(47) [Queen Berngerd: 1913]

Queen Berngerd / The Bard and the Dreams / and / Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:—Square demy octavo, pp. 31; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1–2; Frontispiece (with blank recto) pp. 3–4; Title-page, as above (with a note regarding the American copyright upon the centre of the reverse) pp. 5–6; and Text of theBalladspp. 7–31. There are headlines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particularBalladoccupying it. Upon the reverse of p. 31 is the following imprint: “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 8½ x6¾ inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

The Frontispiece consists of a reduced facsimile of the original Manuscript, in Borrow’s handwriting, ofThe Bard and the Dreams.

Contents.

page

Queen Berngerd. [Long ere the Sun the heaven arrayed]

Dame Martha’s Fountain. [Dame Martha dwelt at Karisegaard]

Previously printed (with some small differences of text) inThe Foreign Quarterly Review, June 1830, p. 83.

The Bard and the Dreams. [O’er the sweet smelling meads with his lyre in his hand]

King Oluf the Saint. [King Oluf and his brother bold]

Previously printed (with some slight differences of text) inThe Foreign Quarterly Review,June1830, pp. 59–61.

To Scribblers. [Would it not be more dignified]

This delightful Squib, here first printed, was written by Borrow upon the refusal by Lockhart to insert inThe Quarterly ReviewBorrow’s Essay suggested by Ford’sHandbook for Travellers in Spain, 1845, in the unmutilated and unamended form in which the author had written it.—[Seeante, No. 10.]

To a Conceited Woman. [Be still,be still,and speak not back again]

Note.—Each poem, to which no reference is attached, appeared for the first time in this volume.

There is a copy ofQueen Berngerd,The Bard and the Dreams,and Other Balladsin the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.

Manuscript of The Bard and the Dreams

Title page of Finnish Arts

Finnish Arts / Or / Sir Thor and Damsel Thure / A Ballad / 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; Frontispiece (with blank recto), pp. 3–4; Title-page, as above (with notice regarding the American copyright upon the centre of the reverse) pp. 5–6; and Text of theBalladspp. 7–27. There are head-lines 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 two leaves), B (a half-sheet of four leaves), and C (a full sheet of eight leaves), each 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 8½ × 6⅞ inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

The Frontispiece is a reduced facsimile of the first page of the original Manuscript ofFinnish Arts,or Sir Thor and Damsel Thure.

Contents.

page

Finnish Arts,Or,Sir Thor and Damsel Thure. [Sir Thor was a knight of prowess tried]

A reduced facsimile of the first page of the Manuscript ofFinnish Artswill be found facing the present page.

A New Song to an Old Tune. [Who starves his wife]

Ode from Anacreon. [The earth to drink does not disdain]

Lines from the Italian. [“Repent,O repent!”said a Friar one day]

A Drinking Song. [O how my breast is glowing]

There is a copy ofFinnish Arts,Or Sir Thor and Damsel Thurein the Library of the British Museum. The Pressmark is C. 44. d. 38.

Manuscript of Finnish Arts

Brown William / The Power of the Harp / and / Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:—Square demy octavo, pp. 31; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1–2; Title-page, as above (with notice regarding the American copyright upon the centre of the reverse) pp. 3–4; and Text of theBalladspp. 5–31. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particularBalladoccupying it. Upon the reverse of p. 31 is the following imprint:“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 8½ × 6⅞ inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

Contents.

page

Brown William. [Let no one in greatness too confident be]

Previously printed inOnce a Week,January4th, 1862, pp. 37–38.

The Power of the Harp. [Sir Peter would forth from the castle ride]

A reduced facsimile of one of the pages of the Manuscript ofThe Power of The Harpwill be found facing herewith.

The Unfortunate Marriage. [Hildebrand gave his sister away]

The Wrestling-Match. [As one day I wandered lonely,in extreme distress of mind]

The Warrior.From the Arabic. [Thou lov’st to look on myrtles green]

Note.—Each poem to which no reference is attached, appeared for the first time in this volume.

There is a copy ofBrown William,The Power of the Harp,and Other Balladsin the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.

Manuscript of The Power of the Harp

The Song of Deirdra / King Byrge and his Brothers / and / Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:—Square demy octavo, pp. 28; 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. 5–28. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular Ballad occupying it. At the foot of p. 28 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), B (a half-sheet of four leaves), and C (a full sheet of eight 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 × 6¾ inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

Contents.

page

The Song of Deirdra. [Farewell,grey Albyn,much loved land]

The Diver. [Where is the man who will dive for his king]

Previously printed inThe New Monthly Magazine, vol. vii., 1823, pp. 540–542.

