;
The valiant knight his weazon cut,
And Atropos his packthread.
Befides he fought with a dun cow,
As fay the poets witty, 70
A dreadful dun, and horned too,
Like dun of Oxford city :
The fervent dog-days made her mad,
By caufing heat of weather,
Syrius and Procyon baited her, 75
As bull-dogs did her father :
Grafiers, nor butchers this fell beaft,
E'er of her frolick hindred ;
John Doflet f (he'd knock down as flat,
As John knocks down her kindred : 80
Her heels would lay ye all along,
And kick into a fwoon ;
Frewir.'s J cow-heels keep up ycur corpfc,
But hers would beat vou down.
,131;-; -ill
She
* MM / bulk-arfatratle to their -placet, a, i: w knw* at Oxfird.
cr that then ftrved the college.
, Tt'i: or f'rft r.i^kri was fanuas for felling CQiu-lecl and
ANCIENT. P,9
She vanquifht many a ilurdy wight, 85
And proud was of the honour ;
Was pufft by mauling butchers (b,
As if themfelves had blown her.
At once flie kickt, and pu/ht at Guy,
But all that would not fright him j 50
Who wav'd his whinyard o'er fir-lo) n,
As if he'd gone to knight him :
He let her blood, frenzy to cure,
And eke he did her gall rip ;
His trenchant blade, like cook's long fpit, ge
Ran thro' the monfter's bald-rib :
He rear'd up the vail crooked rib,
Inftead of arch triumphal : &
But George hit th' dragon fuch a pelt,
As made him on his bum fall. 109
St. George he was for England; St.Dennis was for France;
cing, Honijoit qui mal y feaje.
Tamerlain, wiih Tartarian bow,
The Turkifh fquadrons flew ;
And fetch'd the pagan crefcent down, 10;
With half-moon made of yew :
His trufty bow proud Turks did gall,
With ftiowers of arrows thick,
And bow-ftrings, without ftrangling, fent
Grand- Vifiers to old Nick : 1 10
Muck
3 i8 ANCIENT POEMS.
Much turbants, and much Pagan pates
He made to humble in duft,
And heads of Saracens he fixt
On fpear, as on a fign-poft :
He coop'd in cage Bajazet the prop 115
Of Mahomet's religion,
As if 't had been the whifpering bird,
That prompted him ; the pigeon.
In Turkey-leather fcabbard, he
Did (heath his blade fo trenchant : 12
But George he fwing'd the dragon's tail,
And cut off every inch on't.
St.George he was for England ; St.Dennis wa for France ;
ling, Honifoit qui malj pen/e.
/The amazon Thalefcris was 1 25
Both beautiful, and bold ;
She fear'd her breads with iron hot,
An.d bang'd her foes with cold.
Her hand was like the tool, wherewith.
Jove keeps proud mortals under ; 130
It ftionc jull like his lightning,
And batter'd like his thunder :
Her eye darts lightning, that would blaft
The proudeft he that fwagger'd,
And melt the rapier of his foul, 135
In its corporeal fcabbard,
Her
ANCIENT POEMS. 319
Her beauty, and her drum to foes
Did caufe amazement double ;
As timorous larks amazed are
With light, and with a low-bell : 140
With beauty, and that lapland-charm *,
Poor men me did bewitch-all ;
Still a blind whining lover had,
As Pallas had her fcrich-owl.
She kept the challnefs of a nun 145
In armour, as in cloyfter :
But George undid the dragon juft
As you'd undo an oifter.
St.George he was forEngland; St.Dennis was for France ;
Sing, Honifoit qui maty pen/e. '150
Stout Hercules, was offspring of
Great Jove, and fair Alcmene :
One part of him celeilial was,
One part of him terrene.
To fcale the hero's cradle walls 155
Two fiery fnakes combin'd,
And, curling into fwadling cloaths,
About the infant twin'd :
But he put out thefe dragons' fires,
And did their hiffing flop ; l6o
As red-hot iron with hifljng noife
Iquencht in biacklinith's Ihop.
He
H~ drun.
320 ANCIENT POEMS*
He cleans'd a ftable, and rubb'd down
The horfes of new-comers ;
And out of horfe-dung he rais'd fame, 165
As Tom Wrench f does cucumbers.
He made a river help him through ;
Alpheus was under groom ;
The ftream, difgufl at office mean,
Ran murmuring thro' the room : 170
This liquid oftler to prevent
Being tired with that long work,
His father Neptune's trident took,
Inftead of three-tooth'd dung-fork.
This Hercules, as foldier, and 175
As fpinfter, could take pains ;
His club would fjmetimes fpin ye flax,
And fometimes knock out brains :
H' was forc'd to fpin his mifs a miff,
By Juno's wrath and her-fpite ; 1 80
Fair Omphale whipt him to his wheel,
As cook whips barking turn-fpit.
From man, or churn he well knew how
To get him lafting fame :
He'd pound a giant, till the blood, 185
And milk till butter came.
Often he fought with huge battoon,
And oftentimes he boxed ;
. Tapt
f Jflo kept ParaJife gardens at CxforJ. y
ANCIENT POEMS. 321
Tapt a frefh monfter once a month,
As Hervey * doth frefh hogfhead. i -^
He gave Anteus fuch a hug,
As wreftlers give in Cornwall :
But George he did the dragon kill,
As dead as any door-naij.
St.George he was for England ; St.^Dennis was for France;
Sing, Hani foit qui mal y penft\ 1^6
i
\
The Gemini, fprung from an egg,
Were put into a cradle :
Their brains with knocks and bottled ale,
Were often-times full addle : 200
And, fcarcely hatch'd, thefe fons of him,
That hurls the bolt trifulcate,
With helmet-fhell on tender head,
Did turtle with red-ey'd pole-cat.
Caftor a horfeman, Pollux tho* 205
A boxer was, I wift :
The one was fam'd for iron heel ;
Th' other for leaden fift.
Pollux to mew he was a god,
When he was in a paflion, lio
With fift made nofes fall down flat,
By way of adoration :
Vot. HI. Y This
A ntttd drtvitr ft tbe RfomaitLtawn ir. 0r/W.
322 ANCIENT POEMS.
This fift, as fare as French difeafe,
Demolifh'd nofes' ridges :
He like a certain lord f was fam'd 215
For breaking down of bridges.
Caftor the flame of fiery fteed,
With well-fpur'd boots took down ;
As men, with leathern buckets, quench
A fire in country town. 220
His famous horfe, that liv'd on oats,
Is fung on oaten quill ;
By bards' immortal provender
The nag furviveth ftill.
This melly brood on none but knaves 225
Employ'd their brifk artillery :
And flew as naturally at rogues,
As eggs at thief in pillory.
Much fweat they fpent in furious fight,
Much blood they did effund : 230
Their whites they vented thro' the pores j
Their yolks thro' gaping^ wound :
Then both were cleans'd from blood and duft
To make a heavenly fign ;
The lads were, like their armour, fcowr'd, 235
And then hung up to mine ;
Such
f Lord Lovelace breke down the bridges abcut Oxford, at tie begin-
ning of the Revolution.
ANCIENT POEMS. 323
Such were the heavenly double-Dicks,
The'fons of Jove and Tyndar :
But George he cut the dragon up,
As he had bin duck or windar. 240
St.Georgehe wasfcrEngland; St. Dennis was for France;
Sing, Honi/oif qui maly ptnft.
Gorgon a twifted adder wore
For knot upon her moulder :
She kemb'd her hiffing periwig, 245
And curling fnakes did powder.
