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. Who thinks to stry ve against the streame, And for to sayle without a maste; Unlesse he thinks perhapps to faine, 10 15 His travell ys forelorne and waste; And so in cure of all his paine, His travell ys his cheffest gaine. Ver. 49, of Pavye, MS. V. 4, causse, MS. Ver. 92, perhaps fates. VII. Glasgerion. Hath granted mee my boone: AN ingenious Friend thinks that the fol- | For the kinges daughter of Normandye 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. See what is said concerning the hero of this song (who is celebrated by Chaucer under the name of Glaskyrion) in the Essay prefixed to Series the First, Note H. GLASGERION was a kings owne sonne, And soe did hee in the queens chamber, And then bespake the kinges daughter; 5 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, 35 Rose up and lett him in. Who taught you nowe to speake! I have loved you, ladye, seven longe yeere 15 He did not kisse that ladyes mouthe, My minde I neere durst breake. But come to my bower, my Glasgeriòn, Nor when he came, nor youd: 40 45 FROM an ancient copy in the Editor's folio | They scarce were in their wed-bed laid, 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 Who may rue all the dayes of his life For the mayors daughter of Lin, god wott, 5 He chose her to his wife, And thought with her to have lived in love, Ver. 76, litle, MS. And scarce was hee asleepe, Sleepe you, wake you, faire Sir Gyles? O, I am waking, sweete, he said, 10 15 20 Ver. 19, unbethought [properly onbethought], this word is still used in the Midland counties in the same sense as bethought. |