King Byrge and his Brothers. [Dame Ingeborg three brave brothers could boast]

Turkish Hymn to Mahomet. [O Envoy of Allah,to thee be salaam]

Note.—Each poem to which no reference is attached appeared for the first time in this volume.

There is a copy ofThe Song of Deirdra,King Byrge and his Brothers,and Other Balladsin the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.

Title page of King Byrge

Signelil / A Tale from the Cornish / and Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:—Square demy octavo, pp. 28; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1–2; Title-page (with notice regarding the American copyright upon the centre of the reverse) pp. 3–4; and Text of theBalladspp. 5–28. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particularBalladoccupying it. At the foot of p. 28 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), B (a half-sheet of four leaves), and C (a full sheet of eight 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

Signelil. [The Lady her handmaid to questioning took]

A Tale from the Cornish. [In Lavan’s parish once of yore]

Previously printed, with some trifling inaccuracies, in Knapp’sLife,Writings,and Correspondence of George Borrow, 1899, vol. ii, pp. 91–95.

Sir Verner And Dame Ingeborg. [In Linholm’s houseThe swains they were drinking and making carouse]

The Heddeby Spectre. [At evening fall I chanced to ride]

An earlier, and utterly different, version of this ballad was printed (under the tentative titleThe Heddybee-Spectre) inRomantic Ballads, 1826, pp. 37–39. Borrow afterwards described this earlier version as “a paraphrase.”

From Goudeli. [Yestere’en when the bat,and the owl,and his mate]

Peasant Songs of Spain:

1. [When Jesu our Redeemer]

2. [There stands a stone,a rounded stone]

Note.—Each poem to which no reference is attached appeared for the first time in this volume.

There is a copy ofSignelil,a Tale from the Cornish,and Other Balladsin the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.

Manuscript of Signelil

Young Swaigder / or / The Force of Runes / 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 notice regarding the American copyright upon the reverse) pp. 3–4; and Text of theBalladspp. 5–27. There are head-lines 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 two leaves), B (a half-sheet of four leaves), and C (a full sheet of eight leaves), each 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 8½ × 6⅞ inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

Contents.

page

Young Swaigder,Or The Force of Runes. [It was the young Swaigder]

The Hail Storm. [As in Horunga Haven]

Previously printed inRomantic Ballads, 1826, pp. 136–138. Again printed inTargum, 1835, pp. 42–43.

In each instance the text varied very considerably. The present version was written about 1854, and represents the text as Borrow finally left it. I quote the first stanza of each version. It will be seen that the revision was progressive.

1826When from our ships we bounded,I heard,with fear astounded,The storm of Thorgerd’s waking;With flinty masses blended,Gigantic hail descended,And thick and fiercely rattledAgainst us there embattled.1835For victory as we bounded,I heard,with fear astounded,The storm,of Thorgerd’s waking,From Northern vapours breaking.Sent by the fiend in anger,With din and stunning clangour,To crush our might intended,Gigantic hail descended.1854As in Horunga havenWe fed the crow and raven,I heard the tempest breaking,Of demon Thorgerd’s waking;Sent by the fiend in anger,With din and stunning clangor,To crush our might intended,Gigantic hail descended.

1826

When from our ships we bounded,I heard,with fear astounded,The storm of Thorgerd’s waking;With flinty masses blended,Gigantic hail descended,And thick and fiercely rattledAgainst us there embattled.

1835

For victory as we bounded,I heard,with fear astounded,The storm,of Thorgerd’s waking,From Northern vapours breaking.Sent by the fiend in anger,With din and stunning clangour,To crush our might intended,Gigantic hail descended.

1854

As in Horunga havenWe fed the crow and raven,I heard the tempest breaking,Of demon Thorgerd’s waking;Sent by the fiend in anger,With din and stunning clangor,To crush our might intended,Gigantic hail descended.

Another translation of the same Ballad, extending to 84 lines, was printed inOnce a Week, 1863, vol. viii, p. 686, under the titleThe Hail-Storm;Or,The Death of Bui.

Rosmer Mereman. [In Denmark once a lady dwelt]

This ballad should be read in conjunction withRosmer, printed inThe Mermaid’s Prophecy,and other Songs relating to Queen Dagmar, 1913, pp. 25–30.

The Wicked Stepmother.No. II. [Sir Peter o’er to the island strayed—]

This ballad should be compared withThe Wicked Stepmother, printed inThe Dalby Bear and Other Ballads, 1913, pp. 14–20.

Note.—Each poem to which no reference is attached, appeared for the first time in this volume.

