Wild Wales: / Its People, Language, and Scenery. / By George Borrow, / Author of “The Bible in Spain,” etc. / “Their Lord they shall praise, /Their language they shall keep, /Their land they shall lose, /Except Wild Wales.” / Taliesin: Destiny of the Britons. / In Three Volumes.—Vol. I. [Vol. II,&c.] / London: / John Murray, Albemarle Street. / 1862. / The right of Translation is reserved.
Vol. I.
Collation:—Large duodecimo, pp. xii + 410; consisting of: Half-title (with advertisements of five ofBorrow’sWorksupon the reverse) pp. i–ii; Title-page, as above (with imprint “London: /Printed by Woodfall and Kinder, /Angel Court,Skinner Street” upon the centre of the reverse) pp. iii–iv; Notice regarding the previous appearance of a portion of the work inThe Quarterly Review(with blank reverse) pp. v–vi;Contents of Vol. Ipp. vii–xi; p. xii is blank; and Text pp. 1–410. There are head-lines throughout, each verso being headedWild Wales, whilst each recto is headed with the title of the particular subject occupying it. At the foot of p. 410 the imprint is repeated thus: “Woodfall and Kinder,Printers,Angel Court,Skinner Street,London.” The signatures are A (a half-sheet of 6 leaves), B to S (17 sheets, each 12 leaves), plus T (2 leaves). The second leaf of Sig. T is a blank.
Vol. II.
Collation:—Large duodecimo, pp. viii + 413; consisting of: Title-page, as above (with imprint “London: /Printed by Woodfall and Kinder, /Angel Court,Skinner Street” upon the centre of the reverse) pp. i–ii;Contents of Vol. IIpp. v–vii; p. viii is blank; and Text pp. 1–413. The reverse of p. 413 is blank. There are head-lines throughout, as in the first volume. At the foot of p. 413 the imprint is repeated thus, “Woodfall and Kinder,Printers,Angel Court,Skinner Street,London.” The signatures are A (4 leaves), B to S (17 sheets, each 12 leaves), plus T (4 leaves). The last leaf of Sig. T is a blank. The volume was issued without any Half-title.
Vol. III.
Collation:—Large duodecimo, pp. viii + 474; consisting of: Title-page, as above (with imprint “London: /Printed by Woodfall and Kinder, /Angel Court,Skinner Street” upon the centre of the reverse) pp. i–ii;Contents of Vol. IIIpp. iii–viii; and Text pp. 1–474. There are head-lines throughout, as in the first volume. At the foot of p. 474 the imprint is repeated thus, “Woodfall and Kinder,Printers,Angel Court,Skinner Street,London.” The signatures are A (8 leaves), B to U (18 sheets, each 12 leaves), plus X (10 leaves). The last leaf of Sig. H is a blank. The volume was issued without any Half-title.
Issued (inDecember, 1862) in dark green cloth boards, with white paper back-label, lettered “Wild Wales. /By/George Borrow. /Vol. I[Vol. ii, &c.].” The leaves measure 7⅝ × 4⅞ inches. The published price was 30s.; 1,000 copies were printed.
A Second Edition ofWild Waleswas issued in 1865, a Third Edition in 1888, and a Fourth Edition in 1896. The book has since been included in divers series of non-copyright works.
The following Poems made their first appearance in the pages ofWild Wales:
Vol. I
page
Chester Ale. [Chester ale,Chester ale!I could ne’er get it down]
Another, widely different, version of these lines exist in manuscript. It reads as follows:
On the Ale of Chester.
Of Chester the ale has but sorry renown,’Tis made of ground-ivy,of dust,and of bran;’Tis as thick as a river belough a hugh town,’Tis not lap for a dog,far less drink for a man.
Of Chester the ale has but sorry renown,’Tis made of ground-ivy,of dust,and of bran;’Tis as thick as a river belough a hugh town,’Tis not lap for a dog,far less drink for a man.
18
Saxons and Britons. [A serpent which coils]
Previously printed inThe Quarterly Review,January1861, p. 42.
48
Translation of a Welsh Englyn upon Dinas Bran. [Gone,gone are thy gates,Dinas Bran on the height!]
61
Lines Found on the tomb of Madoc. [Here after sailing far I Madoc lie]
105
The Lassies of County Merion. [Full fair the gleisiad in the flood]
This was one stanza only, the fifth, of the complete poemThe Cookoo’s Song in Merion, which Borrow translated some years later, and which was first printed inErmeline, 1913, pp. 21–23. The text of the two versions of this stanza differ considerably.
153
Stanza on the stone of Jane Williams. [Though thou art gone to dwelling cold]
161
The Mist. [O ho!thou villain mist,O ho!]
Although Borrow translated the whole poem, he omitted 24 lines (the 14 opening and 10 closing lines) when printing it inWild Wales. Here are the missing lines, which I give from the original Manuscript:
A tryste with Morfydd true I made,’Twas not the first,in greenwood glade,In hope to make her flee with me;But useless all,as you will see.I went betimes,lest she should grieve,Then came a mist at close of eve;Wide o’er the path by which I passed,Its mantle dim and murk it cast.That mist ascending met the sky,Forcing the daylight from my eye.I scarce had strayed a furlong’s spaceWhen of all things I lost the trace.Where was the grove and waving grain?Where was the mountain hill and main?* * * * *Before me all affright and fear,Above me darkness dense and drear,My way at length I weary found,Into a swaggy willow ground,Where staring in each nook there stoodOf wry mouthed elves a wrathful brood.Full oft I sank in that false soil,My legs were lamed with length of toil.However hard the case may beNo meetings more in mist for me.
A tryste with Morfydd true I made,’Twas not the first,in greenwood glade,In hope to make her flee with me;But useless all,as you will see.
I went betimes,lest she should grieve,Then came a mist at close of eve;Wide o’er the path by which I passed,Its mantle dim and murk it cast.That mist ascending met the sky,Forcing the daylight from my eye.I scarce had strayed a furlong’s spaceWhen of all things I lost the trace.Where was the grove and waving grain?Where was the mountain hill and main?
* * * * *
Before me all affright and fear,Above me darkness dense and drear,My way at length I weary found,Into a swaggy willow ground,Where staring in each nook there stoodOf wry mouthed elves a wrathful brood.
Full oft I sank in that false soil,My legs were lamed with length of toil.However hard the case may beNo meetings more in mist for me.
Two of the above lines, somewhat differently worded, were given inWild Wales, Vol. i, p. 184.
