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 THE GOBLIN GROOM; 
 
 a Cale 
 
 OF DUNSE. 
 
 BY 
 
 R. O. FENWICK, Esq. 
 
 Thus, zDhile I ape the measure wild 
 Of tales that charmed me yet a child, 
 Rude though thei/ be, still with the chime 
 N Nvi Return the thoughts of early time- — Scott. 
 
 EDINBURGH: 
 
 PRINTED BY ALEX. LAWRIE Sf CO. 
 
 FOR ALEX. LAAVRIE, EDINBURGH; 
 
 AND 
 
 J. RIDGWAY, LONDON. 
 1809.
 
 
 TO THOSE ADMIRERS 
 
 OP ENGLISH POETRY 
 
 WHO WISH TO SEE IT RESTORED TO ITS 
 
 " OLD STYLE OF PATHOS," 
 
 THE FOLLOWING POEM 
 IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED 
 
 By 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
 r- «-> ,"- Cf'^Cj
 
 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 *ThE Author of the Goblin Groom can, on no consideration, be in- 
 duced to follow the example of the amiable and justly celebrated Ma- 
 dame de Genlis, who, in her Historical Romance of the Chevaliers 
 du Cygne, observes, — " Enfn Videe de faire mourir rheroine de 
 Vhistoire des les premieres pages, et cependant de soccuper d'elle 
 jusqu a la fin, est peutetre assez neuve pour meriter quelqu indul- 
 gence.'''' Could he, on the contrary, prolong the precious life of his 
 exalted hero, but for a single day, he should feel more real delight, 
 than the indulgence due to the most afflicting novelty can possibly 
 confer. But though unable to guard him from the blow, which the 
 unrelenting hand of time must one day infl'ict, the author can at least 
 promise, if he shall himself survive the catastrophe, to restore him 
 to the respectful consideration of his readers, in a form at once, 
 congenial to the spirit of poetry, and suitable to the taste and tem- 
 per of the times. To some of his readers, it may be necessary to re- 
 mark, which must readily occur to the attent'ion of the critic, that his 
 true hero is only to be discovered, by the frequent allusions to his high 
 rank and acknowledged virtues ; and having thus divested the Goblin 
 of the precedency, which he might otherwise appear to have usurped, it 
 now only remains to give his readers a general idea of the story. 
 It turns on the several incidents of a fox-chace, but is called a 
 Tale of Dimse, because in that favourite rendezvous of the lovers
 
 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 of the choce, the Gohlin first made his appearance. That the minds 
 of his readers may be as perfectly prepared, as he could wish, for 
 the manners of the age in which it is laid, he apprizes them, that 
 the poem opens on the last day of April 1806, and concludes with the 
 death of a fox on Flodden Field twenty-four hours thereafter. The 
 country over which he has accompanied his elfin fay and merry pack, he 
 has viewed with the rapid glance of a sportsman, and therefore trusts, 
 that his hasty and imperfect sketch will not be regarded with the too 
 scrupulous eye of rigid criticism. IVith all its faults, but without 
 further apology, he commits it to its fate, and, notwithstanding the 
 protecting influence of wire-wove, — broad margin, — high price, — and 
 hol'press, he is not without feeling some apprehensio7is concerning its 
 success.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 PACE 
 
 Introduction to Canto First — To Walter Marrowfat, Gardener to 
 
 Ms Grace the Duke of B h 1 
 
 CANTO I. The Hostel, OR Inn, 13 
 
 Introduction to Canto Secowrf— To Benjamin Buffet, Butler to his 
 
 Grace the Duke of B h 37 
 
 II. TheFoxChace, 47 
 
 Notes to Canto First . ... ... 81 
 
 Canto Second 103 
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 Pape 40, line 1,/or mintrel's read minstrel''!. 
 Pafes 53 and 51, head line,/oi' kox-ciiase read fox-chack. 
 Page 72, line 5, note, for son read son(. 
 63, line 9, /or Anccps read Auc-ps.
 
 THE GOBLIN GROOM. 
 
 3lntroDuction to Canto JTitSt*
 
 TO WALTER MARROWFAT, 
 
 GARDENER TO HIS GRACE THE D— OF B H. 
 
 Edinburgh. 
 \T ALTER, at last, in order due, 
 The minstrel tunes his harp to you; 
 The very notes of friendship dear, 
 Are cordial to a poet's ear; 
 Then why, my Walter, should I care 
 From whence you come, or who you are. 
 What! tho' no royal blood should flow 
 Thro' veins of blue and breast of snow: 
 
 A 2
 
 4 INTRODUCTION 
 
 Tho' lowest of the low you be, 
 Still you shall hear my minstrelsy: 
 Enough to me it is that you 
 
 Are vassal to the bold B h; 
 
 For to my heart they still are dear. 
 Who serve that stout, that valiant peer. 
 But now, my friend, 'tis right to ask, 
 How thrives your culinary task? 
 Seems it to me the cultured soil. 
 Should glow beneath your sun-burnt toil. 
 I see thy face with ruddy glow 
 Smile on the rising cabbage row; 
 And now, methinks, I feel thy glee, 
 For I, my friend, can feel like thee, 
 E'en at the peeping of a pea;
 
 TO CANTO FIRST. S 
 
 Just when the germ has broke the soil. 
 The very sight repays thy toil. 
 O, Cultivation! Ceres' child, 
 Foe to the hill and desert wild I 
 Foe to the mountain and the moor, 
 Friend to the hungry and the poor! 
 But let me not, with thoughts elate, 
 Forget my Walter's garden gate: 
 Of all the gates so wonderous fair 
 Here round the princely dwelling. 
 My Watty's gate, beyond compare, 
 All these is far excelling!* 
 But I forgot the garden fair. 
 And sought the barren mountain bare. 
 
 ' In this happy manner of expressing his admiration of the object before him, the 
 author assures his readers, that he lays no claim to originality.
 
 6 INTRODUCTION 
 
 O'er Tiviot's hills, I bent my way, 
 Forgetful of my minstrel lay; 
 Nor thought I much of this or that, 
 Till fancy painted Marrowfat. 
 She painted Walter as I've seen. 
 
 When weeding D h's walks so green; 
 
 To noble dames, just bent to bow; 
 
 Dejected head, erected hoe. 
 
 Proclaimed respect to ladye fair, 
 
 And shewed her that defence was there. 
 
 'Twas diffidence and manly pride, 
 
 That bows, yet shews the power to chide. 
 
 Above the common height of man. 
 
 My Walter stands at least a span : 
 
 A brow of jet, a fiery eye, 
 
 Like planet in a sable sky,
 
 TO CANTO FIRST. 
 
 Shone from my fancy's painted chief; 
 And then, to give the scene relief, 
 A nose projecting- curvedly; 
 The nose befitting well the eye. 
 Vails it not me, alas! to speak 
 Of bushy lip, or cherry cheek ; 
 To say I saw my Walter smile, 
 I'd rather pause a little while: 
 For bootless is the task to paint, 
 When fancy's self is far too faint. 
 
 To shew the gardener of B ^h. 
 
 In form exact, and colours true. 
 How happy passed my early days. 
 
 With thee in D h's groves of bays ; 
 
 When slinking sly, fi'om bush to bush, 
 We sought to catch the nestling thrush;
 
 8 INTRODUCTION 
 
 Or when supported, fiiend, by thee, 
 I climbed the giant cherry-tree; 
 Or ran a race, dear Wat, with you, 
 
 To please the gallant young B h. 
 
 The bower was still, and all was hushed, 
 'Twas eve, and modest nature blushed; 
 The crimson setting* of the sun, 
 Waved o'er the night-cloud's visage dun, 
 And all creation, so serene. 
 Enjoyed the still, the lovely scene. 
 The thrush, upon the hazel bough, 
 Pour'd calmly forth her evening vow. 
 And every bird, from tree to tree. 
 Joined in the heavenly melody: 
 W^hat heart so fraught with woe or care, 
 But might have tasted pleasure there.
 
 d 
 
 TO CANTO FIRST. 9 
 
 Such, Watty, was the night when we 
 Pursued the humming- bumble bee; 
 When you averred the beast' could sting, 
 And I responded, no such thing! 
 " The question fierce, the stern reply," 
 Was heard to sound 'twixt U and I."^ 
 Anon: my Watty dared to fight 
 The fancied foeman Wallace wight; 
 
 ^ Bumble or bumbart bee. Vide Dr. Jamieson's Dictionary. 
 
 ' North of the Tweed beast is applied, as a general term, to animals, without dis- 
 tinction. 
 
 '' The following anecdote, with many others equally interesting, is recorded in a 
 very rare work, to be found in few collections, however excellent, A gentleman and his 
 friend, passing along Oxford Road, were stopped by an immense crowd near Hyde 
 Park, and, on inquiring into the cause, were told that a person of the name of Vowel 
 was leading to execution at Tyburn. " I wonder what vowel it can be," (cried the 
 one). " It is neither U nor I, (replied the other), so let us pass on." Joe Mil- 
 ler, a very old edition. 
 
 B
 
 10 INTRODUCTION 
 
 And I, if pleasing mem'ry hold, 
 Dared to the combat, Bruce the bold. 
 Perhaps, my friend, you'll wish to know 
 Th' event of each successive blow; 
 How Bruce, transported, swore he'd die. 
 But never, never yield or fly; 
 How Wallace to the combat flew. 
 With fancied pride, but courage true. 
 Alas! my friend, your hopes are vain. 
 For friendship still forbids the strain: 
 The tale, alas! would only tend 
 To make a foeman of a friend. 
 And whilst I live, and whilst I breathe, 
 I swear it is so much beneath 
 The soul of man, to harbour hate 
 Against the good, against the great,
 
 TO CANTO FIRST. 11 
 
 That I will ne'er to man disclose 
 The purport of these bloody blows. 
 Enough! enough! it is to me 
 To hate the name of bumble bee. 
 
 b2
 
 THE GOBLIN GROOM. 
 
 CANTO FIRST. 
 
 Cfte ^Ojfftel, Ojc fnn,
 
 THE GOBLIN GROOM. 
 
 CANTO FIRST. 
 
 Cl)e ipoisttel, or 3fnn, 
 
 I. 
 
 Joy reig-n'd in Dunse's* distant seat, 
 Thro' tavern, market place, and street. 
 The scene of many a valiant feat 
 In days of distant yore. 
 
 a Dnnse, supposed to be deriyed from the old Celtic word Dun, a hill, is situated 
 in the centre of the county of Berwick, near to the Lammermoor hills, — is famous for 
 its cabbages, — from its being the birth-place of Duns Scotus, — and from the number of 
 alehouses which it contains. For an account of its places of ancient strength, vufe 
 Statistical Account of Scotland, vol, iv.
 
 16 THE GOBLIN GROOM. canto i. 
 
 But now those distant days arc fled. 
 Peace rears again her placid head, 
 And gory feud I hope is staid 
 
 To plague the land no more. 
 Where garden is, was place of tilt 
 Or tournament, where blood was spilt; 
 Where stain'd was many a foeman's hilt 
 
 With blood of knight laid low; 
 Now peeps the pea, fi-om glowing bed, 
 Forgetful of December dread ; 
 The broader bean, her leaf has spread 
 
 Th' unhallow'd spot to show. 
 