There is a copy ofYoung Swaigder or The Force of Runes and Other Balladsin the Library of the British Museum The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.

Emelian the Fool / A Tale / Translated from the Russian / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:—Crown octavo, pp. 37; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1–2; Title-page, as above (with blank reverse) pp. 3–4;Introductionpp. 5–7; and Text of theTalepp. 8–37. The reverse of p. 37 is blank. The head-line isEmelian the Foolthroughout, upon both sides of the page. The pamphlet is concluded by a leaf, with blank reverse, carrying 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 untrimmededges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 7½ × 5 inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

Emelian the Foolfirst appeared inOnce a Week, vol. vi,March8th, 1862, pp. 289–294, where it formed the first of a series of threeRussian Popular Tales, in Prose, translated by George Borrow.

TheTalewas also included inThe Avon Booklet, vol. ii, 1904, pp. 175–197.

There is a copy ofEmelian the Foolin the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 57. e. 45 (1).

The Story of Tim / Translated from the Russian / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:—Crown octavo, pp. 31; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1–2; Title-page as above (with blank reverse) pp. 3–4;Introductionp. 5; and Text of theStorypp. 6–31. The head-line isThe Story of Timthroughout, upon both sides of the page. Upon the reverse of p. 31 is the following imprint: “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 untrimmededges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 7½ × 5 inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

The Story of Timfirst appeared inOnce a Week, vol. vii,October4th, 1862, pp. 403–406, where it formed the third of a series ofRussian Popular Tales, in Prose, translated by George Borrow.

TheStorywas also included inThe Avon Booklet, vol. ii, 1904, pp. 211–229.

There is a copy ofThe Story of Timin the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 57. e. 45 (2).

Title page of The Story of Tim

Mollie Charane / and Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:—Square demy octavo, pp. 28; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1–2; Title-page, as above (with notice regarding the American copyright upon the centre of the reverse) pp. 3–4; and Text of theBalladspp. 5–28. There are headlines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particularBalladoccupying it. At the foot of p. 28 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), B (a half-sheet of four leaves), and C (a full sheet of eight leaves), each 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 8½ × 6⅞ inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

Contents.

page

Mollie Charane. [O,Mollie Charane,where got you your gold?]

Previously printed inOnce a Week, vol. vi, 1862, pp. 38–39.

The Danes of Yore. [Well we know from saga]

A Survey of Death. [My blood is freezing,my senses reel]

Another version of this poem was printed inThe Monthly Magazine, vol. lvi, 1823, p. 245; and reprinted (with some small textual variations) inRomantic Ballads, 1826, pp. 169–170. As the poem is a short one, and as the two versions afford a happy example of the drastic changes Borrow introduced into his text when revising his Ballads, I give them both in full:

1823Perhaps’tis folly,but still I feelMy heart-strings quiver,my senses reel,Thinking how like a fast stream we range,Nearer and nearer to life’s dread change,When soul and spirit filter away,And leave nothing better than senseless clay.Yield,beauty,yield,for the grave does gape,And,horribly alter’d,reflects thy shape;For,oh!think not those childish charmsWill rest unrifled in his cold arms;And think not there,that the rose of loveWill bloom on thy features as here above.Let him who roams at Vanity FairIn robes that rival the tulip’s glare,Think on the chaplet of leaves which roundHis fading forehead will soon be bound,And on each dirge the priests will sayWhen his cold corse is borne away,Let him who seeketh for wealth,uncheck’dBy fear of labour,let him reflectThat yonder gold will brightly shineWhen he has perish’d,with all his line;Tho’ man may rave,and vainly boast,We are but ashes when at the most.1913My blood is freezing,my senses reel,So horror stricken at heart I feel;Thinking how like a fast stream we rangeNearer and nearer to that dread change,When the body becomes so stark and cold,And man doth crumble away to mould.Boast not,proud maid,for the grave doth gape,And strangely altered reflects thy shape;No dainty charms it doth disclose,Death will ravish thy beauty’s rose;And all the rest will leave to theeWhen dug thy chilly grave shall be.O,ye who are tripping the floor so light,In delicate robes as the lily white,Think of the fading funeral wreath,The dying struggle,the sweat of death—Think on the dismal death array,When the pallid corse is consigned to clay!O,ye who in quest of riches roam,Reflect that ashes ye must become;And the wealth ye win will brightly shineWhen burried are ye and all your line;For your many chests of much loved goldYou’ll nothing obtain but a little mould.

1823

Perhaps’tis folly,but still I feelMy heart-strings quiver,my senses reel,Thinking how like a fast stream we range,Nearer and nearer to life’s dread change,When soul and spirit filter away,And leave nothing better than senseless clay.