Thefe fnakes they made ftiff changelings
Of all the folks they hift on ;
They turned barbers into hones,
And mafons into free-Hone : 250
Sworded magnetic Amazon
Her fhield to load-Hone changes ;
Then amorous fword by magic belt
Clung fad unto her haunches.
This fhield long village did protect, 25;
And kept the army frorn-town,
And chang'd the bullies into rocks,
That came t' invade Long-Compton*.
She poft-diluvian {tones unmans,
And Pyrrha's work unravels ; 260
And ilares Deucalion's hardy boy*
Into their primitive pebbles.
Y 2 Red
* Set thi aectunt of Rtlrtcbt Sttntt, in Dr. Pitt ft HI/I. f Oxfordjbirt.
3*4- ANCIENT POEMS.
Red nofes (he to rubies turns,
And noddles into bricks :
B.ut George made dragon laxative ; 265
And gave him a bloody flix.
St.Georgehe was for England ; St. Dennis was for France;
Sing, Honifoit qui mal y penfe.
By boar-fpear Meleager got
An everlafting name, 27
And out of haunch of baited fwine,
He hew'd eternal fame.
This bead each hero's trouzers ript,
And rudely ftiew'd his bare-breech,
Prickt but the wem, and out there came 275.
Heroic guts and garbadge.
Legs were fecur'd by iron boots
No more, than peas by peafcods :
Brafs helmets, with inclofed fculls,
Wou'd crackle in's mouth like chefnuts. 280
His tawny hairs erefted were
By rage, that was refiftlefs ;
And wrath, inftead of cobler's wax,
Did ftiffen his rifing briftles.
His tuflc lay'd dogs fo dead afleep, 285
Nor horn, nor whip cou'd wake 'am :
It made them vent both their laft blood,
And their laft album-grecum-
But
ANCIENT POEMS. 325
Bat the knight gor'd him with his fpear,
To make of him a tame one, 250
And arrows thick, inftead of cloves,
He (luck in monger's gammon.
For monumental pillar, that
His viftory might be known,
He rais'd up, in cylindric form, 395
A collar of the brawn.
He fent his made to fhades below,
In Stygian mud to wallow :
And eke the flout St. George eftfoon,
He made the dragon follow. 300
St.George he was for England; St.Dennis was for France;
Sing, Houi Joit qui maly fen/e.
Achilles of old Chiron learnt
The great horfe for to ride ;
H' was taught by th' Centaur's rational part, 305
The hinnible to beftride.
Bright filver feet, and mining face
Had that ftout hero's mother ;
As rapier's filver'd at one end,
And wounds you at the other. ; i v
Her feet were bright, his feet were fwift,
As hawk purfuing fparrow :
Her's had the metal, his the fpeed
Of Braburn's * filver arrow.
Y 3 Thetis
* Braburn, a gentleman commoner of Lincoln colltgt, pave ajtfver ar*
rito (9 bt fiat for by the arcberi of tit unlvtrfity f Qxfird.
326 ANCIENT POEMS.
Thetis to double pedagogue ? i r
Commns her deareft boy ;
Who bred him from a flender twig
To be the fcourge of Troy :
But ere he lafht the Trojans, h' was
In 'tygian waters Iteept ; 320
As b'irch is foaked firft in pifs,
When boys are to be whipt.
With (kin exceeding hard, he rofe "
From lake, fo black and muddy,
As lobfters from the ocean rife, 325
With fhell about their body :
And, as from lobfter's broken claw,
Pick out the fifh you mighf :
So might you from one unfliell'd heel
Dig pieces of the knight. 330
His myrmidons robb'd Priam's barns
And hen-roofts, fays the fong ;
Carried away both corn and eg??,
Like ants from whence they fprung.
Himfelf tore Hedlor's pantaloons, 335
And fent him down bare-breech'd
To pedant Radamanthus, in
A poiture to be fwitch'd..
But George he made the dragon look,
As if he had been bewitch'd. 340
St.George he was for England ; St.Dennis was for France ;
Sing, Honifoit qui maly pen/e.
Full
A N C I E N T P O E M S. 327
Full fatal to the Romans was
The Carthaginian Hanni-
bal ; him I mean, who gave them fuch 345
A devilifh thump at Cannze :
" Moors thick, as goats on Penmenmure,
Stood on the AJpes's front :
Their one-eyed guide*, like blinking mole,
Bor'd thro' the hindring mount : 350
Who, baffled by the mafly rock,
Took vinegar for relief;
Like plowmen, when they hew their way
Thro' ftubborn rump of beef.
As dancing louts from humid toes 355
Caft atoms of ill favour
To blinking Hyatt f when on vile crowd
He merriment does endeavour,
And faws from furfering timber out
Some wretched tune to quiver : 360
So Romans flunk and fqueak'd at fight
Of Affncan carnivor :
The tawny furface of his phiz
Did ierve inftead of vizzard :
But George he made the dragon have 365
A grumbling in his gizzard.
St.George he was for England; St.Dennis was for France;
Sing, Hani foit qui mal j penfe.
Y 4 The
* Hannibal bad but one eye.
f A one-eyed felkw, wbs pretended t make fddltt at well at f/*f
in them j locll-kno-u/n At that timt in Oxford,
328 ANCIENT POEMS.
The valour of Domitian,
It muft not be forgotten ; 370
Who from the jaws of worm-blowing flies,
Protected veal and mutton.
A fquadron of flies errant,
Againft the foe appears ;
With regiments of buzzing knights, 375
And fwarms of volunteers :
The warlike wafp encourag'd 'em,
With animating hum ;
And the loud brazen hornet next,
lie was their kettle-drum : 380
The Spanifti don Cantharido
Did him moft forely pefter,
And rais'd on (kin of vent'rous knight
Full many a plaguy blifter.
A bee whipt thro' his button hole, 385
As thro' key hole a witch,
And ftabb'd him with her little tuck
Drawn out of fcabbard breech :
But the undaunted knight lifts up
An arm both big and brawny, 390
And flaflu her fo, that here lay head,
And there lay bag and honey :
Then ! monglt the rout he flew as fwift,
As weapon made by Cyclops,
And bravely quell'd feditious buz, 395
By dint of maiTy fly-flops.
Surviving
*
A N C I E N T P O E M S. 329
Surviving flies do curfes breathe,
And maggots too at Czfar :
But George he fhav'd the dragon's beard,
And Afkelon * was his razor. ^QQ
St.George he was for England ; St.Dennis was for France;
Sing, Hani fait qui maly penfe.
* The name of St. Gctrgitfunrd.
JOHN GRUBB, tie facetious 'writer of the foregoing
Song, makes a diftinguijhed figure among the Oxford wits J
bumoroujly enumerated in the following dijlicb,
Alma novem genuit eel. bres Rhedycina poetas
Bub, Stubb, Grubb, Crabb, Trap, Young, Carey, Tickel, Evans.
Thefe were Rub Dodington (the late lord Melcombe) Dr.
Stubbes, our poet GRUBB, Mr. Crabb, Dr. Trapp tbt
poetry-profej/br, Dr. Edw. Young the author of Nigbt-
Tboughts, Walter Carey, Thomas TicM, Efq; and Dr.
E-vans the epigrammatiji.