173
Lines Descriptive of the Eagerness of a Soul to reach Paradise. [Now to my rest I hurry away]
251
Filicaia’s Sonnet on Italy. [O Italy!on whom dark Destiny]
290
Translation of an englyn foretelling travelling by steam. [I got up in Mona,as soon as’twas light]
341
Translation of a Welsh stanza about Snowdon. [Easy to say‘Behold Eryri’]
360
Stanzas On The Snow Of Snowdon. [Cold is the snow on Snowdon’s brow]
365
Vol. II
Lines from Black Robin’s Ode in praise of Anglesey. [Twelve sober men the muses woo]
33
Lines on a Spring. [The wild wine of Nature]
112
Things written in a Garden. [In a garden the first of our race was deceived]
158
El Punto de la Vana. [Never trust the sample when you go your cloth to buy]
215
Llangollen’s Ale. [Llangollen’s brown ale is with malt and hop rife]
275
Poverty and Riches.An Interlude. [O Riches,thy figure is charming and bright]
A reduced facsimile of the first page of the Manuscript of thisInterludeis given herewith, facing page 99.
328
An Ode to Sychark.By Iolo Goch. [Twice have I pledged my word to thee]
392
Vol. III
Translation of a Welsh englyn on the Rhyadr. [Foaming and frothing from mountainous height]
12
Ode to Owen Glendower. [Here’s the life I’ve sigh’d for long]
98
Ode to a Yew Tree. [Thou noble tree;who shelt’rest kind]
203
Lines. [From high Plynlimmon’s shaggy side]
219
Ode to a Yew Tree. [O tree of yew,which here I spy]
This is another, and extended, version of theOdeprinted on p. 203 ofWild Wales. Yet another version, differing from both, is printed inAlf the Freebooter and Other Ballads, 1913, p. 27.
247
Lines from Ode to the Ploughman,by Iolo Goch. [The mighty Hu who lives for ever]
Previously printed, with some verbal differences, inThe Quarterly Review,January1861, p. 40.
292
Lines on a Tomb-stone. [Thou earth from earth reflect with anxious mind]
301
Ode to Griffith ap Nicholas. [Griffith ap Nicholas,who like thee]
The first six lines of this Ode had previously appeared inThe Quarterly Review,January1861, p. 50.
327
God’s Better than All. [God’s better than heaven or aught therein]
A reduced facsimile of the first page of the Manuscript ofGod’s Better than Allwill be found facing the present page.
335
Ab Gwilym’s Ode to the Sun And Glamorgan. [Each morn,benign of countenance]
377
There is a copy of the First Edition ofWild Walesin the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is 10369. e. 12.
Manuscript of Poverty and Riches
Manuscript of God’s Better than all
Romano Lavo-Lil: / Word-Book of the Romany; / or, / English Gypsy Language. / With many piecesin Gypsy, illustrative of the way of / Speaking and Thinking of the English Gypsies; / with Specimens of their Poetry, and an account of certain Gypsyries / or Places Inhabited by them, and of various things / relating to Gypsy Life in England. / By George Borrow, / Author of “Lavengro,” “The Romany Rye,” “The Gypsies of Spain,” / “The Bible in Spain,” etc. / “Can you rokra Romany? /Can you play the bosh? /Can you jal adrey the staripen? /Can you chin the cost?” / “Can you speak the Roman tongue? /Can you play the fiddle? /Can you eat the prison-loaf? /Can you cut and whittle? / London: / John Murray, Albemarle Street. / 1874.
Collation:—Crown octavo, pp. viii + 331; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. i–ii; Title-page, as above (with imprint “London: /Printed by William Clowes and Sons, /Stamford Street and Charing Cross” upon the centre of the reverse) pp. iii–iv; Prefatory Note regarding theVocabularyp. v; Advertisements of fiveWorks of George Borrowp. vi; Table ofContentspp. vii–viii; and Text pp. 1–331, including Fly-titles (each with blank reverse) to each section of the book. The reverse of p. 331 is blank. At the foot of p. 331 the imprint is repeated thus, “London:Printed by Wm. Clowes and Sons,Stamford Street/and Charing Cross.” There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular subject occupying it. The signatures,are A (a half-sheet of 4 leaves), B to X (20 sheets, each 8 leaves), Y (a half-sheet of 4 leaves), and Z (a quarter-sheet of 2 leaves).
Issued in dark blue cloth boards, with white paper back-label, lettered “Romano Lavo-Lil; /Word-Book/of/The Romany. /By/George Borrow.” The leaves measure 7¾ × 4⅞ inches. The published price was 10s.6d.
One Thousand Copies were printed.
The book was set up in type towards the end of 1873, and published early in 1874. Proof-sheets still exist bearing the earlier date upon the title-page.
A considerable amount of Verse by Borrow made its first appearance in the pages ofRomano Lavo-Lil, as detailed in the following list:
Contents
page
Little Sayings:
1. [Whatever ignorance men may show]
109
2. [What must I do,mother,to make you well?]
111
3. [I would rather hear him speak than hear Lally sing]
115
English Gypsy Songs:
1. The Gypsy Meeting. [Who’s your mother,who’s your father?]
175
2. Making a Fortune (1). [Come along,my little gypsy girl]
177
3. Making a Fortune (2). [Come along,my little gypsy girl]
179
The Two Gypsies. [Two gypsy lads were transported]
181
My Roman Lass. [As I to the town was going one day]
This is the first stanza only ofThe English Gypsy. The complete Song will be found inMarsk Stig’s Daughters and OtherSongs and Ballads, 1913, pp. 14–15. Here is the concluding stanza, omitted inRomano Lavo-Lil:
As I to the town was going one day,I met a young Roman upon the way.Said he, “Young maid will you share my lot?”Said I, “Another wife you’ve got.”“No,no!”the handsome young Roman cried,“No wife have I in the world so wide;And you my wedded wife shall be,If you will share my lot with me.”
As I to the town was going one day,I met a young Roman upon the way.Said he, “Young maid will you share my lot?”Said I, “Another wife you’ve got.”“No,no!”the handsome young Roman cried,“No wife have I in the world so wide;And you my wedded wife shall be,If you will share my lot with me.”
183
Yes,my Girl. [If to me you prove untrue]
185
The Youthful Earl. [Said the youthful earl to the Gypsy girl]
185
Love Song. [I’d choose as pillows for my head]
187
Woe is Me. [I’m sailing across the water]
189
The Squire and Lady. [The squire he roams the good greenwood]
191
Gypsy Lullaby. [Sleep thee,little tawny boy!]