 II. 
 
 Now why are Dunse's people glad. 
 Who once were wont to be so sad;
 
 CANTO I. 
 
 THE HOSTEL, Oil INN. ^7 
 
 How was the feudal hatred staid 
 That waste their lovely fields had laid; 
 Why rolls the Whittadder" so white, 
 The scene of many a bloody fight ; 
 And how has peace reception found 
 On such unhallowed bloody ground? 
 I may not tell the change of time; 
 It ill becomes my minstrel rhyme: 
 'Twere impious surely to relate 
 The fancied works of fancied fate. 
 Enough, the bloody feud is staid; 
 Enough, the sword aside is laid; 
 
 And Whittadder long may'st thou flow 
 With spotless wave and crystal tide; 
 
 '' Whitadder and Blackadder, probably corruptions of Whitewater and Black- 
 water, two streams which, uuiting in their course, empty themsehes into the Tweed 
 a little above Berwick. 
 
 C
 
 18 THE GOBLIN GROOM. canto i. 
 
 And may'st thou never, never know, 
 Again the strife of border side. 
 
 III. 
 
 The sun o'er Dunse's hills of grey, 
 
 Had nearly shed his parting light. 
 Save to the west, one lingering ray. 
 
 Seemed to forbid th' approach of night; 
 And Lammermoor, with transient smile, 
 
 Now lighted up her visage bleak, 
 And every distant hill, the while. 
 
 Shone with a vivid, passing streak; 
 And Tweed's broad river, from afar. 
 Blazed like a beacon flame of war: 
 Sure 'twould have pleased your heart to see 
 So much of grandeur, so much glee.
 
 CANTO I. THE HOSTEL, OR INN. 19 
 
 *Twas SO to Dunse, when keen of sport 
 The Lothian sportsmen bent their way; 
 
 Her hostel then became a court; 
 If courts are Jovial, courts are gay. 
 
 But why need I pretend to tell, j 
 
 What to each chief or squire befel 
 In journeying that way. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Thronged was the hostel's chambered space, 
 With peer, with baron, knight, and squire, 
 
 And many a waiting man in lace 
 Stood ready round the kitchen fire, 
 Attentive to the jirking wire; 
 
 For each attendant knew full well 
 
 The jirking of his master's bell. 
 
 c 2
 
 20 THE GOBLIN GROOM. canto i. 
 
 ril say the sportsmen all are dressed, 
 Have doffed their morning's spattered vest, 
 And after salutation meet, 
 
 And question after lady fair, 
 Each at the board has ta'en his seat; 
 For ev'ry sportsman had his chair. 
 
 V. 
 
 Perchance, my fiiend, you'd have me name 
 
 Each, after each, in his degree; 
 Or even say fi'om whence they came; 
 
 Alas I that must not, may not be. 
 In truth, I only know a few 
 Of all the gallant, noble crew: 
 But he, the chieftain of them all. 
 Is absent from the festival, 
 
 The heir of bold B h.
 
 CANTO I- THE HOSTEL, OR INN. 21 
 
 VI. 
 
 Why stands that chair 
 
 So empty there, 
 Whilst anxious eyes are cast around; 
 
 And looks that show 
 
 They do not know 
 Where one so worthy may be found? 
 
 The chair, they vow, shall empty stand, 
 To shew their loyalty and truth; 
 
 For each and all, this huntsman-band, 
 Admired and loved the gallant youth; 
 And said they, with a passing tear, 
 *' How much we miss his presence here."
 
 22 THE GOBLIN GROOM. canto i. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Four-and-twenty huntsmen keen 
 Round the table sat, I ween; 
 Four-and-twenty footmen neat, 
 Plied the beer, and served the meat: 
 Landlady, and daughter fair 
 Paid their due obedience there. 
 Well I ween, each gallant youth, 
 
 Cast an eye upon the maid; 
 Each thought his look, in real truth. 
 By the maiden's well repaid: 
 One alone, of all the crew. 
 More than all the others knewr 
 What he knew, I may not tell, 
 But the maiden knew full well.
 
 GANTO I. THE HOSTEL, OR INN. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Fish, fi'om Dunbar's rocky shore, 
 Stood the president before, 
 If my mem'ry do not fail, 
 
 Sent by noble L le. 
 
 In the centre, soup was seen 
 
 Smoking, from a vase of snow. 
 Beef, at bottom, fat and lean, — 
 Beef of Indian Buffalo. 
 
 This was sent by T le's peer 
 
 To augment the sportsman's cheer; 
 
 T le, sprung from mighty H — y. 
 
 Foremost in the border day. 
 Tarts and pastry sent, I ween, 
 By the lady De G ne. 
 
 23
 
 24 THE GOBLIN GROOM. <^ ^nto i. 
 
 IX. 
 
 'Tis not for me to say what more 
 
 Tlie hostess' care supplied; 
 But welcome free, and open door. 
 And pease, from D ^h's garden store. 
 
 Were seen on every side: 
 So one and all, at once agreed. 
 
 That bold B ^h had earlier seed 
 
 Than any northward of the Tweed. 
 
 X. 
 
 The dinner's o'er, the circling glass 
 Now full, now emptier, passes round, 
 As strikes the ear, the pleasing sound 
 
 Of jovial song, or toasted lass:
 
 CANTO I. THE HOSTEL, OR INN. 25 
 
 But short, alas! this tabled glee; 
 For who the coming woe might see! 
 
 —Said I, D h's much honoured chair 
 
 Might not be filled by any there; 
 And, said I, it was right that he. 
 Though absent from the company, 
 With honour due should treated be; 
 
 D ^h, so honoured for his worth. 
 
 For rank, for titles, and for birth, 
 Had not an equal here on earth, 
 
 To fill his vacant chair: 
 So one and all, with one consent. 
 Their voice have given, and vote have lent, 
 
 To let the seat be bare: 
 
 D
 
 26 THE GOBLIN GROOM. canto i. 
 
 (Friend Walter, I am certain quite, 
 You'll say both voice and vote went right). 
 
 XI. 
 
 But why that hollow note of woe. 
 
 That stops of wine the genial flow; 
 
 Why shrinks the late convivial throng. 
 
 And why has silence banished song; 
 
 And why is horror's aching stare 
 
 Sent wildly to the empty chair: 
 
 Oh! why is every eyebrow knit, 
 
 When turned to where D — — h should sit. — 
 
 The chair is filled! a stranger sat 
 Upon the honoured seat;
 
 CANTO I. THE HOSTEL, OR INN. 27 
 
 Nor deigned he to doiF his hat, 
 Though more than one had hinted that 
 Respect was always meet. 
 But he was heedless of them all, 
 And thrice he g-azed round the hall, 
 But ne'er a word did he let fall: 
 Whilst thus he sat, whilst thus he gazed, 
 The goodly throng were all amazed; — 
 
 XII. 
 
 And marvelled they, how this could be. 
 And how he entered none might say; 
 
 And some averred a sprite was he. 
 And others swore he was a fay: 
 
 And all agreed 'twas passing strange, 
 And marvellous withall, 
 
 D £
 
 28 
 
 THE GOBLIN GROOM. canto i. 
 
 That either sprite or fay should range 
 
 Into a festal hall: 
 Nor could the wisest present name 
 From whence he sprung-, or how he came. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 He was of little form, and tight; 
 His weight, if man, had been full light: 
 In short, he was a sportsman-sprite. 
 A pea-green jerkin on his back 
 All dabbled by a splashing hack; 
 His dirty boots, his leathers long 
 With crimson whip-cord tied; 
 His straight necked spurs, and heavy thong, 
 Proclaimed him formed to ride:
 
 CANTO I. THE HOSTEL, OR INN. £9 
 
 And he had ridden far that day, 
 
 For he was daubed, and splashed with clay. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 The circling glass again goes round. 
 
 As fear in wine and use is drowned: 
 
 The goblin sprite enjoys each joke. 
 
 Though never once the while he spoke, 
 
 But lent a civil listening ear. 
 
 Resolved minutely all to hear; 
 
 And every toast with ready will 
 
 His elfin hand consents to fill. 
 
 Heavens! what a wondrous draught he drew 
 
 When e'er they toasted bold B ^h.
 
 30 THE GOBLIN GROOM. canto i. 
 
 XV. 
 
 Oh! 'twould have done you good to see 
 How keen, how long-, how heartily 
 
 He pushed the liquor round: 
 He never left or spilt a drop; 
 He never let the bottle stop, 
 
 Nor uttered a sound. 
 And, strang-e to tell, the jovial fay, 
 Though fond of wine, had nought to say. 
 
 A man of words might never learn 
 To be so wondrous taciturn. 
 
 And now the song, with jovial strain, 
 Awakened midnig-ht's dull repose; 
 Though many pleaded colds in vain. 
 Ayes had the 'vantage still of noes:
 
 CANTO I. THE HOSTEL, OR INN. 31 
 
 And thus may rulers ever be 
 Supported by majority." 
 
 XVI. 
 
 Dear unto me, my native land, 
 
 Is every field of thy wide realm; 
 And dearer still the guardian hand 
 
 That holds the way-directing helm; 
 And now I love thee ten times more. 
 When threatened is thy rocky shore: 
 
 When waves on every side assail. 
 And adverse winds and tides prevail. 
 But why should I with sorrow's flow 
 Bewail my much loved country's woe. 
 
 •> Those who feel with the author on this subject, will consult, with peculiar plea* 
 sure, the general tenor of our Parliamentary Reports.
 
 32 THE GOBLIN GROOM. canto i. 
 
 And all her coming danger tell; 
 Enoug-h to me it is to know 
 I love my native country well. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 The song went round, the Goblin Groom 
 Still plied the wine in festal room; 
 And bumper after bumper flew; 
 It was I ween a jovial crew. — 
 
 What chance had mortal man at drink 
 With one of charmed degree; 
 
 I cannot say, but needs must think 
 That chance but small could be. 
 And so it proved, and so they found. 
 E'er thirty bumper toasts went round.
 
 CANTO I. THE HOSTEL, OR INN. 33 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 Why need I tell, why need I show 
 Humanity debased, laid low; 
 How some beneath the table lay; 
 How others strove to get away. 
 And, tumbling headlong on the floor, 
 Ne'er reached the fated festal door; 
 Whilst stammering, incoherently, 
 Towards the goblin turned an eye; 
 Still saw him quaff the liquor down; 
 Still saw him smile, still saw him frown, 
 As fancied joke, or fancied toast. 
 Or fancied anger, ruled him most: 
 And thus he toasting bumpered on. 
 As long as he was looked upon. 
 
 E
 
 34 THE GOBLIN GROOM. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 And many say they heard the splash, 
 And jingle of the elfin glass, 
 Long after all the rest were dead. 
 And carried lifeless into bed: 
 But none may tell, for none can say, 
 Where the unhallowed goblin lay: 
 But he had beat the sportsmen all, 
 At drinking in the festal hall; 
 And soon I'll show, if luck betide. 
 How this elf goblin dared to ride.' 
 But now I've left them all at rest: 
 Where is the greatest, and the best? 
 