As for our poet GRUBB, all that we can learn further
of him, is contained in a few extracts from the Uni'vtrfity
Regifter, and from his epitaph. It appears from the former
that he tvat matriculated in 1667, being the fon of John
Grubb, " de A8on Burntl in comitatu Salop, pauperis"
He took his degree of Bachelor of Arts, June 2S, 1671 :
and became Majler of Arts, June 28, 1675. He waj ap-
pointed Head Mafler of the Grammar School at Chrijt
Church : and afterwards chofen into tie fame employment at
Gloucejier, luhere he died in 1697, as appears from his mo-
nument in the church of St. Mary de Crypt in Gloucefttr t
which it infcribfd with the following epitapb t
H. S. E.
330 A N C I E N T P O E M S.
H. S. E.
JOHANNES GRUBB, A. M.
Natus apud Aton Burnel in agro Salopienfi
Anno Dom. 1645.
Cujus variam in linguis notitiam,
et felicem erudiendis pueris induftriam,
grata adhuc memoria teftatur Oxonium :
Ibi enim JE,d\ Chrifti initiatus,
artes excoluit ;
Pueros ad eafdem mox excolendas
accurate formavit :
Hue demum
unanimi omnium confenfu accitus,
eandem fufcepit provinciam,
quam feliciter adeo abfolvit,
ut nihil optandum fit
nifi ut diutius nobis interfuiflet :
Fuit enim
propter feflivam ingenij fuavitatem,
fimplicem morum candorsm, et
praecipuum erga cognates benevolentiam,
omnibus defideratiffimus.
Obiit ado die Aprilis, Anno Dni. 1697.
^Etatis fuas 51.
XVI.
M A R G A R E T's GHOST.
T^/'J Ballad, "jabicb appeared in fame of the public news-
papers in or before the year 1724, came from the pen of
David Mallet, Efq; who in the edition of bis poems, 3 <vols.
1759, informs us that the plan ivas fuggejled by the four
"verfes quoted above in pa%. 120, which he fuppofed to be
ibs beginning of fame ballad now loft.
" Theft
ANCIENT POEMS. 331
" Tbefe lines, fays be, naked of ornament andf.mple, as tley
*' are, Jiruti my fancy ; and bringing frejh into my mind an
" unhappy adventure much talked of formerly, ga<vt birtb
** to the following poem, ixbicb was written many yean
" ago."
The two introductory lir.es (and one or t<wo others elfe-
where) had originally more of the ballad Jimplicity, viz.
" When all ivas nvrapt in dark midnight t
" And all nverefajl ajleep, &c.
at the filcnt folemn hour,
When night and morning meet;
In glided Margaret's grimly ghoft,
And ftood at William's feet.
Her face was like an April morn, 5
Clad in a wintry cloud :
^nd clay-cold was her lily hand,
That held her fable fhrowd.
So fhall the faireft face appear,
When youth and years are flown : ip
Such is the robe that kings muft wear,
When death has reft their crown.
Her bloom was like the fpringing flower,
That fips the lilver dew ;
The rofe was budded in her cheek, 15
Juft opening to the view.
But
332 A N C I E N T P O E M S.
But love had, like the canker worm,
Confum'd her early prime :
The rofe grew pale, and left her cheek ;
She dy'd before her time. 29
" Awake ! fhe cry'd, thy true love calis.'
" Come from her midnight grave ;
" Now let thy pity hear the maid,
" Thy love refus'd to fave.
" This is the dark and dreary hour, 25
" When injur'd ghofts complain ;
*' NOW yawning graves give up their dead,
" To haunt the faithlefs fwain.
** Bethink thee, William, of thy fault,
" Thy pledge, and broken oath : 30
** And give me back my maiden vow,
'* And give me back my troth.
" Why did you promife love to me,
" And not that promife keep ?
* Why did you fwear mine eyes were bright, 35
*' Yet leave thofe eyes to -weep ?
" How could you fay my face was fair,
" And yet that face forfakc ?
" How could you win my virgin heart,
" Yet leave that heart to break ? 40
" Why
ANCIENT POEMS. 333
" Why did you fay my lip was fweet,
" And made the fcarlet pale ?
" And why did I, young witlefs maid,
" Believe the flattering tale ?
" That face, alas ! no more is fair; 45
'* Thefe lips no longer red :
" Dark are my eyes, now clos'd in death,
" And every charm is fled.
" The hungry worm my filler is ;
" This winding- meet I wear; r<j
" And cold and weary lafts our night,
" Till that lafl morn appear.
" But hark ! the cock has warn'd me hence !
" A long and laft adieu !
' Come fee, falfe man, how low Ihe lies, 55
" Who dy'd for love of you."
The lark fung loud ; the morning fmil'd,
With beams of rofy red :
Pale William Ihook in ev'ry limb,
And raving left his bed. 60
He hyed him to the fatal place,
Where Margaret's body lay ;
And ftretch'd him on the grafs-green turf.
That wrapt her breathlefs clay ;
, And
334 ANCIENT POEMS.
And thrice he call'd on Margaret's name, 65
And thrice he wept full fore :
Then laid his cheek to her cold grave,
And word fpake never more.
* # * In a late publication intitled THE FRIENDS, 5r.
Lend. 1773- 2 vols, izmo, (in 1 he fir ft volumej is inferted
a copy of the foregoing ballad, 'with very great variations,
which the Editor of that work contends WQS the original ;
and that Mallet adopted it for his own and altered it, as
here given But the fuperior beauty and jlmplicity of the
frefent copy, gives it fo much more the air of an original,
that it will rather be believed that fame tranfcriber altered
it from Mallet, and adapted the lines to his own tafte ; than-
vjbiih nothing is more common in popular fongs and ballads.
XVII.
LUCY AND COLIN
-was written by Thomas Ticket, Efq; the celebratea
'Mr. Addifon, and editor of his works. He was Jon
of a Clergyman in the north of England, had his education
at Queen's collegt Oxon, was undersecretary to Mr. Addifon
and Mr. Craggs, when fuccejfively fecretaries of ft ate ; and
was laJJly (in June, 1724) appointed Jecretary ta the Lords
Jujtices in Ireland, which place he held till his aeath in
1740. He acquind Mr. Addifon'' s patronage by a poem in
praife of the opera of Rofamond written while he was at the
Univer/ity.
6 OF
ANCIENT POEMS. 335
OF Leinfter, fam'd for maidens fair,
Bright Lucy was the grace ;
Nor e'er did Liffy's limpid ftream
Refleft fo fair a face.
Till lucklefs love, and pining care 5
Impair'd her rofy hue,
Her coral lip, and damaflc cheek,
And eyes of glofiy blue.
Oh ! have you feen a lily pale,
When beating rains defcend ? !
So droop'd the flow-confuming maid ;
Her life now near its end.
By Lucy warn'd, of flattering fwains
Take heed, ye eafy fair :
Of vengeance due to broken vows, 15
Ye perjured fwains, beware.
Three times, all in the dead of night,
A bell was heard to ring ;
And at her window, fhrieking thrice,
The raven flap'd his wing. 20
Too well the love-lorn maiden knew
The folemn boding found ;
And thus, in dying words, befpoke
The virgins weeping round.
I hear
336 A N C I E N T P O E M S.
" I hear a voice, you cannot hear, 25
" Which fays, I mull not flay:
" I fee a hand, you cannot fee,
" Which beckons me away.
" By a falfe heart, and broken vows,
<c In early youth I die. jo
" Am I to blame, becaufe his bride
" Is thrice as rich as I ?
" Ah Colin ! give not her thy vows j
" Vows due to me alone :
" Nor them, fond maid, receive his kifs > ^^
" Nor think him all thy own.
" To-morrow in the church to wed,
" Impatient, both prepare ;
*' But know, fond maid, and know, falfe man,
'* That Lucy will be there. 40
" Then, bear my corfe ; ye comrades, bear,
" The bridegroom blithe to meet ;
*' He in his wedding- trim fo gay,
" I in my winding-meet."
