Chapter 21

"Needs must you lay your heart at his dispose ...Against whose furie and unmatched force,The awlesse lion could not wage the fight,Nor keepe his princely heart from Richard's hand:He that perforce robs Lions of their heartsMay easily winne a woman's:"

The fact here referred to, is to be traced to its source only in the old romance ofRichard Ceur["Cœur"?] deLyon[507], in which his encounter with a lion makes a very shining figure. I shall give a large extract from this poem, as a specimen of the manner of these old rhapsodists, and to shew that they did not in their fictions neglect the proper means to produce the ends, as was afterwards so childishly done in the prose books of chivalry.

The poet tells us, that Richard, in his return from the Holy Land, having been discovered in the habit of "a palmer in Almayne," and apprehended as a spy, was by the king thrown into prison. Wardrewe, the king's son, hearing of Richard's great strength, desires the jailor to let him have a sight of his prisoners. Richard being the foremost, Wardrewe askshim, "if he dare stand a buffet from his hand?" and that on the morrow he shall return him another. Richard consents, and receives a blow that staggers him. On the morrow, having previously waxed his hands, he waits his antagonist's arrival. Wardrewe accordingly, proceeds the story, "held forth as a trewe man," and Richard gave him such a blow on the cheek, as broke his jawbone, and killed him on the spot. The king, to revenge the death of his son, orders, by the advice of one Eldrede, that a lion, kept purposely from food, shall be turned loose upon Richard. But the king's daughter having fallen in love with him, tells him of her father's resolution, and at his request procures him forty ells of white silk "kerchers;" and here the description of the combat begins:

"The kever-chefes[508]he toke on honde,And aboute his arme he wonde;And thought in that ylke while,To slee the lyon with some gyle.And syngle in a kyrtyll he stode,And abode the lyon fyers and wode,With that came the jaylere,And other men that wyth him were,And the lyon them amonge;His pawes were stiffe and stronge.The chambre dore they undone,And the lyon to them is gone.Rycharde sayd, Helpe lorde Jesu!The lyon made to hym venu,And wolde hym have all to rente:Kynge Rycharde besyde hym glente[509]The lyon on the breste hym spurned,That aboute he tourned.The lyon was hongry and megre,And bette his tayle to be egre;He loked aboute as he were madde;Abrode he all his pawes spradde.He cryed lowde, and yaned[510]wyde.Kynge Rycharde bethought hym that tydeWhat hym was beste, and to hym sterte,In at the throte his honde he gerte,And hente out the herte with his honde,Lounge and all that he there fonde.The lyon fell deed to the grounde:Rycharde felte no wem[511], ne wounde.He fell on his knees on that place,And thanked Jesu of his grace."* * * * *

What follows is not so well, and therefore I shall extract no more of this poem.—For the above feat the author tells us, the king was deservedly called

"Stronge Rycharde Cure de Lyowne."

That distich which Shakespeare puts in the mouth of his madman inK. Lear, act iii. sc. 4.

"Mice and Rats and such small deereHave been Tom's food for seven long yeare,"

has excited the attention of the critics. Instead ofdeere, one of them would substitutegeer; and anothercheer[512]. But the ancient reading is established by the old romance of Sir Bevis, which Shakespeare had doubtless often heard sung to the harp. This distich is part of a description there given of the hardships suffered by Bevis, when confined for seven years in a dungeon:

"Rattes and myse and such small dereWas his meate that seven yere."—Sign. F. iii.

III. In different parts of this work, the reader will find various extracts from these old poetical legends; to which I refer him for farther examples of their style and metre. To complete this subject,it will be proper at least to give one specimen of their skill in distributing and conducting their fable, by which it will be seen that nature and common sense had supplied to these old simple bards the want of critical art, and taught them some of the most essential rules of epic poetry.—I shall select the romance ofLibius Disconius[513], as being one of those mentioned by Chaucer, and either shorter or more intelligible than the others he has quoted.

If an epic poem may be defined,[514]"A fable related by a poet, to excite admiration, and inspire virtue, by representing the action of some one hero, favoured by heaven, who executes a great design, in spite of all the obstacles that oppose him:" I know not why we should withold the name of Epic Poem from the piece which I am about to analyse.