Yield,beauty,yield,for the grave does gape,And,horribly alter’d,reflects thy shape;For,oh!think not those childish charmsWill rest unrifled in his cold arms;And think not there,that the rose of loveWill bloom on thy features as here above.

Let him who roams at Vanity FairIn robes that rival the tulip’s glare,Think on the chaplet of leaves which roundHis fading forehead will soon be bound,And on each dirge the priests will sayWhen his cold corse is borne away,

Let him who seeketh for wealth,uncheck’dBy fear of labour,let him reflectThat yonder gold will brightly shineWhen he has perish’d,with all his line;Tho’ man may rave,and vainly boast,We are but ashes when at the most.

1913

My blood is freezing,my senses reel,So horror stricken at heart I feel;Thinking how like a fast stream we rangeNearer and nearer to that dread change,When the body becomes so stark and cold,And man doth crumble away to mould.

Boast not,proud maid,for the grave doth gape,And strangely altered reflects thy shape;No dainty charms it doth disclose,Death will ravish thy beauty’s rose;And all the rest will leave to theeWhen dug thy chilly grave shall be.

O,ye who are tripping the floor so light,In delicate robes as the lily white,Think of the fading funeral wreath,The dying struggle,the sweat of death—Think on the dismal death array,When the pallid corse is consigned to clay!

O,ye who in quest of riches roam,Reflect that ashes ye must become;And the wealth ye win will brightly shineWhen burried are ye and all your line;For your many chests of much loved goldYou’ll nothing obtain but a little mould.

Desiderabilia Vitæ. [Give me the haunch of a buck to eat]

Previously printed, with a slightly different text, and arranged in six lines instead of in three four-line stanzas, inLavengro, 1851, vol. i, p. 306.

Saint Jacob. [Saint Jacob he takes our blest Lord by the hand]

The Renegade. [Now pay ye the heed that is fitting]

Previously printed, with some small differences of text, inThe Talisman, 1835, pp. 13–14.

An Impromptu. [And darest thou thyself compare]

A Hymn. [O Jesus,Thou Fountain of solace and gladness]

The Transformed Damsel. [My father up of the country rode]

This Ballad should be compared withThe Cruel Step-dame, printed inThe Serpent Knight and Other Ballade, 1913, pp. 30–33. Also withThe Transformed Damsel, printed inThe Return of the Dead and Other Ballads, 1913, pp. 13–14. The actions described in the earlier stanzas follow closely those of the opening stanzas ofThe Cruel Step-dame; whilst the incident of the lover cutting a piece of flesh from his own breast to serve as bait to attract his mistress, who, in the form of a bird, is perched upon a branch of the tree above him, is common to both theTransformed Damselballads.

Note.—Each poem to which no reference is attached appeared for the first time in this volume.

There is a copy ofMollie Charane and Other Balladsin the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.

Manuscript of The Danes of Yore

Grimhild’s Vengeance / Three Ballads / By / George Borrow / Edited / With an Introduction / By / Edmund Gosse, C. B. / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:—Square demy octavo, pp. 40; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1–2; Title-page, as above (with a note regarding the Americancopyright upon the centre of the reverse) pp. 3–4;Introductionpp. 5–14; and text of the threeBalladspp. 15–40. The head-line isGrimhild’s Vengeancethroughout, 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 four leaves), and B and C (two sheets, each eight leaves), each 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 8½ × 6⅞ inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

Contents.

page

Grimhild’s Vengeance.Song the First. [It was the proud Dame Grimhild Prepares the mead and beer]

A reduced facsimile of page 2 of the 1854 Manuscript of thisSongfaces the present page.

Grimhild’s Vengeance.Song the Second. [It was the proud Dame Grimhild The wine with spices blends]

Grimhild’s Vengeance.Song the Third. [O,where will ye find kempions So bold and strong of hand]

The Introduction furnished by Mr. Edmund Gosse toGrimhild’s Vengeanceis undoubtedly by far the most illuminating and important contribution yet made to the critical study of Borrow’s Ballads, a study which has hitherto been both meagre and inadequate. Not only does Mr. Gosse handle the threeSongsparticularly before him, and make clear the relationship they bear to each other, but he deals with the whole subject of theorigin of Borrow’s Scandinavian Ballads, and traces fully and precisely the immediate source from which their author derived them. One of Borrow’s most vivid records Mr. Gosse calls into question, and proves indisputably that it must henceforth be regarded, if not as a fiction, at least as one more result of Borrow’s inveterate habit of “drawing the long bow,”—to wit the passages inLavengrowherein Borrow recounts his acquisition of the “strange and uncouth-looking volume” at the price of a kiss from the yeoman’s wife, and the purpose which that volume served him.