She fpoke, me dy'd ; her corfc was borne, 45
The bridegroom blithe to meet j
He in his wedding-trim fo gay, .
She in her winding- (heet.
Then
ANCIENT POEMS. 337
Then what were perjur'd Colin's thoughts ?
How were thofe nuptials kept ? to
The bride-men flock'd round Lucy dead,
And all the village wept.
Confufion, (hame, remorfe, dcfpair
At once his bofom fwell :
The damps of death bedew'd his brow, cj
He fliook, he groan'd, he fell.
From Uie vain bride (ah bride no more !)
The varying crimfon fled,
When, ftretch'd before her rival's corfe,
She faw her hufband dead. 60
Then to his Lucy's new-made grave,
Convey'd by trembling fwains,
One mould with her, beneath one fod
For ever now remains.
Oft it their grave the conftant hind 6$
And plighted maid are feen ;
With garlands gay, and trne-love knots
They deck the facred green.
But. fwain forfworn, whoe'er thou art,
This hallow'd fpot forbear ; 70
Remember Colin's dreadful fate,
And fear to meet him there.
VOL. III. Z XVItl. THE
338 ANCIENT POEMS.
xvur.
THE BOY AND THE MANTLE,
As REVISED AND ALTERED BY A MODERN HAND.
Mr. War ton, in bis ingenious Obfervations on Sfen/er,
has given bis opinton that the fflion of the Boy and the
Mantle is taken from an old French piece intitled LE COURT
MANTEL quoted by M. de St. Palaye in bis curious
*' Memoires fur I 1 ancienne Chevalerie," Paris, 1759.
2 torn. 1 2mo, *wbo tells us ihf ftory referable} that of Ari-
ojto's incbanted cup. "Tit poffible our Englijh poet may have
taken the hint of 'this fubjeft from that old French Romance,
tut be does not appear to have copied it in the manner of
execution : to which (if one may judge from the fpecimen
given in the Memoires) that of the ballad does not tear the
leaft refemblance. After all 'tis moft likely that all the old
Jlories concerning K. Arthur are originally of Uritijh growth,
and that lubat the French and other foutbern nations have
of this kind were at Jirji exported from this ijland. See
Memoires d /' Acad. des Infcrip. torn. xx. /. 352.
IN Carleile dwelt king Arthur,
A prince of paffing might ;
And there maintain'd his table round,
Befet with many a knight.
And there he kept his Chriftmas 5
With mirth and princely cheare,
When, to ! a ftraunge and cunning boy
Before him did appeare.
A kirtle,
ANCIENT POEMS. 339
A kirtle, and a mantle
This boy had him upon, 10
With brooches, rings, and owches
Full daintily bedon*.
He had a farke of Alk
About his middle meet ;
And thus, with feemely cwrtefy, l ^
He did king Arthur greet.
" God fpeed thee, brave king Arthur,
" Thus feafting in thy bowre.
'* And Guenever thy goodly queen,
" That fair and peerlefle flowre. 20
" Ye gallant lords, and lordings,
' I wifh you all take heed,
" Left, what ye deem a blooming rofe
" Should prove a cankred weed."
Then ftraitwayfrom bis tofbrnc 25
A little wand he drew ;
And with it eke a mantle
Of wondrous fhajse, and hew.
*' Now have thou here, king Arthur,
" Have this here of mee, 30
*' And give unto thy comely queen,
" Ali-fhapen as you fee.
2z "No
340 ANCIENT' POEMS.
" No wife it fhall become,
" That once hath been to blame."
Then every knight in Arthur's court 35
Slye glaunced at his dame.
And firft came lady Guenever,
The mantle fhe muft trye.
This dame, fhe was new-fangled,
And of a roving eye. 40
When fhe had tane the mantle,
And all was with it cladde,
From top to toe it fhiver'd down,
As tho' with fheers befliradde.
One while it was too long, ^
Another while too fhort,
And wrinkled on her fhoulders,
In moft unfeemly fort.
Now green, now red it feemed,
Then all of fable hue. 5
" Befhrew me, quoth king Arthur,
" I think thou beeft not true."
Down fhe threw the mantle,
Ne longer would not ftay ;
But ftorming like a fury, 55
To her chamber flong away.
She
ANCIENT POEMS. 3 +r
She curft the whorefon weaver,
That had the mantle wrought :
And doubly curft the froward impe,
Who thither had it brought. 60
" I had rather live in defarts
*' Beneath the green-wood tree :
" Than here, bafe king, among thy groomes,
" The fport of them and thee."
Sir Kay call'd forth his lady, 65
And bade her to come near :
" Vet dame, if thou be guilty,
" I pray thee now forbear."
This lady, pertly gigling,
With forward ftep came on, 73
And boldly to the little boy
With fearlefs face is gone.
When me had tanc the mantle,
With purpofe for to wear :
It fhrunk up to her moulder, 75
And left her b"fide bare.
Then every merry knight,
That was in Arthur'j court,
Gib'd, and laught, and flouted,
To fee that pleafant fport. 80
Z 3 Downe
342 ANCIENT POEMS.
Downe fhe threw the mantle,
No longer bold or gay,
But with a face all pale and wan.
To her chamber flunk away.
Then forth came an old knight, 85
A pattering o'er his creed ;
And proffer'd to the little boy
Five nobles to his meed :
" And all the time of Chriftmafs
" Plumb-porridge {hall be thine, 90
" If thou wilt let my lady fair
" Within the mantle fhine."
A faint his lady feemed,
With ftep demure, and flow,
And gravely to the mantle 95
With mincing pace does goe,
When (he the fame had taken,
That was fo fine and thin,
It fhrivell'd all about her,
And fhow'd her dainty Ikin. 100
Ah ! little did HER mincing,
Or HJS long prayers beftead ;
She had no more hung on her,
Than a taflel and a thread.
Down
ANCIENT POEMS. 343
Down flic threwe the mantle, 105
With terror and difmay,
And, with a face of /carlet,
To her chamber^hied away.
Sir Cradock call'd his lady,
And bade her to come neare : 1 1 o
" Come win this mantle, lady,
" And do me credit here.
" Come win this mantle, lady,
" For now it (hall be thine,
" If thou haft never done amifs, 115
" Sith firft I made thee mine."
The lady gently blufhing,
With modeft grace came on,
And now to trye the wondrous charm
Courageoufly is gone. 120
(he had tane the mantle,
And put it on her backe,
About the hem it feemed
To wrinkle and to cracke.
" Lye ftill, ftiee cryed, O mantle ! 125
" And fhame me not for nought,
*' I'll free.ly own whate'er amifs,
" Or blameful I have wrought.
Z 4 Once
344 ANCIENT POEMS.
" Once I kift Sir Cradocke
" Beneathe the green-wood tree : 130
" Once I kift Sir Cradocke's mouth
" Before he married mee."
When thus fhe had her fhriven,
And her word fault had told,
The mantle foon became her 135
Right comely as it Ihold.
Moft rich and fair of colour,
Like gold it glittering fhone :
And much the knights in Arthur's court
Admir'd her every one. 140
Then towards king Arthur's table
The boy he turn'd his eye :
Where flood a bear's-head garnifhed
With bayes and rofemarye.
When thrice he o'er the boar's head 145
His little wand had drawne,
Quoth he, " There's never a cuckold's knife,
" Can carve this head of brawne."