 ^ O fortes pcjoraquc passi 
 Mecum saspe viri nunc vino pellitc curas 
 Cras ingcns iterabimus xquor. 
 
 HOR. ODE 7, LIB. 1.
 
 CANTO I. THE HOSTEL, OR INN. 35 
 
 He, amid D h's lovely groves. 
 
 With virtuous footsteps strays the while, 
 And woos the graces, and the loves. 
 With many a courtly winning smile. 
 
 XX. 
 
 Long mayst thou flourish, gallant peer. 
 For Caledonia owns thee dear, 
 And bids her fav'rite minstrel tell. 
 How that she loves her hero well; 
 Though polished mail no more shall grace. 
 Oh! S — tt, thy ancient chieftain race: 
 No more the splintered spear shall sound 
 
 On N k's green or D h's ground: 
 
 These days are past, and with them, too. 
 The deeds their chiefs were wont to do: 
 
 E2
 
 36 THE GOBLIN GROOM. canto t. 
 
 The towering plume, and nodding- crest, 
 Have with their wearers gone to rest; 
 And ease and peace may now be seen 
 In every hamlet, wood, or green. 
 But nowhere are they seen so true 
 
 As round the mansion of B h ; 
 
 Where patriarchal peace is found, 
 And care in rosy liquor drowned; 
 Where all of this illustrious line 
 Together sup, together dine. 
 
 And now I'll cease my minstrel lay, 
 For time it is I should give up. 
 
 But once again, D ^li, I'll say. 
 
 Long may you dine, long may you sup. 
 
 END OF CANTO FIRST.
 
 THE GOBLIN GROOM. 
 
 JlntroDuction to Canto ^econD»
 
 TO BENJAMIN BUFFET, 
 
 BUTLER TO HIS GRACE THE D— OF B H. 
 
 Edinburgh. 
 1 HE cracking- cork has pleased my ear, 
 Has silenced grief, has banished fear; 
 Has made dark winter's dreary night 
 Seem to my senses noonday bright. 
 December's cold was then forgot; 
 The wine ^^ as good, the fire was hot: 
 Thus many a heedless evening flew. 
 In table-talk, dear Ben, with you.
 
 40 INTRODUCTION 
 
 Though mentioned last in mintrel's lay. 
 First in my heart you hold the sway: 
 For love and interest must combine; 
 And you are love, and interest wine: 
 And what must make you still more dear, 
 They say you have your master's ear; 
 And if this rumour, Ben, be true. 
 
 Speak well of me to bold B h. 
 
 Pleasing to me is every scene. 
 Where, with my dearest fiiends, I've been. 
 I love the green, I love the grove, 
 The cavern vast, the neat alcove, 
 The mountain high, the valley low, 
 The scenes of friendship all may show. 
 These scenes I've loved, and still adore. 
 But, Oh I I love the pantry more.
 
 TO CANTO SECOND. 41 
 
 There have I sat, there have I sung, 
 Have twirled a cork, or rolled a bung; 
 As infant fancy played her part, 
 That was a coach, this was a cart. 
 Those were the days of childish youth, 
 That promised parts, that promised truth; 
 For fancy shewed herself in play, 
 E'en in my earliest infant day: 
 When older grown, the pantry still 
 Was dear to me, against my will. 
 What there was done, I may not tell; 
 It might not please your master well; 
 So please me joy, or pierce me woe. 
 The bold B^ — h shall never know. 
 Enough, the claret is not there; 
 But you and I both had a share. 
 
 F
 
 42 INTRODUCTION 
 
 And joy, you know, by danger bought, 
 
 Is always sweeter, dearer thought: 
 
 Regrets for past mistakes are vain. 
 
 And pleasure often follows pain. 
 
 Pleasure is but an empty sound. 
 
 And surely never yet was found: 
 
 It reigns but in the poet's brain; 
 
 Reality is always pain: 
 
 And reasoning thus, it is my plan, 
 
 To be as merry as I can: 
 
 And though they say the claret went, 
 
 I don't repine, I won't repent. 
 
 It scarcely seems a summer's day. 
 
 Though years and years have past away, 
 
 Since in the pantry's snug retreat, 
 
 I, at the fire, first took my seat.
 
 TO CANTO SECOND. 43 
 
 Oh! how I loved those moments dear; 
 Oh! how your lessons pleased my ear. 
 
 How oft you spoke of N k's tower, 
 
 Forgetful of the midnight hour; 
 
 Of noble dames, of valiant knights, 
 
 Of bloody fields, and listed fights; 
 
 Of ancient manners, past and fled; 
 
 How S— tts, victorious, fought and bled; 
 
 In every combat, strife, or fight, 
 
 S— tt was victorious, S— tt was right. 
 
 And said I to myself, that they 
 
 Shall one time hear my minstrel lay: 
 
 That all my powers should then combine, 
 
 To praise B h's illustrious line. 
 
 Yet whilst I sing the noble race, 
 My humbler friend shall have a place. 
 
 F 2
 
 44 INTRODUCTION 
 
 What though the oak be grand to see? 
 The humbler shrub is dear to me. 
 The sturdy oak unused to bend. 
 Too stately looks to be my friend. 
 So I'm content, and amply paid, 
 To crouch beneath the expansive shade. 
 There, wondring at the form sublime, 
 To friendship's heights, I dare not climb; 
 And so I tune my humbler lays. 
 To notes of wonder, notes of praise. 
 And thus the minstrel's eflforts tend. 
 To claim a patron, not a friend. 
 In you, dear Ben, the shrub I see. 
 That lowly bows his head like me: 
 And thus I choose thee for my friend; 
 For both alike are doomed to bend:
 
 TO CANTO SECOND. 45 
 
 And whilst we bend, and whilst we bow, 
 The adverse winds may rage and blow. 
 We need not fear misfortune's stroke. 
 While couched beneath the stately oak: 
 And may that oak long- live and last, 
 That guards us from misfortune's blast. 
 Dear Ben, the oak shall have his due, 
 If bows, and flattering praise will do. 
 And those, you know, who bow and bend, 
 Ne'er want a patron, or a friend.
 
 THE GOBLIN GROOM 
 
 CANTO SECOND. 
 
 CDe jrojf=<2ri)ace,
 
 THE GOBLIN GROOM. 
 
 CANTO SECOND. 
 
 cfte jFor^Cbace, 
 
 I. 
 
 Now crows the cock in Dunse's streets; 
 The twittering sparrow morning' greets; 
 The braying ass his trumpet blew, 
 For well the morning air he knew; 
 And hies the hostler to his care, 
 With bosom light as morning air. 
 The ruddy streaks of infant day 
 On Lammer*s hills and Chiviot*s play; 
 
 G
 
 50 THE GOBLIN GROOM. CANlo ii. 
 
 And freshly blows the morning breeze, 
 From Firth of Forth to German seas. 
 
 II. 
 
 The kennelled pack, with conscious ear. 
 Well know the huntsman to be near; 
 Their deep-toned notes, in concert rise, 
 As to the door each staunch hound flies; 
 And merry were the huntsman's cries: 
 Full well he knew to cheer each hound, 
 Or quell his riot, by the sound 
 
 Of angry word, or cracking thong. 
 
 But now the pack as round they crowd, 
 
 In notes melodious, and loud. 
 Pour forth their morning song.
 
 CANTO II. THE FOX-CIIACE. 51 
 
 And, on my soul, the sound was dear, 
 And transport to the huntsman's ear. 
 Out dashed the pack, a stauncher crew 
 Ne'er snufFed the pearly morning'-dew: 
 And soon the huntsman's sounding thong" 
 Has checked the ardour of the throng: 
 In meet procession, quiet, slow. 
 Behind their master's horse they go: 
 His two assistants after ride, 
 To bring them all to cover side. 
 
 in. 
 
 Meanwhile the hostled sportsmen rise. 
 With bosoms light, but heavy eyes; 
 
 For last night's liquor still remained, 
 
 G2
 
 52 THE GOBLIN GROOM. canto ii. 
 
 And some would liked toVe lain in bed, 
 
 To ease a fevered, aching' head; 
 
 But manly pride such ease disdained. 
 So all have risen, and all have dressed, 
 In jockey cap, and scarlet vest; 
 And now they're met, and seated all 
 At breakfast, in the festal hall: 
 And question after question passed. 
 Who saw the goblin jockey last? 
 Disputes arise, but all agree 
 That mortal man he could not be; 
 And cried they, with a. jovial air, 
 Faith, but he drank his liquor fairl 
 The hostess enters in to say. 
 The Goblin Groom had gone away. 
 And who his share of drink should pay.
 
 CANTO II. THE FOX-CIIASE. 53 
 
 And all agree 'twas passing fair, 
 
 As he had filled great D h's chair, 
 
 That his account for jovial cheer. 
 Should be discharged by D h's peer. 
 
 IV. 
 
 The hacks are pacing now before 
 The Hostel's arch projecting door; 
 Full twelve miles off the cover lay; 
 The hunters went at peep of day: 
 And some, I'm told, went over night. 
 To be in better hunting plight. 
 Each sportsman mounts his cover steed, 
 And through the town with fiery speed, 
 Spurs on his ready hack:
 
 54 TIIE GOBLIN GROOM. cantO ii. 
 
 One thinks a canter gives him grace, 
 
 Another thinks a trot the pace, 
 And knowingly looks back; 
 And pleased he looks, in sooth to find 
 His cantering comrade left behind. 
 Now one, now t'other takes the lead, 
 As jockey whim directs the speed. 
 
 V. 
 
 At Ladykirk the cover lay. 
 Where, steep and high, a birken brae 
 Hangs o'er the river Tweed: 
 Hence many a fox the hounds have driven, 
 Wliose dirtied brush has oft been given, 
 The foremost horseman's meed.
 
 CANTO II. 
 
 THE FOX-CHACE. 55 
 
 This bank, in former days, has been 
 Sad witness of a different scene; 
 When Norham's border castle rang 
 With England's war foreboding clang; 
 When threatened feud was heard to sound 
 Defiance to the Scottish ground; 
 When cannon roared from Norham's wall. 
 The English border clans to call: 
 Then flew the fox this brae of birk. 
 And far from Scottish Ladykirk; 
 And sought he, much against his will. 
 The safe retreat of Chiviot hill. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Hither the hounds have bent their way, 
 And hither come the sportsmen gay:
 
 56" THE GOBLIN GROOM. ganto ii. 
 
 Sure such a sight was never seen, 
 
 At tournament, or listed green. 
 
 The neighing' steeds were seen to prance. 
 