193
Our Blessed Queen. [Coaches fine in London]
195
Run for it. [Up,up,brothers!]
This is the first stanza only of theGypsy Song, printed complete inMarsk Stig’s Daughters and other Songs and Ballads, 1913, p. 16.
195
The Romany Songstress. [Her temples they are aching]
199
The Friar. [A Friar Was preaching once with zeal and with fire]
The Manuscript of these amusing verses, which were translated by Borrow from the dialect of the Spanish Gypsies, affords some curious variants from the published text. Here are the lines as they stand in the MS.:
A FriarWas preaching once with zeal and with fire;And a butcher of the plainHad lost a bonny swine;And the friar did opineThat the Gypsies it had ta’en.So,breaking off,he shouted, “Gypsy ho!Hie home,and from the potTake the butcher’s porker out,The porker good and fat,And in its place throwA clout,a dingy cloutOf thy brat,of thy brat;A clout,a dingy clout,of thy brat.”
A FriarWas preaching once with zeal and with fire;And a butcher of the plainHad lost a bonny swine;And the friar did opineThat the Gypsies it had ta’en.So,breaking off,he shouted, “Gypsy ho!Hie home,and from the potTake the butcher’s porker out,The porker good and fat,And in its place throwA clout,a dingy cloutOf thy brat,of thy brat;A clout,a dingy clout,of thy brat.”
201
Malbrouk.From the Spanish Gypsy Version. [Malbrouk is gone to the wars]
205
Sorrowful Years. [The wit and the skill]
211
Fortune-Telling. [Late rather one morning]
240
The Fortune-Teller’s Song. [Britannia is my name]
243
Gypsy Stanza. [Can you speak the Roman tongue?]
254
Charlotte Cooper. [Old Charlotte I am called]
259
Epigram. [A beautiful face and a black wicked mind]
262
Lines. [Mickie,Huwie and Larry bold]
272
Lines. [What care we,though we be so small?]
280
Ryley Bosvil. [The Gorgios seek to hang me]
296
Ryley and the Gypsy. [Methinks I see a brother]
298
To Yocky Shuri. [Beneath the bright sun,there is none,there is none]
301
Lines. [Roman lads Before the door]
325
Upon page 122 ofRomano Lavo-Lil, is printed a version ofThe Lord’s Prayercast into Romany by Borrow. The original Manuscript of this translation has survived, and its text presents some curious variations from the published version. A reduced facsimile of this Manuscript serves as Frontispiece to the present Bibliography.
Accompanying the Manuscript ofThe Lord’s Prayerin Romany, is the Manuscript of a translation made by Borrow into the dialect of the English Gypsies. This translation has never, so far as I am aware, appeared in print. It is an interesting document, and well worthy of preservation. A reduced facsimile of it will be found facing the present page.
Manuscript of The Lord’s Prayer
A Second Edition ofRomano Lavo-Lilwas issued by the same publisher, John Murray, in 1888, and a Third in 1905.
There is a copy of the First Edition ofRomano Lavo-Lilin the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is 2278. c. 15.
The Turkish Jester; / Or, / The Pleasantries / of / Cogia Nasr Eddin Effendi. / Translated from the Turkish / By / George Borrow. / Ipswich: / W. Webber, Dial Lane. / 1884.
Collation:—Crown octavo, printed in half-sheets, pp. ii + 52; consisting of: Title-page, as above (with Certificate of Issue upon the centre of the reverse) pp. i–ii; and Text pp. 1–52. There are no head-lines, the pages being numbered centrally. The book is made up in a somewhat unusual manner, each half-sheet having a separately printed quarter-sheet of two leaves imposed within it. The register is therefore B to E (four sections, each 6 leaves), plus F (2 leaves), the whole preceded by two leaves, one of which is blank, whilst the other carries the Title-page. There is no printer’s imprint. The book was issued without any Half-title. The title is enclosed within a single rectangular ruled frame.
Issued in cream-coloured paper wrappers, with the title-page reproduced upon the front, but reset in types of different character, and without the ruled frame, and with the imprint readingHigh Streetin place ofDial Lane.Inside the front cover the Certificate of Issue is repeated. The leaves measure 7¾ × 5 inches. The edition consisted of One Hundred and Fifty Copies. The published price was 7s.6d.
The Manuscript ofThe Turkish Jesterwas formerly owned by Dr. Knapp, and is now the property of the Hispanic Society, of New York. It extends to 71 pages 4to. The translation was probably made about 1854, at the time when Borrow was at work upon hisSongs of Europe. In 1857, the book was included among the Advertisements appended to the second volume ofThe Romany Rye.
There is a copy of the First Edition ofThe Turkish Jesterin the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is 758. b. 16.
The / Death of Balder / From the Danish / of / Johannes Ewald / (1773) / Translated by / George Borrow / Author of “Bible in Spain,” “Lavengro,” “Wild Wales,” etc. / London / Jarrold & Sons, 3 Paternoster Buildings, E.C. / 1889 / All Rights Reserved.
Collation:—Crown octavo, pp. viii + 77; consisting of: Half-title (with Certificate of Issue upon the centre of the reverse) pp. i–ii; Title-page, as above (with blank reverse) pp. iii–iv;Prefaceand List ofThe Persons(each with blank reverse) pp. v–viii; and Text pp. 1–77. The reverse of p. 77 is blank. The head-line isDeath of Balderthroughout, upon both sides of the page. At the foot of p. 77 is the followingimprint, “Printed by Ballantyne,Hanson & Co./London and Edinburgh.” The signatures are A (4 leaves), and B to F (5 sheets, each 8 leaves). Sig. F 8 is a blank.
Issued in dark brown ‘diced’ cloth boards, with white paper back-label. The leaves measure 7¾ × 5 inches. Two Hundred and Fifty Copies were printed. The published price was 7s.6d.
The Death of Balderwas written in 1829, the year during which Borrow produced so many of his ballad translations, the year in which he made his fruitless effort to obtain subscribers for hisSongs of Scandinavia. OnDecember6thof that year he wrote to Dr. [afterwards Sir] John Bowring:
“I wish to shew you my translation ofThe Death of Balder, Ewald’s most celebrated production, which, if you approve of, you will perhaps render me some assistance in bringing forth, for I don’t know many publishers. I think this will be a proper time to introduce it to the British public, as your account of Danish literature will doubtless cause a sensation.”