Then fome their whittles rubbed
On whetftone, and on hone: 150
Some threwe them under the table,
And fwore that they had none.
ANCIENT POEMS.
34S
Sir Cradock had a little knife
Of iteel and iron made ;
And in an inftant thro* the fkoll 155
He thruft the fhining blade.
He thruft the fliining blade
Full eafily and faft :
And every knight in Arthurs court
A morfel had to tafte. 160
The boy brought forth a home,
All golden was the rim :
Said he, " No cuckolde ever can
" Set mouth unto the brim.
" No cuckold can this little home - 165
" Lift fairly to his head :
" But or on this, or that fide,
" He lhall the Uquor toed."
Some (bed it on their (boulder,
Some filed it on their thigh ; 170
And hce that could not hit his mouth,
Was fure to hit his eye.
Thus he, that was a cuckold,
Was known of every man :
But Cradock lifted eafily, 175
And wan the golden can.
Thus
346 ANCIENT POEMS.
Thus boar's head, horn and mantle
Were this fair couple's meed :
And all fuch conftant lovers,
God fend them well to fpeed. 180
Then down in rage came Guenever,
And thus could fpightful fay,
" Sir Cradock's wife moft wrongfully
" Hath borne the price away.
*' See yonder fhamelefs woman, 185
" That makes herfelfe fo clean :
" Yet from her pillow taken
" Thrice five gallants have been.
tl Priefts, clarkes, and wedded men
" Have her lewd pillow preft : 190
* Yet me the wonderous prize forfooth
" Muft beare from all the reft."
Then befpake the little boy,
Who had the fame in hold :
' Chaftize thy wife, king Arthur, 195
" Of fpeech fhe is too bold :
" Of fpeeeh Ihe is too bold,
" Of carriage all too free ;
" Sir king, fhe hath within thy hall
" A cuckold made of thee. aeo
All
ANCIENT POEMS. 347
All frolick light and wanton
" She hath her carriage borne :
And given thee for a kingly crown
" To wear a cuckold's home.
*** The learned editor of the Specimens cf WELCH
POETRY, ^t-c. informs me that tkejiory of the Boy AND
THE MANTLE is taken from what is related in fomt of
the old Weljh MSS. of Tigan Earfrtn, one of King Ar-
thur's mijlrej/es. She is faid to ha<ve poj/effed a mantlt that
would not fit any immodeft or incontinent woman ; this
(which, tht old writers fay, nuas reckoned among the curio-
Jities of Britain} is frequently alluded to by tht old Wtljb
Bards.
CARLEILE, fo often mentioned in the Ballads of K. Ar-
thur , the editor once thought might probably ke a corruption
O/'CAER-LEON, an ancient Briti/h city on the river VJkt
in Monmouthjkire, 'which was one of the places of K. Ar-
thur's chief reftdence ; but be is notu convinced, that it is
no other than CARLISLE, in Cumberland \ the Old Englijfr
Minftrels, being moft of them Northern Men, naturally rt-
prtfented the Hero of Romance as rejjding in the North :
And many of the places mentioned in the Old Ballads art
Jtill to te found there : As Tearne-Wadling, &c.
XIX. L ' A M O U R
348 ANCIENT POEMS.
,Jnotl m
XIX.
L'A MOUR ET GLYCERE,
ontA'Jji -
TRADUIT DE '
T&e little Sonnet intitled CUPID AND CAMPASPE
(printed above in p. 83.^ beautiful as it is, *will havt an
additional merit with the Reader of Tajle, 'when be finds it
has given birth to the following elegant and fpirited lines :
to which the Author's madefy will nt,t permit him to affix
bis name It is, however, too faltering a compliment for
the Editor to conceal, that this little fprigbtly poem was
written pitrpofely for this Collection ; and <was at ante an
ejfufon of fancy and friendjhip.
U piquet avec ma Glycere
L'amour jouoit un jour aux baifcrs, et perdit;
* Jl paye, et met fon arc, fes flechcs ; ma bergere
Le fait capot et gagne : Amour, plein de depit,
* Rifque les effets d fa mere, 5
' Ses colombes, fes toartereaux,
Son attelage de moincaux,
'Et
j-a- A
ANCIENT POEMS. 349
' Et fa ceinture feduifante ;
' Perd tout cela : de fa bouche charmante
' II joue cnfuite le corail, IO
* L 'albatre dc fon front, 1'email
4 De fon teint des lis et des rofes,
* La foflette de fon menton,
Et mille autres beautes nouvellement eclofes :
' Le jeu s 'echauffe, et le petit fripon, 15
* Sans reflburce, et tout en furie
Centre mes yeux, va le toot, il s'ecrie !
1 Glycere gagne, et L'Amour confterne
' Se leve aveugle et ruine.
* Amour ! de 1'infenfible eft-ce done la* 1'ouvrage ?
' Helas ! pour moi quel funefte preface !
ra w; * * *-.-. -.
=>\\ w>V^>
~J J\
THE END OF THE THIRD BOOK.
,D-.- - .i^rxq [I '
: ^c;
.
I j-nntioi ail t 8
A GLOS-
350
A GLOSSARY
OF THE OBSOLETE AND SCOTTISH WORDS
VOLUME THE THIRD.
Such words, as the reader cannot find here, he is defer ed to
look for in the GloJ/aries to the other volumes.
A. Bauld. s. bold.
Bedeene. immediately.
A y au. s. all. Bedone. wrought, made up.
Abye.fufftr, pay for. Beere. s. bier.
*Ben. s. within doors.
Bent. s. long grafs ; atfo, wild
fields, wibere bents, &c. grow.
Bereth. (Introd.') beareth,
Bernes. barm.
Befeeme. become.
Befhradde. cut ir.to flireds.
Beflirew me! a lejfer farm of
imprecation.
Befmirche. to foil, difcolour.
Blee. complexion.
Blent, blended.
Blinkan, blinkand, j. twink-
ling, fparkling.
B'inks, s. twinkles, fparttei.
BHnne. ceafe, give over.
Blyth, blithe, fprigktly, joyous.
Jtags. Bookefman. clerk, Jecretarj.
Boon.
* Of the Scottifli words Ben, and But ; Ben is from the
Dutch Binnen, Lat. intra, intur, which is compounded of the
prepofition By, or Be, the fame as By in Engliih, and of in.
6 But,
au.s. all.
Abye.fuftr, pay for.
Aff. s. off".
Afore, before.
Aik. s. oak.
Aith. s. oath.
Ane. s. one; an, a.
Ann. if.
Aquoy, p. 257. coy,Jhy.
A fto n ied . aftonijbed, fttuined.
Auld. s. old.
Avowe. vow.
Awa'. s. away.
Aye. ever; alfo, ah! alas!
Azont. s . beyond.
B.
Ban. curfe.
Banderolles. Jlreamers, little
A GLOSSARY.
35*
Soon, favour, requejl, petition,
Bore. born.
Bower, howre. any bowed or
arched room ; a parlour^
chamber - t alj'o a. dwelling in
general.
Bowre woman, s. chamber-
maid,
Brae. s. the brorv, or fide of a
bill, a declivity.
Brakes, tufts of fern.
Brand, fiuord.
Braft. burft.
Braw. s. brave,
Brayde. drew out, unfitatbed.
Brenn. s. burn.
Bridal, (properly bride-ale) the
nuptial Jeaji.
Brigue, brigg. bridge.
Britled. carved. Vid. Brytt-
lynge. Gloff. Vol I.