 As through the copse-wood green they came: 
 The sounding whip displaced the lance, 
 
 And sport has banished feudal flame. 
 In every face a smile of joy. 
 From titled peer, to huntsman-boy; 
 In every eye a flash of fire; 
 A flash of hope, but not of ire : 
 In every heart joy's transport bounds, 
 As into cover dash the hounds: 
 And in they dash with such a clang. 
 That Norham's empty castle rang: 
 
 And every bush in tremor shook, 
 And every sapling waved on high;
 
 CANTO n. T£IE FOX-CHASE. 57 
 
 Each horseman gazed with eager look, 
 Or listened for the joyous cry: 
 And sideways on their steeds they sat, 
 With side-placed cap, or side-placed hat. 
 
 VII. 
 
 But when they hear the well known hound 
 Proclaim the rascal to be found. 
 High beats each gallant sportsman's heart 
 To take the lead, or have the start. 
 
 And now the banks of Ladykirk 
 
 Ring with the pack's melodious cry; 
 
 And waves its head, each verdant birk, 
 To merry notes of extacy. 
 O! how the hounds together dash, 
 And make the greenwood cover crash. 
 
 H
 
 58 THE GOBLIN GROOM. canto n. 
 
 Poor Reynard! all your hopes are vain; 
 
 In vain you strive to tarry here; 
 
 Go seek the fields, or plains so drear; 
 At Lady kirk you can't remain; 
 To Tweed's green banks now bid adieu, 
 They ne'er again shall greet your view; 
 No more her murm'ring streams shall cheer. 
 With soothing notes, your listening ear. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Now peeping from the copse so green, 
 The Fox's cunning head is seen. 
 
 His ready ears turned back: 
 His open mouth his terror shows; 
 For time put off, full well he knows. 
 
 Will bring the eager pack.
 
 CANTO II. THE FOX-CHACE. 59 
 
 So down towards the Tweed he steels, 
 With outstretched brush, and nimble heels; 
 When, hark! a horseman from below 
 Has given the welcome Tallyho! 
 Amazement filled the listening crew; 
 The note was strange, the voice was new: 
 Wondered they much who it could be 
 That shouted with such melody; 
 For such a voice, or such a sound. 
 Ne'er till this moment cheered a hound. 
 
 IX. 
 
 And round they gazing looked, when, lo! 
 The Goblin Groom is seen below, 
 Dressed as he was last night; 
 
 H 2
 
 60 THE GOBLIN GROOM. canto ii. 
 
 Save that a cap, place hat, he wore, 
 And neater looked he than before, 
 
 His leathers were more tight. 
 He strode a poney, lank and lean, 
 That looked as if astray 't had been: 
 Dun was its hue, with flowing mane; 
 The tail was black, and like a train 
 Swept far behind the scented plain, 
 Save, when at speed, he whisking spread 
 It round the Goblin's fated head; 
 Or to the spur, the sure reply 
 Was lashed across the Goblin's thigh: 
 On every side, above, below, 
 The whisking tail was seen to flow.
 
 CANTO II. THE FOX-CHACE. 61 
 
 X. 
 
 Said I the Fox towards the Tweed 
 Had urged with fear his utmost speed; 
 And that the hounds approaching nigh 
 Had bid the cowering ruffian fly; 
 And that the Goblin Groom had seen 
 Him leave his haunts of copse-wood green; 
 Had seen him leave the bank so steep, 
 And stem the tide so broad and deep; 
 And that he ready staid below 
 To give the welcome Tallyho! 
 
 XI. 
 
 No sooner had the shout been given, 
 Than to the hilt the spurs were driven :
 
 62 THE GOBLIN GROOM. canto ii. 
 
 The lank-lean poney knew full well 
 The signal for the chace; 
 
 And only those whoVe seen may tell 
 The issue of the race. 
 But Norham's castle saw the start, 
 And knows the Goblin did his part; 
 At least she knows, if it may be 
 That Castles are allowed to see. 
 That first the Goblin saw the find, 
 And left the boldest far behind. 
 
 XII. 
 
 Into the river, broad and deep. 
 Beneath old Norham's ruined keep. 
 Where the descent appears most steep, 
 The gallant pack have dashed:
 
 CANTO II. THE FOX-CHACE. 63 
 
 In likewise dashed the Elf and horse. 
 Quite heedless of the torrent's force; 
 And as they stemmed the river's course 
 
 His tail the poney lashed. 
 The Goblin Groom now screamed a scream; 
 For Goblins hate a running stream; 
 And, if the truth my records say, 
 The Elfin Poney neighed a neigh. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 OI 'twas a gallant sight, and brave. 
 To see them stem the chrystal wave: 
 But now the tide and stream have bore 
 The Groom and pack to England's shore: 
 The other sportsmen, round about. 
 With hurried speed, have ta'en their route; 
 
 .i> i.txi<V;.^::
 
 64 THE GOBLIN GROOM. canto ii. 
 
 For well they knew th' attempt were vain 
 Here the English side of Tweed to gain; 
 And so they've gone a mile below. 
 Where gurgling Tweed runs on more slow; 
 And much they marvel, all the way. 
 How crossed that gallant daring* fay, 
 
 XIV. 
 
 Meanwhile the hounds round Norham's base 
 Have ta'en their way with eager pace; 
 Have hurried on with ready will 
 To where the Tweed receives the Till: 
 Through Tillmouth's wooded banks they fly, 
 Whilst Echo answers to the cry;* 
 
 ^ £t Toz assensu nemorum ingeminata remugit. 
 
 GEORCi III>
 
 efANTO XI. 
 
 THE FOX-CHACE. 65 
 
 And then they seek the higher lands, 
 Where Twizel's lordly castle stands: 
 High on her wood surrounded mead, 
 She views at once both Till and Tweed: 
 Two fairer streams ne'er met, I ween. 
 In such a grand and lovely scene; 
 Where braes and banks, and woods combine, 
 And swiftly gliding waters shine; 
 Where distant hills and mountains rise, 
 And fade beneath th' expansive skies. 
 
 XV. 
 
 The Goblin Groom has led the van 
 
 O'er hill and dale, through grove and glen; 
 
 And as the breast-high scent they ran, 
 Nor yawning ditch nor boggy fen, 
 
 1
 
 66 THE GOBLIN GROOM. can ton. 
 
 Nor thickset-hedge, nor strong- built >vall, 
 
 Could stop his bold career; 
 His Elfin Steed disdained to fall, 
 And dashed impetuous at them all, 
 Determined each to clear. 
 And thus he hilter skilter flew. 
 And distanced all the huntsmen-crew? 
 Whilst much they wondered such a steed 
 So well could leap and take the lead. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 From lordly Twizel's wide domain. 
 An opener country now they gain; 
 No longer dells obstruct the sight: 
 The fields were large, the soil was light;
 
 CANTO ixi THE FOX-CHACE. 67 
 
 The eager hounds increase their pace; 
 The gallop now becomes a race: 
 But vain it were for horse to try 
 To race with one that seemed to fly; 
 And oft the Goblin looked in rear 
 
 As if he sought great D h's Peer: 
 
 For be it known, and it is true, 
 
 The Goblin honoured bold B ^h; 
 
 And had he come t' enjoy the chace. 
 The Goblin sure had slacked his pace; 
 For, Goblin as he was, he knew 
 Respect to rank is always due. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 Past Duddo's black and ruined tower 
 The hard pressed Fox has bent his way; 
 
 I 2
 
 6i8 THE GOBLIN GROOM. canio it. 
 
 Past Etal's town and Etal's bower. 
 Which in the neighb'ring valley lay: 
 Climbed they the hills so steep and fair, 
 Which over Ford's proud castle stare; 
 And pleased was every eye, I ween. 
 Whilst glanced along the princely scene. 
 The castle first attracts the eye. 
 In all her ancient majesty: 
 Meandering Till's impetuous flow, 
 Runs wildly in the vale below; 
 And mountains bleak, and hills of green, 
 Diversify the giant scene. 
 Such is the wide domain and hall 
 Of John the Peer of Delaval.
 
 CANTO fj. THE FOX-CHACE. 69 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 And now the country bleaker grew, 
 As to the upland grounds they drew; 
 
 A barren waste, so bleak and drear. 
 Is seen on every side: 
 
 No objects to the sight appear 
 
 The eye to glad, or heart to cheer. 
 In all the desert wide. 
 The ocean blue, with clustered isles," 
 The only feature here that smiles; 
 Here glouring*^ o'er the German flood, 
 Bare Barmoor's baby castle stood. 
 
 b The Fern Islands* 
 
 ^ 
 
 *: Looking intensely. Dr. Jamicson gives the following authority for this mean- 
 ing of the word. — 
 
 " He girnt, he glourt, he gapt, as he war weid." 
 
 SUNBA^R, MAITLAND POEMS, p. 77.
 
 7^ THE GOBLIN GROOM. canto ii. 
 
 With pallid face of new built woe, 
 Sad contrast to the moor below. 
 The owner saw the hounds run by. 
 And, from a tower, joined in the cry; 
 Wondered he much who it could be 
 That led the joyous revelry: 
 To right, or left, the leading hound, 
 The Goblin Groom was always found. 
 " Oh!" cried the squire of Barmoor bare, 
 " Oh! like yon Elf, that I were there!" 
 Amazement seized his soul to find 
 The others were a mile behind. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 From Barmoor's bare and shrubless hill. 
 The hounds have doubled back to Till,
 
 CANTO II. THE FOX-CHACE. 71 
 
 And seem to make for Chiviot hill. 
 Ah! hapless Fox, and dost thou know, 
 That fated Flodden lies below,* 
 And does not dark foreboding fear 
 Warn thee that fated Flodden's near; 
 And art thou doomed so soon to yield 
 Thy life on Flodden's fated field. 
 
 XX. 
 
 And now old Milfield's town they gain. 
 And reach dark Flodden's dreary plain, 
 Where, in full cry, and all abreast. 
 The hounds the wily villian pressed: 
 The Goblin Groom still keeps his place. 
 And glories in the varying chace;
 
 7^ THE GOBLIN GROOM. canto ii. 
 
 No demi volte, nor demi air; 
 No high curvett, nor terre-a-terre; 
 No hand to guide the gay croupade. 
 Nor heel to aid the balotade; 
 No capriole his skill to shew; 
 He these disdained, with pas et saut.*^ 
 Stiff on his stirrups, standing now. 
 He scorns to touch the saddle bow; 
 His elbows squared, and head awry, 
 As if he rode a race; 
 
 ■* II monte avec la main les eperons et gaule, 
 Le cheval de pegase qui voile en capriole, 
 II monte si haut qu'il touche de sa teste les cieux, 
 Et par ses merveilles ravit en extasses les Dieux, 
 Les chevaux corruptible qui la bas sur terre son 
 En courbettes dcmi-airs terre.a-tere vont 
 Avec humilite soumission et bassesse, 
 L'adorer, comme Dieu et auteur de leur adresse. 
 
 See a General Si/stem of Horsemanship, Sffc. 
 by the Duke of Njswcastle.
 
 CANTO lU 
 
 TIIE FOX-CIIACE. 73 
 
 But none might know, for none might spy, 
 The Goblin's spell-bound face: 
 For were he sprite, or were he fay, 
 He only shewed his back that day. 
 
 XXI. 
 