“I wish to shew you my translation ofThe Death of Balder, Ewald’s most celebrated production, which, if you approve of, you will perhaps render me some assistance in bringing forth, for I don’t know many publishers. I think this will be a proper time to introduce it to the British public, as your account of Danish literature will doubtless cause a sensation.”
Evidently no publisher was forthcoming, for the work remained in manuscript until 1889, when, eight years after Borrow’s death, Messrs. Jarrold & Sons gave it to the world. In 1857 Borrow included the Tragedy among the series of Works advertised as “ready for the Press” at the end of the second volume ofThe Romany Rye. It was there described as “A Heroic Play.”
Although published only in 1889,The Death of Balderwas actually set up in type three years earlier. It had been intended that the book should have been issued in London by Messrs. Reeves & Turner, and proof-sheets exist carrying upon the title-page the name of that firm as publishers, and bearing the date 1886. It would appear that Mr. W. Webber, a bookseller of Ipswich, who then owned the Manuscript, had at first contemplated issuing the book through Messrs. Reeves & Turner. But at thisjuncture he entered into the employment of Messrs. Jarrold & Sons, and consequently the books was finally brought out by that firm. The types were not reset, but were kept standing during the interval.
Another version of the song of The Three Valkyrier, which appears inThe Death of Balder, pp. 53–54, was printed inMarsk Stig’s Daughters and Other Songs and Ballads, 1913, pp. 19–20. The text of the two versions differs entirely, in addition to which the 1913 version forms one complete single song, whilst in that of 1889 the lines are divided up between the several characters.
The Manuscript ofThe Death of Balder, referred to above, passed into the hands of Dr. Knapp, and is now in the possession of the Hispanic Society, of New York. It consists of 97 pages 4to. A transcript in the handwriting of Mrs. Borrow is also the property of the Society.
There is a copy of the First Edition ofThe Death of Balderin the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is 11755. f 9.
Letters of / George Borrow / To the British and Foreign / Bible Society / Published by Direction of the Committee / Edited by / T. H. Darlow / Hodder and Stoughton / London New York Toronto / 1911.
Collation:—Octavo, pp. xviii + 471; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. i–ii; Title-page, as above (with blank reverse) pp. iii–iv; DedicationTo Williamson Lamplough(with blank reverse) pp. v–vi; Preface vii–xi; Note regarding “the officials of the Bible Society with whom Borrow came into closerelationship” pp. xi–xii;List of Borrow’s Letters,etc.,printed in this Volumepp. xiii–xvii; chronologicalOutline of Borrow’s careerp. xviii; and Text of theLetters, &c., pp. 1–471. There are head-lines throughout, each verso being headedGeorge Borrow’s Letters, and each rectoTo the Bible Society. Upon the reverse of p. 471 is the following imprint “Printed by T. and A. Constable,Printers to His Majesty/at the Edinburgh University Press.” The signatures area(one sheet of 8 leaves),b(a quarter-sheet of 2 leaves), A to 2 F (29 sheets, each 8 leaves) plus 2 G (a half-sheet of 4 leaves). Sig.a1 is a blank. A facsimile of one of the Letters included in the volume is inserted as Frontispiece.
Issued in dark crimson buckram, with paper sides, lettered in gold across the back, “Letters of/George/Borrow/To the/Bible Society/Edited by/T. H. Darlow/Hodder &/Stoughton.” The leaves measure 8⅜ × 5⅞ inches. The published price was 7s.6d.
“When Borrow set about preparingThe Bible in Spain, he obtained from the Committee of the Bible Society the loan of the letters which are here published, and introduced considerable portions of them into that most picturesque and popular of his works. Perhaps one-third of the contents of the present volume was utilised in this way, being more or less altered and edited by Borrow for the purpose.”—[Preface, pp. ix-x].
“When Borrow set about preparingThe Bible in Spain, he obtained from the Committee of the Bible Society the loan of the letters which are here published, and introduced considerable portions of them into that most picturesque and popular of his works. Perhaps one-third of the contents of the present volume was utilised in this way, being more or less altered and edited by Borrow for the purpose.”—[Preface, pp. ix-x].
The holographs of the complete series of Letters included in this volume are preserved in the archives of the British and Foreign Bible Society.
There is a copy ofLetters of George Borrow to the British and Foreign Bible Societyin the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is 010902.e.10.
Letters / To his Wife / Mary Borrow / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.
Collation:—Crown octavo, pp. 38; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1–2; Title-page, as above (with blank reverse), pp. 3–4; and Text of theLetterspp. 5–38. The head-line isLetters to His Wifethroughout, upon both sides of the page. Following p. 38 is a leaf, with blank reverse, and with the following imprint upon its recto, “London: /Printed for Thomas J. Wise,Hampstead,N.W./Edition limited to Thirty Copies.” The signatures are A (a half sheet of 4 leaves), plus B and C (2 sheets, each 8 leaves), inset within each other.
Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 7½ × 5 inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
Holograph Letters by Borrow are extremely uncommon, the number known to be extant being far less than one might have supposed would be the case, considering the good age to which Borrow attained. His correspondents were few, and, save to the officials of the Bible Society, he was not a diligent letter-writer. The holographs of this series of letters addressed to his wife are in my own collection of Borroviana.
The majority of the letters included in this volume were reprintedinGeorge Borrow and his Circle.By Clement King Shorter, 8vo, 1913.
There is a copy ofLetters to his Wife,Mary Borrow, in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 32.
Marsk Stig / A Ballad / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.
Collation:—Crown octavo, pp. 40; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1–2; Title-page, as above (with blank reverse) pp. 3–4; and Text of theBalladpp. 5–40. The head-line isMarsk Stigthroughout, upon both sides of the page. At the foot of p. 40 is the following imprint, “London: /Printed for Thomas J. Wise,Hampstead,N.W./Edition limited to Thirty Copies.” The signatures are A (a half-sheet of 4 leaves), plus B and C (2 sheets, each 8 leaves), inset within each other.
Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 7½ × 5 inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
Marsk Stigconsists of four separate Ballads, orSongsas Borrow styled them, the whole forming one complete and connected story. The plot is an old Danish legend of the same character as the history of David and Bathsheba, Marsk Stig himself being the counterpart of Uriah the Hittite.