Of the first and second of the three Ballads included inGrimhild’s Vengeancetwo Manuscripts are available. The first of these was written in 1829, and was intended to find a place in theSongs of Scandinaviaadvertised at the close of that year. The second Manuscript was written in 1854, and was prepared for the projected volumes ofKœmpe Viserof that date. Of the third Ballad there exists only a single Manuscript, namely that produced in 1829. Apparently in 1854 Borrow had relinquished all hope of publishing theKœmpe Viserbefore he had commenced work upon the third Ballad. In the present volume the first twoSongswere printed from the Manuscripts of 1854; the thirdSongfrom the Manuscript of 1829.

There is a copy ofGrimhild’s Vengeancein the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.

Manuscript of Grimhild’s Vengeance: Song the First—1854

Letters / To his Mother / Ann Borrow / and Other Correspondents / 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 a notice regarding the American copyright upon the centre of the reverse) pp. 3–4; and Text of theLetterspp. 5–38. The head-line isLetters to his Motherthroughout, upon both sides of the page. Following p. 38 is a leaf, with blank recto, and with the following imprint upon the reverse: “London: /Printed for Thomas J. Wise,Hampstead,N.W./Edition limited to Thirty Copies.” The signatures are A (a half-sheet of four leaves), plus B and C (two sheets, each eight leaves), each 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 7½ × 5 inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

The series of letters contained in this volume were reprinted inGeorge Borrow and his Circle.By Clement King Shorter, 8vo, 1913. The whole of the holographs are in Mr. Shorter’s possession.

There is a copy ofLetters to his Mother,Ann Borrow, in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 57. e. 46.

The Brother Avenged / and / Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:—Square demy octavo, pp. 32; 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. 5–32. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular Ballad occupying it. At the foot of p. 32 is the following imprint: “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 8½ × 6⅞ inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed

Contents.

page

The Brother Avenged. [I stood before my master’s board]

Previously printed (with some textual variations) inThe Foreign Quarterly Review, vol. vi,June1830, pp 61–62.

The Eyes.[268][To kiss a pair of red lips small]

Harmodius and Aristogiton. [With the leaves of the myrtle I’ll cover my brand]

My Dainty Dame. [My dainty Dame,my heart’s delight]

Grasach Abo or The Cause of Grace. [O,Baillie Na Cortie!thy turrets are tall]

Dagmar. [Sick in Ribe Dagmar’s lying]

The Elf Bride. [There was a youthful swain one day]

These stanzas should be compared withThe Elves, printed inThe Nightingale,The Valkyrie and Raven,and Other Ballads, 1913, pp. 25–26.

The Treasure Digger. [O,would that with last and shoe I had stay’d]

The Fisher. [The fisherman saddleth his good winged horse]

The Cuckoo. [Abiding an appointment made]

Note.—Each poem to which no reference is attached, appeared for the first time in this volume.

There is a copy ofThe Brother Avenged and Other Balladsin the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.

Manuscript of Grasach Abo

The Gold Horns / Translated by / George Borrow / from the Danish of / Adam Gottlob Oehlenschläger / Edited / with an Introduction by / Edmund Gosse, C.B. / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:—Square demy octavo, pp. 25; 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;Introductionpp. 5–9; and Text ofThe Gold Horns, the Danish and English texts facing each other upon opposite pages, pp. 10–25. The reverse of p. 25 is blank. There are head-lines throughout,each recto being headedThe Gold Horns, and each versoGuldhornene. The book is completed by 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 four leaves), B (a quarter-sheet of two leaves), and C (a full sheet of eight leaves), each 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 8½ × 6⅞ inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

Although the poem was not printed until 1913, it is quite evident that the translation was made by Borrow in or about the year 1826. The paper upon which the Manuscript is written is watermarked with the date 1824, whilst the handwriting coincides with that of several of the pieces included in theRomantic Ballads of1826. “There can be little doubt,” writes Mr. Gosse, “that Borrow intendedThe Gold Hornsfor that volume, and rejected it at last. He was conscious, perhaps, that his hand had lacked the skill needful to reproduce a lyric the melody of which would have taxed the powers of Coleridge or of Shelley.”