My copy is divided into IX. Parts or Cantos, the several arguments of which are as follows.

Part I.

Opens with a short exordium to bespeak attention: the hero is described; a natural son of Sir Gawain a celebrated knight of king Arthur's court, who being brought up in a forest by his mother, is kept ignorant of his name and descent. He early exhibits marks of his courage, by killing a knight in single combat, who encountered him as he was hunting. This inspires him with a desire of seeking adventures: therefore cloathing himself in his enemy's armour, he goes to K. Arthur's court, to request the order of knighthood. His request granted, he obtains a promiseof having the first adventure assigned him that shall offer.—A damsel named Ellen, attended by a dwarf, comes to implore K. Arthur's assistance, to rescue a young princess, "the Lady of Sinadone" their mistress, who is detained from her rights, and confined in prison. The adventure is claimed by the young knight Sir Lybius: the king assents; the messengers are dissatisfied, and object to his youth; but are forced to acquiesce. And here the first book closes with a description of the ceremony of equipping him forth.

Part II.

Sir Lybius sets out on the adventure: he is derided by the dwarf and the damsel on account of his youth: they come to the bridge of Perill, which none can pass without encountering a knight called William de la Braunch. Sir Lybius is challenged: they just with their spears: De la Braunch is dismounted: the battle is renewed on foot: Sir William's sword breaks: he yields. Sir Lybius makes him swear to go and present himself to K. Arthur, as the first-fruits of his valour. The conquered knight sets out for K. Arthur's court: is met by three knights, his kinsmen; who, informed of his disgrace, vow revenge, and pursue the conqueror. The next day they overtake him: the eldest of the three attacks Sir Lybius; but is overthrown to the ground. The two other brothers assault him: Sir Lybius is wounded; yet cuts off the second brother's arm: the third yields; Sir Lybius sends them all to K. Arthur. In the third evening he is awaked by the dwarf, who has discovered a fire in the wood.

Part III.

Sir Lybius arms himself, and leaps on horseback: he finds two giants roasting a wild boar, who havea fair lady their captive. Sir Lybius, by favour of the night, runs one of them through with his spear: is assaulted by the other: a fierce battle ensues: he cuts off the giant's arm, and at length his head. The rescued lady (an Earl's daughter) tells him her story; and leads him to her father's castle; who entertains him with a great feast; and presents him at parting with a suit of armour and a steed. He sends the giant's head to K. Arthur.

Part IV.

Sir Lybius, maid Ellen, and the dwarf, renew their journey: they see a castle stuck round with human heads; and are informed it belongs to a knight called Sir Gefferon, who, in honour of his lemman or mistress, challenges all comers: He that can produce a fairer lady, is to be rewarded with a milk-white faulcon, but if overcome, to lose his head. Sir Lybius spends the night in the adjoining town: In the morning goes to challenge the faulcon. The knights exchange their gloves: they agree to just in the market place: the lady and maid Ellen are placed aloft in chairs: their dresses: the superior beauty of Sir Gefferon's mistress described: the ceremonies previous to the combat. They engage: the combat described at large: Sir Gefferon is incurably hurt; and carried home on his shield. Sir Lybius sends the faulcon to K. Arthur; and receives back a large present in florins. He stays 40 days to be cured of his wounds, which he spends in feasting with the neighbouring lords.

Part V.

Sir Lybius proceeds for Sinadone: in the forest he meets a knight hunting, called Sir Otes de Lisle: maid Ellen charmed with a very beautiful dog, begsSir Lybius to bestow him upon her: Sir Otes meets them, and claims his dog: is refused: being unarmed he rides to his castle, and summons his followers: they go in quest of Sir Lybius: a battle ensues: he is still victorious, and forces Sir Otes to follow the other conquered knights to K. Arthur.

Part VI.

Sir Lybius comes to a fair city and castle by a riverside, beset round with pavilions or tents: he is informed, in the castle is a beautiful lady besieged by a giant named Maugys, who keeps the bridge, and will let none pass without doing him homage: this Lybius refuses: a battle ensues: the giant described: the several incidents of the battle; which lasts a whole summer's day; the giant is wounded: put to flight; slain. The citizens come out in procession to meet their deliverer: the lady invites him into her castle: falls in love with him; and seduces him to her embraces. He forgets the princess of Sinadone, and stays with this bewitching lady a twelvemonth. This fair sorceress, like another Alcina, intoxicates him with all kinds of sensual pleasure; and detains him from the pursuit of honour.