The fourSongscommence as follows:—
page
1.Marsk Stig he out of the country rodeTo win him fame with his good bright sword
5
2.Marsk Stig he woke at black midnight,And loudly cried to his Lady dear
15
3.There’s many I ween in Denmark greenWho all to be masters now desire
23
4.There were seven and seven times twentyThat met upon the verdant wold
34
Marsk Stigwas one of the ballads prepared by Borrow forThe Songs of Scandinaviain 1829, and revised for theKœmpe Viserin 1854. Both Manuscripts are extant, and I give reproductions of a page of each. It will be observed that upon the margins of the earlier Manuscript Borrow wrote his revisions, so that this Manuscript practically carries in itself both versions of the ballad. The Manuscript of 1829 is in the possession of Mr. J. H. Spoor, of Chicago. The Manuscript of 1854 is in my own library. As a specimen ofMarsk StigI quote the following stanzas:
It was the young and bold Marsk StigCame riding into the Castle yard,Abroad did stand the King of the landSo fair array’d in sable and mard.“Now lend an ear,young Marshal Stig,I have for thee a fair emprise,Ride thou this year to the war and bearMy flag amongst my enemies.”“And if I shall fare to the war this year,And risk my life among thy foes,Do thou take care of my Lady dear,Of Ingeborg,that beauteous rose.”Then answer’d Erik,the youthful King,With a laugh in his sleeve thus answered he:“No more I swear has thy lady to fearThan if my sister dear were she.”It was then the bold Sir Marshal Stig,From out of the country he did depart,In her castle sate his lonely mate,Fair Ingeborg,with grief at heart.“Now saddle my steed,”cried Eric the King,“Now saddle my steed,”King Eric cried,“To visit the Dame of beauteous fameYour King will into the country ride.”* * * * *“Now list,now list,Dame Ingeborg,Thou art,I swear,a beauteous star,Live thou with me in love and glee,Whilst Marshal Stig is engag’d in war.”Then up and spake Dame Ingeborg,For nought was she but a virtuous wife:“Rather,I say,than Stig betray,Sir King,I’d gladly lose my life.”“Give ear,thou proud Dame Ingeborg,If thou my leman and love will be,Each finger fair of thy hand shall bearA ring of gold so red of blee.”“Marsk Stig has given gold rings to me,And pearls around my neck to string;By the Saints above I never will proveUntrue to the Marshal’s couch,Sir King.”* * * * *It was Erik the Danish King,A damnable deed the King he wrought;He forc’d with might that Lady bright,Whilst her good Lord his battles fought.* * * * *It was the young Sir Marshal StigStepp’d proudly in at the lofty door;And bold knights then,and bold knight’s men,Stood up the Marshal Stig before.So up to the King of the land he goes,And straight to make his plaint began;Then murmured loud the assembled crowd,And clench’d his fist each honest man.“Ye good men hear a tale of fear,A tale of horror,a tale of hell—&c., &c.
It was the young and bold Marsk StigCame riding into the Castle yard,Abroad did stand the King of the landSo fair array’d in sable and mard.
“Now lend an ear,young Marshal Stig,I have for thee a fair emprise,Ride thou this year to the war and bearMy flag amongst my enemies.”
“And if I shall fare to the war this year,And risk my life among thy foes,Do thou take care of my Lady dear,Of Ingeborg,that beauteous rose.”
Then answer’d Erik,the youthful King,With a laugh in his sleeve thus answered he:“No more I swear has thy lady to fearThan if my sister dear were she.”
It was then the bold Sir Marshal Stig,From out of the country he did depart,In her castle sate his lonely mate,Fair Ingeborg,with grief at heart.
“Now saddle my steed,”cried Eric the King,“Now saddle my steed,”King Eric cried,“To visit the Dame of beauteous fameYour King will into the country ride.”
* * * * *
“Now list,now list,Dame Ingeborg,Thou art,I swear,a beauteous star,Live thou with me in love and glee,Whilst Marshal Stig is engag’d in war.”
Then up and spake Dame Ingeborg,For nought was she but a virtuous wife:“Rather,I say,than Stig betray,Sir King,I’d gladly lose my life.”
“Give ear,thou proud Dame Ingeborg,If thou my leman and love will be,Each finger fair of thy hand shall bearA ring of gold so red of blee.”
“Marsk Stig has given gold rings to me,And pearls around my neck to string;By the Saints above I never will proveUntrue to the Marshal’s couch,Sir King.”
* * * * *
It was Erik the Danish King,A damnable deed the King he wrought;He forc’d with might that Lady bright,Whilst her good Lord his battles fought.
* * * * *
It was the young Sir Marshal StigStepp’d proudly in at the lofty door;And bold knights then,and bold knight’s men,Stood up the Marshal Stig before.
So up to the King of the land he goes,And straight to make his plaint began;Then murmured loud the assembled crowd,And clench’d his fist each honest man.
“Ye good men hear a tale of fear,A tale of horror,a tale of hell—
&c., &c.
There is a copy ofMarsk Stig A Balladin the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.
Title page of Marsk Stig, 1913
Manuscript of Marsk Stig—1829
Manuscript of Marsk Stig—1854
The Serpent Knight / and / Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.
Collation:—Square demy octavo, pp. 35; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1–2; Title-page, as above (with blank reverse) pp. 3–4; Table ofContents(with blank reverse) pp. 5–6; and Text of theBalladspp. 7–35. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particularBalladoccupying it. Upon the reverse of p. 35 is the following imprint: “London: /Printed for Thomas J. Wise,Hampstead,N.W./Edition limited to thirty copies.” The signatures are A (a quarter-sheet of two leaves), plus B & C (two sheets, each eight leaves), inset within each other.
Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8½ × 6⅞ inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
Contents.
page
The Serpent Knight. [Signelil sits in her bower alone]
The only extant MS. of this ballad originally bore the titleThe Transformed Knight, but the wordTransformedis struck out and replaced bySerpent, in Borrow’s handwriting.
7
Sir Olaf. [Sir Olaf rides on his courser tall]
Sir Olafis one of Borrow’s most successful ballads. The only extant Manuscript is written upon paper water-marked with the date 1845, and was prepared for the projectedKœmpe Viser.
10
The Treacherous Merman. [“Now rede me mother,”the merman cried]
This Ballad is a later, and greatly improved, version of one which appeared under the titleThe Mermanonly, in theRomantic Balladsof 1826. The introduction of the incident of the changing by magic of the horse into a boat, furnishes a reason for the catastrophe which was lacking in the earlier version.