 And now the Fox is losing- ground ; 
 Now strains his speed each eager hound; 
 Now at his brush the foremost prest; 
 Now at his side, now at his breast; 
 And now despair o'ercoming fright, 
 The crafty Fox turns round to fight; 
 But soon by numbers overthrown, 
 He yields his life without a groan. 
 Thus fell the Fox, and, hate aside, 
 We'll say, at least, he nobly died.
 
 74 THE GOBLIN GROOM. canto ii. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 Down from his Poney jumped the Elf, 
 
 When, lo! the Poney disappeared; 
 And now the Goblin Groom himself 
 
 Has ta'en the brush, the hounds has cheered; 
 Has bowed his head to Chiviot gray, 
 And vanished from the light of day: 
 
 And when the distanced horsemen neared 
 
 The bloody scene on Flodden's plain. 
 No vestige of the Elf appeared; 
 The Poney too, was sought in vain. 
 Loud howled each hound; I will presume 
 They howled at loss of Goblin Groom; 
 And well they might, for such a fay 
 Ne'er rode before on hunting day;
 
 CANTO ir« 
 
 THE FOX-CHACE. 75 
 
 And hounds, like ladies fair, I'm told, 
 Dote on the daring- and the bold; 
 And than the Goblin, we'll agree, 
 A bolder there could never be. 
 
 « 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 On Flodden's field there stands a bush, 
 
 A willow bush where sedges grow, 
 The fav'rite haunt of Friar Rush*/ 
 
 This bush the neighb'ring- shepherds know: 
 'Twas here the hounds had killed their prey, 
 And vanished here the Goblin fay; 
 And, even to this very day. 
 
 * Alias " Will o' the Wisp,"— alias, in Scotland, «' Spunkie." The reader who 
 is anxious for farther information on this interesting subject is referred to the notes 
 on Maumjon. 
 
 K 2
 
 76 THE GOBLIN GROOM. 
 
 The passing shepherd calls the bush, 
 The Winning-Post of Friar Rush; 
 And, therefore, I may well presume. 
 That Friar Rush was Goblin Groom. 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 I do not rhyme to that dull clown 
 That has no fancy of his own ; 
 Who thinks on Flodden's dreary plain 
 The wearied hunters still remain. 
 Because not mentioned in my strain; 
 Who cannot figure in his mind. 
 That they returned to Dunse and dined; 
 That flowing bumpers then went round 
 To every horse, to every hound; 
 
 CANTO 11-
 
 CANTO It. THE FOX-CHACE. 77 
 
 That e'en midst jokes, and converse hot. 
 The Goblin Groom was not forgot; 
 And that they sat 'twixt hope and fear. 
 To see his Elfin form appear; 
 And that they drank, with honours due, 
 
 In three times three, the bold B h; 
 
 And midst the wassel-wine and cheer. 
 
 They thought on D h's noble Peer; 
 
 And crowned in bowls of rosy wine, 
 The whole of that illustrious line.
 
 78 THE GOBLIN GROOM. canto ii. 
 
 TO THE READER. 
 
 Now let the Minstrel bid adieu, 
 
 With votive lays, my friends to you: 
 
 To you, my friends, he'll now impart 
 
 The wishes of a Minstrel's heart; 
 
 If my poor rede be dull and flat, 
 
 Pray blame my head alone for that; 
 
 But when I act a friendly part 
 
 You must not, cannot, blame my heart. 
 
 To every Peer, if Peer there be. 
 
 To read my idle minstrelsy. 
 
 Unspotted fame, and courage true. 
 
 And boundless wealth, like bold B h:
 
 CANTO II. 
 
 THE FOX-CHACE. JQ 
 
 To every Bard that serves his Grace, 
 
 A goodly j3ension or a place; 
 
 To every Gardener may there be 
 
 A Bard to sing his praise, like me; 
 
 And may the bard be favoured too. 
 
 With Gardener-friend, dear Wat, like you: 
 
 Strongs head, strong- liquor, and good cheer, 
 
 To every Butler, far and near. 
 
 That serves a worthy, gallant. Peer: 
 
 Long life to all; my friends adieu. 
 
 And pray with me for bold B h. 
 
 THE END OF THE GOBLIN GROOM»
 
 NOTES.
 
 NOTES TO CANTO FIRS1\ 
 
 NOTE I, P. 16. 
 
 Where garden is, was place of tilt 
 Or tournament, where blood was spilt; 
 Where stain' d was many a foeman's hilt 
 With blood of knight laid low. 
 
 The martial exercise of Tilting is said to have been in- 
 troduced some time between the years 920 and 937, by 
 Henry I of Germany, styled Anceps, or Falconer, but 
 better known by the appellation of the Fowler: his motto 
 was, ** Tardus ad vindictam, ad beneficentiam velox."* 
 He is likewise said to have purchased the lance which 
 pierced our Saviour's side, and, with it, some of the nails 
 
 ' Hedio. Sleidan. 
 
 L2
 
 84 NOTES TO CANTO FIRST. 
 
 of the holy cross; giving in exchange a great portion 
 of Suabia, and other valuable gifts. 
 
 NOTE II, p. 23. 
 
 In the centre, soup was seen 
 Smoking, from a vase of snow. 
 
 That learned philosopher and prince of culinary per- 
 fection, Count Rumford, has taught the world the mode 
 of preparing ice-cream in a hot oven, and of sending it freez- 
 ing to table in a light crust of smoking pastry. The epi- 
 curean reader will be much disappointed if he expects to 
 find that the above lines allude to some recent improve- 
 ment in the science of chemistry, establishing the converse 
 of this discovery; and that the soup at Dunse was ac- 
 tually served steaming to the company in an excavated 
 snow-ball. It is hoped, that " a vase of snow" will be 
 allowed as an appropriate figure for a clean white crock- 
 cry tureen.
 
 NOTES TO CANTO FIRST. 85 
 
 NOTE III, P. 26, 27' 
 
 The chair is filled! a stranger sat 
 
 Upon the honoured seat; 
 Nor deigned he to doff his hat. 
 Though more than one had hinted that 
 Respect was always meet. 
 But he was heedless of them all, 
 And thrice he gazed round the hall, 
 But ne'er a word did he let fall: 
 Whilst thus he sat, whilst thus he gazed, 
 The goodly throng- were all amazed. — 
 
 The subject of superstition, as connected with the his- 
 tory of man, whether it be considered as influencing- his 
 character, or as affecting- his conduct in society, seems 
 sufficiently important to occupy the serious attention of 
 the most learned investigator. It has been treated, how- 
 ever, with so much ability by an elegant author of our
 
 86 NOTES TO CANTO FIRST. 
 
 own times," that, if not altogether exhausted, little more 
 seems left to the ingenuity of any succeeding writer, than 
 to avail himself, as his occasions may require, of the store 
 of information thus amply afforded him. No maxim be- 
 ing- more certainly founded on truth, than that early im- 
 pressions are generally the most lasting. Would it not be 
 highly meritorious in any one equal to the task, to fa- 
 vour the public with new editions of these invaluable pro- 
 ductions, Satan's Invisible World, and Glanvil's Histoi*y 
 of Witchcraft, rendered, on the modern and improved 
 plan of juvenile education, into easy ditties, to be sung or 
 said by nurse or child? Might we not then expect to see 
 the pure principles of poetic taste reared on the solid 
 basis of useful knowledge? 
 
 The following marvellous occurrence, recorded in the 
 letter of a noble peer, and said to be founded in fact, may 
 appear to the reader of prosaic fancy, as extremely dull and 
 uninteresting; but as it has been the ground-work of the 
 
 b Scott. Vide Minstrelsy of the Scotish Border, vol. ii.
 
 NOTES TO CANTO FIRST. 87 
 
 present poem, the author cannot think of refusing it inser- 
 tion. It will likewise help to increase the volume to 
 that respectable size which may entitle it to the honours 
 of Russia or Morroco, and to a distinguished situation 
 on the well arranged shelves of a modern library. 
 
 " MY DEAR SIR, 
 
 " I obey your commands with some reluctance, in relat- 
 ing the story of which you have heard so much, and to 
 which your curiosity appears to be so broad awake. I 
 do it unwillingly, because such histories depend so much 
 upon the manner in which they are related ; and this, 
 which I have told with such success, and to the midnight 
 terrors of so many simple souls, will make but a sorry fi- 
 gure in a written narration. — However, you shall have 
 it. 
 
 " It was in the early part of 's life, that he at- 
 tended an hunting club at their sport, when a stranger, 
 of a genteel appearance, and well mounted, joined the
 
 88 NOTES TO CANTO FIRST. 
 
 chace, and was observed to ride with a degree of courage 
 and address that called forth the utmost astonishment of 
 every one present. The beast he rode was of amazing 
 powers; nothing stopped them; the hounds could never 
 escape them ; and the huntsman, who was left far behind, 
 swore that the man and his horse were devils from hell. 
 When the sport was over, the company invited this extra- 
 ordinary person to dinner; he accepted the invitation, and 
 astonished the company as much by the powers of his con- 
 versation, and the elegance of his manners, as by his 
 equestrian prowess. He was an orator, a poet, a painter, 
 a musician, a lawyer, a divine ; in short, he was every 
 thing, and the magic of his discourse kept the drowsy 
 sportsmen awake long after their usual hour. At length, 
 however, wearied nature could be charmed no more, and 
 the company began to steal away by degrees to their re- 
 pose. On his observing the society diminish, he discover- 
 ed manifest signs of uneasiness: he therefore gave new 
 force to his spirits, and new charms to his conversation, 
 in order to detain the remaining few some time longer
 
 NOTES TO CANTO FIRST* 89 
 
 This had some little effect; but the period could not be 
 long- delayed when he was to be conducted to his cham- 
 ber. The remains of the company retired also; but they 
 had scarce closed their eyes, when the house was alarmed 
 by the most terrible shrieks that were ever heard: several 
 persons were awakened by the noise; but, its continuance 
 being- short, they concluded it to proceed from a dog who 
 might be accidentally confined in some part of the house: 
 they very soon, therefore, composed themselves to sleep, 
 and were very soon awakened by shrieks and cries of still 
 g-reater terror than the former. Alarmed at what they 
 heard, several of them rung their bells, and, when the 
 servants came, they declared that the horrid sounds pro- 
 ceeded from the stranger's chamber. Some of the gentle- 
 men immediately arose, to inquire into this extraordina- 
 ry disturbance; and, while they were dressing- themselves 
 for that purpose, deeper groans of despair, and shriller 
 shrieks of agony, again astonished and terrified them. 
 After knocking sometime at the stranger's chamber- 
 door, he answered them as one awakened from sleep, d^- 
 
 M
 
 90 NOTES TO CANTO FIRST. 
 
 clared he had heard no noise, and, rather in an angry 
 tone, desired he might not be again disturbed. Upon 
 this they returned to one of their chambers, and had 
 scarce begun to communicate their sentiments to each 
 other, when their conversation was interrupted by a re- 
 newal of yells, screams, and shrieks, which, from the hor- 
 ror of them, seemed to issue from the throats of damned 
 and tortured spirits. They immediately followed the 
 sounds, and traced them to the stranger's chamber, the 
 door of >vhich they instantly burst open, and found him 
 upon his knees in bed, in the act of scourging himself 
 with the most unrelenting severity, his body streaming 
 with blood. On their seizing his hand to stop the strokes, 
 he begged them, in the most wringing tone of voice, as 
 an act of mercy, that they would retire, assuring them that 
 the cause of their disturbance was over, and that in the 
 morning he would acquaint them with the reasons of the 
 terrible cries they had heard, and the melancholy sight 
 they saw. After a repetition of his entreaties, they retir- 
 ed; and in the morning some of them went to his cham-
 
 NOTES TO CANTO FIRST. 91 
 
 bcr, but he was not there; and, on examining- the bed, 
 they found it to be one gore of blood. Upon further in- 
 quiry, the groom said, that, as soon as it was light, the 
 gentleman came to the stable booted and spurred, desired 
 his horse might be immediately saddled, and appeared to 
 be extremely impatient till it was done, when he vaulted 
 instantly into his saddle, and rode out of the yard on full 
 speed. — Servants were immediately dispatched into every 
 part of the surrounding country, but not a single trace of 
 him could be found; such a person had not been seen by 
 any one, nor has he been since heard of. 
 