Part VII.

Maid Ellen by chance gets an opportunity of speaking to him; and upbraids him with his vice and folly: he is filled with remorse, and escapes the same evening. At length he arrives at the city and castle of Sinadone: Is given to understand that he must challenge the constable of the castle to single combat, before he can be received as a guest. They just: the constable is worsted: Sir Lybius is feasted in the castle: he declares hisintention of delivering their lady; and inquires the particulars of her history. "Two necromancers have built a fine palace by sorcery, and there keep her inchanted, till she will surrender her duchy to them, and yield to such base conditions as they would impose."

Part VIII.

Early on the morrow Sir Lybius sets out for the inchanted palace. He alights in the court: enters the hall: the wonders of which are described in strong Gothic painting. He sits down at the high table: on a sudden all the lights are quenched: it thunders, and lightens; the palace shakes; the walls fall in pieces about his ears. He is dismayed and confounded: but presently hears horses neigh, and is challenged to single combat by the sorcerers. He gets to his steed: a battle ensues, with various turns of fortune: he loses his weapon; but gets a sword from one of the necromancers, and wounds the other with it: the edge of the sword being secretly poisoned, the wound proves mortal.

Part IX.

He goes up to the surviving sorcerer, who is carried away from him by inchantment: at length he finds him, and cuts off his head; he returns to the palace to deliver the lady; but cannot find her: as he is lamenting, a window opens, through which enters a horrible serpent with wings and a woman's face: it coils round his neck and kisses him; then is suddenly converted into a very beautiful lady. She tells him she is the Lady of Sinadone, and was so inchanted, till she might kiss Sir Gawain, or some one of his blood: that he has dissolved the charm, and that herself and her dominions may be his reward. The knight (whose descent is by this means discovered) joyfully accepts the offer; makes her his bride, and then sets out with her for King Arthur's court.

Such is the fable of this ancient piece: which the reader may observe, is as regular in its conduct, as any of the finest poems of classical antiquity. If the execution, particularly as to the diction and sentiments, were but equal to the plan, it would be a capital performance; but this is such as might be expected in rude and ignorant times, and in barbarous unpolished language.

IV. I shall conclude this prolix account, with a list of such old metrical romances as are still extant; beginning with those mentioned by Chaucer.

1. The romance ofHorne Childeis preserved in the British Museum, where it is intitled þe ᵹeste kyng Horne. See Catalog. Harl. MSS. 2253, p. 70. The language is almost Saxon, yet from the mention in it of Sarazens, it appears to have been written after some of the Crusades. It begins thus:

"All heo ben blyþeþat to my sonȝ ylyþe:A sonȝ ychulle ou sinȝOf Allof þe ȝode kynȝe,"[515]&c.

Another copy of this poem, but greatly altered, and somewhat modernized, is preserved in the Advocates Library at Edinburgh, in a MS. quarto volume of old English poetry [W. 4. 1.] Num. XXXIV. in seven leaves or folios[516], intitled,Horn-child andMaiden Rinivel, and beginning thus:

"Mi leve frende dere,Herken and ye may here."

2. The poem ofIpotis(orYpotis) is preserved in the Cotton Library, Calig. A. 2, fo. 77, but is rather a religious legend, than a romance. Its beginning is,

"He þat wyll of wysdome hereHerkeneth nowe ye may hereOf a tale of holy wryteSeynt Jon the Evangelyste wytnesseth hyt."

3. The romance of SirGuywas written before that of Bevis, being quoted in it[517]. An account of this old poem is given above, p.107. To which it may be added, that the two complete copies in MS. are preserved at Cambridge, the one in the public library[518], the other in that of Caius College, Class A. 8.—In Ames's Typog. p. 153, may be seen the first lines of the printed copy.—The first MS. begins,

"Sythe the tyme that God was borne."