Brooche, />. 3. originally a/fit ;
idly, a bodkin } i<lly t any or-
namental trinket. Stone-
bucklei of filler or gold,rwith
tubicb gentlemen and ladies
clajp their Jbirthofoms, and
handkerchief}, are called ia
the North brooches, from the
f. broche, a [pit.
Brocht, s. brought,
Bugle, bugle-horn, a hunting
harm being the horn of a Bu-
gle, or Wild Bull.
Burn, bourne, brook,
Bufk. drefs, deck.
But if', unlefr.
Butt, s. ivi.'hout, out of doors.
Byre, &. cow houfe.
C.
Can. *gan, began,
Caitiff, ajlave.
Canna, s. cannot.
Carle, a churl, elo-wa.
Carlifh, cburUjb, difcourti*K~
Cau. s. call.
Cauld. 9. cold.
Certes. certainly.
Chap. />. 93. 5. kuocl.
Chevaliers, f. knights.
Child, p. 54.. a knigbt. See
Vol. 1. Gloff. &e.
Ckield, s. is a flight orfomXur
ivay offpeaking of a perfv^
like our Englijh ivor d fellow,
The chield, ;'. e.
Chriftentie. Chriftindtmf.
Churl, clowa: aperjvn qflooa
birth j a 'villain.
Church-ale, a tvaitf, a ff/f
in commemoration of the de-
dication of a Chttrfb,
Claiths, s, deaths
Clead, s. claatbed.
Cleading, s. chalking.
Cled, s. clad, cloatLd.
Clerks, clergymex, Isteriti*
fibolars.
Cliding, s. chatbing.
Cold, could, p. 3. knetn.
Coleyne. Colognfitd.
Con thanks, give thanks.
Courtnals. /. 183.
Cramalie, s. cnmfon.
Cranion. fltull.
Crinkle, run in and out, ram
iutoflexuus. wrinkle.
Crook.
But, or Butt is from the Dutch Buyten, Lat. extra,
prteterquam, wliich is compounded ofthe fame prcpolitioH j
Me, and of ujt, the fame as out in Englilk
35*
A GLOSSARY.
Crook, tvj'tfl, winkle, diflart.
Crowt. to pucker up.
Cum, s. come.
D.
Dank, moiff, damp.
Dawes. (Introd.) days.
Deas, deis. the high table in a
ball: from f. dais, a canopy.
Dealan, deland, s. dealing.
Dee, s. die.
Deed. (Introd.') dead.
Deemed,/>. 50. doomed, judg-
ed, V. thus in the IJle of
Man, Judges are called
deemfters.
Deerty, p. a 7 . precioujly, richly.
Deid, s. dead.
Deid bell, s. pajjing bell.
Dell, narrow valley.
Delt. dealt.
Defcrye, />. 169. defcrive. de~
fcribe.
Demains. dtmefnet ; tjiate in
lands.
Dight. detked.
Ding, knock, beat.
Din, dinne. noife, bujile.
Difoa, s. doefl not.
Diftrere. the borfe rode by a
knight in the tvrnawient.
Defend, s. dc/ing, droivjy, tor-
pid, benumbed, &Y.
Doublet, a man's inner gar-
ment ; nvaiftcoat.
Doubt, fear.
Doubteous. doubtful.
Douzty. doughty.
Drapping, s. dropping,
Dreiry, s. dreary.
Dule. s. dole, forronu.
Dwellan, dweiland, s. d-wel-
ling,
Dyan, dyand, s dying.
E.
Father, s. either.
Ee; een, eyne. s. eye\ eyes.
Een. even, evening.
Effund. pour forth.
Eftfoon. in afborttime.
Eir. s. e'er, ever.
Enouch. s. enough.
Eke. alfo.
Evaniflied. s. wani/hed.
Everic)e. every, each.
Evcrychone. every one.
Ew-bughts. /. 70. or Ewe-
boughts, s. are f mall inclu-
fures^ trpens, into TX. bub the
farmers drive (Scoticl weir)
their milch ewes, morning
and evening , in order to milk
them. They are commonly
made with fale-dykes, j. *,*
eartben dykes.
E?.ar. p. 94.. azure.
F.
Fadge. s ; a thic k loaf of bread :
figuratively, any coarfe keep
Fain . glad, fond, ivell-pleafed.
Falds. s. thoufoldeft.
Fallan', t'alland. s. falling.
Falfer. a deceiver, hypocrite.
Fa's. s. tkoufallcjl.
Faw'n. s. fallen,
Faye. faith.
Fee.
A GLOSSARY.
353
Fee. reward, rccomprnce; it
alfojlgnifies land, ivben it is
Gertc. (Introd.) pierced.
Gibed, jeered.
connefied with the tenure -hy
Gie. s.give.
ivh:cb it is beld\ as knight 's
Giff. if.
fee, &c.
Gin. s. if.
Fet. fetched.
Gin, gyn, engine, contrivance.
Fillan 1 , filland. . f/fag.
Gins, begins.
Find frolt. find mifckance, or
Gip. an interjeflion of con-
difafter. ApbrafejiiUinufe.
temn.
Fit. s. feet.
Glee, merriment, joy.
Five teen, fifteen.
Flayne. flayed.
Glen. s. a narrow valley.
Glente. g lanced, Jlipt.
Fiindars. s. pieces, f^linters.
Glowr. s.Jtare.
Fonde. found.
Gloze. canting, difiimulatiort,
Foregoe. quit, give up, refign.
Foreweaiied. much 'wearied.
fair outfide.
Code. (Introd.) good.
Forthy. therefore.
Gone. (Introd.) go.
Fou", Fow. s.full: Item, drunk.
Gowd. s.gold.
Frae. s. fro: from.
Greet, s. weep.
Furth. fcrtb.
Groomes. attendants, fervants.
Fyers. (Introd.} fierce.
Fyled, fyling. defiled, defiling.
Gude, guid. s. good.
Guerdon, reward.
Gule. red.
G.
Gyle, guile.
Gae. s..gave.
H.
Gae, gaes. s. -go, goes.
Gaed, gade. s. went.
Ha', s. ball.
Gan. began.
Hame. home.
Gane. s. gone.
Gang. s.go.
Hauls bane. s. p. 71. tbe neck-
bone (ha He- bone) a phrafe
Gar. s. make.
for the neck.
Gart, garred. s. made.
Hee's. s. bejbatt: alfo, he has.
Gear, geir. s. geer, goods, fur-
niture.
Hey-day guile, />. ao6. fro-
lick ; fportive frolickfome
Geid. s. gave.
manner .
VOL. III.
A a Heathen-
This word is perhaps in p. 206. corruptly given ; being
apparently the feme -with HEYDEOUIBS, or HBYDEGUIVES,
which occurs in Spencer, and means a ' wild frolick dance."
Johnf. Dift.
354
A GLOSSARY.
Heathennefs. the heathen fart
of the world.
Hem. Vi, them.
Hente. (Introd.) held, pulled.
Heo. (Introd.) they.
Her, hare, their.
Heit, hight. bid, call, com-
mand.
Hewkes. heralds coats.
Hind. s. behind.
Hings. s hangs.
Hip, hep. the berry, which
contains tbe jloncs or feeds of
the dog-rofe.
Hir ; hir lain, s. her ; berfelf
alone.
Hole, whole.
Honde. hand.
Hooly. s.Jlowly.
Hofe. Jloc kings.
Huggle. hug, daft.
Hyt. (Inirod.) it.
I.
Ilfardly. s. ill-favouredly , vg-
lily.
Ilka. s. tach, every one.
Impe. a little demon.
Ingle, s.fire.
Jow. s.joli, or jowl.