 " The circumstances of this strange story were imme- 
 diately committed to writing, and signed by every one 
 who were witnesses to them, that the future credibility of 
 any one, who should think proper to relate them, might 
 be duly supported. Among the subscribers to the truth 
 of this history are some of the first names of this century. 
 — It would now, I believe, be impertinent to add any 
 thing more, than that I am, yours, &c."
 
 92 NOTES TO CANTO FIRST. 
 
 If farther proof were necessary to shew, that the domi- 
 nion of superstition is not altogether confined, as has been 
 erroneously supposed, to the heroes of romance, it might 
 be found in the learned support afforded, but a few years 
 ago, to the predictions of the unfortunate Prophet Bro- 
 thers : And although the sublime and simple truths of 
 the Christian faith have given a fatal blow to the supersti- 
 tious absurdities of more early creeds, our propensity to 
 the marvellous, has still retained sufficient influence, to 
 screen from detection the grossest impositions of the Ro- 
 man Church. AmoDg the numberless deceptions, which 
 Popish craft has successfully practised upon the credulity 
 of its votaries, one has been handed down by a venerable 
 historian, the insertion of which cannot fail to gratify the 
 enlightened commentators and note-compilers of the pre- 
 sent agee— 
 
 " Qui, cum die quadam tale aliquid foris ageret, digres- 
 sis ad ecclesiam sociis, ut dicere coeperam, et episcopus so- 
 lus in oratorio loci, lectioni vel orationi operam daret;
 
 NOTES TO CANTO FIRST. 93 
 
 audivit repentc, ut postea referebat, voccm suavissimam 
 cantantium atque laetantium de coelo ad terras usque de- 
 scendere: quam videlicet vocem ab Euro austro, id est, ab 
 alto brumalis, exortam, primo se audisse dicebat, ac de- 
 inde paulatim earn sibi appropiare, donee ad tectum us- 
 que oratorii, in quo erat Episcopus, perveniret; quod in- 
 gressa totum implevit, atque in gyro circundedit. At il- 
 le, dum solicitus in ea quae audiebat, animum intenderet, 
 audivit denuo transacto quasi dimidiae horae spatio, ascen- 
 dere de tecto ejusdem oratorii idem laetitiae canticum; et 
 ipsa qua venerat via, ad coelos usque cum inefFabili dulce- 
 dine, reverti. Qui cum aliquantulum horae quasi attoni- 
 tus maneret, et quid haec essent solerti animo scrutaretur, 
 aperuit Episcopus fenestram oratorii, et sonitum manu fa- 
 ciens, ut saepius consuevit, siquis foris esset, ad se intrare 
 praecepit. Introivit ille concitus; cui dixit antistes: vade 
 cito ad ecclesiam, et hos septem fratres hue venire facito; 
 tu quoque simul adesto. Qui cum venissent, primo ad- 
 monuit eos, ut virtutem dilectionis et pacis, ad invicem et 
 ad omnes fideles servarent Instituta quoque disciplinae 
 
 N
 
 94 NOTES TO CANTO FIRST. 
 
 regularis, quae vcl ab ipso didicisseiit, vel in ipso vidissent, 
 vel in patrum priecedentivim factis sive dictis invenissent, 
 indefessa instantia sequerentur. Deinde subjunxit, diem 
 sui obitus jam proxime instare. Namquc hospes, inquit, 
 ille amabilis, qui fratres nostros visitare solebat, ad me 
 quoque hodie venire, meque de seculo evocare dignatus 
 est. Propter quod revertentes ad ecclesiam, dicite fratri- 
 bus, ut et meum exitum Domino precibus commendent, et 
 suum quoque exitum, (cujus hora incerta est), Tigiliis, o- 
 rationibus, bonis operibus, praivenire meminerint. Cum- 
 que haec et hujusmodi plura loqueretur, atque illi, percep- 
 ta ejus benedictione, jam multum tristes exiissent, rediit 
 ipse solus, qui carmen coeleste audierat, et prosternens se 
 in terram, Obsecro, inquit pater, licetne aliquid interrog-a- 
 re? Interroga, inquit, quod vis. At ille, Obsecro, inquit, 
 ut dicas, quod erat canticum illud laatantium, quod audi- 
 vi, venientium de coelis super oratorium hoc, et post tem- 
 pus rcdeuntium ad coelos. Respondit ille; Si vocem car- 
 minis audivisti, et coelestes supervenirc coetus cog-novisti, 
 prajcipio tibi in nomine Domini, ne hoc cuiquam, ante
 
 NOTES TO CANTO FIRST. 95 
 
 meiim obitum, dicas. Revera autem Aiigclorum fuere 
 spiritus, qui me ad coslestia, qua; semper amabam ac desi- 
 derabam, pncmia vocare vencrunt; et post dies septcm so 
 redituros, ac me secum adducturos esse promiserunt. Quod 
 quidem ita ut dictum ei erat opere completum est. Nam 
 confestim languore corporis tactus est, ct hoc per dies in- 
 gravescente, septimo (ut promissum ei fuerat) die, post- 
 quam obitum suum dominici corporis, et sanguinis percep- 
 tione munivit, soluta ab ergastulo corporis anima sancta, 
 ducentibus (ut credi fas est), angelis comitibus, aeterna 
 gaudia petivit." 
 
 E IIIST. ECCLES. VENER. BED. 
 
 NOTE IV, P. 28. 
 
 A pea-green jerkin on his back, 
 All dabbled by a splashing hack. — 
 
 The dress of this little stranger, and his manner of in- 
 troducing himself to the festival, must satisfy the reader
 
 96 NOTES TO CANTO FIRST. 
 
 that the Goblin Groom is one of those supernatural sports- 
 men usually termed Fairies. In the sequel, however, it 
 will appear evident, that he owes his origin to the hardy 
 race of northern Elves, rather than to the more delicate 
 family of eastern Peris.' 
 
 The existence of the Fairy, like that of the Mermaid, 
 no longer rests on the credulity of the ignorant, but is 
 confirmed and established by attestations no less respect- 
 able than the affidavits so frequently made before the 
 Lord Mayor of London, in support of the infallibility of 
 a quack and his nostrums. 
 
 In the isle of Man, where sportsmen of more tangible 
 materials enjoy a temporary security, these little super- 
 naturals, probably under similar circumstances, find an 
 agreeable retreat. In the Minstrelsy of the Scottish 
 
 "^ By some etymologists of that learned class, who not only know whence words come, but also 
 whither they are going, the term Fairy, or Fa'irie, is deriyed from Fae, which is again derived 
 from Nympha. It is more probable the term is of oriental origin, and is deriyed from the Per- 
 sic, through the medium of the Arabic. In Persic, the term Pen expresses a species of imagi> 
 nary being, which resembles the Fairy in some of its qualities, and is one of the fairest creatures 
 of romantic fancy. 
 
 MiSSTRELSV OF THE SCOTTISH BoRDEB, p. 115-1] 6.
 
 NOTES TO CANTO FIRST. 97 
 
 Borders, on the unreftited authority of Mr. Waldron, we 
 have the following; interesting- particulars. — 
 
 " Like the feld elfen of the Saxons, the usual dress 
 of the Fairies is green ; though, on the moors, they have 
 been sometimes observed in heath-brown, or in weeds 
 dyed with the stoneraw, or lichen. They often ride in 
 invisible procession, when their presence is discovered by 
 the shrill ringing of their bridles. On these occasions, 
 they sometimes borrow mortal steeds; and when such are 
 found at morning-, panting and fatigued in their stalls, 
 with their manes and tails dishevelled and entangled, the 
 g-rooms, I presume, often find this a convenient excuse 
 for their situation ; as the common belief of the elves 
 quaffing the choicest liquors in the cellars of the rich, 
 (see the story of Lord DufFus below), might occasionally 
 cloak the delinquencies of an unfaithful butler. 
 
 *' The Fairies, beside their equestrian processions, are 
 addicted, it would seem, to the pleasures of the cliace. 
 A young sailor, travelling by night from Douglas, in the 
 
 o
 
 9S NOTES TO CANTO FIRST. 
 
 Isle of Man, to visit his sister, residing in Kirk Mcrlugli, 
 heard the noise of horses, the holla of a huntsman, and 
 the sound of a horn. Immediately afterwards, thirteen 
 horsemen, dressed in green, and gallantly mounted, swept 
 past him. Jack was so much delighted with the sport, 
 that he followed them, and enjoyed the sound of the horn 
 for some miles ; and it was not till he arrived at his sis- 
 ter's house that he learned the danger which he had in- 
 curred, i must not omit to mention, that these little 
 personages are expert jockeys, and scorn to ride the lit- 
 tle Manks ponies, though apparently well suited to their 
 size. The exercise, therefore, falls heavily upon the 
 English and Irish horses brought into the Isle of Man. 
 jNIr. Waldron was assured by a gentleman of Ballafletcher, 
 that he had lost three or four capital hunters by these 
 nocturnal excursions. 
 
 waldron's works, p. 132." 
 
 It is to be lamented, for the comfort of that valuable 
 class of society denominated Hunting-Grooms, that their
 
 NOTES TO CANTO FIRST. 99 
 
 masters do not look into the casualties of tlicir studs with 
 the discriminating- eye of the worthy gentleman of Balla- 
 fletchcr. 
 
 NOTE V, p. 29. 
 
 And every toast with ready will 
 
 His elfin hand consents to fill. 
 
 Heavens! what a wondrous draught he drew 
 
 Whene'er they toasted bold B h. 
 