4.Guy and Colbronde, an old romance in three parts, is preserved in the Editor's folio MS. (p.349.) [printed edition, vol. ii. p. 527.] It is in stanzas of six lines, the first of which may be seen in vol. ii. p. 175, beginning thus:

"When meate and drinke is great plentye."

In the Edinburgh MS. (mentioned above) are two ancient poems on the subject ofGuy of Warwick: viz. Num. XVIII. containing 26 leaves, and XX. 59 leaves. Both these have unfortunately the beginnings wanting, otherwise they would perhaps be found to be different copies of one or both the preceding articles.

5. From the same MS. I can add another article to this list, viz. the romance ofRembrunson of Sir Guy; being Num. XXI. in 9 leaves: this is properly a continuation of the History ofGuy: and in Art. 3, the Hist. of Rembrun follows that of Guy as a necessary part of it. This Edinburgh romance of Rembrun begins thus:

"Jesu that erst of mighte mostFader and sone and Holy Ghost."

Before I quit the subject of Sir Guy, I must observe, that if we may believe Dugdale in hisBaronage(vol. i. p. 243, col. 2), the fame of our English Champion had in the time of Henry IV. travelled as far as the East, and was no less popular among the Sarazens, than here in the West among the nations of Christendom. In that reign a Lord Beauchamp travelling to Jerusalem was kindly received by a noble person, the Soldan's Lieutenant, who hearing he was descended from the famous Guy of Warwick, "whose story they had in books of their own language," invited him to his palace; and royally feasting him, presented him three precious stones of great value, besides divers cloaths of silk and gold given to his servants.

6. The romance ofSyr Bevisis described in page 216 of this vol. Two manuscript copies of this poem are extant at Cambridge, viz., in the public library[519], and in that of Caius Coll. Class A. 9. (5.)—The first of these begins,

"Lordyngs lystenyth grete and smale."

There is also a copy of this romance ofSir Bevisof Hamptoun, in the Edinburgh MS. Numb. XXII. consisting of twenty-five leaves, and beginning thus:

"Lordinges herkneth to mi tale,Is merier than the nightengale."

The printed copies begin different from both, viz.,

"Lysten, Lordinges, and hold you styl."

7.Libeaux(Libeaus, orLybius)Disconiusis preserved in the Editor's folio MS. (page317) [pr. ed, vol. ii. p. 415], where the first stanza is,

"Jesus Christ christen kinge,And his mother that sweete thinge,Helpe them at their neede,That will listen to my tale,Of a Knight I will you tell,A doughtye man of deede."

An older copy is preserved in the Cotton Library (Calig. A. 2. fol. 40) but containing such innumerable variations, that it is apparently a different translation of some old French original, which will account for the title ofLe Beaux Disconus, or the Fair Unknown. The first line is,

"Jesu Christ our Savyour."

As forPleindamour, orBlandamoure, no romance with this title has been discovered; but as the wordBlaundemereoccurs in the romance ofLibius Disconius, in the Editor's folio MS. p.319[pr. ed. vol. ii. p. 420], he thought the name ofBlandamoure(which was in all the editions of Chaucer he had then seen) might have some reference to this. ButPleindamour, the name restored by Mr. Tyrwhitt, is more remote.

8.Le Morte Arthureis among the Harl. MSS 2252, § 49. This is judged to be a translation from the French; Mr. Wanley thinks it no older than thetime of Henry VII., but it seems to be quoted in Syr Bevis, (Sign. K. ij. b.) It begins,

"Lordinges, that are lesse and deare."

In the library of Bennet Coll. Cambridge, No. 351, is a MS. intitled in the catalogueActa ArthurisMetrico Anglicano, but I know not its contents.

9. In the Editor's folio MS. are many songs and romances about King Arthur and his knights, some of which are very imperfect, asKing Arthur and theKing of Cornwall(page24) [pr. ed. vol. i. p. 61], in stanzas of four lines, beginning,

"'Come here,' my cozen Gawaine so gay."

The Turke and Gawain(p.38) [pr. ed. vol. i. p. 90], in stanzas of six lines beginning thus:

"Listen lords great and small,"[520]

but these are so imperfect that I do not make distinct articles of them. See also in this volume, Book I. No. I., II., IV., V.