Ireful, angry, furious.
lie. s. llkaJL
K.
Kame. s. comb.
Kaineing. s. combing.
Kantle. puce, corner, f. 27.
Kauk. s. chalk.
Keel. s. raddle.
Kempt, combing.
Ken. s. kno-w.
Kever-chefes. handkerchief s.
(fid. Introd.)
Kilted, s. tucked up.
Kirk. s. church.
Kirk-wa. s. p. ^46. churcl-
ivall: or perhaps church-
yard-wall.
Kirn. s. churn.
Kirtle. a petticoat, woman's
gown.
Kith, acquaintance.
Kne'lan, knelland. s. knelling,
ringing the knell.
Kyrtcll. vid. kirtle. in the In-
trod, itfigmf.es a man's UK-
der- garment *.
Lacke. want.
Laith. s. loth.
Lamb's wool, a cant phrafe for
ale and roajled apples, p.
184.
Lang.
* Bale in his Afles of Eng. Votaries (ad Part, fol. 53.) ufes
the word K.v RTLE to fignify a Monk's Frock. He lays Roger
Earl of Shrewibury,\vhtn he was dying, fent " toClunyake~in
!( France, for the K.YRTLE of holy Hugh the Abbot there," c.
A GLOSSARY.
355
Lang, s. Iwg.
Lap. s. leafed.
Largefle. f. give.
Lee, lea.fe.'d, pfiflure.
Lee. s. lie.
Leech, pbyfician.
Leefe. s. ftjjfr.
LefFe. (Introd.) leefe. <fcar.
Leid. s. /K ./.
Lemman. lower.
Leugh. s. laughed.
Lewd, ignorant, fcandalcus.
Libhard. Leopard.
Lil'.bard's-hane. a herb.
L'.c\M\y.s.!ig/:tIj,a/ily, nimbly.
Lig. s. lie.
Limitoui s. friars licenfeJto beg
'within certain limits.
Limiracioune. a certain f>re-
cincl all rived to a limit our.
Lither. naughty t wicked, f. 48.
Lo'e, loed. s.lovr flowed.
Lothly. />. 18. (<vid. lodlye,
Glo/.fol. 2.) lo.it hfome*.
Lounge-, (lutrod.) lung.
Lourcl, lour. s. lever, rather.
Lues, hive. s. loves, love.
Lyan, lyand. s. lying.
Lyftcnyth. (IniroJ.) HJIen.
M.
Mair. mere.
Malt. s. might.
Mark, a coin in value 13*. 4^/.
Matigre. inft>ite of.
Mavis, s. a thrujb.
Maun. s. mufl.
Mawt. s. malt.
Meed, reward.
Micht. might.
Mickle. much, great.
Midge, afmallinfttl, a Itintt
ofgntt.
Minltral. s. minftrcl mufuian.
Minftrelfie. mufit.
Mirkie. dark, black.
Mifhap. misfortune.
Mither. s. mother.
Moe. more.
Mold, mould, ground.
Monand. moaning, bemoaning.
More ; originally and froferly
ftgnijied a hill, (from A. S.
mcji. mans.) but the hills of
the North being generally full
ef bogs, a moor dame to fig-
nify boggj marfiy ground in
general.
Morrownynges. morning).
Mofle c . fivamfy grounds ca-
ver ed -with mofs.
Mote, mought. might.
Mou. s. mouth.
N.
Na. me. s. no.
Naithing. s. nothing.
Nane. s. none.
A a i
New-
The adverbial Terminations -SOME and -I.Y were applied
if.tiifferently by our old writers : thus, as we have Lothly for
Loatbfome, above ; fo we have Ugftmt in a fenlc not very re-
mete from Ugly in Lord SURREY'S Verf.on of JF.n. ad. vu.
In every place the VCSOMB f'ghtes I taw."
Page [9.]
A GLOSSARY.
356
Nevvfangle ,newfangled .j'cndof
novelty : of-n&w fa/loons, &c,
Nicht. .-. night.
NoDte. a coin . . v.Jue 6s. %d.
Noiiand. s. nort
North -gales. North Pales.
Nurtured, educated, bred up.
O.
Obraid. s. upbraid.
Ony. ?. any.
Or. en-, before. In p. 50. y.
41. or feents to batue toe force
of ike Latin vel, and tofigni-
fy even.
Ou. (Ititi'od.} you.
Out-br^'de. dri-ju cut, un~
Jbeatbed.
Owre. s. o-jsr.
Ov/re-word. s. the lajl word.
The bur dm of afong.
Owche?. bcjf'iSy or buttons of
gold.
P.
Pall, a claak, or mantle of flat f t
Palmer, a pilgrim, ivbo having
been at the holy land, carried
a palm branch in his hand.
Paramour, gallant, loiter, mif-
trefs.
Partake, p. 198. participate,
affign to.
Pattering, murmuring, mum-
bling, from tbe manner in
'which 'the Pater-nofter ivas
ancient & hurried over, 'in a
lo-tv inarticulate <uoice,
Paynim. pagan.
Pearlins. s./>. 71. a coarfe fort
of bone- lace.
Peer: peerlefs. equal: 'without
equal.
Pee;in. peeping, looking nar-
Perill. danger.
Philomene. Pl^ilcmd, tbe.mgb.t-
iagale.
Plaine. complain.
Plein. complain.
Porcupig. porcupine, f. pore-
epic.
Potei-ner. p 3. perhaps pocket,
or pouch. Pautoniere in Fr.
is a Jjicphfrd's /trip. (fvid.
Piece, s. p. J^<). a little.
Pre'is, prefe. prefs.
Pricked, [purred forward, tra-
<ve!led a gosd round pace.
Prowefs. bran; try, valc-ur, mi-
litary gallantry.
Puiffant. JlroKg, powerful.
Puiiel. an ornament, oj embroi-
dery.
Purfelied. embroidered.
Qu a il . /hrink, flinch, yield.
Quay, quhey, s. a young beife$ t
called a whie in Yorkfoire.
Qiiean,yorry, bafe ivoman.
QwM.fubefue. alfc, Kill.
Quf !ch. a bhiv. or bang.
Qjihn. s. -ivho.
Qohair. s. where.
Qnhan, whan. s. when.
Quhaneer. s. ^vcbenc er.
Quhen. s. ivben.
Qiiick. ali-je, living.
Quitt. requite.
Quo. malb.
Rade,
A GLOSSARY.
357
R.
Rade. s. rsJe.
]Raife. s. rofe.
Reade, rede, s. ad-vi/e.
Reeve.
Rermcih, renaing. runnetb,
r Kittling.
Reft, bcrtft.
Regifter. the officer who keep*
thf public regijhr.
Riall. (Introd.) royal.
RuJdie. />. 79, Zo.feems to be
a vu!g. idiom for unriddle ;
or is perhaps a. corruption of
leade, /. e. ad-vife.
Rin. s. run. Rin my errand.
p. 91. a controlled way of
fpeakinq for " run on my er-
" rand.'" The pronoun is o-
mittfd. So the Fr.fay. faire
niefiage.
Rood. <rrc/}, crucifix.
Rwtc. p. 101. go about, travel.
Rudd. red, ruddy.
Rud-rcd. dtcpred, ruddy.
Ruth. pity.
Ruthfuil. rueful t 'woeful.
S.
Sa, fae. s. fa.
Saft. s. foft.
Saim. s.Jame.
Sa!r. s. [ore.
Sal), s. >tofl.
Sarke. s. Jbirt.
Saut. s. /a//.
Say, effay. attempt.