“The Gold Hornsmarks one of the most important stages in the history of Scandinavian literature. It is the earliest, and the freshest, specimen of the Romantic Revival in its definite form. In this way, it takes in Danish poetry a place analogous to that taken byThe Ancient Marinerin English poetry. . . .“Oehlenschläger has explained what it was that suggested to him the leading idea of his poem. Two antique horns of gold, discovered some time before in the bogs of Slesvig, had been recently stolen from the national collection at Rosenberg, and the thieves had melteddown the inestimable treasures. Oehlenschläger treats these horns as the reward for genuine antiquarian enthusiasm, shown in a sincere and tender passion for the ancient relics of Scandinavian history. From a generation unworthy to appreciate them, theHornshad been withdrawn, to be mysteriously restored at the due romantic hour.”—[From the Introduction by Edmund Gosse.]

“Oehlenschläger has explained what it was that suggested to him the leading idea of his poem. Two antique horns of gold, discovered some time before in the bogs of Slesvig, had been recently stolen from the national collection at Rosenberg, and the thieves had melteddown the inestimable treasures. Oehlenschläger treats these horns as the reward for genuine antiquarian enthusiasm, shown in a sincere and tender passion for the ancient relics of Scandinavian history. From a generation unworthy to appreciate them, theHornshad been withdrawn, to be mysteriously restored at the due romantic hour.”—[From the Introduction by Edmund Gosse.]

There is a copy ofThe Gold Hornsin the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 57. d. 19.

Tord of Hafsborough / and Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1914.

Collation:—Square demy octavo, pp. 32; 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. 5–32. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particularBalladoccupying it. At the foot of p. 32 is the following imprint: “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 8½ × 6⅞ inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

Contents.

page

Tord of Hafsborough. [It was Tord of Hafsborough]

From the Arabic. [O thou who fain would’st wisdom gain]

Thorvald. [Swayne Tveskieg did a man possess]

Previously printed inThe Foreign Quarterly Review, vol. vi, 1830, p. 74.

Peter Colbiornsen. [’Fore Fredereksteen King Carl he lay]

Previously printed inThe Foreign Quarterly Review, vol. vi, 1830, pp. 84–85.

Kragelill. [’Twas noised about, ’twas noised about]

Allegast. [The Count such a store of gold had got]

Epigrams:

1. [Assume a friend’s face when a foeman you spy]

2. [The lion in woods finds prey of noble kind]

3. [Though God provides our daily bread]

4. [To trust a man I never feel inclined]

5. [A hunter who was always seeking game]

6. [The plans of men of shrewdest wit]

7. [Well was it said,long years ago]

8. [Who roams the world by many wants beset]

It is probable that the whole of these eightEpigramswere derived by Borrow from Persian sources.

On a Young Man with Red Hair. [He is a lad of sober mind]

Note.—Each poem to which no reference is attached, appeared for the first time in this volume.

There is a copy ofTord of Hafsborough and Other Balladsin the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.

The Expedition to / Birting’s Land / and Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1914.

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 head-lines 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 half-sheet of four leaves), B (a quarter-sheet of two leaves), and C (a full sheet of 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 Expedition to Birting’s Land. [The King he o’er the castle rules]

OfThe Expedition to Birting’s Landno less than three Manuscripts are extant. The first was composed in 1826, and was originally destined for inclusion in theRomantic Balladsof that date. It isnumbered to come betweenThe TournamentandVidrik Verlandson. The second was written in 1829, and was intended to find a place inThe Songs of Scandinavia. The third was prepared in 1854, with a view to its appearance in theKœmpe Viser. In the two earlier versions the Ballad bears the tentative titleThe Expedition of King Diderik’s Warriors to Birting’s Land. The texts of all three differ very considerably, the final version being that from which the Ballad was here printed.

The Singing Mariner. [Who will ever have again]

Previously printed inThe Monthly Magazine, Vol. lvi, 1823, p. 335.

There exists an early Manuscript of this charming lyric, differing entirely from the text as printed. This early version is written in couplets, instead of in four-line stanzas. Here is the first stanza, followed by the equivalent couplet from the MS.:

Printed text.Who will ever have again,On the land or on the main,Such a chance as happen’d toCount Arnaldos long ago.MS.Who had e’er such an adventure the ocean’s waves upon,As had the Count Arnaldos the morning of St. John.

Printed text.

Who will ever have again,On the land or on the main,Such a chance as happen’d toCount Arnaldos long ago.

MS.

Who had e’er such an adventure the ocean’s waves upon,As had the Count Arnaldos the morning of St. John.

Upon the opposite page I give a facsimile of this early Manuscript, the exact size of the original. The tiny waif affords a delightful specimen of Borrow’s extremely beautiful and graceful minute handwriting, of which one or two other examples exist. The paper upon which the lines are written is evidently a leaf torn from a small note-book.