 Monsieur Mallet, the learned author of the ingenious 
 work on Northren Antiquities, seems to consider Fairies 
 and Elves as synonymous terms. In his remarks on the 
 ninth fable of the Edda, we find him thus expressing- him- 
 self. — " Alfheim signifies, in Gothic, the abode of the 
 Genii, that is, the Fairies of the male-sex." To prove 
 the Gothic origin of our Elf, we need only appeal to the 
 devotion he shews to the bottle. His conduct at the 
 Dunse Festival is truly northern, and the mighty Thor
 
 100 NOTES TO CANTO FIRST. 
 
 himself, the great champion of Scandinavian revelry, 
 could not have displayed greater zeal in emptying the 
 enchanted horn. — But of this the reader may judge by pe- 
 rusing the Gothic fable. — 
 
 THE TWENTY-FIFTH FABLE. 
 Of the Trials that Thor- underwent. 
 
 " Then the king asked Thor, in what art he would 
 choose to give proof of that dexterity for which he was 
 so famous. Thor replied, that he would contest the 
 prize of drinking with any person belonging to his court. 
 The king consented, and immediately went into his pa- 
 lace to look for a large horn, out of which his courtiers 
 were obliged to drink when they had committed any tres- 
 pass against the customs of the court." This the cup- 
 bearer filled to the brim, and presented to Thor, whilst 
 the king spake thus.— Whoever is a good drinker, will 
 
 d Our modern Bachanals will here observe, that punishing by a bumper is not an invention of 
 these degenerate days. The ancient Danes were great Topers.
 
 NOTES TO CANTO FIRST. iOl 
 
 empty that horn at a single draiig-ht ; some persons make 
 two of it ; but the most puny drinker of all can do it at 
 three. Thor looked at the horn, and was astonished at 
 its length ;' however, as he was very thirsty, he set it to his 
 mouth, and, without drawing- breath, pulled as long and 
 as deeply as he could, that he might not be obliged to 
 make a second draught of it: but when he withdrew the 
 cup from his mouth, in order to look in, he could scarce- 
 ly perceive any of the liquor gone. To it he went again 
 with all his might, but succeeded no better than before. 
 At last, full of indignation, he again set the horn to his 
 lips, and exerted himself to the utmost to empty it entire- 
 ly : then looking in, he found that the liquor was a little 
 lowered; upon this, he resolved to attempt it no more, 
 but gave back the horn. I now see plainly, says the 
 king, that thou art not quite so stout as we thought 
 
 ' The drinking vjsscls of the noitliciii nations were, the horns of animals, of (heir natural 
 length, only tipt with silver, &c. In York-Minster is preserved one of those ancient drinking- 
 vessels, composed of a large elephant's tooth, of its natural dimensions, ornaraented with scnlj). 
 tnre, &c. See Drake's Hist.
 
 102 NOTES TO CANTO FIRST. 
 
 thee; but art thou willing- to make any more trials? I 
 am sure, says Thor, such draughts as I have been drink- 
 ing-, would not have been reckoned small among the 
 Gods. 
 
 mallet's north, antiq. vol. II, p. 126-127."
 
 NOTES TO CANTO SECOND. 
 
 NOTE I, P. 60. 
 
 He strode a poney, lank and lean, 
 That looked as if astray 't had been ; 
 Dun was its hue, with flowing mane; 
 The tail was black, and like a train — 
 
 Contrary to the custom of the Manx Fairies, it might 
 be inferred, that our Groom had just returned from the 
 sanctuary of sportsmen, with a nag- of the native breed. 
 But having already made considerable progress in esta- 
 blishing the origin of the rider, we shall now take some 
 pains in proving to our readers the pedigree of the steed: 
 and in asserting him to be from the stock of the far-fam- 
 ed Sleipner, we hope to be borne out by his performan-
 
 104 NOTES TO CANTO SECOND. 
 
 ces, and confirmed by probability in our opinion. The 
 circumstance of that noted stallion having had eig-ht legs, 
 does not in the least degree weaken our belief in the ge- 
 nuine descent of the Goblin's poney ; for, reasoning by 
 analogy, we have never yet heard of a parent with a 
 wooden-leg transmitting timber-toes to posterity. 
 
 To those sportsmen who confine their genealogical in- 
 quiries to the general stud-book and racing-calender, we 
 present, in the words of the Gothic Edda, the history of 
 a horse, more famed than the Childer's Barb, or the Go- 
 dolphin Arabian. — 
 
 HISTORIA VICESIMA PRIMA. 
 
 Qiiomodo Loco procreavit equum Sleipnerum cum Svadilfaro. 
 
 " Faber quidam Asas adveniens, ad urbem illis »difi- 
 candam per tres annos sese obtulit, eamque adeo muiii- 
 tam, ut tuta esset ab incursionibiis Gigantum. Merce- 
 dem vero laboris Frejam postulavit, ut el lunam solem- 
 que. Dii vero, inito consilio, paciscuntur; si vero quid
 
 NOTES TO CANTO SECOND. 105 
 
 laboris prima die icstatis supercsset, pncmium amitteret ; 
 nuUius vero opera ei uti liceret. Hie do auxilio equi sui 
 Svadelfari tantum pactus fuit. Omnia vero haec fiebant, 
 dirigente et instig-ante Locone. Hie iirbain a^dificaturus, 
 noctu per eqimm lapides attraxit. Asis mirum videbatur, 
 earn tarn magnos adferre monies; nee non equum plus, 
 quam fabrum, conficere. Pacto autem multi interftiere 
 testes: quippe cum gigas videretur non satis tutus inter 
 Asas, si hie esset, Toro domum reverso. Qui jam mari 
 Baltico trajecto, hinc per amnes et fluvios ad Asiam pro- 
 gressus, (quod priscis Austerveg audit) bellum cum gi- 
 gantibus gessit. Urbs fuit munita et tam alta, ut perspi- 
 cere non valeres. Tribus vero reliquis fabro diebus, Dii 
 congregati solia sua ascendentes quaesiverunt, quisnam 
 auctor esset, ut Freya in Jotunheimiam elocaretur? ut et 
 aer perderetur, inducta coelo calligine, sublatum solem et 
 lunam dando gigantibus. lUos vero inter conventum fuit, 
 Loconem hoc dedisse consilium. Dicebant, eum misera 
 morte afficiendum esse, nisi rationem, qua faber merce- 
 dem amitteret, inveniret, adjicientes fore ut statim ilium 
 
 Q
 
 106 NOTES TO CANTO SECOND. 
 
 comprehenderent. Examinatus vero jiirejuraiido promi- 
 sit se efFecturum, ut faber mercede frustraretur, quicquid 
 tandem huic negotio impenderet. Fabro autem lapidis 
 advehendi causa, cum Svadilfaro, egressuro, ex sylva pro- 
 siliit equa quaedam solitaria, equo adhinniens. Quam 
 conspicatus equus, in furorem actus, rupto fune, eam ad- 
 currit, jam in sylvam accelerantem, insequente fabro, 
 equum assecuturo. Equa vero totam per noctem discur- 
 rente, faber impeditus fuit, quominus, hac nocte, una cum 
 die sequente, opus, uti antea, fuerit continuatum. Quo 
 cognito, animo percellitur giganteo. Quo viso, juramen- 
 tis non parcentes Torum invocarunt : qui statim adveni- 
 ens, vibrato in aera malleo, dataque mercede, occisum 
 fabrum in Niflheimium detrusit. Loconi vero cum Sva- 
 dilfaro res fuit, ut equuleum genuerit nomine Sleipne- 
 rum, octo habentem pedes. 
 
 EDDA, FAB. XXI, OPERA ET STUDIO JO. GORANSON.'*
 
 NOTES TO CANTO SECOND. 107 
 
 NOTE II, P. 63. 
 
 The Goblin Groom now screamed a scream; 
 For Goblins hate a running- stream; 
 And, if the truth my records say, 
 The Elfin Poney neighed a neigh. 
 
 The terror of the inhabitants of Alfheim, or Fairy land, 
 for running' water, has been too often asserted to require 
 much comment. Unlicensed spirits, that wander on the 
 face of the earth, with intentions injurious to mankind, 
 are always represented as tortured with hydrophobia. 
 The author cannot hope that he has painted the Goblin's 
 terror in all the glowing colours of a Burns,' or with the 
 finer tints of a Scott ; yet he flatters himself some beau- 
 ty may be found, by the admirers of pleonastic redund- 
 ancy, in the passage expressive of the horror of the horse 
 and rider; and he feels that, in this judgment, he will be 
 
 * Tam O'Shanter.
 
 108 NOTES TO CANTO SECOND. 
 
 supported by the most classical authorities in the Eng-lish 
 language; e.g. 
 
 GILES SCROGGINS. 
 
 Giles Scroggins courted Molly Brown, 
 Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido; 
 
 The fairest wench in all the town, 
 
 Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido; 
 
 He bought a ring with posie true, 
 
 " If you loves I as I loves you, 
 
 " No knife can cut our love in two." 
 Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido. 
 
 But scissars cut as well as knives, 
 
 Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido; 
 
 And quite unsartin's all our lives, 
 
 Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido; 
 
 The day they were to have been wed, 
 
 Fate's scissars cut poor Giles's thread.
 
 NOTES TO CANTO SECOND 109 
 
 So they could not be mar-ri-ed. 
 
 Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido. 
 
 Poor Molly laid her down to weep, 
 
 Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido; 
 And cried herself quite fast asleep, 
 
 Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido; 
 When, standing all by the bed-post, 
 A figure tall her sight engrossed. 
 And it cried, I beez Giles Scroggins' Ghost! 
 
 Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido. 
 
 The Ghost it said, all solemnly, 
 
 Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido; 
 O Molly, you must go with I! 
 
 Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido; 
 All to the grave, your love to cool. — 
 She says, I am not dead, you fool! — 
 Says the Ghost, says he, Vy that's no rule. 
 
 Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido. 
 
 R
 
 110 NOTES TO CANTO SECOND. 
 
 The Ghost he seized her, all so grim, 
 
 Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido; 
 All for to go along with him; 
 
 Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido. 
 *' Come, come, said he, ere morning beam." — 
 " I vont!" said she, and she screamed a scream — 
 Then she woke and found she dreamed a dream. 
 Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido. 
 
 And again, — 
 
 With rapid round the Baron bent ; 
 He sighed a sigh, he prayed a prayer; 
 The prayer was to his patron Saint, 
 The sigh was to his lady fair. 
 
 LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL.
 
 NOTES TO CANTO SECOND. HI 
 
 NOTE III, P. 66. 
 
 And thus he hilter skilter flew, 
 
 And distanced all the huntsmen-crew. 
 
 We cannot give a better idea of the hilter skilter mode 
 of riding with hounds, than by quoting the truly classical 
 words of an accomplished Leicestershire sportsman, who 
 is equally celebrated as a painter and a poet.-— 
 
 And next in the cluster 
 See Wor'ster and Muster; 
 Now Muster sets Wor'ster, 
 Now Wor'ster beats Muster; 
 Now Muster is first, Sir, 
 And Wor'ster is burst. Sir: 
 Such bunglers as those are 
 Ought both to be curst. Sir.
 
 112 NOTES TO CANTO SECOND. 
 
 Although we in general disapprove of Parodies, the 
 above is so excellent, and so applicable to our subject, 
 that we sacrifice our principles for the gratification of 
 our readers. 
 
 NOTE IV, p. 72. 
 