In its final shapeThe Treacherous Mermanis another of Borrow’s most successful ballads, and it is evident that he bestowed upon it an infinite amount of care and labour. An early draft of the final version [a reduced facsimile of its first page will be foundante, facing p. 40] bears the tentative titleMarsk Stig’s Daughter. Besides the two printed versions Borrow certainly composed a third, for a fragment exists of a third MS., the text of which differs considerably from that of both the others.
15
The Knight in the Deer’s Shape. [It was the Knight Sir Peter]
Facing the present page is a reduced facsimile of the first page of the Manuscript ofThe Knight in the Deer’s Shape.
18
The Stalwart Monk. [Above the wood a cloister towers]
The Stalwart Monkwas composed by Borrow about the year 1860. Whether he had worked upon the ballad in earlier years cannot be ascertained, as no other Manuscript besides that from which it was printed in the present volume is known to exist.
24
The Cruel Step-Dame. [My father up of the country rode]
30
The Cuckoo. [Yonder the cuckoo flutters]
34
The complete Manuscript ofThe Serpent Knight and Other Balladsis in my own collection of Borroviana.
There is a copy ofThe Serpent Knight and Other Balladsin the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.
Title page of The Serpent King
Manuscript of The Knight in the Deer’s Shape
The King’s Wake / and Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.
Collation:—Square demy octavo, pp. 23; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1–2; Title-page, as above (with blank reverse) pp. 3–4; and Text of theBalladspp. 5–23. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particularBalladoccupying it. Upon the reverse of p. 23 is the following imprint: “London: /Printed for Thomas J. Wise,Hampstead,N.W./Edition limited to Thirty Copies.” The signatures are A (a half-sheet of four leaves), with B (a full sheet of eight leaves) inset within it.
Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8½ × 6⅞ inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
Contents.
page
The King’s Wake. [To-night is the night that the wake they hold]
An early draft of this ballad has the titleThe Watchnight.
5
Swayne Felding. [Swayne Felding sits at Helsingborg]
OfSwayne Feldingtwo Manuscripts are extant. One, originally destined forThe Songs of Scandinavia, is written upon white paper water-marked with the date 1828. The other, written upon blue paper, was prepared for theKœmpe Viserof 1854. In the earlier MS. the ballad bears the titleSwayne Felding’s Combat with the Giant; the later MS. is entitledSwayne Feldingonly. The texts of the two MSS. differ widely.
10
Innocence Defamed. [Misfortune comes to every door]
The heroic ballads included in these collections are all far too long to admit of any one of them being given in full. As an example of the shorter ballads I quote the title-poem of the present pamphlet,The King’s Wake:
THE KING’S WAKE[132]To-night is the night that the wake they hold,To the wake repair both young and old.Proud Signelil she her mother address’d:“May I go watch along with the rest?”“O what at the wake wouldst do my dear?Thou’st neither sister nor brother there.“Nor brother-in-law to protect thy youth,To the wake thou must not go forsooth.“There be the King and his warriors gay,If me thou list thou at home wilt stay.”“But the Queen will be there and her maiden crew,Pray let me go,mother,the dance to view.”So long,so long begged the maiden young,That at length from her mother consent she wrung.“Then go,my child,if thou needs must go,But thy mother ne’er went to the wake I trow.”Then through the thick forest the maiden went,To reach the wake her mind was bent.When o’er the green meadows she had won,The Queen and her maidens to bed were gone.And when she came to the castle gateThey were plying the dance at a furious rate.There danced full many a mail-clad man,And the youthful King he led the van.He stretched forth his hand with an air so free:“Wilt dance,thou pretty maid,with me?”“O,sir,I’ve come across the woldThat I with the Queen discourse might hold.”“Come dance,”said the King with a courteous smile,“The Queen will be here in a little while.”Then forward she stepped like a blushing rose,She takes his hand and to dance she goes.“Hear Signelil what I say to thee,A ditty of love sing thou to me.”“A ditty of love I will not,Sir King,But as well as I can another I’ll sing.”Proud Signil began,a ditty she sang,To the ears of the Queen in her bed it rang.Says the Queen in her chamber as she lay:“O which of my maidens doth sing so gay?“O which of my maidens doth sing so late,To bed why followed they me not straight?”Then answered the Queen the little foot page:“’Tis none of thy maidens I’ll engage.“’Tis none I’ll engage of the maiden band,’Tis Signil proud from the islet’s strand.”“O bring my red mantle hither to me,For I’ll go down this maid to see.”And when they came down to the castle gateThe dance it moved at so brave a rate.About and around they danced with glee,There stood the Queen and the whole did see.The Queen she felt so sore aggrievedWhen the King with Signil she perceived.Sophia the Queen to her maid did sign:“Go fetch me hither a horn of wine.”His hand the King stretched forth so free:“Wilt thou Sophia my partner be?”“O I’ll not dance with thee,I vow,Unless proud Signil pledge me now.”The horn she raised to her lips,athirst,The innocent heart in her bosom burst.There stood King Valdemar pale as clay,Stone dead at his feet the maiden lay.“A fairer maid since I first drew breathNe’er came more guiltless to her death.”For her wept woman and maid so sore,To the Church her beauteous corse they bore.But better with her it would have sped,Had she but heard what her mother said.
THE KING’S WAKE[132]
To-night is the night that the wake they hold,To the wake repair both young and old.
Proud Signelil she her mother address’d:“May I go watch along with the rest?”
“O what at the wake wouldst do my dear?Thou’st neither sister nor brother there.
“Nor brother-in-law to protect thy youth,To the wake thou must not go forsooth.
“There be the King and his warriors gay,If me thou list thou at home wilt stay.”
“But the Queen will be there and her maiden crew,Pray let me go,mother,the dance to view.”
So long,so long begged the maiden young,That at length from her mother consent she wrung.
“Then go,my child,if thou needs must go,But thy mother ne’er went to the wake I trow.”
Then through the thick forest the maiden went,To reach the wake her mind was bent.
When o’er the green meadows she had won,The Queen and her maidens to bed were gone.
And when she came to the castle gateThey were plying the dance at a furious rate.
There danced full many a mail-clad man,And the youthful King he led the van.
He stretched forth his hand with an air so free:“Wilt dance,thou pretty maid,with me?”
“O,sir,I’ve come across the woldThat I with the Queen discourse might hold.”
“Come dance,”said the King with a courteous smile,“The Queen will be here in a little while.”
Then forward she stepped like a blushing rose,She takes his hand and to dance she goes.
“Hear Signelil what I say to thee,A ditty of love sing thou to me.”
“A ditty of love I will not,Sir King,But as well as I can another I’ll sing.”