In the same MS. p.203[pr. ed. vol. ii. p. 58], is theGreene Knight, in two parts, relating a curious adventure of Sir Gawain, in stanzas of six lines, beginning thus:—

"List: wen Arthur he was k:"

10.The Carle of Carlisleis another romantic tale about Sir Gawain, in the same MS. p. 448 [pr. ed. vol. iii. p. 277], in distichs:

"Listen: to me a litle stond."

In all these old poems the same set of knights are always represented with the same manners andcharacters; which seem to have been as well known, and as distinctly marked among our ancestors, as Homer's Heroes were among the Greeks: for, asUlyssesis always represented crafty,Achillesirascible, andAjaxrough; soSir Gawainis ever courteous and gentle,Sir Kayrugged and disobliging, &c. "Sir Gawain with his olde curtesie" is mentioned by Chaucer as noted to a proverb, in hisSquire's Tale.Canterb. Tales, vol. ii. p. 104.

11.Syr Launfal, an excellent old romance concerning another of King Arthur's knights, is preserved in the Cotton Library, Calig. A 2, f. 33. This is a translation from the French[521], made by oneThomasChestre, who is supposed to have lived in the reign of Henry VI. (See Tanner's Biblioth.) It is in stanzas of six lines, and begins,

"Be douyty Artours dawes."

The above was afterwards altered by some minstrel into the romance ofSir Lambewell, in three parts, under which title it was more generally known[522]. This is the Editor's folio MS. p.60[pr. ed. vol. i. p. 144], beginning thus:

"Doughty in king Arthures dayes."

12.Eger and Grime, in six parts (in the Editor's folio MS. p.124) [pr. ed. vol. i. p. 354], is a well invented tale of chivalry, scarce inferior to any of Ariosto's. This which was inadvertently omitted in the former editions of this list, is in distichs, and begins thus:

"It fell sometimes in the Land of Beame."

13. The romance ofMerline, in nine parts (preserved in the same folio MS. p.145[pr. ed. vol. i. p. 422]), gives a curious account of the birth, parentage, and juvenile adventures of this famous British Prophet. In this poem theSaxonsare calledSarazens; and the thrusting the rebel angels out of heaven is attributed to "oure Lady." It is in distichs and begins thus:

"He that made with his hand."

There is an old romanceOf Arthour and of Merlin, in the Edinburgh MS. of old English poems: I know not whether it has anything in common with this last mentioned. It is in the volume numbered xxiii. and extends through fifty-five leaves. The two first lines are:

"Jesu Crist, heven kingAl ous graunt gode ending."

14.Sir Isenbras(or as it is in the MS. copies,SirIsumbras), is quoted in Chaucer'sR. of Thopas, v. 6. Among Mr. Garrick's old plays is a printed copy; of which an account has been already given in vol. i. book iii. No. vii. It is preserved in MS. in the Library of Caius Coll. Camb., Class A. 9 (2), and also in the Cotton Library, Calig. A. 12 (f. 128). This is extremely different from the printed copy. E.g.

"God þat made both erþe and hevene."

15.Emarè, a very curious and ancient romance, is preserved in the same vol. of the Cotton Library, f. 69. It is in stanzas of six lines, and begins thus:

"Jesu þat ys kyng in trone."

16.Chevelere assigne, or The Knight of the Swan, preserved in the Cotton Library, has been already described in vol. ii. Appendix,Essay on P. Plowman'sMetre, &c., as hath also

17.The Sege of Fēr̄lam(or Jerusalem), which seems to have been written after the other, and may not improperly be classed among the romances; as may also the following, which is preserved in the same volume, viz.,

18.Owaine Myles(fol. 90), giving an account of the wonders of St. Patrick's Purgatory. This is a translation into verse of the story related in Mat. Paris'sHist.(sub. Ann. 1153.) It is in distichs beginning thus:

"God þat ys so full of myght."

In the same manuscript are three or four other narrative poems, which might be reckoned among the romances, but being rather religious legends, I shall barely mention them; asTundale, f. 17;TrentaleSci Gregorii, f. 84;Jerome, f. 133;Eustache, f. 136.