Scant, fcarce : item, /. 159.
fcantinefi.
Seething, hi.
Sed. /a;W.
Sel, fell. s. felf.
Sen. s. fince.
Seneichall. mafter of the ceri-
m;nies.
Sey. s. p. 71. fay, a kind of
'woollen fluff.
Shee's. s.Jbe flail.
Sheene. Jbintng.
Shield -bone. p. 1 06. the blade-
bone : a common pbrafe in tbt
North.
Shent. jbamed, difgtaced, ab~
ufed.
Shepens, (hipens. cowj-boufet.
p. am. A. S. Scypen.
Shimmered, s. glittered.
Sho, fcho. s. Jbe,
Shoone. fboes.
Shopc. jbaped.
Shread. cut into fntall pieces.
Shreeven, fhriven. conje/edbtr
fins.
Shu Hen. jball.
Sic, fich. fuch.
Sick-like, s. fuch-like.
Sighan, fighand. s.
Siller, s. Jtlver.
Sith. fince.
Skinkled. s. glittered.
Slaited. s.iv&etteJ; or perbapt,
'wiped.
Sleath. flayetb.
Slee. Jlay.
Sna', Inaw. s.fttow.
Sooth, truth, true.
Soth, fothe. ditto.
Sould. s.Jbould.
Souldan.folda-. ,fo\\dzn.fulta*.
Spack. s. Jpake.
Sped. fpeeJed,fucceeded.
Speir.
3s*
A GLOSSARY.
Speir. s. fpere, fpeare, fpeere,
fpire. aft, inquire*.
Speir. s.fpcar.
Spill, fpoil. Jtftroy, kill.
Suiilan, fpiliand.'s. fpill-n%.
Spurging._/ro/i that purges out.
Scjueiih. a blo-iv, or bang.
Stean. s.Jicxe.
Sterte. JtarteJ.
Steven, voice, found.
Stint, flop.
Stonnd , ttonde. (Introd.}fpace,
moment, hcur, time.
Sfowre.y?rog-, robuft, fierce.
Stower, ftowre. ftir, diflurb-
ance, fight.
Stude, fluid, s. flood.
Suvceaie. cea^e.
S'.me. s foon.
Sws-erc, fwire. neck.
Syne. s. then y afterwards*
T. ,
Tfene. farrow, grief.
Thewes. Manners. In p. IT..
itjignifirs limbs.
Than. s. t^en.
Thair. s. there.
Thir. s. this, thefc.
Tho. then.
Thrall, captive.
Thi-aii. captivity^
Thralldome. ditto.
Tl-rang. clcfe.
Th ropes, 'villa." -es,
Thocht. tlmiJH.
Tift. s. puff of wind.
Tirlcd. twirli
Tone, t'one. the one.
Tor. a to-iver j alfo a high-
pointed rock, or kill.
Tres hardie, f. thrice-hardy.
Ti enchant, f. cutting.
Trieftfurth ,. draw forth, tt
fin flffigna'ion.
Trifulcate. three- forked, three-
poin'ed,
Trow, believe, frufi : alfo, ve-
rity.
Troth, truth, faith, fidelity.
Ti.fh. an interjrftion of con-
tempt, or impatience.
Twa. s. two. Twayne. tivo.
U.
Venn. (IntrcJ.) afpnach,com-
ing.
Upbethonght. p. 49. for he-
thought. So Unloofe for
Looie.
Uncluous. fat, clammy, oily,
Undermeles. afternoons.
Unkempt, uncombed.
Ure. ul'e.
Wadded, p. 4. perhaps front
woad : ?.
ctlaur j .
Wae. waefo 1 . s.
o/'
b'ue
no n fful.
Wad.
So CHAUCER, in his Rhyme of Sir Thopas.
- " Hefonghte nor;h and fou'.h,
" And oft he SPIRED with his mouth."
i. e. ' inquired'. Nor SPIED, as in the New Edit, of Cant.
Tales, Vol. II. p. z-^.
t Tavlor, in his Hift. of Gavel-kind, p 49. fays, " Bright,
" from the Bntifh word Brith, which fignifies their nvadde-co-
< /car, which was a Jight blue. Minlhew's diftion."
A GLOSSARY.
Wad. s. wxlt'.e. i
Wode, \vod. wocJ. A.'fo mad.
Walker, a fuller of cloth.
Waltered. weltered, rolled a.
Woe-nun, a t'orro-ivful man.
Woe -worth, woe ke to [>/]
long. Alfo, wallow tii.
Waly. an interjection of grief .
A. S. worthan. (Jitri) to be,
to become.
Wanie, wem. .
Warde s. ad-vife,fore<ivarn.
Wolde. would.
VJon<\t(IntrGd}wound t w;tuit:l
WaflTel. drinking, good cheer.
Wood.wode mad, furious.
Wat. s. wet. Al;'o, knew.
Wood-wioth. s. fttrioujly fit-
Wate. s. blamed. Prat, of
raged.
wyte. to blame.
Wot. know, think.
Wax. to grow, become.
Wow. s. exciam. ofr-
Wayward, per-verje.
Wracke. rah:, deftru:
Weale. welfare.
Wynne, \vin.joj.
Weare-in. 9. drive in gently.
Weede. (hiking, di'ij'i.
Wvt, \vit, weet. blOW.
Wyte. blame.
Weel. well. Al)o, -jySll.
Wei'rd. wizard, witch. Pro*
periy,fate, deflinj.
Welkin, tbejkj.
Well a*ray. fxciam. of pity.
Y.
Yaned. yarwntd.
Yatf. gate.
Y-bnilt. built.
Ychulle. (Intro.!.) I frail.
Wende, weened, tb^glt.
Wend, to go.
Werrytd. warned.
Wha. s. who.
Yefe. s. yejball.
Yikc, ilk. Jame. That jlk,
that fame.
Ylj'tlie. (Intrad.) itfe*.
Whair. s. whcrt.
Whan. s. when.
Whilk s. which.
Tlfl ,
Y H. Yf. 'if. Yn. in.
Yl'tonge. (Introd.) /
Y- wrought, wrought.
Whit. jot.
WhiHtr*. knives.
Y-wys. trulj,
Wight. Lumun creatu't:, nan
or -woman.
\Vilu-woim. ferptnt.
Winriar, p. 313. perhaps the.
contraflian of Windhover, a
kind of btwke.
Wis. know.
Wit, weet. know,
Wee.
Z.
Ze. s.j*. zce're. s. ye art.
Zees,
Ztllow.
Zet.
Zone,
Zou. t.jou. zour. i.your.
Zour-lane, yaur-lane.
.
Zuuth. s.
THE END OF THE GLOSSARY.
' ADDITIONAL NOTES.
Page 27.
Strada in bis Prolujions has ridiculed the ftory cf the
giant's mantle compofed of the beards cf kings.
Page 64.
In the Bodleyan catalogue under The. Campion, occurs a
Relation of the Entertainment made by the lord Knowles for
queen Anne, at Caivfome. Land. 1613. -
Page 202.
Since this ballad ivas firft printed off, the Editor hath
feen an ancient black-letter copy, containing fome variations,
and inii tied, " 'The merry pranks of Robin Good-fellow. To
" the tune of Dulcina, &c." See p. 152.
To this copy were prefixed t<wo wooden cuts of ROBIN
GOOD -PEL LOW, nubichfeemto reprefent the drej/es in which
this ivhimjic al character <vuas formerly exhibited on the ft age.
To gatify the curious thefe are engraven below*
THE END OF VOLUME THE THIRD.
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