Proud Signil began,a ditty she sang,To the ears of the Queen in her bed it rang.
Says the Queen in her chamber as she lay:“O which of my maidens doth sing so gay?
“O which of my maidens doth sing so late,To bed why followed they me not straight?”
Then answered the Queen the little foot page:“’Tis none of thy maidens I’ll engage.
“’Tis none I’ll engage of the maiden band,’Tis Signil proud from the islet’s strand.”
“O bring my red mantle hither to me,For I’ll go down this maid to see.”
And when they came down to the castle gateThe dance it moved at so brave a rate.
About and around they danced with glee,There stood the Queen and the whole did see.
The Queen she felt so sore aggrievedWhen the King with Signil she perceived.
Sophia the Queen to her maid did sign:“Go fetch me hither a horn of wine.”
His hand the King stretched forth so free:“Wilt thou Sophia my partner be?”
“O I’ll not dance with thee,I vow,Unless proud Signil pledge me now.”
The horn she raised to her lips,athirst,The innocent heart in her bosom burst.
There stood King Valdemar pale as clay,Stone dead at his feet the maiden lay.
“A fairer maid since I first drew breathNe’er came more guiltless to her death.”
For her wept woman and maid so sore,To the Church her beauteous corse they bore.
But better with her it would have sped,Had she but heard what her mother said.
20
There is a copy ofThe King’s Wake and Other Balladsin the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.
Title page of The King’s Wake
Manuscript of The King’s Wake
The Dalby Bear / and Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.
Collation:—Square demy octavo, pp. 20; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1–2; Title-page, as above (with blank reverse) pp. 3–4; and Text of theBalladspp. 5–20. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title ofthe particularBalladoccupying it. At the foot of p. 20 is the following imprint: “London/Printed for Thomas J. Wise,Hampstead,N.W./Edition limited to Thirty Copies.” The signatures are A (a quarter-sheet of two leaves), with B (a full sheet of 8 leaves) inset within it.
Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8½ × 6⅞ inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
Contents.
page
The Dalby Bear. [There goes a bear on Dalby moors]
5
Tygge Hermandsen. [Down o’er the isle in torrents fell]
The ballad was printed from a Manuscript written in 1854. I give a reduced facsimile of a page of an earlier Manuscript written in 1830.
9
The Wicked Stepmother. [Sir Ove he has no daughter but one]
This ballad should be read in conjunction withThe Wicked Stepmother,No. ii, printed inYoung Swaigder or The Force of Runes and Other Ballads, 1913, pp. 23–37.
14
The complete Manuscript ofThe Dalby Bear and Other Balladsis in the library of Mr. Clement Shorter.
There is a copy ofThe Dalby Bear and Other Balladsin the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.
Manuscript of Tygge Hermandsen
The / Mermaid’s Prophecy / and other / Songs relating to Queen Dagmar / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.
Collation:—Square demy octavo, pp. 30; consisting of Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1–2; Title-page, as above (with blank reverse) pp. 3–4; and Text of theSongspp. 5–30. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particularSongoccupying it. Following p. 30 is a leaf, with a notice regarding the American copyright upon the reverse, and with the following imprint upon its recto: “London: /Printed for Thomas J. Wise,Hampstead,N.W./Edition limited to Thirty Copies.” The signatures are A and B (two sheets, each eight leaves), the one inset within the other.
Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8¾ × 6⅞ inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
Contents.
page
Songs relating to Queen Dagmar:
I. King Valdemar’s Wooing. [Valdemar King and Sir Strange bold]
5
II. Queen Dagmar’s Arrival in Denmark. [It was Bohemia’s Queen began]
14
III. The Mermaid’s Prophecy. [The King he has caught the fair mermaid,and deep]
19
Rosmer. [Buckshank bold and Elfinstone]
This ballad should be read in conjunction withRosmer Mereman, printed inYoung Swaigder or The Force of Runes and Other Ballads, 1913, pp. 16–22.
25
OfThe Mermaid’s Prophecythere are two Manuscripts extant. In the earlier of these, written in 1829, the Poem is entitledThe Mermaid’s Prophecy. In the later Manuscript, written apparentlyabout the year 1854, it is entitledThe Mermaidonly. From this later Manuscript the Poem was printed in the present volume.
Unlike the majority of Borrow’s Manuscripts, which usually exhibit extreme differences of text when two holographs exist of the same Poem, the texts of the two versions ofThe Mermaid’s Prophecyare practically identical, the opening stanza alone presenting any important variation. Here are the two versions of this stanza:
1829The Dane King had the Mermaiden caught by his swains,The mermaid dances the floor upon—And her in the tower had loaded with chains,Because his will she had not done.1854The King he has caught the fair mermaid, and deep(The mermaid dances the floor upon)In the dungeon has placed her, to pine and to weep,Because his will she had not done.
1829
The Dane King had the Mermaiden caught by his swains,The mermaid dances the floor upon—And her in the tower had loaded with chains,Because his will she had not done.
1854
The King he has caught the fair mermaid, and deep(The mermaid dances the floor upon)In the dungeon has placed her, to pine and to weep,Because his will she had not done.
There is a copy ofThe Mermaid’s Prophecy and other Songs relating to Queen Dagmarin the Library of the British Museum. The Press mark is C. 44. d. 38.
Hafbur and Signe / A Ballad / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.
Collation:—Square demy octavo, pp. 23; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1–2; Title-page, as above (with blank reverse) pp. 3–4; and Textof theBalladpp. 5–23. The head-line isHafbur and Signethroughout, upon both sides of the page. Upon the reverse of p. 23 is the following imprint: “London: /Printed for Thomas J. Wise,Hampstead,N.W./Edition limited to Thirty Copies.” The signatures are A (a half-sheet of four leaves), with B (a full sheet of eight leaves) inset within it.
Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8½ × 6⅞ inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
Contents.
page
Hafbur and Signe. [Young Hafbur King and Sivard King They lived in bitter enmity]
5
OfHafbur and Signetwo Manuscripts are extant. The first of these was doubtless written in the early summer of 1830, for onJune1stof that year Borrow wrote to Dr. Bowring:
I send you“Hafbur and Signe”to deposit in the Scandinavian Treasury[i.e. among theSongs of Scandinavia].
I send you“Hafbur and Signe”to deposit in the Scandinavian Treasury[i.e. among theSongs of Scandinavia].
The later Manuscript was written in or about the year 1854.