19.Octavian imperator, an ancient romance of chivalry, is in the same vol. of the Cotton Library, f. 20. Notwithstanding the name, this old poem has nothing in common with the history of the Roman Emperors. It is in a very peculiar kind of stanza, whereof 1, 2, 3, & 5 rhyme together, as do the 4 and 6. It begins thus:

"Ihesu Þat was with spere ystonge."

In the public library at Cambridge[523], is a poem with the same title, and begins very differently:

"Lyttyll and mykyll, olde and yonge."

20.Eglamour of Artas(orArtoys) is preserved in the same vol. with the foregoing, both in the Cotton Library and Public Library at Cambridge. It is also in the Editor's folio MS. p.295[pr. ed.vol. ii. p. 341], where it is divided into six parts. A printed copy in the Bodleian Library, C. 39. Art. Seld., and also among Mr. Garrick's old plays, K. vol. x. It is in distichs, and begins thus:

"Ihesu Crist of heven kyng."

21.Syr Triamore(in stanzas of six lines) is preserved in MS. in the Editor's volume, p.210[pr. ed. vol. ii. p. 80], and in the Public Library at Cambridge (690, § 29. Vid. Cat. MSS. p. 394.) Two printed copies are extant in the Bodleian Library, and among Mr. Garrick's plays in the same volumes with the last article. Both the editor's MS. and the printed copy begin,

"Nowe Jesu Chryste our heven kynge."

The Cambridge copy thus:

"Heven blys that all shall wynne."

22.Sir Degree(Degare, orDegore, which last seems the true title) in five parts, in distichs, is preserved in the Editor's folio MS. p.371[pr. ed. vol. iii. p. 20], and in the Public Library at Cambridge (ubi supra). A printed copy is in the Bod. Library C. 39. Art. Seld. and among Mr. Garrick's plays, K. vol. ix. The Editor's MS. and the printed copies begin,

"Lordinges, and you wyl holde you styl."

The Cambridge MS. has it,

"Lystenyth, lordyngis, gente and fre."

23.Ipomydon(orChylde Ipomydon), is preserved among the Harl. MSS. 2252 (44). It is in distichs, and begins,

"Mekely, lordyngis, gentylle and fre."

In the library of Lincoln Cathedral, K k. 3, 10, isan old imperfect printed copy, wanting the whole first sheet A.

24.The Squyr of Lowe degre, is one of those burlesqued by Chaucer in his Rhyme of Thopas[524]. Mr. Garrick has a printed copy of this, among his old plays, K. vol. ix. It begins,

"It was a squyer of lowe degre,That loved the kings daughter of Hungre."

25.Historye of K. Richard Cure [Cœur] deLyon.(Impr. W. de Worde, 1528, 4to.) is preserved in the Bodleian Library, C. 39, Art. Selden. A fragment of it is also remaining in the Edinburgh MS. of old English poems; No. xxxvi. in two leaves. A large extract from this romance has been given already above, p.356. Richard was the peculiar patron of Chivalry, and favourite of the old minstrels and troubadours. See Warton'sObserv.vol. i. p. 29, vol. ii. p. 40.

26. Of the following I have only seen No. 27, but I believe they may all be referred to the class of romances.

TheKnight of Courtesy and the Lady of Faguel(Bod. Lib. C. 39. Art. Sheld. a printed copy). This Mr. Warton thinks is the story of Coucy's Heart, related in Fauchet, and in Howel's Letters. (v. i. s. 6, L. 20, see Wart.Obs.v. ii. p. 40). The Editor has seen a very beautiful old ballad on this subject in French.

27. The four following are all preserved in the MS. so often referred to in the Public Library at Cambridge, (690. Appendix to Bp. More's MSS. in Cat. MSS. tom. ii. p. 394), viz.,The Lay of Erle ofTholouse(No. 27), of which the Editor hath also a copy from "Cod. MSS. Mus. Ashmol. Oxon." The first line of both is,

"Jesu Chryste in Trynyte."

28.Roberd Kynge of Cysyll(or Sicily) shewing the fall of pride. Of this there is also a copy among the Harl. MSS. 1703 (3). The Cambridge MS. begins,

"Princis that be prowde in prese."

29.Le bone Florence of Rome, beginning thus:

"As ferre as men ride or gone."

30.Dioclesian the Emperour, beginning,

"Sum tyme ther was a noble man."