 , No demi volte, nor demi air; 
 
 No high curvett, nor terre-a-terre; 
 No hand to g-uide the gay croupade. 
 Nor heel to aid the balotade; 
 No capriole his skill to shew; 
 He these disdained, with pas et saut. 
 
 It must be truly gratifying to yeomanry officers, and 
 those who have not had the advantages of an equestrian 
 education, that, in works of fancy, they may be at once 
 am'j«;ed and instructed with valuable hints on horseman- 
 ship ; and believing, as we do, that those who have feast- 
 ed on the pages of Marmion are now enabled to take a
 
 NOTES TO CANTO SECOND. 113 
 
 leading* part in a meslee or fight, we shall proceed to for- 
 ward them in their pursuits, by recommending to their 
 attention Astley's explanation of the Croupade. 
 
 The Tailor too of Brentford will be enjoyed with g-reat- 
 er glee, when the spectators do not curb their mirth by a 
 fellow-feeling" for the Cockney equestrian. 
 
 " CROUPADE. 
 
 " The horse leaps into the air with all his feet off the 
 ground at one and the same time, and without stretching 
 out those behind : by an attention to this action, much 
 good might result to the cavalry ; and here I will relate 
 a manoeuvre, to which I often had recourse in 1761, and 
 at other periods of the seven years war. I instructed my 
 horse to strike an object, or objects, at the will of the 
 rider, within a given distance, before, behind, or together; 
 and necessity furnished me with the idea. 
 
 " In patroling, a soldier sometimes wants a guide, and 
 gentle means often prove ineffectual to induce a peasant 
 
 s
 
 114 NOTES TO CANTO SECOND. 
 
 to quit his bed, at the dead of the night, for the accom- 
 modation of others, — to dismount for the purpose of pro- 
 curing admittance into a house, at such a time, barred 
 and bolted within, and perhaps in an enemy's country, 
 would be dangerous. I knew my duty, and, ere this, my 
 horse knew his. On approaching the door, I caused him 
 to strike it with his fore-feet; and if this did not an- 
 swer my purpose, (for it would sometimes fail), I faced 
 him about, when, with his croup, he would break the 
 door in pieces : this he would accomplish in a few mo- 
 ments, to the surprise and terror of the inhabitants : 
 on the other hand, when upon the defensive, no person 
 could approach me without danger ; and when on the 
 offensive, and animated at my pleasure, to the highest 
 pitch, he would strike in every direction, and clear his 
 
 way! 
 
 ASTLEy's EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION, P. 177.' 
 
 We do not remember that I^a Broue has any where 
 pointed out the application of this useful air du Manege, 
 as the French term it.
 
 NOTES TO CANTO SECOND. 
 
 115 
 
 NOTE V, P. 7.4. 
 
 Loud howled each hound; I will presume 
 They howled at loss of Goblin Groom; 
 And well they might, for such a fay 
 Ne'er rode before on hunting day; — 
 
 Though not exactly authorized by the writer of the 
 following poem, yet we cannot think he will take oifence 
 at our availing ourselves of its beauties, to illustrate the 
 fidelity and attachment of the canine species to their 
 masters, and those who have shared with them in the 
 dangers and fatigues of the chace. We extract this poem 
 from a Calcutta Gazette of 1807. —
 
 116 NOTES TO CANTO SECOND. 
 
 BETH-GELERT, 
 
 OR 
 
 THE GRAVE OF THE GREYHOUND.* 
 
 The spearmen heard the bugle sound, 
 And cheerly smiled the morn, 
 
 And many a brach, and many a hound. 
 Obeyed Llewelyn's horn. 
 
 And still he blew a louder blast, 
 
 And gave a lustier cheer, 
 " Come, Gelert, come, wer't never last 
 
 *' Llewelyn's horn to hear. 
 
 " Oh! where does faithful Gelert roam, 
 " The flower of all his race.'' 
 
 •> The story of this Ballad is traditionary in a Tillage at the foot of Snowden, where Llewelyn 
 the Great had a house. The Greyhound, named Gelert, was given to him hy his father-in-law, 
 King John, in the year \105 ; and the place to this day is called 13fth-Gelcrt, or the Grave of 
 Gelert.
 
 NOTES TO CAKTO SECOND. 117 
 
 *' So true, so brave; a lamb at home, 
 " A lion in the chace!" 
 
 'Twas only at Llewelyn's board 
 
 The faithful Gelert fed; 
 He watched, he served, he cheered his lord. 
 
 And sentineled his bed. 
 
 In sdotu he wd^s a peerless hound, 
 
 The gift of royal John ; 
 But now no Gelert could be found, 
 
 And all the chace rode on. 
 
 And now, as o'er the rocks and dells 
 
 The gallant chidings rise, 
 All Snowdon's craggy chaos yells 
 
 The many mingled cries! 
 
 That day Llewelyn little loved 
 The chace of hart or hare.
 
 118 NOTES TO CANTO SECOND. 
 
 And scant and small the booty proved, 
 For Gelert was not there. 
 
 Unpleased, Llewelyn homeward hied : 
 
 When, near the portal seat, 
 His truant Gelert he espied 
 
 Bounding his lord to greet. 
 
 But, when he gained his castle door. 
 
 Aghast the chieftain stood; 
 The hound all o'er was smeared with gore. 
 
 His lips, his fangs, ran blood. 
 
 Llewelyn gazed with fierce surprise: — 
 
 Unused such looks to meet. 
 His fav'rite checked his joyful guise. 
 
 And crouched and licked his feet. 
 
 Onward in haste Llewelyn past, 
 . And on went Gelert too,
 
 NOTES TO CANTO SECOND. 119 
 
 And still, where'er his eyes he cast, 
 Fresh blood-gouts shocked his view. 
 
 O'erturned his infant's bed he found, 
 
 With blood-stained covert rent; 
 And all around, the walls and ground 
 
 With recent blood besprent. 
 
 He called his child, no voice replied; 
 
 He searched with terror wild; 
 Blood, blood he found on every side; 
 
 But no where found his child. 
 
 '* Hell-hound! my child by thee 's devoured!" 
 
 The frantic father cried; 
 And to the hilt his veng-eful sword 
 
 He plunged in Gelert's side. 
 
 His suppliant looks, as prone he fell, 
 No pity could impart:
 
 120 NOTES TO CANTO SECOND. 
 
 But still his Gelert's dying yell 
 Passed heavy o'er his heart. 
 
 Aroused by Gelert's dying- yell 
 Some slumberer wakened nigh: 
 
 What words the parent's joy could tell 
 To hear his infant's cry! 
 
 Concealed beneath a tumbled heap, 
 His hurried search had missed: 
 
 All glowing from his rosy sleep, 
 The cherub boy he kissed. 
 
 Nor scath had he, nor harm, nor dread; 
 
 But the same couch beneath 
 Lay a gaunt wolf, all torn and dead, 
 
 Tremendous still in death. 
 
 Ah, what was then Llewelyn's pain! 
 For now the truth was clear;
 
 NOTES TO CANTO SECOND. 121 
 
 His gallant hound the wolf had slain. 
 To save Llewelyn's heir. 
 
 Vain, vain was all Llewelyn's woe: 
 
 " Best of thy kind adieu! 
 " The frantic blow, which laid thee low, 
 
 " This heart shall ever rue." 
 
 And now a gallant tomb tliey raise, 
 
 With costly sculpture deckt; 
 And marbles storied witli his praise. 
 
 Poor Gelert's bone^ protect. 
 
 There never could the spearman pass, 
 
 Or forester, unmoved; 
 There oft the tear-besprinkled grass 
 
 Llewelyn's sorrow proved. 
 
 And there he hung his horn and spear. 
 And there, as evening fell, 
 
 u
 
 122 NOTES TO CANTO SECOND. 
 
 In Fancy's ear he oft would hear 
 Poor Gelert's dying yell. 
 
 And till great Snowdon's rocks grow old. 
 And cease the storm to brave. 
 
 The consecrated spot shall hold 
 The name of " Gelert's Grave!" 
 
 NOTE VI, P. 76. 
 
 The passing shepherd calls the bush. 
 The Winning-Post of Friar Rush;-^ 
 
 This Friar, or " esprit foUet," is a gentleman of as many 
 names and titles as any Spanish Grandee ; " Will o' the 
 Wisp," however, is the name he is best known by, when 
 stript of his ecclesiastical honours: he has always been 
 considered a tricky knave, and is thus spoken of in Mar- 
 mion. —
 
 NOTES TO CANTO SECOND. 123 
 
 Better we had through mire and bush 
 Been lanthorn led by Friar Rush. 
 
 MARMION, CANTO IV, P. 187. 
 
 NOTE VII, P. 79. 
 
 To every Bard that serves his Grace, 
 A goodly pension or a place; — 
 
 We here call upon our readers, to attend to the ori- 
 gin of the word Bard; inasmuch as, that term has become 
 applicable to poem-mongers in general. The learned Mr. 
 Prideaux informs us, — 
 
 " Bardus possessed his father Druis' place. To his an- 
 cestors Phylosophy, Magick, Politicks, Rites and Ceremo- 
 nies, this man added Poetry, and set all their excellencies 
 at a higher key. 2. From him we have the ancient Bar- 
 di, the chroniclers of all heroick actions, and commenders
 
 124 NOTES TO CANTO SECOND. 
 
 of their performers, to the imitation of their posterity, 
 Mhom an ancient poet thus bespeaketh, — 
 
 Vos quoq. qui fortes animas belioq. peremtas, 
 Laudibus in longuni vates deducitis ievum. 
 Phirima securi fudistis carmina Bardi. 
 
 Then you brave Bards securely song. 
 
 The praise of dead Pears; 
 In lofty strains, for to prolong 
 
 Their fame for many years. 
 
 3. Their esteem was such amongst the greatest command- 
 ers, that if two armies were even at push of pike, and a 
 Bard had step'd in between them, they would have held 
 their hands, barkened to their advice, and not have offer- 
 ed to strike until he were out of danger. 4. Famous 
 amongst those Bards (before the coming of our Saviour) 
 were held Plenidius and Glaskirion, and of late years, 
 Davyc Dee, David aj) Williams, and others. They say
 
 NOTES TO CANTO SECOND. 125 
 
 the island Bardsey had Bardorum Insula, its name, from 
 them, and Aquila, Perdix, Patrick, Maddoch, and both 
 the Merlins the wisards, were from this institution." 
 
 PRIDEAUX'S INTRODUCTION TO HISTORY, P. 255-256. 
 
 Although the terms Bard and Poet are those in more 
 general use to express the rhyme-weaving brotherhood, 
 yet there are words of Gothic origin which may still be 
 found of uncommon meaning, and, on certain occasions, 
 even more significant than the former. Thus, a dame 
 declaiming in heroics to her waiting-women and children, 
 is denominated a Scold, from the Scalds or Poets of Ice- 
 land ; and the term Bragger may, from " Brage" of the 
 Goths, be employed to designate a blustering Poetaster, 
 who claims, for alleged facility and unquestionable length 
 of composition, the applause reserved for creative genius 
 and continued exertion. 
 
 THE END. 
 
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