The earlier of these two Manuscripts is in the collection of Mr. Herbert T. Butler. The later Manuscript is in my own library.
As is usually the case when two Manuscripts of one of Borrow’s ballads are available, the difference in poetical value of the two versions ofHafbur and Signeis considerably. Few examples could exhibit more distinctly the advance made by Borrow in the art of poetical composition during the interval. Here are some stanzas from the version of 1854.
So late it was at nightly tide,Down fell the dew o’er hill and mead;Then lists it her proud Signild fairWith all the rest to bed to speed.“O where shall I a bed procure?”Said Hafbur then,the King’s good son.“O thou shalt rest in chamber bestWith me the bolsters blue upon.”Proud Signild foremost went,and steppedThe threshold of her chamber o’er;With secret glee came Hafbur,heHad never been so glad before.Then lighted they the waxen lights,So fairly twisted were the same.Behind,behind,with ill at mind,The wicked servant maiden came
So late it was at nightly tide,Down fell the dew o’er hill and mead;Then lists it her proud Signild fairWith all the rest to bed to speed.
“O where shall I a bed procure?”Said Hafbur then,the King’s good son.“O thou shalt rest in chamber bestWith me the bolsters blue upon.”
Proud Signild foremost went,and steppedThe threshold of her chamber o’er;With secret glee came Hafbur,heHad never been so glad before.
Then lighted they the waxen lights,So fairly twisted were the same.Behind,behind,with ill at mind,The wicked servant maiden came
The following are the parallel stanzas from the version of 1830
So late it was in the nightly tide,Dew fell o’er hill and mead;Then listed her proud Signild fairWith the rest to bed to speed.“O where shall I a bed procure?”Said Hafbour the King’s good son.“In the chamber best with me thou shalt rest,The bolsters blue upon.”Proud Signild foremost went and stepp’dThe high chamber’s threshold o’er,Prince Hafbour came after with secret laughter,He’d ne’er been delighted moreThen lighted they the waxen lights,Fair twisted were the same.Behind,behind with ill in her mindThe wicked servant came.
So late it was in the nightly tide,Dew fell o’er hill and mead;Then listed her proud Signild fairWith the rest to bed to speed.
“O where shall I a bed procure?”Said Hafbour the King’s good son.“In the chamber best with me thou shalt rest,The bolsters blue upon.”
Proud Signild foremost went and stepp’dThe high chamber’s threshold o’er,Prince Hafbour came after with secret laughter,He’d ne’er been delighted more
Then lighted they the waxen lights,Fair twisted were the same.Behind,behind with ill in her mindThe wicked servant came.
I give herewith a reduced facsimile of the last page of each Manuscript.
Hafbur and Signe—1830
Hafbur and Signe—1854
There is a copy ofHafbur and Signe A Balladin the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.
Title page of Hafbur and Signe
The Story / of / Yvashka with the Bear’s Ear / Translated from the Russian / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.
Collation:—Square demy octavo, pp. 23; consisting of: Half title (with blank reverse) pp. 1–2; Frontispiece (with blank recto) pp. 3–4; Title-page, as above (with blank reverse) pp. 5–6;Introduction(by Borrow) pp. 7–10; and Text of theStorypp. 11–23. The head-line isYvashka with the Bears Earthroughout, upon both sides of the page. Upon the reverse of p. 23 is the following imprint: “London: /Printed for Thomas J. Wise,Hampstead,N. W./Edition limited to Thirty Copies.” The signatures are A (a half sheet of 4 leaves), and B (a full sheet of 8 leaves), the one inset within the other.The Frontispiece consists of a reduced facsimile of the first page of the original Manuscript in Borrow’s handwriting.
Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8½ × 6⅞ inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
The Story of Yvashkawas the second of threeRussian Popular Tales, which were contributed by Borrow to the pages ofOnce a Weekduring 1862.The Story of Yvashkaappeared in the number forMay17th, 1862, Vol. vi, pp. 572–574.
TheStorywas reprinted inThe Sphere,Feb.1st, 1913, p. 136.
The Text ofYvashkaas printed inOnce a Weekdiffers appreciably from that printed inThe Sphere, and in the private pamphlet of 1913, both of which are identical. The Manuscript from which the two latter versions were taken was the original translation. The version which appeared inOnce a Weekwas printed from a fresh Manuscript (which fills 11 quarto pages) prepared in 1862. A reduced facsimile of the first page of the earlier Manuscript (which extends to 5⅛ quarto pages) will be found reproduced upon the opposite page. In this Manuscript the story is entitledThe History of Jack with the Bear’s Ear.
Judging from the appearance of this MS., both paper and handwriting, together with that of fragments which remain of the original MSS. of the other two publishedTales, it seems probable that the whole were produced by Borrow during his residence in St. Petersburg. Should such surmise be correct, theTalesare contemporary withTargum.
TheOnce a Weekversion ofThe Story of Yvashkawas reprinted inThe Avon Booklet, Vol. ii, 1904, pp. 199–210.
There is a copy ofThe Story of Yvashkain the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 37.
Manuscript of History of Jack with the Bear’s Ear
The Verner Raven / The Count of Vendel’s / Daughter / and Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.
Collation:—Square demy octavo, pp. 27; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1–2; Title-page, as above (with a note regarding the American copyright upon the centre of the reverse) pp. 3–4, and Text of theBalladspp. 5–27. There are headlines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particularBalladoccupying it. Upon the reverse of p. 27 is the following imprint: “London/Printed for Thomas J. Wise,Hampstead,N.W./Edition limited to Thirty Copies.” The signatures are A (a quarter-sheet of 2 leaves), B (a half sheet of 4 leaves), and C (a full sheet of 8 leaves), all inset within each other.
Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8½ × 6⅞ inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
Contents.
page
The Verner Raven. [The Raven he flies in the evening tide]
5
The Count of Vendel’s Daughter. [Within a bower the womb I left]
Previously printed inOnce a Week, Vol. viii,January3rd, 1863, pp. 35–36.
12
The Cruel Mother-in-Law. [From his home and his country Sir Volmor should fare]
18
The Faithful King of Thule. [A King so true and steady]
25
The Fairies’ Song. [Balmy the evening air]
27
Note.—Each poem to which no reference is attached, appeared for the first time in this volume.
The Manuscript ofThe Count of Vendel’s Daughteris included in the extensive collection of Borroviana belonging to Mr. F. J. Farrell, of Great Yarmouth.
There is a copy ofThe Verner Raven,The Count of Vendel’s Daughter,and Other Balladsin the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.