31. The two knightly brothersAmys and Amelion(among the Harl MSS. 2386, §. 42) is an old romance of chivalry, as is also, I believe, the fragment of theLady Belesant, the Duke of Lombardy's fairdaughter, mentioned in the same article. See the catalog. vol. ii.

32. In the Edinburgh MS. so often referred to (preserved in the Advocates Library, W. 4. i.) might probably be found some other articles to add to this list, as well as other copies of some of the pieces mentioned in it, for the whole volume contains not fewer than thirty-seven poems or romances, some of them very long. But as many of them have lost the beginnings, which have been cut out for the sake of the illuminations, and as I have not had an opportunity of examining the MS. myself, I shall be content to mention only the articles that follow[525]: viz.

An old romance aboutRouland(not I believe the famous Paladine, but a champion namedRoulandLouth; query) being in the volume, No. xxvii. in five leaves, and wants the beginning.

33. Another romance that seems to be a kind of continuation of this last, intitled,Otuel a Knight, (No. xxviii. in eleven leaves and a half). The two first lines are,

"Herkneth both yinge and old,That willen heren of battailes bold."

34.The King of Tars(No. iv. in five leaves and a half; it is also in the Bodleyan Library, MS. Vernon, f. 304) beginning thus:

"Herkneth to me bothe eld and yingFor Maries love that swete thing."

35. A tale or romance (No. i. two leaves), that wants both beginning and end. The first lines now remaining are,

"Th Erl him graunted his will y-wis. that the knicht him haden y told.The Baronnis that were of mikle pris. befor him thay weren y-cald."

36. Another mutilated tale or romance (No. iii. four leaves). The first lines at present are,

"To Mr. Steward wil y gon. and tellen him the sothe of theReseyved bestow sone anon. gif you will serve and with hir be."

37. A mutilated tale or romance (No. xi. in thirteen leaves). The two first lines that occur are,

"That riche Dooke his fest gan holdWith Erls and with Baronns bold."

I cannot conclude my account of this curious manuscript, without acknowledging that I was indebted to the friendship of the Rev. Dr. Blair, the ingeniousprofessor of Belles Lettres, in the University of Edinburgh, for whatever I learned of its contents, and for the important additions it enabled me to make to the foregoing list.

To the preceding articles two ancient metrical romances in the Scottish dialect may now be added, which are published in Pinkerton'sScottish Poems, reprinted "from scarce editions," Lond. 1792, in 3 vols. 8vo. viz.

38.Gawan and Gologras, a metrical romance; from an edition printed at Edinburgh, 1508, 8vo. beginning:—

"In the tyme of Arthur, as trew men me tald."

It is in stanzas of thirteen lines.

39.Sir Gawan and Sir Galaron of Galloway, a metrical romance, in the same stanzas as No. 38, from an ancient MS. beginning thus:

"In the tyme of Arthur an aunter[526]betyddeBy the Turnwathelan, as the boke tells;Whan he to Carlele was comen, and conqueror kyd," &c.

Both these (which exhibit the union of the old alliterative metre, with rhyme, &c., and in the termination of each stanza the short triplets of the Turnament of Tottenham), are judged to be as old as the time of our K. Henry VI., being apparently the production of an old poet, thus mentioned by Dunbar, in hisLament for the Deth of theMakkaris:

"Clerk of Tranent eik he hes take,That made the aventers of Sir Gawane."

It will scarce be necessary to remind the reader, thatTurnewathelanis evidentlyTearne-Wadling,celebrated in the old ballad of theMarriage of SirGawaine. See pp.14and325of this volume.

Many new references, and perhaps some additional articles might be added to the foregoing list from Mr. Warton'sHistory of English Poetry, 3 vols. 4to. and from the notes to Mr. Tyrwhitt's improved edition ofChaucer's Canterbury Tales, &c. in 5 vols. 8vo. which have been published since this Essay, &c. was first composed; but it will be sufficient once for all to refer the curious reader to those popular works.

The reader will also see many interesting particulars on the subject of these volumes, as well as on most points of general literature, in Sir John Hawkins's curiousHistory of Music, &c., in 5 volumes, 4to., as also in Dr. Burney'sHist.&c. in 4 vols. 4to.

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