Youth’s Song in Spring. [O,scarcely is Spring a time of pure bliss]

The Nightingale. [In midnight’s calm hour the Nightingale sings]

Previously printed inThe Monthly Magazine, vol. lvi, 1823, p. 526.

Lines. [Say from what mine took Love the yellow gold]

Morning Song. [From Eastern quarters now]

Previously printed inThe Foreign Quarterly Review, vol. vi, 1830, p. 65.

From the French. [This world by fools is occupied]

The Morning Walk. [To the beech grove with so sweet an air]

Previously printed inThe Foreign Quarterly Review, vol. vi, 1830, pp. 80–81.

Note.—Each poem to which no reference is attached, appeared for the first time in this volume.

There is a copy ofThe Expedition to Birting’s Land and Other Balladsin the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.

Manuscript of Singing Mariner

The Diver,A Ballad Translated from the German. [Where is the man who will dive for his King?]

Reprinted in The Song of Deirdra and Other Ballads, 1913, pp. 8–17.

P. 244.

Ode to a Mountain Torrent. [How lovely thou art in thy tresses of foam]

Reprinted, with the text substantially revised, inRomantic Ballads, 1826, pp. 164–166. Again reprinted inTargum, 1835, pp. 45–46.

The majority of Borrow’s contributions toThe Monthly Magazineappeared under the signature ‘George Olaus Borrow.’ Dr. Knapp has recorded that he found in the Corporation Library at Norwicha book on ancient Danish Literature, by Olaus Wormius, carrying several marginal notes in Borrow’s handwriting. The suggestion that it was from this book that Borrow derived the pseudonymous second Christian name which he employed inThe Monthly Magazineis not an unreasonable one.

P. 245.

Death. [Perhaps’tis folly,but still I feel]

Reprinted (under the amended titleThoughts on Death, and with some small textual variations) inRomantic Ballads, 1826, pp. 169–170.

Another version of the same poem was printed (under the titleA Survey of Death, the first line readingMy blood is freezing,my senses reel) inMollie Charane and Other Ballads, 1913, pp. 11–12.

P. 246.

Mountain Song. [That pathway before ye,so narrow and gray]

Pp. 306–309.

Danish Poetry and Ballad Writing. A Prose Essay, including,inter alia, the following Ballad:

Skion Middel. [The maiden was lacing so tightly her vest]

Reprinted, under the amended titleSir Middel, the first line reading “So tightly was Swanelil lacing her vest,” inRomantic Ballads, 1826, pp. 28–30.

Another, but widely different, version of this Ballad is printed inChild Maidelvold and Other Ballads, 1913, pp. 5–10. In this latter version the name of the heroine is Sidselil in place of Swanelil, and that of the hero is Child Maidelvold in place of Sir Middel.

Pp. 334–336.

Lenora. [When morning’s gleam was on the hill]

P. 437.

Chloe. [Oh!we have a sister on earthly dominions]

Reprinted inTargum, 1835, pp. 47–48.

When gatheringChloeinto the pages ofTargumBorrow very considerably revised the text. Here is the concluding stanza of each of the two versions:—

1823

But God shook his sceptre,and thunder’d appalling,While winds swept the branches with turbulent sigh;Then trembled the host,but they heeded his calling,And bore the sweet maiden,yet praying,on high.“Ah,we had a sister on earthly dominions!”All sung,as thro’ heaven they joyously trod,And bore,with flush’d faces,and fluttering pinions,The yet-praying maid to the throne of her God.

1835

Then frown’d the dread father;his thunders appallingTo rattle began,and his whirlwinds to roar;Then trembled the host,but they heeded his calling,And Chloe up-snatching,to heaven they soar.O we had a sister on earthly dominions!They sang as through heaven triumphant they stray’d,And bore with flush’d faces and fluttering pinionsTo God’s throne of brightness the yet praying maid.

P. 437.

Sea-Song. [King Christian stood beside the mast]

In 1826 and 1835 the title was changed toNational Song.

Borrow published no less than four versions of thisNational Song:

1. InThe Monthly Magazine, 1823, p. 437,

2. InRomantic Ballads, 1826, pp. 146–148,

3. In The Foreign Quarterly Review, 1830, pp. 70–71,

4. InTargum, 1835, pp. 49–50.

Upon each occasion he practically rewrote theSong, so that all four versions differ completely. As an illustration of these differences I give the first stanza of each version:

1823.

