175 * More commonly called Caliburn. In the folio MS., Then hastend backe to tell the kinge; Escalberd. But he was gone from under the tree. But to what place he cold not tell, And whether the kinge were there, or not, V. The Legend of King Arthur. We have here a short summary of King Arthur's History as given by Jeff. of Monmouth and the old Chronicles, with the addition of a few circumstances from the romance Morte Arthur.-The ancient chronicle of Ger. de Leew (quoted above in p. 329) seems to have been chiefly followed: upon the authority of which we have restored some of the names which were corrupted in the MS., and have transposed one stanza, which appeared to be misplaced, [viz. that beginning at v. 49, which in the MS. followed v. 36.] Printed from the Editor's ancient folio Manuscript. OF Brutus' blood, in Brittaine borne, COPIED from an old MS. in the Cotton Li- | Who strives to breake the sturdye steele, brary, [Vesp. A. 25,] entitled, "Divers things of Hen. viij's time." Or goeth about to staye the sunne; Who thinks to causse an oke to reele, Which never can by force be done : That man likewise bestoweth paine, Thoughe that his laboure be in vaine. 10 Hath granted mee my boone: AN ingenious Friend thinks that the fol- | For the kinges daughter of Normandye 25 lowing old Ditty (which is printed from the Editor's folio MS.) may possibly have given birth to the Tragedy of the "Orphan," in which Polidore intercepts Monimia's intended favours to Castalio. O master, master, then quoth hee, Lay your head downe on this stone: Afore it be time to gone. But up then rose that lither ladd, And when he came to the ladies chamber, The lady was true of her promise, He did not take the lady gaye To boulster nor to bed: 'Nor thoughe hee had his wicked wille, A single word he sed.' When all men are att rest: As I am a ladie true of my promise, 20 Home then came Glasgèrion, A glad man, lord! was hee. Ver. 6, wood, MS. Ver. 16, harte, MS. This is elsewhere expressed 'twirled the pin' or 'tirled at the pin' [See B. II. S. VI. v. 3], and seems to refer to the turning round the button on the outside of a door, by which the latch rises, still used in cottages. FROM an ancient copy in the Editor's folio MS., which was judged to require considerable corrections. In the former Edition the hero of this piece had been called Sir Robin, but that title not being in the MS. is now omitted. LET never again soe old a man As did old Robin of Portingale ; For the mayors daughter of Lin, god wott, 5 And thought with her to have lived in love, Ver. 76, litle, MS. |