King Christian stood beside the mast,In smoke and flame;His heavy cannon rattled fastAgainst the Gothmen,as they pass’d:Then sunk each hostile sail and mastIn smoke and flame.“Fly, (said the foe,)fly,all that can,For who with Denmark’s ChristianWill ply the bloody game?”

1826.

King Christian stood beside the mastSmoke,mixt with flame,Hung o’er his guns,that rattled fastAgainst the Gothmen,as they passed:Then sunk each hostile sail and mastIn smoke and flame.“Fly!”said the foe: “fly!all that can,Nor wage,with Denmark’s Christian,The dread,unequal game.”

1830.

King Christian by the main-mast stoodIn smoke and mist!So pour’d his guns their fiery floodThat Gothmen’s heads and helmets bow’d;Their sterns,their masts fell crashing loudIn smoke and mist.“Fly,”cried they, “let him fly who can,For who shall Denmark’s ChristianResist?”

1835.

King Christian stood beside the mastIn smoke and mist.His weapons,hammering hard and fast,Through helms and brains of Gothmen pass’d.Then sank each hostile sail and mastIn smoke and mist.“Fly,”said the foe, “fly all that can,For who can Denmark’s ChristianResist?”

P. 438.

The Erl King. [Who is it that gallops so lat on the wild!]

P. 235.

Bernard’s Address to his Army. [Freshly blew the morning breeze]

P. 335.

The Singing Mariner. [Who will ever have again]

Reprinted inThe Expedition to Birting’s Land and Other Ballads, 1914, pp. 16–18.

P. 431.

The French Princess. [Towards France a maiden went]

P. 526.

The Nightingale. [In midnight’s calm hour the Nightingale sings]

Reprinted inThe Expedition to Birting’s Land and Other Ballads, 1914, pp. 19–20.

P. 391.

A Review ofFortsetzung des Faust Von Goethe.Von C. C. L. Schone. (Berlin.)

P. 394.

A Review ofŒlenschlager’s Samlede digte. (Copenhagen.)

Pp. 491–513.

A Review ofNarrative of a Pedestrian Journey through Russia and Siberian Tartary,from the Frontiers of China to the Frozen Sea.By Capt. John Dundas,R.N.(London, 1824.)

Pp. 19–22.

Danish Traditions and Superstitions. A Prose Essay.Part i. Includinginter aliathe following Ballad:

Waldemar’s Chase. [Late at eve they were toiling on Harribee bank]

Reprinted inRomantic Ballads, 1826, pp. 115–116.

P. 47.

War-Song;Written when the French first invaded Spain. [Arise,ye sons of injur’d Spain]

P. 432.

Danish Songs and Ballads. No. 1,Bear Song. [The squirrel that’s sporting]

Reprinted inRomantic Ballads, 1826, pp. 144–145.

Pp. 498–500.

Danish Traditions and Superstitions. A Prose Essay.Part ii.

Pp. 25–26 and 103–104.

Danish Traditions and Superstitions. A Prose Essay.Parts iii and iv.

Pp. 143–144.

The Deceived Merman. [Fair Agnes left her mother’s door]

Reprinted (with very considerable changes in the text, the first line reading “Fair Agnes alone on the sea-shore stood”) inRomantic Ballads, 1826, pp. 120–123.

In 1854 Borrow rewrote this Ballad, and furnished it with a new titleAgnes and the Merman. The following stanzas taken from each, will serve to show the difference between the two versions:—

1826.

The Merman up to the church door came;His eyes they shone like a yellow flame;His face was white,and his beard was green—A fairer demon was never seen.“Now,Agnes,Agnes,list to me,Thy babes are longing so after thee.”“I cannot come yet,here must I stayUntil the priest shall have said his say.”

The Merman up to the church door came;His eyes they shone like a yellow flame;

His face was white,and his beard was green—A fairer demon was never seen.

“Now,Agnes,Agnes,list to me,Thy babes are longing so after thee.”

“I cannot come yet,here must I stayUntil the priest shall have said his say.”

1854.

In at the door the Merman treads—Away the images turned their heads.His face was white,his beard was green,His eyes were full of love,I ween.“Hear,Agnes,hear!’tis time for theeTo come to thy home below the sea.”“I cannot come yet,I here must stay,Until the priest has said his say.”

In at the door the Merman treads—Away the images turned their heads.

His face was white,his beard was green,His eyes were full of love,I ween.

“Hear,Agnes,hear!’tis time for theeTo come to thy home below the sea.”

“I cannot come yet,I here must stay,Until the priest has said his say.”

Pp. 308, 411, and 507.

Danish Traditions and Superstitions. A Prose Essay.Parts v,vi,and vii.

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